bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global temperature responses to current emissions from the transport sectors
Authors: Berntsen Terje , Fuglestvedt Jan
Published: December 2008

Transport affects climate directly and indirectly through mechanisms that cause both warming and cooling of climate, and the effects operate on very different timescales. We calculate climate responses in terms of global mean temperature and find large differences between the transport sectors with respect to the size and mix of short- and long-lived effects, and even the sign of the temperature response. For year 2000 emissions, road transport has the largest effect on global mean temperature. After 20 and 100 years the response in net temperature is 7 and 6 times higher, respectively, than for aviation. Aviation and shipping have strong but quite uncertain short-lived warming and cooling effects, respectively, that dominate during the first decades after the emissions. For shipping the net cooling during the first 4 decades is due to emissions of SO
2
and NOx. On a longer timescale, the current emissions from shipping cause net warming due to the persistence of the CO
2
perturbation. If emissions stay constant at 2000 levels, the warming effect from road transport will continue to increase and will be almost 4 times larger than that of aviation by the end of the century.
A zinc-dependent adhesion module is responsible for intercellular adhesion in staphylococcal biofilms
Authors: Conrady Deborah G. , Brescia Cristin C. , Horii Katsunori , Weiss Alison A. , Hassett Daniel J. , Herr Andrew B.
Published: December 2008

Hospital-acquired bacterial infections are an increasingly important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Staphylococcal species are responsible for the majority of hospital-acquired infections, which are often complicated by the ability of staphylococci to grow as biofilms. Biofilm formation by
Staphylococcus epidermidis
and
Staphylococcus aureus
requires cell-surface proteins (Aap and SasG) containing sequence repeats known as G5 domains; however, the precise role of these proteins in biofilm formation is unclear. We show here, using analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) and circular dichroism (CD), that G5 domains from Aap are zinc (Zn
2+
)-dependent adhesion modules analogous to mammalian cadherin domains. The G5 domain dimerizes in the presence of Zn
2+
, incorporating 2–3 Zn
2+
ions in the dimer interface. Tandem G5 domains associate in a modular fashion, suggesting a “zinc zipper” mechanism for G5 domain-based intercellular adhesion in staphylococcal biofilms. We demonstrate, using a biofilm plate assay, that Zn
2+
chelation specifically prevents biofilm formation by
S. epidermidis
and methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA). Furthermore, individual soluble G5 domains inhibit biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, the complex three-dimensional architecture of staphylococcal biofilms results from the self-association of a single type of protein domain. Surface proteins with tandem G5 domains are also found in other bacterial species, suggesting that this mechanism for intercellular adhesion in biofilms may be conserved among staphylococci and other Gram-positive bacteria. Zn
2+
chelation represents a potential therapeutic approach for combating biofilm growth in a wide range of bacterial biofilm-related infections.
Nonadiabatic dissociation dynamics in H
2
O: Competition between rotationally and nonrotationally mediated pathways
Authors: Yuan Kaijun , Cheng Yuan , Cheng Lina , Guo Qing , Dai Dongxu , Wang Xiuyan , Yang Xueming , Dixon Richard N.
Published: December 2008

The photochemistry of H
2
O in the VUV region is important in interstellar chemistry. Whereas previous studies of the photodissociation used excitation via unbound states, we have used a tunable VUV photolysis source to excite individual levels of the rotationally structured
C̃
state near 124 nm. The ensuing OH product state distributions were recorded by using the H-atom Rydberg tagging technique. Experimental results indicate a dramatic variation in the OH product state distributions and its stereodynamics for different resonant states. Photodissociation of H
2
O(
C̃
) in rotational states with
k′

a

= 0 occurs exclusively through a newly discovered homogeneous coupling to the Ã state, leading to OH products that are vibrationally hot (up to
v
= 13), but rotationally cold. In contrast, for H
2
O in rotationally excited states with
k′

a

> 0, an additional pathway opens through Coriolis-type coupling to the
B̃
state surface. This yields extremely rotationally hot and vibrationally cold ground state OH(X) and electronically excited OH(A) products, through 2 different mechanisms. In the case of excitation via the 1
10
← 0
00
transition the H atoms for these 2 product channels are ejected in completely different directions. Quantum dynamical models for the
C̃
-state photodissociation clearly support this remarkable dynamical picture, providing a uniquely detailed illustration of nonadiabatic dynamics involving at least 4 electronic surfaces.
Ethanol inhibits neuronal differentiation by disrupting activity-dependent neuroprotective protein signaling
Authors: Chen Suzhen , Charness Michael E.
Published: December 2008

The mechanisms by which ethanol damages the developing and adult central nervous system (CNS) remain unclear. Activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) is a glial protein that protects the CNS against a wide array of insults and is critical for CNS development. NAPVSIPQ (NAP), a potent active fragment of ADNP, potentiated axon outgrowth in cerebellar granule neurons by activating the sequential tyrosine phosphorylation of Fyn kinase and the scaffold protein Crk-associated substrate (Cas). Pharmacological inhibition of Fyn kinase or expression of a Fyn kinase siRNA abolished NAP-mediated axon outgrowth. Concentrations of ethanol attained after social drinking blocked NAP-mediated axon outgrowth (IC50= 17 mM) by inhibiting NAP activation of Fyn kinase and Cas. These findings identify a mechanism for ADNP regulation of glial–neuronal interactions in developing cerebellum and a pathogenesis of ethanol neurotoxicity.
Ca
2+
bursts occur around a local minimal concentration of attractant and trigger sperm chemotactic response
Authors: Shiba Kogiku , Baba Shoji A. , Inoue Takafumi , Yoshida Manabu
Published: December 2008

Ca
2+
is known to have important roles in sperm chemotaxis, although the relationship between intracellular Ca
2+
concentration ([Ca
2+
]
i
) and modulation of the swimming and chemotactic behavior of spermatozoa has not been elucidated. Using a high-speed Ca
2+
imaging system, we examined the chemotactic behavior and [Ca
2+
]
i
in individual ascidian sperm cells exhibiting chemotactic responses toward sperm activating and attracting factor (SAAF), a chemoattractant released by eggs. In this study, we found that transient [Ca
2+
]
i
increased in the flagellum (Ca
2+
bursts) concomitantly with a change in the swimming direction in an SAAF gradient field. During the initial phase of the Ca
2+
bursts, the flagellum of the spermatozoon exhibited highly asymmetric waveforms enabling the quick turning of the swimming path. However, the flagellum subsequently changed to symmetric beating, causing the spermatozoon to swim straight. Interestingly, during such responses, [Ca
2+
]
i
remained higher than the basal level, indicating that the series of responses was not simply determined by Ca
2+
concentrations. Also, we found that Ca
2+
bursts were consistently evoked at points at which the spermatozoon attained around a temporally minimal value for a given SAAF concentration. We concluded that Ca
2+
bursts induced around a local minimal SAAF concentration trigger a sequence of flagellar responses comprising quick turning followed by straight swimming to direct spermatozoa efficiently toward eggs.
Targeted inactivation of MLL3 histone H3–Lys-4 methyltransferase activity in the mouse reveals vital roles for MLL3 in adipogenesis
Authors: Lee Jeongkyung , Saha Pradip K. , Yang Qi-Heng , Lee Seunghee , Park Jung Yoon , Suh Yousin , Lee Soo-Kyung , Chan Lawrence , Roeder Robert G. , Lee Jae W.
Published: December 2008

Activating signal cointegrator-2 (ASC-2), a transcriptional coactivator of multiple transcription factors that include the adipogenic factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and C/EBPα, is associated with histone H3-Lys-4-methyltransferase (H3K4MT) MLL3 or its paralogue MLL4 in a complex named ASCOM (ASC-2 complex). Indeed, ASC-2-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) have been demonstrated to be refractory to PPARγ-stimulated adipogenesis and fail to express the PPARγ-responsive adipogenic marker gene
aP2
. However, the specific roles for MLL3 and MLL4 in adipogenesis remain undefined. Here, we provide evidence that MLL3 plays crucial roles in adipogenesis. First,
MLL3
Δ/Δ
mice expressing a H3K4MT-inactivated mutant of MLL3 have significantly less white fat. Second,
MLL3
Δ/Δ
MEFs are mildly but consistently less responsive to inducers of adipogenesis than WT MEFs. Third, ASC-2, MLL3, and MLL4 are recruited to the PPARγ-activated
aP2
gene during adipogenesis, and PPARγ is shown to interact directly with the purified ASCOM. Moreover, although H3K4 methylation of
aP2
is readily induced in WT MEFs, it is not induced in
ASC-2
−/−
MEFs and only partially induced in
MLL3
Δ/Δ
MEFs. These results suggest that ASCOM-MLL3 and ASCOM-MLL4 likely function as crucial but redundant H3K4MT complexes for PPARγ-dependent adipogenesis.
Complete modification of TCR specificity and repertoire selection does not perturb a CD8
+
T cell immunodominance hierarchy
Authors: Kedzierska Katherine , Guillonneau Carole , Gras Stephanie , Hatton Lauren A. , Webby Richard , Purcell Anthony W. , Rossjohn Jamie , Doherty Peter C. , Turner Stephen J.
Published: December 2008

Understanding T cell immunodominance hierarchies is fundamental to the development of cellular-based vaccines and immunotherapy. A combination of influenza virus infection in C57BL/6J mice and reverse genetics is used here to dissect the role of T cell antigen receptor (TCR) repertoire in the immunodominant D
b
NP
366
CD8
+
T cell response. Infection with an engineered virus (NPM6A) containing a single alanine (A) mutation at the critical p6 NP
366–374
residue induced a noncross-reactive CD8
+
T cell response characterized by a novel, narrower TCR repertoire per individual mouse that was nonetheless equivalent in magnitude to that generated after WT virus challenge. Although of lower overall avidity, the levels of both cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity and cytokine production were comparable with those seen for the native response. Importantly, the overdominance profile characteristic of secondary D
b
NP
366
-specific clonal expansions was retained for the NPM6A mutant. The primary determinants of immunodominance in this endogenous, non-TCR-transgenic model of viral immunity are thus independent of TCR repertoire composition and diversity. These findings both highlight the importance of effective antigen dose for T cell vaccination and/or immunotherapy and demonstrate the feasibility of priming the memory T cell compartment with engineered viruses to protect against commonly selected mutants viral (or tumor) escape mutants.
Regulation of CD8+regulatory T cells: Interruption of the NKG2A–Qa-1 interaction allows robust suppressive activity and resolution of autoimmune disease
Authors: Lu Linrong , Kim Hye-Jung , Werneck Miriam B. F. , Cantor Harvey
Published: December 2008

Regulation of autoreactive CD4 T cells is essential to maintain self-tolerance and prevent autoimmune disease. Although CD8 T regulatory (Treg) cells that recognize self-peptides restricted by Qa-1 (HLA-E in humans) inhibit autoreactive CD4 cells and attenuate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the mechanism of this interaction is unclear. We generated Qa-1 mutant knock-in mice that impair Qa-1 binding to the T cell receptor (TCR) and CD94/NKG2A receptors. Analysis of these mice showed that TCR-dependent recognition of Qa-1–peptide complexes on target CD4 cells is essential for suppression by CD8 Treg cells. Further analysis revealed that genetic disruption of the Qa-1–CD94/NKG2A interaction unleashes robust CD8 Treg cell activity that completely abolishes development of EAE.
If in Doubt, Classify
Authors: Aftergood Steven
Published: December 2008

Steven Aftergood has some advice for the new administration for tackling the unprecedented growth in secrecy under Bush
Clash of the Titans
Authors: Lichtblau Eric
Published: December 2008

The White House’s attempt to bury Eric Lichtblau’s Pulitzer Prize-winning exposé compounded one of the biggest scandals of the decade
The Right to Publish
Authors: Mayer Peter
Published: December 2008

As publisher of The Satanic Verses, Peter Mayer was on the front line. He writes here for the first time about an unprecedented crisis
War and Speech
Authors: Stone Geoffrey R
Published: December 2008

Geoffrey R Stone finds that the public’s right to know has been the greatest casualty of the Bush era
Disease of Intolerance
Authors: Tripathi Salil
Published: December 2008

When we succumb to notions of religious offence, we stifle debate, writes Salil Tripathi
Unfinished Business
Authors: Jaffer Jameel
Published: December 2008

The full story of human rights abuse in the ‘war on terror’ remains secret, says Jameel Jaffer
Naming the Unnameable
Authors: Ruthven Malise
Published: December 2008

Malise Ruthven reconsiders the international storm of protest that greeted Rushdie’s novel — from the politics of the fatwa to the fallout
Market Rules
Authors: Shinn Christopher
Published: December 2008

US theatre now prefers to play it safe rather than risk controversy and alienate the mainstream, says playwright Christopher Shinn
Display Size Effects in Visual Search: Analyses of Reaction Time Distributions as Mixtures
Authors: Reynolds Ann , Miller Jeff
Published: December 2008

In a reanalysis of data from Cousineau and Shiffrin (2004) and two new visual search experiments, we used a likelihood ratio test to examine the full distributions of reaction time (RT) for evidence that the display size effect is a mixture-type effect that occurs on only a proportion of trials, leaving RT in the remaining trials unaffected, as is predicted by serial self-terminating search models. Experiment 1 was a reanalysis of Cousineau and Shiffrin's data, for which a mixture effect had previously been established by a bimodal distribution of RTs, and the results confirmed that the likelihood ratio test could also detect this mixture. Experiment 2 applied the likelihood ratio test within a more standard visual search task with a relatively easy target/distractor discrimination, and Experiment 3 applied it within a target identification search task within the same types of stimuli. Neither of these experiments provided any evidence for the mixture-type display size effect predicted by serial self-terminating search models. Overall, these results suggest that serial self-terminating search models may generally be applicable only with relatively difficult target/distractor discriminations, and then only for some participants. In addition, they further illustrate the utility of analysing full RT distributions in addition to mean RT.
Short article: Rats learn to eat more to avoid hunger
Authors: Jarvandi Soghra , Thibault Louise , Booth David A.
Published: December 2008

Several recent experiments have provided evidence that the ingestion of a distinctive food by rats can be a learnt instrumental act as well as an associatively conditioned reaction. In the previous work, maintenance food was withheld for shorter and longer durations on different days following access to the training food. Extra eating before the longer fast was interpreted as avoidance of hunger. This interpretation was based on the evidence showing that extra eating as a result of classical conditioning comes from pairing food stimuli with the presence of little or no hunger because of repletion with energy nutrients. The theory that the extra eating arose from a response-depletion contingency was tested in the present experiment by training rats on only a long fast or only a short fast. Greater increase in intake was seen before the longer fast. The results also replicated previously seen cycles of increase, decrease, and renewed increase in putative deficit-avoidant eating over about three trials, indicating that the extra eating reduces the response-reinforcing hunger and that the consequent part-extinction restores reinforcement. The shape of the learning curve was consistent with these cycles occurring from the start of training, further supporting the view that the increase in food intake before a long delay in refeeding is hunger-reinforced instrumental behaviour.
Context specificity of conflict frequency-dependent control
Authors: Vietze Ina , Wendt Mike
Published: December 2008

Interference in the Eriksen flanker task has been shown to be reduced when the (relative) frequency of conflicting stimuli is increased, a modulation thought to reflect a higher degree of processing selectivity under conditions of frequent conflict (Botvinick, Braver, Barch, Carter, & Cohen, 2001). Previous studies suggest that stimulus location acts as a contextual cue, resulting in location-specific adjustment of processing selectivity when different locations are associated with differential conflict frequencies (Corballis & Gratton, 2003; Wendt, Kluwe, & Vietze, 2008). In the current study we extend these findings by showing that not only stimulus location but also stimulus colour can be used for context-specific adjustments. These findings suggest that processing selectivity is adjusted in parallel with current stimulus processing, potentially serving to resolve a current conflict rather than to prepare for an upcoming new conflict.
Dendritic cells and B cells maximize mucosal Th1 memory response to herpes simplex virus
Authors: Iijima Norifumi , Linehan Melissa M. , Zamora Melodie , Butkus Debbie , Dunn Robert , Kehry Marilyn R. , Laufer Terri M. , Iwasaki Akiko
Published: December 2008

Although the importance of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and neutralizing antibodies for antiviral defense is well known, the antiviral mechanism of Th1 remains unclear. We show that Th1 cells mediate noncytolytic antiviral protection independent of direct lysis through local secretion of IFN-γ after herpes simplex virus (HSV) 2 infection. IFN-γ acted on stromal cells, but not on hematopoietic cells, to prevent further viral replication and spread throughout the vaginal mucosa. Importantly, unlike other known Th1 defense mechanisms, this effector function did not require recognition of virally infected cells via MHC class II. Instead, recall Th1 response was elicited by MHC class II+ antigen-presenting cells at the site of infection. Dendritic cells (DCs) were not required and only partially sufficient to induce a recall response from memory Th1 cells. Importantly, DCs and B cells together contributed to restimulating memory CD4 T cells to secrete IFN-γ. In the absence of both DCs and B cells, immunized mice rapidly succumbed to HSV-2 infection and death. Thus, these results revealed a distinct mechanism by which memory Th1 cells mediate noncytolytic IFN-γ–dependent antiviral protection after recognition of processed viral antigens by local DCs and B cells.
Yellow fever vaccine induces integrated multilineage and polyfunctional immune responses
Authors: Gaucher Denis , Therrien René , Kettaf Nadia , Angermann Bastian R. , Boucher Geneviève , Filali-Mouhim Abdelali , Moser Janice M. , Mehta Riyaz S. , Drake Donald R. , Castro Erika , Akondy Rama , Rinfret Aline , Yassine-Diab Bader , Said Elias A. , Chouikh Younes , Cameron Mark J. , Clum Robert , Kelvin David , Somogyi Roland , Greller Larry D. , Balderas Robert S. , Wilkinson Peter , Pantaleo Giuseppe , Tartaglia Jim , Haddad Elias K. , Sékaly Rafick-Pierre
Published: December 2008

Correlates of immune-mediated protection to most viral and cancer vaccines are still unknown. This impedes the development of novel vaccines to incurable diseases such as HIV and cancer. In this study, we have used functional genomics and polychromatic flow cytometry to define the signature of the immune response to the yellow fever (YF) vaccine 17D (YF17D) in a cohort of 40 volunteers followed for up to 1 yr after vaccination. We show that immunization with YF17D leads to an integrated immune response that includes several effector arms of innate immunity, including complement, the inflammasome, and interferons, as well as adaptive immunity as shown by an early T cell response followed by a brisk and variable B cell response. Development of these responses is preceded, as demonstrated in three independent vaccination trials and in a novel in vitro system of primary immune responses (modular immune in vitro construct [MIMIC] system), by the coordinated up-regulation of transcripts for specific transcription factors, including STAT1, IRF7, and ETS2, which are upstream of the different effector arms of the immune response. These results clearly show that the immune response to a strong vaccine is preceded by coordinated induction of master transcription factors that lead to the development of a broad, polyfunctional, and persistent immune response that integrates all effector cells of the immune system.
Gastrointestinal Tract Colonization With Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Escherichia coli in Hospitalized Patients: Changes Over Time in Risk Factors for Resistance
Authors: Lautenbach Ebbing , Metlay Joshua P. , Weiner Mark G. , Bilker Warren B. , Tolomeo Pam , Mao Xiangqun , Nachamkin Irving , Fishman Neil O.
Published: December 2008

Objective.

The prevalence of fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistance in Escherichia coli has increased markedly in recent years. Despite the important role of gastrointestinal tract colonization with FQ-resistant E. coli (FQREC), the prevalence of and risk factors for FQREC colonization among the general hospitalized patient population have not been described, to our knowledge. The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of and risk factors for FQREC colonization among hospitalized patients.

Design.

Three-year case-control study. Case patients (ie, all subjects with FQREC colonization) were compared with control patients (ie, all subjects without FQREC colonization).

Setting.

Two large medical centers within an academic health system.

Participants.

All patients hospitalized at the 2 study hospitals.

Main Outcome Measure.

Three annual fecal surveillance surveys were conducted. All patients colonized with FQREC (levofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentration, ≥ 8 μg/mL) were identified.

Results.

Of the 774 subjects, 89 (11.5%) were colonized with FQREC. Although there was a significant association between prior FQ use and FQREC colonization on bivariable analysis (odds ratio [OR], 2.02 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.14–3.46]; P = .01), there was statistically significant effect modification by year of study (P = .005). In multivariable analyses, after controlling for the hospital and for the duration of hospitalization prior to sampling, the association between FQ use and FQREC colonization was as follows: adjusted OR (aOR), 0.97 (95% CI, 0.29–3.23) in 2002; aOR, 1.41 (95% CI, 0.57–3.50) in 2003; and aOR, 9.87 (95% CI, 3.67–26.55) in 2004.

Conclusions.

The association between prior FQ use and FQREC colonization varied significantly by study year, suggesting that the clinical epidemiology of resistant organisms may change over time. Furthermore, in the context of recent work showing significant changes in FQREC prevalence as well as changes in FQ resistance mechanisms (specifically, efflux overexpression) over the same time period, these results suggest a previously unrecognized complexity in the relationship between the clinical and molecular epidemiology of FQ resistance.
Incidence Rate and Variable Cost of Nosocomial Infections in Different Types of Intensive Care Units
Authors: Chen Yin-Yin , Wang Fu-Der , Liu Cheng-Yi , Chou Pesus
Published: December 2008

Objective.

Nosocomial infection (NI) is one of the most serious healthcare issues currently influencing healthcare costs. This study estimates the impact of NI on costs in intensive care units (ICUs).

Design.

Prospective surveillance by a retrospective cohort study.

Setting.

A medical ICU, a surgical ICU, and a mixed medical and surgical ICU in a large tertiary referral medical center.

Methods.

Surveillance for NIs was conducted for all patients admitted to adult ICUs from 2003 through 2005. Retrospective chart review was conducted for each patient. The generalized linear modeling approach was used to assess the relationship of NIs to the increase in variable costs in individual ICUs and in all ICUs.

Results.

A total of 401 NIs occurred in 320 of 2,757 screened patients. The incidence rate was 12.1% in the medical ICU, 14.7% in the surgical ICU, and 16.7% in the mixed medical and surgical ICU (P> .05). All of the mean variable costs were significantly higher for patients with NI than they were for patients without NI, after controlling for covariates. The medical ICU had the greatest increase in mean cost ($13,456, which was 3.52 times [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.94–4.22 times] the mean cost for patients without NI), followed by the mixed medical and surgical ICU ($6,748, which was 2.74 times [95% CI, 2.33–3.22 times] the mean cost for patients without NI) and the surgical ICU ($5,433, which was 2.46 times [95% CI, 1.99–3.05 times] the mean cost for patients without NI). Mean cost increases according to the site of NI were $6,056 for bloodstream infection (2.36 times [95% CI, 1.97–2.84 times] the mean cost for patients without NI), $4,287 for respiratory tract infection (1.91 times [95% CI, 1.57–2.32 times] the mean cost for patients without NI), $1,955 for urinary tract infection (1.42 times [95% CI, 1.18–1.72 times] the mean cost for patients without NI), and $1,051 for surgical site infection (1.23 times [95% CI, 0.90–1.68 times] the mean cost for patients without NI).

Conclusions.

The medical ICU had the lowest rate of NI and the largest excess costs, the surgical ICU had the lowest excess costs, and the mixed medical and surgical ICU had the highest rate of NI. The cost is largely attributable to bloodstream infection and respiratory tract infection.
Clinical Trial of Standing-Orders Strategies to Increase the Inpatient Influenza Vaccination Rate
Authors: Trick William E. , Das Krishna , Gerard Mary N. , Charles-Damte Marjorie , Murphy Gregory , Benson Irene , Morita Julia Y.
Published: December 2008

We compared strategies to increase the rate of influenza vaccination. A written standing-orders policy that enabled nurses to vaccinate patients was compared with augmentation of the standing-orders policy with either electronic opt-out orders for physicians or electronic reminders to nurses. Use of opt-out orders yielded the highest vaccination rate (12% of patients), followed by use of nursing reminders (6%); use of the standing-orders policy alone was ineffective.
Study of Blood Contact in Simulated Surgical Needlestick Injuries With Single or Double Latex Gloving
Authors: Wittmann Andreas , Kralj Nenad , Köver Jan , Gasthaus Klaus , Hofmann Friedrich
Published: December 2008

Objective.

Needlestick injuries are the most common injuries that occur among operation room personnel in the health care service. The risk of infection after a needlestick injury during surgery greatly depends on the quantity of pathogenic germs transferred at the point of injury. The aim of this study was to measure the quantity of blood transferred at the point of a percutaneous injury by using radioactively labeled blood.

Design.

This study was conducted to evaluate the risk of infection through blood contact by simulating surgical needlestick injuries ex vivo. The tests were conducted by puncturing single and double latex gloves with diverse sharp devices and objects that were contaminated with Technetium solution–labeled blood.

Results.

A mean volume of 0.064 μL of blood was transferred in punctures with the an automatic lancet at a depth of 2.4 mm through 1 layer of latex. When the double-gloving indicator technique was used, a mean volume of only 0.011 μL of blood was transferred (median, 0.007 μL); thus, by wearing 2 pairs of gloves, the transferred volume of blood was reduced by a factor of 5.8.

Conclusions.

The results revealed that double gloving leads to a significant reduction in the quantity of blood transferred during needlestick injury.
Evaluating the effect of predation mortality on forage species population dynamics in the Northeast US continental shelf ecosystem using multispecies virtual population analysis
Authors: Tyrrell Megan C. , Link Jason S. , Moustahfid Hassan , Overholtz William J.
Published: December 2008

Tyrrell, M. C., Link, J. S., Moustahfid, H., and Overholtz, W. J. 2008. Evaluating the effect of predation mortality on forage species population dynamics in the Northeast US continental shelf ecosystem using multispecies virtual population analysis. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1689–1700. An expanded version of multispecies virtual population analysis (MSVPA) is used to analyse the effects of predation by 14 key predators on Atlantic herring and Atlantic mackerel in the Northwest Atlantic ecosystem for the period 1982–2002. For herring, MSVPA produced greater abundance estimates than single-species assessments, especially for the youngest age classes. The average rate of predation mortality for herring aged 0 and 1 was also higher than the standard total natural mortality rate (0.2) for the 21-year time frame (0.84–3.2). The same was true for mackerel in this MSVPA (0.37–1.6). Consumptive removals of herring and mackerel generally increased over time. From 1999 to 2001, the biomass removed by predators exceeded each species' commercial landings. The sum of consumption and landings notably exceeded the multispecies maximum sustainable yield for herring for the years 1995–2002 and for mackerel for the period 1999–2002. We highlight the importance of accounting for predation on forage species in the context of changes to the fish community that have taken place in the Northwest Atlantic over the past few decades.
Modelling the target strength of Trachurus symmetricus murphyi based on high-resolution swimbladder morphometry using an MRI scanner
Authors: Peña Héctor , Foote Kenneth G.
Published: December 2008

Peña, H., and Foote, K. G. 2008. Modelling the target strength of Trachurus symmetricus murphyi based on high-resolution swimbladder morphometry using an MRI scanner. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1751–1761. The acoustic target strength (TS) of Chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus murphyi) was computed from three-dimensional reconstructions of the swimbladder form. The primary morphometric data were derived from high-resolution images made with a clinical whole-body 3-tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. The fish were obtained from a commercial purse-seiner operating off Chile during 2003. Transverse MRI sequences of 18 fish were performed with a volumetric pixel 0.5 × 0.5 mm in cross section and 0.7 mm in the axial direction. From each transverse section, the swimbladder contour was traced manually using a digital pen tablet and smoothed using an automatic interpolation routine. The digital contours were used to build a triangular mesh spanning the swimbladder surface. The high-resolution swimbladder models revealed details such as undulations in the dorsal surface of the swimbladder caused by the backbone, and holes where the haemal spines penetrate the posterior end of the swimbladder. The Kirchhoff approximation was used to compute TS as a function of fish orientation at 38 kHz. The mean dorsal-aspect TS was computed for several orientation patterns and regressed on the logarithm of total fish length to derive operationally simple formulae.
Spatially resolved fish population analysis for designing MPAs: influence on inside and neighbouring habitats
Authors: Christensen Asbjørn , Mosegaard Henrik , Jensen Henrik
Published: December 2008

Christensen, A., Mosegaard, H., and Jensen, H. 2009. Spatially resolved fish population analysis for designing MPAs: influence on inside and neighbouring habitats. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 56–63. The sandeel population analysis model (SPAM) is presented as a simulation tool for exploring the efficiency of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for sandeel stocks. SPAM simulates spatially resolved sandeel population distributions, based on a high-resolution map of all fishery-established sandbank habitats for settled sandeels, combined with a life-cycle model for survival, growth, and reproduction, and a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model for describing larval transport between the network of habitats. SPAM couples stock dynamics to ecosystem and anthropogenic forcing via well-defined drivers. The SPAM framework was tested using ICES statistical rectangle 37F2 as an MPA, and the impact on sandeel populations within the MPA and neighbouring habitats was investigated. Increased larval spillover compensated for lost catches inside the MPA. The temporal and spatial scales of stock response to MPAs demonstrated that ecosystem self-regulation must be included when modelling the efficiency of MPAs, and for lesser sandeel, that self-regulation partially counteracts the benefits of a fishing sanctuary. The use of realistic habitat connectivity is critical for both qualitative and quantitative MPA assessment. The results confirm that the stock levels are more sensitive to changes in life conditions of larval stages than later parts of the life cycle.
Application of age-structured production models to assess oyster Striostrea margaritacea populations managed by rotational harvesting in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: de Bruyn Paul A. , Moloney Coleen L. , Schleyer Michael H.
Published: December 2008

de Bruyn, P. A., Moloney, C. L., and Schleyer, M. H. 2009. Application of age-structured production models to assess oyster Striostrea margaritacea populations managed by rotational harvesting in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. – ICES Journal of Masrine Science, 66: 408–419. Oysters have been harvested in KwaZulu-Natal for more than a century, by both commercial and recreational users. However, management of the resource has been based on ad hoc measures rather than quantitative, defensible management plans. Early in the history of the fishery, a rotational harvesting strategy was employed, but it has changed over time. At present, there are 10 management zones, each fished 2 years out of five, and recreational harvesting is allowed in the year preceding commercial harvesting. To assess the status of the oyster resource as well as the historical levels of exploitation, age-structured production models were applied to the oyster populations in the five North Coast management zones. The model fits to the observed data were good. Oyster abundance differed among zones, with the lowest abundance in the two most northern zones. As these zones had only recently been established, however, the paucity of data renders their assessments uncertain. The southernmost zone had the greatest oyster abundance. The benefits of rotational harvesting were demonstrated by the model outputs, which showed rapid population recovery during fallow years, suggesting sustainability of the resource. It is recommended that rotational harvesting continues to be used to manage oysters in KwaZulu-Natal.
Demographic and morphological responses to prey depletion in a crested tern (Sterna bergii) population: can fish mortality events highlight performance indicators for fisheries management?
Authors: McLeay L. J. , Page B. , Goldsworthy S. D. , Ward T. M. , Paton D. C. , Waterman M. , Murray M. D.
Published: December 2008

McLeay, L. J., Page, B., Goldsworthy, S. D., Ward, T. M., Paton, D. C., Waterman, M., and Murray, M. D. 2009. Demographic and morphological responses to prey depletion in a crested tern (Sterna bergii) population: can fish mortality events highlight performance indicators for fisheries management? – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 237–247. Disease-related mortality events in 1995 and 1998, which killed ∼70% of adult sardine (Sardinops sagax) biomass, provided an opportunity to assess whether crested tern (Sterna bergii) populations were affected by decreased prey abundance. We investigated the diet, age structure, and morphology of a population of crested terns to determine whether survival and growth were reduced for cohorts reared in years immediately following sardine mortality events. The diet of chicks and adults differed significantly. Australian anchovy (Engraulis australis) and sardine were the dominant prey in the diets of chicks, constituting an average of 36.3 and 14.6% of individual prey items, respectively. Degens leatherjacket (Thamnoconus degeni) dominated the prey of adult terns, an average of 51.9% of individual prey items. Age-specific information collected from banded adults indicated that the cohort reared after the first sardine mortality event in 1995 exhibited significantly lower rates of recruitment to the breeding colony than as predicted by life-table analyses, suggesting that survival was reduced in response to the absence of sardine. Females from cohorts reared <1 year after the end of each sardine mortality event (in 1996 and 1999) were smaller than other age classes, suggesting that chick growth was reduced during periods of low sardine abundance. Future data on diet and on the survival and growth of crested tern chicks could provide performance indicators for management of sardine populations and aid in the development of conservation strategies for the populations of crested tern.
Newly introduced genomic prophage islands are critical determinants of in vivo competitiveness in the Liverpool Epidemic Strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Winstanley Craig , Langille Morgan G.I. , Fothergill Joanne L. , Kukavica-Ibrulj Irena , Paradis-Bleau Catherine , Sanschagrin François , Thomson Nicholas R. , Winsor Geoff L. , Quail Michael A. , Lennard Nicola , Bignell Alexandra , Clarke Louise , Seeger Kathy , Saunders David , Harris David , Parkhill Julian , Hancock Robert E.W. , Brinkman Fiona S.L. , Levesque Roger C.
Published: December 2008

Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates have a highly conserved core genome representing up to 90% of the total genomic sequence with additional variable accessory genes, many of which are found in genomic islands or islets. The identification of the Liverpool Epidemic Strain (LES) in a children’s cystic fibrosis (CF) unit in 1996 and its subsequent observation in several centers in the United Kingdom challenged the previous widespread assumption that CF patients acquire only unique strains of P. aeruginosa from the environment. To learn about the forces that shaped the development of this important epidemic strain, the genome of the earliest archived LES isolate, LESB58, was sequenced. The sequence revealed the presence of many large genomic islands, including five prophage clusters, one defective (pyocin) prophage cluster, and five non-phage islands. To determine the role of these clusters, an unbiased signature tagged mutagenesis study was performed, followed by selection in the chronic rat lung infection model. Forty-seven mutants were identified by sequencing, including mutants in several genes known to be involved in Pseudomonas infection. Furthermore, genes from four prophage clusters and one genomic island were identified and in direct competition studies with the parent isolate; four were demonstrated to strongly impact on competitiveness in the chronic rat lung infection model. This strongly indicates that enhanced in vivo competitiveness is a major driver for maintenance and diversifying selection of these genomic prophage genes.
Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection in human peripheral blood leucocytes-SCID reconstituted mice by rapamycin
Authors: Nicoletti F , Lamenta C , Donati S , Spada M , Ranazzi A , Cacopardo B , Mangano K , Belardelli F , Perno C , Aquaro S
Published: December 2008

The capacity of the immunomodulatory drug rapamycin (RAPA) to inhibit replication of the CCR5 strain of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in vitro prompted us to test its effects in a murine preclinical model of HIV infection. RAPA (0·6 or 6 mg/kg body weight) or its vehicle were administered daily, per os, to SCID mice reconstituted with human peripheral blood leucocytes (hu-PBL) starting 2 days before the intraperitoneal challenge with the R5 tropic SF162 strain of HIV-1 (1000 50% tissue culture infective dose/ml). Relative to hu-PBL-SCID mice that received no treatment, HIV-infected hu-PBL-SCID mice treated with the vehicle control for 3 weeks exhibited a severe depletion of CD4+ cells (90%), an increase in CD8+ cells and an inversion of the CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio. In contrast, treatment of HIV-infected mice with RAPA prevented a decrease in CD4+ cells and the increase of CD8+ cells, thereby preserving the original CD4+ : CD8+ cell ratio. Viral infection also resulted in the detection of HIV-DNA within peritoneal cells and spleen, and lymph node tissues of the vehicle-treated mice within 3 weeks of the viral challenge. In contrast, treatment with RAPA decreased cellular provirus integration and reduced HIV-RNA levels in the blood. Furthermore, in co-cultivation assays, spleens from RAPA-treated mice exhibited a reduced capacity for infecting allogeneic T cells which was dose-dependent. These data show that RAPA possesses powerful anti-viral activity against R5 strains of HIV in vivo and support the use of additional studies to evaluate the potential application of this drug in the management of HIV patients.
Lack of association between polymorphisms in C4b-binding protein and atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome in the Spanish population
Authors: Martínez-Barricarte R , Goicoechea de Jorge E , Montes T , Layana A G , Rodríguez de Córdoba S
Published: December 2008

Dysregulation of the alternative pathway of complement activation, caused by mutations or polymorphisms in the genes encoding factor H, membrane co-factor protein, factor I or factor B, is associated strongly with predisposition to atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS). C4b-binding protein (C4BP), a major regulator of the classical pathway of complement activation, also has capacity to regulate the alternative pathway. Interestingly, the C4BP polymorphism p.Arg240His has been associated recently with predisposition to aHUS and the risk allele His240 showed decreased capacity to regulate the alternative pathway. Identification of novel aHUS predisposition factors has important implications for diagnosis and treatment in a significant number of aHUS patients; thus, we sought to replicate these association studies in an independent cohort of aHUS patients. In this study we show that the C4BP His240 allele corresponds to the C4BP*2 allele identified previously by isoelectric focusing in heterozygosis in 1·9–3·7% of unrelated Caucasians. Crucially, we found no differences between 102 unrelated Spanish aHUS patients and 128 healthy age-matched Spanish controls for the frequency of carriers of the His240 C4BP allele. This did not support an association between the p.Arg240His C4BP polymorphism and predisposition to aHUS in the Spanish population. In a similar study, we also failed to sustain an association between C4BP polymorphisms and predisposition to age-related macular degeneration, another disorder which is associated strongly with polymorphisms in factor H, and is thought to involve alternative pathway dysregulation.
The role of infections in autoimmune disease
Authors: Ercolini A M , Miller S D
Published: December 2008

Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system recognizes and attacks host tissue. In addition to genetic factors, environmental triggers (in particular viruses, bacteria and other infectious pathogens) are thought to play a major role in the development of autoimmune diseases. In this review, we (i) describe the ways in which an infectious agent can initiate or exacerbate autoimmunity; (ii) discuss the evidence linking certain infectious agents to autoimmune diseases in humans; and (iii) describe the animal models used to study the link between infection and autoimmunity.
Host location and behavioural response patterns of the parasitoid, Tachinaephagus zealandicus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), to host and host‐habitat odours
Authors: VOSS SASHA C. , SPAFFORD HELEN , DADOUR IAN R.
Published: December 2008

Abstract 1. To overcome the challenge of host location in patchy and complex environments, many parasitoids exploit host‐habitat derived odour cues. This study investigated the role of odour cues used during host location by the generalist parasitoid, Tachinaephagus zealandicus, a common parasitoid of Dipteran larvae found in association with decomposing carrion.

2. A Y‐tube olfactometer was used to test aspects of host searching behaviour of T. zealandicus females under different choice scenarios: combinations of host–liver complex, eaten liver, unwashed host larvae, washed host larvae, liver in six stages of decay, and control (no odour).

3. T. zealandicus females demonstrated an innate response to, and preference for, odours arising from liver substrates following interaction with the host. However, this was dependent on the stage of meat decay. Females were not attracted to liver that had never been in contact with a host, regardless of the stage of decay. There were discernible differences in parasitoid movement and behaviour under different choice scenarios. The absence of odour stimulus elicited limited movement about the olfactometer. In the presence of any odour stimuli, females were more active within the olfactometer, and when presented with two odour options T. zealandicus females demonstrate a heightened investigation response, moving across all regions of the olfactometer.

4. Knowledge of the cues that mediate host location for T. zealandicus can contribute to fields such as forensic entomology, where the presence of parasitoids on decomposing remains can be used to estimate time since death.
Optimisation of pectin acid extraction from passion fruit peel (Passiflora edulis flavicarpa) using response surface methodology
Authors: Kliemann Erika , De Simas Karina Nunes , Amante Edna R. , Prudêncio Elane Schwinden , Teófilo Reinaldo F. , Ferreira Márcia M. C. , Amboni Renata D. M. C.
Published: December 2008

Pectin was extracted from passion fruit peel using three different acids (citric, hydrochloric or nitric) at different temperatures (40–90 °C), pH (1.2–2.6) and extraction times (10–90 min), with and without skins using a 24 factorial design. Temperature, pH and extraction time had highly significant effects on the pectin yield. A central composite design with face centring was used to optimise the extraction process conditions for citric acid without skins. Pectin yields varied from 10% to 70%. The optimal conditions for maximisation of pectin yield were the use of citric acid at 80 °C and pH 1 with an extraction time of 10 min considering model extrapolation.
Toxicological analysis of the chronic consumption of diheptanoin and triheptanoin in rats
Authors: Ataíde T. da R. , De Oliveira S. L. , Da Silva F. M. , Vitorino Filha L. G. C. , Tavares M. C. do N. , Sant’Ana A. E. G.
Published: December 2008

The aim of this study was to synthesise glycerol esters from heptanoic acid and to evaluate the toxicity of their chronic consumption in rats. The synthesised product (64% triheptanoin, 34% diheptanoin and 2% monoheptanoin) was called experimental oil. Newly weaned male Wistar rats (n = 3 × 10) were fed with control diet AIN‐93, control with 30% substitution of soybean oil with experimental oil (TAGC7 30%) or control with substitution of 50% (TAGC7 50%), for 9 months. The experimental oil did not affect the growth, lipid digestibility or hepatic and renal function, and the lipid profile serum analysis. Additionally, it exhibited a hepato‐protector effect in group TAGC7 50%. In conclusion, the chronic consumption of di‐ and triheptanoin was not toxic in rats, suggesting that they may be used in the treatment of disorders in which more easily digestible lipids are required.