bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vaccination with Proteus Toxic Agglutinin, a Hemolysin-Independent Cytotoxin In Vivo, Protects against
Proteus mirabilis
Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Alamuri Praveen , Eaton Kathryn A. , Himpsl Stephanie D. , Smith Sara N. , Mobley Harry L. T. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Complicated urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by
Proteus mirabilis
are associated with severe pathology in the bladder and kidney. To investigate the roles of two established cytotoxins, the HpmA hemolysin, a secreted cytotoxin, and proteus toxic agglutinin (Pta), a surface-associated cytotoxin, mutant analysis was used in conjunction with a mouse model of ascending UTI. Inactivation of
pta
, but not inactivation of
hpmA
, resulted in significant decreases in the bacterial loads of the mutant in kidneys (
P
< 0.01) and spleens (
P
< 0.05) compared to the bacterial loads of the wild type; the 50% infective dose (ID
50
) of an isogenic
pta
mutant or
hpmA pta
double mutant was 100-fold higher (5 × 10
8
CFU) than the ID
50
of parent strain HI4320 (5 × 10
6
CFU). Colonization by the parent strain caused severe cystitis and interstitial nephritis as determined by histopathological examination. Mice infected with the same bacterial load of the
hpmA pta
double mutant showed significantly reduced pathology (
P
< 0.01), suggesting that the additive effect of these two cytotoxins is critical during
Proteus
infection. Since Pta is surface associated and important for the persistence of
P. mirabilis
in the host, it was selected as a vaccine candidate. Mice intranasally vaccinated with a site-directed (indicated by an asterisk) (S366A) mutant purified intact toxin (Pta*) or the passenger domain Pta-α*, each independently conjugated with cholera toxin (CT), had significantly lower bacterial counts in their kidneys (
P
= 0.001) and spleens (
P =
0.002) than mice that received CT alone. The serum immunoglobulin G levels correlated with protection (
P
= 0.03). This is the first report describing the in vivo cytotoxicity and antigenicity of an autotransporter in
P. mirabilis
and its use in vaccine development.
Synoptic-Scale and Mesoscale Environments Conducive to Forest Fires during the October 2003 Extreme Fire Event in Southern California
Authors: Huang Chenjie , Lin Y-L. , Kaplan M. L. , Charney J. J. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
This study has employed both observational data and numerical simulation results to diagnose the synoptic-scale and mesoscale environments conducive to forest fires during the October 2003 extreme fire event in southern California. A three-stage process is proposed to illustrate the coupling of the synoptic-scale forcing that is evident from the observations, specifically the high pressure ridge and the upper-level jet streak, which leads to meso-α-scale subsidence in its exit region, and the mesoscale forcing that is simulated by the numerical model, specifically the wave breaking and turbulence as well as the wave-induced critical level, which leads to severe downslope (Santa Ana) winds. Two surges of dry air were found to reach the surface in southern California as revealed in the numerical simulation. The first dry air surge arrived as a result of moisture divergence and isallobaric adjustments behind a surface cold front. The second dry air surge reached southern California as the meso-α- to meso-β-scale subsidence and the wave-induced critical level over the coastal ranges phased to transport the dry air from the upper-level jet streak exit region toward the surface and mix the dry air down to the planetary boundary layer on the lee side of the coastal ranges in southern California. The wave-breaking region on the lee side acted as an internal boundary to reflect the mountain wave energy back to the ground and created severe downslope winds through partial resonance with the upward-propagating mountain waves.
Frontal Rainfall Observation by a Commercial Microwave Communication Network
Authors: Zinevich Artem , Messer Hagit , Alpert Pinhas 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
A novel approach for reconstruction of rainfall spatial–temporal dynamics from a wireless microwave network is presented. It employs a stochastic space–time model based on a rainfall advection model, assimilated using a Kalman filter. The technique aggregates the data in time and space along the direction of motion of the rainfall field, which is recovered from the simultaneous observation of a multitude of microwave links. The technique is applied on a standard microwave communication network used by a cellular communication system, comprising 23 microwave links, and it allows for observation of near-surface rainfall at the temporal resolutions of 1 min. The accuracy of the method is demonstrated by comparing instantaneous rainfall estimates with measurements from five rain gauges, reaching correlations of up to 0.85 at the 1-min time interval with a bias and RMSE of −0.2 and 4.2 mm h−1, respectively, and up to 0.96 with RMSE of 1.6 mm h−1 at the 10-min time interval for a 22-h intensive rainstorm with an average rain rate of 3.0 mm h−1 and a peak rain rate of 84 mm h−1. The results are compared with those of other spatial reconstruction techniques. The proposed dynamic rainfall reconstruction approach can be applied to larger-scale dynamic rainfall assimilation methods, enabling interpolation over data-void regions and straightforward incorporation of data from other sources, for example, rain gauge networks and radars.
Testing Lagrangian Theories of Internal Wave Spectra. Part II: Varying the Number of Waves
Authors: Klaassen G. P. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
It has been proposed by Allen and Joseph, Hines, and Chunchuzov that the kinematic advection produced by superpositions of sinusoidal Lagrangian gravity waves confined to lower vertical wavenumbers m provides an explanation for the quasi-universal m−3 Eulerian spectral tails commonly found at higher m in the oceans and the atmosphere. In support of these theories, Hines has proposed a prototype wave spectrum claimed to meet criteria for Lagrangian linearity and the production of m−3 Eulerian spectra. Although the shape of the Lagrangian spectrum is claimed not to play a major role in this process, Hines has argued that moderately large numbers of waves are required to ensure quasilinear behavior in the Lagrangian frame. The present results demonstrate that, for amplitudes consistent with measurements of saturated waves in the middle atmosphere and for wavenumbers consistent with Hines’ prototype, adiabatic excesses do not diminish with increasing numbers of waves; in contrast, consistency with adiabatic constraints is only achieved in the limit of a single wave, for which the advective nonlinearity u · ∇ vanishes. Moreover, fields with strong singularities yield Eulerian tail slopes as large as −1.6, whereas those with lesser violations of adiabatic constraints yield Eulerian spectral tail slopes that are much steeper (more strongly negative) than −3. The implications for theories based on superpositions of Lagrangian sinusoidal waves, for the Hines quasilinear criteria, and for the Hines Doppler-spread theory and parameterization are addressed. The results are also relevant for experimentalists interested in spectral analysis of internal wave fields.
Prokinetic Therapy for Feed Intolerance in Critical Illness: One Drug or Two?
Authors: Davis Brian , Ferrone Marcus 
Published: November 2008

Objective: To compare the efficacy of combination therapy, with erythromycin and metoclopramide, to erythromycin alone in the treatment of feed intolerance in critically ill patients. Design: Randomized, controlled, double‐blind trial. Setting: Mixed medical and surgical intensive care unit. Patients: Seventy‐five mechanically ventilated, medical patients with feed intolerance (gastric residual volume ≥250 mL). Interventions: Patients received either combination therapy (n = 37; 200 mg of intravenous erythromycin twice daily + 10 mg of intravenous metoclopramide four times daily) or erythromycin alone (n = 38; 200 mg of intravenous erythromycin twice daily) in a prospective, randomized fashion. Gastric feeding was re‐commenced and 6‐hourly gastric aspirates performed. Patients were studied for 7 days. Successful feeding was defined as a gastric residual volume <250 mL with the feeding rate ≥40 mL/hr, over 7 days. Secondary outcomes included daily caloric intake, vomiting, postpyloric feeding, length of stay, and mortality. Measurements and Main Results: Demographic data; use of inotropes, opioids, or benzodiazepines; and pretreatment gastric residual volume were similar between the two groups. The gastric residual volume was significantly lower after 24 hrs of treatment with combination therapy, compared with erythromycin alone (136 ± 23 mL vs. 293 ± 45 mL, p = .04). Over the 7 days, patients treated with combination therapy had greater feeding success, received more daily calories, and had a lower requirement for postpyloric feeding, compared with erythromycin alone. Tachyphylaxis occurred in both groups but was less with combination therapy. Sedation, higher pretreatment gastric residual volume, and hypoalbuminemia were significantly associated with a poor response. There was no difference in the length of hospital stay or mortality rate between the groups. Watery diarrhea was more common with combination therapy (20 of 37 vs. 10 of 38, p = .01) but was not associated with enteric infections, including Clostridium difficile. Conclusions: In critically ill patients with feed intolerance, combination therapy with erythromycin and metoclopramide is more effective than erythromycin alone in improving the delivery of nasogastric nutrition and should be considered as the first‐line treatment. (Crit Care Med. 2007;35:2561‐2567.)NQ Nguyen, M Chapman, RJ Fraser, LK Bryant, C Burgstad, RH Holloway
Heme oxygenase-1 expression enhances vascular endothelial resistance to complement-mediated injury through induction of decay-accelerating factor: a role for increased bilirubin and ferritin
Authors: Kinderlerer Anne R. , Pombo Gregoire Isabel , Hamdulay Shahir S. , Ali Faisal , Steinberg Rivka , Silva Gabriela , Ali Nadira , Wang Bufei , Haskard Dorian O. , Soares Miguel P. , Mason Justin C. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Catabolism of free heme by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) generates carbon monoxide, biliverdin, and free iron (Fe). These end-products are responsible for much of the biologic activity of HO-1, including anti-inflammatory, antiapo-ptotic, antiproliferative, and antioxidant effects. We have identified an additional cytoprotective action, the regulation of complement activation, mediated via induction of decay-accelerating factor (DAF). Pharmacologic inhibition or short-interfering RNA (siRNA) depletion of HO-1 prevented induction of DAF expression in human endothelial cells. In contrast, HO-1 agonists hemin and cobalt protoporphyrin IX significantly increased DAF protein expression, reflecting an increase in transcription and steady-state mRNA. Adenoviral-mediated overexpression of HO-1 increased DAF expression, enhancing protection against C3 deposition and complement-mediated lysis, and this was reversed by DAF inhibitory monoclonal antibody (mAb) 1H4. Likewise, bilirubin, Fe chelation, and overexpression of heavy-chain ferritin all induced DAF expression in endothelial cells (EC). Analysis of cardiac endothelial cells isolated from Hmox1−/− mice revealed a 60% reduction in DAF expression compared with Hmox1+/+ EC, and Hmox1−/− cells showed enhanced sensitivity to complement. We propose that modulation of complement activation through induction of DAF represents an important component of the cytoprotective effects of HO-1 against vascular injury, such as that associated with posttransplant vasculopathy, allograft rejection, and ischemia reperfusion.
Increased expression of urokinase plasminogen activator in Quebec platelet disorder is linked to megakaryocyte differentiation
Authors: Veljkovic D. Kika , Rivard Georges E. , Diamandis Maria , Blavignac Jessica , Cramer-Bordé Elisabeth M. , Hayward Catherine P. M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractQuebec platelet disorder (QPD) is an inherited bleeding disorder associated with increased urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in platelets but not in plasma, intraplatelet plasmin generation, and α-granule protein degradation. These abnormalities led us to investigate uPA expression by QPD CD34+ progenitors, cultured megakaryocytes, and platelets, and whether uPA was stored in QPD α-granules. Although QPD CD34+ progenitors expressed normal amounts of uPA, their differentiation into megakaryocytes abnormally increased expression of the uPA gene but not the flanking genes for vinculin or calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIγ on chromosome 10. The increased uPA production by cultured QPD megakaryocytes mirrored their production of α-granule proteins, which was normal. uPA was localized to QPD α-granules and it showed extensive colocalization with α-granule proteins in both cultured QPD megakaryocytes and platelets, and with plasminogen in QPD platelets. In QPD megakaryocytes, cultured without or with plasma as a source of plasminogen, α-granule proteins were stored undegraded and this was associated with much less uPA-plasminogen colocalization than in QPD platelets. Our studies indicate that the overexpression of uPA in QPD emerges with megakaryocyte differentiation, without altering the expression of flanking genes, and that uPA is costored with α-granule proteins prior to their proteolysis in QPD.
Clinical differences between nasal and extranasal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma: a study of 136 cases from the International Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Project
Authors: Au Wing-yan , Weisenburger Dennis D. , Intragumtornchai Tanin , Nakamura Shigeo , Kim Won-Seog , Sng Ivy , Vose Julie , Armitage James O. , Liang Raymond ,   for the International Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Project
Published: November 2008

AbstractAmong 1153 new adult cases of peripheral/T-cell lymphoma from 1990-2002 at 22 centers in 13 countries, 136 cases (11.8%) of extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma were identified (nasal 68%, extranasal 26%, aggressive/unclassifiable 6%). The disease frequency was higher in Asian than in Western countries and in Continental Asia than in Japan. There were no differences in age, sex, ethnicity, or immunophenotypic profile between the nasal and extranasal cases, but the latter had more adverse clinical features. The median overall survival (OS) was better in nasal compared with the extranasal cases in early- (2.96 vs 0.36 years, P < .001) and late-stage disease (0.8 vs 0.28 years, P = .031). The addition of radiotherapy for early-stage nasal cases yielded survival benefit (P = .045). Among nasal cases, both the International Prognostic Index (P = .006) and Korean NK/T-cell Prognostic Index (P < .001) were prognostic. In addition, Ki67 proliferation greater than 50%, transformed tumor cells greater than 40%, elevated C-reactive protein level (CRP), anemia (< 11 g/dL) and thrombocytopenia (< 150 × 109/L) predicts poorer OS for nasal disease. No histologic or clinical feature was predictive in extranasal disease. We conclude that the clinical features and treatment response of extranasal NK/T-cell lymphoma are different from of those of nasal lymphoma. However, the underlying features responsible for these differences remain to be defined.
An earthworm protease cleaving serum fibronectin and decreasing HBeAg in HepG2.2.15 cells
Authors: Wang Xue-Qing , Chen Lan , Pan Rong , Zhao Jing , Liu Ying , He Rong-Qiao 
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Background
Virus-binding activity is one of the important functions of fibronectin (FN). It has been reported that a high concentration of FN in blood improves the transmission frequency of hepatitis viruses. Therefore, to investigate a protease that hydrolyzes FN rapidly is useful to decrease the FN concentration in blood and HBV infection. So far, however, no specific protease digesting FN in serum has been reported.

Methods
We employed a purified earthworm protease to digest serum proteins. The rapidly cleaved protein (FN) was identified by MALDI-TOF MS and western blotting. The cleavage sites were determined by N-terminus amino acid residues sequencing. The protease was orally administrated to rats to investigate whether serum FN in vivo became decreased. The serum FN was determined by western blotting and ELISA. In cytological studies, the protease was added to the medium in the culture of HepG2.2.15 cells and then HBsAg and HBeAg were determined by ELISA.

Results
The protease purified from earthworm Eisenia fetida was found to function as a fibronectinase (FNase). The cleavage sites on FN by the FNase were at R and K, exhibiting a trypsin alkaline serine-like function. The earthworm fibronectinase (EFNase) cleaved FN at four sites, R259, R1005, K1557 and R2039, among which the digested fragments at R259, K1557 and R2039 were related to the virus-binding activity as reported. The serum FN was significantly decreased when the earthworm fibronectinase was orally administrated to rats. The ELISA results showed that the secretion of HBeAg from HepG2.2.15 cells was significantly inhibited in the presence of the FNase.

Conclusion
The earthworm fibronectinase (EFNase) cleaves FN much faster than the other proteins in serum, showing a potential to inhibit HBV infection through its suppressing the level of HBeAg. This suggests that EFNase is probably used as one of the candidates for the therapeutic agents to treat hepatitis virus infection.
Genetic diversity in two sibling species of the Anopheles punctulatus group of mosquitoes on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands
Authors: Hasan Arif U , Suguri Setsuo , Fujimoto Chigusa , Itaki Rodney L , Harada Masakazu , Kawabata Masato , Bugoro Hugo , Albino Bobogare 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe mosquitoAnopheles irenicus, a member of theAnopheles punctulatusgroup, is geographically restricted to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. It shows remarkable morphological similarities to one of its sibling species,An. farauti sensu stricto(An. farauti s.s.), but is dissimilar in host and habitat preferences. To infer the genetic variations between these two species, we have analyzed mitochondrialcytochrome oxidase subunit II(COII) and nuclear ribosomalinternal transcribed spacer 2(ITS2) sequences from Guadalcanal and from one of its nearest neighbours, Malaita, in the Solomon Islands.ResultsAn. farauti s.s. was collected mostly from brackish water and by the human bait method on both islands, whereasAn. irenicuswas only collected from fresh water bodies on Guadalcanal Island.An. irenicusis distributed evenly withAn. farauti s.s. (ΦSC= 0.033, 0.38%) and its range overlaps in three of the seven sampling sites. However, there is a significant population genetic structure between the species (ΦCT= 0.863,P< 0.01; ΦST= 0.865,P< 0.01 andFST= 0.878,P< 0.01). Phylogenetic analyses suggest thatAn. irenicusis a monophyletic species, not a hybrid, and is closely related to theAn. farauti s.s. on Guadalcanal. The time estimator suggests thatAn. irenicusdiverged from the ancestralAn. farauti s.s. on Guadalcanal within 29,000 years before present (BP).An. farauti s.s. expanded much earlier on Malaita (texp= 24,600 BP) than the populations on Guadalcanal (texp= 16,800 BP forAn. farauti s.s. and 14,000 BP forAn. irenicus).ConclusionThese findings suggest thatAn. irenicusandAn. farauti s.s. are monophyletic sister species living in sympatry, and their populations on Guadalcanal have recently expanded. Consequently, the findings further suggest thatAn. irenicusdiverged from the ancestralAn. farauti s.s. on Guadalcanal.
Chromosomal evidence for a putative cryptic species in the Gymnotus carapo species-complex (Gymnotiformes, Gymnotidae)
Authors: Milhomem Susana SR , Pieczarka Julio C , Crampton William GR , Silva Danillo S , De Souza Augusto CP , Carvalho Jaime R , Nagamachi Cleusa Y 
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Background
In this study we examined the karyotypes of morphologically indistinguishable populations of the electric knifefish Gymnotus carapo sensu stricto from the Eastern Amazon of Brazil. These were identified unambiguously on the basis of external morphology, meristics, and pigmentation.

Results
Specimens from one of five localities exhibited a karyotype previously not documented for Gymnotus species in the Amazon basin: 2n = 40 (34M/SM+6ST/A). Samples from the other four localities exhibited a different karyotype: 2n = 42 (30M/SM+12ST/A), which we had previously described. Specimens from all five localities presented constitutive heterochromatin in the centromeric region of almost all chromosomes, including in the distal and interstitial regions. Staining with 4'6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole revealed C-positive banding. In both karyotypes the Nucleolar Organizer Region (NOR) was located on the short arm of pair 20, and Chromomycin A3 stained the NORs. Fluorescent in situ hybridization with telomeric probes showed an Interstitial Telomeric Sequence (ITS) in the proximal short arm of a metacentric pair in the 2n = 40 karyotype.

Conclusion
The difference between the two karyotypes on the diploid number and chromosome morphology can be explained by rearrangements of the fusion-fission type and also by pericentric inversions. The presence of ITS in a metacentric pair of the 2n = 40 karyotype suggests that the difference in the diploid number of the karyotypes results from a fusion. The consistent 2n = 42 karyotype at four localities suggests an interbreeding population. However, because fusion-fission and pericentric inversions of this nature typically result in reproductive isolation, we speculate that the form with the 2n = 40 karyotype is a different species to that of the 2n = 42 form. Nonetheless, we did not observe evident differences in external morphology, meristics and pigmentation between the two forms, which suggest that they represent cryptic sympatric species in the G. carapo species complex. We speculate that the chromosomal speciation occurred recently, allowing insufficient time for the fixation of other differences following post-zygotic isolation.