bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mutations in E2-PePHD, NS5A-PKRBD, NS5A-ISDR, and NS5A-V3 of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1 and Their Relationships to Pegylated Interferon-Ribavirin Treatment Responses
Authors: Muñoz de Rueda P. , Casado J. , Patón R. , Quintero D. , Palacios A. , Gila A. , Quiles R. , León J. , Ruiz-Extremera A. , Salmerón J. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTMutations in several subgenomic regions of hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been implicated in influencing the response to interferon (IFN) therapy. Sequences within HCV NS5A (PKR binding domain [PKRBD], IFN sensitivity-determining region [ISDR], and variable region 3 [V3]) were analyzed for the pretreatment serum samples of 60 HCV genotype 1-infected patients treated with pegylated IFN plus ribavirin (1b,n= 47; 1a,n= 13) but with different treatment outcomes, those with sustained virologic responses (SVR;n= 36) or nonresponders (NR;n= 24). Additionally, the sequence of the PKR/eIF-2α phosphorylation homology domain (E2-PePHD) region was determined for 23 patients (11 SVR and 12 NR). The presence of >4 mutations in the PKRBD region was associated with SVR (P= 0.001) and early virologic responses (EVR; 12 weeks) (P= 0.037) but not rapid virologic responses (4 weeks). In the ISDR, the difference was almost statistically significant (68% of SVR patients with mutations versus 45% without mutations;P= 0.07). The V3 region had a very high genetic variability, but this was not related to SVR. Finally, the E2-PePHD (n= 23) region was well conserved. The presence of >4 mutations in the PKRBD region (odds ratio [OR] = 9.9;P= 0.006) and an age of ≤40 years (OR = 3.2;P= 0.056) were selected in a multivariate analysis as predictive factors of SVR. NS5A sequences from serum samples taken after 1 month of treatment and posttreatment were examined for 3 SVR and 15 NR patients to select treatment-resistant viral subpopulations, and it was found that in the V3 and flanking regions, the mutations increased significantly in posttreatment sera (P= 0.05). The genetic variability in the PKRBD (>4 mutations) is a predictive factor of SVR and EVR in HCV genotype 1 patients treated with pegylated IFN and ribavirin.
Molecular Basis of Cytotoxicity of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP1) in EBV Latency III B Cells: LMP1 Induces Type II Ligand-Independent Autoactivation of CD95/Fas with Caspase 8-Mediated Apoptosis
Authors: Le Clorennec Christophe , Ouk Tan-Sothéa , Youlyouz-Marfak Ibtissam , Panteix Stéphanie , Martin Catherine-Claude , Rastelli Julia , Adriaenssens Eric , Zimber-Strobl Ursula , Coll Jean , Feuillard Jean , Jayat-Vignoles Chantal 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) oncoprotein latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is thought to act as the major transforming protein in various cell types, by rerouting the tumor necrosis factor receptor family signaling pathway. Despite this implication in EBV-associated transformation of cells, LMP1 toxicity is a well-known but poorly studied feature, perhaps because it contradicts its role in transformation. We show that LMP1 physiological levels are very heterogeneous and that the highest levels of LMP1 correlate with Fas overexpression and spontaneous apoptosis in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). To understand the cytotoxic effect of LMP1 in LCLs, we cloned wild-type LMP1 into a doxycycline double-inducible episomal vector pRT-1, with a truncated version of NGFR as a surrogate marker of inducibility. We found that LMP1 overexpression induced apoptosis in LCL B cells, as shown by annexin V labeling, sub-G1peak, and poly(ADP ribose) polymerase cleavage. Knocking down Fas expression by small interfering RNA abolished LMP1-induced apoptosis. The absence of detectable levels of Fas ligand mRNA suggested a ligand-independent activation of Fas. LMP1 induced Fas overexpression with its relocalization in lipid raft microdomains of the membrane. Fas immunoprecipitation detected FADD (Fas-associated death domain protein) and caspase 8, suggesting a Fas-dependent formation of the death-inducing signaling complex. Caspases 8, 9, 3, and 7 were activated by LMP1. Caspase 8 activation was associated with BID cleavage and truncated-BID mitochondrial relocalization, consistent with type II apoptosis. Therefore, our results are in agreement with a model where LMP1-dependent NF-κB activation induces Fas overexpression and autoactivation that could overwhelm the antiapoptotic effect of NF-κB, revealing an ambivalent function of LMP1 in cell survival and programmed cell death.
Landslides at Rock Glacier Site, Highwood Pass, Alberta
Authors: McAffee R P , Cruden D M 
Published: May 2008

Twenty topples are described from Rock Glacier Site, 2 km north of the summit of the Highwood Pass in the Front Ranges of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. In situ field testing and laboratory tests indicated that the external force driving the toppling process is frost action within a weathered shale zone. A stability analysis of the slope included examining rock falls, rupture surface formation, and slides. Rock falls were the dominant mode of landsliding. Surfaces of rupture develop when the amount of angular rotation of the toppling rock mass is over 16°. Slides along continuous surfaces of rupture are possible in rock masses with no cohesion and reduced friction angles. Topples cause rock falls, which lead to shallow slides in the rock-fall colluvium. Key words: topple, rupture surface, rock fall, rock slide, Rocky Mountains, slope stability.
Measurement of two-fluid saturations in a fine to medium sand
Authors: Gravelle C F , Knight M A , Mitchell R J 
Published: May 2008

The infiltration of a light nonaqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) into an unsaturated porous medium will result in varying amounts of water, LNAPL, and air within the soil voids. A simple and reliable method of determining the percent saturation of each fluid is needed to analyze laboratory infiltration experiments. This note reviews the available methodologies for determining the oil content in porous media and presents an experimental study of a simple and reliable method for determining water and oil contents in an unsaturated fine to medium sand. Key words: fluid saturations, oil content, gravimetric, extraction, assay.
Diurnal Variation of Convective Activity and Precipitable Water around Ulaanbaator, Mongolia, and the Impact of Soil Moisture on Convective Activity during Nighttime
Authors: Iwasaki Hiroyuki , Nii Tomoki , Sato Tomonori , Kimura Fujio , Nakagawa Kiyotaka , Kaihotsu Ichirow , Koike Toshio 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
The diurnal variations of convective activity and precipitable water were investigated using a C-band airport radar and GPS receivers around Ulaanbaator (UB), Mongolia; this location was considered as an example of an arid region. The convective activity exhibited a pronounced diurnal cycle; it increased rapidly at 1100 local solar time (LST; 0300 UTC), reached the maximum at 1400 LST, and almost disappeared after 1900 LST. On the other hand, no diurnal variation of precipitable water could be observed, which implied that there was no considerable evapotranspiration, and the diurnal variation of the convective activity was irrelevant to the variation of water vapor. The reason why the deep convection could not develop at night is discussed using numerical modeling from the viewpoint of soil moisture. In the moist soil conditions assumed for humid simulations, an increase in the water vapor in the boundary layer due to evapotranspiration led to a potentially unstable condition that was sustained until night. Deep convection was formed at the southern foot of mountains where topographical convergence was expected. On the other hand, in the dry soil conditions assumed for the arid simulations, deep convection did not occur during nighttime even though topographical convergence was expected over the southern foot of the mountains. These features of dry soil conditions were consistent with the results from radar observations around UB. In other words, since the soil around UB is too dry in practice to sustain an unstable condition until night, the deep convection had to decay by night and could not be initiated at night.
Monotone and Conservative Cascade Remapping between Spherical Grids (CaRS): Regular Latitude–Longitude and Cubed-Sphere Grids
Authors: Lauritzen Peter H. , Nair Ramachandran D. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
A high-order monotone and conservative cascade remapping algorithm between spherical grids (CaRS) is developed. This algorithm is specifically designed to remap between the cubed-sphere and regular latitude–longitude grids. The remapping approach is based on the conservative cascade method in which a two-dimensional remapping problem is split into two one-dimensional problems. This allows for easy implementation of high-order subgrid-cell reconstructions as well as the application of advanced monotone filters. The accuracy of CaRS is assessed by remapping analytic fields from the regular latitude–longitude grid to the cubed-sphere grid. In terms of standard error measures, CaRS is found to be competitive relative to an existing algorithm when regridding from a fine to a coarse grid and more accurate when regridding from a coarse to a fine grid.
The RESPECT approach to tailored telephone education
Authors: Brouse Corey H. , Basch Charles E. , Wolf Randi L. 
Published: May 2008

Objective The objective of the RESPECT approach to tailored telephone education (TTE) is described. This approach was shown to be highly effective through a randomized intervention trial for increasing the rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Methods At the conclusion of the trial, the investigators identified the main principles that exemplified the TTE. This was accomplished through a review of chart notes and discussion. Results The concept underlying our TTE approach was RESPECT for the audience, and was based on: (1) Rapport; (2) Educate, but don't overwhelm; (3) Start with people where they are; (4) Philosophical orientation based on a humanistic approach to education; (5) Engagement; (6) Care and show empathy; and (7) Trust. Conclusions An advantage of using principles of practice is that it may be more feasible to apply general principles than specific activities because they can be adapted to different social contexts and audiences.
From Troubleshooter to The Apprentice: the changing face of business on British television
Authors: Boyle Raymond 
Published: May 2008

This commentary seeks to open up a discussion around how British factual television has represented the world of business and finance over the last decade or so. It investigates the ways that factual television representations of the financial and business environment have changed and in so doing begins to identify the key drivers of this process. As the traditional boundaries between news and current affairs, drama and documentary have blurred and new formats emerged, this research begins to capture how British television has responded to these shifts through its engagement with the world of work, business and finance. Previous research in this area has tended to focus on the specific realm of television news journalism and the reporting of industrial and economic issues (Gavin, 2000; Jensen, 1987; Philo, 1995; Richardson, 1998), while more recently attention has been centred on the BBC and the issue of journalistic impartiality in its coverage of business (Svennevig, 2007). While such concerns naturally inform this research, attention here is on the ideas and discourses created beyond the television news arena and specifically on the role that factual entertainment television formats play in representing business on television. Given the centrality of the BBC in this process, it is worth briefly reflecting on recent attempts to change the institutional climate within that organization regarding its coverage of the world of business.
Injury-Induced Changes in mRNA Levels Differ Widely between Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial Collateral Ligament
Authors: Beye Jasmine A. , Hart David A. , Bray Robert C. , McDougall Jason J. , Salo Paul T. 
Published: May 2008

BackgroundThe drastic difference in healing capacity between the anterior cruciate ligament and the medial collateral ligament is still largely unexplained. Few studies have compared the profiles of messenger ribonucleic acid expression for healing-associated molecules in ligaments during the course of healing.HypothesisInjury responses of the injured anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament are characterized by very different profiles of angiogenesis-promoting and repair-associated gene expression during the healing process.Study DesignControlled laboratory study.MethodsReverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to assay expression of messenger ribonucleic acid for 11 healing- and angiogenesis-associated molecules at 3 days and 2, 6, and 16 weeks after anterior cruciate ligament or medial collateral ligament injury in adult female New Zealand White rabbits.ResultsMarked differences were found in the postinjury changes in messenger ribonucleic acid levels in the anterior cruciate ligament compared to the medial collateral ligament. Notably, messenger ribonucleic acid levels for the important repair-associated growth factor transforming growth factor-β1 did not increase in injured anterior cruciate ligament at any time point. Similarly, Unlike the injured medial collateral ligament, no statistically significant increases in messenger ribonucleic acid levels for the important scar matrix protein collagen III were detected in injured anterior cruciate ligament. In contrast, matrix metalloproteinase Messenger ribonucleic acid levels were markedly elevated in injured anterior cruciate ligament but only modestly increased in Medial collateral ligament.ConclusionThe results suggest that injury leads to an antifibrotic, catabolic response in the rabbit anterior cruciate ligament, Possibly to prevent fibrosis and diminish the risk for loss of joint motion.Clinical RelevanceThe development of effective biologically based treatments for anterior cruciate ligament injuries will need to incorporate strategies to deal with the significant differences in the molecular responses to injury of these tissues.
A randomised, controlled trial of bosentan in severe COPD
Authors: Stolz D. , Rasch H. , Linka A. , Di Valentino M. , Meyer A. , Brutsche M. , Tamm M. 
Published: May 2008

Pulmonary hypertension during exercise is common in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It was hypothesised that the use of the endothelin-receptor antagonist bosentan can improve cardiopulmonary haemodynamics during exercise, thus increasing exercise tolerance in patients with severe COPD.In the present double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 30 patients with severe or very severe COPD were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either bosentan or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary end-point was change in the 6-min walking distance. Secondary end-points included changes in health-related quality of life, lung function, cardiac haemodynamics, maximal oxygen uptake and pulmonary perfusion patterns.Compared with placebo, patients treated with bosentan during 12 weeks showed no significant improvement in exercise capacity as measured by the 6-min walking distance (mean±sd331±123versus329±94 m). There was no change in lung function, pulmonary arterial pressure, maximal oxygen uptake or regional pulmonary perfusion pattern. In contrast, arterial oxygen pressure dropped, the alveolar–arterial gradient increased and quality of life deteriorated significantly in patients assigned bosentan.The oral administration of the endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan not only failed to improve exercise capacity but also deteriorated hypoxaemia and functional status in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients without severe pulmonary hypertension at rest.
Farm exposurein uteromay protect against asthma, hay fever and eczema
Authors: Douwes J. , Cheng S. , Travier N. , Cohet C. , Niesink A. , McKenzie J. , Cunningham C. , Le Gros G. , von Mutius E. , Pearce N. 
Published: May 2008

The aim of the present study was to assess which factors contribute to the lower prevalence of allergic diseases in farmers’ children, and the importance of timing of exposure.In a cross-sectional questionnaire survey, asthma symptoms, hay fever and eczema were assessed, as well as current, early and prenatal farm-related exposures in 1,333 farmers’ children and 566 reference children aged 5–17 yrs.Farmers’ children had a lower incidence of asthma symptoms and eczema. Current and maternal exposure during pregnancy to animals and/or grain and hay reduced the risk of asthma symptoms, hay fever and eczema. The exposure–response association for maternal exposure was nonlinear for most outcomes. After mutual adjustment, the effects of prenatal exposure remained unchanged whereas current exposure remained protective only for asthma medication, asthma ever and hay fever. Exposure during the first 2 yrs was not associated with symptoms, after controlling for prenatal exposure. A combination of prenatal and current exposure was most strongly associated with wheeze (odds ratio (OR) 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28–0.80), asthma medication (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.30–0.82), asthma ever (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.33–0.76), hay fever (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.30–0.73) and eczema (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.30–0.70).Prenatal exposure may contribute to the low prevalence of asthma, hay fever and eczema in farmers’ children, but continued exposure may be required to maintain optimal protection.
Precision, time, and cost: a comparison of three sampling designs in an emergency setting
Authors: Deitchler Megan , Deconinck Hedwig , Bergeron Gilles 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe conventional method to collect data on the health, nutrition, and food security status of a population affected by an emergency is a 30 × 30 cluster survey. This sampling method can be time and resource intensive and, accordingly, may not be the most appropriate one when data are needed rapidly for decision making. In this study, we compare the precision, time and cost of the 30 × 30 cluster survey with two alternative sampling designs: a 33 × 6 cluster design (33 clusters, 6 observations per cluster) and a 67 × 3 cluster design (67 clusters, 3 observations per cluster). Data for each sampling design were collected concurrently in West Darfur, Sudan in September-October 2005 in an emergency setting. Results of the study show the 30 × 30 design to provide more precise results (i.e. narrower 95% confidence intervals) than the 33 × 6 and 67 × 3 design for most child-level indicators. Exceptions are indicators of immunization and vitamin A capsule supplementation coverage which show a high intra-cluster correlation. Although the 33 × 6 and 67 × 3 designs provide wider confidence intervals than the 30 × 30 design for child anthropometric indicators, the 33 × 6 and 67 × 3 designs provide the opportunity to conduct a LQAS hypothesis test to detect whether or not a critical threshold of global acute malnutrition prevalence has been exceeded, whereas the 30 × 30 design does not. For the household-level indicators tested in this study, the 67 × 3 design provides the most precise results. However, our results show that neither the 33 × 6 nor the 67 × 3 design are appropriate for assessing indicators of mortality. In this field application, data collection for the 33 × 6 and 67 × 3 designs required substantially less time and cost than that required for the 30 × 30 design. The findings of this study suggest the 33 × 6 and 67 × 3 designs can provide useful time- and resource-saving alternatives to the 30 × 30 method of data collection in emergency settings.
Tomlinson on alcohol and drugs
Authors: Ghodse Hamid 
Published: May 2008

Recognition of the problemSir Bernard Tomlinson's Report of the Enquiry into London's Health Service, Medical Education and Research (1992) starts with an excellent analysis of the particular problems associated with providing health care in the capital with its high density and turnover of population and disproportionate burden of severe deprivation. He emphasises the particular problems that arise because of the flow into London of vulnerable people with mental illness, drug addiction problems and alcoholism, many of whom are homeless. The consequent difficulties are compounded by the fact that primary health care and community services are poorly developed in comparison with elsewhere in the country and may not be easily accessible to those who need them most. Inadequacies in comprehensive service provision contribute to the high usage of accident and emergency departments as providers of primary health care, where community nursing services are expensive because of higher staff costs and where the characteristics of the patient population referred to above, make maintaining effective contact very difficult.
Photosynthetic response of the Mediterranean zooxanthellate coral Cladocora caespitosa to the natural range of light and temperature
Authors: Rodolfo-Metalpa Riccardo , Huot Yannick , Ferrier-Pagès Christine 
Published: May 2008

SUMMARY
We investigated photoacclimation in the symbiotic Mediterranean coral Cladocora caespitosa by exposing it to three light levels (30, 80 and 250 μmol m–2 s–1), which are in the range of those recorded for this species. The coral response to a change in both light and temperature was also assessed, by subjecting coral to two treatments corresponding to winter (14°C and 30 μmol m–2s–1) and summer (23°C and 250 μmol m–2 s–1) conditions, as measured in the Ligurian Sea. Photosynthesis, measured using both respirometry and pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry, revealed a linear relationship only at low light levels. At higher irradiance, relative electron transport rate(rETR) approached saturation more slowly than rates of oxygen production. At constant temperature, a change in light did not induce any change in zooxanthellae (zoox) and chlorophyll (Chla+c2)concentrations (mean 3.7×106 zoox cm–2 and 14.1 μg cm–2, respectively); however, chlorophyll concentrations significantly increased under low light and temperature,probably in order to maintain a sufficient level of autotrophy. Maximal gross photosynthesis (Pgmax) as well as the saturation irradiance(Ek) and the respiration rate (R) were, however,significantly higher at 250 μmol m–2 s–1compared to the lower light treatments, independently of temperature conditions. Acclimation to high light appeared to be partly driven by a change in the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) capacity of the algal cells, and to a maximal rate of photon utilization. Conversely, under low light conditions,coral polyps presented a lower Ek, but also lower respiration rates, which correspond to a decrease in the energy expenditure. This ability to acclimate to different light conditions, might allow C. caespitosa to rapidly regulate its autotrophic rate in the different light conditions encountered in its natural habitats.