bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting optimal continuous positive airway pressure in Japanese patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: AKAHOSHI Toshiki , AKASHIBA Tsuneto , KAWAHARA Seiji , UEMATSU Akihito , NAGAOKA Kenichi , KIYOFUJI Kouji , OKAMOTO Naoki , HATTORI Tomohiro , TAKAHASHI Noriaki , HASHIMOTO Shu
Published: December 2008

Background and objective:  Several algorithms that predict the optimal CPAP have been developed for Caucasian patients with OSA syndrome, but these algorithms do not allow for racial differences in craniofacial anatomy. We investigated whether an equation that included data on craniofacial structure, physique and severity of OSA could more accurately predict the optimal CPAP for Japanese patients with OSA syndrome.

Methods:  In 170 Japanese patients with OSA syndrome, the optimal CPAP was determined by manual titration during polysomnography. An equation predicting the optimal pressure was derived from anthropometric, polysomnographic and cephalometric data. This equation was validated in another 110 Japanese patients with OSA syndrome.

Results:  Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified AHI, BMI, mean SaO2 and a cephalometric parameter: the angle between a line from point B to the menton (Me) and a line from Me to the hyoid bone (H) (BMeH), as independent predictors of optimal CPAP. The following equation was constructed to predict the optimal CPAP: 27.78 + (0.041 × BMeH) + (0.141 × BMI) + (0.040 × AHI) − (0.312 × mean SaO2). This equation accounted for 47% of the variance in optimal pressure (R2 = 0.47, P < 0.0001). The measured optimal pressure and the pressure calculated using this equation were very similar in the other 110 patients with OSA syndrome (9.5 ± 3.0 and 9.2 ± 2.1 cmH2O, respectively).

Conclusion:  Optimal CPAP was more accurately predicted by combining a cephalometric parameter with BMI and polysomnographic data in Japanese patients with OSA, suggesting that craniofacial structure may be important in the pathogenesis of OSA syndrome among Asians.
Use of inhaled fluticasone propionate to control respiratory manifestations of relapsing polychondritis
Authors: TSUBURAI Takahiro , SUZUKI Motoyoshi , TSURIKISAWA Naomi , ONO Emiko , OSHIKATA Chiyako , TANIGUCHI Masami , AKIYAMA Kazuo
Published: December 2008

Effective management of respiratory tract involvement is very important in improving the prognosis of relapsing polychondritis (RPC). This case report describes a 19‐year‐old patient with RPC, who required frequent hospitalization due to recurrent exacerbations of airway obstruction. Use of high‐dose fluticasone propionate effectively reduced the amount of oral corticosteroid necessary to control inflammation of the airway mucosa and dramatically decreased the patient's obstructive airway impairment. This report is the first illustrating the effectiveness and safety of inhaled corticosteroids in the control of the respiratory manifestations of RPC.
Real‐time PCR is more specific than conventional PCR for induced sputum diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia in immunocompromised patients without HIV infection
Authors: FUJISAWA Tomoyuki , SUDA Takafumi , MATSUDA Hiroyuki , INUI Naoki , NAKAMURA Yutaro , SATO Jun , TOYOSHIMA Mikio , NAKANO Yutaka , YASUDA Kazumasa , GEMMA Hitoshi , HAYAKAWA Hiroshi , CHIDA Kingo
Published: December 2008

Background and objective:  The diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is based on microscopic examination of respiratory specimens. PCP patients without AIDS have a lower burden of P. jiroveci than those with AIDS, which leads to difficulty in detecting the organisms. Although conventional PCR (c‐PCR) has been used to detect the DNA, it is frequently positive in patients with colonization. Real‐time PCR (r‐PCR), a method to detect the DNA quantitatively, might be helpful in distinguishing between infection and colonization. We investigated the utility of real‐time PCR in the diagnosis of PCP in non‐AIDS patients.

Methods:  Induced sputum samples obtained from 86 non‐HIV immunocompromized patients with clinical symptoms of pulmonary infection were evaluated for the presence of Pneumocystis jiroveci‐specific DNA using c‐PCR and r‐PCR. The diagnosis of PCP was confirmed by typical clinical and radiological findings and response to treatment.

Results:  Of the 86 patients, 17 were diagnosed as having PCP. Twenty‐eight samples were positive for c‐PCR, but the false‐positive rate was high (46.4%). Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values (PPV) of c‐PCR were 88.2%, 81.2% and 53.6%, respectively. Concentrations of the DNA detected by r‐PCR were significantly higher in PCP patients than in non‐PCP patients. Using 30 copies per tube as a cut‐off value for the diagnosis of PCP, the sensitivity (82.4%) of r‐PCR was almost equal to c‐PCR. Notably, its specificity and PPV were higher than c‐PCR (98.6% and 93.3%, respectively).

Conclusions:  r‐PCR on induced sputum is more useful for diagnosing PCP than c‐PCR in non‐HIV immunocompromized patients, especially in terms of distinguishing between colonization and infection.
Displacement Measurement Through Digital Image Correlation and Digital Speckle Pattern Interferometry Techniques in Cold‐Expanded Holes
Authors: Cirello A. , Pasta S.
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  In this paper, the displacement field induced by the split‐sleeve cold expansion of holes was measured using both digital image correlation (DIC) and digital speckle pattern interferometry (DSPI) techniques. Thus, the experimental results, which were evaluated on the inlet surface of a 6082‐T6 aluminium plate, were compared with those from theoretical prediction. DIC provided accurate measurements up to the elastic–plastic boundary, whereas the DSPI technique highlighted the changes of displacement in the elastic domain. Prediction of the displacement based on the existing analytical model agreed with the experimental results achieved with both techniques. Possible explanations for the differences are discussed.
Joining Fragmented Epistyles Using Threaded Titanium Bars: A Numerical Analysis
Authors: Ganniari‐Papageorgiou E.
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  The mechanical behaviour of marble architraves, restored with titanium bars and suitable cementitious material, is studied with the aid of the finite‐element method. The study was motivated by the needs of the conservation project in progress on the Parthenon Temple of the Acropolis of Athens. A realistic numerical model was created taking into account the exact geometry of the threaded bars as well as the exact mechanical properties of the materials involved. The architrave was considered as a prismatic beam of rectangular cross section, centrally fractured and restored with one threaded titanium bar. The bar was inserted in a hole of slightly greater diameter drilled in the member and filled with suitable cementitious material. In this way, a sequence of three materials appears (marble–cement–titanium) giving birth to two interfaces (marble–cement and cement–titanium). Emphasis was given to the influence of the cement layer on the stress and strain fields. The cement was modelled as either linear or bilinear material and the analysis indicated the crucial role of this layer for the drastic reduction in the strain discontinuities.
The Global Sociometabolic Transition
Authors: Krausmann Fridolin , Fischer‐Kowalski Marina , Schandl Heinz , Eisenmenger Nina
Published: December 2008

We present the concept of sociometabolic regimes and use it to analyze patterns of change in global social metabolism. Sociometabolic regimes represent dynamic equilibria of society–nature interactions and are characterized by typical patterns of material and energy flows (metabolic profiles). From this perspective, industrialization appears as a process of transition from the agrarian to the industrial regime. This article presents a global data set on the socioeconomic metabolism of 175 nations for the year 2000. We group the countries into six clusters differentiated by economic development and population density, reflecting the historical path of (agrarian) development and resource endowment.

Our analysis reveals that per capita material and energy use in industrialized clusters is higher than in developing regions by a factor of 5 to 10. However, per capita use of natural resources differs significantly among industrialized clusters. A large fraction of the global population displays a metabolic profile somewhere in between the patterns typical for the agrarian and the industrial regimes. The sociometabolic transition from an agrarian to an industrial regime is thus an ongoing process with important consequences for future global material and energy demand. If we take a transition between regimes and the current characteristics of this transition as given, the global energy and materials demand is likely to grow by a factor of 2 to 3 during the coming decades. The most critical part of our findings relates to the cluster of high‐density developing countries, as these countries already have a higher anthropogenic material and energy burden per unit of land area than, for example, industrial Europe, with pending further increases bound to surpass carrying capacities.
What Factors Have Changed Japanese Resource Productivity?
Authors: Hashimoto Seiji , Matsui Shigekazu , Matsuno Yu , Nansai Keisuke , Murakami Shinsuke , Moriguchi Yuichi
Published: December 2008

In 2003, the Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material‐Cycle Society was developed; it established indicators and numerical targets for each of three aspects of material flows in Japan. One of the three indicators is resource productivity: Gross domestic product divided by direct material input (GDP/DMI). This article elucidates factors that have changed recent resource‐use intensity (the inverse of resource productivity) in Japan. Specifically, the analysis emphasizes decomposing resource‐use intensity into the factors of recycling, induced material‐use intensity, demand structure, and average propensity to import. Conclusions drawn from analyses of data from the 1995–2002 period are as follows: (1) Changes in the structure of demand (i.e., the magnitude of the demand for a particular set of goods and services relative to total demand) produced the largest contribution to a reduction in resource‐use intensity. In addition, the aggregate of the decline in induced material‐use intensity and the improvement in recycling contributed as much as changes in the demand structure. (2) Final demand for construction declined steadily during the study period, resulting in the largest contribution to the decline in resource‐use intensity. (3) Final demand for machinery and services increased, whereas their induced material‐use intensity declined, contributing to the decline in resource‐use intensity as a whole. (4) Although the effects of recycling are not great, the increased recycling of nonmetallic minerals contributed to the decline in resource‐use intensity.
Building Material Flow Accounts in the United States
Authors: Allen Frederick W.
Published: December 2008

Building a national system of material flow accounts in the United States could be an important step toward natural resource sustainability. But the task will not be as simple as “If you build it, they will come.” The key to understanding the status of and prospects for official material flow accounts in the United States is to see the picture from the point of view of public sector and environmental innovation generally, rather than from the point of view of building the details of the accounts themselves. A simple model of public sector innovation helps explain what is happening and what needs to happen to make further progress. The model used here has four principal elements: methods, organizational capacity, demand, and actual use. The details and sequence of these elements vary in different situations, but all four must be present for successful innovations. Although aspects of culture, innovation, and government bureaucracy differ from country to country, the basic model appears to be similar across borders, at least in countries belonging to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Seen this way, recent events in the United States indicate that (1) there is significant potential for such accounts; (2) the United States is moving toward creating them, although not in a systematic manner, which means that the progression and eventual outcome are uncertain; and (3) there are ways for the research community to participate very positively in the public process.
The “Hidden” Trade of Metals in the United States
Authors: Johnson Jeremiah , Graedel T. E.
Published: December 2008

The transport of ore and refined metals into and from countries has long been quantified, both because of its financial implications and because of the relative ease of tracking those flows. This information says little, however, about the net trade of metal in all its forms, particularly “semiproducts,” such as sheet and wire, and metal in traded products (MTP). A comprehensive analysis for the United States for copper, lead, zinc, chromium, and silver, in which all trade flows are included, demonstrates that MTP flows can often be a large factor in determining a country's import/export dependence, accounting for between 13% (zinc) and 57% (silver) of traded metal in all forms. A methodology was created to calculate the end user net import reliance, which is the net import of metal contained in ore, concentrate, refined forms, and semi‐manufactured and finished products, plus any releases of metal from government or producer stocks, as a function of the flow of metal into end use by consumers. For all five metals, this calculation showed a higher reliance on imports than calculations that solely examine ore, concentrate, and refined metals. This suggests that the metal contained in semi‐manufactured and finished products increases U.S. material import vulnerability. However, the in‐use stocks of these metals contained in products may serve as a potential resource, serving to mitigate this vulnerability. Graphical representations of metal trade in all forms by geographical origin and destination are provided to characterize the nature of the trade and provide information that would be useful in characterizing U.S. import vulnerability.
Japanese 3R Policies Based on Material Flow Analysis
Authors: Takiguchi Hiroaki , Takemoto Kazuhiko
Published: December 2008

This article describes Japan's adoption of the sound material‐cycle society (SMC Society) as a key goal in its pursuit of sustainable development. An SMC Society is defined in Japanese law as a society wherein the consumption of natural resources is restrained and the environmental load is reduced as far as possible, through promotion of the 3Rs—reduction, reuse, and recycling—as well as the environmentally sound disposal of solid waste. The Fundamental Law for Establishing an SMC Society, enacted in 2000, requires the government to formulate a plan, two of which have been developed to date. The Fundamental Plans set quantitative targets for three indicators: resource productivity, cyclical use rate, and final disposal amount. Initial results indicate that resource productivity has increased because the increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) has been accompanied by a decrease in direct material input (DMI), the cycle use rate has increased–mainly because of the growth in the recycling rate of industrial waste–and the final disposal amount has been decreasing. These goals have also been pursued on a global scale through the Group of Eight (G8) process known as the 3R Initiative.
Bifurcation and Stability of Periodic Motions in a Periodically Forced Oscillator With Multiple Discontinuities
Authors: Luo Albert C. J. , Patel Mehul T.
Published: December 2008

The local stability and existence of periodic motions in a periodically forced oscillator with multiple discontinuities are investigated. The complexity of periodic motions and chaos in such a discontinuous system is often caused by the passability, sliding, and grazing of flows to discontinuous boundaries. Therefore, the corresponding analytical conditions for such singular phenomena to discontinuous boundary are presented from the local singularity theory of discontinuous systems. To develop the mapping structures of periodic motions, basic mappings are introduced, and the sliding motion on the discontinuous boundary is described by a sliding mapping. A generalized mapping structure is presented for all possible periodic motions, and the local stability and bifurcations of periodic motions are discussed. From mapping structures, the switching points of periodic motions on the boundaries are predicted analytically. Two periodic motions are presented for illustrations of the passability, sliding, and grazing of periodic motions on the boundary.
Numerical Method and Bifurcation Analysis of Jeffcott Rotor System Supported in Gas Journal Bearings
Authors: Zhang Jiazhong , Kang Wei , Liu Yan
Published: December 2008

From the viewpoint of nonlinear dynamics, the stability and bifurcation of the rotor dynamical system supported in gas bearings are investigated. First, the dynamical model of gas bearing-Jeffcott rotor system is given, and the finite element method is used to approach the unsteady Reynolds equation in order to obtain gas film forces. Then, the method for stability analysis of the unbalance response of the rotor system is developed in combination with the Newmark-based direct integral method and Floquet theory. Finally, a numerical example is presented, and the complex behaviors of the nonlinear dynamical system are simulated numerically, including the trajectory of the journal and phase portrait. In particular, the stabilities of the system’s equilibrium position and unbalance responses are studied via the orbit diagram, phase space, Poincaré mapping, bifurcation diagram, and power spectrum. The results show that the numerical method for solving the unsteady Reynolds equation is efficient, and there exist a rich variety of nonlinear phenomena in the system. The half-speed whirl encountered in practice is the result from Hopf bifurcation of equilibrium, and the numerical method presented is available for the stability and bifurcation analysis of the complicated gas film-rotor dynamic system.
The Lubrication Regime at Pin-Pulley Interface in Chain CVTs
Authors: Carbone G. , Scaraggi M. , Soria L.
Published: December 2008

This paper deals with the strongly nonstationary squeeze of an oil film at the interface between the chain pin and pulley in chain belt continuously variable transmission. We concentrate on the squeeze motion as it occurs as soon as the pin enters the pulley groove. The duration time to complete the squeeze process compared with the running time the pin takes to cover the entire arc of contact is fundamental to understand whether direct asperity-asperity contact occurs between the two approaching surfaces to clarify what actually is the lubrication regime (elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL), mixed, or boundary) and to verify if the Hertzian pressure distribution at the interface can properly describe the actual normal stress distribution. The Hertzian pressure solution is usually taken as a starting point to design the geometry of the pin surface; therefore, it is of utmost importance for the designers to know whether their hypothesis is correct or not. Taking into account that the traveling time, the pin spends in contact with the pulley groove, is of about 0.01 s, we show that rms surface roughness less than 0.1 μm, corresponding to values adopted in such systems, guarantees a fully lubricated EHL regime at the interface. Therefore, direct asperity-asperity contact between the two approaching surfaces is avoided. We also show that the Hertzian solution does not properly represent the actual pressure distribution at the pin-pulley interface. Indeed, after few microseconds a noncentral annular pressure peak is formed, which moves toward the center of the pin with rapidly decreasing speed. The pressure peak can grow up to values of several gigapascals. Such very high pressures may cause local overloads and high fatigue stresses that must be taken into account to correctly estimate the durability of the system.
Review of Degradation Models for Progressive Failure Analysis of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites
Authors: Garnich Mark R. , Akula Venkata M. K.
Published: December 2008

The success of any progressive failure analysis of composite structures is influenced by the failure criteria and the associated material property degradation models. The failure criteria are the conditions for the prediction of the occurrence of material damage. The degradation models are mathematical representations of the residual properties for each material damage state predicted by the failure criteria. A brief summary of the major classes of failure criteria pertaining to the degradation models is followed by a review of degradation models that have been developed for unidirectional polymer matrix composite laminates. The review is organized around the relationships of the various models to associated failure criteria as well as the various constitutive frameworks for finite element implementation. Models that invoke residual properties as a one-time sudden degradation of the original properties are described followed by models where the mathematical representation of at least one property invokes gradual property degradation as a function of some other evolving field variable.
Optimization of the Loaded Contact Pattern in Hypoid Gears by Automatic Topography Modification
Authors: Artoni Alessio , Bracci Andrea , Gabiccini Marco , Guiggiani Massimo
Published: December 2008

Systematic optimization of the tooth contact pattern under load is an open problem in the design of spiral bevel and hypoid gears. In order to enhance its shape and position, gear engineers have been assisted by numerical tools based on trial-and-error approaches, and/or they have been relying on the expertise of skilled operators. The present paper proposes a fully automatic procedure to optimize the loaded tooth contact pattern, with the advantage of eventually reducing design time and cost. The main problem was split into two identification subproblems: first, to identify the ease-off topography capable of optimizing the contact pattern; second, to identify the machine-tool setting variations required to obtain such ease-off modifications. Both of them were formulated and solved as unconstrained nonlinear optimization problems. In addition, an original strategy to quickly approximate the tooth contact pattern under load was conceived. The results obtained were very satisfactory in terms of accuracy, robustness, and computational speed. They also suggest that the time required to optimize the contact pattern can be significantly reduced compared with typical time frames. A sound mathematical framework ensures results independent of the practitioner’s subjective decision-making process. By defining a proper objective function, the proposed method can also be applied to affect other contact properties, such as to improve the motion graph or to decrease the sensitivity of the transmission to assembly errors. Furthermore, it can be easily adapted to any gear drive by virtue of its systematic and versatile nature.
Bile Affects the Synthesis of Exopolysaccharides by
Bifidobacterium animalis
Authors: Ruas-Madiedo Patricia , Gueimonde Miguel , Arigoni Fabrizio , de los Reyes-Gavilán Clara G. , Margolles Abelardo
Published: December 2008

By using cryo-scanning electron microscopy and quantification with lectin-conjugated probes, we have detected the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) in
Bifidobacterium animalis
subsp.
lactis
in the presence of bile. In addition, the expression of gtf01207, which codifies a putative priming glycosyltransferase involved in EPS synthesis, was induced by bile.
Application of Denaturing High-Performance Liquid Chromatography in Microbial Ecology: Fermentor Sludge, Compost, and Soil Community Profiling
Authors: Wagner Andreas Otto , Malin Cornelia , Illmer Paul
Published: December 2008

Genetic fingerprinting methods, such as denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), are used in microbial ecology for the analysis of mixed microbial communities but are associated with various problems. In the present study we used a new alternative method: denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC). This method was previously shown to work with samples from water and gut flora but had not yet been applied to complex environmental samples. In contrast to other publications dealing with dHPLC, we used a commonly available HPLC system. Samples from different origins (fermentor sludge, compost, and soil), all ecologically significant, were tested, and the 16S rRNA gene was amplified via PCR. After optimization of the HPLC elution conditions, amplicons of pure cultures and mixed microbial populations could be separated successfully. Systematic differentiation was carried out by a cloning approach, since fraction collection of the peaks did not result in satisfactory fragment separation. dHPLC was evaluated as a tool for microbial community analysis on a genetic level and demonstrated major improvements compared to gel-based fingerprinting methods, such as DGGE, that are commonly used in microbial ecology.
Effect of Molecules Secreted by
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Strain La-5 on
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 Colonization
Authors: Medellin-Peña Maira J. , Griffiths Mansel W.
Published: December 2008

The probiotic bacterium
Lactobacillus acidophilus
strain La-5 is a gut-colonizing microorganism that, when established, becomes an important part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract microbiota. It has been shown to be effective against enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
(EHEC) O157:H7 infection. We have previously shown that molecules released by probiotic strain La-5 influence the transcription of EHEC genes involved in colonization and quorum sensing. In this work, we report on the ability of these molecules to prevent the adherence of EHEC to epithelial cells and on its capacity to concentrate F-actin at adhesion sites. With a fluorescein-labeled phallotoxin, it was shown that La-5 cell-free spent medium (CFSM) fractions remarkably reduced attaching and effacing lesions in HeLa cells. We also observed a significant inhibition of bacterial adhesion to Hep-2 cells when they were treated with the same La-5 CFSM fractions. In order to observe if La-5 CFSM fractions exhibited the same effect in vivo, we studied the ability of luminescent EHEC constructs (
LEE1
::
luxCDABE
) to adhere to intestinal epithelial cells of specific-pathogen-free ICR mice following intragastric inoculation. Colonization of the GI tract by luminescent EHEC O157:H7 was monitored in real time with a slow-scan charge-coupled device camera. At the same time, fecal shedding of EHEC was studied. Following oral gavage of the La-5 active fraction, we observed a reduced amount of bioluminescence signal along with a decrease in fecal shedding by mice, indicating an effect on the ability of the organism to colonize the GI tract. Our results confirm past evidence of the possibility of blocking or interfering with EHEC's virulence by active molecules contained in the probiotic CFSM and identify novel therapeutic alternatives to antibiotic treatments in the fight against food-borne pathogens.
Community-Level Analysis of
psbA
Gene Sequences and Irgarol Tolerance in Marine Periphyton
Authors: Eriksson K. M. , Clarke A. K. , Franzen L.-G. , Kuylenstierna M. , Martinez K. , Blanck H.
Published: December 2008

This study analyzes
psbA
gene sequences, predicted D1 protein sequences, species relative abundance, and pollution-induced community tolerance in marine periphyton communities exposed to the antifouling compound Irgarol 1051. The mechanism of action of Irgarol is the inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport at photosystem II by binding to the D1 protein. The metagenome of the communities was used to produce clone libraries containing fragments of the
psbA
gene encoding the D1 protein. Community tolerance was quantified with a short-term test for the inhibition of photosynthesis. The communities were established in a continuous flow of natural seawater through microcosms with or without added Irgarol. The selection pressure from Irgarol resulted in an altered species composition and an inducted community tolerance to Irgarol. Moreover, there was a very high diversity in the
psbA
gene sequences in the periphyton, and the composition of
psbA
and D1 fragments within the communities was dramatically altered by increased Irgarol exposure. Even though tolerance to this type of compound in land plants often depends on a single amino acid substitution (Ser
264
→Gly) in the D1 protein, this was not the case for marine periphyton species. Instead, the tolerance mechanism likely involves increased degradation of D1. When we compared sequences from low and high Irgarol exposure, differences in nonconserved amino acids were found only in the so-called PEST region of D1, which is involved in regulating its degradation. Our results suggest that environmental contamination with Irgarol has led to selection for high-turnover D1 proteins in marine periphyton communities at the west coast of Sweden.
Atypical Biosynthetic Properties of a Δ
12
/ν+3 Desaturase from the Model Basidiomycete
Phanerochaete chrysosporium
Authors: Minto Robert E. , Blacklock Brenda J. , Younus Hina , Pratt Andrew C.
Published: December 2008

The model white-rot basidiomycete
Phanerochaete chrysosporium
contains a single integral membrane Δ
12
-desaturase FAD2 related to the endoplasmic reticular plant FAD2 enzymes. The fungal
fad2
-like gene was cloned and distinguished itself from plant homologs by the presence of four introns and a significantly larger coding region. The coding sequence exhibits ca. 35% sequence identity to plant homologs, with the highest sequence conservation found in the putative catalytic and major structural domains. In vivo activity of the heterologously expressed enzyme favors C
18
substrates with ν+3 regioselectivity, where the site of desaturation is three carbons carboxy-distal to the reference position of a preexisting double bond (ν). Linoleate accumulated to levels in excess of 12% of the total fatty acids upon heterologous expression of
P. chrysosporium
FAD2 in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
. In contrast to the behavior of the plant FAD2 enzymes, this oleate desaturase does not 12-hydroxylate lipids and is the first example whose activity increases at higher temperatures (30°C versus 15°C). Thus, while maintaining the hallmark activity of the fatty acyl Δ
12
-desaturase family, the basidiomycete
fad2
genes appear to have evolved substantially from an ancestral desaturase.
Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of a β-Fructofuranosidase from
Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous
Authors: Linde Dolores , Macias Isabel , Fernández-Arrojo Lucía , Plou Francisco J. , Jiménez Antonio , Fernández-Lobato María
Published: December 2008

An extracellular β-fructofuranosidase from the yeast
Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous
was characterized biochemically, molecularly, and phylogenetically. This enzyme is a glycoprotein with an estimated molecular mass of 160 kDa, of which the N-linked carbohydrate accounts for 60% of the total mass. It displays optimum activity at pH 5.0 to 6.5, and its thermophilicity (with maximum activity at 65 to 70°C) and thermostability (with a
T
50
in the range 66 to 71°C) is higher than that exhibited by most yeast invertases. The enzyme was able to hydrolyze fructosyl-β-(2→1)-linked carbohydrates such as sucrose, 1-kestose, or nystose, although its catalytic efficiency, defined by the
k
cat
/

K
m

ratio, indicates that it hydrolyzes sucrose approximately 4.2 times more efficiently than 1-kestose. Unlike other microbial β-fructofuranosidases, the enzyme from
X. dendrorhous
produces neokestose as the main transglycosylation product, a potentially novel bifidogenic trisaccharide. Using a 41% (wt/vol) sucrose solution, the maximum fructooligosaccharide concentration reached was 65.9 g liter
−1
. In addition, we isolated and sequenced the
X. dendrorhous
β-fructofuranosidase gene (
Xd-INV
), showing that it encodes a putative mature polypeptide of 595 amino acids and that it shares significant identity with other fungal, yeast, and plant β-fructofuranosidases, all members of family 32 of the glycosyl-hydrolases. We demonstrate that the
Xd-INV
could functionally complement the
suc2
mutation of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and, finally, a structural model of the new enzyme based on the homologous invertase from
Arabidopsis thaliana
has also been obtained.
From Local Surveys to Global Surveillance: Three High-Throughput Genotyping Methods for Epidemiological Monitoring of
Xanthomonas citri
pv. citri Pathotypes
Authors: Bui Thi Ngoc Lan , Vernière Christian , Jarne Philippe , Brisse Sylvain , Guérin Fabien , Boutry Sébastien , Gagnevin Lionel , Pruvost Olivier
Published: December 2008

Asiatic citrus canker is a major disease worldwide, and its causal agent,
Xanthomonas citri
pv. citri, is listed as a quarantine organism in many countries. Analysis of the molecular epidemiology of this bacterium is hindered by a lack of molecular typing techniques suitable for surveillance and outbreak investigation. We report a comparative evaluation of three typing techniques, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis, insertion sequence ligation-mediated PCR (IS-LM-PCR) typing, and multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA), with 234 strains originating from Asia, the likely center of origin of the pathogen, and reference strains of pathotypes A, A*, and A
w
, which differ in host range. The typing techniques were congruent in describing the diversity of this strain collection, suggesting that the evolution pattern of the bacterium may be clonal. Based on a hierarchical analysis of molecular variance, the AFLP method best described the genetic variation found among pathotypes whereas MLVA best described the variation found among individual strains from the same countries or groups of neighboring countries. IS-LM-PCR data suggested that the transposition of insertion sequences in the genome of
X. citri
pv. citri occurs rarely enough not to disturb the phylogenetic signal. This technique may be useful for the global surveillance of non-epidemiologically related strains. Although pathological characteristics of strains could be most often predicted from genotyping data, we report the occurrence in the Indian peninsula of strains genetically related to pathotype A* strains but with a host range similar to that of pathotype A, which makes the classification of this bacterium even more complicated.
Non-fibrous dust load and smoking in dental technicians: a study using bronchoalveolar lavage.
Authors: Bernstein M , Pairon J C , Morabia A , Gaudichet A , Janson X , Brochard P
Published: December 2008

A study was conducted with transmission electron microscopy to find whether bronchoalveolar lavage could be used to identify subjects with occupational exposure to mineral particles. Non-fibrous mineral particles in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from 46 dental technicians and 41 white collar controls with lung diseases but free from occupational exposure to dusts were analysed. The total particle concentration in BAL fluid was significantly higher in dental technicians than in controls (12.18 x 10(5) particles/ml of BAL fluid, v 2.03 x 10(5) particles/ml, p < 0.001). Dental technicians had significantly more crystalline silica, aluminium, and alloys containing nickel and chromium. There was a non-significant twofold increase of total particle concentration in the lungs of dental technicians who were smokers compared with non-smokers. The results strongly support the use of BAL fluid analysis to assess dust accumulation in workers in heavily exposed occupations such as dental technicians. This is a valid method to evaluate occupational exposure to non-fibrous mineral particles, and may be useful to determine the occupational aetiology of some respiratory diseases.
Exposure of workers to a mixture of toluene and xylenes. II. Effects.
Authors: Chen Z , Liu S J , Cai S X , Yao Y M , Yin H , Ukai H , Uchida Y , Nakatsuka H , Watanabe T , Ikeda M
Published: December 2008

The health effects of exposure to a mixture of toluene and xylene isomers was studied on the fourth or fifth days of a working week in factories in China. The study population comprised 233 subjects (122 men and 111 women), who were exposed to the time weighted geometric mean (maximum) concentrations of toluene (3 (203) ppm) and xylenes (4 (103) ppm). For comparison, 241 non-exposed controls (116 men and 125 women) were recruited from the same regions. The prevalence of some subjective symptoms significantly increased in the exposed population, and the symptom profiles were similar to those found after exposure to toluene or xylenes alone. Haematology and serum biochemistry did not show notable changes. It seems reasonable to conclude that the effects of the toxicities of toluene and xylenes in combination are additive.
Sensorineural objective tests in the assessment of hand-arm vibration syndrome.
Authors: McGeoch K L , Gilmour W H , Taylor W
Published: December 2008

Assessment (staging) of workers exposed to vibration, based solely on a subjective history, has been shown to be unsatisfactory. The internationally agreed use of a sensorineural component in the Stockholm classification requires the use of sensory objective tests. Four hundred and twenty two subjects were assessed by a subjective history supplemented by multiple objective tests. These tests covered the vascular, sensorineural, musculoskeletal and dexterity aspects of hand-arm vibration syndrome. Tests to help with the differential diagnosis were also performed. Sensorineural tests are reported as are the associations between the subject's final Stockholm sensorineural staging and the subject's aesthesiometry, temperature threshold results, and grip strength. Scoring systems for these tests were evolved. Data showed that multiple sensory tests increased the accuracy of staging. Aesthesiometry, the temperature neutral zone tests, and grip strength were appropriate for the assessment of the sensory component, especially in separating sensorineural stages 0 and 1 from sensorineural stages 2 and 3. This is an important separation for an occupational physician monitoring subjects exposed to vibration. Analyses of the sensory tests clearly indicated that they need to be done on all digits. In this survey the sensorineural damage was greatest in the forefinger (second) and the little (fifth) fingers. No association was found between smoking and the final staging, aesthesiometry, temperature neutral zone thresholds, or grip strength.
Effect of air humidification on the sick building syndrome and perceived indoor air quality in hospitals: a four month longitudinal study.
Authors: Nordström K , Norbäck D , Akselsson R
Published: December 2008

The sensation of dryness and irritation is essential in the sick building syndrome (SBS), and such symptoms are common in both office and hospital employees. In Scandinavia, the indoor relative humidity in well ventilated buildings is usually in the range 10-35% in winter. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of steam air humidification on SBS and perceived air quality during the heating season. The study base consisted of a dynamic population of 104 hospital employees, working in four new and well ventilated geriatric hospital units in southern Sweden. Air humidification raised the relative air humidity to 40-45% in two units during a four months period, whereas the other two units served as controls with relative humidity from 25-35%. Symptoms and perceived indoor air quality were measured before and after the study period by a standardised self administered questionnaire. The technical measurements comprised room temperature, air humidity, static electricity, exhaust air flow, aerosols, microorganisms, and volatile organic compounds in the air. The most pronounced effect of the humidification was a significant decrease of the sensation of air dryness, static electricity, and airway symptoms. After four months of air humidification during the heating season, 24% reported a weekly sensation of dryness in humidified units, compared with 73% in controls. No significant changes in symptoms of SBS or perceived air quality over time were found in the control group. The room temperature in all units was between 21-23 degrees C, and no significant effect of air humidification on the air concentration of aerosols or volatile organic compounds was found. No growth of microorganisms was found in the supply air ducts, and no legionella bacteria were found in the supply water of the humidifier. Air humidification, however, significantly reduced the measured personal exposure to static electricity. It is concluded that air humidification during the heating season in colder climates can decrease symptoms of SBS and perception of dry air.
Effect of bis (tributyl tin) oxide on permeability of the blood-brain barrier: a transient increase.
Authors: Hara K , Yoshizuka M , Doi Y , Fujimoto S
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVES--To study the effect of bis (tributyl tin) oxide (TBTO) on permeability of the blood-brain barrier. METHODS--Electron microscopy and an x ray microanalyser with lanthanum chloride as a tracer were used, and blood tin concentrations were determined with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Adult male wistar rats received 0.05 ml/kg body weight of TBTO orally. RESULTS--A transient increase in paracellular permeability at the blood-brain barrier was found 2 h after the dose of TBTO. Electron dense lanthanum deposits penetrated tight junctions of the endothelia and permeated the subendothelial space. The x ray microprobe data showed an accumulation of TBTO at the tight junctions at 2 h. Leakage of tracer did not occur at 4 h, but oedematous changes in the surrounding glial cells were prominent between 4 and 8 h and had almost returned to normal by 24 h. By atomic absorption analysis, it was seen that blood tin concentrations rapidly increased at 1 h and rose to a maximum peak at 8 h, then gradually decreased to reach zero at 24 h. CONCLUSIONS--Accumulated TBTO at tight junctions could have caused the temporary replacement of calcium ion by tin, which induces a transient increase in paracellular permeability throughout the blood-brain barrier.
Ocular and nasal irritation in operatives in Lancashire cotton and synthetic fibre mills.
Authors: Fishwick D , Fletcher A M , Pickering C A , Niven R M , Faragher E B
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVES--To document the prevalence of work related ocular (eyeWRI) and nasal (noseWRI) irritation in workers in spinning mills of cotton and synthetic textile fibres and to relate the prevalence of symptoms to atopy, byssinotic symptoms, work history, and measured dust concentrations in the personal breathing zone and work area. METHODS--A cross sectional study of 1048 cotton workers and 404 synthetic fibre workers was performed. A respiratory questionnaire was given to 1452 workers (95% of the total available population). Atopy was judged by skin prick tests to three common allergens. Work area cotton dust sampling (WAdust) was carried out according to EH25 guidelines in nine of the 11 spinning mills included in the study. Personal breathing zone dust concentrations were assessed with the IOM sampler to derive total dust exposure (PTdust) and a concentration calculated after the removal of fly (Pless). RESULTS--3.7% of all operatives complained of symptoms of byssinosis, 253 (17.5%) complained of eyeWRI and 165 (11%) of noseWRI. These symptoms did not relate to atopy or byssinosis, or correlate univariately with any measure of cotton dust exposure (noseWRI v WAdust r = 0.153, PTdust r = 0.118, eyeWRI v WAdust r = 0.029, PTdust r = 0.052). Both of these symptoms on logistic regression analysis were related to being of white origin (P < 0.001), female sex (P < 0.001), and younger age (P < 0.001). With regression analysis, there was a negative relation between dust concentration and prevalence of symptoms. CONCLUSION--Work related ocular and nasal irritation are the most common symptoms complained of by cotton textile workers. There was no relation between these symptoms and atopy, byssinosis, or dust concentration. It is likely that they relate to as yet unidentified agents unrelated to concentration of cotton dust.
Questionnaire for the identification of back pain for epidemiological purposes.
Authors: Agius R M , Lloyd M H , Campbell S , Hutchison P , Seaton A , Soutar C A
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVES--To design a questionnaire for the identification and assessment of severity of back pain for epidemiological purposes, and gain preliminary experience of its use. METHODS--A group of specialists, experienced in the epidemiology and clinical assessment of back pain, designed the questionnaire, and tested it individually. It was also given cross sectionally by interview to a population of male coal mine workers. RESULTS--The questionnaire comprised a maximum of 12 questions on the presence, radiation, frequency, and severity of back pain with reference to difficulty with specific activities, interference with normal work, and absence from work. 471 coal miners answered the questionnaire (66% of those invited). 56% (265 men) of the responders reported pain or ache in the back during the previous 12 months, and the incidence of first ever attacks during the same period was reported to be 34%. 69% reported having had back pain at some time. The responses to the questionnaire were partially validated by comparison with certified sickness absence for two days or more attributed to back pain. In men who were symptomatic in the previous 12 months, for the question relating to absence from work because of back pain, the sensitivity was 82% and specificity was 84%. CONCLUSION--The questionnaire is easy to administer and generates clear cut data that could be useful for epidemiological or screening purposes. Preliminary, limited, studies of its validity are reasonably encouraging, although further validation is required. It is hoped that researchers will find the questionnaire useful, will extend its validation, and continue to develop it.
Postural stability of workers exposed to lead.
Authors: Chia S E , Chua L H , Ng T P , Foo S C , Jeyaratnam J
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE--To detect, with a computerised postural sway measurement system, any significant deviation of postural sway parameters among lead workers compared with a control group. METHODS--Postural stability was investigated with a computerised postural sway measurement system in 60 workers exposed to lead with a duration of exposure of 84 (range 3-366) months and 60 controls. Sway parameter data were collected with an Advanced Mechanical Technology computerised biomechanics platform system. RESULTS--The mean current blood lead concentration was 36.0 (range 6.4 to 64.5) micrograms/dl for the exposed workers and 6.3 (range 3.1 to 10.9) micrograms/dl for the 14 controls. There was no significant difference between the groups for the postural sway parameters obtained when the eyes were open. Significant differences were found for Xs, Ys (SDs of the coordinates of the centre of pressure); Xm, Ym (mean deviation of the coordinates of the centre of pressure); Rm (average displacement of Xi, Yi, from Xo, Yo); L (length of sway path); Vel (mean velocity of the centre of pressure along its path); Ao (area included within the path of the centre of pressure); Ae (95% confidence elliptical area). The Romberg ratios (the relation between eyes closed and open) for the Vel, L, Ao and Ae of the exposed workers were also significantly different from the controls. CONCLUSION--The study showed that workers exposed to lead had significantly poorer postural stability than the controls. Lead may affect certain parts of the whole sensory neural axis resulting in postural instability when the visual input is cut off. Based on current blood lead concentrations, we were not able to obtain any significant association with the postural sway parameters.