bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Detection of Trypanosomal DNA by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification and PCR from Flinders Technology Associates Cards Spotted with Patient Blood
Authors: Matovu Enock , Kuepfer Irene , Boobo Alex , Kibona Stafford , Burri Christian
Published: April 2010

We analyzed DNA eluted from FTA (Flinders Technology Associates) cards spotted with blood from human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) patients admitted at Lwala Hospital in eastern Uganda and Kaliua Health Centre in northwestern Tanzania. The aims were to evaluate loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for detection of trypanosomal DNA in clinical samples and to characterize the infecting trypanosomes to the subspecies level. LAMP targeting the Trypanozoon conserved random inserted mobile element (RIME-LAMP) and that for the serum resistance-associated (SRA) gene (SRA-LAMP) were performed. For comparison, PCRs for the SRA gene specific for
Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense
(SRA-PCR) and that to amplify the
Trypanosoma brucei gambiense
-specific surface glycoprotein (TgSGP-PCR) were done. Out of 128 samples analyzed, SRA-PCR was positive in 101 samples (78.9% sensitivity; 95% confidence interval [CI], 71.1 to 85.1%), SRA-LAMP was positive in 120 (93.8%; 95% CI, 88.2 to 96.8%), while RIME-LAMP revealed signals in 122 (95.3%; 95% CI, 90.2 to 97.8%). RIME-LAMP and SRA-LAMP were each significantly more sensitive than SRA-PCR (
P
values of 0.000 and 0.001, respectively; Fisher's exact test). There was poor agreement between RIME-LAMP and SRA-LAMP and the SRA-PCR, yielding kappa values of 0.31 and 0.40, respectively. Agreement between SRA-LAMP and RIME-LAMP was almost perfect (kappa value, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.64 to 1). All the 128 field samples were negative by TgSGP-PCR. Blood spots from three
T. b. gambiense
HAT cases from northwestern Uganda were positive by TgSGP-PCR and RIME-LAMP. PCR took five times longer to execute than LAMP. LAMP may be useful to monitor emerging HAT foci or to test travelers returning from countries where HAT is endemic. It should be evaluated in a case-control study to determine its utility as a HAT diagnostic.
First Description of an Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Multidrug-Resistant
Escherichia fergusonii
Strain in a Patient with Cystitis
Authors: Lagacé-Wiens Philippe R. S. , Baudry Patricia J. , Pang Paulette , Hammond Gregory
Published: April 2010

Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms have captured the attention of clinicians and laboratorians and are agents of nosocomial and community onset infections (J. D. Pitout and K. B. Laupland, Lancet Infect. Dis. 8:159-166, 2008). ESBLs in many enterobacteriaceae and in nonfermenting Gram-negative organisms have been described (K. Bush and G. A. Jacoby, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 54:969-976, 2010). We present the first case of a clinical isolate of multidrug-resistant
Escherichia fergusonii
expressing an extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL).
Evaluation of Brilliance ESBL Agar, a Novel Chromogenic Medium for Detection of Extended-Spectrum-Beta- Lactamase-Producing
Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Huang Te-Din , Bogaerts Pierre , Berhin Catherine , Guisset Amelie , Glupczynski Youri
Published: April 2010

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of Brilliance ESBL agar (OX; Oxoid, Basingstoke, United Kingdom), a novel chromogenic agar for the selective isolation and the presumptive identification of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
. A panel of 200 clinical Gram-negative
Enterobacteriaceae
and nonfermenting isolates with defined resistance mechanisms was inoculated onto OX and onto ChromID ESBL agar (BM; bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France) chromogenic medium in the first part of the study to evaluate the growth selectivity and chromogenic features of these two media. Of the 156
Enterobacteriaceae
challenge isolates, 8 fully susceptible isolates were inhibited, all 98 ESBL producers were detected, and 50 isolates harboring other resistance mechanisms were recovered on both chromogenic agars. In the second phase, 528 clinical samples (including 344 fecal specimens) were plated onto OX, BM, and MacConkey agar with a ceftazidime disk (MCC) for the screening of ESBL-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
. Growth on at least one medium was observed with 144 (27%) of the clinical samples screened. A total of 182 isolates, including 109 (60%) of
Enterobacteriaceae
, were recovered and 70 of these (from 59 specimens) were confirmed as ESBL-producing isolates. The sensitivities of MCC, BM, and OX were 74.6%, 94.9%, and 94.9%, respectively. The specificities of MCC, BM, and OX by specimens reached 94.9%, 95.5%, and 95.7%, respectively, when only colored colonies were considered on the two selective chromogenic media. The high negative predictive value (99.3%) found for OX suggests that this medium may constitute an excellent screening tool for the rapid exclusion of patients not carrying ESBL producers.
Clinical Utility of an Automated Instrument for Gram Staining Single Slides
Authors: Baron Ellen Jo , Mix Samantha , Moradi Wais
Published: April 2010

Gram stains of 87 different clinical samples were prepared by the laboratory's conventional methods (automated or manual) and by a new single-slide-type automated staining instrument, GG&B AGS-1000. Gram stains from either heat- or methanol-fixed slides stained with the new instrument were easy to interpret, and results were essentially the same as those from the methanol-fixed slides prepared as a part of the routine workflow. This instrument is well suited to a rapid-response laboratory where Gram stain requests are commonly received on a stat basis.
Self-Inactivating Alpharetroviral Vectors with a Split-Packaging Design
Authors: Suerth Julia D. , Maetzig Tobias , Galla Melanie , Baum Christopher , Schambach Axel
Published: April 2010

Accidental insertional activation of proto-oncogenes and potential vector mobilization pose serious challenges for human gene therapy using retroviral vectors. Comparative analyses of integration sites of different retroviral vectors have elucidated distinct target site preferences, highlighting vectors based on the alpharetrovirus Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) as those with the most neutral integration spectrum. To date, alpharetroviral vector systems are based mainly on single constructs containing viral coding sequences and intact long terminal repeats (LTR). Even though they are considered to be replication incompetent in mammalian cells, the transfer of intact viral genomes is unacceptable for clinical applications, due to the risk of vector mobilization and the potentially immunogenic expression of viral proteins, which we minimized by setting up a split-packaging system expressing the necessary viral proteins in
trans
. Moreover, intact LTRs containing transcriptional elements are capable of activating cellular genes. By removing most of these transcriptional elements, we were able to generate a self-inactivating (SIN) alpharetroviral vector, whose LTR transcriptional activity is strongly reduced and whose transgene expression can be driven by an internal promoter of choice. Codon optimization of the alpharetroviral Gag/Pol expression construct and further optimization steps allowed the production of high-titer self-inactivating vector particles in human cells. We demonstrate proof of principle for the versatility of alpharetroviral SIN vectors for the genetic modification of murine and human hematopoietic cells at a low multiplicity of infection.
Role of Hematopoietic Cells in the Maintenance of Chronic Human Torquetenovirus Plasma Viremia
Authors: Maggi Fabrizio , Focosi Daniele , Albani Melania , Lanini Letizia , Vatteroni Maria Linda , Petrini Mario , Ceccherini-Nelli Luca , Pistello Mauro , Bendinelli Mauro
Published: April 2010

Many aspects of the life cycle of torquetenoviruses (TTVs) are essentially unexplored. In particular, it is still a matter of speculation which cell type(s) replicates the viruses and maintains the generally high viral loads found in the blood of infected hosts. In this study, we sequentially measured the TTV loads in the plasma of four TTV-positive leukemia patients who were strongly myelosuppressed and then transplanted with haploidentical hematopoietic stem cells. The findings provide clear quantitative evidence for an extremely important role of hematopoietic cells in the maintenance of TTV viremia.
Species-Specific Contribution of the Four C-Terminal Amino Acids of Influenza A Virus NS1 Protein to Virulence
Authors: Soubies Sébastien M. , Volmer Christelle , Croville Guillaume , Loupias Josianne , Peralta Brigitte , Costes Pierrette , Lacroux Caroline , Guérin Jean-Luc , Volmer Romain
Published: April 2010

Large-scale sequence analyses of influenza viruses revealed that nonstructural 1 (NS1) proteins from avian influenza viruses have a conserved C-terminal ESEV amino acid motif, while NS1 proteins from typical human influenza viruses have a C-terminal RSKV motif. To test the influence of the C-terminal domains of NS1 on the virulence of an avian influenza virus, we generated a wild-type H7N1 virus with an ESEV motif and a mutant virus with an NS1 protein containing a C-terminal RSKV motif by reverse genetics. We compared the phenotypes of these viruses
in vitro
in human, mouse, and duck cells as well as
in vivo
in mice and ducks. In human cells, the human C-terminal RSKV domain increased virus replication. In contrast, the avian C-terminal ESEV motif of NS1 increased virulence in mice. We linked this increase in pathogenicity in mice to an increase in virus replication and to a more severe lung inflammation associated with a higher level of production of type I interferons. Interestingly, the human C-terminal RSKV motif of NS1 increased viral replication in ducks. H7N1 virus with a C-terminal RSKV motif replicated to higher levels in ducks and induced higher levels of
Mx
, a type I interferon-stimulated gene. Thus, we identify the C-terminal domain of NS1 as a species-specific virulence domain.
Advanced Photoperiod and Water Temperature Effects on Gill Na+–K+ Adenosine Triphosphatase Activity and Migration of Juvenile Steelhead (Salmo gairdneri)
Authors: Zaugg W. S.
Published: April 2010

Under raceway conditions, an advanced photoperiod schedule caused migratory movements and elevation in gill Na+–K+ adenosine triphosphatase activity (Na+–K+ ATPase) to occur about 1 mo earlier than normal in yearling summer steelhead (Salmo gairdneri) from Dworshak National Fish Hatchery (Idaho). Exposure of migrants to 13 °C for 20 d resulted in serious impairment of continued migratory behavior and a reduction of gill Na+–K+ ATPase activity. Migrants outnumbered nonmigrants at fork lengths of 16 cm and longer. It is proposed that the potentially detrimental effects of warming river temperatures during the normal migratory season and delayed migration caused by dams and impoundments might be partially overcome by inducing early smolt transformation and migration with the use of advanced photoperiods.Key words: ATPase, steelhead, migration, temperature, photoperiod, smolts
PROSE AND POETRY CLASSIFICATION AND BOUNDARY DETECTION USING WORD ADJACENCY NETWORK ANALYSIS
Authors: ROXAS RANZIVELLE MARIANNE , TAPANG GIOVANNI
Published: April 2010

Word adjacency networks constructed from written works reflect differences in the structure of prose and poetry. We present a method to disambiguate prose and poetry by analyzing network parameters of word adjacency networks, such as the clustering coefficient, average path length and average degree. We determine the relevant parameters for disambiguation using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and the effect size criterion. The accuracy of the method is 74.9 ± 2.9% for the training set and 73.7 ± 6.4% for the test set which are greater than the acceptable classifier requirement of 67.3%. This approach is also useful in locating text boundaries within a single article which falls within a window size where the significant change in clustering coefficient is observed. Results indicate that an optimal window size of 75 words can detect the text boundaries.
GRAVITATIONAL WAVES, DARK ENERGY AND INFLATION
Authors: NI WEI-TOU
Published: April 2010

In this paper we first present a complete classification of gravitational waves according to their frequencies: (i) Ultra high frequency band (above 1 THz); (ii) Very high frequency band (100 kHz–1 THz); (iii) High frequency band (10 Hz–100 kHz); (iv) Middle frequency band (0.1 Hz–10 Hz); (v) Low frequency band (100 nHz–0.1 Hz); (vi) Very low frequency band (300 pHz–100 nHz); (vii) Ultra low frequency band (10 fHz–300 pHz); (viii) Hubble (extremely low) frequency band (1 aHz–10 fHz); (ix) Infra-Hubble frequency band (below 1 aHz). After briefly discussing the method of detection for different frequency bands, we review the concept and status of space gravitational-wave missions — LISA, ASTROD, ASTROD-GW, Super-ASTROD, DECIGO and Big Bang Observer. We then address to the determination of dark energy equation, and probing the inflationary physics using space gravitational wave detectors.
LEPTOGENESIS: THE ELECTROMAGNETIC VERSION
Authors: LAW SANDY S. C.
Published: April 2010

In this work, we explore the possibility of leptogenesis beyond the standard Yukawa-mediated decays by considering a scenario where effective electromagnetic dipole operators that connect the light and heavy neutrinos play an important role. Through these operators, new decay channels for the postulated heavy neutrinos are opened up, and consequently, such L- and CP-violating processes can lead to the generation of the correct baryon asymmetry of the universe. In addition, it has been found that the relationship of the leptogenesis scale to the light neutrino masses is very similar to that for the standard leptogenesis setup.
NON-ZERO Ue3 AND TeV-LEPTOGENESIS THROUGH A4 EFFECTIVE OPERATOR
Authors: CHEN CHIAN-SHU
Published: April 2010

We investigate the possibility of thermal leptogenesis under the framework of radiative seesaw model with A4×Z2×Z4 leptonic flavour symmetry that leads to the tribimaximal mixing in neutrino sector. A five-dimensional effective Yukawa interaction with cutoff scale Λ which provides the deviations from tribimaximal mixing. Both A4 × Z4 and CP symmetries are spontaneously broken after the invented scalars generating VEVs. We consider the low-energy neutrino mixing angles to constrain the parameters in our model within three possible light neutrino spectrum in 1σ. We study the flavored effects on thermal leptogenesis in each scenario.
NUMERICAL STUDY ON THE MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF THE SINGLE LAYER UNPURIFIED THIN FILM
Authors: BÎRSAN EUGEN , CHIŞ RADU
Published: April 2010

The non-magnetic impurities influence on the magnetic properties of a single layer thin film treated in the Heisenberg model with three different interactions is investigated, using Monte Carlo technique. Low different impurities concentration levels are discussed (the impurities being randomly distributed in the magnetic spins lattice). The relative magnetization, the magnetic susceptibility and the specific heat are investigated in order to detect the potential magnetic phase transitions in the Ising region of the phase diagram of the system presented above. In this context, the dependency of the critical temperature that characterizes the ferromagnetism-disordered phase (FM–PM) transition as a function of the impurity concentration level is studied. Finally, the lattice size effect is taken into account and a quantitative study about the relative variation of the critical parameters is performed.
EXACT TRAVELING WAVE SOLUTIONS OF A HIGHER-DIMENSIONAL NONLINEAR EVOLUTION EQUATION
Authors: LEE JONU , SAKTHIVEL RATHINASAMY , WAZZAN LUWAI
Published: April 2010

The exact traveling wave solutions of (4 + 1)-dimensional nonlinear Fokas equation is obtained by using three distinct methods with symbolic computation. The modified tanh–coth method is implemented to obtain single soliton solutions whereas the extended Jacobi elliptic function method is applied to derive doubly periodic wave solutions for this higher-dimensional integrable equation. The Exp-function method gives generalized wave solutions with some free parameters. It is shown that soliton solutions and triangular solutions can be established as the limits of the Jacobi doubly periodic wave solutions.
NONLINEAR/CHAOTIC MODELING AND CONTROL OF COMBUSTION INSTABILITIES
Authors: LEI S. , TURAN A.
Published: April 2010

A discrete dynamic model accounting for both combustion and vaporization processes is proposed. In terms of different bifurcation parameters relevant to either combustion or evaporation, various bifurcation diagrams are presented. Furthermore, the corresponding Lyapunov exponent is calculated and employed to analyze the stability of the particular dynamic system. The study indicates conclusively that the evaporation process has a significant impact on the intensity and nonlinear behavior of the system of interest, vis-à-vis a model accounting for only the gaseous combustion process. Moreover, a minimum entropy control method is employed to control the chaotic behavior inherent to the system of interest. This algorithm is intended to be implemented for control of combustion instability numerically and experimentally to provide a basis for some of the control methodologies employed in the literature.
INITIATION OF HIV THERAPY
Authors: HO CHARLOTTE YUK-FAN , LING BINGO WING-KUEN
Published: April 2010

In this paper, we numerically show that the dynamics of the HIV system is sensitive to both the initial condition and the system parameters. These phenomena imply that the system is chaotic and exhibits a bifurcation behavior. To control the system, we propose to initiate an HIV therapy based on both the concentration of the HIV-1 viral load and the ratio of the CD4 lymphocyte population to the CD8 lymphocyte population. If the concentration of the HIV-1 viral load is higher than a threshold, then the first type of therapy will be applied. If the concentration of the HIV-1 viral load is lower than or equal to the threshold and the ratio of the CD4 lymphocyte population to the CD8 lymphocyte population is greater than another threshold, then the second type of therapy will be applied. Otherwise, no therapy will be applied. The advantages of the proposed control strategy are that the therapy can be stopped under certain conditions, while the state variables of the overall system is asymptotically stable with fast convergent rate, the concentration of the controlled HIV-1 viral load is monotonic decreasing, as well as the positivity constraint of the system states and that of the dose concentration is guaranteed to be satisfied. Computer numerical simulation results are presented for an illustration.
GRADUAL DISTRACTION USING AN EXTERNAL FIXATOR FOLLOWED BY OPEN REDUCTION IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC LUNATE DISLOCATION
Authors: Charalambous C. P. , Mills S. P. , Hayton M. J.
Published: April 2010

Chronic lunate dislocation is a difficult problem to deal with. We describe a surgical technique whereby gradual wrist distraction is applied using an external fixator followed by open repositioning of the lunate. We have successfully used this technique in a rugby player with an undiagnosed chronic lunate dislocation. Our case was able to return to competitive rugby playing.
DIFFERENT ANGIOGENIC BEHAVIOUR OF LIGATED SAPHENOUS AND EPIGASTRIC VASCULAR BUNDLES IN AVASCULAR ENVIRONMENT: AN IN-VIVO EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
Authors: Kapickis Martins , Lahiri Amitabha , Lim Aymeric Yu-Tang
Published: April 2010

The purpose of the study was to compare angiogenic response of isolated saphenous and epigastric arteriovenous bundles in avascular environment, in an in-vivo model. Saphenous and epigastric bundles of 20 rats were dissected and ligated distally. The bundles were implanted into silicone tubing to create a biologically neutral environment. Gross and histologic examination was performed at different intervals. No thrombus was detected in any of bundles prior to 24 hours. An adherent thrombus was seen at 24 hours in all ligated saphenous bundles; it persisted at three weeks with no evidence of neovascular sprouting. The ligated epigastric bundles remained patent with evidence of neovascular sprouting. The saphenous vessels are more likely to thrombose and do not show vascular proliferation when placed in an isolated environment, whereas the epigastric vessels are likely to remain patent and show vascular proliferation.
PALMAR SUBLUXATION OF THE THUMB CARPOMETACARPAL JOINT FOLLOWING THE MEDIAN NERVE RECURRENT BRANCH INJURY
Authors: Matsuhashi Tomoya , Iwasaki Norimasa , Nishida Kinya , Motomiya Makoto , Minami Akio
Published: April 2010

To our knowledge, the combination of a palmar subluxation of the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint with low median nerve deficit followed by the recurrent branch injury is extremely rare. We present a case of the subluxation of the thumb CMC joint with low median nerve deficit.
INTRAVASCULAR PAPILLARY ENDOTHELIAL HYPERPLASIA (MASSON'S TUMOUR) CAUSING A SOFT-TISSUE MASS IN THE UPPER LIMB
Authors: Shah Amit K. , Grant Ian
Published: April 2010

Masson's tumour (intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia) is a benign vascular tumour, which can present in a similar manner to a soft-tissue sarcoma. Rapid differentiation between these two differing pathologies is the most important part of the initial management of this problem. We report a case of Masson's tumour presenting in a 32-year-old woman as a painful lump around her elbow.
A NECESSARY AND SUFFICIENT CONDITION FOR CONVERGENCE OF STATISTICAL TO STRATEGIC EQUILIBRIA OF MARKET GAMES
Authors: TSOMOCOS DIMITRIOS P. , VOLIOTIS DIMITRIS
Published: April 2010

We analyze a market game where traders are heterogeneous with respect to their rationality level and have asymmetric information. The market mechanism results into a statistical equilibrium, where traders randomise among their available actions due to their limited rationality. We provide a necessary and sufficient condition for convergence of statistical to strategic equilibria of market games, when traders become more informed and increasingly more rational.
CONTACT HOMOLOGY OF LEFT-HANDED STABILIZATIONS AND PLUMBING OF OPEN BOOKS
Authors: BOURGEOIS FRÉDÉRIC , VAN KOERT OTTO
Published: April 2010

We show that on any closed contact manifold of dimension greater than 1 a contact structure with vanishing contact homology can be constructed. The basic idea for the construction comes from Giroux. We use a special open book decomposition for spheres. The page is the cotangent bundle of a sphere and the monodromy is given by a left-handed Dehn twist. In the resulting contact manifold, we exhibit a closed Reeb orbit that bounds a single finite energy plane like in the computation for the overtwisted case. As a result, the unit element of the contact homology algebra is exact and so the contact homology vanishes. This result can be extended to other contact manifolds by using connected sums. The latter is related to the plumbing or 2-Murasugi sum of contact open books. We shall give a possible description of this construction and some conjectures about the plumbing operation.
ON A PERMUTABILITY PROPERTY OF SUBGROUPS OF FINITE SOLUBLE GROUPS
Authors: BALLESTER-BOLINCHES A. , COSSEY JOHN , SOLER-ESCRIVÀ X.
Published: April 2010

The structure and embedding of subgroups permuting with the system normalizers of a finite soluble group are studied in the paper. It is also proved that the class of all finite soluble groups in which every subnormal subgroup permutes with the Sylow subgroups is properly contained in the class of all soluble groups whose subnormal subgroups permute with the system normalizers while this latter is properly contained in the class of all supersoluble groups.
Pyruvate suppresses PGC1α expression and substrate utilization despite increased respiratory chain content in C2C12 myotubes
Authors: Philp Andrew , Perez-Schindler Joaquin , Green Charlotte , Hamilton D. Lee , Baar Keith
Published: April 2010

Sodium pyruvate can increase mitochondrial biogenesis in C2C12 myoblasts in a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC1α)-independent manner. The present study examined the effect of 72-h treatment with sodium pyruvate (5–50 mM) or sodium chloride (50 mM) as an osmotic control on the regulation of mitochondrial substrate metabolism and biogenesis in C2C12 myotubes. Pyruvate (50 mM) increased the levels of fatty acid oxidation enzymes (CD36, 61%, and β-oxidative enzyme 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, 54%) and the expression of cytochrome- c oxidase subunit I (220%) and cytochrome c (228%), consistent with its previous described role as a promoter of mitochondrial biogenesis. However, in contrast, pyruvate treatment reduced glucose transporter 4 (42%), phosphofructokinase (57%), and PGC1α (72%) protein content as well as PGC1α (48%) and PGC1β (122%) mRNA. The decrease in PGC1α was compensated for by an increase in the PGC1α-related coactivator (PRC; 187%). Pyruvate treatment reduced basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (41% and 31%, respectively) and palmitate uptake and oxidation (24% and 31%, respectively). The addition of the pyruvate dehydrogenase activator dichloroacetate (DCA) and the TCA precursor glutamine increased PGC1α expression (368%) and returned PRC expression to basal. Glucose uptake increased by 4.2-fold with DCA and glutamine and palmitate uptake increased by 18%. Coupled to this adaptation was an 80% increase in oxygen consumption. The data suggest that supraphysiological doses of pyruvate decrease mitochondrial function despite limited biogenesis and that anaplerotic agents can reverse this effect.
Damage to the gastric epithelium activates cellular bicarbonate secretion via SLC26A9 Cl−/HCO3−exchange
Authors: Demitrack Elise S. , Soleimani Manoocher , Montrose Marshall H.
Published: April 2010

Gastric surface pH (pHo) transiently increases in response to focal epithelial damage. The sources of that increase, either from paracellular leakage of interstitial fluid or transcellular acid/base fluxes, have not been determined. Using in vivo microscopy approaches we measured pHowith Cl-NERF, tissue permeability with intravenous fluorescent-dextrans to label interstitial fluid (paracellular leakage), and gastric epithelial intracellular pH (pHi) with SNARF-5F (cellular acid/base fluxes). In response to two-photon photodamage, we found that cell-impermeant dyes entered damaged cells from luminal or tissue compartments, suggesting a possible slow transcellular, but not paracellular, route for increased permeability after damage. Regarding cytosolic acid/base status, we found that damaged cells acidified (6.63 ± 0.03) after photodamage, compared with healthy surface cells both near (7.12 ± 0.06) and far (7.07 ± 0.04) from damage ( P < 0.05). This damaged cell acidification was further attenuated with 20 μM intravenous EIPA (6.34 ± 0.05, P < 0.05) but unchanged by addition of 0.5 mM luminal H2DIDS (6.64 ± 0.08, P > 0.05). Raising luminal pH did not realkalinize damaged cells, suggesting that the mechanism of acidification is not attributable to leakiness to luminal protons. Inhibition of apical HCO3−secretion with 0.5 mM luminal H2DIDS or genetic deletion of the solute-like carrier 26A9 (SLC26A9) Cl−/HCO3−exchanger blocked the pHoincrease normally observed in control animals but did not compromise repair of damaged tissue. Addition of exogenous PGE2significantly increased pHoin wild-type, but not SLC26A9 knockout, animals, suggesting that prostaglandin-stimulated HCO3−secretion is fully mediated by SLC26A9. We conclude that cellular HCO3−secretion, likely through SLC26A9, is the dominant mechanism whereby surface pH transiently increases in response to photodamage.
Age is a determinant of acute hemodynamic responses to hyperglycemia and angiotensin II in humans with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Cherney David Z. I. , Reich Heather N. , Miller Judith A. , Lai Vesta , Zinman Bernard , Dekker Maria G. , Bradley Timothy J. , Scholey James W. , Sochett Etienne B.
Published: April 2010

Hyperglycemia is associated with hemodynamic changes in type 1 diabetes (DM), acting in part through renin-angiotensin system activation. Since aging is associated with vascular dysfunction in DM, we hypothesized that acute hemodynamic responses to clamped hyperglycemia and infused ANG II would be exaggerated in older adults compared with a group of adolescent/young adults with type 1 DM. Renal hemodynamic function, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness were assessed in adolescent/young adults ( n = 34; mean age: 18 ± 3 yr) and older adults ( n = 32; mean age: 45 ± 9 yr). Studies were performed during clamped euglycemia (4–6 mmol/l) and hyperglycemia (9–11 mmol/l). Renal and systemic hemodynamic responses to ANG II were measured during clamped euglycemia in diabetic subjects. ANG II responses were also assessed in a cohort of non-DM subjects ( n = 97; mean age: 26; age range: 18–40 yr). Older DM adults exhibited higher baseline blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and renal vascular resistance, and lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow, compared with adolescent/young DM adults ( P < 0.05). Clamped hyperglycemia was associated with exaggerated peripheral and renal hemodynamic responses uniquely in older DM adults; only GFR increased in adolescent/young DM adults. ANG II infusion also produced exaggerated vasoconstrictive responses in older DM adults vs. adolescent/young DM adults ( P < 0.05). The independent effect of age on hemodynamic responses to hyperglycemia and ANG II was confirmed using multivariate regression analysis in DM subjects ( P < 0.05), and results were still significant when participants were matched for DM duration. Age-related alterations in hemodynamic function and ANG II response were not observed in healthy non-DM control subjects. Acute hemodynamic responses to clamped hyperglycemia and ANG II were exaggerated in older subjects with type 1 DM, highlighting an important interaction between age and factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of acute vascular dysfunction in DM.
Glycated albumin upregulates upstream stimulatory factor 2 gene transcription in mesangial cells
Authors: Li Yanzhang , Wang Shuxia
Published: April 2010

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common cause of end-stage renal failure. We previously demonstrated that a transcription factor called upstream stimulatory factor 2 (USF2) was upregulated in the kidneys from diabetic animals in vivo as well as in mesangial cells (MCs) exposed to high-glucose media in vitro. USF2 mediates glucose-induced thrombospondin 1 expression and transforming growth factor-β activity in MCs and plays a role in DN. Glycated proteins have been shown to accumulate in the kidneys of diabetic patients and contribute to DN. However, whether glycated proteins regulate USF2 expression in MCs and play a role in DN is unknown. In the present studies, we determined the effect of glycated albumin on UFS2 gene expression in primary rat MCs. We found that glycated albumin upregulated USF2 expression (mRNA and protein) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We also demonstrated that glycated albumin stimulated USF2 gene expression at the transcriptional level. By using the luciferase-promoter deletion assay, site-directed mutagenesis, and transactivation assay, we identified a glycated albumin-responsive region in the USF2 gene promoter (−837 to −430, relative to the transcription start site) and demonstrated that glycated albumin-induced USF2 expression was mediated through NF-κB-dependent transactivation of the USF2 promoter. Furthermore, glycated albumin increased nuclear NF-κB subunit-p65 protein levels. siRNA-mediated p65 knockdown prevented glycated albumin-induced USF2 gene expression (promoter activity, mRNA, and protein levels). Taken together, these data suggest that glycated albumin upregulated USF2 gene transcription in MCs through NF-κB-dependent transactivation of the USF2 promoter.
Inhibitory Synaptic Modulation of Renshaw Cell Activity in the Lumbar Spinal Cord of Neonatal Mice
Authors: Nishimaru Hiroshi , Koganezawa Tadachika , Kakizaki Miyo , Ebihara Tatsuhiko , Yanagawa Yuchio
Published: April 2010

In the mammalian spinal cord, Renshaw cells (RCs) are excited by axon collaterals of motoneurons (MNs), and in turn, provide recurrent inhibition of MNs. They are considered an important element in controlling the motor output. However, how RCs are modulated by spinal circuits during motor behaviors remains unclear. In this study, the physiological nature of inhibitory synaptic inputs to RCs in the lumbar segment during spontaneous motoneuronal activity was examined in the isolated spinal cord taken from glutamate decarboxylase 67-green fluorescent protein (GAD67-GFP) knock-in mouse neonates. Whole cell recordings of RCs in current-clamp mode showed that they receive phasic inhibition that could modulate the RC firing evoked by excitation of MNs. In voltage-clamp recording, we observed a barrage of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) mediated by glycine and/or GABA. These sIPSCs persisted in the presence of mecamylamine, a nicotinic receptor antagonist, indicating that excitation of other RCs by MN axon collaterals may not be essential for these inhibitory actions. Simultaneous recording of RC and the ventral root in the same segment showed that the RCs received inhibitory inputs when spontaneous MN firing occurred. Paired recordings of a RC and a MN showed that during the bursting activity in the ventral root, the magnitude of the RC sIPSCs and the magnitude of the excitatory inputs that MNs receive are highly correlated. These results indicate that RCs are modulated by inhibition that matches the MN excitation in timing and amplitude during motor behaviors.
Population Response Profiles in Early Visual Cortex Are Biased in Favor of More Valuable Stimuli
Authors: Serences John T. , Saproo Sameer
Published: April 2010

Voluntary and stimulus-driven shifts of attention can modulate the representation of behaviorally relevant stimuli in early areas of visual cortex. In turn, attended items are processed faster and more accurately, facilitating the selection of appropriate behavioral responses. Information processing is also strongly influenced by past experience and recent studies indicate that the learned value of a stimulus can influence relatively late stages of decision making such as the process of selecting a motor response. However, the learned value of a stimulus can also influence the magnitude of cortical responses in early sensory areas such as V1 and S1. These early effects of stimulus value are presumed to improve the quality of sensory representations; however, the nature of these modulations is not clear. They could reflect nonspecific changes in response amplitude associated with changes in general arousal or they could reflect a bias in population responses so that high-value features are represented more robustly. To examine this issue, subjects performed a two-alternative forced choice paradigm with a variable-interval payoff schedule to dynamically manipulate the relative value of two stimuli defined by their orientation (one was rotated clockwise from vertical, the other counterclockwise). Activation levels in visual cortex were monitored using functional MRI and feature-selective voxel tuning functions while subjects performed the behavioral task. The results suggest that value not only modulates the relative amplitude of responses in early areas of human visual cortex, but also sharpens the response profile across the populations of feature-selective neurons that encode the critical stimulus feature (orientation). Moreover, changes in space- or feature-based attention cannot easily explain the results because representations of both the selected and the unselected stimuli underwent a similar feature-selective modulation. This sharpening in the population response profile could theoretically improve the probability of correctly discriminating high-value stimuli from low-value alternatives.
Growth and PhysioChemical Properties of Second‐Order Nonlinear Optical L‐Threonine Single Crystals
Authors: Ramesh Kumar G. , Gokul Raj S.
Published: April 2010

The present aim of the paper is to grow and to study the various properties of L‐threonine amino acid single crystal in various aspects. Crystal growth of L‐threonine single crystals has been carried out with the help of crystallization kinetics. pH and deuteration effects on the properties of the grown crystals have been studied and the results presented in a lucid manner. The various second‐order NLO parameters were evaluated using anharmonic oscillator model. Particle and ion irradiation effects on structural, optical, and surface properties of the crystals have also been studied in detail.
Codon Usage Patterns inCorynebacterium glutamicum: Mutational Bias, Natural Selection and Amino Acid Conservation
Authors: Liu Guiming , Wu Jinyu , Yang Huanming , Bao Qiyu
Published: April 2010

The alternative synonymous codons inCorynebacterium glutamicum, a well-known bacterium used in industry for the production of amino acid, have been investigated by multivariate analysis. AsC. glutamicumis a GC-rich organism, G and C are expected to predominate at the third position of codons. Indeed, overall codon usage analyses have indicated that C and/or G ending codons are predominant in this organism. Through multivariate statistical analysis, apart from mutational selection, we identified three other trends of codon usage variation among the genes. Firstly, the majority of highly expressed genes are scattered towards the positive end of the first axis, whereas the majority of lowly expressed genes are clustered towards the other end of the first axis. Furthermore, the distinct difference in the two sets of genes was that the C ending codons are predominate in putatively highly expressed genes, suggesting that the C ending codons are translationally optimal in this organism. Secondly, the majority of the putatively highly expressed genes have a tendency to locate on the leading strand, which indicates that replicational and transciptional selection might be invoked. Thirdly, highly expressed genes are more conserved than lowly expressed genes by synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions among orthologous genes fromthe genomes ofC. glutamicumandC. diphtheriae. We also analyzed other factors such as the length of genes and hydrophobicity that might influence codon usage and found their contributions to be weak.
Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes among Immigrants in Southern Italy
Authors: Scotto Gaetano , Martinelli Domenico , Di Tullio Rocco , Fazio Vincenzina
Published: April 2010

Background/aims. This study aims to determine the distribution and clinical features of HBV-genotypes in a population of immigrants affected by HBV-infection. Methods. Between 01/2003 and 03/2009, 1623 immigrants were tested for HBV-infection. Biochemical and virological activities were determined in HBsAg-positive patients; HBV-genotypes were determined, by the INNO-LiPA HBV Genotyping, in the subjects with HBV DNA detectable. In every patient we evaluated the stage and classified the infection as inactive carrier, mild or moderate/severe chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and/or HCC. Results. Among the tested subjects, 191 (11.7%) resulted HBsAg-positive, and in 144/191 (75.4%) serum HBV-DNA was detectable. The genotype distribution was as follows: 45,13% genotype E, 18,1% genotype D, 15,3% genotype B, 13,2% genotype C, 4,9% genotype A, 3,5% mixed genotypes (A–D). The evaluation of liver disease degree showed that 24.6% patients were inactive carriers of HBV infection, 19.4% presented a immunotolerance phase, 34.5% had mild chronic hepatitis, 13.6% had a moderate/severe chronic hepatitis, 6.3% had cirrhosis, and 1.6% presented HCC. Conclusions. Our study evidences a high prevalence of HBV-infection in immigrants, and the potentiality of migratory flow in the introduction of genotype non-D hepatitis B virus. The Hepatitis B virus genotypes presented significant differences in epidemiological and clinical characteristics.
Combined Influence of
LDLR
and
HMGCR
Sequence Variation on Lipid-Lowering Response to Simvastatin
Authors: Mangravite Lara M. , Medina Marisa Wong , Cui Jinrui , Pressman Sheila , Smith Joshua D. , Rieder Mark J. , Guo Xiuqing , Nickerson Deborah A. , Rotter Jerome I. , Krauss Ronald M.
Published: April 2010

Objective—

Although statins are efficacious for lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, there is wide interindividual variation in response. We tested the extent to which combined effects of common alleles of
LDLR
and
HMGCR
can contribute to this variability.

Methods and Results—

Haplotypes in the
LDLR
3′-untranslated region (3-UTR) were tested for association with lipid-lowering response to simvastatin treatment in the Cholesterol and Pharmacogenetics trial (335 blacks and 609 whites).
LDLR
haplotype 5 (
LDLR
L5) was associated with smaller simvastatin-induced reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B (
P
=0.0002 to 0.03) in blacks but not whites. The combined presence of
LDLR
L5 and previously described
HMGCR
haplotypes in blacks was associated with significantly attenuated apolipoprotein B reduction (−22.4±1.5%, N=89) compared with both noncarriers (−30.6±1.5%, N=78,
P
=0.0001) and carriers of either individual haplotype (−28.2±1.1%, N=158,
P
=0.001). We observed similar differences when measuring simvastatin-mediated induction of low-density lipoprotein receptor surface expression using lymphoblast cell lines (
P
=0.03).

Conclusion—

We have identified a common
LDLR
3-UTR haplotype that is associated with attenuated lipid-lowering response to simvastatin treatment. Response was further reduced in individuals with both
LDLR
and previously described
HMGCR
haplotypes. Previously identified racial differences in statin efficacy were partially explained by the greater prevalence of these combined haplotypes in blacks.
Human Nature: A Comparative Overview
Authors: Høgh-Olesen Henrik
Published: April 2010

The differences and similarities between human and non-human animals are constantly up for discussion and an overview is needed. Four central fields of behaviour related to (1) complex symbolic activities, (2) tool making and tool use, (3) culture and social transmission and (4) sociality and morality, are surveyed and comparatively analysed to identify particular human characteristics. Data from a broad range of sciences are brought together to introduce light and shade into the picture. The differences found inside field four are especially striking. Humans are “ultra-social”. Evolution seems to have favoured a more collaborative kind of sociality in our species, and features like other-regarding preferences, large scale cooperation with non-kin, and strangers as well as third-party sanctions, appear to be derived properties of humans that have evolved after Homo and Pan diverged.
Language and Experience Influence Children's Biological Induction
Authors: Anggoro Florencia , Medin Douglas , Waxman Sandra
Published: April 2010

Children's reasoning about biological concepts is influenced not only by their experiences in the natural world and in their classrooms, but also by the way that these concepts are named. In English, 'animal' can refer either to (a) exclusively non-human animals, or (b) all animate beings (human and non-human animals). In Indonesian, this category of animate beings has no dedicated name. Here, we ask whether this difference in naming has consequences for children's reasoning about humans and non-human animals. Results from English- and Indonesian-speaking children reveals differences in reasoning at age 6, differences that become attenuated by age 9. These results suggest that not only naming practices, but also biologically-relevant formal and informal learning experiences, influence children's reasoning about biological concepts.
Naming the Animals that Come to Mind: Effects of Culture and Experience on Category Fluency
Authors: Winkler-Rhoades Nathan , Medin Douglas , Waxman Sandra , Woodring Jennie , Ross Norbert
Published: April 2010

This article considers the semantic structure of the animal category from a cross-cultural developmental perspective. Children and adults from three North American communities (urban majority culture, rural majority culture and rural Native American) were prompted to generate animal names, and the resulting lists were analyzed for their underlying dimensionality and for the typicality or salience of specific animal names. The semantic structure of the animal category appeared to be consistent across cultural groups, but the relative salience of animal kinds varied as a function of culture and first-hand experience with the natural world. These results provide evidence of a shared representation of animals across disparate cultures but also indicate a role for culture in shaping animal concepts.
NAM Model Forecasts of Warm-Season Quasi-Stationary Frontal Environments in the Central United States
Authors: Wang Shih-Yu , Clark Adam J.
Published: April 2010

Using a composite procedure, North American Mesoscale Model (NAM) forecast and observed environments associated with zonally oriented, quasi-stationary surface fronts for 64 cases during July–August 2006–08 were examined for a large region encompassing the central United States. NAM adequately simulated the general synoptic features associated with the frontal environments (e.g., patterns in the low-level wind fields) as well as the positions of the fronts. However, kinematic fields important to frontogenesis such as horizontal deformation and convergence were overpredicted. Surface-based convective available potential energy (CAPE) and precipitable water were also overpredicted, which was likely related to the overprediction of the kinematic fields through convergence of water vapor flux. In addition, a spurious coherence between forecast deformation and precipitation was found using spatial correlation coefficients. Composite precipitation forecasts featured a broad area of rainfall stretched parallel to the composite front, whereas the composite observed precipitation covered a smaller area and had a WNW–ESE orientation relative to the front, consistent with mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) propagating at a slight right angle relative to the thermal gradient. Thus, deficiencies in the NAM precipitation forecasts may at least partially result from the inability to depict MCSs properly. It was observed that errors in the precipitation forecasts appeared to lag those of the kinematic fields, and so it seems likely that deficiencies in the precipitation forecasts are related to the overprediction of the kinematic fields such as deformation. However, no attempts were made to establish whether the overpredicted kinematic fields actually contributed to the errors in the precipitation forecasts or whether the overpredicted kinematic fields were simply an artifact of the precipitation errors. Regardless of the relationship between such errors, recognition of typical warm-season environments associated with these errors should be useful to operational forecasters.
“Deñuy jàngal seen bopp” (They Teach Themselves): Children’s Music Learning in The Gambia
Authors: Huisman Koops Lisa
Published: April 2010

The author investigated the teaching and learning processes among children in a suburban community of The Gambia, West Africa. Participants included children and adults in the community ( N = 101). The researcher used ethnographic techniques of participant and nonparticipant observation, interviews, and song and chant collection. Data consisted of field notes from observations of play and adult-centered musical events, interviews with children and adults, and transcripts of video and audio recordings. On the basis of the data, the researcher identified a music learning process consisting of listening, observing, doing, and combinations of the three. Children seemed to “teach themselves” and one another in many instances; interpretation of data suggested that this was facilitated by three factors: a rich musical environment, expectation to be musical, and motivation to learn. Possibilities for transfer of these three factors to elementary general music classrooms are suggested.