bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of Nano‐Laminated Coatings to Control Bioavailability of Lipophilic Food Components
Authors: McClements David Julian
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT:  There is currently a lack of effective delivery systems to encapsulate, protect, and release bioactive lipophilic components, such as ω‐3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid, tributyrin, vitamins, antioxidants, carotenoids, and phytosterols, which is holding back the development of functional foods designed to combat diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. Delivery systems consisting of lipid droplets encapsulated by nano‐laminated biopolymer coatings have great potential for use in the food industry for the encapsulation, protection, and release of bioactive lipids.

This article reviews the potential impact of the physicochemical characteristics of nano‐laminated biopolymer coatings on the bioavailability of encapsulated lipids. The effects of layer thickness, composition, electrical charge, permeability, and environmental responsiveness on digestion, release, and absorption of lipophilic components are highlighted. The possibility of designing nano‐laminated biopolymer coatings to increase, decrease, or control the bioavailability of encapsulated lipids is shown. Data generated from in vitro digestion models and animal feeding studies are presented. This knowledge could be used by the food industry to produce functional foods designed to improve human health and wellness.
Oil Migration in 2‐Component Confectionery Systems
Authors: Lee Winston L. , McCarthy Michael J. , McCarthy Kathryn L.
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT: Oil migration from high oil content centers into chocolate coatings results in product quality changes. The objective of this study was to monitor and model peanut oil migration in 2‐layer systems of increasing phase complexity. Three 2‐layer systems were prepared: peanut oil/cocoa butter; peanut butter paste/cocoa butter; and peanut butter paste/chocolate. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure liquid oil signal as a function of position over a storage time of 193 days at 25 °C. The 3 types of samples exhibited appreciably different patterns of oil migration. The peanut oil/cocoa butter samples had mass transfer typical of oil being absorbed into a liquid/solid region. The peanut butter paste/cocoa butter magnetic resonance profiles were characterized by mass transfer with a partition coefficient greater than unity. The peanut butter paste/chocolate samples exhibited a time‐dependent peanut oil concentration at the interface between the chocolate and peanut butter paste. The spatial and temporal experimental data of the peanut butter paste/chocolate samples were modeled using a Fickian diffusion model, fitting for the effective diffusivity. Values of the diffusivity for the 6 chocolate formulations ranged from 1.10 to 2.01 × 10−13m2/s, with no statistically significant differences.
Alkylpyrazines and Other Volatiles in Cocoa Liquors at pH 5 to 8, by Selected Ion Flow Tube‐Mass Spectrometry (SIFT‐MS)
Authors: Huang Yang , Barringer Sheryl A.
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT:  Cocoa beans were alkalized before or after roasting and made into cocoa liquor before analyzing by SIFT‐MS. In both alkalized‐before‐roasting and alkalized‐after‐roasting samples, there were significantly higher concentrations of alkylpyrazines for the samples with pH above 7 than pH below 7. At pH 8, the concentrations of 2,3‐, 2,5‐, and 2,6‐dimethylpyrazine (DMP), 2,3,5‐trimethylpyrazine (TrMP), 2,3,5,6‐tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), and 2,3‐diethyl‐5‐methylpyrazine (EMP) in the samples alkalized‐before‐roasting were higher than those in the samples alkalized‐after‐roasting. Volatiles increased under conditions that promoted the Maillard reaction. The partition coefficient was not significantly affected by pH from 5.2 to 8. The ratios of TrMP/DMP and DMP/TMP increased while the ratio of TMP/TrMP decreased as the pH increased. The concentrations of Strecker aldehydes and other volatiles followed a similar pattern as that of the alkylpyrazines. High pH favors the production of alkylpyrazines and Strecker aldehydes.

Practical Applications: Cocoa beans alkalized‐before‐roasting had higher levels of many important chocolate aroma volatiles than those alkalized‐after‐roasting. Thus, alkalizing before roasting should produce a stronger cocoa aroma. The higher the pH, the higher the concentrations of these important volatiles. There was little change in volatile concentration at acid pH. Above pH 7, volatile levels increased rapidly with increasing pH. To maintain the recommended ratio of tetramethylpyrazine to trimethylpyrazine, a longer roasting time or higher temperature is needed for cocoa liquor with a pH below 6.5, while a shorter roasting time or lower temperature is needed for cocoa liquor with a pH above 7.
The Impact of Initial Factors on Therapeutic Alliance in Individual and Couples Therapy
Authors: Knerr Michael , Bartle‐Haring Suzanne , McDowell Tiffany , Adkins Katie , Delaney Robin Ostrom , Gangamma Rashmi , Glebova Tatiana , Grafsky Erika , Meyer Kevin
Published: December 2009

The study uses 457 clients to investigate the impact of initial client factors on the development of therapeutic alliance. Data were collected longitudinally over the early portion of treatment. Cases included both individual and couple clients, allowing for examination of differences by case type. The study used the Working Alliance Inventory—Shortened Version (Tracey & Kokotovic, 1989) to measure therapeutic alliance. Initial factors considered included age, differentiation levels, prior stress, and depression. Couple clients showed differences from individual clients, and the variability prompted further investigation into relationship satisfaction and commitment as factors influencing the development of therapeutic alliance. Results highlight the increased complexity of developing an alliance with couples, and recommendations are provided for clinicians.
Stabilization Method for Small-Bore Journal Bearings Utilizing Starved Lubrication
Authors: Hashimoto Hiromu , Ochiai Masayuki
Published: December 2009

This paper describes the stabilization method for small-bore circular journal bearings using starved lubrication. First, we describe the experimental examination to confirm the effect of supply oil conditions on stability of circular journal bearing by using a high-speed test rig. Then, the theoretical model considering the effect of amount of supply oil is discussed. Journal center trajectories are calculated by nonlinear motion analysis under various conditions. The theoretical results agree well with the experimental ones for three types of supply oil conditions and the mechanism of the stabilization by using the starved lubrication for small-bore journal bearings is clarified. Moreover, we suggest a supply oil control mechanism to stabilize the journal bearing using starved lubrication. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control mechanism on stability for high-speed small-bore journal bearings is verified experimentally.
Analysis of Single-Grooved Slider and Journal Bearing With Partial Slip Surface
Authors: Rao T. V. V. L. N.
Published: December 2009

In this paper, pressure and shear stress are derived under steady state using one-dimensional analysis of the single-grooved slider bearing and journal bearing with partial slip on the stationary surface. The Reynolds boundary conditions are used in the analysis of journal bearing to predict the extent of the full film region. In the cases of partial slip slider and journal bearing, the pressure distribution is higher compared with the conventional bearing with no slip. In the case of partial slip on both slider and journal bearing surfaces, the single-groove, immediately followed by the partial slip region, results in the increase in pressure distribution. The results also show that in comparison to the conventional bearing with no slip, in the cases of partial slip slider and journal bearing, the shear stress increases before the region of slip/no slip interface, while the shear stress decreases in the region of no slip. In the case of the partial slip region on bearing surfaces, the shear stress distribution is lower in the region immediately after the groove. Significant pressure distribution is obtained due to the influence of partial slip on the slider bearing with uniform film thickness and the concentric journal bearing. The maximum pressure occurs at the end of the region of groove, immediately followed by the region of the partial slip. It is found that the pressure distribution of the slider and journal bearing with partial slip surface are not influenced with the further increase in the nondimensional slip coefficient (A) from 10 to 100.
Vertical Stiffnesses of Preloaded Linear Guideway Type Ball Bearings Incorporating the Flexibility of the Carriage and Rail
Authors: Ohta Hiroyuki , Tanaka Keisuke
Published: December 2009

This article deals with the vertical stiffnesses of preloaded linear guideway type ball bearings (linear bearings) incorporating the flexibility of the carriage and rail. First the vertical stiffnesses of light and medium preloaded linear bearings were measured, as well as the outward carriage deformations in the width direction. Compared with the stiffnesses calculated by the conventional rigid model (assuming the carriage and rail are rigid, except for the contact points with the balls), the measured stiffnesses were about 40% less. In preloaded linear bearings under a vertical load, the side faces of the carriage deformed outward. The deformations were minimal at the top, increased toward the bottom, and had a tendency to be greater under either a larger preload or a smaller vertical load. The measured stiffnesses and outward carriage deformations cannot be explained using the conventional rigid model. To overcome these problems with the conventional rigid model, a flexible model (taking into account the flexibility of the carriage and rail) is presented in this article. The flexible model deformations were estimated through finite element (FE) analysis. The Hertzian contacts between the balls and the carriage or rail also were considered. With relative errors of 9–21%, the calculated stiffnesses using the flexible model more closely matched the measured stiffnesses. Also, the calculated outward carriage deformations matched the measured deformations well. Clearly, there is a better match between the calculated results of the flexible model and the measurements than with the conventional rigid model.
Recess Depth Optimization for Rotating, Annular, and Circular Recess Hydrostatic Thrust Bearings
Authors: Bakker O. J. , van Ostayen R. A. J.
Published: December 2009

Inertial effects due to the centripetal forces may become dominant at high rotational speeds in hydrostatic thrust bearings. Although this influence has been recognized in literature, bearings are commonly optimized with respect to the minimum friction, and the dissipation function has not been taken into account in the optimization procedures. It is observed that the secondary flow caused by the inertia term gives a large contribution to the dissipation for applications with a high rotational speed. In this study, the minimum dissipation for annular and circular recess thrust bearings operating at a certain rotational speed is determined by finding the optimum film thickness in the recess. An example is given for annular recess thrust bearings.
Mapping Human Genetic Diversity in Asia
Authors:   The HUGO Pan-Asian SNP Consortium, Abdulla Mahmood Ameen , Ahmed Ikhlak , Assawamakin Anunchai , Bhak Jong , Brahmachari Samir K. , Calacal Gayvelline C. , Chaurasia Amit , Chen Chien-Hsiun , Chen Jieming , Chen Yuan-Tsong , Chu Jiayou , Cutiongco-de la Paz Eva Maria C. , De Ungria Maria Corazon A. , Delfin Frederick C. , Edo Juli , Fuchareon Suthat , Ghang Ho , Gojobori Takashi , Han Junsong , Ho Sheng-Feng , Hoh Boon Peng , Huang Wei , Inoko Hidetoshi , Jha Pankaj , Jinam Timothy A. , Jin Li , Jung Jongsun , Kangwanpong Daoroong , Kampuansai Jatupol , Kennedy Giulia C. , Khurana Preeti , Kim Hyung-Lae , Kim Kwangjoong , Kim Sangsoo , Kim Woo-Yeon , Kimm Kuchan , Kimura Ryosuke , Koike Tomohiro , Kulawonganunchai Supasak , Kumar Vikrant , Lai Poh San , Lee Jong-Young , Lee Sunghoon , Liu Edison T. , Majumder Partha P. , Mandapati Kiran Kumar , Marzuki Sangkot , Mitchell Wayne , Mukerji Mitali , Naritomi Kenji , Ngamphiw Chumpol , Niikawa Norio , Nishida Nao , Oh Bermseok , Oh Sangho , Ohashi Jun , Oka Akira , Ong Rick , Padilla Carmencita D. , Palittapongarnpim Prasit , Perdigon Henry B. , Phipps Maude Elvira , Png Eileen , Sakaki Yoshiyuki , Salvador Jazelyn M. , Sandraling Yuliana , Scaria Vinod , Seielstad Mark , Sidek Mohd Ros , Sinha Amit , Srikummool Metawee , Sudoyo Herawati , Sugano Sumio , Suryadi Helena , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Tabbada Kristina A. , Tan Adrian , Tokunaga Katsushi , Tongsima Sissades , Villamor Lilian P. , Wang Eric , Wang Ying , Wang Haifeng , Wu Jer-Yuarn , Xiao Huasheng , Xu Shuhua , Yang Jin Ok , Shugart Yin Yao , Yoo Hyang-Sook , Yuan Wentao , Zhao Guoping , Zilfalil Bin Alwi
Published: December 2009

Patterns of Early Migration

In order to gain insight into various migrations that must have happened during movement of early humans into Asia and the subsequent populating of the largest continent on Earth, the
HUGO Pan-Asian SNP Consortium
(p.
1541
) analyzed genetic variation in almost 2000 individuals representing 73 Asian and two non-Asian populations. The results suggest that there may have been a single major migration of people into Asia and a subsequent south-to-north migration across the continent. While most populations from the same linguistic group tend to cluster together in terms of relatedness, several do not, clustering instead with their geographic neighbors, suggesting either substantial recent mixing among the populations or language replacement. Furthermore, data from indigenous Taiwanese populations appear to be inconsistent with the idea of a Taiwan homeland for Austronesian populations.
Norbin Is an Endogenous Regulator of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 Signaling
Authors: Wang Hong , Westin Linda , Nong Yi , Birnbaum Shari , Bendor Jacob , Brismar Hjalmar , Nestler Eric , Aperia Anita , Flajolet Marc , Greengard Paul
Published: December 2009

Norbin Knockout

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are critical neurotransmitter sensors implicated in central neuronal functions like learning and memory and in diseases of the nervous system.

Wang
et al.

(p.
1554
) searched for proteins that interact with mGluR5a and identified a previously unrecognized component of the receptor signaling complex. The protein Norbin directly interacted with the receptor. Loss of Norbin in mice or cultured cells showed that it is necessary for the accumulation of mGluR5a in the cell membrane, for normal modulation of synaptic plasticity, and for some behavioral responses.
Organic Nonvolatile Memory Transistors for Flexible Sensor Arrays
Authors: Sekitani Tsuyoshi , Yokota Tomoyuki , Zschieschang Ute , Klauk Hagen , Bauer Siegfried , Takeuchi Ken , Takamiya Makoto , Sakurai Takayasu , Someya Takao
Published: December 2009

Flexible Organic Flash Memory

Advances in organic electronics have enabled the fabrication of a number of core devices on flexible plastic substrates. These include transistors, light-emitting diodes, actuators, and sensors.

Sekitani
et al.

(p.
1516
) use a low-temperature hybrid dielectric based on a thin metal oxide and a self-assembled monolayer to develop flexible floating-gate memory transistors with small program and erase voltages. These are integrated into a flexible large-area sensor area, capable of storing values from applied external pressures.
Evolution of Organic Aerosols in the Atmosphere
Authors: Jimenez J. L. , Canagaratna M. R. , Donahue N. M. , Prevot A. S. H. , Zhang Q. , Kroll J. H. , DeCarlo P. F. , Allan J. D. , Coe H. , Ng N. L. , Aiken A. C. , Docherty K. S. , Ulbrich I. M. , Grieshop A. P. , Robinson A. L. , Duplissy J. , Smith J. D. , Wilson K. R. , Lanz V. A. , Hueglin C. , Sun Y. L. , Tian J. , Laaksonen A. , Raatikainen T. , Rautiainen J. , Vaattovaara P. , Ehn M. , Kulmala M. , Tomlinson J. M. , Collins D. R. , Cubison M. J. ,   E., Dunlea J. , Huffman J. A. , Onasch T. B. , Alfarra M. R. , Williams P. I. , Bower K. , Kondo Y. , Schneider J. , Drewnick F. , Borrmann S. , Weimer S. , Demerjian K. , Salcedo D. , Cottrell L. , Griffin R. , Takami A. , Miyoshi T. , Hatakeyama S. , Shimono A. , Sun J. Y , Zhang Y. M. , Dzepina K. , Kimmel J. R. , Sueper D. , Jayne J. T. , Herndon S. C. , Trimborn A. M. , Williams L. R. , Wood E. C. , Middlebrook A. M. , Kolb C. E. , Baltensperger U. , Worsnop D. R.
Published: December 2009

Framework for Change

Organic aerosols make up 20 to 90% of the particulate mass of the troposphere and are important factors in both climate and human heath. However, their sources and removal pathways are very uncertain, and their atmospheric evolution is poorly characterized.

Jimenez
et al.

(p.
1525
; see the Perspective by

Andreae

) present an integrated framework of organic aerosol compositional evolution in the atmosphere, based on model results and field and laboratory data that simulate the dynamic aging behavior of organic aerosols. Particles become more oxidized, more hygroscopic, and less volatile with age, as they become oxygenated organic aerosols. These results should lead to better predictions of climate and air quality.
A New Look at Aging Aerosols
Authors: Andreae Meinrat O.
Published: December 2009

As organic aerosols from different sources age in the atmosphere, their properties become remarkably similar.
Enticing Tales of Science—Some Suggestions from 2009
Authors: Malcomson Heather , Jasny Barbara , Suter Sherman
Published: December 2009

Short notes on the finalists for this year's
Science Books and Films
Excellence in Science Books prizes.
Two Missions, One Microquasar
Authors: Bignami Giovanni F.
Published: December 2009

The detection of high-energy gamma rays is providing a better picture of the structure and dynamics of microquasars.
Two from Japan
Authors: Kay Carl
Published: December 2009

Notes on two Japanese-language science books for young readers.
Rejection of Anthrax Study Kicks Up a Dust Storm in Oklahoma
Authors: Miller Greg
Published: December 2009

A media maelstrom erupted last week over a primate research project that was rejected by administrators at Oklahoma State University despite winning federal funding and approval from the university's animal care and use committee.
Deforestation Moves to the Fore in Copenhagen
Authors: Kintisch Eli
Published: December 2009

As the Copenhagen climate meeting unfolds this week, one key topic will be protecting the world's tropical rainforests. The 1997 Kyoto agreement didn't address the issue of deforestation. Participating nations hope to correct that oversight in the next agreement.
SNP Study Supports Southern Migration Route to Asia
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: December 2009

A massive effort to catalog genetic variation among Asians described on page
1541
of this week's issue of
Science
has concluded that Asia was initially settled by a single wave of migration along the coast.
Internet Blockade in Xinjiang Puts A Strain on Science
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: December 2009

For 5 months and counting, an Internet blackout has been hobbling the daily routines of thousands of scientists and students in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Sunlight in Your Tank
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: December 2009

Conventional solar technologies produce electricity, but most transportation fuel comes from oil. A new class of solar chemical reactors aims to make liquid fuels from air, water, and sunshine.
Diagnosis of Chikungunya Fever in an Indian Population by an Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Protocol Based on an Antigen Detection Assay: a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kashyap Rajpal Singh , Morey Shweta H. , Ramteke Sonali S. , Chandak Nitin H. , Parida Manmohan , Deshpande Poonam S. , Purohit Hemant J. , Taori Girdhar M. , Daginawala Hatim F.
Published: December 2009

A Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreak continues in India. Monitoring of the clinical features of CHIKV infection is an important component of assessing the disease process. Diagnosis is usually made by an immunoglobulin M (IgM)/IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). However, these assays have extremely low sensitivities for the detection of infection in the majority of CHIKV patients during the acute stage of infection (during the 1 to 4 days after infection). In our laboratory, a sensitive ELISA protocol for antigen detection has been developed for the detection of CHIKV infection in the acute stage, and in the present study we assessed the usefulness of this ELISA-based system for the detection of CHIKV infection. We performed a prospective, double-blinded study of 205 Indian patients with suspected CHIKV infection in the Nagpur District. All patients underwent a full clinical assessment, and their serum samples were analyzed for the presence of antigens and of IgM and IgG by an ELISA protocol. In patients with CHIKV infection, the sensitivity of antigen detection was 85%, which was significantly higher (
P
< 0.001) than that of IgM (17%) or IgG (45%) detection. The sensitivity of IgM (20%) or IgG (25%) detection was significantly lower than that of the antigen assay (95%) for patients with acute infections (i.e., from day 1 to day 5 after infection). Antigen detection not only gives a positive confirmatory result in the early phase of the disease, but it is also useful in the prodromal and subclinical stage and may be useful for field applications for the rapid detection of CHIKV infection.
Immunogenicity of a Psoralen-Inactivated Dengue Virus Type 1 Vaccine Candidate in Mice
Authors: Maves Ryan C. , Castillo Oré Roger M. , Porter Kevin R. , Kochel Tadeusz J.
Published: December 2009

We evaluated a novel psoralen-inactivated dengue virus type 1 (DENV-1) vaccine candidate in
Mus musculus
mice. Mice received intradermal alum or 5 to 10 ng of psoralen-inactivated virus. Anti-DENV-1 neutralizing antibody was detectable in 10/11 mice receiving a 10-ng dose at 90 days. Psoralen-inactivated DENV-1 is immunogenic in mice.
Association of Reduced Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha, Gamma Interferon, and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) but Increased IL-10 Expression with Improved Chest Radiography in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Su Wen-Lin , Perng Wann-Cherng , Huang Ching-Hui , Yang Cheng-Yu , Wu Chin-Pyng , Chen Jenn-Han
Published: December 2009

Mycobacterium tuberculosisinfection is a major world health issue. The early identification of patients at risk for a poor response to anti-M. tuberculosistherapy would help elucidate the key players in the anti-M. tuberculosisresponse. The objective of the present study was to correlate the modulation of cytokine expression (interleukin-1 [IL-1], IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, gamma interferon [IFN-γ], interferon-inducible protein [IP-10], and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 [MCP-1]) with the clinical response to 2 months of intensive therapy. From January to December 2007, 40M. tuberculosis-infected patients and 40 healthy patients were recruited. After exclusion for diabetes, 32 patients and 36 controls were analyzed. The clinical responses of theM. tuberculosis-infected patients on the basis of the findings of chest radiography were compared to their plasma cytokine levels measured before and after 2 months of intensive anti-M. tuberculosistherapy and 6 months of therapy with human cytokine antibody arrays. Chest radiographs of 20 of 32M. tuberculosis-infected patients showed improvement after 2 months of intensive therapy (early responders), while theM. tuberculosisinfections in 12 of 32 of the patients resolved after a further 4 months (late responders). The levels of expression of TNF-α, MCP-1, IFN-γ, and IL-1β were decreased; and the level of IL-10 increased in early responders. After adjustment for age, gender, and the result of sputum culture forM. tuberculosis, significant differences in the levels of MCP-1 and IP-10 expression were observed between the early and the late responders after 2 months of intensive anti-M. tuberculosistherapy. Due to the interpatient variability in IP-10 levels, intrapatient monitoring of IP-10 levels may provide more insight into theM. tuberculosisresponder status than comparison between patients. Plasma MCP-1 levels were normalized in patients who had resolved theirM. tuberculosisinfections. Further studies to evaluate the association of the modulation in MCP-1 levels with early and late responses are warranted.
Clinical Value of
Treponema pallidum
Real-Time PCR for Diagnosis of Syphilis
Authors: Heymans R. , van der Helm J. J. , de Vries H. J. C. , Fennema H. S. A. , Coutinho R. A. , Bruisten S. M.
Published: December 2009

The diagnosis of syphilis can be complicated when it is based on diverse clinical manifestations, dark-field microscopy, and serology. In the present study, therefore, we examined the additional clinical value of a
Treponema pallidum
real-time TaqMan PCR for the detection of primary and secondary syphilis. The additional value of the
T. pallidum
real-time PCR for the diagnosis of primary syphilis was evaluated by the use of three different algorithms: (i) a head-to-head comparison of the dark-field microscopy result and the
T. pallidum
real-time PCR result, (ii) comparison of the clinical diagnosis made in a sexually transmitted infection clinic (STI) (including by dark-field microscopy) and the
T. pallidum
real-time PCR result, and (iii) comparison of the clinical diagnosis made in a general practitioner's office (without dark-field microscopy) and the
T. pallidum
real-time PCR result. A fourth algorithm was used to determine the performance of the
T. pallidum
real-time PCR regarding the detection of secondary syphilis. From December 2006 to April 2008, 716 patients with suspected cases of primary syphilis and 133 patients with suspected cases of secondary syphilis were included in the study. A kappa value of 0.601 was found for the agreement between dark-field microscopy and the
T. pallidum
real-time PCR. Good agreement was found between the
T. pallidum
real-time PCR and both the diagnosis of the general practitioner (kappa = 0.745) and the diagnosis of the STI clinic (kappa = 0.769). The sensitivity with respect to the STI clinic diagnosis was 72.8%, the specificity was 95.5%, the positive predictive value was 89.2%, and the negative predictive value was 95.0%. The
T. pallidum
real-time PCR is a fast, efficient, and reliable test for the diagnosis of primary syphilis in an STI outpatient clinic and a general practitioner setting, but it has no added diagnostic value for the diagnosis of secondary syphilis.
Selection and Counterselection of the rtI233V Adefovir Resistance Mutation during Antiviral Therapy
Authors: Schildgen Oliver , Olotu Cynthia , Funk Anneke , Zöllner Bernhard , Helm Martin , Rockstroh Jürgen Kurt , Sirma Hüseyin
Published: December 2009

Recently, we reported on three patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection for whom adefovir (ADF) therapy virologically failed, most likely due to a preexisting rtI233V HBV polymerase mutation. Here, we describe two further patients with chronic HBV infection who were found to develop the rtI233V mutation after initiation of ADF therapy. These patients represent the first cases known so far in which the rtI233V ADF resistance mutation evolved under persistent HBV replication during HBV therapy with ADF. Interestingly, one of the previously described patients, who was initially successfully switched from ADF to tenofovir (TDF) and became virologically suppressed subsequently, experienced a moderate but remarkable rebound of HBV viremia after switching from TDF to entecavir, due to the emergence of renal toxicity. Thus, we provide evidence for the selection and counterselection of the rtI233V ADF resistance mutation during antiviral therapy.
Comparative Activity of Pradofloxacin, Enrofloxacin, and Azithromycin against
Bartonella henselae
Isolates Collected from Cats and a Human
Authors: Biswas Silpak , Maggi Ricardo G. , Papich Mark G. , Keil Daniel , Breitschwerdt Edward B.
Published: December 2009

Using
Bartonella henselae
isolates from cats and a human, the activity of pradofloxacin was compared with those of enrofloxacin and azithromycin. By Etest and disc diffusion assay, pradofloxacin showed greater antimicrobial activity than did other antibiotics. We conclude that pradofloxacin may prove useful for the treatment of
B. henselae
infections.
Morphologic and Phylogenetic Characterization ofConidiobolus lampraugesRecovered from Infected Sheep
Authors: Vilela Raquel , Silva Silvana M. S. , Riet-Correa Franklin , Dominguez Eduardo , Mendoza Leonel
Published: December 2009

Conidiobolus lamprauges, a soil and plant entomophthoralean fungus, has been reported only in a horse and, more recently, in sheep with rhinopharyngeal entomophthoramycosis. Thus, little information is available to enable proper identification of this pathogen and its differentiation from other saprotrophic and pathogenicConidiobolusspecies. Using classical mycological tools and molecular methodologies, we report for the first time the taxonomic and phylogenetic description of threeC. lampraugesisolates recovered from sheep with rhinopharyngeal entomophthoramycosis. The distinctive clinical and pathological features ofC. lampraugesare compared with those of otherConidiobolusspp. affecting sheep, as well as with those of the stramenopilan ovine agentPythium insidiosum. The comparative morphological attributes ofConidiobolusspp. are also diagramed; along with the sequence data generated, they should assist laboratories in the identification of these uncommon species.
Characterization ofStreptococcus milleriGroup Isolates from Expectorated Sputum of Adult Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Grinwis Margot E. , Sibley Christopher D. , Parkins Michael D. , Eshaghurshan Christina S. , Rabin Harvey R. , Surette Michael G.
Published: December 2009

With the recent insights into theStreptococcus millerigroup (SMG) as pulmonary pathogens in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), we sought to characterize 128 isolates from the sputum of adults with CF, along with 45 isolates from patients with invasive diseases for comparison. The tests performed included Lancefield grouping; tests for hemolysis; tests for the production of hyaluronidase, chondroitin sulfatase, DNase, proteases, and hydrogen peroxide; and PCR for the detection of the intermedilysin gene (ily). We also generated biochemical profiles with the Rapid ID Strep 32 API system and tested cell-free supernatants for the presence of the signal molecule autoinducer-2 (AI-2) using aVibrio harveyibioassay with a subset of CF strains. TheS. intermediusisolates from both strain collections were similar, while theS. constellatusandS. anginosusisolates yielded several biotypes that differed in prevalence between the two strain collections. Beta-hemolytic, Lancefield group CS. constellatuscomprised 74.4% of theS. constellatusisolates from patients with CF but only 13.3% of the corresponding isolates from patients with invasive infections. This was the onlyS. constellatusbiotype associated with pulmonary exacerbations. Hyaluronidase-positiveS. anginosuswas detected only among the isolates from patients with CF. Strain-to-strain variability in AI-2 expression was evident, with the mean values being the highest forS. anginosus, followed byS. constellatusand thenS. intermedius. Cluster analysis and 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the species of SMG could be accurately determined with a minimum of three phenotypic tests: tests for the Lancefield group, hyaluronidase production, and chondroitin sulfatase production. Furthermore, isolates from patients with invasive infections clustered with isolates from the sputum of patients with CF, suggesting that the respiratory tract isolates were equally pathogenic.
Repetitive Extragenic Palindromic PCR for Study of
Streptococcus mutans
Diversity and Transmission in Human Populations
Authors: Moser S. A. , Mitchell S. C. , Ruby J. D. , Momeni S. , Osgood R. C. , Whiddon J. , Childers N. K.
Published: December 2009

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is considered the “gold standard” for molecular epidemiological study. Repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR (rep-PCR) is less time-consuming and more suitable for analyzing large numbers of bacterial strains in human populations. PFGE and rep-PCR provide comparable genotyping results for investigating
Streptococcus mutans
diversity and transmission.
Carriage of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
in a Cohort of Infants in Southern Israel: Risk Factors and Molecular Features
Authors: Adler Amos , Givon-Lavi Noga , Moses Allon E. , Block Colin , Dagan Ron
Published: December 2009

There are few data about the epidemiology of community-associated methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(CA-MRSA) among children in Israel. This study was intended to identify risk factors for CA-MRSA colonization in healthy infants, to characterize the molecular features of colonizing organisms, and to determine whether they are responsible for health care-associated (HA) infections. Nasal cultures and demographic details were collected from a cohort of healthy infants at 5 visits between the ages of 2 and 12 months. Clinical characteristics of pediatric MRSA bloodstream infections (2001 to 2006) and wound cultures collected over 6 months were also studied. Clonal structure was evaluated by multilocus sequence typing. Isolates were studied for the staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
(SCC
mec
) type and for the presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes. MRSA was cultured at least once from 45 of 659 infants (346 Jewish and 313 Bedouin infants). Forty of 45 (89%) isolates were from Bedouin infants. Twenty-nine of 45 (64.4%) belonged to a new clonal complex, designated CC913, that carries SCC
mec
IV but not the PVL genes. CC913 was also isolated from 9/14 blood cultures and 7/8 wounds. All CC913 infections occurred in Bedouin children, and all but two were HA. In conclusion, Bedouin origin was the main risk factor for carriage of CA-MRSA. CC913 was dominant both in healthy carriers and as a cause of pediatric HA-MRSA bloodstream infections.
Z Proteins of New World Arenaviruses Bind RIG-I and Interfere with Type I Interferon Induction
Authors: Fan Lina , Briese Thomas , Lipkin W. Ian
Published: December 2009

The retinoic acid-inducible gene I product (RIG-I) is a cellular sensor of RNA virus infection that regulates the cellular beta interferon (IFN-β) response. The nucleoproteins (NP) of arenaviruses are reported to antagonize the IFN response by inhibiting interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3). Here, we demonstrate that the Z proteins of four New World (NW) arenaviruses, Guanarito virus (GTOV), Junin virus (JUNV), Machupo virus (MAVC), and Sabia virus (SABV), bind to RIG-I, resulting in downregulation of the IFN-β response. We show that expression of the four NW arenavirus Z proteins inhibits IFN-β mRNA induction in A549 cells in response to RNA bearing 5′ phosphates (5′pppRNA). NW arenavirus Z proteins interact with RIG-I in coimmunoprecipitation studies and colocalize with RIG-I. Furthermore, expression of Z proteins interferes with the interaction between RIG-I and MAVS. Z expression also impedes the nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and IRF-3 activation. Our results indicate that NW arenavirus Z proteins, but not Z protein of the Old World (OW) arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) or Lassa virus, bind to RIG-I and inhibit downstream activation of the RIG-I signaling pathway, preventing the transcriptional induction of IFN-β.
Influenza C Virus NS1 Protein Upregulates the Splicing of Viral mRNAs
Authors: Muraki Yasushi , Furukawa Takatoshi , Kohno Yoshihiko , Matsuzaki Yoko , Takashita Emi , Sugawara Kanetsu , Hongo Seiji
Published: December 2009

Pre-mRNAs of the influenza A virus M and NS genes are poorly spliced in virus-infected cells. By contrast, in influenza C virus-infected cells, the predominant transcript from the M gene is spliced mRNA. The present study was performed to investigate the mechanism by which influenza C virus M gene-specific mRNA (M mRNA) is readily spliced. The ratio of M1 encoded by a spliced M mRNA to CM2 encoded by an unspliced M mRNA in influenza C virus-infected cells was about 10 times larger than that in M gene-transfected cells, suggesting that a viral protein(s) other than M gene translational products facilitates viral mRNA splicing. RNase protection assays showed that the splicing of M mRNA in infected cells was much higher than that in M gene-transfected cells. The unspliced and spliced mRNAs of the influenza C virus NS gene encode two nonstructural (NS) proteins, NS1(C/NS1) and NS2(C/NS2), respectively. The introduction of premature translational termination into the NS gene, which blocked the synthesis of the C/NS1 and C/NS2 proteins, drastically reduced the splicing of NS mRNA, raising the possibility that C/NS1 or C/NS2 enhances viral mRNA splicing. The splicing of influenza C virus M mRNA was increased by coexpression of C/NS1, whereas it was reduced by coexpression of the influenza A virus NS1 protein (A/NS1). The splicing of influenza A virus M mRNA was also increased by coexpression of C/NS1, though it was inhibited by that of A/NS1. These results suggest that influenza C virus NS1, but not A/NS1, can upregulate viral mRNA splicing.
Vaccination with an Adenoviral Vector That Encodes and Displays a Retroviral Antigen Induces Improved Neutralizing Antibody and CD4+T-Cell Responses and Confers Enhanced Protection
Authors: Bayer Wibke , Tenbusch Matthias , Lietz Ruth , Johrden Lena , Schimmer Simone , Überla Klaus , Dittmer Ulf , Wildner Oliver
Published: December 2009

We present a new type of adenoviral vector that both encodes and displays a vaccine antigen on the capsid, thus combining in itself gene-based and protein vaccination; this vector resulted in an improved vaccination outcome in the Friend virus (FV) model. For presentation of the envelope protein gp70 of Friend murine leukemia virus on the adenoviral capsid, gp70 was fused to the adenovirus capsid protein IX. When compared to vaccination with conventional FV Env- and Gag-encoding adenoviral vectors, vaccination with the adenoviral vector that encodes and displays pIX-gp70 combined with an FV Gag-encoding vector resulted in significantly improved protection against systemic FV challenge infection, with highly controlled viral loads in plasma and spleen. This improved protection correlated with improved neutralizing antibody titers and stronger CD4+T-cell responses. Using a vector that displays gp70 without encoding it, we found that while the antigen display on the capsid alone was sufficient to induce high levels of binding antibodies,in vivoexpression was necessary for the induction of neutralizing antibodies. This new type of adenovirus-based vaccine could be a valuable tool for vaccination.
Genetic Analysis of the Carboxy-Terminal Region of the Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein
Authors: Kopp Martina , Murray Catherine L. , Jones Christopher T. , Rice Charles M.
Published: December 2009

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a liver-tropic pathogen with severe health consequences for infected individuals. Chronic HCV infection can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and is a leading indicator for liver transplantation. The HCV core protein is an essential component of the infectious virus particle, but many aspects of its role remain undefined. The C-terminal region of the core protein acts as a signal sequence for the E1 glycoprotein and undergoes dual processing events during infectious virus assembly. The exact C terminus of the mature, virion-associated core protein is not known. Here, we performed genetic analyses to map the essential determinants of the HCV core C-terminal region, as well as to define the minimal length of the protein that can function for infectious virus production in
trans
.
Insertion Mutations in Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Glycoprotein H Reduce Cell Surface Expression, Slow the Rate of Cell Fusion, or Abrogate Functions in Cell Fusion and Viral Entry
Authors: Jackson Julia O. , Lin Erick , Spear Patricia G. , Longnecker Richard
Published: December 2009

Of the four required herpes simplex virus (HSV) entry glycoproteins, the precise role of gH-gL in fusion remains the most elusive. The heterodimer gH-gL has been proposed to mediate hemifusion after the interaction of another required glycoprotein, gD, with a receptor. To identify functional domains of HSV-1 gH, we generated 22 randomized linker-insertion mutants. Analyses of 22 gH mutants revealed that gH is relatively tolerant of insertion mutations, as 15 of 22 mutants permitted normal processing and transport of gH-gL to the cell surface. gH mutants that were not expressed well at the cell surface did not function in fusion or viral entry. The screening of gH mutants for function revealed the following: (i) for wild-type gH and some gH mutants, fusion with nectin-1-expressing target cells occurred more rapidly than with herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM)-expressing target cells; (ii) some gH mutants reduced the rate of cell fusion without abrogating fusion completely, indicating that gH may play a role in governing the kinetics of fusion and may be responsible for a rate-limiting first stage in HSV-1 fusion; and (iii) only one gH mutant, located within the short cytoplasmic tail, completely abrogated function, indicating that the gH cytoplasmic tail is crucial for cell fusion and viral infectivity.
NUCLEAR STRUCTURE AND NUCLEAR ASTROPHYSICS STUDIES WITH FAST HEAVY-ION BEAMS
Authors: MOTOBAYASHI TOHRU
Published: December 2009

Collaboration between France and Japan on studies with fast RI (radioactive isotope) beams and related technical developments started in 1980s, when the GANIL accelerators and RIKEN cyclotron complex started operation and RI beam production technique was developed. Several examples of collaboration on nuclear physics and nuclear astrophysics experiments including related technical development are discussed.
EXTENDED SKYRME INTERACTION FOR SPIN CHANNELS
Authors: MARGUERON J. , SAGAWA H.
Published: December 2009

Most of the Skyrme interactions are known to predict spin or isospin instabilities beyond the saturation density of nuclear matter which contradict predictions based on realistic interactions. A modification of the standard Skyrme interaction is proposed so that the ferromagnetic instability is removed. The new terms are density dependent and modify only the spin p - h interaction in the case of spin-saturated system.
PAIRING VIBRATIONS STUDY FROM TIME-DEPENDENT HARTREE-FOCK-BOGOLIUBOV FORMALISM
Authors: AVEZ B. , SIMENEL C. , CHOMAZ Ph.
Published: December 2009

We study pairing vibrations in 18,20,22 O and 42,44,46 Ca nuclei solving the time-dependent Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov equation in coordinate space with spherical symmetry. We use the SLy4 Skyrme functional in the particle-hole part of the energy density functional and a local, density-dependent pairing functional in its particle-particle (hole-hole) part. Pairing vibrations are excited by a two-neutrons transfer operator. The Fourier analysis of the time-dependent response of the expectation value of this operator in the linear regime is used to extract strength functions. The presence of the giant pairing vibration is discussed.
CONFIGURATION MIXING WITHIN THE ENERGY DENSITY FUNCTIONAL FORMALISM: PATHOLOGIES AND CURES
Authors: LACROIX DENIS , BENDER MICHAEL , DUGUET THOMAS
Published: December 2009

Configuration mixing calculations performed in terms of the Skyrme/Gogny Energy Density Functional (EDF) rely on extending the Single-Reference energy functional into non-diagonal EDF kernels. The standard way to do so, based on an analogy with the pure Hamiltonian case and the use of the generalized Wick theorem, is responsible for the recently observed divergences and steps in Multi-Reference calculations. We summarize here the minimal solution to this problem recently proposed1 and applied with success to particle number restoration2. Such a regularization method provides suitable corrections of pathologies for EDF depending on integer powers of the density. The specific case of fractional powers of the density3 is also discussed.
ENERGY DISSIPATION IN FUSION REACTIONS FROM DYNAMICAL MEAN-FIELD THEORY
Authors: WASHIYAMA KOUHEI , LACROIX DENIS
Published: December 2009

Nucleus-nucleus interaction potentials and friction coefficients associated with one-body energy dissipation in the entrance channel of fusion reactions are extracted from the microscopic time-dependent Hartree-Fock theory. They show center-of-mass energy dependence close to the Coulomb barrier energy. This dependence indicates dynamical reorganization of internal degrees of freedom. We give a simple estimate of excitation energy from microscopic nucleon exchange.
TWO-PROTON RADIOACTIVITY – A TOOL FOR NUCLEAR STRUCTURE
Authors: BLANK BERTRAM
Published: December 2009

Two-proton radioactivity was discovered a few years ago. Since then two to three nuclei, 45 Fe , 54 Zn and most likely 48 Ni , have been observed to exhibit this new decay mode. A comparison with theoretical models demonstrates that already at this early stage of two-proton radioactivity studies reasonable agreement between experiment and theory is reached. New experiments allowed to observe directly the two protons emitted.
RESONANT ELASTIC AND INELASTIC SCATTERING ASTROPHYSICAL APPLICATIONS NEW PARADIGM BEYOND DRIP-LINES?
Authors: DE OLIVEIRA SANTOS F. , STEFAN I. , DALOUZY J.-C.
Published: December 2009

Two experimental techniques have been developed at GANIL using resonant elastic and inelastic scattering reactions in inverse kinematics. These techniques were used to study the structure of unstable nuclei. A brief description of the methods is presented through two examples of application in astrophysics. Moreover, new ideas and simple questions are put forward: what happens in the low energy tail of unbound nuclei ground state resonances?
FRAGMENTATION OF RADIOACTIVE BEAMS FOR TAILORING FISSION TRANSIENTS
Authors: Schmitt C. , KELIĆ A. , SCHMIDT K.-H. , HEINZ A. , JURADO B. , NADTOCHY P. N.
Published: December 2009

A novel experimental approach for studying dissipative effects in nuclear fission has been developed at GSI, Darmstadt. Fragmentation of radioactive heavy-ion beams is employed to prepare fissile nuclei in well-defined initial conditions and the fission-fragment nuclear charge distribution is used for investigating pre-saddle dynamics in detail. The undeniable manifestation of transient effects at high temperature is demonstrated and the influence of the initial deformation is clearly evidenced for the first time.
NUCLEAR POINT-GROUP SYMMETRIES AND NEW IDEAS ABOUT NUCLEAR STABILITY: AN OVERVIEW
Authors: DUDEK J. , CURIEN D. , GÓŹDŹ A. , MAZUREK K.
Published: December 2009

The nuclear mean-field theory and the group representation theory can be used to optimise the search for strong nuclear shell effects. The two theories allow to correlate the symmetry aspects with the presence of large gaps in the single-particle spectra, facilitate in this way the conditions of search for strong nucleonic- and nuclear-binding and thus for an increased nuclear stability. In this article we give a short overview of the related on-going research, focussing on the results of the TetraNuc Collaboration.
FROM DI-NUCLEUS TO MONO-NUCLEUS: NECK EVOLUTION IN FUSION OF MASSIVE SYSTEMS
Authors: ABE YASUHISA , SHEN CAIWAN , BOILLEY DAVID , GIRAUD BERTRAND G.
Published: December 2009

Dynamics of the neck degree of freedom during fusioning process between heavy ions is studied. Time scales of the three degrees of freedom (the relative distance, the neck and the mass-asymmetry) are studied, showing an early equilibration of the neck. This means that a di-nucleus formed by the incident combination of ions quickly forms a mono-nucleus with a superdeformation during the fusion process and that the other two degrees of freedom have to be solved in a coupled way. A brief introduction of Langevin approach and dissipation-fluctuation dynamics is also given and of the application to the synthesis of the superheavy elements.