bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Age on Changes in Health‐Related Quality of Life over Three Years in a Cohort Undergoing Hemodialysis
Authors: Unruh Mark L. , Newman Anne B. , Larive Brett , Amanda Dew Mary , Miskulin Dana C. , Greene Tom , Beddhu Srinivasan , Rocco Michael V. , Kusek John W. , Meyer Klemens B. ,   the Hemodialysis Study Group
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVES: To assess the extent to which persons aged 70 and older undergoing hemodialysis (HD) had greater changes in health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) over 3 years than younger patients undergoing HD.DESIGN: Longitudinal.SETTING: The Hemodialysis Study (HEMO Study) was a randomized, clinical trial of the effects of HD dose and membrane flux on mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing chronic dialysis.PARTICIPANTS: Secondary analysis of the HEMO Study.MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed the Index of Well‐Being (IWB) and the Kidney Disease Quality of Life—Long Form (KDQOL‐LF), which also includes the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item Short Form Questionnaire (SF‐36) annually. Changes in subjects those aged 70 and older were compared with changes in subjects aged 55 to 69 and 18 to 54.RESULTS: At baseline, 1,813 (98%) of HEMO participants completed HRQOL surveys. Their mean age was 58, 56% were female, 64% were black, and mean duration of dialysis was 3.8 years. In subjects with HRQOL data at the first three annual assessments, there were no substantial mean declines in the SF‐36 Physical or Mental Component Summary scales over 3 years. In models incorporating effects of attrition, the differences in average change over 3 years between patients undergoing HD aged 70 and older and the younger cohorts were small in magnitude. There were high rates of adverse HRQOL events in all age groups and significantly higher composite event rates of death or clinically significant decline in HRQOL over 3 years was found in subjects aged 70 and older.CONCLUSION: Although HRQOL was impaired in the population undergoing HD, HRQOL scores at baseline reflect a better‐preserved multidimensional quality of life in respondents in the HEMO Study aged 70 and older than in younger patients undergoing HD. There was no substantial relationship between age and average decline in HRQOL score over 3 years in participants in the HEMO Study.
Latitudinal variation in cold hardiness in introduced Tamarix and native Populus
Authors: Friedman Jonathan M. , Roelle James E. , Gaskin John F. , Pepper Alan E. , Manhart James R. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractTo investigate the evolution of clinal variation in an invasive plant, we compared cold hardiness in the introduced saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima, Tamarix chinensis, and hybrids) and the native plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides subsp. monilifera). In a shadehouse in Colorado (41°N), we grew plants collected along a latitudinal gradient in the central United States (29–48°N). On 17 occasions between September 2005 and June 2006, we determined killing temperatures using freeze‐induced electrolyte leakage and direct observation. In midwinter, cottonwood survived cooling to −70°C, while saltcedar was killed at −33 to −47°C. Frost sensitivity, therefore, may limit northward expansion of saltcedar in North America. Both species demonstrated inherited latitudinal variation in cold hardiness. For example, from September through January killing temperatures for saltcedar from 29.18°N were 5–21°C higher than those for saltcedar from 47.60°N, and on September 26 and October 11, killing temperatures for cottonwood from 33.06°N were >43°C higher than those for cottonwood from 47.60°N. Analysis of nine microsatellite loci showed that southern saltcedars are more closely related to T. chinensis while northern plants are more closely related to T. ramosissima. Hybridization may have introduced the genetic variability necessary for rapid evolution of the cline in saltcedar cold hardiness.
Efficacy and safety of latanoprost versus pilocarpine/timolol maleate fixed combination in patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension
Authors: Kałużny Józef , Sobecki Roman , Czechowicz‐Janicka Krystyna , Kecik Dariusz , Kałużny Bartłomiej J. , Stewart Jeanette A. , Stewart William C. 
Published: August 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  This study aimed to compare the safety and effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) of latanoprost given every evening versus pilocarpine/timolol maleate fixed combination (PTFC) given twice daily in patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension (OH).Methods:  Following a 6‐week, medicine‐free period, qualified patients were randomized for Period 1 to either placebo administered every morning and latanoprost every evening or to PTFC administered twice daily. After 8 weeks of treatment, IOP was measured at 08.00, 10.00, 16.00 and 18.00 hours. Patients were then switched to the opposite treatment and underwent a second diurnal evaluation at the end of Period 2.Results:  Thirty‐two patients completed this study. They demonstrated diurnal baseline IOP of 24.1 ± 2.4 mmHg. Mean diurnal pressure was 16.8 ± 2.1 mmHg on PTFC and 16.9 ± 2.5 mmHg on latanoprost (p = 0.60). No statistical difference between treatments was observed at any individual time‐point except at 10.00 hours, when the PTFC group demonstrated an IOP of 15.9 ± 2.3 mmHg and latanoprost 16.8 ± 2.7 mmHg (p = 0.02). There were no statistical differences between groups in unsolicited systemic or ocular adverse events (p > 0.05). However, the PTFC group showed a narrower pupil diameter (2.3 mm) than the latanoprost group (3.7 mm). Additionally, a solicited symptom survey demonstrated mild blurred vision, stinging and ocular pain with PTFC (p < 0.001).Conclusions:  Both PTFC and latanoprost are efficacious in reducing diurnal IOP in POAG or OH. However, PTFC may be more effective in the late morning and may have a greater incidence of mild ocular side‐effects.
Comparison of static automated perimetry and semi‐automated kinetic perimetry in patients with bilateral visible optic nerve head drusen
Authors: Nowomiejska Katarzyna , Rejdak Robert , Zagorski Zbigniew , Zarnowski Tomasz 
Published: August 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  Until now there has been no standardized, systemic approach to diagnostics in patients with optic nerve head drusen (ONHD). This study compares visual field (VF) results obtained with static automated perimetry (SAP) and semi‐automated kinetic perimetry (SKP) in patients with bilateral visible ONHD.Methods:  Visual fields in 26 eyes (13 patients) with ONHD were obtained by Humphrey Field Analyser II (SAP) and Octopus 101 (SKP) equipment and classified by three masked observers. Pairs of VFs were considered equivalent if the descriptions given by both methods matched. Individual reaction time (RT) was assessed during SKP. Fifteen healthy volunteers were examined as control material.Results:  Visual field pairs matched in 19 eyes (three normal VFs, 16 arcuate defects). In the remaining eight eyes SKP provided more information in concentric constriction of the VF (two eyes) and SAP provided more information on paracentral scotomas (five eyes). Sensitivity was 69% for SKP, 80% for SAP and 88% for both methods together. Mean RT assessed using SKP amounted to 909 ms in eyes with ONHD and 568 ms in normal subjects (p < 0.0003). The median examination duration was 13 mins with SKP and 11 mins with SAP (p = 0.05) in eyes with ONHD, and 8 mins in control eyes (p < 0.0001).Conclusions:  In clinical practice it is necessary to perform both SAP and SKP in patients with ONHD because the VF defects are diverse. In SKP, RT is prolonged in eyes with ONHD compared with normal eyes and SKP takes longer than SAP in ONHD eyes.
The First Finding ofEchinococcus multilocularisin Dogs in Slovakia: An Emerging Risk for Spreading of Infection
Authors: Antolová D. , Reiterová K. , Miterpáková M. , Dinkel A. , Dubinský P. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryAlveolar echinococcosis, caused by the metacestodeEchinococcus multilocularis, is a zoonosis of public health significance. Apart from red foxes, other carnivore species can also serve as definitive hosts of this parasite. This study aimed to determine the occurrence ofE. multilocularisin dogs in the Slovak Republic and identify risk factors for acquiring the infection. Out of 289 dogs examined,E. multiloculariswas detected in eight samples (2.8%). Positive results were observed in shepherd dogs (12.5%), guard dogs (7.1%), hunting dogs (2.4%) and in one dog with unknown usage (2.5%). Catching rodents and feeding with raw viscera were confirmed to be the most important risk factors forE. multilocularisinfection. On the contrary, the way of dog use, frequency of going to the rural areas, the age and gender of animals seem not to be risk factors for infection. No significant association was observed between the positivity of dogs coming from high endemic or non‐endemic regions. This is the first report ofE. multilocularisin dogs in the Slovak Republic that confirms substantial contribution of dogs to the transmission of the tapeworm in this territory and urges the necessity of prophylactic measures for dog owners.
Induction of a Protective Immune Response Against Swine Chlamydophila abortus Infection in Mice Following Co‐Vaccination of omp‐1 DNA with Recombinant MOMP
Authors: Zhang F. , Li S. , Yang J. , Yang L. , He C. 
Published: August 2008

Summary Chlamydophila abortus is the causative agent of abortion in pigs and pregnant women. Seroconversion rates were arranged from 11% to 80% in piglets and sows in China. These very high rates illustrate the scale of the problem in China and highlight the urgent need for the development of a C. abortus vaccine. An efficacious anti‐chlamydial vaccine should induce not only strong mucosal and systemic T‐helper type 1 (Th1) immune response but also give a humoral response that enhances Th1 activation following infection. In order to evaluate an active immune response of a combination of the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) DNA‐ and protein‐based vaccines, 54 BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to six groups and inoculated intramuscularly with: (i) 100 μg pcDNA::MOMP, (ii) 10 μg r‐MOMP, (iii) primed with 100 μg pcDNA::MOMP and boosted with 10 μg r‐MOMP, (iv) primed–boosted with a combination of pcDNA::MOMP and r‐MOMP simultaneously, (v) live‐attenuated 1B vaccine, (vi) 100 μg pcDNA3.1 vector. All animals were vaccinated two times at 14 days intervals. Results showed that mice given DNA and r‐MOMP induced higher antibody levels, higher T cells proliferation and an elevated level of chlamydial clearance in spleen, which was equivalent to the clearance of 1B vaccine. Mice administrated the DNA‐primed/MOMP‐boosted approach elicited moderate antibody levels, less T‐lymphocyte proliferation and lower chlamydial clearance as compared with 1B vaccine. Co‐immunization with DNA‐ and r‐MOMP vaccine may provide novel ways for active immunization strategy against swine C. abortus.
Extracting Manifold and Feature-Enhanced Mesh Surfaces From Binary
Volumes
Authors: Wang Charlie C. L. 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
This paper presents an approach to automatically recover mesh surfaces with sharp edges for solids from their binary volumetric discretizations (i.e., voxel models). Our method consists of three steps. The topology singularity is first eliminated on the binary grids so that a topology correct mesh M0 can be easily constructed. After that, the shape of M0 is refined, and its connectivity is iteratively optimized into Mn. The shape refinement is governed by the duplex distance fields derived from the input binary volume model. However, the refined mesh surface lacks sharp edges. Therefore, we employ an error-controlled variational shape approximation algorithm to segment Mn into nearly planar patches and then recover sharp edges by applying a novel segmentation-enhanced bilateral filter to the surface. Using the technique presented in this paper, smooth regions and sharp edges can be automatically recovered from raw binary volume models without scalar field or Hermite data Compared to other related surface recovering methods on binary volume, our algorithm needs less heuristic coefficients.
Biological and Phylogenetic Characterization of Pigeon Paramyxovirus Serotype 1 Circulating in Wild North American Pigeons and Doves
Authors: Kim L. Mia , King Daniel J. , Guzman Hilda , Tesh Robert B. , da Rosa Amelia P. A. Travassos , Bueno Rudy , Dennett James A. , Afonso Claudio L. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT

As part of West Nile virus surveillance programs in Rhode Island and eastern Texas between 2000 and 2007, brain tissue was collected from 5,608 dead birds representing 21 avian orders found in public places or reported by homeowners. Fifteen Newcastle disease virus isolates were recovered only from birds of the order Columbiformes and were positively identified by the USDA-validated real-time reverse transcription-PCR assay targeting the matrix gene and more specifically as pigeon paramyxovirus serotype 1 (PPMV-1) by hemagglutinin inhibition with monoclonal antibodies. Based upon partial genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, the newly isolated viruses represent a distinct sublineage within class II genotype VIb. All of the viruses (15/15) were classified as virulent based upon their fusion cleavage site motif (
112
RRKKRF
117
) and intracerebral pathogenicity indices of >0.7 (ranging from 0.98 to1.35); however, these viruses escaped detection by the fusion gene-based real-time PCR test for virulence. Modifications introduced to the probe site of the fusion gene-based assay allowed rapid virulence detection within this distinct sublineage.
Discordance between Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive-Unit-Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Typing and IS6110Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Genotyping for Analysis ofMycobacterium tuberculosisBeijing Strains in a Setting of High Incidence of Tuberculosis
Authors: Hanekom M. , van der Spuy G. D. , van Pittius N. C. Gey , McEvoy C. R. E. , Hoek K. G. P. , Ndabambi S. L. , Jordaan A. M. , Victor T. C. , van Helden P. D. , Warren R. M. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTIS6110restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) genotyping is the most widely used genotyping method to study the epidemiology ofMycobacterium tuberculosis. However, due to the complexity of the IS6110RFLP genotyping technique, and the interpretation of RFLP data, mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) genotyping has been proposed as the new genotyping standard. This study aimed to determine the discriminatory power of different MIRU-VNTR locus combinations relative to IS6110RFLP genotyping, using a collection of Beijing genotypeM. tuberculosisstrains with a well-established phylogenetic history. Clustering, diversity index, clustering concordance, concordance among unique genotypes, and divergent and convergent evolution were calculated for seven combinations of 27 different MIRU-VNTR loci and compared to IS6110RFLP results. Our results confirmed previous findings that MIRU-VNTR genotyping can be used to estimate the extent of recent or ongoing transmission. However, molecular epidemiological linking of cases varied significantly depending on the genotyping method used. We conclude that IS6110RFLP and MIRU-VNTR loci evolve independently and at different rates, which leads to discordance between transmission chains predicted by the respective genotyping methods. Concordance between the two genotyping methods could be improved by the inclusion of genetic distance (GD) into the clustering formulae for some of the MIRU-VNTR loci combinations. In summary, our findings differ from previous reports, which may be explained by the fact that in settings of low tuberculosis incidence, the genetic distance between epidemiologically unrelated isolates was sufficient to define a strain using either marker, whereas in settings of high incidence, continuous evolution and persistence of strains revealed the weaknesses inherent to these markers.
Natural Killer Cells as Novel Helpers in Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus Immune Response
Authors: Nandakumar Subhadra , Woolard Stacie N. , Yuan Dorothy , Rouse Barry T. , Kumaraguru Uday 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTInnate defenses help to eliminate infection, but some of them also play a major role in shaping the magnitude and efficacy of the adaptive immune response. With regard to influencing subsequent adaptive immunity, NK cells aided by dendritic cells may be the most relevant components of the innate reaction to herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. We confirm that mice lacking or depleted of NK cells are susceptible to HSV-induced lesions. The quantity and quality of CD8+cytotoxic T lymphocytes generated in the absence of NK cells were diminished, thereby contributing to susceptibility to HSV-induced encephalitis. We demonstrate a novel helper role for NK cells, in that NK cells compensate for the loss of CD4 helper T cells and NK cell supplementation enhances the function of wild type anti-HSV CD8 T cells. In addition, NK cells were able to partially rescue the dysfunctional CD8+T cells generated in the absence of CD4 T helper cells, thereby performing a novel rescue function. Hence, NK cells may well be exploited for enhancing and rescuing the T-cell response in situations where the CD4 helper response is affected.
A Dynamic View of Hepatitis C Virus Replication Complexes
Authors: Wölk Benno , Büchele Benjamin , Moradpour Darius , Rice Charles M. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTHepatitis C virus (HCV) replicates its genome in a membrane-associated replication complex (RC). Specific membrane alterations, designated membranous webs, represent predominant sites of HCV RNA replication. The principles governing HCV RC and membranous web formation are poorly understood. Here, we used replicons harboring a green fluorescent protein (GFP) insertion in nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) to study HCV RCs in live cells. Two distinct patterns of NS5A-GFP were observed. (i) Large structures, representing membranous webs, showed restricted motility, were stable over many hours, were partitioned among daughter cells during cell division, and displayed a static internal architecture without detectable exchange of NS5A-GFP. (ii) In contrast, small structures, presumably representing small RCs, showed fast, saltatory movements over long distances. Both populations were associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) tubules, but only small RCs showed ER-independent, microtubule (MT)-dependent transport. We suggest that this MT-dependent transport sustains two distinct RC populations, which are both required during the HCV life cycle.
Structural Characterization of the 1918 Influenza Virus H1N1 Neuraminidase
Authors: Xu Xiaojin , Zhu Xueyong , Dwek Raymond A. , Stevens James , Wilson Ian A. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT
Influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) plays a crucial role in facilitating the spread of newly synthesized virus in the host and is an important target for controlling disease progression. The NA crystal structure from the 1918 “Spanish flu” (A/Brevig Mission/1/18 H1N1) and that of its complex with zanamivir (Relenza) at 1.65-Å and 1.45-Å resolutions, respectively, corroborated the successful expression of correctly folded NA tetramers in a baculovirus expression system. An additional cavity adjacent to the substrate-binding site is observed in N1, compared to N2 and N9 NAs, including H5N1. This cavity arises from an open conformation of the 150 loop (Gly147 to Asp151) and appears to be conserved among group 1 NAs (N1, N4, N5, and N8). It closes upon zanamivir binding. Three calcium sites were identified, including a novel site that may be conserved in N1 and N4. Thus, these high-resolution structures, combined with our recombinant expression system, provide new opportunities to augment the limited arsenal of therapeutics against influenza.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 ICP0 Phosphorylation Mutants Impair the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Activity of ICP0 in a Cell Type-Dependent Manner
Authors: Boutell Chris , Everett Roger , Hilliard Joshua , Schaffer Priscilla , Orr Anne , Davido David 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infected cell protein 0 (ICP0) is a 110-kDa nuclear phosphoprotein that is required for both the efficient initiation of lytic infection and the reactivation of quiescent viral genomes from latency. The ability of ICP0 to act as a potent viral transactivator is mediated by its N-terminal zinc-binding RING finger domain. This domain confers E3 ubiquitin ligase activity to ICP0 and is required for the proteasome-dependent degradation of a number of cellular proteins during infection, including the major nuclear domain 10 (ND10) constituent protein promyelocytic leukemia. In previous work we mapped three phosphorylation regions within ICP0, two of which directly affected its transactivation capabilities in transient transfection assays (Davido et al., J. Virol. 79:1232-1243, 2005). Because ICP0 is a phosphoprotein, we initially sought to test the hypothesis that phosphorylation regulates the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of ICP0. Although none of the mutations affected ICP0 E3 ligase activity in vitro, transient transfection analysis indicated that mutations within one or more of the phosphorylated regions impaired the ability of ICP0 to form foci with colocalizing conjugated ubiquitin and to disrupt ND10. Mutations within one of the regions also affected ICP0 stability, and all of these phenomena occurred in a cell type-dependent manner. In the context of viral infection, only one ICP0 phosphorylation mutant (P1) showed a significant defect in viral replication and enhanced protein stability compared to all the other viruses tested. This study suggests that specific cellular environments and context of expression (transfection versus infection) differentially regulate several activities of ICP0 related to its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity via phosphorylation.
Test installations to investigate the dynamic behaviour of aircraft with scaled models in wind tunnels
Authors: Subke H. 
Published: August 2008

It is possible to investigate the dynamic behaviour of future aircraft with scaled models which fly, suspended by a vertical rod, in. the airstream of a wind tunnel These models have to be similar with respect to mass and mass distribution, length, and time. The transformation laws between model and aircraft are derived, and the test installation is described Finally, a comparison is given between the transient response of a model flying in a wind tunnel and the results of a flight simulation with an analogue computer.
A microcomputer algorithm for open loop step motor control
Authors: Hine D. , Burbridge L. 
Published: August 2008

The Digital Differential Analyser is an algorithm which, has been known for many years but has been somewhat neglected. With the advent of cheap computing power in the form of microprocessors, however, such an algorithm deserves reconsideration. This paper describes the use of the DDA to control the point to point motion of a step motor. The algorithm is developed in detail and its surprisingly complex operation is investigated by both a test-bed situation and by a detailed simulation. The algorithm is developed to a point where it is suitable for widespread practical application in the field of incremental motion control.
Resolved motion rate control of a materials-handling machine
Authors: Hewit J.R. , Love J.G. 
Published: August 2008

Resolved motion rate control - a technique developed for controlling robotic manipulators - is applied here to an industrial vehicle used for the handling of materials. An on-board microprocessor is used to compute trigono metrical transformations necessary to achieve co-ordinated movement of servo-valves which control the hydraulic cylinders. It is shown that, by this method, the operator's task is significantly eased, bringing potential benefits in speed of operation and safety.