bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antiinflammatory action of endocannabinoid palmitoylethanolamide and the synthetic cannabinoid nabilone in a model of acute inflammation in the rat
Authors: Conti Silvia , Costa Barbara , Colleoni Mariapia , Parolaro Daniela , Giagnoni Gabriella
Published: June 2006

The antiinflammatory activity of synthetic cannabinoid nabilone in the rat model of carrageenan‐induced acute hindpaw inflammation was compared with that of the endocannabinoid palmitoylethanolamide and the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug indomethacin.

Preliminary experiments in rats used a tetrad of behavioural tests, specific for tetrahydrocannabinol‐type activity in the CNS. These showed that the oral dose of nabilone 2.5 mg kg−1had no cannabinoid psychoactivity.

Intraplantar injection of carrageenan (1% w v−1) elicited a time‐dependent increase in paw volume and thermal hyperalgesia.

Nabilone (0.75, 1.5, 2.5 mg kg−1, p.o.), given 1 h before carrageenan, reduced the development of oedema and the associated hyperalgesia in a dose‐related manner. Nabilone 2.5 mg kg−1, palmitoylethanolamide 10 mg kg−1and indomethacin 5 mg kg−1, given p.o. 1 h before carrageenan, also reduced the inflammatory parameters in a time‐dependent manner.

The selective CB2cannabinoid receptor antagonist {N‐[(1S)‐endo‐1,3,3‐trimethyl bicyclo [2.2.1]heptan‐2‐yl]‐5‐(4‐chloro‐3‐methylphenyl)‐1‐(4‐methylbenzyl)pyrazole‐3 carboxamide} (SR 144528), 3 mg kg−1p.o. 1 h before nabilone and palmitoylethanolamide, prevented the anti‐oedema and antihyperalgesic effects of the two cannabinoid agonists 3 h after carrageenan.

Our findings show the antiinflammatory effect of nabilone and confirm that of palmitoylethanolamide indicating that these actions are mediated by an uncharacterized CB2‐like cannabinoid receptor.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2002)135, 181–187; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704466
Direct Demonstration of Transcallosal Disinhibition in Language Networks
Authors: Thiel Alexander , Schumacher Birgit , Wienhard Klaus , Gairing Stefanie , Kracht Lutz W , Wagner Rainer , Haupt Walter F , Heiss Wolf-Dieter
Published: June 2006

Neuroimaging studies in right-handed patients with left hemisphere brain lesions have demonstrated a shift of language activity from left to right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). This shift may be caused by greater right hemisphere dominance before the injury or by reduced inhibitory activity of the injured left hemisphere. We simulated a brain lesion applying transcranial-magnetic stimulation over left IFG in normal subjects, while simultaneously measuring language activity with positron — emission tomography. Interference with transcranial-magnetic stimulation decreased activity in left and increased it in right IFG in all subjects. We thus demonstrate for the first time that a rightward shift of language activity is caused by the brain lesion and not by greater right-hemisphere dominance, thus supporting the hypothesis of reduced transcallosal inhibition.
A new Mad2-interacting domain of Cdc20 is critical for the function of Mad2–Cdc20 complex in the spindle assembly checkpoint
Authors: Mondal Gourish , Baral Rathindra N. , Roychoudhury Susanta
Published: June 2006

Interaction between Mad2 and Cdc20 (cell division cycle 20) is a key event during spindle assembly checkpoint activation. In the past, an N-terminal peptide containing amino acid residues 111–150 of Cdc20 was shown to bind Mad2 much better than the full-length Cdc20 protein. Using co-localization, co-immunoprecipitation and peptide inhibition analysis with different deletion mutants of Cdc20, we identified another Mad2-binding domain on Cdc20 from amino acids 342–355 within the WD repeat region. An intervening region between these two domains interferes with its Mad2 binding when present individually with any of these two Mad2-binding sites. We suggest that these three domains together determine the overall strength of Mad2 binding with Cdc20. Functional analysis suggests that an optimum Mad2 binding efficiency of Cdc20 is required during checkpoint arrest and release. Further, we have identified a unique polyhistidine motif with metal binding property adjacent to this second binding domain that may be important for maintaining the overall conformation of Cdc20 for its binding to Mad2.
High-affinity AKAP7δ–protein kinase A interaction yields novel protein kinase A-anchoring disruptor peptides
Authors: Hundsrucker Christian , Krause Gerd , Beyermann Michael , Prinz Anke , Zimmermann Bastian , Diekmann Oliver , Lorenz Dorothea , Stefan Eduard , Nedvetsky Pavel , Dathe Margitta , Christian Frank , Mcsorley Theresa , Krause Eberhard , Mcconnachie George , Herberg Friedrich W. , Scott John D. , Rosenthal Walter , Klussmann Enno
Published: June 2006

PKA (protein kinase A) is tethered to subcellular compartments by direct interaction of its regulatory subunits (RI or RII) with AKAPs (A kinase-anchoring proteins). AKAPs preferentially bind RII subunits via their RII-binding domains. RII-binding domains form structurally conserved amphipathic helices with unrelated sequences. Their binding affinities for RII subunits differ greatly within the AKAP family. Amongst the AKAPs that bind RIIα subunits with high affinity is AKAP7δ [AKAP18δ; Kd (equilibrium dissociation constant) value of 31 nM]. An N-terminally truncated AKAP7δ mutant binds RIIα subunits with higher affinity than the full-length protein presumably due to loss of an inhibitory region [Henn, Edemir, Stefan, Wiesner, Lorenz, Theilig, Schmidtt, Vossebein, Tamma, Beyermann et al. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 26654–26665]. In the present study, we demonstrate that peptides (25 amino acid residues) derived from the RII-binding domain of AKAP7δ bind RIIα subunits with higher affinity (Kd=0.4±0.3 nM) than either full-length or N-terminally truncated AKAP7δ, or peptides derived from other RII binding domains. The AKAP7δ-derived peptides and stearate-coupled membrane-permeable mutants effectively disrupt AKAP–RII subunit interactions in vitro and in cell-based assays. Thus they are valuable novel tools for studying anchored PKA signalling. Molecular modelling indicated that the high affinity binding of the amphipathic helix, which forms the RII-binding domain of AKAP7δ, with RII subunits involves both the hydrophobic and the hydrophilic faces of the helix. Alanine scanning (25 amino acid peptides, SPOT technology, combined with RII overlay assays) of the RII binding domain revealed that hydrophobic amino acid residues form the backbone of the interaction and that hydrogen bond- and salt-bridge-forming amino acid residues increase the affinity of the interaction.
Dipeptidyl peptidases 8 and 9: specificity and molecular characterization compared with dipeptidyl peptidase IV
Authors: Bjelke Jais R. , Christensen Jesper , Nielsen Per F. , Branner Sven , Kanstrup Anders B. , Wagtmann Nicolai , Rasmussen Hanne B.
Published: June 2006

Dipeptidyl peptidases 8 and 9 have been identified as gene members of the S9b family of dipeptidyl peptidases. In the present paper, we report the characterization of recombinant dipeptidyl peptidases 8 and 9 using the baculovirus expression system. We have found that only the full-length variants of the two proteins can be expressed as active peptidases, which are 882 and 892 amino acids in length for dipeptidyl peptidase 8 and 9 respectively. We show further that the purified proteins are active dimers and that they show similar Michaelis–Menten kinetics and substrate specificity. Both cleave the peptide hormones glucagon-like peptide-1, glucagon-like peptide-2, neuropeptide Y and peptide YY with marked kinetic differences compared with dipeptidyl peptidase IV. Inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidases IV, 8 and 9 using the well-known dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor valine pyrrolidide resulted in similar Ki values, indicating that this inhibitor is non-selective for any of the three dipeptidyl peptidases.
Sensing inorganic carbon: CO2 and HCO3−
Authors: Raven John A.
Published: June 2006

Enzymes and transporters that catalyse reactions involving inorganic carbon are well characterized with respect to the species of inorganic carbon (CO2 or HCO3−) with which they interact. There is less information on the species recognized by proteins that sense inorganic carbon. In this issue of the Biochemical Journal, Hammer and colleagues show conclusively that cyanobacterial adenylyl cyclases are activated by CO2 and not HCO3−, as was believed previously. While in some circumstances a similar in vivo regulatory outcome is achieved from sensing HCO3− as from sensing CO2, there are cases in which the outcomes are significantly different. The most striking example is where a compartment lacks carbonic anhydrase yet supports large metabolic fluxes of inorganic carbon species so that CO2 and HCO3− are not at equilibrium. Other examples involve changes in pH, or temperature, of a compartment containing an equilibrium mixture of CO2 and HCO3−.
Effect of roughage species consumed on fecal alkane recovery in sheep, and effect of sample drying treatment on alkane concentrations
Authors: Elwert C. , Dove H. , Rodehutscord M.
Published: June 2006

The effect of roughage species on fecal alkane recoveries (the proportion of ingested alkane recovered in feces) and the effect of sample drying treatment on alkane concentrations in samples of dietary components and feces were studied in 2 experiments conducted with sheep. In experiment 1, 6 single-species diets (2 different batches of lucerne (Medicago sativa) hay, Phalaris aquatica hay, oaten straw, wheaten straw, Trifolium subterraneum hay) were fed to 6 animals each in a crossover design. A further 3 animals were fed a mixed diet of Trifolium subterraneum and beeswax-labelled cottonseed meal. In experiment 2, fecal samples from sheep fed 4 different mixtures of pelleted lucerne and ground wheat grain (lucerne : wheat 360 : 270 g/day; 360 : 450 g/day; 600 : 270 g/day; 600 : 450 g/day; 4 animals per diet), a fixed amount (270 g/day) of which was labelled with beeswax, were dried in 1 of 3 ways: freeze drying, oven drying at 65°C for 48 h or oven drying at 105°C for 24 h. Differences in fecal alkane recoveries between various roughage species were not statistically significant, due in part to high between-animal variation in recovery. The fecal recovery of odd-chain alkanes increased in a curvilinear manner with carbon-chain length. The fecal recoveries of even-chain alkanes were highly variable, due to their low concentrations, and also differed from those expected given the recoveries of the adjacent odd-chain alkanes. The results indicate that oven drying fecal samples at 65°C for 48 h could replace freeze drying, but drying at 105°C significantly reduced fecal alkane concentrations. Further studies are necessary to investigate the effect of drying treatment on the alkane concentration in fresh roughages.
Electrical currents applied to lamb carcasses — effects on blood release and meat quality
Authors: Hopkins D. L. , Shaw F. D. , Baud S. , Walker P. J.
Published: June 2006

The amount of collectable blood during the early phase of slaughter was determined for 48 lambs in 4 treatment groups: a control group (no current, no thoracic stick), a thoracic stick group only and groups subjected to a thoracic stick and either an electric current of 14 or 10 Hz frequency. The current was applied to the ‘skin-on’ carcass soon after the stunning/sticking process and subsequent to the thoracic stick, with a view to increasing the volume of blood released at that time. With both frequencies there was a small, but statistically significant (P<0.05), increase in the amount of released blood over non-stimulated treatments. Samples of M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum were aged for 1 and 5 days before freezing. Warner–Bratzler shear force measurements indicated the effectiveness of the current applications in reducing shear force with the 14 Hz waveform being superior to the 10 Hz waveform and in a related way the degradation of myofibrillar proteins was greater in meat subjected to the 14 Hz treatment when examined using the myofibrillar fragmentation index.
Estimation of daily sodium intake using the sodium to creatinine ratio in a spot sample of urine
Authors: Pearce K. L. , Masters D. G.
Published: June 2006

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the use of the ratio of sodium to creatinine (Na : Creat) in a spot sample of urine to estimate daily sodium intake. Thirty-six Merino wethers were allocated to 1 of 4 diets with differing levels of sodium addition (0, 0.87, 2.18, 3.48 mol Na/kg DM, equivalent to 0, 20, 50 and 80 g Na/kg DM). Urinary collections began 5 weeks after the sheep had been introduced to the diet. Total urine output was collected daily for 3 days to determine the pattern of sodium and creatinine excretion relative to sodium intake. Also over the 3 days, 4 spot samples of urine were taken at different times of the day. The Na : Creat ratio in urine predicted daily sodium intake with an r2 of 0.82. There was significant variation in the estimation of sodium intake depending on the time of spot sample collection. This variation was attributed to diurnal variation in the Na : Creat ratio due to differences in renal clearances of sodium and creatinine, possibly caused by the feeding patterns in the experiment. Despite the variation, this technique still provided a good predictor of group sodium intakes. Therefore, under field conditions the technique may be useful in estimating sodium intake.
Inheritance of moisture content in greasy and clean wool and its relationship to other wool traits in Merinos
Authors: Dowling M. E. , Schlink A. C. , Greeff J. C.
Published: June 2006

Moisture in greasy wool is associated with wool yellowing, fleece rot and fly strike, whereas the high moisture content of wool fabric is related to desired woollen fabric traits. This paper reports on a simple gravimetric method of determining greasy and clean wool moisture contents to determine fleece moisture heritability. The moisture index of greasy wool has a heritability of 0.37 ± 0.04 and phenotypic correlations of –0.31 ± 0.02 with yield, 0.69 ± 0.01 with suint index and 0.50 ± 0.01 with Methylene Blue absorption. The moisture index of greasy wool was strongly genetically correlated with yield (–0.48 ± 0.06), suint index (0.93 ± 0.03), Methylene Blue absorption (0.92 ± 0.03) but not significantly genetically correlated with clean wool moisture absorption (0.18 ± 044). Moisture absorption of clean wool has a very low heritability of 0.02 ± 0.03. The correlations between moisture index and suint index suggest that greasy fleece moisture index is primarily determined by suint index. The implications of variation in the moisture index of wool on fleece rot and fly strike are discussed.
Development of an animal repellent — selection, efficacy and presentation
Authors: Murray P. J. , Burns A. C. , Davy J. R.
Published: June 2006

Under some circumstances it may be desirable to repel herbivorous pests (e.g. goats and wallabies) from plants (e.g. horticultural or forestry seedlings) rather than to kill them. These circumstances may include using these animals as a resource at a later time, and there may also be welfare, public perception or legislative issues where repelling animals from particular plants or area is preferable to killing them. The first experiment tested the efficacy of 5 different materials (tiger fecal extract, maggot brew — the liquid exudate from a flyblown goat, capsaicin, dog urine, and burnt goat hair, skin and carcass + fat) to repel groups of goats in a feedlot pen from 1 trough of feed when another trough of feed was available to them to eat. Each repellent was tested on 5 groups of mixed age female goats for periods of 3 days. All 5 groups were exposed to the 5 repellents. Both tiger fecal extract and maggot brew reduced intake of feed from the ‘protected’ feed trough and significantly (P<0.05) delayed ‘normal’ feeding behaviour by more than 5 h from that trough. The repellents became less effective with repeated use even with different groups of goats. The reduction in effectiveness was indicated by higher intakes of feed and earlier feeding from the protected trough. This habituation to the repellents, where the effectiveness is reduced with repeated exposure, is of concern. In the second experiment, we selected the most effective repellent (tiger fecal extract) and tested its efficacy under similar conditions, after the repellent had been mixed with a carrier (bentonite) in an endeavour to increase the duration of its effectiveness. This repellent was significantly more effective in repelling groups of 3 goats in a feedlot pen from 1 trough of feed for 3 days, when another trough of feed was available to them to eat.
Class II cytokine receptor gene cluster is a major locus for hepatitis B persistence
Authors: Frodsham Angela J. , Zhang Lyna , Dumpis Uga , Taib Nor Azizah Mohd , Best Steve , Durham Andrew , Hennig Branwen J. W. , Hellier Simon , Knapp Susanne , Wright Mark , Chiaramonte Maria , Bell John I. , Graves Mary , Whittle Hilton C. , Thomas Howard C. , Thursz Mark R. , Hill Adrian V. S.
Published: June 2006

Persistent hepatitis B virus infection is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma, the most frequent cancer in some developing countries. Up to 95% of those infected at birth and 15% of those infected after the neonatal period fail to clear hepatitis B virus, together resulting in ≈350 million persistent carriers worldwide. Via a whole genome scan in Gambian families, we have identified a major susceptibility locus as a cluster of class II cytokine receptor genes on chromosome 21q22. Coding changes in two of these genes, the type I IFN receptor gene,
IFN-AR2
, and the
IL-10RB
gene that encodes a receptor chain for IL-10-related cytokines including the IFN-λs, are associated with viral clearance (haplotype
P
value = 0.0003), and
in vitro
assays support functional roles for these variants in receptor signaling.
Interspecies difference in the regulation of melanocyte development by SOX10 and MITF
Authors: Hou Ling , Arnheiter Heinz , Pavan William J.
Published: June 2006

There is increasing indication that interspecific phenotypic differences result from variations in gene-regulatory interactions. Here we provide evidence that mice differ from zebrafish in the way they use homologous key components to regulate pigment cell differentiation. In both zebrafish and mice, one transcription factor, SOX10, controls the expression of another, MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor), which in turn regulates a set of genes critical for pigment cell development and pigmentation. Mutations in either
Sox10
or
Mitf
impair pigment cell development. In
Sox10
-mutant zebrafish, experimentally induced expression of Mitf fully rescues pigmentation. Using lineage-directed gene transfer, we show that, in the mouse, Mitf can rescue
Sox10
-mutant precursor cells only partially. In fact, retrovirally mediated,
Sox10
-independent Mitf expression in mouse melanoblasts leads to cell survival and expression of a number of pigment biosynthetic genes but does not lead to expression of
tyrosinase
, the rate-limiting pigment gene which critically depends on both
Sox10
and
Mitf
. Hence, compared with fish, mice have evolved a regulation of
tyrosinase
expression that includes feed-forward loops between
Sox10
and
tyrosinase
regulatory regions. The results may help to explain how some embryos, such as zebrafish, can achieve rapid pigmentation after fertilization, whereas others, such as mice, become pigmented only several days after birth.
Low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size in healthy prepubertal children: The STRIP study
Authors: KAITOSAARI TUULI , RÖNNEMAA TAPANI , VIIKARI JORMA , LEINO AILA , JOKINEN EERO , SIMELL OLLI
Published: June 2006

Background: Small, dense low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) particles (diameter<255Å) are highly atherogenic, and in adults they are associated with an elevated risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Aim: To examine possible contributors to LDL particle size distribution in healthy prepubertal children. Methods: We determined LDL particle size in 176 7‐y‐old children by non‐denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Children were divided into two groups in two ways: by using the median of their average LDL particle diameter (261.2 Å) or by using the LDL peak particle diameter (255 Å) as the cut‐off point. Results: Children with smaller LDL particles did not significantly differ from children with larger LDL particles with respect to anthropometric variables, serum triglyceride concentration (in all children<1.7 mmol/L), apoE phenotype, amount and quality of dietary fat, or child's family history of CHD. Furthermore, LDL particle size did not correlate with any of the anthropometric, lipid or nutrient variables. Children with average LDL particle size below the median had higher serum insulin and lower high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apoA‐1 concentrations than those with LDL particle size above the median.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that many factors related to the development of small, dense LDL particles might have their major impact after the onset of puberty.
The adult sense of coherence scale is applicable to 12‐year‐old schoolchildren—an additional tool in health promotion
Authors: Honkinen Päivi‐Leena , Suominen Sakari , Rautava Päivi , Hakanen Jari , Kalimo Raija
Published: June 2006

Background: Two principal operationalizations of sense of coherence (SOC) for the study of adults have been developed, one consisting of 29 and another consisting of 13 items. According to these studies, SOC is associated with various aspects of perceived health. Also, a 16‐item scale for determining SOC in young children (≤10 y) is available. It is unclear from which age on SOC can be studied by using any of the scales for adults. Aim: To determine whether the 13‐item SOC scale for adults is applicable to children 12 y of age. Methods: Comparable data of SOC had been collected by a mail survey directed to adults (mean age 36 y, n=706) in 1985. Twelve‐year‐old children filled in questionnaires in school class in 1997 (n=994). Results: SOC score range, mean, median and standard deviation (SD), and Cronbach alpha coefficients of the total SOC scale were almost identical in children and adults.

Conclusion: The 13‐item SOC scale aimed at adults is applicable to children of 12 y of age or older. The SOC scale could be a useful additional tool for identifying children with perceived health deficits potentially in need of supportive interventions.
Prevalent musculoskeletal pain as a correlate of previous exposure to torture
Authors: Olsen Dorte Reff , Montgomery Edith , Bøjholm Soren , Foldspang Anders
Published: June 2006

Aim: To research possible associations between previous exposure to specific torture techniques and prevalent pain in the head and face, back, and feet. Methods: 221 refugees, 193 males and 28 females, previously exposed to torture in their home country, were subject to a clinical interview at a rehabilitation clinic for torture victims. The interview focused on exposure to torture and somatic symptoms prevalent at examination. Results: The mean number of times imprisoned was 2.3; the mean number of months imprisoned was 19.7; the mean duration from initial imprisonment to final release was 3.7 years; and the mean duration from final release to preliminary interview was 8.4 years. The most frequent physical torture method reported was beating (92.3%) and the main mental torture method was deprivation (84.6%). Pain in the head and face was found to be strongly associated with torture against head and face (OR 3.89, 95% CI 1.49—10.20) and with the cumulative number of physical torture methods exposed to. Pain in the back was associated with sexual torture (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.07—7.12). Besides beating of the lower extremities (OR 5.98, 95% CI 2.47—14.48), the strongest predictor for pain in the feet was general abuse of the whole body (OR 5.64, 95% CI 1.93—16.45). Conclusion: In spite of many factors being potentially co-responsible for prevalent pain, years after the torture took place it presents itself as strongly associated with specific loci of pain, with generalized effects, and with somatizing.
Historical view of DNA replication studies, with special reference to Japan
Authors: Sugino Akio , Araki Hiroyuki
Published: June 2006

Almost forty years after the key contributions to the field by Okazaki and coworkers that gave rise to the concept of leading and the lagging strand, we are still at the state of uncertainty about the proteins that replicate each strand. Perhaps, one main conclusion that should be drawn from the data currently available is that the protein architecture at the fork is more plastic than originally thought.
iubmb Life, 58: 323‐327, 2006
Modulation of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii flagellar motility by redox poise
Authors: Wakabayashi Ken-ichi , King Stephen M.
Published: June 2006

Redox-based regulatory systems are essential for many cellular activities. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii exhibits alterations in motile behavior in response to different light conditions (photokinesis). We hypothesized that photokinesis is signaled by variations in cytoplasmic redox poise resulting from changes in chloroplast activity. We found that this effect requires photosystem I, which generates reduced NADPH. We also observed that photokinetic changes in beat frequency and duration of the photophobic response could be obtained by altering oxidative/reductive stress. Analysis of reactivated cell models revealed that this redox poise effect is mediated through the outer dynein arms (ODAs). Although the global redox state of the thioredoxin-related ODA light chains LC3 and LC5 and the redox-sensitive Ca2+-binding subunit of the docking complex DC3 did not change upon light/dark transitions, we did observe significant alterations in their interactions with other flagellar components via mixed disulfides. These data indicate that redox poise directly affects ODAs and suggest that it may act in the control of flagellar motility.
Factors That Affect Influenza Vaccine Uptake Among Staff of Long-Term Care Facilities
Authors: Hauri Anja M. , Uphoff Helmut , Gussmann Volker , Gawrich Stefan
Published: June 2006

A survey of directors and employees of 36 long-term care facilities in Hesse, Germany, revealed that influenza vaccine uptake among staff was less than 30% in 30 and greater than 50% in 6. The study identified policies and practices associated with vaccination uptake at long-term care facilities and factors associated with the decision of staff to get vaccinated.
Risk Factors for Nosocomial Infection in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Couto Renato C. , Pedrosa Tania M. G. , Tofani Cristina de Paula , Pedroso Enio R. P.
Published: June 2006

Objective.

To determine risk factors for nosocomial infection in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Design.

A prospective, open cohort study.

Setting.

A 22-bed NICU.

Patients.

Neonates admitted to a single NICU during 1994-1998 were included in the study. Outcome variables included central venous catheter (CVC)–associated primary bloodstream infection (BSI), non–CVC-associated primary BSI, pneumonia, and overall nosocomial infection. Independent variables included birth weight, use of mechanical ventilation (MV), duration of MV, use of a CVC, duration of CVC use, duration of NICU stay, gestational age, congenital malformation, maximum (ie, worst) base excess, and maximum and minimum fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) for maintaining appropriate blood saturation levels during the first 12 hours after NICU admission.

Results.

A total of 1051 neonates were admitted to the NICU. Overall, 358 NIs were diagnosed. Non–CVC-associated primary BSI was the most frequent nosocomial infection (in 195 neonates [54.5%]), followed by pneumonia (46 [12.8%]), and CVC-associated primary BSI (35 [9.8%]). The mortality rate was 16%. In the final logistic regression model, the following 5 risk factors were found to be predictive of nosocomial infection development: use of MV, longer duration of MV, longer duration of CVC use, longer duration of NICU stay, and low maximum appropriate FIO2.

Conclusion.

Invasive device use and duration of use continue to greatly influence the development of nosocomial infection in NICUs. In our cohort, birth weight showed no influence on the development of nosocomial infection. Low maximum FIO2influenced the occurrence of overall nosocomial infection.
Nosocomially AcquiredPseudomonas stutzeriBrain Abscess in a Child: Case Report and Review
Authors: Yee-Guardino Stephanie , Danziger-Isakov Lara , Knouse Mark , Bingaman William , Sabella Camille , Goldfarb Johanna
Published: June 2006

Pseudomonas stutzeriis a rare cause of nosocomial infection. We report a pediatric case of nosocomially acquiredP. stutzeribrain abscess after subdural grid implantation before surgery for refractory epilepsy and review the literature.
Monitoring for bovine spongiform encephalopathy in sheep in Great Britain, 1998–2004
Authors: Stack Michael , Jeffrey Martin , Gubbins Simon , Grimmer Steve , González Lorenzo , Martin Stuart , Chaplin Melanie , Webb Paul , Simmons Marion , Spencer Yvonne , Bellerby Peter , Hope James , Wilesmith John , Matthews Danny
Published: June 2006

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) may have been transmitted to British sheep via contaminated feed in the 1980s. Strain-typing techniques based on immunohistochemical (IHC) detection of abnormal protein (PrPd) and the molecular analysis of proteinase-resistant protein (PrPres) by Western blotting (WB) can discriminate between natural or experimental scrapie and experimental BSE in sheep. Between 1 January 1998 and 31 October 2001, 1247 sheep, clinically suspected of scrapie, were found to be positive by statutory tests in Great Britain. Archived brain tissue from these cases was retested by using these discriminatory methods. Twelve brain samples showed PrPres WB patterns that were unlike those found in natural or experimental scrapie. Prospective screening of fresh tissue from a further 1121 scrapie cases was also carried out between 1 November 2001 and 31 May 2004. Two samples gave WB results with similarities to the results found for experimental BSE in sheep. When all 14 unusual cases were tested by IHC, no match to experimental BSE in sheep was found. There were uncertainties within the retrospective study, where some equivocal results were obtained due to poor tissue quality or the unavailability of the optimum brain region. However, for the samples where tissue condition was optimum, our results provide no evidence for the presence of BSE in sheep. Epidemiological interpretation of the 450 flocks sampled indicates that the maximum proportion of sheep transmissible spongiform encephalopathy cases that could be BSE is 0.66 %. This estimate is lower than calculated previously (5 %), when the analysis was based on the results of strain typing in mice.
Comparison of properties of particles of Cucumber mosaic virus and Tomato aspermy virus based on the analysis of molecular surfaces of capsids
Authors: Pacios Luis F. , García-Arenal Fernando
Published: June 2006

The plant RNA viruses Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Tomato aspermy virus (TAV) (genus Cucumovirus) have similar icosahedral particles, the crystal structures of which have been reported recently. Similarity in particle structure agrees with reports of stable capsids assembled from their capsid proteins and of viable recombinant viruses with chimeric capsid proteins derived from CMV and TAV. However, differences between the cucumoviruses have been reported for physicochemical properties. Here, structural and electrostatic features of the molecular surfaces are studied to investigate their relationship with these observations. Two coat-protein recombinants with structures modelled by taking CMV and TAV as templates were also included in the analysis. Results show that there exists an external region of negative electrostatic potential that has arisen from strictly conserved charged residues situated near the external HI loop of the subunits in the capsomers. This negative domain surrounds the fivefold and quasi-sixfold axes and locates above regions of positive potential that extend to cover, nearly homogeneously, the inner surface of capsids, where interaction with encapsidated RNA occurs. Differences between the outer electrostatic distributions in CMV and TAV explain the distinct response of both viruses to variations in physicochemical conditions required for particle stability and are essential to rationalize the biological activity of the coat-protein recombinants, in spite of their seemingly distinct electrostatic characteristics.
1′S-1′-Acetoxychavicol acetate isolated from Alpinia galanga inhibits human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication by blocking Rev transport
Authors: Ye Ying , Li Baoan
Published: June 2006

AIDS remains a major global health concern. Despite a number of therapeutic advancements, there is still an urgent need to develop a new class of therapy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Here, it was shown that 1′S-1′-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA), a small molecular compound isolated from the rhizomes of Alpinia galanga, inhibited Rev transport at a low concentration by binding to chromosomal region maintenance 1 and accumulating full-length HIV-1 RNA in the nucleus, resulting in a block in HIV-1 replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Additionally, ACA and didanosine acted synergistically to inhibit HIV-1 replication. Thus, ACA may represent a novel treatment for HIV-1 infection, especially in combination with other anti-HIV drugs.
Matrix protein and glycoproteins F and H of Peste-des-petits-ruminants virus function better as a homologous complex
Authors: Mahapatra M. , Parida S. , Baron M. D. , Barrett T.
Published: June 2006

The matrix (M) protein of paramyxoviruses forms an inner coat to the viral envelope and serves as a bridge between the surface glycoproteins (F and H) and the ribonucleoprotein core. Previously, a marker vaccine (RPV-PPRFH) was produced for the control of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) disease, where the F and H genes ofRinderpest virus(RPV) were replaced with the equivalent genes fromPeste-des-petits-ruminants virus(PPRV); however, this virus grew poorly in tissue culture. The poor growth of the RPV-PPRFH chimeric virus was thought to be due to non-homologous interaction of the surface glycoproteins with the internal components of the virus, in particular with the M protein. In contrast, replacement of the M gene of RPV with that from PPRV did not have an effect on the viability or replication efficiency of the recombinant virus. Therefore, in an effort to improve the growth of the RPV-PPRFH virus, a triple chimera (RPV-PPRMFH) was made, where the M, F and H genes of RPV were replaced with those from PPRV. As expected, the growth of the triple chimera was improved; it grew to a titre as high as that of the unmodified PPRV, although comparatively lower than that of the parental RPV virus. Goats infected with the triple chimera showed no adverse reaction and were protected from subsequent challenge with wild-type PPRV. The neutralizing-antibody titre on the day of challenge was ∼17 times higher than that in the RPV-PPRFH group, indicating RPV-PPRMFH as a promising marker-vaccine candidate.
Characterization of an envelope protein (VP110) of White spot syndrome virus
Authors: Li Li , Lin Shumei , Yang Feng
Published: June 2006

A protein of 110 kDa (termed VP110) from the envelope fraction of White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was identified by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry. The resulting amino acid sequence matched an open reading frame (wsv035) containing an Arg–Gly–Asp (RGD) motif in the WSSV genome database. To validate the mass-spectrometry result, the C-terminal segment of the wsv035 open reading frame was expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein, which was used to produce specific antibody. Analysis by Western blotting and immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that VP110 was an envelope protein of WSSV. An interaction analysis was performed between VP110 and the host cells, using a fluorescence assay and a competitive-inhibition assay. The results showed that VP110 was capable of attaching to host cells and that adhesion could be inhibited by synthetic RGDT peptides, suggesting that the RGD motif in the VP110 sequence may play a role in WSSV infection.
Bovine herpesvirus 1 immediate-early protein (bICP0) interacts with the histone acetyltransferase p300, which stimulates productive infection and gC promoter activity
Authors: Zhang Yange , Jiang Yunquan , Geiser Vicki , Zhou Joe , Jones Clinton
Published: June 2006

The immediate-early protein, bICP0, ofBovine herpesvirus 1(BHV-1) transactivates viral promoters and stimulates productive infection. bICP0 is expressed constitutively during productive infection, as its gene contains an immediate-early and an early promoter. Like other ICP0 homologues encoded by members of the subfamilyAlphaherpesvirinae, bICP0 contains a zinc RING finger located near its N terminus. Mutations that disrupt the bICP0 zinc RING finger impair its ability to activate transcription, stimulate productive infection, inhibit interferon-dependent transcription in certain cell types and regulate subnuclear localization. bICP0 also interacts with a cellular chromatin-remodelling enzyme, histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), and can relieve HDAC1-mediated transcriptional repression, suggesting that bICP0 inhibits silencing of the viral genome. In this study, it was shown that bICP0 interacted with the histone acetyltransferase p300 during productive infection and in transiently transfected cells. In addition, p300 enhanced BHV-1 productive infection and transactivated a late viral promoter (gC). In contrast, a CH3-domain deletion mutant of p300, which is a dominant-negative mutant, did not activate the gC promoter. bICP0 and p300 cooperated to activate the gC promoter, suggesting that there is a synergistic effect on promoter activation. As p300 can activate certain antiviral signalling pathways (for example, interferon), it was hypothesized that interactions between p300 and bICP0 may dampen the antiviral response following infection.
Viral suppressors of RNA interference impair RNA silencing induced by a Semliki Forest virus replicon in tick cells
Authors: Garcia Stephan , Billecocq Agnès , Crance Jean-Marc , Prins Marcel , Garin Daniel , Bouloy Michèle
Published: June 2006

It was recently shown that infection of ISE6 tick cells by a recombinant Semliki Forest virus (SFV) expressing a heterologous gene induced small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and silencing of the gene. To gain information on RNA interference (RNAi) in ticks, three known viral inhibitors that act in different ways, the NS1 protein of Influenza virus, NSs of Tospovirus Tomato spotted wilt virus and HC-Pro of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus were expressed and investigated to determine if they antagonize induced RNAi. Using the recombinant SFV replicon expressing firefly luciferase, silencing was induced and the suppressor activity of these inhibitors during or after initiation of siRNA synthesis was tested, to determine which step of the RNAi pathway is impaired. It was found that these proteins, identified in mammalian or plant systems, also display activity in tick cells. These data suggest that ticks utilize a mechanism similar to the one found in other eukaryotes.
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus immune modulation: an overview
Authors: Rezaee S. A. Rahim , Cunningham Charles , Davison Andrew J. , Blackbourn David J.
Published: June 2006

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the most recently discovered human herpesvirus. It is the aetiological agent of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a tumour frequently affecting AIDS patients not receiving treatment. KSHV is also a likely cause of two lymphoproliferative diseases: multicentric Castleman's disease and primary effusion lymphoma. The study of KSHV offers exciting challenges for understanding the mechanisms of virus pathogenesis, including those involved in establishing infection and dissemination in the host. To facilitate these processes, approximately one-quarter of KSHV genes encode cellular homologues or unique proteins that have immunomodulatory roles in cytokine production, apoptosis, cell signalling and the immunological synapse. The activities of these molecules are considered in the present review and the positions of their genes are mapped from a complete KSHV genome sequence derived from a KS biopsy. The understanding gained enables the significance of different components of the immune response in protection against KSHV infection to be evaluated. It also helps to unravel the complexities of cellular and immunological pathways and offers the potential for exploiting viral immunomodulators and derivatives in disease therapy.
Frontier engineering: from the globe to the body in the Cold War Arctic
Authors: Farish Matthew
Published: June 2006

The dual themes of sovereignty and wilderness have come to define, or at least dominate, historical discussions of the North American Arctic. This paper argues that neither adequately captures the role of the Arctic during the early Cold War, a period of unprecedented interest in northern landscapes. Political and environmental approaches, with their national undertones, were incorporated into a dominant narrative whose implications were far less abstract: the Arctic became a frontier for military science, both imaginatively and materially. Civilian institutions with military affiliations emerged to advocate for additional Arctic research in the natural and social sciences, whereas Canadian and American military agencies established laboratories and training centres, constructed complex defence networks and staged numerous military exercises across Arctic spaces, operations which tested the performance of both humans and machines. These projects actively engineered Arctic terrain in the name of scholarly advancement and military necessity. If the Cold War Arctic is to be understood geographically, then the national scale must be placed next to the broader views of geopolitics and scientific inquiry but also next to the finer perspectives of military bodies moving across ‘hostile’ terrain.
Vulnerability to climate change hazards and risks: crop and flood insurance
Authors: Mcleman Robert , Smit Barry
Published: June 2006

This paper reviews the widely used concepts of risk and vulnerability as they relate to climate and weather hazards, re‐conceptualizes these terms in the context of climate change and illustrates this development using crop and flood insurance as examples. Government subsidization of insurance against risks associated with adverse climatic conditions and weather events, such as flood damage and crop loss, may lead to individual decisions that actually increase the susceptibility of people, property and economic activities to those risks. The processes that give rise to this phenomenon are important in understanding the vulnerability of human populations to climate change. In many regions, existing conditions that give rise to flooding or crop failure are likely to be exacerbated by climate change over coming decades. In the climate change field, vulnerability has been conceptualised as a function of exposure to risk and as an ability to adapt to the effects. In this context, crop and flood insurance are possible adaptive measures. This treatment of vulnerability compares with similar concepts in insurance and risk management whereby events that cause loss are known as perils, and physical conditions, such as climate change, that increase the likelihood of a peril occurring, are known as physical hazards. Human behaviour that increases the exposure of individuals to potential perils is known as morale hazard or moral hazard, depending on the intentions of the person. Vulnerability consequently becomes a function of hazard and responses taken to reduce risk. Examples of crop and flood insurance programs from Canada, New Zealand and the U.S. are used to show how subsidized insurance might create a morale hazard in addition to physical hazards such as short‐term weather events and long‐term climate change, resulting in a higher level of vulnerability than would otherwise exist. These findings demonstrate that human behaviour affects the formation of both exposure and adaptive capacity in the context of vulnerability to climate change. Responses taken to increase adaptive capacity may in some cases be offset by individual behaviour that increases exposure.
Can prey behaviour induce spatially synchronic aggregation of solitary predators?
Authors: Penteriani Vincenzo , A. Fortuna Miguel , J. Melián Carlos , Otalora Fermín , Ferrer Miguel
Published: June 2006

Spatio‐temporal patterns of predator aggregations within their settlement areas (i.e. temporary settling zones used during dispersal or, more generally, foraging patches) were studied. By integrating the main behavioural rules of juveniles of Spanish imperial eagles Aquila adalberti during dispersal with the temporal availability of the eagles’ main prey, we have developed several individual‐based models under different simulation scenarios. The results suggest that the spatially synchrony of the aggregation patterns that we observed were derived from a combination of behavioural responses of the prey and the distances between available settlement areas. These results are discussed in the context of predator–prey relationships, optimal foraging and self‐organizing processes.
2. Pretesting Experimental Instructions
Authors: Rashotte Lisa Slattery , Webster Murray , Whitmeyer Joseph M.
Published: June 2006

Laboratory experiments, well established in sociology and social psychology, are alternate realities constructed for assessing derivations from theories. Experiments instantiate a theory's scope and initial conditions, and that information is usually delivered through instructions to participants. Because experiments often use video and computer technology and often test very precise predictions of new theories, we suggest developing objective means to assess information delivery. We illustrate these points by reference to a widely used standard experiment to assess theories of status processes. We first describe elements of good experimental design with their justifications. Next, we describe new techniques we have developed and illustrate their usefulness, showing results of a first use of the new techniques. While the assessment still relies somewhat on judgments, we find the technique useful and suggest further developments that might improve it for experimental and other research uses.
3. A New Approach to Estimating Life Tables with Covariates and Constructing Interval Estimates of Life Table Quantities
Authors: Lynch Scott M. , Brown J. Scott
Published: June 2006

Extant approaches to constructing life tables generally rely on the use of population data, and differences between groups defined by discrete characteristics are examined by disaggregating the data before estimation. When sample data are used, few researchers have attempted to include covariates directly in the process of estimation, and fewer still have attempted to construct interval estimates for state expectancies when covariates are used. In this paper, we present a Bayesian approach that is useful for producing interval estimates for single-decrement, multiple-decrement, and multistate life tables. The method involves (1) estimating a hazard or survival model using Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods to produce a sample from the posterior distribution for the parameters of the model; (2) generating distributions of transition probabilities for selected values of covariates using the sample of model parameters; (3) using these distributions of transition probabilities as inputs for life table construction; and (4) summarizing the distribution of life table quantities. We illustrate the method on data simulated from the Berkeley Mortality Database, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (and follow-ups), and data from the National Long Term Care Survey, and we show how the results can be used for hypothesis testing.