bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Opportunistic Human Pathogenic FungusAspergillus fumigatusEvades the Host Complement System
Authors: Behnsen Judith , Hartmann Andrea , Schmaler Jeannette , Gehrke Alexander , Brakhage Axel A. , Zipfel Peter F. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTThe opportunistic human pathogenic fungusAspergillus fumigatuscauses severe systemic infections and is a major cause of fungal infections in immunocompromised patients.A. fumigatusconidia activate the alternative pathway of the complement system. In order to assess the mechanisms by whichA. fumigatusevades the activated complement system, we analyzed the binding of host complement regulators toA. fumigatus. The binding of factor H and factor H-like protein 1 (FHL-1) from human sera toA. fumigatusconidia was shown by adsorption assays and immunostaining. In addition, factor H-related protein 1 (FHR-1) bound to conidia. Adsorption assays with recombinant factor H mutants were used to localize the binding domains. One binding region was identified within N-terminal short consensus repeats (SCRs) 1 to 7 and a second one within C-terminal SCR 20. Plasminogen was identified as the fourth host regulatory molecule that binds toA. fumigatusconidia. In contrast to conidia, other developmental stages ofA. fumigatus, like swollen conidia or hyphae, did not bind to factor H, FHR-1, FHL-1, and plasminogen, thus indicating the developmentally regulated expression ofA. fumigatussurface ligands. Both factor H and plasminogen maintained regulating activity when they were bound to the conidial surface. Bound factor H acted as a cofactor to the factor I-mediated cleavage of C3b. Plasminogen showed proteolytic activity when activated to plasmin by urokinase-type plasminogen activator. These data show thatA. fumigatusconidia bind to complement regulators, and these bound host regulators may contribute to evasion of a host complement attack.
Identification of a Spermidine Excretion Protein Complex (MdtJI) in
Escherichia coli
Authors: Higashi Kyohei , Ishigure Hiroyuki , Demizu Risa , Uemura Takeshi , Nishino Kunihiko , Yamaguchi Akihito , Kashiwagi Keiko , Igarashi Kazuei 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

A spermidine excretion protein in
Escherichia coli
was looked for among 33 putative drug exporters thus far identified. Cell toxicity and inhibition of growth due to overaccumulation of spermidine were examined in an
E. coli
strain deficient in spermidine acetyltransferase, an enzyme that metabolizes spermidine. Toxicity and inhibition of cell growth by spermidine were recovered in cells transformed with pUC
mdtJI
or pMW
mdtJI
, encoding MdtJ and MdtI, which belong to the small multidrug resistance family of drug exporters. Both
mdtJ
and
mdtI
are necessary for recovery from the toxicity of overaccumulated spermidine. It was also found that the level of
mdtJI
mRNA was increased by spermidine. The spermidine content in cells cultured in the presence of 2 mM spermidine was decreased, and excretion of spermidine from cells was enhanced by MdtJI, indicating that the MdtJI complex can catalyze excretion of spermidine from cells. It was found that Tyr
4
, Trp
5
, Glu
15
, Tyr
45
, Tyr
61
, and Glu
82
in MdtJ and Glu
5
, Glu
19
, Asp
60
, Trp
68
, and Trp
81
in MdtI are involved in the excretion activity of MdtJI.
Application of a Microsphere-Based Array for Rapid Identification of
Acinetobacter
spp. with Distinct Antimicrobial Susceptibilities
Authors: Lin Yu-Chi , Sheng Wang-Huei , Chang Shan-Chwen , Wang Jann-Tay , Chen Yee-Chun , Wu Ruei-Jiuan , Hsia Ko-Chiang , Li Shu-Ying 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

Acinetobacter
spp. have emerged as important nosocomial and multidrug-resistant pathogens in the last decade.
A. calcoaceticus
,
A. baumannii
,
Acinetobacter
genospecies 3, and
Acinetobacter
genospecies 13TU are genetically closely related and are referred to as the
A. calcoaceticus-A. baumannii
complex (ACB complex). Distinct
Acinetobacter
spp. may be associated with differences in antimicrobial susceptibility, so it is important to identify
Acinetobacter
spp. at the species level. We developed a microsphere-based array that combines an allele-specific primer extension assay and microsphere hybridization for the identification of
Acinetobacter
spp. This assay can discriminate the 13 different
Acinetobacter
spp. in less than 8.5 h, and it has high specificity without causing cross-reactivity with 14 other common nosocomial bacterial species. The sensitivity of this assay was 100
A. baumannii
cells per ml of blood, and it could discriminate multiple species in various mixture ratios. The developed assay could differentiate clinical
Acinetobacter
spp. isolates with a 90% identification rate. The antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that
A. baumannii
isolates were resistant to most antimicrobial agents other than imipenem, while the genospecies 3 and 13TU isolates were more susceptible to most antimicrobial agents, especially ciprofloxacin and ampicillin-sulbactam. These results supported the idea that this assay possibly could be applied to clinical samples and provide accurate species identification, which might be helpful for clinicians when they are treating infections caused by
Acinetobacter
spp.
A high power/weight dexterous manipulator using 'Sensory Glove' based motion control and tactile feedback
Authors: Caldwell D.G. , Andersen U. , Bowler C.J. , Wardle A.J. 
Published: November 2007

Manipulators in one form or another have been in existence for many hundreds of years with the design (ranging from simple hooks or two-jaw systems to complex multi-articulated grippers) usually motivated by the particular class of task. When the problem domain includes a varied range of objects, one approach is to emulate those attributes of the human hand which make it such a versatile end-effector. This work considers the design of a dexterous (3-fingered 1-thumb) hand driven by newly developed high power/ weight performance pneumatic muscle actuators (PMA). Although the manipulator can be used in conventional robotic applications the primary aim is for a high-performance tele-presence system with full manipulator input and tactile feedback. The robot manipulator closely replicates the skeletal layout of the human hand, making controlfrom a gloved input device (developed at Salford) feasible, thereby substantially reducing the control difficulties associated with decterous devices and making widevpread low cost use of flexible manipulative devices possible.
Control for profit
Authors: Anderson Jim 
Published: November 2007

For some years the process industry has not benefited as much as it might have done from the application of control technology. The twin pressures of the economic situation and environmental concerns have focused company attention at all aspects of their operations and, in particular, on cost-effective ways of maximising the return from existing assets. This, together with the emergence of some robust control techniques and the power of modern computing systems, has resulted in some spectacular operational improvements. This is resulting in increased management awareness of the power of control techniques to provide a high return on investment. The background to this change of perception is presented together with the description of an industryproven approach to highlighting profit opportunities and quantifying the benefit of investment in process control improvement before a commitment to expenditure is made. Recent developments and established control techniques that are effective in recovering these predicted benefits are described with reference to other papers in this issue of the transactions.
On-line stress calculation and life monitoring systems for boiler components
Authors: Siqing Lu  , Wilson Bruce 
Published: November 2007

The increasing prevalence of two-shifting of power station operation can cause fatigue problems, particularly on boiler thick-wall pressure components such as headers and manifolds. To deal with the problems, a life monitoring system has been developed in which stresses within selected components are computed and displayed on-line to plant operators. Since the stresses affect the fatigue damage in the components, the operator can use this information to maximise the start-up rates on the plant and, provided the displayed stresses are within the prescribed limits, fatigue cracking will not occur. The most serious locations of fatigue cracking in a thick-wall component are at the crotch corners of the inner surfaces. However, the measurement of inner-wall temperature or strain is impractical. On-line methods have been proposed in this paper which calculate the inner surface temperature and thermal stress by using the temperature on the outer surface of the component or its tube legs. This can be easily measured. One is the recursive identification method in which the outer surface tempera tures are used to identify on-line the coefficients of the series solution of thermal diffusivity equation. The other method is based on Laplace transform through which the transfer functions between the fluid, inner and outer wall temperatures are derived. The comparisons of the simula tion results by these methods to the accurate results have shown that they are fast, reasonably accurate and suitable for uses in cost-effective stress monitoring and control systems.
The effect on intermediary metabolism of open-heart surgery with deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest in infants of less than 10 kilograms body weight. A preliminary study
Authors: Milne Emg , Elliott MJ , Pearson DT , Holden MP , Ørskov H. , Alberti Kgmm 
Published: November 2007

The effects of hypothermic open-heart surgery with circulatory arrest upon intermediary metabolism and endocrine function in small children are still poorly understood. This report presents data obtained in a preliminary study in which seven children of <10 Kg body weight were investigated during and after such procedures. Frequent blood samples were taken from one day preoperatively to seven days postoperatively for estimation of hormone concentrations (insulin, growth hormone, glucagon, cortisol), and intermediary metabolites (glucose, lactate, pyruvate, alanine, glycerol, and 3- hydroxybutyrate). Marked hyperglycaemia (34·8 ±3·3 mmol/L) was observed during cardiopulmonary bypass probably as a result of the glucose content of the pump prime. Moderate hyperglycaemia persisted for at least seven days postoperatively. A significant increase in lactate concentrations (p < 0·02) was observed during circulatory arrest and peak concentrations of 6·77 +0.87 mmol/L were measured at the end of the operation. Very high blood lactate concentrations were observed at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass in two patients who subsequently died. Peak insulin concentrations (20·7 ± 5·2 mU/L) were lower than those (30-40 mU/L) reported in adults undergoing similar procedures. Glucagon concentrations were significantly elevated during bypass ( p<0·05) to approximately twice the levels reported in adults. Unlike the other hormones, growth hormone concentrations revealed remarkably uniform change, similar to those reported in 'high responding' adults with peak values of 124 ± 26 mU/L, observed during cardiopulmonary bypass. Cortisol concentrations showed no significant changes throughout the study. Thus, the response of small infants to these procedures differed both qualitatively and quantitatively from that reported in adults. The results suggest that the nature of the prime fluid may be of major importance in the metabolic consequences of such surgery and that glucose and lactate may be better avoided in the pump prime.
Plasma levels of glucose, insulin and cortisol in children undergoing cardiac surgery: effects of pulsatile and nonpulsatile perfusion
Authors: Vigneswaran W.T. , Pollock J.C.S. , Jamieson M.P.G. , Torsney B. , Beastal G.H. 
Published: November 2007

The effects of pulsatile and nonpulsatile perfusion on the plasma glucose, insulin and cortisol levels were studied in 12 children undergoing intracardiac repair of congenital heart defects. Hyperglycaemia was noted in both subgroups during the operation but plasma glucose returned to normal levels at 24 hours. Insulin secretion was suppressed during the period of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and this was pronounced while the aorta was crossclamped. Cortisol levels were elevated during the whole period of study and remained elevated at 24 hours. In the pulsatile group cortisol levels were higher than the nonpulsatile group. However there was no significant difference between the groups. Like adults, children exhibit a metabolic response during open-heart operations. Pulsatile perfusion delivered by a modified Stöckert roller pump during ECC, did not alter the glucose, insulin and cortisol response to cardiac surgery in this study.
The use of Doppler ultrasound in the assessment of microemboli during cardiac surgery
Authors: Pugsley W. 
Published: November 2007

Arterial microemboli may contribute to bypass (CPB) related cerebral dysfunction and might be reduced by arterial line filtration. Doppler ultrasonic techniques have been used to detect such emboli in the bypass circuit since 1965. Attention has recently focussed on detecting microemboli which actually reach the cerebral circulation. We evaluated a transcranial Doppler system (TC2-64, EME) on an extracorporeal circuit and confirmed that microemboli can be detected and quantified. In the operating theatre, we measured middle cerebral artery blood velocity and the incidence of microembolic events (MEE) during cardiopulmonary bypass. Twenty patients (median age 56 yrs, range 50-64) with arterial line filters (40 micron, Pall ECplus) and 20 without (56 yrs, 43-70) have been studied. Bypass technique was standardized and a bubble oxygenator (Harvey H 1700) used in all cases. MEE occurred during aortic cannulation and at inception of bypass. On bypass, patients with filters had fewer MEE (0-10 per 30 minutes) than nonfiltered patients (30->250 per 30 minutes). We conclude that the TC2-64 transcranial Doppler system can detect and quantify microemboll of greater than 40 microns diameter in the middle cerebral artery during cardiac surgery. It cannot differentiate particulate from gaseous microemboli. We have also identified high risk periods for cerebral microembolisation.
Leucocyte depleting filters and cardiothoracic surgery
Authors: Hart S. , Roe JA 
Published: November 2007

Leucocyte filtration technology is now beginning to be used in cardiothoracic surgery. The leucocyte depletion of banked homologous blood has been shown to reduce its immunosuppressive effects, along with a range of other benefits. Use of such a blood product appears to be an attractive option during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) as this procedure is recognized as causing immune disturbance and long-term immunosuppression. White-cell removal filters also appear to have a novel application in the reduction of neutrophil-mediated damage associated with CPB procedures. A strong database from animal work has been recently supplemented by human data that shows clinical benefits from autologous white-cell removal by filtration.
Complement activation during and after open-heart surgery is only marginally affected by the choice of fluid for volume replacement
Authors: Svennevig JL , Tølløfsrud S. , Kongsgaard U. , Noddeland H. , Mohr B. , Øzer M. , Mollnes TE 
Published: November 2007

Forty patients undergoing CPB for coronary artery surgery, using a standardized technical setting, were randomized to receive either Ringer's acetate, dextran 70 (Macrodex), polygeline (Haemaccel) or albumin 4% for volume replacement during and after surgery. The choice of fluid did not affect early complement activation (C3 activation products). Higher values of the terminal complement complex (TCC) were found only at the end of the operation in patients receiving polygeline. There were no differences between any two of the four groups during the postoperative course. The use of blood transfusion or autotransfusion and the degree of haemodilution and hypothermia did not affect complement activation. We conclude that complement activation in association with open-heart surgery is only marginally affected by the choice of fluid for volume replacement.
Which patients with terminal cancer are admitted from home care?
Authors: Hinton John 
Published: November 2007

The factors related to admission of patients with terminal cancer who had been referred to a reputable home care service were examined in 415 patients referred in a two-year period and in a prospective study of a randomized one in three sample of the 232 adults still alive one week after referral, who were able to converse and be at home with caring relatives. The reasons given by staff for intermediate admissions were mostly to improve symptom control or provide respite; for final admissions the reasons were symptom control, patients' deteriorated state and relatives needing relief. Independent weekly assessments usually concurred in showing increasing problems or distress preceding final admission, particularly patients' weakness, pain, depression and anxiety, and relatives' fatigue, anxiety or depression. Examination of selected demographic and illness factors indicated that few patients living alone or with unfit relatives stayed at home; breast cancer led to more deaths as an inpatient, whereas stomach cancer favoured deaths at home. The proportion of patients admitted steadily increased as care lengthened. Assessments of psychological factors showed that initial attitudes of denial, conscious fighting of disease, and optimism were linked with increased late admissions; earlier awareness of dying in patients and stoicism in relatives favoured home deaths. A growing preference for inpatient care usually preceded or accompanied admission. Recognition of both immediate and underlying causes of admission can indicate where further treatment or assistance is needed and also improve understanding so that patients and relatives may be suitably supported or helped to adjust.
Staff stress in hospice/palliative care: a review
Authors: Vachon Mary LS 
Published: November 2007

A review of the research in the area of staff stress in hospice/palliative care since the start of the modern hospice movement shows that, while high stress was identified as a problem in the early days of the movement, later studies have shown that stress and burnout in palliative care are by no means universal. Staff stress and burnout in hospice/palliative care has been demonstrated to be less than in professionals in many other settings. However, other studies have noted suicidal ideation, increased alcohol and drug usage, anxiety, depression, and difficulty in dealing with issues of death and dying. It is hypothesized that part of the reason that stress may be lower than expected in some settings was the early recognition of the potential stress inherent in this field and the development of appropriate organizational and personal coping strategies to deal with the identified stressors. Staff in hospice/palliative care have been found to have increased stress when mechanisms such as social support, involvement in work and decision-making, and a realistic work-load are not available. The stress that exists in palliative care is due in large measure to organizational and societal issues, although personal variables were also found to have an influence. Suggestions are given for the direction of future research in the field.
Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus with Multisystem Organ Involvement Preceding Cutaneous Lesions
Authors: Fonseca Eduardo , Contreras Félix , García-Frías Enrique , Carrascosa M. Carmen 
Published: November 2007

Here we report a case of neonatal lupus erythematosus syndrome presenting with multisystem organ involvement, including anemia, thrombocytopenia, purpura, bloody diarrhea, enzymatic liver abnormalities, splenomegaly and pneumonitis. These findings preceded the cutaneous rash that was the clue for the diagnosis. The patient's mother had an undiagnosed subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. The various forms of onset of neonatal lupus erythematosus syndrome are emphasized.
Monoclonal Autoantibodies to Cardiolipin Derived from SLE Mice
Authors: Ichikawa Kenji , Suzuki Takahiro , Hashimoto Yoshiko , Sumida Takayuki , Tomioka Hisao , Yoshida Sho , Koike Takao 
Published: November 2007

The objective of this study was to clarify the specificity of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL). Eighteen monoclonal hybridoma aCL from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-prone MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice were established, and the reactivity of monoclonal aCL to phospholipids, DNA, nuclei of human epithelial cells, platelets, vascular endothelial cells, heparin, protein C and thrombomodulin was examined. All the 18 monoclonal aCL reacted with phosphatidylserine and some showed reactivity to phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine. Six of 16 monoclonal aCL were demonstrated to have the property of lupus anticoagulant. Monoclonal aCL were classified into three categories, in terms of DNA-binding specificity. Ten of 18 aCL had characteristics of antinuclear antibodies. Six of 11 aCL reacted with platelets. Three of 18 aCL were bound to vascular endothelial cells and to heparin. No monoclonal aCL reacted with protein C or thrombomodulin. Therefore, the conclusion was made that monoclonal aCL from SLE mice showed a polyspecific nature.
Antiphospholipid syndrome and the idiotypic network
Authors: Bakimer R. , Blank M. , Kosashvilli D. , Ichikawa K. , Khamashta M.A. , Hughes G.R.V. , Koike T. , Shoenfeld Y. 
Published: November 2007

To study whether monoclonal anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), derived from patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). have similar pathogenic potential, we have employed an experimental model of antiphospholipid syndrome. Monoclonal aCL were produced by the combined method of EBV transformation and somatic cell hybridization of lymphocytes, derived from patients with APS. The monoclonal aCL were used to immunize mice at the footpads and the mice were followed for serological and clinical manifestations of APS. The monoclonal antibody EY2C9, was found to bind weakly to cardiolipin and other phospholipids (i.e. phosphatidyl-serine, phosphatidyl-ethanolamine and phosphatidyl-inositol). The antibody TM 1B9, although derived from a patient with SLE and with secondary APS, did not react with phospholipids. Immunization of naive BALB/c mice with EY2C9 was followed by production of sustained high titers of antiphospholipid antibodies associated with prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (46.8 ± 5.0 s vs. 22.4 ± 1.7 s, in the non-immunized mice). Mice immunized with TM 1 B9 had a more moderate titer of antiphospholipid antibodies and did not show prolonged APTT. The pregnant mice, that were immunized with EY2C9, had increased fetal resorption rate (the equivalent of fetal loss in the human) of 36.8 ± 10% (vs. 2 ± 4% in mice immunized with TM 1 B9). Our results confirm that monoclonal aCL, derived from a patient with APS, can have a pathogenic potential, dysregulating the idiotypic network and leading to the development of characteristic signs of APS. Moreover, our findings suggest that immunization with antibody, although non-reactive with what is thought to be the antigen, but derived from a patient with active disease, can still promote the development of related antibodies, probably because it has other characteristics of pathogenicity (i.e. idiotype).