bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in Small Intestinal Homeostasis, Morphology,and Gene Expression during Rotavirus Infection of InfantMice
Authors: Boshuizen Jos A. , Reimerink Johan H. J. , Korteland-van Male Anita M. , van Ham Vanessa J. J. , Koopmans Marion P. G. , Büller Hans A. , Dekker Jan , Einerhand Alexandra W. C. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACTRotavirus is the most important cause of infantile gastroenteritis. Since in vivo mucosal responses to a rotavirus infection thus far have not been extensively studied, we related viral replication in the murine small intestine to alterations in mucosal structure, epithelial cell homeostasis, cellular kinetics, and differentiation. Seven-day-old suckling BALB/c mice were inoculated with 2 × 104focus-forming units of murine rotavirus and were compared to mock-infected controls. Diarrheal illness and viral shedding were recorded, and small intestinal tissue was evaluated for rotavirus (NSP4 and structural proteins)- and enterocyte-specific (lactase, SGLT1, and L-FABP) mRNA and protein expression. Morphology, apoptosis, proliferation, and migration were evaluated (immuno)histochemically. Diarrhea was observed from days 1 to 5 postinfection, and viral shedding was observed from days 1 to 10. Two peaks of rotavirus replication were observed at 1 and 4 days postinfection. Histological changes were characterized by the accumulation of vacuolated enterocytes. Strikingly, the number of vacuolated cells exceeded the number of cells in which viral replication was detectable. Apoptosis and proliferation were increased from days 1 to 7, resulting in villous atrophy. Epithelial cell turnover was significantly higher (<4 days) than that observed in controls (7 days). Since epithelial renewal occurred within 4 days, the second peak of viral replication was most likely caused by infection of newly synthesized cells. Expression of enterocyte-specific genes was downregulated in infected cells at mRNA and protein levels starting as early as 6 h after infection. In conclusion, we show for the first time that rotavirus infection induces apoptosis in vivo, an increase in epithelial cell turnover, and a shutoff of gene expression in enterocytes showing viral replication. The shutoff of enterocyte-specific gene expression, together with the loss of mature enterocytes through apoptosis and the replacement of these cells by less differentiated dividing cells, likely leads to a defective absorptive function of the intestinal epithelium, which contributes to rotavirus pathogenesis.
TheCentral Region of Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 TaxProtein Contains Distinct Domains Involved inSubunitDimerization
Authors: Basbous Jihane , Bazarbachi Ali , Granier Claude , Devaux Christian , Mesnard Jean-Michel 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT

The
Tax protein of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) can form
homodimers. Tax dimerization contributes to optimal Tax activity
involved in transactivation of the HTLV-1 promoter. The mechanisms used
to form specific Tax dimers are poorly understood because the domains
that mediate such interactions have not been clearly characterized.
Here we have used different approaches (the two-hybrid assay in yeast,
the glutathione
S
-transferase pull-down assay, and the Spot
method) to study Tax-Tax interactions. Our results indicate that the
integrity of the sequence of Tax, except for the last 16 amino acids
(residues 338 to 353), is critical, suggesting that Tax dimerization is
dictated more by secondary structure than by primary structure. We
were, however, able to delimit a central region involved in Tax
self-association that encompasses the residues 127 to 228. This region
can be divided into three subdomains of dimerization: DD1 (residues 127
to 146), DD2 (residues 181 to 194), and DD3 (residues 213 to 228).
Moreover, the Tax mutants M22 (T130A and L131S) and M29 (K189A and
R190S), with amino acid substitutions located in DD1 and DD2,
respectively, were found to be impaired in Tax
self-association.
Comparison of the Structures of Three Circoviruses:
Chicken Anemia Virus
,
Porcine
Circovirus Type 2
, and
Beak
and Feather Disease
Virus
Authors: Crowther R. A. , Berriman J. A. , Curran W. L. , Allan G. M. , Todd D. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT

Circoviruses
are small, nonenveloped icosahedral animal viruses characterized by
circular single-stranded DNA genomes. Their genomes are the smallest
possessed by animal viruses. Infections with circoviruses, which can
lead to economically important diseases, frequently result in
virus-induced damage to lymphoid tissue and immunosuppression. Within
the family
Circoviridae
, different genera are distinguished by
differences in genomic organization. Thus,
Chicken
anemia virus
is in the genus
Gyrovirus
,
while porcine circoviruses and
Beak and
feather disease virus
belong to the genus
Circovirus
. Little is known about the structures of
circoviruses. Accordingly, we investigated the structures of these
three viruses with a view to determining whether they are related.
Three-dimensional maps computed from electron micrographs showed that
all three viruses have a T=1 organization with capsids formed
from 60 subunits. Porcine circovirus type 2 and beak and feather
disease virus show similar capsid structures with flat pentameric
morphological units, whereas chicken anemia virus has stikingly
different protruding pentagonal trumpet-shaped units. It thus appears
that the structures of viruses in the same genus are related but that
those of viruses in different genera are
unrelated.
Infection and Injury of Neurons by West NileEncephalitisVirus
Authors: Shrestha Bimmi , Gottlieb David , Diamond Michael S. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACTWest Nile virus (WNV) infects neurons and leads to encephalitis, paralysis, and death in humans, animals, and birds. We investigated the mechanism by which neuronal injury occurs after WNV infection. Neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cords of paralyzed mice exhibited a high degree of WNV infection, leukocyte infiltration, and degeneration. Because it was difficult to distinguish whether neuronal injury was caused by viral infection or by the immune system response, a novel tissue culture model for WNV infection was established in neurons derived from embryonic stem (ES) cells. Undifferentiated ES cells were relatively resistant to WNV infection. After differentiation, ES cells expressed neural antigens, acquired a neuronal phenotype, and became permissive for WNV infection. Within 48 h of exposure to an exceedingly low multiplicity of infection (5 × 10−4), 50% of ES cell-derived neurons became infected, producing nearly 107PFU of infectious virus per ml, and began to die by an apoptotic mechanism. The establishment of a tractable virus infection model in ES cell-derived neurons facilitates the study of the molecular basis of neurotropism and the mechanisms of viral and immune-mediated neuronal injury after infection by WNV or other neurotropic pathogens.
Multispecific Vaccine-Induced Mucosal Cytotoxic TLymphocytes Reduce Acute-Phase Viral Replication but Fail inLong-Term Control of Simian Immunodeficiency VirusSIVmac239
Authors: Vogel Thorsten U. , Reynolds Matthew R. , Fuller Deborah H. , Vielhuber Kathy , Shipley Tim , Fuller James T. , Kunstman Kevin J. , Sutter Gerd , Marthas Marta L. , Erfle Volker , Wolinsky Steven M. , Wang Chenxi , Allison David B. , Rud Erling W. , Wilson Nancy , Montefiori David , Altman John D. , Watkins David I. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACTGiven the current difficulties generating vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the focus of the vaccine community has shifted toward creating cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte (CTL)-based vaccines. Recent reports of CTL-based vaccine trials in macaques challenged with simian/human immunodeficiency virus SHIV-89.6P have supported the notion that such vaccines can ameliorate the course of disease. However, almost all of these studies included Env as an immunogen and since SHIV-89.6P is sensitive to neutralizing antibodies it is difficult to determine the mechanism(s) of protection. Consequently, SHIV-89.6P challenge of macaques may be a poor model for determining vaccine efficacy in humans. To ascertain the effect of vaccine-induced multispecific mucosal CTL, in the absence of Env-specific antibody, on the control of an immunodeficiency virus challenge, we vaccinated Mamu-A*01+macaques with constructs encoding a combination of CTL epitopes and full-length proteins (Tat, Rev, and Nef) by using a DNA prime/recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (rMVA) boost regimen. The vaccination induced virus-specific CTL and CD4+helper T lymphocytes with CTL frequencies as high as 20,000/million peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The final rMVA vaccination, delivered intravenously, engendered long-lived mucosal CTL. At 16 weeks after the final rMVA vaccination, the vaccinees and naive, Mamu-A*01+controls were challenged intrarectally with SIVmac239. Massive early anamnestic cellular immune responses controlled acute-phase viral replication; however, the three vaccinees were unable to control virus replication in the chronic phase. The present study suggests that multispecific mucosal CTL, in the absence of neutralizing antibodies, can achieve a modicum of control over early viral replication but are unable to control chronic-phase viral replication after a high-dose mucosal challenge with a pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus.
AlphaInterferon Inhibits Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Assembly byPreventing Gag Interaction withRafts
Authors: Feng Xuan , Vander Heyden Nancy , Ratner Lee 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT
Alpha-2a
interferon (IFN-α2a) has beneficial clinical effects on human
T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection, but its antiviral
mechanism of action is unknown. Antiviral effects of IFN-α2a
were studied in 293T cells expressing HTLV-1 proviral DNA and in
HTLV-1-infected cells (HOS/PL, MT2, and HUT102). In 293T cells, an
50% inhibitory concentration of 10 U of
IFN-α2a/ml was determined by p19 antigen ELISA. Analysis of
IFN-treated cells demonstrated no defect in viral protein synthesis but
did show a decrease in the level of released virus, as determined by
immunoblot assays. Electron microscopy studies of IFN-treated cells
revealed neither a defect in the site of virus budding nor tethering of
virus particles at the plasma membrane, thus arguing against an effect
on virus release. Cell fractionation studies and confocal microscopy
showed no effect of IFN on Gag association with membranes. However, the
level of Gag association with lipid rafts was decreased, suggesting a
role of IFN in inhibiting HTLV-1
assembly.
DeNovo Infection with Rhesus Monkey Rhadinovirus Leads to theAccumulation of Multiple Intranuclear Capsid Species during LyticReplication but Favors the Release of Genome-ContainingVirions
Authors: O'Connor Christine M. , Damania Blossom , Kedes Dean H. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT
Rhesus
monkey rhadinovirus (RRV) is one of the closest phylogenetic relatives
to the human pathogen Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus
(KSHV), yet it has the distinct experimental advantage of entering
efficiently into lytic replication and growing to high titers in
culture. RRV therefore holds promise as a potentially attractive model
with which to study gammaherpesvirus structure and assembly. We have
isolated RRV capsids, determined their molecular composition, and
identified the genes encoding five of the main capsid structural
proteins. Our data indicate that, as with other herpesviruses, lytic
infection with RRV leads to the synthesis of three distinct
intranuclear capsid species. However, in contrast to the inefficiency
of KSHV maturation following reactivation from latently infected B-cell
lines (K. Nealon, W. W. Newcomb, T. R. Pray,
C. S. Craik, J. C. Brown, and D. H.
Kedes, J. Virol. 75:2866-2878, 2001), de novo infection of
immortalized rhesus fibroblasts with RRV results in the release of high
levels of infectious virions with genome-containing C capsids at their
center. Together, our findings argue for the use of RRV as a powerful
model with which to study the structure and assembly of
gammaherpesviruses and, specifically, the human
rhadinovirus,KSHV.
Leviticus 16 Als Mitte Der Tora
Authors: Rendtorff Rolf 
Published: November 2003

AbstractIn jüngster Zeit ist das Buch Leviticus in den Blickpunkt des exegetischen Interesses gerückt. Vielfach wird es innerhalb des Pentateuch als dessen Mitte betrachtet. Dabei richtet sich das besondere Interesse auf das Kapitel 16, das in formaler und inhaltlicher Hinsicht eine Sonderstellung einnimmt. Die Opfergesetzgebung kommt erst mit der jährlichen Sühnehandlung am jom hakkippurim zu ihrem entscheidenden Abschluß. Aber auch von den "Unreinheiten" oder "Verunreinigungen," von denen in Kapp. 11–15 vielfältig die Rede ist, werden die Israeliten durch die Riten dieses Tages gereinigt. So kann man Leviticus 16 geradezu als "Mitte der Tora" bezeichnen.
Seeing Solomon's Palanquin (Song of Songs 3:6-11)
Authors: Exum J. Cheryl 
Published: November 2003

AbstractSong 3:6-11 shares distinctive poetic features with the rest of the Song of Songs, such as the impression of immediacy, the conjuring up of the loved one, the blurring of distinctions between past and present, and the address to an audience that includes the reader. This pericope is constructed in such a way as to bring a luxurious conveyance bearing Solomon (the male lover in his royal guise) from the furthest imaginable horizon, the wilderness, closer and closer to the speaker who describes the procession, and through whose eyes we perceive the sight in greater and greater detail. The poetic analysis sheds light on three debated questions in Song of Songs interpretation: (1) who is the speaker in these verses?, (2) who or what is coming up from the wilderness—a person or an object?, (3) do these verses describe a moving means of transport or a fixed structure?
Torah and Anti-Torah: Isaiah 2:2-4 and 1:10-26
Authors: Landy Francis 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe utopian vision of Isaiah 2:1-4 is a new beginning of the book, intimately related to and absolutely distinct from the first beginning in ch. 1. The two beginnings represent the two voices of the book, whose irreconcilability is its major structural problem. At the centre of the Edenic vision of Zion is a female subject and language, Torah, in whose maternal embrace all nations renounce their phallic rivalries. Torah, however, is paired with a male subject, the word of YHWH, and with the divine authority that judges the peoples. The Torah of 2:3 may be compared to the female figures of ch. 1, and to the condemnatory Torah addressed to the people in 1:10. The Torah of 2:3 is presumably equivalent to the Torah in 1:10, and adumbrates the message of that chapter. It is that to which the sons fail to listen in 1:2, and which is addressed to heaven and earth at the beginning of the book. At the same time it is an anti-Torah, since that which is rejected is conventional Torah, the sacrificial and festive system. The maternal space of Zion, which is also that of divine alimentation, has become a scene of disgust, which may be associated with Kristeva's conception of abjection. The climax of these images for Zion is the prostitute in 1:21, which exemplifies marginality. For the heterological critic, however, the prostitute is the paradigmatic marginal figure against whose exploitation the prophet protests. The figure of the prostitute is transformed into that of the widow and hence the pristine daughter of Zion and the bride of God.
We Felt Like Grasshoppers: The Little Ones in Biblical Interpretation
Authors: Orton David 
Published: November 2003

AbstractApplying an autobiographical interest and perspective, an attempt is made at a "short person's" reading of relevant biblical texts. The OT background to the notion of "little" ones in Matthew is examined. Various OT characters are called by others, or see themselves as, "little," including the Israelite scouts and Jacob, Saul, Solomon, David and Jeremiah. Invariably the sense is of perceived inadequacy for a divine task, God providing the necessary physical or inspirational aid. In the NT, the short man Zacchaeus, painfully aware of his own shortcomings, is rescued in a similar way, and set right by Jesus. The "little ones" of Matthew, mirroring a special interest of Matthew's, are "immature scribes": apparently insignificant student disciples sent out on Jesus' mission. Despite appearances, they have the necessary spiritual insight, fully qualify as "disciples" with a prophetic calling and—far from being despised or ridiculed as "little ones" often are—are to be received and affirmed without negative prejudice or neglect.
Questing or Sense-Making? Some Thoughts on the Nature of Historiography
Authors: Lategan Bernard 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe broadening of theoretical reflection to account for all aspects of textual communication has led to a renewed interest in the historical dimension of biblical texts, both with regard to the relationship author—text and text—reader. However, the nature of this renewed interest differs in both these relationships. The former is still hampered by the legacy of positivism, while the latter finds it problematic to deal with history from a postmodern perspective. It is suggested that a reconsideration of the nature or historiography could be of value in this regard. The telling and writing of history is a sense-making process that mediates between past and future and presupposes a unity between experience and interpretation. The implications of this approach are briefly discussed.
Human endothelial cells derived from circulating progenitors display specific functional properties compared with mature vessel wall endothelial cells
Authors: Bompais Heidi , Chagraoui Jalila , Canron Xavier , Crisan Mihaela , Liu Xu Hui , Anjo Aurora , Tolla-Le Port Carine , Leboeuf Marylene , Charbord Pierre , Bikfalvi Andreas , Uzan Georges 
Published: November 2003

Abstract
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were shown to be present in systemic circulation and cord blood. We investigated whether EPCs display specific properties compared with mature endothelial cells. Human cord blood CD34+ cells were isolated and adherent cells were amplified under endothelial conditions. Expression of specific markers identified them as endothelial cells, also called endothelial progenitor-derived cells (EPDCs). When compared to mature endothelial cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human bone marrow endothelial cells (HBMECs), endothelial markers, were expressed to the same extent except for KDR, which is expressed more in EPDCs. They display a higher proliferation potential. Functional studies demonstrated that EPDCs were more sensitive to angiogenic factors, which afford these cells greater protection against cell death compared with HUVECs. Moreover, EPDCs exhibit more hematopoietic supportive activity than HUVECs. Finally, studies in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mice demonstrated that human circulating EPCs are able to colonize a Matrigel plug. EPDCs display the morphology and phenotype of endothelial cells. Their functional features indicate, however, that although these cells have undergone some differentiation steps, they still have the properties of immature cells, suggesting greater tissue repair capabilities. Future use of in vitro amplified peripheral blood EPDCs may constitute a challenging strategy for cell therapy.
Procalcitonin as a marker of bacterial infection in the emergency department: an observational study
Authors: Chan Yi-Ling , Tseng Ching-Ping , Tsay Pei-Kuei , Chang Shy-Shin , Chiu Te-Fa , Chen Jih-Chang 
Published: November 2003

Abstract
Introduction
Procalcitonin (PCT) has been proposed as a marker of infection in critically ill patients; its level is related to the severity of infection. We evaluated the value of PCT as a marker of bacterial infection for emergency department patients.

Methods
This prospective observational study consecutively enrolled 120 adult atraumatic patients admitted through the emergency department of a 3000-bed tertiary university hospital in May 2001. Fifty-eight patients were infected and 49 patients were not infected. The white blood cell counts, the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level (mg/l), and the PCT level (ng/ml) were compared between the infected and noninfected groups of patients.

Results
A white blood cell count >12,000/mm3 or <4000/mm3 was present in 36.2% of the infected patients and in 18.4% of the noninfected patients. The best cut-off serum levels for PCT and CRP, identified using the Youden's Index, were 0.6 ng/ml and 60 mg/l, respectively. Compared with CRP, PCT had a comparable sensitivity (69.5% versus 67.2%), a lower specificity (64.6% versus 93.9%), and a lower area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.689 versus 0.879). PCT levels, but not CRP levels, were significantly higher in bacteremic and septic shock patients. Multivariate logistic regression identified that a PCT level ≥ 2.6 ng/ml was independently associated with the development of septic shock (odds ratio, 38.3; 95% confidence interval, 5.6–263.5; P < 0.001).

Conclusions
PCT is not a better marker of bacterial infection than CRP for adult emergency department patients, but it is a useful marker of the severity of infection.
Rapid and extensive membrane reorganization by dendritic cells following exposure to bacteria revealed by high-resolution imaging
Authors: Salter Russell D , Tuma-Warrino Renee J , Hu Paul Q , Watkins Simon C 
Published: November 2003

AbstractUsing live cell imaging, we demonstrate that immature dendritic cells (DC) derived from human peripheral blood monocytes undergo pronounced morphologic changes in vitro within minutes of exposure to unopsonized Escherichia coli, developing extensive membrane veils that efficiently capture additional bacteria. Internalization does not occur in the veils, but instead, bacteria are transported to the central region of the cell, where they sin directly into the plasma membrane. In contrast, exposure to polystyrene beads does not induce notable changes in cell morphology, and DC do not efficiently capture beads when introduced alone or mixed with bacteria. Long dendritic processes were also visualized in some cells that allowed capture of clumps of bacteria at a distance of more than 100 μm. These results demonstrate that immature DC can distinguish between inert particles and bacteria and alter their shape and phagocytic capacity in response to the latter.