bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HIV‐1 triggers apoptosis in primary osteoblasts and HOBIT cells through TNFα activation
Authors: Gibellini Davide , De Crignis Elisa , Ponti Cristina , Cimatti Laura , Borderi Marco , Tschon Matilde , Giardino Roberto , Re Maria Carla 
Published: July 2008

AbstractSeveral HIV‐1 infected patients show bone loss and osteopenia/osteoporosis during the course of disease. The mechanisms underlying this degenerative process are largely unsettled and it has not been determined yet whether bone dysfunction is linked to HIV‐1‐mediated direct and/or indirect effects on osteoblasts/osteoclasts cross‐talk regulation. This study investigated the effects of HIV‐1IIIb and HIV‐1ADA strains on osteoblasts using the osteoblast‐derived cell line (HOBIT) and primary human osteoblasts as cellular models. The challenge of these cell cultures by both HIV‐1 strains triggered a significant apoptosis activation unrelated to viral infection, since proviral HIV‐1 DNA and supernatant HIV‐1 RNA were not detected by real time PCR or b‐DNA assays respectively. Under the experimental conditions, even heat‐inactivated HIV‐1 or cross‐linked recombinant gp120 treatment of HOBIT and osteoblasts induced programmed cell death, suggesting that apoptosis is regulated by the interaction between HIV‐1 gp120 and cell membrane. The analysis of cell culture supernatants showed a significant up‐regulation of TNFα, a pleiotropic protein considered an apoptosis inducer in the osteoblast model. In fact, pretreatment of HOBIT and osteoblast cell cultures with anti‐TNFα polyclonal antibody tackled effectively HIV‐1 related induction of cell apoptosis. As a whole, these results indicate that HIV‐1 may impair bone mass structure homeostasis by TNFα regulated osteoblast apoptosis. J. Med. Virol. 80:1507–1514, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isolated core antibody hepatitis B in sub‐Saharan African immigrants
Authors: Gibney K.B. , Torresi J. , Lemoh C. , Biggs B.A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractChronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health problem in sub‐Saharan Africa, where prevalence is ≥8%, and is increasingly seen in African immigrants to developed countries. A retrospective audit of the medical records of 383 immigrants from sub‐Saharan Africa attending the infectious diseases clinics at the Royal Melbourne Hospital was performed from 2003 to 2006. The HBV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serological results are reported, with a focus on the isolated core antibody HBV pattern (detection of anti‐HBc without detection of HBsAg or anti‐HBs). Two‐thirds (118/174, 68%) of those tested had evidence of HBV infection with detectable anti‐HBc. Chronic HBV infection (serum HBsAg detected) was identified in 38/174 (22%) and resolved HBV infection (both serum anti‐HBs and anti‐HBc detected) in 45/174 (26%). The isolated core antibody pattern was identified in 35/174 (20%), of whom only 1/35 (3%) had detectable serum HBV DNA on PCR testing, indicating occult chronic HBV (OCHB). Only 8/56 (14%) patients with negative anti‐HBc had serological evidence of vaccination (serum anti‐HBs detected). HIV infection was detected in 26/223 (12%). HCV antibodies were detected in 10/241 (4%), of whom 8 (80%) had detectable HCV RNA. Viral co‐infection was detected in only 2/131 (1.5%) patients tested for all three viruses. The isolated core antibody HBV pattern was common among sub‐Saharan African patients in our study. These patients require assessment for OCHB infection and monitoring for complications of HBV. J. Med. Virol. 80:1565–1569, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular characterization of hepatitis B virus (HBV) isolates, including identification of a novel recombinant, in patients with acute HBV infection attending an Irish hospital
Authors: Laoi Bairbre Ni , Crowley B. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) is known to show significant genetic diversity. There are eight HBV genotypes (A–H) characterized by distinct geographical distribution. Mutations in the HBV genome, in particular precore (PC) and basal core promoter (BCP) mutations, may be important factors in the pathogenesis of disease. In this study genetic heterogeneity and phylogenetic analysis of HBV isolates from 32 naïve patients with acute HBV infection was investigated. Eleven patients presented with severe infection, while the remaining 21 had self‐limiting illness. Only four isolates from patients with severe HBV infection harbored the G1896A stop codon mutation. One isolate (Irish‐13), collected from a patient with acute asymptomatic infection, had a G1896A mutation and a 243 bp deletion of the polymerase gene. A triple mutation, T1753C/A1762T/G1764A was identified in only one isolate (Irish‐3) associated with severe infection. The latter also had a mutation, A2339G, in the core gene, not previously reported in severe acute infection caused by genotype D. Variations within the S gene were identified in 6 isolates, including Gly145Ala, associated with vaccine immune escape, Asp144Glu, Ser143Leu and Phe134Leu, each associated with failure to detect HBsAg. Phylogenetic analysis was determined using amplicons of the S gene (678 bp) and distal‐X/PC region (672 bp). Genotype A was the most common (75%), followed by genotype D (15.6%), and equal proportions of C, E, F, and H. A novel recombinant of genotypes D and E was identified in an isolate originating from West Africa. Genetic heterogeneity of HBV isolates of HBV isolates from patients with acute infection needs further study of its significance. J. Med. Virol. 80:1554–1564, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ribosomal protein L29/HIP deficiency delays osteogenesis and increases fragility of adult bone in mice
Authors: Oristian Daniel S. , Sloofman Laura G. , Zhou Xiaozhou , Wang Liyun , Farach‐Carson Mary C. , Kirn‐Safran Catherine B. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMice lacking HIP/RPL29, a ribosomal modulator of protein synthesis rate, display a short stature phenotype. To understand the contribution of HIP/RPL29 to bone formation and adult whole bone mechanical properties, we examined both developing and adult bone in our knockout mice. Results indicated that bone shortening in HIP/RPL29‐null mice is due to delayed entry of chondro‐osteoprogenitors into the cell cycle. Structural properties of adult null bones were analyzed by micro‐computed tomography. Interestingly, partial preservation of cortical thickness was observed in null males indicating a gender‐specific effect of the genotype on cortical bone parameters. Null males, and to a lower extent null females, displayed increased bone material toughness to counteract decreased bone size. This elevation in a bone material property was associated with increased bone mineral density only in null males. Neither male nor female null animals could withstand the same maximum load as gender‐matched controls in three‐point bending tests, and smaller post‐yield displacements (and thus increased bone brittleness) were found for null animals. These results suggest that HIP/RPL29‐deficient mice exhibit increased bone fragility due to altered matrix protein synthesis rates as a consequence of ribosomal insufficiency. Thus, sub‐efficient protein translation increased fracture risk in HIP/RPL29‐null animals. Taken together, these studies provide strong genetic evidence that the ability to regulate and amplify protein synthesis rates, including those proteins that regulate the cell cycle entry during skeletal development, are important determinants for establishment of normal bone mass and quality. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:28–35, 2009
The vibrational assignment of phenanthridine molecule based on normal coordinate analysis and DFT
Authors: Sett Pinaky , Ghosh Manash , Mallick Prabal Kumar , Chowdhury Joydeep 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA complete vibrational assignment of phenanthridine C13NH9 has been presented. The infrared (IR) and the Raman spectra of the molecule are analyzed with the help of theoretical prediction of the normal vibrational wavenumbers estimated from normal coordinate analysis (NCA) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A general valence force field (GVFF) including 31 parameters (13 diagonal and 18 off‐diagonal) reproduces satisfactorily the in‐plane vibrational signatures of the aforesaid molecule and as well as those for the other related hydrocarbons [phenanthrene and benzo(c)cinnoline]. The bivariate and multivariate data analysis reveals that calculated wavenumbers using GVFF are more accurate than the DFT result. However, DFT yields the relative Raman intensities, which are in good agreement with the experimental ones. The decomposition of the normal mode frequencies into those related to different internal coordinates is also discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sporadic incidence of factor XI deficiency in Holstein cattle
Authors: Čítek Jindřich , Řehout Václav , Hanusová Lenka , Vrabcová Petra 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Factor XI (FXI) is a plasma serine protease involved in the early activation of the blood coagulation cascade. A survey of Holstein cattle, and Czech Simmental cattle crossed with Holstein, was done to determine whether animals heterozygous for FXI deficiency were present. Mutations in exon 12 and in exon 9 were analysed.RESULTS: The method used was based on the polymerase chain reaction and subsequent distinction of the length of fragments. In the panel analysed (279 Holsteins and 30 Simmentals), one heterozygous carrier of the recessive allele in exon 12 (a German Holstein cow) was found. Some authors have found that the frequency is high in some breeding lines and low in others. Evidently the lines in our analysis are part of the group with a low frequency. In exon 9, all the animals (100 Holsteins and 52 Simmentals), were homozygous wild type. To date, the mutation in exon 9 has been found only in Japanese black cattle, and its breed‐specific occurrence was therefore not disconfirmed by our assay.CONCLUSION: Our results revealed a low occurrence of F11 mutant alleles. The DNA‐based test determines all genotypes regardless of phenotype and FXI activity. This is important as veterinarians need a reliable method. Of course, the testing of numerous sires by molecular methods is not necessary from the breeders' point of view, but in breeding lines where testing is deemed appropriate heterozygous animals could be easily and surely detected. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of Hybrid Polymeric Materials Based on Thiol‐Ene/Cationic Formulations
Authors: Ortiz Ricardo Acosta , Urbina Bertha A. Puente , Santos Ramiro Guerrero , Duarte Lydia Berlanga , Valdez Aída E. García , Soucek Mark D. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractNovel materials were prepared from dual photo and thermal polymerization of hybrid thiol‐ene/cationic systems. In the first stage, the thiol‐ene system proceeded to high conversions, while the cationic photopolymerization was inhibited. The formation of sulfides during this stage was the main factor for the inhibition of the cationic photopolymerization of the epoxy monomers. Once those sulfides were formed, they reacted with the oxonium‐terminated growing polyether chains to form trialkylsulfonium salts. These salts promoted the thermal polymerization of the epoxy monomers in the second stage. The viscoelastic properties of the resulting polymers were measured by DMA.magnified image
Synthesis of Anisotropic Polymer Particles with Soap‐Free Emulsion Polymerization in the Presence of a Reactive Silane Coupling Agent
Authors: Nagao Daisuke , Hashimoto Masahiko , Hayasaka Kentaro , Konno Mikio 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA novel two step method has been developed for the preparation of anisotropic polymer particles using soap‐free emulsion polymerization in the presence of the reactive silane coupling agent 3‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS). In the first step, seed polymer particles were prepared in the presence of MPTMS in water. In the second step, another polymerization was conducted in the presence of the seed particles, which induced anisotropic protrusion of polymer from the seed particles. The two step method is applicable to the preparation of anisotropic polymer particles containing inorganic particles such as silica. Silica particles inside the anisotropic polymer particles were dissolved with hydrofluoric acid, which created hollow polymer particles with anisotropy.magnified image
Brownian Dynamics Simulations of Rotational Diffusion Using the Cartesian Components of the Rotation Vector as Generalized Coordinates
Authors: Evensen Tom Richard , Naess Stine Nalum , Elgsaeter Arnljot 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHere, we report on the first Brownian dynamics (BD) simulations of rotational diffusion using the Cartesian components of the rotation vector as the generalized coordinates. The model system employed in this study consists of freely rotating and non‐interacting rigid particles with arbitrary surface topography. The numerical BD algorithm contains no singularities and yields numerical results that are in full agreement with known theoretical results. Because of the absence of singularities, this new algorithm is several orders of magnitude more efficient than a simple BD algorithm employing the Euler angles as the generalized coordinates. The general theory for using generalized coordinates in studies of more complex systems involving both translation, rotation, and fluid dynamic interactions is well known. Consequently, the benefits reported here can readily be extended to such systems. Important examples are segmented polymer chains, with and without holonomic constraints, and liquid crystals.magnified image
Hemidystonia secondary to thalamic hemorrhage treated with GPi stimulation
Authors: Hamasaki Tadashi , Yamada Kazumichi , Kuratsu Jun‐ichi 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThere have been few reports on the surgical treatment of secondary hemidystonias, most of which are due to basal ganglia stroke or trauma. We present 2 patients with hemidystonia secondary to thalamic hemorrhage whom we successfully treated with unilateral globus pallidus internus (GPi) stimulation. Case 1 is a 56‐year‐old man with abnormal posturing and intolerable muscle contraction pain in the left arm. Case 2 is a 73‐year‐old woman who developed severe abnormal posturing in the right arm and gait disturbance due to hyperextension of the right leg. The dystonic symptoms of both patients were refractory to medication. Three months after the inception of high frequency GPi stimulation, the motor scores on the Burke‐Fahn‐Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale were improved by 49.2% and 34.3% in Cases 1 and 2, respectively. We suggest GPi stimulation as a possible alternative to treat secondary hemidystonia. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Autonomic dysfunction in different subtypes of multiple system atrophy
Authors: Schmidt Claudia , Herting Birgit , Prieur Silke , Junghanns Susann , Schweitzer Katherine , Globas Christoph , Schöls Ludger , Reichmann Heinz , Berg Daniela , Ziemssen Tjalf 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMultiple system atrophy (MSA) can clinically be divided into the cerebellar (MSA‐C) and the parkinsonian (MSA‐P) variant. However, till now, it is unknown whether autonomic dysfunction in these two entities differs regarding severity and profile. We compared the pattern of autonomic dysfunction in 12 patients with MSA‐C and 26 with MSA‐P in comparison with 27 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls using a standard battery of autonomic function tests and a structured anamnesis of the autonomic nervous system. MSA‐P patients complained significantly more often about the symptoms of autonomic dysfunctions than MSA‐C patients, especially regarding vasomotor, secretomotor, and gastrointestinal subsystems. However, regarding cardiovascular, sudomotor pupil, urogenital, and sleep subsystems, there were no significant quantitative or qualitative differences as analyzed by autonomic anamnesis and testing. Our results suggest that there are only minor differences in the pattern of autonomic dysfunction between the two clinical MSA phenotypes. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Ultrasonographic findings of shoulder disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Koh Seong‐Beom , Roh Jee‐Hoon , Kim Ji Hyun , Oh Kyungmi , Kim Byung‐Jo , Kim Gui‐Sang , Park Byung‐Kyu , Kim Se‐Ju , Yoon Joon‐Shik 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe prevalence of a history of shoulder complaints is higher in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) than in healthy individuals. The aims of this study were to evaluate shoulder disease in PD patients with ultrasonography (US) and to identify the relationship between the US findings of shoulder disease and the motor signs in patients with PD. Thirty‐three PD patients completed a shoulder disability questionnaire, a musculoskeletal examination, and US of the shoulder. Twenty‐two patients had abnormal US findings. Tendon tearing was the most common abnormal US finding (22/22), and the supraspinatus tendon was the most common site involved (15/22). Patients with tendon tearing had a significantly longer duration of disease than patients without tendon tearing (P = 0.027). Patients with adhesive capsulitis had a significantly higher rigidity score than patients without adhesive capsulitis (P = 0.035). Disease duration and rigidity were the contributing factors for the development of tendon tearing and adhesive capsulitis, respectively. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Ipsilateral sequential arm movements after unilateral subthalamic deep‐brain stimulation in patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Agostino Rocco , Dinapoli Loredana , Modugno Nicola , Iezzi Ennio , Gregori Bruno , Esposito Vincenzo , Romanelli Pantaleo , Berardelli Alfredo 
Published: July 2008

AbstractUnilateral STN‐DBS significantly improves the performance of contralateral sequential arm movements. Whether unilateral STN‐DBS also improves ipsilateral sequential movement is unclear. In this study in unmedicated parkinsonian patients, we tested the effect of unilateral STN‐DBS on the performance of ipsilateral sequential movements and compared it with the performance of contralateral sequential movements. Three‐dimensional movements were recorded with the ELITE system and three kinematic variables were considered: total movement time (TMT), total inter‐onset latency (IOL), and spatial accuracy. Unilateral STN‐DBS significantly decreased TMT in the contralateral arm and only tended to do so also in the ipsilateral arm, whereas it significantly decreased IOL and worsened spatial accuracy only on the contralateral side. Before unilateral STN‐DBS a positive correlation was present between the clinical impairment and the TMTs in the contralateral and ipsilateral sides. After unilateral STN‐DBS the UPDRS scores improved in the contralateral and to a lesser extent also in the ipsilateral side. Correlation analysis between clinical and kinematic data showed no differences between the contralateral and ipsilateral sides. Our kinematic findings show that after STN‐DBS parkinsonian patients' performance of a sequential motor task improves significantly on the contralateral but only tended to do so on the ipsilateral side. Ipsilateral changes can be explained by the observation that the output structures of the basal ganglia send large ipsilateral and less dense contralateral projections to the thalamus. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Psychosis, short stature in benign hereditary chorea: A novel thyroid transcription factor‐1 mutation
Authors: Glik Amir , Vuillaume Isabelle , Devos David , Inzelberg Rivka 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBenign hereditary chorea (BHC) is a rare autosomal dominant nonprogressive movement disorder. In some cases the phenotype includes, besides choreoathetosis, thyroid dysfunction and pulmonary infections in infancy, as expressed by the name “Brain‐Thyroid‐Lung syndrome”. Mutations in the thyroid transcription factor‐1 (TITF‐1) gene have been identified in some BHC families. We present the phenotypic features of a family with chorea, hypothyroidism, and lung dysfunction. All affected individuals suffered from a nonprogressive chorea with infancy onset. All showed short stature and some webbed neck. One patient suffered from psychosis at the age of 27 years another from lung carcinoma. In all affected individuals, a novel mutation consisting of heterozygous C to A substitution at position 650 of the coding sequence of the TITF‐1 gene, exon 3 was detected, leading to a premature stop at codon 217 (S217X). We describe the unique phenotypic features and intrafamilial variability expressing this novel mutation. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Arm swing is reduced in idiopathic cervical dystonia
Authors: Kägi Georg , Schwingenschuh Petra , Bhatia Kailash P. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractArm swing is typically reduced in people with Parkinsonism, and also in those with pyramidal dysfunction. We have previously observed that patients with focal arm dystonia can also have reduced arm swing. However, arm swing has not been formally studied in adult‐onset primary cervical dystonia (AOPCD). We assessed arm swing in 100 consecutive patients diagnosed with AOPCD and 50 healthy controls. Reduced arm swing was more common in patients with AOPCD compared with healthy controls (55% vs. 6%, P < 0.001) and was more often abnormal on the same side as the direction of head turning (P < 0.05). Women with AOPCD had more often reduced arm swing compared with men (P = 0.002). Reduced arm swing is common in AOPCD. It may indicate segmental spread of subtle motor dysfunction or it may be a feature of dystonia per se. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Frequency of social phobia and psychometric properties of the Liebowitz social anxiety scale in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Kummer Arthur , Cardoso Francisco , Teixeira Antonio L. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThere are few studies about social anxiety disorder in Parkinson's disease (PD). The objective of this study was to assess its frequency and to explore the psychometric properties of the Liebowitz social anxiety scale (LSAS) in PD. Ninety patients with PD underwent neurologic and psychiatric examination. Psychiatric examination was composed by a structured clinical interview (MINI‐Plus) followed by the application of the LSAS, the Hamilton depression rating scale (Ham‐D), and the Hamilton anxiety rating scale (Ham‐A). Neurologic examination included the MMSE, the UPDRS, the Hoehn‐Yahr Scale, and the Schwab‐England scale of activities of daily living. Social phobia was diagnosed in 50% of PD patients. The disorder was not associated with any sociodemographic or neurological feature, but was associated to major depression (P= 0.023), generalized anxiety disorder (P= 0.023), and obsessive‐compulsive disorder (P= 0.013). The score of LSAS correlated positively with the scores of Ham‐D and Ham‐A (P< 0.001 for both). A ROC curve analysis of the LSAS suggested that a cutoff score in 41/42 provided the best balance between sensitivity and specificity. This disorder seems to be more common and not just restricted to performance as previously thought. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society