bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Induction of Heterosubtypic Immunity to Influenza Virus by Intranasal Immunization
Authors: Quan Fu-Shi , Compans Richard W. , Nguyen Huan H. , Kang Sang-Moo 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTRecovery from live influenza virus infection is known to induce heterosubtypic immunity. In contrast, immunity induced by inactivated vaccines is predominantly subtype specific. In this study, we investigated the heterosubtypic protective immunity induced by inactivated influenza virus. Intranasal immunization of mice with inactivated influenza virus A/PR8 (H1N1) provided complete protection against the homologous virus and a drift virus within the same subtype, A/WSN (H1N1), but not against the heterosubtypic virus A/Philippines (H3N2). However, coadministration of inactivated virus with cholera toxin as an adjuvant conferred complete heterosubtypic protection, without observed illness, even under conditions of CD4+or CD8+T-cell depletion. Analysis of immune correlates prior to challenge and postchallenge indicated that humoral immune responses with cross-neutralizing activity in lungs and in sera play a major role in conferring protective immunity against heterosubtypic challenge. This study has significant implications for developing broadly cross-reactive vaccines against newly emerging pathogenic influenza viruses.
Genetic Interactions between an Essential 3′
cis
-Acting RNA Pseudoknot, Replicase Gene Products, and the Extreme 3′ End of the Mouse Coronavirus Genome
Authors: Züst Roland , Miller Timothy B. , Goebel Scott J. , Thiel Volker , Masters Paul S. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

The upstream end of the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of the mouse hepatitis virus genome contains two essential and overlapping RNA secondary structures, a bulged stem-loop and a pseudoknot, which have been proposed to be elements of a molecular switch that is critical for viral RNA synthesis. It has previously been shown that a particular six-base insertion in loop 1 of the pseudoknot is extremely deleterious to the virus. We have now isolated multiple independent second-site revertants of the loop 1 insertion mutant, and we used reverse-genetics methods to confirm the identities of suppressor mutations that could compensate for the original insertion. The suppressors were localized to two separate regions of the genome. Members of one class of suppressor were mapped to the portions of gene 1 that encode nsp8 and nsp9, thereby providing the first evidence for specific interactions between coronavirus replicase gene products and a
cis
-acting genomic RNA element. The second class of suppressor was mapped to the extreme 3′ end of the genome, a result which pointed to the existence of a direct base-pairing interaction between loop 1 of the pseudoknot and the genomic terminus. The latter finding was strongly supported by phylogenetic evidence and by the construction of a deletion mutant that reduced the 3′ UTR to its minimal essential elements. Taken together, the interactions revealed by the two classes of suppressors suggest a model for the initiation of coronavirus negative-strand RNA synthesis.
Dynamics of T- and B-Lymphocyte Turnover in a Natural Host of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Kaur Amitinder , Di Mascio Michele , Barabasz Amy , Rosenzweig Michael , McClure Harold M. , Perelson Alan S. , Ribeiro Ruy M. , Johnson R. Paul 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTIncreased lymphocyte turnover is a hallmark of pathogenic lentiviral infection. To investigate perturbations in lymphocyte dynamics in natural hosts with nonpathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection, the nucleoside analog bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was administered to six naturally SIV-infected and five SIV-negative sooty mangabeys. As a measure of lymphocyte turnover, we estimated the mean death rate by fitting a mathematical model to the fraction of BrdU-labeled cells during a 2-week labeling and a median 10-week delabeling period. Despite significantly lower total T- and B-lymphocyte counts in SIV-infected sooty mangabeys than in SIV-negative mangabeys, the turnover rate of B lymphocytes and CD4+and CD8+T lymphocytes was not increased in the SIV-infected animals. A small, rapidly proliferating CD45RA+memory subset and a large, slower-proliferating CD45RA−central memory subset of CD4+T lymphocytes identified in the peripheral blood of sooty mangabeys also did not show evidence of increased turnover in the context of SIV infection. Independently of SIV infection, the turnover of CD4+T lymphocytes in sooty mangabeys was significantly higher (P< 0.01) than that of CD8+T lymphocytes, a finding hitherto not reported in rhesus macaques or humans. The absence of aberrant T-lymphocyte turnover along with an inherently high rate of CD4+T-lymphocyte turnover may help to preserve the pool of central memory CD4+T lymphocytes in viremic SIV-infected sooty mangabeys and protect against progression to AIDS.
Gag-Processing Defect of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Integrase E246 and G247 Mutants Is Caused by Activation of an Overlapping 5′ Splice Site
Authors: Mandal Dibyakanti , Feng Zehua , Stoltzfus C. Martin 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT
We have previously described several human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) mutants that are characterized by an excessive-RNA-splicing phenotype and reduced virus particle production. In one of these mutants (NLD2up), the sequence of 5′ splice site D2 was changed to a consensus splice donor site. This splice site overlaps the HIV-1 integrase reading frame, and thus, the NLD2up mutant also bears a G-to-W change at amino acid 247 of the integrase. A previously described E-to-K mutant at position 246 of the C-terminal domain of the integrase, which resulted in a G-to-A mutation at the +3 position of overlapping splice donor D2 (NLD2A3), was also shown to affect virus particle production and Gag protein processing. By using second-site mutations to revert the excessive-splicing phenotype, we show that the effects on Gag protein processing and virus particle production of both the NLD2up and NLD2A3 mutants are caused by excessive viral RNA splicing due to the activation of the overlapping 5′ splice site and not to the changes in the integrase protein. Both integrase protein mutations, however, are lethal for virus infectivity. These studies suggest that changes in the usage of overlapping splice sites may be a possible alternative explanation for a defective virus phenotype resulting from changes in protein-coding sequences or in the nucleotide sequence during codon optimization.
Moulds, bacteria and cancer among Finns: an occupational cohort study
Authors: Laakkonen A , Verkasalo P K , Nevalainen A , Kauppinen T , Kyyrönen P , Pukkala E I 
Published: November 2007

Background:Some environmental moulds and bacteria produce carcinogenic toxins.Aim:To study associations between work-related exposure to moulds and bacteria and cancers in Finland.Methods:A cohort of all economically active Finns in the population census in 1970 were followed-up for 30 million person-years. Subsequent cancer cases were identified through record linkage with the Finnish Cancer Registry. Observed and expected numbers of cancer cases were calculated by occupation, sex, birth cohort and period of observation. Exposures to moulds of agricultural and industrial origin and to bacteria of non-human origin were estimated with the Finnish Job–Exposure Matrix.Results:Men with the highest mould and bacterial exposure had a reduced relative risk for lung cancer (RR 0.7, 95% CI 0.6 to 0.9 for moulds and RR 0.9, 95% CI 0.8 to 1.0 for bacteria). Women in the highest mould and bacterial exposure category had RRs of 3.1 (95% CI 1.0 to 9.2) and 2.6 (95% CI 1.5 to 4.7) for cervical cancer, respectively. The respective RRs for lip cancer were 2.4 (95% CI 1.2 to 5.1) and 1.6 (95% CI 1.2 to 2.2).Conclusions:Exposures at the investigated concentrations to either moulds or bacteria are unlikely to be major risk factors of cancer, although suggestions of risk increases were observed for some cancer types. It has been suggested previously that the decreased risk for lung cancer is due to the protective effect of endotoxins.
TUTANKHAMUN'S GOLDEN MASK INVESTIGATED WITH XRDF
Authors: UDA M. , YOSHIMURA S. , ISHIZAKI A. , YAMASHITA D. , SAKURABA Y. 
Published: November 2007

This is a preliminary report for “the joint investigation between Japan and Egypt on Tutankhamun's golden mask”. This experiment was performed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo using an XRDF (X-Ray Diffractometer equipped with x-ray Fluorescence spectrometer) setup invented by one of the authors (M. U.) and improved here. A diffraction pattern and a fluorescence spectrum can be obtained by the XRDF setup in the air from one and the same small area (1–2 mm in diameter) on a specimen. The face and neck, and the other parts of the Tutankhamun's golden mask were composed of 23.2–23.5 K matrix covered with an 18 K Au - Ag - Cu thin layer, whitish gold in color, and with a 22.5 K Au - Ag - Cu thin layer, gold in color, respectively. A dark blue material used for the nemes (headdress) was characterized with a new kind of glass paste which includ main components of Amarna blue and Egyptian blue, and is named here as Tutankhamun blue. A grayish blue material used for a false beard had a similar chemical composition to the dark blue one. Pectoral red and green beads were made of carnelian and amazonite, respectively.
Multiple chronic diseases and quality of life: patterns emerging from a large national sample, Australia
Authors: Walker Agnes Emilia 
Published: November 2007

Objectives: To assess the importance of multiple chronic diseases (co-morbidities) to how people feel about their lives generally. To do this, we studied the associations between co-morbidities and indicators of quality of life and/or psychological distress. Methods: Analysis of unit record cross-sectional data from Australian national surveys for the population aged 20 years or more. Identification of an appropriate indicator of multiple chronic diseases (i.e. co-morbidities). Use of logistic regression techniques to study associations between: (1) co-morbidities and demographic, socio-economic and risk factor variables; and (2) quality of life (general and psychological distress) and demographic, socio-economic and health status indicators. Results: Older people, obese persons, women, persons with low socio-economic status and those living alone had significantly greater probability of having three or more chronic illnesses than did other people aged 20+ years (p<0.0001). Also, people with co-morbidities and/or with poor self-rated general health, those living alone, people with low educational qualifications and persons with low socio-economic status were more likely to feel dissatisfied, unhappy or terrible about their lives and to have moderate, high or very high psychological distress scores than the rest of the 20+-year-old population (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Multiple chronic diseases were found to have a considerable negative impact on quality of life, not only in terms of how people felt about their lives generally, but also in terms of the extent of their psychological distress.
Anxiety and health-related quality of life of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis
Authors: Montin Liisa , Leino-Kilpi Helena , Katajisto Jouko , Lepistö Jyri , Kettunen Jyrki , Suominen Tarja 
Published: November 2007

Objective: Osteoarthritis in a hip not only causes pain and decreases physical function, which are the most common reasons for total hip arthroplasty, but also causes anxiety and reduces patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The objective of this study was to evaluate patients' anxiety and its possible relationship with HRQoL before and after surgery. Methods: In this longitudinal follow-up study, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to measure patients' (n = 100) level of anxiety before surgery and at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months post-operatively. The Sickness Impact Profile was used to measure patients' total HRQoL before surgery and post-operatively at 3 and 6 months. Results: Before surgery, patients' trait and state anxiety were moderate. Patients' pre-operative trait anxiety impaired HRQoL both before and after surgery. After surgery, state anxiety remained at a moderate level, although a few minor peaks were observed, but no relationship between state anxiety and HRQoL was found. Discussion: Patients' needs and characteristics should be carefully assessed when planning post-operative care and support. Nurses should be aware of factors that may relate to anxiety and also consider different methods of supporting patients' recovery.
Indirect involvement of allergen-captured mast cells in antigen presentation
Authors: Kambayashi Taku , Baranski Jan D. , Baker Rebecca G. , Zou Tao , Allenspach Eric J. , Shoag Jonathan E. , Jones Peter L. , Koretzky Gary A. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractIt is generally thought that mast cells influence T-cell activation nonspecifically through the release of inflammatory mediators. In this report, we provide evidence that mast cells may also affect antigen-specific T-cell responses by internalizing immunoglobulin E–bound antigens for presentation to antigen-specific T cells. Surprisingly, T-cell activation did not require that mast cells express major histocompatibility complex class II, indicating that mast cells were not involved in the direct presentation of the internalized antigens. Rather, the antigen captured by mast cells is presented by other major histocompatibility complex class II+ antigen-presenting cells. To explore how this may occur, we investigated the fate of mast cells stimulated by antigen and found that FcϵRI crosslinking enhances mast cell apoptosis. Cell death by antigen-captured mast cells was required for efficient presentation because protection of mast cell death significantly decreased T-cell activation. These results suggest that mast cells may be involved in antigen presentation by acting as an antigen reservoir after antigen capture through specific immunoglobulin E molecules bound to their FcϵRI. This mechanism may contribute to how mast cells impact the development of T-cell responses.
Partial reversal of experimental pulmonary hypertension by phosphodiesterase-3/4 inhibition
Authors: Dony E. , Lai Y-J. , Dumitrascu R. , Pullamsetti S. S. , Savai R. , Ghofrani H. A. , Weissmann N. , Schudt C. , Flockerzi D. , Seeger W. , Grimminger F. , Schermuly R. T. 
Published: November 2007

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors are currently under investigation for the therapy of pulmonary hypertension.The present study was designed to investigate chronic effects of oral pumafentrine, a mixed selective PDE-3/4 inhibitor, in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.Treatment with pumafentrine (10 mg·kg−1daily) from week 4 to 6 after a single injection of MCT (60 mg·kg−1) partially reversed pulmonary hypertension and right heart hypertrophy in rats. In addition, small pulmonary arterial muscularisation, media hypertrophy and decrease in lumen area were largely reversed. Inhibition of smooth muscle proliferation under pumafentrine was demonstratedin vivoas was a pro-apoptotic effect of pumafentrine on vascular cells. Moreover, pumafentrine dose-dependently increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels and inhibited proliferation of cultured pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells.In conclusion, oral pumafentrine partially reverses monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension, lung vascular remodelling and right heart hypertrophy in rats.
Troponin T elevation and long-term mortality after chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation
Authors: Brekke P. H. , Omland T. , Holmedal S. H. , Smith P. , Søyseth V. 
Published: November 2007

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, exacerbations of which increase strain on the heart. The prognostic value of elevated circulating levels of cardiac Troponins seen during COPD exacerbations has been investigated.From the Akershus hospital database, 897 patients discharged after treatment for COPD exacerbation in the period 2000–2003 were identified and followed-up until June 30, 2005. Median observation time was 1.9 yrs. In 396 patients, measurements of cardiac-specific troponin T (cTnT) were available. Levels of cTnT ≥0.04 μg·L−1were considered elevated. Clinical data were retrieved from patient records and date of death was obtained from the Norwegian National Registry. In order to balance the nonrandomised nature of available cTnT measurements, an exposure propensity score (EPS) for cTnT sampling was calculated and used in regression analyses.After adjusting for EPS in Cox regression analyses, elevated cTnT was significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality in the observation period, with a hazard ratio of 1.64 (95% confidence interval 1.15–2.34).In conclusion, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with elevated cardiac-specific Troponin T during exacerbation are at increased risk of death after discharge.
Neural respiratory drive during apnoeic events in obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Luo Y. M. , Wu H. D. , Tang J. , Jolley C. , Steier J. , Moxham J. , Zhong N. S. , Polkey M. I. 
Published: November 2007

For a given neural drive, oesophageal pressure during apnoeic episodes may differ from that during airflow, since inspiratory airflow and increased lung volume both reduce pressure generation. It was, therefore, hypothesised that diaphragm electromyography (EMG) may provide additional data to oesophageal pressure when used for the assessment of neural drive in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea, whose breathing is associated with variable airflow and changes in lung volume.Neural respiratory drive was assessed using diaphragm EMG recorded from multipair oesophageal electrodes in 12 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. Oesophageal pressure was also recorded.The mean±sdinspiratory oesophageal pressure swing was 11.0±3.7 cmH2O during wakefulness, 38.2±15.7 cmH2O at the end of the apnoea and reduced to 28.5±10.4 cmH2O at the beginning of arousal. The mean peak inspiratory diaphragm EMG signal was 21.8±6.5 μV during wakefulness, 38.6±14.0 μV at the end of the apnoea and further increased to 59.6±32.0 μV at the beginning of arousal.It was concluded that the pattern of neural drive assessed by oesophageal pressure differs from that measured by diaphragm electromyography during apnoeic events and, therefore, that diaphragm electromyography may be a useful adjunct to measurement of oesophageal pressure for the assessment of neural drive in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.
Effects of allergen on airway narrowing dynamics as assessed by lung-slice technique
Authors: Chew A. D. , Hirota J. A. , Ellis R. , Wattie J. , Inman M. D. , Janssen L. J. 
Published: November 2007

Asthma is characterised by an excessive airway narrowing in response to a variety of stimuli, called airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Previous comparisons between mouse strains have shown that increased velocity of airway narrowing correlates with baseline airway responsiveness. These data prompted the investigation into models of induced AHR to see whether airway narrowing dynamics correlated within vivoresponsiveness.In an attempt to reproduce some of the features of asthma, BALB/c mice were sensitised and subjected to either brief or chronic periods of allergen exposure. Brief exposure involved two challenges with intranasal chicken egg ovalbumin (OVAin). Chronic exposure involved six 2-day periods of OVAinchallenges, each separated by 12 days. Control mice received intranasal saline challenges. Outcomes included videomicrometry of lung slices (magnitude and velocity of airway narrowing),in vivorespiratory physiology measurements and histological staining with morphometric analysis.Neither brief nor chronic allergen exposure resulted in greater airway narrowing and increased velocity compared with saline controls. Structural changes in the airway, such as goblet cell hyperplasia, subepithelial fibrosis and increased contractile tissue, were detected in mice chronically challenged with allergen.In conclusion, increased responsiveness to methacholine following allergen challenge may not be due to an intrinsic change to the smooth muscleper se, but rather to other changes in the lung, which ultimately manifest as an increase in respiratory resistance.
Validity and reliability testing of two instruments to measure breast cancer patients' concerns and information needs relating to radiation therapy
Authors: Halkett Georgia KB , Kristjanson Linda J 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Background
It is difficult to determine the most effective approach to patient education or tailor education interventions for patients in radiotherapy without tools that assess patients' specific radiation therapy information needs and concerns. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop psychometrically sound tools to adequately determine the concerns and information needs of cancer patients during radiation therapy.

Patients and Methods
Two tools were developed to (1) determine patients concerns about radiation therapy (RT Concerns Scale) and (2) ascertain patient's information needs at different time point during their radiation therapy (RT Information Needs Scale). Tools were based on previous research by the authors, published literature on breast cancer and radiation therapy and information behaviour research. Thirty-one breast cancer patients completed the questionnaire on one occasion and thirty participants completed the questionnaire on a second occasion to facilitate test-retest reliability. One participant's responses were removed from the analysis. Results were analysed for content validity, internal consistency and stability over time.

Results
Both tools demonstrated high internal consistency and adequate stability over time. The nine items in the RT Concerns Scale were retained because they met all pre-set psychometric criteria. Two items were deleted from the RT Information Needs Scale because they did not meet content validity criteria and did not achieve pre-specified criteria for internal consistency. This tool now contains 22 items.

Conclusion
This paper provides preliminary data suggesting that the two tools presented are reliable and valid and would be suitable for use in trials or in the clinical setting.