bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of phosphorus removal between vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands with different substrates
Authors: Tang X. Q. , Huang S. L. , Scholz M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractPhosphorus removal by constructed wetlands is a key strategy in diffuse pollution control. Phosphorus retention by experimental unplanted vertical‐flow constructed wetlands depends on substrate, influent quality and hydraulic residence time (HRT). The maximal phosphorus adsorption capacities of shale, gravel, ironstone and hornblende were 619.7, 89.05, 324.9 and 153.1 mg/kg, respectively, when the grain size ranged between 0.5 and 1.0 mm. Phosphorus adsorption capacities of shale, ironstone and hornblende were best explained by Langmuir adsorption isotherms. In comparison, Freundlich adsorption isotherms fitted gravel well. In separate column experiments with eutrophic Jin River water, shale showed better soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and total phosphorus (TP) retention performances than gravel, ironstone and hornblende. When the HRT was 2.2 days, the mean SRP removal rates were 96.7, 21.1, 33.6 and 33.0% for shale, gravel, ironstone and hornblende, respectively. Findings indicate that both SRP and TP removal rates increased when the HRT was prolonged.
The Bcl‐2 Antagonist HA14‐1 Forms a Fluorescent Albumin Complex that Can Be Mistaken for Several Oxidized ROS Probes
Authors: Kessel David , Price Michael , Reiners Jr John J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe proapoptotic effects of the Bcl‐2 antagonist HA14‐1 are believed to derive from its affinity for the hydrophobic groove on Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL, thereby displacing proapoptotic factors, e.g. Bax and Bak. We have reported that HA14‐1 promotes the efficacy of low‐dose photodynamic therapy (PDT). A recent report proposed that the proapoptotic activity of HA14‐1 reflects its ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) when incubated in an aqueous environment. This later study, like several other HA14‐1 investigations, relied on the use of fluorescent probes for ROS detection. We found that HA14‐1 reacts with the albumin in serum to yield a fluorescent product. After correcting for this effect, the putative formation of ROS by HA14‐1 could not be demonstrated with the fluorescent probes H2DCFDA, dihydroethidium or dihydrorhodamine. Indeed, the fluorescence excitation/emission spectra of HA14‐1 encompassed the excitation/emission wavelengths used to detect these ROS probes. Cells cultured in a medium supplemented with ovalbumin, instead of serum, underwent apoptosis following HA14‐1 addition, but did not exhibit fluorescence. Hence, HA14‐1 fluorescence was unrelated to its proapoptotic activity. We conclude that the enhancement of PDT by HA14‐1 reflects a pharmacologic effect, rather than its direct contribution of ROS.
Action Spectrum Conversion Factors that Change Erythemally Weighted to Previtamin D3‐weighted UV Doses†
Authors: Pope Stanley J. , Holick Michael F. , Mackin Steven , Godar Dianne E. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractMany solar UV measurements, either terrestrial or personal, weight the raw data by the erythemal action spectrum. However, a problem arises when one tries to estimate the benefit of vitamin D3 production based on erythemally weighted outdoor doses, like those measured by calibrated R‐B meters or polysulphone badges, because the differences between action spectra give dissimilar values. While both action spectra peak in the UVB region, the erythemal action spectrum continues throughout the UVA region while the previtamin D3 action spectrum stops near that boundary. When one uses the previtamin D3 action spectrum to weight the solar spectra (Deff), one gets a different contribution in W m−2 than what the erythemally weighted data predicts (Eeff). Thus, to do proper benefit assessments, one must incorporate action spectrum conversion factors (ASCF) into the calculations to change erythemally weighted to previtamin D3‐weighted doses. To date, all benefit assessments for vitamin D3 production in human skin from outdoor exposures are overestimates because they did not account for the different contributions of each action spectrum with changing solar zenith angle and ozone and they did not account for body geometry. Here we describe how to normalize the ratios of the effective irradiances (Deff/Eeff) to get ASCF that change erythemally weighted to previtamin D3‐weighted doses. We also give the ASCF for each season of the year in the northern hemisphere every 5° from 30°N to 60°N, based on ozone values. These ASCF, along with geometry conversion factors and other information, can give better vitamin D3 estimates from erythemally weighted outdoor doses.
Comparability of the results of PT–INR with local MNPT and APTTR with MNAPTT on different coagulation analyzers in China
Authors: PENG L. , YAN C. , WU X. , NIE L. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe prothrombin time (PT), International normalized ratio (INR) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) are the most used coagulation tests in China, where more than one type of automated coagulation analyzer is often used in the clinical laboratory. The PT–INR results of 109 samples were compared with local mean normal PT (MNPT) and APTT ratio (APTTR) with mean normal APTT (MNAPTT) on two different coagulation analyzers in the same laboratory. The two different coagulation analyzers showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) in PT and INR determination, but there was a significant difference (P < 0.01) for APTT. The INR with local MNPT and APTTR with MNAPTT, obtained with the ACL Futura and CA 510, showed much better agreement; 98.8% (82/83) of bias for INR with local MNPT was less than 15% compared with 90.4% (75/83) of bias for INR; and 100% of bias for APTTR (62/62) was less than 15% compared with only 6.5% (4/62) of bias for APTT. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference (P = 0.865) for APTTR with MNAPTT compared with APTT (P = 0.002) between the ACL Futura and CA 510. In conclusion, these analyzers showed very poor agreement for both the PT and APTT, but the calculation of ratios significantly improved agreement.
Red blood cell microcytosis and hypochromia in the differential diagnosis of iron deficiency and β‐thalassaemia trait
Authors: URRECHAGA E. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryIron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and β‐thalassaemia are the most common causes of microcytic anaemia. Some indices have been defined to quickly discriminate this diseases based on red cell parameters obtained from automated blood cell analyzers, and can be effective for use as a preliminary screening tool to allow the reflex HbA2 analysis, when a proper cut‐off is chosen. Advia 2120 (Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics) directly measures volume and haemoglobin concentration of individual red cells, and quantifies the percentage of microcytic, normocytic, macrocytic, hypochromic, normochromic and hyperchromic red cells. Because of the inverse behaviour of the % microcytic and % hypochromic red cells in β‐thalassaemia trait and in IDA the ratio between these two values was computed and its discriminant efficiency assessed. The aim of the study was to assess the predictive value of the new index % microcytic/% hypochromic ratio in the differential diagnosis of β‐thalassaemia compared with Mentzer index, currently used in our Laboratory. Sensitivity, specificity and total efficiency of both indices were calculated for a set of 110 IDA patients and 150 β‐thalassaemia carriers. Discriminant efficiency was similar for both indices.
Vitreomacular traction and exudative age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Schulze Stephan , Hoerle Steffen , Mennel Stefan , Kroll Peter 
Published: May 2008

Abstract.Vitreomacular traction resulting from lacking, incomplete or anomalous posterior vitreous detachment is suspected to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of different forms of age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) along with the known mechanisms. It is probable that the fundamental pathomechanisms of AMD formation have already begun by the time tractional forces lead to a change for the worse. Vitreomacular traction alone is perhaps not able to induce AMD. It would seem sensible to consider vitreous changes when diagnosing and treating AMD patients because of the high coincidence of vitreomacular traction and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and the often successful treatment of other diseases of the vitreoretinal interface by vitrectomy. The concept of the pathogenesis of AMD should therefore be extended to include the influence of the vitreous, especially where therapeutic concepts such as pharmacological vitreolysis and vitreous separation have been established as causative treatment of late forms of AMD.
Mycobacterium haemophilum
Epididymal Abscess in a Renal Transplant Patient
Authors: Keller Marina , Mak Anton , Thibert Louise , Rene Pierre , Klein Marina B. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium haemophilum
is an established cause of cutaneous lesions in immunocompromised hosts. We report the first known case of epididymal abscess, which highlights the need to work up all specimens that are acid-fast bacillus-positive for
M. haemophilum
from immunocompromised hosts, regardless of body site.
Application of a Novel, Rapid, and Sensitive Oligonucleotide Ligation Assay for Detection of Cancer-Predicting Mutations in the Precore and Basal Core Promoter of Hepatitis B Virus
Authors: Mendy M. E. , Kaye S. , Le Roux E. , Kirk G. D. , Jeng-Barry A. , McConkey S. , Cotten M. , Kuniholm M. H. , Leligdowicz A. , Hainaut P. , Rowland-Jones S. , Whittle H. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis are important causes of mortality worldwide. Persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of these diseases. Double mutations in the basal core promoter (BCP) (A1762T and G1764A) and precore (pre-C) (G1896A) regions of the virus are associated with progression to HCC. The current study is aimed at developing a simple method for screening and detecting BCP and pre-C mutations in HBV carriers. We have developed and validated an oligonucleotide ligation assay (OLA) to detect point mutations in the HBV core gene. We have applied OLA methods to samples from HBV-infected carriers recruited from the Gambia Liver Cancer Study (GLCS) comprising asymptomatic HBsAg carriers, patients with cirrhosis, and patients with HCC. We observed an 89.3% and 95.8% concordance between the OLA and DNA sequencing for BCP and pre-C mutations, respectively. OLA detected the mutations in single-strain infections and in infections with mixtures of wild-type and mutant viruses under conditions where sequencing detected only the single dominant strains. BCP mutations were detected in 75.7% of patients with advanced liver disease (cirrhosis/HCC) compared to 47.6% of asymptomatic carriers, while pre-C mutations were detected in 34.5% of advanced liver disease patients and in 47.6% of asymptomatic HBsAg carriers. There was a significant association between the presence of BCP mutations and advanced liver disease. In conclusion, OLA is a simple, economical, and reliable assay for detection of pre-C and BCP mutations. Its application can lead to improvement in diagnosis and clinical care in regions where HBV is endemic.
Reactive-Site Cleavage Residues Confer Target Specificity to Baculovirus P49, a Dimeric Member of the P35 Family of Caspase Inhibitors
Authors: Guy Michael P. , Friesen Paul D. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT

Baculovirus proteins P49 and P35 are potent suppressors of apoptosis in diverse organisms. Although related, P49 and P35 inhibit initiator and effector caspases, respectively, during infection of permissive insect cells. The molecular basis of this novel caspase specificity is unknown. To advance strategies for selective inhibition of the cell death caspases, we investigated biochemical differences between these baculovirus substrate inhibitors. We report here that P49 and P35 use similar mechanisms for stoichiometric inhibition that require caspase cleavage of their reactive site loops (RSL) and chemical contributions of a conserved N-terminal cysteine to stabilize the resulting inhibitory complex. Our data indicated that P49 functions as a homodimer that simultaneously binds two caspases. In contrast, P35 is a monomeric, monovalent inhibitor. P49 and P35 also differ in their RSL caspase recognition sequences. We tested the role of the P
4
-P
1
recognition motif for caspase specificity by monitoring virus-induced proteolytic processing of Sf-caspase-1, the principal effector caspase of the host insect
Spodoptera frugiperda
. When P49's TVTD recognition motif was replaced with P35's DQMD motif, P49 was impaired for inhibition of the initiator caspase that cleaves and activates pro-Sf-caspase-1 and instead formed a stable inhibitory complex with active Sf-caspase-1. In contrast, the effector caspase specificity of P35 was unaltered when P35's DQMD motif was replaced with TVTD. We concluded that the TVTD recognition motif is required but not sufficient for initiator caspase inhibition by P49. Our findings demonstrate a critical role for the P
4
-P
1
recognition site in caspase specificity by P49 and P35 and indicate that additional determinants are involved in target selection.
Interspecies Transmission of Simian Foamy Virus in a Natural Predator-Prey System
Authors: Leendertz Fabian H. , Zirkel Florian , Couacy-Hymann Emmanuel , Ellerbrok Heinz , Morozov Vladimir A. , Pauli Georg , Hedemann Claudia , Formenty Pierre , Jensen Siv Aina , Boesch Christophe , Junglen Sandra 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT
Simian foamy viruses (SFV) are ancient retroviruses of primates and have coevolved with their host species for as many as 30 million years. Although humans are not naturally infected with foamy virus, infection is occasionally acquired through interspecies transmission from nonhuman primates. We show that interspecies transmissions occur in a natural hunter-prey system, i.e., between wild chimpanzees and colobus monkeys, both of which harbor their own species-specific strains of SFV. Chimpanzees infected with chimpanzee SFV strains were shown to be coinfected with SFV from colobus monkeys, indicating that apes are susceptible to SFV superinfection, including highly divergent strains from other primate species.
Limited Maintenance of Vaccine-Induced Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Specific CD8 T-Cell Receptor Clonotypes after Virus Challenge
Authors: Smith Miranda Z. , Asher Tedi E. , Venturi Vanessa , Davenport Miles P. , Douek Daniel C. , Price David A. , Kent Stephen J. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT

T-cell receptors (TCRs) govern the specificity, efficacy, and cross-reactivity of CD8 T cells. Here, we studied CD8 T-cell clonotypes from
Mane-A*10
+
pigtail macaques responding to the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) Gag KP9 epitope in a setting of vaccination and subsequent viral challenge. We observed a diverse TCR repertoire after DNA, recombinant poxvirus, and live attenuated virus vaccination, with none of 59 vaccine-induced KP9-specific TCRs being identical between macaques. The KP9-specific TCR repertoires remained diverse after SIV or simian-human immunodeficiency virus challenge but, remarkably, exhibited substantially different clonotypic compositions compared to the corresponding populations prechallenge. Within serial samples from individual pigtail macaques, only a small subset (33.9%) of TCRs induced by vaccination were maintained or expanded after challenge. Most (66.1%) of the TCRs induced by vaccination were not detectable after challenge. Our results suggest that some CD8 T cells induced by vaccination are more efficient than others at responding to a viral challenge. These findings have implications for future AIDS virus vaccine studies, which should consider the “fitness” of vaccine-induced T cells in order to generate robust responses in the face of virus exposure.
Suppression of Astrovirus Replication by an ERK1/2 Inhibitor
Authors: Moser Lindsey A. , Schultz-Cherry Stacey 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT
Human astroviruses are nonenveloped, positive-sense single-strand RNA viruses associated with self-limiting diarrhea. Although they are recognized as a leading cause of disease in young children, the cellular factors involved in astrovirus replication are not well defined. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway has been shown to regulate many viral infections, but its role during astrovirus infection is unknown. In this report, we show that astrovirus activates ERK1/2 early in infection independently of replication. Inhibition of ERK activation with U0126, a specific ERK inhibitor, significantly reduced viral production. Investigations into the mechanism of ERK1/2 regulation revealed that all steps of the viral life cycle, including early and late protein expression as well as subgenomic and genomic RNA transcription, were diminished during U0126 treatment of monolayers. These data support a role for ERK1/2 in a postattachment step, although the precise mechanism remains under investigation.
Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Open Reading Frame 75c Tegument Protein Induces the Degradation of PML and Is Essential for Production of Infectious Virus
Authors: Ling Paul D. , Tan Jie , Sewatanon Jaturong , Peng RongSheng 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT
Promyelocytic Leukemia nuclear body (PML NB) proteins mediate an intrinsic cellular host defense response against virus infections. Herpesviruses express proteins that modulate PML or PML-associated proteins by a variety of strategies, including degradation of PML or relocalization of PML NB proteins. The consequences of PML-herpesvirus interactions during infection in vivo have yet to be investigated in detail, largely because of the species-specific tropism of many human herpesviruses. Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68) is emerging as a suitable model to study basic biological questions of virus-host interactions because it naturally infects mice. Therefore, we sought to determine whether γHV68 targets PML NBs as part of its natural life cycle. We found that γHV68 induces PML degradation through a proteasome-dependent mechanism and that loss of PML results in more robust virus replication in mouse fibroblasts. Surprisingly, γHV68-mediated PML degradation was mediated by the virion tegument protein ORF75c, which shares homology with the cellular formylglycinamide ribotide amidotransferase enzyme. In addition, we show that ORF75c is essential for production of infectious virus. ORF75 homologs are conserved in all rhadinoviruses but so far have no assigned functions. Our studies shed light on a potential role for this unusual protein in rhadinovirus biology and suggest that γHV68 will be a useful model for investigation of PML-herpesvirus interactions in vivo.
Genes, race and research ethics: who’s minding the store?
Authors: Hunt L M , Megyesi M S 
Published: May 2008

Background:The search for genetic variants between racial/ethnic groups to explain differential disease susceptibility and drug response has provoked sharp criticisms, challenging the appropriateness of using race/ethnicity as a variable in genetics research, because such categories are social constructs and not biological classifications.Objectives:To gain insight into how a group of genetic scientists conceptualise and use racial/ethnic variables in their work and their strategies for managing the ethical issues and consequences of this practice.Methods:In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 30 genetic researchers who use racial/ethnic variables in their research. Standard qualitative methods of content analysis were used.Results:Most of the genetic researchers viewed racial/ethnic variables as arbitrary and very poorly defined, and in turn as scientifically inadequate. However, most defended their use, describing them as useful proxy variables on a road to “imminent medical progress”. None had developed overt strategies for addressing these inadequacies, with many instead asserting that science will inevitably correct itself and saying that meanwhile researchers should “be careful” in the language chosen for reporting findings.Conclusions:While the legitimacy and consequences of using racial/ethnic variables in genetics research has been widely criticised, ethical oversight is left to genetic researchers themselves. Given the general vagueness and imprecision we found amongst these researchers regarding their use of these variables, they do not seem well equipped for such an undertaking. It would seem imperative that research ethicist move forward to develop specific policies and practices to assure the scientific integrity of genetic research on biological differences between population groups.
A pilot study of bullying and harassment among medical professionals in Pakistan, focussing on psychiatry: need for a medical ombudsman
Authors: Gadit A A M , Mugford G 
Published: May 2008

Background:The magnitude of bullying and harassment among psychiatrists is reportedly high, yet no peer-review published studies addressing this issue could be found. Therefore, it was decided to conduct a pilot study to assess the degree of the problem, the types of bullying/harassment and to provide some insights into the situation.Methods and Principal Findings:Following multiple focus group meetings, a yes/no response type questionnaire was developed to assess the degree and type of bullying and harassment experienced by psychiatrists. Over a 3-month period the questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 60 psychiatrists. 57 out of the 60 psychiatrists reported harassment and bullying. Frequencies of the following response variables are presented in descending order: rumours 40% (n  =  24); defamation 20% (n  =  12); passing remarks 20% (n  =  12); false accusations 15% (n  =  9); threats 13.3% (n  =  8); verbal abuse 13.3% (n  =  8); unjustified complaints 13.3% (n  =  8); promotion blocked 13.3% (n  =  8); humiliation 13% (n  =  8); bad reference given 10% (n  =  6); credentials questioned 8.3% (n  =  5); physical attacks 5% (n  =  3); termination 5% (n  =  3); derogatory remarks 1.7% (n  =  1) and 1.7% (n  =  1) were subjected to personal work. As a result of being subjected to harassment, 66.7% of the psychiatrists did not take any action, whereas 33.3% confronted the person(s) they believed responsible. Asked whether the bullying and harassment caused distress, 18.3% of the psychiatrists did not report any effect, 30% reported mild distress, 40% moderate distress and severe distress was reported by 11.7%.Conclusions:It was concluded that the magnitude of bullying and harassment among psychiatrists may be quite high, as evidenced by this pilot study. There is a need for extensive systematic studies on this subject and to establish strategies to prevent and address this issue at a national and regulatory level.