bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous Mutation at Amino Acid 544 of the Ebola Virus Glycoprotein Potentiates Virus Entry and Selection in Tissue Culture
Authors: Ruedas John B. , Ladner Jason T. , Ettinger Chelsea R. , Gummuluru Suryaram , Palacios Gustavo , Connor John H. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

Ebolaviruses have a surface glycoprotein (GP
1,2
) that is required for virus attachment and entry into cells. Mutations affecting GP
1,2
functions can alter virus growth properties. We generated a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus encoding Ebola virus Makona variant GP
1,2
(rVSV-MAK-GP) and observed emergence of a T544I mutation in the Makona GP
1,2
gene during tissue culture passage in certain cell lines. The T544I mutation emerged within two passages when VSV-MAK-GP was grown on Vero E6, Vero, and BS-C-1 cells but not when it was passaged on Huh7 and HepG2 cells. The mutation led to a marked increase in virus growth kinetics and conferred a robust growth advantage over wild-type rVSV-MAK-GP on Vero E6 cells. Analysis of complete viral genomes collected from patients in western Africa indicated that this mutation was not found in Ebola virus clinical samples. However, we observed the emergence of T544I during serial passage of various Ebola Makona isolates on Vero E6 cells. Three independent isolates showed emergence of T544I from undetectable levels in nonpassaged virus or virus passaged once to frequencies of greater than 60% within a single passage, consistent with it being a tissue culture adaptation. Intriguingly, T544I is not found in any Sudan, Bundibugyo, or Tai Forest ebolavirus sequences. Furthermore, T544I did not emerge when we serially passaged recombinant VSV encoding GP
1,2
from these ebolaviruses. This report provides experimental evidence that the spontaneous mutation T544I is a tissue culture adaptation in certain cell lines and that it may be unique for the species
Zaire ebolavirus
.

IMPORTANCE
The Ebola virus (Zaire) species is the most lethal species of all ebolaviruses in terms of mortality rate and number of deaths. Understanding how the Ebola virus surface glycoprotein functions to facilitate entry in cells is an area of intense research. Recently, three groups independently identified a polymorphism in the Ebola glycoprotein (I544) that enhanced virus entry, but they did not agree in their conclusions regarding its impact on pathogenesis. Our findings here address the origins of this polymorphism and provide experimental evidence showing that it is the result of a spontaneous mutation (T544I) specific to tissue culture conditions, suggesting that it has no role in pathogenesis. We further show that this mutation may be unique to the species
Zaire ebolavirus
, as it does not occur in Sudan, Bundibugyo, and Tai Forest ebolaviruses. Understanding the mechanism behind this mutation can provide insight into functional differences that exist in culture conditions and among ebolavirus glycoproteins.
Cervicofacial and mediastinal emphysema complicating tooth extraction in an elderly patient: a preventable complication
Authors: Akra Gabriel Ayonmigbesimi , Yousif Khalid 
Published: May 2017

Subcutaneous emphysema is widely documented in the literature and well known by doctors and dentists. However, subcutaneous emphysema following tooth extraction is not very common.We report the case of a 72-year-old female who presented to the emergency department of the Bunbury Hospital in Bunbury in the state of Western Australia in Australia, with subcutaneous emphysema of the face and neck with extension into the mediastinum, following a complicated tooth extraction in 2016. It was a dramatic and scary occurrence for both the patient and dentist, but totally preventable. The investigations and treatment could have been very invasive. However, with limited and essential management, the process was kept simple and safe for the patient.
Intrinsic conformal symmetries in Szekeres models
Authors: Apostolopoulos Pantelis S. 
Published: May 2017

We show that Spatially Inhomogeneous (SI) and Irrotational dust models admit a six-dimensional algebra of Intrinsic Conformal Vector Fields (ICVFs) [Formula: see text] satisfying [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the associated metric of the two-dimensional distribution [Formula: see text] normal to the fluid velocity [Formula: see text] and the radial unit space-like vector field [Formula: see text]. The Intrinsic Conformal (IC) algebra is determined for each of the curvature value [Formula: see text] that characterizes the structure of the screen space [Formula: see text]. In addition the conformal flatness of the hypersurfaces [Formula: see text] indicates the existence of a ten-dimensional algebra of ICVFs of the three-dimensional metric [Formula: see text]. We illustrate this expectation and propose a method to derive them by giving explicitly the seven proper ICVFs of the Lemaître–Tolman–Bondi (LTB) model which represents the simplest subclass within the Szekeres family.
“Twisted” black holes are unphysical
Authors: Gray Finnian , Santiago Jessica , Schuster Sebastian , Visser Matt 
Published: May 2017

So-called “twisted” black holes were recently proposed by [H. Zhang, arXiv:1609.09721 ], and were further considered by [S. Chen and J. Jing, arXiv:1610.00886 ]. More recently, they were severely criticized by [Y. C. Ong, J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys. 1701, 001 (2017)]. While these spacetimes are certainly Ricci-flat, and so mathematically satisfy the vacuum Einstein equations, they are also merely minor variants on Taub–NUT spacetimes. Consequently, they exhibit several unphysical features that make them quite unreasonable as realistic astrophysical objects. Specifically, these “twisted” black holes are not (globally) asymptotically flat. Furthermore, they contain closed time-like curves that are not hidden behind any event horizon — the most obvious of these closed time-like curves are small azimuthal circles around the rotation axis, but the effect is more general. The entire region outside the horizon is infested with closed time-like curves.
The effect of processing on the properties of CuInS2 nanomaterials synthesized by simple hot injection route
Authors: Chen Qin-Miao , Zhou Fang-Fang , Yuan Hong-Chun , Chen Jin , Ni Yi , Zhu Xi-Fang , Dou Xiao-Ming 
Published: May 2017

Chalcopyrite and wurtzite CuInS2 (CIS) nanomaterials were synthesized from Cu[Formula: see text], In[Formula: see text], thiourea with or without triethanolamine (TEA) by simple hot injection method at low temperature. The effect of synthesis duration on the various properties of the synthesized CIS nanomaterials was studied. It shows that for chalcopyrite CIS, the optimal synthesis duration is 60 min and the synthesized nanomaterial is in spherical shape with diameter of about 90 nm. However, for the wurtzite CIS, the optimal synthesis duration should reach 150 min and the synthesized nanomaterial looks like nanoplate with thicknesses of [Formula: see text]10 nm and diameters near 100 nm. The photovoltaic characteristics of two types of nanomaterials are quite different. This study may contribute to the synthesis of CIS nanomaterials at low temperatures.
The synthesis of Ba2+-doped multiferroic BiFeO3 nanoparticles using co-precipitation method in the presence of various surfactants and the investigation of structural and magnetic features
Authors: Mardani Reza 
Published: May 2017

In this paper, doped bismuth ferrite nanoparticles with barium (Bi[Formula: see text]Ba[Formula: see text]FeO[Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] = 0.1, 0.15, 0.2) were synthesized by co-precipitation method in the presence of various surface activators. Structural properties, magnetic properties and the size of synthesized nanoparticles were investigated by different techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and vibration sample magnetometry (VSM). The data obtained from XRD analysis showed a phase shift from rhombohedral to tetragonal structure by the enhancement of Barium amount in Bismuth ferrite structure. The results of TEM exhibit that the size of particles are 10 nm in average for the synthesized Bi[Formula: see text]Ba[Formula: see text]FeO[Formula: see text] and SEM analysis clarifies the uniform shape of particles which confirms the benign purity of the obtained material. VSM analysis shows that the best magnetic function will be observed when stoichiometric amount of Barium (Bi[Formula: see text]Ba[Formula: see text]FeO[Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text] = 0.15. The effect of diverse surface activators including Triton X-100, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was studied in the synthesis of Bi[Formula: see text]Ba[Formula: see text]FeO[Formula: see text] nanoparticles and CTAB presented the best effect on the magnetic properties of these nanoparticles.
Filling of closed surfaces
Authors: Sanki Bidyut 
Published: May 2017

Let [Formula: see text] denote a closed oriented surface of genus [Formula: see text]. A set of simple closed curves is called a filling of [Formula: see text] if its complement is a disjoint union of discs. The mapping class group [Formula: see text] of genus [Formula: see text] acts on the set of fillings of [Formula: see text]. The union of the curves in a filling forms a graph on the surface which is a so-called decorated fat graph. It is a fact that two fillings of [Formula: see text] are in the same [Formula: see text]-orbit if and only if the corresponding fat graphs are isomorphic. We prove that any filling of [Formula: see text] whose complement is a single disc (i.e. a so-called minimal filling) has either three or four closed curves and in each of these two cases, there is a unique such filling up to the action of [Formula: see text]. We provide a constructive proof to show that the minimum number of discs in the complement of a filling pair of [Formula: see text] is two. Finally, given positive integers [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text], we construct a filling pair of [Formula: see text] such that the complement is a union of [Formula: see text] topological discs.
Fossil butterflies, calibration points and the molecular clock (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea)
Authors: JONG RIENK DE 
Published: May 2017

Fossil butterflies are extremely rare. Yet, they are the only direct evidence of the first appearance of particular characters and as such, they are crucial for calibrating a molecular clock, from which divergence ages are estimated. In turn, these estimates, in combination with paleogeographic information, are most important in paleobiogeographic considerations. The key issue here is the correct allocation of fossils on the phylogenetic tree from which the molecular clock is calibrated.The allocation of a fossil on a tree should be based on an apomorphic character found in a tree based on extant species, similar to the allocation of a new extant species. In practice, the latter is not done, at least not explicitly, on the basis of apomorphy, but rather on overall similarity or on a phylogenetic analysis, which is not possible for most butterfly fossils since they usually are very fragmentary. Characters most often preserved are in the venation of the wings. Therefore, special attention is given to possible apomorphies in venational characters in extant butterflies. For estimation of divergence times, not only the correct allocation of the fossil on the tree is important, but also the tree itself influences the outcome as well as the correct determination of the age of the fossil. These three aspects are discussed. All known butterfly fossils, consisting of 49 taxa, are critically reviewed and their relationship to extant taxa is discussed as an aid for correctly calibrating a molecular clock for papilionoid Lepidoptera. In this context some aspects of age estimation and biogeographic conclusions are briefly mentioned in review. Specific information has been summarized in four appendices.
Amniotic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Exhibit Preferential Osteogenic and Chondrogenic Differentiation and Enhanced Matrix Production Compared With Adipose Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Topoluk Natasha , Hawkins Richard , Tokish John , Mercuri Jeremy 
Published: May 2017

Background: Therapeutic efficacy of various mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) types for orthopaedic applications is currently being investigated. While the concept of MSC therapy is well grounded in the basic science of healing and regeneration, little is known about individual MSC populations in terms of their propensity to promote the repair and/or regeneration of specific musculoskeletal tissues. Two promising MSC sources, adipose and amnion, have each demonstrated differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) production in the setting of musculoskeletal tissue regeneration. However, no study to date has directly compared the differentiation potential of these 2 MSC populations. Purpose: To compare the ability of human adipose- and amnion-derived MSCs to undergo osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: MSC populations from the human term amnion were quantified and characterized via cell counting, histologic assessment, and flow cytometry. Differentiation of these cells in comparison to commercially purchased human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hADSCs) in the presence and absence of differentiation media was evaluated via reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for bone and cartilage gene transcript markers and histology/immunohistochemistry to examine ECM production. Analysis of variance and paired t tests were performed to compare results across all cell groups investigated. Results: The authors confirmed that the human term amnion contains 2 primary cell types demonstrating MSC characteristics—(1) human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) and (2) human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs)—and each exhibited more than 90% staining for MSC surface markers (CD90, CD105, CD73). Average viable hAEC and hAMSC yields at harvest were 2.3 × 106 ± 3.7 × 105 and 1.6 × 106 ± 4.7 × 105 per milliliter of amnion, respectively. As well, hAECs and hAMSCs demonstrated significantly greater osteocalcin ( P = .025), aggrecan ( P < .0001), and collagen type 2 ( P = .044) gene expression compared with hADSCs, respectively, after culture in differentiation medium. Moreover, both hAECs and hAMSCs produced significantly greater quantities of mineralized ( P < .0001) and cartilaginous ( P = .0004) matrix at earlier time points compared with hADSCs when cultured under identical osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation conditions, respectively. Conclusion: Amnion-derived MSCs demonstrate a greater differentiation potential toward bone and cartilage compared with hADSCs. Clinical Relevance: Amniotic MSCs may be the source of choice in the regenerative treatment of bone or osteochondral musculoskeletal disease. They show significantly higher yields and better differentiation toward these tissues than MSCs derived from adipose.
The Effect of Intraoperative Graft Coverage With Preserved Remnant Tissue on the Results of the Pivot-Shift Test After Anatomic Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Quantitative Evaluations With an Electromagnetic Sensor System
Authors: Kitamura Nobuto , Yasuda Kazunori , Yokota Masashi , Goto Keiko , Wada Susumu , Onodera Jun , Kondo Eiji 
Published: May 2017

Background:Remnant tissue preservation may be important in improving graft healing after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, but it has yet to be established whether remnant tissue preservation improves the control of pivot-shift laxity.Hypothesis:The amount of ACL graft coverage with preserved remnant tissue improves the control of pivot-shift laxity, as qualitatively determined with an electromagnetic device.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:The 3-dimensional kinematics were evaluated intraoperatively using an electromagnetic sensor system in 38 patients at the time of anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction with remnant tissue preservation and again at a minimum of 12 months postoperatively. The magnitude of the peak coupled anterior tibial translation (pCAT) and the maximal acceleration of posterior translation (APT) during the pivot-shift test were evaluated. The degree of graft coverage by remnant tissue was determined arthroscopically at the end of surgery, which was evaluated quantitatively using a scoring system (0-9 points). The relationship between the values during the pivot-shift test and preoperative and intraoperative factors were assessed.Results:The mean (±SD) side-to-side difference of the pCAT (ΔpCAT) was significantly ( P < .0001) improved from 14.0 ± 5.0 mm to 2.6 ± 1.1 mm. Also, the mean side-to-side difference of the APT (ΔAPT) was significantly ( P < .0001) improved from 525.6 ± 99.7 mm/s2to 32.9 ± 23.6 mm/s2. The mean initial graft coverage score was 5.3 ± 2.6. The correlation analysis demonstrated that the degree of initial graft coverage was significantly correlated with the ΔpCAT ( r = −0.517, P = .0007) and ΔAPT ( r = −0.532, P = .0005). The status of the reconstructed graft at second-look arthroscopic surgery showed no significant correlations with the degree of initial graft coverage or the results of the pivot-shift test.Conclusion:The present study demonstrated that the preservation of ACL remnant tissue in anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction appears to improve the control of pivot-shift laxity at a minimum of 12 months postoperatively, as measured by an electromagnetic device. This improvement was significantly affected by the degree of intraoperative graft coverage with preserved remnant tissue.
Women, Tradition and Icons: The Gendered Use of the Torah Scrolls and the Bible in Orthodox Jewish and Christian Rituals
Authors: Belea Miruna Stefana 
Published: May 2017

This article discusses the relationship between Christian and Jewish Orthodox women with their sacred books (the Christian Bible and the Torah respectively) from a feminist point of view. While recent socio-economic changes have enabled women from an orthodox religious background to become financially independent and ultimately prosperous, from a religious perspective women’s status has not undergone major transformations. Using the cognitive principle of conceptual blending, I will focus on common aspects in Orthodox Judaism and Christianity related to sacred texts as objects, in order to shed light on the religious understanding of prosperity in the twenty-first century, beyond that of empowerment as financial gain or social status. The importance ascribed to authoritative texts both as images of divinity and sacred objects of veneration is a common trait of Orthodox Judaism and Christianity. The gendered perception of the sacred is most prominent in two similar processions. Simchat Torah, a Jewish holiday which celebrates the yearly reading cycle of the Torah, is actively celebrated only by men, who are the ones to carry the Torah scrolls. Similarly, the orthodox Good Friday procession involves a cross and the church’s copy of the Scripture together with the Holy Epitaph being carried only by men. The ban on women to carry sacred objects, at least at appointed times, as well as women’s responses in the two communities will be analysed comparatively to establish whether women commonly perceived as prosperous can make steps in order to re-evaluate the theological implications of this restriction.
Preoperative prediction of curative surgery of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma by combination of endoscopic ultrasound and computed tomography
Authors: Kammerer Sara , Meister Tobias , Wolters Heiner , Lessing Matthias , Hüsing Anna , Domagk Dirk , Floer Martin , Wilms Christian , Schmidt Hartmut , Senninger Norbert , Köhler Gabriele , Heinzow Hauke Sebastian 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundPerihilar cholangiocarcinomas are often considered incurable. Late diagnosis is common. Advanced disease therefore frequently causes questioning of curative surgical outcome.AimThis study aimed to develop a prediction model of curative surgery in patients suffering from perihilar cholangiocarcinomas based on preoperative endosonography and computer tomography.MethodsA cohort of 81 patients (median age 67 (54–75) years, 62% male) with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma was retrospectively analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of staging variables taken from the European Staging System was performed and applied to ROC analysis.ResultsThe correlation of predicted rates of eligibility for surgery with actual rates reached AUC values between 0.652 and 0.758 for endosonography and computer tomography (p  < 0.05 each). Best prediction for curative surgical option was achieved by combining endosonography and computer tomography (AUC: 0.787; 95% CI 0.680–0.893, p  < 0.0001). A predictive model (pSurg) was developed using multivariate analysis.ConclusionsOur predictive web‐based model pSurg with inclusion of T, N, M, B, PV, HA and V stage of the recently published European Staging System for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma results in highly significant predictability for curative surgery when combining preoperative endosonography and computer tomography, thus allowing for better patient selection in terms of possibility of curative surgery.
Patient Satisfaction After Biceps Tenotomy
Authors: Meeks Brett D. , Meeks Natalie M. , Froehle Andrew W. , Wareing Emily , Bonner Kevin F. 
Published: May 2017

Background: Biceps tenotomy and tenodesis are frequently performed for proximal biceps lesions; however, there continues to be debate as to which method is superior. This study examined patient-reported outcomes after biceps tenotomy. Hypothesis: Biceps tenotomy in the setting of concomitant shoulder pathology is a reasonable option with high satisfaction rates and a low incidence of pain and cramping in middle-aged to older individuals. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 104 patients (mean age, 63.5 years; range, 40-81 years) were evaluated at the time of surgery and at a mean follow-up of 38.4 months (range, 22-57 months). Biceps tenotomy was performed as a component of more extensive shoulder surgery in all patients. Patient satisfaction, frequency of cramping and spasms, biceps pain, weakness, and cosmetic deformity were evaluated at over 1-year follow-up. Results: Ninety-one percent of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their surgical outcome, and 95% would have their surgery again. Three patients who reported being unsatisfied or very unsatisfied had either advanced glenohumeral arthritis or an irreparable rotator cuff tear. Cosmetic deformity occurred in 13% of patients. Twenty percent reported spasms and cramping in their biceps, and 19% reported some biceps pain; however, frequency of spasms and cramping was typically once weekly, and biceps pain was reported as severe or very severe in only 2 patients. Subjective biceps weakness was reported in 17% of patients. Age had no effect on outcome measures, and female sex was associated with less limitation and greater satisfaction after tenotomy compared with men. Conclusion: Our results indicate that patient-reported downsides to biceps tenotomy were usually mild and/or infrequent and did not affect patient satisfaction. We conclude that biceps tenotomy is a viable option that can lead to a high rate of patient satisfaction and outcomes in middle-aged to older individuals undergoing shoulder surgery with biceps pathology.