bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling the Evacuation of Large-Scale Crowded Pedestrian Facilities
Authors: Abdelghany Ahmed , Abdelghany Khaled , Mahmassani Hani , Al-Ahmadi Hasan , Alhalabi Wael
Published: February 2011

This paper presents a simulation modeling framework for evaluating the performance of large-scale crowded pedestrian facilities during emergency evacuation. The framework adopts a microsimulation assignment approach implemented in a cellular automata platform. It captures the different behavioral rules that govern the dynamics of evacuees' decisions, including exit gate choice, path choice, frequency of path updating, and the evacuees' tolerance of congestion. The framework is first used to investigate the sensitivity of evacuation performance to the behavioral rules that were introduced. Next, it is used to evaluate evacuation performance in a large pedestrian facility, with a capacity of about 50,000 pedestrians, that frequently operates at extreme congestion levels. Several experiments are designed to investigate the impact of different model parameters on evacuation performance. The results illustrate the impact that the evacuees' behavior can have on the performance of the evacuation process. In particular, overall performance of the evacuation process can be improved if evacuees are trained to make a better choice of gate, so that they weigh both the proximity of a gate and the level of congestion around that gate. Furthermore, when evacuees have the opportunity to learn about better exit opportunities, either on their own or through a guidance system, they can frequently update their exit decisions and the overall evacuation performance improves. In addition, the evacuation throughput generally improves as evacuees become less tolerant of congestion.
Library and Information Science (LIS) Education: A conceptual framework towards "Europeisation"
Authors: Tammaro Anna Maria
Published: February 2011

DOI: 10.3329/jbayr.v1i1.6950Journal of Bangladesh Association of Young Researchers Vol.1(1) 2011 pp.1-13
Chemically Induced Breast Tumors in Rats Are Detectable in Early Stages by Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging but Not by Changes in the Acute-Phase Reactants in Serum
Authors: Golbabapour Shahram , Pang Wei Wei , George John , Pasupati Thanikachalam , Abdul-Rahman Puteri Shafinaz , Hashim Onn Haji
Published: February 2011

The present study was undertaken to develop a rat model for monitoring the early development of breast cancer. Twelve female rats were divided into two groups of six rats that were either treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea to induce breast cancer or with bacterial lipopolysaccharide to induce inflammation. Serum samples taken from the rats prior to the treatment were used as controls. By the 14th week, presence of the tumor was detectable by contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and confirmed by histopathology. When the serum proteins of the rats were examined by 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), no difference could be detected in the profiles of all proteins before and 18 weeks after administration of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. However, higher expression of alpha-1B glycoprotein was detectable by 2-DE in serum samples of rats at the 18th week post-treatment with lipopolysaccharide.
Introduction aux grands problèmes maritimes de la France en 1984
Authors: Guilcher André
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACT

This foreword summarizes the trends of our special issue, devoted to the present-time management of the French marine and coastal problems. The main items discussed in the papers are pointed out, and it is shown that the most important questions in this respect are actually considered in France, although much remains often to be done before adequate solutions are found.
Le conflit des pêches françaises en 1980 : essai de socio-géographie halieutique
Authors: Corlay Jean-Pierre
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACT

The relations generally made of the outbreak of contestation and violence which occurred in the French fisheries during the Summer of 1980 are too often made on a global scale. The detailed study of these events shows, however, that they were multifarious, and resulted from the coexistence and combination of local conflicts. Besides the general problems which arise in the French fisheries, the situations in the different ports and regions appeared actually to be quite diverse. The key for their understanding is the consideration of the different localized halieutic systems which characterize these fisheries.
Les disparités géographiques de l'emploi et de la formation des femmes en Maine-et-Loire
Authors: Pihet Christian
Published: February 2011

Cette note présente quelques aspects du travail féminin dans un département de l'Ouest. On constate un lien direct entre la féminisation du nombre des actifs et la dimension des villes. La description de la structure de l'emploi féminin fait ressortir la prédominance du secteur tertiaire à ANGERS, mais aussi l'originalité des Mauges. La faiblesse de la formation de la main-d'œuvre féminine la rend vulnérable au chômage.
La spécialisation des activités dans les îles de Batz, d'Ouessant et de Groix : une forme d'adaptation aux contraintes liées à l'insularité
Authors: Le Démézet Maurice , Brigand Louis
Published: February 2011

RÉSUMÉ

Les études historiques et socio-économiques menées ces dernières années dans les îles de Batz, Ouessant et Groix (Bretagne) ont permis de constater une spécialisation des activités. Cette spécialisation apparaît en terme d'aménagement et de développement comme une nécessaire adaptation économique aux contraintes liées à l'insularité.

L'île de Batz s'oriente de plus en plus vers une agriculture spéculative. Ouessant subit la crise de la Marine marchande. Groix choisit le développement touristique. Ces orientations découlent d'événements historiques le plus souvent induits par le continent et conditionnent les enjeux et le devenir de ces territoires.
Les problèmes d'aménagement suscités par la croissance du port de Zeebrugge
Authors: Charlier Jacques
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACT

The rise of the port-industrial growth pole of Zeebrugge has arisen thanks to the simultaneous actions of the belgian State and of powerfull local and regional interests. Most of the opposition to the building of this new oceanic gateway came from other national ports, while the lack of a proper urban planning at the initial stage has led to a non functional fragmentation of the Zeebrugge urban area.
Le rapport des marins-pêcheurs aux plaisanciers : un analyseur de leurs représentations de la mer comme espace professionnel
Authors: Bascoul J.L. , Brouat J. P.
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACT

The fishermen who practise inshore fishing as a trade have to share their maritime area with amateur fishermen. This situation is a real problem. What professional fishermen say about their amateur counterparts clearly indicates that they consider the sea as a natural and wild area, whose resources are often regarded as inexhaustible, and also that their representation of marketing is sometimes limited to their wives'stalls in the nearby village markets.

Besides, their statements reveal two kinds of social relationships : their relationship with holiday amateur fishermen on the one hand and their relationship with retired amateur fishermen on the other hand. Holiday fishermen are often looked upon as strangers who have to bear the criticisms one would not dare to level at retired amateur fishermen.

Finally the increasing number of holiday amateur fishermen who do not share the same cultural background is altering the way in which maritime space is being controlled : it is shifting from a system of informal norms specific to the profession to a system of formal norms based on official rules.
Les pêcheurs des Tiers-Mondes et les enjeux alimentaires nord-sud : de l'indifférence à l'esquisse d'une mobilisation internationale
Authors: Rieucau Jean
Published: February 2011

RÉSUMÉ

Dans le Tiers-Monde tropical, la pêche apparaît comme une activité nouvelle, la mer comme une nouvelle frontière. Globalement, le phénomène de création de sociétés de pêcheurs, présentant des caractères de stabilité démographique, de cohésion sociale, des traits d'enracinement dans un port, sur un littoral, marquées par une originalité culturelle, l'emporte sur les cas de dépérissement de communautés de pêcheurs. Cependant, l'écosystème littoral tropical, fragile, souffre de l'urbanisation, de l'industrialisation, de l'installation d'activités énergétiques et touristiques, principalement sur les côtes des nouveaux pays industriels. Un fait nouveau gagne les organisations internationales, en particulier les O.N.G. (Organisations Non Gouvernementales) : l'intérêt pour les petits pêcheurs artisans et la pêche côtière. La conférence des petits pêcheurs, tenue à Rome en Juillet 1984, la Journée Mondiale de l'Alimentation réunie à Paris le 16 octobre 1986 sur le thème de la pêche artisanale dans le Tiers-Monde, l'engagement des O.N.G. sur les thèmes maritimes, à l'instar du C.C.F.D. (Comité catholique contre la faim, pour le développement), en témoignent.
Évolutions technologique et sociale de la pêche artisanale sur le littoral de l'état de la Paraiba (nord-est du Brésil)
Authors: David Gilbert
Published: February 2011

RÉSUMÉ

Le développement de l'économie marchande dans les communautés halieutiques du littoral de l'état de la Paraiba a déterminé une évolution spontanée du matériel de pêche, accompagnée d'une concentration des moyens de production, d'une diminution des effectifs de pêcheurs et d'une stagnation de la production. Un plan de développement de la pêche artisanale a été mis en place par l'administration des pêches dans le but d'accroître l'offre destinée au marché de Joâo Pessoa, la capitale de l'état.
Stratégie de pêche et parcs à poissons dans un atoll de Polynésie française
Authors: Caillaud Laurence
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACT

Tikehau's main ressource derives from artisanal fishing. The method of catching fish has been handed down by tradition, using an elaborate « Park » system of traps staked in shallow waters near the pass or the channels where lagoon and ocean meet.

This work begin by a traps description, heirs to the stone parks abandonned in the early sixties. Then, by the means of aerial photographs, we attempt to understand their strategy and efficiency by the way of shapes and structures study.

This work was accomplished in the O.R.S.T.O.M. Department : « knowlegment and development of aquatics ecosystems ».
Schémas d'évolution des activités de pêche
Authors: Durand J.L. , Girard S.
Published: February 2011

RÉSUMÉ

Le champ géographique concerné par l'étude comprend l'ensemble des ports attachés au secteur maritime du Mor Braz (limité à l'ouest par la presqu'île de Quiberon et Belle Ile, au sud par l'axe Belle Ile - Croisic et élargi au Golfe du Morbihan). L'essentiel de leurs activités est dirigé vers l'exploitation des ressources côtières attenantes ; seule une faible composante de la flottille se déplace à l'extérieur du Mor Braz.

Cette communication débute par une présentation des principaux types de navires attachés au secteur du Mor Braz et exerçant au moins une activité de pêche.

Cette introduction est le préalable d'une analyse — en première partie — des facteurs ayant déterminé l'orientation actuelle des activités halieutiques, qu'ils soient d'ordre géographique ou qu'ils s'expriment à travers un ensemble de contraintes bio-économiques.

Dans la deuxième partie, on s'attachera à analyser les mécanismes d'évolution mis en œuvre sous l'angle d'une recherche de productivité accrue. La dichotomie effectuée entre arts traînants et arts dormants conduit à privilégier un mode d'intensification fondé sur une augmentation de l'intensité du capital dans le premier cas. Dans le second cas, l'accroissement moindre du capital s'accompagne d'une hausse du temps de travail.
Le rôle du drainage naturel dans la Plaine côtière atlantique des Etats-Unis
Authors: Mangou J. Patrick
Published: February 2011

A mi-chemin entre la Fall Line et la mer, le comté de Clarendon (Caroline du Sud) fournit un bon exemple de la partie centrale de la Plaine Côtière Atlantique des États-Unis. Le relief y est d'une planité exceptionnelle, puisque sa pente générale est inférieure à 0,1 %. Les légers accidents du relief sont constitués par d'anciennes lignes de rivage, plio-quaternaires, dont le Surry Scarp, à environ 30 m d'altitude, et d'innombrables dépressions wisconsiniennes, d'origine hydro- éolienne, les bays. Dans ce milieu également homogène par la nature de ses sédiments (argilo-sableux - loamj, on conçoit aisément que le drainage joue un rôle essentiel dans la détermination des paysages, que l'on peut regrouper en trois principaux types, recouvrant chacun environ un tiers des 155.000 ha du comté.

Le premier est constitué par les zones bien drainées des interfluves, livrées aux cultures (soja, mais, tabac, coton). Les sols, ferrugineux tropicaux lessivés, sont malheureusement d'une fertilité médiocre.

Le reste des interfluves, trop plat ou légèrement déprimé, fournit le deuxième type. Les sols, voisins des précédents, montrent une tendance nette à l'hydromorphie, avec l'apparition d'un horizon à pseudogley. Plus de la moitié de ces terres sont laissées à la forêt. Le climax est la forêt décidue à chênes et Carya, mais la forêt secondaire mixte à Pinus taeda-Quercus nigra-Liquidambar styraciflua est bien plus répandue.

Enfin, les zones mal drainées correspondent aux vallées et aux dépressions (bays), plus ou moins inondées. Les sols sont généralement peu évolués, hydromorphes à gley, plus ou moins riches en matière organique. Les formations végé tales peuvent se répartir en trois groupes principaux : la forêt décidue de vallée des ruisseaux et de la Santee, les marais à Taxodium et Nyssa aquatica du Pocotaligo et de la Black River, les laurisilves acidophiles des bays. Des défrichements agricoles, accompagnés de travaux de drainage, ont entamé récemment ces espaces.
Les écluses sur la Vienne : étude physico-chimique des sédiments et zonation longitudinale du macrobenthos
Authors: Chaisemartin C. , Bouet Guy , Balabanian Olivier
Published: February 2011

The macrobenthos of the Vienne river. ;

The macrobenthos of the Vienne river (France) has been sampled with a dredge at 24 (6 stations X 4) distributed along 10 km. The macrobenthos of this large river is dominated in the lentic stations by the bivalve Mollusc (Pisidium supinum) and by the burrowing may flies (Ephemerella ignita).

The comparison of these benthic communities with those of the Briance river, a water course with different discharges and dimensions, shows that the river in « Val of Vienne » is, typologically, more down-stream than Briance River.

The importance and the duration of low waters combined with the differences of slope are probably the most significant factors defining the composition of benthic communauties of these two rivers.

Physical and chemical studies on the sediments of Vienne river.

Physical and chemical analyses were made on 24 sediment cores, taken at 24 sites of the bottom area, at several lentic stations of the Vienne river.

The horizontal changes of the major parameters are analysed and showed their spatial distributions and the outlines of the sedimentation processes. The influence of nutrients vectors and other allochtonous materials is specially emphasised.
A Comparative Analysis of Monthly Out-of-Pocket Costs for Patients with Breast Cancer as Compared with Other Common Cancers in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Longo Christopher J. , Bereza B. G.
Published: February 2011

Background: Monthly out-of-pocket costs (OOPC) for Ontario patients with cancer have previously been reported, but little detail has been provided on differences based on tumour type. Methods: A questionnaire administered in cancer clinics in the province of Ontario, with a mix of urban and rural patients, was analyzed using descriptive statistics and a regression analysis of cross-sectional data. The dependent variable was OOPC (Canadian dollars), analyzed separately for total OOPC (excluding imputed travel costs), and for each of the individual cost categories. Results: Compared with colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer patients combined, breast cancer patients had statistically significantly higher total OOPC ($393 vs. $149, p = 0.02), device costs ($142 vs. $12, p = 0.018), and family care costs ($38 vs. $3, p = 0.01). By contrast, they trended toward lower costs for travel ($225 vs. $426, p = 0.055) and had lower costs for parking ($32 vs. $53, p = 0.0198). Compared with non-breast cancer patients, patients with breast cancer reported a greater perceived financial burden (31% vs. 17% p = 0.0133). Interpretation: These findings highlight that financial burden for cancer patients can vary by tumour type, and that patients with breast cancer may require a different mix of supportive services than do patients with other common tumour types. Supportive care programs related to financial burden should consider the likelihood and nature of financial burden when counselling breast cancer patients.
Characterization of Published Errors in High-Impact Oncology Journals
Authors: Molckovsky A. , Vickers M.M. , Tang Patricia
Published: February 2011

Purpose: To assess the frequency and propagation rate of published errors in the oncology literature and to determine possible contributing factors. Methods: We reviewed 10 major oncology journals to determine variability in the online presentation of errata. Canadian oncologists were surveyed regarding characteristics that may influence error propagation. Errors published during 2004–2007 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI) were classified as trivial or serious (that is, whether change in outcome was involved). The frequency of citation and error propagation was determined for serious errors. Results: Of the 10 journals reviewed, 9 present links from the original article to the erratum; in 4 of those 9 journals, at least 1 link was missing. Survey results indicate that 33% of oncologists do not read errata, and 45% have read only the abstract when referencing an article. Although 59% of oncologists have noticed errors in cancer publications, only 13% reported the error. Together, jco and jnci published 190 errata, for an error rate of 4% ± 1% (standard deviation) annually; 26 of 190 errors were serious (14%). The median time from publication of the article to the corresponding erratum was 3.5 months for trivial errors as compared with 8.3 months for serious errors (p = 0.03). Error propagation in citations before and after publication of the erratum was 15% and 2% respectively (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Error rates in high-impact oncology journals average 4%, which is likely an underestimate, because errors noticed by readers are not consistently reported. Propagation of serious errors decreases, but still continues, after publication of errata.
Publishing in the Age of the Digital Doctor
Authors: Levin Richard I.
Published: February 2011

We are living in the middle of a revolution. By the end of this Century of Biology, the fields of medicine and communications will seem utterly unfamiliar to us and would probably seem surreal to our forebears. [...]
Audiovisual Riddles to Stimulate Children’s Creative Thinking
Authors: Montalvo-Castro Jorge
Published: February 2011

Solving riddles involves association of ideas, analysis of metaphors, and discovery of analogies. Therefore, promoting this type of children’s entertainment is a way to develop creative thinking. However, there is a problem: traditional riddles are literary forms that correspond to a pre-digital era. How can we increase its acceptance among the digital natives? One way might be creating audiovisual riddles specially designed for YouTube. In this research we made five prototypes of audiovisual riddles with different creative characteristics and validated them among 8-12 years old students. The validation results helped us to identify the attitudes, reactions, interpretations and ways of thinking of children when they try to solve such riddles. We also identified the resources of language and creative formats that fit best in audio-visual riddles. The outcome of this research emphasizes the need to correctly formulate the audiovisual riddle statements and their «clues» for children; this way we assure an intellectual and emotional satisfaction when solving them. It also concludes that reading or listening to traditional riddles are cognitive and sensory experiences that are very different from interacting with the same riddle in a multimedia language. Finally, we discuss and analyze the mediating role of the teacher and the importance of collaborative learning in educational projects using digital technologies.

Para resolver una adivinanza hay que asociar ideas, analizar metáforas, descubrir analogías. Por eso, impulsar esta forma de entretenimiento infantil es un modo de ejercitar el pensamiento creativo. Sin embargo, existe un problema: las adivinanzas tradicionales son formas literarias que corresponden a una época pre-digital. ¿Cómo lograr, entonces, que tengan mayor aceptación entre los nativos digitales? Una posible solución sería crear adivinanzas audiovisuales diseñadas especialmente para YouTube. En esta investigación se realizaron cinco prototipos de adivinanzas audiovisuales con características creativas diferentes y se validaron con estudiantes de tercero a sexto grado de educación primaria. Los resultados de la validación permitieron identificar las actitudes, reacciones, interpretaciones y modos de razonamiento de los niños y niñas cuando intentan resolver este tipo de adivinanzas. También se identificaron los recursos de lenguaje y formatos creativos que funcionan mejor en una adivinanza audiovisual. En las conclusiones se destaca la necesidad de formular correctamente los enunciados de las adivinanzas audiovisuales y sus respectivas «pistas» para que los niños y niñas tengan la satisfacción intelectual y emocional de resolverlas. Se precisa, además, que leer o escuchar una adivinanza tradicional representa una experiencia cognitiva y sensorial muy distinta que interactuar con esa misma adivinanza en un lenguaje multimedia. Finalmente, se discute y analiza el rol mediador del docente y la importancia del aprendizaje colaborativo en los proyectos educativos que emplean tecnologías digitales.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains from animal environment with in vitro aflatoxin B1 binding ability and anti-pathogenic bacterial influence
Authors: Armando M. , Dogi C. , Pizzolitto R. , Escobar F. , Peirano M. , Salvano M. , Sabini L. , Combina M. , Dalcero A. , Cavaglieri L.
Published: February 2011

Mycotoxins are metabolites produced by fungi growing on foods or feeds and represent a serious hazard to
humans and animals. Concerns related to the negative health impact of aflatoxins have led to the investigation of
strategies to prevent, eliminate or reduce the presence of these toxins in contaminated products. Saccharomyces
cerevisiae strains are among promising candidates that can be used in animal feed for improving the robustness
of animals in the production environment. The aim of this work was to isolate and select S. cerevisiae strains from
pig environment with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) binding ability, able to tolerate gastrointestinal conditions and with
some potential beneficial properties to the host. S. cerevisiae strains were isolated from animal feed, faeces and gut
and identified by morphological and molecular techniques. AFB1 binding percentages varied among yeast strains
according to the AFB1 concentration used. The RC016 strain showed the highest adsorption percentage at the three
AFB1 concentrations tested in this work (50, 100 and 500 ng/ml) followed by RC008 strain. All yeast strains were
able to survive under gastrointestinal conditions and to strongly adhere to Vero cells. All S. cerevisiae strains showed
co-aggregation with pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae and Salmonella enterica sub sp.
enterica). Only RC016 and RC008 strongly inhibited the three pathogens assayed. S. cerevisiae strains RC016 and
RC008 are promising microorganisms for inclusion in animal feed.
Extracts of Agave americana inhibit aflatoxin production in Aspergillus parasiticus
Authors: Rosas-Taraco A. , Sanchez E. , García S. , Heredia N. , Bhatnagar D.
Published: February 2011

Toxigenic fungi invade crops prior to harvest as well as during storage and produce harmful, even carcinogenic
toxins such as aflatoxins. Since consumers demand safe commodities, and due to enhanced public awareness of the
dangers of many synthetic fungicides, the importance of investigating alternative, natural products to control these
toxigenic fungi is clear. This study investigated the effect of aqueous extracts of Agave americana on growth, conidia
and aflatoxin production. Aspergillus parasiticus strains SRRC 148, SRRC 143 (Su-1), and A. parasiticus SRRC 162, a
mutant (nor
-) that accumulates norsolorinic acid (NOR, an orange-coloured intermediate of the aflatoxin pathway),
were first inoculated into Adye and Mateles liquid medium, then plant extracts were added, and incubated at 28 °C
for 7 days. Aflatoxin and norsolorinic acid were assayed by HPLC and spectrophotometry, respectively. While the
extract of A. americana stimulated growth of the studied fungi, conidiogenesis, norsolorinic acid accumulation (in
the nor
- mutant), and aflatoxin production were significantly affected. The reduction was produced by the extracts
at concentrations higher than 5-10 mg/ml, where all types of total aflatoxin analysed (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2)
were reduced from 64% to >99% in the whole culture, and a reduction of 75% of norsolorinic acid. The results of
the present work indicate that extracts of A. americana may be promising safe alternatives to harmful fungicides
for controlling aflatoxin contamination.
Discrimination between aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus section Flavi strains from Egyptian peanuts using molecular and analytical techniques
Authors: Abdel-Hadi A. , Carter D. , Magan N.
Published: February 2011

A wide range of Aspergillus section Flavi strains were isolated from Egyptian peanut samples. Eighteen of these
strains were compared with two type strains (Aspergillus flavus SRRC G1907 and Aspergillus parasiticus 2747) for
aflatoxin production based on (a) qualitative fluorescence using a coconut cream agar medium (CAM), and (b)
aflatoxin production on a conducive Yeast Extract-Sucrose (YES) medium using HPLC. These results were validated
by using molecular approaches (the structural genes, aflD (nor-1), aflM (ver-1) and aflP (omt A) and the regulatory
gene aflR) to discriminate between aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic strains of the Aspergillus section Flavi group
in vitro and on peanut seeds. Overall, 13/18 strains producing aflatoxins B1 and B2 in the range 1.27-213.35 µg/g
medium were identified. In addition, 5 non-aflatoxin producing strains were found. The expression of these four
genes was assessed using PCR and RT-PCR. PCR showed that all strains contained the four aflatoxin genes examined,
regardless of expression profiles. Our results also showed that aflD expression is a reliable marker to discriminate
between aflatoxin and non-aflatoxin producers. Interestingly, when an aflatoxin producing strain and three non-aflatoxigenic
strains were subsequently grown on peanuts at 0.95 water activity, two of the non-producers were
able to initiate aflatoxin biosynthesis. This suggests that growth of strains on the natural food matrix is important
for confirming aflatoxigenic production potential.
A hypothesis to explain how LaeA specifically regulates certain secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene clusters
Authors: Ehrlich K. , Mack B. , Cary J. , Bhatnagar D. , Kale S.
Published: February 2011

Biosynthesis of mycotoxins involves transcriptional co-regulation of sets of clustered genes. We hypothesise that
specific control of transcription of genes in these clusters by LaeA, a global regulator of secondary metabolite
production and development in many filamentous fungi, results from its interaction with a Cys6Zn2 DNA-binding
protein unique to the gene cluster.
Climate change impacts on mycotoxin risks in US maize
Authors: Wu F. , Bhatnagar D. , Bui-Klimke T. , Carbone I. , Hellmich R. , Munkvold G. , Paul P. , Payne G. , Takle E.
Published: February 2011

To ensure future food security, it is crucial to understand how potential climate change scenarios will affect
agriculture. One key area of interest is how climatic factors, both in the near- and the long-term future, could affect
fungal infection of crops and mycotoxin production by these fungi. The objective of this paper is to review the
potential impact of climate change on three important mycotoxins that contaminate maize in the United States,
and to highlight key research questions and approaches for understanding this impact. Recent climate change
analyses that pertain to agriculture and in particular to mycotoxigenic fungi are discussed, with respect to the
climatic factors – temperature and relative humidity – at which they thrive and cause severe damage. Additionally,
we discuss how climate change will likely alter the life cycles and geographic distribution of insects that are known
to facilitate fungal infection of crops.
Long-term effects of fishing on physiological performance of the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) in the Lagoon of Venice
Authors: Moschino Vanessa , Chicharo Luis , Gabriella Marin Maria
Published: February 2011

The Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) is an important economic resource for fisheries in the Lagoon of Venice, where this species is fished and farmed. With the aim of evaluating possible fishing-induced long-term effects undergone by clam populations subjected to fishing efforts, physiological biomarkers were measured at organism level (clearance and respiration rates, scope for growth and survival-in-air test). Clams were collected on a seasonal basis from sites characterized by various fishing management practices: a free fishing area at S. Angelo and an area licensed for clam farming at Chioggia, where a non-fishing sub-area was established. R. philippinarum collected at S. Angelo generally showed reduced filtering activity and higher oxygen consumption, revealing general worsening in clam well-being in comparison with individuals from both Chioggia areas. This condition, resulting in lower standardized scope for growth values, may be explained by both environmental and fishing effort differences. Comparing Chioggia samples, better physiological performances were exhibited by clams from the non-fishing area, though no significant differences were observed. In winter, the survival-in-air test revealed the detrimental effects of fishing on clams, whereas in the other seasons this response generally seemed to be mostly related to other exogenous and endogenous factors. Although differences among sites and seasons were always statistically significant, all physiological parameters indicate the great tolerance of R. philippinarum to changing environmental conditions.
Trace metals (Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) in juvenile fish from estuarine nurseries along the Portuguese coast
Authors: Vasconcelos Rita P. , Reis-Santos Patrick , Maia Anabela , Ruano Miguel , Costa Maria J. , Cabral Henrique N.
Published: February 2011

Organic and inorganic pollution can impact organisms directly and affect condition, growth and survival of juvenile fish which use estuaries as nurseries, and thereby affect marine adult populations quantitatively and qualitatively. Trace element contamination (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) in juveniles of commercial fish Solea solea, Solea senegalensis, Platichthys flesus, Diplodus vulgaris and Dicentrarchus labrax collected in putative nurseries of the main Portuguese estuaries (with diverse intensities and sources of anthropogenic pressures) was determined via atomic absorption spectrometry. Contamination was significantly different among species. Similar levels of contamination were found among estuaries, except for D. vulgaris. Cu and Zn concentrations ranged from 1.0 to 2.1 and 14 to 59 μg g-1 muscle dry weight respectively; while Cd and Pb concentrations were very low. The results indicate that juvenile migration to off-shore habitats is associated with low export of contamination, and no particular estuary increases the potential contamination of adult stocks. This knowledge is of the utmost importance in view of the ecological and economical value of these species and their use of estuarine areas as nurseries.
Involvement of CD226+ NK Cells in Immunopathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Huang Zhan , Fu Binqing , Zheng Song Guo , Li Xiaomei , Sun Rui , Tian Zhigang , Wei Haiming
Published: February 2011

Dysfunction of immune systems, including innate and adaptive immunity, is responsible for the immunopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). NK cells are a major part of the innate immune system, and diminished populations of NK cells have been reported in SLE patients. However, the mechanisms behind this decrease and the role of NK cells in SLE pathogenesis remain poorly understood. In this study, we found that a deficiency of NK cells, especially CD226+ NK cells, is prominent in patients with active SLE. Meanwhile, expression of the CD226 ligands CD112 and CD155 on plasmacytoid dendritic cells is observed in SLE patients; thus, activation of CD226+ NK cells may be induced by CD226–ligand interactions. Furthermore, IFN-α, which is mainly produced by plasmacytoid dendritic cells, can mediate the activation-induced cell death of NK cells. Therefore, these processes likely contribute to the loss of NK cells in patients with active SLE. Despite the impaired cytotoxicity of peripheral NK cells in human SLE patients and mouse SLE models, we provide evidence that CD226+ NK cells infiltrate the kidneys of predisease MRL-lpr/lpr mice. Kidney-infiltrating NK cells displayed an activated phenotype and a marked ability to produce cytotoxic granules. These results suggest that, before apoptosis, activated NK cells can infiltrate tissues and, to some extent, mediate tissue injury by producing cytotoxic granules and immunoregulatory cytokines.
CCR7 Essentially Contributes to the Homing of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells to Lymph Nodes under Steady-State As Well As Inflammatory Conditions
Authors: Seth Sebastian , Oberdörfer Linda , Hyde Rebecca , Hoff Kirstin , Thies Verena , Worbs Tim , Schmitz Susanne , Förster Reinhold
Published: February 2011

The chemokine receptor CCR7 represents an important determinant for circulating lymphocytes to enter lymph nodes (LN) via high endothelial venules. High endothelial venules also represent the major site of entry for plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC). In the steady-state, murine pDC have been suggested to home to LN engaging the chemokine receptors CXCR3, CXCR4, and CCR5, whereas responsiveness to CCR7 ligands is thought to be acquired only upon activation. In this study, we show that already resting pDC express minute amounts of CCR7 that suffice to trigger migration to CCL19/CCL21 in vitro. Upon activation with TLR ligands, CCR7 levels on pDC are strongly increased. Notably, CCR7-deficient mice display substantially reduced pDC counts in LN but not in bone marrow and spleen. Adoptive cell transfer experiments revealed that under both steady-state as well as inflammatory conditions, the homing of CCR7-deficient pDC is severely impaired, indicating that the reduced cell counts of naive pDC observed in CCR7−/− mice reflect an intrinsic homing defect of pDC. Together, these observations provide strong evidence that similar to naive lymphocytes, nonstimulated pDC exploit CCR7 to gain entry into LN. This adds to the repertoire of chemokine receptors permitting them to enter diverse tissues.
EBV Protein BNLF2a Exploits Host Tail-Anchored Protein Integration Machinery To Inhibit TAP
Authors: Horst Daniëlle , Favaloro Vincenzo , Vilardi Fabio , van Leeuwen Hans C. , Garstka Malgorzata A. , Hislop Andrew D. , Rabu Catherine , Kremmer Elisabeth , Rickinson Alan B. , High Stephen , Dobberstein Bernhard , Ressing Maaike E. , Wiertz Emmanuel J. H. J.
Published: February 2011

EBV, the prototypic human γ1-herpesvirus, persists for life in infected individuals, despite the presence of vigorous antiviral immunity. CTLs play an important role in the protection against viral infections, which they detect through recognition of virus-encoded peptides presented in the context of HLA class I molecules at the cell surface. The viral peptides are generated in the cytosol and are transported into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by TAP. The EBV-encoded lytic-phase protein BNLF2a acts as a powerful inhibitor of TAP. Consequently, loading of antigenic peptides onto HLA class I molecules is hampered, and recognition of BNLF2a-expressing cells by cytotoxic T cells is avoided. In this study, we characterize BNLF2a as a tail-anchored (TA) protein and elucidate its mode of action. Its hydrophilic N-terminal domain is located in the cytosol, whereas its hydrophobic C-terminal domain is inserted into membranes posttranslationally. TAP has no role in membrane insertion of BNLF2a. Instead, Asna1 (also named TRC40), a cellular protein involved in posttranslational membrane insertion of TA proteins, is responsible for integration of BNLF2a into the ER membrane. Asna1 is thereby required for efficient BNLF2a-mediated HLA class I downregulation. To optimally accomplish immune evasion, BNLF2a is composed of two specialized domains: its C-terminal tail anchor ensures membrane integration and ER retention, whereas its cytosolic N terminus accomplishes inhibition of TAP function. These results illustrate how EBV exploits a cellular pathway for TA protein biogenesis to achieve immune evasion, and they highlight the exquisite adaptation of this virus to its host.
Immunization with Live and DeadChlamydia muridarumInduces Different Levels of Protective Immunity in a Murine Genital Tract Model: Correlation with MHC Class II Peptide Presentation and Multifunctional Th1 Cells
Authors: Yu Hong , Karunakaran Karuna P. , Kelly Isabelle , Shen Caixia , Jiang Xiaozhou , Foster Leonard J. , Brunham Robert C.
Published: February 2011

Mice that were intranasally vaccinated with live or dead Chlamydia muridarum with or without CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotide 1862 elicited widely disparate levels of protective immunity to genital tract challenge. We found that the frequency of multifunctional T cells coexpressing IFN-γ and TNF-α with or without IL-2 induced by live C. muridarum most accurately correlated with the pattern of protection against C. muridarum genital tract infection, suggesting that IFN-γ+–producing CD4+ T cells that highly coexpress TNF-α may be the optimal effector cells for protective immunity. We also used an immunoproteomic approach to analyze MHC class II-bound peptides eluted from dendritic cells (DCs) that were pulsed with live or dead C. muridarum elementary bodies (EBs). We found that DCs pulsed with live EBs presented 45 MHC class II C. muridarum peptides mapping to 13 proteins. In contrast, DCs pulsed with dead EBs presented only six MHC class II C. muridarum peptides mapping to three proteins. Only two epitopes were shared in common between the live and dead EB-pulsed groups. This study provides insights into the role of Ag presentation and cytokine secretion patterns of CD4+ T effector cells that correlate with protective immunity elicited by live and dead C. muridarum. These insights should prove useful for improving vaccine design for Chlamydia trachomatis.
Murine Syngeneic Graft-Versus-Host Disease Is Responsive to Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic Therapy
Authors: Brandon J. Anthony , Jennings C. Darrell , Kaplan Alan M. , Bryson J. Scott
Published: February 2011

Murine syngeneic graft-versus-host disease (SGVHD) initiates colon and liver inflammation following lethal irradiation, reconstitution with syngeneic bone marrow transplantation, and therapy with the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporine A. Previous studies have demonstrated that the inducible disease is mediated by CD4+ T cells with increased reactivity of peripheral and liver-associated lymphocytes against intestinal microbial Ags. In the current report, studies were performed to analyze the specificity of the CD4+ T cell response of T cells isolated from diseased animals and to determine the in vivo role of the microbiota to the development of SGVHD. Increased major histocompatibility Ag (MHC) class II-restricted responsiveness of SGVHD CD4+ T cells against microbial Ags isolated from the ceca of normal animals was observed. The enhanced proliferative response was observed in the CD62L− memory population of CD4+ T cells. To determine the role of the bacterial microbiota in the development of murine SGVHD, control and CsA-treated bone marrow transplantation animals were treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics (metronidazole, ciprofloxacin) after transplantation. Cyclosporine A-treated animals that were given antibiotic therapy failed to develop clinical symptoms and pathological lesions in the target tissues characteristic of SGVHD. Furthermore, the reduction in intestinal bacteria resulted in the elimination of the enhanced antimicrobial CD4+ T cell response and significantly reduced levels of the inflammatory cytokines, IFN-γ, IL-17, and TNF-α. The elimination of the disease-associated inflammatory immune responses and pathology by treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics definitively links the role of the microbiota and microbial-specific immunity to the development of murine SGVHD.
Granulysin Delivered by Cytotoxic Cells Damages Endoplasmic Reticulum and Activates Caspase-7 in Target Cells
Authors: Saini Reena V. , Wilson Christine , Finn Michael W. , Wang Tianhong , Krensky Alan M. , Clayberger Carol
Published: February 2011

Granulysin is a human cytolytic molecule present in cytotoxic granules with perforin and granzymes. Recombinant 9-kDa granulysin kills a variety of microbes, including bacteria, yeast, fungi, and parasites, and induces apoptosis in tumor cells by causing intracellular calcium overload, mitochondrial damage, and activation of downstream caspases. Reasoning that granulysin delivered by cytotoxic cells may work in concert with other molecules, we crossed granulysin transgenic (GNLY+/−) mice onto perforin (perf)- or granzyme B (gzmb)-deficient mice to examine granulysin-mediated killing in a more physiologic whole-cell system. Splenocytes from these animals were activated in vitro with IL-15 to generate cytolytic T cells and NK cells. Cytotoxic cells expressing granulysin require perforin, but not granzyme B, to cause apoptosis of targets. Whereas granzyme B induces mitochondrial damage and activates caspases-3 and -9 in targets, cytotoxic cell-delivered granulysin induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and activates caspase-7 with no effect on mitochondria or caspases-3 and -9. In addition, recombinant granulysin and cell-delivered granulysin activate distinct apoptotic pathways in target cells. These findings suggest that cytotoxic cells have evolved multiple nonredundant cell death pathways, enabling host defense to counteract escape mechanisms employed by pathogens or tumor cells.
The Role of Heat Shock Protein 70 in Mediating Age-Dependent Mortality in Sepsis
Authors: McConnell Kevin W. , Fox Amy C. , Clark Andrew T. , Chang Nai-Yuan Nicholas , Dominguez Jessica A. , Farris Alton B. , Buchman Timothy G. , Hunt Clayton R. , Coopersmith Craig M.
Published: February 2011

Sepsis is primarily a disease of the aged, with increased incidence and mortality occurring in aged hosts. Heat shock protein (HSP) 70 plays an important role in both healthy aging and the stress response to injury. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of HSP70 in mediating mortality and the host inflammatory response in aged septic hosts. Sepsis was induced in both young (6- to 12-wk-old) and aged (16- to 17-mo-old) HSP70−/− and wild-type (WT) mice to determine whether HSP70 modulated outcome in an age-dependent fashion. Young HSP70−/− and WT mice subjected to cecal ligation and puncture, Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia, or Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia had no differences in mortality, suggesting HSP70 does not mediate survival in young septic hosts. In contrast, mortality was higher in aged HSP70−/− mice than aged WT mice subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (p = 0.01), suggesting HSP70 mediates mortality in sepsis in an age-dependent fashion. Compared with WT mice, aged septic HSP70−/− mice had increased gut epithelial apoptosis and pulmonary inflammation. In addition, HSP70−/− mice had increased systemic levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-1β compared with WT mice. These data demonstrate that HSP70 is a key determinant of mortality in aged, but not young hosts in sepsis. HSP70 may play a protective role in an age-dependent response to sepsis by preventing excessive gut apoptosis and both pulmonary and systemic inflammation.
Single-Walled-Carbon-Nanotube-Modified Pyrolytic Graphite Electrode Used as a Simple Sensor for the Determination of Salbutamol in Urine
Authors: Goyal Rajendra N. , Bishnoi Sunita , Agrawal Bharati
Published: February 2011

A fast and sensitive voltammetric method has been proposed for the determination of salbutamol at single-walled-carbon-nanotube-modified edge-plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (SWNT/EPPGE) in human urine. The electrochemical response of salbutamol was determined by square wave voltammetry (SWV) in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) at physiological pH 7.2. The modified electrode showed improved voltammetric response towards the oxidation of salbutamol, and a well-defined anodic peak was observed at~600 mV with enhanced peak current in comparison to the bare electrode. Linear calibration plot using SWNT/EPPGE was obtained in the concentration range of 50 to 2500 ngml-1with sensitivity and detection limit of 2.15 nA/ngml-1and 4.31 ngml-1, respectively. The developed method has been successfully applied for the determination of salbutamol in commercial preparations and human body fluids. Fast analysis of salbutamol in human urine makes the proposed method of great interest for doping control purposes at the site of competitive games.
Atorvastatin Reduces Proteinuria in Non‐Diabetic Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Partly via Lowering Serum Levels of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs)
Authors: Nakamura Tsukasa , Sato Eiichi , Fujiwara Nobuharu , Kawagoe Yasuhiro , Takeuchi Masayoshi , Maeda Sayaka , Yamagishi Sho-ichi
Published: February 2011

There is accumulating evidence that advanced glycation end products (AGEs) play a role in the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We have previously found that atorvastatin treatment significantly reduces serum levels of AGEs in type 2 diabetic patients and subjects with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis in a cholesterol loweringindependent manner. In this study, we examined whether atorvastatin could reduce proteinuria partly via reduction of serum levels of AGEs in non‐diabetic CKD patients. Ten non‐diabetic normotensive stage I or II CKD patients with dyslipidemia were enrolled. Patients were treated with atorvastatin (10 mg/day) for one year. All subjects underwent determination of blood chemistries, proteinuria and serum levels of AGEs at baseline and after one year. Atorvastatin treatment for one year significantly decreased circulating levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and AGEs, while it increased HDL cholesterol levels. Further, although atorvastatin treatment did not affect estimated glomerular filtration rate, it significantly reduced proteinuria. In univariate analyses, proteinuria levels were correlated with total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol (inversely) and AGEs. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that AGE level was a sole independent correlate of proteinuria. In this initial examination of the patients in this study, our present study suggests that atorvastatin could decrease proteinuria in non‐diabetic CKD patients with dyslipidemia partly via reduction of serum levels of AGEs. Atorvastatin may have AGE‐lowering effects in CKD patients as well that could contribute to renoprotective properties of this agent.