bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review article: Management of acute severe and near‐fatal asthma
Authors: Holley Anthony D , Boots Robert J
Published: July 2009

Despite a decline in the Australian overall asthma mortality, near‐fatal/critical asthma continues to be a significant management issue for emergency physicians and intensivists. Near‐fatal asthma is a unique subtype of asthma, with a variety of clinical presentations, requiring rapid and aggressive intervention. The pharmacological and non‐pharmacological management of near‐fatal asthma remains very complex. The present review discusses recent advances and evidence for current available strategies targeting this time critical emergency.
Emergency department access block occupancy predicts delay to surgery in patients with fractured neck of femur
Authors: Richardson Drew , McMahon Kristin LH
Published: July 2009

Objective:  The present study aimed to identify any relationship between existing access block occupancy (ABO) at the time of patient presentation and delay to definitive procedure.

Methods:  Retrospective descriptive cohort study of all patients aged over 50 years with an ED diagnosis of fractured neck of femur admitted through a tertiary ED over 2 years. The independent variable was the ABO at the start of the hour in which the patient presented, derived from existing ED records, and expressed as the quartile for that hour of the day. The dependent variable was start of surgery more than 24 h after arrival without a documented reason for delay. The data abstractor was blinded to the ABO.

Results:  All 442 diagnoses of fractured neck of femur recorded in the ED were reviewed, 73 were excluded (16 age, 5 misdiagnosis, 31 no surgery, 21 documented medical reasons for delay). There was a significant relationship between ABO quartile and the rate of delay to surgery ranging from 54% (95% CI 43–63%) for those presenting in the lowest ABO quartile to 77% (68–85%) in the highest (P= 0.006, χ2). Subgroup analysis showed that arrival ABO predicted patient access block, and that patient access block was associated with delay to surgery and longer postoperative length of stay (geometric mean 12.9 vs 9.9 days, P < 0.01, t‐test).

Conclusions:  The number of access block patients at the time of arrival directly predicts delay to operation in this setting. This suggests that access block occupancy is a marker of hospital dysfunction.
27 years of croup: An update highlighting the effectiveness of 0.15 mg/kg of dexamethasone
Authors: Dobrovoljac Milana , Geelhoed Gary C
Published: July 2009

Objective:  To update an earlier observational study (1980–1995) documenting dramatic improvements in the management of croup with the mandatory use of a single oral dose of dexamethasone and to ascertain whether a reduction from a dose of 0.6 to 0.15 mg/kg in 1995 maintained these improved outcomes over the next 11 years.

Methods:  We evaluated retrospectively the experience of children with croup in Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, the only tertiary paediatric hospital in Western Australia, over the subsequent 11 year period from 1996 to 2006 inclusive. Data were updated from ED, general hospital and the intensive care unit records to show the numbers of children presenting to the hospital, admitted, transferred to intensive care and intubated. We also recorded the length of hospital stay and representation rate of all cases within 7 days.

Results:  The dramatic improvements in outcomes for croup, including reduced admission rates, length of stay, transfers to the intensive care unit, intensive care unit days and number of intubations as reported in our earlier paper, were maintained using 0.15 mg/kg dexamethasone. Admission rates for croup have fallen from 30% in the early 1990s to less than 15% in recent years, whereas the representation rate has risen slightly.

Conclusion:  The improved outcomes for children with croup presenting to our paediatric ED have been maintained with a reduced, single oral dose of 0.15 mg/kg of dexamethasone.
Atrio‐oesophageal fistula: An emergent complication of radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Hazell Wayne , Heaven David , Kazemi Alex , Fourie Dean
Published: July 2009

A 72‐year‐old presented with features of sepsis, neurological sequelae and chest pain after a radiofrequency ablation for AF. Chest CT scan revealed a life‐threatening condition not previously reported in emergency medicine journals.
Protective Immunity of Goldfish Against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Infection Induced by Different Trophont Vaccine Preparations
Authors: Zhang Qizhong , Chen Dali , Liu Qiangping
Published: July 2009

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, commonly called “Ich,” is a protozoan parasite that infects the epidermis and gills of freshwater fish. Here, we used goldfish (Carassius auratus) to determine whether the four vaccine preparations (live trophonts, formalin‐fixed trophonts, freeze‐thawed trophont lysates, and trophont cilial and cell cortical fractions) of I. multifiliis (Fouquet) can elicit resistance of immunized fish against subsequent theront challenge, and whether a relationship exists between in vitro immobilization of theronts in sera or mucus from immunized fish and host protective immunity against the parasite. Experimental goldfish were randomly divided into five groups with five parallel controls, with each group or subgroup consisting of 20 individuals. Each test goldfish was immunized with one of the four Ich vaccine preparations administered by one of the three routes: live trophonts by gavage (Group 1), formalin‐fixed trophonts by injection (Group 2) or by immersion (Group 3), freeze‐thawed trophont lysates by injection (Group 4), and trophont cilial and cell cortical fractions by injection (Group 5). The fish were then challenged by a standard Ich theront challenge on Day 21 postimmunization. For every 10 d following immunization, we tested the in vitro immobilization of Ich theronts by sera or mucus from immunized and control fish. We found that although all control (nonimmunized) and Group 3‐immunized goldfish died following theront challenge, more than half (55–65%) of the immunized fish from Groups 1, 2, 4, and 5 survived. Furthermore, except for the fish from Groups 3 and 4, the number of mean days to death in each test group was significantly higher than that in the respective control. These results indicate that goldfish immunized by injection or by gavage with any of the four vaccine preparations gained resistance to Ich infection. Further analysis indicated that this protective immunity was closely associated with the in vitro immobilization of Ich theronts by fish sera or mucus.
Validation of a Feeding Stimulant Bioassay Using Fish Hydrolysates for the Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Grey Michael , Forster Ian , Dominy Warren , Ako Harry , Giesen Andrew F.
Published: July 2009

A protocol for testing feeding stimulants on Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, is described. Thirty‐five rectangular tanks (55 L volume) served as the test system into which ten 5–6 g shrimp were stocked. Every tank contained two bowls, each of which contained either 25 feed pellets of a Reference Diet or Test Diet (consisting of the Reference Diet with one test ingredient added). After 1 h, the difference between the number of pellets consumed of the Test Diet and the Reference Diet was used as the Response. Each of the four Test Diets contained a different salmon hydrolysate made from by‐products of the Alaska fish processing industry (included at 50 g/kg). A fifth commercial shrimp diet was also tested. Each Test Diet was tested against the Reference Diet over a 4‐d period in seven replicate tanks. The data were subjected to a one‐way ANOVA and a confidence interval for each treatment response was calculated. The confidence interval was used to assess the test ingredient as a feeding stimulant. Treatment means were compared using Tukey's test (α = 5%). All the hydrolysates tested were found to act as feeding stimulants.
Effects of Limited Dissolved Oxygen Supply on the Growth and Energy Allocation of Juvenile Chinese Shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis
Authors: Wei Liuzhi , Zhang Xiumei , Huang Guoqiang , Li Jian
Published: July 2009

Information about the effect of hypoxia exposure on energy allocation is helpful for better understanding how aquatic animals tolerate and adapt to a hypoxic environment. The growth, molting, and energy allocation were investigated in juvenile Fenneropenaeus chinensis exposed to five different dissolved oxygen (DO) seawaters (2.09 ± 0.15, 3.10 ± 0.29, 4.13 ± 0.25, 4.73 ± 0.12, and 5.48 ± 0.09 mg/L DO) for 30 d. When DO was below 4.13 mg/L, the growth of shrimp was depressed. Feed ingestion and feed conversion efficiency decreased with the decrease of DO. Less feed ingestion was caused by lower daily metabolic energy. Higher proportion of ingested energy lost in metabolism, exuviations, and nitrogen excretion caused lower feed conversion efficiency. More energy lost in exuviations, lower survival rate, soft carapaces of dead shrimp, and cannibalism were found in oxygen deficient groups and it implicated that hypoxia could delay the shrimp recovering from molting and cause cannibalism and higher mortality. The results indicated that hypoxia was an important factor affecting the amount and fitness of shrimp stock because it could cause a high rate of mortality and growth depression.
The Effects of Dietary Yeast Culture or Short‐chain Fructo‐oligosaccharides on the Intestinal Autochthonous Bacterial Communities in Juvenile Hybrid Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus♀×Oreochromis aureus♂
Authors: Zhou Zhi‐Gang , He Suxu , Liu Yuchun , Shi Pengjun , Huang Guangxiang , Yao Bin
Published: July 2009

The effects of dietary yeast culture (YC) or short‐chain fructo‐oligosaccharides (FOS) on intestinal autochthonous bacterial communities in juvenile hybrid tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus♀×Oreochromis aureus♂ were studied by 16S rDNA denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Ninety Tilapias in tanks (10 fish per tank) were randomly and equally divided into three groups. At the end of an 8‐wk feeding period of CK (the control treatment), YC (3 g/kg), or FOS (1 g/kg), autochthonous gut bacteria were analyzed in intestinal samples of all fish in each tank of a recirculating aquaculture system. The clear differences in the banding patterns indicated the obvious effects of dietary prebiotics on intestinal communities in hybrid tilapia. Higher variation was detected within the dietary YC group. This difference might be due to the effects of certain immune‐stimulating agents in YC on the immunity response of hybrid tilapia. It was concluded that dietary prebiotics, YC, and FOS obviously affected the intestinal bacterial community in hybrid tilapia with different patterns for different kinds.
Spawning and Development of Larvae and Juveniles of the Rare Blue Mauritius Angelfish, Centropyge debelius (1988), in the Hatchery
Authors: Baensch Frank , Tamaru Clyde S.
Published: July 2009

This study documents the rearing and life history stages of the rare blue Mauritius angelfish, Centropyge debelius, from spawning of eggs through sexual maturity. A C. debelius pair was maintained at our facility for 22 mo. The pair was conditioned to spawn for a 4‐mo period in the fall of 2005 and a 4‐mo period in the summer of 2006 using water temperature and photoperiod manipulation. Continuous spawning was achieved at water temperatures between 22 and 24 C and a photoperiod of long day (LD) 13.5:10.5. Over a 124‐d period, the female produced 97 spawns, 59% of which resulted in fertile eggs. The average fecundity per spawn was 237 eggs (range 13–813 eggs). Fertility of all preserved spawns averaged 19.0 ± 19.8%. Larval rearing attempts using wild caught zooplankton and Artemia nauplii resulted in a total of 10 C. debelius juveniles raised through metamorphosis with an average larval survival up through metamorphosis of 0.36%. Three resulting juveniles were raised through sexual maturity. Sexual dichromatism was first observed about 180 d posthatch. A statistical model: Y = (X× 0.32437) − (X2× 0.00043) − 2.004, where Y = total length (mm) and X = number of days in culture, explained 97.6% of the variation in growth (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.976). The development of eggs and larvae was observed to be similar to that of other Centropyge species that have been cultured. Results of this study indicate that the artificial propagation of C. debelius is technically feasible and forms the basis for this report.
Development of Microsatellite Markers in Sea Perch,Lateolabrax Japonicus,from Codominant Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Bands
Authors: Liu Yun‐Guo , Liu Chun‐Ying , Li Fang‐Zheng , Li Zhao‐Xia , Wang Lei
Published: July 2009

A fast and cost‐effective protocol to develop candidate microsatellite markers from sea perch,Lateolabrax japonicus, was described here. Ten suites of codominant bands that contained seven microsatellites were discovered in this marine fish, in which no microsatellite development was reported previously. All the seven microsatellites were found to be polymorphic among tested 20 individuals of sea perch. Five of the above seven loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) as determined by using the Markov‐Chain method implemented, the other two loci significantly deviated from HWE, both of them showed a large heterozygote excess (HE). Out of 21 possible pair‐wise comparisons among the seven loci applied to sea perch, none showed significant linkage disequilibrium (LD) (P> 0.008). Five additional fish species assessed for cross‐species amplification revealed that some of the loci appear to be applicable in close‐related species.
Effects of Starvation and Feeding on Lipid Class and Fatty Acid Profile of Late Stage Mud Crab, Scylla serrata, larvae
Authors: Holme May‐Helen , Brock Ian , Southgate Paul C. , Zeng Chaoshu
Published: July 2009

Lipid class and fatty acid (FA) analysis were conducted on newly molted, fed, and starved zoea V and megalopa of the mud crab, Scylla serrata (S. serrata). Larvae starved for 4 d showed a substantial decrease in total FA content, from 49.67 μg/mg to 13.94 μg/mg ash‐free dry weight (AFDW) at the zoea V stage, and from 38.47 μg/mg to 10.40 μg/mg AFDW at the megalopa stage. This depletion indicates that S. serrata larvae effectively utilize stored lipid reserves for energy during periods of food deprivation. Megalopa subjected to longer starvation periods, however, did not utilize lipid as the major energy source after day 4, suggesting increased reliance on protein catabolism during prolonged starvation. At both larvae stages the major FAs were 18:1n‐9, 16:0, 20:5n‐3 (eicosapentaenoic acids, EPA), 18:3n‐3 (linolenic acid, LNA), 18:0 and 22:6n‐3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) and this FA profile persisted in both fed and starved larvae. The highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), EPA, DHA, and arachidonic acid (20:4n‐6, AA) were not conserved in tissue during starvation, indicating that HUFA requirements might be lower for S. serrata larvae than shown for other crustaceans. Similarly, a high level of LNA in newly molted zoea V and megalopa were rapidly depleted in unfed larvae, indicating that this FA had an important role as an energy reserve. Throughout the study, FAs from the polar lipid fraction dominated larvae tissues, while FAs from the neutral lipid constituted the largest accessible energy reserve during starvation (depleted from 23.05 to 1.23 μg/mg AFDW in zoea V, and from 19.00 to 1.27 μg/mg AFDW in megalopa). The results of this study provide new insight into lipid utilization of S. serrata larvae during development, an important step toward development of formulated diets for use in mud crab hatcheries.
Quality of care for patients with indwelling urinary catheter in selected hospitals in Kashan, Iran 2007
Authors: Adib‐Hajbaghery Mohsen , Aghajani Mohammad
Published: July 2009

A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 377 patients with indwelling urinary catheter to evaluate the quality of catheter care in three educational hospitals of Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran. In this study, 331 patients expressed their views on the quality of care and 46 patients were observed. Indwelling urethral catheters were mostly used for immobile and bedrest patients (36·3%). In total, 45·77 ± 12·24% of the score was reached from the patients' view and 51·08 ± 10·83% from the observer's view. The total quality of care was low. The nurses' in‐service education programmes should be reinforced. Strengthening the supervisory system and overcoming the staff shortage can also have beneficial effects on the quality of care for patients with indwelling urethral catheter.
Help‐seeking among Korean American women with urinary incontinence
Authors: Kang Youngmi , Kim Suk‐Sun
Published: July 2009

Background: Despite the availability of effective treatments, many women manage their urinary incontinence (UI) silently rather than seeking professional help. Delays in seeking help in effectively managing UI can lead to a worsening of the incontinence and in overall quality of life.

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the help‐seeking behaviour (HSB) among Korean American women with UI. The following research question guied this study: is there any difference in HSB for UI according to severity of UI among Korean American woment with UI?.

Methods: 149 community‐dwelling Korean American women who are age 30 years and older and self‐identified as being incontinent were invited to particpate in the study. Data collection was conducted in 12 Korean religious organizations. This study uses a correlation descriptive design by means of interviews. The HSB scale was used to measure the propensity ot help‐seeking.

Results: This study showed that the propensity of seeking help among Korean American women was lower than that of general population. It indicated that Korean women cope urinary symptoms nonmedical measures rather seeking professional help. The severity of UI is associated with help‐seeking among Korean American women with UI.

Conclusions: Health care providers need to be aware of low rates of seeking care among Korean women for this problem, and the need for further education in this area.
Urine cytology is an unnecessary expense in the evaluation of adult haematuria
Authors: Turner Bruce , Allchorne Paula , Pati Jhumur , Baithun Suhail
Published: July 2009

Patients with microscopic and macroscopic haematuria undergo a series of investigations: the upper tracts are investigated with radiological investigations, the lower urinary tract with cystoscopy; urine is sent for microscopy, culture and sensitivity and cytological analysis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of urine cytology in adult patients with haematuria. A total of 6060 voided urine cytology specimens obtained from adults over the age of 18 who presented with haematuria in a single centre. Of the 6060 specimens sent for analysis, 5893 (97%) were reported to be benign, and 167 (3%) were not benign. Further analysis of the non‐benign results revealed 69 (41·3%) incomplete records and patients excluded. Of the 98 remaining results 34 (34·7%) were reported as repeat sample required; 44 (44·9%) were reported as suspicious for malignancy and 20 (20·4%) were reported as diagnostic. A total of 41 patients were finally diagnosed with cancer. All patients diagnosed with cancer were diagnosed on imaging or cystoscopy regardless of urine cytology result. This study has shown that urine cytology offers no unique information to adult patients being investigated for haematuria. It remains an expensive test and delays the haematuria pathway.
Trachea Epithelium as a “Canary” for Cigarette Smoking‐Induced Biologic Phenotype of the Small Airway Epithelium
Authors: Turetz Meredith L. , O’Connor Timothy P. , Tilley Ann E. , Strulovici‐Barel Yael , Salit Jacqueline , Dang David , Teater Matthew , Mezey Jason , Clark Andrew G. , Crystal Ronald G.
Published: July 2009

The initial site of smoking‐induced lung disease is the small airway epithelium, which is difficult and time consuming to sample by fiberoptic bronchoscopy. We developed a rapid, office‐based procedure to obtain trachea epithelium without conscious sedation from healthy nonsmokers (n= 26) and healthy smokers (n= 19, 27 ± 15 pack‐year). Gene expression differences (fold change >1.5,p< 0.01, Benjamini–Hochberg correction) were assessed with Affymetrix microarrays. A total of 1,057 probe sets were differentially expressed in healthy smokers versus nonsmokers, representing >500 genes. Trachea gene expression was compared to an independent group of small airway epithelial samples (n= 23 healthy nonsmokers,n= 19 healthy smokers, 25 ± 12 pack‐year). The trachea epithelium is more sensitive to smoking, responding with threefold more differentially expressed genes than small airway epithelium. The trachea transcriptome paralleled the small airway epithelium, with 156 of 167 (93%) genes that are significantly up‐ and downregulated by smoking in the small airway epithelium showing similar direction and magnitude of response to smoking in the trachea. Trachea epithelium can be obtained without conscious sedation, representing a less invasive surrogate “canary” for smoking‐induced changes in the small airway epithelium. This should prove useful in epidemiologic studies correlating gene expression with clinical outcome in assessing smoking‐induced lung disease.
Primary hepatic lymphoma: Imaging findings
Authors: Elsayes KM , Menias CO , Willatt JM , Pandya A , Wiggins M
Published: July 2009

Primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL) is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all extranodal lymphomas. In this article, we retrospectively reviewed the imaging features of 12 pathologically proven cases of primary hepatic lymphoma.
NRG1 / ERBB3 signaling in melanocyte development and melanoma: inhibition of differentiation and promotion of proliferation
Authors: Buac Kristina , Xu Mai , Cronin Julie , Weeraratna Ashani T. , Hewitt Stephen M. , Pavan William J.
Published: July 2009

Neuregulin (NRG) signaling through the receptor tyrosine kinase, ERBB3, is required for embryonic development, and dysregulated signaling has been associated with cancer progression. Here, we show that NRG1/ERBB3 signaling inhibits melanocyte (MC) maturation and promotes undifferentiated, migratory and proliferative cellular characteristics. Embryonic analyses demonstrated that initial MC specification and distribution were not dependent on ERBB3 signaling. However NRG1/ERBB3 signaling was both necessary and sufficient to inhibit differentiation of later stages of MC development in culture. Analysis of tissue arrays of human melanoma samples suggests that ERBB3 signaling may also contribute to metastatic progression of melanoma as ERBB3 was phosphorylated in primary tumors compared with nevi or metastatic lesions. Neuregulin 1‐treated MCs demonstrated increased proliferation and invasion and altered morphology concomitant with decreased levels of differentiation genes, increased levels of proliferation genes and altered levels of melanoma progression and metastases genes. ERBB3 activation in primary melanomas suggests that NRG1/ERBB3 signaling may contribute to the progression of melanoma from benign nevi to malignancies. We propose that targeting ERBB3 activation and downstream genes identified in this study may provide novel therapeutic interventions for malignant melanoma.
Electrical transport in GaN nanowires grown by selective epitaxy
Authors: Talin A. Alec , Swartzentruber B. S. , Léonard François , Wang X. , Hersee Stephen D.
Published: July 2009

The authors report on the electrical transport characteristics of undoped, n-doped, and pn-junction GaN nanowires grown by selective epitaxy on GaN/sapphire substrates. The selective epitaxy is realized by a combination of a patterned Si3N4 mask, which defines the position and diameter of the nanowires, and appropriate growth conditions, which lead to a near one-dimensional growth along the c-direction. They find that the electrical transport in nominally undoped nanowires is dominated by space charge limited conduction, and using a new theory for space charge limited conduction, they extract an electron mobility of ∼400cm2∕Vs and a free carrier concentration of ∼1015–1016cm−3. By controlling the nanowire doping, they observe Ohmic transport for n-doped nanowires and rectifying characteristics for pn-junction nanowires.
Surface, bulk, and interface electronic states of epitaxial BiFeO3 films
Authors: Zhang Jun , Rutkowski M. , Martin L. W. , Conry T. , Ramesh R. , Ihlefeld J. F. , Melville A. , Schlom D. G. , Brillson L. J.
Published: July 2009

The authors report on the depth-resolved cathodoluminescence spectroscopy studies of the surface, bulk, and interface-localized electronic states in the band gap of epitaxial BiFeO3 thin films. The BiFeO3 films show a near band edge emission at 2.7 eV and defect emissions at energies varying from 2.0 to 2.5 eV. The overall results clearly suggest that the electronic structure, especially the defect states and their spatial distributions, of BiFeO3 films are strongly dependent on the growth conditions and method, stoichiometry, and strain, so that understanding and controlling them are crucial to optimize BiFeO3 film properties.
Molecular beam epitaxy of high mobility In0.75Ga0.25As for electron spin transport applications
Authors: Simmonds P. J. , Holmes S. N. , Beere H. E. , Farrer I. , Sfigakis F. , Ritchie D. A. , Pepper M.
Published: July 2009

The authors describe the molecular beam epitaxy of relaxed, nominally undoped In0.75Ga0.25As–In0.75Al0.25As quantum well structures grown on InP substrates. The maximum two-dimensional electron density is 2×1011cm−2, with a peak mobility of 2.2×105cm2V−1s−1 at 1.5K. In high magnetic field, the electron g-factor was shown to have a magnitude of 9.1±0.1 at Landau-level filling factor of 4. The Rashba coefficient, determined from the analysis of the magnetoresistance at high Landau-level filling factor (>12), is 1×10−11eVm. The mobility is sufficiently high in these two-dimensional electron gases that spin-orbit effects are observed up to 4.2K. The interface asymmetry, defined as the difference between the wavefunction penetration into the upper and lower In0.75Al0.25As quantum barriers, makes no contribution to the Rashba spin-orbit coupling parameter in this system. Quantum wires defined in these two-dimensional electron gases using insulated, split surface gates show clear quarter-integer quantized conductance plateaux at exactly 0.25(2e2∕h) and 0.75(2e2∕h) in nonequilibrium transport. In0.75Ga0.25As may have important application as an alternative field effect transistor channel to silicon, and the large electronic g-factor and Rashba spin-orbit coupling parameter make this material combination suitable for exploring spin related phenomena in one-dimensional systems.
Density functional theory calculations and the induced density of interface states model for noble metals/C60 interfaces
Authors: Abad E. , Ortega J. , Flores F.
Published: July 2009

A local orbital density functional theory approach combined with a “scissor” operator is used to obtain the band alignment at the C60∕Au(111) interface. These calculations are interpreted within the induced density of interface states (IDIS) model, by means of the charge neutrality level, the screening parameter, and the “pillow” dipole. This analysis has been extended to the study of C60∕Ag(111) and C60∕Cu(111). The calculated interface dipoles are in good agreement with either experiments or other theoretical calculations, showing the validity of the IDIS model.
Is Your Computer Secure?
Authors: Chang Frederick R.
Published: July 2009

Security must be built in to software from the outset rather than added on later.
Innate and Adaptive Immunity Cooperate Flexibly to Maintain Host-Microbiota Mutualism
Authors: Slack Emma , Hapfelmeier Siegfried , Stecher Bärbel , Velykoredko Yuliya , Stoel Maaike , Lawson Melissa A. E. , Geuking Markus B. , Beutler Bruce , Tedder Thomas F. , Hardt Wolf-Dietrich , Bercik Premysl , Verdu Elena F. , McCoy Kathy D. , Macpherson Andrew J.
Published: July 2009

Maintaining Mutual Ignorance

Our gut is colonized by trillions of bacteria that do not activate the immune system because of careful compartmentalization. Such compartmentalization means that our immune system is “ignorant” of these microbes and thus it has been proposed that loss of compartmentalization might result in an immune response to the colonizing bacteria. Microorganisms are sensed by cells that express pattern recognition receptors, such as Toll-like receptors, which recognize patterns specific to those microbes.

Slack
et al.

(p.
617
) show that Toll-like receptor–dependent signaling is required to maintain compartmentalization of bacteria to the gut of mice. In the absence of Toll-dependent signaling, intestinal bacteria disseminated throughout the body and the mice mounted a high-titer antibody response against them. This antibody response was of great functional importance because, despite the loss of systemic ignorance to intestinal microbes, the mice were tolerant of the bacteria. Thus, in the absence of innate immunity, the adaptive immune system can compensate so that host and bacterial mutualism can be maintained.
Species Invasions and the Limits to Restoration: Learning from the New Zealand Experience
Authors: Norton David A.
Published: July 2009

Species invasions impose key biotic thresholds limiting the success of ecological restoration projects. These thresholds may be difficult to reverse and will have long-term consequences for restoration because of invasion legacies such as extinctions; because most invasive species cannot be eliminated given current technology and resources; and because even when controlled to low levels, invasive species continue to exert substantial pressure on native biodiversity. Restoration outcomes in the face of biological invasions are likely to be novel and will require long-term resource commitment, as any letup in invasive species management will result in the loss of the conservation gains achieved.
Grain Boundary Defect Elimination in a Zeolite Membrane by Rapid Thermal Processing
Authors: Choi Jungkyu , Jeong Hae-Kwon , Snyder Mark A. , Stoeger Jared A. , Masel Richard I. , Tsapatsis Michael
Published: July 2009

Optimizing Molecular Sieve Production

Microporous membranes composed of aluminosilicate minerals are known as zeolites and are often called molecular sieves because of their ability to filter or separate small molecules. The separation performance is partly governed by the selectivity for one species over another, and this can be compromised by defects, which allow for easy diffusion pathways. To create the porosity, structure-directing agents are used, which need to be removed during a long thermal treatment that can generate defects.

Choi
et al.

(p.
590
) show that for the silicalite-1 system, a rapid thermal treatment significantly reduces the defect density, with corresponding improvement in the filtration of very similar species, such as xylene isomers.
Pollination and Restoration
Authors: Dixon Kingsley W.
Published: July 2009

Pollination services underpin sustainability of restored ecosystems. Yet, outside of agri-environments, effective restoration of pollinator services in ecological restoration has received little attention. This deficiency in the knowledge needed to restore pollinator capability represents a major liability in restoration programs, particularly in regions where specialist invertebrate and vertebrate pollinators exist, such as global biodiversity hotspots. When compounded with the likely negative impacts of climate change on pollination services, the need to understand and manage pollinator services in restoration becomes paramount.
Ironing Out the Oxidation of Earth's Mantle
Authors: M. Hirschmann Marc
Published: July 2009

Subduction processes cause magmas from volcanoes in island arcs to become more oxidized and may influence the oxidation state of the entire mantle.
Gene Banks for a Warming Planet
Authors: Swaminathan M. S.
Published: July 2009

The bicentenary of Charles Darwin's life and work reminds us that the great biodiversity on Earth underlies natural selection, selective breeding, and the biotechnologies required to provide humanity with food, fiber, fodder, and fuels. In particular, biodiversity affords the development of plant varieties with novel genetic combinations, which will be required to meet the challenges arising from adverse alterations in temperature, precipitation, sea level, and the frequency of drought and floods—all of which are anticipated from human-induced climate change. The loss of each gene and species therefore limits our options for the future.
Probing the Cold Universe
Authors: Rowan-Robinson Michael
Published: July 2009

The launch of the Herschel infrared space telescope is expected to provide new vistas on the cold and dusty universe.
Plant Bar Code Soon to Become Reality
Authors: Thomas Claire
Published: July 2009

A paper published this week in the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
proposes two genetic sequences, or loci, taken from chloroplast genes called
matK
and
rbcL
, as the official plant "bar code," a short piece of DNA that can be used to distinguish species.
Restoring a ‘Biological Desert’ on Borneo
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: July 2009

An economic incentive for area residents is a cornerstone of the Samboja Lestari project, an ambitious effort to transform a clear-cut site in Borneo into a mix of agroforestry plots and orangutan habitat.
Unleashing an Army to Repair Alien-Ravaged Ecosystems
Authors: Koenig Robert
Published: July 2009

South Africa has scored decisive victories in its grassroots assault on invasive species. But will the war ever end?
Addicted to Rubber
Authors: Mann Charles C.
Published: July 2009

A rising tide of rubber plantations is eating away at Southeast Asian ecosystems. Can an ancient forest crop help wean the region off its monoculture habit?
Establishment of Reference Values of CD4 and CD8 Lymphocyte Subsets in Healthy Nigerian Adults
Authors: Oladepo D. K. , Idigbe E. O. , Audu R. A. , Inyang U. S. , Imade G. E. , Philip A. O. , Okafor G. O. , Olaleye D. , Mohammed S. B. , Odunukwe N. N. , Harry T. O. , Edyong-Ekpa M. , Idoko J. , Musa A. Z. , Adedeji A. , Nasidi A. , Ya'aba Y. , Ibrahim K.
Published: July 2009

A total of 2,570 apparently healthy human immunodeficiency virus-negative adults from the six geopolitical zones in the country were enrolled in our study in 2006. The samples were assayed using the Cyflow technique. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). The majority (64%) of the participants had CD4 counts within the range of 501 to 1,000 cells/μl. The reference range for CD4 was 365 to 1,571 cells/μl, while the reference range for CD8 was 145 to 884 cells/μl.
First Description of
NOD2
Variant Associated with Defective Neutrophil Responses in a Woman with Granulomatous Mastitis Related to Corynebacteria
Authors: Bercot Béatrice , Kannengiesser Caroline , Oudin Claire , Grandchamp Bernard , Sanson-le Pors Marie-José , Mouly Stéphane , Elbim Carole
Published: July 2009

We report the first case of granulomatous mastitis due to
Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii
linked to strongly impaired neutrophil responses to Nod2 agonist and a single nucleotide polymorphism within the
NOD2
gene (SNP13 [Leu1007fsinsC]) in a heterozygous state. These findings provided the first demonstration of impaired Nod2 function associated with corynebacterial infection.
Development of a Multiplex PCR-Based Rapid Typing Method for EnterohemorrhagicEscherichia coliO157 Strains
Authors: Ooka Tadasuke , Terajima Jun , Kusumoto Masahiro , Iguchi Atsushi , Kurokawa Ken , Ogura Yoshitoshi , Asadulghani Md , Nakayama Keisuke , Murase Kazunori , Ohnishi Makoto , Iyoda Sunao , Watanabe Haruo , Hayashi Tetsuya
Published: July 2009

EnterohemorrhagicEscherichia coliO157 (EHEC O157) is a food-borne pathogen that has raised worldwide public health concern. The development of simple and rapid strain-typing methods is crucial for the rapid detection and surveillance of EHEC O157 outbreaks. In the present study, we developed a multiplex PCR-based strain-typing method for EHEC O157, which is based on the variability in genomic location of IS629among EHEC O157 strains. This method is very simple, in that the procedures are completed within 2 h, the analysis can be performed without the need for special equipment or techniques (requiring only conventional PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis systems), the results can easily be transformed into digital data, and the genes for the major virulence markers of EHEC O157 (thestx1,stx2, andeaegenes) can be detected simultaneously. Using this method, 201 EHEC O157 strains showing different XbaI digestion patterns in pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis were classified into 127 types, and outbreak-related strains showed identical or highly similar banding patterns. Although this method is less discriminatory than PFGE, it may be useful as a primary screening tool for EHEC O157 outbreaks.
Outbreak of Intestinal Infection Due toRhizopus microsporus
Authors: Cheng Vincent C. C. , Chan Jasper F. W. , Ngan Antonio H. Y. , To Kelvin K. W. , Leung S. Y. , Tsoi H. W. , Yam W. C. , Tai Josepha W. M. , Wong Samson S. Y. , Tse Herman , Li Iris W. S. , Lau Susanna K. P. , Woo Patrick C. Y. , Leung Anskar Y. H. , Lie Albert K. W. , Liang Raymond H. S. , Que T. L. , Ho P. L. , Yuen K. Y.
Published: July 2009

Sinopulmonary and rhinocerebral zygomycosis has been increasingly found in patients with hematological malignancies and bone marrow transplantation, but intestinal zygomycosis remains very rare in the literature. We investigated an outbreak of intestinal infection due toRhizopus microsporusin 12 patients on treatment for hematological malignancies over a period of 6 months in a teaching hospital. The intake of allopurinol during hospitalization (P< 0.001) and that of commercially packaged ready-to-eat food items in the preceding 2 weeks (P< 0.001) were found to be independently significant risk factors for the development of intestinal zygomycosis. A total of 709 specimens, including 378 environmental and air samples, 181 food samples, and 150 drug samples, were taken for fungal culture. Among them, 16 samples of allopurinol tablets, 3 prepackaged ready-to-eat food items, and 1 pair of wooden chopsticks were positive forRhizopus microsporus, which was confirmed by ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rRNA gene cluster (internal transcribed spacer [ITS]) sequencing. The mean viable fungal counts of allopurinol obtained from wards and pharmacy were 4.22 × 103CFU/g of tablet (range, 3.07 × 103to 5.48 × 103) and 3.24 × 103CFU/g of tablet (range, 2.68 × 103to 3.72 × 103), respectively, which were much higher than the mean count of 2 × 102CFU/g of food. Phylogenetic analysis by ITS sequencing showed multiple clones from isolates of contaminated allopurinol tablets and ready-to-eat food, of which some were identical to patients' isolates, and with one isolate in the cornstarch used as an excipient for manufacture of this drug. We attempted to type the isolates by random amplification of polymorphic DNA analysis, with limited evidence of clonal distribution. The primary source of the contaminating fungus was likely to be the cornstarch used in the manufacturing of allopurinol tablets or ready-to-eat food.Rhizopus microsporusis thermotolerant and can multiply even at 50°C. The long holding time of the intermediates during the manufacturing process of allopurinol amplified the fungal load. Microbiological monitoring of drugs manufactured for highly immunosuppressed patients should be considered.
Failure of the MicroScan WalkAway System To Detect Heteroresistance to Carbapenems in a Patient with
Enterobacter aerogenes
Bacteremia
Authors: Gordon N. C. , Wareham D. W.
Published: July 2009

We report the failure of the automated MicroScan WalkAway system to detect carbapenem heteroresistance in
Enterobacter aerogenes
. Carbapenem resistance has become an increasing concern in recent years, and robust surveillance is required to prevent dissemination of resistant strains. Reliance on automated systems may delay the detection of emerging resistance.
Determining Seminal Plasma Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Load in the Context of Efficient Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Pasquier Christophe , Sauné Karine , Raymond Stéphanie , Moinard Nathalie , Daudin Myriam , Bujan Louis , Izopet Jacques
Published: July 2009

The semen plasma virus load is measured to ensure the safety of sperm processing during medically assisted procreation (MAP) for couples with a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected man. A practical, automated protocol using the COBAS Ampliprep CAP/CTM kit in the COBAS TaqMan96 system was developed to measure the HIV-1 load in semen plasma samples. HIV-1 was detected in 13.4% of the semen samples processed at our MAP center. Of the eight patients having a detectable semen HIV-1 load, five had no detectable virus in their blood plasma. This highlights the residual risk of HIV-1 transmission during unprotected intercourse and raises the question of the possible consequences of ineffective highly active antiretroviral therapy in the genital tract.
A Genetic Variant of Hepatitis B Virus Divergent from Known Human and Ape Genotypes Isolated from a Japanese Patient and Provisionally Assigned to New Genotype J
Authors: Tatematsu Kanako , Tanaka Yasuhito , Kurbanov Fuat , Sugauchi Fuminaka , Mano Shuhei , Maeshiro Tatsuji , Nakayoshi Tomokuni , Wakuta Moriaki , Miyakawa Yuzo , Mizokami Masashi
Published: July 2009

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) of a novel genotype (J) was recovered from an 88-year-old Japanese patient with hepatocellular carcinoma who had a history of residing in Borneo during the World War II. It was divergent from eight human (A to H) and four ape (chimpanzee, gorilla, gibbon, and orangutan) HBV genotypes, as well as from a recently proposed ninth human genotype I, by 9.9 to 16.5% of the entire genomic sequence and did not have evidence of recombination with any of the nine human genotypes and four nonhuman genotypes. Based on a comparison of the entire nucleotide sequence against 1,440 HBV isolates reported, HBV/J was nearest to the gibbon and orangutan genotypes (mean divergences of 10.9 and 10.7%, respectively). Based on a comparison of four open reading frames, HBV/J was closer to gibbon/orangutan genotypes than to human genotypes in the P and large S genes and closest to Australian aboriginal strains (HBV/C4) and orangutan-derived strains in the S gene, whereas it was closer to human than ape genotypes in the C gene. HBV/J shared a deletion of 33 nucleotides at the start of preS1 region with C4 and gibbon genotypes, had an S-gene sequence similar to that of C4, and expressed theaywsubtype. Efficient infection, replication, and antigen expression by HBV/J were experimentally established in two chimeric mice with the liver repopulated for human hepatocytes. The HBV DNA sequence recovered from infected mice was identical to that in the inoculum. Since HBV/J is positioned phylogenetically in between human and ape genotypes, it may help to trace the origin of HBV and merits further epidemiological surveys.
Regulation of Gene Expression in Primate Polyomaviruses
Authors: White Martyn K. , Safak Mahmut , Khalili Kamel
Published: July 2009

Polyomaviruses are a growing family of small DNA viruses with a narrow tropism for both the host species and the cell type in which they productively replicate. Species host range may be constrained by requirements for precise molecular interactions between the viral T antigen, host replication proteins, including DNA polymerase, and the viral origin of replication, which are required for viral DNA replication. Cell type specificity involves, at least in part, transcription factors that are necessary for viral gene expression and restricted in their tissue distribution. In the case of the human polyomaviruses, BK virus (BKV) replication occurs in the tubular epithelial cells of the kidney, causing nephropathy in kidney allograft recipients, while JC virus (JCV) replication occurs in the glial cells of the central nervous system, where it causes progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Three new human polyomaviruses have recently been discovered: MCV was found in Merkel cell carcinoma samples, while Karolinska Institute Virus and Washington University Virus were isolated from the respiratory tract. We discuss control mechanisms for gene expression in primate polyomaviruses, including simian vacuolating virus 40, BKV, and JCV. These mechanisms include not only modulation of promoter activities by transcription factor binding but also enhancer rearrangements, restriction of DNA methylation, alternate early mRNA splicing,
cis
-acting elements in the late mRNA leader sequence, and the production of viral microRNA.
The Expression of N-Terminal Deletion DNA Pilot Proteins Inhibits the Early Stages of φX174 Replication
Authors: Ruboyianes Mark V. , Chen Min , Dubrava Mathew S. , Cherwa James E. , Fane Bentley A.
Published: July 2009

The φX174 DNA pilot protein H contains four predicted C-terminal coiled-coil domains. The region of the gene encoding these structures was cloned, expressed in vivo, and found to strongly inhibit wild-type replication. DNA and protein synthesis was investigated in the absence of de novo H protein synthesis and in wild-type-infected cells expressing the inhibitory proteins (ΔH). The expression of the ΔH proteins interfered with early stages of DNA replication, which did not require de novo H protein synthesis, suggesting that the inhibitory proteins interfere with the wild-type H protein that enters the cell with the penetrating DNA. As transcription and protein synthesis are dependent on DNA replication in positive single-stranded DNA life cycles, viral protein synthesis was also reduced. However, unlike DNA synthesis, efficient viral protein synthesis required de novo H protein synthesis, a novel function for this protein. A single amino acid change in the C terminus of protein H was both necessary and sufficient to confer resistance to the inhibitory ΔH proteins, restoring both DNA and protein synthesis to wild-type levels. ΔH proteins derived from the resistant mutant did not inhibit wild-type or resistant mutant replication. The inhibitory effects of the ΔH proteins were lessened by the coexpression of the internal scaffolding protein, which may suppress H-H protein interactions. While coexpression relieved the block in DNA biosynthesis, viral protein synthesis remained suppressed. These data indicate that protein H's role in DNA replication and stimulating viral protein synthesis can be uncoupled.
Avian Reovirus SigmaA Localizes to the Nucleolus and Enters the Nucleus by a Nonclassical Energy- and Carrier-Independent Pathway
Authors: Vázquez-Iglesias Lorena , Lostalé-Seijo Irene , Martínez-Costas José , Benavente Javier
Published: July 2009

Avian reovirus sigmaA is a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding protein that has been shown to stabilize viral core particles and to protect the virus against the antiviral action of interferon. To continue with the characterization of this viral protein, we have investigated its intracellular distribution in avian cells. Most sigmaA accumulates into cytoplasmic viral factories of infected cells, and yet a significant fraction was detected in the nucleolus. The protein also localizes in the nucleolus of transfected cells, suggesting that nucleolar targeting is not facilitated by the viral infection or by viral factors. Assays performed in both intact cells and digitonin-permeabilized cells demonstrate that sigmaA is able to enter the nucleus via a nucleoporin-dependent nondiffusional mechanism that does not require added cytosolic factors or energy input. These results indicate that sigmaA by itself is able to penetrate into the nucleus using a process that is mechanistically different from the classical nuclear localization signal/importin pathway. On the other hand, two sigmaA arginines that are necessary for dsRNA binding are also required for nucleolar localization, suggesting that dsRNA-binding and nucleolar targeting are intimately linked properties of the viral protein.