bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differentialin vitroeffects of insulin onTaenia crassicepsandTaenia soliumcysticerci
Authors: Escobedo G. , Romano M.C. , Morales-Montor J. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractHormones play a significant role in murine cysticercosis (Taenia crassiceps), and increase the frequency of porcine cysticercosis caused byTaenia solium. In the present study, we report thein vitroeffect of insulin on the larval stages ofT. crassiceps(ORF strain) andT. solium.In vitroexposure ofT. crassicepscysticerci to insulin was found to stimulate this parasite's reproduction twofold with respect to control values, while the same treatment had no effect onT. soliumcysticerci. Moreover, normal female mice (BALB/cAnN) infected withT. crassicepscysticerci previously exposed to insulin presented larger parasite loads than mice inoculated with vehicle-treated cysticerci. To determine the possible molecular mechanisms by which insulin affectsT. crassiceps, the insulin receptor was amplified by means of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Interestingly, bothT. crassicepsandT. soliumexpressed the insulin receptor, although insulin had effects only onT. crassiceps. These results demonstrate that insulin has a dichotomistic effect; it acts directly only onT. crassicepscysticerci reproduction, possibly through its binding to a specific insulin receptor synthesized by the parasite. Thus, insulin may be recognized byT. crassicepscysticercus cells as a mitogenic factor, and contribute to parasite proliferation inside the host, as well as to the female mouse susceptibility toT.crassiceps. This phenomenon has not been reported for cysticercosis caused byT. solium, which could, in part, be related to the poor effect of insulin upon the human parasite.
Characterization of a leucine aminopeptidase of Babesia gibsoni
Authors: JIA H. , TERKAWI M. A. , ABOGE G. O. , GOO Y.-K. , LUO Y. , LI Y. , YAMAGISHI J. , NISHIKAWA Y. , IGARASHI I. , SUGIMOTO C. , FUJISAKI K. , XUAN X. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYPeptidases of parasitic protozoa are currently under intense investigation in order to identify novel virulence factors, drug targets, and vaccine candidates, except in Babesia. Leucine aminopeptidases in protozoa, such as Plasmodium and Leishmania, have been identified to be involved in free amino acid regulation. We report here the molecular and enzymatic characterization, as well as the localization of a leucine aminopeptidase, a member of the M17 cytosolic aminopeptidase family, from B. gibsoni (BgLAP). A functional recombinant BgLAP (rBgLAP) expressed in Escherichia coli efficiently hydrolysed synthetic substrates for aminopeptidase, a leucine substrate. Enzyme activity of the rBgLAP was found to be optimum at pH 8·0 and at 37°C. The substrate profile was slightly different from its homologue in P. falciprum. The activity was also strongly dependent on metal divalent cations, and was inhibited by bestatin, which is a specific inhibitor for metalloprotease. These results indicated that BgLAP played an important role in free amino acid regulation.
Vertical transmission ofToxoplasma gondiiin Australian marsupials
Authors: PARAMESWARAN N. , O'HANDLEY R. M. , GRIGG M. E. , WAYNE A. , THOMPSON R. C. A. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYTo date, little is known about the dynamics of vertical transmission ofToxoplasma gondiiin Australian marsupials. Studies in mice demonstrate that vertical transmission ofT. gondiiis common and that chronically infected mice can transmitT. gondiito successive generations. In this study, PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detectT. gondiiin chronically infected marsupial dams and their offspring.T. gondiiwas detected in the unfurred pouch young of 2 out of 10 chronically infected western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus) and in the unfurred pouch young of a brush-tailed bettong (Bettongia penicillata). Results of the study suggest that vertical transmission ofT. gondiican occur in chronically infected Australian marsupials.
X-cell parasites in the European dab Limanda limanda are related to other X-cell organisms: a discussion on the potential identity of this new group of parasites
Authors: FREEMAN M. A. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYUnusual tumour-like pathologies caused by mysterious cells termed ‘X-cells’ have been reported from numerous fish groups worldwide. After nearly 100 years of research, the tumour-like growths have recently been shown to be caused by a protozoan parasite. In the present study, histopathology and small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences are used to assess whether the X-cell parasite infecting Atlantic dab Limanda limanda L. is distinct from the X-cell parasite infecting Japanese flounder and goby, and to determine their systematic position within the protists. SSU rDNA from Scottish dab was 89·3% and 86·7% similar to Japanese X-cell sequences from flounder and goby respectively, indicating that the parasite infecting dab in the Atlantic is distinct from the Pacific species. Histological studies revealed significant gill pathology and demonstrated the precise location of the parasites within the gill tissues using specific in situ hybridization probes. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the X-cell parasites from Scotland and Japan form a monophyletic group within the Myzozoa, and are basal alveolates. However, ultrastructure of X-cells from dab fails to confirm this systematic placement.
Using length-frequency data to elucidate the population dynamics ofArgulus foliaceus(Crustacea: Branchiura)
Authors: TAYLOR N. G. H. , WOOTTEN R. , SOMMERVILLE C. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYThis study uses a novel method for discriminating cohorts and investigating the population dynamics of the parasitic crustacean,Argulus foliaceus. Analysis of parasite length-frequency data was carried out in order to elucidate the timings and drivers behind the parasite's life cycle. Up to 6 cohorts of the parasite emerge through the course of 1 year in still-water trout fisheries in England. Recruitment ceases over the winter months; however, 3 cohorts of the parasite over-winter, 2 as eggs and 1 as a hatched stage. The technique, when used in conjunction with temperature data, also allowed for the reliable prediction of growth rates and provided estimates of egg incubation times and the length of hatching periods. These data showed that growth rates increased exponentially between the observed temperatures of 4 to 22°C. The method allowed for the time taken from hatching to egg laying under field conditions to be predicted and produced estimates that were validated against independent laboratory studies on the growth of the parasite.
P-glycoprotein interfering agents potentiate ivermectin susceptibility in ivermectin sensitive and resistant isolates ofTeladorsagia circumcinctaandHaemonchus contortus
Authors: BARTLEY D. J. , McALLISTER H. , BARTLEY Y. , DUPUY J. , MÉNEZ C. , ALVINERIE M. , JACKSON F. , LESPINE A. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYP-glycoprotein (P-gp) homologues, belonging to the ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) transporter family, are thought to play an important role in the resistance of gastro-intestinal nematode parasites against macrocyclic lactones. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of various P-gp interfering compounds on the efficacy of ivermectin (IVM) in sensitive and resistant nematode isolates. The feeding of IVM resistant and sensitiveTeladorsagia circumcinctaandHaemonchus contortusfirst-stage larvae (L1) was assessed using a range of IVM concentrations (0·08–40 nm) with or without P-gp inhibitors: valspodar, verapamil, quercetin, ketoconazole and pluronic P85. The P-gp inhibitors were selected on the basis of their ability to interfere with P-gp transport activity in an epithelial cell line over-expressing murine P-gp. In the presence of P-gp interfering agents, thein vitrosusceptibility to IVM of both sensitive and resistant isolates ofT. circumcinctaandH. contortuswas increased. These results show that compounds interfering with P-gp transport activity could enhance IVM efficacy in sensitive isolates, and also restore IVM sensitivity in resistant nematodes. These results support the view that ABC transporters can play an important role in resistance to IVM, at least in the free-living stages of these economically important gastro-intestinal nematodes.
Researching Up? Interviews, Emotionality and Policy-Making Elites
Authors: NEAL SARAH , MCLAUGHLIN EUGENE 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThis article recounts the methodological story of a qualitative research project that investigated the work of the Commission on the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain and the news media's deconstruction of the Commission's report – theParekh Report– which was published on 11 October 2000. Our project used a multi-method fieldwork approach, combining textual analysis of news media coverage and the extensive documentary archives of the Commission, along with semi-structured interviews with Commissioners and other figures involved in the publication of the Report. The article attempts to offer a reflexive account of the experiences of interviewing a particular public policy-making eliteandexamines how a particular ‘public trauma’ – that is, the damaging political fall-out of extremely negative news media coverage of theParekh Report– inflected our research encounters. We argue that the openness with which many of the participants spoke about this traumatic experience suggests that the production of policy documents can constitute highly emotional labour for participants. We extend this argument by examining how this openness also reveals the instabilities and uncertainties of power within the research interviewee/interviewer relationship. In this way the article seeks to contribute to debates about the problems of defining the category ‘elites’ in both public policy and social research worlds.
Resonant excitation of the upper hybrid wave by relativistic cross focusing of two laser beams
Authors: Purohit Gunjan , Chauhan Prashant , Sharma R.P. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThis article presents the resonant excitation of the upper hybrid wave (UHW) by cross focusing of two high power laser beams in a collisionless hot magnetoplasma; taking into account the relativistic nonlinearity. The electric vectors of the two beams are polarized along uniform static magnetic field and the beams propagate perpendicular to the static magnetic field. The resonant excitation of the UHW occurs when the frequency difference (FD) of the two laser beams and difference of their propagation vector satisfy the dispersion relation corresponding to the UHW. It has been observed that the power associated with the excited UHW, which depends on the background electron concentration, magnetic field and the intensity of the two laser beams, becomes drastically modified with the distance of propagation. The effect of the excited UHW at the FD on the acceleration of electrons has also been discussed. The amplitude of the UHW, excited by two high power laser beams and the electron energy are also calculated. This study is relevant in heating of plasma near the upper hybrid frequency as well as electron acceleration. The results are presented for typical laser plasma parameters.
Effect of an axial magnetic field and ion space charge on laser beat wave acceleration and surfatron acceleration of electrons
Authors: Prasad R. , Singh R. , Tripathi V.K. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe presence of an axial magnetic field in a laser beat wave accelerator enhances the oscillatory velocity of electrons due to cyclotron resonance effect leading to higher amplitude of the ponderomotive force driven plasma wave, and higher energy of accelerating electrons. The axial magnetic field inhibits the transverse escape of electrons and thus causes a growth of the interaction length. The surfatron acceleration of electrons also shows a similar enhancement. A surfatron transverse magnetic field deflects the electrons parallel to the phase fronts of the accelerating wave keeping them in phase with it. However, the electron continues to move away radially.
A new approach to the dynamic parameter identification of robotic manipulators
Authors: Qin Zhongkai , Baron Luc , Birglen Lionel 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYThis paper presents a novel systematic approach to identify the dynamic parameters of robotic manipulators. A sequential identification procedure is first proposed to deal with the difficulties usually encountered with standard approaches. An all-accelerometer inertial measurement unit (IMU) is also suggested to estimate the joint velocities and accelerations, which are traditionally obtained by differentiating the joint positions. The IMU kinematics and the computation method for estimation joint motion from IMUs are provided. The proposed method yields promising results in improving the identification precision compared to conventional methods. Finally, practical experiments are conducted to validate the theoretical results.
Failure detection and isolation in robotic manipulators using joint torque sensors
Authors: Namvar Mehrzad , Aghili Farhad 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYReliability of any model-based failure detection and isolation (FDI) method depends on the amount of uncertainty in a system model. Recently, it has been shown that the use of joint torque sensing results in a simplified manipulator model that excludes hardly identifiable link dynamics and other nonlinearities such as friction, backlash, and flexibilities. In this paper, we show that the application of the simplified model in a fault detection algorithm increases reliability of fault monitoring system against modeling uncertainty. The proposed FDI filter is based on a smooth velocity observer of degree 2n where n stands for the number of manipulator joints. No velocity measurement and assumptions on smoothness of faults are used in the fault detection process. The paper focuses on actuator faults and investigates the effect of torque sensor noise on threshold selection. The FDI filter is further improved to become robust against an unknown bias in torque sensor reading. The effect of position sensor noise together with position sensor faults are also investigated. Simulation example on a 6-degrees of freedom manipulator is carried out to illustrate the performance of the proposed FDI method.
THE END OF THE EXTERNALITY REVOLUTION
Authors: Barnett A. H. , Yandle Bruce 
Published: June 2009

In the early 1970s, we and others in the economics profession became enamored with the notion of externalties—a cost or benefit imposed on or provided to others but not taken into account by the economic agents who generate the effect. We, and others, seemed to see external effects everywhere. There was polluted water and air, noise, urban blight, traffic congestion, and other features of modern life that seemed to call out for some form of corrective action. As the externalities revolution unfolded, economists and other social scientists overlooked the importance of evolved legal and other institutions that formally and informally establish property and liability rules that cause decision makers to face the cost of their actions, including what otherwise could be external costs imposed on unwilling third parties.While markets seemed always to fail, political institutions were seen systematically as without blemish, or so it seemed. It was this two-pronged failure, 1) a failure to consider and state assumptions about background institutional arrangements and 2) a disregard for special interest politics, that became the Achilles Heel of the otherwise elegant externality arguments. Eventually, it was the modern institutionalists, scholars who focused on laws, regulation, and rules of the marketplace, who attempted to close the lid and drive the nails on the externality coffin.In this paper, we reach back to 1920 and trace the rise and decline of the policy importance of externalities theory. Beginning with A. C. Pigou and Alfred Marshall, our story includes some of the great figures in economic history of thought. But while theory was being built, institutions were overlooked. Pigou continues to be a dominant player in the story until the 1960s and 1970s when externalities theory was challenged by James M. Buchanan, Ronald Coase and other scholars. It is here in the twilight years of the externalities revolution that the prospects of government failure are raised as being more daunting than the likelihood of market failure. Finally, in the late 1970s and beyond, the externalities revolution is replaced by a property rights revolution.
Swift: primary data analysis for the Illumina Solexa sequencing platform
Authors: Whiteford Nava , Skelly Tom , Curtis Christina , Ritchie Matt E. , Löhr Andrea , Zaranek Alexander Wait , Abnizova Irina , Brown Clive 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Motivation: Primary data analysis methods are of critical importance in second generation DNA sequencing. Improved methods have the potential to increase yield and reduce the error rates. Openly documented analysis tools enable the user to understand the primary data, this is important for the optimization and validity of their scientific work.
Results: In this article, we describe Swift, a new tool for performing primary data analysis on the Illumina Solexa Sequencing Platform. Swift is the first tool, outside of the vendors own software, which completes the full analysis process, from raw images through to base calls. As such it provides an alternative to, and independent validation of, the vendor supplied tool. Our results show that Swift is able to increase yield by 13.8%, at comparable error rate.
Availability and Implementation: Swift is implemented in C++and supported under Linux. It is supplied under an open source license (LGPL3), allowing researchers to build upon the platform. Swift is available from http://swiftng.sourceforge.net.
Contact: new@sgenomics.org; nava.whiteford@nanoporetech.com
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
SOLpro: accurate sequence-based prediction of protein solubility
Authors: Magnan Christophe N. , Randall Arlo , Baldi Pierre 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Motivation: Protein insolubility is a major obstacle for many experimental studies. A sequence-based prediction method able to accurately predict the propensity of a protein to be soluble on overexpression could be used, for instance, to prioritize targets in large-scale proteomics projects and to identify mutations likely to increase the solubility of insoluble proteins.
Results: Here, we first curate a large, non-redundant and balanced training set of more than 17 000 proteins. Next, we extract and study 23 groups of features computed directly or predicted (e.g. secondary structure) from the primary sequence. The data and the features are used to train a two-stage support vector machine (SVM) architecture. The resulting predictor, SOLpro, is compared directly with existing methods and shows significant improvement according to standard evaluation metrics, with an overall accuracy of over 74% estimated using multiple runs of 10-fold cross-validation.
Availability: SOLpro is integrated in the SCRATCH suite of predictors and is available for download as a standalone application and as a web server at: http://scratch.proteomics.ics.uci.edu.
Contact: pfbaldi@ics.uci.edu
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Heart failure in left‐sided native valve infective endocarditis: characteristics, prognosis, and results of surgical treatment
Authors: Nadji Georges , Rusinaru Dan , Rémadi Jean‐Paul , Jeu Antoine , Sorel Claire , Tribouilloy Christophe 
Published: June 2009

AimsAlthough congestive heart failure (CHF) represents the most common cause of death in native valve infective endocarditis (IE), recent data on the outcome of IE complicated by CHF are lacking. We aimed to analyse the characteristics and prognosis of patients with left‐sided native valve IE complicated by CHF and to evaluate the impact of early surgery on 1 year outcome.Methods and resultsTwo hundred and fifty‐nine consecutive patients with definite left‐sided native valve IE according to the Duke criteria were included in this analysis. When compared with patients without CHF (n = 151), new heart murmur, high comorbidity index, aortic valve IE, and severe valve regurgitation were more frequently observed in CHF patients (n = 108, 41.6%). Mitral valve IE, embolic events and neurological events were less frequent in CHF patients. Congestive heart failure was independently predictive of in‐hospital [OR 3.8 (1.7–9.0); P = 0.0013] and 1 year mortality [HR 1.8 (1.1–3.0); P = 0.007]. Early surgery was performed in 46% of CHF patients with a peri‐operative mortality of 10%. In the CHF group, comorbidity index, Staphylococcus aureus IE, uncontrolled infection, and major neurological events were univariate predictors of 1 year mortality. Early surgery was independently associated with improved 1 year survival [HR 0.45 (0.22–0.93); P = 0.03].ConclusionLeft‐sided native valve IE complicated by CHF is more frequent in aortic IE and is associated with severe regurgitation. Congestive heart failure is an independent predictor of in‐hospital and 1 year mortality. In CHF patients, early surgery is independently associated with reduced mortality and should be widely considered to improve outcome.
A meta‐analysis of the prognostic significance of atrial fibrillation in chronic heart failure
Authors: Mamas Mamas A. , Caldwell Jane C. , Chacko Sanoj , Garratt Clifford J. , Fath‐Ordoubadi Farzin , Neyses Ludwig 
Published: June 2009

AimsAtrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the commonest sustained arrhythmias in chronic heart failure (CHF), although the prognostic implications of the presence of AF in CHF remain controversial. We have therefore performed this meta‐analysis to study the effects of the presence of AF on mortality in CHF patients.Methods and resultsA systematic MEDLINE search for all randomized trials and observational studies in which the influence of AF on CHF mortality was investigated and meta‐analysis of the mortality data was performed. A total of 16 studies were identified of which 7 were randomized trials and 9 were observational studies including 30 248 and 23 721 patients, respectively. An adjusted meta‐analysis of the data revealed that the presence of AF is associated with an adverse effect on total mortality with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.40 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32–1.48, P < 0.0001] in randomized trials and an OR of 1.14 (95% CI 1.03–1.26, P < 0.05) in observational studies. This increase in mortality associated with the presence of AF was observed in subgroups of CHF patients with both preserved and impaired left ventricular (LV) systolic function.ConclusionIn conclusion, meta‐analysis of 16 studies involving 53 969 patients suggests that the presence of AF is associated with an adverse prognosis in CHF irrespective of LV systolic function.