bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parasites, democratization, and the liberalization of values across contemporary countries
Authors: Thornhill Randy , Fincher Corey L. , Aran Devaraj 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe countries of the world vary in their position along the autocracy–democracy continuum of values. Traditionally, scholars explain this variation as based on resource distribution and disparity among nations. We provide a different framework for understanding the autocracy–democracy dimension and related value dimensions, one that is complementary (not alternative) to the research tradition, but more encompassing, involving both evolutionary (ultimate) and proximate causation of the values. We hypothesize that the variation in values pertaining to autocracy–democracy arises fundamentally out of human (Homo sapiens) species‐typical psychological adaptation that manifests contingently, producing values and associated behaviours that functioned adaptively in human evolutionary history to cope with local levels of infectious diseases. We test this parasite hypothesis of democratization using publicly available data measuring democratization, collectivism–individualism, gender egalitarianism, property rights, sexual restrictiveness, and parasite prevalence across many countries of the world. Parasite prevalence across countries is based on a validated index of the severity of 22 important human diseases. We show that, as the hypothesis predicts, collectivism (hence, conservatism), autocracy, women’s subordination relative to men’s status, and women’s sexual restrictiveness are values that positively covary, and that correspond with high prevalence of infectious disease. Apparently, the psychology of xenophobia and ethnocentrism links these values to avoidance and management of parasites. Also as predicted, we show that the antipoles of each of the above values—individualism (hence, liberalism), democracy, and women’s rights, freedom and increased participation in casual sex—are a positively covarying set of values in countries with relatively low parasite stress.Beyond the cross‐national support for the parasite hypothesis of democratization, it is consistent with the geographic location at high latitudes (and hence reduced parasite stress) of the early democratic transitions in Britain, France and the U.S.A. It, too, is consistent with the marked increase in the liberalization of social values in the West in the 1950s and 1960s (in part, the sexual revolution), regions that, a generation or two earlier, experienced dramatically reduced infectious diseases as a result of antibiotics, vaccinations, food‐ and water‐safety practices, and increased sanitation.Moreover, we hypothesize that the generation and diffusion of innovations (in thought, action and technology) within and among regions, which is associated positively with democratization, is causally related to parasite stress. Finally, we hypothesize that past selection in the context of morbidity and mortality resulting from parasitic disease crafted many of the aspects of social psychology unique to humans.
CONTEMPORARY MEDICAL ETHICS: AN OVERVIEW FROM IRAN
Authors: LARIJANI BAGHER , ZAHEDI FARZANEH 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe growing potential of biomedical technologies has increasingly been associated with discussions surrounding the ethical aspects of the new technologies in different societies. Advances in genetics, stem cell research and organ transplantation are some of the medical issues that have raised important ethical and social issues. Special attention has been paid towards moral ethics in Islam and medical and religious professions in Iran have voiced the requirement for an emphasis on ethics. In the last decade, great strides have been made in biomedical ethics, especially in the field of education, research and legislation. In this article, contemporary medical ethics in Iran, and the related moral philosophy, have been reviewed in brief and we have discussed some of the activities in the field of medical ethics that have been carried out in our country within recent years. These activities have included the establishment of the National and Regional Committees for Medical Research Ethics and the production of national codes of ethics in biomedical research in the 1990s and the introduction of a comprehensive strategic plan for medical ethics at the national level in 2002. This paper will discuss these issues, along with the production, in 2005, of the Specific National Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research.
Heterogeneous molecular background of the weak C, VS+, hrB–, HrB– phenotype in black persons
Authors: Pham Bach‐Nga , Peyrard Thierry , Juszczak Genevieve , Dubeaux Isabelle , Gien Dominique , Blancher Antoine , Cartron Jean‐Pierre , Rouger Philippe , Le Pennec Pierre‐Yves 
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND:The rare HrB– phenotype is encoded by the(C)ceshaplotype when present at the homozygous state. This haplotype contains two altered genes: a hybridRHD‐CE‐Dsgene segregated with acesallele ofRHCE(733C>G and 1006G>T substitutions in Exon 5 and Exon 7 respectively). The aim of this study was to further investigate the molecular background of the(C)ceshaplotype.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:Twelve individuals with depressed C and/or depressed e phenotype were selected from their genomic DNA analysis showing both 733C>G and 1006G>T substitutions. Phenotypic expression of low‐ and high‐prevalence Rh antigens was studied. Complete sequences ofRHD and RHCEtranscripts were analyzed when obtained.RESULTS:A new hybridRHD‐CE‐Dsgene (Exons 1 and 2; complete Exon 3; Exons 8, 9, and 10 fromRHD;and Exons 4 through 7 fromRHCE) segregated with acesallele, which genomic organization was almost identical to that of the classical(C)ceshaplotype, is described. The two different(C)ceshaplotypes encoded two different patterns of Rh antigen expression. Although both encoded weak e, VS, and did not produce D, V, hrB, or HrBantigens, the new haplotype encoded a much weaker C antigen and red blood cells lacked expression of Rh42, in contrast to the classic(C)ceshaplotype.CONCLUSION:The study showed the heterogeneity of the molecular background of the weak C, VS+, hrB–, HrB– phenotype in the black population. The screening of blood donors in this population for hrB– or HrB– phenotype should implement the molecular characterization ofRhgenes.
Environmental health and vulnerable populations in Canada: mapping an integrated equity‐focused research agenda
Authors: MASUDA JEFFREY R. , ZUPANCIC TARA , POLAND BLAKE , COLE DONALD C. 
Published: November 2008

The uneven distribution of environmental hazards across space and in vulnerable populations reflects underlying societal inequities. Fragmented research has led to gaps in comprehensive understanding of and action on environmental health inequities in Canada and there is a need to gain a better picture of the research landscape in order to integrate future research. This paper provides an initial assessment of the state of the environmental health research field as specifically focused on vulnerable populations in Canada. We present a meta‐narrative literature review to identify under‐integrated areas of knowledge across disciplinary fields. Through systematic searching and categorization, we assess the abstracts of a total of 308 studies focused on the past 30 years of Canadian environmental health inequity research in order to describe temporal, geographical, contextual and epistemological patterns.The results reveal that there has been significant growth in Canadian research documenting the uneven distributions and impacts of environmental hazards across locations and populations since the 1990s, but its focus has been uneven. Notably, there is a lack of research aimed at integrating evidence‐based and policy‐relevant evaluation of environmental health inequities and how they are created and sustained. Areas for future research are recommended including more interdisciplinary, multimethod and preventive approaches to resolve the environmental burden placed on vulnerable populations and to promote environmental health equity.
Reliability of reported breastfeeding duration among reproductive‐aged women from Mexico
Authors: Cupul‐Uicab Lea A. , Gladen Beth C. , Hernández‐Ávila Mauricio , Longnecker Matthew P. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBreastfed children have lower risk of infectious diseases, post‐neonatal mortality and chronic diseases later in life. Because epidemiologic studies usually rely on reported history of previous breastfeeding, data on the accuracy and precision of recalled histories allow improved interpretation of the epidemiologic findings.We evaluated the reliability of two reported breastfeeding durations in 567 reproductive‐aged women from Mexico using information obtained from nearly identical sets of questions applied at different times after weaning. We compared differences between reports, and examined the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for any and for exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). Logistic regression was used to evaluate the determinants of poor recall (difference between reports of >20%).The reliability of duration of any breastfeeding was high (ICC 0.94). Overall, differences between reports of duration were usually <1 month, and for 385/567, the difference was ≤0.5 months. Predictors of poorer recall were having ≥4 children, and time between reports of >2 months. The only predictor of better recall was greater age of the baby at weaning. The reliability of EBF duration was lower (ICC 0.49).In this population with a relatively long duration of breastfeeding, reliability of any breastfeeding duration was high. Age, education and previous breastfeeding were not important predictors of recall, in contrast to findings in earlier studies. Consistent with previous reports, however, parity and length of recall were associated with poorer recall of duration of any breastfeeding. Future studies that use reported breastfeeding duration may want to consider the effect of these variables on recall.
The history of star formation and mass assembly in early-type galaxies
Authors: Clemens M. S. , Bressan A. , Nikolic B. , Rampazzo R. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
We define a volume-limited sample of over 14 000 early-type galaxies (ETGs) selected from Data Release 6 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The density of environment of each galaxy is robustly measured. By comparing narrow-band spectral line indices with recent models of simple stellar populations (SSPs), we investigate trends in the star formation history as a function of galaxy mass (velocity dispersion), density of environment and galactic radius. We find that age, metallicity and α-enhancement all increase with galaxy mass and that field ETGs are younger than their cluster counterparts by ∼2 Gyr. We find negative radial metallicity gradients for all masses and environments, and positive radial age gradients for ETGs with velocity dispersion over 180 km s−1. Our results are qualitatively consistent with a relatively simple picture for ETG evolution in which the low-mass haloes accreted by a protoETG contained not only gas but also a stellar population. This fossil population is preferentially found at large radii in massive ETGs because the stellar accretions were dissipationless. We estimate that the typical, massive ETG should have been assembled at z≲ 3.5. The process is similar in the cluster and field but occurred earlier in dense environments.
Immunization with live influenza viruses in an experimental model of allergic bronchial asthma: infection and vaccination
Authors: Chirkova Tatiana , Petukhova Galina , Korenkov Daniil , Naikhin Anatoliy , Rudenko Larisa 
Published: November 2008

Background  Asthmatics in particular have a need for influenza vaccines because influenza infection is a frequent cause of hospitalization of patients with bronchial asthma. Currently, only inactivated influenza vaccines are recommended for influenza prevention in asthma sufferers.Objective  The aim of our study was to analyze and compare the effects of influenza infection and vaccination with live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) on different phases of experimental murine allergic bronchial asthma (acute asthma and remission phase) and on subsequent exposure to allergen in sensitized animals.Methods  Ovalbumin (OVA)‐specific serum IgE levels, IL‐4 production by spleen and lung lymphocytes, and histological changes in the lungs of mice infected with pathogenic virus or LAIV were studied at two phases of OVA‐induced bronchial asthma (acute asthma and remission).Results  Infection with pathogenic virus both in acute asthma and remission led to asthma exacerbation associated with the production of OVA‐specific IgE, IL‐4 and significant inflammatory infiltration in airways. Infection, even after complete virus clearance, induced the aggravation of lung inflammation and IgE production in asthmatic mice additionally exposed to OVA. Immunization with LAIV at remission did not enhance allergic inflammatory changes in the lung, OVA‐specific IgE or IL‐4 production. Then after additional OVA exposure, histological and immunological changes in these mice were the same as in the control group.Conclusions  Influenza infection provokes asthma exacerbation regardless of the disease phase. Immunization with LAIV during the remission phase of bronchial asthma is safe and does not interfere upon subsequent contact of asthma sufferers with allergen.
Epigenetic marks in melanoma
Authors: Richards Hunter W. , Medrano Estela E. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryMelanoma is a highly heterogeneous cancer that comes in different flavors (lentigo maligna melanoma, superficial spreading melanoma, nodular melanoma, acral lentiginous/mucosal melanoma and other less common subtypes including malignant cellular blue nevus, desmoplastic melanoma, nevoid melanoma, and animal‐type melanoma) and colors (black/bluish or unpigmented). Pathologists have known for many years that melanoma displays notable changes in the nuclear architecture including thick chromatic rims, presence of mitosis, nuclear grooves, and more. It is now evident from other cancers that such changes reflect not only genomic alterations but also non‐genomic changes in both the structure of DNA and the structure of chromatin to which the DNA is bound (nucleosomes). Although aberrant gene expression resulting from DNA methylation has been known for many years, genome alterations resulting from histone modifications became evident in the current decade. In prostate and other cancers, some histone marks have clinical diagnostic and/or prognostic value. Here, we review the current data on epigenetic research in melanoma skin cancers, discuss ways to modify the epigenetic landscape of melanoma for inhibiting its growth, and propose strategies for identifying novel melanoma markers.
Development of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay-Based Test with a Cocktail of Nucleocapsid and Spike Proteins for Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Associated Coronavirus-Specific Antibody
Authors: Giménez Luis G. , Rojas Jose , Rojas Almudena , Mendoza Joaquín , Camacho Ana G. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT
A new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based immunoglobulin G (IgG)-plus-IgM antibody detection test for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has been developed by using a cocktail of four recombinant polypeptides as the antigen. These recombinant fragments were designed as parts of two different structural proteins from SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). One recombinant polypeptide, S251-683, was designed as part of the spike glycoprotein, and the other three polypeptides comprised almost the whole nucleocapsid protein, avoiding the last 25 C-terminal amino acids. Immunization with a cocktail of these four polypeptides yielded a specific polyclonal antibody that is able to recognize SARS-CoV-infected cells by an immunofluorescence assay. This polypeptide cocktail was also used to set up an ELISA-based IgG-plus-IgM antibody detection test, which showed 99% specificity and 90% sensitivity upon evaluation using sera from 100 healthy negative controls and 20 SARS patients. Separate immunoreactivity assays with each recombinant polypeptide demonstrated that a combination of N and S protein fragments was more suitable than the individual peptides for developing a serological assay for SARS-CoV.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Method for Detection of Cytomegalovirus Strain-Specific Antibody Responses
Authors: Novak Zdenek , Ross Shannon A. , Patro Raj Kumar , Pati Sunil Kumar , Reddy Meera K. , Purser Misty , Britt William J. , Boppana Suresh B. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT
Reliable methods for the detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) strain-specific serological responses are lacking. We describe a simple and reliable enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method developed to detect antibodies against the polymorphic epitopes within the two envelope glycoproteins of CMV, glycoproteins H and B. This assay is useful for the detection of serologic responses to CMV strains and the identification of CMV reinfections.
Detection of Antibodies against Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis-Associated Canine Papillomavirus 3 in Sera of Dogs from Europe and Africa by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Authors: Lange C. E. , Tobler K. , Favrot C. , Müller M. , Nöthling J. O. , Ackermann M. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe role of papillomaviruses (PVs) in the development of canine cancers is controversial. However, recently a novel canine PV (CPV3) was detected in a dog affected with a condition reminiscent of epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV). The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of CPV3 by using generic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of antibodies against either canine oral PV (COPV) or CPV3. Therefore, the capsid proteins of both PV types were expressed as glutathioneS-transferase fusion protein antigens and adsorbed to glutathione-casein-coated ELISA plates. After showing that PV type-specific antibodies could be detected in the sera from dogs with confirmed COPV or CPV3 infection, CPV3- and COPV-seropositive samples were detected in two sets of canine sera collected in Switzerland and South Africa, respectively. We found specific antibodies against COPV and CPV3 among the tested sera and also a large number that were positive for both antigens. The seroprevalences of PV antibodies of 21.9% (COPV) and 26.9% (CPV3) among the tested dogs from South Africa were higher than those among the dogs from Switzerland at 10.5% (COPV) and 1.3% (CPV3). Our data suggest a need for further CPV-related seroepidemiological surveys in different countries, especially in the context of clinical manifestations and possible breed predispositions. For this purpose, the newly developed ELISAs can be a useful tool.
Early Pulmonary Cytokine and Chemokine Responses in Mice Immunized with Three Different Vaccines againstMycobacterium tuberculosisDetermined by PCR Array
Authors: Lim JaeHyun , Derrick Steven C. , Kolibab Kristopher , Yang Amy Li , Porcelli Steven , Jacobs William R. , Morris Sheldon L. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTIn this study, the early pulmonary cytokine and chemokine responses in mice immunized with either BCG vaccine, a ΔsecA2mutant ofMycobacterium tuberculosis, or a DNA vaccine expressing an ESAT6-antigen 85B fusion protein and then aerogenically challenged with a low dose ofM. tuberculosiswere evaluated by PCR array. The cellular immune responses at day 10 postchallenge were essentially equivalent in the lungs of mice immunized with either the highly immunogenic BCG vaccine or the ΔsecA2 M. tuberculosismutant strain. Specifically, 12 immune biomolecules (including gamma interferon [IFN-γ], interleukin-21 [IL-21], IL-27, IL-17f, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11) were differentially regulated, relative to the levels for naïve controls, in the lungs of vaccinated mice at this time point. Although the vaccine-related immune responses evoked in mice immunized with the DNA vaccine were relatively limited at 10 days postinfection, upregulation of IFN-γ RNA synthesis as well as increased expression levels of CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 chemokines were detected.
Identification and Susceptibility Profile of
Candida fermentati
from a Worldwide Collection of
Candida guilliermondii
Clinical Isolates
Authors: Lockhart Shawn R. , Messer Shawn A. , Pfaller Michael A. , Diekema Daniel J. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Candida fermentati
isolates make up a small percentage of the clinical isolates of the
Candida guilliermondii
complex and have a global distribution pattern. With the exception that the MICs of micafungin were significantly lower, the calculated average MICs for
C. fermentati
were not significantly different from those for
C. guilliermondii
.
Low-pH Triggering of Human Metapneumovirus Fusion: Essential Residues and Importance in Entry
Authors: Schowalter Rachel M. , Chang Andres , Robach Jessica G. , Buchholz Ursula J. , Dutch Rebecca Ellis 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a significant respiratory pathogen classified in the
Pneumovirinae
subfamily of the paramyxovirus family. Recently, we demonstrated that HMPV F protein-promoted cell-cell fusion is stimulated by exposure to low pH, in contrast to what is observed for other paramyxovirus F proteins. In the present study, we examined the potential role of histidine protonation in HMPV F fusion and investigated the role of low pH in HMPV viral entry. Mutagenesis of the three ectodomain histidine residues of the HMPV F protein demonstrated that the mutation of a histidine in the heptad repeat B linker domain (H435) ablated fusion activity without altering cell surface expression or proteolytic processing significantly. Modeling of the HMPV F protein revealed several basic residues surrounding this histidine residue, and the mutation of these residues also reduced fusion activity. These results suggest that electrostatic repulsion in the heptad repeat B linker region may contribute to the triggering of HMPV F. In addition, we examined the effect of inhibitors of endosomal acidification or endocytosis on the entry of a recombinant green fluorescent protein-expressing HMPV. Interestingly, chemicals that raise the pH of endocytic vesicles resulted in a 30 to 50% decrease in HMPV infection, while the inhibitors of endocytosis reduced infection by as much as 90%. These data suggest that HMPV utilizes an endocytic entry mechanism, in contrast to what has been hypothesized for most paramyxoviruses. In addition, our results indicate that HMPV uses the low pH of the endocytic pathway to enhance infectivity, though the role of low pH likely differs from classically described mechanisms.
Recombinant Canine Coronaviruses Related to Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus of Swine Are Circulating in Dogs
Authors: Decaro Nicola , Mari Viviana , Campolo Marco , Lorusso Alessio , Camero Michele , Elia Gabriella , Martella Vito , Cordioli Paolo , Enjuanes Luis , Buonavoglia Canio 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT
Four canine coronavirus type II (CCoV-II) strains were identified in the guts and internal organs of pups which had died of acute gastroenteritis. The CCoV-II strains were strictly related to porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) in the N-terminal domain of the spike protein, whereas in the other parts of the genome, a higher genetic relatedness to recent CCoV-II isolates was observed. Experimental infection of dogs with a TGEV-like isolate induced mild gastroenteritis without any systemic involvement. By virus neutralization tests, antigenic differences between reference and TGEV-like CCoVs were found. Our data support the potential recombinant origin of the TGEV-like CCoVs.