bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aerobic Denitrification ofPseudomonas aeruginosaMonitored by Online NAD(P)H Fluorescence
Authors: Chen Fan , Xia Qing , Ju Lu-Kwang 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACTContinuous cultures ofPseudomonas aeruginosa(ATCC 9027) maintained at different dissolved oxygen concentrations (DO) were studied for the effects of DO on various culture properties, especially aerobic respiration and denitrification. The DO was varied from 0 mg/liter (completely anoxic conditions) to 1.3 mg/liter and measured with optical sensors that could accurately determine very low DO based on oxygen-quenched luminescence. The strain was found to perform aerobic denitrification; while the specific rate decreased with increasing DO, denitrification persisted at approximately 1/8 of the maximum rate (1.7 mmol/g of cells/h) even at relatively high DO (1 to 1.3 mg/liter). In the presence of nitrate, the culture's Monod half-rate saturation constant for O2was very small, <0.1 mg/liter. Aerobic denitrification appeared to function as an electron-accepting mechanism supplementary to or competitive with aerobic respiration. The shift of the culture's respiratory mechanism was also clearly detected with a fluorometer targeting intracellular NAD(P)H, i.e., the reduced forms of the NAD(P) coenzymes. Comparatively, the NAD(P)H fluorescence under the anoxic, denitrifying conditions (NFUDN) was highest, that under fully aerobic conditions (NFUOX) was lowest, and that under conditions in which both denitrification and aerobic respiration occurred (NFU) was intermediate. Representing a quantitative measure of the culture's “fractional approach” to the fully denitrifying state, the normalized fraction (NFU − NFUOX)/(NFUDN− NFUOX) was correlated with DO and the calculated fraction of electrons accepted by denitrification. The NFU fraction decreased with increasing DO, following an empirical exponential relationship. The fraction of denitrification-accepted electrons increased with the NFU fraction: the increase was gradual and approximately linear at DO of ≥0.1 mg/liter but much sharper at lower DO. Online NAD(P)H fluorescence was demonstrated as a feasible technique for effective monitoring and quantitative description of the microaerobic state of microorganisms.
Environmental Acquisition of Thiotrophic Endosymbionts by Deep-Sea Mussels of the Genus
Bathymodiolus
Authors: Won Yong-Jin , Hallam Steven J. , O'Mullan Gregory D. , Pan Irvin L. , Buck Kurt R. , Vrijenhoek Robert C. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT

Deep-sea
Bathymodiolus
mussels, depending on species and location, have the capacity to host sulfur-oxidizing (thiotrophic) and methanotrophic eubacteria in gill bacteriocytes, although little is known about the mussels' mode of symbiont acquisition. Previous studies of
Bathymodiolus
host and symbiont relationships have been based on collections of nonoverlapping species across wide-ranging geographic settings, creating an apparent model for vertical transmission. We present genetic and cytological evidence for the environmental acquisition of thiotrophic endosymbionts by vent mussels from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Open pit structures in cell membranes of the gill surface revealed likely sites for endocytosis of free-living bacteria. A population genetic analysis of the thiotrophic symbionts exploited a hybrid zone where two
Bathymodiolus
species intergrade. Northern
Bathymodiolus azoricus
and southern
Bathymodiolus puteoserpentis
possess species-specific DNA sequences that identify both their symbiont strains (internal transcribed spacer regions) and their mitochondria (ND4). However, the northern and southern symbiont-mitochondrial pairs were decoupled in the hybrid zone. Such decoupling of symbiont-mitochondrial pairs would not occur if the two elements were transmitted strictly vertically through the germ line. Taken together, these findings are consistent with an environmental source of thiotrophic symbionts in
Bathymodiolus
mussels, although an environmentally “leaky” system of vertical transmission could not be excluded.
Phenylacetic and Phenylpropionic Acids Do Not Affect Xylan Degradation by
Ruminococcus albus
Authors: Reveneau Carine , Adams Sarah E. , Cotta M. A. , Morrison M. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT

Since the addition of either ruminal fluid or a combination of phenylacetic and phenylpropionic acids (PAA/PPA) has previously been shown to dramatically improve cellulose degradation and growth of
Ruminococcus albus
, it was of interest to determine the effects of these additives on xylan-grown cultures. Although cell-bound xylanase activity increased when either PAA/PPA or ruminal fluid was added to the growth medium, total xylanase did not change, and neither of these supplements affected the growth or xylan-degrading capacity of
R. albus
8. Similarly, neither PAA/PPA nor ruminal fluid affected xylan degradation by multiple strains of
R. albus
when xylan prepared from oat spelts was used as a carbohydrate source. These results show that the xylanolytic potential of
R. albus
is not conditional on the availability of PAA/PPA or other components of ruminal fluid.
Detection and Differentiation of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Isolates by Real-Time PCR
Authors: Shrestha Nabin K. , Tuohy Marion J. , Hall Gerri S. , Reischl Udo , Gordon Steven M. , Procop Gary W. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT

Mycobacteria cause a variety of illnesses that differ in severity and public health implications. The differentiation of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
from nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is of primary importance for infection control and choice of antimicrobial therapy. Despite advances in molecular diagnostics, the ability to rapidly diagnose
M. tuberculosis
infections by PCR is still inadequate, largely because of the possibility of false-negative reactions. We designed and validated a real-time PCR for mycobacteria by using the LightCycler system with 18 reference strains and 168 clinical mycobacterial isolates. All clinically significant mycobacteria were detected; the mean melting temperatures (with 99.9% confidence intervals [99.9% CI] in parentheses) for the different mycobacteria were as follows:
M. tuberculosis
, 64.35°C (63.27 to 65.42°C);
M. kansasii
, 59.20°C (58.07 to 60.33°C);
M. avium
, 57.82°C (57.05 to 58.60°C);
M. intracellulare
, 54.46°C (53.69 to 55.23°C);
M. marinum
, 58.91°C (58.28 to 59.55°C); rapidly growing mycobacteria, 53.09°C (50.97 to 55.20°C) or 43.19°C (42.19 to 44.49°C). This real-time PCR assay with melting curve analysis consistently accurately detected and differentiated
M. tuberculosis
from NTM. Detection of an NTM helps ensure that the negative result for
M. tuberculosis
is a true negative. The specific melting temperature also provides a suggestion of the identity of the NTM present, when the most commonly encountered mycobacterial species are considered. In a parallel comparison, both the LightCycler assay and the COBAS Amplicor
M. tuberculosis
assay correctly categorized 48 of 50 specimens that were proven by culture to contain
M. tuberculosis
, and the LightCycler assay correctly characterized 3 of 3 specimens that contained NTM.
Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology of Erythromycin-Resistant Beta-Hemolytic Lancefield Group G Streptococci Causing Bacteremia
Authors: Woo Patrick C. Y. , To Amanda P. C. , Tse Herman , Lau Susanna K. P. , Yuen Kwok-yung 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT

Among 100 patients with group G beta-hemolytic streptococcal bacteremia in a 6-year period (1997 to 2002), seven had bacteremia caused by erythromycin-resistant strains. Five of the seven patients had cellulitis and/or abscesses. The two isolates resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin possessed
erm
genes, one
ermTR
and the other
ermB
. The five isolates resistant to erythromycin but sensitive to clindamycin and one of those resistant to both erythromycin and clindamycin possessed
mef
genes.
Comparison of PCR-Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Real-Time PCR Assay for Diagnosis of an Unusual Case of Cerebral Toxoplasmosis in a Stem Cell Transplant Recipient
Authors: Menotti Jean , Vilela Gustavo , Romand Stéphane , Garin Yves Jean-François , Ades Lionel , Gluckman Eliane , Derouin Francis , Ribaud Patricia 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT
A PCR-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a real-time PCR assay were compared for diagnosis and follow-up of cerebral toxoplasmosis in a stem cell transplant recipient. The sensitivity of detection was similar for both assays but was higher when the assays were performed on buffy coat rather than on whole blood or serum.
THE LAW OF LARGE NUMBERS AND THE LAW OF THE ITERATED LOGARITHM FOR INFINITE DIMENSIONAL INTERACTING DIFFUSION PROCESSES
Authors: SCHMULAND BYRON , SUN WEI 
Published: October 2003

The classical Dirichlet form given by the intrinsic gradient on Γℝd is associated with a Markov process consisting of a countable family of interacting diffusions. By considering each diffusion as a particle with unit mass, the randomly evolving configuration can be thought of as a Radon measure valued diffusion. The quasi-sure analysis of Dirichlet forms is used to find exceptional sets of configurations for this Markov process. We consider large scale properties of the configuration and show that, for quite general measures, the process never hits those unusual configurations that violate the law of large numbers. Furthermore, for certain Gibbs measures, which model random particles in ℝd that interact via a potential function, we show, for d=1, 2, that the process never hits those unusual configurations that violate the law of the iterated logarithm.
DUAL GEOMETRY OF THE WIGNER–YANASE–DYSON INFORMATION CONTENT
Authors: HASEGAWA HIROSHI 
Published: October 2003

We develop a non-parametric information geometry on finite-dimensional matrix manifolds by using the Fréchet differentiation. Taking the simplest prototype Riemannian metric form [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] with the Fréchet derivative D on a pair of smooth functions g(ρ) and g*(ρ) of the density matrix ρ, we prove the WYD identification theorem: this metric is identified with the normalized Wigner–Yanase–Dyson skew information (the WYD metric), if and only if the metric form satisfies the monotonicity under every stochastic mapping T on ρ and A: [Formula: see text]. On this basis, we establish (a) a fine structure of the partial order in the set ℱ of all monotone metrics such that ℱ power ∪ℱ WYD forms a linearly ordered subset of ℱ with the same mini-max bound, where ℱ power (the power-mean metrics) interpolates the Bures and the WYD metrics (b) a characterization of the quasi-entropy S (ρ, σ)= Tr F (Δσ, ρ)ρ induced by the metric-characterizing function f WYD (x) of the WYD metric (c) an affine connection on the above metric which is torsionless to guarantee the quantum version of the ±α-connection, provided α∈[-3, 3].
DATA VISUALIZATION IN MANUFACTURING DECISION MAKING
Authors: SACKETT PETER J. , WILLIAMS DAVID K. 
Published: October 2003

Adherence to planned sequence is critical in Just-In-Time Lean Manufacturing (JITLM) environments such as that of the high volume automotive industry. The production efficiencies that Just-In-Time Lean Manufacturing provides are maximized where delivery of components and assemblies to production is matched by assembly of those components to a finished product in a planned order. Deviation from the planned balanced production sequence reduces manufacturing efficiency and may impact product quality where the product mix places a sustained or high demand on certain production resources. This paper addresses how to process and display manufacturing sequence data for high volume variant manufacture in such a way that an accurate impression of the production status can be readily communicated to manufacturing management, supervision and operations personnel. The authors review current practice in the field of sequencing for high volume manufacture and the available information presentation technologies. The realization and application of a novel prototype visualization, developed within a leading international automotive company, is described. The system incorporates both graphical and numeric representations of the manufacturing data. The representations clearly illustrate historical performance, indicate trends in performance and in the case of sequence adherence, provide a prediction of the process performance. These outputs are designed to be used locally in the plant and in the context of the global enterprise supply chain.
Decreased anticoagulant response to tissue factor pathway inhibitor in patients with venous thromboembolism and otherwise no evidence of hereditary or acquired thrombophilia
Authors: Piccapietra Brigitte , Boersma Johanna , Fehr Joerg , Bombeli Thomas 
Published: November 2003

SummaryNo relevant deficiency of TFPI or genetic polymorphisms could thus far consistently be associated with venous thromboembolism. We hypothesized that the substrates of the TFPI protein, including FVII or FX (rather than the protein itself) could induce a hypercoagulable state. We created a novel TF-based clotting assay that evaluated the anticoagulant response to exogenously added recombinant TFPI. The response to TFPI was expressed as the ratio of the clotting time with and without TFPI. By using 118 healthy controls, we established a reference range between 1.31 and 1.93 (mean value ± 2 standard deviations (SD), 1.62 ± 0.31). We then evaluated samples from 120 patients with a history of venous thromboembolism but no evidence of hereditary and acquired thrombophilia. The range of the patients’ ratios was significantly (P < 0.001) lower, falling between 1.2 and 1.78 (mean value ± 2 SD, 1.49 ± 0.29). Of the 120 patients, 39 (32.5%) had a TFPI sensitivity ratio below the 10th percentile of the controls, compared with 11 (9.3%) of the healthy controls. The crude odds ratio for venous thrombosis for subjects with a TFPI sensitivity ratio below the 10th percentile was 13 (95% CI; range, 3.1 to 54.9) compared with those with a ratio above 1.8 (90th percentile). Patients with idiopathic thromboembolism did not have a decreased TFPI sensitivity ratio more often than patients with thrombosis with a circumstantial risk factor. Based on these results, a reduced response to TFPI may lead to an increased risk of venous thrombosis.
Clot penetration and fibrin binding of amediplase, a chimeric plasminogen activator (K2tu-PA)
Authors: Barrett-Bergshoeff Marrie , Jie A. F. H. , Criscuoli Marco , Sakharov Dmitri , Rijken Dingeman 
Published: November 2003

SummaryAmediplase (K2tu-PA) is a hybrid plasminogen activator, consisting of the kringle 2 domain of alteplase and the protease domain of urokinase. The objective of this study was to determine the in vitro clot penetration of amediplase in relation to its fibrin binding and to compare the properties with those of alteplase.The clot lysis activity of amediplase in internal clot lysis models (both purified system and plasma system) was about 10 times less than that of alteplase. The clot lysis activity of amediplase in an external clot lysis model (plasma system) was similar to that of alteplase at therapeutic concentrations around 1 µg/ml. The fibrin-clot binding properties of amediplase and alteplase were studied in a purified system as well as in a plasma system. In both systems amediplase bound to fibrin although to a significantly lower extent than alteplase. The binding of amediplase or alteplase did not increase during plasmin-mediated degradation of fibrin. The binding of amediplase was fully inhibited by epsilon-aminocaproic acid, indicating that the observed binding was specific and occurred via the lysine binding site in the kringle of amediplase. Clot penetration was studied during pressure-driven fluid permeation using syringes containing plasma clots. Amediplase was able to enter the clot without significant hindrance, while alteplase was concentrated on the top of the plasma clot and hardly entered into the inner parts of the clot. Diffusion-driven clot penetration was studied during clot lysis using confocal microscopy. Alteplase was detected on or close to the clot surface, while two-chain urokinase, which has no affinity to fibrin, was also detected deep inside the clot. Amediplase showed a penetration behaviour, which was distinct from that of alteplase and similar to that of two-chain urokinase.We concluded that the fibrin binding of amediplase is moderate and does not hinder clot penetration under permeationdriven or diffusion-driven transport conditions. Enhanced clot penetration, especially in large clots, could allow a more efficient lysis during thrombolytic therapy.
Two Significant Minor Agreements (Mat. 4:13 Par.; Mat. 26:67-68 Par.)
Authors: Goulder Michael 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThree of our oldest witnesses, Origen and P70 from the third century, and Eusebius from the fourth, read Nαζαρα at Mat. 2:23, and this should be accepted as the original, as at 4:13. Matthew is probably inferring the form from his (amended) citation of Jg. 13:5,7, Nαζωραîoζ εσται, on analogy with Ioυoυδαîoζ Ioυδα. So Nαζαρα is Matthaean, and Luke's use of the Matthaean form at Lk. 4:16 is an indication that he knows Matthew's Gospel. At 26:67-68 Matthew has divided the mockers into two groups. The first spit in Jesus' face, and punch it, and the evangelist therefore suppresses Mark's blindfolding, which would protect Jesus. The second group belabour Jesus with sticks from around and behind; as he cannot see them, the "Prophesy!" taunt is transferred to them, with its explanatory, "Who is it who smote you?" Luke has the same addition of five words in the same order, including a hapax. It is difficult to resist the conclusion here that Luke knew Matthew's Gospel.
A Figurative and Narrative Language Grammar of Revelation
Authors:   Biguzzi
Published: November 2003

AbstractJohn's Apocalypse puzzles and troubles at every page. The reason is that the author frequently goes against common logic in shaping his images and narratives. Yet this lack of logic is not capriciousness. In fact, since Rev.'s surprising literary phenomena occur repeatedly, one can catalogue and systematise them in a sui generis Johannine figurative and narrative grammar. This contribution analyses two features of Johannine images (1), six features of Johannine ways of narrating (2), and the surreal and oneiric world created by John (3). First, this review helps one understand better John's bewildering language and makes the book of Rev. a more readable book. Second, it suggests that the numerous difficulties of Rev. are to be resolved first of all by collating the parallel traits found within this very same book, and not by hurriedly resorting to possible literary sources.
Obese Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Evidence that Metformin Does Not Restore Sensitivity of the Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Pulse Generator to Inhibition by Ovarian Steroids
Authors: Eagleson Christine A. , Bellows Amy B. , Hu Kathy , Gingrich Melissa B. , Marshall John C. 
Published: November 2003

Abstract
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have reduced GnRH sensitivity to suppression by ovarian steroids, which can be ameliorated by androgen blockade. We studied nine PCOS women and nine controls to determine whether metformin could change feedback inhibition by estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P). LH was measured every 10 min, and FSH, E2, P, and testosterone (T) were measured every 2 h. Frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance test was performed at the end of each admission. After the first admission, metformin (500 mg, three times a day) was started. The second admission occurred on d 8–11 of the next menstrual cycle in controls and on d 28 in PCOS patients. Patients subsequently took E2 and P for 1 wk until the third admission.
At baseline, PCOS women had higher T, free T, androstenedione, and estrone. After 4 wk of metformin, controls had a slight reduction in total T, but free T was unchanged. However, PCOS patients had reduced insulin, T, and E2, and increased LH mean/amplitude and FSH. After ovarian steroids, controls had a greater reduction in LH pulse frequency than PCOS (61 vs. 25%). These results suggest that the beneficial effects of metformin on ovulatory function in obese PCOS women are probably not mediated by enhanced hypothalamic sensitivity.
Color Doppler Ultrasonography: Diagnosis of Ectopic Thyroid Gland in Patients with Congenital Hypothyroidism Caused by Thyroid Dysgenesis
Authors: Ohnishi Hisashi , Sato Hirokazu , Noda Hiromasa , Inomata Hiroaki , Sasaki Nozomu 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe etiology of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) may play an important role in determining disease severity, outcome, and, therefore, its treatment schedule. Radionuclide imaging (RI) is currently the most precise diagnostic technique to establish the etiology of CH. Conventional ultrasound can identify an athyrotic condition at the normal neck position and has gained acceptance for the initial evaluation of CH; however, its ability in delineating ectopic thyroid is limited.We used color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) to assess blood flow and morphology in the detection of ectopic thyroid in 11 CH patients disclosed by neonatal screening; thyroid glands were undetectable at the normal location by gray-scale ultrasonography (GSU). The patients studied consisted of two infants for initial investigation and nine children for reevaluating the cause of CH. All of the patients underwent GSU, CDU, RI, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigation. We set RI as the defining diagnostic test for detecting ectopic thyroid and compared the imaging of CDU with those of GSU and MRI. The results of RI showed 10 ectopic thyroids and one athyreosis. In the patients with ectopic thyroid, the sensitivity of CDU, GSU, and MRI for detecting ectopic thyroid was 90, 70, and 70%, respectively. We conclude that CDU is superior to GSU and MRI for detecting ectopic thyroid and that CDU may be adopted as the diagnostic tool for the initial investigation of suspected CH.