bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A research framework for identifying potential linkages between isolated wetlands and disease ecology
Authors: Kirkman L. K. , Whitehead E. A. , Golladay S. W. , Smith L. L. , Opsahl S. P.
Published: November 2010

Isolated wetlands are ideal model systems to examine linkages between environmental change, complex food webs, and the ecology of mosquito‐borne diseases. Through long‐term studies, we have evaluated the diversity among plant, invertebrate, and amphibian species of relatively undisturbed isolated wetlands. Based on preliminary evidence from impaired wetlands, we have developed a conceptual model to examine how human land use and climate change may affect wetland ecosystem functions that ultimately link to the proliferation of mosquito‐borne diseases through the alteration of food webs and mosquito habitat. Our research framework initially requires the development of a wetland condition ranking system for a large group of isolated wetlands based on potential habitat for mosquitoes that vector disease. Secondly, it identifies potential changes in ecosystem function that specifically address the role of aquatic fauna in mediating mosquito‐borne infectious diseases. Ultimately, understanding ecological functions and services will help focus the need for better management practices and potential regulation of impacts to isolated wetland habitats in the USA.
Hand and Foot Abnormalities Associated with Genetic Diseases
Authors: Mankin Henry J. , Jupiter Jesse , Trahan Carol Ann
Published: October 2010

Introduction

The small bones and soft tissues of the hands and feet can be affected by systemic disorders, and frequently, the findings are quite unique and virtually diagnostic for some genetic or metabolic disorders.

Materials and Methods

Photographs and imaging studies for the hands and feet are available in a digitized system, which has been approved by our hospital institutional review board. Examination of these and their description can establish a relationship with some degree of certainty to a series of highly variable and uncommon clinical disorders.

Results

Description of the clinical, physiologic and genetic characteristics, and illustrations of hand and foot abnormalities are provided for an array of diseases, including Ellis–van Creveld syndrome, fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, achondroplasia, Kniest dysplasia, pseudo- and pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism, acromegaly, nail–patella syndrome, Marfan's disease, cartilage–hair hypoplasia, and several forms of mucopolysaccharidosis.

Conclusions

The findings support the concept that many genetic disorders can often be diagnosed by clinical and imaging examination of the patient's hands and feet.
Effect of bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes‐conditioned medium on in‐vitro maturation of canine oocytes
Authors: Abdel‐Ghani Mohammed A. , Abe Yasuyuki , Asano Tomoyoshi , Hamano Seizo , Suzuki Hiroshi
Published: October 2010

Purpose

To investigate the ability of medium conditioned with bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) to support nuclear maturation of canine oocytes recovered from domestic dog ovaries.

Methods

Cumulus–oocyte complexes were obtained from ovaries of domestic bitches (8 months old to 7 years old), and in‐vitro maturation was evaluated in TCM‐199 supplemented with different concentrations (0, 20, 30 or 50%) of bovine COCs‐conditioned medium (BCM). The canine COCs were cultured for 72 or 96 h at 38.5°C in 5% CO2, 5% O2 and 90% N2. The bovine COCs‐conditioned medium was obtained from culture of bovine COCs with TCM‐199 supplemented with 5% FCS for 22 h at 38.5°C in 2% CO2, 98% air.

Results

The proportion of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) after 72 h was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in medium supplemented with 30% BCM (20.7%) compared with the control group (13.4%). The rates of GVBD‐MII stage were significantly higher (P < 0.05) when oocytes were matured with BCM at concentration of 30% (41.5%) compared with control (26.6%) after 72 h in‐vitro culture. After 96 h in‐vitro culture, the oocytes matured in medium supplemented with 30% BCM (5.5%) showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the proportion of MII compared with control (0.7%). However, increasing the cultivation time from 72 to 96 h resulted in an increase in oocyte degeneration rate.

Conclusions

The results suggested that bovine COCs‐conditioned medium supplementation significantly increased nuclear maturation of canine oocytes.
Estimation of salt intake by 24 h urinary sodium excretion in a representative sample of Spanish adults
Authors: Ortega Rosa M. , López-Sobaler Ana M. , Ballesteros Juan M. , Pérez-Farinós Napoleón , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Elena , Aparicio Aránzazu , Perea José M. , Andrés Pedro
Published: October 2010

The present study reports the Na intake of a representative sample of Spanish young and middle-aged adults aged 18–60 years (n418, 53·1 % women, selected from the capitals of fifteen provinces and the surrounding semi-urban/rural area), measured with a 24 h urinary Na excretion method. To validate the paper collection of 24 h urine, the correlation between fat-free mass determined by electrical bioimpedance (50·8 (sd11·3) kg) and that determined via urinary creatinine excretion (51·5 (sd18·8) kg) was calculated (r0·633,P < 0·001). Urinary Na excretion correlated with systolic and dyastolic blood pressure data (r0·243 and 0·153, respectively). Assuming that all urinary Na (168·0 (sd78·6) mmol/d) comes from the diet, Na excretion would correspond with a dietary salt intake of 9·8 (sd4·6) g/d, and it would mean that 88·2 % of the subjects had salt intakes above the recommended 5 g/d. Logistic regression analysis, adjusted for sex, age and BMI, showed male sex (OR 3·678, 95 % CI 2·336, 5·791) and increasing BMI (OR 1·069, 95 % CI 1·009, 1·132) (P < 0·001) to be associated with excreting >200 mmol/d urinary Na – a consequence of the higher salt intake in men and in participants with higher BMI. The present results help us to know the baseline salt intake in the Spanish young and middle-aged adult population, and can be used as the baseline to design policies to reduce salt consumption.
A Simple Algorithm to Eliminate Ambiguities in EBSD Orientation Map Visualization and Analyses: Application to Fatigue Crack-Tips/Wakes in Aluminum Alloys
Authors: Gupta Vipul K. , Agnew Sean R.
Published: October 2010

A simple algorithm is developed and implemented to eliminate ambiguities, in both statistical analyses of orientation data (e.g., orientation averaging) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) orientation map visualization, caused by symmetrically equivalent orientations and thewrap-aroundorumklappeffect. Usingcrystal symmetryoperators and the lowestEuclidian-distancecriterion, the orientation of each pixel within a grain is redefined. An advantage of this approach is demonstrated for direct determination of the representative orientation of a grain within an EBSD map bymean,median, orquaternion-basedaveraging methods that can be further used within analyses or visualization of misorientation or geometrically necessary dislocation (GND) density. If one also considers the lattice curvature tensor, five components of the dislocation density tensor—corresponding to a part of the GND content—may be inferred. The methodology developed is illustrated using EBSD orientation data obtained from the fatigue crack-tips/wakes in aerospace aluminum alloys 2024-T351 and 7050-T7451.
Biofilm formation in bacterial pathogens of veterinary importance
Authors: Jacques Mario , Aragon Virginia , Tremblay Yannick D. N.
Published: October 2010

Bacterial biofilms are structured communities of bacterial cells enclosed in a self-produced polymer matrix that is attached to a surface. Biofilms protect and allow bacteria to survive and thrive in hostile environments. Bacteria within biofilms can withstand host immune responses, and are much less susceptible to antibiotics and disinfectants when compared with their planktonic counterparts. The ability to form biofilms is now considered a universal attribute of micro-organisms. Diseases associated with biofilms require novel methods for their prevention, diagnosis and treatment; this is largely due to the properties of biofilms. Surprisingly, biofilm formation by bacterial pathogens of veterinary importance has received relatively little attention. Here, we review the current knowledge of bacterial biofilms as well as studies performed on animal pathogens.
The telescope in the making, the Galileo first telescopic observations
Authors: Righini Alberto
Published: November 2010

In the first part of this paper we briefly discuss some historical constraints useful for understanding when Galileo for the first time aimed his telescope to the Moon which most probably was the first astronomical object observed by the Scientist. In the second part we discuss the dates of the observations on which the etchings, published in the Sidereus Nuncius, are based. It results that the five etchings refer to observations performed in December 1609 and January 1610. The measurement of the position, of some peculiar structures of the lunar surface clearly represented by Galileo in the etchings, shows that he was very careful in trying to produce a faithful graphical rendering of what he was observing.
Medicean Moons Sailing Through Plasma Seas: Challenges in Establishing Magnetic Properties
Authors: Kivelson Margaret G. , Jia Xianzhe , Khurana Krishan K.
Published: November 2010

Jupiter's moons, embedded in the magnetized, flowing plasma of Jupiter's magnetosphere, the plasma seas of the title, are fluids whose highly non-linear interactions imply complex behavior. In a plasma, magnetic fields couple widely separated regions; consequently plasma interactions are exceptionally sensitive to boundary conditions (often ill-specified). Perturbation fields arising from plasma currents greatly limit our ability to establish more than the dominant internal magnetic field of a moon. With a focus on Ganymede and a nod to Io, this paper discusses the complexity of plasma-moon interactions, explains how computer simulations have helped characterize the system and presents improved fits to Ganymede's internal field.
Impact of climate change and variability on the global oceanic sink of CO2
Authors: Le Quéré Corinne , Takahashi Taro , Buitenhuis Erik T. , Rödenbeck Christian , Sutherland Stewart C.
Published: October 2010

About one quarter of the CO2 emitted to the atmosphere by human activities is absorbed annually by the ocean. All the processes that influence the oceanic uptake of CO2 are controlled by climate. Hence changes in climate (both natural and human‐induced) are expected to alter the uptake of CO2 by the ocean. However, available information that constrains the direction, magnitude, or rapidity of the response of ocean CO2 to changes in climate is limited. We present an analysis of oceanic CO2 trends for 1981 to 2007 from data and a model. Our analysis suggests that the global ocean responded to recent changes in climate by outgassing some preindustrial carbon, in part compensating the oceanic uptake of anthropogenic CO2. Using a model, we estimate that climate change and variability reduced the CO2 uptake by 12% compared to a simulation where constant climate is imposed, and offset 63% of the trend in response to increasing atmospheric CO2 alone. The response is caused by changes in wind patterns and ocean warming, with important nonlinear effects that amplify the response of oceanic CO2 to changes in climate by > 30%.
Further sounding rocket observations of structured whistler mode auroral emissions
Authors: Colpitts C. A. , LaBelle J. , Kletzing C. A. , Yoon P. H.
Published: October 2010

Two recent sounding rockets were launched into active auroral substorms from Poker Flat, Alaska: CHARM on 27 February 2007 and SIERRA on 14 January 2002. Both payloads included HF wave receivers. As previously reported, the SIERRA HF receiver recorded short‐lived, periodic, time‐dispersed features at 200–600 kHz (“stripes”), in which high‐frequency components precede low frequencies, leading to a nearly linear frequency‐time signature. These features coincided with a region identified as Alfvénic and dominated by suprathermal electron bursts and 10–110 eV downward going ions poleward of the main inverted V auroral arc. The CHARM experiment, using different electric field sensors, confirmed the occurrence of the stripe features with characteristics similar to those observed with SIERRA. The most promising mechanism to explain stripes is a cyclotron resonance between downgoing Z mode waves and upgoing electron conics in the topside ionosphere at altitudes of 3000–5000 km. These electron conics resonate with successively lower‐frequency waves as they ascend, leading to emissions in which lower frequencies are delayed relative to higher frequencies; detailed modeling reproduces even fairly subtle nonlinear features of the stripes’ frequency‐time signature. The resulting structured Z mode waves then convert to whistler mode waves, which propagate to rocket altitudes. Previous simulations have shown that electron conics can be generated by Alfvénic acceleration and retain the periodicity of the driving Alfvén wave. If this acceleration could be driven by Alfvén waves at the frequency of the periodicity of the stripes, it could explain this periodicity and would be consistent with their correlation with an Alfvénic region.
A drop in upper tropospheric humidity in autumn 2001, as derived from radiosonde measurements at Uccle, Belgium
Authors: Van Malderen R. , De Backer H.
Published: October 2010

Simulations of climate models predict a doubling of the amount of upper tropospheric water vapor by the end of this century, caused by the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases. Observations indicate that the tropopause height has increased by several hundred meters since 1979. In this paper, we verify and link these two results by carrying out a time series analysis on a uniform database of corrected radiosonde vertical profiles gathered at Uccle, Belgium, and covering the 1990–2007 time period. The most remarkable finding of this trend analysis is a significant drop in upper tropospheric humidity (UTH) around autumn 2001, which marks an end to the upper tropospheric moistening of the precedent decade. This UTH drop in autumn 2001 coexists with a sudden lifting and cooling of the tropopause and with a significant stretch‐out of the free troposphere. Therefore, we conclude that these autumn 2001 trends are certainly associated with the dynamical behavior of the troposphere, triggered by the surface warming. Links with the solar variability and the lower stratosphere were investigated but could not be established definitely.
Impact of improved soil moisture on the ECMWF precipitation forecast in West Africa
Authors: Agustí‐Panareda A. , Balsamo G. , Beljaars A.
Published: October 2010

West Africa is a region of strong coupling between soil moisture and precipitation and where numerical weather prediction of precipitation generally exhibits poor skill. This region has been the focus of the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis ‐ Land‐surface Model Intercomparison Project in which the European Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) land surface scheme—among others—has been driven offline by accurate meteorological forcing in order to produce improved soil moisture estimates. The impact of these improved initial conditions for soil moisture on the short‐range precipitation forecast is examined with the ECMWF Integrated Forecast System. While direct and beneficial impact of a more realistic soil moisture is obtained for accumulated precipitation in the regions over the coast of the Gulf of Guinea and eastern Sahel, over the rest of the Sahel the impact is detrimental or neutral.
Modification of the plasma in the near‐vicinity of Enceladus by the enveloping dust
Authors: Farrell W. M. , Kurth W. S. , Tokar R. L. , Wahlund J.‐E. , Gurnett D. A. , Wang Z. , MacDowall R. J. , Morooka M. W. , Johnson R. E. , Waite J. H.
Published: October 2010

The plasma near Saturn's equator is quasi‐corotating, but those fluid elements entering the near‐vicinity of the moon Enceladus become uniquely modified. Besides the solid body, the Moon has a surrounding dust envelop that we show herein to be detected ∼20 Enceladus radii (1 RE = 252 km) both north and south of the body. Previous reports indicate that corotating plasma slows down substantially in the near‐vicinity of Enceladus. We show herein that the commencement of this plasma slow down matches closely with Cassini's entry into the dense portions of the enveloping dust in the northern hemisphere above the Moon. We also examine in detail the source of the dust about 400 km above the south polar fissures. We find that a large positive potential must exist between the south pole of the moon and the spacecraft to account for ions streaming away from the pole on connecting magnetic field lines.
Electron trapping and charge transport by large amplitude whistlers
Authors: Kellogg P. J. , Cattell C. A. , Goetz K. , Monson S. J. , Wilson L. B.
Published: October 2010

Trapping of electrons by magnetospheric whistlers is investigated using data from the Waves experiment on Wind and the S/WAVES experiment on STEREO. Waveforms often show a characteristic distortion which is shown to be due to electrons trapped in the potential of the electrostatic part of oblique whistlers. The density of trapped electrons is significant, comparable to that of the unperturbed whistler. Transport of these trapped electrons to new regions can generate potentials of several kilovolts. Trapping and the associated potentials may play an important role in the acceleration of Earth's radiation belt electrons.
Test of methods to infer the magnetic reconnection geometry from spacecraft data
Authors: Denton R. E. , Sonnerup B. U. Ö. , Birn J. , Teh W.‐L. , Drake J. F. , Swisdak M. , Hesse M. , Baumjohann W.
Published: October 2010

When analyzing data from a cluster of spacecraft (such as Cluster or MMS) crossing a site of magnetic reconnection, it is desirable to be able to determine the orientation of the reconnection site. If the reconnection is quasi‐two dimensional, there are three key directions, the direction of inhomogeneity (direction across the reconnection site), the direction of the reconnecting component of the magnetic field, and the direction of rough invariance (the “out of plane” direction). Using simulated spacecraft observations of an MHD simulation of magnetic reconnection in the geomagnetic tail, we test a direction‐finding method based on the gradient of the vector magnetic field and find that the directions can be well determined. The results from this method, however, can be in error if there are systematic calibration errors in the magnetic field measurements. We show that the effect of these errors can be eliminated if an average gradient is subtracted from a time series of gradient values before they are used for the analysis. We also test a method to determine the velocity of the reconnecting structure relative to the spacecraft using the time derivative and gradient of the magnetic field and show that this velocity can be well determined. Calibration errors can be eliminated in this case also if an average time derivative and gradient are subtracted from the time series of values before they are used for the analysis.
Geomagnetic storms caused by shocks and ICMEs
Authors: Ontiveros Veronica , Gonzalez‐Esparza J. Americo
Published: October 2010

We performed an event‐by‐event study of 47 geomagnetic storms (GSs) that occurred during the ascending phase of solar cycle 23. All the GSs are associated with the passage of a shock and an interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME). For each event, we identified the section in the interplanetary (IP) medium causing the GS (the sheath behind the shock, the main body of the ICME or the combination of both). On average, the most intense GSs are caused by sheaths, followed by sheath‐ICME combinations and by ICMEs. We obtained the correlation coefficients between the intensity of each GS (minimum Dst) and several solar wind parameters. We found that the well‐known correlation between the GS intensity and the solar wind convected electric field, Ey, stands for the GSs caused by ICMEs (CC = −0.88) and sheath‐ICME combinations (CC = −0.95), but it is very low for the GSs caused by sheaths (CC = −0.44). In contrast, we found a very good correlation between the GSs caused by sheaths and the total convected electric field (ΣEy) (CC = −0.89). On the other hand, we estimated the total perpendicular pressure (Pt) for each IP event associated with the GSs and identified the three different types of Pt profiles. The most intense GSs are related with IP events with Pt = 1, but moderate and less intense storms are associated with the three Pt profiles. The correlations between the Dst and the solar wind parameters results that the CCs decrease significantly for IP events having a Pt profile of 3.
Superposed epoch analysis of the ionospheric convection evolution during substorms: IMF BY dependence
Authors: Grocott A. , Milan S. E. , Yeoman T. K. , Sato N. , Yukimatu A. S. , Wild J. A.
Published: October 2010

We present superposed epoch analyses of the average ionospheric convection response in the northern and southern hemispheres to magnetospheric substorms occurring under different orientations of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Observations of the ionospheric convection were provided by the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) and substorms were identified using the Far Ultraviolet (FUV) instrument on board the Imager for Magnetopause‐to‐Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) spacecraft. We find that during the substorm growth phase the expected IMF BY‐dependent dawn‐dusk asymmetry is observed over the entire convection pattern, but that during the expansion phase this asymmetry is retained only in the polar cap and dayside auroral zone. In the nightside auroral zone the convection is reordered according to the local substorm electrodynamics with any remaining dusk‐dawn asymmetry being more closely related to the magnetic local time of substorm onset, itself only weakly governed by IMF BY. Owing to the preponderance of substorms occurring just prior to magnetic midnight, the substorm‐asymmetry tends to be an azimuthal extension of the dusk convection cell across the midnight sector, a manifestation of the so‐called “Harang discontinuity.” This results in the northern (southern) hemisphere nightside auroral convection during substorms generally resembling the expected pattern for negative (positive) IMF BY. When the preexisting convection pattern in the northern (southern) hemisphere is driven by positive (negative) IMF BY, the nightside auroral convection changes markedly over the course of the substorm to establish this same “Harang” configuration.
Comparison of computationally- and manually-assigned Gene Ontology annotations to improve functional characterization of gene products.
Authors: Costanzo Maria , Balakrishnan Rama , Christie Karen , Hog Eurie , Park Julie , Cherry J. Michael
Published: October 2010

The Gene Ontology (GO) describes molecular functions, biological processes, and cellular components of gene products using controlled-vocabulary terms that are related to each other in a structure that facilitates computing on GO annotations within and across species. Experimentally-based GO annotations that are manually curated from the literature are often used to predict the functions of related uncharacterized proteins. The accuracy of such annotations is thus critically important, particularly for a well-studied model organism such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae which is frequently used as the source of the experimental data.Comparison of experimentally-based annotations with those predicted by computational methods for the same gene products may reveal inaccuracies in curation of the experimental data, and could additionally be used to evaluate and improve the computational methods. We will present the results of an analysis at SGD that identified four major reasons for discrepancies between the two kinds of annotation. Some discrepancies revealed cases in which human error led to errors or omissions in the manual curation, prompting prioritization for review and correction. In another category, the computational annotations were not supported or were refuted by the literature, thereby suggesting ways in which the accuracy of the prediction methods could be improved. Yet another type of discrepancy resulted from issues with the GO structure, such as missing parentage for certain terms, leading to reexamination and improvement of the ontology. Finally, some discrepancies arose because the computational predictions were entirely novel, and no relevant experimental evidence was available. These cases highlight potential interesting new avenues for experimentation.
Wormbase Curation Interfaces and Tools
Authors: Wang Xiaodong
Published: October 2010

Curating biological information from the published literature can be time- and labor-intensive especially without automated tools. WormBase1 has adopted several curation interfaces and tools, most of which were built in-house, to help curators recognize and extract data more efficiently from the literature. These tools range from simple computer interfaces for data entry to employing scripts that take advantage of complex text extraction algorithms, which automatically identify specific objects in a paper and presents them to the curator for curation. By using these in-house tools, we are also able to tailor the tool to the individual needs and preferences of the curator. For example, Gene Ontology Cellular Component and gene-gene interaction curators employ the text mining software Textpresso2 to indentify, retrieve, and extract relevant sentences from the full text of an article. The curators then use a web-based curation form to enter the data into our local database. For transgene and antibody curation, curators use the publicly available Phenote ontology annotation curation interface (developed by the Berkeley Bioinformatics Open-Source Projects (BBOP)), which we have adapted with datatype specific configurations. This tool has been used as a basis for developing our own Ontology Annotator tool, which is being used by our phenotype and gene ontology curators. For RNAi curation, we created web-based submission forms that allow the curator to efficiently capture all relevant information. In all cases, the data undergoes a final scripted data dump step to make sure all the information conforms into a readable file by our object oriented database.
Circadian variation of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide, cortisol and fluid balance in the goat
Authors: Kokkonen U.‐M. , Riskilä P. , Roihankorpi M.‐T. , Soveri T.
Published: October 2010

Circadian variation of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), cortisol and fluid balance was studied in ten adult female goats. The concentrations of plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH), electrolytes, creatinine and total protein, as well as plasma and urine osmolalities and renal electrolyte excretion and clearances (Cosm,CH2O,Ccrea), were used to evaluate fluid balance. At 3‐h intervals, urine was collected from five goats and venous blood samples from all ten goats. Urethral catheterization had no effect on the results. Besides the lower plasma creatinine level in the dark than in daylight, no other changes were observed in relation to luminousness. Plasma concentrations of ANP, ADH, total protein and K, urine flow rate and osmolality, urine concentrations of Na, K and creatinine, renal Na and K excretion,Cosm,CH2OandCcrea, and haematocrit showed no circadian variation. Circadian variation was observed in plasma osmolality (P < 0.05) and the concentrations of Na (P < 0.05) and creatinine (P < 0.05), with achrophases around 16:00 hours and nadirs between 01:00 and 07:00 hours. Changes in osmolality and Na followed the feeding schedule. There was a small elevation in plasma cortisol levels in six goats after midnight, which may be the consequence of circadian rhythm. In conclusion, the results suggest that in plasma ANP no circadian rhythm exists.
Nitrite‐derived nitric oxide: a possible mediator of ‘acidic–metabolic’ vasodilation
Authors: Modin A. , Björne H. , Herulf M. , Alving K. , Weitzberg E. , Lundberg J.O.N.
Published: October 2010

The fundamental, yet poorly understood, physiological mechanism known as ‘acidic–metabolic’ vasodilation, contributes to local blood flow regulation during hypoxia/ischaemia and increased metabolic activity. The vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) has been suggested to be involved in this event. Besides enzymatic production by NO synthases, a novel mechanism for generation of this gasin vivowas recently described. This involves non‐enzymatic reduction of inorganic nitrite to NO, a reaction that takes place predominantly during acidic/reducing conditions. We have studied the effects of physiological amounts of nitrite on NO generation and relaxation of rat aortain vitroin a situation where environmental pH was reduced to levels seen in tissues during hypoxia/ischaemia. The relaxatory effect of nitrite was increased in an acidic buffer solution (pH 6.6) compared with neutral pH; EC50 for nitrite was reduced from 200 to 40 μM. Nitrite‐evoked relaxation was effectively prevented by coadministration of an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase. The relaxation was further potentiated by the addition of ascorbic acid. In parallel, NO was generated from nitrite in a pH dependent manner with even larger amounts seen after addition of ascorbic acid. NO generation from nitrite correlated to the the degree of relaxation of rat aorta. These results illustrate non‐enzymatic release of NO from nitrite at physiological concentrations. This may be an important auto‐regulated physiological mechanism involved in the regulation of vascular tone during hypoxia/ischaemia.
In situmicrodialysis of intramuscular prostaglandin and thromboxane in contracting skeletal muscle in humans
Authors: Karamouzis M. , Langberg H. , Skovgaard D. , Bülow J. , Kjær M. , Saltin B.
Published: October 2010

Arachidonic acid metabolites, especially prostacyclin I2, are regulators of vascular tone, and may be released from contracting muscle. In the present study, the influence of exercise on accumulation of prostaglandins and thromboxane in skeletal muscle was determined by the use of microdialysis technique using PGE2–3H as an internal reference. Interstitial tissue concentrations were determined both in m. gastrocnemius during intermittent static exercise (protocol A, 40 min, perfusion rate: 1 μL min–1) as well as in m. vastus lateralis during dynamic knee extension (protocol B, 20 W, 60 min, perfusion rate: 3 μL min–1). Relative recovery always rose with transition from rest to exercise (82 ± 8% (A) and 75 ± 7% (B), respectively) and returned to basal values during postexercise. Interstitial PGE2concentrations rose 4‐fold with dynamic exercise (0.95 ± 0.26 ng mL–1(rest) to 3.97 ± 0.75 (exercise),P < 0.05), but where unchanged in response to intermittent static exercise. TXB2decreased during intermittent static exercise, whereas intramuscular PGI2(6‐keto‐PGF1α) concentration did not change with intermittent static exercise. The present study demonstrates measurable amounts of prostaglandins and thromboxanes in the interstitial space of skeletal muscle. Furthermore, the concentration of prostaglandin E2is unchanged during static calf exercise and increased markedly with dynamic thigh muscle exercise, which together with an exercise induced increase in muscle blood flow indicate, that prostaglandin E2is released from skeletal muscle during exercise in humans.
Relative significance of the nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP pathway and K+ channel activation in endothelium‐dependent vasodilation in the femoral artery of developing piglets
Authors: Støen R. , Lossius K. , Persson A.A. , Karlsson J.O.G
Published: October 2010

Mechanisms mediating endothelium‐dependent vasodilation were investigated in femoral artery rings from <2‐day‐old (newborn) and 2‐week‐old piglets. Based on previous results we hypothesized an age difference in the relative contribution of nitric oxide(NO)‐cyclic 3′,5′‐guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and K+ channel‐activation to acetylcholine (ACh)‐induced vasodilation. Changes in vascular tone were studied in organ baths in the absence or presence of NO synthase(NOS) inhibition or K+ channel blockade and the intra‐arterial accumulation of cGMP in response to ACh was measured with radioimmunoassay (RIA). In control experiments, relaxant responses to ACh were equal in the two age groups. In the presence of the NOS‐inhibitors N G‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine acetate (L‐NMMA; 100 μM) or NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine (L‐NOARG; 1–100 μM), however, relaxation was significantly more reduced in femoral artery rings from 2‐week‐old than from newborn, with lower pD2 values in the older age group. Inhibition of large (BKCa) conductance calcium‐sensitive K+ channels with tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA; 1 mM), gave a significant rightward shift in the concentration‐response curves to ACh which was of the same magnitude in both age groups. The ACh‐induced vasodilation was abolished in both age groups by high K+ (20 mM) in combination with L‐NOARG (100 μM). The relative increase in cGMP levels after addition of ACh (10 nM) was significantly larger in rings from newborn compared with 2‐week‐old piglets (12‐ vs. four‐fold). In summary, sensitivity to NOS inhibition increased with age while the effect of K+ channel blockade with TEA was the same in femoral artery rings from newborn to 2‐week‐old piglets. Lower sensitivity to NOS inhibition and a larger increase in cGMP in response to ACh could indicate a higher efficacy of the NO/cGMP pathway in this vessel in the newborn piglet.
Enterprise system investments for competitive advantage: An empirical study of Swiss SMEs
Authors: Walsh Gianfranco , Schubert Petra , Jones Colin
Published: October 2010

Previous research identifies various reasons companies invest in information technology (IT), often as a means to generate value. To add to the discussion of IT value generation, this study investigates investments in enterprise software systems that support business processes. Managers of more than 500 Swiss small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) responded to a survey regarding the levels of their IT investment in enterprise software systems and the perceived utility of those investments. The authors use logistic and ordinary least squares regression to examine whether IT investments in two business processes affect SMEs' performance and competitive advantage. Using cluster analysis, they also develop a firm typology with four distinct groups that differ in their investments in enterprise software systems. These findings offer key implications for both research and managerial practice.
Performance appraisal systems in the Middle East: Moving beyond Western logics
Authors: Giangreco Antonio , Carugati Andrea , Pilati Massimo , Sebastiano Antonio
Published: October 2010

This paper critically examines the logics behind performance appraisal systems in Western contexts in an effort to better understand their applicability in the Middle East (ME). We present a literature review that investigates the major justifications and uses of Performance appraisal systems (PASs) articulated around five main logics: control, continuity, formality, information and motivation. On the basis of this literature review and exemplified through a case study, we show that research on PAS in the ME cannot be conducted assuming the same logics. The evaluation of success and failure of PAS in the ME should therefore be preceded by a study of the logics existing in the specific context. Our findings allow us to pose key questions for future PAS research in the ME as well as general non‐Western contexts characterized by prolonged critical external conditions.
Organizational Service Systems: Antecedents and Consequences
Authors: García Teresa , Varela José , del Río Marisa
Published: October 2010

The main objective of this article is to contribute to existing knowledge on how organizational service systems influence customer-contact employee job satisfaction. We examined the relationships using dyadic data provided by hotel managers and receptionists at 149 hotels. Owing to the size of the sample, we used hierarchical moderating regression analysis to test our hypotheses. Our results allowed us to verify the effect of the organizational service standards communication system on the job satisfaction of customer- contact employees, as well as the moderating effect of employee customer orientation on the relationship between the service standards communication system and employee job satisfaction. The results also highlighted the influence of hotel ratings on service standards communication and on service failure prevention and recovery, and the influence of hotel size on service technology and on service failure prevention and recovery.
Rapid topology probing using fluorescence spectroscopy in planar lipid bilayer: the pore-forming mechanism of the toxin Cry1Aa of Bacillus thuringiensis
Authors: Groulx Nicolas , Juteau Marc , Blunck Rikard
Published: October 2010

Pore-forming toxins, many of which are pathogenic to humans, are highly dynamic proteins that adopt a different conformation in aqueous solution than in the lipid environment of the host membrane. Consequently, their crystal structures obtained in aqueous environment do not reflect the active conformation in the membrane, making it difficult to deduce the molecular determinants responsible for pore formation. To obtain structural information directly in the membrane, we introduce a fluorescence technique to probe the native topology of pore-forming toxins in planar lipid bilayers and follow their movement during pore formation. Using a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) approach between site-directedly labeled proteins and an absorbing compound (dipicrylamine) in the membrane, we simultaneously recorded the electrical current and fluorescence emission in horizontal planar lipid bilayers formed in plastic chips. With this system, we mapped the topology of the pore-forming domain of Cry1Aa, a biological pesticide from Bacillus thuringiensis, by determining the location of the loops between its seven α helices. We found that the majority of the toxins initially traverse from the cis to the trans leaflet of the membrane. Comparing the topologies of Cry1Aa in the active and inactive state in order to identify the pore-forming mechanism, we established that only the α3–α4 hairpin translocates through the membrane from the trans to the cis leaflet, whereas all other positions remained constant. As toxins are highly dynamic proteins, populations that differ in conformation might be present simultaneously. To test the presence of different populations, we designed double-FRET experiments, where a single donor interacts with two acceptors with very different kinetics (dipicrylamine and oxonol). Due to the nonlinear response of FRET and the dynamic change of the acceptor distribution, we can deduce the distribution of the acceptors in the membrane from the time course of the donor fluorescence. We found that Cry1Aa is present on both membrane leaflets.
Origin of basal activity in mammalian olfactory receptor neurons
Authors: Reisert Johannes
Published: October 2010

Mammalian odorant receptors form a large, diverse group of G protein–coupled receptors that determine the sensitivity and response profile of olfactory receptor neurons. But little is known if odorant receptors control basal and also stimulus-induced cellular properties of olfactory receptor neurons other than ligand specificity. This study demonstrates that different odorant receptors have varying degrees of basal activity, which drives concomitant receptor current fluctuations and basal action potential firing. This basal activity can be suppressed by odorants functioning as inverse agonists. Furthermore, odorant-stimulated olfactory receptor neurons expressing different odorant receptors can have strikingly different response patterns in the later phases of prolonged stimulation. Thus, the influence of odorant receptor choice on response characteristics is much more complex than previously thought, which has important consequences on odor coding and odor information transfer to the brain.
Use of Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide Decontamination during an Outbreak of Multidrug-ResistantAcinetobacter baumanniiInfection at a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital
Authors: Ray Amy , Perez Federico , Beltramini Amanda M. , Jakubowycz Marta , Dimick Patricia , Jacobs Michael R. , Roman Kathy , Bonomo Robert A. , Salata Robert A.
Published: October 2010

Objectives.

To describe vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) as an adjuvant in the control of multidrug-resistant (MDR)Acinetobacter baumanniiinfection in a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) and to describe the risk factors for acquisition of MDRA. baumanniiinfection in the LTACH population.

Design.

Outbreak investigation, case-control study, and before-after intervention trial.

Setting.

A 54-bed LTACH affiliated with a tertiary care center in northeastern Ohio.

Methods.

Investigation of outbreak with clinical and environmental cultures, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, polymerase chain reaction assay of repetitive chromosomal elements to type strains, and case-control study; and intervention consisting of comprehensive infection control measures and VHP environmental decontamination.

Results.

Thirteen patients infected or colonized with MDRA. baumanniiwere identified from January 2008 through June 2008. By susceptibility testing, 10 (77%) of the 13 isolates were carbapenem-resistant. MDRA. baumanniiwas found in wound samples, blood, sputum, and urine. Wounds were identified as a risk factor for MDRA. baumanniicolonization. Ventilator-associated pneumonia was the most common clinical syndrome caused by the pathogen, and the associated mortality was 14% (2 of the 13 case patients died). MDRA. baumanniiwas found in 8 of 93 environmental samples, including patient rooms and a wound care cart; environmental and clinical cultures were genetically related. Environmental cultures were negative immediately after VHP decontamination and both 24 hours and 1 week after VHP decontamination. Nosocomial acquisition of the pathogen in the LTACH ceased after VHP Intervention. When patients colonized with MDRA. baumanniireoccupied rooms, environmental contamination recurred.

Conclusion.

Environmental decontamination using VHP combined with comprehensive infection control measures interrupted nosocomial transmission of MDRA. baumanniiin an LTACH. The application of this novel approach to halt the transmission of MDRA. baumanniiwarrants further investigation.
A novel deletion in the RCA gene cluster causes atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome
Authors: Maga Tara K. , Meyer Nicole C. , Belsha Craig , Nishimura Carla J. , Zhang Yuzhou , Smith Richard J. H.
Published: October 2010

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a complex complement-mediated disease that progresses to end-stage renal failure (ESRF) in 50% of cases. Dysregulation of the alternative pathway (AP) of the complement cascade manifests as microangiopathic anaemia and thrombocytopenia. Multiple genes in the AP have been implicated in disease pathogenesis. Here, we report the clinical presentation of an affected patient that was inconsistent with genotype–phenotype data for carriers of CD46 mutations. Tests of AP function in this patient suggested additional genetic factors, and in-depth studies revealed a de novo heterozygous deletion that creates a novel CFH/CFHR1 fusion protein.
Studies on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of mirtazapine in healthy young cats
Authors: QUIMBY J. M. , GUSTAFSON D. L. , SAMBER B. J. , LUNN K. F.
Published: October 2010

Quimby, J. M., Gustafson, D. L., Samber, B. J., Lunn, K. F. Studies on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of mirtazapine in healthy young cats. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.34, 388–396.

Mirtazapine pharmacokinetics was studied in 10 healthy cats. Blood was collected before, and at intervals up to 72 h after, oral dose of 3.75 mg (high dose: HD) or 1.88 mg (low dose: LD) of mirtazapine. Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure mirtazapine, 8‐hydroxymirtazapine and glucuronide metabolite concentrations. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic modeling was performed. Median half‐life was 15.9 h (HD) and 9.2 h (LD). Using Mann–Whitney analysis, a statistically significant difference between the elimination half‐life, clearance, area under the curve (AUC) per dose, and AUC∞/dose of the groups was found. Mirtazapine does not appear to display linear pharmacokinetics in cats. There was no significant difference in glucuronidated metabolite concentration between groups. Pharmacodynamics was studied in 14 healthy cats administered placebo, LD and HD mirtazapine orally once in a crossover, blinded trial. In comparison with placebo, cats ingested significantly more food when mirtazapine was administered. No difference in food ingestion was seen between HD and LD, but significantly more behavior changes were seen with the HD. Limited serum sampling during the pharmacodynamic study revealed drug exposure comparable with the pharmacokinetic study, but no correlation between exposure and food consumed. Mirtazapine (LD) was administered daily for 6 days with no drug accumulation detected.
The association of cryoglobulinaemia with sustained virological response in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Vigani A. G. , Macedo de Oliveira A. , Tozzo R. , Pavan M. H. P. , Gonçales E. S. , Fais V. , Gonçales N. S. , Gonçales F. L.
Published: October 2010

Summary.  Previous reports suggest cryoglobulinemia might influence the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection clinical course and treatment response but this association has not been thoroughly evaluated. We aimed to assess the relationship between cryoglobulinemia and sustained viral response (SVR) in patients treated for HCV infection. We included patients with HCV infection treated from January 2003 through December 2006. Biochemical analyses, detection cryoglobulinemia, and liver biopsies were performed prior to treatment. Genotype 1 or 4 infections received Peg‐interferon (IFN) alpha‐2a or ‐2b for 48 weeks; genotypes 2 or 3 received IFN alpha for 24 weeks. All patients also received ribavirin. Of 329 enrolled patients, 242 (73%) were male and the median age was 43 years. Cryoglobulinemia was detected in 196 (59.6%) patients; liver biopsy was performed in 301. Multivariate analysis showed an association of cryoglobulinemia with severe active necroinflammation (A3) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]= 9.48; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.50‐59.92) and rheumatoid factor (RF) level (AOR= 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00‐1.02). Variables associated with advanced fibrosis were age, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels, alcohol use, and presence of diabetes. Variables independently associated with SVR were cryoglobulinemia (AOR= 2.33, 95% CI: 1.26‐4.32), absence of cirrhosis (AOR= 4.5, 95% CI: 1.4‐14.80), and RF level (AOR= 1.008, 95% CI: 1.001‐1.014). Our findings suggest cryoglobulinemia is associated with severe necroinflammatory activity in HCV‐infected patients. We also provide the first evidence for an association between cryoglobulinemia and higher SVR rates, highlighting its potential role as a prognostic factor for treatment response.