bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Paradoxical Growth Effect of Caspofungin Observed on Biofilms and Planktonic Cells of Five Different
Candida
Species
Authors: Melo Analy S. , Colombo Arnaldo L. , Arthington-Skaggs Beth A. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT

The paradoxical growth (PG) of
Candida
sp. biofilms in the presence of high caspofungin (CAS) concentrations was previously unknown. We sought to characterize the PG at supra-MICs of CAS among clinical
Candida
sp. isolates grown as biofilms in 96-well polystyrene microtiter plates. The MICs of CAS were determined for 30 clinical
Candida
sp. isolates (4
Candida albicans
, 6
C. tropicalis
, 7
C. parapsilosis
, 8
C. orthopsilosis
, and 5
C. metapsilosis
isolates) when they were grown as planktonic cells and biofilms and were defined as the lowest drug concentrations that resulted in a prominent decrease in growth and a 50% reduction in metabolic activity, respectively. PG was defined as a resurgence of growth (>50% of that in the drug-free growth control well) at drug concentrations above the MIC. With the exception of
C. tropicalis
, all isolates displayed PG more frequently when they were grown as biofilms than when they grown as planktonic cells. PG was undetectable among
C. metapsilosis
isolates in planktonic cell MIC tests but was present in 100% of the isolates in biofilm MIC tests. The drug concentration and the number of drug dilutions supporting PG were higher for biofilms than for planktonic cells. Microscopic changes in cell morphology were observed among both planktonic and biofilm cells with PG. Specifically, the accumulation of enlarged, globose cells was associated with PG, and we hypothesize that CAS-induced changes in the cell wall composition may be the explanation.
In Vivo Efficacy of Ceftaroline (PPI-0903), a New Broad-Spectrum Cephalosporin, Compared with Linezolid and Vancomycin against Methicillin-Resistant and Vancomycin-Intermediate
Staphylococcus aureus
in a Rabbit Endocarditis Model
Authors: Jacqueline Cédric , Caillon Jocelyne , Le Mabecque Virginie , Miègeville Anne-Françoise , Hamel Antoine , Bugnon Denis , Ge James Yigong , Potel Gilles 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT

Using the rabbit endocarditis model, we compared the activity of a new broad-spectrum cephalosporin, ceftaroline, with those of linezolid and vancomycin against methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
. After a 4-day treatment, ceftaroline exhibited superior bactericidal in vivo activity against resistant
S. aureus
strains and appeared to be the most effective drug against a heterogeneous glycopeptide-intermediate
S. aureus
strain.
Lesion Formation and Antibody Response Induced by Papillomatous Digital Dermatitis-Associated Spirochetes in a Murine Abscess Model
Authors: Elliott Margaret K. , Alt David P. , Zuerner Richard L. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTPapillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD), also known as hairy heel wart, is a growing cause of lameness of cows in the U.S. dairy industry. Farms with PDD-afflicted cows experience economic loss due to treatment costs, decreased milk production, lower reproductive efficiency, and premature culling. While the exact cause of PDD is unknown, lesion development is associated with the presence of anaerobic spirochetes. This study was undertaken to investigate the virulence and antigenic relatedness of four previously isolatedTreponema phagedenis-like spirochetes (1A, 3A, 4A, and 5B) by using a mouse abscess model with subcutaneous inoculation of 109, 1010, and 1011spirochetes. Each of the PDD isolates induced abscess formation, with strain 3A causing cutaneous ulceration. Lesion development and antibody responses were dose dependent and differed significantly from those seen with the nonpathogenic humanT. phagedenisstrain. Strains 3A, 4A, and 5B showed two-way cross-reactivity with each other and a one-way cross-reaction withT. phagedenis. Strain 5B showed one-way cross-reactivity with 1A. None of the isolates showed cross-reactivity withT. denticola. In addition, distinct differences in immunoglobulin G subclass elicitation occurred between the PDD strains andT. phagedenis. From these data, we conclude that spirochetes isolated from PDD lesions have differential virulence and antigenic traits in vivo. Continuing investigation of these properties is important for the elucidation of virulence mechanisms and antigenic targets for vaccine development.
The Chymotrypsin-Like Protease Complex ofTreponema denticolaATCC 35405 Mediates Fibrinogen Adherence and Degradation
Authors: Bamford Caroline V. , Fenno J. Christopher , Jenkinson Howard F. , Dymock David 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTTreponema denticolais an anaerobic spirochete strongly associated with human periodontal disease.T. denticolabacteria interact with a range of host tissue proteins, including fibronectin, laminin, and fibrinogen. The latter localizes in the extracellular matrix where tissue damage has occurred, and interactions with fibrinogen may play a key role inT. denticolacolonization of the damaged sites.T. denticolaATCC 35405 showed saturable binding of fluid-phase fibrinogen to the cell surface and saturable adherence to immobilized fibrinogen. Levels of fibrinogen binding were enhanced in the presence of the serine protease inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. The Aα and Bβ chains of fibrinogen, but not the γ chains, were specifically recognized byT. denticola. Following fibrinogen affinity chromatography analysis of cell surface extracts, a major fibrinogen-binding component (polypeptide molecular mass, ∼100 kDa), which also degraded fibrinogen, was purified. Upon heating at 100°C, the polypeptide was dissociated into three components (apparent molecular masses, 80, 48, and 45 kDa) that did not individually bind or degrade fibrinogen. The native 100-kDa polypeptide complex was identified as chymotrypsin-like protease (CTLP), or dentilisin. In an isogenic CTLP−mutant strain, CKE, chymotrypsin-like activity was reduced >90% compared to that in the wild type and fibrinogen binding and hydrolysis were ablated. Isogenic mutant strain MHE, deficient in the production of Msp (major surface protein), showed levels of CTLP reduced 40% relative to those in the wild type and exhibited correspondingly reduced levels of fibrinogen binding and proteolysis. Thrombin clotting times in the presence of wild-typeT. denticolacells, but not strain CKE (CTLP−) cells, were extended. These results suggest that interactions ofT. denticolawith fibrinogen, which may promote colonization and modulate hemostasis, are mediated principally by CTLP.
Developmental Stage- and Cell Cycle Number-Dependent Changes in Characteristics of
Plasmodium falciparum
-Infected Erythrocyte Adherence to Placental Chondroitin-4-Sulfate Proteoglycan
Authors: Madhunapantula SubbaRao V. , Achur Rajeshwara N. , Gowda D. Channe 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT

The adherence of
Plasmodium falciparum
-infected red blood cells (IRBCs) in the human placenta is mediated by chondroitin-4-sulfate (C4S). Although IRBC binding to C4S has been unequivocally established, the adherence characteristics of IRBCs at different stages of parasite development and through successive parasite generations after selection for C4S adherence are not known. Here we show that IRBCs acquire a significant capacity to bind to C4S at as early as 14 h and exhibit maximum binding at 22 to 26 h postinvasion. Surprisingly, the IRBC binding ability decreases by ∼50% at the late trophozoite and schizont stages. The binding strength of the IRBCs also gradually decreases during successive generations after selection for C4S binding, and at the 32nd generation, the binding capacity was only ∼31% of that of IRBCs at the 2nd generation, suggesting that IRBCs eventually lose their C4S-adherent capacity. We also tested the susceptibility of the adhesive protein(s) on the IRBC surface to trypsin treatment at different stages of parasite development. The data show that IRBCs with late trophozoites are more resistant to trypsin treatment than those containing early trophozoites, indicating that parasite proteins expressed on the IRBC surface during trophozoite maturation partially mask accessibility of adhesive protein for binding to C4S. These data provide important insights into the expression pattern of the C4S-adhesive protein(s) on the IRBC surface, emphasizing the need for understanding the regulation of genes involved in IRBC binding to C4S. Our data also define the parasite stage at which IRBCs are suitable for studying structural interactions with C4S.
Vibrio vulnificus
Damages Macrophages during the Early Phase of Infection
Authors: Tsuchiya Takahiro , Mitsuo Eriko , Hayashi Nahoko , Hikita Yuuko , Nakao Hiroshi , Yamamoto Shigeo , Miyamoto Katsushiro , Tsujibo Hiroshi 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT

Vibrio vulnificus
is an estuarine bacterium that can cause primary septicemia as well as serious wound infections. Generally, clinical isolates have a high lethal effect compared with environmental isolates. However, little is known about the mechanisms by which
V. vulnificus
causes disease. In this study, we compared the pathogenicity of a clinical isolate, strain M2799, with that of an environmental isolate, strain JCM3731. The clinical isolate showed 100 times higher lethality in mice than the environmental isolate. In strain M2799-inoculated mice, the number of macrophages decreased significantly, whereas there was no appreciable change in the number of macrophages in strain JCM3731-inoculated mice. The clinical isolate showed high cytotoxic activity, especially to macrophages, compared with the environmental isolate in vitro. The growth of the clinical isolate was almost completely inhibited in the presence of macrophages. Moreover, the survival rate of the clinical isolate-inoculated mice increased by recruitment of macrophages. These results indicate that
V. vulnificus
infection progresses by damage to macrophages during the early phase of infection.
Helicobacter pylori
VacA Enhances Prostaglandin E
2
Production through Induction of Cyclooxygenase 2 Expression via a p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase/Activating Transcription Factor 2 Cascade in AZ-521 Cells
Authors: Hisatsune Junzo , Yamasaki Eiki , Nakayama Masaaki , Shirasaka Daisuke , Kurazono Hisao , Katagata Yohtaro , Inoue Hiroyasu , Han Jiahuai , Sap Jan , Yahiro Kinnosuke , Moss Joel , Hirayama Toshiya 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT

Treatment of AZ-521 cells with
Helicobacter pylori
VacA increased cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) mRNA in a time- and dose-dependent manner. A p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, SB203580, blocked elevation of COX-2 mRNA levels, whereas PD98059, which blocks the Erk1/2 cascade, partially suppressed the increase. Consistent with involvement of p38 MAPK, VacA-induced accumulation of COX-2 mRNA was reduced in AZ-521 cells overexpressing a dominant-negative p38 MAPK (DN-p38). Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, which inhibits VacA-induced p38 MAPK activation, blocked VacA-induced COX-2 expression. In parallel with COX-2 expression, VacA increased prostaglandin E
2
(PGE
2
) production, which was inhibited by SB203580 and NS-398, a COX-2 inhibitor. VacA-induced PGE
2
production was markedly attenuated in AZ-521 cells stably expressing DN-p38. VacA increased transcription of a COX-2 promoter reporter gene and activated a COX-2 promoter containing mutated NF-κB or NF-interleukin-6 sites but not a mutated
cis
-acting replication element (CRE) site, suggesting direct involvement of the activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2)/CREB-binding region in VacA-induced COX-2 promoter activation. The reduction of ATF-2 expression in AZ-521 cells transformed with ATF-2-small interfering RNA duplexes resulted in suppression of COX-2 expression. Thus, VacA enhances PGE
2
production by AZ-521 cells through induction of COX-2 expression via the p38 MAPK/ATF-2 cascade, leading to activation of the CRE site in the COX-2 promoter.
The Capsule Encoding theviaBLocus Reduces Interleukin-17 Expression and Mucosal Innate Responses in the Bovine Intestinal Mucosa during Infection withSalmonella entericaSerotype Typhi
Authors: Raffatellu Manuela , Santos Renato L. , Chessa Daniela , Wilson R. Paul , Winter Sebastian E. , Rossetti Carlos A. , Lawhon Sara D. , Chu Hiutung , Lau Tsang , Bevins Charles L. , Adams L. Garry , Bäumler Andreas J. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTTheviaBlocus contains genes for the biosynthesis and export of the Vi capsular antigen ofSalmonella entericaserotype Typhi. Wild-type serotype Typhi induces less CXC chemokine production in tissue culture models than does an isogenicviaBmutant. Here we investigated the in vivo relevance of these observations by determining whether the presence of theviaBregion prevents inflammation in two animal models of gastroenteritis. UnlikeS. entericaserotype Typhimurium, serotype Typhi or a serotype TyphiviaBmutant did not elicit marked inflammatory changes in the streptomycin-pretreated mouse model. In contrast, infection of bovine ligated ileal loops with a serotype TyphiviaBmutant resulted in more fluid accumulation and higher expression of the chemokine growth-related oncogene alpha (GROα) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) than did infection with the serotype Typhi wild type. There was a marked upregulation of IL-17 expression in both the bovine ligated ileal loop model and the streptomycin-pretreated mouse model, suggesting that this cytokine is an important component of the inflammatory response to infection withSalmonellaserotypes. Introduction of the clonedviaBregion into serotype Typhimurium resulted in a significant reduction of GROα and IL-17 expression and in reduced fluid secretion. Our data support the idea that theviaBregion plays a role in reducing intestinal inflammation in vivo.
Supplement to State of the Climate in 2006
Authors: Arguez A. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
The State of the Climate in 2006 report summarizes the year's weather and climate conditions, both globally and regionally. In addition, the year is placed into a long-term climatological context. Furthermore, notable events are also discussed.
Overall global temperatures were fifth or sixth warmest on record, depending on the dataset, continuing an upward trend in temperatures. Many countries and regions experienced their record warmest year (or tied for warmest), including Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and China, as well as parts of Australia and Canada. In many regions, the warmth in 2006 is statistically indistinguishable from the record warmth in 1998. However, 1998 was influenced by the unprecedented warming associated with the record 1997/98 El Niño, whereas 2006 was marked by a 2005/06 La Niña that transitioned into a weak-to-moderate 2006/07 El Niño.
Consistent with the warming, sea ice extent in both polar regions reached record or near-record minima. In addition, Antarctic ozone concentrations reached an all-time minimum. Also, carbon dioxide measurements increased in the atmosphere by 2.3 parts per million (ppm) in 2006 to reach a global average of 381.1 ppm.
In the global oceans, sea levels were above average for ∼80% of the ocean. The global mean sea level anomaly change of +6 mm from 2005 was the highest increase since the altimeter record began in 1993. Relative sea level change was also the highest ever recorded. Significant heat flux and current anomalies were observed in the regions of the 2006 El Niño and Indian Ocean dipole mode event.
Despite the warmth around the globe, tropical cyclone counts were near average. However, Tropical Cyclone Larry made landfall in northern Australia as one of the most intense storms in decades. Following the record Atlantic hurricane season of 2005, the 2006 season was very quiet.
Did the Thermocline Deepen in the California Current after the 1976/77 Climate Regime Shift?
Authors: Kim Hey-Jin , Miller Arthur J. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
The 55-yr California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) dataset in the southern California Current reveals a significant surface-intensified warming and stratification (buoyancy frequency) change across the 1976/77 climate regime shift. However, the average depth of the thermocline, defined as the maximum gradient of temperature, did not change significantly across the regime shift. The maximum-gradient criterion for thermocline depth may be more appropriate than following an isotherm because the isotherm necessarily deepens in the presence of surface-intensified warming. As the surface heating changed the strength of stratification, it also changed the slope of the nitrate–temperature relation for the middepth waters (roughly 30–200 m). Thus, the quality of upwelled water may have been fundamentally altered after the shift.
Simulated Variability of the Arctic Ocean Freshwater Balance 1948–2001
Authors: Köberle Cornelia , Gerdes Rüdiger 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
The Arctic Ocean freshwater balance over the period 1948–2001 is examined using results from a hindcast simulation with an ocean–sea ice model of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. Atmospheric forcing is taken from the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis and different terrestrial freshwater sources as well as the Bering Strait throughflow are specified as constant seasonal cycles. The long-term variability of the Arctic Ocean liquid freshwater content is determined by the variability of lateral exchanges with the subpolar seas. Surface freshwater flux variability is dominated by the thermodynamic growth of sea ice. This component of the freshwater balance has larger variability at interannual frequencies. The Arctic Ocean liquid freshwater content was at a maximum in the middle of the 1960s. Extremely low liquid freshwater export through Fram Strait caused this maximum in the freshwater content. The low export rate was related to weak volume transports in the East Greenland Current. Low volume transports were forced by a reduction in sea surface height across Fram Strait, triggered by anomalous meltwater from Barents Sea ice export that was carried toward Fram Strait with the West Spitzbergen Current. After the 1960s maximum liquid freshwater content, the Arctic Ocean gradually returned to an equilibrium between export through the passages toward the Atlantic and the freshwater sources.
Causes of Changes in the Denmark Strait Overflow
Authors: Köhl Armin , Käse Rolf H. , Stammer Detlef , Serra Nuno 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
The warming Nordic seas potentially tend to decrease the overflow across the Greenland–Iceland–Scotland Ridge (GISR) system. Recent observations by Macrander et al. document a significant drop in the intensity of outflowing Denmark Strait Overflow Water of more than 20% over 3 yr and a simultaneous increase in the temperature of the bottom layers of more than 0.4°C. A simulation of the exchange across the GISR with a regional ocean circulation model is used here to identify possible mechanisms that control changes in the Denmark Strait overflow and its relations to changed forcing condition. On seasonal and longer time scales, the authors establish links of the overflow anomalies to a decreasing capacity of the dense water reservoir caused by a change of circulation pattern north of the sill. On annual and shorter time scales, the wind stress curl around Iceland determines the barotropic circulation around the island and thus the barotropic flow through Denmark Strait. For the overlapping time scales, the barotropic and overflow component interactively determine transport variations. Last, a relation between sea surface height and reservoir height changes upstream of the sill is used to predict the overflow variability from altimeter data. Estimated changes are in agreement with other recent transport estimates based on current-meter arrays.
Ocean Currents and Sea Surface Heights Estimated across the West Florida Shelf
Authors: Liu Yonggang , Weisberg Robert H. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
The across-shelf structures of the ocean circulation and the associated sea surface height (SSH) variability are examined on the west Florida shelf (WFS) for the 3-yr interval from September 1998 to December 2001. Five sets of characteristic circulation patterns are extracted from 2-day, low-pass-filtered data using the self-organizing map: extreme upwelling and downwelling structures with strong currents, asymmetric upwelling and downwelling structures with moderate currents, and a set of transitional structures with weak currents. The temporal variations of these structures are coherent with the local winds on synoptic weather time scales. On seasonal time scales they are related to both the local winds and the water density variations. The circulation is predominantly upwelling during autumn to spring months (October–April) and downwelling during summer months (June–September). Coastal sea level fluctuations are related to both the dynamical responses of the inner shelf circulation to meteorological forcing and the offshore SSH. On long time scales, the offshore SSH variations appear to dominate, whereas on synoptic weather time scales, the inner shelf wind-driven circulation responses are largest. The across-shelf distribution of SSH is estimated from the velocity, hydrography, wind, and coastal sea level data, and the results are compared with satellite altimetry data, thereby providing a means for calibrating satellite altimetry on the shelf.
Real-Time Forecasting of Snowfall Using a Neural Network
Authors: Roebber Paul J. , Butt Melissa R. , Reinke Sarah J. , Grafenauer Thomas J. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
A set of 53 snowfall reports was collected in real time from the 2004/05 and 2005/06 cold seasons (November–March). Three snowfall-amount forecast methods were tested: neural network, surface-temperature-based 676-USDT table, and climatological snow ratio. Standard verification methods (mean, median, bias, and root-mean-square error) and a new method that places the forecasts in the context of municipal snow removal, and introduces the concept of forecast credibility, are used. Results suggest that the neural network method performs best for individual events, owing in part to the inverse relationship between melted liquid equivalent and snow ratio; hence, the ongoing difficulty of producing accurate forecasts of melted equivalent precipitation (a problem in all seasons) is compensated for rather than amplified when converting to snowfall amounts. This analysis should be extended to a larger selection of reports, which is anticipated in conjunction with efforts currently ongoing at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hydrometeorological Prediction Center.