bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age of the incubating parents affects nestling survival: an experimental study of the herring gull Larus argentatus
Authors: Bogdanova Maria I. , Nager Ruedi G. , Monaghan Pat
Published: December 2006

The quality of conditions provided by avian parents will have consequences for both parental and offspring fitness. While many components of avian reproduction appear to vary with parental age, the effect of age on incubation has largely been ignored so far. In this study, we tested whether young herring gulls provide a different incubation environment from mature ones and whether this has consequences for offspring performance. Laying and rearing conditions were standardised using a cross‐fostering protocol. Egg predation rates tended to be higher in the nests of young parents. However, nest site, nest construction and egg temperature during incubation did not vary with parental age. Overall, the duration of incubation was shorter in young compared to mature birds and this reflected the later laying date of the former, since incubation duration generally decreased across the season. However, male eggs incubated by young parents had longer incubation periods than predicted for their laying dates. In contrast, incubation length of female eggs incubated by young pairs, and of male and female eggs incubated by mature birds did not deviate from the expected for any given laying date. Offspring that had been incubated by young parents had considerably poorer survival than those incubated by mature pairs, despite being reared under standardized, favourable conditions (singly, by mature parents). This was due to increased mortality among female chicks that had been incubated by young parents. The chicks incubated as eggs by young and mature birds, which survived until fledging, did not differ in body mass and size growth, or body condition. The results of this study demonstrate that parental age can influence offspring performance via variation in incubation environment, and that females are more susceptible than males to conditions experienced during embryonic development.
Experimental addition of greenery reduces flea loads in nests of a non‐greenery using species, the tree swallowTachycineta bicolor
Authors: Shutler Dave , Campbell Adam A.
Published: December 2006

Several bird species, including cavity‐nesters such as European starlingsSturnus vulgaris, add to their nests green sprigs of plants such as yarrowAchillea millefoliumthat are rich in volatile compounds. In this field study on another cavity‐nester, tree swallowsTachycineta bicolor, we tested whether yarrow reduced ectoparasite loads (the nest protection hypothesis), stimulated nestling immune systems (the drug hypothesis), or had other consequences for nestling growth or parental reproductive success (predicted by both preceding hypotheses). Tree swallows do not naturally add greenery to their nests, and thus offer several advantages in testing for effects of greenery independent of other potentially confounding explanations for the behaviour. We placed fresh yarrow in 23 swallow nests on the day the first egg was laid, replenishing every two days until clutch completion (=three times), and at 44 control nests, nesting material was simply touched. At 12 days of age, we measured nestling body size and mass, and took blood smears to do differential white blood cell counts. We subsequently determined the number and proportion of young fledging from nests and the number of fleas remaining after fledging. Higher humidity was associated with higher flea numbers whereas number of feathers in the nest was not. Our most significant finding was that an average of 773 fleasCeratophyllus idiuswas found in control nests, versus 419 in yarrow nests. Possibly, parents compensate for blood that nestlings lose to ectoparasites by increasing food delivery, because we detected no differences between treatments in nestling mass, nestling leukocyte profiles, or proportion of young fledging, or relative to flea numbers. Our results provide no support for the drug hypothesis and strong support for the nest protection hypothesis.
Evaluation of Dried Whole Blood Spots Obtained by Heel or Finger Stick as an Alternative to Venous Blood for Diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection in Vertically Exposed Infants in the Routine Diagnostic Laboratory
Authors: Patton Janet C. , Akkers Eveline , Coovadia Ashraf H. , Meyers Tammy M. , Stevens Wendy S. , Sherman Gayle G.
Published: December 2006

The diagnostic accuracy of the Roche Amplicor human immunodeficiency virus type 1 DNA PCR assay (version 1.5) on DNA extracted from pediatric heel prick dried blood spots using Roche MagNA Pure nucleic acid purification technology was evaluated. The methodologies transfer successfully from the labor-intensive research laboratory to the high-throughput automated routine laboratory.
Production and Characterization of High-Affinity Human Monoclonal Antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Envelope Glycoproteins in a Mouse Model Expressing Human Immunoglobulins
Authors: Sheppard Neil C. , Davies Sarah L. , Jeffs Simon A. , Vieira Sueli M. , Sattentau Quentin J.
Published: December 2006

Human (Hu) monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoproteins (Env) are useful tools in the structural and functional analysis of Env, are under development both as potential prophylaxis and as therapy for established HIV-1 infection, and have crucial roles in guiding the design of preventative vaccines. Despite representing more than 50% of infections globally, no MAbs have been generated in any species against C clade HIV-1 Env. To generate HuMAbs to a novel Chinese C clade Env vaccine candidate (primary isolate strain HIV-197CN54), we used BAB5 mice that express a human immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibody repertoire in place of endogenous murine immunoglobulins. When immunized with HIV-197CN54Env, these mice developed antigen-specific IgM antibodies. Hybridoma fusions using splenocytes from these mice enabled the isolation of two Env-specific IgM HuMAbs: N3C5 and N03B11. N3C5 bound to HIV-1 Env from clades A and C, whereas N03B11 bound two geographically distant clade C isolates but not Env from other clades. These HuMAbs bind conformational epitopes within the immunodominant region of the gp41 ectodomain. N3C5 weakly neutralized the autologous isolate in the absence of complement and weakly enhanced infection in the presence of complement. N03B11 has no effect on infectivity in either the presence or the absence of complement. These novel HuMAbs are useful reagents for the study of HIV-1 Env relevant to the global pandemic, and mice producing human immunoglobulin present a tool for the production of such antibodies.
Association between
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Beijing/W Lineage Strain Infection and Extrathoracic Tuberculosis: Insights from Epidemiologic and Clinical Characterization of the Three Principal Genetic Groups of
M. tuberculosis
Clinical Isolates
Authors: Kong Y. , Cave M. D. , Zhang L. , Foxman B. , Marrs C. F. , Bates J. H. , Yang Z. H.
Published: December 2006

Clinical strains of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
can be divided into three principal genetic groups based on the single-nucleotide polymorphisms at the
katG
gene codon 463 and the
gyrA
gene codon 95. One subgroup of genetic group 1, the Beijing/W lineage, has been widely studied because of its worldwide distribution and association with outbreaks. In order to increase our understanding of the clinical and epidemiological relevance of the genetic grouping of
M. tuberculosis
clinical strains and the Beijing/W lineage, we investigated the genetic grouping of 679 clinical isolates of
M. tuberculosis
, representing 96.3% of culture-confirmed tuberculosis cases diagnosed in Arkansas between January 1996 and December 2000 using PCR and DNA sequencing. We assessed the associations of infections by different genetic groups of
M. tuberculosis
strains and infection by the Beijing/W lineage strains with the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the patients using chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Of the 679 study isolates, 676 fell into one of the three principal genetic groups, with 63 (9.3%) in group 1, 438 (64.8%) in group 2, and 175 (25.9%) in group 3. After adjusting for potential confounding of age, gender, race/ethnicity, human immunodeficiency virus serostatus, and
plcD
genotype in a multivariate logistic regression model, patients infected by the Beijing/W lineage isolates were nearly three times as likely as patients infected with the non-Beijing/W lineage isolates to have an extrathoracic involvement (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 2.85 [1.33, 6.12]). Thus, the Beijing/W lineage strains may have some special biological features that facilitate the development of extrathoracic tuberculosis.
Transovarial Transmission Efficiency of
Babesia bovis
Tick Stages Acquired by
Rhipicephalus
(
Boophilus
)
microplus
during Acute Infection
Authors: Howell Jeanne M. , Ueti Massaro W. , Palmer Guy H. , Scoles Glen A. , Knowles Donald P.
Published: December 2006

The protozoan parasite
Babesia bovis
, a reemerging threat to U.S. cattle, is acquired by adult female ticks of the subgenus
Boophilus
and is transovarially transmitted as the kinete stage to developing larval offspring. Sporozoites develop within larvae and are transmitted during larval feeding on a bovine host. This study evaluated the efficiency of
B. bovis
infection within
Rhipicephalus
(
Boophilus
)
microplus
following acquisition feeding on acutely parasitemic cattle. Parasite levels were quantified in blood from experimentally infected cattle and within hemolymph and larvae derived from acquisition-fed female
B. microplus
. There was a positive correlation between blood parasite levels in acutely parasitemic cattle and kinete levels in the hemolymph of adult female
Boophilus
ticks following acquisition feeding; however, there was no relationship between kinete levels in females and infection rates of larval progeny.
Boophilus microplus
females that acquisition fed produced larval progeny with infection rates of 12% to 48%. Importantly, larvae derived from replete females with very low levels of kinete infection, as demonstrated by microscopy and PCR, had infection rates of 22% to 30% and transmitted
B. bovis
during transmission feeding. These data demonstrate that although hemolymph infection may be undetectable, transmission to larval progeny occurs at a level which ensures transmission to the bovine host.
Typing and Subtyping of
Clostridium difficile
Isolates by Using Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis
Authors: van den Berg Renate J. , Schaap Inge , Templeton Kate E. , Klaassen Corné H. W. , Kuijper Ed J.
Published: December 2006

Using the genomic sequence of
Clostridium difficile
strain 630, we developed multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) with automated fragment analysis and multicolored capillary electrophoresis as a typing method for
C. difficile
. All reference strains, representing 31 serogroups, 25 toxinotypes, and 7 known subtypes of PCR ribotype 001, could be discriminated from each other. Application of MLVA to 28 isolates from 7 outbreaks due to the emerging hypervirulent PCR ribotype 027-pulsed-field gel electrophoresis type NAP1 resulted in recognition of 13 clusters. Additionally, 29 toxin A-negative, toxin B-positive isolates belonging to PCR ribotype 017 from eight different countries revealed eight country-specific clusters. MLVA is a highly discriminatory genotyping method and a new tool for subtyping of newly emerging variants of
C. difficile.
Comparison of BACTEC PLUS Blood Culture Media to BacT/Alert FA Blood Culture Media for Detection of Bacterial Pathogens in Samples Containing Therapeutic Levels of Antibiotics
Authors: Flayhart Diane , Borek Anita P. , Wakefield Teresa , Dick James , Carroll Karen C.
Published: December 2006

Blood culture bottles with antimicrobial removal systems are recommended for patients who develop fever while on antibiotics. This study compared the ability of Becton Dickinson (Sparks, MD) BACTEC PLUS bottles and bioMerieux (Durham, NC) BacT/Alert FA bottles to effectively remove vancomycin, cefoxitin, ceftriaxone, cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam, ampicillin, oxacillin, gentamicin, and a combination of gentamicin/penicillin, thus allowing bacterial pathogens to grow. Each bottle was spiked with 10 ml of human blood, antibiotic, and strains of organisms susceptible to the antibiotic evaluated. The organisms used were type strains and clinical isolates of
Staphylococcus aureus
(methicillin susceptible and resistant),
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, a viridans streptococcus,
Enterococcus faecalis
,
Enterococcus faecium
,
Streptococcus agalactiae
,
Escherichia coli
,
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Testing was completed in triplicate, using 10 to 100 CFU/ml of organisms with various concentrations of each antibiotic. Two rounds of testing were completed per antibiotic/organism combination. Bottles were mixed and loaded onto their respective instruments as per the manufacturer's instructions. Antimicrobial removal was evaluated on the basis of time to detection of organism growth, for up to 5 days of incubation. Overall, the BacT/Alert FA system recovered 25.1% of strains from test bottles and 96.9% of strains from growth control bottles (no antibiotic added), and the BACTEC PLUS system recovered 95.1% of strains from test bottles and 100% of strains from growth control bottles. Both systems performed well in the detection of
Escherichia coli
,
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
in the presence of gentamicin. In the presence of ceftriaxone, neither system was able to recover
Streptococcus pneumoniae
. The ability to remove vancomycin and cefoxitin was also determined by measuring antibiotic levels remaining in bottles after 1 h of incubation. The results demonstrated remaining levels of 72 to 90% of vancomycin and 71 to 72% of cefoxitin in the BacT/Alert system. For the BACTEC system, remaining levels were 0 to 30% of vancomycin and 0% of cefoxitin. Under these simulated conditions, the BACTEC PLUS system was superior to the BacT/Alert FA system in recovering gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial pathogens in the presence of β-lactam antibiotics, gentamicin/penicillin, and vancomycin.
RNA Binding by the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Nucleocytoplasmic Shuttling Protein UL47 Is Mediated by an N-Terminal Arginine-Rich Domain That Also Functions as Its Nuclear Localization Signal
Authors: Donnelly Michelle , Verhagen Janneke , Elliott Gillian
Published: December 2006

The function of the alphaherpesvirus UL47 tegument protein has not yet been defined. Nonetheless, previous studies with transfected cells have shown that both the herpes simplex virus type 1 homologue (hUL47, or VP13/14) and the bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) homologue (bUL47, or VP8) have the capacity to shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Furthermore, hUL47 packaged into the virion has also been shown to bind several individual virus-specific RNA transcripts. Here, we extend these observations and show that hUL47 binds a wide range of RNA species in vitro. It has a high affinity for polyadenylated transcripts but has no apparent selectivity for virus-encoded RNA over cellular RNA. We also show that the virion population of bUL47 binds RNA in vitro. However, while purified recombinant hUL47 retains its RNA binding activity, recombinant bUL47 does not, suggesting that the BHV-1 homologue may require virus-induced modification for its activity. We identify the minimal RNA binding domain in hUL47 as a 26-residue N-terminal peptide containing an arginine-rich motif that is essential but not sufficient for optimal RNA binding, and we demonstrate that this RNA binding domain incorporates the hUL47 minimal nuclear localization signal. In addition, we show that soon after hUL47 is expressed during infection, it colocalizes in the infected cell nucleus with ICP4, the major virus transcriptional activator. Using RNA immunoprecipitations, we demonstrate that hUL47 is also bound in vivo to at least one viral transcript, the ICP0 mRNA. Taken together, these results suggest that hUL47 may play a role in RNA biogenesis in the infected cell.
Pseudotyped Single-Cycle Simian Immunodeficiency Viruses Expressing Gamma Interferon Augment T-Cell Priming Responses In Vitro
Authors: Peng Yue , Lin Fan-ching , Verardi Paulo H. , Jones Leslie A. , McChesney Michael B. , Yilma Tilahun D.
Published: December 2006

To increase the safety and efficacy of human immunodeficiency virus vaccines, several groups have conducted studies using the macaque model with single-cycle replicating simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs). However, these constructs had poor or diminished efficacy compared to live attenuated vaccines. We previously showed that immunization of macaques with live attenuated SIV with a deletion in thenefgene and expressing gamma interferon (IFN-γ) results in significantly enhanced safety and efficacy. To further enhance safety, we constructed and characterized single-cycle SIVs, pseudotyped with the glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus, expressing different levels of macaque IFN-γ. Expression of IFN-γ did not alter the infectivity or antigenicity of pseudotyped SIV. The transduction of dendritic cells (DCs) by IFN-γ-expressing particles resulted in the up-regulation of costimulatory and major histocompatibility complex molecules. Furthermore, T cells primed with DCs transduced by SIV particles expressing high levels of IFN-γ and then stimulated with SIV induced significantly higher numbers of spot-forming cells in an enzyme-linked immunospot assay than did T cells primed with DCs transduced with SIV particles lacking the cytokine. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the transduction of DCs in vitro with pseudotyped single-cycle SIVs expressing IFN-γ increased DC activation and augmented T-cell priming activity.
The YLDL Sequence within Sendai Virus M Protein Is Critical for Budding of Virus-Like Particles and Interacts with Alix/AIP1 Independently of C Protein
Authors: Irie Takashi , Shimazu Yukie , Yoshida Tetsuya , Sakaguchi Takemasa
Published: December 2006

For many enveloped viruses, cellular multivesicular body (MVB) sorting machinery has been reported to be utilized for efficient viral budding. Matrix and Gag proteins have been shown to contain one or two L-domain motifs (PPxY, PT/SAP, YPDL, and FPIV), some of which interact specifically with host cellular proteins involved in MVB sorting, which are recruited to the viral budding site. However, for many enveloped viruses, L-domain motifs have not yet been identified and the involvement of MVB sorting machinery in viral budding is still unknown. Here we show that both Sendai virus (SeV) matrix protein M and accessory protein C contribute to virus budding by physically interacting with Alix/AIP1. A YLDL sequence within the M protein showed L-domain activity, and its specific interaction with the N terminus of Alix/AIP1(1-211) was important for the budding of virus-like particles (VLPs) of M protein. In addition, M-VLP budding was inhibited by the overexpression of some deletion mutant forms of Alix/AIP1 and depletion of endogenous Alix/AIP1 with specific small interfering RNAs. The YLDL sequence was not replaceable by other L-domain motifs, such as PPxY and PT/SAP, and even YPxL. C protein was also able to physically interact with the N terminus of Alix/AIP1(212-357) and enhanced M-VLP budding independently of M-Alix/AIP1 interaction, although it was not released from the transfected cells itself. Our results suggest that the interaction of multiple viral proteins with Alix/AIP1 may enhance the efficiency of the utilization of cellular MVB sorting machinery for efficient SeV budding.
Evidence into practice: combining the art and science of injury prevention
Authors: Brussoni M , Towner E , Hayes M
Published: December 2006

Objectives:To bring together scientific evidence of what works in injury prevention with the knowledge and experience of practitioners, using a case study of smoke alarm installation from England.

Design:There is good evidence of strategies to reduce injuries but less is known about the art of translating those strategies to implementation in real-world settings. England’s Health Development Agency developed a structured process applicable to many public health fields, which integrates practitioner knowledge into the evidence base and reflects local contexts. The multistep process includes convening structured field meetings with local practitioners and policy makers, which focus on a mapping exercise of strategies, policies, targets, and funding streams related to childhood injury prevention, and barriers and facilitators relating to implementation of specific interventions.

Setting:Meetings were held in six venues across England with 98 participants from a range of professional backgrounds and sectors.

Results:The collective knowledge of participants provided many local insights unlikely to emerge in conventional research. Discussion topics covered key partners and sectors to include when planning a program; national policies and programs that could be used to drive the agenda; potential sources of funding; the importance of providing and installing appropriate smoke alarms; targeting of programs; and suggestions for gaining access to hard-to-reach populations.

Conclusion:This methodology represents an efficient way of gaining insight necessary for successful implementation of evidence based programs. It may be particularly useful in lower and middle income countries, serving to translate evidence into the local contexts and circumstances within which practitioners operate.
Beliefs and practices to prevent drowning among Vietnamese-American adolescents and parents
Authors: Quan L , Crispin B , Bennett E , Gomez A
Published: December 2006

Objective:To determine the beliefs, attitudes and practices regarding water safety among Vietnamese-Americans through focus group interviews.

Participants:15 teenagers (aged 15–19 years) and 20 parents participated, and reported similar attitudes, beliefs and practices regarding water activities. Participants identified a lack of familiarity with water activities and few swimming skills, noting that these activities are not perceived as recreational sports among the Vietnamese. They reported recreating at open water sites because they are free and available, and attributed drowning to fate. Vietnamese youth swim unsupervised, responding to peer pressure despite lack of skills. Participants had negative attitudes toward life jackets using, swimming pools and lessons, because of the costs, but would attend lessons in Vietnamese. They identified schools and Vietnamese media as means of delivering injury-prevention messages.

Conclusions:Decreasing drowning among Vietnamese-Americans requires changing the knowledge, attitudes and safety practices with programs and messages in Vietnamese, as well as targeting the dominant culture.
Injury risk from popular childhood physical activities: results from an Australian primary school cohort
Authors: Spinks A B , Macpherson A K , Bain C , McClure R J
Published: December 2006

Background:Children engage in various physical activities that pose different injury risks. However, the lack of adequate data on exposure has meant that these risks have not been quantified or compared in young children aged 5–12 years.

Objectives:To measure exposure to popular activities among Australian primary school children and to quantify the associated injury risks.

Method:The Childhood Injury Prevention Study prospectively followed up a cohort of randomly selected Australian primary and preschool children aged 5–12 years. Time (min) engaged in various physical activities was measured using a parent-completed 7-day diary. All injuries over 12 months were reported to the study. All data on exposure and injuries were coded using theInternational classification of external causes of injury. Injury rates per 1000 h of exposure were calculated for the most popular activities.

Results:Complete diaries and data on injuries were available for 744 children. Over 12 months, 314 injuries relating to physical activity outside of school were reported. The highest injury risks per exposure time occurred for tackle-style football (2.18/1000 h), wheeled activities (1.72/1000 h) and tennis (1.19/1000 h). Overall, boys were injured more often than girls; however, the differences were non-significant or reversed for some activities including soccer, trampolining and team ball sports.

Conclusion:Although the overall injury rate was low in this prospective cohort, the safety of some popular childhood activities can be improved so that the benefits may be enjoyed with fewer negative consequences.
A cohort study of 20 822 young drivers: the DRIVE study methods and population
Authors: Ivers R Q , Blows S J , Stevenson M R , Norton R N , Williamson A , Eisenbruch M , Woodward M , Lam L , Palamara P , Wang J
Published: December 2006

Background and objective:Research on young drivers directly linking risk factors to serious injury and death outcomes is required. The DRIVE Study was established to facilitate this aim. This paper outlines the study methods and describes the population that has been recruited, in order to demonstrate that the necessary heterogeneity in risk factors has been attained.

Design, setting and participants:Drivers aged 17–24 years holding their first-stage provisional driver’s licence from New South Wales, Australia, were recruited into a prospective cohort study. The participants were contacted by mail and asked to complete the study questionnaire at an online site or via a mailed questionnaire. Baseline data collection involved a questionnaire with questions to drivers about their training, risk perception, driver behavior, sensation-seeking behavior and mental health. Participants gave consent for prospective data linkage to their data on licensing, crashes and injuries, held in routinely collected databases.

Results:20 822 drivers completed the baseline questionnaire, of whom 45.4% were men, 74.3% resided in capital cities and 25.7% in regional or remote areas. The recruited study population showed a wide variation in the risk factors under examination. For example, almost 40% of drivers reported drinking alcohol at hazardous levels and about 32% of participants seemed to be at a high or very high risk of psychological distress. Participants reported a mean of 67.3 h (median 60 h) of supervised driver training while holding their learner’s permit.

Conclusions:The DRIVE Study has a robust study design aimed at minimizing bias in the collection of outcome data. Analyses of baseline data showed substantial heterogeneity of risk factors in the study population. Subsequent prospective linkages comparing relative differences in exposures at baseline with the outcomes of interest have the potential to provide important new information needed to develop targeted interventions aimed at young drivers.
Risk factors for unintentional injuries due to falls in children aged 0–6 years: a systematic review
Authors: Khambalia A , Joshi P , Brussoni M , Raina P , Morrongiello B , Macarthur C
Published: December 2006

Objective:To identify risk factors for unintentional injuries due to falls in children aged 0–6 years.

Design:A systematic review of the literature.

Methods:Electronic databases from 1966 to March 2005 were comprehensively searched to identify empirical research that evaluated risk factors for unintentional injuries due to falls in children aged 0–6 years and included a comparison group.

Results:14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies varied by the type of fall injury that was considered (ie, bunk bed, stairway, playground or infant walker) and with respect to the quality of evidence. In general, major risk factors for the incidence or severity of injuries due to falls in children included age of the child, sex, height of the fall, type of surface, mechanism (dropped, stairway or using a walker), setting (day carevhome care) and socioeconomic status.

Conclusion:Despite a high burden, few controlled studies have examined the risk and protective factors for injuries due to falls in children aged 0–6 years. The only study to examine falls from a population health perspective suggests that age, sex and poverty are independent risk factors for injuries due to falls in children.
From surveillance to action: early gains from the National Violent Death Reporting System
Authors: Campbell R , Weis M A , Millet L , Powell V , Hull-Jilly D , Hackman H
Published: December 2006

Objectives:Drawing from the experiences of individual state programs that currently participate in the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), this article reviews some of the practical benefits that may accrue from the introduction of violent death surveillance systems.

Design:As a state-based surveillance system that uses multiple data sources and relies upon multiple stakeholders, the NVDRS program has fostered an array of initiatives within and among individual state programs. State-based initiatives highlighted in this article were selected on the basis of a purposive sampling strategy intended to illustrate key aspects of program development.

Setting:The NVDRS state programs are in Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Results:The NVDRS has helped to build alliances and collaborative efforts between key stakeholders, facilitated the recognition of violent death as a public health problem through outreach and media attention, acted as a catalyst for new projects, enhanced surveillance of special populations and utility for evaluation, and identified key circumstances that will target interventions in state prevention planning.

Conclusions:The NVDRS has implemented data collection efforts and is beginning to produce and analyze findings. In the process of implementing the data collection system and publicizing findings, state NVDRS programs are realizing other gains that strengthen their surveillance efforts. The use of data for prevention purposes will be the ultimate indicator of program success.
The National Violent Death Reporting System: an exciting new tool for public health surveillance
Authors: Steenkamp M , Frazier L , Lipskiy N , DeBerry M , Thomas S , Barker L , Karch D
Published: December 2006

The US does not have a unified system for surveillance of violent deaths. This report describes the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), a system for collecting data on all violent deaths (homicides, suicides, accidental firearms deaths, deaths of undetermined intent, and deaths from legal intervention, excluding legal executions) in participating states. The NVDRS centralizes data from many sources, providing a more comprehensive picture of violent deaths than would otherwise be available. The NVDRS collects data on victims, suspects, and circumstances related to the violent deaths. Currently, 17 US states participate in the NVDRS; the intention is for the NVDRS to become a truly national system, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US territories. This report describes the history of the NVDRS, provides an overview of how the NVDRS functions, and describes future directions.
Manner of death and circumstances in fatal poisonings: evidence from New Jersey
Authors: Hempstead K
Published: December 2006

Objective:The objective of this study is to use a new data set to compare the circumstances of fatal poisoning in deaths ruled as suicides to those ruled as unintentional, particularly with regard to the prevalence of mental health, substance abuse, and other risk factors.

Design:The design is an analysis of all fatal poisonings using data from the New Jersey Violent Death Reporting System.

Patients or subjects:Decedents in New Jersey in 2003 whose cause of death was fatal poisoning, and whose manner of death was unintentional, intentional, or undetermined.

Main outcome measures:The relation between risk factors, circumstances of death, and coded manner of death, particularly for those with both mental health and substance abuse related risk factors.

Results:The prevalence of mental health risk factors was considerably higher among intentional poisonings (59.4%v24.4%, p<0.0001), while that of substance abuse was higher among unintentional poisonings (90.0%v24.5%, p<0.0001). Approximately 20% of unintentional poisonings and 25% of suicides had a physical health problem. Differences in circumstances by manner were smaller among those with a physical health problem.

Conclusions:Substance abuse, mental health, and physical health problems were the most frequently cited risk factors for unintentional and intentional poisoning fatalities. There were many differences in characteristics and risk factors by manner of death. Those with physical health problems were more similar in terms of demographic characteristics and presence of other risk factors.
Variability of undetermined manner of death classification in the US
Authors: Breiding M J , Wiersema B
Published: December 2006

Objectives:To better understand variations in classification of deaths of undetermined intent among states in the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS).

Design:Data from the NVDRS and the National Vital Statistics System were used to compare differences among states.

Main outcome measures:Percentages of deaths assigned undetermined intent, rates of deaths of undetermined intent, rates of fatal poisonings broken down by cause of death, composition of poison types within the undetermined-intent classification.

Results:Three states within NVDRS (Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island) evidenced increased numbers of deaths of undetermined intent. These same states exhibited high rates of undetermined death and, more specifically, high rates of undetermined poisoning deaths. Further, these three states evidenced correspondingly lower rates of unintentional poisonings. The types of undetermined poisonings present in these states, but not present in other states, are typically the result of a combination of recreational drugs, alcohol, or prescription drugs.

Conclusions:The differing classification among states of many poisoning deaths has implications for the analysis of undetermined deaths within the NVDRS and for the examination of possible/probable suicides contained within the undetermined- or accidental-intent classifications. The NVDRS does not collect information on unintentional poisonings, so in most states data are not collected on these possible/probable suicides. The authors believe this is an opportunity missed to understand the full range of self-harm deaths in the greater detail provided by the NVDRS system. They advocate a broader interpretation of suicide to include the full continuum of deaths resulting from self-harm.
Prevalence of helmet use among motorcycle riders in Vietnam
Authors: Hung D V , Stevenson M R , Ivers R Q
Published: December 2006

Objectives:To investigate the rate of helmet use among motorcycle drivers in Hai Duong province of Vietnam during winter/spring 2005, and to compare the rates of helmet use by road types.

Method:Population-based observational surveys.

Results:16 560 motorcyclists were observed across 37 road sites (incorporating 5 road categories). The overall weighted average of helmet use for motorcyclists was 29.94%, with male drivers more likely to wear helmets than female drivers (odds ratio (OR) 1.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.53 to 1.76). Male pillion passengers were less likely to wear helmets than female pillion passengers (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.85). The number of adult drivers using helmets is larger as compared with that of young drivers (OR 8.56, 95% CI 5.93 to 12.19). The rates of helmet use were significantly higher (p<0.001) on compulsory roads and were 59.01%, 39.97%, 24.22%, 12.7% and 9.54% for national, provincial, district, commune and Hai Duong inner-city roads, respectively.

Conclusion:Helmet legislation has increased the rate of helmet use by motorcycle drivers on compulsory roads. Elsewhere, rate of helmet use is very low, indicating that in the absence of legislation and enforcement, motorcyclists in Vietnam will not wear a helmet.
MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF CHEMOTHERAPY OF HUMAN TB INFECTION
Authors: MAGOMBEDZE GESHAM , GARIRA WINSTON , MWENJE EDDIE
Published: December 2006

This work assesses the impact of the first line drug regimen on active disease control under the stipulated time of tuberculosis (TB) treatment. In an effort to understand why a robust immune response mechanism sometimes fails to completely control TB infection, we first developed a model that captures the human immune response mechanisms to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. We then extended the model to include drug therapy. The drug therapy model is used to assess the potency of the recommended six-month TB drug chemotherapy in infected individuals. The efficacy of each drug was explored and observations show that low drug efficacy values result in extension of treatment period. The numerical results confirm typical clinical disease progression patterns noticed in individuals under TB therapy. The drug model simulations and analysis show that administration of the recommended first line three-drug regimen normally cures the TB infection. Using the model, we established that only Isoniazid monotherapy drug treatment, and any combination therapy of two drugs including Isoniazid are potent enough to resolve the TB infection.
SPREADING DEPRESSION IN MAINLY LOCALLY CONNECTED CELLULAR AUTOMATON
Authors: MONTEIRO L. H. A. , PAIVA D. C. , PIQUEIRA J. R. C.
Published: December 2006

A computational model based on cellular automaton (CA) is developed for studying the spreading depression (SD) phenomenon. CA cells correspond to neurons which are mainly locally connected. The influence of the parameter values in the spatiotemporal dynamics is investigated in order to obtain ways of reducing, or even preventing, occurrences of SD.
PROPER PREDATION MAKES THE SYSTEM DISEASE FREE — CONCLUSION DRAWN FROM AN ECO-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL MODEL
Authors: CHATTERJEE SAMRAT , BANDYOPADHYAY M. , CHATTOPADHYAY J.
Published: December 2006

In the present paper, an eco-epidemiological model consisting of susceptible prey, infected prey and predator has been proposed and analyzed. We have obtained conditions for the existence and persistence of all the three populations. To study the global dynamics of the system, numerical simulations have been performed. Our simulation results show that the system enters into quasi-periodic solutions or chaotic depending upon the choice of system parameters. To confirm the chaotic behavior of the system, we have calculated Lyapunov exponent and constructed Poincare section. Our analysis reveals that the infection and predation rates specially on the infected prey population are the key parameters that play crucial roles for controlling the chaotic dynamics of the system.
ANALYSIS OF A CHEMOSTAT MODEL WITH PULSED INPUT
Authors: SHI XIANGYUN , SONG XINYU
Published: December 2006

In this paper, we consider a chemostat model with pulsed input. We find a critical value of the period of pulses. If the period is more than the critical value, the microorganism-free periodic solution is globally asymptotically stable. If less, the system is permanent. Moreover, the nutrient and the microorganism can co-exist on a periodic solution of period τ. Finally, by comparing the corresponding continuous system, we find that the periodically pulsed input destroys the equilibria of the continuous system and initiates periodic solutions. Our results are valuable for the manufacture of products by genetically altered organisms.
Altered Ca2+ handling by ryanodine receptor and Na+-Ca2+ exchange in the heart from ovariectomized rats: role of protein kinase A
Authors: Kravtsov Gennadi M. , Kam Kenneth W. L. , Liu Jing , Wu Song , Wong Tak Ming
Published: December 2006

Our previous study has demonstrated that ovariectomy (Ovx) significantly increased the left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and the maximal rate of developed pressure over time (±dP/d tmax) in the isolated perfused rat heart and the effects were reversed by female sex hormone replacement. In the present investigation, we studied the effects of Ovx for 6 wk on Ca2+ homeostasis that determines the contractile function. Particular emphasis was given to Ca2+ handling by ryanodine receptor (RyR) and Na+-Ca2+ exchange (NCX). 45Ca2+ fluxes via the RyR, NCX, and Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) were compared with their expression in myocytes from Ovx rats with and without estrogen replacement. Furthermore, we correlated the handling of Ca2+ by these Ca2+ handling proteins with the overall Ca2+ homeostasis by determining the Ca2+ transients induced by electrical stimulation and caffeine, which reveals the dynamic changes of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in the heart. In addition, we determined the expression and contribution of protein kinase A (PKA) to the regulation of the aforementioned Ca2+ handling proteins in Ovx rats. It was found that after Ovx there were 1) increased Ca2+ fluxes via RyR and NCX, which were reversed not only by estrogen replacement, but more importantly by blockade of PKA; 2) an increased expression of PKA; and 3) no increase in expression of NCX and SERCA. We suggest that hyperactivities of RyR and NCX are a result of upregulation of PKA. The increased release of Ca2+ through RyR and removal of Ca2+ by NCX are believed to be responsible for the greater contractility and faster relaxation after Ovx.
Xenopus oocyte plasma membrane sheets for FRET analysis
Authors: Ottolia Michela , Philipson Kenneth D. , John Scott
Published: December 2006

Plasma membrane sheets from Xenopus oocytes have been isolated for use in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements. This system has the following advantages: 1) fluorescent recordings from a large surface area to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio, 2) reduction in background fluorescence from proteins retained in intracellular compartments, and 3) access to the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane for rapid solution changes. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, we have examined a previously published FRET-based Ca2+ sensor, namely, the Cameleon-PM. This construct targets to the plasma membrane and, upon various Ca2+ additions to the cytoplasmic face of the membrane, shows ratiometric FRET changes. From the ratiometric changes recorded, an apparent Ca2+ affinity of 1.65 μM was determined. Thus preparation of Xenopus oocyte plasma membrane sheets and FRET measurements demonstrates all three of the advantages outlined above.
Calcineurin-NFATc signaling pathway regulates AQP2 expression in response to calcium signals and osmotic stress
Authors: Li Song-Zhe , McDill Bradley W. , Kovach Paul A. , Ding Li , Go William Y. , Ho Steffan N. , Chen Feng
Published: December 2006

The aquaporin (AQP)2 channel mediates the reabsorption of water in renal collecting ducts in response to arginine vasopressin (AVP) and hypertonicity. Here we show that AQP2 expression is induced not only by the tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein (TonEBP)/nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)5-mediated hypertonic stress response but also by the calcium-dependent calcineurin-NFATc pathway. The induction of AQP2 expression by the calcineurin-NFATc pathway can occur in the absence of TonEBP/NFAT5. Mutational and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses revealed the existence of functional NFAT binding sites within the proximal AQP2 promoter responsible for regulation of AQP2 by NFATc proteins and TonEBP/NFAT5. Contrary to the notion that TonEBP/NFAT5 is the only Rel/NFAT family member regulated by tonicity, we found that hypertonicity promotes the nuclear translocation of NFATc proteins for the subsequent induction of AQP2 expression. Calcineurin activity was also found to be involved in the induction of TonEBP/NFAT5 expression by hypertonicity, thus further defining the signaling mechanisms that underlie the TonEBP/NFAT5 osmotic stress response pathway. The coordinate regulation of AQP2 expression by both osmotic stress and calcium signaling appears to provide a means to integrate diverse extracellular signals into optimal cellular responses.
PAT-1 (Slc26a6) is the predominant apical membrane Cl−/HCO3− exchanger in the upper villous epithelium of the murine duodenum
Authors: Simpson Janet E. , Schweinfest Clifford W. , Shull Gary E. , Gawenis Lara R. , Walker Nancy M. , Boyle Kathryn T. , Soleimani Manoocher , Clarke Lane L.
Published: December 2006

Basal HCO3− secretion across the duodenum has been shown in several species to principally involve the activity of apical membrane Cl−/HCO3− exchanger(s). To investigate the identity of relevant anion exchanger(s), experiments were performed using wild-type (WT) mice and mice with gene-targeted deletion of the following Cl−/HCO3− exchangers localized to the apical membrane of murine duodenal villi: Slc26a3 [down-regulated in adenoma (DRA)], Slc26a6 [putative anion transporter 1 (PAT-1)], and Slc4a9 [anion exchanger 4 (AE4)]. RT-PCR of the isolated villous epithelium demonstrated PAT-1, DRA, and AE4 mRNA expression. Using the pH-sensitive dye BCECF, anion exchange rates were measured across the apical membrane of epithelial cells in the upper villus of the intact duodenal mucosa. Under basal conditions, Cl−/HCO3− exchange activity was reduced by 65–80% in the PAT-1(−) duodenum, 30–40% in the DRA(−) duodenum, and <5% in the AE4(−) duodenum compared with the WT duodenum. SO42−/HCO3− exchange was eliminated in the PAT-1(−) duodenum but was not affected in the DRA(−) and AE4(−) duodenum relative to the WT duodenum. Intracellular pH (pHi) was reduced in the PAT-1(−) villous epithelium but increased to WT levels in the absence of CO2/HCO3− or during methazolamide treatment. Further experiments under physiological conditions indicated active pHi compensation in the PAT-1(−) villous epithelium by combined activities of Na+/H+ exchanger 1 and Cl−-dependent transport processes at the basolateral membrane. We conclude that 1) PAT-1 is the major contributor to basal Cl−/HCO3− and SO42−/HCO3− exchange across the apical membrane and 2) PAT-1 plays a role in pHi regulation in the upper villous epithelium of the murine duodenum.
Dopamine effects on identified rat vagal motoneurons
Authors: Zheng Zhongling , Travagli R. Alberto
Published: December 2006

Catecholaminergic neurons of the A2 area play a prominent role in brain stem vagal circuits. It is not clear, however, whether these neurons are noradrenergic or adrenergic, i.e., display tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DβH) immunoreactivity (-IR) or dopaminergic (i.e., TH- but not DβH-IR). Our aims were to investigate whether a subpopulation of neurons in the A2 area was dopaminergic and, if so, to investigate the effects of dopamine (DA) on the membrane of gastric-projecting vagal motoneurons. We observed that although the majority of A2 neurons were both TH- and DβH-IR, a small percentage of nucleus tractus solitarius neurons were TH-IR only, suggesting that DA itself may play role in these circuits. Whole cell recordings from thin brain stem slices showed that 71% of identified gastric-projecting motoneurons responded to DA (1–300 μM) with either an excitation (28%) or an inhibition (43%) of the membrane; the remaining 29% of the neurons were unresponsive. The DA-induced depolarization was mimicked by SK 38393 and prevented by pretreatment with SCH 23390. Conversely, the DA-induced inhibition was mimicked by bromoergocryptine and prevented by pretreatment with L741626. When tested on the same neuron, the effects of DA and NE were not always similar. In fact, in neurons in which DA induced a membrane depolarization, 77% were inhibited by NE, whereas 75% of neurons unresponsive to DA were inhibited by NE. Our data suggest that DA modulates the membrane properties of gastric-projecting motoneurons via D1- and D2-like receptors, and DA may play different roles than norepinephrine in brain stem vagal circuits.