bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tesco in Korea: Regulation and Retail Change
Authors: Kim Woohyoung , Hallsworth Alan George
Published: March 2015

In South Korea, rising resistance has slowed the advance of global retailer Tesco to the advantage of traditional shopping locations. In 2013, Tesco claimed that retrospectively‐applied Korean Sunday trading regulations reduced its trading there by 8 per cent. We utilised secondary sources and also conducted an empirical survey of 1,092 consumers in 22 Korean cities to assess reactions to this regulatory change and found evidence of spatial switching back to traditional locations. Our Korean respondents supported the new Sunday trading restraint. Such an outcome would not be expected in those Western countries where further liberalisation is still promoted. Also, the poor trading figures announced by Tesco‐Homeplus in 2013 imply that Homeplus never fully adjusted to the Korean market. Issues of society and culture continue to challenge commercial innovations: with spatial implications.
A monoclonal antibody with anti‐D–like activity in murine immune thrombocytopenia requires Fc domain function for immune thrombocytopenia ameliorative effects
Authors: Yu Xiaojie , Menard Melissa , Seabright Gemma , Crispin Max , Lazarus Alan H.
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND

The mechanism of action of anti‐D in ameliorating immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) remains unclear. The monoclonal antibody (MoAb) Ter119, which targets murine red blood cells (RBCs), has been shown to mimic the effect of anti‐D in improving antibody‐mediated murine ITP. The mechanism of Ter119‐mediated ITP amelioration, especially the role of the antigen‐binding and Fc domains, remains untested. A functional Fc domain is crucial for many therapeutic MoAb activity; therefore, the requirement of Ter119 Fc domain in ITP amelioration is investigated using outbred CD‐1 mice.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Ter119 variants, including Ter119 F(ab′)2 fragments, deglycosylated Ter119, and afucosylated Ter119, were generated to test their effect in ameliorating antibody‐induced murine ITP. In vivo inhibition of FcγRIII and FcγRIIB was achieved using the Fab fragment of the FcγRIII/FcγRIIB‐specific MoAb 2.4G2.

RESULTS

Ter119 F(ab′)2 fragments and deglycosylated Ter119 were unable to ameliorate murine ITP or mediate phagocytosis of RBCs by RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro. Inhibition of FcγRIII and FcγRIIB, as well as Ter119 defucosylation, do not affect Ter119‐mediated ITP amelioration.

CONCLUSION

The Fc domain of Ter119, as well as its Fc glycosylation, is required for Ter119‐mediated ITP amelioration. Moreover, both Fc and Fc glycosylation are required for Ter119‐mediated phagocytosis in vitro. These findings demonstrate the importance of the Fc domain in a therapeutic MoAb with anti‐D–like activity.
Washing stored red blood cells in an albumin solution improves their morphologic and hemorheologic properties
Authors: Reinhart Walter H. , Piety Nathaniel Z. , Deuel Jeremy W. , Makhro Asya , Schulzki Thomas , Bogdanov Nikolay , Goede Jeroen S. , Bogdanova Anna , Abidi Rajaa , Shevkoplyas Sergey S.
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND

Prolonged storage of red blood cells (RBCs) leads to storage lesions, which may impair clinical outcomes after transfusion. A hallmark of storage lesions is progressive echinocytic shape transformation, which can be partially reversed by washing in albumin solutions. Here we have investigated the impact of this shape recovery on biorheologic variables.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

RBCs stored hypothermically for 6 to 7 weeks were washed in a 1% human serum albumin (HSA) solution. RBC deformability was measured with osmotic gradient ektacytometry. The viscosity of RBC suspensions was measured with a Couette‐type viscometer. The flow behavior of RBCs suspended at 40% hematocrit was tested with an artificial microvascular network (AMVN).

RESULTS

Washing in 1% albumin reduced higher degrees of echinocytes and increased the frequency of discocytes, thereby shifting the morphologic index toward discocytosis. Washing also reduced RBC swelling. This shape recovery was not seen after washing in saline, buffer, or plasma. RBC shape normalization did not improve cell deformability measured by ektacytometry, but it tended to decrease suspension viscosities at low shear rates and improved the perfusion of an AMVN.

CONCLUSIONS

Washing of stored RBCs in a 1% HSA solution specifically reduces echinocytosis, and this shape recovery has a beneficial effect on microvascular perfusion in vitro. Washing in 1% albumin may represent a new approach to improving the quality of stored RBCs and thus potentially reducing the likelihood of adverse clinical outcomes associated with transfusion of blood stored for longer periods of time.
Dissecting alternative splicing in the formation of Miltenberger glycophorin subtype III (GYP.Mur)
Authors: Hsu K. , Yao C.‐C. , Lin Y.‐C. , Chang C.‐L. , Lee T.‐Y.
Published: March 2015

Background and Objectives

Miltenberger subtype III (Mi.III, GP.Mur) is one of the most important red cell phenotypes in the fields of transfusion in South‐East Asia. GP.Mur is believed to evolve from homologous gene recombination events between glycophorin A (GYPA) and glycophorin B (GYPB). GYP.Mur differs from GYPB in only seven nucleotides dispersed near the region of 3′ exon 3 of GYP.Mur. The goal of this study was to dissect how these nucleotide variants affected splicing of exon 3.

Materials and Methods

We first designed two minigene constructs: one containing GYP.Mur from exon 2 to exon 4 and the other containing GYPB in the same region. To test how these nucleotide variations between GYP.Mur and GYPB affected the splicing, a repertoire of the GYP.Mur‐like minigene constructs with different point mutations were created. These minigene variants were evaluated for their abilities to induce splicing of exon 3 using a heterologous expression system.

Results

(1) GYP.Mur minigene expressed exons 2, 3 and 4, whereas GYPB minigene expressed only exon 2 and exon 4. (2) The single nucleotide alteration at the position of the 5′ splice site of glycophorin intron 3 reversed the splicing decision. (3) The nucleotide variations between GYP.Mur and GYPB other than that at the 5′ splice site showed very little or no effect on splicing of exon 3.

Conclusion

Splicing of the glycophorin B‐A‐B hybrids (GYP.Mur and GYP.BUN) and unsplicing of GYPB follow the GU‐AG rule strictly.
Prevalence of IgG Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in Veterinary and Undergraduate Students at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
Authors: Rosypal A. C. , Houk A. E. , Zajac A. M. , Lindsay D. S.
Published: March 2015

Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed parasitic protozoan that infects humans and other warm‐blooded vertebrates. Felids are the only definitive host for T. gondii, and they excrete oocysts in their faeces. The national prevalence in humans is declining in the United States. This zoonotic organism is of particular interest due to its importance in pregnant women, in individuals with altered immune systems, and in reactivated ocular infections. Exposure to the parasite in humans is usually associated with consumption of raw or undercooked meat or by accidental ingestion of oocysts. It was hypothesized that veterinary students would have a greater chance at exposure to the parasite than an average population of undergraduate students due to increased contact with cats who are infected. A commercially available ELISA was used to examine serum samples from 336 students (252 veterinary students and 84 undergraduate students) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and the Virginia‐Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine for serum IgG antibodies to T. gondii antigen. The prevalence of T. gondii in these subjects was 5.6% in veterinary school students (n = 252) and 2.4% in undergraduates (n = 84). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in veterinary versus undergraduate students. The overall prevalence of 4.8% in all students in this study reflects the continuing decline of antibodies to T. gondii in humans in the United States.
The asymptotic Fermat’s Last Theorem for five-sixths of real quadratic fields
Authors: Freitas Nuno , Siksek Samir
Published: March 2015

Let $K$ be a totally real field. By the asymptotic Fermat’s Last Theorem over$K$ we mean the statement that there is a constant $B_{K}$ such that for any prime exponent $p>B_{K}$, the only solutions to the Fermat equation $$\begin{eqnarray}a^{p}+b^{p}+c^{p}=0,\quad a,b,c\in K\end{eqnarray}$$ are the trivial ones satisfying $abc=0$. With the help of modularity, level lowering and image-of-inertia comparisons, we give an algorithmically testable criterion which, if satisfied by $K$, implies the asymptotic Fermat’s Last Theorem over $K$. Using techniques from analytic number theory, we show that our criterion is satisfied by $K=\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{d})$ for a subset of $d\geqslant 2$ having density ${\textstyle \frac{5}{6}}$ among the squarefree positive integers. We can improve this density to $1$ if we assume a standard ‘Eichler–Shimura’ conjecture.
A Novel Fuel Performance Index for Low-Temperature Combustion Engines Based on Operating Envelopes in Light-Duty Driving Cycle Simulations
Authors: Niemeyer Kyle E. , Daly Shane R. , Cannella William J. , Hagen Christopher L.
Published: March 2015

Low-temperature combustion (LTC) engine concepts such as homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) offer the potential of improved efficiency and reduced emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulates. However, engines can only successfully operate in HCCI mode for limited operating ranges that vary depending on the fuel composition. Unfortunately, traditional ratings such as octane number (ON) poorly predict the auto-ignition behavior of fuels in such engine modes, and metrics recently proposed for HCCI engines have areas of improvement when wide ranges of fuels are considered. In this study, a new index for ranking fuel suitability for LTC engines was defined, based on the fraction of potential fuel savings achieved in the federal test procedure (FTP-75) light-duty vehicle driving cycle. Driving cycle simulations were performed using a typical light-duty passenger vehicle, providing pairs of engine speed and load points. Separately, single-zone naturally aspirated HCCI engine simulations were performed for a variety of fuels in order to determine the operating envelopes for each. These results were combined to determine the varying improvement in fuel economy offered by fuels, forming the basis for a fuel performance index. Results showed that, in general, lower octane fuels performed better, resulting in higher LTC fuel index values; however, ON alone did not predict fuel performance.
Tool Wear Monitoring and Alarm System Based on Pattern Recognition With Logical Analysis of Data
Authors: Shaban Yasser , Yacout Soumaya , Balazinski Marek
Published: March 2015

This paper presents a new tool wear monitoring and alarm system that is based on logical analysis of data (LAD). LAD is a data-driven combinatorial optimization technique for knowledge discovery and pattern recognition. The system is a nonintrusive online device that measures the cutting forces and relates them to tool wear through learned patterns. It is developed during turning titanium metal matrix composites (TiMMCs). These are a new generation of materials which have proven to be viable in various industrial fields such as biomedical and aerospace. Since they are quite expensive, our objective is to increase the tool life by giving an alarm at the right moment. The proposed monitoring system is tested by using the experimental results obtained under sequential different machining conditions. External and internal factors that affect the turning process are taken into consideration. The system's alarm limit is validated and is compared to the limit obtained when the statistical proportional hazards model (PHM) is used. The results show that the proposed system that is based on using LAD detects the worn patterns and gives a more accurate alarm for cutting tool replacement.
IGCC Precombustion CO2 Capture Using K2CO3 Solvent and Utilizing the Intercooling Heat Recovered From CO2 Compressors for CO2 Regeneration
Authors: Li Sheng , Jin Hongguang , Mumford Kathryn Anne , Smith Kathryn , Stevens Geoff
Published: March 2015

CO2 capture (CC) using hot K2CO3 solvent in integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant is a promising technology for CO2 emission reduction. Based on pilot scale trials, an innovative IGCC system with CC using hot K2CO3 solvent is proposed, in which the intercooling heat between CO2 compressors is recovered for CO2 regeneration (IGCC + CC + HR). Thermodynamic performance and exergy and energy utilization diagram (EUD) analysis are presented. Results show that recovery of the intercooling heat between CO2 compressors reduces the steam extraction requirement from turbines for CO2 regeneration by around 18% and enhances the efficiency of IGCC with CO2 capture (IGCC + CC) plant by 0.3–0.7 percentage points. With 90% CC, the efficiency of the IGCC + CC + HR plant is around 35.4% which is higher than IGCC + CC plant using Selexol technology. Compared to IGCC, the energy penalty for CC in IGCC + CC + HR plant is mainly caused by the exergy losses in CO2 separation (45.2%), water gas shift (WGS) (28.5%), combined cycle (20.7%) and CO2 compression units (5.6%). EUD analysis shows that the IGCC + CC + HR plant realizes good match of the energy levels between the intercooling heat and the recovered steam for CO2 regeneration, thereby obviously reducing the exergy losses in CO2 compression and separation units and improving the plant efficiency. The results presented in this paper confirm the sources causing the energy penalty for CC in IGCC power plant and the new IGCC + CC + HR system helps to reduce the energy penalty for CC in IGCC power plant based on solvent technologies.
Hot-Film Measurements on a Low Pressure Turbine Linear Cascade With Bypass Transition
Authors: Gomes Reinaldo A. , Stotz Stephan , Blaim Franz , Niehuis Reinhard
Published: March 2015

Transition of the state of the boundary layer from laminar to turbulent plays an important role in the aerodynamic loss generation on turbine airfoils. An accurate simulation of the transition process and of the state of the boundary layer is therefore crucial for prediction of the aerodynamic efficiency of components in rotating machines. A lot of the research in the past years dealt with the transition over laminar separation bubbles, especially concerning flows in low pressure turbines (LPTs) of air jet engines. Nevertheless, bypass transition is also frequent in turbomachines at higher Reynolds numbers as well as for properly designed profiles. Compared with transition over a laminar separation bubble, a bypass transition is experimentally much more difficult to detect with standard measurement techniques. In such cases it becomes necessary to use more sophisticated techniques, such as hot-film anemometry, hot wires, or Preston probes in order to obtain accurate information on the state of the boundary layer. The study presented is carried out using a linear cascade with a LPT blade profile with strong front loading and gentle flow deceleration at the rear suction side of the blade. Measurements were performed at the high-speed cascade wind tunnel of the Institute of Jet Propulsion at engine relevant Mach and Reynolds numbers. Emphasis is put on the evaluation of the different transition processes at midspan and its influence on profile losses. The data postprocessing was adapted for compressible flows, which allows a more accurate determination of the transition area as well as qualitatively better distributions of the wall shear stress. Finally, comparisons with simulations, using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools, are performed and fields for improvement of the turbulence and transition models are identified.
Copyright and Creative Commons in New Zealand
Authors: McGuire Mark
Published: March 2015

In 2001, Lawrence Lessig pointed out that, when considering of the ownership, regulation and governance of the virtual commons, we must take into account the “physical” layer, the “logical” or “code” layer, and the “content” layer, which includes the text, images, music, animations, movies and other digital material accessed over the internet. In an effort to free up the “content” layer, creativecommons.org went online in 2002, allowing individuals to attach “some rights reserved” licenses to their work. This development was in response to changes in US copyright laws that the Creative Commons founders (including Lessig) argued hindered access to creative works. Since then, the Creative Commons Licenses have been ported to over fifty jurisdictions, including New Zealand. In this paper, I review institutional efforts to strengthen copyright in New Zealand through the Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Act in 2008 and the Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Act in 2011. I then discuss the use of Creative Commons licenses to share creative work with fewer restrictions, using examples drawn from education, the government sector and individual artists. Finally, I review critiques of the Creative Commons movement from those who point out that it supports the existing system that treats culture and communication as private, subject to property rights, and as a resource to be commercially exploited.
Digital Domesday: Saturation Surveillance and the New Serfdom
Authors: Murdock Graham
Published: March 2015

Digital Domesday: Saturation Surveillance and the New Serfdom
Relationship between surface chemistry, biofilm structure, and electron transfer in Shewanella anodes
Authors: Artyushkova Kateryna , Cornejo Jose A. , Ista Linnea K. , Babanova Sofia , Santoro Carlo , Atanassov Plamen , Schuler Andrew J.
Published: March 2015

A better understanding of how anode surface properties affect growth, development, and activity of electrogenic biofilms has great potential to improve the performance of bioelectrochemical systems such as microbial fuel cells. The aim of this paper was to determine how anodes with specific exposed functional groups (–N(CH3)3+, –COOH, –OH, and –CH3), created using ω-substituted alkanethiolates self-assembled monolayers attached to gold, affect the surface properties and functional performance of electrogenic Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 biofilms. A combination of spectroscopic, microscopic, and electrochemical techniques was used to evaluate how electrode surface chemistry influences morphological, chemical, and functional properties of S. oneidensis MR-1 biofilms, in an effort to develop improved electrode materials and structures. Positively charged, highly functionalized, hydrophilic surfaces were beneficial for growth of uniform biofilms with the smallest cluster sizes and intercluster diffusion distances, and yielding the most efficient electron transfer. The authors derived these parameters based on 3D morphological features of biofilms that were directly linked to functional properties of the biofilm during growth and that, during polarization, were directly connected to the efficiency of electron transfer to the anode. Our results indicate that substratum chemistry affects not only primary attachment, but subsequent biofilm development and bacterial physiology.
Band structure measurement and analysis of the Bi2Te3/CdTe (111)B heterojunction
Authors: Lee Kyoung-Keun , Myers Thomas H.
Published: March 2015

The band alignments of the Bi2Te3/CdTe (111)B (Te-terminated) heterojunction were investigated using high-resolution x-ray and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy. The measured valence band offset and the conduction band offset of the Bi2Te3/CdTe were 0.22 ± 0.05 and 1.12 ± 0.05 eV, respectively, and indicated that the Bi2Te3/CdTe heterojunction had a type I band structure.
“The Biggest Hire in School History”: Considering the Factors Influencing the Hiring of a Major College Football Coach
Authors: Hambrick Marion E. , Bass Jordan R. , Schaeperkoetter Claire C.
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this case is to illuminate the numerous factors administrators must consider when conducting and completing a coaching search. Specifically, participants are instructed to use Kellison’s (2013) ethical decision-making process framework to guide their analysis when deciding on, and eventually hiring, a head coach at an exceedingly visible university and athletic department. A hypothetical situation was created based on actual events that took place during a highly publicized head coach search in a major university football program. In all, participants will be immersed in the process of identifying, interviewing, and ultimately choosing a new head coach for their highest revenue-generating program during the most important time in the history of the university and athletic department.
Comment on “Stellar activity masquerading as planets in the habitable zone of the M dwarf Gliese 581”
Authors: Anglada-Escudé Guillem , Tuomi Mikko
Published: March 2015

Robertson
et al
. (Reports, 25 July 2014, p. 440) claimed that activity-induced variability is responsible for the Doppler signal of the proposed planet candidate GJ 581d. We point out that their analysis using periodograms of residual data is inappropriate and promotes inadequate tools. Because the claim challenges the viability of the method to detect exo-Earths, we encourage reanalysis and a deliberation on what the field-standard methods should be.
Einstein's vision
Authors: Moerchen Margaret , Coontz Robert
Published: March 2015

GENERAL RELATIVITY TURNS 100
To catch a wave
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: March 2015

After decades of work, physicists say they are a year or two away from detecting ripples in spacetime.
The dark side of cosmology: Dark matter and dark energy
Authors: Spergel David N.
Published: March 2015

A simple model with only six parameters (the age of the universe, the density of atoms, the density of matter, the amplitude of the initial fluctuations, the scale dependence of this amplitude, and the epoch of first star formation) fits all of our cosmological data . Although simple, this standard model is strange. The model implies that most of the matter in our Galaxy is in the form of “dark matter,” a new type of particle not yet detected in the laboratory, and most of the energy in the universe is in the form of “dark energy,” energy associated with empty space. Both dark matter and dark energy require extensions to our current understanding of particle physics or point toward a breakdown of general relativity on cosmological scales.
Mass spectrometry imaging with laser-induced postionization
Authors: Soltwisch Jens , Kettling Hans , Vens-Cappell Simeon , Wiegelmann Marcel , Müthing Johannes , Dreisewerd Klaus
Published: March 2015

Imaging lipid composition

Chemical imaging of cell membranes can be performed with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI), but low ionization efficiency often leads to a signal dominated by the main lipid components, such as abundant phosphatidylcholine species. Soltwisch
et al.
used a tunable laser for post-ionization of neutral species to boost the signal for other membrane components, such as cholesterol and phospho- and glycolipids. Imaging of cells and tissues with these methods allows differentiation based on a more extensive chemical signature.

Science
, this issue p.
211
A return to the pre-antimicrobial era?
Authors: Baker Stephen
Published: March 2015

The effects of antimicrobial resistance will be felt most acutely in lower-income countries

[Also see Perspective by
Perros
]
Structural basis for chemokine recognition and activation of a viral G protein–coupled receptor
Authors: Burg John S. , Ingram Jessica R. , Venkatakrishnan A. J. , Jude Kevin M. , Dukkipati Abhiram , Feinberg Evan N. , Angelini Alessandro , Waghray Deepa , Dror Ron O. , Ploegh Hidde L. , Garcia K. Christopher
Published: March 2015

Molecular “go” signals reveal their secrets

Chemokines are proteins that direct how cells move within the body. For instance, chemokines help immune cells locate invading pathogens and ensure that cells position themselves correctly within a developing organ. Cells detect chemokines through G protein–coupled receptors on their surface; however, the molecular details of how these proteins interact remain unclear (see the Perspective by Standfuss). Qin
et al.
solved the crystal structure of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 bound to the viral chemokine vMIP-II. Burg
et al.
solved the crystal structure of a viral chemokine receptor bound to the chemokine domain of CX3CL1. Given the role of chemokines in a number of diseases, these results may help in future drug design.

Science
, this issue p.
1117
, p.
1113
; see also p.
1071
Draft Genome Sequence of a New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase-5 (NDM-5)-Producing Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolate
Authors: de Man Tom J. B. , Perry K. Allison , Avillan Johannetsy J. , Rasheed J. Kamile , Limbago Brandi M.
Published: March 2015

A multidrug-resistant
Escherichia coli
isolate from an abdominal lesion displayed resistance to all β-lactams tested, including carbapenems, in addition to macrolides, fluoroquinolones, and tetracycline. Sequence analyses demonstrated the presence of
bla
NDM-5
in addition to at least 13 genes and 6 efflux pumps associated with antibiotic resistance.
Genome Sequences of the Lignin-Degrading Pseudomonas sp. Strain YS-1p and Rhizobium sp. Strain YS-1r Isolated from Decaying Wood
Authors: Prabhakaran Madhu , Couger Matthew B. , Jackson Colin A. , Weirick Tyler , Fathepure Babu Z.
Published: March 2015

Pseudomonas sp. strain YS-1p and Rhizobium sp. strain YS-1r were isolated from a lignin-degrading enrichment culture. The isolates degraded lignin-derived monomers, dimers, alkali lignin, and, to a smaller extent (3% to 5%), lignin in switch grass and alfalfa. Genome analysis revealed the presence of a variety of lignin-degrading genes.
Draft Genome Sequences of Thalassobacter Strains 1CONIMAR09 and 16PALIMAR09, Two Members of the Roseobacter Lineage Isolated from Coastal Areas of the Mediterranean Sea around Mallorca Island
Authors: Mas-Lladó Maria , Piña-Villalonga Joana Maria , Brunet-Galmés Isabel , Nogales Balbina , Bosch Rafael
Published: March 2015

We report the draft genome sequence of two new members of the Roseobacter lineage, Thalassobacter strains 1CONIMAR09 and 16PALIMAR09, which were isolated from the seawater coast of Mallorca Island. Each genome harbored putative genes for obtaining energy by chemolithotrophy and making aerobic anoxygenic photosynthesis.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Opitutaceae Bacterium Strain TAV5, a Potential Facultative Methylotroph of the Wood-Feeding Termite Reticulitermes flavipes
Authors: Kotak Malini , Isanapong Jantiya , Goodwin Lynne , Bruce David , Chen Amy , Han Cliff S. , Huntemann Marcel , Ivanova Natalia , Land Miriam L. , Nolan Matt , Pati Amrita , Woyke Tanja , Rodrigues Jorge L. M.
Published: March 2015

The Opitutaceae bacterium strain TAV5, a member of the phylum
Verrucomicrobia
, was isolated from the wood-feeding termite hindgut. We report here its complete genome sequence, which contains a chromosome and a plasmid of 7,317,842 bp and 99,831 bp, respectively. The genomic analysis reveals genes for methylotrophy, lignocellulose degradation, and ammonia and sulfate assimilation.
Genome Sequences of Five Disinfectant-Resistant Listeria monocytogenes Strains from Two Iberian Pork-Processing Plants
Authors: López-Alonso Victoria , Ortiz Sagrario , Martínez-Suárez Joaquín V.
Published: March 2015

We announce the draft genome sequences of five
Listeria monocytogenes
strains from two Iberian pork-processing plants located in Spain that were distinguished by their resistance to benzalkonium chloride. These strains seem highly adapted to the meat-processing environment according to their persistence and transmission capabilities.
Complete Sequence of Probiotic Symbioflor 2 Escherichia coli Strain G3/10 and Draft Sequences of Symbioflor 2 E. coli Strains G1/2, G4/9, G5, G6/7, and G8
Authors: Zschüttig Anke , Auerbach Christian , Meltke Simone , Eichhorn Christin , Brandt Manuela , Blom Jochen , Goesmann Alexander , Jarek Michael , Scharfe Maren , Zimmermann Kurt , Wassenaar Trudy M. , Gunzer Florian
Published: March 2015

The complete genome of probiotic
Escherichia coli
strain G3/10 is presented here. In addition, the probiotic
E. coli
strains G1/2, G4/9, G5, G6/7, and G8 are presented in draft form. These six strains together comprise the probiotic product Symbioflor 2 (DSM 17252).
Infection with Bartonella henselae in a Danish Family
Authors: Maggi Ricardo G. , Balakrishnan Nandhakumar , Bradley Julie M. , Breitschwerdt Edward B.
Published: March 2015

Bartonella
species constitute emerging, vector-borne, intravascular pathogens that produce long-lasting bacteremia in reservoir-adapted (natural host or passive carrier of a microorganism) and opportunistic hosts. With the advent of more sensitive and specific diagnostic tests, there is evolving microbiological evidence supporting concurrent infection with one or more
Bartonella
spp. in more than one family member; however, the mode(s) of transmission to or among family members remains unclear. In this study, we provide molecular microbiological evidence of
Bartonella henselae
genotype San Antonio 2 (SA2) infection in four of six Danish family members, including a child who died of unknown causes at 14 months of age.
Dynamic Interaction of Stress Granules, DDX3X, and IKK-α Mediates Multiple Functions in Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Authors: Pène Véronique , Li Qisheng , Sodroski Catherine , Hsu Ching-Sheng , Liang T. Jake
Published: March 2015

The ubiquitous ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX3X is involved in many cellular functions, including innate immunity, and is a pivotal host factor for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Recently, we showed that DDX3X specifically recognizes the HCV 3′ untranslated region (UTR), leading to the activation of IKK-α and a cascade of lipogenic signaling to facilitate lipid droplet biogenesis and viral assembly (Q. Li, V. Pene, S. Krishnamurthy, H. Cha, and T. J. Liang, Nat Med
19:
722–729, 2013,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nm.3190
). The interaction of DDX3X with HCV core protein seems to be dispensable for its proviral role. In this study, through systematic imaging and biochemical and virologic approaches, we identified a dynamic association between DDX3X and various cellular compartments and viral elements mediating multiple functions of DDX3X in productive HCV infection. Upon HCV infection, the HCV 3′UTR interacts with DDX3X and IKK-α, which redistribute to speckle-like cytoplasmic structures shown to be stress granules (SGs). As viral proteins accumulate in infected cells, DDX3X granules together with SG-associated proteins redistribute and colocalize with HCV core protein around lipid droplets (LDs). IKK-α, however, does not relocate to the LD but translocates to the nucleus. In HCV-infected cells, various HCV nonstructural proteins also interact or colocalize with DDX3X in close proximity to SGs and LDs, consistent with the tight juxtaposition of the replication complex and the assembly site at the surface of LDs. Short interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of DDX3X and multiple SG components markedly inhibits HCV infection. Our data suggest that DDX3X initiates a multifaceted cellular program involving dynamic associations with HCV RNA and proteins, IKK-α, SG, and LD surfaces for its crucial role in the HCV life cycle.

IMPORTANCE
DDX3X is a proviral host factor for HCV infection. Recently, we showed that DDX3X binds to the HCV 3′UTR, activating IKK-α and cellular lipogenesis to facilitate viral assembly (Q. Li et al., Nat Med
19:
722–729, 2013,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nm.3190
). Here, we report associations of DDX3X with various cellular compartments and viral elements that mediate its multiple functions in the HCV life cycle. Upon infection, the HCV 3′UTR redistributes DDX3X and IKK-α to speckle-like cytoplasmic structures shown to be SGs. Subsequently, interactions between DDX3X, SG, and HCV proteins facilitate the translocation of DDX3X-SG complexes to the LD surface. HCV nonstructural proteins are shown to colocalize with DDX3X in close proximity to SGs and LDs, consistent with the tight juxtaposition of the HCV replication complex and assembly site at the LD surface. Our data demonstrate that DDX3X initiates a multifaceted cellular program involving dynamic associations with HCV elements, IKK-α, SGs, and LDs for its critical role in HCV infection.
B Virus (Macacine herpesvirus 1) Glycoprotein D Is Functional but Dispensable for Virus Entry into Macaque and Human Skin Cells
Authors: Perelygina Ludmila , Patrusheva Irina , Vasireddi Mugdha , Brock Nicole , Hilliard Julia
Published: March 2015

Glycoprotein D (gD) plays an essential role in cell entry of many simplexviruses. B virus (
Macacine herpesvirus 1
) is closely related to herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and encodes gD, which shares more than 70% amino acid similarity with HSV-1 gD. Previously, we have demonstrated that B virus gD polyclonal antibodies were unable to neutralize B virus infectivity on epithelial cell lines, suggesting gD is not required for B virus entry into these cells. In the present study, we confirmed this finding by producing a B virus mutant, BV-ΔgDZ, in which the gD gene was replaced with a
lacZ
expression cassette. Recombinant plaques were selected on complementing VD60 cells expressing HSV-1 gD. Virions lacking gD were produced in Vero cells infected with BV-ΔgDZ. In contrast to HSV-1, B virus lacking gD was able to infect and form plaques on noncomplementing cell lines, including Vero, HEp-2, LLC-MK2, primary human and macaque dermal fibroblasts, and U373 human glioblastoma cells. The gD-negative BV-ΔgDZ also failed to enter entry-resistant murine B78H1 cells bearing a single gD receptor, human nectin-1, but gained the ability to enter when phenotypically supplemented with HSV-1 gD. Cell attachment and penetration rates, as well as the replication characteristics of BV-ΔgDZ in Vero cells, were almost identical to those of wild-type (wt) B virus. These observations indicate that B virus can utilize gD-independent cell entry and transmission mechanisms, in addition to generally used gD-dependent mechanisms.

IMPORTANCE
B virus is the only known simplexvirus that causes zoonotic infection, resulting in approximately 80% mortality in untreated humans or in lifelong persistence with the constant threat of reactivation in survivors. Here, we report that B virus lacking the gD envelope glycoprotein infects both human and monkey cells as efficiently as wild-type B virus. These data provide evidence for a novel mechanism(s) utilized by B virus to gain access to target cells. This mechanism is different from those used by its close relatives, HSV-1 and -2, where gD is a pivotal protein in the virus entry process. The possibility remains that unidentified receptors, specific for B virus, permit virus entry into target cells through gD-independent pathways. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of B virus entry may help in developing rational therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of B virus infection in both macaques and humans.
‘Triplication’ defect in deciduous teeth: an unusual odontogenic anomaly
Authors: Shanthraj Srinivas L , Mallikarjun Shanthala B , Kiran Shital , Wilson Bobby
Published: March 2015

Developmental odontogenic anomalies can occur in primary as well as in permanent dentition leading to morphological variations in shape, size and structure and numerical variations such as hypodontia. The most commonly reported odontogenic anomaly in primary dentition is conjoined teeth. Conjoined teeth can be due to fusion or gemination. Relevant clinical and radiographic evaluation is a must to differentiate between the two. Occurrence of double fusion as an anomaly may not be infrequent, but triple fusion is a rare odontogenic anomaly. We report a case of a 7.5-year-old girl who clinically had a large crown due to triple fusion in her dentition, between two normal primary teeth and a supernumerary tooth. This paper gives a brief insight into the incidence, associated quandaries and diagnosis and treatment modalities of a triple fusion.
Hyaline globules in fine-needle aspiration smears of salivary gland neoplasms
Authors: Gupta Mayank , Bindra Mandeep Singh
Published: March 2015

Most salivary gland neoplasms can be accurately diagnosed on fine-needle aspiration cytology. Few cases present with overlapping cytomorphological features, so accurate distinction in these cases may be difficult. We describe a case of pleomorphic adenoma that had a close resemblance to adenoid cystic carcinoma on smears due to presence of numerous hyaline globules and bare nuclei. Careful analysis of cellular details along with corroborative clinical evidence clinched the correct diagnosis. This article discusses cytological features of salivary gland tumours in which hyaline globules can be seen on smears.
Traumatically shattered kidney without urine extravasation or vascular amputation
Authors: Wendler Johann Jakob , Jürgens Julian , Schostak Martin , Liehr Uwe-Bernd
Published: March 2015

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) injury scoring scale is commonly used for genitourinary injuries. Normally, grade 4–5 lacerations of the kidney show involvement of the pelvicalyceal system (PCS) with urine extravasation (UE). We present a case of a 41-year-old woman who was hospitalised with macrohaematuria and retroperitoneal haematoma after severe blunt acceleration flank trauma. CT scan showed an extended laceration of the left kidney with separation of upper pole. This is the first case of an extended kidney laceration without UE due to rupture within the dichotomous PCS, which healed up after selective embolisation. If possible, severe renal bleeding should be treated with selective embolisation as an alternative to surgery. Any suspected involvement of the PCS should undergo retrograde ureteropyelography and urinary diversion.
Bacterial infections in patients with type 1 diabetes: a 14-year follow-up study
Authors: Simonsen Johan R , Harjutsalo Valma , Järvinen Asko , Kirveskari Juha , Forsblom Carol , Groop Per-Henrik , Lehto Markku
Published: March 2015

Objective

This study explored the annual occurrence/incidence of bacterial infections, and their association with chronic hyperglycemia and diabetic nephropathy, in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Design

In a register-based follow-up study, we investigated the frequency of bacterial infections in patients with type 1 diabetes (n=4748) and age-matched and sex-matched non-diabetic control (NDC) subjects (n=12 954) using nationwide register data on antibiotic drug prescription purchases and hospital discharge diagnoses, collected between 1996 and 2009. Diabetic nephropathy was classified based on the urinary albumin excretion rate (AER).

Results

The hospitalization rate due to bacterial infections was higher in patients with diabetes compared with NDCs (rate ratio (RR) 2.30 (95% CI 2.11 to 2.51)). The rate correlated with the severity of diabetic nephropathy: RR for microalbuminuria was 1.23 (0.94 to 1.60), 1.97 (1.49 to 2.61) for macroalbuminuria, 11.2 (8.1 to 15.5) for dialysis, and 6.72 (4.92 to 9.18) for kidney transplant as compared to patients with diabetes and normal AER. The annual number of antibiotic purchases was higher in patients with diabetes (1.00 (1.00 to 1.01)) as compared with NDCs (0.47 (0.46 to 0.47)), RR=1.71 (1.65 to 1.77). Annual antibiotic purchases were 1.18-fold more frequent in patients with microalbuminuria, 1.29-fold with macroalbuminuria, 2.43-fold with dialysis, and 2.74-fold with kidney transplant as compared to patients with normal AER. Each unit of increase in glycated hemoglobin was associated with a 6–10% increase in the number of annual antibiotic purchases.

Conclusions

The incidence of bacterial infections was significantly higher in patients with type 1 diabetes compared with age-matched and sex-matched NDC subjects, and correlated with the severity of diabetic nephropathy in inpatient and outpatient settings.
Associations between source of information about sex and sexual health outcomes in Britain: findings from the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3)
Authors: Macdowall Wendy , Jones Kyle G , Tanton Clare , Clifton Soazig , Copas Andrew J , Mercer Catherine H , Palmer Melissa J , Lewis Ruth , Datta Jessica , Mitchell Kirstin R , Field Nigel , Sonnenberg Pam , Johnson Anne M , Wellings Kaye
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To examine variation in source of information about sexual matters by sociodemographic factors, and associations with sexual behaviours and outcomes.

Design

Cross-sectional probability sample survey.

Setting

British general population.

Participants

3408 men and women, aged 17–24 years, interviewed from 2010–2012 for third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles.

Main outcome measures

Main source of information (school, a parent, other); age and circumstances of first heterosexual intercourse; unsafe sex and distress about sex in past year; experience of sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses, non-volitional sex or abortion (women only) ever.

Results

Citing school was associated with younger age, higher educational level and having lived with both parents. Citing a parent was associated, in women, with lower educational level and having lived with one parent. Relative to other sources, citing school was associated with older age at first sex (adjusted HR 0.73 (95% CI 0.65 to 0.83) men, 0.73 (0.65 to 0.82) women), lower likelihood of unsafe sex (adjusted OR 0.58 (0.44 to 0.77) men, 0.69 (0.52 to 0.91) women) and previous STI diagnosis (0.55 (0.33 to 0.91) men, 0.58 (0.43 to 0.80) women) and, in women, with lower likelihood of lack of sexual competence at first sex; and experience of non-volitional sex, abortion and distress about sex. Citing a parent was associated with lower likelihood of unsafe sex (0.53 (0.28 to 1.00) men; 0.69 (0.48 to 0.99) women) and, in women, previous STI diagnosis.

Conclusions

Gaining information mainly from school was associated with lower reporting of a range of negative sexual health outcomes, particularly among women. Gaining information mainly from a parent was associated with some of these, but fewer cited parents as a primary source. The findings emphasise the benefit of school and parents providing information about sexual matters and argue for a stronger focus on the needs of men.
Introduction of a new electronic medical weekend handover at Tunbridge Wells Hospital
Authors: Vithlani Rohan
Published: March 2015

Effective handover between shifts is vital to protect patient safety and assist doctors with clinical governance. Poor quality, or inadequate handover can lead to serious harm for both patients and doctors. The weekend medical handover system among junior doctors at Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury, UK was cumbersome, inadequate and poor, restricting the ability to provide good patient care. 78.6% of doctors felt that the introduction of an electronic weekend handover system would address the issues in order to improve communication between the medical teams and thus improve patient care. A five week trial of an excel based electronic weekend handover system was conducted. 87.5% of the doctors surveyed felt that the new electronic weekend handover was better or significantly better than the old paper based handover system.

The effectiveness rating of the weekend medical handover, with 1 (least effective) - 10 (most effective), rose from 6.14 to 7.31 after introduction of the electronic weekend medical handover system. As a result, this project has become part of the junior doctors medical induction, ensuring permanence of electronic weekend medical handover. This project takes a step towards improved patient safety as well improving the working conditions for junior doctors in a busy acute medical unit. There is always a need to refine and optimise systems and though this project is not perfect, it is a step toward electronic handover that is available now and free of cost.
Testing implications of varying targets forBordetella pertussis: comparison of the FilmArray Respiratory Panel and the FocusB. pertussisPCR assay
Authors: Jerris Robert C , Williams Sally R , MacDonald Heather J , Ingebrigtsen Danielle R , Westblade Lars F , Rogers Beverly B
Published: March 2015

Background

The FilmArray Respiratory Panel (RP) detects multiple pathogens, includingBordetella pertussis.The multiplex PCR system is appropriate for a core laboratory or point of care due to ease of use. The purpose of this study is to compare the analytical sensitivity of the FilmArray RP, which targets the promoter region of theB. pertussistoxin gene, with the Focus real-time PCR assay, which targets the insertion sequence IS481.

Methods

Seventy-one specimens from patients aged 1 month to 18 years, which had tested positive forB. pertussisusing the Focus assay, were analysed using the FilmArray RP.

Results

Forty-six specimens were positive forB. pertussisby both the Focus and the FilmArray RP assays. Twenty-five specimens were negative forB. pertussisusing the FilmArray RP assay, but positive using the Focus assay.

Conclusions

The FilmArray RP assays will detect approximately 1/3 less cases ofB. pertussisthan the Focus assay.
Repair of an axillary non‐healing gunshot wound with MRSA strain infection in a cat
Authors: Murgia Daniela
Published: March 2015

The present report describes the successful use of a multimodal approach for the treatment of a chronic axillary non‐healing gunshot wound infected with a meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain in a cat. Isolation from the contamination source, confinement, antibiotics and combined omental pedicle graft and thoracodorsal axial pattern flap led to an uneventful recovery.
Recent CMS results on diffraction
Authors: Benoît Roland ,   (on behalf of the CMS Collaboration)
Published: March 2015

Recent CMS results on diffraction are presented. These include the measurements of the soft diffractive cross sections, of the forward rapidity gap cross section, of the diffractive dijet cross section, the measurement of a large rapidity gap in W and Z boson events and the measurement of the pseudorapidity distribution of charged particles in a single diffractive enhanced sample. This last measurement is the first common result of the CMS and TOTEM collaborations. Some prospects of common CMS-TOTEM data taking are also discussed.
Corrections to entropy and thermodynamics of charged black hole using generalized uncertainty principle
Authors: Tawfik Abdel Nasser , El Dahab Eiman Abou
Published: March 2015

Recently, there has been much attention devoted to resolving the quantum corrections to the Bekenstein–Hawking (black hole) entropy, which relates the entropy to the cross-sectional area of the black hole horizon. Using generalized uncertainty principle (GUP), corrections to the geometric entropy and thermodynamics of black hole will be introduced. The impact of GUP on the entropy near the horizon of three types of black holes: Schwarzschild, Garfinkle–Horowitz–Strominger and Reissner–Nordström is determined. It is found that the logarithmic divergence in the entropy-area relation turns to be positive. The entropy S, which is assumed to be related to horizon's two-dimensional area, gets an additional terms, for instance [Formula: see text], where α is the GUP parameter.