bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Serum Antibody Responses against the Rotavirus Nonstructural Protein NSP4 in Children after Rhesus Rotavirus Tetravalent Vaccination or Natural Infection
Authors: Vizzi Esmeralda , Calviño Eva , González Rosabel , Pérez-Schael Irene , Ciarlet Max , Kang Gagandeep , Estes Mary K. , Liprandi Ferdinando , Ludert Juan E. 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT

The immune response elicited by the rotavirus nonstructural protein NSP4 and its potential role in protection against rotavirus disease are not well understood. We investigated the serological response to NSP4 and its correlation with disease protection in sera from 110 children suffering acute diarrhea, associated or not with rotavirus, and from 26 children who were recipients of the rhesus rotavirus tetravalent (RRV-TV) vaccine. We used, as antigens in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), affinity-purified recombinant NSP4 (residues 85 to 175) from strains SA11, Wa, and RRV (genotypes A, B, and C, respectively) fused to glutathione
S
-transferase. Seroconversion to NSP4 was observed in 54% (42/78) of the children who suffered from natural rotavirus infection and in 8% (2/26) of the RRV-TV vaccine recipients. Our findings indicate that NSP4 evokes significantly (
P
< 0.05) higher seroconversion rates after natural infection than after RRV-TV vaccination. The serum antibody levels to NSP4 were modest (titers of ≤200) in most of the infected and vaccinated children. A heterotypic NSP4 response was detected in 48% of the naturally rotavirus-infected children with a detectable response to NSP4. Following natural infection or RRV-TV vaccination, NSP4 was significantly less immunogenic than the VP6 protein when these responses were independently measured by ELISA. A significant (
P
< 0.05) proportion of children who did not develop diarrhea associated with rotavirus had antibodies to NSP4 in acute-phase serum, suggesting that serum antibodies against NSP4 might correlate with protection from rotavirus diarrhea. In addition, previous exposures to rotavirus did not affect the NSP4 seroconversion rate.
Serologic Cross-Reactivity between
Anaplasma marginale
and
Anaplasma phagocytophilum
Authors: Dreher U. M. , de la Fuente J. , Hofmann-Lehmann R. , Meli M. L. , Pusterla N. , Kocan K. M. , Woldehiwet Z. , Braun U. , Regula G. , Staerk K. D. C. , Lutz H. 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT

In the context of a serosurvey conducted on the
Anaplasma marginale
prevalence in Swiss cattle, we suspected that a serological cross-reactivity between
A. marginale
and
A. phagocytophilum
might exist. In the present study we demonstrate that cattle, sheep and horses experimentally infected with
A. phagocytophilum
not only develop antibodies to
A. phagocytophilum
(detected by immunofluorescent-antibody assay) but also to
A. marginale
(detected by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Conversely, calves experimentally infected with
A. marginale
also developed antibodies to
A. phagocytophilum
using the same serological tests. The identity of 63% determined in silico within a 209-amino-acid sequence of major surface protein 5 of an isolate of
A. marginale
and one of
A. phagocytophilum
supported the observed immunological cross-reactivity. These observations have important consequences for the serotesting of both,
A. marginale
and
A. phagocytophilum
infection of several animal species. In view of these new findings, tests that have been considered specific for either infection must be interpreted carefully.
Priming of Immunological Memory by Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Children Unresponsive to 23-Valent Polysaccharide Pneumococcal Vaccine
Authors: Rose Markus A. , Schubert Ralf , Strnad Nicola , Zielen Stefan 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) is of limited immunogenicity in infants and immunocompromised patients. Our prospective randomized controlled trial investigated whether priming with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) induced specific immunological memory in previously nonresponders to PPV. Of a total of 33 children (2 to 18 years) with polysaccharide-specific immunodeficiency (PSI), group A (
n
= 16) received two doses of 7-valent PCV in a 4- to 6-week interval, and a booster dose of 23-valent PPV after one year. Group B (
n
= 17) received two doses of PPV in a 1-year interval exclusively. Specific antibody concentrations for serotypes 4, 5, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F were determined (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) before and at 7 and 28 days after administration of the PPV booster and compared to an opsonophagocytosis assay. Of group A, 64 to 100% had antibody concentrations of ≥1 μg/ml on day 28 after the booster versus 25 to 94% of group B. Group A had significantly higher antibody concentrations for all PCV-containing serotypes already on day 7, indicating early memory response. Antibody concentrations were in accordance with functional opsonic activity, although opsonic titers varied among individuals. Pneumococcal vaccination was well tolerated. The incidence of airway infections was reduced after priming with PCV (10/year for group A versus 15/year for group B). Following a PPV booster, even patients primarily not responding to PPV showed a rapid and more pronounced memory response after priming with PCV.
Immunogenicity of Meningococcal ACYW135 Polysaccharide Vaccine in Saudi Children 5 to 9 Years of Age
Authors: Khalil M. , Al-Mazrou Y. , Balmer P. , Bramwell J. , Andrews N. , Borrow R. 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACT
Meningococcal tetravalent polysaccharide vaccines were observed to be immunogenic in Saudi children 5 to 9 years of age, with >90% having serum bactericidal antibody titers of ≥8 for serogroups A, Y, and W135; for serogroup C, 77% were putatively protected after vaccination.
Correlation between clinical diagnosis and arthroscopic findings of the shoulder
Authors: Malhi A M , Khan R 
Published: October 2005

Abstract

Objective
To assess the accuracy of clinical examination by non-specialist orthopaedic surgeons of patients presenting to a diagnostic and treatment centre (DTC) for arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Methods
A retrospective review of notes of 130 consecutive shoulder arthroscopies performed at a DTC over a 10 month period. Preoperative clinical diagnosis was compared with operative arthroscopic findings. Additional information from preoperative imaging was compared with clinical examination and arthroscopic findings. Preoperative clinical examinations and consent were undertaken by clinical fellows, (SpR level) and non-upper limb consultant orthopaedic surgeons. Consultants specialising in upper limb surgery performed the operations.

Results
Six main groups were identified on the basis of clinical examination: impingement 76 cases (58%), instability 22 cases (17%), frozen shoulder 11 cases (8%), rotator cuff tear four cases (3%), non-specific pain eight cases (6%), and normal clinical examination nine cases (7%). Impingement and instability diagnosed clinically strongly correlated with the arthroscopic findings. Clinical diagnosis of frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tears had a weaker correlation with the arthroscopic findings. Of the nine cases of normal clinical examination, abnormality was found at arthroscopy in all cases.

Conclusion
There have been very few studies comparing clinical examination of the shoulder with arthroscopic findings. This study emphasises the importance of good clinical examination skills in diagnosing common shoulder abnormalities. The addition of imaging, particularly ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging further increases the likelihood of an accurate diagnosis. Shoulder examination should be taught with as much emphasis at both undergraduate and postgraduate level as other orthopaedic clinical examinations.
Change of nitric oxide in experimental colitis and its inhibition by melatonin in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Mei Q , Xu J-M , Xiang L , Hu Y-M , Hu X-P , Xu Z-W 
Published: October 2005

Abstract

Aim
To investigate the change of nitric oxide (NO) in rat colitis and its inhibition by melatonin in vivo and in vitro.

Methods
In vivo, rat colitis was established intracolonically with trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) and ethanol. The animals were randomised into five groups: control group, model group, melatonin group (2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg/kg), and treated intracolonically with saline, saline and melatonin respectively (once a day, from day 7 after colitis was established to day 28). After the end of the experiment, the mucosal damage index (CMDI) and histology score (HS) were evaluated and the level of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondiadehyde (MDA) and NO in the colon tissue were measured. In vitro, the co-culture model of the inflamed colon mucosa (from the colitis) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the colonocytes oxidative injury model by hydroxyl radical, were designed respectively to elucidate the inhibition of NO by melatonin.

Results
After treated with TNBS/ethanol, the extent of CMDI and HS, the levels of MPO, MDA, and NO in the model group, were higher than that in the control group; melatonin ameliorated these parameters effectively. The stimulation of LPS increased the level of NO and MPO and MDA in the co-culture model of inflamed colon mucosa, and melatonin significantly reduced the level of MPO, MDA, and NO. In the coloncyte oxidative injury model by hydroxyl radical, the contents of LDH, MDA, and NO were increased; melatonin reversed this oxidative injury considerably.

Conclusion
This study showed that TNBS/ethanol induced colitis was pharmacologically controlled by melatonin in vivo and in vitro.
Non-invasive ventilation in acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema
Authors: Agarwal R , Aggarwal A N , Gupta D , Jindal S K 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is the delivery of assisted mechanical ventilation to the lungs, without the use of an invasive endotracheal airway. NIV has revolutionised the management of patients with various forms of respiratory failure. It has decreased the need for invasive mechanical ventilation and its attendant complications. Cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (CPO) is a common medical emergency, and NIV has been shown to improve both physiological and clinical outcomes. From the data presented herein, it is clear that there is sufficiently high level evidence to favour the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and that the use of CPAP in patients with CPO decreases intubation rate and improves survival (number needed to treat seven and eight respectively). However, there is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP), probably the exception being patients with hypercapnic CPO. More trials are required to conclusively define the role of BiPAP in CPO.
Intraspecific variation in morphology and sexual dimorphism in Liolaemus tenuis (Tropiduridae)
Authors: Lamborot Madeleine , Vidal Marcela , Ramírez Claudio , Ortiz Juan Carlos 
Published: October 2005

AbstractLiolaemus tenuis is a widely distributed arboreal lizard species in central-southern Chile. Although two subspecies, L. t. tenuis and L. t. punctatissimus, have been described based on sexual dimorphism, their characteristic have not been accurately demarcated. Therefore, both traditional and geometric morphometrics were used to study the morphological variation of L. tenuis. Four specific questions were addressed: (1) Does population morphological variation occur along a latitudinal gradient, given its wide geographic distribution in a climactic gradient? (2) Does L. tenuis present sexual dimorphism? (3) In the case of dimorphism, what is the variation along a latitudinal gradient? (4) Are these subspecies morphologically distinguishable? The study was performed in a variety of locations, including the following six bioclimatic regions of Chile: arid mediterranean, semi-arid mediterranean, sub-humid mediterranean, humid mediterranean, per-humid mediterranean, and oceanic with mediterranean influence. Male and female individuals were measured and photographed. Our results suggest sexual dimorphism for all morphological variables analyzed. Geometric data indicate that the eye orbits of the males are more extended than those of the females; this is probably related to territorial defense and/or polygynic mating system. The traditional morphometric approach revealed a difference in individuals from the arid region, whereas the geometric approach revealed a difference in individuals from the oceanic region. Differences in the limits of their distribution ranges seem be related to local factors, such as topography and climatic conditions. Finally, is not possible to recognize distinct subspecies within L. tenuis, and our research concludes that the species consists of one homogenous identity.
A certain ratio? The policy implications of minimum staffing ratios in nursing
Authors: Buchan James 
Published: October 2005

The debate about how best to determine nurse staffing levels continues. The conventional wisdom is that determining staffing levels is something best left to local management, taking account of local workload and resources. This 'bottom up' philosophy has now been challenged by the use of a different approach – the use of 'top down'standardized, and mandatory, nurse:patient or nurse:bed ratios. This paper examines the characteristics and early results of the use of staffing ratios in the two health systems where nurse staffing ratios are now mandatory – the states of Victoria (Australia) and California (USA). It then discusses the policy implications of using ratios. The paper identifies the main weaknesses of the use of nurse:patient ratios as being their relative inflexibility and their potential inefficiency, if they are wrongly calibrated. Their strength is their simplicity and their transparency. Their impact will be most pronounced when ratios are mandatory and where they offer a mechanism to improve and then to maintain staffing levels at some pre-determined level. The biggest challenges in their use are calibration (what is 'safe'? or 'minimum'?) and achieving the support of all stake-holders. The paper concludes that nurse:patient ratios are a blunt instrument for achieving employer compliance, where reliance on alternative, voluntary (and often more sophisticated) methods of determining nurse staffing have not been effective.
Patients with Extreme Obesity: Change in Mental Symptoms Three Years after Gastric Banding
Authors: Nickel C. , Widermann C. , Harms D. , Leiberich P. L. , Tritt K. , Kettler C. , Lahmann C. , Rother W. K. , Loew T. H. , Nickel M. K. 
Published: October 2005

Objective: Extreme obesity causes grave psychosocial and psychopathological problems in addition to somatic morbidity. One possible treatment is gastric banding, a surgical reduction of stomach volume. The aim of this study was to investigate whether gastric banding leads to lasting change in: 1) the Body Mass Index (BMI); 2) social factors such as work and partnerships, eating behavior, anxiety and depression symptoms; and 3) health related quality of life. Method: We surveyed a sample of 50 adipose women (BMI > 40 kg/m2). Primary outcome measures were self-reported changes on the scales of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D), and the Health Survey (SF-36). Results: In comparison with the control group, we observed significant changes in BMI ( p < 0.01) and the existence of a partnership ( p < 0.01), on all three scales of the TFEQ ( p < 0.01), on both scales of the HADS-D (anxiety: p < 0.05; depression: p < 0.01), and on all scales of the SF-36 Health Survey ( p between < 0.05 and < 0.01 in every case). The most marked changes in all the qualities investigated occurred within the first 12 months of surgery. Conclusions: Three years after gastric banding, positive changes in BMI reduction, partnership, eating behavior, anxiety, depressive symptomatology, and health related quality of life could be observed. There was also a significant correlation between BMI reduction and reduction firstly on the depression scale (HADS-D) and secondly on the SF-36 scales for physical functioning (PHFU), role physical (ROPH), mental health (PSYC), and vitality (VITA).
The Factor Structure of a Chinese Version of the Geriatric Depression Scale
Authors: Lai Daniel W. L. , Fung Tak S. , Yuen Clara T. Y. 
Published: October 2005

Objective: This study aimed to examine the factor structure of a Chinese version of the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) with a sample of community dwelling elderly Chinese in Canada. Method: The data for this study were obtained from a larger study examining the health and culture of 2,272 older Chinese aged 55 years and above in seven major Canadian cities. Both exploratory factor analysis using the Principal Component Analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to examine the factor structure of the GDS. Results: The findings in this study indicated a four-factor model: 1) negative mood; 2) positive mood; 3) inferiority and disinterested; 4) uncertainty. The constructs identified were associated with the unique characteristics of older Chinese who are mainly immigrants from other countries. Conclusions: The findings in this study presented evidence for the applicability of the GDS to older Chinese-Canadians. This instrument would be useful for practitioners to identify potential depression concerns among older adults in this ethnic community.
Severity and Criteria Based Prompting for Treatment of Depressed Patients
Authors: Nease Donald E. , Klinkman Michael S. , Aikens James E. 
Published: October 2005

Purpose: Primary care physicians (PCPs) often do not respond to prompts based upon criteria-based depression screens, perhaps because these prompts do not account for depression severity. We conducted this pilot study to determine the feasibility of prompting for both diagnostic criteria and severity and to assess whether depression would be more attended to with positive “dual prompts” than prompts based on either criteria or symptom severity alone. Methods: Immediately prior to a routine care appointment, 87 adults from three primary care practices completed the PRIME-MD Clinician Evaluation Guide Mood Module (PRIME-MD; assesses depression criteria) and the Brief Depression Rating (BDR; assesses depressive symptom severity), and their results were issued in a salient PCP prompt on the chart. Immediately afterwards, patients reported the impact of the screening results upon treatment decisions during the encounter. Data were analyzed by χ2, analysis of variance, and binomial regression. Results: Compared to subjects screening positive on either depression criteria or severity alone ( n = 10), those patients on both ( n = 17) were more likely to report discussing depression, and agreement that the physician and patient decided treatment was needed and initiated or continued. There were no differences in patient satisfaction based on screening results. After accounting for PRIME-MD results, BDR scores predicted agreement with the physician and patient decided treatment was needed (OR = 22.03; 95% CI: 2.05–236.46). Conclusions: Supplementary severity-based depression screening is feasible, and might overcome the limitations of criteria-based screening alone. Future research could test this hypothesis in a large randomized trial.
Factors Associated with Control of Type I Diabetes in Malaysian Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: Tan S. M. K. , Shafiee Z. , Wu L. L. , Rizal A. M. , Rey J. M. 
Published: October 2005

Objectives: To examine the association between ethnicity, depression, quality of life, and diabetic control in Malaysian adolescents and young adults with type I diabetes mellitus. Methods: Fifty-two outpatients with type I diabetes (mean age 15.5 years) who attended a Diabetes Clinic were included. The level of HbA1c was the measure of diabetes control used (better control defined as HbA1c < 10%). Other variables were measured through questionnaires (e.g., depressive symptoms, quality of life), computerized diagnostic interviews (major depression), and medical records (e.g., demographic, family circumstances, compliance with treatment). Results: Ethnic Chinese youth showed better diabetic control than Malays and Indians (mean HbA1c 9.1%, 10.3%, and 11.0% respectively). Young people with better diabetic control (HbA1c < 10%) were more likely to have better quality of life and less likely to live in problematic families. When the cut-off for diabetic control was stricter (HbA1c ≤ 8%), the young person's compliance was the main predictor of poor control. Family problems were also associated with poor control but to a lesser extent. The initial association between poorer diabetes control and depression became non-significant when quality of life was taken into account. Conclusions: There are ethnic differences in juvenile diabetic control in this Malaysian sample which need to be understood further. Previous findings of an association between quality of life and glycemic control were verified but different definitions of good control showed different associations with individual and environmental variables. Clinicians' awareness and early intervention for psychosocial problems (for example, inadequate family support) could improve diabetes control.
An equation‐of‐state contribution for polar components: Dipolar molecules
Authors: Gross Joachim , Vrabec Jadran 
Published: October 2005

AbstractAccounting for dipolar interactions in a physically based equation of state (EOS) can substantially improve the modeling of phase equilibria of real mixtures. An EOS contribution for dipolar interactions of nonspherical molecules is developed based on a third‐order perturbation theory. Molecular simulation data for vapor–liquid equilibria of the two‐center Lennard–Jones (2CLJ) plus pointdipole fluid is used to determine model constants of the EOS. The resulting model is compared to simulation data of pure dipolar nonspherical molecules and their mixtures and an excellent agreement is found. The proposed dipole term is applied to real substances with the perturbed‐chain statistical associating fluid theory (PC‐SAFT) EOS and it is confirmed that accounting for dipolar interactions not only reduces the binary interaction parameter, but also improves the description of pure component and mixture phase equilibria. Literature values for the dipole moment can thereby be used and no further dipole‐related pure component parameter has to be adjusted. This constitutes an advantage over earlier approaches, where dipole‐related parameters were fitted to pure component data or to mixture data. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Tragverhalten und Bemessung von Befestigungen mit Verbunddübeln unter Zugbeanspruchung – Teil 2: Dübelgruppen und Befestigungen am Bauteilrand
Authors: Eligehausen Rolf , Appl Jörg J. , Lehr Bernhard , Meszaros Juraj , Fuchs Werner 
Published: October 2005

AbstractIm Bauwesen werden in zunehmendem Maße Dübel zur Einleitung von Lasten in den erhärteten Beton eingesetzt. Vor allem Befestigungssysteme auf der Grundlage chemischer Mörtel werden vermehrt verwendet. Allerdings fehlt bisher ein genügend genaues Berechnungsmodell zur Bemessung von beliebigen Befestigungen mit Verbunddübeln für unterschiedliche Verankerungstiefen und verschiedene chemische Mörtel.In diesem Beitrag wird das Tragverhalten und die Bemessung von Befestigungen mit Verbunddübeln unter Zugbeanspruchung vorgestellt. Das Bemessungsmodell beruht auf dem CC‐Verfahren [1] und berücksichtigt die wesentlichen Einflußparameter auf die Bruchlast mit ausreichender Genauigkeit. Teil 1 [2] des Beitrages behandelt Einzeldübel mit großem Achs‐ und Randabstand in ungerissenem und gerissenem Beton. In diesem zweiten Teil werden Dübelgruppen mit großem Randabstand sowie Einzeldübel am Bauteilrand diskutiert.