bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Conversion from Paroxysmal to Permanent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: BUDEUS MARCO , FELIX OLIVER , HENNERSDORF MARCUS , WIENEKE HEINRICH , ERBEL RAIMUND , SACK STEFAN 
Published: March 2007

Background: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) transits to permanent atrial fibrillation (PEAF). The current study was to determine whether a P wave‐triggered P wave signal averaged electrocardiogram (P‐SAECG) and chemoreflexsensitivity (CHRS) are useful to predict a conversion to PEAF in patients with PAF.
Methods: The filtered P wave duration (FPD) and the root mean square voltage of the last 20 ms of the P wave (RMS 20) were measured by P‐SAECG. The ratio between the difference of RR intervals in the ECG and venous pO2 before and after 5‐minutes oxygen inhalation is measured (ms/mmHg) for the determination of CHRS.
Results: A total of 180 patients with PAF were enrolled and followed for a mean of 22.5 months. PEAF occurred in 38 patients (21%) and these patients had a significantly larger left atrial size (43.2 ± 4.9 vs. 41.0 ± 5.4 mm, P = 0.021), a significantly longer FPD (158.8 ± 18.2 vs. 136.7 ± 16.6 ms, P < 0.0001), and a significantly lower CHRS (1.96 ± 0.99 vs. 2.44 ± 1.19 ms/mmHg, P = 0.024) than patients with PAF. Patients with PEAF tended to have a lower RMS 20 (2.38 ± 0.65 vs. 2.75 ± 1.18 μV, P = 0.067) than patients with PAF. The χ2 test showed that the combination of FPD ≥ 145 ms, RMS 20 ≤3.0 μV, left atrial size ≥ 41 mm, and CHRS ≤2.0 ms/mmHg had the best predictive power for PEAF. Patients who fulfilled these criteria had a 12‐fold increased risk for a conversion from PAF to PEAF.
Conclusions: Our results show that a P‐SAECG, an analysis of CHRS, and left atrial enlargement are clinical predictors of a progression from PAF to PEAF.
Area deprivation and oral health in Scottish adults: a multilevel study
Authors: Bower Elizabeth , Gulliford Martin , Steele Jimmy , Newton Tim 
Published: March 2007

Abstract –  Objectives:  To explore the association between area deprivation and adult oral health.Methods:  Multilevel regression analysis of data taken from the 1998 Adult Dental Health Survey in the UK comprising 632 participants living in 346 households located in 31 postcode sectors in Scotland. Three oral health outcomes were investigated: number of sound (including restored) teeth; has one or more unsound teeth; has periodontal pocketing 4 mm or more in one or more teeth.Results:  In the most deprived areas, individuals had a mean of 4.6 fewer sound teeth than those in the least deprived areas. The difference in normalised number of sound teeth between least and most deprived areas was −0.707 (95% CI −1.164, −0.250), P = 0.024. After adjusting for age, sex, qualification status, head of household social class and household income, the estimated difference was −0.238 (−0.591 to 0.115) (P = 0.164). Area deprivation was not associated with having one or more unsound teeth or periodontal pocketing 4 mm or more in one or more teeth.Conclusions:  There is a univariate association of area deprivation with the number of sound teeth. This association is largely explained by household and individual level socioeconomic variables. A small area deprivation effect cannot be excluded in these data. The findings challenge current understanding of the relationship between area deprivation and oral health. Further multilevel research exploring the relationship between area deprivation and oral health is required using a larger sample and a prospective longitudinal design.
Risk indicators for recurrent aphthous ulcers among adults in the US
Authors: Chattopadhyay Amit , Chatterjee Sharmila 
Published: March 2007

Abstract –  Background and aims:  Recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) in the oral cavity are painful, causing substantial morbidity in the US and elsewhere in the world. Despite this, there is a lack of population‐based studies representative of the US national adult population to describe the epidemiology, and estimate the true disease burden and association with independent risk factors. Although several studies have investigated the role of various factors in RAU etiology, the epidemiology and etiology of RAU remain unclear. This study aims to establish the prevalence and describe the epidemiology of RAU in adults.Methods:  Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) were analyzed in SUDAAN using multivariable logistic regression, modeling RAU occurrences.Results:  Overall, for all Americans regardless of age, prevalence of RAU was 1030 per 100 000 people (95% CI 830–1220). The prevalence of RAU among adults was 850 per 100 000 (95% CI 630–1070). The lower vestibule was the most commonly involved site. Multivariable analyses suggested that adjusted odds of RAU were greatest for those 17–29 years of age (adjusted OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.4–5.5), for men (adjusted OR 1.7; 95% CI 0.9–2.8), and for those with low serum insulin levels (OR 2.0; 95% CI 0.9–4.4). Never smokers had greater risk of RAU (OR 9.2, 95% CI 2.8–30.1) compared with those who smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day.Conclusion:  This study establishes the prevalence of RAU among adults in the US and demonstrates that whereas cigarette smoking is associated with lesser odds, low insulin levels might be independently associated with greater odds of RAU.
A Regression Model to Estimate Regional Ground Water Recharge
Authors: Lorenz David L. , Delin Geoffrey N. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA regional regression model was developed to estimate the spatial distribution of ground water recharge in subhumid regions. The regional regression recharge (RRR) model was based on a regression of basin‐wide estimates of recharge from surface water drainage basins, precipitation, growing degree days (GDD), and average basin specific yield (SY). Decadal average recharge, precipitation, and GDD were used in the RRR model. The RRR estimates were derived from analysis of stream base flow using a computer program that was based on the Rorabaugh method. As expected, there was a strong correlation between recharge and precipitation. The model was applied to statewide data in Minnesota. Where precipitation was least in the western and northwestern parts of the state (50 to 65 cm/year), recharge computed by the RRR model also was lowest (0 to 5 cm/year). A strong correlation also exists between recharge and SY. SY was least in areas where glacial lake clay occurs, primarily in the northwest part of the state; recharge estimates in these areas were in the 0‐ to 5‐cm/year range. In sand‐plain areas where SY is greatest, recharge estimates were in the 15‐ to 29‐cm/year range on the basis of the RRR model. Recharge estimates that were based on the RRR model compared favorably with estimates made on the basis of other methods. The RRR model can be applied in other subhumid regions where region wide data sets of precipitation, streamflow, GDD, and soils data are available.
Liver dysfunction in patients with acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Aslan Sahin , Meral Mehmet , Akgun Metin , Acemoglu Hamit , Ucar Elif Yilmazel , Gorguner Metin , Mirici Arzu 
Published: March 2007

Aim:  Although liver injury due to cardiac, chronic respiratory and circulatory failure has been reported, this has yet to be studied in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). We investigated liver injury in patients with acute PE.Methods:  We retrospectively reviewed 107 acute PE patients over a two‐year period. Patients were categorized as having: (1) severe (PaO2 < 45 mmHg), moderate (45 mmHg ≤ PaO2≤ 60 mmHg) or mild hypoxemia (60 mmHg < PaO2 < 80 mmHg) groups; (2) massive and non‐massive PE; (3) absence or presence of pre‐existing cardiopulmonary disease; and (4) absence or presence of right ventricle dysfunction. Serum levels of liver enzymes were compared between groups.Results:  Transaminase levels were higher in severe hypoxemia patients compared mild hypoxemia patients (p=0.045 and p=0.036). Albumin and bilirubin levels were lower and higher, respectively, in patients with severe and moderate hypoxemia compared to mild hypoxemia patients (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between hepatic markers and PaO2 and %SaO2: r=–0.212, p=0.032 between AST and %SaO2; r=–0.243, p=0.013 and r=–0.241, p=0.014 between ALT and PaO2 and %SaO2; and r=–0.224, p=0.024 and r= –0.283, p=0.004 between direct bilirubin and PaO2 and %SaO2. AST and ALT levels were higher in massive PE than non‐massive PE patients (p=0.0001). Albumin levels were lower in patients with right ventricle dysfunction than in those without (p=0.02). One (0.9%) had a clinical picture of hypoxic hepatitis.Conclusion:  Abnormal LFTs showed a mixed pattern in patients with acute PE.
Serum measures of iron status and HFE gene mutations in patients with hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Ghaziani Tahereh , Alavian Seyed‐Moayed , Zali Mohammad R. , Shahraz Saeid , Agah Mohammdreza , Jensen Kevin P. , Ansari Shahin , Sendi Hossein , Lambrecht Richard W. , Covault Jonathan , Bonkovsky Herbert L. 
Published: March 2007

Aim:  We tested associations between HFE mutations and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We also explored measures of total body iron status and their association with chronic HBV infection.Methods:  Serum measures of iron status and HFE mutations (C282Y, H63D, and S65C) were assessed in 344 Iranian patients with chronic HBV infection (214 asymptomatic carriers, 130 patients with chronic progressive liver disease [CPLD]) and 302 controls.Results:  Frequencies of HFE mutations did not differ between patients with chronic HBV infection and controls (C282Y: P=0.9, H63D: P= 0.8, S65C: P=0.9). By logistic regression, advanced hepatic fibrosis was associated with HFE H63D mutation (OR=13.1, P=0.006; 95% CI=2.0–84.1). Higher levels of serum ferritin and transferrin saturation were observed in patients with CPLD than in healthy controls (P=0.0001 and 0.01, respectively, adjusted for age and sex). None of the serum iron measures was related to liver fibrosis stage or necroinflammatory grade.Conclusion:  Serum iron measures are associated with chronic progressive hepatitis B. Carriage of HFE mutations is not associated with the presence of chronic HBV infection or values of serum iron measures in this population, although HFE H63D is associated with more advanced hepatic fibrosis.
Population-Based Sequencing of the V3 Region of
env
for Predicting the Coreceptor Usage of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Quasispecies
Authors: Delobel Pierre , Nugeyre Marie-Thérèse , Cazabat Michelle , Pasquier Christophe , Marchou Bruno , Massip Patrice , Barre-Sinoussi Françoise , Israël Nicole , Izopet Jacques 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

Genotypic population-based methods could be faster and less expensive than phenotypic recombinant assays for determining human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coreceptor usage in patient samples, but their clinical use requires good genotype-phenotype correlation and concordance with clonal analyses. We have assessed these requirements by clonal analysis of the V1 to V3
env
PCR products of 26 patients infected with subtype B HIV-1. We used the resulting set of molecular clones, all sequenced and characterized using a single-cycle recombinant virus phenotypic entry assay, to reevaluate genotype-phenotype correlations. Combining the previously described 11/25 and net charge rules for the V3 genotype improved the prediction of HIV-1 coreceptor usage. We also evaluated the concordance of population-based and clonal analyses for predicting the coreceptor usage of HIV-1 quasispecies. Our population-based recombinant phenotypic assay and direct sequencing of V3 were similarly sensitive for detecting the presence of minor species in the virus population, and both correlated well with clonal analysis. The improved genotype-phenotype correlation obtained by combining two simple genotypic rules and the good concordance with clonal analyses suggest that direct sequencing of V3 is a valuable alternative to population-based recombinant phenotypic assays.
Genome Sequences of Three Koi Herpesvirus Isolates Representing the Expanding Distribution of an Emerging Disease Threatening Koi and Common Carp Worldwide
Authors: Aoki Takashi , Hirono Ikuo , Kurokawa Ken , Fukuda Hideo , Nahary Ronen , Eldar Avi , Davison Andrew J. , Waltzek Thomas B. , Bercovier Herve , Hedrick Ronald P. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

Since the mid-1990s, lethal infections of koi herpesvirus (KHV) have been spreading, threatening the worldwide production of common carp and koi (both
Cyprinus carpio
). The complete genome sequences of three KHV strains from Japan, the United States, and Israel revealed a 295-kbp genome containing a 22-kbp terminal direct repeat. The finding that 15 KHV genes have clear homologs in the distantly related channel catfish virus (ictalurid herpesvirus 1) confirms the proposed place of KHV in the family
Herpesviridae
, specifically in the branch with fish and amphibian hosts. KHV thus has the largest genome reported to date for this family. The three strains were interpreted as having arisen from a wild-type parent encoding 156 unique protein-coding genes, 8 of which are duplicated in the terminal repeat. In each strain, four to seven genes from among a set of nine are fragmented by frameshifts likely to render the encoded proteins nonfunctional. Six of the affected genes encode predicted membrane glycoproteins. Frameshifts or other mutations close to the 3′ ends of coding sequences were identified in a further six genes. The conclusion that at least some of these mutations occurred in vivo prompts the hypothesis that loss of gene functions might be associated with emergence of the disease and provides a basis for further investigations into the molecular epidemiology of the virus.
Both Linear and Discontinuous Ribosome Scanning Are Used for Translation Initiation from Bicistronic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1
env
mRNAs
Authors: Anderson Jenny L. , Johnson Adam T. , Howard Jane L. , Purcell Damian F. J. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) generates 16 alternatively spliced isoforms of
env
mRNA that contain the same overlapping open reading frames for Vpu and Env proteins but differ in their 5′ untranslated regions (UTR). A subset of
env
mRNAs carry the extra upstream Rev initiation codon in the 5′ UTR. We explored the effect of the alternative UTR on the translation of Vpu and Env proteins from authentic
env
mRNAs expressed from cDNA constructs. Vpu expression from the subset of
env
mRNA isoforms with exons containing an upstream Rev AUG codon was minimal. However, every
env
mRNA isoform expressed similar levels of Env protein. Mutations that removed, altered the strength of, or introduced upstream AUG codons dramatically altered Vpu expression but had little impact on the consistent expression of Env. These data show that the different isoforms of
env
mRNA are not redundant but instead regulate Vpu production in HIV-1-infected cells. Furthermore, while the initiation of Vpu translation conforms to the leaky ribosome-scanning model, the consistent Env synthesis infers a novel, discontinuous ribosome-scanning mechanism to translate Env.
Maintenance of Nef-Mediated Modulation of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I and CD4 after Sexual Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1
Authors: Noviello C. M. , Pond S. L. Kosakovsky , Lewis M. J. , Richman D. D. , Pillai S. K. , Yang O. O. , Little S. J. , Smith D. M. , Guatelli J. C. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTViruses encounter changing selective pressures during transmission between hosts, including host-specific immune responses and potentially varying functional demands on specific proteins. The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Nef protein performs several functions potentially important for successful infection, including immune escape via down-regulation of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I) and direct enhancement of viral infectivity and replication. Nef is also a major target of the host cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response. To examine the impact of changing selective pressures on Nef functions following sexual transmission, we analyzed genetic and functional changes innefclones from six transmission events. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the diversity ofnefwas similar in both sources and acutely infected recipients, the patterns of selection across transmission were variable, and regions of Nef associated with distinct functions evolved similarly in sources and recipients. These results weighed against the selection of specific Nef functions by transmission or during acute infection. Measurement of Nef function provided no evidence that the down-regulation of either CD4 or MHC-I was optimized by transmission or during acute infection, although rarenefclones from sources that were impaired in these activities were not detected in recipients. Nef-specific CTL activity was detected as early as 3 weeks after infection and appeared to be an evolutionary force driving the diversification ofnef. Despite the change in selective pressure between the source and recipient immune systems and concomitant genetic diversity, the majority of Nef proteins maintained robust abilities to down-regulate MHC-I and CD4. These data suggest that both functions are important for the successful establishment of infection in a new host.
Epitope-Dependent Avidity Thresholds for Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Clearance of Virus-Infected Cells
Authors: Bennett Michael S. , Ng Hwee L. , Dagarag Mirabelle , Ali Ayub , Yang Otto O. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are crucial for immune control of viral infections. “Functional avidity,” defined by the sensitizing dose of exogenously added epitope yielding half-maximal CTL triggering against uninfected target cells (SD
50
), has been utilized extensively as a measure of antiviral efficiency. However, CTLs recognize infected cells via endogenously produced epitopes, and the relationship of SD
50
to antiviral activity has never been directly revealed. We elucidate this relationship by comparing CTL killing of cells infected with panels of epitope-variant viruses to the corresponding SD
50
for the variant epitopes. This reveals a steeply sigmoid relationship between avidity and infected cell killing, with avidity thresholds (defined as the SD
50
required for CTL to achieve 50% efficiency of infected cell killing [KE
50
]), below which infected cell killing rapidly drops to none and above which killing efficiency rapidly plateaus. Three CTL clones recognizing the same viral epitope show the same KE
50
despite differential recognition of individual epitope variants, while CTLs recognizing another epitope show a 10-fold-higher KE
50
, demonstrating epitope dependence of KE
50
. Finally, the ability of CTLs to suppress viral replication depends on the same threshold KE
50
. Thus, defining KE
50
values is required to interpret the significance of functional avidity measurements and predict CTL efficacy against virus-infected cells in pathogenesis and vaccine studies.
Lytic and Latent Antigens of the Human Gammaherpesviruses Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus and Epstein-Barr Virus Induce T-Cell Responses with Similar Functional Properties and Memory Phenotypes
Authors: Bihl Florian , Narayan Murli , Chisholm John V. , Henry Leah M. , Suscovich Todd J. , Brown Elizabeth E. , Welzel Tania M. , Kaufmann Daniel E. , Zaman Tauheed M. , Dollard Sheila , Martin Jeff N. , Wang Fred , Scadden David T. , Kaye Kenneth M. , Brander Christian 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT
The cellular immunity against Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is poorly characterized and has not been compared to T-cell responses against other human herpesviruses. Here, novel and dominant targets of KSHV-specific cellular immunity are identified and compared to T cells specific for lytic and latent antigens in a second human gammaherpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus. The data identify a novel HLA-B57- and HLA-B58-restricted epitope in the Orf57 protein and show consistently close parallels in immune phenotypes and functional response patterns between cells targeting lytic or latent KSHV- and EBV-encoded antigens, suggesting common mechanisms in the induction of these responses.
Molecular Determinants of the Interaction between Coxsackievirus Protein 3A and Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor GBF1
Authors: Wessels Els , Duijsings Daniël , Lanke Kjerstin H. W. , Melchers Willem J. G. , Jackson Catherine L. , van Kuppeveld Frank J. M. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT
The 3A protein of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), a small membrane protein that forms homodimers, inhibits endoplasmic reticulum-to-Golgi complex transport. Recently, we described the underlying mechanism by showing that the CVB3 3A protein binds to and inhibits the function of GBF1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (Arf1), thereby interfering with Arf1-mediated COP-I recruitment. This study was undertaken to gain more insight into the molecular determinants underlying the interaction between 3A and GBF1. Here we show that 3A mutants that have lost the ability to dimerize are no longer able to bind to GBF1 and trap it on membranes. Moreover, we identify a conserved region in the N terminus of 3A that is crucial for GBF1 binding but not for 3A dimerization. Analysis of the binding domain in GBF1 showed that the extreme N terminus, the dimerization/cyclophilin binding domain, and the homology upstream of Sec7 domain are required for the interaction with 3A. In contrast to that of full-length GBF1, overexpression of a GBF1 mutant lacking its extreme N terminus failed to rescue the effects of 3A. Together, these data provide insight into the molecular requirements of the interaction between 3A and GBF1.
Comparative Seroprevalence and Immunogenicity of Six Rare Serotype Recombinant Adenovirus Vaccine Vectors from Subgroups B and D
Authors: Abbink Peter , Lemckert Angelique A. C. , Ewald Bonnie A. , Lynch Diana M. , Denholtz Matthew , Smits Shirley , Holterman Lennart , Damen Irma , Vogels Ronald , Thorner Anna R. , O'Brien Kara L. , Carville Angela , Mansfield Keith G. , Goudsmit Jaap , Havenga Menzo J. E. , Barouch Dan H. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT
Recombinant adenovirus serotype 5 (rAd5) vector-based vaccines are currently being developed for both human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and other pathogens. The potential limitations associated with rAd5 vectors, however, have led to the construction of novel rAd vectors derived from rare Ad serotypes. Several rare serotype rAd vectors have already been described, but a detailed comparison of multiple rAd vectors from subgroups B and D has not previously been reported. Such a comparison is critical for selecting optimal rAd vectors for advancement into clinical trials. Here we describe the construction of three novel rAd vector systems from Ad26, Ad48, and Ad50. We report comparative seroprevalence and immunogenicity studies involving rAd11, rAd35, and rAd50 vectors from subgroup B; rAd26, rAd48, and rAd49 vectors from subgroup D; and rAd5 vectors from subgroup C. All six rAd vectors from subgroups B and D exhibited low seroprevalence in a cohort of 200 individuals from sub-Saharan Africa, and they elicited Gag-specific cellular immune responses in mice both with and without preexisting anti-Ad5 immunity. The rAd vectors from subgroup D were also evaluated using rhesus monkeys and were shown to be immunogenic after a single injection. The rAd26 vectors proved the most immunogenic among the rare serotype rAd vectors studied, although all rare serotype rAd vectors were still less potent than rAd5 vectors in the absence of anti-Ad5 immunity. These studies substantially expand the portfolio of rare serotype rAd vectors that may prove useful as vaccine vectors for the developing world.