bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case–Control Study of a Multistate Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy Outbreak
Authors: Traub‐Dargatz J.L. , Pelzel‐McCluskey A.M. , Creekmore L.H. , Geiser‐Novotny S. , Kasari T.R. , Wiedenheft A.M. , Bush E.J. , Bjork K.E.
Published: February 2013

Background

A large multistate outbreak of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) occurred in May 2011 among horses that participated in a competitive event.

Objective

To identify EHM risk factors among horses with a common exposure venue.

Animals

A total of 123 horses: 19 horses with EHM, 14 equine herpesvirus‐1 cases with no reported neurologic signs, and 90 control horses.

Methods

EHM case survey data were compared with data from EHV‐1 cases with no neurologic signs and healthy controls using univariable and multivariable methods.

Results

Significant factors associated with higher risk for EHM compared with EHV‐1 cases with no neurologic signs were (1) greater number of biosecurity risks at the event, (2) female sex, (3) increasing number of classes competed in at the event, and (4) an interaction between sex and number of classes competed in. In the EHM versus controls comparison, in addition to sex and biosecurity risks, factors associated with higher EHM risk included EHV‐1 vaccination in the 5 weeks before the event and increasing number of events attended in April 2011; zinc dietary supplementation was associated with decreased risk. An interaction between sex and the number of events attended in April 2011 also was significant.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Findings from this study suggest that dietary zinc supplementation may be associated with decreased risk of EHM. Several factors were associated with increased risk of EHM. Additional investigations of factors associated with risk of EHM are warranted to evaluate the importance of these factors in this complex disease of horses.
Luhmann without tears: complex economic regulation and the erosion of the market sphere
Authors: Campbell David
Published: February 2013

One of the concepts central to the ‘reconceiving’ of the ‘regulatory state’ during ‘the age of regulatory reform’ which we might trace back to the neoliberal revolution of the 1970s, has been that of the ‘hybrid’ form of economic organisation. Rejection of command-and-control regulation led, in the public sector, to the adoption of ‘marketmimicking’, a technique that claimed to replace the hierarchical direction of planning with the mobilisation of self-interest in ‘quasi-markets’, thereby merging ‘economic’ incentivisation with the ‘political’ stipulation of the markets' outcomes. In the private sector, institutions that had long been recognised to sit between contract and the company, of which the franchise had been the most thoroughly analysed within contract law, began to be regarded as ‘networks’.
Human food choice and nutritional interventions
Authors: Chadwick P. M. , Crawford C. , Ly L.
Published: February 2013

When it comes to changing human dietary behaviour, it is increasingly recognised that knowledge is not enough. Nevertheless, the majority of nutritional interventions designed to improve dietary quality are educational in nature and are predicated on the assumption that eating behaviour is primarily the product of a conscious and rational decision‐making processes. The study of human food choice challenges the adequacy of this assumption and questions the sufficiency of knowledge‐based interventions. The determinants of food choice are complex and are shaped by biological, developmental, social, cultural and economic forces. This article presents a selection of food choice research relevant to the development of healthy eating practices and illustrates how interventions based on psychological and social influences could lead to improved outcomes.
Development of ‘My Meal Mate’ – A smartphone intervention for weight loss
Authors: Carter M. C. , Burley V. J. , Cade J. E.
Published: February 2013

Obesity is a major public health issue and research is turning to information communication technologies as a means to deliver weight management interventions. A smartphone application (app) which allows the user to self monitor food intake and physical activity could be one such convenient and wide reaching approach. A smartphone app called ‘My Meal Mate’ (MMM) has been developed which uses behavioural strategies of goal setting, self monitoring and feedback to aid weight management. The development of the app has been informed by focus groups with potential system users and by benchmarking against popular diet tracking applications available to download. This paper describes the MMM app, discusses its development and outlines plans for further investigation.
Daily physical activity assessment with accelerometers: new insights and validation studies
Authors: Plasqui G. , Bonomi A. G. , Westerterp K. R.
Published: February 2013

The field of application of accelerometry is diverse and ever expanding. Because by definition all physical activities lead to energy expenditure, the doubly labelled water (DLW) method as gold standard to assess total energy expenditure over longer periods of time is the method of choice to validate accelerometers in their ability to assess daily physical activities. The aim of this paper was to provide a systematic overview of all recent (2007–2011) accelerometer validation studies using DLW as the reference. The PubMed Central database was searched using the following keywords: doubly or double labelled or labeled water in combination with accelerometer, accelerometry, motion sensor, or activity monitor. Limits were set to include articles from 2007 to 2011, as earlier publications were covered in a previous review. In total, 38 articles were identified, of which 25 were selected to contain sufficient new data. Eighteen different accelerometers were validated. There was a large variability in accelerometer output and their validity to assess daily physical activity. Activity type recognition has great potential to improve the assessment of physical activity‐related health outcomes. So far, there is little evidence that adding other physiological measures such as heart rate significantly improves the estimation of energy expenditure.
A Non-Parametric Model of Residual Brand Equity in Hierarchical Branding Structures with Application to US Beer Data
Authors: Voleti Sudhir , Ghosh Pulak
Published: February 2013

Product offerings in many grocery product categories in supermarkets display varied branding structures built around a discernible branding hierarchy typically comprising brands, subbrands and stock keeping units. Firms often want to know what contribution each layer in the brand hierarchy brings to overall product value, and precisely how much of this contribution comes from unique branding associations (we term this value contribution the ‘residual equity’ of that branding layer). We make the economic argument that, in mature product categories, profit maximizing firms would retain the upper levels of the branding structure only if they were value enhancing. Using only aggregate sales and product data, we develop a semiparametric Bayesian method for a market response model to estimate jointly the residual equity of each layer in the branding structure while accommodating certain a priori restrictions on the equity values. Our proposed model is simple yet flexible and avoids common drawbacks in extant approaches. We implement our model on AC Nielsen beer category data from US supermarkets. We find that residual equity exists, is sizable in magnitude and sales impact, is heterogeneous in occurrence across the branding structure, yields realistic brand valuations and bears managerially relevant insights and implications.
Procrastination and the Priority of Short‐Term Mood Regulation: Consequences for Future Self
Authors: Sirois Fuschia , Pychyl Timothy
Published: February 2013

Procrastination is a common and pervasive problem associated with a range of negative outcomes across a variety of life domains that often occurs when people are faced with tasks that are seen as aversive. In this paper, we argue that as a form of self‐regulation failure, procrastination has a great deal to do with short‐term mood repair and emotion regulation. Moreover, we contend that a temporal understanding of self and the mood‐regulating processes involved in goal pursuit is particularly important in understanding procrastination, because the consequences of procrastination are typically borne by the future self. After summarizing the research on the priority of short‐term mood regulation in procrastination, we then draw the connection between the focus on short‐term mood repair and the temporal disjunction between present and future selves. We present research that exemplifies these intra‐personal processes in understanding temporal notions of self characterized by procrastination, and then link these processes to the negative consequences of procrastination for health and well‐being. We conclude with a discussion of possible avenues for future research to provide further insights into how temporal views of the self are linked to the dynamics of mood regulation over time in the context of procrastination.
Resilience: A Disability Studies and Community Psychology Approach
Authors: Runswick‐Cole Katherine , Goodley Dan
Published: February 2013

This paper contests traditional psychological understandings of resilience through reference to a research project exploring resilience in the lives of disabled people. The paper briefly historically locates individualistic accounts of resilience (which have often been unhelpful in the lives of disabled people) and then moves into more recent social constructionist theories of this phenomenon. This latter perspective necessarily locates resilience in a network of resources including material resources, relationships, identity, bodies and minds, power and control, community participation, community cohesion and social justice. We argue that the recognition of resilience as a relational product is important and in tune with attempts to make psychology less an individualistic encounter and more a community intervention. However, disabled people, their politics and the development of critical disability studies, contest and challenge normative ideas of what it means to live with a resilient network of resources. In this sense disability offers new and exciting ways of addressing resilience.
Visual structure assessment and mechanical soil properties of re‐cultivated soils made up of loess
Authors: Rücknagel J. , Dumbeck G. , Harrach T. , Höhne E. , Christen O.
Published: February 2013

Re‐cultivated soils (previously piled soils used as the final surface cover in renovation of open cast mine sites) are particularly susceptible to compaction, which is why a simple estimate of mechanical strength is necessary for land management. In this study, therefore, precompression stress (−6 kPa matric potential) was determined for a total of 20 soil layers from 9 repeatedly cultivated areas of arable land in North Rhine–Westphalia (Germany), along with the aggregate density/dry bulk density ratio (as a measure of density heterogeneity) and air capacity (as a soil ecological parameter). These results are contrasted with the determination of packing density. Packing density (PD) is an integrated parameter that combines various properties (aggregate size, cohesion of the soil structure, root distribution, biogenic macropores and aggregate arrangement) and is assessed visually in the field. Packing density levels range between 1 (very loose soil) and 5 (very highly compacted). There is a strongly negative relationship between packing density and both the aggregate density/dry bulk density ratio and air capacity. Conversely, mechanical precompression stress increases with packing density. Ranges of the individual parameters can be assigned to each of the packing density levels. Packing density level 3 represents an optimization with regard to mechanical soil stability whilst maintaining minimum air capacity requirements (5–8 Vol.‐%).
Scedosporium prolificans pericarditis and mycotic aortic aneurysm in a lung transplant recipient receiving voriconazole prophylaxis
Authors: Sayah D.M. , Schwartz B.S. , Kukreja J. , Singer J.P. , Golden J.A. , Leard L.E.
Published: February 2013

Despite the adoption of antifungal prophylaxis, fungal infections remain a significant concern in lung transplant recipients. Indeed, some concern exists that such prophylaxis may increase the risk of infection with drug‐resistant fungal organisms. Here, we describe a case of disseminated Scedosporium prolificans infection, presenting as pericarditis, which developed in a lung transplant patient receiving prophylactic voriconazole for 8 months. The epidemiology and clinical presentation of S. prolificans infections are reviewed, and controversies surrounding antifungal prophylaxis and the development of resistant infections are discussed.
Cutaneous presentation of progressive disseminated histoplasmosis nine years after renal transplantation
Authors: Rosado‐Odom V.M. , Daoud J. , Johnson R. , Allen S.D. , Lockhart S.R. , Iqbal N. , Shieh W.‐J. , Zaki S. , Sharfuddin A.A.
Published: February 2013

Initial presentation of invasive fungal infections such as histoplasmosis can include non‐specific clinical manifestations, especially in immunocompromised patients. A high index of suspicion is required to identify atypical manifestations of these diseases, which carry a high risk of mortality, if the diagnosis is delayed or missed. We describe a case of a kidney transplant recipient with cutaneous lesions as initial manifestation of progressive disseminated histoplasmosis where a skin biopsy was crucial to an early diagnosis.
Anaemia and transfusion in nonagenarians undergoing emergency, non‐traumatic surgery: a prospective observational study
Authors: Pelavski A. D. , de Miguel M. , Lacasta A. , Rochera M. I. , Roca M.
Published: February 2013

Objectives

To characterise transfusion and determine its main predictors in nonagenarians undergoing non‐elective, non‐traumatic surgery. Simultaneously, we compared nonagenarians to a similar, but younger sample, as far as the transfusional policy is concerned.

Background

Perioperative anaemia and transfusion are currently topical, but little is known about them in this population.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, we recruited 135 patients older than 90 who underwent a non‐elective, non‐traumatic procedure, between 2006 and 2011. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed and a logistic regression model developed. As a control sample, we used a similar number of patients in their third age (between 65 and 85 years old), who underwent the same procedure, during the same period.

Results

Thirty‐five per cent of the nonagenarians were transfused. The main independent factors associated with transfusion were anaemia (OR 6·77, P < 0·01), a coexisting neoplasm (OR 10·99, P < 0·01) and the need for an exploratory laparotomy (OR 3·05, P = 0·01). When comparing the nonagenarians to the younger group, we found a significant difference in their basal health status and the mortality rate (P < 0·01), but the transfusion policy did not differ substantially, except for the haemoglobin threshold (P = 0·01).

Conclusions

The independent transfusion predictors in nonagenarians should be taken into account for cross‐matching. Transfusional policy being similar between nonagenarians and third‐aged patients; the differences in thresholds were due to the differences in the populations.
Trade, Diaspora and Migration to New Zealand
Authors: Law David , Genç Murat , Bryant John
Published: February 2013

This paper examines the hypotheses that a greater stock of migrants in New Zealand from a particular country leads to more trade between that country and New Zealand, and a greater stock of New Zealanders living overseas in a particular country leads to more trade between that country and New Zealand. It also examines the relationships between migration, diaspora and tourism exports. The literature suggests that migrants can stimulate trade by lowering transaction costs, and by bringing with them preferences for goods produced in their home country. Our approach is to apply panel data techniques, within the framework of a standard gravity model of trade, to a dataset consisting of information on 233 countries in each of the 26 years between 1981 and 2006. We estimate a random effects panel sample selection model using correlated random effects. Our results indicate that migration does indeed stimulate trade. In our benchmark specification, merchandise exports from and imports to New Zealand both have a statistically significant relationship with numbers of migrants in New Zealand; imports also have a statistically significant relationship with numbers of New Zealanders overseas. Our results also suggest that migration stimulates imports more than exports.
Contagious Energy Prices
Authors: Egger Peter H. , Kesina Michaela , Nigai Sergey
Published: February 2013

We develop an empirical model of the determinants of end‐use energy prices in 28 Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development countries. For this, we construct a unique panel data‐set and formulate a spatial panel econometric model with fixed country effects for the period of 1980–2009. A special feature of the proposed empirical model is that cross‐country interdependence in energy prices surfaces through two channels, a metric of similarity towards energy policy and a metric of trade in energy goods. We estimate the parameters of that model and conduct several comparative static experiments. We find that higher income per capita and lower efficiency in energy distribution tend to raise energy prices whereas higher net imports of energy and more abundant energy resource endowments reduce them. We also find that bilateral trade in energy goods is an important channel of transmission of shocks in energy prices across countries. The estimation results suggest that countries that use the same types of resources to generate energy are likely to transmit energy price shocks to each other through competition effects.
Salt‐leaching effect of drip irrigation in Elaeagnus angustifolia shelterbelt extremely arid area
Authors: Zhao Xinfeng , Xu Hailiang , Zhang Peng , Fu Jinyi , Bai Yuan
Published: February 2013

Soil salinity level in shelterbelts under different emitter distance and different planting years was compared using 3 years of monitoring data from a typical oasis located in an extremely arid area in northwest China. The variation trend of salinity level during the whole growing season and in nonirrigation season was analysed. The results indicate that: (1) under narrow emitter distance (1.5 m), the soil layer with the highest salinity level was located deepest (50–85 cm). Under wide emitter distance (3 m), the soil layer with the highest salinity level was located shallower (45–80 cm); (2) drip irrigation effectively decreased the soil salinity level. With the increased in irrigating years, the salt‐leaching effect was better. Most of the soil salts were brought downward to the soil layer below 30 cm, 50 cm and 70 cm, respectively, in shelterbelts that have been irrigating for 1 year, 2 years and 3 years; (3) soil salinity level presented an increasing trend during the growing season. The largest change of soil salinity level fore‐and‐aft the irrigation was found in 20‐cm depth, followed by the 40‐cm depth and then the 60‐cm depth; (4) in nonirrigation season, salt was accumulating at the surface in shelterbelts. Among all the shelterbelts with different forest age, the salinity level on the surface was the highest in the 2‐year‐old shelterbelt.
Comment on "Large Volcanic Aerosol Load in the Stratosphere Linked to Asian Monsoon Transport"
Authors: Vernier J.-P. , Thomason L. W. , Fairlie T. D. , Minnis P. , Palikonda R. , Bedka K. M.
Published: February 2013

Bourassa
et al
. (Reports, 6 July 2012, p. 78) have suggested that deep convection associated with the Asian monsoon played a critical role in transporting sulfur dioxide associated with the Nabro volcanic eruption (13 June 2011) from the upper troposphere (9 to 14 kilometers) into the lower stratosphere. An analysis of the CALIPSO lidar data indicates, however, that the main part of the Nabro volcanic plume was injected directly into the lower stratosphere during the initial eruption well before reaching the Asian monsoon deep convective region.
Comment on "Large Volcanic Aerosol Load in the Stratosphere Linked to Asian Monsoon Transport"
Authors: Fromm Michael , Nedoluha Gerald , Charvát Zdenek
Published: February 2013

Bourassa
et al
. (Reports, 6 July 2012, p. 78) report on the 13 June 2011 eruption of the Nabro volcano and satellite observations of stratospheric aerosol that they attribute to troposphere to stratosphere ascent via the Asian monsoon. They claim (citing another source) that the 13 June top injection height was well below the tropopause. We will show that the 13 June Nabro eruption plume was clearly stratospheric and contained both volcanic gases and aerosols. Moreover, we will show height-resolved stratospheric sulfur dioxide and volcanic aerosol enhancements 1 to 3 days old, unaffected by the Asian monsoon, precisely connected to the volcano. The observed stratospheric aerosols and gases are fully explained by the 13 June eruption and do not require a monsoon vehicle.
The Placental Mammal Ancestor and the Post–K-Pg Radiation of Placentals
Authors: O'Leary Maureen A. , Bloch Jonathan I. , Flynn John J. , Gaudin Timothy J. , Giallombardo Andres , Giannini Norberto P. , Goldberg Suzann L. , Kraatz Brian P. , Luo Zhe-Xi , Meng Jin , Ni Xijun , Novacek Michael J. , Perini Fernando A. , Randall Zachary S. , Rougier Guillermo W. , Sargis Eric J. , Silcox Mary T. , Simmons Nancy B. , Spaulding Michelle , Velazco Paúl M. , Weksler Marcelo , Wible John R. , Cirranello Andrea L.
Published: February 2013

Let There Be Mammals

The timing of the evolution and radiation of placental mammals and their most recent common ancestor has long been debated, with many questions surrounding the relationships of groups that pre- and postdate the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary (66 million years ago). While the fossil record suggests that placental mammals radiated after the Cretaceous, molecular clocks have consistently placed the ancestors of mammalian lineages earlier.

O'Leary
et al.

(p.
662
; see the Perspective by

Yoder

) examined the morphology of fossil and extant taxa and conclude that living placentals originated and radiated after the Cretaceous and reconstruct the phenotype of the ancestral placental mammal.
Structural Basis for Hijacking of Cellular LxxLL Motifs by Papillomavirus E6 Oncoproteins
Authors: Zanier Katia , Charbonnier Sebastian , Sidi Abdellahi Ould M'hamed Ould , McEwen Alastair G. , Ferrario Maria Giovanna , Poussin-Courmontagne Pierre , Cura Vincent , Brimer Nicole , Babah Khaled Ould , Ansari Tina , Muller Isabelle , Stote Roland H. , Cavarelli Jean , Vande Pol Scott , Travé Gilles
Published: February 2013

Targeting HPV

Papillomaviruses infect mammalian epithelial cells and induce cancers, including cervical cancer in humans. Vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) can prevent, but not cure, infection. A key viral oncoprotein, E6, acts by binding and inactivating many host proteins.

Zanier
et al.

(p.
694
) determined high-resolution crystal structures of bovine papillomavirus bound to a peptide from the focal adhesion protein, paxillin, and of HPV bound to a peptide from the ubiquitin ligase E6AP. The structures show that the peptide binds in a pocket formed by two zinc domains and a linker helix, which represents a promising target for therapeutics.
Regulation of Flowering by Trehalose-6-Phosphate Signaling in
Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Wahl Vanessa , Ponnu Jathish , Schlereth Armin , Arrivault Stéphanie , Langenecker Tobias , Franke Annika , Feil Regina , Lunn John E. , Stitt Mark , Schmid Markus
Published: February 2013

Sweet Enough to Flower

In making the developmental switch from vegetative growth to flowering, plants integrate diverse information, including photoperiod, hormone signals, and carbohydrate status.

Wahl
et al.

(p.
704
; see the Perspective by

Danielson and Frommer

) analyzed the physiology of the signaling sugar trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) in
Arabidopsis
. Quantities of T6P cycle in daily rhythms that peak toward the end of the day. T6P levels in the shoot apical meristem mirrored sucrose levels. Disruption of T6P production also disrupted expression of the
FLOWERING LOCUS T
gene, which responds in leaves to day length and generates signals that direct the meristem to initiate flowering programs. T6P production also affected the signaling pathway that links the age of the plant to flowering. By incorporating requirements for T6P signaling in the flowering induction pathways, the plant ensures that adequate carbohydrate reserves have been accumulated. Thus, T6P regulates the shift to flowering by linking carbohydrate status to day length in the leaves and to developmental age in the shoot apical meristem.
Time Scales of Critical Events Around the Cretaceous-Paleogene Boundary
Authors: Renne Paul R. , Deino Alan L. , Hilgen Frederik J. , Kuiper Klaudia F. , Mark Darren F. , Mitchell William S. , Morgan Leah E. , Mundil Roland , Smit Jan
Published: February 2013

Impact Dating

The large mass extinction of terrestrial and marine life—most notably, non-avian dinosaurs—occurred around 66 million years ago, at the boundary between the Cretaceous and Paleogene periods. But attributing the cause to a large asteroid impact depends on precisely dating material from the impact with indicators of ecological stress and environmental change in the rock record.Renneet al.(p.684; see the Perspective byPälike) acquired high-precision radiometric dates of stratigraphic layers surrounding the boundary, demonstrating that the impact occurred within 33,000 years of the mass extinction. The data also constrain the length of time in which the atmospheric carbon cycle was severely disrupted to less than 5000 years. Because the climate in the late Cretaceous was becoming unstable, the large-impact event appears to have triggered a state-shift in an already stressed global ecosystem.
Host-Derived Nitrate Boosts Growth of
E. coli
in the Inflamed Gut
Authors: Winter Sebastian E. , Winter Maria G. , Xavier Mariana N. , Thiennimitr Parameth , Poon Victor , Keestra A. Marijke , Laughlin Richard C. , Gomez Gabriel , Wu Jing , Lawhon Sara D. , Popova Ina E. , Parikh Sanjai J. , Adams L. Garry , Tsolis Renée M. , Stewart Valley J. , Bäumler Andreas J.
Published: February 2013

E. coli
kNOws How to Win

The harmonious existence among the various microbial inhabitants of the gut is critical for good health. However, inflammation from injury or inflammatory bowel disease, can disrupt this balance and lead to the outgrowth of particular bacteria. The outgrowth of members of the Enterobacteriaceae family, which includes
Escherichia coli
, is often observed. Because
E. coli
are facultative rather an obligate anaerobes,

Winter
et al.

(p.
708
) postulated that they may be able to use by-products of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which are produced during inflammation, for anaerobic respiration, thereby edging out other fermenting bacteria. Indeed, in two mouse models of colitis and in a model of intestinal injury, various
E. coli
strains were able to use host-derived nitrate as an energy source and outcompete mutant strains unable to do this.
Impact and Extinction
Authors: Pälike Heiko
Published: February 2013

Precise dating shows that the Chicxulub impact coincided with the mass extinction at the K-Pg boundary 66 million years ago.

[Also see Report by

Renne
et al.

]
BP Research Dollars Yield Signs of Cautious Hope
Authors: Stokstad Erik
Published: February 2013

An unusual interdisciplinary conference held in New Orleans was the first public meeting of a nonprofit organization disbursing $500 million donated by oil giant BP.
Losing Arable Land, China Faces Stark Choice: Adapt or Go Hungry
Authors: Larson Christina
Published: February 2013

To ensure food security, China is racing to develop new cultivars of staple grains that thrive in a warmer world.
Identification of a New Tuberculosis Antigen Recognized by γδ T Cell Receptor
Authors: Xi Xueyan , Han Xiqin , Li Liang , Zhao Zhendong
Published: February 2013

The immune protection initiated by γδ T cells plays an important role in mycobacterial infection. The γδ T cells activated byMycobacterium tuberculosis-derived nonpeptidic, phosphorylated biometabolites (phosphoantigens) provide only partial immune protection against mycobacterium, while evidence has suggested that protein antigen-activated γδ T cells elicit effective protective immune responses. To date, only a few distinct mycobacterial protein antigens have been identified. In the present study, we screened protein antigens recognized by γδ T cells using cells transfected with the predominant pulmonary tuberculosis γδ T cell receptor (TCR) CDR3 fragment. We identified two peptides, TP1 and TP2, which not only bind to the pulmonary tuberculosis predominant γδ TCR but also effectively activate γδ T cells isolated from pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Moreover, 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase 2 (DXS2), the TP1-matched mycobacterial protein, was confirmed as a ligand for the γδ TCR and was found to activate γδ T cells from pulmonary tuberculosis patients. The extracellular region (extracellular peptide [EP]) of Rv2272, a TP2-matched mycobacterial transmembrane protein, was also shown to activate γδ T cells from pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Both DXS2- and EP-expanded γδ T cells from pulmonary tuberculosis patients could secrete gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), which play important roles in mediating cytotoxicity against mycobacterium and stimulating monocyte chemotaxis toward the site of infection. In conclusion, our study identified novel mycobacterial protein antigens recognized by γδ TCR cells that could be candidates for the development of vaccines or adjuvants against mycobacterium infection.
Impaired Lymphocyte Reactivity Measured by Immune Function Testing in Untransplanted Patients with Cirrhosis
Authors: Yee Russell M. , Lehil Mandeep S. , Rongey Catherine , Shen Hui , Cozen Myrna L. , Monto Alexander , Ryan James C.
Published: February 2013

The immune function test is an integrated measure of total mitogen-inducible CD4
+
T cell metabolic activity in the peripheral blood, and it is used to guide the dosing of immunosuppressive medications after solid organ transplantation. Recently, low CD4
+
T cell metabolic activity due to pharmacologic immunosuppression has been linked to rapidly progressive cirrhosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected liver transplant recipients. We speculate that either cirrhosis or HCV might adversely affect the CD4
+
T cell reactivity even in the absence of immunosuppressive medications. We thus performed this assay on a cohort of untransplanted hepatology patients who were not taking immunomodulatory drugs. Low mitogen-stimulated CD4
+
T cell metabolic reactivity was more commonly seen in untransplanted patients with HCV cirrhosis or with cirrhosis due to other causes but not in control patients or in those with chronic HCV in the absence of cirrhosis. The lowest mean CD4
+
T cell reactivities were seen in patients with both cirrhosis and HCV. Caution should be exercised when immune function test results are used to guide immunomodulatory therapy in transplant recipients with suspected cirrhosis, as low immune function test results may be a consequence of hepatic cirrhosis or of pharmacologic immunosuppression.
Development of a High-Throughput Assay To Measure the Neutralization Capability of Anti-Cytomegalovirus Antibodies
Authors: Gardner Thomas J. , Bolovan-Fritts Cynthia , Teng Melissa W. , Redmann Veronika , Kraus Thomas A. , Sperling Rhoda , Moran Thomas , Britt William , Weinberger Leor S. , Tortorella Domenico
Published: February 2013

Infection by human cytomegalovirus (CMV) elicits a strong humoral immune response and robust anti-CMV antibody production. Diagnosis of virus infection can be carried out by using a variety of serological assays; however, quantification of serum antibodies against CMV may not present an accurate measure of a patient's ability to control a virus infection. CMV strains that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins can be used as screening tools for evaluating characteristics of CMV infectionin vitro. In this study, we employed a CMV virus strain, AD169, that ectopically expresses a yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) fused to the immediate-early 2 (IE2) protein product (AD169IE2-YFP) to quantify a CMV infection in human cells. We created a high-throughput cell-based assay that requires minimal amounts of material and provides a platform for rapid analysis of the initial phase of virus infection, including virus attachment, fusion, and immediate-early viral gene expression. The AD169IE2-YFPcell infection system was utilized to develop a neutralization assay with a monoclonal antibody against the viral surface glycoprotein gH. The high-throughput assay was extended to measure the neutralization capacity of serum from CMV-positive subjects. These findings describe a sensitive and specific assay for the quantification of a key immunological response that plays a role in limiting CMV dissemination and transmission. Collectively, we have demonstrated that a robust high-throughput infection assay can analyze the early steps of the CMV life cycle and quantify the potency of biological reagents to attenuate a virus infection.
Comparison of Galactomannan Enzyme Immunoassay Performance Levels when Testing Serum and Plasma Samples
Authors: White P. Lewis , Jones Tim , Whittle Katie , Watkins Joanne , Barnes Rosemary A.
Published: February 2013

Diagnostic galactomannan (GM) enzyme immunoassay (EIA) testing is formally validated only for serum, though in practice, plasma is occasionally tested. It is assumed, but not confirmed, that results will be comparable to those for serum. GM EIA when testing plasma was evaluated, providing sensitivity (85.7%) and specificity (85.4%) comparable to those for serum. Plasma index values were higher than those for serum; if plasma GM EIA were used to define probable cases, four additional cases would have been diagnosed.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Clinical Isolate, Aeromonas hydrophila SNUFPC-A8, from a Moribund Cherry Salmon (
Oncorhynchus masou masou
)
Authors: Han Jee Eun , Kim Ji Hyung , Choresca Casiano , Shin Sang Phil , Jun Jin Woo , Park Se Chang
Published: February 2013

We present the genome of a clinical isolate,
Aeromonas hydrophila
SNUFPC-A8, from a moribund cherry salmon. The completed draft genome of this strain shows high sequence homology to the reference strain
A. hydrophila
ATCC 7966 (NC008570.1) and known plasmids pAsa2 and pAAk1 from other
Aeromonas
species (NC004925.1 and NC019014.1).
Evaluation of PNA-FISH Yeast Traffic Light for Rapid Identification of Yeast Directly from Positive Blood Cultures and Assessment of Clinical Impact
Authors: Stone N. R. H. , Gorton R. L. , Barker K. , Ramnarain P. , Kibbler C. C.
Published: February 2013

The PNA-FISH Yeast Traffic Light assay was performed on 54 clinical isolates of yeasts inoculated into blood culture bottles. The assay showed high sensitivity (
Candida albicans/C. parapsilosis
, 100%;
C. glabrata/C. krusei
, 92.3%;
C. tropicalis
, 100%) and specificity (
C. albicans/C. parapsilosis
, 100%;
C. glabrata/C. krusei
, 94.8%;
C. tropicalis
, 100%). Case note review estimated a change in therapy in 29% of cases had the PNA-FISH result been available to the clinician.
Comparison of the Accuracy of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry with That of Other Commercial Identification Systems for Identifying Staphylococcus saprophyticus in Urine
Authors: Lee Tai-Fen , Lee Hao , Chen Chung-Ming , Du Shin-Hei , Cheng Ya-Chih , Hsu Chen-Ching , Chung Meng-Yu , Teng Shih-Hua , Teng Lee-Jene , Hsueh Po-Ren
Published: February 2013

Among 30 urinary isolates of
Staphylococcus saprophyticus
identified by sequencing methods, the rate of accurate identification was 100% for Bruker Biotyper matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), 86.7% for the Phoenix PID and Vitek 2 GP systems, 93.3% for the MicroScan GP33 system, and 46.7% for the BBL CHROMagar Orientation system.
Polymorphism of Antigen MPT64 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains
Authors: Jiang Yi , Liu Haican , Wang Haiyin , Dou Xiangfeng , Zhao Xiuqin , Bai Yun , Wan Li , Li Guilian , Zhang Wen , Chen Chen , Wan Kanglin
Published: February 2013

We selected 180 clinical isolates of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTBC) from patients in China and performed comparative sequence analysis of the
mpt64
gene after amplification. From the results, we found that polymorphisms of the
mpt64
gene in the MTBC may be the reason for changes in the antigen produced, which may in turn cause alterations of related functions, thereby allowing immune evasion.
Development of PCR Assays for Detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in Urine Specimens
Authors: Bandea Claudiu I. , Joseph Kahaliah , Secor Evan W. , Jones Laurie A. , Igietseme Joseph U. , Sautter Robert L. , Hammerschlag Margaret R. , Fajman Nancy N. , Girardet Rebecca G. , Black Carolyn M.
Published: February 2013

Trichomonas vaginalis
infections are usually asymptomatic or can result in nonspecific clinical symptoms, which makes laboratory-based detection of this protozoan parasite essential for diagnosis and treatment. We report the development of a battery of highly sensitive and specific PCR assays for detection of
T. vaginalis
in urine, a noninvasive specimen, and development of a protocol for differentiating among
Trichomonas
species that commonly infect humans.
Five Clinical Cases of Necropsobacter rosorum Bacteremia
Authors: Tan Thean Yen , Ng Lily Siew Yong , Eng Li Ching
Published: February 2013

Five cases of bacteremia with
Necropsobacter rosorum
are described, originating from intra-abdominal infections or localized soft tissue infections in the pelvic region.
N. rosorum
is consistently misidentified by commercial identification systems, which may delay recognition of this organism as a human pathogen.
Validation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv1681 Protein as a Diagnostic Marker of Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Pollock Nira R. , Macovei Lilia , Kanunfre Kelly , Dhiman Rakesh , Restrepo Blanca I. , Zarate Izelda , Pino Paula A. , Mora-Guzman Francisco , Fujiwara Ricardo T. , Michel Gerd , Kashino Suely S. , Campos-Neto Antonio
Published: February 2013

The development of an accurate antigen detection assay for the diagnosis of active tuberculosis (TB) would represent a major clinical advance. Here, we demonstrate that the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Rv1681 protein is a biomarker for active TB with potential diagnostic utility. We initially identified, by mass spectroscopy, peptides from the Rv1681 protein in urine specimens from 4 patients with untreated active TB. Rabbit IgG anti-recombinant Rv1681 detected Rv1681 protein in lysates and culture filtrates of
M. tuberculosis
and immunoprecipitated it from pooled urine specimens from two TB patients. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay formatted with these antibodies detected Rv1681 protein in unconcentrated urine specimens from 11/25 (44%) TB patients and 1/21 (4.8%) subjects in whom TB was initially clinically suspected but then ruled out by conventional methods. Rv1681 protein was not detected in urine specimens from 10 subjects with
Escherichia coli
-positive urine cultures, 26 subjects with confirmed non-TB tropical diseases (11 with schistosomiasis, 5 with Chagas' disease, and 10 with cutaneous leishmaniasis), and 14 healthy subjects. These results provide strong validation of Rv1681 protein as a promising biomarker for TB diagnosis.
Evaluation of the Cepheid Xpert GBS Assay for Rapid Detection of Group B Streptococci in Amniotic Fluids from Pregnant Women with Premature Rupture of Membranes
Authors: Bourgeois-Nicolaos Nadege , Cordier Anne-Gael , Guillet-Caruba Christelle , Casanova François , Benachi Alexandra , Doucet-Populaire Florence
Published: February 2013

The Xpert GBS real-time PCR assay for the detection of group B streptococci (GBS) in antepartum screening samples was evaluated on amniotic fluid samples collected from 139 women with premature rupture of membrane at term. When any intrapartum positive result from the Xpert GBS or culture was considered a true positive, the sensitivities of the Xpert GBS and culture were 92.3% and 84.6%, respectively. This assay could enhance exact identification of candidates for intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis.
Mapping of Sequences in Pseudorabies Virus pUL34 That Are Required for Formation and Function of the Nuclear Egress Complex
Authors: Paßvogel Lars , Trübe Patricia , Schuster Franziska , Klupp Barbara G. , Mettenleiter Thomas C.
Published: February 2013

The nuclear egress complex (NEC) is required for efficient translocation of newly synthesized herpesvirus nucleocapsids from the nucleus to the cytosol. It consists of the type II membrane protein pUL34 which interacts with pUL31 at the inner nuclear membrane (INM). To map regions within pUL34 required for nuclear membrane targeting and pUL31 interaction, we constructed deletion/substitution mutations. Previously, we showed that 50 C-terminal amino acids (aa) of pseudorabies virus (PrV) pUL34, including the transmembrane domain, could be functionally replaced by cellular lamina-associated polypeptide 2β (Lap2β) sequences. In contrast, replacement of the C-terminal 100 aa abrogated complementation but not pUL31 interaction. To further delineate essential sequences within this region, C-terminal pUL34 truncations of 60, 70, 80, 85, and 90 aa fused to Lap2β sequences were generated. While truncations up to 85 aa were functional, deletion of the C-terminal 90 aa abrogated function, which indicates that the important region is located between aa 171 and 176. Amino acids 173 to 175 represent RQR, a motif suggested to mediate INM targeting. Mutagenesis to RQG revealed that the mutant protein exhibited pronounced Golgi localization, but a fraction still reached the INM. Deletion mutations in the N-terminal domain of pUL34 demonstrated that absence of the first 4 aa was tolerated, while removal of 9 or more residues resulted in a nonfunctional protein. In addition, mutation of three conserved cysteines did not abrogate pUL34 function, whereas alteration of a conserved glutamine/tyrosine sequence yielded a nonfunctional protein.
The Transcription Factors TBX2 and TBX3 Interact with Human Papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) L2 and Repress the Long Control Region of HPVs
Authors: Schneider Marc A. , Scheffer Konstanze D. , Bund Timo , Boukhallouk Fatima , Lambert Carsten , Cotarelo Cristina , Pflugfelder Gert O. , Florin Luise , Spoden Gilles A.
Published: February 2013

The minor capsid protein L2 of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) has multiple functions during the viral life cycle. Although L2 is required for effective invasion and morphogenesis, only a few cellular interaction partners are known so far. Using yeast two-hybrid screening, we identified the transcription factor TBX2 as a novel interaction partner of HPV type 16 (HPV16) L2. Coimmunoprecipitations and immunofluorescence analyses confirmed the L2-TBX2 interaction and revealed that L2 also interacts with TBX3, another member of the T-box family. Transcription of the early genes during HPV infection is under the control of an upstream enhancer and early promoter region, the long control region (LCR). In promoter-reporter gene assays, we observed that TBX2 and TBX3 repress transcription from the LCR and that this effect is enhanced by L2. Repression of the HPV LCR by TBX2/3 seems to be a conserved mechanism, as it was also observed with the LCRs of different HPV types. Finally, interaction of TBX2 with the LCR was detected by chromatin immunoprecipitation, and we found a strong colocalization of L2 and TBX2 in HPV16-positive cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I-II tissue sections. These results suggest that TBX2/3 might play a role in the regulation of HPV gene expression during the viral life cycle.
Genetic Variability and the Classification of Hepatitis E Virus
Authors: Smith Donald B. , Purdy Michael A. , Simmonds Peter
Published: February 2013

The classification of hepatitis E virus (HEV) variants is currently in transition without agreed definitions for genotypes and subtypes or for deeper taxonomic groupings into species and genera that could incorporate more recently characterized viruses assigned to the
Hepeviridae
family that infect birds, bats, rodents, and fish. These conflicts arise because of differences in the viruses and genomic regions compared and in the methodology used. We have reexamined published sequences and found that synonymous substitutions were saturated in comparisons between and within virus genotypes. Analysis of complete genome sequences or concatenated ORF1/ORF2 amino acid sequences indicated that HEV variants most closely related to those infecting humans can be consistently divided into six genotypes (types 1 to 4 and two additional genotypes from wild boar). Variants isolated from rabbits, closely related to genotype 3, occupy an intermediate position. No consistent criteria could be defined for the assignment of virus subtypes. Analysis of amino acid sequences from these viruses with the more divergent variants from chickens, bats, and rodents in three conserved subgenomic regions (residues 1 to 452 or 974 to 1534 of ORF1 or residues 105 to 458 of ORF2) provided consistent support for a division into 4 groups, corresponding to HEV variants infecting humans and pigs, those infecting rats and ferrets, those from bats, and those from chickens. This approach may form the basis for a future genetic classification of HEV into four species, with the more divergent HEV-like virus from fish (cutthroat trout virus) representing a second genus.
Characterization of Ovine Nectin-4, a Novel Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Receptor
Authors: Birch Jamie , Juleff Nicholas , Heaton Michael P. , Kalbfleisch Ted , Kijas James , Bailey Dalan
Published: February 2013

Small ruminants infected with peste des petits ruminants virus exhibit lesions typical of epithelial infection and necrosis. However, the only established host receptor for this virus is the immune cell marker signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM). We have confirmed that the ovine Nectin-4 protein, when overexpressed in epithelial cells, permits efficient replication of PPRV. Furthermore, this gene was predominantly expressed in epithelial tissues and encoded by multiple haplotypes in sheep breeds from around the world.