bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Return in Post‐conflict Contexts
Authors: Black Richard , Gent Saskia 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTPost‐conflict return is a highly politically charged process in a number of contexts, both for returnees and those who did not migrate or flee, leading many observers to question the notion of an unproblematic return “home”. Specifically, doubts remain both about the conditions and voluntariness of return, the ability of individual returnees to reintegrate in their home countries and regions, and the wider sustainability of the return process. This paper seeks to provide an overview of recent policy interest in returns, before setting out a tentative definition of what might be considered a “sustainable” return. It is argued that it is possible to draw a distinction between narrow indicators of the “sustainability” of return, such as whether returnees subsequently reemigrate, and wider definitions, which see “sustainability” as involving both the reintegration of individual returnees in their home societies, and the wider impact of return on macroeconomic and political indicators. Based on either definition, the development of robust indicators of the sustainability of return could assist in monitoring the impact of return programmes, providing valuable insight on return policies. The broader definition suggested also draws attention to the idea that continued mobility after an initial return ‐ including circulation and the development of a “transnational” lifestyle ‐ may be more “sustainable” than a single and definitive return to the refugee's place of origin.
Transnational Returns and Reconstruction in Post‐war Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Eastmond Marita 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTThe return of refugees and displaced persons has been a strong priority in the international commitment to reverse “ethnic cleansing” in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the war. Return and reintegration of refugees as a durable solution in profoundly changed and uncertain conditions are rarely unproblematic, and in Bosnia the sustainability of such returns, especially minority returns, remains of great concern. This article examines the strategies of return which Bosnian refugees adopt given such uncertainties, and points to the transnational space in which they occur. The return strategies described are of different duration, often take place outside of established policies and programmes, and are based on the need to keep options open in different places. While policies have tended to define refugee return as a single and definitive move to the country or place of origin, the transnational perspective suggests that return be better conceptualized as a dynamic and open‐ended process, one which may extend over long periods of time, involving mobility between places and active links to people and resources in the country of asylum. Transnational strategies also include the many refugees abroad who hold on to their repossessed houses in Bosnia and visit regularly, some of them for longer periods and in preparation for returning permanently at a later date. In such a transnational dynamic, refugees and returnees are not always clear‐cut categories, as both may move between and combine resources at both ends. The transnational perspective also throws into question notions of “home” as something bound to one particular locality or national community. If home is not just a place or a physical structure, but also a site of social relations and cultural meanings, it may well extend to several places, each one of which may hold its own particular sets of relations and meanings to those concerned. This transnational dimension of home is thus a challenge to notions of “repatriation” or “return” in the simplistic mode. Instead, as this paper shows, the reconstructed home may be translocal, where each locality becomes part of a new home. Rethinking return of refugees in terms of transnational mobility and belonging also suggests new ways of conceptualizing the potential for reconstruction of a large refugee population abroad. How policies and assistance programmes may capitalize on the skills and continued transnational engagements, not least of the many young Bosnians now acquiring higher education abroad, has yet to be developed.
A multi‐process account of startle modulation during affective perception
Authors: Bradley Margaret M. , Codispoti Maurizio , Lang Peter J. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractModulation of the startle reflex by sensory, attentional, and emotional processes was explored by presenting acoustic startle probes at various delays following picture onset. Within 500 ms of onset, blinks were first greatly facilitated and then inhibited, indicating prepulse facilitation and prepulse inhibition that did not vary with affect. Attention allocation to the picture continued across the viewing interval and was most pronounced for emotional pictures, as determined by attenuation of the P3 component to the startle probe. Startle potentiation for unpleasant pictures occurred later in the viewing interval and was strongest for highly arousing pictures. Taken together, the startle reflex during picture viewing is modulated by sequential and sometimes concurrent processes of prepulse facilitation, prepulse inhibition, attentional inhibition, and affective modulation, with reflex magnitude reflecting the net effect of multiple processes.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from yellowtail Seriola dumerilii (Perciformes: Carangidae)
Authors: BABBUCCI MASSIMILIANO , ZANE LORENZO , ANDALORO FRANCO , PATARNELLO TOMASO 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe Mediterranean yellowtail Seriola dumerilii (Risso, 1810) is a semi‐pelagic fish economically important to fisheries and aquaculture. We developed nine microsatellite primer pairs for this species. Microsatellites were isolated from a partial genomic library enriched for an AC motif. The developed loci proved to be polymorphic showing three to 11 alleles per locus. They can be employed for population studies as well as for parentage assessment. Cross‐species amplification was successfully tested in Seriola fasciata and Seriola rivoliana.
Involvement of endogenous opioid peptides and nitric oxide in the blunted chronotropic and inotropic responses to β‐adrenergic stimulation in cirrhotic rats
Authors: Ebrahimi Farzad , Tavakoli Sina , Hajrasouliha Amir Reza , Sadeghipour Hamed , Dehghani Mehdi , Ahmadi Seyed Hossein , Dehpour Ahmad Reza 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIt is well known that chronotropic and inotropic responses to β‐adrenergic stimulation are impaired in cirrhosis, but the exact reason is not clear. Considering the inhibitory effect of endogenous opioid peptides and nitric oxide (NO) on β‐adrenergic pathway, we examined their roles in hyporesponsiveness of isolated atria and papillary muscles to isoproterenol stimulation in cirrhotic rats. Cirrhosis was induced by chronic bile duct ligation. Four weeks after ligation or sham operation, the responses of the isolated atria and papillary muscles to isoproterenol stimulation were evaluated in the absence and presence of naltrexone HCl (10−6 m), N(ω)‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME, 10−4 m), and naltrexone plus l‐NAME in the organ bath. Considering the role of inducible NOS (iNOS) in hemodynamic abnormalities of cirrhotic rats, the chronotropic and inotropic responses of cirrhotic rats to isoproterenol stimulation were also assessed in the presence of aminoguanidine (a selective inhibitor of iNOS, 3 × 10−4 m). Sham operation had no significant effect on basal atrial beating rate, contractile force, and maximal time derivatives for the development and the dissipation of papillary muscle tension. The basal atrial beating rate of cirrhotic rats did not show any significant difference compared with the sham‐operated ones; however, the basal contractile parameters were significantly decreased in cirrhosis. Although the maximum effects of isoproterenol on chronotropic and inotropic responses were significantly reduced in cirrhotic rats, there was no difference in half‐maximal effective concentrations of isoproterenol in these concentration–response curves. The basal abnormalities and the attenuated chronotropic and inotropic responses to isoproterenol were completely corrected by the administration of naltrexone, l‐NAME and aminoguanidine. Concurrent administration of naltrexone and l‐NAME also restored to normal the basal abnormalities and the blunted responses to isoproterenol in cirrhotic rats, and did not show any antagonistic effect. Based on these findings, both the endogenous opioid peptides and NO may be involved in the attenuated chronotropic and inotropic responses to β‐adrenergic stimulation in cirrhosis. It seems that the iNOS activity results in NO‐induced hyporesponsiveness to β‐adrenergic stimulation in cirrhosis.
Spiritual care practices of nurse practitioners in federally designated nonmetropolitan areas of North Carolina
Authors: Hubbell Sara L. , Woodard Elizabeth K. , Barksdale‐Brown Debra J. , Parker Jill S. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractPurpose: The purpose of this study was to explore if and then how nurse practitioners (NPs) living in federally designated nonmetropolitan areas of North Carolina integrated spiritual care into their practices. Participants identified the frequency in which they utilize spiritual care practices, specific spiritual interventions, and their definitions of spiritual care.Data sources: A sample of 101 NPs was chosen through systematic sampling from 507 eligible NPs. Each participant was mailed a demographic data sheet and the Nurse Practitioner Spiritual Care Perspective Survey (NPSCPS). The NPSCPS was modified from the Oncology Nurse Spiritual Care Perspective Scale developed by Taylor and colleagues. Of the 101 mailings, 65 were returned and included in the analysis.Conclusions: Although most of the NPs in this study felt that spiritual care was an important part of nursing practice, 73% did not routinely provide spiritual care to their patients. Barriers and limitations to the provision of spiritual care must be explored.Implications for practice: As providers of holistic care, NPs should be proficient and comfortable in providing spiritual care to their patients. Educational programs should provide NPs and NP students with knowledge and skills to provide spiritual care.
A Pleiotropic Regulator, Frp, Affects Exopolysaccharide Synthesis, Biofilm Formation, and Competence Development in
Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Wang Bing , Kuramitsu Howard K. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACT

Exopolysaccharide synthesis, biofilm formation, and competence are important physiologic functions and virulence factors for
Streptococcus mutans
. In this study, we report the role of Frp, a transcriptional regulator, on the regulation of these traits crucial to pathogenesis. An Frp-deficient mutant showed decreased transcription of several genes important in virulence, including those encoding fructosyltransferase (Ftf), glucosyltransferase B (GtfB), and GtfC, by reverse transcription and quantitative real-time PCR. Expression of Ftf was decreased in the
frp
mutant, as assessed by Western blotting as well as by the activity assays. Frp deficiency also inhibited the production of GtfB in the presence of glucose and sucrose as well as the production of GtfC in the presence of glucose. As a consequence of the effects on GtfB and -C, sucrose-induced biofilm formation was decreased in the
frp
mutant. The expression of competence mediated by the competence-signaling peptide (CSP) system, as assessed by
comC
gene transcription, was attenuated in the
frp
mutant. As a result, the transformation efficiency was decreased in the
frp
mutant but was partially restored by adding synthetic CSP. Transcription of the
frp
gene was significantly increased in the
frp
mutant under all conditions tested, indicating that
frp
transcription is autoregulated. Furthermore, complementation of the
frp
gene in the
frp
mutant restored transcription of the affected genes to levels similar to those in the wild-type strain. These results suggest that Frp is a novel pleiotropic effector of multiple cellular functions and is involved in the modulation of exopolysaccharide synthesis, sucrose-dependent biofilm formation, and competence development.
Lysogeny of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
with MM1 Phage: Improved Adherence and Other Phenotypic Changes
Authors: Loeffler Jutta M. , Fischetti Vincent A. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACT

Pneumococcal prophages are extremely frequent, but no role in pathogenesis has so far been attributed to them. We isolated a variant of phage MM1, named MM1-1998, from a serotype 24 strain of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
. We created three isogenic strain pairs (serotypes 3, 4, and 24) that differed only by the lysogenic presence of the MM1-1998 phage and did a phenotypic comparison. Lysogeny led to improved adherence to inert surfaces and pharyngeal cells compared to that with the cured variants of the strains. We found that lysogeny with MM1-1998 coincided with a more transparent phenotype and phage curing with more opaque colonies in all strain pairs, and we discovered that transparency was associated with more successful and stable lysogeny. Since transparency alone was possibly responsible for the adherence difference, we further compared the TIGR4 lysogen with an equally transparent variant of TIGR4 in order to reassess the role of phage or transparency separately. The results revealed that improved adherence was independently associated with lysogeny with the MM1-1998 phage. Other phenotypic differences such as faster growth, increased autolysis, and decreased intracellular hemolytic activity were more likely due to transparency. By improving the adherence of pneumococci, this prophage may contribute to their fitness and possibly to their persistence in humans.
Virulence ofFrancisellaspp. in Chicken Embryos
Authors: Nix Eli B. , Cheung Karen K. M. , Wang Diana , Zhang Na , Burke Robert D. , Nano Francis E. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTWe examined the utility of infecting chicken embryos as a means of evaluating the virulence of differentFrancisellasp. strains and mutants. Infection of 7-day-old chicken embryos with a low dose ofF. novicidaorF. tularensissubsp.holarcticalive vaccine strain (LVS) resulted in sustained growth for 6 days. Different doses of these two organisms were used to inoculate chicken embryos to determine the time to death. These experiments showed that wild-typeF. novicidawas at least 10,000-fold more virulent than the LVS strain. We also examined the virulence of several attenuated mutants ofF. novicida, and they were found to have a wide range of virulence in chicken embryos. Fluorescent microscopic examination of infected chicken embryo organs revealed thatF. tularensisgrew in scattered foci of infections, and in all cases theF. tularensisappeared to be growing intracellularly. These results demonstrate that infection of 7-day-old chicken embryos can be used to evaluate the virulence of attenuatedF. tularensisstrains.
Adherent and InvasiveEscherichia coliIs Associated with Granulomatous Colitis in Boxer Dogs
Authors: Simpson Kenneth W. , Dogan Belgin , Rishniw Mark , Goldstein Richard E. , Klaessig Suzanne , McDonough Patrick L. , German Alex J. , Yates Robin M. , Russell David G. , Johnson Susan E. , Berg Douglas E. , Harel Josee , Bruant Guillaume , McDonough Sean P. , Schukken Ynte H. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTThe mucosa-associated microflora is increasingly considered to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. This study explored the possibility that an abnormal mucosal flora is involved in the etiopathogenesis of granulomatous colitis of Boxer dogs (GCB). Colonic biopsy samples from affected dogs (n= 13) and controls (n= 38) were examined by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with a eubacterial 16S rRNA probe. Culture, 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing, and histochemistry were used to guide subsequent FISH. GCB-associatedEscherichia coliisolates were evaluated for their ability to invade and persist in cultured epithelial cells and macrophages as well as for serotype, phylogenetic group, genome size, overall genotype, and presence of virulence genes. Intramucosal gram-negative coccobacilli were present in 100% of GCB samples but not controls. Invasive bacteria hybridized with FISH probes toE. coli. Three of four GCB-associatedE. coliisolates adhered to, invaded, and replicated within cultured epithelial cells. Invasion triggered a“ splash”-type response, was decreased by cytochalasin D, genistein, colchicine, and wortmannin, and paralleled the behavior of the Crohn's disease-associated strainE. coliLF 82. GCBE. coliand LF 82 were diverse in serotype and overall genotype but similar in phylogeny (B2 and D), in virulence gene profiles (fyuA,irp1,irp2,chuA,fepC,ibeA,kpsMII,iss), in having a larger genome size than commensalE. coli, and in the presence of novel multilocus sequence types. We conclude that GCB is associated with selective intramucosal colonization byE. coli. E. colistrains associated with GCB and Crohn's disease have an adherent and invasive phenotype and novel multilocus sequence types and resembleE. coliassociated with extraintestinal disease in phylogeny and virulence gene profile.
Staphylococcal Enterotoxin-Like Toxins U2 and V, Two New Staphylococcal Superantigens Arising from Recombination within the Enterotoxin Gene Cluster
Authors: Thomas Damien Yann , Jarraud Sophie , Lemercier Brigitte , Cozon Gregoire , Echasserieau Klara , Etienne Jerome , Gougeon Marie-Lise , Lina Gerard , Vandenesch François 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTTo test the hypothesis that theStaphylococcus aureusenterotoxin gene cluster (egc) can generate new enterotoxin genes by recombination, we analyzed theegclocus in a broad panel of 666 clinical isolates ofS. aureus. egcwas present in 63% of isolates, confirming its high prevalence. The archetypal organization of theegclocus, consisting of five enterotoxin genes plus two pseudogenes, was found in 409 of 421egc-positive strains. Theegclocus was incomplete in a few strains and occasionally harbored an insertion sequence and transposase genes. These strains may represent evolutionary intermediates of theegclocus. One strain with an atypicalegclocus produced two new enterotoxins, designated SElV and SElU2, generated by (i) recombination betweenselmandsei, producingselv, and (ii) a limited deletion in theφent1-φent2pseudogenes, producingselu2. Recombinant SElV and SElU2 had superantigen activity, as they specifically activated the T-cell families Vβ 6, Vβ 18, and Vβ 21 (SElV) and Vβ 13.2 and Vβ 14 (SElU2). Immunoscope analysis showed a Gaussian CDR3 size distribution of T-cell receptor Vβ chain junctional transcripts of expanded Vβ subsets in toxin-stimulated cultures, reflecting a high level of polyclonality. These data show thategcis indeed capable of generating new superantigen genes through recombination.
Murine Model of Infection by
Tropheryma whipplei
Authors: Genot Séverine , Stein Andreas , Lepidi Hubert , Ihrig Melanie , Raoult Didier , Mege Jean-Louis 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACT

We developed an animal model reproducing several aspects of Whipple's disease. Immunocompetent mice were persistently infected with
Tropheryma whipplei
, its etiological agent, and developed liver granulomas. SCID mice were infected similarly but did not develop tissue lesions. The delayed clearance of
T. whipplei
suggests a protective role for innate immunity.
Role of
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 Virulence Factors in Colonization at the Bovine Terminal Rectal Mucosa
Authors: Sheng Haiqing , Lim Ji Youn , Knecht Hannah J. , Li Jie , Hovde Carolyn J. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACT

The human pathogen
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 causes hemorrhagic colitis and life-threatening sequelae and transiently colonizes healthy cattle at the terminal rectal mucosa. This study analyzed virulence factors important for the clinical manifestations of human
E. coli
O157:H7 infection for their contribution to the persistence of
E. coli
in cattle. The colonizing ability of
E. coli
O157:H7 was compared with those of nonpathogenic
E. coli
K-12 and isogenic deletion mutants missing Shiga toxin (Stx), the adhesin intimin, its receptor Tir, hemolysin, or the ∼92-kb pO157. Fully ruminant steers received a single rectal application of one
E. coli
strain so that effects of mucosal attachment and survival at the terminal rectum could be measured without the impact of bacterial passage through the entire gastrointestinal tract. Colonization was monitored by sensitive recto-anal junction mucosal swab culture. Nonpathogenic
E. coli
K-12 did not colonize as well as
E. coli
O157:H7 at the bovine terminal rectal mucosa. The
E. coli
O157:H7 best able to persist had intimin, Tir, and the pO157. Strains missing even one of these factors were recovered in lower numbers and were cleared faster than the wild type. In contrast,
E. coli
O157:H7 strains that were missing Stx or hemolysin colonized like the wild type. For these three strains, the number of bacteria increased between days 1 and 4 postapplication and then decreased slowly. In contrast, the numbers of noncolonizing strains (K-12, Δ
tir
, and Δ
eae
) decreased from the day of application. These patterns consistently predicted long-term colonization or clearance of the bacteria from the bovine terminal rectal mucosa.
The BarA-UvrY Two-Component System Regulates Virulence in Avian Pathogenic
Escherichia coli
O78:K80:H9
Authors: Herren Christopher D. , Mitra Arindam , Palaniyandi Senthil Kumar , Coleman Adam , Elankumaran Subbiah , Mukhopadhyay Suman 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACT

The BarA-UvrY two-component system (TCS) in
Escherichia coli
is known to regulate a number of phenotypic traits. Both in vitro and in vivo assays, including the chicken embryo lethality assay, showed that this TCS regulates virulence in avian pathogenic
E. coli
(APEC) serotype O78:K80:H9. A number of virulence determinants, such as the abilities to adhere, invade, persist within tissues, survive within macrophages, and resist bactericidal effects of serum complement, were compromised in mutants lacking either the
barA
or
uvrY
gene. The reduced virulence was attributed to down regulation of type 1 and Pap fimbriae, reduced exopolysaccharide production, and increased susceptibility to oxidative stress. Our results indicate that BarA-UvrY regulates virulence properties in APEC and that the chicken embryo lethality assay can be used as a surrogate model to determine virulence determinants and their regulation in APEC strains.