bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and evaluation of a real‐time nucleic acid sequence based amplification assay for rapid detection of influenza A
Authors: Moore Catherine , Hibbitts Sam , Owen Neil , Corden Sally A. , Harrison Graham , Fox Julie , Gelder Colin , Westmoreland Diana 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe development and introduction of effective treatment for influenza A in the form of neuraminidase inhibitors have made the rapid diagnosis of infection important especially in high‐risk populations. The aim of this study was to develop a real‐time nucleic acid sequenced based amplification (NASBA) using a molecular beacon that could detect a wide range of influenza A subtypes and strains in a single reaction by targeting a conserved region of the influenza genome, and to evaluate its sensitivity and specificity against traditional laboratory techniques on a range of clinical samples usefulness during the 2003/2004 influenza season. The results demonstrated the assay to be highly sensitive and specific, detecting <0.1 TCID50 of virus stock. Three hundred eighty‐nine clinical samples were tested in total from two patient groups. Overall, the real‐time NASBA assay detected 64% (66/103) more influenza positive samples than cell culture and direct immunofluorescence (IF) and, therefore, was shown to be more sensitive in detecting influenza A in a wide range of respiratory samples than traditional methods. In conclusion, the real‐time influenza A assay demonstrated clinical usefulness in both hospital and community populations. J. Med. Virol. 74:619–628, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phylogenetic analysis of a human group B rotavirus WH‐1 detected in China in 2002
Authors: Yang Ji‐Hong , Kobayashi Nobumichi , Wang Yuan‐Hong , Zhou Xuan , Li Yan , Zhou Dun‐Jin , Hu Zhi‐Hong , Ishino Masaho , Alam Mohammed M. , Naik Trailokya N. , Ahmed Muzahed U. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractA human group B rotavirus strain WH‐1 was detected in an adult sporadic case of diarrhea in Wuhan, China in 2002. In this study, the gene sequences of WH‐1 were determined in order to examine the phylogenetic relatedness to other human group B rotaviruses found previously in China (ADRV, in 1982), India (CAL‐1, in 1998), and Bangladesh (Bang373, in 2000), as well as animal viruses, and to estimate the mutation rate of group B rotavirus. VP7 (major outer capsid protein) gene of WH‐1 showed extremely high sequence identity (98.6%) to ADRV and showed relatively high sequence identities to CAL‐1 (92.5%) and Bang373 (92.4%). In contrast, identities to animal (bovine and murine) group B rotaviruses were considerably lower (61–64%). Other gene segments of WH‐1 encoding VP2, VP4, VP6, NSP1–NSP3, and NSP5 also showed high sequence identities to ADRV genes (98–99%), which were generally higher than those to CAL‐1 genes and Bang373 genes (90–95%). However, amino acid sequence identities between WH‐1 and ADRV were almost the same (VP2, VP6, and NSP3), or lower (NSP2) than those between WH‐1 and CAL‐1 (or Bang373). Since rates of synonymous substitution and transition between WH‐1 and ADRV were similar for all the segments analyzed, genetic evolution was considered to have occurred neutrally and at a similar speed in most of the RNA segments. Based on the sequence divergence between WH‐1 and ADRV, the mutation rate in natural condition of human group B rotavirus was estimated as 7.9 × 10−4 substitution/site per year. The frequency of synonymous substitution between ADRV and Bang373 was 5.7 times higher than that between ADRV and WH‐1, suggesting that the group B rotaviruses of Indian–Bangladeshi lineage diverged from that of Chinese lineage several decades ago. J. Med. Virol. 74:662–667, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rapid detection of varicella–zoster virus infection by a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification method
Authors: Okamoto Souki , Yoshikawa Tetsushi , Ihira Masaru , Suzuki Kayoko , Shimokata Kaoru , Nishiyama Yukihiro , Asano Yoshizo 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe reliability of varicella–zoster virus (VZV) loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was evaluated for rapid diagnosis of viral infection. VZV‐specific primers only amplified VZV DNA; no LAMP products were observed in reactions performed with other viral DNA templates. The specificity of this method was confirmed by two independent determinations, agarose gel electrophoresis and a turbidity assay. The sensitivity of VZV LAMP, determined by agarose gel electrophoresis, were 500 copies/tube. Detection using the turbidity assay, however, gave a sensitivity of 1,000 copies/tube. After these initial validation studies, reliability of VZV LAMP was evaluated for the detection of viral DNA in clinical specimens. Thirty‐two swab samples collected from patients with vesicular skin eruptions were tested for VZV DNA. VZV was confirmed in sample numbers 10–32 by VZV real‐time PCR, a previously established technique. VZV LAMP products were detected using turbidity from samples 13 to 32 (sensitivity; 87.0%, specificity; 100%, positive predictive value; 100%, negative predictive value; 75%). Although low levels of VZV DNA could be detected in the three samples exhibiting divergent results (samples numbers 10–12), no VZV LAMP product was detected in these samples, indicating a higher detection limit for this assay. Requirement of a DNA extraction step in the VZV LAMP method was examined in next experiment. The turbidity assay detected a VZV LAMP product in all of the 20 positive swab samples (samples numbers 13–32), regardless of DNA extraction. J. Med. Virol. 74:677–682, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of tick‐borne encephalitis virus from Estonia
Authors: Golovljova Irina , Vene Sirkka , Sjölander Katarina Brus , Vasilenko Veera , Plyusnin Alexander , Lundkvist Åke 
Published: October 2004

AbstractTick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a severe problem in Estonia. In the present article the first genetic analysis of Estonian TBEV strains is described. In total, seven TBEV strains were isolated from ticks (Ixodes ricinus and I. persulcaus), rodents (Apodemus agrarius and Cletrionomys glareolus), and serum from a tick‐borne encephalitis (TBE) patient. The nucleic acid sequences of the viral genome encoding almost the complete E protein (nt 41–1250) and the 3′‐NCR‐termini of the Estonian TBEV strains were determined by direct sequencing of RT‐PCR products. The results showed that all three known TBEV subtypes, Western TBEV (W‐TBEV), Far‐Eastern TBEV (FE‐TBEV), and Siberian TBEV (S‐TBEV), co‐circulate in Estonia. The Estonian TBEV strains of the S‐TBEV and W‐TBEV subtypes clustered with the previously reported strains from Latvia and Lithuania. Within the FE‐TBEV subtype, however, the Estonian strain Est2546 clustered together with the strain Sofjin, originating from the Far‐East of Russia, but not with the strain RK1424, isolated in the neighboring Latvia. This suggests a different evolutionary history for the Estonian and the Latvian strains in the FE‐TBEV subtype. The Estonian TBEV strain (Est3535), which belonged to the S‐TBEV subtype, had an organization of the 3′‐NCR similar to that of strains from the Far‐East of Russia (Irkutsk). The 3′‐NCRs of Estonian strains of the W‐TBEV subtype (Est3051, Est3053, Est3476, and Est3509) were very similar to those of the strain Ljubljana I from the Balkans. In the 3′‐NCR sequence of the Estonian strain Est2546, which belonged to the FE‐TBEV subtype, a deletion from position 10461 to 10810 extending approximately 10 nucleotides into the core element, was detected. J. Med. Virol. 74:580–588, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Changes in the hemagglutinins and neuraminidases of human influenza B viruses isolated in Italy during the 2001–02, 2002–03, and 2003–04 seasons
Authors: Puzelli Simona , Frezza Fabiola , Fabiani Concetta , Ansaldi Filippo , Campitelli Laura , Lin Yi Pu , Gregory Victoria , Bennett Michael , D'Agaro Pierlanfranco , Campello Cesare , Crovari Pietro , Hay Alan , Donatelli Isabella 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThroughout most of the last decade, B/Yamagata/16/88‐lineage influenza viruses were predominant among the B isolates circulating worldwide, whereas B/Victoria/2/87‐lineage viruses were isolated infrequently and restricted geographically to eastern Asia. During the 2001–02 influenza season, B/Victoria/2/87‐lineage viruses re‐emerged in North America and Europe and spread worldwide. Virological surveillance in Italy during that season showed wide circulation of influenza B viruses, of which most were antigenically related to the B/Sichuan/379/99 (Yamagata‐lineage) vaccine strain, together with a smaller number of B viruses antigenically similar to B/HongKong/330/01, a recent B/Victoria/2/87‐lineage antigenic variant. In the subsequent 2002–03 epidemic season, B viruses with a Victoria‐lineage hemagglutinin (HA), more closely related to that of B/Shandong/7/97, were isolated exclusively. Similar strains have continued to predominate among the few B viruses isolated in Italy during last season (2003–04), although most influenza B viruses, isolated sporadically elsewhere in Europe, again belong to the Yamagata‐lineage. In the present study, phylogenetic analyses of the HA and neuraminidase (NA) genes of representative B strains, isolated throughout Italy during 2001–04, showed that during the first influenza season the NA genes, as well as the HA genes, separated into the two distinct clades, the Yamagata‐ and Victoria‐lineages, and showed no evidence of genetic reassortment. On the contrary, all the B viruses isolated in the 2002–03 and most of those isolated in the 2003–04 epidemic season were “Victoria HA–Yamagata NA” reassortants similar to those isolated in other parts of the world, showing that these reassortants became established in the human population. The frequency of reassortment between HA and NA of distinct lineages and sublineages highlights again the importance of detailed molecular analyses of both surface glycoproteins in understanding the evolution of influenza B viruses. J. Med. Virol. 74:629–640, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Culture adaptation of serotype G6 human rotavirus strains from hospitalized diarrhea patients in India
Authors: Kelkar S.D. , Dindokar A.R. , Dhale G.S. , Zade J.K. , Ranshing S.S. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractDuring serotyping of fecal specimens positive for rotavirus from hospitalized diarrhea patients in Pune, India, about 10% showed multireactivity in enzyme immunoassay with monoclonal antibodies specific for serotypes G1–4, 6, 8, and 10. In order to characterize some of these, three fecal specimens from children and one from adult were culture adapted. All the isolates showed long RNA pattern, but three out of four isolates belonged to subgroup I and II and one, to subgroup I. The isolates were confirmed as G6 by neutralization assay and polymerase chain reaction. Nucleotide sequences of cDNA derived from the gene encoding the outer capsid protein, VP7 of two strains indicated >94% identity with G6, the serotype, generally associated with cattle. The isolates were more close to G6 RF strain, which is a bovine rotavirus, reported from France. This is a first report of isolation of bovine serotype, G6 from children as well as adults from India. J. Med. Virol. 74:650–655, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
E. coli‐expressed recombinant norovirus capsid proteins maintain authentic antigenicity and receptor binding capability
Authors: Tan Ming , Zhong Weiming , Song Dan , Thornton Scott , Jiang Xi 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe baculovirus expression system has been widely used to produce the capsid proteins of Norovirus (NV) and the proteins form virus‐like particles (VLPs) that are useful in many studies, such as immunology, diagnosis, and host‐receptor interaction. We report here the application of the E. coli expression system in the production of recombinant NV capsid proteins. In a direct comparison of a previous well‐characterized NV strain (VA387), we have demonstrated that the E. coli‐expressed capsid proteins maintain the same antigenicity and receptor binding specificity as that of the baculovirus‐expressed capsid, although the E. coli‐expressed VA387 proteins did not form VLPs. Using the E. coli‐expression system, we characterized the receptor‐binding patterns of three additional NV strains (OIF1998, Parris Island and VA115), in which OIF1998 binds to HBGA of nonsecretors but did not bind or binds weakly to the HBGA of secretors, as seen in strain VA207. Parris Island binds to HBGA of types A and B but not type O secretors and nonsecretors. VA115 did not show specific binding to any A, B, O secretor nor nonsecretor, which is also observed when the capsid protein of this strain was expressed in baculovirus. Our data indicate that VLP formation is not required for receptor binding, and that the bacteria expression system offers a simple alternative for large production of NV capsid protein for various research purposes, particularly for strains generating low yields in the insect cells. J. Med. Virol. 74:641–649, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Towards automation of palynology 1: analysis of pollen shape and ornamentation using simple geometric measures, derived from scanning electron microscope images
Authors: Treloar W. J. , Taylor G. E. , Flenley J. R. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThis is the first of a series of papers on the theme of automated pollen analysis. The automation of pollen analysis could result in numerous advantages for the reconstruction of past environments, with larger data sets made practical, objectivity and fine resolution sampling. There are also applications in apiculture and medicine. Previous work on the classification of pollen using texture measures has been successful with small numbers of pollen taxa. However, as the number of pollen taxa to be identified increases, more features may be required to achieve a successful classification. This paper describes the use of simple geometric measures to augment the texture measures. The feasibility of this new approach is tested using scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of 12 taxa of fresh pollen taken from reference material collected on Henderson Island, Polynesia. Pollen images were captured directly from a SEM connected to a PC. A threshold grey‐level was set and binary images were then generated. Pollen edges were then located and the boundaries were traced using a chain coding system. A number of simple geometric variables were calculated directly from the chain code of the pollen and a variable selection procedure was used to choose the optimal subset to be used for classification. The efficiency of these variables was tested using a leave‐one‐out classification procedure. The system successfully split the original 12 taxa sample into five sub‐samples containing no more than six pollen taxa each. The further subdivision of echinate pollen types was then attempted with a subset of four pollen taxa. A set of difference codes was constructed for a range of displacements along the chain code. From these difference codes probability variables were calculated. A variable selection procedure was again used to choose the optimal subset of probabilities that may be used for classification. The efficiency of these variables was again tested using a leave‐one‐out classification procedure. The proportion of correctly classified pollen ranged from 81% to 100% depending on the subset of variables used. The best set of variables had an overall classification rate averaging at about 95%. This is comparable with the classification rates from the earlier texture analysis work for other types of pollen. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Holocene climate changes in southern Greenland: evidence from lake sediments
Authors: Andresen Camilla S. , Björck Svante , Bennike Ole , Bond Gerard 
Published: October 2004

AbstractA Holocene lake sediment record is presented from Lake N14 situated on Angissoq Island 15 km off the main coast of southern Greenland. The palaeoclimatic development has been interpreted on the basis of flux and percentage content of biogenic silica, clastic material, organic material and sulphur as well as sedimentation rate, moss content and magnetic susceptibility. A total of 43 radiocarbon dates has ensured a reliable chronology. It is argued that varying sediment composition mainly reflects changing precipitation. By analogy with the present meteorological conditions in southern Greenland, Holocene climate development is inferred. Between 11 550 and 9300 cal. yr BP temperature and precipitation increase markedly, but this period is climatically unstable. From 9300 yr BP conditions become more stable and a Holocene climatic optimum, characterised by warm and humid conditions, is observed from 8000 to 5000 cal. yr BP. From 4700 cal. yr BP the first signs of a climatic deterioration are observed, and from 3700 cal. yr BP the climate has become more dry and cold. Superimposed on the climatic long‐term trend is climate variability on a centennial time‐scale that increases in amplitude after 3700 cal. yr BP. A climatic scenario related to the strength and position of the Greenland high‐pressure cell and the Iceland low‐pressure cell is proposed to explain the Holocene centennial climate variability. A comparison of the Lake N14 record with a terrestrial as well as a marine record from the eastern North Atlantic Ocean suggests that the centennial climate variability was uniform over large areas at certain times. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effect of Chain Transfer Agent Level on Adhesive Performance and Peel Master‐Curves for Acrylic Pressure Sensitive Adhesives
Authors: Gower M. D. , Shanks R. A. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractSummary: Three series of pressure sensitive adhesives were prepared with fixed glass transition temperature, using emulsion polymerisation. Monomers chosen were butyl acrylate, 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate, and methyl methacrylate, along with a small amount of acrylic acid. The proportion of acrylic acid monomer was held constant for each polymer preparation while acrylate ester monomer levels were varied. The chain transfer agent level used was varied for each series of polymerisations. Adhesion performance was assessed by measurement of loop tack, static shear resistance, and through construction of peel master‐curves. Peel master‐curves were generated through peel tests conducted over a range of temperatures and peel rates and through application of the Boltzmann superposition principle. The presence of high levels of polymer gel was found to obscure the influence of monomer composition on adhesion performance. For polymers with low levels of gel, adhesion performance was correlated with changes in viscosity as comonomer composition was varied. In cohesive failure regions of peel master‐curves for polymers with high levels of chain transfer agent, the shift factors aT were found to closely fit the Williams‐Landel‐Ferry (WLF) equation and allowed the calculation of the WLF parameters, C1 and C2. The cohesive failure regions were successfully shifted to provide a “super” master‐curve and the values of aC used to generate the “super” master‐curve were applied to accurately predict relative static shear resistance levels. For low gel content polymers, loop tack was correlated with log(aC) as EHA levels were increased.Peel master‐curve for formulation AA4M91‐3.magnified imagePeel master‐curve for formulation AA4M91‐3.
Polyolefin/Lignosulfonate Blends, 9
Authors: Cazacu Georgeta , Mihaies Mihaela , Pascu Mihaela Cristina , Profire Lenuta , Kowarskik Alexander L. , Vasile Cornelia 
Published: October 2004

AbstractSummary: In the present study, the compatibility, properties and degradability of polyolefin/lignin blends have been studied. Blends of three maleic anhydride grafted copolymers of ethylene‐propylene rubbers containing various content of functional groups with epoxy‐modified lignosulfonate have been investigated by microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, surface and mechanical indices determination, electron spin resonance, IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. To assess the environmental degradation characteristics, the behavior of the blends during soil burial test has been investigated. The influence of the buried polymer blends on the physiological vegetative processes of the Vicia X Hybrida hort plant has been monitored.Optical microscopy images of blend EP‐g‐MA 0.3/5 LER, undegraded (left) and degraded (right).magnified imageOptical microscopy images of blend EP‐g‐MA 0.3/5 LER, undegraded (left) and degraded (right).
Microwave‐Assisted Polymer Synthesis: State‐of‐the‐Art and Future Perspectives
Authors: Wiesbrock Frank , Hoogenboom Richard , Schubert Ulrich S. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractSummary: Monomodal microwaves have overcome the safety uncertainties associated with the precedent domestic microwave ovens. After fast acceptance in inorganic and organic syntheses, polymer chemists have also recently discovered this new kind of microwave reactor. An almost exponential increase of the number of publications in this field reflects the steadily growing interest in the use of microwave irradiation for polymerizations. This review introduces the microwave systems and their applications in polymer syntheses, covering step‐growth and ring‐opening, as well as radical polymerization processes, in order to summarize the hitherto realized polymerizations. Special attention is paid to the differences between microwave‐assisted and conventional heating as well as the “microwave effects”.Results of search on number of publications on microwave‐assisted polymerizations, sorted by year.imageResults of search on number of publications on microwave‐assisted polymerizations, sorted by year.
Highly Sensitive and Selective Fluoride Ion Chemosensing, Fluoroalkylated Polysilane
Authors: Saxena Anubhav , Fujiki Michiya , Rai Roopali , Kim Sun‐Young , Kwak Giseop 
Published: October 2004

AbstractSummary: This paper reports a new and simple approach for the amplified detection of fluoride ions by a polymer‐based chemosensor made of stiff fluoroalkylated polysilane, poly(3,3,3‐trifluoropropylmethylsilane). This chemosensor exhibited extreme sensitivity and selectivity towards fluoride ions by a decrease in the photoluminescence (PL) intensity with parts per billion concentrations of fluoride ions in solution in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The quenching constant for fluoride ions (K = 1.35 × 107 M−1) was found to be exceptionally high.Schematic representation of the polymer amplification mechanism after addition of fluoride ion in tetrahydrofuran.imageSchematic representation of the polymer amplification mechanism after addition of fluoride ion in tetrahydrofuran.