bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Immunogenicities of Frozen and Refrigerated Formulations of Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Block Stan L. , Reisinger Keith S. , Hultquist Micki , Walker Robert E.
Published: August 2007

The frozen version of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV; FluMist) was compared with a newly licensed, refrigerated formulation, the cold-adapted influenza vaccine, trivalent (CAIV-T), for their immunogenicity, safety, and tolerability in healthy subjects 5 to 49 years of age. Eligible subjects were randomized 1:1 to receive CAIV-T or frozen LAIV. Subjects 5 to 8 years of age received two doses of vaccine 46 to 60 days apart; subjects 9 to 49 years of age received one dose of vaccine. Equivalent immunogenicities were defined as serum hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) geometric mean titer (GMT) ratios >0.5 and <2.0 for each of the three vaccine-specific strains. A total of 376 subjects 5 to 8 years of age and 566 subjects 9 to 49 years of age were evaluable. Postvaccination HAI GMT ratios were equivalent for CAIV-T and LAIV. The GMT ratios of CAIV-T/LAIV for the H1N1, H3N2, and B strains were 1.24, 1.02, and 1.00, respectively, for the 5- to 8-year-old age group and 1.14, 1.12, and 0.96, respectively, for the 9- to 49-year-old age group. Seroresponse/seroconversion rates (fourfold or greater rise) were similar in both age groups for each of the three vaccine strains. Within 28 days, the most frequent reactogenicity event in the CAIV-T and LAIV groups was runny nose/nasal congestion, which occurred at higher rates after dose 1 (44% and 42%, respectively) than after dose 2 (41% and 29%, respectively) in the 5- to 8-year-old group. Otherwise, the rates of adverse events (AEs) were similar between the treatment groups and the two age cohorts, with no serious AEs related to the study vaccines. The immunogenicities, reactogenicity events, and AEs were comparable for refrigerated CAIV-T and frozen LAIV.
Mupirocin-Resistant, Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Strains in Canadian Hospitals
Authors: Simor Andrew E. , Stuart Tammy L. , Louie Lisa , Watt Christine , Ofner-Agostini Marianne , Gravel Denise , Mulvey Michael , Loeb Mark , McGeer Allison , Bryce Elizabeth , Matlow Anne
Published: August 2007

Mupirocin resistance in
Staphylococcus aureus
is increasingly being reported in many parts of the world. This study describes the epidemiology and laboratory characterization of mupirocin-resistant methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) strains in Canadian hospitals. Broth microdilution susceptibility testing of 4,980 MRSA isolates obtained between 1995 and 2004 from 32 Canadian hospitals was done in accordance with CLSI guidelines. The clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of strains with high-level mupirocin resistance (HLMup
r
) were compared with those of mupirocin-susceptible (Mup
s
) strains. MRSA strains were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and typing of the staphylococcal chromosomal cassette
mec
. PCR was done to detect the presence of the
mupA
gene. For strains with
mupA
, plasmid DNA was extracted and subjected to Southern blot hybridization. A total of 198 (4.0%) HLMup
r
MRSA isolates were identified. The proportion of MRSA strains with HLMup
r
increased from 1.6% in the first 5 years of surveillance (1995 to 1999) to 7.0% from 2000 to 2004 (
P
< 0.001). Patients with HLMup
r
MRSA strains were more likely to have been aboriginal (odds ratio [OR], 3.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 9.4;
P
= 0.006), to have had community-associated MRSA (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.0 to 5.0;
P
= 0.05), and to have been colonized with MRSA (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.0 to 3.0;
P
= 0.04). HLMup
r
MRSA strains were also more likely to be resistant to fusidic acid (21% versus 4% for mupirocin-susceptible strains;
P
< 0.001). All HLMup
r
MRSA strains had a plasmid-associated
mupA
gene, most often associated with a 9-kb HindIII fragment. PFGE typing and analysis of the plasmid profiles indicate that both plasmid transmission and the clonal spread of HLMup
r
MRSA have occurred in Canadian hospitals. These results indicate that the incidence of HLMup
r
is increasing among Canadian strains of MRSA and that HLMup
r
MRSA is recovered from patients with distinct clinical and epidemiologic characteristics compared to the characteristics of patents with Mup
s
MRSA strains.
A Ser678Pro Substitution in Fks1p Confers Resistance to Echinocandin Drugs in
Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Rocha Eleusa Maria F. , Garcia-Effron Guillermo , Park Steven , Perlin David S.
Published: August 2007

An S678P substitution in Fks1p, the major subunit of glucan synthase, was sufficient to confer echinocandin resistance in
Aspergillus fumigatus
. The equivalent mutation in
Candida
spp. has been implicated in echinocandin resistance. This work demonstrates that modification of Fks1p is a conserved mechanism for echinocandin resistance in pathogenic fungi.
An OXA-66/OXA-51-Like Carbapenemase and Possibly an Efflux Pump Are Associated with Resistance to Imipenem in
Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Hu Wensi S. , Yao Shu-Man , Fung Chang-Phone , Hsieh Yi-Ping , Liu Chang-Pan , Lin Jing-Fang
Published: August 2007

We investigated the mechanisms involved in imipenem resistance in 23 clinical strains of
Acinetobacter baumannii
. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis showed the presence of a 30-kDa protein in imipenem-intermediate
A. baumannii
(IIAB) and imipenem-resistant
A. baumannii
(IRAB) strains; this protein was almost undetectable in imipenem-susceptible
A. baumannii
(ISAB) strains. The 30-kDa protein was identified as an OXA-51-like carbapenemase using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Similar to other recent findings,
bla
OXA-51-like
genes were found to exist in all 23 clinical strains; however, the transcript levels of
bla
OXA-51-like
in the IIAB and IRAB were higher than in the ISAB strains using reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and real-time RT-PCR assays. This change was due to the presence of an insertion sequence, IS
Aba1
, upstream of
bla
OXA-51-like
in the IIAB and IRAB strains that was not present in the ISAB strains. The introduction of
bla
OXA-66
(a
bla
OXA-51
-like
gene), identified in ISAB ab1254 and IRAB ab1266, into
Escherichia coli
TOP10 cells resulted in 3.95-fold and 7.90-fold elevations in resistance to imipenem, respectively. Furthermore, when ISAB ab8 and ISAB ab1254 and their in vitro-selected imipenem-resistant mutants ISAB ab8(r) and ISAB ab1254(r) were compared, the results showed no change in the
bla
OXA-66
/
bla
OXA-51-like
gene sequences, in expression of the gene, and in the outer membrane protein profiles. However, there was a four- to eightfold reduction in imipenem resistance upon adding carbonyl cyanide
m
-chlorophenylhydrazone. Taken together, these results suggest that the OXA-66/OXA-51-like carbapenemase contributes to intrinsic resistance to imipenem; however, drug export by an efflux pump may be more important and/or occur more frequently in imipenem-resistant
A. baumannii
. Furthermore, this is the first report of a Taiwanese strain of an OXA-66/OXA-51-like carbapenemase that confers imipenem resistance in
A. baumannii
.
Construction and Characterization of Single-Chain Variable Fragment Antibodies Directed against the
Bordetella pertussis
Surface Adhesins Filamentous Hemagglutinin and Pertactin
Authors: Hussein Ahmad H. , Davis Elisabeth M. , Halperin Scott A. , Lee Song F.
Published: August 2007

A single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody library against
Bordetella pertussis
was constructed using M13 phage display. The library was enriched for phages surface displaying functional scFv by biopanning against
B. pertussis
immobilized on polystyrene plates. Two hundred eighty-eight individual clones from the enriched library were screened for binding to
B. pertussis
cells, filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), and pertactin (PRN) in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Based on the binding ability, the clones were put into eight groups. The scFv DNA inserts from the 288 clones were digested with BstOI, and 18 unique restriction patterns, named types 1 to 18, were found. Eight clones (types 1 to 7 and 18) were selected for further testing against FHA, PRN, and
B. pertussis
by ELISA. The results showed that types 1, 5, 7, and 18 bound strongly to
B. pertussis
cells as well as FHA and PRN. Type 3 bound strongly to the cells and FHA but weakly to PRN. Types 4 and 6 bound FHA only, and type 2 did not bind to the cells or antigens. The ability of the eight clones to inhibit
B. pertussis
from binding to HEp-2 cells was assayed. Types 1, 5, and 7, but not the remaining clones, inhibited the adherence of
B. pertussis
to HEp-2 cells. The scFvs were sequenced, and the deduced amino acid sequence showed that the scFvs were different antibodies. Maltose-binding protein (MBP) fusion proteins composed of three different regions of FHA (heparin-binding domain, carbohydrate recognition domain, and the RGD triplet motif) were constructed. The three fusion proteins and Mal85 (MBP-FHA type I domain) were used to map the binding sites for scFvs of types 1, 5, and 7 by ELISA. The results showed that all three scFvs bound to the heparin-binding domain fusion protein but not the other fusion proteins. BALB/c mice who received recombinant phage-treated
B. pertussis
had reduced bacterial counts in the nasal cavity, trachea, and lungs compared to the control groups.
Systemic Translocation of
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Dublin in Cattle Occurs Predominantly via Efferent Lymphatics in a Cell-Free Niche and Requires Type III Secretion System 1 (T3SS-1) but Not T3SS-2
Authors: Pullinger Gillian D. , Paulin Susan M. , Charleston Bryan , Watson Patricia R. , Bowen Alison J. , Dziva Francis , Morgan Eirwen , Villarreal-Ramos Bernardo , Wallis Timothy S. , Stevens Mark P.
Published: August 2007

Salmonella enterica
is an important diarrheal pathogen, and infections may involve severe systemic sequelae depending on serovar- and host-specific factors. The molecular mechanisms underlying translocation of host-restricted and -specific serovars of
S. enterica
from the intestines to distal organs are ill defined. By surgical cannulation of lymph and blood vessels draining the distal ileum in cattle,
S. enterica
serovar Dublin was observed to translocate predominantly via mesenteric lymph nodes to efferent lymphatics in a manner that correlates with systemic virulence, since the fowl typhoid-associated serovar Gallinarum translocated at a significantly lower level. While both
S. enterica
serovars Dublin and Gallinarum were intracellular while in the intestinal mucosa and associated with major histocompatibility complex class II-positive cells, the bacteria were predominantly extracellular within efferent lymph. Screening of a library of signature-tagged serovar Dublin mutants following oral inoculation of calves defined the role of 36 virulence-associated loci in enteric and systemic phases of infection. The number and proportion of tagged clones reaching the liver and spleen early after oral infection were identical to the values in efferent lymph, implying that this may be a relevant mode of dissemination. Coinfection studies confirmed that lymphatic translocation requires the function of type III secretion system 1 (T3SS-1) but, remarkably, not T3SS-2. This is the first description of the mode and genetics of systemic translocation of serovar Dublin in its natural host.
In Vivo Evidence of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Nutrient Acquisition and Pathogenesis in the Lungs of Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Authors: Son Mike S. , Matthews Wallace J. , Kang Yun , Nguyen David T. , Hoang Tung T.
Published: August 2007

One of the hallmarks of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is very-high-cell-density (HCD) replication in the lung, allowing this bacterium to induce virulence controlled by the quorum-sensing systems. However, the nutrient sources sustaining HCD replication in this chronic infection are largely unknown. Here, we performed microarray studies of
P. aeruginosa
directly isolated from the lungs of CF patients to demonstrate its metabolic capability and virulence in vivo. In vivo microarray data, confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-PCR, indicated that the
P. aeruginosa
population expressed several genes for virulence, drug resistance, and utilization of multiple nutrient sources (lung surfactant lipids and amino acids) contributing to HCD replication. The most abundant lung surfactant lipid molecule, phosphatidylcholine (PC), induces key genes of
P. aeruginosa
pertinent to PC degradation in vitro as well as in vivo within the lungs of CF patients. The results support recent research indicating that
P. aeruginosa
exists in the lungs of CF patients as a diverse population with full virulence potential. The data also indicate that there is deregulation of several pathways, suggesting that there is in vivo evolution by deregulation of a large portion of the transcriptome during chronic infection in CF patients. To our knowledge, this is the first in vivo transcriptome analysis of
P. aeruginosa
in a natural infection in CF patients, and the results indicate several important aspects of
P. aeruginosa
pathogenesis, drug resistance, nutrient utilization, and general metabolism within the lungs of CF patients.
Neutralisation of muscle tumour necrosis factor alpha does not attenuate exercise-induced muscle pain but does improve muscle strength in healthy male volunteers
Authors: Rice T L , Chantler I , Loram L C
Published: August 2007

Objective:

Inflammatory mediators, such as tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), may contribute to delayed-onset muscle soreness. The effect of neutralising TNFα with etanercept, a soluble TNFα receptor, on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) induced in the quadriceps muscle was analysed.

Design:

On two separate occasions at least 6 weeks apart, etanercept 25 mg or vehicle was given subcutaneously 1 hour before unaccustomed exercise to 12 healthy men in a randomised double-blind cross-over format. To induce DOMS, subjects completed 4 sets of 15 repetitions at 80% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM), using a 45° inclined leg press. Muscle soreness was assessed using a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS), and pressure pain threshold (PPT) on the thigh before and 24, 48 and 72 hours after exercise. Changes in the subject’s muscle strength were detected by reassessing the subject’s 1RM 24, 48 and 72 hours after exercise.

Results:

Muscle strength decreased 24 and 48 hours after exercise regardless of agent administered (analysis of variance, p<0.001). At 72 hours after exercise, muscle strength was significantly greater (p<0.01) after etanercept than after placebo. The exercise protocol induced significant DOMS for up to 72 hours, as reflected by reduced PPT and increased VAS scores (p<0.001). Etanercept had no effect on PPT or VAS.

Conclusion:

TNFα does not affect muscle soreness associated with unaccustomed exercise, but may improve the recovery of muscle function.
Low back pain associated with internal snapping hip syndrome in a competitive cyclist
Authors: Little T L , Mansoor J
Published: August 2007

Low back pain is a common complaint among cyclists. Here we present the case of a competitive master cyclist with low back pain and whose symptoms ultimately resolved when he was treated for internal snapping hip syndrome. Internal snapping hip syndrome is a painful lesion of the iliopsoas caused by snapping of the tendon over the iliopectineal eminence or anterior femoral head when the femur is extended from a flexed position. This is the first published report that we are aware of that describes this syndrome as a potential cause of low back pain in a competitive cyclist.
A CFT DESCRIPTION OF THE BTZ BLACK HOLE: TOPOLOGY VERSUS GEOMETRY (OR THERMODYNAMICS VERSUS STATISTICAL MECHANICS)
Authors: MAIELLA G. , STORNAIOLO C.
Published: August 2007

In this paper we review the properties of the black hole entropy in the light of a general conformal field theory treatment. We find that the properties of horizons of the BTZ black holes in ADS3, can be described in terms of an effective unitary CFT2 with central charge c = 1 realized in terms of the Fubini–Veneziano vertex operators. It is found a relationship between the topological properties of the black hole solution and the infinite algebra extension of the conformal group in 2D, SU (2, 2), i.e. the Virasoro algebra, and its subgroup SL (2, Z) which generates the modular symmetry. Such a symmetry induces a duality for the black hole solution with angular momentum J ≠ 0. On the light of such a global symmetry we reanalyze the Cardy formula for CFT2 and its possible generalization to D>2 proposed by E. Verlinde.
HOCHSCHILD–MITCHELL COHOMOLOGY OF A LOCALLY BOUNDED CATEGORY
Authors: GARCÍA CLOTILDE , DE LA PEÑA JOSÉ A.
Published: August 2007

We consider k-linear categories A which are locally bounded, that is, for every object x, the sums ∑y dim k A(x, y) and ∑y dim k A(y, x) are finite. Let x1,x2,…, be an enumeration of the objects of A such that for each n ∈ ℕ, the full subcategory A(n) of A formed by the objects x1,x2,…,xn is convex in A. We compute the Hochschild–Mitchell cohomology of A as the inverse limit of the cohomologies of the categories A(n).
NORMALIZERS AND FREE GROUPS IN THE UNIT GROUP OF AN INTEGRAL SEMIGROUP RING
Authors: DOOMS ANN , VELOSO PAULA M.
Published: August 2007

In this article, we introduce the normalizer [Formula: see text] of a subset X of a ring R (with identity) in the unit group [Formula: see text] and consider, in particular, the normalizer of the natural basis ±S of the integral semigroup ring ℤ0S of a finite semigroup S. We investigate properties of this normalizer for the class of semigroup rings of inverse semigroups, which contains, for example, matrix rings, in particular, matrix rings over group rings, and partial group rings. We also construct free groups in the unit group of an integral semigroup ring of a Brandt semigroup using a bicyclic unit.
RESTRICTIONS OF SOME REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SYMPLECTIC GROUP TO SUBGROUPS OF TYPE A1
Authors: OSINOVSKAYA ANNA A.
Published: August 2007

Restrictions of modular irreducible representations of the symplectic algebraic group to naturally embedded long subgroups of type A1 are studied. Let ω = m1ω1 + ⋯ + mnωn be the highest weight of such representation. The composition factors of such restrictions are determined in the case of m1 + ⋯ + mn + 3 ≤ p < mn-1 + 2mn + 3 that completes the description of restrictions of classical algebraic groups to naturally embedded A1-subgroups and gives an example of a new inductive system of representations of symplectic groups that has no analogues in characteristic 0.
REGULARITY AND RESOLUTIONS FOR MULTIGRADED MODULES
Authors: HOFFMAN JEROME W. , WANG HAOHAO
Published: August 2007

This paper is concerned with the relationships between two concepts, vanishing of cohomology groups and the structure of free resolutions. In particular, we study the connection between vanishing theorems for the local cohomology of multigraded modules and the structure of their free multigraded resolutions.
ATOMIC HUMAN ACTION SEGMENTATION AND RECOGNITION USING A SPATIO-TEMPORAL PROBABILISTIC FRAMEWORK
Authors: CHEN DUAN-YU , LIAO HONG-YUAN MARK , SHIH SHENG-WEN
Published: August 2007

In this paper, a framework of automatic human action segmentation and recognition in continuous action sequences is proposed. A star figure enclosed by a bounding convex polygon is used to effectively represent the extremities of the silhouette of a human body. The human action, thus, is recorded as a sequence of the star-figure's parameters, which is used for action modeling. To model human actions in a compact manner while characterizing their spatio-temporal distributions, the star-figure's parameters are represented by Gaussian mixture models (GMM). In addition, to address the intrinsic nature of temporal variations in a continuous action sequence, we transform the time sequence of star-like figure parameters into frequency domain by discrete cosine transform (DCT) and use only the first few coefficients to represent different temporal patterns with significant discriminating power. The performance shows that the proposed framework can recognize continuous human actions in an efficient way.
OBJECT CUT AND PASTE IN IMAGES AND VIDEOS
Authors: FRIEDLAND GERALD , JANTZ KRISTIAN , LENZ TOBIAS , WIESEL FABIAN , ROJAS RAÚL
Published: August 2007

Most image and video editing applications implement only a set of low-level operations, such as linear and non-linear filters, scaling, and simple rectangular cropping. A skilled user is required to combine these traditional tools creatively to perform a useful task. This article presents an example of an approach that takes into account the semantics of the image and is therefore more powerful than traditional tools. Using a model of the foreground and the background of a given image, the SIOX tool (Simple Interactive Object Extraction) allows a user to cut out a certain object from an image or video with very little user interaction. The core of the algorithm is a color clustering approach that has been derived from image retrieval techniques and evaluated against a benchmark proposed by Microsoft Research. The method allows for sub-pixel accuracy, allows video segmentation in realtime (640 × 480 × 25), and is noise robust. SIOX has recently been integrated into the development versions of several open source image and video editing applications such as GIMP, Blender, and Inkscape.
EVACUATION ROUTE PLANNING: A CASE STUDY IN SEMANTIC COMPUTING
Authors: LU QINGSONG , GEORGE BETSY , SHEKHAR SHASHI
Published: August 2007

Semantic computing addresses the transformation of data, both structured and unstructured into information that is useful in application domains. One domain where semantic computing would be extremely effective is evacuation route planning, an area of critical importance in disaster emergency management and homeland defense preparation. Evacuation route planning, which identifies paths in a given transportation network to minimize the time needed to move vulnerable populations to safe destinations, is computationally challenging because the number of evacuees often far exceeds the capacity, i.e. the number of people that can move along the road segments in a unit time. A semantic computing framework would help further the design and development of effective tools in this domain, by providing a better understanding of the underlying data and its interactions with various design techniques. Traditional Linear Programming(LP) based methods using time expanded networks can take hours to days of computation for metropolitan sized problems. In this paper, we propose a new approach, namely a capacity constrained routing planner for evacuation route planning which models capacity as a time series and generalizes shortest path algorithms to incorporate capacity constraints. We describe the building blocks and discuss the implementation of the system. Analytical and experimental evaluations that compare the performance of the proposed system with existing route planners show that the capacity constrained route planner produces solutions that are comparable to those produced by LP based algorithms while significantly reducing the computational cost.
Electrodeposition of Rh and CoFeRh from CoFe Plating Solution and Characterization of Thin Films
Authors: Tabakovic Ibro , Riemer Steve , Sun Ming , Vas'ko Vladyslav , Qui J , Kief Mark
Published: August 2007

This paper describes electrodeposition of Rh and CoFeRh alloys from CoFe solution containing RhCl3, CoSO4, FeSO4, H3BO3, NH4Cl, saccharin, and NaLS. The electrochemistry of Rh+3 species is influenced by each of the compounds present in CoFe plating solution but especially by addition of saccharin and H3BO3. The co-electrodeposition of Co and Fe occurs in the range of more positive potentials (-0.6 to -0.8 V vs. SCE) in the presence of Rh+3 species. This phenomenon is possibly driven by the negative enthalpy associated with CoFeRh alloy formation. It was demonstrated that CoFeRh alloys with 1-3 wt% Rh have a high corrosion resistance and high magnetic moment in the range of 2.3-2.4 Tesla. It is also demonstrated that the decrease of magnetic moment is linked to the increase of nonmagnetic elements in CoFeRh deposit.
An Introduction to Actuation Mechanisms of Magnetic Shape Memory Alloys
Authors: Faehler Sebastian
Published: August 2007

Magnetic shape memory alloys attain strains up to 10% when applying a magnetic field. The phenomenology of two actuation mechanisms is described in the following introduction. The first is called Magnetically Induced Reorientation (MIR) and the second Magnetically Induced Martensite (MIM) . Material requirements and advantages of both effects are discussed.
Development of a Recording Head for Magnetic Storage of Information on Machine Components
Authors: Gatzen H. H. , Wu Karl-Hans , Traisigkhachol Ornwasa
Published: August 2007

A new approach on tracking components throughout the entire manufacturing processes is to apply magnetic recording technology to storing key production data on the component itself. The system investigated uses magnetic magnesium , i.e. a magnesium matrix filled with hard magnetic particles. For storing the data, a classic inductive write head, consisting of a soft magnetic ring core with a write gap in the flux path and a coil for creating the magnetic flux is chosen. For an application in a machine environment, readout has to be done at a distance. On approach of such non-contact readout, an advantage of the Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect (MOKE), which senses the direction of magnetization of a reflecting surface, is to be taken. As in the case of data storage, information is encoded in the magnetization pattern of data tracks.
Advances in Magnetic Micro Thin-Film Transducers
Authors: Gatzen H. H. , Ruffert Christine
Published: August 2007

Magnetic Micro Electro-mechanical Systems (Magnetic MEMS) provide transducer capabilities ranging from thin-film storage devices and micro sensors to micro actuator solutions. This paper provides an overview over magnetic thin-film devices developed at the Institute for Microtechnology at the Leibniz Universitaet Hannover`s Center for Production Technology (PZH) in Garbsen, Germany. In the area of data storage, it presents a microcoil for optical data storage. In the field of micro sensors it shows two inductive length measurement systems, an eddy current proximity sensor and a micro strain gauge for force measurements. Micro actuators built as linear positioners and as tilting platforms, as well as a new actuator principle based on the magnetic shape memory (MSM) effect conclude the paper.
Electrodeposition of Fe-Pt Films and Fe/Pt Multilayers
Authors: Leistner Karin , Fähler Sebastian , Schlörb Heike , Schultz Ludwig
Published: August 2007

Electrodeposition from a single bath is used to prepare Fe-Pt films and Fe/Pt multilayers for hard magnetic film applications. Electrodeposition of Fe-Pt is not a simple codeposition of Fe and Pt. Large amounts of oxygen are found in as deposited films. In addition, Fe incorporation takes place at potentials positive to the equilibrium reduction potential of Fe2+. The analysis of the electrode processes and of potentiostatically deposited films indicate that both, iron hydroxide incorporation and underpotential deposition of Fe must be considered. The oxygen content could not be reduced in homogeneous films with an Fe-Pt ratio of 1.0 as the depression of iron hydroxide formation also leads to inhibition of iron incorporation. However, the alternating deposition of Fe-rich and Pt-rich layers, both with low oxygen content, leads to a lower integral oxygen content for an Fe/Pt ratio of 1.0. H2 annealing of the multilayered films reduces remaining iron (hydro)oxides and results in high coercivities and remanences.
Anisotropy and Coercivity of Co-Pt Films Electrodeposited onto Oriented Ruthenium
Authors: Xu Xuelian , Pattanaik Gyana , Zangari G. , Weston James
Published: August 2007

Co-rich Co-Pt films (thickness 5 - 1000 nm) were electrodeposited under galvanostatic conditions onto (0001)-oriented ruthenium seed layers. The films grow mainly with a hexagonal close packed structure, with the c axis oriented perpendicular to the film plane. The growth occurs epitaxially on top of the Ru seed, and thin films reproduce the grain size and morphology of the seed layer. Thick films grow with a columnar microstructure; the extent of coarsening of the column diameter depends on the growth rate and becomes negligible for current densities above 50 mA/cm2. The films exhibit a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, and the magnetic properties depend on thickness and growth rate. Films grown at low rate present lower coercivity; the high coercivity observed in films grown at high rate is attributed to the formation of defects during growth. At large thickness, the magnetic properties are dominated by the demagnetizing fields.
Sputter-Deposited SmCo5 Thin Films with Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy for High Density Magnetic Recording Media
Authors: Sayama Junichi , Yamashita Yuki , Asahi Toru , Osaka T.
Published: August 2007

Sputter-deposited SmCo5 thin films exhibiting high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy were studied for materializing ultra high density magnetic recording. This study put emphasis on the fabrication of SmCo5 double-layered perpendicular magnetic recording media. A double-layered medium with a Ru buffer layer introduced between a Cu/Ti intermediate layer and a Co-Zr-Nb soft magnetic underlayer exhibited high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, whereas that without the Ru buffer layer did not. Auger electron spectroscopy revealed that the Ru buffer layer inhibited unfavorable interdiffusion between the Cu/Ti intermediate layer and the Co-Zr-Nb soft magnetic underlayer. In addition, the read-write characteristics of the SmCo5 double-layered perpendicular magnetic recording media were evaluated for the first time.
Activity and expression of different members of the caspase family in the rat corpus luteum during pregnancy and postpartum
Authors: Peluffo Marina C. , Stouffer Richard L. , Tesone Marta
Published: August 2007

Studies were designed to examine the expression and activity of four caspases that contribute to the initial (caspases-2, -8, and -9) and final (caspase-3) events in apoptosis in the rat corpus luteum (CL) during pregnancy ( days 7, 17, 19, and 21 of gestation), postpartum ( days 1 and 4), and after injection (0, 8, 16, 24, and 36 h) of the physiological luteolysin PGF2α. In addition, the temporal relationship of caspase expression/activity relative to steroid production and luteal regression was evaluated. During pregnancy, the activity of all four caspases was significantly greater on day 19, before a decline in CL progesterone (P) and CYP11A1 levels at day 21 of gestation. The levels of the caspase-3 active fragment (p17, measured by Western blot) also increased at days 19 and 21 of pregnancy. Immunohistochemical analyses detected specific staining for the caspases in luteal cells (large and small) as well as in endothelial cells. However, the percentage of apoptotic cells did not increase in the CL until postpartum. Following PGF2α injection, there was a significant decrease in CL P by 24 h, although the activity of all four caspases did not increase until 36 h posttreatment. The active p17 fragment of caspase-3 also significantly increased at 36 h post-PGF2α. These results suggest that an increase in the activity of caspases-2, -8, -9, and -3 is associated with the early events of natural luteolysis at the end of pregnancy. Also, the exogenous administration of the luteolysin PGF2α may regulate members of the caspase family.
Visualizing formation and dynamics of vacuoles in living cells using contrasting dextran-bound indicator: endocytic and nonendocytic vacuoles
Authors: Voronina Svetlana G. , Sherwood Mark W. , Gerasimenko Oleg V. , Petersen Ole H. , Tepikin Alexei V.
Published: August 2007

Here we describe a technique that allows us to visualize in real time the formation and dynamics (fusion, changes of shape, and translocation) of vacuoles in living cells. The technique involves infusion of a dextran-bound fluorescent probe into the cytosol of the cell via a patch pipette, using the whole-cell patch-clamp configuration. Experiments were conducted on pancreatic acinar cells stimulated with supramaximal concentrations of cholecystokinin (CCK). The vacuoles, forming in the cytoplasm of the cell, were revealed as dark imprints on a bright fluorescence background, produced by the probe and visualized by confocal microscopy. A combination of two dextran-bound probes, one infused into the cytosol and the second added to the extracellular solution, was used to identify endocytic and nonendocytic vacuoles. The cytosolic dextran-bound probe was also used together with a Golgi indicator to illustrate the possibility of combining the probes and identifying the localization of vacuoles with respect to other cellular organelles in pancreatic acinar cells. Combinations of cytosolic dextran-bound probes with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or mitochondrial probes were also used to simultaneously visualize vacuoles and corresponding organelles. We expect that the new technique will also be applicable and useful for studies of vacuole dynamics in other cell types.
Role of phospholipase A2(group I secreted) in the genesis of basal tone in the internal anal sphincter smooth muscle
Authors: de Godoy Márcio A. F. , Rattan Satish
Published: August 2007

The role of phospholipase A2(PLA2) in the genesis of basal tone in the internal anal sphincter (IAS) is not known. We determined the effects of PLA2and inhibitors on the basal tone and intraluminal pressures (IASP) in the rat IAS vs. rectal smooth muscles (RSM). In addition, we determined the correlations between the IAS tone, PLA2levels, and the actual enzymatic activity. Inhibition of PLA2by 4-bromophenacyl bromide (universal inhibitor of PLA2) and MJ33 [selective inhibitor of secreted isoform of PLA2(sPLA2)] caused concentration-dependent decrease in the IAS tone and in the IASP. Maximal decreases in the IAS tone and IASP by 4-bromophenacyl bromide and MJ33 were 58.8 ± 6.9 and 51.5 ± 6.3%, and 66.7 ± 5.1 and 79.8 ± 8.2%, respectively. The sPLA2inhibitors were ∼100 times more potent in decreasing the IASP than the mean blood pressure. Conversely, the selective inhibitors of the cytosolic and calcium-independent PLA2arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone and bromoenol lactone, respectively, produced no significant effect. The IAS had characteristically higher levels of sPLA2activity (26.5 ± 4.9 μmol·min−1·ml−1) vs. the RSM (3.2 ± 0.4 μmol·min−1·ml−1), and higher levels of sPLA2as shown by Western blot and RT-PCR. Interestingly, administration of sPLA2transformed RSM into the tonic smooth muscle like that of the IAS: it developed basal tone and relaxed in response to the electrical field stimulation. From the present data, we conclude that sPLA2plays a critical role in the genesis of tone in the IAS. PLA2inhibitors may provide potential therapeutic target for treating anorectal motility disorders.
Role of NKT Cells in the Digestive System. III. Role of NKT cells in intestinal immunity
Authors: Zeissig Sebastian , Kaser Arthur , Dougan Stephanie K. , Nieuwenhuis Edward E. S. , Blumberg Richard S.
Published: August 2007

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a small subset of unconventional T cells that recognize lipid antigens presented by the nonclassical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule CD1d. NKT cells are involved in the host response to a variety of microbial pathogens and likely commensals. In the intestine, invariant and noninvariant NKT cells can be found among intraepithelial lymphocytes and in the lamina propria. Activation of intestinal NKT cells by CD1d-expressing intestinal epithelial cells and professional antigen-presenting cells may contribute to induction of oral tolerance and protection from mucosal infections. On the other hand, sustained and uncontrolled activation of NKT cells may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Here we review the current literature on intestinal NKT cells and their function in the intestine in health and disease.
Contribution of orexin in hypercapnic chemoreflex: evidence from genetic and pharmacological disruption and supplementation studies in mice
Authors: Deng Ben-Shiang , Nakamura Akira , Zhang Wei , Yanagisawa Masashi , Fukuda Yasuichiro , Kuwaki Tomoyuki
Published: August 2007

We have previously shown that hypercapnic chemoreflex in prepro-orexin knockout mice (ORX-KO) is attenuated during wake but not sleep periods. In that study, however, hypercapnic stimulation had been chronically applied for 6 h because of technical difficulty in changing the composition of the inspired gas mixture without distorting the animal's vigilance states. In the present study we examined possible involvement of orexin in acute respiratory chemoreflex during wake periods. Ventilation was recorded together with electroencephalography and electromyography before and after intracerebroventricular administration of orexin or an orexin receptor antagonist, SB-334867. A hypercapnic (5 or 10% CO2) or hypoxic (15 or 10% O2) gas mixture was introduced into the recording chamber for 5 min. Respiratory parameters were analyzed only for quiet wakefulness. When mice breathed normal room air, orexin-A and orexin-B but not vehicle or SB-334867 increased minute ventilation in both ORX-KO and wild-type (WT) mice. As expected, hypercapnic chemoreflex in vehicle-treated ORX- KO mice (0.22 ± 0.03 ml·min−1·g−1·% CO2−1) was significantly blunted compared with that in WT mice (0.51 ± 0.05 ml·min−1·g−1·% CO2−1). Supplementation of orexin-A or -B (3 nmol) partially restored the hypercapnic chemoreflex in ORX-KO mice (0.28 ± 0.03 ml·min−1·g−1·% CO2−1 for orexin-A and 0.32 ± 0.04 ml·min−1·g−1·% CO2−1 for orexin-B). In addition, injection of SB-334867 (30 nmol) in WT mice decreased the hypercapnic chemoreflex (0.39 ± 0.04 ml·min−1·g−1·% CO2−1). On the other hand, hypoxic chemoreflex in vehicle-treated ORX-KO and SB-334867-treated WT mice was not different from that in corresponding controls. Our findings suggest that orexin plays a crucial role in CO2 sensitivity at least during wake periods in mice.
Vascular endothelial sampling and analysis of gene transcripts: a new quantitative approach to monitor vascular inflammation
Authors: Onat Duygu , Jelic Sanja , Schmidt Ann Marie , Pile-Spellman John , Homma Shunichi , Padeletti Margherita , Jin Zhezhen , Le Jemtel Thierry H. , Colombo Paolo C. , Feng Lei
Published: August 2007

Background: Limited access to endothelial tissue is a major constraint when investigating the cellular mechanisms of vascular inflammation in patients with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. We introduce venous endothelial sampling coupled to quantitative analysis of gene transcripts by real-time PCR, as a novel approach to study endothelial gene expression in human subjects. Methods: Endothelial cells were collected from a superficial forearm vein using five guide wires sequentially inserted through a 20-gauge angiocatheter in seven patients with history of cardiovascular events related to advanced vascular disease and in 17 healthy subjects. Endothelial cells were purified using magnetic beads coated with endothelial specific antibodies. Endothelial mRNA was amplified using RiboAmp HS RNA Amplification kit (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, CA). Amplified RNA was analyzed by real-time PCR. Results: Linearity of RNA amplification was validated by real-time PCR using RNA from 1,000 human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) before and after amplification. In human subjects, vascular disease was associated with significant induction of proatherosclerotic genes: early growth response gene product (Egr-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Conclusion: Venous endothelial sampling coupled to real-time PCR analysis is a minimally invasive, safe, and reliable technique to monitor vascular inflammation in human subjects. Expression of genes implicated in the atherosclerotic process is increased in the venous endothelium of patients with arterial vascular disease. Venous endothelial sampling and quantitative analysis of gene expression may help develop new vascular-targeted biomarkers to identify and track the impact of disease states and therapeutic interventions in vascular diseases.
High-dose ascorbic acid infusion abolishes chronic vasoconstriction and restores resting leg blood flow in healthy older men
Authors: Jablonski Kristen L. , Seals Douglas R. , Eskurza Iratxe , Monahan Kevin D. , Donato Anthony J.
Published: August 2007

Resting whole leg blood flow and vascular conductance decrease linearly with advancing age in healthy adult men. The potential role of age-related increases in oxidative stress in these changes is unknown. Resting leg blood flow during saline and ascorbic acid infusion was studied in 10 young (25 ± 1 yr) and 11 older (63 ± 2 yr) healthy normotensive men. Plasma oxidized LDL, a marker of oxidative stress, was greater in the older men ( P < 0.05). Absolute resting femoral artery blood flow at baseline (iv saline control infusion) was 25% lower in the older men (238 ± 25 vs. 316 ± 38 ml/min; P < 0.05), and it was inversely related to plasma oxidized LDL ( r = −0.56, P < 0.01) in all subjects. Infusion of supraphysiological concentrations of ascorbic acid increased femoral artery blood flow by 37% in the older men (to 327 ± 52 ml/min; P < 0.05), but not in the young men (352 ± 41 ml/min; P = 0.28), thus abolishing group differences ( P = 0.72). Mean arterial blood pressure was greater in the older men at baseline (86 ± 4 vs. 78 ± 2 mmHg; P < 0.05), but it was unaffected by ascorbic acid infusion ( P ≥ 0.70). As a result, the lower baseline femoral artery blood flow in the older men was mediated solely by a 32% lower femoral artery vascular conductance ( P < 0.05). Baseline femoral vascular conductance also was inversely related to plasma oxidized LDL ( r = −0.65, P < 0.01). Ascorbic acid increased femoral vascular conductance by 36% in the older men ( P < 0.05) but not in the young men ( P = 0.31). In conclusion, ascorbic acid infused at concentrations known to scavenge reactive oxygen species restores resting femoral artery blood flow in healthy older adult men by increasing vascular conductance. These results support the hypothesis that oxidative stress plays a major role in the reduced resting whole leg blood flow and increased leg vasoconstriction observed with aging in men.
Sex differences in leg vasodilation during graded knee extensor exercise in young adults
Authors: Parker Beth A. , Smithmyer Sandra L. , Pelberg Justin A. , Mishkin Aaron D. , Herr Michael D. , Proctor David N.
Published: August 2007

Limb vascular conductance responses to pharmacological and nonexercise vasodilator stimuli are generally augmented in women compared with men. In the present investigation, we tested the hypothesis that exercise-induced vasodilator responses are also greater in women than men. Sixteen women and 15 men (20–30 yr) with similar fitness and activity levels performed graded quadriceps exercise (supine, single-leg knee extensions, 40 contractions/min) to maximal exertion. Active limb hemodynamics (left common femoral artery diameter and volumetric blood flow), heart rate (ECG), and beat-to-beat mean arterial blood pressure (MAP; radial artery tonometry) were measured during each 3-min workload (4.8 and 8 W/stage for women and men, respectively). The hyperemic response to exercise (slope of femoral blood flow vs. workload) was greater ( P < 0.01) in women as was femoral blood flow at workloads >15 W. The leg vasodilatory response to exercise (slope of calculated femoral vascular conductance vs. absolute workload) was also greater in women than in men ( P < 0.01) because of the sex difference in hyperemia and the women's lower MAP (∼10–15 mmHg) at all workloads ( P < 0.05). The femoral artery dilated to a significantly greater extent in the women (∼0.5 mm) than in the men (∼0.1 mm) across all submaximal workloads. At maximal exertion, femoral vascular conductance was lower in the men (men, 18.0 ± 0.6 ml·min−1·mmHg−1; women, 22.6 ± 1.4 ml·min−1·mmHg−1; P < 0.01). Collectively, these findings suggest that the vasodilatory response to dynamic leg exercise is greater in young women vs. men.
The Effects of Gated Speech on the Fluency of Speakers Who Stutter
Authors: Howell Peter
Published: August 2007

It is known that the speech of people who stutter improves when the speaker’s own vocalization is changed while the participant is speaking. One explanation of these effects is the disruptive rhythm hypothesis (DRH). The DRH maintains that the manipulated sound only needs to disturb timing to affect speech control. The experiment investigated whether speech that was gated on and off (interrupted) affected the speech control of speakers who stutter. Eight children who stutter read a passage when they heard their voice normally and when the speech was gated. Fluency was enhanced (fewer errors were made and time to read a set passage was reduced) when speech was interrupted in this way. The results support the DRH.
Perceptual Voice Characteristics in Chronic Cough and Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement
Authors: Vertigan Anne E. , Theodoros Deborah G. , Winkworth Alison L. , Gibson Peter G.
Published: August 2007

Voice problems have been reported in chronic cough (CC) and paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM), however, there is a lack of a systematic description of voice characteristics in these conditions. This study examined the perceptual voice characteristics of 56 individuals with CC, 8 with PVFM and 55 with both CC and PVFM, compared to 25 people with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) and 27 healthy controls. There was a high prevalence of abnormal voice quality in the CC and PVFM groups compared with healthy controls. More than one third of participants with CC and PVFM demonstrated strained, rough and/or breathy voices to a moderate or severe degree. The perceptual features in CC and PVFM were similar to those in MTD with greater severity evident in MTD. Possible mechanisms for abnormalities in voice quality include the presence of muscle tension and the frequency of coughing. These results have implications for the identification and management of voice disorders in CC and PVFM and suggest that clinicians should be alert to the incidence of voice abnormalities in these populations.
Subjective Burden in Mothers of Speech-Impaired Children
Authors: Wink Michaela , Rosanowski Frank , Hoppe Ulrich , Eysholdt Ulrich , Grässel Elmar
Published: August 2007

Objective: Evaluation of perceived subjective burden in mothers of speech-impaired children against the presence or absence of an emotional disorder. Methods: 89 mothers (age 33;3 ± 5;5 years, range: 19;6–43;8 years) of 89 preschool children (23 girls, 66 boys, age: 3;9 ± 1;5 years, range: 1;6– 7;1 years) with specific speech impairment were investigated. German versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers (BSFC) were applied. Results: 11% of the mothers met criteria for a depressive disorder (normal controls: 2.5%; p = 0.008). Twenty-eight percent of the mothers met criteria for anxiety disorders (normal controls: 9.6%; p = 0.000). The HADS depression subscore and the BSFC correlate with r = 0.75. The HADS anxiety subscore and the BSFC correlate with r = 0.59. Conclusions: Results suggest the need for routine clinical assessment of mothers’ well-being when their children are affected by speech impairment.