bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A New clinical score for disease activity in Langerhans cell histiocytosis
Authors: Donadieu Jean , Piguet C. , Bernard F. , Barkaoui M. , Ouache M. , Bertrand Y. , Ibrahim H. , Emile J.F. , Hermine O. , Tazi A. , Genereau T. , Thomas C. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo develop an objective tool for assessing disease activity in patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH).MethodScoring system was developed and applied to a database containing information on 612 patients.ResultsAt diagnosis, the score distribution was highly asymmetrical: the score was between 0 and 2 in 74% of cases, 3–6 in 16%, 7–10 in 3%, and more than 10 in 6%. The 5‐year mortality rates were 1, 4.4, and 43.4%, respectively, among patients with initial scores of 0–2, 3‐6, and >6. Stability or an increase of the score at 6 weeks was highly predictive of death among patients with initial scores above 6, while score stability had no significant impact on vital outcome among patients with low or moderate scores at diagnosis.ConclusionsThis LCH disease activity score provides an objective tool for assessing disease severity, both at diagnosis and during follow‐up and treatment. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rapid screening of highly efficient vaccine candidates by immunoproteomics
Authors: Chen Zijun , Peng Bo , Wang Sanying , Peng Xuanxian 
Published: August 2004

AbstractDiseases caused by microorganisms can be controlled by vaccines, which require neutralizing antigens. Therefore, it is very important to identify highly efficient immunogens for immune prevention. By combining immunoproteomics and bacterial challenge after immunization, we developed a rapid method for screening protected antigens of pathogenic bacteria in aquaculture. Our approach may be divided into three consecutive steps. First, dominant immunogens of outer membrane proteins are screened by immunoproteomics. Second, proteins with the ability to induce production of neutralizing antibodies are identified from the immunogens by virulent bacterium challenge following vaccination. Third, vaccine candidates are determined by evaluation of neutralizing abilities. Information on the candidates has been obtained for further gene cloning by mass spectrometry. Our results indicate that highly efficient protected antigens were identified from the outer membrane proteome of Aeromonas hydrophila, in which an immunogen showed 71.4% protective ability with multivalent functions to A. hydrophila and Aeromonas sobria. In summary, we have developed a high‐throughout, accurate, rapid and highly efficient method which will play an active role in immune prevention for microbiological diseases.
Mass spectrometric protein structure characterization reveals cause of migration differences of haptoglobin α chains in two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis
Authors: Mikkat Stefan , Koy Cornelia , Ulbrich Markus , Ringel Bruno , Glocker Michael O. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractHaptoglobin belongs to the major constituents of plasma and acts as hemoglobin‐binding and acute‐phase protein. Due to the occurrence of three major allelic variants and further structural modifications, the α chains of haptoglobin form varying spot patterns in two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) gels, which is generally observed in differential proteome analyses using plasma or related body fluids of humans. In the present study plasma samples from 10 donors of initially unknown haptoglobin phenotype were separated by 2‐DE and tryptic digests of excised haptoglobin α chain spots were analyzed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) and MALDI‐quadrupole ion trap TOF‐MS. Haptoglobin α1S, α1F, as well as α2 chains were found to occur each with at least three structurally differing protein species: (i) the unmodified form, which corresponds to the sequence database entries; (ii) derivatives, in which asparagine at position five is deamidated to aspartic acid; and (iii) derivatives with an additional C‐terminal arginine residue. These structural variants account for the most commonly observed spot patterns of haptoglobin α chains in Coomassie‐stained gels. Additionally, a minor derivative of the haptoglobin α2 chain carrying both modifications, deamidation at position five and the C‐terminal arginine residue, was identified. Theoretical pI values of the characterized structural variants are, consistent with their observed migration in the 2‐DE gels.
Proteomics‐based identification of novel Candida albicans antigens for diagnosis of systemic candidiasis in patients with underlying hematological malignancies
Authors: Pitarch Aida , Abian Joaquín , Carrascal Montserrat , Sánchez Miguel , Nombela César , Gil Concha 
Published: August 2004

AbstractSystemic candidiasis remains a major cause of disease and death, particularly among patients suffering from hematological malignancies. In an attempt to contribute to the discovery of useful biomarkers for its diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring, we embarked on a mapping of Candida albicans immunogenic proteins specifically recognized by antibodies produced during the natural course of systemic Candida infection in this high‐risk population. About 85 immunoreactive protein species were detected with systemic candidiasis patients' serum specimens by using immunoproteomics (i.e., two‐dimensional electrophoresis followed by Western blotting), and identified through a combination of peptide mass fingerprinting by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight‐mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS), de novo peptide sequencing using nano‐electrospray ionization‐ion trap (ESI‐IT) MS, and genomic database searches. This proteomic approach has led to the characterization of 42 different housekeeping enzymes as C. albicans antigens. Their biological significance is also discussed. Furthermore, this study is the first to report that 26 of them exhibit antigenic properties in C. albicans, and 35 of them become targets of the human antibody response to systemic candidiasis. Our findings suggest that the production of antibodies to C. albicans phosphoglycerate kinase and alcohol dehydrogenase during systemic candidiasis could be associated with a differentiation of the human immune response. We also highlight the relationship between changes in maintenance of circulating levels of specific anti‐Candida antibodies and patients' outcome. Some of these variations, especially the rise of high anti‐enolase antibody concentrations, appear to be related to recovery from systemic candidiasis in these patients, which might serve as markers for predicting their outcome. This approach could therefore provide new challenges for diagnosis and clinical follow‐up of these fungal infections, and even for antifungal drug or vaccine design.
CFP10 discriminates between nonacetylated and acetylated ESAT‐6 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by differential interaction
Authors: Okkels Limei Meng , Müller Eva‐Christina , Schmid Monika , Rosenkrands Ida , Kaufmann Stefan H. E. , Andersen Peter , Jungblut Peter R. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractESAT‐6 (the 6 kDa early secreted antigenic target) protein species in short‐term culture filtrate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were separated in a 4–5 narrow range pI gradient two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE). Eight ESAT‐6 protein species were analyzed in detail by peptide mass fingerprinting matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐mass spectrometry as well as by electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry. An N‐terminal Thr acetylation was identified in four species and a C‐terminal truncation was identified in two species. In 2‐DE blot overlay assays, the recombinant 10 kDa culture filtrate protein (CFP10) discriminated N‐terminal acetylated and nonacetylated ESAT‐6 by differential interaction, whereas removal of the C‐terminal 11 residues of ESAT‐6 had no effects thereon. This example shows that the access to the protein species level can be a prerequisite to understand regulation of protein‐protein interaction.
A comprehensive proteome map of growing Bacillus subtilis cells
Authors: Eymann Christine , Dreisbach Annette , Albrecht Dirk , Bernhardt Jörg , Becher Dörte , Gentner Sandy , Tam Le Thi , Büttner Knut , Buurman Gerrit , Scharf Christian , Venz Simone , Völker Uwe , Hecker Michael 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe proteome of growing cells of Bacillus subtilis was analyzed in order to provide the basis for its application in microbial physiology. DNA arrays were used to calculate the number of genes transcribed in growing cells. From the 4100 B. subtilis genes, 2515 were actively transcribed in cells grown under standard conditions. From these genes 1544 proteins should be covered by our standard gel system pI 4–7. Using this standard gel system and supplementary zoom gels (pI 5.5–6.7, 5–6, 4.5–5.5, and 4–5) 693 proteins which are expressed in growing cells were detected that cover more than 40% of the vegetative proteome predicted for this region. Particularly broad coverage and thus comprehensive monitoring will be possible for central carbohydrate metabolism (glycolysis, pentose phosphate shunt, and citric acid cycle), amino acid synthesis pathways, purine and pyrimidine metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and main cellular functions like replication, transcription, translation, and cell wall synthesis. Comparing the theoretical pI and Mr values with those experimentally determined a reasonable correlation was found for the majority of protein spots. By a color code outliers with dramatic deviations in charge or mass were visualized that may indicate post‐translational modifications. In addition to the cytosolic neutral and alkaline proteins, 130 membrane proteins were found relying on sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) separation in combination with electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS/MS) techniques. The vegetative proteome containing 876 proteins in total is now ready for physiological applications. Two main proteome fractions (pI 4–7 and zoom gel pI 4.5–5.5) should be sufficient for such high‐throughput physiological proteomics.
Action and Reaction: Chlamydophila pneumoniae proteome alteration in a persistent infection induced by iron deficiency
Authors: Wehrl Wolfgang , Meyer Thomas F. , Jungblut Peter R. , Müller Eva‐Christina , Szczepek Agnes J. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractChlamydophila pneumoniae is an obligate intracellular pathogen implicated in a variety of acute and chronic diseases. Long‐term infections are associated with a persistent life stage, in which bacteria can stay for years. They are less accessible to antibiotic treatment but still prone to sustain an inflammatory response. Different in vitro models have been established to mimic and characterize chlamydial persistency. For C. pneumoniae and Chlamydia trachomatis, altered metabolic activities and changed antigenic profiles compared to acute infections have been reported. Most studies including transcriptome and proteome analyses describe persistency induced by IFNγ treatment. Here, we use iron depletion of the infected cell culture that also leads into persistent infection. We describe differently regulated proteins found by subtractive proteome analysis comparing two early stages of infection with and without addition of the iron chelator deferoxamine‐mesylate. While only one bacterial protein was up‐regulated during iron deficiency up to 24 h post infection (p.i.), 11 were found to be up‐regulated and eight to be down‐regulated from 24–48 h p.i. Two down‐regulated proteins could be identified by peptide mass fingerprinting as thioredoxin reductase and chromosome partitioning protein (ParB). The latter is involved in chromosome segregation. Thus, using a comparative approach we identified on a proteome level down‐regulation of ParB in persistent chlamydial forms, which is in agreement with previous results describing changes in cell division and atypical altered morphology of persistent Chlamydiae.
Amphiphilic maleic acid‐containing alternating copolymers—2. Dilute solution characterization by light scattering, intrinsic viscosity, and PGSE NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Sauvage E. , Plucktaveesak N. , Colby R.H. , Amos D.A. , Antalek B. , Schroeder K.M. , Tan J.S. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe dilute solution behavior of several alternating copolymers of maleic acid has been characterized by static and dynamic light scattering, intrinsic viscosity, and pulsed‐gradient spin‐echo NMR spectroscopy. The copolymer of maleic acid–sodium salt and isobutylene (IBMA‐Na, Mw ∼350 kg/mol) dissolves readily in concentrated aqueous salt solutions. Changes in chain dimensions with ionic strength and pH are similar to those of the lesser salt solution‐soluble poly(acrylic acid‐sodium salt). The hydrophobically modified (with n‐butyl, n‐hexyl, n‐octyl, and phenethyl amines) copolymers of maleic acid–sodium salts and isobutylene (IBMA‐NHR‐Na) show no sign of large intermolecular aggregation in 0.1 N sodium acetate (NaAc). However, the sizes of the copolymers are relatively small compared to that of the ionized parent copolymer (IBMA‐Na, Mw ∼350 kg/mol), suggesting intramolecular aggregation of the alkyl side‐chain groups along the polymer backbone. The copolymer modified with the longer chain n‐decyl, on the other hand, forms stable large intermolecular aggregates containing 33 chains/aggregate. The copolymers of maleic acid–sodium salt and styrene (SMA‐Na) appear to have no signs of aggregation, despite being a hydrophobic polyelectrolyte. The copolymer of maleic acid–sodium salt and di‐isobutylene (DIBMA‐Na) has a similar salting‐out concentration as SMA‐Na. The radius of gyration measurements by static light scattering suggest that at least some fraction of the DIBMA‐Na chains form large intermolecular aggregates. The copolymers of maleic acid–sodium salt with n‐alkenes (n‐CmMA‐Na) in 0.1 N NaAc form small intermolecular aggregates (three to five chains/aggregate). In contrast to these static light scattering results, PGSE NMR diffusion measurements for the above aggregated systems indicate only one diffusion coefficient consistent with the motion of single isolated chains. A plausible explanation for this discrepancy is that the population of the aggregates is too small to be sufficiently detected in the PGSE NMR experiment. Furthermore, it is likely that the aggregate has a larger relaxation rate than the nonaggregate, and therefore has a comparatively reduced signal in the PGSE NMR experiment. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3584–3597, 2004
The behavioural response of slugs and snails to novel molluscicides, irritants and repellents
Authors: Schüder Ingo , Port Gordon , Bennison Jude 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe behavioural response of the slug Deroceras panormitanum (Lessona and Pollonera) and the snail Oxyloma pfeifferi (Rossmässler) to novel molluscicides was investigated in choice and no‐choice experiments. Low‐light video‐recording in combination with automated tracking and event recording was used to identify the repellent and irritant effects of (1) cinnamamide, (2) copper ammonium carbonate, (3) a mulch, (4) a horticultural ground‐cover matting impregnated with a copper formulation and (5) urea/formaldehyde. In the no‐choice experiments the products had a stronger irritant effect on the snails than on the slugs. All products tested except the mulch significantly reduced the locomotor activity of both the slugs and snails. The most effective product, cinnamamide, reduced snail locomotor activity by 94% and track length by 96%. The overall repellent effect of the treatments in the choice experiments was stronger in the slugs; where presence, locomotor activity and track length in the treated area were significantly reduced by all products. The avoidance of treated areas exceeded 95% with the mulch (for slugs) and with copper ammonium carbonate (for snails). Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Experimental evidence for costs of parasitism for a threatened species, White Sands pupfish (Cyprinodon tularosa)
Authors: COLLYER MICHAEL L. , STOCKWELL CRAIG A. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryWe used field and experimental data to test if white grub parasites (Diplostomatidae) are costly to White Sands pupfish (Cyprinodon tularosa), a threatened species restricted to four sites in the Chihuahuan desert, New Mexico.Of the four populations ofC. tularosa, two are native and two are introduced. The two native populations (Malpais Spring and Salt Creek) are genetically distinct and have been isolated historically in dissimilar aquatic habitats (brackish spring and saline river, respectively). Two populations were establishedc. 1970 from translocation of Salt Creek fish to another saline river (Lost River) and another brackish spring (Mound Spring).Physid snails (Physidae) occur in the two brackish spring habitats but not the saline river habitats. These snails are first intermediate hosts for white grubs (Diplostomatidae). Therefore, the two freshwater populations are infected by diplostomatids. For the Mound Spring population, the ecological relationship ofC. tularosaand diplostomatids has only recently occurred.In 1995, a population crash occurred forC. tularosaat Mound Spring, associated with a parasite outbreak. Diplostomatids were the presumptive cause of this crash, but this was inferred from observation of infection in collected fish.Two years of seasonal sampling of the two populations revealed that all collected fish were infected. Parasite intensities were significantly lower in winter compared to summer, suggesting that heavily infected fish were lost from the population on a seasonal basis.We conducted an artificial infection experiment to assess the costs of parasitism for previously uninfectedC. tularosafemales for various life‐history traits. Under experimental conditions, diplostomatid infection caused increases inC. tularosamortality and decreases in growth and fat storage. Individual‐level costs of parasitism may translate to population‐level patterns of parasitism forC. tularosapopulations. Results from this study suggest that parasites may impact host overwinter survival, which is consistent with lower parasite intensities found during winters in wild populations.
Population responses to perturbations: predictions and responses from laboratory mite populations
Authors: BENTON T. G. , CAMERON T. C. , GRANT A. 
Published: August 2004

Summary
Mathematical models are frequently used to make predictions of the response of a population to management interventions or environmental perturbations, but it is rarely possible to make controlled or replicated tests of the accuracy of these predictions.
We report results from replicated laboratory experiments on populations of a soil mite, Sancassania berlesei, living in ‘constant’ or ‘variable’ environments. We experimentally perturbed vital rates, via selective harvesting, and examined the population‐level responses. The response depends on the stage manipulated and whether there is environmental variability. Increased mortality usually decreased population size and increased population variability. However, egg mortality in a variable environment increased total population size.
We used time‐series analysis to construct a stage‐based population model of this system, incorporating the responses to both density and variation in food supply.
The time‐series model qualitatively captures the population dynamics, but does not predict well the way the populations will respond to the change in mortality. Elasticity analysis, conducted on the model's output, therefore did not lead to accurate predictions.
The presence of indirect positive population effects of a negative perturbation, but only in a variable environment, suggests that predicting the population response will require the incorporation of density dependence and environmental stochasticity. That the considerable biological complexity of our time‐series model did not allow accurate predictions suggests that accurate prediction requires modelling processes within a stage class rather than trying to make do with simple functions of total density.
Fitness consequences of host selection in ectoparasites: testing reproductive patterns predicted by isodar theory in fleas parasitizing rodents
Authors: KRASNOV BORIS R. , KHOKHLOVA IRINA S. , BURDELOVA NADEZHDA V. , MIRZOYAN NATELLA S. , DEGEN ALLAN A. 
Published: August 2004

Summary
Fleas Xenopsylla conformis and Xenopsylla ramesis parasitize the rodents Meriones crassus and Gerbillus dasyurus. Previously reported isodar analysis of host selection suggested that at low density, X. conformis parasitizes M. crassus only, but with an increase in flea density, G. dasyurus is also parasitized. Xenopsylla ramesis at low density parasitizes both hosts equally, whereas at high density prefers M. crassus. The ultimate cause of underlying these patterns was suggested to be differential fitness reward of parasitism on a particular host species, while the mechanism can be adaptive host selection by fleas.
To justify the suggested fitness–density relations, we studied reproductive success in X. conformis and X. ramesis feeding on either M. crassus or G. dasyurus. We hypothesized that reproductive success would differ between two host species for each flea species.
Xenopsylla conformis parasitizing M. crassus produced more eggs than when parasitizing G. dasyurus, whereas time of oviposition and larval hatching did not depend on host species. In contrast, egg production in X. ramesis did not differ between host species. However, fleas fed on M. crassus needed fewer bloodmeals, oviposited earlier and hatching of their larvae took less time than those of fleas fed on G. dasyurus.
Patterns of egg production and development time in both fleas were consistent with the hypothesis that their between‐host distribution arose from adaptive host selection strategy.
Influence of habitat quality, patch size and connectivity on colonization and extinction dynamics of collared pikasOchotona collaris
Authors: FRANKEN RENEE J. , HIK DAVID S. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryThe effects of habitat quality, patch size and connectivity between patches on patterns of local extinction and colonization of collared pikas were studied over 7 years in alpine meadows in the south‐west Yukon.Although adult population size independently had a significant influence on patch extinction, its influence was minimal when other variables were included in generalized linear models. Instead, an index of habitat quality and the connectivity of a patch were found to be the best predictors of pika extinction.Similarly, patch connectivity only partly explained the recolonization of talus patches by pikas. Other patch characteristics, including aspect, amount of vegetation within the patch and an index of habitat quality based on survival probability of pikas also had a significant influence on recolonization.These results suggest that the influence of patch quality on local extinction and recolonization need to be more fully incorporated into metapopulation models.