bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Thigh and Shank Segment Angular Velocity During Jump Landing Tasks Commonly Used to Evaluate Risk for ACL Injury
Authors: Dowling Ariel V. , Favre Julien , Andriacchi Thomas P.
Published: July 2012

The dynamic movements associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during jump landing suggest that limb segment angular velocity can provide important information for understanding the conditions that lead to an injury. Angular velocity measures could provide a quick and simple method of assessing injury risk without the constraints of a laboratory. The objective of this study was to assess the inter-subject variations and the sensitivity of the thigh and shank segment angular velocity in order to determine if these measures could be used to characterize jump landing mechanisms. Additionally, this study tested the correlation between angular velocity and the knee abduction moment. Thirty-six healthy participants (18 male) performed drop jumps with bilateral and unilateral landing. Thigh and shank angular velocities were measured by a wearable inertial-based system, and external knee moments were measured using a marker-based system. Discrete parameters were extracted from the data and compared between systems. For both jumping tasks, the angular velocity curves were well defined movement patterns with high inter-subject similarity in the sagittal plane and moderate to good similarity in the coronal and transverse planes. The angular velocity parameters were also able to detect differences between the two jumping tasks that were consistent across subjects. Furthermore, the coronal angular velocities were significantly correlated with the knee abduction moment (R of 0.28–0.51), which is a strong indicator of ACL injury risk. This study suggested that the thigh and shank angular velocities, which describe the angular dynamics of the movement, should be considered in future studies about ACL injury mechanisms.
Superhydrophilic TiO2 surfaces generated by reactive oxygen treatment
Authors: Ishida Nobuyuki , Fujita Daisuke
Published: July 2012

The authors show that superhydrophilic TiO2 can be obtained without irradiation of the surface with ultraviolet (UV) light and concomitant excitation of electron-hole pairs. The authors demonstrate that the treatment of TiO2 surfaces with reactive oxygen species generated by air plasma removes the surface organic contaminants, leading to almost 0° contact-angle wetting of the surface. The superhydrophilicity can be explained by the positive spreading coefficient calculated using the effective surface tensions. Our results point toward UV-light irradiation as an indirect cause of the superhydrophilicity of TiO2 and support the hypothesis that this property arises from a self-cleaning effect based on the photo-oxidation and decomposition of organic contaminants at the surface.
Rapid Variability of Seawater Chemistry Over the Past 130 Million Years
Authors: Wortmann Ulrich G. , Paytan Adina
Published: July 2012

More than a Dash of Sea Salt

The cycling of major elements, such as sulfur, in the oceans depends on a number of processes, from bacterial respiration of organic matter to venting of gases from hydrothermal vents on the seafloor. Over geologic time, sediment deposited on the seafloor preserves chemical records of major changes in sulfur cycling and seawater chemistry (see the Perspective by

Hurtgen

).

Halevy
et al.

(p.
331
) observed swings in sulfur isotopes in a stratigraphic database covering North America and the Caribbean that, when modeled, corresponded to variable evaporite preservation and high turnover of sedimentary pyrite.
Wortmann and Paytan
(p.
334
) modeled the two most recent major swings in sedimentary sulfur isotopes over the last 130 million years and suggest that short periods of rapid fluxes in sulfur cycling were at least in part caused by the growth and dissolution of evaporite deposits.
Hot Seat in Our Warming World
The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars: Dispatches from the Front Lines.
Michael E. Mann. Columbia University Press, New York, 2012. 413 pp. $28.95, £19.95. ISBN 9780231152549.
Authors: Ocko Ilissa B.
Published: July 2012

Mann offers a personal account of the acrimonious attacks on climate change science.
Spin Twists in a Transistor
Authors: Žutić Igor , Lee Jeongsu
Published: July 2012

By using electron spin in a transistor, researchers have developed a new approach for transferring and processing information.
Dynamically Regulated by a Common Smad
Authors: Andrianantoandro Ernesto
Published: July 2012

Transient Smad4 nuclear localization governs the dynamics of TGF-β pathway activity.
Reporting Actionable Research Results: Shared Secrets Can Save Lives
Authors: Hunter Lawrence E. , Hopfer Christian , Terry Sharon F. , Coors Marilyn E.
Published: July 2012

Controlled use of a cryptographic method for returning research results to human subjects can improve medical care with a modest cost to privacy.
Who You Gonna Call? Clot-Busters!
Authors: Nahrendorf Matthias
Published: July 2012

Shear-activated materials release blood clot–busting nanoparticles at the site of vascular stenosis.
Evaluation of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Based on Crude Leishmania Histone Proteins for Serodiagnosis of Human Infantile Visceral Leishmaniasis
Authors: Lakhal Sami , Mekki Salima , Ben-Abda Imène , Mousli Mohamed , Amri Fethi , Aoun Karim , Bouratbine Aïda
Published: July 2012

Human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is routinely diagnosed by detecting IgG that specifically binds to
Leishmania
antigens. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) remains a widely used method. However, the biggest challenge remains the choice of antigen with the highest specificity and sensitivity. This study is aimed at assessing the diagnostic performances of crude
Leishmania
histone (CLH) protein-based ELISAs in Mediterranean VL patients. The CLH proteins were biochemically purified from promastigote nuclear extracts. Their reactivities were analyzed by Western blotting (WB) using rabbit polyclonal antibodies against
Leishmania
recombinant histones and sera from VL patients, respectively. Then, the diagnostic potential of CLH proteins was validated by the CLH-based ELISA using 42 infantile VL patients' sera and 70 control subjects. The CLH-based ELISA performance was compared to that of the soluble
Leishmania
antigen (SLA)- and the recombinant K39 (rK39)-based ELISAs. Analysis of the WB profile with the use of polyclonal antibodies confirmed the histone origin of low molecular mass proteins (12 to 16 kDa). All VL samples tested presented antibodies reacting against different antigen fractions; however, recognition patterns were different depending on the reactivity of each serum. CLH-based ELISA showed an excellent ability to discriminate between VL cases and healthy controls (97.6% sensitivity and 100% specificity). It had a diagnostic performance similar to that of rK39-based ELISA (97.6% sensitivity and 97.1% specificity,
P
= 0.5) and a better serodiagnosis accuracy than the SLA-based ELISA (85.7% sensitivity and 90% specificity,
P
< 0.05). Therefore, crude
Leishmania
histone extract could be a valuable antigen for clinical use.
Intestinal and Systemic Immune Development and Response to Vaccination Are Unaffected by Dietary (1,3/1,6)-β-
d
-Glucan Supplementation in Neonatal Piglets
Authors: Hester Shelly N. , Comstock Sarah S. , Thorum Shannon C. , Monaco Marcia H. , Pence Brandt D. , Woods Jeffrey A. , Donovan Sharon M.
Published: July 2012

Infants are susceptible to infections in early life and must rely on their innate immune system for protection. β-Glucans potentiate immune responses. Therefore, we evaluated the influence of purified yeast (1,3/1,6)-β-
d
-glucan (Wellmune WGP, here referred to as WGP) on the development of the gastrointestinal tract and the intestinal and systemic immune systems in neonatal piglets. Piglets were fed formula containing 0 (control), 1.8, 18, or 90 mg WGP/kg body weight (BW) and were vaccinated against human influenza. Piglets were euthanized at 7 or 21 days of age. Piglet weight and small intestinal length and weight were unaffected by dietary WGP. In addition, WGP did not affect ileal crypt depth, villus height, or ascending colon cuff depth. Immune parameters not affected by WGP supplementation included T cell phenotypes, cytokine gene expression, and cell proliferation. However, vaccination and developmental effects were seen. Overall, the doses of 1.8, 18, and 90 mg/kg BW of dietary WGP had no effect on intestinal or immune development and did not improve the antibody response to vaccination in neonatal piglets.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus anthracis H9401, an Isolate from a Korean Patient with Anthrax
Authors: Chun Jeong-Hoon , Hong Kee-Jong , Cha Sun Ho , Cho Min-Hee , Lee Kwang Jun , Jeong Duck Hee , Yoo Cheon-Kwon , Rhie Gi-eun
Published: July 2012

Bacillus anthracis
H9401 (NCCP 12889) is an isolate from a Korean patient with gastrointestinal anthrax. The whole genome of H9401 was sequenced. It is a circular chromosome containing 5,480 open reading frames (ORFs) and two plasmids, pXO1 containing 202 ORFs and pXO2 containing 110 ORFs. H9401 shows high pathogenicity and genome sequence similarity to Ames Ancestor.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Antagonistic Rhizosphere Bacterium Serratia plymuthica Strain PRI-2C
Authors: Garbeva P. , van Elsas J. D. , de Boer W.
Published: July 2012

Serratia plymuthica
strain PRI-2C is a rhizosphere bacterial strain with antagonistic activity against different plant pathogens. Here we present the 5.39-Mb (G+C content, 55.67%) draft genome sequence of
S. plymuthica
strain PRI-2C with the aim of providing insight into the genomic basis of its antagonistic activity.
Complete Genome Sequence of Leptospirillum ferrooxidans Strain C2-3, Isolated from a Fresh Volcanic Ash Deposit on the Island of Miyake, Japan
Authors: Fujimura Reiko , Sato Yoshinori , Nishizawa Tomoyasu , Oshima Kenshiro , Kim Seok-Won , Hattori Masahira , Kamijo Takashi , Ohta Hiroyuki
Published: July 2012

A diazotrophic, acidophilic, iron-oxidizing bacterium,
Leptospirillum ferrooxidans
, known to be difficult to cultivate, was isolated from a fresh volcanic ash deposit on the island of Miyake, Japan. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a cultured strain, C2-3.
Draft Genome Sequence of Streptomyces globisporus C-1027, Which Produces an Antitumor Antibiotic Consisting of a Nine-Membered Enediyne with a Chromoprotein
Authors: Wang Lifei , Wang Songmei , He Qing , Yu Tengfei , Li Qinglian , Hong Bin
Published: July 2012

Streptomyces globisporus
C-1027 is the producer of antitumor antibiotic C-1027, a nine-membered enediyne-containing compound. Here we present a draft genome sequence of
S. globisporus
C-1027 containing the intact biosynthetic gene cluster for this antibiotic. The genome also carries numerous sets of genes for the biosynthesis of diverse secondary metabolites.
Respiratory Virus Detection in Immunocompromised Patients with FilmArray Respiratory Panel Compared to Conventional Methods
Authors: Hammond Sarah P. , Gagne Lisa S. , Stock Shannon R. , Marty Francisco M. , Gelman Rebecca S. , Marasco Wayne A. , Poritz Mark A. , Baden Lindsey R.
Published: July 2012

Respiratory virus infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Timely diagnosis is needed to provide optimal clinical care. Diagnostic tests routinely available at most institutions are limited by poor sensitivity and a slow turnaround time. We collected 90 respiratory samples from 87 immunocompromised patients (56 bronchoalveolar lavage and 34 nasopharyngeal aspirate samples) in order to compare the performance of routine respiratory virus testing available at our institution to the FilmArray respiratory panel assay, a novel diagnostic tool which utilizes multiplex PCR to test for 21 respiratory pathogens with a 1-h turnaround time. Samples with discordant results and 13 samples with concordant results underwent further verification testing by laboratory-developed real-time PCR. The FilmArray assay identified viral pathogens in more samples than did clinical testing (30/90 versus 16/90; McNemarP= 0.001). Most of the additional viral pathogens identified by the FilmArray respiratory panel assay that were confirmed by verification testing were pathogens not assessed by routine clinical tests, including rhinovirus/enterovirus, human metapneumovirus, and coronavirus. The FilmArray respiratory panel assay allowed for increased identification of respiratory viral pathogens in this cohort of immunocompromised patients.
A Swordless Knight: Epidemiology and Molecular Characteristics of the
bla
KPC
-Negative Sequence Type 258 Klebsiella pneumoniae Clone
Authors: Adler Amos , Paikin Svetlana , Sterlin Yelena , Glick Josef , Edgar Rotem , Aronov Rima , Schwaber Mitchell J. , Carmeli Yehuda
Published: July 2012

In June 2010, a
bla
KPC
-negative, ertapenem-resistant ST-258
Klebsiella pneumoniae
strain was isolated from a patient in the Laniado Medical Center (LMC). Our aims were (i) to describe its molecular characteristics and resistance mechanisms and (ii) to assess whether the
bla
KPC
-negative ST-258
K. pneumoniae
clone spreads as efficiently as its KPC-producing isogenic strain. In a prospective study, surveillance of all ertapenem-resistant, carbapenemase-negative
K. pneumoniae
(ERCNKP) isolates was conducted from June 2010 to May 2011 at LMC (314 beds) and from July 2008 to December 2010 at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (TASMC) (1,200 beds). Molecular typing was done by arbitrarily primed PCR, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). A total of 8 of 42 (19%) ERCNKP isolates in LMC and 1 of 32 (3.1%) in TASMC belonged to the ST-258 clone. These strains carried the
bla
CTX-M-2
or the
bla
CTX-M-25
extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) gene. Sequencing of the
ompK
genes showed a frameshift mutation in the
ompK35
gene. The fate of the
bla
KPC
-carrying plasmid, pKpQIL, was determined by S1 analysis and by PCR of the Tn
4401
transposon,
repA
, and the truncated
bla
OXA-9
. Plasmid analysis of the ERCNKP ST-258 isolates showed variability in plasmid composition and absence of the Tn
4401
transposon and the pKpQIL plasmid. In addition, the ST-258 clone was identified in 35/35 (100%) of KPC-producing
K. pneumoniae
isolates but in none of 62 ertapenem-susceptible
K. pneumoniae
isolates collected in the two centers. Our results suggest that ERCNKP ST-258 evolved by loss of the
bla
KPC
-carrying plasmid pKpQIL. ERCNKP ST-258 appears to have low epidemic potential.
Evaluation of Clearview Exact PBP2a, a New Immunochromatographic Assay, for Detection of Low-Level Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LL-MRSA)
Authors: Nonhoff Claire , Roisin Sandrine , Hallin Marie , Denis Olivier
Published: July 2012

We evaluated the performance of a new immunochromatographic assay (ICA), the Clearview Exact PBP2a, for rapid detection of penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) in a challenge set of
Staphylococcus aureus
strains showing MICs to oxacillin of ≤16 mg/liter. The sensitivity and specificity of the ICA were 96.6% and 100%, respectively.
Variation-Tolerant Capture and Multiplex Detection of Nucleic Acids: Application to Detection of Microbes
Authors: Öhrmalm Christina , Eriksson Ronnie , Jobs Magnus , Simonson Magnus , Strømme Maria , Bondeson Kåre , Herrmann Björn , Melhus Åsa , Blomberg Jonas
Published: July 2012

In contrast to ordinary PCRs, which have a limited multiplex capacity and often return false-negative results due to target variation or inhibition, our new detection strategy, VOCMA (
v
ariation-t
o
lerant
c
apture
m
ultiplex
a
ssay), allows variation-tolerant, target-specific capture and detection of many nucleic acids in one test. Here we demonstrate the use of a single-tube, dual-step amplification strategy that overcomes the usual limitations of PCR multiplexing, allowing at least a 22-plex format with retained sensitivity. Variation tolerance was achieved using long primers and probes designed to withstand variation at known sites and a judicious mix of degeneration and universal bases. We tested VOCMA in situations where enrichment from a large sample volume with high sensitivity and multiplexity is important (sepsis; streptococci, enterococci, and staphylococci, several enterobacteria, candida, and the most important antibiotic resistance genes) and where variation tolerance and high multiplexity is important (gastroenteritis; astrovirus, adenovirus, rotavirus, norovirus genogroups I and II, and sapovirus, as well as enteroviruses, which are not associated with gastroenteritis). Detection sensitivities of 10 to 1,000 copies per reaction were achieved for many targets. VOCMA is a highly multiplex, variation-tolerant, general purpose nucleic acid detection concept. It is a specific and sensitive method for simultaneous detection of nucleic acids from viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, as well as host nucleic acid, in the same test. It can be run on an ordinary PCR and a Luminex machine and is suitable for both clinical diagnoses and microbial surveillance.
Early HLA-B*57-Restricted CD8+T Lymphocyte Responses Predict HIV-1 Disease Progression
Authors: Brennan Catherine A. , Ibarrondo F. Javier , Sugar Catherine A. , Hausner Mary Ann , Shih Roger , Ng Hwee L. , Detels Roger , Margolick Joseph B. , Rinaldo Charles R. , Phair John , Jacobson Lisa P. , Yang Otto O. , Jamieson Beth D.
Published: July 2012

Although HLA-B*57 (B57) is associated with slow progression to disease following HIV-1 infection, B57 heterozygotes display a wide spectrum of outcomes, including rapid progression, viremic slow progression, and elite control. Efforts to identify differences between B57-positive (B57+) slow progressors and B57+rapid progressors have largely focused on cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) phenotypes and specificities during chronic stages of infection. Although CTL responses in the early months of infection are likely to be the most important for the long-term rate of HIV-1 disease progression, few data on the early CTL responses of eventual slow progressors have been available. Utilizing the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), we retrospectively examined the early HIV-1-specific CTL responses of 14 B57+individuals whose time to development of disease ranged from 3.5 years to longer than 25 years after infection. In general, a greater breadth of targeting of epitopes from structural proteins, especially Gag, as well as of highly conserved epitopes from any HIV-1 protein, correlated with longer times until disease. The single elite controller in the cohort was an outlier on several correlations of CTL targeting and time until disease, consistent with reports that elite control is typically not achieved solely by protective HLA-mediated CTLs. When targeting of individual epitopes was analyzed, we found that early CTL responses to the IW9 (ISPRTLNAW) epitope of Gag, while generally subdominant, correlated with delayed progression to disease. This is the first study to identify early CTL responses to IW9 as a correlate of protection in persons with HLA-B*57.
Cleavage Activation of the Human-Adapted Influenza Virus Subtypes by Matriptase Reveals both Subtype and Strain Specificities
Authors: Hamilton Brian S. , Gludish David W. J. , Whittaker Gary R.
Published: July 2012

Cleavage activation of the hemagglutinin (HA) precursor is an essential step in the influenza virus replication cycle that is driven by host cell proteases. HA cleavage activation is required for virus-endosome membrane fusion and the subsequent release of the influenza virus genome into the cytoplasm. Previous studies have determined that HA cleavage is most likely driven by either membrane-bound or extracellular trypsin-like proteases that reside in the respiratory tract. However, there is still uncertainty regarding which proteases are critical for HA cleavage
in vivo
. Therefore, further investigation of HA cleavage activation is needed in order to gain insight into the critical proteases involved. Matriptase is a member of the type II transmembrane serine protease family that is highly expressed in a membrane-bound form throughout the respiratory tract. One feature of matriptase is that, once activated, the catalytic domain is secreted into the extracellular space and so serves as a functional extracellular protease. In this study, we have determined that the secreted, catalytic domain of matriptase has the ability to cleave and activate HA from the influenza virus H1 subtype but not the H2 and H3 subtypes. Furthermore, matriptase selectively cleaved the HA of particular strains within the H1 subtype, revealing both subtype and H1 strain specificity. Matriptase was also found to activate thrombolytic zymogens that have been shown to cleave and activate the influenza virus HA. Our data demonstrate that matriptase has the ability to cleave HA directly or indirectly by activating HA-cleaving zymogens.
Risk of Immunodeficiency Virus Infection May Increase with Vaccine-Induced Immune Response
Authors: Tenbusch Matthias , Ignatius Ralf , Temchura Vladimir , Nabi Ghulam , Tippler Bettina , Stewart-Jones Guillaume , Salazar Andres M. , Sauermann Ulrike , Stahl-Hennig Christiane , Überla Klaus
Published: July 2012

To explore the efficacy of novel complementary prime-boost immunization regimens in a nonhuman primate model for HIV infection, rhesus monkeys primed by different DNA vaccines were boosted with virus-like particles (VLP) and then challenged by repeated low-dose rectal exposure to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). Characteristic of the cellular immune response after the VLP booster immunization were high numbers of SIV-specific, gamma interferon-secreting cells after stimulation with inactivated SIV particles, but not SIV peptides, and the absence of detectable levels of CD8
+
T cell responses. Antibodies specific to SIV Gag and SIV Env could be induced in all animals, but, consistent with a poor neutralizing activity at the time of challenge, vaccinated monkeys were not protected from acquisition of infection and did not control viremia. Surprisingly, vaccinees with high numbers of SIV-specific, gamma interferon-secreting cells were infected fastest during the repeated low-dose exposures and the numbers of these immune cells in vaccinated macaques correlated with susceptibility to infection. Thus, in the absence of protective antibodies or cytotoxic T cell responses, vaccine-induced immune responses may increase the susceptibility to acquisition of immunodeficiency virus infection. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that virus-specific T helper cells mediate this detrimental effect and contribute to the inefficacy of past HIV vaccination attempts (e.g., STEP study).
Spread of a Distinct Stx2-Encoding Phage Prototype among Escherichia coli O104:H4 Strains from Outbreaks in Germany, Norway, and Georgia
Authors: Beutin Lothar , Hammerl Jens Andre , Strauch Eckhard , Reetz Jochen , Dieckmann Ralf , Kelner-Burgos Ylanna , Martin Annett , Miko Angelika , Strockbine Nancy A. , Lindstedt Björn Arne , Horn Detlef , Monse Hella , Huettel Bruno , Müller Ines , Stüber Kurt , Reinhardt Richard
Published: July 2012

Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2)-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) O104:H4 caused one of the world's largest outbreaks of hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome in Germany in 2011. These strains have evolved from enteroaggregative
E. coli
(EAEC) by the acquisition of the Stx2 genes and have been designated enteroaggregative hemorrhagic
E. coli
. Nucleotide sequencing has shown that the Stx2 gene is carried by prophages integrated into the chromosome of STEC O104:H4. We studied the properties of Stx2-encoding bacteriophages which are responsible for the emergence of this new type of
E. coli
pathogen. For this, we analyzed Stx bacteriophages from STEC O104:H4 strains from Germany (in 2001 and 2011), Norway (2006), and the Republic of Georgia (2009). Viable Stx2-encoding bacteriophages could be isolated from all STEC strains except for the Norwegian strain. The Stx2 phages formed lysogens on
E. coli
K-12 by integration into the
wrbA
locus, resulting in Stx2 production. The nucleotide sequence of the Stx2 phage P13374 of a German STEC O104:H4 outbreak was determined. From the bioinformatic analyses of the prophage sequence of 60,894 bp, 79 open reading frames were inferred. Interestingly, the Stx2 phages from the German 2001 and 2011 outbreak strains were found to be identical and closely related to the Stx2 phages from the Georgian 2009 isolates. Major proteins of the virion particles were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Stx2 production in STEC O104:H4 strains was inducible by mitomycin C and was compared to Stx2 production of
E. coli
K-12 lysogens.
Preexposure to CpG Protects against the Delayed Effects of Neonatal Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Authors: Yamaguchi Yuko , Harker James A. , Wang Belinda , Openshaw Peter J. , Tregoning John S. , Culley Fiona J.
Published: July 2012

Severe respiratory viral infection in early life is associated with recurrent wheeze and asthma in later childhood. Neonatal immune responses tend to be skewed toward T helper 2 (Th2) responses, which may contribute to the development of a pathogenic recall response to respiratory infection. Since neonatal Th2 skewing can be modified by stimulation with Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands, we investigated the effect of exposure to CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (TLR9 ligands) prior to neonatal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in mice. CpG preexposure was protective against enhanced disease during secondary adult RSV challenge, with a reduction in viral load and an increase in Th1 responses. A similar Th1 switch and reduction in disease were observed if CpG was administered in the interval between neonatal infection and challenge. In neonates, CpG pretreatment led to a transient increase in expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) and CD80 on CD11c-positive cells and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production by NK cells after RSV infection, suggesting that the protective effects may be mediated by antigen-presenting cells (APC) and NK cells. We conclude that the adverse effects of early-life respiratory viral infection on later lung health might be mitigated by conditions that promote TLR activation in the infant lung.
Optimum Length and Flexibility of Reovirus Attachment Protein σ1 Are Required for Efficient Viral Infection
Authors: Bokiej Magdalena , Ogden Kristen M. , Ikizler Mine , Reiter Dirk M. , Stehle Thilo , Dermody Terence S.
Published: July 2012

Reovirus attachment protein σ1 is an elongated trimer with head-and-tail morphology that engages cell-surface carbohydrate and junctional adhesion molecule A (JAM-A). The σ1 protein is comprised of three domains partitioned by two flexible linkers termed interdomain regions (IDRs). To determine the importance of σ1 length and flexibility at different stages of reovirus infection, we generated viruses with mutant σ1 molecules of altered length and flexibility and tested these viruses for the capacity to bind the cell surface, internalize, uncoat, induce protein synthesis, assemble, and replicate. We reduced the length of the α-helical σ1 tail to engineer mutants L1 and L2 and deleted midpoint and head-proximal σ1 IDRs to generate ΔIDR1 and ΔIDR2 mutant viruses, respectively. Decreasing length or flexibility of σ1 resulted in delayed reovirus infection and reduced viral titers. L1, L2, and ΔIDR1 viruses but not ΔIDR2 virus displayed reduced cell attachment, but altering σ1 length or flexibility did not diminish the efficiency of virion internalization. Replication of ΔIDR2 virus was hindered at a postdisassembly step. Differences between wild-type and σ1 mutant viruses were not attributable to alterations in σ1 folding, as determined by experiments assessing engagement of cell-surface carbohydrate and JAM-A by the length and IDR mutant viruses. However, ΔIDR1 virus harbored substantially less σ1 on the outer capsid. Taken together, these data suggest that σ1 length is required for reovirus binding to cells. In contrast, IDR1 is required for stable σ1 encapsidation, and IDR2 is required for a postuncoating replication step. Thus, the structural architecture of σ1 is required for efficient reovirus infection of host cells.
Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine Provides Superior Protection from Heterologous Infection in Pigs with Maternal Antibodies without Inducing Vaccine-Associated Enhanced Respiratory Disease
Authors: Vincent Amy L. , Ma Wenjun , Lager Kelly M. , Richt Jürgen A. , Janke Bruce H. , Sandbulte Matthew R. , Gauger Philip C. , Loving Crystal L. , Webby Richard J. , García-Sastre Adolfo
Published: July 2012

Control of swine influenza A virus (IAV) in the United States is hindered because inactivated vaccines do not provide robust cross-protection against the multiple antigenic variants cocirculating in the field. Vaccine efficacy can be limited further for vaccines administered to young pigs that possess maternally derived immunity. We previously demonstrated that a recombinant A/sw/Texas/4199-2/1998 (TX98) (H3N2) virus expressing a truncated NS1 protein is attenuated in swine and has potential for use as an intranasal live attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) vaccine. In the present study, we compared 1 dose of intranasal LAIV with 2 intramuscular doses of TX98 whole inactivated virus (WIV) with adjuvant in weanling pigs with and without TX98-specific maternally derived antibodies (MDA). Pigs were subsequently challenged with wild-type homologous TX98 H3N2 virus or with an antigenic variant, A/sw/Colorado/23619/1999 (CO99) (H3N2). In the absence of MDA, both vaccines protected against homologous TX98 and heterologous CO99 shedding, although the LAIV elicited lower hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers in serum. The efficacy of both vaccines was reduced by the presence of MDA; however, WIV vaccination of MDA-positive pigs led to dramatically enhanced pneumonia following heterologous challenge, a phenomenon known as vaccine-associated enhanced respiratory disease (VAERD). A single dose of LAIV administered to MDA-positive pigs still provided partial protection from CO99 and may be a safer vaccine for young pigs under field conditions, where dams are routinely vaccinated and diverse IAV strains are in circulation. These results have implications not only for pigs but also for other influenza virus host species.
Is 46XX karyotype always a female?
Authors: Ahmad Ayesha , Siddiqui Mohammad Asim , Goyal Anju , Wangnoo Subhash Kumar
Published: July 2012

A19-year-old man, from a middle east country was referred by his physician to the endocrine department for bilateral gynaecomastia, low libido and sparse facial hair. There was no history of any chronic illness, mumps or traumatic injury to testis. He had clinical features suggestive of gonadotropin deficiency which was confirmed on biochemical testing. On karyotype and fluorescent in situ hybridisation analysis, he was found to have 46XX(SRY+) karyoptype.
Radiotherapy is effective for a primary lung cancer invading the left atrium
Authors: Lee Percy , Kishan Amar U
Published: July 2012

Atrial involvement is an uncommon feature of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer, occurring in up to 10% of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. Additionally, cardiac metastases from other sources are documented in up to 7% of cancer patients at autopsy. Because atrial invasion can lead to systemic embolisation and/or outflow obstruction, it is treated regardless of the overall prognosis. While the gold standard treatment has historically been surgical resection, advances in radiotherapy allow for the safe treatment of cardiac disease. Here we present the case of a woman with pulmonary adenocarcinoma of the left lower lobe that progressed to invade the pulmonary vein and left atrium while maintained on standard chemotherapy. She was treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy and had a complete response in terms of her atrial disease within 3 months. She suffered no acute toxicity or complications as a result of the radiation therapy.
Body mass index, fitness and physical activity from childhood through adolescence
Authors: Pahkala Katja , Hernelahti Miika , Heinonen Olli J , Raittinen Päivi , Hakanen Maarit , Lagström Hanna , Viikari Jorma S A , Rönnemaa Tapani , Raitakari Olli T , Simell Olli
Published: July 2012

Background

Obesity, sedentary lifestyle and poor cardiorespiratory fitness in childhood may increase the risk of health problems later in life.

Purpose

The authors studied the association of early childhood weight status with cardiorespiratory fitness and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in adolescence. The stability and associations of LTPA and fitness from childhood through adolescence were also studied.

Methods

Body mass index (BMI) was assessed annually since birth in a prospective, longitudinal study. The mean BMI between ages 2 and 7 years indicated weight status at preschool age. Fitness was studied with a shuttle run test at age 9 and with a maximal cycle ergometer test at age 17. The same questionnaire was used to assess LTPA at age 9, 13 and 17. Complete data on preschool BMI, LTPA at ages 13 and 17 and fitness at age 17 years was provided by 351 children, while fitness and LTPA data were available for 74 children at ages 9 and 17.

Results

Preschool BMI was inversely associated with fitness in adolescence independently of adolescent LTPA (p=0.0001). Children who had a high preschool BMI but whose weight status was reduced in adolescence had similar fitness in adolescence as the children with a persistently low BMI. Regardless of the fitness level in childhood, the children whose LTPA increased between age 9 and 17 had a similar adolescent fitness level as persistently active subjects.

Conclusions

It is important to maintain a healthy body weight and a physically active lifestyle from very childhood through adolescence to improve fitness during adolescence.
A novel 28-bp insertion–deletion polymorphism within goat PRNP gene and its association with production traits in Chinese native breeds
Authors: Lan X.Y. , Zhao H.Y. , Li Z.J. , Li A.M. , Lei C.Z. , Chen H. , Pan C.Y.
Published: July 2012

In this study, a novel 28-bp insertion–deletion (indel) polymorphism (AJ298878:g.47836–47853insCCTCAGACACTGAGTCTCCCCAACAGCA) was found in goat prion protein (PRNP) gene in 2373 goats from 13 Chinese native breeds. The frequencies of allele “ins” varied from 0.500 to 1.000 in different breeds. The establishment of association of the 28-bp indel polymorphism with production traits was performed in Inner Mongolia white cashmere (IMWC) and Xinong Sannen dairy (XNSN) breeds. Two significant associations between this polymorphism and 1-year-old body mass (P = 0.011) and average body mass (P = 0.024) were observed in IMWC breed, as well as wool thickness of 3-year-olds (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the novel 28-bp indel polymorphism was significantly associated with total solids in the evening (%) (P = 0.009) and milk yield (P = 0.016) in XNSN breed. These findings suggested that the 28-bp indel polymorphism was a potential DNA marker for eliminating or selecting preferred individuals in relation to production traits in goat marker-assisted selection breeding while carrying out preventing scrapie project.
Effect of chronic ammonium nitrate addition on the ectomycorrhizal community in a black spruce stand1This article is one of a selection of papers from the 7th International Conference on Disturbance Dynamics in Boreal Forests.
Authors: Rossi Sergio , Bordeleau Adam , Houle Daniel , Morin Hubert
Published: July 2012

Observed modifications of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) communities have been connected to the increased N depositions of the 20th century. Because of their narrow niche width, small disturbances of soil conditions can produce greater effects on the fungal species than on their host trees. This study investigated the ECM community in a black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) stand subjected to long-term additions of 9 and 30 kg N·ha–1·year–1 of ammonium nitrate, representing 3 and 10 times the atmospheric N deposition at the site, respectively. Root tip vitality and ECM presence were detected on samples collected from the organic horizon and ECM were classified into morphotypes according to their morphological and anatomical characters. In the control, 80.6% of the root tips were vital, 76.5% of them showing ECM colonization. Higher root tip vitality and mycorrhization were observed in the treated plots. Forty-one morphotypes were identified, most of them detected at the higher N inputs. Results diverging from the expectations of a reduction in ECM presence and diversity could be related to a higher growth rate of the trees following fertilization. The repeated application of small N doses could have been a better imitation of natural inputs from atmospheric deposition and could have provided more reliable responses of ECM to treatment.
Comparison of black spruce (Picea mariana) radial growth reduction in different soil moisture regimes during a spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) outbreak
Authors: Lacey Melissa E. , Dech Jeffery P.
Published: July 2012

The objective of this study was to determine if the stand‐level soil moisture regime had a significant effect on the reduction in black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) radial growth during the most recent spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.) outbreak in the boreal forest region of northeastern Ontario. We collected a stratified random sample of co-dominant black spruce trees from three moisture regimes and compared the reduction of radial growth during a spruce budworm outbreak between dry, moist, and wet stands. We focused on the most recent outbreak from 1975–1987, which we dated by dendrochronological analysis of black spruce increment cores from the Romeo Malette Forest near Timmins, Ontario. Samples collected from dry and moist sites showed significantly greater maximum radial growth reduction than those from wet sites. Mean growth reduction over the entire outbreak was not significantly different among moisture regimes but followed the same trend. We found no evidence of spatial autocorrelation in the growth reduction response, suggesting that the moisture effect was not confounded by location.
Effects of canopy N uptake on foliar CO2 assimilation rates and biomass production and allocation in Japanese red pine seedlings
Authors: Chiwa Masaaki , Matsuda Toshihide , Nakatani Nobutake , Kobayashi Tsuyoshi , Kume Atsushi , Sakugawa Hiroshi
Published: July 2012

To investigate the direct physiological effects of CNU (canopy nitrogen uptake), three mist solutions (control, N1, and N2 with 0.03, 13.1, and 32.7 kg NH4+-N·ha–1, respectively) were sprayed on Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) seedlings three times a week for three months. Waterproof sheets protected the surface soil during misting to avoid adding N to the soil. The results show N mist treatments to foliage increased needle N availability in proportion to N dose, which was large enough to cause greater N and chlorophyll content in the needles. This suggests that N is rapidly absorbed, is directly assimilated by the needles, and is used in photosynthesis. These increases resulted in higher maximum net CO2 assimilation rates (Amax) and maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm) of pine seedlings and subsequently increased bud and root biomass. Increased root biomass reduced the sensitivity of the shoot-to-root ratio to increased N availability in the foliage. In conclusion, our study supported the idea that CNU should be taken into consideration when evaluating the impacts of elevated atmospheric N deposition on forest C sequestration and biomass allocation.
MACROECONOMIC VOLATILITY UNDER HIGH ACCUMULATION OF GOVERNMENT DEBT: LESSONS FROM JAPAN
Authors: McNELIS PAUL D. , YOSHINO NAOYUKI
Published: July 2012

This paper applies Bayesian estimation to an open-economy Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model of Japan, to assess the effects of expanding government debt on interest rates, real exchange rate dynamics, and real sector performance. We find that the emergence of even a small risk premium on government debt will trigger considerable instability in the real and nominal variables. We show that a switch to an exchange-rate rule for monetary policy would considerably moderate the instability induced by a rising risk premium.
Carbonate budget mass estimates for Neogene discoasters from the Equatorial Atlantic (Ceara Rise: ODP Site 927)
Authors: Preiss-Daimler Inga , Baumann Karl-Heinz , Henrich Rüdiger
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Mass estimates for Late Miocene and Pliocene (8.6–3.25 Ma) Discoaster species and Sphenolithus are determined using samples of the equatorial Atlantic (Ceara Rise: ODP Site 927). Based on morphometric measurements, 3D computer models were created for 11 Discoaster species and their volumes calculated. From these, shape factors (ks) were derived to allow calculation of mass for different-sized discoasters and Sphenolithus abies. The mass estimates were then used to calculate the contribution of nannofossils to the total nannofossil carbonate. The discoaster contribution ranges from 10% to 40%, with a decreasing trend through the investigated interval. However, our estimates of total nannofossil carbonate from size-corrected abundance data are consistently 30–50% lower than estimates from grain-size measurement; this suggests that data based on mass estimates need to be interpreted with caution.
Rescue Archaeology: A European View
Authors: Demoule Jean-Paul
Published: July 2012

Although archaeological finds have long been unearthed during construction projects, true rescue excavations began in Europe only as recent as the nineteenth century and became systematic only after World War II. Design and operations then began to be systematized, culminating in 1992 with the signing of the Valletta Convention to protect archaeological heritage. This agreement was ratified by most European countries as part of the European Council, and it contributed to the strong development of rescue archaeology (or preventive archaeology). Excavations had long been organized by academic institutions, but from 1980 onward, there appeared, first in the United Kingdom then in other Western European countries, “commercial archaeology,” led by private businesses. A debate among European archaeologists is taking place concerning the most effective system to protect excavations and the study and publication of endangered sites.
New Insights into the Troubles of Aneuploidy
Authors: Siegel Jake J. , Amon Angelika
Published: July 2012

Deviation from a balanced genome by either gain or loss of entire chromosomes is generally tolerated poorly in all eukaryotic systems studied to date. Errors in mitotic or meiotic cell division lead to aneuploidy, which places a burden of additional or insufficient gene products from the missegregated chromosomes on the daughter cells. The burden of aneuploidy often manifests itself as impaired fitness of individual cells and whole organisms, in which abnormal development is also characteristic. However, most human cancers, noted for their rapid growth, also display various levels of aneuploidy. Here we discuss the detrimental, potentially beneficial, and sometimes puzzling effects of aneuploidy on cellular and organismal fitness and tissue function as well as its role in diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration.
Bone Metabolism in Obesity and Weight Loss
Authors: Shapses Sue A. , Sukumar Deeptha
Published: July 2012

Excess body weight due to obesity has traditionally been considered to have a positive effect on bone; however, more recent findings suggest that bone quality is compromised. Both obesity and caloric restriction increase fracture risk and are regulated by endocrine factors and cytokines that have direct and indirect effects on bone and calcium absorption. Weight reduction will decrease bone mass and mineral density, but this varies by the individual's age, gender, and adiposity. Dietary modifications, exercise, and medications have been shown to attenuate the bone loss associated with weight reduction. Future obesity and weight loss trials would benefit from assessment of key hormones, adipokine and gut peptides that regulate calcium absorption, and bone mineral density and quality by using sensitive techniques in high-risk populations.
Comparative expression of hCG β-genes in human trophoblast from early and late first-trimester placentas
Authors: Cocquebert M. , Berndt S. , Segond N. , Guibourdenche J. , Murthi P. , Aldaz-Carroll L. , Evain-Brion D. , Fournier T.
Published: July 2012

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) displays a major role in pregnancy initiation and progression and is involved in trophoblast differentiation and fusion. However, the site and the type of dimeric hCG production during the first trimester of pregnancy is poorly known. At that time, trophoblastic plugs present in the uterine arteries disappear, allowing unrestricted flow of maternal blood to the intervillous space. The consequence is an important modification of the trophoblast environment, including a rise of oxygen levels from about 2.5% before 10 wk of amenorrhea (WA) to ∼8% after 12 WA. Two specific β-hCG proteins that differ from three amino acids have been described: type 1 (CGB7) and type 2 (CGB3, -5, and -8). Here, we demonstrated in situ and ex vivo on placental villi and in vitro in primary cultures of human cytotrophoblasts that type 1 and 2 β-hCG RNAs and proteins were expressed by trophoblasts and that these expressions were higher before blood enters in the intervillous space (8–9 vs. 12–14 WA). hCG was immunodetected in villous mononucleated cytotrophoblasts (VCT) and syncytiotrophoblast (ST) at 8–9 WA but only in ST at 12–14 WA. Furthermore, hCG secretion was fourfold higher in VCT cultures from 8–9 WA compared with 12–14 WA. Interestingly, VCT from 8–9 WA placentas were found to exhibit more fusion features. Taken together, we showed that type 1 and type 2 β-hCG are highly expressed by VCT in the early first trimester, contributing to the high levels of hCG found in maternal serum at this term.
MicroRNA miR-107 is overexpressed in pituitary adenomas and inhibits the expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein in vitro
Authors: Trivellin Giampaolo , Butz Henriett , Delhove Juliette , Igreja Susana , Chahal Harvinder S. , Zivkovic Vladimir , McKay Tristan , Patócs Attila , Grossman Ashley B. , Korbonits Márta
Published: July 2012

Abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles have recently been associated with sporadic pituitary adenomas, suggesting that miRNAs can contribute to tumor formation; miRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that inhibit posttranscriptional expression of target mRNAs by binding to target sequences usually located in the 3′-UTR. In this study, we investigated the role played by miR-107, a miRNA associated with different human cancers, in sporadic pituitary adenomas and its interaction with the pituitary tumor suppressor gene aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein ( AIP). miR-107 expression was evaluated in pituitary adenoma and normal pituitary samples using microRNA screen TLDA (TaqMan Low-Density Array) and RT-qPCR assays. We show that miR-107 expression was significantly upregulated in GH-secreting and nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. We found that human AIP-3′-UTR is a target of miR-107 since miR-107 inhibited in vitro AIP expression to 53.9 ± 2% of the miRNA control in a luciferase assay and reduced endogenous AIP mRNA expression to 53 ± 22% of the miRNA control in human cells. However, we did not observe a negative correlation between AIP and miR-107 expression in the human tumor samples. Furthermore, we show that miR-107 overexpression inhibited cell proliferation in human neuroblastoma and rat pituitary adenoma cells. In conclusion, miR-107 is overexpressed in pituitary adenomas and may act as a tumor suppressor. We have identified and confirmed AIP as a miR-107 target gene. Expression data in human samples suggest that the expression of AIP and miR-107 could be influenced by a combination of tumorigenic factors as well as compensatory mechanisms stimulated by the tumorigenic process.