bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward a Green Internet
Authors: Recupero Diego Reforgiato
Published: March 2013

Methods for energy efficiency savings will be needed to meet the growing demands of increasing Internet usage.
Decade of the Monster
Authors: Cowen Ron
Published: March 2013

An infalling gas cloud and other new probes herald a revealing period for the Milky Way's supermassive black hole.
Protection of Piglets by a Haemophilus parasuis Ghost Vaccine against Homologous Challenge
Authors: Hu Mingming , Zhang Yanhe , Xie Fang , Li Gang , Li Jianjun , Si Wei , Liu Siguo , Hu Shouping , Zhang Zhuo , Shen Nan , Wang Chunlai
Published: March 2013

Commercial bacterins for Glässer's disease are widely used for the prevention of this disease caused by
Haemophilus parasuis
; however, the protective efficacy varies depending on the strain and serovar. Bacterial ghosts (BGs) are empty bacterial envelopes that, unlike classic bacterins, suffer no denaturing steps during their production. These properties may lead to superior protection. In this study, a BG vaccine generated from the
Haemophilus parasuis
serovar 5 reference strain Nagasaki was prepared and used to inoculate piglets. The efficacy of the BG vaccine was evaluated by clinical, bacteriological, serological, and postmortem examinations. Inactivated bacterin (IB) and a placebo control (PC) were compared with the BG vaccine in this study. The results showed that the piglets inoculated with the BG vaccine developed higher antibody activity and higher gamma interferon and interleukin 4 levels than those vaccinated with IB or those in the PC group after primary and secondary exposure to the antigens and challenge. CD4
+
T lymphocyte levels were observed to increase following secondary immunization more in the BG-vaccinated group than in the IB (
P
< 0.05) and PC (
P
< 0.05) groups. CD8
+
T lymphocyte levels increased dramatically in all three groups after challenge, and the differences between groups were all significant (
P
< 0.05). There were fewer tissue lesions and lower bacterial loads in the tissue homogenates in the BG group after challenge. The results suggest that higher CD4
+
T lymphocyte levels and both CD4
+
major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted Th1-type and Th2-type immune responses in the BG group are relevant for protection.
Evidence for Reactivation of Human Herpesvirus 6 in Generalized Lymphadenopathy in a Patient with Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome
Authors: Saraya Takeshi , Mikoshiba Michiaki , Kamiyama Harumi , Yoshizumi Masakazu , Tsuchida Shigeru , Tsukagoshi Hiroyuki , Ishioka Taisei , Terada Miho , Tanabe Eiichi , Tomioka Chizuko , Ishii Haruyuki , Kimura Hirokazu , Kozawa Kunihisa , Shiohara Tetsuo , Takizawa Hajime , Goto Hajime
Published: March 2013

The present case provides direct evidence of human herpesvirus 6 reactivation in resected lymph node tissue in a patient with drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome. This case clearly demonstrates that appropriate pathological evaluation of lymphadenopathy for drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome, which mimics malignant lymphoma in clinical, radiological, and pathological findings, is required.
A Pragmatic Approach to HIV-1 Drug Resistance Determination in Resource-Limited Settings by Use of a Novel Genotyping Assay Targeting the Reverse Transcriptase-Encoding Region Only
Authors: Aitken Susan C. , Bronze Michelle , Wallis Carole L. , Stuyver Lieven , Steegen Kim , Balinda Sheila , Kityo Cissy , Stevens Wendy , Rinke de Wit Tobias F. , Schuurman Rob
Published: March 2013

In resource-limited settings (RLS), reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors form the backbone of first-line treatment regimens. We have developed a simplified HIV-1 drug resistance genotyping assay targeting the region of RT harboring all major RT inhibitor resistance mutation positions, thus providing all relevant susceptibility data for first-line failures, coupled with minimal cost and labor. The assay comprises a one-step RT-PCR amplification reaction, followed by sequencing using one forward and one reverse primer, generating double-stranded coverage of RT amino acids (aa) 41 to 238. The assay was optimized for all major HIV-1 group M subtypes in plasma and dried blood spot (DBS) samples using a panel of reference viruses for HIV-1 subtypes A to D, F to H, and circulating recombinant form 01_AE (CRF01_AE) and applied to 212 clinical plasma samples and 25 DBS samples from HIV-1-infected individuals from Africa and Europe. The assay was subsequently transferred to Uganda and applied locally on clinical plasma samples. All major HIV-1 subtypes could be detected with an analytical sensitivity of 5.00E+3 RNA copies/ml for plasma and DBS. Application of the assay on 212 clinical samples from African subjects comprising subtypes A to D, F to H (rare), CRF01_AE, and CRF02_AG at a viral load (VL) range of 6.71E+2 to 1.00E+7 (median, 1.48E+5) RNA copies/ml was 94.8% (
n
= 201) successful. Application on clinical samples in Uganda demonstrated a comparable success rate. Genotyping of clinical DBS samples, all subtype C with a VL range of 1.02E+3 to 4.49E+5 (median, 1.42E+4) RNA copies/ml, was 84.0% successful. The described assay greatly reduces hands-on time and the costs required for genotyping and is ideal for use in RLS, as demonstrated in a reference laboratory in Uganda and its successful application on DBS samples.
First Case of Pseudoclavibacter bifida Bacteremia in an Immunocompromised Host with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Authors: Oyaert Matthijs , De Baere Thierry , Breyne Joke , De Laere Emmanuel , Mariën Stan , Waets Peter , Laffut Wim
Published: March 2013

Pseudoclavibacter
spp. are Gram-positive, aerobic, catalase-positive, coryneform bacteria belonging to the family of
Microbacteriaceae
. Identification of these species with conventional biochemical assays is difficult. This case report of a
Pseudoclavibacter bifida
bacteremia occurring in an immunocompromised host diagnosed with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with a lethal outcome, confirms that this organism may be a human pathogen.
Molecular Characterization of Achromobacter Isolates from Cystic Fibrosis and Non-Cystic Fibrosis Patients in Madrid, Spain
Authors: Barrado Laura , Brañas Patricia , Orellana M. Ángeles , Martínez M. Teresa , García Gloria , Otero Joaquín R. , Chaves Fernando
Published: March 2013

Multilocus sequence typing and
nrdA
sequence analysis identified 6 different species or genogroups and 13 sequence types (STs) among 15
Achromobacter
isolates from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and 7 species or genogroups and 11 STs among 11 isolates from non-CF patients.
Achromobacter xylosoxidans
was the most frequently isolated species among CF patients.
Quantitative PCR for Detection of Shigella Improves Ascertainment of Shigella Burden in Children with Moderate-to-Severe Diarrhea in Low-Income Countries
Authors: Lindsay Brianna , Ochieng John B. , Ikumapayi Usman N. , Toure Aliou , Ahmed Dilruba , Li Shan , Panchalingam Sandra , Levine Myron M. , Kotloff Karen , Rasko David A. , Morris Carolyn R. , Juma Jane , Fields Barry S. , Dione Michel , Malle Dramane , Becker Stephen M. , Houpt Eric R. , Nataro James P. , Sommerfelt Halvor , Pop Mihai , Oundo Joe , Antonio Martin , Hossain Anowar , Tamboura Boubou , Stine O. Colin
Published: March 2013

Estimates of the prevalence ofShigellaspp. are limited by the suboptimal sensitivity of current diagnostic and surveillance methods. We used a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay to detectShigellain the stool samples of 3,533 children aged <59 months from the Gambia, Mali, Kenya, and Bangladesh, with or without moderate-to-severe diarrhea (MSD). We compared the results from conventional culture to those from qPCR for theShigella ipaHgene. Using MSD as the reference standard, we determined the optimal cutpoint to be 2.9 × 104ipaHcopies per 100 ng of stool DNA for set 1 (n= 877). One hundred fifty-eight (18%) specimens yielded >2.9 × 104ipaHcopies. Ninety (10%) specimens were positive by traditional culture forShigella. Individuals with ≥2.9 × 104ipaHcopies have 5.6-times-higher odds of having diarrhea than those with <2.9 × 104ipaHcopies (95% confidence interval, 3.7 to 8.5;P< 0.0001). Nearly identical results were found using an independent set of samples. qPCR detected 155 additional MSD cases with high copy numbers ofipaH, a 90% increase from the 172 cases detected by culture in both samples. Among a subset (n= 2,874) comprising MSD cases and their age-, gender-, and location-matched controls, the fraction of MSD cases that were attributable toShigellainfection increased from 9.6% (n= 129) for culture to 17.6% (n= 262) for qPCR when employing our cutpoint. We suggest that qPCR with a cutpoint of approximately 1.4 × 104ipaHcopies be the new reference standard for the detection and diagnosis of shigellosis in children in low-income countries. The acceptance of this new standard would substantially increase the fraction of MSD cases that are attributable toShigella.
Substitutions T200A and E227A in the Hemagglutinin of Pandemic 2009 Influenza A Virus Increase Lethality but Decrease Transmission
Authors: Martínez-Romero Carles , de Vries Erik , Belicha-Villanueva Alan , Mena Ignacio , Tscherne Donna M. , Gillespie Virginia L. , Albrecht Randy A. , de Haan Cornelis A. M. , García-Sastre Adolfo
Published: March 2013

We report that swine influenza virus-like substitutions T200A and E227A in the hemagglutinin (HA) of the 2009 pandemic influenza virus alter its pathogenesis and transmission. Viral replication is increased in mammalian cells. Infected mice show increased disease as measured by weight loss and lethality. Transmission in ferrets is decreased in the presence of both substitutions, suggesting that amino acids 200T and 227E are adaptive changes in the HA of swine origin influenza viruses associated with increased transmission and decreased pathogenesis.
Rotavirus Prevents the Expression of Host Responses by Blocking the Nucleocytoplasmic Transport of Polyadenylated mRNAs
Authors: Rubio Rosa M. , Mora Silvia I. , Romero Pedro , Arias Carlos F. , López Susana
Published: March 2013

Rotaviruses are the most important agent of severe gastroenteritis in young children. Early in infection, these viruses take over the host translation machinery, causing a severe shutoff of cell protein synthesis while viral proteins are efficiently synthesized. In infected cells, there is an accumulation of the cytoplasmic poly(A)-binding protein in the nucleus, induced by the viral protein NSP3. Here we found that poly(A)-containing mRNAs also accumulate and become hyperadenylated in the nuclei of infected cells. Using reporter genes bearing the untranslated regions (UTRs) of cellular or viral genes, we found that the viral UTRs do not determine the efficiency of translation of mRNAs in rotavirus-infected cells. Furthermore, we showed that while a polyadenylated reporter mRNA directly delivered into the cytoplasm of infected cells was efficiently translated, the same reporter introduced as a plasmid that needs to be transcribed and exported to the cytoplasm was poorly translated. Altogether, these results suggest that nuclear retention of poly(A)-containing mRNAs is one of the main strategies of rotavirus to control cell translation and therefore the host antiviral and stress responses.
Differentiation of Human Fetal Multipotential Neural Progenitor Cells to Astrocytes Reveals Susceptibility Factors for JC Virus
Authors: Ferenczy Michael W. , Johnson Kory R. , Marshall Leslie J. , Monaco Maria Chiara , Major Eugene O.
Published: March 2013

Viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are of increasing concern, especially among immunocompromised populations. Rodent models are often inappropriate for studies of CNS infection, as many viruses, including JC virus (JCV) and HIV, cannot replicate in rodent cells. Consequently, human fetal brain-derived multipotential CNS progenitor cells (NPCs) that can be differentiated into neurons, oligodendrocytes, or astrocytes have served as a model in CNS studies. NPCs can be nonproductively infected by JCV, while infection of progenitor-derived astrocytes (PDAs) is robust. We profiled cellular gene expression at multiple times during differentiation of NPCs to PDAs. Several activated transcription factors show commonality between cells of the brain, in which JCV replicates, and lymphocytes, in which JCV is likely latent. Bioinformatic analysis determined transcription factors that may influence the favorable transcriptional environment for JCV in PDAs. This study attempts to provide a framework for understanding the functional transcriptional profile necessary for productive JCV infection.
Generation of Genetically Stable Recombinant Rotaviruses Containing Novel Genome Rearrangements and Heterologous Sequences by Reverse Genetics
Authors: Navarro Aitor , Trask Shane D. , Patton John T.
Published: March 2013

The rotavirus (RV) genome consists of 11 segments of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Typically, each segment contains 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) that flank an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a single protein. RV variants with segments of atypical size owing to sequence rearrangements have been described. In many cases, the rearrangement originates from a partial head-to-tail sequence duplication that initiates after the stop codon of the ORF, leaving the protein product of the segment unaffected. To probe the limits of the RV genome to accommodate additional genetic sequence, we used reverse genetics to insert duplications (analogous to synthetic rearrangements) and heterologous sequences into the 3′ UTR of the segment encoding NSP2 (gene 8). The approach allowed the recovery of recombinant RVs that contained sequence duplications (up to 200 bp) and heterologous sequences, including those for FLAG, the hepatitis C virus E2 epitope, and the internal ribosome entry site of cricket paralysis virus. The recombinant RVs grew to high titer (>10
7
PFU/ml) and remained genetically stable during serial passage. Despite their longer 3′ UTRs, rearranged RNAs of recombinant RVs expressed wild-type levels of protein
in vivo
. Competitive growth experiments indicated that, unlike RV segments with naturally occurring sequence duplications, genetically engineered segments were less efficiently packaged into progeny viruses. Thus, features of naturally occurring rearranged segments, other than their increased length, contribute to their enhanced packaging phenotype. Our results define strategies for developing recombinant RVs as expression vectors, potentially leading to next-generation RV vaccines that induce protection against other infectious agents.
Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Adenovirus Type 5 Vector-Induced Memory CD8 T Cells: Not as Bad as Their Reputation
Authors: Steffensen Maria Abildgaard , Holst Peter Johannes , Steengaard Sanne Skovvang , Jensen Benjamin Anderschou Holbech , Bartholdy Christina , Stryhn Anette , Christensen Jan Pravsgaard , Thomsen Allan Randrup
Published: March 2013

It has been reported that adenovirus (Ad)-primed CD8 T cells may display a distinct and partially exhausted phenotype. Given the practical implications of this claim, we decided to analyze in detail the quality of Ad-primed CD8 T cells by directly comparing these cells to CD8 T cells induced through infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). We found that localized immunization with intermediate doses of Ad vector induces a moderate number of functional CD8 T cells which qualitatively match those found in LCMV-infected mice. The numbers of these cells may be efficiently increased by additional adenoviral boosting, and, importantly, the generated secondary memory cells cannot be qualitatively differentiated from those induced by primary infection with replicating virus. Quantitatively, DNA priming prior to Ad vaccination led to even higher numbers of memory cells. In this case, the vaccination led to the generation of a population of memory cells characterized by relatively low CD27 expression and high CD127 and killer cell lectin-like receptor subfamily G member 1 (KLRG1) expression. These memory CD8 T cells were capable of proliferating in response to viral challenge and protecting against infection with live virus. Furthermore, viral challenge was followed by sustained expansion of the memory CD8 T-cell population, and the generated memory cells did not appear to have been driven toward exhaustive differentiation. Based on these findings, we suggest that adenovirus-based prime-boost regimens (including Ad serotype 5 [Ad5] and Ad5-like vectors) represent an effective means to induce a substantially expanded, long-lived population of high-quality transgene-specific memory CD8 T cells.
Phylogenetic Considerations in Designing a Broadly Protective Multimeric L2 Vaccine
Authors: Jagu Subhashini , Kwak Kihyuck , Schiller John T. , Lowy Douglas R. , Kleanthous Harold , Kalnin Kirill , Wang Chenguang , Wang Hsu-Kun , Chow Louise T. , Huh Warner K. , Jaganathan Kilvani S. , Chivukula Sudha V. , Roden Richard B. S.
Published: March 2013

While the oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) types with the greatest medical impact are clustered within the α9 and α7 species, a significant fraction of cervical cancers are caused by α5, α6, and α11 viruses. Benign genital warts are caused principally by the α10 viruses HPV6 and HPV11. In an effort to achieve broad protection against both cervical cancer- and genital wart-associated types, we produced at high levels in bacteria a multimeric protein (α11-88x8) fusing eight polypeptides corresponding to a protective domain comprising L2 residues ∼11 to 88 derived from HPV6 (α10), HPV16 (α9), HPV18 (α7), HPV31 (α9), HPV39 (α7), HPV51 (α5), HPV56 (α6), and HPV73 (α11) and a truncated derivative with the last three units deleted (α11-88x5). Mice were immunized three times with α11-88x8 or α11-88x5 adjuvanted with alum or the licensed HPV vaccines and challenged intravaginally with HPV6, HPV16, HPV26, HPV31, HPV33, HPV35, HPV45, HPV51, HPV56, HPV58, or HPV59 pseudovirions. The α11-88x5 and α11-88x8 vaccines induced similarly robust protection against each HPV type tested and indistinguishable HPV16-neutralizing antibody titers. Passive transfer of α11-88x8 antisera was protective. Further, rabbit antisera to α11-88x8 and α11-88x5 similarly neutralized native HPV18 virions. These findings suggest that immunologic competition between units is not a significant issue and that it is not necessary to include a unit of L2 derived from each species to achieve broader protection against diverse medically significant HPV types than is achieved with the licensed HPV vaccines.
The Cellular Decapping Activators LSm1, Pat1, and Dhh1 Control the Ratio of Subgenomic to Genomic Flock House Virus RNAs
Authors: Giménez-Barcons Mireia , Alves-Rodrigues Isabel , Jungfleisch Jennifer , Van Wynsberghe Priscilla M. , Ahlquist Paul , Díez Juana
Published: March 2013

Positive-strand RNA viruses depend on recruited host factors to control critical replication steps. Previously, it was shown that replication of evolutionarily diverse positive-strand RNA viruses, such as hepatitis C virus and brome mosaic virus, depends on host decapping activators LSm1-7, Pat1, and Dhh1 (J. Diez et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 97:3913–3918, 2000; A. Mas et al., J. Virol. 80:246 –251, 2006; N. Scheller et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 106:13517–13522, 2009). By using a system that allows the replication of the insect Flock House virus (FHV) in yeast, here we show that LSm1-7, Pat1, and Dhh1 control the ratio of subgenomic RNA3 to genomic RNA1 production, a key feature in the FHV life cycle mediated by a long-distance base pairing within RNA1. Depletion of
LSM1
,
PAT1
, or
DHH1
dramatically increased RNA3 accumulation during replication. This was not caused by differences between RNA1 and RNA3 steady-state levels in the absence of replication. Importantly, coimmunoprecipitation assays indicated that LSm1-7, Pat1, and Dhh1 interact with the FHV RNA genome and the viral polymerase. By using a strategy that allows dissecting different stages of the replication process, we found that LSm1-7, Pat1, and Dhh1 did not affect the early replication steps of RNA1 recruitment to the replication complex or RNA1 synthesis. Furthermore, their function on RNA3/RNA1 ratios was independent of the membrane compartment, where replication occurs and requires ATPase activity of the Dhh1 helicase. Together, these results support that LSm1-7, Pat1, and Dhh1 control RNA3 synthesis. Their described function in mediating cellular mRNP rearrangements suggests a parallel role in mediating key viral RNP transitions, such as the one required to maintain the balance between the alternative FHV RNA1 conformations that control RNA3 synthesis.
The TobamovirusTurnip Vein Clearing Virus30-Kilodalton Movement Protein Localizes to Novel Nuclear Filaments To Enhance Virus Infection
Authors: Levy Amit , Zheng Judy Y. , Lazarowitz Sondra G.
Published: March 2013

Plant viruses overcome the barrier of the plant cell wall by encoding cell-to-cell movement proteins (MPs), which direct newly replicated viral genomes to, and across, the wall. The paradigm for how a single MP regulates and coordinates these activities is theTobacco mosaic virus(TMV) 30-kDa protein (MPTMV). Detailed studies demonstrate that TMV multiplies exclusively in the cytoplasm and have documented associations of MPTMVwith endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, microtubules, and plasmodesmata throughout the course of infection. As TMV poorly infectsArabidopsis thaliana,Turnip vein clearing virus(TVCV) is the tobamovirus of choice for studies in this model plant. A key problem, which has contributed to confusion in the field, is the unproven assumption that the TVCV and TMV life cycles are identical. We engineered an infectious TVCV replicon that expressed a functional fluorescence-tagged MPTVCVand report here the unexpected discovery that MPTVCV, beyond localizing to ER membrane and plasmodesmata, targeted to the nucleus in a nuclear localization signal (NLS)-dependent manner, where it localized to novel F-actin-containing filaments that associated with chromatin. The MPTVCVNLS appeared to be conserved in the subgroup 3 tobamoviruses, and our mutational analyses showed that nuclear localization of MPTVCVwas necessary for efficient TVCV cell-to-cell movement and systemic infection inNicotiana benthamianaandArabidopsis thaliana. Our studies identify a novel nuclear stage in TVCV infection and suggest that nuclear MP encoded by TVCV and other subgroup 3 tobamoviruses interacts with F-actin and chromatin to modulate host defenses or cellular physiology to favor virus movement and infection.
Screening athletes for cardiovascular disease in Africa: a challenging experience
Authors: Schmied Christian , Di Paolo Fernando M , Zerguini A Yacine , Dvorak Jiri , Pelliccia Antonio
Published: March 2013

Aims

Preparticipation cardiovascular (CV) screening has been advocated as an efficient strategy to reduce sudden cardiac death in Caucasian athletes. At present, uncertainty remains if such strategy is feasible and efficient in native African athletes. To this scope, we performed a CV screening in an African setting.

Methods

210 male Gabonian football players were examined with history, physical examination, ECG and echocardiography.

Results

On history, 19 players (9%) referred atypical chest discomfort/oppression. Familial sudden death was referred by 36 (17%). No anomalies were detected at physical examination. ECG showed large proportions of ‘training-related’ abnormalities, that is, ST-segment elevation in precordial leads in 150 (71.4%), and isolated increase in R/S-wave voltage in 116 (55.2%). A substantial subset (12.4%) showed ‘training-unrelated’ abnormalities, that is, inverted T-waves in 10 (4.8%), left atrial enlargement in 8 (4%), deep Q-waves in 3 (1.4%). On echocardiography, one athlete meet criteria for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM); none showed evidence for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Other abnormalities included mitral valve prolapse in three, atrial septal defect in two and pulmonary hypertension in one.

Conclusions

About 12% of native African athletes showed ECG abnormalities unrelated to training and requiring additional testing and periodical follow-up. Structural abnormalities were found, however, in a minority (5%), including HCM in one, but no ARVC or DCM. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that preparticipation CV screening is efficient to identify (or raise suspicion) for CV abnormalities in native African athletes, but challenging for conclusive identification of cardiac diseases in the difficult scenario of a developing African country.
Impact of isoniazid preventive therapy on mortality among children less than 5 years old following exposure to tuberculosis at home in Guinea-Bissau: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Gomes Victor Francisco , Andersen Andreas , Lemvik Grethe , Wejse Christian , Oliveira Ines , Vieira Fina J , Carlos Luis José , Vieira Cesaltina da Silva , Aaby Peter , Gustafson Per
Published: March 2013

Objective

In a cohort of children less than 5 years old exposed to adult intrathoracic tuberculosis (TB) in 1996–1998, we found 66% increased mortality compared with community controls. In 2005, we implemented isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) for children exposed to TB at home, and the present study evaluates the effect of this intervention on mortality.

Setting

This prospective cohort study was conducted in six suburban areas included in the demographic surveillance system of the Bandim Health Project in Bissau, the capital city of Guinea-Bissau.

Participants

All children less than 5 years of age and living in the same house as an adult with intrathoracic TB registered for treatment in the study area between 2005 and 2007 were evaluated for inclusion in the IPT programme.

Main outcome measures (end points)

The all-cause mortality rate ratio (MRR) between exposed children on IPT, exposed without IPT and unexposed community control children.

Results

A total of 1396 children were identified as living in the same houses as 416 adult TB cases; of those, 691 were enrolled in the IPT programme. Compared with community controls, the IPT children had an MRR of 0.30 (95%CI 0.1 to 1.2). The MRR comparing exposed children with and without IPT was 0.21 (0.0 to 1.1). The relative mortality in IPT children compared with community controls in 2005–2008 differed significantly from the relative mortality of exposed untreated children compared with the community controls in 1996–1998 (test of interaction, p=0.01).

Conclusions

In 2005–2008, exposed children on IPT had 70% lower mortality than the community control children, though not significantly. Relative to the community control children, the mortality among TB-exposed children on IPT in 2005–2008 was significantly lower than the mortality among TB-exposed children not on IPT in 1996–1998.
The impact of a father's presence during newborn resuscitation: a qualitative interview study with healthcare professionals
Authors: Harvey Merryl E , Pattison Helen M
Published: March 2013

Objective

To explore healthcare professionals’ experiences around the time of newborn resuscitation in the delivery room, when the baby's father was present.

Design

A qualitative descriptive, retrospective design using the critical incident approach. Tape-recorded semistructured interviews were undertaken with healthcare professionals involved in newborn resuscitation. Participants recalled resuscitation events when the baby's father was present. They described what happened and how those present, including the father, responded. They also reflected upon the impact of the resuscitation and the father's presence on themselves. Participant responses were analysed using thematic analysis.

Setting

A large teaching hospital in the UK.

Participants

Purposive sampling was utilised. It was anticipated that 35–40 participants would be recruited. Forty-nine potential participants were invited to take part. The final sample consisted of 37 participants including midwives, obstetricians, anaesthetists, neonatal nurse practitioners, neonatal nurses and paediatricians.

Results

Four themes were identified: ‘whose role?’ ‘saying and doing’ ‘teamwork’ and ‘impact on me’. While no-one was delegated to support the father during the resuscitation, midwives and anaesthetists most commonly took on this role. Participants felt the midwife was the most appropriate person to support fathers. All healthcare professional groups said they often did not know what to say to fathers during prolonged resuscitation. Teamwork was felt to be of benefit to all concerned, including the father. Some paediatricians described their discomfort when fathers came to the resuscitaire. None of the participants had received education and training specifically on supporting fathers during newborn resuscitation.

Conclusions

This is the first known study to specifically explore the experiences of healthcare professionals of the father's presence during newborn resuscitation. The findings suggest the need for more focused training about supporting fathers. There is also scope for service providers to consider ways in which fathers can be supported more readily during newborn resuscitation.
PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION OF DATA CUBES ON MULTI-CORE MULTI-DISK PLATFORMS
Authors: DEHNE FRANK , ZABOLI HAMIDREZA
Published: March 2013

On-line Analytical Processing (OLAP) has become one of the most powerful and prominent technologies for knowledge discovery in VLDB (Very Large Database) environments. Central to the OLAP paradigm is the data cube, a multi dimensional hierarchy of aggregate values that provides a rich analytical model for decision support. Various sequential algorithms for the efficient generation of the data cube have appeared in the literature. However, given the size of contemporary data warehousing repositories, multi-processor solutions are crucial for the massive computational demands of current and future OLAP systems.

In this paper we discuss the development of MCMD-CUBE, a new parallel data cube construction method for multi-core processors with multiple disks. We present experimental results for a Sandy Bridge multi-core processor with four parallel disks. Our experiments indicate that MCMD-CUBE achieves very close to linear speedup. A critical part of our MCMD-CUBE method is parallel sorting. We developed a new parallel sorting method termed MCMD-SORT for multi-core processors with multiple disks which outperforms other previous methods.
FAULT TOLERANCE TASK EXECUTION THROUGH COOPERATIVE COMPUTING IN GRID
Authors: GORAYA MAJOR SINGH , KAUR LAKHWINDER
Published: March 2013

To achieve fault tolerant task execution in grid, cooperative computing system (CCS) is proposed in this paper. Grid resources with similar statistical characteristics constitute the computing nodes in CCS. CCS executes the allocated task, considered as its primary task, by organizing the computing nodes as active and active-standby. At a moment of time, one of the node acts as active node to execute the task whereas rest of the nodes act as active-standby to provide execution backup to the task. Computing nodes in CCS may fail during task execution due to the failure/exit of their corresponding resources. To maintain the fault tolerant ability of CCS, a failed node is repaired dynamically by replacing its corresponding resource with alternative matching resource from grid. The number of computing nodes in CCS is decided by optimizing the service reliability with respect to the execution overhead of the primary task. Resource usage is optimized in CCS by overloading the primary task at each active-standby node with a low priority secondary task. Active-standby nodes execute their low priority secondary tasks concurrently to providing execution backup to the primary task. Service reliability, system throughput and task delay is observed in the simulation experiments to explore the fault tolerant ability of CCS. A task set of 500 grid tasks is repeatedly executed by varying task duration and rate of resource failure. Simulation results show that CCS outperforms the existing fault tolerant approaches being used in grid. In CCS, fault tolerant task execution is achieved without compromising on account of resource utilization as well.
Copper β-trinitrocorrolates
Authors: Stefanelli Manuela , Nardis Sara , Fronczek Frank R. , Smith Kevin M. , Paolesse Roberto
Published: March 2013

The β-nitration reaction carried out on the corrole macrocycle has been shown to be extremely regioselective, although the reduced symmetry of the macrocycle could potentially lead to a huge number of possible regioisomers. We recently reported that the careful use of AgNO 2/ NaNO 2 as a nitrating system enabled the achievement in good yields of mono- and dinitro-derivatives on both corrole free base and its copper complex, proving to be an efficient and cost-effective method. In this work, we present a detailed study of the scope of this method using TtBuCorrH 3 as a model corrole. A further increase of the oxidant pushes the nitration up to the functionalization of three β-pyrrolic positions, although concomitant decomposition of the macrocycle is also observed. The application of the proven nitration method with a five-fold excess of both silver and sodium nitrites with respect to corrole, afforded the 2,3,17-( NO 2)3- TtBuPCorrCu as the main product, in 25% yield, together with traces of another compound identified by X-ray crystallographic analysis as the 3,8,17-( NO 2)3- TtBuPCorrCu isomer. In light of these recent results, we also reinvestigated the characterization of the nitration products obtained from bis-substitution reactions, allowing among others the identification of the copper 3,8-( NO 2)2 corrolate.
INHOMOGENEOUS LARGE DEFORMATION KINETICS OF POLYMERIC GELS
Authors: TOH WILLIAM , LIU ZISHUN , NG TENG YONG , HONG WEI
Published: March 2013

This work examines the dynamics of nonlinear large deformation of polymeric gels, and the kinetics of gel deformation is carried out through the coupling of existing hyperelastic theory for gels with kinetic laws for diffusion of small molecules. As finite element (FE) models for the transient swelling process is not available in commercial FE software, we develop a customized FE model/methodology which can be used to simulate the transient swelling process of hydrogels. The method is based on the similarity between diffusion and heat transfer laws by determining the equivalent thermal properties for gel kinetics. Several numerical examples are investigated to explore the capabilities of the present FE model, namely: a cube to study free swelling; one-dimensional constrained swelling; a rectangular block fixed to a rigid substrate to study swelling under external constraints; and a thin annulus fixed at the inner core to study buckling phenomena. The simulation results for the constrained block and one-dimensional constrained swelling are compared with available experimental data, and these comparisons show a good degree of similarity. In addition to this work providing a valuable tool to researchers for the study of gel kinetic deformation in the various applications of soft matter, we also hope to inspire works to adopt this simplified approach, in particular to kinetic studies of diffusion-driven mechanisms.
C-reactive protein exacerbates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Pegues Melissa A. , McCrory Mark A. , Zarjou Abolfazl , Szalai Alexander J.
Published: March 2013

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), occurring with hypotension and cardiovascular surgery and inevitably during kidney transplantation. Mortality from AKI is high due to incomplete knowledge of the pathogenesis of IRI and the lack of an effective therapy. Inflammation accompanies IRI and increases the blood level of C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of worsened outcomes in AKI. To test if CRP is causal in AKI we subjected wild-type mice (WT) and human CRP transgenic mice (CRPtg) to bilateral renal IRI (both pedicles clamped for 30 min at 37°C then reperfused for 24 h). Serum human CRP level was increased approximately sixfold after IRI in CRPtg (10.62 ± 1.31 μg/ml at baseline vs. 72.01 ± 9.41 μg/ml at 24 h) but was not elevated by sham surgery wherein kidneys were manipulated but not clamped. Compared with WT, serum creatinine, urine albumin, and histological evidence of kidney damage were increased after IRI in CRPtg mice. RT-PCR analysis of mRNA isolated from whole kidneys of CRPtg and WT subjected to IRI revealed that in CRPtg kidneys 1) upregulation of markers of macrophage classical activation (M1 markers) was blunted, 2) downregulation of markers of macrophage alternative activation (M2 markers) was more robust, and 3) expression of the activating receptor FcγRI was increased. Our finding that CRP exacerbates IRI-induced AKI, perhaps by shifting the balance of macrophage activation and FcγR expression towards a detrimental portfolio, might make CRP a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of AKI.
Postnatal development of synaptic properties of the GABAergic projection from the inferior colliculus to the auditory thalamus
Authors: Venkataraman Yamini , Bartlett Edward L
Published: March 2013

The development of auditory temporal processing is important for processing complex sounds as well as for acquiring reading and language skills. Neuronal properties and sound processing change dramatically in auditory cortex neurons after the onset of hearing. However, the development of the auditory thalamus or medial geniculate body (MGB) has not been well studied over this critical time window. Since synaptic inhibition has been shown to be crucial for auditory temporal processing, this study examined the development of a feedforward, GABAergic connection to the MGB from the inferior colliculus (IC), which is also the source of sensory glutamatergic inputs to the MGB. IC-MGB inhibition was studied using whole cell patch-clamp recordings from rat brain slices in current-clamp and voltage-clamp modes at three age groups: a prehearing group [ postnatal day (P)7–P9], an immediate posthearing group (P15–P17), and a juvenile group (P22–P32) whose neuronal properties are largely mature. Membrane properties matured substantially across the ages studied. GABAA and GABAB inhibitory postsynaptic potentials were present at all ages and were similar in amplitude. Inhibitory postsynaptic potentials became faster to single shocks, showed less depression to train stimuli at 5 and 10 Hz, and were overall more efficacious in controlling excitability with age. Overall, IC-MGB inhibition becomes faster and more precise during a time period of rapid changes across the auditory system due to the codevelopment of membrane properties and synaptic properties.
Representation of tactile curvature in macaque somatosensory area 2
Authors: Yau Jeffrey M. , Connor Charles E. , Hsiao Steven S.
Published: March 2013

Tactile shape information is elaborated in a cortical hierarchy spanning primary (SI) and secondary somatosensory cortex (SII). Indeed, SI neurons in areas 3b and 1 encode simple contour features such as small oriented bars and edges, whereas higher order SII neurons represent large curved contour features such as angles and arcs. However, neural coding of these contour features has not been systematically characterized in area 2, the most caudal SI subdivision in the postcentral gyrus. In the present study, we analyzed area 2 neural responses to embossed oriented bars and curved contour fragments to establish whether curvature representations are generated in the postcentral gyrus. We found that many area 2 neurons (26 of 112) exhibit clear curvature tuning, preferring contours pointing in a particular direction. Fewer area 2 neurons (15 of 112) show preferences for oriented bars. Because area 2 response patterns closely resembled SII patterns, we also compared area 2 and SII response time courses to characterize the temporal dynamics of curvature synthesis in the somatosensory system. We found that curvature representations develop and peak concurrently in area 2 and SII. These results reveal that transitions from orientation tuning to curvature selectivity in the somatosensory cortical hierarchy occur within SI rather than between SI and SII.
Responses of single corticospinal neurons to intracortical stimulation of primary motor and premotor cortex in the anesthetized macaque monkey
Authors: Maier Marc A. , Kirkwood Peter A. , Brochier Thomas , Lemon Roger N.
Published: March 2013

The responses of individual primate corticospinal neurons to localized electrical stimulation of primary motor (M1) and of ventral premotor cortex (area F5) are poorly documented. To rectify this and to study interactions between responses from these areas, we recorded corticospinal axons, identified by pyramidal tract stimulation, in the cervical spinal cord of three chloralose-anesthetized macaque monkeys. Single stimuli (≤400 μA) were delivered to the hand area of M1 or F5 through intracortical microwire arrays. Only 14/112 (13%) axons showed responses to M1 stimuli that indicated direct intracortical activation of corticospinal neurons (D-responses); no D-responses were seen from F5. In contrast, 62 axons (55%) exhibited consistent later responses to M1 stimulation, corresponding to indirect activation (I-responses), showing that single-pulse intracortical stimulation of motor areas can result in trans-synaptic activation of a high proportion of the corticospinal output. A combined latency histogram of all axon responses was nonperiodic, clearly different from the periodic surface-recorded corticospinal volleys. This was readily explained by correcting for conduction velocities of individual axons. D-responding axons, taken as originating in neurons close to the M1 stimulating electrodes, showed more I-responses from M1 than those without a D-response, and 8/10 of these axons also responded to F5 stimulation. Altogether, 33% of tested axons responded to F5 stimulation, most of which also showed I-responses from M1. These excitatory effects are in keeping with facilitation of hand muscles evoked from F5 being relayed via M1. This was further demonstrated by facilitation of test responses from M1 by conditioning F5 stimuli.
Evaluation of MGIT 960 System for the Second-Line Drugs Susceptibility Testing ofMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Kim Hyejin , Seo Minji , Park Young Kil , Yoo Jae-Il , Lee Yeong Seon , Chung Gyung Tae , Ryoo Sungweon
Published: March 2013

Many laboratories validate DST of the second-line drugs by BACTEC MGIT 960 system. The objective of this study is to evaluate the critical concentration and perform DST for the 2nd line drugs. We evaluated 193 clinical strains ofM. tuberculosisisolated from patients in South Korea. Testing the critical concentration of six second-line drugs was performed by MGIT 960 and compared with L-J proportion method. The critical concentration was determined to establish the most one that gave the difference between drug resistance and susceptibility in MGIT960 system. Good agreement of the following concentrations was found: Concordance was 95% for 0.5 μg/mL of moxifloxacin; 93.6%, 1.0 μg/mL of levofloxacin; 97.5%, 2.5 μg/mL of kanamycin; 90.6%, 2.5 μg/mL of capreomycin; 86.2%, 5.0 μg/mL of ethionamide; and 90.8%, 2.0 μg/mL ofρ-aminosalicylic acid. The critical concentrations of the four drugs, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, kanamycin, and capreomycin, were concordant and reliable for testing 2nd line drug resistance. Further study of ethionamide andρ-aminosalicylic acid is required.
Robust and Automated Internal Quality Grading of a Chinese Green Tea (Longjing) by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics
Authors: Fu Xian-Shu , Xu Lu , Yu Xiao-Ping , Ye Zi-Hong , Cui Hai-Feng
Published: March 2013

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and chemometric methods were applied to internal quality control of a Chinese green tea, Longjing, with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). A total of 2745 authentic Longjing tea samples of three different grades were analyzed by NIR spectroscopy. To remove the influence of abnormal samples, The Stahel-Donoho estimate (SDE) of outlyingness was used for outlier analysis. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA) was then used to classify the grades of tea based on NIR spectra. Different data preprocessing methods, including smoothing, taking second-order derivative (D2) spectra, and standard normal variate (SNV) transformation, were performed to reduce unwanted spectral variations in samples of the same grade before classification models were developed. The results demonstrate that smoothing, taking D2 spectra, and SNV can improve the performance of PLSDA models. With SNV spectra, the model sensitivity was 1.000, 0.955, and 0.924, and the model specificity was 0.979, 0.952, and 0.996 for samples of three grades, respectively. FT-NIR spectrometry and chemometrics can provide a robust and effective tool for rapid internal quality control of Longjing green tea.
A Survey of Results on the Limit -Bernstein Operator
Authors: Ostrovska Sofiya
Published: March 2013

The limit -Bernstein operator emerges naturally as a modification of the Szász-Mirakyan operator related to the Euler distribution, which is used in the -boson theory to describe the energy distribution in a -analogue of the coherent state. At the same time, this operator bears a significant role in the approximation theory as an exemplary model for the study of the convergence of the -operators. Over the past years, the limit -Bernstein operator has been studied widely from different perspectives. It has been shown that is a positive shape-preserving linear operator on with . Its approximation properties, probabilistic interpretation, the behavior of iterates, and the impact on the smoothness of a function have already been examined. In this paper, we present a review of the results on the limit -Bernstein operator related to the approximation theory. A complete bibliography is supplied.
Development of an Analytically Described Pitch Regulator for a Wind Turbine to Be Used for Grid Disturbance Studies
Authors: Tokat Pinar , Thiringer Torbjörn , Chen Peiyuan
Published: March 2013

In this paper, a pitch controller for a variable-speed wind turbine to be used in the high wind speed region is derived. The pitch regulator parameters are determined using analytical expressions and are compared with numerical calculations. In order to derive the pitch regulated wind turbine model, blade element momentum theory is utilized and reformulated analytically. Appropriate simplifications are made and, finally, the analytically derived pitch regulated wind turbine model is tested under grid disturbances such as voltage dips and spinning reserve provision. From this work it was found that by linearizing the blade profiles, one can analytically derive a fully functioned pitch regulator. In spite of all nonlinearities, a single pitch controller setting which is valid for the whole operation region is shown to be sufficient. This system is tested under grid disturbances and it is proven that the system is capable of operating well during a 0% remaining voltage dip and also during the voltage recovery back to the rated voltage level. Accordingly, grid codes commonly referred to can be handled with this simply derived pitch regulator. Moreover, it is shown that the derived system works well for a spinning reserve application using a 90% spinning reserve ability and still maintains a robust turbine control.
A Global Curvature Pinching Result of the First Eigenvalue of the Laplacian on Riemannian Manifolds
Authors: Wang Peihe , Li Ying
Published: March 2013

The paper starts with a discussion involving the Sobolev constant on geodesic balls and then follows with a derivation of a lower bound for the first eigenvalue of the Laplacian on manifolds with small negative curvature. The derivation involves Moser iteration.