bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serological Method Using Recombinant S2 Protein To Differentiate Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV)-Infected and EIAV-Vaccinated Horses
Authors: Jin Sha , Issel Charles J. , Montelaro Ronald C. 
Published: November 2004

ABSTRACT

We recently reported a highly protective attenuated live virus vaccine for equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) based on a proviral construct (EIAV
UK
ΔS2) with a genetically engineered mutation in the viral S2 gene that eliminates expression of this accessory protein. While the EIAV
UK
ΔS2 vaccine provides protection from detectable infection by experimental challenge with highly virulent virus, the potential for commercial application of this vaccine is complicated by the fact that horses inoculated with the EIAV
UK
ΔS2 vaccine strain become seropositive in various reference diagnostic assays based on detection of antibodies to virion core or envelope proteins. To address this issue, we describe here the development and optimization of a new serologic EIAV diagnostic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect serum antibodies to the EIAV S2 protein that are produced in infected horses but not in horses inoculated with the EIAV
UK
ΔS2 vaccine virus. The test S2 protein antigen was developed using the S2 gene sequence from the EIAV
UK
strain of virus and a series of modifications to facilitate production and purification of the diagnostic antigen, designated HS2G. Using this HS2G as antigen, we describe the development of an affinity ELISA that provides a sensitive and specific detection of S2-specific serum antibodies in experimentally and field-infected horses (22 of 24), without detectable reactivity with immune serum from uninfected (12 of 12) or vaccinated (29 of 29) horses. These data indicate that the S2-based diagnostic ELISA has the potential to accurately differentiate horses infected with EIAV from horses inoculated with an attenuated EIAV vaccine strain with a mutant S2 gene.
Structural and Immunological Characteristics of Chronically Inflamed Adenotonsillar Tissue in Childhood
Authors: Passàli Desiderio , Damiani Valerio , Passàli Giulio Cesare , Passàli Francesco Maria , Boccazzi Antonio , Bellussi Luisa 
Published: November 2004

ABSTRACT
Recurrent or chronic adenotonsillar infections mainly affect children and frequently involve otherwise healthy subjects. Therefore, having excluded systemic immunological deficiencies, this disease may be due to a local dysfunction of the epithelial structures at either the rhino or oropharyngeal level. The aim of the present investigation was to analyze structural and immunological aspects of tonsils and adenoids in subjects who underwent adenotonsillectomy because of recurrent inflammatory episodes with fever. Histological studies and analyses of the cytokine patterns were carried out in palatine tonsils and adenoid samples from 105 patients who underwent adenoidectomy and bilateral extracapsular tonsillectomy for chronic inflammatory hypertrophy of these organs; 46 of the 105 cases examined presented hyperkeratosis of the crypt epithelium; in the remaining 59, the epithelium was hyperplastic with no signs of keratosis. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a continuous epithelial surface of polygon-shaped flattened cells with fissures towards the cryptic depressions. Titration of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor alpha in serum and tissues demonstrated higher concentrations in the adenotonsillar specimens, whereas the rise in interleukin-6 was more modest.
Reduction of Hepatitis C Virus NS5A Hyperphosphorylation by Selective Inhibition of Cellular Kinases Activates Viral RNA Replication in Cell Culture
Authors: Neddermann Petra , Quintavalle Manuela , Di Pietro Chiara , Clementi Angelica , Cerretani Mauro , Altamura Sergio , Bartholomew Linda , De Francesco Raffaele 
Published: November 2004

ABSTRACT
Efficient replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) subgenomic RNA in cell culture requires the introduction of adaptive mutations. In this report we describe a system which enables efficient replication of the Con1 subgenomic replicon in Huh7 cells without the introduction of adaptive mutations. The starting hypothesis was that high amounts of the NS5A hyperphosphorylated form, p58, inhibit replication and that reduction of p58 by inhibition of specific kinase(s) below a certain threshold enables HCV replication. Upon screening of a panel of kinase inhibitors, we selected three compounds which inhibited NS5A phosphorylation in vitro and the formation of NS5A p58 in cell culture. Cells, transfected with the HCV Con1 wild-type sequence, support HCV RNA replication upon addition of any of the three compounds. The effect of the kinase inhibitors was found to be synergistic with coadaptive mutations in NS3. This is the first direct demonstration that the presence of high amounts of NS5A-p58 causes inhibition of HCV RNA replication in cell culture and that this inhibition can be relieved by kinase inhibitors.
A survey of individual preference for colorectal cancer screening technique
Authors: Nelson Richard L , Schwartz Alan 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Background
Due to the low participation in colorectal cancer screening, public preference for colorectal cancer screening modality was determined.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey was performed of healthy ambulatory adults in a pediatrics primary care office and neighboring church. Overall preference was ranked for each of four colorectal cancer screening modalities: Faecal Occult Blood, Fiberoptic Sigmoidoscopy, Barium Enema and Colonoscopy. Four additional domains of preference also were ranked: suspected discomfort, embarrassment, inconvenience and danger of each exam.

Results
80 surveys were analyzed, 57 of which were received from participants who had experienced none of the screening tests. Fecal Occult Blood Testing is significantly preferred over each other screening modality in overall preference and every domain of preference, among all subjects and those who had experienced none of the tests.

Conclusions
Efforts to increase public participation in colorectal cancer screening may be more effective if undertaken in the context of public perceptions of screening choices.
Overweight, obesity, and colorectal cancer screening: Disparity between men and women
Authors: Heo Moonseong , Allison David B , Fontaine Kevin R 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Background
To estimate the association between body-mass index (BMI: kg/m2) and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among US adults aged ≥ 50 years.

Methods
Population-based data from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey. Adults (N = 84,284) aged ≥ 50 years were classified by BMI as normal weight (18.5–<25), overweight (25–<30), obesity class I (30–<35), obesity class II (35–<40), and obesity class III (≥ 40). Interval since most recent screening fecal occult blood test (FOBT): (0 = >1 year since last screening vs. 1 = screened within the past year), and screening sigmoidoscopy (SIG): (0 = > 5 years since last screening vs. 1 = within the past 5 years) were the outcomes.

Results
Results differed between men and women. After adjusting for age, health insurance, race, and smoking, we found that, compared to normal weight men, men in the overweight (odds ratio [OR] 1.25, 95% CI = 1.05–1.51) and obesity class I (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.03–1.75) categories were more likely to have obtained a screening SIG within the previous 5 years, while women in the obesity class I (OR = 0.86, 95%CI = 0.78–0.94) and II (OR = 0.88, 95%CI = 0.79–0.99) categories were less likely to have obtained a screening SIG compared to normal weight women. BMI was not associated with FOBT.

Conclusion
Weight may be a correlate of CRC screening behavior but in a different way between men and women.
Clinical education of ethicists: the role of a clinical ethics fellowship
Authors: Chidwick Paula , Faith Karen , Godkin Dianne , Hardingham Laurie 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Background
Although clinical ethicists are becoming more prevalent in healthcare settings, their required training and education have not been clearly delineated. Most agree that training and education are important, but their nature and delivery remain topics of debate. One option is through completion of a clinical ethics fellowship.

Method
In this paper, the first four fellows to complete a newly developed fellowship program discuss their experiences. They describe the goals, structure, participants and activities of the fellowship. They identify key elements for succeeding as a clinical ethicist and sustaining a clinical ethics program. They critically reflect upon the challenges faced in the program.

Results
The one-year fellowship provided real-time clinical opportunities that helped them to develop the necessary knowledge and skills, gain insight into the role and scope of practice of clinical ethicists and hone valuable character traits.

Conclusion
The fellowship enabled each of the fellows to assume confidently and competently a position as a clinical ethicist upon completion.
Case-based medical informatics
Authors: Pantazi Stefan V , Arocha José F , Moehr Jochen R 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Background
The "applied" nature distinguishes applied sciences from theoretical sciences. To emphasize this distinction, we begin with a general, meta-level overview of the scientific endeavor. We introduce the knowledge spectrum and four interconnected modalities of knowledge. In addition to the traditional differentiation between implicit and explicit knowledge we outline the concepts of general and individual knowledge. We connect general knowledge with the "frame problem," a fundamental issue of artificial intelligence, and individual knowledge with another important paradigm of artificial intelligence, case-based reasoning, a method of individual knowledge processing that aims at solving new problems based on the solutions to similar past problems.
We outline the fundamental differences between Medical Informatics and theoretical sciences and propose that Medical Informatics research should advance individual knowledge processing (case-based reasoning) and that natural language processing research is an important step towards this goal that may have ethical implications for patient-centered health medicine.

Discussion
We focus on fundamental aspects of decision-making, which connect human expertise with individual knowledge processing. We continue with a knowledge spectrum perspective on biomedical knowledge and conclude that case-based reasoning is the paradigm that can advance towards personalized healthcare and that can enable the education of patients and providers.
We center the discussion on formal methods of knowledge representation around the frame problem. We propose a context-dependent view on the notion of "meaning" and advocate the need for case-based reasoning research and natural language processing. In the context of memory based knowledge processing, pattern recognition, comparison and analogy-making, we conclude that while humans seem to naturally support the case-based reasoning paradigm (memory of past experiences of problem-solving and powerful case matching mechanisms), technical solutions are challenging.
Finally, we discuss the major challenges for a technical solution: case record comprehensiveness, organization of information on similarity principles, development of pattern recognition and solving ethical issues.

Summary
Medical Informatics is an applied science that should be committed to advancing patient-centered medicine through individual knowledge processing. Case-based reasoning is the technical solution that enables a continuous individual knowledge processing and could be applied providing that challenges and ethical issues arising are addressed appropriately.
The Chernobyl childhood leukemia study: background & lessons learned
Authors: Mahoney Martin C , Moysich Kirsten B , McCarthy Philip L , McDonald Richard C , Stepanenko Valery F , Day Robert W , Michalek Arthur M 
Published: November 2004

AbstractMany challenges emerged during completion of a study to examine radiation dose and acute leukemia among children in areas of the former Soviet Union. In an era of globalization, our experiences might benefit others involved in multinational investigations.
Elevated matrix metalloproteinase-9 in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Kim Wan-Uk , Min So-Youn , Cho Mi-La , Hong Kyung-Hee , Shin Yong-Joo , Park Sung-Hwan , Cho Chul-Soo 
Published: November 2004

AbstractMatrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, autoimmune disease, and various pathologic conditions characterized by excessive fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the expression of MMP-9 and its clinical significance in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The patients (n = 42) with SSc had higher concentrations of MMP-9 and of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and a higher ratio of MMP-9 to TIMP-1 in sera than healthy controls (n = 32). Serum MMP-9 concentrations were significantly higher in the diffuse type (n = 23) than the limited type of SSc (n = 19). Serum concentrations of MMP-9 correlated well with the degree of skin involvement, as determined by the Rodnan score and with serum concentrations of transforming growth factor β. Moreover, dermal fibroblasts from patients with SSc produced more MMP-9 than those from healthy controls when they were stimulated with IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor α, or transforming growth factor β. Such an increase in MMP-9 production was partially blocked by treatment with cyclosporin A. In summary, the serum MMP-9 concentrations were elevated in SSc patients and correlated well with skin scores. The increased MMP-9 concentrations may be attributable to overproduction by dermal fibroblasts in SSc. These findings suggest that the enhanced production of MMP-9 may contribute to fibrogenic remodeling during the progression of skin sclerosis in SSc.
Dopants for a Perfluorinated Graded Index Polymer Optical Fiber
Authors: Naritomi Masaki , Murofushi Hidenobu , Nakashima Naotoshi 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
A perfluorinated graded index polymer optical fiber (PFGI-POF) has been developed and manufactured for data communication to provide a high bandwidth with easy termination and cabling. In the PFGI-POF technology, the graded refractive index profile using dopants is a key technology to obtain a high bandwidth, excellent transparency and thermal durability. This study of the dopant selection for the PFGI-POF is reported for the first time.
Ejection of Clusters from Liquid Beam Surface by IR Laser Irradiation
Authors: Kohno Jun‐Ya , Toyama Namiki , Mafuné Fumitaka , Kondow Tamotsu 
Published: November 2004

AbstractA continuous liquid flow of an aqueous solution of phenol (Phe) in a vacuum (a liquid beam) was irradiated with an IR laser at 2.85 μm, which is resonant to the vibrational absorption band of the liquid water. The Phe (H2O)N, ejected from the liquid beam surface into the gas phase, was ionized by a UV laser at 270 nm into hydrated phenol cluster ions, Phe+ (H2O)n (n = 0 − 30), and analyzed by a time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer. The velocity distributions of the product cluster ions were derived from the spatial distributions measured at different elapsed times after the IR laser irradiation. The results and the analysis show that dense neutral clusters are ejected from surface regions locally heated by the intense IR laser.
Conformations of Unfolded S. cerevisiae Cytochrome c Probed by Fluorescence Energy Transfer Kinetics
Authors: Lyubovitsky Julia G. , Gray Harry B. , Winkler Jay R. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractEmploying fluorescence energy transfer kinetics, we have shown that substantial populations of compact molecules are present in GuHCl‐denatured CX‐dansyl‐labeled (X = 39, 85, 102) S. cerevisiae iso‐1 cytochrome c. Fully 40% of unfolded molecules are in compact conformations in the C39 protein.
Bridge‐Mediated Electron Transfer and Multiple Reaction Coordinates
Authors: Newton Marshall D. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractIn the case of superexchange tunneling, sensitivity of the tunneling gap (Δ) to progress along the thermal et reaction coordinate (including molecular as well as solvent contributions) has been formulated in terms of a general linear response framework, which is used to express the correlation between linearly independent reaction coordinates for distinct et steps. When the tunneling gap is relatively small (i.e., of the order of magnitude of reorganization energies), the corresponding sensitivity of the donor (D)/acceptor (A) coupling (HDA) and its distance dependence (decay coefficient ß) may be significant. The magnitude of Δ at the thermal et transition state has been compared with other reference values obtainable from optical or thermodynamic data. The initial state at equilibrium yields an upper bound for Δ, and so also does the equilibrium free energy change for charge injection onto the bridge in cases of et processes which are only moderately exothermic. The in vacuo value of Δ may constitute either an upper or lower bound, depending on the nature of the et process (charge separation or charge shift) and the details of the relevant reorganization energies.
Ultrafast Energy Redistribution in Photoexcited Sodium‐Ammonia Clusters
Authors: Schulz Claus Peter , Scholz Axel , Hertel Ingolf V. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe dynamics in photoexcited Na(NH3)n clusters up to n = 20 using femtosecond laser pump and probe techniques are investigated. It is found that electronic excitation energy of the metal atom chromophore is transferred to internal vibrations of the surrounding ammonia solvent molecules. The transfer time strongly depends on the number of ammonia molecules bound to the sodium atom, decreasing from 2000 ps when only one ammonia molecules is attached to the metal atom down to a limiting value of about 100 fs for Na(NH3)10. These results can be understood in terms of an internal energy transfer where the rates are governed by the density of states and the Franck‐Condon overlap of the acceptor modes.
Time‐Resolved Fluence Studies and Delayed Ionization of the Niobium‐Carbon Cluster System
Authors: Stairs Jason R. , Peppernick Samuel J. , Davis Kevin M. , Castleman A. Welford 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe effect of laser fluence on the process of delayed ionization in niobium‐carbon clusters is studied over the range of 1.25 × 104 to 9.175 × 104 W/cm2 (3.7 mJ/pulse to 0.5 mJ/pulse) with a 308‐nm XeCl Excimer laser. Delayed ionization has been observed in some cluster systems where the ionization energy of the cluster is lower than its binding energy. This characteristic allows the cluster to act as its own heat bath in which the ionization energy can be stored in the vibrational modes. Through multiphoton excitation via a nanosecond‐pulsed laser, an electron is ejected on the microsecond timescale. Fluence studies were performed in order to measure the degree of multiphoton ionization that occurs during delayed ionization. A new data analysis technique, referred to as a “time‐resolved fluence study”, is presented which demonstrates the ability of clusters differing in size to store various amounts of vibrational energy.
Dynamic effects related to steady‐state multiplicity in continuous Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultivations
Authors: Lei Frede , Olsson Lisbeth , Jørgensen Sten Bay 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe behavioral differences between chemostat and productostat cultivation of aerobic glucose‐limited Saccharomyces cerevisiae were investigated. Three types of experiments were conducted: a chemostat, where the dilution rate was shifted up or down in stepwise manner; and a productostat, with either stepwise changed or a rampwise increased ethanol setpoint, i.e., an accelero‐productostat. The transient responses from chemostat and productostat experiments were interpreted using a simple metabolic flux model. In a productostat it was possible to obtain oxido‐reductive steady states at dilution rates far below Dcrit due to a strong repression of the respiratory system. However, these steady states could not be obtained in a chemostat, since a dilution rate shift‐down from an oxido‐reductive steady state led to a derepression of the respiratory system. It can therefore be concluded that the range of dilution rates where steady‐state multiplicity can be obtained differs depending on the operation mode and that this dilution rate multiplicity range may appear larger in a productostat than in a chemostat. A more narrow multiplicity range, however, was obtained when the productostat was operated as an accelero‐productostat. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Langmuir–Shäfer Transfer of Fullerenes and Porphyrins: Formation, Deposition, and Application of Versatile Films
Authors: Conoci Sabrina , Guldi Dirk M. , Nardis Sara , Paolesse Roberto , Kordatos Konstantinos , Prato Maurizio , Ricciardi Giampaolo , Vicente M. Graça H. , Zilbermann Israel , Valli Ludovico 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThin films consisting of a fulleropyrrolidine derivative 1 and a novel water‐soluble porphyrin 2 were prepared by the Langmuir–Shäfer (LS, horizontal lifting) method. In particular, a solution of 1 in chloroform and dimethyl sulfoxide was spread on the water surface, while porphyrin 2 (bearing peripheral anionic groups) was dissolved into the aqueous subphase. To the best of our knowledge, such a versatile method of film fabrication for fullerene/porphyrin mixed composite films has never been used before. Evidence of the effective interactions between the two moieties at the air–water interface was obtained from the analysis of the floating layers by means of surface pressure versus area per molecule Langmuir curves, Brewster angle microscopy and UV‐visible reflection spectroscopy. The characterisation of the LS films by UV‐visible spectroscopy reveals that the two constituents behave as discrete and weakly interacting π systems. The use of polarised light suggests the existence of a preferential direction of the macrocyclic rings with an edge‐on arrangement with respect to the substrate surface. Finally, photoaction spectra were recorded from films deposited by only one horizontal lifting onto indium–tin–oxide (ITO) electrodes and the observed photocurrent increased notably with increasing transfer surface pressure.
Anion Receptors Containing ‐NH Binding Sites: Hydrogen‐Bond Formation or Neat Proton Transfer?
Authors: Amendola Valeria , Boiocchi Massimo , Fabbrizzi Luigi , Palchetti Arianna 
Published: November 2004

AbstractWhen the amide‐containing receptor 1+ is in a solution of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the presence of basic anions (CH3COO−, F−, H2PO4−), it undergoes deprotonation of the ‐NH fragment to give the corresponding zwitterion, which can be isolated as a crystalline solid. In the presence of less basic anions (Cl−, Br−, NO3−), 1+ establishes true hydrogen‐bond interactions of decreasing intensity. The less acidic receptor 2+ undergoes neat proton transfer with only the more basic anions CH3COO− and F−, and establishes hydrogen‐bond interactions with H2PO4−. An empirical criterion for discerning neutralisation and hydrogen bonding, based on UV/Vis and 1H NMR spectra, is proposed.