bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of highly‐active antiretroviral therapy on the subgingival biofilm in HIV‐infected patients
Authors: Jordan Rainer A. , Lucaciu Adrian , Zimmer Stefan
Published: October 2014

Aim

Highly‐active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been associated with alterations in subgingival biofilm and periodontal disease. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between different HAART regimens and the prevalence of periodontal pathogens in HIV‐infected patients with chronic periodontitis.

Methods

Subgingival periodontal pathogens were determined by a DNA chip microarray in a case series in 14 HIV‐infected patients receiving HAART with different drug combinations: protease inhibitor (PI)‐based HAART versus non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)‐based HAART. A statistical analysis was conducted to determine whether specific HAART regimens were associated with 10 periodontal pathogens using odds ratios (OR).

Results

At baseline and after treatment, the patients did not show significant clinical and immunological differences. In general, the highest OR for the prevalence of periodontal pathogens were found in the PI HAART group for Actinomyces viscosus (A. viscosus) (OR: 303), Campylobacter rectus (OR: 90), and Treponema denticola (OR: 25). In the NNRTI HAART group, higher OR were documented for Fusobacterium nucleatum (OR: 56) and Eikenella corrodens (OR: 25). The association between A. viscosus and PI HAART was statistically significant (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

The results demonstrated statistical associations between subgingival bacteria and antiretroviral drug therapies. Further investigation on the clinical significance and underlying mechanisms are needed to support these findings.
Changes in cellular and molecular components of peripheral blood in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis
Authors: Gaddale Reetika , Mudda Jayashree A. , Karthikeyan Ilangovan , Desai Shrikar R. , Shinde Harshada , Deshpande Pavan
Published: October 2014

Aim

The association between periodontitis and systemic health is evident; however, until recently, there has been a lack of scientific evidence to define the relationship between aggressive periodontitis and systemic conditions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in the white blood cell count and levels of serum proteins in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP) and to compare it with periodontally‐healthy controls.

Methods

Patients with GAP (n = 60) and periodontally‐healthy controls (n = 60) were recruited. Clinical parameters, including probing depth and clinical attachment level, were examined. Blood cell variables, including leukocyte, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts, and serum protein parameters, including total protein, albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB), ALB/GLB (A/G) ratio, and C‐reactive protein levels, were analyzed.

Results

The results showed a statistically‐significant increase in neutrophil numbers and serum GLB and C‐reactive protein levels in patients with GAP compared to the controls (P < 0.001), whereas the ALB level and A/G ratio were significantly lower compared to the control group.

Conclusion

The results showed possible changes in the cellular and molecular components of peripheral blood in patients with GAP compared to periodontally‐healthy controls. These changes might represent the contribution of periodontal infections to systemic inflammation in relatively young individuals.
Direct Regulation of Gonadotrophin‐Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Transcription By RF‐Amide‐Related Peptide‐3 and Kisspeptin in A Novel GnRH‐Secreting Cell Line, mHypoA‐GnRH/GFP
Authors: Gojska N. M. , Friedman Z. , Belsham D. D.
Published: October 2014

RF‐amide‐related peptide‐3 [RFRP‐3; also often referred to as the mammalian orthologue of the avian gonadotrophin‐inhibitory hormone (GnIH)] and kisspeptin have emerged as potent modulators of neuroendocrine function via direct regulation of the reproductive axis in the hypothalamus and pituitary. There are few studies focusing on the direct regulatory effects of RFRP‐3 and kisspeptin on gonadotrophin‐releasing hormones (GnRH) neurones. We report their effect on GnRH mRNA expression and release in a novel GnRH neuronal cell model, mHypoA‐GnRH/GFP, generated from adult‐derived GnRH‐GFP neurones. The neurones express receptors for both RFRP‐3 and kisspeptin, Gpr147 and Gpr54, respectively. Incubation with 100 nm RFRP‐3 results in attenuation of GnRH mRNA expression by approximately 60%. Conversely, incubation with 10 nm of Kiss‐10 induced GnRH mRNA expression, whereas the combined effect was an overall repression of GnRH mRNA levels. With transcription inhibitors, the repression of GnRH mRNA levels was linked to a transcriptional mechanism but not mRNA stability. No significant changes in GnRH secretion were observed upon RFRP‐3 exposure in these neurones. Our findings suggest that the suppressive signalling of RFRP‐3 on GnRH transcription may dominate over kisspeptin induction in the mHypoA‐GnRH/GFP GnRH neuronal cell model.
Central V1b Receptor Antagonism in Lactating Rats: Impairment of Maternal Care But Not of Maternal Aggression
Authors: Bayerl D. S. , Klampfl S. M. , Bosch O. J.
Published: October 2014

Maternal behaviour in rodents is mediated by the central oxytocin and vasopressin systems, amongst others. The role of vasopressin, acting via the V1a receptor (V1aR), on maternal care and maternal aggression has recently been described. However, a potential involvement of the V1b receptor (V1bR) in maternal behaviour has only been demonstrated in knockout mice. The present study aimed to examine the effects of central pharmacological manipulation of the V1bR on maternal behaviour in lactating Wistar rats. On pregnancy day 18, female rats were implanted with a guide cannula targeting the lateral ventricle. After parturition, dams received an acute central infusion of a specific V1bR agonist (d[Leu4,Lys8]VP) or V1bR antagonist (SSR149415) once daily, followed by observations of maternal care [lactation day (LD) 1], maternal motivation in the pup retrieval test (LD 2), anxiety‐related behaviour on the elevated plus‐maze (LD 3) and maternal aggression in the maternal defence test followed by maternal care monitoring (LD 4). Our data demonstrate that, under nonstress conditions, the V1bR antagonist decreased the occurrence of both nursing and mother–pup interaction, whereas the V1bR agonist did not affect either parameter. Under stress conditions (i.e. after the maternal defence test), mother–pup interaction was decreased by infusion of the V1bR antagonist. During the maternal defence test, neither treatment affected aggressive or non‐aggressive behaviour. Finally, neither treatment altered maternal motivation or anxiety. In conclusion, central V1bR antagonism modulates aspects of maternal care but not of maternal aggression or maternal motivation in lactating rats. These findings further extend our knowledge on the vasopressin system as a vital mediator of maternal behaviour.
Oestrogen‐Induced Activation of Preoptic Kisspeptin Neurones May be Involved in the Luteinising Hormone Surge in Male and Female Japanese Monkeys
Authors: Watanabe Y. , Uenoyama Y. , Suzuki J. , Takase K. , Suetomi Y. , Ohkura S. , Inoue N. , Maeda K.‐I. , Tsukamura H.
Published: October 2014

The oestrogen‐induced luteinising hormone (LH) surge is evident in male primates, including humans, whereas male rodents never show the LH surge, even when treated with a preovulatory level of oestrogen. This suggests that the central mechanism governing reproductive hormones in primates is different from that in rodents. The present study aimed to investigate whether male Japanese monkeys conserve a brain mechanism mediating the oestrogen‐induced LH surge via activation of kisspeptin neurones. Adult male and female Japanese monkeys were gonadectomised and then were treated with oestradiol‐17β for 2 weeks followed by a bolus injection of oestradiol benzoate. Both male and female monkeys showed an oestrogen‐induced LH surge. In gonadectomised monkeys sacrificed just before the anticipated time of the LH surge, oestrogen treatment significantly increased the number of KISS1‐expressing cells in the preoptic area (POA) and enhanced the expression of c‐fos in POA KISS1‐positive cells of males and females. The oestrogen treatment failed to induce c‐fos expression in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) kisspeptin neurones in both sexes just prior to LH surge onset. Thus, kisspeptin neurones in the POA but not in the ARC might be involved in the positive‐feedback action of oestrogen that induces LH surge in male Japanese monkeys, as well as female monkeys. The present results indicate that oestrogen‐induced activation of POA kisspeptin neurones may contribute to the LH surge generation in both sexes. The conservation of the LH surge generating system found in adult male primates, unlike rodents, could be a result of the capability of oestrogen to induce POA kisspeptin expression and activation.
Cardiac biomarkers and clinical scores for risk stratification in elderly patients with non‐high‐risk pulmonary embolism
Authors: Vuilleumier N. , Limacher A. , Méan M. , Choffat J. , Lescuyer P. , Bounameaux H. , Aujesky D. , Righini M.
Published: October 2014

Objective

To determine the prognostic accuracy of cardiac biomarkers alone and in combination with clinical scores in elderly patients with non‐high‐risk pulmonary embolism (PE).

Design

Ancillary analysis of a Swiss multicentre prospective cohort study.

Subjects

A total of 230 patients aged ≥65 years with non‐high‐risk PE.

Main outcome measures

The study end‐point was a composite of PE‐related complications, defined as PE‐related death, recurrent venous thromboembolism or major bleeding during a follow‐up of 30 days. The prognostic accuracy of the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI), the Geneva Prognostic Score (GPS), the precursor of brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs‐cTnT) was determined using sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, logistic regression and reclassification statistics.

Results

The overall complication rate during follow‐up was 8.7%. hs‐cTnT achieved the highest prognostic accuracy [area under the ROC curve: 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63–0.86, P < 0.001). At the predefined cut‐off values, the negative predictive values of the biomarkers were above 95%. For levels above the cut‐off, the risk of complications increased fivefold for hs‐cTnT [odds ratio (OR): 5.22, 95% CI: 1.49–18.25] and 14‐fold for NT‐proBNP (OR: 14.21, 95% CI: 1.73–116.93) after adjustment for both clinical scores and renal function. Reclassification statistics indicated that adding hs‐cTnT to the GPS or the PESI significantly improved the prognostic accuracy of both clinical scores.

Conclusion

In elderly patients with nonmassive PE, NT‐proBNP or hs‐cTnT could be an adequate alternative to clinical scores for identifying low‐risk individuals suitable for outpatient management.
Reliability of intra‐oral quantitative sensory testing (QST) in patients with atypical odontalgia and healthy controls – a multicentre study
Authors: Baad‐Hansen L. , Pigg M. , Yang G. , List T. , Svensson P. , Drangsholt M.
Published: October 2014

The reliability of comprehensive intra‐oral quantitative sensory testing (QST) protocol has not been examined systematically in patients with chronic oro‐facial pain. The aim of the present multicentre study was to examine test–retest and interexaminer reliability of intra‐oral QST measures in terms of absolute values and z‐scores as well as within‐session coefficients of variation (CV) values in patients with atypical odontalgia (AO) and healthy pain‐free controls. Forty‐five patients with AO and 68 healthy controls were subjected to bilateral intra‐oral gingival QST and unilateral extratrigeminal QST (thenar) on three occasions (twice on 1 day by two different examiners and once approximately 1 week later by one of the examiners). Intra‐class correlation coefficients and kappa values for interexaminer and test–retest reliability were computed. Most of the standardised intra‐oral QST measures showed fair to excellent interexaminer (9–12 of 13 measures) and test–retest (7–11 of 13 measures) reliability. Furthermore, no robust differences in reliability measures or within‐session variability (CV) were detected between patients with AO and the healthy reference group. These reliability results in chronic orofacial pain patients support earlier suggestions based on data from healthy subjects that intra‐oral QST is sufficiently reliable for use as a part of a comprehensive evaluation of patients with somatosensory disturbances or neuropathic pain in the trigeminal region.
Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Trans People: Associations with Psychological Symptoms, Victimization, Interpersonal Functioning, and Perceived Social Support
Authors: Claes Laurence , Bouman Walter Pierre , Witcomb Gemma , Thurston Megan , Fernandez-Aranda Fernando , Arcelus Jon
Published: October 2014

Introduction

There is a paucity of systematic research in the area of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in trans people.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of NSSI in trans people and the associations with intra- and interpersonal problems.

Methods

Participants were 155 untreated individuals with a diagnosis of transsexualism (according to International Classification of Disease-10 criteria) attending a national gender identity clinic.

Main Outcome Measures

All participants completed the Self-Injury Questionnaire, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Hamburg Body Drawing Scale, the Experiences of Transphobia Scale, the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-32, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support.

Results

The sample consisted of 66.5% trans women and 33.5% trans men and 36.8% of them had a history of engaging in NSSI. The prevalence of NSSI was significantly higher in trans men (57.7%) compared with trans women (26.2%). Trans individuals with NSSI reported more psychological and interpersonal problems and perceived less social support compared with trans individuals without NSSI. Moreover, the probability of having experienced physical harassment related to being trans was highest in trans women with NSSI (compared with those without NSSI). The study found that with respect to psychological symptoms, trans women reported significantly more intrapersonal and interpersonal symptoms compared with trans men. Finally, the results of the regression analysis showed that the probability of engaging in NSSI by trans individuals was significantly positively related to a younger age, being trans male, and reporting more psychological symptoms.

Conclusions

The high levels of NSSI behavior and its association with interpersonal and interpersonal difficulties and lack of social support need to be taken into consideration when assessing trans individuals. The effect of cross-sex hormones and sex reassignment surgery on psychological functioning, including NSSI behavior, as part of the transitional journey of trans individuals should be explored in future studies.
Extended leaf phenology: a secret of successful invaders?
Authors: Rejmánek Marcel
Published: October 2014

Smith (2013), in this issue, reviews the consequences of extended leaf phenology of invasive plant species in native deciduous forests. How important is early leaf emergence and/or late leaf senescence for the success of non‐native species? What are the direct and indirect impacts on invaded communities and ecosystems? We are just at the very early stage in answering such questions.
How traits determine species responses to environmental gradients
Authors: Vesk Peter A.
Published: October 2014

The role traits play in species distributions is central to developing a mechanistic and predictive plant ecology. Developments in generalized linear mixed models described by Jamil et al. in this issue provide a significant step in this endeavour. Trait‐based GLMMs are intuitive parametric models for exploring and predicting the distribution of species along environmental gradients, as affected by species traits.
The role of casein‐specific IgA and TGF‐β in children with food protein‐induced enterocolitis syndrome to milk
Authors: Konstantinou George N. , Bencharitiwong Ramon , Grishin Alexander , Caubet Jean‐Christoph , Bardina Luda , Sicherer Scott H. , Sampson Hugh A. , Nowak‐Węgrzyn Anna
Published: October 2014

Background

Food protein‐induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a gastrointestinal hypersensitivity disorder with a poorly understood pathophysiology and no biomarkers to aid in diagnosis.

Objective

To investigate humoral and cellular responses to casein in children with milk‐FPIES, including the role of casein‐specific (cs) IgA and T‐cell mediated TGF‐β responses.

Patients and methods

Thirty‐one children previously diagnosed with milk‐FPIES were challenged with milk. Twelve age‐matched children with FPIES to other foods and 6 milk‐tolerant children without a history of FPIES were used as controls. Casein‐specific IgE, IgG, IgG4, and IgA were measured in serum and TGF‐β levels in supernatants of casein‐stimulated PBMCs.

Result

Twenty‐six children with milk‐FPIES reacted (active milk‐FPIES) and five tolerated milk (milk‐FPIES resolved) during food challenge. All of them had significantly lower levels of csIgG, csIgG4, and csIgA than control children (p‐value<0.001). There were no TGF‐β responses in supernatants of active milk‐FPIES children.

Conclusion

Children with milk‐FPIES have low levels of csIgG, csIgG4, and csIgA. In particular, children with active FPIES to cow's milk have deficient T‐cell mediated TGF‐β responses to casein, rendering TGF‐β a promising biomarker in identifying children who are likely to experience FPIES reactions to this allergen. Prospective studies are needed to validate these findings, elucidate their role in FPIES pathophysiology, and establish the diagnostic utility of TGF‐β in milk‐induced FPIES.
Persons, Minds, and Bodies: Christian Philosophy on the Relationship of Persons and Their Bodies, Part I
Authors: Visala Aku
Published: October 2014

The relationship of minds, bodies, and persons has been a central topic of debate in Western philosophy and theology. This article reviews the ongoing debates about the relationship and nature of bodies, minds, and persons among contemporary Christian analytic philosophers and theologians. The first two parts present some general theological constraints for philosophical theories of persons and describe the basic concepts used (substance, property, supervenience, and physicalism). The views themselves fall into three broad categories. Dualists think that persons are either identical with or partly constituted by non‐physical souls. On this view, there are immaterial substances and properties. Hylomorphists maintain that persons are composites of bodies and the souls that inform them. Finally, physicalists claim that there are no immaterial parts to persons. Instead, persons are composed of bodies and brains, the mental properties they have supervene on physical properties.
Purgatory
Authors: Dumsday Travis
Published: October 2014

Eschatological issues have received a great deal of attention in recent analytic philosophy of religion. Most of that attention has revolved around the metaphysics and ethics of heaven, hell, and bodily resurrection; this is unsurprising, as these doctrines are universally affirmed among theologically orthodox Christians. By contrast, the doctrine of purgatory is not the subject of universal affirmation. Nevertheless it boasts a growing literature. After an introduction to the doctrine and its place in historical theology, I proceed to survey this recent literature. I conclude by providing some suggestions for future research.
Daoism and Wu
Authors: Chai David
Published: October 2014

This paper introduces the concept of nothingness as used in classical Daoist philosophy, building upon contemporary scholarship by offering a uniquely phenomenological reading of the term. It will be argued that the Chinese word wu bears upon two planes of reality concurrently: as ontological nothingness and as ontic nonbeing. Presenting wu in this dyadic manner is essential if we wish to avoid equating it with Dao itself, as many have been wont to do; rather, wu is the mystery that perpetually veils Dao while serving as the root and counter‐balance to being, and yet, Dao also imbues things with wu to the extant that their physical makeup and usefulness, or lack thereof, can be traced back to their source in Dao. This does not only mean that Daoist cosmogony and metaphysics are inherently informed by nothingness/nonbeing instead of being/beings but that it works to unground all moral and epistemological norms in play, a feat no other school of thought in ancient China could accomplish.
We Stop for No Storm: Coping with an Environmental Disaster and Public Health Research
Authors: Reifsnider Elizabeth , Bishop Sheryl L. , An Kyungeh , Mendias Elnora , Welker‐Hood Kristen , Moramarco Michael W. , Davila Yolanda R.
Published: October 2014

Coping with natural disasters is part of the public nurses' role, and the public health nursing (PHN) researcher is doubly challenged with continuing to conduct community‐based research in the midst of the disaster. The PHN may provide service along with attempting to continue the research. The challenges faced by public/community health nurse researchers as a result of hurricane Ike are discussed to provide lessons for other public/community health researchers who may be affected by natural disasters in the future. It is important to consider challenges for recruitment and retention of research subjects after a disaster, impact of natural disasters on ongoing research, and opportunities for research to be found in coping with natural disasters. A community‐based study that was in progress at the time of hurricane Ike will be used as an example for coping with a natural disaster. We will present “lessons learned” in the hope of helping researchers consider what can go wrong with research studies in the midst of natural disasters and how to proactively plan for keeping research reliable and valid when natural disasters occur. We will also discuss the opportunities for collaborations between researchers and the community following any disaster.
Biological and molecular characterization of a distinct Citrus tristeza virus isolate originating from a lemon tree in Greece
Authors: Varveri C. , Olmos A. , Pina J. A. , Marroquín C. , Cambra M.
Published: October 2014

A Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) isolate (L192GR) naturally occurring in lemon trees of more than 100 years old in Greece was fully characterized. Virus‐derived small interfering RNAs, induced by Dicer processing of dsRNAs formed during RNA virus replication, were isolated and used as targets for sequencing. Next‐generation high‐throughput sequencing using the Ion Torrent platform was performed. A total of 432 632 sequences, 94·05% of which corresponded to L192GR, were determined. Subsequent bioinformatics analysis enabled the determination of the full‐length 19 251 nt genome of the L192GR isolate (GenBank no. KC262793). Comparative analysis of complete genomes revealed molecular homology with CTV‐VT isolate FS2‐2 from Florida (GenBank no. EU937519) with 98·2% nucleotide sequence identity. Recombination events were detected in L192GR and they probably contribute to its unique characteristics. Specifically, although most isolates of the CTV‐VT group induce the seedling yellows syndrome and react positively with the monoclonal antibody MCA13, which is typically associated with severe CTV isolates, the MCA13‐positive L192GR gave very mild or even no symptoms in the seedling yellows indicator plants. Furthermore, experimental aphid transmissibility studies revealed a poor transmission efficiency of 20%. This is the first report of a CTV isolate originating from a lemon tree being fully characterized at biological, serological and molecular levels. The present study further confirms that, when the goal is the risk assessment associated with a new pathogen or isolate in a particular area, molecular data have to be combined with the biological properties of the pathogen.
Insights into the genetic diversity and evolution of Little cherry virus 1
Authors: Katsiani A. T. , Maliogka V. I. , Amoutzias G. D. , Efthimiou K. E. , Katis N. I.
Published: October 2014

Little cherry virus 1 (LChV‐1), a member of the recently proposed genus Velarivirus, is a sweet cherry pathogen that has been recently reported to infect other Prunus species and is associated with various plant disorders. In this work the incidence of the virus on its putative hosts and possible mechanisms driving its evolution were investigated. Due to problems encountered with LChV‐1 detection, a new nested RT‐PCR assay was developed and applied. The virus was found to be prevalent in cherry plantations in Greece and only occasionally detected in other Prunus species. Sequences corresponding to the partial RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), heat‐shock protein homologue (HSP70h) and coat protein (CP) genes were determined from Greek LChV‐1 isolates originating from different hosts; these were analysed, along with published homologous genomic regions from other isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of the three genes revealed the segregation of four evolutionary distinct groups showing no host or geography‐based clustering. Mean genetic distances among the four groups were high with the CP region showing the highest divergence, although intragroup variability levels were low. Nevertheless, estimations of the mean ratio of nonsynonymous substitutions per synonymous site to synonymous substitutions per synonymous site (dN/dS) for the partial RdRp, HSP70h and CP indicated that these genomic regions are under negative selection pressure. Interestingly, a recombination event was identified at the 3′ end of RdRp on a Greek virus isolate, thus highlighting the role of this mechanism in the evolutionary history of LChV‐1.
Exaggerated Positivity in Self‐Evaluation: A Social Neuroscience Approach to Reconciling the Role of Self‐esteem Protection and Cognitive Bias
Authors: Beer Jennifer S.
Published: October 2014

Recent neuroscience research provides new insight into why people tend to view themselves through rose‐colored glasses and suggests a different approach for improving self‐insight. Rose‐colored glasses (sometimes referred to as positive illusions, positivity bias, self‐serving bias, self‐enhancement, or overconfidence) are a pervasive characteristic of self‐evaluation. While it is intuitive to think about rose‐colored glasses as a self‐esteem protection tactic, research has shown that people tend to exaggerate their positive attributes even when self‐esteem is not at stake. This raises questions about the relation of the exaggerated positivity used to protect self‐esteem to the exaggerated positivity seen in other circumstances. Are people using a consistent thought pattern to overemphasize their positive attributes which generalizes across situations regardless of whether self‐esteem is at stake? Or is there something different about the way people go about overemphasizing their positive attributes when coping with a threat to self‐esteem? Recent neuroscience research supports the latter: inducing the need for self‐esteem protection changes the neural profile underlying exaggerated positivity. When self‐esteem is threatened, exaggerated positivity in self‐evaluation engages orbitofrontal cortex and a functional network of increased basal ganglia activation and decreased middle frontal gyrus activation. In contrast, exaggerated positivity arising in the absence of self‐esteem threat tends to reduce orbitofrontal cortex activation and its functional connectivity with the temporal, occipital, and frontal lobes. This discovery suggests that not all rose‐colored glasses are created equally and, therefore, curtailing them may require different interventions depending on whether self‐esteem protection is their underlying driving force.
Identification of a novel HLA allele, HLA‐A*11:101, in a platelet donor from China
Authors: Zhang X. , Li X.‐F. , Lin F.‐Q. , Zhang K.‐L. , Li J.‐P.
Published: October 2014

HLA‐A*11:101 has one nucleotide change from HLA‐A*11:02:01 where 120 Q is changed to R.
The Vat locus encodes for a CC‐NBS‐LRR protein that confers resistance to Aphis gossypii infestation and A. gossypii‐mediated virus resistance
Authors: Dogimont Catherine , Chovelon Veronique , Pauquet Jerome , Boualem Adnane , Bendahmane Abdelhafid
Published: October 2014

Aphis gossypii is a polyphagous sucking aphid and a vector for many viruses. In Cucumis melo, a dominant locus, Vat, confers a high level of resistance to Aphis gossypii infestation and to viruses transmitted by this vector. To investigate the mechanism underlying this double resistance, we first genetically dissected the Vat locus. We delimited the double resistance to a single gene that encodes for a coiled‐coil–nucleotide‐binding‐site–leucine‐rich repeat (CC‐NBS‐LRR) protein type. To validate the genetic data, transgenic lines expressing the Vat gene were generated and assessed for the double resistance. In this analysis, Vat‐transgenic plants were resistant to A. gossypii infestation as well as A. gossypii‐mediated virus transmission. When the plants were infected mechanically, virus infection occurred on both transgenic and non‐transgenic control plants. These results confirmed that the cloned CC‐NBS‐LRR gene mediates both resistance to aphid infestation and virus infection using A. gossypii as a vector. This resistance also invokes a separate recognition and response phases in which the recognition phase involves the interaction of an elicitor molecule from the aphid and Vat from the plant. The response phase is not specific and blocks both aphid infestation and virus infection. Sequence analysis of Vat alleles suggests a major role of an unusual conserved LRR repeat in the recognition of A. gossypii.
Probing formation of cargo/importin‐α transport complexes in plant cells using a pathogen effector
Authors: Wirthmueller Lennart , Roth Charlotte , Fabro Georgina , Caillaud Marie‐Cécile , Rallapalli Ghanasyam , Asai Shuta , Sklenar Jan , Jones Alexandra M. E. , Wiermer Marcel , Jones Jonathan D. G. , Banfield Mark J.
Published: October 2014

Importin‐αs are essential adapter proteins that recruit cytoplasmic proteins destined for active nuclear import to the nuclear transport machinery. Cargo proteins interact with the importin‐α armadillo repeat domain via nuclear localization sequences (NLSs), short amino acids motifs enriched in Lys and Arg residues. Plant genomes typically encode several importin‐α paralogs that can have both specific and partially redundant functions. Although some cargos are preferentially imported by a distinct importin‐α it remains unknown how this specificity is generated and to what extent cargos compete for binding to nuclear transport receptors. Here we report that the effector protein HaRxL106 from the oomycete pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis co‐opts the host cell's nuclear import machinery. We use HaRxL106 as a probe to determine redundant and specific functions of importin‐α paralogs from Arabidopsis thaliana. A crystal structure of the importin‐α3/MOS6 armadillo repeat domain suggests that five of the six Arabidopsis importin‐αs expressed in rosette leaves have an almost identical NLS‐binding site. Comparison of the importin‐α binding affinities of HaRxL106 and other cargos in vitro and in plant cells suggests that relatively small affinity differences in vitro affect the rate of transport complex formation in vivo. Our results suggest that cargo affinity for importin‐α, sequence variation at the importin‐α NLS‐binding sites and tissue‐specific expression levels of importin‐αs determine formation of cargo/importin‐α transport complexes in plant cells.
Arabidopsis acyl‐CoA‐binding protein ACBP3 participates in plant response to hypoxia by modulating very‐long‐chain fatty acid metabolism
Authors: Xie Li‐Juan , Yu Lu‐Jun , Chen Qin‐Fang , Wang Feng‐Zhu , Huang Li , Xia Fan‐Nv , Zhu Tian‐Ren , Wu Jian‐Xin , Yin Jian , Liao Bin , Yao Nan , Shu Wensheng , Xiao Shi
Published: October 2014

In Arabidopsis thaliana, acyl‐CoA‐binding proteins (ACBPs) are encoded by a family of six genes (ACBP1 to ACBP6), and are essential for diverse cellular activities. Recent investigations suggest that the membrane‐anchored ACBPs are involved in oxygen sensing by sequestration of group VII ethylene‐responsive factors under normoxia. Here, we demonstrate the involvement of Arabidopsis ACBP3 in hypoxic tolerance. ACBP3 transcription was remarkably induced following submergence under both dark (DS) and light (LS) conditions. ACBP3‐overexpressors (ACBP3‐OEs) showed hypersensitivity to DS, LS and ethanolic stresses, with reduced transcription of hypoxia‐responsive genes as well as accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in the rosettes. In contrast, suppression of ACBP3 in ACBP3‐KOs enhanced plant tolerance to DS, LS and ethanol treatments. By analyses of double combinations of OE‐1 with npr1‐5, coi1‐2, ein3‐1 as well as ctr1‐1 mutants, we observed that the attenuated hypoxic tolerance in ACBP3‐OEs was dependent on NPR1‐ and CTR1‐mediated signaling pathways. Lipid profiling revealed that both the total amounts and very‐long‐chain species of phosphatidylserine (C42:2‐ and C42:3‐PS) and glucosylinositolphosphorylceramides (C22:0‐, C22:1‐, C24:0‐, C24:1‐, and C26:1‐GIPC) were significantly lower in ACBP3‐OEs but increased in ACBP3‐KOs upon LS exposure. By microscale thermophoresis analysis, the recombinant ACBP3 protein bound VLC acyl‐CoA esters with high affinities in vitro. Further, a knockout mutant of MYB30, a master regulator of very‐long‐chain fatty acid (VLCFA) biosynthesis, exhibited enhanced sensitivities to LS and ethanolic stresses, phenotypes that were ameliorated by ACBP3‐RNAi. Taken together, these findings suggest that Arabidopsis ACBP3 participates in plant response to hypoxia by modulating VLCFA metabolism.
Role of Flippases, Scramblases and Transfer Proteins in Phosphatidylserine Subcellular Distribution
Authors: Hankins Hannah M. , Baldridge Ryan D. , Xu Peng , Graham Todd R.
Published: October 2014

It is well known that lipids are heterogeneously distributed throughout the cell. Most lipid species are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and then distributed to different cellular locations in order to create the distinct membrane compositions observed in eukaryotes. However, the mechanisms by which specific lipid species are trafficked to and maintained in specific areas of the cell are poorly understood and constitute an active area of research. Of particular interest is the distribution of phosphatidylserine (PS), an anionic lipid that is enriched in the cytosolic leaflet of the plasma membrane. PS transport occurs by both vesicular and non‐vesicular routes, with members of the oxysterol‐binding protein family (Osh6 and Osh7) recently implicated in the latter route. In addition, the flippase activity of P4‐ATPases helps build PS membrane asymmetry by preferentially translocating PS to the cytosolic leaflet. This asymmetric PS distribution can be used as a signaling device by the regulated activation of scramblases, which rapidly expose PS on the extracellular leaflet and play important roles in blood clotting and apoptosis. This review will discuss recent advances made in the study of phospholipid flippases, scramblases and PS‐specific lipid transfer proteins, as well as how these proteins contribute to subcellular PS distribution.
Energy, Torque, and Dynamics in Impact Wrench Tightening
Authors: Wallace Paul
Published: October 2014

Dynamic measurements were made on an impact wrench tightening several bolted joints. Using hammer energy and bolted joint characteristics, energy absorbed by the joint and other parts of the system was calculated. The impact process is found to be consistent with an energy model in which kinetic energy of the tool hammer is primarily absorbed by the bolted joint. Hammer energy was also absorbed by elastic deformation of the tool output shaft and by friction-type losses in the components being assembled. Bolt torque is closely correlated with hammer energy delivered by the tool as was hammer rebound angle.
A Nonlinear Leg Damping Model for the Prediction of Running Forces and Stability
Authors: Abraham Ian , Shen ZhuoHua , Seipel Justin
Published: October 2014

Despite the neuromechanical complexity underlying animal locomotion, the steady-state center-of-mass motions and ground reaction forces of animal running can be predicted by simple spring-mass models such as the canonical spring-loaded inverted pendulum (SLIP) model. Such SLIP models have been useful for the fields of biomechanics and robotics in part because ground reaction forces are commonly measured and readily available for comparing with model predictions. To better predict the stability of running, beyond the canonical conservative SLIP model, more recent extensions have been proposed and investigated with hip actuation and linear leg damping (e.g., hip-actuated SLIP). So far, these attempts have gained improved prediction of the stability of locomotion but have led to a loss of the ability to accurately predict ground reaction forces. Unfortunately, the linear damping utilized in current models leads to an unrealistic prediction of damping force and ground reaction force with a large nonzero magnitude at touchdown (TD). Here, we develop a leg damping model that is bilinear in leg length and velocity in order to yield improved damping force and ground reaction force prediction. We compare the running ground reaction forces, small and large perturbation stability, parameter sensitivity, and energetic cost resulting from both the linear and bilinear damping models. We found that bilinear damping helps to produce more realistic, smooth vertical ground reaction forces, thus fixing the current problem with the linear damping model. Despite large changes in the damping force and power loss profile during the stance phase, the overall dynamics and energetics on a stride-to-stride basis of the two models are largely the same, implying that the integrated effect of damping over a stride is what matters most to the stability and energetics of running. Overall, this new model, an actuated SLIP model with bilinear damping, can provide significantly improved prediction of ground reaction forces as well as stability and energetics of locomotion.
Investigation of the performance of two-way left-turn lane on roads with staggered intersections
Authors: Ma Wanjing , Li Li , Wu Zhizhou
Published: October 2014

A simulation based on VISSIM and its external driver model dynamic link library (DLL) was used to investigate the efficiency and safety of a two-way left-turn lane (TWLTL) on roads with staggered intersections (SIs). The impacts of traffic volume, ratio of left-turn vehicles, and stagger distance on SIs and conventional cross intersection (CI) were simulated with the following results: (1) SIs with stagger distance shorter than 200 m show few advantages in terms of average delay over a CI irrespective of traffic volume and left-turn ratio; (2) In contrast, SIs with stagger distance longer than 200 m show advantages that, however, disappear with an increase in traffic volume and left-turn ratio; and (3) SIs show a significantly higher number of traffic conflicts than CIs, indicating that they have more serious safety problems. These results should help traffic researchers and practitioners decide whether it is feasible to establish SIs on existing roadways with TWLTLs and the appropriate stagger distance for SIs, as well as whether it is appropriate to change a road that has dense SIs into a TWLTL cross section.
High prevalence of metallo-β-lactamase among carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in a teaching hospital in China
Authors: Li Bin , Xu Xiao-hong , Zhao Zhi-chang , Wang Mei-hua , Cao Ying-ping
Published: October 2014

The aim of this study was to characterize the carbapenemases in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-KP) from a Chinese teaching hospital. A total of 40 CR-KPs were screened for the presence of carbapenemases. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by agar dilution. The modified Hodge test was used for the detection of carbapenemase production. Carbapenemase, extended-spectrum β-lactamase, and AmpC genes were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. A conjugation test was performed using a broth culture mating method, transferred plasmids were typed by PCR-based replicon typing, and clonal relatedness was investigated by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequences PCR (ERIC–PCR) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The results revealed that modified Hodge test was positive for 28 CR-KPs, and CR-KPs exhibited high resistance rates against various antibiotics, except colistin (5.0%) and tigecycline (22.5%). ERIC and MLST profiles showed no clonal outbreak. PCR demonstrated a high prevalence rate (55.0%, 22/40) of metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) in CR-KPs. IMP-4, IMP-8, NDM-1, and KPC-2 were identified in 14 (35.0%), 7 (17.5%), 2 (5.0%), and 7 (17.5%) isolates, respectively. Notably, 2 CR-KPs coproduced 2 carbapenemases simultaneously (IMP-8/NDM-1 and IMP-4/KPC-2). In vitro transfer of carbapenem resistance was successful for 11 MBL-producing CR-KPs. The extended spectrum β-lactamase genes were detected in 30 (75.0%) of these CR-KPs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report focusing on carbapenem resistance in K. pneumoniae due to metalloenzymes in China. Screening and surveillance of MBLs in Enterobacteriaceae is urgently needed in this region to control and prevent the spread of these resistance determinants.
Effect of different types of noises on the formations of swarming systems: the sensing-noise and the acting-noise
Authors: Tian Wen-Qiang , Gao Dan , Luo Ju-Feng , Zhang Wei-Yi , Wang Ying-Guan
Published: October 2014

In this paper, different types of noises, the sensing-noise and the acting-noise, are brought into the extended adaptive Attractive/Repulsive (A/R) swarming models to explore the role of noise in swarming formations. The difference between these two extended A/R models consists in the way in which the noise is introduced. The sensing-noise is added to the inputs of the swarming system which results in the uncertainty of the sensed information for agents, and it affects the whole processes of the swarming system. The acting-noise is added to the outputs of the swarming system, which does not affect the information-sensing and decision-making processes of the system, but it directly affects the action of swarms. With numerical simulations and analyses, the results show that the convergence of the expected swarming formation and the cohesiveness of the swarms may be affected to various degrees and suffered from certain negative impact due to the interference of different noises. We conclude that both the convergence and the cohesiveness are much more sensitive to the sensing-noise, and the model with acting-noise will be robust compared with the model with sensing-noise. Meanwhile we point out that, in the model with the interference of sensing-noise, too strong noises will lead to erroneous judgments of A/R function for agents. The sensed neighbor distance may fall into the zone of attraction, the zone of repulsion, or it may even fall into the zone of Non-A/R area. The original definite A/R function which is determined by the definite neighbor distance will evolve into the indefinite A/R function which is determined by the indefinite sensed neighbor distance. Along with the increase of the probability of such misjudgments, the effect of the A/R model will be progressively weakened. However, such phenomenon does not exist in the A/R model with the interference of acting-noise, in which the strong acting-noise leads the agents move randomly and spread apart gradually.
TREATMENT OF CHRONIC MALLET FRACTURES USING EXTENSION-BLOCK KIRSCHNER WIRE
Authors: Asano Kenichi , Inoue Goro , Shin Masaki
Published: October 2014

Eleven patients with chronic mallet fractures that were seen later than four weeks after injury were treated by extension-block Kirschner wire technique. The average duration from injury to operative treatment was 56 days (range, 28–111). The follow-up evaluations took place after a mean of eight months. The radiographic bone union was obtained in all patients. The average extension loss of the DIP joint was 4 degree (range, 0–15) and the average flexion was 68 degree (range, 43–90). The results according to Crawford's criteria were six excellent, two good, two fair, and one poor. We would say that the technique we treated is effective method of treatment for younger patients with chronic mallet fractures.
Natural Resources and Violent Conflict
Authors: Nillesen Eleonora , Bulte Erwin
Published: October 2014

We discuss the literature on natural resources and violent conflict. The theoretical literature is rich and ambiguous, and the empirical literature is equally multifaceted. Theory predicts that resource booms or discoveries may attenuate or accentuate the risk of conflict, depending on various factors. Regression analyses also produce mixed signals and point to a plethora of mechanisms linking resources to conflict. The empirical literature is gradually evolving from cross-country conflict models to micro-level analyses, explaining variation in local intensity of conflict. This transition has resulted in more credible identification strategies and in an enhanced understanding of the complex relation between resources and conflict.
Assessing the Uncertainty in Projecting Local Mean Sea Level from Global Temperature
Authors: Guttorp Peter , Januzzi Alex , Novak Marie , Podschwit Harry , Richardson Lee , Sowder Colin D. , Zimmerman Aaron , Bolin David , Särkkä Aila
Published: October 2014

The process of moving from an ensemble of global climate model temperature projections to local sea level projections requires several steps. Sea level was estimated in Olympia, Washington (a city that is very concerned with sea level rise because parts of downtown are barely above mean highest high tide), by relating global mean temperature to global sea level; relating global sea level to sea levels at Seattle, Washington; and finally relating Seattle to Olympia. There has long been a realization that accurate assessment of the precision of projections is needed for science-based policy decisions. When a string of statistical and/or deterministic models is connected, the uncertainty of each individual model needs to be accounted for. Here the uncertainty is quantified for each model in the described system and the total uncertainty is assessed in a cascading effect throughout the system. The projected sea level rise over time and its total estimated uncertainty are visualized simultaneously for the years 2000–2100, the increased uncertainty due to each of the component models at a particular projection year is identified, and estimates of the time at which a certain sea level rise will first be reached are made.