bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal effort and joey growth in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Authors: Tobey J. R. , Andrus C. H. , Doyle L. , Thompson V. D. , Bercovitch F. B.
Published: February 2006

The extent to which sex‐biased maternal investment characterizes mammals is controversial, with less information available for evaluating patterns of maternal effort in marsupials than in placentals. Koalas Phascolarctos cinereus are size‐dimorphic animals with a lengthy period of dependency and they reside in mating systems that might favour sex‐biased maternal investment. We examined 18 years of data recorded from koalas living at the San Diego Zoo in order to examine how joey development and maternal condition might be connected. Koalas are pregnant for only 1 month, but joey emergence from the pouch does not occur until 32 weeks of age. Neither maternal condition nor age affected sex ratio at joey emergence, and both sexes had the same survivorship prospects. Koala dams transport and nurse joeys for close to 1 year, at which time the two sexes are size dimorphic. Given the poor‐quality diet of koalas, combined with maternal transport of infants who are at least 25% of maternal mass, we suggest that infant rearing poses high energetic costs on koala females. We suggest that ecological and energetic constraints have moulded koala maternal strategies such that females maximize allocation of resources to offspring, regardless of sex, in order to increase prospects for joey survivorship.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Cylindrocladium parasiticum
Authors: WRIGHT LOUWRANCE P. , WINGFIELD BRENDA D. , CROUS PEDRO W. , BRENNEMAN TIM , WINGFIELD MICHAEL J.
Published: February 2006

Twelve polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for Cylindrocladium parasiticum, a plant pathogen with a wide host range and the causal agent of the serious disease of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) known as cylindrocladium black rot (CBR). Polymorphism was evaluated on 17 isolates from different hosts and regions. Each locus had between two and six alleles. Cross‐species transferability tested for 20 other Cylindrocladium species found amplification only in Cylindrocladium pacificum, which is phylogenetically closely related to C. parasiticum.
Microsatellite markers for the common bean Phaseolus vulgaris
Authors: BUSO G. S. C. , AMARAL Z. P. S. , BRONDANI R. P. V. , FERREIRA M. E.
Published: February 2006

Efforts to develop molecular tools for genetic analysis and breeding of common bean in the tropics are still limited. The number of microsatellite markers available for the crop is small compared to other crops of similar social and economic importance. As part of a project to broaden the use of molecular tools in bean breeding, a genomic library enriched for AG/TC repeat sequences was constructed for Phaseolus vulgaris. Twenty microsatellite markers were initially developed and 10 were characterized using a panel of 85 representative accessions of the bean gene bank. The number of alleles per marker ranged from three to 10. The polymorphism information content (PIC) varied from 0.23 to 0.80. The results indicate that the new markers can be readily used in genetically analysis of common bean.
Characterization of microsatellite loci in the European green crab (Carcinus maenas)
Authors: TEPOLT CAROLYN K. , BAGLEY MARK J. , GELLER JONATHAN B. , BLUM MICHAEL J.
Published: February 2006

Carcinus maenas (Decapoda: Portunidae) has proven a highly successful invasive marine species whose potential economic and ecological impacts are of great concern worldwide. Here, we characterize 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci in C. maenas and its sister species Carcinus aestuarii. These markers will prove useful for fine‐scale genetic analyses of native and introduced populations, for assessment of the sources and routes of invasion and for evaluation of post‐invasion population dynamics.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the gudgeon, Gobio gobio (Cyprinidae)
Authors: KNAPEN DRIES , TAYLOR MARTIN I. , BLUST RONNY , VERHEYEN ERIK
Published: February 2006

A total of seven polymorphic microsatellite loci from Gobio gobio were isolated and characterized. A preliminary population survey of 82 specimens from four populations, located in a downstream pollution gradient of cadmium and zinc, demonstrated the usefulness of these primers both in population genetic studies in general, as well as in evaluating the effects of anthropogenic pollution on genetic structure. Overall locus polymorphism ranged from two to 13 alleles. Observed heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.39 to 0.73.
Isolation and characterization of new microsatellite markers from the Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)
Authors: SANCHEZ C. CASTAÑO , FUJI K. , KOBAYASHI K. , HASEGAWA O. , OHARA E. , OZAKI A. , COIMBRA M. R. M. , SAKAMOTO T. , OKAMOTO N.
Published: February 2006

The isolation and characterization of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci from a Japanese flounder partial genomic library are reported. The eight markers isolated in this study were highly polymorphic and their positions on the linkage genome map of the Japanese flounder were determined. Therefore, they are useful for ecological studies of wild populations. These markers are more effective than other markers with no information of chromosomal locations.
Serial Cardioversion by Class IC Drugs During 4 Months of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation in the Goat
Authors: EIJSBOUTS SABINE , AUSMA JANNIE , BLAAUW YURI , SCHOTTEN ULRICH , DUYTSCHAEVER MATTIAS , ALLESSIE MAURITS A.
Published: February 2006

Introduction: The success rate of pharmacological cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients depends on the duration of AF. It is unknown to what extent AF‐induced structural atrial remodeling contributes to this loss of efficacy.

Methods and Results: In 10 goats, persistent AF was induced by repetitive burst pacing. During a time period of 16 weeks, the efficacy of flecainide and cibenzoline to cardiovert AF was investigated by serial cardioversion. The drugs were administered intravenously at a rate of 0.1 mg/kg/min. AF cycle length (AFCL) was continuously monitored. Drug infusion was continued until AF was successfully cardioverted or the QRS duration was prolonged about twofold. The average atrial cycle length during persistent AF was 104 ± 10 msec and did not change during the 16‐week period. The success rate of cardioversion by flecainide and cibenzoline decreased with the duration of AF from 60% to 17% and from 80% to 63%. In goats that failed to cardiovert, sinus rhythm was not restored despite a twofold prolongation of the AF cycle length (respectively from 96 ± 5 msec to 168 ± 30 msec (flecainide) and 203 ± 26 msec (cibenzoline)). The sensitivity of AF for Class IC drugs was not altered with time, and the dose‐dependent effect on AFCL remained the same (flecainide: 8 ± 5 vs 7 ± 2 msec/mg/kg (P = 0.70) and cibenzoline: 13 ± 3 vs 13 ± 5 msec/mg/kg (P = 0.95)). In animals in which cardioversion remained possible, the critical AFCL at which cardioversion occurred increased from 96 ± 5 msec to 211 msec (flecainide) and 189 ± 24 msec (cibenzoline).

Conclusions: The progressive loss of efficacy of Class IC drugs to cardiovert AF of longer duration is not due to a decrease in the sensitivity of remodeled atrial myocardium for Class IC drugs. Failure of cardioversion was due to an increase in the critical AF cycle length required for pharmacological cardioversion.
Adjunctive Balloon Postdilatation after Stent Deployment: Is It Still Necessary with Drug‐Eluting Stents?
Authors: BRODIE BRUCE R.
Published: February 2006

Deployment of bare metal stents (BMS) with current stent delivery systems is often associated with suboptimal stent expansion. Adjunctive postdilatation with noncompliant balloons has improved stent expansion with BMS and has been associated with less need for target vessel revascularization (TVR). Drug‐eluting stents (DES) have proven highly effective in reducing restenosis and TVR and are now being used in the great majority of percutaneous coronary interventions. Because of the very low rates of TVR with DES, many operators have felt that postdilatation may no longer be necessary. In this review, we present data showing that stent expansion of DES (like BMS) using current stent delivery systems is frequently suboptimal. Furthermore, smaller mimimal stent area (MSA) and stent underexpansion following deployment of DES are strong predictors of stent thrombosis and TVR. Adjunctive postdilatation with noncompliant balloons can increase MSA and decrease the frequency of suboptimal stent deployment and potentially can reduce the frequency of stent thrombosis and TVR. Despite the lack of evidence from randomized clinical trials, we believe the observational data support the use of adjunctive balloon postdilatation following deployment of DES in the great majority of patients.
Flow‐Reversal Device for Cerebral Protection During Carotid Artery Stenting—Acute and Long‐Term Results
Authors: RABE KASJA , SUGITA JENNIFER , GÖDEL HEIKE , SIEVERT HORST
Published: February 2006

Objective: Several types of cerebral (embolic) protection devices have been used in patients undergoing carotid stenting. This study assessed results achieved with a flow‐reversal system.

Method: Carotid stenting was performed in 56 patients (mean age, 68 ± 9 years). The mean percentage of stenosis was 77%± 10%. During the procedure, cerebral protection was achieved by means of balloon occlusion of the common and external carotid artery with use of a Parodi Anti‐Emboli System. The patients' neurologic status was assessed during the intervention; at discharge; 1, 6, and 12 months after the procedure; and yearly thereafter.

Results: The procedure was technically successful in all cases. One patient had a minor stroke 6 hours after the intervention. No major strokes, deaths, or myocardial infarctions occurred. During long‐term follow‐up (to 40 months), 2 patients died of a secondary complication after intracerebral bleeding and stroke and 1 died as a result of ventricular fibrillation. Restenosis did not exceed 50% of vessel diameter in any patient.

Conclusions: The acute results indicate that proximal occlusion and flow reversal for cerebral protection during carotid stenting is a safe and effective method. The low restenosis and complication rate during long‐term follow‐up is in accordance with other series of carotid angioplasty and shows that the occlusion balloons do not cause any long‐term side effects.
Vascular Complications with Newer Generations of Angioseal Vascular Closure Devices
Authors: APPLEGATE ROBERT J. , SACRINTY MATTHEW , KUTCHER MICHAEL A. , GANDHI SANJAY K. , BAKI TALAL T. , SANTOS RENATO M. , LITTLE WILLIAM C.
Published: February 2006

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of newer generations of a single vascular closure device (VCD), Angioseal, compared to contemporaneous manual compression.

Background: Previous assessment of VCD safety and efficacy has been based primarily on outcomes associated with the original VCD. Few data exist comparing safety and efficacy of modifications of the original VCDs.

Methods: We evaluated in‐hospital outcomes of patients undergoing diagnostic cath and percutaneous coronary intervention at a single center: 3,898 with manual compression and 3,898 with the Angioseal VCD. Three generations of the Angioseal device were studied: Generation 1, 7/97–4/00; Generation 2, 5/00–6/02; and Generation 3, 7/02–12/03. Propensity analysis was used to match patients within each generation for clinical and procedural covariates.

Results: Closure success was 98.5% for Generation 1, 98.6% for Generation 2, and 98.1% for Generation 3, P = NS. The odds ratio for any vascular complication comparing Angioseal to manual compression was 0.92 (0.42–2.01) for Generation 1; 0.83 (0.49–1.41) for Generation 2; and 0.75 (0.32–1.77) for Generation 3. Multivariate logistic regression identified closure success and Angioseal device Generation 3 versus Generation 1 as predictive of reduced vascular complications during the entire study period.

Conclusion: These data indicate that the newest generation of the Angioseal VCD is at least as effective as the original device. Moreover, use of the Angioseal VCD was associated with vascular complications similar to or lower than vascular complications following manual compression for each generation of Angioseal device analyzed.
Schizoaffective disorder – the reliability of its clinical diagnostic use
Authors: Vollmer‐Larsen A. , Jacobsen T. B. , Hemmingsen R. , Parnas J.
Published: February 2006

Objective:  Patients with psychoses often suffer from affective symptoms. The originally broad concept of schizoaffective disorder (SAD) has been significantly narrowed, transformed into a convoluted set of criteria both in the ICD‐10 and DSM‐IV. We examined the reliability of the clinical use of this diagnosis in university settings.

Method:  All patients discharged from two university hospitals in Copenhagen in year 2002 with a diagnosis of ICD‐10 SAD (n = 59) were re‐evaluated using the Operational Criteria (OPCRIT) checklist expanded by additional items and applied to hospital chart material. Diagnoses were allocated by OPCRIT algorithm and by consensus of two psychiatrists.

Results:  No patients fulfilled the SAD lifetime diagnosis according to DSM‐IV criteria and the raters diagnosed only six patients as possible ICD‐10 SAD.

Conclusion:  A moratorium on the clinical use of the SAD diagnosis is suggested.
Donor cytomegalovirus seropositivity and the risk of leukemic relapse after reduced‐intensity transplants
Authors: Nachbaur David , Clausen Johannes , Kircher Brigitte
Published: February 2006

Abstract:  Objectives: Despite effective preemptive and prophylactic therapeutic strategies, cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositivity of either recipient and/or donor still remains an important parameter for outcome even after reduced‐intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Whether CMV seropositivity of the donor might have an impact on leukemic relapse is unknown. Patients: Between June 1999 and February 2004 48 patients ineligible for conventional allotransplantation underwent reduced‐intensity transplants at our institution. Twenty‐seven (56%) patients had a CMV‐seropositive donor. Results: While donor CMV seropositivity had no effect on overall survival, having a CMV‐seropositive donor was associated with a significantly lower risk for relapse (20% vs. 52%, P = 0.02). The beneficial effect of a CMV‐seropositive donor, however, was offset by a higher transplant‐related mortality (42% vs. 19% in patients with a CMV‐seronegative donor, P = 0.2). Donor CMV serostatus had no effect on the incidence of CMV infection/disease, and acute or chronic graft‐vs.‐host disease. Overall, 27 patients died during the observation period. Causes of death in patients with a CMV‐seropositive donor were primarily transplant‐related (11 vs. 4 in patients with CMV‐seronegative donors), whereas leukemic relapse was the leading cause of death in patients with a CMV‐seronegative donor (8 vs. 4 in patients with a CMV‐seropositive donor, P = 0.038, chi‐squared test). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed risk category by the underlying disease and donor CMV seropositivity to be significant predictors of leukemic relapse following reduced‐intensity transplants. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest a possible role of donor CMV serostatus on the risk of relapse following reduced‐intensity allogeneic SCT.
A novel mutation in the last exon of ATRX in a patient with α‐thalassemia myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Costa Daniel B. , Fisher Christopher A. , Miller Kenneth B. , Pihan German A. , Steensma David P. , Gibbons Richard J. , Higgs Douglas R.
Published: February 2006

Abstract:  We describe a patient with acquired alpha‐thalassemia myelodysplastic syndrome (ATMDS). A previously healthy 66‐year‐old man presented with hemoglobin of 9.3 g/dL, mean corpuscular volume 59 fL, and a bone marrow aspirate with increased erythroid precursors and hypolobulated megakaryocytes. Hemoglobin H inclusions were seen in most red cells after 1% brilliant cresyl blue supravital stain of the peripheral blood. At the molecular level, we identified of a novel mutation in the most 3′ exon of the ATRX gene (CGA→TGA substitution in codon 2407) resulting in a premature termination codon (p.R2407X). This case provides further evidence for a link between ATRX mutations and ATMDS, and suggests a possible role for the conserved Q‐box element in ATRX function.
Occlusal interference during mastication can cause pathological tooth mobility
Authors: Ishigaki S. , Kurozumi T. , Morishige E. , Yatani H.
Published: February 2006

Background and Objective:  Despite little evidence regarding the relationship between tooth mobility and nonworking contact, the evaluation of occlusion is performed mainly by the detection of premature and/or nonworking contacts during tapping movements and lateral excursion. The hypothesis of this study is that occlusal contact during mastication is potentially traumatic to periodontal tissue. It clarifies the relationship between chewing patterns and the status of periodontal tissue.

Material and Methods:  Subjects included 73 adults, 20–29 years of age (39 men and 34 women), with complete sets of teeth and no history of orthodontic treatment or periodontal disease. The closing chewing patterns of each subject were classified into three groups by the Masticatory Deviation Index, which depicts the deviation from the normal chewing patterns within 5 mm from the intercuspal position. Periotest® was used to diagnose teeth mobility and the values were compared among the three groups.

Results:  The present study indicates that the chewing movements which deviated from the normal chewing movements increased the mobility of specific types of teeth.

Conclusion:  The results of this study imply a relationship between chewing movements and tooth mobility and indicate that functional evaluation of occlusion is necessary for the examination of periodontal tissue. Occlusal evaluation with border and tapping movements might be insufficient, and functional occlusal evaluation during chewing movements can be clinically useful for using to evaluate periodontal tissue.
A systematic review of the diagnostic classifications of traumatic dental injuries
Authors: Feliciano Karla Maria Pugliesi da Costa , Caldas Arnaldo de França
Published: February 2006

Abstract –  A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to evaluate the criteria used for the diagnostic classification of traumatic dental injuries from an epidemiological standpoint. The methodology used was that suggested by the Cochrane Collaboration and the National Health Service. A total of 12 electronic bibliographical databases (BBO, BioMed Central, Blackwell Synergy, Cochrane, DARE, EMBASE, HighWire, LILACS, MEDLINE, PubMed Central, SciELO, SciSearch) and the World Wide Web were searched. There was no attempt to specify the strategy in relation to date, study design, or language. The last search was performed in May 2003. Two reviewers screened each record independently for eligibility by examining titles, abstracts, keywords and using a standardized reference form. Disagreements were resolved through consensus. The final study collection consisted of 164 articles, from 1936 to 2003, and the population sample ranged from 38 to 210 500 patients. 54 distinct classification systems were identified. According to the literature, the most frequently used classification system was that of Andreasen (32%); as regards the type of injury, the uncomplicated crown fracture was the most mentioned lesion (88.5%). Evidence supports the fact that there is no suitable system for establishing the diagnosis of the studied injuries that could be applied to epidemiological surveys.
Analysis of 154 cases of teeth with cracks
Authors: Roh Byoung‐Duck , Lee Young‐Eun
Published: February 2006

Abstract –  It is well known that cracked teeth occur most frequently in the mandibular molars with large or poor restorations, in those over 50 years of age. However, with increasing knowledge and experience with cracks of teeth, cracks appear to be found frequently in intact teeth without restorations. The aim of this study is to analyze the cases of tooth cracks in a dental hospital in a year, and to find out the characteristic features of cracks of teeth. For 1 year, each tooth that were identified as a cracked tooth was recorded and analyzed in terms of the classification of cavity and restorative material, the nature of opposing tooth, the location in the arch, the age and gender, and the clinical signs and symptoms, and treatment result. Cracked teeth were observed most frequently in the teeth with no restorations (60.4%) and with class I restorations (29.2%). The most prevalent age was in those over 40 years of age (31.2% in their 40s, 26.6% in their 50s) and the prevalence was similar in men (53.9%) and women (46.1%). Cracked teeth were found most frequently in the maxillary molars (33.8% in first molar, 23.4% in second molar) than in the mandibular molars (20.1% in first molar, 16.2% in second molar). 96.1% of the cracked teeth responded to the bite test, and 81.1% of the cracked teeth were observed in the mesiodistal direction. The prevalence of cracked tooth was highest in the intact teeth with no restoration, in maxillary molars, and in those over 40 years of age. When examining a intact maxillary posterior tooth that is sensitive to a bite and thermal change, crack in the mesiodistal direction need to be considered one of the causes.
Sensitivity to the locomotor‐stimulant effects of ethanol and allopregnanolone: a quantitative trait locus study of common genetic influence
Authors: Palmer A. A. , Lessov‐Schlaggar C. N. , Ponder C. A. , McKinnon C. S. , Phillips T. J.
Published: February 2006

Previous studies have suggested that common genetic mechanisms influence sensitivity to the locomotor‐stimulant effects of ethanol and allopregnanolone. We conducted two quantitative trait locus (QTL) studies to identify chromosomal regions that harbor genes that influence locomotor response to ethanol (2 g/kg) and allopregnanolone (17 mg/kg) using F2 crosses between C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice. Because our previous data from the BXD recombinant inbred strains had indicated that chromosome 2 contained QTL for sensitivity to the locomotor‐stimulant effects of both ethanol and allopregnanolone, we also tested reciprocal chromosome 2 congenic strains for sensitivity to the locomotor‐stimulant effects of both drugs. The F2 analysis for ethanol sensitivity identified significant QTL on chromosomes 1 and 2 and suggestive QTL on chromosomes 5 and 9. The analysis of the allopregnanolone F2 study identified suggestive QTL on chromosomes 3, 5 and 12. Suggestive evidence for a female‐specific QTL on chromosome 2 was also found. The studies of congenic mouse strains indicated that both the congenic strains captured one or more QTL for sensitivity to the locomotor‐stimulant effects of both ethanol (2 g/kg) and allopregnanolone (17 mg/kg). When Fisher’s method was used to combine the P values for the RI, F2 and congenic studies of the chromosome 2 QTL, cumulative probability scores of 9.6 × 10−15 for ethanol and 7.7 × 10−7 for allopregnanolone were obtained. These results confirm the presence of QTL for ethanol and allopregnanolone sensitivity in a common region of chromosome 2 and suggest possible pleiotropic genetic influence on sensitivity to these drugs.
Where are the sources of the near-infrared background?
Authors: Salvaterra Ruben , Ferrara Andrea
Published: February 2006

The observed near-infrared background excess over light from known galaxies is commonly ascribed to redshifted radiation from early, very massive, Population III (Pop III) stars. We show here that this interpretation must be discarded as it largely overpredicts the number of J-dropouts and Lyα emitters in ultradeep field searches. Independently of the detailed physics of Lyα line emission, J-dropouts limit the background excess fraction due to Pop III sources to be (at best) ⩽1/24. As alternative explanations can either be rejected (e.g. miniquasars, decaying neutrinos) or appear unlikely (zodiacal light), but the reality of the excess is supported by the interpretation of the angular fluctuations, the origin of this component remains very puzzling. We briefly discuss possible hints to solve the problem.
XMM-Newton and Chandra observations of the ultra-compact binary RX J1914 + 24
Authors: Ramsay Gavin , Cropper Mark , Hakala Pasi
Published: February 2006

The nature of the X-ray source RX J1914 + 24 has been the subject of much debate. It shows a prominent period of 569 s in X-rays and the optical/infrared: in most models this has been interpreted as the binary orbital period. We present our analysis of new XMM–Newton and Chandra data. We find a longer term trend in the XMM–Newton data and power at 553 and 584 s in five sets of data. It is not clear if they are produced as a result of a beat between a longer intrinsic period and the 569-s modulation or if they are due to secular variations. We obtain a good fit to the XMM–Newton spectrum with a low-temperature thermal plasma model with an edge at 0.83 keV. This model implies an unabsorbed bolometric X-ray luminosity of 1 × 1033 erg s−1 (for a distance of 1 kpc) – this is 2 orders of magnitude lower than our previous estimate (derived using a different model). If the distance is much less, as the absorption derived from the X-ray fits suggest, then the X-ray luminosity is even lower at ∼ 3 × 1031 erg s−1.
A generic relation between baryonic and radiative energy densities of stars
Authors: Mitra A.
Published: February 2006

By using elementary astrophysical concepts, we show that for any self-luminous astrophysical object the ratio of radiation energy density inside the body (ρr) and the baryonic energy density (ρ0) may be crudely approximated, in the Newtonian limit, as ρr/ρ0∝GM/Rc2, where G is constant of gravitation, c is the speed of light, M is gravitational mass and R is the radius of the body. The key idea is that radiation quanta must move out in a diffusive manner rather than stream freely inside the body of the star. When one would move to the extreme general relativistic case, i.e. if the surface gravitational redshift z≫ 1, it is found that ρr/ρ0∝ (1 +z). Earlier treatments of gravitational collapse, in contrast, generally assumed ρr/ρ0≪ 1. Thus, actually, during continued general relativistic gravitational collapse to the black hole state (z→∞), the collapsing matter may essentially become an extremely hot fireball with ρr/ρ0≫ 1, a la the very early Universe, even though the observed luminosity of the body as seen by a faraway observer L∞∝ (1 +z)−1→ 0 as z→∞, and the collapse might appear as ‘adiabatic’.
INFLUENCE OF NATIVE LIPIDS ON THE RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF WHEAT FLOUR DOUGH AND GLUTEN
Authors: GEORGOPOULOS T. , LARSSON H. , ELIASSON A.‐C.
Published: February 2006

We report on the viscoelastic properties of dough and gluten (prepared by ultracentrifugation) after the flour lipids had been removed by solvents differing in polarity (chloroform, ethanol and diethylether). The extracted lipids were fractionated by thin layer chromatography. The flours differed in lipid composition after the extraction. Ethanol removed more polar lipids than the other solvents. Removal of lipids (0.6–0.9% on flour weight) altered the viscoelastic properties of dough significantly, whereas those of gluten were only marginally affected. The storage modulus (G′) of dough increased with used solvent polarity. The highest value of G′ was observed for the dough made with the flour where the lipids were removed by ethanol. This was consistent with a marked decrease in the frequency dependence of G′ of dough when the lipids were removed.
INSTRUMENTAL TEXTURE OF A TYPICAL SPANISH CONFECTIONERY PRODUCT XIXONA TURRON AS AFFECTED BY COMMERCIAL CATEGORY AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Authors: VÁZQUEZ‐ARAÚJO L. , VERDÚ A. , MURCIA R. , BURLÓ F. , CARBONELL‐BARRACHINA A.A.
Published: February 2006

Three different instrumental tests, Magness–Taylor, compression and texture profile analysis (TPA), were used to study the hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, springiness and chewiness of Xixona turron products from three commercial categories: (1) extra; (2) supreme; and (3) improved supreme (IS), and four manufacturing companies. All three tests succeed in finding softer products of one of the companies because of the presence of a fraction of the noninverted product trapped in the final product because of homogenization difficulties with the highly viscous mass during the inversion process step. The TPA provided more information than the other two tests. Manufacturers are aware of consumers' demands for softer and nonoily Xixona turron, and these characteristics are sought in their star products, IS, through optimization of the time and temperature values in the boixet process and the use of longer standing periods to eliminate residual amounts of oil.
Drugstore Reading Glasses
Authors: Erlichson Herman
Published: February 2006

The occasion for this paper was my reading of a paper in the February 2005 issue of TPT.1 As one gets older the near point of the eye begins to recede.2 This is called presbyopia.3 An alternative to purchasing glasses from an optometrist is to purchase an inexpensive pair of reading glasses in a pharmacy. The pharmacy has these glasses ordered by diopters corresponding to the strength of the lens needed for a particular presbyopic eye. The glasses are, of course, not available for myopic eyes.
Astronomy Teaching with Astronomical Catalogues
Authors: Oostra Benjamin
Published: February 2006

For quite a few years I have been teaching introductory astronomy at the Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá to undergraduate students of all majors. One of my goals has always been: Try to have the students learn from their own experience. I built some apparatus and wrote many guidelines to help them do real observations, but many discoveries are beyond our experimental possibilities. A helpful remedy is the use of online astronomical catalogues.
Demonstrating Lenz's Law with Recycled Materials
Authors: Saraiva Carlos
Published: February 2006

A number of interesting demonstrations of induced electric currents and of Lenz's law have been described in this journal.1–5 In this paper, a simple version of an experiment that was described6 by Léon Foucault in 1855 is presented. Foucault placed a rotating copper disk between the poles of an electromagnet. When the electromagnet was off, the disk rotated almost without friction, but when the electromagnet was turned on, the disk stopped almost immediately. Nice discussions of this sort of magnetic braking may be found in a number of textbooks.7 Here I describe how to do the demonstration quite simply using recycled materials.
TheclcElement ofPseudomonassp. Strain B13, a Genomic Island with Various Catabolic Properties
Authors: Gaillard Muriel , Vallaeys Tatiana , Vorhölter Frank Jörg , Minoia Marco , Werlen Christoph , Sentchilo Vladimir , Pühler Alfred , van der Meer Jan Roelof
Published: February 2006

Pseudomonassp. strain B13 is a bacterium known to degrade chloroaromatic compounds. The properties to use 3- and 4-chlorocatechol are determined by a self-transferable DNA element, theclcelement, which normally resides at two locations in the cell's chromosome. Here we report the complete nucleotide sequence of theclcelement, demonstrating the unique catabolic properties while showing its relatedness to genomic islands and integrative and conjugative elements rather than to other known catabolic plasmids. As far as catabolic functions, theclcelement harbored, in addition to the genes for chlorocatechol degradation, a complete functional operon for 2-aminophenol degradation and genes for a putative aromatic compound transport protein and for a multicomponent aromatic ring dioxygenase similar to anthranilate hydroxylase. The genes for catabolic functions were inducible under various conditions, suggesting a network of catabolic pathway induction. For about half of the open reading frames (ORFs) on theclcelement, no clear functional prediction could be given, although some indications were found for functions that were similar to plasmid conjugation. The region in which these ORFs were situated displayed a high overall conservation of nucleotide sequence and gene order to genomic regions in other recently completed bacterial genomes or to other genomic islands. Most notably, except for two discrete regions, theclcelement was almost 100% identical over the whole length to a chromosomal region inBurkholderia xenovoransLB400. This indicates the dynamic evolution of this type of element and the continued transition between elements with a more pathogenic character and those with catabolic properties.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 DNA-Packaging Protein UL17 Is Required for Efficient Binding of UL25 to Capsids
Authors: Thurlow Johanna K. , Murphy Mary , Stow Nigel D. , Preston Valerie G.
Published: February 2006

Herpes simplex virus type 1 packages its DNA genome into a precursor capsid, referred to as the procapsid. Of the three capsid-associated DNA-packaging proteins, UL17, UL25, and UL6, only UL17 and UL6 appear to be components of the procapsid, with UL25 being added subsequently. To determine whether the association of UL17 or UL25 with capsids was dependent on the other two packaging proteins, B capsids, which lack viral DNA but retain the cleaved internal scaffold, were purified from nonpermissive cells infected with UL17, UL25, or UL6 null mutants and compared with wild-type (wt) B capsids. In the absence of UL17, the levels of UL25 in the mutant capsids were much lower than those in wt B capsids. These results suggest that UL17 is required for efficient incorporation of UL25 into B capsids. B capsids lacking UL25 contained about twofold-less UL17 than wt capsids, raising the possibilities that UL25 is important for stabilizing UL17 in capsids and that the two proteins interact in the capsid. The distribution of UL17 and UL25 on B capsids was examined using immunogold labeling. Both proteins appeared to bind to multiple sites on the capsid. The properties of the UL17 and UL25 proteins are consistent with the idea that the two proteins are important in stabilizing capsid-DNA structures rather than having a direct role in DNA packaging.
Vaccinia Virus Proteome: Identification of Proteins in Vaccinia Virus Intracellular Mature Virion Particles
Authors: Chung Che-Sheng , Chen Chein-Hung , Ho Ming-Yi , Huang Cheng-Yen , Liao Chung-Lin , Chang Wen
Published: February 2006

Vaccinia virus is a large enveloped poxvirus with more than 200 genes in its genome. Although many poxvirus genomes have been sequenced, knowledge of the host and viral protein components of the virions remains incomplete. In this study, we used gel-free liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectroscopy to identify the viral and host proteins in purified vaccinia intracellular mature virions (IMV). Analysis of the proteins in the IMV showed that it contains 75 viral proteins, including structural proteins, enzymes, transcription factors, and predicted viral proteins not known to be expressed or present in the IMV. We also determined the relative abundances of the individual protein components in the IMV. Finally, 23 IMV-associated host proteins were also identified. This study provides the first comprehensive structural analysis of the infectious vaccinia virus IMV.
Matrix Protein Mutant of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Stimulates Maturation of Myeloid Dendritic Cells
Authors: Ahmed Maryam , Brzoza Kristina L. , Hiltbold Elizabeth M.
Published: February 2006

Matrix (M) protein mutants of vesicular stomatitis virus have recently been used as oncolytic viruses for tumor therapies and are being developed as vaccine vectors for heterologous antigens. Because dendritic cell (DC) maturation is an important correlate of tumor immunosurveillance and vaccine efficacy, we sought to determine the ability of a recombinant M protein mutant virus (rM51R-M virus) to mature DC in vitro. We have previously shown that rM51R-M virus is defective at inhibiting host gene expression in several cell lines compared to its recombinant wild-type counterpart, rwt virus. Therefore, rM51R-M virus allows the expression of genes involved in antiviral responses, such as the type I interferon (IFN) gene. Our results demonstrate that, in contrast to the rwt virus, rM51R-M virus induced the maturation of myeloid DC (mDC) populations, as indicated by an increase in the surface expression of CD40, CD80, and CD86 as well as the secretion of interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-6, and type I IFN. In addition, mDC infected with rM51R-M virus effectively activated naïve T cells in vitro, whereas rwt virus-infected mDC were defective in antigen presentation. The inability of rwt virus to induce mDC maturation was correlated with the inhibition of host gene expression in rwt virus-infected cells. Our studies also indicated that the production of costimulatory molecules on mDC by rM51R-M virus was dependent on the type I IFN receptor, while maturation induced by this virus was largely independent of MyD88. These data indicate that rM51R-M virus effectively stimulates the maturation of mDC and has the potential to promote effective T-cell responses to vector-expressed antigens, activate DC at tumor sites during therapy, and aid in tumor immunosurveillance and destruction.
A Single Amino Acid Substitution in the West Nile Virus Nonstructural Protein NS2A Disables Its Ability To Inhibit Alpha/Beta Interferon Induction and Attenuates Virus Virulence in Mice
Authors: Liu Wen Jun , Wang Xiang Ju , Clark David C. , Lobigs Mario , Hall Roy A. , Khromykh Alexander A.
Published: February 2006

Alpha/beta interferons (IFN-α/β) are key mediators of the innate immune response against viral infection. The ability of viruses to circumvent IFN-α/β responses plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of infection. In a previous study using subgenomic replicons of the Kunjin subtype of West Nile virus (WNV
KUN
), we demonstrated that the nonstructural protein NS2A is a major inhibitor of IFN-β promoter-driven transcription and that a single amino acid substitution in NS2A (Ala30 to Pro [A30P]) dramatically reduced its inhibitory effect (W. J. Liu, H. B. Chen, X. J. Wang, H. Huang, and A. A. Khromykh, J. Virol.
78:
12225-12235). Here we show that incorporation of the A30P mutation into the WNV
KUN
genome results in a mutant virus which elicits more rapid induction and higher levels of synthesis of IFN-α/β in infected human A549 cells than that detected following wild-type WNV
KUN
infection. Consequently, replication of the WNV
KUN
NS2A/A30P mutant virus in these cells known to be high producers of IFN-α/β was abortive. In contrast, both the mutant and the wild-type WNV
KUN
produced similar-size plaques and replicated with similar efficiency in BHK cells which are known to be deficient in IFN-α/β production. The mutant virus was highly attenuated in neuroinvasiveness and also attenuated in neurovirulence in 3-week-old mice. Surprisingly, the mutant virus was also partially attenuated in IFN-α/βγ receptor knockout mice, suggesting that the A30P mutation may also play a role in more efficient activation of other antiviral pathways in addition to the IFN response. Immunization of wild-type mice with the mutant virus resulted in induction of an antibody response of similar magnitude to that observed in mice immunized with wild-type WNV
KUN
and gave complete protection against challenge with a lethal dose of the highly virulent New York 99 strain of WNV. The results confirm and extend our previous original findings on the role of the flavivirus NS2A protein in inhibition of a host antiviral response and demonstrate that the targeted disabling of a viral mechanism for evading the IFN response can be applied to the development of live attenuated flavivirus vaccine candidates.
Host Species-Dependent Population Structure of a Pollen-Borne Plant Virus,
Cherry Leaf Roll Virus
Authors: Rebenstorf Kathrin , Candresse Thierry , Dulucq Marie Josée , Büttner Carmen , Obermeier Christian
Published: February 2006

Cherry
leaf roll virus
(CLRV) belongs to the
Nepovirus
genus
within the family
Comoviridae
. It has a host range which
includes a number of wild tree and shrub species. The serological and
molecular diversity of CLRV was assessed using a collection of isolates
and samples recovered from woody and herbaceous host plants from
different geographical origins. Molecular diversity was assessed by
sequencing a short (375-bp) region of the 3′ noncoding region
(NCR) of the genomic RNAs while serological diversity was assessed
using a panel of seven monoclonal antibodies raised initially against a
walnut isolate of CLRV. The genomic region analyzed was shown to
exhibit a significant degree of molecular variability with an average
pairwise divergence of 8.5% (nucleotide identity). Similarly,
serological variability proved to be high, with no single monoclonal
antibody being able to recognize all isolates analyzed. Serological and
molecular phylogenetic reconstructions showed a strong correlation.
Remarkably, the diversity of CLRV populations is to a large extent
defined by the host plant from which the viral samples are originally
obtained. There are relatively few reports of plant viruses for which
the genetic diversity is structured by the host plant. In the case of
CLRV, we hypothesize that this situation may reflect the exclusive mode
of transmission in natural plant populations by pollen and by seeds.
These modes of transmission are likely to impose barriers to host
change by the virus, leading to rapid biological and genetic separation
of CLRV variants coevolving with different plant host
species.
Extensive Recombination among Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Quasispecies Makes an Important Contribution to Viral Diversity in Individual Patients
Authors: Charpentier Charlotte , Nora Tamara , Tenaillon Olivier , Clavel François , Hance Allan J.
Published: February 2006

Although recombination during human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication in vitro and in vivo has been documented, little information is available concerning the extent that recombination contributes to the diversity of HIV-1 quasispecies in the course of infection in individual patents. To investigate the impact of recombination on viral diversity, we developed a technique that permits the isolation of contemporaneous clonal viral populations resulting from single infectious events by plasma-derived viruses, thereby permitting the assessment of recombination throughout the viral genomes, including widely separated loci, from individual patients. A comparison of the genomic sequences of clonal viruses from six patients, including patients failing treatment with antiretroviral therapy, demonstrated strong evidence for extensive recombination. Recombination increased viral diversity through two distinct mechanisms. First, evolutionary bottlenecks appeared to be restricted to minimal segments of the genome required to obtain selective advantage, thereby preserving diversity in adjacent regions. Second, recombination between adjacent gene segments appeared to generate diversity in both
pol
and
env
genes. Thus, the shuffling of resistance mutations within the genes coding for the protease and reverse transcriptase, as well as recombination between these regions, could increase the diversity of drug resistance genotypes. These findings demonstrate that recombination in HIV-1 contributes to the diversity of viral quasispecies by restricting evolutionary bottlenecks to gene segments and by generating novel genotypes in
pol
and
env
, supporting the idea that recombination may be critical to adaptive evolution of HIV in the face of constantly moving selective pressures, whether exerted by the immune system or antiretroviral therapy.
A comparison of stent-induced stenosis in coronary and peripheral arteries
Authors: Krueger K D , Mitra A K , DelCore M G , Hunter W J , Agrawal D K
Published: February 2006

Background and objectives:Restenosis is a complication of interventional procedures such as angioplasty and stenting, often limiting the success of these procedures. Knowledge regarding the relative behaviour of different arteries after these procedures is limited, despite the extensive use of different vascular models. Although the results from studies using different vessels are analysed to predict the behaviour of coronary arteries and other vasculature, direct controlled comparisons between different arteries are necessary for a better understanding of the differential response to restenosis.

Methods:This study examines the response to stenting in coronary and internal iliac arteries as characterised by intimal hyperplasia and restenosis. In a swine model of in-stent stenosis, coronary arteries exhibited higher levels of intimal hyperplasia and per cent stenosis than internal iliac arteries.

Results:After normalisation for injury score, coronary arteries were found to undergo 47% more intimal hyperplasia (p<0.05), whereas per cent stenosis normalised for injury score tended to be higher (p = 0.01). Other measurements reflecting post-stenting intimal hyperplasia (maximal intimal thickness, medial area) did not exhibit significant differences between the artery groups.

Conclusions:These results show that coronary vessels are more prone to develop significant intimal hyperplasia and subsequent restenosis than internal iliac vessels. A better insight into how different arteries and arterial components behave is important in understanding and developing newer and better therapeutic measures for restenosis.
AUTOMORPHISMS OF FIBER SURFACES OF GENUS 2, INDUCING THE IDENTITY IN COHOMOLOGY II
Authors: CAI JIN-XING
Published: February 2006

We give a complete numerical classification for pairs (S, G) consisting of complex nonsingular projective surfaces S of general type with a fibration of genus 2 and non-trivial subgroups G of automorphisms of S inducing trivial actions on H2(S, ℚ).
SKIPPED BLOCKING AND OTHER DECOMPOSITIONS IN BANACH SPACES
Authors: BELLENOT STEVEN F.
Published: February 2006

Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for when a sequence of finite-dimensional subspaces (Xn) can be blocked to be a skipped blocking decompositon (SBD). These are very similar to known results about blocking of biorthogonal sequences. A separable space X has PCP, if and only if, every norming decomposition (Xn) can be blocked to be a boundedly complete SBD. Every boundedly complete SBD is a JT-decomposition.
SHAPE-BASED ADULT IMAGE DETECTION
Authors: ZHENG QING-FANG , ZENG WEI , WANG WEI-QIANG , GAO WEN
Published: February 2006

This paper investigates adult images detection based on the shape features of skin regions. In order to accurately detect skin regions, we propose a skin detection method using multi-Bayes classifiers in the paper. Based on skin color detection results, shape features are extracted and fed into a boosted classifier to decide whether or not the skin regions represent a nude. We evaluate adult image detection performance using different boosted classifiers and different shape descriptors. Experimental results show that classification using boosted C4.5 classifier and combination of different shape descriptors outperforms other classification schemes.
THE INTEGRATION OF A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT AND 3D MODELING TOOLS IN A NETWORKED ROBOT SYSTEM
Authors: TAN JIACHENG , CLAPWORTHY GORDON J. , BELOUSOV IGOR R.
Published: February 2006

This paper presents interfacing techniques to integrate a virtual environment (VE), computer graphics, image-based modeling, and other technologies in a networked system for robot control. Technologies such as networked robotics have advanced rapidly in the past decade, bringing a physical aspect to the usage of the Internet. Various applications of Internet telerobotics have been investigated and a variety of techniques have been proposed to increase the control robustness and efficiency of such systems. In this paper, we introduce a teleoperated robot manipulator that uses VE and other supporting technologies as a human-system interface to suppress the variable communication latency of the Internet. The paper focuses on the control techniques and the system structure that supports the implementation of the techniques.