bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linear behavior of a preformed microbubble containing light absorbing nanoparticles: Insight from a mathematical model
Authors: Sassaroli E. , Li K. C. P. , O’Neill B. E.
Published: December 2009

Microbubbles are used as ultrasonic contrast agents in medical imaging because of their highly efficient scattering properties. Gold nanoparticles absorb specific wavelengths of optical radiation very effectively with the subsequent generation of thermo-acoustic waves in the surrounding medium. A theoretical and numerical analysis of the possibility of inducing radial oscillations in a pre-existing spherical microbubble, through the laser excitation of gold nanoparticles contained within, is presented. A description of such a system can be obtained in terms of a confined two-phase model, with the nanoparticles suspended in a confined region of gas, surrounded by a liquid. The Rayleigh–Plesset equation is assumed to be valid at the boundary between the gas and the liquid. The confined two-phase model is solved in linear approximation. The system is diagonalized and the general solution is obtained. This solution is in the form of exponentially decaying oscillatory functions for the temperature and pressure inside the bubble, and radial oscillations of the bubble boundary. It was found that, for the right size of bubbles, the oscillatory behavior takes place in the low megahertz range, which is ideal for medical applications. This study suggests the possibility of new applications of microbubbles in photoacoustic imaging.
Acoustic coupling between pistons in a rigid baffle
Authors: Kotsidou Kassiani , Thompson Charles
Published: December 2009

This paper demonstrates the merit of “matched asymptotic expansions” by applying the method to the analysis of the acoustical coupling between vibrating pistons. The accuracy of the method is verified by comparing the results of this study with existing solutions. The method uses the disparity between the characteristic length scale of the nearly incompressible fluid motion near the piston and that of the far field acoustic pressure. The velocity potential in each region is developed in terms of a singular perturbation expansion. Finally, the combination of the locally valid solutions leads to a global solution.
Relation of sound absorption and shallow water modal attenuation to plane wave attenuation
Authors: Pierce Allan D.
Published: December 2009

Prediction of attenuation of acoustic fields in weakly absorbing media often uses the substitution of (ω/c)→(ω/c)+iαpw into the idealized equations for constant frequency, with αpw representing the local plane wave attenuation coefficient. This assumption is flawed whenever the local absorption of sound is proportional to the square of the gradient of the acoustic pressure, as is the case when the absorption is caused by fluid velocity relaxation. A realistic analysis yields an improved weighting function over depth for determination of guided mode attenuation coefficients.
Molecular Characterization of Antibody Epitopes of
Ehrlichia chaffeensis
Ankyrin Protein 200 and Tandem Repeat Protein 47 and Evaluation of Synthetic Immunodeterminants for Serodiagnosis of Human Monocytotropic Ehrlichiosis
Authors: Luo Tian , Zhang Xiaofeng , Nicholson William L. , Zhu Bing , McBride Jere W.
Published: December 2009

Recently, major species-specific antibody epitopes in three immunoreactive tandem repeat proteins (TRPs) of
Ehrlichia chaffeensis
, TRP32, TRP47, and TRP120, have been identified and molecularly characterized within tandem repeat (TR) regions. In this study, we mapped the major immunodeterminants of the
E. chaffeensis
200-kDa ankyrin protein (Ank200) and the minor immunodeterminants in the N- and C-terminal regions of
E. chaffeensis
TRP47. Major antibody epitopes of Ank200 were localized to four polypeptide regions (18-mer, 20-mer, 20-mer, and 21-mer, respectively) in terminal acidic domains, which reacted with antibodies in sera from human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis (HME) patients and an
E. chaffeensis
-infected dog. Two minor epitope-containing regions were identified in the N terminus and the C terminus of TRP47. The sensitivities and specificities of synthetic peptides representing these and other well-defined major immunodeterminants of
E. chaffeensis
were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Thirty-one HME patient serum samples that had detectable
E. chaffeensis
antibodies (titers from 64 to 8,192) by indirect fluorescent-antibody assay (IFA) were tested. All 31 serum samples reacted with at least one
E. chaffeensis
peptide, 30 (96.8%) with TRP120 peptides, 27 (87.1%) with TRP32 peptides, 24 (77.4%) with TRP47 peptides, 19 (61.3%) with Ank200 peptides, and 28 (90.3%) with recombinant TRP120-TR protein. A mixture of the two most sensitive peptides from TRP120 and TRP32 did not provide enhanced analytical sensitivity compared to that provided by TRP120 alone. Our results demonstrate that the TRP120 peptide can be utilized for development of standardized sensitive point-of-care and reference laboratory immunodiagnostics for HME. This is the first study to compare analysis of molecularly defined major antibody epitopes with IFA for diagnosis of HME.
Antibodies against Structural and Nonstructural Proteins of Human Bocavirus in Human Sera
Authors: Shirkoohi Reza , Endo Rika , Ishiguro Nobuhisa , Teramoto Shinobu , Kikuta Hideaki , Ariga Tadashi
Published: December 2009

Immunofluorescence assays (IFAs) for detection of human bocavirus (HBoV) proteins (VP1, VP2, NP-1, and NS1) were developed. The VP1 IFA was the most sensitive for detection of IgG antibody and suitable for screening. IgG antibodies in convalescent-phase sera from HBoV-positive patients were detected by VP1 and VP2 IFAs. Sensitivities of NP-1 and NS1 IFAs were low.
Drinking Habits Are Associated with Changes in the Dental Plaque Microbial Community
Authors: Signoretto Caterina , Bianchi Franco , Burlacchini Gloria , Sivieri Francesca , Spratt Dave , Canepari Pietro
Published: December 2009

Caries and gingivitis are the most prevalent oral infectious diseases of humans and are due to the accumulation of dental plaque (a microbial biofilm) on the tooth surface and at the gingival margin, respectively. Several
in vitro
and
in vivo
studies have shown that many natural components of foods and beverages inhibit the adhesion of and/or exert activity against oral bacteria. These biological activities have mainly been attributed to the polyphenol fraction. In order to explore the possibility that diet can alter the dental plaque community, in this study we evaluated the composition of the microbiota of supra- and subgingival plaque samples collected from 75 adult subjects with different drinking habits (drinkers of coffee, red wine, or water for at least 2 years) by analyzing the microbial population through the separation of PCR-amplified fragments using the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) technique. The mean numbers of bands of the DGGE profiles from all three categories were evaluated. There were no significant differences between the two kinds of plaque collected from the control group (water drinkers), and this group showed the highest number of bands (supragingival plaque, 18.98 ± 3.16 bands; subgingival plaque, 18.7 ± 3.23 bands). The coffee and wine drinker groups generated the lowest numbers of bands for both supragingival plaque (coffee drinkers, 8.25 ± 3.53 bands; wine drinkers, 7.93 ± 2.55 bands) and subgingival plaque (coffee drinkers, 8.3 ± 3.03 bands; wine drinkers, 7.65 ± 1.68 bands). The differences between coffee drinkers or wine drinkers and the control group (water drinkers) were statistically significant. A total of 34 microorganisms were identified, and the frequency of their distribution in the three subject categories was analyzed. A greater percentage of subjects were positive for facultative aerobes when supragingival plaque was analyzed, while anaerobes were more frequent in subgingival plaque samples. It is noteworthy that the frequency of identification of anaerobes was significantly reduced when the frequencies for coffee and wine drinkers were compared with the frequencies for subjects in the control group. The DGGE profiles of the organisms in both plaque samples from all groups were generated and were used to construct dendrograms. A number of distinct clusters of organisms from water, coffee, and wine drinkers were formed. The clustering of some of the DGGE results into cohort-specific clusters implies similarities in the microbiotas within these groups and relevant differences in the microbiotas between cohorts. This supports the notion that the drinking habits of the subjects may influence the microbiota at both the supragingival and the subgingival levels.
Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis and Multilocus Sequence Typing Reveal Genetic Relationships among
Clostridium difficile
Isolates Genotyped by Restriction Endonuclease Analysis
Authors: Marsh Jane W. , O'Leary Mary M. , Shutt Kathleen A. , Sambol Susan P. , Johnson Stuart , Gerding Dale N. , Harrison Lee H.
Published: December 2009

Numbers of
Clostridium difficile
infections have increased worldwide in the past decade. While infection with
C. difficile
remains predominantly a health care-associated infection, there may also be an increased incidence of community-associated infections.
C. difficile
strains of public health significance continue to emerge, and reliable genotyping methods for epidemiological investigations and global surveillance of
C. difficile
are required. In this study, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) were performed on a set of 157 spatially and temporally diverse
C. difficile
isolates that had been previously genotyped by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) to determine the concordance among these genotyping methods. In addition, sequence analysis of the
tcdC
genotype was performed to investigate the association of allelic variants with epidemic
C. difficile
isolates. Overall, the MLST and MLVA data were concordant with REA genotyping data. MLST was less discriminatory than either MLVA or REA, yet this method established
C. difficile
genetic lineage. MLVA was highly discriminatory and demonstrated relationships among the MLST genetic lineages and REA genotypes that were previously unrecognized. Several
tcdC
genotypes were specific to epidemic clones, highlighting the possible importance of toxin misregulation in
C. difficile
disease pathogenesis. This study demonstrates that a combination of MLST and MLVA may prove useful for the investigation and surveillance of emergent
C. difficile
clones of global public health concern.
Epidemiological Link between Gastric Disease and Polymorphisms in VacA and CagA
Authors: Jang Sungil , Jones Kathleen R. , Olsen Cara H. , Joo Young Min , Yoo Yun-Jung , Chung In-Sik , Cha Jeong-Heon , Merrell D. Scott
Published: December 2009

Gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer are a few of the diverse disease manifestations that have been shown to be associated with infection by
Helicobacter pylori
. Why some individuals develop more severe forms of disease remains largely unknown. In this study, 225 South Korean strains were genotyped for
vacA
and then analyzed to determine if particular genotypes varied across disease state, sex, or
cagA
allele. Of these strains, 206 strains carried an s1/i1/m1 allele, 11 strains carried an s1/i1/m2 allele, and 8 strains carried an s1/i2/m2 allele. By using Fisher's exact test, a statistical association between variations in the
cagA
and
vacA
alleles was identified (
P
= 0.0007), and by using log linear modeling, this variation was shown to affect the severity of disease outcome (
P
= 0.027). Additionally, we present evidence that variation within the middle region of VacA contributes significantly to the distribution of
vacA
alleles across gender (
P
= 0.008) as well as the association with disease outcome (
P
= 0.011). In this South Korean population, the majority of
H. pylori
strains carry the
vacA
s1/i1/m1 allele and the CagA EPIYA-ABD allele. These facts may contribute to the high incidence of gastric maladies, including gastric cancer.
C. Diff Quik Chek Complete Enzyme Immunoassay Provides a Reliable First-Line Method for Detection of
Clostridium difficile
in Stool Specimens
Authors: Quinn Criziel D. , Sefers Susan E. , Babiker Wisal , He Ying , Alcabasa Romina , Stratton Charles W. , Carroll Karen C. , Tang Yi-Wei
Published: December 2009

We evaluated a single membrane device assay for simultaneously detecting both
Clostridium difficile
glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and toxin A/B antigens against a standard that combines two PCR assays and cytotoxigenic culture. Results showing dual GDH and toxin A/B antigen positives and negatives can be reported immediately as true positives and negatives, respectively. Specimens with discrepant results for GDH and toxins A/B, which comprised 13.2% of the specimens, need to be retested.
Application of
rpoB
and Zinc Protease Gene for Use in Molecular Discrimination of
Fusobacterium nucleatum
Subspecies
Authors: Kim Hwa-Sook , Lee Dae-Sil , Chang Young-Hyo , Kim Min Jung , Koh Sukhoon , Kim Joongsu , Seong Jin-Hyo , Song Soo Keun , Shin Hwan Seon , Son Jae-Beum , Jung Min Young , Park Soon-Nang , Yoo So Young , Cho Ki Woon , Kim Dong-Kie , Moon Seonghoon , Kim Dooil , Choi Yongseok , Kim Byung-Ock , Jang Hyun-Seon , Kim Chun Sung , Kim Chan , Choe Son-Jin , Kook Joong-Ki
Published: December 2009

Fusobacterium nucleatum
is classified into five subspecies that inhabit the human oral cavity (
F. nucleatum
subsp.
nucleatum
,
F. nucleatum
subsp.
polymorphum
,
F. nucleatum
subsp.
fusiforme
,
F. nucleatum
subsp.
vincentii
, and
F. nucleatum
subsp.
animalis
) based on several phenotypic characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization patterns. However, the methods for detecting or discriminating the clinical isolates of
F. nucleatum
at the subspecies levels are laborious, expensive, and time-consuming. Therefore, in this study, the nucleotide sequences of the RNA polymerase β-subunit gene (
rpoB
) and zinc protease gene were analyzed to discriminate the subspecies of
F. nucleatum
. The partial sequences of
rpoB
(approximately 2,419 bp), the zinc protease gene (878 bp), and 16S rRNA genes (approximately 1,500 bp) of the type strains of five subspecies, 28 clinical isolates of
F. nucleatum
, and 10 strains of
F. periodonticum
(as a control group) were determined and analyzed. The phylogenetic data showed that the
rpoB
and zinc protease gene sequences clearly delineated the subspecies of
F. nucleatum
and provided higher resolution than the 16S rRNA gene sequences in this respect. According to the phylogenetic analysis of
rpoB
and the zinc protease gene,
F. nucleatum
subsp.
vincentii
and
F. nucleatum
subsp.
fusiforme
might be classified into a single subspecies. Five clinical isolates could be delineated as a new subspecies of
F. nucleatum
. The results suggest that
rpoB
and the zinc protease gene are efficient targets for the discrimination and taxonomic analysis of the subspecies of
F. nucleatum
.
Detection and Identification of
Ehrlichia
Species in Blood by Use of PCR and Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Eshoo Mark W. , Crowder Chris D. , Li Haijing , Matthews Heather E. , Meng Shufang , Sefers Susan E. , Sampath Rangarajan , Stratton Charles W. , Blyn Lawrence B. , Ecker David J. , Tang Yi-Wei
Published: December 2009

Rapid detection and identification of
Ehrlichia
species improves clinical outcome for patients suspected of ehrlichiosis. We describe an assay that employs multilocus PCR and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS) to detect and identify
Ehrlichia
species directly from blood specimens. The results were compared to those of a colorimetric microtiter PCR enzyme immunoassay (PCR-EIA) used as a diagnostic assay. Among 213 whole-blood samples collected from patients who were clinically suspected of ehrlichiosis from 1 May to 1 August 2008 at Vanderbilt University Hospital, 40 were positive for an
Ehrlichia
species by PCR/ESI-MS, giving a positive rate of 18.8%. In comparison to the PCR-EIA, PCR/ESI-MS possessed a sensitivity, a specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 95.0%, 98.8%, 95.0%, and 98.8%, respectively. The 38 specimens that were positive for
Ehrlichia
by both PCR/ESI-MS and the PCR-EIA were further characterized to the species level, with 100% agreement between the two assays. In addition,
Rickettsia rickettsii
was detected by PCR/ESI-MS from four specimens that were confirmed retrospectively by serology and PCR-EIA. In three specimens, the PCR/ESI-MS assay identified
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
,
Neisseria meningitidis
, and
Staphylococcus aureus
; these were confirmed by culture and/or clinical diagnosis as being clinically relevant. From specimen processing to result reporting, the PCR/ESI-MS assay can be completed within 6 h, providing another laboratory tool for the diagnosis of ehrlichiosis. Moreover, this system may provide rapid detection and identification of additional pathogens directly from blood specimens.
Regional Profiling for Determination of Genotype Diversity of Mastitis-Specific
Staphylococcus aureus
Lineage in Canada by Use of Clumping Factor A, Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis, and
spa
Typing
Authors: Said Kamaleldin B. , Ismail Johanne , Campbell Jennifer , Mulvey Michael R. , Bourgault Anne-Marie , Messier Serge , Zhao Xin
Published: December 2009

One of the major concerns in global public health and the dairy industry is the emergence of host-specific virulent
Staphylococcus aureus
strains. The high degree of stability of the species genome renders detection of genetic microvariations difficult. Thus, approaches for the rapid tracking of specialized lineages are urgently needed. We used clumping factor A (
clfA
) to profile 87 bovine mastitis isolates from four regions in Canada and compared the results to those obtained by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and
spa
typing. Twenty-five pulsotypes were obtained by PFGE with an index of discrimination of 0.91. These were assigned to six PFGE lineage groups A to F and seven
spa
types, including two novel ones. Group A had 48.3% of the isolates and group D had 43.7% of the isolates, while only 8% of the isolates were variable. The results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing indicated that all isolates were sensitive to methicillin and the non-beta-lactam antibiotics, while three isolates were resistant to penicillin and one isolate was resistant to tetracycline. All isolates had the
clfA
gene and belonged to 20
clfA
repeat types with an index of discrimination of 0.90. The dominant
clfA
types, types X, Q, C, and Z, formed 82% and 43% of PFGE groups A and D, respectively, and had copy numbers that varied only within a narrow range of between 46 and 52 copies, implying clonal selection. The rest were variable and region specific. Furthermore, the dominant groups contained subpopulations in different regions across Canada. Sequence information confirmed the relatedness obtained by the use of
clfA
repeat copy numbers and other methods and further revealed the occurrence of full-repeat deletions and conserved host-specific codon-triplet position biases at 18-bp units. Thus, concordant with the results of PFGE and
spa
typing,
clfA
typing proved useful for revealing the clonal nature of the mastitis isolate lineage and for the rapid profiling of subpopulations with comparable discriminatory powers.
Tissue-Specific Differences in PD-1 and PD-L1 Expression during Chronic Viral Infection: Implications for CD8 T-Cell Exhaustion
Authors: Blackburn Shawn D. , Crawford Alison , Shin Haina , Polley Antonio , Freeman Gordon J. , Wherry E. John
Published: December 2009

The PD-1/PD-L pathway plays a major role in regulating T-cell exhaustion during chronic viral infections in animal models, as well as in humans, and blockade of this pathway can revive exhausted CD8
+
T cells. We examined the expression of PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, in multiple tissues during the course of chronic viral infection and determined how the amount of PD-1 expressed, as well as the anatomical location, influenced the function of exhausted CD8 T cells. The amount of PD-1 on exhausted CD8 T cells from different anatomical locations did not always correlate with infectious virus but did reflect viral antigen in some tissues. Moreover, lower expression of PD-L1 in some locations, such as the bone marrow, favored the survival of PD-1
Hi
exhausted CD8 T cells, suggesting that some anatomical sites might provide a survival niche for subpopulations of exhausted CD8 T cells. Tissue-specific differences in the function of exhausted CD8 T cells were also observed. However, while cytokine production did not strictly correlate with the amount of PD-1 expressed by exhausted CD8 T cells from different tissues, the ability to degranulate and kill were tightly linked to PD-1 expression regardless of the anatomical location. These observations have implications for human chronic infections and for therapeutic interventions based on blockade of the PD-1 pathway.
Estimation of the Size of Genetic Bottlenecks in Cell-to-Cell Movement of
Soil-
Borne Wheat Mosaic Virus
and the Possible Role of the Bottlenecks in Speeding Up Selection of Variations in
trans
-Acting Genes or Elements
Authors: Miyashita Shuhei , Kishino Hirohisa
Published: December 2009

Genetic bottlenecks facilitate the fixation and extinction of variants in populations, and viral populations are no exception to this theory. To examine the existence of genetic bottlenecks in cell-to-cell movement of plant RNA viruses, we prepared constructs for
Soil
-b
orne wheat mosaic virus
RNA2 vectors carrying two different fluorescent proteins, yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) and cyan fluorescent protein (CFP). Coinoculation of host plant leaves with the two RNA2 vectors and the wild-type RNA1 showed separation of the two vector RNA2s, mostly within seven to nine cell-to-cell movements from individual initially coinfected cells. Our statistical analysis showed that the number of viral RNA genomes establishing infection in adjacent cells after the first cell-to-cell movement from an initially infected cell was 5.97 ± 0.22 on average and 5.02 ± 0.29 after the second cell-to-cell movement. These results indicate that plant RNA viruses may generally face narrow genetic bottlenecks in every cell-to-cell movement. Furthermore, our model suggests that, rather than suffering from fitness losses caused by the bottlenecks, the plant RNA viruses are utilizing the repeated genetic bottlenecks as an essential element of rapid selection of their adaptive variants in
trans
-acting genes or elements to respond to host shifting and changes in the growth conditions of the hosts.
Influence of Novel CD4 Binding-Defective HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein Immunogens on Neutralizing Antibody and T-Cell Responses in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Douagi Iyadh , Forsell Mattias N. E. , Sundling Christopher , O'Dell Sijy , Feng Yu , Dosenovic Pia , Li Yuxing , Seder Robert , Loré Karin , Mascola John R. , Wyatt Richard T. , Karlsson Hedestam Gunilla B.
Published: December 2009

The high-affinityin vivointeraction between soluble HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) immunogens and primate CD4 results in conformational changes that alter the immunogenicity of the gp120 subunit. Because the conserved binding site on gp120 that directly interacts with CD4 is a major vaccine target, we sought to better understand the impact ofin vivoEnv-CD4 interactions during vaccination. Rhesus macaques were immunized with soluble wild-type (WT) Env trimers, and two trimer immunogens rendered CD4 binding defective through distinct mechanisms. In one variant, we introduced a mutation that directly disrupts CD4 binding (368D/R). In the second variant, we introduced three mutations (423I/M, 425N/K, and 431G/E) that disrupt CD4 binding indirectly by altering a gp120 subdomain known as the bridging sheet, which is required for locking Env into a stable interaction with CD4. Following immunization, Env-specific binding antibody titers and frequencies of Env-specific memory B cells were comparable between the groups. However, the quality of neutralizing antibody responses induced by the variants was distinctly different. Antibodies against the coreceptor binding site were elicited by WT trimers but not the CD4 binding-defective trimers, while antibodies against the CD4 binding site were elicited by the WT and the 423I/M, 425N/K, and 431G/E trimers but not the 368D/R trimers. Furthermore, the CD4 binding-defective trimer variants stimulated less potent neutralizing antibody activity against neutralization-sensitive viruses than WT trimers. Overall, our studies do not reveal any potential negative effects imparted by thein vivointeraction between WT Env and primate CD4 on the generation of functional T cells and antibodies in response to soluble Env vaccination.
Common Threads in Persistent Viral Infections
Authors: Kane Melissa , Golovkina Tatyana
Published: December 2009

Most viral infections are self-limiting, resulting in either clearance of the pathogen or death of the host. However, a subset of viruses can establish permanent infection and persist indefinitely within the host. Even though persisting viruses are derived from various viral families with distinct replication strategies, they all utilize common mechanisms for establishment of long-lasting infections. Here, we discuss the commonalities between persistent infections with herpes-, retro-, flavi-, arena-, and polyomaviruses that distinguish them from acutely infecting viral pathogens. These shared strategies include selection of cell subsets ideal for long-term maintenance of the viral genome, modulation of viral gene expression, viral subversion of apoptotic pathways, and avoidance of clearance by the immune system.
Transcriptional Regulation of BK Virus by Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells
Authors: Jordan Joslynn A. , Manley Kate , Dugan Aisling S. , O'Hara Bethany A. , Atwood Walter J.
Published: December 2009

The human polyomavirus BK virus (BKV) is a common virus for which 80 to 90% of the adult population is seropositive. BKV reactivation in immunosuppressed patients or renal transplant patients is the primary cause of polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PVN). Using the Dunlop strain of BKV, we found that nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) plays an important regulatory role in BKV infection. Luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that NFAT4 bound to the viral promoter and regulated viral transcription and infection. The mutational analysis of the NFAT binding sites demonstrated complex functional interactions between NFAT, c-fos, c-jun, and the p65 subunit of NF-κB that together influence promoter activity and viral growth. These data indicate that NFAT is required for BKV infection and is involved in a complex regulatory network that both positively and negatively influences promoter activity and viral infection.
The association between hip and groin injuries in the elite junior football years and injuries sustained during elite senior competition: Table 1
Authors: Gabbe B J , Bailey M , Cook J L , Makdissi M , Scase E , Ames N , Wood T , McNeil J J , Orchard J W
Published: December 2009

Objective

To establish the relationship between the history of hip and groin injuries in elite junior football players prior to elite club recruitment and the incidence of hip and groin injuries during their elite career.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Analysis of existing data.

Participants

500 Australian Football League (AFL) players drafted from 1999 to 2006 with complete draft medical assessment data.

Assessment of risk factors

Previous history of hip/groin injury, anthropometric and demographic information.

Main outcome measurement

The number of hip/groin injuries resulting in ≥1 missed AFL game.

Results

Data for 500 players were available for analysis. 86 (17%) players reported a hip/groin injury in their junior football years. 159 (32%) players sustained a hip/groin injury in the AFL. Players who reported a previous hip or groin injury at the draft medical assessment demonstrated a rate of hip/groin injury in the AFL >6 times higher (IRR 6.24, 95% CI 4.43 to 8.77) than players without a pre-AFL hip or groin injury history.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that a hip or groin injury sustained during junior football years is a significant predictor of missed game time at the elite level due to hip/groin injury. The elite junior football period should be targeted for research to investigate and identify modifiable risk factors for the development of hip/groin injuries.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory use in the XV Pan-American Games (2007)
Authors: Da Silva E R , De Rose E H , Ribeiro J P , Sampedro L B R , Devos D V , Ferreira A O , Kruel L F M
Published: December 2009

Background

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used in sports medicine to reduce time of incapacity.

Objective

To describe the frequency of NSAIDs use by athletes in the XV Pan-American Games.

Methods

All athletes who were tested by the anti-doping control filled a form. The voluntarily declared medications were recorded and categorised according to sport modality, sex, region and control situation according to the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Results

Among the 1261 athletes tested (231 out-competition (OC) and 1030 in-competition (IC); 733 men and 528 women), 63% reported use of drugs, NSAIDs being the most frequently (64% of users) used medications. The use of medications was not significantly different between sexes or among different regions of the world. The number of users of only one type of NSAID was higher than those who used more than one type of NSAIDs or a combination with analgesics (335 vs 168 cases). IC reports presented higher use of NSAIDs than OC.

Conclusion

Athletes tested by the anti-doping control of the XV Pan-American Games reported a high frequency of NSAIDs use. The frequent utilisation in competition suggests that these medications might be used as ergogenic aid.
Clinical and diagnostic tests for shoulder disorders: a critical review
Authors: McFarland Edward G , Garzon-Muvdi Juan , Jia Xiaofeng , Desai Pingal , Petersen Steve A
Published: December 2009

The shoulder is one of the most complex joints in the human body and, as such, presents an evaluation and diagnostic challenge. The first steps in its evaluation are obtaining an accurate history and physical examination and evaluating conventional radiography. The use of other imaging modalities (eg, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography) should be based on the type of additional information needed. The goals of this study were to review the current limitations of evidence-based medicine with regard to shoulder examination and to assess the rationale for and against the use of diagnostic physical examination tests.
Changing drivers’ attitudes towards mobile phone use through participative simulation testing and feedback
Authors: Wang Y , Zhang W , Lesch M F , Horrey W J , Chen C , Wu S
Published: December 2009

Objective:

To assess the effectiveness of a simulation-based participative and feedback approach to change drivers’ attitudes towards mobile phone use while driving.

Methods:

30 experienced drivers were tested. Five scenarios were developed to test drivers’ performance with and without a secondary mobile phone task on a medium-fidelity fixed base driving simulator. The treatment group received feedback in the form of video playback of their driving performance, while the control group did not receive any feedback. Attitudes towards mobile phone use were assessed by a questionnaire before, immediately after, and again one month following the experiment to determine the duration of feedback effects.

Results:

All 30 drivers reported willingness to engage in driving and talking on a mobile phone in some situations. The results of the simulated driving test showed that a secondary mobile phone task significantly degraded driving performance. The treatment group showed significant attitude change towards mobile phone use while driving; the control group had no attitude change. At the one month follow-up, a continued benefit of feedback was reflected in driver attitudes in the treatment group.

Conclusions:

Participative driving using simulation is a useful tool to demonstrate driving performance degradation in dual task conditions. It was found that feedback in the form of simulation playback is effective in changing drivers’ attitudes towards mobile phone use and that attitude change is maintained over a follow-up period of one month.
The association between booster seat use and risk of death among motor vehicle occupants aged 4–8: a matched cohort study
Authors: Rice T M , Anderson C L , Lee A S
Published: December 2009

Objective:

To estimate the effectiveness of booster seats and of seatbelts in reducing the risk of child death during traffic collisions and to examine possible effect modification by various collision and vehicle characteristics.

Methods:

A matched cohort study was conducted using data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. Death risk ratios were estimated with conditional Poisson regression, bootstrapped coefficient standard errors, and multiply imputed missing values using chained equations.

Results:

Estimated death risk ratios for booster seats used with seatbelts were 0.33 (95% CI 0.28 to 0.40) for children age 4–5 years and 0.45 (0.31 to 0.63) for children aged 6–8 years (Wald test of homogeneity p<0.005). The estimated risk ratios for seatbelt used alone were similar for the two age groups, 0.37 (0.32 to 0.43) and 0.39 (0.34 to 0.44) for ages 4–5 and 6–8, respectively (Wald p = 0.61). Estimated booster seat effectiveness was significantly greater for inbound seating positions (Wald p = 0.05) and during rollovers collisions (Wald p = 0.01). Significant variability in risk ratio estimates was not observed across levels of calendar year, vehicle model year, vehicle type, or land use.

Conclusions:

Seatbelts, used with or without booster seats, are highly effective in preventing death among motor vehicle occupants aged 4–8 years. Booster seats do not appear to improve the performance of seatbelts with respect to preventing death (risk ratio 0.92, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.08, comparing seatbelts with boosters to seatbelts alone), but because several studies have found that booster seats reduce non-fatal injury severity, clinicians and injury prevention specialists should continue to recommend the use of boosters to parents of young children.
Injury-related hospitalisations in a rural county of southern China, 1994–2005
Authors: Zhu M , Li L , Liu X , Zhao D , Lin W
Published: December 2009

Injury-related hospitalisations in a rural county in China from 1994 to 2005 were analysed for trend and rate by demographics. Traffic-related hospitalisation increased from 25.5 per 100 000 in 1994–1996 to 57.9 in 2003–2005, and overtook assaults as the leading cause of injury. Motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists accounted for 41%, 22% and 19% of traffic-related hospitalisations. Compared with females, males had a higher risk of traffic-related hospitalisations (rate ratio (RR) 2.38, 95% CI 1.89 to 3.00), falls (RR 1.64, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.42) and assaults (RR 4.29, 95% CI 3.23 to 5.69). Relative to 25–59-year-olds, 15–24-year-olds were at increased risk of traffic crashes (RR 1.76, 95% CI 1.37 to 2.25) and assaults (RR 1.56, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.01), and adults aged 60 years or older were at increased risk of falls (RR 2.58, 95% CI 1.61 to 4.14). Priority should be given to prevention of traffic injuries among motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists, assaults among male adolescents and young adults, and falls among older adults.
The association between internet addiction and self-injurious behaviour among adolescents
Authors: Lam L T , Peng Z , Mai J , Jing J
Published: December 2009

Objective:

To examine the association between internet addiction and self-injurious behaviour (SIB) in adolescence.

Methods:

Population-based cross-sectional survey of 1618 high school students aged 13–18 years in Guangzhou city, Guangdong Province, PR China. Deliberate SIB was measured using self-reported questionnaire; internet addiction was assessed using the Internet Addiction Test (IAT).

Results:

263 (16.3%) participants reported having committed some form of SIB in the past 6 months. 73 (4.5%) had committed SIB 6 times or more, and 157 (9.7%) 1–5 times. The majority of respondents were classified as normal users of the internet (n = 1392, 89.2%), with 158 (10.2%) moderately and 10 (0.6%) severely addicted to the internet. After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds ratio for SIB was 2.0 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.7) for those who were classified as moderately and severely addicted to the internet when compared to the normal group.

Conclusions:

SIB is common in adolescence in the study population in China. Addiction to the internet is detrimental to mental health and increases the risk of self-injury among adolescents. Clinicians need to be aware of potential co-morbidities of other addictions among adolescent self-injured patients.
Microbial infections in eight genomic subtypes of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis
Authors: Zhang Lihan , Gough John , Christmas David , Mattey Derek L , Richards Selwyn C M , Main Janice , Enlander Derek , Honeybourne David , Ayres Jon G , Nutt David J , Kerr Jonathan R
Published: December 2009

Background

The authors have previously reported genomic subtypes of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) based on expression of 88 human genes.

Aim

To attempt to reproduce these findings, determine the specificity of this signature to CFS/ME, and test for associations between CFS/ME subtype and infection.

Methods

Expression levels of 88 human genes were determined in blood of 62 new patients with idiopathic CFS/ME (according to Fukuda criteria), six patients with Q-fever-associated CFS/ME from the Birmingham Q-fever outbreak (according to Fukuda criteria), 14 patients with endogenous depression (according to DSM-IV criteria) and 29 normal blood donors.

Results

In patients with CFS/ME, differential expression was confirmed for all 88 genes. Q-CFS/ME had similar patterns of gene expression to idiopathic CFS/ME. Gene expression in patients with endogenous depression was similar to that in the normal controls, except for upregulation of five genes (APP,CREBBP,GNAS,PDCD2andPDCD6).

Clustering of combined gene data in CFS/ME patients for this and the authors' previous study (117 CFS/ME patients) revealed genomic subtypes with distinct differences in SF36 scores, clinical phenotypes, severity and geographical distribution. Antibody testing for Epstein–Barr virus, enterovirus,Coxiella burnetiiand parvovirus B19 revealed evidence of subtype-specific relationships for Epstein–Barr virus and enterovirus, the two most common infectious triggers of CFS/ME.

Conclusions

This study confirms the involvement of these genes in CFS/ME.
Employment status and the risk of pregnancy complications: the Generation R Study
Authors: Jansen Pauline W , Tiemeier Henning , Verhulst Frank C , Burdorf Alex , Jaddoe Vincent W V , Hofman Albert , Moll Henriëtte A , Verburg Bero O , Steegers Eric A P , Mackenbach Johan P , Raat Hein
Published: December 2009

Objectives

This study explored the relationships of employment status, type of unemployment and number of weekly working hours, with a wide range of pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

Information on employment characteristics and pregnancy outcomes was available for 6111 pregnant women enrolled in a population-based cohort study in the Netherlands.

Results

After adjustment for confounders, there were no statistically significant differences in risks of pregnancy complications between employed and unemployed women. Among unemployed women, women receiving disability benefit had an increased risk of preterm ruptured membranes (OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.49 to 6.70), elective caesarean section (OR 2.98, 95% CI 1.21 to 7.34) and preterm birth (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.32 to 5.28) compared to housewives. Offspring of students and women receiving disability benefit had a significantly lower mean birth weight than offspring of housewives (difference: −93, 95% CI −174 to −12; and −97, 95% CI −190 to −5, respectively). In employed women, long working hours (≥40 h/week) were associated with a decrease of 45 g in offspring's mean birth weight (adjusted analysis; 95% CI −89 to −1) compared with 1–24 h/weekly working hours.

Conclusions

We found no indications that paid employment during pregnancy effects the health of the mother and child. However, among unemployed and employed women, women receiving disability benefit, students and women with long working hours during pregnancy were at risk for some adverse pregnancy outcomes. More research is needed to replicate these results and explain these findings. Meanwhile, prenatal care providers should be made aware of the risks associated with specific types of unemployment and long working hours.
Local smoke-free policy development in Santa Fe, Argentina
Authors: Sebrié Ernesto M , Glantz Stanton A
Published: December 2009

Objective

To describe the process of approval and implementation of a comprehensive smoke-free law in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, between 2005 and 2009.

Methods

Review of the Santa Fe smoke-free legislation, articles published in local newspapers and documentation on two lawsuits filed against the law, and interviews with key individuals in Santa Fe.

Results

Efforts to implement smoke-free policies in Santa Fe began during the 1990s without success, and resumed in 2005 when the provincial Legislature approved the first 100% smoke-free subnational law in Argentina. There was no strong opposition during the discussions within the legislature. As in other parts of the world, pro-tobacco industry interests attempted to block the implementation of the law using well known strategies. These efforts included a controversy media campaign set up, the creation of a hospitality industry association and a virtual smokers' rights group, the introduction of a counterproposal seeking modification of the law, the challenge of the law in the Supreme Court, and the proposal of a weak national bill that would ‘conflict’ with the subnational law. Tobacco control advocates sought media attention as a strategy to protect the law.

Conclusions

Santa Fe is the first subnational jurisdiction in Latin America to have enacted a comprehensive smoke-free policy following the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. After 3 years of implementation, pro-tobacco industry forces failed to undermine the law. Other subnational jurisdictions in Argentina, as well as in Mexico and Brazil are following the Santa Fe example.
EVALUATION OF FLUX INTEGRAL OUTPUTS FOR THE REDUCED BASIS METHOD
Authors: EFTANG JENS L. , RØNQUIST EINAR M.
Published: December 2009

In this paper, we consider the evaluation of flux integral outputs from reduced basis solutions to second-order PDEs. In order to evaluate such outputs, a lifting function v⋆ must be chosen. In the standard finite element context, this choice is not relevant, whereas in the reduced basis context, as we show, it greatly affects the output error. We propose two "good" choices for v⋆ and illustrate their effect on the output error by examining a numerical example. We also make clear the role of v⋆ in a more general primal-dual reduced basis approximation framework.
MULTIFRACTAL ANALYSIS OF STRESS TIME SERIES DURING ULTRATHIN LUBRICANT FILM MELTING
Authors: KHOMENKO ALEXEI V. , LYASHENKO IAKOV A. , BORISYUK VADIM N.
Published: December 2009

Melting of an ultrathin lubricant film confined between two atomically flat surfaces is studied using the rheological model for viscoelastic matter approximation. Phase diagram with domains, corresponding to sliding, dry, and two types of stick-slip friction regimes has been built taking into account additive noises of stress, strain, and temperature of the lubricant. The stress time series have been obtained for all regimes of friction using the Stratonovich interpretation. It has been shown that self-similar regime of lubricant melting is observed when intensity of temperature noise is much larger than intensities of strain and stress noises. This regime is defined by homogenous distribution, at which characteristic stress scale is absent. We study stress time series obtained for all friction regimes using multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis. It has been shown that multifractality of these series is caused by different correlations that are present in the system and also by a power-law distribution. Since the power-law distribution is related to small stresses, this case corresponds to self-similar solid-like lubricant.
CRACKING THE LIU KEY EXCHANGE PROTOCOL IN ITS MOST SECURE STATE WITH LORENTZIAN SPECTRA
Authors: KISH LAZAR L. , ZHANG BRUCE , KISH LASZLO B.
Published: December 2009

We have found a security risk in the Liu's cypher based on random signals and feedback, when it utilizes a large class of noises for communication in its most secure state, the steady state. For the vulnerability to exist, the noise must have a spectrum which can be transformed to white-like noise by linear filtering. For the cracking, we utilize the natural properties of power density spectra and autocorrelation functions. We introduce and demonstrate the method for Lorentzian spectra. Some of the implications of the results concern the transient operation during changing bits, where the modulation products of noise cannot be band-limited therefore the cypher is vulnerable. We propose the application of line filters to provide a proper spectral shape and to improve the security.
MULTIVARIATE PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION DESCRIBING THE EVOLUTION OF A GAUSSIAN PROCESS
Authors: TAQQU MURAD S. , VEILLETTE MARK
Published: December 2009

If {X(t), t ≥ 0} is a Gaussian process, the diffusion equation characterizes its marginal probability density function. How about finite-dimensional distributions? For each n ≥ 1, we derive a system of partial differential equations which are satisfied by the probability density function of the vector (X(t1), …, X(tn)). We then show that these differential equations determine uniquely the finite-dimensional distributions of Gaussian processes. We also discuss situations where the system can be replaced by a single equation, which is either one member of the system, or an aggregate equation obtained by summing all the equations in the system.
ON STOCHASTIC EVOLUTION EQUATIONS WITH NON-LIPSCHITZ COEFFICIENTS
Authors: ZHANG XICHENG
Published: December 2009

In this paper, we study the existence and uniqueness of solutions for several classes of stochastic evolution equations with non-Lipschitz coefficients, that contains backward stochastic evolution equations, stochastic Volterra type evolution equations and stochastic functional evolution equations. In particular, the results can be used to treat a large class of quasi-linear stochastic equations, which includes the reaction diffusion and porous medium equations.
EXISTENCE AND UNIQUENESS OF SOLUTIONS TO STOCHASTIC FUNCTIONAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS WITH INFINITE DELAY IN Lp(Ω, Ch)
Authors: BAO HAIBO , JIANG DAQING
Published: December 2009

In this paper, we shall consider the existence and uniqueness of solutions to stochastic functional differential equations with infinite delay in Lp(Ω, Ch) space: [Formula: see text] where we assume f : R+ × Lp(Ω, Ch) → Lp(Ω, Rn), g : R+ × Lp(Ω, Ch) → Lp(Ω, L(Rm, Rn)), p > 2, and B(t) is a given m-dimensional Brownian motion.