bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patterns and Processes of Tree Islands in Two Transitional Environments: Alpine Treeline and Bog Forest‐Meadow Ecotones
Authors: Resler Lynn M. , Stine Melanie B. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractClusters of trees surrounded by a dissimilar type of vegetation are known as ‘tree islands’. Vegetation patterns at ecotones are often comprised of tree islands. Many studies, primarily from ecology and botany, have helped researchers understand tree islands from an ecological perspective. However, a look at tree islands in the context of pattern–process relationships helps to frame these important landscape features within a geographic perspective. At alpine treelines and bog forest‐meadow ecotones, tree islands are distinctive, finite, close to the environmental limits of trees, and relatively easy to observe. Therefore, they are interesting features with which to examine the effects of broader environmental change, and internal dynamics, such as positive plant interactions. In this article, we first broadly describe tree island patterns and their growth forms at the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area in West Virginia, and at alpine treelines of the North American Rocky Mountains. Internal and external factors that affect tree island distributions are then discussed. Finally, we examine how the fundamental similarities and contrasts between tree islands at treelines and bogs increase our understanding of broader environmental change, controls, and constraints.
Biophysical Remote Sensing and Climate Data in Famine Early Warning Systems
Authors: Brown Molly E. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractFamine early warning systems use remote sensing in combination with socioeconomic and household food economy analysis to provide timely and rigorous information on emerging food security crises. The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) is the US Agency for International Development's decision support system in 20 African countries, as well as in Guatemala, Haiti and Afghanistan. FEWS NET provides early and actionable policy guidance for the US government and its humanitarian aid partners. As we move into an era of climate change where weather hazards will become more frequent and severe, understanding how to provide quantitative and actionable scientific information for policy‐makers using biophysical data is critical for an appropriate and effective response.
Periplogenin‐3‐O‐ ‐D‐Glucopyranosyl ‐(1→6)‐ ‐D‐Glucopyaranosyl‐ ‐(1→4) ‐D‐Cymaropyranoside, Isolated from Aegle marmelos Protects Doxorubicin Induced Cardiovascular Problems and Hepatotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Panda Sunanda , Kar Anand 
Published: May 2009

Doxorubicin is a common chemotherapeutic anticancer drug. Its use is associated with adverse effects including cardiotoxicity. Several therapeutics interventions have been attempted to reduce the toxicity and to improve the efficacy of the drug. However, on phytochemicals very few investigations have been made. In the present study we have evaluated the potential of a cardenolide, periplogenin, isolated from the leaves of Aegle marmelos in protecting the doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in rats.Doxorubicin induced cardiac and hepatotoxicity were characterized by marked biochemical changes including an increase in serum creatine kinase–MB (CK–MB), glutamate‐pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), and tissue LPO, with a decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH). It also increased the levels of different serum lipids, but decreased the amount of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL). Cotherapy of the test cardenolide and doxorubicin for 4 weeks reversed all these adverse effects. However, out of three different concentrations (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg p.o.) of the test periplogenin, 25 mg/kg appeared to be most effective. When its efficacy was compared with that of vitamin E (α‐tocopherol) the isolated compound exhibited a better therapeutic potential.The isolated periplogenin from the leaves of A. marmelos could potentially inhibit doxorubicin‐induced cardiovascular problems in rats. However, its moderate dose was found to be most effective.
The Socio‐Political Dynamics of the October Events1
Authors: Breton Raymond 
Published: May 2009

L'analyse consiste à situer les événements d'octobre dans le contexte du changement qui s'est déroulé dans l'ensemble de la société, surtout en autant que ce changement comportait une nouvelle repartition du pouvoir et de l'influence dans divers secteurs institutionnels ou des tentatives dans ce sens. Le FLQ était un des groupes engagés dans ce processus et s'est distingué par les tactiques et les moyens utilisés. L'étude propose quelques explications du recours à la violence par le FLQ. Les enlèvements de M. Cross et de M. Laporte sont devenus un événement politique important pour des raisons qui vont au‐delà du fait qu'ils etaient des personnages politiques. Il s'agissait d'une situation non définie que divers groupes engagés dans le changement du partage du pouvoir ont tenté de structurer à leur avantage. L'étude se termine par un examen de quelques questions ayant trait à la fonction d'autorité dans de telles circonstances.The events of October 1970 are examined in the light of the change taking place in the society at large, particularly as this change involves the redistribution and attempts at the redistribution of power and influence in various institutional domains. The FLQ is seen as one of the various groups involved in this process, although through the use of unconventional tactics and means. Some of the reasons for the use of violent means by the FLQ are suggested. The reasons why the kidnapping of Mr Cross and of Mr Laporte became a major political event, other than the fact that these men were political figures, are explored using the notion that the events brought about an undefined situation that a number of groups involved in the redistribution of power attempted to structure to their advantage. Finally, a number of questions concerning the exercise of authority in such circumstances are discussed.
Some Effects of the Introduction of a Policy of Bilingualism in the Polyglot Community of Sudbury*
Authors: Havel J. E. 
Published: May 2009

Un sondage parmi les élèves de 4e et de 9e des écoles de Sudbury montre que la politique de bilinguisme des gouvernements du Canada et de l'Ontario a donné confiance aux Franco‐Ontariens quant à l'avenir de leur langue au pays: des parents qui, dix ans plus tôt, auraient envoye leurs enfants dans des écoles anglaises, les envoient aujourd'hui dans des écoles françaises; le français se parle d'avantage à la maison. L'anglais cependant continue à prévaloir, mais son rôle se modifie. Pour les uns, il devient l'une des deux langues officielles; pour tous, il demeure la lingua franca. Les gens de troisième langue ont de nouveaux espoirs pour la survie de leurs cultures. L'idée du creuset recule.A survey of grades 4 and 9 school children in Sudbury shows that the bilingual policy of the governments of Canada and Ontario has inspired optimism among French‐Ontarians concerning the future of their language in this country. Parents, who ten years ago would have sent their children to English schools, now send them to French schools; French is spoken more often in the home. English remains predominant, but its role is changing. For some, it remains one of the two official languages; for everyone, it remains the lingua franca. Third language people have new hopes for the maintenance of their cultures. The idea of a melting pot is fading away.
Analyse diachronique d'un conseil traditionnel (Colombie)*
Authors: Escobar Maria Elvira 
Published: May 2009

This paper is concerned with the role of the traditional council of authorities (cabildo) in a Columbian community of Indian origin. It is shown that its evolution reflects that of the community, since the cabildo has always been essentially an interaction mechanism between the community and the external society, more than the head of an autonomous body. Moreover, this mechanism has mostly been a tool, in the hands of the colonial and, later, national upper class, for manipulating the Indians.The institution was first imposed upon the Indians to ensure their political submission to and economic integration into colonial capitalistic society. In Columbia, this leads to a relatively rapid acculturation of the Indians. During the Republic, a major change occurred when the national economy ceased to rest upon a tributary exploitation of the Indians: landlord/tenant relationships made local community structures useless. Many managed to survive, though, when they were able to keep a certain amount of land on which their members could lead an independent life. The community under study was among these, although its lands were drastically reduced (the better parts being grabbed by adjacent landowners). The local authorities, left without any power to stop these abuses, saw their roles confined to the solution of internal petty disputes. From 1920 on, the further integration of the community in the national economy, through intensive cash‐cropping, has gradually made even this reduced role redundant.The author believes that in the study of peasant political systems, a diachronic study of the interrelationships between the economic and the political level is necessary if the understanding is to be complete.
Major Species-Specific Antibody Epitopes of the
Ehrlichia chaffeensis
p120 and
E. canis
p140 Orthologs in Surface-Exposed Tandem Repeat Regions
Authors: Luo Tian , Zhang Xiaofeng , McBride Jere W. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

Ehrlichia chaffeensis
and
E. canis
have a small subset of tandem repeat (TR)-containing protein orthologs, including p120/p140, which elicit strong antibody responses. The TR regions of these protein orthologs are immunoreactive, but the molecular characteristics of the p120/p140 epitopes have not been determined. In this study, the immunodeterminants of the
E. chaffeensis
p120 and
E. canis
p140 were identified and molecularly defined. Major antibody epitope-containing regions of both p120 and p140 were localized to the TR regions, which reacted strongly by Western immunoblotting with antibodies in sera from
E. chaffeensis
-infected dogs or patients and
E. canis-
infected dogs, respectively. Single continuous species-specific major epitopes within the
E. chaffeensis
p120 and
E. canis
p140 TRs were mapped to homologous surface-exposed glutamate/aspartate-rich regions (19 to 22 amino acids). In addition, minor cross-reactive epitopes were localized to homologous N- and C-terminal regions of p120 and p140. Furthermore, although the native and recombinant p120 and p140 proteins exhibited higher-than-predicted molecular masses, posttranslational modifications were not present on abnormally migrating p120 and p140 TR recombinant proteins as determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry.
Neutralization of Interleukin-10 from CD14+Monocytes Enhances Gamma Interferon Production in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells fromMycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis-Infected Goats
Authors: Lybeck Kari R. , Storset Anne K. , Olsen Ingrid 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTThe gamma interferon assay is used to identifyMycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis-infected animals. It has been suggested that regulatory mechanisms could influence the sensitivity of the test when it is performed with cells from cattle and that the neutralization of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in vitro would increase the gamma interferon responses. To investigate the regulatory mechanisms affecting the gamma interferon assay with cells from goats, blood was collected fromM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis-infected,M. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis-exposed, and noninfected goats. Neutralization of IL-10 by a monoclonal antibody resulted in increased levels of gamma interferon production inM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosispurified protein derivative (PPDj)-stimulated samples from both infected and exposed goats. However, the levels of gamma interferon release were also increased in unstimulated cells and in PPDj-stimulated cells from some noninfected animals following neutralization. Depletion of putative regulatory CD25highT cells had no clear effect on the number of gamma-interferon-producing cells. The IL-10-producing cells were identified to be mainly CD14+major histocompatibility complex class II-positive monocytes in both PPDj-stimulated and control cultures and not regulatory T cells. However, possible regulatory CD4+CD25+T cells produced IL-10 in response to concanavalin A stimulation. The numbers of CD4+, CD8+, and CD8+γδT-cell receptor-positive cells producing gamma interferon increased following IL-10 neutralization. These results provide insight into the source and the role of IL-10 in gamma interferon assays with cells from goats and suggest that IL-10 from monocytes can regulate both innate and adaptive gamma interferon production from several cell types. Although IL-10 neutralization increased the sensitivity of the gamma interferon assay, the specificity of the test could be compromised.
Recombinant Antigen Targets for Serodiagnosis of African Swine Fever
Authors: Gallardo Carmina , Reis Ana Luísa , Kalema-Zikusoka Gladys , Malta Joana , Soler Alejandro , Blanco Esther , Parkhouse R. M. E. , Leitão Alexandre 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTAfrican swine fever (ASF) is an infectious and economically important disease of domestic pigs. There is no vaccine, and so reliable diagnosis is essential for control strategies. The performance of four recombinant ASF virus (ASFV) protein (pK205R, pB602L, p104R, and p54)-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) was evaluated with European porcine field sera that had been established by Office International des Epizooties (OIE)-approved tests to be ASFV negative (n= 119) and ASFV positive (n= 80). The κ values showed that there was almost perfect agreement between the results of the “gold standard” test (immunoblotting) and the results obtained by the p54-specific ELISA (κ = 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90 to 0.99) and the pK205R-specific ELISA or the pB602L-specific ELISA (κ = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.86 to 0.97). For the pA104R-specific ELISA, there was substantial to almost perfect agreement (κ = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.89). Similar results were observed by the OIE-approved ELISA (κ = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82 to 0.95). Importantly, antibodies against these proteins were detectable early after infection of domestic pigs. Preliminary testing of 9 positive and 17 negative serum samples from pigs from West Africa showed identical results by the recombinant protein-based ELISA and the OIE-approved tests. In contrast, there was a high degree of specificity but a surprisingly a low level of sensitivity with 7 positive and 342 negative serum samples from pigs from East Africa. With poorly preserved sera, only the p104R-specific ELISA showed a significant reduction in sensitivity compared to that of the OIE-approved ELISA. Finally, these recombinant proteins also detected antibodies in the sera of the majority of infected warthogs. Thus, recombinant ASFV proteins p54, pB602L, and pK205R provide sensitive and specific targets for the detection of antibodies in European and West African domestic pigs and warthogs.
Accuracy of Commercial and Reference Susceptibility Testing Methods for Detecting Vancomycin-Intermediate
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Swenson Jana M. , Anderson Karen F. , Lonsway David R. , Thompson Angela , McAllister Sigrid K. , Limbago Brandi M. , Carey Roberta B. , Tenover Fred C. , Patel Jean B. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

We compared the results obtained with six commercial MIC test systems (Etest, MicroScan, Phoenix, Sensititre, Vitek Legacy, and Vitek 2 systems) and three reference methods (agar dilution, disk diffusion, and vancomycin [VA] agar screen [VScr]) with the results obtained by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution (BMD) reference method for the detection of VA-intermediate
Staphylococcus aureus
(VISA). A total of 129
S. aureus
isolates (VA MICs by previous BMD tests, ≤1 μg/ml [
n
= 60 strains], 2 μg/ml [
n
= 24], 4 μg/ml [
n
= 36], or 8 μg/ml [
n
= 9]) were selected from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strain collection. The results of BMD with Difco Mueller-Hinton broth were used as the standard for data analysis. Essential agreement (percent ±1 dilution) ranged from 98 to 100% for all methods except the method with the Vitek Legacy system, for which it was 90.6%. Of the six commercial MIC systems tested, the Sensititre, Vitek Legacy, and Vitek 2 systems tended to categorize VISA strains as susceptible (i.e., they undercalled resistance); the MicroScan and Phoenix systems and Etest tended to categorize susceptible strains as VISA; and the Vitek Legacy system tended to categorize VISA strains as resistant (i.e., it overcalled resistance). Disk diffusion categorized all VISA strains as susceptible. No susceptible strains (MICs ≤ 2 μg/ml) grew on the VScr, but all strains for which the VA MICs were 8 μg/ml grew on the VScr. Only 12 (33.3%) strains for which the VA MICs were 4 μg/ml grew on VScr. The differentiation of isolates for which the VA MICs were 2 or 4 μg/ml was difficult for most systems and methods, including the reference methods.
Evaluation of the Oxoid Xpect Legionella Test Kit for Detection of
Legionella pneumophila
Serogroup 1 Antigen in Urine
Authors: Diederen B. M. W. , Bruin J. P. , Scopes E. , Peeters M. F. , IJzerman E. P. F. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

We evaluated a new immunochromatographic assay (Oxoid Xpect Legionella test kit) for the ability to detect
Legionella pneumophila
serogroup 1 antigen in urine. The results were compared with those obtained with the Binax NOW urinary antigen test by following the manufacturers’ instructions. The sensitivities and specificities were estimated to be 89 and 100%, respectively, for the Oxoid Xpect Legionella test kit and 86 and 100%, respectively, for the Binax NOW test.
Life-Threatening Infection Caused by Daptomycin-Resistant
Corynebacterium jeikeium
in a Neutropenic Patient
Authors: Schoen Christoph , Unzicker Christian , Stuhler Gernot , Elias Johannes , Einsele Hermann , Grigoleit Götz Ulrich , Abele-Horn Marianne , Mielke Stephan 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

Daptomycin is a novel lipopeptide antibiotic agent approved for the treatment of gram-positive life-threatening infections. Here we report, for the first time, the isolation of a highly daptomycin-resistant strain of
Corynebacterium jeikeium
causing a life-threatening infection in a neutropenic patient undergoing cord blood transplantation for secondary acute myeloid leukemia.
Overestimation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Load Caused by the Presence of Cells in Plasma from Plasma Preparation Tubes
Authors: Kran Anne-Marte Bakken , Jonassen Tom Øystein , Sannes Mette , Jakobsen Kirsti , Lind Andreas , Mæland Arild , Holberg-Petersen Mona 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT
The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) load is an important marker of disease progression and treatment efficacy in patients with HIV-1 infection. In recent years, an increase in the number of samples with detectable HIV-1 RNA has been reported among patients with previously suppressed viral loads, affecting clinical patient care and leading to repeat measurements of viral load and drug resistance. This rise seems to have coincided with the increased use of plasma preparation tubes (PPTs) for sample collection, and we have aimed to explain why PPTs might yield elevated HIV-1 RNA levels. The impacts of different sample-processing procedures on HIV-1 RNA levels were compared retrospectively. Prospectively, the presence of different cells and cell-associated HIV-1 nucleic acids in paired plasma samples from PPTs centrifuged before (PPT1) and after (PPT2) transportation to the laboratory was compared. A retrospective analysis of 4,049 patient samples with <1,000 HIV-1 RNA copies/ml showed elevated HIV-1 RNA levels in plasma from PPT1 compared with the levels from PPT2 and standard EDTA-containing tubes. Prospective data revealed cell-associated HIV-1 nucleic acids and abundant blood cells in plasma from PPT1 but not from the corresponding PPT2. The levels of HIV-1 RNA correlated with the lymphocyte counts in plasma in PPT1. Cells could be removed by the recentrifugation of PPT1 before analysis. In conclusion, the transportation of PPTs after centrifugation may render cells in the plasma fraction containing cell-associated HIV-1 nucleic acids that contribute significantly to the HIV-1 RNA copy numbers in patients with low viral loads.
Evaluation of the Abbott
m
2000 RealTi
m
e Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Assay for HIV Load Monitoring in South Africa Compared to the Roche Cobas AmpliPrep-Cobas Amplicor, Roche Cobas AmpliPrep-Cobas TaqMan HIV-1, and BioMerieux NucliSENS EasyQ HIV-1 Assays
Authors: Scott Lesley E. , Noble Lara D. , Moloi Jackie , Erasmus Linda , Venter Willem D. F. , Stevens Wendy 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

The implementation of antiretroviral therapy demands the need for increased access to viral load (VL) monitoring. Newer real-time VL testing technologies are faster and have larger dynamic ranges and fully automated extraction to benefit higher throughputs in resource-poor environments. The Abbott RealTi
m
e human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) assay was evaluated as a new option for testing for HIV-1 subtype C in South Africa, and its performance was compared to the performance of existing assays (the Cobas AmpliPrep-Cobas TaqMan HIV-1, version 1, assay; the AmpliPrep-Cobas Monitor standard HIV-1 assay; and the NucliSENS EasyQ-EasyMag HIV-1 assay) in a high-throughput laboratory. The total precision of the RealTi
m
e HIV-1 assay was acceptable over all viral load ranges. This assay compared most favorably with the Cobas AmpliPrep-Cobas TaqMan HIV-1 assay (
R
2
= 0.904), with a low standard deviation of difference being detected (0.323 copies/ml). The bias against comparator assays ranged from −0.001 copies/ml to −0.228 copies/ml. Variability in the reporting of VLs for a 20-member subtype panel compared to the variability of other assays was noted with subtypes G and CRF02-AG. The RealTi
m
e HIV-1 assay can test 93 samples per day with minimal manual preparation, less staff, and the minimization of contamination through automation. This assay is suitable for HIV-1 subtype C VL quantification in South Africa.
Immediate Appearance of Plasmid-Mediated Resistance to Multiple Antibiotics upon Antibiotic Selection: an Argument for Systematic Resistance Epidemiology
Authors: van Hal Sebastiaan J. , Wiklendt Agnieszka , Espedido Björn , Ginn Andrew , Iredell Jonathan R. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

We describe a conjugative plasmid appearing in a bacteremic clone of
Escherichia coli
immediately upon exposure to the antibiotics for which it encoded resistance. Effective antibiotic choice was made possible by prior screening for this plasmid. Surveillance for transmissible resistance plasmids may be clinically important.