bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of a New Modulator of the Intercalated Disc in a Zebrafish Model of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Asimaki Angeliki , Kapoor Sudhir , Plovie Eva , Karin Arndt Anne , Adams Edward , Liu ZhenZhen , James Cynthia A. , Judge Daniel P. , Calkins Hugh , Churko Jared , Wu Joseph C. , MacRae Calum A. , Kléber André G. , Saffitz Jeffrey E.
Published: June 2014

Drug screening in a zebrafish model of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy identified a small molecule that remodels the intercalated disc.
Macrophage Models of Gaucher Disease for Evaluating Disease Pathogenesis and Candidate Drugs
Authors: Aflaki Elma , Stubblefield Barbara K. , Maniwang Emerson , Lopez Grisel , Moaven Nima , Goldin Ehud , Marugan Juan , Patnaik Samarjit , Dutra Amalia , Southall Noel , Zheng Wei , Tayebi Nahid , Sidransky Ellen
Published: June 2014

Macrophages differentiated from monocytes or induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patients with Gaucher disease facilitate investigation of disease pathogenesis and validation of new candidate drugs.
Genome Sequence of the ε-Poly-
l
-Lysine-Producing Strain Streptomyces albulus NK660, Isolated from Soil in Gutian, Fujian Province, China
Authors: Gu Yanyan , Yang Chao , Wang Xiaomeng , Geng Weitao , Sun Yang , Feng Jun , Wang Yuanyuan , Quan Yufen , Che You , Zhang Chi , Gong Ting , Zhang Wei , Gao Weixia , Zuo Zhenqiang , Song Cunjiang , Wang Shufang
Published: June 2014

We determined the complete genome sequence of a soil bacterium,
Streptomyces albulus
NK660. It can produce ε-poly-
l
-lysine, which has antimicrobial activity against a spectrum of microorganisms. The genome of
S. albulus
NK660 contains a 9,360,281-bp linear chromosome and a 12,120-bp linear plasmid.
Complete Genome Sequence of Amino Acid-Utilizing Eubacterium acidaminophilum al-2 (DSM 3953)
Authors: Poehlein Anja , Andreesen Jan R. , Daniel Rolf
Published: June 2014

Eubacterium acidaminophilum
is a strictly anaerobic, Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium which belongs to cluster XI of the
Clostridia
. It ferments amino acids by a Stickland reaction. The genome harbors a chromosome (2.25 Mb) and a megaplasmid (0.8 Mb). It contains several gene clusters coding for selenocysteine-containing, glycine-derived, and amino acid-degrading reductases.
Complete Genome Sequence of Pronghorn Virus, a Pestivirus
Authors: Neill John D. , Ridpath Julia F. , Fischer Nicole , Grundhoff Adam , Postel Alexander , Becher Paul
Published: June 2014

The complete genome sequence of pronghorn virus, a member of the
Pestivirus
genus of the family
Flaviviridae
, was determined here. The virus, originally isolated from a pronghorn antelope, has a genome of 12,273 nucleotides, with a single open reading frame of 11,694 bases encoding 3,897 amino acids.
Genome Sequence of Aeromonas taiwanensis LMG 24683
T
, a Clinical Wound Isolate from Taiwan
Authors: Wang Hsuan-Chen , Ko Wen-Chien , Shu Hung-Yu , Chen Po-Lin , Wang Yu-Chun , Wu Chi-Jung
Published: June 2014

Aeromonas taiwanensis
was first described in 2010 on the basis of one clinical wound isolate (strain LMG 24683
T
= A2-50
T
= CECT 7403
T
) from Taiwan. We present here the genome sequence of
A. taiwanensis
LMG 24683
T
, which carries several genes encoding virulence determinants and Ambler class C and D β-lactamases.
Draft Genome Sequences of Nine Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Strains from Kenya
Authors: Hazen Tracy H. , Humphrys Michael S. , Ochieng John Benjamin , Parsons Michele , Bopp Cheryl A. , O'Reilly Ciara E. , Mintz Eric , Rasko David A.
Published: June 2014

We report here the draft genome sequences of nine enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(EPEC) strains isolated from children in Kenya who died during hospitalization with diarrhea. Each of the isolates possess the EPEC adherence factor (EAF) plasmid encoding the bundle-forming pilus, which is characteristic of EPEC. These isolates represent diverse serogroups and EPEC phylogenomic lineages.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus pumilus 7P, Isolated from the Soil of the Tatarstan Republic, Russia
Authors: Shagimardanova Elena I. , Toymentseva Anna A. , Balaban Nelly P. , Mardanova Ayslu M. , Danilova Yulia V. , Gusev Oleg A. , Kostryukova Elena , Karpova Irina , Manolov Aleksandr , Alexeev Dmitriy , Sharipova Margarita R.
Published: June 2014

Here, we present a draft genome sequence of
Bacillus pumilus
strain 7P. This strain was isolated from soil as an extracellular RNase-producing microorganism. The RNase of
B. pumilus
7P is considered to be a potential antiviral and therapeutic antitumor agent, and it might be appropriate for agriculture and academic synthesis of oligoribonucleotides.
Epidemic Diffusion of OXA-23-Producing Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates in Italy: Results of the First Cross-Sectional Countrywide Survey
Authors: Principe Luigi , Piazza Aurora , Giani Tommaso , Bracco Silvia , Caltagirone Maria Sofia , Arena Fabio , Nucleo Elisabetta , Tammaro Federica , Rossolini Gian Maria , Pagani Laura , Luzzaro Francesco
Published: June 2014

Carbapenem-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
(CRAb) is emerging worldwide as a public health problem in various settings. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of CRAb isolates in Italy and to characterize their resistance mechanisms and genetic relatedness. A countrywide cross-sectional survey was carried out at 25 centers in mid-2011. CRAb isolates were reported from all participating centers, with overall proportions of 45.7% and 22.2% among consecutive nonreplicate clinical isolates of
A. baumannii
from inpatients (
n
= 508) and outpatients (
n
= 63), respectively. Most of them were resistant to multiple antibiotics, whereas all remained susceptible to colistin, with MIC
50
and MIC
90
values of ≤0.5 mg/liter. The genes coding for carbapenemase production were identified by PCR and sequencing. OXA-23 enzymes (found in all centers) were by far the most common carbapenemases (81.7%), followed by OXA-58 oxacillinases (4.5%), which were found in 7 of the 25 centers. In 6 cases, CRAb isolates carried both
bla
OXA-23-like
and
bla
OXA-58-like
genes. A repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP)-PCR technique, multiplex PCRs for group identification, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were used to determine the genetic relationships among representative isolates (
n
= 55). Two different clonal lineages were identified, including a dominant clone of sequence type 2 (ST2) related to the international clone II (sequence group 1 [SG1], SG4, and SG5) and a clone of ST78 (SG6) previously described in Italy. Overall, our results demonstrate that OXA-23 enzymes have become the most prevalent carbapenemases and are now endemic in Italy. In addition, molecular typing profiles showed the presence of international and national clonal lineages in Italy.
When Does 2 Plus 2 Equal 5? A Review of Antimicrobial Synergy Testing
Authors: Doern Christopher D.
Published: June 2014

In this age of emerging antibiotic resistance, limited therapeutic options exist for treating multidrug-resistant organisms. Combination therapy is commonly employed to manage these infections despite little laboratory guidance as to the efficacy of this approach. Synergy testing methods have been used to assess the interaction of antibiotic combinations
in vitro
. This review will discuss the four primary methods used to assess synergy, as well as the data that exist for testing of cystic fibrosis. In the final analysis, this review concludes that there is not enough evidence to endorse synergy testing for routine clinical use.
Aerial Prevalence of Aspergillus calidoustus Isolates in and around a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kuwait and Assessment of Their Pathogenicity
Authors: Khan Ziauddin , Ahmad Suhail , Joseph Leena
Published: June 2014

Seven
Aspergillus calidoustus
isolates from 486
Aspergillus
spp. isolates (1.4% overall prevalence) from outdoor/indoor air samples and one isolate from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of a patient with pneumonia were obtained. These 8 isolates exhibited reduced susceptibility to triazoles. Preliminary pathogenicity data from BALB/c mice suggest that
A. calidoustus
can persist in tissues for long periods without causing mortality. Further studies using graded doses of inoculum and immunosuppression models are warranted to gain an understanding of the factors associated with its pathogenicity and virulence.
Penicillin-Susceptible Group B Streptococcal Clinical Isolates with Reduced Cephalosporin Susceptibility
Authors: Nagano Noriyuki , Nagano Yukiko , Toyama Masami , Kimura Kouji , Shibayama Keigo , Arakawa Yoshichika
Published: June 2014

We characterized penicillin-susceptible group B streptococcal (PSGBS) clinical isolates exhibiting no growth inhibition zone around a ceftibuten disk (CTB
r
PSGBS). The CTB
r
PSGBS isolates, for which augmented MICs of cefaclor and ceftizoxime were found, shared a T394A substitution in penicillin-binding protein 2X (PBP 2X) and a T567I substitution in PBP 2B, together with an additional G429S substitution in PBP 2X or a T145A substitution in PBP 1A, although the T145A substitution in the transglycosidase domain of PBP 1A would have no effect on the level of resistance to ceftibuten.
Assessment of Ambiguous Base Calls in HIV-1
pol
Population Sequences as a Biomarker for Identification of Recent Infections in HIV-1 Incidence Studies
Authors: Meixenberger Karolin , Hauser Andrea , Jansen Klaus , Yousef Kaveh Pouran , Fiedler Stefan , von Kleist Max , Norley Stephen , Somogyi Sybille , Hamouda Osamah , Bannert Norbert , Bartmeyer Barbara , Kücherer Claudia
Published: June 2014

An increase in the proportion of ambiguous base calls in HIV-1
pol
population sequences during the course of infection has been demonstrated in different study populations, and sequence ambiguity thresholds to classify infections as recent or nonrecent have been suggested. The aim of our study was to evaluate sequence ambiguities as a candidate biomarker for use in an HIV-1 incidence assay using samples from antiretroviral treatment-naive seroconverters with known durations of infection (German HIV-1 Seroconverter Study). We used 2,203 HIV-1
pol
population sequences derived from 1,334 seroconverters to assess the sequence ambiguity method (SAM). We then compared the serological incidence BED capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA) with the SAM for a subset of 723 samples from 495 seroconverters and evaluated a multianalyte algorithm that includes BED-CEIA results, SAM results, viral loads, and CD4 cell counts for 453 samples from 325 seroconverters. We observed a significant increase in the proportion of sequence ambiguities with the duration of infection. A sequence ambiguity threshold of 0.5% best identified recent infections with 76.7% accuracy. The mean duration of recency was determined to be 208 (95% confidence interval, 196 to 221) days. In the subset analysis, BED-CEIA achieved a significantly higher accuracy than the SAM (84.6 versus 75.5%,
P
< 0.001) and results were concordant for 64.2% (464/723) of the samples. Also, the multianalyte algorithm did not show better accuracy than the BED-CEIA (83.4 versus 84.3%,
P
= 0.786). In conclusion, the SAM and the multianalyte algorithm including SAM were inferior to the BED-CEIA, and the proportion of sequence ambiguities is therefore not a preferable biomarker for HIV-1 incidence testing.
Stabilizing the Native Trimer of HIV-1 Env by Destabilizing the Heterodimeric Interface of the gp41 Postfusion Six-Helix Bundle
Authors: Kesavardhana Sannula , Varadarajan Raghavan
Published: June 2014

The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) is a trimer of gp120-gp41 heterodimers and is essential for viral entry. The gp41 subunit in native, prefusion trimeric Env exists in a metastable conformation and attains a stable six-helix bundle (6-HB) conformation comprised of a trimer of N-heptad repeat (NHR) and C-heptad repeat (CHR) heterodimers, that drives the fusion of viral and cellular membranes. We attempted to stabilize native Env trimers by incorporation of mutations at the NHR-CHR interface that disrupt the postfusion 6-HB of gp41. The mutations V570D and I573D stabilize native Env of the HIV-1 JRFL strain and occlude nonneutralizing epitopes to a greater extent than the previously identified I559P mutation that is at the interface of the NHR trimers in the 6-HB. The mutations prevent soluble-CD4 (sCD4)-induced gp120 shedding and 6-HB formation. In the context of cell surface-expressed JRFL Env, introduction of a previously reported additional disulfide between residues A501 and T605 perturbs the native conformation, though this effect is partially alleviated by furin coexpression. The data suggest that positions 570 and 573 are surface proximal in native Env and that the NHR homotrimeric coiled coil in native Env terminates before or close to residue 573. Aspartic acid substitutions at these positions stabilize native trimers through destabilization of the postfusion 6-HB conformation. These mutations can be used to stabilize Env in a DNA vaccine format.

IMPORTANCE
The major protein on the surface of HIV-1 is the envelope (Env) glycoprotein. Env is a trimer of gp120-gp41 heterodimers. gp120 is involved in receptor/coreceptor binding and gp41 in the fusion of viral and cellular membranes. Like many other viral fusion proteins, the gp41 subunit in native trimeric Env exists in a metastable conformation. gp41 readily forms a stable six-helix bundle (6-HB) conformation comprised of a trimer of N-heptad repeat (NHR) and C-heptad repeat (CHR) heterodimers that drives fusion of viral and cellular membranes. While it is expected that native Env is a good immunogen, its metastability results in exposure of immunodominant nonneutralizing epitopes. In the present study, we stabilize native Env trimers by incorporation of a number of different mutations at the NHR-CHR interface that disrupt the postfusion 6-HB of gp41. The stabilized constructs described here can be incorporated into DNA vaccine candidates.
Mapping of Functional Domains of the Lipid Kinase Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase Type III Alpha Involved in Enzymatic Activity and Hepatitis C Virus Replication
Authors: Harak Christian , Radujkovic Danijela , Taveneau Cyntia , Reiss Simon , Klein Rahel , Bressanelli Stéphane , Lohmann Volker
Published: June 2014

The lipid kinase phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase III alpha (PI4KIIIα) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident enzyme that synthesizes phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P). PI4KIIIα is an essential host factor for hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication. Interaction with HCV nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) leads to kinase activation and accumulation of PI4P at intracellular membranes. In this study, we investigated the structural requirements of PI4KIIIα in HCV replication and enzymatic activity. Therefore, we analyzed PI4KIIIα mutants for subcellular localization, reconstitution of HCV replication in PI4KIIIα knockdown cell lines, PI4P induction in HCV-positive cells, and lipid kinase activity
in vitro
. All mutants still interacted with NS5A and localized in a manner similar to that of the full-length enzyme, suggesting multiple regions of PI4KIIIα are involved in NS5A interaction and subcellular localization. Interestingly, the N-terminal 1,152 amino acids were dispensable for HCV replication, PI4P induction, and enzymatic function, whereas further N-terminal or C-terminal deletions were deleterious, thereby defining the minimal PI4KIIIα core enzyme at a size of ca. 108 kDa. Additional deletion of predicted functional motifs within the C-terminal half of PI4KIIIα also were detrimental for enzymatic activity and for the ability of PI4KIIIα to rescue HCV replication, with the exception of a proposed nuclear localization signal, suggesting that the entire C-terminal half of PI4KIIIα is involved in the formation of a minimal enzymatic core. This view was supported by structural modeling of the PI4KIIIα C terminus, suggesting a catalytic center formed by an N- and C-terminal lobe and an armadillo-fold motif, which is preceded by three distinct alpha-helical domains probably involved in regulation of enzymatic activity.

IMPORTANCE
The lipid kinase PI4KIIIα is of central importance for cellular phosphatidylinositol metabolism and is a key host cell factor of hepatitis C virus replication. However, little is known so far about the structure of this 240-kDa protein and the functional importance of specific subdomains regarding lipid kinase activity and viral replication. This work focuses on the phenotypic analysis of distinct PI4KIIIα mutants in different biochemical and cell-based assays and develops a structural model of the C-terminal enzymatic core. The results shed light on the structural and functional requirements of enzymatic activity and the determinants required for HCV replication.
Impaired Immune Response to Vaccination against Infection with Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus at Advanced Age
Authors: Guichelaar Teun , Hoeboer Jeroen , Widjojoatmodjo Myra N. , Reemers Sylvia S. N. , van Els Cécile A. C. M. , Otten Rob , van Remmerden Yvonne , Boes Jolande , Luytjes Willem
Published: June 2014

Elderly humans are prone to severe infection with human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV). The aging of today's human population warrants the development of protective vaccination strategies aimed specifically at the elderly. This may require special approaches due to deteriorating immune function. To design and test vaccination strategies tailored to the elderly population, we need to understand the host response to HRSV vaccination and infection at old age. Moreover, the preclinical need for testing of candidate vaccines requires translational models resembling susceptibility to the (unadapted) human pathogen. Here, we explored the effects of aging on immunity and protection induced by a model HRSV vaccine candidate in a translational aging model in cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) and examined possibilities to optimize vaccination concepts for the elderly. We immunized young and aged cotton rats with a live-attenuated recombinant HRSV vaccine candidate and analyzed the induced immune response to and protection against challenge with HRSV. In old cotton rats, HRSV infection persisted longer, and vaccination induced less protection against infection. Aged animals developed lower levels of vaccine-induced IgG, virus-neutralizing serum antibodies, and IgA in lungs. Moreover, booster responses to HRSV challenge were impaired in animals vaccinated at an older age. However, increased dose and reduced attenuation of vaccine improved protection even in old animals. This study shows that cotton rats provide a model for studying the effects of aging on the immune response to the human respiratory pathogen HRSV and possibilities to optimize vaccine concepts for the elderly.

IMPORTANCEHRSV infection poses a risk for severe disease in the elderly. The aging of the population warrants increased efforts to prevent disease at old age, whereas HRSV vaccines are only in the developmental phase. The preclinical need for testing of candidate human vaccines requires translational models resembling susceptibility to the natural human virus. Moreover, we need to gain insight into waning immunity at old age, as this is a special concern in vaccine development. In this study, we explored the effect of age on protection and immunity against an experimental HRSV vaccine in aged cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus), a rodent species that provides a model representing natural susceptibility to human viruses. Older animals generate fewer antibodies upon vaccination and require a higher vaccine dose for protection. Notably, during the early secondary immune response to subsequent HRSV infection, older animals showed less protection and a slower increase of the virus-neutralizing antibody titer.
Human and Host Species Transferrin Receptor 1 Use by North American Arenaviruses
Authors: Zong Min , Fofana Isabel , Choe Hyeryun
Published: June 2014

At least five New World (NW) arenaviruses cause hemorrhagic fevers in South America. These pathogenic clade B viruses, as well as nonpathogenic arenaviruses of the same clade, use transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) of their host species to enter cells. Pathogenic viruses are distinguished from closely related nonpathogenic ones by their additional ability to utilize human TfR1 (hTfR1). Here, we investigate the receptor usage of North American arenaviruses, whose entry proteins share greatest similarity with those of the clade B viruses. We show that all six North American arenaviruses investigated utilize host species TfR1 orthologs and present evidence consistent with arenavirus-mediated selection pressure on the TfR1 of the North American arenavirus host species. Notably, one of these viruses, AV96010151, closely related to the prototype Whitewater Arroyo virus (WWAV), entered cells using hTfR1, consistent with a role for a WWAV-like virus in three fatal human infections whose causative agent has not been identified. In addition, modest changes were sufficient to convert hTfR1 into a functional receptor for most of these viruses, suggesting that a minor alteration in virus entry protein may allow these viruses to use hTfR1. Our data establish TfR1 as a cellular receptor for North American arenaviruses, highlight an “arms race” between these viruses and their host species, support the association of North American arenavirus with fatal human infections, and suggest that these viruses have a higher potential to emerge and cause human diseases than has previously been appreciated.

IMPORTANCE
hTfR1 use is a key determinant for a NW arenavirus to cause hemorrhagic fevers in humans. All known pathogenic NW arenaviruses are transmitted in South America by their host rodents. North American arenaviruses are generally considered nonpathogenic, but some of these viruses have been tentatively implicated in human fatalities. We show that these North American arenaviruses use the TfR1 orthologs of their rodent host species and identify TfR1 polymorphisms suggesting an ongoing “arms race” between these viruses and their hosts. We also show that a close relative of a North American arenavirus suggested to have caused human fatalities, the Whitewater Arroyo species complex virus AV96010151, uses human TfR1. Moreover, we present data that imply that modest changes in other North American arenaviruses might allow these viruses to infect humans. Collectively, our data suggest that North American arenaviruses have a higher potential to cause human disease than previously assumed.
Locking and Blocking the Viral Landscape of an Alphavirus with Neutralizing Antibodies
Authors: Porta Jason , Jose Joyce , Roehrig John T. , Blair Carol D. , Kuhn Richard J. , Rossmann Michael G.
Published: June 2014

Alphaviruses are serious, sometimes lethal human pathogens that belong to the familyTogaviridae. The structures of human Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), an alphavirus, in complex with two strongly neutralizing antibody Fab fragments (F5 and 3B4C-4) have been determined using a combination of cryo-electron microscopy and homology modeling. We characterize these monoclonal antibody Fab fragments, which are known to abrogate VEEV infectivity by binding to the E2 (envelope) surface glycoprotein. Both of these antibody Fab fragments cross-link the surface E2 glycoproteins and therefore probably inhibit infectivity by blocking the conformational changes that are required for making the virus fusogenic. The F5 Fab fragment cross-links E2 proteins within one trimeric spike, whereas the 3B4C-4 Fab fragment cross-links E2 proteins from neighboring spikes. Furthermore, F5 probably blocks the receptor-binding site, whereas 3B4C-4 sterically hinders the exposure of the fusion loop at the end of the E2 B-domain.

IMPORTANCEAlphaviral infections are transmitted mainly by mosquitoes. Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is an alphavirus with a wide distribution across the globe. No effective vaccines exist for alphaviral infections. Therefore, a better understanding of VEEV and its associated neutralizing antibodies will help with the development of effective drugs and vaccines.
Solid blue dot tumour: minor salivary gland acinic cell carcinoma
Authors: Bavle Radhika M , Makarla Soumya , Nadaf Afreen , Narasimhamurthy Srinath
Published: June 2014

Acinic cell adenocarcinoma (ACC) is a low-grade malignant salivary neoplasm that constitutes approximately 17% of all primary salivary gland malignancies. In the head and neck region, the parotid gland is the predominant site of origin and ACC is usually more frequent in women than men. Previous radiation exposure and familial predisposition are some of the risk factors for ACC. ACCs rarely involve minor salivary glands constituting only 13–17% of all minor salivary gland tumours. Generally, a slowly enlarging mass lesion in the tail of the parotid gland is the most frequent presentation. ACC has a significant tendency to recur, metastasise and may have an aggressive evolution. Therefore, a long-term follow-up is mandatory after treatment. Here we report the case of a woman in her 60s with an ACC in association with the labial minor salivary gland, presenting in the post-treatment period of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
Neurodegenerative disorder masquerading as psychosis in a forensic psychiatry setting
Authors: Sommerlad Andrew , Lee James , Warren Jason , Price Gary
Published: June 2014

A man presenting in his 50s, following conviction for a non-violent crime, to forensic psychiatric services, and then to a neuropsychiatry service with an unusual presentation of psychosis: second person auditory hallucinations, grandiose delusions and somatic delusions. Detailed collateral and family history revealed a background of progressive cognitive deficit and a family history of motor neuron disease. MRI of the brain revealed asymmetrical parieto-occipital volume loss and genetic testing demonstrated a pathogenic expansion of the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9ORF72) gene consistent with familial frontotemporal dementia caused by a hexanucleotide repeat expansion atC9ORF72, a recently discovered cause of familial frontotemporal dementia/motor neuron disease. This form of frontotemporal dementia should be considered as an important potential differential diagnosis for patients presenting with psychotic symptoms in later life, in whom a detailed family history and thorough cognitive assessment is essential.
Association between childhood adversities and long-term suicidality among South Africans from the results of the South African Stress and Health study: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Bruwer Belinda , Govender Ravi , Bishop Melanie , Williams David R , Stein Dan J , Seedat Soraya
Published: June 2014

Objective

Suicide and suicidal behaviours are significant public health problems and a leading cause of death worldwide and in South Africa. We examined the association between childhood adversities and suicidal behaviour over the life course.

Methods

A national probability sample of 4351 South African adult participants (aged 18 years and older) in the South African Stress and Health (SASH) study was interviewed as part of the World Mental Health Surveys initiative. Respondents provided sociodemographic and diagnostic information, as well as an account of suicide-related thoughts and behaviours. Suicidality or suicidal behaviour were defined as were defined as suicide attempts and suicidal ideation in the total sample, and suicide plans and attempts among ideators. Childhood adversities included physical abuse, sexual abuse, parental death, parental divorce, other parental loss, family violence, physical illness and financial adversity. The association between suicidality and childhood adversities was examined using discrete-time survival models.

Results

More than a third of the respondents with suicidal behaviour experienced at least one childhood adversity, with physical abuse, parental death and parental divorce being the most prevalent adversities. Physical abuse, sexual abuse and parental divorce were identified as significant risk markers for lifetime suicide attempts, while physical abuse and parental divorce were significantly correlated with suicidal ideation. Two or more childhood adversities were associated with a twofold higher risk of lifetime suicide attempts. Sexual abuse (OR 9.3), parental divorce (OR 3.1) and childhood physical abuse (OR 2.2) had the strongest associations with lifetime suicide attempts. The effect of childhood adversities on suicidal tendencies varied over thelife course.For example, sexual abuse was significantly associated with suicide attempts during childhood and teen years, but not during young and later adulthood.

Conclusions

Childhood adversities, especially sexual abuse, physical abuse and parental divorce, are important risk factors for the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour, with this risk being greatest in childhood and adolescence.
Characterization of the reniform nematode genome by shotgun sequencing
Authors: Nyaku Seloame T. , Sripathi Venkateswara R. , Kantety Ramesh V. , Cseke Sarah B. , Buyyarapu Ramesh , Mc Ewan Robert , Gu Yong Q. , Lawrence Kathy , Senwo Zachary , Sripathi Padmini , George Pheba , Sharma Govind C.
Published: June 2014

The reniform nematode (RN), a major agricultural pest particularly on cotton in the United States, is among the major plant-parasitic nematodes for which limited genomic information exists. In this study, over 380 Mb of sequence data were generated from pooled DNA of four adult female RNs and assembled into 67 317 contigs, including 25 904 (38.5%) predicted coding contigs and 41 413 (61.5%) noncoding contigs. Most of the characterized repeats were of low complexity (88.9%), and 0.9% of the contigs matched with 53.2% of GenBank ESTs. The most frequent Gene Ontology (GO) terms for molecular function and biological process were protein binding (32%) and embryonic development (20%). Further analysis showed that 741 (1.1%), 94 (0.1%), and 169 (0.25%) RN genomic contigs matched with 1328 (13.9%), 1480 (5.4%), and 1330 (7.4%) supercontigs of Meloidogyne incognita, Brugia malayi, and Pristionchus pacificus, respectively. Chromosome 5 of Caenorhabditis elegans had the highest number of hits to the RN contigs. Seven putative detoxification genes and three carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) involved in cell wall degradation were studied in more detail. Additionally, kinases, G protein-coupled receptors, and neuropeptides functioning in physiological, developmental, and regulatory processes were identified in the RN genome.
Weyl groups and vertex operator algebras generated by Ising vectors satisfying the (2B, 3C) condition
Authors: Chen Hsian-Yang , Lam Ching Hung
Published: June 2014

In this paper, we construct explicitly certain moonshine type vertex operator algebras generated by a set of Ising vectors I such that

(1) for any e ≠ f ∈ I, the subVOA VOA (e, f) generated by e and f is isomorphic to either U2Bor U3C; and

(2) the subgroup generated by the corresponding Miyamoto involutions {τe| e ∈ I} is isomorphic to the Weyl group of a root system of type An, Dn, E6, E7or E8.

The structures of the corresponding vertex operator algebras and their Griess algebras are also studied. In particular, the central charge of these vertex operator algebras are determined.
The moduli of representations with Borel mold
Authors: Nakamoto Kazunori
Published: June 2014

The author constructs the moduli of representations whose images generate the subalgebra of upper triangular matrices (up to inner automorphisms) of the full matrix ring for any groups and any monoids.
Correlation between ground state lifetime and valence nucleons for isotopic chains
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Kumar S. , Gangopadhyay G. , Negi D.
Published: June 2014

The variation of β-decay lifetime of the ground state of various isotope chains display a systematic behavior with respect to the ratio of the number of valence neutron particles or holes and the maximum possible number of neutron particles or holes in that shell. Lifetimes, depending on the particle or hole nature of the protons and neutrons, as well as whether they belong to the same shell or not, are found to exhibit similar increasing or decreasing trends and display similar behavior with respect to variation of the above-mentioned ratio.
Zp-graded charge coherent states
Authors: Chung Won Sang
Published: June 2014

A new kind of charge coherent state called a Zp-graded charge coherent state is constructed by using the complex solution of the equation qp = 1. The p-1 charge operators are also explicitly constructed. We explicitly investigate some nonclassical properties for the Z3-graded charge coherent state.
Geodesics with negative energy in the ergosphere of rotating black holes
Authors: Grib A. A. , Pavlov Yu. V. , Vertogradov V. D.
Published: June 2014

It is shown that the geodesics with negative energy for rotating black holes cannot originate or terminate inside the ergosphere. Their length is always finite and this leads to conclusion that they must originate and terminate inside the gravitational radius of the ergosphere.
Effect of Li+ doping on the quenching concentration of 2H11/2/4S3/2 level of Er3+
Authors: Yang Mingzhu , Mu Lihua , Mu Haiwei , Lü Shuchen
Published: June 2014

Li + and Er 3+ codoped Y 2 O 3 powders are synthesized via sol–gel method. The effects of Li + doping on the optical properties of Er 3+: Y 2 O 3 are investigated under 980 nm excitation. The emission intensity of Er 3+ is obviously improved after Li + doping. Moreover, the quenching concentration of 2 H 11/2/4 S 3/2 level of Er 3+ is 3.0 mol% for the samples without Li + but it decreases to 2.0 mol% after introducing 5.0 mol% Li +. This is because Li + doping shrinks the host lattice and decreases the Er 3+– Er 3+ distance, which contribute to the formation of Er 3+ clusters and thus induces the quenching concentration of 2 H 11/2/4 S 3/2 level to decrease.
Gravitational waves from extreme-mass-ratio inspirals in equatorially eccentric orbits
Authors: Han Wen-Biao
Published: June 2014

Based on the numerical frame which combines the effective one-body (EOB) dynamics with the frequency-domain Teukolsky equation, we calculate the waveforms from the extreme-mass-ratio inspirals (EMRIs) with equatorially eccentric orbits. The EOB dynamics offers source term for solving the Teukolsky equation and also orbital evolution. At the same time, numerical calculation of the Teukolsky equation in frequency domain can give accurate waveform templates. Use of the EOB dynamics but not the shrinking geodesic orbit can include the conservative correction of mass-ratio so that make sure accurate frequency components, and also can give more appropriate orbital evolution. By simple analysis of the influence of the mass-ratio on orbital frequencies, and also signal losses caused by small mass-ratio ν, we suggest for the mass-ratio ≳ 10-5, it should be better to use the EOB Hamiltonian and dynamics but not geodesic inspirals to calculate the source term in the Teukolsky equation for generating waveforms.
Chain equivalences for symplectic bases, quadratic forms and tensor products of quaternion algebras
Authors: Chapman Adam
Published: June 2014

We present a set of generators for the symplectic group which is different from the well-known set of transvections, from which the chain equivalence for quadratic forms in characteristic 2 is an immediate result. Based on the chain equivalences for quadratic forms, both in characteristic 2 and not 2, we provide chain equivalences for tensor products of quaternion algebras over fields with no nontrivial 3-fold Pfister forms. The chain equivalence for biquaternion algebras in characteristic 2 is also obtained in this process, without any assumption on the base-field.
On dual r-elastic line
Authors: Gürbüz Nevin , Görgülü Ali
Published: June 2014

In this paper, we derive intrinsic equations for dual r-elastic line deformed on non-null surface by external field in dual Lorentzian space.
Analysis of a sex-structured HIV/AIDS model with the effect of screening of infectives
Authors: Athithan S. , Ghosh Mini
Published: June 2014

This paper presents a nonlinear sex-structured mathematical model to study the spread of HIV/AIDS by considering transmission of disease by heterosexual contact. The epidemic threshold and equilibria for the model are determined, local stability and global stability of both the "Disease-Free Equilibrium" (DFE) and "Endemic Equilibrium" (EE) are discussed in detail. The DFE is shown to be locally and globally stable when the basic reproductive number ℛ0 is less than unity. We also prove that the EE is locally and globally asymptotically stable under some conditions. Finally, numerical simulations are reported to support the analytical findings.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE MAJOR ECONOMIES' EFFORT IN THE DURBAN PLATFORM SCENARIOS
Authors: TAVONI MASSIMO , KRIEGLER ELMAR , ABOUMAHBOUB TINO , CALVIN KATE , DE MAERE GAUTHIER , WISE MARSHALL , KLEIN DAVID , JEWELL JESSICA , KOBER TOM , LUCAS PAUL , LUDERER GUNNAR , McCOLLUM DAVID , MARANGONI GIACOMO , RIAHI KEYWAN , VAN VUUREN DETLEF
Published: June 2014

The feasibility of achieving climate stabilization consistent with the objective of 2°C is heavily influenced by how the effort in terms of mitigation and economic resources will be distributed among the major economies. This paper provides a multi-model quantification of the mitigation commitment in 10 major regions of the world for a diversity of allocation schemes. Our results indicate that a policy with uniform carbon pricing and no transfer payments would yield an uneven distribution of policy costs, which would be lower than the global average for OECD countries, higher for developing economies and the highest, for energy exporters. We show that a resource sharing scheme based on long-term convergence of per capita emissions would not resolve the issue of cost distribution. An effort sharing scheme which equalizes regional policy costs would yield an allocation of allowances comparable with the ones proposed by the Major Economies. Under such a scheme, emissions would peak between 2030 and 2045 for China and remain rather flat for India. In all cases, a very large international carbon market would be required.
ENERGY SECURITY OF CHINA, INDIA, THE E.U. AND THE U.S. UNDER LONG-TERM SCENARIOS: RESULTS FROM SIX IAMs
Authors: JEWELL JESSICA , CHERP ALEH , VINICHENKO VADIM , BAUER NICO , KOBER TOM , McCOLLUM DAVID , VAN VUUREN DETLEF P. , VAN DER ZWAAN BOB
Published: June 2014

This paper assesses energy security in three long-term energy scenarios (business as usual development, a projection of Copenhagen commitments, and a 450 ppm stabilization scenario) as modeled in six integrated assessment models: GCAM, IMAGE, MESSAGE, ReMIND, TIAM-ECN and WITCH. We systematically evaluate long-term vulnerabilities of vital energy systems of four major economies: China, the European Union (E.U.), India and the U.S., as expressed by several characteristics of energy trade, resource extraction, and diversity of energy options. Our results show that climate policies are likely to lead to significantly lower global energy trade and reduce energy imports of major economies, decrease the rate of resource depletion, and increase the diversity of energy options. China, India and the E.U. would derive particularly strong benefits from climate policies, whereas the U.S. may forego some opportunities to export fossil fuels in the second half of the century.
A MULTI-MODEL ANALYSIS OF POST-2020 MITIGATION EFFORTS OF FIVE MAJOR ECONOMIES
Authors: VAN SLUISVELD MARIËSSE A. E. , GERNAAT DAVID E. H. J. , ASHINA SHUICHI , CALVIN KATHERINE V. , GARG AMIT , ISAAC MORNA , LUCAS PAUL L. , MOURATIADOU IOANNA , OTTO SANDER A. C. , RAO SHILPA , SHUKLA PRIYADARSHI R. , VAN VLIET JASPER , VAN VUUREN DETLEF P.
Published: June 2014

This paper looks into the regional mitigation strategies of five major economies (China, EU, India, Japan, and USA) in the context of the 2°C target, using a multi-model comparison. In order to stay in line with the 2°C target, a tripling or quadrupling of mitigation ambitions is required in all regions by 2050, employing vigorous decarbonization of the energy supply system and achieving negative emissions during the second half of the century. In all regions looked at, decarbonization of energy supply (and in particular power generation) is more important than reducing energy demand. Some differences in abatement strategies across the regions are projected: In India and the USA the emphasis is on prolonging fossil fuel use by coupling conventional technologies with carbon storage, whereas the other main strategy depicts a shift to carbon-neutral technologies with mostly renewables (China, EU) or nuclear power (Japan). Regions with access to large amounts of biomass, such as the USA, China, and the EU, can make a trade-off between energy related emissions and land related emissions, as the use of bioenergy can lead to a net increase in land use emissions. After supply-side changes, the most important abatement strategy focuses on end-use efficiency improvements, leading to considerable emission reductions in both the industry and transport sectors across all regions. Abatement strategies for non- CO2emissions and land use emissions are found to have a smaller potential. Inherent model, as well as collective, biases have been observed affecting the regional response strategy or the available reduction potential in specific (end-use) sectors.
ON THE REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF CLIMATE MITIGATION COSTS: THE IMPACT OF DELAYED COOPERATIVE ACTION
Authors: ABOUMAHBOUB TINO , LUDERER GUNNAR , KRIEGLER ELMAR , LEIMBACH MARIAN , BAUER NICO , PEHL MICHAJA , BAUMSTARK LAVINIA
Published: June 2014

This paper analyzes the results of the climate-energy-economy model, Regionalized Model of Investment and Technological Development (REMIND), to assess the regional costs of climate-change mitigation for reaching the 2°C target with a medium to high likelihood. We assume that the global climate regime remains fragmented until 2020 after which a global mitigation target is adopted. We decompose the regional mitigation costs into (a) domestic and energy trade effects and (b) permit trade effects. Delaying cooperative action affects domestic costs by increasing the energy system's costs as a consequence of lock-in of carbon-intensive infrastructures. This is particularly true in developing countries with low near-term emissions reduction commitments. In a global cap-and-trade system, the effect of delayed action highly depends on whether or not the regions are over- or under-allocated with emissions allowances in the long term. Those with allowances exceeding their long-term emissions will likely benefit from the delay, while others suffer the consequences of higher long-term carbon prices.
CLIMATE POLICY IN PRACTICE: A TYPOLOGY OF OBSTACLES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT MODELING
Authors: STAUB-KAMINSKI IRIS , ZIMMER ANNE , JAKOB MICHAEL , MARSCHINSKI ROBERT
Published: June 2014

The implementation of mitigation policies will be complicated by several real-world imperfections ("second-best conditions") and constraints typically not included in the more idealized economies assumed in Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), based on which such policies are derived. But which of these numerous imperfections found in real economies are actually relevant in this context? And how could they — in principle — be taken into account by IAMs? Based on a literature review, we propose a typology of three categories of obstacles inhibiting "first-best" conditions and outcomes: first, obstacles impeding the setting of least-cost abatement incentives; second, obstacles limiting the supply and exploitation of abatement options; and, third, obstacles creating distortions between the price and marginal costs of abatement. By reviewing the implementation of energy policy in China, we put our typology into practice and identify specific empirical evidence for each category. IAMs in principle can (and in practice often do) incorporate several relevant obstacles by means of additional cost or quantity constraints. However, the nature of some obstacles relating to strategic interactions between economic agents appears to be incompatible with the standard representative agent social-planner framework often employed in IAMs, suggesting a need for complementary analysis with decentralized "Integrated Policy Assessment Models".
Mitochondrial inefficiencies and anoxic ATP hydrolysis capacities in diabetic rat heart
Authors: Pham Toan , Loiselle Denis , Power Amelia , Hickey Anthony J. R.
Published: June 2014

As ∼80% of diabetic patients die from heart failure, an understanding of diabetic cardiomyopathy is crucial. Mitochondria occupy 35–40% of the mammalian cardiomyocyte volume and supply 95% of the heart's ATP, and diabetic heart mitochondria show impaired structure, arrangement, and function. We predict that bioenergetic inefficiencies are present in diabetic heart mitochondria; therefore, we explored mitochondrial proton and electron handling by linking oxygen flux to steady-state ATP synthesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) within rat heart tissues. Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mg/kg) to induce type 1 diabetes or an equivalent volume of saline (control, n = 12) and fed standard rat chow for 8 wk. By coupling high-resolution respirometers with purpose-built fluorometers, we followed Magnesium Green (ATP synthesis), Amplex UltraRed (ROS production), and safranin-O (ΔΨ). Relative to control rats, the mass-specific respiration of STZ-diabetic hearts was depressed in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) states. Steady-state ATP synthesis capacity was almost one-third lower in STZ-diabetic heart, which, relative to oxygen flux, equates to an estimated 12% depression in OXPHOS efficiency. However, with anoxic transition, STZ-diabetic and control heart tissues showed similar ATP hydrolysis capacities through reversal of the F1F0-ATP synthase. STZ-diabetic cardiac mitochondria also produced more net ROS relative to oxygen flux (ROS/O) in OXPHOS. While ΔΨ did not differ between groups, the time to develop ΔΨ with the onset of OXPHOS was protracted in STZ-diabetic mitochondria. ROS/O is higher in lifelike OXPHOS states, and potential delays in the time to develop ΔΨ may delay ATP synthesis with interbeat fluctuations in ADP concentrations. Whereas diabetic cardiac mitochondria produce less ATP in normoxia, they consume as much ATP in anoxic infarct-like states.
Defining hierarchies of stemness in the intestine: evidence from biomarkers and regulatory pathways
Authors: Gracz A. D. , Magness S. T.
Published: June 2014

For decades, the rapid proliferation and well-defined cellular lineages of the small intestinal epithelium have driven an interest in the biology of the intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and progenitors that produce the functional cells of the epithelium. Recent and significant advances in ISC biomarker discovery have established the small intestinal epithelium as a powerful model system for studying general paradigms in somatic stem cell biology and facilitated elegant genetic and functional studies of stemness in the intestine. However, this newfound wealth of ISC biomarkers raises important questions of marker specificity. Furthermore, the ISC field must now begin to reconcile biomarker status with functional stemness, a challenge that is made more complex by emerging evidence that cellular hierarchies in the intestinal epithelium are more plastic than previously imagined, with some progenitor populations capable of dedifferentiating and functioning as ISCs following damage. In this review, we discuss the state of the ISC field in terms of biomarkers, tissue dynamics, and cellular hierarchies, and how these processes might be informed by earlier studies into signaling networks in the small intestine.