bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An unusual mass in the palate of a 13‐year‐old girl: a case report of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Eltahlah D. , Smart K. , Moran N.
Published: December 2013

Rhabdomyosarcomas are rare neoplasms derived from primitive mesenchymal tissue expressing skeletal muscle differentiation. They often present with vague symptoms that can easily mimic other diseases. Rhabdomyosarcomas of the oral cavity are extremely rare and account only for 0.04% of all the head and neck malignancies. We report a rare case of an alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in the soft palate of a 13‐year‐old girl.
Genetic diversity, population structure, pollen morphology and cross‐compatibility among Chinese Cymbidiums
Authors: Li Xiaobai , Xiang Lin , Wang Yan , Luo Jie , Wu Chao , Sun Chongbo , Xie Ming
Published: December 2013

A total of 85 Chinese Cymbidiums and one Zygopetalum were collected and analysed using 29 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 12 intersimple sequence repeats (ISSRs). These Chinese Cymbidiums are some of the most popular cultivars in market. The pairwise genetic distance between these accessions averaged 0.897, ranging from 0.259 to 1.000. A model‐based clustering analysis revealed five genetic groups with serious admixture ancestry, as indicated by a fixation index of 0.156 and only 10.67% genetic variation among groups. By analysing the cross‐compatibility and pollen morphology, Chinese Cymbidiums are revealed to have high compatibility for intra‐ and interspecific crosses. Notably, Zygopetalum mackayi had high compatibility with Chinese Cymbidiums and shared similar morphologies in terms of pollinia and pollen grain. This study is the first to report a successful cross between Zygopetalum and Chinese Cymbidiums. The high compatibility offers the potential for introducing Zygopetalum mackayi's superior traits into Chinese Cymbidiums. The similar pollen morphology as well as the low genetic differentiation might be related to the high cross‐compatibility among these accessions.
Scrambled Self‐Assembly of Bacteriochlorophylls c and e in Aqueous Triton X‐100 Micelles
Authors: Saga Yoshitaka , Saiki Tatsuya , Takahashi Naoya , Shibata Yutaka , Tamiaki Hitoshi
Published: December 2013

Bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) e was coassembled with BChl c in Triton X‐100 micelles in aqueous solutions. The Qy absorption bands of the coaggregates were positioned between those of aggregates consisting solely of BChl c or e. The electronic absorption spectra of the coaggregates could not be reproduced by linear combinations of the spectra of the aggregates consisting solely of each pigment, but they were in line with the simulated spectra for the self‐aggregates in which both BChls were randomly distributed. These suggest that BChls c and e are not spatially separated; they are homogenously distributed over the self‐aggregates to give electronic spectra that are different from those of the aggregate consisting solely of each pigment. Deaggregation of the scrambled self‐aggregates by excess Triton X‐100 did not produce any spectral components assigned to an aggregate consisting solely of either BChl c or e. Acid‐induced decomposition of the scrambled aggregates showed different kinetics from those of the aggregates consisting solely of each pigment. These also support the homogeneous distribution of BChls c and e in the scrambled self‐aggregates. These results will be useful to investigate the major light‐harvesting antenna systems of green photosynthetic bacteria that contain two kinds of chlorosomal BChls.
Storage of Bovine Reproductive Tissues and RNA Extracts on Ice for 24 h or Repeated Freeze–Thaw Cycles do not Affect RNA Integrity
Authors: França MR , Mesquita FS , Binelli M
Published: December 2013

Contents

The aims of this study were to test (i) the effect of time of tissue and RNA extracts storage on ice and (ii) the effect of repeated freeze–thaw cycles on RNA integrity and gene expression of bovine reproductive tissues. Fragments of endometrium (ENDO), corpus luteum (CL) and ampulla (AMP) were subdivided and incubated for 0, 1, 3, 6, 12 or 24 h on ice. RNA extracts were incubated on ice for 0, 3, 12 or 24 h, or exposed to 1, 2, 4 or 6 freeze–thaw cycles. RNA integrity number (RIN) was estimated. Expression of progesterone receptor (PGR) and cyclophilin genes from RNA extracts stored on ice for 0 or 24 h, and 1 or 6 freeze–thaw cycles was measured by qPCR. Tissue and RNA extract incubation on ice, and repeated freeze–thaw cycles did not affect RIN values of RNA from ENDO, CL or AMP. Storage on ice or exposure to freeze–thaw cycles did not affect Cq values for PGR or cyclophilin genes. In conclusion, neither generalized RNA degradation nor specific RNA degradation was affected by storage of tissue or RNA extracts on ice for up to 24 h, or by up to 6 freeze–thaw cycles of RNA extracts obtained from bovine ENDO, CL and AMP.
Flutamide Influences Placental Aldo–Keto Reductase Family 1 Member C1 (AKR1C1) Expression in Pigs
Authors: Grzesiak M , Knapczyk‐Stwora K , Wieciech I , Golas A , Slomczynska M
Published: December 2013

Contents

Aldo–keto reductase family 1 member C1 (AKR1C1) catalyses the conversion of progesterone into inactive 20α‐dihydroxyprogesterone. It is suggested that AKR1C1 expression in the placenta prevents from the cytotoxic effect of progesterone on foetuses during late pregnancy. The aim of the study was to determine whether the anti‐androgen flutamide administered during late pregnancy (83–89 days of gestation) or before parturition (101–107 days of gestation) influences AKR1C1 expression in the porcine placenta. AKR1C1 mRNA and protein levels were measured using real‐time PCR and western blotting, respectively. Immunolocalization of AKR1C1 within placentas was also performed. Flutamide significantly increased AKR1C1 mRNA (p = 0.008) and protein (p = 0.019) expression only during the pre‐parturient period in pigs. AKR1C1 protein was immunolocalized in the epithelial and stromal cells of foetal and maternal part of placenta at both stages of gestation. Following flutamide treatment, the intensity of staining was higher (p = 0.045) on day 108 of gestation. In conclusion, porcine placental AKR1C1 expression seems to be regulated by an androgen signalling pathway and may be involved in foetal survival by preventing the detrimental effect of progesterone.
Cardiovascular function is better in veteran football players than age‐matched untrained elderly healthy men
Authors: Schmidt J. F. , Andersen T. R. , Andersen L. J. , Randers M. B. , Hornstrup T. , Hansen P. R. , Bangsbo J. , Krustrup P.
Published: December 2013

The aim of the study was to determine whether lifelong football training may improve cardiovascular function, physical fitness, and body composition. Our subjects were 17 male veteran football players (VPG; 68.1 ± 2.1 years) and 26 healthy age‐matched untrained men who served as a control group (CG; 68.2 ± 3.2 years). Examinations included measurements of cardiac function, microvascular endothelial function [reactive hyperemic index (RHI)], maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), and body composition. In VPG, left ventricular (LV) end‐diastolic volume was 20% larger (P < 0.01) and LV ejection fraction was higher (P < 0.001). Tissue Doppler imaging revealed an augmented LV longitudinal displacement, i.e., LV shortening of 21% (P < 0.001) and longitudinal 2D strain was 12% higher (P < 0.05), in VPG. In VPG, resting heart rate was lower (6 bpm, P < 0.05), and VO2max was higher (18%, P < 0.05). In addition, RHI was 21% higher (P < 0.05) in VPG. VPG also had lower body mass index (P < 0.05), body fat percentage, total body fat mass, android fat percentage, and gynoid fat percentage (all P < 0.01). Lifelong participation in football training is associated with better LV systolic function, physical fitness, microvascular function, and a healthier body composition. Overall, VPG have better cardiovascular function compared with CG, which may reduce their cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Novel Fluidic Diode for Hybrid Synthetic Jet Actuator
Authors: Kordík Jozef , Trávníček Zdeněk
Published: December 2013

This paper deals with a new design of a hybrid synthetic jet actuator (HSJA), which is based on a novel fluidic diode. Two fluidic diodes were tested using pressure-drop measurements with air as the working fluid, and their diodicities were evaluated. A greater diodicity was achieved with the new diode design. Two outlet nozzles of the HSJA were tested (shorter and longer), and the velocity resonance curves were evaluated using hot-wire measurements at the outlets of the nozzles. Volumetric efficiency of the HSJA was evaluated as function of the operating frequency. The greatest efficiency was achieved at the second resonant frequency of the actuator with the longer nozzle.
Low-temperature (≤150 °C) chemical vapor deposition of pure cobalt thin films
Authors: Samal Nigamananda , Chetry Krishna B. , Rook Katrina , Hayes Alan , Devasahayam Adrian
Published: December 2013

High purity soft-magnetic cobalt films were grown by cyclic thermal–chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process using dicobalt octacarbonyl as metal organic precursor, at an optimum substrate temperature of 125 °C. Physical, electrical, and magnetic properties of CVD grown Co films were compared with physical vapor deposition (PVD) grown Co films. Films were analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, four-point resistivity probe, scanning electron microscopy, hysteresis loop tracer, vibrating sample magnetometry, and atomic force microscopy. The authors observed in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in the CVD-grown cobalt film with cyclic pulse-purge technique. Typical film properties obtained were low volume resistivity (<20 μΩ cm), >99.5% purity, 100% growth linearity as a function of number of cycles, good step coverage in a SiO2 trench, low coercivity (<15 Oe), high saturation magnetization (∼1.5 T), and low root-mean-square surface roughness (7 Å). Compared to our PVD films, CVD Co films are magnetically softer, smoother, and less textured.
Fabrication of high quality factor GaAs/InAsSb photonic crystal microcavities by inductively coupled plasma etching and fast wet etching
Authors: González Iván Prieto , Muñoz Camuñez Luis Enrique , Taboada Alfonso González , Robles Urdiales Carmen , Ripalda Cobián Jose María , Postigo Resa Pablo Aitor
Published: December 2013

The authors demonstrate high quality factor GaAs-based L9 photonic crystal microcavities (PCMs) with embedded InAsSb quantum dots with emission in 1.3 μm at room temperature. The fabrication process uses reactive ion beam etching with a CHF3/N2 gas mixture and reactive ion etching with a BCl3/N2 gas mixture to form PCMs on air-suspended slabs. An optimum N2 partial flux content of 0.65 and a successful removal of deposits formed during the membrane release by a fast wet etching in HF provide optical quality factors (Q-factors) as high as ∼30 000.
Growth behavior and properties of atomic layer deposited tin oxide on silicon from novel tin(II)acetylacetonate precursor and ozone
Authors: Kannan Selvaraj Sathees , Feinerman Alan , Takoudis Christos G.
Published: December 2013

In this work, a novel liquid tin(II) precursor, tin(II)acetylacetonate [Sn(acac)2], was used to deposit tin oxide films on Si(100) substrate, using a custom-built hot wall atomic layer deposition (ALD) reactor. Three different oxidizers, water, oxygen, and ozone, were tried. Resulting growth rates were studied as a function of precursor dosage, oxidizer dosage, reactor temperature, and number of ALD cycles. The film growth rate was found to be 0.1 ± 0.01 nm/cycle within the wide ALD temperature window of 175–300 °C using ozone; no film growth was observed with water or oxygen. Characterization methods were used to study the composition, interface quality, crystallinity, microstructure, refractive index, surface morphology, and resistivity of the resulting films. X-ray photoelectron spectra showed the formation of a clean SnOx–Si interface. The resistivity of the SnOx films was calculated to be 0.3 Ω cm. Results of this work demonstrate the possibility of introducing Sn(acac)2 as tin precursor to deposit conducting ALD SnOx thin films on a silicon surface, with clean interface and no formation of undesired SiO2 or other interfacial reaction products, for transparent conducting oxide applications.
Preferential Recognition of Avian-Like Receptors in Human Influenza A H7N9 Viruses
Authors: Xu Rui , de Vries Robert P. , Zhu Xueyong , Nycholat Corwin M. , McBride Ryan , Yu Wenli , Paulson James C. , Wilson Ian A.
Published: December 2013

Avian Affinity for H7N9

Structural analyses of the binding of avian origin H7N9 influenza viruses have revealed how the receptor-binding characteristics differentiate between birds and mammals, and studies involving the use of whole viruses have suggested that the virus is acquiring human-type receptor specificity. In contrast,

Xu
et al.

(p.
1230
) show that the H7 hemagglutinin strongly retains its specificity for avian-type receptors by using cocrystal structures with receptor analogs and glycan binding analysis with recombinant hemagglutinin against a library of receptor analogs. Thus, current human H7N9 viruses appear to remain poorly adapted to human receptors, and additional mutations will be required to achieve specificity for human-type receptors equivalent to those of human pandemic viruses.
Intact But Less Accessible Phonetic Representations in Adults with Dyslexia
Authors: Boets Bart , Op de Beeck Hans P. , Vandermosten Maaike , Scott Sophie K. , Gillebert Céline R. , Mantini Dante , Bulthé Jessica , Sunaert Stefan , Wouters Jan , Ghesquière Pol
Published: December 2013

Good Foundations, Poor Access

Dyslexia makes reading and spelling difficult.

Boets
et al.

(p.
1251
) analyzed whether for adult readers with dyslexia the internal references for word sounds are poorly constructed or whether accessing those references is abnormally difficult. Brain imaging during phonetic discrimination tasks suggested that the internal dictionary for word sounds was correct, but accessing the dictionary was more difficult than normal.
Giant Convection Cells Found on the Sun
Authors: Hathaway David H. , Upton Lisa , Colegrove Owen
Published: December 2013

Giant Solar Cells

Convection motions within the Sun transport heat from its interior to its surface. The hot regions are seen as granular (∼1000 kilometers across) and supergranular (∼30,000 kilometers across) cells in the Sun. Using data from the Helioseismic Magnetic Imager on the Solar Dynamics Observatory,

Hathaway
et al.

(p.
1217
) found evidence for even larger cells that have long been predicted by theory but not unambiguously detected. The flows associated with these giant cells transport angular momentum toward the equator and are important for maintaining the Sun's equatorial rotation.
Freeing Nonlinear Optics from Phase Matching
Authors: Kauranen Martti
Published: December 2013

Optical metamaterials that have a refractive index of zero can boost the efficiency of nonlinear optical processes.
Shining Light at Microtubule Crossroads
Authors: Roll-Mecak Antonina
Published: December 2013

Severing at microtubule crossovers reorients the plant microtubule network and redirects plant growth in response to light.
Antibody Responses to Bordetella pertussis Fim2 or Fim3 following Immunization with a Whole-Cell, Two-Component, or Five-Component Acellular Pertussis Vaccine and following Pertussis Disease in Children in Sweden in 1997 and 2007
Authors: Hallander Hans , Advani Abdolreza , Alexander Frances , Gustafsson Lennart , Ljungman Margaretha , Pratt Catherine , Hall Ian , Gorringe Andrew R.
Published: December 2013

Bordetella pertussisfimbriae (Fim2 and Fim3) are components of a five-component acellular pertussis vaccine (diphtheria–tetanus–acellular pertussis vaccine [DTaP5]), and antibody responses to fimbriae have been associated with protection. We analyzed the IgG responses to individual Fim2 and Fim3 in sera remaining from a Swedish placebo-controlled efficacy trial that compared a whole-cell vaccine (diphtheria-tetanus-whole-cell pertussis vaccine [DTwP]), a two-component acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP2), and DTaP5. One month following three doses of the Fim-containing vaccines (DTwP or DTaP5), anti-Fim2 geometric mean IgG concentrations were higher than those for anti-Fim3, with a greater anti-Fim2/anti-Fim3 IgG ratio elicited by DTaP5. We also determined the responses in vaccinated children following an episode of pertussis. Those who received DTaP5 showed a large rise in anti-Fim2 IgG, reflecting the predominant Fim2 serotype at the time. In contrast, those who received DTwP showed an equal rise in anti-Fim2 and anti-Fim3 IgG concentrations, indicating that DTwP may provide a more efficient priming effect for a Fim3 response following contact withB. pertussis. Anti-Fim2 and anti-Fim3 IgG concentrations were also determined in samples from two seroprevalence studies conducted in Sweden in 1997, when no pertussis vaccine was used and Fim2 isolates predominated, and in 2007, when either DTaP2 or DTaP3 without fimbriae was used and Fim3 isolates predominated. Very similar distributions of anti-Fim2 and anti-Fim3 IgG concentrations were obtained in 1997 and 2007, except that anti-Fim3 concentrations in 1997 were lower. This observation, together with the numbers of individuals with both anti-Fim2 and anti-Fim3 IgG concentrations, strongly suggests thatB. pertussisexpresses both Fim2 and Fim3 during infection.
Epidemiology and Molecular Characterization of Macrolide-Resistant Streptococcus pyogenes in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Chia-Ying , Lai Jui-Fen , Huang I-Wen , Chen Pei-Chen , Wang Hui-Ying , Shiau Yih-Ru , Cheng Ya-Wen , Hsieh Li-Yun , Chang Shan-Chwen , Lauderdale Tsai-Ling Yang
Published: December 2013

Our multicenter nationwide surveillance data indicated that erythromycin (ERY) resistance among group A
Streptococcus
(GAS) isolates in Taiwan declined from 53.1% in 1998 and 2000 to 14.6% in 2002 and 2004 and 10.7% in 2006 to 2010 (
P
< 0.01). The present study aimed to assess the epidemiology of GAS in Taiwan and identify factors associated with ERY resistance. All 127 ERY-resistant (ERY
r
) isolates and 128 randomly selected ERY-susceptible (ERY
s
) isolates recovered from 1998 to 2010 were
emm
typed. ERY
r
isolates were also characterized by ERY resistance phenotype and mechanisms and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Multilocus sequence typing was performed on selected ERY
r
isolates. The predominant
emm
types in ERY
r
isolates were
emm
22 (
n
= 33, 26.0%),
emm
12 (
n
= 24, 18.9%),
emm
4 (
n
= 21, 16.5%), and
emm
106 (
n
= 15, 11.8%). In ERY
s
isolates,
emm
12 (
n
= 27, 21.9%),
emm
1 (
n
= 18, 14.1%),
emm
106 (
n
= 16, 12.5%), and
emm
11 (
n
= 9, 7.1%) predominated. The most common ERY resistance phenotype was the M phenotype (resistant to macrolides) (70.9%), with all but one isolate carrying
mef
(A), followed by the constitutive macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance (cMLS
B
) phenotype (26.8%), with isolates carrying
erm
(B) or
erm
(TR). ERY
r
isolates of the
emm
12-sequence type 36 (ST36) lineage with the cMLS
B
phenotype were mostly present before 2004, while those of the
emm
22-ST46 lineage with the M phenotype predominated in later years. Recovery from respiratory (throat swab) specimens was an independent factor associated with ERY resistance.
emm
1 and
emm
11 GAS isolates were significantly associated with ERY
s
, while
emm
22 was detected only in ERY
r
GAS. In addition,
emm
106 isolates were prevalent among the abscess/pus isolates, whereas
emm
12 isolates were strongly associated with a respiratory (throat) origin. In addition to identifying factors associated with ERY resistance in GAS, our study provides helpful information on the changing GAS epidemiology in Taiwan.
Comparative Performances of HIV-1 RNA Load Assays at Low Viral Load Levels: Results of an International Collaboration
Authors: Swenson Luke C. , Cobb Bryan , Geretti Anna Maria , Harrigan P. Richard , Poljak Mario , Seguin-Devaux Carole , Verhofstede Chris , Wirden Marc , Amendola Alessandra , Boni Jurg , Bourlet Thomas , Huder Jon B. , Karasi Jean-Claude , Zidovec Lepej Snjezana , Lunar Maja M. , Mukabayire Odette , Schuurman Rob , Tomažič Janez , Van Laethem Kristel , Vandekerckhove Linos , Wensing Annemarie M. J.
Published: December 2013

Low-level viremia during antiretroviral therapy and its accurate measurement are increasingly relevant. Here, we present an international collaboration of 4,221 paired blood plasma viral load (pVL) results from four commercial assays, emphasizing the data with low pVL. The assays compared were the Abbott RealTime assay, the Roche Amplicor assay, and the Roche TaqMan version 1 and version 2 assays. The correlation between the assays was 0.90 to 0.97. However, at a low pVL, the correlation fell to 0.45 to 0.85. The observed interassay concordance was higher when detectability was defined as 200 copies/ml than when it was defined as 50 copies/ml. A pVL of ∼100 to 125 copies/ml by the TaqMan version 1 and version 2 assays corresponded best to a 50-copies/ml threshold with the Amplicor assay. Correlation and concordance between the viral load assays were lower at a low pVL. Clear guidelines are needed on the clinical significance of low-level viremia.
Ease and Comfort of Cervical and Vaginal Sampling for Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginalis with a New Aptima Specimen Collection and Transportation Kit
Authors: Chernesky Max , Jang Dan , Gilchrist Jodi , Randazzo Joan , Elit Laurie , Lytwyn Alice , Smieja Marek , Reid Jennifer , Hill Craig
Published: December 2013

Use of a new collection kit for vaginal and cervical sampling was reported as easy by the majority of 692 women and not uncomfortable (by 87.4% of those ≥25 years old and 78.8% of those <25 years old). By Aptima testing, patient- and physician-collected samples agreed strongly for
Chlamydia trachomatis
(99.6% to 99.3%; κ = 0.93 to 0.89) and
T. vaginalis
(99.6% to 98.9%; κ = 0.97 to 0.78).
De Novo
Prion Aggregates Trigger Autophagy in Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Joshi-Barr Shivanjali , Bett Cyrus , Chiang Wei-Chieh , Trejo Margarita , Goebel Hans H. , Sikorska Beata , Liberski Pawel , Raeber Alex , Lin Jonathan H. , Masliah Eliezer , Sigurdson Christina J.
Published: December 2013

In certain sporadic, familial, and infectious prion diseases, the prion protein misfolds and aggregates in skeletal muscle in addition to the brain and spinal cord. In myocytes, prion aggregates accumulate intracellularly, yet little is known about clearance pathways. Here we investigated the clearance of prion aggregates in muscle of transgenic mice that develop prion disease
de novo
. In addition to neurodegeneration, aged mice developed a degenerative myopathy, with scattered myocytes containing ubiquitinated, intracellular prion inclusions that were adjacent to myocytes lacking inclusions. Myocytes also showed elevated levels of the endoplasmic reticulum chaperone Grp78/BiP, suggestive of impaired protein degradation and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Additionally, autophagy was induced, as indicated by increased levels of beclin-1 and LC3-II. In C2C12 myoblasts, inhibition of autophagosome maturation or lysosomal degradation led to enhanced prion aggregation, consistent with a role for autophagy in prion aggregate clearance. Taken together, these findings suggest that the induction of autophagy may be a central strategy for prion aggregate clearance in myocytes.

IMPORTANCE
In prion diseases, the prion protein misfolds and aggregates in the central nervous system and sometimes in other organs, including muscle, yet the cellular pathways of prion aggregate clearance are unclear. Here we investigated the clearance of prion aggregates in the muscle of a transgenic mouse model that develops profound muscle degeneration. We found that endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways were activated and that autophagy was induced. Blocking of autophagic degradation in cell culture models led to an accumulation of aggregated prion protein. Collectively, these findings suggest that autophagy has an instrumental role in prion protein clearance.
Quantification of Entry Phenotypes of Macrophage-Tropic HIV-1 across a Wide Range of CD4 Densities
Authors: Joseph Sarah B. , Arrildt Kathryn T. , Swanstrom Adrienne E. , Schnell Gretja , Lee Benhur , Hoxie James A. , Swanstrom Ronald
Published: December 2013

Defining a macrophage-tropic phenotype for HIV-1 to assess a role in pathogenesis is complicated by the fact that HIV-1 isolates vary continuously in their ability to enter monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs)
in vitro
, and MDMs vary in their ability to support HIV-1 entry. To overcome these limitations, we identified consistent differences in entry phenotypes between five paired blood-derived, T cell-tropic HIV-1
env
genes, four of which are CCR5-using (R5) and one of which is CXCR4-using (X4), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-derived, R5 macrophage-tropic
env
genes. We performed entry assays using the CD4- and CCR5-inducible Affinofile cell line, expressing a range of CD4 levels that approximates the range from MDMs to CD4
+
T cells. The macrophage-tropic viruses were significantly better at infecting cells expressing low levels of CD4 than the T cell-tropic viruses from the same subjects, with the titration of CD4 providing a distinctive and quantitative phenotype. This difference in CD4 utilization was not due to macrophage-tropic viruses being CD4 independent. Furthermore, macrophage-tropic viruses did not differ from paired T cell-tropic viruses in their ability to use low levels of CCR5 (
t
paired
= −1.39;
P
= 0.24) or their use of an alternative conformation of CCR5. We also infected MDMs with a panel of viruses and observed that infectivity of each virus differed across four donors and between three preparations from a single donor. We concluded that the evolutionary transition from replication in T cells to that in macrophages involves a phenotypic transition to acquire the ability to infect cells expressing low levels of CD4 and that this phenotype is more reliably measured in Affinofile cells than in macrophages.

IMPORTANCE
HIV-1 typically infects memory T cells by using CD4 and CCR5 to enter cells. The virus evolves to infect new cell types by changing the coreceptor from CCR5 to CXCR4 to infect naive T cells or adapting to the use of low levels of CD4 to infect macrophages. However, defining the phenotype of macrophage tropism has been difficult due to inherent variability in the use of macrophages generated in culture to support entry of HIV-1. We describe the use of Affinofile cells with inducible and variable levels of CD4 to identify a signature phenotype for macrophage-tropic HIV-1. The ability to define HIV-1 variants that have evolved an entry phenotype that allows more efficient entry into cells with low levels of CD4 sets the stage for a clearer placement of these variants in HIV-associated pathogenesis.
Stable, High-Level Expression of Reporter Proteins from Improved Alphavirus Expression Vectors To Track Replication and Dissemination during Encephalitic and Arthritogenic Disease
Authors: Sun Chengqun , Gardner Christina L. , Watson Alan M. , Ryman Kate D. , Klimstra William B.
Published: December 2013

Engineered alphavirus vectors expressing reporters of infection have been used for a number of years due to their relatively low costs for analysis of virus replication and the capacity to utilize imaging systems for longitudinal measurements of growth within single animals. In general, these vectors have been derived from Old World alphaviruses using a second viral subgenomic promoter to express the transgenes, placed either immediately after the nonstructural proteins or at the 3′ end of the viral coding sequences. However, the relevance of these vectors to natural infections is questionable, as they have not been rigorously tested for virulence
in vivo
in comparison with parental viruses or for the retention of the reporter during replication. Here, we report construction of new expression vectors for two Old World arthritogenic alphaviruses (Sindbis and Chikungunya viruses) and two New World encephalitic alphaviruses (eastern and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses) based upon either fusion of the reporter protein in frame within nonstructural protein 3 (nsP3) or insertion of the reporter as a cleavable element between the capsid and PE2 structural proteins. We have compared these with a traditional 3′ double subgenomic promoter virus expressing either a large, firefly luciferase (fLuc; 1,650 nucleotides), or small, NanoLuc (nLuc; 513 nucleotides), luminescent reporter protein. Results indicate that the nLuc is substantially more stable than fLuc during repeated rounds of infection regardless of the transgene location. However, the capsid-PE2 insertion and nsP3 fusion viruses exhibit the most authentic mimicking of parental virus infection regardless of expressed protein.

IMPORTANCE
As more antiviral therapeutics and vaccines are developed, rapid and accurate
in vivo
modeling of their efficacy will be required. However, current alphavirus vectors expressing reporters of infection have not been extensively tested for accurate mimicking of the infection characteristics of unmodified parental viruses. Additionally, use of
in vivo
imaging systems detecting light emitted from luciferase reporters can significantly decrease costs associated with efficacy studies by minimizing numbers of animals. Herein we report development and testing of new expression vectors for Sindbis, Chikungunya, and eastern and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses and demonstrate that a small (∼500-nucleotide) reporter gene (NanoLuc; Promega) is very stable and causes a disease severity similar to that caused by unmodified parental viruses. In contrast, expression of larger reporters is very rapidly lost with virus replication and can be significantly attenuating. The utility of NanoLuc for
in vivo
imaging is also demonstrated.
Inhibition of Hepatitis C Virus Production by Aptamers against the Core Protein
Authors: Shi Shali , Yu Xiaoyan , Gao Yimin , Xue Binbin , Wu Xinjiao , Wang Xiaohong , Yang Darong , Zhu Haizhen
Published: December 2013

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein is essential for virus assembly. HCV core protein was expressed and purified. Aptamers against core protein were raised through the selective evolution of ligands by the exponential enrichment approach. Detection of HCV infection by core aptamers and the antiviral activities of aptamers were characterized. The mechanism of their anti-HCV activity was determined. The data showed that selected aptamers against core specifically recognize the recombinant core protein but also can detect serum samples from hepatitis C patients. Aptamers have no effect on HCV RNA replication in the infectious cell culture system. However, the aptamers inhibit the production of infectious virus particles. Beta interferon (IFN-β) and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) are not induced in virally infected hepatocytes by aptamers. Domains I and II of core protein are involved in the inhibition of infectious virus production by the aptamers. V31A within core is the major resistance mutation identified. Further study shows that the aptamers disrupt the localization of core with lipid droplets and NS5A and perturb the association of core protein with viral RNA. The data suggest that aptamers against HCV core protein inhibit infectious virus production by disrupting the localization of core with lipid droplets and NS5A and preventing the association of core protein with viral RNA. The aptamers for core protein may be used to understand the mechanisms of virus assembly. Core-specific aptamers may hold promise for development as early diagnostic reagents and potential therapeutic agents for chronic hepatitis C.
Expression of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 MicroRNAs in Cell Culture Models of Quiescent and Latent Infection
Authors: Jurak Igor , Hackenberg Michael , Kim Ju Youn , Pesola Jean M. , Everett Roger D. , Preston Chris M. , Wilson Angus C. , Coen Donald M.
Published: December 2013

To facilitate studies of herpes simplex virus 1 latency, cell culture models of quiescent or latent infection have been developed. Using deep sequencing, we analyzed the expression of viral microRNAs (miRNAs) in two models employing human fibroblasts and one using rat neurons. In all cases, the expression patterns differed from that in productively infected cells, with the rat neuron pattern most closely resembling that found in latently infected human or mouse ganglia
in vivo
.
Porous diaphragm syndrome: haemothorax secondary to haemoperitoneum following laparoscopic hysterectomy
Authors: May James , Ades A
Published: December 2013

The porous diaphragm syndrome is associated with the presence of diaphragmatic fenestrations creating peritoneopleural communications. Such defects may occur in conditions associated with a rise on intra-abdominal pressure including laparoscopic surgery. Thoracic complications of laparoscopic surgery may occur as a result. A 48-year-old woman underwent a total laparoscopic hysterectomy for heavy menstrual bleeding. The postoperative period was complicated by haemoperitoneum resulting in haemothorax secondary to porous diaphragm syndrome. Surgeons and anaesthetists should be aware of the possibility of serious thoracic complications related to laparoscopic surgery.
Clinical course of acute chemical lung injury caused by 3-chloropentafluoropene
Authors: Morita Satomu , Takimoto Takayuki , Kawahara Kunimitsu , Nishi Katsuji
Published: December 2013

Perfluoroallyl chloride (PFAC), a fluorine-containing compound, has very severe toxicity, but this toxicity is not well characterised. We report a fatal case of acute chemical lung injury caused by the inhalation of PFAC. A 39-year-old man, working at a chemical factory, inhaled PFAC gas and died 16 days later of acute lung injury with severe pneumothorax. We present his clinical course together with thoracic CT findings, autopsy and analysis of PFAC in blood and urine samples with gas chromatograph–mass spectrometry. Previously, a fatal case of PFAC was reported in 1981 but PFAC was not identified in any of the patient's samples. In our patient, we identified PFAC in both blood and urine samples. Our toxicological analysis may be used as a reference to detect PFAC toxicity in the future. Our study should be helpful for diagnosing lung injury induced by a highly toxic gas, such as PFAC.
Schneiderian papilloma of the temporal bone
Authors: van der Putten Lisa , Bloemena Elisabeth , Merkus Paul , Hensen Erik F
Published: December 2013

Temporal bone Schneiderian papilloma may present as a primary tumour originating from the middle ear and mastoid process, or an extension from sinonasal disease. Both forms are rare, this being only the 18th case of primary temporal bone Schneiderian papilloma described to date. Although the current patient has remained disease free after excision of the papilloma, the reported recurrence rate is high, comparable to sinonasal Schneiderian papilloma with extrasinus extension. Malignant progression of primary Schneiderian papillomas is significantly reduced as compared to Schneiderian papillomas that extend from the sinonasal tract into the temporal bone. A positive human papilloma virus status, as found in this case, is a common feature and prognostic factor of sinonasal Schneiderian papilloma but an infrequent finding in temporal bone disease. Owing to the high recurrence rate, the risk of malignant progression and the absence of reliable prognostic markers, stringent follow-up consisting of otoscopy, nasendoscopy and imaging is essential.
Acute coronary syndrome in a patient with Eisenmenger's syndrome
Authors: Prakash S S , Gupta Kamal , Agrawal Navin , Shankar S
Published: December 2013

Eisenmenger’s syndrome is a complex multisystem disease which occurs as a consequence of large left to right shunt affecting the pulmonary vasculature causing suprasystemic pulmonary artery pressures and subsequent right to left shunt. Usually Eisenmenger's syndrome is characterised by coronary artery dilation but coronary artery disease and occurrence of acute coronary syndrome is a rare association seldom described in literature. We present the case of a 33-year-old man who presented with an anterior wall ST elevation mycocardial infarction and was thrombolysed. The occurrence of acute coronary event in a case of Eisenmenger’s syndrome is a rare event and needs to be discussed and kept in mind by physicians and cardiologists who deal with such cases so that a high index of suspicion may be developed and emergent management may be possible.
Dural sinus filling defect: intrasigmoid encephalocele
Authors: Karatag Ozan , Cosar Murat , Kizildag Betul , Sen Halil Murat
Published: December 2013

Filling defects of dural venous sinuses are considered to be a challenging problem especially in case of symptomatic patients. Many lesions have to be ruled out such as sinus thrombosis, arachnoid granulations and tumours. Encephalocele into dural sinus is also a rare cause of these filling defects of dural sinuses. Here, we report an extremely rare case with spontaneous occult invagination of temporal brain tissue into the left sigmoid sinus and accompanying cerebellar ectopia.
From the battlefield to the laboratory: the use of clinical data analysis in developing models of lower limb blast injury
Authors: Ramasamy Arul , Newell N , Masouros S
Published: December 2013

A key weapon in the insurgents’ armamentarium against coalition and local security forces in Iraq and Afghanistan has been the use of anti-vehicle mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Often directed against vehicle-borne troops, these devices, once detonated, transfer considerable amounts of energy through the vehicle to the occupants. This results in severe lower limb injuries that are frequently limb threatening. Fundamental to designing novel mitigation strategies is a requirement to understand the injury mechanism by developing appropriate injury modelling tools that are underpinned by the analysis of contemporary battlefield casualty data. This article aims to summarise our understanding of the clinical course of lower limb blast injuries from IEDs and its value in developing unique injury modelling test-beds to evaluate and produce the next generation of protective equipment for reducing the devastating effects of blast injury.
The health impact of sedentary behaviour in children and youth
Authors: Saunders Travis John
Published: December 2013

Emerging evidence suggests that sedentary behaviour is independently associated with cardiometabolic disease risk in school-aged children and youth. This thesis includes 4 related studies in the pursuit of 2 objectives: (i) To determine the cross-sectional association of sedentary time, interruptions in sedentary time, sedentary bout length, and total movement variability with markers of cardiometabolic disease risk among children and youth; and (ii) to examine the impact of 1-day of prolonged sedentary behaviour, with and without interruptions or structured physical activity, on markers of cardiometabolic disease risk, hunger, food intake and spontaneous physical activity levels in children and youth. In Study 1, we found that interruptions in sedentary time and short bouts of sedentary time were beneficially associated with clustered cardiometabolic disease risk in boys and girls aged 8–11 years, independent of total sedentary time, moderate-and-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and other confounders (all p < 0.05), while the opposite was true for screen-based sedentary behaviours. In Study 2, we found that movement variability (minute-to-minute changes in movement intensity) was negatively associated with clustered cardiometabolic disease risk and systolic blood pressure independent of MVPA, sedentary time and other covariates in a representative sample of American children and youth aged 12–17 years (all p < 0.05). In Studies 3 and 4, we found that prolonged sitting, with or without interruptions and structured MVPA, did not result in acute changes in markers of cardiometabolic disease risk or subsequent ad libitum food intake or physical activity levels in healthy children aged 10–14 years (all p ≥ 0.05). Taken together, the studies that make up this thesis suggest that optimal levels of cardiometabolic disease risk are most likely to be seen in children who limit their time engaging in screen-based sedentary behaviours, who frequently interrupt their sedentary time, and who have high levels of variability in their movement behaviours.
Dynamic analysis of AFM by applying Timoshenko beam theory in tapping mode and considering the impact of interaction forces in a liquid environment
Authors: Damircheli M. , Korayem M.H.
Published: December 2013

In an atomic force microscope (AFM), the cantilever vibrates by excitation at a frequency near the fundamental frequency, and the changes in vibration parameters, which result from the nonlinear forces of interaction between sample and cantilever tip, can be used as a tool to reveal the properties of the sample. To properly describe the images acquired by the AFM and to approximate the properties of the investigated sample, it is essential to use analytical and numerical models that can accurately simulate the dynamics of the cantilever and sample. For short beams, the Timoshenko model seems to be very accurate. Considering the fact that short beams (cantilevers) have many applications including the imaging of biological samples in liquid environments, the use of this theory seems to be necessary. In this paper, by employing the Timoshenko beam model, the effect of rotational inertia and shear deformation has been taken into consideration. The interaction forces between sample and cantilever in liquid, ambient air, and vacuum environments are quite different in terms of magnitude and formulation, and they play a significant role in the system’s dynamic response. These forces include hydrodynamic forces, electrostatic double layer force, etc. Using an accurate model for the interaction forces will improve the simulation results significantly. In this paper, the frequency response of the atomic force microscope has been investigated by applying the Timoshenko beam model and considering the forces of interaction between sample and tip in the air and liquid environments. The results indicate that the resonant frequency changes and cantilever vibration amplitude diminishes in a liquid environment compared to the air environment. The simulation results have good agreement with the experimental ones. The frequency responses for the attractive and repulsive regions in the two environments are compared and it is demonstrated that the dynamic response is highly dependent on the hydrodynamic and interaction forces in the liquid medium.
INTERNAL EMBEDDEDNESS AND INNOVATION PERFORMANCE OF OVERSEAS R&D BASE: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY
Authors: YONEYAMA SHIGEMI
Published: December 2013

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of internal embeddedness of overseas R&D base, or the relationship with its parent company, on innovation performance of the base. While existing studies that examined the internal embeddedness have paid most attention to control–autonomy dimension, this paper takes into consideration the factors of information, human, and capital interaction between the base and the parent. Through such multi-faceted investigation, we found that the bases with weaker control by parent and stronger information linkage with parent demonstrated higher performance. Moreover, the research result revealed that the human interaction, e.g., the transfer of R&D manager from parent, had a pivotal roles affecting the degree of both control and information linkage. With these findings, it was argued that to balance dependency and independency in the base–parent relationship and to design appropriate human interactions for realising it would be important management issues in global R&D.
Localized granulite and eclogite facies metamorphism at Flatraket and Kråkeneset, Western Gneiss Region: U–Pb data and tectonic implications
Authors: Corfu Fernando , Austrheim Håkon , Ganzhorn Anne-Céline
Published: December 2013

The Flatraket Complex, in the ultra-high-pressure (UHP) domains of the Western Gneiss Region (WGR) of Norway, preserves granulite facies assemblages, which were locally overprinted by eclogite and amphibolite facies metamorphism. Zircon and monazite indicate magmatic crystallization of the rocks at 1680–1640 Ma and constrain the timing of the granulite facies overprint at 1100 Ma. This age is older than previously reported ages of 1000–950 Ma for regional metamorphism reaching anatexis and locally granulite facies in the WGR. The granulites at Flatraket may have developed as a consequence of local metasomatism, perhaps linked to metasomatism occurring at the same time in the nearby Sandvik peridotite. Granitic rocks from neighbouring Kråkeneset indicate magmatic emplacement at ≥1650 Ma, during the event that formed the Flatraket Complex and the bulk of the WGR. A gabbro body at Kråkeneset is dated at 1255±8 Ma by baddeleyite, which was not affected by the granulite event, implying that the rock remained impermeable to fluids, reacting instead to some degree during the Caledonian UHP event.
Bladder and erectile dysfunctions in the Type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rat
Authors: Oger-Roussel Stephanie , Behr-Roussel Delphine , Caisey Stephanie , Kergoat Micheline , Charon Christine , Audet Annick , Bernabé Jacques , Alexandre Laurent , Giuliano Francois
Published: December 2013

Despite the fact that urogenito-sexual complications significantly impact the quality of life of diabetic patients, a robust in vivo experimental model is lacking. Bladder and erectile function in the Type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat and responses to standard-of-care treatments for each disorder have been assessed. GK rats ( n = 25, 18-wk-old, GK/Par colony) and age-matched Wistar rats ( n = 23), characterized for their metabolic parameters, were used. Bladder function was assessed by cystometry in conscious rats treated by intravenous solifenacin (1 mg/kg). Subsequently, erectile function was assessed under anesthesia following electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve in presence of intravenous sildenafil (0.3 mg/kg). GK rats displayed detrusor overactivity with a significant increase in frequency/amplitude of nonvoiding contractions during the filling phase, together with an increase in bladder capacity, intercontraction interval, voided volume, and maximal pressure of voiding contraction. Solifenacin significantly decreased parameters characterizing voiding contractions without modifying voiding efficiency. Erectile function in GK rats was markedly impaired and remained so after sildenafil treatment despite a significant improvement. GK rats display both bladder and erectile dysfunctions and respond at least partially to standard-of-care treatments for each disorder, thus representing a suitable model to investigate the pathophysiology and assess the efficacy of new therapeutic agents for Type 2 diabetes-associated bladder and erectile complications.