bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonic scattering properties of three random media with implications for tissue characterization
Authors: Campbell James A. , Waag Robert C.
Published: October 2005

Random media with different structural properties were used to simulate some of the differences in liver morphology that may occur with disease. First, a reference medium consisting of glass spheres in agar was studied to verify the accuracy and precision of the data obtained with our equipment and processing procedures. Then, studies were conducted on a pair of media comprised of graphite particles in gelatin, one of the pair with twice as many particles as the other. Finally, studies were carried out on a set of media composed of Sephadex particles in water. Three samples were employed, each with a different size of Sephadex. The average differential scattering cross section per unit volume σ̄sd(ν) of each media was obtained as a function of scattering angle ν and frequency. The measured σ̄sd were compared with predictions based on models of scattering from the media. The agreement between the measured and predicted σ̄sd of the glass sphere medium was excellent. The graphite medium with twice the number of particles as the other was observed to scatter twice as much power as the other. The shape of the angular scattering pattern measured from each size of Sephadex followed the prediction reasonably well. The largest size exhibited marked variations in the shape of σ̄sd as a function of frequency, while the absolute magnitude of σ̄sd of the smallest size grade was extremely sensitive to frequency. Our results suggest that the dependence of σ̄sd(ν) on scatterer number density and size, both in absolute magnitude and shape, can provide reliable information which may be useful in the diagnosis of some diseases.
Failure to Detect Mismatches Between Intention and Outcome in a Simple Decision Task
Authors: Johansson Petter , Hall Lars , Sikström Sverker , Olsson Andreas
Published: October 2005

A fundamental assumption of theories of decision-making is that we detect mismatches between intention and outcome, adjust our behavior in the face of error, and adapt to changing circumstances. Is this always the case? We investigated the relation between intention, choice, and introspection. Participants made choices between presented face pairs on the basis of attractiveness, while we covertly manipulated the relationship between choice and outcome that they experienced. Participants failed to notice conspicuous mismatches between their intended choice and the outcome they were presented with, while nevertheless offering introspectively derived reasons for why they chose the way they did. We call this effect choice blindness.
Satellite Tagging and Cardiac Physiology Reveal Niche Expansion in Salmon Sharks
Authors: Weng Kevin C. , Castilho Pedro C. , Morrissette Jeffery M. , Landeira-Fernandez Ana M. , Holts David B. , Schallert Robert J. , Goldman Kenneth J. , Block Barbara A.
Published: October 2005

Shark populations are declining globally, yet the movements and habitats of most species are unknown. We used a satellite tag attached to the dorsal fin to track salmon sharks (
Lamna ditropis
) for up to 3.2 years. Here we show that salmon sharks have a subarctic-to-subtropical niche, ranging from 2° to 24°C, and they spend winter periods in waters as cold as 2° to 8°C. Functional assays and protein gels reveal that the expression of excitation-contraction coupling proteins is enhanced in salmon shark hearts, which may underlie the shark's ability to maintain heart function at cold temperatures and their niche expansion into subarctic seas.
Transoceanic Migration, Spatial Dynamics, and Population Linkages of White Sharks
Authors: Bonfil Ramón , Meÿer Michael , Scholl Michael C. , Johnson Ryan , O'Brien Shannon , Oosthuizen Herman , Swanson Stephan , Kotze Deon , Paterson Michael
Published: October 2005

The large-scale spatial dynamics and population structure of marine top predators are poorly known. We present electronic tag and photographic identification data showing a complex suite of behavioral patterns in white sharks. These include coastal return migrations and the fastest known transoceanic return migration among swimming fauna, which provide direct evidence of a link between widely separated populations in South Africa and Australia. Transoceanic return migration involved a return to the original capture location, dives to depths of 980 meters, and the tolerance of water temperatures as low as 3.4°C. These findings contradict previous ideas that female white sharks do not make transoceanic migrations, and they suggest natal homing behavior.
Arabidopsis
H
+
-PPase AVP1 Regulates Auxin-Mediated Organ Development
Authors: Li Jisheng , Yang Haibing , Ann Peer Wendy , Richter Gregory , Blakeslee Joshua , Bandyopadhyay Anindita , Titapiwantakun Boosaree , Undurraga Soledad , Khodakovskaya Mariya , Richards Elizabeth L. , Krizek Beth , Murphy Angus S. , Gilroy Simon , Gaxiola Roberto
Published: October 2005

The transport of auxin controls developmental events in plants. Here, we report that in addition to maintaining vacuolar pH, the H
+
-pyrophosphatase, AVP1, controls auxin transport and consequently auxin-dependent development. AVP1 overexpression results in increased cell division at the onset of organ formation, hyperplasia, and increased auxin transport. In contrast,
avp1-1
null mutants have severely disrupted root and shoot development and reduced auxin transport. Changes in the expression of AVP1 affect the distribution and abundance of the P–adenosine triphosphatase and Pinformed 1 auxin efflux facilitator, two proteins implicated in auxin distribution. Thus, AVP1 facilitates the auxin fluxes that regulate organogenesis.
PbSe Nanocrystal Solids for n- and p-Channel Thin Film Field-Effect Transistors
Authors: Talapin Dmitri V. , Murray Christopher B.
Published: October 2005

Initially poorly conducting PbSe nanocrystal solids (quantum dot arrays or superlattices) can be chemically “activated” to fabricate n- and p-channel field effect transistors with electron and hole mobilities of 0.9 and 0.2 square centimeters per volt-second, respectively; with current modulations of about 10
3
to 10
4
; and with current density approaching 3 × 10
4
amperes per square centimeter. Chemical treatments engineer the interparticle spacing, electronic coupling, and doping while passivating electronic traps. These nanocrystal field-effect transistors allow reversible switching between n- and p-transport, providing options for complementary metal oxide semiconductor circuits and enabling a range of low-cost, large-area electronic, optoelectronic, thermoelectric, and sensing applications.
Development of a Microsphere-Based Serologic Multiplexed Fluorescent Immunoassay and a Reverse Transcriptase PCR Assay To Detect Murine Norovirus 1 Infection in Mice
Authors: Hsu Charlie C. , Wobus Christiane E. , Steffen Earl K. , Riley Lela K. , Livingston Robert S.
Published: October 2005

Murine norovirus 1 (MNV-1) is a newly recognized pathogen of mice that causes lethal infection in mice deficient in components of the innate immune response but not in wild-type 129 mice. In this study, in vitro-propagated MNV-1 was used as antigen to develop a multiplexed fluorescent immunoassay (MFI) to detect antibodies to MNV-1 in infected mice. The MNV-1 MFI was 100% specific and 100% sensitive in detecting anti-MNV-1 antibody in sera from experimentally infected mice. Testing of a large number of mouse serum samples (
n
= 12,639) submitted from contemporary laboratory mouse colonies in the United States and Canada revealed that 22.1% of these sera contained antibodies to MNV-1, indicating infection with MNV-1 is widespread in research mice. In addition, a reverse transcriptase PCR primer pair with a sensitivity of 25 virus copies was developed and used to demonstrate that MNV-1 RNA could be detected in the spleen, mesenteric lymph node, and jejunum from some experimentally infected mice 5 weeks postinoculation. These diagnostic assays provide the necessary tools to define the MNV-1 infection status of research mice and to aid in the establishment of laboratory mouse colonies free of MNV-1 infection.
Evaluation of Immunoglobulin G Subclass Antibodies against RecombinantFasciola giganticaCathepsin L1 in an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Serodiagnosis of Human Fasciolosis
Authors: Wongkham Chaisiri , Tantrawatpan Chairat , Intapan Pewpan M. , Maleewong Wanchai , Wongkham Sopit , Nakashima Kunio
Published: October 2005

A cystatin capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using recombinantFasciola giganticacathepsin L1 antigen was developed to detect specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass antibodies (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4) and was evaluated for its diagnostic potential for human fasciolosis. In an analysis of the sera of 13 patients infected withF. gigantica, 209 patients with other parasitic infections, 32 cholangiocarcinoma patients, and 42 healthy controls, the IgG4-ELISA gave the highest diagnostic values. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of this method based on the detection of IgG4 antibody were 100%, 99.3%, 99.3%, 86.7%, and 100%, respectively. The results revealed that restricting the ELISA to the detection of specific IgG4 antibody enhanced the specificity and accuracy for the serodiagnosis of human fasciolosis.
Recombinant
Leishmania
Antigens for Serodiagnosis of Visceral Leishmaniasis
Authors: Passos S. , Carvalho L. P. , Orge G. , Jerônimo S. M. , Bezerra G. , Soto M. , Alonso C. , Carvalho E. M.
Published: October 2005

Serological tests with crude or recombinant
Leishmania
antigens are important tools for the diagnosis of leishmania infection. However, these tests are not markers of active visceral leishmaniasis (VL), since antibodies to these markers are often observed in individuals with subclinical
L. chagasi
infection and they do not fall shortly after therapy. In this study, levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) against three recombinant
Leishmania
antigens (rH2A, KMP11, and the “Q” protein) were evaluated in sera from individuals with subclinical
L. chagasi
infection and in patients with VL pre- and posttherapy. The sensitivity of the serological test for diagnosis of VL was 100% with all three antigens. The titers of IgG fell significantly after therapy. While most of the individuals with subclinical
L. chagasi
infection had antibodies to rH2A and the “Q” protein, only 1 out of 15 individuals had antibodies to KMP11. These data indicate that KMP11 may be used to discriminate
L. chagasi
infection from active VL and may serve as a marker of response to therapy.
Cryptococcus neoformans
-Reactive and Total Immunoglobulin Profiles of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected and Uninfected Ugandans
Authors: Subramaniam Krishanthi , French Neil , Pirofski Liise-anne
Published: October 2005

We determined total and
Cryptococcus neoformans
glucuronoxylomannan (GXM)-reactive antibody repertoires of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and HIV-uninfected Ugandans in a retrospective, case-control study of participants in a randomized controlled trial of pneumococcal vaccination. The study included 192 adults: 48 who subsequently developed cryptococcal meningitis (CM); (HIV
+
CM
+
); 2 individuals who matched them in CD4
+
T-cell level, stage of HIV disease, and age but did not develop CM (HIV
+
CM
−
); and 48 HIV-uninfected individuals. Total serum immunoglobulin concentrations and titers of immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG, and IgA to GXM, pneumococcal polysaccharides, and antibodies expressing certain V
H
3 idiotypes were determined with banked sera obtained before the development of cryptococcosis for HIV
+
CM
+
subjects. The results showed that HIV-infected subjects had significantly lower levels of IgM to GXM but higher levels of total immunoglobulin and IgG and IgA to GXM than those of HIV-uninfected subjects. HIV-infected subjects with a history of pneumonia had higher levels, and those with a history of herpes zoster had lower levels of GXM-binding antibodies than subjects with no history of either disease. Minimal to no cross-reactivity was demonstrated between antibodies to GXM and polysaccharides in a pneumococcal vaccine. No significant differences between the antibody repertoires of HIV
+
CM
+
and HIV
+
CM
−
subjects were identified, but among subjects without a history of pneumonia, there was a trend towards lower V
H
3-positive antibody levels among HIV
+
CM
+
than among HIV
+
CM
−
subjects. Our findings demonstrate an association between previous infectious diseases and differences in the total and GXM-reactive antibody repertoires of HIV-infected subjects and suggest the question of whether certain microbes modulate subsequent antibody responses to GXM deserves further study.
Clonal Diversity and Turnover of
Streptococcus mitis
bv. 1 on Shedding and Nonshedding Oral Surfaces of Human Infants during the First Year of Life
Authors: Kirchherr Jennifer L. , Bowden George H. , Richmond Dorothy A. , Sheridan Michael J. , Wirth Katherine A. , Cole Michael F.
Published: October 2005

Streptococcus mitis
bv. 1 is a pioneer colonizer of the human oral cavity. Studies of its population dynamics within parents and their infants and within neonates have shown extensive diversity within and between subjects. We examined the genetic diversity and clonal turnover of
S. mitis
bv. 1 isolated from the cheeks, tongue, and primary incisors of four infants from birth to 1 year of age. In addition, we compared the clonotypes of
S. mitis
bv. 1 isolated from their mothers' saliva collected in parallel to determine whether the mother was the origin of the clones colonizing her infant. Of 859 isolates obtained from the infants, 568 were unique clones. Each of the surfaces examined, whether shedding or nonshedding, displayed the same degree of diversity. Among the four infants it was rare to detect the same clone colonizing more than one surface at a given visit. There was little evidence for persistence of clones, but when clones were isolated on multiple visits they were not always found on the same surface. A similar degree of clonal diversity of
S. mitis
bv. 1 was observed in the mothers' saliva as in their infants' mouths. Clones common to both infant and mothers' saliva were found infrequently suggesting that this is not the origin of the infants' clones. It is unclear whether mucosal immunity exerts the environmental pressure driving the genetic diversity and clonal turnover of
S. mitis
bv. 1, which may be mechanisms employed by this bacterium to evade immune elimination.
Potential of Direct Agglutination Test Based on Promastigote and Amastigote Antigens for Serodiagnosis of Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis
Authors: Singh Ruchi , Subba Raju B. V. , Jain R. K. , Salotra Poonam
Published: October 2005

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a dermal complication, a sequel to kala-azar. Diagnosis of PKDL presents a challenge due to the low parasite burden in the lesions. The direct agglutination test (DAT) based on promastigote and amastigote antigens of
Leishmania donovani
of indigenous isolates was developed to diagnose PKDL, and the results were compared with those of the rk39 strip test. The sensitivities of DAT for antileishmanial antibody detection, based on promastigote and amastigote antigens at a cutoff titer of 1:800 were 98.5% and 100%, respectively, with corresponding specificities of 96.5% and 100%. DAT could correctly detect 100% polymorphic cases and 95.4% macular PKDL cases. In comparison, the rk39 strip test was able to correctly diagnose 95.6% of polymorphic and 86.0% macular PKDL cases. DAT based on axenic amastigote antigen provided 100% sensitivity and specificity, making it particularly useful for macular PKDL cases, which are often missed by the rk39 strip test. Thus, DAT provides a simple, reliable, and inexpensive test for PKDL diagnosis with potential applicability in field conditions.
Feline Coronavirus Serotypes 1 and 2: Seroprevalence and Association with Disease in Switzerland
Authors: Kummrow Maya , Meli Marina L. , Haessig Michael , Goenczi Enikoe , Poland Amy , Pedersen Niels C. , Hofmann-Lehmann Regina , Lutz Hans
Published: October 2005

To determine the prevalence of antibodies to feline coronavirus (FCoV) serotypes 1 and 2 in Switzerland and their association with different disease manifestations, a serological study based on immunofluorescence tests was conducted with Swiss field cats using transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), FCoV type 1 and FCoV type 2 as antigens. A total of 639 serum samples collected in the context of different studies from naturally infected cats were tested. The current study revealed that, with an apparent prevalence of 83%, FCoV serotype 1 is the most prevalent serotype in Switzerland. FCoV type 1 viruses induced higher antibody titers than FCoV type 2, and were more frequently associated with clinical signs and/or feline infectious peritonitis. The antibody development in seven cats experimentally infected with FCoV type 1 revealed that, with progressing duration of infection, antibodies to FCoV type 1 significantly increased over those to FCoV type 2. There was a significant relationship between antibody titers against TGEV, FCoV 1, and FCoV 2 and TGEV antigen detected the highest proportion of seropositive cats. We conclude that a vaccine against FCoV should be based on FCoV type 1-related antigens and that for serodiagnosis of FCoV infection TGEV should be used to attain the highest diagnostic efficiency. When serology is used in addition to clinical signs, hematology, and clinical chemistry results as an aid to diagnose clinical FIP, TGEV shows a diagnostic efficiency equal to that of a FCoV antigen.
Evaluation of LIAISON Treponema Screen, a Novel Recombinant Antigen-Based Chemiluminescence Immunoassay for Laboratory Diagnosis of Syphilis
Authors: Marangoni Antonella , Sambri Vittorio , Accardo Silvia , Cavrini Francesca , D'Antuono Antonietta , Moroni Alessandra , Storni Elisa , Cevenini Roberto
Published: October 2005

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of LIAISON Treponema Screen (DiaSorin, Saluggia, Italy), a new automated chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA), in comparison with that of rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and the following currently used treponemal tests: hemagglutination test (TPHA), immunoenzymatic assay (EIA), and Western blot (WB). First, a retrospective study was performed with a panel of 2,494 blood donor sera, a panel of 131 clinical and serologically characterized syphilitic sera, and 96 samples obtained from subjects with potentially interfering diseases or conditions. A prospective study was also performed by testing 1,800 unselected samples submitted to the Microbiology Laboratory of the St. Orsola Hospital in Bologna, Italy, for routine screening for syphilis. As expected, RPR was the least specific method, especially when potentially cross-reacting sera were tested. On the contrary, all of the treponemal tests proved to be very specific (99.9%) and they performed with the following sensitivities: 100% (WB), 99.2% (CLIA), 95.4% (EIA), and 94.7% (TPHA).
Immunoglobulin A Antibody Responses in Dengue Patients: a Useful Marker for Serodiagnosis of Dengue Virus Infection
Authors: Nawa M. , Takasaki T. , Ito M. , Inoue S. , Morita K. , Kurane I.
Published: October 2005

We determined the usefulness of an immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serodiagnosis of dengue virus infections. The results indicate that the presence of IgA and IgM in serum samples assures recent primary dengue virus infection even with a single serum sample.
Fluorescent Multivalent Opsonophagocytic Assay for Measurement of Functional Antibodies to
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Bieging Kathryn T. , Rajam Gowrisankar , Holder Patricia , Udoff Ross , Carlone George M. , Romero-Steiner Sandra
Published: October 2005

We developed fluorescent mono- and multivalent opsonophagocytic assays (fOPA and fmOPA, respectively) specific for seven
Streptococcus pneumoniae
serotypes (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F). Bacterial survival was quantitated with alamar blue, a fluorescent metabolic indicator. Both fOPA and fmOPA allow for determination of viability endpoints for up to seven serotypes with high levels of agreement to the reference method. The fmOPA eliminates colony counting, reduces serum volume, and produces results in 1 day.
Immunogenicity of an Intranasally Administered Modified Live Canine Parvovirus Type 2b Vaccine in Pups with Maternally Derived Antibodies
Authors: Martella Vito , Cavalli Alessandra , Decaro Nicola , Elia Gabriella , Desario Costantina , Campolo Marco , Bozzo Giancarlo , Tarsitano Elvira , Buonavoglia Canio
Published: October 2005

The ability of a modified live canine parvovirus type 2b vaccine to elicit active immunization in pups with maternally derived antibodies (MDA) by intranasal administration was evaluated. The vaccine induced seroconversion in 100% of pups with MDA titers of ≤80 and in 51.6% of pups with titers between 160 and 320.
Critical Investigation of the CD14 Promoter Polymorphism: Lack of a Role for In Vitro Cytokine Response and Membrane CD14 Expression
Authors: von Aulock Sonja , Rupp Jan , Gueinzius Katja , Maass Matthias , Hermann Corinna
Published: October 2005

Blood of volunteers, genotyped for the CD14 C(−159)→T polymorphism, showed no difference in cytokine release when stimulated with nine CD14-dependent immune stimuli. An analysis of the published data on the proposed association of CD14 genotype with membrane CD14 density revealed no significant correlation, questioning a functional impact of the CD14 polymorphism.
Monitoring surgical and medical outcomes: the Bernoulli cumulative SUM chart. A novel application to assess clinical interventions
Authors: Leandro G , Rolando N , Gallus G , Rolles K , Burroughs A K
Published: October 2005

Background

Monitoring clinical interventions is an increasing requirement in current clinical practice. The standard CUSUM (cumulative sum) charts are used for this purpose. However, they are difficult to use in terms of identifying the point at which outcomes begin to be outside recommended limits.

Objective

To assess the Bernoulli CUSUM chart that permits not only a 100% inspection rate, but also the setting of average expected outcomes, maximum deviations from these, and false positive rates for the alarm signal to trigger.

Methods

As a working example this study used 674 consecutive first liver transplant recipients. The expected one year mortality set at 24% from the European Liver Transplant Registry average. A standard CUSUM was compared with Bernoulli CUSUM: the control value mortality was therefore 24%, maximum accepted mortality 30%, and average number of observations to signal was 500—that is, likelihood of false positive alarm was 1:500.

Results

The standard CUSUM showed an initial descending curve (nadir at patient 215) then progressively ascended indicating better performance. The Bernoulli CUSUM gave three alarm signals initially, with easily recognised breaks in the curve. There were no alarms signals after patient 143 indicating satisfactory performance within the criteria set.

Conclusions

The Bernoulli CUSUM is more easily interpretable graphically and is more suitable for monitoring outcomes than the standard CUSUM chart. It only requires three parameters to be set to monitor any clinical intervention: the average expected outcome, the maximum deviation from this, and the rate of false positive alarm triggers.
Radiation exposure to personnel performing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Authors: Naidu L S , Singhal S , Preece D E , Vohrah A , Loft D E
Published: October 2005

Background

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) relies on the use of ionising radiation but risks to operator and patient associated with radiation exposure are unclear. The aim of this prospective study was to estimate the radiation dose received by personnel performing fluoroscopic endoscopic procedures, mainly ERCP.

Methods

Consecutive procedures over a two month period were included. The use of thermoluminescent dosimeters to measure radiation exposure to the abdomen, thyroid gland, and hands of the operator permitted an estimation of the annual whole body effective dose equivalent.

Results

During the study period 66 procedures (61 ERCP) were performed and the estimated annual whole body effective dose equivalent received by consultant operators ranged between 3.35 and 5.87 mSv. These values are similar to those received by patients undergoing barium studies and equate to an estimated additional lifetime fatal cancer risk between 1 in 7000 and 1 in 3500. While within legal safety limits for radiation exposure to personnel, these doses are higher than values deemed acceptable for the general public.

Conclusions

It is suggested that personnel as well as patients may be exposed to significant values of radiation during ERCP. The study emphasises the need to carefully assess the indication for, and to use measures that minimise radiation exposure during any fluoroscopic procedure.
APPLICATION OF A POWDERED-INTERNAL-STANDARD METHOD TO PLANT AND SEAWEED SAMPLES
Authors: ITOH J. , FUTATSUGAWA S. , SAITOH Y. , OJIMA F. , SERA K.
Published: October 2005

A preparation method making use of liquid nitrogen combined with a powdered-internal-standard method has been established for seaweed and plant samples, whose elemental concentration has been attracting attention in various research fields. It is found that a powdered-internal-standard method developed by us is applicable to the powdered samples treated with liquid nitrogen with good accuracy and reproducibility. The results were compared with those obtained by direct-powder method and by chemical-ashing method and good agreement was obtained. In addition, it is found that the whole sample of large quantities was almost uniformized by this preparation method. Moreover, it becomes possible to obtain concentrations of all the concerned elements including iodine, chlorine and bromine, which are essential elements in the fields of life-sciences and are difficult to be analyzed by the chemical-ashing method. It is expected that the application to other biological samples is also promising.
STANDARD-FREE METHOD FOR BODY FLUID SAMPLES SUCH AS SALIVA, SWEAT, SNIVAL AND TEAR
Authors: SERA K. , TERASAKI T. , ITOH J. , SAITOH Y. , FUTATSUGAWA S. , MIURA Y.
Published: October 2005

We have developed standard-free methods for PIXE analysis of hair, nail, urine and serum, and they have widely been applied to studies on human exposure to some toxic elements caused by pollution in many countries. Although these samples are known to be quite suited for evaluating human exposure to toxic elements, there is a case where it is required to quantitatively analyze other samples taken from people. We have examined sweat, saliva, snivel and tear, which are expected to be useful for estimating concentration of various elements in a human body. However, sufficient quantities of them are difficult to be taken from a human body and it is required to establish standard-free methods for these samples. In the present work, standard-free methods for sweat and saliva were established and its accuracy and reproducibility are confirmed. It becomes possible to quantitatively analyze only a drop of sweat and saliva by means of this method. For snivel and tear, potassium concentration is obtained by the internal-standard method for a small-spot sample and the conversion coefficient required for the standard-free method was evaluated. It is found that analyses of these samples give us useful information about some specific elements. As the standard-free methods are free from dryness of samples, which becomes a serious problem in the case where the internal-standard method is applied, it is expected to give more essential information about elemental concentration in a human body.
VARIATIONS OF THE ELEMENTAL CONCENTRATIONS IN PINE NEEDLE AND GRASS COLLECTED FROM THE AREA SURROUNDING RADIOISOTOPE WASTE TREATMENT LABORATORY
Authors: FUTATSUGAWA S. , ITOH J. , SAITOH Y. , DOI K. , GOTO S. , HATAKEYAMA S. , SERA K.
Published: October 2005

Environmental samples (rice, soil, river soil and water, running water, pine needle, milk and grass) are collected from the area surrounding Kaya Memorial Takizawa Laboratory (radioisotope waste treatment laboratory) neighboring Nishina Memorial Cyclotron Center for detection of radionuclide in those. We examine annual variations of elemental concentrations in two kinds of environmental samples (pine needle and grass) collected during 5-years period. These were prepared using nitric acid ashing method and analyzed using ordinal vacuum PIXE for detection of the elemental concentration. The result indicates that the concentrations of potassium and phosphorous in grass change according as fertilizer. This is the primary study. The results of annual variations of elemental concentrations in other environmental samples will be described in another paper in the near future.
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS FOR Cr(III) AND Cr(VI) IONS IN ENVIRONMENTAL WATER SAMPLES BY USING PIXE
Authors: YAMAZAKI H. , ISHII K. , TAKAHASHI Y. , MATSUYAMA S. , AMARTAIVAN TS. , ABE S. , INOMATA K. , WATANABE Y. , ISHIZAKI A. , SASAKI T.
Published: October 2005

An enhanced sample preparation method for PIXE analysis is described allowing to separate and concentrate chromium ions of different valence in water samples. Cr 3+ ions are selectively adsorbed by ferric hydroxide colloids generated in the solution, and a PIXE target for analyzing the total concentration of chromium of hexavalent and trivalent states is prepared by depositing 0.15 ml of sample solution on a user-made thin polycarbonate film. PIXE analyses for the two kinds of targets reveal the fractions of chromium of different oxidation state. The standard method for collecting the colloids adsorbing Cr 3+ ions on Nuclepore filter of 0.2 μm pores is based on an investigation of the pH-dependence of the recovery of dissolved Cr 3+ ions and the calibration curve is measured. The prepared targets were examined for 5 to 10 minutes by 3 MeV proton beams (0.7-5 nA beam currents). The lower detection limit of chromium in a 25 ml aquatic sample is 1 ppb for the Cr 3+-precipitated targets and 3.4 ppb for the CrO 42--deposit targets based on the 3σ error of background counts integrated over the FWHM of chromium peak in the PIXE spectrum. The applicability of PIXE using these sample-preparation techniques for determining chromium oxidation states was confirmed using river water samples to which Cr 3+ and CrO 42- ions were added in 50 ppb concentrations.
PRIMORDIAL GRAVITATIONAL WAVES AND INFLATION: POSSIBILITIES FOR DETECTION
Authors: COORAY ASANTHA
Published: October 2005

The curl-modes of Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) polarization probe horizon-scale primordial gravitational waves related to inflation. A significant source of confusion is expected from a lensing conversion of polarization related to density perturbations to the curl mode, during the propagation of photons through the large scale structure. Either high resolution CMB anisotropy observations or 21 cm fluctuations at redshifts 30 and higher can be used to delens polarization data and to separate gravitational-wave polarization signature from that of cosmic-shear related signal. Separations based on proposed lensing reconstruction techniques for reasonable future experiments allow the possibility to probe inflationary energy scales down to 1015GeV . Beyond CMB polarization, at frequencies between 0.01 Hz to 1 Hz, space-based laser interferometers can also be used to probe the inflationary gravitational wave background. The confusion here is related to the removal of merging neutron star binaries at cosmological distances. Given the low merger rate and the rapid evolution of the gravitational wave frequency across this band, reliable removal techniques can be constructed. We discuss issues related to joint constraints that can be placed on the inflationary models based on CMB polarization information and space-based interferometers such as the Big Bang Observer.
Hypoxia induces epithelial amphiregulin gene expression in a CREB-dependent manner
Authors: O’Reilly Susan M. , Leonard Martin O. , Kieran Niamh , Comerford Katrina M. , Cummins Eoin , Pouliot Marc , Lee Sean B. , Taylor Cormac T.
Published: October 2005

Hypoxia occurs during a number of conditions in which altered epithelial proliferation is critical, including tumor development. Microarray analysis of colon-derived epithelial cells revealed a hypoxia-dependent increase in the expression of amphiregulin, an EGF receptor (EGFR) ligand that activates epithelial proliferation and has been associated with the development of colonic tumors. Amphiregulin expression was also induced in tissues from mice exposed to whole animal hypoxia. The hypoxic upregulation of amphiregulin was independent of the classic transcriptional response mediated via hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. Transfection of HeLa cells with truncated amphiregulin promoter reporter constructs revealed that a 37-bp segment upstream from the TATA box retained hypoxic sensitivity. This sequence contains an evolutionarily conserved cAMP response element (CRE) that constitutively binds the CRE binding protein (CREB). Deletion of the CRE abolished sensitivity to hypoxia. Thus hypoxia promotes intestinal epithelial amphiregulin expression in a CRE-dependent manner, an event that may contribute to increased proliferation. These data also further support a role for CREB as an HIF-independent hypoxia-responsive transcription factor in the regulation of intestinal epithelial gene expression.
Subcellular localization of Apaf-1 in apoptotic rat pituitary cells
Authors: Potokar Maja , Kreft Marko , Chowdhury Helena H. , Vardjan Nina , Zorec Robert
Published: October 2005

A key step in the intrinsic apoptotic pathway is the assembly of the apoptosome complex. The apoptosome components are well known; however, the physiology of the assembly of the apoptosome complex at the cellular level is still poorly defined. The aim of this work was to study the subcellular distribution of the apoptosome scaffold protein apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1) before and after triggering apoptosis in single somatotrophs. Somatotrophs are the subject of extensive pituitary tissue remodeling in different physiological situations in which the quality and the number of pituitary cells are determined by cell proliferation and apoptosis. We show herein that 2 h after triggering apoptosis with rotenone, Apaf-1 redistributed to the proximity of mitochondria. In addition, the degree of colocalization between Apaf-1 and fluorescently labeled caspase-9 significantly increased during the same period. Furthermore, we show herein for the first time in single cells that the colocalization between Apaf-1 and cytochrome c increases only transiently, indicating a transient interaction between cytochrome c and Apaf-1 during the activation of apoptosis in these cells.
β-Adrenergic stimulation does not activate Na+/Ca2+ exchange current in guinea pig, mouse, and rat ventricular myocytes
Authors: Lin Xue , Jo Hikari , Sakakibara Yutaka , Tambara Keiichi , Kim Bongju , Komeda Masashi , Matsuoka Satoshi
Published: October 2005

The effect of β-adrenergic stimulation on cardiac Na+/Ca2+ exchange has been controversial. To clarify the effect, we measured Na+/Ca2+ exchange current ( INCX) in voltage-clamped guinea pig, mouse, and rat ventricular cells. When INCX was defined as a 5 mM Ni2+-sensitive current in guinea pig ventricular myocytes, 1 μM isoproterenol apparently augmented INCX by ∼32%. However, this increase was probably due to contamination of the cAMP-dependent Cl− current (CFTR-Cl− current, ICFTR-Cl), because Ni2+ inhibited the activation of ICFTR-Cl by 1 μM isoproterenol with a half-maximum concentration of 0.5 mM under conditions where INCX was suppressed. Five or ten millimolar Ni2+ did not inhibit ICFTR-Cl activated by 10 μM forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, suggesting that Ni2+ acted upstream of adenylate cyclase in the β-adrenergic signaling pathway. Furthermore, in a low-extracellular Cl− bath solution, 1 μM isoproterenol did not significantly alter the amplitude of Ni2+-sensitive INCX at +50 mV, which is close to the reversal potential of ICFTR-Cl. No change in INCX amplitude was induced by 10 μM forskolin. When INCX was activated by extracellular Ca2+, it was not significantly affected by 1 μM isoproterenol in guinea pig, mouse, or rat ventricular cells. We concluded that β-adrenergic stimulation does not have significant effects on INCX in guinea pig, mouse, or rat ventricular myocytes.
Testosterone supplementation in aging men and women: possible impact on cardiovascular-renal disease
Authors: Reckelhoff Jane F. , Yanes Licy L. , Iliescu Radu , Fortepiani Lourdes A. , Granger Joey P.
Published: October 2005

Treatment of aging men and women with testosterone supplements is increasing. The supplements are given to postmenopausal women mainly to improve their libido and to aging men to improve muscle mass and bone strength, to improve libido and quality of life, to prevent and treat osteoporosis, and, with the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, such as sildenafil, to treat erectile dysfunction. The increased use of testosterone supplements in aging individuals has occurred despite the fact that there have been no rigorous clinical trials examining the effects of chronic testosterone on the cardiovascular-renal disease risk. Studies in humans and animals have suggested that androgens can increase blood pressure and compromise renal function. Androgens have been shown to increase tubular sodium and water reabsorption and activate various vasoconstrictor systems in the kidney, such as the renin-angiotensin system and endothelin. There is also evidence that androgens may increase oxidative stress. Furthermore, the kidney contains the enzymes necessary to produce androgens de novo. This review presents an overview of the data from human and animal studies in which the role of androgens in promoting renal and cardiovascular diseases has been investigated.
Effects of polymorphisms in β1-adrenoceptor and α-subunit of G protein on heart rate and blood pressure during exercise test. The Finnish Cardiovascular Study
Authors: Nieminen Tuomo , Lehtimäki Terho , Laiho Jarno , Rontu Riikka , Niemelä Kari , Kööbi Tiit , Lehtinen Rami , Viik Jari , Turjanmaa Väinö , Kähönen Mika
Published: October 2005

We tested whether the Arg389Gly and Ser49Gly polymorphisms of the β1-adrenergic receptor gene ADRB1 and the T393C polymorphism of the G protein α-subunit gene GNAS1 modulate heart rate (HR) and blood pressure responses during an exercise stress test. The study population comprised 890 participants (563 men and 327 women, mean age 58.1 ± 12.6 yr) of the Finnish Cardiovascular Study. Their HR, systolic (SAP), and diastolic arterial pressures (DAP) at rest, during exercise, and 4 min after the test were measured and analyzed by repeated-measurement ANOVA (RANOVA). Genotypes were detected by TaqMan 5′ nuclease assay. In all subjects, and in men and women separately, the T393C of GNAS1 was the only polymorphism with genotype × time interaction in HR over the three study phases ( P = 0.04, RANOVA). None of the polymorphisms presented genotype × time interaction in SAP or DAP responses ( P > 0.10, RANOVA). In all subjects at rest, the Ser49Gly polymorphism of ADRB1 tended ( P = 0.06, ANOVA) to differentiate HR. Arg389Gly polymorphism of ADRB1 affected maximal SAP during exercise ( P = 0.04, ANOVA) and the change in SAP from rest to maximal ( P = 0.03, ANOVA). Arg389 homozygotes, particularly men, were less likely to have ventricular extrasystoles during the exercise (odds ratio = 0.68, 95% confidence interval = 0.51–0.91, P = 0.009, and odds ratio = 0.60, 95% confidence interval = 0.42–0.86, P = 0.006, respectively) than did Gly389 carriers. In conclusion, polymorphisms examined appear to have modulatory effects on hemodynamics in a clinical exercise test setting. However, the effects in absolute numbers were minor and clinically possibly insignificant.
Long-term enhancement of pulmonary gas exchange after high-altitude residence during maturation
Authors: McDonough Paul , Dane D. Merrill , Hsia Connie C. W. , Yilmaz Cuneyt , Johnson Robert L.
Published: October 2005

In a previous study, our laboratory showed that young dogs born at sea level (SL) and raised from 2.5 mo of age to beyond somatic maturity at a high altitude (HA) of 3,100 m show enhanced resting lung function (Johnson RL Jr, Cassidy SS, Grover RF, Schutte JE, and Epstein RH. J Appl Physiol 59: 1773–1782, 1985). To examine whether HA-induced adaptation improves pulmonary gas exchange during exercise and whether adaptation is reversible when animals return to SL before somatic maturity, we raised 2.5-mo-old foxhounds at HA (3,800 m) for 5 mo (to age 7.5 mo) before returning them to SL. Lung function was measured under anesthesia 1 mo and 2 yr after return to SL and during exercise ∼1 yr after return. In animals exposed to HA relative to simultaneous litter-matched SL controls, resting circulating blood and erythrocyte volumes, lung volumes, septal volume estimated by a rebreathing technique, and lung tissue volume estimated by high-resolution computed tomography scan were persistently higher. Lung diffusing capacity, membrane diffusing capacity, and pulmonary capillary blood volume estimated at a given cardiac output were significantly higher in animals exposed to HA, whereas maximal oxygen uptake and hematocrit were similar between groups. We conclude that relatively short exposure to HA during somatic maturation improves long-term lung function into adulthood.
Responses of Trigeminal Ganglion Neurons to the Radial Distance of Contact During Active Vibrissal Touch
Authors: Szwed Marcin , Bagdasarian Knarik , Blumenfeld Barak , Barak Omri , Derdikman Dori , Ahissar Ehud
Published: October 2005

Rats explore their environment by actively moving their whiskers. Recently, we described how object location in the horizontal (front–back) axis is encoded by first-order neurons in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) by spike timing. Here we show how TG neurons encode object location along the radial coordinate, i.e., from the snout outward. Using extracellular recordings from urethane-anesthetized rats and electrically induced whisking, we found that TG neurons encode radial distance primarily by the number of spikes fired. When an object was positioned closer to the whisker root, all touch-selective neurons recorded fired more spikes. Some of these cells responded exclusively to objects located near the base of whiskers, signaling proximal touch by an identity (labeled-line) code. A number of tonic touch-selective neurons also decreased delays from touch to the first spike and decreased interspike intervals for closer object positions. Information theory analysis revealed that near-certainty discrimination between two objects separated by 30% of the length of whiskers was possible for some single cells. However, encoding reliability was usually lower as a result of large trial-by-trial response variability. Our current findings, together with the identity coding suggested by anatomy for the vertical dimension and the temporal coding of the horizontal dimension, suggest that object location is encoded by separate neuronal variables along the three spatial dimensions: temporal for the horizontal, spatial for the vertical, and spike rate for the radial dimension.
Transient High-Frequency Firing in a Coupled-Oscillator Model of the Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Neuron
Authors: Kuznetsov Alexey S. , Kopell Nancy J. , Wilson Charles J.
Published: October 2005

Dopaminergic neurons of the midbrain fire spontaneously at rates <10/s and ordinarily will not exceed this range even when driven with somatic current injection. When driven at higher rates, these cells undergo spike failure through depolarization block. During spontaneous bursting of dopaminergic neurons in vivo, bursts related to reward expectation in behaving animals, and bursts generated by dendritic application of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) agonists, transient firing attains rates well above this range. We suggest a way such high-frequency firing may occur in response to dendritic NMDA receptor activation. We have extended the coupled oscillator model of the dopaminergic neuron, which represents the soma and dendrites as electrically coupled compartments with different natural spiking frequencies, by addition of dendritic AMPA (voltage-independent) or NMDA (voltage-dependent) synaptic conductance. Both soma and dendrites contain a simplified version of the calcium-potassium mechanism known to be the mechanism for slow spontaneous oscillation and background firing in dopaminergic cells. The compartments differ only in diameter, and this difference is responsible for the difference in natural frequencies. We show that because of its voltage dependence, NMDA receptor activation acts to amplify the effect on the soma of the high-frequency oscillation of the dendrites, which is normally too weak to exert a large influence on the overall oscillation frequency of the neuron. During the high-frequency oscillations that result, sodium inactivation in the soma is removed rapidly after each action potential by the hyperpolarizing influence of the dendritic calcium-dependent potassium current, preventing depolarization block of the spike mechanism, and allowing high-frequency spiking.
Vulnerability of Southwest Iberian amphibians to an introduced crayfish, Procambarus clarkii
Authors: Rebelo Rui , Cruz Maria João
Published: October 2005

The introduction of predators in amphibian breeding habitats may contribute to the decline or extinction of amphibian populations. Procambarus clarkii, a North American crayfish, was recently introduced in the Iberian Peninsula, being now quite abundant in the southwest, a region with no native crayfish species and where 13 amphibian species may be found. We performed mesocosm experiments to evaluate the vulnerability of amphibian embryos and larvae from those species to P. clarkii. Despite the presence of alternative food (vegetation and leaf litter), embryo survival in the presence of P. clarkii was low for all species except Bufo bufo. However, newly hatched B. bufo tadpoles were readily consumed. P. clarkii reduced larval survival in all species, with those species that in nature have few contacts with predators at the larval stage suffering the highest mortalities. Most larvae reduced their activity and/or altered microhabitat use in the presence of P. clarkii, but these behavioural modifications did not lead necessarily to a low vulnerability to predation.