bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of
l
-Lactate Utilization by the FadR-Type Regulator LldR of
Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Georgi Tobias , Engels Verena , Wendisch Volker F.
Published: November 2007

Corynebacterium glutamicum
can grow on
l
-lactate as a sole carbon and energy source. The NCgl2816-
lldD
operon encoding a putative transporter (NCgl2816) and a quinone-dependent
l
-lactate dehydrogenase (LldD) is required for
l
-lactate utilization. DNA affinity chromatography revealed that the FadR-type regulator LldR (encoded by NCgl2814) binds to the upstream region of NCgl2816-
lldD
. Overexpression of
lldR
resulted in strongly reduced NCgl2816-
lldD
mRNA levels and strongly reduced LldD activity, and as a consequence, a severe growth defect was observed in cells grown on
l
-lactate as the sole carbon and energy source, but not in cells grown on glucose, ribose, or acetate. Deletion of
lldR
had no effect on growth on these carbon sources but resulted in high NCgl2816-
lldD
mRNA levels and high LldD activity in the presence and absence of
l
-lactate. Purified His-tagged LldR bound to a 54-bp fragment of the NCgl2816-
lldD
promoter, which overlaps with the transcriptional start site determined by random amplification of cDNA ends-PCR and contains a putative operator motif typical of FadR-type regulators, which is
−1
TNGTNNNACNA
10
. Mutational analysis revealed that this motif with hyphenated dyad symmetry is essential for binding of LldD to the NCgl2816-
lldD
promoter.
l
-Lactate, but not
d
-lactate, interfered with binding of LldR
His
to the NCgl2816-
lldD
promoter. Thus, during growth on media lacking
l
-lactate, LldR represses expression of NCgl2816-
lldD
. In the presence of
l
-lactate in the growth medium or under conditions leading to intracellular
l
-lactate accumulation, the
l
-lactate utilization operon is induced.
Study of Anoxic and Oxic Cholesterol Metabolism by
Sterolibacterium denitrificans
Authors: Chiang Yin-Ru , Ismail Wael , Heintz Dimitri , Schaeffer Christine , Van Dorsselaer Alain , Fuchs Georg
Published: November 2007

The initial enzymes and genes involved in the anoxic metabolism of cholesterol were studied in the denitrifying bacterium
Sterolibacterium denitrificans
Chol-1S
T
. The second enzyme of the proposed pathway, cholest-4-en-3-one-Δ
1
-dehydrogenase (AcmB), was partially purified. Based on amino acid sequence analysis, a gene probe was derived to screen a cosmid library of chromosomal DNA for the
acmB
gene. A positive clone comprising a 43-kbp DNA insert was sequenced. In addition to the
acmB
gene, the DNA fragment harbored the
acmA
gene, which encodes the first enzyme of the pathway, cholesterol dehydrogenase/isomerase. The
acmA
gene was overexpressed, and the recombinant dehydrogenase/isomerase was purified. This enzyme catalyzes the predicted transformation of cholesterol to cholest-4-en-3-one.
S. denitrificans
cells grown aerobically with cholesterol exhibited the same pattern of soluble proteins and cell extracts formed the same
14
C-labeled products from [
14
C]cholesterol as cells that were grown under anoxic, denitrifying conditions. This is especially remarkable for the late products that are formed by anaerobic hydroxylation of the cholesterol side chain with water as the oxygen donor. Hence, this facultative anaerobic bacterium may use the anoxic pathway lacking any oxygenase-dependent reaction also under oxic conditions. This confers metabolic flexibility to such facultative anaerobic bacteria.
ExoS Controls the Cell Contact-Mediated Switch to Effector Secretion in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Cisz Michelle , Lee Pei-Chung , Rietsch Arne
Published: November 2007

Type III secretion is used by many gram-negative bacterial pathogens to directly deliver protein toxins (effectors) into targeted host cells. In all cases, secretion of effectors is triggered by host cell contact, although the mechanism is unclear. In
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, expression of all type III secretion-related genes is up-regulated when secretion is triggered. We were able to visualize this process using a green fluorescent protein reporter system and to use it to monitor the ability of bacteria to trigger effector secretion on cell contact. Surprisingly, the action of one of the major type III secreted effectors, ExoS, prevented triggering of type III secretion by bacteria that subsequently attached to cells, suggesting that triggering of secretion is feedback regulated. Evidence is presented that translocation (secretion of effectors across the host cell plasma membrane) of ExoS is indeed self-regulated and that this inhibition of translocation can be achieved by either of its two enzymatic activities. The translocator proteins PopB, PopD, and PcrV are secreted via the type III secretion system and are required for pore formation and translocation of effectors across the host cell plasma membrane. Here we present data that secretion of translocators is in fact not controlled by calcium, implying that triggering of effector secretion on cell contact represents a switch in secretion specificity, rather than a triggering of secretion per se. The requirement for a host cell cofactor to control effector secretion may help explain the recently observed phenomenon of target cell specificity in both the
Yersinia
and
P. aeruginosa
type III secretion systems.
Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Nasal Carriage among Injection Drug Users: Six Years Later
Authors: Al-Rawahi G. N. , Schreader A. G. , Porter S. D. , Roscoe D. L. , Gustafson R. , Bryce E. A.
Published: November 2007

A survey in 2000 to detect methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) colonization in Vancouver downtown east side injection drug users (IDUs) revealed an MRSA nasal colonization incidence of 7.4%. This is a follow-up study to determine the current prevalence of MRSA colonization and to further characterize the isolates and risk factors for colonization. In this point prevalence study of MRSA nasal carriage among IDUs, nasal swabs were cultured to detect
S. aureus
. Isolates were studied for their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and the presence of
mecA
and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes and by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).
S. aureus
was isolated from 119 of 301 (39.5%) samples; three (2.5%) participants had both methicillin-sensitive
S. aureus
(MSSA) and MRSA, resulting in 122 isolates. Of these, 54.1% were MSSA and 45.9% were MRSA, with an overall MRSA rate of 18.6%. USA-300 (CMRSA-10) accounted for 75% of all MRSA isolates; 25% were USA-500 (CMRSA-5). None of the USA-500 isolates were positive for PVL; 41 (97.6%) USA-300 isolates contained PVL. One MSSA isolate, from an individual also carrying USA-300, was positive for PVL. The PFGE pattern of this MSSA isolate was related to that of the MRSA strain. The antibiograms of USA-300 compared to USA-500 isolates showed 100% versus 7.1% susceptibility to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) and 54.8% versus 7.1% susceptibility to clindamycin. MRSA nasal colonization in this population has increased significantly within the last 6 years, with USA-300 replacing the previous strain. Most of these strains are PVL positive, and all are susceptible to TMP-SMX.
Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Method Targeting the TTS1 Gene Cluster for Detection of
Burkholderia pseudomallei
and Diagnosis of Melioidosis
Authors: Chantratita Narisara , Meumann Ella , Thanwisai Aunchalee , Limmathurotsakul Direk , Wuthiekanun Vanaporn , Wannapasni Saran , Tumapa Sarinna , Day Nicholas P. J. , Peacock Sharon J.
Published: November 2007

Melioidosis is a severe infection caused by
Burkholderia pseudomallei
. The timely implementation of effective antimicrobial treatment requires rapid diagnosis. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) targeting the TTS1 gene cluster was developed for the detection of
B. pseudomallei
. LAMP was sensitive and specific for the laboratory detection of this organism. The lower limit of detection was 38 genomic copies per reaction, and LAMP was positive for 10 clinical
B. pseudomallei
isolates but negative for 5
B. thailandensis
and 5
B. mallei
isolates. A clinical evaluation was conducted in northeast Thailand to compare LAMP to an established real-time PCR assay targeting the same TTS1 gene cluster. A total of 846 samples were obtained from 383 patients with suspected melioidosis, 77 of whom were subsequently diagnosed with culture-confirmed melioidosis. Of these 77 patients, a positive result was obtained from one or more specimens by PCR in 26 cases (sensitivity, 34%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 23.4 to 45.4%) and by LAMP in 34 cases (sensitivity, 44%; 95% CI, 32.8 to 55.9%) (
P
= 0.02). All samples from 306 patients that were culture negative for
B. pseudomallei
were negative by PCR (specificity, 100%; 95% CI, 98.8 to 100%), but 5 of 306 patients (1.6%) were positive by LAMP (specificity, 98.4%; 95% CI, 96.2 to 99.5%) (
P
= 0.03). The diagnostic accuracies of PCR and LAMP were 86.7% (95% CI, 82.9 to 89.9%) and 87.5% (95% CI, 83.7 to 90.6%), respectively (
P
= 0.47). Both assays were very insensitive when applied to blood samples; PCR and LAMP were positive for 0 and 1 of 44 positive blood cultures, respectively. The PCR and LAMP assays evaluated here are not sufficiently sensitive to replace culture in our clinical setting.
Relationships of Nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
Strains to Hemolytic and Nonhemolytic
Haemophilus haemolyticus
Strains
Authors: McCrea Kirk W. , Xie Jingping , LaCross Nathan , Patel Mayurika , Mukundan Deepa , Murphy Timothy F. , Marrs Carl F. , Gilsdorf Janet R.
Published: November 2007

Haemophilus influenzae
is both a human respiratory pathogen and pharyngeal commensal, while
H. haemolyticus
, the closest phylogenetic relative of
H. influenzae
, is arguably a strict pharyngeal commensal. A hemolytic phenotype has historically differentiated
H. haemolyticus
from
H. influenzae
, but the recent recognition of significant nonhemolytic
H. haemolyticus
colonization has decreased this trait's resolvability. Given this and the potential of recombination between the species, we examined the distribution of microbiologic and molecular traits between collections of
H. influenzae
and
H. haemolyticus
strains separated within a dendrogram obtained by multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA). All strains hybridizing with a probe to
iga
, a gene encoding an immunoglobulin A protease of
H. influenzae
, clustered apart from strains that did not hybridize with the probe. Other traits also segregated significantly along this division, suggesting a separation of the species. Of note, the LOS genes
licA
,
lic2A
, and
lgtC
of
H. influenzae
were approximately 2, 6, and 54 times, respectively, more prevalent in
H. influenzae
than in
H. haemolyticus
. In contrast to species separation, interspecies recombination was evidenced by the inability of single gene sequences to phylogenetically separate the species and by the “fuzzy” distribution of some species-specific traits across the species dividing line. Together, these data support the historically accurate and pragmatic division of these species while recognizing their potential for recombination. Future comparative genomic studies identifying common and distinctive genes could be useful in evaluating their role in the commensal or virulent growth, respectively, of
H. influenzae
.
Non-operative breast pathology: apocrine lesions
Authors: Wells C A , El-Ayat G A
Published: November 2007

Apocrine metaplasia is a very common finding in the female breast after the age of 25. It is so common that many people regard it as a normal component of the breast. This, however, is only really the case in apocrine sweat glands of the axilla and in the peri-areolar apocrine glands. The apocrine cell does, however, contribute to a number of different breast lesions, some of which are very taxing diagnostically; apocrine variants of both in-situ and invasive cancer are encountered. This review considers the common apocrine metaplastic lesions seen in fibrocystic change as well as apocrine adenoma, apocrine change within sclerosing adenosis, atypical apocrine lesions and apocrine malignancies.
RENOMALIZATION OF THE NN INTERACTION AT NNLO: UNCOUPLED PERIPHERAL WAVES
Authors: TIMÓTEO VARESE S. , FREDERICO TOBIAS , TOMIO LAURO , DELFINO ANTONIO
Published: November 2007

We apply the subtractive renormalization method to the nucleon-nucleon interaction at Next-to-Next-to-Leading order (NNLO). Here we show the results for some uncoupled peripheral waves.
RELATIVISTIC EFFECTS IN POLYTROPIC COMPACT STARS
Authors: FERRARI L. , ESTRELA G. , MALHEIRO M.
Published: November 2007

We solve numerically the two first order differential equations obtained by Tooper for polytropic compact stars. These equations depend on the polytropic index n related to the adiabatic index Γ = 1 + 1/n and on a parameter σ that manifests the relativistic content of the polytropic equation of state (EOS). In this work we investigate the effect of increasing σ for two polytropic EOS: the case of a nonrelativistic Fermi gas (n = 1.5) and the relativistic one (n = 3.0). We show that for large values of σ, where the sound velocity is not small in comparison to the velocity of light, the matter density is more concentrated in the center of the star and as a consequence the star mass also is: this effect is quite strong in the case of the relativistic fermi gas.
INVESTIGATING DIFFRACTIVE W PRODUCTION IN HADRON-HADRON COLLISIONS AT HIGH ENERGIES
Authors: GAY DUCATI M. B. , MACHADO M. M. , MACHADO M. V. T.
Published: November 2007

We compute the hard diffractive hadroproduction of bosons W± at high energies using Regge factorization and taking into account multiple Pomeron exchange corrections. The ratio of diffractive to non-diffractive W production agrees with the current Tevatron data and a prediction for the LHC is presented.
SPHERICAL KORTEWEG – DE VRIES SOLITONS FROM RELATIVISTIC HYDRODYNAMICS
Authors: FOGAÇA D. A. , NAVARRA F. S.
Published: November 2007

We study the conditions for the formation and propagation of Korteweg – de Vries (KdV) solitons in relativistic fluid dynamics using an appropriate equation of state. It is known that in cartesian coordinates the combination of the Euler and continuity equations leads to the KdV equation. Recently it has been shown that this is true also in relativistic hydrodynamics. Here we show that a KdV-like equation can be obtained in relativistic hydrodynamics in spherical coordinates.
THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE IN SPHERICAL AND DEFORMED NUCLEI IN THE DHB APPROXIMATION
Authors: LISBOA R. , MALHEIRO M. , CARLSON B. V.
Published: November 2007

We present a DHB approximation for excited hot nuclei and calculate the pairing gaps, binding energies, entropy and radii of several spherical and deformed nuclei. We show that the binding energy decreases as the temperature increases, as we would expect from the positive contribution of the thermal energy of the nucleons. The neutron, proton and charge radii of spherical nuclei increase as the temperature increases, while for the deformed 168 Er nucleus these quantities decrease up to T = 2 MeV , the temperature at which the deformation disappears, and increase above this temperature. The pairing interaction is taken into account self-consistently and studied as a function of the temperature: for the even Tin isotopes, the mean value of the neutron pairing gap is almost zero already at T = 1 MeV .
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE VALUE SHOP: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF POLICE INVESTIGATION PERFORMANCE
Authors: GOTTSCHALK PETTER
Published: November 2007

IT business value research examines the organizational performance impacts of information technology. In this paper, we apply the value configuration of the value shop to describe and measure organizational performance. The value shop consists of the five primary activities of problem understanding, solutions to problems, decisions on actions, implementation of actions, and evaluations of actions in an iterative problem-solving cycle. Police investigation work is defined as value shop activities. Our empirical study of Norwegian police results in significant relationships between information technology use and investigation performance for all primary activities. The most important primary activities for IT use are problem understanding and implementation of actions, as both significantly improve value shop performance.
VIH y lactancia
Authors: Downs Jane Helen , Cooper Peter A.
Published: November 2007

Está confirmado que más del 90% de los niños con VIH adquirieron el virus a través de la transmisión de madre a hijo/a (TMAH). Se estima que 750,000 niños en todo el mundo llegan a infectarse por el VIH cada año; la mayoría de estos niños residen en África subsahariana. Entre las vías de la TMAH destacan las siguientes: transplacentaria durante el embarazo, durante el parto, a través de la leche materna y a través del sangrado de los pezones. El riesgo porcentual de TMAH varía según cada una de las vías mencionadas anteriormente. En ausencia de intervenciones específicas, la tasa de TMAH es del 15 al 20% aproximadamente y, con amamantamiento prolongado (>6 meses), las tasas se doblan hasta 35–40%. Aunque el empleo de sustitutos de la leche materna (SLM) puede parecer la elección obvia para reducir el riesgo de TMAH a través de la leche materna y los pezones sangrantes, esta opción puede resultar perjudicial para los lactantes nacidos de madres que viven en entornos con recursos limitados. En tales entornos, el elevado riesgo de mortalidad en menores de un año se debe a diarrea y malnutrición graves, en relación con una alimentación con SLM inseguros y una lactancia materna subóptima (es decir, omisión del amamantamiento exclusivo durante los seis primeros meses de vida). Según un informe reciente de la OMS (2006) se estima que en conjunto mueren hasta 1.45 millones de niños (menores de 2 años) anualmente debido al amamantamiento subóptimo en países en vías de desarrollo, frente a las 242,000 muertes estimadas de lactantes en relación con la TMAH. Las normas de la OMS para la alimentación de lactantes en el contexto del VIH representan un importante marco de principios que los gobiernos, los forjadores de políticas y los profesionales sanitarios tienen que considerar en el momento de compilar la prevención de las políticas y los protocolos de la TMAH. Tanto en países desarrollados como en países en vías de desarrollo existen comunidades que tienen o no acceso al agua segura y a la electricidad; en consecuencia, las políticas tienen que abordar las necesidades de las diferentes comunidades. Las normas de la OMS recomiendan: ‘Cuando la alimentación sustitutiva es aceptable, factible, asequible, sostenible y segura, el impedimento de la lactancia materna por parte de las madres infectadas por el VIH es aceptable’. La infección por VIH adquirida verticalmente ha sido prácticamente eliminada en los países desarrollados a través del uso apropiado de tratamiento antirretroviral, el uso y la oportunidad de la cesárea electiva y el apoyo al impedimento del amamantamiento; el resultado ha sido una reducción de la tasa de la TMAH hasta por debajo del 1–2%.
Intervenciones nutricionales en mujeres lactantes infectadas por el VIH
Authors: Mehta Saurabh , Finkelstein Julia L. , Fawzi Wafaie W.
Published: November 2007

El amamantamiento es el patrón de oro internacional de la alimentación del lactante, pues es sabido que reduce el riesgo de morbilidad y mortalidad en menores de un año y fomenta mejoras del crecimiento y el desarrollo de los niños. No obstante, en el contexto del VIH, la lactancia materna incrementa significativamente el riesgo de transmisión de madre a hijo/a (TMAH) del VIH, riesgo que es proporcional a la duración del amamantamiento. En consecuencia, la Organización Mundial de la Salud recomienda evitar el amamantamiento por parte de mujeres infectadas por el VIH cuando la alimentación sustitutiva es aceptable, factible, asequible, sostenible y segura. Desafortunadamente, la adopción de la alimentación con leches para lactantes no es profusa en regiones en vías de desarrollo, como África subsahariana, debido en parte a su elevado coste y en parte al estigma social asociado al hecho de no amamantar. Además, en entornos donde el acceso a condiciones higiénicas adecuadas es limitado, la alimentación con leches para lactantes puede dar lugar a una mayor morbilidad y mortalidad en los menores de un año. En consecuencia, el amamantamiento sigue siendo responsable de una proporción considerable de infecciones pediátricas por VIH en regiones en vías de desarrollo del mundo. Algunos estudios basados en la observación, destinados a examinar el papel del estado nutricional en la transmisión vertical del VIH, hallaron que niveles séricos bajos de vitamina A se asociaban a un mayor riesgo de TMAH. No obstante, en dos ensayos realizados en Malawi y Sudáfrica, respectivamente, la vitamina A careció de efecto significativo sobre la TMAH, mientras que en ensayos realizados en Tanzania y Zimbabwe se comprobó que el aporte complementario de vitamina A a las madres aumentaba significativamente el riesgo de TMAH del VIH. En Tanzania, el aporte complementario de multivitaminas (vitaminas B, C y E) a las madres reducía el riesgo de transmisión del VIH a través del amamantamiento en mujeres afectadas nutricional e inmunológicamente y producía beneficios adicionales sobre la salud, como una menor incidencia de pérdidas fetales y una reducción de la tasa de progresión de la enfermedad materna. En conjunto, no se dispone de datos para respaldar el aporte complementario de vitamina A en madres gestantes infectadas por el VIH. No obstante, el aporte complementario de multivitaminas, incluyendo las vitaminas B, C y E, se recomienda fehacientemente. Está garantizada la realización de investigación adicional para indagar el papel que desempeñan otros nutrientes en la transmisión vertical del VIH a través del amamantamiento y en la salud global materna y del lactante en mujeres lactantes infectadas por el VIH y su descendencia. En entornos donde no son viables las alternativas a la lactancia materna, se recomienda el amamantamiento exclusivo durante seis meses en niños nacidos de madres infectadas por el VIH, conjuntamente con un destete rápido y una alimentación sustitutiva óptima para la salud del lactante.
Traitement actuel de la constipation de l’enfant
Authors: Liem Olivia , Di Lorenzo Carlo , Taminiau Jan A.J.M. , Mousa Hayat M. , Benninga Marc A.
Published: November 2007

La constipation de l’enfant est un problème mondial. Il s’agit de l’un des motifs les plus fréquents de consultations d’un pédiatre ou d’un gastro-entérologue pédiatrique. Le traitement d’une constipation chronique est difficile et nécessite souvent un suivi à long terme et l’administration de médicaments. Malgré la prévalence élevée de cette affection, peu d’essais randomisés ont été menés afin d’évaluer l’efficacité des différentes interventions destinées à la traiter. Dans la présente analyse, nous discuterons des options thérapeutiques actuelles pour la constipation de l’enfant et aborderons certaines des questions les plus fréquemment posées et des conceptions erronées les plus répandues chez les parents et les médecins.
The Accuracy of Prevalence Rates of Multiple Sclerosis: A Critical Review
Authors: Poser Charles M. , Brinar Vesna V.
Published: November 2007

Review of the recent medical literature raises doubts about the reliability of reported prevalence rates of multiple sclerosis (MS). Many published prevalence rates are inflated. Some studies have shown that relying on clinical information and MRI interpretation leads to one third of incorrect MS diagnoses. The most important error is failing to distinguish between the clinical and MRI characteristics of MS and of disseminated encephalomyelitis (DEM) in both their acute and relapsing forms. The diagnostic criteria in current usage, including those relating to imaging, do not differentiate between MS and other recurrent inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. Considering a second demyelinating episode following a clinically isolated symptom or acute DEM, as confirming MS, is another major source of error. Another is including cases with onset before they entered the study group or moved to the geographic area. Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) has long been considered an MS variant and in Far Eastern countries it is counted as the ‘oriental’ form of MS, falsely inflating prevalence rates of MS in those areas. Recent immunologic and radiologic evidence shows that at least some NMO cases represent instances of DEM.
Prenatal Diagnosis of a Fetal Abdominal Eventration: A Rare Congenital Abdominal Wall Defect
Authors: Roth Philippe , Martin Alain , Bawab Fariz , Fellmann Florence , Aubert Didier , Maillet Robert
Published: November 2007

We report a case of abdominal eventration associated with cystic fibrosis, diagnosed by mid-trimester ultrasonography. The defect concerned the abdominal muscles and their aponevrotic sheath, but respected the skin. There was no associated malformation. The outcome was favorable after surgery, and the infant is well at the age of 6 months.
A Retrospective and Theoretical Evaluation of Rapid Methods for Detecting Chromosome Abnormalities and Their Implications on Genetic Counseling Based on a Series of 3868 CVS Diagnoses
Authors: Soler Anna , Morales Carme , Badenas Cèlia , Rodríguez-Revenga Laia , Carrió Ana , Margarit Ester , Costa Dolors , Borrell Antoni , Goncé Anna , Milà Montserrat , Sánchez Aurora
Published: November 2007

Objectives: To report our experience over the past 10 years of chorionic villi sampling (CVS) prenatal diagnosis in a high-risk population for chromosomal anomalies, and to analyze, according to the results, the advantages and disadvantages of using quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) in amniotic fluid with respect to a conventional semi-direct cytogenetic CVS method in a retrospective theoretical review. Methods: We performed 3,868 cytogenetic analyses from CVS using a semi-direct culture method in a selected high-risk population for chromosomal abnormalities and we compare our findings with the theoretical results obtained using QF-PCR on amniotic fluid. Results: The rate of chromosomal anomalies detected with the semi-direct CVS cytogenetic study, excluding confined placental mosaicism (CPM), was 6.8%. 26.3% of all them would be missed by using QF-PCR only and among them, 21.4% of cases would represent a severe adverse obstetric outcome. Conclusions: We think that semi-direct CVS cytogenetic analysis in comparison with QF-PCR in amniotic fluid is similarly rapid, performed earlier and more complete, allowing the chromosomal diagnosis in the first trimester of gestation. We propose the use of QF-PCR as an additional method to semi-direct CVS analysis in order to avoid false-negative results, as a rapid alternative to long-term culture.
Pregnancy Outcomes following Bipolar Umbilical Cord Cauterization for Selective Termination in Complicated Monochorionic Multiple Gestations
Authors: Ilagan John G. , Wilson R. Douglas , Bebbington Michael , Johnson Mark P. , Hedrick Holly L. , Liechty Kenneth W. , Adzick N. Scott
Published: November 2007

Objective: To review pregnancy and childhood outcomes following selective termination by ultrasound guided bipolar umbilical cord cauterization (UCC) in complicated monochorionic multifetal pregnancies. Study Design: Consenting patients (27 of 49, 55%) had review of pregnancy history and pediatric development in the surviving twin following selective UCC. Results: UCC was performed at 21.2 ± 2.8 weeks gestational age, followed by a liveborn delivery (n = 28) at 34.4 ± 4.7 weeks. Mean birth weight was 2,218 ± 926 g. Complications included preterm labor (25.0%), premature rupture of membranes (17.8%), placental abruption (10.7%) and chorioamnionitis (7.1%). Perinatal mortality was 10.3% in continuing fetuses. However, 96.2% of pregnancies achieved livebirths with 96% of neonates showing apparently normal development between ages 1.5 and 5 years. Conclusion: Bipolar UCC is a reasonably safe and effective treatment for selective termination in complicated monochorionic pregnancies.
Oral Hygiene and Parent-Related Factors during Early Childhood in Relation to Approximal Caries at 15 Years of Age
Authors: Alm A. , Wendt L.K. , Koch G. , Birkhed D.
Published: November 2007

The aim was to investigate whether oral hygiene habits and parent-related factors, recorded in early childhood, have a predictive value in relation to approximal caries experience (including initial caries lesions) at the age of 15 years (n = 568). Data were selected from examinations, interviews and questionnaires at 1 and 3 years and bitewing radiographs at 15 years. Four levels of cut-off points for the statistical analysis were used: DFa = 0, > 0, ≧4 and ≧8. In the final logistic regression analyses, mother’s self-estimation of her oral health care being less good remained statistically significant and predicted a caries experience of DFa > 0 at 15 years. The following four variables predicted DFa ≧4: (1) female gender, (2) plaque on maxillary incisors at 1 year, (3) mother’s self-estimation of her oral health care being less good and (4) father being less satisfied with his social situation. Two variables predicted DFa ≧8: (1) toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste just once a day, and (2) father being less satisfied with his social situation. Furthermore, children who failed to attend the examination at 1 year of age had 6.95 ± 5.36 (mean ± SD) DFa at 15 years compared with 3.10 ± 3.85 for children who were examined at 1 year of age (p < 0.01). To conclude, factors explaining good dental health at 15 years of age pertained to both children and parents. Thus, it seems that good oral hygiene habits, established in early childhood, provide a foundation for a low experience of approximal caries in adolescents.
S-Ibuprofen Effectively Inhibits Thromboxane B2 Levels and Platelet Function in an Experimental Model of Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated and Non-Stimulated Whole Blood
Authors: Kaehler Stefan , Marsik Claudia , Heinisch Birgit , Thallinger Christiane , Sauermann Robert , Kazemi-Shirazi Lili , Wagner Oswald , Joukhadar Christian
Published: November 2007

Objective: The present study aimed at testing the effect of S- and R-ibuprofen on thromboxane B2 (TXB2), collagen-epinephrine closure time (CEPI-CT) and collagen-adenosine 5′-diphosphate closure time (CADP-CT) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated and non-stimulated human whole blood. Materials and Methods: Whole blood was incubated with S- or R-ibuprofen with and without prior stimulation with LPS. To verify ibuprofen’s potential effects on TXB2, varying ratios of concentrations of S- and R-ibuprofen ranging from 0 to 100% were used. TXB2 levels were measured by ELISA. The effects of S- and R-ibuprofen enantiomers on platelet aggregability were tested utilizing a PFA-100 apparatus. Results: In non-stimulated and LPS-stimulated whole blood, S-ibuprofen markedly decreased TXB2 levels at concentrations ranging from 10 to 200 µg/ml. R-ibuprofen showed its inhibiting effect at concentrations >100 µg/ml. In inflammatory and non-inflammatory conditions, CEPI-CT was prolonged at concentrations of 12.5 and 75 µg/ml for S-ibuprofen and at a concentration of 150 µg/ml of combined R- and S-ibuprofen. S-ibuprofen was significantly more effective than R-ibuprofen (p < 0.05). The combined use of S- and R-ibuprofen did not additively or synergistically prolong CEPI-CTs. CADP-CTs remained unaffected by both enantiomers. Conclusions: S-ibuprofen was more effective than the R-ibuprofen enantiomer in inhibiting TXB2 plasma levels and aggregability of thrombocytes in non-inflammatory and inflammatory conditions.
Repeated Administration of Histamine Improves Memory Retrieval of Inhibitory Avoidance by Lithium in Mice
Authors: Zarrindast Mohammad Reza , Parsaei Leila , Ahmadi Shamseddin
Published: November 2007

The influence of repeated administration of histamine on lithium-induced state dependency has been investigated. A single-trial step-down inhibitory avoidance task was used to assess memory in adult male NMRI mice. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of lithium (10 mg/kg), immediately after training (post-training), impaired inhibitory avoidance memory on the test day. Pre-test administration of lithium reversed amnesia induced by the drug given after training, with the maximum response at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Repeated intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of histamine (20 µg/mouse) for 3 consecutive days followed by 5 days of no drug treatment improved memory retrieval of inhibitory avoidance by a pre-test lower dose (5 mg/kg i.p.) of lithium. In contrast, 3 days of i.c.v. injections of both the histamine H1 receptor antagonist pyrilamine (40 µg/mouse) and the histamine H2 receptor antagonist ranitidine (6.25 and 12.5 µg/mouse) prevented the improving effect of pre-test lithium (10 mg/kg i.p.) on memory retrieval. The results suggest that the repeated administration of histaminergic agents may induce a sensitization which affects the memory impairment induced by lithium.
The Logic of Being: Eriugena's Dialectical Ontology
Authors: Erismann Christophe
Published: November 2007

In his major work, the Periphyseon, the ninth century Latin philosopher John Scottus Eriugena gives, with the help of what he calls "dialectic", a rational analysis of reality. According to him, dialectic is a science which pertains both to language and reality. Eriugena grounds this position in a realist ontological exegesis of the Aristotelian categories, which are conceived as categories of being. His interpretation tends to transform logical patterns, such as Porphyry's Tree or the doctrine of the categories, into a structure which is both ontological and logical, and to use them as tools for the analysis of the sensible world. The combination of dialectic interpreted as a science of being, capable of expressing truths about the sensible world as well as about discourse, with an ontological interpretation of logical concepts allows Eriugena to develop his metaphysical theory, a strong realism. Eriugena not only supports a theological realism (of divine ideas), but also, and principally, an ontological realism, the assertion of the immanent existence of forms. Eriugena claims that genera and species really subsist in the individuals: they are completely and simultaneously present in each of the entities which belong to them.
The Turn of the Century North American Drought: Global Context, Dynamics, and Past Analogs*
Authors: Seager Richard
Published: November 2007

The causes and global context of the North American drought between 1998 and 2004 are examined using atmospheric reanalyses and ensembles of atmosphere model simulations variously forced by global SSTs or tropical Pacific SSTs alone. The drought divides into two distinct time intervals. Between 1998 and 2002 it coincided with a persistent La Niña–like state in the tropical Pacific, a cool tropical troposphere, poleward-shifted jet streams, and, in the zonal mean, eddy-driven descent in midlatitudes. During the winters reduced precipitation over North America in the climate models was sustained by anomalous subsidence and reductions of moisture convergence by the stationary flow and transient eddies. During the summers reductions of evaporation and mean flow moisture convergence drove the precipitation reduction, while transient eddies acted diffusively to oppose this. During these years the North American drought fitted into a global pattern of circulation and hydroclimate anomalies with noticeable zonal and hemispheric symmetry.

During the later period of the drought, from 2002 to 2004, weak El Niño conditions prevailed and, while the global climate adjusted accordingly, western North America remained, uniquely among midlatitude regions, in drought. The ensemble mean of the climate model simulations did not simulate the continuation of the drought in these years, suggesting that the termination of the drought was largely unpredictable in terms of global ocean conditions.

The global context of the most recent, turn of the century, drought is compared to the five prior persistent North American droughts in the instrumental record from the mid-nineteenth century on. A classic La Niña pattern of ocean temperature in the Pacific is common to all. A cold Indian Ocean, also typical of La Niña, is common to all five prior droughts, but not the most recent one. Except in southern South America the global pattern of precipitation anomalies of the turn of the century drought is similar to that during the five prior droughts. These comparisons suggest that the earlier period of this most recent drought is the latest in a series of multiyear droughts forced by persistent changes in tropical Pacific Ocean temperatures. Warm tropical North Atlantic Ocean temperatures may play a secondary role.
Dewpoint and Humidity Measurements and Trends at the Summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire, 1935–2004
Authors: Seidel Thomas M. , Grant Andrea N. , Pszenny Alexander A. P. , Allman Daniel J.
Published: November 2007

Meteorological conditions have been recorded at the summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire, (44°16′N, 71°18′W, 1914 m ASL) since November 1932. Use of consistent instrumentation allows analysis of humidity measurements as calculated from error-checked dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature, and pressure during the period 1935–2004. This paper presents seasonally and annually averaged dewpoint temperature, mixing ratio, and relative humidity means and trends, including clear-air and fog subsets and, beginning in 1939, day and night subsets. The majority of linear trends are negative over the full study period, although these decreases are not constant, with relatively large (small) values in the mid-1950s (late 1970s). Annual mean dewpoint (water vapor mixing ratio) over the 70-yr period has decreased by 0.06°C decade−1 (0.01 g kg−1 decade−1). During this period the annual frequency of fog increased by 0.5% decade−1. Dewpoint and mixing ratio trends, both generally decreasing, differ by season; they are smallest in spring and greatest in fall. Relative humidity has decreased most in winter. The clear-air subset shows significant decreases in both dewpoint and mixing ratio for all seasons except spring.
Daily High-Resolution-Blended Analyses for Sea Surface Temperature
Authors: Reynolds Richard W. , Smith Thomas M. , Liu Chunying , Chelton Dudley B. , Casey Kenneth S. , Schlax Michael G.
Published: November 2007

Two new high-resolution sea surface temperature (SST) analysis products have been developed using optimum interpolation (OI). The analyses have a spatial grid resolution of 0.25° and a temporal resolution of 1 day. One product uses the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) infrared satellite SST data. The other uses AVHRR and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR) on the NASA Earth Observing System satellite SST data. Both products also use in situ data from ships and buoys and include a large-scale adjustment of satellite biases with respect to the in situ data. Because of AMSR’s near-all-weather coverage, there is an increase in OI signal variance when AMSR is added to AVHRR. Thus, two products are needed to avoid an analysis variance jump when AMSR became available in June 2002. For both products, the results show improved spatial and temporal resolution compared to previous weekly 1° OI analyses.

The AVHRR-only product uses Pathfinder AVHRR data (currently available from January 1985 to December 2005) and operational AVHRR data for 2006 onward. Pathfinder AVHRR was chosen over operational AVHRR, when available, because Pathfinder agrees better with the in situ data. The AMSR–AVHRR product begins with the start of AMSR data in June 2002. In this product, the primary AVHRR contribution is in regions near land where AMSR is not available. However, in cloud-free regions, use of both infrared and microwave instruments can reduce systematic biases because their error characteristics are independent.
Cultural Shift and Foreign Policy Change
Authors: Rynhold Jonathan
Published: November 2007

This article analyses the role of cultural shift, as defined by Inglehart, in the major change in Israeli foreign policy embodied in the Oslo Accords. Aside from providing an empirical explanation, it also analyses the Oslo case from a general theoretical perspective concerning the relationship between cultural change and foreign policy change. It argues that a cultural shift towards Postmaterialism led to the rise of a new generation on the Israeli Left with a more Liberal outlook. It was this `Liberal Left' that was primarily responsible for conceiving, initiating and enacting the Oslo Accords. In broader terms, this study provides a new way of examining the relationship between cultural change and foreign policy change. As such, it provides a solid basis for the comparative analysis of the role of a substantive, worldwide cultural trend on foreign policy.
Black Messages, White Messages
Authors: McIlwain Charlton D. , Caliendo Stephen M.
Published: November 2007

This article seeks to ascertain how implicit and explicit racial messages are constructed in televised political campaign advertisements. Utilizing a content analysis of 328 spots run in election contests between 1990 and 2000 where at least one candidate was African American, the authors provide results and analyses that demonstrate that both White and Black candidates are prone to utilizing racial messages. However, the authors show that a stark distinction exists between racial messages constructed by Whites and those by Black candidates.
An Exploration of African Americans' Interests and Self-Efficacy Beliefs in Traditional and Nontraditional Careers
Authors: McCurtis Witherspoon Karen , Speight Suzette L.
Published: November 2007

Research on African Americans' career interests suggests that despite gains in education, African Americans have a tendency to major in and choose from a narrow range of occupations, namely, education and the social sciences. This study investigates several variables based on existing literature to identify the best predictors for interest in traditional occupations for 129 African American college students. Analyses show that gender and self-efficacy are the best predictors of interest in traditional occupations. African self-consciousness and perceptions of racist events are related to each other but not to interest in occupations. Results offer replication of prior research findings in self-efficacy theory that can be extended to an African American population.
Autoclave Foaming of Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Using Carbon Dioxide: Impact of Crystallization on Cell Structure
Authors: Reignier Joel , Gendron Richard , Champagne Michel F.
Published: November 2007

The purpose of this study is to develop a better understanding of the main mechanisms controlling the foaming of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), a semi-crystalline biodegradable polymer, using batch processing and CO 2 as the physical blowing agent. A detailed study of the dissolution of CO2 is conducted in order to establish its impact on the transition temperatures of PCL. In a following step, particular attention is paid to the effects of crystallization on cell structure. This foam structure is subsequently linked to the processing window, expressed in terms of the processing temperature with respect to the shifted crystallization temperature and modified crystallization kinetics of PCL. The effects of talc addition on PCL crystallization and foam structure are also investigated, as talc is expected to modify the nucleation rate of crystallites and cells.
Kinetic and Diffusional Approach to the Dyeing Behavior of the Polyester PTT
Authors: Ovejero Raúl G. , Sánchez Javier R. , Ovejero Juan B. , Valldeperas J. , Lis M.J.
Published: November 2007

The textile fiber made of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) came onto the market a few years ago. This fiber has certain advantages over traditional polyester, especially its greater elasticity and the fact that it can be dyed at lower temperatures. Here we study the dyeing kinetics of this “new” fiber using an azo disperse dye, C.I. Disperse Red 82, observing that the dyeing rate increases with temperature and that dyebath exhaustions only reach acceptable levels at temperatures above 80 °C. In order to quantify and compare the experimental data obtained, three kinetics models have been chosen. To fit results with models, non-linear regression methods have been applied and, to differentiate between early and final stages, two levels of exhaustion have been checked. From results obtained with the Chrastil model, apparent diffusion coefficients and the activation energy of diffusion have been calculated.
The Influence of the Spinning Systems on the Surface Damage of Cotton Fibers
Authors: Sarna Ewa , Włochowicz Andrzej
Published: November 2007

Damage to the surface layer of cotton fibers was observed. Cotton fibers were transformed to yarns in the classical and open-end spinning systems. Damage was observed using a scanning electron microscope JSM-5500LV f-my Jeol. The samples were chosen from the initial and final stages of the technological process. Seven types of damage to the surface layer of cotton were observed.
Carbonized and Activated Non-wovens as High-Performance Acoustic Materials: Part I Noise Absorption
Authors: Chen Y. , Jiang N.
Published: November 2007

Noise absorption is one method for noise reduction in engineering. The material acoustic property for noise absorption is principally based on the efficiency of material structures for damping sound wave reflections. In this paper, three non-woven composites with activated carbon fiber (rayon precursor) non-woven as a surface layer and cotton, ramie, and polypropylene fiber non-wovens as base layers were produced. Their noise absorption coefficients were measured using the Brüel and Kjær impedance tube instrument and compared to those of three glass-fiber-surfaced non-woven composites. Statistical significance of the differences between the activated carbon fiber composites and glass-fiber-surfaced composites was tested using the method of Duncan's grouping. The study concluded that the activated carbon fiber composites exhibited an exceptional ability to absorb normal incidence sound waves. The analysis also revealed that the activated carbon fiber composite with a cotton base layer would be 4.6 times lighter in weight, 14% higher in low-frequency absorption, and 7% higher in high-frequency absorption, in comparison with the composite having a glass fiber surface layer and a polypropylene fiber base layer.
Moisture Absorption and Release of Profiled Polyester and Cotton Composite Knitted Fabrics
Authors: Su Ching-Iuan , Fang Jun-Xian , Chen Xin-Hong , Wu Wen-Yean
Published: November 2007

Composite yarns were spun using profiled polyester fibers and nature cotton fibers at different blend ratios. The water absorption capacity, diffusion rate, and drying rate of knitted fabrics made from the three composite yarns were examined to shed light on their moisture absorption and release performance. Experimental results reveal that the diffusion rate and drying rate become better with decreasing cotton content. However, knitted fabrics made of profiled polyester alone showed the worst water absorption ability, which can be improved with the addition of cotton fiber. For core and cover yarns, the addition of profiled polyester filaments can enhance their performance in moisture absorption and release. In summary, textiles products made from core and cover yarns of Tf/Ts/C 42/46/12 and 42/35/23 can not only provide a better sense of touch but also comfort when worn with efficient moisture absorption and release.