bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermincola carboxydiphila gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel anaerobic, carboxydotrophic, hydrogenogenic bacterium from a hot spring of the Lake Baikal area
Authors: Sokolova Tatyana G. , Kostrikina Nadezhda A. , Chernyh Nikolai A. , Kolganova Tatjana V. , Tourova Tatjana P. , Bonch-Osmolovskaya Elizaveta A.
Published: September 2005

A novel anaerobic, thermophilic, alkalitolerant bacterium, strain 2204T, was isolated from a hot spring of the Baikal Lake region. The cells of strain 2204Twere straight rods of variable length, Gram-positive with an S-layer, motile with one to two lateral flagella, and often formed aggregates of 3–15 cells. The isolate was shown to be an obligate anaerobe oxidizing CO and producing equimolar quantities of H2and CO2according to the equation CO+H2O→CO2+H2. No organic substrates were used as energy sources. For lithotrophic growth on CO, 0·2 g acetate or yeast extract l−1was required but did not support growth in the absence of CO. Growth was observed in the temperature range 37–68 °C, the optimum being 55 °C. The pH range for growth was 6·7–9·5, the optimum pH being 8·0. The generation time under optimal conditions was 1·3 h. The DNA G+C content was 45 mol%. Penicillin, erythromycin, streptomycin, rifampicin, vancomycin and tetracycline completely inhibited both growth and CO utilization by strain 2204T. Thus, isolate 2204Twas found to be the first known moderately thermophilic and alkalitolerant H2-producing anaerobic carboxydotroph. The novel bacterium fell within the cluster of the familyPeptococcaceaewithin the low-G+C-content Gram-positive bacteria, where it formed a separate branch. On the basis of morphological, physiological and phylogenetic features, strain 2204Tshould be assigned to a novel genus and species, for which the nameThermincola carboxydiphilagen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain 2204T(=DSM 17129T=VKM B-2283T=JCM 13258T).
Streptomyces jietaisiensis sp. nov., isolated from soil in northern China
Authors: He Liang , Li Wei , Huang Ying , Wang Liming , Liu Zhiheng , Lanoot Benjamin , Vancanneyt Marc , Swings Jean
Published: September 2005

An actinomycete, strain FXJ46T, was isolated from cypress forest soil in northern China and shown to have chemotaxonomic and morphological properties consistent with streptomycetes. It developed greyish aerial mycelium and pinkish-brown substrate mycelium on oatmeal agar. Phylogenetic analyses based on an almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of the strain and on the 120 nucleotide variableγ-region of this molecule showed that it formed a distinct (but closely associated) line withStreptomyces griseoaurantiacusDSM 40430TinStreptomycestrees. However, the DNA–DNA relatedness between the two strains was only 48·8 %. A number of phenotypic properties also readily distinguished the isolate fromS. griseoaurantiacusand relatedStreptomycesspecies with validly published names. It is proposed, therefore, that this organism be classified as a novel species of the genusStreptomyces, for which the nameStreptomyces jietaisiensissp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FXJ46T(=AS 4.1859T=JCM 12279T).
Proposal of Yaniaceae fam. nov. and Yania flava sp. nov. and emended description of the genus Yania
Authors: Li Wen-Jun , Schumann Peter , Zhang Yu-Qin , Xu Ping , Chen Guo-Zhong , Xu Li-Hua , Stackebrandt Erko , Jiang Cheng-Lin
Published: September 2005

A coccoid actinobacterium strain (designated YIM 70178T) was isolated from a soil sample collected in Qinghai Province, China. The isolate grew well with an optimum salt concentration of 10–15 % (KCl, w/v) but scarcely or not at all without salt. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was A4α,l-lys–gly–l-Glu. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unknown phospholipid and an unknown glycolipid. The predominant menaquinones were MK-8 and MK-9. The major fatty acid was anteiso-C15 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 57·9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 70178Twas most closely related to the type strain ofYania halotolerans. DNA–DNA hybridization and comparison of physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics demonstrated that strain YIM 70178Twas different fromYania halotolerans. The nameYania flavasp. nov. is proposed, with strain YIM 70178T(=DSM 16377T=KCTC 19047T) as the type strain. Based on the phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic position, as determined by 16S rRNA gene analysis and 16S rRNA signature nucleotide data, the genus description ofYaniais therefore emended and strains YIM 70085Tand YIM 70178Trepresent a novel family of the suborderMicrococcineae, for which the nameYaniaceaefam. nov. is proposed.
Amycolatopsis plumensis sp. nov., a novel bioactive actinomycete isolated from a New-Caledonian brown hypermagnesian ultramafic soil
Authors: Saintpierre-Bonaccio Danielle , Amir Hamid , Pineau René , Tan G. Y. Annie , Goodfellow Michael
Published: September 2005

The taxonomic position of an actinomycete isolated from a brown hypermagnesian ultramafic soil was examined using a polyphasic approach. The organism, which was designated SBHS Strp1T, was found to have chemical and morphological properties typical ofAmycolatopsisstrains. It was most closely associated withAmycolatopsis kentuckyensis,Amycolatopsis lexingtonensis,Amycolatopsis rifamycinica,Amycolatopsis pretoriensisandAmycolatopsis tolypomycinaon the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence data, and showed a unique pattern of phenotypic properties that distinguished it from the type strains of these taxa. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that the organism merits description as a novel species ofAmycolatopsis. The name proposed for the novel species isAmycolatopsis plumensissp. nov.; the type strain is SBHS Strp1T(=DSM 44776T=NRRL B-24324T).
Nocardia jiangxiensis sp. nov. and Nocardia miyunensis sp. nov., isolated from acidic soils
Authors: Cui Qingfeng , Wang Liming , Huang Ying , Liu Zhiheng , Goodfellow Michael
Published: September 2005

The taxonomic positions of two soil actinomycetes, strains 117Tand 43401T, provisionally assigned to the genusNocardiawere determined in a polyphasic study. The organisms were found to have phenotypic properties typical of members of the genusNocardia, and formed a distinct branch in theNocardia16S rRNA gene tree. It was evident from the phylogenetic data that the isolates were most closely, albeit loosely, associated with the type strains ofNocardia novaandNocardia pseudobrasiliensis. However, all four of these organisms were readily distinguishable from one another using DNA–DNA relatedness and phenotypic data. It is evident from the genotypic and phenotypic data that the two isolates should be recognized as novel species of the genusNocardia. It is proposed, therefore, that strains 117T(=CGMCC 4.1904T=JCM 12860T) and 43401T(=CGMCC 4.1905T=JCM 12861T) be classified in the genusNocardiaas the type strains ofNocardia miyunensissp. nov. andNocardia jiangxiensissp. nov., respectively.
Bacillus herbersteinensis sp. nov.
Authors: Wieser Monika , Worliczek Hanna , Kämpfer Peter , Busse Hans-Jürgen
Published: September 2005

Two bacterial strains, designated D-1,5aTand D-1,5b, were isolated from a medieval wall painting in the chapel of Castle Herberstein, Styria (Austria). The Gram-positive, heterotrophic, aerobic, spore-forming rods showed nearly identical whole-cell protein patterns, identical genomic fingerprints and identical physiological profiles, demonstrating their relationship at the species level. Both strains containedmeso-diaminopimelic acid in their peptidoglycan, possessed a quinone system comprising menaquinone MK-7 and had fatty acid profiles in which C15 : 0iso and C15 : 0anteiso were predominant. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of D-1,5aTshowed the highest similarity (99·5 %) to the sequence ofBacillussp. LMG 20243, andBacillus flexusIFO 15715Twas the next most closely related established species (96·5 %). Other type strains, such asBacillus fastidiosusDSM 91T,Bacillus indicusSD/3T,Bacillus cibiJG-30T,Bacillus megateriumIAM 13418T,Bacillus cohniiDSM 6308T,Bacillus bataviensisLMG 21833TandBacillus soliLMG 21838T, shared 96·0–96·1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with D-1,5aT. The combination of physiological and chemotaxonomic traits distinguishes the two strains from those species sharing the highest sequence similarities (96·0–96·5 %). On the basis of these characteristics and the phylogenetic position of strain D-1,5aT(=DSM 16534T=CCM 7228T), this strain is assigned as the type strain of a novel species of the genusBacillus, for which the nameBacillus herbersteinensissp. nov. is proposed.
Pediococcus cellicola sp. nov., a novel lactic acid coccus isolated from a distilled-spirit-fermenting cellar
Authors: Zhang Bin , Tong Huichun , Dong Xiuzhu
Published: September 2005

Two novelPediococcusstrains, Z-1 and Z-8T, were isolated from a distilled-spirit-fermenting cellar in Hebei Province, China. The cells were Gram-positive, non-spore-forming, non-motile cocci, occurring in pairs or tetrads. The strains were facultatively anaerobic and produced 50 % (−)-d-/50 % (+)-l-lactic acid exclusively from glucose fermentation, but did not produce catalase. Both strains fermented rhamnose, ribose, xylose, lactose, maltose, trehalose and sucrose, and tolerated 10 % ethanol. The mean G+C content of the two strains was 38±1 mol% (37 mol% for the type strain, Z-8T). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Z-8Tclustered within thePediococcus damnosus–Pediococcus inopinatus–Pediococcus parvulusgroup, with 98·3–98·5 % 16S rRNA gene similarity. DNA–DNA relatedness between strain Z-8TandP. damnosusLMG 11484T,P. inopinatusLMG 11409TandP. parvulusLMG 11486Twas 19±4, 35±5 and 31±5 %, respectively. Therefore, based on the distinctive phenotypic characteristics, and genotypic and phylogenetic analyses, a novelPediococcusspecies,Pediococcus cellicolasp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is Z-8T(=AS 1.3787T=LMG 22956T).
Bacteroides plebeius sp. nov. and Bacteroides coprocola sp. nov., isolated from human faeces
Authors: Kitahara Maki , Sakamoto Mitsuo , Ike Masako , Sakata Shinji , Benno Yoshimi
Published: September 2005

Nine strains of Gram-negative, anaerobic rod were isolated from human faeces. Based on phylogenetic analysis and specific phenotypic characteristics, these strains were included within the Bacteroides cluster and were divided into two clusters. Strains from the two clusters showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 90·4 and 92·7 % to the nearest recognized species, Bacteroides vulgatus. The strains also formed two clusters exhibiting a 16S rRNA gene sequence divergence of approximately 6 %. DNA–DNA hybridization studies confirmed that the two novel strain clusters were distinct from each other. Based on the phenotypic and phylogenetic findings, two novel species, Bacteroides plebeius sp. nov. and Bacteroides coprocola sp. nov., are proposed, each representing one of the two strain clusters. The DNA G+C content of the type strains were 43·9 mol% for B. plebeius (M12T=JCM 12973T=DSM 17135T) and 42·4 mol% for B. coprocola (M16T=JCM 12979T=DSM 17136T).
Dyadobacter hamtensis sp. nov., from Hamta glacier, located in the Himalayas, India
Authors: Chaturvedi P. , Reddy G. S. N. , Shivaji S.
Published: September 2005

Strain HHS 11T was isolated from a water sample collected from the snout of Hamta glacier located in the Himalayan mountain ranges of India. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses established the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Dyadobacter. HHS 11T possessed 96 and 95 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to Dyadobacter crusticola and Dyadobacter fermentans, respectively. Furthermore, strain HHS 11T differs from D. crusticola and D. fermentans in a number of phenotypic characteristics. These data suggest that strain HHS 11T represents a novel species of the genus Dyadobacter, for which the name Dyadobacter hamtensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HHS 11T (=JCM 12919T=MTCC 7023T).
Transcription Factor Families Have Much Higher Expansion Rates in Plants than in Animals
Authors: Shiu Shin-Han , Shih Ming-Che , Li Wen-Hsiung
Published: September 2005

Transcription factors (TFs), which are central to the regulation of gene expression, are usually members of multigene families. In plants, they are involved in diverse processes such as developmental control and elicitation of defense and stress responses. To investigate if differences exist in the expansion patterns of TF gene families between plants and other eukaryotes, we first used Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) TFs to identify TF DNA-binding domains. These DNA-binding domains were then used to identify related sequences in 25 other eukaryotic genomes. Interestingly, among 19 families that are shared between animals and plants, more than 14 are larger in plants than in animals. After examining the lineage-specific expansion of TF families in two plants, eight animals, and two fungi, we found that TF families shared among these organisms have undergone much more dramatic expansion in plants than in other eukaryotes. Moreover, this elevated expansion rate of plant TF is not simply due to higher duplication rates of plant genomes but also to a higher degree of expansion compared to other plant genes. Further, in many Arabidopsis-rice (Oryza sativa) TF orthologous groups, the degree of lineage-specific expansion in Arabidopsis is correlated with that in rice. This pattern of parallel expansion is much more pronounced than the whole-genome trend in rice and Arabidopsis. The high rate of expansion among plant TF genes and their propensity for parallel expansion suggest frequent adaptive responses to selection pressure common among higher plants.
Pregnancy outcome among HIV‐infected women in the Helsinki metropolitan area
Authors: Lehtovirta Päivi , Skogberg Kirsi , Salo Eeva , Ämmälä Pirkko , Ristola Matti , Suni Jukka , Paavonen Jorma , Heikinheimo Oskari
Published: September 2005

Background.  Antiretroviral medication and good obstetric practice have greatly reduced the rate of vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The incidence of HIV infection has remained low in Finland. Universal antenatal screening has been offered to all pregnant women since 1998.

Methods.  We analyzed the outcomes of 52 pregnancies among 45 HIV‐infected mothers delivering at our department during 1993–2003. A multidisciplinary team planned the management strategy individually and supported the mother's adherence to treatment.

Results.  The incidence of HIV infection among women delivering in our hospital district increased from 0.6/10 000 (95% CI 0–1.6) to 4.8/10 000 (95% CI 1.4–8.2) between 1993 and 2002. HIV infection was diagnosed during pregnancy in 40% (18/45) of the mothers. Antiretroviral medication was used prior to pregnancy in 17 (33%) cases; in 34 (66%) cases of the pregnancies, medication was started during the pregnancy. A good virological response (i.e. HIV RNA load <1000/ml during the last trimester) to antiretroviral medication was achieved in 90% (36/40) of the patients; in 60% (24/40) of cases, the HIV RNA load was below the assay detection limit. One mother with advanced HIV infection succumbed to pneumonia shortly after delivery. Of the infants, 92% were born at term, and their mean (±SD) birth weight was 3350 ± 395 g. The Caesarean section (CS) rate was 25% (13/52). All newborns were in good condition, and their mean umbilical pH was 7.23. All newborns received antiretroviral medication. One infant was infected with HIV, the mother was found HIV‐positive postpartum. None of the infants born to mothers known to be HIV positive were infected.

Conclusions.  A combination of universal antenatal screening and multidisciplinary management allows individualized treatment and prevents vertical transmission of HIV infection.
Dynamic Approaches to Emotions and Stress in Everyday Life: Bolger and Zuckerman Reloaded With Positive as Well as Negative Affects
Authors: Zautra Alex J. , Affleck Glenn G. , Tennen Howard , Reich John W. , Davis Mary C.
Published: September 2005

AbstractA decade ago,Bolger and Zuckerman (1995)incorporated personality into the study of daily life events and psychological distress. Their approach put an entirely new cast on research and theorizing in this area. In their work, they focused on the predominantly negative personality trait of Neuroticism. In this article we extend their work to include theory and measurement of positive events and indicators of well‐being. Integrating these research strands offers the possibility of a comprehensive yet highly sensitive and dynamic approach to the study of emotions, stress, and health in everyday life.
Capturing crack cocaine use: estimating the prevalence of crack cocaine use in London using capture–recapture with covariates
Authors: Hope Vivian D. , Hickman Matthew , Tilling Kate
Published: September 2005

Aim To estimate the prevalence of crack cocaine use in 12 London Boroughs (and London as a whole).

Setting Twelve London Boroughs, 2000–01.

Methods (1) Covariate capture–recapture techniques applied to three data sources of subjects reporting crack cocaine use: specialist drug treatment (2905), arrest referral (1188) and accident and emergency and community survey (531); and (2) ratio‐estimation multiplier, using an estimate of number of injecting drug users and proportion that use crack cocaine.

Findings After matching, 4117 individuals aged 15–44 were identified. The best‐fitting model estimated 16 855 unobserved crack cocaine users, giving an overall estimate of approximately 21 000 [95% confidence interval (CI) 13 000–43 000] and a prevalence of 1.5% (95% CI 1.0–3.2%). Prevalence of crack cocaine use was 2.4% (95% CI 1.5–5.0%) among men and 0.7% (95% CI 0.5–1.0%) among women, and similar by age groups 15–29 and 30–44 years. Overall, approximately 11 900 (57%) of the estimated number of crack cocaine users were also opiate users. In London as a whole there may be 46 000 (1.3%) crack cocaine users aged 15–44 years, with 28 000 (1.9%) in inner London—four times higher than estimates from population surveys. Some corroboration was provided by the ratio‐estimation method, which estimated 23 000 users in the 12 Boroughs.

Conclusions Capture–recapture can be applied to crack cocaine and obtain better estimates than population surveys. The size of the crack cocaine‐using population in London is large, although currently the majority are also opiate users. Given that half of current users are under 30 the problems associated with crack cocaine use are likely to increase in the future.
Human myeloma cells express the CD38 ligand CD31
Authors: Vallario Antonella , Chilosi Marco , Adami Fausto , Montagna Licia , Deaglio Silvia , Malavasi Fabio , Caligaris‐Cappio Federico
Published: September 2005

Multiple myeloma (MM) plasma cells (PC) are CD38+. A ligand for CD38 is the adhesion molecule CD31. By flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry we have investigated whether malignant PC co‐express CD38 and CD31. All 68 patients studied were CD38+. 14/14 monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance (MGUS) and 39/39 plasmacytic MM patients co‐expressed CD38 and CD31 at high density. Only 1/11 plasmablastic MM and 1/4 plasma cell leukaemias (PCL) expressed CD31. These data indicated that PC malignancies co‐expressed high levels of both CD38 and its ligand CD31, with the exception of plasmablastic MM and PCL.
Genotypic, immunophenotypic and clinical features of Thai patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria
Authors: Pramoonjago Patcharin , Pakdeesuwan Kriangsakdi , Siripanyaphinyo Uamporn , Chinprasertsuk Sriprapa , Kinoshita Taroh , Wanachiwanawin Wanchai
Published: September 2005

Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) is an acquired haematological disorder characterized by complement‐mediated haemolytic anaemia caused by deficiency of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored proteins. Somatic mutation of an X‐linked gene, PIG‐A, is responsible for the defect in biosynthesis of GPI‐anchor. It appears that frequency of PNH differs geographically, and seems to be more frequent in some Asian countries, such as Thailand and China. We studied a group of 34 Thai patients with PNH to see whether the somatic mutations in PIG‐A, extent of deficiency of GPI‐anchored proteins (complete or partial) and complication with aplastic anaemia among Thai patients are different from those in other regions. We determined 37 PIG‐A mutations in 33 patients (10 base substitutions, 14 single‐base deletions, five multiple‐base deletions, three single‐base insertions, two multiple base insertions and three others) which were found to be similar to those found in European, American and Japanese patients. Most patients had cells with a complete deficiency of CD59 (type III cells), whereas 19% and 33% of the patients with reliable data for CD59 expression had partially deficient granulocytes and erythrocytes (type II cells), respectively. Most mutations resulted in a complete loss of function of PIG‐A in accordance with the prevalent PNH III phenotype. 19 patients (51%) had aplastic anaemia; their PIG‐A mutations were not different from those without pre‐existing aplastic anaemia. These characteristics of Thai patients are similar to patients from other regions. There was some negative correlation between mean basal Hb concentration and percentage of CD59‐negative granulocytes (r = −0.374; P = 0.0476). In addition, patients with severe anaemia (basal Hb <7 g/dl) had a significantly higher percentage of affected granulocytes than those with mild anaemia (88.5 ± 9.4 v 64.9 ± 25.9; P = 0.01). The data suggest that the severity of anaemia in PNH depends partly on the size of the PNH clone.
Thrombopoietin has a differentiative effect on late‐stage human erythropoiesis
Authors: Liu WenLi , Wang Min , Tang Delia C. , Ding Ivan , Rodgers Griffin P.
Published: September 2005

To further explore the mechanism of the effect of thrombopoietin (TPO) on erythropoiesis, we used a two‐phase culture system to investigate the effect of TPO on late‐stage human erythroid lineage differentiation. In serum‐free suspension and semisolid cultures of human peripheral blood derived erythroid progenitors, TPO alone did not produce benzidine‐positive cells. However, in serum‐containing culture, TPO alone stimulated erythroid cell proliferation and differentiation, demonstrated by erythroid colony formation, production of benzidine‐positive cells and haemoglobin (Hb) synthesis. Monoclonal anti‐human erythropoietin antibody and anti‐human erythropoietin receptor antibody completely abrogated the erythroid differentiative ability of TPO in the serum‐containing systems. This implied that binding of EPO and EPO‐R was essential for erythropoiesis and the resultant signal transduction may be augmented by the signals emanating from TPO–c‐Mpl interaction. Experiment of withdrawal of TPO further demonstrated the involvement of TPO in late‐stage erythropoiesis. RT‐PCR results showed that there was EPO‐R but not c‐Mpl expression on developing erythroblasts induced by TPO in serum‐containing system. Our results establish that TPO affects not only the proliferation of erythroid progenitors but also the differentiation of erythroid progenitors to mature erythroid cells.
Concurrent chromosomal alterations at 3q27, 8q24 and 18q21 in B‐cell lymphomas
Authors: Au Wing Y. , Gascoyne Randy D. , Viswanatha David S. , Skinnider Brian F. , Connors Joseph M. , Klasa Richard J. , Horsman Douglas E.
Published: September 2005

Recurrent chromosomal translocations in malignant lymphomas most commonly involve 18q21(bcl‐2), 8q24 (c‐myc) and 3q27 (bcl‐6), with an incidence of 27%, 11% and 6%, respectively. Individual cases concurrently harbouring two of these three rearrangements have been previously reported. This report describes four patients with cytogenetic alterations affecting all three loci, which was confirmed by molecular analysis in one case. Clinically, each patient had aggressive B‐cell lymphoma with disseminated disease often involving the central nervous system, poor response to chemotherapy and short survival. Activation of c‐myc in association with deregulation of bcl‐2, bcl‐6 or both confers high‐grade disease with a poor prognosis.
Familial occurrence of chronic neutrophilic leukaemia
Authors: Kojima Kensuke , Yasukawa Masaki , Hara Masamichi , Nawa Yuichiro , Kimura Yukio , Narumi Hiroshi , Fujita Shigeru
Published: September 2005

A father and son who both developed chronic neutrophilic leukaemia (CNL) are reported. The father, aged 63, had been exposed to radioactive fallout after the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima; he presented with hepatosplenomegaly and neutrophilic leucocytosis, and died of intracerebral haemorrhage 1 month after diagnosis. 4 years later his son, then aged 44, presented with neutrophilic leucocytosis. Leukaemic transformation to acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML‐M1) occurred, and he died of refractory leukaemia 4 months after the diagnosis of CNL. This is the first report of this rare disease occurring in family members; genetic effect due to radioactive poisoning was suspected in the development of CNL in these two cases.
Serum granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor levels in patients with chronic neutropenia of childhood: modulation of G‐CSF levels by myeloid precursor cell mass
Authors: Kobayashi Masao , Ueda Kazuhiro , Kojima Seiji , Nishihira Hirokazu , Ishiguro Akira , Shimbo Toshikazu , Nakahata Tatsutoshi
Published: September 2005

The serum G‐CSF levels of eight patients with severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) were found to be significantly higher than those of 22 patients with chronic benign neutropenia (CBN). The relative number of cells expressing the G‐CSF receptor in light density bone marrow cells (LDBMC) was lower in patients with SCN than in patients with CBN or in normal subjects. When recombinant human G‐CSF was incubated with LDBMC, G‐CSF levels were decreased by LDBMC from normal subjects and CBN patients, but not by those from SCN patients. Serum G‐CSF concentrations, which are affected by mature neutrophils, may also be modulated by myeloid precursor cells in the bone marrow.
Do post‐splenectomy patients take prophylactic penicillin?
Authors: Keenan R. D. , Boswell T. , Milligan D. W.
Published: September 2005

Splenectomized patients are at risk of overwhelming infection and are advised to take life‐long prophylactic oral penicillin. Compliance studies have not been published for adults in this situation. We used a standard biological assay to detect penicillin in the urine of 58 splenectomized patients. 24 (42%) patients had evidence of penicillin in their urine. Patients' sex, age, years from splenectomy and underlying diagnosis were not important factors in identifying good or poor compliance. Since 58% of patients did not take their penicillin on the day studied, we need to consider alternative strategies of antibiotic use and patient education.
Homozygous Cys542→Arg substitution in GPIIIa in a Swiss patient with type I Glanzmann's thrombasthenia
Authors: Ruan Jian , Schmugge Markus , Clemetson Kenneth J. , Cazes Eric , Combrie Robert , Bourre François , Nurden Alan T.
Published: September 2005

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT) arises from a qualitative or quantitative defect in the GPIIb–IIIa complex (integrin αIIbβ3), the mediator of platelet aggregation. We describe a patient in whom clinical and laboratory findings typical of type I GT were found together with a second pathology involving neurological and other complications symptomatic of tuberous sclerosis. Analysis of platelet proteins by Western blotting revealed trace amounts of normally migrating GPIIb and equally small amounts of GPIIIa of slightly slower than normal migration. Flow cytometry confirmed a much decreased binding to platelets of monoclonal antibodies to GPIIb, GPIIIa or GPIIb–IIIa, and an antibody to the αv subunit also showed decreased binding. Nonradioactive PCR single‐strand conformation polymorphism analysis followed by direct sequencing of PCR‐amplified DNA fragments showed a homozygous point mutation (T to C) at nucleotide 1722 of GPIIIa cDNA and which led to a Cys542→Arg substitution in the GPIIIa protein. The mutation gave rise to a HinP1 I restriction site in exon 11 of the GPIIIa gene and allele‐specific restriction enzyme analysis of family members confirmed that a single mutated allele was inherited from each parent. This amino acid substitution presumably changes the capacity for disulphide bond formation within the cysteine‐rich core region of GPIIIa and its study will provide new information on GPIIb–IIIa and αvβ3 structure and biosynthesis.
Immunological and virological consequences of patient-directed antiretroviral therapy interruption during chronic HIV-1 infection
Authors: Burton C T , Nelson M R , Hay P , Gazzard B G , Gotch F M , Imami N
Published: September 2005

Increasing numbers of patients are choosing to interrupt highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We describe the effect of patient-directed treatment interruption (PDTI) on plasma viral loads (pVL), proviral DNA (pDNA), lymphocyte subsets and immune responses in 24 chronically HIV-1 infected individuals. Patients were divided into group A with pVL > 50 copies/ml and group B with pVL < 50 copies/ml, prior to the PDTI. pVL rose significantly in group B during the first month off HAART and was associated with a significant decrease in CD4 T-cell count. At baseline there was a significant difference in HIV-1 pDNA levels between groups A and B, however, levels significantly increased in group B, but not in group A during PDTI becoming equivalent after 1 month PDTI. We have previously shown no increase in pDNA over the time of substitution in patients switching HAART regimens despite a small rebound in pVL. These observations indicate that to protect low pDNA levels PDTI should be discouraged and that changing regimen at the first sign of failure should be advised where possible. Only transient, no longer than 4 week, HIV-1-specific responses were observed during PDTI in 5/24 patients, 2 from group A and 3 from group B. The low numbers of responders and the transient nature of the anti-HIV-1 immune responses do not favour the auto-vaccination hypothesis.
Prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination with dendritic cells against hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Encke J , Findeklee J , Geib J , Pfaff E , Stremmel W
Published: September 2005

Antigen uptake and presentation capacities enable DC to prime and activate T cells. Recently, several studies demonstrated a diminished DC function in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients showing impaired abilities to stimulate allogenic T cells and to produce IFN-γ in HCV infected patients. Moreover, DC of patients who have resolved HCV infection behave like DC from healthy donors responding to maturation stimuli, decrease antigen uptake, up-regulate expression of appropriate surface marker, and are potent stimulators of allogenic T cells. A number of studies have demonstrated in tumour models and models of infectious diseases strong induction of immune responses after DC vaccination. Because DC are essential for T-cell activation and since viral clearance in HCV infected patients is associated with a vigorous T-cell response, we propose a new type of HCV vaccine based on ex vivo stimulated and matured DC loaded with HCV specific antigens. This vaccine circumvents the impaired DC maturation and the down regulated DC function of HCV infected patients in vivo by giving the necessary maturation stimuli and the HCV antigens in a different setting and location ex vivo. Strong humoral and cellular immune responses were detected after HCV core DC vaccination. Furthermore, DC vaccination shows partial protection in a therapeutic and prophylactic model of HCV infection. In conclusion, mice immunized with HCV core pulsed DC generated a specific antiviral response in a mouse HCV challenge model. Our results indicate that HCV core pulsed DC may serve as a new modality for immunotherapy of HCV especially in chronically infected patients.
P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) is up-regulated on leucocytes from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Schumacher A , Liebers U , John M , Gerl V , Meyer M , Witt C , Wolff G
Published: September 2005

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by a dysregulated recruitment of circulating leucocytes into the lung which is associated with the onset and progress of the disease. P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) is expressed on leucocytes and plays an essential role in primary leucocyte-endothelial cell adhesive contacts. The present study investigated if PSGL-1 is up-regulated on leucocytes of COPD patients. Peripheral blood samples were collected from COPD patients as well as controls (smoking, nonsmoking volunteers) and subjected to analysis of PSGL-1 expression on leucocytes, i.e. neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes and lymphocytes by flow cytometry. No significant difference was observed between healthy nonsmoking and healthy smoking control subjects. In contrast, PSGL-1 expression was found to be significantly increased on the surface of all four leucocyte populations in COPD patients compared to both control groups. The finding that PSGL-1 surface expression is up-regulated on leucocytes of COPD patients as compared to leucocytes of controls suggests PSGL-1 as a potential target for anti-inflammatory treatment.
Rapid instrumental methods and chemometrics for the determination of pre‐crystallization in chocolate
Authors: Svenstrup Gitte , Heimdal Hanne , Nørgaard Lars
Published: September 2005

Three rapid instrumental methods for the determination of the pre‐crystallization stage in six types of chocolate were studied. The methods were near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and tri stimulus colour measurements. The chocolates were tempered into five categories: two levels of under‐tempered, two levels of over‐tempered and one level of well‐tempered chocolate. A temper meter was used as the reference method. NIR and fluorescence data were orthogonalized before modelling in order to remove the chocolate type characteristics. NIR spectroscopy was capable of discriminating between the five tempering groups when the principal component analysis (PCA) model was used on all chocolate types. A partial least squares discriminant analysis on the NIR spectra with the three main tempering groups (over‐, well‐, and under‐tempered) as the dependent variable showed perfect separation of the groups. Using fluorescence spectroscopy it was possible to separate the chocolates into the three main tempering groups in a PCA model, while the colour measurements did not reflect the degree of pre‐crystallization.
The quality of cold‐smoked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) as affected by salting method, time and temperature
Authors: Birkeland Sveinung , Bjerkeng Bjørn
Published: September 2005

The effects of temperature (4 and 10–12 °C) and time (6, 12 and 24 h) on colorimetric parameters (Commission International de l'Eclairage (CIE) L*a*b*), carotenoid concentration, salt content and yield were investigated in brine (saturated or 50% saturation) and dry salted fillets of cold‐smoked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Lightness (L*), yellowness (b*), hue (Hab) and chroma (C*) values were lower at 10 than 4 °C (P < 0.01), whereas redness (a*) was unaffected. L* increased (P < 0.05) and a*, b*, Hab and C* values dropped when salting time was increased (P < 0.001). Astaxanthin concentration of brine‐salted fillets decreased with increasing salting time (P < 0.05), but was unaffected by salting temperature. Increasing salting time affected colour negatively. The salt content of dry salted fillets increased with temperature and salting time. The process yield was unaffected by temperature and decreased with salting time. In conclusion, the cold smoking process is more important for variation in quality parameters than the salting process.
A comparative study on the effect of some antioxidants on the lipid and pigment oxidation in dry‐fermented sausages
Authors: Balev Desislav , Vulkova Teodora , Dragoev Stefan , Zlatanov Magdalen , Bahtchevanska Slava
Published: September 2005

A comparative study on the effect of antioxidants on the lipid and pigment oxidation in Bulgarian dry‐fermented sausage type lukanka is described. A commercial mix of antioxidants, called ‘grindox 1021’ (GR), restricted the development of the peroxidation processes in dry‐fermented sausages (type lukanka) to a greater extent than either rosemary (RS), rutine (RT), sodium erythrobate (SE) or l‐ascorbic acid, when applied at the same concentration. The latter compounds did not effectively stabilize lipids in sausages against oxidation; they only slowed down the lypolysis and did not greatly change the colour of the cross‐sectional surface. However, the sausage lipids were best stabilized when 1 g kg−1 GR, RS or RT was added. The addition of 1 g kg−1 RS and GR most efficiently suppressed the hydroperoxides – primary derivatives of lipid peroxidation, while the secondary derivatives in the final product were most reduced when 1 g kg−1 GR and SE were added.
The effects of natural fermentation on the physical properties of rice flour and the rheological characteristics of rice noodles
Authors: Lu Zhan‐Hui , Li Li‐Te , Min Wei‐Hong , Wang Feng , Tatsumi Eizo
Published: September 2005

The effects of fermentation of whole polished rice grains on the physical properties of rice flour and the rheological characteristics of rice noodles were investigated. Natural fermentation had little effect on the crystalline structure of rice starch, as measured by X‐ray diffraction, but the ratio of the crystalline to the amorphous regions increased. The thermal properties of rice flours were determined using differential scanning calorimetry and a rapid viscosity analyser (RVA). The gelatinization temperature, Tp, and the RVA peak viscosity of rice flour decreased, while the gelatinization enthalpy, ΔH, increased after fermentation. The FTIR spectra of fermented and control rice flours were similar. Fermented rice starch granules had slight superficial corrosion when examined using scanning electron microscopy. Fermentation may thus change the amorphous region of the starch granule as well as the chemical components and thereby modify both physical properties of rice flour and rheological characteristics of rice noodles.
Vocal heroes: the views of two people who experienced a cognitive behavioural approach for their difficulties. Their narratives are accompanied by a commentary from the therapist
Authors: SHORT N. P.
Published: September 2005

The experiences of people involved in cognitive behaviour therapy often go unheard. This paper reports the experiences of two people, using their words. Their accounts are accompanied by a contribution from the therapist. The importance of regular, effective clinical supervision is highlighted.
Modified Sainsbury tool: an initial risk assessment tool for primary care mental health and learning disability services
Authors: STEIN W.
Published: September 2005

Risk assessments by health and social care professionals must encompass risk of suicide, of harm to others, and of neglect. The UK's National Confidential Inquiry into Homicide and Suicide paints a picture of failure to predict suicides and homicides, failure to identify opportunities for prevention and a failure to manage these opportunities. Assessing risk at ‘first contact’ with the mental health service assumes a special place in this regard. The initial opportunity to be alerted to, and thus to influence, risk, usually falls to the general psychiatric service (as opposed to forensic specialists) or to a joint health and local authority community mental health team. The Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Directorate of Renfrewshire & Inverclyde Primary Care NHS Trust, Scotland, determined to standardize their approach to risk assessment and selected a modified version of the Sainsbury Risk Assessment Tool. A year‐long pilot revealed general support for its service‐wide introduction but also some misgivings to address, including: (i) rejection of the tool by some medical staff; (ii) concerns about limited training; and (iii) a perceived failure on the part of the management to properly resource its use. The tool has the potential to fit well with the computer‐networked needs assessment system used in joint‐working with partner local authorities to allocate care resources.
Parallels in the evolution of the two largest New and Old World seed‐beetle genera (Coleoptera, Bruchidae)
Authors: KERGOAT G. J. , ALVAREZ N. , HOSSAERT‐MCKEY M. , FAURE N. , SILVAIN J.‐F.
Published: September 2005

This study provides the first phylogenetic analysis of a large sample of the two largest genera of seed‐beetles,AcanthoscelidesSchilsky andBruchidiusSchilsky, which mostly feed on legumes (Fabaceae). The goal of this study was to investigate evolutionary patterns in relation to biogeography and host‐plant associations. We used three mitochondrial molecular markers and parsimony and Bayesian inference methods to reconstruct the phylogeny of 76 species. In addition, we critically reviewed host‐plant records in the literature for these two bruchid genera. Our results demonstrated the existence of two major clades, one New World and one largely Old World, which generally correspond to the two genera. Yet, current classification of several species is erroneous, so that both genera as currently defined are paraphyletic. We highlighted a strong trend toward specialization (with high taxonomic conservatism in host‐plant use) exhibited by the two studied genera. However, we showed the existence of several host shifts during the evolution of this group of bruchids. Our phylogenetic hypotheses and our evaluation of host‐plant associations both suggest that the two genera have undergone parallel evolution, as they have independently colonized similar host plants in their respective areas of distribution. Our estimation of divergence times indicated a more ancient origin for bruchids than that suggested by the fossil records. Interestingly, the suggested timing of diversification is consistent with the hypothesis of a radiation that could have occurred contemporaneously with the diversification of their legume hosts.
A novel and naturally occurring transposon, ISRpe1 in the Rickettsia peacockii genome disrupting the rickA gene involved in actin‐based motility
Authors: Simser Jason A. , Rahman M. Sayeedur , Dreher‐Lesnick Sheila M. , Azad Abdu F.
Published: September 2005

While examining the molecular basis for the lack of actin‐based motility for the non‐pathogenic spotted fever group (SFG) R. peacockii, we identified a novel insertion sequence (IS) element, ISRpe1, disrupting the coding sequence of rickA, demonstrated to induce actin‐tail polymerization for the SFG rickettsiae. This rickettsial IS element appears to be active in that complete terminal inverted repeat and recombinase/transposase open reading frame sequences are present and the transposase is transcriptionally expressed. Phylogenetically, ISRpe1 belongs to a new IS family that is most closely related to those transposable elements of other intracellular bacteria like Wolbachia spp. ISRpe1 was demonstrated to be present in at least 10 locations throughout the R. peacockii genome, including one that disrupted the putative cell surface antigen encoding gene, sca1 considered to be involved in adhesion and virulence of the rickettsiae. Additionally, three IS sites demonstrated rearrangements/relocations of the R. peacockii genome when compared to those of other SFG rickettsiae. Our findings of the disruptions of rickA and sca1 along with the comparative genomic reassortments associated with ISRpe1 in the non‐virulent R. peacockii provides opportunities to uncover molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis and evolution of rickettsiae as well as its potential to be used in rickettsial transposon‐based mutagenesis.
Implication of CcpN in the regulation of a novel untranslated RNA (SR1) in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Licht Andreas , Preis Sven , Brantl Sabine
Published: September 2005

Antisense‐RNAs have been investigated in detail over the past 20 years as the principal regulators in accessory DNA elements such as plasmids, phages and transposons. However, only a few examples of chromosomally encoded bacterial antisense RNAs were known. Meanwhile, ≈70 small non‐coding RNAs from the Escherichia coli genome have been found, the functions of the majority of which remain to be elucidated. Only one systematic search has been performed for Gram‐positive bacteria, so far. Here, we report the identification of a novel small (205 nt) non‐translated RNA – SR1 – encoded in the Bacillus subtilis genome. SR1 was predicted by a computational approach and verified by Northern blotting. Knockout or overexpression of SR1 did not affect growth. SR1 was derepressed under conditions of gluconeogenesis, but repressed under glycolytic conditions. Two regulatory levels could be identified, one involving CcpA, the second, more important, involving the recently identified regulator CcpN.
Characterization of salt tolerance in ectoine‐transformed tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabaccum): photosynthesis, osmotic adjustment, and nitrogen partitioning
Authors: MOGHAIEB R. E. A. , TANAKA N. , SANEOKA H. , MUROOKA Y. , ONO H. , MORIKAWA H. , NAKAMURA A. , NGUYEN N. T. , SUWA R. , FUJITA K.
Published: September 2005

Ectoine (1,4,5,6‐tetrahydro‐2‐methyl‐4‐pyrimidinecarboxylic acid) biosynthetic genes (ect. ABC) from Halomonas elongata were introduced to tobacco plants using an Agrobacterium‐mediated gene delivery system. The genes for ectoine biosynthesis were integrated in a stable manner into the tobacco genome and the corresponding transcripts were expressed. The concentration of ectoine under salt‐stress conditions was higher in the roots than in leaves. A close relationship was found between stomatal conductance and the amount of transported nitrogen, suggesting that water transport through the xylem in the stem and transpiration may be involved in nitrogen transport to leaves. The data indicate that the turgor values of the ectoine transgenic lines increased with increasing salt concentration. The data revealed two ways in which ectoine enhanced salinity tolerance of tobacco plants. First, ectoine improved the maintenance of root function so that water is taken up consistently and supplied to shoots under saline conditions. Second, ectoine enhanced the nitrogen supply to leaves by increasing transpiration and by protecting Rubisco proteins from deleterious effects of salt, thereby improving the rate of photosynthesis.