bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
INTER-GENERATION SOCIAL MOBILITY MODIFIES FRAMINGHAM RISK SCORE IN POLISH MIDDLE-AGED MEN, BUT NOT IN WOMEN
Authors: JANKOWSKA EWA ANITA , SZKLARSKA ALICJA , LIPOWICZ ANNA , ŁOPUSZAŃSKA MONIKA , KOZIEL SŁAWOMIR , BIELICKI TADEUSZ 
Published: December 2007

SummaryIn modern societies, there are regular social gradients in most health parameters, and also in the structure of morbidity and mortality. However, the significance of inter-generation social mobility for general health status still remains equivocal. This study was therefore performed in order to compare the effect of social mobility on coronary heart disease (CHD) risk between middle-aged Polish men and women. A total of 342 men and 458 women, aged 40 and 50 and inhabitants of Wrocław, were examined. Risk of CHD was estimated using the Framingham Risk Score (FRS), calculated for each individual. Social mobility was defined as an inter-generation change in social status expressed as educational level between the examined individual and his/her father. Using two-variable regression models, it was demonstrated that FRS in men was determined by both their father’s education level (β=0·33, p<0·0001) and inter-generation change in educational status (β=0·18, p=0·008). In contrast, FRS in women was related only to their father’s education level (β=0·35, p<0·0001), but not to inter-generation social mobility (β=0·35, p=0·25). In particular, an incremental change in educational level among those men whose father had finished primary school at the very most or among those whose father had finished basic trade school was accompanied by a significant decrease in FRS (F=4·12, p=0·009 and F=3·25, p=0·04, respectively). It is concluded that inter-generation social mobility modifies CHD risk (as estimated using FRS) in middle-aged Polish men, but not in women. The precise mechanisms responsible for the observed sex difference in this phenomenon need to be established in further studies.
Evaluation of 280 000 cases in Dutch midwifery practices: a descriptive study
Authors: Amelink‐Verburg MP , Verloove‐Vanhorick SP , Hakkenberg RMA , Veldhuijzen IME , Bennebroek Gravenhorst J , Buitendijk SE 
Published: December 2007

Objective  To assess the nature and outcome of intrapartum referrals from primary to secondary care within the Dutch obstetric system.Design  Descriptive study.Setting  Dutch midwifery database (LVR1), covering 95% of all midwifery care and 80% of all Dutch pregnancies (2001–03).Population  Low‐risk women (280 097) under exclusive care of a primary level midwife at the start of labour either with intention to deliver at home or with a personal preference to deliver in hospital under care of a primary level midwife.Methods  Women were classified into three categories (no referral, urgent referral and referral without urgency) and were related to maternal characteristics and to neonatal outcomes.Main outcome measures  Distribution of referral categories, main reasons for urgent referral, Apgar score at 5 minutes, perinatal death within 24 hours and referral to a paediatrician within 24 hours.Results  In our study, 68.1% of the women completed childbirth under exclusive care of a midwife, 3.6% were referred on an urgency basis and 28.3% were referred without urgency. Of all referrals, 11.2% were on an urgency basis. The main reasons for urgent referrals were fetal distress and postpartum haemorrhage. The nonurgent referrals predominantly took place during the first stage of labour (73.6% of all referrals). Women who had planned a home delivery were referred less frequently than women who had planned a hospital delivery: 29.3 and 37.2%, respectively (P < 0.001).On average, the mean Apgar score at 5 minutes was high (9.72%) and the peripartum neonatal mortality was low (0.05%) in the total study group. No maternal deaths occurred. Adverse neonatal outcomes occurred most frequently in the urgent referral group, followed by the group of referrals without urgency and the nonreferred group.Conclusions  Risk selection is a crucial element of the Dutch obstetric system and continues into the postpartum period. The system results in a relatively small percentage of intrapartum urgent referrals and in overall satisfactory neonatal outcomes in deliveries led by primary level midwives.
Immunity to a Self-Derived, Channel-Forming Peptide in the Respiratory Tract
Authors: van Ginkel Frederik W. , Iwamoto Takeo , Schultz Bruce D. , Tomich John M. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACTThe channel-forming peptide NC-1130 was generated based on the amino acid sequence of the M2 segment of the spinal cord α-subunit of the glycine receptor and has been proposed as a therapeutic agent for anion channelopathies such as cystic fibrosis. Lysine adduction and amino acid substitutions at positions T19R and S22W of the peptide improved its performance as an ion channel. However, these modifications generated an altered self, potentially making this NC-1130 peptide immunogenic, which could preclude the repeated use of NC-1130 as a therapeutic agent. To measure the ability of NC-1130 to induce an immune response, it was administered nasally with or without cholera toxin (CT). The NC-1130 peptide, when given alone without adjuvant, induced very little peptide-specific immunity based on analyses of peptide-specific antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and enzyme-linked immunospot assay, induction of cytokine production, and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses. The administration of NC-1130 with the mucosal adjuvant CT induced peptide-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and DTH responses and a Th2-dominant cytokine response. The coadministration of the strong mucosal adjuvant CT induced a systemic NC-1130-specific IgG response but not a mucosal peptide-specific antibody response. The lack of peptide-specific immunity and specifically mucosal immunity should allow repeated NC-1130 peptide applications to epithelial surfaces to correct anion channelopathies.
Dual-Reporter Phenotypic Assay for Human Immunodeficiency Viruses
Authors: Kajiwara Keiko , Kodama Eiichi , Sakagami Yasuko , Naito Takeshi , Matsuoka Masao 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACTWe have established a novel human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) tandem-reporter assay using HIV receptor-transduced NP-2 cells with long terminal repeat-controlled β-galactosidase, inserted internal ribosome entry site, and secretary alkaline phosphatase genes. This assay allows users to detect replication of clinical isolates, indicating its useful application as an HIV phenotypic assay.
Development of PCR Assays with Nested Primers Specific for Differential Detection of Three Human Anelloviruses and Early Acquisition of Dual or Triple Infection during Infancy
Authors: Ninomiya Masashi , Takahashi Masaharu , Nishizawa Tsutomu , Shimosegawa Tooru , Okamoto Hiroaki 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT

We recently identified a novel human virus classifiable into a third group in the genus
Anellovirus
, tentatively designated torque teno midi virus (TTMDV), with a circular DNA genome of 3.2 kb and genomic organization resembling those of torque teno virus (TTV) (3.8 to 3.9 kb) and torque teno mini virus (TTMV) (2.8 to 2.9 kb). TTMDV was characterized by extreme genetic diversity similar to the TTV and TTMV genomes. Taking advantage of universal and virus species-specific primers derived from a highly conserved area located just downstream of the TATA box of the TTV, TTMDV, and TTMV genomes, a PCR method with simultaneous amplification of the genomic DNAs of these three anelloviruses in the first round and subsequent differential amplifications of these viruses in the second round was developed. High prevalence of TTMDV viremia was seen in adults (75/100 [75%]), comparable with the prevalences of TTV viremia (100%) and TTMV viremia (82%). Although none of 10 cord blood samples had detectable TTV, TTMDV, and TTMV DNAs, the prevalences of these three anelloviruses increased with the number of months after birth of the individual and reached 100% for individuals at one year of age. Dual or triple infection of TTV, TTMDV, and/or TTMV was seen in 10 (47.6%) of 21 infants 9 to 180 days of age and more frequently among infants 181 to 364 days of age (20/23 [86.9%]), comparable with the 93.1% (243/261) prevalence among subjects 1 to 81 years of age, indicating early acquisition of dual or triple anellovirus infection during infancy.
CCR5Δ3259537-G/A Promoter Polymorphism Is Associated with Low Translational Efficiency and the Loss ofCCR5Δ32Protective Effects
Authors: Jin Qingwen , Agrawal Lokesh , Meyer L. , Tubiana R. , Theodorou Ioannis , Alkhatib Ghalib 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACTWe have recently demonstrated that the CCR5Δ32 protein interacts with CCR5 and CXCR4 and down-modulates their cell surface expression. We have also reported the absence of detectable expression of the truncated CCR5Δ32 protein in four out of six human immunodeficiency virus-infected (HIV+)CCR5−/−individuals. To explain the defect in protein expression in these samples, we cloned and sequenced the promoter regions of the six HIV+individuals. We have identified several polymorphisms in theCCR5Δ32promoter region, but these polymorphisms were not associated with significant differences in mRNA levels. Coupled in vitro transcription/translation and polyribosome analysis demonstrated a strong association between a variant genotype designatedCCR5Δ3259537-A/A and a low translation efficiency. Protein analysis indicated that the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from two of the HIV+CCR5−/−individuals carrying theCCR5Δ3259537-A/A variant expressed trace amounts of CCR5Δ32 protein compared to the individuals carrying theCCR5Δ3259537-G/G genotype. The results imply that the absence of CCR5Δ32 protein in two HIV+individuals is due to a genetic defect in the translation of the protein. Together, these results highlight the importance of the CCR5Δ32 protein as an HIV suppressive factor and provide further insight into the mechanism of the protective effect of theCCR5Δ32mutation.
Probing the Structural States of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Pr55

gag

by Using Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: LeBlanc Jason J. , Perez Omar , Hope Thomas J. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Gag-FP (fluorescent protein) fusion constructs are commonly used to study human immunodeficiency virus type 1 assembly, yielding diffuse signals throughout the cytoplasm along with punctate signals routinely described as virus-like particles (VLPs) representing assembled but unprocessed Gag. However, these particles cannot be accurately described as VLPs, since fluorescence microscopy cannot provide structural resolution. We demonstrate here that the inability of a monoclonal p24 antibody to bind its cognate epitope when unprocessed Gag is assembled distinguishes VLPs from unassembled, monomeric Gag. Furthermore, we show that assembled and unassembled Gag punctate signals travel along microtubules. These monoclonal antibody studies provide a new tool for examining retroviral assembly.
Antibody-Dependent Enhancement of Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Authors: Meyer Keith , Ait-Goughoulte Malika , Keck Zhen-Yong , Foung Steven , Ray Ranjit 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACTHepatitis C virus (HCV) often causes a persistent infection associated with hypergammaglobulinemia, high levels of antiviral antibody and circulating immune complexes, and immune complex disease. We previously reported that only a limited neutralizing activity to vesicular stomatitis virus or HCV pseudotype is generated in animals immunized with recombinant HCV envelope proteins and chronically infected HCV patient sera. Interestingly, when some of these neutralizing sera were diluted into a range of concentrations below those that reduced virus plaque number, an increase in pseudotype plaque formation was observed. Purified HCV E2-specific human monoclonal antibodies were used to further verify the specificity of this enhancement, and one- to twofold increases were apparent on permissive Huh-7 cells. The enhancement of HCV pseudotype titer could be inhibited by the addition of a Fc-specific anti-human immunoglobulin G Fab fragment to the virus-antibody mixture prior to infection. Treatment of cells with antibody to Fc receptor I (FcRI) or FcRII, but not FcRIII, also led to an inhibition of pseudotype titer enhancement in an additive manner. Human lymphoblastoid cell line (Raji), a poor host for HCV pseudotype infection, exhibited a four- to sixfold enhancement of pseudotype-mediated cell death upon incubation with antibody at nonneutralizing concentrations. A similar enhancement of cell culture-grown HCV infectivity by a human monoclonal antibody was also observed. Taken together, antibodies to viral epitopes enhancing HCV infection need to be taken into consideration for pathogenesis and in the development of an effective vaccine.
Conserved Leucines in N-Terminal Heptad Repeat HR1 of Envelope Fusion Protein F of Group II Nucleopolyhedroviruses Are Important for Correct Processing and Essential for Fusogenicity
Authors: Long Gang , Pan Xiaoyu , Vlak Just M. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT

The heptad repeat (HR), a conserved structural motif of class I viral fusion proteins, is responsible for the formation of a six-helix bundle structure during the envelope fusion process. The insect baculovirus F protein is a newly found budded virus envelope fusion protein which possesses common features to class I fusion proteins, such as proteolytic cleavage and the presence of an N-terminal open fusion peptide and multiple HR domains on the transmembrane subunit F
1
. Similar to many vertebrate viral fusion proteins, a conserved leucine zipper motif is predicted in this HR region proximal to the fusion peptide in baculovirus F proteins. To facilitate our understanding of the functional role of this leucine zipper-like HR1 domain in baculovirus F protein synthesis, processing, and viral infectivity, key leucine residues (Leu209, Leu216, and Leu223) were replaced by alanine (A) or arginine (R), respectively. By using
Autographa californica
multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) as a pseudotype expression system, we demonstrated that all mutant F proteins incorporated into budded virus, indicating that leucine substitutions did not affect intercellular trafficking of F. Furin-like protease cleavage was not affected by any of the leucine substitutions; however, the disulfide bridging and N-linked glycosylation patterns were partly altered. Single substitutions in HR1 showed that the three leucine residues were critical for F fusogenicity and the rescue of AcMNPV infectivity. Our results support the view that the leucine zipper-like HR1 domain is important to safeguard the proper folding, glycosylation, and fusogenicity of baculovirus F proteins.
Relative Influence of the Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Type 2 p5 Element for Recombinant AAV Vector Site-Specific Integration
Authors: Guilbaud Mickaël , Chadeuf Gilliane , Avolio Fabio , François Achille , Moullier Philippe , Recchia Alessandra , Salvetti Anna 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT

The p5 promoter region of the adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV-2)
rep
gene has been described as essential for Rep-mediated site-specific integration (RMSSI) of plasmid sequences in human chromosome 19. We report here that insertion of a full-length or minimal p5 element between the viral inverted terminal repeats does not significantly increase RMSSI of a recombinant AAV (rAAV) vector after infection of growth-arrested or proliferating human cells. This result suggests that the p5 element may not improve RMSSI of rAAV vectors in vivo.
The Spike Protein of Infectious Bronchitis Virus Is Retained Intracellularly by a Tyrosine Motif
Authors: Winter Christine , Schwegmann-Wessels Christel , Neumann Ulrich , Herrler Georg 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACTWe have analyzed the intracellular transport of the spike (S) protein of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), an avian coronavirus. Surface expression was analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy, by surface biotinylation, and by syncytium formation by S-expressing cells. By applying these methods, the S protein was found to be retained intracellularly. Tyr1143 in the cytoplasmic tail was shown to be a crucial component of the retention signal. Deletion of a dilysine motif that has previously been suggested to function as a retrieval signal did not abolish intracellular retention. Treatment of the S proteins with endoglycosidases did not reveal any differences between the parental and the mutant proteins. Furthermore, all S proteins analyzed were posttranslationally cleaved into the subunits S1 and S2. In coexpression experiments, the S protein was found to colocalize with a Golgi marker. Taken together, these results indicate that the S protein of IBV is retained at a late Golgi compartment. Therefore, this viral surface protein differs from the S proteins of transmissible gastroenteritis virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, which are retained at a pre-Golgi compartment or transported to the cell surface, respectively. The implications of these differences are discussed.
Direct Correlation between Sialic Acid Binding and Infection of Cells by Two Human Polyomaviruses (JC Virus and BK Virus)
Authors: Dugan Aisling S. , Gasparovic Megan L. , Atwood Walter J. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
For the human polyomaviruses JC virus (JCV) and BK virus (BKV), the first step to a successful infection involves binding to sialic acid moieties located on the surfaces of host cells. By stripping and then reconstituting specific sialic acid linkages on host cells, we show that JCV uses both α(2,3)-linked and α(2,6)-linked sialic acids on N-linked glycoproteins to infect cells. For both JCV and BKV, the sialic acid linkages required for cell surface binding directly correlate with the linkages required for infection. In addition to sialic acid linkage data, these data suggest that the third sugar from the carbohydrate chain terminus is important for virus binding and infection.
Highly Conserved Regions of Influenza A Virus Polymerase Gene Segments Are Critical for Efficient Viral RNA Packaging
Authors: Marsh Glenn A. , Rabadán Raúl , Levine Arnold J. , Palese Peter 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
The genome of the influenza A virus is composed of eight different segments of negative-sense RNA. These eight segments are incorporated into budding virions in an equimolar ratio through a mechanism that is not fully understood. Two different models have been proposed for packaging the viral ribonucleoproteins into newly assembling virus particles: the random-incorporation model and the selective-incorporation model. In the last few years, increasing evidence from many different laboratories that supports the selective-incorporation model has been accumulated. In particular, different groups have shown that some large viral RNA regions within the coding sequences at both the 5′ and 3′ ends of almost every segment are sufficient for packaging foreign RNA sequences. If the packaging regions are crucial for the viability of the virus, we would expect them to be conserved. Using large-scale analysis of influenza A virus sequences, we developed a method of identifying conserved RNA regions whose conservation cannot be explained by population structure or amino acid conservation. Interestingly, the conserved sequences are located within the regions identified as important for efficient packaging. By utilizing influenza virus reverse genetics, we have rescued mutant viruses containing synonymous mutations within these highly conserved regions. Packaging of viral RNAs in these viruses was analyzed by reverse transcription using a universal primer and quantitative PCR for individual segments. Employing this approach, we have identified regions in the polymerase gene segments that, if mutated, result in reductions of more than 90% in the packaging of that particular polymerase viral RNA. Reductions in the level of packaging of a polymerase viral RNA frequently resulted in reductions of other viral RNAs as well, and the results form a pattern of hierarchy of segment interactions. This work provides further evidence for a selective packaging mechanism for influenza A viruses, demonstrating that these highly conserved regions are important for efficient packaging.
Some Namurian (E
2
) paralic sediments in Central Scotland: an investigation of depositional environment and facies changes using iterative-fit trend-surface analysis
Authors: READ WILLIAM ALFRED , DEAN JOHN MICHAEL , COLE ALFRED JOHN 
Published: December 2007

The effectiveness of trend-surface analysis when applied to geological problems has been greatly increased by the use of iterative-fit trend surfaces, in addition to conventional overall-fit surfaces, because the former surfaces generally satisfy a considerably higher proportion of the total variation than the latter, yet remain completely objective. Such trend surfaces have been used, together with conventional stratigraphical and sedimentological methods, in an analysis of the unusually thick and laterally-persistent cycle which lies between the Upper Hirst and Plean No. 1 coals and includes the Calmy Limestone. In the differentially-subsiding Kincardine Basin thin, laterally-impersistent coals and seatearths split the upper part of the cycle into a series of thinner cycles.
The regional sedimentation patterns of most of the variables studied are related to the pattern of total thickness of strata and hence to net subsidence. An exception is the Upper Hirst Coal which thickens fairly regularly eastwards. The sediments resemble those in modern deltas and reflect an initial widespread marine transgression followed by the readvance of deltas. A whole series of minor deltalobes or crevasse systems progressively filled up the basin until, in Plean No. 1 Coal times, coalswamp vegetation recolonized almost the entire area.