bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Cost‐effectiveness of Australia's Active After‐school Communities Program
Authors: Moodie Marjory L. , Carter Robert C. , Swinburn Boyd A. , Haby Michelle M.
Published: November 2009

The objective of this study was to assess from a societal perspective the cost‐effectiveness of the Active After‐school Communities (AASC) program, a key plank of the former Australian Government's obesity prevention program. The intervention was modeled for a 1‐year time horizon for Australian primary school children as part of the Assessing Cost‐Effectiveness in Obesity (ACE‐Obesity) project. Disability‐adjusted life year (DALY) benefits (based on calculated effects on BMI post‐intervention) and cost‐offsets (consequent savings from reductions in obesity‐related diseases) were tracked until the cohort reached the age of 100 years or death. The reference year was 2001, and a 3% discount rate was applied. Simulation‐modeling techniques were used to present a 95% uncertainty interval around the cost‐effectiveness ratio. An assessment of second‐stage filter criteria (“equity,” “strength of evidence,” “acceptability to stakeholders,” “feasibility of implementation,” “sustainability,” and “side‐effects”) was undertaken by a stakeholder Working Group to incorporate additional factors that impact on resource allocation decisions. The estimated number of children new to physical activity after‐school and therefore receiving the intervention benefit was 69,300. For 1 year, the intervention cost is Australian dollars (AUD) 40.3 million (95% uncertainty interval AUD 28.6 million; AUD 56.2 million), and resulted in an incremental saving of 450 (250; 770) DALYs. The resultant cost‐offsets were AUD 3.7 million, producing a net cost per DALY saved of AUD 82,000 (95% uncertainty interval AUD 40,000; AUD 165,000). Although the program has intuitive appeal, it was not cost‐effective under base‐case modeling assumptions. To improve its cost‐effectiveness credentials as an obesity prevention measure, a reduction in costs needs to be coupled with increases in the number of participating children and the amount of physical activity undertaken.
Synthesis of anomeric phosphates of aldoses and 2-ulosonic acids
Authors: Zamyatina Alla , Kosma Paul
Published: November 2009

This review summarizes recent approaches towards the selective formation of anomeric aldose and aldulosonic acid phosphates of biological relevance, in particular as precursors for the synthesis of nucleotide-activated sugars.
Thermal properties of char obtained by pyrolysis: A molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Makeev Maxim A. , Srivastava Deepak
Published: November 2009

The thermal conductivity of pyrolytic char obtained by ultrahigh temperature decomposition of polyethylene specimen via molecular dynamics simulations is investigated as a function of temperature and microstructural characteristics. We find that the simulated thermal conductivity dependence on the average coordination number is modified by formation of graphene-like microtopological features in carbonaceous char. The dependence of thermal conductivity on temperature and average coordination number is explained in terms of an analytical model, based on the Einstein’s theory of heat transport. The deviations due to the formation of graphene sheet-like units are taken into consideration by introducing corresponding corrections in the elastic properties of char.
Bistable twisted-bend and twisted-nematic liquid crystal display
Authors: Li Y. W. , Kwok H. S.
Published: November 2009

Bistability of twisted-bend and twisted configuration is found. It is based on the elastic and topological inequivalency of director orientation. Multiple states of minimum local energy exist, with appropriate boundary conditions. The effects of elastic constants, d/P ratio and pretilt angle are also investigated. Fast electrical switching time <500 μs and high average contrast of 45:1 are obtained experimentally.
G9a selectively represses a class of late-replicating genes at the nuclear periphery
Authors: Yokochi Tomoki , Poduch Kristina , Ryba Tyrone , Lu Junjie , Hiratani Ichiro , Tachibana Makoto , Shinkai Yoichi , Gilbert David M.
Published: November 2009

We have investigated the role of the histone methyltransferase G9a in the establishment of silent nuclear compartments. Following conditional knockout of the G9a methyltransferase in mouse ESCs, 167 genes were significantly up-regulated, and no genes were strongly down-regulated. A partially overlapping set of 119 genes were up-regulated after differentiation of G9a-depleted cells to neural precursors. Promoters of these G9a-repressed genes were AT rich and H3K9me2 enriched but H3K4me3 depleted and were not highly DNA methylated. Representative genes were found to be close to the nuclear periphery, which was significantly enriched for G9a-dependent H3K9me2. Strikingly, although 73% of total genes were early replicating, more than 71% of G9a-repressed genes were late replicating, and a strong correlation was found between H3K9me2 and late replication. However, G9a loss did not significantly affect subnuclear position or replication timing of any non-pericentric regions of the genome, nor did it affect programmed changes in replication timing that accompany differentiation. We conclude that G9a is a gatekeeper for a specific set of genes localized within the late replicating nuclear periphery.
Hsp90 Nuclear Accumulation in Quiescence Is Linked to Chaperone Function and Spore Development in Yeast
Authors: Tapia Hugo , Morano Kevin A.
Published: November 2009

The 90-kDa heat-shock protein (Hsp90) operates in the context of a multichaperone complex to promote maturation of nuclear and cytoplasmic clients. We have discovered that Hsp90 and the cochaperone Sba1/p23 accumulate in the nucleus of quiescent Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. Hsp90 nuclear accumulation was unaffected in sba1Δ cells, demonstrating that Hsp82 translocates independently of Sba1. Translocation of both chaperones was dependent on the α/β importin SRP1/KAP95. Hsp90 nuclear retention was coincident with glucose exhaustion and seems to be a starvation-specific response, as heat shock or 10% ethanol stress failed to elicit translocation. We generated nuclear accumulation-defective HSP82 mutants to probe the nature of this targeting event and identified a mutant with a single amino acid substitution (I578F) sufficient to retain Hsp90 in the cytoplasm in quiescent cells. Diploid hsp82-I578F cells exhibited pronounced defects in spore wall construction and maturation, resulting in catastrophic sporulation. The mislocalization and sporulation phenotypes were shared by another previously identified HSP82 mutant allele. Pharmacological inhibition of Hsp90 with macbecin in sporulating diploid cells also blocked spore formation, underscoring the importance of this chaperone in this developmental program.
PCR-Based Assays for the Detection of Puccinia horiana on Chrysanthemums
Authors: Pedley Kerry F.
Published: November 2009

Puccinia horiana, the causal agent of chrysanthemum white rust, is a pathogen of quarantine status in many countries where Chrysanthemum × morifolium cultivars are grown. Historically, identification protocols for white rust relied upon macroscopic symptom development and microscopic examination of infected leaves for teliospores. Symptoms become visible 7 to 10 days after initial infection under favorable conditions followed by the production of telia. Infected plants can therefore evade detection before symptoms and fruiting bodies are evident. Conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were developed to detect P. horiana using primers designed to amplify portions of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The species-specific primers could detect the pathogen from 1 ng of DNA isolated from infected leaf tissue in conventional PCR assays and from 1 pg in real-time PCR assays. While both assays were capable of detecting P. horiana in symptomatic tissue, the greater sensitivity offered by the real-time PCR assay makes it more reliable for detecting the pathogen during the latent stage of infection. The P. horiana primers did not amplify the rDNA target using DNA isolated from leaf tissue infected with P. chrysanthemi.
Characterization of a NewStreptomycesStrain, DS3024, That Causes Potato Common Scab
Authors: Hao J. J. , Meng Q. X. , Yin J. F. , Kirk W. W.
Published: November 2009

A novel strain of Streptomyces (named DS3024) was isolated from a potato field in Michigan in 2006. The taxonomy of the organism was determined by morphology, biochemistry, and genetic analysis. Analysis of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence indicated that the organism was most similar to an isolate of Streptomyces sp., ME02-6979.3a, which is not pathogenic to potato tubers but is distinct from other known pathogenic Streptomyces spp. Strain DS3024 has genes that encode thaxtomin synthetase (txtAB), which is required for pathogenicity and virulence, and tomatinase (tomA), which is a common marker for many pathogenic Streptomyces spp. However, the nec1 gene (associated with virulence in most pathogenic Streptomyces spp.) was not detected. The new strain was capable of growth at pH 4.5, caused necrosis on potato tuber slices, and produced thaxtomin A. In greenhouse experiments, DS3024 caused scab symptoms on potato tubers similar to those caused by Streptomyces scabies on tubers of potato cv. Atlantic, which is scab susceptible. We propose that DS3024 is a new strain of Streptomyces capable of causing common scab on potato tubers. The prevalence of this strain of Streptomyces in potato-producing areas in the north-central United States has not been determined.
First Report of Downy Mildew Caused by Peronospora trigonellae on Fenugreek in the United States
Authors: Rooney-Latham S. , Blomquist C. L. , Turney J.
Published: November 2009

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a member of the Fabaceae family and is grown worldwide for culinary and medicinal purposes. The leaves are used as an herb while the seeds are used whole, ground as a spice, or germinated and used as sprouts. In November 2008, a fenugreek plant exhibiting leaf spotting and severe stunting was submitted to the CDFA Plant Pest Diagnostics Laboratory from the Los Angeles County Plant Diagnostic Laboratory. The county had received the sample from a homeowner who reported severe dieback of the fenugreek in his backyard planting. The fenugreek is grown by the resident as an annual and is propagated each year from the previous crop's seed. The seed was originally obtained from a local ethnic grocery store in Lakewood, CA. The homeowner stated that he had noticed symptoms for a number of years and that they seemed especially severe during the winter months. The adaxial surfaces of the leaves exhibited small chlorotic spots often at the leaf margins, while the abaxial surfaces exhibited a grayish violet, felty growth. Conidiophores found on the underside of the leaves branched dichotomously 6 to 10 times and were terminally forked. Conidiophores measured 280 to 525 μm (average 420 μm) with slightly swollen bases (7.5 to 10 μm broad). Conidia were slightly pigmented, oblong to ellipsoid, and measured 23 to 33 × 18 to 23 μm (average 27.8 × 20.3 μm). Globose oospores with verruculose walls measured 30 to 40 μm in diameter (average 36.1 μm) and were found embedded in the leaf tissue of older lesions. The pathogen was identified morphologically as Peronospora trigonellae Gaum. (3). Sequences of a portion of the rDNA, including the internal transcribed spacer regions, were obtained using primers DC6 and ITS6 (1). Sequence data for P. trigonellae had not previously been entered into GenBank and no identity was obtained. Pathogenicity experiments attempted by spraying healthy fenugreek seedlings with conidial suspensions were unsuccessful, presumably because of the age of the inoculum. Since fenugreek is not commercially grown in California, the economic importance of this disease is limited. Although P. trigonellae has been reported on fenugreek in Algeria, India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom (2–4), to our knowledge, this is the first report of its occurrence in California and the United States. A specimen of P. trigonellae has been deposited in the U.S. National Fungus Collection (BPI 879153).

References: (1) D. E. L. Cooke et al. Fungal Genet. Biol. 30:17, 2000. (2) D. F. Farr et al. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory. Online publication. ARS, USDA, 2009, (3) E. A. Gaumann. Beitr. Kryptogamenflora Schweiz 5:216, 1923. (4) D. R. Jones et al. Plant Pathol. 56:891, 2007.
First Report of Bursaphelenchus pinophilus on Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis)
Authors: Han H. , Chung Y.-J. , Shin S.-C.
Published: November 2009

The genus Bursaphelenchus Fuchs, 1937 contains approximately 90 species (3) that are morphologically similar. Pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (4) Nickle, 1970, is the causal organism of pine wilt disease and accurate identification is essential for diagnosis of the disease. In Korea, pine wilt disease was first reported in 1988 and devastated 6,800 ha of pine forest through 2008. For a survey of trees with pine wilt disease, wood samples were taken randomly from dead Pinus koraiensis in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province in Korea. The extracted nematodes from dead trees were maintained in culture on Botrytis cinerea and morphological characteristics were observed with an inverted light microscope (Leica DE/DMI 3000B). Identification of Bursaphelenchus spp. based on morphological characteristics is difficult, especially for identification of juveniles that carry few morphological features for species identification. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region in ribosomal DNA provides useful molecular diagnostic markers for this genus (1). The nematodes were provisionally identified as Bursaphelenchus pinophilus based on the characteristic long and arcuate body shape, male spicule with distinctive rostrum and small cucullus, female vulval flap, and mucronate conical tail. Other Bursaphelenchus spp. with vulval flaps and spicules with cucullus are B. xylophius, B. mucronatus, B. abruptus, and B. pinophilus. For molecular diagnosis, DNA was extracted from more than 30 individual nematodes with a DNeasy Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) and ITS regions 1, 2, and 5.8S in rDNA were amplified by PCR (US/PTC-0220; Bio Rad, Hercules, CA). The ITS-restriction fragment length polymorphism pattern was consistent with that of B. pinophilus (2). The ITS rDNA sequence of B. pinophilus from Korean pines had a 98% sequence homology to that of B. pinophilus in GenBank (Accession No. AM160664). The pathogenicity of B. pinophilus has not been determined. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. pinophilus on P. koraiensis, but it was previously reported from Poland, Germany, and Portugal on P. sylvestris and P. pinaster (1).

References: (1) H. Braasch. EPPO Bull. 31:127, 2001. (2) W. Burgermeister et al. Russ. J. Nematol. 13:29, 2005. (3) R. Sriwati et al. Nematology 10:1, 2008. (4) G. Steiner and E. M. Buhrer. J. Agric. Res. 48:946, 1934.
Imitation explains the propagation, not the stability of animal culture
Authors: Claidière Nicolas , Sperber Dan
Published: November 2009

For acquired behaviour to count as cultural, two conditions must be met: it must propagate in a social group, and it must remain stable across generations in the process of propagation. It is commonly assumed that imitation is the mechanism that explains both the spread of animal culture and its stability. We review the literature on transmission chain studies in chimpanzees (
Pan troglodytes
) and other animals, and we use a formal model to argue that imitation, which may well play a major role in the propagation of animal culture, cannot be considered faithful enough to explain its stability. We consider the contribution that other psychological and ecological factors might make to the stability of animal culture observed in the wild.
Comparison of fibrescope guided intubation via the classic laryngeal mask airway and i‐gel in a manikin*
Authors: De Lloyd L. , Hodzovic I. , Voisey S. , Wilkes A. R. , Latto I. P.
Published: November 2009

We compared the classic laryngeal mask airway and i‐gel as adjuncts to fibrescope guided intubation in a manikin. Two methods of intubation were compared with each device: the tracheal tube directly over the fibrescope; and the tracheal tube over an Aintree Intubation Catheter. Thirty‐two anaesthetists took part in this randomised crossover study. Each anaesthetist performed two intubations with each method via each device. The mean (SD) time for the first intubation using the tracheal tube over the fibrescope was 43 (24) s with the classic laryngeal mask airway and 22 (9) s with the i‐gel (95% CI for the difference 12–30 s, p < 0.0001). The mean (SD) times for the first intubation when using the Aintree Intubation Catheter was 46 (24) s with the classic laryngeal mask airway and 37 (9) s with the i‐gel (95% CI for the difference 5–12 s, p < 0.0001). We recorded five (5/64, 8%) oesophageal intubations when using the classic laryngeal mask airway and none when using the i‐gel. The participants rated the ease of railroading of the tracheal tube and railroading the Aintree Intubation Catheter over the fibrescope to be significantly easier (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.002 respectively) when using the i‐gel than when using the classic laryngeal mask airway. Furthermore, 30/32 (94%) of anaesthetists reported preference for the i‐gel over the classic laryngeal mask airway for fibrescope guided tracheal intubation when managing a difficult airway. We conclude that the i‐gel is likely to be a more appropriate conduit than the classic laryngeal mask airway for fibrescope guided intubation irrespective of the intubation method used.
Toll-like receptor 4 expression is increased in circulating mononuclear cells of patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy
Authors: Coppo R , Camilla R , Amore A , Peruzzi L , Daprà V , Loiacono E , Vatrano S , Rollino C , Sepe V , Rampino T , Dal Canton A
Published: November 2009

We investigated Toll-like receptors (TLR-3, -4 and -7) expression in circulating mononuclear cells of patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), a disease with debated relationships with mucosal immunity. TLR-4 expression (detected by fluorescence activated cell sorter) and mRNA transcriptional levels (Taqman) were significantly higher in patients with IgAN than in healthy controls (P = 0·00200 and P = 0·0200). TLR-3 and TLR-7 were not modified significantly. In IgAN patients proteinuria was correlated significantly with TLR-4 expression (P = 0·0312). In a group of nephrotic syndromes, TLR-3, -4 and -7 expression was similar to healthy controls. A significant difference in TLR-4 expression and mRNA levels was found between very active IgAN patients (proteinuria > 1 g/1·73 m2/day in association with severe microscopic haematuria) and inactive patients (proteinuria < 0·5 g/1·73 m2/day, with absent or minimal haematuria). No correlation with levels of aberrantly glycosylated IgA1, age, renal biopsy features or therapy was found. This study shows for the first time an up-regulation of TLR-4 in circulating mononuclear cells of patients with IgAN, particularly in association with proteinuria and heavy microscopic haematuria.
Breeding dispersal in black‐headed gull: the value of familiarity in a contrasted environment
Authors: Péron Guillaume , Lebreton Jean‐Dominique , Crochet Pierre‐André
Published: November 2009

1. Some species (e.g. migratory species with high movement ability) are unlikely to experience any physical cost when dispersing, at least at the landscape scale. In these species dispersal is nevertheless behaviourally constrained to avoid non‐physical costs such as the loss of familiarity with the breeding environment, and these constraints can be maladaptive in a fast‐changing environment.

2. We evaluated such constraints using multievent modelling of a 20‐year capture–mark–recapture data set from a multisite population of black‐headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus). The population undertakes seasonal migrations that are very large compared with the size of the study area.

3. Distances between colonies appeared as a strong predictor of breeding adults’ dispersal rates, confirming behavioural constraints on dispersal. In addition, birds that had recruited outside their colony of birth (natal dispersers) tended to return to their colony of birth later in life (long‐term memory effect).

4. An attraction for larger colonies was also visible in breeding adult dispersal patterns. The fact that distance and memory still constrained dispersal although the largest colony provided higher breeding success indicated departures from the ideal‐free distribution, probably linked with the lack of information about distant colonies. Moreover, the regional population apparently functioned as a meta‐colony where individuals frequently bred in suboptimal‐choice locations before being able to recruit in their preferred colony.
Transbronchoscopic selective bronchial occlusion for intractable pneumothorax
Authors: ZENG Yiming , HONG Minli , ZHANG Huaping , YANG Dongyong , CHEN Xiaoyang , ZUANG Xibin , CHENG Yunfeng , GUAN Jianhua , LIN Qunyeng
Published: November 2009

Background and objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, complications and safety of the application of transbronchoscopic balloon detection (TBD) and selective bronchial occlusion (SBO) to intractable pneumothorax.

Methods:  Forty patients with pneumothorax, who had experienced more than 7 days of chest tube drainage without closure of the pleural fistula, underwent TBD and SBO. In 10 patients, oxygenation and pulse rates were recorded. A thoracic CT scan was performed 10 days after SBO.

Results:  The bronchi leading to the pleural fistula were located by TBD in 34 of 40 patients (85%). The air leakages ceased after the first occlusion in 30 patients, and five of these 30 patients underwent a second occlusion due to recurrence of pneumothorax 72 h after the first occlusion. In three of these patients, air leakages ceased after the second occlusion, while the remaining two patients underwent thoracoscopy. In total, 28 of 40 patients (70%) were cured using SBO. During TBD/SBO, the lowest SaO2 was 89.0 ± 2.8%, the mean SaO2 was 93.4 ± 2. 6% and the percentage of time during the procedure that SaO2 was <90% was 10.7 ± 17.5%. Ten days after SBO, thoracic CT scans were performed on 10 patients and no obstructive atelectasis was detected in any patient.

Conclusions:  These results indicate that TBD and SBO are safe and effective procedures for treating patients with intractable pneumothorax.
A Stronger Second Chamber? Assessing the Impact of House of Lords Reform in 1999 and the Lessons for Bicameralism
Authors: Russell Meg
Published: November 2009

The UK's second chamber is generally seen as a historical curiosity and, as Labour governments post-1997 have failed to introduce elected members, continues to be seen as ‘unreformed’. But a ‘first stage’ reform of the House of Lords in 1999 removed most of its hereditary members, leaving it almost wholly made up of appointed life peers. Although many at the time claimed that this would neuter the upper house, since most of those evicted were Conservatives, it instead seems to have had the opposite effect. This article examines whether the 1999 reform strengthened the House of Lords, how we can assess this and why it might have happened. The article concedes that measuring legislative influence is notoriously difficult. The analysis it constructs seeks to overcome this by using a range of indicators on two dimensions: the assertiveness of the House of Lords to use its powers, and the executive's responses to the chamber. This analysis indicates that the 1999 changes strengthened the Lords against the government and, in doing so, strengthened parliament as a whole. The most obvious consequence is that our understanding of British politics now needs revision. But if the Lords was strengthened by reform this also demonstrates a need to revise established comparative politics theories of bicameralism – particularly that of Arend Lijphart, which would have predicted the reverse. The recent developments in Britain validate George Tsebelis' approach of recognising ‘partisan veto players’ and the critical role of partisan balance in inter-cameral relations. But they also demonstrate that a more nuanced understanding of both legitimacy and legislative influence is needed in order to understand second chambers' (and indeed first chambers') de facto power.
Development and Psychometric Testing of the Attitudes Toward Mental Illness in Pediatric Patients Scale
Authors: Villanueva Christina Streich , Scott Shari Hughes , Guzzetta Cathie E. , Foster Barbara
Published: November 2009

PROBLEM:  To develop the Attitudes toward Mental Illness in Pediatric Patients (ATMIPP) Scale measuring nonpsychiatric provider attitudes toward pediatric patients with mental illness.

METHODS:  Responses from 492 nonpsychiatric and 30 psychiatric providers were evaluated for reliability and validity. Cronbach's alpha was used for reliability while factor analysis and known‐groups technique were used for validity.

FINDINGS:  The scale's internal consistency was 0.85. Factor analysis revealed three factors (Comfort, Tolerance, and Unbiasness) accounting for 74.5% of the variance. Compared to nonpsychiatric providers, psychiatric providers had significantly more positive attitudes on the ATMIPP (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:  The ATMIPP has evidence of reliability and validity for the sampled population.
Parenting Style and the Vulnerable Child Syndrome
Authors: Duncan Andrea Freeman , Caughy Margaret O'Brien
Published: November 2009

TOPIC:  Vulnerable child syndrome (VCS) refers to the combination of the parental view that their child is at increased risk for death despite the child's objective health and the resulting behavior problems in the child. Although risk factors for the development of the syndrome have been outlined, the variability in the development of VCS has not been explained.

PURPOSE:  A theoretical explanation for the variability in the development of VCS utilizing Susan Calkins' model is explored. By considering the development of VCS in light of Calkins' model, variability may be explained and preventative interventions may be instituted.

SOURCES USED:  Relevant literature pertaining to child development and VCS was reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS:  By recognizing the risk of the role that parenting sensitivity plays in the development of VCS, team‐based interventions involving a developmental approach may be employed, and the long‐term behavioral sequelae of the disorder may be prevented or alleviated.
Serum Amyloid P Inhibits Fibrosis Through FcγR-Dependent Monocyte-Macrophage Regulation in Vivo
Authors: Castaño Ana P. , Lin Shuei-Liong , Surowy Teresa , Nowlin Brian T. , Turlapati Swathi A. , Patel Tejas , Singh Ajay , Li Shawn , Lupher Mark L. , Duffield Jeremy S.
Published: November 2009

The fibrosis that occus in kidney after tissue injury can be inhibited by serum amyloid protein, which stimulates the cytokine interleukin 10.
Correlation between Bioluminescence and Bacterial Burden in Passively Protected Mice Challenged with a Recombinant Bioluminescent M49 Group A Streptococcus Strain
Authors: Sheel Meru , Pandey Manisha , Good Michael F. , Batzloff Michael R.
Published: November 2009

Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A streptococcus (GAS), is a human pathogen which infects people of all age groups. Previous work has reported that conformationally constrained chimeric peptide J8 protects against GAS challenge. In the current study, we demonstrate the utility of bioluminescent imaging as a rapid technique for monitoring bacterial dissemination following the passive transfer of rabbit anti-J8 antibodies to naïve mice and subsequent challenge with recombinant GAS strain M49, anemmtype shown to be associated with poststreptococcal glomerular nephritis.
Immunological Factors Relating to the Antitumor Effect of Temozolomide Chemoimmunotherapy in a Murine Glioma Model
Authors: Kim Tai-Gyu , Kim Chang-Hyun , Park Jung-Sun , Park Sung-Dong , Kim Chung Kwon , Chung Dong-Sup , Hong Yong-Kil
Published: November 2009

In this study, we investigated the potential of combined treatment with temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy and tumor antigen-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) and the underlying immunological factors of TMZ chemoimmunotherapy with an intracranial GL26 glioma animal model. The combined treatment enhanced the tumor-specific immune responses and prolonged the survival more effectively than either single therapy in GL26 tumor-bearing animals. Apoptosis was induced in the tumors of the animals by the treatment with TMZ. Calreticulin (CRT) surface exposure was detected by immunofluorescence staining of TMZ-treated GL26 cells. TMZ chemotherapy increased tumor antigen cross-priming from tumor cells, leading to cross-priming of tumor antigen-specific CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells. This chemotherapy appeared to suppress the frequency of CD4+CD25+regulatory T cells (Treg). Moreover, this combined therapy resulted in an increase in the tumor infiltration of CD4+and CD8+T cells. Collectively, the findings of this study provide evidence that the combination of TMZ chemotherapy and treatment with DC-based vaccines leads to the enhancement of antitumor immunity through increased tumor-specific immune responses via the cross-priming of apoptotic tumor cell death mediated by CRT exposure and, in part, the suppression of Treg. Therefore, CRT exposure, regulatory T cells, and cross-priming by TMZ chemotherapy may be immunological factors related to the enhancement of the antitumor effects of chemoimmunotherapy in an experimental brain tumor model.
Invasive Infection Caused by a Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Strain Not Carrying Panton-Valentine Leukocidin in South Korea
Authors: Lee Seung Soon , Kim Yu Jin , Chung Doo Ryeon , Jung Ki-Suck , Kim Jae-Seok
Published: November 2009

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-negative, SCC
mec
type IVa strains are the most common strains of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) circulating in the community in South Korea. This report describes five elderly patients presenting in 2006 to 2007 with invasive community-associated MRSA infection caused by a PVL-negative, SCC
mec
type IVa strain with sequence type 72 and
spa
type t324.
Rapid Method for Identification of Six Common Species of Mycobacteria Based on Multiplex SNP Analysis
Authors: Wang Hongxiu , Yue Jun , Han Min , Yang Jinghui , Zhao Yanlin
Published: November 2009

A multiplex method using the SNaPshot technique was developed to screen for six common mycobacterial species:
Mycobacteria tuberculosis
,
M. avium
,
M. intracellulare
,
M. chelonae
,
M. kansasii
, and
M. gordonae
. A total of 468 mycobacterial clinical isolates were subjected to analysis for the presence of the six mycobacterial species by the multiplex SNaPshot method. Of the 468 mycobacterial isolates, 464 (99.15%) could be correctly identified by this assay. The multiplex SNaPshot technique is a promising discriminatory tool for rapid and accurate identification of frequently encountered clinical mycobacterial species.
Tumor Immunity against a Simian Virus 40 Oncoprotein Requires CD8+T Lymphocytes in the Effector Immune Phase
Authors: Lowe Devin B. , Shearer Michael H. , Jumper Cynthia A. , Bright Robert K. , Kennedy Ronald C.
Published: November 2009

The required activities of CD4+T cells and antibody against the virally encoded oncoprotein simian virus 40 (SV40) Tag have previously been demonstrated by our laboratory to be mediators in achieving antitumor responses and tumor protection through antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). In this study, we further characterize the necessary immune cell components that lead to systemic tumor immunity within an experimental pulmonary metastatic model as the result of SV40 Tag immunization and antibody production. Immunized animals depleted of CD8+T cells at the onset of experimental tumor cell challenge developed lung tumor foci and had an overall decreased survival due to lung tumor burden, suggesting a role for CD8+T cells in the effector phase of the immune response. Lymphocytes and splenocytes harvested from SV40 Tag-immunized mice experimentally inoculated with tumor cells synthesized increasedin vitrolevels of the Th1 cytokine gamma interferon (IFN-γ), as assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and flow cytometry assays. CD8+T-cell activity was also heightened in SV40 Tag-immunized and tumor cell-challenged mice, based upon intracellular production of perforin, confirming the cytolytic properties of CD8+T cells against tumor cell challenge. Altogether, these data point to the role of recombinant SV40 Tag protein immunization in initiating a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response during tumor cell dissemination and growth. The downstream activity of CD8+T cells within this model is likely initiated from SV40 Tag-specific antibody mediating ADCC tumor cell destruction.
Localization of Mammalian Orthoreovirus Proteins to Cytoplasmic Factory-Like Structures via Nonoverlapping Regions of μNS
Authors: Miller Cathy L. , Arnold Michelle M. , Broering Teresa J. , Hastings Craig E. , Nibert Max L.
Published: November 2009

Virally induced structures called viral factories form throughout the cytoplasm of cells infected with mammalian orthoreoviruses (MRV). When expressed alone in cells, MRV nonstructural protein μNS forms factory-like structures very similar in appearance to viral factories, suggesting that it is involved in forming the structural matrix of these structures. μNS also associates with MRV core particles; the core proteins μ2, λ1, λ2, λ3, and σ2; and the RNA-binding nonstructural protein σNS. These multiple associations result in the recruitment or retention of these viral proteins or particles at factory-like structures. In this study, we identified the regions of μNS necessary and sufficient for these associations and additionally examined the localization of viral RNA synthesis in infected cells. We found that short regions within the amino-terminal 220 residues of μNS are necessary for associations with core particles and necessary and sufficient for associations with the proteins μ2, λ1, λ2, σ2, and σNS. We also found that only the λ3 protein associates with the carboxyl-terminal one-third of μNS and that viral RNA is synthesized within viral factories. These results suggest that μNS may act as a cytoplasmic scaffolding protein involved in localizing and coordinating viral replication or assembly intermediates for the efficient production of progeny core particles during MRV infection.
Adeno-Associated Virus Small Rep Proteins Are Modified with at Least Two Types of Polyubiquitination
Authors: Farris K. David , Fasina Olufemi , Sukhu Loretta , Li Long , Pintel David J.
Published: November 2009

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) type 2 and 5 proteins Rep52 and Rep40 were polyubiquitinated during AAV-adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) coinfection and during transient transfection in either the presence or absence of Ad5 E4orf6 and E1b-55k. Polyubiquitination of small Rep proteins
via
lysine 48 (K48) linkages, normally associated with targeting of proteins for proteasomal degradation, was detected only in the presence of E4orf6. The small Rep proteins were ubiquitinated
via
lysine 63 (K63) following transfection in either the presence or absence of E4orf6 or following coinfection with Ad5. E4orf6/E1b-55k-dependent K48-specific polyubiquitination of small Rep proteins could be inhibited using small interfering RNA (siRNA) to cullin 5.
Adeno-Associated Virus Type 5 Utilizes Alternative Translation Initiation To Encode a Small Rep40-Like Protein
Authors: Farris K. David , Pintel David J.
Published: November 2009

Alternative splicing of adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) P19-generated pre-mRNAs generates the small Rep proteins Rep52 and Rep40, which differ in their carboxyl termini. Both proteins are required for optimal packaging of AAV2 genomes. AAV5 Rep-encoding P19-generated transcripts are primarily polyadenylated within the central intron and not efficiently spliced; however, surprisingly, AAV5 was found to generate high levels of a Rep40-like protein. The AAV5 Rep40-like protein was generated by internal initiation and has the same C terminus as Rep52. Although precluded from using alternative splicing to generate multiple Rep isoforms, AAV5 ensures the production of a Rep40-like protein by utilizing a novel internal translation initiation event.
Parkinson disease and impulse control disorders: a review of clinical features, pathophysiology and management
Authors: Wu K , Politis M , Piccini P
Published: November 2009

Impulse control disorders (ICDs) are a heterogeneous group of conditions involving repetitive, excessive and compulsive activities that interfere with life functioning. Examples are pathological gambling, compulsive shopping and hypersexuality. Over the last decade, ICDs have become increasingly recognised as being associated with Parkinson disease (PD), with the literature highlighting a link between dopamine replacement therapy and the development of ICDs. Patients who develop ICDs in the context of compulsive anti-Parkinsonian drug use are described as having dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS), which is associated with repetitive complex stereotyped behaviours called punding. Case–control and observational studies have further noted that patients with PD who develop ICDs are more likely to have younger-onset PD, a history of alcohol dependence, novelty-seeking personality traits and psychiatric comorbidities. The pathophysiology of underlying mechanisms is not fully understood, but recent evidence suggests that dopaminergic drugs, particularly dopamine agonists, coupled with changes in reward pathways involving the ventral striatal and related circuitry, may play a role. Neuroimaging studies using positron emission tomography and functional MRI have provided valuable information in this area: patients with DDS have been found to show enhanced dopamine release in the ventral striatum, suggesting functional abnormalities in the mesolimbic networks. Management of ICDs in patients with PD can be challenging, as they may not be aware of a change in their behaviour or may conceal their symptoms to avoid embarrassment. Currently, there is no clear evidence of an optimal treatment. Management is based on a careful balance of dopaminergic drugs with control of the aberrant behaviour, supported by psychological interventions. This review aims to summarise the current literature on ICDs, their phenomenology, epidemiology, clinical features, pathophysiology and management.
Taxonomic revision of Nodularia (Cyanophyceae/Cyanobacteria)
Authors: Nordin Richard N. , Stein Janet R.
Published: November 2009

Nodularia Mertens ex Bornet & Flahault originally established in 1822, has had a total of 28 taxa described. It is restricted in distribution primarily to brackish coastal waters and inland lakes and ponds. In British Columbia (Canada) these lakes and ponds have extreme ranges of salinity (4–400‰) and temperature (0–35 °C). Laboratory studies of 16 isolates indicated maximum growth at 5–10‰, salinity (range 1–60‰), 25–30 °C, pH 10.0–10.5 (range 7.0–10.5) at light intensity of 6000 lx. No preference was shown for dominant anions (Na+, Mg2+) or cations (Cl−, CO32−, S42−). Sheath and akinete characteristics were variable, whereas vegetative cell shape, heterocyst location, and akinete formation were more stable. Investigation of field-collected material, laboratory-grown cultures, and study of herbarium specimens indicate that all the described taxa belong to either N. harveyana [Thwaites] Thuret ex Bornet & Flahault 1886 or N. spumigena Mertens ex Bornet & Flahault 1886. The latter is named the syntype and lectotype material is designated.
Forest dynamics in the Bitterroot Canyons, Montana
Authors: McCune Bruce , Allen T. F. H.
Published: November 2009

Both shade-tolerant and shade-intolerant tree species may dominate young stands in canyon-bottom forests of the Bitterroot Range. Subsequent dynamics depend on growth characteristics of the colonizing species. Thus, much of the compositional variation arises at stand establishment (initial floristic composition) rather than through a replacement process (relay floristics). Taxus brevifolia, however, may require shelter from other species for establishment. Vertical similarity increases with stand age towards a maximum value of about 75%. Although the importance of Taxus brevifolia and Thuja plicata tends to increase with stand age, convergence on a common climax composition is thwarted by insularity of the canyon bottoms and an average fire cycle (60 years) that is shorter than the normal longevity (120-140 years) of the shortest lived major tree species (Pinus conforta).
The ultrastructure of the zoospore of Hyphochytrium catenoides
Authors: Cooney Elizabeth W. , Barr Donald J. S. , Barstow William E.
Published: November 2009

The ultrastructure of the zoospore of Hyphochytrium catenoides Karling is described. The zoospore has a single, anterior, tinsel flagellum. The nucleus is elongate and convoluted with an indentation at the anterior end in which the Golgi cisternae are located. There are large lipid globules in the posterior end of the cell. The ribosomes are loosely enclosed by endoplasmic reticulum, the nuclear envelope, and mitochondria. The mitochondria have tubular cristae in a dense matrix. Microbodies are found appressed to the nuclear envelope and also free in the ribosomal region. Endoplasmic reticulum sheets traverse the ribosome region. The vesiculate cytoplasm has several distinct types of membrane-bound inclusions: (i) multivesicular bodies, (ii) vesicles containing presumptive mastigonemes, (iii) vesicles having an electron-dense cortex with an electron-transparent center, and (iv) electron-opaque vesicles whose contents seem condensed and only partially fill the vesicles. The transition zone from the flagellum to the kinetosome has three segments: a distal set of struts extending from the axonemal doublets into the axoneme core, a midsection of electron-opaque rings, and a distinctive "disclike" terminal plate with a thickened portion between the doublets and the flagellar membrane. The three-part rootlet system has (i) a "ribbed" pair of microtubules on one side of the kinetosome, (ii) a curved "ribbed," single microtubule with electron-opaque backing which originates near the nonfunctional centriole, and (iii) a straight doublet of microtubules without ribs extending from the nonfunctional centriole posteriorly to the midregion of the zoospore.
Characteristics and natural occurrence of Gibberella fujikuroi mating groups A and D on sorghum and corn hosts
Authors: Sidhu Gurmel S.
Published: November 2009

Characteristics and natural occurrence of mating groups A and D of Gibberella fujikuroi were studied and compared with one another in live and dead sorghum plants. Mating group A isolates belong to G. fujikuroi var. moniliformis and D to G. fujikuroi var. intermedia. The fungal groups were isolated from 40-, 60-, 80-, and >80-day-old plants, and also from anthers, seeds, and dead and laboratory dried stalks. Isolates in group D differed from those in group A in colony morphology, mating type behavior, sexuality, crossability, and in tissue preference. Group D was more abundant in senescent and dead plants, as well as in laboratory dried plants and anthers. Group A was prevalent in live and nonsenescent plants and seed. Both groups were found occurring together in nature on corn and sorghum plants and seemed to be sympatric but reproductively isolated.
Accumulation of ochratoxin A in sclerotia of Aspergillus ochraceus
Authors: Paster N. , Lisker N. , Chet I.
Published: November 2009

Aspergillus ochraceus NRRL 3174 accumulated 35 μg of ochratoxin, compared with 2.5–3.0 μg produced by A. ochraceus NRRL 5220 and A. ochraceus NRRL 6319. The amount accumulated in the sclerotia was low (2.0 μg/g sclerotia in A. ochraceus 3174, and traces in sclerotia of NRRL 5220). No toxin or sclerotia were formed by A. ochraceus CMI 132429. Ochratoxin in sclerotia was not destroyed by exposure for 48 h to 50 or 500 mg/L methyl bromide, or by treating the sclerotia with ammonia solution (2 or 5% w/v) or ammonium propionate (2% w/v).
VIBRATIONAL MODES IN SMALL Agn, Aun CLUSTERS: A FIRST PRINCIPLE CALCULATION
Authors: AKTÜRK OLCAY ÜZENGI , GÜLSEREN OĞUZ , TOMAK MEHMET
Published: November 2009

Although the stable structures and other physical properties of small Ag n and Au n, were investigated in the literature, phonon calculations are not done yet. In this work, we present plane-wave pseudopotential calculations based on density-functional formalism. The effect of using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and local density approximation (LDA) to determine the geometric and electronic structure and normal mode calculations of Ag n and Au n, is studied up to eight atoms. Pure Au n and Ag n clusters favor planar configurations. We calculated binding energy per atom. We have also calculated the normal mode calculations and also scanning tunneling microscope (STM) images for small clusters for the first time.
THERMO-STATISTICAL THEORY OF KINETIC AND RELAXATION PROCESSES
Authors: VANNUCCHI FABIO S. , VASCONCELLOS AUREA R. , LUZZI ROBERTO
Published: November 2009

We describe, in a short overview, the construction of a Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics Ensemble Formalism, providing a thermo-statistical theory of kinetic and relaxation processes. Such construction has been approached along the recently past 20th century by a pleiad of distinguished scientists, a work that can be subsumed in a large systematization in the form of a physically sound, general and useful, theoretical framework. We briefly comment on the main questions associated to that construction. Among them are the relevant ones of choice of the basic variables, and of historicity and irreversibility. The derivation of a nonequilibrium grand-canonical statistical operator and a brief description of the all-important accompanying Nonlinear Quantum Kinetic Theory of relaxation processes are presented. The aspect of validation of the theory (comparison of theory and experiment) is reviewed in compact form, and its use is illustrated in a study of a nonequilibrium system of quantum oscillators embedded in a thermal bath and under the action of an external force, showing how a far-reaching generalization of Mori–Langevin equations arises.
QUASICLASSICAL TRAJECTORY CALCULATION OF THE CHEMICAL REACTION Ba + HI
Authors: YAO LI , LIU YONGLU , ZHONG HAIYANG , CAO WANGHE
Published: November 2009

This paper reports the results of quasiclassical trajectory calculation on extended London-Eyring-Polanyi-Sato potential energy surface for the reaction between Ba atom and HI . The rotational distribution, vibrational distribution, reaction cross section, and rotational alignment are all obtained and they are under detailed discussion for product BaI . The calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental results.