bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in first‐episode schizophrenia and comparison between Toxoplasma‐seropositive and Toxoplasma‐seronegative schizophrenia
Authors: Wang H.‐L. , Wang G.‐H. , Li Q.‐Y. , Shu C. , Jiang M.‐S. , Guo Y. 
Published: March 2006

Objective:  To compare the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection between the first‐episode schizophrenia and the controls and to compare the clinical features between the Toxoplasma‐seronegative and Toxoplasma‐seropositive patients with schizophrenia.Method:  The rate of serum reactivity toToxoplasma in 600 schizophrenia, 600 affective disorders, and 400 controls was investigated. The clinical symptoms of the schizophrenia patients were scored and compared.Results:  The rate of IgG antibody, not IgM in the schizophrenia patients, was higher than the control groups, and the odds ratio of schizophrenia associated with IgG antibody was 2.22–5.12. The affective disorders did not differ in the rate of IgG or IgM antibody from the normal or the physical disease control. The seropositive schizophrenia patients had higher scores on the positive subscale and three components of Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale than the seronegative patients.Conclusion:  This study lent further weight to the hypothesis that exposure to Toxoplasma may be a risk factor for schizophrenia.
Experimental evaluation of cyadox phototoxicity to Balb/c mouse skin
Authors: He Qinghua , Fang Guijie , Wang Yulian , Wei Zhichao , Wang Daju , Zhou Shiqi , Fan Shengxian , Yuan Zanghui 
Published: March 2006

Background: Cyadox is a veterinary drug mainly used as an effective antimicrobial promoter in animal husbandry. It was reported that the other quinoxaline‐1,4‐dioxide compounds had phototoxicity, but only few data are reported on phototoxicity of cyadox. This study was performed to evaluate the phototoxicity of cyadox on skin.Methods: Eighty mice were equally divided into eight groups. Five groups with ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation for 2 h (21 J/cm2) were administered at doses of 0, 10, 50, 200 mg/kg cyadox and 50 mg/kg olaquindox, respectively, and others as controls without irradiation administered at doses of 0, 200 mg/kg cyadox and 50 mg/kg olaquindox, respectively. Drugs were administered by gavage once daily with a suspension in 0.8% carboxymethyl‐cellulose for consecutive 4 days. After administration, a recovery period of 7 days was arranged. Histopathological examination of auricular skin was performed on days 5 and 12. Measurement of auricular thickness, gross pathology and erythema score were conducted once daily.Results: Cyadox groups (200, 50 and 10 mg/kg) with irradiation had erythema and oedema of auricular skin with dose–response relationship, which gradually convalesced after dosing and irradiation ceased. Severe erythema, oedema and necrosis of auricles were observed on olaquindox group with irradiation.Conclusion: The phototoxicity of cyadox was mild and reversible, which demonstrated a good safety profile of cyadox in terms of phototoxicity.
Biological effect of far‐infrared therapy on increasing skin microcirculation in rats
Authors: Yu Shi‐Yau , Chiu Jen‐Hwey , Yang Shiaw‐Der , Hsu Yu‐Chen , Lui Wing‐Yiu , Wu Chew‐Wun 
Published: March 2006

Background/purpose: Insufficient microcirculation of skin leads to acute and chronic tissue ischemia in cases of trauma, reconstructive surgery, diabetes mellitus and peripheral arterial occlusive disease. The autonomic nervous system and nitric oxide (NO) play important roles in maintaining blood perfusion of the skin. Far‐infrared (FIR) therapy provides low energy of light emitted from an artificial radiator and has been used to treat many vascular‐related disorders. Nevertheless, the mechanisms through which FIR works remain unclear. The present study aims to test the hypothesis that the effect of FIR is through increasing skin microcirculation by a mechanism other than its thermal effect.Methods: Sixty rats were used in the present study. A WS™ TY301 FIR emitter was placed 20 cm above the rats. Skin temperature and blood flow were continuously measured by a K‐type thermocouple. Under laboratory control, the abdominal skin temperature steadily increased from 38–39°C, and was kept at constant temperature. Skin microcirculation was measured with a continuous laser Doppler flowmeter.Results: There was no significant change of skin blood flow during FIR treatment. Skin blood flow increased significantly soon after the removal of the FIR emitter. The stimulating effect on skin blood flow was more significant in the rats treated with FIR for 45 min and could be sustained as long as 60 min. These findings suggested a non‐thermic biological effect of FIR on skin microcirculation. The promotive effect of FIR on increasing skin blood flow was not influenced by pretreatment of APP (atropine, propranolol and phentolamine), but was suppressed by pretreatment with NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (an endothelial nitric oxide synthase inhibitor).Conclusion: In conclusion, FIR therapy exerts a NO‐related biological effect to increase skin microcirculation in rats. This might bring into perspective the clinical application of FIR to treat ischemic disease by augmenting l‐arginine/NO pathway.
Biological effects of simulated ultraviolet daylight: a new approach to investigate daily photoprotection
Authors: Seité Sophie , Medaisko Chantal , Christiaens François , Bredoux Catherine , Compan Delphine , Zucchi Hélène , Lombard Danièle , Fourtanier Anny 
Published: March 2006

Background: The irradiance of standard ultraviolet daylight (UV‐DL) is representative of most frequently encountered UV exposure conditions and simulators of UV‐DL can now be used to properly investigate the biological effects of a non‐extreme UV radiation. One of the characteristics of the simulated UV‐DL used in this study is its dUVA to dUVB irradiance ratio, which amounts to 24, instead of close to 10, for the simulated zenithal UV radiation (UV‐SSR).Purpose/Methods: The aim of our study was to compare photobiological effects induced, in human skin, by acute and semi‐chronic exposure to simulated UV‐DL with those induced by UV‐SSR.Results: Differences between UV doses needed to induce given biological effects after exposure to simulated UV‐DL compared with UV‐SSR indicate that the spectral distribution of the UV spectrum is of primary importance with regard to biological endpoints in the epidermis (SBC, p53, thymine dimers, Langerhans cells, and melanocyte alterations, etc.) and in the dermis (collagen, tenascin, etc.).Significant biological damage was noticed after 19 cumulative exposures to 0.5 minimum erythemal dose (MED) of UV‐DL over 4 weeks. 0.5 MED of UV‐DL corresponds to 1/9 of the daily typical dose received in Paris in April, emphasizing the need for an efficient daily UV protection.Conclusion: Simulated UV daylight is a relevant new tool for daily photoprotection studies.
Turning policy into practice: more difficult than it seems. The case of breastfeeding education
Authors: Smale Mary , Renfrew Mary J. , Marshall Joyce L. , Spiby Helen 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBreastfeeding is increasingly recognized as a health policy priority. To achieve real change in breastfeeding rates, those who advise and support childbearing women need to be appropriately educated and trained so that they do not disrupt breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to conduct a needs analysis about breastfeeding training among a range of people who advise and support breastfeeding women, including breastfeeding women themselves, to contribute to future provision of education. A qualitative, interview‐based study was conducted in one northern UK city with practitioners who support breastfeeding, and breastfeeding women, selected using purposive sampling. Individual (n = 73) and group (n = 9) interviews were conducted. Detailed notes were returned to each respondent for checking. Information was organized into themes. Coding was charted to enable comparison by theme and case. Four main themes emerged: perspectives of breastfeeding women; feeling (un)prepared to support breastfeeding; fragmentation of knowledge; and provision of education about breastfeeding. A deficit in education and training for all professional groups was identified. There was little evidence of informal shared learning among professional groups, and no evidence of usual mechanisms to ensure education and practice standards. Doctors received very little formal education; most relied on other health professionals to provide this expertise. Students encountered a chaotic learning environment where it was not possible to observe sound, consistent practice. Voluntary breastfeeding supporters felt well‐prepared. The results call into question the potential for health services to respond to policy recommendations that support increased rates of breastfeeding.
Ecological importance of Neotyphodium spp. grass endophytes in agroecosystems
Authors: Malinowski Dariusz P. , Belesky David P. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract Neotyphodium spp. fungal endophytes form symbiotic associations with agronomic grasses with expression ranging from mutualistic to parasitic. In general, endophyte infection frequencies seem more variable in natural compared to pastoral situations, suggesting that expression and benefits attributable to endophyte infection depend on the resource environment in which the host–endophyte complex was formed and the conditions under which it is being grown. Emerging evidence suggests that expression is not always mutualistic or beneficial to the host in terms of productivity and persistence in resource‐limited environments. Expression of host–endophyte associations will vary depending on resource availability and environmental conditions that influence host physiology and growth, and herbivore behavior. New research suggest alkaloids and secondary metabolites produced by host–endophyte associations can have physiological functions in addition to acting as herbivore deterrents. Novel host–endophyte associations are being created that maintain insect and disease resistance, while having minimal detrimental impact on mammalian herbivores. The influence of host–endophyte associations on sward composition and soil food webs is only now coming to light. While novel endophyte associations and their attendant mechanisms can be considered beneficial in some respect, the associations may not be as adaptable to stressful or marginal resource environments and could have long‐term ecological impacts measured in terms of persistence and total productivity of the sward. We review the extensive published work on host–endophyte interactions and illustrate the complexity of host–endophyte associations and their interactions with environment, and the range of responses that occur.
The Avian Coronavirus Infectious Bronchitis Virus Undergoes Direct Low-pH-Dependent Fusion Activation during Entry into Host Cells
Authors: Chu Victor C. , McElroy Lisa J. , Chu Vicky , Bauman Beverley E. , Whittaker Gary R. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACT
Coronaviruses are the causative agents of respiratory disease in humans and animals, including severe acute respiratory syndrome. Fusion of coronaviruses is generally thought to occur at neutral pH, although there is also evidence for a role of acidic endosomes during entry of a variety of coronaviruses. Therefore, the molecular basis of coronavirus fusion during entry into host cells remains incompletely defined. Here, we examined coronavirus-cell fusion and entry employing the avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Virus entry into cells was inhibited by acidotropic bases and by other inhibitors of pH-dependent endocytosis. We carried out fluorescence-dequenching fusion assays of R18-labeled virions and show that for IBV, coronavirus-cell fusion occurs in a low-pH-dependent manner, with a half-maximal rate of fusion occurring at pH 5.5. Fusion was reduced, but still occurred, at lower temperatures (20°C). We observed no effect of inhibitors of endosomal proteases on the fusion event. These data are the first direct measure of virus-cell fusion for any coronavirus and demonstrate that the coronavirus IBV employs a direct, low-pH-dependent virus-cell fusion activation reaction. We further show that IBV was not inactivated, and fusion was unaffected, by prior exposure to pH 5.0 buffer. Virions also showed evidence of reversible conformational changes in their surface proteins, indicating that aspects of the fusion reaction may be reversible in nature.
Plasmid DNA Sequences Present in Conventional Herpes Simplex Virus Amplicon Vectors Cause Rapid Transgene Silencing by Forming Inactive Chromatin
Authors: Suzuki Masataka , Kasai Kazue , Saeki Yoshinaga 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACT
The herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based amplicon vector, a bacterial-viral-mammalian cell shuttle system, holds promise as a versatile gene delivery vehicle because of its large transgene capacity. However, amplicon-mediated transgene expression is often transient. We hypothesized that the presence of prokaryotic DNA sequences within the packaged vector genome can trigger transcriptional silencing of the entire vector sequence. To test this, we constructed a novel amplicon vector devoid of bacterial sequences (minicircle [MC] amplicon). Although the same dose of the minicircle amplicon vector in normal human fibroblasts resulted in an expression of luciferase approximately 20 times higher than that caused by the conventional amplicon vector, no significant difference was observed in copy numbers of luciferase DNA between MC amplicon- and control-transduced cells. Quantitative analyses of levels of luciferase mRNA revealed that differential expression of luciferase was controlled at the transcriptional level. Chromatin immunoprecipitation PCR analyses of several regions of vector genomes revealed that the bacterial sequences found in the conventional amplicon DNA were associated with an inactive form of chromatin immediately after infection. The presence of bacterial sequences also affected the remaining vector sequences in the conventional amplicon vector. Finally, nude mice injected with the MC amplicon exhibited higher and more sustained expression of luciferase than those injected with the conventional amplicon, confirming the usefulness of the MC amplicon devoid of bacterial sequences. Although additional improvements are absolutely required, these findings are a significant first step toward developing a novel HSV amplicon vector that can achieve enhanced long-term transgene expression.
Analyses of Subgenomic Promoters of
Hibiscus Chlorotic Ringspot Virus
and Demonstration of 5′ Untranslated Region and 3′-Terminal Sequences Functioning as Subgenomic Promoters
Authors: Li Weimin , Wong Sek-Man 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACT

Hibiscus chlorotic ringspot virus
(HCRSV), which belongs to the genus
Carmovirus
, generates two 3′-coterminal subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs) of 1.4 kb and 1.7 kb. Transcription start sites of the two sgRNAs were identified at nucleotides (nt) 2178 and 2438, respectively. The full promoter of sgRNA1, a 118-base sequence, is localized between positions +6 and −112 relative to its transcription start site (+1). Similarly, a 132-base sequence, from +6 to −126, defines the sgRNA2 promoter. Computer analysis revealed that both sgRNA promoters share a similar two-stem-loop (SL1 + SL2) structure, immediately upstream of the transcription start site. Mutational analysis of the primary sequence and secondary structures showed further similarities between the two subgenomic promoters. The basal portion of SL2, encompassing the transcription start site, was essential for transcription activity in each promoter, while SL1 and the upper portion of SL2 played a role in transcription enhancement. Both the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) and the last 87 nt at the 3′ UTR of HCRSV genomic RNA are likely to be the putative genomic plus-strand and minus-strand promoters, respectively. They function well as individual sgRNA promoters to produce ectopic subgenomic RNAs in vivo but not to the same levels of the actual sgRNA promoters. This suggests that HCRSV sgRNA promoters share common features with the promoters for genomic plus-strand and minus-strand RNA synthesis. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that both the 5′ UTR and part of the 3′ UTR can be duplicated and function as sgRNA promoters within a single viral genome.
A Simian Virus 5 (SV5) P/V Mutant Is Less Cytopathic than Wild-Type SV5 in Human Dendritic Cells and Is a More Effective Activator of Dendritic Cell Maturation and Function
Authors: Arimilli Subhashini , Alexander-Miller Martha A. , Parks Griffith D. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTHuman epithelial cells infected with the parainfluenza virus simian virus 5 (SV5) show minimal activation of host cell interferon (IFN), cytokine, and cell death pathways. In contrast, a recombinant SV5 P/V gene mutant (rSV5-P/V-CPI−) overexpresses viral gene products and is a potent inducer of IFN, proinflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis in these cells. In this study, we have compared the outcomes of wild-type (WT) SV5 and rSV5-P/V-CPI−infections of primary human dendritic cells (DC), important antigen-presenting cells for initiating adaptive immune responses. We have tested the hypothesis that a P/V mutant which activates host antiviral responses will be a more potent inducer of DC maturation and function than WT rSV5, which suppresses host cell responses. Infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived immature DC with WT rSV5 resulted in high levels of viral protein and progeny virus but very little increase in cell surface costimulatory molecules or secretion of IFN and proinflammatory cytokines. In contrast, immature DC infected with the rSV5-P/V-CPI−mutant produced only low levels of viral protein and progeny virus, but these infected cells were induced to secrete IFN-α and other cytokines and showed elevated levels of maturation markers. Unexpectedly, DC infected with WT rSV5 showed extensive cytopathic effects and increased levels of active caspase-3, while infection of DC with the P/V mutant was largely noncytopathic. In mixed-culture assays, WT rSV5-infected DC were impaired in the ability to stimulate proliferation of autologous CD4+T cells, whereas DC infected with the P/V mutant were very effective at activating T-cell proliferation. The addition of a pancaspase inhibitor to DC infected with WT rSV5 reduced cytopathic effects and resulted in higher surface expression levels of maturation markers. Our finding that the SV5 P/V mutant has both a reduced cytopathic effect in human DC compared to WT SV5 and an enhanced ability to induce DC function has implications for the rational design of novel recombinant paramyxovirus vectors based on engineered mutations in the viral P/V gene.
Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Enhances Influenza A Virus-Induced Expression of Antiviral Cytokines by Activating RIG-I Gene Expression
Authors: Matikainen Sampsa , Sirén Jukka , Tissari Jorma , Veckman Ville , Pirhonen Jaana , Severa Martina , Sun Qiang , Lin Rongtuan , Meri Seppo , Uzé Gilles , Hiscott John , Julkunen Ilkka 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTEpithelial cells of the lung are the primary targets for respiratory viruses. Virus-carried single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) can activate Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 7 and 8, whereas dsRNA is bound by TLR3 and a cytoplasmic RNA helicase, retinoic acid-inducible protein I (RIG-I). This recognition leads to the activation of host cell cytokine gene expression. Here we have studied the regulation of influenza A and Sendai virus-induced alpha interferon (IFN-α), IFN-β, interleukin-28 (IL-28), and IL-29 gene expression in human lung A549 epithelial cells. Sendai virus infection readily activated the expression of the IFN-α, IFN-β, IL-28, and IL-29 genes, whereas influenza A virus-induced activation of these genes was mainly dependent on pretreatment of A549 cells with IFN-α or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). IFN-α and TNF-α induced the expression of the RIG-I, TLR3, MyD88, TRIF, and IRF7 genes, whereas no detectable TLR7 and TLR8 was seen in A549 cells. TNF-α also strongly enhanced IKKε mRNA and protein expression. Ectopic expression of a constitutively active form of RIG-I (ΔRIG-I) or IKKε, but not that of TLR3, enhanced the expression of the IFN-β, IL-28, and IL-29 genes. Furthermore, a dominant-negative form of RIG-I inhibited influenza A virus-induced IFN-β promoter activity in TNF-α-pretreated cells. In conclusion, IFN-α and TNF-α enhanced the expression of the components of TLR and RIG-I signaling pathways, but RIG-I was identified as the central regulator of influenza A virus-induced expression of antiviral cytokines in human lung epithelial cells.
Role of the Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 PTAP Motif in Gag Targeting and Particle Release
Authors: Dorweiler Irene J. , Ruone Susan J. , Wang Huating , Burry Richard W. , Mansky Louis M. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACT
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Gag is targeted to the plasma membrane for particle assembly and release. How HTLV-1 Gag targeting occurs is not well understood. The PPPY and PTAP motifs were previously shown to be involved in HTLV-1 particle release with PTAP playing a more subtle role in virus budding. These L domains function through the interaction with host cellular proteins normally involved in multivesicular body (MVB) morphogenesis. The plasma membrane pathway rather than the MVB pathway was found to be the primary pathway for HTLV-1 particle release in HeLa cells. Intriguingly, disruption of the PTAP motif led to a defect in the targeting of Gag from the plasma membrane to CD63-positive MVBs. Particles or particle buds were observed to be associated with MVBs by electron microscopy, implying that Gag targeting to the MVB resulted in particle budding. Blocking clathrin-dependent endocytosis was found not to influence localization of the HTLV-1 Gag PTAP mutant, indicating that Gag did not reach the MVBs through clathrin-dependent endocytosis. Our observations imply that the interaction between Gag and TSG101 is not required for Gag targeting to the MVB. Overexpression of dynamitin p50 increased particle release, suggesting that there was an increase in the intracellular transport of MVBs to the cell periphery by the utilization of the dynein-dynactin motor complex. Intriguingly, virus particle release with this mutant was reduced by 20-fold compared to that of wild type in HeLa cells, which is in marked contrast to the less-than-twofold defect observed for particle production of the HTLV-1 Gag PTAP mutant from 293T cells. These results indicate that the role of the PTAP motif in L domain function is cell type dependent.
Impact of the Interaction between Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Regulatory Protein ICP0 and Ubiquitin-Specific Protease USP7 on Activation of Adeno-Associated Virus Type 2
rep
Gene Expression
Authors: Geoffroy Marie-Claude , Chadeuf Gilliane , Orr Anne , Salvetti Anna , Everett Roger D. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACT

Expression of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) regulatory protein ICP0 in transfected cells reactivates
rep
gene expression from integrated adeno-associated virus (AAV) type 2 genomes via a mechanism that requires both its RING finger and USP7 interaction domains. In this study, we found that the
rep
reactivation defect of USP7-binding-negative ICP0 mutants can be overcome by further deletion of sequences in the C-terminal domain of ICP0, indicating that binding of USP7 to ICP0 is not directly required. Unlike the case in transfected cells, only the RING finger domain of ICP0 was essential for
rep
gene reactivation during HSV-1 infection. However, mutants unable to bind to USP7 activate HSV-1 gene expression and reactivate
rep
gene expression with reduced efficiencies. These results further elucidate the role of ICP0 as a helper factor for AAV replication and illustrate that care is required when extrapolating from the properties of ICP0 in transfection assays to events occurring during HSV-1 infection.