bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contribution of Wine Components to Inactivation of Food‐Borne Pathogens
Authors: Waite J.G , Daeschel M.A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT:  Wine is a complex solution containing several components with several likely antimicrobial properties. Low pH (3.0 to 4.0), high organic acid content (titratable acidity ≥6.0 g/L tartaric acid), relatively high ethanol (10% to 15%), and potentially high total sulfur dioxide (0 to 300 ppm) may contribute to inactivation of food‐borne pathogens when exposed to wine. The objective was to determine the effect of these 4 parameters on reducing populations of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus. A factorial design was used to test variables (pH, titratable acidity, sulfur dioxide, ethanol) in combinations of low, medium, and high levels. Suspension tests were performed to compare the efficacy of 81 treatments with controlled exposure time of 20 min. Staphylococcus aureus was significantly more resistant to wine treatment than E. coli O157:H7. Stepwise regression analysis of S. aureus inactivation revealed the ordered impact of pH, molecular sulfur dioxide, titratable acidity, and ethanol concentration. Selected analysis of E. coli inactivation revealed the importance of pH and ethanol in predicting inactivation. Total and free sulfur dioxide were not predictive of inactivation of either pathogen. Wine‐based solutions may have application as surface disinfectants for food surfaces and food contact equipment. Wine destined to be used as a disinfectant could be enhanced by increasing any of the parameters tested in this study; however, lowering the pH would be the most effective and would likely enhance the efficacy of the other parameters. Additional wine components such as volatile acidity and phenolics were not evaluated but may also contribute to the antimicrobial properties of wine.
Photophysical Properties and Photobiological Behavior of Amodiaquine, Primaquine and Chloroquine
Authors: Viola Giampietro , Salvador Alessia , Cecconet Laura , Basso Giuseppe , Vedaldi Daniela , Dall’Acqua Francesco , Aloisi Gian Gaetano , Amelia Matteo , Barbafina Arianna , Latterini Loredana , Elisei Fausto
Published: August 2007

This article describes the results of a coupled photophysical and photobiological study aimed at understanding the phototoxicity mechanism of the antimalarial drugs amodiaquine (AQ), primaquine (PQ) and chloroquine (CQ). Photophysical experiments were carried out in aqueous solutions by steady‐state and time‐resolved spectrometric techniques to obtain information on the different decay pathways of the excited states of the drugs and on the transient species formed upon laser irradiation. The results showed that all three drugs possess very low fluorescence quantum yields (10−2–10−4). Laser flash photolysis experiments proved the occurrence of photoionization processes leading to the formation of a radical cation in all three systems. In the case of AQ the lowest triplet state was also detected.

Together with the photophysical properties the photobiological properties of the antimalarial drugs were investigated under UV irradiation, on various biological targets through a series of in vitro assays. Phototoxicity on mouse 3T3 fibroblast and human keratinocyte cell lines NCTC‐2544 was detected for PQ and CQ but not for AQ. In particular, PQ‐ and CQ‐induced apoptosis was revealed by the externalization of phosphatidylserine. Furthermore, upon UV irradiation, the drugs caused significant variations of the mitochondrial potential (Δψmt) measured by flow cytometry. The photodamages produced by the drugs were also evaluated on proteins, lipids and DNA. The combined approaches were useful in understanding the mechanism of phototoxicity induced by these antimalarial drugs.
Mechanism of Photoisomerization of 1‐Naphthyl‐2‐Phenylethylenes in Organic Glasses
Authors: Yang Lan‐Ying , Liu Robert S. H.
Published: August 2007

Photoisomerization reactions of cis isomers of 1‐β‐naphthyl‐2‐phenylethylene, an o‐methylated homolog and 1‐α‐naphthyl‐2‐phenylethylene in organic glasses at liquid nitrogen temperature were studied. Reactions were followed by changes in UV‐absorption spectra of the irradiated samples. Formation of an unstable trans‐photoproduct was detected only with the o‐methylated homolog. The results are consistent with high regioselective Hula‐twist photoisomerization at the benzylic sites of the three compounds examined. Calculated data on relative energies of the conformers of both the cis and the trans isomers are in agreement with the suspected conformational population of the starting materials and the photoproducts.
Outdoor Workers’ Acceptance of Personal Protective Measures Against Solar Ultraviolet Radiation
Authors: Weber Marko , Uller Andreas , Schulmeister Karl , Brusl Helmut , Hann Hans , Kindl Peter
Published: August 2007

The acceptance and usability of personal protection against solar UV radiation was evaluated in a field study with a group of tinsmiths in Austria. The personal protective measures (PPM) tested involved four categories: shirts, headwear, sunglasses and topically applied sunscreens; at least six different products per category were tested. Recommendations for the “ideal” shirt, headwear, pair of sunglasses and topical sunscreen are given based on data from questionnaires, i.e., from the point of view of the workers, independently from the actual physical level of protection (such as low transmittance or area of coverage) provided. It is argued that in practice it is important to consider the acceptance and usability of protective measures as well as the level of physical protection when providing PPM.
Molecular Assembly and Photophysical Properties of Quaternary Molecular Hybrid Materials with Chemical Bond
Authors: Yan Bing , Qian Kai , Lu H.F.
Published: August 2007

In this paper, two long chain aliphatic carboxylic acids (oleic acid [OLA] and stearic acid [STA]) are modified with cross‐linking molecules (N‐2‐aminoethyl‐3‐aminopropyl‐methyl‐dimethoxylsiliane, (AEAPMMS, H2 N(CH2)2HN(CH2)3SiCH3(OCH3)2 and 3‐aminopropyl‐methyl‐diethoxylsiliane (APMES, H2 N(CH2)3SiCH3(OC2H5)2) resulting in four new kinds of structural molecular bridge OLA (STA)‐AEAPMMS (APMES). Subsequently, ternary molecular complex systems with four molecular bridges OLA (STA)‐AEAPMMS (APMES) and 2,2‐bipyridyl (bipy) of lanthanides (terbium and europium) or zinc ions were assembled, which resulted in four novel kinds of quaternary molecular hybrid materials (named as bipy‐Ln (Zn)‐OLA (STA)‐AEAPMMS (APMES) with strong chemical bonds (N‐Ln(Zn)‐O coordination bonds and Si‐O covalent bonds) after a sol‐gel (cohydrolysis and copolycondensation) process of the modified molecular bridges (as structural ligand) with inorganic precursor (tetraethoxysilane, TEOS). And especially bipy behaves as functional ligand to sensitize the luminescence of terbium or europium ions through the effective intramolecular energy transfer process, which gives rise to the characteristic emission of metal ions. The design and assembly from structural and functional ligands can help achieve a candidate technology for molecular hybrids.
Influence of Aggregation on Interaction of Lipophilic, Water‐Insoluble Azaphthalocyanines with DOPC Vesicles
Authors: Zimcik Petr , Miletin Miroslav , Kopecky Kamil , Musil Zbynek , Berka Pavel , Horakova Veronika , Kucerova Helena , Zbytovska Jarmila , Brault Daniel
Published: August 2007

Dioleoylphosphatidylcholine unilamellar vesicles made by extrusion technique (LUVETs) were studied as the delivery system for lipophilic water‐insoluble potential photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Two azaphthalocyanines (AzaPcs) with hydrophobic substituents only and two also possessing two charged amino groups were introduced into the study. All compounds are insoluble in water and form aggregates in PBS with tetrahydrofuran as cosolvent. The size of these aggregates depends on the concentration of AzaPc in solution. AzaPcs with tert‐butyl substituents were found to be incorporated into the lipid bilayer of vesicles in the monomeric form even at high concentrations. The stability of LUVETs with incorporated AzaPc was excellent for at least 4 weeks. Therefore, they are suitable for use as a delivery system for these water‐insoluble photosensitizers. Very low amount of AzaPc with n‐octyl substituents incorporated into LUVETs due to its stronger self‐aggregation. Values of binding constants determined for all AzaPcs showed inverse order than expected from their lipophilicities. However, the binding constants followed the order of the strength of aggregation forces. Aggregation of AzaPcs in water medium plays a very important role in the interaction of AzaPcs with LUVETs.
Performance evaluation of the Z2 coulter counter for WBC and RBC counting
Authors: PENG L. , WANG W. , BAI L.
Published: August 2007

The Z2 Coulter Counter (Z2) is a new, single‐channel semi‐automated electronic counter using the Coulter principle, providing both count and concentration results of cells, as well as providing size distribution of the cell population. The Z2 was evaluated according to guidelines published by the International Committee for Standardisation in Haematology. The results demonstrated excellent linearity for WBC and RBC (r > 0.999). The Z2 showed excellent precision, with a within‐run, between‐run and overall coefficient of variance less than 2%. Carryover was generally acceptable (<1%). WBC and RBC were stable after blood storage for 48 h at 4 °C and room temperature. There was almost no interference for WBC, RBC at high concentrations of bilirubin (178.5 μmol/l) or triglyceride (14.8 mmol/l) (P > 0.05). The bias of coincidence correction in WBC and RBC counting with the Z2 was less than 1%. Correlation between the Z2 and Sysmex F‐820 or SE‐9500 was excellent (r > 0.996) for WBC and RBC counting. Our results indicate that the Z2 has good features of precision, accuracy, linearity and good comparison with other haematology analysers, and could be used as a calibrating instrument for WBC and RBC counting.
The effects of thalidomide on chemotactic migration of multiple myeloma cell lines
Authors: FUCHIDA S.‐I. , SHIMAZAKI C. , HIRAI H. , AKAMATSU S. , YAMADA N. , UCHIDA R. , OKANO A. , OKAMOTO M. , INABA T. , TANIWAKI M.
Published: August 2007

We examined the effect of thalidomide and dexamethasone on the migration of multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines, U266, RPMI8226, and NCI‐H929, using chemotaxis chamber plates. U266 underwent chemotactic migration in response to stromal‐cell derived factor‐1 alpha (SDF‐1α), and other cell lines underwent random migration in response to SDF‐1α or monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 alpha. Following preincubation with 1 μg/ml thalidomide, the cell lines showed reduced migratory capacity in response to SDF‐1α. Concerning the corresponding receptors, CXC chemokine receptor 4 was detected only on the surface of U266, by flow cytometry, whereas chemokine (C‐C motif) receptor 2 was not detected on all three cell lines. Moreover, decreased migration by thalidomide was not accompanied by altered expression of the corresponding receptors of each cell line. This is the first report to show the effects of thalidomide on the migration of MM cell lines. The results suggest that the inhibition of chemotactic migration might be one of the mechanisms of the success of thalidomide in controlling MM.
Hepatitis B virus X protein induces apoptosis and cell cycle deregulation through interfering with DNA repair and checkpoint responses
Authors: Chen Hong‐Ying , Tang Nan‐Hong , Lin Na , Chen Zhi‐Xin , Wang Xiao‐Zhong
Published: August 2007

Aim:  To investigate the effects of hepatitis B virus X (HBx) gene on apoptosis and cell cycle in hepatocyte line HL‐7702 and to discuss the possible mechanisms in the pathway.

Methods:  The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3‐X and vector pcDNA3 were transfected into HL‐7702 cells and selected by G418 to construct two new cell lines, which were named HL‐7702‐HBx and HL‐7702‐con, respectively. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and western blot analysis were used to confirm that HBx gene was expressed steadily in the HL‐7702‐HBx cells. Then apoptosis and cell cycle of the two cells were detected by DNA ladder, flow cytometric analysis, and electronic microscope observation. Apoptosis and cell cycle gene expressions in the two cells were subsequently evaluated by using gene arrays. Some of results were further confirmed by real‐time PCR and western blot analysis.

Results:  RT–PCR and the western blot analysis showed that HL‐7702‐HBx expressed the HBx gene steadily. Comparedwith the HL‐7702‐con cells, there was increased apoptosis and accumulation of the S phase in the HL‐7702‐HBx cells. The gene array analysis indicated that some DNA repair genes (XRCC1, DDB1, etc.) and DNA damage checkpoint‐related genes (Cdc47, RAD17, etc.) played roles in the HBx‐mediated imbalance of apoptosis and cell cycle. Both cDNA array analysis and real‐time RT–PCR showed that mRNA of XRCC1, Cdc47 and RAD17 were upregulated by HBx. Unexpectedly, the western blot analysis revealed that HBx inhibited their protein expression.

Conclusion:  The expression of HBx in HL‐7702 cells promoted apoptosis and accumulation of the S phase through the inhibition of DNA repair and checkpoints via post‐transcriptional mechanisms.
Development of evidence‐based clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan
Authors: Makuuchi Masatoshi , Kokudo Norihiro , Arii Shigeki , Futagawa Shunji , Kaneko Shuichi , Kawasaki Seiji , Matsuyama Yutaka , Okazaki Masatoshi , Okita Kiwamu , Omata Masao , Saida Yukihisa , Takayama Tadatoshi , Yamaoka Yoshio
Published: August 2007

The Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), the first evidence‐based guidelines for the treatment of HCC in Japan, were compiled by an expert panel supported by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. This set of guidelines covers six research fields: prevention, diagnosis and surveillance, surgery, chemotherapy, transarterial chemoembolization, and percutaneous local ablation therapy. A systematic review of the English medical literature on HCC was performed, and a total of 7192 publications were extracted, mainly from MEDLINE (1966–2002). After the second selection, 334 articles were adopted for the guidelines to form 58 pairs of research questions and recommendations. For the users' convenience, practical algorithms for the surveillance and treatment of HCC were also created, which were based on evidence from the selected articles forthe guidelines and modified according to the current status of medical practice in Japan, where liver resection for HCC is regarded as safe with less than 1% mortality and cadaveric donors for liver transplantation are extremely difficult to obtain. The formation of the guidelines and the outline of their contents are described. The Japanese HCC guidelines may be useful in decision making at every clinical step, both for patients and physicians. Although the main users of these guidelines are assumed to be Japanese physicians, the accumulated evidence and interpretation in the guidelines may attract universal attention.
Vague Singulars, Semantic Indecision, and the Metaphysics of Persons*
Authors: SMITH DONALD P.
Published: August 2007

Composite materialism, as I will understand it, is the view that human persons are composite material objects. This paper develops and investigates an argument, The Vague Singulars Argument, for the falsity of composite materialism. We shall see that cogent or not, the Vague Singulars Argument has philosophically significant ramifications.
What is Wrong With Moral Testimony?
Authors: HOPKINS ROBERT
Published: August 2007

Is it legitimate to acquire one’s moral beliefs on the testimony of others? The pessimist about moral testimony says not. But what is the source of the difficulty? Here pessimists have a choice. On the Unavailability view, moral testimony never makes knowledge available to the recipient. On Unusability accounts, although moral testimony can make knowledge available, some further norm renders it illegitimate to make use of the knowledge thus offered. I suggest that Unusability accounts provide the strongest form of pessimist view. I consider and reject five Unavailability accounts. I then argue that any such view will fail. But what is the norm rendering moral testimonial knowledge unusable? I suggest it lies in the requirement that we grasp for ourselves the moral reasons behind a moral view. This demand is one testimony cannot meet, and that claim holds whatever account we offer of the epistemology of testimony. However, while appeal to this requirement forms the most plausible pessimist view, it is another question whether pessimism is correct.
A Puzzle about Properties
Authors: BROGAARD BERIT
Published: August 2007

The paper argues that the assumption that there are property designators, together with two theoretically innocent claims, leads to a puzzle, whose solution requires us to reject the position that all (canonical) property designators are rigid. But if we deny that all (canonical) property designators are rigid, then the natural next step is to reject an abundant conception of properties and with it the suggestion that properties are the semantic values of predicates.
Immunization by Avian H5 Influenza Hemagglutinin Mutants with Altered Receptor Binding Specificity
Authors: Yang Zhi-Yong , Wei Chih-Jen , Kong Wing-Pui , Wu Lan , Xu Ling , Smith David F. , Nabel Gary J.
Published: August 2007

Influenza virus entry is mediated by the receptor binding domain (RBD) of its spike, the hemagglutinin (HA). Adaptation of avian viruses to humans is associated with HA specificity for α2,6- rather than α2,3-linked sialic acid (SA) receptors. Here, we define mutations in influenza A subtype H5N1 (avian) HA that alter its specificity for SA either by decreasing α2,3- or increasing α2,6-SA recognition. RBD mutants were used to develop vaccines and monoclonal antibodies that neutralized new variants. Structure-based modification of HA specificity can guide the development of preemptive vaccines and therapeutic monoclonal antibodies that can be evaluated before the emergence of human-adapted H5N1 strains.
Fame, Philosophy, and Physics
Authors: van Dongen Jeroen
Published: August 2007

Einstein
. A Biography.
By Jürgen Neffe
. Translated from the German () by Shelley Frisch. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, 2007. 487 pp. $30, C$37.95. ISBN 9780374146641. Polity, London. £25. ISBN 9780745642208.

Einstein
. His Life and Universe.
By Walter Isaacson
. Simon and Schuster, New York, 2007. 718 pp., illus. $32, C$38.99. ISBN 9780743264730. £25. ISBN 9781847370488.

These best-selling recent biographies of Einstein draw on recently uncovered documentary evidence.
Development of Resistance in Wild-Type and Hypermutable
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Strains Exposed to Clinical Pharmacokinetic Profiles of Meropenem and Ceftazidime Simulated In Vitro
Authors: Henrichfreise Beate , Wiegand Irith , Luhmer-Becker Ingeborg , Wiedemann Bernd
Published: August 2007

In this study we investigated the interplay of antibiotic pharmacokinetic profiles and the development of mutation-mediated resistance in wild-type and hypermutable
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
strains. We used in vitro models simulating profiles of the commonly used therapeutic drugs meropenem and ceftazidime, two agents with high levels of antipseudomonal activity said to have different potentials for stimulating resistance development. During ceftazidime treatment of the wild-type strain (PAO1), fully resistant mutants overproducing AmpC were selected rapidly and they completely replaced wild-type cells in the population. During treatment with meropenem, mutants of PAO1 were not selected as rapidly and showed only intermediate resistance due to the loss of OprD. These mutants also replaced the parent strain in the population. During the treatment of the mutator
P. aeruginosa
strain with meropenem, the slowly selected mutants did not accumulate several resistance mechanisms but only lost OprD and did not completely replace the parent strain in the population. Our results indicate that the commonly used dosing regimens for meropenem and ceftazidime cannot avoid the selection of mutants of wild-type and hypermutable
P. aeruginosa
strains. For the treatment outcome, including the prevention of resistance development, it would be beneficial for the antibiotic concentration to remain above the mutant prevention concentration for a longer period of time than it does in present regimens.
Identification of Novel Epoxide Inhibitors of Hepatitis C Virus Replication Using a High-Throughput Screen
Authors: Peng Lee F. , Kim Sun Suk , Matchacheep Sirinya , Lei Xiaoguang , Su Shun , Lin Wenyu , Runguphan Weerawat , Choe Won-Hyeok , Sakamoto Naoya , Ikeda Masanori , Kato Nobuyuki , Beeler Aaron B. , Porco John A. , Schreiber Stuart L. , Chung Raymond T.
Published: August 2007

Using our high-throughput hepatitis C replicon assay to screen a library of over 8,000 novel diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) compounds, we identified several novel compounds that regulate hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication, including two libraries of epoxides that inhibit HCV replication (best 50% effective concentration, < 0.5 μM). We then synthesized an analog of these compounds with optimized activity.
Health Care-Associated Pneumonia and Community-Acquired Pneumonia: a Single-Center Experience
Authors: Micek Scott T. , Kollef Katherine E. , Reichley Richard M. , Roubinian Nareg , Kollef Marin H.
Published: August 2007

Pneumonia occurring outside of the hospital setting has traditionally been categorized as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, when pneumonia is associated with health care risk factors (prior hospitalization, dialysis, residing in a nursing home, immunocompromised state), it is now more appropriately classified as a health care-associated pneumonia (HCAP). The relative incidences of CAP and HCAP among patients requiring hospital admission is not well described. The objective of this retrospective cohort study, involving 639 patients with culture-positive CAP and HCAP admitted between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2005, was to characterize the incidences, microbiology, and treatment patterns for CAP and HCAP among patients requiring hospital admission. HCAP was more common than CAP (67.4% versus 32.6%). The most common pathogens identified overall included methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(24.6%),
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(20.3%),
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(18.8%), methicillin-sensitive
Staphylococcus aureus
(13.8%), and
Haemophilus influenzae
(8.5%). The hospital mortality rate was statistically greater among patients with HCAP than among those with CAP (24.6% versus 9.1%;
P
< 0.001). Administration of inappropriate initial antimicrobial treatment was statistically more common among HCAP patients (28.3% versus 13.0%;
P
< 0.001) and was identified as an independent risk factor for hospital mortality. Our study found that the incidence of HCAP was greater than that of CAP among patients with culture-positive pneumonia requiring hospitalization at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Patients with HCAP were more likely to initially receive inappropriate antimicrobial treatment and had a greater risk of hospital mortality. Health care providers should differentiate patients with HCAP from those with CAP in order to provide more appropriate initial antimicrobial therapy.
Risk Factors for Development of Multiple-Class Resistance to
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Strains in Belgium over a 10-Year Period: Antimicrobial Consumption, Population Density, and Geographic Location
Authors: Van Eldere Johan , Mera Robertino M. , Miller Linda A. , Poupard James A. , Amrine-Madsen Heather
Published: August 2007

We investigated the impact of the usage of antibiotics in ambulatory patients in Belgium in 147 defined geographical circumscriptions and at the individual isolate level. The study included 14,448
Streptococcus pneumoniae
strains collected by the Belgium national reference lab from 1994 to 2004. Additional risk factors for resistance, such as population density/structure and day care attendance, were investigated for the same time-space window. A statistical model that included resistance to two or more antimicrobial classes offered the best fit for measuring the changes in nonsusceptibility to penicillin, macrolides, and tetracycline over time and place in Belgium. Analysis at the geographic level identified antimicrobial consumption with a 1-year lag (0.5% increase per additional defined daily dose) and population density as independent predictors of multiple resistance. Independent risk factors at the isolate level were age (odds ratio [OR], 1.55 for children aged <5 years), population density (7% increase in multiple resistance per 100 inhabitants/km
2
), conjugate 7-valent vaccine serotype (OR, 14.3), location (OR, 1.55 for regions bordering high-resistance France), and isolate source (OR, 1.54 for ear isolates). The expansion of multiple-resistant strains explains most of the overall twofold increase and subsequent decrease in single antimicrobial resistance between 1994 and 2004. We conclude that factors in addition to antibiotic use, such as high population density and proximity to high-resistance regions, favor multiple resistance. Regional resistance rates are not linearly related to actual antibiotic use but are linked to past antibiotic use plus a combination of demographic and geographic factors.
Role of Interleukin-1β in Activating the CD11chighCD45RB−Dendritic Cell Subset and PrimingLeishmania amazonensis- Specific CD4+T Cells In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Xin Lijun , Li Yongguo , Soong Lynn
Published: August 2007

Cutaneous leishmaniasis associated withLeishmania amazonensisinfection is characterized by uncontrolled parasite replication and profound immunosuppression; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. One possibility is that theL. amazonensisparasite modulates antigen-presenting cells, favoring the generation of pathogenic Th cells that are capable of recruiting leukocytes but insufficient to fully activate their microbicidal activities. To test this possibility, we infected bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) of C57BL/6 mice withL. amazonensisorLeishmania majorpromastigotes and assessed the activation of DC subsets and their capacity in priming CD4+T cells in vitro. In comparison toL. majorcontrols,L. amazonensis-infected DCs secreted lower levels of interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and IL-1β, were less potent in activating the IL-12p40-producing CD11chighCD45RB−CD83+CD40+DC subset, and preferentially activated CD4+T cells with a IFN-γlowIL-10highIL-17highphenotype. Although the addition of IL-1β at the time of infection markedly enhanced DC activation and T-cell priming, it did not skew the cytokine profile of DCs and pathogenic Th cells, as local injection of IL-1β followingL. amazonensisinfection accelerated Th cell activation and disease progression. This study suggests that intrinsic defects at the level of DC activation are responsible for the susceptible phenotype inL. amazonensis-infected hosts and that this parasite may have evolved unique mechanisms to interfere with innate and adaptive immunity.
Dynamics of
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Attachment: Microcolony Development, Cortical Plaque Formation, and Cytoprotection
Authors: Higashi Dustin L. , Lee Shaun W. , Snyder Aurelie , Weyand Nathan J. , Bakke Antony , So Magdalene
Published: August 2007

Neisseria gonorrhoeae
is the bacterium that causes gonorrhea, a major sexually transmitted disease and a significant cofactor for human immunodeficiency virus transmission. The retactile
N. gonorrhoeae
type IV pilus (Tfp) mediates twitching motility and attachment. Using live-cell microscopy, we reveal for the first time the dynamics of twitching motility by
N. gonorrhoeae
in its natural environment, human epithelial cells. Bacteria aggregate into microcolonies on the cell surface and induce a massive remodeling of the microvillus architecture. Surprisingly, the microcolonies are motile, and they fuse to form progressively larger structures that undergo rapid reorganization, suggesting that bacteria communicate with each other during infection. As reported, actin plaques form beneath microcolonies. Here, we show that cortical plaques comigrate with motile microcolonies. These activities are dependent on
pilT
, the Tfp retraction locus. Cultures infected with a
pilT
mutant have significantly higher numbers of apoptotic cells than cultures infected with the wild-type strain. Inducing
pilT
expression with isopropyl-β-
d
-thiogalactopyranoside partially rescues cells from infection-induced apoptosis, demonstrating that Tfp retraction is intrinsically cytoprotective for the host. Tfp-mediated attachment is therefore a continuum of microcolony motility and force stimulation of host cell signaling, leading to a cytoprotective effect.
External Quality Assessment of a DNA Sequence-Based Scheme for Epidemiological Typing of
Legionella pneumophila
by an International Network of Laboratories
Authors: Afshar Baharak , Fry Norman K. , Bellamy William , Underwood Anthony P. , Harrison Timothy G.
Published: August 2007

We report the results of an international external quality assessment (EQA) program to assess the performance of laboratories in genotyping
Legionella pneumophila
isolates using the standard European Working Group for
Legionella
Infections sequence-based typing protocol. Three coded distributions of
L. pneumophila
isolates were sent to laboratories in 12, 14, and 20 countries, respectively. The data were returned by 11 of 16, 18 of 19, and 27 of 29 centers, respectively. Incomplete submission of data resulted in exclusion from certain aspects of the analyses. The number of centers achieving 100% score, for all loci tested, rose successively from 50% (5 of 10) for the first EQA distribution, to 56% (9 of 16) for the second EQA distribution, to 76% (19 of 25) for the third EQA distribution. A number of additional centers made only a few errors (one to three) in each distribution. Sequence data from the first two distributions were collected in flat text file format and using specially developed software, the sequence quality tool (SQT), in the third distribution. The SQT allows users to upload trace files in standard file formats, automates basecalling using phred and phrap software, contig assembly, trimming, and matching against a reference library. The program described here allow users an independent measure of sequence quality, and such schemes are vital in order to identify strengths and weakness in centers responsible for the generation of genotyping data in legionella outbreak investigation. The present study demonstrates that DNA sequence data can be highly reproducible but, when independently assessed, in practice frequently falls short of this goal. However, experience and training in the methodology results in increased performance.
Measles Virus N Protein Inhibits Host Translation by Binding to eIF3-p40
Authors: Sato Hiroki , Masuda Munemitsu , Kanai Moeko , Tsukiyama-Kohara Kyoko , Yoneda Misako , Kai Chieko
Published: August 2007

The nonsegmented, negative-sense RNA genome of measles virus (MV) is encapsidated by the virus-encoded nucleocapsid protein (N). In this study, we searched for N-binding cellular proteins by using MV-N as bait and screening the human T-cell cDNA library by yeast two-hybrid assay and isolated the p40 subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3-p40) as a binding partner. The interaction between MV-N and eIF3-p40 in mammalian cells was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation. Since eIF3-p40 is a translation initiation factor, we analyzed the potential inhibitory effect of MV-N on protein synthesis. Glutathione
S
-transferase (GST)-fused MV-N (GST-N) inhibited translation of reporter mRNAs in rabbit reticulocyte lysate translation system in a dose-dependent manner. Encephalomyocarditis virus internal ribosomal entry site-mediated translation, which requires canonical initiation factors to initiate translation, was also inhibited by GST-N. In contrast, a unique form of translation mediated by the intergenic region of
Plautia stali
intestine virus, which can assemble 80S ribosomes in the absence of canonical initiation factors, was scarcely affected by GST-N. In vivo expression of MV-N induced by the Cre/
lox
P switching system inhibited the synthesis of a transfected reporter protein, as well as overall protein synthesis. These results suggest that MV-N targets eIF3-p40 and may be involved in inhibiting MV-induced host translation.
Genetic and Phenotypic Variation of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus during Serial Passages in a Natural Host
Authors: Carrillo C. , Lu Z. , Borca M. V. , Vagnozzi A. , Kutish G. F. , Rock D. L.
Published: August 2007

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), like other RNA viruses, exhibits high mutation rates during replication that have been suggested to be of adaptive value. However, even though genetic variation in RNA viruses and, more specifically, FMDV has been extensively examined during virus replication in a wide variety of in vitro cell cultures, very little is known regarding the generation and effects of genetic variability of virus replication in the natural host under experimental conditions and no genetic data are available regarding the effects of serial passage in natural hosts. Here, we present the results of 20 serial contact transmissions of the highly pathogenic, pig-adapted O Taiwan 97 (O Tw97) isolate of FMDV in swine. We examined the virus genomic consensus sequences for a total of 37 full-length viral genomes recovered from 20 in vivo passages. The characteristics and distributions of changes in the sequences during the series of pig infections were analyzed in comparison to the O Tw97 genomes recovered from serially infected BHK-21 cell cultures. Unexpectedly, a significant reduction of virulence upon pig passages was observed, and finally, interruption of the viral transmission chain occurred after the14th pig passage (T14). Virus was, however, isolated from the tonsils and nasal swabs of the asymptomatic T15 pigs at 26 days postcontact, consistent with a natural establishment of the carrier state previously described only for ruminants. Surprisingly, the region encoding the capsid protein VP1 (1D) did not show amino acid changes during in vivo passages. These data demonstrate that contact transmission of FMDV O Tw97 in pigs mimics the fitness loss induced by the bottleneck effect, which was previously observed by others during plaque-to-plaque FMDV passage in vitro, suggesting that unknown mechanisms of virulence recovery might be necessary during the evolution and perpetuation of FMDV in nature.
Exposure to particulate matter on an Indian stone-crushing site
Authors: Semple S , Green D A , McAlpine G , Cowie H , Seaton A
Published: August 2007

Background/objectives:

A large number of labourers work in the stone-crushing industry in India. Many of these workers are also exposed to high levels of particulate matter in their homes from the use of biomass fuels. As part of our investigations to examine the health of these workers we characterised their exposure to respirable crystalline silica and a number of other particulate matter exposure metrics in both occupational and domestic settings.

Methods:

We used a combination of direct reading and gravimetric sampling of respirable dust, total inhalable dust and particulate matter <2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) at work (n = 19), within the general environment (n = 6) and inside the home (n = 7). We used x-ray diffraction to quantify the level of crystalline silica in the respirable dust samples.

Results:

After correcting for the length of the working week, the arithmetic mean 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) total inhalable dust exposure for this group was 143 mg/m3, the mean 8-hour TWA respirable dust exposure was 39.7 mg/m3and the 8-hour TWA crystalline silica exposure was 2.29 mg/m3. Our real-time data showed peaks in exposure under certain environmental and/or working conditions. General environmental and domestic PM2.5exposures were also high.

Conclusions:

Particulate matter exposures experienced by this group of workers and their families are likely to produce impaired lung function within a short time-frame. There is a need to introduce simple measures to reduce particulate matter exposure from both occupational sources and the use of biomass fuels in homes on this and similar sites.
OPINION DYNAMICS DRIVEN BY LEADERS, MEDIA, VIRUSES AND WORMS
Authors: TUNCAY ÇAĞLAR
Published: August 2007

A model on the effects of leader, media, viruses, worms, and other agents on the opinion of individuals is developed and utilized to simulate the formation of consensus in society and price in market via excess between supply and demand. The effects of some time varying drives (harmonic and hyperbolic) are also investigated.
A NEW CELLULAR AUTOMATON MODEL FOR TRAFFIC FLOW WITH DIFFERENT PROBABILITY FOR DRIVERS
Authors: ZHU H. B. , GE H. X. , DAI S. Q.
Published: August 2007

Based on the Nagel–Schreckenberg (NaSch) model of traffic flow, a new cellular automaton (CA) traffic model is proposed to simulate microscopic traffic flow. The probability p is a variable which contains a randomly selected term for each individual driver and a density-dependent term which is the same for all drivers. When the rational probability p is obtained, the larger value of maximum flow which is close to the observed data can be reached compared with that obtained from the NaSch model. The fundamental diagram obtained by simulation shows the ability of this modified CA model to capture the essential features of traffic flow, e.g., the spontaneous formation of traffic jams and appearance of the metastable state. These indicate that the presented model is more reasonable and realistic.
MODELING LINEAR DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS BY CONTINUOUS-VALUED CELLULAR AUTOMATA
Authors: SECK TUOH MORA JUAN CARLOS , HERNANDEZ MANUEL GONZALEZ , ROMERO NORBERTO HERNANDEZ , TREJO AARON RODRIGUEZ , CHAPA VERGARA SERGIO V.
Published: August 2007

This paper exposes a procedure for modeling and solving linear systems using continuous-valued cellular automata. The original part of this work consists on showing how the cells in the automaton may contain both real values and operators for carrying out numerical calculations and solve a desired problem. In this sense the automaton acts as a program, where data and operators are mixed in the evolution space for obtaining the correct calculations. As an example, Euler's integration method is implemented in the configuration space in order to achieve an approximated solution for a dynamical system. Three examples showing linear behaviors are presented.
FUNCTION PROJECTIVE SYNCHRONIZATION BETWEEN TWO IDENTICAL CHAOTIC SYSTEMS
Authors: CHEN YONG , LI XIN
Published: August 2007

First, a function projective synchronization of two identical systems is defined. Second, based on the active control method and symbolic computation Maple, the scheme of function projective synchronization is developed to synchronize two identical chaotic systems (two identical classic Lorenz systems) up to a scaling function matrix with different initial values. Numerical simulations are used to verify the effectiveness of the scheme.
ERRATUM: "LATTICE BOLTZMANN SIMULATION OF A NON-NEWTONIAN OSCILLATING FLOW IN A HIGH-FREQUENCY LIMIT"
Authors: COLOSQUI CARLOS E. , YAKHOT VICTOR
Published: August 2007

The Lattice Boltzmann simulation of a flow generated by an oscillating plate is conducted in a wide range of frequency variation 0< ωτ < ∞. The theoretically predicted transition from the viscoelastic (ωτ ≪ 1) Newtonian behavior to purely elastic non-Newtonian regime (ωτ ≫ 1) has been demonstrated. The relation of the derived solutions to microfluidics (high-frequency micro-resonators) is shown on an example of a "plane oscillator".
The ammonoid time-scale and ammonoid evolution
Authors: House M. R.
Published: August 2007

For a period of some 330 x 106 years* from the early Devonian to the late Cretaceous, ammonoid zones and subzones in marine rocks provide a time discrimination of the order of 0.25-1.0 x 106 years or a resolving power of 1:100 to under 1:500. Several time intervals show much better results. The progressive improvement of these techniques is illustrated.

The evolutionary tree of the Ammonoidea is as well documented as for any group. The record, with its periods of extinction and diversification at several taxonomic levels can be viewed as a bio-seismograph of the factors controlling evolution. The role of early stage modifications in evolutionary strategy is emphasized. A relationship between environmental change and critical events in ammonoid history is examined. Examples illustrate punctuated as well as gradualist mode confirming Darwin's view on the broad range of evolutionary mechanism. The ammonoids show no evidence supporting an hypothesis of regular diversity decay. The case is made for a more collaborative and systematic study of evolutionary fluctuations as a key to documentation of primary causations which may be global or cosmic.
The mass-age distribution of Phanerozoic sediments
Authors: Gregor C. B.
Published: August 2007

summary

The mass of the Phanerozoic sediments is about 2.1 x 10
18
metric tons, and between a quarter and one-third of it is distributed on the present continental margins and deep sea floor. The survival rate (surviving mass per unit time of deposition) seems to decrease exponentially with advancing age back to the Carboniferous, beyond which the tail of the distribution holds up and is somewhat irregular. The distribution for the past 300 Ma can be expressed by the equation log s = 10.01 - 0.24t, where s is the survival rate in metric tons per year and t is in units of 100 Ma. For a constant sediment mass with constant probability of destruction, this corresponds to a mean sedimentation rate since Devonian time of 10
1(}
metric tons per year and a half-life for the post-Devonian mass of about 130 Ma. The overall distribution, however, is the sum of the distributions for three major realms, cratonic, marginal and pelagic, each with its own characteristic pattern. The last two account for most of the exponential-looking trend in the later Phanerozoic, but it is not clear (nor, in the case of the pelagic sediments, likely) that they are themselves exponential in character.

The surviving masses (per unit time) of the Phanerozoic Systems tend to decrease with advancing age. This trend was revealed by a series of global volumetric estimates for the Devonian through Jurassic Systems (Ronov 1959) and extrapolations to the rest of the Phanerozoic based on a rough correlation between the volumes of the Systems surveyed and their maximum known thicknesses (Gregor 1967). Ronov and his colleagues have lately published (Ronov
et al
. 1980) complete volumetric estimates for those parts of the Phanerozoic Systems that underlie the global land surface. These estimates (after subtraction of the volcanic component and conversion from volume to mass) are summarized here in Table 3, Column 4. To them, in order to obtain the complete Phanerozoic mass-age distribution, must be added the sediments of the continental margins and deep sea. For convenience of study, the submarine realm can be divided into: 1. 'Passive' continental margins as defined by the US National Academy of Sciences (1979) and by Sclater
et al
. (1980). Examples are the margins bordering the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans and the Indian Ocean as far east as the Andaman Sea; 2. Marginal basins (Sclater
et al
. 1980) separated from ocean ridges by tectonic barriers (trenches, arcs, continental crust). They include such regions as the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas and the marginal basins of the western Pacific; 3. The deep sea floor. The areal distribution of these submarine sedimentary environments, as determined by Sclater
et al
. (1980) is, in millions of km
2
: passive margins, 52.2; marginal basins, 26.9; deep sea floor, 281.7.
Rate of Neogene depositional and deformational processes, north-west Himalayan foredeep margin, Pakistan
Authors: Raynolds Robert G. H. , Johnson Gary D.
Published: August 2007

The dynamics of molasse accumulation and the subsequent structural displacement of a foredeep basin during orogenesis have rarely been chronometrically defined. The Himalayan foothill belt of northern Pakistan and India constitutes a detailed record of molasse sedimentation in a classical foredeep setting. Subsequent deformation of this sedimentary sequence has resulted in the exposure of over 3000 metres of the Neogene and Quaternary aged Siwalik Group. Recently, the development of a magnetic polarity stratigraphy constrained by the fission-track dating of numerous intercalated volcanic ashes has permitted a precise chronostratigraphic statement to be made concerning the accumulation and deformational history of this non-marine sedimentary sequence. Data from numerous localities in northern Pakistan and India document the onset, development, and termination of various events in this sedimentation history with a precision of from ~20000 to ~50000 yrs. Sediment accumulation rates associated with the progressive migration of the foredeep depocentre have been determined to range from -20 to -50 cm/1000 yrs. The southward progradation of lateral facies changes at rates of up to 30 m/1000 yrs together with the southward advance of the basin depocentre at rates of over 20 m/1000 yrs suggest a rough equilibrium between the modelled northward plate motion of the Indian subcontinent and the southward displacement of depositional processes within the foredeep. This illustration of the dynamic involvement of proximal foredeep terraine in the continuing Himalayan orogenesis yields a model potentially useful in similar tectonic settings.
Insights into a role of GH secretagogues in reversing the age-related decline in the GH/IGF-I axis
Authors: Frutos Miriam García-San , Cacicedo Lucinda , Fernández Carolina , Vicent David , Velasco Beatriz , Zapatero Helena , Sánchez-Franco Franco
Published: August 2007

Growth hormone (GH) secretion and serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) decline with aging. This study addresses the role played by the hypothalamic regulators in the aging GH decline and investigates the mechanisms through which growth hormone secretagogues (GHS) activate GH secretion in the aging rats. Two groups of male Wistar rats were studied: young-adult (3 mo) and old (24 mo). Hypothalamic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) mRNA and immunoreactive (IR) GHRH dramatically decreased ( P < 0.01 and P < 0.001) in the old rats, as did median eminence IR-GHRH. Decreases of hypothalamic IR-somatostatin (SS; P < 0.001) and SS mRNA ( P < 0.01), and median eminence IR-SS were found in old rats as were GHS receptor and IGF-I mRNA ( P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). Hypothalamic IGF-I receptor mRNA and protein were unmodified. Both young and old pituitary cells, cultured alone or cocultured with fetal hypothalamic cells, responded to ghrelin. Only in the presence of fetal hypothalamic cells did ghrelin elevate the age-related decrease of GH secretion to within normal adult range. In old rats, growth hormone-releasing peptide-6 returned the levels of GH and IGF-I secretion and liver IGF-I mRNA, and partially restored the lower pituitary IR-GH and GH mRNA levels to those of young untreated rats. These results suggest that the aging GH decline may result from decreased GHRH function rather than from increased SS action. The reduction of hypothalamic GHS-R gene expression might impair the action of ghrelin on GH release. The role of IGF-I is not altered. The aging GH/IGF-I axis decline could be rejuvenated by GHS treatment.