bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overexpression of CDC25B, CDC25C and phospho-CDC25C (Ser216) in vulvar squamous cell carcinomas are associated with malignant features and aggressive cancer phenotypes
Authors: Wang Zhihui , Trope Claes G , Flørenes Vivi Ann , Suo Zhenhe , Nesland Jahn M , Holm Ruth
Published: June 2010

Background

CDC25 phosphatases are important regulators of the cell cycle. Their abnormal expression detected in a number of tumors implies that their dysregulation is involved in malignant transformation. However, the role of CDC25s in vulvar cancer is still unknown. To shed light on their roles in the pathogenesis and to clarify their prognostic values, expression of CDC25A, CDC25B and CDC25C in a large series of vulvar squamous cell carcinomas were examined.

Methods

Expression of CDC25A, CDC25B, CDC25C and phosphorylated (phospho)-CDC25C (Ser216) were examined in 300 vulvar carcinomas using immunohistochemistry. Western blot analysis was utilized to demonstrate CDC25s expression in vulvar cancer cell lines. Kinase and phosphatase assays were performed to exclude cross reactivity among CDC25s isoform antibodies.

Results

High nuclear CDC25A and CDC25B expression were observed in 51% and 16% of the vulvar carcinomas, respectively, whereas high cytoplasmic CDC25C expression was seen in 63% of the cases. In cytoplasm, nucleus and cytoplasm/nucleus high phospho-CDC25C (Ser216) expression was identified in 50%, 70% and 77% of the carcinomas, respectively. High expression of CDC25s correlated significantly with malignant features, including poor differentiation and infiltration of vessel for CDC25B, high FIGO stage, presence of lymph node metastases, large tumor diameter, poor differentiation for CDC25C and high FIGO stage, large tumor diameter, deep invasion and poor differentiation for phospho-CDC25C (Ser216). In univariate analysis, high expression of phospho-CDC25C (Ser216) was correlated with poor disease-specific survival (p = 0.04). However, such an association was annulled in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that CDC25C and phospho-CDC25C (Ser216) play a crucial role and CDC25B a minor role in the pathogenesis and/or progression of vulvar carcinomas. CDC25B, CDC25C and phospho-CDC25C (Ser216) were associated with malignant features and aggressive cancer phenotypes. However, the CDC25s isoforms were not independently correlated to prognosis.
Promoter- and cell-specific epigenetic regulation of CD44, Cyclin D2, GLIPR1 and PTEN by Methyl-CpG binding proteins and histone modifications
Authors: Müller Imke , Wischnewski Frank , Pantel Klaus , Schwarzenbach Heidi
Published: June 2010

Background

The aim of the current study was to analyze the involvement of methyl-CpG binding proteins (MBDs) and histone modifications on the regulation of CD44, Cyclin D2, GLIPR1 and PTEN in different cellular contexts such as the prostate cancer cells DU145 and LNCaP, and the breast cancer cells MCF-7. Since global chromatin changes have been shown to occur in tumours and regions of tumour-associated genes are affected by epigenetic modifications, these may constitute important regulatory mechanisms for the pathogenesis of malignant transformation.

Methods

In DU145, LNCaP and MCF-7 cells mRNA expression levels of CD44, Cyclin D2, GLIPR1 and PTEN were determined by quantitative RT-PCR at the basal status as well as after treatment with demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and/or histone deacetylase inhibitor Trichostatin A. Furthermore, genomic DNA was bisulfite-converted and sequenced. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was performed with the stimulated and unstimulated cells using antibodies for MBD1, MBD2 and MeCP2 as well as 17 different histone antibodies.

Results

Comparison of the different promoters showed that MeCP2 and MBD2a repressed promoter-specifically Cyclin D2 in all cell lines, whereas in MCF-7 cells MeCP2 repressed cell-specifically all methylated promoters. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that all methylated promoters associated with at least one MBD. Treatment of the cells by the demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR) caused dissociation of the MBDs from the promoters. Only MBD1v1 bound and repressed methylation-independently all promoters. Real-time amplification of DNA immunoprecipitated by 17 different antibodies showed a preferential enrichment for methylated lysine of histone H3 (H3K4me1, H3K4me2 and H3K4me3) at the particular promoters. Notably, the silent promoters were associated with unmodified histones which were acetylated following treatment by 5-aza-CdR.

Conclusions

This study is one of the first to reveal the histone code and MBD profile at the promoters of CD44, Cyclin D2, GLIPR1 and PTEN in different tumour cells and associated changes after stimulation with methylation inhibitor 5-aza-CdR.
Toll-like receptor 9 polymorphisms influence mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1
Authors: Ricci Elisabetta , Malacrida Sandro , Zanchetta Marisa , Mosconi Ilaria , Montagna Marco , Giaquinto Carlo , De Rossi Anita
Published: June 2010

Background

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns and play a crucial role in the host's innate immune response. Genetic variations in TLR genes may influence host-viral interactions and might impact upon the risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of genetic variants of TLR 9 gene on MTCT.

Methods

Three hundred children (118 HIV-1-infected and 182 HIV-1-uninfected) born to HIV-1-infected mothers were studied. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) NM_017442.2: c.4-44G > A (rs352139) and c.1635A > G (rs352140) of the TLR9 gene were genotyped by TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Statistical analyses were performed using SNPStats program.

Results

When considered separately, neither of the two SNPs was significantly associated with risk of HIV-1 infection. However, the [A;A] and [G;G] haplotypes were associated with a higher risk of HIV-1 infection compared to the prevalent [G;A] haplotype [odds ratio (OR) = 3.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-8.03, p = 0.016, and OR = 5.54, 95% CI 1.76-17.50, p = 0.004, respectively].

Conclusions

Overall, results demonstrate a significant correlation between specific genetic variants of the TLR9 gene and risk of MTCT of HIV-1, thus confirming a critical role of innate immunity in perinatal HIV-1 infection. Strategies aimed at modulating innate immunity might be useful for future treatment of pediatric HIV-1 infection and AIDS.
Fusion to chicken C3d enhances the immunogenicity of the M2 protein of avian influenza virus
Authors: Zhang Zhenhua , Li Yongqing , Xu Shufang , Chen Fuyong , Zhang Li , Jiang Beiyu , Chen Xiaoling
Published: June 2010

Background

Current vaccines to avian influenzae virus (AIV), a highly contagious disease of birds, need to be constantly updated due to the high level of variation in the target antigens. Therefore, a vaccine that could induce broad cross protection against AIV is required. The M2 membrane protein is structurally conserved amongst AIV subtypes but tends in induce a poor immune response, whereas C3d has been shown in many species to enhance immunogenicity. In this study, we investigated the potential of M2-avian C3d fusion proteins to provide effective immunity.

Results

We fused chicken complement C3d to sM2 (M2 protein with the transmembrane region deleted) of AIV and expressed four fusion proteins, GST (Glutathione S-transferase tagged proteins in pGEX expression vector) -C3d-sM2, GST-C3d-L2-sM2, GST-C3d-L1-C3d-sM2 and GST-C3d-L1-C3d-L2-sM2 were used to immunize mice. In addition, Specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens were inoculated with the plasmids pcDNA-sM2, pcDNA-C3d-L1-C3d-L2-sM2, GST-sM2 and GST-C3d-L1-C3d-L2-sM2. The immune response was monitored by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for sM2 antibody, and all the test animals were challenged with A/chicken/Bei Jing/WD9/98 (H9N2) virus. Results revealed that the anti-sM2 antibody in mice and chickens vaccinated with these proteins was higher than the nonfused forms of sM2, the GST-C3d-L1-C3d-L2-sM2 groups have conferred the highest 30% and 20% protection ratio in mice and chickens respectively. In addition, the pcDNA-C3d-L1-C3d-L2-sM2 also enhances the antibody responses to sM2 compared to pcDNA-sM2 in chickens, and acquired 13.3% protection ratio.

Conclusion

These results indicated that chicken C3d enhanced the humoral immunity against AIV M2 protein either fused proteins expressed by the prokaryotic system or with the DNA vaccine. Nevertheless, in view of the poor protection ratio for these animals, we speculated that this is not a worthy developing of vaccine in these constructs.
Co-lethality studied as an asset against viral drug escape: the HIV protease case
Authors: Brouillet Sophie , Valere Thomas , Ollivier Emmanuelle , Marsan Laurent , Vanet Anne
Published: June 2010

Background

Co-lethality, or synthetic lethality is the documented genetic situation where two, separately non-lethal mutations, become lethal when combined in one genome. Each mutation is called a "synthetic lethal" (SL) or a co-lethal. Like invariant positions, SL sets (SL linked couples) are choice targets for drug design against fast-escaping RNA viruses: mutational viral escape by loss of affinity to the drug may induce (synthetic) lethality.

Results

From an amino acid sequence alignment of the HIV protease, we detected the potential SL couples, potential SL sets, and invariant positions. From the 3D structure of the same protein we focused on the ones that were close to each other and accessible on the protein surface, to possibly bind putative drugs. We aligned 24,155 HIV protease amino acid sequences and identified 290 potential SL couples and 25 invariant positions. After applying the distance and accessibility filter, three candidate drug design targets of respectively 7 (under the flap), 4 (in the cantilever) and 5 (in the fulcrum) amino acid positions were found.

Conclusions

These three replication-critical targets, located outside of the active site, are key to our anti-escape strategy. Indeed, biological evidence shows that 2/3 of those target positions perform essential biological functions. Their mutational variations to escape antiviral medication could be lethal, thus limiting the apparition of drug-resistant strains.

Reviewers

This article was reviewed by Arcady Mushegian, Shamil Sunyaev and Claus Wilke.
Differential gene expression in brain tissues of aggressive and non-aggressive dogs
Authors: Våge Jørn , Bønsdorff Tina B , Arnet Ellen , Tverdal Aage , Lingaas Frode
Published: June 2010

Background

Canine behavioural problems, in particular aggression, are important reasons for euthanasia of otherwise healthy dogs. Aggressive behaviour in dogs also represents an animal welfare problem and a public threat. Elucidating the genetic background of adverse behaviour can provide valuable information to breeding programs and aid the development of drugs aimed at treating undesirable behaviour. With the intentions of identifying gene-specific expression in particular brain parts and comparing brains of aggressive and non-aggressive dogs, we studied amygdala, frontal cortex, hypothalamus and parietal cortex, as these tissues are reported to be involved in emotional reactions, including aggression. Based on quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in 20 brains, obtained from 11 dogs euthanised because of aggressive behaviour and nine non-aggressive dogs, we studied expression of nine genes identified in an initial screening by subtraction hybridisation.

Results

This study describes differential expression of the UBE2V2 and ZNF227 genes in brains of aggressive and non-aggressive dogs. It also reports differential expression for eight of the studied genes across four different brain tissues (amygdala, frontal cortex, hypothalamus, and parietal cortex). Sex differences in transcription levels were detected for five of the nine studied genes.

Conclusions

The study showed significant differences in gene expression between brain compartments for most of the investigated genes. Increased expression of two genes was associated with the aggression phenotype. Although the UBE2V2 and ZNF227 genes have no known function in regulation of aggressive behaviour, this study contributes to preliminary data of differential gene expression in the canine brain and provides new information to be further explored.
Elastic moduli of dry and water-saturated carbonates — Effect of depositional texture, porosity, and permeability
Authors: Fabricius Ida L. , Bächle Gregor T. , Eberli Gregor P.
Published: June 2010

Elastic moduli of water-saturated sedimentary rocks are in some cases different from moduli derived using Gassmann fluid substitution on data for rocks in the dry state. To address this discrepancy, we use a data set representing 115 carbonate samples from different depositional settings and a wide range of porosity and permeability. Depositional texture is reflected in the effect of water on elastic moduli and in the porosity-permeability relationship. Depositional texture is taken into account when porosity and permeability are combined in the effective specific surface of pores, which is related for a given pore fluid to the reference frequency as defined by Biot. For a given frequency of elastic waves, we obtain Biot’s frequency ratio between measured ultrasonic wave frequency and Biot reference frequency. For mostsamples with a frequency ratio above 10, elastic moduli in the water-saturated case are higher than predicted from elastic moduli in the dry case by Gassmann fluid substitution. This stiffening effect of water in some cases may be described by Biot’s high-frequency model, although in heterogeneous samples, a squirt mechanism is more probable. For data representing frequency ratios of 0.01 to 1, Gassmann fluid substitution works well. For samples with frequency ratios below 0.001, elastic moduli in the water-saturated case are lower than would be expected according to Gassmann’s equations or to Biot’s theory. This water-softening effect becomes stronger with decreasing frequency ratio. Water softening or stiffening of elastic moduli may be addressed by effective-medium modeling. In this study, we used the isoframe model to quantify water softening as a function of frequency ratio.
3D VSP migration by image point transform
Authors: Cosma Calin , Balu Lucian , Enescu Nicoleta
Published: June 2010

The common characteristic of the seismic methods involving downhole measurements is the difficulty of designing surveys able to image the subsurface space evenly. Migration schemes for these layouts are sensitive to reconstruction artifacts. The defining property of the image point (IP) transform is its ability to accumulate amplitudes of curved reflection events appearing in time-distance profiles into approximately discoidal (or spherical in three dimensions) vicinities in the IP domain. Due to the reflected wavefields collapsing into such vicinities in the IP domain, the emphasizing of the reflectors consists of enhancing regions with higher amounts of accumulated amplitude. True-dip filtering can also easily be performed, even for reflectors appearing in the time-distance profiles as curved events due to their dip, source offset or variable velocity field. Reflecting interfaces aredefined as sets of linked piecewise planar-reflector elements rather than as collections of point diffractors. True reflectors fitting this description are enhanced by the IP transform while diffraction patterns, events produced by other wave types, multiples, and noise of any kind, tend to be suppressed. The inverse transform leads to filtered versions of time-distance profiles. An alternative to performing the inverse transform back to the original time-distance representation is computing 2D/3D migrated images directly from the transformed IP space. Although the 3D migration by IP transform is applicable to any seismic survey geometry, we focused on procedures for enhancing prestack migrated images obtained by sparse multioffset, multiazimuth vertical seismic profiling (VSP) surveys as typically performed for mining site characterization and mineral exploration. The real data used were collected within an extensive mining seismic investigation program performed in Canada.
Using Mindlin theory to model friction-dependent shear modulus in granular media
Authors: Duffaut Kenneth , Landrø Martin , Sollie Roger
Published: June 2010

An explicit expression for the effective shear modulus of a random packing of identical spheres is derived as a function of Mindlin’s tangential stiffness with interparticle contact friction. The motivation behind the approach is to incorporate the effect of intergrain friction to predict velocities in unconsolidated sands. The Mindlin friction term, allowing partial slip across the contact area between pairs of spheres, can be viewed as a parameter accounting for the growing macroscopic intergrain friction in sands as burial progresses. Hence, both moduli and velocities will gradually increase as the compressional- to shear-wave velocity ratio [Formula: see text] or Poisson’s ratio [Formula: see text] decreases. An estimate of effective elastic constants in particular shear modulus can be obtained for a spherical grain pack with an arbitrary frictional behavior ranging between two special contact boundary conditions representing infinite friction and zero friction. The proposedmodel predicts a nonlinear transition between the two special grain-contact conditions when compared to previously published linear relationships. Comparison of elastic properties, i.e., dynamic shear-modulus predictions assuming zero contact friction with experimental data on loose glass bead and sand samples undergoing hydrostatic compression, appears to match reasonably well at low confining stress (less than [Formula: see text]) but deviates gradually as stress increases. It is advocated that the increasing effective internal frictional resistance of the experimental core samples control both the frictional attenuation mechanism in loose grain packs under low confining stress for strain amplitudes typical of seismic waves (less than [Formula: see text]) and the higher stress-velocity sensitivity. Circumstantial evidence of this is found in publications describing both laboratory attenuation analysis and consolidation experiments on granular materials with different degrees of competence or static shear strength.
C-Type Natriuretic Peptide as a New Regulator of Food Intake and Energy Expenditure
Authors: Inuzuka Megumi , Tamura Naohisa , Yamada Nobuko , Katsuura Goro , Oyamada Naofumi , Taura Daisuke , Sonoyama Takuhiro , Fukunaga Yasutomo , Ohinata Kousaku , Sone Masakatsu , Nakao Kazuwa
Published: June 2010

The physiological implication of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) including energy metabolism has not been elucidated, because of markedly short stature in CNP-null mice. In the present study we analyzed food intake and energy expenditure of CNP-null mice with chondrocyte-targeted CNP expression (CNP-Tg/Nppc−/− mice), in which marked skeletal dysplasia was rescued, to investigate the significance of CNP under minimal influences of skeletal phenotypes. In CNP-Tg/Nppc−/− mice, body weight and body fat ratio were reduced by 24% and 32%, respectively, at 20 wk of age, and decreases of blood glucose levels during insulin tolerance tests were 2-fold exaggerated at 17 wk of age, as compared with CNP-Tg/Nppc+/+ mice. Urinary noradrenalin excretion of CNP-Tg/Nppc−/− mice was greater than that of CNP-Tg/Nppc+/+ mice by 28%. In CNP-Tg/Nppc−/− mice, rectal temperature at 1600 h was higher by 1.1 C, and uncoupling protein-1 mRNA expression in the brown adipose tissue was 2-fold increased, which was canceled by propranolol administration, as compared with CNP-Tg/Nppc+/+ mice. Oxygen consumption was significantly increased in CNP-Tg/Nppc−/− mice compared with that in CNP-Tg/Nppc+/+ mice. Food intake of CNP-Tg/Nppc−/− mice upon ad libitum feeding and refeeding after 48 h starvation were reduced by 21% and 61%, respectively, as compared with CNP-Tg/Nppc+/+ mice. This study unveiled a new aspect of CNP as a molecule regulating food intake and energy expenditure. Further analyses on precise mechanisms of CNP actions would lead to the better understanding of the significance of the CNP/guanylyl cyclase-B system in food intake and energy expenditure.
Aberrant Expression and Modification of Silencing Mediator of Retinoic Acid and Thyroid Hormone Receptors Involved in the Pathogenesis of Tumoral Cortisol Resistance
Authors: Jiang Jingjing , Li Na , Wang Xiaolin , Lu Yan , Bi Yufang , Wang Weiqing , Li Xiaoying , Ning Guang
Published: June 2010

Ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS) accounts for 10–15% of cases of Cushing’s syndrome and is mostly caused by small cell lung cancers or thymic carcinoids. EAS is characterized by tumoral cortisol resistance, whose underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we reported that silencing mediator of retinoic acid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT), a major nuclear corepressor, was aberrantly expressed in ACTH-secreting thymic carcinoids. Overexpression and knockdown of SMRT in the ACTH-secreting AtT-20 cell line demonstrated that SMRT participated in the negative feedback of dexamethasone-mediated suppression of proopiomelanocortin. Posttranslational modification by the small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMO), i.e. SUMOylation plays an important role in fine-tuning transcriptional activities. SUMOylation of SMRT was observed in dexamethasone-resistant cell lines. Moreover, overexpression of the deSUMOylation enzyme enhanced the suppression of proopiomelanocortin by dexamethasone in AtT-20 cells. An evolutionarily conserved consensus SUMOylation site was identified close to the histone deacetylase 3 recruiting domain of SMRT, which might interfere with the recruiting process. These results suggested that aberrant expression and modification of SMRT might be involved in the pathogenesis of tumoral cortisol resistance. A therapeutic approach targeting SMRT SUMOylation might be developed for EAS patients.
On the number of runs for Bernoulli arrays
Authors: Ait Aoudia Djilali , Marchand Éric
Published: June 2010

We introduce and motivate the study of (n + 1) × r arrays X with Bernoulli entries Xk,j and independently distributed rows. We study the distribution of which denotes the number of consecutive pairs of successes (or runs of length 2) when reading the array down the columns and across the rows. With the case r = 1 having been studied by several authors, and permitting some initial inferences for the general case r > 1, we examine various distributional properties and representations of Sn for the case r = 2, and, using a more explicit analysis, the case of multinomial and identically distributed rows. Applications are also given in cases where the array X arises from a Pólya sampling scheme.
Oriented cell motility and division underlie early limb bud morphogenesis
Authors: Wyngaarden Laurie A. , Vogeli Kevin M. , Ciruna Brian G. , Wells Mathew , Hadjantonakis Anna-Katerina , Hopyan Sevan
Published: June 2010

The vertebrate limb bud arises from lateral plate mesoderm and its overlying ectoderm. Despite progress regarding the genetic requirements for limb development, morphogenetic mechanisms that generate early outgrowth remain relatively undefined. We show by live imaging and lineage tracing in different vertebrate models that the lateral plate contributes mesoderm to the early limb bud through directional cell movement. The direction of cell motion, longitudinal cell axes and bias in cell division planes lie largely parallel to one another along the rostrocaudal (head-tail) axis in lateral plate mesoderm. Transition of these parameters from a rostrocaudal to a mediolateral (outward from the body wall) orientation accompanies early limb bud outgrowth. Furthermore, we provide evidence that Wnt5a acts as a chemoattractant in the emerging limb bud where it contributes to the establishment of cell polarity that is likely to underlie the oriented cell behaviours.
Recent Developments in Locomotives used by a Heavy Industry
Authors: Ribbons R. T.
Published: June 2010

The Steel Company of Wales at Port Talbot has a railway system all of its own. With 39 diesel shunters and 128 miles of rail track it handles 315,000 tons of material each week.

Seventeen years have elapsed since the Company took delivery of its first diesel shunter. There followed four other basically different locomotive designs, each having its own good features and each its own problems. Thus an unusual opportunity existed for comparing the design of various shunting locomotives and for determining which features suited the working conditions best.

A very large number of modifications and design changes have been made to enable the locomotives to work more reliably and at lower maintenance costs. Some of the more recent developments which are described involve the use of new inventions and man-made materials not available when the locomotives were built. It is suggested that by adopting new ideas and materials, locomotive manufacturers can follow the lead given recently by motor car designers and produce locomotives requiring only infrequent servicing or attention.
Consent to rapid treatment of eye tumours: is the waiting time too short at Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre?
Authors: Bridson John D , Damato Bertil
Published: June 2010

At the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre (LOOC), patients with an eye tumour are offered rapid treatment. Procedures such as enucleation (surgical removal of the eye) are usually performed within 24 hours of initial assessment. Such expedited treatment can be challenged on the basis that it is incompatible with valid consent. We present the results of a questionnaire audit exploring the views of patients on how long they waited to undergo invasive procedures for intraocular melanoma. The findings inform a discussion of three plausible reasons for doubting the validity of consent to rapid intervention: the distress of diagnosis may temporarily undermine patients’ capacity to choose; the decision may be too complex to make quickly; and rapid availability of treatment may be unduly influential, undermining the voluntariness of the decision. Using the example of enucleation, we argue that, with adequate safeguards, rapid intervention does not undermine the validity of patients’ consent.
The challenges of seeking consent from adults to participate in acute research studies
Authors: Lecouturier Jan , Stobbart Lynne , Murtagh Madeleine J , Ford Gary A , Rapley Tim , Louw Stephen J , Rodgers Helen
Published: June 2010

In this paper the current legislative landscape and the challenges researchers face in obtaining informed consent in acute situations are explored. In such situations, some current guidelines can be difficult or impossible to apply. Capacity should be formally assessed before consent is sought to ensure that vulnerable persons are neither inappropriately recruited to a study nor denied the opportunity to participate. However, there is little guidance in current legislation as to how this should be achieved. When the patient is considered to be unable to provide prospective informed consent, other forms are sometimes permissible, although all have specific drawbacks. First, it is argued that a brief instrument, suitable for the acute situation, is needed to determine whether patients have the capacity to consent to clinical trials. Secondly, it is argued that there are areas of the informed consent process that require review, and ways that improvements could be made are suggested.
Ultrasound evaluation of brain infections and its complications in Nigerian infants
Authors: Nzeh Donald , Oyinloye Olalekan Ibukun , Odebode Olugbenga Timothy , Akande Halimat , Braimoh Kolawole
Published: June 2010

Infantile meningitis is a clinical diagnosis. However, suspicion of its complications may warrant further investigations; and transfrontanelle ultrasound is a reliable and cheap way to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasonography in diagnosing the complications of infantile meningitis. This is a retrospective study of the transfrontanelle ultrasound findings in 40 infants presenting with clinical indicators of complicated acute bacterial meningitis. There were 20 boys and 20 girls aged 5–115 days (mean, 42.6 ± 30.1 days). The complications of meningitis detectable on ultrasound were: hydrocephalus (21[52.5%]); cerebral abscess (2[5%]); subdural empyema (2 [5%]); and ventriculitis (3[7.5%]). Twelve babies (30%) had no abnormal findings. Hydrocephalus is the most common complication of meningitis in our setting. Transfontanelle ultrasound proved to be very reliable in the initial diagnosis and follow-up of complicated meningitis.
Childhood Plasmodium falciparum malaria complicated by acute pancreatitis
Authors: Thapa Rajoo , Mallick Debkrishna , Biswas Biswajit
Published: June 2010

Falciparum malaria is occasionally associated with multiple organ system complications. However, acute pancreatitis rarely occurs as a part of the spectrum. A 13-year-old boy presented with falciparum malaria complicated predominantly by acute pancreatitis. He recovered satisfactorily with supportive measures. To our knowledge, there are less than 10 such documented instances in the literature and they are mostly adults. Acute abdomen in Plasmodium falciparum infection may reveal pancreatitis which should be detected at the earliest.
Cause of death among people with retroviral infection in rural Guinea-Bissau
Authors: Cooper Maxwell , Van Der Loeff Maarten Schim , Mcconkey Samuel , Cooper Sarah , Vincent Tim , Whittle Hilton
Published: June 2010

HIV-2 and HTLV-1 infection are both associated with increased mortality, but the causes of death are not well known. Relatives of 84 deceased persons from a rural part of Guinea-Bissau were interviewed using a standardised verbal autopsy questionnaire in the context of a large longitudinal community cohort study. The results were reviewed by two doctors to conclude cause of death. A cause of death was agreed upon for 49/84 subjects. Nineteen of these 49 were infected with HIV-2 alone and 7 with both HIV-2 and HTLV-1. Among these, the main causes of death were pulmonary tuberculosis (n = 5), AIDS (n = 5), cerebrovascular accident (n = 5), sepsis (n = 3) and hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 2). Death associated with traditional HIV-related causes were implicated in 13/26 (50%) of those with HIV-2.
An outbreak of scrub typhus in Bishnupur district of Manipur, India, 2007
Authors: Singh S Ibungochouba , Devi K Purnamala , Tilotama Rajkumari , Ningombam Somorjit , Gopalkrishna Y , Singh Thokchom Biren , Murhekar Manoj V
Published: June 2010

Seasonal outbreaks of febrile illness with eschar have been occurring in Bishnupur district of Manipur since 2001. The aetiology of these outbreaks was unknown. We investigated a similar outbreak in 2007 in order to confirm the aetiology and identify its risk factors. We identified 38 patients who met the case definition (attack rate: 3.4/1000), including two deaths (case fatality ratio = 5.3%). Half of the female patients had eschar on the perineal area. The clinical picture and Weil-Felix positivity suggested that the outbreak was due to scrub typhus. The disease was more common among individuals who defecated or urinated in the jungle or bushy areas from a squatting position. We recommended educating the community about the common symptoms of the disease, encouraging them to seek early treatment from public health facilities and suggested that they be taught to avoid defecating/urinating from a squatting position in the jungle.
Scrub typhus in Southern India: are we doing enough?
Authors: Razak Abdul , Sathyanarayanan Vishwanath , Prabhu Mukhyaprana , Sangar Madhusudan , Balasubramanian R
Published: June 2010

Scrub typhus is a potentially fatal infectious disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. We report on a retrospective analysis of clinical manifestations, lab investigations and outcome of patients admitted to our hospital from January 2009 to December 2009 with scrub typhus. The Weil-Felix test was the serological method used to diagnose scrub typhus. A total of 29 patients were diagnosed with scrub typhus and the majority of them presented with fever (100%), headache (51%), myalgia (51%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (44%) as predominant features. Six patients (20%) presented with altered sensorium and signs of meningial irritation. There is an emergence of rickettsial infection in southern India, posing diagnostic difficulty and delay in treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are important as it prevents serious complications associated with the disease.
Cascades of π-phase plates: a transparent diffractive focusing system
Authors: Cagniot Emmanuel , Fromager Michael , Godin Thomas , Traïche Mohamed , Passilly Nicolas , Päivänranta Birgit , Ait-Ameur Kamel
Published: June 2010

Typically, refractive lenses are used to focus rays of light, but an alternative way can be found by exploiting diffraction of light. It is well known that cascades of hard-edge apertures are able to focus light but with the great drawback of absorption losses. In this paper, we demonstrate that replacing hard-edge apertures with π-phase plates within a cascade greatly improves the focusing of collimated Gaussian beams. In addition, we propose a simple model to design this cascade, in particular to find the locations and the radii of the different optics once the focal length has been chosen. This model deduced from numerical simulation is useful for sizing cascades consisting of a high number of components and characterized by a strong focusing ability, without requiring a time-consuming optimization process.
Fast and precise registration of quasi-planar free-form wavefronts
Authors: Chen Shanyong , Li Shengyi , Dai Yifan , Peng Xiaoqiang , Zhang Weiwei
Published: June 2010

Quasi-planar free-form wavefronts are featured with vertical fluctuations of small amplitude and high frequency. They can be considered a plane superposed with waviness at the scale of a wavelength, which is the key to enabling control of the optical performance. This paper presents a method for fast and precise registration of quasi-planar free-form wavefronts to obtain the true difference between the test wavefront and the nominal one. We first adapt the planar subaperture stitching algorithm to the registration of two wavefronts with almost 100% overlap. This will usually fail because the registration result is very sensitive to lateral misalignment. Hence a fast and precise method is proposed to directly register two point sets in three-dimensional (3D) space. It is based on a novel procedure to calculate the closest distances of 3D points to another 3D point set. Then registration of a 320 mm×320 mm wavefront with the method is simulated and compared with the subaperture stitching method. Finally a corrective machining case is given to demonstrate the validity of the method to achieve high precision.
Franktienne's spirals: chaos theory, minor literature and generic limits
Authors: Wittrock Mary Cobb
Published: June 2010

This article elucidates the distinct relationship between Franktienne's spiral writing and Ilya Prigogine and Isabelle Stengers' contemporary chaos theory demonstrating that chaos theory is an important paradigm to consider in literary analysis of the twentieth and twenty-first century.
The open-ended nature of Franktienne's spiral interprets the Arrow of Time as proposed by Prigogine and Stengers; that is, that time is not reversible and the future and the past do not have a direct, linear relationship. In essence, Prigogine and Stengers proposed that order evolves out of
chaos. Furthermore, the fractalized, noisy, chaotic schizophony illustrated in his works imitates the bifurcation process in chaos theory when a system, far from equilibrium, undergoes self-organizing iterations from chaos to either order or more chaos. As a result, this analysis will examine
how two of Franktienne's works, Ultravocal and H'ros-Chimres, challenge the limits of traditional genre theory, and will show that his schizophonic writing exists in a state far from equilibrium allowing a deleuzian minor language and literature to be exposed.
Intimit: entretien avec Maryse Cond
Authors: Boisseron Bndicte
Published: June 2010

This interview addresses Maryse Cond's entire body of work with emphasis put on her most recent novels, Clanire cou-coup (2000), Histoire de la femme cannibale (2003), Victoire, les saveurs et les mots (2006), and Les belles tnbreuses (2008). Cond reflects
upon her relationship to intimacy and autobiography, discussing the influence of her life on her creative work. Cond reveals the meaning of being true to oneself as opposed to pretending and how her uncompromising nature has impacted her writing and life. Furthermore, she explains why homosexuality
and incest are recurrent themes in her novels. Cond opens up about love in the Guadeloupian culture, offering a candid look at a topic with which she has no personal experience. The interview ends with Cond reflecting on race, biracial relationships and black beauty.
Book Reviews
Authors: Marsh Kate , Oktapoda Efstratia , Parris David L
Published: June 2010

Transoceanic Dialogues: Coolitude in Caribbean and Indian Ocean Literatures, Vronique Bragard (2008) Brussels: Peter Lang, 280 pp, ISBN 90-5201-418-0 (pbk), 22.10

Femmes du crpuscule, Nouvelles, Evelyne Accad (2008) Paris: L'Harmattan, 115 pp, ISBN 978-2-296-06125-5
(pbk), 12.50

Le monde amrindien au miroir des Lettres difiantes et curieuses, Adrien Paschoud (2008) Oxford: Voltaire Foundation, 229 pp, ISBN 978-0-7294-0935-3, ISSN 0435-2866, pbk, 60
Fluid attachment: reframing peacebuilding through Ahmadou Kourouma's Allah n'est pas oblig
Authors: Lux Christina
Published: June 2010

Through an analysis of Ahmadou Kourouma's novel Allah n'est pas oblig (2000), this article contends that literature must hold a place alongside political theory in peacebuilding. Kourouma's novel creates a tension between two modes of narration (historical and environmental)
to explore the ethics of writing war trauma. Instead of advocating adoption of one of the classical frameworks for ethics, the narrative tensions in this novel push the reader to approach ethics from within a relational framework. By placing Kourouma's novel in the context of a wider literary
discourse on peace and conflict in sub-Saharan Africa that has emerged from 1974 to 2005, this article demonstrates that a meta-ethics may be drawn from these novels. This meta-ethics, based on the concepts of the reaching gesture and fluid attachment, can aid in framing peace and conflict
studies.
Rethinking Damasian Ngritude: biography, literature, genre theory
Authors: Miller Bart
Published: June 2010

This article analyses Lon-Gontran Damas's Ngritude conceptually as an essentially individual critique of colonialism through which a reconciliation of literary aesthetics and political ideology can begin to transpire. It aims to offer a perspective of Damas's oeuvre, in which two theoretical
approaches can be applied together: postcolonial studies and genre theory. By examining Damas's literary forms within the context of genre theory, an inquiry is made into how his individual texts shape a poetics of Ngritude. Thus, genre theory could be useful when applied to postcolonial theory
in this auxiliary way. The approach has the potential to allow for a reflection upon the relationship between texts in a Damas's corpus and the way in which they can be grouped together as varied perspectives on anti-colonialism.
Class and gender as a laughing matter? The case of Roseanne
Authors: Senzani Alessandra
Published: June 2010

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of humor in challenging hegemonic discourses on social class and gender, as they are reproduced in the popular sitcom format. Mindful of sitcoms' entrenched role in the audience's commodification process, the study explores whether a form of critical humor on social class and gender can emerge in the TV palimpsest. For this purpose, the study will look specifically at the sitcom Roseanne and at the public persona of Roseanne Barr. The study adopts a “multiperspectival approach” that considers all three elements of production, text and reception. First, Roseanne will be historically contextualized to understand the contradictions with which working-class representations are fraught. Secondly, a textual analysis will be performed to assess the extent to which class and gender are used as sources of humor and for which functions; finally, metatexts and viewers' responses will be analyzed considering the tensions between hegemonic and oppositional meanings attached to the sitcom. The case study of Roseanne will show that, in spite of obvious containment strategies—often through the secondary plotline and the metatexts, the sitcom provided its audience with critical humor to challenge hegemonic representations of class and gender.
An Alternative Impression Technique for Implant-Retained Overdentures With Locator Attachments
Authors: Uludag Bulent , Cogalan Kemal , Polat Serdar
Published: June 2010

Locator attachments are commonly used for mandibular implant-retained overdentures. This case report presents an alternative mandibular overdenture impression technique that is pressure free.
Biosorption of nickel by Pseudomonas cepacia 120S and Bacillus subtilis 117S
Authors: Abdel-Monem M. O. , AL-Zubeiry A. H. S. , AL-Gheethi A. A. S.
Published: June 2010

Biosorption of nickel by two bacterial species: Bacillus subtilis 117S and Pseudomonas cepacia 120S was studied. The maximum uptake of nickel was achieved at 234.4 μg Ni2 +  ml−1 by P. cepacia 120S (living and dead biomass) and at 117.2 and 351.6 μg Ni2 +  ml−1 by living and dead biomass of B. subtilis 117S. The increase in biomass concentration has shown an increase in the nickel uptake. The nickel removal increased significantly during contact time from 1 to 8 h then remained constant until 24 h where the equilibrium occurred. Biosorption efficiency of nickel increased with increasing pH from 2 to 7 for living and dead biomass of P. cepacia 120S and B. subtilis 117S. Temperature had an important role in nickel biosorption by both species. The nickel removal by living biomass was significantly disturbed after pretreatment of bacterial biomass with sodium azide, mercuric chloride and formaldehyde. Esterification of carboxyl groups, methylation of amino groups and extraction of lipid fraction of biomass by acetone and benzene significantly reduced the biosorption capacity of nickel. Repeated biosorption and desorption operations exhibited that the biosorption capacity of bacterial biomass regenerated with HNO3 and NaOH as desorbing medium increased significantly in cycle 4 for P. cepacia 120S and B. subtilis 117S. In case of regeneration with HNO3 and distilled water the biosorption capacity increased significantly in cycle 4 for B. subtilis 117S and did not differ significantly from cycle 1 to cycle 4 for P. cepacia 120S. The biosorption capacity of living and dead biomass of B. subtilis 117S and dead biomass of P cepacia 120S (155.5 as compared to 175.6 and 169.8 mg Ni2 +  g−1) was higher than that of sludge, tea and saw dust (148.4, 52.7 and 44.6 mg Ni2 +  g−1).
Abundance and diversity of ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria on biological activated carbon in a pilot-scale drinking water treatment plant with different treatment processes
Authors: Kasuga Ikuro , Nakagaki Hirotaka , Kurisu Futoshi , Furumai Hiroaki
Published: June 2010

The effects of different placements of rapid sand filtration on nitrification performance of BAC treatment in a pilot-scale plant were evaluated. In this plant, rapid sand filtration was placed after ozonation-BAC treatment in Process (A), while it preceded ozonation-BAC treatment in Process (B). Analysis of amoA genes of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) combined with nitrification potential test was conducted. BAC from Process (A) demonstrated slightly higher nitrification potential at every sampling occasion. This might be due to higher abundances of AOB on BAC from Process (A) than those on BAC from Process (B). However, AOA rather than AOB could be predominant ammonia-oxidizers in BAC treatment regardless of the position of rapid sand filtration. The highest nitrification potential was observed for BAC from both processes in February when the highest abundances of AOA-amoA and AOB-amoA genes were detected. Since rapid sand filtration was placed after BAC treatment in Process (A), residual aluminum concentration in BAC influent was higher in Process (A). However, adverse effects of aluminum on nitrification activity were not observed. These results suggest that factors other than aluminum concentration in different treatment processes could possibly have some influence on abundances of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms on BAC.
The MobiSan approach: informal settlements of Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Naranjo A. , Castellano D. , Kraaijvanger H. , Meulman B. , Mels A. , Zeeman G.
Published: June 2010

Pook se Bos informal settlement and the Cape Town Water & Sanitation Services Department are partnering on an urban sanitation project with a Dutch Consortium consisting of Lettinga Associates Foundation (LeAF), Landustrie Sneek and Vitens-Evides International. The aim of the project is to improve the basic sanitation services provided in informal settlements through the implementation of the MobiSan approach. The approach consists of a communal Urine-Diversion and Dehydration Toilet (UDDT) built in a former sea shipping container. The system is independent of water, electricity or sewerage connection and it is maintained by full-time community caretakers who also act as hygiene promoters. The project seeks to link sanitation services with hygiene promotion in informal settlements while enhancing user satisfaction and reducing costs in providing basic sanitation services. This paper describes the preliminary experiences and lessons learnt during the implementation and evaluation of the MobiSan prototype and discusses its potential for replication. The MobiSan has proved to be an appropriate option by means of dealing successfully with shallow groundwater table, land availability and high settlement densities. In addition it has been demonstrated to be cost-competitive in terms of operating cost compared to chemical toilets.
Heterogeneous catalytic ozonation of cationic dyes using volcanic sand
Authors: Valdés H. , Godoy H. P. , Zaror C. A.
Published: June 2010

This work aims to present experimental results on the treatment of methylene blue contaminated waters using heterogeneous catalytic ozonation promoted by volcanic sand. The effect of pH (2–8), and the presence of radical scavengers (acetate ions) in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems are evaluated at laboratory scale. Heterogeneous catalytic ozonation using volcanic sand increases methylene blue removal rate. In the presence of free radical scavengers, only a 37% reduction on methylene blue removal rate is observed in the heterogeneous system, as compared with 70% when homogeneous ozonation is used. The results obtained here indicate the importance of chemical surface properties on methylene blue oxidation reactions, suggesting that acid surface sites of volcanic sand play a key role on the reaction mechanism.