bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of Efflux Mechanism and Cephalosporinase Variant in a Population of
Enterobacter aerogenes
and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Isolates Producing Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases
Authors: Tran Que-Tien , Dupont Myrielle , Lavigne Jean-Philippe , Chevalier Jacqueline , Pagès Jean-Marie , Sotto Albert , Davin-Regli Anne
Published: January 2009

We investigated the occurrence of multidrug resistance in 44
Enterobacter aerogenes
and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
clinical isolates. Efflux was involved in resistance in
E. aerogenes
isolates more frequently than in
K. pneumoniae
isolates (100 versus 38% of isolates) and was associated with the expression of phenylalanine arginine β-naphthylamide-susceptible active efflux. AcrA-TolC overproduction in
E. aerogenes
isolates was noted. An analysis of four
E. aerogenes
isolates for which cefepime MICs were high revealed no modification in porin expression but a new specific mutation in the AmpC β-lactamase.
The Lipopeptide Antibiotic Friulimicin B Inhibits Cell Wall Biosynthesis through Complex Formation with Bactoprenol Phosphate
Authors: Schneider T. , Gries K. , Josten M. , Wiedemann I. , Pelzer S. , Labischinski H. , Sahl H.-G.
Published: January 2009

Friulimicin B is a naturally occurring cyclic lipopeptide, produced by the actinomycete
Actinoplanes friuliensis
, with excellent activity against gram-positive pathogens, including multidrug-resistant strains. It consists of a macrocyclic decapeptide core and a lipid tail, interlinked by an exocyclic amino acid. Friulimicin is water soluble and amphiphilic, with an overall negative charge. Amphiphilicity is enhanced in the presence of Ca
2+
, which is also indispensable for antimicrobial activity. Friulimicin shares these physicochemical properties with daptomycin, which is suggested to kill gram-positive bacteria through the formation of pores in the cytoplasmic membrane. In spite of the fact that friulimicin shares features of structure and potency with daptomycin, we found that friulimicin has a unique mode of action and severely affects the cell envelope of gram-positive bacteria, acting via a defined target. We found friulimicin to interrupt the cell wall precursor cycle through the formation of a Ca
2+
-dependent complex with the bactoprenol phosphate carrier C
55
-P, which is not targeted by any other antibiotic in use. Since C
55
-P also serves as a carrier in teichoic acid biosynthesis and capsule formation, it is likely that friulimicin blocks multiple pathways that are essential for a functional gram-positive cell envelope.
Molecular Epidemiology of Outbreak-Related
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Strains Carrying the Novel Variant
bla
VIM-17
Metallo-β-Lactamase Gene
Authors: Siarkou Victoria I. , Vitti Danai , Protonotariou Efthimia , Ikonomidis Alexandros , Sofianou Danai
Published: January 2009

A study was designed to investigate the molecular epidemiological characteristics of multidrug-resistant outbreak-related
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates collected in a university hospital in northern Greece. Of 29 nonreplicate
P. aeruginosa
isolates resistant to carbapenems and ceftazidime, 14 were positive for metallo-β-lactamase production. PCR analyses with primers specific for
bla
VIM
and
bla
IMP
revealed that 13 isolates carried a novel
bla
VIM-2
gene variant, designated
bla
VIM-17
, and only 1 isolate carried
bla
VIM-2
, a gene predominant among
P. aeruginosa
strains in Greek hospitals. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of XbaI-digested genomic DNAs showed a close genetic relationship for 12 of 13
bla
VIM-17
-carrying outbreak-related isolates, which were of the O11 serotype; the clonally unrelated isolate carrying
bla
VIM-17
was of the O12 serotype. PCR mapping strategies for the detection of class 1 integrons and sequencing approaches revealed the presence of integrons containing one
bla
VIM
cassette flanked by two
aacA29
cassettes. These integrons were similar but not identical to In59 (GenBank accession number AF263519) initially described in France. All isolates carrying
bla
VIM-17
, regardless of their genetic profile, had an identical integron, named In59.3, indicating that although the hospital outbreak was mainly due to clonal dissemination, the horizontal transmission of the
bla
VIM-17
-containing integron among
P. aeruginosa
isolates should also have occurred. An outbreak-related isolate and a control strain, both of which carried the
bla
VIM-2
gene but which were clonally distinct, had an identical integron, named In59.2, which differed only at the level of the
bla
VIM
gene from In59.3 integrons, suggesting a common ancestry. The spread of the
bla
VIM-17
-containing integron in clonally unrelated
P. aeruginosa
isolates without any evidence of plasmid carriage is probably associated with a transposon.
Detection of (1→3)-β-
d
-Glucan as an Adjunct to Diagnosis in a Mixed Population with Uncommon Proven Invasive Fungal Diseases or with an Unusual Clinical Presentation
Authors: Cuétara María Soledad , Alhambra Almudena , Moragues María Dolores , González-Elorza Ernesto , Pontón José , del Palacio Amalia
Published: January 2009

This single-center observational prospective study evaluated the performance of (1→3)-β-
d
-glucan as an adjunct diagnostic tool in 12 patients with proven invasive fungal disease with different risk factors. The infections were due to either uncommon fungal pathogens such as dematiaceous molds (
Scedosporium apiospermum
,
Alternaria infectoria
, and
Cladosporium macrocarpum
) and hyaline septate molds (
Fusarium solani
and
Blastoschizomyces capitatus
) or
Aspergillus
spp. with unusual clinical presentations.
Isolation, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Virulence Genes of
Pasteurella multocida
Strains from Swine in China
Authors: Tang Xibiao , Zhao Zhanqin , Hu Junyong , Wu Bin , Cai Xuwang , He Qigai , Chen Huanchun
Published: January 2009

A total of 233 isolates of
Pasteurella multocida
were obtained from 2,912 cases of clinical respiratory disease in pigs in China, giving an isolation rate of 8.0%. Serogroup A
P. multocida
isolates were isolated from 92 cases (39.5%), and serogroup D isolates were isolated from 128 cases (54.9%); 12 isolates (5.2%) were untypeable.
P. multocida
was the fourth most frequent pathogenic bacterium recovered from the respiratory tract, after
Streptococcus suis
,
Haemophilus parasuis
, and
Escherichia coli
. All isolates were characterized for their susceptibilities to 20 antibiotics and the presence of 19 genes for virulence factors (VFs). The frequency of antimicrobial resistance among
P. multocida
isolates from swine in China was higher than that reported among
P. multocida
isolates from swine in from other countries, and 93.1% of the isolates showed multiple-drug resistance. There was a progressive increase in the rate of multiresistance to more than seven antibiotics, from 16.2% in 2003 to 62.8% in 2007. The resistance profiles suggested that cephalosporins, florfenicol, and fluoroquinolones were the drugs most likely to be active against
P. multocida
. Use of PCR showed that colonization factors (
ptfA
,
fimA
, and
hsf-2
), iron acquisition factors, sialidases (
nanH
), and outer membrane proteins occurred in most porcine strains. The VFs
pfhA
,
tadD
,
toxA
, and
pmHAS
were each present in <50% of strains. The various VFs exhibited distinctive associations with serogroups: concentrated in serogroup A, concentrated in serogroup D, or occurring jointly in serogroups A and D. These findings provide novel insights into the epidemiological characteristics of porcine
P. multocida
isolates and suggest that the potential threat of such multiresistant bacteria in food-producing animals should not be neglected.
Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics of SevereStreptococcus pyogenesDisease in Europe
Authors: Luca-Harari Bogdan , Darenberg Jessica , Neal Shona , Siljander Tuula , Strakova Lenka , Tanna Asha , Creti Roberta , Ekelund Kim , Koliou Maria , Tassios Panayotis T. , van der Linden Mark , Straut Monica , Vuopio-Varkila Jaana , Bouvet Anne , Efstratiou Androulla , Schalén Claes , Henriques-Normark Birgitta ,   the Strep-EURO Study Group, Jasir Aftab
Published: January 2009

In an attempt to compare the epidemiology of severeStreptococcus pyogenesinfection within Europe, prospective data were collected through the Strep-EURO program. Surveillance for severe cases ofS. pyogenesinfection diagnosed during 2003 and 2004 was undertaken in 11 countries across Europe by using a standardized case definition and questionnaire. Patient data as well as bacterial isolates were collected and characterized by T and M/emmtyping, and selected strains were analyzed for the presence of superantigen genes. Data were analyzed to compare the clinical and microbiological patterns of the infections across the participating countries. A total of 4,353 isolates were collected from 5,521 cases with severeS. pyogenesinfections who were identified. A wide diversity of M/emmtypes (n= 104) was found among theS. pyogenesclinical isolates, but the M/emmtype distribution varied broadly between participating countries. The 10 most predominant M/emmtypes were M/emmtype 1 (M/emm1), M/emm28, M/emm3, M/emm89, M/emm87, M/emm12, M/emm4, M/emm83, M/emm81, and M/emm5, in descending order. A correlation was found between some specific disease manifestations, the age of the patients, and theemmtypes. Although streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis were caused by a large number of types, they were particularly associated with M/emm1 and M/emm3. Theemmtypes included in the 26-valent vaccine under development were generally well represented in the present material; 16 of the vaccine types accounted for 69% of isolates. The Strep-EURO collaborative program has contributed to enhancement of the knowledge of the spread of invasive disease caused byS. pyogeneswithin Europe and encourages future surveillance by the notification of cases and the characterization of strains, which are important for vaccination strategies and other health care issues.
Proteolytic Activation of the 1918 Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin
Authors: Chaipan Chawaree , Kobasa Darwyn , Bertram Stephanie , Glowacka Ilona , Steffen Imke , Solomon Tsegaye Theodros , Takeda Makoto , Bugge Thomas H. , Kim Semi , Park Youngwoo , Marzi Andrea , Pöhlmann Stefan
Published: January 2009

Proteolytic activation of the hemagglutinin (HA) protein is indispensable for influenza virus infectivity, and the tissue expression of the responsible cellular proteases impacts viral tropism and pathogenicity. The HA protein critically contributes to the exceptionally high pathogenicity of the 1918 influenza virus, but the mechanisms underlying cleavage activation of the 1918 HA have not been characterized. The neuraminidase (NA) protein of the 1918 influenza virus allows trypsin-independent growth in canine kidney cells (MDCK). However, it is at present unknown if the 1918 NA, like the NA of the closely related strain A/WSN/33, facilitates HA cleavage activation by recruiting the proprotease plasminogen. Moreover, it is not known which pulmonary proteases activate the 1918 HA. We provide evidence that NA-dependent, trypsin-independent cleavage activation of the 1918 HA is cell line dependent and most likely plasminogen independent since the 1918 NA failed to recruit plasminogen and neither exogenous plasminogen nor the presence of the A/WSN/33 NA promoted efficient cleavage of the 1918 HA. The transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS4 was found to be expressed in lung tissue and was shown to cleave the 1918 HA. Accordingly, coexpression of the 1918 HA with TMPRSS4 or the previously identified HA-processing protease TMPRSS2 allowed trypsin-independent infection by pseuodotypes bearing the 1918 HA, indicating that these proteases might support 1918 influenza virus spread in the lung. In summary, we show that the previously reported 1918 NA-dependent spread of the 1918 influenza virus is a cell line-dependent phenomenon and is not due to plasminogen recruitment by the 1918 NA. Moreover, we provide evidence that TMPRSS2 and TMPRSS4 activate the 1918 HA by cleavage and therefore may promote viral spread in lung tissue.
THERE EXIST DIFFERENT PROPOSALS FOR RELATIVISTIC TEMPERATURE TRANSFORMATION: THE WHYS AND WHEREFORES
Authors: MI D. , ZHONG HAI YANG , TONG D. M.
Published: January 2009

In this letter, by using the properties of the entropy function and the fundamental equation of thermodynamics, we discuss the reasons that there exist different proposals for relativistic temperature transformation. Further, we illustrate this point by studying a concrete thermodynamic system-blackbody radiation.
THIN SHELL WORMHOLE DUE TO DYADOSPHERE OF A CHARGED BLACK HOLE
Authors: RAHAMAN F. , KALAM M. , RAHMAN K. A.
Published: January 2009

To explain Gamma Ray Bursts, Ruffini argued that the event horizon of a charged black hole is surrounded by a special region called, the Dyadosphere where electric field exceeds the critical value for e+e- pair production. In the present work, we construct a thin shell wormhole by performing a thought surgery between two dadospheres. Several physical properties of this thin shell wormhole have been analyzed.
AFTER THE STANDARD MODEL: NEW RESONANCES AT THE LHC
Authors: BROOIJMANS GUSTAAF
Published: January 2009

Experiments will soon start taking data at CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) with high expectations for discovery of new physics phenomena. Indeed, the LHC's unprecedented center-of-mass energy will allow the experiments to probe an energy regime where the standard model is known to break down. Here, the experiments' capability to observe new resonances in various channels is reviewed.
TECHNIQUE FOR ACCURATE POWER AND ENERGY MEASUREMENT WITH THE COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN TOOLS
Authors: KUMAR RANJITH , LIU ZHIYU , KURSUN VOLKAN
Published: January 2009

Computer-aided design (CAD) tools are frequently employed to verify the design objectives before the fabrication of an integrated circuit. An important circuit parameter that requires accurate characterization is the power consumption due to the strict constraints on the acceptable power envelope of integrated systems. Circuit simulators typically provide built-in functions to measure the power consumption. However, the accuracy of the measured power is mostly overlooked since the approximations and the methodologies used by the existing built-in power estimation tools are not well documented. The research community tends to assume that the built-in functions provide accurate power figures. This blind-trust in the CAD tools, however, may lead to gross errors in power estimation. A generic methodology to accurately measure the power and energy consumption with the circuit simulators is described in this paper. An equation to calculate the device power consumption based on the different current conduction paths in a MOSFET is presented. An expression for the total power consumption of a complex circuit is derived by explicitly considering the different circuit terminals including the inputs, the outputs, and the body-contacts. Results indicate that the power measurements with the built-in functions of widely used commercial circuit simulators can introduce significant errors in a 65 nm CMOS technology. For deeply scaled nano-CMOS circuits, a conscious power and energy measurement with the proposed explicit methodology is recommended for an accurate pre-fabrication circuit characterization.
TEMPERATURE-ADAPTIVE ENERGY REDUCTION TECHNIQUES FOR NANO-CMOS CIRCUITS DISPLAYING REVERSED TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
Authors: KUMAR RANJITH , KURSUN VOLKAN
Published: January 2009

Temperature dependent propagation delay characteristics of CMOS circuits will experience a complete reversal in the near future. Contrary to the older technology generations, the speed of circuits in a 32nm CMOS technology is enhanced when the temperature is increased at the nominal supply and threshold voltages. The enhancement of circuit speed provides new opportunities to lower the energy consumed by active circuits at elevated temperatures. Temperature-adaptive supply and threshold voltage tuning techniques are proposed in this paper to reduce the high temperature energy consumption without degrading the clock frequency in the active mode. Results indicate that the energy consumption can be lowered by up to 21% by dynamically scaling the supply voltage at elevated temperatures. An alternative technique based on temperature-adaptive reverse body-bias exponentially reduces the leakage currents as well as the parasitic junction capacitances of the MOSFETs. The temperature-adaptive threshold voltage tuning through reverse body-bias yields an active mode energy reduction by up to 29.8% as compared to the standard zero-body-biased circuits at high temperatures.
UNIVERSAL LOW/MEDIUM SPEED I2C-SLAVE TRANSCEIVER: A DETAILED FPGA IMPLEMENTATION
Authors: OUDJIDA A. K. , LIACHA A. , BENAMROUCHE D. , GOUDJIL M. , TIAR R. , OUCHABANE A.
Published: January 2009

Based on a recent market study of an important number of I2C devices, all fully compliant with the Philips I2C-bus specification, version 2.1, release January 2000, this paper introduces a detailed I2C-slave VLSI-architecture that incorporates all necessary features required by modern ASIC/SoC applications, except high speed mode. The design is a general purpose solution offering viable ways to controlling I2C-bus and highly flexible to suit any particular needs.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a full description of an up-to-date I2C-slave FPGA implementation. All related issues, starting from the elaboration of initial specifications, till the final verifications and synthesis, are comprehensively discussed and justified. This includes all issues from basic architectural operations to final software drivers and application.

The whole design code, either for synthesis or verification, is implemented in Verilog 2001 (IEEE 1365). The synthesis design code is technology independent and was simulated at both RTL and gate level with timing back annotation using ModelSim SE 5.8e and synthesized using both Leonardo Spectrum V2001_1d.45 and Xilinx's XST 6.1i.
ADAPTIVE MODEL-REFERENCE CONTROL FOR A CLASS OF UNCERTAIN NONLINEAR SYSTEMS USING A SIMPLE SYSTEMATIC LYAPUNOV-BASED DESIGN
Authors: ZAHER ASHRAF A. , ABU-REZQ ABDULNASSER
Published: January 2009

This paper proposes an adaptive design of nonlinear feedback controllers for a class of complex nonlinear applications that have ill-defined mathematical models due to the effects of uncertainties and external disturbances. The design is aimed at estimating the uncertain parameters of the system while using a feedforward-like technique to cancel the effect of disturbances and unwanted nonlinearities. This is being achieved using a combination of state feedback and Lyapunov-based techniques that can guarantee the asymptotic stability of the closed loop system. The controller is synthesized such that it will follow the performance of a reference model via satisfying a certain criterion. The control law is demonstrated to be easily achievable for applications that can be modeled by low-order dynamics, e.g., industrial processes (level, flow, pressure, etc.) and some automotive applications (active suspension). The key factor in the design is arriving at the best parameter update law that guarantees both stability and satisfactory transient performance. The application of the proposed controller is extended to higher-order systems via proposing a low-order nonlinear model that is capable of encapsulating the dominant dynamics of the system without using linearization techniques. Trade-offs between stability and performance are carefully studied along with comparisons with a nonmodel-based PID controller to highlight the superiority of the proposed design. A simulated nonlinear Duffing oscillator and a continuous stirred tank reactor are used to exemplify the suggested technique. Finally, a conclusion is submitted with comments regarding feasibility of the controller along with its advantages and limitations.
Does Information Content Necessarily Increase with Greater Pre-Trade Transparency?
Authors: Lin Yaling , Ma Tai , Chen Hsiu-Kuei
Published: January 2009

This study examines the impact of increasing pre-trade transparency using intraday data from the Taiwanese stock market, which has recently experienced gradually increasing transparency. The analytical results indicate the disclosed quotes are more informative than the accompanied depths, and the orders of institutional traders are more informative than those of individual traders. Additionally, the best quotes of unexecuted orders for individual traders always contain more information than the average quotes from Steps 2 to 5, whereas this does not apply for institutional investors. The feature is more obvious for the sub-samples with high and medium turnover rate, but not for the sub-samples with low turnover rate.
Perceptions of Non-Accounting Business Majors about the Managerial Accounting Course
Authors: Hossain Mahmud , Heagy Cynthia D. , Mitra Santanu
Published: January 2009

This study examines the perception of non-accounting business major students about the managerial accounting course. The knowledge of these perceptions will help determine whether educators need to be concerned about inspiring certain groups of students to be more aggressive in learning the material. We found that all non-accounting majors, regardless of their major field of study think the managerial accounting course is interesting and has real-world application. The finance and management major students think that the course is related to their field of study and it should be made a required course, but not the MIS and marketing major students. The higher the academic skills and the more the work experience, the greater is the student's perception that managerial accounting should be a required course and has real-world application. Based on the results, we suggest that development of teaching materials aimed at reinforcing the importance of managerial accounting topics to all business majors, particularly MIS and marketing majors may overcome some barriers to learning the subject. This research also has implications for Pacific Basin business schools as our findings indicate that Pacific Basin business schools that do not require non-accounting majors to take managerial accounting course should make it a required course for all undergraduate non-accounting majors.
NONINVASIVE DETECTION OF SUCTION IN AN IMPLANTABLE ROTARY BLOOD PUMP USING NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: KARANTONIS DEAN M. , CLOHERTY SHAUN L. , LOVELL NIGEL H. , MASON DAVID G. , SALAMONSEN ROBERT F. , AYRE PETER J.
Published: January 2009

Granting those heart failure patients who are recipients of an implantable rotary blood pump (iRBP) greater functionality in daily activities is a key long-term strategy currently being pursued by many research groups. A reliable technique for noninvasive detection of the various pumping states, most notably that of ventricular collapse or suction, is an essential component of this strategy. Presented in this study is such a technique, whereby various indicators are derived from the noninvasive pump feedback signals, and a suitable computational methodology developed to classify the pumping states of interest. Clinical telemetry data from ten implant recipients was categorized (with the aid of trans-oesophageal echocardiography) into the normal and suction states. These data are used to develop a pumping state classifier based on an artificial neural network (ANN). Nine indices, derived from the noninvasive impeller speed signal, form the inputs to this ANN classifier. During validation, the resulting ANN classifier achieved a maximum sensitivity of 98.54% (609/618 samples of 5 s in length) and specificity of 99.26% (12,123/12,213 samples) for correct detection of the suction state. The ability to detect the suction state with such a high degree of accuracy provides a critical parameter both for control strategy development, and for clinical care of the implant recipient.
l-Thyroxine vs. 3,5,3′-triiodo-l-thyronine and cell proliferation: activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase
Authors: Lin Hung-Yun , Sun Mingzeng , Tang Heng-Yuan , Lin Cassie , Luidens Mary K. , Mousa Shaker A. , Incerpi Sandra , Drusano George L. , Davis Faith B. , Davis Paul J.
Published: January 2009

3,5,3′-Triiodo-l-thyronine (T3), but not l-thyroxine (T4), activated Src kinase and, downstream, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) by means of an αvβ3 integrin receptor on human glioblastoma U-87 MG cells. Although both T3 and T4 stimulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, activated ERK1/2 did not contribute to T3-induced Src kinase or PI3-kinase activation, and an inhibitor of PI3-kinase, LY-294002, did not block activation of ERK1/2 by physiological concentrations of T3 and T4. Thus the PI3-kinase, Src kinase, and ERK1/2 signaling cascades are parallel pathways in T3-treated U-87 MG cells. T3 and T4 both caused proliferation of U-87 MG cells; these effects were blocked by the ERK1/2 inhibitor PD-98059 but not by LY-294002. Small-interfering RNA knockdown of PI3-kinase confirmed that PI3-kinase was not involved in the proliferative action of T3 on U-87 MG cells. PI3-kinase-dependent actions of T3 in these cells included shuttling of nuclear thyroid hormone receptor-α (TRα) from cytoplasm to nucleus and accumulation of hypoxia-inducible factor ( HIF)- 1α mRNA; LY-294002 inhibited these actions. Results of studies involving αvβ3 receptor antagonists tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac) and Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide, together with mathematical modeling of the kinetics of displacement of radiolabeled T3 from the integrin by unlabeled T3 and by unlabeled T4, are consistent with the presence of two iodothyronine receptor domains on the integrin. A model proposes that one site binds T3 exclusively, activates PI3-kinase via Src kinase, and stimulates TRα trafficking and HIF- 1α gene expression. Tetrac and RGD peptide both inhibit T3 action at this site. The second site binds T4 and T3, and, via this receptor, the iodothyronines stimulate ERK1/2-dependent tumor cell proliferation. T3 action here is inhibited by tetrac alone, but the effect of T4 is blocked by both tetrac and the RGD peptide.
A role for calcium-calmodulin in regulating nitric oxide production during skeletal muscle satellite cell activation
Authors: Tatsumi Ryuichi , Wuollet Adam L. , Tabata Kuniko , Nishimura Shotaro , Tabata Shoji , Mizunoya Wataru , Ikeuchi Yoshihide , Allen Ronald E.
Published: January 2009

When skeletal muscle is stretched or injured, myogenic satellite cells are activated to enter the cell cycle. This process depends on nitric oxide (NO) production by NO synthase (NOS), matrix metalloproteinase activation, release of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) from the extracellular matrix, and presentation of HGF to the c-met receptor as demonstrated by a primary culture and in vivo assays. We now add evidence that calcium-calmodulin is involved in the satellite cell activation cascade in vitro. Conditioned medium from cultures that were treated with a calcium ionophore (A23187, ionomycin) for 2 h activated cultured satellite cells and contained active HGF, similar to the effect of mechanical stretch or NO donor treatments. The response was abolished by addition of calmodulin inhibitors (calmidazolium, W-13, W-12) or a NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride but not by its less inactive enantiomer NG-nitro-d-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride. Satellite cells were also shown to express functional calmodulin protein having a calcium-binding activity at 12 h postplating, which is the time at which the calcium ionophore was added in this study and the stretch treatment was applied in our previous experiments. Therefore, results from these experiments provide an additional insight that calcium-calmodulin mediates HGF release from the matrix and that this step in the activation pathway is upstream from NO synthesis.
The prenatal porcine intestine has low transforming growth factor-beta ligand and receptor density and shows reduced trophic response to enteral diets
Authors: Sangild P. T. , Mei J. , Fowden A. L. , Xu R. J.
Published: January 2009

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) plays a role in enterocyte proliferation control, cell differentiation, and immune regulation via binding to specific TGF-β receptors (TGF-β R) in the intestinal epithelium. Endogenous TGF-β production is low in the intestine during the perinatal period, but some exogenous TGF-β ligands are supplied by amniotic fluid intake in the fetus and by colostrum ingestion in the neonate. It is not clear, however, whether luminal TGF-β receptors are present and functional at this critical time. We studied intestinal TGF-β receptors by immunohistochemistry during the last 20% of gestation in pigs and in chronically catheterized fetuses following exposure to colostrum, milk, and amniotic fluid (control). In fetal pigs, the TGF-β Rs were predominantly localized to the crypt epithelium, but staining intensity increased markedly just before term and shifted to the villous epithelium in newborn pigs, concurrently with marked increases in villous heights and crypt depths (+100–200%, P < 0.05). In contrast to previous observations in term newborn pigs, fetal pigs did not show any milk-induced change in TGF-β receptor densities or localization, although a moderate increase in villous height was observed, relative to control (+25–50%, P < 0.05). We conclude that intestinal TGF-β receptor density and localization are immature and unresponsive to TGF-β containing milk diets in prenatal pigs. Immaturity of TGF-β-mediated immune regulation may play a role in the increased sensitivity of preterm neonates to diet-induced intestinal inflammatory disorders.
Trif is not required for immune complex glomerulonephritis: dying cells activate mesangial cells via Tlr2/Myd88 rather than Tlr3/Trif
Authors: Lichtnekert Julia , Vielhauer Volker , Zecher Daniel , Kulkarni Onkar P. , Clauss Sebastian , Segerer Stephan , Hornung Veit , Mayadas Tanya N. , Beutler Bruce , Akira Shizuo , Anders Hans-Joachim
Published: January 2009

Viral RNA or bacterial products can activate glomerular mesangial cells via a subset of Toll-like receptors (Tlr). Because Tlr2-deficient mice were recently found to have attenuated nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NSN), we hypothesized that endogenous Tlr agonists can activate glomerular mesangial cells. Primary mesangial cells from C57BL/6 mice expressed Tlr1-6 and Tlr11 mRNA at considerable levels and produced Il-6 when being exposed to the respective Tlr ligands. Exposure to necrotic cells activated cultured primary mesangial cells to produce Il-6 in a Tlr2/Myd88-dependent manner. Apoptotic cells activated cultured mesangial cells only when being enriched to high numbers. Apoptotic cell-induced Il-6 release was Myd88 dependent, and only purified apoptotic cell RNA induced Trif signaling in mesangial cells. Does Trif signaling contribute to disease activity in glomerulonephritis? To answer this question, we induced autologous NSN by injection of NS raised in rabbits in Trif-mutant and wild-type mice. Lack of Trif did not alter the functional and histomorphological abnormalities of NSN, including the evolution of anti-rabbit IgG and anti-rabbit-specific nephritogenic T cells. We therefore conclude that apoptotic cell RNA is a poor activator of Trif signaling in mesangial cells and that necrotic cells' releases rather activate mesangial cells via the Tlr2/Myd88 signaling pathway.
Oncostatin M pathway plays a major role in the renal acute phase response
Authors: Luyckx Valerie A. , Cairo Lucas V. , Compston Catharine A. , Phan Wai Lee , Mueller Thomas F.
Published: January 2009

The acute phase response is traditionally characterized by hepatic synthesis of proteins as an inflammatory response to injury, with interleukin-6 (IL-6) being the key mediator. In contrast, microarray studies in human renal transplant implantation biopsies indicate a strong acute phase response in the deceased donor kidney, associated with a significant upregulation of oncostatin M receptor β (OSMR). The aim of this study was to determine whether the kidney can generate a strong acute phase response, mediated by the OSM/OSMR gateway. Genes associated with the IL-6 cytokine family and acute phase reactants were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR in four groups of human biopsies spanning a spectrum of renal injury. OSM, OSMR, and fibrinogen β (FGB) were progressively more highly expressed from prenephrectomy, living donor, deceased donor, to discarded donor kidneys, suggesting correlation with severity of injury and local renal synthesis. Acute phase response gene expression was analyzed in human proximal tubular cells in culture in response to OSM. OSM induced a significant increase in expression of FGB, OSMR, serpin peptidase inhibitor A1, IL-6, and lipopolysaccharide binding protein, and a decrease in IL-6R. These changes were largely attenuated by coincubation with an OSMR blocking antibody, indicating the OSM effect was mediated through OSMR. OSM also resulted in a significantly altered expression of acute phase genes compared with IL-6 or leukemia inhibitory factor, suggesting that OSM is the predominant cytokine mediating the renal tubular acute phase response. In conclusion, the renal parenchyma is capable of generating a strong acute phase response, likely mediated via OSM/OSMR.
Covert Representation of Second-Next Movement in the Pre-Supplementary Motor Area of Monkeys
Authors: Nakajima Toshi , Hosaka Ryosuke , Mushiake Hajime , Tanji Jun
Published: January 2009

We attempted to analyze the nature of premovement activity of neurons in medial motor areas [supplementary motor area (SMA) and pre-SMA] from a perspective of coding multiple movements. Monkeys were trained to perform a series of two movements with an intervening delay: supination or pronation with either forearm. Movements were initially instructed with visual signals but had to be remembered thereafter. Although a well-known type of premovement activity representing the forthcoming movements was found in the two areas, we found an unexpected type of activity that represented a second-next movement before initiating the first of the two movements. Typically in the pre-SMA, such activity selective for the second-next movement peaked before the initiation of the first movement, decayed thereafter, and remained low in magnitude while initiating the second movement. This type of activity may tentatively hold information for the second movement while initiating the first. That information may be fed into another group of neurons that themselves build a preparatory activity required to plan the second movements. Alternatively, the activity could serve as a signal to inhibit a premature exertion of the motor command for the second movement.
Small Renal Masses: Incidental Diagnosis, Clinical Symptoms, and Prognostic Factors
Authors: Sánchez-Martín F. M. , Millán-Rodríguez F. , Urdaneta-Pignalosa G. , Rubio-Briones J. , Villavicencio-Mavrich H.
Published: January 2009

Introduction. The small renal masses (SRMs) have increased over the past two decades due to more liberal use of imaging techniques. SRMs have allowed discussions regarding their prognostic, diagnosis, and therapeutic approach.Materials and methods.Clinical presentation, incidental diagnosis, and prognosis factors of SRMs are discussed in this review.Results.SRMs are defined as lesions less than 4 cm in diameter. SRM could be benign, and most malignant SMRs are low stage and low grade. Clinical symptoms like hematuria are very rare, being diagnosed by chance (incidental) in most cases. Size, stage, and grade are still the most consistent prognosis factors in (RCC). An enhanced contrast SRM that grows during active surveillance is clearly malignant, and its aggressive potential increases in those greater than 3 cm. Clear cell carcinoma is the most frequent cellular type of malign SRM.Conclusions.Only some SRMs are benign. The great majority of malign SRMs have good prognosis (low stage and grade, no metastasis) with open or laparoscopic surgical treatment (nephron sparing techniques). Active surveillance is an accepted attitude in selected cases.
Independent Risk Factors for Beach-Related Injuries in Children
Authors: Petronis Kelli A. , Welch J. Camille , Pruitt Charles W.
Published: January 2009

This study was conducted in a resort area during the summer tourist season to identify independent risk factors for injuries to children in a beach environment. Surveys including demographics, environmental and beach conditions, group characteristics, and hypothesized risk factors were administered to 28 cases and 105 controls. The most common injuries were lacerations and puncture wounds, followed by musculoskeletal injuries. The following environmental factors were found to significantly increase the risk for pediatric beach-related injury: rough/choppy water, cloudy weather, greater than 3 children in the group, participation by the child in water safety classes, and use of beach equipment (including boogie boards, skim boards, and kayaks). Providers who care for children can use this information to educate parents about beach safety. Targeted interventions that address these risk factors may reduce injuries sustained by children in a beach environment.
Hysteresis of Tensile load — Strain Route of Knitted Fabrics under Extension and Recovery Processes Estimated by Strain History
Authors: Matsuo Masaru , Yamada Tomoko
Published: January 2009

Hysteresis phenomenon of tensile load (stress) under extension and recovery processes were estimated in terms of time dependence of tensile load by using several kinds of knitted fabrics. The measurements were done under strip biaxial extension corresponding to uniaxial extension with a fixed dimension in the direction perpendicular to elongation. The present concept was based on tensile load (stress) relaxation in elongation and restricted sides. To attempt mathematical evaluation, a simple hypothesis described by hereditary integral was proposed to explain the hysteresis of tensile load (strain), strain routes under extension, and recovery processes, in which the extension and recovery routes were formulated as addition and subtraction of step function of strain history, respectively. The calculated curves were in good agreement with the experimental curves in the large deformation region. The theoretical calculation to give the best fit with experimental curve could be realized by using n adopted as an exponent to describe the “linearizing method” ( F = Yen, where F is the tensile load and e is strain of a fabric) proposed by Kawabata et al. The present evaluation improved on their proposal, since the present theory can represent the hysteresis routes by using the same value of parameter n.
Estimation of Thermal Performance of Flame Resistant Clothing Fabrics Sheathing a Cylinder with New Skin Model
Authors: Fanglong Zhu  , Xiao Peng Cheng  , Weiyuan Zhang
Published: January 2009

Specialized protective clothing, such as that worn by firefighters, is usually tested only according to standards for the flame resistant fabrics (NFPA 1971). However, these tests often neglect the effects of cylindrical geometry on heat transmission in flame resistant fabrics. This paper deals with methods to develop cylindrical geometry testing apparatus incorporating a novel skin bioheat transfer model to test flame resistant fabrics used in firefighting. Results show that fabrics which shrink during testing can have reduced thermal protective performance compared with the qualities measured with a planar geometry tester. Results of temperature differences between skin simulant sensors of planar and cylindrical testers are also compared. It is concluded that cylindrical geometry has little effect on the heat transfer within uncovered skin simulant.
Influence of Preoperative Feeding on the Healing of Colonic Anastomoses in Malnourished Rats
Authors: Gonçalves Carolina Gomes , Groth Anne Karoline , Ferreira Marcelo , Matias Jorge Eduardo F. , Coelho Júlio Cezar U. , Campos Antonio Carlos L.
Published: January 2009

Background: Malnutrition influences healing of gastrointestinal anastomoses. The authors hypothesize that colonic anastomotic healing is decreased by malnutrition and might be improved by preoperative feeding. Methods: Eighty adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: (1) control rats 1 (C1), fed regular chow ad libitum for 21 days; (2) malnourished pair‐fed rats (M), fed 50% of the food ingested by the control rats for 21 days; (3) preoperative nutrition rats (PRE), fed 50% of the average of the controls for 21 days and then fed preoperative nutrition with regular chow ad libitum for 1 week before the operation; and (4) control rats 2 (C2), fed regular chow ad libitum for 28 days. On days 21 (C1 and M) and 28 (PRE and C2), rats underwent 2 colonic transections and, subsequently, 2 end‐to‐end anastomoses. Rats were killed on postoperative day 5. The anastomoses were ressected for tensile strength and histological analysis. Results: PRE rats showed increased maximal tensile strength vs the M group (0.09 ± 0.01 vs 0.15 ± 0.01; P < .05) and similar values of maximal tensile strength as the controls (0.15 ± 0.01 vs 0.15 ± 0.02; P = .91). Collagen type I was higher in controls vs the PRE group (6.13 ± 0.39 vs 4.90 ± 1.53; P < .05); nevertheless, the PRE group showed higher collagen type I than M rats (4.90 ± 0.36 vs 3.83 ± 0.35; P < .05). Conclusions: Preoperative feeding for 7 days increases the maximal tensile strength, as well as the percentage area of mature collagen, approaching similar values as the control group.
Embedded Ethics: Discourse and Power in the New South Wales Police Service
Authors: Gordon Ray , Clegg Stewart , Kornberger Martin
Published: January 2009

In this paper we report an ethnographic research study conducted in one of the world's largest police organizations, the New South Wales Police Service. Our research question was, `How do forms of power shape organizational members' ethical practices?' We look at existing theories that propose the deployment of two interrelated arguments: that ethics are embedded in organizational practices and discourse at a micro-level of everyday organizational life, which is contrasted with a focus on the macro-organizational, institutional forces that are seen to have an impact on ethics. Resisting this distinction between the `micro' and the `macro', we build on these two bodies of knowledge to explain ethical change as deeply embedded in power relations that traverse the scale of social action.
Participatory Improvement at a Global Bank: The Diffusion of Quality Teams and the Demise of a Six Sigma Initiative
Authors: Strang David , Jung Dong-Il
Published: January 2009

This paper traces the diffusion of cross-functional process improvement teams in a multinational bank's Six Sigma program. Rates of team formation were high where clerical workers received low wages relative to managers and professionals, experienced weak wage growth, were less likely to rise into supervisory positions, and formed a shrinking proportion of bank employment; and where managerial and professional wage gains and employment growth were strong. These conditions did not provide a stable basis for participatory improvement, however, and team formation faltered in more stratified work-places over time. We argue that team projects are most useful to managers where recent or ongoing workplace restructuring has marginalized the position of clerical staff. In the long run, quality teams prove ephemeral due to tension between their participatory ethos and the technocratic project they embody.
“Please Don't Fine Me Again!!!!!”
Authors: Cunningham Phillip Lamarr
Published: January 2009

This article examines the contentious relationship between contemporary Black professional athletes and organizational authority, particularly in the National Football League (NFL) and National Basketball Association (NBA). It considers the rationalization given by both leagues for the rise of stringent guidelines regarding appearance and sportsmanship. The article then focuses on how some Black athletes contest these guidelines, particularly through acts of defiance and an adherence to hip-hop and street culture. The essay concludes by considering the current and possible effects of these players' defiance both for the players themselves and the leagues in which they play.
Pedometer step counts in individuals with neurological conditions
Authors: Elsworth Charlotte , Dawes Helen , Winward Charlotte , Howells Ken , Collett Johnny , Dennis Andrea , Sackley Catherine , Wade Derick
Published: January 2009

Objective: To examine the accuracy of measuring step counts using a pedometer in participants with neurological conditions and healthy volunteers in relation to a manual step count tally.

Setting: Oxford Centre for Enablement, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust, Oxford, UK.

Subjects: Healthy adults (n = 13, age: mean 29, SD = 12) and adults with neurological conditions (n=20 stroke, n=16 multiple sclerosis, n=5 muscular dystrophy, n=1 spinal cord injury, n=1 traumatic brain injury; age: mean 54, SD=13).

Main measures: Individuals walked for 2 minutes at self-selected walking speeds (SSWS) wearing a pedometer. Healthy individuals were then asked to walk at slow walking speeds (SWS). Step counts were recorded manually and using a pedometer.

Results: In healthy individuals there was no difference between manually measured and pedometer counts during walking (P>0.05). In adults with neurological conditions the pedometers undercounted (P = 0.003); bias (random error): 27 (111); percentage variability 30% and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.66. In neurological adults, from regression analysis the relationship between error and walking speed was cubic, with walking speed accounting for 29% of pedometer error. Healthy individuals showed greater variability and undercounting at SWS bias (random error): 10 (31), percentage variability 8% and ICC 0.73, compared with SSWS bias (random error): —3 (13), percentage variability 3% and ICC 0.84.

Conclusions: Pedometers may undercount when used for people with neurological conditions. There may be variability in pedometer accuracy but this was not strongly related to walking speed. The suitability of pedometer use for exercise monitoring should be individually determined.
The Antieconomy Hypothesis (Part 2)
Authors: Vanderburg Willem H.
Published: January 2009

The hypothesis of an antieconomy developed in part 1 is incommensurate with mainstream economics. This article explores three reasons for this situation: the limits of discipline-based scholarship in general and of mainstream economics in particular, the status of economists in contemporary societies, and the failure of economists to accept any responsibility for the consequences flowing from the application of their theories. Politicians are unable to resist their economic advisors who speak in the name of science, with the result that the democratic process in relation to economic issues is essentially paralyzed.
What Can Students Learn in an Extended Role-Play Simulation on Technology and Society?
Authors: Loui Michael C.
Published: January 2009

In a small course on technology and society, students participated in an extended role-play simulation for two weeks. Each student played a different adult character in a fictional community, which faces technological decisions in three scenarios set in the near future. The three scenarios involved stem cell research, nanotechnology, and privacy. Each student had an active role in two scenarios and served as an observer for the third. At the beginning, students were apprehensive, excited, and uncertain. During the first and second sessions, they experienced some frustration, but by the end, they were generally satisfied with the outcomes. Over the two weeks, students changed their definitions of success: Initially they tried to convince others to agree with their positions; at the end, they felt that a consensus represented success. In their final reflective essays, students reported that the role-play experience helped them learn to understand the perspectives of others.