bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statistical Evaluation of Classical Swine Fever Surveillance Plans in Italy (1995–2003)
Authors: Feliziani F. , Maresca C. , Giovannini A. , Mammoli R. , Rutili D. 
Published: July 2005

SummarySurveillance plans were carried out in Italy from 1995 to 2003, with the main aim of controlling the possible circulation of low‐virulence classical swine fever viral strains. The repetition of a serological monitoring programme over several years, with constantly negative results, can prove the absence of the infection while increasing the degree of confidence. In our case, in 2003, after eight repetitions of the surveillance plan, the probability that there was at least one infected farm reached 0.006%. Therefore, on the basis of the results of the sampling carried out from 1995 to 2003, we may state that there is no endemic infection, even because of a low virulence virus, in continental Italy.
Studies of the Efficacy of Enterocoliticin, a Phage‐Tail Like Bacteriocin, as Antimicrobial Agent Against Yersinia enterocolitica Serotype O3 in a Cell Culture System and in Mice
Authors: Damasko C. , Konietzny A. , Kaspar H. , Appel B. , Dersch P. , Strauch E. 
Published: July 2005

SummaryThe efficacy of enterocoliticin, a phage tail‐like bacteriocin, as antimicrobial compound against infections with pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O3 strains was assessed. In cell cultures, which were infected with the Y. enterocolitica strains 13 169 or 6471/76, bactericidal activity of enterocoliticin was found for bacteria adhering to the surface of eukaryotic cells, whereas bacteria, which had invaded the eukaryotic cells, were not accessible to the bacteriocin. The interaction of enterocoliticin with Y. enterocolitica was further examined in animals. Female BALB/c mice were experimentally infected with the two Y. enterocolitica strains and enterocoliticin was applied as antimicrobial compound by the oral route. Experimental variations concerning the infectious doses of the Y. enterocolitica strains and the time points of application of the bacteriocin were investigated. The increase of the Yersinia CFU titre in animals was retarded at time points shortly after the application of enterocoliticin indicating that the particles were effective on recently introduced Yersinia. The repeated application of enterocoliticin, however, did not prevent the colonization of the gastrointestinal tract by Yersinia.
Role of Microfilaments and Microtubules in the Invasion of EPC Cells by Aeromonas hydrophila
Authors: Chu W.H. , Lu C.P. 
Published: July 2005

SummaryThe influence of the cytoskeleton on the invasion of Aeromonas hydrophila strain AhJ‐1, isolated from diseased fish, in the monolayer cell of epithelioma papillosum cells of carp (EPC) was evaluated by the recovery of gentamicin‐resistant bacteria from Triton X‐100 cell lysates. The depolymerization of microfilaments (MF) by cytochalasin B and D inhibited the uptake of A. hydrophila in a dose‐dependent manner and that of microtubules (MT) by colchicines and nocodazole did not affect the invasion of A. hydrophila in EPC cells significantly. The invasion frequency decreased approximately 62% with the addition of 0.1 μg/ml cytochalasin D and nearly 86% by the addition of 5.0 μg/ml. Invasion decreased approximately 49% and 83% by addition of cytochalasin B in a concentration of 2.5 μg/ml and 10.0 μg/ml. Colchicine and nocodazole, inhibitors of MT formation appears to have little effect on the invasion of EPC cells by strain Ah J‐1. Thus MF formation, but not MT formation seems to play an important role in the internalization of A. hydrophila J‐1.
Campylobacterspp. in Dogs and Cats in Switzerland: Risk Factor Analysis and Molecular Characterization with AFLP
Authors: Wieland B. , Regula G. , Danuser J. , Wittwer M. , Burnens A. P. , Wassenaar T. M. , Stärk K. D. C. 
Published: July 2005

SummaryA 1‐year cross‐sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence, risk factors for carriage, and genetic diversity ofCampylobacterspp. in healthy dogs and cats in Switzerland. Veterinary practitioners collected samples from 1268 animals (all ages) presented for vaccination. The prevalence ofCampylobacterspp. in 634 dogs and 596 cats that were eligible for the study was 41.2% (confidence interval 95%: 37.3–45.1%) and 41.9% (CI 95%: 37.9–46%), respectively. Risk factors identified for carriage ofCampylobacter jejuniwere found to be different from risk factors forC. upsaliensis/C. helveticus. Young animals (≤3 years) had significantly higher odds of carryingC. upsaliensis/C. helveticusthan older animals (OR 1.8–3.3), whereas forC. jejunicarriage, the age was not a risk factor. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) genotyping revealed heterogeneity amongC. jejunistrains and was found to clearly separateC. helveticusfromC. upsaliensis. It was shown that cats more often carryC. helveticuswith an estimated prevalence of 28.2%, whereas dogs mainly are carryingC. upsaliensis.
Differential integration rates of hepatitis B virus DNA in the liver of children with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: HUANG HSIANG‐PO , TSUEI DAW‐JEN , WANG KUAN‐JAN , CHEN YING‐LIEN , NI YEN‐HSUAN , JENG YUNG‐MING , CHEN HUEY‐LING , HSU HONG‐YUAN , CHANG MEI‐HWEI 
Published: July 2005

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Integration of hepatitis B virus‐DNA (HBV‐DNA) into the host genome, a phenomenon found frequently in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and causally linked to oncogenesis, has not been well characterized in children. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of HBV integration more accurately and to decide whether the integration rate varies at different stages of chronic HBV infection in children.Methods:  Of 13 children with chronic hepatitis, 14 liver biopsy tissues were analyzed. One liver tissue with pure liver cirrhosis, nine non‐tumor, and nine tumor liver tissues from children with HCC were analyzed by a very sensitive method, inverse polymerase chain reaction (IPCR).Results:  Thirteen genuine viral‐host junctional sequences from 23 patients were successfully isolated and proved that IPCR is a useful method in this context. The results also indicated that the detection rate of HBV‐DNA integration increased in parallel with the progress of liver histology towards the neoplastic transformation, with 0% in the liver of chronic hepatitis, 22.2% in non‐tumor livers of HCC patients, and 66.7% in tumor liver tissues of HCC patients.Conclusion:  The present results indicate that integration of HBV‐DNA into the host genome was rarely confirmed at the early stage of chronic hepatitis in children until the stage of HCC formation.
Decreased density of interstitial cells of Cajal and neuronal cells in patients with slow‐transit constipation and acquired megacolon
Authors: LEE JUNG IL , PARK HYOJIN , KAMM MICHAEL A , TALBOT IAN C 
Published: July 2005

AbstractBackground: The pathophysiology of constipation is not clearly identified as yet, and the interstital cells of Cajal (ICC), known to generate the slow wave activity and to be involved in intestinal neurotransmission and the enteric nervous system (ENS), are suspected to play an important role. The aims of the present study were to assess the distribution of ICC and neuronal cells of ENS in patients with slow‐transit constipation and acquired megacolon.Methods: Sigmoid colon specimens were obtained from patients who underwent colectomy due to slow‐transit constipation (n = 10), acquired megacolon (n = 9) and non‐obstructive colon cancer (n = 10) as a control group. The ICC were visualized by c‐Kit immunohistochemistry and neuronal cells of the ENS were demonstrated by protein gene product (PGP) 9.5. Density of cells stained by c‐Kit and PGP 9.5 was calculated as percent area (area stained/area of X–Y plane) × 100, when images were collected at a magnification of ×40 objective, with maximum area examined in the horizontal X–Y plane of 400 µm × 400 µm using an image analyzer.Results: The densities of ICC and PGP 9.5 reactive neuronal structures were significantly decreased in all layers of sigmoid colon specimens in patients with slow‐transit constipation and acquired megacolon, compared with that of the control group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in either the density of ICC or that of neuronal structures between the patients with slow‐transit constipation and acquired megacolon.Conclusions: Slow‐transit constipation and acquired megacolon were associated with alteration of ICC and neuronal cells of ENS in the sigmoid colon.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Effects of cagA+ and cagA– strains of Helicobacter pylori on the human gastric mucus layer thickness
Authors: AL‐MARHOON MOHAMMED S , NUNN SHEILA , SOAMES ROGER W 
Published: July 2005

AbstractBackground:  Infection with cytotoxin‐associated gene A (cagA) Helicobacter pylori is associated with severe gastric diseases, with contradictory views being expressed concerning the effect of H. pylori on the gastric mucus thickness. The aim of the present study was to differentiate between the effect of cagA+ and cagA– strains on gastric mucus thickness.Methods:  Ninety‐nine patients without peptic ulcers who were not on medication were randomly recruited from consecutive endoscopy clinics: six biopsies (five antral, one body) were obtained from each patient. Cryostat sections (18 µm) were cut and stained using the modified periodic acid–Schiff/Alcian blue technique. Mucus thickness was measured using computer‐assisted light microscopy. The H. pylori status was assessed by histology, Campylobacter‐like organism (CLO)test and culture, and cagA+ status determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results:  There was no significant difference (P = 0.784) in mean mucus thickness between cagA+ (52.7 ± 1.2 µm, n = 10), cagA– (46.6 ± 1.1 µm, n = 18) or H. pylori‐negative patients (51.3 ± 1.1 µm, n = 30). In cagA– patients, mucus thickness was significantly reduced with increased H. pylori colonization density, Spearman (rs) = −0.805, P < 0.0001. In contrast, in cagA+ patients there was a weak positive, but not significant, association between mucus thickness and H. pylori colonization density, rs = 0.333, P = 0.381.Conclusions:  The human gastric mucus thickness is not affected by infection with cagA+ or cagA– strains of H. pylori compared with uninfected. Although a trend of increased mucus thickness with cagA+ infection was observed.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
A combination of the Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test and urea breath test is useful for clinical evaluation of eradication therapy: A multicenter study
Authors: ITO MASANORI , TANAKA SHINJI , KIM SUNJIN , TAHARA KAZUMASA , KAWAMURA YUZURU , SUMII MASAHARU , TAKEHARA YOSHIHIKO , HAYASHI KOZO , OKAMOTO EIICHI , KUNIHIRO MASAKI , KUNITA TOSHIRO , IMAGAWA SHINOBU , TAKATA SHUNSUKE , UEDA HIROYUKI , EGI YASUO , HIYAMA TORU , UENO YOSHITAKA , KITADAI YASUHIKO , YOSHIHARA MASAHARU , CHAYAMA Kazuaki 
Published: July 2005

AbstractBackground:  Helicobacter pylori stool antigen (HpSA) test is a new tool for evaluating the H. pylori infection. The present study was carried out to investigate the clinical usefulness of the HpSA test in the evaluation of eradication therapy by comparing it with the 13C‐urea breath test (UBT).Methods:  One hundred and five patients received eradication therapy for H. pylori. After more than 8 weeks, the success of the therapy was evaluated by the HpSA test and the UBT. Concordant results were regarded as a final diagnosis, but when the results were discordant, histological examination was carried out.Results:  Of the 105 patients receiving eradication therapy for H. pylori, 25 patients were regarded as H. pylori positive by the UBT and and 20 patients were regarded as H. pylori positive by the the HpSA test. Nine patients (8.6%) showed discordant results (seven cases with UBT(+) and HpSA(–), and two with UBT(–) and HpSA(+)). Five cases out of nine were ultimately judged as having a false‐positive result of the UBT, and in these cases the UBT values were relatively low (below 10 per thousand). The final diagnostic accuracies of the UBT and the HpSA test were 94.3% (88.0–97.9%; 95% CI) and 97.1% (91.9–99.4%), respectively. When we used the HpSA test in cases with weakly positive UBT values, we were able to diagnose the correct status of H. pylori infection after eradication in 99% of all patients (94.8–100.0%).Conclusion:  The HpSA test is a useful tool for the evaluation of eradication therapy and a combination of the HpSA test and UBT is clinically recommended.
Vasoconstrictor responses are normal but prostanoid‐mediated vasodilatation is enhanced in human cirrhotic mesenteric arteries
Authors: VAUGHAN RHYS B , ANGUS JAMES A , ANGUS PETER W 
Published: July 2005

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The mechanisms responsible for mesenteric vasodilatation in cirrhosis have not been fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to examine whether there is altered intrinsic vascular reactivity of human mesenteric vessels in cirrhosis, which might contribute to vasodilatation in vivo.Methods:  Ten mesenteric arteries from six cirrhosis patients undergoing liver transplantation were compared with 11 arteries from six control patients. Vasoconstrictor responses to potassium, norepinephrine and methoxamine were determined. Endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation responses to acetylcholine and substance P were determined both before and after inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) and prostanoid synthesis.Results:  Cirrhotic vessels responded normally to potassium depolarization and did not differ to control vessels with respect to sensitivity and maximal response to norepinephrine. In cirrhotic vessels, inhibition of NO synthesis had significantly less effect on substance P‐induced vasorelaxation than in controls (% Relaxation: cirrhosis 70.3 ± 9.6; control 34.9 ± 9.5; P = 0.03). However, after inhibition of both NO and prostanoid synthesis, vasodilatory responses were eliminated in both groups.Conclusions:  The findings of the present study indicate that intrinsic hyporesponsiveness to vasoconstrictors does not play a pathogenetic role in the mesenteric vasodilatation in human cirrhosis. Furthermore, vasodilator prostanoids might make a significant contribution in mediating enhanced endothelium‐dependent vasorelaxation in the mesenteric circulation.
Advanced resonant ultrasound spectroscopy for measuring anisotropic elastic constants of thin films
Authors: OGI H. , NAKAMURA N. , HIRAO M. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTThis paper presents an advanced resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) method to determine the elastic constants Cij of thin films. Polycrystalline thin films often exhibit elastic anisotropy between the film growth direction and the in‐plane direction, and they macroscopically show five independent elastic constants. Because all of the Cij of a deposited thin film affect the mechanical resonance frequencies of the film/substrate layer specimen, measuring resonance frequencies enables one to determine the Cij of the film with known density, dimensions and the Cij of the substrate. Resonance frequencies have to be measured accurately because of low sensitivity of the Cij of films to them. We achieved this by a piezoelectric tripod. Mode identification has to be made unambiguously. We made this measuring displacement–amplitude distributions on the resonated specimen surface by laser Doppler interferometry. We applied our technique to copper thin film and diamond thin film. They show elastic anisotropy and the Cij smaller than bulk values of Cij. Micromechanics calculations indicate the presence of incohesive bonded regions.
Amorphous Mo–N and Mo–Si–N films in microelectromechanical systems
Authors: KATTELUS H. , YLÖNEN M. , BLOMBERG M. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTMicromachining based on metallic structural material possesses several inherent advantages. Metallic thin films can be deposited at room temperature by various means. In microelectromechanical systems they can thus be fabricated on top of polymeric sacrificial materials. The sacrificial layer is finally removed in oxygen plasma either before or after wafer dicing with no need for wet processing. However, in metallic micromachining, it is not trivial to find materials and processes producing structural layers with well‐controlled and uniform mechanical characteristics. Amorphous alloys Mo–N and Mo–Si–N are investigated in this study for the purpose, showing properties superior to polycrystalline metals for microelectromechanical devices and systems applications.
Tensile testing of silicon thin films
Authors: TSUCHIYA T. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTThe tensile strength of silicon thin films was investigated using a specimen chucking system dedicated for microscale specimens. The system uses electrostatic force to fix and hold the free end of the cantilever‐shaped specimens. The thin film tensile tester was built using this system. The accuracy and reliability of this method were assured by comparing it with other tensile‐testing methods using single‐crystal silicon specimens. The result shows good agreement between the testing methods. The strength properties of polysilicon thin films, such as the effect of the testing environment and the specimen size and the film fabrication conditions, were investigated.
Characterization of structural films using microelectromechanical resonators
Authors: MUHLSTEIN C. L. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTMicromachined resonant fatigue characterization structures have been used by a variety of investigators to evaluate the stress‐life fatigue behaviour of thin films. This work will review the design, testing and analysis of these versatile thin‐film characterization structures. Subsequent discussion will illustrate how this material characterization approach has been used to evaluate the high‐cycle fatigue behaviour of silicon films commonly used in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). This work demonstrates that properly designed resonators can be used to monitor extraordinarily low fatigue crack growth rates (i.e. ≪ 10−10 m/cycle) relevant to these minute mechanical components.
Investigation of the methanogen population structure and activity in a brackish lake sediment
Authors: Banning Natasha , Brock Fiona , Fry John C. , Parkes R. John , Hornibrook Edward R. C. , Weightman Andrew J. 
Published: July 2005

SummaryThe methanogen community in sediment from the edge of a small brackish lake connected to the Beaulieu Estuary (Hampshire, UK) was investigated by analysis of 16S rRNA gene diversity using new methanogen‐specific primers plus Archaea‐specific primers. 16S rRNA gene primers previously used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of methanogenic Archaea from a variety of environments were evaluated by in silico testing. The primers displayed variable coverage of the four main orders of methanogens, highlighting the importance of this type of primer evaluation. Three PCR primer sets were designed using novel reverse primers to facilitate specific amplification of the orders Methanomicrobiales/Methanosarcinales, Methanobacteriales and Methanococcales. Diversity of the methanogen functional gene, methyl coenzyme M reductase (mcrA), was also studied. All gene libraries constructed from this sediment indicated that Methanomicrobiales and Methanosarcinales were the only methanogens detected. There was good agreement between the relative sequence abundances in the methanogen‐specific 16S rRNA gene library and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) profiling, suggesting that the population was dominated by putative H2/CO2 utilizing Methanomicrobiales, although acetate‐utilizing methanogens were also present. The methanogen population analyses were in agreement with methanogenic activity measurements, which indicated that bicarbonate methanogenesis was higher than acetate methanogenesis at all depths measured and overall there was a significant difference (P = 0.001) between the rates of the two pathways. This study demonstrates the utility of new 16S rRNA gene PCR primers targeting specific methanogenic orders, and the combined results suggest that the CO2 reduction pathway dominates methanogenesis in the brackish sediment investigated.
An improved method for counting bacteria from sediments and turbid environments by epifluorescence microscopy
Authors: Lunau Mirko , Lemke Andreas , Walther Katja , Martens‐Habbena Willm , Simon Meinhard 
Published: July 2005

SummaryWe present a new procedure for effectively detaching particle‐associated bacteria by 10% (v/v) methanol and sonication which is particularly suitable for samples with a high particle load and sediments. We also optimized the sample preparation by applying the highly dsDNA‐specific fluorescent stain SybrGreen I together with an optically brilliant mounting medium (polyvinylalcohol 4–88, ‘moviol’) in one step. The new protocol allows a much faster, easy and less toxic handling of samples as compared to other methods. Cells are stained directly on a black Nuclepore filter and show an intensive fluorescence signal with low background. The detachment procedure was optimized with respect to the temperature of the 10% methanol solution (35°C), ultrasonication and centrifugation. The application of the new method in comparison with detachment procedures with pyrophosphate and Tween‐80 with various types of marine samples including sediments always yielded higher numbers and/or higher fractions of particle‐associated cells. Staining and mounting the samples with the moviol‐SybrGreen I solution allowed an accurate and highly reproduceable enumeration of bacteria also in samples with high concentrations of SPM. Fixation of bacteria by glutardialdehyde resulted in a brighter fluorescence as compared to fixation by formalin. Because of the high specificity to dsDNA and bright fluorescence of SybrGreen I, the fast and easy handling and the possibility to store stained samples for at least several months at −20°C without any loss in fluorescence intensity, the newly developed method is also an attractive alternative to DAPI staining of aquatic bacteria.
Biogeochemical processes in the saline meromictic Lake Kaiike, Japan: implications from molecular isotopic evidences of photosynthetic pigments
Authors: Ohkouchi Naohiko , Nakajima Yoji , Okada Hisatake , Ogawa Nanako O. , Suga Hisami , Oguri Kazumasa , Kitazato Hiroshi 
Published: July 2005

SummaryStable carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions were determined for individual photosynthetic pigments isolated and purified from the saline meromictic Lake Kaiike, Japan, to investigate species‐independent biogeochemical processes of photoautotrophs in the natural environment. In the anoxic monimolimnion and benthic microbial mats, the carbon isotopic compositions of BChls e and isorenieratene related to brown‐coloured strains of green sulfur bacteria are substantially (∼10‰) depleted in 13C relative to those found in the chemocline. In conjunction with 16S rDNA evidence reported previously, it strongly suggests that Pelodyctyon luteolum inhabited and photosynthesized in the anoxic monimolimnion and benthic microbial mats by using 13C‐depleted regenerated CO2. By contrast, both Chl a and BChl a in the monimolimnion and microbial mats have similar isotopic compositions as they do in the chemocline, implying that the source organisms live only in the chemocline. In the chemocline, the nitrogen isotopic compositions of BChl e homologues ranges from −7.7 to − 6.5‰, whereas that of BChl a is −2.1‰. These isotopic compositions suggest that green sulfur bacteria Chlorobium phaeovibrioides would conduct nitrogen fixation in the chemocline, whereas purple sulfur bacteria Halochromatium sp. and cyanobacteria Synechococcus sp. may assimilate nitrite.