bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
South African Red Cross Flying Doctors Service quality and safety in the rural and remote South African environment
Authors: Exadaktylos Aristomenis K. , Haffejee Farhaad , Wood Darryl , Erasmus Philip 
Published: April 2005

AbstractContext:  The South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service and its Flying Doctors Service provides health care to far flung and disadvantaged communities in South Africa. Purpose:  The purpose of this article is to highlight the importance and effectiveness of the service in providing health care to a range of people who have poor or no access to certain health services in South Africa. Methods:  Data and information was collected from records and statistical data of our service. Data was evaluated and compiled into a report highlighting the achievements of this organisation from its infancy to the present day. Findings:  The Flying Doctor and Health Outreach Programme has made a difference in improving health care by providing specialist services, transport of patients and training of medical personnel in outlying areas of South Africa that have poor access to health care. Emergency Air Ambulance and Rescue Services have proven to be supportive in providing rapid advanced life support and rescue services to patients in emergency situations. Many lives have been saved through this service. Conclusion:  The South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service plays a crucial role in delivering specialised health care to disadvantaged communities in South Africa.
NARRATIVE ARTIFICE AND WOMEN'S AGENCY
Authors: KALBIAN ALINE H. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTThe choice to pursue fertility treatments is a complex one. In this paper I explore the issues of choice, agency, and gender as they relate to assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). I argue that narrative approaches to bioethics such as those by Arthur Frank and Hilde Lindemann Nelson clarify judgments about autonomy and fertility medicine. More specifically, I propose two broad narrative categories that help capture the experience of encounters with fertility medicine: narratives of hope and narratives of resistance. This narrative typology captures the inevitable conflict that women feel when they become subjects of fertility medicine. On the one hand, they must remain hopeful; on the other, they must not surrender themselves completely. Nelson's account of counterstories as narratives of resistance helps us see how women can reconcile the experience of a strong desire to have children with the desire to remain authentic and whole.
DOES A NORMAL FOETUS REALLY HAVE A FUTURE OF VALUE? A REPLY TO MARQUIS
Authors: LOVERING ROBERT P. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTThe traditional approach to the abortion debate revolves around numerous issues, such as whether the foetus is a person, whether the foetus has rights, and more. Don Marquis suggests that this traditional approach leads to a standoff and that the abortion debate ‘requires a different strategy.’1 Hence his ‘future of value’ strategy, which is summarized as follows:

A normal foetus has a future of value.
Depriving a normal foetus of a future of value imposes a misfortune on it.
Imposing a misfortune on a normal foetus is prima facie wrong.
Therefore, depriving a normal foetus of a future of value is prima facie wrong.
Killing a normal foetus deprives it of a future of value.
Therefore, killing a normal foetus is prima facie wrong.

In this paper, I argue that Marquis's strategy is not different since it involves the concept of person – a concept deeply rooted in the traditional approach. Specifically, I argue that futures are valuable insofar as they are not only dominated by goods of consciousness, but are experienced by psychologically continuous persons. Moreover, I argue that his strategy is not sound since premise (1) is false. Specifically, I argue that a normal foetus, at least during the first trimester, is not a person. Thus, during that stage of development it is not capable of experiencing its future as a psychologically continuous person and, hence, it does not have a future of value.
The impact of news, oil prices, and global market developments on Russian financial markets1
Authors: Hayo Bernd , Kutan Ali M. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThis paper analyses the impact of news, oil prices, and international financial market developments on daily returns on Russian bond and stock markets. First, regarding returns, energy news affects returns, while news from the war in Chechnya is not significant. Market volatility does not appear to be sensitive to either type of news. Second, a significant effect of the growth in oil prices on Russian stock returns is detected. Third, the international influence on Russian financial markets depends upon the degree of financial liberalization. The higher the degree of financial liberalization, the stronger is the impact of US stock returns on Russian financial markets. In addition, banking reform and interest rate liberalization efforts seem to dictate the globalization of Russian stock markets, while it is the progress in liberalizing securities markets and non‐bank financial institutions that matters more for the globalization of Russian bond markets.
Economic transition, gender bias, and the distribution of earnings in China*
Authors: Bishop John A. , Luo Feijun , Wang Fang 
Published: April 2005

AbstractMarket‐oriented economic reform, which accelerated after 1992, has brought substantial changes to the Chinese economy. This dramatic economic transition was raised two important questions: ‘How are women faring in the transition from a planned economy to a market economy?’ and ‘Are some women faring relatively better than other women’? We use data from the Chinese Household Income Projects for the years 1988 and 1995, a standard earnings equation, and quantile regressions to estimate and decompose the earnings gap. Our findings suggest that while the earnings gap has increased, the fraction of the gap ‘unexplained’ by differences in human capital variables such as education and experience has declined over time. This result is particularly pronounced for low earning women.
Association between novel indices of malnutrition–inflammation complex syndrome and cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Terrier Nathalie , Senécal Lynne , Dupuy Anne‐Marie , Jaussent Isabelle , Delcourt Cécile , Leray Hélène , Rafaelsen Silje , Bosc Jean‐Yves , Maurice François , Canaud Bernard , Cristol Jean‐Paul 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackground:  Inflammation and malnutrition are recognized as important risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Owing to substantial short‐term variability of serum C‐reactive protein (CRP), more reliable markers of malnutrition–inflammation complex syndrome should be sought with stronger associations with the risk of CVD in HD patients. We therefore explored the clinical relevance of a composite inflammatory index (prognostic inflammatory and nutritional index [PINI]) and of muscle protein mass indicators, derived from creatinine kinetics.Methods:  This cross‐sectional study included 177 HD patients (89 women and 88 men; median age, 67.73 years). CVD and risk factors were assessed using medical charts, clinical examination, and biochemical measurements performed at inclusion. Lean body mass (LBM) was derived from creatinine kinetic modeling, whereas PINI was calculated as the ratio (CRP ×α1‐acid‐glycoprotein)/(albumin × transthyretin). Patients were divided according to the presence or absence of established CVD.Results:  The traditional risk factors diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 5.83; p = 0.0045) and smoking (OR, 3.50; p < 0.02) were associated with an increase in prevalent CVD. Low transthyretin (OR, 3.79; p < 0.02) and high levels of CRP (OR, 2.70; p < 0.05), PINI (OR, 3.44; p < 0.02), observed LBM (OR, 3.01; p < 0.05), and the ratio of observed/expected LBM (OR, 4.24; p < 0.01) were associated with CVD after adjustment for age, sex, dialysis center, and dialysis vintage. After additional adjustment for diabetes and smoking, only PINI (OR, 2.85; p = 0.0446) and observed/expected LBM (OR, 2.96; p = 0.0361) were still significant.Conclusion:  PINI and LBM are associated with increased relative risk for having CVD and could be used routinely to examine the degree of severity of malnutrition inflammation complex syndrome.
OPTIMIZATION OF HYDROLYSIS CONDITIONS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THREADFIN BREAM (NEMIPTERUS JAPONICUS) HYDROLYSATE BY ALCALASE
Authors: NORMAH I. , JAMILAH B. , SAARI N. , YAAKOB B. CHE MAN 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT The hydrolysis of Threadfin bream (Nemipterus japonicus) by Alcalase was optimum at 60C, pH 8.5, 120 min using an enzyme substrate (ES) ratio of 2%. With these hydrolysis conditions, 20% hydrolysis was achieved and 70% nitrogen was recovered. Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed more degradation with 1, 3 and 4% ES. Two percent ES produced mixtures of protein bands with a wider range of molecular weights, thus it was chosen as the optimum hydrolysis ES ratio.
Regulation of NAD Synthesis by the Trifunctional NadR Protein of
Salmonella enterica
Authors: Grose Julianne H. , Bergthorsson Ulfar , Roth John R. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT
The three activities of NadR were demonstrated in purified protein and assigned to separate domains by missense mutations. The N-terminal domain represses transcription of genes for NAD synthesis and salvage. The C-terminal domain has nicotinamide ribose kinase (NmR-K; EC 2.7.1.22) activity, which is essential for assimilation of NmR, converting it internally to nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). The central domain has a weak adenylyltransferase (NMN-AT; EC 2.7.7.1) activity that converts NMN directly to NAD but is physiologically irrelevant. This central domain mediates regulatory effects of NAD on all NadR activities. In the absence of effectors, pure NadR protein binds operator DNA (the default state) and is released by ATP (expected to be present in vivo). NAD allows NadR to bind DNA in the presence of ATP and causes repression in vivo. A superrepressor mutation alters an ATP-binding residue in the central (NMN-AT) domain. This eliminates NMN-AT activity and places the enzyme in its default (DNA binding) state. The mutant protein shows full NmR kinase activity that is 10-fold more sensitive to NAD inhibition than the wild type. It is proposed that NAD and the superrepressor mutation exert their effects by preventing ATP from binding to the central domain.
Cross-Resistance of
Escherichia coli
RNA Polymerases Conferring Rifampin Resistance to Different Antibiotics
Authors: Xu Ming , Zhou Yan Ning , Goldstein Beth P. , Jin Ding Jun 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACT

In this study we further defined the rifampin-binding sites in
Escherichia coli
RNA polymerase (RNAP) and determined the relationship between rifampin-binding sites and the binding sites of other antibiotics, including two rifamycin derivatives, rifabutin and rifapentine, and streptolydigin and sorangicin A, which are unrelated to rifampin, using a purified in vitro system. We found that there is almost a complete correlation between resistance to rifampin (Rif
r
) and reduced rifampin binding to 12 RNAPs purified from different
rpoB
Rif
r
mutants and a complete cross-resistance among the different rifamycin derivatives. Most Rif
r
RNAPs were sensitive to streptolydigin, although some exhibited weak resistance to this antibiotic. However, 5 out of the 12 Rif
r
RNAPs were partially resistant to sorangicin A, and one was completely cross-resistant to sorangicin A, indicating that the binding site(s) for these two antibiotics overlaps. Both rifampin and sorangicin A inhibited the transition step between transcription initiation and elongation; however, longer abortive initiation products were produced in the presence of the latter, indicating that the binding site for sorangicin A is within the rifampin-binding site. Competition experiments of different antibiotics with
3
H-labeled rifampin for binding to wild-type RNAP further confirmed that the binding sites for rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, and sorangicin A are shared, whereas the binding sites for rifampin and streptolydigin are distinct. Because Rif
r
mutations are highly conserved in eubacteria, our results indicate that this set of Rif
r
mutant RNAPs can be used to screen for new antibiotics that will inhibit the growth of Rif
r
pathogenic bacteria.
Heat Shock Protein 90 and Heat Shock Protein 70 Are Components of Dengue Virus Receptor Complex in Human Cells
Authors: Reyes-del Valle Jorge , Chávez-Salinas Salvador , Medina Fernando , del Angel Rosa M. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT
Dengue virus requires the presence of an unidentified cellular receptor on the surface of the host cell. By using a recently published affinity chromatography approach, an 84-kDa molecule, identified as heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, was isolated from neuroblastoma and U937 cells. Based on the ability of HSP90 (84 kDa) to interact with HSP70 (74 kDa) on the surface of monocytes during lipopolysaccharide (LPS) signaling and evidence that LPS inhibits dengue virus infection, the presence of HSP70 was demonstrated in affinity chromatography eluates and by pull-down experiments. Infection inhibition assays support the conclusion that HSP90 and HSP70 participate in dengue virus entry as a receptor complex in human cell lines as well as in monocytes/macrophages. Additionally, our results indicate that both HSPs are associated with membrane microdomains (lipid rafts) in response to dengue virus infection. Moreover, methyl-β-cyclodextrin, a raft-disrupting drug, inhibits dengue virus infection, supporting the idea that cholesterol-rich membrane fractions are important in dengue virus entry.
Characterization of Homologous and Heterologous Rotavirus-Specific T-Cell Responses in Infant and Adult Mice
Authors: Jaimes María C. , Feng Ningguo , Greenberg Harry B. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT

During primary rotavirus (RV) infection, CD8
+
T cells play an important role in viral clearance as well as providing partial protection against reinfection. CD4
+
T cells are essential for maximal development of RV-specific intestinal immunoglobulin A. In this study, we took advantage of the cytokine flow cytometry technique to obtain a detailed map of H-2
b
- and H-2
d
-restricted CD8
+
and CD4
+
T-cell epitopes from the RV proteins VP6 and VP7. Three new CD8
+
T-cell epitopes (H-2
d
and H-2
b
restricted) and one new CD4
+
T-cell epitope (H-2
d
and H-2
b
restricted) were identified. Using these newly identified targets, we characterized the development and specificity of cellular immune responses in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice during acute infection of infants and adults. We found that both the CD4
+
and CD8
+
responses peaked on days 5 to 7 after infection and then declined rapidly. Interestingly, both the response kinetics and tissue distributions were different when epitopes on VP6 and VP7 were compared. VP6 elicited a response which predominated in the intestine, while the response to VP7 was more systemic. Additionally, the T-cell responses elicited after homologous versus heterologous infection differed substantially. We found that during homologous infection, there was a greater response toward VP6 than that toward VP7, especially in the intestine, while after heterologous infection, this was not the case. Finally, in suckling mice, we found two peaks in the CD8 response on days 7 and 14 postinfection, which differed from the single peak found in adults and likely mimics the biphasic pattern of rotavirus shedding in infant mice.
Vaccine-Elicited Memory Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Contribute toMamu-A*01-Associated Control of Simian/Human Immunodeficiency Virus 89.6P Replication in Rhesus Monkeys
Authors: Seaman Michael S. , Santra Sampa , Newberg Michael H. , Philippon Valerie , Manson Kelledy , Xu Ling , Gelman Rebecca S. , Panicali Dennis , Mascola John R. , Nabel Gary J. , Letvin Norman L. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTThe expression of particular major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I alleles can influence the rate of disease progression following lentiviral infections. This effect is a presumed consequence of potent cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses that are restricted by these MHC class I molecules. The present studies have examined the impact of the MHC class I alleleMamu-A*01on simian/human immunodeficiency virus 89.6P (SHIV-89.6P) infection in unvaccinated and vaccinated rhesus monkeys by exploring the contribution of dominant-epitope specific CTL in this setting. Expression ofMamu-A*01in immunologically naive monkeys was not associated with improved control of viral replication, CD4+T-lymphocyte loss, or survival. In contrast,Mamu-A*01+monkeys that had received heterologous prime/boost immunizations prior to challenge maintained higher CD4+T-lymphocyte levels and better control of SHIV-89.6P replication thanMamu-A*01−monkeys. This protection was associated with the evolution of high-frequency anamnestic CTL responses specific for a dominant Mamu-A*01-restricted Gag epitope following infection. These data indicate that specific MHC class I alleles can confer protection in the setting of a pathogenic SHIV infection by their ability to elicit memory CTL following vaccination.
Characterization of DC-SIGN/R Interaction with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 gp120 and ICAM Molecules Favors the Receptor's Role as an Antigen-Capturing Rather than an Adhesion Receptor
Authors: Snyder Greg A. , Ford Jennifer , Torabi-Parizi Parizad , Arthos James A. , Schuck Peter , Colonna Marco , Sun Peter D. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTThe dendritic cell (DC)-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3 (ICAM-3)-grabbing nonintegrin binding receptor (DC-SIGN) was shown to bind human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) viral envelope protein gp120 and proposed to function as a Trojan horse to enhancetrans-virus infection to host T cells. To better understand the mechanism by which DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR selectively bind HIV-1 gp120, we constructed a series of deletion mutations in the repeat regions of both receptors. Different truncated receptors exist in different oligomeric forms. The carbohydrate binding domain without any repeats was monomeric, whereas the full extracellular receptors existed as tetramers. All reconstituted receptors retained their ability to bind gp120. The dissociation constant, however, differed drastically from micromolar values for the monomeric receptors to nanomolar values for the tetrameric receptors, suggesting that the repeat region of these receptors contributes to the avidity of gp120 binding. Such oligomerization may provide a mechanism for the receptor to selectively recognize pathogens containing multiple high-mannose-concentration carbohydrates. In contrast, the receptors bound to ICAMs with submicromolar affinities that are similar to those of two nonspecific cell surface glycoproteins, FcγRIIb and FcγRIII, and the oligomerization of DC-SIGNR resulted in no increase in binding affinity to ICAM-3. These findings suggest that DC-SIGN may not discriminate other cell surface glycoproteins from ICAM-3 binding. The pH dependence in DC-SIGN binding to gp120 showed that the receptor retained high-affinity gp120 binding at neutral pH but lost gp120 binding at pH 5, suggesting a release mechanism of HIV in the acidic endosomal compartment by DC-SIGN. Our work contradicts the function of DC-SIGN as a Trojan horse to facilitate HIV-1 infection; rather, it supports the function of DC-SIGN/R (a designation referring to both DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR) as an antigen-capturing receptor.
Inhibition of Flavivirus Infections by Antisense Oligomers Specifically Suppressing Viral Translation and RNA Replication
Authors: Deas Tia S. , Binduga-Gajewska Iwona , Tilgner Mark , Ren Ping , Stein David A. , Moulton Hong M. , Iversen Patrick L. , Kauffman Elizabeth B. , Kramer Laura D. , Shi Pei-Yong 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT

RNA elements within flavivirus genomes are potential targets for antiviral therapy. A panel of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs), whose sequences are complementary to RNA elements located in the 5′- and 3′-termini of the West Nile (WN) virus genome, were designed to anneal to important
cis
-acting elements and potentially to inhibit WN infection. A novel Arg-rich peptide was conjugated to each PMO for efficient cellular delivery. These PMOs exhibited various degrees of antiviral activity upon incubation with a WN virus luciferase-replicon-containing cell line. Among them, PMOs targeting the 5′-terminal 20 nucleotides (5′End) or targeting the 3′-terminal element involved in a potential genome cyclizing interaction (3′CSI) exhibited the greatest potency. When cells infected with an epidemic strain of WN virus were treated with the 5′End or 3′CSI PMO, virus titers were reduced by approximately 5 to 6 logs at a 5 μM concentration without apparent cytotoxicity. The 3′CSI PMO also inhibited mosquito-borne flaviviruses other than WN virus, and the antiviral potency correlated with the conservation of the targeted 3′CSI sequences of specific viruses. Mode-of-action analyses showed that the 5′End and 3′CSI PMOs suppressed viral infection through two distinct mechanisms. The 5′End PMO inhibited viral translation, whereas the 3′CSI PMO did not significantly affect viral translation but suppressed RNA replication. The results suggest that antisense PMO-mediated blocking of
cis
-acting elements of flavivirus genomes can potentially be developed into an anti-flavivirus therapy. In addition, we report that although a full-length WN virus containing a luciferase reporter (engineered at the 3′ untranslated region of the genome) is not stable, an early passage of this reporting virus can be used to screen for inhibitors against any step of the virus life cycle.
The Cellular Protein Daxx Interacts with Avian Sarcoma Virus Integrase and Viral DNA To Repress Viral Transcription
Authors: Greger James G. , Katz Richard A. , Ishov Alexander M. , Maul Gerd G. , Skalka Anna Marie 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT
The cellular protein Daxx was identified as an interactor with avian sarcoma virus (ASV) integrase (IN) in a yeast two-hybrid screen. After infection, Daxx-IN interactions were detected by coimmunoprecipitation. An association between Daxx and viral DNA, likely mediated by IN, was also detected by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Daxx was not required for early events in ASV replication, including integration, as Daxx-null cells were transduced as efficiently as Daxx-expressing cells. However, viral reporter gene expression from ASV-based vectors was substantially higher in the Daxx-null cells than in Daxx-complemented cells. Consistent with this observation, histone deacetylases (HDACs) were found to associate with viral DNA in Daxx-complemented cells but not in Daxx-null cells. Furthermore, Daxx protein was induced in an interferon-like manner upon ASV infection. We conclude that Daxx interacts with an IN-viral DNA complex early after infection and may mediate the repression of viral gene expression via the recruitment of HDACs. Our findings provide a novel example of cellular immunity against viral replication in which viral transcription is repressed via the recruitment of antiviral proteins to the viral DNA.