bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Internal Flow Mechanism of Axial-Flow Pump With Adjustable Guide Vanes
Authors: Zhu Honggeng , Zhang Rentian , Xi Bin , Hu Dapeng
Published: December 2013

Axial-flow pumps are widely used in many fields where low pumping head and large flow rate are required such as irrigation and drainage, flood control, bio-environmental protection and inter-basin water diversion. Conventional axial-flow pump diffuser is designed with post fixed guide vanes to eliminate circulation, diffuse water and decrease flow velocity while converting dynamic energy to pressure energy. Under designed flow rate the inlet setting angle of the fixed guide vanes is designed to be equal to the outlet flow angle of the impeller blades which is regarded to be the best operating condition. Under off-design conditions the outlet flow angle of the impeller blades does not match the inlet setting angle of guide vanes any more. As a result hydraulic losses are increased, flow separation appeared and vortex generated inside the diffuser, the operation conditions of pump is deteriorated, bringing in bad cavitation characteristics, more energy consumption and lower pumping efficiency. The proposal of Axial-flow pumps with adjustable guide vanes are put forward in this paper, in which the inlet setting angle of guide vanes can be adjusted to coordinate with the change of flow rate and impeller blade setting angle and guarantee the outlet flow angle of impeller blades matching the inlet setting angle of guide vanes. The three-dimensional time-averaged N-S equations, closed by the standard κ–ε turbulence model, are adopted to simulate the internal flow fields of axial-flow pumps with fixed and adjustable guide vanes, and their performances are predicted. The internal flow mechanism of an axial-flow pump with adjustable guide vanes is investigated, and computational fluid dynamics is adopted to simulate and analyze the internal flow fields. Computation results indicate that the value of the highest pumping efficiency is slight changed while the vane setting angle is adjusted when the inlet setting angles of blades are fixed and the setting angles of guide vanes are regulated. Under off-design conditions the flow conditions inside the diffuser of axial-flow pump with adjustable guide vanes can be improved, the hydraulic loss reduced and the pumping efficiency can be raised effectively.
Real-Time Multi-Color Techniques for Identification and Filtering of Burst Signals in Jet Engine Pyrometers
Authors: Wang Guanghua , Estevadeordal Jordi , Nirmalan Nirm
Published: December 2013

A Multi-color Pyrometry (MCP) experiment was carried out on a aircraft engine to study the nature of hot particulate bursts generated from the combustor at certain engine conditions. These bursts of hot particulates lead to intermittent high-voltage signal output from the line-of-sight (LOS) pyrometer which is ultimately detected and used by the onboard Digital Engine Controller (DEC).

The investigation used a high-speed MCP system designed to detect bursts and identify their properties. Results of the radiant temperature, multi-color temperature and apparent emissivity are presented. The results indicated that the apparent emissivity calculated during the signal burst was lower than that of the blade. The root cause for the signal burst was identified as soot particles generated as by-product of combustion under certain conditions.

A digital filter technique is developed to send reliable temperature signal to DEC for robust engine control even under the engine bursting conditions. Simulink model is used to simulate the performances of the design and showed great promise for engine control.
What Role for Short-Lived Climate Pollutants in Mitigation Policy?
Authors: Shoemaker J. K. , Schrag D. P. , Molina M. J. , Ramanathan V.
Published: December 2013

Parallel strategies must focus on long- and short-lived pollutants, but not at the cost of reducing pressure for action on CO
2
.
Detection of a Noble Gas Molecular Ion,
36
ArH
+
, in the Crab Nebula
Authors: Barlow M. J. , Swinyard B. M. , Owen P. J. , Cernicharo J. , Gomez H. L. , Ivison R. J. , Krause O. , Lim T. L. , Matsuura M. , Miller S. , Olofsson G. , Polehampton E. T.
Published: December 2013

We Are Stardust

Most of the universe's chemical elements were produced in stars, with the heaviest elements being produced when stars explode.

Barlow
et al.

(p.
1343
) used the Herschel Space Observatory to obtain submillimeter spectra of the Crab Nebula, the remains of a stellar explosion that was witnessed on Earth in 1054 AD, and detected the first evidence of a noble gas-containing molecular ion in space—
36
ArH
+
.

Koo
et al.

(p.
1346
) obtained near-infrared spectroscopic observations of the remains of another stellar explosion, Cassiopeia A, with the Palomar 5-m Hale telescope, and found evidence that a substantial amount of phosphorus was formed in the explosion. Among the six elements essential for life (hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur), only the origin of phosphorus remained to be confirmed by observation.
Phosphorus in the Young Supernova Remnant Cassiopeia A
Authors: Koo Bon-Chul , Lee Yong-Hyun , Moon Dae-Sik , Yoon Sung-Chul , Raymond John C.
Published: December 2013

We Are Stardust

Most of the universe's chemical elements were produced in stars, with the heaviest elements being produced when stars explode.

Barlow
et al.

(p.
1343
) used the Herschel Space Observatory to obtain submillimeter spectra of the Crab Nebula, the remains of a stellar explosion that was witnessed on Earth in 1054 AD, and detected the first evidence of a noble gas-containing molecular ion in space—
36
ArH
+
.

Koo
et al.

(p.
1346
) obtained near-infrared spectroscopic observations of the remains of another stellar explosion, Cassiopeia A, with the Palomar 5-m Hale telescope, and found evidence that a substantial amount of phosphorus was formed in the explosion. Among the six elements essential for life (hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur), only the origin of phosphorus remained to be confirmed by observation.
Detection and Structure of HOON: Microwave Spectroscopy Reveals an O–O Bond Exceeding 1.9 Å
Authors: Crabtree Kyle N. , Talipov Marat R. , Martinez Oscar , O’Connor Gerard D. , Khursan Sergey L. , McCarthy Michael C.
Published: December 2013

A Glimpse of HOON

Bonds between two oxygen atoms are relatively weak, as manifested in the sometimes explosive reactivity of O
2
and various peroxides. Thus, although nitrous acid (HONO) can be rearranged on paper to an isomer with an O-O rather than N-O bond, nitrosyl-O-hydroxide (HOON) has been considered too unstable to be observed.

Crabtree
et al.

(p.
1354
) used microwave spectroscopy to detect HOON formation in a dilute gaseous mixture of NO and OH in neon. Isotopic substitutions enabled determination of its structure, which included an unusually long O-O bond.
New Results Send Mars Rover on a Quest for Ancient Life
Authors: Kerr Richard A.
Published: December 2013

Recent results from the Curiosity Mars rover have helped scientists formulate a plan for the next phase of its mission: looking for possible "molecular fossils" left by ancient martian microbes.
A Nonadjuvanted Transcutaneous Tetanus Patch Is Effective in Boosting Anti-Tetanus Toxoid Immune Responses
Authors: Seid Robert C. , Reinisch Christoph , Schlegl Robert , Moehlen Michael , Meinke Andreas , Lundberg Urban
Published: December 2013

Dry tetanus toxoid (TTx) patches were formulated without any adjuvant, with excipients to impart antigen stabilization and to enhance skin delivery. The booster effects of the TTx patches were assessed using a guinea pig model. The study revealed significant rises in TTx IgG titers induced by the TTx patches after a low-dose subcutaneous (s.c.) prime with TTx adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide. The TTx patch can therefore be considered an effective alternative to a subcutaneous booster.
Rapid Quantitative Serological Test for Detection of Infection with Mycobacterium leprae, the Causative Agent of Leprosy
Authors: Duthie Malcolm S. , Balagon Marivic F. , Maghanoy Armi , Orcullo Florenda M. , Cang Marjorie , Dias Ronaldo Ferreira , Collovati Marco , Reed Steven G.
Published: December 2013

Leprosy remains an important health problem in a number of regions. Early detection of infection, followed by effective treatment, is critical to reduce disease progression. New sensitive and specific tools for early detection of infection will be a critical component of an effective leprosy elimination campaign. Diagnosis is made by recognizing clinical signs and symptoms, but few clinicians are able to confidently identify these. Simple tests to facilitate referral to leprosy experts are not widely available, and the correct diagnosis of leprosy is often delayed. In this report, we evaluate the performance of a new leprosy serological test (NDO-LID). As expected, the test readily detected clinically confirmed samples from patients with multibacillary (MB) leprosy, and the rate of positive results declined with bacterial burden. NDO-LID detected larger proportions of MB and paucibacillary (PB) leprosy than the alternative, the Standard Diagnostics leprosy test (87.0% versus 81.7% and 32.3% versus 6.5%, respectively), while also demonstrating improved specificity (97.4% versus 90.4%). Coupled with a new cell phone-based test reader platform (Smart Reader), the NDO-LID test provided consistent, objective test interpretation that could facilitate wider use in nonspecialized settings. In addition, results obtained from sera at the time of diagnosis, versus at the end of treatment, indicated that the quantifiable nature of this system can also be used to monitor treatment efficacy. Taken together, these data indicate that the NDO-LID/Smart Reader system can assist in the diagnosis and monitoring of MB leprosy and can detect a significant number of earlier-stage infections.
Comparison of Seegene Anyplex II HPV28 with the PGMY-CHUV Assay for Human Papillomavirus Genotyping
Authors: Estrade C. , Sahli R.
Published: December 2013

The Anyplex II HPV28 (H28; Seegene) is a new semiquantitative real-time multiplex PCR assay for screening and genotyping 28 human papillomaviruses (HPV) in only 2 reaction wells. H28 was compared to the PGMY-CHUV assay (PG) with 309 archival DNA samples from cervical smears collected over 8 years in our laboratory. H28 and PG were fully concordant at the genotypic level on 228 (73.8%) out of 309 samples: 27 HPV negative and 201 HPV positive. The 201 fully concordant positive samples corresponded to single infections (
n
= 145) and to multiple infections (2 genotypes,
n
= 38; 3 to 5 genotypes,
n
= 18). The remaining 81 samples (26.2%) were either partially concordant (
n
= 64, 20.7%) or fully discordant (
n
= 17, 5.5%). While genotype-specific agreement was nearly perfect (κ = 0.877), HPV51 was significantly less well detected by H28 and the converse was observed for HPV40, -42, -54, and -68. Sequencing of PG amplicons confirmed HPV51 discordants and suggested the involvement of a possibly local HPV51 subtype. Mismatches in the PGMY09 primers to HPV68a explained most of the HPV68 discordants, confirming the specificity of H28 toward HPV68. With PG as a reference, the sensitivity and specificity of H28 were 93.4% and 99.0%, respectively. Considering H28 as a reference, the sensitivity and specificity of PG were 83.8% and 99.6%, respectively. H28 is a very sensitive and specific HPV genotyping assay suitable for research and clinical use as an adjunct to a clinically validated test. H28 semiquantitative readout ought to be evaluated for primary cervical cancer screening.
Evaluation of a Chromogenic Biplate Medium (ChromID MRSA/ChromID S. aureus) for the Simultaneous Detection of Methicillin-Resistant and Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus in Preoperative Screening Samples from the Anterior Nares
Authors: Mukovnikova Marina , Yusuf Erlangga , Cossey Veerle , Schuermans Annette , Saegeman Veroniek
Published: December 2013

We evaluated the performance of the ChromID MRSA/ChromID
S. aureus
biplate for the simultaneous detection of
Staphylococcus aureus
and methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) in preoperative screening samples. The sensitivity and specificity were 94.2% and 93.6%, respectively, for the
S. aureus
compartment and 92.9% and 99.7% for the MRSA compartment after 48 h incubation.
Differential Responses of Disease-Resistant and Disease-Susceptible Primate Macrophages and Myeloid Dendritic Cells to Simian Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Infection
Authors: Vatter Heather A. , Brinton Margo A.
Published: December 2013

Simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV) causes a fatal hemorrhagic fever in macaques but an asymptomatic, persistent infection in baboons. To investigate factors contributing to this differential infection outcome, the targets of SHFV infection, macrophages (MΦs) and myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs), were differentiated from macaque and baboon peripheral blood monocytes and used to compare viral replication and cell responses. SHFV replicated in >90% of macaque MΦs but in only ∼10% of baboon MΦs. Although SHFV infected ∼50% of macaque and baboon mDCs, virus replication was efficient in macaque but not in baboon mDCs. Both types of macaque cultures produced higher virus yields than baboon cultures. A more efficient type I interferon response and the production of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-12/23(p40), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α), in response to SHFV infection were observed in macaque but not baboon cultures, suggesting less efficient counteraction of these responses by viral proteins in macaque cells. Baboon cultures produced higher levels of IL-10 than macaque cultures both prior to and after SHFV infection. In baboon but not macaque cell cultures, SHFV infection upregulated IL-10R1, a subunit of the IL-10 receptor (IL-10R), and also SOCS3, a negative regulator of proinflammatory cytokine production. Incubation of macaque cultures with human IL-10 before and/or after SHFV infection decreased production of IL-6, IL-1β, and MIP-1α but not TNF-α, suggesting a role for IL-10 in suppressing SHFV-induced proinflammatory cytokine production in macaques.
Deletion of the Human Cytomegalovirus US17 Gene Increases the Ratio of Genomes per Infectious Unit and Alters Regulation of Immune and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response Genes at Early and Late Times after Infection
Authors: Gurczynski Stephen J. , Das Subhendu , Pellett Philip E.
Published: December 2013

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) employs numerous strategies to combat, subvert, or co-opt host immunity. One evolutionary strategy for this involves capture of a host gene and then its successive duplication and divergence, forming a family of genes, many of which have immunomodulatory activities. The HCMV US12 family consists of 10 tandemly arranged sequence-related genes in the unique short (US) region of the HCMV genome (US12 to US21). Each gene encodes a protein possessing seven predicted transmembrane domains, patches of sequence similarity with cellular G-protein-coupled receptors, and the Bax inhibitor 1 family of antiapoptotic proteins. We show that one member, US17, plays an important role during virion maturation. Microarray analysis of cells infected with a recombinant HCMV isolate with a US17 deletion (the ΔUS17 mutant virus) revealed blunted host innate and interferon responses at early times after infection (12 h postinfection [hpi]), a pattern opposite that previously seen in the absence of the immunomodulatory tegument protein pp65 (pUL83). Although the ΔUS17 mutant virus produced numbers of infectious particles in fibroblasts equal to the numbers produced by the parental virus, it produced >3-fold more genome-containing noninfectious viral particles and delivered increased amounts of pp65 to newly infected cells. These results suggest that US17 has evolved to control virion composition, to elicit an appropriately balanced host immune response. At later time points (96 hpi), ΔUS17 mutant-infected cells displayed aberrant expression of several host endoplasmic reticulum stress response genes and chaperones, some of which are important for the final stages of virion assembly and egress. Our results suggest that US17 modulates host pathways to enable production of virions that elicit an appropriately balanced host immune response.
Use of IRF-3 and/or IRF-7 Knockout Mice To Study Viral Pathogenesis: Lessons from a Murine Retrovirus-Induced AIDS Model
Authors: O'Connor Megan A. , Green William R.
Published: December 2013

Interferon regulatory factor (IRF) regulation of the type I interferon response has not been extensively explored in murine retroviral infections. IRF-3−/−and select IRF-3/7−/−mice were resistant to LP-BM5-induced pathogenesis. However, further analyses strongly suggested that resistance could be attributed to strain 129-specific contamination of the known retrovirus resistance geneFv1. Therefore, caution should be taken when interpreting phenotypes observed in these knockout mice, as strain 129-derived genetic polymorphisms may explain observed differences.
PB2-588I Enhances 2009 H1N1 Pandemic Influenza Virus Virulence by Increasing Viral Replication and Exacerbating PB2 Inhibition of Beta Interferon Expression
Authors: Zhao Zongzheng , Yi Chenyang , Zhao Lianzhong , Wang Shengyu , Zhou Lishan , Hu Yong , Zou Wei , Chen Huanchun , Jin Meilin
Published: December 2013

The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus (pdm/09) is typically mildly virulent in mice. In a previous study, we identified four novel swine isolates of pdm/09 viruses that exhibited high lethality in mice. Comparing the consensus sequences of the PB2 subunit of human isolates of pdm/09 viruses with those of the four swine isolate viruses revealed one consensus mutation: T588I. In this study, we determined that 588T is an amino acid mutation conserved in pdm/09 viruses that was exceedingly rare in previous human influenza isolates. To investigate whether the PB2 with the T5581 mutation (PB2-T558I) has an effect on the increased pathogenicity, we rescued a variant containing PB2-588I (Mex_PB2-588I) in the pdm/09 virus, A/Mexico/4486/2009(H1N1), referred to as Mex_WT (where WT is wild type), and characterized the variant
in vitro
and
in vivo
. The results indicated that the mutation significantly enhanced polymerase activity in mammalian cells, and the variant exhibited increased growth properties and induced significant weight loss in a mouse model compared to the wild type. We determined that the mutation exacerbated PB2 inhibition of mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS)-mediated beta interferon (IFN-β) expression, and PB2-588I was observed to bind to MAVS more efficiently than PB2-588T. The variant induced lower levels of host IFN-β expression than the WT strain during infection. These findings indicate that the pdm/09 influenza virus has increased pathogenicity upon the acquisition of the PB2-T588I mutation and highlight the need for the continued surveillance of the genetic variation of molecular markers in influenza viruses because of their potential effects on pathogenicity and threats to human health.
Lysis Delay and Burst Shrinkage of Coliphage T7 by Deletion of Terminator Tφ Reversed by Deletion of Early Genes
Authors: Nguyen Huong Minh , Kang Changwon
Published: December 2013

Bacteriophage T7 terminator Tφ is a class I intrinsic terminator coding for an RNA hairpin structure immediately followed by oligo(U), which has been extensively studied in terms of its transcription termination mechanism, but little is known about its physiological or regulatory functions. In this study, using a T7 mutant phage, where a 31-bp segment of Tφ was deleted from the genome, we discovered that deletion of Tφ from T7 reduces the phage burst size but delays lysis timing, both of which are disadvantageous for the phage. The burst downsizing could directly result from Tφ deletion-caused upregulation of gene
17.5
, coding for holin, among other Tφ downstream genes, because infection of gp17.5-overproducing
Escherichia coli
by wild-type T7 phage showed similar burst downsizing. However, the lysis delay was not associated with cellular levels of holin or lysozyme or with rates of phage adsorption. Instead, when allowed to evolve spontaneously in five independent adaptation experiments, the Tφ-lacking mutant phage, after 27 or 29 passages, recovered both burst size and lysis time reproducibly by deleting early genes
0.5
,
0.6
, and
0.7
of class I, among other mutations. Deletion of genes
0.5
to
0.7
from the Tφ-lacking mutant phage decreased expression of several Tφ downstream genes to levels similar to that of the wild-type phage. Accordingly, phage T7 lysis timing is associated with cellular levels of Tφ downstream gene products. This suggests the involvement of unknown factor(s) besides the known lysis proteins, lysozyme and holin, and that Tφ plays a role of optimizing burst size and lysis time during T7 infection.

IMPORTANCE
Bacteriophages are bacterium-infecting viruses. After producing numerous progenies inside bacteria, phages lyse bacteria using their lysis protein(s) to get out and start a new infection cycle. Normally, lysis is tightly controlled to ensure phage progenies are maximally produced and released at an optimal time. Here, we have discovered that phage T7, besides employing its known lysis proteins, additionally uses its transcription terminator Tφ to guarantee the optimal lysis of the
E. coli
host. Tφ, positioned in the middle of the T7 genome, must be inactivated at least partially to allow for transcription-driven translocation of T7 DNA into hosts and expression of Tφ downstream but promoter-lacking genes. What role is played by Tφ before inactivation? Without Tφ, not only was lysis time delayed but also the number of progenies was reduced in this study. Furthermore, T7 can overcome Tφ deletion by further deleting some genes, highlighting that a phage has multiple strategies for optimizing lysis.
Primary Macrophages Rely on Histone Deacetylase 1 and 2 Expression To Induce Type I Interferon in Response to Gammaherpesvirus Infection
Authors: Mounce Bryan C. , Mboko Wadzanai P. , Kanack Adam J. , Tarakanova Vera L.
Published: December 2013

Type I interferon is induced shortly following viral infection and represents a first line of host defense against a majority of viral pathogens. Not surprisingly, both replication and latency of gammaherpesviruses, ubiquitous cancer-associated pathogens, are attenuated by type I interferon, although the mechanism of attenuation remains poorly characterized. Gammaherpesviruses also target histone deacetylases (HDACs), a family of pleiotropic enzymes that modify gene expression and several cell signaling pathways. Specifically, we have previously shown that a conserved gammaherpesvirus protein kinase interacts with HDAC1 and -2 to promote gammaherpesvirus replication in primary macrophages. In the current study, we have used genetic approaches to show that expression of HDAC1 and -2 is critical for induction of a type I interferon response following gammaherpesvirus infection of primary macrophages. Specifically, expression of HDAC1 and -2 was required for phosphorylation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and accumulation of IRF3 at the beta interferon promoter in gammaherpesvirus-infected primary macrophages. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a specific role for HDAC1 and -2 in the induction of type I interferon responses in primary immune cells following virus infection. Furthermore, because HDAC1 and -2 are overexpressed in several types of cancer, our findings illuminate potential side effects of HDAC1- and -2-specific inhibitors that are currently under development as cancer therapy agents.

IMPORTANCE
Gammaherpesviruses establish chronic infection in a majority of the adult population and are associated with several malignancies. Infected cells counteract gammaherpesvirus infection via innate immune signaling mediated primarily through type I interferon. The induction of type I interferon expression proceeds through several stages using molecular mechanisms that are still incompletely characterized. In this study, we show that expression of HDAC1 and -2 by macrophages is required to mount a type I interferon response to incoming gammaherpesvirus. The involvement of HDAC1 and -2 in the type I interferon response highlights the pleiotropic roles of these enzymes in cellular signaling. Interestingly, HDAC1 and -2 are deregulated in cancer and are attractive targets of new cancer therapies. Due to the ubiquitous and chronic nature of gammaherpesvirus infection, the role of HDAC1 and -2 in the induction of type I interferon responses should be considered during the clinical development of HDAC1- and -2-specific inhibitors.
Highly Divergent Integration Profile of Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 5 Revealed by High-Throughput Sequencing
Authors: Janovitz Tyler , Oliveira Thiago , Sadelain Michel , Falck-Pedersen Erik
Published: December 2013

Adeno-associated virus serotype 5 (AAV-5) is a human parvovirus that infects a high percentage of the population. It is the most divergent AAV, the DNA sequence cleaved by the viral endonuclease is distinct from all other described serotypes and, uniquely, AAV-5 does not cross-complement the replication of other serotypes. In contrast to the well-characterized integration of AAV-2, no published studies have investigated the genomic integration of AAV-5. In this study, we analyzed more than 660,000 AAV-5 integration junctions using high-throughput integrant capture sequencing of infected human cells. The integration activity of AAV-5 was 99.7% distinct from AAV-2 and favored intronic sequences. Genome-wide integration was highly correlated with viral replication protein binding and endonuclease sites, and a 39-bp consensus integration motif was revealed that included these features. Algorithmic scanning identified 126 AAV-5 hot spots, the largest of which encompassed 3.3% of all integration events. The unique aspects of AAV-5 integration may provide novel tools for biotechnology and gene therapy.

IMPORTANCE
Viral integration into the host genome is an important aspect of virus host cell biology. Genomic integration studies of the small single-stranded AAVs have largely focused on site preferential integration of AAV-2, which depends on the viral replication protein (Rep). We have now established the first genome wide integration profile of the highly divergent AAV-5 serotype. Using integrant capture sequencing, more than 600,000 AAV-5 integration junctions in human cells were analyzed. AAV-5 integration hot spots were 99.7% distinct from AAV-2. Integration favored intronic sequences, occurred on all chromosomes, and integration hot spot distribution was correlated with human genomic GAGC repeats and transcriptional activity. These features support expansion of AAV-5 based vectors for gene transfer considerations.
Interferon-Stimulated Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerases Are Potent Inhibitors of Cellular Translation and Virus Replication
Authors: Atasheva Svetlana , Frolova Elena I. , Frolov Ilya
Published: December 2013

The innate immune response is the first line of defense against most viral infections. Its activation promotes cell signaling, which reduces virus replication in infected cells and leads to induction of the antiviral state in yet-uninfected cells. This inhibition of virus replication is a result of the activation of a very broad spectrum of specific cellular genes, with each of their products usually making a small but detectable contribution to the overall antiviral state. The lack of a strong, dominant function for each gene product and the ability of many viruses to interfere with the development of the antiviral response strongly complicate identification of the antiviral activity of the activated individual cellular genes. However, we have previously developed and applied a new experimental system which allows us to define a critical function of some members of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) family in clearance of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus mutants from infected cells. In this new study, we demonstrate that PARP7, PARP10, and the long isoform of PARP12 (PARP12L) function as important and very potent regulators of cellular translation and virus replication. The translation inhibition and antiviral effect of PARP12L appear to be mediated by more than one protein function and are a result of its direct binding to polysomes, complex formation with cellular RNAs (which is determined by both putative RNA-binding and PARP domains), and catalytic activity.

IMPORTANCE
The results of this study demonstrate that interferon-stimulated gene products PARP7, PARP10, and PARP12L are potent inhibitors of the replication of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus and other alphaviruses. The inhibitory functions are determined by more than a single mechanism, and one of them is based on the ability of these proteins to regulate cellular translation. Interference with the cellular translational machinery depends on the integrity of both the amino-terminal domain, containing a number of putative RNA-binding motifs, and the catalytic function of the carboxy-terminal PARP domain. The PARP-induced changes in translation efficiency appear to have a more potent effect on the synthesis of virus-specific proteins than on that of cellular proteins, thus making PARP-specific translational downregulation an important contributor to the overall development of the antiviral response.
Cat scratch disease and lymph node tuberculosis in a colon patient with cancer
Authors: Matias M , Marques T , Ferreira M A , Ribeiro L
Published: December 2013

A 71-year-old man operated for a sigmoid tumour remained in the surveillance after adjuvant chemotherapy. After 3 years, a left axillary lymph node was visible on CT scan. The biopsy revealed a necrotising and abscessed granulomatous lymphadenitis, suggestive of cat scratch disease. The patient confirmed having been scratched by a cat and the serology forBartonella henselaewas IgM+/IgG−. Direct and culture examinations for tuberculosis were negative. The patient was treated for cat scratch disease. One year later, the CT scan showed increased left axillary lymph nodes and a left pleural effusion. Direct and cultural examinations to exclude tuberculosis were again negative. Interferon-γ release assay testing for tuberculosis was undetermined and then positive. Lymph node and pleural tuberculosis were diagnosed and treated with a good radiological response. This article has provides evidence of the importance of continued search for the right diagnosis and that two diagnoses can happen in the same patient.
Dasatinib-induced haemorrhagic colitis in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in blast crisis
Authors: Chisti Mohammad Muhsin , Khachani Amine , Brahmanday Govinda R , Klamerus Justin
Published: December 2013

We report a rare case of haemorrhagic colitis attributed to dasatinib therapy in a 47-year-old African-American woman who was diagnosed with extramedullary T-lymphoblastic transformation of chronic myeloid leukaemia. The patient received intensive chemotherapy and dasatinib 100 mg/day. After achieving complete cytogenetic and major molecular response after 9 months of therapy, she developed bloody diarrhoea and pancytopenia. Colonoscopy showed inflammation of the descending colon and histopathology revealed patchy increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes. Dasatinib was stopped with prompt resolution of diarrhoea. The current literature suggests that there is an association in a subset of patients on dasatinib between clonal T-cell lymphocytosis in the peripheral blood and developing colitis and pleural effusions. These patients had a good response to dasatinib as did our patient. Our patient illustrates a unique disease presentation along with a rare drug adverse event.
Zenker’s diverticulum complicating achalasia: a ‘cup-and-spill’ oesophagus
Authors: Sayles Mark , Harrison Laura , McGlashan Julian A , Grant David G
Published: December 2013

A 72-year-old woman presented with long-standing gastro-oesophageal reflux, regurgitation of swallowed food and worsening cervical dysphagia. Fluoroscopic barium oesophagography revealed a posterolateral pharyngeal pouch (Zenker’s diverticulum (ZD)) complicating a ‘cup and spill’ oesophageal deformity with a smoothly tapered segment at the gastro-oesophageal junction. CT and high-resolution manometry confirmed that the underlying abnormality was a massively dilated oesophagus with aperistalsis and pan-oesophageal pressurisation, consistent with a diagnosis of oesophageal achalasia (type II). She underwent endoscopic stapled diverticulotomy, with good symptomatic relief. We discuss the aetiology of ZD, its management and the association here with oesophageal achalasia.
Long-term trajectories of back pain: cohort study with 7-year follow-up
Authors: Dunn Kate M , Campbell Paul , Jordan Kelvin P
Published: December 2013

Objective

To describe long-term trajectories of back pain.

Design

Monthly data collection for 6 months at 7-year follow-up of participants in a prospective cohort study.

Setting

Primary care practices in Staffordshire, UK.

Participants

228 people consulting their general practitioners with back pain, on whom information on 6-month back pain trajectories had been collected during 2001–2003, and who had valid consent and contact details in 2009–2010, were contacted. 155 participants (68% of those contacted) responded and provided sufficient data for primary analyses.

Outcome measures

Trajectories based on patients’ self-reports of back pain were identified using longitudinal latent class analysis. Trajectories were characterised using information on disability, psychological status and presence of other symptoms.

Results

Four clusters with different back pain trajectories at follow-up were identified: (1) no or occasional pain, (2) persistent mild pain, (3) fluctuating pain and (4) persistent severe pain. Trajectory clusters differed significantly from each other in terms of disability, psychological status and other symptoms. Most participants remained in a similar trajectory as 7 years previously (weighted κ 0.54; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.65).

Conclusions

Most people with back pain appear to follow a particular pain trajectory over long time periods, and do not have frequently recurring or widely fluctuating patterns. The results are limited by lack of information about the time between data collection periods and by loss to follow-up. However, findings do raise questions about standard divisions into acute and chronic back pain. A new framework for understanding the course of back pain is proposed.
Effectiveness of continence promotion for older women via community organisations: a cluster randomised trial
Authors: Tannenbaum Cara , Agnew Rona , Benedetti Andrea , Thomas Doneal , van den Heuvel Eleanor
Published: December 2013

Objectives

The primary objective of this cluster randomised controlled trial was to compare the effectiveness of the three experimental continence promotion interventions against a control intervention on urinary symptom improvement in older women with untreated incontinence recruited from community organisations. A second objective was to determine whether changes in incontinence-related knowledge and new uptake of risk-modifying behaviours explain these improvements.

Setting

71 community organisations across the UK.

Participants

259 women aged 60 years and older with untreated incontinence entered the trial; 88% completed the 3-month follow-up.

Interventions

The three active interventions consisted of a single 60 min group workshop on (1) continence education (20 clusters, 64 women); (2) evidence-based self-management (17 clusters, 70 women); or (3) combined continence education and self-management (17 clusters, 61 women). The control intervention was a single 60 min educational group workshop on memory loss, polypharmacy and osteoporosis (17 clusters, 64 women).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome was self-reported improvement in incontinence 3 months postintervention at the level of the individual. The secondary outcome was change in the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ) from baseline to 3-month follow-up. Changes in incontinence-related knowledge and behaviours were also assessed.

Results

The highest rate of urinary symptom improvement occurred in the combined intervention group (66% vs 11% of the control group, prevalence difference 55%, 95% CI 43% to 67%, intracluster correlation 0). 30% versus 6% of participants reported significant improvement respectively (prevalence difference 23%, 95% CI 10% to 36%, intracluster correlation 0). The number-needed-to-treat was 2 to achieve any improvement in incontinence symptoms, and 5 to attain significant improvement. Compared to controls, participants in the combined intervention reported an adjusted mean 2.05 point (95% CI 0.87 to 3.24) greater improvement on the ICIQ from baseline to 3-month follow-up. Changes in knowledge and self-reported risk-reduction behaviours paralleled rates of improvement in all intervention arms.

Conclusions

Continence education combined with evidence-based self-management improves symptoms of incontinence among untreated older women. Community organisations represent an untapped vector for delivering effective continence promotion interventions.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ID numberNCT01239836.
Flow diverter assisted coil embolization of a very small ruptured ophthalmic artery aneurysm
Authors: Dornbos David , Pillai Promod , Sauvageau Eric
Published: December 2013

Small ruptured aneurysms present a unique problem to endovascular therapy. We report a case in which a patient presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage and a very small ruptured ophthalmic artery aneurysm, for which endovascular therapy was preferred secondary to severe cardiac comorbidities. Due to the aneurysm size, a small 1.5 mm coil was needed, but presented a significant risk of migration. Conventional stent assisted coiling was considered suboptimal as the small coil could have easily migrated through the strut. We present a novel technique of flow diverter assisted coil embolization in which a coil was placed within the aneurysm and a pipeline embolization device was then partially deployed, jailing the microcatheter and coil mass. Once in place, the coil was detached, securing the aneurysm, and preventing coil migration. Through the use of a flow diverter, some degree of aneurysm protection would still be expected in the event of coil migration toward the ophthalmic artery origin.
Waist circumference and cardiorespiratory fitness are independently associated with glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in obese women
Authors: Shalev-Goldman Einat , McGuire K. Ashlee , Ross Robert
Published: December 2013

The purpose of this study was to determine the independent associations between physical activity (PA), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), abdominal obesity and insulin action in obese women. We studied 141 abdominally obese women (waist circumference (WC): 106.4 ± 10.2 cm). PA duration (min/day) and intensity (counts/min) were obtained by accelerometry. CRF was measured using a treadmill. WC was measured at the iliac crest; abdominal adiposity was measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Glucose and insulin measures were obtained during a 75-g, 2-h glucose tolerance test. The homeostasis model of assessment iHOMA2-IS was used to estimate insulin sensitivity. PA duration and intensity were not associated with glucose or insulin metabolism (p > 0.05). However, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) duration was associated with fasting insulin and iHOMA2-IS (p < 0.01). CRF was associated with fasting insulin and iHOMA2-IS (r = 0.27, p ≤ 0.01), whereas WC was associated with fasting insulin (r = 0.50, p < 0.01) and iHOMA2-IS (r = –0.52, p ≤ 0.01). Following adjustment for CRF, MVPA, and age, WC remained associated with fasting glucose, insulin, 2-h glucose and iHOMA2-IS (r = –0.44, p ≤ 0.01). CRF was associated with fasting glucose as well as 1- and 2-h glucose (r = 0.24, p < 0.01) after adjusting for WC, MVPA, and age. MVPA was not associated with glucose or insulin measures after control for CRF and WC (p > 0.05). Mediation analysis revealed that CRF and WC combined mediated the relationship between MVPA and both glucose tolerance and insulin resistance (p < 0.05). In conclusion, among abdominally obese women, WC and CRF are independently associated with measures of glucose tolerance and insulin resistance and mediate the association between MVPA and insulin resistance.
STRUCTURAL EVOLUTIONS AND PROPERTIES OF GERMANIUM CLUSTERS DURING RAPID COOLING PROCESSES
Authors: GAO T. H. , YAN W. J. , GUO X. T. , QIN X. M. , XIE Q.
Published: December 2013

In this paper, structural evolutions of germanium cluster are studied by molecular dynamics simulations during quenching processes. Three-dimensional atomic configurations of germanium cluster are established. Our simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental ones. The structural properties of germanium are described in detail by means of several structural analysis methods. It is obtained that the 〈2, 3, 0, 0 〉 and 〈4, 0, 0, 0 〉 polyhedra play different roles in the course of liquid-to-amorphous transition. 〈4, 0, 0, 0〉 tend to be gathered together to form single crystal regions. However, 〈2, 3, 0, 0 〉 has five neighboring atoms that destroy the translational symmetry of the crystal structure, and enhances the transition barrier to crystals. Consequently, it is difficult for 〈4, 0, 0, 0 〉 to form crystal germanium at the cooling rate of 1.0 × 1010 °C/s.
EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FOR VIBRATIONAL RESONANCE AND ENHANCED SIGNAL TRANSMISSION IN CHUA'S CIRCUIT
Authors: JOTHIMURUGAN R. , THAMILMARAN K. , RAJASEKAR S. , SANJUÁN M. A. F.
Published: December 2013

We consider a single Chua's circuit and a system of a unidirectionally coupled n-Chua's circuits driven by a biharmonic signal with two widely different frequencies ω and Ω, where Ω ≫ ω. We show experimental evidence for vibrational resonance in the single Chua's circuit and undamped signal propagation of a low-frequency signal in the system of n-coupled Chua's circuits where only the first circuit is driven by the biharmonic signal. In the single circuit, we illustrate the mechanism of vibrational resonance and the influence of the biharmonic signal parameters on the resonance. In the n(=75)-coupled Chua's circuits enhanced propagation of low-frequency signal is found to occur for a wide range of values of the amplitude of the high-frequency input signal and coupling parameter. The response amplitude of the ith circuit increases with i and attains a saturation. Moreover, the unidirectional coupling is found to act as a low-pass filter.
PERIOD DOUBLING, INFORMATION ENTROPY, AND ESTIMATES FOR FEIGENBAUM'S CONSTANTS
Authors: SMITH REGINALD D.
Published: December 2013

The relationship between period-doubling bifurcations and Feigenbaum's constants has been studied for nearly 40 years and this relationship has helped uncover many fundamental aspects of universal scaling across multiple nonlinear dynamical systems. This paper will combine information entropy with symbolic dynamics to demonstrate how period doubling can be defined using these tools alone. In addition, the technique allows us to uncover some unexpected, simple estimates for Feigenbaum's constants which relate them to log 2 and the golden ratio, φ, as well as to each other.
THE DIFFERENTIAL CONSTITUTIVE EQUATION AND MODEL OF ABALONE NACRE BY NANOINDENTER
Authors: ZHANG ZHIJUN , JIA HONLEI , SUN JIYU , LING MINGZE , WANG YUEMING , TONG JIN
Published: December 2013

Nacre has a complex hierarchical microarchitecture that spans over multiple length scales from nanoscale to macroscale. Its structures are optimized leading to extraordinary mechanical performance and energy absorption. Nacre's special characteristics of the self-assembly method have attracted the interest of material scientists to develop laminated composite materials, molecular scale self-assembly and biomineralization. Nanoindentation testing can determine a material's anisotropic properties through a single indentation. In the present study, nanoindentation stress–strain curves were used to characterize the complete mechanical behavior of nacre of abalone shell. A differential constitutive equation was developed with time-dependent spring constants k and viscosities η. Furthermore, to describe the complex viscoelastic behavior of abalone nacre, a descriptive representation of the linear viscoelasticity law for the multilayer matrix was formulated. A qualitative model for the relationship between nacre structure and mechanical properties of nacre may help develop bionic composite materials for micro-aircraft, bionic tribology, bionic medical apparatus and bionic organs (tissue engineering).
DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF AN AIRBAG BRACE SYSTEM FOR IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS SUBJECTS
Authors: YANG WEN-CHIEH , LIU GERALD , WU CHU-LUNG , SU KUO-CHIH , CHANG CHIH-HAN
Published: December 2013

There are disadvantages, especially from biomechanical viewpoint, to treating idiopathic scoliosis (IS) patients using traditional Boston braces with pressure pads. The major problem is the higher stiffness of the pressure pad as compared to the soft-tissue of the trunk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Boston braces in which the pressure pad was replaced by the deformable airbag. A custom-made airbag brace which was designed based on the three-point compression principle of the Boston brace was prescribed to each of the 20 IS subjects with a mean age of 11.8 ± 2.8 years old. To evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment, the scoliosis Cobb angles before the treatment and after a follow-up period were measured from AP X-rays. The mean follow-up period was 11.5 ± 6.6 months. In addition, three interface parameters — contact pressure, contact area, and contact force — under seven postures — upright, flexion, extension, left side bending, right side bending, left side rotation and right side rotation — were measured using pressure mats to investigate interface conditions between airbags and skin. During the follow-up, all scoliosis curves showed Cobb angle reduction except one thoracic curve, which increased by one degree. The Cobb angle in the thoracic region decreased from 37.3 ± 10.6° to 27.3 ± 10.1° with a mean decreasing of 9.9 ± 5.9°. The Cobb angle in the lumbar region decreased from 30.1 ± 6.9° to 17.7 ± 8.6° with a mean decreasing of 12.4 ± 4.9°. Changes in the three interface parameters for the seven postures were insignificant. This indicated that the airbag brace could provide sufficient continuous corrective force. Using the airbag, instead of the pressure pad to provide the corrective force in the brace system can effectively correct the spinal curve caused by scoliosis. Easy adjustment and direct control of airbag pressure might be the key factor to the success of the airbag brace.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS IN AGILE TEAMS
Authors: DRURY-GROGAN MEGHANN L. , O'DWYER ORLA
Published: December 2013

This paper first explores the decision-making process in agile teams using scrum practices and second identifies factors that influence the decision-making process during the Sprint Planning and Daily Scrum Meetings. We conducted 34 semi-structured interviews and 18 observations across four agile teams. Our findings show that a rational decision-making process is sometimes followed in the Sprint Planning and Daily Scrum Meetings and that three factors can influence the rational decision-making process: sprint duration, experience and resource availability. Additionally, decisions are not always made in a collaborative manner by team members. This research contributes to the decision-making literature and project management literature by highlighting difficulties pertinent to decision making in agile teams.