bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DEVELOPMENT OF MULTIPLEX PCR ASSAYS FOR DETECTION OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE GENES IN ESCHERICHIA COLI AND ENTEROCOCCI
Authors: SIANGLUM WIPAWADEE , KITTINIYOM KANOKWAN , SRIMANOTE POTJANEE , WONGLUMSOM WIJIT 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT Two multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assays were developed for simultaneous detection of antimicrobial resistance genes in Escherichia coli and enterococci. Oligonucleotide primer sets were designed and formulated. Primer set I was used to detect resistance genes including tetracycline (tetM and tetA), chloramphenicol (cat1 and cmlA) and sulfonamide (sul1), in 20 E. coli isolates. Primer set II was designed to identify three target genes including tetM, tetL and ermB of tetracycline and erythromycin resistance genes, respectively. In the final volume of 25 µL, optimal concentrations of mPCR primer for investigation of E. coli and enterococci resistance genes were 0.1, 0.4, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.2 µM of tetA, tetM, cat1, cmlA and sul1, and 0.2, 0.2 and 0.1 µM of tetM, tetL and ermB, respectively. The optimal annealing temperatures were 51 and 57C to detect all expected resistance genes of E. coli and enterococci, respectively. The amplicon sizes ranged from 171 to 847 bp for E. coli and 171 to 505 bp for enterococci, differing by at least 83 bp to simplify gel electrophoretic separation. The correlation between dot blot hybridization and mPCR results were investigated. Two of the 20 E. coli isolates showed positive results by mPCR and negative results by hybridization assay. The same results were observed with two different methods among 20 enterococci isolates indicating that the targets were amplified efficiently. The developed mPCR assay is a simple, rapid and useful method for genotyping detection of multiple resistance genes in single reaction.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSMultiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) can allow the detection of various antimicrobial resistance genes in one PCR reaction tube. The technique is fast and reliable for rapid screening of multiple resistance genes. In this study, we focused on the simultaneous detection of five and three most commonly found resistance genes in Escherichia coli and enterococci isolates, respectively. Our research has shown that the mPCR method could be expanded to include the determination of other antibiotic resistance genes of interest. The system described here can decrease PCR reagent cost by multiple resistance genes detection in each reaction tube. The high throughput and cost‐effective mPCR system developed in this study could provide a powerful tool for more accurate detection of various antimicrobial resistance genes associated with E. coli and enterococci isolates.
SEROLOGICAL ATTRACTION OF NONTOXIC EGG COMPONENT TO STAPHYLOCOCCAL ANTI‐ENTEROTOXIN
Authors: BENNETT REGINALD W. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT Raw whole liquid and dried eggs which were purported to contain staphylococcal enterotoxin were analyzed by a number of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)‐based methods. The initial evaluation was to establish whether the purported positive ELISA reactions were a result of toxin‐anti‐enterotoxin serological activity. A secondary consideration was to determine whether the putative protein occurred in the yolk and/or white portions of the eggs. A manual polyvalent detection system, manual monovalent ELISA and an automated polyvalent enzyme‐linked fluorescent immunoassay were used to investigate this component in eggs. The ELISA results were instantaneous and showed strong positive reactions (false positives) with the manual and automated polyvalent systems, suggesting nonspecific binding of the egg‐reactive component to one or more staphylococcal enterotoxin antibodies. Further analysis with the monovalent ELISA showed false‐positive reactions when egg extracts were tested separately for enterotoxins A–E. The putative protein from fertilized eggs had caused false‐positive reactions and the eggs did not contain preformed staphylococcal enterotoxin. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe analysis of raw whole liquid and dried eggs for staphylococcal enterotoxin must be performed with circumspection when applying serological systems which use whole antibody, as the resulting positive reaction could be a false‐positive reaction due to a nontoxic component in eggs which reacts with the staphylococcal anti‐enterotoxins.
RAPID DETECTION OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN GROUND TURKEY BY IMMUNOMAGNETIC SEPARATION AND POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION
Authors: AYAZ N.D. , EROL I. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in packaged fresh ground turkey in Turkey using immunomagnetic separation (IMS) as a selective enrichment step in method and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 180 ground turkey samples were collected during a 1‐year period. Thirty‐two (17.7%) of the samples contained L. monocytogenes, 24 (13.3%) contained Listeria innocua, 7 (3.8%) had Listeria ivanovii and 5 (2.7%) had Listeria seeligeri by means of IMS‐based cultivation method. A PCR assay was performed, based on hlyA gene‐specific primers. In all L. monocytogenes isolates, hlyA gene was confirmed, indicating that the correlation between IMS‐based cultivation and PCR methods was 100%. The results suggest that the prevalence of L. monocytogenes in ground turkey is relatively high in Turkey and that ground turkey should be produced under appropriate hygienic and technological conditions for the prevention of public health hazards.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSUsing fast and reliable methods to detect and identify foodborne pathogenic bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes, is important to detect the risk of contaminated product and protect public health. In some ways it is time‐consuming to isolate and identify the pathogenic microorganisms from food products using conventional techniques. Different methods or techniques can be used both for redounding the isolation chance and to gain time for this purpose. Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques are effective and rapid methods for separation, detection and confirmation of Listeria spp. from foods. In this study rapid, specific and sensitive IMS method was used to determine the prevalence of L. monocytogenes in fresh ground turkey and PCR technique was used for the verification of the L. monocytogenes isolates.
Treatment with anti-FasL antibody preserves memory lymphocytes and virus-specific cellular immunity in macaques challenged with simian immunodeficiency virus
Authors: Poonia Bhawna , Salvato Maria S. , Yagita Hideo , Maeda Toshihiro , Okumura Ko , Pauza C. David 
Published: June 2009

AbstractImmune deficiency viruses such as SIV in macaques or HIV-1 in human beings have evolved mechanisms to defeat host immunity that also impact the efficacy of vaccines. A key factor for vaccine protection is whether immune responses elicited by prior immunization remain at levels sufficient to limit disease progression once a host is exposed to the pathogen. One potential mechanism for escaping pre-existing immunity is to trigger death among antigen-activated cells. We tested whether FasL/CD178 is involved in destroying preexisting immunity. Rhesus macaques were immunized with recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus vaccine expressing SIV Gag to elicit cellular immune responses, then treated with antibody that neutralizes FasL and challenged with intravenous SIVmac251. Compared with animals injected with control antibody, anti-FasL–treated macaques had superior preservation of central memory CD4+ and CD8+ cells and decreased regulatory T cells in the blood. The CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes from treated animals responded better to SIV Gag compared with controls, evidenced by higher cell-mediated immune responses to viral antigens for at least 17 weeks after SIV challenge. Anti-FasL treatment during the initial stages of acute SIV infection preserved the T-cell compartment and sustained cell-mediated immunity to SIV.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-1 in the Ruminant Uterus: Potential Endometrial Marker and Regulator of Conceptus Elongation
Authors: Simmons Rebecca M. , Erikson David W. , Kim Jinyoung , Burghardt Robert C. , Bazer Fuller W. , Johnson Greg A. , Spencer Thomas E. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractEstablishment of pregnancy in ruminants requires conceptus elongation and production of interferon-τ (IFNT), the pregnancy recognition signal that maintains ovarian progesterone (P4) production. These studies determined temporal and spatial alterations in IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-1 and IGFBP3 in the ovine and bovine uterus; effects of P4 and IFNT on their expression in the ovine uterus; and effects of IGFBP1 on ovine trophectoderm cell proliferation, migration, and attachment. IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 were studied because they are the only IGFBPs specifically expressed by the endometrial luminal epithelia in sheep. In sheep, IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 expression was coordinate with the period of conceptus elongation, whereas only IGFBP1 expression was coordinate with conceptus elongation in cattle. IGFBP1 mRNA in the ovine endometria was between 5- and 29-fold more abundant between d 12 and 16 of pregnancy compared with the estrous cycle and greater on d 16 of pregnancy than nonpregnancy in the bovine uterus. In sheep, P4 induced and IFNT stimulated expression of IGFBP1 but not IGFBP3; however, the effect of IFNT did not mimic the abundant increase observed in pregnant ewes. Therefore, IGFBP1 expression in the endometrium is regulated by another factor from the conceptus. IGFBP1 did not affect the proliferation of ovine trophectoderm cells in vitro but did stimulate their migration and mediate their attachment. These studies reveal that IGFBP1 is a common endometrial marker of conceptus elongation in sheep and cattle and most likely regulates conceptus elongation by stimulating migration and attachment of the trophectoderm.
Carcinogenic Effects of Exogenous and Endogenous Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 in Azoxymethane-Treated Mice
Authors: Iakoubov Roman , Lauffer Lina M. , Trivedi Shivangi , Kim Young-In J. , Brubaker Patricia L. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is a nutrient-dependent intestinotropic hormone that promotes intestinal growth, via increased intestinal proliferation and decreased apoptosis, as well as increases in nutrient absorption and barrier function. The long-acting analog h(Gly2)GLP-2[1-33] is currently being tested for treatment of short bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease. However, the role of GLP-2 in colon carcinogenesis is controversial. To assess the intestinotropic effects of exogenous and endogenous GLP-2, C57BL6/J mice were injected with 1μg h(Gly2)GLP-2[1-33]; 30 or 60 ng hGLP-2[3-33], a GLP-2 receptor antagonist; or PBS (4 wk, twice a day, sc). Chronic h(Gly2)GLP-2[1-33] increased small intestinal weight/body weight (P &lt; 0.001), villus height (P &lt; 0.001), crypt depth (P &lt; 0.001), and crypt cell proliferation, as measured by expression of the proliferative marker Ki67 (P &lt; 0.05–0.01). In contrast, chronic hGLP-2[3-33] decreased small intestinal weight/body weight (P &lt; 0.05) and colon weight/body weight (P &lt; 0.05). To assess the carcinogenic effects of endogenous and exogenous GLP-2, separate mice were injected with azoxymethane (10 mg/kg, 4 wk, every 7 d, ip), followed by 1.5 μg h(Gly2)GLP-2[1-33], 30 ng hGLP-2[3-33], or PBS (4 wk, twice a day, sc) 2 or 12 wk thereafter. At 10 or 46 wk after azoxymethane treatment, the numbers of aberrant crypt foci increased with h(Gly2)GLP-2[1-33] (P &lt; 0.001) and decreased with hGLP-2[3-33] (P &lt; 0.01–0.05) treatment. Furthermore, mucin-depleted aberrant foci, consistent with progressive dysplasia, were almost exclusively present in h(Gly2)GLP-2[1-33]-treated mice (P &lt; 0.01–0.001). Additionally, adenocarcinomas developed in h(Gly2)GLP-2[1-33]-treated mice but not in those receiving hGLP-2[3-33] or PBS. Taken together, these studies indicate that chronic treatment with GLP-2 enhances colon carcinogenesis, whereas antagonism of the GLP-2 receptor decreases dysplasia, with possible implications for human therapy.
The p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Regulates 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 (11β-HSD2) Expression in Human Trophoblast Cells through Modulation of 11β-HSD2 Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Stability
Authors: Sharma Anju , Guan Haiyan , Yang Kaiping 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
The placental 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2; encoded by the HSD11B2 gene) has emerged as a key player in controlling fetal development, but its regulation is incompletely understood. Here we identified p38 MAPK as an important regulator of placental 11β-HSD2. We showed that inhibition of p38 MAPK with the pharmacological inhibitor SB202190 led to an approximately 50% reduction in 11β-HSD2 activity, protein, and mRNA in primary human placental trophoblast cells. Furthermore, the effect of SB202190 was confirmed by the use of two additional p38 inhibitors, SB203580 and SB220025. In addition, SB202190 decreased the half-life of 11β-HSD2 mRNA without altering the HSD11B2 promoter activity, indicating that p38 MAPK regulates placental 11β-HSD2 expression through modulation of 11β-HSD2 mRNA stability. Importantly, small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of p38α caused a 50% reduction in 11β-HSD2 activity, suggesting that p38α is the primary p38 isoform involved. Taken together, these findings suggest a novel pathway controlling placental 11β-HSD2 expression resulting from the activation of p38 MAPK. Given that p38α is abundantly expressed in the human placenta in which its function is largely unknown, our present study also reveals 11β-HSD2 as an important target through which p38α may regulate human placental function and consequently fetal growth and development.
Enhancement of Mechanical Properties Upon Hydration in Copolymers of PEG and Iodinated Tyrosine-derived Poycarbonates
Authors: Bedoui F. , Widjaja L. K. , Luk A. , Bolikal D. , Murthy N. S. , Kohn J. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTIncrease in modulus upon hydration in copolymers of desaminotyrosyl-tyrosine ethyl ester (DTE) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with iodinated tyrosines, poly(I2DTE-co-PEG carbonate)s, was investigated by varying the fraction and the molecular weight of the hydrophilic PEG component. Water, as expected, acts as plasticizer in polymer with PEG content < 15 wt% and > 30 wt%. But, water has the opposite effect in iodinated polymers with moderate PEG contents, between 15 to 20 wt%: it enhances the Young's modulus. The strength and modulus of hydrated poly(I2DTE-co-15%PEG2K carbonate)s increased by as much as fifteen fold upon hydration. While the decrease in the mechanical properties in most polymeric materials with diluents such water is due to the solvent-induced swelling, the increase in strength and modulus that is observed is most likely due to the reinforcing effect of the increased cross-linking efficiency of the hydrated PEG domains in the iodinated polymer.
Thermodynamics and Kinetics for Suppression of GeO Desorption by High Pressure Oxidation of Ge
Authors: Nagashio Kosuke , Lee C. H. , Nishimura T. , Kita K. , Toriumi A. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractWe analyze a main scheme for the suppression of GeO desorption by the high pressure oxidation which drastically improve the electrical quality of Ge/GeO2 capacitors. The inherent driving force for GeO to form at the Ge/GeO2 interface and to diffuse toward the GeO2 surface was realized by the concentration gradient in the GeO2 film, which was obtained from the thermodynamic calculation. Kinetic consideration based on the comparison with Si/SiO2 stacks suggests that GeO desorption at the GeO2 surface is the rate-limiting process under passive oxidation conditions. When O2 pressure is increased by high pressure oxidation, the vapor pressure of GeO at the GeO2 surface is reduced, restricting GeO desorption at the GeO2 surface.
Studies of Non-Proportionality in Alkali Halide and Strontium Iodide Scintillators Using SLYNCI
Authors: Ahle Larry , Bizarri Gregory , Cherepy Nerine , Choong Woon-Seng , Moses William W. , Payne S A , Sheets Steven , Sturm Benjamin W. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractRecently a collaboration of LLNL and LBNL has constructed a second generation Compton coincidence instrument to study the non-proportionality of scintillators [1]. This device, known as SLYNCI (Scintillator Light-Yield Non-proportionality Characterization Instrument), has an over 30 time higher data collection rate than previous devices enabling complete characterization of a sample with less 24 hours of running time. Thus, SLYNCI enables a number of systematic studies of scintillators as many samples can be processed in a reasonable length of time. The studies include difference in non-proportionality between different types of scintillators, different members of the same family of scintillators, and impact of different doping levels. The results of such recent studies are presented here, including a study on of various alkali halides, and the impact of europium doping level in strontium iodide. Directions of future work will also be discussed.
Electroluminescence imaging of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin film modules
Authors: Rau Uwe , Kirchartz Thomas , Helbig Anke , Pieters Bart Elger 
Published: June 2009

AbstractElectroluminescence images gained from Cu(In,Ga)Se2 mini-modules under different voltage bias conditions are investigated. The mini-modules of area 20 × 20 cm2 with 42 cells exhibit typically 10-20 localized shunts. The consequences of these shunts on the performance of the individual cells and of the entire module are analyzed quantitatively by evaluating the electroluminescence images. Our evaluation method uses the fact that the electroluminescence intensity at each position in each cell within the module depends on the actual voltage drop over the junction at this specific location. Thus, the analysis of the electroluminescence intensity allows us to reconstruct the current/voltage characteristics of all individual cells in the module. In addition, we provide first simulations using a distributed diode network model to quantitatively explain the experimental results.
Chemical Composition and Electronic Properties of CuInS2/Zn(S,O) Interfaces
Authors: Sáez-Araoz Rodrigo , Lauermann Iver , Neisser Axel , Lux-Steiner Martha Ch , Ennaoui Ahmed 
Published: June 2009

AbstractWe report on the chemical deposition and electronic properties of CuInS2/Zn(S,O) interfaces. The Zn(S,O) buffer was grown by a new chemical bath deposition (CBD) process that allows the tailoring of the S/O ratio in the films. Resulting Zn(S,O) films exhibit transparencies above 80% (for λ>390 nm) and an optical energy band gap of 3.9 eV which decreases to 3.6 eV after annealing in air at 200°C. Production line CuInS2 (CIS) absorbers provided by Sulfurcell Solartechnik GmbH are used as substrates for the investigation of the CIS/Zn(S,O) interface and the chemical composition of Zn(S,O). A ZnS/(ZnS+ZnO) ratio of 0.5 is found by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray excited Auger electron spectroscopy (XPS and XAES). The valence band offset between the heterojunction partners (ΔEV = 1.8 ± 0.2 eV) has been determined by means of XPS and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). Considering the energy band gap of the CIS absorber and the measured band gap of Zn(S,O), the conduction band offset (ΔEC) is calculated as: resulting in a spike of 0.5±0.3 eV in the conduction band at the heterojunction before annealing. After the heat treatment, the valence band offset is reduced to 1.5±0.2 eV and the calculated conduction band offset remains at 0.5±0.3 eV.
A Rapid Screening Method for Investigating the Effect of Processing Parameters on CdTe/CdS Solar Cell Performance
Authors: Al Turkestani Mohammed , Durose Ken , Wakeling Ben , Lane David , Irvine Stuart , Barrioz Vincent 
Published: June 2009

AbstractA rapid screening method is reported in which material processing parameters are investigated as a function of the CdTe absorber thickness in CdTe/CdS solar cells. It has been used to investigate i) the optimum absorber thickness for CdCl2 processing at 380°C for 10 mins, and ii) the effect on device performance of post-growth annealing of CdS layer with H2, N2, and O2. It was found that the optimum thickness of CdTe compatible with the processing was ∼3μm. The device results were independent of the post-growth treatment of the CdS for the conditions investigated here. The bevel method allowed for ∼30 data points to be obtained from each sample, this giving a significant advantage over conventional experimental methods.
Recent Advances in the STM-based Luminescence Microscopy of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films
Authors: Romero Manuel J. , Contreras Miguel A. , Repins Ingrid , Jiang Chun-Sheng , Al-Jassim Mowafak 
Published: June 2009

AbstractWe report on recent advances in the development of a luminescence spectroscopy based on scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and its application to fundamental aspects of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin films. Relevant to our discussion is the specifics of the surface electronics. The CIGS shows pronounced stoichiometric deviations at the surface and, consequently, distinct surface electronics that has been shown to be critical in achieving high efficiency. Cathodoluminescence (CL), a luminescence spectrum imaging mode in scanning electron microscopy (SEM), provides a direct correlation between the microstructure of the CIGS and its electronic properties. As such, cathodoluminescence can resolve the emission spectrum between grain boundaries and grain interiors or be used to investigate the influence of local orientation and stoichiometry on the electronic properties of the CIGS at the microscale. Cathodoluminescence is not a surface microscopy, however, and resolving the electronic structure of the CIGS surface remains elusive to all luminescence microscopies. With this motivation, we have developed a luminescence microscopy based on STM, in which tunneling electrons are responsible for the excitation of luminescence (scanning tunneling luminescence or STL). The hot-tunneling-electron excitation is confined to the surface and, consequently, the tunneling luminescence spectrum reveals the electronic states near the surface. The STM is integrated inside the SEM and, therefore, both CL and STL can be measured over the same location and compared. Using this setup, the transition from the grain interior to the surface can be investigated. We have improved the collection of our optics to a level in which tunneling luminescence spectrum imaging can be performed. Here we present a detailed account on our investigation of the surface electronics in CIGS deposited in the regime of selenium deficiency as defined by <Se>/(<Cu> + <In> + < Ga >) = 1.
Intrinsic Localized Lattice Modes and Thermal Transport: Potential Application in a Thermal Rectifier
Authors: Manley Michael E 
Published: June 2009

AbstractRecent experiments provide evidence of intrinsic localized modes (ILMs) in the lattice dynamics of conventional 3D materials. Here evidence that ILMs in uranium metal enhance the thermal conductivity is presented along with speculation on how thermal transport by ILMs might be used to improve a reported design for a solid-state thermal rectifier.