bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parvovirus B19 infection in chile: Markers of infection and immunity in patients with clinical symptoms
Authors: Larrañaga Carmen , León Oscar , Díaz Patricia , Miranda Marta , Norambuena Ximena , Pérez Marcela , Gaggero Aldo 
Published: October 2007

AbstractParvovirus B19 infection is associated with a wide variety of symptoms and signs, and given that some clinical features, such as anemia, arthropathy and rash may be attributable to other causes, laboratory diagnosis of B19 markers is necessary. The principal aims were to study the behavior of B19 infection‐associated diseases in the Chilean population and to compare B19 markers for recent or active infection and for immunity status in patients with clinical symptoms suspicious of B19 infection and control individuals. Sera from a total of 267 patients with diverse clinical manifestations associated with B19 and from 69 healthy controls were tested for B19 DNA using PCR and for specific IgM and immunoglobulin G (IgG) by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Out of 267 patients examined, 89 had B19‐associated disease markers: 43 had B19 DNA without IgM, 25 had IgM without B19 DNA, and 21 had both B19 DNA and IgM. Also 49 patients were positive only for IgG without B19 DNA or IgM. Out of the 69 healthy controls, only 2 had B19 DNA without IgM and 30 had IgG without B19 DNA and/or IgM. The distribution of the clinical diagnoses associated with recent B19 infection, tested by B19 DNA and/or IgM, included 38.5% with hematological illnesses, 23.4% with rheumatic diseases, 45.7% with infectious diseases, 33.3% with indications of prenatal infection, 32.3% with conditions that induce immunodeficiency, and 15.8% with other miscellaneous conditions. The use of both markers, DNA and IgM, allows a more adequate diagnosis of infection by this virus. J. Med. Virol. 79:1927–1934, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Case report: Severe neurological manifestation of dobrava hantavirus infection
Authors: Cerar Daša , Avšič‐Županc Tatjana , Jereb Matjaž , Strle Franc 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIn Europe infection with Puumala or Dobrava viruses causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). In the course of HFRS, mild neurological symptoms such as headache, vertigo, and nausea are common. However, the data about the occurrence of severe, potentially life‐threatening neurological manifestations are rather scarce. Here, we present a case of HFRS with serologically proven Dobrava virus infection complicated by epileptic seizures and hemiparesis due to focal encephalitis. J. Med. Virol. 79:1841–1843, 2007. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Respiratory syncytial virus infections in hospitalized infants: Association between viral load, virus subgroup, and disease severity
Authors: Fodha Imène , Vabret Astrid , Ghedira Leila , Seboui Hassen , Chouchane Slaheddine , Dewar John , Gueddiche Neji , Trabelsi Abdelhalim , Boujaafar Noureddine , Freymuth François 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe relationships between host factors, virus strain, viral load, and illness severity in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)‐induced bronchiolitis are poorly defined. These relationships were evaluated prospectively in 81 previously healthy infants hospitalized with RSV bronchiolitis. Disease severity was determined by the respiratory rate, the duration of hospitalization, and whether patients during their hospitalization required pediatric intensive care unit admission or mechanical ventilation. RSV typing into subgroup A and B was obtained by RT‐PCR‐hybridization assay. The nasopharyngeal RSV viral loads were measured by real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR. Disease severity correlated significantly with the presence of risk factor (estimated gestational age < 37 weeks and/or birth weight < 2,500 g) and with chronologic age ≤ 28 days at time of sample collection. The results revealed significant association between disease severity and nasopharyngeal RSV viral load. Analysis also showed that disease severity was not associated significantly with RSV subgroup. Thus, RSV disease severity is likely to be determined by an interplay between host and virus factors, including RSV load. J. Med. Virol. 79:1951–1958, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development and implementation of real‐time nucleic acid amplification for the detection of enterovirus infections in comparison to rapid culture of various clinical specimens
Authors: van Doornum G.J.J. , Schutten M. , Voermans J. , Guldemeester G.J.J. , Niesters H.G.M. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractSeveral real‐time PCR and nucleic acid sequence‐based amplification (NASBA) primer pairs and a modified real‐time PCR primer pair for the detection of enteroviruses were compared. The modified real‐time PCR primer pair was evaluated on clinical samples in comparison with cell culture using the MagnaPure LC Isolation instrument for nucleic acid extraction. Six hundred forty samples could be examined both by cell culture and real‐time PCR. Faecal specimens (n = 285), cerebrospinal fluid (n = 210), throat swabs (n = 113), biopsies (n = 1, vesicular fluid (n = 11), and pleural fluid specimens (n = 9) were included. By culture, 26/640 (4%) samples were positive for enterovirus. By real‐time PCR, the number of positive specimens was 50 (7.8%). Of the 210 cerebrospinal fluid samples, three were positive by culture and nine by real‐time PCR. Seventeen and 33 of a total of 285 faecal specimens were positive by culture and real‐time PCR, respectively. In case of discrepant results, the clinical symptoms were in accordance with an infection due to enteroviruses. Genotyping using the VP1 gene correlated with serotyping by neutralization. In contrast, six of the 19 specimens that could be typed both by neutralization and by sequencing using the VP4 domain yielded a different genotype, yet within the same species. Real‐time PCR turned out to be suitable for the detection of enteroviruses in the daily routine setting. In comparison to rapid culture, it offers a rapid, more sensitive, and reliable assay; especially in cerebrospinal fluid, the yield of enteroviruses is much higher. J. Med. Virol. 79:1868–1876, 2007. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of real‐time fluorescent RT‐PCR and conventional RT‐PCR for the detection of hepatitis E virus genotypes prevalent in China
Authors: Zhao Chenyan , Li Zhuo , Yan Baoshan , Harrison Tim J. , Guo Xinhui , Zhang Feng , Yin Jiming , Yan Yan , Wang Youchun 
Published: October 2007

AbstractTo compare the specificity and sensitivity of a real‐time fluorescent RT‐PCR assay with conventional RT‐PCR, sera from 110 healthy blood donors, 120 patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B, and 416 patients with non‐A‐C acute hepatitis, as well as serial dilutions of HEV genotypes 1 and 4, were tested with both assays. All samples from healthy blood donors and patients with chronic hepatitis B were negative by both assays. Real‐time RT‐PCR could detect the same final dilution of genotype 1 as conventional RT‐PCR but could detect a 10‐fold lower concentration of genotype 4 than conventional RT‐PCR. Of 416 samples from patients with a clinical diagnosis of non‐A‐C acute hepatitis, 127 (30.5%) and 83 (20.0%) were positive for HEV by real‐time and conventional RT‐PCR, respectively. The concordance of real‐time and conventional RT‐PCR was 80.8%. Furthermore, 96 and 57 of 171 samples were positive for anti‐HEV IgM by real‐time and conventional RT‐PCR, respectively, and 31 and 26 of 245 samples negative for anti‐HEV IgM, were positive by real‐time and conventional RT‐PCR, respectively. All amplicons positive by conventional RT‐PCR were sequenced. Of 83 isolates, 7 and 76 belonged to genotypes 1 and 4, respectively. Thus, both assays have a high specificity, but the real‐time RT‐PCR assay is more sensitive than conventional RT‐PCR. Furthermore, HEV genotype 4 is responsible for most sporadic cases of hepatitis E in the north of China. J. Med. Virol. 79:1966–1973, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of fertilization and other agronomic measures on nutritional quality of crops
Authors: Wang Zhao‐Hui , Li Sheng‐Xiu , Malhi Sukhdev 
Published: October 2007

AbstractCrops, as the basic source of essential substances and nutrients, do not always contain sufficient amounts of these essential nutrients to meet dietary requirements. In this review paper, we discussed the effects of fertilization and other agronomic measures on the nutritional quality of cereal, oilseed and protein crops, tuber plants and vegetables. Research indicates that application of N, P, K and S fertilizers generally increases crop yield as well as nutritional quality. For example, fertilizer increased protein concentration in cereals and pulses, oil concentration in oilseed crops, starch concentration in tubers, and concentration of essential amino acids and vitamins in vegetables. However, excessive fertilizer application, especially N fertilizer, can result in undesirable changes such as increases in nitrate, titratable acidity and acid to sugar ratio, while decreasing the concentration of vitamin C, soluble sugar, soluble solids, and Mg and Ca in some crops. Other agronomic measures, such as tillage and crop rotation, organic farming, soil moisture management, and crop breeding and genetic engineering can also have a large effect on food crop quality, though the potential benefits of these measures for improving crop quality has not been fully exploited. Research literature on this subject suggests that more information is needed in order to achieve an increase in the concentration of essential microelements, prevent accumulation of toxic levels of elements such as Cu, Mo, Zn, Ni, Se and nitrate, and other dangerous or toxic substances and elements in crops. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of genotype and environment on vitamin C content and its heterosis in towel gourd fruits
Authors: Xu Shengchun , Hu Jin , Tan Hong , Zhang Sheng 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND: Vitamin C is an indispensable component in the diet of humans, who lack the ability to synthesise it. Towel gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.) is a vegetable that is widely consumed in Asia, but little is known about the vitamin C content in its fresh fruits. In this study the effects of genotype and environment on the vitamin C content and its heterosis in towel gourd fruits were investigated using eight inbred lines and nine F1 hybrids planted in two different seasons (spring and summer).RESULTS: Among the 17 cultivars studied, vitamin C content ranged from 5.94 to 12.89 mg per 100 g, suggesting the possibility of selecting new towel gourd varieties with high vitamin C content. The effects of genotype, environment (planting season) and their interaction on vitamin C content were all significant (P⩽0.01), with genotype having the largest effect. Five out of six hybrids showed positive heterosis over the mean values of their parents. However, it was difficult to predict the vitamin C content in F1 fruits from that in their parents.CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the vitamin C content in towel gourd fruits can be affected by genotype and environment and might be increased by crossing. This could provide a theoretical basis for selecting varieties with high vitamin C content. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Variety and storage conditions affect the precursor content and amount of acrylamide in potato crisps
Authors: Viklund Gunilla ÅI , Olsson Kerstin M , Sjöholm Ingegerd M , Skog Kerstin I 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND: Acrylamide, a probable human carcinogen, is formed from the amino acid asparagine and reducing sugars when potato products are processed at high temperatures. This is a two‐year study on five Swedish‐grown potato clones, two of which are adapted to cold storage. The clones represented a wide range of precursor concentrations: asparagine, 3.7–15.3 mg g−1; reducing sugars, 0.9–14.9 mg g−1. Crisps were prepared in laboratory‐scale equipment mimicking industrial processing conditions.RESULTS: Potatoes stored at 4 °C had significantly higher levels of glucose and fructose than potatoes stored at 8 °C. Acrylamide levels were significantly higher in crisps made from potatoes stored at 4 °C. Two clones with a large difference in asparagine concentration but similar glucose and fructose concentrations gave crisps with significantly different acrylamide contents. The lowest levels of acrylamide were found in crisps made from the potato variety with the lowest asparagine concentration.CONCLUSION: The findings show that variety and storage conditions influence the levels of precursors. Acrylamide formation in crisps can be reduced by using potato varieties with low levels of both asparagine and reducing sugars. Mass transport of precursors during heating is suggested to be important for acrylamide formation in potato crisps. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Pectin methylesterase, polyphenol oxidase and physicochemical properties of typical long‐storage cherry tomatoes cultivated under water stress regime
Authors: Barbagallo Riccardo N , Chisari Marco , Branca Ferdinando , Spagna Giovanni 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND: The selection of cherry tomato genotypes with extended shelf‐life and resistant to water stress is an important aspect of Sicilian agriculture. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of watering regime on the expression of enzymatic activities (pectin methylesterase (PME, EC 3.1.1.11) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO, EC 1.14.18.1)) and the physicochemical properties of typical long‐storage cherry tomatoes in order to propose a solution strategy suitable for Sicilian cultivation.RESULTS: PPO activity seemed to be related to the watering regime employed, showing a maximum under normal watering conditions. PME activity also decreased greatly with increasing water stress (loss of activity ranging from 22.31 to 82.01%). Water stress induced an increase in titratable acidity (up to 68.7% in cultivar ‘Giallo piccolo a punta’) and, above all, in dry matter and total soluble solids (increases ranging from 24.08 to 91.68% and from 5.93 to 40.90% respectively). Possible solution strategies for cultivation of tomato genotypes with extended shelf‐life are (a) selecting the local type that presents the lowest levels of PME and PPO (‘Pizzutello’) or (b) modifying the watering regime in order to induce commercial cultivars employed in intensive cultivation (e.g. ‘Naomi’) to better protect themselves from degradative enzymatic activities.CONCLUSION: It appears that the adoption of high watering levels, leading to a more marked expression of degradative enzymatic activities, could result in cherry tomatoes with a high susceptibility to undesirable browning and softening reactions. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Spritzgegossene kupfergefüllte Thermoplaste für die Erzeugnisentwicklung
Authors: Markov A.V. , Bock H.‐J. , Mauser A. , Müller T. , Vyshnepolskiy B. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractZiel dieser Arbeit war es, die Gebrauchseigenschaften von kupfergefüllten thermoplastischen Polymeren, die durch Extrusion und Spritzgießen hergestellt sind, zu charakterisieren. Der Einfluss von Füllstoffgehalt und ‐form auf die mechanischen, thermischen und elektrischen Eigenschaften wurden untersucht. Hohe Gestaltungsfreiheit, das Fertigungspotenzial von kupfermodifizierten Kunststoffen und die niedrigen Energiekosten bei der Herstellung der Bauteile eröffnen vielfältige Möglichkeiten zu Anwendungen solcher Materialen in Elektronik, Auto‐ und Baugewerbe sowie anderen Branchen.
Mikrowellenangepasstes Sintern von Ferriten
Authors: Lampke Th. , Fischer B. , Walter G. , Wielage B. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractDie Mikrowellensinterung kann bei vielen Keramiken zu besseren Eigenschaften sowie zu einer Verbesserung der Produktivität des Prozesses führen. Schwierigkeiten bei der technischen Umsetzung der Mikrowellentechnologie ergeben sich aus dem von der konventionellen Erwärmung abweichenden Temperaturprofil im Wärmgut. Für die Entwicklung einer mikrowellenangepassten Sintertechnologie ist die Bestimmung der inneren Temperaturverteilung mittels mathematischer Modellierung notwendig. Hierfür wird auf ein vereinfachtes Modell zurückgegriffen, welches ein Wärmequellenmodell mit einem herkömmlichen thermischen Modell zur Berechnung der Wärmeübertragung innerhalb des Gutes und zur Umgebung koppelt. Zur Steuerung des Erwärmungsprozesses wurde das Modell in einen Regelalgorithmus implementiert. Die Überprüfung des mikrowellenangepassten Regelkonzepts erfolgte an Nickel‐Zink‐Ferrit. Nachweislich wird ein wirksamer Schutz vor thermal‐runaway und unzulässigen Temperaturunterschieden innerhalb der Probe gewährleistet. Gleichzeitig ist es möglich, auf die temperaturabhängigen Änderungen der elektromagnetischen sowie thermophysikalischen Stoffeigenschaften zu reagieren.
Spray formed and rolled aluminium‐magnesium‐scandium alloys with high scandium content
Authors: Herding Th. , Keßler O. , Zoch H.‐W. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAluminium‐magnesium‐scandium alloys offer good weldability, high corrosion resistance, high thermal stability and the potential for high strength by precipitation hardening. A problem of aluminium‐scandium alloys is the low solubility of about 0.3 mass‐% scandium when using conventional casting methods. The solution of scandium can be raised by higher cooling rates during solidification. This was realised by spray forming of Al‐4.5Mg‐0.7Sc alloys as flat deposits. Further cooling rates after solidification should also be high to prevent coarse precipitation of secondary Al3Sc. Therefore a cooling device was designed for the spray formed flat deposits. The flat deposits were rolled at elevated temperatures to close the porosity from spray forming. Microstructures, aging behaviour and tensile properties of the rolled sheets were investigated. Strength enhancements of about 100 MPa compared to conventional Al‐Mg‐Sc alloys were achieved.
Rotigotine transdermal patch in early Parkinson's disease: A randomized, double‐blind, controlled study versus placebo and ropinirole
Authors: Giladi Nir , Boroojerdi Babak , Korczyn Amos D. , Burn David J. , Clarke Carl E. , Schapira Anthony H.V. ,   SP513 investigators
Published: October 2007

AbstractRotigotine is a new, non‐ergot dopamine agonist formulated in a transdermal delivery system. The present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the rotigotine transdermal patch in the treatment of early Parkinson's disease. Patients (n = 561) were randomized to rotigotine, ropinirole, or placebo. The titration period was up to 13 weeks, and there was a minimum dose‐maintenance period of 24 weeks for ropinirole and 33 weeks for rotigotine. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with a minimum of 20% decrease in the combined Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part II and Part III scores. The responder rate in the rotigotine group was significantly higher than in the placebo group (52% vs. 30%, P < 0.0001). Transdermal rotigotine at doses ≤8 mg/24 h did not show noninferiority to ropinirole at doses ≤24 mg/day. In a post‐hoc subgroup analysis, rotigotine ≤8 mg/24 hours had a similar efficacy to ropinirole at doses ≤12 mg/day. The rotigotine transdermal patch was well tolerated. The most common adverse events were application‐site reactions, nausea, and somnolence. Application‐site reactions were predominantly mild or moderate in intensity. In conclusion, the rotigotine transdermal patch represents an effective and safe option for the treatment of patients with early Parkinson's disease.
Host‐derived angiogenesis maintains bone blood flow after withdrawal of immunosuppression
Authors: Ohno Teruyasu , Pelzer Michael , Larsen Mikko , Friedrich Patricia F. , Bishop Allen T. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractA novel method of living bone allotransplantation combining microvascular repair of the nutrient circulation, implantation of host‐derived arteriovenous (AV) bundles, and short‐term immunosuppression is described. We hypothesized that neoangiogenesis from the implanted vessels would maintain graft viability and circulation after withdrawal of FK506 (Tacrolimus) immunosuppression. Vascularized femoral transplantation was performed between DA and PVG rats. In addition to microsurgical pedicle anastomoses, a saphenous AV bundle from the recipient animal was implanted in the medullary space. Ninety‐seven rats were randomly allocated to groups differing in immunosuppression and AV bundle patency. Implanted vessels significantly improved capillary density and bone blood flow in nonimmunosuppressed and immmunosuppressed groups, respectively. A lower incidence of spontaneous AV bundle thrombosis was found with Tacrolimus treatment. More viable osteocytes were seen at 4 weeks when the AV bundle was patent. Further investigations may confirm host‐derived neoangiogenesis as an alternative to tolerance induction or immunosuppression in bone allotransplantation. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2007.
Ontogeny of leptin and its receptor expression in mouse testis during the postnatal period
Authors: Herrid Muren , O'Shea Tim , McFarlane James R. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe mechanism by which leptin regulate male reproductive development during postnatal periods remain to be determined. Using immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), we established that leptin is expressed in mouse testis with a cell‐type and stage‐dependent manner during the postnatal period. In testes of 5‐day‐old mice, leptin expression was mainly restricted to gonocytes, whereas the immunostaining of leptin was confined to spermatogonia in 10‐day‐old testes. From Day 20 and onwards, stage‐specific expression of leptin was evident in spermatocytes at stages VII–XII of the cycle in the seminiferous epithelium. RT‐PCR showed that leptin and its receptor isoforms, Ob‐Ra, Ob‐Rb, and Ob‐Re were all expressed in testes from 5‐ to 60‐day‐old mice. The mRNA for Ob‐Ra and Ob‐Re, but not Ob‐Rb or leptin were identified in both immature (14‐day‐old) and adult (60‐day‐old) isolated Leydig cells. These results suggest that besides its primary actions at the hypothalamic‐pituitary level, leptin has direct effects in the proliferation, differentiation of germ cells and the modulation of testicular steroidogenesis, using both autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 874–880, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.