bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparisons of paleoclassical based pedestal model predictions of electron quantities to measured DIII-D H-mode profiles
Authors: Smith S.P. , Callen J.D. , Groebner R.J. , Osborne T.H. , Leonard A.W. , Eldon D. , Bray B.D.
Published: October 2012

Accurately predicting the pedestal structure in high-(H-)confinement mode plasmas is of great importance for the modelling of future tokamak plasmas. The main predictions of a model of pedestal structure based on paleoclassical transport as the main transport mechanism are presented. Numerical evaluations of this model are compared with a database of measured DIII-D H-mode pedestal profiles. Across the database, the electron temperature gradient is overpredicted by a factor of 1.7 ± 1.1 and the electron density by a factor of 2.1 ± 0.7. These results are consistent with paleoclassical transport producing the minimum level of electron transport. Trends in the predictions indicate that some additional transport may be operative, especially in high β
p and low confinement plasmas.
Non-diffusive transport in the tokamak edge pedestal
Authors: Stacey W.M. , Groebner R.J. , Evans T.E.
Published: October 2012

There are (at least) two classical mechanisms for non-diffusive transport in the edge plasma: (i) particle ‘pinch’ velocities due to forces such as V × B and E

r
; and (ii) outward drifts due to ion-orbit loss and X-transport. A theoretical development for the treatment of these non-diffusive transport mechanisms within the context of fluid theory is assembled and applied to several DIII-D discharges in order to investigate the importance of these non-diffusive transport mechanisms in the edge pedestal. Several interesting insights emerge from this investigation.
Haplotype-based profiling of subtle allelic imbalance with SNP arrays
Authors: Vattathil Selina , Scheet Paul
Published: October 2012

Due to limitations of surgical dissection and tumor heterogeneity, tumor samples collected for cancer genomics studies are often heavily diluted with normal tissue or contain subpopulations of cells harboring important aberrations. Methods for profiling tumor-associated allelic imbalance in such scenarios break down at aberrant cell proportions of 10%–15% and below. Here, we present an approach that offers a vast improvement for detection of subtle allelic imbalance, or low proportions of cells harboring aberrant allelic ratio among nonaberrant cells, in unpaired tumor samples using SNP microarrays. We leverage the expected pattern of allele-specific intensity ratios determined by an individual's germline haplotypes, information that has been ignored in existing approaches. We demonstrate our method on real and simulated data from the CRL-2324 breast cancer cell line genotyped on the Illumina 370K array. Assuming a 5 million SNP array, we can detect the presence of aberrant cells in proportions lower than 0.25% in the breast cancer sample, approaching the sensitivity of some minimal residual disease assays. Further, we apply a hidden Markov model to identify copy-neutral LOH (loss of heterozygosity) events as short as 11 Mb in mixtures of only 4% tumor using 370K data. We anticipate our approach will offer a new paradigm for genomic profiling of heterogeneous samples.
UDP-Glycosyltransferases from the UGT73C Subfamily in Barbarea vulgaris Catalyze Sapogenin 3-O-Glucosylation in Saponin-Mediated Insect Resistance
Authors: Augustin Jörg M. , Drok Sylvia , Shinoda Tetsuro , Sanmiya Kazutsuka , Nielsen Jens Kvist , Khakimov Bekzod , Olsen Carl Erik , Hansen Esben Halkjær , Kuzina Vera , Ekstrøm Claus Thorn , Hauser Thure , Bak Søren
Published: October 2012

Triterpenoid saponins are bioactive metabolites that have evolved recurrently in plants, presumably for defense. Their biosynthesis is poorly understood, as is the relationship between bioactivity and structure. Barbarea vulgaris is the only crucifer known to produce saponins. Hederagenin and oleanolic acid cellobioside make some B. vulgaris plants resistant to important insect pests, while other, susceptible plants produce different saponins. Resistance could be caused by glucosylation of the sapogenins. We identified four family 1 glycosyltransferases (UGTs) that catalyze 3-O-glucosylation of the sapogenins oleanolic acid and hederagenin. Among these, UGT73C10 and UGT73C11 show highest activity, substrate specificity and regiospecificity, and are under positive selection, while UGT73C12 and UGT73C13 show lower substrate specificity and regiospecificity and are under purifying selection. The expression of UGT73C10 and UGT73C11 in different B. vulgaris organs correlates with saponin abundance. Monoglucosylated hederagenin and oleanolic acid were produced in vitro and tested for effects on P. nemorum. 3-O-β-d-Glc hederagenin strongly deterred feeding, while 3-O-β-d-Glc oleanolic acid only had a minor effect, showing that hydroxylation of C23 is important for resistance to this herbivore. The closest homolog in Arabidopsis thaliana, UGT73C5, only showed weak activity toward sapogenins. This indicates that UGT73C10 and UGT73C11 have neofunctionalized to specifically glucosylate sapogenins at the C3 position and demonstrates that C3 monoglucosylation activates resistance. As the UGTs from both the resistant and susceptible types of B. vulgaris glucosylate sapogenins and are not located in the known quantitative trait loci for resistance, the difference between the susceptible and resistant plant types is determined at an earlier stage in saponin biosynthesis.
The Atypical Short-Chain Dehydrogenases HCF173 and HCF244 Are Jointly Involved in Translational Initiation of the psbA mRNA of Arabidopsis
Authors: Link Sabine , Engelmann Kerstin , Meierhoff Karin , Westhoff Peter
Published: October 2012

The related proteins D1 and D2 together build up the photosystem II reaction center. Synthesis of D1 (PsbA) is highly regulated in all photosynthetic organisms. The mechanisms and specific protein factors involved in controlled expression of the psbA gene in higher plants are highly elusive. Here, we report on the identification of a chloroplast-located protein, HCF244 (for high chlorophyll fluorescence244), which is essentially required for translational initiation of the psbA messenger RNA in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The factor is highly conserved between land plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. HCF244 was identified by coexpression analysis of HCF173, which encodes a protein that is also necessary for psbA translational initiation and in addition for stabilization of this messenger RNA. Phenotypic characterization of the mutants hcf244 and hcf173 suggests that the corresponding proteins operate cooperatively during psbA translation. Immunolocalization studies detected the majority of the two proteins at the thylakoid membrane. Both HCF244 and HCF173 are members of the atypical short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily, a modified group, which has lost enzyme activity but acquires new functions in the metabolism of the cell.
Polyandry in Bicyclus anynana Butterflies Results from Sexual Conflict over Mating
Authors: Janowitz Susann A. , Fischer Klaus
Published: October 2012

Although only one or just a few matings are considered sufficient to maximise a female's reproductive success, polyandry is a common mating system in insects and other animals. Female polyandry may either result from direct or indirect benefits of mating multiply, or from male harassment and thus sexual conflict over mating. Here, we test whether the latter is involved in determining female mating frequency in the butterfly Bicyclus anynana. We used a full‐factorial design with three different sex ratios and densities each, resulting in a total of nine treatment groups. Sex ratio but not density affected female mating frequency, which increased with an increasingly male‐biased sex ratio. Our results thus suggest that female polyandry in B. anynana results from sexual conflict, although females seem to be able to reject courting males at least to some extent. Therefore, polyandry in this species may occur in the first place from convenience, as the costs of resisting male harassment may be higher than mating repeatedly.
Determination of crack surface displacements for cracks emanating from a circular hole using weight function method
Authors: TONG D. H. , WU X. R.
Published: October 2012

Cracks emanating from a circular hole are of significant engineering importance, especially in aerospace industry. Accurate determination of key fracture mechanics parameters is essential for damage tolerance design and fatigue life predictions. The purpose of this paper is to provide an efficient and accurate closed‐form weight function approach to the calculation of crack surface displacements for radial crack(s) emanating from a circular hole in an infinite and finite‐width plate. Results were presented for two loading conditions: remote applied stress and uniform stress segment applied to crack surfaces, and extensively compared to recent studies using other methods in the literature. Both single and double radial cracks were considered, and also the effect of finite plate width on crack surface displacements has been investigated. A brief assessment was made on an engineering estimation of displacements based on a correction of stress intensity factor ratio. It has been demonstrated that the Wu‐Carlsson closed‐form weight functions are very efficient, accurate and easy‐to‐use for calculating crack surface displacements for arbitrary load conditions. The method will facilitate fatigue crack closure and other fracture mechanics analyses where accurate crack surface displacements are required.
Chemical polishing of palladium for transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Witcomb M. J.
Published: October 2012

Chemical polishing methods for thinning palladium for TEM are reviewed. The quality of the foils produced by the different solutions is compared and the possible influence of hydrogen absorption on the microstructure is discussed.
Understanding the potential for resistance evolution to the new herbicide pyroxasulfone: field selection at high doses versus recurrent selection at low doses
Authors: BUSI R , GAINES T A , WALSH M J , POWLES S B
Published: October 2012

Busi R, Gaines T, Walsh MJ & Powles SB (2012). Understanding the potential for resistance evolution to the new herbicide pyroxasulfone: field selection at high doses versus recurrent selection at low doses. Weed Research52, 489–499.

Pyroxasulfone is a new pre‐emergence herbicide that provides effective control of Lolium rigidum, including populations with evolved resistance to multiple herbicide modes of action. Prior to its commercialisation, the potential of resistance evolution was examined with two separate studies: (i) a field screening with a high pyroxasulfone dose causing mortality >99.999% of 100 million L. rigidum herbicide‐susceptible individuals to establish the frequency of major gene resistance mechanisms and (ii) a 3‐year low‐dose recurrent selection experiment of a herbicide‐susceptible (S) and a multiple herbicide‐resistant (MR) L. rigidum population. The field screening indicated that no major‐effect resistance genes were present in 100 million L. rigidum individuals. By contrast, pyroxasulfone resistance was obtained by recurrent low‐dose pyroxasulfone selection of multiple herbicide‐resistant L. rigidum. The multiple‐resistant MR population showed a clear capacity to evolve pyroxasulfone resistance with >30% plant survival at 240 g ha−1 (2.4‐fold the recommended rate) after three generations of recurrent pyroxasulfone selection. For the first time, information regarding the potential for resistance evolution is available prior to herbicide commercialisation. Persistent pyroxasulfone use at low dose has the potential to rapidly lead to herbicide resistance evolution in L. rigidum field populations. Effective stewardship programmes should be developed to encourage pyroxasulfone use at the full label rate to minimise the possibility of rapid low‐dose‐induced resistance evolution and to ensure pyroxasulfone sustainability.
Residential Mobility: Wealth, Demographic and Housing Market Effects
Authors: Ermisch John , Washbrook Elizabeth
Published: October 2012

The study presents a very simple model in which housing equity can influence mobility, and then estimates parameters that gauge the impact of housing equity, local house prices and other variables associated with household structure and change on residential movement within the UK. The data come from the British Household Panel Study over 1992–2008, which allow us to use within‐person variation to identify the parameters. The parameter estimates indicate that estimates based on cross‐section variation are seriously biased in our analysis. We check the robustness of our results to errors in measuring equity using an instrumental variable estimator. Our main finding is that an increase in a household's housing equity encourages residential mobility substantially, and a decline discourages it.
Modeling Lifelong Learning: Collaborative Teaching across Disciplinary Lines
Authors: Blanchard Kathryn D.
Published: October 2012

Most courses in colleges and universities are taught by only one instructor. This is often necessitated by the financial exigencies of educational institutions, but is also due to an academic tradition in which the ideal is a single expert teaching in a single discipline. The rapidly changing realities of both the higher education and job markets, however, have called the traditional ideal into question. Interdisciplinary collaborative teaching is one way to adapt to the needs of twenty‐first‐century students, by modeling lifelong learning for students and inviting instructors to be more deliberately reflective about disciplinary assumptions, learning styles, and pedagogies.
Extensive Hypertrophic Scarring After Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in a Child
Authors: Kreft Burkhard , Lieser Ulla , Haase Roland , Marsch Wolfgang Christian , Wohlrab Johannes
Published: October 2012

Abstract:  Stevens‐Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are some of the most serious, usually drug‐induced, skin reactions. We report a case of severe toxic epidermal necrolysis in a child, which in addition to ophthalmic sequelae, caused extensive hypertrophic scarring of the skin. Such a course is uncommon and has rarely been described in the literature.
Successful Combination Treatment of a Patient with Progressive Juvenile Localized Scleroderma (Morphea) Using Imatinib, Corticosteroids, and Methotrexate
Authors: Inamo Yasuji , Ochiai Toyoko
Published: October 2012

We report a case of progressive juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS or morphea) treated with a combination of imatinib, corticosteroids, and methotrexate. This therapy halted the progressive skin thickening and the hand and finger joint deformity in the early stages of the disease. We conclude that imatinib used in addition to standard treatment with systemic corticosteroids and methotrexate may be of therapeutic benefit for individuals with JLS.
Fast‐Mapping and Deliberate Word‐Learning by EFL Children
Authors: HU CHIEH–FANG
Published: October 2012

This study examined the abilities of young English as a foreign language (EFL) learners to identify quickly new words from a nonostensive, indirect teaching context (known as fast‐ mapping) and their ability to commit the words to memory. Seventy‐five fourth‐grade EFL learners heard novel words embedded in sentences. They were then tested for their ability to fast‐map the novel words to their referents and to recognize the new words. Six months later, the children were further tested for retention of the novel words and ability to commit the novel words to memory in a deliberate word‐learning task. These young EFL learners were able to fast‐map a novel word they had heard only once or twice and avoid mapping the novel word onto another new referent. They were also able to retain the mapping immediately after the exposure. However, the retention rate was low after 6 months when they were retested. Children's fast‐mapping and deliberate word‐learning performances related to phonological awareness of the native language and their existing English vocabulary.
Just My Style: The Practical, Ethical, and Empirical Dangers of the Lack of Consensus about Definitions of Mediation Styles
Authors: Charkoudian Lorig
Published: October 2012

This article reviews the importance of research and understanding of mediation styles on quality assurance, ethical practice, and accuracy of research. Three studies are reviewed. One finds that while there are patterns of stylistic practice in mediation, there is no agreement on the definitions for different styles. The second finds that mediators tend to practice in either a directive or a reflective style within a given mediation, rather than using a mix of strategies. The final study highlights how different mediator strategies affect participant satisfaction with the process. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Smoking rates among hospital nurses in Longkou city, China
Authors: Smith Derek R. , Zhao Isabella , Wang Lina
Published: October 2012

This study was undertaken as one of the first investigations of nurses' smoking habits in Longkou city, Shandong Province, China. An anonymous cross‐sectional survey was administered as part of a larger investigation of healthcare professionals at a university teaching hospital during 2008. A total of 88 nurses responded to the survey, from whom tobacco‐related data were provided by 83 of them (94%). Their overall smoking rate was very low (1%), with no male nurses reporting themselves to be current tobacco users. Overall, the current study suggests that smoking rates are very low among Chinese nurses in Longkou city, Shandong Province. These results are also consistent with studies of nurses' tobacco use conducted in other regions of China.
Extensive emphysematous pyelonephritis in a renal allograft treated conservatively: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Alexander S. , Varughese S. , David V.G. , Kodgire S.V. , Mukha R.P. , Kekre N.S. , Tamilarasi V. , Jacob C.K. , John G.T.
Published: October 2012

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare occurrence in renal allografts. An aggressive approach resulting in transplant nephrectomy is viewed as the standard of care. Over the recent years, treatment with percutaneous drainage (PCD) of the renal and perinephric collections and appropriate antibiotics has been reported with good success in lesser grades of this infection. Only 4 cases of extensive EPN disease with Escherichia coli, treated with conservative management, are reported in the English‐language literature. We present a case of severe EPN caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae, successfully managed with early PCD, and propose a step‐up strategy aimed toward graft preservation.
Progressive limb ataxia following inferior olive lesions
Authors: Horn K. M. , Deep A. , Gibson A. R.
Published: October 2012

Key points

The inferior olive (IO) provides climbing fibre input to the cerebellum. Kainic acid lesions of rostral IO of the cat produce several distinct movement deficits.

Vestibular disturbances are apparent the first few days after injection but rapidly recover.

Disturbances of grasping occur immediately and do not recover over months of testing.

After a brief delay, limb movements during reaching and locomotion show a progressive development of ataxia that becomes severe over months of testing.

The decomposition of movement during reaching and alterations in reach trajectories are similar to those seen in humans with cerebellar ataxias – degeneration of the IO may contribute to the progressive nature of these diseases.

Abstract  Cerebellar climbing fibres originate in the inferior olive (IO). Temporary IO inactivation produces movement deficits. Does permanent inactivation produce similar deficits and, if so, do they recover? The excitotoxin, kainic acid, was injected into the rostral IO of three cats. Behaviour was measured during reaching and locomotion. Two cats were injected during the reaching task. Within minutes, grasping became difficult and the trajectories of the reaches showed higher arcing than normally seen. During locomotion, both cats showed head and trunk deviation to the injected side, walking paths curved to the injected side, and the paws were lifted higher than normal. Limbs contralateral to the injections became rigid. Within 1 day, posture had normalized, locomotion was unsteady and high lifting of the paws had reversed to a tendency to drag the dorsum of the paws. Passive body movement produced vestibular signs. Over a few days, locomotion normalized and vestibular signs disappeared. Reach trajectories were normal but grasping deficits persisted. Over the first week, the amplitude of limb lift during reaching and locomotion began to increase. The increase continued over time and, after several months, limb movements became severely ataxic. The effects followed the somatotopy of the rostral IO: a loss of cells in medial rostral IO only affected the forelimb, whereas a loss of cells in medial and lateral IO affected both forelimb and hindlimb. Deficits produced by IO lesions involve multiple mechanisms; some recover rapidly, some appear stable, and some worsen over time. The nature of the progressive deficit suggests a gradual loss of Purkinje cell inhibition on cerebellar nuclear cells.
The information content of physiological and epileptic brain activity
Authors: Trevelyan Andrew J. , Bruns Willy , Mann Edward O. , Crepel Valerie , Scanziani Massimo
Published: October 2012

Abstract  Cerebral cortex is a highly sophisticated computing machine, feeding on information provided by the senses, which is integrated with other, internally generated patterns of neural activity, to trigger behavioural outputs. Bit by bit, we are coming to understand how this may occur, but still, the nature of the ‘cortical code’ remains one of the greatest challenges in science. As with other great scientific challenges of the past, fresh insights have come from a coalescence of different experimental and theoretical approaches. These theoretical considerations are typically reserved for cortical function rather than cortical pathology. This approach, though, may also shed light on cortical dysfunction. The particular focus of this review is epilepsy; we will argue that the information capacity of different brain states provides a means of understanding, and even assessing, the impact and locality of the epileptic pathology. Epileptic discharges, on account of their all‐consuming and stereotyped nature, represent instances where the information capacity of the network is massively compromised. These intense discharges also prevent normal processing in surrounding territories, but in a different way, through enhanced inhibition in these territories. Information processing is further compromised during the period of post‐ictal suppression, during interictal bursts, and also at other times, through more subtle changes in synaptic function. We also comment on information processing in other more physiological brain states.
Residues in the pore region of Drosophila transient receptor potential A1 dictate sensitivity to thermal stimuli
Authors: Wang Hong , Schupp Melanie , Zurborg Sandra , Heppenstall Paul A.
Published: October 2012

Key points

Transient receptor potential (TRP) A ion channels are evolutionarily conserved and play a fundamental role in thermal, chemical and mechanical transduction.

In this study, we characterized Drosophila TRPA1 as a non‐selective cation channel that can be activated by heat, voltage and chemicals.

By constructing the chimeric channel between Drosophila TRPA1 and its cold‐sensitive human orthologue, we identified key residues in the transmembrane domain that confer heat sensitivity.

Perturbation of the putative voltage‐sensing module increased the threshold for heat activation.

Single channel recordings revealed the reaction schemes of wild‐type and mutant channels.

Abstract  The capacity to sense temperature is essential for the survival of all animals. At the molecular level, ion channels belonging to the transient receptor potential (TRP) family of channels function as temperature sensors in animals across several phyla. TRP channels are opened directly by changes in temperature and show pronounced sensitivity at their activation range. To determine how temperature activates these channels, we analysed channels belonging to the TRPA family, which detect heat in insects and cold in mammals. By constructing chimeric proteins consisting of human and Drosophila TRPA1 channels, we mapped regions that regulate thermal activation and identified residues in the pore helix that invert temperature sensitivity of TRPA1. From analysis of individual channels we defined the gating reaction of Drosophila TRPA1 and determined how mutagenesis alters the energy landscape for channel opening. Our results reveal specific molecular requirements for thermal activation of TRPA1 and provide mechanistic insight into this process.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Posaconazole in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia or Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Authors: Vaes M. , Hites M. , Cotton F. , Bourguignon A. M. , Csergö M. , Rasson C. , Ameye L. , Bron D. , Jacobs F. , Aoun M.
Published: October 2012

Posaconazole is a broad-spectrum triazole antifungal available as an oral suspension. Pharmacokinetic data showed a high variability of plasma posaconazole concentrations (PPCs) in patients, suggesting a potential interest in drug monitoring. The aim of our prospective study was to measure the PPCs in prophylactically treated patients to evaluate the impact of different factors on these concentrations. In 40 patients treated prophylactically with posaconazole for acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome between February 2009 and August 2010, PPCs were measured at day 7 of treatment and then twice weekly. Demographic data, clinical data (including gastrointestinal disorders, comedications, and treatment compliance), caloric and fat intake, and biological data were collected and evaluated. We obtained 275 measurements of PPCs, with a median of 430 ng/ml. PPCs were significantly lower in patients with mucositis (
P
< 0.001), nausea (
P
= 0.03), diarrhea (
P
= 0.03), or vomiting (
P
= 0.05). PPCs were higher in patients with a higher caloric intake (
P
= 0.02), while the proportion of fat intake had no influence on PPCs (
P
= 0.84). The concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors decreased the PPCs (
P
= 0.02), while the use of tacrolimus increased the PPC (
P
= 0.03). In the multivariate analysis, the factors influencing the PPCs independently were the concomitant use of tacrolimus (
P
< 0.001), the presence of mucositis (
P
= 0.01), and food intake (
P
= 0.02). Our study confirmed the high variability of posaconazole bioavailability and showed the significant influence of gastrointestinal disorders, food intake, and concomitant medication on the PPCs. However, the optimal PPCs still remain to be defined and correlated with clinical efficacy.
A Case of Daptomycin-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Grégoire Charles , Brumpt Caren , Loirat Delphine , Lau Nicolas , Bruel Cedric , Philippart Francois , Couzigou Carine , Garrouste-Orgeas Maité , Misset Benoit
Published: October 2012

We report a case of severe daptomycin-induced immune thrombocytopenia in a patient treated for methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus epidermidisand ampicillin-resistantEnterococcus faecalisbacteremia acquired in an intensive care unit. Serum antibodies bound to platelets in the presence of daptomycin on flow cytometry. There was no evidence of other causes of thrombocytopenia. The patient died of brain herniation complicating extensive cerebral hemorrhage. To our knowledge, this is the first described case of daptomycin-induced thrombocytopenia.
Ceftaroline versus Isolates from Animal Bite Wounds: Comparative
In Vitro
Activities against 243 Isolates, Including 156 Pasteurella Species Isolates
Authors: Goldstein Ellie J. C. , Citron Diane M. , Merriam C. Vreni , Tyrrell Kerin L.
Published: October 2012

More than 5 million Americans are bitten by animals, usually dogs, annually. Bite patients comprise ∼1% of all patients who visit emergency departments (300,000/year), and approximately 10,000 require hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics. Ceftaroline is the bioactive component of the prodrug ceftaroline fosamil, which is FDA approved for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs), including those containing methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA). There are no
in vitro
data about the activity of ceftaroline against
Pasteurella multocida
subsp.
multocida
and
Pasteurella multocida
subsp.
septica
, other
Pasteurella
spp., or other bite wound isolates. We therefore studied the
in vitro
activity of ceftaroline against 243 animal bite isolates. MICs were determined using the broth microdilution method according to CLSI guidelines. Comparator drugs included cefazolin, ceftriaxone, ertapenem, ampicillin-sulbactam, azithromycin, doxycycline, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMX-TMP). Ceftaroline was the most active agent against all 5
Pasteurella
species, including
P. multocida
subsp.
multocida
and
P. multocida
subsp.
septica
, with a maximum MIC of ≤0.008 μg/ml; more active than ceftriaxone and ertapenem (MIC
90
s, ≤0.015 μg/ml); and more active than cefazolin (MIC
90
, 0.5 μg/ml) doxycycline (MIC
90
, 0.125 μg/ml), azithromycin (MIC
90
, 0.5 μg/ml), ampicillin-sulbactam (MIC
90
, 0.125 μg/ml), and SMX-TMP (MIC
90
, 0.125 μg/ml). Ceftaroline was also very active against all
S. aureus
isolates (MIC
90
, 0.125 μg/ml) and other
Staphylococcus
and
Streptococcus
species, with a maximum MIC of 0.125 μg/ml against all bite isolates tested. Ceftaroline has potential clinical utility against infections involving
P. multocida
, other
Pasteurella
species, and aerobic Gram-positive isolates, including
S. aureus
.
Impaired Innate Immunity in Mice Deficient in Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinase 4 Leads to Defective Type 1 T Cell Responses, B Cell Expansion, and Enhanced Susceptibility to Infection with Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Béla Samantha R. , Dutra Míriam S. , Mui Ernest , Montpetit Alexandre , Oliveira Fernanda S. , Oliveira Sérgio C. , Arantes Rosa M. E. , Antonelli Lis R. , McLeod Rima , Gazzinelli Ricardo T.
Published: October 2012

Interleukin-1 receptor (IL1R)-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) is a member of the IRAK family and has an important role in inducing the production of inflammatory mediators. This kinase is downstream of MyD88, an adaptor protein essential for Toll-like receptor (TLR) function. We investigated the role of this kinase in IRAK4-deficient mice orally infected with the cystogenic ME49 strain ofToxoplasma gondii. IRAK4−/−mice displayed higher morbidity, tissue parasitism, and accelerated mortality than the control mice. The lymphoid follicles and germinal centers from infected IRAK4−/−mice were significantly smaller. We consistently found that IRAK4−/−mice showed a defect in splenic B cell activation and expansion as well as diminished production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) by T lymphocytes. The myeloid compartment was also affected. Both the frequency and ability of dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes/macrophages to produce IL-12 were significantly decreased, and resistance to infection withToxoplasmawas rescued by treating IRAK4−/−mice with recombinant IL-12 (rIL-12). Additionally, we report the association of IRAK4 haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tag-SNPs) with congenital toxoplasmosis in infected individuals (rs1461567 and rs4251513,P< 0.023 andP< 0.045, respectively). Thus, signaling via IRAK4 is essential for the activation of innate immune cells, development of parasite-specific acquired immunity, and host resistance to infection withT. gondii.
Systemic Macrophage Depletion Inhibits Helicobacter bilis-Induced Proinflammatory Cytokine-Mediated Typhlocolitis and Impairs Bacterial Colonization Dynamics in a BALB/c
Rag2
−/−
Mouse Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Muthupalani Sureshkumar , Ge Zhongming , Feng Yan , Rickman Barry , Mobley Melissa , McCabe Amanda , Van Rooijen Nico , Fox James G.
Published: October 2012

Helicobacter bilis
, an enterohepatic helicobacter, is associated with chronic hepatitis in aged immunocompetent inbred mice and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in immunodeficient mice. To evaluate the role of macrophages in
H. bilis
-induced IBD,
Rag2
−/−
BALB/c or wild-type (WT) BALB/c mice were either sham dosed or infected with
H. bilis
Missouri strain under specific-pathogen-free conditions, followed by an intravenous injection of a 0.2-ml suspension of liposomes coated with either phosphate-buffered saline (control) or clodronate (a macrophage depleting drug) at 15 weeks postinfection (wpi). At 16 wpi, the ceca of
H. bilis
-infected
Rag2
−/−
mice treated with control liposomes had significantly higher histopathological lesional scores (for cumulative typhlitis index, inflammation, edema, epithelial defects, and hyperplasia) and higher counts of F4/80
+
macrophages and MPO
+
neutrophils compared to
H. bilis
-infected
Rag2
−/−
mice treated with clodronate liposomes. In addition, cecal quantitative PCR analyses revealed a significant suppression in the expression of macrophage-related cytokine genes, namely,
Tnfa
,
Il-1
β,
Il-10
,
Cxcl1
, and
iNos
, in the clodronate-treated
H. bilis
-infected
Rag2
−/−
mice compared to the
H. bilis
-infected
Rag
2
−/−
control mice. Finally, cecal quantitative PCR analyses also revealed a significant reduction in bacterial colonization in the clodronate-treated
Rag2
−/−
mice. Taken together, our results suggest that macrophages are critical inflammatory cellular mediators for promoting
H. bilis
-induced typhlocolitis in mice.
Microbial Amyloids Induce Interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and IL-22 Responses via Toll-Like Receptor 2 Activation in the Intestinal Mucosa
Authors: Nishimori Jessalyn H. , Newman Tiffanny N. , Oppong Gertrude O. , Rapsinski Glenn J. , Yen Jui-Hung , Biesecker Steven G. , Wilson R. Paul , Butler Brian P. , Winter Maria G. , Tsolis Renee M. , Ganea Doina , Tükel Çagla
Published: October 2012

The Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)/TLR1 receptor complex responds to amyloid fibrils, a common component of biofilm material produced by members of the phylaFirmicutes,Bacteroidetes, andProteobacteria. To determine whether this TLR2/TLR1 ligand stimulates inflammatory responses when bacteria enter intestinal tissue, we investigated whether expression of curli amyloid fibrils by the invasive enteric pathogenSalmonella entericaserotype Typhimurium contributes to T helper 1 and T helper 17 responses by measuring cytokine production in the mouse colitis model. AcsgBAmutant, deficient in curli production, elicited decreased expression of interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and IL-22 in the cecal mucosa compared to theS. Typhimurium wild type. In TLR2-deficient mice, IL-17A and IL-22 expression was blunted duringS. Typhimurium infection, suggesting that activation of the TLR2 signaling pathway contributes to the expression of these cytokines. T cells incubated with supernatants from bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) treated with curli fibrils released IL-17A in a TLR2-dependent mannerin vitro. Lower levels of IL-6 and IL-23 production were detected in the supernatants of the TLR2-deficient BMDCs treated with curli fibrils. Consistent with this, three distinct T-cell populations—CD4+T helper cells, cytotoxic CD8+T cells, and γδ T cells—produced IL-17A in response to curli fibrils in the intestinal mucosa duringS. Typhimurium infection. Notably, decreased IL-6 expression by the dendritic cells and decreased IL-23 expression by the dendritic cells and macrophages were observed in the cecal mucosa of mice infected with the curli mutant. We conclude that TLR2 recognition of bacterial amyloid fibrils in the intestinal mucosa represents a novel mechanism of immunoregulation, which contributes to the generation of inflammatory responses, including production of IL-17A and IL-22, in response to bacterial entry into the intestinal mucosa.
Haemophilus ducreyi-Induced Interleukin-10 Promotes a Mixed M1 and M2 Activation Program in Human Macrophages
Authors: Li Wei , Katz Barry P. , Spinola Stanley M.
Published: October 2012

During microbial infection, macrophages are polarized to classically activated (M1) or alternatively activated (M2) cells in response to microbial components and host immune mediators. Proper polarization of macrophages is critical for bacterial clearance. To study the role of macrophage polarization duringHaemophilus ducreyiinfection, we analyzed a panel of macrophage surface markers in skin biopsy specimens of pustules obtained from experimentally infected volunteers. Lesional macrophages expressed markers characteristic of both M1 and M2 polarization. Monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) also expressed a mixed M1 and M2 profile of surface markers and cytokines/chemokines upon infection withH. ducreyiin vitro. Endogenous interleukin 10 (IL-10) produced by infected MDM downregulated and enhanced expression of several M1 and M2 markers, respectively. Bacterial uptake, mediated mainly by class A scavenger receptors, and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling pathways were required forH. ducreyi-induced IL-10 production in MDM. Compared to M1 cells, IL-10-polarized M2 cells displayed enhanced phagocytic activity againstH. ducreyiand similar bacterial killing. Thus, IL-10-modulated macrophage polarization may contribute toH. ducreyiclearance during human infection.
In Vivo
Sequence Variation in HopZ, a Phase-Variable Outer Membrane Protein of Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Kennemann Lynn , Brenneke Birgit , Andres Sönke , Engstrand Lars , Meyer Thomas F. , Aebischer Toni , Josenhans Christine , Suerbaum Sebastian
Published: October 2012

The
Helicobacter pylori
outer membrane protein HopZ is regulated by a phase-variable CT repeat and occurs in two distinct allelic variants. Whole-genome comparisons of isolates from one human volunteer recently provided evidence for
in vivo
selection for the
hopZ
ON status. We explored the frequency of sequence variation in
hopZ
during acute and chronic human infection and studied the association of
hopZ
with the phylogeographic population structure of
H. pylori. hopZ
ON variants were cultured from 24 out of 33 volunteers challenged with the
hopZ
OFF strain BCS 100. Transmission of
H. pylori
within families was also frequently associated with a status change of
hopZ
. In contrast,
hopZ
sequences obtained from 26 sets of sequential isolates from chronically infected individuals showed no changes of status, suggesting that the
hopZ
status selected during early infection is subsequently stable. Mutations leading to amino acid changes in HopZ occurred more frequently in ON than in OFF status isolates during chronic infection, indicating that sequence changes are more likely the result of positive selection in ON isolates than of a loss of negative selection pressure in OFF isolates. Analysis of 63 isolates from chronically infected individuals revealed no significant correlation of
hopZ
status with chronic atrophic gastritis.
hopZ
sequences were obtained from a globally representative collection of 54
H. pylori
strains. All
H. pylori
populations contained
hopZ
-positive isolates. The data suggest that
hopZ
has been acquired and split into the two variants before the human migration out of Africa.
Estimate of HIV prevalence and number of people living with HIV in India 2008–2009
Authors: Pandey Arvind , Sahu Damodar , Bakkali Taoufi , Reddy DCS , Venkatesh S , Kant Shashi , Bhattacharya M , Raj Yujwal , Haldar Partha , Bhardwaj Deepak , Chandra Nalini
Published: October 2012

Objectives

To update the estimation of the adult HIV prevalence and number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in India for the year 2008−2009 with the combination of improved data and methods.

Design

Based on HIV sentinel surveillance (HSS) data and a set of epidemiological assumptions, estimates of HIV prevalence and burden in India have been derived.

Setting

HSS sites spread over all the States of India.

Participants

Secondary data from HSS sites which include attendees of antenatal clinics and sites under targeted interventions of high-risk groups, namely, female sex workers (FSW), intravenous drug users (IDU) and men having sex with men (MSM).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Estimates of adult HIV prevalence and PLHIV in India and its states.

Results

The adult HIV prevalence in India has declined to an estimated 0.31% (0.25–0.39%) in 2009 against 0.36% (0.29–0.45%) in 2006. Among the high prevalence states, the HIV prevalence has declined in Tamil Nadu to 0.33% in 2009 and other states show either a plateau or a slightly declining trend over the time period 2006–2009. There are states in the low prevalence states where the adult HIV prevalence has risen over the last 4 years. The estimated number of PLHIV in India is 2.4 million (1.93–3.04 million) in 2009. Of which, 39% are women, children under 15 years of age account for 4.4% of all infections, while people aged 15–49 years account for 82.4% of all infections.

Conclusions

The estimated adult prevalence has declined in few states, a plateau or a slightly declining trend over the time. In future, efforts may be made to examine the implications of the emerging trend of the HIV prevalence on the recent infections in the study population.
LANGUAGES VERSUS ω-LANGUAGES IN REGULAR INFINITE GAMES
Authors: CHATURVEDI NAMIT , OLSCHEWSKI JÖRG , THOMAS WOLFGANG
Published: October 2012

Infinite games are studied in a format where two players, called Player 1 and Player 2, generate a play by building up an ω-word as they choose letters in turn. A game is specified by the ω-language which contains the plays won by Player 2. We analyze ω-languages generated from certain classes [Formula: see text] of regular languages of finite words (called *-languages), using natural transformations of *-languages into ω-languages. Winning strategies for infinite games can be represented again in terms of *-languages. Continuing work of Selivanov (2007) and Rabinovich et al. (2007), we analyze how these "strategy *-languages" are related to the original language class [Formula: see text]. In contrast to that work, we exhibit classes [Formula: see text] where strategy representations strictly exceed [Formula: see text].
ENUMERATION AND DECIDABLE PROPERTIES OF AUTOMATIC SEQUENCES
Authors: CHARLIER ÉMILIE , RAMPERSAD NARAD , SHALLIT JEFFREY
Published: October 2012

We show that various aspects of k-automatic sequences — such as having an unbordered factor of length n — are both decidable and effectively enumerable. As a consequence it follows that many related sequences are either k-automatic or k-regular. These include many sequences previously studied in the literature, such as the recurrence function, the appearance function, and the repetitivity index. We also give some new characterizations of the class of k-regular sequences. Many results extend to other sequences defined in terms of Pisot numeration systems.
NORMAL BGG SOLUTIONS AND POLYNOMIALS
Authors: ČAP A. , GOVER A. R. , HAMMERL M.
Published: October 2012

First BGG operators are a large class of overdetermined linear differential operators intrinsically associated to a parabolic geometry on a manifold. The corresponding equations include those controlling infinitesimal automorphisms, higher symmetries and many other widely studied PDE of geometric origin. The machinery of BGG sequences also singles out a subclass of solutions called normal solutions. These correspond to parallel tractor fields and hence to (certain) holonomy reductions of the canonical normal Cartan connection. Using the normal Cartan connection, we define a special class of local frames for any natural vector bundle associated to a parabolic geometry. We then prove that the coefficient functions of any normal solution of a first BGG operator with respect to such a frame are polynomials in the normal coordinates of the parabolic geometry. A bound on the degree of these polynomials in terms of representation theory data is derived. For geometries locally isomorphic to the homogeneous model of the geometry we explicitly compute the local frames mentioned above. Together with the fact that on such structures all solutions are normal, we obtain a complete description of all first BGG solutions in this case. Finally, we prove that in the general case the polynomial system coming from a normal solution is the pull-back of a polynomial system that solves the corresponding problem on the homogeneous model. Thus we can derive a complete list of potential normal solutions on curved geometries. Moreover, questions concerning the zero locus of solutions, as well as related finer geometric and smooth data, are reduced to a study of polynomial systems and real algebraic sets.
FERMIONS IN MAGNETAR'S CRUST IN TERMS OF HEUN DOUBLE CONFLUENT FUNCTIONS
Authors: DARIESCU CIPRIAN , DARIESCU MARINA-AURA
Published: October 2012

The present paper is devoted to the study of relativistic fermions evolving in a periodic magnetic field frozen in the magnetar's crust. The Heun's Double Confluent functions being the solutions to the Dirac-type equation, their series expansion allows us to write down the expressions of the current density components. For typical values of the magnetic induction, b0~1015 G , so that the magnetic length is much smaller than the extension of the crust, we get a nontrivial quantization law for the particle momentum along Oz.
QUENCHING DYNAMICS AND QUANTUM INFORMATION
Authors: NAG TANAY , DUTTA AMIT , PATRA AYOTI
Published: October 2012

We review recent studies on the measures of zero temperature quantum correlations namely, the quantum entanglement (concurrence) and discord present in the final state of a transverse XY spin chain following a quench through quantum critical points; the aim of these studies is to explore the scaling of the above quantities as a function of the quench rate. A comparative study between the concurrence and the quantum discord shows that their behavior is qualitatively the same though there are quantitative differences. For the present model, the scaling of both the quantities are given by the scaling of the density of the defect present in the final state though one cannot find a closed form expression for the discord. We also extend our study of quantum discord to a transverse Ising chain in the presence of a three spin interaction. Finally, we present a study of the dynamical evolution of quantum discord and concurrence when two central qubits, initially prepared in a Werner state, are coupled to the environmental XY spin chain which is driven through quantum critical points. The qualitative behavior of quantum discord and concurrence are found to be similar as that of the decoherence factor.
TABLE ALGEBRAS OF RANK 3 AND ITS APPLICATIONS TO STRONGLY REGULAR GRAPHS
Authors: HOSSEINI A. , BARGHI A. RAHNAMAI
Published: October 2012

A table algebra is called quasi self-dual if there exists a permutation on the set of primitive idempotents under which any Krein parameter is equal to its corresponding structure constants. In this paper we investigate the question of when a table algebra of rank 3 is quasi self-dual. As a direct consequence we find necessary and sufficient conditions for the Bose–Mesner algebra of a given strongly regular graph to be quasi self-dual. In fact, our result generalizes the well-known Delsarte's characterization of a self-duality of the Bose–Mesner algebra of a strongly regular graph given in [P. Delsarte, An algebraic approach to the association schemes of coding theory, Philips Res. Rep. Suppl.10 (1973) 1–97]. Among our results we determine conditions under which the Krein parameters of an integral table algebra of rank 3 are non-negative rational numbers.
HYPERGEOMETRIC CAUCHY NUMBERS
Authors: KOMATSU TAKAO
Published: October 2012

For a positive integer N, define hypergeometric Cauchy numbers cN,n by [Formula: see text] where 2 F1(a, b;c;z) is the Gauss hypergeometric function. When N = 1, c1,n = cn are classical Cauchy numbers. In this paper we shall consider sums of products of hypergeometric Cauchy numbers. We note that hypergeometric Cauchy numbers are analogous to hypergeometric Bernoulli numbers BN,n defined by [Formula: see text] where 1F1(a;b;z) is the confluent hypergeometric function.