bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of Single Cells of
Cryptococcus neoformans
in Clinical Samples by Solid-Phase Cytometry
Authors: Bauters T. G. M. , Swinne D. , Stove V. , Nelis H. J. 
Published: April 2003

ABSTRACT

A method based on solid-phase cytometry for the detection and enumeration of single cells of
Cryptococcus neoformans
in serum and cerebrospinal fluid is described. Both viable and nonviable cells are detected by using fluorescence viability labeling and immunofluorescence. This 30-min procedure has a detection limit of 3 to 6 cells per ml.
Prevalence of Norwalk-Like Virus Infections in Cases of Viral Gastroenteritis among Children in Osaka City, Japan
Authors: Iritani Nobuhiro , Seto Yoshiyuki , Kubo Hideyuki , Murakami Tsukasa , Haruki Kosuke , Ayata Minoru , Ogura Hisashi 
Published: April 2003

ABSTRACT
Surveillance of Norwalk-like virus (NLV) infections in cases of pediatric gastroenteritis between April 1996 and March 2000 showed that NLVs were an important causative agent in viral gastroenteritis cases among children between November and January in those years. The predominant type of NLV was closely related to Lordsdale virus in genogroup 2. During the 1999-2000 season, Arg320-like strains, which may be genetic recombinants, suddenly appeared and spread.
DNase Pretreatment of Master Mix Reagents Improves the Validity of Universal 16S rRNA Gene PCR Results
Authors: Heininger Alexandra , Binder Marlies , Ellinger Andreas , Botzenhart Konrad , Unertl Klaus , Döring Gerd 
Published: April 2003

ABSTRACT

DNase I pretreatment of 16S rRNA gene PCR reagents was tested. The DNase I requirement for the elimination of false-positive results varied between 0.1 and 70 IU per master mix depending on the applied
Taq
polymerase. PCR sensitivity was mostly maintained when 0.1 IU of DNase I was used.
Clonal Dissemination of
Yersinia enterocolitica
Strains with Various Susceptibilities to Nalidixic Acid
Authors: Sánchez-Céspedes Javier , Navia Margarita M. , Martínez Rocío , Orden Beatriz , Millán Rosario , Ruiz Joaquín , Vila Jordi 
Published: April 2003

ABSTRACT

Ten epidemiologically related
Yersinia enterocolitica
clinical isolates were studied. Six isolates were nalidixic acid resistant (MIC > 512 μg/ml), with mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) of the
gyrA
gene, suggesting clonal dissemination of a nalidixic acid-susceptible
Y. enterocolitica
strain which has acquired different mutations generating resistance to nalidixic acid.
Distribution of the
saa
Gene in Strains of Shiga Toxin-Producing
Escherichia coli
of Human and Bovine Origins
Authors: Jenkins Claire , Perry Neil T. , Cheasty Tom , Shaw Darren J. , Frankel Gad , Dougan Gordon , Gunn George J. , Smith Henry R. , Paton Adrienne W. , Paton James C. 
Published: April 2003

ABSTRACT

Certain strains of Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) which do not have the locus of enterocyte effacement pathogenicity island carry the STEC autoagglutinating adhesin (
saa
) gene. The distribution of the
saa
gene in STEC isolates from patients with hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), patients with less severe diarrheal disease, asymptomatic individuals, and healthy cattle was examined.
saa
-positive strains were detected more frequently (
P
< 0.001) in STEC strains from bovines (32 of 56 strains) than in those from humans (8 of 91 strains). No significant association (
P
= 0.135) was found between the
saa
gene and STEC isolated from patients with HUS (6 of 46 strains) or diarrhea (2 of 29 strains) and from healthy controls (0 of 16 strains).
Avoiding the Braess paradox in non-cooperative networks
Authors: Korilis Yannis A. , Lazar Aurel A. , Orda Ariel 
Published: April 2003

The exponential growth of computer networking demands massive upgrades in the capacity of existing networks. Traditional capacity design methodologies, developed with the single-class networking paradigm in mind, overlook the non-cooperative structure of modern networks. Consequently, such design approaches entail the danger of degraded performance when resources are added to a network, a phenomenon known as the Braess paradox.The present paper proposes methods for adding resources efficiently to a non-cooperative network of general topology. It is shown that the paradox is avoided when resources are added across the network, rather than on a local scale, and when upgrades are focused on direct connections between the sources and destinations. The relevance of these results for modern networks is demonstrated.
A comparison of the olfactory abilities of three species of procellariiform chicks
Authors: Cunningham Gregory B. , Van Buskirk Richard W. , Bonadonna Francesco , Weimerskirch Henri , Nevitt Gabrielle A. 
Published: April 2003

SUMMARYMost studies investigating olfactory sensitivities in procellariiform seabirds have concentrated on adults, but little attention has been paid to how olfactory behaviours develop. We took a first step towards understanding the ontogeny of these behaviours by testing the olfactory abilities of the blue petrel Halobaena caerulea, the thin-billed prion Pachyptila belcheri, and the common diving petrel Pelecanoides urinatrix. We scored the responsiveness of chicks in a sleep-like state to puffs of odours presented near their nostrils. We tested reactions to dimethyl sulphide(DMS, a prey-related odourant) and phenyl ethyl alcohol (PEA, a novel odourant); distilled water was used as a control. Scores for blue petrel chicks were significantly greater for DMS and PEA than for control presentations, while scores for thin-billed prions were significantly greater only for PEA. Common diving petrels did not respond significantly to either odourant. These results are consistent with what is known of adult olfactory behaviours. A negative correlation between the mass of blue petrel chicks and their mean responsiveness to odours indicates that older or recently fed birds are less responsive to these stimuli.
Nutrient balancing in grasshoppers: behavioural and physiological correlates of dietary breadth
Authors: Raubenheimer D. , Simpson S. J. 
Published: April 2003

SUMMARYWe examined correlates of nutrient balancing with dietary range by comparing diet selection and ingestive, post-ingestive and performance-related responses to macronutrient imbalance in two species of grasshopper. One of the two species, Locusta migratoria (the African migratory locust), is a specialist grass-feeder, while the other, Schistocerca gregaria (the desert locust), is a generalist herbivore that includes both grasses and forbs in its diet. In ad libitum conditions, both species composed a balanced intake of the two macronutrients protein and carbohydrate from nutritionally complementary synthetic foods, but the composition of the selected diet differed, with the generalist selecting more protein, but not carbohydrate, than the grass-specialist. The grass-specialist, by contrast,retained ingested nitrogen more efficiently on the ad libitum diets. When confined to nutritionally imbalanced foods, both species regulated ingestion in such a way as to mitigate excesses as well as deficits of the two nutrients. The responses were, however, distinct in the two species, with the generalist feeder ingesting greater excesses of protein than the specialist. The species also differed in their post-ingestive responses to ingested excesses of nutrient, with the generalist but not the specialist using protein-derived carbon as an energy source when fed carbohydrate-deficient foods. The generalist also retained a higher level of body protein when confined to protein-deficient diets. The data suggested one functional reason why the generalist species selected a diet with higher protein content in the ad libitum treatment because, when confined to the nutritionally imbalanced foods, development rate peaked on higher protein foods for the generalist compared with the specialist. Many aspects of these data agree with the prediction that generalist-feeding animals should show greater behavioural and physiological flexibility in their responses to nutrient imbalance than do specialists.
Kinematics of 90° running turns in wild mice
Authors: Walter Rebecca M. 
Published: April 2003

SUMMARYTurning is a requirement for locomotion on the variable terrain that most terrestrial animals inhabit and is a deciding factor in many predator–prey interactions. Despite this, the kinematics and mechanics of quadrupedal turns are not well understood. To gain insight to the turning kinematics of small quadrupedal mammals, six adult wild mice were videotaped at 250 Hz from below as they performed 90° running turns. Four markers placed along the sagittal axis were digitized to allow observation of lateral bending and body rotation throughout the turn. Ground contact periods of the fore- and hindlimbs were also noted for each frame. During turning, mice increased their ground contact time, but did not change their stride frequency relative to straight running at maximum speed. Postcranial body rotation preceded deflection in heading, and did not occur in one continuous motion,but rather in bouts of 15–53°. These bouts were synchronized with the stride cycle, such that the majority of rotation occurred during the second half of forelimb support and the first half of hindlimb support. In this phase of the stride cycle, the trunk was sagittally flexed and rotational inertia was 65% of that during maximal extension. By synchronizing body rotation with this portion of the stride cycle, mice can achieve a given angular acceleration with much lower applied torque. Compared with humans running along curved trajectories, mice maintained relatively higher speeds at proportionately smaller radii. A possible explanation for this difference lies in the more crouched limb posture of mice, which increases the mechanical advantage for horizontal ground force production. The occurrence of body rotation prior to deflection in heading may facilitate acceleration in the new direction by making use of the relatively greater force production inherent in the parasagittal limb posture of mice.
The Police Informer/Handler Relationship: Is it Really Unique?
Authors: Billingsley Roger 
Published: April 2003

The use of informers by the police service in the UK has been the subject of recent research, even though the police service in this country has been protective towards this particular investigative method. It has been revealed from this research that there is a common assumption that the use of informers is quite unique among police relationships. This paper examines whether in fact the relationship between an informer and the police is really that unique, or whether it is the secrecy which surrounds it that provokes such an assumption. The paper relies heavily on a comparison with other relationships, starting with typical professional partnerships, then examining other police relationships. The factors which emerge from these relationships have been compared to police/informer relationships to determine how dissimilar they are. The paper suggests there are in fact many similarities between a police/ informer relationship and other professional partnerships, and concludes that it is probably the secrecy which the police have maintained that has created the assumption that the relationship is unique. It is suggested by the author that if the police/informer relationship became more transparent and accountable then this may lead to law enforcement agencies being less able to hide behind the veil of secrecy, which may help the concept of openness within the criminal justice system.
Long‐term survival in Stuve‐Wiedemann syndrome: A neuro‐myo‐skeletal disorder with manifestations of dysautonomia
Authors: Di Rocco M. , Stella G. , Bruno C. , Doria Lamba L. , Bado M. , Superti‐Furga A. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractStuve‐Wiedemann syndrome (SWS) is a multiple congenital anomalies syndrome mostly considered to have an early lethality. Only few patients have been reported with long survival; therefore, the clinical phenotype with age has not yet been clearly characterized. We report on two patients with SWS aged 12 and 3 years who have both the osteodysplastic symptoms of the entity as well as autonomic nervous system symptoms resembling familial dysautonomia: lack of corneal reflex and neuropathic keratitis, absence of fungiform papillae, ulcerations of the tongue, paradoxical sweating at low temperature, patellar hyporeflexia, and progressive scoliosis. The clinical and radiological similarities between patients with SWS and patients with Schwartz‐Jampel syndrome have led to the suggestion that these two syndromes are a single entity. SWS and Schwartz‐Jampel syndrome type II are now indeed considered to be identical, but the radiographic phenotype of SWS long survivors such as the presently reported patients justifies the distinction between SWS and the classical type of Schwartz‐Jampel syndrome. An increased number of lipid droplets in muscle fibers and decreased muscle mitochondrial enzyme activities have been found in one patient, confirming a previously reported association between SWS and respiratory chain abnormalities. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Facial approximation: An evaluation of mouth‐width determination
Authors: Stephan Carl N. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractFacial approximation techniques rely on the prediction of soft tissues from the skull, yet few prediction methods have been scientifically evaluated, despite being frequently used in the past. This study tests several published and commonly used methods for determining mouth width from the skull. The methods tested are: 1) that mouth width is equal to the distance between the pupils; 2) that mouth width is equal to the distance between the medial borders of the iris; and 3) that mouth width is equal to the distance between the most lateral junctions of the canines and the first premolars. The study primarily examines living Australian European and Central/South East Asian participants (of both sexes) using photogrammetric methods. The results of this study indicate that methods 1 and 3 are highly inaccurate. Method 1 overestimated mouth width, on average, by ∼11 mm (SD, 4 mm), while method 3 underestimated mouth width by ∼13 mm (SD, 3 mm). Method 2 was the most accurate of the methods evaluated, but on average underrepresented mouth width by ∼2 mm (SD, 4 mm). All three methods produced mouth‐width predictions that, in general, were statistically different from actual mouth widths (P < 0.05). A new guideline, describing mouth width as canine width plus 57% of the cumulative distance between the lateral canine borders and the pupil centers on each side was found not to differ at statistically significant levels from actual mouth widths (P > 0.05). On average, this guideline did not under/overestimate actual mouth width, with the difference between them being 0 mm (SD, 3 mm). The increased accuracy of this new guideline in comparison to others suggests that it is the most appropriate for facial approximation. However, it should be further tested using independent samples. The finding that commonly used mouth‐width prediction guidelines are not accurate suggests that many facial approximations previously made have incorrect mouth widths. This could reduce the recognition of these facial approximations and may, especially if other guidelines are inaccurate, render the facial approximations unrecognizable as their respective target individual (individual to whom the skull belongs). Am J Phys Anthropol 121:000–000, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of aluminum–organic‐stabilized platinum–colloid networks with electron and photon spectroscopies
Authors: Beuermann L. , Maus‐Friedrichs W. , Krischok S. , Kempter V. , Bucher S. , Modrow H. , Hormes J. , Waldöfner N. , Bönnemann H. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractWe have measured and interpreted the ultraviolet (HeI) and X‐ray photoelectron spectra and the metastable impact electron spectra (MIES) from aluminum–organic‐stabilized platinum–colloids and colloid networks, deposited on silicon substrates and characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning Auger electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. MIES, in particular, gives information on the electronic structure of the spacer molecules interconnecting the colloids.In addition, changes in the electronic structure of the platinum clusters that are induced by different spacer molecules were identified by means of X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure measurements at the platinum LIII‐edge of these materials. This combination of techniques was also employed to follow the chemical changes that occur upon heating of the network in situ. It turns out that the thermal decomposition of the network is driven by the disintegration of the spacer molecules. Moreover, less sintering of the colloidal particles occurs in the networked systems than in unconnected particles. Most of the networked platinum–particles are still present in their original shape even after the destruction of spacer molecules. This observation could be linked to the encapsulation of these platinum particles into an (AlO) protecting shell. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An improved procedure for syntheses of silyl derivatives of the cubeoctameric silicate anion
Authors: Hasegawa Isao , Ino Kadzuko , Ohnishi Haruka 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThe reaction of the Si8O208− silicate anion with X(CH3)2SiCl (XH or CH3) has been studied to develop a cost‐effective procedure for synthesizing Si8O20[Si(CH3)2X]8 in high yield. Use of hexane as solvent and adjustment of the reaction temperature to ca 20 °C were found to be effective in promoting the reaction, by which Si8O20[Si(CH3)2X]8 could be produced in good yield employing 24 mol of X(CH3)2SiCl per mole of Si8O208−. It was also demonstrated that the yield of Si8O20[Si(CH3)2X]8 depends on the amount of solvent, suggesting that the amount is an important factor when scaling up the reaction to produce a large quantity of Si8O20[Si(CH3)2X]8. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of copper adsorption on the mechanical properties of chitosan beads
Authors: Mitani Tomoyo , Kawakami Takashi , Morishita Makoto , Adachi Yasumasa , Ishii Hiroshi 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThe effect of copper adsorption on the mechanical properties of chitosan beads was investigated by measurement of creep modulus with a dynamic mechanical analyzer. Creep modulus changed drastically at a critical copper adsorption amount of 0.4 mol/mol of glucosamine unit. Creep modulus increased with increasing amount of copper up to 0.4 mol/mol, but decreased steeply as the amount of copper increased beyond 0.4 mol/mol. The variation in creep modulus with copper adsorption is discussed in terms of two models that describe the binding mode of transition metal to chitosan; the bridge model and the pendant model. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2988–2991, 2003
High mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 plays a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis as a novel cytokine
Authors: Taniguchi Noboru , Kawahara Ko‐Ichi , Yone Kazunori , Hashiguchi Teruto , Yamakuchi Munekazu , Goto Masamichi , Inoue Keiichi , Yamada Shingo , Ijiri Kosei , Matsunaga Shunji , Nakajima Toshihiro , Komiya Setsuro , Maruyama Ikuro 
Published: April 2003

AbstractObjectiveHigh mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB‐1), a nuclear DNA binding protein, was recently rediscovered as a new proinflammatory cytokine. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate HMGB‐1 expression in vivo and to identify the role of HMGB‐1 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsHMGB‐1 concentrations in synovial fluid (SF) and serum from RA and osteoarthritis (OA) patients were measured by immunoblot analysis. The protein's specific receptor, receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), was examined in SF macrophages (SFMs). We measured levels of proinflammatory cytokines released by SFMs treated with HMGB‐1 via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and used soluble RAGE (sRAGE) to block the release of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). Immunohistochemical analysis and immunofluorescence assay were employed to examine localization of HMGB‐1 in RA synovium and its translocation in SFMs after TNFα stimulation.ResultsHMGB‐1 concentrations were significantly higher in SF of RA patients than in that of OA patients. SFMs expressed RAGE and released TNFα, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), and IL‐6 upon stimulation with HMGB‐1. HMGB‐1 was found in CD68‐positive cells of RA synovium, and TNFα stimulation translocated HMGB‐1 from the nucleus to the cytosol in SFMs. Blockade by sRAGE inhibited the release of TNFα from SFMs.ConclusionHMGB‐1 was more strongly expressed in SF of RA patients than in that of OA patients, inducing the release of proinflammatory cytokines from SFMs. HMGB‐1 plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of RA and may be an original target of therapy as a novel cytokine.
T cells regulate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase in human osteoblasts via a dual mitogen‐activated protein kinase mechanism
Authors: Rifas Leonard , Arackal Sophia 
Published: April 2003

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the role of T cell induction of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP‐13) production by human osteoblasts in order to better understand the process of bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsActivated T cell–conditioned medium (ACTTCM) was used to mimic the physiologic conditions of inflammation. MMP‐13 production by human osteoblasts was assessed using a specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Specific inhibitors of the p38 mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase and the extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK‐1/2) MAP kinase signaling pathways were used to assess their roles in T cell–mediated MMP‐13 production. Finally, recombinant cytokines representative of the major components in ACTTCM were assessed for their ability to induce MMP‐13.ResultsACTTCM powerfully induced MMP‐13 in human osteoblasts. Inhibition of p38 activity abolished, while inhibition of ERK‐1/2 activity enhanced, MMP‐13 production. We next investigated physiologic levels of the T cell cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), interferon‐γ (IFNγ), and interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) for their roles in MMP‐13 induction. Although individual cytokines had no significant effect, the combination of TNFα, TGFβ, IFNγ, and IL‐17 resulted in a dramatic p38‐dependent induction of MMP‐13 identical to that produced by ACTTCM.ConclusionThese studies demonstrate for the first time that human osteoblasts produce MMP‐13. The results also show that under conditions of chronic inflammation, multiple T cell cytokines synergize to induce high levels of MMP‐13 via a mechanism that is dependent on activated p38 MAP kinase and is suppressed by activated ERK‐1/2. Selective inhibition of p38 activity may offer a target for pharmacologic inhibition of bone loss in RA.