bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and clinical significance of human herpesviruses 6 and 7 active infection in pediatric liver transplant patients
Authors: Feldstein Ariel E. , Razonable Raymund R. , Boyce Thomas G. , Freese Deborah K. , El‐Youssef Mounif , Perrault Jean , Paya Carlos V. , Ishitani Michael B. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  Recent studies in adult liver transplant patients have suggested that both human herpesvirus (HHV)‐6 and HHV‐7 infection are important causes of morbidity following liver transplantation. However, the impact of HHV‐6 and ‐7 infection in pediatric liver transplant patients remains largely unknown. The aims were to determine the prevalence of HHV‐6 and ‐7 infection in pediatric liver transplant patients and to determine whether there is an association between HHV‐6 and ‐7 infection with episodes of graft rejection and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. A total of 46 pediatric liver transplant patients transplanted at Mayo Clinic between January 1994 and January 2000 were evaluated. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for CMV, HHV‐6 and HHV‐7 were performed on stored sera obtained prior to transplant, weekly for 8 wk and at 4 months and 1 yr post‐transplant. Pretransplant sera were tested for HHV‐6 antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assay. A total of 215 blood samples were tested (mean 6.5 ± 3.1, range 3–18). CMV infection occurred in 11 of 33 (33.3%) patients, while CMV disease occurred in 4 of 33 (12%) patients. Infection with HHV‐6 (variant B) was detected in three of 33 (9.1%) patients. HHV‐7 infection was not detected. Case 1 and 2 were infants (10‐ and 11‐month old, respectively). Both were seronegative for HHV‐6 pretransplant. In both cases, HHV‐6 infection was associated with concurrent episodes of moderate to severe acute graft rejection. Case 3 was a 16‐yr‐old girl who was seropositive for HHV‐6 pretransplant. No clinical events were recorded and a liver biopsy performed per protocol showed no evidence of rejection. None of the three patients had concomitant CMV infection or disease. In this study, HHV‐6 infection occurred in 9% of pediatric liver transplant patients while HHV‐7 was not detected. A potential association between primary HHV‐6 infection and allograft rejection warrants further investigation.
Mycophenolate mofetil without antibody induction in cadaver vs. living donor pediatric renal transplantation
Authors: Ojogho O. , Sahney S. , Cutler D. , Baron P. W. , Abdelhalim F. M. , Hasan S. M. , Concepcion W. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a new immunosuppressive agent that blocks de novo purine synthesis in T and B lymphocytes via a potent selective inhibition of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase. MMF has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of acute rejection in both adult and pediatric renal transplantation. The impact of MMF on routine antibody induction therapy in pediatric renal transplantation has not been defined. Remarkably, a recent North American Pediatric Transplant Cooperative Study concluded that T‐cell antibody induction therapy was deleterious for patients who received MMF. Our study examines the use of MMF in an evolving immunosuppressive strategy to avoid antibody induction in both living (LD) and cadaver (CAD) donor pediatric renal transplantation.We retrospectively analyzed the records of 43 pediatric renal transplants that received MMF‐based triple therapy without antibody induction therapy between November 1996 and April 2000. We compared CAD (n = 17) with LD (n = 26). The two groups were similar demographically except that CAD had significantly younger donors than LD, 26.1 ± 13.7 vs. 36.2 ± 9.2 yr (p = 0.006). All the patients received MMF at 600 mg/m2/b.i.d. (maximum dose of 2 g/d) and prednisone with cyclosporine (86%) or tacrolimus (14%). Mean follow‐up was >36 months for each group. Acute rejection rate at 6 months was 11.8% (CAD) vs. 15.4% (LD) (p = 0.999) and at 1 yr was 23.5% (CAD) vs. 26.9% (LD) (p = 0.999). Mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (ml/min/1.73 m2) at 6 months was 73.3 ± 15.3 (CAD) vs. 87.6 ± 24.2 (LD) (p = 0.068). Patient survival at 1, 2, and 3 yr was 100, 100, and 100% for CAD vs. 100, 96, and 96% for LD, respectively. Graft survival at 1, 2, and 3 yr was 100, 100, and 94% for CAD vs. 96, 88, and 71% for LD, respectively. Graft loss in CAD was because of chronic rejection (n = 2) while in LD it was because of non‐compliance (n = 6), post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (n = 1), and sepsis (n = 1). In conclusion, MMF without antibody induction in both CAD and LD pediatric renal transplantation provides statistically similar and effective prophylaxis against acute rejection at 6 months and 1 yr post‐transplant. The short‐term patient and graft survival rates are excellent, however, non‐compliance remains a serious challenge to long‐term graft survival. Additional controlled studies are needed to define the role of MMF without antibody induction therapy in pediatric renal transplantation.
Accuracy of annual erythema exposure estimation using different numbers of ambient exposure fractions in the human exposure model
Authors: Vishvakarman D. , Wong J. C. F. 
Published: December 2004

Background: The aim was to determine the optimum number of ambient exposure fractions required in the human exposure model for accurate computation of annual erythema effective solar exposure.Methods: Ambient exposure fractions were determined on a daily basis over a period of a year in the Rockhampton region using ambient exposure measurements and erythema effective solar exposure measurements at selected body sites of Australia post mail delivery personnel (APMDP). Several values of annual erythema effective exposure for the same body sites were computed using different combinations of ambient exposure fractions on a monthly, seasonally and half‐yearly basis in the human exposure model and compared with the measured values.Results: This method enabled a check on the accuracy of annual erythema effective solar exposure estimation using the different combinations of ambient exposure fractions in the human exposure model. In the worst case there was approximately 35% difference between the measured value and the computed value.Conclusion: The best accuracy was obtained with the use of ambient exposure fractions on a monthly basis where most of the estimated values for the different body sites were within 20% of the measured values.
UV exposure in cars
Authors: Moehrle Matthias , Soballa Martin , Korn Manfred 
Published: December 2004

Background: There is increasing knowledge about the hazards of solar and ultraviolet (UV) radiation to humans. Although people spend a significant time in cars, data on UV exposure during traveling are lacking. The aim of this study was to obtain basic information on personal UV exposure in cars.Methods: UV transmission of car glass samples, windscreen, side and back windows and sunroof, was determined. UV exposure of passengers was evaluated in seven German middle‐class cars, fitted with three different types of car windows. UV doses were measured with open or closed windows/sunroof of Mercedes‐Benz E 220 T, E 320, and S 500, and in an open convertible car (Mercedes‐Benz CLK). Bacillus subtilis spore film dosimeters (Viospor) were attached to the front, vertex, cheeks, upper arms, forearms and thighs of ‘adult’ and ‘child’ dummies.Results: UV wavelengths longer than >335 nm were transmitted through car windows, and UV irradiation >380 nm was transmitted through compound glass windscreens. There was some variation in the spectral transmission of side windows according to the type of glass. On the arms, UV exposure was 3–4% of ambient radiation when the car windows were shut, and 25–31% of ambient radiation when the windows were open. In the open convertible car, the relative personal doses reached 62% of ambient radiation.Conclusions: The car glass types examined offer substantial protection against short‐wave UV radiation. Professional drivers should keep car windows closed on sunny days to reduce occupational UV exposure. In individuals with polymorphic light eruption, produced by long‐wave UVA, additional protection by plastic films, clothes or sunscreens appears necessary.
Immediate effects of UV radiation on the skin: modification by an antioxidant complex containing carotenoids
Authors: Césarini J. P. , Michel L. , Maurette J. M. , Adhoute H. , Béjot M. 
Published: December 2004

Background/Aims: The ultraviolet (UV) portion of sunlight is involved in the induction and development of skin cancers against which a limited photoprotection may be provided by reduced time of exposure, clothing, and sunscreen applications. The concept of an effective, safe, systemic photoprotection will circumvent many of the shortcomings. The UV‐induced oxidative stress is a cause of DNA damage and a few publications have shown, in humans, minimal benefits, if any, of the oral intake of antioxidant complex, contrasting with the large literature showing beneficial effects in vitro or in animal models.Methods: We investigated, in 25 healthy individuals, the capacity of an antioxidant complex (AOC) – vitamins (lycopene, β‐carotene, α‐tocopherol), selenium – to reduce UV‐induced damages. The AOC was administered orally, daily during 7 weeks. Before and after irradiations, before and after the intake of the product, six parameters were studied: skin color by chromametry, minimal erythemal dose and, on skin biopsies, sunburn cells (SBCs), p53 detected by immunohistochemistry, pigmentation index, and levels of lipoperoxides (thiobarbituric acid reaction).Results: After the oral intake of AOC, we observed an elevation of the actinic erythema threshold (+20%, P=0.01) and a general reduction of the UV‐induced erythemas, a reduction of the UV‐induced p53 expression (P<0.05) and of SBCs (P<0.01), and a parallel reduction of the lipoperoxide levels (P<0.01). The pigmentation was increased (P<0.01).Conclusion: After the oral intake of an antioxidant complex, many parameters of the epidermal defense against UV‐induced damages are significantly improved. The oral intake of AOC could provide a safe, daylong and efficient complement to photo‐protective measures provided by topical and physical agents and may contribute to reduce the DNA damages leading to skin aging and skin cancers.
Functional acclimation to solar UV‐B radiation in Gunnera magellanica, a native plant species of southernmost Patagonia
Authors: GIORDANO C. V. , MORI T. , SALA O. E. , SCOPEL A. L. , CALDWELL M. M. , BALLARÉ C. L. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTThe ecosystems of Tierra del Fuego (in southern Patagonia, Argentina) are seasonally exposed to elevated levels of ultraviolet‐B radiation (UV‐B: 280–315 nm), due to the passage of the ‘ozone hole’ over this region. In the experiments reported in this article the effects of solar UV‐B and UV‐A (315–400 nm) on two UV‐B defence‐related processes: the accumulation of protective UV‐absorbing compounds and DNA repair, were tested. It was found that the accumulation of UV‐absorbing sunscreens in Gunnera magellanica leaves was not affected by plant exposure to ambient UV radiation. Photorepair was the predominant mechanism of cyclobutane‐pyrimidine dimer (CPD) removal in G. magellanica. Plants exposed to solar UV had higher CPD repair capacity under optimal conditions of temperature (25 °C) than plants grown under attenuated UV. There was no measurable repair at 8 °C. The rates of CPD repair in G. magellanica plants were modest in comparison with other species and, under equivalent conditions, were about 50% lower than the repair rates of Arabidopsis thaliana (Ler ecotype). Collectively our results suggest that the susceptibility of G. magellanica plants to current ambient levels of solar UV‐B in southern Patagonia may be related to a low DNA repair capacity.
Aqueous silicate complexes in wheat, Triticum aestivum L.
Authors: CASEY W. H. , KINRADE S. D. , KNIGHT C. T. G. , RAINS D. W. , EPSTEIN E. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTThe chemical speciation of silicon in xylem exudate from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was examined by 29Si NMR spectroscopy. Wheat plants were grown to maturity in silicon‐free nutrient medium, and then transferred to a solution containing 0.02 mm29Si‐enriched silicic acid. After 30 min the shoots were excised and xylem exudate was collected. Within 10 min the Si concentration of the xylem exudate reached values greatly in excess of that of the starting nutrient solution, eventually reaching levels as high as 8 mm. Silicon‐29 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra indicated the existence of only two Si‐containing species in the xylem exudate, mono and disilicic acid (H4SiO4o and (HO)3Si(µ‐O)Si(OH)3o) in a ratio of approximately 7 : 1. Significantly, there was no evidence of organosilicate complexes. Nevertheless, the efficiency by which the plant concentrates aqueous silicon indicates active mechanisms of silicon transport across root cell membranes.
Unusual stomatal behaviour on partial root excision in wheat seedlings
Authors: VYSOTSKAYA L. B. , KUDOYAROVA G. R. , VESELOV S. , JONES H. G. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTThe excision of four out of five primary roots of wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) seedlings often leads to an enhanced rate of transpiration. Surprisingly this enhancement could be maintained for several hours after root excision and was particularly likely to occur at low irradiances or high atmospheric humidity. This long‐term enhancement could not be explained in terms of conventional hydropassive stomatal effects. Elevated rates of transpiration were associated with and possibly caused by increased cytokinin concentrations in shoots of plants with partially excised roots. The single root remaining after excision was able to maintain an adequate water uptake for the continued enhanced transpiration, after only a short transient reduction in leaf water content. The enhanced capacity for water uptake by the remaining root was confirmed by measuring the water flow from detached roots at negative hydrostatic pressure. Even without additional suction, flow from the reduced root system increased about 1.5 h after the start of treatment, suggesting an increase in membrane permeability for water. Although abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations in the roots increased after the root excision treatment, there was no evidence for any enhanced concentration in the xylem sap. The possible role that this accumulation of ABA in roots may have in the apparent increase in hydraulic conductivity after root excision is discussed.
High hexokinase activity in tomato fruit perturbs carbon and energy metabolism and reduces fruit and seed size
Authors: MENU T. , SAGLIO P. , GRANOT D. , DAI N. , RAYMOND P. , RICARD B. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTTomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var MP‐1) plants overexpressing Arabidopsis hexokinase 1 (AtHXK1) exhibited high hexokinase (HXK) activity in correlation with drastic phenotypic modifications in fruit. Transgenic fruit and seeds were reduced in size. Reduction in fruit size was due to decreased cell expansion, which could not be corrected by perfusion with sucrose (Suc). Neither could wild type (WT) fruit and seed size be obtained by grafting of transgenic flowers onto WT shoots. Starch and hexose contents were lower but organic and amino acids were higher in transgenic fruit. Lower respiratory rates measured in vitro accompanied by even lower ATP levels and ATP/ADP ratios indicated metabolic perturbations that may explain, in part, reduced fruit and seed size.
Overexpression of a lily PIP1 gene in tobacco increased the osmotic water permeability of leaf cells
Authors: DING X. , IWASAKI I. , KITAGAWA Y. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTMembrane intrinsic proteins (MIP) facilitate the osmotic water transport across biomembranes and are involved in the transcellular and intracellular water flow in plants. An aquaporin‐like gene, AqpL1, was isolated from lily flower using reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic analysis showed that AqpL1 was a member of PIP1 subfamily. The results of northern hybridization indicated AqpL1 expressed in the whole plant but most strongly in young petal. Its expression decreased remarkably with flower age. AqpL1 gene could be properly expressed by in vitro translation and showed a 26 kDa monomer band revealed by autoradiography. Injection of AqpL1 cRNA into Xenopus oocytes resulted in an increase of the osmotic water permeability (Pf = 0.72 × 10−2 ± 0.05 cm s−1) for about 2–3 times compared to that (Pf = 0.24 × 10−2 ± 0.07 cm s−1) of the cells injected with water. Overexpression of AqpL1 in tobacco could greatly increase osmotic water permeability of leaf protoplasts (Pos‐WT : Pos‐L1 = 0.7 × 10−1 cm s−1 : 4.3 × 10−1 cm s−1) and water conductivity of leaf cells (RWL‐WT : RWL‐L1 = 3.3% : 13.2%). It is concluded that AqpL1 is a water channel gene. However, it demonstrated much higher osmotic water permeability in tobacco cells than in oocytes. These results are consistent with the notion that AqpL1 is involved in regulating water and/or other solutes transport across the plant cell membrane.
A PCR marker system for monitoring the frequencies of normal and sterility‐inducing cytoplasm types in German chive varieties
Authors: Engelke T. , Tatlioglu T. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractRandom amplified polymorphic DNAs and atp9‐related sequences were amplified in cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) and maintainer lines drawn from a backcross programme to represent all five known cytoplasm types in chives. From these PCR amplifications, markers associated with CMS‐inducing cytoplasm types, (S1) and (S2), and for two of the three known normal cytoplasm types, (N2) and (N3), were developed. These newly developed PCR markers were used to determine the cytoplasm types in 126 plants representing 12 German chive varieties. The dependability of these PCR markers was confirmed by analysis with previously described and marker‐trait linked restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Two to five cytoplasm types were found in each of the 12 German chive varieties investigated. While the (S1) cytoplasm occurred, on average, at a frequency of 5% and the (S2) cytoplasm at 12%, the three normal cytoplasms (N1), (N2) and (N3) were present at 30, 29 and 24%, respectively. Thus, the prospects of finding maintainers for both CMS systems are relatively high in this population, if the frequency of non‐restoring alleles for the nuclear genes involved is also high enough.
Spectrum and inheritance of resistance to the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne hapla in Rosa multiflora and R. indica
Authors: Wang X. , Jacob Y. , Mastrantuono S. , Bazzano J. , Voisin R. , Esmenjaud D. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe spectrum and inheritance of resistance to the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne hapla was studied in the diploid species Rosa multiflora and R. indica. The host suitability of seven rose rootstocks, namely five R. multiflora (K2, K1, Floradale, CE63 and CE65) and two R. indica (CE35 and Maroc) clonal accessions, was evaluated using four geographic isolates of M. hapla. Plants grown under greenhouse conditions were tested at high and durable inoculum pressure of nematodes and rated for nematode infestation five months after inoculation on a 0–5 gall index. Different host suitabilities to M. hapla were demonstrated depending on the nematode isolates: in R. multiflora, the clone K2 had a resistant (R) response to all isolates; the clone K1 ranged from intermediate (I) (isolate ‘Canada’) to resistant (other isolates), Floradale was shown to be intermediate, whereas CE63 and CE65 were moderate to good hosts (H). In R. indica, both rootstocks were good to excellent hosts for the isolate Canada but resistant to all three other isolates, thus expressing an isolate‐specific resistance. A study on the genetics of resistance in R. multiflora to the M. hapla isolate Canada was then conducted using an incomplete diallel cross involving all previous clones except Floradale. A total of 120 hybrid individuals belonging to several progenies representing the cross combinations R × I, R × H, I × H and H × H were evaluated. Individuals of each progeny generally ranged into a monomodal distribution that suggests polygenic inheritance of resistance. In the family Rosaceae, the differences in the resistance genetics to the meiotic species M. hapla and to the mitotic species, M. arenaria, M. incognita and M. javanica are discussed in relation to the reproductive status of the nematodes.
Non‐invasive in vivo determination of UVA efficacy of sunscreens using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Gillies R. , Moyal D. , Forestier S. , Kollias N. 
Published: December 2004

Background: Evaluation of sunscreen efficacy is most relevant when measured on the surface it is meant to protect, namely on human skin in vivo. Application of any material to the surface of the skin alters its optical properties. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is a non‐invasive technique to measure changes in the optical properties of the skin decoupled from its biological responses following sunscreen application.Methods: This study compared measurements of UVA efficacy of oxybenzone and avobenzone at different concentrations (0–5%) using DRS, human phototest and an in vitro technique. Twenty subjects were enrolled for each product measured by DRS and 10 different subjects were enrolled for each product measured by human phototest. Six areas 5 cm × 10 cm were outlined on each subject's back. DRS measurements were performed on four subsites within each area before and 20 min after sunscreen application. UVA efficacy for each concentration of product was calculated from the measured transmission spectrum of a given product convoluted with the spectrum of a Xenon light source adequately filtered to obtain the UVA spectrum from 320 to 400 nm and the erythema action spectrum. Phototesting was performed using the same light source and persistent pigment darkening as the biological endpoint. Measurements were made with sunscreen coverage of 2 mg/cm2. In vitro measurements were performed using an Optometrics instrument.Results: All three techniques showed a linear response between calculated UVA efficacy and product concentration.Conclusions: This study showed that DRS is a rapid and reproducible method to calculate UVA efficacy of sunscreen materials and that its results correlate closely with those obtained by human phototesting.
An Exploratory Analysis of Insurer Groups
Authors: Colquitt L. Lee , Sommer David W. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractGrouping is a widespread and interesting phenomenon of the insurance industry, among both life‐health insurers and property‐liability insurers. Recognizing the potentially important implications of group membership for insurer behavior and characteristics, numerous academic researchers using insurance company data have included a dummy variable in their regression analysis to control for group membership. However, it has never been clear exactly what is being controlled for when such a variable is included. This article attempts to shed light on this question. Results indicate that group affiliated insurers tend to be larger than unaffiliated insurers, are more likely to be licensed in New York, are more likely to be stock firms than mutuals, and are likely to be less geographically concentrated.
An Examination of the Demand for Life Insurance
Authors: Zietz Emily Norman 
Published: December 2004

AbstractFor almost 50 years researchers have sought to explain consumer behavior concerning the purchase of life insurance. This study examines the literature relating to specific demographic and economic factors that may be identifiable as traits influencing the demand for life insurance, and discusses general environmental issues that may relate to life insurance demand. By organizing the wealth of literature in a useful and systematic format, noting consistencies and contradictions, this examination seeks to provide a better understanding of how and why life insurance purchases are made.