bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the concentration of crude oil microdroplets in oil–water preparations
Authors: Redman Aaron D. , McGrath Joy A. , Stubblefield William A. , Maki Al W. , Di Toro Dominic M.
Published: May 2012

Dissolved constituents of crude oil, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), can contribute substantially to the toxicity of aquatic organisms. Measured aqueous concentrations of high–molecular weight PAHs (e.g., chrysenes, benzo[a]pyrene) as well as long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons can exceed the theoretical solubility of these sparingly soluble compounds. This is attributed to the presence of a “microdroplet” or colloidal oil phase. It is important to be able to quantify the dissolved fraction of these compounds in oil-in-water preparations that are commonly used in toxicity assays because the interpretation of test results often assumes that the compounds are dissolved. A method is presented to determine the microdroplet contribution in crude oil-in-water preparations using a comparison of predicted and measured aqueous concentrations. Measured concentrations are reproduced in the model by including both microdroplets and dissolved constituents of petroleum hydrocarbons. Microdroplets were found in all oil–water preparation data sets analyzed. Estimated microdroplet oil concentrations typically ranged from 10 to 700 µg oil/L water. The fraction of dissolved individual petroleum hydrocarbons ranges from 1.0 for highly soluble compounds (e.g., benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) to far less than 0.1 for sparingly soluble compounds (e.g., chrysenes) depending on the microdroplet oil concentration. The presence of these microdroplets complicates the interpretation of toxicity test data because they may exert an additional toxic effect due to a change in the exposure profile. The implications of the droplet model on toxicity are also discussed in terms of both dissolved hydrocarbons and microdroplets. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 1814–1822. © 2012 SETAC
Temporal development of sesquiterpene hydrocarbon profiles of different grape varieties during ripening
Authors: May Bianca , Wüst Matthias
Published: May 2012

To investigate the profiles of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons in grape berries at different developmental stages several cultivars of Vitis vinifera (Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Yellow Muscat, Shiraz, Lemberger, Cabernet Sauvignon) were analysed during ripening. Therefore, HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS measurements were performed with intact grape berries. The measurements demonstrated that grapes emit numerous sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and that the sesquiterpene profile exhibits a characteristic profile, depending on the variety and the developmental stage. In particular, bicylic sesquiterpenes with a cadinane backbone increased during ripening, while acyclic sesquiterpenes such as (E,E)‐α‐farnesene decreased, except for Gewürztraminer which shows increasing amounts of acyclic sesquiterpenes towards harvest. Furthermore, the profiles of the emitted sesquiterpenes differed significantly. In particular, Gewürztraminer possessed remarkably high amounts of (E,E)‐α‐farnesene, (3E,6Z)‐α‐farnesene and (E,E)‐methylfarnesoate, while the sesquiterpene profiles of Riesling, Lemberger, Shiraz and Yellow Muscat were dominated by bi‐ and polycyclic sesquiterpenes. Cabernet Sauvignon showed only minor profile changes during ripening and its comparatively low sesquiterpene hydrocarbon amounts were dominated by (E)‐β‐caryophyllene, α‐humulene and an unidentified sesquiterpene. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Option Pricing Using the Martingale Approach with Polynomial Interpolation
Authors: Wang Ming‐Chieh , Huang Li‐Jhang , Liao Szu‐Lang
Published: May 2012

This study shows that in particular cases, the minimal martingale measure coincides with the Esscher martingale measure. Using the martingale approach can produce an exact solution for the price of a European call option on an asset modeled as an exponential Lévy process when a closed‐form expression exists for the Lévy measure under some integrability conditions. If the jump component vanishes, the solution reduces to the Black–Scholes formula. To compute the option price accurately and quickly, this study uses polynomial interpolation with divided differences. A numerical analysis compares the accuracy and CPU time of the latter method with those of three Fourier‐based formulas described by Lewis (2001). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 33:469‐491, 2013
Improved multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification analysis identifies a deleterious PMS2 allele generated by recombination with crossover between PMS2 and PMS2CL
Authors: Wernstedt Annekatrin , Valtorta Emanuele , Armelao Franco , Togni Roberto , Girlando Salvatore , Baudis Michael , Heinimann Karl , Messiaen Ludwine , Staehli Noemie , Zschocke Johannes , Marra Giancarlo , Wimmer Katharina
Published: May 2012

Heterozygous PMS2 germline mutations are associated with Lynch syndrome. Up to one third of these mutations are genomic deletions. Their detection is complicated by a pseudogene (PMS2CL), which – owing to extensive interparalog sequence exchange – closely resembles PMS2 downstream of exon 12. A recently redesigned multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assay identifies PMS2 copy number alterations with improved reliability when used with reference DNAs containing equal numbers of PMS2‐ and PMS2CL‐specific sequences. We selected eight such reference samples – all publicly available – and used them with this assay to study 13 patients with PMS2‐defective colorectal tumors. Three presented deleterious alterations: an Alu‐mediated exon deletion; a 125‐kb deletion encompassing PMS2 and four additional genes (two with tumor‐suppressing functions); and a novel deleterious hybrid PMS2 allele produced by recombination with crossover between PMS2 and PMS2CL, with the breakpoint in intron 10 (the most 5′ breakpoint of its kind reported thus far). We discuss mechanisms that might generate this allele in different chromosomal configurations (and their diagnostic implications) and describe an allele‐specific PCR assay that facilitates its detection. Our data indicate that the redesigned PMS2 MLPA assay is a valid first‐line option. In our series, it identified roughly a quarter of all PMS2 mutations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Perfectly Matched
Authors: Wagner Hermann , Hausmann Laura
Published: May 2012

Seeing, hearing, navigating — when it comes to adapting to a habitat, the barn owl is a model animal. Learning from nature with these nocturnal birds not only leads to new fundamental discoveries, it might also bring innovative technical applications closer to reality.
Astrocytic regulation of glutamate homeostasis in epilepsy
Authors: Coulter Douglas A. , Eid Tore
Published: May 2012

Astrocytes play a critical role in regulation of extracellular neurotransmitter levels in the central nervous system. This function is particularly prominent for the excitatory amino acid glutamate, with estimates that 80–90% of extracellular glutamate uptake in brain is through astrocytic glutamate transporters. This uptake has significance both in regulation of the potential toxic accumulation of extracellular glutamate and in normal resupply of inhibitory and excitatory synapses with neurotransmitter. This resupply of neurotransmitter is accomplished by astroglial uptake of glutamate, transformation of glutamate to glutamine by the astrocytic enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS), and shuttling of glutamine back to excitatory and inhibitory neurons via specialized transporters. Once in neurons, glutamine is enzymatically converted back to glutamate, which is utilized for synaptic transmission, either directly, or following decarboxylation to γ‐aminobutyric acid. Many neurologic and psychiatric conditions, particularly epilepsy, are accompanied by the development of reactive gliosis, a pathology characterized by anatomical and biochemical plasticity in astrocytes, accompanied by proliferation of these cells. Among the biochemical changes evident in reactive astrocytes is a downregulation of several of the important regulators of the glutamine–glutamate cycle, including GS, and possibly also glutamate transporters. This downregulation may have significance in contributing both to the aberrant excitability and to the altered neuropathology characterizing epilepsy. In the present review, we provide an overview of the normal function of astrocytes in regulating extracellular glutamate homeostasis, neurotransmitter supply, and excitotoxicity. We further discuss the potential role reactive gliosis may play in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ATP and noradrenaline activate CREB in astrocytes via noncanonical Ca2+ and cyclic AMP independent pathways
Authors: Carriba Paulina , Pardo Luis , Parra‐Damas Arnaldo , Lichtenstein Mathieu P. , Saura Carlos A. , Pujol Aurora , Masgrau Roser , Galea Elena
Published: May 2012

In neurons, it is well established that CREB contributes to learning and memory by orchestrating the translation of experience into the activity‐dependent (i.e., driven by neurotransmitters) transcription of plasticity‐related genes. The activity‐dependent CREB‐triggered transcription requires the concerted action of cyclic AMP/protein kinase A and Ca2+/calcineurin via the CREB‐regulated transcription co‐activator (CRTC). It is not known, however, whether a comparable molecular sequence occurs in astrocytes, despite the unquestionable contribution of these cells to brain plasticity. Here we sought to determine whether and how ATP and noradrenaline cause CREB‐dependent transcription in rat cortical astrocyte cultures. Both transmitters induced CREB phosphorylation (Western Blots), CREB‐dependent transcription (CRE‐luciferase reporter assays), and the transcription of Bdnf, a canonical regulator of synaptic plasticity (quantitative RT‐PCR). We indentified a Ca2+ and diacylglycerol‐independent protein kinase C at the uppermost position of the cascade leading to CREB‐dependent transcription. Notably, CREB‐dependent transcription was partially dependent on ERK1/2 and CRTC, but independent of cyclic AMP/protein kinase A or Ca2+/calcineurin. We conclude that ATP and noradrenaline activate CREB‐dependent transcription in cortical astrocytes via an atypical protein kinase C. It is of relevance that the signaling involved be starkly different to the one described in neurons since there is no convergence of Ca2+ and cyclic AMP‐dependent pathways on CRTC, which, moreover, exerts a modulatory rather than a central role. Our data thus point to the existence of an alternative, non‐neuronal, glia‐based role of CREB in plasticity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Retracted: Ergonomic Techniques for a Mobile E‐Invoice System: Operational Requirements of an Information Management System
Authors: Chang Chin‐Jui , Kuo Huai‐Chien , Chen Chen‐Yuan , Chen Tsung‐Hao , Chung Pei‐Yin
Published: May 2012

The newly developed marketing channel of electronic commerce (EC) is different from traditional channels and has been promoted by the government for a period of time. In EC, integrated information is not only provided to the enterprises involved but the procedures needed for trade are fewer, promoting environmentally friendly practices. It has, however, caused great variation in the business environment. The e‐invoice plays a vital role in keeping track of cash and business information, and its implementation will help to convert the whole supply chain to electronic form and lower overall operational costs. At present, e‐invoices are only used in certain situations such as for online shopping, for electronic purchases by suppliers, in value‐added networks, and so on. They are not applied in daily life or used by the public. However, a mobile e‐invoice system can be designed to connect the e‐invoice to the Web for the ordinary user. In this era of the mobile interactive Internet use, where individual computers interact with one another, this will help in the application of many kinds of network and real‐life services. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Coordinating multi‐level cognitive assistance and incorporating dynamic confidence information in driver‐vehicle interfaces
Authors: Cai Hua , Lin Yingzi , Cheng Bo
Published: May 2012

Automation technologies have now been widely introduced into many aspects of human–machine collaboration. Most automated systems, however, are still far from perfect in performing assistive duties for their operators. This situation can lead to chaotic assistance, which can easily cause cognitive confusion and performance degradation among operators. This article discusses how to coordinate multiple types of assistance that have different levels of cognitive intrusiveness. To improve the cognitive adaptability of operators, dynamic confidence information is presented on the interactive interface to indicate the likelihood of the correctness of such assistance. Multiple types of assistance are then presented at different moments to match human‐cognitive‐processing stages and eventually to attain a coordinated status. In a car‐following driving experiment, the drivers' responses to multiple types of assistance with dynamic confidence information were investigated. The coordinated assistance successfully enhanced the drivers' driving performance and the human–machine relationship. This method can be further generalized to improve human–machine collaboration in many industrial automation systems that still require human operators. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Describing service systems
Authors: Glushko Robert J.
Published: May 2012

There are many different normative frameworks for describing service systems that take a distinct conceptual perspective. They emphasize the physical arrangement or topology, the functions or processes, the chronology of experience, the causality of value creation, the flow of information or people, or other characteristics. These frameworks are deeply embedded in service system research and design practice, but we have not known how useful or natural they are. University students new to service science concepts described a service system they all used—the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. They identified and categorized the services they encountered or that were involved when they used BART and then created diagrams to depict the system. There was substantial variation in how students described BART in terms of scope, overall number of services, and their granularity. There was also great diversity in the classification of services and in the diagrams or other representations students created. Since most students had little exposure to normative frameworks for describing service systems, their diagrams were often hybrids of different frameworks. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The human side of organizational change: Compliance and management control systems in Italian public utilities
Authors: Mangia Gianluigi , Iacono Mario Pezzillo , Canonico Paolo , Martinez Marcello , Mercurio Riccardo
Published: May 2012

Departing from a neo‐institutional framework, this article investigates the role and the importance of Management Control Systems (MCS) used by the Italian local public transport and electricity supply utilities in governing the processes of organizational change that occurred in the last decade. The role of MCS in the implementation of business strategy and organizational change represents a recurrent topic in literature. Nevertheless, only a few studies have covered until now the relationship between MCS and change processes. Our empirical analysis has surveyed overall 185 local public utilities. We analyzed the way in which management has adopted MCS, as well as the outcome of the implementation of organizational change. Our study confirms that organizational change processes are carried out with the purpose of obtaining institutional legitimacy, deploying behavioral control mechanisms, such as incentives and empowerment. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The study of laminar convective heat transfer of CuO/water nanofluid through an equilateral triangular duct at constant wall heat flux
Authors: Edalati Z. , Zeinali Heris S. , Noie S.H.
Published: May 2012

The present paper focuses on the heat transfer of an equilateral triangular duct by employing the CuO/water nanofluid in a laminar flow and under constant heat flux condition. The triangular ducts were used due to their ease of creation and high compaction. They have less pressure drop when compared to the circular and non‐circular ducts and their other attributes are very useful in industrial applications. These reasons cause their heat transfer characteristics to be very important. In this paper, to improve the heat transfer of an equilateral triangular duct, a CuO/water nanofluid was employed. The nanofluid was conducted through an equilateral triangular duct with a constant wall heat flux. Results show that the experimental heat transfer coefficient of the CuO/water nanofluid is more than that of distilled water. Also, the experimental heat transfer coefficient of a CuO/water nanofluid is greater than the theoretical one. The heat transfer enhancement of the equilateral triangular duct increases with the nanofluid volume concentration as well as the Peclet number. So a 41% enhancement in the convective heat transfer coefficient for a 0.8% CuO/water nanofluid can be seen when compared to pure water. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.21011
HIF1A induces expression of the WASF3 metastasis‐associated gene under hypoxic conditions
Authors: Ghoshal Pushpankur , Teng Yong , Lesoon Leslie Ann , Cowell John K.
Published: May 2012

The WASF3 (WAVE3) gene is an important mediator of cell motility, invasion and metastasis and is expressed at high levels in some advanced stage tumors. In our survey of breast cancer cells, we now demonstrate that exposure to hypoxic conditions increases WASF3 expression levels in MDA231, SKBR3 and MCF7 cells. The WASF3 promoter region contains HIF1A response elements (HRE). ChIP assays demonstrate that HIF1A binds to these HRE elements in the promoter region, and luciferase reporter assays using the WASF3 gene minimal promoter shows that hypoxia results in its upregulation. Phosphorylation of WASF3 is required for its ability to affect invasion and increased phosphoactivation of WASF3 is also seen in cells challenged with hypoxia. These cells also show increased motility in the scratch wound assay. Cells in which WASF3 has been knocked down show no response to hypoxia as expected, implicating the specificity of the hypoxic response to WASF3. Overall, these experiments demonstrate WASF3 is a HIF1A‐regulated gene and suggests a mechanism to explain the observation of elevated expression of WASF3 in advanced stage tumors.
Blood Glucose Determination: Plasma or Serum?
Authors: Frank Elizebeth A. , Shubha M.C. , D'Souza Cletus J. M.
Published: May 2012

Background

Blood glucose determination is one of the most common clinical diagnostic tests. Often, blood is collected in a field station and analysis is carried out in a remote laboratory. Because blood cells can continue to metabolize glucose, the time of determination of blood glucose after drawing the blood is important.

Method

In order to test the relative suitability of plasma and serum for blood glucose determination, fluoride plasma and Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic acid (EDTA) plasma were compared with the serum of the same patient. The analyses were carried out within 10 min of drawing the blood and, thereafter, with a gap of 4 hr and 8 hr.

Results

Serum gave values lower than fluoride plasma by 1.15%. Although this difference was statistically significant, it may not be physiologically relevant. Hence, serum may be used for blood glucose determination with an error of 1.15%. On storing the sample at room temperature for 8 hr, the serum glucose value decreased by 8%. Even fluoride plasma had 4.3% lower glucose.

Conclusion

Hence, blood glucose should be determined within as short a time as possible after drawing the blood. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 26:317‐320, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thermal Tolerance of the Invasive Belonesox belizanus, Pike Killifish, Throughout Ontogeny
Authors: KERFOOT, JR. JAMES ROY
Published: May 2012

The goal of this study was to characterize the variability of thermal tolerances between life‐history stages of the invasive Belonesox belizanus and attempt to describe the most likely stage of dispersal across south Florida. In the laboratory, individuals were acclimated to three temperatures (20, 25, or 30°C). Upper and lower lethal thermal limits and temperatures at which feeding ceased were measured for neonates, juveniles, and adults. Thermal tolerance polygons were developed to represent the thermal tolerance range of each life‐history stage. Results indicated that across acclimation temperatures upper lethal thermal limits were similar for all three stages (38°C). However, minimum lethal thermal limits were significantly different at the 30°C acclimation temperature, where juveniles (9°C) had an approximately 2.0°C and 4.0°C lower minimum lethal thermal limit compared with adults and neonates, respectively. According to thermal tolerance polygons, juveniles had an average tolerance polygonal area almost 20°C2 larger than adults, indicating the greatest thermal tolerance of the three life‐history stages. Variation in cessation of feeding temperatures indicated no significant difference between juveniles and adults. Overall, results of this study imply that juvenile B. belizanus may be equipped with the physiological flexibility to exercise habitat choice and reduce potential intraspecific competition with adults for limited food resources. Given its continued dispersal, the minimum thermal limit of juveniles may aid in continued dispersal of this species, especially during average winter temperatures throughout Florida where juveniles could act to preserve remnant populations until seasonal temperatures increase. J. Exp. Zool.317:266–274, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
EF‐Hand Proteins and the Regulation of Actin‐Myosin Interaction in the Eutardigrade Hypsibius klebelsbergi (Tardigrada)
Authors: PRASATH THIRUKETHEESWARAN , GREVEN HARTMUT , D'HAESE JOCHEN
Published: May 2012

Many tardigrade species resist harsh environmental conditions by entering anhydrobiosis or cryobiosis. Desiccation as well as freeze resistance probably leads to changes of the ionic balance that includes the intracellular calcium concentration. In order to search for protein modifications affecting the calcium homoeostasis, we studied the regulatory system controlling actin–myosin interaction of the eutardigrade Hypsibius klebelsbergi and identified full‐length cDNA clones for troponin C (TnC, 824 bp), calmodulin (CaM, 1,407 bp), essential myosin light chain (eMLC, 1,015 bp), and regulatory myosin light chain (rMLC, 984 bp) from a cDNA library. All four proteins belong to the EF‐hand superfamily typified by a calcium coordinating helix‐loop‐helix motif. Further, we cloned and obtained recombinant TnC and both MLCs. CaM and TnC revealed four and two potential calcium‐binding domains, respectively. Gel mobility shift assays demonstrated calcium‐induced conformational transition of TnC. From both MLCs, only the rMLC showed one potential N‐terminal EF‐hand domain. Additionally, sequence properties suggest phosphorylation of this myosin light chain. Based on our results, we suggest a dual‐regulated system at least in somatic muscles for tardigrades with a calcium‐dependent tropomyosin‐troponin complex bound to the actin filaments and a phosphorylation of the rMLC turning on and off both actin and myosin. Our results indicate no special modifications of the molecular structure and function of the EF‐hand proteins in tardigrades. Phylogenetic trees of 131 TnCs, 96 rMLCs, and 62 eMLCs indicate affinities to Ecdysozoa, but also to some other taxa suggesting that our results reflect the complex evolution of these proteins rather than phylogenetic relationships. J. Exp. Zool.317:311–320, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
ACCESSING THE FIRST JOB IN A SLACK LABOUR MARKET: JOB MATCHING IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Schöer Volker , Rankin Neil , Roberts Gareth
Published: May 2012

Little is known about job matching in labour markets with mass unemployment. Using a unique data set of labour market experiences of young African job participants in South Africa, our findings show that accessing jobs through various employment channels is non‐random. Specifically, different individual, household, job and firm characteristics are correlated with the probability of accessing the first job via a particular channel, indicating that firms and/or job seekers select themselves into the use of these channels in their recruitment and job search strategies. Further research using panel data and/or matched employer–employee data is needed to unpack these associations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE DIVORCED FINANCIAL SPHERES OF BENINESE SPOUSES
Authors: Lemay‐Boucher Philippe , Dagnelie Olivier
Published: May 2012

This paper exploits original data collected in Benin, using both income and expenditure at the individual level. We provide evidence suggesting that husbands and wives do not pool their respective incomes and thus do not make expenditure decisions on the basis of a common budget. As corroborated by numerous anthropological accounts from West Africa, husband and wife are secretive and individually allocate their personal income to private and public goods. We describe a non‐cooperative context that enables us to predict the determinants of spouses' patterns of consumption. Our empirical results confirm that spouses' financial spheres are, to an extent, disconnected. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preliminary observations and diagnostic value of lipid peak in ovarian thecomas/fibrothecomas using in vivo proton MR spectroscopy at 3T
Authors: Takeuchi Mayumi , Matsuzaki Kenji , Harada Masafumi
Published: May 2012

Purpose:

To retrospectively evaluate the significance of lipid peak in in vivo proton magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy for the diagnosis of ovarian thecomas/fibrothecomas in patients with solid gynecologic tumors exhibiting totally or partially low signal intensity on T2‐weighted images.

Materials and Methods:

MR spectroscopy was performed in patients with pathologically diagnosed gynecologic tumors at 3T MRI. Single‐voxel MR spectroscopy data were collected from a single square volume of interest that encompassed the gynecologic masses. The lipid concentration level was classified into three classes (high; low; none).

Results:

A total of 20 gynecologic tumors in 20 patients were evaluated in this study. High lipid peak was observed in all seven thecomas/fibrothecomas, whereas low lipid peak was observed in only one fibroma in 13 nonthecomatous tumors (six benign ovarian tumors and seven subserosal uterine leiomyomas). The presence of lipid peak for the diagnosis of thecomas/fibrothecomas had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 92%, positive predictive value of 88%, and negative predictive value of 100%.

Conclusion:

The high lipid peak reflecting abundant intracellular lipid contents is considered a specific metabolite concentration for thecomas/fibrothecomas. Demonstration of high lipid peak may contribute to the diagnosis of thecomas/fibrothecomas in distinguishing from other benign ovarian fibrous tumors or subserosal uterine leiomyomas. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:907–911. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
HIV replication is associated with increased severity of liver biopsy changes in HIV‐HBV and HIV‐HCV co‐infection
Authors: Audsley Jennifer , du Cros Philipp , Goodman Zachary , McLean Catriona , Mijch Anne , Lewin Sharon R. , Sasadeusz Joe
Published: May 2012

Histological parameters were assessed in liver biopsies (n = 48) performed in patients co‐infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) in order to evaluate factors which were associated with significant liver disease. Necroinflammation and fibrosis was scored by the Ishak classification system, and binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess HIV and antiretroviral‐related determinants of necroinflammation and fibrosis. A total of 46 biopsies were included; 33 were from HIV‐positive patients co‐infected with HCV and 15 biopsies were from HIV‐positive patients co‐infected with HBV. One HIV‐positive patient was co‐infected with HBV and HCV. Median biopsy inflammatory grade for the cohort was 8.5 (IQR 6–10), the median fibrosis Stage 2 (IQR 1.8–4), and the median steatosis score was 1 (IQR 0–2). At the univariate level, HIV‐related variables that were significantly associated with more severe biopsy changes were higher HIV RNA at the time of biopsy (associated with inflammatory Grade 10+; P = 0.018) and any exposure to didanasine (ddI) or stavudine (D4T; associated with fibrosis Stage 3+; P = 0.022). HIV RNA at the time of biopsy remained significant at the multivariate level. Patients with HIV hepatitis co‐infection in this cohort had surprisingly mild changes in liver histology, and there were no statistically significant differences between biopsy results in HBV compared to HCV co‐infection. The association between HIV RNA and necroinflammation supports current recommendations for earlier initiation of HAART in patients with HIV‐hepatitis co‐infection. J. Med. Virol. 84: 993–1001, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phylogenetic analysis of the complete genome of 11 BKV isolates obtained from allogenic stem cell transplant recipients in Ireland
Authors: Drew Richard John , Walsh Anne , Laoi Bairbre Ni , Crowley Brendan
Published: May 2012

BK polyomavirus (family Polyomaviridae) may cause hemorrhagic cystitis (BKV‐HC) in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Eleven complete BKV genomes (GenBank accession numbers: JN192431‐JN192441) were sequenced from urine samples of allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients and compared to complete BKV genomes in the published literature. Of the 11 isolates, seven (64%) were subgroup Ib‐1, three (27%) isolates belonged to subgroup Ib‐2 and a single isolate belonged to subtype III. The analysis of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in this study showed that isolates could be subclassified into subtypes I–IV and subgroups Ib‐1 and Ib‐2 on the basis of VP1 of the first part of the Large T‐antigen (LTag). The non‐coding control region (NCCR) of the 11 isolates was also sequenced. These sequences showed that there was consistent sequence homology within subgroups Ib‐1 and Ib‐2. Two new mutations were described in the isolates, G→C at O84 in isolate SJH‐LG‐310, and a deletion at R2‐7 in isolate SJH‐LG‐309. No known transcription factor is thought to be present at the site of either of these mutations. There were no rearrangements seen in isolates and this may be because the patients were not followed up over time. There were five nucleotide positions at which subgroup Ib‐1 isolated differed from subgroup Ib‐2 isolates in the NCCR sequence, O41, P18, P31, R4, and S18. The mutation O41 is present in the promoter granulocyte/macrophage stimulating factor) gene and the P31 mutation is present in the NF‐1 gene. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1037–1048, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Do neutralizing antibody responses generated by human papillomavirus infections favor a better outcome of low‐grade cervical lesions?
Authors: Ochi Hiroyuki , Matsumoto Koji , Kondo Kazunari , Oki Akinori , Furuta Reiko , Hirai Yasuo , Yasugi Toshiharu , Takatsuka Naoyoshi , Maeda Hiroo , Mitsuhashi Akira , Fujii Takuma , Kawana Kei , Iwasaka Tsuyoshi , Yaegashi Nobuo , Watanabe Yoh , Nagai Yutaka , Kitagawa Tomoyuki , Kanda Tadahito , Yoshikawa Hiroyuki ,   for Japan HPV And Cervical Cancer (JHACC) Study Group
Published: May 2012

To determine the role of neutralizing antibody generated by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, baseline levels of serum neutralizing antibodies directed against HPV 16 and cervical HPV DNA were determined in 242 unvaccinated women with low‐grade cervical abnormalities, who were then monitored by cytology and colposcopy every 4 months. In women infected with HPV 16 (n = 42), abnormal cytology persisted longer in those positive for HPV 16‐specific neutralizing antibodies at baseline (median time to cytological regression: 23.8 vs. 7.2 months). Progression to cervical precancer (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3) within 5 years occurred only among women carrying HPV 16‐specific neutralizing antibodies (P = 0.03, log‐rank test). In women infected with types other than HPV 16 (n = 200), detection of HPV 16‐specific neutralizing antibodies was not correlated with disease outcome. In conclusion, development of specific neutralizing antibodies following natural HPV 16 infection did not favor a better outcome of low‐grade cervical lesions induced by HPV 16 or by other types; rather, detection of neutralizing antibodies generated by current infection may reflect viral persistence and thus help identify those who are at high risk of disease progression. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1128–1134, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determinants of response to triple therapy of telaprevir, peginterferon, and ribavirin in previous non‐responders infected with HCV genotype 1
Authors: Akuta Norio , Suzuki Fumitaka , Seko Yuya , Kawamura Yusuke , Sezaki Hitomi , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Hosaka Tetsuya , Kobayashi Masahiro , Kobayashi Mariko , Saitoh Satoshi , Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji , Kumada Hiromitsu
Published: May 2012

Patients who do not achieve sustained virological response to telaprevir/peginterferon (PEG‐IFN)/ribavirin need to be identified. Predictive factors of virological response to the triple therapy in non‐responders to previous PEG‐IFN/ribavirin therapy are not clear. The aims of this study were to determine the predictive factors of virological response to a 24‐week regimen of triple therapy in 15 non‐responders to previous PEG‐IFN/ribavirin therapy among 61 Japanese adults infected with HCV genotype 1. Overall, sustained virological response and end‐of‐treatment response were achieved by 27% and 60%, respectively. Telaprevir‐resistant variants (by direct sequencing) appeared during or after treatment in 82% of patients who did not show sustained virological response, but disappeared at the end of study, except for one patient with resistant variant at baseline. Substitution at aa 70 (Arg70) and type of previous response to PEG‐IFN/ribavirin (partial response) were identified as significant determinants of sustained virological response. In addition, alpha‐fetoprotein level (<10 µg/L) and type of previous response (partial response) were identified as significant determinants of end‐of‐treatment response. Prediction of response to therapy based on the combination of these factors had high sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values. In conclusion, this study identified amino acid substitution of the core region, alpha‐fetoprotein level, and type of previous response as predictors of virological response to telaprevir/PEG‐IFN/ribavirin in patients infected with HCV genotype 1b who had not responded to previous PEG‐IFN/ribavirin therapy. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1097–1105, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Factors influencing inadequate or suboptimal response to adefovir with or without genotypic resistance
Authors: Zhou Xia , Kuang XueMei , Fan Ke , Zhang ChangJiang , Deng GuoHong , Wang HuiFen , Wang YuMing
Published: May 2012

The aim of the study was to explore the factors in inadequate‐responders to treatment with adefovir (ADV) with or without genotypic resistance. The reverse‐transcriptase (RT) gene of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was sequenced in 161 patients with inadequate‐response to ADV and analyzed for HBV genotypes using a phylogenetic approach. Seventy‐six patients (47.2%) were found to carry the rtA181V/T/S or rtN236T residue substitution, and most of them had viral rebound. In the patients with viral rebound and ADV genotypic resistance, 19 (25.7%) showed rtA181V/T/S + rtN236T substitutions. In the other patients, it was found that HBV genotypes and cirrhosis influenced the selection of ADV‐resistant positions by univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis. The rtN236T was more frequent in patients with genotype B, and the rtA181V/T/S was more common in patients with genotype C (χ2 = 11.543,P = 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the rtN236T and time resistant strains occurred during ADV‐treatment were statistically significant for influencing rtA181 variation types (P = 0.007 andP = 0.024, respectively), and the occurrence of rtA181T was found to be significantly earlier than rtA181V. In conclusion, genotypic resistance was not detected in the majority of primary nonresponders to ADV when compared to the patients with viral rebound. The different HBV genotypes influence the selection of ADV‐resistant mutation positions. The rtA181T occurs more frequently in patients with the rtN236T and it occurs earlier when compared to the rtA181V. These findings suggest that early judgment of adequate response and making a decision for interference in patients treated with ADV are of importance in clinical practice. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1030–1036, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The characterization of monoclonal antibodies to human metapneumovirus and the detection of multiple forms of the virus nucleoprotein and phosphoprotein
Authors: Tedcastle Alison B. , Fenwick Fiona , Ingram Ruth E. , King Barney J. , Robinson Mark J. , Toms Geoffrey L.
Published: May 2012

Little is known of the proteome of human metapneumovirus (HMPV). In this study a panel of monoclonal antibodies to the virus have been characterized and used to identify viral proteins present in infected cell lysates. Of thirteen anti‐HMPV monoclonal antibodies four reacted with recombinant fusion glycoprotein and one with recombinant G glycoprotein by immunofuorescence but not in western blots suggesting that they recognize conformation dependent epitopes. The specificity of the remaining antibodies were determined by MALDI/TOF analysis of the proteins they immunoprecipitated from HMPV infected cell lysates and by western blotting. Five MAbs bound to the nucleoprotein and three to the phosphoprotein. In western blots of lysates of cells infected with low passage HMPV, the anti‐nucleoprotein MAbs stained a single polypeptide corresponding in size to the full length nucleocapsid protein. On repeated passage of the virus in cell culture, however, a second, smaller band appeared which may result from internal initiation of translation within the nucleocapsid gene as described for avian metapneumovirus. Antibodies to the phosphoprotein, besides the full length form, also recognized multiple polypeptides in infected cell lysates, with patterns differing for the two subtypes A and B. The possibility that these too may derive by internal initiation of translation is discussed. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1061–1070, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association between human papillomavirus infection and cytological abnormalities during early follow‐up of invasive cervical cancer
Authors: de Azevedo Ana Emília Borges , Carneiro Fabiana Pirani , Neto Florêncio Figueiredo Cavalcante , Bocca Anamélia Lorenzetti , Teixeira Lorenna Sena , de Queiroz Maurício Filho Marco Antônio Freitas , de Padua Nakashima Juliano , de Abreu Wenzel Castro , Muniz‐Junqueira Maria Imaculada , de Magalhães Albino Verçosa
Published: May 2012

Considering the limitations of cytology for detection of residual cervical cancer after radiotherapy, the aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and viral load of high‐risk HPV in cervical and vaginal samples during the early follow‐up of patients treated for invasive cervical cancer and correlate the results with cytological examination. Conventional cytology and hybrid capture test were performed on cervical and vaginal samples of 52 women with invasive cervical carcinoma 3 months after therapy. High‐risk HPV was detected in 46.1% of the samples and the median and the range of the ratio relative light unit (RLU)/cutoff (CO) (estimated viral load) in positive samples was 1.71 (1–2120.03). No significant difference was observed in viral frequency and in median of the ratio RLU/CO between samples of patients at different stages (I–III) and between cervical samples, from patients treated by exclusive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy, and vaginal samples, from patients who underwent to hysterectomy and radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. Cytological abnormalities were more frequent significantly in samples with HPV than in samples without HPV. The viral load was also higher significantly in samples with cytological abnormalities when compared with the samples without cytological abnormalities. In conclusion, HPV detection methods may be useful during the early follow‐up as a complement to conventional cytology for the diagnosis of residual cervical cancer after radiotherapy. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1115–1119, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevalence of human papillomavirus types in cervical lesions from women in rural Western India
Authors: Deodhar Kedar , Gheit Tarik , Vaccarella Salvatore , Romao Christine Carreira , Tenet Vanessa , Nene Bhagwan M. , Jayant Kasturi , Kelkar Rohini , Malvi Sylla G. , Sylla Bakary S. , Franceschi Silvia , Jeronimo Jose , Shastri Surendra , Sankaranarayanan Rengaswamy , Tommasino Massimo
Published: May 2012

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in many areas of India which contributes for a fifth of the global burden of disease. Persistent infection with one of the high‐risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) has been established as the cause for cervical cancer and the documentation of the prevalence of HPV types in cervical cancer in different regions of India is useful for a prevention program combining both screening and vaccination. In this study, the HPV type distribution and the frequency of p16INK4a immunoexpression have been determined in 125 cases of inflammatory lesions or grade 1 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, 74 cases of grade 2, 72 cases of grade 3, and 113 cervical cancer cases diagnosed among women from rural Solapur and Osmanabad districts, Maharashtra. The overall prevalence of high‐risk HPV was 37.6% in inflammatory lesions or grade 1 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, 63.5% in grade 2, 97.2% in grade 3 and 92% in cervical cancer cases. HPV 16 and HPV 18 were detected in 80.6% of grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and 86.5% of cervical cancer cases. 94.7% of the cervical cancer and 84.4% of the high grade lesions with a strong and full thickness staining for p16INK4a were positive for HPV infection; p16INK4a immunoexpression increased with worsening grade of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The HPV genotyping data showing a high HPV 16 and 18 prevalence in cancer specimens indicate that prophylactic HPV 16/18 vaccination would have a significant impact on the prevention of cervical cancer in India. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1054–1060, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association of HPV infection and Chlamydia trachomatis seropositivity in cases of cervical neoplasia in Midwest Brazil
Authors: da Silva Barros Narriman Kennia , Costa Maria Cecília , Alves Rosane Ribeiro Figueiredo , Villa Luísa Lina , Derchain Sophie Françoise Mauricette , Zeferino Luiz Carlos , dos Santos Carneiro Megmar Aparecida , Rabelo‐Santos Silvia Helena
Published: May 2012

High‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is considered the main etiological agent for cervical neoplasia. However, the presence of a single type HPV infection alone is unlikely to be sufficient to cause cervical cancer. There is epidemiologic evidence suggesting that HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis play a central role in the etiology of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and subsequent cervical cancer. To evaluate the HPV prevalence and the seropositivity for C. trachomatis in women referred to the colposcopy clinic due to an abnormal cervical smear and to examine the effect of this association on the severity of cervical neoplasia. Following enrollment, 131 patients underwent colposcopy and biopsies when necessary. HPV DNA was detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genotyping was performed by reverse line‐blot hybridization assay. C. trachomatis seropositivity was tested by ELISA for the detection of IgG antibodies. The prevalence of HPV infection was 86.3%. Seropositivity for C. trachomatis was 26%. Thirty‐one women (27.4%) were positive for C. trachomatis antibodies and HPV‐DNA. The most prevalent HPV type in C. trachomatis‐seropositive women were HPV 16 (51.6%) and this HPV type was present mainly in neoplasia cases. Positivity for HPV, particularly HPV types 16 and 18, and C. trachomatis seropositivity was significantly associated with a diagnosis of high grade neoplasia. Borderline significance was observed after adjustment for HPV. C. trachomatis seropositivity is associated with high grade neoplasia in women infected with HPV, mainly when the types 16 and 18 were involved. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1143–1150, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Isolation and characterization of a phenol‐degrading Rhodococcus sp. strain AQ5NOL 2 KCTC 11961BP
Authors: Arif N. M. , Ahmad S. A. , Syed M. A. , Shukor M. Y.
Published: May 2012

In this work, we report on the isolation of a phenol‐degrading Rhodococcus sp. with a high tolerance towards phenol. The isolate was identified as Rhodococcus sp. strain AQ5NOL 2, based on 16S rDNA analysis. The strain degraded phenol using the meta pathway, a trait shared by many phenol‐degraders. In addition to phenol biodegradation, the strain was also capable of degrading diesel. Strain AQ5NOL 2 exhibited a broad optimum temperature for growth on phenol at between 20 °C and 35 °C. The best nitrogen sources were ammonium sulphate, glycine or phenylalanine, followed by proline, nitrate, leucine, and alanine (in decreasing efficiency). Strain AQ5NOL 2 showed a high tolerance and degradation capacity of phenol, for it was able to register growth in the presence of 2000 mg l−1 phenol. The growth of this strain on phenol as sole carbon and energy source were modeled using Haldane kinetics with a maximal specific growth rate (μmax) of 0.1102 hr−1, a half‐saturation constant (Ks) of 99.03 mg l−1 or 1.05 mmol l−1, and a substrate inhibition constant (Ki) of 354 mg l−1 or 3.76 mmol l−1. Aside from phenol, the strain could utilize diesel, 2,4‐dinitrophenol and ρ‐cresol as carbon sources for growth. Strain AQ5NOL 2 exhibited inhibition of phenol degradation by Zn2+, Cu2+, Cr6+, Ag+ and Hg2+ at 1 mg l−1.
Expression of chitinase genes of Metarhizium anisopliae isolates in lepidopteran pests and on synthetic media
Authors: Bhanu Prakash G. V. S. , Padmaja V. , Jami Sravan Kumar , Kirti P. B.
Published: May 2012

Pathogenecity of the well characterized entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae used for biocontrol of a wide range of insect pests secretes hydrolytic enzymes that degrade the host cuticle. The chitinolytic activity of high and low virulent isolates of M. anisopliae was assayed on minimal medium (MM) + colloidal chitin and MM supplemented with insect cuticles. Ex‐ pression pattern of four chitinase genes (chitinase (chi), chi 1, chi 2, chi 3) was profiled during pathogenic stages of the entomopathogen under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis confirmed that chitinase cDNAs were expressed during the germination of fungus under nutrient‐deprived conditions. RT‐PCR analysis performed for the four chitinase genes on the two insect hosts Spodoptera litura and Helicoverpa armigera at six developmental stages of the pathogen displayed up‐regulation in S. litura at mycosed and conidiated condition while with H. armigera there was expression only after 48 h of incubation. Differential expression of chi, chi 1 and chi 2 genes in vitro (nitrogen rich and nitrogen limiting media) and in vivo (live insect hosts S. litura and H. armigera) implicate the role of substrate differences in pathogenesis. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)