bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oral status and its association with general quality of life in older independent‐living south‐Brazilians
Authors: Hugo Fernando Neves , Hilgert Juliana Balbinot , Da Luz Rosário de Sousa Maria , Cury Jaime Aparecido 
Published: March 2009

Abstract –  Background:  There are few studies assessing the importance of oral status, particularly tooth loss, edentulism and satisfaction with mastication, on the perception of quality of life (qol) in general. The objective of this study was to evaluate if oral status was associated with lower ratings in the WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire‐Brief Version (WHOQOL‐BREF) domains.Methods:  In this cross‐sectional study, a random sample of 872 Southern‐Brazilians aged 60 years or more was evaluated using a structured questionnaire to assess sociodemographic data, qol (WHOQOL‐BREF), and depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale). Oral examinations assessing the number of teeth and saliva flow were performed. Additionally, participants were asked to rate their satisfaction with the ability to chew. Correlates of poorer qol (i.e. values of the WHOQOL‐BREF ≤ median) were assessed by means of multivariate logistic regressions.Results:  Poorer qol in the physical domain was associated with increasing age, income, living in rural areas, >2 chronic conditions, intake of medications, depressive symptoms, edentulism, and reporting difficulty for chewing food. Poorer qol in the psychological domain was associated with income, schooling, >2 chronic conditions, intake of medications, depressive symptoms, and difficulty for chewing. Poorer qol in the environment domain was associated with income, living in urban areas, depressive symptoms, and difficulty for chewing. Poorer qol in the social relations domain was associated with living in urban areas, depressive symptoms, and difficulty for chewing.Conclusion:  In the studied population, oral status was associated with the perception of quality of life in general.
Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty for Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy
Authors: Hjortdal Jesper , Ehlers Niels 
Published: March 2009

Abstract.Purpose:  To compare the outcome of Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) to that of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in patients with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy.Methods:  The first 20 patients who underwent DSAEK at the Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital were compared to 20 patients treated with classic PK. Best‐corrected visual acuity, subjective spectacle refraction and corneal thickness were registered before surgery and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after DSAEK surgery; they were also measured before surgery and 12 months and 2–3 years after PK. Endothelial cell density was measured 12 months after surgery in both groups.Results:  Two primary graft failures were observed in the DSAEK group; no failures were seen in the PK group. Best spectacle‐corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) at 12 months after surgery was significantly better in the DSAEK group (0.56 ± 0.04) than in the PK group (0.33 ± 0.06). At this time, 70% of the DSAEK‐treated eyes but only 25% of PK‐treated eyes had obtained a BSCVA of 0.5 or better. Two to three years after surgery, BSCVA was 0.5 or better in 55% of PK‐treated eyes. Refractive ametropia and astigmatism were significantly smaller in DSAEK‐treated eyes than in PK‐treated eyes, even after suture removal and arcuate keratotomy. Endothelial cell density (cells/mm2) after 1 year was lower in DSAEK‐treated (1.338 ± 113) than in PK‐treated eyes (1.610 ± 124), but the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusion:  DSAEK seems to be superior to PK in treating Fuchs’ endothelial keratoplasty, although primary graft failure may be more common. Visual recovery is faster, and major ametropia and astigmatism is not induced. Long‐term follow‐up studies are essential to assess whether this conclusion also holds true more than 1 year after surgery.
High-Throughput Cell-Based Screen for Chemicals That Inhibit Infection by Simian Virus 40 and Human Polyomaviruses
Authors: Goodwin Edward C. , Atwood Walter J. , DiMaio Daniel 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT
We developed a high-throughput, cell-based screen to identify chemicals that inhibit infection by the primate polyomaviruses. The screen is based on the detection of compounds that inhibit the ability of a replication-defective simian virus 40 (SV40)-based viral vector to cause growth arrest in HeLa cells by repressing the expression of the endogenous human papillomavirus E7 oncogene in these cells. We identified two compounds, ellagic acid and spiperone, that suppressed the ability of the SV40 recombinant virus to inhibit cellular DNA synthesis. These compounds caused a marked reduction of the ability of wild-type SV40 to productively infect permissive monkey cells, even when the compounds were added several hours after infection. The fraction of cells expressing SV40 large T antigen and the levels of T antigen mRNA were reduced in infected human and monkey cells treated with ellagic acid and spiperone, suggesting that these compounds block a step in the virus life cycle prior to SV40 early gene expression. Ellagic acid and spiperone also inhibited large T antigen expression by BK virus and JC virus, two important, pathogenic human polyomaviruses.
Residues in a Highly Conserved Claudin-1 Motif Are Required for Hepatitis C Virus Entry and Mediate the Formation of Cell-Cell Contacts
Authors: Cukierman Lisa , Meertens Laurent , Bertaux Claire , Kajumo Francis , Dragic Tatjana 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTClaudin-1, a component of tight junctions between liver hepatocytes, is a hepatitis C virus (HCV) late-stage entry cofactor. To investigate the structural and functional roles of various claudin-1 domains in HCV entry, we applied a mutagenesis strategy. Putative functional intracellular claudin-1 domains were not important. However, we identified seven novel residues in the first extracellular loop that are critical for entry of HCV isolates drawn from six different subtypes. Most of the critical residues belong to the highly conserved claudin motif W30-GLW51-C54-C64. Alanine substitutions of these residues did not impair claudin-1 cell surface expression or lateral protein interactions within the plasma membrane, including claudin-1-claudin-1 and claudin-1-CD81 interactions. However, these mutants no longer localized to cell-cell contacts. Based on our observations, we propose that cell-cell contacts formed by claudin-1 may generate specialized membrane domains that are amenable to HCV entry.
Induction of Alpha/Beta Interferon by Myxoma Virus Is Selectively Abrogated When Primary Mouse Embryo Fibroblasts Become Immortalized
Authors: Wang Fuan , Barrett John W. , Ma Yiyue , Dekaban Gregory A. , McFadden Grant 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT
Mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) are a widely used cell culture system in life sciences, including virology. Here, we show that although primary MEFs are nonpermissive to myxoma virus replication, the corresponding immortalized MEFs support a highly productive myxoma virus infection. We further demonstrate that this permissive phenotype for myxoma virus in immortalized MEFs is due to the immortalization-associated selective block to the cellular alpha/beta interferon induction machinery involved in responding to myxoma virus challenge. Thus, our report presents a clear example, illustrating that a drastic phenotypic alteration can occur with respect to virus infection between primary cells and their immortalized counterparts.
Numerical parametric study of expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam seismic buffers
Authors: Zarnani Saman , Bathurst Richard J. 
Published: March 2009

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam seismic buffers can be used to reduce earthquake-induced loads acting on rigid retaining wall structures. A numerical study was carried out to investigate the influence of wall height; EPS geofoam type, thickness, and stiffness; and excitation record on seismic buffer performance. The numerical simulations were carried out using a verified FLAC code. The influence of parameter values was examined by computing the maximum forces on the walls, the buffer compressive strains, and the relative efficiency of the buffer system. In general, the closer the predominant frequency of excitation to the fundamental frequency of the wall model, the greater the seismic loads and buffer compression. The choice of earthquake record is shown to affect the magnitude of maximum earth force and isolation efficiency. However, when the wall response for walls 3 to 9 m in height are presented in this study in terms of isolation efficiency, the data from scaled accelerograms and matching harmonic records with the same predominant frequency fall within a relatively narrow band when plotted against relative buffer thickness. For the range of parameters investigated, a buffer stiffness value less than 50 MN/m3 was judged to be the practical range for the design of these systems.
Precipitation and Water Vapor Transport in the Southern Hemisphere with Emphasis on the South American Region
Authors: Arraut Josefina Moraes , Satyamurty Prakki 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
December–March climatologies of precipitation and vertically integrated water vapor transport were analyzed and compared to find the main paths by which moisture is fed to high-rainfall regions in the Southern Hemisphere in this season. The southern tropics (20°S–0°) exhibit high rainfall and receive ample moisture from the northern trades, except in the eastern Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans. This interhemispheric flow is particularly important for Amazonian rainfall, establishing the North Atlantic as the main source of moisture for the forest during its main rainy season. In the subtropics the rainfall distribution is very heterogeneous. The meridional average of precipitation between 35° and 25°S is well modulated by the meridional water vapor transport through the 25°S latitude circle, being greater where this transport is from the north and smaller where it is from the south. In South America, to the east of the Andes, the moisture that fuels precipitation between 20° and 30°S comes from both the tropical South and North Atlantic Oceans whereas between 30° and 40°S it comes mostly from the North Atlantic after passing over the Amazonian rain forest. The meridional transport (across 25°S) curve exhibits a double peak over South America and the adjacent Atlantic, which is closely reproduced in the mean rainfall curve. This corresponds to two local maxima in the two-dimensional field of meridional transport: the moisture corridor from Amazonia into the continental subtropics and the moisture flow coming from the southern tropical Atlantic into the subtropical portion of the South Atlantic convergence zone. These two narrow pathways of intense moisture flow could be suitably called “aerial rivers.” Their longitudinal positions are well defined. The yearly deviations from climatology for moisture flow and rainfall correlate well (0.75) for the continental peak but not for the oceanic peak (0.23). The structure of two maxima is produced by the effect of transients in the time scale of days.
Observed Strengthening of the Zonal Sea Surface Temperature Gradient across the Equatorial Pacific Ocean*
Authors: Karnauskas Kristopher B. , Seager Richard , Kaplan Alexey , Kushnir Yochanan , Cane Mark A. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Decadal variations of very small amplitude [∼0.3°C in sea surface temperature (SST)] in the tropical Pacific Ocean, the genesis region of the interannual El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, have been shown to have powerful impacts on global climate. Future projections from different climate models do not agree on how this critical feature will change under the influence of anthropogenic forcing. A number of attempts have been made to resolve this issue by examining observed trends from the 1880s to the present, a period of rising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases. A recent attempt concluded that the three major datasets disagreed on the trend in the equatorial gradient of SST. Using a corrected version of one of these datasets, and extending the analysis to the seasonal cycle, it is shown here that all agree that the equatorial Pacific zonal SST gradient has strengthened from 1880 to 2005 during the boreal fall when this gradient is normally strongest. This result appears to favor a theory for future changes based on ocean dynamics over one based on atmospheric energy considerations. Both theories incorporate the expectation, based on ENSO theory, that the zonal sea level pressure (SLP) gradient in the tropical Pacific is coupled to SST and should therefore strengthen along with the SST gradient. While the SLP gradient has not strengthened, it is found that it appears to have weakened only during boreal spring, consistent with the SST seasonal trends. Most of the coupled models included in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report underestimate the strengthening SST gradient in boreal fall, and show almost no change in the SLP gradient in any season. The observational analyses herein suggest that both theories are at work but with relative strengths that vary seasonally, and that the two theories need not be inconsistent with each other.
A Displacement and Amplitude Score Employing an Optical Flow Technique
Authors: Keil Christian , Craig George C. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
A field verification measure for precipitation forecasts is presented that combines distance and amplitude errors. It is based on an optical flow algorithm that defines a vector field that deforms, or morphs, one image to match another. When the forecast field is morphed to match the observation field, then for any point in the observation field, the magnitude of the displacement vector gives the distance to the corresponding forecast object (if any), while the difference between the observation and the morphed forecast is the amplitude error. Similarly, morphing the observation field onto the forecast field gives displacement and amplitude errors for forecast features. If observed and forecast features are separated by more than a prescribed maximum search distance, they are not matched to each other, but they are considered to be two separate amplitude errors: a missed event and a false alarm. The displacement and amplitude error components are combined to produce a displacement and amplitude score (DAS). The two components are weighted according to the principle that a displacement error equal to the maximum search distance is equivalent to the amplitude error that would be obtained by a forecast and an observed feature that are too far apart to be matched. The new score, DAS, is applied to the idealized and observed test cases of the Spatial Verification Methods Intercomparison Project (ICP) and is found to accurately measure displacement errors and quantify combined displacement and amplitude errors reasonably well, although with some limitations due to the inability of the image matcher to perfectly match complex fields.
Parenting Children With Diabetes
Authors: Sherifali Diana , Ciliska Donna , O'Mara Linda 
Published: March 2009

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which parenting styles is associated with diabetes control in children (aged 5—12 years) with type 1 diabetes, and on child and parent quality of life. Methods Data were collected from a total of 216 parent and child dyads, from 4 pediatric diabetes clinics in southern Ontario, using a cross-sectional survey methodology. Each parent and child independently completed the questionnaires. The study instruments included the Parenting Dimensions Inventory, Pediatric Quality of Life (diabetes specific), and chart reviews for glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) levels. Results The results of the study demonstrated that parenting styles were not correlated with diabetes control and were weakly correlated with quality of life. Most parents reported behaviors of authoritative or democratic parenting. The mean glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) for children in the study was slightly above optimal target range, at 8.4%. Parental education had a weak negative correlation with diabetes control. Conclusions Parenting styles are not associated with diabetes control and quality of life in children with type 1 diabetes. However, further research should assess the impact of the determinants of parenting on children with type 1 diabetes and quality of life.
Genome-wide association study to identify novel loci associated with therapy-related myeloid leukemia susceptibility
Authors: Knight Jeffrey A. , Skol Andrew D. , Shinde Abhijit , Hastings Darcie , Walgren Richard A. , Shao Jin , Tennant Thelma R. , Banerjee Mekhala , Allan James M. , Le Beau Michelle M. , Larson Richard A. , Graubert Timothy A. , Cox Nancy J. , Onel Kenan 
Published: March 2009

AbstractTherapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) is a rare but fatal complication of cytotoxic therapy. Whereas sporadic cancer results from interactions between complex exposures and low-penetrance alleles, t-AML results from an acute exposure to a limited number of potent genotoxins. Consequently, we hypothesized that the effect sizes of variants associated with t-AML would be greater than in sporadic cancer, and, therefore, that these variants could be detected even in a modest-sized cohort. To test this, we undertook an association study in 80 cases and 150 controls using Affymetrix Mapping 10K arrays. Even at nominal significance thresholds, we found a significant excess of associations over chance; for example, although 6 associations were expected at P less than .001, we found 15 (Penrich = .002). To replicate our findings, we genotyped the 10 most significantly associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in an independent t-AML cohort (n = 70) and obtained evidence of association with t-AML for 3 SNPs in the subset of patients with loss of chromosomes 5 or 7 or both, acquired abnormalities associated with prior exposure to alkylator chemotherapy. Thus, we conclude that the effect of genetic factors contributing to cancer risk is potentiated and more readily discernable in t-AML compared with sporadic cancer.
Induction of angiogenesis by normal and malignant plasma cells
Authors: Hose Dirk , Moreaux Jérôme , Meissner Tobias , Seckinger Anja , Goldschmidt Hartmut , Benner Axel , Mahtouk Karène , Hillengass Jens , Rème Thierry , De Vos John , Hundemer Michael , Condomines Maud , Bertsch Uta , Rossi Jean-François , Jauch Anna , Klein Bernard , Möhler Thomas 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAbundant bone marrow angiogenesis is present in almost all myeloma patients requiring therapy and correlated to treatment response and survival. We assessed the expression of 402 angiogenesis-associated genes by Affymetrix DNA microarrays in 466 samples, including CD138-purified myeloma cells (MMCs) from 300 previously untreated patients, in vivo microcirculation by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and in vitro angiogenesis (AngioKit-assay). Normal bone marrow plasma cells (BMPCs) express a median of 39 proangiogenic (eg, VEGFA, ADM, IGF-1) and 28 antiangiogenic genes (eg, TIMP1, TIMP2). Supernatants of BMPCs unlike those of memory B cells induce angiogenesis in vitro. MMCs do not show a significantly higher median number of expressed proangiogenic (45) or antiangiogenic (31) genes, but 97% of MMC samples aberrantly express at least one of the angiogenic factors HGF, IL-15, ANG, APRIL, CTGF, or TGFA. Supernatants of MMCs and human myeloma cell lines induce significantly higher in vitro angiogenesis compared with BMPCs. In conclusion, BMPCs express a surplus of proangiogenic over antiangiogenic genes transmitting to the ability to induce in vitro angiogenesis. Aberrant expression of proangiogenic and down-regulation of antiangiogenic genes by MMCs further increases the angiogenic stimulus, together leading to bone marrow angiogenesis at various degrees in all myeloma patients.
Interferon-gamma coordinates CCL3-mediated neutrophil recruitment in vivo
Authors: Bonville Cynthia A , Percopo Caroline M , Dyer Kimberly D , Gao Jiliang , Prussin Calman , Foster Barbara , Rosenberg Helene F , Domachowske Joseph B 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackgroundWe have shown previously that acute infection with the respiratory pathogen, pneumonia virus of mice (PVM), results in local production of the proinflammatory chemokine, CCL3, and that neutrophil recruitment in response to PVM infection is reduced dramatically in CCL3 -/- mice.ResultsIn this work, we demonstrate that CCL3-mediated neutrophil recruitment is coordinated by interferon-gamma (IFNγ). Neutrophil recruitment in response to PVM infection was diminished five-fold in IFNγ receptor gene-deleted mice, although neutrophils from IFNγR -/- mice expressed transcripts for the CCL3 receptor, CCR1 and responded functionally to CCL3ex vivo. Similarly, in the absence of PVM infection, CCL3 overexpression alone could not elicit neutrophil recruitment in the absence of IFNγ. Interestingly, although supplemental IFNγ restored neutrophil recruitment and resulted in a sustained weight loss among CCL3-overexpressing IFNγ -/- mice, CCL3-mediated neutrophil recruitment alone did not result in the pulmonary edema or respiratory failure characteristic of severe viral infection, suggesting that CCL3 and IFN-γ together are sufficient to promote neutrophil recruitment but not pathologic activation.ConclusionOur findings reveal a heretofore unrecognized hierarchical interaction between the IFNγ and CCL3, which demonstrate that IFNγ is crucial for CCL3-mediated neutrophil recruitmentin vivo.
The epidemiology of gonorrhoea in Norway, 1993–2007: past victories, future challenges
Authors: Jakopanec Irena , Borgen Katrine , Aavitsland Preben 
Published: March 2009

Abstract

Background
Gonorrhoea, a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, has been increasing in several European countries, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM) and teenagers. We describe the epidemiology of gonorrhoea in Norway in the recent 15 years in order to guide recommendations on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of gonorrhoea. An evaluation of the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases (MSIS) in 1994, involving GPs and microbiological laboratories, suggested that the system has a high coverage, capturing over 90% of patients diagnosed with gonorrhoea.

Methods
Using MSIS data on gonorrhoea cases we analysed specific trends by route of transmission, age, gender, anatomical sampling site, antimicrobial resistance and travel history from 1993–2007 and, to focus on more recent trends, from 2003–2007. MSM and heterosexual cases were defined by route of transmission.

Results
From 1993 to 2007, 3601 gonorrhoea cases were reported. MSM cases increased from 10 in 1994 to 109 cases in 2004. From 2003–2007, the incidence of gonorrhoea was 5.4/100,000 person-years (95%CI: 4.9–6.0). Over these five years, MSM accounted for an average of 80 cases per year, of which 69% were infected by casual partners. In the same period, 98% of heterosexually infected had a positive swab from urethra only and only two (0.3%) from the pharynx. Only one woman (0.5%) was positive from the rectum. From 1993 – 2007, antimicrobial resistance results were reported for 3325 N. gonorrhoeae isolates (98% of cultured samples). The proportion resistant to quinolone has risen from 3% in 1995 to 47% in 2007, with 81% of the latter isolated from patients infected in Asia.

Conclusion
The overall incidence of gonorrhoea in Norway remains low, but the increasing number of MSM cases calls for new, more effective approaches to prevention. Infections originating from abroad represent a constant risk of importing antimicrobial resistant N. gonorrhoeae. Due to the prevalence of quinolone resistant N. gonorrhoeae in Norway, third-generation cephalosporins should replace quinolones as the first choice in treatment guidelines. We advocate antimicrobial susceptibility testing for all cases and recommend taking samples for culture from all exposed anatomical sites.