bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation between cough frequency and airway inflammation in children with primary ciliary dyskinesia
Authors: Zihlif Nadwa , Paraskakis Emmanouil , Lex Christiane , Van De Pohl Lauri‐Ann , Bush Andrew 
Published: April 2005

AbstractCough is common in airway disease. We measured cough frequency in children with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), to determine how accurately families assess this symptom; and to assess the relationship between cough frequency and airway inflammation, measured using induced sputum and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO). Twenty stable PCD children (7 boys), median age 10.8 years (interquartile range (IQR), 9–14), and 10 healthy control children, median age 12 years (IQR, 10.5–12.7), were recruited. ENO was measured using a chemiluminescence analyzer, with sputum induction with 3.5% saline. PCD children underwent ambulatory cough monitoring. Sputum neutrophils were higher in PCD (median, 70.3%; IQR, 55.3–78%) compared to controls (median, 27%; IQR, 24.5–33%; P = 0.004); cough frequency was higher (median episodes, 19; IQR, 11–22.5) compared to healthy children (median episodes, 6.7; IQR, 4.1–10.5; P < 0.001). Forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1 percent predicted) and eNO were lower in PCD (median, 63%; IQR, 57–85%; P < 0.0001); eNO (median, 7.1 ppb (IQR, 4.8–19.1 ppb) vs. 12.4 ppb (IQR, 10.3–17.3 ppb), P = 0.043). Parental scoring of day and night cough correlated with recorded cough (r = 0.930, P < 0.0001, daytime; r = 0.711 for nighttime, P = 0.002). Visual analogue score and cough episodes also correlated positively (r = 0.906; P < 0.0001). There was a positive correlation between cough frequency and sputum neutrophil count in PCD (Spearman's r = 0.693, P < 0.002), but not percent FEV1 or eNO. Stable PCD children have increased cough frequency and neutrophilic airway inflammation. In conclusion, cough frequency correlated with sputum neutrophils but not with FEV1 or eNO. Pediatr Pulmonol © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Room temperature photoluminescence of the Li2ZnTi3O8 spinel: Experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Câmara M. S. C. , Gurgel M. F. C. , Lazaro S. R. , Boschi T. M. , Pizani P. S. , Leite E. R. , Beltran A. , Longo E. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThis article describes the characterization of intense photoluminescence observed at room temperature of the Li2ZnTi3O8 spinel phase, obtained by the polymeric precursor method. The evolution of visible photoluminescence is demonstrated by measurement of the photoluminescence signal as a function of the annealing treatment time. The evolution indicates that PL can be attributed to the presence of an inorganic disordered phase. In addition, increased annealing treatment times cause not only a decrease in the total residual content of organic material in the samples, but also an intensified photoluminescence. We discuss the nature of visible photoluminescence at room temperature of the Li2ZnTi3O8 spinel phase in the light of results of both recent experimental and quantum mechanical theoretical studies. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
New adapted Gaussian basis sets for the relativistic closed shell atoms from helium to barium generated with the generator coordinate Dirac‐Fock method
Authors: De Macedo L. G. M. , Morgon N. H. , Haiduke R. L. A. , Barbosa R. C. , Da Silva A. B. F. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThe generator coordinate Dirac‐Fock (GCDF) method and the downhill simplex algorithm were applied to generate new adapted Gaussian basis sets for relativistic closed shell atoms from He (Z = 2) to Ba (Z = 56). These new basis sets have a size reduction of about 30% when compared to previous GCDF adapted basis sets, and are as compact as some corresponding nonrelativistic Gaussian basis sets. The truncation error is in a millihartree order of magnitude and the optimization scheme adopted here allowed the l‐ and l+ relativistic symmetries to be different. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
A systematic nomenclature of chromosomal elements for hemiascomycete yeasts
Authors: Durrens Pascal , Sherman David James 
Published: April 2005

AbstractWe present a compact, stable, unambiguous and extensible nomenclature for unique chromosomal elements from genomic DNA, developed to meet the increasing need created by the increasing number of yeast sequencing projects. Our proposal, adopted for use in the Génolevures project, is specifically designed to facilitate basic tasks in comparative genomics. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unfolding of Green Fluorescent Protein mut2 in wet nanoporous silica gels
Authors: Campanini Barbara , Bologna Sara , Cannone Fabio , Chirico Giuseppe , Mozzarelli Andrea , Bettati Stefano 
Published: April 2005

AbstractMany of the effects exerted on protein structure, stability, and dynamics by molecular crowding and confinement in the cellular environment can be mimicked by encapsulation in polymeric matrices. We have compared the stability and unfolding kinetics of a highly fluorescent mutant of Green Fluorescent Protein, GFPmut2, in solution and in wet, nanoporous silica gels. In the absence of denaturant, encapsulation does not induce any observable change in the circular dichroism and fluorescence emission spectra of GFPmut2. In solution, the unfolding induced by guanidinium chloride is well described by a thermodynamic and kinetic two‐state process. In the gel, biphasic unfolding kinetics reveal that at least two alternative conformations of the native protein are significantly populated. The relative rates for the unfolding of each conformer differ by almost two orders of magnitude. The slower rate, once extrapolated to native solvent conditions, superimposes to that of the single unfolding phase observed in solution. Differences in the dependence on denaturant concentration are consistent with restrictions opposed by the gel to possibly expanded transition states and to the conformational entropy of the denatured ensemble. The observed behavior highlights the significance of investigating protein function and stability in different environments to uncover structural and dynamic properties that can escape detection in dilute solution, but might be relevant for proteins in vivo.
The P5 protein from bacteriophage phi‐6 is a distant homolog of lytic transglycosylases
Authors: Pei Jimin , Grishin Nick V. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractPeptidases are classical objects of enzymology and structural studies. However, a few protein families with experimentally characterized proteolytic activity, but unknown catalytic mechanism and three‐dimensional structures, still exist. Using comparative sequence analysis, we deduce spatial structure for one of such families, namely, U40, which contains just one P5 protein from bacteriophage phi‐6. We show that this singleton sequence possesses conserved sequence motifs characteristic of lysozymes and is a distant homolog of lytic transglycosylases that cleave bacterial peptidoglycan. The structure of the P5 protein is therefore predicted to adopt the lysozyme‐like fold shared by T4, λ, C‐type, G‐type lysozymes, and lytic transglycosylases. Since previous biochemical experiments with P5 of phi‐6 have indicated that the purified enzyme possesses endopeptidase activity and not glycosidase activity, our results point to the possibility of a newly evolved molecular function and call for further experimental characterization of this unusual P5 protein.
Characterization of the HslU chaperone affinity for HslV protease
Authors: Azim M. Kamran , Goehring Walter , Song Hyun Kyu , Ramachandran Ravishankar , Bochtler Matthias , Goettig Peter 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThe HslVU complex is a bacterial two‐component ATP‐dependent protease, consisting of HslU chaperone and HslV peptidase. Investigation of protein–protein interactions using SPR in Escherichia coli HslVU and the protein substrates demonstrates that HslU and HslV have moderate affinity (Kd = 1 μM) for each other. However, the affinity of HslU for HslV fivefold increased (Kd ∼0.2 μM) after binding with the MBP∼SulA protein indicating the formation of a “ternary complex” of HslV–HslU–MBP∼SulA. The molecular interaction studies also revealed that HslU strongly binds to MBP∼SulA with 10−9 M affinity but does not associate with nonstructured casein. Conversely, HslV does not interact with the MBP–SulA whereas it strongly binds with casein (Kd = 0.2 μM) requiring an intact active site of HslV. These findings provide evidence for “substrate‐induced” stable HslVU complex formation. Presumably, the binding of HslU to MBP∼SulA stimulates a conformational change in HslU to a high‐affinity form for HslV.
Introduction and comparison of two methods of assessment of coronary lesions in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.
Authors: Seierstad S L , Poppe T , Larsen S 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThis study investigated and compared quantitative and semi‐quantitative coronary lesion evaluation in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. A total of 121 immature farmed and 47 sexually mature wild Atlantic salmon were included. Coronary arteries from all fish were morphometrically evaluated using a semi‐quantitative method. A subsample of 76 salmon was additionally evaluated using a quantitative method. Another subsample of 71 salmon was used for reliability testing of the semi‐quantitative method. Ten cross‐sections of coronary arteries located on the ventral surface of the bulbus arteriosus were semi‐quantitatively scored with regard to myointimal coronary lesions. Quantitative measurements comprised maximal intimal thickness and area lesion (%) while semi‐quantitative measurements comprised maximal intimal thickness and lesion degree (%). Scores for individual fish were expressed as the average of lesion score, denoted as mean range lesion. One person performed all evaluations blindly. Two pathologists tested repeatability of the semi‐quantitative lesion score measurements blindly. Both semi‐quantitative and quantitative variables increased significantly with increasing lesion score. Semi‐quantitative estimation gave significantly higher maximal intimal thickness values than quantitative measurement. Semi‐quantitative measurements were found to explain 63.2% of variation in quantitatively measured maximal intimal thickness. Due to lack of agreement, the two methods are not directly comparable and one method cannot replace the other. Repeatability within and between observers with regard to semi‐quantitative classification was very good with Kappa values larger than 61.5%. The semi‐quantitative method was a valid and reliable method for coronary lesion evaluation in Atlantic salmon.
Antigenicity of Streptococcus agalactiae extracellular products and vaccine efficacy
Authors: Pasnik D J , Evans J J , Panangala V S , Klesius P H , Shelby R A , Shoemaker C A 
Published: April 2005

Abstract Streptococcus agalactiae is a major bacterial pathogen that is the cause of serious economic losses in many species of freshwater, marine and estuarine fish worldwide. A highly efficacious S. agalactiae vaccine was developed using extracellular products (ECP) and formalin‐killed whole cells of S. agalactiae. The vaccine efficacy following storage of S. agalactiae ECP and formalin‐killed S. agalactiae cells at 4 °C for 1 year was determined. The stored ECP containing S. agalactiae formalin‐killed cells failed to prevent morbidity and mortality among the vaccinated fish, and the relative percentage survival was 29. Serum antibody responses of the stored ECP and freshly prepared ECP against soluble whole cell extract of S. agalactiae indicated that significantly less antibody was produced in fish immunized with stored ECP and S. agalactiae cells than in those fish immunized with freshly prepared ECP and S. agalactiae cells at day 31 post‐vaccination. Silver staining of sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gels and immunostaining of Western blots with tilapia antiserum to S. agalactiae revealed that predominant 54 and 55 kDa bands were present in the freshly prepared ECP fraction. The 55 kDa band was absent from the stored ECP and new bands below 54 kDa appeared on the Western blot. The results of this study on S. agalactiae ECP provide evidence for a correlation between protection and antibody production to ECP and for the importance of the 55 kDa ECP antigen for vaccine efficacy.
Characteristics of Ralstonia solanacearum Biovar N2 Strains in Asia
Authors: Horita M. , Tsuchiya K. , Ooshiro A. 
Published: April 2005

Abstract Ralstonia solanacearum biovar N2 strains isolated in Asia were compared by biochemical tests with biovar N2 strains from South America and biovar 2 (race 3) strains from Africa, America, Asia and Europe. Distinct differences were found between Asian and South American strains of biovar N2, and between Asian biovar N2 and biovar 2 strains with respect to their ability to utilize several carbon sources. Using cluster analysis based on repetitive sequence‐based polymerase chain reaction (rep‐PCR) genomic fingerprints, the Asian biovar N2 strains were divided into two groups, group 1 containing Japanese strains and group 2 containing Indonesian and Philippine strains. The fingerprints showed the genetic diversity of biovar N2 strains in Asia.
Antagonistic Effect of Fusarium oxysporum on Heterodera cruciferae
Authors: Mennan S. , Aksoy H. M. , Ecevit O. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThis study was conducted to investigate the effects of Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. (isolate no. B6) on Heterodera cruciferae Franklin and its pathogenicity on cabbage plants. Fusarium oxysporum (B6) was isolated from cysts extracted from cabbage (Brassica olareacae L.) fields in Samsun (north part of Turkey). Healthy cysts obtained from mass culture in a growing chamber were placed on fungal colonies already formed in Petri dishes. The highest infection rate was observed 10 days after inoculation and reached 72%. Fusarium oxysporum also had the ability to penetrate through cysts wall. The effects of spore suspensions of Fusarium on H. cruciferae in cabbage plants were tested in pot experiments in growth chambers. Cabbages cyst nematode (CCN) eggs were first incubated in a fungal spore suspension (108–109 spores/ml) for 5 min and then introduced into pots containing sterilized soil and 3‐weeks‐old healthy cabbage plants. A positive effect was observed on plant height, fresh weight, fresh root weight, length and leaf area. Nematode numbers in the root system decreased within 2 months after artificial inoculations with Fusarium‐infected cysts. This suggests a negative, antagonistic effect between F. oxysporum and H. cruciferae.
Are rural adolescents necessarily at risk of poorer obstetric and birth outcomes?
Authors: Gaff‐Smith Mavis 
Published: April 2005

AbstractObjective:  The purpose of the present study were to describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of adolescent women giving birth at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, and compare these with those with all adolescents in New South Wales. Design:  An investigative approach. Main outcome measures:  Obstetric complications, delivery intervention and adverse infant outcomes. Setting:  Wagga Wagga Base Hospital. Participants:  One hundred and sixteen adolescents aged 15–19 years. Results:  In relation to obstetric complications and infants with complications, the study sample was found to be representative of New South Wales adolescents. However, for type of delivery there was a higher rate of forceps delivery (12.3% (15) vs 4.7% (415) P = 0.0001), forceps rotation (4.1% (5) vs 0.9% (80) P = 0.004) and fewer normal vaginal deliveries (67.2% (82) vs 80.8% (7108) P = 0.006) at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital. Conclusion:  These findings suggest that rural adolescents are at risk of delivery complications and are less likely to have a normal vaginal delivery. More research is required into obstetric and birth outcomes for the rural adolescent population.
A community‐based sports massage course for Aboriginal health workers
Authors: Vindigni Dein , Parkinson Lynne , Walker Bruce , Rivett Darren A. , Blunden Steve , Perkins Janice 
Published: April 2005

AbstractObjective:  To pilot a community‐based and owned sports massage course for Aboriginal health workers (AHWs). Design:  Descriptive, pilot educational intervention study. Setting:  Rural, Indigenous Australian community. Subjects:  AHWs working in a rural community. Main outcome measures:  Cultural and logistical acceptability of the program to AHWs. Results:  The course was delivered within a culturally acceptable framework with applicability for the evaluation of sports massage skills and knowledge changes in a larger sample. Conclusion:  The sports massage course demonstrated its applicability in this rural Aboriginal community and it has the potential to be adapted and adopted in other similar settings.
Barriers to accessing ambulance services in rural Victoria for acute asthma: Patients’ and medical professionals’ perspectives
Authors: Morgans Amee , Archer Frank , Walker Tony , Thuma Evelyn 
Published: April 2005

AbstractObjective:  To study the attitudes and perceptions of rural asthma patients and medical health professionals towards accessing ambulance services for acute asthma. Design:  Health professional and patient based focus groups, audit of ambulance patient care records and self administered survey. Setting:  Asthma patients and medical professionals from rural south‐western Victoria. Results:  The audit of patient care records included 69 asthma case records, and identified short response times (mean, 7 min; SD, 5 min), and documented patient improvement in clinical status in response to ambulance treatment. The focus group analysis identified patient perceptions which act as barriers to accessing ambulance services in acute asthma. These included the perception of response time delays, ‘000’ call centre delays and misunderstanding of the role of paramedics, and when it is appropriate to call an ambulance for acute asthma. These perceptions were expressed by both patients and medical professionals, and both groups had poor knowledge of how and when to access ambulance services for acute asthma. Conclusions:  The misperceptions expressed are of particular concern in a rural population where distance can cause prolonged response times to treatment, and patients who are acutely ill need to contact emergency services promptly and appropriately to improve patient health outcomes.
The family and nurse in partnership: Providing day‐to‐day care for rural cancer patients
Authors: Wilkes Lesley M. , White Kate 
Published: April 2005

AbstractObjective:  To explore demands made on family members in managing symptoms and providing for the day‐to‐day care of relatives with cancer in rural New South Wales and how specialist palliative care nurses support these family members. Design:  Cross sectional qualitative study. Setting:  Seven health centres across rural New South Wales that cover a broad geographical area and reflect the diversity in economic conditions, population density and distance from three major urban centres in New South Wales. Subjects:  The study involved two groups of participants. The first group consisted of one or more members of families of oncology patients who were accessed through health workers at the seven centres. Nineteen family members from 17 families were interviewed. The second group comprised 10 nursing staff working as specialist palliative care nurses across the same geographical area as the families. Main outcome measures:  Physical care and symptom management were the two main areas of interest. Results:  The rural experience of caring for palliative care patients was challenging, with support nurses needing to take into consideration all aspects of the patients’ and families’ living environments. Conclusion:  There is a need for equipment and basic resources to be readily available to practitioners, funding for ongoing education and 24‐h care.
ETHICS AND SYNTHETIC GAMETES
Authors: TESTA GIUSEPPE , HARRIS JOHN 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTThe recent in vitro derivation of gamete‐like cells from mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells is a major breakthrough and lays down several challenges, both for the further scientific investigation and for the bioethical and biolegal discourse. We refer here to these cells as gamete‐like (sperm‐like or oocyte‐like, respectively), because at present there is still no evidence that these cells behave fully like bona fide sperm or oocytes, lacking the fundamental proof, i.e. combination with a normally derived gamete of the opposite sex to yield a normal individual. However, the results published so far do show that these cells share some defining features of gametes. We discuss these results in the light of the bioethical and legal questions that are likely to arise would the same process become possible with human embryonic stem (hES) cells.
Worker displacement during the transition: Experience from Slovenia1
Authors: Orazem Peter F. , Vodopivec Milan , Wu Ruth 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThe Slovenian transition created labor displacements that were bigger than those experienced in North America in the 1980s. In Slovenia, probability of both layoffs and quits fell with worker tenure, firm profitability and expected severance costs. Individuals facing a higher probability of displacement accepted slower wage growth than otherwise comparable workers. The incentives to avoid displacement were strong – workers that actually were displaced faced a slow process of transiting out of unemployment with only one‐third finding re‐employment. Correcting for selection, real wage losses for displaced workers are comparable to those reported for displaced workers in North America.
Private savings and transition
Authors: Schrooten Mechthild , Stephan Sabine 
Published: April 2005

AbstractAfter the collapse in the early transition years, saving rates in Eastern European EU‐accession countries have recovered strongly. But is private saving in these countries now driven by the same forces as in the EU? A GMM estimator is applied to analyze the determinants of private saving in both country groups. The main results are: saving rates are rather persistent; income growth increases saving, whereas public saving crowds out private saving. There is evidence that in both country groups domestic saving and foreign capital operate at least partly as substitutes, which is an indicator for international financial integration. The long‐run effects of income growth and public saving are larger in the EU‐15 than in the EU‐accession countries.
Effects of bank insolvency on corporate incentives in transition economies
Authors: Hainz Christa 
Published: April 2005

AbstractIn transition countries, the real impact of banking crises has so far been rather moderate. We study the effect of bank insolvency on corporate incentives in a model where incumbent banks possess an informational advantage. We find that bank insolvency reduces the incentive to restructure for firms whose incumbent bank becomes insolvent. However, bank insolvency provides an additional incentive for firms that enter the credit market to develop new projects because it reduces asymmetric information between banks. Firms’ credit costs are thereby lowered. We also explain a path‐dependent development by demonstrating that the firms’ decision to develop new projects depends on the banks’ share of non‐performing loans.
Causes of privatization in China
Authors: Guo Kai , Yao Yang 
Published: April 2005

AbstractWe test five hypotheses regarding the causes of privatization in China by using firm‐level panel data collected in 11 cities in the period 1995–2001. We have found that privatization is positively linked with hardened firm budgets and the extent of market liberalization, but is constrained by excessive debts and worker redundancy. Firm efficiency and state‐owned enterprises’ financial liabilities imposed on local governments are not factors of influence. These findings match the broad flow of events in China and highlight the role of market building in bringing about efficient institutional changes.