bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution of burnet moths (Zygaenaspp.) in relation to larval and adult resources on two spatial scales
Authors: ÖCKINGER ERIK 
Published: January 2008

Abstract. Metapopulation theory predicts habitat patch area and isolation to be the main factors affecting the distribution of species dependent of patchily distributed habitats, but the need for multiple resources, which might be spatially separated, is often ignored.Here, I studied the effect of host plant and nectar flower distributions on the spatial distribution of pupae and adults of two species of burnet moths (Zygaena filipendulaeandZygaena lonicerae), on two spatial scales.At the landscape scale (10 × 12 km), moths were patchily distributed, but there was no effect of patch isolation on the occurrence of any of the species. On the local scale (2 × 2 km), I expected to find additive effects of the local abundances of larval and adult resources and their abundances in the surrounding areas, but instead, moth abundance decreased with increasing resource connectivity. I interpret this as an aggregation effect, such that at low resource abundances in the area, moths tend to aggregate in patches with higher flower densities.My results also supported the hypothesis that the spatial distribution of individuals at one life stage is restricted by the requirement of other life stages, because the abundance of pupae of both species were associated with floral resources and abundance of imagos was related to larval resources.I conclude that in studies aiming at understanding the relative importance of local and regional factors for species distributions, it is important to account for the habitat requirements of all life stages.
Choice of metrics for studying arthropod responses to habitat disturbance: one example from Gabon
Authors: BASSET YVES , MISSA OLIVIER , ALONSO ALFONSO , MILLER SCOTT E. , CURLETTI GIANFRANCO , MEYER MARC DE , EARDLEY CONNAL , LEWIS OWEN T. , MANSELL MERVYN W. , NOVOTNY VOJTECH , WAGNER THOMAS 
Published: January 2008

Abstract. The choice of metrics comparing pristine and disturbed habitats may not be straightforward. We examined the results of a study in Gabon including 21 arthropod focal taxa representing 16 855 individuals separated into 1534 morphospecies. Replication included the understorey of 12 sites representing four stages of land use after logging (old and young forests, savanna and gardens), surveyed for 1 year using three sampling methods.For all focal taxa, we calculated a suite of 13 metrics accounting for the intensity of faunal changes between habitats, namely: abundance; observed, rarefied and estimated species richness; proportion of rare species; additive diversity partitioning; evenness of assemblages; higher taxonomic composition; species turnover; ordination scores of multivariate analyses; nestedness; proportion of site‐specific species and ratios of functional guilds.Most metrics showed large differences between forests and non‐forest habitats, but were not equally discriminating for particular taxa. Despite higher taxonomic groups being present in most habitats, many insect species were site or habitat specific. There was little evidence that the disturbance gradient represented a series of impoverished habitats derived from older forests. Rather, entire suites of species were being replaced as habitats were modified.Metrics based on species identity had a high sensitivity to disturbance, whereas measurements describing community structure were less discriminating in this regard. We recommend using metrics based on abundance, estimated species richness, species turnover estimated by multivariate analyses and guild structure, to avoid misleading interpretations that may result from comparisons of species richness alone.
Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries in a Population of Children with History of Maltreatment
Authors: Valencia‐Rojas Nancy , Lawrence Herenia P. , Goodman Deborah 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) in a population of maltreated children in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Methods: The sample consisted of preschool‐aged children (2 to 6 years) admitted to the care of the Children's Aid Society of Toronto (CAST) between 1991 and 2004. Data were collected by reviewing the dental and social workers' records of CAST. ECC was determined using the decayed, missing, and filled deciduous teeth (dmft) index. The type and severity of maltreatment were obtained from the Eligibility Spectrum. Results: The study included 66 children: 37 (56 percent) boys and 29 (44 percent) girls, with an average age of 4.1 years [standard deviation (SD) = 1.2]. Four (6 percent) children had evidence of dental injury, and none had teeth filled or extracted as a result of decay. ECC was observed in 58 percent of the abused children. Of these, the mean decayed teeth (“dt”) value was 5.63 (SD = 4.17, n = 38) and 3.24 (SD = 4.21) for the whole sample (n = 66). The proportion of children with untreated caries was 57 percent among “neglected” children (n = 53) and 62 percent in physically/sexually abused cases (n = 13). Logistic regression revealed that children in permanent CAST care and those in its care more than once were significantly less likely to have experienced caries. Conclusions: Abused and neglected young children had higher levels of tooth decay than the general population of 5‐year‐olds in Toronto (30 percent prevalence, mean dt = 0.42, SD = 1.20, n = 3185). However, this study did not find any difference in ECC prevalence between children with different types of maltreatment. The study did find that CAST services had a protective effect on children's oral health, which supports the recommendation that child protection services should investigate possible dental neglect in physical/sexual abuse and neglect cases.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Acceptance of Medicaid Patients in Dental Practices
Authors: Okunseri Christopher , Bajorunaite Ruta , Abena Albert , Self Karl , Iacopino Anthony M. , Flores Glenn 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Objectives: Medicaid enrollees disproportionately experience dental disease and difficulties accessing needed dental care. However, little has been documented on the factors associated with the acceptance of new Medicaid patients by dentists, and particularly whether minority dentists are more likely to accept new Medicaid patients. We therefore examined the factors associated with the acceptance of new Medicaid patients by dentists. Methods: We analyzed 2001 data from the Wisconsin Dentist Workforce Survey administered by the Wisconsin Division of Health Care Financing, Bureau of Health Information. We used descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis to examine the factors associated with the outcome variable. Results: Ninety‐four percent of Wisconsin licensed dentists (n = 4,301) responded to the 2001 survey. A significantly higher likelihood of accepting new Medicaid patients was found for racial/ethnic minority dentists (35 versus 19 percent of White dentists) and dentists practicing in large practices (31 versus 16 percent for those in smaller practices). In the multivariable analysis, minority dentists [odds ratio (OR) = 2.06, 95 percent confidence interval (CI) = 1.30, 3.25] and dentists in practices with >3 dentists (OR = 2.25, 95 percent CI = 1.69, 3.00) had significantly greater odds of accepting new Medicaid patients. Conclusions: Racial/ethnic minority dentists are twice as likely as White dentists to accept new Medicaid patients. Dentists in larger practices also are significantly more likely than those in smaller practices to accept new Medicaid patients. These findings suggest that increasing dental workforce diversity to match the diversity of the general US population can potentially improve access to dental care for poor and minority Americans, and may serve as an important force in reducing disparities in dental care.
Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life and Nutritional Status
Authors: Gil‐Montoya J. A. , Subirá C. , Ramón J. M. , González‐Moles M. A. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Objectives: This study examines whether oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) is associated with malnutrition risk in the elderly. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was designed using a representative sample of Spaniards over 65 years old. Data on sociodemographics and oral health status were gathered by interview and examination. Oral health‐related quality of life was evaluated using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), and malnutrition risk using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Results: The final sample included 2,860 elderly, 41.7 percent males and 58.3 percent females, with a mean age of 73.7 ± 6.8 years. Mean GOHAI score was 52.1 ± 7.2, with 70.7 percent of the sample needing oral health care according to this index. The mean MNA score was 24.0 ± 3.31; 3.5 percent of the elderly were malnourished, 31.5 percent were at risk of malnutrition, and 65.0 percent were considered adequately nourished. A strong association was found between mean GOHAI and MNA scores.
Serum Bactericidal Antibody Responses to Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccination as a Basis for Clinical Classification of Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Authors: Rezaei Nima , Aghamohammadi Asghar , Siadat Seyed Davar , Moin Mostafa , Pourpak Zahra , Nejati Mehdi , Ahmadi Hojat , Kamali Samineh , Norouzian Dariush , Tabaraei Bahman , Read Robert C. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia and increased susceptibility to recurrent pyogenic infections. This study was performed to subclassify CVID on the basis of the bactericidal antibody responses of patients to polysaccharide meningococcal vaccine. Twenty-five patients with CVID (18 male and 7 female) and 25 healthy volunteers received meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine A + C. Serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) titers were measured at baseline and after 3 weeks. Response was correlated with clinical and immunological manifestations of CVID. Twenty-four (96%) of the 25 normal controls had a protective SBA titer of ≥8 postvaccination, whereas only 16 (64%) of the 25 CVID patients had a protective titer (
P
value = 0.013). Among the patients with CVID who were nonresponders, there were significantly increased rates of bronchiectasis (
P
= 0.008), splenomegaly (
P
= 0.016), and autoimmunity (
P
= 0.034) in comparison with patients who had protective SBA titers. A reversed CD4/CD8 ratio was more common in the nonresponder group of patients (
P
= 0.053). We conclude that individuals with CVID who cannot produce protective postvaccination titers after receiving meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine are more likely to exhibit bronchiectasis, splenomegaly, and autoimmune diseases. Vaccination response may define subgroups of patients with CVID, enabling more effective monitoring and therapeutic strategies.
Multiple Combinations of P[13]-Like Genotype with G3, G4, and G5 in Porcine Rotaviruses
Authors: Chan-it Wisoot , Khamrin Pattara , Saekhow Prayuth , Pantip Chansom , Thongprachum Aksara , Peerakome Supatra , Ushijima Hiroshi , Maneekarn Niwat 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT
Epidemiological surveillance of porcine rotavirus (PoRV) strains was carried out in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, from 2002 to 2003, and eight rotavirus isolates could not be completely typed by PCR. Of these, six were G3 and one was G4 and displayed a P-nontypeable genotype, while another isolate was both G and P nontypeable. Analysis of a partial VP4 gene of all eight P-nontypeable strains revealed a high degree of amino acid sequence identities (94.7% to 100%), suggesting that they belonged to the same P genotype. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of two representative strains (namely, strains CMP178 and CMP213) with those of 27 other known P genotypes revealed a high degree of amino acid sequence identity with those of P[13] porcine rotavirus reference strains HP113 and HP140, which were recently isolated in India. However, amino acid sequence comparison with non-P[13] rotavirus strains revealed relatively low identities, ranging from 58.2% to 84.8% for full-length VP4 sequences and 35.1% to 80.6% for VP8* sequences. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that CMP178 and CMP213 clustered together in a monophyletic branch with P[13]-like genotypes HP113 and HP140 which was clearly separated from the other lineages of P[13] or P[22] strains. Altogether, these findings indicate that PoRV strains CMP178 and CMP213 should be considered the P[13]-like VP4 genotype, a rare genotype that has been identified only in pigs. This study provides additional evidence of increasing genetic diversity among group A rotaviruses in nature.
Reductions in Workload and Reporting Time by Use of Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Screening with MRSA
Select
Medium Compared to Mannitol-Salt Medium Supplemented with Oxacillin
Authors: Lagacé-Wiens Philippe R. S. , Alfa Michelle J. , Manickam Kanchana , Harding Godfrey K. M. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT

Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) is a significant pathogen in both nosocomial and community settings, and screening for carriers is an important infection control practice in many hospitals. In this retrospective study, we demonstrate that the implementation of an MRSA screening protocol using a selective chromogenic medium (MRSA
Select
) reduced the workload for this screening test by 63.7% overall and by 12.6% per specimen and reduced the turnaround time for reporting by an average of 1.33 days for all MRSA screening specimens, 1.97 days for MRSA-positive specimens, and 1.3 days for MRSA-negative specimens compared to standard mannitol-salt agar supplemented with 6 mg of oxacillin/liter.
Identification of
Staphylococcus aureus
and Determination of Methicillin Resistance Directly from Positive Blood Cultures by Isothermal Amplification and a Disposable Detection Device
Authors: Goldmeyer James , Li Haijing , McCormac Melinda , Cook Steve , Stratton Charles , Lemieux Bertrand , Kong Huimin , Tang Wen , Tang Yi-Wei 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT

A simple, rapid, and user-friendly procedure has been developed to identify
Staphylococcus aureus
and determine its methicillin resistance directly from gram-positive cocci in cluster-containing blood culture medium. The specimens were diluted and heated prior to amplification of the
nuc
and
mecA
genes with isothermal helicase-dependent amplification. Amplicons were detected using a disposable detection device. The analytical sensitivity of the assays was 50 CFU per reaction, and the clinical sensitivity and specificity were both 100% for
S. aureus
detection and 100% and 98% for methicillin resistance determination, respectively.
Molecular Epidemiology of Rotavirus Diarrhea among Children in Saudi Arabia: First Detection of G9 and G12 Strains
Authors: Kheyami Ali M. , Nakagomi Toyoko , Nakagomi Osamu , Dove Winifred , Hart C. Anthony , Cunliffe Nigel A. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT
In anticipation of rotavirus vaccine introduction in Saudi Arabia, this study was undertaken to determine the distribution of the G and P genotypes of rotaviruses in order to examine whether there was any emerging serotype or unusual strain circulating in children in Saudi Arabia. Of 984 stool specimens collected between 17 April 2004 and 16 April 2005, rotavirus was detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 187 (19%) diarrheal children less than 5 years of age. Of these, 160 (86%) were classified into G and P genotypes as follows: G1P[8] (44%), G2P[4] (20%), G9P[8] (11%), G12P[8] (4%), and G3P[8] (4%). RNA polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis identified 94 (50%) specimens as long RNA patterns, 30 (16%) specimens as short RNA patterns, and 1 mixed infection. Only a single long RNA electropherotype was identified for seven specimens containing G12P[8] rotavirus. RNA-RNA hybridization demonstrated that the G12P[8] strains were similar in their genomic constellation to locally cocirculating strains and to a Nepalese G12P[8] strain. The Saudi Arabian G12 VP7 gene had a 99% nucleotide sequence identity with Nepalese and Indian G12 VP7 genes and belonged to the third lineage. This study is the first to describe the distribution of rotavirus G and P types and also the first to identify G9P[8] and G12P[8] strains in the country.
Prevalence of Human Metapneumovirus in Central Illinois in Patients Thought To Have Respiratory Viral Infection
Authors: Barenfanger Joan , Mueller Tina , O'Brien Janet , Drake Cheryl , Lawhorn Jerry 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT
Studies suggest that by age 5 years nearly all people have been exposed to metapneumovirus. To determine its prevalence in central Illinois, we tested respiratory secretions by direct immunofluorescence staining from December to March. Metapneumovirus was detected in 11/391 specimens. The distribution of metapneumovirus was bimodal, with the split being between children aged ≤4 years and adults.
Efficient In Vitro Expansion of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Specific T-Cell Responses bygagmRNA-Electroporated Dendritic Cells from Treated and Untreated HIV Type 1-Infected Individuals
Authors: Van Gulck Ellen R. , Vanham Guido , Heyndrickx Leo , Coppens Sandra , Vereecken Katleen , Atkinson Derek , Florence Eric , Kint Ilse , Berneman Zwi Nisan , Tendeloo Viggo Van 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTDeveloping an immunotherapy to keep human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication suppressed while discontinuing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is an important challenge. In the present work, we evaluated in vitro whether dendritic cells (DC) electroporated withgagmRNA can induce HIV-specific responses in T cells from chronically infected subjects. Monocyte-derived DC, from therapy-naïve and HAART-treated HIV-1-seropositive subjects, that were electroporated with consensus codon-optimized HxB2gagmRNA efficiently expanded T cells, secreting gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin 2 (IL-2), as well as other cytokines and perforin, upon restimulation with a pool of overlapping Gag peptides. The functional expansion levels after 1 week of stimulation were comparable in T cells from HAART-treated and treatment-naïve patients and involved both CD4+and CD8+T cells, with evidence of bifunctionality in T cells. Epitope mapping of p24 showed that stimulated T cells had a broadened response toward previously nondescribed epitopes. DC, from HAART-treated subjects, that were electroporated with autologous proviralgagmRNA equally efficiently expanded HIV-specific T cells. Regulatory T cells did not prevent the induction of effector T cells in this system, whereas the blocking of PD-L1 slightly increased the induction of T-cell responses. This paper shows that DC, loaded with consensus or autologousgagmRNA, expand HIV-specific T-cell responses in vitro.
Cellular Proteasome Activity Facilitates Herpes Simplex Virus Entry at a Postpenetration Step
Authors: Delboy Mark G. , Roller Devin G. , Nicola Anthony V. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTHerpes simplex virus (HSV) entry into cells is a multistep process that engages the host cell machinery. The proteasome is a large, ATP-dependent, multisubunit protease that plays a critical role in the maintenance of cell homeostasis. A battery of assays were used to demonstrate that proteasome inhibitors blocked an early step in HSV entry that occurred after capsid penetration into the cytosol but prior to capsid arrival at the nuclear periphery. Proteasome-dependent viral entry was not reliant on host or viral protein synthesis. MG132, a peptide aldehyde that competitively inhibits the degradative activity of the proteasome, had a reversible inhibitory effect on HSV entry. HSV can use endocytic or nonendocytic pathways to enter cells. These distinct entry routes were both dependent on proteasome-mediated proteolysis. In addition, HSV successfully entered cells in the absence of a functional host ubiquitin-activating enzyme, suggesting that viral entry is ubiquitin independent. We propose that proteasomal degradation of virion and/or host proteins is required for efficient delivery of incoming HSV capsids to the nucleus.
Epstein-Barr Virus Lytic Transactivator Zta Enhances Chemotactic Activity through Induction of Interleukin-8 in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Hsu Meichi , Wu Shih-Yi , Chang Shih-Shin , Su Ih-Jen , Tsai Ching-Hwa , Lai Siao-Jing , Shiau Ai-Li , Takada Kenzo , Chang Yao 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTEpstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated, undifferentiated type of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by intensive leukocyte infiltration. Interaction between the infiltrating cells and the tumor cells has been considered crucial for NPC development. Recruitment of the infiltrates can be directed by certain chemokines present in the NPC tissues. It is unknown whether and how EBV lytic infection regulates expression of the chemokines. Using an antibody array, we first found that several chemokines secreted from EBV-infected NPC cells are increased upon EBV reactivation into the lytic cycle, and interleukin-8 (IL-8) is the chemokine upregulated most significantly and consistently. Further studies showed that the EBV lytic transactivator Zta is a potent inducer of IL-8 in NPC cells, augmenting secreted and intracellular IL-8 proteins, as well as IL-8 RNA. Zta upregulates Egr-1, a cellular transcription factor that has been involved in upregulation of IL-8, but the Zta-induced IL-8 expression is independent of Egr-1. The ability of Zta to transactivate the IL-8 promoter is important for the induction of IL-8, and we have identified two Zta-responsive elements in the promoter. Zta can bind to these two elements in vitro and can also be recruited to the IL-8 promoter in vivo. DNA-binding-defective Zta mutants can neither activate the IL-8 promoter nor induce IL-8 production. In addition, Zta-expressing NPC cells exert enhanced chemotactic activity that is mainly mediated by IL-8. Since IL-8 may contribute to not only leukocyte infiltration but also multiple oncogenic processes, the present study provides a potential link between EBV lytic infection and pathogenesis of NPC.
Differential Inhibition of Nuclear Hormone Receptor-Dependent Hepatitis B Virus Replication by the Small Heterodimer Partner
Authors: Oropeza Claudia E. , Li Lie , McLachlan Alan 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT
The nuclear hormone receptors hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF4) and retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) plus peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) heterodimer support hepatitis B virus (HBV) pregenomic RNA synthesis and viral replication in nonhepatoma cells. Small heterodimer partner (SHP), an orphan nuclear hormone receptor lacking a DNA binding domain, inhibits nuclear hormone receptor-mediated viral transcription and replication. The inhibition of HBV replication by SHP is dependent on the presence of nuclear hormone receptors. HBV replication that is dependent on HNF4 is considerably more sensitive to SHP-mediated inhibition than RXRα/PPARα-directed viral biosynthesis. SHP inhibition of HBV biosynthesis in HepG2 cells suggests that multiple nuclear hormone receptors mediate viral replication in this human hepatoma cell line. These observations suggest that the physiological regulation of HBV biosynthesis by SHP in the liver will depend on both the level of SHP expression and the relative contribution of HNF4 and RXRα/PPARα, plus potentially additional nuclear hormone receptors, to HBV RNA synthesis and replication.