bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydrogeochemistry and Water Quality Evaluation along the Flow Path in the Unconfined Aquifer of the Düzce Plain, North‐western Turkey
Authors: ÜNSAL Nail , ÇELİK Mehmet 
Published: August 2010

Abstract:The Düzce Plain has a multi‐aquifer system, which consists of a near surface unconfined aquifer, along with first and second deeper confined aquifers. Hydrochemical evolution and water quality are related to infiltration of the precipitation, recharge from the formations surrounding the plain, flow path of groundwater and the relationship between surface and groundwater. The groundwater in the unconfined aquifer flows towards the Efteni Lake and the Büyük Melen River. Surface waters are divided into two main hydrochemical facies in the study area: (a) Ca2+–HCO3−; and (b) Ca2+, Mg2+–HCO3, SO2−4. The groundwater has generally three main hydrochemical facies: (a) Ca2+–HCO−; (b) Ca2+, Mg2+–HCO−3; and (c) Ca2+, Mg2+–HCO−3, CI−. The hydrochemical facies “a” and “b” dominate within shallow depths in recharge areas under rapid flow conditions, while hydrochemical facies “c” characterizes shallow and mixed groundwater, which dominate intermediate or discharge areas (near Efteni Lake and Büyük Melen River) during low flow conditions and agricultural contamination. Calcium and bicarbonate ions, total hardness and electrical conductivity of total dissolved solids (EC‐TDS) values increase along the groundwater flow path; but these parameters remain within the limits specified by the standards set for industrial and agricultural usages.
Exploratory Precipitation in North‐Central China during the Past Four Centuries
Authors: YI Liang , YU Hongjun , XU Xingyong , YAO Jing , SU Qiao , GE Junyi 
Published: August 2010

Abstract:Two robust precipitation reconstructions were conducted by combining tree‐ring chronologies, dryness/wetness indices from historical documents, and climate data from the global grid. It was found that the recurrent drought history of a region can help us understand the variability of precipitation. Several dry/wet periods during the past four centuries and potential cycles of precipitation variation were determined. Furthermore, the reconstructions are not only consistent well with each other in North‐central China, but also in good agreement with variations of precipitation in northeastern Mongolia, the Longxi area in Gangsu Province and the Dulan area of Qinghai Province, and the snow accumulation of the Guliya glacier. These synchronous variations indicate that it is valuable to study various climate records, find common information and determine the driving force of climate change.
Late Cenozoic Geomorphology, Geochronology and Physiography of Yuntaishan in Southern Taihang Mountain, North China
Authors: WU Zhonghai , ZHAO Xitao , MA Yinsheng , ZHAO Xun , ZHAO Ting , YANG Shouzheng , GAO Linzhi 
Published: August 2010

Abstract:The late Cenozoic geomorphic features and geochronologic data of the Zhingfang River catchment in the Yuntaishan World Geopark are studied. Several quarternary geochronologic methods, including electron spin resonance (ESR), optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), thermo‐luminescence (TL) and U‐series are presented in this paper. The results suggest that there are two planation surfaces, named as the Taihang surface which is a peneplain of Taihang stage formed during Oligocene or Oligocene to early‐middle Miocene period, and Tang‐hien surface which is a mature wide valley of Tang‐hien stage formed during late Miocene‐Pliocene or Pliocene‐early Pleistocene period and probably ended prior to 2.2–2.6 Ma based on ESR dating. After the Tang‐hien stage, the incision and aggradation of the river formed six stream terraces with heights of 3–5 m, 8–12 m, 22–24 m, 28–38 m, 50–62 m and 80–85 m above the river bottom, respectively. The dating results of the alluvium sediments suggest that these terraces were formed during Holocene, 20–23 ka B.P., 110–120 ka B.P., 200–240 ka B.P., 840–1200 ka B.P. or ∼450 ka B.P. and 1600–1800 ka B.P. or ∼1100 ka B.P., respectively. These results indicate that episodic incision of the river, which controls the formation of the scenery in the Yuntaishan World Geopark, was mainly influenced by the periodic dry‐wet climate change during late Cenozoic mountain uplift.
Effect of Revaccination Using Different Schemes among Adults with Low or Undetectable Anti-HBs Titers after Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination
Authors: Lin Chao-Shuang , Xie Shi-Bin , Liu Jing , Zhao Zhi-Xin , Chong Yu-Tian , Gao Zhi-Liang 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT

Our objective was to investigate the effect of various reimmunization schemes for hepatitis B in adults with low or undetectable anti-HBs titers. Over 2 years, 10 μg of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
-recombinant hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine (synthesized in China) was used in at least one standardized scheme to immunize 2,310 healthy male and nonpregnant female adults. Of these, 240 subjects tested negative for hepatitis B markers. These 240 subjects were equally divided into 4 groups. The first group, designated Engerix-40, was revaccinated with 40 μg Engerix-B; the second, Engerix-20, was revaccinated with 20 μg Engerix-B; the third, Chinese-20, was revaccinated with 20 μg Chinese-made yeast-recombinant vaccine; and the last group, Chinese-10, was revaccinated with 10 μg Chinese-made yeast-recombinant vaccine. Blood samples were collected before and 1, 2, 8, and 12 months after the first injection. The anti-HBs-positive conversion rates of the Engerix-40, Engerix-20, and Chinese-20 groups were higher than that of the Chinese-10 group (
P
< 0.01). Over time, the anti-HBs conversion rate increased in all groups, but values were significantly different from those for the other groups only in the Chinese-10 group (
P
< 0.001). The anti-HBs geometric mean titers (GMTs) of the Engerix-40, Engerix-20, and Chinese-20 groups were higher than in the Chinese-10 group (
P
< 0.05). Increased doses raise and maintain anti-HBs titers in subjects with low or undetectable titers after HBV vaccination.
Identification ofMycobacterium tuberculosisAntigens of High Serodiagnostic Value
Authors: Ireton Gregory C. , Greenwald Rena , Liang Hong , Esfandiari Javan , Lyashchenko Konstantin P. , Reed Steven G. 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTTuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused byMycobacterium tuberculosis, with several million new cases detected each year. Current methods of diagnosis are time-consuming and/or expensive or have a low level of accuracy. Therefore, new diagnostics are urgently needed to address the global tuberculosis burden and to improve control programs. Serological assays remain attractive for use in resource-limited settings because they are simple, rapid, and inexpensive and offer the possibility of detecting cases often missed by routine sputum smear microscopy. The aim of this study was to identifyM. tuberculosisseroreactive antigens from a panel of 103 recombinant proteins selected as diagnostic candidates. Initial library screening by protein array analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) identified 42 antigens with serodiagnostic potential. Among these, 25 were novel proteins. The reactive antigens demonstrated various individual sensitivities, ranging from 12% to 78% (specificities, 76 to 100%). When the antigens were analyzed in combinations, up to 93% of antibody responders could be identified among the TB patients. Selected seroreactive proteins were used to design 3 new polyepitope fusion proteins. Characterization of these antigens by multiantigen print immunoassay (MAPIA) revealed that the vast majority of the TB patients (90%) produced antibody responses. The results confirmed that due to the remarkable variation in immune recognition patterns, an optimal multiantigen cocktail should be designed to cover the heterogeneity of antibody responses and thus achieve the highest possible test sensitivity.
Characterization ofErysipelothrixSpecies Isolates from Clinically Affected Pigs, Environmental Samples, and Vaccine Strains from Six Recent Swine Erysipelas Outbreaks in the United States
Authors: Bender J. S. , Shen H. G. , Irwin C. K. , Schwartz K. J. , Opriessnig T. 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to characterizeErysipelothrixsp. isolates from clinically affected pigs and their environment and compare them to theErysipelothrixsp. vaccines used at the sites. Samples were collected during swine erysipelas outbreaks in vaccinated pigs in six Midwest United States swine operations from 2007 to 2009. Pig tissue samples were collected from 1 to 3 pigs from each site. Environmental samples (manure, feed, central-line water, oral fluids, and swabs collected from walls, feed lines, air inlets, exhaust fans, and nipple drinkers) and live vaccine samples were collected following the isolation ofErysipelothrixspp. from clinically affected pigs. AllErysipelothrixsp. isolates obtained were further characterized by serotyping. Selected isolates were further characterized by PCR assays for genotype (E. rhusiopathiae,E. tonsillarum,Erysipelothrixsp. strain 1, andErysipelothrixsp. strain 2) and surface protective antigen (spa) type (A, B1, B2, and C). All 26 isolates obtained from affected pigs wereE. rhusiopathiae, specifically, serotypes 1a, 1b, 2, and 21. From environmental samples, 56 isolates were obtained and 52/56 wereE. rhusiopathiae(serotypes 1a, 1b, 2, 6, 9, 12, and 21), 3/56 wereErysipelothrixsp. strain 1 (serotypes 13 and untypeable), and one was a novel species designatedErysipelothrixsp. strain 3 (serotype untypeable). Four of six vaccines used at the sites were commercially available products and contained liveE. rhusiopathiaeserotype 1a. Of the remaining two vaccines, one was an autogenous live vaccine and contained liveE. rhusiopathiaeserotype 2 and one was a commercially produced inactivated vaccine and was described by the manufacturer to contain serotype 2 antigen. AllE. rhusiopathiaeisolates were positive forspaA. AllErysipelothrixsp. strain 1 isolates and the novelErysipelothrixsp. strain 3 isolate were negative for all currently knownspatypes (A, B1, B2, and C). These results indicate thatErysipelothrixspp. can be isolated from the environment of clinically affected pigs; however, the identified serotypes in pigs differ from those in the environment at the selected sites. At one of the six affected sites, the vaccine strain and the isolates from clinically affected pigs were of homologous serotype; however, vaccinal and clinical isolates were of heterologous serotype at the remaining five sites, suggesting that reevaluation of vaccine efficacy using recent field strains may be warranted.
Multiplex Blood PCR in Combination with Blood Cultures for Improvement of Microbiological Documentation of Infection in Febrile Neutropenia
Authors: Lamoth F. , Jaton K. , Prod'hom G. , Senn L. , Bille J. , Calandra T. , Marchetti O. 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT

The frequent lack of microbiological documentation of infection by blood cultures (BC) has a major impact on clinical management of febrile neutropenic patients, especially in cases of unexplained persistent fever. We assessed the diagnostic utility of the LightCycler SeptiFast test (SF), a multiplex blood PCR, in febrile neutropenia. Blood for BC and SF was drawn at the onset of fever and every 3 days of persistent fever. SF results were compared with those of BC, clinical documentation of infection, and standard clinical, radiological, and microbiological criteria for invasive fungal infections (IFI). A total of 141 febrile neutropenic episodes in 86 hematological patients were studied: 44 (31%) microbiologically and 49 (35%) clinically documented infections and 48 (34%) unexplained fevers. At the onset of fever, BC detected 44 microorganisms in 35/141 (25%) episodes. Together, BC and SF identified 78 microorganisms in 61/141 (43%) episodes (
P
= 0.002 versus BC or SF alone): 12 were detected by BC and SF, 32 by BC only, and 34 by SF only. In 19/52 (37%) episodes of persistent fever, SF detected 28 new microorganisms (7 Gram-positive bacterial species, 15 Gram-negative bacterial species, and 6 fungal species [89% with a clinically documented site of infection]) whereas BC detected only 4 pathogens (8%) (
P
= 0.001). While BC did not detect fungi, SF identified 5
Candida
spp. and 1
Aspergillus
sp. in 5/7 probable or possible cases of IFI. Using SeptiFast PCR combined with blood cultures improves microbiological documentation in febrile neutropenia, especially when fever persists and invasive fungal infection is suspected. Technical adjustments may enhance the efficiency of this new molecular tool in this specific setting.
Electronic-Nose Technology Using Sputum Samples in Diagnosis of Patients with Tuberculosis
Authors: Kolk Arend , Hoelscher Michael , Maboko Leonard , Jung Jutta , Kuijper Sjoukje , Cauchi Michael , Bessant Conrad , van Beers Stella , Dutta Ritaban , Gibson Tim , Reither Klaus 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT

We investigated the potential of two different electronic noses (EN; code named “Rob” and “Walter”) to differentiate between sputum headspace samples from tuberculosis (TB) patients and non-TB patients. Only samples from Ziehl-Neelsen stain (ZN)- and
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
culture-positive (TBPOS) sputum samples and ZN- and culture-negative (TBNEG) samples were used for headspace analysis; with EN Rob, we used 284 samples from TB suspects (56 TBPOS and 228 TBNEG samples), and with EN Walter, we used 323 samples from TB suspects (80 TBPOS and 243 TBNEG samples). The best results were obtained using advanced data extraction and linear discriminant function analysis, resulting in a sensitivity of 68%, a specificity of 69%, and an accuracy of 69% for EN Rob; for EN Walter, the results were 75%, 67%, and 69%, respectively. Further research is still required to improve the sensitivity and specificity by choosing more selective sensors and type of sampling technique.
Critical Stages of Extracting DNA from
Aspergillus fumigatus
in Whole-Blood Specimens
Authors: White P. Lewis , Perry Michael D. , Loeffler Juergen , Melchers Willem , Klingspor Lena , Bretagne Stephane , McCulloch Elaine , Cuenca-Estrella Manuel , Finnstrom Niklas , Donnelly J. Peter , Barnes Rosemary A. 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT

A standardized protocol for extracting DNA from
Aspergillus fumigatus
has been proposed by the European
Aspergillus
PCR Initiative (EAPCRI). Using meta-regression analysis, the EAPCRI showed certain stages of the process to be critical to providing a satisfactory analytical sensitivity. The study investigated each step of the EAPCRI protocol by elimination and monitored the influence on
Aspergillus
PCR performance.
Apoptosis of Hepatitis B Virus-Infected Hepatocytes Prevents Release of Infectious Virus
Authors: Arzberger Silke , Hösel Marianna , Protzer Ulrike 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT
Apoptosis of infected cells is critically involved in antiviral defense. Apoptosis, however, may also support the release and spread of viruses. Although the elimination of infected hepatocytes is required to combat hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, it is still unknown which consequences hepatocyte apoptosis has for the virus and whether or not it is advantageous to the virus. To study this, we designed a cell culture model consisting of both HBV-producing cell lines and primary human hepatocytes serving as an infection model. We showed that the release of mature, enveloped virions was 80% to 90% reduced 24 h after the induction of apoptosis in HBV-replicating hepatoma cells or HBV-infected hepatocytes. Importantly, HBV particles released from apoptotic hepatocytes were immature and nonenveloped and proved not to be infectious. We found an inverse correlation between the strength of an apoptotic stimulus and the infectivity of the virus particles released: the more potent the apoptotic stimulus, the higher the ratio of nonenveloped capsids to virions and the lower their infectivity. Furthermore, we demonstrated that HBV replication and, particularly, the expression of the HBx protein transcribed from the viral genome during replication do not sensitize cells to apoptosis. Our data clearly reject the hypothesis that the apoptosis of infected hepatocytes facilitates the propagation of HBV. Rather, these data indicate that HBV needs to prevent the apoptosis of its host hepatocyte to ensure the release of infectious progeny and, thus, virus spread in the liver.
Murine Cytomegalovirus Perturbs Endosomal Trafficking of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Molecules in the Early Phase of Infection
Authors: Tomaš Maja Ilić , Kučić Natalia , Mahmutefendić Hana , Blagojević Gordana , Lučin Pero 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT
Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) functions interfere with protein trafficking in the secretory pathway. In this report we used Δm138-MCMV, a recombinant virus with a deleted viral Fc receptor, to demonstrate that MCMV also perturbs endosomal trafficking in the early phase of infection. This perturbation had a striking impact on cell surface-resident major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules due to the complementary effect of MCMV immunoevasins, which block their egress from the secretory pathway. In infected cells, constitutively endocytosed cell surface-resident MHC-I molecules were arrested and retained in early endosomal antigen 1 (EEA1)-positive and lysobisphosphatidic acid (LBPA)-negative perinuclear endosomes together with clathrin-dependent cargo (transferrin receptor, Lamp1, and epidermal growth factor receptor). Their progression from these endosomes into recycling and degradative routes was inhibited. This arrest was associated with a reduction of the intracellular content of Rab7 and Rab11, small GTPases that are essential for the maturation of recycling and endolysosomal domains of early endosomes. The reduced recycling of MHC-I in Δm138-MCMV-infected cells was accompanied by their accelerated loss from the cell surface. The MCMV function that affects cell surface-resident MHC-I was activated in later stages of the early phase of viral replication, after the expression of known immunoevasins. MCMV without the three immunoevasins (the m04, m06, and m152 proteins) encoded a function that affects endosomal trafficking. This function, however, was not sufficient to reduce the cell surface expression of MHC-I in the absence of the transport block in the secretory pathway.
The F Gene of the Osaka-2 Strain of Measles Virus Derived from a Case of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis Is a Major Determinant of Neurovirulence
Authors: Ayata Minoru , Takeuchi Kaoru , Takeda Makoto , Ohgimoto Shinji , Kato Seiichi , Sharma Luna Bhatta , Tanaka Miyuu , Kuwamura Mitsuru , Ishida Hiroshi , Ogura Hisashi 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTMeasles virus (MV) is the causative agent for acute measles and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). Although numerous mutations have been found in the MV genome of SSPE strains, the mutations responsible for the neurovirulence have not been determined. We previously reported that the SSPE Osaka-2 strain but not the wild-type strains of MV induced acute encephalopathy when they were inoculated intracerebrally into 3-week-old hamsters. The recombinant MV system was adapted for the current study to identify the gene(s) responsible for neurovirulence in our hamster model. Recombinant viruses that contained envelope-associated genes from the Osaka-2 strain were generated on the IC323 wild-type MV background. The recombinant virus containing the M gene alone did not induce neurological disease, whereas the H gene partially contributed to neurovirulence. In sharp contrast, the recombinant virus containing the F gene alone induced lethal encephalopathy. This phenotype was related to the ability of the F protein to induce syncytium formation in Vero cells. Further study indicated that a single T461I substitution in the F protein was sufficient to transform the nonneuropathogenic wild-type MV into a lethal virus for hamsters.
Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 1 Hijacks the Host Kinase CK2 To Disrupt PML Nuclear Bodies
Authors: Sivachandran Nirojini , Cao Jennifer Yinuo , Frappier Lori 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT
Latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is an important causative factor in the development of several cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The one EBV protein expressed in the nucleus of NPC cells, EBNA1, has been shown to disrupt promyelocitic leukemia (PML) nuclear bodies (NBs) by inducing the degradation of PML proteins, leading to impaired DNA repair and increased cell survival. Although EBNA1-mediated PML disruption is likely to be an important factor in the development of NPC, little is known about its mechanism. We now show that an interaction between EBNA1 and the host CK2 kinase is crucial for EBNA1 to disrupt PML bodies and degrade PML proteins. EBNA1 increases the association of CK2 with PML proteins, thereby increasing the phosphorylation of PML proteins by CK2, a modification that is known to trigger the polyubiquitylation and degradation of PML. The interaction between EBNA1 and CK2 is direct and occurs through the β regulatory subunit of CK2 and EBNA1 amino acids 387 to 394. The binding of EBNA1 to the host ubiquitin specific protease USP7 has also been shown to be important for EBNA1-mediated PML disruption. We show that EBNA1 also increases the occupancy of USP7 at PML NBs and that CK2 and USP7 bind independently and simultaneously to EBNA1 to form a ternary complex. The combined results indicate that EBNA1 usurps two independent cellular pathways to trigger the loss of PML NBs.
Dissociation of Paramyxovirus Interferon Evasion Activities: Universal and Virus-Specific Requirements for Conserved V Protein Amino Acids in MDA5 Interference
Authors: Ramachandran Aparna , Horvath Curt M. 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT

The V protein of the paramyxovirus subfamily
Paramyxovirinae
is an important virulence factor that can interfere with host innate immunity by inactivating the cytosolic pathogen recognition receptor MDA5. This interference is a result of a protein-protein interaction between the highly conserved carboxyl-terminal domain of the V protein and the helicase domain of MDA5. The V protein C-terminal domain (CTD) is an evolutionarily conserved 49- to 68-amino-acid region that coordinates two zinc atoms per protein chain. Site-directed mutagenesis of conserved residues in the V protein CTD has revealed both universal and virus-specific requirements for zinc coordination in MDA5 engagement and has also identified other conserved residues as critical for MDA5 interaction and interference. Mutation of these residues produces V proteins that are specifically defective for MDA5 interference and not impaired in targeting STAT1 for proteasomal degradation via the VDC ubiquitin ligase complex. Results demonstrate that mutation of conserved charged residues in the V proteins of Nipah virus, measles virus, and mumps virus also abolishes MDA5 interaction. These findings clearly define molecular determinants for MDA5 inhibition by the paramyxovirus V proteins.