bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structural Relationships and Cellular Tropism of Staphylococcal Superantigen-Like Proteins
Authors: Al-Shangiti Ali M. , Naylor Claire E. , Nair Sean P. , Briggs David C. , Henderson Brian , Chain Benjamin M. 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACTThe staphylococcal superantigen-like proteins (SSLs) are a family of polymorphic paralogs encoded in the Staphylococcus aureusgenome whose function is unknown. The crystal structure of SSL7 was determined and compared to that of SSL5 and that of a classical superantigen, streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin. Although the overall architecture of the superantigen family is retained in both SSL7 and SSL5, there are significant differences in the structures which suggest that the characteristic major histocompatibility complex binding site of superantigens has been lost. To complement these data, the abilities of SSL7 and a closely related paralog, SSL9, to interact with cells of the immune system were investigated. In populations of human white blood cells, both SSLs interacted selectively with monocytes via specific saturable but separate binding sites, which led to rapid uptake of the SSLs. In addition, SSLs were rapidly taken up by dendritic cells, but not by macrophages, into the same endosomal compartment as dextran. The ability of these secreted proteins to target antigen-presenting cells may enhance a misplaced antibody response against the proteins, which may facilitate bacterial colonization rather than contribute to host protection. Like classical superantigens, therefore, SSLs may distract the host's immune system, but they may do so via entirely different molecular mechanisms.
Immunization with Native or Recombinant
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Neuraminidase Affords Protection in the Chinchilla Otitis Media Model
Authors: Long J. P. , Tong H. H. , DeMaria T. F. 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus pneumoniae
neuraminidase has been implicated as a virulence factor in the pathogenesis of pneumococcal otitis media. In this study, native neuraminidase was partially purified from cultures of
S. pneumoniae
by serial chromatography with DEAE-Sepharose and Sephacryl S-200. Recombinant neuraminidase, a 3,038-bp fragment of the neuraminidase A (
nanA
) gene, was cloned into the pET-28b vector and then expressed at high levels in
Escherichia coli
. Chinchillas were immunized subcutaneously with either the gel-purified native or recombinant neuraminidase, and all responded with elevated titers of antineuraminidase antibody in serum. Immunization with neuraminidase resulted in a significant reduction in nasopharyngeal colonization as well as in the incidence of otitis media with effusion. These data demonstrate for the first time that neuraminidase affords protection against
S. pneumoniae
nasopharyngeal colonization and experimental otitis media.
Identification of a Point Mutation Resulting in Loss of Cell Wall Anchoring Activity of SrtA of
Streptococcus mutans
NG5
Authors: Lee Song F. , McGavin Mary K. H. 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus mutans
NG5 failed to anchor antigen P1 to the cell surface, and such a failure could be attributed to a defective SrtA, which was made defective by a point mutation within the
srtA
gene. Without a functional SrtA,
S. mutans
NG5 was not able to perform a number of cell surface-related activities, including saliva-mediated adherence and aggregation.
Oral Inoculation of A/J Mice for Detection of Invasiveness Differences betweenListeria monocytogenesEpidemic and Environmental Strains
Authors: Kim So Hyun , Bakko Marlene K. , Knowles Don , Borucki Monica K. 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACTFour-week-old Harlan A/J mice were orally infected with six epidemic and six environmental strains ofListeria monocytogenes. Epidemic strains were significantly more invasive as a group than were environmental strains (P< 0.05), and the intestines of some mice infected with epidemic strains had extensive hemorrhage. Mice inoculated with epidemic strains were significantly more likely to become systemically infected than mice inoculated with environmental strains (P< 0.01).
Highly Purified Lipoteichoic Acid fromStaphylococcus aureusInduces Procoagulant Activity and Tissue Factor Expression in Human Monocytes but Is a Weak Inducer in Whole Blood: Comparison with Peptidoglycan
Authors: Mattsson Eva , Hartung Thomas , Morath Siegfried , Egesten Arne 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACTLipoteichoic acid fromStaphylococcus aureuswas a potent inducer of procoagulant activity in isolated mononuclear cells but not in whole blood. In contrast, staphylococcal peptidoglycan showed equal levels of potency in isolated mononuclear cells and whole blood, suggesting that peptidoglycan is an important inducer of procoagulant activity in severe sepsis involving gram-positive bacteria.
Docosahexaenoic Acid and Eicosapentaenoic Acid Antagonize the Proinflammatory Interactions of Pneumolysin with Human Neutrophils
Authors: Cockeran Riana , Theron Annette J. , Feldman Charles , Mitchell Timothy J. , Anderson Ronald 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACT

Pneumolysin (4.18 ng/ml)-mediated influx of Ca
2+
and augmentation of the chemoattractant-activated generation of reactive oxidants was antagonized by pretreatment of human neutrophils with the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (1.25 to 5 μg/ml). These agents may have potential in attenuating the proinflammatory properties of this pneumococcal toxin.
Gold Mining in Arabia and the Rise of the Islamic State
Authors: Heck Gene 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe financial and economic strengths of the early Islamic state have been a source of ongoing speculation, causing some scholars to even question medieval Makkah's economic reason to exist. This article explores the role of precious metals - gold and silver - in lending vitality to the economy of Western Arabia in the formative years of the Dar al-Islam . Combining primary source evidence with artifacts and qualitative and quantitative analysis of mining residuals, including carbon 14 dating, it produces evidence suggesting that such metals played a far more significant role in contemporary commerce and industry than has been heretofore generally acknowledged.
Inter-population variability in Pratylenchus vulnus Allen & Jensen, 1951 (Nematoda: Tylenchida)
Authors: Lax Paola , Doucet Marcelo , Di Rienzo Julio , Pinochet Jorge , Baujard Pierre 
Published: June 2004

Abstract
Data on morphometric characters of females and males belonging to a set of
Pratylenchus vulnus populations and isolates of different geographical
origin and cultured under different developmental conditions were analysed.
Characters were grouped into three categories (low, medium and high
variability) according to a percentage of inter-population variance. The
characters included in the low variability category were barely influenced
by environmental conditions, whereas those characters with high values were
substantially influenced. Some characters are more significant than others
for species identification whereas other, more variable, characters would be
better considered when comparing isolates and/or populations of P. vulnus
.
Identification and genetic diversity of Meloidogyne spp. (Tylenchida: Meloidogynidae) on coffee from Brazil, Central America and Hawaii
Authors: Carneiro Regina , Tigano Myrian , Randig Onivaldo , Almeida Maria Ritta , Sarah Jean-Louis 
Published: June 2004

Abstract
The present study was based on 18 populations of Meloidogyne spp. originating
from different coffee fields in Brazil, Central America and the USA
(Hawaii). The identification of the main species and an outline of the
diversity of root-knot nematodes parasitising coffee in these countries with
respect to esterase phenotypes, morphology and molecular polymorphism, are
provided. With the present electrophoretic procedure, esterase phenotypes
were demonstrated to be species-specific and constitute a good tool for
identifying root-knot species from coffee, viz., M. incognita (Est I1, I2),
M. paranaensis (Est P1, P2), M. arenaria (Est A2), M. arabicida (Est AR2),
M. exigua (Est E1), M. mayaguensis (Est M2) and two unknown populations that
probably represent new species (Est SA2, SA4). The perineal pattern is often
an unreliable character when used alone for making diagnostic conclusions
but, when used as a complementary tool together with enzyme
characterisation, is essential for checking the morphological consistency of
the identification. Male characters are important for confirming the
diagnosis of some species, such as M. paranaensis, M. konaensis and M.
incognita. The results showed that the RAPD markers produced are consistent
with other approaches (esterase phenotypes and morphological features) for
confirming species identification and for estimating genetic relationships
among species and isolates. Phylogenetic analyses showed that M. mayaguensis
and M. exigua are more closely related to one another than they are to the
other species. This was also true for M. javanica, M. arenaria and
Meloidogyne spp. Low levels of intraspecific polymorphism were detected in
M. exigua (8.6%), M. incognita (11.2%) and M. paranaensis (20.3%).
Conversely, M. arenaria and the two unknown Meloidogyne spp. exhibited
higher levels of intra- or interspecific variability (34.9 and 29.9%,
respectively).
A simple method for discriminating Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and B. mucronatus by species-specific polymerase chain reaction primer pairs
Authors: Matsunaga Koji , Togashi Katsumi 
Published: June 2004

Abstract
Two species-specific PCR primer pairs were developed for identifying the two
nematode species, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and B. mucronatus. The primer
pairs were developed from the sequence of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) repeats to
produce DNA fragments of different lengths by PCR amplification. The DNA
fragments for B. mucronatus and B. xylophilus were 210 bp and 557 bp,
respectively. When mixed, neither primer pair inhibited the PCR
amplification of the other. Five isolates of B. xylophilus and four isolates
of B. mucronatus showed different band profiles of PCR products between the
two species, but identical profiles among isolates of the same species.
Interspecific variation in the site of Tobravirus particle retention in selected virus-vector Paratrichodorus and Trichodorus species (Nematoda: Diptherophorina)
Authors: Karanastasi Eirini , Brown Derek 
Published: June 2004

AbstractDifferent combinations of strains of pea early-browning and tobacco rattle Tobraviruses with selected Paratrichodorus and Trichodorus species were examined to identify if differences occurred in the location of virus particle retention within the nematodes. The study revealed that the sites of virus particle retention differed between the individual Tobravirus-trichodorid combinations. No differences were found in the sites of virus retention in nematodes that had been allowed to acquire, but not to transmit, virus compared with nematodes that had been allowed to acquire and subsequently transmit the virus. Virus particles of several strains of Tobraviruses were acquired and retained by trichodorids that are not natural vectors of the particular virus. In these instances the particles were retained within the pharyngeal tract at locations from where when released they are unable to be transferred anteriorly along the pharyngeal tract into plant cells, but rather they can move only posteriorly into the nematode intestine.
The Fisheries Issues of the 2004 Second European Union Accession Treaty: A Comparison with the 1994 First Accession Treaty
Authors: Ørebech Peter 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe 1994 and 2004 Accession Treaty and Act of Accession require that the Applicant Member States adopt EU legislation and policy. The goal of the Accession Treaty is to phase out Applicant Member State legislation and institute the pre-emptive role of EU law. The EU fisheries acquis directly affects natural and juridical persons. Member states maintain legislative competence within 12 nautical miles during the transitional period, which ends in 2012. With the exception of specific areas delegated to Member States, national provisions will then be terminated. The "relative stability" and national quota regulations remain in effect and deter direct fishing by other Member States' vessels. Quota hopping, on the other hand, opens the door to foreign fishing interests. A new system of individual transferable quotas will further contribute to the decline of the inherent discrimination amongst EU citizens within fisheries sector.
The Swordfish Dispute between the EU and Chile at the ITLOS and the WTO
Authors:   Orellana
Published: June 2004

AbstractDuring the 1990s and beyond, the European Union (EU) and Chile have been engaged in a controversy over highly migratory swordfish stocks in the South Pacific. Following disputes over Cod, Turbot, and Tuna, the Swordfish Case reveals outstanding problems in the international law of fisheries. The Swordfish Case attracts further attention, as it involves proceedings both at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and at the World Trade Organisation, with potentially inconsistent decisions. At the WTO, the EU's assertion of a right to access Chilean ports on the grounds of GATT 1994 freedom of transit provisions bears an impact on the use of ports in countries around the world. At the ITLOS Chamber, the long-standing conflict between distant water fishing nations and coastal states is once again to the fore. Although the parties to the dispute arrived at a provisional agreement, setting out to establish a scientific fisheries program and a conservation framework, the issues involved in the swordfish controversy highlight the tensions among the international maritime, economic, and environmental regimes. The article offers an overall account of the core elements of the swordfish dispute.
Adsorption of Lead Ions from Aqueous Solution onto Activated Carbon and Chemically-Modified Activated Carbon Prepared from Date Pits
Authors: Abdulkarim Mohamed , Al-Rub Fahmi Abu 
Published: June 2004

Date pits, i.e. agricultural wastes, were converted into activated carbon by air and phosphoric acid activation. The surfaces of some of the prepared activated carbons were modified chemically using 8-hydroxyquinoline. The carbons prepared by both air and phosphoric acid activation showed surface areas of 864.8 m2/g and 502.2 m2/g, respectively, and micropore volumes of 0.298 cm3/g and 0.126 cm3/g, respectively. The adsorption of Methylene Blue onto the prepared activated carbon demonstrated its very high adsorption capacity. The adsorption of lead ions on both carbons, i.e. activated and chemically-modified, was studied under different conditions. The experimental results showed that both types of carbon gave a relatively large maximum lead ion uptake, the increase in the uptake as a result of chemical modification being insignificant. Lead ion uptake was found to increase by increasing the solution pH — whereby the maximum adsorption of lead ions was obtained at pH 5.2 — and by increasing the initial lead ion concentration. Equilibrium studies showed that the adsorption of lead ions on both adsorbents could be described by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption of lead ions on the prepared activated carbons followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The presence of EDTA, acetic acid or citric acid led to a significant decrease of lead ion uptake by the activated carbons.
Sorption of Lead Ions from Simulated Industrial Wastewater onto Jordanian Low-Grade Phosphate
Authors: Al-Rub Fahmi A. Abu 
Published: June 2004

The technical feasibility of using Jordanian low-grade phosphate (JLGP) for the removal of lead ions from aqueous solutions was investigated in this study. To simulate real industrial wastewaters, the effects of the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid, tartaric acid or sodium chloride on the adsorption of lead ions on JLGP were also investigated. The results of batch adsorption experiments demonstrated the high capability of JLGP for removing lead ions from aqueous solutions. The equilibrium data for the adsorption of lead ions onto JLGP could be fitted by the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) isotherm equations. The work presented showed that on using 1 mmol/l of an aqueous solution of any of Pb(II), Pb–NaCl, Pb–tartaric acid, Pb–EDTA or Pb–citric acid, the percentage removal of lead ions at equilibrium was in the order Pb(II) > Pb–NaCl > Pb– tartaric acid > Pb–citric acid > Pb–EDTA. Increasing the initial pH of the solution led to an enhancement in the sorption of lead ions and lead–ligand complexes onto JLGP. It was also found that increasing the concentration ratio of ligand to metal ion decreased the percentage removal of lead ions significantly. The sorption of lead ions from industrially simulated wastewater was found to follow pseudo-second-order kinetics.
Eosinophilic folliculitis in a patient after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Ota Mitsuhito , Shimizu Tadamichi , Hashino Satoshi , Shimizu Hiroshi 
Published: June 2004

AbstractWe describe a patient with eosinophilic folliculitis (EF) that developed 3 months after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for chronic myelogenous leukemia. Skin biopsy specimen revealed numerous eosinophil infiltrations from the hair follicles to the sebaceous glands. No sign of skin graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) was found. The skin lesions and peripheral eosinophilia subsided within 5 weeks. In the following 8 months, the rash did not recur and GVHD has not developed. Taken together with previous reports, the present case demonstrates that it is important to recognize this distinct skin condition to avoid an inference that it may manifest itself as one of the signs of skin GVHD. Am. J. Hematol. 76:295–296, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Childhood acute myeloid leukemia with CBFβ‐MYH11 rearrangement: Study of incidence, morphology, cytogenetics, and clinical outcomes of Chinese in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Natalie P.H. , Wong W.S. , Ng Margaret H.L. , Tsang K.S. , Lau T.T. , Leung Yonna , Chik K.W. , Shing Mathew M.K. , Li C.K. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractWe analyzed 43 consecutive cases of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) for the presence of the CBFβ‐MYH11 rearrangement using molecular techniques in a regional hospital in Hong Kong. Five cases (11.6%), 3 girls and 2 boys, ranging in age from 8 months to 14 years old, were found positive for the CBFβ‐MYH11 rearrangement. Morphologically, they were FAB M2 or M4 with or without eosinophilia (Eo). Typical M4Eo was observed in only one case. The molecular findings were in complete concordance with cytogenetic data, which revealed inv(16)(p13q22) in all and also gains of chromosome 4, 8, 22, and Y in one patient. Clinically, all 5 patients achieved complete remission after chemotherapy with favorable outcomes except for the patient with infantile AML, who relapsed 11 months after diagnosis, underwent cord blood transplantation, and was in second remission. This is the first clinicopathological study and documentation of the incidence of CBFβ‐MYH11 in childhood AML of Chinese in Hong Kong. Am. J. Hematol. 76:300–303, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High frequency of deletional α‐thalassemia in β‐thalassemia trait: Implications for genetic counseling
Authors: Panigrahi I. , Rafeeq P.H. Ahmed , Choudhry V.P. , Saxena R. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThalassemias are a group of genetic hemolytic disorders with varying phenotypes. In this study, the frequency of α globin gene deletions was studied in the β‐thalassemia trait, the mildest form of the disorder. Eleven out of 33 (33%) individuals were positive for α−3.7 kb deletions. None of the subjects was positive for the Southeast Asian deletion. Such a high frequency for α deletions has not been reported earlier in thalassemia minor. Hematological parameters are compared, and implications of this finding for genetic counseling are discussed. Am. J. Hematol. 76:297–299, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Factor V‐Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, and MTHFR C677T mutations among patients with sickle cell disease in Eastern Saudi Arabia
Authors: Fawaz Naglaa A. , Bashawery Layla , Al‐Sheikh Iman , Qatari Ahlam , Al‐Othman Sara S. , Almawi Wassim Y. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe prevalence of factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, and MTHFR C677T mutations were investigated among 87 Saudi sickle cell disease (SCD) patients (38 males and 49 females) and 105 healthy controls (65 males and 40 females). The prevalences of factor V Leiden (P = 0.174) and PRT G20210A (P = 0.397) were not different between patients and controls, thereby giving no support to an association of either single‐point mutation with SCD. However, an increased prevalence of the MTHFR 677 T/T genotype was seen among patients (8/87) compared to controls (4/105), but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.217; OR = 2.56). This suggested a low impact of inherited hypercoagulability risk factors in the pathogenesis of SCD and/or its complications. Am. J. Hematol. 76:307–309, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hemostatic markers and the sepsis‐related organ failure assessment score in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation in an intensive care unit
Authors: Okabayashi Kazuhiro , Wada Hideo , Ohta Syunsuke , Shiku Hirosi , Nobori Tsutomu , Maruyama Kazuo 
Published: June 2004

AbstractWe investigated the correlation between disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) score and hemostatic parameters and sepsis‐related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score with clinical outcome of patients with DIC in an intensive care unit (ICU). The SOFA score was markedly elevated in patients with DIC relative to patients without DIC and significantly higher in non‐survivors than in survivors. Abnormalities in almost all hemostatic parameters were significant in patients with DIC, but there was no significant difference in almost all hemostatic parameters between survivors and non‐survivors. However, plasma antithrombin (AT) levels were significantly lower in non‐survivors than in survivors. Soluble fibrin (SF) and tissue type plasminogen activator (tPA)–plasminogen activator inhibitor‐I (PAI‐I) complex correlated significantly with the SOFA score, whereas AT levels correlated significantly and negatively with the SOFA score. We conclude that the SOFA score is useful for predicting outcome in DIC patients in the ICU, and that hemostatic parameters, especially plasma AT levels, are also useful markers for organ failure and clinical outcome. Am. J. Hematol. 76:225–229, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
NK‐cell related neoplasms in Osaka, Japan
Authors: Miyazato Hajime , Nakatsuka Shin‐ichi , Dong Zhiming , Takakuwa Tetsuya , Oka Kazumasa , Hanamoto Hitoshi , Tatsumi Yoichi , Kanamaru Akihisa , Aozasa Katsuyuki 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe frequency of NK‐cell related neoplasms was estimated among lymphoproliferative diseases diagnosed and treated in Osaka, Japan, from 1999 to 2003. The total number of registered cases was 1,400, among which 1,092 patients were diagnosed as having malignant lymphomas. There were 987 cases of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and 105 (9.6%) of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Immunophenotypic analysis revealed that 743 patients had B‐cell lymphomas and 209 T/NK‐cell lymphomas. Among the T/NK‐cell lymphomas, 40 showed positive immunoreactivity for CD56, and thus they were judged to be NK/T‐cell lymphomas. They included one blastic NK‐cell lymphoma and 39 NK/T‐cell lymphomas. NK/T‐cell lymphomas were further divided into three categories based on the main site of lesions: nasal type (23 cases), non‐nasal extranodal type (11 cases), and nodal type (5 cases). The positive rate of infection with the Epstein‐Barr virus determined by in situ hybridization was 83%, 36%, and 25% in the nasal, non‐nasal, and nodal type, respectively. A mosquito allergy was found in one patient with EBV‐positive non‐nasal NK/T‐cell lymphoma. The present study showed that the frequency of NK‐cell related neoplasms among all NHLs was 4% in an ATL‐non‐endemic area of Japan. Am. J. Hematol 76:230–235, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.