bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Double-Antigen Sandwich Immunoassay for Human Hepatitis B Core Antibody
Authors: Li An , Yuan Quan , Huang Zhiyin , Fan Jian , Guo Ruyi , Lou Bin , Zheng Qin , Ge Shengxiang , Chen Yixin , Su Zhijun , Yeo Anthony E. T. , Chen Yu , Zhang Jun , Xia Ningshao
Published: January 2010

A novel diagnostic immunoassay testing procedure for hepatitis B virus core antibody (anti-HBc) using homogeneous purified full-length hepatitis B virus core antigen (HBcAg) capsids obtained fromEscherichia coliwas compared with Abbott Architect anti-HBc chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA; indirect method) against a library of specimens. A monoclonal anti-HBc neutralization confirmatory assay was then used to determine the degree of discordance between specimens. The new assay was found to be superior in both sensitivity and specificity.
Microbial Etiology of Travelers' Diarrhea in Mexico, Guatemala, and India: Importance of Enterotoxigenic
Bacteroides fragilis
and
Arcobacter
Species
Authors: Jiang Zhi-Dong , DuPont Herbert L. , Brown Eric L. , Nandy Ranjan K. , Ramamurthy Thandavaryan , Sinha Anuradha , Ghosh Santanu , Guin Sucharita , Gurleen Kaur , Rodrigues Savio , Chen Jacklyn J. , McKenzie Robin , Steffen Robert
Published: January 2010

This study examined established enteric pathogens,
Arcobacter
species and enterotoxigenic
Bacteroides fragilis
(ETBF), in 201 U.S. and European travelers with acute diarrhea acquired in Mexico, Guatemala, and India.
Arcobacter butzleri
and ETBF were detected in 8% and 7% of diarrhea cases, respectively.
Genetic Characterization of the Capsulation Locus of
Haemophilus influenzae
Serotype e
Authors: Giufrè Maria , Cardines Rita , Mastrantonio Paola , Cerquetti Marina
Published: January 2010

The capsulation (
cap
) locus of
Haemophilus influenzae
type e (Hie) was characterized and sequenced. No IS
1016
element was found to flank the locus. The 18.2-kb locus included 14 open reading frames (ORFs), which were grouped into three functional regions. Eight new ORFs (named
ecs1
to
ecs8
) were identified in the Hie capsule-specific region II.
Determination of Genotypic Diversity ofMycobacterium aviumSubspecies from Human and Animal Origins by Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive-Unit-Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat and IS1311Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Typing Methods
Authors: Radomski Nicolas , Thibault Virginie C. , Karoui Claudine , de Cruz Krystel , Cochard Thierry , Gutiérrez Cristina , Supply Philip , Biet Frank , Boschiroli María Laura
Published: January 2010

Members of theMycobacterium aviumcomplex (MAC) are ubiquitous bacteria that can be found in water, food, and other environmental samples and are considered opportunistic pathogens for numerous animal species, mainly birds and pigs, as well as for humans. We have recently demonstrated the usefulness of a PCR-based mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing for the molecular characterization ofM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisandM. aviumstrains exclusively isolated from AIDS patients. In the present study we extended our analysis, based on eight MIRU-VNTR markers, to a strain collection comprehensively comprising the otherM. aviumsubspecies, includingM. aviumsubsp.avium,M. aviumsubsp.hominissuis, andM. aviumsubsp.silvaticum, isolated from numerous animal species, HIV-positive and HIV-negative humans, and environmental sources. All strains were fully typeable, with the discriminatory index being 0.885, which is almost equal to that obtained by IS1311restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) typing as a reference. In contrast to IS1311RFLP typing, MIRU-VNTR typing was able to further discriminateM. aviumsubsp.aviumstrains. MIRU-VNTR alleles strongly associated with or specific forM. aviumsubspecies were detected in several markers. Moreover, the MIRU-VNTR typing-based results were consistent with a scenario of the independent evolution ofM. aviumsubsp.avium/M. aviumsubsp.silvaticumandM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisfromM. aviumsubsp.hominissuis, previously proposed on the basis of multilocus sequence analysis. MIRU-VNTR typing therefore appears to be a convenient typing method capable of distinguishing the three main subspecies and strains of the complex and providing new epidemiological knowledge on MAC.
Differentiation of Influenza B Virus Lineages Yamagata and Victoria by Real-Time PCR
Authors: Biere Barbara , Bauer Bettina , Schweiger Brunhilde
Published: January 2010

Since the 1970s, influenza B viruses have diverged into two antigenically distinct virus lineages called the Yamagata and Victoria lineages. We present the first real-time PCR assay for virus lineage differentiation to supplement classical antigenic analyses. The assay was successfully applied to 310 primary samples collected in Germany from 2007 to 2009.
Evolutionary Changes Affecting Rapid Identification of 2008 Newcastle Disease Viruses Isolated from Double-Crested Cormorants
Authors: Rue Cary A. , Susta Leonardo , Brown Corrie C. , Pasick John M. , Swafford Seth R. , Wolf Paul C. , Killian Mary Lea , Pedersen Janice C. , Miller Patti J. , Afonso Claudio L.
Published: January 2010

A morbidity-mortality event involving virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in wild double-crested cormorants (
Phalacrocorax auritus
) occurred in North America in the summer of 2008. All 22 viruses isolated from cormorants were positively identified by the USDA-validated real-time reverse transcription-PCR assay targeting the matrix gene. However, the USDA-validated reverse transcription-PCR assay targeting the fusion gene that is specific for virulent isolates identified only 1 of these 22 isolates. Additionally, several of these isolates have been sequenced, and this information was used to identify genomic changes that caused the failure of the test and to revisit the evolution of NDV in cormorants. The forward primer and fusion probe were redesigned from the 2008 cormorant isolate sequence, and the revised fusion gene test successfully identified all 22 isolates. Phylogenetic analyses using both the full fusion sequence and the partial 374-nucleotide sequence identified these isolates as genotype V, with their nearest ancestor being an earlier isolate collected from Nevada in 2005. Histopathological analysis of this ancestral strain revealed morphological changes in the brain consistent with that of the traditional mesogenic pathotypes in cormorants. Intracerebral pathogenicity assays indicated that each of these isolates is virulent with values of >0.7 but not more virulent than earlier isolates reported from Canada.
Depletion of CoREST Does Not Improve the Replication of ICP0 Null Mutant Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
Authors: Everett Roger D.
Published: January 2010

It has been proposed that the cellular corepressor protein CoREST is involved in repressing herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection in the absence of the viral regulatory protein ICP0. This proposal predicts that depletion of CoREST should improve the plaque-forming efficiency and replication of ICP0 null mutant virus. To test this hypothesis, human HepaRG cells that were highly depleted of CoREST were isolated using RNA interference technology. Depletion of CoREST had no effect on the replication of ICP0 null mutant HSV-1, demonstrating that CoREST does not play an influential role in regulating HSV-1 infection in this cell type.
Analysis of a Charge Cluster Mutation of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 UL34 and Its Extragenic Suppressor Suggests a Novel Interaction between pUL34 and pUL31 That Is Necessary for Membrane Curvature around Capsids
Authors: Roller Richard J. , Bjerke Susan L. , Haugo Alison C. , Hanson Sara
Published: January 2010

Interaction between pUL34 and pUL31 is essential for targeting both proteins to the inner nuclear membrane (INM). Sequences mediating the targeting interaction have been mapped by others with both proteins. We have previously reported identification of charge cluster mutants of herpes simplex virus type 1 UL34 that localize properly to the inner nuclear membrane, indicating interaction with UL31, but fail to complement a UL34 deletion. We have characterized one mutation (CL04) that alters a charge cluster near the N terminus of pUL34 and observed the following. (i) The CL04 mutant has a dominant-negative effect on pUL34 function, indicating disruption of some critical interaction. (ii) In infections with CL04 pUL34, capsids accumulate in close association with the INM, but no perinuclear enveloped viruses, cytoplasmic capsids, or virions or cell surface virions were observed, suggesting that CL04 UL34 does not support INM curvature around the capsid. (iii) Passage of UL34-null virus on a stable cell line that expresses CL04 resulted in selection of extragenic suppressor mutants that grew efficiently using the mutant pUL34. (iv) All extragenic suppressors contained an R229→L mutation in pUL31 that was sufficient to suppress the CL04 phenotype. (v) Immunolocalization and coimmunoprecipitation experiments with truncated forms of pUL34 and pUL31 confirm that N-terminal sequences of pUL34 and a C-terminal domain of pUL31 mediate interaction but not nuclear membrane targeting. pUL34 and pUL31 may make two essential interactions—one for the targeting of the complex to the nuclear envelope and another for nuclear membrane curvature around capsids.
Human Herpesvirus 7 U21 Downregulates Classical and Nonclassical Class I Major Histocompatibility Complex Molecules from the Cell Surface
Authors: May Nathan A. , Glosson Nicole L. , Hudson Amy W.
Published: January 2010

Herpesviruses have evolved numerous strategies to evade detection by the immune system. Notably, most of the herpesviruses interfere with viral antigen presentation to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) by removing class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules from the infected cell surface. Clearly, since the herpesviruses have evolved an extensive array of mechanisms to remove class I MHC molecules from the cell surface, this strategy serves them well. However, class I MHC molecules often serve as inhibitory ligands for NK cells, so viral downregulation of all class I MHC molecules should leave the infected cell open to NK cell attack. Some viruses solve this problem by selectively downregulating certain class I MHC products, leaving other class I products at the cell surface to serve as inhibitory NK cell ligands. Here, we show that human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) U21 binds to and downregulates all of the human class I MHC gene products, as well as the murine class I molecule H-2Kb. HHV-7-infected cells must therefore possess other means of escaping NK cell detection.
Sulfotyrosines of the Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus G Protein-Coupled Receptor Promote Tumorigenesis through Autocrine Activation
Authors: Feng Hao , Sun Zhifeng , Farzan Michael R. , Feng Pinghui
Published: January 2010

The Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) G protein-coupled receptor (vGPCR) is a bona fide signaling molecule that is implicated in KSHV-associated malignancies. Whereas vGPCR activates specific cellular signaling pathways in a chemokine-independent fashion, vGPCR binds a broad spectrum of CC and CXC chemokines, and the roles of chemokines in vGPCR tumorigenesis remain poorly understood. We report here that vGPCR is posttranslationally modified by sulfate groups at tyrosine residues within its N-terminal extracellular domain. A chemokine-binding assay demonstrated that the tyrosine sulfate moieties were critical for vGPCR association with GRO-α (an agonist) but not with IP-10 (an inverse agonist). A sulfated peptide corresponding to residues 12 through 33 of vGPCR, but not the unsulfated equivalent, partially inhibited vGPCR association with GRO-α. Although the vGPCR variant lacking sulfotyrosines activated downstream signaling pathways, the ability of the unsulfated vGPCR variant to induce tumor growth in nude mice was significantly diminished. Furthermore, the unsulfated vGPCR variant was unable to induce the secretion of proliferative cytokines, some of which serve as vGPCR agonists. This implies that autocrine activation by agonist chemokines is critical for vGPCR tumorigenesis. Indeed, GRO-α increased vGPCR-mediated AKT phosphorylation and vGPCR tumorigenesis in a sulfotyrosine-dependent manner. Our findings support the conclusion that autocrine activation triggered by chemokine agonists via sulfotyrosines is necessary for vGPCR tumorigenesis, thereby providing a rationale for future therapeutic design targeting the tumorigenic vGPCR.
The N-Terminal Region of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Protein 6 Induces Membrane Rearrangement and Enhances Virus Replication
Authors: Zhou Haixia , Ferraro Debra , Zhao Jincun , Hussain Snawar , Shao Jianqiang , Trujillo Jonathan , Netland Jason , Gallagher Thomas , Perlman Stanley
Published: January 2010

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) accessory protein 6 (p6) is a 63-amino-acid multifunctional Golgi-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane-associated protein, with roles in enhancing virus replication and in evading the innate immune response to infection by inhibiting STAT1 (signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 1) translocation to the nucleus. Here, we demonstrate that p6 has an N-terminal region-cytoplasm-C-terminal region-cytoplasm configuration with residues 2 to 37 likely membrane embedded. Expression of p6, or of its N-terminal 41-amino-acid region, in the absence of other viral proteins, induced the formation of membranous structures, some of which were similar to double membrane vesicles involved in virus replication. Consistent with a role in virus replication, p6 partially colocalized with nonstructural protein 3 (nsp3), a marker for virus replication complexes. Further, while the C-terminal region is required for preventing STAT1 translocation to the nucleus, our results also indicated that the N-terminal 18 amino acids were necessary for maximal inhibition. Collectively, these results support the notion that p6 is a two-domain protein, although the function of each is not completely independent of the other.
Quaternary Epitope Specificities of Anti-HIV-1 Neutralizing Antibodies Generated in Rhesus Macaques Infected by the Simian/Human Immunodeficiency Virus SHIVSF162P4
Authors: Robinson James E. , Franco Kelly , Elliott Debra Holton , Maher Mary Jane , Reyna Ashley , Montefiori David C. , Zolla-Pazner Susan , Gorny Miroslaw K. , Kraft Zane , Stamatatos Leonidas
Published: January 2010

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that neutralize human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) have been isolated from HIV-1-infected individuals or animals immunized with recombinant HIV-1 envelope (Env) glycoprotein constructs. The epitopes of these neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) were shown to be located on either the variable or conserved regions of the HIV-1 Env and to be linear or conformational. However, one neutralizing MAb, 2909, which was isolated from an HIV-1-infected subject, recognizes a more complex, quaternary epitope that is present on the virion-associated functional trimeric Env spike of the SF162 HIV-1 isolate. Here, we discuss the isolation of 11 anti-HIV NAbs that were isolated from three rhesus macaques infected with the simian/human immunodeficiency virus SHIVSF162P4and that also recognize quaternary epitopes. A detailed epitope mapping analysis of three of these rhesus antibodies revealed that their epitopes overlap that of the human MAb 2909. Despite this overall similarity in binding, however, differences in specific amino acid and glycosylation pattern requirements for MAb 2909 and the rhesus MAbs were identified. These results highlight similarities in the B-cell responses of humans and macaques to structurally complex neutralization epitopes on related viruses, HIV-1 and SHIV.
The ratio of total to merchantable forest biomass and its application to the global carbon budget
Authors: Johnson W. Carter , Sharpe David M.
Published: January 2010

Records of merchantable forest volumes can be used to estimate rates of carbon storage or depletion using a ratio to convert merchantable weights to total forest biomass (T/M ratio). We present evidence that the T/M ratio used to estimate carbon storage in midlatitude forests has been seriously underestimated by neglecting carbon in trees of unmerchantable size and quality and in coarse and fine litter. Ratios for forest types and size classes in Virginia based on detailed plot-level analysis ranged from 2.1 to 5.0; the mean weighted ratio of 2.7 was 55% greater than a ratio currently in use. More general analysis indicated that the T/M ratio for Virginia was representative of forests of the East; forests of the western United States were comparable to those of the East when woody debris was included in the estimate of total biomass. Application of the weighted ratio to growth of United States forests during 1952–1977 yielded a per-annum accretion of carbon in biomass (excluding soil carbon) of 0.15 Gt C•year−1, about 10% of the 1.6–1.9 Gt C•year−1 computed for midlatitude forests. More complete studies of counterbalancing carbon losses from forests, particularly losses in litter and soils after forest harvest and conversion to agriculture, are needed before the source or sink nature of midlatitude forests can be determined with confidence.
Thinning and nitrogen fertilization effects on sapwood development and relationships of foliage quantity to sapwood area and basal area in Douglas-fir
Authors: Brix H. , Mitchell A. K.
Published: January 2010

A 24-year-old Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) stand was treated with various levels and combinations of nitrogen fertilization and thinning. Over a period of 5–9 years after treatments, trees were sampled to determine effects on foliage quantity and sapwood characteristics at different stem heights together with their relationships. Sapwood width remained relatively constant up the stem where heartwood was present, but the number of annual rings it contained decreased with height. The sapwood width at breast height (bh) increased with stem diameter; treatments had little effect on percent sapwood at bh. The ratio of foliage mass to sapwood cross-sectional area changed for different portions of the crown and was lower when based on sapwood area at bh than at base of live crown. Significant linear relationships of foliage mass and area to sapwood area at bh were found, but relationships of foliage to basal area (bh) were just as close for all treatments; treatments significantly affected these relationships with control trees having the lowest regression slopes.
Relationships between stump sprouting and parent-tree diameter in sugar maple in the 1st year following clear-cutting
Authors: MacDonald Joanne E. , Powell G. R.
Published: January 2010

Sprouting of sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) was investigated in the first growing period following conventional, commercial clear-cutting in the Nashwaak Experimental Watershed Project, in New Brunswick. The number of sprouts and the height of the tallest sprout on 296 stumps from dormant-period cuts were recorded. A regression equation was developed from standing trees in adjacent uncut areas to predict dbh from diameter at stump height. The percentage of stumps which bore sprouts decreased with increasing dbh greater than 15 cm. The relationships between dbh and number of sprouts per stump, and between dbh and height of the tallest sprout per stump were bimodal with frequency peaks occurring at 10 and 65 cm. The number of clumps of sprouts per stump was relatively constant in all dbh classes except for an apparent increase in the 65-cm dbh class.
Assessing spruce budworm damage with small-format aerial photographs
Authors: McCarthy Jack , Olson Jr. Charles E. , Witter John A.
Published: January 2010

Methods of evaluating forest damage are designed to provide information for detection, control, and preventative management. In this study the use of small-format aerial photographs to assess spruce budworm, Choristoneurafumiferana (Clemens), damage was evaluated. A procedure was developed to identify spruce–fir stand vulnerability and establish inventory data for silvicultural management considerations. Large-scale (1:4800) 35-mm color positives of eight spruce–fir stands were obtained in July and August 1979. Defoliation intensity and tree mortality of host species were the parameters used to assess damage severity. Individual stands were assigned separate damage rating values based on aerial and ground survey evaluations of defoliation and mortality. Comparison of aerial and ground damage severity ratings was accomplished with a contingency table. Results show photointerpretation of forest damage condition matched ground inspection in seven of eight stands surveyed.
Sap extraction and measurement of soluble sap sugars in sugar maple
Authors: Gregory Robert A. , Hawley Gary J.
Published: January 2010

Techniques are described for field and laboratory extraction of small quantities of sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) xylem sap when pressure in the xylem is less than atmospheric. Accurate estimates of sap sugar concentration can be made with a hand refractometer most of the year. There is, however, appreciable within-tree variation in sap sugar concentration at any given time and within short periods of time.
Adaptation of Pinuscontorta populations to heterogeneous environments in northern Idaho
Authors: Rehfeldt G. E.
Published: January 2010

Genetic variation among 28 lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl.) populations from northern Idaho was studied in three contrasting environments. Populations were located within 55 km of the Priest River Experimental Forest where 4-year-old seedlings were compared in environments at 750, 1200, and 1500 m elevation. Statistical analyses of six variables (4-year height, leaf length, freezing injury, multiple whorls, lammas growth, and adjusted height) detected differentiation among populations. Multiple regression models related adaptive differentiation to geographic and ecologic characteristics of the seed source. Elevation of the seed source, represented in a quadratic model, accounted for as much as 86% of the variance among populations. Results were used to estimate the limits and consequences of elevational transfers of seed.
Chemimechanical pulping of boles and branches of white spruce, white birch, and trembling aspen
Authors: Law K. N. , Lapointe M.
Published: January 2010

Very high yield bisulfite chemimechanical pulps were prepared from boles and branches of white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench.) Voss.), white birch (Betulapapyrifera Marsh), and trembling aspen (Populustremuloides Michx.). In general, the branches produced 5 – 7% less pulp than the boles. The branch pulps showed weaker mechanical properties than the corresponding bole pulps. The mediocre performance in strength characteristics of the branch pulps may be attributable to the differences in dimension of fibers and vessel elements and the relative proportion of these cells in the wood.
Optimizing growth and development of 2-0 Douglas-fir seedlings by altering light intensity
Authors: Drew Allan P.
Published: January 2010

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsitgamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlings were grown outdoors in pots under 71% of full light the first growing season and full light the second. Another group of seedlings was given full light continuously for 2 years. At the end of the 1st year, seedlings given initial shade had grown larger in total weight (root + shoot) than those grown under full light. With removal of shading, the larger plants with lower shoot/root ratios began to allocate increased dry matter to root development relative to their shoots. By the end of 2 years, shoot/root ratios for the two groups were no different, yet the plants shaded in their 1st year were 69% larger in dry weight. By proper use of shading during development, larger 2-0 planting stock having good root development may be produced. Such stock, grown without the use of costly fertilizer, may be better suited to regeneration of droughty sites in the Northwest than the usual 2-0 planting stock, nursery grown under full light.
Composite design versus factorial experiments in forest fertilization trials
Authors: Yang Richard C.
Published: January 2010

The applicability of the rotatable second-order central composite design in forest fertilization studies was tested. The results indicated that the quadratic response equation specified by the central composite design was inadequate in approximating the response surface of white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings to fertilization with N, P, and K. Conventional factorial experiments arc useful not only in testing hypotheses of various effects but also in deriving an equation that adequately approximates the true response surface. Using the derived regression equation, seedling growth response to various rates of fertilizer application can be predicted and an optimal fertilizer regime can be determined.
Simulating the effect of forest fire on long-term annual timber supply
Authors: Wagner C. E. Van
Published: January 2010

A model is described that incorporates the effects of forest fire on long-term equilibrium timber supply. Its form is a computer simulation that burns and harvests specified proportions of a hypothetical forest with a given yield curve of volume over age. The primary result is the extent to which the equilibrium maximum sustainable annual harvest is depresssed by fire. This depression is always greater than the volume killed on the burned area. On the other hand, when the annual area cut is somewhat below the optimum level, the volume of harvest is relatively insensitive to the amount of fire. The results imply that the real impact of fire in managed forests is properly judged by the effect of the harvest, not from data on area burned and volume killed.
Effect of soil moisture tension and preplant treatments on early growth of hybrid Populus hardwood cuttings
Authors: Hansen Edward A. , Phipps Howard M.
Published: January 2010

A growth room study indicated that bud opening of hybrid Populus hardwood cuttings began sooner as soil moisture tensions decreased up to at least −0.05 bar (1 bar = 105 Pa). Subsequent shoot elongation also increased with decreasing soil moisture tension. Warming and soaking cuttings to the stage of imminent root emergence also accelerated early shoot growth. Effects of soil moisture tension and warming–soaking treatments on rooting were generally similar to the effects on shoot growth. The three clones tested were of diverse parentage, but all showed a strong positive response to the treatments. In establishing field plantations, cuttings should be warmed and soaked to near the point of root emergence and then planted in moist soil.
Future possibilities for poplar breeding
Authors: Mohrdiek O.
Published: January 2010

Poplar breeding should concentrate on studies of the inheritance of characteristics, using suitable mating designs. Estimates of genetic parameters will allow genetic gain predictions which will better indicate the potential of poplar breeding and help in choosing appropriate breeding methods. Sexual propagation should be given more attention for producing varieties than commonly practiced. Special stress should be placed on provenance studies in pure species. It seems desirable to place more emphasis on selection of wood properties.
Mechanism relating cambial electrical resistance to periodic growth rate of balsam fir
Authors: Blanchard Robert O. , Shortle Walter C. , Davis Weston
Published: January 2010

Cambial electrical resistance (CER) and periodic growth rate (PGR) of canopy balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea L.) trees were determined on 26 sites in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, U.S.A., varying in level of spruce budworm defoliation. Determinations of water and potassium concentrations were made of the bark, wood, and vascular cambial zone (VCZ). Low CER was associated with high PGR and vice versa. A decline in PGR on all 26 sites was detected during early 1970's to late 1970's. It was not associated with, but may have been exacerbated by, spruce budworm defoliation. The most probable mechanism relating CER to PGR in balsam fir was variation in the thickness of VCZ and its correlation with potassium content. Thicker VCZ of faster growing trees released more potassium into the solution contacting electrodes than thinner VCZ of slower growing trees.
Nitrogen productivity of some conifers
Authors: Ågren Göran I.
Published: January 2010

Nitrogen productivity, expressed as annual yield of foliage per unit of nitrogen in the foliage, is recommended for interpreting responses to changes in nitrogen availability. This index can be directly coupled to growth and is well suited for application in mathematical analyses of tree or forest growth dynamics. This paper demonstrates that the nitrogen productivity decreases predictably as biomass increases probably as a result of the reduction in irradiance as the canopy becomes more dense. For five species of conifers from northern latitudes (Piceaabies Karst., Pseudotsugamenziesii Mirb. Franco, Pinusnigra var. maritima (Ait.) Melv., Pinusresinosa Ait., and Pinussylvestris L.) nitrogen productivity is shown to decrease linearly with increasing needle biomass. For a particular species, these regressions allow for estimation of maximum needle biomass.
The effect of a prescribed fire on nutrient concentration and standing crop of understory vegetation in ponderosa pine
Authors: Harris Gary R. , Covington W. Wallace
Published: January 2010

Understory vegetation from sawtimber, pole, and sapling strata was sampled for biomass and nutrient concentrations, the summer following a fall-prescribed fire in ponderosa pine on basalt soils in Arizona, United States. Nutrient concentrations were generally higher on burned than unburned plots, with striking differences among overstory strata. K showed the most consistent response, while N showed the greatest increase in magnitude. The greatest increases in nutrients were in the sawtimber stratum, where Festucaarizonica Vasey and the miscellaneous grasses category were at times twice as high in N concentration on the burned sites. Differences in understory biomass were most obvious in September when both pole and sapling strata were twice as high on burned plots as controls. These production and nutrient responses varied highly depending on species considered, overstory type, and season. However, in general this prescribed fire appears to have increased nutrient availability, stimulating understory production and increasing nutrient concentration thus improving forage quality for both livestock and wildlife.
Comparaison de la croissance d'espèces ligneuses en milieu ouvert et sous couvert forestier
Authors: Bellefleur P. , LaRocque G.
Published: January 2010

The objective of this paper is to compare growth increment between full sunlight conditions and moderately shaded conditions for seedlings of three species: sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.), yellow birch (Betulaalleghaniensis Britton), and beech (Fagusgrandifolia Ehrh.). Diameter and height increments were larger in full sunlight than under cover. Yellow birch has shown better growth increments than sugar maple and beech under both conditions. This suggests that shaded conditions are not as limiting for the establishment of yellow birch than for the other two species.
Effects of application rate and cold soaking pretreatment of Pisolithus spores on effectiveness as nursery inoculum on western conifers
Authors: Alvarez Isabel F. , Trappe James M.
Published: January 2010

Ponderosa pine (Pinusponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco), Shasta red (Abiesmagnified var. shastensis Lemm.), and white fir (Abiesconcolor (Gord. & Glend.) Lindl. ex Hild.) seedlings were inoculated in a bare root nursery with basidiospores of Pisolithustinctorius (Pers.) Coker & Couch. The spores were applied at three rates with or without cold–wet pretreatment of 7 or 21 days. Pretreatment did not affect spore efficiency as inoculum. Only ponderosa pine responded to inoculation. Inoculations in the greenhouse with a wider range of spore application rates revealed that a higher concentration of spores was needed to induce an increase in growth and mycorrhiza formation of Douglas-fir than ponderosa pine. These levels were much higher than those used in nursery inoculations.
ON ISOMORPHISMS OF $\mathcal{R}$- AND $\mathcal{L}$-CROSS-SECTIONS OF WREATH PRODUCTS OF FINITE INVERSE SYMMETRIC SEMIGROUPS
Authors: KOCHUBINSKA YEVGENIYA
Published: January 2010

We classify [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-cross-sections of wreath products of finite inverse symmetric semigroups [Formula: see text] up to isomorphism. We show that every isomorphism of [Formula: see text] cross-sections of [Formula: see text] is a conjugacy. As an auxiliary result, we get that every isomorphism of [Formula: see text] cross-sections of [Formula: see text] is also a conjugacy. We also compute the number of non-isomorphic [Formula: see text] cross-sections of [Formula: see text].
EMBEDDING ENTROPIC ALGEBRAS INTO SEMIMODULES AND MODULES
Authors: STRONKOWSKI M. M.
Published: January 2010

An algebra is entropic if its basic operations are homomorphisms. The paper is focused on representations of such algebras. We prove the following theorem: An entropic algebra without constant basic operations which satisfies so called Szendrei identities and such that all its basic operations of arity at least two are surjective is a subreduct of a semimodule over a commutative semiring. Our theorem is a straightforward generalization of Ježek's and Kepka's theorem for groupoids. As a consequence we obtain that a mode (entropic and idempotent algebra) is a subreduct of a semimodule over a commutative semiring if and only if it satisfies Szendrei identities. This provides a complete solution to the problem in mode theory asking for a characterization of modes which are subreducts of semimodules over commutative semirings. In the second part of the paper we use our theorem to show that each entropic cancellative algebra is a subreduct of a module over a commutative ring. It extends a theorem of Romanowska and Smith about modes.
THE EFFECTS OF USING A TOURNIQUET IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY: A STUDY OF 77 PATIENTS
Authors: Burg Alon , Dudkiewicz Israel , Heller Snir , Salai Moshe , Velkes Stiven
Published: January 2010

Introduction: Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is usually performed with a tourniquet. Previous studies investigated the relationship between tourniquet and blood loss. This study evaluated tourniquet usage regarding parameters such as blood loss, drainage, blood administration, knee flexion, and complications. Patients and Methods: A cohort of 77 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty was reviewed. Results: No difference in 24-hours postoperative hemoglobin levels was observed. Blood collected in drains was slightly higher in the tourniquet group, yet there was more overall administration of blood for non-tourniquet group: a mean of 1.2 units of packed RBC versus a mean of 0.63 units for the tourniquet group. Complication rate was comparable, but a higher rate of local infection in tourniquet group was observed. No thromboembolic events were observed. Conclusion: With regards to direct blood loss parameters, there was no statistical difference between groups, provided that meticulous hemostasis is undertaken. Operating without a tourniquet poses a risk of increased demand for blood products. There is also some concern regarding local complication rate when tourniquets are used.
SURGICAL TREATMENT OF LUMBAR SEGMENT DISEASE WITH INTERSPINOUS IMPLANT: REVIEW
Authors: Crawford Rebecca J. , Price Roger I. , Singer Kevin P.
Published: January 2010

Interspinous implants (ISP) represent a contemporary non-fusion surgical option in the treatment of lumbar segment disease. Several devices have been developed within the last two decades and have been variously supported by investigations into their clinical and biomechanical efficacy. Spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy are reported as the primary clinical indications for their use, with degenerative disc disease and segmental instability recently extending their application. The principle common to all interspinous systems is an induced distraction of the interspinous space, resulting in reduced approximation of pain-sensitive and space-occupying tissue. Collectively, these devices are considered to prevent adjacent segment overload by restoring physiologic load transmission. This review article summarizes existing published literature, describes four different interspinous implants — the DIAM, Wallis, X-Stop and Coflex systems, and outlines clinical trials in progress. The design and surgical technique characteristics, mechanism of action, and clinical indications for interspinous implants are reviewed. Recommendations for future research of interspinous implants in the treatment of lumbar segment disease are made.
Posttranscriptional regulation of sodium-iodide symporter mRNA expression in the rat thyroid gland by acute iodide administration
Authors: Serrano-Nascimento Caroline , Calil-Silveira Jamile , Nunes Maria Tereza
Published: January 2010

Iodide is an important regulator of thyroid activity. Its excess elicits the Wolff-Chaikoff effect, characterized by an acute suppression of thyroid hormone synthesis, which has been ascribed to serum TSH reduction or TGF-β increase and production of iodolipids in the thyroid. These alterations take hours/days to occur, contrasting with the promptness of Wolff-Chaikoff effect. We investigated whether acute iodide administration could trigger events that precede those changes, such as reduction of sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) mRNA abundance and adenylation, and if perchlorate treatment could counteract them. Rats subjected or not to methylmercaptoimidazole treatment (0.03%) received NaI (2,000 μg/0.5 ml saline) or saline intraperitoneally and were killed 30 min up to 24 h later. Another set of animals was treated with iodide and perchlorate, in equimolar doses. NIS mRNA content was evaluated by Northern blotting and real-time PCR, and NIS mRNA poly(A) tail length by rapid amplification of cDNA ends–poly(A) test (RACE-PAT). We observed that NIS mRNA abundance and poly(A) tail length were significantly reduced in all periods of iodide treatment. Perchlorate reversed these effects, indicating that iodide was the agent that triggered the modifications observed. Since the poly(A) tail length of mRNAs is directly associated with their stability and translation efficiency, we can assume that the rapid decay of NIS mRNA abundance observed was due to a reduction of its stability, a condition in which its translation could be impaired. Our data show for the first time that iodide regulates NIS mRNA expression at posttranscriptional level, providing a new mechanism by which iodide exerts its autoregulatory effect on thyroid.
Collagen I matrix turnover is regulated by fibronectin polymerization
Authors: Shi Feng , Harman Jennifer , Fujiwara Keigi , Sottile Jane
Published: January 2010

Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling occurs during normal homeostasis and also plays an important role during development, tissue repair, and in various disease processes. ECM remodeling involves changes in the synthesis, deposition, and degradation of ECM molecules. ECM molecules can be degraded extracellularly, as well as intracellularly following endocytosis. Our data show that the ECM protein fibronectin is an important regulator of ECM remodeling. We previously showed that agents that inhibit the polymerization of fibronectin into ECM fibrils promote the loss of preexisting fibronectin matrix and accelerate fibronectin endocytosis and degradation. In this paper we show that inhibition of fibronectin polymerization leads to the loss of collagen I matrix fibrils and a corresponding increase in the levels of endocytosed collagen I. In contrast, manipulations that stabilize fibronectin matrix fibrils, such as caveolin-1 depletion, stabilize collagen I matrix fibrils and cause a decrease in ECM collagen I endocytosis. Our data also show that endocytosis of ECM collagen I is regulated by both β1 integrins and Endo180/urokinase plasminogen activator associated protein (uPARAP). Unexpectedly, Endo180/uPARAP was also shown to promote the endocytosis of fibronectin from the ECM. These data demonstrate that fibronectin polymerization regulates the remodeling of ECM collagen I, in part, by regulating collagen I endocytosis. Furthermore, these data show that processes that regulate ECM deposition coordinately regulate the removal of proteins from the ECM. These data highlight the complexity of ECM remodeling. This multifaceted regulatory process may be important to ensure tight regulation of ECM fibronectin and collagen I levels.
Dysregulation of lipolysis and lipid metabolism in visceral and subcutaneous adipocytes by high-fat diet: role of ATGL, HSL, and AMPK
Authors: Gaidhu Mandeep P. , Anthony Nicole M. , Patel Prital , Hawke Thomas J. , Ceddia Rolando B.
Published: January 2010

This study investigated the molecular mechanisms by which a high-fat diet (HFD) dysregulates lipolysis and lipid metabolism in mouse epididymal (visceral, VC) and inguinal (subcutaneous, SC) adipocytes. Eight-weeks of HFD feeding increased adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) content and comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58) expression, whereas hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) phosphorylation and perilipin content were severely reduced. Adipocytes from HFD mice elicited increased basal but blunted epinephrine-stimulated lipolysis and increased diacylglycerol content in both fat depots. Consistent with impaired adrenergic receptor signaling, HFD also increased adipose-specific phospholipase A2 expression in both fat depots. Inhibition of E-prostanoid 3 receptor increased basal lipolysis in control adipocytes but failed to acutely alter the effects of HFD on lipolysis in both fat depots. In HFD visceral adipocytes, activation of adenylyl cyclases by forskolin increased HSL phosphorylation and surpassed the lipolytic response of control cells. However, in HFD subcutaneous adipocytes, forskolin induced lipolysis without detectable HSL phosphorylation, suggesting activation of an alternative lipase in response to HFD-induced suppression of HSL in VC and SC adipocytes. HFD also powerfully inhibited basal, epinephrine-, and forskolin-induced AMP kinase (AMPK) activation as well peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α expression, citrate synthase activity, and palmitate oxidation in both fat depots. In summary, novel evidence is provided that defective adrenergic receptor signaling combined with upregulation of ATGL and suppression of HSL and AMPK signaling mediate HFD-induced alterations in lipolysis and lipid utilization in VC and SC adipocytes, which may play an important role in defective lipid mobilization and metabolism seen in diet-induced obesity.
Acute endurance exercise increases the nuclear abundance of PGC-1α in trained human skeletal muscle
Authors: Little Jonathan P. , Safdar Adeel , Cermak Naomi , Tarnopolsky Mark A. , Gibala Martin J.
Published: January 2010

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC-1α) is a transcriptional coactivator that plays a key role in coordinating mitochondrial biogenesis. Recent evidence has linked p38 MAPK and AMPK with activation of PGC-1α. It was recently shown in rodent skeletal muscle that acute endurance exercise causes a shift in the subcellular localization of PGC-1α from the cytosol to the nucleus, allowing PGC-1α to coactivate transcription factors and increase mitochondrial gene expression, but human data are limited and equivocal in this regard. Our purpose was to examine p38 MAPK and AMPK activation, and PGC-1α protein content in whole muscle, cytosolic, and nuclear fractions of human skeletal muscle following an acute bout of endurance exercise. Eight trained men (29 ± 3 yr; V̇o2peak= 55 ± 2 ml·kg−1·min−1) cycled for 90 min at ∼65% of V̇o2peakand needle biopsy samples (vastus lateralis) were obtained before and immediately after exercise. At rest, the majority of PGC-1α was detected in cytosolic compared with the nuclear fractions. In response to exercise, nuclear PGC-1α protein increased by 54% ( P < 0.05), yet whole muscle PGC-1α protein was unchanged compared with rest. Whole muscle and cytosolic p38 MAPK phosphorylation increased several-fold immediately after exercise compared with rest ( P < 0.05). Acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) phosphorylation, a marker of AMPK activation, was increased by ∼5-fold in cytosolic fractions following exercise ( P < 0.05). These data provide evidence that, in human skeletal muscle, activation of cytosolic p38 MAPK and AMPK may be potential signals that lead to increased nuclear abundance and activation of PGC-1α in response to an acute bout of endurance exercise.
Effects of varying pulse parameters on ion homeostasis, cellular integrity, and force following electroporation of rat muscle in vivo
Authors: Gissel Hanne
Published: January 2010

Electroporation is a technique used in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo to permeabilize cell membranes. The effect on the tissue describes a continuum ranging from mild perturbations to massive tissue damage. Thus care should be taken when choosing pulses for a given application. Here the effects of electroporation paradigms ranging from severe to very gentle permeabilization were investigated on soleus, mainly composed of slow-twitch fibers, and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and tibialis anterior (TA), almost exclusively composed of fast-twitch fibers. Five key physiological parameters were studied: force, muscle Na+, K+, and Ca2+content, and plasma lactate dehydrogenase activity. Four-week-old Wistar rats were anesthetized, and the lower part of the hind leg was electroporated. Blood samples were collected from the tail vein, and at the times indicated animals were killed and TA, EDL, and soleus muscles were collected for analysis of force and ion contents. Muscles were given eight high-voltage pulses of 100-μs duration (8HV) at varying field intensity, one short high-voltage pulse combined with one long low-voltage pulse (HVLV), or eight medium-voltage pulses of 20-ms duration (8MV). Intensity of the electrical field strength was determinant for the degree of changes observed in the muscle. Field strengths below 300 V/cm did not give rise to measurable changes, whereas 8HV pulses at high field intensities (1,200 V/cm) caused severe and long-lasting damage to the muscle. Interestingly, the damage was more pronounced in EDL and TA compared with soleus, possibly because of the difference in fiber type composition. HVLV only caused temporary changes, with force and ion content being normalized by 4 h, suggesting that this pulse combination may be useful for the introduction of ions and molecules (e.g., DNA) into muscle cells.