bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Friction Factor Directly From Transitional Roughness in a Turbulent Pipe Flow
Authors: Afzal Noor 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe friction factor data from transitional rough test pipes, from the measurements of Sletfjerding and Gudmundsson (2003, “Friction Factor Directly From Roughness Measurements,” J. Energy Resour. Technol. 125, pp. 126–130), have been analyzed in terms of directly measurable roughness parameters, Ra the arithmetic mean roughness, RZ the mean peak to valley heights roughness, Rq the root mean square (rms) roughness, and Rq∕H rms textured roughness (H, the Hurst exponent is a texture parameter), in addition to h the equivalent sand grain roughness. The proposed friction factor λ, in terms of new scaling parameter, viz., the roughness Reynolds number Reϕ=Re∕ϕ (where ϕ is a nondimensional roughness scale), is a universal relation for all kinds of surface roughness. This means that Prandtl’s smooth pipe friction factor relation would suffice provided that the traditional Reynolds number Re is replaced by the roughness Reynolds number Reϕ. This universality is very well supported by the extensive rough pipe data of Sletfjerding and Gudmundsson, Shockling’s (2005, “Turbulence Flow in Rough Pipe,” MS thesis, Princeton University) machined honed pipe surface roughness data, and Nikuradse’s (1933, Laws of Flow in Rough Pipe, VDI, Forchungsheft No. 361) sand grain roughness data. The predictions for the roughness function ΔU+, and the roughness scale ϕ for inflectional roughness compare very well with the data of the above mentioned researchers. When surface roughness is present, there is no universality of scaling of the friction factor λ with respect to the traditional Reynolds number Re, and different expressions are needed for various types of roughnesses, as suggested, for example, with inflectional roughness, monotonic roughness, etc. In traditional variables, the proposed friction factor prediction for inflectional roughness in the pipes, is supported very well by the experimental data of Sletfjerding and Gudmundsson, Shockling, and Nikuradse. In the present work, the predictions of friction factor as implicit relations, as well as approximate explicit relations, have also been proposed for various roughness scales.
Activity of the Novel Macrolide BAL19403 against Ribosomes from Erythromycin-Resistant
Propionibacterium acnes
Authors: Dreier Jürg , Amantea Eva , Kellenberger Laurenz , Page Malcolm G. P. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACT

BAL19403 is a macrolide antibiotic from a novel structural class with potent activity against propionibacteria in vitro. The antibacterial spectrum of BAL19403 covers clinical isolates with mutations in the 2057 to 2059 region of 23S rRNA that confer resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin. The basis of this improved activity was investigated by ribosome binding assays and by a coupled transcription and translation assay. The latter was specifically developed for the use of ribosomes from
Propionibacterium acnes
. BAL19403 inhibited protein expression by ribosomes from erythromycin-sensitive and erythromycin-resistant
P. acnes
with similar potencies if the resistance was due to G2057A or A2058G mutations. BAL19403 showed a >10-fold higher activity than erythromycin against ribosomes from a strain with the
erm
(X) gene. Erm(X) confers high levels of macrolide and lincosamide resistance by dimethylation of A2058. Assays with such ribosomes showed that BAL19403 was potent enough to inhibit half of the total activity with a 50% inhibitory concentration very close to the value measured with erythromycin-sensitive ribosomes. We concluded from our data that the
P. acnes
strain with the
erm
(X) gene had a mixed population of ribosomes, with macrolide-sensitive and macrolide-resistant species.
Effect of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Coinfections on Performance of Three Commercially Available Immunosorbent Assays Used for Detection of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2-Specific Antibody in Men Attending Baltimore, Maryland, STD Clinics
Authors: Summerton Jean , Riedesel Melissa , Laeyendecker Oliver , Gaydos Charlotte , Maldeis Nancy E. , Hardick Andrew , Morrow Rhoda Ashley , Quinn Thomas C. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACT

Two hundred seventy-nine serum samples from men attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in Baltimore, Maryland, were tested for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)-specific antibody by three immunosorbent glycoprotein G-2-based assays (the Kalon, Focus, and Biokit assays). The results for all samples with positive results were confirmed by Western blotting (91/279; 32.6% HSV-2 seroprevalence). All patients were also tested for
Chlamydia trachomatis
,
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
,
Trichomonas vaginalis
,
Mycoplasma genitalium
, human immunodeficiency virus type 1, and hepatitis C virus. The Kalon assay performed very well with samples from this population (90.8% sensitive, 99.4% specific), whereas the Focus assay had a sensitivity (82.6%) much lower than that shown previously. For 19.7% of the samples, the Biokit assay gave an indeterminate result. It was found that the odds of a sample having a Biokit assay indeterminate result compared to that of having a definitive positive or negative results were 3.88 times greater for subjects concurrently infected with
N. gonorrhoeae
, after the effects of other STDs were controlled for (
P =
0.001; 95% confidence interval, 1.78, 8.45). Unfortunately, we were unable to control for HSV-1 infection status in the regression model, which, on the basis of χ
2
analysis, might also affect the clarity of the Biokit test. The recommended index cutoff value of 1.1 for the Focus and Kalon assays was found to be optimal for this population.
Haemophilus ducreyi
Partially Activates Human Myeloid Dendritic Cells
Authors: Banks Keith E. , Humphreys Tricia L. , Li Wei , Katz Barry P. , Wilkes David S. , Spinola Stanley M. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACT

Dendritic cells (DC) orchestrate innate and adaptive immune responses to bacteria. How
Haemophilus ducreyi
, which causes genital ulcers and regional lymphadenitis, interacts with DC is unknown.
H. ducreyi
evades uptake by polymorphonuclear leukocyte and macrophage-like cell lines by secreting LspA1 and LspA2. Many
H. ducreyi
strains express cytolethal distending toxin (CDT), and recombinant CDT causes apoptosis of DC in vitro. Here, we examined interactions between DC and
H. ducreyi
35000HP, which produces LspA1, LspA2, and CDT. In human volunteers infected with 35000HP, the ratio of myeloid DC to plasmacytoid DC was 2.8:1 in lesions, compared to a ratio of 1:1 in peripheral blood. Using myeloid DC derived from monocytes as surrogates for lesional DC, we found that DC infected with 35000HP remained as viable as uninfected DC for up to 48 h. Gentamicin protection and confocal microscopy assays demonstrated that DC ingested and killed 35000HP, but killing was incomplete at 48 h. The expression of LspA1 and LspA2 did not inhibit the uptake of
H. ducreyi
, despite inactivating Src kinases. Infection of DC with live 35000HP caused less cell surface marker activation than infection with heat-killed 35000HP and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inhibited maturation by LPS. However, infection of DC with live bacteria caused the secretion of significantly higher levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha than infection with heat-killed bacteria and LPS. The survival of
H. ducreyi
in DC may provide a mechanism by which the organism traffics to lymph nodes. Partial activation of DC may abrogate the establishment of a full Th1 response and an environment that promotes phagocytosis.
Human Apolipoprotein E Is Required for Infectivity and Production of Hepatitis C Virus in Cell Culture
Authors: Chang Kyung-Soo , Jiang Jieyun , Cai Zhaohui , Luo Guangxiang 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACT
Recent advances in reverse genetics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) made it possible to determine the properties and biochemical compositions of HCV virions. Sedimentation analysis and characterization of HCV RNA-containing particles produced in the cultured cells revealed that HCV virions cover a large range of heterogeneous densities in sucrose gradient. The fractions of low densities are infectious, while the higher-density fractions containing the majority of HCV virion RNA are not. HCV core protein and apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein E (apoE) were detected in the infectious HCV virions. The level of apoE correlates very well with HCV infectivity. Both apoE- and HCV E2-specific monoclonal antibodies precipitated HCV, demonstrating that HCV virions contain apoE and E2 proteins. apoE-specific monoclonal antibodies efficiently neutralized HCV infectivity in a dose-dependent manner, resulting in a reduction of infectious HCV by nearly 4 orders of magnitude. The knockdown of apoE expression by specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) remarkably reduced the levels of intracellular as well as secreted HCV virions. The apoE siRNA suppressed HCV production by more than 100-fold at 50 nM. These findings demonstrate that apoE is required for HCV virion infectivity and production, suggesting that HCV virions are assembled as apoE-enriched lipoprotein particles. Our findings also identified apoE as a novel target for discovery and development of antiviral drugs and monoclonal antibodies to suppress HCV virion formation and infection.
NSm Protein of Rift Valley Fever Virus Suppresses Virus-Induced Apoptosis
Authors: Won Sungyong , Ikegami Tetsuro , Peters C. J. , Makino Shinji 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACT

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a member of the genus
Phlebovirus
within the family
Bunyaviridae
. It can cause severe epidemics among ruminants and fever, myalgia, a hemorrhagic syndrome, and/or encephalitis in humans. The RVFV M segment encodes the NSm and 78-kDa proteins and two major envelope proteins, Gn and Gc. The biological functions of the NSm and 78-kDa proteins are unknown; both proteins are dispensable for viral replication in cell cultures. To determine the biological functions of the NSm and 78-kDa proteins, we generated the mutant virus arMP-12-del21/384, carrying a large deletion in the pre-Gn region of the M segment. Neither NSm nor the 78-kDa protein was synthesized in arMP-12-del21/384-infected cells. Although arMP-12-del21/384 and its parental virus, arMP-12, showed similar growth kinetics and viral RNA and protein accumulation in infected cells, arMP-12-del21/384-infected cells induced extensive cell death and produced larger plaques than did arMP-12-infected cells. arMP-12-del21/384 replication triggered apoptosis, including the cleavage of caspase-3, the cleavage of its downstream substrate, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and activation of the initiator caspases, caspase-8 and -9, earlier in infection than arMP-12. NSm expression in arMP-12-del21/384-infected cells suppressed the severity of caspase-3 activation. Further, NSm protein expression inhibited the staurosporine-induced activation of caspase-8 and -9, demonstrating that other viral proteins were dispensable for NSm's function in inhibiting apoptosis. RVFV NSm protein is the first identified
Phlebovirus
protein that has an antiapoptotic function.
TRAIL Is a Novel Antiviral Protein against Dengue Virus
Authors: Warke Rajas V. , Martin Katherine J. , Giaya Kris , Shaw Sunil K. , Rothman Alan L. , Bosch Irene 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTDengue fever is an important tropical illness for which there is currently no virus-specific treatment. To shed light on mechanisms involved in the cellular response to dengue virus (DV), we assessed gene expression changes, using Affymetrix GeneChips (HG-U133A), of infected primary human cells and identified changes common to all cells. The common response genes included a set of 23 genes significantly induced upon DV infection of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), dendritic cells (DCs), monocytes, and B cells (analysis of variance,P< 0.05). Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), one of the common response genes, was identified as a key link between type I and type II interferon response genes. We found that DV induces TRAIL expression in immune cells and HUVECs at the mRNA and protein levels. The induction of TRAIL expression by DV was found to be dependent on an intact type I interferon signaling pathway. A significant increase in DV RNA accumulation was observed in anti-TRAIL antibody-treated monocytes, B cells, and HUVECs, and, conversely, a decrease in DV RNA was seen in recombinant TRAIL-treated monocytes. Furthermore, recombinant TRAIL inhibited DV titers in DV-infected DCs by an apoptosis-independent mechanism. These data suggest that TRAIL plays an important role in the antiviral response to DV infection and is a candidate for antiviral interventions against DV.
Omnivorous diet of the endangered Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis
Authors: Fenner Aaron , Bull Michael , Hutchinson Mark 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
We used scats from 71 individuals to determine the diet of the endangered
Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis, from South Australia. As
predicted both from its previously reported behaviour as an ambush forager,
and from its relatively small size, this scincid lizard feeds largely on
arthropod prey, and the prey in the diet change opportunistically over the
spring and summer. As expected, the species is less herbivorous than larger
species in the same or related genera. However plant material is included in
the diet to a greater extent as the summer progresses. Conservation of this
species may rely on maintaining a high abundance of arthropod prey, and a
habitat where efficient prey capture is possible, and on retaining
appropriate plants in the species' habitat.
Diversity, ecological structure and conservation of herpetofauna in a Mediterranean area (Dadia National Park, Greece)
Authors: Kati Vassiliki , Foufopoulos Johannes , Ioannidis Yiannis , Papaioannou Haritakis , Poirazidis Kostas , Lebrun Philippe 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
The current study attempts to explore the diversity patterns and the
ecological structure of herpetofauna in order to provide a guideline for its
conservation management, taking as case study the Dadia national park, in
Greece. We surveyed 36 sites by conducting time constraint visits and random
transects to sample semi-aquatic (amphibians and freshwater terrapins) and
terrestrial (lizards and terrestrial tortoises) herpetofauna respectively.
We recorded 20 herpetofauna taxa, including five protected species. The park
authorities should maintain brooks as a high priority habitat for
semi-aquatic herpetofauna, periodically flooded land and lowland streams as
important habitats, and to a lesser degree anthropogenic wet habitats.
Semi-aquatic species have narrow habitat requirements related to substrate
type and humidity. Terrestrial herpetofauna species are influenced by the
degree of shade and the type of substrate; they favour a diversity of
semi-open habitats (open oakwoods, heaths), located in the buffer zone
rather than in the core of the park that contains densely forested habitats.
Management focusing on raptors, the initial conservation priority of the
national park, is compatible with the conservation of the terrestrial
herpetofauna, as the proposed maintenance of an open forest structure is
beneficial for terrestrial herpetofauna as well. Our research indicates that
future management programs will have to address the needs of herpetofauna
species independently and that they should also be integrated in the
monitoring programme of the park, with emphasis on the conservation status
and trend of the five protected species.
Roost site characteristics of sympatric dwarf chameleons (genus Brookesia) from western Madagascar
Authors: Randrianantoandro Joseph Christian , Randrianavelona Roma , Andriantsimanarilafy Raphali Rodlis , Fideline Hantalalaina Elisoa , Rakotondravony Daniel , Jenkins Richard 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Madagascar's Brookesia dwarf chameleons are believed to require relatively
intact forest for survival. Although they have featured in herpetological
surveys, taxonomic reviews and trade assessments, very little is known about
their microhabitat requirements or ecology. Over a 5 night period in a
deciduous forest in western Madagascar we recorded the night roosting sites
for three sympatric Brookesia species. We calculated the area and distance
between successive night roost locations and described the characteristics
of each roost. Distance between roosts and the area used were larger for B.
brygooi and B. perarmata than B. exarmata. The distance between roosts was
significantly greater for male than female B. brygooi and B. perarmata.
Roost sites were generally in low vegetation (<0.75 m) with the animals
located on stems or leaves. Roost height differed significantly between the
species, with B. brygooi using the highest perches and B. exarmata the
lowest.
Nuclear localization of beta-catenin involved in precancerous change in oral leukoplakia
Authors: Ishida Kosei , Ito Satoshi , Wada Naoyuki , Deguchi Hiroyo , Hata Tsuyoshi , Hosoda Masaru , Nohno Tsutomu 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Background
Oral leukoplakia is a precancerous change developed in the oral mucosa, and the mechanism that oral leukoplakia becomes malignant through atypical epithelium is not known. Here we compared the β-catenin expression detected by immunohistochemical staining in the normal oral epithelium and in the oral leukoplakia with or without dysplasia.

Results
The normal oral epithelium showed β-catenin expression only in the cell membrane, but not in the nuclei. In the oral leukoplakia without dysplasia, 7 out of 17 samples (41%) showed β-catenin expression in the cell membrane, and 5 samples (29%) showed expression in the nuclei. In the oral leukoplakia with dysplasia, nuclear expression of β-catenin was shown in 11 out of 12 samples (92%). Incidence of nuclear β-catenin expression was significantly different between dysplasia and normal oral epithelium (P < 0.01), and also between oral leukoplakia with dysplasia and those without dysplasia (P < 0.01). Wnt3 expression was detected in the epithelial cell membrane or cytoplasm in oral leukoplakia where nuclear expression of β-catenin was evident, but not in epithelial cells without nuclear expression of β-catenin.

Conclusion
The components of canonical Wnt pathway, such as Wnt3, β-catenin, and cyclin D1, were detected, implying that this pathway is potentially involved in the progression of dysplasia in oral leukoplakia.
Transcriptional profiling of inductive mesenchyme to identify molecules involved in prostate development and disease
Authors: Vanpoucke Griet , Orr Brigid , Grace O Cathal , Chan Ray , Ashley George R , Williams Karin , Franco Omar E , Hayward Simon W , Thomson Axel A 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Background
The mesenchymal compartment plays a key role in organogenesis, and cells within the mesenchyme/stroma are a source of potent molecules that control epithelia during development and tumorigenesis. We used serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) to profile a key subset of prostatic mesenchyme that regulates prostate development and is enriched for growth-regulatory molecules.

Results
SAGE libraries were constructed from prostatic inductive mesenchyme and from the complete prostatic rudiment (including inductive mesenchyme, epithelium, and smooth muscle). By comparing these two SAGE libraries, we generated a list of 219 transcripts that were enriched or specific to inductive mesenchyme and that may act as mesenchymal regulators of organogenesis and tumorigenesis. We identified Scube1 as enriched in inductive mesenchyme from the list of 219 transcripts; also, quantitative RT-PCR and whole-mount in situ hybridization revealed Scube1 to exhibit a highly restricted expression pattern. The expression of Scube1 in a subset of mesenchymal cells suggests a role in prostatic induction and branching morphogenesis. Additionally, Scube1 transcripts were expressed in prostate cancer stromal cells, and were less abundant in cancer associated fibroblasts relative to matched normal prostate fibroblasts.

Conclusion
The use of a precisely defined subset of cells and a back-comparison approach allowed us to identify rare mRNAs that could be overlooked using other approaches. We propose that Scube1 encodes a novel stromal molecule that is involved in prostate development and tumorigenesis.
Women's Interest in Gene Expression Analysis for Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk
Authors: O'Neill Suzanne C. , Brewer Noel T. , Lillie Sarah E. , Morrill Edward F. , Dees E. Claire , Carey Lisa A. , Rimer Barbara K. 
Published: October 2007

Purpose Genomic and other technologies are improving the accuracy with which clinicians can estimate risk for recurrence (RFR) of breast cancer and make judgments about potential benefits of chemotherapy. Little is known of how patients will respond to genomic RFR testing or interact with their physicians to make informed decisions regarding treatment. We assessed interest in genomic RFR testing and patient preferences for incorporating results into treatment decision making. Patients and Methods One hundred thirty-nine women previously treated for early-stage breast cancer completed surveys that presented hypothetical scenarios reflecting different test outcomes and potential decisions. We assessed women's attitudes toward RFR testing, how results would affect their choices about adjuvant treatment, and potential concerns about and perceived benefits of testing. Results The majority of participants said they would “definitely” want to be tested (76%), receive their results (87%), and discuss these results with their physicians. They were willing to pay, on average, $997 for testing. Those who expressed more concerns about testing were less interested in testing and in incorporating results into treatment decision making. Participants were more likely to want chemotherapy when presented with high-risk results and would worry more about those results. They were least likely to trust and most likely to express potential anticipated regret in response to intermediate RFR results. Conclusion Participants expressed strong interest in testing. Although these decisions were sensitive to RFR, participants’ complex reactions to intermediate RFR suggest care is needed when communicating such results.