bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis E virus
Authors: Emerson Suzanne U. , Purcell Robert H. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractHepatitis E virus (HEV) is a positive‐stranded RNA virus with a 7.2 kb genome that is capped and polyadenylated. The virus is currently unclassified: the organisation of the genome resembles that of the Caliciviridae but sequence analyses suggest it is more closely related to the Togaviridae. Hepatitis E virus is an enterically transmitted virus that causes both epidemics and sporadic cases of acute hepatitis in many countries of Asia and Africa but only rarely causes disease in more industrialised countries. Initially the virus was believed to have a limited geographical distribution. However, serological studies suggest that HEV may be endemic also in the United States and Europe even though it infrequently causes overt disease in these countries. Many different animal species worldwide recently have been shown to have antibodies to HEV suggesting that hepatitis E may be zoonotic. Although two related strains have been experimentally transmitted between species, direct transmission from an animal to a human has not been documented. There are four currently recognised genotypes and two of the four contain viruses isolated from swine as well as from humans. Regardless of country of origin or genotype of the virus, most, if not all, strains belong to a single serotype. A promising recombinant vaccine candidate comprised of a truncated capsid protein is currently under evaluation in Nepal. Published in 2003 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of adenovirus infection on the immunocompromised host
Authors: Kojaoghlanian Tsoline , Flomenberg Phyllis , Horwitz Marshall S. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractAdenovirus (Ad) infections in immunocompromised hosts have increased in frequency as the number of patients with transplants of bone marrow, liver, kidney, heart and other organs increase in number and survive longer. The numbers of such patients have also increased because of the emergence of the HIV epidemic. Ad infections with the 51 different serotypes recognised to date have few pathognomonic signs and symptoms, and thus require a variety of laboratory‐based procedures to confirm infection. These viruses have the ability to target various organs with relative serotype specificity and can cause diverse manifestations including serious life‐threatening diseases characteristic of the organs involved. Ads have cytolytic and immunoregulatory properties. The clinical dilemma remains the prompt recognition of Ad‐related disease, the differentiation of Ad infection from Ad disease and the differentiation from other causative agents. Since the armamentarium of effective antiviral agents available to treat Ads is unproven by controlled trials and the virus is often not acquired de novo, it is difficult to prevent reactivation in immunodeficient hosts or new acquisition from donor organs. Timely discontinuation of immunosuppressive agents is necessary to prevent morbid outcomes. The clinical diseases, diagnostic tests, antiviral agents and biological aspects of the Ads as pathogens in immunocompromised patients are discussed in the context of this review. Some of the newer diagnostic tests are based on the well‐studied molecular biology of Ads, which also have been attenuated by selective viral DNA deletions for use as vectors in numerous gene therapy trials in humans. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Split genes and their expression in Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus
Authors: Zheng Zhi‐Ming 
Published: May 2003

AbstractA split or interrupted gene is defined as a gene consisting of introns and exons. Removal (splicing) of the intron(s) from a primary transcript (pre‐mRNA) is essential for creating a mRNA. Initial assignment of a potential protein coding region in the KSHV genome was based on the initiation codon context and predicted protein size larger than 100 amino acids, but the gene discontinuity was disregarded. Experimental investigation of the assigned ORFs has demonstrated that there are up to 25 split genes, more than one fourth of the total KSHV genes described in the KSHV genome. This includes the genes involved in all phases (latent, immediate early, early and late) of KSHV infection. The complexity of a split gene expression depends upon the availability of a proximal promoter and polyadenylation (pA) signal. Sharing a single promoter or a single pA signal by two or three genes is not uncommon in the expression of KSHV split genes and the resulting transcripts are usually polycistronic. Among those of KSHV split genes, 15 genes express a bicistronic or tricistronic RNA and 10 genes express a monocistronic RNA. Alternative RNA splicing could happen in a particular pre‐mRNA due to intron or exon inclusion or skipping or the presence of an alternative 5′ splice site or 3′ splice site. This may, respectively, result in at least 8 species of K8 and 14 species of K15 transcripts. This appears to be related to cell differentiation and stages of the virus infection, presumably involving viral cis elements and trans splicing factors. Published in 2003 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neurological manifestations of human parvovirus B19 infection
Authors: Barah Faraj , Vallely Pamela J. , Cleator Graham M. , Kerr Jonathan R. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractSince its discovery, human parvovirus B19 has been linked with a broad spectrum of clinical syndromes. An aetiological role for the virus has been confirmed in erythema infectiosum, transient aplastic crisis, persistent infection manifesting as pure red cell aplasia in immunocompromised persons, non‐immune hydrops fetalis and arthritis. Less commonly recognised, but receiving increasing attention recently, are the neurological manifestations, a variety of which have been described in patients with either clinically diagnosed or laboratory confirmed B19 infection. The purpose of this review is to summarise present knowledge of B19, its known and potential pathogenic mechanisms and its association with human diseases, particularly those with neurological manifestations. The outcome of the review supports an aetiological role of the virus in neurological disease. However, the pathogenesis remains unknown and elucidating this is a priority. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional Expression of the Raw Starch‐Binding Domain of Bacillus sp. Strain TS‐23 α‐Amylase in Recombinant Escherichia coli
Authors: Lin Long‐Liu , Lo Huei‐Fen , Chi Meng‐Chun , Ku Kow‐Loung 
Published: May 2003

AbstractTwo DNA fragments encoding the starch‐binding domain (SBD) of Bacillus sp. strain TS‐23 α‐amylase were prepared by polymerase chain reaction and cloned into the Escherichia coli expression vector, pQE‐30, to generate pQE‐N428/C607 and pQE‐N465/ C607. In isopropyl‐β‐D‐thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG)‐induced E. coli strain M15 harboring these expression plasmids, the recombinant SBDs (N428/C607 and N465/C607) could comprise up to 20% of the total soluble proteins. The His‐tag/SBD fusion proteins were purified to homogeneity with a His‐bind affinity column and had molecular masses of approximately 22.6 and 16.5 kDa, respectively. Starch‐binding assays revealed that about 7.1 and 8.3 μg, respectively, of N428/C607 and N465/C607 were bound by 1 mg of raw corn starch, indicating that the SBD of Bacillus sp. strain TS‐23 α‐amylase retain sufficient function in the absence of a catalytic center.
Effects of Compositional and Granular Properties on the Pasting Viscosity of Rice Starch Blends
Authors: Chen Jih‐jou , Lai Vivian M.‐F. , Lii Cheng‐yi 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThe changes in swelling power and pasting properties of suspensions of starch blends were studied in dependence on starch composition and at various isothermal temperatures (Tiso). Samples were prepared by mixing rice starches from Kaoshiung Sen 7 (KSS7, a high‐amylose‐content variety) and Taichung waxy 70 (TCW70, a waxy variety). Generally, mixing these starches at a comparable ratio caused significant decrements in overall swelling power, onset temperature of gelatinization or viscosity rise, and final viscosity of hot pastes after 30 min of isothermal stirring. Notable increases in the peak and conclusion temperatures of gelatinization and in the peak viscosity of the pastes were also observed. Generally, all viscosity parameters of the blends showed two linear dependencies on the starch composition, the graphs intersecting at a critical starch composition depending on the parameters concerned. The onset temperature of viscosity increase was related to the volume fraction of swollen granules when they were just closely packed in suspension. The volume fraction of KSS granules was smaller than that of TCW70. In addition, the rate of viscosity increase and the peak viscosity of the starch suspensions could be well described in terms of the swelling power (Q) when Q ≤ ∼27, and depending on the Tiso examined. From the photomicrographs of starch suspensions, the extensive shear‐induced disintegration of TCW70 granules in the co‐existence of rigid KSS7 granules was evident and in turn responsible for the reduced final viscosities of the hot pastes obtained from starch blends.
Inverse Emulsion of Starch‐graft‐Polyacrylamide
Authors: Lu Shaojie , Lin Tong , Cao Deyong 
Published: May 2003

AbstractAn inverse emulsion of cationic starch‐graft‐polyacrylamide was prepared by inverse emulsion polymerization and a subsequent Mannich reaction. The copolymerization was carried out using potassium persulfate as initiator. The reaction conditions and factors affecting emulsion stability were studied. Experiments showed that a high solids content, a high cationic degree and a stable latex can be obtained under the following condition: A molar ratio starch/acrylamide/formaldehyde/dimethylamine of 0.11:1:1:1.2; a stable inverse emulsion system; graft copolymerization of starch and acrylamide for 2‐3 h at 50 °C; pre‐formation of an aldehyde‐amine adduct, which is subsequently dropped into an inverse emulsion of starch‐graft‐polyacrylamide. The reaction temperature was 45 °C, the reaction time was 3‐4 h, and the pH was 5.5.
Toxicological comparison of diverseCylindrospermopsis raciborskiistrains: Evidence of liver damage caused by a FrenchC. raciborskiistrain
Authors: Bernard C. , Harvey M. , Briand J. F. , Biré R. , Krys S. , Fontaine J. J. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThe freshwater cyanobacteriumCylindrospermopsis raciborskiiis known to produce toxic effects in several countries. Acute and chronic exposures toC. raciborskiiin Australia have been linked to liver damage (hepatotoxicity) with concomitant effects on the kidneys, adrenal glands, small intestine, lungs, thymus, and heart. The alkaloid cylindrospermopsin, which produces these toxic effects, is thought to be a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis.C. raciborskiistrains producing cylindrospermopsin or analogue alkaloids have also been reported in Florida, USA, and Thailand. Brazilian isolates ofC. raciborskiiare also toxic but act by a different mechanism, causing acute death in mice with neurotoxic symptoms similar to those induced by the saxitoxins. In this article we compare the toxicity in the mouse of aC. raciborskiiFrench strain withC. raciborskiistrains from various other sources (Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and Hungary). We tested the toxicity of cell extracts by a mouse bioassay. Acute, fatal neurotoxicity was produced by the Brazilian strain, which was confirmed by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection of the cell extracts, which revealed the presence of saxitoxin, neosaxitoxin, and decarbamoylsaxitoxin, along with two unidentified compounds. Acute hepatotoxicity with severe liver, kidney, and thymus damage was observed with the Australian cylindrospermopsin‐producing strain. The Mexican and Hungarian strains were not found to be toxic to mice in our experimental conditions. No animals died after exposure to the extracts of the FrenchC. raciborskiistrain. Histological examination of the liver revealed moderate, multifocal necrosis characterized by small areas of hepatocellular necrosis, combined with disorganization of the parenchyma and congestion of the inner sinusoid. These symptoms and lesions resembled those induced by cylindrospermopsin, but the chemical analysis performed by liquid chromatography coupled with either a diode array detector or a mass spectrometer demonstrated that this toxin was not present in our culture extract. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 18: 176–186, 2003.
Occurrence of toxic cyanobacterial blooms in San Roque Reservoir (Córdoba, Argentina): A field and chemometric study
Authors: Amé María Valeria , del Pilar Díaz María , Wunderlin Daniel Alberto 
Published: May 2003

AbstractWe evaluated the presence of cyanobacterial blooms in San Roque Reservoir (Córdoba, Argentina). Cyanobacterial blooms and water samples were collected over 4 years (1998–2002). We confirmed the presence of microcystin‐LR and microcystin‐RR in 97% of these blooms. The total amount of microcystin (MC) ranged between 5.8 and 2400.0 μg g−1 of freeze‐dried bloom material. These values suggest that guidelines for safe water consumption and recreational use should be established for this reservoir. Twenty‐eight physical and chemical parameters were measured in water samples and evaluated by discriminant analysis (DA). A first DA was used to evaluate the factors promoting cyanobacteria occurrence, identifying nine parameters following three patterns associated with cyanobacterial growth. Inorganic phosphorous was found to promote the presence of blooms, whereas the highest proliferation of cyanobacteria was observed in the presence of smaller amounts of carbonate, bicarbonate, sulfate, and fecal coliform bacteria. The results observed during our fieldwork, analyzed using DA, agreed with the results of other laboratory studies, thus confirming the usefulness of DA to help with the evaluation of a complicated environmental data matrix. A second DA, using only water samples collected during the presence of cyanobacteria blooms, identified another nine parameters. The analysis of these parameters allowed us to identify certain environmental factors that could lead to the dominance of toxic strains, thus increasing the amount of MC. The results showed that, in our case, an increase in the water temperature was associated with higher amounts of MC per dry weight unit, whereas an increase in the concentrations of ammonia–nitrogen and iron were associated with lower amounts of MC, thus disfavoring the dominance of toxic strains. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 18: 192–201, 2003.
Effects of microcystin‐free and microcystin‐containing strains of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa on growth of the grazer Daphnia magna
Authors: Lürling M. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractHarmful effects of the common bloom‐forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa on the grazer Daphnia have been explained from morphological features, nutritional insufficiency, and the production of toxins called microcystins. The effects of four M. aeruginosa strains, including one free of microcystins, on the growth of Daphnia magna were examined. Population growth was measured in Daphnia fed each M. aeruginosa strain alone and fed mixtures of each strain with the green alga Scenedesmus obliquus to avoid nutritional deficiency. The presence of Microcystis in the food resulted in decreased Daphnia population growth rates. A significant correlation (P < 0.001) was found between the amount of microcystins (MC) in the food and the population growth rate, but growth inhibition in Daphnia fed with the MC‐free strain could not be explained by the toxicity of the microcystins. Inasmuch as there was greater reduction in growth of the Daphnia fed mixtures of the MC‐free strain with Scenedesmus than of the Daphnia fed only the same amount of Scenedesmus as in the mixtures, other factors associated with this Microcystis strain must have inhibited growth. However, morphology and nutritional insufficiency could be excluded as causal factors. The strong relationship between Daphnia feeding activity and population growth suggests that feeding inhibition may have caused the observed detrimental effects on the animals. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 18: 202–210, 2003
The influence of variety, year, disease control and plant growth regulator application on crop damage, yield and quality of winter oats (Avena sativa)
Authors: WHITE E. M. , McGAREL A. S. L. , RUDDLE O. 
Published: May 2003

Yield, straw length, ripening, damage, grain composition and quality were determined on seven winter oat varieties included in trials grown in Northern Ireland between 1990 and 2000. Three management regimes were applied to the varieties in each year: (1) with fungicide but without plant growth regulator applications (+F−PGR); (2) with plant growth regulator and fungicide applications (+F+PGR); and (3) with neither fungicide nor plant growth regulator applications (−F−PGR). Disease control significantly improved yield, kernel content and the proportions of groats above 2·0- and 2·2-mm sieves but delayed ripening and increased the content of free kernels. Application of chlormequat significantly reduced straw length and the content of empty husks and increased the content of good oats but reduced kernel content. Specific weight, grain weight and the proportions of grain above 2·0- and 2·2-mm sieves were not significantly affected by either control of disease or application of chlormequat.The combined effects of disease control and chlormequat significantly reduced leaning and brackling while lodging was reduced but not significantly. Rather than an increased incidence following disease control which was reduced by application of chlormequat, the two management strategies resulted in similar small incremental reductions in straw damage. In years with severe straw damage lower specific weight, grain weight and kernel content may have been attributable to the damage but quality was also poor in some years when there was little damage. Grain and groat size were only poor in those years when severe lodging or brackling occurred.Year had the greatest influence on most characteristics and variety to a lesser extent. Disease control and to a lesser extent chlormequat application had smaller effects on fewer characteristics. While the effect of disease control on yield is of economic significance, the effect of chlormequat appears to be mainly of psychological significance.
Selective isopeptide bond formation: coupling ubiquitin67–76 with histone 2A114–128 by use of the transfer active ester condensation technique
Authors: Wang P. , Ramage R. , Layfield R. , Landon M. , Mayer R.J. 
Published: May 2003

Abstract: A peptide, ubiquitin67–76‐histone 2A114–128 fragment (UBH2AF), was synthesized by selective formation of an isopeptide bond between the C‐terminus of ubiquitin67–76 and the ε‐amino group of lysine‐119 in histone 2A114–128 which contained 4 lysine residues at positions 118, 119, 125 and 127, respectively. The transfer active ester condensation technique, together with the Tnm amine protecting group, were used successfully in the peptide segment coupling reaction.Leu67‐His‐Leu‐Val‐Leu‐Arg‐Leu‐Arg‐Gly‐Gly76                   |    Val114‐Leu‐Leu‐Pro‐Lys(NH2)‐Lys119‐Thr‐Glu‐Ser‐His‐His‐Lys(NH2)‐Ala‐Lys(NH2)‐Gly128              UBH2AF
Immunofluorescence findings in granuloma faciale: report of two cases
Authors: Zirwas Matthew J. , Abell Edward , Ruben Alan , Silverman Alan R. , Wolff Jeffrey , Deng Jau‐Shyong 
Published: May 2003

Background:  Immunofluorescence findings in granuloma faciale have been infrequently described. Reported findings include granular IgA, IgG, IgM, and C3 deposits in the dermoepidermal junction, in blood vessel walls, and on connective tissue fibers; IgG in the basement membrane zone, and IgG around blood vessels.Observations:  We report two cases of granuloma faciale in which biopsy specimens were sent for routine pathology as well as immunofluorescence. Additional work‐up included serologic testing for markers of lupus erythematosus (LE). Immunofluorescence in both cases revealed granular IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, and C5‐9 deposits along the dermoepidermal junction only. Blood vessel walls and connective tissue fibers were spared. Serologic studies for markers of LE were negative.Conclusion:  Immunofluorescence findings were essentially identical to those which would be expected in cutaneous LE; however, the combination of negative serologic studies for LE, histopathologic findings typical of granuloma faciale, and clinical findings most consistent with granuloma faciale allowed the diagnosis of granuloma faciale to be rendered with certainty. Interpretation of results of direct immunofluorescence of skin should be correlated with clinical presentation, histopathological findings and other laboratory results in order to render final diagnosis of a given patient.
Metastasis of cutaneous malignant melanoma to angiolipoma: the tumor‐to‐tumor metastasis phenomenon
Authors: Alonso Soledad , Rodríguez‐Peralto José Luis , Pérez‐Espejo Gustavo 
Published: May 2003

Background:  Although the phenomenon of tumor‐to tumor metastasis is not rare, it has been reported in only eight cases with malignant melanoma as the primary tumor.Methods:  This case describes a patient with cutaneous malignant melanoma that metastasized to an angiolipoma. To our knowledge this is the second case of a malignant melanoma metastasizing to another primary cutaneous tumor and the first to do so in a lipoma.Conclusion:  In this report we present the clinical and histopathologic features of this special case and review the relevant literature.
Cutaneous myoepithelial neoplasms: clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 20 cases suggesting a continuous spectrum ranging from benign mixed tumor of the skin to cutaneous myoepithelioma and myoepithelial carcinoma
Authors: Mentzel Thomas , Requena Luis , Kaddu Steven , Soares de Aleida Luis M. , Sangueza Omar P. , Kutzner Heinz 
Published: May 2003

Background:  Myoepithelial neoplasms, both benign and malignant, are rare but well‐established clinicopathologic entities in the salivary glands, the breast, and the lung. Despite similarities between cutaneous sweat glands and glandular structures in the above‐mentioned organs as well as the presence of regular myoepithelial cells around cutaneous eccrine/apocrine glands, the concept of cutaneous myoepithelial neoplasms is still debatable and not commonly accepted.Methods:  Twenty cutaneous myoepithelial neoplasms have been studied histologically and immunohistochemically.Results:  Nine neoplasms showed features of benign mixed tumor of the skin (chondroid syringoma) (five females and four males, age range 19–65 years, all cases arose in the head and neck region). Two cases represented the eccrine and seven the apocrine subtype. Interestingly, in three cases of the apocrine subtype, solid areas composed predominantly of myoepithelial cells were detected; these neoplasms were designated as benign mixed tumors with prominent myoepithelial cells. Nine cutaneous neoplasms were composed of spindled, epithelioid, and plasmocytoid cells without ductal differentiation and immunohistochemically stained variably positive for vimentin, epithelial and myogenic markers, S‐100 protein, calponin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (four females and five males, age range 3–71 years, four cases arose in the head and neck region and one case each on the finger, the thigh, the lower leg, the foot, and the breast, respectively); these neoplasms were designated as cutaneous myoepitheliomas. Two morphologically malignant neoplasms with cytologic and immunohistochemical features of myoepithelial cells arose on the face of a 70‐year‐old female and a 79‐year‐old male patient; these neoplasms were designated as malignant cutaneous myoepitheliomas (cutaneous myoepithelial carcinomas).Conclusions:  The study suggests a continuous spectrum of cutaneous myoepithelial neoplasms ranging from benign mixed tumor of the skin to cutaneous myoepithelioma and cutaneous myoepithelial carcinoma. Further studies with extended follow‐up information are necessary to establish prognostic factors.