title: Predictive evidence for a porin-type β-barrel fold in CHIP28 and other members of the MIP family. A restricted-pore model common to water channels and facilitators

text: Water channels are the subject of much current attention, as they may be central for cell functions in a host of tissues. We have analyzed the possible fold of facilitators and water channels of the MIP family based on structural predictions, on findings about the topology of CHIP28, and on the biophysical characteristics of water channels. We developed predictions for the following proteins: MIP26, NOD26, GLP, BIB, γ-TIP, FA-CHIP, CHIP28k, WCH-CD1, and CHIP28. We utilized Kyte Doolittle hydrophobicity, Eisenberg's amphiphilicity, Chou-Fasman-Prevelige propensities, and our own Union algorithm. We found that hydrophobic amphiphilic segments likely to be transmembrane were consistently shorter than required for α-helical segments, but of the correct length for β-strands. Turn propensity was high at frequent intervals, consistent with transmembrane β-strands. We propose that these proteins fold as porin-like 16-stranded antiparallel β-barrels. In water channels, from the size of molecules excluded, an extramembrane loop(s) would enter the pore and restrict it to a bottleneck with a width 4 Å ⩽w ⩽5 Å. A similar but more mobile loop(s) would act as gate and binding site for the facilitators of the MIP family.


title: Virus infections and the natural history of chronic obstructive lung disease

text: 415 male out-patients were studied by serological means (complement-fixation with various viral antigens, hemagglutination-inhibition with adenoviruses of subgroup II). The conclusion was reached that the viruses investigated do not play a major role in the natural history of chronic obstructive lung disease. This is based on the following observations: a. The rate of viral infections associated with respiratory disease or acute exacerbations of the bronchitis is low (see Tables 2 and 6). b. Respiratory disease before the first examination is not caused by these viruses to any appreciable extent (see Table 3). c. Antibody level in patients' sera against individual viruses or groups of viruses do not indicate protection against subsequent respiratory disease or against a deterioration of bronchial function (see Tables 4 and 5).


title: Divided genomes and intrinsic noise

text: Segmental genomes (i.e., genomes in which the genetic information is dispersed between two or more discrete molecules) are abundant in RNA viruses, but virtually absent in DNA viruses. It has been suggested that the division of information in RNA viruses expands the pool of variation available to natural selection by providing for the reassortment of modular RNAs from different genetic sources. This explanation is based on the apparent inability of related RNA molecules to undergo the kinds of physical recombination that generate variation among related DNA molecules. In this paper we propose a radically different hypothesis. Self-replicating RNA genomes have an error rate of about 10(−3)–10(−4) substitutions per base per generation, whereas for DNA genomes the corresponding figure is 10(−9)–10(−11). Thus the level of noise in the RNA copier process is five to eight orders of magnitude higher than that in the DNA process. Since a small module of information has a higher chance of passing undamaged through a noisy channel than does a large one, the division of RNA viral information among separate small units increases its overall chances of survival. The selective advantage of genome segmentation is most easily modelled for modular RNAs wrapped up in separate viral coats. If modular RNAs are brought together in a common viral coat, segmentation is advantageous only when interactions among the modular RNAs are selective enought to provide some degree of discrimination against miscopied sequences. This requirement is most clearly met by the reoviruses.


title: On the Informational Content of Overlapping Genes in Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Viruses

text: In genetic language a peculiar arrangement of biological information is provided by overlapping genes in which the same region of DNA can code for functionally unrelated messages. In this work, the informational content of overlapping genes belonging to prokaryotic and eukaryotic viruses was analyzed. Using information theory indices, we identified in the regions of overlap a first pattern, exhibiting a more uniform base composition and more severe constraints in base ordering with respect to the nonoverlapping regions. This pattern was found to be peculiar to coliphage, avian hepatitis B virus, human lentivirus, and plant luteovirus families. A second pattern, characterized by the occurrence of similar compositional constraints in both types of coding regions, was found to be limited to plant tymoviruses. At the level of codon usage, a low degree of correlation between overlapping and nonoverlapping coding regions characterized the first pattern, whereas a close link was found in tymoviruses, indicating a fine adaptation of the overlapping frame to the original codon choice of the virus. As a result of codon usage correlation analysis, deductions concerning the origin and evolution of several overlapping frames were also proposed. Comparison of amino acid composition revealed an increased frequency of amino acid residues with a high level of degeneracy (arginine, leucine, and serine) in the proteins encoded by overlapping genes; this peculiar feature of overlapping genes can be viewed as a way with which they may expand their coding ability and gain new, specialized functions.


Human intraepithelial lymphocytes


title: Apport de l'endoscopie dans la maladie de Crohn

text: Two types of endoscopic lesions are observed in Crohn's disease (CD): active lesions or scars, frequently associated. Following their localization at different sites of the digestive tract, they are defining the type of disease. Ileo-colonoscopy is an important step of the initial characterization of the lesions, completed with biopsies helful for the differential diagnosis between CD and ulcerative colitis or infectious colitis An endoscopy is only repeated in front of a new clinical problem or when a change of treatment is required. In case of severe colitis, colonoscopy may detect septic lesions as well as deep ulcers indicating severe evolution with a bad prognosis. After surgery, in most of the cases ileocolonoscopy detects recurrent lesions whose severity is linked to an unfavourable clinical evolution and permits therapeutic adaptation. Since the risk of colorectal cancer in CD predominant in the colon is probaly underestimated, a systematic colonoscopy after 8 to 10 years of evolution should be performed for the screening of malignant lesions. Colonoscopy is also useful for the treatment of complications of CD, i. e. dilatation of benign strictures, as well as localization and treatment of distal bleeding. Upper digestive tract endoscopy, endosonography, enteroscopy, videocapsule and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography are other contributive methods within the field of correct indications.


title: Evidence for the existence of two forms of α(2A)-adrenoceptors in the rat

text: The α(2A)-adrenoceptors in rat spleen, kidney, spinal cord and cerebral cortex were studied using [(3)H]-RX821002 radioligand binding. In the spleen, spinal cord and cerebral cortex, the ligand bound to saturable sites with a K (d) of about 1 nmol/l and capacities of 134, 240 and 290 fmol/mg protein, respectively. Computer modelling competition curves for 39 drugs, including those for α(2A)-, α(2B)- or α(2C)-adrenoceptor selective drugs, indicated that the sites labelled by [(3)H]-RX821002 in the spleen consisted of a single population of α(2A)-adrenoceptors. However, the competition curves for guanoxabenz were definitely biphasic and resolved into two site fits, indicating that guanoxabenz was binding to both high affinity (K (d) = 35 nmol/1) and low affinity (K (d) = 8900 nmol/1) α(2A)-adrenoceptor sites in the proportions 57% and 43%, respectively. The K (d) (S)for a number of α(2)-adrenoceptor subtype selective drugs, measured in competition with [(3)H]-RX821002 in cerebral cortex and spinal cord, were highly correlated with those obtained in the spleen indicating their α(2A)-adrenoceptor nature. However, by contrast to the results with the spleen, the guanoxabenz competition curves for the spinal cord and cerebral cortex were monophasic and resolved only into one site fits, the K (d) of guanoxabenz being about 4000 nmol/l for both tissues. Drug K (d) (S)for kidney α(2A)-adrenoceptors were also determined using [(3)H]-RX821002. For nearly all drugs tested, the K (d) (S)were highly correlated with those found for the α(2A)-adrenoceptors in the other rat tissues. However, for guanoxabenz, the data indicated that it competed with [(3)H]-RX821002 at a single α(2A)-adrenoceptor site with a K (d) of 39 nmol/1. When the rat α(2A)-adrenoceptor gene RG20 was transiently expressed in COS-7 cells and its ligand binding properties probed using [(3)H]-RX821002, the drug K (d) (S)obtained were also highly correlated with those found for the α(2A)-adrenoceptors in the spleen, cerebral cortex, spinal cord and kidney of the rat. For the RG20 encoded receptor, the guanoxabenz competition curves were steep and monophasic and modelled best into one site fits, with the Kd of guanoxabenz being 5200 nmol/1. It is suggested that guanoxabenz can differentiate between two forms of α(2A)-adrenoceptors in the rat: α(2A1) and α(2A2). The α(2A1)-form is present in the spleen and kidney where it shows a high apparent affinity for guanoxabenz. The α(2A2)-form shows a low apparent affinity for guanoxabenz and is present in the spleen, cerebal cortex and spinal cord. The α(2A2)-form of the rat α(2)-adrenoceptor appears to be encoded by the RG20 gene. The α(2A), and α(2A2)-adrenoceptor forms do not represent high and low affinity receptor forms for agonists because assays included EDTA, Gpp(NH)p and Na(+), which eliminated the high affinity receptors for agonists.


title: Tropical sprue

text: It is surprising that in the gastrointestinal tract, with a primary barrier function and a large population of immunocytes, a major role for immunological damage has been convincingly established only for a few diseases; pernicious anaemia, gluten-sensitive enteropathy and GVHD. The complexities in investigating this relatively inaccessible area and the necessity for studying appropriate controls by similar techniques are some of the reasons that explain this paucity of data. Tropical sprue is a syndrome with an unusual geographical distribution and unknown aetiology. Alterations in gut immunocytes, especially EL, in this disease suggest that immune-mediated mechanisms may be important in the pathogenesis. However, the available data suggests that the initiating event leading to persistent damage to enterocytes in the stem cell compartment is unlikely to be immune mediated and that the immunological alterations are secondary to the loss of barrier function consequent to enterocyte damage.


title: Enteroviruses: Classification, diseases they cause, and approaches to development of antiviral drugs

text: The genus Enterovirus combines a portion of small (+)ssRNA-containing viruses and is divided into 10 species of true enteroviruses and three species of rhinoviruses. These viruses are causative agents of the widest spectrum of severe and deadly epidemic diseases of higher vertebrates, including humans. Their ubiquitous distribution and high pathogenici- ty motivate active search to counteract enterovirus infections. There are no sufficiently effective drugs targeted against enteroviral diseases, thus treatment is reduced to supportive and symptomatic measures. This makes it extremely urgent to develop drugs that directly affect enteroviruses and hinder their development and spread in infected organisms. In this review, we cover the classification of enteroviruses, mention the most common enterovirus infections and their clinical man- ifestations, and consider the current state of development of anti-enteroviral drugs. One of the most promising targets for such antiviral drugs is the viral Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES). The classification of these elements of the viral mRNA translation system is also examined.


title: Explaining the efficiency of local health departments in the U.S.: an exploratory analysis

text: No study to date has analyzed the efficiency at which local health departments (LHDs) produce public health services. As a result, this study employs data envelopment analysis (DEA) to explore the relative technical efficiency of LHDs operating in the United States using 2005 data. The DEA indicates that the typical LHD operates with about 28% inefficiency although inefficiency runs as high as 69% for some LHDs. Multiple regression analysis reveals that more centralized and urban LHDs are less efficient at producing local public health services. The findings also suggest that efficiency is higher for LHDs that produce a greater variety of services internally and rely more on internal funding. However, because this is the first study of LHD efficiency and some shortcomings exist with the available data, we are reluctant to draw strong policy conclusions from the analysis.


title: Cell–Cell Adhesion Molecule CEACAM1 is Expressed in Normal Breast and Milk and Associates with β1 Integrin in a 3D Model of Morphogenesis

text: CEA cell adhesion molecule-1 (CEACAM1) is a cell–cell adhesion molecule that, paradoxically, is expressed in an apical location in normal breast epithelium. Strong lumenal membrane staining is observed in 100% of normal glands (11/11), low in atypical hyperplasia (2/6), high in cribiform ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (8/8), but low in other types of DCIS (2/15). Although most invasive ductal carcinomas express CEACAM1 (21/26), the staining pattern tends to be weak and cytoplasmic in tumours with minimal lumena formation (grades 2–3), while there is membrane staining in well-differentiated tumours (grade 1). The 'normal' breast epithelial line MCF10F forms acini with lumena in Matrigel with apical membrane expression of CEACAM1. MCF7 cells that do not express CEACAM1 and fail to form lumena in Matrigel, revert to a lumen forming phenotype when transfected with the CEACAM1-4S but not the -4L isoform. CEACAM1 directly associates with and down-regulates the expression of β1-integrin. Immuno-electron microscopy reveals numerous vesicles coated with CEACAM1 within the lumena, and as predicted by this finding, CEACAM1 is found in the lipid fraction of breast milk. Thus, CEACAM1 is a critical molecule in mammary morphogenesis and may play a role in the absorption of the lipid vesicles of milk in the infant intestinal tract.


title: Anglo American media representations, traditional medicine, and HIV/AIDS in South Africa: from muti killings to garlic cures

text: Before 2000 limited media coverage of medicine in South Africa existed, yet much of what did exist centered primarily on traditional healing practices. It was not until the introduction of HIV/AIDS that traditional medicine was seen as having some potential value to the population, but only so far as the ability of traditional healers to direct patients to biomedical treatment. This article examines how the contemporary western media portrays medicine in South Africa and how the introduction of HIV/AIDS as a major news story has shifted the depiction of western and traditional medical treatment. Insights from these questions are examined in light of the colonial context of South Africa’s political struggle over medicine.


title: Human cytomegalovirus in the pancreas of patients with type 2 diabetes: Is there a relation to clinical features, mRNA and protein expression of insulin, somatostatin, and MHC class II?

text: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was recently demonstrated in the pancreas of about half the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the absence of mumps, rubella or Coxsackie B virus. The present study addresses the question as to whether type 2 diabetes with an HCMV-positive pancreas differs from those with HCMV-negative pancreases with respect to age, sex, treatment, duration of disease, volume densities of B-cells and D-cells, mRNA levels of insulin and somatostatin, islet amyloid peptide deposits and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II gene transcription, and protein expression. HCMV-positive type 2 diabetic patients showed a tendency towards a shorter duration of disease and significantly increased levels of MHC class II on RNA. In addition, expression of MHC class II product (HLA-DR) was identified in duct epithelial cells and/or islet cells in 9 diabetic pancreases and in 2 non-diabetic glands. No MHC class I expression could be detected. No other clinical differences between HCMV-positive and HCMV-negative glands were found. All 10 HCMV-positive diabetics showed a strong expression of MHC class II mRN in the pancreas. By immunocytochemistry, 4 of 10 demonstrated expression on the islets; three of ten also expressed MHC DRβ on ductal cells. This finding might be related to the viral infection, as only 2 of the 9 HCMV-negative patients were HLA-DRβ positive and none of the non-diabetic controls showed increased levels of MHC class II mRNA. These data suggest that HCMV infection in the pancreas is associated with type 2 diabetes. However, no conclusions as to a role of this virus in the aetiopathology of type 2 diabetes can be drawn at present.


title: Effect of New Antiviral Agent Camphecin on Behavior of Mice

text: We studied the effect of camphecin (1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ylidene-aminoethanol) on mouse behavior in the open-field test. Camphecin possesses antiviral activity and inhibits viral replication, but its influence on the nervous system is poorly studied. Single camphecin injection produced no significant changes in behavioral patterns. Chronic camphecin administration (5 times over 2 weeks) to mice of different strains had no significant influence on open field behavior (motor, exploratory activity, anxiety, emotional state and vegetative functions). The findings are discussed in the context of neutral influence of camphecin on animal behavior.


title: Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: Inflammatory bowel disease of the newborn

text: Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis is the most common serious gastrointestinal disorder encountered in neonatal intensive care units. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the newborn, particularly in premature infants. Consistent risk factors are birth weight and prematurity. Polycythemia and hyperviscosity altering blood flow and infectious agents are also implicated. Clinical findings include abdominal distention and diarrhea, and systemic symptoms such as apnea, acidosis, and lethargy. Pneumatosis intestinalis can be demonstrated radiographically. Mucosal ulcerations, hemorrhage, and thrombosis occur early, followed by inflammatory changes. Later still necrosis develops. Ischemia, infection, and enteral feedings are suspected to be involved in the pathophysiology. Eicosanoids, especially thromboxane, platelet-activating factor, and leukotrienes are likely mediators.


title: Molecular surveillance for avian influenza A virus in king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus)

text: An investigation of the presence of influenza A virus has been conducted in king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) at the Possession Island in the Crozet Archipelago, Antarctica, using a rapid molecular diagnostic method based on real-time polymerase chain reaction. No evidence of outbreak or positive viral infection of influenza A virus was found in this study. We however recommend the implementation of long-term surveillance in seabird populations of polar ecosystems to detect the potential introduction of exotic strains and potential existence of a local epidemiological cycle for avian influenza viruses.


title: Expression of immunogenic VP2 protein of infectious bursal disease virus in Arabidopsis thaliana

text: VP2 protein is the major host-protective immunogen of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) of chickens. Transgenic lines of Arabidopsis thaliana expressing recombinant VP2 were developed. The VP2 gene of an IBDV antigenic variant E strain was isolated, amplified by RT-PCR and introduced into a plant expression vector, pE1857, having a strong promoter for plant expression. A resulting construct with a Bar gene cassette for bialaphos selection in plant (rpE-VP2) was introduced into Agrobacterium tumefaciensby electroporation. Agrobacterium containing the rpE-VP2 construct was used to transform Ar. thaliana and transgenic plants were selected using bialaphos. The presence of VP2 transgene in plants was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis and its expression was confirmed by RT-PCR. Western blot analysis and antigen-capture ELISA assay using monoclonal anti-VP2 were used to determine the expression of VP2 protein in transgenic plants. The level of VP2 protein in the leaf extracts of selected transgenic plants varied from 0.5% to 4.8% of the total soluble protein. Recombinant VP2 protein produced in plants induced antibody response against IBDV in orally-fed chickens.


title: Simit Epidemiological Multicentric Study on Hospitalized Immigrants in Italy During 2002

text: The aim of this article is to retrospectively evaluate the patient characteristics and the most common infectious diseases in immigrant patients hospitalized in 46 Italian infectious disease clinics during 2002. The main Italian infectious disease clinics were invited to fill in a questionnaire that regarded the number and type of hospital admissions, the country of origin, and demographic features (age, sex, and resident state) of immigrants. A total of 46 clinics including 2255 patients participated in the study. Most patients were men (63%) with an age between 16 and 40 years (63.4%) covered by the National Health Service (71%) and coming from Africa (44.3%). The main infectious diseases observed were: 378 (16.76%) cases of HIV infection, 303 (13.43%) cases of tuberculosis diseases, 282 (12.5%) cases of various forms of viral hepatitis, 177 (7.84%) cases of respiratory diseases, and 196 (8.69%) gastrointestinal diseases. Tropical diseases found were 134 (5.94%) including 95 cases of malaria (70.9%). In conclusion, a broad range of diseases was noted in immigrants which were directly correlated with conditions of poverty. Only a few tropical diseases were diagnosed and therefore the immigrant should not be considered as an infectious disease carrier.


title: Weather factors in the short-term forecasting of daily ambulance calls

text: The daily ambulance demand for Hong Kong is rising, and it has been shown that weather factors (temperature and humidity) play a role in the demand for ambulance services. This study aimed at developing short-term forecasting models of daily ambulance calls using the 7-day weather forecast data as predictors. We employed the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) method to analyze over 1.3 million cases of emergency attendance in May 2006 through April 2009 and the 7-day weather forecast data for the same period. Our results showed that the ARIMA model could offer reasonably accurate forecasts of daily ambulance calls at 1–7 days ahead of time and with improved accuracy by including weather factors. Specifically, the inclusion of average temperature alone in our ARIMA model improved the predictability of the 1-day forecast when compared to that of a simple ARIMA model (8.8 % decrease in the root mean square error, RMSE = 53 vs 58). The improvement in the 7-day forecast with average temperature as a predictor was more pronounced, with a 10 % drop in prediction error (RMSE = 62 vs 69). These findings suggested that weather forecast data can improve the 1- to 7-day forecasts of daily ambulance demand. As weather forecast data are readily accessible from Hong Kong Observatory’s official website, there is virtually no cost to including them in the ARIMA models, which yield better prediction for forward planning and deployment of ambulance manpower.


title: Efficiency of Umbilical Cord Blood Cells in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Depressions

text: We studied the efficacy of umbilical cord blood cells in the therapy of treatment-resistant depressive states in women. Concentrated umbilical cord blood cells were administered in a dose of 250 millions cells (4 injections at 1-week intervals). The control group received placebo. In both groups, reduction of depressive disorders and the decrease in hypothymia severity were observed. Infusions of cell concentrate contributed to delayed correction of treatment resistance and reduced the severity of depression to moderate. In the main group, significant, persistent, and long-term positive dynamics was observed in the cognitive sphere. The therapeutic potential of umbilical cord blood cell concentrate can be used to overcome treatment resistance formed in depressive patients.


title: On the role of peripheral macrophages during active experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE)

text: Experimental allergic encephalitis (EAE) is an experimental autoimmune inflammatory condition of the central nervous system (CNS) that serves as a disease model for multiple sclerosis (MS). The primary effector mechanisms of the immune system leading to tissue destruction during EAE remain still controversial. T-cells, microglia, and macrophages infiltrating the brain parenchyma are suggested to be involved. To clarify the role of these cells during disease Lewis rats were immunised with different immunisation protocols: Immunisation with myelin basic protein (MBP) in complete Freunds adjuvant (CFA) containing high dose of mycobacterial components induced severe disease, whereas immunisation with low dose of mycobacterial components induced only mild disease. Severely and mildly diseased animals were analysed with respect to infiltration of T-cells, macrophages and upregulation of MHC class II molecules on microglia in the brain. All immunised rats showed high T-cell infiltration accompanied by microglia activation. The degree of disease and the infiltration of macrophages varied with dose of adjuvant. Lowering the dose of adjuvant prevented the development of disease but also the influx of peripheral macrophages into the brain without affecting the peripheral T-cell response to the autoantigen. Thus, appearance of (autoreactive) T-cells in the brain and microglia activation were probably not sufficient for development of disease. It can be concluded that peripheral macrophages play an essential or even key role in the pathogenesis of active EAE.


title: Public Health Data Collection and Sharing Using HIPAA Messages

text: Public health information has significant value for doctors, public health officials, epidemiological researchers, the general public, and government agencies. Unfortunately, these data are difficult to obtain and are typically collected on as-needed basis and maintained locally. This localized process unavoidably limits the access to important public health data by its users. Moreover, the diversity of data transmission standards and collection techniques make the collected data less usable. This paper proposes a new standardized public health information system based on the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) messages, which are the standard transactions between hospitals and insurance companies. In particular, this paper explores the applicability of HIPAA messages as a data source and transmission standard, and proposes a prototype design of a new system to collect and share public health data using HIPAA messages.


EcoHealth and the Influenza A/H5N1 Dual Use Issue


title: Cross-Species Pathogen Transmission and Disease Emergence in Primates

text: Many of the most virulent emerging infectious diseases in humans, e.g., AIDS and Ebola, are zoonotic, having shifted from wildlife populations. Critical questions for predicting disease emergence are: (1) what determines when and where a disease will first cross from one species to another, and (2) which factors facilitate emergence after a successful host shift. In wild primates, infectious diseases most often are shared between species that are closely related and inhabit the same geographic region. Therefore, humans may be most vulnerable to diseases from the great apes, which include chimpanzees and gorillas, because these species represent our closest relatives. Geographic overlap may provide the opportunity for cross-species transmission, but successful infection and establishment will be determined by the biology of both the host and pathogen. We extrapolate the evolutionary relationship between pathogen sharing and divergence time between primate species to generate “hotspot” maps, highlighting regions where the risk of disease transfer between wild primates and from wild primates to humans is greatest. We find that central Africa and Amazonia are hotspots for cross-species transmission events between wild primates, due to a high diversity of closely related primate species. Hotspots of host shifts to humans will be most likely in the forests of central and west Africa, where humans come into frequent contact with their wild primate relatives. These areas also are likely to sustain a novel epidemic due to their rapidly growing human populations, close proximity to apes, and population centers with high density and contact rates among individuals.


A rat genetic linkage map and comparative maps for mouse or human homologous rat genes


title: Nanowires: a new pathway to nanotechnology-based applications

text: The synthesis and the characterisation of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) have recently attracted great attention due to their potential applications in electronics and photonics. As yet, there are no practical uses of nanowires, except for research purposes, but certain properties and characteristics of nanowires look very promising for the future. [Figure: see text]


title: Mechanisms of nasal hyper-reactivity

text: Hyper-reactivity to non-specific challenges has been considered a hallmark of asthma and is defined as an abnormal responsiveness of the bronchial airways to a variety of provocative agents. The mechanisms underlying hyper-reactivity in the upper and lower airways are not known. By using the nose to study the inflammatory response possible abnormalities can be investigated carefully and pathophysiology of specific airway hyper-reactivities can be better understood. Other factors than merely constriction of the bronchial smooth muscles can cause narrowing of the free lumen to airflow. Functionally different and very distinct mucosal end-organ reactivities may also be increased. If these reactivities can be well assessed, specific airway hyper-reactivity can be defined. In the present report, specific mucosal end-organ hyper-reactivites in the allergic nasal mucosa are presented. Certain widespread hypotheses, such as the role of the eosinophil and the “increased absorption permeability theory”, are disputed.


title: Computational studies of the binding modes of A(2A) adenosine receptor antagonists

text: A molecular docking study was performed on several structurally diverse A(2A) AR antagonists, including xanthines, and non-xanthine type antagonists to investigate their binding modes with A(2A) adenosine receptor (AR), one of the four subtypes of AR, which is currently of great interest as a target for therapeutic intervention, in particular for Parkinson’s disease. The high-affinity binding site was found to be a hydrophobic pocket with the involvement of hydrogen bonding interactions as well as π–π stacking interactions with the ligands. The detailed binding modes for both xanthine and non-xanthine type A(2A) antagonists were compared and the essential features were extracted and converted to database searchable queries for virtual screening study of novel A(2A) AR antagonists. Findings from this study are helpful for elucidating the binding pattern of A(2A) AR antagonists and for the design of novel active ligands.


title: Macrophage activation syndrome in a patient with axial spondyloarthritis on adalimumab

text: Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a rare and potentially fatal condition characterized by excessive activation and uncontrolled proliferation of T lymphocytes and macrophages, leading to overwhelming systemic inflammation and cytokine release. MAS has been reported with viral infections, autoimmune disorders, malignancies, and medications. We describe a case of a patient with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) treated with adalimumab, who presented with MAS.


title: Identification of neutrophils in the nonsensory epithelium of the vomeronasal organ in virus-antibody-free rats

text: Cells infiltrating the nonsensory epithelium of the vomeronasal organ of virus-antibody-free rats exhibited surface immunoreactivity for β (2)-microglobulin and immunoglobulin (Ig) E. They were further characterized by using immunohistochemical techniques with antibodies to cell-specific markers or histochemical techniques for immunocytes with surface receptors for IgE. Localization of intracellular granules immunoreactive for lactoferrin and CD18, a leukocyte adhesion molecule, unequivocally identified these cells as neutrophils. The low number of IgA-and IgG-immunoreactive B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, and accessory immunocytes in the vomeronasal organ as well as the rest of the nasal cavity confirmed the absence of infection. We hypothesize that the operation of the vomeronasal pump induces repeated episodes of transient focal ischemia followed by reperfusion, which results in release of neutrophil chemoattractants and modulation of adhesion factors that regulate the extravasation and migration of neutrophils into the nonsensory epithelium. The distribution of immunoreactivity for interleukin 8 suggests that it is not the primary neutrophil chemoattractant in this system while that of CD18 suggests its active involvement in neutrophil extravasation. In addition to their role in immune surveillance, neutrophils may stimulate ion/water secretion into the vomeronasal lumen, affecting the perireceptor processes regulating stimulus access and clearance from the sensory epithelium.


title: Using Business Plan Development as a Capstone Project for MPH Programs in Canada: Validation Through the Student Perspective

text: Master of Public Health (MPH) programs have been developed across Canada as a response to the need for adequately trained individuals to work in the public health sector. Educational institutions that deliver MPH programs have a responsibility to ensure that graduates of their program have the essential knowledge, skills and attitudes to begin a successful career in public health. The Public Health Agency of Canada has created the core competencies for public health to guide the development, delivery and evaluation of MPH programs. In Canada, a capstone project is the recommended method of evaluating the MPH graduate’s ability to demonstrate proficiency in the public health core competencies. A business plan that develops the framework for a public health program is an ideal capstone project currently used in practice within the University of Guelph MPH program. This group assignment incorporates all 36 of the public health core competencies while providing students with a real-world public health experience, and should be considered for inclusion within MPH programs across Canada. Business planning provides students the opportunity to engage in practice-based learning, applying theoretical knowledge to practice. Further, the ability to develop realistic but financially feasible public health problems is an invaluable skill for MPH graduates. As the development of programs becomes more restricted and the continuation of other programs are under constant threat, the ability to develop a sound business plan is a required skill for individuals entering the public health sector, and will ensure students are able to maximize outcomes given tight fiscal budgets and limited resources.


title: Inhibitory zinc sites in enzymes

text: Several pathways increase the concentrations of cellular free zinc(II) ions. Such fluctuations suggest that zinc(II) ions are signalling ions used for the regulation of proteins. One function is the inhibition of enzymes. It is quite common that enzymes bind zinc(II) ions with micro- or nanomolar affinities in their active sites that contain catalytic dyads or triads with a combination of glutamate (aspartate), histidine and cysteine residues, which are all typical zinc-binding ligands. However, for such binding to be physiologically significant, the binding constants must be compatible with the cellular availability of zinc(II) ions. The affinity of inhibitory zinc(II) ions for receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase β is particularly high (K (i) = 21 pM, pH 7.4), indicating that some enzymes bind zinc almost as strongly as zinc metalloenzymes. The competitive pattern of zinc inhibition for this phosphatase implicates its active site cysteine and nearby residues in the coordination of zinc. Quantitative biophysical data on both affinities of proteins for zinc and cellular zinc(II) ion concentrations provide the basis for examining the physiological significance of inhibitory zinc-binding sites in proteins and the role of zinc(II) ions in cellular signalling. Regulatory functions of zinc(II) ions add a significant level of complexity to biological control of metabolism and signal transduction and embody a new paradigm for the role of transition metal ions in cell biology.


title: A Delphi Survey and Analysis of Expert Perspectives on One Health in Australia

text: One Health (OH) is an interdisciplinary approach aiming to achieve optimal health for humans, animals and their environments. Case reports and systematic reviews of success are emerging; however, discussion of barriers and enablers of cross-sectoral collaboration are rare. A four-phase mixed-method Delphi survey of Australian human and animal health practitioners and policymakers (n = 52) explored areas of consensus and disagreement over: (1) the operational definition of OH; (2) potential for cross-sectoral collaboration; and (3) key priorities for shaping the development of an OH response to significantly elevated zoonotic disease risk. Participants agreed OH is essential for effective infectious disease prevention and control, and on key priorities for outbreak responses, but disagreed over definitions and the relative priority of animal health and welfare and economic considerations. Strong support emerged among Australian experts for an OH approach. There was also recognition of the need to ensure cross-sectoral differences are addressed. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10393-017-1264-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.


title: Infections de l'intestin grêle

text: Small intestinal infections are, together with colonic infections, amongst the most frequent occurring diseases worldwide and they harass mankind. Especially among young children there are enormous numbers of deaths due to diarrhoeal disease. They can be caused by a great diversity of pathogens and their pathological and epidemiological features as well as their incidence can often differ in different areas of the world. In this paper the most common causes of small intestinal infections are reviewed and some characteristics of their clinical and histological aspects are described. Moreover, the different infectious diseases are classified into acute and chronic as the recognition of the type of inflammatory infiltrate may be help ful to make a correct diagnosis.


title: Economic Incentives in the Socially Optimal Management of Infectious Disease: When [Formula: see text] is Not Enough

text: Does society benefit from encouraging or discouraging private infectious disease-risk mitigation? Private individuals routinely mitigate infectious disease risks through the adoption of a range of precautions, from vaccination to changes in their contact with others. Such precautions have epidemiological consequences. Private disease-risk mitigation generally reduces both peak prevalence of symptomatic infection and the number of people who fall ill. At the same time, however, it can prolong an epidemic. A reduction in prevalence is socially beneficial. Prolongation of an epidemic is not. We find that for a large class of infectious diseases, private risk mitigation is socially suboptimal—either too low or too high. The social optimum requires either more or less private mitigation. Since private mitigation effort depends on the cost of mitigation and the cost of illness, interventions that change either of these costs may be used to alter mitigation decisions. We model the potential for instruments that affect the cost of illness to yield net social benefits. We find that where a disease is not very infectious or the duration of illness is short, it may be socially optimal to promote private mitigation effort by increasing the cost of illness. By contrast, where a disease is highly infectious or long lasting, it may be optimal to discourage private mitigation by reducing the cost of disease. Society would prefer a shorter, more intense, epidemic to a longer, less intense epidemic. There is, however, a region in parameter space where the relationship is more complicated. For moderately infectious diseases with medium infectious periods, the social optimum depends on interactions between prevalence and duration. Basic reproduction numbers are not sufficient to predict the social optimum.


title: In Search of Global Health Justice: A Need to Reinvigorate Institutions and Make International Law

text: The recent outbreak of Ebola in West Africa has killed thousands of people, including healthcare workers. African responses have been varied and largely ineffective. The WHO and the international community’s belated responses have yet to quell the epidemic. The crisis is characteristic of a failure to properly comply with the International Health Regulations 2005. More generally, it stems from a failure of international health justice as articulated by a range of legal institutions and instruments, and it should prompt us to question the state and direction of approaches to the governance of global public health. This paper queries what might be done to lift global public health as a policy arena to the place of prominence that it deserves. It argues that there are at least two critical reasons for the past, present and easily anticipated future failings of the global public health regime. After exploring those, it then articulates a new way forward, identifying three courses of action that might be adopted in realising better health outcomes and global health justice, namely value, institutional and legal reform.


title: Plant Based Bioreactors of Recombinant Cytokines (Review)

text: Cytokines are a family of signaling polypeptides involved in intercellular interactions in the process of the immune response, as well as in the regulation of a number of normal physiological functions. Cytokines are used in medicine for the treatment of cancer, immune disorders, viral infections, and other socially significant diseases, but the extent of their use is limited by the high production cost of the active agent. The development of this area of pharmacology is associated with the success of genetic engineering, which allows the production of significant amounts of protein by transgenic organisms. The review discusses the latest advances in the production of various cytokines with the use of genetically modified plants.


Abstracts of XII(th) World Congress of Neurology Hamburg September 1–6, 1985


title: In Defense of (Some) Altered Standards of Care for Ebola Infections in Developed Countries

text: The current outbreak of Ebola virus infection in West Africa continues to spread. Several patients have now been treated in the United States and preparations are being made for more. Because of the strict isolation required for their care, questions have been raised about what diagnostic and therapeutic interventions should be available. I discuss the ethical challenges associated with caring for patients in strict isolation and personnel wearing bulky protective gear with reduced dexterity and flexibility, the limitations this may place on available treatments and the permissibility of consequent departures from the standards of care. Restricting access to some interventions such as surgery requiring an operating room, advanced imaging, etc. is reasonable due to concern for protecting other patients, visitors and staff. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a special case and the implications for withholding this intervention in situations where it may be desired is discussed, especially with respect to those patients who have suspected, but not proven, infection. These same restrictions are also considered under conditions where there are scarce resources and thus limited numbers of patients may receive care. While it is to be hoped that there is only limited and sporadic infection with Ebola virus in the US, careful thought must be given to the care of these patients under the unusual circumstances demanded by their isolation. I argue that an altered standard of care is reasonable and ethically acceptable under certain conditions.


Editorial: Can the Health Implications of Land-use Change Drive Sustainability?


Abstracts for MASCC/ISOO Annual Meeting 2019


title: People’s perception and cost-effectiveness of home confinement during an influenza pandemic: evidence from the French case

text: In France, home confinement is not a common preventive measure against an influenza pandemic, although it is used around the world. Based on a stated method approach, we analyze the attitude that the French would adopt if this measure were put in place. Next, we propose a cost–benefit analysis to discuss the cost-effectiveness of this measure. We find that over three-quarters of respondents report complying with home confinement. Their choice depends on their individual characteristics, the interaction they may have with an infected person and home confinement conditions, but not their experience with preventive measures. We find that behaviors such as sensitivity to certainty, selfishness and altruism emerge. As far as cost-effectiveness is concerned, our study shows that home confinement is a prevention path that should not be neglected and should even be prescribed.


title: Therapie von Komplikationen und nichtpharmakologisches Management der idiopathischen pulmonalen Fibrose

text: Complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are responsible for a relevant proportion of the mortality. Most importantly, acute exacerbation leads to an in-hospital mortality of more than 50% with a mean survival time of only a few months. Therefore, consideration of complications in IPF is of great importance for understanding the disease and treatment planning. Furthermore, the evidence for pneumological rehabilitation in IPF has greatly increased. This resulted in specific recommendations by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) for improvement in physical capacity, quality of life and symptom control.


title: Surveillance of vector-borne diseases in Germany: trends and challenges in the view of disease emergence and climate change.

text: The changing epidemiology of vector-borne diseases represents a growing threat to human health. Contemporary surveillance systems have to adapt to these changes. We describe temporal trends and geographic origins of vector-borne diseases in Germany with regard to strengths of existing disease surveillance and to areas marked for improvement. We focused on hantavirus infection (endemic in Germany), chikungunya fever (recently emerging in Europe) and dengue fever (imported from tropical regions), representing important subgroups of vector-borne infections. Routine surveillance data on demographics, origin of infection and the date of reporting were analysed. From 2001 through 2007, 3,005 symptomatic hantavirus infections, and 85 cases of chikungunya fever were reported, similarly 1,048 cases of dengue fever in 2002 through 2007. The geographic origin of hantavirus infection was reported for 95.5% of all cases (dengue virus, 98.4%; chikungunya virus, 100%). Hantavirus infections were acquired in Germany in 97.6% of cases (n = 2800). In 2007, there was a marked increase of hantavirus cases, mainly in areas known to be endemic for hantavirus. In 2006, imported cases of chikungunya fever primarily returned from several islands of the Indian Ocean, while the majority of imported cases in 2007 came from India. The reported number of dengue fever cases have increased since 2004. Thailand contributed the largest proportion of cases (17-43% in individual years), followed by India, Brazil and Indonesia. Surveillance of notifiable vector-borne diseases in Germany is able to timely detect spatial and temporal changes of autochthonous an imported infections. Geographic and temporal data obtained by routine surveillance served as a basis for public health recommendations. In addition to surveillance of vector-borne infections in humans, nationwide monitoring programs and inventory techniques for emerging and reemerging vectors and for wildlife disease are warranted.


title: A classification scheme for agent based approaches to dynamic optimization

text: Several papers in the literature employ agent-based modeling approach for providing reasonable solutions to dynamic optimization problems (DOPs). However, these studies employ a variety of agent-based modeling approaches with different strategies and features for different DOPs. On the other hand, there is an absence in the literature of a formal representation of the existing agent-based solution strategies. This paper proposes a representation scheme indicating how the solution strategies with agent-based approach can be summarized in a concise manner. We present these in a tabular form called “Agent Based Dynamic Optimization Problem Solution Strategy” (ABDOPSS). ABDOPSS distinguishes different classes of agent based algorithms (via communication type, cooperation type, dynamism domain and etc.) by specifying the fundamental ingredients of each of these approaches with respect to problem domain (problems with dynamic objective functions, constraints and etc.). This paper also analyzes 18 generic studies in the literature employing agent-based modeling based on ABDOPSS.


title: Biological Properties, Current Applications and Potential Therapeautic Applications of Brevinin Peptide Superfamily

text: The Brevinin peptides are antimicrobial agents obtained from frog skin secretions. Brevinin-2R has attracted many attentions due to its very low hemolytic activity, cationic property, and high affinity to cancer cells. Moreover, it has shown little toxicity against normal mammalian cells, while having killed several tumor cell lines by activation of lysosome-mitochondrial death pathway. In this review, we introduced the Brevinin superfamily with a focus on its therapeutic applications. Next, some unique properties of Brevinins were briefly discussed, including their ability to stimulate insulin secretion, dendritic cell maturation, and wound healing. In this context, we also provide information about the decoration of nanoparticles, such as cerium nano-oxide, by Brevinins. Finally, we addressed their potential for anti-tumor and drug design applications.


title: Enhanced photocatalytic inactivation of bacterial spores on surfaces in air

text: TiO(2) photocatalysis with ultraviolet (UV-A) light has proven to be a highly effective process for complete inactivation of airborne microbes. However, the overall efficiency of the technology needs to be improved to make it more attractive as a defense against bio-terrorism. The present research investigates the enhancement in the rate of destruction of bacterial spores on metal (aluminum) and fabric (polyester) substrates with metal (silver)-doped titanium dioxide and compares it to conventional photocatalysis (TiO(2) P25/+UV-A) and UV-A photolysis. Bacillus cereus bacterial spores were used as an index to demonstrate the enhanced disinfection efficiency. The results indicate complete inactivation of B. cereus spores with the enhanced photocatalyst. The enhanced spore destruction rate may be attributed to the highly oxidizing radicals generated by the doped TiO(2).


title: Regulatory affairs and biotechnology in Europe: III. Introduction into good regulatory practice — Validation of virus removal and inactivation

text: This paper provides for an overview on the practical consequences of the EC guideline (III/8115/89): Validation of Virus Removal and Inactivation. This guideline can only be used as a blueprint in combination with other specific guidelines, especially those concerned with EC recommendations during production and quality control for various biotech products. A potential risk associated with the production and use of biological products is viral contamination. This contamination may be present in the source material, eg. human blood, human or animal tissues, cell banks, or introduced in the manufacturing process through the use of animal sera (eg. foetal calf serum or trypsin) in cell culture supernatant. The objectives of validation are to establish — ideally both qualitatively as well as quantitatively — the overall level of virus clearance. Evidence of viral clearance must be obtained in all stages of purification and adequate viral removal and/or inactivation must be proven. The method used when validating viral removal and /or inactivation is by challenging the system through the deliberate addition (“spiking”) of significant amounts of virus into the crude material to be purified and to different fractions obtained during the various purification stages. Removal or inactivation of the virus during the subsequent stages of purification and /or inactivation is thereafter determined. Such a quality system is by no means a simple one: it is estimated that in some production lines around 600 Standard Operating Procedures are necessary to guarantee the quality and the safety of the desired biotechnological product. Small companies will probably not be able to perform all procedures needed for obtaining the desired quality of the product. Then, external laboratories may take over a part of the Part II development requirements, which may not be representative for the total of internal Quality Assurance. New developments in the production and quality control of biotechnological products may require that companies should introduce novel, sophisticated methods such as: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), as yet not recommended by the CPMP in detail.


title: Cloning of DNA fragments complementary to tobacco nitrate reductase mRNA and encoding epitopes common to the nitrate reductases from higher plants

text: Messenger RNAs encoding the nitrate reductase apoenzyme from tobacco can be translated in a cell-free system. Poly(A)(+) mRNA fractions from the 23-32 S area of a sucrose gradient were used to build a cDNA library in the expression vector λgt11 with an efficiency of cloning of approximately 10(4) recombinants/ng mRNA. Recombinant clones were screened with a rabbit polyclonal antibody directed against the corn nitrate reductase, which cross reacts specifically with the nitrate reductases from dicotyledons. Among 240000 recombinant plaques, eight clones were isolated containing inserts of sizes ranging from 1.6 kb to 2.1 kb and sharing sequence homologies. Seven of these clones contained a common internal 1.6 kb EcoRI fragment. The identity of these clones was confirmed as follows. A fusion protein of 170 kDa inducible by IPTG and recognized by the rabbit nitrate reductase antibody was expressed by a lysogen derived from one of the recombinants. The antibodies binding the fused protein were eluted and shown to be inhibitory to the catalytic activity of tobacco nitrate reductase. Two monoclonal antibodies directed against nitrate reductase were also able to bind the hybrid protein. The 1.6 kb EcoRI fragment was sequenced by the method of Sanger. The open reading frame corresponding to a translational fusion with the β-galactosidase coding sequence of the vector shared strong homology at the amino acid level with the heme-binding domain of proteins of the cytochrome b5 superfamily and with human erythrocyte cytochrome b5 reductase. When the 1.6 kb EcoRI fragment was used as a probe for Northern blot experiments a signal corresponding to a 3.5 kb RNA was detected in tobacco and in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia mRNA preparations but no cross-hybridization with corn mRNAs was detected. The probe hybridized with low copy number sequences in genomic blots of tobacco DNA.


title: Papovavirus detection by electron microscopy in the brain of an elderly patient without overt progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

text: Virions resembling papovavirus were demonstrated in glial cells in the brain of an aged patient without overt progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. The patient was not in a severely immunocompromised state. On histological examination, only a few tiny incomplete necrotic foci were found in the subcortical area. These foci were widely dispersed. Rare, swollen oligodendroglial cells and astrocytes in which papovavirus capsid protein (VP-1) was demonstrated immunohistochemically were present around the foci. The two typical types of virus particles i.e. 35 to 40 nm round particles and elongated particles, were observed in the nuclei of the swollen glial cells. The latter were in the minority. Distinct crystals were also found in the nuclei. The centre-to-centre distance of the particles in the crystals, about 40 nm, and the electron-opaque spots of the round-shaped virions and of the elongated particles, were indicative of structural subunits of papovavirus capsids. This case provides further evidence that papovavirus, possibly JC virus, may be reactivated in the brains of aged patients who are not in an immunocompromised state.


Comparative gastroenterology


Laboratory diagnosis of viral gastroenteritis


EcoHealth and the Black Death in the Year of the Rat


title: Elevated Cellular Immune Response to Human Heat-Shock Protein-60 in Schizophrenic Patients

text: Heat shock protein-60 (HSP60) is implicated in several autoimmune diseases as a triggering antigen. Based on the autoimmune hypothesis of schizophrenia, we examined cellular and humoral responses against HSP60 and a series of its peptide fragments with peripheral blood samples of schizophrenic patients and healthy subjects each of group size between 12 to 32 participants. The average stimulation indices of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to HSP60 were 3.17 ± 0.36 (mean ± SE) for schizophrenic patients and 2.23 ± 0.24 (mean ± SE) for healthy subjects, with a significant difference between the groups (P = 0.0457). In parallel, 38 synthetic peptide fragments of HSP60, each of 18–21 amino acids, were tested for in vitro sensitization of PBMC. With one peptide (p32) the average stimulation index of PBMC from schizophrenic patients was significantly higher than that obtained for PBMC of control subjects (P = 0.0006). Comparing the cellular immune response to p32 between patients who were distinctive responders (n = 10) or non-responders (n = 10) to neuroleptic treatment indicated a similar elevation of cellular response in these groups. Antibodies against HSP60 were screened by dot-blot and ELISA in the sera of the above blood samples. Titers of IgG and IgM against HSP60 were found to be of similar magnitude in schizophrenic patients and in controls. Titers of IgA against HSP60 were somewhat higher in the sera of schizophrenic patients in comparison to sera of control subjects (P = 0.0605).


title: Choroideremia associated with an X-autosomal translocation

text: A patient with mild choroideremia has been shown to carry a balanced translocation between chromosome X and 13 – 46,X,t(X;13)(q21.2;p12). Loci (DXY21, DX232, DX233) shown to map to this region on the X chromosome and in some cases to be deleted in other patients with choroideremia are intact in the DNA from this patient. To our knowledge this is the first report of a translocation associated with choroideremia. One of the translocation chromosomes, derivative 13, free of the derivative X and normal X, has been isolated in a somatic cell hybrid. Because of the clinical association of the eye findings with chromosome interchange, we suggest that the breakpoint on the X is at or near the choroideremia locus. Further analysis of this translocation may be useful in cloning the choroideremia gene.


Basismaßnahmen zur Wiederbelebung Erwachsener und Verwendung automatisierter externer Defibrillatoren: Kapitel 2 der Leitlinien zur Reanimation 2015 des European Resuscitation Council


title: A ribosomal frameshifting error during translation of the argl mRNA of Escherichla coli

text: Using fusions between the Escherichia coli genes argI and lacZ, it has been demonstrated that ribosomal frameshifting occurs at a frequency of between 3% and 16% within the argl mRNA, soon after the initiation codon. The frameshift involves a phenylalanyl-tRNA shifting into the + 1 frame at the sequence UUU-U/C. The shift does not occur if the in-frame phenylalanine codon UUU is replaced by UUC. The level of frameshifting is higher in dense cultures and is not dependent on phenylalanine starvation. In the wild-type argI gene this frameshifting event would be an error, leading to a truncated, non-functional protein. Therefore, it is unlike the numerous examples of required frameshifting events that have been described in other genes.


7th International Congress on Amino Acids and Proteins : Vienna, Austria, August 6–10, 2001


title: Contrasting Inflammatory Responses in Severe and Non-severe Community-acquired Pneumonia

text: The objective of this study was to compare systemic and local cytokine profiles and neutrophil responses in patients with severe versus non-severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Hospitalized patients with CAP were grouped according to the pneumonia severity index (PSI), as non-severe (PSI < 91 points) or severe (PSI ≥ 91 points). Blood and sputum samples were collected upon admission. Compared to non-severe CAP patients, the severe CAP group showed higher plasma levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines but in contrast, lower sputum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Blood neutrophil functional responses were elevated in CAP patients compared to healthy controls. However, neutrophils from severe CAP patients showed reduced respiratory burst activity compared to the non-severe group. Results indicate that patients with severe CAP fail to mount a robust local pro-inflammatory response but exhibit instead a more substantial systemic inflammatory response, suggesting that a key driver of CAP severity may be the ability of the patient to generate an optimal local inflammatory response. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10753-014-9840-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.


title: Ist der europäische Emissionshandel in der derzeitigen Form das geeignete Mittel, um die Ziele des Klimaschutzes zu erreichen?

text: The article opens with an overview of the relevant global crises, particularly those that have gained mainstream attention through the mass media since the 1980s. After this introduction, the facts about greenhouse gas/carbon dioxide emissions and climate change are presented and global greenhouse gas emissions are analyzed by region. This is followed by an in-depth analysis of the situation in the European Union and Austria, complemented by an explanation of the European emissions trading system. In this section, the various groups within the industrial sectors are described along with the concept of carbon leakage. In addition, the objectives of emissions trading and its impact on the prices of emissions certificates are analyzed. The article concludes by presenting alternative ideas for the reform of the emissions trading system and examining the outlook regarding the European Union’s further climate goals and their impact on Austria.


title: An improved local immunization strategy for scale-free networks with a high degree of clustering

text: The design of immunization strategies is an extremely important issue for disease or computer virus control and prevention. In this paper, we propose an improved local immunization strategy based on node’s clustering which was seldom considered in the existing immunization strategies. The main aim of the proposed strategy is to iteratively immunize the node which has a high connectivity and a low clustering coefficient. To validate the effectiveness of our strategy, we compare it with two typical local immunization strategies on both real and artificial networks with a high degree of clustering. Simulations on these networks demonstrate that the performance of our strategy is superior to that of two typical strategies. The proposed strategy can be regarded as a compromise between computational complexity and immune effect, which can be widely applied in scale-free networks of high clustering, such as social network, technological networks and so on. In addition, this study provides useful hints for designing optimal immunization strategy for specific network.


title: Proteomic Profiling of HL-60 Cells during ATRA-Induced Differentiation

text: Acute promyelocytic leukemia, a form of acute myeloid leukemia, is characterized by cell differentiation arrest at the promyelocyte stage. Current therapeutic options include administration of all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), but this treatment produces many side effects. ATRA is known to induce differentiation of leukemic cells into granulocytes, but the mechanism of this process is poorly studied. We performed comparative proteomic profiling of HL-60 promyelocytic cells at different stages of ATRA-induced differentiation to identify differentially expressed proteins by high-resolution mass spectrometry and relative quantitative analysis without isotope labels. A total of 1162 proteins identified by at least two unique peptides were analyzed, among them 46 and 172 differentially expressed proteins were identified in the nuclear and cytosol fractions, respectively. These differentially expressed proteins can represent candidate targets for combination therapy of acute promyelocytic leukemia.


title: Temporal aspects in crisis management and its implications on interface design for situation awareness

text: Temporality should be considered in the design of information technology support for crisis management (CM), both because crises are dynamic events and because time is a part of situation awareness (SA). This study has used group interviews to explore how different temporal aspects of CM can be considered in CM design and how they can influence crisis managers SA. A prototype and a scenario were used as mediating materials. The result consists of two parts. The first part is comprised of the participants’ reflections on how timelines can be used to display information in CM information systems. According to the participants, timelines should present: deadlines, information sent to the public, incoming and outgoing information, an overview of where the current activities belong in the CM process and what has been going on since the last shift during shift changes. Timelines should not only display the listed information, but also provide functionality for adjusting the timescale so that information can be presented in alternative temporal perspectives. The second part of the result contains several obstacles that might influence the crisis managers’ ability to obtain SA. Obstacles elicited from the group discussions are: information overflow, fast changes of SA due to incoming information, difficulties to share SA with actors outside the CM centre, forgetting things that need attention and that SA depends on the quality of incoming information. The two parts of the result have been compiled into six design principles for how temporality can be considered in CM systems in order to support SA.


title: Acyclic analogs of nucleosides. Synthesis and in vitro antiviral activity of hydroxyalkyl-2-(trifluoromethylthiomethyl) benzimidazoles

text: In a search for novel antiviral compounds of the ‘doubly modified’ nucleoside type, we have prepared 1-(4-hydroxy-2-oxabutyl)-, 1-(4-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-2-oxabutyl)-, 1-(4-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethy1-2-oxabutyl)-, 1-(4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-oxabutyl), 1-(4,5-dihydroxy-2-oxapentyl)-, 1-(5-hydroxy-2-oxapentyl), 1-(5-hydroxy-1-chloromethyl-2-oxapentyl)-, and 1-(6-hydroxy-1-chloromethyl-2-oxahexyl)-2-(trifluoromethylthiomethyl)benzimidazole. They were obtained by condensing the trimethylsilyl derivative of 2-(trifluoromethylthiomethyl) benzimidazole with alkylating agents in the presence of an equimolar mixture of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid and trimethylchlorosilane. These nucleoside analogs showed moderate antiviral activity against some RNA viruses.


title: Subcellular distribution of tissue kallikrein and Na,K-ATPase α-subunit in rat parotid striated duct cells

text: Intracellular protein distribution and sorting were examined in rat parotid striated duct cells, in which tissue kallikrein is apical, and Na,K-ATPase is basolateral. Electron-microscopic immunogold cytochemistry, with both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, demonstrated these enzymes at opposite poles of the cells and in distinct intracellular sites. Kallikrein was found within apical secretory granules, whereas Na,K-ATPase was present on basolateral cell membranes. In addition, kallikrein was localized throughout cisternae of all Golgi profiles, whereas Na,K-ATPase (α-subunit) was found only in small peripheral vesicles and/or lateral cisternal extensions of a basal subset of Golgi profiles. These differences in the subcellular distribution of the two marker antigens were most clearly seen with double immunogold labelling. Our results suggest that kallikrein, an apical, regulated secretory protein, and Na,K-ATPase, a basolateral, constitutively transported membrane protein, are segregated at (or prior to) the level of the Golgi apparatus rather than in the trans-Golgi network (TGN), as was expected.


title: Acyclic analogs of nucleosides. Synthesis of hydroxyalkyl derivatives of 2-trifluoromethyl- and 2-trifluoromethylthiobenzimidazole

text: 1-(2,3-Dihydroxypropyl)-, 1-(4-hydroxy-2-oxabutyl)-, 1-(3-hydroxymethyl-4-hydroxy-2-oxabutyl)-, 1-(1,5-dihydroxy-3-oxa-2-pentyl)-, 1-(5-hydroxy-3-oxa-2-pentyl)-, and 1-(4,5-dihydroxy-2-oxapentyl)-2-trifluoromethyl- and -2-trifluoromethylthiobenzimidazoles were obtained by condensation of trimethylsilyl derivatives of 2-substituted benzimidazoles with alkylating agents in the presence of SnCl(4), or by direct alkylation of the sodium salts of the heterocycles.


title: Towards a geocomputational landscape epidemiology: surveillance, modelling, and interventions

text: The ability to explicitly represent infectious disease distributions and their risk factors over massive geographical and temporal scales has transformed how we investigate how environment impacts health. While landscape epidemiology studies have shed light on many aspects of disease distribution and risk differentials across geographies, new computational methods combined with new data sources such as citizen sensors, global spatial datasets, sensor networks, and growing availability and variety of satellite imagery offer opportunities for a more integrated approach to understanding these relationships. Additionally, a large number of new modelling and mapping methods have been developed in recent years to support the adoption of these new tools. The complexity of this research context results in study-dependent solutions and prevents landscape approaches from deeper integration into operational models and tools. In this paper we consider three common research contexts for spatial epidemiology; surveillance, modelling to estimate a spatial risk distribution and the need for intervention, and evaluating interventions and improving healthcare. A framework is proposed and a categorization of existing methods is presented. A case study into leptospirosis in Sri Lanka provides a working example of how the different phases of the framework relate to real research problems. The new framework for geocomputational landscape epidemiology encompasses four key phases: characterizing assemblages, characterizing functions, mapping interdependencies, and examining outcomes. Results from Sri Lanka provide evidence that the framework provides a useful way to structure and interpret analyses. The framework reported here is a new way to structure existing methods and tools of geocomputation that are increasingly relevant to researchers working on spatially explicit disease-landscape studies.


The Links Between Public and Ecosystem Health in Light of the Recent Ebola Outbreaks and Pandemic Emergence


title: Myoblast transplantation: A possible surgical treatment for a severe pediatric disease

text: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic X-linked recessive orphan disease that affects approximately 1 in 3 500 male births. Boys with DMD have progressive and predictable muscle destruction due to the absence of dystrophin, a protein present under the muscle fiber membrane. This absence induces contraction-related membrane damage and activation of inflammatory necrosis and fibrosis, leading to cardiac/diaphragmatic failure and death. The authors support the therapeutic role of myoblast transplantation in DMD, and describe the history and rationale for such an approach.


Index to Hydrobiologia Volumes 251-384 (1993-1999)


title: Synthesis, characterization, and antiviral activity of novel fluorinated isatin derivatives

text: ABSTRACT: New series of Schiff’s bases, hydrazones, thiosemicarbazones, thiazoles, and thiocarbohydrazones of 5-fluoroisatin were synthesized by the reaction of 5-fluoroisatin with primary amines, hydrazine hydrate, and thiocarbohydrazides. Thiosemicarbazones were prepared by reacting hydrazone derivatives with isothiocyanates. Upon treatment of thiosemicarbazone derivatives with chloroacetone, the thiazole derivatives were obtained. Some of the prepared compounds exhibited antiviral activity. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text]


title: Mx genes: host determinants controlling influenza virus infection and trans-species transmission

text: The human MxA protein, encoded by the interferon-inducible MX1 gene, is an intracellular influenza A virus (IAV) restriction factor. It can protect transgenic mice from severe IAV-induced disease, indicating a key role of human MxA for host survival and suggesting that natural variations in MX1 may account for inter-individual differences in disease severity among humans. MxA also provides a robust barrier against zoonotic transmissions of avian and swine IAV strains. Therefore, zoonotic IAV must acquire MxA escape mutations to achieve sustained human-to-human transmission. Here, we discuss recent progress in the field.


Reovirus-like calf enteritis


N-95 Face Mask for Prevention of Bird Flu Virus: An Appraisal of Nanostructure and Implication for Infectious Control


title: Smallpox and New York City’s Smallpox Hospital

text: Threatened use of the smallpox virus in bioterrorist attacks recently prompted national concerns in the United States. Smallpox, the “speckled monster,” was known in antiquity. In 1856, New York City opened its first hospital devoted to caring for victims of smallpox. Essentially, the hospital isolated and quarantined patients on Blackwell’s Island, located in the East River between Manhattan and Queens. After the hospital closed about 1875, the facility became a training school for female and male nurses. In the mid 1950s, the building was abandoned. Today, the ruins of the smallpox hospital are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At night, the ruins are illuminated casting an eerie, green aura on the remaining stone walls.


Basismaßnahmen zur Wiederbelebung Erwachsener und Verwendung automatisierter externer Defibrillatoren: Sektion 2 der Leitlinien zur Reanimation 2010 des European Resuscitation Council


title: Bacteria killing nanotechnology Bio-Kil effectively reduces bacterial burden in intensive care units

text: A contaminated hospital environment has been identified as an important reservoir of pathogens causing healthcare-associated infections. This study is to evaluate the efficacy of bacteria killing nanotechnology Bio-Kil on reducing bacterial counts in an intensive care unit (ICU). Two single-bed rooms (S-19 and S-20) in the ICU were selected from 7 April to 27 May 2011. Ten sets of new textiles (pillow cases, bed sheets, duvet cover, and patient clothing) used by patients in the two single-bed rooms were provided by the sponsors. In the room S-20, the 10 sets of new textiles were washed with Bio-Kil; the room walls, ceiling, and air-conditioning filters were treated with Bio-Kil; and the surfaces of instruments (respirator, telephone, and computer) were covered with Bio-Kil-embedded silicon pads. Room S-19 served as the control. We compared the bacterial count on textiles and environment surfaces as well as air samples between the two rooms. A total of 1,364 samples from 22 different sites in each room were collected. The mean bacterial count on textiles and environmental surfaces in room S-20 was significantly lower than that in room S-19 (10.4 vs 49.6 colony-forming units [CFU]/100 cm(2); P < 0.001). Room S-20 had lower bacterial counts in air samples than room S-19 (33.4–37.6 vs 21.6–25.7 CFU/hour/plate; P < 0.001). The density of microbial isolations was significantly greater among patients admitted to room S-19 than those to room S-20 (9.15 vs 5.88 isolates per 100 patient-days, P < 0.05). Bio-Kil can significantly reduce bacterial burden in the environment of the ICU.


title: Migrating action potential complexes in a patient with secretory diarrhea

text: A 70-year-old woman with secretory diarrhea was studied with a novel technique of recording small intestinal myoelectrical activity which allowed us to obtain long, uninterrupted records of slow waves and spikes at eight or more different intestinal levels simultaneously. Typical migrating action potential complexes (MAPCs) were observed, consisting of spike bursts that extended over more than one slow wave and migrated distally at the same propagation velocity as the slow waves. This motility pattern occurred frequently during the period the patient presented with secretory diarrhea and disappeared with the disappearance of the diarrhea. It was observed only once in a series of 10 normal control subjects. This is the first report on MAPC activity in man and on the association of this myoelectrical pattern with secretory diarrhea in man.


Land Use Change Special Feature Guest Editors


title: Multiplex Cytokine Profiling of Initial Therapeutic Response in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

text: Currently available prognostic tools are inadequate to discern the molecular basis of the heterogenic response in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients treated with the current standard of therapy. The expression and biological function of immune mediators have been shown to be critical in all phases of the immune response to HCV infection and likely therefore influence host response. Herein, a biometric multiplex serum cytokine assay was utilized to characterize the immunomodulatory effects of host response in 10 HCV patients. Serum levels of 17 cytokines were compared before and after 1 month of treatment and against controls. Overall serum cytokine levels were significantly higher in patients (P < 0.05) than controls. Additionally, viral titers decreased in all patients after 1 month of therapy, as did overall serum cytokine levels in the cohort (P < 0.05). To assess relationships between changes in cytokine levels and changes in viral titer, the cohort was divided into three statistically distinct subgroups based on changes in viral titers. Specific sets of cytokines decreased in each group: decreases in CCL4, interleukin (IL)-2, CXCL8, and IL-1β correlated with the greatest drops in viral titer, decreases in IL-5, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and CCL4 correlated with moderate drops in viral titer, and only CCL2 correlated with the lowest drops in viral titer. Interestingly, decreases in CCL4 levels correlated with decreases in viral titers in all patients. CCL4 controls leukocyte influx and thus propagates inflammation. In conclusion, these data raise the possibility that characteristic changes in host response modulate the therapeutic response, demonstrating the prognostic power of serum cytokine profiling in chronic HCV.


title: The Role of the Home Environment in the Transmission of Infectious Diseases

text: The purpose of this paper is to examine current health care literature (1980–2000) regarding the microbiology of the home environment, to summarize evidence of transmission within the home, and to assess effectiveness of cleaning practices and products. The home environment, particularly the kitchen and bathroom, serves as a reservoir of large numbers of microorganisms, particularly Enterobacteriacae,and infectious disease transmission has been demonstrated to occur in 6–60% of households in which one member is ill. Current food preparation and cleaning practices provide multiple opportunities for intra-household member spread. Routine cleaning is often sufficient, but in cases of household infection, may not adequately reduce environmental contamination. The effectiveness of disinfectants varies considerably and depends on how they are used as well as their intrinsic efficacy. The behavioral aspects of infection prevention in the home (e.g., foodhandling and cleaning practices) warrant increased public attention and education.


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title: “Disease-Breeders” Among Us: Deconstructing Race and Ethnicity as Risk Factors of Immigrant Ill Health

text: Race and ethnicity are well-established epidemiological categories that relate to the patients’ risk of exposure and their susceptibility/resistance to disease. However, this association creates the notion that factors other than a personal identity need not be held responsible for patients’ health problems. This work deconstructs the notion of race and ethnicity as risk factors for immigrant ill health, which is prevalent in current medical research and practice, by tracing its roots in Canadian history. The understanding that medical knowledge is subject to diverse historical, social, cultural and political influences can change the way health professionals perceive their patients as a health threat.


title: Differential exon expression in myelin basic protein transcripts during central nervous system (CNS) remyelination

text: 1. In order to characterize some of the molecular events leading to repair of myelin in the adult central nervous system (CNS), we examined the expression of transcripts for myelin basic protein (MBP) during remyelination in the mouse. C57B1/6 mice develop a demyelinating disease when glial cells are selectively infected by the A59 strain of mouse coronavrius. The virus is spontaneously cleared from the mice by 4 weeks postinfection (WPI), a time when remyelination is starting. 2. At 3 WPI total MBP transcripts are decreased by 75% in demyelinating lesions compared to control white matter. Using RNase protection assays andin situ hybridization with probes for particular MBP exons, we detected an increase in MBP transcripts containing exon 2 information, coincident with the earliest histological signs of remyelination. 3. The expression of MBP transcripts containing exon 2 information was first seen clustered in the perinuclear cytoplasm of oligodendrocytes scattered within the lesions. This is reminiscent of the increased levels and perinuclear clustering of MBP transcripts containing exon 2 seen during early developmental myelination. The peak abundance of exon 2-containing transcripts in the lesions was 13-fold that seen in control white matter. At later stages of remyelination, additional forms of MBP transcripts (without exon 2) increased and their distribution was more diffuse. 4. Thus, during remyelination, preforms of MBP transcripts, which are normally present at low levels in the adult CNS, are abundantly expressed and regulated in a manner similar to that observed in developmental myelination.


title: Influence of viral infection on expression of cell surface antigens in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

text: • Background: Subacute viral infection is known to change the phenotype of infected cells, thereby causing immune-mediated tissue damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of different cell surface molecules on human retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPEC) following viral infection, with special emphasis on those having immuneregulatory functions. • Methods: Cultured RPEC were infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV), coxsackievirus B3 (CVB) or herpes simplex virus type I (HSV). Double-staining fluorescence technique was used for visualization of virus infection and cell surface markers in the same cells by laser microscopy. • Results: CMV down-regulated MHC class I antigens on RPEC, whereas CVB and HSV did not alter MHC class I antigen expression. No induction of class 11 antigens was observed in RPEC infected with CVB, HSV or CMV. The intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 (CD54) was strongly expressed in uninfected RPEC, and a slight increase was observed after virus infection. Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) was expressed in low amounts in both uninfected and infected RPEC. No expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 2 (ICAM-2), E-selectin ELAM-1 or lymphocyte-function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) was observed on RPEC before or after virus infection. • Conclusion: Down-modulation of immune-regulating cell surface antigens has been suggested to provide a means of long-term survival of viruses in the infected cell, favoring establishment of persistent infection. Our observation in cultured human RPEC indicates that this mechanism might indeed contribute to the development of disease affecting retinal tissue.


title: Aldosterone-induced kidney injury is mediated by NFκB activation

text: BACKGROUND: Aldosterone induces inflammation and fibrosis in the kidney, while nuclear factor κB (NFκB) plays key roles in inflammation mediated by various cytokines. Here, we determined the roles of NFκB activation in aldosterone-induced kidney injury. METHODS: We used unilaterally nephrectomized rats with or without continuous aldosterone infusion and 0.9% saline as drinking water for 3 weeks. IMD-1041, an IKKβ inhibitor, and spironolactone were orally administered to inhibit NFκB and mineralocorticoid receptor, respectively. RESULTS: The aldosterone-infused rats exhibited severe kidney injury, hypertension, and increased expression of pro-inflammatory and fibrotic proteins, osteopontin, fibrinogen, collagen type I, and PAI-1. Western blotting confirmed NFκB activation by aldosterone by the increased amount of p65 in the nuclear fraction of the kidney, and oral IMD-1041 prevented the kidney injury and lessened the increase in pro-inflammatory and fibrotic proteins without significant changes in blood pressures. In addition, changes in angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which has been found to act as a protective factor in various kidney injury models, were examined. Immunofluorescence studies revealed the presence of ACE2 in the brush-border membrane of the proximal convoluted tubules and markedly blunted ACE2 staining in aldosterone-infused rats. The decrease in amount of ACE2 protein was confirmed by Western blotting, and IMD-1041 also prevented the decrease in ACE2. The administration of spironolactone also abolished the effects of aldosterone. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that aldosterone induces kidney injury via activation of NFκB and mineralocorticoid receptor, and that decreased ACE2 expression may play an important role in aldosterone-induced kidney injury.


title: Functional and molecular analysis of mitochondria in thyroid oncocytoma

text: We report a functional and molecular analysis of nine oncocytic tumors of the human thyroid. In all the abundance of mitochondria observed ultrastructurally was accompanied by an increase in enzymatic activities of respiratory complexes I (NADH dehydrogenase), II (succinate dehydrogenase) IV (cytochrome c oxidase), and V (ATPase). Western blot analysis failed to detect uncoupling protein in the tumors. The elevated respiratory enzyme activities were paralleled by an increase in the mitochondrial DNA content. Restriction analysis of mitochondrial DNA gave no indication of heteroplasmy or other gross alterations. We conclude that the mitochondrial proliferation in oncocytic tumors is probably not the result of a compensatory mechanism for the deficiency in enzyme complexes of the mitochondrial respiratory chain.


title: Genes for two homologous G-protein α subunits map to different human chromosomes

text: Signal transduction across biological membranes is modulated by a family of related GTP-binding proteins termed G proteins. These G proteins have a heterotrimeric structure composed of α, β, and γ subunits. The α subunits of the G proteins bind GTP and appear to determine the biochemical specificity of the protein. We have recently cloned and characterized cDNA encoding two G-protein α subunits, α(i) and α(h). The former is a substrate for ADP-ribosylation by pertussis toxin. The protein corresponding to α(h) has not yet been identified. These cDNAs encode proteins, which demonstrate 90% sequence identity to one another and also show marked similarity to other G proteins. The present studies were designed to determine whether the genes for these related proteins are clustered on a single human chromosome. Genomic DNA isolated from a panel of mouse-human hybrid cell lines was analyzed by hybridization to cDNAs for α(i) and α(h). Based on the distribution patterns of α(i) and α(h) in cell hybrids, the gene for α(i) was assigned to human chromosome 7, and the gene for α(h) assigned to chromosome 12. These data suggest that the G-protein gene family may be distributed over at least two human chromosomes.


title: Identification of airborne bacteria by 16S rDNA sequencing, MALDI-TOF MS and the MIDI microbial identification system

text: The aim of this study was to collect and identify airborne bacteria in Norway, Sweden and Finland and to compare three different technologies for identifying collected airborne bacterial isolates: the “gold standard” method 16S rDNA sequencing, MALDI-TOF MS using the MALDI Biotyper 2.0 and the MIDI Sherlock(®) Microbial Identification System (MIDI MIS system). Airborne bacteria were collected during three different periods from May to October 2009 using air sampling directly on agar plates. A total of 140 isolates were collected during three sampling campaigns, and 74 % (103) of these isolates were analyzed by all three methods. The dominant genera in Norway and Finland were the gram-positive bacteria Bacillus and Staphylococcus, whereas the gram-negative bacterium Acinetobacter was the dominant genus in Sweden. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, MALDI-TOF MS and MIDI MIS analysis, 83, 79 and 75 %, respectively, of the isolates were identified and assigned to order or higher taxonomic levels. In this study, the MALDI-TOF MS combining with the MALDI Biotyper 2.0 classification tool was demonstrated to be a fast and reliable alternative for identifying the airborne bacterial isolates. These studies have increased knowledge about the airborne bacterial background in outdoor air, which can be useful for evaluating and improving the operational performance of biological detectors in various environments. To our knowledge, this is the first time that 16S rDNA sequencing, MALDI-TOF MS and MIDI MIS analysis technologies have been compared for their efficiency in identifying airborne bacteria.


title: Field trial evaluation of an inactivated rotavirus vaccine against neonatal diarrhea of calves

text: Field trials were conducted using an inactivated rotavirus vaccine for prevention of calf neonatal diarrhea. For the trials, 458 pregnant cows from 26 herds were involved. In each herd, cows which had been inseminated within a period of two months were selected and randomly subdivided in two groups. Cows in one group (248 head in total) were vaccinated 6 weeks before calving and again 4 weeks later; cows in the other group (210 head in total) were left as unvaccinated controls. At calving, colostrum was collected from each cow and stored at -30°C until used for feeding calves. The newborn calves, beginning the second day of life and for the next 7–10 consecutive days, each was fed a daily supplement of 400 ml of colostrum from its dam. The diarrhea occurred in 86 (40.9%) calves that had received colostrum from unvaccinated dams (normal colostrum), and in 7 (2.8%) calves which were fed colostrum from vaccinated dams (immune colostrum). The disease was very severe in the normal colostrum-fed calves and 52 of them died. Those calves which survived the disease underwent a significant loss of condition. By contrast, the 7 immune colostrum-fed calves displayed a rather mild enteric condition, and all recovered without any sequela being observed.


title: Industrial Food Animal Production and Global Health Risks: Exploring the Ecosystems and Economics of Avian Influenza

text: Many emerging infectious diseases in human populations are associated with zoonotic origins. Attention has often focused on wild animal reservoirs, but most zoonotic pathogens of recent concern to human health either originate in, or are transferred to, human populations from domesticated animals raised for human consumption. Thus, the ecological context of emerging infectious disease comprises two overlapping ecosystems: the natural habitats and populations of wild animals, and the anthropogenically controlled habitats and populations of domesticated species. Intensive food animal production systems and their associated value chains dominate in developed countries and are increasingly important in developing countries. These systems are characterized by large numbers of animals being raised in confinement with high throughput and rapid turnover. Although not typically recognized as such, industrial food animal production generates unique ecosystems—environments that may facilitate the evolution of zoonotic pathogens and their transmission to human populations. It is often assumed that confined food animal production reduces risks of emerging zoonotic diseases. This article provides evidence suggesting that these industrial systems may increase animal and public health risks unless there is recognition of the specific biosecurity and biocontainment challenges of the industrial model. Moreover, the economic drivers and constraints faced by the industry and its participants must be fully understood in order to inform preventative policy. In order to more effectively reduce zoonotic disease risk from industrial food animal production, private incentives for the implementation of biosecurity must align with public health interests.


title: Innate immunity in the human lung: pathogen recognition and lung disease

text: As the human lung is exposed to a variety of microbial pathogens in the environment, a first line of defense is built up by pulmonary cells like bronchial/alveolar epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages. These cells express several pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recognizing highly conserved microbial motifs and initiating the production of chemokines and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines acting as transmembrane or intracellular receptors. This might not only lead to acute but also to chronic inflammation which is discussed as an underlying mechanism in the pathogenesis of different lung diseases.


title: A reversible model of acute lung injury based on ozone exposure

text: In this study inflammatory responses were determined in rat lungs 0, 1, 3, and 8 days following single 2- and 4-hr exposures to 1.8 ppm ozone. Analysis of lavage fluid immediately following exposure demonstrated enhanced lactate dehydrogenase activity and decreased numbers of lavageable macrophages but no alterations in albumin content. Similar analyses at one day postexposure demonstrated 282% and 456% increases in albumin content and enhanced numbers of lavageable neutrophils from a control value of 0.01 ± 0.01 to 0.27 ± 0.10 and 0.78 ± 0.11 million cells per lung for 2-hr and 4-hr exposures, respectively. The observed increased levels of albumin were also present at 3 days, at which time the number of lavageable neutrophils was not significantly different than control. At both one and 3 days postexposure, lavageable lymphocytes were significantly increased 10-fold from a control value of 0.03 ± 0.01 million cells per lung. However, the number of lavageable macrophages was unaltered on day 1, but enhanced on day 3, giving values of 0.67 ± 0.05 (control), 2.25 ± 0.46 (2 hr), and 2.70 ± 1.05 (4 hr) million cells per lung. By 8 days both inflammatory cell numbers and albumin levels had returned to control values. Since these data demonstrated different time courses for each inflammatory cell type, this reversible model of acute lung injury should be useful for establishing possible involvement of these cells in processes of lung injury.


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