bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interferon‐induced prolonged biochemical response reduces hepatocarcinogenesis in hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji , Suzuki Fumitaka , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Kobayashi Masahiro , Akuta Norio , Hosaka Tetsuya , Sezaki Hitomi , Yatsuji Hiromi , Kawamura Yusuke , Kobayashi Mariko , Kumada Hiromitsu 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe aim of this study was to elucidate indicator of interferon (IFN) therapy for reducing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis C patients without eradicating hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA during IFN therapy. Inclusion criteria were biopsy‐proven chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis, IFN period for more than 1.5 years and persistently positive HCV‐RNA during IFN therapy. Two hundred thirty‐six patients satisfied above criteria were treated with IFN for 1.5–5 years (median 1.8 years, mean 2 years). Mean age was 55.1 years and male was 145(61%). Eighty‐one (34%) patients had severe fibrosis of the liver. These patients were prospectively monitored about HCC after the termination of IFN therapy. We regarded biochemical response (BR) as normalization of serum aminotransferase and alpha‐fetoprotein for more than 1 year during IFN therapy. Cumulative rate of development of HCC after the termination of IFN therapy was 9.1% at 5th year and 26.5% at 10th year. Cox proportional analysis showed that HCC development after the termination of IFN therapy occurred when histological staging was advanced (P < 0.0001) and BR was not achieved (P = 0.009), age was >60 years (P = 0.026). The relative risk of HCC development in patients with BR was 0.36 compared with patients without BR. The attainment of BR during IFN therapy is effective in reducing hepatocarcinogenesis for patients with chronic HCV infection. J. Med. Virol. 79:1485–1490, 2007. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Amino acid substitutions in the VP7 protein of human rotavirus G3 isolated in China, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam during 2001–2004
Authors: Trinh Quang Duy , Pham Ngan Thi Kim , Nguyen Tuan Anh , Phan Tung Gia , Khamrin Pattara , Yan Hainian , Hoang Phuc Le , Maneekarn Niwat , Li Yan , Kozlov Vladimir , Kozlov Alexei , Okitsu Shoko , Ushijima Hiroshi 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe distribution of rotavirus G‐types in the world appears to be changing, especially with the emergence of G3 and G9 in many countries. Sequence analysis of the VP7 gene was performed on the 27 human G3 rotavirus strains isolated in China, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam during 2001–2004. All the strains studied were clustered into the same branch of the phylogenetic tree. The comparison of the G3 deduced amino acid sequences between the studied Chinese strains and the strains circulating in China during 1986–1992 showed a wide range of amino acid substitutions (up to 13 amino acids in the VP7 antigenic regions). The two considerable changes both from aspartic acid to asparagine were located at positions 96 in antigenic region A and 213 in antigenic region C. Those amino acid substitutions of the Chinese G3 strains might involve in the emergence of G3 rotavirus in China during 2001–2003. J. Med. Virol. 79:1611–1616, 2007. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Proteomic analysis of hepatitis B surface antigen positive transgenic mouse liver and decrease of cyclophilin A
Authors: Zhao Chao , Fang Cai‐Yun , Tian Xiao‐Chen , Wang Long , Yang Peng‐Yuan , Wen Yu‐Mei 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe small, 22‐nm spherical particles associated with hepatitis B infection are composed of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and usually outnumber the virions by a ratio of 102 or 103. To study the interactions and pathogenesis between liver cells and the expression of HBsAg, global protein profiles were compared by two dimensional gel‐based differential proteomics between the livers of a lineage of HBsAg positive transgenic mice and their HBsAg negative control siblings. A total of 93 proteins were identified in the HBV transgenic mice. Around 45% of these differentially expressed proteins were enzymes associated with metabolism, suggesting that the processing of lipids, carbohydrates and certain amino acids were up‐ or down‐regulated. Among these proteins, cyclophilin A (CypA), the major target for the potent immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A, was found decreased in HBsAg positive transgenic mouse liver and in a stable cell line expressing HBsAg when compared to their controls. The decrease of intracellular CypA was accompanied by an increased secretion of this protein into the supernatant of HBsAg positive cells. Possible implications of HBsAg expression and the intracellular decrease of CypA are discussed. J. Med. Virol. 79:1478–1484, 2007. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular and cellular determinants of cell‐to‐cell transmission of HCV in vitro
Authors: Valli Maria Beatrice , Crema Annalisa , Lanzilli Giulia , Serafino Annalucia , Bertolini Luisa , Ravagnan Gianpietro , Ponzetto Antonio , Menzo Stefano , Clementi Massimo , Carloni Guido 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIt was reported previously that HCV can be transmitted from persistently infected human bone‐marrow‐derived B‐lymphoblastoid cells (TO.FEHCV) to human hepatoma cells by cell‐to‐cell contact. The present study confirms and characterize further such type of HCV infection in vitro. TO.FEHCV cells were co‐cultured with 2.2.15 hepatoma cells, that are not susceptible to cell‐free infection by sera containing HCV of 1b genotype. By this co‐cultivation system it was demonstrated that HCV transmission to recipient cells requires de novo virus RNA replication. Several factors may favor HCV‐transmission, evidence is provided that TO.FEHCV cells were able to select HCV‐quasispecies. 5′‐UTR and core sequence analysis revealed differences in the HCV‐quasispecies composition in serum inoculum and in infected TO.FE B‐cells at 4 months post‐inoculation. It is considered that the latter may be more successful in replicating HCV in vitro and used to express surface molecules which may be involved in cell‐to‐cell contact. In TO.FEHCV cells replicate distinct, or few close related, HCV‐variants correlated with those of serum inoculum. Comparative analysis of tetraspans and integrins expression undertaken by cytofluorimetry displayed higher level of expression for TO.FE cells in comparison to other human bone‐marrow‐derived B‐cell lines. Overall, the observed persistent in vitro HCV replication is mediated by a continuous cell‐to‐cell reinfection that may be favored by selection of viral variants and expression of molecules involved in cell adhesion. These observations may provide an explanation for the establishment of HCV infection, the occurrence of chronic infection and HCV‐related lymphoproliferative diseases. J. Med. Virol. 79:1491–1499, 2007. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tula and Puumala hantavirus NSs ORFs are functional and the products inhibit activation of the interferon‐beta promoter
Authors: Jääskeläinen Kirsi M. , Kaukinen Pasi , Minskaya Ekaterina S. , Plyusnina Angelina , Vapalahti Olli , Elliott Richard M. , Weber Friedemann , Vaheri Antti , Plyusnin Alexander 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe S RNA genome segment of hantaviruses carried by Arvicolinae and Sigmodontinae rodents encodes the nucleocapsid (N) protein and has an overlapping (+1) open reading frame (ORF) for a putative nonstructural protein (NSs). The aim of this study was to determine whether the ORF is functional. A protein corresponding to the predicted size of Tula virus (TULV) NSs was detected using coupled in vitro transcription and translation from a cloned S segment cDNA, and a protein corresponding to the predicted size of Puumala virus (PUUV) NSs was detected in infected cells by Western blotting with an anti‐peptide serum. The activities of the interferon beta (IFN‐β) promoter, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB)‐ and interferon regulatory factor‐3 (IRF‐3) responsive promoters, were inhibited in COS‐7 cells transiently expressing TULV or PUUV NSs. Also IFN‐β mRNA levels in IFN‐competent MRC5 cells either infected with TULV or transiently expressing NSs were decreased. These data demonstrate that Tula and Puumala hantaviruses have a functional NSs ORF. The findings may explain why the NSs ORF has been preserved in the genome of most hantaviruses during their long evolution and why hantavirus‐infected cells secrete relatively low levels of IFNs. J. Med. Virol. 79:1527–1536, 2007. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Seroreactivity to Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (human herpesvirus 8) latent nuclear antigen in AIDS‐associated Kaposi's sarcoma patients depends on CD4+ T‐cell count
Authors: de Souza Vanda Akico Ueda Fick , Pierrotti Ligia Camera , Sumita Laura Masami , Freire Wilton Santos , Segurado Aluisio Augusto Cotrim , Pannuti Cláudio Sérgio 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIn AIDS/Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) patients, the sensitivity of immunofluorescence assays for detecting antibodies against latent nuclear antigen ranges from 52% to 93%. However, in classic and African KS, sensitivities above 90% have been reported systematically. This study evaluates whether CD4+ T‐cell count affects seroreactivity to KSHV LANA and to lytic antigens in AIDS/KS patients. Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) latent (IFA‐LANA) and lytic (IFA‐Lytic and ORF65/K8.1 EIA) antibodies were screened in 184 consecutive samples taken from 36 AIDS/KS patients grouped according to their CD4+ counts as follows: <100 (group A), 100–300 (group B), and >300 (group C) cells/mm3. At enrollment, the immunofluorescence assay for the detection of antibodies against latent nuclear antigen (IFA‐LANA) was positive in 3/11(27.2%) group A patients, in 10/11 (90.9%) group B patients, and in 14/14 (100%) group C patients (P < 0.01). Seropositivity to lytic antigens did not differ according to CD4+ T‐cell count. Considering IFA‐Lytic and ORF65/K8.1 EIA, seropositivity for lytic antigens was 100% in all three patient groups. In patients whose CD4+ count improved during follow‐up, IFA‐LANA seroconversion occurred; unstable counts resulted in a decrease in LANA antibody titers while the persistence of high counts resulted in unchanged, elevated antibody titers. In conclusion, LANA seroreactivity in AIDS/KS patients, as assessed by an immunofluorescence assay, depends on CD4+ T‐cell count, rendering this evaluation important in the interpretation of seroepidemiological studies of KSHV infection in AIDS patients. To evaluate future serological tests based on latency‐associated antigens, the selection of sera from KS patients with CD4+ cell count >300 cells/mm3 as a positive gold standard is recommended. J. Med. Virol. 79:1562–1568, 2007. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diverse genotypes of Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) identified in infant blood infections in African childhood‐KS and HIV/AIDS endemic region
Authors: Kasolo F.C. , Spinks J. , Bima H. , Bates M. , Gompels U.A. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractKaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV or HHV‐8) has been associated with several neoplasias, including childhood endemic Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). It is possible that strain genotypes could contribute to the differences in regional presentation (mainly sub‐Saharan Africa), childhood infection, lack of male sex bias, distinct disseminated forms and rapid fatality observed for childhood endemic KS. Early studies, at the advent of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, identified only the K1‐A5 genotype in childhood KS biopsies as well as blood of a few HIV positive and negative febrile infants in Zambia, a highly endemic region. This current enlarged study analyses blood infections of 200 hospitalized infants (6–34 months age) with symptoms of fever as well as upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhoea, rash or rhinitis. KSHV and HIV viraemia and were prevalent in this group, 22% and 39%, respectively. Multiple markers at both variable ends of the genome (K1, K12, and K14.1/K15) were examined, showing diverse previously adult‐linked genotypes (K1 A2, A5, B, C3, D, with K12 B1 and B2 plus K14.1/K15 P or M) detected in both HIV positive and negative infants, demonstrating little restriction on KSHV genotypes for infant/childhood transmission in a childhood endemic KS endemic region. This supports the interpretation that the acquisition of childhood KSHV infections and subsequent development of KS are due to additional co‐factors. J. Med. Virol. 79:1555–1561, 2007. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predictors and kinetics of occult hepatitis B virus infection in HIV‐infected persons
Authors: Nebbia Gaia , Garcia‐Diaz Ana , Ayliffe Ursula , Smith Colette , Dervisevic Samir , Johnson Margaret , Gilson Richard , Tedder Richard , Geretti Anna Maria 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIt has been proposed that occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, defined as detectable HBV‐DNA in serum with undetectable surface antigen (HBsAg−), is associated with raised transaminases in HIV‐infected persons. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of occult HBV infection in two independent cohorts, and investigate its predictors, association with alanine‐aminotransferase (ALT) levels and response to antiretroviral therapy. Sera from HBsAg− persons with core antibody (anti‐HBc+) were tested by real‐time PCR. Overall, 5.2% of patients were HBsAg+ and 39% HBsAg−/anti‐HBc+. The prevalence of occult HBV infection was 48/343 (14.0%; 95% CI 10.7–18.1%), and 27/196 (13.8%) and 21/147 (14.3%) in the two cohorts. Median HBV‐DNA load was 342 (51–147,500) and 60 (25–33,850) copies/ml respectively. HBV‐DNA detection was associated with absence of surface antibody (anti‐HBs), but not with CD4 or ALT levels. Among 11 HBV‐DNA+ persons who started antiretroviral therapy containing lamivudine or lamivudine/tenofovir, HBV‐DNA was repeatedly undetectable over median 19 (3–43) months. However, HBV‐DNA detection was intermittent among drug‐naïve persons. Occult HBV infection is common in HBsAg−/anti‐HBc+ HIV‐infected patients and predicted by undetectable anti‐HBs. The intermittent nature of HBV‐DNA detection poses a diagnostic challenge, but no association is observed with ALT levels. J. Med. Virol. 79:1464–1471, 2007. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High diversity of HHV‐8 molecular subtypes in the Amazon region of Brazil: Evidence of an ancient human infection
Authors: Ishak Marluísa de Oliveira Guimarães , Martins Rosimar Neris , Machado Paula Renata Lima , de Souza Lia Lobato Batista , Machado Luiz Fernando Almeida , Azevedo Vânia Nakauth , Katano Harutaka , Sata Tetsutaro , Hasegawa Hideki , Vallinoto Antonio Carlos Rosário , Ishak Ricardo 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe present study describes the molecular epidemiology of Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8) among four Indian tribes (Kararao, Arara Laranjal, Tiriyo, and Zo'e) of the Amazon region of Brazil and a group of HIV‐1‐infected subjects from the urban population of Belem, Para. Infection was characterized by the presence of antibodies using ELISA (measuring antibodies to ORF59, ORF65, K8.1A, K8.1B, and ORF73), and molecular assays (gene amplification of the regions ORF26 and the variable region VR1). Antibodies to HHV‐8 were detected in 66 samples of the 221 Brazilian Amerindians, namely, 6 (25%) in the Kararao, 18 (19.6%) in the Arara Laranjal, 24 (42.9%) in the Tiriyo, and 18 (36.7%) in the Zo'e. Among the 477 HIV‐1‐infected subjects, antibodies to HHV‐8 were present in 74 (15.5%) persons. The ORF26 region was amplified in seven samples, one of the Arara Laranjal, one of the Tiriyo, two of the Zo'e, and three of the HIV‐1‐infected group. Subtyping of HHV‐8 described a high multiplicity of molecular subtypes, including C (Zo'e), E (Tiriyo), and B (HIV‐1 infected). Serological results confirm the high prevalence of HHV‐8 among Amerindians and the presence of three subtypes in the Amazon region of Brazil, including a unique subtype, which favors the idea of HHV‐8 as an ancient human infection within this particular geographical region. J. Med. Virol. 79:1537–1544, 2007. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Proteomic identification of biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid in a rat model of nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration
Authors: Rite I. , Argüelles S. , Venero J.L. , García‐Rodriguez S. , Ayala A. , Cano J. , Machado A. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractWe have performed proteomic analysis in the cerebrospinal fluid in an animal model of Parkinson's disease induced by axotomy of the medial forebrain bundle. In this model, the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons was completed in 14 days, with a loss of about 50% dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and a loss of more than 80% dopamine terminals in the striatum, with a similar diminution of dopamine levels in both structures. Proteins were separated by 2D electrophoresis and identified by matrix‐assisted laser desorption‐ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF). We found significant increases of haptoglobin and transthyretin along with a decrease of Apo E concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of axotomized animals. Changes for haptoglobin and transthyretin were further confirmed in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma by Western blotting. These results suggest that monitoring plasma levels of these signals appears to be a promising biological marker of neuronal degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Decreased nicotinic receptors and cognitive deficit in rats intracerebroventricularly injected with beta‐amyloid peptide(1‐42) and fed a high‐cholesterol diet
Authors: Liu Ru‐Yu , Gu Ran , Qi Xiao‐Lan , Zhang Ting , Zhao Yan , He Yan , Pei Jin‐Jing , Guan Zhi‐Zhong 
Published: August 2007

AbstractTo investigate whether the changes in nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) and in learning and memory associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are influenced by both β‐amyloid peptide (Aβ) and cholesterol in vivo, we examined the effects of intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ1–42 and/or a high‐cholesterol diet on brain levels ofnAChRs and learning and memory in rats. The levels of nAChR subunit proteins and the corresponding mRNA were measured by Western blotting and RT‐PCR, respectively; and learning and memory were evaluated with the Morris Water Maze examination. Injection of Aβ1–42 resulted in deposition of this peptide, activation of astrocytes, decreased levels of the α7 and α4 protein subunits of the nAChR, and elevated expression of α7 mRNA, as well as impaired learning and spatial memory. A high‐cholesterol diet activated astrocytes and, more importantly, potentiated the toxic effects of Aβ on nAChR subunit levels and on learning and memory. These findings may be highly relevant to the mechanisms underlying the cognitive deficits associated with AD. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Turning managers into leaders: assessing the organizational impact of leadership development
Authors: Dexter Barbara , Prince Christopher 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
This paper seeks to assess the impact of a leadership development programme on the individual managers participating in it and its effect on the overall performance of the organization. The paper is structured as follows. It begins with a review of the contemporary literature on leadership and management development. It then examines the content and structure of the leadership programme and the methodology used to evaluate its success.
The research findings examined here are structured around four themes: contribution to better processes and project management, more effective team working, developing networks and collaborative working, and improved self‐management. There is compelling evidence of how the programme has contributed to both the development of the individual managers and organizational improvement.
Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrating sustainable tourism and marketing management: can National Parks provide the framework for strategic change?
Authors: Gilmore Audrey , Simmons Geoff 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
This paper argues that strategic marketing management can play an important role in the development of sustainable tourism principles within National Parks. Sustainable tourism marketing—incorporating social, economic and environmental perspectives—is discussed.
The research presented here focused on two key themes: the integration and co‐ordination of tourism activity (delivered by different organizations), and use of strategic marketing for sustainable tourism initiatives (marketing issues, interpretation, branding, communication messages).
It reports on two case studies, one of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) soon to be designated as a National Park and the other of an already well‐established National Park to illustrate the key issues involved in achieving strategic change in terms of a sustainable marketing ethos within such an environment.
A principal finding is that the National Park designation appears to provide a strategic framework for sustainable tourism. However, the designation has a limited impact in terms of actual implementation of policies and guidelines and in persuading all relevant tourist service providers to participate.
Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Real‐Time Observations of Oriented Crystallization of Poly(ε‐caprolactone) Thin Film, Induced by an AFM Tip
Authors: Fujita Masahiro , Takikawa Yoshitaka , Sakuma Hirotaka , Teramachi Shinya , Kikkawa Yoshihiro , Doi Yoshiharu 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAtomic force microscopy (AFM) was used for modifying the surface structures of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) thin film. Oriented growth of PCL crystals at a desired area of the film surface was induced by scanning with a strong, normal load. PCL crystals were first grown edge‐on from the induction line and then their orientation changed to flat‐on at a lamellar length. The effects of molecular weight, crystallization temperature, scanning rate, and normal load on the AFM‐tip‐induced crystallization were examined. The growth kinetics of lamellar crystals in the AFM‐tip‐induced crystallization was the same as that in spherulitic crystallization. It was found that the formation of precursors strongly depends on the applied tip load and is facilitated when the applied load is higher than a threshold.magnified image
3‐Butyl‐2‐yl‐ and Propargyl Cholesteryl Carbonates. Chiroptical and Liquid Crystalline Properties of their Polymers
Authors: Qu Jinqing , Suzuki Yuji , Shiotsuki Masashi , Sanda Fumio , Masuda Toshio 
Published: August 2007

AbstractNovel chiral acetylene monomers containing cholesteryl groups, (R)‐3‐butyn‐2‐yl cholesteryl carbonate (1), (S)‐3‐butyn‐2‐yl cholesteryl carbonate (2), and propargyl cholesteryl carbonate (3) were synthesized and polymerized with (nbd)Rh+[η6‐C6H5B−(C6H5)3] to give the corresponding polymers with number‐average molecular weights of 32 900–97 000 in 84–85% yields. Circular dichroism spectroscopic studies revealed that poly(1) and poly(2) predominantly took one‐handed helical structure in CHCl3 and THF. The helical conformation was stable to heat and to addition of MeOH. The copolymerization of 1 and 2 was carried out with the rhodium catalyst to afford copolymers with number‐average molecular weights ranging from 53 400 to 88 700 in 83–98% yields. The copolymer with a large diastereomeric excess showed a large specific rotation and an intense Cotton effect in THF, indicating that the predominance of one‐handed helicity was high. Poly(150‐co‐250) showed lyotropic liquid crystalline property.magnified image
Processing and Material Characteristics of a Carbon‐Nanotube‐Reinforced Natural Rubber
Authors: Sui Gang , Zhong Weihong , Yang Xiaoping , Zhao Suhe 
Published: August 2007

AbstractCNT/NR composites were fabricated based on a CNT treatment using an acid bath followed by ball‐milling with HRH bonding systems. Thermal properties, vulcanization characteristics and mechanical properties of the CNT/NR composites were characterized. Compared to CB, the incorporation of CNTs into NR was faster and the energy consumption was less. The over‐curing reversion of CNT/NR composites was alleviated. After acid treatment and ball‐milling, the dispersion of CNTs in the rubber matrix and the interaction between CNTs and the matrix was improved. The performance of the CNT/reinforced NR composites was enhanced by the incorporation of the treated CNTs as compared to neat NR and CB/NR composites.magnified image