bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cellular chromosome DNA interferes with fluorescence quantitative real‐time PCR detection of HBV DNA in culture medium
Authors: Pan Xiao‐Ben , Wei Lai , Han Jin‐Chao , Gao Yan 
Published: November 2007

AbstractFluorescence quantitative real‐time PCR (FQ‐PCR) is a recently developed technique increasingly used for clinical diagnosis by detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in serum. FQ‐PCR is also used in scientific research for detection of HBV DNA in cell culture. Understanding potential FQ‐PCR interference factors can improve the accuracy of HBV DNA quantification in cell culture medium. HBV positive serum was diluted with culture medium to produce three test groups with HBV DNA levels of 5 × 107 copies/ml (high), 5 × 105 copies/ml (medium), and 5 × 103 copies/ml (low). Chromosome DNA was extracted from HepG2 cells and then added to high, medium, and low group samples at final concentrations of 0, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 µg/ml. The samples were quantified by FQ‐PCR and data were evaluated using statistical software. No marked changes were seen in the quantitative curves for high level HBV DNA samples when the samples were supplemented with 0–100 µg/ml of chromosome DNA. Interference was observed in medium level samples when 50 and 100 µg/ml of chromosome DNA was added. Interference was also observed in low level HBV DNA samples when the concentration of added chromosome DNA was greater than 25 µg/ml. The interference was eliminated when samples were digested by DNase I prior to PCR detection. In Conclusions, the presence of cellular chromosome DNA can interfere with the detection of HBV DNA by FQ‐PCR. Removal of cellular chromosome DNA from culture media prior to FQ‐PCR is necessary for reliable HBV DNA quantitative detection. J. Med. Virol. 80:47–52, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of hepatitis B and C serological markers among first‐time blood donors in Brazil: A multi‐center serosurvey
Authors: Nascimento Maria Claudia , Mayaud Philippe , Sabino Ester Cerdeira , Torres Katia Luz , Franceschi Silvia 
Published: November 2007

AbstractLittle data are available on the seroprevalence of, and risk factors for hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) infection in Latin American countries. A multi‐center serosurvey was conducted among 3,598 first‐time blood donors (65% men) from Sao Paulo, Salvador and Manaus in Brazil. The gender‐specific seroprevalences of antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) and of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in anti‐HBc‐positive sera were measured, and risk factors analyzed by gender. The gender‐specific seroprevalences of antibodies against HCV (anti‐HCV) were measured, but risk factors for HCV were not determined. Anti‐HBc and HBsAg seroprevalences were not significantly different in men [101/2,341 (4.31%) and 4/2,229 (0.18%), respectively] and women [65/1,237 (5.25%) and 8/1,169 (0.68%), respectively], whereas the seroprevalence of anti‐HCV was higher in women (12/1,238 [0.97%] vs. 9/2,353 [0.38%]; odds ratio [OR] = 2.49; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0–6.0). No significant difference for HBV infection was found across the three study sites or by ethnic group. The seroprevalence of anti‐HBc increased with age, but decreased with education level in both genders. Lifetime number of sexual partners was associated with anti‐HBc prevalence among men (OR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.2–3.1), but not women. The seroprevalence of HBV and HCV was low among Brazilian blood donors, and exposure increased with age in both genders. J. Med. Virol. 80:53–57, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of HIV‐1 genetic diversity in China on the measurement of viral load
Authors: Wang Youchun , Song Aijing , Xu Sihong , Li Xiuhua , Chong Huihui , Zhao Chenyan , Nie Jianhui , Zhang Chuntao 
Published: November 2007

AbstractIn this study, 190 HIV‐positive samples were collected from different regions of China. The HIV clades of 153 samples were determined successfully based on env sequencing. Specifically, 48, 5, 87, and 13 isolates belonged to clades B′, B, BC, and AE, respectively. The viral loads in all samples were measured using three commercial assays, Amplicor HIV‐1 monitor v1.5, Nuclisens HIV‐1 QT and NucliSens EasyQ HIV‐1 assays. The differences and linear correlations for individual assays were compared, with expected 1:1 relationships. Significant differences were found for the following viral loads: clade BC measured by any two assays (P < 0.001); clade AE between Amplicor 1.5 and Easy Q (P = 0.005); clade B′ between Amplicor 1.5 and Nuclisens QT (P = 0.002); clade AE between Amplicor 1.5 and Nuclisens QT (P = 0.025); and clade B′ between Amplicor 1.5 and EasyQ (P = 0.04). The largest mean difference in the log10 values was 0.9518, which was found between Amplicor 1.5 and Nuclisens QT. However, the viral loads for clades AE and B′ measured by EasyQ and Nuclisens QT, and those for clade B measured by any two assays did not differ significantly. The degrees of correlation for clades B and B′ between any two assays (R > 0.8) were higher that those for clades AE and BC between any two assays (R < 0.7), except for clade AE between Amplicor 1.5 and Easy Q. Thus, the clade types, especially clades BC and AE, are most likely to impact on the quantitation of viral load using differentassays. J. Med. Virol. 80:1–8, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Raman and infrared investigations at room temperature of the internal modes behaviour in solid nitromethane‐h3 and ‐d3 up to 45 GPa
Authors: Ouillon R. , Pinan‐Lucarré J.‐P. , Canny B. , Pruzan P. , Ranson P. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractRaman and infrared spectra of internal phonons in solid nitromethane‐h3 and ‐d3 were measured as a function of pressure in the range 0–40 GPa at room temperature. Experiments were performed in diamond anvil cells. The evolution of the splitting of the various modes in condition of nearly hydrostatic compression supports the maintenance of the P212121 crystal structure until the material chemically transforms into an amorphous phase. The observed pressure‐induced shifts of vibrational wavenumbers are consistent with computations recently reported in the literature. Infrared and Raman spectroscopies deliver complementary information on the internal modes behaviour. The continuous evolution of the infrared band shapes suggests a weak molecular distortion during the compression process. The strong modifications that are observed in the Raman bands of the nitro group are attributed to polarization effects arising from a rearrangement of the molecules inside the unit cell in the pressure range 10–12 GPa, a consequence of a close intermolecular O…H approach. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bifidobacterium carbohydrases‐their role in breakdown and synthesis of (potential) prebiotics
Authors: van den Broek Lambertus A. M. , Hinz Sandra W. A. , Beldman Gerrit , Vincken Jean‐Paul , Voragen Alphons G. J. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThere is an increasing interest to positively influence the human intestinal microbiota through the diet by the use of prebiotics and/or probiotics. It is anticipated that this will balance the microbial composition in the gastrointestinal tract in favor of health promoting genera such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Carbohydrates like non‐digestible oligosaccharides are potential prebiotics. To understand how these bacteria can grow on these carbon sources, knowledge of the carbohydrate‐modifying enzymes is needed. Little is known about the carbohydrate‐modifying enzymes of bifidobacteria. The genome sequence of Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Bifidobacterium longum biotype longum has been completed and it was observed that for B. longum biotype longum more than 8% of the annotated genes were involved in carbohydrate metabolism. In addition more sequence data of individual carbohydrases from other Bifidobacterium spp. became available. Besides the degradation of (potential) prebiotics by bifidobacterial glycoside hydrolases, we will focus in this review on the possibilities to produce new classes of non‐digestible oligosaccharides by showing the presence and (transglycosylation) activity of the most important carbohydrate modifying enzymes in bifidobacteria. Approaches to use and improve carbohydrate‐modifying enzymes in prebiotic design will be discussed.
Accuracy of progress ratios determined from experience curves: the case of crystalline silicon photovoltaic module technology development
Authors: van Sark W. G. J. H. M. , Alsema E. A. , Junginger H. M. , de Moor H. H. C. , Schaeffer G. J. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractLearning curves are extensively used in policy and scenario studies. Progress ratios (PRs) are derived from historical data and are used for forecasting cost development of many technologies, including photovoltaics (PV). Forecasts are highly sensitive to uncertainties in the PR. A PR usually is determined together with the coefficient of determination R2, which should approach unity for a good fit of the available data. Although the R2 is instructive, we recommend using the error in the PR determined from the fit because it is a direct measure of the range in PR values that is recommended to be used in sensitivity analyses within scenario studies. We present a simple equation to calculate the error in PR from the fit parameters. In the case of crystalline PV module technology development we find a PR = 0·794 ± 0·003 by fitting price data of the period 1976–2006. A moving average approach with a 10‐year time window shows that PR varies from 0·818 ± 0·017 up to a starting year of 1987, and is reduced considerably to a minimum value of 0·704 ± 0·014 for the starting year 1991. For the most recent starting year 1997, the average PR is considerably higher at 0·884 ± 0·022, highlighting the recent silicon feedstock supply problem. When available, error in individual data points can be used to perform weighted fits in order to decrease fitting errors. To illustrate this approach, an analysis of Dutch PV system price development over the period 1992–2002 shows that PR is 0·876 ± 0·010, where the error is decreased with respect to unweighted fitting. The PR = 0·794 has been used to analyze the cost targets stated in the Strategic Research Agenda as formulated by the European PV Technology Platform for the years 2013, 2020 and 2030. Assuming that such a PR is maintained, it is concluded that these targets may be attained at sustained annual growth rates of 21–42%, which seems feasible. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applying the ‘Limitation of effects’ inherently safer processing strategy when siting and designing facilities
Authors: Clark David G. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractMinimize, Substitute, Moderate, and Simplify are four primary Inherently Safer Processing (ISP) strategies. The Moderate strategy is primarily Attenuation, a strategy that emphasizes the use of materials under less hazardous conditions. Limitation of Effects is also an ISP term bantered about as being included within the purview of this Moderate strategy, although it is at times presented as a separate, unique ISP strategy. Regardless of the taxonomy, the application of such a strategy can significantly lower overall process safety risk. This study discusses the author's understanding of the meaning of the term Limitation of Effects and presents examples of the application of this strategy to the siting of plants, processes, and buildings. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2008
Recommended management of nausea and vomiting
Authors: Fallon Rachael , Fraser Christopher , Moriarty Kieran 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe underlying cause of nausea and vomiting is usually elicited by taking a careful history; treatment can then be initiated in combination with a suitable antiemetic. This Drug Review considers the properties and roles of the drugs currently used to treat nausea and vomiting, followed by sources of further information and the Datafile. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd
Synthesis of peptide substrates for mammalian thioredoxin reductase
Authors: Flemer Jr Stevenson , Lacey Brian M. , Hondal Robert J. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractMammalian thioredoxin reductase (TR) catalyzes the reduction of the redox‐active disulfide bond of thioredoxin (Trx) and is similar in structure and mechanism to glutathione reductase except for a C‐terminal 16‐amino acid extension containing a rare vicinal selenylsulfide bond. This vicinal selenylsulfide bond is essentially a substrate for the enzyme's N‐terminal redox center. Here we report the synthesis of peptide substrates for the truncated enzyme missing the C‐terminal redox center. We developed a procedure for the synthesis of peptides containing cyclic vicinal disulfide/selenylsulfide bonds as well as their corresponding acyclic heterodimers. Vicinal disulfide bonds form eight‐membered ring structures and are difficult to synthesize owing to their propensity to dimerize during oxidation. Our procedure makes use of two key improvements for on‐resin disulfide bond formation presented previously by Galande and coworkers (Galande AK, Weissleder R, Tung C‐H. An effective method of on‐resin disulfide bond formation in peptides. J. Comb. Chem. 2005; 7: 174–177). First, the addition of an amine base to the deprotection solution allows the complete removal of the StBu group, allowing it to be replaced with a 5‐Npys group. The second enhancement is the direct use of a Cys(Mob) or Sec(Mob) derivative as the nucleophilic partner instead of utilizing a naked sulfhydryl or selenol. These improvements result in the formation of a vicinal disulfide (or selenylsulfide) bond in high purity and yield. A direct comparison with the Galande procedure is presented. We also present a novel strategy for the formation of an acyclic, interchain selenylsulfide‐linked peptide (linking H‐PTVTGC‐OH and H‐UG‐OH). Cysteine analogs of the cyclic and acyclic peptides were also synthesized. The results show that the ring structure contributes a factor of 52 to the rate, but the presence of selenium in the peptide is more important to catalysis than the presence of the ring. Copyright © 2007 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Controlled patterning of peptide nanotubes and nanospheres using inkjet printing technology
Authors: Adler‐Abramovich Lihi , Gazit Ehud 
Published: November 2007

AbstractPeptide nanostructures are expected to serve as a major tool in future nanotechnological applications owing to their excellent self‐assembly properties, biological and chemical flexibility and structural simplicity. Yet one of the limiting factors for the integration of peptide assemblies into functional electro‐organic hybrid devices is the controlled patterning of their assemblies. Here we report the use of inkjet technology for the application of peptide nanostructures on nonbiological surfaces. The aromatic dipeptides nanotubes (ADNT) which readily self‐assemble in solution were used as an ‘ink’ and patterned on transparency foil and ITO plastic surfaces using a commercial inkjet printer. While inkjet technology was used in the past for the patterning of carbon nanotubes, it was not used for the deposition of biomolecular nanostructures. Furthermore, during the development of the application we were able to produce two types of nanostructures, i.e. nanotubes and nanospheres by the self‐assembly of the same aromatic dipeptide, tertbutoxycarbonyl‐Phe‐Phe‐OH (Boc‐Phe‐Phe‐OH), under different conditions. Both spherical and tubular structures could be efficiently patterned on surfaces into predesigned patterns. The applications of such technology are discussed. Copyright © 2007 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiple augmentation for interval‐censored data with measurement error
Authors: Song Xiao , Ma Shuangge 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThere has been substantial effort devoted to the analysis of censored failure time with covariates that are subject to measurement error. Previous studies have focused on right‐censored survival data, but interval‐censored survival data with covariate measurement error are yet to be investigated. Our study is partly motivated by analysis of the HIV clinical trial AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) 175 data, where the occurrence time of AIDS is interval censored and the covariate CD4 count is subject to measurement error. We assume that the data are realized from a proportional hazards model. A multiple augmentation approach is proposed to convert interval‐censored data to right‐censored data, and the conditional score approach is then employed to account for measurement error. The proposed approach is easy to implement and can be readily extended to other semiparametric models. Extensive simulations show that the proposed approach has satisfactory finite‐sample performance. The ACTG 175 data are then analyzed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry, an analytical tool in neurochemical research
Authors: Szczerbowska‐Boruchowska Magdalena 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe central nervous system (CNS) is undoubtedly the most complex structure in the human body. Metal ions play an important role in the normal functioning of this organ. Disturbances of metal ion homeostasis may lead to serious diseases of CNS. On the other hand, the abnormal accumulation of selected elements may be a result of pathological processes. The application of different analytical techniques to the determination of the normal and pathological accumulation of trace elements in human CNS tissue has proved to be popular in recent years. A review of current analytical activity for human CNS tissue is presented. Special attention is paid to the remarkable opportunities provided by using synchrotron radiation in elemental analysis. The results of application of synchrotron radiation x‐ray fluorescence (SRXRF) as well as x‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy to investigate Parkinson's disease, amiotrophic lateral sclerosis and brain gliomas are shown. Topographic and quantitative analysis with the use of SRXRF allows the determination of minor and trace elements in thin tissue samples of human CNS at the single‐cell level. The comparison between these pathological cases and control group pointed out differences in elemental composition of the tissues. Moreover, application of XANES spectroscopy made it possible to determine oxidation states of Fe and S in Parkinson‐diseased tissue and brain gliomas. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Green's functions for semi‐infinite transversely isotropic thermoelastic materials
Authors: Hou P.‐F. , Leung A.Y.T. , Chen C.‐P. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe use the compact mono‐harmonic general solutions of transversely isotropic thermoelastic materials to construct the three‐dimensional Green's function of a steady point heat source in a semi‐infinite transversely isotropic thermoelastic material by three newly introduced mono‐harmonic functions. All components of coupled field are expressed in terms of elementary functions and are convenient to use. Numerical results for hexagonal zinc are given graphically by contours.
Auxin and cytoskeletal organization in algae
Authors: Jin Qiaojun , Scherp Peter , Heimann Kirsten , Hasenstein Karl H. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractHormones affect growth and alter the cytoskeleton suggesting that hormones and the cytoskeleton interact with each other. The cytoskeleton of ancestral algae such as Chara showed similar sensitivity to auxin as higher plants, even in generative structures but the sensitivity differed between IAA and α‐NAA and presumably other auxins. The ability of cells to elongate depends on microtubule organization during the transition from disorganized to perpendicular to longitudinal organization of the cytoskeleton. Because of the many functions of the cytoskeleton it is possible that its composition is influenced by selective gene expression and adaptation to growth regulators. Co‐localization of microtubules and F‐actin change at a high temporal and spatial scale. High resolution measurements of mRNA expression indicate rapid turnover that may affect the composition of the cytoskeleton.
Sepsis is associated with an upregulation of functional β3 adrenoceptors in the myocardium
Authors: Moniotte S. , Belge C. , Sekkali B. , Massion P.B. , Rozec B. , Dessy C. , Balligand J.‐L. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze the implication of the β3‐adrenoceptor (β3‐AR) pathway in human septic myocardium and a murine model of sepsis, a condition associated with myocardial depression.Methods and resultsβ3‐AR and eNOS protein abundance were increased (332±66.4% and 218±39.3; P<0.05) in hearts from septic patients. The effect of BRL37344, a β3‐AR‐preferential agonist, was analyzed by videomicroscopy on the contractility of neonatal mouse ventricular myocytes (NMVM) incubated with conditioned medium from LPS‐stimulated cultured macrophages (Mc‐LPS+ medium). Stimulation of untreated NMVM with BRL37344 dose‐dependently decreased the amplitude of contractile shortening (P<0.05). This response was abolished by L‐NAME (NOS inhibitor). Incubation in Mc‐LPS+ medium potentiated the depressing effect of BRL37344 (P<0.05) as well as of SR58611A (P<0.05) in wild‐type myocytes. Importantly, the contractile depression was abrogated in cardiomyocytes from β3‐AR KO mice.Conclusionsβ3‐AR are upregulated during sepsis in the human myocardium and by cytokines in murine cardiomyocytes, where they mediate an increased negative inotropic response to β3 agonists. Activation of the β3‐AR pathway by catecholamines may contribute to the myocardial dysfunction in sepsis.
Parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP) signal cascade modulates myocardial dysfunction in the pressure overloaded heart
Authors: Meyer Rainer , Schreckenberg Rolf , Kretschmer Frank , Bittig Anne , Conzelmann Charlotte , Grohé Christian , Schlüter Klaus‐Dieter 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackgroundPressure overload induces the cardiac expression of parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP). Plasma levels are elevated in patients with heart disease. It is unknown whether this represents an epiphenomenon or suggests involvement in hypertrophy.AimTo identify a potential role of PTHrP in pressure induced hypertrophy and heart failure.Methods and resultsPressure load was produced via thoracic aortic constriction (TAC) and application of a PTHrP antagonist (PTHrP(7–34)) via osmotic minipumps in mice. Main findings were confirmed in vitro by exposing isolated adult ventricular mice cardiomyocytes to PTHrP(1–34) (100 nmol/l). TAC treated animals developed myocardial hypertrophy within 2 weeks. The heart weight to body weight ratio increased from 5.02±0.14 mg/g (sham/vehicle) and 5.16±0.19 mg/g (sham/antagonist) to 6.59±0.85 mg/g (TAC/vehicle) and 7.07±0.80 mg/g (TAC/antagonist) (each n=6–8; p<0.05 for TAC vs. sham; not significantly different between TAC groups). In parallel, the expression of atrial natriuretic factor increased. Cardiac dysfunction (+dP/dt, −dP/dt), however, was significantly lower in TAC mice receiving the antagonist, and SERCA2 expression was higher. Isolated cardiomyocytes exposed to PTHrP(1–34) developed reduced cell shortening. This reduction in cell function was abolished in the co‐presence of the antagonist.ConclusionPTHrP contributes to the progression of cardiac dysfunction in the pressure overloaded heart.