bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Group BStreptococcusPullulanase Crystal Structures in the Context of a Novel Strategy for Vaccine Development
Authors: Gourlay Louise J. , Santi Isabella , Pezzicoli Alfredo , Grandi Guido , Soriani Marco , Bolognesi Martino 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTThe group B streptococcus type I pullulanase (SAP) is a class 13 glycoside hydrolase that is anchored to the bacterial cell surface via a conserved C-terminal anchoring motif and involved in α-glucan degradation. Recent in vitro functional studies have shown that SAP is immunogenic in humans and that anti-SAP sera derived from immunized animals impair both group A and group B streptococcus pullulanase activities, suggesting that in vivo immunization with this antigen could prevent streptococcal colonization. To further investigate the putative role of SAP in bacterial pathogenesis, we carried out functional studies and found that recombinant SAP binds to human cervical epithelial cells. Furthermore, with a view of using SAP as a vaccine candidate, we present high-resolution crystal structure analyses of an N-terminally truncated form of SAP lacking the carbohydrate binding module but containing the catalytic domain and displaying glycosidase hydrolase activity, both in its apo form and in complex with maltotetraose, at resolutions of 2.1 and 2.4 Å, respectively.
Diversity of Prophages in Dominant
Staphylococcus aureus
Clonal Lineages
Authors: Goerke Christiane , Pantucek Roman , Holtfreter Silva , Schulte Berit , Zink Manuel , Grumann Dorothee , Bröker Barbara M. , Doskar Jiri , Wolz Christiane 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

Temperate bacteriophages play an important role in the pathogenicity of
Staphylococcus aureus
, for instance, by mediating the horizontal gene transfer of virulence factors. Here we established a classification scheme for staphylococcal prophages of the major
Siphoviridae
family based on integrase gene polymorphism. Seventy-one published genome sequences of staphylococcal phages were clustered into distinct integrase groups which were related to the chromosomal integration site and to the encoded virulence gene content. Analysis of three marker modules (lysogeny, tail, and lysis) for phage functional units revealed that these phages exhibit different degrees of genome mosaicism. The prevalence of prophages in a representative
S. aureus
strain collection consisting of 386 isolates of diverse origin was determined. By linking the phage content to dominant
S. aureus
clonal complexes we could show that the distribution of bacteriophages varied remarkably between lineages, indicating restriction-based barriers. A comparison of colonizing and invasive
S. aureus
strain populations revealed that
hlb
-converting phages were significantly more frequent in colonizing strains.
Correlation between molecular and histopathological diagnoses of B cell lymphomas in bone marrow biopsy and aspirates
Authors: Ilgenfritz R B , Kayasut K , Le Tourneau A , Calendini O A , Ouafi L , Marzac C , Diebold J , Devez F , Ducruit V , Bouchet P E , Audouin J , Molina T J 
Published: March 2009

Aims:PCR has been shown previously to be the most sensitive technique to detect a clonal population in marrow aspirates (MAs), and the clinical standard for evaluation of bone marrow lymphoma involvement today is bone marrow trephine biopsy (BMTB). The goal of this study was to compare morphological evaluation of B cell neoplasm in BMTB (histology and immunohistochemistry) and PCR analysis in MA, with both specimens obtained at the same time, in patients with a known molecular marker of the disease.Methods:This was a retrospective evaluation of 98 consecutive BMTB specimens from 60 patients with a known B-cell neoplasm and a previous PCR marker of the disease (BCL2and/orIGH).Results:Considering theIGHPCR cases alone, a B cell clone was detected in 85% and 39% of the morphology (M) positive and negative groups, respectively. Five M(+),IGH(−) cases were found, including two cases of follicular lymphoma (FL), one case of diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and two cases of mantle cell lymphoma. The FLs had about 20% and 50% of BMTB involvement each. All other cases had minimal lymphoma localisation. The two FLs were alsoBCL2-MBR(+). Use ofBCL2-MBRdetected all M(+) cases and 66% of M(−) cases whenever it was an initial marker of disease.Conclusions:IGHPCR alone is not good enough for BMTB assessment, especially in FL. On the other hand, the PCR study forBCL2is more sensitive than morphology, without any false negative results in this series, suggesting thatBCL2-MBRPCR on MA can be used as an alternative and more sensitive examination for disease evaluation, providing that there is careful analysis of data, adequate knowledge of PCR pitfalls and absence of other haematological disorders.
Toward a Poetics of the Biblical Mind: Language, Culture, and Cognition
Authors: Jindo Job 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis article shows how cognitive investigation of biblical metaphors enables us to fathom the basic categories through which biblical writers conceived of God, humans, and the world. This investigation is part of a work-in-progress that employs recent studies in cognitive linguistics to explore the Weltanschauung of ancient Israel as reflected in the use of language in biblical literature. The article first explains the cognitive linguistic account of metaphor; it next illustrates how this discipline can be applied to the study of the complex relationships between language, culture, and cognition; and it then exemplifies how this cognitive approach can enhance our understanding of such relationships in biblical literature.
The Ordinary Conception of Race in the United States and Its Relation to Racial Attitudes: A New Approach
Authors: Glasgow Joshua , Shulman Julie , Covarrubias Enrique 
Published: March 2009

AbstractMany hold that ordinary race-thinking in the USA is committed to the 'one-drop rule', that race is ordinarily represented in terms of essences, and that race is ordinarily represented as a biological (phenotype- and/or ancestry-based, non-social) kind. This study investigated the extent to which ordinary race-thinking subscribes to these commitments. It also investigated the relationship between different conceptions of race and racial attitudes. Participants included 449 USA adults who completed an Internet survey. Unlike previous research, conceptions of race were assessed using concrete vignettes. Results indicate widespread rejection of the one-drop rule, as well as the use of a complex combination of ancestral, phenotypic, and social (and, therefore, non-essentialist) criteria for racial classification. No relationship was found between racial attitudes and essentialism, the one-drop rule, or social race-thinking; however, ancestry-based and phenotype-based classification criteria were associated with racial attitudes. These results suggest a complicated relationship between conceptions of race and racial attitudes.
Sex-specific developmental plasticity in response to yolk corticosterone in an oviparous lizard
Authors: Uller Tobias , Hollander Johan , Astheimer Lee , Olsson Mats 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYCorticosterone exposure during prenatal development as a result of maternal upregulation of circulating hormone levels has been shown to have effects on offspring development in mammals. Corticosterone has also been documented in egg yolk in oviparous vertebrates, but the extent to which this influences phenotypic development is less studied. We show that maternal corticosterone is transferred to egg yolk in an oviparous lizard (the mallee dragon, Ctenophorus fordi Storr), with significant variation among clutches in hormone levels. Experimental elevation of yolk corticosterone did not affect hatching success, incubation period or offspring sex ratio. However,corticosterone did have a sex-specific effect on skeletal growth during embryonic development. Male embryos exposed to relatively high levels of corticosterone were smaller on average than control males at hatching whereas females from hormone-treated eggs were larger on average than control females. The data thus suggest that males are not just more sensitive to the detrimental effects of corticosterone but rather that the sexes may have opposite responses to corticosterone during development. Positive selection on body size at hatching for both sexes in this species further suggests that increased corticosterone in egg yolk may have sex-specific fitness consequences, with potential implications for sex allocation and the evolution of hormone-mediated maternal effects.
Variability of blowfly head optomotor responses
Authors: Rosner R. , Egelhaaf M. , Grewe J. , Warzecha A. K. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYBehavioural responses of an animal are variable even when the animal experiences the same sensory input several times. This variability can arise from stochastic processes inherent to the nervous system. Also, the internal state of an animal may influence a particular behavioural response. In the present study, we analyse the variability of visually induced head pitch responses of tethered blowflies by high-speed cinematography. We found these optomotor responses to be highly variable in amplitude. Most of the variability can be attributed to two different internal states of the flies with high and low optomotor gain, respectively. Even within a given activity state, there is some variability of head optomotor responses. The amount of this variability differs for the two optomotor gain states. Moreover, these two activity states can be distinguished on a fine timescale and without visual stimulation, on the basis of the occurrence of peculiar head jitter movements. Head jitter goes along with high gain optomotor responses and haltere oscillations. Halteres are evolutionary transformed hindwings that oscillate when blowflies walk or fly. Their main function is to serve as equilibrium organs by detecting Coriolis forces and to mediate gaze stabilisation. However, their basic oscillating activity was also suggested to provide a gain-modulating signal. Our experiments demonstrate that halteres are not necessary for high gain head pitch to occur. Nevertheless, we find the halteres to be responsible for one component of head jitter movements. This component may be the inevitable consequence of their function as equilibrium and gaze-stabilising organs.
Mechanics of generating friction during locomotion on rough and smooth arboreal trackways
Authors: Lammers Andrew R. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARY
Traveling on arboreal substrates is common among most small mammals living anywhere vegetation grows. Because arboreal supports vary considerably in surface texture, animals must be able to adjust their locomotor biomechanics to remain stable on such supports. I examined how gray short-tailed opossums(Monodelphis domestica), which are generalized marsupials living on or near the ground, adjust to travel on rough and smooth 2 cm-diameter arboreal trackways. Limb contact position was determined viahigh-speed videography, and substrate reaction force was measured by an instrumented section of each branch trackway. Normal and shear forces were calculated from substrate reaction force and limb contact position around the branch trackways. Normal force is greater in forelimbs, probably because of the forelimb's greater weight support role. Shear force was identical between limb pairs, most likely because of interactions between vertical force, limb placement, mediolateral force, and torque. The opossums adjusted to the smooth trackway mainly by reducing speed, changing footfall patterns and increasing normal force. I predict that arboreal specialists will show less change in performance between rough and smooth arboreal trackways because of their greater ability to grasp or maintain contact with arboreal substrates.
Synthesis and Properties of Triphenylamine- and 9-Phenylcarbazole-cored Star-shaped Terfluorenes: Understanding the Effect of Molecular Dimensionality
Authors: Lai Wen-Yong , Zhu Xing-Rong , He Qi-Yuan , Huang Wei 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Two star-shaped terfluorenes with either triphenylamine or 9-phenylcarbazole core structure with different dimensionality were synthesized. The optical, thermal, electrochemical, and electroluminescent properties were investigated in comparison with those of the low-dimensional linear counterparts. Strong correlation between the molecular dimensionality and associated optoelectronic properties was demonstrated.
A High-contrast Dichroic Crystal: A New Metal-containing Tecton with Hybrid Coordination- and Hydrogen-bonding Interactions
Authors: Houjou Hirohiko , Kokubun Misako , Yoshikawa Isao , Araki Koji 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
A newly discovered crystalline material showed high-contrast dichroism. The arrangement of the chromophore in the crystal fairly accounts for the angular dependence of the light absorption. This material demonstrates a new application of metal-containing supramolecular architectures to wave optics.
Prevalence of Developmental Coordination Disorder Using the DSM-IV at 7 Years of Age: A UK Population–Based Study
Authors: Lingam Raghu , Hunt Linda , Golding Jean , Jongmans Marian , Emond Alan 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVE. To calculate the prevalence of developmental coordination disorder at 7 years of age by using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria in a large UK birth cohort.METHODS. Cases of developmental coordination disorder were defined by using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a UK birth cohort. The motor coordination of &gt;7000 children was assessed by using tests that measured manual dexterity, ball skills, and balance. The 5th percentile of the derived Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children coordination impairment score was used to define severe motor coordination difficulties. Data from national handwriting tests and an activities-of-daily-living scale quantified the impact of poor coordination on daily life. Children with known neurologic conditions or an IQ of &lt;70 were excluded.RESULTS. Complete data were available from 6990 children aged 7 to 8 years who attended the coordination session and completed the writing test or activities-of-daily-living scale. One hundred twenty-three children met criteria for developmental coordination disorder, resulting in a prevalence of 18 of 1000 children at a mean age of 7.5 years (SD: 2.9 months). An additional 223 children were considered as having “probable developmental coordination disorder” by using broader cut-offs for coordination testing and activities of daily living. There was an increased risk of developmental coordination disorder in families from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, in children with a birth weight of &lt;2500 g, and those born before 37 weeks' gestation.CONCLUSIONS. This is the first study to use strict criteria to define the prevalence of developmental coordination disorder in a representative cohort of UK children. A prevalence of 1.8% is lower than studies that have not taken into account the impact of poor motor coordination on daily living but indicates that poor coordination is an important, and often hidden, cause of disability in childhood.
1,25(OH)2D3 Induced Alterations in Plasma Calcium, Inorganic Phosphate, Ultimobranhial Gland and Parathyroid Gland of the Garden Lizard, Calotes Versicolor
Authors: Srivastava Bhawna , Mishra Diwakar , Srivastav Sunil , Suzuki Nobuo , Srivastav Ajai 
Published: March 2009

1,25(OH)2D3Induced Alterations in Plasma Calcium, Inorganic Phosphate, Ultimobranhial Gland and Parathyroid Gland of the Garden Lizard,Calotes VersicolorGarden lizardsCalotes versicolorwere procured and given daily intraperitoneal injections of 30 pmol of 1,25(OH)2D3/50 g body wt for 30 days. Lizards were sacrificed on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 10th, 15thand 30thday of the experiment. The plasma calcium levels ofC. versicolorremain unaffected after day 1 following 1,25(OH)2D3treatment. After day 3 the levels increase significantly which progresses up to day 10. Thereafter, the plasma calcium level tends to decrease on day 15 and the levels become normal at day 30. In 1,25(OH)2D3injected lizards the plasma inorganic phosphate levels remain unaltered up to day 3. After day 5, the value increases significantly. This increase progresses up to day 15. On day 30, the levels become almost normal. The ultimobranchial gland exhibits hyperactivity following 5 day 1,25(OH)2D3treatment which is expressed by an increase in the nuclear volume and weak staining response of the cytoplasm of ultimobranchial cells. After day 10, the nuclear volume is further increased and some of the cells are exhausted. Following 15 days 1,25(OH)2D3treatment the nuclear volume records an increase and many degenerating cells are discerned. After day 30, the nuclear volume is almost normal, most cells seem to be recovered and only a few degenerating cells are noticed. After day 10 and day 15 following 1,25(OH)2D3treatment, the parathyroid glands ofC. versicolorshow reduced chromaticity of nuclei and a progressive decrease in the nuclear volume of parathyroidal cells. On day 30, the nuclear volume tends to become normal and a few degenerating cells are observed.
Influence of subclinical inflammatory airway disease on equine respiratory function evaluated by impulse oscillometry
Authors: RICHARD E. A. , FORTIER G. D. , DENOIX J.‐M. , ART T. , LEKEUX P. M. , ERCK E. van 
Published: March 2009

SummaryReasons for performing study: Inflammatory airway disease (IAD) is a nonseptic condition of the lower respiratory tract. Its negative impact on respiratory function has previously been described using either forced expiration or forced oscillations techniques. However, sedation or drug‐induced bronchoconstriction were usually required. The impulse oscillometry system (IOS) is a noninvasive and sensitive respiratory function test validated in horses, which could be useful to evaluate IAD‐affected horses without further procedures.Objectives: To determine the sensitivity of IOS in detecting alterations of the respiratory function in subclinically IAD‐affected horses without inducing bronchoprovocation and to characterise their respiratory impedance according to frequency for each respiratory phase.Methods: Pulmonary function was evaluated at rest by IOS in 34 Standardbred trotters. According to the cytology of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), 19 horses were defined as IAD‐affected and 15 horses were used as control (CTL). Total respiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) from 1–20 Hz as well as their inspiratory and expiratory components were compared between groups.Results: A significant increase of Rrs at the lower frequencies (R1–10 Hz) as well as a significant decrease of Xrs beyond 5 Hz (X5–20 Hz) was observed in IAD compared to CTL horses. IOS‐data was also significantly different between inspiration and expiration in IAD‐affected horses. In the whole population, both BALF eosinophil and mast cell counts were significantly correlated with IOS measurements.Conclusions: Functional respiratory impairment may be measured, even in the absence of clinical signs of disease. In IAD‐affected horses, the different parameters of respiratory function (Rrs or Xrs) may vary depending on the inflammatory cell profiles represented in BALF.Potential relevance: Impulse oscillometry could be used in a routine clinical setting as a noninvasive method for early detection of subclinical respiratory disease and of the results of treatment in horses.
Numerical modeling of an avalanche impact against an obstacle with account of snow compressibility
Authors: Kulibaba V.S. , Eglit M.E. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe numerical solution to a time-dependent two-dimensional problem of an avalanche impact against a wall is presented. The height of the wall is much larger than the flow depth. Compressibility of the moving snow as well as the effect of gravity is taken into account. Calculations are made for an impact of low-density avalanches with densities <100 kgm–3 obeying the equation of state for a mixture of two gases (air and gas of ice/snow particles). The pressure, density and velocity distributions in the flow as functions of time and space coordinates are calculated, as well as the variation of the flow depth. In particular, the flow height at the wall, the pressure at the wall and the pressure distribution on the slope near the wall are given, demonstrating peaks and falls due to compression shocks and rarefaction waves.
The connectivity of crystallite agglomerates in low-density firn at Kohnen station, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica
Authors: Freitag J. , Kipfstuhl S. , Faria S.H. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractIn this study, the three-dimensional (3-D) microstructure of polar firn is investigated by means of X-ray microfocus computer tomography (mCT). Basic topological properties including the Euler and coordination numbers are derived from the reconstructed 3-D volume images. It is shown that sample volumes of about 4 cm3 are representative for polar firn in terms of their connectivity. The connectivity function defined as the change of Euler number with structure size is calculated via image-processing routines. It is used to split the ice phase at small bridges into single crystallite agglomerates. The bond-size distributions and the mean size of the agglomerates are estimated. All μCT measurements were carried out on the uppermost 9 m of a shallow firn core (B35) drilled during the 2005/06 field campaign at Kohnen station, Dronning Maud Land (DML), Antarctica. The results are compared with estimates from classical two-dimensional (2-D) surface section observations. The 3-D approach confirms the linear relationship between coordination number and density which hitherto has only been derived from 2-D observations. Layers of buried snow dunes show a stronger connectivity than layers of moderate crystal size and density. The formation of agglomerates made of crystallites is a common feature of polar firn in DML. It is proposed that the growth of agglomerates leads to reduced critical densities for the transition between the densification regime of grain boundary sliding and plastic deformation.
Changing snow cover and the net mass balance of Storglaciären, northern Sweden
Authors: Evans Eleri , Essery Richard , Lucas Richard 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe spatial and temporal variability of seasonal snow cover in glacierized catchments has important implications for the net mass balance of alpine glaciers. This study examines the relationship between changing snowpack volume, the resulting winter balance and the net mass balance of Storglaciären, northern Sweden. Using a conceptual model, the net seasonal snow input to the glacier is simulated daily for 16 years from 1990. From this the annual snow accumulation and winter balance are calculated. The model outputs are compared with snowlines delineated from classified aerial photographs, ASTER and Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite imagery, and with measured Storglaciären winter balances. The results of the model indicate variability in the winter balance over the study period, though there is a slightly negative trend overall. The highest winter balances and seasonal snow volumes occurred in the early 1990s and correspond with positive net mass balances. However, the slightly negative trend in winter balance and decreased net seasonal snow volumes suggested by the model, combined with the measured increasing trend in mass lost due to ablation, have resulted in decreasing glacier net mass balances and a corresponding rise in ELA over the study period.