bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measurements of the 3D Flow Field Downstream of an Aircraft Engine Fan
Authors: Hönen Herwart T. , Werner-Spatz Christian , Giebmanns Angela , Döbbener Guido , Jeschke Peter 
Published: September 2014

Flow field measurements have been performed in a jet engine fan. As a part of a sensitivity study on the influence of geometry changes on the performance of the compressor the experiments provide a data base for the verification of extensive numerical simulations covering the fan blades. These investigations help to improve the understanding of how changes in component geometry due to wear affect the engine.
The experimental investigations were carried out down-stream of the fan of a jet engine on the test cell at Lufthansa Technik AG.
The main focus of the measurements was to provide highly resolved flow field data downstream of the OGV. A pneumatic five-hole probe was applied in order to obtain 3D information of the flow properties. In order to detect and to resolve the wakes of the OGVs and of the midspan shrouds of the rotor blades the measurements had to be performed along the blade height and had to cover more than one OGV spacing. Therefore, it was necessary to position the probe at various radial and circumferential locations. The radial positioning of the probe was performed by a standard traversing unit. The different circumferential locations were achieved by a specially developed traversing mechanism on a modified engine fan case, which allowed a continuous positioning in the range of two OGV spacings.
The experiments were carried out for two different operating points of the jet engine. For each of these operating points, the engine was operated with nominal and with increased tip clearance above the fan rotor in order to simulate different wear conditions.
The paper explains the necessary modifications to the jet engine and the set up for the experiments. Furthermore, measured results are shown and compared to the results derived from the CFD simulations which were performed prior to the experimental investigations.
Whole-Genome Comparison of Aspergillus fumigatus Strains Serially Isolated from Patients with Aspergillosis
Authors: Hagiwara Daisuke , Takahashi Hiroki , Watanabe Akira , Takahashi-Nakaguchi Azusa , Kawamoto Susumu , Kamei Katsuhiko , Gonoi Tohru 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

The emergence of azole-resistant strains of
Aspergillus fumigatus
during treatment for aspergillosis occurs by a mutation selection process. Understanding how antifungal resistance mechanisms evolve in the host environment during infection is of great clinical importance and biological interest. Here, we used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify mutations that arose during infection by
A. fumigatus
strains sequentially isolated from two patients, one with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) (five isolations) and the other with aspergilloma (three isolations). The serial isolates had identical microsatellite types, but their growth rates and conidia production levels were dissimilar. A whole-genome comparison showed that three of the five isolates from the IPA patient carried a mutation, while 22 mutations, including six nonsynonymous ones, were found among three isolates from the aspergilloma patient. One aspergilloma isolate carried the
cyp51A
mutation P216L, which is reported to confer azole resistance, and it displayed an MIC indicating resistance to itraconazole. This isolate harbored five other nonsynonymous mutations, some of which were found in the
afyap1
and
aldA
genes. We further identified a large deletion in the aspergilloma isolate in a region containing 11 genes. This finding suggested the possibility that genomic deletions can occur during chronic infection with
A. fumigatus
. Overall, our results revealed dynamic alterations that occur in the
A. fumigatus
genome within its host during infection and treatment.
Group A Escherichia coli-Related Purpura Fulminans: an Unusual Manifestation Due to an Unusual Strain?
Authors: Amara Marlène , Bonacorsi Stéphane , Bedel Jérôme , Mira Jean-Paul , Laurent Virginie , Socha Koryna , Bruneel Fabrice , Pangon Béatrice , Bédos Jean-Pierre , Grimaldi David 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

We describe an exceptional case of life-threatening group A
Escherichia coli
-induced purpura fulminans. Genotyping of common polymorphisms in genes involved in innate immunity or coagulation did not reveal known susceptibility to such a manifestation. Genetic analysis of the strain revealed an unusual conserved virulence plasmidic region, pointing out its potential virulence.
Quantitative Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for Rapid Resistance Detection
Authors: Lange Christoph , Schubert Sören , Jung Jette , Kostrzewa Markus , Sparbier Katrin 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

Antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative microorganisms is an increasing health care problem. The rapid detection of such resistance is crucial for starting an early specific therapy and to enable initiation of the required hygiene measures. With continued emphasis on reducing the cost of laboratory testing, only economical/low-cost approaches have a chance of being implemented. During recent years, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been developed to be a standard method in microbiology laboratories for the rapid and cost-efficient identification of microorganisms. Extending the usage of MALDI-TOF MS in the clinical microbiology laboratory to the area of resistance testing is an attractive option. Quantitative MALDI-TOF MS using an internal standard facilitates the measurement of the quantity of peptides and small proteins within a spectrum. These quantities correlate to the number of microorganisms and therefore to the growth of a microorganism. The comparison of growth in the presence or absence of an antibiotic allows for analysis of the susceptibility behavior of a strain. Here, we describe a novel method and its application in the analysis of 108
Klebsiella
sp. isolates. After 1 h of incubation at a meropenem concentration of 8 μg/ml, a sensitivity of 97.3% and a specificity of 93.5% were achieved (compared to Etest results).
Evaluation of High-Resolution Melting Curve Analysis of Ligation-Mediated Real-Time PCR, a Rapid Method for Epidemiological Typing of ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter Species) Pathogens
Authors: Woksepp Hanna , Ryberg Anna , Billström Hanna , Hällgren Anita , Nilsson Lennart E. , Marklund Britt-Inger , Olsson-Liljequist Barbro , Schön Thomas 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

A single-tube method, ligation-mediated real-time PCR high-resolution melt analysis (LMqPCR HRMA), was modified for the rapid typing of
Enterococcus faecium
,
Staphylococcus aureus
,
Klebsiella pneumoniae
,
Acinetobacter baumannii
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, and
Enterobacter
spp. (ESKAPE) pathogens. A 97% agreement (60/62 isolates) was achieved in comparison to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) results, which indicates that LMqPCR HRMA is a rapid and accurate screening tool for monitoring nosocomial outbreaks.
Crystal Structure of Herpes Simplex Virus 2 gD Bound to Nectin-1 Reveals a Conserved Mode of Receptor Recognition
Authors: Lu Guangwen , Zhang Na , Qi Jianxun , Li Yan , Chen Zhujun , Zheng Chunfu , Gao George F , Yan Jinghua 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT
Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 are among the most prevalent human pathogens. Both viruses can recognize, via the surface envelope glycoprotein D (gD), human nectin-1 as a functional receptor. Previous studies have successfully elucidated the molecular basis of the binding between HSV-1 gD and nectin-1 by cocrystallography. Despite a high sequence identity between HSV-1 and HSV-2 gDs, the atomic intermolecule details for the HSV-2-gD/nectin-1 interaction remain elusive. Here, we report the crystal structures of both the unbound and the nectin-1-bound HSV-2 gDs. The free-gD structure expectedly comprises an IgV-like core and the surface-exposed terminal extensions as observed in its HSV-1 counterpart but lacks traceable electron densities for a large portion of the terminal elements. These terminal residues were clearly traced in the complex structure as a definitive loop in the N terminus and an α-helix in the C terminus, thereby showing a conserved nectin-1-binding mode as reported for HSV-1 gD. The interface residues in nectin-1 were further mutated and tested for the gD interaction by surface plasmon resonance. The resultant binding patterns were similar for HSV-1 and HSV-2 gDs, further supporting a homologous receptor-binding basis by the two viruses for nectin-1. These data, together with a cell-based fusion assay showing a cross-inhibition of the gD/nectin-1-mediated cell-cell fusion by soluble HSV-1 and HSV-2 gDs, provided solid structural and functional evidence that HSV-1 and HSV-2 recognize nectin-1 via the same binding mode. Finally, we also demonstrated that nectin-1 I80 is an important residue involved in gD interaction.

IMPORTANCE
Despite intensified studies, a detailed picture of the molecular features in the HSV-2-gD/nectin-1 interaction remains unavailable. Previous work focused on HSV-1 gD, which folds into an IgV-like core with large terminal extensions and utilizes the extension elements to engage nectin-1. Here, we report the crystal structures of HSV-2 gD in both the free and the nectin-1-bound forms. The atomic intermolecule details for HSV-2-gD/nectin-1 interaction are clearly presented. The observed binding mode is identical to that reported for its HSV-1 counterpart. This structural observation was further supported by our comparative functional assays showing that nectin-1 mutations similarly affect the ligand-receptor interaction of both virus gDs. Taken together, we provide comprehensive structural and functional data demonstrating a conserved receptor-binding mode between HSV-1 and HSV-2 for nectin-1. Our results also indicate that the tropism difference between the two viruses likely arises from aspects other than the gD/nectin-1 binding features.
Sendai Virus Pathogenesis in Mice Is Prevented by
Ifit2
and Exacerbated by Interferon
Authors: Wetzel Jaime L. , Fensterl Volker , Sen Ganes C. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

The type I/III interferon (IFN) system has major roles in regulating viral pathogenesis, usually ameliorating pathogenesis by impairing virus replication through the antiviral actions of one or more IFN-induced proteins. Ifit2 is one such protein which can be induced by IFN or virus infection, and it is responsible for protecting mice from neuropathogenesis caused by vesicular stomatitis virus. Here, we show that Ifit2 also protects mice from pathogenesis caused by the respirovirus Sendai virus (SeV). Mice lacking
Ifit2
(
Ifit2
−/−
) suffered severe weight loss and succumbed to intranasal infection with SeV strain 52 at a dose that killed only a few wild-type mice. Viral RNA was detectable only in lungs, and SeV titers were higher in
Ifit2
−/−
mice than in wild-type mice. Similar infiltration of immune cells was found in the lungs of both mouse lines, corresponding to similar levels of many induced cytokines and chemokines. In contrast, IFN-β and IFN-λ3 expression were considerably higher in the lungs of
Ifit2
−/−
mice. Surprisingly, type I IFN receptor knockout (
IFNAR
−/−
) mice were less susceptible to SeV than
Ifit2
−/−
mice, although their pulmonary virus titers were similarly high. To test the intriguing possibility that type I IFN action enhances pathogenesis in the context of elevated SeV replication in lungs, we generated
Ifit2/IFNAR
−/−
double knockout mice. These mice were less susceptible to SeV than
Ifit2
−/−
mice, although viral titers in their lungs were even higher. Our results indicate that high SeV replication in the lungs of infected
Ifit2
−/−
mice cooperates with elevated IFN-β induction to cause disease.

IMPORTANCE
The IFN system is an innate defense against virus infections. It is triggered quickly in infected cells, which then secrete IFN. Via their cell surface receptors on surrounding cells, they induce transcription of numerous IFN-stimulated genes (ISG), which in turn protect these cells by inhibiting virus life cycles. Hence, IFNs are commonly considered beneficial during virus infections. Here, we report two key findings. First, lack of a single ISG in mice,
Ifit2
, resulted in high mortality after SeV infection of the respiratory tract, following higher virus loads and higher IFN production in
Ifit2
−/−
lungs. Second, mortality of
Ifit2
−/−
mice was reduced when mice also lacked the type I IFN receptor, while SeV loads in lungs still were high. This indicates that type I IFN exacerbates pathogenesis in the SeV model, and that limitation of both viral replication and IFN production is needed for effective prevention of disease.
Commentary: Trunkloads of Viruses
Authors: Pellett Philip E. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

Elephant populations are under intense pressure internationally from habitat destruction and poaching for ivory and meat. They also face pressure from infectious agents, including elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus 1 (EEHV1), which kills ∼20% of Asian elephants (
Elephas maximus
) born in zoos and causes disease in the wild. EEHV1 is one of at least six distinct EEHV in a phylogenetic lineage that appears to represent an ancient but newly recognized subfamily (the
Deltaherpesvirinae
) in the family
Herpesviridae
.
Estimating the risk of cardiovascular disease using an obese-years metric
Authors: Abdullah Asnawi , Amin Fauzi Ali , Stoelwinder Johannes , Tanamas Stephanie K , Wolfe Rory , Barendregt Jan , Peeters Anna 
Published: September 2014

ObjectiveTo examine the association between obese-years and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).Study designProspective cohort study.SettingBoston, USA.Participants5036 participants of the Framingham Heart Study were examined.MethodsObese-years was calculated by multiplying for each participant the number of body mass index (BMI) units above 29 kg/m2by the number of years lived at that BMI during approximately 50 years of follow-up. The association between obese-years and CVD was analysed using time-dependent Cox regression adjusted for potential confounders and compared with other models using the Akaike information criterion (AIC). The lowest AIC indicated better fit.Primary outcomeCVD.ResultsThe median cumulative obese-years was 24 (range 2–556 obese-years). During 138 918 person-years of follow-up, 2753 (55%) participants were diagnosed with CVD. The incidence rates and adjusted HR (AHR) for CVD increased with an increase in the number of obese-years. AHR for the categories 1–24.9, 25–49.9, 50–74.9 and ≥75 obese-years were, respectively, 1.31 (95% CI 1.15 to 1.48), 1.37 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.65), 1.62 (95% CI 1.32 to 1.99) and 1.80 (95% CI 1.54 to 2.10) compared with those who were never obese (ie, had zero obese-years). The effect of obese-years was stronger in males than females. For every 10 unit increase in obese-years, the AHR of CVD increased by 6% (95% CI 4% to 8%) for males and 3% (95% CI 2% to 4%) for females. The AIC was lowest for the model containing obese-years compared with models containing either the level of BMI or the duration of obesity alone.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that obese-years metric conceptually captures the cumulative damage of obesity on body systems, and is found to provide slightly more precise estimation of the risk of CVD than the level or duration of obesity alone.
The Improving Rural Cancer Outcomes (IRCO) Trial: a factorial cluster-randomised controlled trial of a complex intervention to reduce time to diagnosis in rural patients with cancer in Western Australia: a study protocol
Authors: Emery Jon D , Gray Victoria , Walter Fiona M , Cheetham Shelley , Croager Emma J , Slevin Terry , Saunders Christobel , Threlfall Tim , Auret Kirsten , Nowak Anna K , Geelhoed Elizabeth , Bulsara Max , Holman C D'Arcy J 
Published: September 2014

IntroductionWhile overall survival for most common cancers in Australia is improving, the rural–urban differential has been widening, with significant excess deaths due to lung, colorectal, breast and prostate cancer in regional Australia. Internationally a major focus on understanding variations in cancer outcomes has been later presentation to healthcare and later diagnosis. Approaches to reducing time to diagnosis of symptomatic cancer include public symptom awareness campaigns and interventions in primary care to improve early cancer detection. This paper reports the protocol of a factorial cluster-randomised trial of community and general practice (GP) level interventions to reduce the time to diagnosis of cancer in rural Western Australia (WA).Methods and analysisThe community intervention is a symptom awareness campaign tailored for rural Australians delivered through a community engagement model. The GP intervention includes a resource card with symptom risk assessment charts and local referral pathways implemented through multiple academic detailing visits and case studies. Participants are eligible if recently diagnosed with breast, colorectal, lung or prostate cancer who reside in specific regions of rural WA with a planned sample size of 1350. The primary outcome is the Total Diagnostic Interval, defined as the duration from first symptom (or date of cancer screening test) to cancer diagnosis. Secondary outcomes include cancer stage, healthcare utilisation, disease-free status, survival at 2 and 5 years and cost-effectiveness.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been granted by the University of Western Australia and from all relevant hospital recruitment sites in WA.ResultsResults of this trial will be reported in peer-reviewed publications and in conference presentations.Trial registration numberAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). ACTRN12610000872033.
Endovascular treatment of acute intracranial vertebral artery dissection: long-term follow-up results of internal trapping and reconstructive treatment using coils and stents
Authors: Nam Kyoung Hyup , Ko Jun Kyeung , Cha Seung Heon , Choi Chang Hwa , Lee Tae Hong , Lee Jae Il 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundEndovascular internal trapping is an effective procedure for the treatment of acute vertebral artery dissection (VAD). However, the outcomes of reconstructive treatment have not been well established. The aim of our study is to evaluate the long-term clinical and angiographic results of endovascular internal trapping or reconstructive treatment of acute VAD.MethodsBetween 2005 and 2013, 26 patients with acute VAD were managed with internal coil trapping (n=10), stent-assisted coiling (n=14), stent only (n=1), and proximal occlusion (n=1). Stent-assisted coiling included the modified stent-assisted semi-jailing technique (n=10), balloon-in-stent technique (n=2), and coiling followed by balloon mounted stent (n=2). Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed in all patients except for three who died during the acute stage.ResultsOf 26 patients with VAD, 14 and 12 presented with hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic types, respectively. The dominancy of the relevant artery was defined as dominant (n=9), even (n=12), and non-dominant (n=5). Reconstructive treatment was performed in six patients with ruptured VADs which failed balloon test occlusion and nine with non-hemorrhagic VADs. Clinical outcomes were favorable in 22 (84.6%), severe disability occurred in one, and there were three deaths (11.5%). All patients except the three who died had angiographic follow-up at 6–32 months (mean 10.4 months). The angiographic results of nine cases of internal trapping and one of proximal occlusion all showed a stable occlusion state. Among the 15 cases of reconstructive treatment, follow-up DSAs were available for the 13 surviving patients, 10 of which demonstrated stable occlusion of aneurysmal dilation and patent parent artery.ConclusionsThis study suggests that internal trapping is a stable and effective treatment for acute VAD. Reconstructive treatment using stent and coils could also be a feasible alternative modality for hemorrhagic type VAD. However, serial DSA follow-up is essential.
Check-ins in “Blau Space”
Authors: Joseph Kenneth , Carley Kathleen M. , Hong Jason I. 
Published: September 2014

Peter Blau was one of the first to define a latent social space and utilize it to provide concrete hypotheses. Blau defines social structure via social “parameters” (constraints). Actors that are closer together (more homogenous) in this social parameter space are more likely to interact. One of Blau’s most important hypotheses resulting from this work was that the consolidation of parameters could lead to isolated social groups. For example, the consolidation of race and income might lead to segregation. In the present work, we use Foursquare data from New York City to explore evidence of homogeneity along certain social parameters and consolidation that breeds social isolation in communities of locations checked in to by similar users.
More specifically, we first test the extent to which communities detected via Latent Dirichlet Allocation are homogenous across a set of four social constraints—racial homophily, income homophily, personal interest homophily and physical space. Using a bootstrapping approach, we find that 14 (of 20) communities are statistically, and all but one qualitatively, homogenous along one of these social constraints, showing the relevance of Blau’s latent space model in venue communities determined via user check-in behavior. We then consider the extent to which communities with consolidated parameters, those homogenous on more than one parameter, represent socially isolated populations. We find communities homogenous on multiple parameters, including a homosexual community and a “hipster” community, that show support for Blau’s hypothesis that consolidation breeds social isolation. We consider these results in the context of mediated communication, in particular in the context of self-representation on social media.