bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mode of HCV infection examined by polymorphism of hypervariable region‐1 in cases of acute hepatitis C after accidental exposure to blood‐borne pathogens
Authors: Takeda Tadashi , Tatsumi Nobuyuki , Nakayama Yuji , Yasuda Takahiro , Nishiguchi Shuhei , Seki Shuichi 
Published: November 2004

AbstractAcute hepatitis C is known to respond better to interferon therapy than chronic hepatitis C. The reason for this difference remains unclear. The present study was undertaken to examine HCV quasispecies in blood from patients with acute hepatitis C caused by accidental exposure to blood‐borne pathogens and in blood from the source patients. Three patients who developed hepatitis C (recipient patients; R‐Pt.) and two patients who served as a source of HCV infection (source patients; S‐Pt.) were the subjects of this study. The number of quasispecies and the genetic diversity in hypervariable region‐1 (HVR‐1) were examined on the basis of fluorescence single‐strand conformation polymorphism and sequence analysis (FSSA). On the day of the accident, the number of quasispecies and genetic diversity were 13 and 36 in S‐Pt.1 and 6 and 20 in S‐Pt.3, respectively. At the time of diagnosis of acute hepatitis, the number of quasispecies and nucleotide diversity were 2 and 2 in R‐Pt.1, 2 and 0 in R‐Pt.2, and 4 and 0 in R‐Pt.3, respectively. Immediately before the start of treatment, the number of quasispecies and genetic diversity were 4 and 4 in R‐Pt.1, 2 and 0 in R‐Pt.2, and 3 and 0 in R‐Pt.3., respectively. In three R‐Pts, interferon therapy resulted in eradication of HCV. These findings indicate that in the early stage of HCV infection, only a portion of HCV transmitted from S‐Pts to R‐Pts can proliferate. The low number of quasispecies of HCV appears to be one of the reasons why acute hepatitis responds well to interferon therapy. J. Med. Virol. 75:35–41, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis A virus in Thailand
Authors: Wattanasri Naiyana , Ruchusatsawat Kriangsak , Wattanasri Somsak 
Published: November 2004

AbstractHuman hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a major causative agent of acute hepatitis, and the isolates are categorised into four genotypes: I (GI), II (GII), III (GIII), and VII (GVII). Although viral hepatitis has been detected under a nationwide surveillance system in Thailand, the genetic variation of HAV has not yet been determined. In the present study, serum specimens were collected from acute hepatitis patients in Thailand from 1998–2002. The IgM‐class antibody to HAV was detected in 156 out of 394 sera, counting as many as 39.6% of acute viral hepatitis cases. HAV RNA in the serum specimens was amplified by reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), and a phylogenetic analysis of the putative VP1/2A junction of the genome was performed.The isolates were grouped into two genetic groups, GIA and GIB. This is the first report to identify subgenotype IB (GIB) in Thailand. The genetic segregation was closely related to the province where hepatitis A occurred and the serum specimens were collected. In addition, genetically similar strains were identified in both 1998 and 2001–2002 isolates from two close provinces in the southern part of Thailand, suggesting that a strain indigenous to the province or district has been circulating in southern Thailand. J. Med. Virol. 75:1–7, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association between enterovirus endomyocardial infection and late severe cardiac events in some adult patients receiving heart transplants
Authors: Douche‐Aourik Fatima , Bourlet Thomas , Mosnier Jean‐François , Jacques Jérôme , Decoene Christophe , Stankowiak Czeslas , Pozzetto Bruno , Andréoletti Laurent 
Published: November 2004

AbstractEnteroviruses and other cardiotropic viruses have been associated with the development of late severe adverse cardiac events in infants receiving heart transplants. However, the source and the chronology of cardiac allograft infection by an enterovirus in patients receiving heart transplants remain unknown. Using RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry assays, endomyocardial tissue samples of 30 adult patients were tested to detect the presence of specific enterovirus 5′ non‐coding (5′NC) sequences and of VP1 capsid protein, and this at the time of cardiac transplantation and at the 12‐month biopsy for graft rejection control. Moreover, the endomyocardial detection of genomic sequences of enteroviruses, Epstein–Barr virus, herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), varicella‐zoster virus, adenoviruses, and parvovirus B19 was carried out by RT‐PCR and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays at the time of late severe cardiac events. Enterovirus RNA and VP1 antigen were both detected in 4 (13%) of 30 patients at the time of the 12‐month biopsy for graft rejection control, whereas no enterovirus component was detected in the explanted and implanted heart tissues taken from these 4 patients at the time of transplantation. At the time when severe cardiac events were developed, within 3 months after the positive enterovirus cardiac detection, these four patients demonstrated the presence of endomyocardial enterovirus RNA sequences whereas they were tested negative for the endomyocardial detection of genomic sequences from DNA viruses (except for CMV in two cases), and for a significant level of pp65 CMV antigenemia. Taken together, these findings indicate that enteroviruses could be acquired as a new endomyocardial infection within 12 months after transplantation in adults receiving heart transplants, and suggest that this infection might be an etiological cause for unexplained late severe adverse cardiac events in the heart‐transplantated adults. J. Med. Virol. 75:47–53, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro and in vivo analysis of human herpesvirus‐6 U90 protein expression
Authors: Nishimura N. , Yoshikawa T. , Ozaki T. , Sun H. , Goshima F. , Nishiyama Y. , Asano Y. , Kurata T. , Iwasaki T. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractIn order to establish a reliable method for the detection of human herpesvirus‐6 (HHV‐6) B antigens in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from HHV‐6 infected patients, we created a polyclonal antibody against the HHV‐6 B U90 protein (IEA/ex3) and used it to examine the expression of this protein in virus‐infected cells and patients' PBMCs. This antibody reacted with 170 and 195 kDa proteins in HHV‐6 B‐infected cord blood mononuclear cells. The IEA/ex3 antigen was detected in cord blood mononuclear cells at 6 hr post‐infection, and the number of infected cells reached its maximum at 48 hr post‐infection. The antigen stained in a punctate pattern and partially localized to the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein body. We also examined 60 PBMC samples from 60 febrile children (3–19 months old) and detected IEA/ex3 antigen in the PBMCs by laser‐scanning microscopy. HHV‐6 was isolated from 31 of the 60 samples. The sensitivity and specificity of the antigen detection were 84% (26/31) and 97% (28/29), respectively, in the samples with virus detected. The mean number of antigen‐positive PBMCs was 409/106 cells in 20 samples with viral isolation. A significant correlation (r = 0.566; P = 0.008) was observed between the viral load and number of antigen‐positive cells. Although IEA/ex3 antigen was detected by laser‐scanning microscopy in PBMCs (without cultivation) collected from six patients with isolated virus, it was detected in only one sample by conventional fluorescence microscopy. Increasing the intensity by cultivation (24 hr) resulted in a higher detection rate (5/6) even by conventional fluorescence microscopy, which is available in most hospital laboratories. J. Med. Virol. 75:86–92, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of epitopes in the nucleocapsid protein of Nipah virus using a linear phage‐displayed random peptide library
Authors: Eshaghi Majid , Tan Wen Siang , Yusoff Khatijah 
Published: November 2004

AbstractA random peptide library of heptamers displayed on the surface of M13 bacteriophage was used to identify specific epitopes of antibodies in pooled sera of swine naturally infected by Nipah virus. The selected heptapeptides were aligned with protein sequences of Nipah virus and several putative epitopes were identified within the nucleocapsid protein. A total of 41 of 60 (68%) selected phage clones had inserts resembling a region with the sequence SNRTQGE, located at the C‐terminal end (amino acids 503–509) of the nucleocapsid protein. The binding of antibodies in the swine and human antisera to the phage clone was inhibited by a synthetic peptide corresponding to this region. Epitopes identified by phage display are consistent with the predicted antigenic sites for the Nipah virus nucleocapsid protein. The selected phage clone used as a coating antigen discriminated swine and human Nipah virus sera‐positive from sera‐negative samples exhibiting characteristics, which might be attractive for diagnostic tests. J. Med. Virol. 75:147–152, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pregnenolone sulfate enhances long‐term potentiation in CA1 in rat hippocampus slices through the modulation of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors
Authors: Sliwinski A. , Monnet F.P. , Schumacher M. , Morin‐Surun M.P. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractAmong the different steroids found in the brain, pregnenolone sulfate (3β‐hydroxy‐5‐pregnen‐20‐one‐3‐sulfate; PREGS) is known to enhance hippocampal‐associated memory. The present study employs rat hippocampal slices to investigate the ability of PREGS to modulate long‐term potentiation (LTP), a phenomenon considered as a model of synaptic plasticity related to memory processes. LTP (3 × 100 Hz/1 sec within 2 min), implicated essentially glutamatergic transmission, for which the different synaptic events could be pharmacologically dissociated. We show that PREGS enhances LTP in CA1 pyramidal neurons at nanomolar concentrations and exhibits a bell‐shaped concentration‐response curve. The maximal effect of PREGS on both induction and maintenance phases of LTP is observed at 300 nM and requires 10 min of superfusion. Although PREGS does not change the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) component of the field potentials (fEPSPs) isolated in the presence of 10 μM 6‐cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline‐2,3‐dione (CNQX) in Mg2+‐free artificial cerebrospinal fluid, PREGS does enhance the response induced by NMDA application (50 μM, 20 sec). PREGS does not modify the α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) component of the fEPSPs isolated in the presence of 100 μM DL‐2‐amino‐7‐phosphopentanoic acid (DL‐AP5) or its potentiation induced by a single tetanic stimulation and the response induced by AMPA application (10 μM, 10 sec). Furthermore, PREGS does not affect the recurrent inhibition of the fEPSPs mediated by γ‐aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor. In conclusion, this study shows the ability of PREGS to enhance LTP in CA1 by accentuating the activity of NMDA receptors. This modulation of LTP might mediate the steroid‐induced enhancement of memory. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Zonal circulations over the Indian and Pacific Oceans and the level of lakes Victoria and Tanganyika
Authors: Bergonzini Laurent , Richard Yves , Petit Lena , Camberlin Pierre 
Published: November 2004

AbstractLevel records of two East African Great Lakes, Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika, which are considered as hydro‐climatic proxies, are analysed. Comparisons between the two lake signals show synchronisms, which can only be accounted for by large‐scale mechanisms. Lake‐level variations associated with the short rains season (October–January) appear to have a prominent effect on the annual lake levels. The relations between lake‐level variations and atmospheric circulation indexes are then investigated. Over the period 1946–2000, four indexes are selected to characterize the October–December zonal circulation over the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Over the Indian Ocean two surface zonal wind indexes (ZWIs) are used. For the Pacific, the southern oscillation index (SOI) and the Niño3 index are held to account for the El Niño–southern oscillation (ENSO). It is shown that significant overall negative correlations of level fluctuations are preferentially obtained with Indian Ocean circulation indexes. Although ZWI is highly correlated with the ENSO indexes, the latter display weaker relations with East African lake levels. It is shown that, for the 1946–2000 period, the October–December zonal circulation cell over the Indian Ocean plays a key role in the equatorial lake‐level anomalies, thus demonstrating their influence on the hydro‐climatic interannual variability of a large region. However, lake‐level variation is a function not only of regional hydro‐climatic conditions, but also of the initial (October) absolute lake level. Higher correlations are evident in a multiple correlation approach taking into account the initial lake level status in addition to the ZWI and ENSO indexes. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society
Spectator ligand effects on the vibrational spectra of heteroleptic complexes of ruthenium with bipyrazine
Authors: Wu Jing , Kincaid James R. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractResonance Raman (RR) and transient resonance Raman (TR2) spectra were acquired for a series of heteroleptic complexes of ruthenium, i.e. RuL2(bpz)2+, where bpz is 2,2′‐bipyrazine and L is 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) or an alkylated 2,2′‐bipyridine [i.e. diazafluorene (daf) or 4,4′‐dimethyl‐5,5′‐diethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (dmdeb)]. Resonance Raman spectra acquired at different excitation wavelengths for the ground‐state complexes reveal selective enhancement of modes associated with the coordinated bpz or the spectator ligands, as expected. The TR2 spectra, acquired with excitation at 355 nm, confirm selective population of a bpz‐localized 3MLCT excited state for each complex. Both the ground‐state RR spectra and the excited state TR2 data indicate that only slight shifts are observed in a few modes as the donor strengths of the spectator ligands are varied. Such data for a systematically manipulated set of complexes, acquired here for the first time, imply that both the RR and TR2 spectral parameters are reliably characteristic for a given ligand, varying only slightly as the nature of other ligands in the complex is changed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of seed treatments on the chemical composition and properties of two amaranth species: starch and protein
Authors: Gamel Tamer H , Linssen Jozef P , Mesallem Ahmed S , Damir Ahmed A , Shekib Lila A 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe seeds of two Amaranth species were studied. The starch contents were 543 and 623 g kg−1 while crude protein contents were 154 and 169 g kg−1 for Amaranthus caudatus and Amaranthus cruentus seeds, respectively. The effect of several treatments, including cooking, popping and germination and flour air classification on the protein and starch properties were studied. Air classification decreased the starch content and increased the protein content, while heating increased the protein but did not affect the starch content. Germination decreased both starch and protein contents. Amylose content was increased by air classification and heating, but was not affected by germination. It was found that all treatments increased the starch swelling power and reduced the falling number. The resistant starch content was increased in the high protein flour (HPF) fraction and germinated flour compared with the raw flour, while its content decreased in the heat treated seed flours. These processes also affected the starch gelatinization temperature and peak viscosity. The thermal properties of the starch flour were not affected by air classification while gelatinization energy was decreased significantly (by 52.0 and 90.0% and by 70.0 and 95.0%) in cooked and popped A caudatus and A cruentus seed flours, respectively. The gelatinization energy was highest in germinated seeds dried at 90 °C with values of 2.67 and 3.87 J g−1. Air classification reduced the level of all protein fractions. Thermal treatment decreased the water‐soluble fraction (albumins + globulins) and alcohol‐soluble fraction (prolamins) in both species. The levels of all fractions except the water‐soluble fraction (albumins + globulins) were reduced significantly in both species by germination, which mainly increased the amount of aspartic acid, serine and alanine, while the amounts of threonine, arginine and tyrosine decreased in both species. The polypeptide bands of the HPF in both species were unchanged compared with the raw seed flours, but more intensive coloured bands were observed. Thermal treatments eliminated major and minor bands above 35.0 KDa in both species. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Interaction between lactose levels and antimicrobial growth promoters on growth performance of weanling pigs
Authors: O'Doherty JV , Nolan CS , McCarthy PC 
Published: November 2004

AbstractIn experiment 1, 224 pigs (initially 8.85 kg and 28 ± 2 days of age) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to investigate the interaction between lactofeed (LF70) (860 g kg−1 whey permeate, 140 g kg−1 soya bean meal) level (175 g kg−1 and 350 g kg−1) and avilamycin (0 and 40 mg kg−1) inclusion in piglet starter diets. Pigs were fed starter diets from day 0 to day 22 and a transition diet was fed from day 23 to day 39. The inclusion level of LF70 in the transition diet was 75 g kg−1 and 150 g kg−1. Pigs fed 350 g kg−1 LF70 had a higher daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.01) and an improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05) during the starter period than the pigs fed 175 g kg−1 LF70. Pigs fed medicated diets had a higher ADG (p < 0.05) and an improved FCR (p < 0.05) than the non‐medicated fed pigs during the starter period. There was an increase in feed intake (AFI) (p < 0.05) during the transition period with increasing levels of LF70. There was an improvement in FCR during the transition period with the inclusion of avilamycin (p < 0.01). There was a significant interaction (p < 0.01) between LF70 and avilamycin for ADG during the transition period. The inclusion of avilamycin at 175 g kg−1 LF70 inclusion had no effect (p > 0.05) on ADG. However at 350 g kg−1 LF70 inclusion the pigs offered medicated diets had a higher ADG (p < 0.001) compared with non‐medicated diets. In experiment 2, 224 pigs (initially 8.85 kg and 28 ± 2 days of age) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial to investigate the interaction between LF70 level (175 g kg−1 and 350 g kg−1) and zinc oxide (ZnO) (0 and 3.1 g kg−1) inclusion in piglet starter diets. The inclusion level of LF70 in the transition diet was 75 g kg−1 and 150 g kg−1 and of ZnO was 2 g kg−1. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in ADG with increasing levels of LF70 during the starter period. The inclusion of ZnO during the starter period resulted in an increase in ADG (p < 0.001) and FCR (p < 0.05) compared with no ZnO inclusion. Neither the inclusion of zinc oxide not of LF70 had an effect (p > 0.05) on performance during the transition period. In conclusion the supplementation of starter diets with increasing levels of LF70, ZnO and avilamycin resulted in increased ADG and improved FCR. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Mutation Effects of a Conserved Alanine (Ala510) in Type I Polyhydroxyalkanoate Synthase from Ralstonia eutropha on Polyester Biosynthesis
Authors: Tsuge Takeharu , Saito Yu , Narike Masaharu , Muneta Koho , Normi Yahaya M. , Kikkawa Yoshihiro , Hiraishi Tomohiro , Doi Yoshiharu 
Published: November 2004

AbstractSummary: Type I polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthases, as represented by Ralstonia eutropha enzyme (PhaCRe), have narrow substrate specificity toward (R)‐3‐hydroxyacyl‐coenzyme A with acyl chain length of C3‐C5 to yield PHA polyesters. In this study, saturation point mutagenesis of a highly conserved alanine at position 510 (A510) in PhaCRe was carried out to investigate the effects on the polymerization activity and the substrate specificity for in vivo PHA biosynthesis in bacterial cells. A series of saturation mutants were first applied for poly[(R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate] homopolymer synthesis in Escherichia coli and R. eutropha PHB−4 (PHA negative mutant) cells to assess the polymerization activity. All mutants showed quantitatively similar polymerization activities when R. eutropha PHB−4 was used for assay, whereas several mutants such as A510P showed low activities in E. coli. Further analysis has revealed that majority of mutants synthesize polyesters with higher molecular weights than the wild‐type. In particular, substitution by acidic amino acids, A510D(E), led to remarkable increases in molecular weights. Subsequently, PHA copolymer synthesis from dodecanoate (C12 fatty acid) was examined. The copolymer compositions were varied depending on the mutants used. Significant increased fractions of long monomer units (C6 and C8) in PHA copolymers were observed for three mutants [A510M(Q,C)]. From these results, the mutations at this potion are beneficial to change the molecular weight of polyesters and the substrate specificity of PhaCRe.Molecular weight distributions of PHA polymers synthesized by the wild‐type enzyme (PhaCRe) and its mutants.magnified imageMolecular weight distributions of PHA polymers synthesized by the wild‐type enzyme (PhaCRe) and its mutants.
Cover Picture: Macromol. Biosci. 10/2004
Authors: Osanai Yasushi , Toshima Kazunobu , Matsumura Shuichi 
Published: November 2004

Cover: The conceptual scheme shows the lipase‐catalyzed green chemical recycling of biodegradable polyesters and the equipment for the continuous enzymatic degradation of biodegradable polyesters, using the enzyme column. The typical chemically‐synthesized biodegradable plastics, such as poly(butylene adipate) and poly(ε‐caprolactone), were degraded and transformed quantitatively into a repolymerizable cyclic oligomer passing through the enzyme packed column under continuous flow. And it was confirmed that the degradation activity of the enzyme column was maintained for at least six months at 40 °C.Further details can be found in the Full Paper by Y. Osanai, K. Toshima, and S. Matsumura* on page 936.
Untersuchungen zum Einfluss des Stickstoffs auf das Lochkorrosionsverhalten hochlegierter austenitischer Cr‐Ni‐Mo‐Stähle (Teil II)
Authors: Eckstein Ch. , Spies H. J. , Albrecht J. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractDie Ermittlung des statischen Lochkorrosionspotentials an Chrom‐Nickelstählen des Typs 18/12 ohne und mit steigenden Molybdängehalten sowie abgestuften Stickstoffgehalten erlaubte eine quantitative Bewertung des Einflusses von Stickstoff auf die Lochkorrosionsbeständigkeit. Es zeigte sich, dass die spezifische Wirkung des Stickstoffs zwischen 0,04 und 0,42 Masse% bei sonst völlig gleicher Zusammensetzung im Bereich von 0,06 bis 3,6 Masse% Mo nicht vom Molybdängehalt abhängt und in allen Legierungsgruppen nahezu gleich ist. Sie kann in der Wirksumme durch den Faktor 25 beschrieben werden. Durch Oberflächenuntersuchungen mittels XPS‐Analyse waren sowohl bei molybdänfreiem als auch bei molybdänhaltigem Stahl die passivierungswirksamen Komplexe des Stickstoffs nachzuweisen, so dass angenommen werden kann, dass bei allen untersuchten Legierungen Stickstoff die Lochkorrosionsbeständigkeit nach dem gleichen Mechanismus verbessert.Die durchgeführten Untersuchungen zeigten, dass unter den gewählten Prüfbedingungen die in letzter Zeit häufig vertretene Auffassung [2–6] über einen Synergieeffekt von Molybdän und Stickstoff nicht bestätigt werden kann. Damit werden Bemühungen unterstützt, auch bei molybdänarmen Stählen die Lochkorrosionsbeständigkeit durch Randaufsticken bzw. Auflegieren mit Stickstoff zu verbessern.Die erzielten Ergebnisse berechtigen zu der Annahme, dass der beobachtete positive Effekt des Stickstoffs zu noch höheren Stickstoffgehalten extrapolierbar ist. Voraussetzung dafür ist allerdings das Vermeiden von Sekundärphasen in der Matrix, deren abmindernder Einfluss bekannt ist.