bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antiviral RNA Interference in Mammalian Cells
Authors: Maillard P. V. , Ciaudo C. , Marchais A. , Li Y. , Jay F. , Ding S. W. , Voinnet Olivier
Published: October 2013

Viral Defenses

In plants and invertebrates, RNA interference (RNAi) functions as an innate antiviral defense mechanism. Viruses that infect plants and invertebrates have evolved viral suppressors of RNAi (VSRs) that disable the RNAi pathway. Whether mammals use RNAi as a defense against viruses has been less clear (see the Perspective by

Sagan
and

Sarnow
). Li
et al.

(p.
231
) and

Maillard
et al.

(p.
235
) studied mammalian cell lines and baby mice productively infected with RNA viruses and observed the production of virus-derived small RNAs (vsRNAs). When the putative VSR proteins of the infecting viruses were disabled, host RNAi-derived vsRNAs were much increased and the viruses were rapidly cleared and unable to mount a full-blown infection. Thus, RNAi also has an innate antiviral function in mammals.
Human Influences on Nitrogen Removal in Lakes
Authors: Finlay Jacques C. , Small Gaston E. , Sterner Robert W.
Published: October 2013

Unlucky Lakes

The negative consequences of increased loading of nitrogen and phosphorus into aquatic ecosystems are well known. Management strategies aimed at reducing the sources of these excess nutrients, such as fertilizer runoff or sewage outflows, can largely mitigate the increases in nitrogen and phosphorus levels; however, it is unclear if these strategies are influencing other spects of these ecosystems. Using a global lake data set,

Finlay
et al.

(p.
247
; see the Perspective by

Bernhardt

) found that reducing phosphorus inputs reduced a lake's ability to export reactive nitrogen, exacerbating nitrate pollution.
Newborn Screening: Gaps in the Evidence
Authors: Wilcken Bridget
Published: October 2013

Despite improvement and increased testing, standards and practice in screening babies for rare disorders remain muddled.
Getting Your Gut into Shape
Authors: Simons Benjamin D.
Published: October 2013

Mechanical forces exerted between tissue layers in the intestine are all that is needed to make gut villi.

[Also see Research Article by

Shyer
et al.

]
RNAi, Antiviral After All
Authors: Sagan Selena M. , Sarnow Peter
Published: October 2013

No longer elusive, mammalian antiviral RNA interference is now confirmed.

[Also see Reports by

Li
et al.

and

Maillard
et al.

]
GWAS to Therapy by Genome Edits?
Authors: Hardison Ross C. , Blobel Gerd A.
Published: October 2013

Genetic and epigenetic studies of gene variants reveal a potential genomic target for treating hemoglobin disorders.

[Also see Report by

Bauer
et al.

]
Severe Autism, Often Slighted, Now Targeted for Study
Authors: Schmidt Charles
Published: October 2013

A clinical group in Maine this month is spearheading a six-member network to study children with severe autism.
Windfall for Tiny University With Outsized Ambitions
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: October 2013

Japan's Cabinet is looking to double the budget of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology next year; university governors met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to outline expansion plans.
Clinical Evaluation of BacT/Alert FA Plus and FN Plus Bottles Compared with Standard Bottles
Authors: Lee Dong-Hyun , Kim Seong Chun , Bae In-Gyu , Koh Eun-Ha , Kim Sunjoo
Published: October 2013

The performance of the BacT/Alert FA Plus and FN Plus resin bottles was evaluated in comparison with that of standard aerobic (SA) and standard anaerobic (SN) bottles. Twenty milliliters of blood from adult patients was equally distributed into four types of bottles: FA Plus, FN Plus, SA, and SN. The detection of clinically significant organisms and the time to detection (TTD) were monitored for each bottle. Among the 3,103 blood culture sets that were requested, the blood volume of each bottle was over 4 ml in 1,481 sets (47.7%). Among these 1,481 sets, 158 cultures grew in the FA Plus and SA bottles, and 136 grew in the FN Plus and SN bottles. Growth in only one type of bottle was more commonly observed for the FA Plus (
n
= 38) than for the SA (
n
= 14) (
P
= 0.001) bottles and for the FN Plus (
n
= 27) than for the SN (
n
= 10) (
P
= 0.008) bottles. Gram-negative bacilli were more frequently isolated in the resin bottles (
P
< 0.05). The skin contamination rate was 1.2% in the resin bottles and the standard bottles. The mean TTD was 11.1 h in the FA Plus bottles versus 13.1 h in the SA bottles (
P
< 0.001) and 12.0 h in the FN Plus bottles versus 12.8 h in the SN bottles (
P
= 0.083). Clinically significant bacteria, including Gram-negative bacilli, were isolated more frequently from the resin bottles than from the standard bottles. Clinically significant bacteria were detected faster using the aerobic resin bottles than using the standard aerobic bottles. This finding might not be applicable to the standard-practice 10-ml protocol for each bottle because the results from using a smaller volume (5 ml) might be less pronounced.
Broad-Range PCR-Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Detection and Typing of Adenovirus and Other Opportunistic Viruses in Stem Cell Transplant Patients
Authors: LeGoff Jérôme , Feghoul Linda , Mercier-Delarue Séverine , Dalle Jean-Hugues , Scieux Catherine , Chérot Janine , de Fontbrune Flore Sicre , Baruchel André , Socié Gérard , Simon François
Published: October 2013

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients are highly susceptible to viral infections. Follow-up after transplantation includes weekly screening using single, virus-specific real-time PCR tests, mainly for viruses in the families
Herpesviridae
and
Adenoviridae
that contribute to a high morbidity, especially in pediatric populations. The Abbott PLEX-ID platform combines broad-range PCR with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to enable the simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens in a single assay. The Viral IC Spectrum assay detects human adenoviruses, viruses from the family
Herpesviridae
(herpes simplex virus 1 [HSV-1], HSV-2, cytomegalovirus [CMV], Epstein-Barr virus [EBV], varicella-zoster virus [VZV], and human herpesvirus 8 [HHV-8]), human enterovirus, polyomaviruses (BK and JC), and parvovirus B19. We evaluated the performance of the Viral IC Spectrum assay with samples from 16 adult and 36 pediatric stem cell transplant patients. The sensitivity of the Viral IC Spectrum assay compared to real-time PCR quantification using the adenovirus Rgene kit for the detection of adenovirus was 96.7% from plasma samples (
n
= 92) and 78% from stool samples (
n
= 100). No adenovirus was detected in samples from noninfected patients (
n
= 30). PLEX-ID species identification was perfectly concordant with species-specific real-time PCR assays. In plasma and stool samples, the level of amplified products measured by PLEX-ID and the quantity in copies/ml (
r
= 0.82 and 0.78, respectively) were correlated up to 6 log
10
copies/ml. In 67.4% of adenovirus-positive plasma samples, at least one other viral infection was detected; these included BK virus (
n
= 41), CMV (
n
= 30), EBV (
n
= 26), JC virus (
n
= 9), and HSV-1 (
n
= 6). The results of this study suggest that the Viral IC Spectrum assay performed on the PLEX-ID platform is reliable for adenovirus infection diagnosis in immunocompromised patients.
Comparison of
care
HPV and Hybrid Capture 2 Assays for Detection of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus DNA in Cervical Samples from HIV-1-Infected African Women
Authors: Ngou Jean , Magooa Mahlape P. , Gilham Clare , Djigma Florencia , Didelot Marie-Noelle , Kelly Helen , Yonli Albert , Sawadogo Bernard , Lewis David A. , Delany-Moretlwe Sinead , Mayaud Philippe , Segondy Michel
Published: October 2013

The
care
HPV and HC2 assays were compared for high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) DNA detection in cervical samples from 149 HIV-1-infected African women. The HR-HPV DNA detection rates were 37.6% and 34.9% for
care
HPV and HC2, respectively. Agreement between the two tests was 94.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89.7% to 97.7%) with a kappa value of 0.88 (95% CI, 0.81 to 0.96), indicating an excellent agreement.
care
HPV may be considered as suitable as HC2 for cervical cancer screening among HIV-infected African women.
Duplex Real-Time PCR for Rapid Simultaneous Detection of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in Amphibian Samples
Authors: Blooi M. , Pasmans F. , Longcore J. E. , Spitzen-van der Sluijs A. , Vercammen F. , Martel A.
Published: October 2013

Chytridiomycosis is a lethal fungal disease contributing to declines and extinctions of amphibian species worldwide. The currently used molecular screening tests for chytridiomycosis fail to detect the recently described species
Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans
. In this study, we present a duplex real-time PCR that allows the simultaneous detection of
B. salamandrivorans
and
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
. With
B. dendrobatidis
- and
B. salamandrivorans
-specific primers and probes, detection of the two pathogens in amphibian samples is possible, with a detection limit of 0.1 genomic equivalent of zoospores of both pathogens per PCR. The developed real-time PCR shows high degrees of specificity and sensitivity, high linear correlations (
r

2

> 0.995), and high amplification efficiencies (>94%) for
B. dendrobatidis
and
B. salamandrivorans
. In conclusion, the described duplex real-time PCR can be used to detect DNA of
B. dendrobatidis
and
B. salamandrivorans
with highly reproducible and reliable results.
A Two-Pronged Structural Analysis of Retroviral Maturation Indicates that Core Formation Proceeds by a Disassembly-Reassembly Pathway Rather than a Displacive Transition
Authors: Keller Paul W. , Huang Rick K. , England Matthew R. , Waki Kayoko , Cheng Naiqian , Heymann J. Bernard , Craven Rebecca C. , Freed Eric O. , Steven Alasdair C.
Published: October 2013

Retrovirus maturation involves sequential cleavages of the Gag polyprotein, initially arrayed in a spherical shell, leading to formation of capsids with polyhedral or conical morphology. Evidence suggests that capsids assemble
de novo
inside maturing virions from dissociated capsid (CA) protein, but the possibility persists of a displacive pathway in which the CA shell remains assembled but is remodeled. Inhibition of the final cleavage between CA and spacer peptide SP1/SP blocks the production of mature capsids. We investigated whether retention of SP might render CA assembly incompetent by testing the ability of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) CA-SP to assemble
in vitro
into icosahedral capsids. Capsids were indeed assembled and were indistinguishable from those formed by CA alone, indicating that SP was disordered. We also used cryo-electron tomography to characterize HIV-1 particles produced in the presence of maturation inhibitor PF-46396 or with the cleavage-blocking CA5 mutation. Inhibitor-treated virions have a shell that resembles the CA layer of the immature Gag shell but is less complete. Some CA protein is generated but usually not enough for a mature core to assemble. We propose that inhibitors like PF-46396 bind to the Gag lattice where they deny the protease access to the CA-SP1 cleavage site and prevent the release of CA. CA5 particles, which exhibit no cleavage at the CA-SP1 site, have spheroidal shells with relatively thin walls. It appears that this lattice progresses displacively toward a mature-like state but produces neither conical cores nor infectious virions. These observations support the disassembly-reassembly pathway for core formation.
Targeting Cell Division Cycle 25 Homolog B To Regulate Influenza Virus Replication
Authors: Perwitasari Olivia , Torrecilhas Ana Claudia , Yan Xiuzhen , Johnson Scott , White Caleb , Tompkins S. Mark , Tripp Ralph A.
Published: October 2013

Influenza virus is a worldwide global health concern causing seasonal morbidity mortality and economic burden. Chemotherapeutics is available; however, rapid emergence of drug-resistant influenza virus strains has reduced its efficacy. Thus, there is a need to discover novel antiviral agents. In this study, RNA interference (RNAi) was used to screen host genes required for influenza virus replication. One pro-influenza virus host gene identified was dual-specificity phosphatase cell division cycle 25 B (
CDC25B
). RNAi screening of
CDC25B
resulted in reduced influenza A virus replication, and a CDC25B small-molecule inhibitor (NSC95397) inhibited influenza A virus replication in a dose-dependent fashion. Viral RNA synthesis was reduced by NSC95397 in favor of increased beta interferon (IFN-β) expression, and NSC95397 was found to interfere with nuclear localization and chromatin association of NS1, an influenza virus protein. As NS1 has been shown to be chromatin associated and to suppress host transcription, it is likely that CDC25B supports NS1 nuclear function to hijack host transcription machinery in favor of viral RNA synthesis, a process that is blocked by NSC95397. Importantly, NSC95397 treatment protects mice against lethal influenza virus challenge. The findings establish CDC25B as a pro-influenza A virus host factor that may be targeted as a novel influenza A therapeutic strategy.
Sequence and Functional Analysis of the Envelope Glycoproteins of Hepatitis C Virus Variants Selectively Transmitted to a New Host
Authors: D'Arienzo Valentina , Moreau Alain , D'Alteroche Louis , Gissot Valérie , Blanchard Emmanuelle , Gaudy-Graffin Catherine , Roch Emmanuelle , Dubois Frédéric , Giraudeau Bruno , Plantier Jean-Christophe , Goudeau Alain , Roingeard Philippe , Brand Denys
Published: October 2013

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a challenging public health problem worldwide. The identification of viral variants establishing
de novo
infections and definition of the phenotypic requirements for transmission would facilitate the design of preventive strategies. We explored the transmission of HCV variants in three cases of acute hepatitis following needlestick accidents. We used single-genome amplification of glycoprotein E1E2 gene sequences to map the genetic bottleneck upon transmission accurately. We found that infection was likely established by a single variant in two cases and six variants in the third case. Studies of donor samples showed that the transmitted variant E1E2 amino acid sequences were identical or closely related to those of variants from the donor virus populations. The transmitted variants harbored a common signature site at position 394, within hypervariable region 1 of E2, together with additional signature amino acids specific to each transmission pair. Surprisingly, these E1E2 variants conferred no greater capacity for entry than the E1E2 derived from nontransmitted variants in lentiviral pseudoparticle assays. Mutants escaping the antibodies of donor sera did not predominate among the transmitted variants either. The fitness parameters affecting the selective outgrowth of HCV variants after transmission in an immunocompetent host may thus be more complex than those suggested by mouse models. Human antibodies directed against HCV envelope effectively cross-neutralized the lentiviral particles bearing E1E2 derived from transmitted variants. These findings provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying HCV transmission and suggest that viral entry is a potential target for the prevention of HCV infection.
Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 2 Effects on Epithelial Acinus Development Reveal Distinct Requirements for the PY and YEEA motifs
Authors: Fotheringham Julie A. , Raab-Traub Nancy
Published: October 2013

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a gammaherpesvirus associated with numerous cancers, including the epithelial cancers nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and gastric carcinoma. The latent membrane protein 2 (LMP2) encoded by EBV is consistently detected in NPC tumors and promotes a malignant phenotype when expressed in epithelial cells by inducing transformation and migration and inhibiting differentiation. Grown in three dimensions (3D) on Matrigel, the nontumorigenic mammary epithelial cell line MCF10A forms hollow, spherical acinar structures that maintain normal glandular features. Expression of oncogenes in these cells allows for the study of multiple aspects of tumor development in a 3D culture system. This study sought to examine the effects of LMP2 on the generation of MCF10A acini. LMP2 expression induced abnormal acini that were large, misshapen, and filled, indicating that LMP2 induced proliferation, impaired cellular polarization, and induced resistance to cell death, leading to luminal filling. Induction of cell death resistance required the PY, immunoreceptor tyrosine activation motif (ITAM), and YEEA signaling domains of LMP2 and activation of the Src and Akt signaling pathways. The PY domain was required for the inhibition of anoikis and also the delayed proliferative arrest of the LMP2-expressing cells. In addition to directly altering acinus formation, expression of LMP2 also induced morphological and protein expression changes consistent with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a manner that required only the YEEA signaling motif of LMP2. These findings indicate that LMP2 has considerable transforming properties that are not evident in standard tissue culture and requires the ability of LMP2A to bind ubiquitin ligases and Src family kinases.
The Fc Region of an Antibody Impacts the Neutralization of West Nile Viruses in Different Maturation States
Authors: Lee Phong D. , Mukherjee Swati , Edeling Melissa A. , Dowd Kimberly A. , Austin S. Kyle , Manhart Carolyn J. , Diamond Michael S. , Fremont Daved H. , Pierson Theodore C.
Published: October 2013

Flavivirus-infected cells secrete a structurally heterogeneous population of viruses because of an inefficient virion maturation process. Flaviviruses assemble as noninfectious, immature virions composed of trimers of envelope (E) and precursor membrane (prM) protein heterodimers. Cleavage of prM is a required process during virion maturation, although this often remains incomplete for infectious virus particles. Previous work demonstrated that the efficiency of virion maturation could impact antibody neutralization through changes in the accessibility of otherwise cryptic epitopes on the virion. In this study, we show that the neutralization potency of monoclonal antibody (MAb) E33 is sensitive to the maturation state of West Nile virus (WNV), despite its recognition of an accessible epitope, the domain III lateral ridge (DIII-LR). Comprehensive epitope mapping studies with 166 E protein DIII-LR variants revealed that the functional footprint of MAb E33 on the E protein differs subtly from that of the well-characterized DIII-LR MAb E16. Remarkably, aromatic substitutions at E protein residue 306 ablated the maturation state sensitivity of E33 IgG, and the neutralization efficacy of E33 Fab fragments was not affected by changes in the virion maturation state. We propose that E33 IgG binding on mature virions orients the Fc region in a manner that impacts subsequent antibody binding to nearby sites. This Fc-mediated steric constraint is a novel mechanism by which the maturation state of a virion modulates the efficacy of the humoral immune response to flavivirus infection.
Contributions of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Envelope Proteins to Entry by Endocytosis
Authors: Komala Sari Tri , Pritchard Suzanne M. , Cunha Cristina W. , Wudiri George A. , Laws Elizabeth I. , Aguilar Hector C. , Taus Naomi S. , Nicola Anthony V.
Published: October 2013

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) proteins specifically required for endocytic entry but not direct penetration have not been identified. HSVs deleted of gE, gG, gI, gJ, gM, UL45, or Us9 entered cells via either pH-dependent or pH-independent endocytosis and were inactivated by mildly acidic pH. Thus, the required HSV glycoproteins, gB, gD, and gH-gL, may be sufficient for entry regardless of entry route taken. This may be distinct from entry mechanisms employed by other human herpesviruses.
Functional Antagonism of Rhesus Macaque and Chimpanzee BST-2 by HIV-1 Vpu Is Mediated by Cytoplasmic Domain Interactions
Authors: Yoshida Takeshi , Koyanagi Yoshio , Strebel Klaus
Published: October 2013

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpu enhances the release of viral particles from infected cells by interfering with the function of BST-2/tetherin, a cellular protein inhibiting virus release. The Vpu protein encoded by NL4-3, a widely used HIV-1 laboratory strain, antagonizes human BST-2 but not monkey or murine BST-2, leading to the conclusion that BST-2 antagonism by Vpu is species specific. In contrast, we recently identified several primary Vpu isolates, such as Vpu of HIV-1
DH12
, capable of antagonizing both human and rhesus BST-2. Here we report that while Vpu interacts with human BST-2 primarily through their respective transmembrane domains, antagonism of rhesus BST-2 by Vpu involved an interaction of their cytoplasmic domains. Importantly, a Vpu mutant carrying two mutations in its transmembrane domain (A
14
L and W
22
A), rendering it incompetent for interaction with human BST-2, was able to interact with human BST-2 carrying the rhesus BST-2 cytoplasmic domain and partially neutralized the ability of this BST-2 variant to inhibit viral release. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis to detect Vpu–BST-2 interactions suggested that the physical interaction of Vpu with rhesus or chimpanzee BST-2 involves a 5-residue motif in the cytoplasmic domain of BST-2 previously identified as important for the antagonism of monkey and great ape BST-2 by simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) Nef. Thus, our study identifies a novel mechanism of antagonism of monkey and great ape BST-2 by Vpu that targets the same motif in BST-2 used by SIV Nef and might explain the expanded host range observed for Vpu isolates in our previous study.
Evolution of a Self-Inducible Cytolethal Distending Toxin Type V-Encoding Bacteriophage from Escherichia coli O157:H7 to Shigella sonnei
Authors: Allué-Guardia Anna , Imamovic Lejla , Muniesa Maite
Published: October 2013

Some
cdt
genes are located within the genome of inducible or cryptic bacteriophages, but there is little information about the mechanisms of
cdt
transfer because of the reduced number of inducible Cdt phages described. In this study, a new self-inducible
Myoviridae
Cdt phage (ΦAA91) was isolated from a nonclinical O157:H7 Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
strain and was used to lysogenize a
cdt
-negative strain of
Shigella sonnei
. We found that the phage induced from
S. sonnei
(ΦAA91-ss) was not identical to the original phage. ΦAA91-ss was used to infect a collection of 57 bacterial strains, was infectious in 59.6% of the strains, and was able to lysogenize 22.8% of them. The complete sequence of ΦAA91-ss showed a 33,628-bp genome with characteristics of a P2-like phage with the
cdt
operon located near the
cosR
site. We found an IS
21
element composed of two open reading frames inserted within the
cox
gene of the phage, causing gene truncation. Truncation of
cox
does not affect lytic induction but could contribute to phage recombination and generation of lysogens. The IS
21
element was not present in the ΦAA91 phage from
E. coli
, but it was incorporated into the phage genome after its transduction in
Shigella
. This study shows empirically the evolution of temperate bacteriophages carrying virulence genes after infecting a new host and the generation of a phage population with better lysogenic abilities that would ultimately lead to the emergence of new pathogenic strains.
Efficiency of Cell-Free and Cell-Associated Virus in Mucosal Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Kolodkin-Gal Dror , Hulot Sandrine L. , Korioth-Schmitz Birgit , Gombos Randi B. , Zheng Yi , Owuor Joshua , Lifton Michelle A. , Ayeni Christian , Najarian Robert M. , Yeh Wendy W. , Asmal Mohammed , Zamir Gideon , Letvin Norman L.
Published: October 2013

Effective strategies are needed to block mucosal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Here, we address a crucial question in HIV-1 pathogenesis: whether infected donor mononuclear cells or cell-free virus plays the more important role in initiating mucosal infection by HIV-1. This distinction is critical, as effective strategies for blocking cell-free and cell-associated virus transmission may be different. We describe a novel
ex vivo
model system that utilizes sealed human colonic mucosa explants and demonstrate in both the
ex vivo
model and
in vivo
using the rectal challenge model in rhesus monkeys that HIV-1-infected lymphocytes can transmit infection across the mucosa more efficiently than cell-free virus. These findings may have significant implications for our understanding of the pathogenesis of mucosal transmission of HIV-1 and for the development of strategies to prevent HIV-1 transmission.
Peripheral T-cell lymphoma in a patient with Crohn’s disease
Authors: Kollepara Srilakshmi Sudha , Chisti Mohammad Muhsin , Shatavi Seerin Viviane , Jaiyesimi Ishmael A
Published: October 2013

A 46-year-old man with a long-standing history of Crohn’s disease who was treated with multiple therapies over a period of 9 years presented with oral lesions which on biopsy demonstrated peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Initially, the development of T-cell lymphoma was presumed to be secondary to prolonged immunosuppression but it did not respond to withholding immunosuppressive therapy. On treatment with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, oncovin and prednisone) chemotherapy, complete remission was achieved. Although development of malignancies in the immune-suppressed patient with Crohn's disease has been previously described but we present a rare case of T-cell lymphoma in a similar patient, which has not been reported before.
Concurrent granulomatous hepatitis, pneumonitis and sepsis as a complication of intravesical BCG immunotherapy
Authors: Delimpoura Vasiliki , Samitas Konstantinos , Vamvakaris Ioannis , Zervas Eleftherios , Gaga Mina
Published: October 2013

Intravesical administration of BCG is a relatively simple procedure used successfully in the treatment of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. It is usually well tolerated with few major side effects. The authors report the case of an 80-year-old man who presented with sepsis, jaundice, hepatic and pulmonary failure 10 days after his last BCG instillation therapy, that was attributed to concurrent granulomatous hepatitis and pneumonitis due toMycobacterium bovisdissemination. In rare instances severe life-threatening complications occur in relation with BCG instillation immunotherapy that may involve multiple organs and have different presentations and require a high index of suspicion and clinical awareness in a wide range of medical specialties.
Itchy lesions in pigmented skin
Authors: Hung Rachel , Ahmeen Mahreen , Fleming Ann , Hoque Shamali
Published: October 2013

A 37-year-old woman with type VI skin presented with 1-year history of pruritic lesions affecting her arms, chest and legs. The lesions were approximately 5 mm in diameter, annular and with a raised border. A skin biopsy was performed which showed a diagnosis of disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis. Porokeratosis is an unusual presentation in pigmented skin and there are very limited reports of this occurrence in the literature.
Successful treatment, despite a non-surgical approach, of severe infective endocarditis
Authors: Boulos Peter K , Jeong Mark Y
Published: October 2013

A 60-year-old man with a history of Child-Pugh class B cirrhosis was admitted to the hospital with 4–5 days of nausea, vomiting and altered mental status. Following the development of fever in the intensive care unit and methicillin-sensitiveStaphylococcus aureusbacteraemia, a large (15 mm) vegetation was discovered on the anterolateral papillary muscle of the mitral valve. Following a thorough multidisciplinary evaluation, the patient was considered to be a poor surgical candidate due to the significant perioperative complications associated with Child-Pugh class B cirrhosis. The patient was treated with 6 weeks intravenous nafcillin as an outpatient. Echocardiography following the treatment course revealed that the vegetation had completely resolved without any valvular dysfunction. This case report emphasises that medical management remains an effective alternative to surgery in complicated cases of infective endocarditis.
Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with detachable coils: correlation between aneurysm volume, packing, and angiographic recurrence
Authors: Leng Bing , Zheng Yongtao , Ren Jinma , Xu Qiang , Tian Yanlong , Xu Feng
Published: October 2013

Background and purpose

The relationship between dense packing and incidence of angiographic recurrence after endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms has been shown but remains controversial. We retrospectively analyzed intracranial aneurysms treated with detachable coils to determine the relation between aneurysm volume, packing, and recurrence.

Methods

We reviewed 221 aneurysms in 199 patients who underwent endovascular coiling using detachable coils from November 2009 to December 2011. Aneurysm volumes were determined using three-dimensional images obtained from rotational angiography. Aneurysm packing was defined as the ratio between the volume of coils inserted and the volume of aneurysm. At follow-up, angiographic results were dichotomized into presence or absence of recurrence. The relationship between aneurysm volume to fill, packing, and angiographic recurrence was determined by multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Follow-up angiography (mean follow-up 8.8 months) revealed recurrence in 14.5% of the aneurysms studied in our series. Recurrent aneurysms had a mean packing of 15.1% while stable aneurysms (non-recurrent) had a mean packing of 23.7%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that aneurysm volume and packing were significantly associated with angiographic recurrence. Large volume aneurysms (>600 mm3) were found to have a higher incidence of recurrence than those with small volumes (OR=30.49, p<0.001). Compared with those with high packing (≥20%), the less packed aneurysms (<20%) had a higher incidence of recurrence (OR=29.01, p=0.002). There was no significant difference between aneurysm location, clinical presentation, stent assistance, duration of follow-up, and recurrence.

Conclusions

Coiling large volume (>600 mm3) intracranial aneurysms are more likely to have a recurrence than small ones. High packing (≥20%) provides better protection against recurrence of the aneurysm.
Head on collisions of magnetoacoustic solitary waves in magnetized pair ion–electron plasmas
Authors: Ruan Shi-Sen , Raissan Majid , Wu Shan , Cheng Ze
Published: October 2013

Head-on collisions of magnetoacoustic solitary waves (MASWs) are studied in magnetized pair ion–electron plasma. The extended Poincaré–Lighthill–Kuo perturbation method is used to derive the Korteweg – de Vries equations for MASWs in this three-component plasma. The effects of the magnetic field intensity B0, the ratio of negative ions to positive ions number density δ, and the plasma number density on the phase shift are investigated. It is found that these parameters can significantly influence the phase shifts of colliding MASWs. The present investigation should be useful for understanding the propagation and interaction between two MASWs that may occur in pair ion plasmas with electron impurities.
Non-Markovinity of single qubit channels: analytical and numerical methods
Authors: Zhang Jian-Song , Chen Ai-Xi
Published: October 2013

We propose methods to calculate non-Markovianity of four typical single qubit channels including flip (bit-flip, phase-flip, and bit-phase flip channels), depolarizing, phase damping, and amplitude damping channels analytically. Explicit expressions of non-Markovianity for some single qubit channels are obtained. For general channels we propose the Euler parametrization representation of quantum states to calculate non-Markovianity numerically.
ON A POSSIBILITY TO ELIMINATE THE LANDAU POLE IN QCD
Authors: ARBUZOV BORIS A. , ZAITSEV IVAN V.
Published: October 2013

We apply the Bogoliubov compensation principle to QCD. The nontrivial solution of compensation equations for a spontaneous generation of the anomalous three-gluon interaction leads to the determination of parameters of the theory, including behavior of the gauge coupling αs(Q2) without the Landau singularity, the gluon condensate V2 ≃0.01 GeV 4, mass of the lightest glueball MG≃1500 MeV in satisfactory agreement with the phenomenological knowledge. The results strongly support the applicability of Bogoliubov compensation approach to gauge theories of the Standard Model.
A NOVEL GRAPHENE NANO-RIBBON FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR WITH SCHOTTKY TUNNELING DRAIN AND OHMIC TUNNELING SOURCE
Authors: GHOREISHI SEYED SALEH , SAGHAFI KAMYAR , MORAVVEJ-FARSHI MOHAMMAD KAZEM
Published: October 2013

In this paper, we propose a novel tunneling graphene nanoribbon field effect transistor by modification of the conventional structure in a way that its drain high-doped extension part is replaced by lightly linear doped region. Then the proposed structure has a Schottky contact at the drain side. As the source contact is ohmic and the drain contact is Schottky, this structure is called Schottky–Ohmic tunneling graphene nanoribbon field effect transistor. Electrical behaviors of the proposed device are investigated by mode space nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF) formalism in the ballistic limit. Simulation results show that without increasing transistor length, I OFF , I ON /I OFF , ambipolar behavior, delay time and PDP of the proposed structure improve, in comparison with the conventional tunneling graphene nanoribbon field effect transistor with the same dimension. Also subthreshold swing which is one of the evident characteristics of the tunneling FET is preserved in this structure.
ISOTOPIC EFFECT IN DEBYE–WALLER FACTOR OF CRYSTALLINE GERMANIUM
Authors: HIEU HO KHAC , HUNG VU VAN
Published: October 2013

The statistical moment method has been used to study the effect of isotopic mass difference on extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) Debye–Waller factor of crystalline germanium. The effects on the parallel mean-square relative displacement and the atomic mean square displacements have been considered. This research also exposed that isotopic effect is noticeable where the correlated atomic motion is concerned. Numerical calculations have been performed for two isotopes 70 Ge and 76 Ge in range of temperature from 0 K to 600 K. Our results are compared with available experimental EXAFS data [J. Purans et al., Phys. Rev. Lett.100 (2008) 055901] as well as with lattice dynamics calculations [A. Sanson, Solid State Sci.12 (2010) 1988] and the good agreements are found.
SELF-SIMILARITY IN COMPLEX NETWORKS: FROM THE VIEW OF THE HUB REPULSION
Authors: ZHANG HAIXIN , LAN XIN , WEI DAIJUN , MAHADEVAN SANKARAN , DENG YONG
Published: October 2013

Complex networks are widely used to model the structure of many complex systems in nature and society. Recently, fractal and self-similarity of complex networks have attracted much attention. It is observed that hub repulsion is the key principle that leads to the fractal structure of networks. Based on the principle of hub repulsion, the metric in complex networks is redefined and a new method to calculate the fractal dimension of complex networks is proposed in this paper. Some real complex networks are investigated and the results are illustrated to show the self-similarity of complex networks.
SPIN FROM THE NONSYMMETRIC METRIC TENSOR
Authors: HAMMOND RICHARD T.
Published: October 2013

A solution to the gravitational field equations based on a nonsymmetric metric tensor is examined. Unlike Einstein's interpretation of electromagnetism, or Moffat's generalized gravity, it is shown that the nonsymmetric part of the metric tensor is the potential of the spin field, and its intimate connection to string theory is established. This formulation solves the longstanding problem of electromagnetism and torsion, naturally showing how electromagnetism, through its intrinsic spin, can create torsion.
SINGULARITY FREE RAINBOW UNIVERSE
Authors: MAJUMDER BARUN
Published: October 2013

Isotropic quantum cosmological perfect fluid model is studied in the formalism of Rainbow gravity. It is found that the only surviving matter degree of freedom played the role of cosmic time. It is possible to find the wave packet naturally with a suitable choice of the Rainbow functions which resulted from the superposition of the wave functions of the Schrödinger–Wheeler–deWitt equation. The many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics is applied to investigate the behavior of the scale factor and the behavior is found to depend on the operator ordering. It is shown that the model in the Rainbow framework naturally avoids singularity and a bouncing nonsingular universe is found.
REFLECTIONS ON THE HYPERBOLIC PLANE
Authors: LECIAN ORCHIDEA MARIA
Published: October 2013

The most general solution to the Einstein equations in 4 = 3 + 1 dimensions in the asymptotic limit close to the cosmological singularity under the BKL (Belinskii–Khalatnikov–Lifshitz) hypothesis can be visualized by the behavior of a billiard ball in a triangular domain on the Upper Poincaré Half Plane (UPHP). The billiard system (named "big billiard") can be schematized by dividing the successions of trajectories according to Poincaré return map on the sides of the billiard table, according to the paradigms implemented by the BKL investigation and by the CB–LKSKS (Chernoff–Barrow–Lifshitz–Khalatnikov–Sinai–Khanin–Shchur) one. Different maps are obtained, according to different symmetry-quotienting mechanisms used to analyze the dynamics. In the inhomogeneous case, new structures have been uncovered, such that, in this framework, the billiard table (named "small billiard") consists of 1/6 of the previous one. The connections between the symmetry-quotienting mechanisms are further investigated on the UPHP. The relation between the complete billiard and the small billiard are also further explained according to the role of Weyl reflections. The quantum properties of the system are sketched as well, and the physical interpretation of the wave function is further developed. In particular, a physical interpretation for the symmetry-quotienting maps is proposed.
THE ROLE OF THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD IN DISSIPATIVE COLLAPSE
Authors: THIRUKKANESH S. , GOVENDER M.
Published: October 2013

In this paper, we investigate the effect of charge on the collapse of a radiating, shearing sphere. The junction conditions required for the smooth matching of a general spherically symmetric spacetime (in the absence of rotation) to the exterior Vaidya–Reissner–Nordström leads to a temporal evolution equation at the boundary of the collapsing star. We are in a position to integrate these equations in the presence of charge and shear. The solutions obtained here are new and generalize recent treatments of dissipative, shearing collapse to the charged case.
SINE ENTROPY FOR UNCERTAIN VARIABLES
Authors: YAO KAI , GAO JINWU , DAI WEI
Published: October 2013

Entropy is a measure of the uncertainty associated with a variable whose value cannot be exactly predicated. In uncertainty theory, it has been quantified so far by logarithmic entropy. However, logarithmic entropy sometimes fails to measure the uncertainty. This paper will propose another type of entropy named sine entropy as a supplement, and explore its properties. After that, the maximum entropy principle will be introduced, and the arc-cosine distributed variables will be proved to have the maximum sine entropy with given expected value and variance.
NEAREST SYMMETRIC TRAPEZOIDAL FUZZY NUMBER APPROXIMATION PRESERVING EXPECTED INTERVAL
Authors: VEERAMANI C. , DURAISAMY C. , SUMATHI M.
Published: October 2013

Fuzzy number approximation has been investigated by many researchers. It is still useful to develop new approximations in order to better fit real world problems. This paper proposes a method for symmetric trapezoidal fuzzy number approximation which preserves the expected interval. Some properties of approximation are proved and a fuzzy partition is generated by using the proposed method.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY LAWS: ARE THEY NEEDED?
Authors: LIENERT IAN
Published: October 2013

Can fiscal transparency, accountability and macro-fiscal stabilization be imposed by adopting a fiscal responsibility law (FRL)? Skeptics argue that law is impotent or that the existing legal framework for the budget system suffices. In Europe, supranational fiscal rules were previously seen to be adequate. After reviewing the experience with FRLs around the world, this paper concludes that FRLs enhance fiscal transparency and accountability. However, the adoption of a FRL for attaining fiscal stability goals succeeds only if there is strong political commitment to fiscal discipline. Also, the inclusion of quantitative fiscal rules in FRLs is a high-risk undertaking.
Emerald Ash Borer Invasion of North America: History, Biology, Ecology, Impacts, and Management
Authors: Herms Daniel A. , McCullough Deborah G.
Published: October 2013

Since its accidental introduction from Asia, emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), has killed millions of ash trees in North America. As it continues to spread, it could functionally extirpate ash with devastating economic and ecological impacts. Little was known about EAB when it was first discovered in North America in 2002, but substantial advances in understanding of EAB biology, ecology, and management have occurred since. Ash species indigenous to China are generally resistant to EAB and may eventually provide resistance genes for introgression into North American species. EAB is characterized by stratified dispersal resulting from natural and human-assisted spread, and substantial effort has been devoted to the development of survey methods. Early eradication efforts were abandoned largely because of the difficulty of detecting and delineating infestations. Current management is focused on biological control, insecticide protection of high-value trees, and integrated efforts to slow ash mortality.
Chronic unilateral ureteral obstruction in the neonatal mouse delays maturation of both kidneys and leads to late formation of atubular glomeruli
Authors: Forbes Michael S. , Thornhill Barbara A. , Galarreta Carolina I. , Minor Jordan J. , Gordon Katherine A. , Chevalier Robert L.
Published: October 2013

Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in the adult mouse is the most widely used model of progressive renal disease: the proximal tubule is the nephron segment most severely affected and atubular glomeruli are formed after only 7 days of UUO. To determine the proximal nephron response to UUO in the maturing kidney, neonatal mice were examined 7 to 28 days following complete UUO under general anesthesia. Proximal tubular mass and maturation were determined by staining with Lotus tetragolonobus lectin. Superoxide was localized by nitroblue tetrazolium and collagen by Sirius red. Cell proliferation, cell death, PAX-2, megalin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), renin, and fibronectin were identified by immunohistochemistry. During the first 14 days of ipsilateral UUO, despite oxidative stress (4-hydroxynonenal staining), glomerulotubular continuity was maintained and mitochondrial superoxide production persisted. However, from 14 to 28 days, papillary growth was impaired and proximal tubules collapsed with increased apoptosis, autophagy, mitochondrial loss, and formation of atubular glomeruli. Fibronectin, α-SMA, and collagen increased in the obstructed kidney. Oxidative stress was present also in the contralateral kidney: renin was decreased, glomerulotubular maturation and papillary growth were delayed, followed by increased cortical and medullary growth. We conclude that neonatal UUO initially delays renal maturation and results in oxidative stress in both kidneys. In contrast to the adult, proximal tubular injury in the neonatal obstructed kidney is delayed at 14 days, followed only later by the formation of atubular glomeruli. Antioxidant therapies directed at proximal tubular mitochondria during early renal maturation may slow progression of congenital obstructive nephropathy.
Adipokines as a link between obesity and chronic kidney disease
Authors: Briffa Jessica F. , McAinch Andrew J. , Poronnik Philip , Hryciw Deanne H.
Published: October 2013

Adipocytes secrete a number of bioactive adipokines that activate a variety of cell signaling pathways in central and peripheral tissues. Obesity is associated with the altered production of many adipokines and is linked to a number of pathologies. As an increase in body weight is directly associated with an increased risk for developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), there is significant interest in the link between obesity and renal dysfunction. Altered levels of the adipokines leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and visfatin can decrease the glomerular filtration rate and increase albuminuria, which are pathophysiological changes typical of CKD. Specifically, exposure of the glomerulus to altered adipokine levels can increase its permeability, fuse the podocytes, and cause mesangial cell hypertrophy, all of which alter the glomerular filtration rate. In addition, the adipokines leptin and adiponectin can act on tubular networks. Thus, adipokines can act on multiple cell types in the development of renal pathophysiology. Importantly, most studies have been performed using in vitro models, with future studies in vivo required to further elucidate the specific roles that adipokines play in the development and progression of CKD.
Silencing of p53 RNA through transarterial delivery ameliorates renal tubular injury and downregulates GSK-3β expression after ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Fujino Takayuki , Muhib Sharifi , Sato Nobuyuki , Hasebe Naoyuki
Published: October 2013

p53, a pivotal protein in the apoptotic pathway, has been identified as a mediator of transcriptional responses to ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. The characteristics and functional significance of the p53 response in vivo are largely unknown in IR-induced kidney injury. Therapeutic opportunities of delivering small interfering RNA (siRNA) via venous injection have gained recognition; however, systemic adverse effects of siRNA therapy should be considered. To prevent IR-induced kidney injury, we tested the efficacy of transarterial administration of siRNA targeting p53 (p53 siRNA). Female C57BL/6 mice underwent unilateral renal artery ischemia for 30 min, followed by reperfusion. siRNA experiments utilized short hairpin (sh) RNA plasmid-based approaches. Transfection of shRNA was performed using cationic polymer transfection reagent. Injection of synthetic p53 shRNA into the left renal artery just after ischemia improved tubular injury, apoptosis, and the swelling of mitochondria in cells of the thick ascending limb of Henle (mTALH) at the outer medullary regions. Staining of upregulated p53 was colocalized with the inducible expression of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) at mTALH after IR injury. p53 shRNA inhibited GSK-3β expression and restored β-catenin expression at mTALH. For IR-induced kidney injury, transarterial delivery of p53 siRNA is an effective pharmacological intervention. Targeting siRNA to p53 leads to an attenuation of apoptosis and mitochondrial damage through the downregulation of GSK-3β expression and upregulation of β-catenin. Local delivery of vectors such as p53 siRNA through a transaortic catheter is clinically useful in reducing the adverse effect of siRNA-related therapy.