bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Heterologous Liver Cross‐Hemodialysis on Adenylate Energy Charge of the Remnant Liver after Major Hepatic Resection
Authors: Ozawa Kazue , Kamiyama Yasuo , Kimura Kenichi , Ukikusa Minoru , Kono Yukihiro , Yamato Toshio , Shimahara Yasuyuki , Nakatani Toshio , Asano Motokazu , Irie Ryuichi , Kawashima Sadao , Uchida Kenichi , Ohtoshi Masahiro , Aoyama Hidehisa , Hirai Fumihiko , Yasuda Kazuhiro , Tobe Takayoshi
Published: November 2012

The effect of liver support on the adenylate energy charge (ATP + 0.5ADP)/(ATP + ADP + AMP) of the remnant liver after major hepatic resection was studied in rabbits. The present study emphasized the principle of restoring the decreased energy charge level of the remnant liver after major hepatic resection by use of an ex vivo heterologous liver cross‐he‐modialysis with an interposed Cuprophan membrane. The energy charge level provides the cell with a very sensitive intracellular control mechanism. Regulatory enzymes from biosynthetic sequences exhibit very little activity at low levels of energy charge, and their activities increase sharply at high‐energy charge levels. The energy charge level of the remnant liver maximally decreased from the control level of 0.860 to 0.767 at 24 hours after 70% hepatectomy. The energy charge level increased from 0.767 to 0.857 after two hours of cross‐hemodialysis with an interposed Cuprophan membrane between the 24‐hour, 70% hepatectomized rabbit and an ex vivo pig liver with high energy charge. The above results suggest that this ex vivo pig cross‐hemodialysis may be effective for biosynthesis in the regenerative processes of the remnant liver.
Self‐Injury Among Early Adolescents: Identifying Segments Protected and at Risk*
Authors: Alfonso Moya L. , Kaur Ravneet
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND: Self‐injury has been described as a “silent school crisis,” reflecting insufficient knowledge, confusion, lack of effective interventions, and the tendency for adults and youth to shy away from dealing directly with the issue. This purpose of this study was to identify distinct subgroups of youth who may be at increased risk of or reduced risk of nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI).

METHODS: The middle‐school Youth Risk Behavior Survey was administered in 8 district public middle schools in a large, southeastern county in Florida. A final sample size of 1748, representing approximately 92% of participants who self‐reported attendance at 1 of the 8 middle schools (N = 1907) and 74% of the 2350 surveys originally distributed, was used in this study. Chi‐squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID) was used to identify distinct segments at risk for or protected from NSSI.

RESULTS: CHAID analyses suggested large groups of youth at risk for (and not at risk) having ever tried self‐injury including suicidal tendencies, substance use, low belief in life possibilities, and exposure to peer self‐injury. Protective factors identified included having low to zero levels of suicidal tendencies, high belief in life possibilities, lack of substance use, and not being a victim of bullying.

CONCLUSION: Engaging adolescents in prevention programs at early stage can reduce the chances of suicidal behavior as well as physical injury. Schools should take the lead in advocating for the development of evidence‐based interventions that are capable of addressing factors that contribute to self‐injury at multiple levels of youth's environments.
Physical Activity and BMI: Evidence From the Panel Study of Income Dynamics Child Development Supplement
Authors: Hohensee Caroline W. , Nies Mary A.
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the association between amount of physical activity and body mass index (BMI) percentile among middle and high school children. Total daily physical activity needs to include both in and out of school physical activity.

METHODS: A secondary data analysis was performed on 1306 children drawn from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics Child Development Supplement (CDS III, 2007). The dependent variable in this study was BMI percentile, while the independent variable was physical activity. The multinomial logistic regression model was used to assess the associations between physical activity and BMI percentile controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, parental income, and neighborhood safety.

RESULTS: Children who engaged in low daily physical activity levels had 1.8 times the odds of being obese versus normal weight than those who engaged in moderate levels [odds ratio (OR) = 1.80, confidence interval (CI) = 1.31, 2.48]. African‐American children had 1.6 times the odds of being obese than normal weight (OR = 1.55, CI = 0.99, 2.43) and Hispanic children had approximately 1.8 times the odds of being obese than normal weight in comparison to non‐Hispanic white children (OR = 1.79, CI = 1.00, 3.21). Females had about 1.5 times the odds of being overweight than normal weight than males (OR = 1.49, CI = 1.04, 2.13).

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the accumulation of 30 minutes or more of daily physical activity may be effective in decreasing obesity prevalence among middle and high school‐aged children.
Dynamics of hepatitis B virus quasispecies heterogeneity and virologic response in patients receiving low‐to‐moderate genetic barrier nucleoside analogs
Authors: Peveling‐Oberhag J. , Herrmann E. , Kronenberger B. , Farnik H. , Susser S. , Sarrazin C. , Zeuzem S. , Hofmann W.‐P.
Published: November 2012

We characterized the early dynamics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) quasispecies evolution during the first weeks of antiviral therapy with low‐to‐moderate genetic barrier antiviral drugs and associated these data with antiviral response patterns. Fifteen chronic hepatitis B patients (men, 10; mean age, 34; HBeAg positive, 6) who received lamivudine or telbivudine for at least 52 weeks were included. HBV DNA was extracted from serum, and a 910‐bp fragment covering domains A–F of the reverse transcriptase region was amplified, cloned and sequenced. Parameters of quasispecies heterogeneity, genetic diversity and complexity were calculated and were correlated with complete virologic response, defined as undetectable HBV DNA at week 52. Nine patients achieved complete virologic response during the observational period. While baseline HBV DNA levels and HBeAg status were associated with virologic response, baseline quasispecies complexity and diversity of responders showed no significant difference to those of nonresponders (P > 0.05). However, at week 4, quasispecies complexity of nonresponders was significantly higher compared with that of responders on the nucleotide level (P = 0.01) and the aa level (P = 0.04). The number of synonymous substitutions per synonymous site dropped significantly in responders at week 4 (P = 0.04), while there was no difference in nonresponders. The HBV quasispecies complexity at the early stage of antiviral therapy (week 4) with the low‐to‐moderate genetic barrier nucleoside analogs lamivudine or telbivudine was associated with subsequent virologic response. Further studies are needed to confirm HBV quasispecies evolution as additional predictive marker for beneficial treatment outcome.
Footwall mineralization during Late Miocene extension along the West Cycladic Detachment System, Lavrion, Greece
Authors: Berger Alexandra , Schneider David A. , Grasemann Bernhard , Stockli Daniel
Published: November 2012

The West Cycladic Detachment System (WCDS) has been mapped from the western Cycladic islands to Lavrion (mainland Greece), where several top‐to‐SSW low‐angle normal faults at different structural levels are observed. Near the detachment horizon, hydrothermal fluid flow originating from Miocene intrusions lead to high‐temperature carbonate strata‐bound Pb–Ag–Zn ore deposits. Zircon (U–Th)/He cooling ages from the mineralized footwall are 7.1 ± 0.6 to 7.9 ± 0.6 Ma. Carbon‐ and O‐isotope analyses of the carbonate host indicate high water‐to‐rock ratios during brittle deformation‐induced metasomatism, and that this interaction, unrelated to proximity of the intrusions, plays the dominant role in the mineralization. The Late Miocene geology of Lavrion is strikingly similar to Serifos island on the SE termination of the WCDS, both characterized by strong localization of detachment faulting and the interaction of brittle deformation with the injection of fluids related to granitoid intrusions.
Minimization of Molecular Potential Energy Function Using newly developed Real Coded Genetic Algorithms
Authors: DEEP Kusum , BARAK Shashi , KATIYAR Vinod Kumar , NAGAR Atulya Kumar
Published: November 2012

The problem of finding the global minimum of molecular potential energy function is very challenging for algorithms which attempt to determine global optimal solution. The principal difficulty in minimizing the molecular potential energy function is that the number of local minima increases exponentially with the size of the molecule. The global minimum of the potential energy of a molecule corresponds to its most stable conformation, which dictates majority of its properties. In this paper the efficiency of four newly developed real coded genetic algorithms is tested on the molecular potential energy function. The minimization of the function is performed on an independent set of internal coordinates involving only torsion angles. Computational results with up to 100 degrees of freedom are presented.
Design, Fabrication, and Optimization of Jatropha Sheller
Authors: TING Richard P. , CASAS Ed Vidona , PERALTA Engelbert K. , ELAURIA Jessie C.
Published: November 2012

A jatropha sheller was designed, fabricated, and optimized consisting of mainframe, rotary cylinder, stationary cylinder, transmission system powered by 1kW variable speed electric motor with feasibility of manual operation. Performance evaluation considered moisture content, clearance, and roller speed as independent parameters while the responses comprised of recovery, bulk density factor, shelling capacity, energy utilization of sheller, whole kernel recovery, oil recovery, and energy utilization by extruder. Moisture contents from 9.5 to 16.5%wb failed to affect the response variables. The clearance affected the response variables except energy utilization of the extruder. The roller speed affected shelling capacity, whole kernel recovery, and energy utilization of the extruder. Optimization of shelling and extrusion operations resulted in operating conditions of 9.5%wb moisture content, clearance of 6 mm, and a roller speed of 750 rpm with acceptable quality of shelled kernels.
Convergent Evolution Between Insect and Mammalian Audition
Authors: Montealegre-Z. Fernando , Jonsson Thorin , Robson-Brown Kate A. , Postles Matthew , Robert Daniel
Published: November 2012

How to Hear

In mammalian ears, a chain of biophysical events allows for the translation of airborne acoustic energy into mechanical vibrations that can be detected by mechanosensory cells in the cochlear. Mammalian ears have been considered largely unique in this transformation because it is the delicate, mammalian-specific, bones of the middle ear that facilitate this transmission, known as impedence conversion. In most other vertebrates the bones that make up the middle ear function as part of the lower jaw, limiting the potential for vertebrate convergence in this process. However,

Montealegre-Z.
et al.

(p.
968
, see the Perspective by

Hoy

) show that the rainforest katydid, an insect with ears on its hind legs, have converged on a similar three step impedence conversion process using a unique tympanum-lever organ. This convergence, across millions of years of evolutionary distance, shows the flexibility of morphology to adapt to biophysical challenges.
Printing and Prototyping of Tissues and Scaffolds
Authors: Derby Brian
Published: November 2012

New manufacturing technologies under the banner of rapid prototyping enable the fabrication of structures close in architecture to biological tissue. In their simplest form, these technologies allow the manufacture of scaffolds upon which cells can grow for later implantation into the body. A more exciting prospect is the printing and patterning in three dimensions of all the components that make up a tissue (cells and matrix materials) to generate structures analogous to tissues; this has been termed bioprinting. Such techniques have opened new areas of research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Soft Matter Models of Developing Tissues and Tumors
Authors: Gonzalez-Rodriguez David , Guevorkian Karine , Douezan Stéphane , Brochard-Wyart Françoise
Published: November 2012

Analogies with inert soft condensed matter—such as viscoelastic liquids, pastes, foams, emulsions, colloids, and polymers—can be used to investigate the mechanical response of soft biological tissues to forces. A variety of experimental techniques and biophysical models have exploited these analogies allowing the quantitative characterization of the mechanical properties of model tissues, such as surface tension, elasticity, and viscosity. The framework of soft matter has been successful in explaining a number of dynamical tissue behaviors observed in physiology and development, such as cell sorting, tissue spreading, or the escape of individual cells from a tumor. However, living tissues also exhibit active responses, such as rigidity sensing or cell pulsation, that are absent in inert soft materials. The soft matter models reviewed here have provided valuable insight in understanding morphogenesis and cancer invasion and have set bases for using tissue engineering within medicine.
Evidence for Early Hafted Hunting Technology
Authors: Wilkins Jayne , Schoville Benjamin J. , Brown Kyle S. , Chazan Michael
Published: November 2012

Ancient Weaponry

Hafting, which allowed projectile points to be attached to a staff, was an important technological advance that greatly increased the functionality of weapons of early humans. This technology was used by both Neandertals and early
Homo sapiens
and is readily seen after about 200,000 to 300,000 years ago, but whether it was used by a common ancestor or was separately acquired by each species is unclear. Supporting use by a common ancestor,

Wilkins
et al.

(p.
942
) report that stone points in a site in central South Africa were hafted to form spears around 500,000 years ago. The evidence includes damaged edges consistent with this use and marks at the base that are suggestive of hafting.
Mediterranean Island Voyages
Authors: Simmons Alan
Published: November 2012

Archaeological studies show that humans reached Mediterranean islands much earlier than previously thought.
Speeding Up Artificial Muscles
Authors: Schulz Mark
Published: November 2012

The twisting motion of carbon nanotube yarns is driven rapidly by the melting and expansion of a surrounding solid wax.
A Revolution of Its Own
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Fourth Edition

by Thomas S. Kuhn; Introductory Essay by Ian Hacking

University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2012. 263 pp. $45, £29. ISBN 9780226458113. Paper, $15, £9.50. ISBN 9780226458120.
Authors: Lehoux Daryn , Foster Jay
Published: November 2012

Fifty years on, Lehoux and Foster consider the impact of Kuhn's
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
.
Functional DNA Origami Devices
Authors: Strano Michael S.
Published: November 2012

Advances in programmed DNA assembly are beginning to yield highly precise functional devices.
Disappointing Results Blunt Hopes for Malaria Vaccine
Authors: Vogel Gretchen
Published: November 2012

The most advanced candidate vaccine for malaria lowers the risk of clinical episodes of malaria by only 31% among babies who receive their first dose between 6 and 12 weeks of age.
China's Push in Tissue Engineering
Authors: Hvistendahl Mara
Published: November 2012

Valued for their innovation potential, biomaterials efforts in China prosper.
Type-Specific Detection of 30 Oncogenic Human Papillomaviruses by Genotyping both E6 and L1 Genes
Authors: Peng Junping , Gao Lei , Guo Junhua , Wang Ting , Wang Ling , Yao Qing , Zhu Haijun , Jin Qi
Published: November 2012

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the principal cause of invasive cervical cancer and benign genital lesions. There are currently 30 HPV types linked to cervical cancer. HPV infection also leads to other types of cancer. We developed a 61-plex analysis of these 30 HPV types by examining two genes, E6 and L1, using MassARRAY matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) (PCR-MS). Two hundred samples from homosexual males (HM) were screened by PCR-MS and MY09/MY11 primer set-mediated PCR (MY-PCR) followed by sequencing. One hundred thirty-five formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) cervical cancer samples were also analyzed by PCR-MS, and results were compared to those of the commercially available GenoArray (GA) assay. One or more HPV types were identified in 64.5% (129/200) of the samples from HM. Comprising all 30 HPV types, PCR-MS detected 51.9% (67/129) of samples with multiple HPV types, whereas MY-PCR detected only one single HPV type in these samples. All PCR-MS results were confirmed by MY-PCR. In the cervical cancer samples, PCR-MS and GA detected 97% (131/135) and 90.4% (122/135) of HPV-positive samples, respectively. PCR-MS and GA results were fully concordant for 122 positive and 4 negative samples. The sequencing results for the 9 samples that tested negative by GA were completely concordant with the positive PCR-MS results. Multiple HPV types were identified in 25.2% (34/135) and 55.6% (75/135) of the cervical cancer samples by GA and PCR-MS, respectively, and results were confirmed by sequencing. The new assay allows the genotyping of >1,000 samples per day. It provides a good alternative to current methods, especially for large-scale investigations of multiple HPV infections and degraded FFPE samples.
Clinical Spectrum of Exophiala Infections and a Novel Exophiala Species, Exophiala hongkongensis
Authors: Woo Patrick C. Y. , Ngan Antonio H. Y. , Tsang Chris C. C. , Ling Ian W. H. , Chan Jasper F. W. , Leung Shui-Yee , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Lau Susanna K. P.
Published: November 2012

We characterized 12Exophialastrains isolated from patients over a 15-year period to the species level using phenotypic tests and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) andRpb1sequencing and described the clinical spectrum of the 12 patients. Eight patients had nail or skin infections, two had invasive infections, and two had colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. ITS andRpb1sequencing showed that 11 of the 12 strains were knownExophialaspecies (E. oligosperma[n= 3],E. jeanselmei[n= 2],E. lecanii-corni[n= 2],E. bergeri[n= 1],E. cancerae[n= 1],E. dermatitidis[n= 1], andE. xenobiotica[n= 1]), which included the first reported cases of onychomycosis caused byE. bergeriandE. oligosperma. The 12th strain (HKU32T), isolated from the nail clipping of the right big toe of a 68-year-old female patient with onychomycosis, possessed unique morphological characteristics distinct from otherExophialaspecies. It grew very slowly and had a velvety colony texture after 28 days, short conidiophores of the same olivaceous color as the supporting hyphae, numerous spores, and no chlamydospore-like cells. ITS,Rpb1, β-tubulin, and β-actin gene sequencing unambiguously showed that HKU32Twas clustered with but formed branches distinct from otherExophialaspecies in phylogenetic trees. We propose the new speciesExophiala hongkongensisto describe this novel fungus.
Multilocus Sequence Typing of Candida tropicalis Shows the Presence of Different Clonal Clusters and Fluconazole Susceptibility Profiles in Sequential Isolates from Candidemia Patients in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Magri Marcello Mihailenko Chaves , Gomes-Gouvêa Michele Soares , de Freitas Vera Lúcia Teixeira , Motta Adriana Lopes , Moretti Maria Luiza , Shikanai-Yasuda Maria Aparecida
Published: November 2012

The profiles of 61
Candida tropicalis
isolates from 43 patients (28 adults and 15 children) diagnosed with candidemia at two teaching hospitals in São Paulo, Brazil, were characterized by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). For the 14 patients who had bloodstream infections, 32 isolates were serially collected from their blood and/or catheters. Thirty-nine diploid sequence types (DSTs) were differentiated. According to the
C. tropicalis
MLST database (
http://pubmlst.org/ctropicalis/
), 36 DSTs and 23 genotypes identified from the 61 isolates had not previously been described. This report represents the first study to characterize sequential isolates of
C. tropicalis
from candidemia cases in South America. Microvariation in a single gene was found in the sequential isolates from 7 patients. The main polymorphisms occurred in the alleles of the
XYR1
gene, specifically at nucleotide positions 215, 242, and 344. Macrovariation in six gene fragments was detected in the isolates from 3 patients. eBURST analysis added two new groups to this study (groups 6 and 18). Additionally, susceptibility tests indicate that 3 isolates were resistant to fluconazole. No correlation was found between the DSTs and susceptibility to fluconazole and/or selective antifungal pressure. Two patients were sequentially infected with resistant and susceptible strains. MLST is an important tool for studying the genetic diversity of multiple/sequential isolates of patients with candidemia, allowing the comparison of our data with those from other regions of the world, as well as allowing an analysis of the genetic relationship among several clones in sequential isolates from the same or different candidemia patient sites (blood or catheter).
Felid Herpesvirus 1 as a Causative Agent of Severe Nonsuppurative Meningoencephalitis in a Domestic Cat
Authors: Hora Aline S. , Tonietti Paloma O. , Guerra Juliana M. , Leme Maiara C. , Pena Hilda F. J. , Maiorka Paulo C. , Brandão Paulo E.
Published: November 2012

Felid herpesvirus 1 is an important respiratory pathogen of domestic cats. This report presents the first case of severe nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis caused by this virus in a cat.
Novel, Potentially Zoonotic Paramyxoviruses from the African Straw-Colored Fruit Bat Eidolon helvum
Authors: Baker Kate S. , Todd Shawn , Marsh Glenn A. , Crameri Gary , Barr Jennifer , Kamins Alexandra O. , Peel Alison J. , Yu Meng , Hayman David T. S. , Nadjm Behzad , Mtove George , Amos Benjamin , Reyburn Hugh , Nyarko Edward , Suu-Ire Richard , Murcia Pablo R. , Cunningham Andrew A. , Wood James L. N. , Wang Lin-Fa
Published: November 2012

Bats carry a variety of paramyxoviruses that impact human and domestic animal health when spillover occurs. Recent studies have shown a great diversity of paramyxoviruses in an urban-roosting population of straw-colored fruit bats in Ghana. Here, we investigate this further through virus isolation and describe two novel rubulaviruses: Achimota virus 1 (AchPV1) and Achimota virus 2 (AchPV2). The viruses form a phylogenetic cluster with each other and other bat-derived rubulaviruses, such as Tuhoko viruses, Menangle virus, and Tioman virus. We developed AchPV1- and AchPV2-specific serological assays and found evidence of infection with both viruses in
Eidolon helvum
across sub-Saharan Africa and on islands in the Gulf of Guinea. Longitudinal sampling of
E. helvum
indicates virus persistence within fruit bat populations and suggests spread of AchPVs via horizontal transmission. We also detected possible serological evidence of human infection with AchPV2 in Ghana and Tanzania. It is likely that clinically significant zoonotic spillover of chiropteran paramyxoviruses could be missed throughout much of Africa where health surveillance and diagnostics are poor and comorbidities, such as infection with HIV or
Plasmodium
sp., are common.
Loss of a Tyrosine-Dependent Trafficking Motif in the Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Envelope Cytoplasmic Tail Spares Mucosal CD4 Cells but Does Not Prevent Disease Progression
Authors: Breed Matthew W. , Jordan Andrea P. O. , Aye Pyone P. , Lichtveld Cornelis F. , Midkiff Cecily C. , Schiro Faith R. , Haggarty Beth S. , Sugimoto Chie , Alvarez Xavier , Sandler Netanya G. , Douek Daniel C. , Kuroda Marcelo J. , Pahar Bapi , Piatak Michael , Lifson Jeffrey D. , Keele Brandon F. , Hoxie James A. , Lackner Andrew A.
Published: November 2012

A hallmark of pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections is the rapid and near-complete depletion of mucosal CD4+T lymphocytes from the gastrointestinal tract. Loss of these cells and disruption of epithelial barrier function are associated with microbial translocation, which has been proposed to drive chronic systemic immune activation and disease progression. Here, we evaluate in rhesus macaques a novel attenuated variant of pathogenic SIVmac239, termed ΔGY, which contains a deletion of a Tyr and a proximal Gly from a highly conserved YxxØ trafficking motif in the envelope cytoplasmic tail. Compared to SIVmac239, ΔGY established a comparable acute peak of viremia but only transiently infected lamina propria and caused little or no acute depletion of mucosal CD4+T cells and no detectable microbial translocation. Nonetheless, these animals developed T-cell activation and declining peripheral blood CD4+T cells and ultimately progressed with clinical or pathological features of AIDS. ΔGY-infected animals also showed no infection of macrophages or central nervous system tissues even in late-stage disease. Although the ΔGY mutation persisted, novel mutations evolved, including the formation of new YxxØ motifs in two of four animals. These findings indicate that disruption of this trafficking motif by the ΔGY mutation leads to a striking alteration in anatomic distribution of virus with sparing of lamina propria and a lack of microbial translocation. Because these animals exhibited wild-type levels of acute viremia and immune activation, our findings indicate that these pathological events are dissociable and that immune activation unrelated to gut damage can be sufficient for the development of AIDS.
Role of Transmembrane Domains of Hepatitis B Virus Small Surface Proteins in Subviral-Particle Biogenesis
Authors: Siegler Vera D. , Bruss Volker
Published: November 2012

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface proteins not only are incorporated into the virion envelope but in addition form subviral particles (SVP) consisting solely of surface proteins and lipids. Heterologous expression of the small HBV envelope protein S produces secreted spherical SVP 20 nm in diameter, with approximately 100 S molecules per particle. The pathway leading from the initial S translation product as a multispanning transmembrane protein to the final SVP is largely unknown. To investigate the role of the four transmembrane domains (TM) of S in this process, we introduced mutations in these regions and characterized their effects on SVP formation in transfected Huh7 cells. We found that the insertion of one amino acid in the center of the α-helix of TM1 or the exchange of TM1 with a heterologous TM blocked SVP release and SVP formation by coexpressed wild-type S chains in a transdominant negative fashion. Surprisingly, this effect was partially neutralized when the mutations were expressed in the background of the HBV surface protein M, suggesting that mutations in TM1 could partially be complemented by the pre-S2 domain. The exchange of TM2 with heterologous TMs that form α-helices of the same lengths was also incompatible with SVP formation. However, these mutants no longer blocked SVP formation by coexpressed wild-type S. We conclude that TM2 is essential for the stable assembly of S chains by establishing intramembrane interactions.
Epstein-Barr Virus LMP1 Modulates Lipid Raft Microdomains and the Vimentin Cytoskeleton for Signal Transduction and Transformation
Authors: Meckes David G. , Menaker Nathan F. , Raab-Traub Nancy
Published: November 2012

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an important human pathogen that is associated with multiple cancers. The major oncoprotein of the virus, latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), is essential for EBV B-cell immortalization and is sufficient to transform rodent fibroblasts. This viral transmembrane protein activates multiple cellular signaling pathways by engaging critical effector molecules and thus acts as a ligand-independent growth factor receptor. LMP1 is thought to signal from internal lipid raft containing membranes; however, the mechanisms through which these events occur remain largely unknown. Lipid rafts are microdomains within membranes that are rich in cholesterol and sphingolipids. Lipid rafts act as organization centers for biological processes, including signal transduction, protein trafficking, and pathogen entry and egress. In this study, the recruitment of key signaling components to lipid raft microdomains by LMP1 was analyzed. LMP1 increased the localization of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and its activated downstream target, Akt, to lipid rafts. In addition, mass spectrometry analyses identified elevated vimentin in rafts isolated from LMP1 expressing NPC cells. Disruption of lipid rafts through cholesterol depletion inhibited PI3K localization to membranes and decreased both Akt and ERK activation. Reduction of vimentin levels or disruption of its organization also decreased LMP1-mediated Akt and ERK activation and inhibited transformation of rodent fibroblasts. These findings indicate that LMP1 reorganizes membrane and cytoskeleton microdomains to modulate signal transduction.
A Bovine Herpesvirus 1 Protein Expressed in Latently Infected Neurons (ORF2) Promotes Neurite Sprouting in the Presence of Activated Notch1 or Notch3
Authors: Sinani Devis , Frizzo da Silva Leticia , Jones Clinton
Published: November 2012

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) infection induces clinical symptoms in the upper respiratory tract, inhibits immune responses, and can lead to life-threatening secondary bacterial infections. Following acute infection, BHV-1 establishes latency in sensory neurons within trigeminal ganglia, but stress can induce reactivation from latency. The latency-related (LR) RNA is the only viral transcript abundantly expressed in latently infected sensory neurons. An LR mutant virus with stop codons at the amino terminus of the first open reading frame (ORF) in the LR gene (ORF2) is not reactivated from latency, in part because it induces higher levels of apoptosis in infected neurons. ORF2 inhibits apoptosis in transiently transfected cells, suggesting that it plays a crucial role in the latency-reactivation cycle. ORF2 also interacts with Notch1 or Notch3 and inhibits its ability to
trans
activate certain viral promoters. Notch3 RNA and protein levels are increased during reactivation from latency, suggesting that Notch may promote reactivation. Activated Notch signaling interferes with neuronal differentiation, in part because neurite and axon generation is blocked. In this study, we demonstrated that ORF2 promotes neurite formation in mouse neuroblastoma cells overexpressing Notch1 or Notch3. ORF2 also interfered with Notch-mediated
trans
activation of the promoter that regulates the expression of Hairy Enhancer of Split 5, an inhibitor of neurite formation. Additional studies provided evidence that ORF2 promotes the degradation of Notch3, but not that of Notch1, in a proteasome-dependent manner. In summary, these studies suggest that ORF2 promotes a mature neuronal phenotype that enhances the survival of infected neurons and consequently increases the pool of latently infected neurons.
Amantadine and the Place of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Fatigue in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: An Observational Study
Authors: Foroughipour Mohsen , Bahrami Taghanaki Hamid Reza , Saeidi Morteza , Khazaei Mojtaba , Sasannezhad Payam , Shoeibi Ali
Published: November 2012

Background

Fatigue is a common symptom in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). It has significant negative effects on the quality of life of patients with the condition. There are few therapeutic modalities for fatigue, which are also usually not sufficiently effective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture on this common symptom of patients with MS.

Methods

In this before-and-after clinical trial, 40 patients with definite diagnoses of MS, according to the ‘McDonald’ criteria, were studied. Patients who had Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores greater than 4, or who had another disease that could be potentially responsible for their fatigue, were excluded from the study. In all, 20 patients with fatigue refractory to amantadine underwent 12 sessions of acupuncture. Fatigue was scored according to the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS).

Results

A total of 15 (37.5%) patients with MS with fatigue responded to amantadine. The mean FSS score reduction after 2 months of treatment was 8±4, which was statistically significant (p<0.001). Of the 20 patients who were resistant to amantadine, 5 (25%) responded to acupuncture combined with amantadine treatment. The FSS scores of the 20 patients who were refractory were significantly reduced after this treatment (mean: 13±6, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Acupuncture appears to be associated with benefits for a proportion of patients with fatigue who are resistant to conventional drugs such as amantadine, and this finding justifies further research.
Applying time series models with spatial correlation to identify the scale of variation in habitat metrics related to threatened coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in the Pacific Northwest
Authors: Ward Eric J. , Pess George R. , Anlauf-Dunn Kara , Jordan Chris E.
Published: November 2012

Trend analyses are common in the analysis of fisheries data, yet the majority of them ignore either observation error or spatial correlation. In this analysis, we applied a novel hierarchical Bayesian state-space time series model with spatial correlation to a 12-year data set of habitat variables related to coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch ) in coastal Oregon, USA. This model allowed us to estimate the degree of spatial correlation separately for each habitat variable and the importance of observation error relative to environmental stochasticity. This framework allows us to identify variables that would benefit from additional sampling and variables where sampling could be reduced. Of the eight variables included in our analysis, we found three metrics related to habitat quality correlated at large spatial scales (gradient, fine sediment, shade cover). Variables with higher observation error (pools, active channel width, fine sediment) could be made more precise with more repeat visits. Our spatio-temporal model is flexible and extendable to virtually any spatially explicit monitoring data set, even with large amounts of missing data and no repeated observations. Potential extensions include fisheries catch data, abiotic indicators, invasive species, or species of conservation concern.
Density-dependent habitat use and growth of an estuarine fish
Authors: Bacheler Nathan M. , Buckel Jeffrey A. , Paramore Lee M.
Published: November 2012

Density dependence can stabilize or destabilize population size through negative or positive feedback controls operating over different spatial and temporal scales. While many species have been shown to exhibit density dependence, the topic has received little attention in estuaries where environmental variability and larval supply are often considered to be the primary drivers of population dynamics. We used multiple long-term, fishery-independent data sets and a unique modeling approach to test the hypothesis that juvenile red drum ( Sciaenops ocellatus ) exhibit density-dependent habitat use and growth rates in estuaries in North Carolina, USA. Age-1 red drum exhibited density-dependent habitat use after accounting for environmental and landscape variables, disproportionately increasing northward and coastward in the study area at high abundance. Apparent individual growth rates of age-0 and age-1 red drum were generally negatively related to the abundance of their own age classes, but evidence of density-dependent growth rates for age-2 red drum was weak to nonexistent. Changes in spatial distribution of red drum when overall abundance was high did not overcome density-dependent effects on individual growth rates. Thus, density-dependent effects have potential negative feedbacks on population growth in estuaries and should not be ignored in future theoretical or empirical estuarine studies.
Bayesian estimation of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) population abundance and movement patterns in southeastern Alaska
Authors: Hendrix A.N. , Straley J. , Gabriele C.M. , Gende S.M.
Published: November 2012

We used a mechanistic movement model within a Bayesian framework to estimate survival, abundance, and rate of increase for a population of humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) subject to a long-term photographic capture–recapture effort in southeastern Alaska, USA (SEAK). Multiple competing models were fitted that differed in movement, recapture rates, and observation error using deviance information criterion. The median annual survival probability in the selected model was 0.996 (95% central probability interval (CrI): 0.984, 0.999), which is among the highest reported for this species. Movement among areas was temporally dynamic, although whales exhibited high area fidelity (probability of returning to same area of ≥0.75) throughout the study. Median abundance was 1585 whales in 2008 (95% CrI: 1455, 1644). Incorporating an abundance estimate of 393 (95% confidence interval: 331, 455) whales from 1986, the median rate of increase was 5.1% (95% CrI: 4.4%, 5.9%). Although applied here to cetaceans in SEAK, the framework provides a flexible approach for estimating mortality and movement in populations that move among sampling areas.
Long-term assessment of the effect of introduced predatory fish on minnow diversity in a regional protected area
Authors: Aiken James K. , Findlay C. Scott , Chapleau François
Published: November 2012

Introduced piscivorous fishes had a dramatic impact on small-bodied fish species diversity of small temperate lakes in Gatineau Park, Quebec, Canada, on the basis of three surveys carried out over a 38-year period from 1970 to 2007. For three overlapping sets of lakes based on different combinations of survey years (lakes surveyed in 1970–1971, 1991–1992, and 2006–2007 (N = 14); lakes surveyed in 1970–1971 and 2006–2007 (N = 21); and lakes surveyed in 1991–1992 and 2006–2007 (N = 16)), those with introduced piscivores showed substantial and consistent temporal declines in average minnow species richness but much weaker, if any, declines in total species richness. By contrast, lakes without introduced piscivores showed no such decline. Whereas lakes without piscivores showed a strong species–elevation relationship early in the record, the strength of this relationship was much lower in lakes with introduced piscivores. Moreover, the strength of the species–elevation relationship declined precipitously over time in lakes with introduced piscivores, but remained stable in lakes where introduced piscivores were absent. The negative impact of piscivore introductions on small-bodied fish biodiversity in small lakes underscores the importance of action to mitigate the risk of future introductions or invasions.
Winter temperature and food quality affect age at maturity: an experimental test with Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Jonsson Bror , Finstad Anders G. , Jonsson Nina
Published: November 2012

Field studies have revealed that many ectotherms mature younger and smaller in warmer environments although they grow faster. This has puzzled ecologists because the direct effect of factors that accelerate growth is expected to be larger, not smaller size. We tested this experimentally for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at two winter temperatures and diets. Logistic regression revealed that the probability of maturation during the second year in sea water, relative to the probability of older maturation, increased with temperature and growth rate during the first winter. Also, large size and high condition factor 1 year prior to maturation stimulated maturation. In females, a high lipid diet increased the probability of maturation as one-sea-winter fish, and there were significant interactions between winter temperature and food quality and between body size and condition factor the first autumn in sea water. Thus, if the direct effect of temperature on growth rate is the main effect of warming, salmon are likely to attain maturity younger and smaller. Also, richer food decreased age at maturation in females. This finding has consequences for interpretations of climate change impacts on age at maturity in Atlantic salmon and may also hold for many other ectotherm species.
Poor direct exploitation of terrestrial particulate organic material from peat layers by Daphnia galeata
Authors: Wenzel Anja , Bergström Ann-Kristin , Jansson Mats , Vrede Tobias
Published: November 2012

Terrestrial organic material (t-OM) can subsidize lake food webs indirectly via incorporation of dissolved t-OM by bacteria and subsequent transfer to higher trophic levels or directly through metazoan consumption of particulate t-OM (t-POM). We tested the effects of peat layer t-POM on Daphnia galeata performance. A pure t-POM diet could not sustain survival, growth, and reproduction of D. galeata. Mixtures of heterotrophic bacteria (Pseudomonas sp.) and phytoplankton (Rhodomonas lacustris) gave higher survival, growth, and reproduction than mixtures of t-POM and Rhodomonas. Daphnids performed best when feeding on pure Rhodomonas diets. Quantification of phosphorus (P) and essential biochemicals (i.e., fatty acids) revealed that Rhodomonas had the highest amounts of all these components. Pseudomonas, while rich in P, contained few essential fatty acids, and t-POM had low concentrations of both P and fatty acids. We therefore suggest that the poor food quality of t-POM in our experiment was due to its suboptimal mineral and biochemical composition and that a substantial proportion of high-quality phytoplankton is necessary to sustain zooplankton biomass.
Iron is not responsible for Didymosphenia geminata bloom formation in phosphorus-poor rivers
Authors: Bothwell Max L. , Kilroy Cathy , Taylor Brad W. , Ellison Eric T. , James Daniel A. , Gillis Carole-Anne , Bladon Kevin D. , Silins Uldis
Published: November 2012

Blooms of the river benthic diatom Didymosphenia geminata are an enigma because they occur under phosphorus-poor conditions. A recent proposal that ferric–ferrous iron redox shifts sequester the additional phosphorus needed to stimulate and sustain D. geminata blooms does not agree with published experimental data showing that blooms only occur when cells are phosphorus-limited. The “iron hypothesis” also infers that blooms would be favoured in rivers with elevated iron, and management should target iron. Surveys of rivers around the world affected by D. geminata show that blooms most often occur in iron-poor rivers. Phosphorus uptake experiments conducted under realistic environmental conditions with living D. geminata colonies showed no effect of iron enrichment on phosphorus uptake. Iron does not solve the mystery of D. geminata growth causing nuisance blooms worldwide.
Variation of tow force with velocity during offshore ploughing in granular materials
Authors: Lauder Keith Duncan , Brown Michael John , Bransby Mark Fraser , Gooding Scott
Published: November 2012

Pipeline plough behaviour has been investigated by means of reduced scale physical model testing. A testing programme was devised to investigate the influence of permeability, relative density, and plough depth on the associated tow force measured during ploughing over a range of velocities in saturated granular material. An increase in tow force with velocity was found during all of the tests and the results have been compared to previously developed analytical models. A new empirical equation has been developed to describe the change in tow force with velocity for a variety of model siliceous sand conditions. Application of this new approach to full-scale ploughing requires consideration of scaling effects and the use of appropriate input parameters determined to replicate field conditions.
Role of the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 channel in renal inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice
Authors: Wang Youping , Wang Donna H.
Published: November 2012

To determine the role of the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel in the regulation of renal inflammation, lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 3 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected into wild-type (WT) and TRPV1-null mutant (TRPV1−/−) mice. The kidney and serum were collected 6 or 24 h after LPS injection for morphological analysis and proinflammatory cytokine assay. LPS injection led to a similar degree of transient hypotension and bradycardia in WT and TRPV1−/−mice determined by a telemetry system. LPS administration caused parenchymal red blood cell congestion and fading of intact glomerular structure in TRPV1−/−compared with WT mice. Serum creatinine levels were higher 24 h after LPS injection in TRPV1−/−than in WT mice. Neutrophil and macrophage infiltration in the kidneys was greater 6 h for the former and 24 h for both after LPS injection in TRPV1−/−than in WT mice. Serum cytokine levels including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were higher 6 h after LPS injection in TRPV1−/−compared with WT mice. Likewise, renal chemokine levels including keratinocyte-derived chemokines and macrophage inflammatory protein were higher 6 h after LPS injection in TRPV1−/−than in WT mice. Renal VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression was further elevated 6 h for the former and 24 h for the latter after LPS injection in TRPV1−/−than in WT mice. Renal nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity was further increased 6 h after LPS injection in TRPV1−/−compared with WT mice. Pharmacological blockade TRPV1 in WT mice showed aggravated renal and serum inflammatory responses resembling that of TRPV1−/−mice. Thus TRPV1 gene ablation exacerbates LPS-induced renal tissue and function injury, including aggravated renal neutrophil and macrophage infiltration, chemokine and adhesion molecule levels, and glomerular hypercellularity accompanying with further increased serum creatinine and cytokine levels. These results indicate that TRPV1 is activated during LPS challenge, which may constitute a protect mechanism against LPS-induced renal injury via reducing renal inflammatory responses.