bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
T-Cell Immune Response Assessment as a Complement to Serology and Intranasal Protection Assays in Determining the Protective Immunity Induced by Acellular Pertussis Vaccines in Mice
Authors: Ausiello C. M. , Lande R. , Stefanelli P. , Fazio C. , Fedele G. , Palazzo R. , Urbani F. , Mastrantonio P. 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACTThe relative value of antibodies and/or T-cell immune responses toBordetella pertussisantigens in the immunity induced by acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines is still an open issue, probably due to the incomplete knowledge on the mechanisms of protective immunity to pertussis. The relevance of T-cell immune responses in protection from pertussis has been demonstrated in murine and human models of infection; thus, in this study, the ability of different vaccine preparations of three component (pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, and pertactin) aP vaccines to induce T-cell responses was investigated in mice. All vaccine preparations examined passed the immunogenicity control test, based on antibody titer assessment, according to European Pharmacopoeia standards, and protected mice fromB. pertussisintranasal challenge, but not all preparations were able to prime T cells to pertussis toxin, the specificB. pertussisantigen. In particular, one vaccine preparation was unable to induce proliferation and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production while the other two gave borderline results. The evaluation of T-cell responses to pertussis toxin antigen may provide information on the protective immunity induced by aP vaccines in animal models. Considering the critical role of the axis interleukin-12-IFN-γ for protection from pertussis, our results suggest that testing the induction of a key protective cytokine such as IFN-γ could be an additional tool for the evaluation of the immune response induced by aP vaccines.
Expression of the Nucleoprotein of the Puumala Virus from the Recombinant Semliki Forest Virus Replicon: Characterization and Use as a Potential Diagnostic Tool
Authors: Billecocq A. , Coudrier D. , Boué F. , Combes B. , Zeller H. , Artois M. , Bouloy M. 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACT

Puumala virus (
Bunyaviridae
family,
Hantavirus
genus) causes a mild form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) called nephropathia epidemica in northern and central Europe. Serological tests are used for diagnosis, but antigen production is difficult because the virus grows poorly in tissue culture. We expressed the N protein (nucleoprotein) of Puumala virus via the Semliki Forest virus (SFV) replicon in mammalian cells and compared its antigenic properties with those of the native antigen derived from Puumala virus-infected cells. Detection of immunoglobulin G or immunoglobulin M by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), μ-capture ELISA, and indirect immunofluorescence assay was (at least) as effective with the recombinant antigen as with the native antigen when HFRS patient sera or organ washes from wild rodents were tested. No nonspecific reaction was observed. Thus, the SFV-expressed N protein of Puumala virus appears as a valid antigen, specific and sensitive for serological investigations.
Detection by Immunofluorescence Assay ofBartonella henselaein Lymph Nodes from Patients with Cat Scratch Disease
Authors: Rolain J. M. , Gouriet F. , Enea M. , Aboud M. , Raoult D. 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACTLaboratory diagnosis ofBartonella henselaeinfections can be accomplished by serology or PCR assay on biopsy samples. The purpose of our work was to assess immunofluorescence detection (IFD) in lymph node smears using a specific monoclonal antibody directed againstB. henselaeand a commercial serology assay (IFA) compared with PCR detection. Among 200 lymph nodes examined from immunocompetent patients, 54 were positive forB. henselaeby PCR, of which 43 were also positive by IFD. Among the 146 PCR-negative lymph nodes, 11 were positive by IFD. Based on PCR results, the specificity of this new technique was 92.5%, the sensitivity was 79.6%, and the positive predictive value was 79.6%. At a cutoff titer of 64, the sensitivity of the IFA was 86.8% and the specificity was 74.1%. Diagnosis of cat scratch disease (CSD) may be improved, with a specificity of 100%, when the two tests (IFD and IFA) were negative; the sensitivity was 97.4% if one of the two tests was positive. Since PCR-based detection with biopsy samples is available only in reference laboratories, we suggest using IFD coupled with the commercial serology test for the diagnosis of CSD.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay To Differentiate the Antibody Responses of Animals Infected with
Brucella
Species from Those of Animals Infected with
Yersinia enterocolitica
O9
Authors: Erdenebaatar Janchivdorj , Bayarsaikhan Balgan , Watarai Masahisa , Makino Sou-ichi , Shirahata Toshikazu 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACT

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using antigens extracted from
Brucella abortus
with
n
-lauroylsarcosine differentiated natural
Brucella
-infected animals from
Brucella
-vaccinated or
Yersinia enterocolitica
O9-infected animals. A field trial in Mongolia showed cattle, sheep, goat, reindeer, camel, and human sera without infection could be distinguished from
Brucella
-infected animals by conventional serological tests.
Detection of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV)
tax
Sequences in New York City Blood Donors Seronegative for HTLV Types 1 and 2
Authors: Dezzutti Charlene S. , Guenthner Patricia C. , Daniel Sylvester , Utz Ursula , Cabrera Thania , Marshall James H. , Bianco Celso , Lal Renu B. , Cowan Elliot P. 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACT

A potential public health concern is the reported detection of the human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)
tax
gene in the lymphocytes of up to 11% of a low-risk group of New York City blood donors (NYBD). This study aimed to independently confirm the prevalence of HTLV
tax
sequences in 293 NYBD. All NYBD tested negative for antibodies to HTLV types 1 and 2 and HTLV Tax. HTLV
tax
sequences were not detected in the NYBD lymphocytes. These data demonstrate the lack of HTLV-1
tax
in this group of NYBD at low risk for HTLV infection.
Applying the Principles of Industrial Ecology to the Guest‐Service Sector
Authors: Schendler Auden 
Published: July 2003

SummaryIndustrial ecology (IE) has historically focused on manufacturing but could be applied more broadly, particularly to sectors of the economy not typically considered “dirty.” The guest‐service sector, for example, has a significant ecological footprint, often in environmentally sensitive areas, and would benefit from an IE perspective. Colorado's Aspen Skiing Company, which hosts 1.3 million skiers annually on 5, 000 acres of skiable terrain, is integrating concepts of energy efficiency, feedback, life‐cycle costing, nutrient cycling, renewable energy, ecosystem diversity, local sourcing, and human capital into operations at four ski areas and two hotels. An IE perspective offers the guest service sector a holistic view of its environmental impacts, a big‐picture view that is missing from an industry where environmentalism has historically meant “recycling” or end‐of‐pipe pollution control. Many industrial ecology principles are directly applicable to resorts, but implementers will encounter a host of obstacles cultural, institutional, and economic that express themselves in unique ways in the guest service sector. Written using firsthand experiences from Aspen's ski slopes, restaurants, and a five‐star hotel, this article explores what happens when the principles of industrial ecology are applied to the guest service sector, particularly what goes right, and what goes wrong.
On the Impact of Local Feedbacks in the Central Pacific on the ENSO Cycle
Authors: Burgers Gerrit , Jan van Oldenborgh Geert 
Published: July 2003

Abstract
While sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the eastern equatorial Pacific are dominated by the thermocline feedback, in the central equatorial Pacific local wind effects, such as zonal advection, are important as well. El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) simulations with a linear model improve markedly if these effects are included as a local wind stress feedback on SST. An atmosphere model that reacts both to eastern and central Pacific SST anomalies is needed for producing a realistic ENSO cycle.
First, simulations are studied of a linear 1.5-layer reduced-gravity ocean model and a linear SST anomaly equation, forced by observed monthly wind stress. If only the thermocline feedback is present in the SST equation, SST can be simulated well in the eastern Pacific, but, contrary to observations, central Pacific SST is out of phase with the eastern Pacific. If a wind stress feedback is added in the SST equation, as a term proportional to the zonal wind stress, correlations between observed and simulated SST are above 0.8 in both the central and eastern Pacific, and the correlation between the Niño-3 (5°S–5°N, 90°–150°W) and Niño-4 (5°S–5°N, 150°W–160°E) indexes is close to the observed value of 0.75.
Next, a statistical atmosphere is added to the ocean module that is based on a regression of observed wind stress to the observed Niño-3 and Niño-4 indexes. The coupled system is driven by noise that is inferred from the residues of the fit and has a red component. The observed Niño-3–Niño-4 index correlation can be reproduced only with a wind stress feedback in the central Pacific. Also, the level of SST variability rises and the ENSO period increases to more realistic values.
The interplay between the local wind stress and the thermocline feedbacks, therefore, is an important factor in the structure of ENSO in the coupled linear model. In the eastern Pacific, the thermocline feedback dominates SST anomalies; in the central Pacific, the local wind stress feedback. Due to the local wind stress feedback, the ENSO wind stress response excites SST anomalies in the central Pacific, extending the ENSO SST anomaly pattern well into the central Pacific. In turn, these central Pacific SST anomalies give rise to wind stress anomalies that are situated more westward than the response to eastern Pacific SST anomalies. As a result, the ENSO amplitude is enhanced and the ENSO period increased. Also, central Pacific SST anomalies are not completely determined by eastern Pacific SST anomalies and they persist longer.
Biological Effects of Heparan Sulfates and Regioselectively Modified Heparin-Heparan Mimetics
Authors: Baumann H. 
Published: July 2003

The heparan sulfates (HS) are structurally the most complex but information rich biopolymers known. They are composed of polysaccharides containing regioselectively distributed carboxyl, sulfate ester, acetyl, amino, and N-sulfonyl groups with sequence- and domain-like arrangements. HS are found ubiquitously on cell surfaces and in extracellular matrices where they are covalently anchored via restricted protein cores. They modulate numerous development cell processes and the pathology of living organisms. HS concentration is extremely low on endothelial cell surfaces (1 pmol/cm2), therefore, they are difficult to isolate and evaluate. Furthermore, their sequence variability is extremely high and the sequence analysis is in its infancy. HS acts as a low affinity receptor which plays a central role in the reception and modulation of a wide range of effector proteins such as growth factors, morphogens, chemokines, enzymes, protease inhibitors. Water soluble fragments of HS and heparin (HE) enzymatically released or synthetic sequences, analogs of heparinoids and heparanoids (HH) mimetics regioselectively modified oligo- and polysaccharides with HE/HS like functional groups, and nonsaccharide containing structures can modulate effector proteins and influence some of the development and pathological processes. Modulation effects are described for anticoagulant antiproliferative properties, for reducing platelet and plasma protein adhesion as well as inhibition or activating growth factors by the influence of HH mimetics. The advantage of defined high molecular weight substrates are discussed and compared to the low molecular weight mimetics. The potential of HH mimetics opens new approaches and strategies for therapeutic treatment.
Thermal Effects of a Homogeneous ER Fluid Device
Authors: Nakamura Taro , Saga Norihiko , Nakazawa Masaru 
Published: July 2003

The viscous coefficient of a homogeneous ER fluid can be changed by the application of an electric field. However, the ER effect of the fluid is easily varied by temperature variation. Therefore, an envelopment and time in which the fluid is applied is limited. In this paper, we examine the influence of the thermal effects induced on the fluid by the device, in order to construct more reliable homogeneous ER devices. We discuss two kinds of thermal effects caused by joule heat and the dissipation of viscous energy. The results of simulations and experiments suggest that most of the exothermic elements of the homogeneous ER fluid are caused by the dissipation of viscosity energy in the fluid. Therefore, it seems reasonable to drive the clutch at a low rotating speed for short periods. We think that a robot arm for impedance control is more effective than a damper for vibration control.
Heat Transfer from an ESF Radial Plate Clutch Surface Part II - Theory
Authors: Oravský Vladimír 
Published: July 2003

In this paper half of a radial electro-structured fluid (ESF) clutch with vertical axis, consisting of a lower stationary disc and upper rotating disc is examined for constant speed of rotation. The narrow gap between the discs is filled with a viscous liquid, so electro-rheological effect is not taken into consideration. Frictional tangential forces in the fluid generate heat which is transferred through the fluid and rotating disc (by conduction) into surrounding air (by convection). A steady state model of heat transfer for the system in question is built up and solved to enable the establishment of heat transfer prediction to be achieved. Several novelties in approach and solution relative to existing ones are adopted and realized. For some particular cases theoretical results are compared with experimental values by means of a table graphically and a good agreement is achieved. The paper is the second part of a double paper, the first part of which is focused more upon general philosophy and experimental side of the problem in question.
Laser posterior ventriculocordectomy with partial arytenoidectomy for the treatment of bilateral vocal fold immobility
Authors: Shvero J. , Koren R. , Stern Y. , Segal K. , Feinmesser R. , Hadar T. 
Published: July 2003

Bilateral vocal fold immobility in adduction usually creates severe dyspnoea. Many surgical procedures have been established to improve the airway insufficiency in affected patients.Over the last six years 22 patients with bilateral vocal fold immobility in our department have undergone CO2 laser posterior ventriculocordectomy with partial arytenoidectomy (PVCPA). None had dyspnoea or a disturbance in the immediate post-operative period or during follow up, which ranged from five months to six years. Only one patient required a second procedure.Laser PVCPA appears to be an effective and reliable method for the treatment of bilateral vocal fold immobility in selected patients.
Gas Holdup and Volumetric Mass Transfer Coefficient in a Slurry Bubble Column
Authors: Vandu C.O. , Krishna R. 
Published: July 2003

AbstractThe gas holdup, ϵ, and volumetric mass transfer coefficient, kLa, were measured in a 0.051 m diameter glass column with ethanol as the liquid phase and cobalt catalyst as the solid phase in concentrations of 1.0 and 3.8 vol.‐%. The superficial gas velocity U was varied in the range from 0 to 0.11 m/s, spanning both the homogeneous and heterogeneous flow regimes. Experimental results show that increasing catalyst concentration decreases the gas holdup to a significant extent. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient, kLa, closely follows the trend in gas holdup. Above a superficial gas velocity of 0.04 m/s the value of kLa/ϵ was found to be practically independent of slurry concentration and the gas velocity U; the value of this parameter is found to be about 0.45 s–1. Our studies provide a simple method for the estimation of kLa in industrial‐size bubble column slurry reactors.
Probing Biomolecular Interactions at Conductive and Semiconductive Surfaces by Impedance Spectroscopy: Routes to Impedimetric Immunosensors, DNA‐Sensors, and Enzyme Biosensors
Authors: Katz Eugenii , Willner Itamar 
Published: July 2003

AbstractImpedance spectroscopy is a rapidly developing electrochemical technique for the characterization of biomaterial‐functionalized electrodes and biocatalytic transformations at electrode surfaces, and specifically for the transduction of biosensing events at electrodes or field‐effect transistor devices. The immobilization of biomaterials, e.g., enzymes, antigens/antibodies or DNA on electrodes or semiconductor surfaces alters the capacitance and interfacial electron transfer resistance of the conductive or semiconductive electrodes. Impedance spectroscopy allows analysis of interfacial changes originating from biorecognition events at electrode surfaces. Kinetics and mechanisms of electron transfer processes corresponding to biocatalytic reactions occurring at modified electrodes can be also derived from Faradaic impedance spectroscopy. Different immunosensors that use impedance measurements for the transduction of antigen‐antibody complex formation on electronic transducers were developed. Similarly, DNA biosensors using impedance measurements as readout signals were developed. Amplified detection of the analyte DNA using Faradaic impedance spectroscopy was accomplished by the coupling of functionalized liposomes or by the association of biocatalytic conjugates to the sensing interface providing biocatalyzed precipitation of an insoluble product on the electrodes. The amplified detections of viral DNA and single‐base mismatches in DNA were accomplished by similar methods. The changes of interfacial features of gate surfaces of field‐effect transistors (FET) upon the formation of antigen‐antibody complexes or assembly of protein arrays were probed by impedance measurements and specifically by transconductance measurements. Impedance spectroscopy was also applied to characterize enzyme‐based biosensors. The reconstitution of apo‐enzymes on cofactor‐functionalized electrodes and the formation of cofactor‐enzyme affinity complexes on electrodes were probed by Faradaic impedance spectroscopy. Also biocatalyzed reactions occurring on electrode surfaces were analyzed by impedance spectroscopy. The theoretical background of the different methods and their practical applications in analytical procedures were outlined in this article.
Capillary electrophoresis as a nanoreactor of separation capability: On‐capillary reaction catalyzed by transition metal ions
Authors: Yamashiro Tomoe , Okada Tetsuo 
Published: July 2003

AbstractThe catalytic oxidation of 1,2‐dihydroxy‐benzene‐3,6‐disulfonate (tiron) by metal ions has been studied for detection of the metal ions in capillary electrophoresis (CE). Although Co2+ shows the strongest catalytic capability, some other metal ions also catalyze this reaction. If metal ions encounter a H2O2 zone after electrophoretic separation in the running buffer containing tiron, tiron is catalytically oxidized while the metal ion passes through the H2O2 zone. Anionic tiron radicals produced by the reaction are finally measured by the detector; in this scheme, the capillary acts as a nano‐ or microreactor as well as a microseparator. The effective capillary length can be controlled by changing the interval between metal ion and H2O2 injections. This scheme has been successfully applied to the detection of Co2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, and VO2+. The detectability is discussed from several viewpoints, such as the intrinsic catalyst ability of metal ions, the kinetics of the catalytic reaction, and reaction times determined by the mobility of the zone of the metal ion. Some strange behaviors, which cannot be predicted by batch experiments, are also reported.
Capillary zone electrophoretic determination of iodide in seawater using transient isotachophoresis with artificial seawater as the background electrolyte
Authors: Yokota Kuriko , Fukushi Keiichi , Ishio Nobuhiro , Sasayama Nobukazu , Nakayama Yusuke , Takeda Sahori , Wakida Shin‐ichi 
Published: July 2003

AbstractWe describe an application of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with transient isotachophoresis (ITP) as the on‐line concentration procedure for the determination of iodide in seawater. The effective mobility of iodide was decreased by the addition of 10 mM cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) to an artificial seawater background electrolyte (BGE) so that transient ITP functioned and iodide was separated from other coexisting anions such as bromide, nitrite, and nitrate in seawater samples. After sample injection, 600 mM acetate was separately injected into the capillary as the terminating ion to generate transient ITP. The limit of detection (LOD) for iodide was 3.0 μg/L. The LOD was obtained at a signal‐to‐noise ratio (S/N) of 3. The values of the relative standard deviation (RSD) of peak area, peak height, and migration time for iodide were 2.9, 2.1, and 0.6%. The proposed method was applied to the determination of iodide in seawater collected around the Osaka Bay. The results obtained by use of the calibration graph were agreed with those obtained by the addition of the standard solutions for iodide.
Flow injection‐capillary electrophoresis system with contactless conductivity detection and hydrostatic pressure generated flow. Application to the quantitative analysis of inorganic anions in water samples
Authors: Kubáň Pavel , Kubáň Petr , Kubáň Vlastimil 
Published: July 2003

AbstractA simple and inexpensive flow injection‐capillary electrophoresis (FI‐CE) system with contactless conductivity detection (CCD) for automated quantitative analysis of chloride, nitrate, and sulfate in various water samples is demonstrated. A glass bottle containing the background electrolyte that is raised above the FI‐CE interface generates a pulse‐free, highly reproducible flow of the electrolyte through the FI‐CE interface. The system operates at a flow rate of 300 μLmin−1 with an injection volume of only 4 μL. The repeatability of peak areas (n = 18) was better than 0.81% RSD and the sample throughput was 90 samples per hour using the background electrolyte containing 12 mM L‐histidine adjusted to pH 4.00 with acetic acid. The limits of detection were better than 125 μgL−1 and were comparable to those obtained by conventional CE systems with CCD. Various calibration methods for FI‐CE system with electrokinetic injection were tested and their suitability for the analysis of anions in real samples was evaluated.
Chemokine Receptors in Vascular Smooth Muscle
Authors: SCHECTER ALISON D. , BERMAN ADRIANE B. , TAUBMAN MARK B. 
Published: July 2003

ABSTRACTAtherosclerosis is considered to be an inflammatory disease. Chemokines are low‐molecular‐weight proteins that exert their effects, in part, through mediating leukocytic infiltration into the vessel wall. Recently, studies have determined that chemokines and their receptors are present, and function on other cellular components comprising the arterial wall, such as the endothelium and vascular smooth muscle. Smooth muscle cells (SMC) constitute the major cellular element of the arterial wall and are located predominantly in the arterial media. Recent studies have demonstrated that SMC possess a number of functional chemokine receptors, including CCR5, CXCR4, and a receptor for monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1). It is likely that SMC are increasingly recognized as potential targets for chemokines, and that these effects may influence a variety of normal and pathological processes involving SMC such as atherosclerosis and arterial injury.