bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EuroCareCF Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Microbiology of Cystic Fibrosis Isolates
Authors: Hogardt Michael , Ulrich Jutta , Riehn-Kopp Helga , Tümmler Burkhard
Published: September 2009

The identification of microbial species from respiratory specimens and their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents are among the most important diagnostic measures of care for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Under the umbrella of EuroCareCF, two quality assurance trials of CF microbiology were performed in 2007 and 2008. Nine formulations with CF bacterial isolates were dispatched. A total of 31/37 laboratories from 18/21 European countries participated in the 2007 and 2008 trials. The common CF pathogens
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and
Staphylococcus aureus
were correctly identified by almost all participants in both trials, even if the strains presented uncommon phenotypes.
Burkholderia cenocepacia
IIIB and
Burkholderia vietnamensis
CF isolates, however, were correctly assigned to the species level by only 26% and 27% of the laboratories, respectively. Emerging pathogens such as
Achromobacter xylosoxidans
,
Inquilinus limosus
, and
Pandoraea pnomenusa
were also not detected or were misclassified by many laboratories. One participant correctly identified all CF isolates in both trials. The percentages of correct classifications (susceptible, intermediate, resistant) by antimicrobial susceptibility testing ranged from 55 to 100% (median, 96%) per isolate and drug. The shortcomings in the diagnostics of rare and emerging pathogens point to the need for continuing education in CF microbiology and suggest the establishment of CF microbiology reference laboratories.
Multicenter Evaluation of a Transcription-Reverse Transcription Concerted Assay for Rapid Detection of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Complex in Clinical Specimens
Authors: Drouillon V. , Delogu G. , Dettori G. , Lagrange P. H. , Benecchi M. , Houriez F. , Baroli K. , Ardito F. , Torelli R. , Chezzi C. , Fadda G. , Herrmann J.-L.
Published: September 2009

A European multicenter study was performed to evaluate the performance of a new method, based on the transcription-reverse transcription concerted reaction (TRC-2), which enabled one-step amplification and real-time detection of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
16S rRNA target directly in clinical specimens. A total of 633 respiratory and nonrespiratory specimens were tested, and the results were compared with those from smears and cultures. A total of 129 patients (Paris center) were followed up in order to evaluate the clinical performance of TRC-2. By using
M. tuberculosis
complex strains to inoculate sterile sputa, the detection limit of TRC-2 was found to be 30 to 50 CFU/ml. A total of 548 respiratory specimens and 59 extrapulmonary specimens were assessable. For pulmonary specimens, the sensitivities of TRC-2 and acid-fast smear were 86.8% and 50.4%, respectively (
P
= 0.002). The specificities were 97.5% and 100%, respectively. For extrapulmonary specimens, the sensitivities of TRC-2 and acid-fast smear were 83.3% and 8.3% (
P
< 0.0001), and the specificities were 95.8% and 100%, respectively. Fifteen of 129 patients were diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The sensitivities of culture and TRC-2 were 80% (12/15) and 86.7% (13/15) (
P
= 0.16), and the specificities were 100% and 93.9%, respectively. Based on an 11.6% incidence of TB in our population, the positive predictive values of TRC-2 and culture were 81.3% and 100%, respectively, and the negative predictive values were 98.2% and 97.4%, respectively. These results demonstrated that detection of
M. tuberculosis
complex in clinical specimens by TRC-2 with ready-to-use reagents was an efficient and rapid method for the diagnosis of pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB.
Clinical Relevance of the Recently Described SpeciesAeromonas aquariorum
Authors: Figueras M. José , Alperi Anabel , Saavedra M. José , Ko Wen-Chien , Gonzalo Nieves , Navarro Maria , Martínez-Murcia Antonio J.
Published: September 2009

Twenty-two human extraintestinal isolates (11 from blood) and three isolates recovered from patients with diarrhea were genetically characterized asAeromonas aquariorum, a novel species known only from ornamental fish. The isolates proved to bear a considerable number of virulence genes, and all were resistant to amoxicillin (amoxicilline), cephalothin (cefalotin), and cefoxitin. Biochemical differentiation from the most relevant clinical species is provided.
Full-Length Characterization of Hepatitis C Virus Subtype 3a Reveals Novel Hypervariable Regions under Positive Selection during Acute Infection
Authors: Humphreys Isla , Fleming Vicki , Fabris Paolo , Parker Joe , Schulenberg Bodo , Brown Anthony , Demetriou Charis , Gaudieri Silvana , Pfafferott Katja , Lucas Michaela , Collier Jane , Huang Kuan-Hsiang Gary , Pybus Oliver G. , Klenerman Paul , Barnes Eleanor
Published: September 2009

Hepatitis C virus subtype 3a is a highly prevalent and globally distributed strain that is often associated with infection via injection drug use. This subtype exhibits particular phenotypic characteristics. In spite of this, detailed genetic analysis of this subtype has rarely been performed. We performed full-length viral sequence analysis in 18 patients with chronic HCV subtype 3a infection and assessed genomic viral variability in comparison to other HCV subtypes. Two novel regions of intragenotypic hypervariability within the envelope protein E2, of HCV genotype 3a, were identified. We named these regions HVR495 and HVR575. They consisted of flanking conserved hydrophobic amino acids and central variable residues. A 5-amino-acid insertion found only in genotype 3a and a putative glycosylation site is contained within HVR575. Evolutionary analysis of E2 showed that positively selected sites within genotype 3a infection were largely restricted to HVR1, HVR495, and HVR575. Further analysis of clonal viral populations within single hosts showed that viral variation within HVR495 and HVR575 were subject to intrahost positive selecting forces. Longitudinal analysis of four patients with acute HCV subtype 3a infection sampled at multiple time points showed that positively selected mutations within HVR495 and HVR575 arose early during primary infection. HVR495 and HVR575 were not present in HCV subtypes 1a, 1b, 2a, or 6a. Some variability that was not subject to positive selection was present in subtype 4a HVR575. Further defining the functional significance of these regions may have important implications for genotype 3a E2 virus-receptor interactions and for vaccine studies that aim to induce cross-reactive anti-E2 antibodies.
Protective Role of Fas-FasL Signaling in Lethal Infection with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 in Mice
Authors: Ishikawa Takahiro , Yamada Hisakata , Oyamada Akiko , Goshima Fumi , Nishiyama Yukihiro , Yoshikai Yasunobu
Published: September 2009

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) induces acute local infection followed by latent infection in the nervous system and often leads to the development of lethal encephalitis in immunocompromised hosts. The mechanisms of immune protection against lethal HSV-2 infection, however, have not been clarified. In this study, we examined the roles of Fas-Fas ligand (FasL) signaling in lethal infection with HSV-2 by using mice with mutated Fas (lpr) or FasL (gld) in C57BL/6 background. Bothlprandgldmice exhibited higher mortality than wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice after infection with virulent HSV-2 strain 186 and showed significantly increased viral titers in the spinal cord compared with WT mice 9 days after infection, just before the mice started to die. There were no differences in the numbers of CD4+and CD8+T cells infiltrated in the spinal cord or in the levels of HSV-2-specific gamma interferon produced by those cells in a comparison oflprand WT mice 9 days after infection. Adoptive transfer studies demonstrated that CD4+T cells from WT mice protectedgldmice from lethal infection by HSV-2. Furthermore, CD4+T cells infiltrated in the spinal cord of HSV-2-infected WT mice expressed functional FasL that induced apoptosis of Fas-expressing target cells in vitro. These results suggest that FasL-mediated cytotoxic activity of CD4+T cells plays an important role in host defense against lethal infection with HSV-2.
Structural and Functional Analysis of Hepatitis C Virus Strain JFH1 Polymerase
Authors: Simister Philip , Schmitt Melanie , Geitmann Matthis , Wicht Oliver , Danielson U. Helena , Klein Rahel , Bressanelli Stéphane , Lohmann Volker
Published: September 2009

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolate JFH1 represents the only cloned wild-type sequence capable of efficient replication in cell culture, as well as in chimpanzees. Previous reports have pointed to the viral polymerase NS5B as a major determinant for efficient replication of this isolate. To understand the underlying mechanisms, we expressed and purified NS5B of JFH1 and of the closely related isolate J6, which replicates below the limit of detection in cell culture. The JFH1 enzyme exhibited a 5- to 10-fold-higher specific activity in vitro, consistent with the polymerase activity itself contributing to efficient replication of JFH1. The higher in vitro activity of the JFH1 enzyme was not due to increased RNA binding, elongation rate, or processivity of the polymerase but to higher initiation efficiency. By using homopolymeric and heteropolymeric templates, we found that purified JFH1 NS5B was significantly more efficient in de novo initiation of RNA synthesis than the J6 counterpart, particularly at low GTP concentrations, probably representing an important prerequisite for the rapid replication kinetics of JFH1. Furthermore, we solved the crystal structure of JFH1 NS5B, which displays a very closed conformation that is expected to facilitate de novo initiation. Structural analysis shows that this closed conformation is stabilized by a sprinkle of substitutions that together promote extra hydrophobic interactions between the subdomains “thumb” and “fingers.” These analyses provide deeper insights into the initiation of HCV RNA synthesis and might help to establish more efficient cell culture models for HCV using alternative isolates.
Why Do Phage Play Dice?
Authors: Avlund Mikkel , Dodd Ian B. , Semsey Szabolcs , Sneppen Kim , Krishna Sandeep
Published: September 2009

Phage lambda is among the simplest organisms that make a developmental decision. An infected bacterium goes either into the lytic state, where the phage particles rapidly replicate and eventually lyse the cell, or into a lysogenic state, where the phage goes dormant and replicates along with the cell. Experimental observations by P. Kourilsky are consistent with a single phage infection deterministically choosing lysis and double infection resulting in a stochastic choice. We argue that the phage are playing a “game” of minimizing the chance of extinction and that the shift from determinism to stochasticity is due to a shift from a single-player to a multiplayer game. Crucial to the argument is the clonal identity of the phage.
GBF1, a Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor for Arf, Is Crucial for Coxsackievirus B3 RNA Replication
Authors: Lanke Kjerstin H. W. , van der Schaar Hilde M. , Belov George A. , Feng Qian , Duijsings Daniël , Jackson Catherine L. , Ehrenfeld Ellie , van Kuppeveld Frank J. M.
Published: September 2009

The replication of enteroviruses is sensitive to brefeldin A (BFA), an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum-to-Golgi network transport that blocks activation of guanine exchange factors (GEFs) of the Arf GTPases. Mammalian cells contain three BFA-sensitive Arf GEFs: GBF1, BIG1, and BIG2. Here, we show that coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) RNA replication is insensitive to BFA in MDCK cells, which contain a BFA-resistant GBF1 due to mutation M832L. Further evidence for a critical role of GBF1 stems from the observations that viral RNA replication is inhibited upon knockdown of GBF1 by RNA interference and that replication in the presence of BFA is rescued upon overexpression of active, but not inactive, GBF1. Overexpression of Arf proteins or Rab1B, a GTPase that induces GBF1 recruitment to membranes, failed to rescue RNA replication in the presence of BFA. Additionally, the importance of the interaction between enterovirus protein 3A and GBF1 for viral RNA replication was investigated. For this, the rescue from BFA inhibition of wild-type (wt) replicons and that of mutant replicons of both CVB3 and poliovirus (PV) carrying a 3A protein that is impaired in binding GBF1 were compared. The BFA-resistant GBF1-M832L protein efficiently rescued RNA replication of both wt and mutant CVB3 and PV replicons in the presence of BFA. However, another BFA-resistant GBF1 protein, GBF1-A795E, also efficiently rescued RNA replication of the wt replicons, but not that of mutant replicons, in the presence of BFA. In conclusion, this study identifies a critical role for GBF1 in CVB3 RNA replication, but the importance of the 3A-GBF1 interaction requires further study.
Histone Deacetylases 1 and 2 Are Phosphorylated at Novel Sites during Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection
Authors: Walters Matthew S. , Erazo Angela , Kinchington Paul R. , Silverstein Saul
Published: September 2009

ORF66p, a virion-associated varicella-zoster virus (VZV) protein, is a member of a conserved
A
lphaherpesvirinae
kinase family with homology to herpes simplex virus U
S
3 kinase. Expression of ORF66p in cells infected with VZV or an adenovirus expressing only ORF66p results in hyperphosphorylation of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and HDAC2. Mapping studies reveal that phosphorylation is at a unique conserved Ser residue in the C terminus of both HDACs. This modification requires an active kinase domain in ORF66p, as neither protein is phosphorylated in cells infected with VZV lacking kinase activity. However, hyperphosphorylation appears to occur indirectly, as within the context of in vitro kinase reactions, purified ORF66p phosphorylates a peptide derived from ORF62p, a known substrate, but does not phosphorylate HDAC. These results support a model where ORF66p is necessary but not sufficient to effect hyperphosphorylation of HDAC1 and HDAC2.
Inhibition of Human Cytomegalovirus Replication via Peptide Aptamers Directed against the Nonconventional Nuclear Localization Signal of the Essential Viral Replication Factor pUL84
Authors: Kaiser Nina , Lischka Peter , Wagenknecht Nadine , Stamminger Thomas
Published: September 2009

The UL84 open reading frame of human cytomegalovirus encodes an essential multifunctional regulatory protein that is thought to act in the nucleus as an initiator of lytic viral replication. Nuclear trafficking of pUL84 is facilitated by a complex nonconventional nuclear localization signal (NLS) that mediates its interaction with the cellular importin-α/β pathway. Since binding of pUL84 to importin-α proteins mechanistically differs from that of cellular proteins containing a classical NLS, we assumed that specific interference with the nuclear import of pUL84 might be possible and that this could constitute a novel principle for antiviral therapy. In order to test this hypothesis, we employed peptide aptamer technology and isolated several peptide aptamers from a randomized peptide expression library that specifically bind with high affinity to the unconventional pUL84 NLS under intracellular conditions. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments confirmed these interactions in mammalian cells, and the antiviral potential of the identified peptide aptamers was determined using three independent experimental approaches. (i) Infection experiments with a recombinant human cytomegalovirus expressing green fluorescent protein demonstrated 50 to 60% decreased viral replication in primary human fibroblasts stably expressing pUL84-specific aptamers. (ii) A 50 to 70% reduction of viral plaque formation, as well as a 70 to 90% inhibition of virus release in the presence of pUL84-specific aptamers, was observed. (iii) Immunofluorescence analyses revealed a shift from an almost exclusively nuclear pUL84 staining pattern to a nucleocytoplasmic distribution upon coexpression of the identified molecules, indicating that interference with the nuclear import of pUL84 contributes to the observed antiviral activity of the identified pUL84-binding aptamer molecules.
Adult AIDS-Like Disease in a Novel Inducible Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Nef Transgenic Mouse Model: CD4
+
T-Cell Activation Is Nef Dependent and Can Occur in the Absence of Lymphophenia
Authors: Rahim Mir Munir Ahmed , Chrobak Pavel , Hu Chunyan , Hanna Zaher , Jolicoeur Paul
Published: September 2009

CD4C/HIV
nef
transgenic (Tg) mice express Nef in CD4
+
T cells and in the cells of the macrophage/monocyte/dendritic lineage, and they develop an AIDS-like disease similar to human AIDS. In these mice, Nef is constitutively expressed throughout life. To rule out the contribution of any developmental defects caused by early expression of Nef, we generated inducible human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Nef Tg mice by using the tetracycline-inducible system. Faithful expression of the Nef transgene was induced in (CD4C/rtTA × TRE/HIV
Nef
) or (CD4C/rtTA2
S
-M2 × TRE/HIV
Nef
) double-Tg mice upon doxycycline (DOX) treatment in drinking water. Long-term treatment of these mice with DOX also led to loss, apoptosis, and activation of CD4
+
T cells, this latter phenotype being observed even with low levels of Nef. These phenotypes could be transferred by bone marrow (BM) transplantation, indicating a hematopoietic cell autonomous effect. In addition, in mixed Tg:non-Tg BM chimeras, only Tg and not non-Tg CD4
+
T cells exhibited an effector/memory phenotype in the absence of lymphopenia. Finally, the DOX-induced double-Tg mice developed nonlymphoid organ diseases similar to those of CD4C/HIV
Nef
Tg mice and of humans infected with HIV-1. These results show for the first time that adult mice are susceptible to the detrimental action of Nef and that Nef-mediated T-cell activation can be independent of lymphopenia. These Tg mice represent a unique model which is likely to be instrumental for understanding the cellular and molecular pathways of Nef action as well as the main characteristics of immune reconstitution following DOX withdrawal.
Semliki Forest Virus Expressing Interleukin-12 Induces Antiviral and Antitumoral Responses in Woodchucks with Chronic Viral Hepatitis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Rodriguez-Madoz Juan R. , Liu Katherine H. , Quetglas Jose I. , Ruiz-Guillen Marta , Otano Itziar , Crettaz Julien , Butler Scott D. , Bellezza Christine A. , Dykes Nathan L. , Tennant Bud C. , Prieto Jesus , González-Aseguinolaza Gloria , Smerdou Cristian , Menne Stephan
Published: September 2009

A vector based on Semliki Forest virus (SFV) expressing high levels of interleukin-12 (SFV-enhIL-12) has previously demonstrated potent antitumoral efficacy in small rodents with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by transplantation of tumor cells. In the present study, the infectivity and antitumoral/antiviral effects of SFV vectors were evaluated in the clinically more relevant woodchuck model, in which primary HCC is induced by chronic infection with woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV). Intratumoral injection of SFV vectors expressing luciferase or IL-12 resulted in high reporter gene activity within tumors and cytokine secretion into serum, respectively, demonstrating that SFV vectors infect woodchuck tumor cells. For evaluating antitumoral efficacy, woodchuck tumors were injected with increasing doses of SFV-enhIL-12, and tumor size was measured by ultrasonography following treatment. In five (83%) of six woodchucks, a dose-dependent, partial tumor remission was observed, with reductions in tumor volume of up to 80%, but tumor growth was restored thereafter. Intratumoral treatment further produced transient changes in WHV viremia and antigenemia, with ≥1.5-log
10
reductions in serum WHV DNA in half of the woodchucks. Antitumoral and antiviral effects were associated with T-cell responses to tumor and WHV antigens and with expression of CD4 and CD8 markers, gamma interferon, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, suggesting that immune responses against WHV and HCC had been induced. These experimental observations suggest that intratumoral administration of SFV-enhIL-12 may represent a strategy for treatment of chronic HBV infection and associated HCC in humans but indicate that this approach could benefit from further improvements.
Crystallographic Definition of the Epitope Promiscuity of the Broadly Neutralizing Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Antibody 2F5: Vaccine Design Implications
Authors: Bryson Steve , Julien Jean-Philippe , Hynes Rosemary C. , Pai Emil F.
Published: September 2009

The quest to create a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccine capable of eliciting broadly neutralizing antibodies against Env has been challenging. Among other problems, one difficulty in creating a potent immunogen resides in the substantial overall sequence variability of the HIV envelope protein. The membrane-proximal region (MPER) of gp41 is a particularly conserved tryptophan-rich region spanning residues 659 to 683, which is recognized by three broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (bnMAbs), 2F5, Z13, and 4E10. In this study, we first describe the variability of residues in the gp41 MPER and report on the invariant nature of 15 out of 25 amino acids comprising this region. Subsequently, we evaluate the ability of the bnMAb 2F5 to recognize 31 varying sequences of the gp41 MPER at a molecular level. In 19 cases, resulting crystal structures show the various MPER peptides bound to the 2F5 Fab′. A variety of amino acid substitutions outside the
664
DKW
666
core epitope are tolerated. However, changes at the
664
DKW
666
motif itself are restricted to those residues that preserve the aspartate's negative charge, the hydrophobic alkyl-π stacking arrangement between the β-turn lysine and tryptophan, and the positive charge of the former. We also characterize a possible molecular mechanism of 2F5 escape by sequence variability at position 667, which is often observed in HIV-1 clade C isolates. Based on our results, we propose a somewhat more flexible molecular model of epitope recognition by bnMAb 2F5, which could guide future attempts at designing small-molecule MPER-like vaccines capable of eliciting 2F5-like antibodies.
ANALYSES OF PION-40Ca ELASTIC SCATTERING DATA USING THE KLEIN–GORDON EQUATION
Authors: SHEHADEH ZUHAIR F.
Published: September 2009

The elastic scattering data for incident pion energies of 130, 163.3, 180, and 230 MeV on 40 Ca have been analyzed using the full Klein–Gordon equation (KGE), as opposed to its approximate form which renders it to the format of a Schrödinger equation with an energy-dependent potential (RSE). Calculated angular distributions, using KGE and RSE, for all four cases are nearly the same up to about 70° but differ significantly at larger angles. To fit the large-angle data of 163.3 MeV, the nature of the old potential determined by using RSE needs to be revised. The new potentials in four cases are presented and they are compatible with those determined from the inverse scattering theory at a fixed energy in the surface region.
RELATIVISTIC FIVE-QUARK EQUATIONS AND A NARROW N*(1688) RESONANCE
Authors: GERASYUTA S. M. , KOCHKIN V. I.
Published: September 2009

The relativistic five-quark equations are found in the framework of the dispersion relation technique. The five-quark amplitude for the N*(1688) resonance including u- and d-quarks is calculated. The pole of this amplitude determines the mass of nonstrange pentaquark M=1686 MeV and the width about 7 MeV. The results are in good agreement with the evidence for a narrow N*(1688) resonance.
DECAY CONSTANTS OF PSEUDOSCALAR MESONS IN BETHE–SALPETER FRAMEWORK WITH GENERALIZED STRUCTURE OF HADRON-QUARK VERTEX
Authors: BHATNAGAR SHASHANK , LI SHI-YUAN
Published: September 2009

We employ the framework of Bethe–Salpeter equation under Covariant Instantaneous Ansatz to study the leptonic decays of pseudoscalar mesons. The Dirac structure of hadron-quark vertex function Γ is generalized to include various Dirac covariants besides γ5 from their complete set. The covariants are incorporated in accordance with a power counting rule, order-by-order in powers of the inverse of the meson mass. The decay constants are calculated with the incorporation of leading order covariants. Most of the results are dramatically improved.
NUCLEAR STRUCTURE OF 99Mo FROM THE (t,p) REACTION
Authors: RAHMAN M. A. , CHOWDHURY M. S.
Published: September 2009

The 97 Mo (t,p)99 Mo reaction has been studied with the triton beam energy of 12 MeV obtained from tandem Van de Graaff accelerator at the Atomic Weapon Research Establishment, Aldermaston. Proton spectra were obtained at 12 different angles from 5° to 87.5° at an interval of 7.5° and were detected in nuclear emulsion plates. Angular distributions for transitions to 46 levels in the energy range from 0 to 2.054 MeV have been measured. Absolute differential cross-sections for the levels have been measured. The experimental angular distributions are compared with the distorted-wave Born approximation calculations (DWBA) to determine L and Jπ values. The present results are compared with the previous experimental results and model predictions.
DECAY OF 188Re AND TRS CALCULATIONS FOR ITS DAUGHTER NUCLIDE 188Os
Authors: SHEN SHUI-FA , WANG XIU-JIE , WANG TING-TAI , WEN TING-DUN , GU JIAN-ZHONG , LIU ZHONG-DONG , ZHANG ZE-SHENG , XU FU-RONG , ZHENG SHI-JIE , LIU JING-YI
Published: September 2009

The γ-ray spectra of 188 Re decay have been studied by using a Compton-suppressed spectrometer and a three parameters γ-γ- T list coincidence system. Experimental data analysis demonstrated that six γ-rays at 557, 810, 1463, 1867, 1936 and 2022 keV and three levels at 1443, 1936 and 2022 keV are confirmed again. Seven new γ-rays at 309.60±0.04, 826.90±0.02, 979.29±0.08, 1103.7±0.4, 1828.2±0.1, 1842.5±0.2 and 1982.5±0.2 keV have been identified, three new levels at 309.60, 1828.2 and 1982.5 keV are assigned. The β- decay branching ratio is deduced. In addition, in order to study this γ-unstable nucleus, shape calculations using the Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov-like formalism were carried out for positive-parity states in 188 Os . The TRS plots reveal that, as the spin increases up the band, the triaxiality parameter γ changes.
ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF COMPLEX LEIBNIZ SUPERALGEBRAS WITH CHARACTERISTIC SEQUENCE (n - 1, 1 | m1, …, mk) AND NILINDEX n + m
Authors: ALBEVERIO S. , OMIROV B. A. , KHUDOYBERDIYEV A. KH.
Published: September 2009

In this work we investigate the complex Leibniz superalgebras with characteristic sequence (n - 1, 1|m1, …, mk) and with nilindex equal to n + m. We prove that such superalgebras with the condition m2 ≠ 0 have nilindex less than n + m. Therefore the complete classification of Leibniz algebras with characteristic sequence (n - 1, 1|m1, …, mk) and with nilindex equal to n + m is reduced to the classification of filiform Leibniz superalgebras of nilindex equal to n + m, which was provided in [3, 7].
A METHOD OF CLASSIFYING ALL SIMPLY LACED ROOT SYSTEMS
Authors: VIJAYAKUMAR G. R.
Published: September 2009

A root system in which all roots have same norm is known as a simply laced root system. We present a simple method of classifying all simply laced root systems.
STRONG ZERO-DIVISORS OF NON-COMMUTATIVE RINGS
Authors: BEHBOODI M. , BEYRANVAND R. , KHABAZIAN H.
Published: September 2009

We introduce the set S(R) of "strong zero-divisors" in a ring R and prove that: if S(R) is finite, then R is either finite or a prime ring. When certain sets of ideals have ACC or DCC, we show that either S(R) = R or S(R) is a union of prime ideals each of which is a left or a right annihilator of a cyclic ideal. This is a finite union when R is a Noetherian ring. For a ring R with |S(R)| = p, a prime number, we characterize R for S(R) to be an ideal. Moreover R is completely characterized when R is a ring with identity and S(R) is an ideal with p2elements. We then consider rings R for which S(R)= Z(R), the set of zero-divisors, and determine strong zero-divisors of matrix rings over commutative rings with identity.
Physical Ecology of Fluid Flow Sensing in Arthropods
Authors: Casas Jérôme , Dangles Olivier
Published: September 2009

Terrestrial and aquatic arthropods sense fluid flow in many behavioral and ecological contexts, using dedicated, highly sensitive mechanosensory hairs, which are often abundant. Strong similarities exist in the biomechanics of flow sensors and in the sensory ecology of insects, arachnids, and crustaceans in their respective fluid environments. We extend these considerations to flow in sand and its implications for flow sensing by arthropods inhabiting this granular medium. Finally, we highlight the need to merge the various findings of studies that have focused on different arthropods in different fluids. This could be achieved using the unique combination, for sensory ecology, of both a workable and well-accepted mathematical model for hair-based flow sensing, both in air and water, and microelectronic mechanical systems microtechnology to tinker with physical models.
Managing Invasive Populations of Asian Longhorned Beetle and Citrus Longhorned Beetle: A Worldwide Perspective
Authors: Haack Robert A. , Hérard Franck , Sun Jianghua , Turgeon Jean J.
Published: September 2009

The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky), and citrus longhorned beetle (CLB), Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), are polyphagous xylophages native to Asia and are capable of killing healthy trees. ALB outbreaks began in China in the 1980s, following major reforestation programs that used ALB-susceptible tree species. No regional CLB outbreaks have been reported in Asia. ALB was first intercepted in international trade in 1992, mostly in wood packaging material; CLB was first intercepted in 1980, mostly in live plants. ALB is now established in North America, and both species are established in Europe. After each infestation was discovered, quarantines and eradication programs were initiated to protect high-risk tree genera such as Acer, Aesculus, Betula, Populus, Salix, and Ulmus. We discuss taxonomy, diagnostics, native range, bionomics, damage, host plants, pest status in their native range, invasion history and management, recent research, and international efforts to prevent new introductions.
Threats Posed to Rare or Endangered Insects by Invasions of Nonnative Species
Authors: Wagner David L. , Van Driesche Roy G.
Published: September 2009

Endangerment factors are reviewed for 57 U.S. federally listed insects and 116 rare eastern North American lepidopterans to determine the importance of invasive species relative to 15 other recognized endangerment factors. Invasive plants, social insects (especially ants), and vertebrate grazers and predators repeatedly were identified as groups directly or indirectly threatening native insect biodiversity. Among rare eastern North American lepidopterans, the (mostly indirect) consequences of the establishment of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) surfaced as a general threat. Remote islands, especially those with high human visitation, stand out as being highly threatened by invasives. In the worst cases, impacts from invasive species cascade through a community and destabilize existing trophic interconnections and alter basic ecosystem properties, changing hydrology, nutrient cycles, soil chemistry, fire susceptibility, and light availability, and precipitate myriad other changes in biotic and abiotic parameters. Invasive ants and herbivorous insects provide some of the most dramatic examples of such insect-induced invasional cascades.
Mutational Heterogeneity in Human Cancers: Origin and Consequences
Authors: Salk Jesse J. , Fox Edward J. , Loeb Lawrence A.
Published: September 2009

Cancer recapitulates Darwinian evolution. Mutations acquired during life that provide cells with a growth or survival advantage will preferentially multiply to form a tumor. As a result of The Cancer Genome Atlas Project, we have gathered detailed information on the nucleotide sequence changes in a number of human cancers. The sources of mutations in cancer are diverse, and the complexity of those found to be clonally present in tumors has increasingly made it difficult to identify key rate-limiting genes for tumor growth that could serve as potential targets for directed therapies. The impact of DNA sequencing on future cancer research and personalized therapy is likely to be profound and merits critical evaluation.
Effects of Natural Enemy Biodiversity on the Suppression of Arthropod Herbivores in Terrestrial Ecosystems
Authors: Letourneau Deborah K. , Jedlicka Julie A. , Bothwell Sara G. , Moreno Carlo R.
Published: September 2009

Claims about the role of predator diversity in maintaining ecosystem function and providing ecosystem services such as pest control are controversial, but evaluative tests are beginning to accumulate. Empirical and experimental comparisons of species-rich versus species-poor assemblages of entomophagous arthropods and vertebrates range from strong suppression to facilitative release of herbivorous arthropod prey. Top-down control can be strengthened when natural enemies complement each other, dampened by negative interactions, balanced by both factors, and driven by single influential species. A meta-analytic synthesis shows a significant overall effect of enemy richness increasing top-down control of herbivores, which is consistent in agricultural studies conducted in tropical versus temperate zones, in studies using caged versus open-field designs, but not so in nonagricultural habitats. Synthetic analyses address theory and help set precautionary policy for conserving ecological services broadly, while characterizing uncertainty associated with herbivore response to changes in enemy diversity.
Statistical Phylogeography
Authors: Knowles L. Lacey
Published: September 2009

Phylogeography's objective—to understand the processes underlying the spatial and temporal dimensions of genetic variation—underlies both the prominence and extensive methodological transformations that characterize this nascent field. Here I discuss the insights that come from detailed demographic information and how an understanding of phylogeographic history is crucial to addressing a range of evolutionary and ecological questions, from understanding the source of adaptive divergence to the factors structuring ecological communities. I review recent progress in phylogeography, including its expanding role in evolutionary and ecological study and the molecular and methodological advances that now provide unprecedented details about the factors governing population genetic variation and structure. As a field, phylogeography draws together information across disciplines (e.g., from genetics, ecology, systematics, and paleontology), using a diversity of technical and conceptual approaches. This unified eclectic perspective has been key to phylogeography's success and will be key to phylogeography's enduring future.
Role of Adhesion in Arthropod Immune Recognition
Authors: Schmidt Otto , Söderhäll Kenneth , Theopold Ulrich , Faye Ingrid
Published: September 2009

The recognition and inactivation of toxins and pathogens are mediated by a combination of cell-free and cellular mechanisms. A number of soluble and membrane-bound pattern recognition molecules interact with elicitors to become involved in both cell-free inactivation as well as cellular uptake reactions. Here we describe the possible recognition and effector function of key arthropod immune proteins, such as peroxinectin, hemolin, and hemomucin, as an outcome of changes in adhesiveness, which drive self-assembly reactions leading to cell-free coagulation and cellular uptake reactions. The fact that some of these proteins are essential for immune and developmental functions in some species, but are not found in closely related species, may point to the existence of multiprotein assemblies, which are conserved at the mechanistic level and can function with more than one combination of protein constituents.
Association of classroom participation and examination performance in a first-year medical school course
Authors: Millis Richard M. , Dyson Sharon , Cannon Dawn
Published: September 2009

The advent of internet-based delivery of basic medical science lectures may unintentionally lead to decreased classroom attendance and participation, thereby creating a distance learning paradigm. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that classroom attendance/participation may be positively correlated with performance on a written examination for first-year medical school instruction. The study subjects consisted of 115 first-year medical students. The introductory respiratory structure-function instruction was designed to include one noncompulsory pretest, four short postinstruction noncompulsory self-evaluation tests that were unannounced as to date and time, and one compulsory comprehensive examination. The relationship between attendance/participation, measured by the number of noncompulsory tests taken, and performance on the comprehensive examination was determined by Pearson's correlation coefficient, one-way ANOVA, and a χ2-test of significance. The average score on the pretest was 28%; for the same items on the comprehensive examination (posttest), the average score was 73%. For the 80 students who took the pretest, this translated to an overall score increase of 161%. Attendance/participation in four or five of the noncompulsory tests resulted in an 83.3% pass rate on the comprehensive exam compared with a rate of 52.9% for attendance/participation in three, two, one, or none of the five noncompulsory tests; the overall pass rate was 60.9%. There was a significant association between a high rate of classroom attendance/participation and a high score on the comprehensive examination (Pearson's χ2 = 8.599, P < 0.01). These findings suggest that classroom attendance/participation may be a significant determinant of performance of medical students on comprehensive examinations in first-year basic medical science courses. It is concluded that a substantial number of first-year medical students in this study could be at risk for poor performance because they may believe that there is an equivalency between internet- and classroom-based instruction in basic medical science courses.
The situational interest of undergraduate students in zoophysiology
Authors: Dohn Niels B. , Madsen Peter T. , Malte Hans
Published: September 2009

Situational interest has been identified as an important motivational variable that has an impact on students’ academic performances, yet little is known about how the specific variable of the learning environment might trigger students’ situational interest. The purpose of this study was to investigate sources that stimulate the interest of students in an undergraduate course in zoophysiology. Observations, informal conversational interviews, and responses to a survey were used to identify sources of interest. Five situational variables and one predominantly individual variable are documented to influence the catching of interest of students. The situational variables are live animals, “Ah-ha!” experiences, meaningfulness, social involvement, and humor, whereas the predominantly individual variable is background knowledge. We conclude that the situational variables are largely under the control of the faculty and should be considered when planning instruction. By focusing on the enhancement of situational interest in physiology lessons, faculty members can find ways to foster students’ involvement in specific content areas and increase levels of academic motivation.
Standing on the shoulders of giants: Dean Franklin and his remarkable contributions to physiological measurements in animals
Authors: Sarazan R. Dustan , Schweitz Karl T. R.
Published: September 2009

The use of electronic instrumentation to monitor physiological function in conscious research animals and humans has become routine. Beyond basic research, animal studies using these methods are required by government regulatory agencies worldwide before human testing of potential new drugs. Living, as we do, in an age of miniaturized high-tech electronic devices, we are accustomed to believing this technology is easy; however, this has not always been the case. While a broad supporting cast of engineers, physiologists, fellows, and technicians was involved, the true innovators were Dr. Robert Rushmer, Dr. Robert Van Citters, and Mr. Dean Franklin. Before Dean Franklin's death in 2007, the primary author recorded ∼5 h of interviews with him at his home in Columbia, MO. An additional approximate 1.5-h interview was recorded with Dr. Van Citters via telephone. The information contained herein is based on the recollections of these men as recorded in their interviews.
What makes the learning of physiology in a PBL medical curriculum challenging? Student perceptions
Authors: Tufts Mark A. , Higgins-Opitz Susan B.
Published: September 2009

Physiology is an integral component of any medical curriculum. Traditionally, the learning of physiology has relied heavily on systems-based didactic lectures. In 2001, the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine (NRMSM; Durban, South Africa) embarked on a problem-based curriculum in which the learning of physiology was integrated with relevant clinical scenarios. Students are expected to gain an understanding of physiology through self-directed research with only certain aspects being covered in large-group resource sessions (LGRSs). It has gradually become evident that this approach has resulted in significant gaps in students' understanding of basic physiological concepts. A survey of student perceptions of needs for physiology was undertaken to gain a better understanding of their perceived problems and also to inform them of proposed curricular changes. Students were asked to what extent they thought physiology was essential for their understanding of pathology, interpretation of patients' clinical signs and presentation of symptoms, and analysis of laboratory results. Students were also invited to detail the difficulties they experienced in understanding in LGRSs on clinical and physiological topics. The results of the survey indicate that greater interaction of students with experts is needed. In particular, students felt that they lacked the basic conceptual foundations essential for the learning and understanding of physiology, since the difficulties that the students identified are mainly terminological and conceptual in nature.
Cholinergic agonists regulate JAK2/STAT3 signaling to suppress endothelial cell activation
Authors: Chatterjee Prodyot K. , Al-Abed Yousef , Sherry Barbara , Metz Christine N.
Published: September 2009

The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is a physiological mechanism that inhibits cytokine production and minimizes tissue injury during inflammation. Previous investigations revealed that cholinergic stimulation (via cholinergic agonists and vagus nerve stimulation) suppresses endothelial cell activation and leukocyte recruitment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms by which cholinergic agonists (e.g., nicotine and GTS-21) regulate endothelial cell activation. Specifically, we examined the effects of cholinergic agonists on IL-6-mediated endothelial cell activation through the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Treatment of macrovascular human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) with the cholinergic agonists nicotine and GTS-21 significantly reduced IL-6-mediated monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) production and ICAM-1 expression which are regulated through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. We found that treatment of endothelial cells with cholinergic agonists significantly reduced STAT3 activation by phosphorylation and DNA binding. The inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation was reversed by sodium orthovanadate, an inhibitor of tyrosine phosphatases, as well as by NSC-87877 suggesting a SHP1/2-dependent mechanism. Further investigations showed that cholinergic agonists reduced the phosphorylation of JAK2, an upstream component of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Finally, we observed that nicotine and GTS-21 treatment decreased levels of SOCS3 (suppressor of cytokine signaling; a regulator of the inflammatory activity of IL-6) in activated endothelial cells. These data demonstrate that cholinergic agonists suppress IL-6-mediated endothelial cell activation through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Our results have significant implications for better understanding the therapeutic potential of cholinergic agonists for treating IL-6 mediated inflammatory conditions.
Calcium-dependent phosphodiesterase 1C inhibits renin release from isolated juxtaglomerular cells
Authors: Ortiz-Capisano M. Cecilia , Liao Tang-Dong , Ortiz Pablo A. , Beierwaltes William H.
Published: September 2009

Renin release from the juxtaglomerular (JG) cell is stimulated by the second messenger cAMP and inhibited by calcium. We previously showed JG cells contain a calcium sensing receptor (CaSR), which, when stimulated, decreases cAMP formation and inhibits renin release. We hypothesize CaSR activation decreases cAMP and renin release, in part, by stimulating a calcium calmodulin-activated phosphodiesterase 1 (PDE1). We incubated our primary culture of JG cells with two selective PDE1 inhibitors [8-methoxymethil-IBMX (8-MM-IBMX; 20 μM) and vinpocetine (40 μM)] and the calmodulin inhibitor W-7 (10 μM) and measured cAMP and renin release. Stimulation of the JG cell CaSR with the calcimimetic cinacalcet (1 μM) resulted in decreased cAMP from a basal of 1.13 ± 0.14 to 0.69 ± 0.08 pM/mg protein ( P < 0.001) and in renin release from 0.89 ± 0.16 to 0.38 ± 0.08 μg ANG I/ml·h−1·mg protein−1( P < 0.001). However, the addition of 8-MM-IBMX with cinacalcet returned both cAMP (1.10 ± 0.19 pM/mg protein) and renin (0.57 ± 0.16 μg ANG I/ml·h−1·mg protein−1) to basal levels. Similar results were obtained with vinpocetine, and also with W-7. Combining 8-MM-IBMX and W-7 had no additive effect. To determine which PDE1 isoform is involved, we performed Western blot analysis for PDE1A, B, and C. Only Western blot analysis for PDE1C showed a characteristic band apparent at 80 kDa. Immunofluorescence showed cytoplasmic distribution of PDE1C and renin in the JG cells. In conclusion, PDE1C is expressed in isolated JG cells, and contributes to calcium's inhibitory modulation of renin release from JG cells.
Eicosapentaenoic acid attenuates arthritis-induced muscle wasting acting on atrogin-1 and on myogenic regulatory factors
Authors: Castillero Estíbaliz , Martín Ana Isabel , López-Menduiña María , Villanúa Maria Angeles , López-Calderón Asunción
Published: September 2009

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid that has anti-inflammatory and anticachectic actions. The aim of this work was to elucidate whether EPA administration is able to prevent an arthritis-induced decrease in body weight and muscle wasting in rats. Arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of Freund's adjuvant; 3 days later, nine rats received 1 g/kg EPA or coconut oil daily. All rats were killed 15 days after adjuvant injection. EPA administration decreased the external signs of arthritis and paw volume as well as liver TNF-α mRNA. EPA did not modify arthritis-induced decrease in food intake or body weight gain. However, EPA treatment prevented arthritis-induced increase in muscle TNF-α and atrogin-1, whereas it attenuated the decrease in gastrocnemius weight and the increase in MuRF1 mRNA. Arthritis not only decreased myogenic regulatory factors but also increased PCNA, MyoD, and myogenin mRNA in the gastrocnemius. Western blot analysis showed that changes in protein content followed the pattern seen with mRNA. In the control rats, EPA administration increased PCNA and MyoD mRNA and protein. In arthritic rats, EPA did not modify the stimulatory effect of arthritis on these myogenic regulatory factors. The results suggest that in experimental arthritis, in addition to its anti-inflammatory effect, EPA treatment attenuates muscle wasting by decreasing atrogin-1 and MuRF1 gene expression and increasing the transcription factors that regulate myogenesis.