bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Display of wasp venom allergens on the cell surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Borodina Irina , Jensen Bettina M , Søndergaard Ib , Poulsen Lars K 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackgroundYeast surface display is a technique, where the proteins of interest are expressed as fusions with yeast surface proteins and thus remain attached to the yeast cell wall after expression. Our purpose was to study whether allergens expressed on the cell surface of baker's yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaepreserve their native allergenic properties and whether the yeast native surface glycoproteins interfere with IgE binding. We chose to use the major allergens from the common waspVespula vulgarisvenom: phospholipase A1, hyaluronidase and antigen 5 as the model.ResultsThe proteins were expressed on the surface as fusions with a-agglutinin complex protein AGA2. The expression was confirmed by fluorescent cytometry (FACS) after staining the cells with antibody against a C-tag attached to the C-terminal end of the allergens. Phospholipase A1 and hyaluronidase retained their enzymatic activities. Phospholipase A1 severely inhibited the growth of the yeast cells. Antigen 5 - expressing yeast cells bound IgE antibodies from wasp venom allergic patient sera but not from control sera as demonstrated by FACS. Moreover, antigen 5 - expressing yeast cells were capable of mediating allergen-specific histamine release from human basophils.ConclusionsAll the three major wasp venom allergens were expressed on the yeast surface. A high-level expression, which was observed only for antigen 5, was needed for detection of IgE binding by FACS and for induction of histamine release. The non-modifiedS. cerevisiaecells did not cause any unspecific reaction in FACS or histamine release assay despite the expression of high-mannose oligosaccharides.In perspective the yeast surface display may be used for allergen discovery from cDNA libraries and possibly for sublingual immunotherapy as the cells can serve as good adjuvant and can be produced in large amounts at a low price.
Effect of HDL composition and particle size on the resistance of HDL to the oxidation
Authors: Shuhei Nakanishi , Söderlund Sanni , Jauhiainen Matti , Taskinen Marja-Riitta 
Published: September 2010

Abstract

Objectives
To study the resistance of HDL particles to direct oxidation in respect to the distribution of HDL particles.

Design and Methods
We studied HDL composition, subclass distribution, and the kinetics of CuSO4-induced oxidation of total HDL and HDL3 in vitro in 36 low-HDL-C subjects and in 41 control subjects with normal HDL-C.

Results
The resistance of HDL3 to oxidation, as assessed from the propagation rate was significantly higher than that of total HDL. The propagation rate and diene formation during HDL oxidation in vitro was attenuated in HDL derived from low-HDL-C subjects. Propagation rate and maximal diene formation during total HDL oxidation correlated significantly with HDL mean particle size. The propagation rate of total HDL oxidation in vitro displayed a significant positive association with HDL2 particle mass and HDL mean particle size by multiple regression analyses.

Conclusions
These observations highlight that the distribution of HDL subpopulations has important implications for the potential of HDL as an anti-oxidant source.
Self-association of the Lentivirus protein, Nef
Authors: Kwak Youn Tae , Raney Alexa , Kuo Lillian S , Denial Sarah J , Temple Brenda RS , Garcia J Victor , Foster John L 
Published: September 2010

Abstract

Background
The HIV-1 pathogenic factor, Nef, is a multifunctional protein present in the cytosol and on membranes of infected cells. It has been proposed that a spatial and temporal regulation of the conformation of Nef sequentially matches Nef's multiple functions to the process of virion production. Further, it has been suggested that dimerization is required for multiple Nef activities. A dimerization interface has been proposed based on intermolecular contacts between Nefs within hexagonal Nef/FynSH3 crystals. The proposed dimerization interface consists of the hydrophobic B-helix and flanking salt bridges between R105 and D123. Here, we test whether Nef self-association is mediated by this interface and address the overall significance of oligomerization.

Results
By co-immunoprecipitation assays, we demonstrated that HIV-1Nef exists as monomers and oligomers with about half of the Nef protomers oligomerized. Nef oligomers were found to be present in the cytosol and on membranes. Removal of the myristate did not enhance the oligomerization of soluble Nef. Also, SIVNef oligomerizes despite lacking a dimerization interface functionally homologous to that proposed for HIV-1Nef. Moreover, HIV-1Nef and SIVNef form hetero-oligomers demonstrating the existence of homologous oligomerization interfaces that are distinct from that previously proposed (R105-D123). Intracellular cross-linking by formaldehyde confirmed that SF2Nef dimers are present in intact cells, but surprisingly self-association was dependent on R105, but not D123. SIVMAC239Nef can be cross-linked at its only cysteine, C55, and SF2Nef is also cross-linked, but at C206 instead of C55, suggesting that Nefs exhibit multiple dimeric structures. ClusPro dimerization analysis of HIV-1Nef homodimers and HIV-1Nef/SIVNef heterodimers identified a new potential dimerization interface, including a dibasic motif at R105-R106 and a six amino acid hydrophobic surface.

Conclusions
We have demonstrated significant levels of intracellular Nef oligomers by immunoprecipitation from cellular extracts. However, our results are contrary to the identification of salt bridges between R105 and D123 as necessary for self-association. Importantly, binding between HIV-1Nef and SIVNef demonstrates evolutionary conservation and therefore significant function(s) for oligomerization. Based on modeling studies of Nef self-association, we propose a new dimerization interface. Finally, our findings support a stochastic model of Nef function with a dispersed intracellular distribution of Nef oligomers.
Simultaneous measurements of kinematics and fMRI: compatibility assessment and case report on recovery evaluation of one stroke patient
Authors: Casellato Claudia , Ferrante Simona , Gandolla Marta , Volonterio Nicola , Ferrigno Giancarlo , Baselli Giuseppe , Frattini Tiziano , Martegani Alberto , Molteni Franco , Pedrocchi Alessandra 
Published: September 2010

Abstract

Background
Correlating the features of the actual executed movement with the associated cortical activations can enhance the reliability of the functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data interpretation. This is crucial for longitudinal evaluation of motor recovery in neurological patients and for investigating detailed mutual interactions between activation maps and movement parameters.
Therefore, we have explored a new set-up combining fMRI with an optoelectronic motion capture system, which provides a multi-parameter quantification of the performed motor task.

Methods
The cameras of the motion system were mounted inside the MR room and passive markers were placed on the subject skin, without any risk or encumbrance. The versatile set-up allows 3-dimensional multi-segment acquisitions including recording of possible mirror movements, and it guarantees a high inter-sessions repeatability.
We demonstrated the integrated set-up reliability through compatibility tests. Then, an fMRI block-design protocol combined with kinematic recordings was tested on a healthy volunteer performing finger tapping and ankle dorsal- plantar-flexion. A preliminary assessment of clinical applicability and perspectives was carried out by pre- and post rehabilitation acquisitions on a hemiparetic patient performing ankle dorsal- plantar-flexion. For all sessions, the proposed method integrating kinematic data into the model design was compared with the standard analysis.

Results
Phantom acquisitions demonstrated the not-compromised image quality. Healthy subject sessions showed the protocols feasibility and the model reliability with the kinematic regressor. The patient results showed that brain activation maps were more consistent when the images analysis included in the regression model, besides the stimuli, the kinematic regressor quantifying the actual executed movement (movement timing and amplitude), proving a significant model improvement. Moreover, concerning motor recovery evaluation, after one rehabilitation month, a greater cortical area was activated during exercise, in contrast to the usual focalization associated with functional recovery. Indeed, the availability of kinematics data allows to correlate this wider area with a higher frequency and a larger amplitude of movement.

Conclusions
The kinematic acquisitions resulted to be reliable and versatile to enrich the fMRI images information and therefore the evaluation of motor recovery in neurological patients where large differences between required and performed motion can be expected.
A high-throughput method for isolation of salicylic acid metabolic mutants
Authors: Marek George , Carver Ryan , Ding Yezhang , Sathyanarayan Deepak , Zhang Xudong , Mou Zhonglin 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackgroundSalicylic acid (SA) is a key defense signal molecule against biotrophic pathogens in plants. Quantification of SA levels in plants is critical for dissecting the SA-mediated immune response. Although HPLC and GC/MS are routinely used to determine SA concentrations, they are expensive and time-consuming. We recently described a rapid method for a bacterial biosensorAcinetobactersp. ADPWH_lux-based SA quantification, which enables high-throughput analysis. In this study we describe an improved method for fast sample preparation, and present a high-throughput strategy for isolation of SA metabolic mutants.ResultsOn the basis of the previously described biosensor-based method, we simplified the tissue collection and the SA extraction procedure. Leaf discs were collected and boiled in Luria-Bertani (LB), and then the released SA was measured with the biosensor. The time-consuming steps of weighing samples, grinding tissues and centrifugation were avoided. The direct boiling protocol detected similar differences in SA levels among pathogen-infected wild-type,npr1(nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related genes), andsid2(SA induction-deficient) plants as did the previously described biosensor-based method and an HPLC-based approach, demonstrating the efficacy of the protocol presented here. We adapted this protocol to a high-throughput format and identified sixnpr1suppressors that accumulated lower levels of SA thannpr1upon pathogen infection. Two of the suppressors were found to be allelic to the previously identifiededs5mutant. The other four are more susceptible thannpr1to the bacterial pathogenPseudomonas syringaepv.maculicolaES4326 and their identity merits further investigation.ConclusionsThe rapid SA extraction method by direct boiling of leaf discs further reduced the cost and time required for the biosensorAcinetobactersp. ADPWH_lux-based SA estimation, and allowed the screening fornpr1suppressors that accumulated less SA thannpr1after pathogen infection in a high-throughput manner. The highly efficacious SA estimation protocol can be applied in genetic screen for SA metabolic mutants and characterization of enzymes involved in SA metabolism. The mutants isolated in this study may help identify new components in the SA-related signaling pathways.
Wohlergehen durch Selbstbeschränkung: Nicolas de La Chesnayes ‚La Condamnation de Banquet‘
Authors: Kleber Hermann 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
The study examines Nicolas de La Chesnaye’s play ‘La Condamnation de Banquet’, a text written shortly after the year 1500 and criticizing heavily the conduct of nightly banquets in the French upper classes of its time. It was also transformed into tapestries, still extant, shortly after its first publication. Bodily conditions (e.g. sobriety), illnesses (e.g. stroke) and institutions (e.g. a tribunal) serve as personifications of such topics as excessive sumptuousness, and the moral depravation and aberration associated with it. The play’s perspective is to highlight social responsibility and to provide its audience with recommendations for a healthy way of living. Asceticism is declared to be a bonum commune and a way of optimizing oneself.
Public Health Professionals as Policy Entrepreneurs: Arkansas's Childhood Obesity Policy Experience
Authors: Craig Rebekah L. , Felix Holly C. , Walker Jada F. , Phillips Martha M. 
Published: September 2010

In response to a nationwide rise in obesity, several states have passed legislation to improve school health environments. Among these was Arkansas's Act 1220 of 2003, the most comprehensive school-based childhood obesity legislation at that time. We used the Multiple Streams Framework to analyze factors that brought childhood obesity to the forefront of the Arkansas legislative agenda and resulted in the passage of Act 1220. When 3 streams (problem, policy, and political) are combined, a policy window is opened and policy entrepreneurs may advance their goals. We documented factors that produced a policy window and allowed entrepreneurs to enact comprehensive legislation. This historical analysis and the Multiple Streams Framework may serve as a roadmap for leaders seeking to influence health policy.
An Analysis of Public Health Policy and Legal Issues Relevant to Mobile Food Vending
Authors: Tester June M. , Stevens Stephanie A. , Yen Irene H. , Laraia Barbara L. 
Published: September 2010

Mobile food vending is a component of the food environment that has received little attention in the public health literature beyond concerns about food sanitation and hygiene issues. However, several features of mobile food vending make it an intriguing venue for food access. We present key components of mobile vending regulation and provide examples from 12 US cities to illustrate the variation that can exist surrounding these regulations. Using these regulatory features as a framework, we highlight existing examples of “healthy vending policies” to describe how mobile food vending can be used to increase access to nutritious food for vulnerable populations.
A Case Report of Occupational Middle Ear Tuberculosis in a Nurse
Authors: Lalić Hrvoje , Kukuljan Melita , Pavičić Milenka 
Published: September 2010

A Case Report of Occupational Middle Ear Tuberculosis in a NurseThis article presents a case of a 40-year-old female patient with a right-side middle ear tuberculosis. The patient was a nurse, who had worked at the Department of Pulmology, Clinical Hospital Rijeka for 17 years. The cause was infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis while she assisted in bronchoscopy. The patient was referred to occupational medicine (OM) for confirmation of occupational disease immediately after surgery. The disease was confirmed as occupational by the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance of Health Protection at Work.During surgery a sample was taken for microbiological analysis. We did initial and control multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and control magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of temporal bones 6 months after the surgery. The initial MSCT showed total mastoid cell shadowing without destruction, while the control image showed almost full recovery save for a few remaining shadowed cells. Adequately taken occupational history by an OM specialist can significantly shorten the time to diagnosis of a rare occupational illness that is often manifested by non-specific symptoms.
Characteristics of lateral electrical surface stimulation (LESS) and its effect on the degree of spinal deformity in idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Kowalski Ireneusz , Palko Tadeusz , Pasniczek Roman , Szarek Jozef 
Published: September 2010

Characteristics of lateral electrical surface stimulation (LESS) and its effect on the degree of spinal deformity in idiopathic scoliosis
Clinical studies were carried out in the period of 2003-2006 at the Provincial Children's Rehabilitation Hospital in Ameryka near Olsztyn (Poland). The study involved a group of children and youth exhibiting spinal deformity progression in idiopathic scoliosis (IS) of more than 5° per year according to the Cobb scale. Four hundred and fifty patients between 4 and 15 years of age were divided into three groups (n = 150). Group I and group II received 2-hour and 9-hour lateral electrical surface stimulation (LESS), respectively, whereas group III (control) was treated only with corrective exercises for 30 minutes twice a day. LESS was performed with the use of a battery-operated SCOL-2 stimulator manufactured by Elmech, Warsaw, Poland.
The effectiveness of this method was confirmed in the treatment of spinal IS in children and youth, especially when the initial spinal deformity did not exceed 20° according to the Cobb scale. A short-duration electrostimulation (2 hours daily) was found to produce results similar to those obtained after overnight (9 h) electrostimulation. Moreover, the analysis of the Harrington prognostic index F confirms the positive effect of LESS in both groups of patients (2 h and 9 h of LESS).
Analysis of EEG activity during sleep - brain hemisphere symmetry of two classes of sleep spindles
Authors: Smolen Magdalena 
Published: September 2010

Analysis of EEG activity during sleep - brain hemisphere symmetry of two classes of sleep spindles
This paper presents automatic analysis of some selected human electroencephalographic patterns during deep sleep using the Matching Pursuit (MP) algorithm.
The periodicity of deep sleep EEG patterns was observed by calculating autocorrelation functions of their percentage contributions. The study confirmed the increasing trend of amplitude-weighted average frequency of sleep spindles from frontal to posterior derivations. The dominant frequencies from the left and the right brain hemisphere were strongly correlated.
Filter/moderator system for a BNCT beam of epithermal neutrons at nuclear reactor MARIA
Authors: Tyminska Katarzyna 
Published: September 2010

Filter/moderator system for a BNCT beam of epithermal neutrons at nuclear reactor MARIA
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy is a very promising form of cancer therapy, consisting in irradiating a stable isotope of boron (10B) concentrated in tumor cells with a low energy neutron beam. This technique makes it possible to destroy tumor cells, leaving healthy tissues practically unaffected. In order to carry out the therapy in the proper way, the proper range of the neutron beam energy has to be chosen.
In this paper we present a filter/moderator system modeled with MCNP code in order to obtain an epithermal neutron beam for BNCT post at MARIA reactor in Swierk.
Planning and verification in radiotherapy: our experience in a filmless hospital
Authors: Torresin A. , Carbonini C. , Ferrari M. , Asnaghi D. , Botturi M. 
Published: September 2010

Planning and verification in radiotherapy: our experience in a filmless hospital
In our hospital we have recently installed a new radiotherapy treatment planning and verification system. Our system allows to follow the normal clinical workflow: from patient identification to follow-up through the treatment delivery with the study of the best irradiation geometry. We designed a new technical solutions relating to the use of four linear accelerators, a Record and Verify system, a Treatment Planning System (TPS) and a clinical folder, completely paperless. All the procedures for treatment planning, setup and verification are integrated in our digital imaging long-term archive. The integration is based on the existing HL7 and DICOM standard protocols described in the International Committee and IHE RO Technical Framework, which is able to support the workflow. All the images used for planning and setup are stored in the Oncentra DICOM archive server for short-term archiving and then are sent to the Agfa DICOM long-term archive for legal and scientific purposes.
Electron beam characteristics at extended source to surface distance for a Clinac-DHX linear accelerator
Authors: Arunkumar T. , Supe Sanjay , Ravikumar M. , Sathiyan S. , Ganesh K. , Varatharaj C. 
Published: September 2010

Electron beam characteristics at extended source to surface distance for a Clinac-DHX linear accelerator
A uniform dose to the target site is required with a knowledge of delivered dose, central axis depth dose and beam flatness for successful electron treatment at an extended source to surface distance (SSD). In an extended SSD treatment under dosage of the lateral tissue may occur due to reduced beam flatness. To study the changes in beam characteristics, the depth dose curves, beam flatness and isodose distributions were measured at different SSDs from 100 to 120 cm for clinically used field sizes from (4×4) to (25×25) cm2 and beam energies ranging from 6 MeV to 20 MeV. Our results suggest that the change in depth dose is minimal except in the buildup region for most energy. In general surface dose is decreased as the SSD increased moderately. It was observed that the loss in beam flatness is significant for smaller fields, higher isodose lines, and lower energies. The penumbra enlarged and the uniformity index reduced with increasing SSD.
Evaluation of phoneme perception based on the digitalized phoneme test in children with cochlear implants
Authors: Stieler Olgierd , Sekula Alicja 
Published: September 2010

Evaluation of phoneme perception based on the digitalized phoneme test in children with cochlear implants
Early diagnosis of congenital defect of hearing poses new challenges for a multidisciplinary team of pedoaudiologists, ENT (ear-nose-throat) specialists and speech therapists. This study assessed the perception of phonemes in children with a cochlear implant and the possibilities of applying acoustical solutions in the audiologic evaluation. The participants were 17 implanted children, aged 5-9 years, who received a cochlear implant when they were from 18 months to 3 years old. Detection thresholds and discrimination score were assessed. This study also aimed at verifying the possibilities of applying the digital audioprocessing algorithm in clinical practice. The test based on the phonemes aa, uu, ii, ss, sh (Ling 5 sound test) was used. The test was modified in the frequency domain - the main aim of this modification was to improve the precision of the reconstruction of the audible threshold. The results indicated significant correlations between pure tone audiometry results and thresholds of phoneme detection [dB SPL]. The identification score in this group was 95-100% for sound pressure level 65 dB SPL.
A Defence of the Perceptual Account of Emotion Against the Alleged Problem of Ambivalent Emotion: Expanding on Tappolet
Authors: Yang Sunny 
Published: September 2010

A Defence of the Perceptual Account of Emotion Against the Alleged Problem of Ambivalent Emotion: Expanding on Tappolet
Tappolet (2005) has defended the perceptual account of emotion against a problem which some have raised against it, stemming from the phenomenon of ambivalent emotions. According to Tappolet, we can explain cases of ambivalent emotions unproblematically. To persuade us of this, she draws our attention to circumstances in which it seems entirely appropriate to have conflicting emotions with respect to the same situation. On her perceptual account of emotions, in such situations our emotions disclose two values, e.g., danger and attractiveness, at the same time. My aim here is to defend Tappolet by expanding on the considerations she adduces. In order to do this, I utilize Prinz's notion of "valence". Using this terminology, I shall show that the undeniable co-instantiation of emotions that are our intuitions classifies as "contrary", for example, fear and attraction does not actually constitute a contradiction.