bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Propranolol Treatment of Infantile Hemangiomas: Anticipatory Guidance for Parents and Caretakers
Authors: Martin Kari , Bleib Francine , Chamlin Sarah L. , Chiu Yvonne E. , Frieden Ilona J. , Frommelt Peter C. , Garzon Maria C. , Kwon Eun‐Kyung M. , MacLellan‐Tobert Susan , Mancini Anthony J. , Seefeldt Marcia , Sidbury Robert , Siegel Dawn H. , Drolet Beth A. , Boucek Robert J.
Published: January 2013

Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are benign tumors of endothelial‐like cells. Occurring in 4.5% of children, they are the most common tumor of childhood. The great majority of patients with IH will not need treatment, but 10% require systemic treatment. Many treatments have been described for the treatment of IH, but the Food and Drug Administration has not approved any. Over the last decade, numerous reports of successful treatment of IH with propranolol have been published. Despite its widespread use, little is known regarding the proper dosing, safety monitoring, and during of treatment or long‐term outcomes for propranolol treatment of IH. Given its potential side effects, detailed education regarding proper administration of the medication as well as warning signs to watch for is necessary for parents and caretakers. Herein, we provide a parental handout that practitioners can individually tailor for use in their clinics when educating parents and caretakers about the use of propranolol for IH. Updates will also need to be made as more is learned regarding the optimal dosing and safety monitoring when using propranolol for this indication.
Getting What the Occupation Gives: Exploring Multilevel Links Between Work Design and Occupational Values
Authors: Dierdorff Erich C. , Morgeson Frederick P.
Published: January 2013

The history of work design research is voluminous and compelling. Thousands of studies have demonstrated the wide‐reaching and powerful impact the design of work can have on a host of meaningful outcomes. Yet, absent in much of this research is an explicit consideration of the context within which work is performed and how this context might impact work design. Drawing from the theory of work adjustment, we describe the different ways in which occupations are linked to work design. In a sample of 805 individuals from 230 occupations, our multilevel examinations show the occupational‐level values of achievement, independence, altruism, status, and comfort are related to a variety of work characteristics. In addition, we found that work characteristics are key mechanisms through which these occupational values affect individual‐level job satisfaction. Implications of these results for work design theory and practice are discussed.
Core Knowledge Employee Creativity and Firm Performance: The Moderating Role of Riskiness Orientation, Firm Size, and Realized Absorptive Capacity
Authors: Gong Yaping , Zhou Jing , Chang Song
Published: January 2013

In this study, we examine when creativity is positively or negatively related to firm performance. Building on the creation–implementation tension theorized in the literature and the attention capacity perspective, we argue that the relationship between creativity and firm performance is contingent on riskiness orientation, firm size, and realized absorptive capacity. Data were collected from 761 core knowledge employees, 148 CEOs, and 148 HR executives from 148 high‐technology firms. The results indicated that core knowledge employee creativity was negatively related to firm performance when riskiness orientation was high. The relationship was positive when realized absorptive capacity was high. Finally, the relationship was more positive in small firms than in large firms. We discuss the implications of our findings for creativity research and managerial practices.
Mesenchymal stem cells and the lung
Authors: Sinclair Kenneth , Yerkovich Stephanie T. , Chambers Daniel C.
Published: January 2013

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are a population of tissue‐resident adult progenitor cells that were originally identified in bone marrow, but have now been identified in many organs including the lung. Although their precise role in organ function remains incompletely defined, mounting evidence suggests that they are an important component of the parenchymal progenitor cell niche and orchestrate organ homeostasis and repair following injury. In this review, what is known about MSC biology will be outlined with particular emphasis on lung biology, and the therapeutic potential of MSC‐based cell therapy will also be highlighted.
Education and counselling group intervention for women treated for gynaecological cancer: does it help?
Authors: Sekse Ragnhild Johanne Tveit , Blaaka Gunnhild , Buestad Ingjerd , Tengesdal Ellen , Paulsen Anita , Vika Margrethe
Published: January 2013

Background

Women who have been through gynaecological cancer, experience challenges on many levels after diagnosis and treatment. Studies show that, in order to help women in their rehabilitation process, there is a need for holistic care and follow‐up.

Aim

The aim of this qualitative study is to provide insight into women's own lived experiences of participating in an education and counselling group intervention after curative treatment for gynaecological cancer.

Method

A qualitative study based on data from three focus groups with 17 women who had participated in a nurse‐led education and counselling group intervention after treatment for gynaecological cancer.

Results

The main findings show that participation in the rehabilitation group was described as a special community of mutual understanding and belonging. Education and the sharing of knowledge provided a clearer vocabulary for, and understanding of, the women's own lived experiences. The presence of dedicated and professional care workers was reported to be essential for the outcome of the group intervention.

Conclusion

Attending a nurse‐led education and counselling group intervention had a positive impact on various aspects of the women's lived experiences. The programme also provided professionals with important insights into the patients' views and feelings regarding cancer treatment, trajectories and rehabilitation. This knowledge has already proven itself useful in clinical practice for improving staff communication skills and psycho‐social support related to gynaecological cancer care.
A Genome-Wide siRNA Screen Reveals Positive and Negative Regulators of the NOD2 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways
Authors: Warner Neil , Burberry Aaron , Franchi Luigi , Kim Yun-Gi , McDonald Christine , Sartor Maureen A. , Núñez Gabriel
Published: January 2013

A small interfering RNA screen provides insight into the mechanisms of Crohn’s disease pathogenesis.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 15 January 2013
Authors: Núñez Gabriel , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: January 2013

Identification of inflammatory response regulators sheds light on disease.
Inflammatory Cytokines at the Summits of Pathological Signal Cascades in Brain Diseases
Authors: Steinman Lawrence
Published: January 2013

Four cytokines play complex roles in neuroinflammatory diseases.
Stress Protector
Authors: Ray L. Bryan
Published: January 2013

Ketone bodies, metabolites that accumulate during fasting, change gene expression by inhibiting histone deacetylases.
The Adult Astrocyte Is Different
Authors: Stern Peter R.
Published: January 2013

The expression of metabotropic glutamate receptors in brain astrocytes is down-regulated in early postnatal development.
Fungal Wanderlust
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: January 2013

Yeast use a wandering polarity patch to track chemical gradients and identify appropriate mating partners.
Activation and Inactivation of Caspase-8 by Ubiquitylation
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: January 2013

Whereas Cullin3-mediated ubiquitylation of caspase-8 promotes its activation, ubiquitylation by TRAF2 promotes its degradation.
Tryptophan Inhibits Biofilm Formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Brandenburg Kenneth S. , Rodriguez Karien J. , McAnulty Jonathan F. , Murphy Christopher J. , Abbott Nicholas L. , Schurr Michael J. , Czuprynski Charles J.
Published: January 2013

Biofilm formation by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
has been implicated in the pathology of chronic wounds. Both the
d
and
l
isoforms of tryptophan inhibited
P. aeruginosa
biofilm formation on tissue culture plates, with an equimolar ratio of
d
and
l
isoforms producing the greatest inhibitory effect. Addition of
d
-/
l
-tryptophan to existing biofilms inhibited further biofilm growth and caused partial biofilm disassembly. Tryptophan significantly increased swimming motility, which may be responsible in part for diminished biofilm formation by
P. aeruginosa
.
A New Local Variant (ST764) of the Globally Disseminated ST5 Lineage of Hospital-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Carrying the Virulence Determinants of Community-Associated MRSA
Authors: Takano Tomomi , Hung Wei-Chun , Shibuya Michiko , Higuchi Wataru , Iwao Yasuhisa , Nishiyama Akihito , Reva Ivan , Khokhlova Olga E. , Yabe Shizuka , Ozaki Kyoko , Takano Misao , Yamamoto Tatsuo
Published: January 2013

The ST5 lineage of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) is one of the most globally disseminated hospital-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) lineages. We isolated a new local variant (designated ST764) over at least 5 years that causes invasive infections, including necrotizing fasciitis, and is carried by medical students, as well as household members. Analysis of the genome sequence of one isolate compared to that of the reference ST5 strain revealed that ST764 had acquired virulence traits similar to those of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) through the acquisition of two new mobile genetic elements, ACMEII and SaPInn54, which carried ACME
arcA
and the staphylococcal enterotoxin B gene (
seb
), respectively, and through enhanced expression of cytolytic peptide genes, although ST764 was negative for Panton-Valentine leukocidin. Other differences between ST764 and ST5 included the acquisition of an ACMEII-related cassette (cJR1), prophage φ2
NN54
, and streptococcal Tn
5251
and decreased numbers of copies of Tn
554
. As for superantigen genes, although the two possessed
seg
,
sei
,
sem
,
sen
, and
seo
, ST764 lacked
tst
,
sec
,
sel
, and
sep
. The data suggest that ST764 MRSA is a novel hybrid variant of ST5 HA-MRSA with the characteristics of CA-MRSA and that the evolution of ST764 includes multiple steps, e.g., acquisition of novel or nonstaphylococcal mobile elements.
Emergence of Imipenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacilli in Intestinal Flora of Intensive Care Patients
Authors: Armand-Lefèvre Laurence , Angebault Cécile , Barbier François , Hamelet Emilie , Defrance Gilles , Ruppé Etienne , Bronchard Régis , Lepeule Raphaël , Lucet Jean-Christophe , El Mniai Assiya , Wolff Michel , Montravers Philippe , Plésiat Patrick , Andremont Antoine
Published: January 2013

Intestinal flora contains a reservoir of Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) resistant to cephalosporins, which are potentially pathogenic for intensive care unit (ICU) patients; this has led to increasing use of carbapenems. The emergence of carbapenem resistance is a major concern for ICUs. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to assess the intestinal carriage of imipenem-resistant GNB (IR-GNB) in intensive care patients. For 6 months, 523 consecutive ICU patients were screened for rectal IR-GNB colonization upon admission and weekly thereafter. The phenotypes and genotypes of all isolates were determined, and a case control study was performed to identify risk factors for colonization. The IR-GNB colonization rate increased regularly from 5.6% after 1 week to 58.6% after 6 weeks in the ICU. In all, 56 IR-GNB strains were collected from 50 patients: 36
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
strains, 12
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
strains, 6
Enterobacteriaceae
strains, and 2
Acinetobacter baumannii
strains. In
P. aeruginosa
, imipenem resistance was due to chromosomally encoded resistance (32 strains) or carbapenemase production (4 strains). In the
Enterobacteriaceae
strains, resistance was due to AmpC cephalosporinase and/or extended-spectrum β-lactamase production with porin loss. Genomic comparison showed that the strains were highly diverse, with 8 exceptions (4 VIM-2 carbapenemase-producing
P. aeruginosa
strains, 2
Klebsiella pneumoniae
strains, and 2
S. maltophilia
strains). The main risk factor for IR-GNB colonization was prior imipenem exposure. The odds ratio for colonization was already as high as 5.9 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.5 to 25.7) after 1 to 3 days of exposure and increased to 7.8 (95% CI, 2.4 to 29.8) thereafter. In conclusion, even brief exposure to imipenem is a major risk factor for IR-GNB carriage.
Elucidating the Regulon of Multidrug Resistance Regulator RarA in Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: De Majumdar Shyamasree , Veleba Mark , Finn Sarah , Fanning Séamus , Schneiders Thamarai
Published: January 2013

RarA is an AraC-type regulator in
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, which, when overexpressed, confers a low-level multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotype linked to the upregulation of both the
acrAB
and
oqxAB
efflux genes. Increased
rarA
expression has also been shown to be integral in the development of tigecycline resistance in the absence of
ramA
in
K. pneumoniae
. Given its phenotypic role in MDR, microarray analyses were performed to determine the RarA regulon. Transcriptome analysis was undertaken using strains Ecl8Δ
rarA
/pACrarA-2 (
rarA
-expressing construct) and Ecl8Δ
rarA
/pACYC184 (vector-only control) using bespoke microarray slides consisting of probes derived from the genomic sequences of
K. pneumoniae
MGH 78578 (NC_009648.1) and Kp342 (NC_011283.1). Our results show that
rarA
overexpression resulted in the differential expression of 66 genes (42 upregulated and 24 downregulated). Under the COG (clusters of orthologous groups) functional classification, the majority of affected genes belonged to the category of cell envelope biogenesis and posttranslational modification, along with genes encoding the previously uncharacterized transport proteins (e.g., KPN_03141,
sdaCB
, and
leuE
) and the porin OmpF. However, genes associated with energy production and conversion and amino acid transport/metabolism (e.g.,
nuoA
,
narJ
, and
proWX
) were found to be downregulated. Biolog phenotype analyses demonstrated that
rarA
overexpression confers enhanced growth of the overexpresser in the presence of several antibiotic classes (i.e., beta-lactams and fluoroquinolones), the antifungal/antiprotozoal compound clioquinol, disinfectants (8-hydroxyquinoline), protein synthesis inhibitors (i.e., minocycline and puromycin), membrane biogenesis agents (polymyxin B and amitriptyline), DNA synthesis (furaltadone), and the cytokinesis inhibitor (sanguinarine). Both our transcriptome and phenotypic microarray data support and extend the role of RarA in the MDR phenotype of
K. pneumoniae
.
High Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance and Molecular Characterization of Integrons among Shigella Isolates in Eastern China
Authors: Shen Yun , Qian Huimin , Gong Junjun , Deng Feifei , Dong Chen , Zhou Lu , Guo Hongxiong
Published: January 2013

A total of 747
Shigella
isolates were collected from hospitals in Jiangsu Province of China. Susceptibilities to antimicrobials and integrons were tested. A total of 78.3% of
S. flexneri
isolates and a total of 74.3%
S. sonei
isolates were resistant to at least three antibiotics. Of the
Shigella
isolates, 74.7% had integron I and 82.6% had integron II. The conjunction of the high prevalence of integrons in
Shigella
and high resistance to antimicrobials will lead to rapid dissemination of resistant genes in this region.
Streptomycin Inhibits Quorum Sensing in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Saroj Sunil D. , Rather Philip N.
Published: January 2013

Streptomycin at subinhibitory concentrations was found to inhibit quorum sensing in
Acinetobacter baumannii
. Conditioned medium prepared by growth of
A. baumannii
in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of streptomycin exhibited reduced activation of two quorum-sensing-regulated genes,
abaI
, encoding an autoinducer synthase, and A1S_0112. The reduced expression of AbaI resulted in greatly decreased levels of 3-OH-C
12
-HSL as confirmed by direct analysis using thin-layer chromatography. The effect on acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) signal production was specific to streptomycin, as gentamicin and myomycin had no significant effect at subinhibitory levels.
Involvement of MarR and YedS in Carbapenem Resistance in a Clinical Isolate of Escherichia coli from China
Authors: Warner Douglas M. , Yang Qiwen , Duval Valérie , Chen Minjun , Xu Yingchun , Levy Stuart B.
Published: January 2013

A carbapenem-resistant clinical isolate of
Escherichia coli
, which lacked OmpF and OmpC porins, carried a
marR
mutation and expressed a functional
yedS
, a normally nontranslated gene. MarR and YedS are described here as having effects on the ability of this strain to resist carbapenems. Additionally, expression of YedS was regulated by the small RNA MicF in a MarA-dependent way. These findings illustrate how broadly bacteria can mutate within a selective clinical setting, in this case, resistance to carbapenems, by altering three porin genes and one regulatory gene.
Recycling of Peptidyl-tRNAs by Peptidyl-tRNA Hydrolase Counteracts Azithromycin-Mediated Effects on Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Gödeke Julia , Pustelny Christian , Häussler Susanne
Published: January 2013

Acute and chronic infections caused by the opportunistic pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
pose a serious threat to human health worldwide, and its increasing resistance to antibiotics requires alternative treatments that are more effective than available strategies. Clinical studies have clearly demonstrated that cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with chronic
P. aeruginosa
infections benefit from long-term low-dose azithromycin (AZM) treatment. Immunomodulating activity, the impact of AZM on the expression of quorum-sensing-dependent virulence factors, type three secretion, and motility in
P. aeruginosa
seem to contribute to the therapeutic response. However, to date, the molecular mechanisms underlying these AZM effects have remained elusive. Our data indicate that the AZM-mediated phenotype is caused by a depletion of the intracellular pools of tRNAs available for protein synthesis. Overexpression of the
P. aeruginosa
peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase, which recycles the tRNA from peptidyl-tRNA drop-off during translation, counteracted the effects of AZM on stationary-phase cell killing, cytotoxicity, and the production of rhamnolipids and partially restored swarming motility. Intriguingly, the exchange of a rare for a frequent codon in
rhlR
also explicitly diminished the AZM-mediated decreased production of rhamnolipids. These results indicate that depletion of the tRNA pools by AZM seems to affect the translation of genes that use rare aminoacyl-tRNA isoacceptors to a great extent and might explain the selective activity of AZM on the
P. aeruginosa
proteome and possibly also on the protein expression profiles of other bacterial pathogens.
Nicotinic Acid Modulates Legionella pneumophila Gene Expression and Induces Virulence Traits
Authors: Edwards Rachel L. , Bryan Andrew , Jules Matthieu , Harada Kaoru , Buchrieser Carmen , Swanson Michele S.
Published: January 2013

In response to environmental fluctuations or stresses, bacteria can activate transcriptional and phenotypic programs to coordinate an adaptive response. The intracellular pathogen
Legionella pneumophila
converts from a noninfectious replicative form to an infectious transmissive form when the bacterium encounters alterations in either amino acid concentrations or fatty acid biosynthesis. Here, we report that
L. pneumophila
differentiation is also triggered by nicotinic acid, a precursor of the central metabolite NAD
+
. In particular, when replicative
L. pneumophila
are treated with 5 mM nicotinic acid, the bacteria induce numerous transmissive-phase phenotypes, including motility, cytotoxicity toward macrophages, sodium sensitivity, and lysosome avoidance. Transcriptional profile analysis determined that nicotinic acid induces the expression of a panel of genes characteristic of transmissive-phase
L. pneumophila
. Moreover, an additional 213 genes specific to nicotinic acid treatment were altered. Although nearly 25% of these genes lack an assigned function, the gene most highly induced by nicotinic acid treatment encodes a putative major facilitator superfamily transporter, Lpg0273. Indeed,
lpg0273
protects
L. pneumophila
from toxic concentrations of nicotinic acid as judged by analyzing the growth of the corresponding mutant. The broad utility of the nicotinic acid pathway to couple central metabolism and cell fate is underscored by this small metabolite's modulation of gene expression by diverse microbes, including
Candida glabrata
,
Bordetella pertussis
,
Escherichia coli
, and
L. pneumophila
.
Diverse Genetic Regulon of the Virulence-Associated Transcriptional Regulator MucR in Brucella abortus 2308
Authors: Caswell Clayton C. , Elhassanny Ahmed E. M. , Planchin Emilie E. , Roux Christelle M. , Weeks-Gorospe Jenni N. , Ficht Thomas A. , Dunman Paul M. , Roop R. Martin
Published: January 2013

The Ros-type regulator MucR is one of the few transcriptional regulators that have been linked to virulence in
Brucella
. Here, we show that a
Brucella abortus
in-frame
mucR
deletion strain exhibits a pronounced growth defect during
in vitro
cultivation and, more importantly, that the
mucR
mutant is attenuated in cultured macrophages and in mice. The genetic basis for the attenuation of
Brucella mucR
mutants has not been defined previously, but in the present study the genes regulated by MucR in
B. abortus
have been elucidated using microarray analysis and real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). In
B. abortus
2308, MucR regulates a wide variety of genes whose products may function in establishing and maintaining cell envelope integrity, polysaccharide biosynthesis, iron homeostasis, genome plasticity, and transcriptional regulation. Particularly notable among the MucR-regulated genes identified is
arsR6
(
nolR
), which encodes a transcriptional regulator previously linked to virulence in
Brucella melitensis
16 M. Importantly, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) determined that a recombinant MucR protein binds directly to the promoter regions of several genes repressed by MucR (including
arsR6
[
nolR
]), and in
Brucella
, as in other alphaproteobacteria, MucR binds to its own promoter to repress expression of the gene that encodes it. Overall, these studies have uncovered the diverse genetic regulon of MucR in
Brucella
, and in doing so this work has begun to define the MucR-controlled genetic circuitry whose misregulation contributes to the virulence defect of
Brucella mucR
mutants.
A Lysozyme-Like Protein in Brucella abortus Is Involved in the Early Stages of Intracellular Replication
Authors: Del Giudice Mariela G. , Ugalde Juan E. , Czibener Cecilia
Published: January 2013

Secretion of proteins in Gram-negative bacteria is a high-energy-consuming process that requires translocation across two membranes and a periplasmic space composed of a mesh-like layer, the peptidoglycan. To achieve this, bacteria have evolved complex secretion systems that cross these barriers, and in many cases there are specific peptidoglycanases that degrade the peptidoglycan to allow the proper assembly of the secretion machinery. We describe here the identification and characterization of a muramidase in
Brucella abortus
that participates in the intracellular multiplication in professional and nonprofessional phagocytes. We demonstrated that this protein has peptidoglycanase activity, that a strain with a clean deletion of the gene displayed a defect in the early stages of the intracellular multiplication curve, and that this is dependent on the lytic activity. While neither the attachment nor the invasion of the strain was affected, we demonstrated that it had a defect in excluding the lysosomal marker LAMP-1 but not in acquiring the reticulum endoplasmic marker calnexin, indicating that the gene participates in the early stages of the intracellular trafficking but not in the establishment of the replicative niche. Analysis of the assembly status and functionality of the VirB secretion apparatus indicated that the mutant has affected the proper function of this central virulence factor.
Increased Accumulation of Regulatory Granulocytic Myeloid Cells in Mannose Receptor C Type 1-Deficient Mice Correlates with Protection in a Mouse Model of Neurocysticercosis
Authors: Mishra Pramod Kumar , Morris Elizabeth G. , Garcia Jenny A. , Cardona Astrid E. , Teale Judy M.
Published: January 2013

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a central nervous system (CNS) infection caused by the metacestode stage of the parasiteTaenia solium. During NCC, the parasites release immunodominant glycan antigens in the CNS environment, invoking immune responses. The majority of the associated pathogenesis is attributed to the immune response against the parasites. Glycans from a number of pathogens, including helminths, act as pathogen-associated molecular pattern molecules (PAMPs), which are recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) known as C-type lectin receptors (CLRs). Using a mouse model of NCC by infection with the related parasiteMesocestoides corti, we have investigated the role of mannose receptor C type 1 (MRC1), a CLR which recognizes high-mannose-containing glycan antigens. Here we show that MRC1−/−mice exhibit increased survival times after infection compared with their wild-type (WT) counterparts. The decreased disease severity correlates with reduced levels of expression of markers implicated in NCC pathology, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, CCL5, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), in addition to induction of an important repair marker, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). Furthermore, the immune cell subsets that infiltrate the brain of MRC1−/−mice are dramatically altered and characterized by reduced numbers of T cells and the accumulation of granulocytic cells with an immune phenotype resembling granulocytic myeloid-dependent suppressor cells (gMDSCs). The results suggest that MRC1 plays a critical role in myeloid plasticity, which in turn affects the adaptive immune response and immunopathogenesis during murine NCC.
Characterization of a Distinct Host Response Profile to Pneumocystismurina Asci during Clearance of Pneumocystis Pneumonia
Authors: Linke Michael J. , Ashbaugh Alan , Collins Margaret S. , Lynch Keeley , Cushion Melanie T.
Published: January 2013

Pneumocystisspp. are yeast-like fungi that cause pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) in immunocompromised individuals and exacerbate chronic lung diseases in immunocompetent individuals. ThePneumocystislife cycle includes trophic forms and asci (cyst forms). The cell walls ofPneumocystisasci contain β-1,3-d-glucan, and treatment of PcP with β-1,3-d-glucan synthase inhibitors, such as anidulafungin, results in depletion of asci, but not trophic forms. The pulmonary host response during immune reconstitution (IR)-mediated clearance of PcP in anidulafungin-treated and untreated mice was characterized to identify ascus-specific responses. During IR, similar numbers of trophic forms were present in the anidulafungin-treated and untreated mice; however, asci were only present in the untreated mice. IR resulted in a significant reduction of trophic forms from the lungs in both groups and asci in the untreated group. The presence of asci in untreated mice correlated with increased β-glucan content in the lungs. The untreated mice mounted immune responses associated with a deleterious host inflammatory response, including increased CD8+T cell influx and expression of macrophage inflammatory response markers. A more robust cellular response was also observed in the untreated mice, with increased numbers of macrophages and neutrophils that were associated with greater lung damage. Markers of a Th17 response were also elevated in the untreated mice. These results suggest that the host mounts unique responses to asci and trophic forms. That these 2 life cycle stages provoked distinct host response profiles has significant implications for clearance and interpretation of the host immune responses to PcP.
Vaccine Protection against Bacillus cereus-Mediated Respiratory Anthrax-Like Disease in Mice
Authors: Oh So-Young , Maier Hannah , Schroeder Jay , Richter G. Stefan , Elli Derek , Musser James M. , Quenee Lauriane E. , Missiakas Dominique M. , Schneewind Olaf
Published: January 2013

Bacillus cereus
strains harboring a pXO1-like virulence plasmid cause respiratory anthrax-like disease in humans, particularly in welders. We developed mouse models for intraperitoneal as well as aerosol challenge with spores of
B. cereus
G9241, harboring pBCXO1 and pBC218 virulence plasmids. Compared to wild-type
B. cereus
G9241, spores with a deletion of the pBCXO1-carried protective antigen gene (
pagA1
) were severely attenuated, whereas spores with a deletion of the pBC218-carried protective antigen homologue (
pagA2
) were not. Anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA) immunization raised antibodies that bound and neutralized the
pagA1
-encoded protective antigen (PA1) but not the PA2 orthologue encoded by
pagA2
. AVA immunization protected mice against a lethal challenge with spores from
B. cereus
G9241 or
B. cereus
Elc4, a strain that had been isolated from a fatal case of anthrax-like disease. As the pathogenesis of
B. cereus
anthrax-like disease in mice is dependent on
pagA1
and PA-neutralizing antibodies provide protection, AVA immunization may also protect humans from respiratory anthrax-like death.
Anaphylaxis to ibuprofen in a 12-year-old boy
Authors: Kay Emily , Ben-Shoshan Moshe
Published: January 2013

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) drugs are a group of medications acting through cyclooxygenase  (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase  (COX-2) enzymes inhibition. Hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs, although not rare, are poorly characterised and often go undiagnosed especially in children. We present in this paper a case of ibuprofen anaphylaxis that exemplifies the challenges involved in diagnosis and management of hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs.
Objectively measured physical activity levels of children and adolescents in rural South Africa: High volume of physical activity at low intensity
Authors: Craig Eva , Bland Ruth , Reilly John
Published: January 2013

There is limited evidence on objectively measured physical activity from Africa. This study quantified physical activity by accelerometry in rural South African children at ages 7, 11, and 15 years. Total physical activity was generally high (mean accelerometer counts per minute ranged 485–1017 across the 3 groups), but moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity was low: <1% of the sample met international recommendations. A low intensity, high volume of physical activity is present in rural South African children and adolescents.
Total body water and its compartments are not affected by ingesting a moderate dose of caffeine in healthy young adult males
Authors: Silva Analiza M. , Júdice Pedro B. , Matias Catarina N. , Santos Diana A. , Magalhães João P. , St-Onge Marie-Pierre , Gonçalves Ezequiel M. , Armada-da-Silva Paulo , Sardinha Luís B.
Published: January 2013

Acute and chronic caffeine intakes have no impact on hydration status (R.J. Maughan and J. Griffin, J. Hum. Nutr. Diet. 16(6): 411–420, 2003), although no research has been conducted to analyze the effects using dilution techniques on total-body water (TBW) and its compartments. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a moderate dose of caffeine on TBW, extracellular water (ECW), and intracellular water (ICW) during a 4-day period in active males. Thirty men, nonsmokers and low caffeine users (<100 mg·day−1), aged 20–39 years, participated in this double-blind, randomized, crossover trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: No. NCT01477294). The study included 2 conditions (5 mg·kg−1·day−1 of caffeine and placebo (malt-dextrin)) of 4 days each, with a 3-day washout period. TBW and ECW were assessed by deuterium oxide and sodium bromide dilution, respectively, whereas ICW was calculated as TBW minus ECW. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Physical activity (PA) was assessed by accelerometry and water intake was assessed by dietary records. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test main effects. No changes in TBW, ECW, or ICW and no interaction between the randomly assigned order of treatment and time were observed (p > 0.05). TBW, ECW, and ICW were unrelated to fat-free mass, water ingestion, and PA (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that a moderate caffeine dose, equivalent to approximately 5 espresso cups of coffee or 7 servings of tea, does not alter TBW and fluid distribution in healthy men, regardless of body composition, PA, or daily water ingestion.
Further studies toward himandrine via sequential oxidative amidation – intramolecular Diels–Alder reactions
Authors: Kasahara Takahito , Ciufolini Marco A.
Published: January 2013

Exploratory work toward the alkaloid himandrine evaluated the directing ability of a pyrrolidine C-3 substituent in a diastereotopic group elective intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction of a spirodienone obtained by the oxidative amidation of a phenol. The study also defined a technique for the construction of ring D of the alkaloid.
Plausible families of compact objects with a nonlocal equation of state
Authors: Hernández H. , Núñez L.A.
Published: January 2013

We present the plausibility of some models emerging from an algorithm devised to generate a one-parameter family of interior solutions for the Einstein equations. We explore how their physical variables change as the family parameter varies. The models studied correspond to anisotropic spherical matter configurations having a nonlocal equation of state. This particular type of equation of state, with no causality problems, provides at a given point the radial pressure not only as a function of the density but as a functional of the enclosed matter distribution. We have found that there are several model-independent tendencies as the parameter increases: the equation of state tends to be stiffer and the total mass becomes half of its external radius. Profiting from the concept of cracking of materials in general relativity, we obtain that these models become more potentially stable as the family parameter increases.
Chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia prevents cardiac dysfunction through enhancing antioxidation in fructose-fed rats
Authors: Zhou Jing-Jing , Wei Yan , Zhang Li , Zhang Jiao , Guo Lan-Ying , Gao Chao , Li De-Pei , Zhang Yi
Published: January 2013

High-fructose intake induces metabolic syndrome and cardiac dysfunction. Chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CIHH) preserves cardiac function during ischemia. We hypothesized that CIHH restores the impaired cardiac function in fructose-fed rats. Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly subject to treatment with fructose (10% fructose in drinking water for 6 weeks), CIHH (simulated 5000 m altitude, 6 h/day for 6 weeks in a hypobaric chamber), and CIHH plus fructose groups. In addition to an increase in blood pressure, fructose feeding caused elevated serum levels of glucose, fasting insulin and insulin C peptide, triglyceride, cholesterol, and mass ratio of heart to body. CIHH treatment decreased the arterial blood pressure, serum levels of biochemical markers, and cardiac hypertrophy in fructose-fed rats. Furthermore, CIHH treatment improved the recovery of left ventricular function after ischemia–reperfusion procedure (30 min global no-flow ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion) in rats with or without fructose feeding. In addition, CIHH treatment caused a significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decrease in malondialdehyde level in cardiac myocardium experiencing ischemia–reperfusion in control and fructose-fed rats. Collectively, these data suggest that CIHH improve impaired cardiac function in fructose-fed rats through enhancing antioxidation in the myocardium.
Triton X-100 inhibits L-type voltage-operated calcium channels
Authors: Narang Deepak , Kerr Paul M. , Baserman Jason , Tam Raymond , Yang Wei , Searle Gavin , Manning-Fox Jocelyn E. , Paulsen Isabelle M. , Kozuska Janna L. , MacDonald Patrick E. , Light Peter E. , Holt Andrew , Plane Frances
Published: January 2013

Triton X-100 (TX-100) is a nonionic detergent frequently used at millimolar concentrations to disrupt cell membranes and solubilize proteins. At low micromolar concentrations, TX-100 has been reported to inhibit the function of potassium channels. Here, we have used electrophysiological and functional techniques to examine the effects of TX-100 on another class of ion channels, L-type voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCCs). TX-100 (30 nmol·L–1to 3 μmol·L–1) caused reversible concentration-dependent inhibition of recombinant L-type VOCC (CaV1.2) currents and of native L-type VOCC currents recorded from rat vascular smooth muscle cells and cardiac myocytes, and murine and human pancreatic β-cells. In functional studies, TX-100 (165 nmol·L–1to 3.4 μmol·L–1) caused concentration-dependent relaxation of rat isolated mesenteric resistance arteries prestimulated with phenylephrine or KCl. This effect was independent of the endothelium. TX-100 (1.6 μmol·L–1) inhibited depolarization-induced exocytosis in both murine and human isolated pancreatic β-cells. These data indicate that at concentrations within the nanomolar to low micromolar range, TX-100 significantly inhibits L-type VOCC activity in a number of cell types, an effect paralleled by inhibition of cell functions dependent upon activation of these channels. This inhibition occurs at concentrations below those used to solubilize proteins and may compromise the use of solutions containing TX-100 in bioassays.
Habitat associations of Rafinesque’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) and their lepidopteran prey in bottomland hardwood forests
Authors: Johnson J.S. , Lacki M.J.
Published: January 2013

Effective conservation of forest bats requires knowledge of daytime and nocturnal habitat use. Although many bat species use different habitats during the daytime and nighttime hours, these data are rarely collected simultaneously. We radio-tagged 48 adult Rafinesque’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus rafinesquii (Lesson, 1827)) in a bottomland hardwood forest in Kentucky from 2009 to 2011. We tracked bats to 64 day roosts over 549 bat-days and found bats roosted almost exclusively in trees located in forested wetlands (n = 59; 92%), and that reproductive females established their home ranges closest to these habitats (P < 0.0001). Although few (n = 4; 6%) roosts were located in deciduous forests on drier soils, these forests were important foraging habitats for pregnant females, which foraged closest to these habitats within their home ranges (P = 0.04). Abundance of Lepidoptera differed among habitats (P = 0.03), with higher abundance in deciduous forests and along forest–field edges. Deciduous forests were the only habitat preferentially selected by any lepidopteran family (Notodontidae), and the only habitat not avoided by any family. These data confirm the importance of forested wetlands to the ecology of Rafinesque’s big-eared bat and demonstrate the benefit of proximally located deciduous forests that provide habitat for their moth prey.
Interactions between the short-tailed mouse (Mus spretus) and the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus): diet overlap revealed by stable isotopes
Authors: Bauduin Sarah , Cassaing Jacques , Issam Moussa , Martin Céline
Published: January 2013

Extensive niche overlap between closely related species generally leads to aggressive interactions and competition. The short-tailed mouse (Mus spretus Lataste, 1883) and the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus (L., 1758)) show a large habitat overlap without aggressive interactions. The present study investigates the existence of food competition between these species, based on an analysis of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes. An almost exhaustive sample of plants, which were potential food resources, was taken and analyzed to infer the consumed plants in mouse diets. The main result showed that both species had a similar diet composition, consisting exclusively of seeds and fruits. This suggests that no competition for food between these species is apparent, or if it exists it would be minimized by a differential exploitation of resources. In the absence of food and space competition,the short-tailed mouse may be using the presence of the wood mouse as an indicator of habitat food quality. In the case of wood mice, we hypothesize that the level of competition with short-tailed mice may be low because of the abundance of resources and because the wood mice may perceive the smaller short-tailed mouse as being equivalent to a young of their own species.
SELF-ACCELERATING UNIVERSE IN NONLINEAR MASSIVE GRAVITY
Authors: GUMRUKCUOGLU A. E. , LIN C. , MUKOHYAMA S.
Published: January 2013

We discuss the self-accelerating universe solutions in the framework of the potentially ghost-free, nonlinear massive gravity theory recently proposed by de Rham–Gabadadze–Tolley. The theory allows general Friedmann–Robertson–Walker solutions with negative curvature. The contribution of the mass terms at the background level is an effective cosmological constant term depending on the parameters of the theory. We also discuss the cosmological perturbations in these backgrounds, as well as similar solutions of the extended versions of the theory; the actions of the scalar and vector degrees do not undergo a modification with respect to general relativity, while the two polarizations of gravity waves acquire a time-dependent effective mass term. This may lead to a modification of the stochastic gravitational wave spectrum.
MIXED MODE UNIVERSAL FILTER
Authors: PANDEY NEETA , PAUL SAJAL K.
Published: January 2013

The configuration with electronic tunable characteristics that can work in mixed mode may be useful from IC realization viewpoint and application adaptability. This paper proposes an electronically tunable mixed mode universal filter based on multiple output current controlled current conveyor (MOCCCII) and this single topology without any alteration can be used in all four modes i.e., voltage (VM), current (CM), transimpedance (TIM) and transadmittance (TAM). The architecture uses four MOCCCIIs and two grounded capacitors; and can realize universal filter functions — low pass (LP), band pass (BP), high pass (HP), notch (NF) and all pass (AP) for all four modes. Moreover the input impedance is high and output impedance is low for voltage signal and vice-versa for current signal, hence the proposed topology is suitable for cascading for all four modes. The workability of the proposed circuit has been verified via SPICE simulations using AMS 0.35 μm CMOS technology.
CHAOTIC ORBITS IN A PLANAR THREE-CENTER PROBLEM OF SLIGHTLY NEGATIVE ENERGY
Authors: YEH LI-CHIN , CHEN YI-CHIUAN , JIANG ING-GUEY
Published: January 2013

The orbital fates in a planar three-center problem of slightly negative energy are studied numerically, by classifying the dynamics into colliding with one of the centers, escaping to infinity and orbiting around the centers. We consider three energy levels, for each of them, the set of initial values leading to collision with the centers is determined. It presents an intriguing fractal structure. The complementary set, which corresponds to those initial values whose orbits are either regular or chaotic winding around the fixed centers, also exhibits a fractal structure. These fractal structures found here might lead to some observable physical feature in the future. The fractal structures imply the sensitivity to initial conditions, thus enable us to find initial values with which the orbits are chaotic, having a positive Lyapunov exponent.
CUTTING AND SHUFFLING A LINE SEGMENT: MIXING BY INTERVAL EXCHANGE TRANSFORMATIONS
Authors: KROTTER MARISSA K. , CHRISTOV IVAN C. , OTTINO JULIO M. , LUEPTOW RICHARD M.
Published: January 2013

We present a computational study of finite-time mixing of a line segment by cutting and shuffling. A family of one-dimensional interval exchange transformations is constructed as a model system in which to study these types of mixing processes. Illustrative examples of the mixing behaviors, including pathological cases that violate the assumptions of the known governing theorems and lead to poor mixing, are shown. Since the mathematical theory applies as the number of iterations of the map goes to infinity, we introduce practical measures of mixing (the percent unmixed and the number of intermaterial interfaces) that can be computed over given (finite) numbers of iterations. We find that good mixing can be achieved after a finite number of iterations of a one-dimensional cutting and shuffling map, even though such a map cannot be considered chaotic in the usual sense and/or it may not fulfill the conditions of the ergodic theorems for interval exchange transformations. Specifically, good shuffling can occur with only six or seven intervals of roughly the same length, as long as the rearrangement order is an irreducible permutation. This study has implications for a number of mixing processes in which discontinuities arise either by construction or due to the underlying physics.
ANALYSIS OF GRAIN-SCALE MEASUREMENTS OF SAND USING KINEMATICAL COMPLEX NETWORKS
Authors: WALKER DAVID M. , TORDESILLAS ANTOINETTE , PUCILOWSKI SEBASTIAN , LIN QUN , RECHENMACHER AMY L. , ABEDI SARA
Published: January 2013

Plastic deformation in a plane strain compression test of a dense sand specimen is studied using functional networks. Kinematical information for the deforming material is obtained using digital image correlation (DIC) and summarized by two types of complex network with different connectivity rules establishing links between the network nodes which represent the DIC observation sites. In the first, nodes are connected to a minimum fixed number of neighbors with similar kinematics such that the resulting network forms one connected component. In the second, nodes are connected to other nodes whose kinematical behavior lies within a fixed distance of each other in an observation space. The fixed radius is determined using optimization with a stopping criterion again with the resulting network forming one connected component. We find different network properties of each network provide useful information about plastic deformation and nonaffine kinematical processes emerging within the material. In particular, persistent shear bands and mesoscale structures within them (e.g. vortices) appear to be closely related to values of network properties including closeness centrality, clustering coefficients, k-cores and the boundaries of community structures determined using local modularity.
FRACTAL ANALYSIS OF HOPF BIFURCATION AT INFINITY
Authors: RADUNOVIĆ GORAN , ŽUBRINIĆ DARKO , ŽUPANOVIĆ VESNA
Published: January 2013

Using geometric inversion with respect to the origin, we extend the definition of box dimension to the case of unbounded subsets of Euclidean spaces. Alternative but equivalent definition is provided using stereographic projection on the Riemann sphere. We study its basic properties, and apply it to the study of the Hopf–Takens bifurcation at infinity.