bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Langerhans cell density and high‐grade vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia in women with human immunodeficiency virus infection
Authors: Taube Janis M. , Nichols Andrew D. , Bornman Lynette S. , Bornman Daniel M. , Jackson Jay Brooks 
Published: November 2006

Background:  Decreased numbers of Langerhans cells (LCs) in the cervix of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected women are believed to contribute to the progression of human papilloma virus (HPV)‐related squamous intraepithelial lesions. However, this impairment of local immunity has not been well studied in the vulva. The objective of this study was to compare the S100+ LC density in high‐grade vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) in HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative women.Methods:  HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative patients with high‐grade VIN, 48 (55%) and 40 (45%), respectively, were identified by retrospective chart review. Smoking status of patients was noted. The mean LC count per high‐power field (HPF) was determined using S100 immunohistochemical staining. In situ hybridization was performed to detect HPV DNA types 16 and 18.Results:  Mean S100+ LC counts for HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative patients were 5.82 and 9.86 per HPF, respectively (p = 0.0026). LC counts in HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative patients were compared between smoking and nonsmoking groups (HIV‐positive p = 0.4812, HIV‐negative p = 0.2821).Conclusions:  HIV‐positive patients with high‐grade VIN had significantly lower LC counts compared with HIV‐negative patients. This suggests that local vulvar immunity as evaluated by S100+ LCs is impaired in HIV‐positive women, possibly contributing to the progression of HPV‐related vulvar lesions.
Sequencing‐based analysis of the HLA‐DPB1 polymorphism in Nu ethnic group of south‐west China
Authors: Hu W. , Wang J. , Wang B. , Lu J. , Li H. , Zhang J. , Cun Y. , Tang W. , Xiao C. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractIn the present study, DNA typing for HLA‐DPB1 was performed using polymerase chain reaction–sequencing‐based typing method in 72 randomly selected Nu ethnic individuals inhabiting the Yunnan province of south‐west China. Among the 12 detected DPB1 alleles, the most frequent was DPB1*1301, with the percentage of 20.83%, followed by DPB1*0501 (19.44%), DPB1*040101 (16.67%) and DPB1*2801 (9.72%). The allele DPB1*1501 was found for the first time in the Chinese population. Neighbour‐joining showed that the Nu ethnic minority belonged to East Asian cluster and was most closely related to Lisu, being consistent with the historical records. In addition, the results obtained in this study will also provide useful information on organ transplantation, forensic investigations and disease association studies.
New method to stimulate the onset of Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae) rearing: Using worker helpers in the presence of frozen pupae
Authors: KWON Yong Jung , THAN Kyi Kyi , SUH Sang Jae 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe failure of bumblebee queens to enthusiastically start a colony under laboratory conditions may be due to lack of oviposition during an experiment, a long delay in oviposition from the termination of hibernation, and failure to rear a large first brood. In the present study, the use of frozen male pupae to start the colony with the assistance of bumblebee workers rather than fresh, young, male pupae was investigated under controlled room temperature and humidity conditions. The period of initiation of the colony decreased with an increase in the number of worker helpers from one to six. The period was as short as 3.9 days in the presence of six worker helpers. Second and third broods also started earlier with the help of workers. The rate of first worker production per egg cup was double that of the normal method (i.e. without worker helpers). Egg eating behavior of the queen was not found in the first brood if more than two workers helped the development of the larvae. Four worker helpers were found to be sufficient, as they could produce 100% colony foundation and 91.46% first worker production colonies. This study showed that using frozen old pupae is a good stimulator for colony foundation in the presence of four bumblebee worker helpers.
Borrelia burgdorferi
Spirochetes That Harbor Only a Portion of the lp28-1 Plasmid Elicit Antibody Responses Detectable with the C
6
Test for Lyme Disease
Authors: Embers Monica E. , Wormser Gary P. , Schwartz Ira , Martin Dale S. , Philipp Mario T. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

Detection of antibody to C
6
, a peptide that reproduces the sequence of the sixth invariable region within the central domain of the VlsE protein of
Borrelia burgdorferi
, is used currently for the serologic diagnosis of Lyme disease in humans.
B. burgdorferi
isolates taken from infected humans can be categorized into specific genetic subtypes (designated RST1, -2, and -3) by restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the 16S to 23S rRNA spacer sequence. Many of these, usually categorized as RST2, retain only segments of the linear plasmid lp28-1, which encodes VlsE. The VlsE genetic region is retained, but altered expression of this molecule could affect diagnosis by the C
6
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum samples from patients infected with each of the three genotypes and from mice infected with three RST2 isolates were tested with the C
6
ELISA. Such isolates elicited marked C
6
responses in infected mice. The sensitivity of C
6
antibody detection in patients infected with RST2 spirochetes was statistically indistinguishable from detection of RST1 and RST3 infections. These findings demonstrate that diagnosis by C
6
ELISA remains effective for infection with all
B. burgdorferi
genotypes, including those with incomplete lp28-1 plasmids.
Crystal Structure and Mechanism of TraM2, a Second Quorum-Sensing Antiactivator of
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Strain A6
Authors: Chen Guozhou , Wang Chao , Fuqua Clay , Zhang Lian-Hui , Chen Lingling 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

Quorum sensing is a community behavior that bacteria utilize to coordinate a variety of population density-dependent biological functions. In
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
, quorum sensing regulates the replication and conjugative transfer of the tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid from pathogenic strains to nonpathogenic derivatives. Most of the quorum-sensing regulatory proteins are encoded within the Ti plasmid. Among these, TraR is a LuxR-type transcription factor playing a key role as the quorum-sensing signal receptor, and TraM is an antiactivator that antagonizes TraR through the formation of a stable oligomeric complex. Recently, a second TraM homologue called TraM2, not encoded on the Ti plasmid of
A. tumefaciens
A6, was identified, in addition to a copy on the Ti plasmid. In this report, we have characterized TraM2 and its interaction with TraR and solved its crystal structure to 2.1 Å. Like TraM, TraM2 folds into a helical bundle and exists as homodimer. TraM2 forms a stable complex (

K
d

= 8.6 nM) with TraR in a 1:1 binding ratio, a weaker affinity than that of TraM for TraR. Structural analysis and biochemical studies suggest that protein stability may account for the difference between TraM2 and TraM in their binding affinities to TraR and provide a structural basis for L54 in promoting structural stability of TraM.
Fast DNA Serotyping of
Escherichia coli
by Use of an Oligonucleotide Microarray
Authors: Ballmer Karin , Korczak Bozena M. , Kuhnert Peter , Slickers Peter , Ehricht Ralf , Hächler Herbert 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

Classical antibody-based serotyping of
Escherichia coli
is an important method in diagnostic microbiology for epidemiological purposes, as well as for a rough virulence assessment. However, serotyping is so tedious that its use is restricted to a few reference laboratories. To improve this situation we developed and validated a genetic approach for serotyping based on the microarray technology. The genes encoding the O-antigen flippase (
wzx
) and the O-antigen polymerase (
wzy
) were selected as target sequences for the O antigen, whereas
fliC
and related genes, which code for the flagellar monomer, were chosen as representatives for the H phenotype. Starting with a detailed bioinformatic analysis and oligonucleotide design, an ArrayTube-based assay was established: a fast and robust DNA extraction method was coupled with a site-specific, linear multiplex labeling procedure and hybridization analysis of the biotinylated amplicons. The microarray contained oligonucleotide DNA probes, each in duplicate, representing 24 of the epidemiologically most relevant of the over 180 known O antigens (O antigens 4, 6 to 9, 15, 26, 52, 53, 55, 79, 86, 91, 101, 103, 104, 111, 113, 114, 121, 128, 145, 157, and 172) as well as 47 of the 53 different H antigens (H antigens 1 to 12, 14 to 16, 18 to 21, 23 to 34, 37 to 43, 45, 46, 48, 49, 51 to 54, and 56). Evaluation of the microarray with a set of defined strains representing all O and H serotypes covered revealed that it has a high sensitivity and a high specificity. All of the conventionally typed 24 O groups and all of the 47 H serotypes were correctly identified. Moreover, strains which were nonmotile or nontypeable by previous serotyping assays yielded unequivocal results with the novel ArrayTube assay, which proved to be a valuable alternative to classical serotyping, allowing processing of single colonies within a single working day.
A Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus That Lacks the E Gene Is Attenuated In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: DeDiego Marta L. , Álvarez Enrique , Almazán Fernando , Rejas María Teresa , Lamirande Elaine , Roberts Anjeanette , Shieh Wun-Ju , Zaki Sherif R. , Subbarao Kanta , Enjuanes Luis 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
A deletion mutant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) has been engineered by deleting the structural E gene in an infectious cDNA clone that was constructed as a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). The recombinant virus lacking the E gene (rSARS-CoV-ΔE) was rescued in Vero E6 cells. The recovered deletion mutant grew in Vero E6, Huh-7, and CaCo-2 cells to titers 20-, 200-, and 200-fold lower than the recombinant wild-type virus, respectively, indicating that although the E protein has an effect on growth, it is not essential for virus replication. No differences in virion stability under a wide range of pH and temperature were detected between the deletion mutant and recombinant wild-type viruses. Although both viruses showed the same morphology by electron microscopy, the process of morphogenesis seemed to be less efficient with the defective virus than with the recombinant wild-type one. The rSARS-CoV-ΔE virus replicated to titers 100- to 1,000-fold lower than the recombinant wild-type virus in the upper and lower respiratory tract of hamsters, and the lower viral load was accompanied by less inflammation in the lungs of hamsters infected with rSARS-CoV-ΔE virus than with the recombinant wild-type virus. Therefore, the SARS-CoV that lacks the E gene is attenuated in hamsters, might be a safer research tool, and may be a good candidate for the development of a live attenuated SARS-CoV vaccine.
Incorrect calculation of power outputs masks the ergogenic capacity of creatine supplementation
Authors: Havenetidis Konstadinos , Cooke Carlton B. , Butterly Ron , King Roderick F.G.J. 
Published: November 2006

This study assessed the effect of incorrect calculation of power output measurement on the ergogenic properties of creatine. Fifteen males performed repeated Wingate anaerobic tests, under baseline, placebo, and creatine conditions. Statistics showed significant differences (p < 0.05) following creatine-supplemented conditions compared with placebo conditions, whereas no significant differences existed between the baseline and placebo conditions. However, the performance enhancement effect of creatine became significant only when the corrected (for the inertia of the flywheel) method was employed for measuring peak and minimum power. Mean (± SD) values across all cycle sprints for placebo versus creatine were 1033 ± 100 W versus 1130 ± 95 W for peak power and 385 ± 78 W versus 427 ± 70 W for minimum power. No significant differences were shown using the uncorrected method for peak power (756 ± 97 W versus 786 ± 88 W) and minimum power 440 ± 64 W pre versus 452 ± 65 W post). In conclusion, the present study suggests that the potentiating effect of creatine might be underestimated if the inertial effects of the flywheel are not considered in power output determination.
Spatial structure of a diving duck (Aythya, Oxyura) guild: how does habitat structure and competition influence diving duck habitat use within northern prairie wetlands?
Authors: Torrence S.M. , Butler M.G. 
Published: November 2006

What circumstances allow the coexistence of similar species is a common but complex question in community ecology. It is often assumed that sympatric species within the same guild must employ some mechanism of niche diversification to coexist. Diving duck (Anatidae: Aythya Boie, 1822 and Oxyura Bonaparte, 1828) competition is poorly understood and current evidence of coexistence mechanisms is contradictory. In the spring and summer of 2001 and 2002, we tested whether diving ducks foraging within prairie potholes segregate by depth to avoid competition. We sought to explain any segregation by sampling sediment particle size, compactness, and organic content; submergent vegetation; and benthic invertebrate densities in the foraging locations of each species. Our study was conducted at the wetland scale in southwestern Manitoba, Canada. We found that Redheads ( Aythya americana (Eyton, 1838)), Ruddy Ducks ( Oxyura jamaicensis (J.F. Gmelin, 1789)), Canvasbacks ( Aythya valisineria (Wilson, 1814)), and Ring-necked Ducks ( Aythya collaris (Donovan, 1809)) foraged most often at shallow depths (50–100 cm), while Lesser Scaups ( Aythya affinis (Eyton, 1838)) foraged at shallow to intermediate depths (50–150 cm). Thus, most divers did not segregate by depth. These results conflict with an earlier study that reported diving ducks segregated by depth to avoid competition. Diving ducks likely forage where prey abundance is greatest relative to the cost of diving to obtain that prey.
Note on some results for asymptotically pseudocontractive mappings and asymptotically nonexpansive mappings
Authors: Tang Yuchao , Liu Liwei 
Published: November 2006

AbstractWe discuss convergence theorems of modified Ishikawa and Mann iterative sequences with errors for asymptotically pseudocontractive and asymptotically nonexpansive mappings in Banach spaces, and the boundedness of the domain and range can be dropped, generalizing theorems of Chang.
Cytosine Methylation Profiles as a Molecular Marker in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Ehrich Mathias , Field John K. , Liloglou Triantafillos , Xinarianos George , Oeth Paul , Nelson Matthew R. , Cantor Charles R. , van den Boom Dirk 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
Aberrant promoter methylation is frequently observed in different types of lung cancer. Epigenetic modifications are believed to occur before the clinical onset of the disease and hence hold a great promise as early detection markers. Extensive analysis of DNA methylation has been impeded by methods that are either too labor intensive to allow large-scale studies or not sufficiently quantitative to measure subtle changes in the degree of methylation. We used a novel quantitative DNA methylation analysis technology to complete a large-scale cytosine methylation profiling study involving 47 gene promoter regions in 96 lung cancer patients. Each individual contributed a lung cancer specimen and corresponding adjacent normal tissue. The study identified six genes with statistically significant differences in methylation between normal and tumor tissue (P &lt; 10−6). We explored the quantitative methylation data using an unsupervised hierarchical clustering algorithm. The data analysis revealed that methylation patterns differentiate normal from tumor tissue. For validation of our approach, we divided the samples to train a classifier and test its performance. We were able to distinguish normal from lung cancer tissue with &gt;95% sensitivity and specificity. These results show that quantitative cytosine methylation profiling can be used to identify molecular classification markers in lung cancer. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(22): 10911-8)
Some clay-related problems in engineering geology in North America
Authors: Gillott J. E. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractClay minerals are almost ubiquitous in soil and rock and are among the most reactive silicates. They affect the engineering behaviour of soil and rock both as materials of construction and as foundation materials. In the petroleum industry, clay affects the permeability of reservoir formations, it is a common cap-rock, and it is also a constituent of the fluids used in drilling operations. Engineering behaviour almost always involves clay-water interaction and in turn this depends on the nature of water and solutions and on the composition and microstructure of the clay. The importance of clay to specific problems from each of these areas is discussed. In foundation engineering its role in soil-moisture interaction is illustrated by reference to problems resulting from the geological history of some North American soils and from engineering activities. In building materials, reference is made to its effect on concrete durability in aggregate-related problems. The importance of clay in petroleum engineering refers to authigenic clays in reservoir rocks, to clay behaviour in the Alberta oil sands and to the use of clay minerals as a geothermal thermometer.
Chronomodulated Irinotecan, Oxaliplatin, and Leucovorin-Modulated 5-Fluorouracil as Ambulatory Salvage Therapy in Patients with Irinotecan- and Oxaliplatin-Resistant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Gholam Dany , Giacchetti Sylvie , Brézault-Bonnet Catherine , Bouchahda Mohamed , Hauteville Dominique , Adam René , Ducot Béatrice , Ghémard Odile , Kustlinger Francis , Jasmin Claude , Lévi Francis 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
Purpose. To evaluate the activity and tolerability of salvage chronomodulated chemotherapy combining irinotecan (I), 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV), and oxaliplatin (O) (chronoIFLO) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) and prior progression on four drugs.
Patients and Methods. Seventy-seven nonhospitalized MCRC patients received chronoIFLO every 3 weeks, with day 1: I (180 mg/m2 over 6 hours, with peak infusion rate at 05:00) and days 2–5: 5-FU/LV (700/300 mg/m2 per day over 12 hours, with peak flow rate at 04:00), and O (20 mg/m2 per day over 12 hours, with peak flow rate at 16:00). Toxicity and response were assessed every 3 weeks and every 2 months, respectively.
Results. Three or more prior chemotherapy lines were given to 75% of the patients. Two or more organs had metastatic disease in 65% of the patients. A median number of six courses of chronoIFLO was given. The main grade 3–4 toxicities were diarrhea (39% of the patients, 9% of the courses) and neutropenia (30% of the patients and 7% of the courses). Grade 3 peripheral sensory neuropathy occurred in 14% of the patients. Two patients achieved a partial response and 61 had stable disease, resulting in disease control for 82% of the patients. The median time to progression (TTP) was 5.5 months (95% confidence interval, 3.7–6.0). The median overall survival time was 14.2 months (9.8–17.3). Baseline performance status, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, and CEA doubling time were independent prognostic factors of TTP.
Conclusions. ChronoIFLO safely and durably halted tumor progression in most extensively pretreated MCRC patients.
Potassium iodate–initiated polymerization of aniline
Authors: Chowdhury P. , Saha Bipasa 
Published: November 2006

AbstractPotassium iodate–initiated polymerization of aniline was carried out in an acidified aqueous medium in the presence and in the absence of sodium thiosulfate salt. The nature of the polyaniline (PANI) produced depended on the aniline/potassium iodate (A/PI) mole ratio. Green emeraldine salt (ES) and blue pernigraniline salt (PS) were produced at A/PI mole ratios greater than 2 and less than 2, respectively. The sodium thiosulfate salt played a significant role in the purification and properties of PANI. The optimum aniline‐to‐oxidant mole ratio was found to be 2 : 1. Spectral, thermal, and electrical characteristics and viscosity of the materials were studied and compared with the results. A reaction scheme has been proposed to elucidate the role of iodine(V). Sodium thiosulfate makes it easier for iodine to be separated from a system and increases the conductivity of the products. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1626–1631, 2007
Phase separation, cure kinetics, and morphology of epoxy/poly(vinyl acetate) blends
Authors: Prolongo M. G. , Arribas C. , Salom C. , Masegosa R. M. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractEpoxy based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A + 4,4′diaminodiphenylsulfone blended with poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) was investigated through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The influence of PVAc content on reaction induced phase separation, cure kinetics, morphology and dynamic‐mechanical properties of cured blends at 180°C is reported. Epoxy/PVAc blends (5, 10 and 15 wt % of PVAc content) are initially miscible but phase separate upon curing. DMTA α‐relaxations of cured blends agree with Tg results by DSC. The conversion‐time data revealed the cure reaction was slower in the blends than in the neat system, although the autocatalytic cure mechanism was not affected by the addition of PVAc. ESEM showed the cured epoxy/PVAc blends had different morphologies as a function of PVAc content: an inversion in morphology took place for blends containing 15 wt % PVAc. The changes in the blend morphology with PVAc content had a clear effect on the DMTA behavior. Inverted morphology blends had low storage modulus values and a high capability to dissipate energy at temperatures higher than the PVAc glass‐transition temperature, in contrast to the behavior of neat epoxy and blends with a low PVAc content. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1507–1516, 2007
Effect of PVAc bonding on finger‐joint strength of steamed and unsteamed beech wood (Fagus sylvatica)
Authors: Vassiliou Vassilios , Barboutis Ioannis , Karastergiou Sotorios 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBeech wood is one of the most important species used in furniture production in Europe. In this work, the effects of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) bonding [durability classes D1, D2, and D3 according to EN 204 : 2001), finger length (4 and 10 mm), and finger orientation on the bending strength of finger‐jointed steamed and unsteamed beech wood (Fagus sylvatica) were studied. Specimens were prepared according to EN 385 (2001) and modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) tests were performed according to the procedures detailed in the ISO 10983 (1999) and DIN 52186 (1978) standards. The MOR of unsteamed wood joints ranged from 33.51 to 82.24 N/mm2, whereas the MOR of the steamed wood joints fluctuated from 34.9 to 80.27 N/mm2. In both steamed and unsteamed wood the specimens with a finger length of 10 mm showed higher MOR than the specimens with a finger length of 4 mm. The MOE of the unsteamed specimens was not affected by finger jointing, whereas, the MOE of the steamed specimens increased slightly (by 5.4%) compared to the control solid wood. It was concluded that it was better to use a 10‐mm finger length and the D3 durability class of PVAc adhesives when finger‐jointed furniture lumber is produced. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1664–1669, 2007