bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution and heterogeneity of hepatitis C genotypes in hepatitis patients in Cameroon
Authors: Pasquier Christophe , Njouom Richard , Ayouba Ahidjo , Dubois Martine , Sartre Michèle Tagni , Vessière Aurelia , Timba Isabelle , Thonnon Jocelyn , Izopet Jacques , Nerrienet Eric 
Published: September 2005

AbstractHepatitis C virus infects humans world‐wide. The virus genome varies greatly and it has several genotypes. HCV infection is highly prevalent in Central Africa and Cameroon. Initial studies on the genetic variability of HCV showed infection with HCV genotypes 1, 2, and 4. We have now sequenced the NS5b and E2 regions of 156 HCV isolates collected from patients presenting for diagnosis in Yaounde and used the data to describe the distribution of HCV genotypes and subtypes in patients with hepatitis in Cameroon. Genotype 1 was more frequent than Genotypes 4 and 2. Genotypes 1 and 4 were highly heterogeneous, containing many subtypes described previously (1b, 1c, 1e, 1h, 1l, 4f, 4t, 4p, 4k) and unsubtyped groups. There was a systematic phylogenetic concordance between NS5b and E2 sequence clustering. The Genotype 2 sequences did not vary. Neither subject age nor gender influenced HCV distribution. HCV Genotypes 1 and 4 are very heterogeneous in Cameroon, perhaps due to ancient infections. The homogeneity of HCV Genotype 2 indicates its more recent introduction from western Africa. J. Med. Virol. 77:390–398, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of novel HCV subgenome replicating persistently in chronic active hepatitis C patients
Authors: Yagi Shintaro , Mori Kenich , Tanaka Eiji , Matsumoto Akihiro , Sunaga Fumiko , Kiyosawa Kendo , Yamaguchi Kenjiro 
Published: September 2005

AbstractIn an effort to clarify the life cycle of HCV, the HCV genome in liver biopsies taken from chronic active hepatitis C patients undergoing interferon treatment was investigated. Molecular cloning by long distance reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) revealed that the HCV genome in two patients with high viral loads in the liver had in‐frame deletions of approximately 2 kb between E1 and NS2, which encode the E1–NS2 fusion protein and six other HCV proteins: core, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B. Among the remaining 21 chronic active hepatitis C patients, these types of deletion were found in another two patients and in two hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Out‐of‐frame deletions in the structural region were isolated from the other five patients, but the dominant RT‐PCR products were non‐truncated genomes. Retrospective analysis of a series of serum samples taken from a patient carrying the subgenome with the in‐frame deletion revealed that both the subgenome and the full genome persisted through the 2‐year period of investigation, with the subgenome being predominant during this period. Sequence analysis of the isolated cDNA suggested that both the subgenome and the full genome evolved independently. Western blotting analysis of HCV proteins from the HCV subgenome indicated that they were processed in the same way as those from the full genome. HCV subgenomes thus appear to be involved in the HCV life cycle. J. Med. Virol. 77:399–413, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase (UL54) mutations in solid organ transplant patients receiving valganciclovir or ganciclovir prophylaxis
Authors: Boivin Guy , Goyette Nathalie , Gilbert Christian , Covington Emma 
Published: September 2005

AbstractWe previously reported the absence of CMV UL97 (kinase) gene resistance mutations up to 12 months post‐transplant following 100 days of valganciclovir prophylaxis, and a low incidence of resistance mutations following 100 days of oral ganciclovir prophylaxis in a prospective multicenter study in solid organ transplant recipients excluding lung transplants. Herein, we report UL54 (DNA polymerase) gene sequencing results for all patients with previous UL97 PCR‐positive samples (n = 99) in our study. One UL54 resistance mutation (L545S known to confer ganciclovir and cidofovir resistance) was detected in a routine day‐100 sample from an asymptomatic patient who received oral ganciclovir. Notably, this CMV UL54 mutation occurred in the absence of a UL97 mutation. Additionally, new UL54 variants were observed. Thus, emergence of CMV UL54 mutations in the absence of UL97 mutations is a rare but possible event that is not necessarily associated with detrimental clinical outcome in solid organ transplant recipients. J. Med. Virol. 77:425–429, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of the homo‐ and heterotypic immune responses after natural norovirus infection
Authors: Rockx Barry , Baric Ralph S. , de Grijs Ingrid , Duizer Erwin , Koopmans Marion P.G. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractNoroviruses (NoV) are a genetically and antigenically diverse group of viruses that are common causes of outbreaks of gastroenteritis in humans of all ages. Limited information has been obtained on type specificity of the NoV immune response. In this study, we characterized the homologous and heterologous antibody responses in adults from 13 outbreaks, representing 4 different NoV genotypes. NoV specific IgG and IgA antibodies were determined as well as the increase of antibody avidity. In addition, antibody‐mediated blocking of NoV binding to its putative receptor was evaluated. Both homologous and heterologous serological responses were detected after NoV infection. The avidity of antibodies could not be used to distinguish between homologous and heterologous antibody responses. However, a homologous blocking response but not a heterologous response was detected after infection with NoV belonging to genogroup II.4 by a NoV ligand binding inhibition assay. Infection with NoV induces antibodies that can block virus ligand interactions. In contrast with all currently known antibody detection assays for NoV, this can be used as a type specific assay and may be an alternative for studying neutralizing antibodies. J. Med. Virol. 77:439–446, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel method for measuring distribution of orientation of one‐dimensional ZnO using resonance Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Xinghua , Liu Yichun , Chen Shihao 
Published: September 2005

AbstractA spectroscopic method of characterizing the growth orientation of low‐dimensional ZnO structures is proposed on the basis of the angular dispersion of polar phonon modes. According to this approach, the orientational distribution of a randomly oriented one‐dimensional ZnO structure can be measured quantitatively by studying the line‐shape of polar phonon bands. Multiphonon resonance Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the details of the polar optical phonon mode. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopy of beaverite and plumbojarosite
Authors: Frost Ray L. , Wills Rachael‐Anne , Martens Wayde 
Published: September 2005

AbstractRaman spectroscopy has been used to characterise the compound of formula Pb(Fe3+, Cu2+)3(SO4)2(OH)6, equivalent to synthetic beaverite, one of the jarosite subgroup minerals. The mineral is characterised by multiple OH stretching vibrations attributed to non‐equivalent OH units in the structure. Multiple vibrations are observed for the SO42− stretching vibrations indicating the non‐equivalence of the sulphate units in the structure. This multiplicity is also reflected in the ν2 and ν4 bending modes. The Raman spectrum of beaverite is significantly different from that of plumbojarosite, for which multiple bands are not observed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopy shows antifreeze glycoproteins interact with highly oriented pyrolytic graphite
Authors: Cui Y. , Turner G. , Roy U. N. , Guo M. , Pan Z. , Morgan S. , Burger A. , Yeh Yin 
Published: September 2005

AbstractRaman spectra of a mixture of antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGP) 6, 7 and 8 adsorbed on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface spanning the range of 50 to 4500 cm−1 were measured. It was found that the Raman signature of AFGP had been significantly altered because of its interaction with the HOPG surface; when compared with the spectra of bulk AFGP compounds, at least three new peaks were observed around 860, 940 and 1000 cm−1, and two other peaks that were not well resolved in the bulk spectra around 1050 and 1155 cm−1 were enhanced and well discriminated. The peak positions depended on the facet of HOPG presented to the proteins, and their relative intensities depended on the concentration of AFGP used in the adsorption experiment. The results indicated the possibility of multiple binding sites of AFGP on HOPG surfaces. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Potential use of visible and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy for the estimation of nitrogen fractions in forages harvested from permanent meadows
Authors: Valdés Carmen , Andrés Sonia , Giráldez F Javier , García Ricardo , Calleja Alfredo 
Published: September 2005

AbstractOne‐hundred and ninety‐two herbage samples from permanent meadows located in the mountains of León (NW Spain) were analyzed for total nitrogen (total N), nitrogen in trichloroacetic acid precipitated matter (TCAN), borate–phosphate buffer insoluble nitrogen (BPBN), neutral‐detergent insoluble nitrogen (NDIN) and acid‐detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN). These data were used to calculate the partition of nitrogen fractions proposed by the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS): A (total N − TCAN), B1 (TCAN − BPBN), B2 (BPBN − NDIN), B3 (NDIN − ADIN) and C (ADIN). Near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) technology accurately predicted total N, TCAN and NDIN, as judged by coefficient of determination (R2) and ratio performance deviation (RPD) values greater than 0.90 and 2.5, respectively. The rest of the insoluble N fractions (BPBN and ADIN) were predicted with less accuracy by NIRS. Estimations of CNCPS N fractions (A, B1, B2, B3 and C) using visible–NIR spectra of forage samples did not allow accurate predictions (R2 < 0.90; RPD < 2.5). Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Consumer evaluation of novel kiwifruit: willingness‐to‐pay
Authors: Jaeger Sara R , Harker F Roger 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThis paper introduces a research methodology that adds sophistication to the innovation process for agricultural goods. In recognition of the importance of innovation for the long‐term success of firms and the need for market analysis that goes beyond traditional sensory and consumer preference testing, it is demonstrated how to measure the monetary value consumers place on new market goods. In experimental markets, New Zealand (NZ) consumers were willing to pay on average approximately NZ$0.44 per 100 g to exchange the common green‐fleshed Hayward variety for a new‐to‐market red‐ and yellow‐fleshed kiwifruit variety. At the time of the study this was equivalent to a 179% retail price premium. Knowledge that this new variety was not genetically modified increased the price premium to 240%. These results were elicited from convenience samples and should be treated with caution if used as the sole basis for price setting. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Farmers' knowledge and perceptions of soil erosion and conservation measures in the Central Highlands, Kenya
Authors: Okoba B. O. , De Graaff J. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractA lack of appreciation of Kenyan farmers' knowledge and their perceptions of soil erosion and soil conservation measures was the reason for low adoption of recommended technologies. This research was carried out to identify the criteria that farmers used to distinguish farm‐types and to use these types to evaluate different knowledge levels and perceptions of soil erosion and existing soil and water conservation (SWC) measures in the Central Highlands of Kenya. Community meetings and semi‐structured household surveys were carried out in a small catchment, with 120 households. Results partly support the idea of using farmer‐developed criteria to distinguish among land managers with reference to a farm‐type classification. Criteria distinguishing three classes of land managers (good, moderate and poor) were significant with regard to the following land husbandry practices: use of hybrid or recycled seed and use of organic and/or inorganic fertilizers. Farmers were aware of on‐going soil erosion and of several erosion control measures. Whereas a majority of farmers preferred grass‐strips as a SWC measures, they did not recognize agroforestry as a form of SWC measure. Farmers perceived that SWC measures could successfully increase crop yields and soil‐water retention, and increase land value. In general, farmers did not perceive that SWC measures successfully prevented erosion phenomena, given the evidence of on‐site erosion indicators. They attributed the continued erosion to high rainfall, steep slopes, lack of maintenance and poorly designed SWC measures. They did not consider poor soil‐cover, up‐down tillage and tall trees to be the causes of erosion. Farmers faced several constraints in adopting SWC measures: lack of labour, tools, capital and know‐how to construct the measures. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tumorigenic study on hepatocytes coexpressing SV40 with Ras
Authors: Sun Beicheng , Chen Meizhen , Hawks Christina , Hornsby Peter J. , Wang Xuehao 
Published: September 2005

AbstractA model of neoplastic transformation by the combination of SV40 large T antigen (LT), SV40 small T antigen (ST), oncogenic Ras, and human telomerase reverse trasncriptase subunit (hTERT) has become established and replicated in primary human fibroblasts, however, there is no report on human hepatocytes. Here we use cell transplantation model, and show that transplantation of human hepatocytes of HL‐7702 and HL‐7703 expressing Ha‐RasV12 and SV40 LT into subrenal capsule of immunodeficient mice results in fully malignant tumors, in contrast to conventional subcutaneous injections where tumors fail to develop. In GM‐847 cell study, we have found that hTERT is not required for tumorigenic growth in subrenal capsule transplantation, however, it is required in subcutaneous injection assay. These results demonstrate that Human hepatocytes can be transformed under kidney capsule by coexpressing SV40 LT and Ha‐RasV12, neither hTERT nor protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) inhibition are required for malignant transformation, a gene which increases cell survival in the subcutaneous injection model is not required for tumorigenic growth in subrenal capsule. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effect of tamsulosin on the response of the rabbit bladder to partial outlet obstruction
Authors: Levin Robert M. , Longhurst Penelope A. , Whitbeck Catherine , Korstanje Cees 
Published: September 2005

AbstractAimTo determine if tamsulosin treatment prevents or decreases the incidence and severity of outlet obstruction‐induced bladder dysfunction in rabbits.Materials and MethodsMale New Zealand White rabbits were treated with tamsulosin or vehicle for 4 weeks with treatments initiated 1 week prior to sham or obstruction surgery. Cystometry was done on anesthetized rabbits 21 days after surgery. The bladders were then removed, weighed, and prepared for in vitro whole bladder studies. Responses to 32 Hz field stimulation (FS), carbachol, phenylephrine, and KCl were measured.ResultsObstruction resulted in a significant increase in bladder weight, which was unchanged by tamsulosin treatment and a significant increase in micturition pressure in the vehicle‐treated group but not in the tamsulosin‐treated group. Compliance was significantly decreased in both obstructed groups. The vehicle‐treated obstructed rabbits had a very sharp increase in intravesical pressure as the bladder reached capacity; this was not seen in the tamsulosin‐treated obstructed rabbits. Tamsulosin did not change the pattern of modifications in contractile responses induced by bladder outlet obstruction.ConclusionsIn vitro responses of vehicle and tamsulosin‐treated obstructed rabbit groups in this study were similar. A greater micturition pressure was found for the vehicle‐treated obstructed group than for the tamsulosin‐treated obstructed group, which was probably due to decreased urethral resistance in the latter. On a functional basis, the higher compliance at capacity and decreased micturition pressure in the tamsulosin‐treated obstructed group would be considered beneficial for bladder function. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Complications following surgical intervention for stress urinary incontinence: A national perspective
Authors: Taub David A. , Hollenbeck Brent K. , Wei John T. , Dunn Rodney L. , McGuire Edward J. , Latini Jerilyn M. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractAimsStress urinary incontinence (SUI) impacts many women. Treatment is primarily surgical. Post‐operative morbidity considerably affects individuals and the health care system. Our objective is to describe complications following surgery for SUI and how they affect resource utilization.MethodsUtilizing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (a nationally representative dataset), 147,473 patients who underwent surgery for SUI from 1988 to 2000 were identified by ICD‐9 codes. Comorbid conditions/complications were extracted using ICD‐9 codes, including complication rates, length of stay (LOS), hospital charges, and discharge status.ResultsOverall complication rate was 13.0% (not equal to sum of complication sub‐types, as each woman may have had = 1 complication), with 2.8% bleeding, 1.4% surgical injury, 4.3% urinary/renal, 4.4% infectious, 0.1% wound, 1.1% pulmonary insufficiency, 0.5% myocardial infarction, 0.2% thromboembolic. The “gold standard” surgical technique for SUI, the pubovaginal sling, had the lowest morbidity at 12.5%. Mean LOS increased with morbidity: from 2.9 to 4.1 to 6.1 days for those with 0, 1, and =2 complications respectively (P < 0.001). Similarly, inflation‐adjusted hospital charges increased with morbidity: from $7,918 to $9,828 to $15,181 for those with 0, 1, and =2 complications respectively (P < 0.001). The percentage of patients requiring post‐discharge subacute or home care increased with morbidity: from 4.4% to 8.4% to 14.3% for those with 0, 1, and =2 complications (P < 0.001).ConclusionsA substantial percentage of women experience complications following surgery for SUI. Post‐operative morbidity leads to dramatically increased resource utilization. Prospective studies are needed to identify pre‐operative risk factors and intraoperative process measures to optimize the quality of care. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the numerical modelling of quasi‐static crack growth in linear elastic fracture mechanics
Authors: Heintz P. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractIn this paper we present a strategy for the simulation of a propagating crack under mixed mode linear elastic conditions using a discontinuous finite element method. A key issue is to accurately compute the incremental change in the kink angle of the propagating crack during subsequent steps. We have chosen to work with a domain formulation of the material force vector as a criteria for the propagation direction. We describe the theoretical background together with the numerical implementation in detail and show some results for different loading conditions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
State‐space time integration with energy control and fourth‐order accuracy for linear dynamic systems
Authors: Krenk Steen 
Published: September 2005

AbstractA fourth‐order accurate time integration algorithm with exact energy conservation for linear structural dynamics is presented. It is derived by integrating the phase‐space representation and evaluating the resulting displacement and velocity integrals via integration by parts, substituting the time derivatives from the original differential equations. The resulting algorithm has an exact energy equation, in which the change of energy is equal to the work of the external forces minus a quadratic form of the damping matrix. This implies unconditional stability of the algorithm, and the relative phase error is of fourth‐order. An optional high‐frequency algorithmic damping is constructed by optimal combination of three different damping matrices, each proportional to either the mass or the stiffness matrix. This leads to a modified form of the undamped algorithm with scalar weights on some of the matrices introducing damping of fourth‐order in the frequency. Thus, the low‐frequency response is virtually undamped, and the algorithm remains third‐order accurate even when algorithmic damping is included. The accuracy of the algorithm is illustrated by an application to pulse propagation in an elastic medium, where the algorithmic damping is used to reduce dispersion due to the spatial discretization, leading to a smooth solution with a clearly defined wave front. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Piecewise uniform bases and energetic approach for discrete constitutive matrices in electromagnetic problems
Authors: Codecasa L. , Trevisan F. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractIn the paper we introduce piecewise uniform edge and face vector functions on a simplicial primal cell complex having geometric structure common to Whitney's vector functions. We also introduce piecewise uniform bases functions in the barycentric dual complex, where the analogous of Whitney's functions does not exist. By using these piecewise uniform bases functions and by exploiting an energetic approach, we construct symmetric positive definite constitutive matrices for discrete Maxwell's equations. We also prove that these constitutive matrices are deeply related to those of the finite elements with Whitney's bases functions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient cubature formulae for MLPG and related methods
Authors: Pecher Radek 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe paper introduces four kinds of compact, simple to implement Gaussian cubature formulae for approximating the domain integrals arising in the discrete local weak form (DLWF) of a governing partial differential equation solved by means of the meshless local Petrov–Galerkin method of type MLPG1. The integral weight functions are fixed to be the quartic‐spline weight function of the moving least squares (MLS) method and the function's gradient. The integration domain is a circle in 2D or a sphere in 3D. The fact that the DLWF test functions are directly incorporated into the formulae increases both their exactness degree and their computational efficiency.A number of numerical tests are carried out in order to asses the accuracy of the cubature formulae. For integrands involving MLS shape functions, the main factor controlling the integration accuracy is found to be the accuracy of the MLS‐approximation. Only a small number of cubature points is thus required to match that accuracy without a need for domain partitioning. The recommended approach for increasing the overall accuracy is by adding more MLS nodes and taking advantage of the computationally inexpensive cubature formulae. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A modified SSOR preconditioner for sparse symmetric indefinite linear systems of equations
Authors: Chen X. , Toh K. C. , Phoon K. K. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe standard SSOR preconditioner is ineffective for the iterative solution of the symmetric indefinite linear systems arising from finite element discretization of the Biot's consolidation equations. In this paper, a modified block SSOR preconditioner combined with the Eisenstat‐trick implementation is proposed. For actual implementation, a pointwise variant of this modified block SSOR preconditioner is highly recommended to obtain a compromise between simplicity and effectiveness. Numerical experiments show that the proposed modified SSOR preconditioned symmetric QMR solver can achieve faster convergence than several effective preconditioners published in the recent literature in terms of total runtime. Moreover, the proposed modified SSOR preconditioners can be generalized to non‐symmetric Biot's systems. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.