bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Pitiphat Waranuch , Joshipura Kaumudi J. , Gillman Matthew W. , Williams Paige L. , Douglass Chester W. , Rich‐Edwards Janet W. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract –  Objectives:  Maternal periodontal diseases have been associated with increased risk of preterm birth and restricted fetal growth among relatively low socioeconomic groups. Whether the association can be generalized to middle‐class populations remains uncertain. We evaluated periodontitis in relation to preterm birth (<37 weeks’ gestation) and small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA, birth weight below the 10th percentile of birth weight for gestational age) among a group of medically insured women.Methods:  We conducted a prospective study among participants of Project Viva, a US cohort study of pregnant women and their offspring from 1999 to 2002. Pregnancy outcomes were obtained from medical records. Self‐reported periodontitis was assessed during the second trimester of pregnancy, and validated against radiographs. Logistic regression analyses were employed to evaluate the association of periodontitis with pregnancy outcomes adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, smoking status, income, frequency of dental check‐ups, prepregnancy body mass index, pregnancy weight gain, gravidity, prior history of preterm birth and history of genitourinary infection.Results:  Of the 1635 women, 72.7% were Caucasian, 65.0% had annual household income >$70 000, 3.8% reported having periodontitis, 6.4% delivered preterm, 5.4% delivered SGA babies, and 11.0% had poor pregnancy outcome (either preterm birth or SGA). The odds ratio (OR) associated with periodontitis was 1.74 (95% CI 0.65–4.66) for preterm delivery and 2.11 (95% CI 0.76–5.86) for SGA individually. When preterm delivery and/or SGA were combined, the OR was 2.26 (95% CI 1.05–4.85) relating periodontitis with poor pregnancy outcome.Conclusion:  Within the limitations of the study, the results suggest that periodontitis is an independent risk factor for poor pregnancy outcome among middle‐class women.
Effect of reducing the number of items of the Oral Health Impact Profile on responsiveness, validity and reliability in edentulous populations
Authors: Awad Manal , Al‐Shamrany Muneera , Locker David , Allen Finbarr , Feine Jocelyne 
Published: May 2007

Abstract –  Background:  The 49‐item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) has shown strong responsiveness, reliability and validity. However, the large number of items included may limit its use in clinical trials, clinical practice and surveys.Objective:  The main objective of this study is to assess the effect of reducing the number of items in each domain, one at a time, on responsiveness, reliability and validity of the OHIP in edentulous populations.Materials and methods:  Data used in this study were obtained from two randomized clinical trials comparing mandibular implant overdentures and conventional dentures among 102 subjects between 35 and 65 years of age, and 60 subjects over the age of 65 years. Participants were edentulous individuals who wished to replace their current prostheses. Subjects in both trials were asked to complete the 49‐item OHIP prior to treatment and at 2 months post‐treatment. Within the study, effect sizes were computed at each stage of item reduction using the impact method. Intraclass correlation coefficients and Pearson's correlation coefficients were also assessed at each stage of item reduction. In addition, receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to indicate the accuracy with which measurement changes corresponded to judgements of important changes in Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQL).Results:  The results indicated that, in general, domain responsiveness was not affected by the reduction of the number of items used per domain. However, there was a decrease in reliability, especially within the ‘psychological’ and ‘social’ disabilities and ‘handicap’ domains (35‐ to 65‐year group). In addition, there was a decrease in construct validity of the ‘physical pain’, ‘psychological’ and ‘social disabilities’ domains (35‐ to 65‐year group), as well as on ‘physical pain’, ‘psychological discomfort’, ‘physical’ and ‘psychological’ disabilities in the 65‐year and older group. This occurred primarily, when reducing from two to one item per domain. Among the 35‐ to 65‐year group, there were consistencies in patients’ ratings of the importance of similarly measured changes in oral health.Conclusion:  The results indicate that although the 49‐item OHIP responsiveness could be maintained with item reduction, this will lead to compromises in reliability and validity.
Self‐reported efficacy of an online dental anxiety support group: a pilot study
Authors: Coulson Neil S. , Buchanan Heather 
Published: May 2007

Abstract –  Objectives:  This study aimed to explore the self‐reported effectiveness of an existing online dental anxiety support group in terms of perceived level of anxiety since accessing the group.Methods:  An online questionnaire was completed by 91 individuals who accessed the Dental Fear Central, an online support group bulletin board, during an 8‐week period in 2005. Participants reported background demographic information, their own self‐reported evaluation of the efficacy of the support group, as well as completing the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS).Results:  In total, 60% of the sample considered that the support group had ‘somewhat’ or ‘greatly lessened’ their anxiety. Overall MDAS scores were significantly lower in the ‘greatly lessened’ group.Conclusions:  The results of this nonrandomised pilot study suggest some individuals retrospectively considered that, since accessing the online group, they experienced a reduction in dental anxiety. Future research should employ a randomised controlled design in order to determine the contribution of the online group to self‐reported changes in dental anxiety over time.
Eighteenth‐Century Cartographic Studies: A Brief Survey
Authors: Sills Adam 
Published: May 2007

AbstractEighteenth‐century cartographic studies is a interdisciplinary field that has been and continues to be shaped by the Foucauldian approach popularized by J. B. Harley, who argues for a decidedly political and ideological interpretation of the map and its history. Within this theoretical paradigm, the map is seen as a form of knowledge that facilitates the hegemonic and unilateral exercise of power, especially as it relates to the formation of the British nation‐state and its colonies. Recent work, however, has called this approach to the history of cartography into question by arguing for a more expansive and pluralistic understanding of the map and its place within eighteenth‐century British society. Works exploring the intersection of cartographic and literary studies have broadened the field by moving away from the previous model in which the map was seen only as an expression of British national and imperial power.
Walter Ralegh and the Arts of Memory
Authors: Hiscock Andrew 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis article explores both the poetic and prose writing of Sir Walter Ralegh (Raleigh) in the context of early modern cultural debates surrounding memory. Particular attention is paid to the ways in which Platonic and Aristotelian thinking focused upon the faculty may be seen to have influenced Ralegh's ideas on sovereignty (most especially that of James VI/I), the role of the courtier and the undertakings of history and poetry (especially ‘The Ocean's Love to Scinthia/Cynthia’). Whether it was in the narration of the voyage to Guiana, the lyrical evocations of the travails of the courtly lover, the dramatic gestures described in his correspondence, his chronicling of the history of the world, or his arresting final performance on the scaffold, Ralegh gives evidence of a consuming interest in how memory may be seen as a strategic resource with which to formulate identity, to interrogate cultural données and to re‐configure the possibilities of human epistemology. Ralegh is considered in the course of this discussion not only in the contexts of contemporary writers (e.g. Foxe, Jonson, Donne, Bacon), but also as an object of memorialisation by later generations of critics and readers. Directly linked to this consideration of how Ralegh was remembered, this article also reflects upon modern critical controversies surrounding the limits of his authorship and the (insurmountable) difficulties involved in trying to piece together a Ralegh canon.
EFFECT OF ULTIMATE pH ON THE QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF PORK
Authors: BIDNER B.S. , ELLIS M. , BREWER M.S. , CAMPION D. , WILSON E.R. , McKEITH F.K. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTA study was conducted to characterize the relationship between Longissimus thoracis ultimate pH(LTpH) and pork quality. Animals (n = 47) were selected based on LTpH measured at 24 h postmortem. Data were analyzed using regression procedures with ultimate pH as the independent variable, and relationships were determined to be linear (L), quadratic (Ql or cubic (C). Ultimate pH explained 79% (C) of the variation in subjective color, which increased as pH increased. Drip loss, purge loss and L* value decreased as LTpH increased (R2= 0.57C, 0.77 Q and 0.68 Q, respectively). Shear force decreased and sensory juiciness increased as LTpH increased (R2= 0.26Q and 0.46C, respectively). However, of flavor intensity increased as LTpH fell below pH 5.2 or exceeded 6.1(R2=0.52C). Increasing LTpH, up to a point, will improve fresh pork quality and processed meat properties, whereas, above approximately 6.1, of‐flavor may increase.
Validation and Reproducibility Assessment of Tigecycline MIC Determinations by Etest
Authors: Bolmström Anne , Karlsson Åsa , Engelhardt Anette , Ho Phion , Petersen Peter J. , Bradford Patricia A. , Jones C. Hal 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT

A multicenter study was conducted to validate Etest tigecycline compared to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute reference broth microdilution and agar dilution methodologies. A large collection of gram-negative (
n
= 266) and gram-positive (
n
= 162) aerobic bacteria, a collection of anaerobes (
n
= 385), and selected collections of nonpneumococcal streptococci (
n
= 369),
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(
n
= 372), and
Haemophilus influenzae
(
n
= 372) were tested. Strains with reduced susceptibility to tigecycline were used with all test methods. The Etest showed excellent inter- and intralaboratory reproducibility for all organism groups tested regardless of the test methodology. The essential agreement values with the reference method (±1 dilution) were >99% for the collection of gram-negative and gram-positive aerobes; >98% for the
S. pneumoniae
,
H. influenzae
, and anaerobe collections; and 100% for the group of nonpneumococcal streptococci. These results validate the performance accuracy and utility of Etest tigecycline and verify the reproducibility of this convenient predefined gradient methodology for tigecycline susceptibility determination.
Systems Approach to Improving Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing in Clinical Laboratories in the United States
Authors: Counts Jon M. , Astles J. Rex , Tenover Fred C. , Hindler Janet 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT

Laboratory practice in the preanalytical phase of antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was evaluated in 102 hospital, reference, physician office-clinic, and public health laboratories in Washington state. Surveys were sent to evaluate (i) use of NCCLS/CLSI (formerly NCCLS) AST performance standards, (ii) technical competence in AST case studies, challenging knowledge of contemporary testing issues, and (iii) choice of antimicrobial agents to test for
Streptococcus pneumoniae
. Numerous deficiencies were identified in the survey: (i) initially only 40% of the laboratories surveyed used current NCCLS/CLSI AST performance standards, (ii) the rate of accurate responses for three different case studies ranged from 29% to 69%, and (iii) variation was noted in the choice of antimicrobials tested against invasive isolates of
S. pneumoniae
. These deficiencies could affect therapy and detection of antimicrobial resistance. Several educational programs were implemented to improve AST policies and practices, and a follow-up survey indicated that four intervention strategies were most effective: (i) regional technical workshops, (ii) National Laboratory Training Network teleconferences, (iii) use of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) CD-ROM on AST, and (iv) the CDC Multilevel Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Resource website. The interventions could be implemented more widely in the United States to improve AST knowledge and practices.
Rapid Identification of
Staphylococcus aureus
in Blood Cultures by Use of the Direct Tube Coagulase Test
Authors: Qian Qinfang , Eichelberger Karen , Kirby James E. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT

Direct tube coagulase testing for identification of
Staphylococcus aureus
from BACTEC culture broth showed a sensitivity, a specificity, and positive and negative predicative values of 34%, 100%, 100%, and 80.2% with 2 h of incubation and 65%, 98.7, 99.7%, and 88.6% with 4 h of incubation. Anaerobic blood culture contributed significantly to the detection of
S. aureus
.
Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Aichi Viruses from Fecal Specimens Collected in Japan, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Vietnam
Authors: Pham Ngan Thi Kim , Khamrin Pattara , Nguyen Tuan Anh , Kanti Dey Shuvra , Phan Tung Gia , Okitsu Shoko , Ushijima Hiroshi 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT

Aichi virus is a new member of the family
Picornaviridae
, genus
Kobuvirus
, and is associated with human gastroenteritis. This study detected Aichi virus in 28 of 912 fecal specimens which were negative for rotavirus, adenovirus, norovirus, sapovirus, and astrovirus and were collected in Japan, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Vietnam during 2002 to 2005.
Clathrin-Dependent Entry of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus into Target Cells Expressing ACE2 with the Cytoplasmic Tail Deleted
Authors: Inoue Yuuki , Tanaka Nobuyuki , Tanaka Yoshinori , Inoue Shingo , Morita Kouichi , Zhuang Min , Hattori Toshio , Sugamura Kazuo 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT
The penetration of various viruses into host cells is accomplished by hijacking the host endocytosis machinery. In the case of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection, viral entry is reported to require a low pH in intracytoplasmic vesicles; however, little is known about how SARS-CoV invades such compartments. Here we demonstrate that SARS-CoV mainly utilizes the clathrin-mediated endocytosis pathway for its entry to target cells by using infectious SARS-CoV, as well as a SARS-CoV pseudovirus packaged in the SARS-CoV envelope. The SARS-CoV entered caveolin-1-negative HepG2 cells, and the entry was significantly inhibited by treatment with chlorpromazine, an inhibitor for clathrin-dependent endocytosis, and by small interfering RNA-mediated gene silencing for the clathrin heavy chain. Furthermore, the SARS-CoV entered COS7 cells transfected with the mutant of ACE2 with the cytoplasmic tail deleted, SARS-CoV receptor, as well as the wild-type ACE2, and their entries were significantly inhibited by treatment with chlorpromazine. In addition, ACE2 translocated into EEA1-positive early endosomes immediately after the virus attachment to ACE2. These results suggest that when SARS-CoV binds ACE2 it is internalized and penetrates early endosomes in a clathrin-dependent manner and that the cytoplasmic tail of ACE2 is not required for the penetration of SARS-CoV.
Differential Requirements of NS4A for Internal NS3 Cleavage and Polyprotein Processing of Hepatitis C Virus
Authors: Kou Yi-Hen , Chang Ming-Fu , Wang Yi-Ming , Hung Tzu-Min , Chang Shin C. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT

The NS3 protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV) possesses protease activity responsible for the proteolytic cleavage of the viral polyprotein at the junctions of nonstructural proteins downstream of NS3. The NS3 protein was also found to be internally cleaved. In this study, we demonstrated that internal cleavages occurred on the NS3 protein of genotype 1b in the presence of NS4A, both in culture cells and with a mouse model system. No internal cleavage products were detected with the NS3 and NS4A proteins of genotype 2a. Three potential cleavage sites were detected in the NS3 protein (genotype 1b), with IPT
402
|S being the major one. The internal cleavage requires the polyprotein processing activity of NS3 protease, but when supplemented in
trans
, the internal cleavage efficiency is reduced. In addition, several mutations in NS4A disrupted the internal cleavage of NS3 but did not affect polyprotein processing, indicating that NS4A contributes differently to these two proteolytic activities. Furthermore, Ile-25, Val-26, and Ile-29 of the NS4A protein, important for the NS4A-dependent internal cleavages, were also shown to be critical for the transforming activity of NS3, but mutations at these critical residues resulted only in a slight increase of HCV replicating efficiency. The internal cleavage-associated enhancement of the transforming activity of NS3 was reduced when a T402A substitution at the major internal cleavage site was introduced. The multiple roles of NS4A in viral multiplication and pathogenesis make NS4A an ideal molecular target for HCV therapy.
Identification of Two Distinct Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Vif Determinants Critical for Interactions with Human APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F
Authors: Russell Rebecca A. , Pathak Vinay K. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT

Human cytidine deaminases APOBEC3G (A3G) and APOBEC3F (A3F) inhibit replication of Vif-deficient human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). HIV-1 Vif overcomes these host restriction factors by binding to them and inducing their proteasomal degradation. The Vif-A3G and Vif-A3F interactions are attractive targets for antiviral drug development because inhibiting the interactions could allow the host defense mechanism to control HIV-1 replication. It was recently reported that the Vif amino acids D
14
RMR
17
are important for functional interaction and degradation of the previously identified Vif-resistant mutant of A3G (D128K-A3G). However, the Vif determinants important for functional interaction with A3G and A3F have not been fully characterized. To identify these determinants, we performed an extensive mutational analysis of HIV-1 Vif. Our analysis revealed two distinct Vif determinants, amino acids Y
40
RHHY
44
and D
14
RMR
17
, which are essential for binding to A3G and A3F, respectively. Interestingly, mutation of the A3G-binding region increased Vif's ability to suppress A3F. Vif binding to D128K-A3G was also dependent on the Y
40
RHHY
44
region but not the D
14
RMR
17
region. Consistent with previous observations, subsequent neutralization of the D128K-A3G antiviral activity required substitution of Vif determinant D
14
RMR
17
with SEMQ, similar to the SERQ amino acids in simian immunodeficiency virus SIV
AGM
Vif, which is capable of neutralizing D128K-A3G. These studies are the first to clearly identify two distinct regions of Vif that are critical for independent interactions with A3G and A3F. Pharmacological interference with the Vif-A3G or Vif-A3F interactions could result in potent inhibition of HIV-1 replication by the APOBEC3 proteins.
Lambda Interferon (IFN-λ) in Serum Is Decreased in Hantavirus-Infected Patients, and In Vitro-Established Infection Is Insensitive to Treatment with All IFNs and Inhibits IFN-γ-Induced Nitric Oxide Production
Authors: Stoltz Malin , Ahlm Clas , Lundkvist Åke , Klingström Jonas 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT

Hantaviruses, causing hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), are known to be sensitive to nitric oxide (NO) and to pretreatment with type I and II interferons (alpha interferon [IFN-α]/IFN-β and IFN-γ, respectively). Elevated serum levels of NO and IFN-γ have been observed in HFRS patients, but little is known regarding the systemic levels of other IFNs and the possible effects of hantaviruses on innate antiviral immune responses. In Puumala virus-infected HFRS patients (
n
= 18), we report that the levels of IFN-α and IFN-β are similar, whereas the level of IFN-λ (type III IFN) is significantly decreased, during acute (day of hospitalization) compared to the convalescent phase. The possible antiviral effects of IFN-λ on the prototypic hantavirus Hantaan virus (HTNV) replication was then investigated. Pretreatment of A549 cells with IFN-λ alone inhibited HTNV replication, and IFN-λ combined with IFN-γ induced additive antiviral effects. We then studied the effect of postinfection treatment with IFNs. Interestingly, an already-established HTNV infection was insensitive to subsequent IFN-α, -β, -γ, and -λ stimulation, and HTNV-infected cells produced less NO compared to noninfected cells when stimulated with IFN-γ and IL-1β. Furthermore, less phosphorylated STAT1 after IFN treatment was observed in the nuclei of infected cells than in those of noninfected cells. The results suggest that hantavirus can interfere with the activation of antiviral innate immune responses in patients and inhibit the antiviral effects of all IFNs. We believe that future studies addressing the mechanisms by which hantaviruses interfere with the activation and shaping of immune responses may bring more knowledge regarding HFRS and HCPS pathogenesis.
Early Blood Profiles of Virus Infection in a Monkey Model for Lassa Fever
Authors: Djavani Mahmoud M. , Crasta Oswald R. , Zapata Juan Carlos , Fei Zhangjun , Folkerts Otto , Sobral Bruno , Swindells Mark , Bryant Joseph , Davis Harry , Pauza C. David , Lukashevich Igor S. , Hammamieh Rasha , Jett Marti , Salvato Maria S. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTAcute arenavirus disease in primates, like Lassa hemorrhagic fever in humans, begins with flu-like symptoms and leads to death approximately 2 weeks after infection. Our goal was to identify molecular changes in blood that are related to disease progression. Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) infected intravenously with a lethal dose of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) provide a model for Lassa virus infection of humans. Blood samples taken before and during the course of infection were used to monitor gene expression changes that paralleled disease onset. Changes in blood showed major disruptions in eicosanoid, immune response, and hormone response pathways. Approximately 12% of host genes alter their expression after LCMV infection, and a subset of these genes can discriminate between virulent and nonvirulent LCMV infection. Major transcription changes have been given preliminary confirmation by quantitative PCR and protein studies and will be valuable candidates for future validation as biomarkers for arenavirus disease.