bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant architecture affects periodical cicada oviposition behavior on native and non‐native hosts
Authors: Mattingly W. Brett , Flory S. Luke
Published: December 2010

Variation in plant quality provides a basis for oviposition site selection for a variety of insects. Of the plant traits that influence plant–insect interactions, plant architecture has received little attention despite its putative role in modulating oviposition behavior. In a common garden comprised of native and non‐native plant species, we assessed how host plant architecture and identity influenced the oviposition behavior of 17‐year periodical cicadas (Homoptera: Cicadidae: Magicicada). On each host, we quantified the availability of branches suitable for oviposition and compared those measures with the branches used by ovipositing cicadas. Using this approach, we determined how the structural attributes of plants (i.e. branch diameter, length and incline) affected oviposition site selection. We then related cicada oviposition preferences to offspring performance by quantifying egg hatching success. On each host species, cicadas selectively used broader and longer branches for oviposition, suggesting that branch architecture provides a basis for oviposition behavior irrespective of plant identity. Broader and longer branches were more abundant on native than on non‐native hosts in our study, contributing to greater oviposition loads among the native species. Egg hatching success was similar among native and non‐native hosts. However, it is possible that the use of native plants for oviposition could enhance offspring output because native hosts generally contained more viable eggs per egg nest and more egg nests per plant. While previous accounts of cicada oviposition preferences have focused on differences in oviposition loads among hosts, our evaluation of within‐host branch selection by ovipositing cicadas helps to clarify oviposition preferences at a higher resolution and demonstrates that plant architecture provides an important basis for oviposition behavior. Furthermore, because branch structure can differ substantially among host species, our results suggest that periodical cicadas may be sensitive to the changes in plant composition that often result from non‐native plant invasions.
Are the national guidelines for health behaviour appropriate for older Australians? Evidence from the Men, Women and Ageing project
Authors: McLaughlin Deirdre , Adams Jon , Almeida Osvaldo P , Brown Wendy , Byles Julie , Dobson Annette , Flicker Leon , Hankey Graeme J , Jamrozik Konrad , McCaul Kieran A , Norman Paul E , Pachana Nancy A
Published: December 2010

Aim:  To review findings from the Men, Women and Ageing (MWA) longitudinal studies and consider their implications for national health guidelines.

Methods:  Guidelines for good health for older adults in the areas of body mass index (BMI), physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking behaviours are compared with MWA findings.

Results:  Findings from MWA suggest that current BMI guidelines may be too narrow because BMI in the overweight range appears to be protective for both older men and women. Across all levels of BMI, even low levels of physical activity decrease mortality risk compared with being sedentary. Our findings suggest that consideration should be given to having different alcohol guidelines for older men and women and should include recommendations for alcohol‐free days. The benefit of quitting smoking at any age is apparent for both women and men.

Conclusions:  Current national guidelines in the areas discussed in this paper should be reviewed for older people.
Magnitude of the Root effect in red blood cells and haemoglobin solutions of fishes: a tribute to August Krogh
Authors: Berenbrink M. , Koldkjær P. , Hannah Wright E. , Kepp O. , José da Silva A.
Published: December 2010

Aim:  The ability of high carbon dioxide tensions or low pH to reduce blood oxygen binding even at high oxygen tensions, first observed by August Krogh and Isabella Leitch in 1919 and now known as the Root effect, was studied in red blood cells and haemoglobin solutions of several fish species.

Methods:  Red blood cells in physiological saline were acidified at atmospheric oxygen tension by increasing carbon dioxide tensions and the percentage decrease in oxygen content was used to quantify the Root effect. Haemoglobin was incubated in air‐equilibrated citrate buffers between pH 5 and 7 and the percentage decrease in oxygen saturation relative to pH 8 determined by spectral deconvolution.

Results:  The maximal magnitude of the Root effect in citrate‐buffered haemoglobin solutions closely matched the value in blood or red blood cells of 11 vertebrates over a Root effect range between 3 and 80%. Contrary to previous reports, there was no evidence for a significant Root effect in red blood cells or haemoglobin solutions of the wels catfish, but a significant Root effect under both conditions in the Siberian sturgeon.

Conclusions:  Under the conditions employed in this study, the maximal Root effect of citrate‐buffered haemoglobin solutions closely resembles the maximal Root effect in red blood cells. This strengthens previous studies on the evolution of the Root effect and its role in oxygen concentration at the retina and swimbladder of a large number of fishes that were based on Root effect measurements in haemoglobin solutions.
Efficacy of the use of evidence‐based algorithmic guidelines in the acute care setting for pain assessment and management in older people: a critical review of the literature
Authors: Harmon Joanne R. , Higgins Isabel , Summons Peter , Bellchambers Helen
Published: December 2010

Harmon J.R., Higgins I., Summons P. & Bellchambers H. (2012) Efficacy of the use of evidence based algorithmic guidelines in the acute care setting for pain assessment and management in older people: a critical review of the literature. International Journal of Older People Nursing7, 127–140  doi: 10.1111/j.1748‐3743.2010.00261.x

Aim.  The aim of the literature review was to identify all examples of primary research using an algorithmic approach for the implementation of a clinical practice guideline relating to pain assessment and/or management within acute care, with a specific focus on older people.

Design.  Critical literature review.

Data sources.  Inclusion criteria were; English language publications within the past 13 years; peer reviewed; research conducted within a hospital; about adult inpatients. Exclusion criteria; research located outside of a hospital context; quality improvement studies; rehabilitation studies and literature reviews.

Review methods.  Critical appraisal of the literature by using a qualitative interpretation of a translational approach. The literature was thematically mapped according to the criteria of credibility, transferability, plausibility and applicability.

Results.  No clinical practice guideline was found that directly related to both assessment and management of pain using an algorithm in acute care for older people. Five studies were found to have relevance and were critically evaluated.

Conclusion.  A critique of the literature shows that an algorithmic approach is feasible for translation into a clinical practice guideline for assessment and management of pain in older people within the acute care setting.

Implications for practice.  Implementation of any algorithmic approach requires consideration of the environment, culture and availability of resources.
Using distance sampling techniques to estimate bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) abundance at Turneffe Atoll, Belize
Authors: Dick Dorothy M. , Hines Ellen M.
Published: December 2010

Abstract

Reliable abundance estimates are critical for management and conservation of coastal small cetaceans. This is particularly important in developing countries where coastal human populations are increasing, the impacts of anthropogenic activities are often unknown, and the resources necessary to assess coastal cetaceans are limited. We adapted ship‐based line transect methods to small‐boat surveys to estimate the abundance of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) at Turneffe Atoll, Belize. Using a systematic survey design with random start and uniform coverage, 34 dolphin clusters were sighted during small‐boat line transect surveys conducted in 2005–2006. Distance sampling methods estimated abundance at 216 individuals (CV = 27.7%, 95% CI = 126–370). Due to species rarity in the Atoll, small sample size, and potential violations in line transect assumptions, the estimate should be considered preliminary. Nevertheless, it provides up‐to‐date information on the status of a regional population in an area under increasing threat of habitat loss and prey depletion via uncontrolled development and unsustainable fishing. This information will be useful as Belize develops a new conservation initiative to create a comprehensive and resilient marine protected area system. Our study illustrates the application of distance sampling methods to small‐boat surveys to obtain abundance estimates of coastal cetaceans in a region lacking resources.
Feeding ecology of the estuarine dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) on the coast of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Authors: Pansard Kelly Cristina Araújo , Gurgel Hélio de Castro Bezerra , Andrade Lorena Candice de Araújo , Yamamoto Maria Emília
Published: December 2010

Abstract

We analyzed the stomach contents of 40 estuarine dolphins, Sotalia guianensis (van Benédén 1864), beached on the coast of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, between February 2000 and February 2007. A total of 223 prey items were identified, including 18 species of teleosts and 5 species of cephalopods. The index of relative importance (IRI) showed that Larimus breviceps, Haemulon plumieri, Lutjanus synagris, Trichiurus lepturus, Mugil curema, and Diapterus rhombeus were the six most important species. The IRI showed that L. breviceps was the main prey for both adults and the young. H. plumieri was the most important for the males and T. lepturus for the females. Seven species of teleosts and two of cephalopods were recorded in the diet of estuarine dolphins for the first time in the country. Our results suggest that the estuarine dolphin can be a feeding specialist and that foraging activity occurs mainly in estuarine areas, where the animals can use passive listening to detect prey.
Seasonal detection of three types of “pygmy” blue whale calls in the Indian Ocean
Authors: Stafford Kathleen M. , Chapp Emily , Bohnenstiel DelWayne R. , Tolstoy Maya
Published: December 2010

Abstract

The Indian Ocean is an area in which a rich suite of cetacean fauna, including at least two subspecies of blue whale, is found; yet little information beyond stranding data and short‐term surveys for this species is available. Pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus spp.) call data are presented that provide novel information on the seasonal and geographic distribution of these animals. Acoustic data were recorded from January 2002 to December 2003 by hydrophones at three stations of the International Monitoring System, including two near the subequatorial Diego Garcia Atoll and a third southwest of Cape Leeuwin, Australia. Automated spectrogram correlation methods were used to scan for call types attributed to pygmy blue whales. Sri Lanka calls were the most common and were detected year‐round off Diego Garcia. Madagascar calls were only recorded on the northern Diego Garcia hydrophone during May and July, whereas Australia calls were only recorded at Cape Leeuwin, between December and June. Differences in geographic and seasonal patterns of these three distinct call types suggest that they may represent separate acoustic populations of pygmy blue whales and that these “acoustic populations” should be considered when assessing conservation needs of blue whales in the Indian Ocean.
A combined visual and acoustic estimate of 2008 abundance, and change in abundance since 1997, for the vaquita,Phocoena sinus
Authors: Gerrodette Tim , Taylor Barbara L. , Swift René , Rankin Shannon , Jaramillo‐Legorreta Armando M. , Rojas‐Bracho Lorenzo
Published: December 2010

Abstract

A line‐transect survey for the critically endangered vaquita,Phocoena sinus, was carried out in October–November 2008, in the northern Gulf of California, Mexico. Areas with deeper water were sampled visually from a large research vessel, while shallow water areas were covered by a sailboat towing an acoustic array. Total vaquita abundance in 2008 was estimated to be 245 animals (CV = 73%, 95% CI 68–884). The 2008 estimate was 57% lower than the 1997 estimate, an average rate of decline of 7.6%/yr. Bayesian analyses found an 89% probability of decline in total population size during the 11 yr period, and a 100% probability of decline in the central part of the range. Acoustic detections were assumed to represent porpoises with an average group size of 1.9, the same as visual sightings. Based on simultaneous visual and acoustic data in a calibration area, the probability of detecting vaquitas acoustically on the trackline was estimated to be 0.41 (CV = 108%). The Refuge Area for the Protection of the Vaquita, where gill net fishing is currently banned, contained approximately 50% of the population. While animals move in and out of the Refuge Area, on average half of the population remains exposed to bycatch in artisanal gill nets.
Resightings of humpback whales in Hawaiian waters over spans of 10–32 years: Site fidelity, sex ratios, calving rates, female demographics, and the dynamics of social and behavioral roles of individuals
Authors: Herman Louis M. , Pack Adam A. , Rose Kathryn , Craig Alison , Herman Elia Y. K. , Hakala Siri , Milette Aliza
Published: December 2010

Abstract

From a database of approximately 5,000 Hawaiian humpback whales identified photographically between 1976 and 2010, we extracted 71 males and 39 females having resighting spans of 10 or more years, from first to most recent sighting. Findings included: (1) the male‐biased sex ratio was like that found in breeding grounds worldwide; (2) the mean span for males of 20.7 yr (maximum = 32 yr) did not differ significantly from the mean of 19.8 yr (maximum = 29 yr) for females, but males were seen in significantly more years during their spans than were females; (3) the mean number of females seen with and without calf across 11 three‐year intervals from 1977 to 2009 did not differ significantly; (4) the calving rate for the 39 females was 0.48 and seven females produced two to eight calves over spans of 22–26 yr; (5) females attracted significantly more escorts in years without calf than in years with calf; (6) individuals showed great diversity in the social units they occupied over their sighting spans, but with the most frequently observed unit for both sexes being the trio of mother, calf, and escort. Males were also observed frequently in competitive groups centered about a female without calf.
Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in California waters: Cranial differentiation of coastal and offshore ecotypes
Authors: Perrin William F. , Thieleking Janet L. , Walker William A. , Archer Frederick I. , Robertson Kelly M.
Published: December 2010

Abstract

Coastal and offshore bottlenose dolphins in California waters are currently assessed and managed as separate stocks. Recent molecular studies (of mtDNA haplotypes and microsatellites) have shown the two populations to be genetically differentiated. This study investigated cranial osteological differentiation of the forms. The sample analyzed included 139 skulls from live captures, direct takes, fishery bycatch, and strandings; the skulls were assigned to form based on collection locality or mtDNA haplotype. The coastal form differs from the offshore form mainly in features associated with feeding: larger and fewer teeth, more robust rostrum, larger mandibular condyle, and larger temporal fossa. This suggests that it may feed on larger and tougher prey than the offshore form. Differences between the forms in other features of the skull may reflect differences in diving behavior and sound production. Approximately 86% of the stranded specimens were estimated to be of coastal origin; based on relative estimated sizes of the two populations and assuming similar mortality rates, this suggests that a coastal carcass is about 50 times more likely to beach than an offshore one. The morphological differences between the two ecotypes indicate evolutionary adaptation to different environments and emphasize the importance of conserving the relatively small coastal population and its habitat.
Biologic characteristics of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells from a patient with thalassemia syndrome
Authors: YOON J. S. , KIM E. S. , HWANG D. W. , CHOI J. Y. , KIM B. K. , PARK B. B. , CHOI J. H. , LEE Y. Y.
Published: December 2010

Introduction:  Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are capable of self‐renewal and differentiating morphologically and functionally into several mesenchymal tissues. There have been contrasting data on whether MSCs are altered in various hematologic disorders.

Methods:  We isolated bone marrow (BM)–derived MSCs from a patient with thalassemia syndrome to compare phenotypic and functional characteristics to those from normal healthy donor.

Results:  No differences were observed between MSCs from thalassemia syndrome (T‐MSCs) and those from normal healthy donor in terms of morphology, phenotype, karyotype, multidifferentiation capacity. In mixed lymphocyte reaction, T‐MSCs strongly inhibited the proliferation of allogeneic T cells in association with reduced proportion of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells. Furthermore, the fraction of Treg cells was increased under the culture with T‐MSCs, suggesting that T‐MSCs exert normal immunomodulatory function. In addition, T‐MSCs expressed hematopoietic cytokines and supported hematopoiesis, which was comparable to those from normal BM‐derived MSCs.

Conclusion:  T‐MSCs exhibited normal phenotype, karyotype as well as normal immunomodulatory function, and autologous MSCs from patients with thalassemia syndrome may be an attractive source of stem cell in terms of hematopoietic support as well as immunomodulatory activity.
Memoryless Reigns of the “Sons of Heaven”
Authors: Khmaladze Estate V. , Brownrigg Ray , Haywood John
Published: December 2010

Human lifetimes have increasing failure rates; as people age (beyond early childhood) they are more likely to die. Viewing the succession of Chinese Emperors as a statistical ensemble we show that, unlike lifetimes, their reigns ceased at a constant rate for over two millennia, unaffected by elapsed time. In fact reign lengths of the “Sons of Heaven”, as the Chinese Emperors were known, followed a memoryless exponential distribution with a 10‐year half‐life. Becoming emperor not only influenced the duration of remaining life, but length of rule was independent of age at ascent. We propose an explanation for the observed exponentiality using asymptotic results from the theory of stationary stochastic processes.
Simultaneous Parameter Estimation in Exploratory Factor Analysis: An Expository Review
Authors: Unkel Steffen , Trendafilov Nickolay T.
Published: December 2010

The classical exploratory factor analysis (EFA) finds estimates for the factor loadings matrix and the matrix of unique factor variances which give the best fit to the sample correlation matrix with respect to some goodness‐of‐fit criterion. Common factor scores can be obtained as a function of these estimates and the data. Alternatively to the classical EFA, the EFA model can be fitted directly to the data which yields factor loadings and common factor scores simultaneously. Recently, new algorithms were introduced for the simultaneous least squares estimation of all EFA model unknowns. The new methods are based on the numerical procedure for singular value decomposition of matrices and work equally well when the number of variables exceeds the number of observations. This paper provides an account that is intended as an expository review of methods for simultaneous parameter estimation in EFA. The methods are illustrated on Harman's five socio‐economic variables data and a high‐dimensional data set from genome research.
Cost‐effective fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analyses using a three primer system
Authors: STÖLTING KAI N. , CLARKE ANDREW C. , MEUDT HEIDI M. , BLANKENHORN WOLF U. , WILSON ANTHONY B.
Published: December 2010

The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique is a widely used multi‐purpose DNA fingerprinting tool. The ability to size‐separate fluorescently labelled AFLP fragments on a capillary electrophoresis instrument has provided a means for high‐throughput genome screening, an approach particularly useful in studying the molecular ecology of nonmodel organisms. While the ‘per‐marker‐generated’ costs for AFLP are low, fluorescently labelled oligonucleotides remain costly. We present a cost‐effective method for fluorescently end‐labelling AFLPs that should make this tool more readily accessible for laboratories with limited budgets. Both standard fluorescent AFLPs and the end‐labelled alternatives presented here are repeatable and produce similar numbers of fragments when scored using both manual and automated scoring methods. While it is not recommended to combine data using the two approaches, the results of the methods are qualitatively comparable, indicating that AFLP end‐labelling is a robust alternative to standard methods of AFLP genotyping. For researchers commencing a new AFLP project, the AFLP end‐labelling method outlined here is easily implemented, as it does not require major changes to PCR protocols and can significantly reduce the costs of AFLP studies.
Are Circular Shaped Masks Adequate in Adaptive Mask Overlay Topology Synthesis Method?
Authors: Saxena Anupam
Published: December 2010

Previous versions of the material mask overlay strategy (MMOS) for topology synthesis primarily employ circular masks to simulate voids within the design region. MMOS operates on the photolithographic principle by appropriately positioning and sizing a group of negative masks and thus iteratively improves the material layout to meet the desired objective. The fundamental notion is that a group of circular masks can represent a local void of any shape. The question whether masks of more general shapes (e.g., any two-dimensional closed, nonself intersecting polygon) would offer significant enhancements in efficiently attaining the appropriate topological features in a continuum remains. This paper investigates the performance of two other mask types; elliptical and rectangular masks are compared with that of the circular ones. These are the respective modest representatives of closed curves and their polygonal approximations. First, two mean compliance minimization examples under resource constraints are solved. Thereafter, compliant pliers are synthesized using the three mask types. It is observed that the use of elliptical or rectangular masks do not offer significant advantages over the use of circular ones. On the contrary, the examples suggest that less number of circular masks are adequate to model the topology design procedure more efficiently. Thus, it is postulated that using generic simple closed curves or polygonal masks will not introduce significant benefits over circular ones in the MMOS based topology design algorithms.
Research on Two Phase Waterjet Nozzles
Authors: Gowing S. , Mori T. , Neely S.
Published: December 2010

Air-augmented waterjets derive their propulsion from compressed gas mixed directly into the main flow. The gas bubbles expand as the mixture passes through the pressure gradient of the convergent nozzle, and energy is imparted to the water from the air in a complex fashion. This experiment measures the exchange of air and water energy for three nozzles over a range of flowrates and void fractions using compressed air injected and mixed upstream of the nozzle entrance. Pressures and nozzle thrust are measured to examine flow changes. The results are compared with predictions from a one-dimensional bubbly flow model. The measured efficiencies are lower than or comparable to predicted values.
Automated Vehicle Structural Crashworthiness Design via a Crash Mode Matching Algorithm
Authors: Hamza Karim , Saitou Kazuhiro
Published: December 2010

This paper presents an automated algorithm for the design of vehicle structures for crashworthiness based on the analyses of the structural crash mode (CM). The CM is the history of the deformation of the different zones of the vehicle structure during a crash event. The algorithm emulates a manual design process called crash mode matching where crashworthiness is improved by manually modifying the design until its CM matches what the designers deem as optimal. Given an initial design and a desired crash mode, the proposed algorithm iteratively finds new designs that have better crashworthiness performance via stochastic sampling of the design space. In every iteration of the algorithm, a number of sample designs are generated through a normal distribution on neighboring regions of the search space to the current design, and the best among the samples is chosen as the new design. The mean and the standard deviation of the normal distributions are adjusted in each iteration by examining the crash mode of the current design and by applying a set of fuzzy logic rules that encapsulate elementary knowledge of the CM matching practice. Two case studies, examining a front half vehicle as well as fully detailed vehicle models, are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Treatment with Linezolid or Vancomycin in Combination with Rifampin Is Effective in an Animal Model of Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Foreign Body Osteomyelitis
Authors: Vergidis Paschalis , Rouse Mark S. , Euba Gorane , Karau Melissa J. , Schmidt Suzannah M. , Mandrekar Jayawant N. , Steckelberg James M. , Patel Robin
Published: December 2010

Rifampin monotherapy was compared to the combination of linezolid or vancomycin with rifampin in an experimental rat model of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) chronic foreign body osteomyelitis. MRSA was inoculated into the proximal tibia, and a titanium wire was implanted. Four weeks after infection, rats were treated intraperitoneally for 21 days with rifampin alone (
n
= 16), linezolid plus rifampin (
n
= 14), or vancomycin plus rifampin (
n
= 13). Thirteen animals received no treatment. At completion of treatment, qualitative cultures of the wire and quantitative cultures of the bone (reported as median values) were performed. Quantitative cultures from the control, rifampin monotherapy, linezolid-plus-rifampin, and vancomycin-plus-rifampin groups revealed 4.54, 0.71, 0.10, and 0.50 log
10
CFU/gram of bone, respectively. The bacterial load was significantly reduced in all treatment groups compared to that in the control group. Rifampin resistance was detected in isolates from 10, 2, and 1 animal in the rifampin, linezolid-plus-rifampin, and vancomycin-plus-rifampin groups, respectively. Cultures of the removed wire revealed bacterial growth in 1 and 2 animals in the rifampin and linezolid-plus-rifampin groups, respectively, with no growth in the vancomycin-plus-rifampin group and growth from all wires in the untreated group. In conclusion, we demonstrated that combination treatment with linezolid plus rifampin or vancomycin plus rifampin is effective in an animal model of MRSA foreign body osteomyelitis in the context of retention of the infected foreign body.
The Presence of Leukocytes in
Ex Vivo
Assays Significantly Increases the 50-Percent Inhibitory Concentrations of Artesunate and Chloroquine against
Plasmodium vivax
and
Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Kaewpongsri S. , Sriprawat K. , Suwanarusk R. , Kyle D. E. , Lek-Uthai U. , Leimanis M. , Lwin K. M. , Phyo A. P. , Zwang J. , Russell B. , Nosten F. , Renia L.
Published: December 2010

Plasmodium
species
ex vivo
sensitivity assay protocols differ in the requirement for leukocyte removal before culturing. This study shows that the presence of leukocytes significantly increases the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC
50
) of
P. vivax
and
P. falciparum
to artesunate and chloroquine relative to results with the paired leukocyte-free treatment. Although leukocyte removal is not an essential requirement for the conduct of
ex vivo
assays, its use has important implications for the interpretation of temporal and spatial antimalarial sensitivity data.
Novel Bacterial NAD
+
-Dependent DNA Ligase Inhibitors with Broad-Spectrum Activity and Antibacterial Efficacy
In Vivo
Authors: Mills Scott D. , Eakin Ann E. , Buurman Ed T. , Newman Joseph V. , Gao Ning , Huynh Hoan , Johnson Kenneth D. , Lahiri Sushmita , Shapiro Adam B. , Walkup Grant K. , Yang Wei , Stokes Suzanne S.
Published: December 2010

DNA ligases are indispensable enzymes playing a critical role in DNA replication, recombination, and repair in all living organisms. Bacterial NAD
+
-dependent DNA ligase (LigA) was evaluated for its potential as a broad-spectrum antibacterial target. A novel class of substituted adenosine analogs was discovered by target-based high-throughput screening (HTS), and these compounds were optimized to render them more effective and selective inhibitors of LigA. The adenosine analogs inhibited the LigA activities of
Escherichia coli
,
Haemophilus influenzae
,
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
,
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, and
Staphylococcus aureus
, with inhibitory activities in the nanomolar range. They were selective for bacterial NAD
+
-dependent DNA ligases, showing no inhibitory activity against ATP-dependent human DNA ligase 1 or bacteriophage T4 ligase. Enzyme kinetic measurements demonstrated that the compounds bind competitively with NAD
+
. X-ray crystallography demonstrated that the adenosine analogs bind in the AMP-binding pocket of the LigA adenylation domain. Antibacterial activity was observed against pathogenic Gram-positive and atypical bacteria, such as
S. aureus
,
S. pneumoniae
,
Streptococcus pyogenes
, and
M. pneumoniae
, as well as against Gram-negative pathogens, such as
H. influenzae
and
Moraxella catarrhalis
. The mode of action was verified using recombinant strains with altered LigA expression, an Okazaki fragment accumulation assay, and the isolation of resistant strains with
ligA
mutations.
In vivo
efficacy was demonstrated in a murine
S. aureus
thigh infection model and a murine
S. pneumoniae
lung infection model. Treatment with the adenosine analogs reduced the bacterial burden (expressed in CFU) in the corresponding infected organ tissue as much as 1,000-fold, thus validating LigA as a target for antibacterial therapy.
Posaconazole Serum Concentrations among Cardiothoracic Transplant Recipients: Factors Impacting Trough Levels and Correlation with Clinical Response to Therapy
Authors: Shields Ryan K. , Clancy Cornelius J. , Vadnerkar Aniket , Kwak Eun J. , Silveira Fernanda P. , Massih Rima C. Abdel , Pilewski Joseph M. , Crespo Maria , Toyoda Yoshiya , Bhama Jay K. , Bermudez Christian , Nguyen M. Hong
Published: December 2010

Fifty-six serum posaconazole trough levels were measured in 17 cardiothoracic transplant recipients. Initial levels were ≤0.5, 0.51 to 0.99, and ≥1 μg/ml for 47, 29, and 24% of patients, respectively. Median trough levels associated with therapeutic success were higher than those associated with failure (1.55 versus 0.34 μg/ml;
P
= 0.006). Patients with levels consistently >0.5 μg/ml were more likely to have successful outcome (
P
= 0.055). Age ≥65 years, oral administration, and absence of proton pump inhibitors were associated with higher levels of posaconazole (
P
= 0.006, 0.006, and 0.001, respectively).
Quantifying Diffusion in a Biofilm of
Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Zhang Zeshi , Nadezhina Elena , Wilkinson Kevin J.
Published: December 2010

In biofilms, diffusion may limit the chemical activity of nutrients, toxic compounds, and medicines. This study provides direct, noninvasive insight into the factors that will most effectively limit the transport of antibiotics and biocides in biofilms. Self-diffusion coefficients have been determined for a number of fluorescent probes in biofilms of
Streptococcus mutans
using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. The effects of probe size and charge and the roles of biofilm pH, ionic strength, and heterogeneity were studied systematically. The relative diffusion coefficients (
D
in the biofilm divided by that in water) decreased with increasing probe size (3,000-molecular-weight [3K], 10K, 40K, 70K, and 2,000K dextrans). Studies using variably charged substrates (tetramethylrhodamine, Oregon Green, rhodamine B, and rhodamine 6G) showed that the self-diffusion coefficients decreased with an increasing negative charge of the fluorescent probes. No significant effect was observed for changes to the ionic strength (10
−4
to 10
−1
M) or pH (4 to 9) of the biofilm. Biofilm heterogeneity was responsible for variations of ca. one order of magnitude in the diffusion coefficients.
In Vitro
Activities of Arylomycin Natural-Product Antibiotics against
Staphylococcus epidermidis
and Other Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci
Authors: Smith Peter A. , Powers Michael E. , Roberts Tucker C. , Romesberg Floyd E.
Published: December 2010

The arylomycins are a class of natural-product antibiotics that act via the inhibition of type I signal peptidase (SPase), and we have found in diverse bacteria that their activity is limited by the presence of a resistance-conferring Pro residue in SPase that reduces inhibitor binding. We have also demonstrated that
Staphylococcus epidermidis
, which lacks this Pro residue, is extremely susceptible to the arylomycins. Here, to further explore the potential utility of the arylomycins, we report an analysis of the activity of a synthetic arylomycin derivative, arylomycin C
16
, against clinical isolates of
S. epidermidis
and other coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) from distinct geographical locations. Against many important species of CoNS, including
S. epidermidis
,
S. haemolyticus
,
S. lugdunensis
, and
S. hominis
, we find that arylomycin C
16
exhibits activity equal to or greater than that of vancomycin, the antibiotic most commonly used to treat CoNS infections. While the susceptibility was generally correlated with the absence of the previously identified Pro residue, several cases were identified where additional factors also appear to contribute.
Interaction Potential of Etravirine with Drug Transporters Assessed
In Vitro
Authors: Zembruski Nadine Cécile Luise , Haefeli Walter Emil , Weiss Johanna
Published: December 2010

Etravirine is a novel nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) for the treatment of HIV-1 infections. ABC transporters potentially mediate clinically relevant drug-drug interactions. We assessed substrate characteristics and the inhibitory and inductive potential of etravirine on ABC transporters. Etravirine did not inhibit P-gp/ABCB1 and was not transported by the tested ABC transporters but was a potent inhibitor of BCRP/ABCG2. Etravirine induced several ABC transporters, especially BCRP/ABCG2. These data demonstrate that etravirine has the potential for drug-drug interactions by modulation of expression and function of several ABC transporters.
Differential Microbicidal Effects of Human Histone Proteins H2A and H2B on
Leishmania
Promastigotes and Amastigotes
Authors: Wang Yingwei , Chen Yang , Xin Lijun , Beverley Stephen M. , Carlsen Eric D. , Popov Vsevolod , Chang Kwang-Poo , Wang Ming , Soong Lynn
Published: December 2010

Recent studies have shown that histone proteins can act as antimicrobial peptides in host defense against extracellular bacteria, fungi, and
Leishmania
promastigotes. In this study, we used human recombinant histone proteins to further study their leishmaniacidal effects and the underlying mechanisms. We found that the histones H2A and H2B (but not H1
0
) could directly and efficiently kill promastigotes of
Leishmania amazonensis
,
L. major
,
L. braziliensis
, and
L. mexicana
in a treatment dose-dependent manner. Scanning electron microscopy revealed surface disruption of histone-treated promastigotes. More importantly, the preexposure of promastigotes to histone proteins markedly decreased the infectivity of promastigotes to murine macrophages (Mφs)
in vitro
. However, axenic and lesion-derived amastigotes of
L. amazonensis
and
L. mexicana
were relatively resistant to histone treatment, which correlated with the low levels of intracellular H2A in treated amastigotes. To understand the mechanisms underlying these differential responses, we investigated the role of promastigote surface molecules in histone-mediated killing. Compared with the corresponding controls, transgenic
L. amazonensis
promastigotes expressing lower levels of surface gp63 proteins were more susceptible to histone H2A, while
L. major
and
L. mexicana
promastigotes with targeted deletion of the lipophosphoglycan 2 (
lpg2
) gene (but not the
lpg1
gene) were more resistant to histone H2A. We discuss the influence of promastigote major surface molecules in the leishmaniacidal effect of histone proteins. This study provides new information on host innate immunity to different developmental stages of
Leishmania
parasites.
Sialic Acid Transport Contributes to Pneumococcal Colonization
Authors: Marion Carolyn , Burnaugh Amanda M. , Woodiga Shireen A. , King Samantha J.
Published: December 2010

Streptococcus pneumoniae
is a major cause of pneumonia and meningitis. Airway colonization is a necessary precursor to disease, but little is known about how the bacteria establish and maintain colonization. Carbohydrates are required as a carbon source for pneumococcal growth and, therefore, for colonization. Free carbohydrates are not readily available in the naso-oropharynx; however, N- and O-linked glycans are common in the airway. Sialic acid is the most common terminal modification on N- and O-linked glycans and is likely encountered frequently by
S. pneumoniae
in the airway. Here we demonstrate that sialic acid supports pneumococcal growth when provided as a sole carbon source. Growth on sialic acid requires import into the bacterium. Three genetic regions have been proposed to encode pneumococcal sialic acid transporters: one sodium solute symporter and two ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Data demonstrate that one of these,
satABC
, is required for transport of sialic acid. A
satABC
mutant displayed significantly reduced growth on both sialic acid and the human glycoprotein alpha-1. The importance of
satABC
for growth on human glycoprotein suggests that sialic acid transport may be important
in vivo
. Indeed, the
satABC
mutant was significantly reduced in colonization of the murine upper respiratory tract. This work demonstrates that
S. pneumoniae
is able to use sialic acid as a sole carbon source and that utilization of sialic acid is likely important during pneumococcal colonization.
Full Virulence of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Requires OprF
Authors: Fito-Boncompte Laurène , Chapalain Annelise , Bouffartigues Emeline , Chaker Hichem , Lesouhaitier Olivier , Gicquel Gwendoline , Bazire Alexis , Madi Amar , Connil Nathalie , Véron Wilfried , Taupin Laure , Toussaint Bertrand , Cornelis Pierre , Wei Qing , Shioya Koki , Déziel Eric , Feuilloley Marc G. J. , Orange Nicole , Dufour Alain , Chevalier Sylvie
Published: December 2010

OprF is a general outer membrane porin of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, a well-known human opportunistic pathogen associated with severe hospital-acquired sepsis and chronic lung infections of cystic fibrosis patients. A multiphenotypic approach, based on the comparative study of a wild-type strain of
P. aeruginosa
, its isogenic
oprF
mutant, and an
oprF
-complemented strain, showed that OprF is required for
P. aeruginosa
virulence. The absence of OprF results in impaired adhesion to animal cells, secretion of ExoT and ExoS toxins through the type III secretion system (T3SS), and production of the quorum-sensing-dependent virulence factors pyocyanin, elastase, lectin PA-1L, and exotoxin A. Accordingly, in the
oprF
mutant, production of the signal molecules
N
-(3-oxododecanoyl)-
l
-homoserine lactone and
N
-butanoyl-
l
-homoserine lactone was found to be reduced and delayed, respectively.
Pseudomonas
quinolone signal (PQS) production was decreased, while its precursor, 4-hydroxy-2-heptylquinoline (HHQ), accumulated in the cells. Taken together, these results show the involvement of OprF in
P. aeruginosa
virulence, at least partly through modulation of the quorum-sensing network. This is the first study showing a link between OprF, PQS synthesis, T3SS, and virulence factor production, providing novel insights into virulence expression.
PASS (PIXE ANALYSIS SHELL SOFTWARE): A COMPUTER UTILITY PROGRAM FOR THE EVALUATION OF PIXE SPECTRA
Authors: TAHAT AMANI N. , SALAH WA'EL , HALLAK AWNI B.
Published: December 2010

This paper describes a shell which facilitates the use of the existing PIXE analysis software package PIXAN. In this work, we designed, wrote and examined several PIXE spectra in a utility program that is called WPASS. The WPASS program merely links PIXAN modules and makes their use more convenient than before. The WPASS program handles automatically PEAKFIT (BATTY) and THICK programs. It outputs the results into several files belonging to the same data file. These include converting data files from one-column-format OCF to PIXANPC format; control, graphics, and result files from PEAKFIT; control and result files from THICK; options for graphical plotting the results on the PC and converting the graphics files for their components for publications of the results. WPASS has new features that consider the secondary interelement fluorescence. WPASS has been used successfully for the analysis of PIXE spectra and inner-shell ionization studies.
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNTREATED OIL SAMPLES IN IN-AIR PIXE
Authors: SERA K. , GOTO S. , TAKAHASHI C. , SAITOH Y.
Published: December 2010

The method of quantitative analysis of oil samples in in-air PIXE has been developed on the basis of a standard-free method. The components of the continuous X-rays originated from air and backing film can be exactly subtracted using a blank spectrum after normalization by the yields of Ar K -α X-rays. The method was developed using nine oil samples including standard oils and its accuracy was confirmed by comparing the results with those obtained by the internal-standard method. Validity of the method for practical oil samples was confirmed for various kinds of oils such as engine, machine and cooking oils. It was found that the method is effective for various kinds of oils whatever elements we designate as an index element.
PIXE ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF MINERAL, TAP AND GROUND WATER
Authors: AL-BEDRI M. B. , ABDUL GHANI I. J.
Published: December 2010

The mean concentrations of Al , Si , Cl , K , Ca , V , Cr , Mn , Fe , Zn , As , Br , Rb and Sr have been determined in treated tap water, natural mineral, and untreated ground water of Iraq using non-destructive Proton Induce X-ray Emission (PIXE) analysis in combination with pre-concentration technique. In order to increase analytical sensitivity of the most elements detected by PIXE method, water samples were pre-concentrated by evaporation at 50°C under atmospheric pressure, to obtain dry dissolved solids. A 2.0 MeV proton beam was employed to excite the samples. Certified reference materials (GSP-2) were used in order to verify accuracy of the PIXE technique and the experimental results were in a good agreement with certified values. The concentration of these elements varied from one city to other depending on the geographical locations where the samples were collected. Our results were within the permissible limits reported by Iraqi standards, European standards, and WHO guidelines for drinking water quality. The main objective of this work was to characterize and to monitor the trace elements in drinking water and untreated ground water of Iraq, as well as to provide valuable information about the levels of heavy metallic pollutions.
CHARACTERIZATION OF A FEW GEM STONES BY X-RAY EMISSION TECHNIQUES (EDXRF AND EXTERNAL PIXE)
Authors: JOSEPH DAISY
Published: December 2010

X-ray Emission Techniques (EDXRF) and External Proton Induced X-ray Emission Technique (PIXE) have been used to characterize 13 gem stones obtained from Gem Testing Laboratory, Jaipur, India. Radioisotope sources 109 Cd and 241 Am were used to excite the gem stones to generate K and L X-rays in the low and high Z region of the periodic table to investigate trace element inclusions besides the main matrix. A proton beam of 4 MeV energy and current of 8 nA intensity were extracted from the FOTIA (Folded Tandem Ion Accelerator) at VandeGaaff Accelerator, Trombay, Mumbai in air through a Kapton foil of 8 micrometer thick mounted on a Teflon cone. Gem stones such as Labradorite Feldspar, Moonstone Feldspar, Almandine Garnet, Tsavorite Garnet, Apatite, Natural Spinel, Natural Zircon, Spessartine Garnet, Natural Ruby (Lead filled), Natural Ruby were characterized for their elemental profile to see the differences in composition besides the main matrix differences. Elements such as Ca , Ti , V , Cr , Mn , Fe , Cu , Zn , Sr , Y and Zr were detected.
FITTING OF Z' PARAMETERS
Authors: GULOV ALEXEY , SKALOZUB VLADIMIR
Published: December 2010

The paper deals with an approach to the model-independent searching for the Z' gauge boson as a virtual state in scattering processes. The relations between the Z' couplings to fermions covering a wide class of models beyond the Standard Model are found and used. They reduce in an essential way the number of parameters to be fitted in experiments. Special observables which uniquely pick out the Z' at energies of LEP and ILC colliders in different leptonic processes are introduced and the data of LEP experiments are analyzed. The Z' couplings to leptons and quarks are estimated at 95% confidence level. At this level, the LEP data are compatible with the existence of the Z' with the mass mZ′~ 1–1.2 TeV . These estimates may serve as a guide for experiments at the Tevatron and/or LHC. A comparison with other approaches and results is given.
SLAB BAG FERMIONIC CASIMIR EFFECT, CHIRAL BOUNDARIES AND VECTOR BOSON — MAJORANA FERMION PISTONS
Authors: OIKONOMOU V. K. , TRACAS N. D.
Published: December 2010

In this paper we consider the Casimir energy and force of massless Majorana fermions and vector bosons between parallel plates. The vector bosons satisfy perfect electric conductor boundary conditions, while the Majorana fermions satisfy bag and chiral boundary conditions. We consider various piston configurations containing one vector boson and one fermion. We make use of supersymmetry, broken on the boundaries, to explain the number of fields that appear in all the studied cases. The effect of chiral boundary conditions in a fermion–boson system is investigated. Concerning the supersymmetry issue and the vanishing of the Casimir energy, we study a massive Dirac fermion–scalar boson system with bag and specific Robin type boundary conditions for which the Casimir energy vanishes. Finally, a two-scalar-boson system between parallel plates is presented in which the singularities vanish in the total Casimir energy.
AN UPDATED NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF eV SEESAW WITH FOUR GENERATIONS
Authors: HOU WEI-SHU , LEE FEI-FAN
Published: December 2010

We consider the so-called "eV seesaw" scenario, with right-handed Majorana mass MR at eV order, extended to four lepton generations. The fourth generation gives a heavy pseudo-Dirac neutral lepton, which largely decouples from other generations and is relatively stable. The framework naturally gives three active and three sterile neutrinos. We update a previous numerical analysis of a 3+3 study of the LSND anomaly, taking into account the more recent results from the MiniBooNE experiment. In particular, we study the implications for the third mixing angle sin 2 θ13, as well as CP violation. We find that current data do not seriously constrain more than one sterile neutrinos.