bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Incidence of Severe Influenza among Individuals over 50 Years of Age
Authors: Zhang Anna J. X. , To Kelvin K. W. , Tse Herman , Chan Kwok-Hung , Guo Kun-Yuan , Li Can , Hung Ivan F. N. , Chan Jasper F. W. , Chen Honglin , Tam Sidney , Yuen Kwok-Yung
Published: September 2011

Age-specific epidemiological data on asymptomatic, symptomatic, and severe infections are essential for public health policies on combating influenza. In this study, we incorporated data on microbiologically confirmed infections and seroprevalence to comprehensively describe the epidemiology of pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza. Seroprevalence was determined from 1,795 random serum samples collected in our hospital in January 2007 (before the first wave of the pandemic) and March 2010 (after the second wave). Data on microbiologically confirmed infection and severe cases were obtained from the Centre for Health Protection in Hong Kong. Severe cases were most common in the 51- to 60-year-old age group. The microbiologically confirmed incidence rate was highest for children aged ≤10 years and dropped sharply for the adult population (ρ = −1.0;
P
< 0.01), but the incidence rate for severe disease was highest for the 51- to 60-year-old age group. For the 51- to 60-year-old age group, the seroprevalence was similar to that for the younger age groups, but the proportion of severe cases relative to seroprevalence was significantly higher than that for 11- to 50-year-old age groups. As judged from the percentage of specimens positive for other respiratory viruses compared with that for pandemic H1N1 virus, the impact of symptomatic disease due to pandemic H1N1 virus was higher than that for other respiratory viruses in people aged ≤50 years. In conclusion, the 51- to 60-year-old age group, which had the highest overall incidence and the highest rate of severe disease but is currently not considered by the World Health Organization to be an at-risk group, should be prioritized for influenza vaccination in areas where universal influenza vaccination is not practiced.
A Critical Appraisal of the Role of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory in Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Infections
Authors: Klutts J. Stacey , Robinson-Dunn Barbara
Published: September 2011

The incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) continues to rise in industrialized countries, primarily due to both increasingly potent iatrogenic immunosuppression and immunocompromising therapies aimed at treating hematologic malignancies. As this situation continues to evolve, the clinical microbiology laboratory has few new, innovative methodologies to diagnose these serious infections and existing methods lack sensitivity. This represents a difficult clinical situation for health care providers, as they are left to rely on clinical instincts for the management of patients with potential IFIs, as mycology test results are not consistently reliable. The goals of this session of Camp Clin Micro (CCM) were to critically assess currently available methods and practices for diagnosing IFIs, to discuss the potential of current investigational methods, to evaluate the role of antifungal susceptibility testing, and finally to identify action items that can help move the field of diagnostic mycology in a direction that will improve our ability to identify IFIs in a timely manner. This is meant to be not a comprehensive overview of the diagnosis of IFIs but rather a detailed account of the discussion at CCM among clinical microbiologists with experience in diagnostic mycology and knowledge of the literature.
Molecular Bacterial Load Assay, a Culture-Free Biomarker for Rapid and Accurate Quantification of Sputum Mycobacterium tuberculosis Bacillary Load during Treatment
Authors: Honeyborne Isobella , McHugh Timothy D. , Phillips Patrick P. J. , Bannoo Selina , Bateson Anna , Carroll Nora , Perrin Felicity M. , Ronacher Katharina , Wright Laura , van Helden Paul D. , Walzl Gerhard , Gillespie Stephen H.
Published: September 2011

A molecular assay to quantify
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is described.
In vitro
, 98% (
n
= 96) of sputum samples with a known number of bacilli (10
7
to 10
2
bacilli) could be enumerated within 0.5 log
10
. In comparison to culture, the molecular bacterial load (MBL) assay is unaffected by other microorganisms present in the sample, results are obtained more quickly (within 24 h) and are seldom inhibited (0.7% samples), and the MBL assay critically shows the same biphasic decline as observed longitudinally during treatment. As a biomarker of treatment response, the MBL assay responds rapidly, with a mean decline in bacterial load for 111 subjects of 0.99 log
10
(95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.81 to 1.17) after 3 days of chemotherapy. There was a significant association between the rate of bacterial decline during the same 3 days and bacilli ml
−1
sputum at day 0 (linear regression,
P
= 0.0003) and a 3.62 increased odds ratio of relapse for every 1 log
10
increase in pretreatment bacterial load (95% CI, 1.53 to 8.59).
Optimizing Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test Reporting
Authors: Schreckenberger Paul C. , Binnicker Matthew J.
Published: September 2011

A meeting of clinical microbiologists, representing a diverse group of practice settings, together with representatives from industry partners, discussed the pitfalls of current practices for testing and reporting antimicrobial susceptibility test results. The participants in this session identified several needs. Regarding what antibiotics to test, the discussants noted that the CLSI M100 documents must be readily accessible to all those who need them and presented in a way that is easily understood. Engineering controls (e.g., software programs) are needed that incorporate intrinsic resistance and susceptibility information and contain pathways that would allow the reporting of antibiotics for only those body locations where the antibiotic reaches therapeutic concentrations. These programs should be linked with the patient electronic medical record (EMR) and flag the physician or clinical pharmacist using an active alert messenger when testing reveals that the antibiotic(s) that the patient is receiving may not be optimal or de-escalation of the antibiotic treatment regimen is indicated. Guidelines for the practice of cascade reporting are needed and should be developed to assist laboratories in the identification and reporting of therapeutic and cost-effective antimicrobials. Personalized antibiotic reporting (PAR) software programs are needed that would deduce the optimal antibiotic for each individual patient based on a number of clinical and laboratory features. These would include the following: (i) organism identification; (ii) MIC; (iii) patient-specific factors such as weight, immune status, allergies, creatinine clearance, and albumin level; (iv) site of infection; (v) desired method of dosing (bolus versus continuous infusion); (vi) patient convenience (oral versus intravenous); (vii) drug interactions; and (viii) cost.
A Critical Appraisal of the Role of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory in the Diagnosis of Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Weinstein Melvin P. , Doern Gary V.
Published: September 2011

The detection of bloodstream infections is one of the most important functions of clinical microbiology laboratories. Despite advances in blood culture technology and clinical studies that have focused on the detection of bacteremia and fungemia, perfection has not been achieved and uncertainties persist. This review provides perspectives on a number of areas, including the recommended number of blood cultures, duration of incubation of blood cultures, use of anaerobic, in addition to aerobic, blood culture media, value of the lysis-centrifugation method, processing and reporting of probable blood culture contaminants, and limitations of current blood culture methods and systems. We also address the handling of blood cultures in point-of-care locations that lack full microbiology capabilities.
Three-Locus Identification, Genotyping, and Antifungal Susceptibilities of Medically Important Trichosporon Species from China
Authors: Guo Li-Na , Xiao Meng , Kong Fanrong , Chen Sharon C.-A. , Wang He , Sorrell Tania C. , Jiang Wei , Dou Hong-Tao , Li Ruo-Yu , Xu Ying-Chun
Published: September 2011

Three reference and 45 clinical isolates of
Trichosporon
were analyzed by conventional phenotypic and molecular methods to determine the species and genotypes of
Trichosporon
isolates from China. Target loci for molecular methods included the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene, and the intergenic spacer 1 (IGS1) region. Identification of eight
Trichosporon
species was achieved, of which
Trichosporon asahii
was the most common. Of the sequence-based molecular methods, the one targeting the D1/D2 domain assigned 97.9% (47/48) of isolates (seven species) correctly, while tests targeting both the ITS and IGS1 regions correctly identified all 48 isolates. The commercial API 20C AUX and Vitek 2 Compact YST systems correctly identified 91.9% and 73% of isolates when their biochemical profiles were queried against those of species contained in the databases, respectively, and misidentified 63.6% and 36.4% of isolates of species that were unclaimed by the databases, respectively. The predominant genotype among
T. asahii
clinical isolates, genotype 4 (51.4%), is rarely found in other countries. Voriconazole and itraconazole were the most active drugs
in vitro
against all the
Trichosporon
species tested, while caspofungin and amphotericin B demonstrated poor activity.
Recovery of a Catalase-Negative Staphylococcus epidermidis Strain in Blood and Urine Cultures from a Patient with Pyelonephritis
Authors: Kallstrom George , Chang Tom , Albertson Marc , Morilla Daniel , Fisher Mark A. , Eberly Bardwell
Published: September 2011

This report describes a 60-year-old patient with bilateral nephrolithiasis. A catalase-negative
Staphylococcus epidermidis
strain was recovered from both urine and blood cultures. Although rare, isolates of catalase-negative
Staphylococcus
spp., including
Staphylococcus aureus
, have been reported. Here, we describe the first report of a catalase-negative
S. epidermidis
strain.
Haemophilus influenzae Infections in the H. influenzae Type b Conjugate Vaccine Era
Authors: Agrawal Aarti , Murphy Timothy F.
Published: September 2011

The widespread use ofHaemophilus influenzaetype b (Hib) conjugate vaccines has nearly eradicated invasive Hib disease where the vaccines are used. This success was accompanied by a shift in capsular serotypes of invasiveH. influenzaedisease, with nontypeable strains replacing type b strains as the most common bloodstream isolate, but there is no convincing evidence of a true increase in the incidence of non-serotype b invasive infections.H. influenzaecauses predominantly mucosal infections. The introduction of vaccines for otitis media and global shifts in antimicrobial susceptibility emphasize the importance of continued surveillance ofH. influenzaecolonization and disease patterns.
Annexin II Binds to Capsid Protein VP1 of Enterovirus 71 and Enhances Viral Infectivity
Authors: Yang Su-Lin , Chou Ying-Ting , Wu Cheng-Nan , Ho Mei-Shang
Published: September 2011

Enterovirus type 71 (EV71) causes hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), which is mostly self-limited but may be complicated with a severe to fatal neurological syndrome in some children. Understanding the molecular basis of virus-host interactions might help clarify the largely unknown neuropathogenic mechanisms of EV71. In this study, we showed that human annexin II (Anx2) protein could bind to the EV71 virion via the capsid protein VP1. Either pretreatment of EV71 with soluble recombinant Anx2 or pretreatment of host cells with an anti-Anx2 antibody could result in reduced viral attachment to the cell surface and a reduction of the subsequent virus yield
in vitro
. HepG2 cells, which do not express Anx2, remained permissive to EV71 infection, though the virus yield was lower than that for a cognate lineage expressing Anx2. Stable transfection of plasmids expressing Anx2 protein into HepG2 cells (HepG2-Anx2 cells) could enhance EV71 infectivity, with an increased virus yield, especially at a low infective dose, and the enhanced infectivity could be reversed by pretreating HepG2-Anx2 cells with an anti-Anx2 antibody. The Anx2-interacting domain was mapped by yeast two-hybrid analysis to VP1 amino acids 40 to 100, a region different from the known receptor binding domain on the surface of the picornavirus virion. Our data suggest that binding of EV71 to Anx2 on the cell surface can enhance viral entry and infectivity, especially at a low infective dose.
Vaccine Protection against Simian Immunodeficiency Virus in Monkeys Using Recombinant Gamma-2 Herpesvirus
Authors: Bilello John P. , Manrique Julieta M. , Shin Young C. , Lauer William , Li Wenjun , Lifson Jeffrey D. , Mansfield Keith G. , Johnson R. Paul , Desrosiers Ronald C.
Published: September 2011

Recombinant strains of replication-competent rhesus monkey rhadinovirus (RRV) were constructed in which strong promoter/enhancer elements were used to drive expression of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) Env or Gag or a Rev-Tat-Nef fusion protein. Cultured rhesus monkey fibroblasts infected with each recombinant strain were shown to express the expected protein. Three RRV-negative and two RRV-positive rhesus monkeys were inoculated intravenously with a mixture of these three recombinant RRVs. Expression of SIV Gag was readily detected in lymph node biopsy specimens taken at 3 weeks postimmunization. Impressive anti-SIV cellular immune responses were elicited on the basis of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) tetramer staining and gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays. Responses were much greater in magnitude in the monkeys that were initially RRV negative but were still readily detected in the two monkeys that were naturally infected with RRV at the time of immunization. By 3 weeks postimmunization, responses measured by MHC tetramer staining in the twoMamu-A*01+RRV-negative monkeys reached 9.3% and 13.1% of all CD8+T cells in peripheral blood to the Gag CM9 epitope and 2.3% and 7.3% of all CD8+T cells in peripheral blood to the Tat SL8 epitope. Virus-specific CD8+T cell responses persisted at high levels up to the time of challenge at 18 weeks postimmunization, and responding cells maintained an effector memory phenotype. Despite the ability of the RRVenv recombinant to express high levels of Env in cultured cells, and despite the appearance of strong anti-RRV antibody responses in immunized monkeys, anti-Env antibody responses were below our ability to detect them. Immunized monkeys, together with three unimmunized controls, were challenged intravenously with 10 monkey infectious doses of SIVmac239. All five immunized monkeys and all three controls became infected with SIV, but peak viral loads were 1.2 to 3.0 log10units lower and chronic-phase viral loads were 1.0 to 3.0 log10units lower in immunized animals than the geometric mean of unimmunized controls. These differences were statistically significant. Anti-Env antibody responses following challenge indicated an anamnestic response in the vaccinated monkeys. These findings further demonstrate the potential of recombinant herpesviruses as preventive vaccines for AIDS. We hypothesize that this live, replication-competent, persistent herpesvirus vector could match, or come close to matching, live attenuated strains of SIV in the degree of protection if the difficulty with elicitation of anti-Env antibody responses can be overcome.
The Fecal Virome of Pigs on a High-Density Farm
Authors: Shan Tongling , Li Linlin , Simmonds Peter , Wang Chunlin , Moeser Adam , Delwart Eric
Published: September 2011

Swine are an important source of proteins worldwide but are subject to frequent viral outbreaks and numerous infections capable of infecting humans. Modern farming conditions may also increase viral transmission and potential zoonotic spread. We describe here the metagenomics-derived virome in the feces of 24 healthy and 12 diarrheic piglets on a high-density farm. An average of 4.2 different mammalian viruses were shed by healthy piglets, reflecting a high level of asymptomatic infections. Diarrheic pigs shed an average of 5.4 different mammalian viruses. Ninety-nine percent of the viral sequences were related to the RNA virus familiesPicornaviridae,Astroviridae,Coronaviridae, andCaliciviridae, while 1% were related to the small DNA virus familiesCircoviridae,and Parvoviridae.Porcine RNA viruses identified, in order of decreasing number of sequence reads, consisted of kobuviruses, astroviruses, enteroviruses, sapoviruses, sapeloviruses, coronaviruses, bocaviruses, and teschoviruses. The near-full genomes of multiple novel species of porcine astroviruses and bocaviruses were generated and phylogenetically analyzed. Multiple small circular DNA genomes encoding replicase proteins plus two highly divergent members of thePicornaviralesorder were also characterized. The possible origin of these viral genomes from pig-infecting protozoans and nematodes, based on closest sequence similarities, is discussed. In summary, an unbiased survey of viruses in the feces of intensely farmed animals revealed frequent coinfections with a highly diverse set of viruses providing favorable conditions for viral recombination. Viral surveys of animals can readily document the circulation of known and new viruses, facilitating the detection of emerging viruses and prospective evaluation of their pathogenic and zoonotic potentials.
Roles of the Envelope Proteins in the Amplification of Covalently Closed Circular DNA and Completion of Synthesis of the Plus-Strand DNA in Hepatitis B Virus
Authors: Lentz Thomas B. , Loeb Daniel D.
Published: September 2011

Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the nuclear form of hepatitis B virus (HBV), is synthesized by repair of the relaxed circular (RC) DNA genome. Initially, cccDNA is derived from RC DNA from the infecting virion, but additional copies of cccDNA are derived from newly synthesized RC DNA molecules in a process termed intracellular amplification. It has been shown that the large viral envelope protein limits the intracellular amplification of cccDNA for duck hepatitis B virus. The role of the envelope proteins in regulating the amplification of cccDNA in HBV is not well characterized. The present report demonstrates regulation of synthesis of cccDNA by the envelope proteins of HBV. Ablation of expression of the envelope proteins led to an increase (>6-fold) in the level of cccDNA. Subsequent restoration of envelope protein expression led to a decrease (>50%) in the level of cccDNA, which inversely correlated with the level of the envelope proteins. We found that the expression of L protein alone or in combination with M and/or S proteins led to a decrease in cccDNA levels, indicating that L contributes to the regulation of cccDNA. Coexpression of L and M led to greater regulation than either L alone or L and S. Coexpression of all three envelope proteins was also found to limit completion of plus-strand DNA synthesis, and the degree of this effect correlated with the level of the proteins and virion secretion.
Human Cytomegalovirus US7 Is Regulated Synergistically by Two Virally Encoded MicroRNAs and by Two Distinct Mechanisms
Authors: Tirabassi Rebecca , Hook Lauren , Landais Igor , Grey Finn , Meyers Heather , Hewitt Helen , Nelson Jay
Published: September 2011

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes at least 14 microRNAs (miRNAs) that act posttranscriptionally to repress gene expression. Although several HCMV miRNA targets of both cellular and viral origin have been identified, our knowledge of their function remains limited. HCMV miRNA targets, as well as phenotypes associated with HCMV miRNA mutants, have been difficult to identify since the downregulation of targets by a single miRNA is often less than 2-fold. Several factors can contribute to the strength of repression, including the mechanism of translational inhibition, the degree of complementarity between the miRNA and target mRNA, the number of binding sites for one miRNA, and cooperativity or antagonism between miRNAs. To determine the effect of multiple miRNAs on one gene, we examined the repression of a viral gene, US7. Here we demonstrate that the HCMV-encoded miRNAs miR-US5-1 and miR-US5-2 function in a highly synergistic manner to regulate US7, even at very low miRNA concentrations. Regulation of US7 involves three functional miRNA binding sites: two that are completely complementary to the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) and one that is imperfectly matched. Surprisingly, we observed equal contributions to inhibition from both complete and partially complementary sites, and repression was not completely abrogated until all three sites were mutated simultaneously. We also observed that the miRNA binding sites did not follow the spacing constraints for corepressive miRNAs observed in earlier reports. These results underscore the importance of evaluating the contribution of multiple miRNAs on gene regulation and shed new insight into miRNA:mRNA interactions.
Human CD8+and CD4+T Cell Memory to Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infection
Authors: Kotturi Maya F. , Swann Justine A. , Peters Bjoern , Arlehamn Cecilia Lindestam , Sidney John , Kolla Ravi V. , James Eddie A. , Akondy Rama S. , Ahmed Rafi , Kwok William W. , Buchmeier Michael J. , Sette Alessandro
Published: September 2011

Although cellular immunity to acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection has been well characterized in experimental studies in mice, the T cell response to this virus in humans is incompletely understood. Thus, we analyzed the breadths, magnitudes, and differentiation phenotypes of memory LCMV-specific CD8+and CD4+T cells in three human donors displaying a variety of disease outcomes after accidental needle stick injury or exposure to LCMV. Although only a small cohort of donors was analyzed at a single time point postinfection, several interesting observations were made. First, we were able to detect LCMV-specific CD8+and CD4+T cell responses directlyex vivoat 4 to 8 years after exposure, demonstrating the longevity of T cell memory in humans. Second, unlike in murine models of LCMV infection, we found that the breadths of memory CD8+and CD4+T cell responses were not significantly different from one another. Third, it seemed that the overall CD8+T cell response was augmented with increasing severity of disease, while the LCMV-specific CD4+T cell response magnitude was highly variable between the three different donors. Next, we found that LCMV-specific CD8+T cells in the three donors analyzed seemed to undergo an effector memory differentiation program distinct from that of CD4+T cells. Finally, the levels of expression of memory, costimulatory, and inhibitory receptors on CD8+and CD4+T cell subsets, in some instances, correlated with disease outcome. These data demonstrate for the first time LCMV-specific CD8+and CD4+T cells in infected humans and begin to provide new insights into memory T cell responses following an acute virus infection.
Expression Strategy of Densonucleosis Virus from the German Cockroach, Blattella germanica
Authors: Kapelinskaya Tatiana V. , Martynova Elena U. , Schal Coby , Mukha Dmitry V.
Published: September 2011

Blattella germanicadensovirus (BgDNV) is an autonomous parvovirus that infects the German cockroach. BgDNV possesses three mRNAs for NS proteins, two of which are splice variants of the unspliced transcript. The unspliced variant encodes open reading frame 5 (ORF5) (NS3), while NSspl1 encodes ORF3 (NS1) and ORF4 (NS2) and NSspl2 encodes the C-proximal half of NS1. BgDNV possesses three VP transcripts, one of which (VP) is unspliced, while the other two (VPspl1 and VPspl2) are generated by alternative splicing. The unspliced VP transcript contains both ORF1 and ORF2, while in VPspl1, ORF1 and ORF2 are joined in frame. The transcription of NS genes begins at an earlier stage of the virus life cycle than the transcription of VP genes. NS and VP transcripts overlap by 48 nucleotides (nt). BgDNV is characterized by two additional NS transcripts overlapping by more than 1,650 nt with VP-coding transcripts. Four different bands (97, 85, 80, and 57 kDa) corresponding to three BgDNV capsid proteins were detected on SDS-PAGE. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that the amino acid composition of the 85-kDa and 80-kDa proteins is the same. Moreover, both of these proteins are ubiquitinated. The BgDNV PLA2domain, which is critical for cellular uptake of the virus, is located in ORF2 and is present only in VP1. In contrast to all of the parvoviruses studied in this respect, VP2 has a unique N terminus that is not contained within VP1 and VP3.In siturecognition with NS1- and VP-specific antibodies revealed an uneven pattern of NS1 expression resembling a halo within the nuclear membrane.
Intracompartmental pressure testing: results of an international survey of current clinical practice, highlighting the need for standardised protocols
Authors: Hislop Matthew , Tierney Paul
Published: September 2011

Despite more recent non-invasive modalities generating some credence in the literature, intracompartmental pressure testing is still considered the ‘gold standard’ for investigating chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS). Intracompartmental pressure testing, when used correctly, has been shown to be accurate and reliable. However, it is a user-dependent investigation, and the manner in which the investigation is conducted plays a large role in the outcome of the test. Despite this, a standard, reproducible protocol for intracompartmental pressure testing has not been described. This results in confusion regarding interpretation of results and reduces the tests' reliability. A summary of the current understanding of CECS is presented, along with the results of a survey of specialists in Australia and New Zealand who perform intracompartmental pressure testing, which confirms that a uniform approach is currently not used in clinical practice. This highlights the need for a consensus and standardised approach to intracompartmental pressure testing.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy under field conditions in Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) rescued from illegal bile farming in Vietnam
Authors: Pizzi R. , Cracknell J. , David S. , Laughlin D. , Broadis N. , Rouffignac M. , Duong D. V. , Girling S. , Hunt M.
Published: September 2011

Nine adult Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) previously rescued from illegal bile farming in Vietnam were examined via abdominal ultrasound and exploratory laparoscopy for liver and gall bladder pathology. Three bears demonstrated notable gall bladder pathology, and minimally invasive cholecystectomies were performed using an open laparoscopic access approach, standard 10 to 12 mmHg carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum and a four‐port technique. A single bear required insertion of an additional 5 mm port and use of a flexible liver retractor due to the presence of extensive adhesions between the gall bladder and quadrate and left and right medial liver lobes. The cystic duct was dissected free and this and the cystic artery were ligated by means of extracorporeal tied Meltzer knot sutures. The gall bladder was dissected free of the liver by blunt and sharp dissection, aided by 3.8 MHz monopolar radiosurgery. Bears that have had open abdominal cholecystectomies are reported as taking four to six weeks before a return to normal activity postoperatively. In contrast, these bears demonstrated rapid unremarkable healing, and were allowed unrestricted access to outside enclosures to climb trees, swim and interact normally with other bears within seven days of surgery.
THE COSMOLOGICAL ORIGIN OF THE NAMBU–JONA-LASINIO MODEL
Authors: NOVELLO M.
Published: September 2011

Recently a mechanism to generate mass from gravitational interaction, based on Mach principle, according to which the inertia of a body is a property of matter as well as of the background provided by the rest-of-the-universe was presented in Refs. 1, 2. In these papers such an idea was realized for scalar and spinor fields treating the rest-of-the-universe in its vacuum state. In the present paper, using an extended version of Mach principle, the same strategy will be applied to show how the Heisenberg–Nambu–Jona-Lasinio non-linear equation for fermions Ψ arises as a consequence of the gravitational interaction of Ψ with the rest-of-the-universe.
THE POINCARÉ CONJECTURE AND THE COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANT
Authors: MAIA M. D.
Published: September 2011

The concept of deformation of Riemannian geometry is reviewed, with applications to gravitation and cosmology. Starting with an analysis of the cosmological constant problem, it is shown that space-times are deformable in the sense of local change of shape. These deformations leave an observable signature in the space-time, characterized by a conserved tensor, associated with a tangent acceleration, defined by the extrinsic curvature of the space-time. In the applications to cosmology, we find that the accelerated expansion of the universe is the observable effect of the deformation, dispensing with the cosmological constant and its problems.
BLACK HOLE AS A SUPERCOLLIDER
Authors: ZASLAVSKII O. B.
Published: September 2011

Recently, it was found that in the vicinity of the black hole horizon of a rotating black hole two particles can collide in such a way that the energy in their centre of mass frame becomes infinite (so-called BSW effect). I give a brief review of basic features of this effect and show that this is a generic property of rotating black holes. In addition, there exists its counterpart for radial motion of charged particles in the charged black hole background. Simple kinematic explanation is suggested that is based on observation that all massive particles fall in two classes. In the first case (by definition, "usual particles"), the velocity approaches that of light on the horizon in the locally-nonrotating frame due to special relationship between the energy and the angular momentum. In the second case, it tends to some value less than speed of light. As a result, the relative velocity also tends to the speed of light with infinitely growing Lorentz factor.
CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENTS AND ELECTROSTATIC CALIBRATIONS IN EXPERIMENTS MEASURING THE CASIMIR FORCE
Authors: DECCA R. S. , FISCHBACH E. , KLIMCHITSKAYA G. L. , KRAUSE D. E. , LÓPEZ D. , MOHIDEEN U. , MOSTEPANENKO V. M.
Published: September 2011

We discuss the possibility of determining the properties and quality of spherical surfaces used in precise experiments with the help of capacitance measurements. The results of this kind measurements for the lens-plane and sphere-plane, Au coated surfaces are compared with theoretical predictions from various models of perfect and broken sphericity. It is shown that capacitance measurements are incapable of discriminating between models of perfect and modified centimeter-size spherical surfaces in an experiment demonstrating the anomalous scaling law for the electric force. Claims to the contrary in the recent literature are explained by the use of improper comparison. The data from capacitance measurements in an experiment measuring the Casimir force by means of a micromechanical torsional oscillator employing micrometer-size spheres are shown to be in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions using the model of a perfect spherical surface.
SPARSE TEMPLATE-BASED VARIATIONAL IMAGE SEGMENTATION
Authors: BREITENREICHER DIRK , LELLMANN JAN , SCHNÖRR CHRISTOPH
Published: September 2011

We introduce a variational approach to image segmentation based on sparse coverings of image domains by shape templates. The objective function combines a data term that achieves robustness by tolerating overlapping templates with a regularizer enforcing sparsity. A suitable convex relaxation leads to the variational approach that is amenable to large-scale convex programming.

Our approach takes implicitly into account prior knowledge about the shape of objects and their parts, without resorting to combinatorially difficult problems of variational inference. We illustrate our approach by numerical examples and indicate how prior knowledge acquisition may be achieved by learning from examples.
Stretch-activated calcium channel protein TRPC1 is correlated with the different degrees of the dystrophic phenotype in mdx mice
Authors: Matsumura Cíntia Yuri , Taniguti Ana Paula Tiemi , Pertille Adriana , Neto Humberto Santo , Marques Maria Julia
Published: September 2011

In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and in the mdx mouse model of DMD, the lack of dystrophin is related to enhanced calcium influx and muscle degeneration. Stretch-activated channels (SACs) might be directly involved in the pathology of DMD, and transient receptor potential cation channels have been proposed as likely candidates of SACs. We investigated the levels of transient receptor potential canonical channel 1 (TRPC1) and the effects of streptomycin, a SAC blocker, in muscles showing different degrees of the dystrophic phenotype. Mdx mice (18 days old, n = 16) received daily intraperitoneal injections of streptomycin (182 mg/kg body wt) for 18 days, followed by removal of the diaphragm, sternomastoid (STN), biceps brachii, and tibialis anterior muscles. Control mdx mice ( n = 37) were injected with saline. Western blot analysis showed higher levels of TRPC1 in diaphragm muscle compared with STN and limb muscles. Streptomycin reduced creatine kinase and prevented exercise-induced increases of total calcium and Evans blue dye uptake in diaphragm and in STN muscles. It is suggested that different levels of the stretch-activated calcium channel protein TRPC1 may contribute to the different degrees of the dystrophic phenotype seen in mdx mice. Early treatment designed to regulate the activity of these channels may ameliorate the progression of dystrophy in the most affected muscle, the diaphragm.
Historical perspectives in fat cell biology: the fat cell as a model for the investigation of hormonal and metabolic pathways
Authors: Lafontan Max
Published: September 2011

For many years, there was little interest in the biochemistry or physiology of adipose tissue. It is now well recognized that adipocytes play an important dynamic role in metabolic regulation. They are able to sense metabolic states via their ability to perceive a large number of nervous and hormonal signals. They are also able to produce hormones, called adipokines, that affect nutrient intake, metabolism and energy expenditure. The report by Rodbell in 1964 that intact fat cells can be obtained by collagenase digestion of adipose tissue revolutionized studies on the hormonal regulation and metabolism of the fat cell. In the context of the advent of systems biology in the field of cell biology, the present seems an appropriate time to look back at the global contribution of the fat cell to cell biology knowledge. This review focuses on the very early approaches that used the fat cell as a tool to discover and understand various cellular mechanisms. Attention essentially focuses on the early investigations revealing the major contribution of mature fat cells and also fat cells originating from adipose cell lines to the discovery of major events related to hormone action (hormone receptors and transduction pathways involved in hormonal signaling) and mechanisms involved in metabolite processing (hexose uptake and uptake, storage, and efflux of fatty acids). Dormant preadipocytes exist in the stroma-vascular fraction of the adipose tissue of rodents and humans; cell culture systems have proven to be valuable models for the study of the processes involved in the formation of new fat cells. Finally, more recent insights into adipocyte secretion, a completely new role with major metabolic impact, are also briefly summarized.
Identification of single neurons in a forebrain network
Authors: Day Nancy F. , Kerrigan Stephen J. , Aoki Naoya , Nick Teresa A.
Published: September 2011

Behaviors are generated from complex interactions among networks of neurons. Single-unit ensemble recording has been used to identify multiple neurons in functioning networks. These recordings have provided insight into interactions among neurons in local and distributed circuits. Recorded units in these ensembles have been classed based on waveform type, firing pattern, and physical location. To identify individual projection neurons in a cortical network, we have paired tetrode recording with antidromic stimulation. We developed techniques that enable antidromic identification of single units and study of functional interactions between these neurons and other circuit elements. These methods have been developed in the zebra finch and should be applicable, with potential modifications that we discuss here, to any neural circuit with defined subpopulations based on projection target. This methodology will enable elucidation of the functional roles of single identified neurons in complex vertebrate circuits.
Mycoflora in Exhumed Seeds ofOpuntia tomentosaand Its Possible Role in Seed Germination
Authors: Sánchez-Coronado María Esther , Márquez-Guzmán Judith , Rosas-Moreno Jeanette , Vidal-Gaona Guadalupe , Villegas Margarita , Espinosa-Matías Silvia , Olvera-Carrillo Yadira , Orozco-Segovia Alma
Published: September 2011

The funicular cover of theOpuntia tomentosaseed limits imbibition; germination occurs only when the funicle is weakened or the funicular valve is removed. We investigated the role of fungi in funicular weakening and seed germination. Seeds that had been either buried in one of two sites or stored in the laboratory were germinated with and without a valve. Disinfected or nondisinfected seeds and their naked embryos were cultivated on agar or PDA. None of the 11 identified fungal genera grew on the disinfected control seeds or the embryos. The mycoflora present on disinfected and nondisinfected exhumed seeds suggest that the fungal colonization occurred in the soil and differed between the burial sites. Exhumed seeds with and without a valve germinated in high percentages, whereas only the control seeds without a valve germinated. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the hyphae penetrated, cracked, and eroded the funicular envelope of exhumed seeds.
ROS and RNS Signaling in Heart Disorders: Could Antioxidant Treatment Be Successful?
Authors: Afanas'ev Igor
Published: September 2011

There is not too much success in the antioxidant treatment of heart deceases in humans. However a new approach is now developed that suggests that depending on their structures and concentrations antioxidants can exhibit much more complicated functions in many pathological disorders. It is now well established that physiological free radicals superoxide and nitric oxide together with their derivatives hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite (all are named reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS)) play a more important role in heart diseases through their signaling functions. Correspondingly this work is dedicated to the consideration of damaging signaling by ROS and RNS in various heart and vascular disorders: heart failure (congestive heart failure or CHF), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), coronary heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, and so forth. It will be demonstrated that ROS overproduction (oxidative stress) is a main origin of the transformation of normal physiological signaling processes into the damaging ones. Furthermore the favorable effects of low/moderate oxidative stress through preconditioning mechanisms in ischemia/reperfusion will be considered. And in the last part we will discuss the possibility of efficient application of antioxidants and enzyme/gene inhibitors for the regulation of damaging ROS signaling in heart disorders.
A Novel Classification System to Address Financial Impact and
Referral Decisions for Bile Duct Injury in Laparoscopic
Cholecystectomy
Authors: Cannon Robert M. , Brock Guy , Buell Joseph F.
Published: September 2011

Purpose. The study was undertaken to evaluate a novel
classification system developed to estimate financial cost of bile
duct injury (BDI) and to aid in decision making for referral.
Study Design. A retrospective review of
patients referred for BDI was performed. Grade I injuries involve the
duct of Luschka or accessory right hepatic ducts, grade II includes
all other biliary injuries, and grade III includes all vasculobiliary
injuries. Groups were compared using standard statistical methods.
Results. There were 14 grade I, 74 grade II,
and 20 grade III injuries. There was a significant difference in the
cost and mortality of grade I ($12,457, 0%), grade II ($46,481, 1.4%),
and grade III ($69,368, 15%,

and
,
resp.) injuries. Grade II and III injuries were significantly more
likely to require surgical repair (OR 27.7,
).
Conclusion. We have presented a simple
classification system that is able to accurately predict cost and need
for surgical repair.
Approximation of Analytic Functions by Chebyshev Functions
Authors: Jung Soon-Mo , Rassias Themistocles M.
Published: September 2011

We solve the inhomogeneous Chebyshev′s differential equation and apply
this result for approximating analytic functions by the Chebyshev functions.
Treatment of Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Neurocognitive Approach
Authors: Catalan Mauro , De Michiel Alessandra , Bratina Alessio , Mezzarobba Susanna , Pellegrini Lorella , Marcovich Roberto , Tamiozzo Francesca , Servillo Giovanna , Zugna Laura , Bosco Antonio , Sartori Arianna , Pizzolato Gilberto , Zorzon Marino
Published: September 2011

The objective of the study was to treat fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) by a neurocognitive rehabilitation program aimed at improving motor planning by using motor imagery (MI). Twenty patients with clinically definite MS complaining of fatigue were treated for five weeks with exercises of neurocognitive rehabilitation twice a week. Patients were evaluated by Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), MSQoL54, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and MS Functional Composite (MSFC). After treatment, a decrease in fatigue was detected with both FSS () and MFIS (). MSFC () and MSQoL54 () scores improved compared to baseline. At six-month followup, the improvement was confirmed for fatigue (FSS, ; MFIS ) and for the physical subscale of MSQoL54 (). No differences in disability scales were found. These results show that neurocognitive rehabilitation, based on MI, could be a strategy to treat fatigue in MS patients.
White Light Electroluminescence by Organic-Inorganic Heterostructures with CdSe Quantum Dots as Red Light Emitters
Authors: Oner Ilker , Stathatos Elias , Varlikli Canan
Published: September 2011

We have developed a white organic light-emitting diode featuring a double emission layer comprising a blue light-emitting conductive polymer as a host material for Cadmium Selenide (CdSe) quantum dots as red light emitters and tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminium thin layer for green light emission. The Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage coordinates of the emitting light of the device were found to be (0.32, 0.40) which were only slightly changed over a range of applied voltages between 5 and 10 volts. The use of CdSe nanocrystalline quantum dots (surface-stabilized with hexadecylamine/trioctylphosphine oxide ligands) in the hybrid heterostructure with poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) conductive polymer was studied for a variety of CdSe concentrations developing the performance of the device in means of overcoming segregation problems in the blend. Besides, constituents' ratio was further examined for the exploration of possible energy transfer from polymer host material to the CdSe quantum dots as a key factor for well-balanced emission in the electroluminescent devices.
Combined Use of a Solid-Phase Hexapeptide Ligand Library with Liquid Chromatography and Two-Dimensional Difference Gel Electrophoresis for Intact Plasma Proteomics
Authors: Hagiwara Tatsuo , Saito Yumi , Nakamura Yukiko , Tomonaga Takeshi , Murakami Yasufumi , Kondo Tadashi
Published: September 2011

The intact plasma proteome is of great interest in biomarker studies because intact proteins reflect posttranslational protein processing such as phosphorylation that may correspond to disease status. We examined the utility of a solid-phase hexapeptide ligand library in combination with conventional plasma proteomics modalities for comprehensive profiling of intact plasma proteins. Plasma proteins were sequentially fractionated using depletion columns for albumin and immunoglobulin, and separated using an anion-exchange column. Proteins in each fraction were treated with a solid-phase hexapeptide ligand library and compared to those without treatment. Two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis demonstrated an increased number of protein spots in the treated samples. Mass spectrometric studies of these protein spots with unique intensity in the treated samples resulted in the identification of high- and medium-abundance proteins. Our results demonstrated the possible utility of a solid-phase hexapeptide ligand library to reveal greater number of intact plasma proteins. The characteristics of proteins with unique affinity to the library remain to be clarified by more extensive mass spectrometric protein identification, and optimized protocols should be established for large-scale plasma biomarker studies.
All-Printed Thin-Film Transistor Based on Purified Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Linear Response
Authors: Gu Guiru , Ling Yunfeng , Liu Runyu , Vasinajindakaw Puminun , Lu Xuejun , Jones Carissa S. , Shih Wu-Sheng , Kayastha Vijaya , Downing Nick L. , Han Xuliang , Subbaraman Harish , Pham Dan , Chen Ray T. , Chen Maggie Yihong , Berger Urs , Renn Mike
Published: September 2011

We report an all-printed thin-film transistor (TFT) on a polyimide substrate with linear transconductance response. The TFT is based on our purified single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) solution that is primarily consists of semiconducting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with low metal impurities. The all-printed TFT exhibits a high ON/OFF ratio of around 103and bias-independent transconductance over a certain gate bias range. Such bias-independent transconductance property is different from that of conventional metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) due to the special band structure and the one-dimensional (1D) quantum confined density of state (DOS) of CNTs. The bias-independent transconductance promises modulation linearity for analog electronics.
Expression of Recombinant Human Coagulation Factor VII by the Lizard Leishmania Expression System
Authors: Mirzaahmadi Sina , Asaadi-Tehrani Golnaz , Bandehpour Mojgan , Davoudi Nooshin , Tahmasbi Leila , Hosseinzadeh Nahid , Mirzahoseini Hasan , Parivar Kazem , Kazemi Bahram
Published: September 2011

The variety of recombinant protein expression systems have been developed as a resource of FVII gene expression. In the current study, the authors used a novel protein expression system based on the Iranian Lizard Leishmania, a trypanosomatid protozoan as a host for expression of FVII. Plasmid containing cDNA encoding full‐length human FVII was introduced into Lizard Leishmania and positive transfectants were analyzed by SDS‐PAGE and Western blot analysis. Furthermore, biological activity of purified protein was detected by PT assay. The recombinant strain harboring a construct was analyzed for expression of FVII at the mRNA and protein level. Purified rFVII was obtained and in order to confirm the purified compound was in fact rFVII. Western blot analysis was carried out. Clotting time in PT assay was reduced about 30 seconds with the purified rFVII. In Conclusion, this study has demonstrated, for the first time, that Leishmania cells can be used as an expression system for producing recombinant FVII.