Issues with the construct of quality

This paper proposes an outline for a framework that aims to give a comprehensive view of perceived video quality, including physical characteristics, perceptual attributes and cognitive factors

Efficacy of various single-dose regimens of ceftriaxone in uncomplicated acute gonococcal urethritis in adult males

The therapeutic efficacy of single intramuscular doses of ceftriaxone (Rocephin; Roche) (62,S, 125 and 250 mg), administered without probenecid, was evaluated in 167 adult males with uncomplicated acute gonococcal urethritis. Cure rates of 100% were achieved at 62,5 mg and 250 mg. In the 125 mg dose group, Neisseria gonorrhoeae was isolated from 1 patient at follow-up after therapy. Reinfection was suspected, since this patient returned on day 10 and admitted to sexual contact 2 days previously. Side-effects were minimal, and patient acceptance was better for ceftriaxone dissolved in lignocaine than in sterile water. Chlamydia trachomatis was detected at follow-up in 14,4% patients, confirming that ceftriaxone has no significant effect on chlamydial infection and additional treatment is necessary for patients with coexistent infection

Cloning and functional characterization of a fructan 1-exohydrolase (1-FEH) in edible burdock (Arctium lappa L.)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We have previously reported on the variation of total fructooligosaccharides (FOS), total inulooligosaccharides (IOS) and inulin in the roots of burdock stored at different temperatures. During storage at 0°C, an increase of FOS as a result of the hydrolysis of inulin was observed. Moreover, we suggested that an increase of IOS would likely be due to the synthesis of the IOS by fructosyltransfer from 1-kestose to accumulated fructose and elongated fructose oligomers which can act as acceptors for fructan:fructan 1-fructosyltransferase (1-FFT). However, enzymes such as inulinase or fructan 1-exohydorolase (1-FEH) involved in inulin degradation in burdock roots are still not known. Here, we report the isolation and functional analysis of a gene encoding burdock 1-FEH.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A cDNA, named <it>aleh1</it>, was obtained by the RACE method following PCR with degenerate primers designed based on amino-acid sequences of FEHs from other plants. The <it>aleh1 </it>encoded a polypeptide of 581 amino acids. The relative molecular mass and isoelectric point (<it>pI</it>) of the deduced polypeptide were calculated to be 65,666 and 4.86. A recombinant protein of <it>aleh1 </it>was produced in <it>Pichia pastoris</it>, and was purified by ion exchange chromatography with DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B, hydrophobic chromatography with Toyopearl HW55S and gel filtration chromatography with Toyopearl HW55S. Purified recombinant protein showed hydrolyzing activity against β-2, 1 type fructans such as 1-kestose, nystose, fructosylnystose and inulin. On the other hand, sucrose, neokestose, 6-kestose and high DP levan were poor substrates.</p> <p>The purified recombinant protein released fructose from sugars extracted from burdock roots. These results indicated that <it>aleh1 </it>encoded 1-FEH.</p

Preexisting immunity: barrier or bridge to effective oncolytic virus therapy?

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) represent a highly promising treatment strategy for a wide range of cancers, by mediating both the direct killing of tumor cells as well as mobilization of antitumor immune responses. As many OVs circulate in the human population, preexisting OV-specific immune responses are prevalent. Indeed, neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) are abundantly present in the human population for commonly used OVs, such as Adenovirus type 5 (Ad5), Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1), Vaccinia virus, Measles virus, and Reovirus. This review discusses (pre)clinical evidence regarding the effect of preexisting immunity against OVs on two distinct aspects of OV therapy; OV infection and spread, as well as the immune response induced upon OV therapy. Combined, this review provides evidence that consideration of preexisting immunity is crucial in realizing the full potential of the highly promising therapeutic implementation of OVs. Future investigation of current gaps in knowledge highlighted in this review should yield a more complete understanding of this topic, ultimately allowing for better and more personalized OV therapies.</p

Molecular analysis and pathogenicity of the Cladophialophora carrionii complex, with the description of a novel species

Cladophialophora carrionii is one of the four major etiologic agents of human chromoblastomycosis in semi-arid climates. This species was studied using sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA, the partial β-tubulin gene and an intron in the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene, in addition to morphology. With all genes a clear bipartition was observed, which corresponded with minute differences in conidiophore morphology. A new species, C. yegresii, was introduced, which appeared to be, in contrast to C. carrionii, associated with living cactus plants. All strains from humans, and a few isolates from dead cactus debris, belonged to C. carrionii, for which a lectotype was designated. Artificial inoculation of cactus plants grown from seeds in the greenhouse showed that both fungi are able to persist in cactus tissue. When reaching the spines they produce cells that morphologically resemble the muriform cells known as the “invasive form” in chromoblastomycosis. The tested clinical strain of C. carrionii proved to be more virulent in cactus than the environmental strain of C. yegresii that originated from the same species of cactus, Stenocereus griseus. The muriform cell expressed in cactus spines can be regarded as the extremotolerant survival phase, and is likely to play an essential role in the natural life cycle of these organisms

KBWOT 2012: the use of an acoustic technique in mapping beds of razor clams (Ensis sp.)

For the survey of shellfish in the Dutch coastal zone (WOT Ensis), a fixed stratified sampling grid is used. Stratification is based on expectation of occurrence, for which previously observations by Spisula fishermen were used. Spisula subtruncata has largely disappeared and was replaced by Ensis sp. However, the stratified sampling grid is still mainly based on expected occurrence of Spisula. The quality of the data would be improved with an entirely independent basis for the stratification. An improved accuracy of stratified sampling grids will increase the efficiency of the WOT surveys and will also increase the confidence level of stock assessments. This will benefit management of shellfish stocks and fishery and will also enhance the reliability of environmental impact assessment studies. Acoustic techniques are increasingly applied for seafloor mapping and optimum allocation techniques for stock assessments. In the framework of the Belgian Science Policy project EnSIS multibeam technology was successfully used to find an acoustic signal representative of dense Ensis sp. aggregations in Belgian waters. In this study however, only relatively few sampling stations were present in the areas with the acoustic signal; a plea was held for more ground-truthing enabling applications in regular monitoring of Ensis sp. or other benthic species that form dense aggregations. Within the KBWOT Fisheries programme of 2012 we further studied the possibility to apply multibeam technology in the annual WOT stock assessment of Ensis sp. in cooperation with the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences – Management Unit North Sea Mathematical Models (RBINS-MUMM), that also performed the EnSIS project in cooperation with other institutes such as IMARES. The aim of this project was fourfold: 1. study the ability to discern different types of seafloor (e.g. mud, sand, gravel, shellfish beds infaunal and epifaunal) using a high frequency multibeam acoustic sounding system; 2. assess the applicability of multibeam for stratified sampling in the coastal zone: will it optimize the sampling strategy and enhance efficiency? 3. determine what is needed to develop this innovative technique within IMARES and to apply it for stock assessments of shellfish and possibly other benthic communities (expertise, software, etc); 4. determine with whom to cooperate in future regarding availability of multibeam equipment and analysis techniques