bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional role of the linker region in purified human P‐glycoprotein
Authors: Sato Tomomi , Kodan Atsushi , Kimura Yasuhisa , Ueda Kazumitsu , Nakatsu Toru , Kato Hiroaki
Published: May 2009

Human P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), which conveys multidrug resistance, is an ATP‐dependent drug efflux pump that transports a wide variety of structurally unrelated compounds out of cells. P‐gp possesses a ‘linker region’ of ∼ 75 amino acids that connects two homologous halves, each of which contain a transmembrane domain followed by a nucleotide‐binding domain. To investigate the role of the linker region, purified human P‐gp was cleaved by proteases at the linker region and then compared with native P‐gp. Based on a verapamil‐stimulated ATP hydrolase assay, size‐exclusion chromatography analysis and a thermo‐stability assay, cleavage of the P‐gp linker did not directly affect the preservation of the overall structure or the catalytic process in ATP hydrolysis. However, linker cleavage increased the kcat values both with substrate (ksub) and without substrate (kbasal), but decreased the ksub/kbasal values of all 10 tested substrates. The former result indicates that cleaving the linker activates P‐gp, while the latter result suggests that the linker region maintains the tightness of coupling between the ATP hydrolase reaction and substrate recognition. Inspection of structures of the P‐gp homolog, MsbA, suggests that linker‐cleaved P‐gp has increased ATP hydrolase activity because the linker interferes with a conformational change that accompanies the ATP hydrolase reaction. Moreover, linker cleavage affected the specificity constants [ksub/Km(D)] for some substrates (i.e. linker cleavage probably shifts the substrate specificity profile of P‐gp). Thus, this result also suggests that the linker region regulates the inherent substrate specificity of P‐gp.
Ethylene Evolution Changes in Tilted Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. var. japonica Maxim. Seedlings in Relation to Tension Wood Formation
Authors: Jiang Sha , Xu Ke , Zhao Na , Zheng Shu‐Xin , Ren Yan‐Ping , Gao Yu‐Bao , Gu Song
Published: May 2009

The effects of ethylene on tension wood formation were studied in 3‐year‐old Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. var. japonica Maxim. seedlings in two separate experiments. In experiment 1, ethylene evolution of buds and stems was measured using gas chromatography after 0, 2, 4, 7, 14, and 21 d of treatment; in experiment 2, both aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and AgNO3 were applied to the horizontally‐placed stems, and the cell numbers on sites of applications were measured after 40 d. Ethylene evolution from buds was found to be much greater in tilted seedlings than in upright ones. The cell numbers of wood fibers in shoots and 1‐year‐old stems were reduced in treatments with 12.5 × 10−7μmol/L AVG, 12.5 × 10−8μmol/L AVG, and 11.8 × 10−8μmol/L AgNO3; whereas the horizontal and vertical diameters were reduced by treatment of 12.5 × 10−7μmol/L AVG. Ethylene evolutions of shoots and 1‐year‐old stems were inhibited greatly in comparison with the control by applying 12.5 × 10−7μmol/L AVG. The formation of a gelatinous layer of wood fibers was affected by neither AVG nor AgNO3 application. These results suggest that ethylene regulates the quantity of wood production, but does not affect G‐layer formation in F. mandshurica Rupr. var. japonica Maxim. seedlings.
Management of Braula orientalis Örösi (Diptera: Braulidae) in honeybee colonies with tobacco smoke under semiarid conditions
Authors: AL GHZAWI Abd Al‐Majeed , ZAITOUN Shahera , SHANNAG Hail
Published: May 2009

In the present study, bee colonies were smoked with tobacco smoke in order to evaluate the monthly changes in the numbers of worker bees, the infestation rates of worker bees and queens with bee lice, and the annual average honey production per colony. In July of each year, 12 colonies were smoked with tobacco smoke; the remaining hives not smoked with tobacco smoke served as the control. The results indicated that the applications of tobacco smoke during July gave rise to an impressive reduction in the Braula infestation rate on workers (below 1.8%) and reduced the amount of bee lice on the queen to zero throughout the 2–3 months following smoke treatment. In the colonies not treated with smoke, the Braula infestation rates on worker bees started to increase in May and continued to increase constantly during the rest of year, reaching maximum infestation rates of 28.2% and 33.8% in December, with an average of 15 and 17 lice per queen in November in the first and second years, respectively. Worker bee populations peaked in April and July of each year in both treatments. The average honey production per colony was significantly higher in the colonies treated with smoke than those that were not for the first and second years. In conclusion, early summer months may be the crucial time to smoke the colonies with tobacco smoke in order to keep bee lice at low levels for the remaining seasons.
An approach to the nonlinear dynamics of Russian wheat aphid population growth with the cusp catastrophe model
Authors: MA Z. S. , BECHINSKI Edward J.
Published: May 2009

Many insect field populations, especially aphids, often exhibit irregular and even catastrophic fluctuations. The objective of the present study is to explore whether or not the population intrinsic rates of growth (rm) obtained under laboratory conditions can shed some light on the irregular changes of insect field populations. We propose to use the catastrophe theory, one of the earliest nonlinear dynamics theories, to answer the question. To collect the necessary data, we conducted a laboratory experiment to investigate population growth of the Russian wheat aphid (RWA),Diuraphis noxia(Mordvilko), in growth chambers. The experiment was designed as the factorial combinations of five temperatures and five host plant‐growth stages (25 treatments in total): 1800 newly born RWA nymphs arranged in the 25 treatments (each treatment with 72 repetitions) were observed for their development, reproduction and survival through their entire lifetimes. After obtaining the population intrinsic rates of growth (rm) from the experimental data under various environmental conditions, we built a cusp catastrophe model for RWA population growth by utilizingrmas the system state variable, and temperature and host plant‐growth stage as control variables. The cusp catastrophe model suggests that RWA population growth isintrinsically catastrophic, and dramaticjumpsfrom one state to another might occur even if the temperature and plant‐growth stagechange smoothly. Other basic behaviors of the cusp catastrophe model, such ascatastrophic jumps,hystersisanddivergence, are also expected in RWA populations. These results suggest that the answer to the previously proposed question should be “yes”.
Palpoctenidia phoenicosoma (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), new to Korea
Authors: CHOI Sei‐Woong
Published: May 2009

A larentiine species, Palpoctenidia phoenicosoma (Swinhoe), is reported for the first time from Korea. One male and seven females of Palpoctenidia phoenicosoma were collected from an island in the southern sea of Jeonnam Province. Diagnosis of the species is provided, with brief descriptions of adults, including male and female genitalia.
Influence of weather on the moth catches of Helicoverpa armigera at various cotton‐based agro‐ecological sites
Authors: AHSAN Khan Muhammad , AKRAM Waseem , HAFEEZ Faisal
Published: May 2009

Pheromones are innate products, exploited for direct population manipulation in the trapping of precise pest density. They demonstrate feasibility and efficiency against Helicopverpa armigera at five different cotton‐based agro‐ecological sites: river site, vegetable farm, orchard, clean cultivation site, and forest. The data were recorded at 15–20 day intervals from 8 September 2004 to 1 December 2006. The Number of moths caught during the study period demonstrated that the vegetable farm showed the maximum population of moths per trap (0.54), followed by the orchard (0.29), forest (0.19), river (0.15), and clean cultivation site (0.12). During 2004, rainfall (in the orchard and clean cultivation site) and relative humidity (in the clean cultivation site) showed positive and significant correlation with the number of moths caught. During 2005, temperatures played a significant and positive role in population fluctuation of the pest almost at all the selected sites; the minimum temperature was recorded at the vegetable farm and the average temperature was found at the forest site. Rainfall also showed a significant and positive correlation with trapped moths in the vegetable farm, orchard, and clean cultivation site. During 2006, relative humidity showed a significant and negative correlation with the trapped population at all the sites except the river site. Rainfall showed a negative and significant correlation with the pest at the forest site. Relative humidity was the most important aspect at 8.93% causing variation in the trapped population followed by maximum temperature (5.7%), rainfall (1.63%), average temperature (0.74%), and minimum temperature (0.56%).
The Quantitative Analysis of Morphosyntactic Variation: Constructing and Quantifying the Denominator
Authors: Buchstaller Isabelle
Published: May 2009

At its inception, the sociolinguistic enterprise focused on research on phonological variability and only later broadened its remit to include ‘variability [that] occurs and can be dealt with at level of grammar above (and beyond) the phonological’ (Sankoff 1972:45). This extension, however, has not been without controversy and continues to fuel heated debates in the field. This article addresses some of the contentious issues that quantitative research on (morpho‐)syntactic variation has brought about. Can we operationalise variation in the field of morphosyntax as a sociolinguistic variable? If yes, how do we define such a variable? Is morphosyntax constrained in the same way as variation in the sound system? How do we quantify variability in the field of morphosyntax in an accountable manner? What do we quantify out of? I also introduce some of the methods used by researchers dealing with non‐phonological variation, focusing especially on the quantification of morphosyntactic and discourse variables.
Neuroimaging of Language: Why Hasn't a Clearer Picture Emerged?
Authors: Fedorenko Evelina , Kanwisher Nancy
Published: May 2009

Two broad questions have driven dozens of studies on the neural basis of language published in the last several decades: (i) Are distinct cortical regions engaged in different aspects of language? (ii) Are regions engaged in language processing specific to the domain of language? Neuroimaging has not yet provided clear answers to either question. In this paper, we discuss one factor that is a likely contributor to the unclear state of affairs in the neurocognition of language, and that, in our opinion, has not received sufficient attention in the recent literature. In particular, fMRI studies of language have relied, almost exclusively, on group analyses, in which data from multiple individuals are co‐registered to and analyzed in a common space. We argue that this approach can obscure functional specificity because of the anatomical variability across individual brains, and we advocate the use of an alternative approach – the functional localization approach – that circumvents this problem.
Predictors of Health Education and Nonmedication Treatment in Adult Outpatients With Diagnosed Cardiac Conditions
Authors: Metz Stacie M. , Raval Mihir
Published: May 2009

The premise of this study was to assess what factors predict the provision of health education and nonmedication treatment for adult cardiac outpatients. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out on 2005 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data to determine the odds of provision of health education or nonmedication treatment in respect to age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index, insurance type, smoking status, diabetes status, and receipt of medication in 278 cardiac patients aged 18 to 64 years who visited outpatient departments in 2005. Approximately 48% of cardiac outpatients were offered health education and 32% nonmedication therapy. Cardiac outpatients who were older, obese, and female were less likely to receive health education or nonmedication treatment during their visits. Eliminating such disparities to comprehensive cardiac outpatient care will elicit favorable outcomes to the patient and health care system.
Why bartering biodiversity fails
Authors: Walker Susan , Brower Ann L. , Stephens R.T. Theo , Lee William G.
Published: May 2009

Regulatory biodiversity trading (or biodiversity “offsets”) is increasingly promoted as a way to enable both conservation and development while achieving “no net loss” or even “net gain” in biodiversity, but to date has facilitated development while perpetuating biodiversity loss. Ecologists seeking improved biodiversity outcomes are developing better assessment tools and recommending more rigorous restrictions and enforcement. We explain why such recommendations overlook and cannot correct key causes of failure to protect biodiversity. Viable trading requires simple, measurable, and interchangeable commodities, but the currencies, restrictions, and oversight needed to protect complex, difficult‐to‐measure, and noninterchangeable resources like biodiversity are costly and intractable. These safeguards compromise trading viability and benefit neither traders nor regulatory officials. Political theory predicts that (1) biodiversity protection interests will fail to counter motivations for officials to resist and relax safeguards to facilitate exchanges and resource development at cost to biodiversity, and (2) trading is more vulnerable than pure administrative mechanisms to institutional dynamics that undermine environmental protection. Delivery of no net loss or net gain through biodiversity trading is thus administratively improbable and technically unrealistic. Their proliferation without credible solutions suggests biodiversity offset programs are successful “symbolic policies,” potentially obscuring biodiversity loss and dissipating impetus for action.
Marine protected areas, spatial scales, and governance: implications for the conservation of breeding seabirds
Authors: Yorio Pablo
Published: May 2009

As in many regions worldwide, seabird colonies in Argentina are important conservation targets of marine protected areas (MPAs). Seabirds are wide ranging, often crossing jurisdictional boundaries during foraging. Using a recently designated MPA as a case study, this article discusses the challenges of protecting breeding seabirds given their spatial requirements and use of different jurisdictions. Seabirds breeding at the MPA have distinct foraging strategies. Rock Shags and Olrog's Gulls forage inshore within the MPA. Imperial Cormorants, Magellanic Penguins, and Southern Giant Petrels, in contrast, often feed beyond the MPA's jurisdiction, traveling into provincial, federal, or international waters where they can be affected by fisheries and oil development. This indicates the need of management actions beyond MPA boundaries. The large scale and connectivity of marine ecosystems and the variety of economic pressures require the participation of stakeholders and several government agencies in conservation issues, and thus integrated coastal management and marine spatial planning appear as options to complement the use of MPAs. Although MPAs are a valuable tool to conserve breeding seabirds, increased efforts are needed to design new governance structures and complementary strategies for spatial protection so as to deal with the biological, social, and political complexities of marine systems.
The use of etanercept as a non‐surgical treatment for temporomandibular joint psoriatric arthritis: a case report
Authors: Lamazza L , Guerra F , Pezza M , Messina AM , Galluccio A , Spink M , De Biase A
Published: May 2009

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin and joints characterized by extensive intra‐articular bone resorption and silver‐red scaly plaques most commonly found on extensor surfaces of the skin. When this arthritis affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and does not successfully halt in its early degenerative process, patients may undergo invasive joint reconstruction that irreversibly changes the TMJ physiologic joint dynamics. This study presents a case of TMJ PsA: anterior open bite, limited range of motion, and erythematous desquamative plaques of the upper limb extensors surfaces. The patient previously received non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressors, and corticosteroids over a four‐year period while suffering the idiosyncratic drug side effects from long‐term therapy without improvement in joint function or rash resolution. The treatment team then chose etanercept, a synthetic fusion protein therapy that binds with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐alpha, to interrupt reactive inflammatory arthritis. The patient received the TNF‐alpha inhibitor monthly for two years. This last treatment led to full remission of both joint symptomatology and skin lesions. Our results should encourage general dental practitioners’ involvement in curing patients with psoriatic arthritis when it affects the TMJ.
Public Health Warnings And Mouthwashes: Authors’ Reply
Authors: McCULLOUGH MICHAEL J. , FARAH CAMILE S.
Published: May 2009

Editor’s comment: I thank all of those who have taken the time to comment on the “alcohol in mouthwashes” issue. This topic has been given ample exposure and it is now time to close this debate. No further correspondence is to be published on this particular topic.

 

Mark Bartold
The SOS Response Controls Integron Recombination
Authors: Guerin Émilie , Cambray Guillaume , Sanchez-Alberola Neus , Campoy Susana , Erill Ivan , Da Re Sandra , Gonzalez-Zorn Bruno , Barbé Jordi , Ploy Marie-Cécile , Mazel Didier
Published: May 2009

Bacteria can mobilize antibiotic resistance under stressful conditions.
The Rubber Juggernaut
Authors: Ziegler Alan D. , Fox Jefferson M. , Xu Jianchu
Published: May 2009

The demise of swidden cultivation in Southeast Asia may have devastating environmental consequences.
Mars Rover Trapped in Sand, But What Can End a Mission?
Authors: Kerr Richard A.
Published: May 2009

The crisis with the Spirit rover, which has become mired in a dry martian version of quicksand, raises a perennial question: When, if ever, should a NASA mission in its declining years be put out of its misery?
Mycotic Aortic Aneurysm Associated with
Legionella anisa
Authors: Tanabe Masaki , Nakajima Hiroshi , Nakamura Akiko , Ito Takayasu , Nakamura Mashio , Shimono Takatsugu , Wada Hideo , Shimpo Hideto , Nobori Tsutomu , Ito Masaaki
Published: May 2009

Legionella anisa
is rarely associated with human disease. Its gene was identified by broad-range PCR in whole blood and excised tissue from a patient with a culture-negative mycotic aneurysm and was considered as a possible pathogen. This case report is potentially useful for the future diagnosis of intravascular infection.
Differential Effects on Cell Fusion Activity of Mutations in Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Glycoprotein B (gB) Dependent on Whether a gD Receptor or a gB Receptor Is Overexpressed
Authors: Fan Qing , Lin Erick , Satoh Takeshi , Arase Hisashi , Spear Patricia G.
Published: May 2009

Glycoprotein B (gB) of herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of four glycoproteins essential for viral entry and cell fusion. Recently, paired immunoglobulin-like type 2 receptor (PILRα) was identified as a receptor for HSV type 1 (HSV-1) gB. Both PILRα and a gD receptor were shown to participate in HSV-1 entry into certain cell types. The purpose of this study was to determine whether insertional mutations in gB had differential effects on its function with PILRα and the gD receptor, nectin-1. Previously described gB mutants and additional newly characterized mutants were used in this study. We found that insertional mutations near the N terminus and C terminus of gB and especially in the central region of the ectodomain reduced cell fusion activity when PILRα was overexpressed much more than when nectin-1 was overexpressed. Most of the insertions reduced the binding of gB to PILRα, for at least some forms of gB, but this reduction did not necessarily correlate with the selective reduction in cell fusion activity with PILRα. These results suggest that the regions targeted by the relevant mutations are critical for functional activity with PILRα. They also suggest that, although both the binding of gB to a gB receptor and the binding of gD to a gD receptor may be required for HSV-induced cell fusion, the two receptor-binding activities may have unequal weights in triggering fusogenic activity, depending on the ratios of gB and gD receptors or other factors.
Characterization of the Behavior of Functional Viral Genomes during the Early Steps of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection
Authors: Arfi Vanessa , Lienard Julia , Nguyen Xuan-Nhi , Berger Gregory , Rigal Dominique , Darlix Jean-Luc , Cimarelli Andrea
Published: May 2009

Infectious viral DNA constitutes only a small fraction of the total viral DNA produced during retroviral infection, and as such its exact behavior is largely unknown. In the present study, we characterized in detail functional viral DNA produced during the early steps of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection by analyzing systematically their kinetics of synthesis and integration in different target cells. In addition, we have compared the functional stability of viral nucleoprotein complexes arrested at their pre-reverse transcription state, and we have attempted to measure the kinetics of loss of capsid proteins from viral complexes through the susceptibility of the early phases of infection to cyclosporine, a known inhibitor of the interaction between viral capsid and cyclophilin A. Overall, our data suggest a model in which loss of capsid proteins from viral complexes and reverse transcription occur concomitantly and in which the susceptibility of target cells to infection results from a competition between the ability of the cellular environment to quickly destabilize viral nucleoprotein complexes and the capability of the virus to escape such targeting by engaging the reverse transcription reaction.
Analysis of the Association of the Human Cytomegalovirus DNA Polymerase Subunit UL44 with the Viral DNA Replication Factor UL84
Authors: Strang Blair L. , Sinigalia Elisa , Silva Laurie A. , Coen Donald M. , Loregian Arianna
Published: May 2009

The central enzyme responsible for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA synthesis is a virally encoded DNA polymerase that includes a catalytic subunit, UL54, and a homodimeric accessory subunit, UL44, the presumptive HCMV DNA polymerase processivity factor. The structure of UL44 is similar to that of the eukaryotic processivity factor proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), which interacts with numerous other proteins required for faithful DNA replication. We sought to determine whether, like PCNA, UL44 is capable of interacting with multiple DNA replication proteins and, if so, whether these proteins bind UL44 at the site corresponding to where multiple proteins bind to PCNA. Initially, several proteins, including the viral DNA replication factors UL84 and UL57, were identified by mass spectrometry in immunoprecipitates of UL44 from infected cell lysate. The association of UL44/UL84, but not UL44/UL57, was confirmed by reciprocal coimmunoprecipitation of these proteins from infected cell lysates and was resistant to nuclease treatment. Yeast two-hybrid analyses demonstrated that the substitution of residues in UL44 that prevent UL44 homodimerization or abrogate the binding of UL54 to UL44 do not abrogate the UL44/UL84 interaction. Reciprocal glutathione-
S
-transferase (GST) pulldown experiments using bacterially expressed UL44 and UL84 confirmed these results and, further, demonstrated that a UL54-derived peptide that competes with UL54 for UL44 binding does not prevent the association of UL84 with UL44. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that UL44 and UL84 interact directly using a region of UL44 different from the UL54 binding site. Thus, UL44 can bind interacting replication proteins using a mechanism different from that of PCNA.
Association of Increased Pathogenicity of Asian H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses in Chickens with Highly Efficient Viral Replication Accompanied by Early Destruction of Innate Immune Responses
Authors: Suzuki Koutaro , Okada Hironao , Itoh Toshihiro , Tada Tatsuya , Mase Masaji , Nakamura Kikuyasu , Kubo Masanori , Tsukamoto Kenji
Published: May 2009

The Asian H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses have been increasing in pathogenicity in diverse avian species since 1996 and are now widespread in Asian, European, and African countries. To better understand the basis of the increased pathogenicity of recent Asian H5N1 HPAI viruses in chickens, we compared the fevers and mean death times (MDTs) of chickens infected with the Asian H5N1 A/chicken/Yamaguchi/7/04 (CkYM7) strain with those infected with the H5N1 Duck/Yokohama/aq10/03 (DkYK10) strain, using a wireless thermosensor. Asian H5N1 CkYM7 caused peracute death in chickens before fever could be induced, whereas DkYK10 virus induced high fevers and had a long MDT. Real-time PCR analyses of cytokine mRNA expressions showed that CkYM7 quickly induced antiviral and proinflammatory cytokine mRNA expressions at 24 h postinfection (hpi) that suddenly decreased at 32 hpi. In contrast, these cytokine mRNA expressions increased at 24 hpi in the DkYK10 group, but decreased from 48 hpi onward to levels similar to those resulting from infection with the low-pathogenicity H5N2 A/chicken/Ibaraki/1/2004 strain. Sequential titrations of viruses in lungs, spleens, and kidneys demonstrated that CkYM7 replicated rapidly and efficiently in infected chickens and that the viral titers were more than twofold higher than those of DkYK10. CkYM7 preferentially and efficiently replicated in macrophages and vascular endothelial cells, while DkYK10 grew moderately in macrophages. These results indicate that the increased pathogenicity in chickens of the recent Asian H5N1 HPAI viruses may be associated with extremely rapid and high replication of the virus in macrophages and vascular endothelial cells, which resulted in disruption of the thermoregulation system and innate immune responses.
Autographa californica
Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus
me53
(
ac140
) Is a Nonessential Gene Required for Efficient Budded-Virus Production
Authors: de Jong Jondavid , Arif Basil M. , Theilmann David A. , Krell Peter J.
Published: May 2009

me53
is a highly conserved baculovirus gene found in all lepidopteran baculoviruses that have been fully sequenced to date. The putative ME53 protein contains a zinc finger domain and has been previously described as a major early transcript. We generated an
me53
-null bacmid (AcΔme53GFP), as well as a repair virus (AcRepME53:HA-GFP) carrying
me53
with a C-terminal hemagglutinin (HA) tag, under the control of its native early and late promoter elements. Sf9 and BTI-Tn-
5b1
cells transfected with AcΔme53GFP resulted in a 3-log reduction in budded-virus (BV) production compared to both the parental
Autographa californica
multiple nucleopolyhedrosis virus and the repair bacmids, demonstrating that although
me53
is not essential for replication, replication is compromised in its absence. Our data also suggest that
me53
does not affect DNA replication. Cell fractionation showed that ME53 is found in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm as early as 6 h postinfection. Deletion of the early transcriptional start site resulted in a 10- to 360-fold reduction of BV yield; however, deletion of the late promoter (ATAAG) resulted in a 160- to 1,000-fold reduction, suggesting that, in the context of BV production, ME53 is required both early and late in the infection cycle. Additional Western blot analysis of purified virions from the repair virus revealed that ME53:HA is associated with both BV and occlusion-derived virions. Together, these results indicate that
me53
, although not essential for viral replication, is required for efficient BV production.
Analysis of Modified Human Papillomavirus Type 16 L1 Capsomeres: the Ability To Assemble into Larger Particles Correlates with Higher Immunogenicity
Authors: Schädlich Lysann , Senger Tilo , Gerlach Britta , Mücke Norbert , Klein Corinna , Bravo Ignacio G. , Müller Martin , Gissmann Lutz
Published: May 2009

L1 capsomeres purified fromEscherichia colirepresent an economic alternative to the recently launched virus-like particle (VLP)-based prophylactic vaccines against infection with human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 (HPV-16 and HPV-18), which are causative agents of cervical cancer. It was recently reported that capsomeres are much less immunogenic than VLPs. Numerous modifications of the L1 protein leading to the formation of capsomeres but preventing capsid assembly have been described, such as the replacement of the cysteine residues that form capsid-stabilizing disulfide bonds or the deletion of helix 4. So far, the influence of these modifications on immunogenicity has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we describe the purification of eight different HPV-16 L1 proteins as capsomeres fromEscherichia coli. We compared them for yield, structure, and immunogenicity in mice. All L1 proteins formed almost identical pentameric structures yet differed strongly in their immunogenicity, especially regarding the humoral immune responses. Immunization of TLR4−/−mice and DNA immunization by the same constructs confirmed that immunogenicity was independent of different degrees of contamination with copurifying immune-stimulatory molecules fromE. coli. We hypothesize that immunogenicity correlates with the intrinsic ability of the capsomeres to assemble into larger particles, as only assembly-competent L1 proteins induced high antibody responses. One of the proteins (L1ΔN10) proved to be the most immunogenic, inducing antibody titers equivalent to those generated in response to VLPs. However, preassembly prior to injection did not increase immunogenicity. Our data suggest that certain L1 constructs can be used to produce highly immunogenic capsomeres in bacteria as economic alternatives to VLP-based formulations.
Public-Private Partnerships: Goods and the Structure of Contracts
Authors: Rausser Gordon , Stevens Reid
Published: May 2009

This paper presents a framework for analyzing the structure of contracts for public-private partnerships (PPP) that produce products and services that generally include mixtures of both public and private goods. A three-stage framework, sourced with the incomplete contracting and control rights literature, is advanced to evaluate the successes and failures of a variety of PPP in the natural resources. These case studies provide unique insights into the contract structures that are typically designed for the management and provision of impure public goods. We demonstrate the desired contract structure of a PPP depends on the type of good or service produced, and it is this pivotal point that generally results in shared authority in the extraction or production and consumptive distribution of natural resources.
Inflammatory ascites formation induced by macromolecules in mice and rats
Authors: Baintner Károly
Published: May 2009

Different macromolecules were administered intraperitoneally to stimulate formation of protein-rich ascitic fluid in rodents. Stimulatory effect of plant lectins depended on the attachment to cell surface carbohydrates, Canavalia ensiformis (ConA) lectin was used in the majority of experiments. The time course of ConA-induced ascites was divided into an early (up to 4 h) and a late (from 6 h on) phase, with a transitional period between the two. Water and protein accumulation showed parallel time courses: volume of the ascitic fluid peaked at around 3 h, and fibrin threads appeared after 6 h. Viscosity of the ascitic fluid and its supernatant increased with time, reaching maximal fibrinogen concentration at around 16 h. Peritoneal permeability, followed by pleural and pericardial effusions, was elicited only by lectins that form soluble complexes with serum glycoproteins, whereas the effect of serum-precipitating lectins was restricted to the peritoneum. Macromolecules with serial positive charges (e.g., polylysine or polyethyleneimine) enhanced peritoneal permeability by ionic interactions with cell surface molecules. Viscosity of the polycation-induced ascitic fluid did not tend to increase with time and corresponded to the early phase of the ConA-induced ascites. Polyglutamate, a polyanionic macromolecule, inhibited the effect of polycations, but not that of ConA. The most efficient stimulatory macromolecules appear to induce ascites by noncovalent cross-linking of cell surface glycoproteins or glycosaminoglycans or both. A similar mechanism may operate in the maintenance of basal secretion to prevent eventual desiccation. Noncovalent cross-linking appears to be a common denominator of both basal and enhanced permeability.
Potassium restriction, high protein intake, and metabolic acidosis increase expression of the glutamine transporter SNAT3 (Slc38a3) in mouse kidney
Authors: Busque Stephanie M. , Wagner Carsten A.
Published: May 2009

Kidneys produce ammonium to buffer and excrete acids through metabolism of glutamine. Expression of the glutamine transporter Slc38a3 (SNAT3) increases in kidney during metabolic acidosis (MA), suggesting a role during ammoniagenesis. Potassium depletion and high dietary protein intake are known to elevate renal ammonium excretion. In this study, we examined SNAT3, phosphate-dependent glutaminase (PDG), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) regulation during a control (0.36%) or low-K+ (0.02%) diet for 7 or 14 days or a control (20%) or high-protein (50%) diet for 7 days. MA was induced in control and low-K+ groups by addition of NH4Cl. Urinary ammonium excretion increased during MA, after 14-day K+ restriction alone, and during high protein intake. SNAT3, PDG, and PEPCK mRNA abundance were elevated during MA and after 14-day K+ restriction but not during high protein intake. SNAT3 protein abundance was enhanced during MA (both control and low K+), after 14-day low-K+ treatment alone, and during high protein intake. Seven-day dietary K+ depletion alone had no effect. Immunohistochemistry showed SNAT3 staining in earlier parts of the proximal tubule during 14-day K+ restriction with and without NH4Cl treatment and during high protein intake. In summary, SNAT3, PDG, and PEPCK mRNA expression were congruent with urinary ammonium excretion during MA. Chronic dietary K+ restriction, high protein intake, and MA enhance ammoniagenesis, an effect that may involve enhanced SNAT3 mRNA and protein expression. Our data suggest that SNAT3 plays an important role as the glutamine uptake mechanism in ammoniagenesis under these conditions.
PP2B-dependent NO production in the medullary thick ascending limb during diabetes
Authors: Foster Jan M. , Carmines Pamela K. , Pollock Jennifer S.
Published: May 2009

Calcineurin (PP2B) has recently been shown to be upregulated in the medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL) during diabetes. The mTAL expresses all three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which are subject to phosphoregulation and represent substrates for PP2B. Therefore, we hypothesized that diabetes induces PP2B-dependent upregulation of NOS activity and NO production in the mTAL. Three weeks after injection of streptozotocin (STZ rats) or vehicle (sham rats), mTAL suspensions were prepared for use in functional and biochemical assays. PP2B activity and expression were increased in mTALs from STZ rats compared with sham. Nitrite production was significantly reduced in mTALs from STZ rats compared with sham. However, incubation with the free radical scavenger, tempol, unmasked a significant increase in nitrite production by mTALs from STZ rats. Inhibition of PP2B attenuated the increase in nitrite production and NOS activity evident in mTALs from STZ rats. Analysis of specific NOS isoform activity revealed increased NOS1 and NOS2 activities in mTALs from STZ rats. All three NOS isoform activities were regulated in a PP2B-dependent manner. Western blot analysis detected no differences in NOS isoform expression, although phosphorylation of pThr495-NOS3 was significantly reduced in mTALs from STZ rats. Phosphorylation of pSer852-NOS1, pSer633-NOS3, and pSer1177-NOS3 was similar in mTALs from STZ and sham rats. Inhibition of PP2B did not alter the phosphorylation of NOS1 or NOS3 at known sites. In conclusion, while NO bioavailability in mTALs is reduced during diabetes, free radical scavenging with tempol unmasks increased NO production that involves PP2B-dependent activation of NOS1 and NOS2.
Vastus lateralis single motor unit EMG at the same absolute torque production at different knee angles
Authors: Altenburg T. M. , de Haan A. , Verdijk P. W. L. , van Mechelen W. , de Ruiter C. J.
Published: May 2009

Single motor unit electromyographic (EMG) activity of the knee extensors was investigated at different knee angles with subjects ( n = 10) exerting the same absolute submaximal isometric torque at each angle. Measurements were made over a 20° range around the optimum angle for torque production (AngleTmax) and, where feasible, over a wider range (50°). Forty-six vastus lateralis (VL) motor units were recorded at 20.7 ± 17.9 %maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC) together with the rectified surface EMG (rsEMG) of the superficial VL muscle. Due to the lower maximal torque capacity at positions more flexed and extended than AngleTmax, single motor unit recruitment thresholds were expected to decrease and discharge rates were expected to increase at angles above and below AngleTmax. Unexpectedly, the recruitment threshold was higher ( P < 0.05) at knee angles 10° more extended (43.7 ± 22.2 N·m) and not different ( P > 0.05) at knee angles 10° more flexed (35.2 ± 17.9 N·m) compared with recruitment threshold at AngleTmax (41.8 ± 21.4 N·m). Also, unexpectedly the discharge rates were similar ( P > 0.05) at the three angles: 11.6 ± 2.2, 11.6 ± 2.1, and 12.3 ± 2.1 Hz. Similar angle independent discharge rates were also found for 12 units ( n = 5; 7.4 ± 5.4 %MVC) studied over the wider (50°) range, while recruitment threshold only decreased at more flexed angles. In conclusion, the similar recruitment threshold and discharge behavior of VL motor units during submaximal isometric torque production suggests that net motor unit activation did not change very much along the ascending limb of the knee-angle torque relationship. Several factors such as length-dependent twitch potentiation, which may contribute to this unexpected aspect of motor control, are discussed.
Postnatal Development of Dendritic Synaptic Integration in Rat Neocortical Pyramidal Neurons
Authors: Atkinson Susan E. , Williams Stephen R.
Published: May 2009

The dendritic tree of layer 5 (L5) pyramidal neurons spans the neocortical layers, allowing the integration of intra- and extracortical synaptic inputs. Here we investigate the postnatal development of the integrative properties of rat L5 pyramidal neurons using simultaneous whole cell recording from the soma and distal apical dendrite. In young (P9-10) neurons, apical dendritic excitatory synaptic input powerfully drove action potential output by efficiently summating at the axonal site of action potential generation. In contrast, in mature (P25-29) neurons, apical dendritic excitatory input provided little direct depolarization at the site of action potential generation but was integrated locally in the apical dendritic tree leading to the generation of dendritic spikes. Consequently, over the first postnatal month the fraction of action potentials driven by apical dendritic spikes increased dramatically. This developmental remodeling of the integrative operations of L5 pyramidal neurons was controlled by a >10-fold increase in the density of apical dendritic Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide (HCN)-gated channels found in cell-attached patches or by immunostaining for the HCN channel isoform HCN1. Thus an age-dependent increase in apical dendritic HCN channel density ensures that L5 pyramidal neurons develop from compact temporal integrators to compartmentalized integrators of basal and apical dendritic synaptic input.
The Role of the Teacher in Identifying Learning Disabilities
Authors: Souroulla Andry Vrachimi , Panayiotou Georgia , Kokkinos Constantinos M.
Published: May 2009

The purpose of the study was to examine whether the Greek translation of the Learning Disability Evaluation Scale (LDES) can be used in the identification of learning disabilities. The LDES was completed by 165 teachers for one of their students, aged 5 to 14 years. The LDES was significantly correlated to students’ grades in Math and Greek Language and to the Reading Ability Test. Scores on LDES from the above randomly selected sample were significantly different from scores on LDES for another sample of 47 students, who were manifesting learning disabilities, indicating that the LDES can distinguish between the two samples. The exploratory factor analysis revealed that the LDES maintains the original factor structure and the reliability values supported its internal consistency. Results and limitations are discussed.
Linkage Driven Dobby with Dwell
Authors: Guha Anirban , Amarnath C. , Kurien Issac K. , Talukdar M.K. , Joshi Shrinivas
Published: May 2009

The dwell zones of a shedding cam allow lower strain on the warp sheet compared to linkage driven dobbies for the same warp interference factor. Cam driven dobbies can be designed with dwell zones but they give higher jerk compared to linkage driven dobbies. This work explores the use of six-bar linkages for driving dobbies which will allow the healds to be in near-dwell condition during picking. The healds must be level at the same position in each loom cycle. This requires a mechanism with two nearly equal and symmetrical dwell zones in a crank cycle. The challenges in designing such a mechanism have been outlined in this paper and two possible solutions have been suggested.
Cotton Cellulose 1, 2, 3, 4 Buthanetetracarboxylic Acid (BTCA) Crosslinking Monitored by some Physical—chemical Methods
Authors: Šauperl Olivera , Stana-Kleinschek Karin , Ribitsch Volker
Published: May 2009

In this research, the influence of the alkaline modification of cotton cellulose on the crosslinking with 1, 2, 3, 4 buthanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) is investigated. In order to anticipate changes after alkaline modification the crystallinity change was evaluated using wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), iodine adsorption measurements, and the Knecht method. Tensiometry, the methylene blue method, and the streaming potential method enable hydrophilic/hydrophobic character estimation, carboxyl group content determination, evaluation of dissociation/sorption fiber characteristics, as well as electrokinetic properties characterization. All these parameters define the changes at the accessible polymer surfaces and therefore reflect the relationship between the changed crystallinity and the incorporation of the BTCA molecules into accessible regions of cotton cellulose. It has been concluded that the crystallinity degree characterizes crosslinking effectiveness of cotton cellulose crosslinked with BTCA. Mercerized materials show after crosslinking higher contact angles and retain a higher number of carboxyl groups. Electrokinetic properties are in correlation with carboxyl group amount. It has been confirmed that the physical—chemical methods which were used in this research are suitable methods for the crosslinking efficiency evaluation.
Brilliant Whiteness Surfaces from Electrospun Nanofiber Webs
Authors: Yip Joanne , Ng Sun-Pui , Wong K-H.
Published: May 2009

Inspired by the brilliant whiteness of Cyphochilus beetles found in Southeast Asia, we produced an electrospun nanofiber web with a very high CIE whiteness index, thus providing an extremely effective and efficient light shielding layer for textile and industrial applications. Polyurethane, polymethyl methacrylate and poly(ethylene terephthalate) electrospun nanofiber webs were prepared on a polyurethane foam surface of about 30 × 30 cm 2. Processing parameters, such as the type of solvent used, polymer concentration and collection geometry were carefully selected and studied in order to produce an interconnecting network of fibers around 250 nm in diameter. The whiteness index of the electrospun samples was measured by a spectrophotometer. The polyurethane nanofiber web showed a very high CIE whiteness index exceeding 85. Excellent anti-yellowing effects of electrospun nanofiber webs on polyurethane foam were also illustrated via phenolic yellowing and UV light resistance tests.
The Impact of Customer-to-Customer Interaction on Cruise Experience and Vacation Satisfaction
Authors: Huang Jue , Hsu Cathy H. C.
Published: May 2009

While the role of customer-to-customer (C2C) interaction in shaping service experience has been recognized in the services marketing literature, empirical examination of this issue is limited. Similarly, investigation of tourists’ social contacts has mainly focused on the tourist—local community and tourist—service personnel dyads, while much less is known about tourist-to-tourist interactions. To fill this knowledge gap, this study has examined interaction between tourists on cruise vacations and its impact on the cruise experience and vacation satisfaction. An online survey is conducted with an American online panel ( n = 613). The findings reveal that the quality of C2C interaction has positive direct impacts on the cruise experience as well as indirect effects on vacation satisfaction, mediated by cruise experience. Moreover, the quality of C2C interaction has suppressor effects on the quantity of C2C interaction. The results call for the incorporation of C2C interaction as one component of the relationship marketing theory.
Measuring the Effectiveness of Destination Marketing Campaigns: Comparative Analysis of Conversion Studies
Authors: Pratt Stephen , McCabe Scott , Cortes-Jimenez Isabel , Blake Adam
Published: May 2009

This article presents findings of a comparative study of destination marketing evaluation research in the United Kingdom to identify success factors, highlight best practices, and draw attention to determinants of poor performance in destination marketing campaign activities. Increasing levels of competition between tourism destinations has led to increased pressure on destination marketing organizations (DMOs) to maximize the effectiveness of their marketing spend. Therefore, the evaluation of tourism marketing campaigns reveals not only if the campaign has been successful in terms of attracting visitors but also if the expectations in terms of expenditure impact and return on investment are achieved. This study investigates the success of 18 campaigns directed to potential domestic visitors, using the conversion study technique to evaluate expenditure impact and return on investment. This article contributes to marketing practice through increased understanding of the key components that lead to a high return on investment and higher impact.
Market data and business information
Authors: Ainsworth Martin
Published: May 2009

Market Data and Business information have traditionally been two disciplines that have been very separate with no overlap. However, changes in content and delivery now mean that the two professions are much closer than previously and many of the issues and content sets are now common to both. Looking at some of the issues involved we can see how each side can benefit from the experience of the other.
BL BIPC column
Authors: O'Reilly Peter
Published: May 2009

News from the National: in this article, Peter O'Reilly looks at the use of information by small and medium-sized enterprises, and how information professionals can guide the entrepreneurs who run them to critical published information not freely available on the web.