bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) +874T allele reduces the risk of hepatitis B infection in an Asian population
Authors: Sun X.‐R. , Wu J. , Tang K.‐F.
Published: September 2013

Increasing evidence suggests that polymorphism of the interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) gene in the first intron at position +874 may be associated with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and/or HBV clearance. However, the results of relevant studies have been inconsistent. To derive a more precise estimation of the association, we performed a meta‐analysis. In total, 10 independent studies including 1661 chronic HBV‐infected patients and 1142 controls were included in this meta‐analysis. In studies following Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), a significantly decreased risk of chronic HBV infection was associated with the IFN‐γ + 874TT genotype in the overall population (TT vs AA: odds ratio (OR) = 0.714, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.526–0.969, P = 0.031) when compared with a spontaneously recovered population. Subgroup analysis by ethnicity revealed a similar association in Asian individuals (TT vs AA: OR = 0.706, 95% CI = 0.518–0.962, P = 0.028). Moreover, when compared with a healthy control group, the 874T allele was associated with a significant lower risk of chronic HBV infection in the overall populations (TA vs AA: OR = 0.439, 95% CI = 0.193–0.997, P = 0.049; TT + TA vs AA: OR = 0.475, 95% CI = 0.271–0.832, P = 0.009) and in Asian individuals (TA vs AA: OR = 0.862, 95% CI = 0.744–0.999, P = 0.048). In conclusion, the IFN‐γ + 874TT genotype and 874T allele reduce the risk of chronic HBV infection in Asian individuals.
High temperature constrains reproductive success in a temperate lizard: implications for distribution range limits and the impacts of climate change
Authors: Monasterio C. , Shoo L. P. , Salvador A. , Iraeta P. , Díaz J. A.
Published: September 2013

We investigated whether the current distribution of Lacerta schreiberi is likely to be constrained by incubation conditions. We used an incubation experiment in the laboratory to examine the effects of temperature and moisture on lizard reproductive traits, in order to clarify the ecological processes that underlie the distribution patterns of this lizard and to build more reliable mechanistic models. We then investigated to what extent range limits of L. schreiberi coincided with those predicted from incubation experiments and actual temperature variation experienced in the field. This was done by intersecting documented presence localities of the species with interpolated spatial layers of soil temperature. Reproductive success (hatching success, morphological traits and growth rates) was strongly and negatively affected by high temperature. In contrast, incubation moisture only affected neonate size and its positive effects were only realized at moderate to low temperature. Documented temperature sensitivity suggests that successful embryonic development is likely to be compromised by available thermal conditions, and that this species is unable to colonize warmer areas such as those where L. schreiberi is absent beyond its distribution range limits. An important addition is that incubation moisture does not appear to influence overall embryonic development. We would expect contemporary climate warming to cause upward elevational shifts which may be more or less critical depending on the availability of preferred habitat.
Buchstabentheater
Authors: Müller‐Wille Klaus
Published: September 2013

Im Zentrum des Artikels steht die Novelle Avrohmche Nattergal (1871) von Meïr Aron Goldschmidt. Im Rahmen dieser Novelle entwickelt Goldschmidt sehr komplexe Überlegungen zu einer jüdischen Poetik, die er in Auseinandersetzung mit Henrik Hertz’ Nationaldrama Svend Dyrings Huus (1837) und Georg Brandes kritischen Überlegungen zu einer jüdischen Literatur profiliert. Dabei lässt sich Goldschmidt schon sehr früh auf eine kritische Reflexion der spezifischen Medien‐ und Schriftpraktiken ein, welche die Konstitution nationaler Gemeinschaften begleiten. Er erkennt mit anderen Worten, inwiefern gerade die dänische Nationalromantik an einen Kult des mündlichen Wortes gebunden ist, der in seiner Schriftkritik deutlich antisemitisch profiliert ist. Die Novelle Goldtschmidts lebt dagegen von einer bewussten Inszenierung ihrer Buchstäblichkeit, was nicht zuletzt in ihrer hohen stilistischen und rhetorischen Qualität zum Ausdruck kommt. Insgesamt münden Goldschmidts Überlegungen zu einer jüdischen Poetik auf diese Weise in eine sehr sprachbewusste und somit erstaunlich moderne Erzählweise.
Essential role of the molecular chaperone gp96 in regulating melanogenesis
Authors: Zhang Yongliang , Helke Kristi L. , Coelho Sergio G. , Valencia Julio C. , Hearing Vincent J. , Sun Shaoli , Liu Bei , Li Zihai
Published: September 2013

Through a process known as melanogenesis, melanocyte produces melanin in specialized organelles termed melanosomes, which regulates pigmentation of the skin, eyes, and hair.Gp96 is a constitutively expressed heat shock protein in the endoplasmic reticulum whose expression is further upregulated upon ultraviolet irradiation. However, the roles and mechanisms of this chaperone in pigmentation biology are unknown. In this study, we found that knockdown of gp96 byRNAinterference significantly perturbed melanin synthesis and blocked late melanosome maturation.Gp96 knockdown did not impair the expression of tyrosinase, an essential enzyme in melanin synthesis, but compromised its catalytic activity and melanosome translocation. Further, mice with melanocyte‐specific deletion of gp96 displayed decreased pigmentation. A mechanistic study revealed that the defect in melanogenesis can be rescued by activation of the canonical Wnt pathway, consistent with the critical roles of gp96 in chaperoningWnt‐coreceptorLRP6. Thus, this work uncovered the essential role of gp96 in regulating melanogenesis.
Clinical, endoscopic, and histologic features of eosinophilic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract in pediatric liver transplant patients
Authors: Parashette Kalyan Ray , Zeytinoglu Meltem , Kernek Kevin , Molleston Jean P. , Subbarao Girish
Published: September 2013

Immunosuppression during the post‐transplantation period has led to dramatic outcome improvements in PLTR patients. There have been reports describing the development of food allergies and an increased predilection for development of EGI in PLTR. We aimed to identify the clinical, endoscopic and histologic features of EGI in PLTR patients. In this retrospective case series we analyzed medical record of all PLTR who underwent EGD and/or colonoscopy at our institution from 2000 to 2006. From 2000 to 2006, 32 PLTR patients underwent endoscopic evaluation. Seventeen (53%) of 32 patients were diagnosed with EGI. Endoscopic abnormalities were seen in the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine in 11 (65%), 11 (65%), and four (24%) patients, respectively. Eosinophilic inflammation was seen in the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine in 13 (76%), 10 (59%), and five (29%) patients, respectively. Nine of 17 patients underwent colonoscopy and endoscopic abnormalities were seen in four (44%) patients. Five patients (56%) had eosinophilic inflammation. In conclusion, we have characterized the clinical, endoscopic, and histologic features of EGI. Histologic and endoscopic examination reveals that, when present, EGI is often found at multiple segments along the gastrointestinal tract.
Progression of pectinate ligament dysplasia over time in two populations of Flat‐Coated Retrievers
Authors: Pearl Rose , Gould David , Spiess Bernhard
Published: September 2013

Objective

Two of the authors (DG,BS) independently observed that a number of Flat‐Coated Retrievers (FCRs) previously unaffected by pectinate ligament dysplasia (PLD) appeared to develop the condition later in life. This study was instigated to investigate progression ofPLDwithin individual dogs over time.

Animals studied

Flat‐Coated Retrievers that had previously undergone gonioscopy under theUK/ECVOhereditary eye schemes were included in the study.

Procedure

A second gonioscopic examination was performed 1.92–12.58 years later (mean 6, median 5.75 years) and the results compared. 39FCR(17 males, 22 females) in theUKand 57FCR(27 males, 30 females) in Switzerland were included. Slit‐lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, and gonioscopy were performed in all dogs. Gonioscopy allowed classification as either unaffected or affected; percentage of the iridocorneal drainage angle (ICA) affected byPLDwas determined, before calculating progression observed as mild, moderate, or severe.

Results

39 of 96 (40.6%) dogs demonstrated progression ofPLD(P < 0.0001). Of these, 13 of 96 (13.5%) were classified as mild progression (from either unaffected to 10–20% or 10–20% to 20–90%ICAaffected). Progression was more extensive in 26 of 96 (27.1%) dogs (P < 0.0001), of which 12 of 96 (12.5%) went from unaffected to severePLDof >90%ICAaffected, consistent with a high risk of glaucoma.

Conclusions

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report describing progression ofPLDin individual dogs over time, in a breed affected by primary, angle closure glaucoma.
Blood donation clusters in Québec, Canada (2003–2008): spatial variations according to sex and age
Authors: Apparicio P. , Cloutier M.‐S. , Chadillon‐Farinacci V. , Charbonneau J. , Delage G.
Published: September 2013

Background and objectives

The detection of spatial clusters of blood donation rate is an important issue, especially for targeting spatial units with significantly low rates, where it could be possible to increase the numbers of donors. The objective of this study is to detect spatial clusters of high or low blood donation rate in Québec according to sex and age of the donors.

Materials and Methods

Blood donation data were obtained from Héma‐Québec over a period of 5 years. We aggregated these data for each of 101 municipalités regionales de comté (i.e. counties) for men, women and four age groups. To detect spatial high/low donation rate areas, we used the Kulldorff's scan statistics. Kappa coefficient was used to assess discordance between clusters obtained for the different groups (18–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69 years old). T‐test analyses were conducted to identify significant associations between spatial clusters and socio‐economic variables.

Results

The results indicate the presence of several geographical areas with high or low blood donation rates for each group. The size, the location and the socio‐demographic profiles of low/high clusters vary according to sex and age categories.

Conclusion

The Kulldorff's scan statistics are an efficient tool to assess the blood donation performance across a country or even a specific region over a period of several years. In terms of strategic planning and monitoring, it can be used as a fully operational tool to target areas with significantly low rates (for all donors or specific demographic groups) in future blood donation campaigns.
Effect of Particle Size and Liquid Viscosity on Erosion in Annular and Slug Flow
Authors: Kesana N. R. , Throneberry J. M. , McLaury B. S. , Shirazi S. A. , Rybicki E. F.
Published: September 2013

Erosion measurements in multiphase slug and annular flow regimes have been made in a horizontal 76.2 mm (3-in.) diameter pipe. These flow regimes are selected since they produce higher metal losses than other flow regimes, and they also occur for a wide variety of operating conditions. Experiments are performed with superficial gas velocities ranging from 15.2 m/s (50 ft/s) to 45.7 m/s (150 ft/s) and superficial liquid velocities ranging from 0.46 m/s (1.5 ft/s) to 0.76 m/s (2.5 ft/s), for liquid viscosities of 1 cP and 10 cP. Three different sand sizes (20, 150, and 300 μm sand) were used for performing tests. The shapes of the sand are also different with the 20 and 300 μm sand being sharper than the 150 μm sand. Erosion measurements are obtained using electrical resistance (ER) probes which relate the change in electrical resistance to the change in the thickness of an exposed element resulting from erosion. Two probes are placed in a bend and another probe is placed in a straight section of pipe. The probes in the bend are flat-head probes, and they are placed flush with the outer wall in the 45 deg and 90 deg positions. The probe in the straight pipe is an angle-head probe which protrudes into the flow with the face placed in the center of the pipe.
A Representation-Based Methodology for Developing High-Value Knowledge Engineering Software Products: Theory, Application, and Implementation
Authors: Desa S. , Munger T.
Published: September 2013

Most enterprises, technology and otherwise, are routinely collecting massive amounts of unstructured information from customer interactions and then attempting to extract knowledge from this information in order to improve core activities such as product development, customer support, and marketing. The knowledge engineering processes for extracting knowledge from this information are often largely manual and extremely inefficient in both cost and time. Therefore, software automation of these manual activities through the creation of highly user-centric Knowledge Engineering Software Products (KESPs) is critical to enabling the rapid and efficient extraction of high-quality knowledge. The primary intent of this paper is to provide a comprehensive theory, including its application and implementation, for developing high-value Knowledge Engineering Software Products. To this end, we have created a representation-based approach to the design and development of KESPs. The theoretical framework of our representational-based approach is the integrated metarepresentational model (IMRM) which provides a natural sequence of representations for guiding the development of complex artifacts such as KESPs. The application of the IMRM to the development of high-value KESPs resulted in the integrated representation-based process methodology (IRPM) which combines, in a rational and structured manner, methods and tools from the technical domains of Knowledge Engineering, Product Design, and Software Engineering. Each domain contributes a distinct set of methods to the IRPM. The knowledge engineering domain provides tools—such as the CommonKADS Agent/Task model—for modeling current work processes that the KESP will automate. The product design domain provides formal tools—such as the House of Quality, Function Structure, Morphological Matrix, and Utility Function—for explicitly defining the user needs for the KESP, and for exploring different design concepts in order to ensure the KESP is high-quality and low-cost. The software engineering domain provides tools—such as Unified Modeling Language (UML) Use Case, Component, and Class diagrams—in order to ensure that a reliable and easy to use KESP is delivered on time and within budget. We have demonstrated the feasibility of the IRPM by implementing it within the context of a real knowledge engineering problem involving the extraction of problem-solution pairs from customer service requests in order to create “smart” products and services. The developed KESP, called the “Service Request Portal” (SRP), used search and content filters to achieve a 30% productivity improvement over the previously manual work process.
A Nonlinear Computational Model of Floating Wind Turbines
Authors: Nematbakhsh Ali , Olinger David J. , Tryggvason Gretar
Published: September 2013

The dynamic motion of floating wind turbines is studied using numerical simulations. The full three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations are solved on a regular structured grid using a level set method for the free surface and an immersed boundary method for the turbine platform. The tethers, the tower, the nacelle, and the rotor weight are included using reduced-order dynamic models, resulting in an efficient numerical approach that can handle nearly all the nonlinear hydrodynamic forces on the platform, while imposing no limitation on the platform motion. Wind speed is assumed constant, and rotor gyroscopic effects are accounted for. Other aerodynamic loadings and aeroelastic effects are not considered. Several tests, including comparison with other numerical, experimental, and grid study tests, have been done to validate and verify the numerical approach. The response of a tension leg platform (TLP) to different amplitude waves is examined, and for large waves, a nonlinear trend is seen. The nonlinearity limits the motion and shows that the linear assumption will lead to overprediction of the TLP response. Studying the flow field behind the TLP for moderate amplitude waves shows vortices during the transient response of the platform but not at the steady state, probably due to the small Keulegan–Carpenter number. The effects of changing the platform shape are considered, and finally, the nonlinear response of the platform to a large amplitude wave leading to slacking of the tethers is simulated.
Accounting for Nonlinearities in Open-Loop Protocols for Symmetry Fault Compensation
Authors: DiBerardino Louis A. , Dankowicz Harry
Published: September 2013

In this paper, we consider model examples of dynamical systems with only a few degrees of freedom, and with desirable symmetry properties, and explore compensating control strategies for retaining robust symmetric system response even under symmetry-breaking defects. The analysis demonstrates the distinct differences between linear versions of these models, in which fault-compensating strategies are always found, and weakly nonlinear counterparts with varying degrees of asymmetry, for which a multitude of locally optimal solutions may coexist. We further formulate a candidate optimization protocol for fault compensation applied to self-healing systems, which respond to symmetry-breaking defects by a continuous process of fault correction. The analysis shows that such a protocol may exhibit discontinuous changes in the control strategy as the self-healing system successively regains its original symmetry properties. In addition, it is argued that upon return to a symmetric configuration, such a protocol may result in a different control strategy from that applied prior to the occurrence of a fault.
A Finite Volume Time Domain Method for In-Plane Vibration on Mixed Grids
Authors: Xuan Ling-kuan , Ming Ping-jian , Gong Jing-feng , Zheng Da-yuan , Zhang Wen-ping
Published: September 2013

A finite volume time domain method is developed for in-plane vibration based on mixed triangular and quadrilateral elements. Here the linear quadrilateral element shape function is introduced instead of the constant one to improve the accuracy of the present method. The improvement is validated to be vital to avoid violent numerical oscillation of displacement fields when applying to the point–source problem. The present method is proposed to analyze the transient responses and the natural characteristics of several in-plane problems. The results show good agreement with the commercial code solutions and the analytical solutions. In order to demonstrate the capability of the present method for multiexcitation problems, an example with sources containing different frequencies and phase angles, concentrated and uniform distributions, and impulse and continuous forms is analyzed.
Wind Tower System With a Helical Wind Deflecting Structure, Computational Fluid Dynamics, and Experimental Studies
Authors: Rashidi Majid , Kadambi Jaikrishnan R. , Kerze David
Published: September 2013

A wind tower system having a three dimensional heliacal wind deflecting structure is studies in this work. The purpose of the helical structure is to increase the natural wind speed and direct the follow of the wind toward two columns of horizontal-axis rooftop-size wind turbines that are installed in the grooves of the helical structure, diametrically opposed to each other. Computational fluid dynamics analyses were conducted to determine the influence of the helical structure on the wind speed reaching the turbines. A wind speed amplification coefficient was determined for a helical structure of 6.7 m outer diameter. The velocity profiles of the wind flow around the helical structure were determined under a postulated wind speed of 4.47 m/s. The flow was modeled as turbulent with a Reynolds Number of 2,052,167. Standard “k–ε” turbulent model with “near wall treatment” and “standard wall function” were adapted in all analysis. A “y+” value of 50 was held constant in all simulation. The grid-size effects on the accuracy of the results were examined. Convergence criterion was satisfied in each case. This study shows that the helical structure having an outer diameter of 6.7 m results in an average wind speed increase factor of 1.52. An experimental wind tower system was fabricated and installed at an elevation of 40 m above the ground. The wind tower system comprised of four identical rooftop size wind turbines, each having 1.6 KW name-plate-rating. A helical wind deflecting structure of 11 m tall, and 7 m in major diameter was used in fabrication of the tower. An active yaw-control mechanism was used to orient the tower into the prevailing wind. The experimental results show that as the result of the use of the wind deflecting structure, an average power amplification factor of 4.69 was obtained for the tower, in comparison with the standard standalone installation of the four wind turbines.
A Novel Deployable Hexahedron Mobile Mechanism Constructed by Only Prismatic Joints
Authors: Ding Wan , Yao Yan-an
Published: September 2013

This paper proposes a novel deployable hexahedron mobile mechanism that is rigidly linked by only prismatic joints. The mechanism that is a completely symmetrical structure can always keep the walking capability when any of its six faces of the hexahedron touches the ground. It can roll at any stable state. The configuration constructed by only prismatic joints makes it expand and contract as a deployable structure. In this paper, a method for constructing a deployable hexahedron mobile mechanism is proposed. The stability analysis and dynamic simulation of the walking and rolling are carried out. The necessary condition of tipping motion and the speed analysis of two different rolling gaits are studied in details. A binary control strategy is adopted to simplify the complexity of the control system. A pneumatic cylinder is chosen to be the binary actuator. A prototype composed of 180 pneumatic cylinders was fabricated. The validity of the walking and tipping functions are verified by the experimental results.
Asperity Interaction and Substrate Deformation in Statistical Summation Models of Contact Between Rough Surfaces
Authors: Vakis Antonis I.
Published: September 2013

A method is proposed to account for asperity interaction and bulk substrate deformation in models that utilize statistical summation of asperity forces to characterize contact between rough surfaces. Interaction deformations of noncontacting asperities are calculated based on the probability that they have taller neighbors in their vicinity, whose deformation upon contact, in turn, induces local substrate deformations. The effect of the order of interaction on the total contact force is explored and a limit is proposed based on asperity density. The updated contact force accounting for asperity interaction is found to tend to a constant fraction of the nominal contact force at the mathematical limit of asperity contact independent of the order of interaction, roughness, or material properties. For contact in the vicinity of zero mean plane separation, rough surfaces are found to exhibit greater asperity interaction resulting in reduced contact forces. A simplified curve-fitted expression is introduced that can be used to account for asperity interaction by adjusting the nominal contact force predicted by other models.
Fabrication of Small Pore-Size Nickel Foams Using Electroless Plating of Solid-State Foamed Immiscible Polymer Blends
Authors: Sundarram Sriharsha S. , Jiang Wei , Li Wei
Published: September 2013

A novel fabrication process of small pore-size nickel foams has been developed using electroless plating of solid-state foamed immiscible polymer blends. Ethylene acrylic acid (EAA) and polystyrene (PS) were melt-blended with extrusion to obtain a dual phase cocontinuous morphology. Gas saturation and foaming studies were performed to determine appropriate process conditions for foaming of the two-phase material. Open-celled polymer templates were obtained by extracting the PS phase with dichloromethane (DCM). The templates were subsequently used for nickel foam plating in ethanol-based electroless plating solutions. Nickel foams with pore sizes on the level of tens of micrometers and porosity above 90% were fabricated. It was found that gas concentration and foaming temperature were major process variables significantly affecting the foam porosity. Foaming allowed faster PS extraction and higher porosity of the nickel plating templates. Because of the small pore size, ethanol-based solutions need to be used to ensure the infiltration of plating solutions. The developed process is a bulk method and can be used for large-scale fabrication of small pore-size nickel foams with high porosity.
Novel Fastidious, Partially Acid-Fast, Anaerobic Gram-Positive Bacillus Associated with Abscess Formation and Recovered from Multiple Medical Centers
Authors: Harrington S. M. , Bell M. , Bernard K. , Lagacé-Wiens P. , Schuetz A. N. , Hartman B. , McQuiston J. R. , Wilson D. , LaSalvia M. , Ng B. , Richter S. , Taege A.
Published: September 2013

We report a novel anaerobe causing abscess in four patients at three hospitals. In the clinical specimen, bacilli were branching, Gram positive, and acid fast. The organism grew slowly and was not identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. Our findings support the description of a new genus and species of the suborder
Corynebacterineae
.
Male-Specific W4P/R Mutation in the Pre-S1 Region of Hepatitis B Virus, Increasing the Risk of Progression of Liver Diseases in Chronic Patients
Authors: Lee Seoung-Ae , Kim Ki-Jeong , Kim Dong-Won , Kim Bum-Joon
Published: September 2013

The issue of hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutations possibly leading to a gender disparity in the progression of liver diseases has not been explored. We aimed to elucidate the relationships of the novel
pre-S1
mutations, W4P/R, with the progression of liver diseases and male predominance in a South Korean chronic cohort by use of a molecular epidemiologic study. We developed a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assay for the detection of the W4P/R mutations and applied it to 292 chronic HBV patients. The
pre-S1
mutations from 247 (84.6%) of a total of 292 patients were detected by this assay. W4P/R mutants were found to be significantly related to severe liver diseases (hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] and liver cirrhosis, 12.4% [19/153] of patients, versus chronic hepatitis and asymptomatic carriage, 1.1% [1/94] of patients) (
P
< 0.001). All of the W4P/R mutants were found in males only. The novel HBV
pre-S1
mutations, W4P/R, may be associated with disease severity in male patients chronically infected with HBV genotype C. The W4P/R mutations may provide in part an explanation for the relatively high ratio of male to female incidence in HCC generation in South Korean chronic HBV patients.
International Multicenter Evaluation of the DiversiLab Bacterial Typing System for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp
Authors: Voets Guido M. , Leverstein-van Hall Maurine A. , Kolbe-Busch Susanne , van der Zanden Adri , Church Deirdre , Kaase Martin , Grisold Andrea , Upton Mathew , Cloutman-Green Elaine , Cantón Rafael , Friedrich Alexander W. , Fluit Ad C.
Published: September 2013

Successful multidrug-resistant clones are increasing in prevalence globally, which makes the ability to identify these clones urgent. However, adequate, easy-to-perform, and reproducible typing methods are lacking. We investigated whether DiversiLab (DL), an automated repetitive-sequence-based PCR bacterial typing system (bioMérieux), is suitable for comparing isolates analyzed at different geographic centers. A total of 39
Escherichia coli
and 39
Klebsiella
species isolates previously typed by the coordinating center were analyzed. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) confirmed the presence of one cluster of 6 isolates, three clusters of 3 isolates, and three clusters of 2 isolates for each set of isolates. DL analysis was performed in 11 centers in six different countries using the same protocol. The DL profiles of 425
E. coli
and 422
Klebsiella
spp. were obtained. The DL system showed a lower discriminatory power for
E. coli
than did PFGE. The local DL data showed a low concordance, as indicated by the adjusted Rand and Wallace coefficients (0.132 to 0.740 and 0.070 to 1.0 [
E. coli
] and 0.091 to 0.864 and 0.056 to 1.0 [
Klebsiella
spp.], respectively). The central analysis showed a significantly improved concordance (0.473 to 1.0 and 0.290 to 1.0 [
E. coli
] and 0.513 to 0.965 and 0.425 to 1.0 [
Klebsiella
spp.], respectively). The misclassifications of profiles for individual isolates were mainly due to inconsistent amplification, which was most likely due to variations in the quality and amounts of the isolated DNA used for amplification. Despite local variations, the DL system has the potential to indicate the occurrence of clonal outbreaks in an international setting, provided there is strict adherence to standardized, reproducible DNA isolation methods and analysis protocols, all supported by a central database for profile comparisons.
Dissociation of Prion Protein Amyloid Seeding from Transmission of a Spongiform Encephalopathy
Authors: Piccardo Pedro , King Declan , Telling Glenn , Manson Jean C. , Barron Rona M.
Published: September 2013

Misfolding and aggregation of proteins are common pathogenic mechanisms of a group of diseases called proteinopathies. The formation and spread of proteinaceous lesions within and between individuals were first described in prion diseases and proposed as the basis of their infectious nature. Recently, a similar “prion-like” mechanism of transmission has been proposed in other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. We investigated if misfolding and aggregation of corrupted prion protein (PrP
TSE
) are always associated with horizontal transmission of disease. Knock-in transgenic mice (101LL) expressing mutant PrP (PrP-101L) that are susceptible to disease but do not develop any spontaneous neurological phenotype were inoculated with (i) brain extracts containing PrP
TSE
from healthy 101LL mice with PrP plaques in the corpus callosum or (ii) brain extracts from mice overexpressing PrP-101L with neurological disease, severe spongiform encephalopathy, and formation of proteinase K-resistant PrP
TSE
. In all instances, 101LL mice developed PrP plaques in the area of inoculation and vicinity in the absence of clinical disease or spongiform degeneration of the brain. Importantly, 101LL mice did not transmit disease on serial passage, ruling out the presence of subclinical infection. Thus, in both experimental models the formation of PrP
TSE
is not infectious. These results have implications for the interpretation of tests based on the detection of protein aggregates and suggest that
de novo
formation of PrP
TSE
in the host does not always result in a transmissible prion disease. In addition, these results question the validity of assuming that all diseases due to protein misfolding can be transmitted between individuals.
Analysis of Borna Disease Virus Trafficking in Live Infected Cells by Using a Virus Encoding a Tetracysteine-Tagged P Protein
Authors: Charlier Caroline M. , Wu Yuan-Ju , Allart Sophie , Malnou Cécile E. , Schwemmle Martin , Gonzalez-Dunia Daniel
Published: September 2013

Borna disease virus (BDV) is a nonsegmented, negative-stranded RNA virus characterized by noncytolytic persistent infection and replication in the nuclei of infected cells. To gain further insight on the intracellular trafficking of BDV components during infection, we sought to generate recombinant BDV (rBDV) encoding fluorescent fusion viral proteins. We successfully rescued a virus bearing a tetracysteine tag fused to BDV-P protein, which allowed assessment of the intracellular distribution and dynamics of BDV using real-time live imaging. In persistently infected cells, viral nuclear inclusions, representing viral factories tethered to chromatin, appeared to be extremely static and stable, contrasting with a very rapid and active trafficking of BDV components in the cytoplasm. Photobleaching (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching [FRAP] and fluorescence loss in photobleaching [FLIP]) imaging approaches revealed that BDV components were permanently and actively exchanged between cellular compartments, including within viral inclusions, albeit with a fraction of BDV-P protein not mobile in these structures, presumably due to its association with viral and/or cellular proteins. We also obtained evidence for transfer of viral material between persistently infected cells, with routing of the transferred components toward the cell nucleus. Finally, coculture experiments with noninfected cells allowed visualization of cell-to-cell BDV transmission and movement of the incoming viral material toward the nucleus. Our data demonstrate the potential of tetracysteine-tagged recombinant BDV for virus tracking during infection, which may provide novel information on the BDV life cycle and on the modalities of its interaction with the nuclear environment during viral persistence.
Densovirus Crosses the Insect Midgut by Transcytosis and Disturbs the Epithelial Barrier Function
Authors: Wang Y. , Gosselin Grenet A. S. , Castelli I. , Cermenati G. , Ravallec M. , Fiandra L. , Debaisieux S. , Multeau C. , Lautredou N. , Dupressoir T. , Li Y. , Casartelli M. , Ogliastro M.
Published: September 2013

Densoviruses are parvoviruses that can be lethal for insects of different orders at larval stages. Although the horizontal transmission mechanisms are poorly known, densoviral pathogenesis usually starts with the ingestion of contaminated food by the host. Depending on the virus, this leads to replication restricted to the midgut or excluding it. In both cases the success of infection depends on the virus capacity to enter the intestinal epithelium. Using the
Junonia coenia
densovirus (JcDNV) as the prototype virus and the lepidopteran host
Spodoptera frugiperda
as an interaction model, we focused on the early mechanisms of infection during which JcDNV crosses the intestinal epithelium to reach and replicate in underlying target tissues. We studied the kinetics of interaction of JcDNV with the midgut epithelium and the transport mechanisms involved. Using several approaches,
in vivo
,
ex vivo
, and
in vitro
, at molecular and cellular levels, we show that JcDNV is specifically internalized by endocytosis in absorptive cells and then crosses the epithelium by transcytosis. As a consequence, viral entry disturbs the midgut function. Finally, we showed that four mutations on the capsid of JcDNV affect specific recognition by the epithelial cells but not their binding.
Direct Formation of Vaccinia Virus Membranes from the Endoplasmic Reticulum in the Absence of the Newly Characterized L2-Interacting Protein A30.5
Authors: Maruri-Avidal Liliana , Weisberg Andrea S. , Moss Bernard
Published: September 2013

Crescents consisting of a single lipoprotein membrane with an external protein scaffold comprise the initial structural elements of poxvirus morphogenesis. Crescents enlarge to form spherical immature virions, which enclose viroplasm consisting of proteins destined to form the cores of mature virions. Previous studies suggest that the L2 protein participates in the recruitment of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived membranes to form immature virions within assembly sites of cytoplasmic factories. Here we show that L2 interacts with the previously uncharacterized 42-amino-acid A30.5 protein. An open reading frame similar in size to the one encoding A30.5 is at the same genome location in representatives of all chordopoxvirus genera. A30.5 has a putative transmembrane domain and colocalized with markers of the endoplasmic reticulum and with L2. By constructing a complementing cell line expressing A30.5, we isolated a deletion mutant virus that exhibits a defect in morphogenesis in normal cells. Large electron-dense cytoplasmic inclusions and clusters of scaffold protein-coated membranes that resemble crescents and immature virions devoid of viroplasm were seen in place of normal structures. Crescent-shaped membranes were continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and oriented with the convex scaffold protein-coated side facing the lumen, while clusters of completed spherical immature-virion-like forms were trapped within the expanded lumen. Immature-virion-like structures were more abundant in infected RK-13 cells than in BS-C-1 or HeLa cells, in which cytoplasmic inclusions were decorated with scaffold protein-coated membrane arcs. We suggest that the outer surface of the poxvirus virion is derived from the luminal side of the ER membrane.
Human H7N9 Influenza A Viruses Replicate in Swine Respiratory Tissue Explants
Authors: Jones J. C. , Baranovich T. , Zaraket H. , Guan Y. , Shu Y. , Webby R. J. , Webster R. G.
Published: September 2013

Recently, novel H7N9 influenza viruses have caused an unprecedented outbreak in humans. Pigs are an important intermediate host for influenza; thus, we assessed the replication ability of three human H7N9 viruses (A/Anhui/1/2013, A/Shanghai/1/2013, A/Shanghai/2/2013) in swine tissue explants. All viruses tested replicated efficiently in explants from tracheas and bronchi, with limited replication in alveolar cells. Swine respiratory tissue explants can serve as an efficient model for screening replication potential of newly emerging H7N9 viruses.
A benign cancer with malicious paraneoplastic syndromes
Authors: Vogt Alexander , Wang Shuang , Ventour Dale
Published: September 2013

A 70-year-old retired general practitioner with known follicular lymphoma presented with ptosis, dysphagia and progressive weakness in his upper and lower limbs. Despite having positive antibodies for myasthenia gravis he did not respond to conventional treatment with pyridostigmine, immunoglobulins and steroids. After 1 week on a general ward, he required intensive care for non-invasive ventilation. On the intensive care unit, he developed a secondary paraneoplastic syndrome in the form of a syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion and required a tracheostomy for ventilatory support. After 1 week of invasive ventilation and remaining fully conscious throughout, he declined further treatment and passed away.
Analysis of the quantity and quality of published randomised controlled trials related to injury prevention from 2001 to 2010 in China
Authors: He Qiong , Kang Wenjing , Tian Danping , Huang Yuanxiu , Gao Lin , Deng Xin , Li Li , Hu Guoqing
Published: September 2013

Objective

To report the quantity and quality of published randomised controlled trails (RCT) on injury prevention in China.

Design

Bibliometric analysis.

Setting

China, 2001–2010.

Data sources

The published RCTs that were indexed by four domestic electronic databases and two international databases between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2010.

Main outcome measures

Numbers and proportions of published RCTs and those that did not report or specify the quality items recommended by Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Intervention V.5.0.0.

Results

Of 4834 publications of injury prevention, 25 RCTs with 55 431 participants were identified. One study had no full text. Twenty-three RCTs were published in Chinese language. All 25 studies chose education as the intervention, including 19 studies using education as single intervention and 6 studies using education as a part of combined intervention. Eighteen of 19 studies that used injury incidence rate as the primary outcome measure; 10 studies reported 24–59% reductions in injury incidence rate in the intervention group, and 8 studies reported 24–76% rate difference between the intervention group and the control group after the implementation of intervention. Only 1 study reported no significant difference. The other 6 studies only reported improvements in knowledge, attitude and practice/behaviour. None of 24 studies with full text included the information of ‘allocation concealment’, ‘blinding’ and ‘free of early stopping bias’.

Conclusions

The value of 25 published RCTs cannot be determined due to the lack of quality information. More high-quality RCTs need to be performed in the future.
The golden hour of stroke intervention: effect of thrombectomy procedural time in acute ischemic stroke on outcome
Authors: Spiotta Alejandro M , Vargas Jan , Turner Raymond , Chaudry M Imran , Battenhouse Holly , Turk Aquilla S
Published: September 2013

Introduction

Outcome studies in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) have focused on time from symptom onset to treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether time to achieve vessel recanalization from groin puncture affects outcomes.

Methods

We studied all AIS cases that underwent intra-arterial therapy between May 2008 and October 2012 at a high volume center for anterior circulation occlusions. Candidacy for thrombectomy is determined by CT perfusion imaging, irrespective of time of onset. Patients were then dichotomized into two groups: ‘Early recan’ assigned in which recanalization was achieved in ≤60 min from groin puncture and ‘Delayed recan’ in which procedures extended beyond 60 min. Time to recanalize was also studied as a continuous variable.

Results

159 patients (53.5% women, mean age 66.4±15.2 years) were identified. The mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was similar between ‘Early recan’ patients (16.8±6.1) compared with ‘Delayed recan’ patients (15.4±5.8, p=0.149). Among the ‘Early recan’ patients, recanalization was achieved in 40.7±13.6 min compared with 101.7±32.5 min in the ‘Delayed recan’ patients (p<0.0001). The likelihood of achieving a good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2) was higher in the ‘Early recan’ group (53.6%) compared with the ‘Late recan’ group (30.8%; p=0.009). On logistic regression analysis, time to recanalization from groin puncture, baseline NIHSS, revascularization, diabetes, and hemorrhages were found to significantly impact on outcome at 90 days, as measured by the modified Rankin Scale.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that extending mechanical thrombectomy procedure times beyond 60 min increases complications and device cost rates while worsening outcomes. These findings can serve as a time frame of when it is prudent to abort a failed thrombectomy case.
Estimating relative abundance of whales from historical Antarctic whaling records
Authors: de la Mare William K.
Published: September 2013

Catch per unit effort (CPUE) is often the only data available from historical fisheries for inferring distribution and abundance of exploited populations. CPUE underestimates variations in relative abundance when gross effort data are only measured in total operating days. Gross effort includes both searching time and handling time, but only searching time is useful for an index of abundance. A method is developed for estimating searching time by subtracting a maximum likelihood estimate of handling time from the gross effort. An expectation maximization (E-M) algorithm is used to combine maximum likelihood estimates of the handling time with the expected additional operating time due to handling the last catch of each day. Simulation tests show that the estimates of catch per unit of searching time (C/CSW) are much closer to proportionally related to local density than gross CPUE. Estimates of handling time are not unbiased, and some nonlinearity between local density and C/CSW may persist. The methods may be useful for other fisheries where historic gross catch and effort data involve both searching and handling.
Introduced lake trout exhibit life history and morphological divergence with depth
Authors: Stafford Craig P. , McPhee Megan V. , Eby Lisa A. , Allendorf Fred W.
Published: September 2013

We found that an introduced population of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Flathead Lake, Montana, USA, exhibited divergent life history, diet, and morphology after the invasion of Mysis diluviana. A correspondence between stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) in lake trout muscle and their prey suggests that individual lake trout exhibited depth preferences. Lake trout 451–600 mm total length showed morphological distinctness between shallow (0–25 m) and deep (60–100 m) collections wherein the latter had deeper bodies and larger eyes. Furthermore, these deep lake trout fed more heavily on Mysis, grew slower, and matured at a smaller size. Lack of genetic divergence between depth groups and the rapid divergence of life histories after Mysis invasion suggest a strong role for environment in producing the observed ecotypic variation. Our research supports resource partitioning by depth and diet as a drivers of phenotypic diversity in lake trout, providing insights into the origins of morphotypes and guidance for conservation of native populations.
Correspondence between the one-loop three-point vertex and the Y and Δ electric resistor networks
Authors: Suzuki Alfredo Takashi
Published: September 2013

Different mathematical methods have been applied to obtain the analytic result for the massless triangle Feynman diagram yielding a sum of four linearly independent (LI) hypergeometric functions of two variables F4. This result is not physically acceptable when it is embedded in higher loops, because all four hypergeometric functions in the triangle result have the same region of convergence and further integration means going outside those regions of convergence. We could go outside those regions by using the well-known analytic continuation formulas obeyed by the F4, but there are at least two ways we can do this. Which is the correct one? Whichever continuation one uses, it reduces a number of F4 from four to three. This reduction in the number of hypergeometric functions can be understood by taking into account the fundamental physical constraint imposed by the conservation of momenta flowing along the three legs of the diagram. With this, the number of overall LI functions that enter the most general solution must reduce accordingly. It remains to determine which set of three LI solutions needs to be taken. To determine the exact structure and content of the analytic solution for the three-point function that can be embedded in higher loops, we use the analogy that exists between Feynman diagrams and electric circuit networks, in which the electric current flowing in the network plays the role of the momentum flowing in the lines of a Feynman diagram. This analogy is employed to define exactly which three out of the four hypergeometric functions are relevant to the analytic solution for the Feynman diagram. The analogy is built based on the equivalence between electric resistance circuit networks of types Y and Δ in which flows a conserved current. The equivalence is established via the theorem of minimum energy dissipation within circuits having these structures.