bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance of a New Protein A Affinity Membrane for the Primary Recovery of Antibodies
Authors: Boi Cristiana , Dimartino Simone , Sarti Giulio C. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractRecovery of antibodies with Protein A affinity chromatography columns has become the standard for the biotechnology industry. Membrane affinity chromatography has not yet experienced extensive application due to the lower capacity of membrane supports compared to chromatographic beads. In this work, new affinity membranes endowed with an interesting binding capacity for human IgG are studied in view of their application in the capturing step of a monoclonal antibody production process. The membranes have been extensively tested with pure IgG solutions and with a cell culture supernatant containing IgG1. The effects of feed flow rate and IgG concentration on the separation performances have been studied in detail, considering in particular binding capacity, selectivity and recovery. These new high capacity affinity membranes appear good candidates to avoid the throughput limitations and other well‐known drawbacks of traditional bead‐based chromatographic columns.
Intervention to Prevent Falls on the Medical Service in a Teaching Hospital
Authors: Krauss Melissa J. , Tutlam Nhial , Costantinou Eileen , Johnson Shirley , Jackson Diane , Fraser Victoria J. 
Published: May 2008

Objective.To evaluate an intervention to prevent falls at a hospital.Design.A quasi-experimental intervention with historical and contemporaneous control groups.Setting and Participants.Nursing staff and patients in the medicine service (comprising 2 intervention floors and 2 control floors) at an academic hospital.Intervention.Nursing staff were educated regarding fall prevention during the period from April through December 2005. Data on implemented prevention strategies were collected on control and intervention floors. Mean monthly fall rates were compared over time and between intervention and control floors, using repeated-measures analysis of variance.Results.Postintervention fall knowledge test scores for the nursing staff were greater than preintervention test scores (mean postintervention test score, 91%; mean preintervention test score, 72%;P< .001). Use of prevention strategies was greater on intervention floors than it was on control floors, including patient education via pamphlets (46% vs 15%;P< .001), use of toileting schedules (36% vs 25%;P= .016), and discussion of high-risk medications (51% vs 30%;P< .001). The mean fall rate for the first 5 months of the intervention was 43% less than that for the 9-month preintervention period for intervention floors (3.81 falls per 1,000 patient-days vs 6.64 falls per 1,000 patient-days;P= .043). Comparisons of mean rates for the overall 9-month intervention period versus the 9-month preintervention period showed a 23% difference in the fall rate for intervention floors, but this did not reach statistical significance (5.09 falls per 1,000 patient-days vs 6.64 falls per 1,000 patient-days;P= .182).Conclusion.The nursing staffs knowledge and use of prevention strategies increased. Fall rates decreased for 5 months after the educational intervention, but the reduction was not sustained.
FunSiP: a modular and extensible classifier for the prediction of functional sites in DNA
Authors: Van Bel Michiel , Saeys Yvan , Van de Peer Yves 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Motivation: Many problems in genome annotation are tackled by using a classification model to predict functional sites such as splice sites, translation start sites or stop codons. Locating the correct position of these sites remains one of the most important but also one of the most difficult issues in the structural annotation of genomes. Most of the software currently in use is written for a very specific problem, thereby limiting the possibilities for reuse.
Summary: We developed a software platform that uses a very general approach towards the classification of functional sites in DNA sequences. The program uses an ab initio approach towards the identification of these sites, and extends SpliceMachine, a previously developed splice site predictor that shows state-of-the-art performance for both donor and acceptor splice site recognition in the human and Arabidopsis thaliana genome.
Availability: The program is developed as a stand-alone Java application, and is available as GPLv3 open-source software. The program, source and documentation can be obtained from the ‘Software’ section at http://bioinformatics.psb.ugent.be/
Contact: Yves.VandePeer@psb.ugent.be
Supplementary information: Supplementary data is available at Bioinformatics online.
On a Malay Form of Chlorococcum humicola (Näg.), Rabenh
Authors: Bristol B. Muriel 
Published: May 2008

Summary
The material described has been obtained from cultures of a sample of dried soil, which was sent from the Malay States about two years before the cultures were set up.
The vegetative cells are spherical or subspherical, solitary or collected together into mucilaginous strata, very variable in size, being from 20–80 μ in diameter, each with a thin cellulose cell-wall and a single parietal chloroplast containing from one to several pyrenoids and numerous starch granules. In adult cells a quantity of yellow oil is stored, in which a bright red pigment is often dissolved.
The cytoplasm is reticulate. The young cells contain a single minute nucleus and one pyrenoid, both of which multiply by repeated division so that the adult cells are cœnocytic with many pyrenoids.
Propagation takes place, by successive bipartition of the contents of the mother-cell, into 8–16 or numerous biciliate zoogonidia which may develop asexually or may act as facultative gametes. In both cases direct development into vegetative cells takes place.
Aplanospore-formation may also take place, preceded by the multiplication by constriction of the nuclei of the mother-cell. The aplanospores remain imbedded in a mucous stratum, and enter into a palmelloid state in which further bipartitions may take place. Eventually, the palmelloid cells either acquire cilia and behave as normal zoogonidia or they develop directly into vegetative cells.
True vegetative division does not take place, but the cell-contents may divide into two daughter-cells which immediately acquire new cell-walls and are set free as vegetative cells by the dissolution of the mother-cell-wall.
Chloroaoccum humicola, differing in no essential particulars from that in the Malay soil, has been found to occur almost universally in English soils. The limit of its resistance against desiccation and of its retention of vitality has been shown, by investigations on long-dried English soils, to lie somewhere between seventy and eighty years.
In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks to Professor G. S. West for his valuable help throughout this work.
Studies in the Capparidaceae.—II. Floral anatomy and some structural features
of the Capparidaceous flower
Authors: Raghavan T. S. 
Published: May 2008

Summary
The paper deals with the floral structure of several genera and species of the Capparidaceae. The findings may be summarized as follows:—
The prevalence of andromonoecism is recorded in Gynandropsis pentaphylla DC.
The occurrence of what look like tricarpellary and tetracarpellary gynoecia in the species is explained and interpreted on the bicarpellary basis.
The median sepals are found to be the lowest floral members; thus they occupy the position which would be expected had bracteoles been present; this view is supported by the actual occurrence of bracteoles in Euadenia eminens Hook. fil. and Capparis flexuosa Blume, and the belief that the Capparidaceae are bracteoleless is not accepted.
The vasculation of the members of the different floral whorls in all stages of development has been traced.
The ontogeny of the gynoecium shows that it is formed by the marginal fusion of two inrolled carpellary leaves.
The foliar concept of the carpels is supported by anatomical evidence, the vasculation of the carpels being essentially that of a lateral organ, leaf or leaf-like appendage.
The polymorphic carpel theory is discussed in the light of the present findings, and the conclusion is reached that it is not applicable to the Capparidaceae.
In conclusion, it is a source of sincere pleasure for me to record my grateful thanks to Professor R. Ruggles Gates for his unfailing interest in the progress of the work and for much helpful guidance.
α1β1 integrin and interleukin‐7 receptor up‐regulate the expression of RANKL in human T cells and enhance their osteoclastogenic function
Authors: Gendron Steve , Boisvert Marc , Chetoui Nizar , Aoudjit Fawzi 
Published: May 2008

SummaryActivated T cells, through the production of the receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL) cytokine, have been implicated in the osteoclast development and bone loss that are associated with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, the cellular pathways that regulate the expression of RANKL and the induction of osteoclasts are still unclear. In this study, we show that, in human effector CD4+ T cells, activation of α1β1 integrin and interleukin (IL)‐7 receptor (IL‐7R) up‐regulates the expression and production of RANKL but has no effect on the production of interferon‐γ, an inhibitor of T‐cell‐mediated osteoclastogenesis. Thus, both α1β1 integrin and IL‐7R enhance the ability of these cells to induce the formation of osteoclasts from human monocytes. Furthermore, we found that simultaneous activation of effector CD4+ T cells via α1β1 integrin and IL‐7R synergistically increases the production of RANKL and enhances their osteoclastogenic function. We also show that, although α1β1 integrin does not protect human effector CD4+ T cells from IL‐2‐withdrawal‐induced apoptosis, it does enhance the pro‐survival effect of IL‐7, further emphasizing the importance of the α1β1/IL‐7R synergistic effect. Together our results identify a new function of α1β1 integrin in T cells and suggest that activation of effector CD4+ T cells through α1β1 integrin and IL‐7R is an important regulatory pathway in T‐cell‐dependent osteoclastogenesis. Further understanding of the mechanisms by which IL‐7R and α1β1 integrin promote T‐cell‐mediated osteoclastogenesis will lead to new insights into the regulatory pathways of T‐cell‐dependent bone resorption associated with autoimmune diseases.
T lymphocytes in acute bacterial infection: increased prevalence of CD11b+ cells in the peripheral blood and recruitment to the infected site
Authors: Wagner Christof , Kotsougiani Dimitra , Pioch Marco , Prior Birgit , Wentzensen Andreas , Hänsch Gertrud Maria 
Published: May 2008

SummaryT‐cell activation, particularly of CD8+ cells, is invariably associated with viral infections. We now provide evidence for the activation of T cells in patients with localized bacterial soft tissue infections. During acute disease we detected in the peripheral blood of these patients, small though conspicuous populations of CD4+ CD28+ CD11b+ and CD8+ CD28+ CD11b+ cells, indicative of an expansion of effector T cells. Moreover, we identified CD4+ and CD8+ cells at the infected site, in addition to highly activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). In keeping with their role as first‐line defence, PMN were preponderant, but T cells amounted to 20% of the infiltrated cells. The majority of the infiltrated T cells expressed CXCR6, a homing receptor for non‐lymphoid tissue. The infiltrated T cells produced interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), while the peripheral blood cells obtained at the same time did not. In conclusion, in response to localized bacterial infections, T cells are activated and recruited to the infected site. We propose that these T cells, e.g. by producing IFN‐γ, enhance the efficiency of the infiltrated phagocytic cells, particularly of the PMN, thereby supporting the local host defence.
Detection of cutaneous antibodies in excised skin explants from grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes), immune to Scophthalmus maximus rhabdovirus
Authors: Lü A‐J , Li Z‐Q , Zhang Q‐Y 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThis study determined whether cutaneous antibodies were present in excised skin explants of grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella, immune to Scophthalmus maximus rhabdovirus (SMRV). Culture fluid from immune skin explants were assayed by indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA), Western blot, indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) and flow cytometry (FCM). iELISA showed that cutaneous antibody titres were much lower (1:12) than antiserum titres (1:1458) from intraperitoneally immunized grass carp. The phosphoprotein and matrix protein antigens of purified SMRV proteins were recognized by cutaneous antibodies from skin culture fluid using Western blot. The skin culture fluid produced staining signals in viral assembly sites and cytoplasm of SMRV‐infected epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) cells by IFA. FCM showed that 4.39% SMRV‐infected EPC cells were detected, while non‐specific reaction was seen in 2% of control cells. This is the first description of cutaneous antibodies against SMRV in grass carp.
Genetic and phenotypic comparison of Nocardia seriolae isolated from fish in Japan
Authors: Shimahara Y , Nakamura A , Nomoto R , Itami T , Chen S‐C , Yoshida T 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe phenotypic and genetic characterizations of 58 isolates of the fish pathogen Nocardia seriolae, from amberjack, Seriolae dumerili, yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata, Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, and chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus, in Japan from 1970–2005, were examined to investigate the epidemiological relationship between isolates. The phenotypic and genetic characterizations were determined by α‐glucosidase activity and biased sinusoidal field gel electrophoresis (BSFGE) analysis, respectively. There was no α‐glucosidase activity in strains isolated from 2000–05 (n = 50) with a few exceptions (n = 3), while all strains isolated from 1970–90 (n = 8) were positive. In BSFGE analysis, digestions with restriction enzymes Xba I and Ase I produced 15 and 16 restriction patterns, respectively. All restriction patterns obtained from 50 strains isolated during 2000–05 were unrelated to those obtained from eight strains isolated during 1970–90, with the exception of two strains isolated during recent outbreaks. Based on the phenotypic and genetic characterizations, recent outbreaks of nocardiosis in Japan are suggested to be epidemiologically unrelated to earlier outbreaks in Japan. Although a low genetic relationship was observed in the restriction pattern between recent and earlier isolates, identity was confirmed between these groups of isolates because five representative strains showed 99.9% homology with N. seriolae ATCC43993T in the 16S rRNA sequence.
Salmonid fish viruses and cell interactions at early steps of the infective cycle
Authors: De Las Heras A I , Rodríguez Saint‐Jean S , Pérez‐Prieto S I 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA flow cytometric virus‐binding assay that directly visualizes the binding and entry of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) and virus haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) to several cell lines was established. The highest efficiency of binding was shown by the BF‐2 cell line and this was used to study, at the attachment level, the interactions of these cells with salmonid fish viruses in coinfections, and to further determine if the earliest stage of the viral growth cycle could explain the previously described loss of infectivity of IHNV when IPNV is present. Our results demonstrated that IPNV binds to around 88% of cells either in single or dual infections, whereas IHNV attachment always decreased in the presence of any of the other viruses. VHSV binding was not affected by IPNV, but coinfection with IHNV reduced the percentage of virus‐binding cells, which suggests competition for viral receptors or co‐receptors. Internalization of the adsorbed IHNV was not decreased by coinfection with IPNV, so the hypothetical competence could be restricted to the binding step. Treatment of the cells with antiviral agents, such as amantadine or chloroquine, did not affect the binding of IPNV and VHSV, but reduced IHNV binding by more than 30%. Tributylamine affected viral binding of the three viruses to different degrees and inhibited IPNV or IHNV entry in a large percentage of cells treated for 30 min. Tributylamine also inhibited IHNV cytopathic effects in a dose‐dependent manner, decreasing the virus yield by 4 log of the 50% endpoint titre, at 10 mm concentration. IPNV was also inhibited, but at a lower level. The results of this study support the hypothesis that IHNV, in contrast to VHSV or IPNV, is less efficient at completing its growth cycle in cells with a simultaneous infection with IPNV. It can be affected at several stages of viral infection and is more sensitive to the action of antiviral compounds.
Occurrence of postmortem myoliquefactive kudoosis in Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus L., from the North Sea
Authors: Levsen A , Jørgensen A , Mo T A 
Published: May 2008

AbstractMembers of the myxosporean genus Kudoa occur in various marine teleosts worldwide. Several species are of concern to the fishery and aquaculture industries as they may produce unsightly cysts in the fish host’s musculature or are associated with postmortem myoliquefaction of the fish muscle, commonly referred to as ‘soft flesh’. This study describes the occurrence and effects on a host of a Kudoa species in Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus, from the northern North Sea. Generalized postmortem myoliquefaction associated with Kudoa sp. occurred in 0.8% of the examined fish, i.e. 11 of 1339 mackerel developed ‘soft flesh’. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of myoliquefaction between medium sized (400–600 g) and large mackerel (>600 g). The prevalence reached 8.9% in the latter host size group. No subclinical infections of Kudoa sp. were detected when examining fresh muscle (n = 103) and blood (n = 165) samples for spores using light microscopy. Affected mackerel developed generalized myoliquefaction after 38–56 h post‐catch. No inflammatory host response was associated with the presence of plasmodia within single body muscle fibres of ‘soft flesh’ affected fish. Based on comparison of myxospore dimensions and analysis of the nuclear small subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA, the present Kudoa species is assigned to Kudoa thyrsites. However, due to the species’ apparently very wide geographical distribution and host range, its varying effect on different fish host species, together with the still unknown life cycle of Kudoa spp., the taxonomic status of K. thyrsites appears not to be fully resolved.
Sleep‐related attentional bias in patients with primary insomnia compared with sleep experts and healthy controls
Authors: SPIEGELHALDER KAI , ESPIE COLIN , NISSEN CHRISTOPH , RIEMANN DIETER 
Published: May 2008

SummarySleep‐related attentional bias has been proposed to be an important factor in the development and maintenance of primary insomnia. In this study, a newly introduced mixed modality (visual auditory) task and an emotional Stroop task were used to investigate attentional processes in patients with primary insomnia, sleep experts and healthy controls (n = 20 per group). The sleep expert group served as second control group to control for effects of frequency of concept usage (FOCU). The results of the emotional Stroop task showed a sleep‐related attentional bias in the insomnia group in comparison with the expert group. However, no significant differences were detected in the other group comparisons and in the mixed modality task. The difference between insomnia patients and sleep experts in the emotional Stroop task indicates that FOCU is not the underlying process of sleep‐related attentional bias. Insomnia patients seem to be more emotionally, cognitively or procedurally affected by sleep‐related stimuli than sleep experts. The findings suggest that a desensitization of sleep‐related stimuli might be used therapeutically, thus extending the current cognitive behavioral treatments for primary insomnia.
Mandibular advancement appliance for obstructive sleep apnoea: results of a randomised placebo controlled trial using parallel group design
Authors: PETRI NIELS , SVANHOLT PALLE , SOLOW BENI , WILDSCHIØDTZ GORDON , WINKEL PER 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe aim of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a mandibular advancement appliance (MAA) for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Ninety‐three patients with OSA and a mean apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) of 34.7 were centrally randomised into three, parallel groups: (a) MAA; (b) mandibular non‐advancement appliance (MNA); and (c) no intervention. The appliances were custom made, in one piece. The MAAs had a mean protrusion of the mandible of 74% (range 64–85%). Outcome measures, assessed after continuous use for 4 weeks, were AHI (polysomnography), daytime sleepiness (Epworth) and quality of life (SF‐36). Eighty‐one patients (87%) completed the trial. The MAA group achieved mean AHI and Epworth scores significantly lower (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05) than the MNA group and the no‐intervention group. No significant differences were found between the MNA group and the no‐intervention group. The MAA group had a mean AHI reduction of 14.1 (95% CI 7.4–20.8), and a mean Epworth score reduction of 3.3 (95% CI 1.8–4.8). Eight MAA patients (30%) achieved a reduction in AHI ≥75% ending with an AHI <5, half of them having baseline AHI >30. Sensitivity analyses confirmed these results. MAA had a significant beneficial effect on the vitality domain of SF‐36. Four MAA patients (14.8%) and two MNA patients (8%) discontinued interventions because of adverse effects. Our conclusion is that MAA has significant beneficial effects on OSA, including cure in some cases of severe OSA. Protrusion of the mandible is essential for the effect. MNA has no placebo effect. MAA may be a good alternative to CPAP in subsets of OSA patients.
Measuring nightmare and bad dream frequency: impact of retrospective and prospective instruments
Authors: ROBERT GENEVIÈVE , ZADRA ANTONIO 
Published: May 2008

SummaryStudies on nightmare frequency have yielded inconsistent results. We compared the frequency of nightmares and bad dreams obtained with retrospective methods (annual and monthly estimates) and with two types of prospective measures (narrative and checklist logs). Four hundred and eleven participants completed retrospective estimates of nightmare and bad dream frequency and recorded their dreams in either narrative or checklist logs for 2–5 weeks. When measured prospectively with narrative logs, nightmare frequency was marginally higher than the 1‐year estimate (P = 0.057) but not significantly different from the 1‐month estimate (P > 0.05). Prospective bad dream frequency was significantly greater than the two retrospective estimates (ps < 0.0005). There were no significant differences in the frequency of nightmares and bad dreams reported prospectively with narrative versus checklist logs (ps > 0.05). However, checklist logs yielded a significantly greater number of everyday dreams per week (P < 0.0001). Taken together, the results provide partial support for the idea that when compared to daily logs, retrospective self‐reports significantly underestimate current nightmare and bad dream frequency. Prospective studies of dream recall and nightmare frequency should take into account the type of log used, its duration, and the participants’ level of motivation over time.