bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Viraemia is a common finding in immunocompetent children with rotavirus infection
Authors: Chiappini Elena , Azzari Chiara , Moriondo Maria , Galli Luisa , de Martino Maurizio 
Published: April 2005

AbstractRotavirus infection is usually localized to the intestine but involvement of extra‐intestinal sites, including the respiratory tract, liver, kidney, lymph nodes, and central nervous system, has been reported. The extra‐intestinal spread of the virus may occur through blood since viraemia has been documented occasionally in animals and humans. Nevertheless, the questions of how common viraemia is in immunocompetent children and whether it is associated with extra‐intestinal manifestations remain unsolved. Serum samples from 54 immunocompetent children hospitalized for acute diarrhea were evaluated prospectively for the presence of rotavirus RNA by nested reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) to investigate this issue. Rotavirus antigens were detected in the stools of 14 children. A bacterial aetiology was documented in 14 cases, and in the remaining cases the aetiology remained unknown. Rotavirus RNA was detected in the blood of 9/14 (64.3%) rotavirus infected children but in no child with diarrhea of other origin. Positive RT‐PCR was associated with high fever and/or evidence of extra‐intestinal involvement. All positive samples were collected within 3 days of illness onset, suggesting that viraemia was detectable for only a few days. Children in whom rotavirus was detected only in stool samples had high fever but no other extra‐intestinal feature. These data suggest that viraemia is common in children infected with rotavirus, which may be associated with extra‐intestinal involvement. J. Med. Virol. 76:265–267, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical outcome after 4 years follow‐up of HIV‐seropositive subjects with incomplete virologic or immunologic response to HAART
Authors: Nicastri Emanuele , Chiesi Antonio , Angeletti Claudio , Sarmati Loredana , Palmisano Lucia , Geraci Andrea , Andreoni Massimo , Vella Stefano 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThe duration of the clinical, virologic, and immunologic response to HAART, is not well defined. In this observational multi‐center study 2,143 patients were enrolled classified according to virologic suppression (<500 cp/ml) and immune recovery (>100 CD4+ cells/μl from baseline) at month 12 of HAART as complete responders, virologic only responders, immunologic only responders and non‐responders. Kaplan Meyer curves, multivariate and politomous regression analysis were used. Complete responders patients were 781 (36.4%), immunologic only responders 441 (20.6%), virologic only responders 336 (15.7%), and non‐responders 585 (27.3%). Using multivariate analysis, being antiretroviral‐naïve increased the probability of having both a virologic only or a complete response and reduced the probability of an immunologic only response (P < 0.001 for all tests). Older age was associated directly with a virologic only response and inversely associated with an immunologic only response (P = 0.027 and P = 0.035, respectively). Using politomous analysis, patients baseline HIV‐RNA level more than 5 log cp/ml had a 1.9‐fold higher probability of an immunologic response than of a complete response (P = 0.001). After 4 years, the clinical progression rate was six times greater in non‐responders, 1.9 times greater in virologic only responders, and 2.3 times greater in immunologic only responders than for responders. However, patients with virologic only response or with immunologic only response had a significantly reduced risk for clinical progression than non‐responders (P < 0.001). After 4 years of HAART, the risk of clinical progression in patients with immunologic only or virologic only response is low but still higher than in complete responder patients. J. Med. Virol. 76:153–160, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of naturally occurring surface antigen variants of hepatitis B virus in Korean patients infected chronically
Authors: Song Byung‐Cheol , Kim Sun‐Hyun , Kim Hong , Ying Yuan‐Hai , Kim Hyun‐Ju , Kim Yoon‐Jun , Yoon Jung‐Hwan , Lee Hyo‐Suk , Cha Chang‐Yong , Kook Yoon‐Hoh , Kim Bum‐Joon 
Published: April 2005

AbstractAlthough Korea is one of the endemic areas of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the prevalence of naturally occurring variants in the major hydrophilic region (MHR) of the surface (S) gene of HBV has not been determined. In the present study, the prevalence of these variants was examined in terms of the clinical state, and HBeAg serostatus in a large series of Korean patients with chronic HBV infection by direct sequencing analysis of part of the S gene containing the MHR of HBV isolated from 101 chronic HBV patients (51 HBeAg‐positive and 50 HBeAg‐negative): 37 were asymptomatic carriers, 21 had chronic hepatitis, 20 had liver cirrhosis, and 23 had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Forty‐seven MHR variants (46.5%) of the 101 patients were detected, involving a total of 59 amino acid substitutions at 12 positions inside and 14 position outside the ‘a’ determinant, and 33 ‘a’ determinant variants (32.7%). A total of 17 novel variants and 14 novel mutation patterns were detected. The prevalence of MHR variants in HBeAg‐negative patients tended to be higher than in HBeAg‐positive patients (54.0% vs.39.2%) and the prevalence of MHR variants in HCC and liver cirrhosis tended to be higher than in asymptomatic carriers (65.2% vs. 40.5% and 50.0% vs. 40.5%, respectively). In conclusion, three important findings were found in the present study. First, an unexpectedly high prevalence of naturally occurring MHR variants was found in Korean chronic patients. Second, several novel variants associated with mutations outside the ‘a’ determinant were detected. Finally, a higher prevalence of MHR variants was associated with HBeAg‐negative serostatus and severe liver disease, particularly HCC. J. Med. Virol. 76:194–202, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rapid investigation of hepatitis A virus outbreak by single strand conformation polymorphism analysis
Authors: Mackiewicz Vincent , Roque‐Afonso Anne‐Marie , Marchadier Eric , Nicand Elisabeth , Fki‐Berrajah Lamia , Dussaix Elisabeth 
Published: April 2005

AbstractInvestigation of hepatitis A virus (HAV) outbreaks often implies nucleotide sequence analysis. As an alternative method for the identification of related strains, single strand conformation polymorphism method (SSCP) was compared to sequence analysis. Twenty‐three strains from sporadic and outbreak cases were studied retrospectively. SSCP, sequence identity and phylogenetic analyses were conducted on a 267 bp fragment of the VP1‐2A variable region. The results of SSCP pattern comparison and sequence identity were highly correlated (r = 0.92, P < 0.001). If SSCP showed similar patterns, the VP1‐2A fragments had a high and significant probability to have a sequence identity over 99.6%. Results were concordant for outbreak strains. The only discordant result concerned a cluster of three sporadic cases evidenced by phylogenetic analysis while SSCP showed similar patterns for only two of these three cases. A prospective SSCP analysis of a recent HAV outbreak confirmed the reliability of this technique. SSCP may thus provide a rapid and cost‐effective tool for preliminary investigation of HAV outbreaks, before undertaking exhaustive nucleotide sequence analysis. J. Med. Virol. 76:271–278, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Epidemiological and phylogenetic evidence for patient‐to‐patient hepatitis C virus transmission during sclerotherapy of varicose veins
Authors: de Lédinghen Victor , Trimoulet Pascale , Cazajous Géraldine , Bernard Pierre‐Henri , Schrive Marie‐Hélène , Foucher Juliette , Faure Muriel , Castéra Laurent , Vergniol Julien , Amouretti Michel , Fleury Hervé , Couzigou Patrice 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThe aim of this study was to provide evidence for patient‐to‐patient nosocomial hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission during sclerotherapy of varicose veins. Forty‐three patients who had evidence of current infection by genotype 2 HCV have had sclerotherapy by the same physician. Based on this observation, a detailed epidemiological questionnaire on risk factors for HCV in genotype 2 infected patients was conducted. Seventeen sequences in the hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of the HCV genome obtained from 17 HCV RNA positive patients with a past history of sclerotherapy, were compared with 17 sequences derived from genotype 2 patients with no past history of sclerotherapy, and with 25 sequences sampled from GenBank. Two hundred seven genotype 2 HCV infected patients were included. The main risk factors for HCV infection were transfusion (n = 76), drug use (n = 6), and sclerotherapy of varicose veins (n = 62 including 43 (20.8%) by the same physician), other or unknown (n = 76). These sclerotherapy sessions were carried out in the 1980s for many years. Five of these 43 patients had jaundice within a few weeks after a sclerotherapy session. Sequence analysis of HVR1 from 17 patients who had sclerotherapy by the same physician revealed that they were all infected with HCV genotype 2c. The phylogenetic tree indicated clustering of the patients with a past history of sclerotherapy. The method by which infection was likely to have been transmitted was probably the use of a single vial for multiple patients. This study provides strong evidence that sclerotherapy of varicose veins is a risk factor for HCV infection. J. Med. Virol. 76:279–284, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serological study of the lymphochoriomeningitis virus (LCMV) in an inner city of Argentina
Authors: Riera Laura , Castillo Ernesto , Saavedra María del Carmen , Priotto José , Sottosanti Josefa , Polop Jaime , Ambrosio Ana María 
Published: April 2005

AbstractLymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is the prototype of the family Arenaviridae and is associated with the natural reservoir, Mus domesticus (Md). It causes meningitis and a flu‐like illness characterized by malaise, myalgia, retrorbital headache, and photophobia. This study presents the data obtained in a rodent and human serological study during 6 years (1998–2003) in the city of Río Cuarto, Argentina. Antibodies anti‐LCMV were sought by ELISA in rodents and humans. LCMV was found only in Md species in 9.4% of animals. The results also show some seasonal, no significant variations in the prevalence of the infection. Distribution of positive mice was not modified significantly by trapping sites, sex, or age of the animals. The prevalence of LCMV positive urban residents was found to be consistently low (1–3.6%) along the study period, with overage prevalence of 3.3% and values in males (4.6%) significantly higher than in females (2.6%) (P < 0.05). Seven of 432 pregnant women were found to be LCMV positive, but the absence of LCMV antibodies in the newborns demonstrated that the mothers were infected before pregnancy. This study is the first evidence on endemic LCMV in an Argentine city located outside the endemic area of Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF) and described the need to study other areas and increase awareness of this viral infection. J. Med. Virol. 76:285–289, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structural dynamics of heme–copper oxidases and nitric oxide reductases: time‐resolved step‐scan Fourier transform infrared and time‐resolved resonance Raman studies
Authors: Pinakoulaki Eftychia , Koutsoupakis Constantinos , Stavrakis Stavros , Aggelaki Marialena , Papadopoulos George , Daskalakis Vangelis , Varotsis Constantinos 
Published: April 2005

AbstractOf the spectroscopic methods available for the characterization of the dynamics of heme protein active sites, time‐resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy (TR3) is a powerful technique because excitation within the heme π–π* electronic absorption transitions selectively enhances vibrational modes of the heme and bound‐proximal/distal ligands without the interference from the modes associated with the protein matrix. On the other hand, time‐resolved step‐scan (TRS2) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has the sensitivity and resolution to detect, in addition to ligands bound to metal centers and the kinetics of ligand photodissociation, transient changes at the level of individual amino acids during protein action. This review outlines the application of both TR3 and TRS2‐FTIR to heme–copper oxidases and nitric oxide reductases. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conformational and functional significance of the α140 side‐chain in HbA: a UV and visible resonance Raman study of three α140 mutants
Authors: Juszczak Laura , Samuni Uri , Friedman Joel M. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractContinuous wave UV resonance Raman (UVRR) and nanosecond time‐resolved visible resonance Raman spectra were generated from the deoxy and CO derivatives of three α‐chain mutants of human adult hemoglobin (HbA): Yα140F, Yα140G and Yα140A. The UVRR results show that an aromatic side‐chain in the α140 site is needed for achieving the wild‐type tertiary conformation in the allosterically important α1β2 interface for both the deoxy T state and the liganded R state. The wavenumbers of ν(Fe–His), the iron‐proximal histidine stretching mode, seen in the VRR spectra from the deoxy derivatives show that the hydrogen bond between α140 tyrosine and the carbonyl of α93 valine is necessary to obtain the full quaternary constraint associated with the deoxy T state even when the α1β2 interface is seemingly intact. A model is presented that describes the relationship between the packing of a cluster of residues linked to both Wβ37 and Yα140 and the extent of proximal strain/quaternary constraint at the α‐chain heme. The visible resonance Raman (VRR) spectra of the 8 ns photoproduct of the CO derivatives of the three mutants in the presence and absence of allosteric effectors show that all three mutants can access the R state but they show enhanced sensitivity to added IHP. The CO derivative of the Hb(Yα140F) mutant in the presence of IHP exhibits properties consistent with the high‐affinity T state observed both for non‐equilibrium populations of HbA isolated using sol–gel matrices and for β37 mutants where the hinge region of the α1β2 interface is disrupted. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopy of proteins: from peptides to large assemblies
Authors: Tuma Roman 
Published: April 2005

AbstractRaman spectroscopy has become a versatile tool in protein science and biotechnology. Recent advances in spectral assignments and vibrational theory, examples of use in structural biology and selected industrial applications are discussed. New insights into protein folding, assembly and aggregation were obtained by classical Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy has been used to characterize intrinsically unstructured proteins. The improved instrument sensitivity made it possible to use Raman difference spectroscopy to characterize enzyme–substrate interactions. Specifically, Raman crystallography has been instrumental in the delineation of protein–ligand interactions with a resolution surpassing that of x‐ray diffraction. Numerous applications of Raman spectroscopy to protein analysis in biotechnology and food industry have been facilitated by the new generation of commercial Raman instruments. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman, polarized Raman and ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy of nucleic acids and their complexes
Authors: Benevides James M. , Overman Stacy A. , Thomas George J. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractApplications of Raman spectroscopy to investigate the molecular constituents of nucleic acids were initiated in the late 1960s and soon thereafter progressed to studies of synthetic and native nucleic acids and complex biological assemblies containing either DNA or RNA. Raman applications to nucleic acids have continued to increase in number and diversity up to the present time. This paper attempts to provide an overview of this large body of work, with emphasis on studies carried out during the past decade and focusing on problems of biological interest and significance. The specific Raman methodologies included in this review of nucleic acid applications are (i) conventional Raman spectroscopy (i.e. off‐resonance Raman excitation), (ii) ultraviolet resonance Raman (UVRR) spectroscopy, and (iii) polarized Raman microspectroscopy. For each methodology, the experimentally obtained nucleic acid spectrum consists of a number of discrete vibrational bands, most of which can be assigned confidently to a base, sugar or phosphate constituent of the macromolecule and many of which can be employed as sensitive indicators or fingerprints of either local structure, global conformation, intermolecular interaction or molecular dynamics. The applications selected for review include numerous examples from the authors' laboratories. The topics addressed include the influences of base composition, base sequence, superhelical stress drug ligation on nucleic acid structure polymorphism, the thermodynamic parameters governing nucleic acid premelting melting phenomena, the molecular mechanisms determinants of protein/nucleic acid recognition the structures dynamics of nucleic acids in virus assemblies. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atypical Hallervorden–Spatz disease with preserved cognition and obtrusive obsessions and compulsions
Authors: Nicholas Anthony P. , Earnst Kelly S. , Marson Daniel C. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractWe describe the case of an adult female with Hallervorden–Spatz disease (HSD), “eye‐of‐the‐tiger” sign on cranial magnetic resonance imaging scan, and two mutations in the pantothenate kinase 2 (PANK2) gene. Symptomatic presentation included stuttering dysarthria, dystonic posturing, increased limb and axial muscle tone, choreoathetosis, stereotyped motor behaviors, and obsessive–compulsive symptomatology since adolescence. Extensive neuropsychological testing at 40 and 44 years of age revealed a relatively normal IQ and stable cognitive pattern overall. This case demonstrates that HSD patients who survive into middle age should not be assumed to have a progressive dementia. In such cases, atypical behavioral problems such as persistent obsessions and compulsions may be present instead. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society
Increased tau burden in the cortices of progressive supranuclear palsy presenting with corticobasal syndrome
Authors: Tsuboi Yoshio , Josephs Keith A. , Boeve Bradley F. , Litvan Irene , Caselli Richard J. , Caviness John N. , Uitti Ryan J. , Bott Allen D. , Dickson Dennis W. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThe objective of this study is to better define the pathological characteristics of pathologically proven progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) presenting with the corticobasal syndrome (CBS). PSP is characterized by early falls, vertical supranuclear ophthalmoplegia, and axial rigidity, whereas asymmetric limb features, including rigidity, bradykinesia, apraxia, alien limb phenomena, and cortical sensory loss are characteristic of CBS. We investigated clinicopathological characteristics of 5 cases of PSP that presented with CBS (CBS‐PSP). Comprehensive pathological analysis was undertaken to determine the presence of concomitant pathological processes as well as quantitative tau burden in cortical regions of CBS‐PSP, compared with 8 typical PSP cases (Typ‐PSP). The clinical features in the CBS‐PSP cases included asymmetrical features, apraxia, alien limb phenomena, and progressive aphasia. All cases had Parkinsonism, and vertical supranuclear ophthalmoplegia was noted in all but 1 case of CBS‐PSP. Secondary neuropathological diagnoses included argyrophilic grain disease (AGD) in 1 of the 8 cases of Typ‐PSP, whereas Alzheimer's disease (AD), Lewy body disease, AGD, and vascular disease was found in 3 cases of CBS‐PSP. Image analysis of cortical tau burden performed in 8 Typ‐PSP and 3 CBS‐PSP cases revealed a significant increased tau burden in mid‐frontal and inferior‐parietal cortices in the CBS‐PSP cases. This study demonstrates that when PSP presents as CBS, it is most likely due to either a concurrent cortical pathology from a secondary process such as AD or from the primary pathology of PSP extending into cortical areas that are primarily and commonly affected in CBD. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society
Functionalization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) in the melt state: Chemical and rheological aspects
Authors: Lacoste J.‐F. , Bounor‐Legaré V. , Llauro M.‐F. , Monnet C. , Cassagnau P. , Michel A. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThis article deals with a new way of improving the melt viscosity of linear poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) chains through the reaction of the PET end groups (alcohol and acid) with new chain extenders, 3‐(triethoxysilyl)propylsuccinic anhydride (ASSI) and 3‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, during the melt processing of PET. The reactions, investigated with model compounds monomethylterephthalate and triethylene glycol monomethylether for PETCOOH and OH end groups, respectively, by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, and 29Si), provided evidence of well‐known acid–epoxide and alcohol–anhydride reactions, respectively. In addition, numerous other species appeared because of the presence of alkoxysilane groups, such as alcohol–alkoxysilane exchange reactions, acyloxysilane formation, and hydrolysis–condensation reactions of alkoxysilane. All these reactions led to the formation of branched chains when transposed to PET melt modification. A size exclusion chromatography analysis and the rheological behavior confirmed the presence of branched structures embedded in shorter linear PET chains. The rheological behavior of this blend was drastically modified in comparison with that of neat PET; consequently, there was an important increase in the zero‐shear viscosity, with a maximum concentration of branched structures of about 17 vol % obtained with an ASSI/PET molar ratio of 4. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2207–2223, 2005
Effects of surfactants on the morphology of composite polymer particles produced by two‐stage seeded emulsion polymerization
Authors: Lee Chia‐Fen 
Published: April 2005

AbstractPoly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)–polystyrene (PS) composite polymer particles were synthesized in the presence of a surfactant by two‐stage seeded emulsion polymerization. The first stage was the synthesis of PMMA particles by soapless emulsion polymerization; the second stage was the synthesis of the PMMA–PS composite polymer particles with the PMMA particles as seeds. In the second stage of the reaction, three kinds of surfactants—sodium laurate sulfate (SLS), polyoxyethylene (POE) sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20), and sorbitan monolaurate (Span 20)—were used to synthesize the PMMA–PS composite particles. Both the properties and concentrations of the surfactants influenced the morphology of the composite particles significantly. Core–shell composite particles, with PS as the shell and PMMA as the core, were synthesized in the presence of a low concentration of the hydrophilic surfactant SLS. This result was the same as that in the absence of the surfactant. However, a low concentration of Tween 20 led to composite particles with a core/strawberry‐like shell morphology; the core region was a PS phase, and the strawberry‐like shell was a PS phase dispersed in a PMMA phase. With an increase in the concentration of SLS, the morphology of the composite particles changed from core (PMMA)–shell (PS) to core (PS)–shell (PMMA). Moreover, the effects of a high concentration of Tween 20 or Span 20 on the morphology of the PMMA–PS composite particles were investigated in this study. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2224–2236, 2005