104 results on '"Aramini J"'
Search Results
2. Design of peptidic and non-peptidic CD4 inhibitors as novel immunotherapeutic agents [1–5]
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Li, S., Satoh, T., Friedman, T. M., Gao, J., Edling, A. E., Townsend, R., Koch, U., Choksi, S., Han, X., Shan, S., Aramini, J. M., German, M. W., Korngold, R., Huang, Z., and Shimonishi, Yasutsugu, editor
- Published
- 2002
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3. The Role of Penicillin G Potassium in Managing Clostridium perfringens in Broiler Chickens
- Author
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Gadbois, P., Brennan, J. J., Bruce, H. L., Wilson, J. B., and Aramini, J. J.
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- 2008
4. Frozen chicken nuggets and strips and eggs are leading risk factors for Salmonella Heidelberg infections in Canada
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CURRIE, A., MACDOUGALL, L., ARAMINI, J., GAULIN, C., AHMED, R., and ISAACS, S.
- Published
- 2005
5. Development of an Alternative Surveillance Alert Program (ASAP): Syndromic surveillance of gastrointestinal illness using pharmacy over-the-counter sales
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Edge, V. L., Lim, G. H., Aramini, J. J., Sockett, P., and Pollari, F. L.
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- 2003
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6. Évaluation d'un système national de surveillance syndromique en milieu pharmaceutique
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Muchaal, PK, primary, Parker, S, additional, Meganath, K, additional, Landry, L, additional, and Aramini, J, additional
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- 2015
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7. Evaluation of a national pharmacy‐based syndromic surveillance system
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Muchaal, PK, primary, Parker, S, additional, Meganath, K, additional, Landry, L, additional, and Aramini, J, additional
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- 2015
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8. Design of peptidic and non-peptidic CD4 inhibitors as novel immunotherapeutic agents [1–5]
- Author
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Li, S., primary, Satoh, T., additional, Friedman, T. M., additional, Gao, J., additional, Edling, A. E., additional, Townsend, R., additional, Koch, U., additional, Choksi, S., additional, Han, X., additional, Shan, S., additional, Aramini, J. M., additional, German, M. W., additional, Korngold, R., additional, and Huang, Z., additional
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9. The Occurrence and Anti‐microbial Susceptibility of Salmonellae Isolated from Commercially Available Pig Ear Pet Treats
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Finley, R., primary, Reid‐Smith, R., additional, Ribble, C., additional, Popa, M., additional, Vandermeer, M., additional, and Aramini, J., additional
- Published
- 2008
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10. The Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Salmonellae Isolated from Commercially Available Canine Raw Food Diets in Three Canadian Cities
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Finley, R., primary, Reid‐Smith, R., additional, Ribble, C., additional, Popa, M., additional, Vandermeer, M., additional, and Aramini, J., additional
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- 2008
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11. An International Outbreak of Salmonellosis Associated with Raw Almonds Contaminated with a Rare Phage Type of Salmonella Enteritidis
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Isaacs, S., primary, Aramini, J., additional, Ciebin, B., additional, Farrar, J.A., additional, Ahmed, R., additional, Middleton, D., additional, Chandran, A.U., additional, Harris, L.J., additional, Howes, M., additional, Chan, E., additional, Pichette, A.S., additional, Campbell, K., additional, Gupta, A., additional, Lior, L.Y., additional, Pearce, M., additional, Clark, C., additional, Rodgers, F., additional, Jamieson, F., additional, Brophy, I., additional, and Ellis, A., additional
- Published
- 2005
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12. Comparison of Techniques for Measurement of Rumen pH in Lactating Dairy Cows
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Duffield, T., primary, Plaizier, J.C., additional, Fairfield, A., additional, Bagg, R., additional, Vessie, G., additional, Dick, P., additional, Wilson, J., additional, Aramini, J., additional, and McBride, B., additional
- Published
- 2004
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13. International outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg, October-December 2001, Part 3: other countries
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Fisher, I. S.T., primary, de Jong, B, additional, van Pelt, W, additional, Aramini, J, additional, Berghold, C, additional, Matthys, F, additional, Powling, J, additional, and Siitonen, A, additional
- Published
- 2002
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14. Potential contamination of drinking water with Toxoplasma gondii oocysts
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ARAMINI, J. J., primary, STEPHEN, C., additional, DUBEY, J. P., additional, ENGELSTOFT, C., additional, SCHWANTJE, H., additional, and RIBBLE, C. S., additional
- Published
- 1999
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15. NMR solution structures of [d(GCGAAT-3'-3'-alphaT-5'-5'-CGC)2] and its unmodified control
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Aramini, J., primary
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- 1998
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16. Toxoplasma gondii in Vancouver Island Cougars (Felis concolor vancouverensis): Serology and Oocyst Shedding
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Aramini, J. J., primary, Stephen, C., additional, and Dubey, J. P., additional
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- 1998
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17. Spectroscopic studies of the interaction of aluminum(III) with transferrins
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Aramini, J, primary
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- 1996
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18. ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Cis-Trans Isomerism of (Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rhenium(III) Halide Complexes Formed by Oxidative Addition of X2 or HX (X: Cl, Br, I) to (η5-C5Me5)Re(CO)2(PMe3) or (η5-C5Me5)Re(CO)(PMe3)(N2).
- Author
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KLAHN-OLIVA, A. H., primary, SINGER, R. D., additional, ARAMINI, J. M., additional, and SUTTON, D., additional
- Published
- 1990
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19. Syndromic surveillance of gastrointestinal illness using pharmacy over-the-counter sales. A retrospective study of waterborne outbreaks in Saskatchewan and Ontario.
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Edge VL, Pollari F, Lim G, Aramini J, Sockett P, Martin SW, Wilson J, Ellis A, Edge, Victoria L, Pollari, Frank, Lim, Gillian, Aramini, Jeff, Sockett, Paul, Martin, S Wayne, Wilson, Jeff, and Ellis, Andrea
- Abstract
Objective: To ascertain if monitoring over-the-counter (OTC) drug sales could provide a timely syndromic surveillance method of detecting outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness.Method: This study evaluated the potential of a syndromic surveillance system by comparing retrospective pharmacy OTC sales of anti-nauseants and anti-diarrheals to emergency room visits and case numbers from two Canadian outbreaks related to water contamination by Cryptosporidium, and E.coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter.Results: Local sales trends of weekly aggregate OTC products were comparable to the outbreak epidemic curves. Statistical control tests on the sales data indicated the start of the outbreak periods.Conclusions: An automated monitoring tool based on spatial and temporal trend analyses of daily OTC sales would provide supplemental community health information for public health officials that is timelier than currently available laboratory-based surveillance systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2004
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20. Potential contamination of drinking water with <e1>Toxoplasma gondii</e1> oocysts
- Author
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ARAMINI, J. J., STEPHEN, C., DUBEY, J. P., ENGELSTOFT, C., SCHWANTJE, H., and RIBBLE, C. S.
- Abstract
The world's first documented toxoplasmosis outbreak associated with a municipal water supply was recognized in 1995 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It was hypothesized that domestic cat (
Felis catus ) or cougar (Felis concolor ) faeces contaminated a surface water reservoir withToxoplasma gondii oocysts. An extensive investigation of the Victoria watershed 1 year following the outbreak documented the presence of an endemicT. gondii cycle involving the animals inhabiting the area. Cats and cougars were observed throughout the watershed. Serological evidence ofT. gondii infection was demonstrated among domestic cats living in the Victoria area. Cougars were found to shedT. gondii oocysts. Serological evidence ofT. gondii infection in deer mice living in the riparian environments of the watershed suggested thatT. gondii oocysts were being shed near the water edge. Contamination of Victoria's water supply withT. gondii oocysts potentially occurred during the study period and future waterborne toxoplasmosis outbreaks in this and other communities are possible.- Published
- 1999
21. Interaction of calmodulin with its binding domain of rat cerebellar nitric oxide synthase. A multinuclear NMR study.
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Zhang, M, Yuan, T, Aramini, J M, and Vogel, H J
- Abstract
The intercellular messenger nitric oxide is produced through the action of nitric oxide synthases, a class of enzymes that is regulated by calcium-calmodulin (CaM). In this work, the interaction of CaM with a 23-amino-acid residue synthetic peptide, encompassing the CaM-binding domain of constitutive rat cerebellar nitric oxide synthase (cNOS), was investigated by various NMR methods. Cadmium-113 NMR studies showed that binding of the cNOS peptide increased the affinity of CaM for metal ions and induced interdomain cooperativity in metal ion binding as earlier observed for complexes of CaM with myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) peptides. By using specific isotopically labeled [13C]methyl-Met and selenomethionine-substituted CaM in two-dimensional proton-detected 13C and 77Se NMR studies, we obtained evidence for the involvement of the Met residues of CaM in the binding of the cNOS peptide. These residues form two hydrophobic surface areas on CaM, and they are also involved in the binding of other target proteins. A nitroxide spin-labeled version of the cNOS peptide caused broadening only for NMR resonances in the N-terminal half of CaM, showing that the peptide binds with a C to N orientation to the N- and C-terminal domains of CaM. pH titration experiments of CaM dimethylated with [13C]formaldehyde show that Lys-75 (and Lys-148) experience a large increase in pKa upon peptide binding; this indicates an unraveling of part of the helical linker region of CaM upon cNOS peptide binding. Taken together, our data show that the cNOS and MLCK peptides bind in a closely analogous fashion to CaM.
- Published
- 1995
22. Bioactive peptide design based on protein surface epitopes. A cyclic heptapeptide mimics CD4 domain 1 CC' loop and inhibits CD4 biological function.
- Author
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Satoh, T, Aramini, J M, Li, S, Friedman, T M, Gao, J, Edling, A E, Townsend, R, Koch, U, Choksi, S, Germann, M W, Korngold, R, and Huang, Z
- Abstract
The interaction between CD4 and major histocompatibility complex class II proteins provides a critical co-receptor function for the activation of CD4(+) T cells implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of autoimmune diseases and transplantation responses. A small synthetic cyclic heptapeptide was designed and shown by high resolution NMR spectroscopy to closely mimic the CD4 domain 1 CC' surface loop. This peptide effectively blocked stable CD4-major histocompatibility complex class II interaction, possessed significant immunosuppressive activity in vitro and in vivo, and strongly resisted proteolytic degradation. These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of this peptide as a novel immunosuppressive agent and suggest a general strategy of drug design by using small conformationally constrained peptide mimics of protein surface epitopes to inhibit protein interactions and biological functions.
- Published
- 1997
23. The X-ray crystal structure of bis(pentafluorophenyl)tellurium difluoride
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Aramini, J., Batchelor, R. J., Jones, C. H. W., Einstein, F. W. B., and Sharma, R. D.
- Abstract
Bis(pentafluorophenyl)tellurium difluoride crystallizes, in the space group Cc, as a molecular solid in which pairs of crystallographically independent molecules are linked by two weak secondary interactions. (C12F12Te; a = 11.088(6), b = 20.040(10), c = 13.208(5); β = 109.07(4); U = 2774; Z = 8; fw = 499.7). The structural model was refined by full-matrix least-squares methods to a final residual of R1 = 0.035 for 1621 observed reflections. The stereochemistry of the primary bonding about Te is ψ-trigonal bipyramidal as for other R2TeX2species and is compared with that of diphenyltellurium difluoride. Differences in the stereochemistry of the primary bonding about tellurium can be attributed to the influence of the more electron-withdrawing C6F5group, and relates to the different secondary bonding and the crystal packing. 125Te nmr coupling constants, , are reported for this and two related compounds. Previous 125Te Mössbauer data is discussed in the light of the structure.
- Published
- 1987
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24. A descriptive study of human Salmonella serotype typhimurium infections reported in Ontario from 1990 to 1998
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Ford, M. W., Odoi, A., Shannon Majowicz, Michel, P., Middleton, D., Ciebin, B., Doré, K., Mcewen, S. A., Aramini, J. A., Deeks, S., Jamieson, F., Ahmed, R., Rodgers, F. G., and Wilson, J. B.
25. Use of Admail and a geographic information system to send surveys to target populations
- Author
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Paller, C., Christidis, T., Shannon Majowicz, Aramini, J., Law, J., and Bigelow, P.
26. A GIS-driven integrated real-time surveillance pilot system for national West Nile virus dead bird surveillance in Canada
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Aramini Jeff, Sockett Paul, Buck Peter, Shuai Jiangping, and Pollari Frank
- Subjects
Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics ,R858-859.7 - Abstract
Abstract Background An extensive West Nile virus surveillance program of dead birds, mosquitoes, horses, and human infection has been launched as a result of West Nile virus first being reported in Canada in 2001. Some desktop and web GIS have been applied to West Nile virus dead bird surveillance. There have been urgent needs for a comprehensive GIS services and real-time surveillance. Results A pilot system was developed to integrate real-time surveillance, real-time GIS, and Open GIS technology in order to enhance West Nile virus dead bird surveillance in Canada. Driven and linked by the newly developed real-time web GIS technology, this integrated real-time surveillance system includes conventional real-time web-based surveillance components, integrated real-time GIS components, and integrated Open GIS components. The pilot system identified the major GIS functions and capacities that may be important to public health surveillance. The six web GIS clients provide a wide range of GIS tools for public health surveillance. The pilot system has been serving Canadian national West Nile virus dead bird surveillance since 2005 and is adaptable to serve other disease surveillance. Conclusion This pilot system has streamlined, enriched and enhanced national West Nile virus dead bird surveillance in Canada, improved productivity, and reduced operation cost. Its real-time GIS technology, static map technology, WMS integration, and its integration with non-GIS real-time surveillance system made this pilot system unique in surveillance and public health GIS.
- Published
- 2006
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27. It's time to apply outbreak response best practices to avian influenza: A national call to action.
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Wilson J, Cereno T, Petrik M, Esfandiari N, Davy D, Mahdi A, Aramini J, Gilliam WJ, Hunt T, and Rivers J
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- Animals, Canada epidemiology, Humans, Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype pathogenicity, Birds, Influenza in Birds epidemiology, Influenza in Birds prevention & control, Influenza in Birds virology, Disease Outbreaks veterinary, Disease Outbreaks prevention & control
- Abstract
Cases of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in Canada are upon us again and with reports of infection in US dairy cattle and a dairy farmer in the United States, concern has been raised. Although panic isn't helpful, this heightened level of concern is appropriate, given that reports of human infections with the H5N1 virus often indicate high mortality rates. These can range from 14 to 50%. The current devastating impact of the virus on the poultry industry, as well as its propensity to mutate are also reasons for concern. At the same time, HPAI provides an opportunity for the poultry and livestock industries to align and organize coherently for the management of all zoonotic diseases and other industry issues. To manage HPAI more effectively, it is essential to align all stakeholders under Outbreak Response Best Practices using a formal Quality Management System (QMS). The objective of this article is to describe this approach with examples drawn from management of the Walkerton waterborne disease crisis. We urge the veterinary profession to rise to the challenge of HPAI and use it as a context in which to align more coherently with national stakeholders for the prevention and management of all priority issues within the areas of Agri-food and Public Health., Competing Interests: Disclosure statement: Novometrix Research Inc. specializes in consulting, research, data analytics, and training to tackle complex One Health problems, encompassing human, animal, and environmental health. Based in Guelph, Canada, Novometrix has applied its Community Network Integration (CNI) process to various issues, such as pollinator sustainability, global poultry industry optimization, and outbreak management, including the Walkerton water crisis., (Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.)
- Published
- 2024
28. Veterinary leadership: Time for us to step into our own power.
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Wilson J, Rivers J, Anholt M, Onawola D, Lantos G, Speicher DJ, De Monte S, Kasab-Bachi H, Haines T, Noor S, Gillam W, Suganda E, and Aramini J
- Subjects
- Animals, Education, Veterinary, Leadership
- Published
- 2022
29. A metabolic perspective on CSF-mediated neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis.
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Wentling M, Lopez-Gomez C, Park HJ, Amatruda M, Ntranos A, Aramini J, Petracca M, Rusielewicz T, Chen E, Tolstikov V, Kiebish M, Fossati V, Inglese M, Quinzii CM, Katz Sand I, and Casaccia P
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- Animals, Ceramides cerebrospinal fluid, Ceramides isolation & purification, Ceramides toxicity, Dynamins chemistry, Glucose metabolism, Glucose pharmacology, Hot Temperature, Intravital Microscopy, Lactates metabolism, Lactates pharmacology, Lipidomics, Mitochondria metabolism, Mitochondria pathology, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive pathology, Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting pathology, Nerve Degeneration, Phosphorylation, Protein Processing, Post-Translational, Rats, Cerebrospinal Fluid chemistry, Energy Metabolism drug effects, Mitochondria drug effects, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive cerebrospinal fluid, Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting cerebrospinal fluid, Neurons drug effects
- Abstract
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the CNS, characterized by inflammatory lesions and an underlying neurodegenerative process, which is more prominent in patients with progressive disease course. It has been proposed that mitochondrial dysfunction underlies neuronal damage, the precise mechanism by which this occurs remains uncertain. To investigate potential mechanisms of neurodegeneration, we conducted a functional screening of mitochondria in neurons exposed to the CSF of multiple sclerosis patients with a relapsing remitting (n = 15) or a progressive (secondary, n = 15 or primary, n = 14) disease course. Live-imaging of CSF-treated neurons, using a fluorescent mitochondrial tracer, identified mitochondrial elongation as a unique effect induced by the CSF from progressive patients. These morphological changes were associated with decreased activity of mitochondrial complexes I, III and IV and correlated with axonal damage. The effect of CSF treatment on the morphology of mitochondria was characterized by phosphorylation of serine 637 on the dynamin-related protein DRP1, a post-translational modification responsible for unopposed mitochondrial fusion in response to low glucose conditions. The effect of neuronal treatment with CSF from progressive patients was heat stable, thereby prompting us to conduct an unbiased exploratory lipidomic study that identified specific ceramide species as differentially abundant in the CSF of progressive patients compared to relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. Treatment of neurons with medium supplemented with ceramides, induced a time-dependent increase of the transcripts levels of specific glucose and lactate transporters, which functionally resulted in progressively increased glucose uptake from the medium. Thus ceramide levels in the CSF of patients with progressive multiple sclerosis not only impaired mitochondrial respiration but also decreased the bioavailability of glucose by increasing its uptake. Importantly the neurotoxic effect of CSF treatment could be rescued by exogenous supplementation with glucose or lactate, presumably to compensate the inefficient fuel utilization. Together these data suggest a condition of 'virtual hypoglycosis' induced by the CSF of progressive patients in cultured neurons and suggest a critical temporal window of intervention for the rescue of the metabolic impairment of neuronal bioenergetics underlying neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis patients., (© The Author(s) (2019). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)
- Published
- 2019
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30. Ligand modulation of sidechain dynamics in a wild-type human GPCR.
- Author
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Clark LD, Dikiy I, Chapman K, Rödström KE, Aramini J, LeVine MV, Khelashvili G, Rasmussen SG, Gardner KH, and Rosenbaum DM
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- Crystallography, X-Ray, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Models, Molecular, Protein Binding, Protein Conformation, Adenosine-5'-(N-ethylcarboxamide) metabolism, Receptor, Adenosine A2A chemistry, Receptor, Adenosine A2A metabolism, Triazines metabolism, Triazoles metabolism
- Abstract
GPCRs regulate all aspects of human physiology, and biophysical studies have deepened our understanding of GPCR conformational regulation by different ligands. Yet there is no experimental evidence for how sidechain dynamics control allosteric transitions between GPCR conformations. To address this deficit, we generated samples of a wild-type GPCR (A
2A R) that are deuterated apart from1 H/13 C NMR probes at isoleucine δ1 methyl groups, which facilitated1 H/13 C methyl TROSY NMR measurements with opposing ligands. Our data indicate that low [Na+ ] is required to allow large agonist-induced structural changes in A2A R, and that patterns of sidechain dynamics substantially differ between agonist (NECA) and inverse agonist (ZM241385) bound receptors, with the inverse agonist suppressing fast ps-ns timescale motions at the G protein binding site. Our approach to GPCR NMR creates a framework for exploring how different regions of a receptor respond to different ligands or signaling proteins through modulation of fast ps-ns sidechain dynamics.- Published
- 2017
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31. Use of Admail and a geographic information system to send surveys to target populations.
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Paller C, Christidis T, Majowicz S, Aramini J, Law J, and Bigelow P
- Subjects
- Geographic Information Systems, Health Services Needs and Demand statistics & numerical data, Humans, Ontario, Electronic Mail, Health Promotion statistics & numerical data, Health Surveys statistics & numerical data, Rural Population statistics & numerical data
- Abstract
Introduction: This paper briefly describes the use of Canada Post Unaddressed Admail and a geographic information system (GIS) for survey distribution to a specific target population in a large, sparsely populated geographic area, and the effectiveness of this approach., Methods: Surveys were sent as Unaddressed Admail via Canada Post to a target population of people living within 5 km of a wind turbine in southwestern Ontario., Results: The overall response rate from 8 wind farms (in 8 counties) was 8.1%., Conclusion: This approach has the potential to save time and money, but low response rates are common, distribution is not precise and there is potential for selection bias. Despite these flaws, Unaddressed Admail is worth consideration for delivery of information, study-recruitment materials and surveys to rural, remote and specific target populations.
- Published
- 2016
32. Computational design of a protein-based enzyme inhibitor.
- Author
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Procko E, Hedman R, Hamilton K, Seetharaman J, Fleishman SJ, Su M, Aramini J, Kornhaber G, Hunt JF, Tong L, Montelione GT, and Baker D
- Subjects
- Amino Acid Sequence, Animals, Catalytic Domain genetics, Computational Biology, Models, Molecular, Molecular Docking Simulation methods, Muramidase chemistry, Muramidase genetics, Mutagenesis, Site-Directed, Protein Binding, Protein Conformation, Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs genetics, Protein Interaction Maps, Enzyme Inhibitors chemistry, Muramidase antagonists & inhibitors, Protein Engineering methods
- Abstract
While there has been considerable progress in designing protein-protein interactions, the design of proteins that bind polar surfaces is an unmet challenge. We describe the computational design of a protein that binds the acidic active site of hen egg lysozyme and inhibits the enzyme. The design process starts with two polar amino acids that fit deep into the enzyme active site, identifies a protein scaffold that supports these residues and is complementary in shape to the lysozyme active-site region, and finally optimizes the surrounding contact surface for high-affinity binding. Following affinity maturation, a protein designed using this method bound lysozyme with low nanomolar affinity, and a combination of NMR studies, crystallography, and knockout mutagenesis confirmed the designed binding surface and orientation. Saturation mutagenesis with selection and deep sequencing demonstrated that specific designed interactions extending well beyond the centrally grafted polar residues are critical for high-affinity binding., (© 2013.)
- Published
- 2013
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33. Preparation of protein samples for NMR structure, function, and small-molecule screening studies.
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Acton TB, Xiao R, Anderson S, Aramini J, Buchwald WA, Ciccosanti C, Conover K, Everett J, Hamilton K, Huang YJ, Janjua H, Kornhaber G, Lau J, Lee DY, Liu G, Maglaqui M, Ma L, Mao L, Patel D, Rossi P, Sahdev S, Shastry R, Swapna GV, Tang Y, Tong S, Wang D, Wang H, Zhao L, and Montelione GT
- Subjects
- Cloning, Molecular, Computational Biology, Escherichia coli metabolism, Escherichia coli Proteins biosynthesis, Fermentation, Genomics methods, Isotope Labeling, Plant Proteins isolation & purification, Proteins chemistry, Small Molecule Libraries isolation & purification, Triticum chemistry, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular methods, Proteins isolation & purification, Proteomics methods
- Abstract
In this chapter, we concentrate on the production of high-quality protein samples for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies. In particular, we provide an in-depth description of recent advances in the production of NMR samples and their synergistic use with recent advancements in NMR hardware. We describe the protein production platform of the Northeast Structural Genomics Consortium and outline our high-throughput strategies for producing high-quality protein samples for NMR studies. Our strategy is based on the cloning, expression, and purification of 6×-His-tagged proteins using T7-based Escherichia coli systems and isotope enrichment in minimal media. We describe 96-well ligation-independent cloning and analytical expression systems, parallel preparative scale fermentation, and high-throughput purification protocols. The 6×-His affinity tag allows for a similar two-step purification procedure implemented in a parallel high-throughput fashion that routinely results in purity levels sufficient for NMR studies (>97% homogeneity). Using this platform, the protein open reading frames of over 17,500 different targeted proteins (or domains) have been cloned as over 28,000 constructs. Nearly 5000 of these proteins have been purified to homogeneity in tens of milligram quantities (see Summary Statistics, http://nesg.org/statistics.html), resulting in more than 950 new protein structures, including more than 400 NMR structures, deposited in the Protein Data Bank. The Northeast Structural Genomics Consortium pipeline has been effective in producing protein samples of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic origin. Although this chapter describes our entire pipeline for producing isotope-enriched protein samples, it focuses on the major updates introduced during the last 5 years (Phase 2 of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences Protein Structure Initiative). Our advanced automated and/or parallel cloning, expression, purification, and biophysical screening technologies are suitable for implementation in a large individual laboratory or by a small group of collaborating investigators for structural biology, functional proteomics, ligand screening, and structural genomics research., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2011
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34. The high-throughput protein sample production platform of the Northeast Structural Genomics Consortium.
- Author
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Xiao R, Anderson S, Aramini J, Belote R, Buchwald WA, Ciccosanti C, Conover K, Everett JK, Hamilton K, Huang YJ, Janjua H, Jiang M, Kornhaber GJ, Lee DY, Locke JY, Ma LC, Maglaqui M, Mao L, Mitra S, Patel D, Rossi P, Sahdev S, Sharma S, Shastry R, Swapna GV, Tong SN, Wang D, Wang H, Zhao L, Montelione GT, and Acton TB
- Subjects
- Cloning, Molecular, Databases, Protein, Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel, Escherichia coli genetics, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Proteins chemistry, Proteins genetics, Recombinant Proteins chemistry, Recombinant Proteins isolation & purification, Recombinant Proteins metabolism, Reproducibility of Results, Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization, Genomics methods, Proteins metabolism, Proteomics methods
- Abstract
We describe the core Protein Production Platform of the Northeast Structural Genomics Consortium (NESG) and outline the strategies used for producing high-quality protein samples. The platform is centered on the cloning, expression and purification of 6X-His-tagged proteins using T7-based Escherichia coli systems. The 6X-His tag allows for similar purification procedures for most targets and implementation of high-throughput (HTP) parallel methods. In most cases, the 6X-His-tagged proteins are sufficiently purified (>97% homogeneity) using a HTP two-step purification protocol for most structural studies. Using this platform, the open reading frames of over 16,000 different targeted proteins (or domains) have been cloned as>26,000 constructs. Over the past 10 years, more than 16,000 of these expressed protein, and more than 4400 proteins (or domains) have been purified to homogeneity in tens of milligram quantities (see Summary Statistics, http://nesg.org/statistics.html). Using these samples, the NESG has deposited more than 900 new protein structures to the Protein Data Bank (PDB). The methods described here are effective in producing eukaryotic and prokaryotic protein samples in E. coli. This paper summarizes some of the updates made to the protein production pipeline in the last 5 years, corresponding to phase 2 of the NIGMS Protein Structure Initiative (PSI-2) project. The NESG Protein Production Platform is suitable for implementation in a large individual laboratory or by a small group of collaborating investigators. These advanced automated and/or parallel cloning, expression, purification, and biophysical screening technologies are of broad value to the structural biology, functional proteomics, and structural genomics communities.
- Published
- 2010
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35. NMR structure determination for larger proteins using backbone-only data.
- Author
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Raman S, Lange OF, Rossi P, Tyka M, Wang X, Aramini J, Liu G, Ramelot TA, Eletsky A, Szyperski T, Kennedy MA, Prestegard J, Montelione GT, and Baker D
- Subjects
- Computer Simulation, Models, Molecular, Monte Carlo Method, Protein Folding, Software, Thermodynamics, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular methods, Protein Conformation, Proteins chemistry
- Abstract
Conventional protein structure determination from nuclear magnetic resonance data relies heavily on side-chain proton-to-proton distances. The necessary side-chain resonance assignment, however, is labor intensive and prone to error. Here we show that structures can be accurately determined without nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) information on the side chains for proteins up to 25 kilodaltons by incorporating backbone chemical shifts, residual dipolar couplings, and amide proton distances into the Rosetta protein structure modeling methodology. These data, which are too sparse for conventional methods, serve only to guide conformational search toward the lowest-energy conformations in the folding landscape; the details of the computed models are determined by the physical chemistry implicit in the Rosetta all-atom energy function. The new method is not hindered by the deuteration required to suppress nuclear relaxation processes for proteins greater than 15 kilodaltons and should enable routine NMR structure determination for larger proteins.
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. Real-time surveillance for respiratory disease outbreaks, Ontario, Canada.
- Author
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van-Dijk A, Aramini J, Edge G, and Moore KM
- Subjects
- Community-Acquired Infections diagnosis, Emergency Service, Hospital, Humans, Influenza, Human diagnosis, Ontario epidemiology, Prevalence, Respiration Disorders diagnosis, Syndrome, Community-Acquired Infections epidemiology, Disease Outbreaks, Influenza, Human epidemiology, Population Surveillance methods, Respiration Disorders epidemiology
- Abstract
To validate the utility of a chief complaint-based emergency department surveillance system, we compared it with respiratory diagnostic data and calls to Telehealth Ontario about respiratory disease. This local syndromic surveillance system accurately monitored status of respiratory diseases in the community and contributed to early detection of respiratory disease outbreaks.
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. A descriptive analysis of hospitalization due to acute gastrointestinal illness in Canada, 1995-2004.
- Author
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Fleury MD, Stratton J, Tinga C, Charron DF, and Aramini J
- Subjects
- Acute Disease, Adolescent, Adult, Age Distribution, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Animals, Canada epidemiology, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Foodborne Diseases microbiology, Foodborne Diseases parasitology, Foodborne Diseases virology, Gastroenteritis microbiology, Gastroenteritis parasitology, Gastroenteritis virology, Humans, Incidence, Infant, Infant, Newborn, International Classification of Diseases, Male, Middle Aged, Public Health Informatics, Sex Distribution, Water parasitology, Water Microbiology, Young Adult, Gastroenteritis epidemiology, Hospitalization statistics & numerical data, Population Surveillance methods
- Abstract
Background: Gastrointestinal illness (GI) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Canada, research has already demonstrated a rate in excess of one episode per person-year. National passive surveillance programs may be enhanced by information from hospitalizations for acute gastrointestinal disease. The objective of this report is to explore the incidence of acute GI in hospital administrative data collected by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI)--specifically the hospital morbidity database (HMDB)., Methods: Data from acute care facilities and select chronic care and rehabilitation facilities across Canada were analyzed using standardized rates, and age- and sex-adjusted rates for the years 1995-2004., Results: The results indicate that GI causes at least 92,765 hospital admissions per year in Canada. In the majority (78.3%) of gastrointestinal hospitalizations, no specific etiology was recorded. Of the remaining diagnoses, 11.6% were due to viruses, 9.7% to bacteria and 0.3% to parasites. Age-standardized rates of hospitalizations for acute GI appear to have declined over the 10-year period., Conclusion: Gastrointestinal illness is still present in the Canadian population and presents a significant burden to the health care system. Whereas the HMDB likely underestimates the true rate of GI, it does capture cases that are serious enough to require hospitalization. This is a unique source of data and highlights other pathogen-specific disease data not currently collected through national surveillance tools (e.g., viruses).
- Published
- 2008
38. Structural basis for suppression of a host antiviral response by influenza A virus.
- Author
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Das K, Ma LC, Xiao R, Radvansky B, Aramini J, Zhao L, Marklund J, Kuo RL, Twu KY, Arnold E, Krug RM, and Montelione GT
- Subjects
- Amino Acid Substitution, Binding Sites, Cell Line, Crystallography, X-Ray, Humans, Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 metabolism, Methionine metabolism, Models, Molecular, Phenylalanine metabolism, Protein Structure, Quaternary, Protein Structure, Secondary, Thermodynamics, Viral Nonstructural Proteins chemistry, Viral Nonstructural Proteins metabolism, Zinc Fingers, Influenza A virus chemistry, Influenza A virus immunology
- Abstract
Influenza A viruses are responsible for seasonal epidemics and high mortality pandemics. A major function of the viral NS1A protein, a virulence factor, is the inhibition of the production of IFN-beta mRNA and other antiviral mRNAs. The NS1A protein of the human influenza A/Udorn/72 (Ud) virus inhibits the production of these antiviral mRNAs by binding the cellular 30-kDa subunit of the cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor (CPSF30), which is required for the 3' end processing of all cellular pre-mRNAs. Here we report the 1.95-A resolution X-ray crystal structure of the complex formed between the second and third zinc finger domain (F2F3) of CPSF30 and the C-terminal domain of the Ud NS1A protein. The complex is a tetramer, in which each of two F2F3 molecules wraps around two NS1A effector domains that interact with each other head-to-head. This structure identifies a CPSF30 binding pocket on NS1A comprised of amino acid residues that are highly conserved among human influenza A viruses. Single amino acid changes within this binding pocket eliminate CPSF30 binding, and a recombinant Ud virus expressing an NS1A protein with such a substitution is attenuated and does not inhibit IFN-beta pre-mRNA processing. This binding pocket is a potential target for antiviral drug development. The crystal structure also reveals that two amino acids outside of this pocket, F103 and M106, which are highly conserved (>99%) among influenza A viruses isolated from humans, participate in key hydrophobic interactions with F2F3 that stabilize the complex.
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. Contributing to communicable diseases intelligence management in Canada: CACMID meeting, March 2007, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- Author
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Mukhi S, Aramini J, and Kabani A
- Abstract
In the spring of 2003, the Public Health Agency of Canada (then, Health Canada) partnered with several provincial/territorial and regional public health stakeholders to improve pan-Canadian public health surveillance, communications and response through the application of new technologies. This resulted in the creation of the Canadian Network for Public Health Intelligence (CNPHI), a comprehensive framework of applications and resources designed to fill critical gaps in Canada's national public health infostructure. Over the past four years, the CNPHI has evolved into Canada's only pan-Canadian public health information management system. With over 2000 registered users, the current CNPHI environment consists of more than 30 integrated applications and systems that can be loosely categorized into four functional groups: data exchange; data analysis and integration; communication, collaboration and coordination; and knowledge management. Despite poor data repositories, legacy information management systems, and the lack of standards and agreements, the CNPHI has demonstrated that much can be accomplished in these areas. Over the next decade, significant barriers impeding additional advances will be bridged through the implementation of the Electronic Health Record, and through ongoing efforts to address gaps in standards, and data- and information-sharing agreements. Together with new technologies coming on-line, opportunities to further enhance public health surveillance and response will be limited only by one's imagination.
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. The risk of salmonellae shedding by dogs fed Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diets.
- Author
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Finley R, Ribble C, Aramini J, Vandermeer M, Popa M, Litman M, and Reid-Smith R
- Subjects
- Animals, Colony Count, Microbial veterinary, Dog Diseases transmission, Dogs, Female, Male, Risk Factors, Salmonella isolation & purification, Salmonella Infections, Animal transmission, Zoonoses, Animal Feed microbiology, Dog Diseases microbiology, Feces microbiology, Food Contamination analysis, Public Health, Salmonella Infections, Animal microbiology
- Abstract
Twenty-eight research dogs were enrolled to determine the prevalence of salmonellae shedding after consumption of 1 Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diet meal. Sixteen dogs were exposed to Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diets and 12 to Salmonella-free commercial raw food diets. Seven of the exposed dogs shed salmonellae 1-7 days after consumption of Salmonella-contaminated raw food diets. None of the dogs fed Salmonella-free diets shed salmonellae. No clinical signs were observed in either group. Five of the 7 dogs shed the same serotypes as those recovered from food samples used for feeding. Results showed the same serotypes and antimicrobial resistance pattern in 2 of the 7 shedders. Dogs fed Salmonella-contaminated raw food diets can shed salmonellae and may, therefore, be a source of environmental contamination potentially leading to human or animal illness.
- Published
- 2007
41. Seroprevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis in different swine populations in 3 provinces in Canada.
- Author
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Paradis MA, Gottschalk M, Rajic A, Ravel A, Wilson JB, Aramini J, McClure CA, and Dick CP
- Subjects
- Alberta epidemiology, Animal Husbandry methods, Animals, Desulfovibrionaceae Infections epidemiology, Female, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect methods, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect veterinary, Male, Ontario epidemiology, Quebec epidemiology, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Swine, Antibodies, Bacterial blood, Desulfovibrionaceae Infections veterinary, Lawsonia Bacteria immunology, Swine Diseases epidemiology
- Abstract
Porcine proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis is an important enteric disease in swine throughout the world. Information regarding the distribution of this pathogen in Canadian swine herds would be beneficial for the creation of control protocols. Pigs from Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta were tested by using an indirect immunofluorescence assay for antibodies to L. intracellularis. Pig seroprevalence was calculated as the proportion of pigs positive from total pigs tested in the targeted population. Seroprevalence (+/- standard error [s(x)]) in market hogs in Ontario from farrow-finish (FF) farms and finishing (FIN) farms were significantly different at 77% (s(x) = 7%) and 29% (s(x) = 15%), respectively. Seroprevalence for sows and gilts in FF and farrowing and nursery (FAR + NUR) farms in Ontario were 90% (s(x) = 3%) and 93% (s(x) = 6%), respectively. Seroprevalence in breeding females in Quebec from FF and FAR farms was 82% (s(x) = 5%) and 87% (s(x) = 3%), respectively. Seroprevalence (57%, s(x) = 8%) in finishing pigs in Alberta from FF farms was significantly different from that of multisite (MS) farms and FIN farms, 6% (s(x) = 6%) and 9% (s(x) = 5%), respectively. Lawsonia intracellularis appears to be widespread in Canada and the seroprevalence on FF farms is higher than that on FIN and MS farms, possibly due to the presence of breeding females or management differences.
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. In vivo efficacy study of the anti-inflammatory properties of Surolan.
- Author
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Bolinder A, Cameron K, Faubert L, Wilson J, Aramini J, and Hare J
- Subjects
- Analysis of Variance, Animals, Disease Models, Animal, Ear pathology, Female, Inflammation chemically induced, Inflammation drug therapy, Inflammation pathology, Mice, Mice, Inbred Strains, Otitis Externa chemically induced, Otitis Externa drug therapy, Otitis Externa pathology, Prednisolone analogs & derivatives, Prednisolone therapeutic use, Random Allocation, Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate, Treatment Outcome, Anti-Inflammatory Agents therapeutic use, Inflammation veterinary, Otitis Externa veterinary
- Abstract
This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory properties of Surolan with the use of a pinna model of inflammation in 80 mice and a randomized complete block design. Within each of 8 blocks, 10 treatments, consisting of different combinations of the constituents of Surolan with and without the prednisolone acetate component, were randomly assigned to the 9-wk-old CD-1 mice. The treatments were administered as a single dose 30 min after pinna inflammation was induced with tetradecanoylphorbol acetate. Ear-skin edema and erythema were assessed and measured 4 and 6 h thereafter. Treatment effects were evaluated with repeated-measures analysis of variance. Inclusion of prednisolone acetate with the Surolan vehicle, either alone or in combination with the nonsteroidal constituents of the suspension, resulted in a significant reduction in mean ear-skin thickness and erythema. The inflammation-reducing properties of prednisolone were not significantly affected by the other components of Surolan.
- Published
- 2006
43. A GIS-driven integrated real-time surveillance pilot system for national West Nile virus dead bird surveillance in Canada.
- Author
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Shuai J, Buck P, Sockett P, Aramini J, and Pollari F
- Subjects
- Animals, Bird Diseases virology, Canada epidemiology, Cluster Analysis, Electronic Data Processing methods, Pilot Projects, West Nile Fever mortality, Bird Diseases mortality, Sentinel Surveillance veterinary, West Nile Fever veterinary
- Abstract
Background: An extensive West Nile virus surveillance program of dead birds, mosquitoes, horses, and human infection has been launched as a result of West Nile virus first being reported in Canada in 2001. Some desktop and web GIS have been applied to West Nile virus dead bird surveillance. There have been urgent needs for a comprehensive GIS services and real-time surveillance., Results: A pilot system was developed to integrate real-time surveillance, real-time GIS, and Open GIS technology in order to enhance West Nile virus dead bird surveillance in Canada. Driven and linked by the newly developed real-time web GIS technology, this integrated real-time surveillance system includes conventional real-time web-based surveillance components, integrated real-time GIS components, and integrated Open GIS components. The pilot system identified the major GIS functions and capacities that may be important to public health surveillance. The six web GIS clients provide a wide range of GIS tools for public health surveillance. The pilot system has been serving Canadian national West Nile virus dead bird surveillance since 2005 and is adaptable to serve other disease surveillance., Conclusion: This pilot system has streamlined, enriched and enhanced national West Nile virus dead bird surveillance in Canada, improved productivity, and reduced operation cost. Its real-time GIS technology, static map technology, WMS integration, and its integration with non-GIS real-time surveillance system made this pilot system unique in surveillance and public health GIS.
- Published
- 2006
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. GFT NMR based resonance assignment for the 21 kDa human protein UFC1.
- Author
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Liu G, Aramini J, Atreya HS, Eletsky A, Xiao R, Acton T, Ma L, Montelione GT, and Szyperski T
- Subjects
- Carbon Isotopes, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy methods, Nitrogen Isotopes, Protein Conformation, Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes chemistry
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Robotic cloning and Protein Production Platform of the Northeast Structural Genomics Consortium.
- Author
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Acton TB, Gunsalus KC, Xiao R, Ma LC, Aramini J, Baran MC, Chiang YW, Climent T, Cooper B, Denissova NG, Douglas SM, Everett JK, Ho CK, Macapagal D, Rajan PK, Shastry R, Shih LY, Swapna GV, Wilson M, Wu M, Gerstein M, Inouye M, Hunt JF, and Montelione GT
- Subjects
- Chromatography, Gel, Computational Biology methods, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Protein Biosynthesis, Proteins genetics, Proteins isolation & purification, Cloning, Molecular methods, Robotics methods, Software
- Abstract
In this chapter we describe the core Protein Production Platform of the Northeast Structural Genomics Consortium (NESG) and outline the strategies used for producing high-quality protein samples using Escherichia coli host vectors. The platform is centered on 6X-His affinity-tagged protein constructs, allowing for a similar purification procedure for most targets, and the implementation of high-throughput parallel methods. In most cases, these affinity-purified proteins are sufficiently homogeneous that a single subsequent gel filtration chromatography step is adequate to produce protein preparations that are greater than 98% pure. Using this platform, over 1000 different proteins have been cloned, expressed, and purified in tens of milligram quantities over the last 36-month period (see Summary Statistics for All Targets, ). Our experience using a hierarchical multiplex expression and purification strategy, also described in this chapter, has allowed us to achieve success in producing not only protein samples but also many three-dimensional structures. As of December 2004, the NESG Consortium has deposited over 145 new protein structures to the Protein Data Bank (PDB); about two-thirds of these protein samples were produced by the NESG Protein Production Facility described here. The methods described here have proven effective in producing quality samples of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic proteins. These improved robotic and?or parallel cloning, expression, protein production, and biophysical screening technologies will be of broad value to the structural biology, functional proteomics, and structural genomics communities.
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. Vulnerability of waterborne diseases to climate change in Canada: a review.
- Author
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Charron D, Thomas M, Waltner-Toews D, Aramini J, Edge T, Kent R, Maarouf A, and Wilson J
- Subjects
- Animals, Canada epidemiology, Communicable Disease Control, Communicable Diseases etiology, Cryptosporidiosis epidemiology, Cryptosporidiosis etiology, Cryptosporidiosis prevention & control, Cryptosporidium pathogenicity, Escherichia coli Infections epidemiology, Escherichia coli Infections etiology, Escherichia coli Infections prevention & control, Escherichia coli O157 pathogenicity, Fresh Water microbiology, Fresh Water parasitology, Greenhouse Effect, Humans, Water Purification standards, Climate, Communicable Diseases epidemiology, Disease Outbreaks, Water Microbiology
- Abstract
This project addresses two important issues relevant to the health of Canadians: the risk of waterborne illness and the health impacts of global climate change. The Canadian health burden from waterborne illness is unknown, although it presumably accounts for a significant proportion of enteric illness. Recently, large outbreaks with severe consequences produced by E. coli O157:H7 and Cryptosporidium have alarmed Canadians and brought demands for political action. A concurrent need to understand the health impacts of global climate changes and to develop strategies to prevent or prepare for these has also been recognized. There is mounting evidence that weather is often a factor in triggering waterborne disease outbreaks. A recent study of precipitation and waterborne illness in the United States found that more than half the waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States during the last half century followed a period of extreme rainfall. Projections of international global climate change scenarios suggest that, under conditions of global warming most of Canada may expect longer summers, milder winters, increased summer drought, and more extreme precipitation. Excess precipitation, floods, high temperatures, and drought could affect the risk of waterborne illness in Canada. The existing scientific information regarding most weather-related adverse health impacts and on the impacts of global climate change on health in Canada is insufficient for informed decision making. The results of this project address this need through the investigation of the complex systemic interrelationships between disease incidence, weather parameters, and water quality and quantity, and by projecting the potential impact of global climate change on those relationships.
- Published
- 2004
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Frozen chicken nuggets and strips--a newly identified risk factor for Salmonella Heidelberg infection in British Columbia, Canada.
- Author
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MacDougall L, Fyfe M, McIntyre L, Paccagnella A, Cordner K, Kerr A, and Aramini J
- Subjects
- Animals, British Columbia, Chickens, Cooking methods, Food Contamination, Food Labeling, Food Microbiology, Humans, Odds Ratio, Risk Factors, Consumer Product Safety, Frozen Foods microbiology, Poultry Products microbiology, Salmonella isolation & purification, Salmonella Food Poisoning prevention & control
- Abstract
Salmonella enterica var. Heidelberg was isolated from an unusual food source during routine case follow-up, prompting a case control investigation of frozen chicken nuggets and strips. Most frozen nuggets and strips are raw; however, par-frying lends a cooked appearance. As such, suitable food preparation precautions might not be undertaken by consumers. Cases were confirmed in the laboratory between 1 January and 1 April 2003. Controls were generated through forward-digit dialing and individually matched by age category. Telephone interviews were conducted, and limited sampling of unopened product was performed. Eighteen matched pairs were interviewed. The odds of infection were 11 times higher in individuals who had consumed frozen processed chicken nuggets and strips (95% confidence interval, 1.42 < odds ratio < 85.20). One-third of cases and controls considered frozen nuggets and strips to be precooked, and one quarter used the microwave, an ill-advised cooking method. Consumer misconceptions contributed to the risk of infection. Clear labels identifying nuggets and strips as raw poultry are needed.
- Published
- 2004
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. The status of drinking water in Ontario, Canada (1992-1999).
- Author
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Odoi A, Aramini J, Majowicz S, Meyers R, Martin WS, Sockett P, Michel P, Holt J, and Wilson J
- Subjects
- Databases, Factual, Ontario, Water Purification statistics & numerical data, Water Purification methods, Water Supply standards
- Abstract
Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of public water works (PWW) in southern Ontario with respect to their water sources and treatment regimes., Methods: Data from 481 PWW covering the period 1992-1999 were collected and cartographic manipulations as well as descriptive analyses of the PWW attributes were performed. Tests of associations between different PWW attributes were done using Fisher's Exact test and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistics., Results: Water sources for the PWW included surface water (SW) (21% lakes; 13% rivers), ground water (GW) (64%) and mixed sources (2%). Most (81%) of the population was supplied with SW. Filtration was performed by 84% and 8% of the PWW using SW and GW, respectively. Similarly, disinfection was performed by 99% and 91% of the PWW using SW and GW respectively. There was no significant difference in treatment regimes between PWW in urban and those in rural areas but treatment regime was a function of water source. Overall, most PWW (87.8%) met the minimum treatment requirements of the then Ontario Drinking Water Objectives (ODWO)., Discussion: The study shows that most PWW complied with the minimum treatment requirements of the then ODWO. The minimum treatment required by the ODWO was disinfection for GW and both disinfection and filtration for SW. The non-compliant PWW will need to comply for continued provision of safe drinking water. Suffice it to say that both watershed protection and improved water treatment will be imperative for the continued provision of safe drinking water and control of waterborne diseases.
- Published
- 2003
49. Automated protein fold determination using a minimal NMR constraint strategy.
- Author
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Zheng D, Huang YJ, Moseley HN, Xiao R, Aramini J, Swapna GV, and Montelione GT
- Subjects
- Algorithms, Amino Acid Sequence, Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy, Genomics, Models, Molecular, Molecular Sequence Data, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular methods, Staphylococcal Protein A chemistry, Time Factors, Protein Folding, Proteins chemistry
- Abstract
Determination of precise and accurate protein structures by NMR generally requires weeks or even months to acquire and interpret all the necessary NMR data. However, even medium-accuracy fold information can often provide key clues about protein evolution and biochemical function(s). In this article we describe a largely automatic strategy for rapid determination of medium-accuracy protein backbone structures. Our strategy derives from ideas originally introduced by other groups for determining medium-accuracy NMR structures of large proteins using deuterated, (13)C-, (15)N-enriched protein samples with selective protonation of side-chain methyl groups ((13)CH(3)). Data collection includes acquiring NMR spectra for automatically determining assignments of backbone and side-chain (15)N, H(N) resonances, and side-chain (13)CH(3) methyl resonances. These assignments are determined automatically by the program AutoAssign using backbone triple resonance NMR data, together with Spin System Type Assignment Constraints (STACs) derived from side-chain triple-resonance experiments. The program AutoStructure then derives conformational constraints using these chemical shifts, amide (1)H/(2)H exchange, nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY), and residual dipolar coupling data. The total time required for collecting such NMR data can potentially be as short as a few days. Here we demonstrate an integrated set of NMR software which can process these NMR spectra, carry out resonance assignments, interpret NOESY data, and generate medium-accuracy structures within a few days. The feasibility of this combined data collection and analysis strategy starting from raw NMR time domain data was illustrated by automatic analysis of a medium accuracy structure of the Z domain of Staphylococcal protein A.
- Published
- 2003
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. Natural or raw almonds and an outbreak of a rare phage type of Salmonella enteritidis infection.
- Author
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Chan ES, Aramini J, Ciebin B, Middleton D, Ahmed R, Howes M, Brophy I, Mentis I, Jamieson F, Rodgers F, Nazarowec-White M, Pichette SC, Farrar J, Gutierrez M, Weis WJ, Lior L, Ellis A, and Isaacs S
- Subjects
- Canada epidemiology, Humans, Disease Outbreaks, Prunus adverse effects, Salmonella Infections epidemiology, Salmonella enteritidis isolation & purification
- Published
- 2002
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