bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Universalism, Ascription and Academic Rank: Canadian Professors, 1987–2000*
Authors: Nakhaie M. Reza
Published: July 2010

L'auteur se penche sur le classement par rang des professeurs canadiens en s'appuyant sur deux enquêtes réalisées en 1987 et en 2000. Il émet cinq hypothèses: a) les publications, l'expérience et l'obtention d'un Ph.D. sont les principaux éléments influençant le classement par rang; b) les hommes blancs et ceux qui sont nés au Canada sont avantagés dans le classement par rang; c) les femmes et les membres des minorités visibles ont été moins désavantagés au cours des derniéres années; d) l'interaction de l'avancement et de l'attribution favorise les Blancs, les hommes et les personnes qui sont nées au Canada, mais dans une moindre mesure pour les deux premiers groupes depuis quelques annees; et e) finalement, de telles interactions avantagent les professeurs enseignant les sciences naturelles plus que les autres disciplines. Les résultats appuient (a) et (b), mais sont mitigés concernant (c) et (d). Ils ne corroborent pas (e).

This paper examines rank placement of Canadian professors based on two surveys conducted in 1987 and 2000. Five hypotheses are pursued: a) publication, experience and possession of Ph.D. are the main ingredients of placement in ranks; b) males, Whites and those born in Canada are advantaged in rank placement; c) women and visible minorities have been less disadvantaged in recent years; d) the interaction of achievement and ascription favours Whites, males and those born in Canada, but less so for the first two groups in recent years; and finally e) such interactions favour professors in the natural sciences more than in other disciplines. Results support (a) and (b) but are mixed regarding (c) and (d). They do not support (e).
The short‐term effect of an anchor in treatment of congenital vertical talus in infants
Authors: Zhu Ze‐xing , Lei Wei , Huang Lu‐yu
Published: July 2010

Objective:  To investigate the short‐term effect of a mini anchor in treatment of congenital vertical talus (CVT) in infants.

Methods:  From February 2006 to March 2008, seven patients (nine feet) with CVT were treated in the authors’ hospital by the Kumar method combined with transferring and fixing the tendon of the anterior tibial muscle to the head of the talus with a mini anchor. There were five girls and two boys, aged from 10 to 42 months (mean, 18 months). All the feet had a rocker‐bottom when the infants were taken to the hospital by their parents and none of them could walk independently. All cases were followed up in the outpatient department, and the Hamanishi and Adelaar standards were used to evaluate the radiograph and clinical results, respectively.

Results:  All cases were followed up for 20 to 29 months (mean, 24 months). The parents of these infants were all satisfied with this operation, and five infants can now walk independently. At the most recent follow‐up, seven feet were fine and two good according to the Adelaar standard, and six feet were good and three fine according to the Hamanishi standard.

Conclusion:  The short‐term effect of an anchor in treatment of CVT in infants was satisfactory with no recurrence nor talus necrosis.
Delimiting operational taxonomic units for assessing ciliate environmental diversity using small‐subunit rRNA gene sequences
Authors: Nebel Markus , Pfabel Cornelia , Stock Alexandra , Dunthorn Micah , Stoeck Thorsten
Published: July 2010

Delineating operational taxonomic units (OTUs) is a central element in any culture‐independent analysis of environmental microbial eukaryotic diversity. Previous studies either have not justified their choice in sequence distance used to bin small‐subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene sequences amplified from environmental samples into OTUs, or have used a value based on the average across a broad sampling of microbial eukaryotes. Here, we analyse distances (320 922 pairwise comparisons) among sequences just from identified ciliates, and compare these with their taxonomic hierarchy. Our results show that no single sequence similarity value can always and unambiguously delineate species boundaries and higher taxa. Nevertheless, we suggest the use of 98% similarity to delineate ciliate OTUs because this threshold at least accounts for intra‐specific polymorphism among multiple rRNA cistron copies. However, we suggest refraining from reconciling SSU rRNA gene‐based OTUs and ciliate morphotypes; these OTUs should be used to analyse ciliate phylotype diversity, not ciliate species diversity.
Dynamics of memory T cells during treatment with interferon‐alpha in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Sun Bin , Wang Yanjun , Meng Qinghua , Liu Daojie , Dong Peiling , Ding Huiguo , Wu Hao
Published: July 2010

Aim:  To investigate the association of memory T cell subsets with viral response during treatment with interferon‐alpha (IFN‐α).

Methods:  To address this issue, the dynamics of memory T cell subsets was monitored in 57 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during treatment with pegylated IFN‐α through testing the phenotypes of memory T cells with flowcytometry.

Results:  There were clear differences in the phenotypes of these cells during therapy. Memory T cells converted from the major subsets to the minor in the process of treatment with IFN‐α. Patients who presented a response showed significantly higher percentages of CD8+ TEM at 0 and 24 weeks (both P < 0.05), and lower frequency of CD8+ TCM than non‐responders at 0 and 24 weeks (both P < 0.05). Moreover, the average dosage of IFN‐α applied to patients with viral response to treatment was 1.43 ± 0.18 µg/kg, significantly higher than 1.31 ± 0.25 µg/kg in nonresponders (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:  The quantity and quality of memory T cell subsets fluctuates during treatment with IFN‐α. High frequency of TEM subsets may be associated with response to treatment with IFN‐α. A better knowledge of mechanisms underlying the response to therapy may be important for development of new immunotherapeutic strategies to increase CD8 T‐cell effectiveness in CHB infection.
Current status of ectopic varices in Japan: Results of a survey by the Japan Society for Portal Hypertension
Authors: Watanabe Norihito , Toyonaga Atsushi , Kojima Seiichiro , Takashimizu Shinji , Oho Kazuhiko , Kokubu Shigehiro , Nakamura Kenji , Hasumi Akitake , Murashima Naoya , Tajiri Takashi
Published: July 2010

Aim:  The Clinical Research Committee of the Japan Society for Portal Hypertension has conducted a nationwide questionnaire survey to clarify the current status of ectopic varices in Japan.

Methods:  A total of 173 cases of ectopic varices were collected.

Results:  Duodenal varices were found in 57 cases, and most of them were located in the descending to transverse parts. There were 11 cases of small intestinal varices and 6 cases of colonic varices, whereas 77 patients had rectal varices, accounting for the greatest proportion (44.5%). Other sites of varices were the biliary tract, anastomotic sites, the stoma, and the diaphragm. Liver cirrhosis was the most frequent diseases (80.3%) underlying ectopic varices. It was noted that patients with rectal varices frequently had a history of esophageal varices (94.8%) and received endoscopic treatment (87.0%). The treatments for ectopic varices were as an emergency in 46.5%, elective in 35.4% and prophylactic in 18.2%. In emergency cases, endoscopic therapy was most frequent (67.4%), followed by interventional radiology (IVR; 15.2%), and endoscopy‐IVR combination (6.5%). Elective treatment was performed by endoscopy in 34.3%, IVR in 28.6%, combined endoscopy‐IVR in 5.7%, and surgical operation in 25.7%. The prophylactic treatment was endoscopic in 50.0%, IVR in 33.3%, combined treatments in 11.1%, and prophylactic surgery in none. The change of ectopic varices after treatment was disappearance in 54.9%, remnant in 35.4% and recurrence in 9.7%. The rate of disappearance was significantly lower in rectal varices (40.8%) than in duodenal varices (73.4%). The patient outcome did not differ among the various sites of the lesion.

Conslusions:  Current status of ectopic varices in Japan has been clarified by a nationwide questionnaire survey. The authors expect that the pathophysiology of ectopic varices will be further elucidated, and that improved diagnostic modalities and treatment methods are established in the future.
Low Reynolds Number Flow in Spiral Microchannels
Authors: Lepchev Denis , Weihs Daniel
Published: July 2010

We study the creeping flow of an incompressible fluid in spiral microchannels such as that used in DNA identifying “lab-on-a-chip” installations. The equations of motion for incompressible, time-independent flow are developed in a three-dimensional orthogonal curvilinear spiral coordinate system where two of the dimensions are orthogonal spirals. The small size of the channels results in a low Reynolds number flow in the system, which reduces the Navier–Stokes set of equations to the Stokes equations for creeping flow. We obtain analytical solutions of the Stokes equations that calculate velocity profiles and pressure drop in several practical configurations of channels. Both pressure and velocity have exponential dependence on the expansion/contraction parameter and on the streamwise position along the channel. In both expanding and converging channels, the pressure drop is increased when the expansion/contraction parameter k and/or the curvature is increased.
CFD Evaluation of Solid Particles Erosion in Curved Ducts
Authors: El-Behery Samy M. , Hamed Mofreh H. , Ibrahim K. A. , El-Kadi M. A.
Published: July 2010

This paper investigates numerically the erosion phenomenon that occurs in 90 deg and 180 deg curved ducts. The erosion prediction model comprises from three stages: flow modeling, particle tracking, and erosion calculations. The proposed three stages of the present model are tested and validated. Comparisons between predicted penetration rate and published experimental data show a good agreement. The effects of bend orientation, inlet gas velocity, bend dimensions, loading ratio, and particle size on the penetration rate are also simulated. In addition, based on many predictions of erosion rate results, new CFD based correlations are developed for the maximum penetration rate and its location. These correlations can be used to predict the bend lifetime for particular operating conditions.
Effect of Second Order Velocity-Slip/Temperature-Jump on Basic Gaseous Fluctuating Micro-Flows
Authors: Hamdan M. A. , Al-Nimr M. A. , Hammoudeh Vladimir A.
Published: July 2010

In this work, the effect of the second-order term to the velocity-slip/temperature-jump boundary conditions on the solution of four cases in which the driving force is fluctuating harmonically was studied. The study aims to establish criteria that secure the use of the first order velocity-slip/temperature-jump model boundary conditions instead of the second-order ones. The four cases studied were the transient Couette flow, the pulsating Poiseuille flow, Stoke’s second problem, and the transient natural convection flow. It was found that at any given Kn number, increasing the driving force frequency, increases the difference between the first and second-order models. Assuming that a difference between the two models of over 5% is significant enough to justify the use of the more complex second-order model, the critical frequencies for the four different cases were found. For the cases for which the flow is induced by the fluctuating wall as in cases 1 and 3, we found that critical frequency at Kn=0.1 to be ω=8. For the cases of flow driven by a fluctuating pressure gradient as in case 2, this frequency was found to be ω=1, at the same Kn number. In case 4, for the temperature-jump model, the critical frequency was found to be ω=7 and for the velocity-slip model the critical frequency at the same Kn number was found to be ω=1.35.
NSF Misfires on Plan to Revamp Minority Programs
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: July 2010

A new plan by the National Science Foundation to fold three programs aimed at preparing more minority students to enter careers in science and engineering into a still-to-be-defined initiative has scientists and university administrators involved in the programs up in arms, and Congress is telling NSF to go back to the drawing board.
Chinese Policies Could Pinch U.S. Efforts to Make Electric Vehicles
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: July 2010

This month, China announced that it will cut exports this year of rare-earth elements by 40%, which could ground fledgling efforts to build clean-energy industries in the United States and other Western countries.
Dams for Patagonia
Authors: Vince Gaia
Published: July 2010

Pressed by a demand for electricity, Chile is considering seven big dams and a transmission line through its southern wilderness; critics say the environmental risks have not been fully examined.
Can Dogs Behaving Badly Suggest a New Way to Treat OCD?
Authors: Holden Constance , Travis John
Published: July 2010

One of the world's most popular vets argues that research on animals with behavioral problems can offer insight into people with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
LIFE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES: Protein-Protein Interaction Technologies Toward a Human Interactome
Authors: Perkel Jeffrey M.
Published: July 2010

The human genome has been called the "blueprint of life," but it's really more of a parts list. Cellular architecture is better defined by its complexes, the molecular machines that actually make a cell, a cell. French researchers first coined the term "interactome" in 1999; the first protein-protein interactome data appeared in 2000. Today the field--like the 11-year-old it is--is maturing rapidly. Interactome research has racked up more than 560 publications, and databases now house interactions numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Still, as international efforts to map the human protein-interaction network get under way, it's clear interactomics has a long way to go.
Evaluation of Diagnostic Applications of Monoclonal Antibodies against Avian Influenza H7 Viruses
Authors: Yang Ming , Clavijo Alfonso , Graham Jill , Pasick John , Neufeld James , Berhane Yohannes
Published: July 2010

A panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was generated from mice immunized with binary ethylenimine (BEI)-inactivated H7N1 (A/TK/ON/18-2/00) virus. Using a dot blot assay, six of seven MAbs reacted with viruses of the H7 subtype, but not with any of the other 15 hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes tested. Four of the seven MAbs reacted with 14 different H7 isolates, indicating that the MAbs binding epitopes are conserved among viruses of the H7 subtype. The binding epitopes of all seven MAbs were conformational and reacted with the HA1 fraction of the HA protein in Western blots under nonreducing conditions. Applications of these MAbs in the development of rapid tests for H7 subtype viruses were evaluated. The MAbs demonstrated reactivity with AI virus H7 antigen in immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assays. Monoclonal antibody 3 showed a very strong immunostaining in the formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue from the H7N3 virus-infected chicken. A double-antibody sandwich (DAS) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed using two of the MAbs. The DAS ELISA specifically detected all H7 strains tested in this study. A competitive ELISA (cELISA) for the detection of H7-specific antibodies was evaluated using one MAb and BEI-inactivated H7N1 virus as the antigen. All infected birds showed positive antibody responses at 7 days postinfection. The sensitivity of this cELISA was comparable with that of an influenza A nucleoprotein-based cELISA. This panel of MAbs is valuable in the development of various immunoassays.
Toxoplasma gondiiCyclophilin 18 Regulates the Proliferation and Migration of Murine Macrophages and Spleen Cells
Authors: Ibrahim Hany M. , Xuan Xuenan , Nishikawa Yoshifumi
Published: July 2010

Toxoplasma gondiiis an intracellular parasite that shows a unique capacity to infect a variety of cell types in warm-blooded animals. It can invade and survive well inside immune cells, such as macrophages, that disseminate the parasite around the body because of their migratory properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role ofT. gondiicyclophilin 18 (TgCyp18) in the proliferation and migration of macrophages and spleen cells (mainly T lymphocytes) in order to understand the effects of TgCyp18 on the dynamics of the infection. A high dose of TgCyp18 enhanced the proliferation of macrophages and spleen cells in a cysteine-cysteine chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5)-independent way. In contrast, TgCyp18 controlled the migration of macrophages and spleen cells in dose- and CCR5-dependent manners. Our data suggest that TgCyp18 recruits cells and enhances the growth of host cells at the site of infection for maintenance of the interaction between the parasite and host.
Ex VivoKinetics of Early and Long-Term Multifunctional Human Leukocyte Antigen E-Specific CD8+Cells in Volunteers Immunized with the Ty21a Typhoid Vaccine
Authors: Salerno-Goncalves Rosângela , Wahid Rezwanul , Sztein Marcelo B.
Published: July 2010

T cells are likely to play an important role in the host defense againstSalmonella entericaserovar Typhi, the causative agent of typhoid fever. We have shown that HLA-E can function as a restriction element forS. Typhi-specific CD8+T cells. Because of the potential importance of HLA-E-restricted CD8+responses in resistance toSalmonellainfection, we characterized these responses and investigated their kinetics of appearance and persistence in volunteers immunized orally with the licensed attenuated Ty21a strain typhoid vaccine. Cells were obtained from volunteers before and at days 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, 28, 42, 56, 120, 180, 360, and 720 after immunization. Anex vivomulticolor staining panel including antibodies to CD107a and -b, interleukin-2, gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was used to functionally assess memory T-cell subsets by flow cytometry. Increases in cytokine-secreting CD8+cells were observed in the T effector/memory (TEM) and CD45RA+TEM(TEMRA) subsets as early as 4 days after immunization and persisted, particularly in the TEMRAsubset, up to 2 years after immunization. The majority of HLA-E-restricted CD8+cells 28 to 56 days after immunization coexpressed CD107, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, showing characteristic features of multifunctional T cells. In summary, the multifunctionality and longevity of the HLA-E-restricted CD8 responses observed in this study highlight their significance in adaptive immunity toS. Typhi. Finally, this is the first demonstration, in either animals or humans, of the presence of long-term multifunctional HLA-E-restricted CD8+cells after immunization.
Mannheimia
Species Associated with Ovine Mastitis
Authors: Omaleki Lida , Barber Stuart R. , Allen Joanne L. , Browning Glenn F.
Published: July 2010

Mannheimia glucosida
,
M. haemolytica
, and
M. ruminalis
were isolated from cases of acute mastitis in ewes.
M. glucosida
was found to be a common cause of clinical mastitis in sheep. Selected phenotypic tests in addition to genotyping were needed to definitively identify
Mannheimia
species causing ovine mastitis.
Peptide Ligands Selected with CD4-Induced Epitopes on Native Dualtropic HIV-1 Envelope Proteins Mimic Extracellular Coreceptor Domains and Bind to HIV-1 gp120 Independently of Coreceptor Usage
Authors: Dervillez Xavier , Klaukien Volker , Dürr Ralf , Koch Joachim , Kreutz Alexandra , Haarmann Thomas , Stoll Michaela , Lee Donghan , Carlomagno Teresa , Schnierle Barbara , Möbius Kalle , Königs Christoph , Griesinger Christian , Dietrich Ursula
Published: July 2010

During HIV-1 entry, binding of the viral envelope glycoprotein gp120 to the cellular CD4 receptor triggers conformational changes resulting in exposure of new epitopes, the highly conserved CD4-induced (CD4i) epitopes that are essential for subsequent binding to chemokine receptor CCR5 or CXCR4. Due to their functional conservation, CD4i epitopes represent attractive viral targets for HIV-1 entry inhibition. The aim of the present study was to select peptide ligands for CD4i epitopes on native dualtropic (R5X4) HIV-1 envelope (Env) glycoproteins by phage display. Using CD4-activated retroviral particles carrying Env from the R5X4 HIV-1 89.6 strain as the target, we performed screenings of random peptide phage libraries under stringent selection conditions. Selected peptides showed partial identity with amino acids in the extracellular domains of CCR5/CXCR4, including motifs rich in tyrosines and aspartates at the N terminus known to be important for gp120 binding. A synthetic peptide derivative (XD3) corresponding to the most frequently selected phages was optimized for Env binding on peptide arrays. Interestingly, the optimized peptide could bind specifically to gp120 derived from HIV-1 strains with different coreceptor usage, competed with binding of CD4i-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) 17b, and interfered with entry of both a CCR5 (R5)-tropic and a CXCR4 (X4)-tropic Env pseudotyped virus. This peptide ligand therefore points at unique properties of CD4i epitopes shared by gp120 with different coreceptor usage and could thus serve to provide new insight into the conserved structural details essential for coreceptor binding for further drug development.
Differential Localization and Function of PB1-F2 Derived from Different Strains of Influenza A Virus
Authors: Chen Chi-Jene , Chen Guang-Wu , Wang Ching-Ho , Huang Chih-Heng , Wang Yeau-Ching , Shih Shin-Ru
Published: July 2010

PB1-F2 is a viral protein that is encoded by the PB1 gene of influenza A virus by alternative translation. It varies in length and sequence context among different strains. The present study examines the functions of PB1-F2 proteins derived from various human and avian viruses. While H1N1 PB1-F2 was found to target mitochondria and enhance apoptosis, H5N1 PB1-F2, surprisingly, did not localize specifically to mitochondria and displayed no ability to enhance apoptosis. Introducing Leu into positions 69 (Q69L) and 75 (H75L) in the C terminus of H5N1 PB1-F2 drove 40.7% of the protein to localize to mitochondria compared with the level of mitochondrial localization of wild-type H5N1 PB1-F2, suggesting that a Leu-rich sequence in the C terminus is important for targeting of mitochondria. However, H5N1 PB1-F2 contributes to viral RNP activity, which is responsible for viral RNA replication. Lastly, although the swine-origin influenza virus (S-OIV) contained a truncated form of PB1-F2 (12 amino acids [aa]), potential mutation in the future may enable it to contain a full-length product. Therefore, the functions of this putative S-OIV PB1-F2 (87 aa) were also investigated. Although this PB1-F2 from the mutated S-OIV shares only 54% amino acid sequence identity with that of seasonal H1N1 virus, it also increased viral RNP activity. The plaque size and growth curve of the viruses with and without S-OIV PB1-F2 differed greatly. The PB1-F2 protein has various lengths, amino acid sequences, cellular localizations, and functions in different strains, which result in strain-specific pathogenicity. Such genetic and functional diversities make it flexible and adaptable in maintaining the optimal replication efficiency and virulence for various strains of influenza A virus.
Local Conformational Stability of HIV-1 gp120 in Unliganded and CD4-Bound States as Defined by Amide Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange
Authors: Kong Leopold , Huang Chih-chin , Coales Stephen J. , Molnar Kathleen S. , Skinner Jeff , Hamuro Yoshitomo , Kwong Peter D.
Published: July 2010

The binding reaction of the HIV-1 gp120 envelope glycoprotein to the CD4 receptor involves exceptional changes in enthalpy and entropy. Crystal structures of gp120 in unliganded and various ligand-bound states, meanwhile, reveal an inner domain able to fold into diverse conformations, a structurally invariant outer domain, and, in the CD4-bound state, a bridging sheet minidomain. These studies, however, provide only hints as to the flexibility of each state. Here we use amide hydrogen/deuterium exchange coupled to mass spectrometry to provide quantifications of local conformational stability for HIV-1 gp120 in unliganded and CD4-bound states. On average, unliganded core gp120 displayed >10,000-fold slower exchange of backbone-amide hydrogens than a theoretically unstructured protein of the same composition, with binding by CD4 reducing the rate of gp120 amide exchange a further 10-fold. For the structurally constant CD4, alterations in exchange correlated well with alterations in binding surface (Pvalue = 0.0004). For the structurally variable gp120, however, reductions in flexibility extended outside the binding surface, and regions of expected high structural diversity (inner domain/bridging sheet) displayed roughly 20-fold more rapid exchange in the unliganded state than regions of low diversity (outer domain). Thus, despite an extraordinary reduction in entropy, neither unliganded gp120 nor free CD4 was substantially unstructured, suggesting that most of the diverse conformations that make up the gp120 unliganded state are reasonably ordered. The results provide a framework for understanding how local conformational stability influences entropic change, conformational diversity, and structural rearrangements in the gp120-CD4 binding reaction.
Bub1 and CENP-F Can Contribute to Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Genome Persistence by Targeting LANA to Kinetochores
Authors: Xiao Bingyi , Verma Subhash C. , Cai Qiliang , Kaul Rajeev , Lu Jie , Saha Abhik , Robertson Erle S.
Published: July 2010

The latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) encoded by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is critical for segregation of viral episomes to progeny nuclei and allows for maintenance of the viral genome in newly divided daughter cells. LANA binds to KSHV terminal repeat (TR) DNA and simultaneously associates with chromatin-bound cellular proteins. This process tethers the viral episomes to host chromosomes. However, the mechanism of tethering is complex and involves multiple protein-protein interactions. Our previous proteomics studies which showed the association of LANA with centromeric protein F (CENP-F) prompted us to further study whether LANA targets centromeric proteins for persistence of KSHV episomes during cell division. Here we show that LANA colocalized with CENP-F as speckles, some of which are paired at centromeric regions of a subset of chromosomes in KSHV-infected JSC-1 cells. We also confirm that both the amino and carboxy termini of LANA can bind to CENP-F. Moreover, LANA associated with another kinetochore protein, Bub1 (budding uninhibited by benzimidazole 1), which is known to form a complex with CENP-F. Importantly, we demonstrated the dynamic association of LANA and Bub1/CENP-F and the colocalization between Bub1, LANA, and the KSHV episome tethered to the host chromosome using fluorescence
in situ
hybridization (FISH). Knockdown of Bub1 expression by lentivirus-delivered short hairpin RNA (shRNA) dramatically reduced the number of KSHV genome copies, whereas no dramatic effect was seen with CENP-F knockdown. Therefore, the interaction between LANA and the kinetochore proteins CENP-F and Bub1 is important for KSHV genome tethering and its segregation to new daughter cells, with Bub1 potentially playing a more critical role in the long-term persistence of the viral genome in the infected cell.
Functional Divergence among CD103+Dendritic Cell Subpopulations following Pulmonary Poxvirus Infection
Authors: Beauchamp Nicole M. , Busick Rhea Y. , Alexander-Miller Martha A.
Published: July 2010

A large number of dendritic cell (DC) subsets have now been identified based on the expression of a distinct array of surface markers as well as differences in functional capabilities. More recently, the concept of unique subsets has been extended to the lung, although the functional capabilities of these subsets are only beginning to be explored. Of particular interest are respiratory DCs that express CD103. These cells line the airway and act as sentinels for pathogens that enter the lung, migrating to the draining lymph node, where they add to the already complex array of DC subsets present at this site. Here we assessed the contributions of these individual populations to the generation of a CD8+T-cell response following respiratory infection with poxvirus. We found that CD103+DCs were the most effective antigen-presenting cells (APC) for naive CD8+T-cell activation. Surprisingly, we found no evidence that lymph node-resident or parenchymal DCs could prime virus-specific cells. The increased efficacy of CD103+DCs was associated with the increased presence of viral antigen as well as high levels of maturation markers. Within the CD103+DCs, we observed a population that expressed CD8α. Interestingly, cells bearing CD8α were less competent for T-cell activation than their CD8α−counterparts. These data show that lung-migrating CD103+DCs are the major contributors to CD8+T-cell activation following poxvirus infection. However, the functional capabilities of cells within this population differ with the expression of CD8, suggesting that CD103+cells may be divided further into distinct subsets.
Dissolved Organic Phosphorus Compounds: Do They Satisfy Planktonic Phosphate Demand in Summer?
Authors: Heath Robert T.
Published: July 2010

The rate of release of phosphate from dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) compounds generally accounted for <1% of the phosphate uptake rate by seston in the open water of five diverse freshwater systems in summer. Surface water samples were taken during July and August 1984 from a eutrophic lake (East Twin Lake, OH), an acid bog lake (Triangle Bog Lake, OH), a freshwater estuarine marsh that empties into the western basin of Lake Erie (Old Woman Creek, OH), and two large mainstem reservoirs on the Savannah River (R. B. Russel Reservoir and Clarks Hill Lake, GA). In each of these, phosphatase hydrolysable phosphomonoesters (PME) often were the major fraction of DOP; phosphate release from photosensitive DOP was not detected in any of these systems at this time. The rate of release of phosphate from PME was calculated from Michaelis–Menten kinetics, and phosphatase activity was estimated spectrophotometrically using p-nitrophenyl phosphate as a model substrate. Radiometric analysis of the rate of phosphate uptake by seston showed that phosphate was sorbed to seston by at least two different processes. The total uptake rate by all uptake processes exhibited an apparent first-order dependence on the concentration of available phosphate. Typically, the velocity of uptake was 1–10 nmol∙L−1∙min−1, and the velocity of release from PME was 0.01–0.06 nmol∙L−1∙min−1.
Nutrient Status of Phytoplankton Blooms in Norwegian Waters and Algal Strategies for Nutrient Competition
Authors: Sakshaug Egil , Olsen Yngvar
Published: July 2010

During blooms in Norwegian waters phytoplankton communities are phosphorus limited in fresh and brackish waters, and balanced or even nitrogen limited in high-salinity marine waters. This results from the high N/P ratio for available nutrients before onset of blooms in freshwater relative to seawater (N/P (atoms) >100 and 12–16, respectively). Algal N/P ratios at nutrient saturation vary between 8 and 27 among species, and average 16. A low ratio at nutrient saturation may imply P limitation even in high-salinity waters (e.g. Skeletonema costatum). In general, nutrient deficiency becomes more pronounced as the biomass increases. Addition of sewage shifts natural systems toward N limitation, which may therefore be a secondary effect of accelerated eutrophication. interspecific competition in nutrient-limited communities depends on the nutrient requirement of individual species and the mode of nutrient uptake. In our example the desmid Staurastrum luetkemuellerii outcompetes the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa in a chemostat when the nutrient supply is continuous; the opposite happens when nutrient supply is pulsed.
Limnetic Zooplankton Assemblages in Atlantic Canada with Special Reference to Acidification
Authors: Carter J. C. H. , Taylor W. D. , Chengalath R. , Scruton D. A.
Published: July 2010

Crustacean and rotifer plankton assemblages of 93 lakes in Labrador, 107 in Newfoundland, and 142 in New Brunswick – Nova Scotia were investigated for evidence of correlations with lake morphometric, chemical, or biological factors. Labrador assemblages were almost completely lacking in identifiable structure. Newfoundland species clustered into two groups of different body size, suggesting the influence of fish predation. Only one species in Labrador and Newfoundland was significantly correlated with a derived factor related to lake water buffering capacity. New Brunswick – Nova Scotia species clustered into two groups, one featuring significant positive and the other significant negative correlations with the buffering factor. From this we conclude that acidification is having an impact on the limnetic zooplankton of these two provinces. Multiple discriminant analysis was used to demonstrate that New Brunswick – Nova Scotia lakes differing in their buffering capacity were also distinct in zooplankton composition. Lakes with low factor scores (low pH, alkalinity, and calcium) were mainly located in the Bay of Fundy region; this area has above average fog and precipitation, and lies within the summer air flow carrying pollutants from the south.
Effects of Density-Dependent and Climatic Factors on American shad, Alosa sapidissima, Recruitment: A Predictive Approach
Authors: Crecco Victor , Savoy Thomas , Whitworth Walter
Published: July 2010

We developed environment-dependent stock–recruitment models for American shad, Alosa sapidissima, in the Connecticut River to forecast recruitment variability and measure density-dependent effects. These models were fitted to the 1966–78 stock–recruitment estimates and to May and June river flow, water temperature, and rainfall data shown previously to affect American shad year-class strength. We also attempted to validate the models by forecasting the 1979–84 year-classes based on juvenile indices, parent stock size, and hydrographic data for these years. The stock–recruitment models without environmental factors explained less than 3% of the recruitment variability, and none of the density-dependent exponents were statistically different from 0. The predictive capability of the Ricker stock–recruitment model improved dramatically (r2 = 0.90) when combined with mean May flows, June flows, and the number of American shad lifted over the Holyoke Dam. The density-dependent exponents of these multiple regression models were highly significant, indicating that density-dependent processes are hidden by climatically induced variability in recruitment. Two environment-dependent stock–recruitment models predicted 80–90% of the American shad recruitment variability from 1979–84.
An applied framework for uncertainty treatment and key challenges in hydrological and hydraulic modelingThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this Special Issue on Hydrotechnical Engineering
Authors: de Rocquigny E.
Published: July 2010

Within the larger domain of risk or environmental assessment, uncertainty treatment is gaining growing interest in the fields of hydrological and hydraulic modeling. A generic approach to quantitative uncertainty is suggested, putting together the applicable decision-making framework and associated probabilistic formulations involving uncertainty modeling (possibly through an inverse approach), uncertainty propagation, and the ranking of importance or sensitivity analysis. Accordingly, a number of generic statistical, physical, and numerical methods could be more largely disseminated in the water domain. Two axes of particular potential interest are outlined: the tricky choice of differentiating according to the epistemological nature of the uncertainty, with considerable impact on the formulation of the risk criterion and the associated level of complexity; the challenges posed by uncertainty modeling in the context of data scarcity, and the corresponding calibration and inverse probabilistic techniques, bound to be developed to best value hydro-monitoring and data acquisition systems under uncertainty.
QUASI analysis of host immune responses to Gag polyproteins of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by a systematic bioinformatics approachThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue entitled “Second International Symposium on Recent Advances in Basic, Clinical, and Social Medicine” and has undergone the Journal's usual peer review process.
Authors: Liang Binhua , Luo Ma , Ball T. Blake , Jones Steven J.M. , Plummer Francis A.
Published: July 2010

There is a consensus that Gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response plays a key role in the immune control of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. In this study, we analyzed all currently available gag sequences in the Los Alamos HIV sequence database and identified positive selection (PS) sites likely restricted by the host immune responses. We found that between 23.4% and 47.4% of PS sites were shared by clades A, B, and C of Gag, indicating similar positive selection pressure on Gag in different subtypes of HIV-1. Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between the combined CTL and antibody responses and PS sites. The Gag regions of free from PS contained 9 CTL epitopes restricted by 11 HLA class I alleles associated with disease progression to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). These analyses provide information important for the identification of cross-clade epitopes and development of a global HIV-1 vaccine.
Dendritic cells (DCs) transfected with a recombinant adenovirus carrying chlamydial major outer membrane protein antigen elicit protective immune responses against genital tract challenge infectionThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue entitled “Second International Symposium on Recent Advances in Basic, Clinical, and Social Medicine” and has undergone the Journal's usual peer review process.
Authors: Lü Hui , Wang Hong , Zhao Hong-Mei , Zhao Lei , Chen Qiang , Qi Mei , Liu Juan , Yu Han , Yu Xiu-Ping , Yang Xi , Zhao Wei-Ming
Published: July 2010

Chlamydia trachomatis, an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen, is the major cause of sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. Although a variety of strategies have been taken to promote the development of a protective vaccine, no ideal vaccine has been generated so far. In this study, we transfected dendritic cells (DCs) with recombinant adenovirus carrying C. trachomatis serovar E major outer membrane protein gene (Ad-MOMP), and investigated their ability to induce specific protection against genital tract chlamydial challenge infection. The results showed that when DCs were transfected with Ad-MOMP in vitro, the DCs exhibited increased expression of CD80 and MHC-II molecules as well as enhanced IL-12 secretion and were able to stimulate T-cell proliferation. The level of IFN-γ secreted by stimulated T cells was also up-regulated significantly. When the Ad-MOMP transfected DCs were adoptively transferred intravenously to naive mice, they generated Th1-biased cytokine production and mucosal IgA responses specific for C. trachomatis. More importantly, the mice immunized with Ad-MOMP-DC mounted protection against genital tract challenge infection, shown by lower body mass loss, lower chlamydial loads, and less severe pathological changes. In conclusion, Ad-MOMP transfected DCs are capable of inducing effective protective immune responses against C. trachomatis genital infection.
Effects of phenytoin onSatb2andHoxa2gene expressions in mouse embryonic craniofacial tissueThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue entitled “Second International Symposium on Recent Advances in Basic, Clinical, and Social Medicine” and has undergone the Journal's usual peer review process.
Authors: Mao Xiao Yan , Tang Shi Jie
Published: July 2010

Cleft lip and cleft palate are common congenital craniofacial birth defects in humans. Phenytoin (PHT) is a risk factor of cleft palate formation; however, the molecular mechanisms by which phenytoin exerts its teratogenic effects resulting in cleft palate remain unknown. The Satb2 gene mutation is associated with cleft palate. Satb2-deficient mice exhibit cleft palate deformity and an up-regulation of Hoxa2 in the fronto-nasal region. In this study, phenytoin was administered intraperitoneally to pregnant C57BL/6 mice on the 10th day of gestation. Real-time PCR results showed that the expressions of Satb2 and Hoxa2 in craniofacial tissues of mouse embryos were obviously different at different time points. The Satb2 gene was down-regulated and the Hoxa2 gene was up-regulated in phenytoin-treated mouse embryonic craniofacial tissue. We conclude that phenytoin may regulate the expression of these two genes in C57BL/6 mice and it may also be involved in the formation of cleft palate.
Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection and avian influenza A (H5N1) virus infection: a comparative analysisThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue entitled “Second International Symposium on Recent Advances in Basic, Clinical, and Social Medicine” and has undergone the Journal's usual peer review process.
Authors: Korteweg Christine , Gu Jiang
Published: July 2010

The 2009 H1N1 and H5N1 influenza viruses are newly (re-) emerged influenza A viruses (2009 A(H1N1) and A(H5N1), respectively) that have recently posed tremendous health threats in many regions worldwide. With the 2009 outbreak of H1N1 influenza A, the world witnessed the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century. The disease has rapidly spread across the entire globe, and has resulted in hundreds of thousands of cases with confirmed infection. Although characterized by high transmissibility, the virulence and fatality of the 2009 A(H1N1) influenza virus have thus far remained relatively low. The reverse holds true for A(H5N1) influenza; at a fatality rate that exceeds 60%, it is known to cause severe damage to the human respiratory system, but is not presently capable of efficient transmission from human to human. Apart from the clear differences between the two types of influenza, there are some significant similarities that warrant attention. In particular, the more severe and fatal 2009 A(H1N1) influenza cases have shown symptoms similar to those reported in cases of A(H5N1) influenza. Histopathological findings for these cases, to the extent available, also appear to have similarities for both diseases in terms of damage and severity. Here we review important recent publications in this area, and we discuss some of the key commonalities and contrasts between the two influenza A types in terms of their biology, origins, clinical features, pathology and pathogenesis, and receptors and transmissibility.
Enhancement of the survival of engrafted mesenchymal stem cells in the ischemic heart by TNFR gene transfectionThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue entitled “Second International Symposium on Recent Advances in Basic, Clinical, and Social Medicine” and has undergone the Journal's usual peer review process.
Authors: Bao Cuiyu , Guo Jun , Zheng Min , Chen Yan , Lin Guosheng , Hu MingYan
Published: July 2010

Autologous or allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used as one of the potential cell sources for cellular cardiomyoplasty. The adverse microenvironment in acute myocardial infarction, however, is considered a deleterious factor for MSC transplantation and cell survival. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is an inflammatory mediator produced during ischemia that may affect the survival of MSCs. In this study, we investigated the enhancement of MSC survival by transfecting cells with the TNF receptor (TNFR) gene, leading to the overproduction of TNFR and the binding of TNF-α. Rats with acute myocardial infarction, induced by the occlusion of the left coronary artery, were transplanted with MSC or MSC-TNFR. After 2 weeks of acute myocardial infarction, cardiac function was assessed. Engrafted MSC survival and localization of TNF-α protein in infarction myocardium were evaluated. The levels of TNF-α and TNFR in the infarction zone were assessed. The results indicate that MSC-TNFR transplantation (1) improved left ventricular function; (2) enhanced engrafted MSC survival in the infarcted myocardium; (3) attenuated the level of TNF-α in serum and cardiac tissue; and (4) increased TNFR protein production in the infarcted myocardium. Our results showed that MSC modified by the TNFR gene improved cell viability and thereby has the potential to improve the efficiency of MSC transplantation therapy in the ischemic heart.
Intracavernosal administration of sodium nitrite as an erectile pharmacotherapy
Authors: Lasker George F. , Matt Christopher J. , Badejo, Jr. Adeleke M. , Casey David B. , Dhaliwal Jasdeep S. , Murthy Subramanyam N. , Kadowitz Philip J.
Published: July 2010

It has been reported that sodium nitrite (NaNO2) can act as a storage form of nitric oxide (NO) that can have beneficial pharmacologic actions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of NaNO2on erectile function in the rat. The intracavernosal (i.c.) injection of NaNO2produced dose-related increases in i.c. pressure and decreases in systemic arterial pressure. NaNO2was 1000-fold less potent than sodium nitroprusside in increasing i.c. pressure. Increases in i.c. pressure in response to NaNO2were attenuated by the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME). The increases in i.c. pressure in response to NaNO2were not altered by the xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitor allopurinol. The decreases in systemic arterial pressure in response to i.c. injections of NaNO2were attenuated by allopurinol and were either unchanged or increased by l-NAME. These data suggest that NaNO2is converted to vasoactive NO in the corpora cavernosum and systemic vascular bed of the rat by different mechanisms. The present data suggest that the conversion of NaNO2to vasoactive NO is mediated by NOS in the corpora cavernosum and by xanthine oxidoreductase in the systemic vascular bed of the rat. These data show NaNO2can serve as a NO donor that increases erectile activity in the rat.
Use of afterload hemodynamic stress as a practical method for assessing cardiac performance in rats with heart failure
Authors: dos Santos Leonardo , Antonio Ednei L. , Souza Ana F.M. , Tucci Paulo J.F.
Published: July 2010

After myocardial infarction, the hemodynamics under basal conditions might appear to be unaltered, which makes it difficult to identify cardiac dysfunction by the usual approaches. Thus, we tested the response to sudden afterload stress in infarcted rats with apparently normal ejection function. Control (CT) and infarcted (MI) Wistar rats with various MI sizes were submitted to echocardiography 30 days after coronary occlusion, followed by assessment of hemodynamics under basal conditions and during a pharmacologically induced sudden pressure overload (phenylephrine 15−25 µg/kg, i.v.). Coronary occlusion resulted in cardiac remodeling proportional to MI size, although several functional parameters such as systolic pressure (SP), stroke volume (SV), and stroke work (SW) of all MI rats were similar to those of CT rats. However, the afterload stress that was produced led to a relative preservation of SV and an increase of SW in CT rats; MI rats exhibited a significant reduction in SV and SW generation, although global cardiac function was normal under basal conditions, as indicated by regular echocardiography and hemodynamics assessment. Thus, we propose the use of sudden pharmacologically induced afterload stress as a practical and efficient procedure for identifying impaired performance of the heart in anesthetized rats, providing an additional physiological variable to be evaluated in experimental therapeutic studies.