bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
T lymphocytes from human atherosclerotic plaques recognize oxidized low density lipoprotein.
Authors: Stemme S , Faber B , Holm J , Wiklund O , Witztum J L , Hansson G K
Published: May 2006

Atherosclerosis, an underlying cause of myocardial infarction, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases, consists of focal plaques characterized by cholesterol deposition, fibrosis, and inflammation. The presence of activated T lymphocytes and macrophages and high expression of HLA class II molecules are indicative of a local immunologic activation in the atherosclerotic plaque, but the antigen(s) involved has not yet been identified. We established T-cell clones from human atherosclerotic plaques using polyclonal mitogens as stimuli and exposed the clones to potential antigens in the presence of autologous monocytes as antigen-presenting cells. Four of the 27 CD4+ clones responded to oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) by proliferation and cytokine secretion; this response was dependent on autologous antigen-presenting cells and restricted by HLA-DR. All clones that responded to oxLDL secreted interferon gamma upon activation, but only one produced interleukin 4, suggesting that the response to oxLDL results in immune activation and inflammation but may not be a strong stimulus to antibody production. No significant response to oxLDL could be detected in CD4+ T-cell clones derived from the peripheral blood of the same individuals. Together, the present data suggest that the inflammatory infiltrate in the atherosclerotic plaque is involved in a T-cell-dependent, autoimmune response to oxLDL.
Rapid selection of cell subpopulation-specific human monoclonal antibodies from a synthetic phage antibody library.
Authors: de Kruif J , Terstappen L , Boel E , Logtenberg T
Published: May 2006

Peripheral blood leukocytes incubated with a semisynthetic phage antibody library and fluorochrome-labeled CD3 and CD20 antibodies were used to isolate human single-chain Fv antibodies specific for subsets of blood leukocytes by flow cytometry. Isolated phage antibodies showed exclusive binding to the subpopulation used for selection or displayed additional binding to a restricted population of other cells in the mixture. At least two phage antibodies appeared to display hitherto-unknown staining patterns of B-lineage cells. This approach provides a subtractive procedure to rapidly obtain human antibodies against known and novel surface antigens in their native configuration, expressed on phenotypically defined subpopulations of cells. This approach does not depend on immunization procedures or the necessity to repeatedly construct phage antibody libraries.
A single phosphotyrosine residue of the prolactin receptor is responsible for activation of gene transcription.
Authors: Lebrun J J , Ali S , Goffin V , Ullrich A , Kelly P A
Published: May 2006

Members of the cytokine/growth hormone/prolactin (PRL) receptor superfamily are associated with cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases of the Jak family. For the PRL receptor (PRLR), after PRL stimulation, both the kinase Jak2 and the receptor undergo tyrosine phosphorylation. To assess the role of tyrosine phosphorylation of the PRLR in signal transduction, several mutant forms of the PRLR in which various tyrosine residues were changed to phenylalanine were constructed and their functional properties were investigated. We identified a single tyrosine residue located at the C terminus of the PRLR to be necessary for in vivo activation of PRL-responsive gene transcription. This clearly indicates that a phosphotyrosine residue in the cytoplasmic domain of a member of the cytokine/growth hormone/PRL receptor superfamily is directly involved in signal transduction.
The antiproliferative activity of c-myb and c-myc antisense oligonucleotides in smooth muscle cells is caused by a nonantisense mechanism.
Authors: Burgess T L , Fisher E F , Ross S L , Bready J V , Qian Y X , Bayewitch L A , Cohen A M , Herrera C J , Hu S S , Kramer T B
Published: May 2006

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation is thought to play a major role in vascular restenosis after angioplasty and is a serious complication of the procedure. Developing antisense (AS) oligonucleotides as therapeutics is attractive because of the potentially high specificity of binding to their targets, and several investigators have reported inhibition of SMC proliferation in vitro and in vivo by using AS strategies. We report here the results of our experiments on vascular SMCs using AS oligonucleotides directed toward c-myb and c-myc. We found that significant inhibition of SMC proliferation occurred with these specific AS sequences but that this inhibition was clearly not via a hybridization-dependent AS mechanism. Rather, inhibition was due to the presence of four contiguous guanosine residues in the oligonucleotide sequence. This was demonstrated in vitro in primary cultures of SMCs and in arteries ex vivo. The ex vivo model developed here provides a rapid and effective system in which to screen potential oligonucleotide drugs for restenosis. We have further explored the sequence requirements of this non-AS effect and determined that phosphorothioate oligonucleotides containing at least two sets of three or four consecutive guanosine residues inhibit SMC proliferation in vitro and ex vivo. These results suggest that previous AS data obtained using these and similar, contiguous guanosine-containing AS sequences be reevaluated and that there may be an additional class of nucleic acid compounds that have potential as antirestenosis therapeutics.
Vaccination preserves CD4 memory T cells during acute simian immunodeficiency virus challenge
Authors: Mattapallil Joseph J. , Douek Daniel C. , Buckler-White Alicia , Montefiori David , Letvin Norman L. , Nabel Gary J. , Roederer Mario
Published: May 2006

Acute simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)/human immunodeficiency virus infection is accompanied by a massive destruction of CD4 memory T cells across all the tissue compartments. These early events set the course toward disease progression and immunodeficiency. Here, we demonstrate that prior vaccination reduces this destruction during acute SIV Mac251 infection, leading to better survival and long-term outcome. Systemic vaccination with a DNA-prime recombinant adenovirus boost regimen preserved memory CD4 T cells throughout the body. The vaccine regimen induced broad CD4 and CD8 T cell responses in all tissues examined and, importantly, induced antibodies that neutralized the primary isolate of SIV used for challenge. Finally, we demonstrate that the extent of preservation of the CD4 memory compartment during the acute phase provides a strong predictor for subsequent progression to death. Our data provide a mechanism to explain clinical observations that acute-phase viral loads predict long-term disease progression and underscore the need for interventions that protect against early destruction of CD4 memory T cells during acute infection.
Reclassification of Roseobacter gallaeciensis Ruiz-Ponte et al. 1998 as Phaeobacter gallaeciensis gen. nov., comb. nov., description of Phaeobacter inhibens sp. nov., reclassification of Ruegeria algicola (Lafay et al. 1995) Uchino et al. 1999 as Marinovum algicola gen. nov., comb. nov., and emended descriptions of the genera Roseobacter, Ruegeria and Leisingera
Authors: Martens Torben , Heidorn Thorsten , Pukall Rüdiger , Simon Meinhard , Tindall Brian J. , Brinkhoff Thorsten
Published: May 2006

A heterotrophic, antibiotic-producing bacterium, strain T5T, was isolated from the German Wadden Sea, located in the southern region of the North Sea. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of this strain demonstrated close affiliation withRoseobacter gallaeciensisBS107T(99 % similarity), but the results of genotypic (DNA–DNA hybridization and DNA G+C content) and phenotypic characterization revealed that strain T5Trepresents a novel species. The novel organism is strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile and forms brown-pigmented colonies. Strain T5Tproduces the antibiotic tropodithietic acid throughout the exponential phase which inhibits the growth of bacteria from different taxa, as well as marine algae. Strain T5Trequires sodium ions and utilizes a wide range of substrates, including oligosaccharides, sugar alcohols, organic acids and amino acids. The DNA G+C content is 55.7 mol%. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strains T5TandRoseobacter gallaeciensisBS107Tgroup withLeisingera methylohalidivoransas their closest described relative within theRoseobacterclade (97.9 and 97.6 % sequence similarity, respectively) and withRuegeria algicola(96.6 and 96.5 % similarity, respectively) of theAlphaproteobacteria. Comparison of strains T5TandRoseobacter gallaeciensisBS107TwithRoseobacter denitrificansandRoseobacter litoralisshowed striking differences in 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, chemical composition, pigmentation, presence of bacteriochlorophyllaand antibiotic production. On the basis of these results, it is proposed thatRoseobacter gallaeciensisis reclassified as the type species of a new genus,Phaeobacter, asPhaeobacter gallaeciensiscomb. nov. (type strain BS107T=CIP 105210T=ATCC 700781T=NBRC 16654T=DSM 17395T). Strain T5T(=LMG 22475T=DSM 16374T) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species of this genus,Phaeobacter inhibenssp. nov. At the same time, emended descriptions are provided of the generaRoseobacter,RuegeriaandLeisingera, as well as reclassifyingRuegeria algicolaas the type species of a new genus,Marinovum, with the nameMarinovum algicolacomb. nov.
Polaribacter dokdonensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater
Authors: Yoon Jung-Hoon , Kang So-Jung , Oh Tae-Kwang
Published: May 2006

A Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, slightly halophilic bacterial strain, DSW-5T, was isolated from seawater off Dokdo, Korea, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. It grew optimally at 25–28 °C and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain DSW-5T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids detected were phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified phospholipids and an amino-group-containing lipid. The DNA G+C content was 30.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain DSW-5T was most closely related to the genus Polaribacter. Similarity values between the 16S rRNA gene sequences of strain DSW-5T and the type strains of recognized Polaribacter species were in the range 96.2–96.8 %. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain DSW-5T (=KCTC 12392T=DSM 17204T) was classified in the genus Polaribacter as the type strain of a novel species, for which the name Polaribacter dokdonensis sp. nov. is proposed.
Pedobacter sandarakinus sp. nov., isolated from soil
Authors: Yoon Jung-Hoon , Lee Mi-Hwa , Kang So-Jung , Park Soo-Yeon , Oh Tae-Kwang
Published: May 2006

A Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated DS-27T, was isolated from a soil sample, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. The organism grew optimally at 30 °C and in the presence of 0–0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain DS-27T contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1
ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 39.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain DS-27T is most closely related to the genus Pedobacter of the family Sphingobacteriaceae. Similarity values between the 16S rRNA gene sequences of strain DS-27T and the type strains of recognized Pedobacter species ranged from 90.6 to 95.5 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic distinctiveness, were sufficient to categorize strain DS-27T as representing a species that is separate from recognized Pedobacter species. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain DS-27T (=KCTC 12559T=CIP 108922T) was classified in the genus Pedobacter as a member of a novel species, for which the name Pedobacter sandarakinus sp. nov. is proposed.
Four psychrotolerant species with high chemical diversity consistently producing cycloaspeptide A, Penicillium jamesonlandense sp. nov., Penicillium ribium sp. nov., Penicillium soppii and Penicillium lanosum
Authors: Frisvad Jens C. , Larsen Thomas O. , Dalsgaard Petur W. , Seifert Keith A. , Louis-Seize Gerry , Lyhne E. K. , Jarvis Bruce B. , Fettinger James C. , Overy David P.
Published: May 2006

Penicillium jamesonlandense is a novel species from Greenland that grows exceptionally slowly at 25 °C and has an optimum temperature for growth of 17–18 °C. The novel species is more psychrotolerant than any other Penicillium species described to date. Isolates of this novel species produce a range of secondary metabolites with a high chemical diversity, represented by kojic acid, penicillic acid, griseofulvin, pseurotin, chrysogine, tryptoquivalins and cycloaspeptide. Penicillium ribium, another novel psychrotolerant species from the Rocky Mountains, Wyoming, USA, produces asperfuran, kojic acid and cycloaspeptide. Originally reported from an unidentified Aspergillus species isolated from Nepal, cycloaspeptide A is reported here for the first time from the two novel Penicillium species and two known psychrotolerant species with high chemical diversity, Penicillium soppii and Penicillium lanosum. All species, except P. ribium, produce a combination of cycloaspeptide and griseofulvin. However, P. ribium (3/5 strains) produced the precursor to griseofulvin, norlichexanthone. The type strain of Penicillium jamesonlandense sp. nov. is DAOM 234087T (=IBT 21984T=IBT 24411T=CBS 102888T) and the type strain of Penicillium ribium sp. nov. is DAOM 234091T (=IBT 16537T=IBT 24431T).
Flavobacterium weaverense sp. nov. and Flavobacterium segetis sp. nov., novel psychrophiles isolated from the Antarctic
Authors: Yi Hana , Chun Jongsik
Published: May 2006

Two psychrophilic flavobacteria, designated AT1042T and AT1048T, were isolated from terrestrial samples from the Antarctic. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses indicated a close relationship of these isolates to Flavobacterium flevense (96.9 % similarity for strain AT1042T) and Flavobacterium psychrolimnae (97.0 % for strain AT1048T). Cells were non-motile and non-gliding. Flexirubin-type pigments were absent. Both isolates were psychrophilic, with an optimum and maximum growth temperature of about 15 and 20 °C, respectively. The major isoprenoid quinone, predominant cellular fatty acids and DNA G+C contents (35–37 mol%) were consistent with the placement of the Antarctic isolates in the genus Flavobacterium. Phylogeny based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and several phenotypic characteristics could be used to differentiate these isolates from recognized Flavobacterium species. Despite high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98.9 %) between strains AT1042T and AT1048T, they represented two distinct species as demonstrated by low genomic relatedness (34 %) and a number of differential phenotypic characters. The polyphasic data presented in this study indicated that the new isolates should be classified within two novel species in the genus Flavobacterium. The names Flavobacterium weaverense sp. nov. (type strain AT1042T=IMSNU 14048T=KCTC 12223T=JCM 12384T) and Flavobacterium segetis sp. nov. (type strain AT1048T=IMSNU 14050T=KCTC 12224T=JCM 12385T) are proposed for these Antarctic isolates.
Mycobacterium arupense sp. nov., a non-chromogenic bacterium isolated from clinical specimens
Authors: Cloud Joann L. , Meyer Jay J. , Pounder June I. , Jost Kenneth C. , Sweeney Amy , Carroll Karen C. , Woods Gail L.
Published: May 2006

SeveralMycobacterium-like organisms related to theMycobacterium terraecomplex have been isolated from clinical samples. In the clinical microbiology laboratory, partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing (approximately the first 500 bp) rather than full 16S rRNA gene sequencing is often used to identifyMycobacteriumspecies. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed 100 % similarity between 65 clinical isolates andMycobacteriumsp. MCRO 6 (GenBank accession no. X93032). Even after sequencing the nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene, closest similarity was only 99.6 % toMycobacterium nonchromogenicumATCC 19530T. Sequencing of the nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene, the 16S–23S internal transcribed spacer region and thehsp65gene did not reveal genotypic identity with the type strains ofM. nonchromogenicum,M. terraeorMycobacterium triviale. Although sequence analysis suggested that these clinical isolates represented a novel species, mycolic acid analysis by HPLC failed to distinguish them fromM. nonchromogenicum. Therefore, phenotypic analysis including growth characterization, antibiotic susceptibility testing and biochemical testing was performed. These strains from clinical samples should be recognized as representing a novel species of the genusMycobacterium, for which the nameMycobacterium arupensesp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AR30097T(=ATCC BAA-1242T=DSM 44942T).
Examination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis sigma factor mutants using low-dose aerosol infection of guinea pigs suggests a role for SigC in pathogenesis
Authors: Karls Russell K. , Guarner Jeannette , McMurray David N. , Birkness Kristin A. , Quinn Frederick D.
Published: May 2006

Secondary sigma factors in bacteria direct transcription of defence regulons in response to specific stresses. To identify which sigma factors in the human respiratory pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis are important for adaptive survival in vivo, defined null mutations were created in individual sigma factor genes. In this study, in vitro growth virulence and guinea pig pathology of M. tuberculosis mutants lacking functional sigma factors (SigC, SigF, or SigM) were compared to the parent strain, H37Rv. None of the mutant strains exhibited a growth deficiency in Middlebrook 7H9 broth, nor were any impaired for intracellular replication in the human monocytic macrophage cell-line THP-1. Following low-dose aerosol infection of guinea pigs, however, differences could be detected. While a SigM mutant resulted in lung and spleen granulomas of comparable composition to those found in H37Rv-infected animals, a SigF mutant was partially attenuated, exhibiting necrotic spleen granulomas and ill-defined lung granulomas. SigC mutants exhibited attenuation in the lung and spleen; notably, necrotic granulomas were absent. These data suggest that while SigF may be important for survival in the lung, SigC is likely a key regulator of pathogenesis and adaptive survival in the lung and spleen. Understanding how SigC mediates survival in the host should prove useful in the development of anti-tuberculosis therapies.
Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of the pMOL30-encoded copper resistance in Cupriavidus metallidurans strain CH34
Authors: Monchy Sébastien , Benotmane Mohammed A. , Wattiez Ruddy , van Aelst Sébastien , Auquier Vanessa , Borremans Brigitte , Mergeay Max , Taghavi Safiyh , van der Lelie Daniel , Vallaeys Tatiana
Published: May 2006

The four replicons of Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 (the genome sequence was provided by the US Department of Energy–University of California Joint Genome Institute) contain two gene clusters putatively encoding periplasmic resistance to copper, with an arrangement of genes resembling that of the copSRABCD locus on the 2.1 Mb megaplasmid (MPL) of Ralstonia solanacearum, a closely related plant pathogen. One of the copSRABCD clusters was located on the 2.6 Mb MPL, while the second was found on the pMOL30 (234 kb) plasmid as part of a larger group of genes involved in copper resistance, spanning 17 857 bp in total. In this region, 19 ORFs (copVTMKNSRABCDIJGFLQHE) were identified based on the sequencing of a fragment cloned in an IncW vector, on the preliminary annotation by the Joint Genome Institute, and by using transcriptomic and proteomic data. When introduced into plasmid-cured derivatives of C. metallidurans CH34, the cop locus was able to restore the wild-type MIC, albeit with a biphasic survival curve, with respect to applied Cu(II) concentration. Quantitative-PCR data showed that the 19 ORFs were induced from 2- to 1159-fold when cells were challenged with elevated Cu(II) concentrations. Microarray data showed that the genes that were most induced after a Cu(II) challenge of 0.1 mM belonged to the pMOL30 cop cluster. Megaplasmidic cop genes were also induced, but at a much lower level, with the exception of the highly expressed MPL copD. Proteomic data allowed direct observation on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and via mass spectrometry, of pMOL30 CopK, CopR, CopS, CopA, CopB and CopC proteins. Individual cop gene expression depended on both the Cu(II) concentration and the exposure time, suggesting a sequential scheme in the resistance process, involving genes such as copK and copT in an initial phase, while other genes, such as copH, seem to be involved in a late response phase. A concentration of 0.4 mM Cu(II) was the highest to induce maximal expression of most cop genes.
Spontaneous reversion of Mycobacterium abscessus from a smooth to a rough morphotype is associated with reduced expression of glycopeptidolipid and reacquisition of an invasive phenotype
Authors: Howard Susan T. , Rhoades Elizabeth , Recht Judith , Pang Xiuhua , Alsup Anny , Kolter Roberto , Lyons C. Rick , Byrd Thomas F.
Published: May 2006

Mycobacterium abscessusis an increasingly important cause of human disease; however, virulence determinants are largely uncharacterized. Previously, it was demonstrated that a rough, wild-type human clinical isolate (390R) causes persistent, invasive infection, while a smooth isogenic mutant (390S) has lost this capability. During serial passage of 390S, a spontaneous rough revertant was obtained, which was named 390V. This revertant regained the ability to cause persistent, invasive infection in human monocytes and the lungs of mice. Glycopeptidolipid (GPL), which plays a role in environmental colonization, was present in abundance in the cell wall of 390S, and was associated with sliding motility and biofilm formation. In contrast, a marked reduction in the amount of GPL in the cell wall of 390R and 390V was correlated with cord formation, a property associated with mycobacterial virulence. These results indicate that the ability to switch between smooth and rough morphologies may allowM. abscessusto transition between a colonizing phenotype and a more virulent, invasive form.
TRIAL OF TRANSNASAL ESOPHAGOGASTRODUODENOSCOPY
Authors: Abe Kiminori , Miyaoka Masaaki
Published: May 2006

Background:  Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is conventionally performed transorally, although this is often a rather unpleasant experience for the patient. In the present study, we examined the merits and demerits of transnasal EGD.

Materials and Methods:  We used two types of small‐diameter endoscope, produced by Olympus Co. and Fujinon Toshiba ES Systems Co., Ltd.

Results:  Transnasal EGD was performed successfully in 98.8% (955/967) of patients examined. When questioned about premedication and the degree of discomfort, the great majority of patients stated that transnasal EGD was more comfortable than a transoral procedure. The incidences of nausea and vomiting were low at 8.6% (82/955) and 0.8% (8/955), respectively. Other identified adverse reactions were nasal pain in 42.9% (415/967) of patients, and epistaxis in 1.1% (11/967). The average time taken for transnasal EGD was 8.2 ± 0.7 min, approximately 1 min longer than for the transoral method.

Conclusion:  Transnasal EGD is less stressful to patients than transoral EGD, and is a feasible and safe alternative.
Evaluation of the activities of the medfly and Drosophila hsp70 promoters in vivo in germ‐line transformed medflies
Authors: Kalosaka K. , Chrysanthis G. , Rojas‐Gill A‐P. , Theodoraki M. , Gourzi P. , Kyriakopoulos A. , Tatari M. , Zacharopoulou A. , Mintzas A. C.
Published: May 2006

The promoter of the hsp70 gene of Drosophila melanogaster has been widely used for the expression of foreign genes in other insects. It has been generally assumed that because this gene is highly conserved, its promoter will function efficiently in other species. We report the results of a quantitative comparison of the activities of the medfly and D. melanogaster hsp70 promoters in vivo in transformed medflies. We constructed transformed lines containing the lacZ reporter gene under the control of the two promoters by using Minos‐mediated germ‐line transformation. The activity of each promoter was evaluated in 15 transformed lines by β‐galactosidase quantitative assays. The heat‐inducible activity of the medfly promoter was found several times higher than the respective activity of the heterologous D. melanogaster promoter. These results were confirmed by northern blot analysis and indicate that the D. melanogaster promoter does not work efficiently in medfly. The −263/+105 medfly promoter region that was used in this study was found able to drive heat shock expression of the lacZ reporter gene in all stages of medfly, except early embryonic stages, in a similar fashion to the endogenous hsp70 genes. However the heat inducible RNA levels driven from this promoter region were significantly lower than the endogenous hsp70 RNA levels, suggesting that additional upstream and/or downstream sequences to the −263/+105 region may be necessary for optimum function of the medfly hsp70 promoter in vivo.
oskar gene expression in the vector mosquitoes, Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti
Authors: Juhn J. , James A. A.
Published: May 2006

A disease control strategy based on the introduction into mosquito populations of a gene conferring a pathogen‐refractory phenotype is currently under investigation. This population replacement approach requires a drive system that will quickly spread and fix antipathogen effector genes in target populations. Modified transposable elements containing the control sequences of developmentally regulated genes may provide the basis for a gene drive system that regulates gene mobilization in a sex‐ and stage‐restrictive manner. Screening of a Drosophila melanogaster database for genes whose products localize exclusively in the future germ cells during early embryonic development resulted in the identification of several candidate genes. The regulatory sequences of these genes could be used to drive transposition. Mosquito orthologous genes of oskar were identified based on sequence homology and characterized further. The tissue‐ and sex‐specific expression profiles and hybridizations in situ show that oskar orthologous transcripts in Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti accumulate in developing oocytes of adult females and localize to the posterior poles of early embryos. These characteristics potentiate the use of the regulatory sequences of mosquito oskar genes for the control of modified transposable elements.
Should high‐energy infant formula be given at full strength from its first day of usage?
Authors: Evans S. , Twaissi H. , Daly A. , Davies P. , MacDonald A.
Published: May 2006

Objective  To evaluate the feeding tolerance of a high‐energy (1 kcal mL−1) infant formula (HEIF) for infants with faltering growth, weighing 2.5–8 kg, when administered at full strength from day 1 compared with stepwise introduction.

Methods  Thirty infants (aged 2–43 weeks) from a supraregional children's hospital requiring a high‐energy formula for faltering growth were randomly allocated to receive either a 1 kcal mL−1 ready to feed infant formula at full strength from day 1 or the same formula in diluted form, graded to full strength over 3 days. Bowel actions, vomits and volume of feed taken were recorded daily for 2 weeks. Weight, length, head circumference and mid‐upper arm circumference were recorded at recruitment and after 2 weeks.

Results  The number of bowel actions in the first 2 days was significantly higher for the full strength group than for the stepwise group (P = 0.02); younger infants (<12 weeks) had more bowel actions over the first 2 days on the HEIF at full strength (Spearman's correlation = −0.5; P = 0.04); and infants with a total higher energy intake (kJ kg−1) had more frequent bowel actions over the first 4 days (Spearman's correlation = 0.48; P = 0.01). There was no significant difference between groups for growth or vomiting.

Conclusions  High‐energy infant formula was generally well tolerated in infants under the age of 12 months with faltering growth when administered at full strength from day 1. However, younger infants (<12 weeks of age) may benefit from a graded introduction in order to avoid increased bowel frequency.
Influence of storage time and temperature on pleural fluid adenosine deaminase determination
Authors: ANTONANGELO Leila , VARGAS Francisco S. , ALMEIDA Luciana P. , ACENCIO Milena M. P. , GOMES Fabrício D. M. , SALES Roberta K. , SEICENTO Márcia , TEIXEIRA Lisete R.
Published: May 2006

Objectives and background:  The determination of adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in pleural fluid is important for differentiation of pleural effusions and diagnosing pleural tuberculosis. Although measurement of ADA is simple and inexpensive, controversies exist regarding potential errors caused by time elapsed between sample collection and analysis, storage temperature and the use of anticoagulants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of storage time (1, 3, 7, 10 and 28 days) and temperature (4°C and −20°C) on the determination of ADA in pleural fluid samples collected in EDTA and sent at ambient temperature to the laboratory for initial processing within 1 h of collection.

Methodology:  Twenty‐seven pleural exudates obtained from 20 patients with neoplastic disease and seven with tuberculosis were analysed. The ADA activity obtained within 1 h of collection was considered the gold standard and was compared with the other measurements.

Results:  The correlation between the initial measurement and all others was ≥0.90 for both temperatures up to the 10th day after thoracocentesis and tended to decrease by 28 days after collection, but this difference was not significant.

Conclusions:  Pleural fluid samples collected in EDTA and sent for analysis within 1 h after collection can be used to determine ADA up to 28 days after collection if stored at 4°C or −20°C, with no evidence of significant increases or decrease in enzyme activity that might distort the results.
Hippocampal synaptic plasticity and spatial learning are impaired in a rat model of sleep fragmentation
Authors: Tartar Jaime L. , Ward Christopher P. , McKenna James T. , Thakkar Mahesh , Arrigoni Elda , McCarley Robert W. , Brown Ritchie E. , Strecker Robert E.
Published: May 2006

Sleep fragmentation, a symptom in many clinical disorders, leads to cognitive impairments. To investigate the mechanisms by which sleep fragmentation results in memory impairments, rats were awakened once every 2 min via 30 s of slow movement on an automated treadmill. Within 1 h of this sleep interruption (SI) schedule, rats began to sleep in the 90‐s periods without treadmill movement. Total non‐rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) sleep time did not change over the 24 h of SI, although there was a significant decline in rapid eye movement sleep (REM) sleep and a corresponding increase in time spent awake. In the SI group, the mean duration of sleep episodes decreased and delta activity during periods of wake increased. Control rats either lived in the treadmill without movement (cage controls, CC), or had 10 ‐min periods of movement followed by 30 min of non‐movement allowing deep/continuous sleep (exercise controls, EC). EC did not differ from baseline in the total time spent in each vigilance state. Hippocampal long‐term potentiation (LTP), a long‐lasting change in synaptic efficacy thought to underlie declarative memory formation, was absent in rats exposed to 24 and 72 h SI. In contrast, LTP was normal in EC rats. However, long‐term depression and paired‐pulse facilitation were unaltered by 24 h SI. Twenty‐four hour SI also impaired acquisition of spatial learning in the hippocampus‐dependent water maze test. Twenty‐four hour SI elevated plasma corticosterone (CORT) to levels previously shown to enhance LTP (125 ng/mL). The results suggest that sleep fragmentation negatively impacts spatial learning. Loss of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor‐dependent LTP in the hippocampal CA1 region may be one mechanism involved in this deficit.
Neural mechanisms of joint attention in infancy
Authors: Striano Tricia , Reid Vincent M. , Hoehl Stefanie
Published: May 2006

One of the key transitions in early cognitive development is from participating in face‐to‐face interactions to engaging in joint attention exchanges. It is known that the ability to jointly attend with another person to an object is essential for the development of abilities such as language in later life. Strikingly, little is known about the function of joint attention in infants in the first year. We developed a novel interactive‐live paradigm to assess the neural mechanisms of joint attention in 9‐month‐old infants. An adult interacted with each infant, and infants' electrical brain activity was measured in two contexts. In the joint attention context, a live adult gazed at the infants' face and then to a computer displayed novel object. In the non‐joint attention context the adult gazed only to the novel object. We found that the negative component of the infant event‐related potential (ERP), a neural correlate indexing attentional processes, was enhanced in amplitude during the processing of objects when infants were engaged in a joint attention interaction compared to a non‐joint attention interaction. These results suggest that infants benefit from joint attention interactions by focusing their limited attentional resources to specific aspects of the surrounding environment.
Putting Self‐Regulation Theory into Practice: A User's Manual
Authors: Kuhl Julius , Kazén Miguel , Koole Sander L.
Published: May 2006

Cervone, Shadel, Smith, and Fiori (2006) propose that theories of personality architecture may provide an integrative theoretical framework for self‐regulation research. Building further on this argument, the present paper considers one comprehensive modern approach to personality architecture, personality systems interactions (PSI) theory. The authors provide a brief overview of PSI theory and discuss a simple, three‐step “user's manual” that has guided applications of the theory to real‐life behavior. Work on PSI theory highlights some of the integrative potential of personality science in the field of self‐regulation. The authors conclude that theories of personality architecture may improve the quality and precision of the counselling, coaching, and training that psychologists in many diverse areas provide.
Small‐scale, nature‐based tourism as a pro‐poor development intervention: Two examples in Kwazulu‐Natal, South Africa
Authors: Hill Trevor , Nel Etienne , Trotter Dayle
Published: May 2006

Tourism is widely acknowledged as a key economic sector that has the potential to contribute to national and local development and, more specifically, serve as a mechanism to promote poverty alleviation and pro‐poor development within a particular locality. In countries of the global South, nature‐based tourism initiatives can make a meaningful impact on the livelihoods of the poor, in particular the subsistence based rural poor. Taking two examples in KwaZulu‐Natal Province, South Africa, where small‐scale tourism initiatives were developed recently in response to existing natural attractions in the context of coping with local economic crises, this paper broadly assesses the modest benefits to date, as well as drawbacks, in improving conditions of life.
Evaluation of the Effects of Ischemic Injury and Ureteral Obstruction on Delayed Graft Function in Cats After Renal Autotransplantation
Authors: MEHL MARGO L. , KYLES ANDREW E. , REIMER S. BRENT , FLYNN ALISON K. , POLLARD RACHEL E. , NYLAND TOM , KASS PHILIP H. , GRIFFEY STEPHEN M. , GREGORY CLARE R.
Published: May 2006

Objective— To determine the relative importance of ischemic injury to delayed graft function (DGF) in cats.

Study Design— Experimental study.

Animals— Six intact female cats.

Methods— Cats had renal autograft transplantation without ureteral transection and reimplantation and a contralateral nephrectomy. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations were measured regularly and abdominal ultrasound was performed before surgery, the day after surgery and twice weekly thereafter. Ultrasound‐guided renal biopsy was performed on day 7. Cats were euthanatized on day 21. Histology of the autograft, ureter, bladder, vascular anastomoses sites, and contralateral kidney were performed. Observations were compared with those from an historic group of research cats that had extravesicular ureteroneocystostomy and contralateral nephrectomy.1

Results— Five cats completed the study. Serum creatinine and BUN concentrations increased after surgery, peaking at 3.2±0.8 and 77.6±15.9 mg/dL, respectively, 1–2 days after surgery. Serum creatinine concentration returned to the reference interval by 6 days after surgery. BUN gradually decreased in all cats but did not return to the reference interval by study end. Serum creatinine and BUN concentrations were consistently lower but not significantly so (P=.29 and .56, respectively) compared with the historic ureteroneocystostomy group. No ultrasonographic abnormalities or renal biopsy histologic abnormalities were observed. At necropsy, 1 autograft had generalized interstitial fibrosis.

Conclusion— Harvesting the renal graft and the ischemia before revascularization causes impaired renal function after engraftment.

Clinical Relevance— The process of harvesting and reimplanting the renal graft can contribute to DGF in cats, independent of ureteral obstruction.
Ventral Laparoscopic Abomasopexy in 18 Cattle with Displaced Abomasum
Authors: MULON PIERRE‐YVES , BABKINE MARIE , DESROCHERS ANDRÉ
Published: May 2006

Objective—To evaluate the feasibility and outcome of a technique for laparoscopic abomasopexy in cattle with displaced abomasum (DA).

Study Design—Retrospective study.

Animals—Dairy cattle (n=18).

Methods—Retrieved data included signalment, clinical findings, treatments, and outcome. Laparoscopic abomasopexy was performed with the sedated cow in dorsal recumbency. The pexy site was determined after identification of the antrum and the greater curvature of the abomasum. Three or 4 absorbable sutures were passed through the body wall and abomasal wall for abomasal fixation. Wound complications, DA recurrence, food consumption, owner satisfaction, and long‐term survival were assessed.

Results—Left DA was diagnosed in 17 cows and right DA in 1 cow. Abomasal decompression was performed in 12 cows and abomasopexy was achieved in all cows. Surgical wounds healed without complication, except in 4 cows that had mild periportal swelling. Postoperative return to normal appetite occurred quickly except for 2 cows with concurrent diseases. Owner satisfaction varied from good to excellent. DA did not recur.

Conclusion—Ventral laparoscopic abomasopexy was successfully performed in 18 cows with DA. Abomasal decompression was necessary for adequate abomasal manipulation and identification of landmarks for pexy. An adequate return to food consumption and no recurrence of DA occurred (mean follow‐up, 15.5 months).

Clinical Relevance—Ventral laparoscopic abomasopexy is technically feasible and an effective method for surgical treatment of DA.
Diesel Emissions and Lung Cancer1
Authors: Harris Jeffrey E.
Published: May 2006

This paper uses two different methods to assess the potential risk of human lung cancer from exposure to diesel engine emissions. One method analyzes the best available epidemiological evidence on the lung cancer risks of persons exposed in their occupations to diesel engine emissions. The second conducts a comparative analysis of laboratory and epidemiological data on diesel engine emissions and two chemically related environmental exposures–coke oven emissions and roofing tar emissions. The estimates of potential risk derived from these two distinct methods are compared. The sources of uncertainty in each method are explicitly characterized. The value of these estimates for comparing the potential lung cancer risks from exposure to diesel engine emissions with other personal and societal risks are discussed. Also considered are the limitations of these results in predicting the possible excess incidence of lung cancer from ambient exposure to diesel emissions.
Comparative Potency Method for Cancer Risk Assessment: Application to Diesel Particulate Emissions1
Authors: Albert Roy E. , Lewtas Joellen , Nesnow Stephen , Thorslund Todd W. , Anderson Elizabeth
Published: May 2006

An estimation of the human lung cancer “unit risk” from diesel engine particulate emissions has been made using a comparative potency approach. This approach involves evaluating the tumorigenic and mutagenic potencies of the particulates from four diesel and one gasoline engine in relation to other combustion and pyrolysis products (coke oven, roofing tar, and cigarette smoke) that cause lung cancer in humans. The unit cancer risk is predicated on the linear nonthreshold extrapolation model and is the individual lifetime excess lung cancer risk from continuous exposure to 1 μg carcinogen per m3 inhaled air. The human lung cancer unit risks obtained from the epidemiologic data for coke oven workers, roofing tar applicators, and cigarette smokers were, respectively, 9.3 × 10−4, 3.6 × 10−4, and 2.2 × 10−6 per μg particulate organics per m3 air. The comparative potencies of these three materials and the diesel and gasoline engine exhaust particulates (as organic extracts) were evaluated by in vivo tumorigenicity bioassays involving skin initiation and skin carcinogenicity in SENCAR mice and by the in vitro bioassays that proved suitable for this analysis: Ames Salmonella microsome bioassay, L5178Y mouse lymphoma cell mutagenesis bioassay, and sister chromatid exchange bioassay in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The relative potencies of the coke oven, roofing tar, and cigarette smoke emissions, as determined by the mouse skin initiation assay, were within a factor of 2 of those determined using the epidemiologic data. The relative potencies, from the in vitro bioassays as compared to the human data, were similar for coke oven and roofing tar, but for the cigarette smoke condensate the in vitro tests predicted a higher relative potency. The mouse skin initiation bioassay was used to determine the unit lung cancer risk for the most potent of the diesel emissions. Based on comparisons with coke oven, roofing tar, and cigarette smoke, the unit cancer risk averaged 4.4 × 10−4. The unit lung cancer risks for the other, less potent motor‐vehicle emissions were determined from their comparative potencies relative to the most potent diesel using three in vitro bioassays. There was a high correlation between the in vitro and in vivo bioassays in their responses to the engine exhaust particulate extracts. The unit lung cancer risk per μg particulates per m3 for the automotive diesel and gasoline exhaust particulates ranged from 0.20 × 10−4 to 0.60 × 10−4; that for the heavy‐duty diesel engine was 0.02 × 10−4. These unit risks provide the basis for a future assessment of human lung cancer risks when combined with human population exposure to automotive emissions.
Potential Health Effects of Light‐Duty Diesel Exhaust
Authors: Travis Curtis C. , Munro Nancy B.
Published: May 2006

The purpose of this paper is to review briefly the evidence for potential human health effects that may result from increased dieselization of the nation's light‐duty vehicle fleet. An effort is made to put the potential effects into perspective, both with regard to projected excess cancer deaths, should diesel exhaust be carcinogenic to humans, and in relation to past use of vehicles using leaded gasoline. Certain related research needs are highlighted. Available data concerning the relationship between diesel emissions, ambient air quality, and human health are summarized. On the basis of exposure estimates and relative potency factors, the authors conclude that the best estimate of the number of excess annual U.S. lung cancer deaths as a result of lifetime exposure to light‐duty diesel particulate under 1990 conditions is between 80 and 1500. Available data suggest that the carcinogenic hazard of exhaust from vehicles burning leaded gasoline may be an order of magnitude greater, on a per mile basis, than that of diesel engines. The hazard of emissions from diesel are, in turn, probably an order of magnitude greater than that of gasoline engines with catalytic converters burning unleaded gasoline. Important research needs identified by the authors include determining whether diesel exhaust is in fact a human carcinogen, studying the effect of atmospheric chemical transformation of organics in diesel exhaust on the toxicity of the exhaust, making a better determination of the relative carcinogenicity of diesel and gasoline exhausts, and determining whether exposure to diesel exhaust contributes to the development or exacerbation of chronic lung disease or of respiratory illness, especially in the very young and the aged.
Prospect Theory and Limit Lines
Authors: Wu‐Chien Jya Syin , Apostolakis George
Published: May 2006

Risk acceptance criteria in the form of limit lines are investigated in the context of prospect theory. This theory departs from utility theory in several respects, an important one being the use of weights other than probabilities in the evaluation of the expected impact of uncertain outcomes. Hypothetical functions reflecting certain attitudes toward consequences and rare events are developed and combined to produce several limit lines.
LP/HC and LULUs: The Political Uses of Risk Analysis in Land‐Use Planning1
Authors: Popper Frank J.
Published: May 2006

This paper examines how LP/HC (low‐probability/high‐consequence) risk analysis is used in planning for locally unwanted land uses, or LULUs. LULUs are development projects that are predictably objectionable to many of their neighbors. Examples are nuclear power plants, hazardous waste facilities, refineries, and airports. The paper begins by elaborating the idea of LULUs, focussing on those whose planning typically requires or invokes some form of LP/HC risk analysis. It then discusses how land planning and planners actually use the LP/HC approach to deal with LULUs. It argues that in practice land‐use planners and their associates employ a concept of risk different from that of economists, scientists, and engineers and more like that of political decision‐makers and the public at large. It concludes with a political interpretation that offers some suggestions for productively reducing this divergence in the treatment of LULUs that pose LP/HC risks.