bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Probability Updating and the Market for Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance
Authors: Fier Stephen G. , McCullough Kathleen A. , Gabel Joan T. A. , Mansfield Nancy R. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractOver the past decade, much attention has been given to the topics of corporate governance and corporate risk management. One increasingly important insurance product associated with each of these issues is directors’ and officers’ (D&O) liability insurance. Given the interconnectedness that exists between D&O insurance, corporate risk management, and corporate governance, we exploit industry‐specific D&O data to explain how industries most associated with the corporate scandals of the early 2000s adjusted demand patterns during periods of certainty and uncertainty. The rich data set coupled with dramatic changes in the marketplace allows for the testing of insurance demand patterns and enables us to offer insight into the market's response to a unique type of loss shock. The results of this study suggest evidence in favor of demand‐side probability updating, whereby those industries most associated with the corporate scandals of the early 2000s adjusted the demand for D&O insurance during periods of greater uncertainty.
Feedback‐induced glutamate spillover enhances negative feedback from horizontal cells to cones
Authors: Vroman Rozan , Kamermans Maarten 
Published: March 2015

Key points
In the retina, horizontal cells feed back negatively to cone photoreceptors.
Glutamate released from cones can spill over to neighbouring cones.
Here we show that cone glutamate release induced by negative feedback can also spill over to neighbouring cones.
This glutamate activates the glutamate transporter‐associated chloride current in these neighbouring cones, which leads to a change in their membrane potential and thus modulates their output.
In this way, feedback‐induced glutamate spillover enhances negative feedback from horizontal cells to cones, thus forming an additional feedback pathway.
This effect will be particularly prominent in cones that are strongly hyperpolarized by light.
AbstractInhibition in the outer retina functions via an unusual mechanism. When horizontal cells hyperpolarize the activation potential of the Ca2+ current of cones shifts to more negative potentials. The underlying mechanism consists of an ephaptic component and a Panx1/ATP‐mediated component. Here we identified a third feedback component, which remains active outside the operating range of the Ca2+ current. We show that the glutamate transporters of cones can be activated by glutamate released from their neighbours. This pathway can be triggered by negative feedback from horizontal cells to cones, thus providing an additional feedback pathway. This additional pathway is mediated by a Cl− current, can be blocked by either removing the gradient of K+ or by adding the glutamate transporter blocker TBOA, or low concentrations of Zn2+. These features point to a glutamate transporter‐associated Cl− current. The pathway has a delay of 4.7 ± 1.7 ms. The effectiveness of this pathway in modulating the cone output depends on the equilibrium potential of Cl− (ECl) and the membrane potential of the cone. Because estimates of ECl show that it is around the dark resting membrane potential of cones, the activation of the glutamate transporter‐associated Cl− current will be most effective in changing the membrane potential during strong hyperpolarization of cones. This means that negative feedback would particularly be enhanced by this pathway when cones are hyperpolarized. Spatially, this pathway does not reach further than the direct neighbouring cones. The consequence is that this feedback pathway transmits information between cones of different spectral type.
Spatially constrained incoherent motion method improves diffusion‐weighted MRI signal decay analysis in the liver and spleen
Authors: Taimouri Vahid , Afacan Onur , Perez‐Rossello Jeannette M. , Callahan Michael J. , Mulkern Robert V. , Warfield Simon K. , Freiman Moti 
Published: March 2015

Purpose:To evaluate the effect of the spatially constrained incoherent motion (SCIM) method on improving the precision and robustness of fast and slow diffusion parameter estimates from diffusion‐weighted MRI in liver and spleen in comparison to the independent voxel‐wise intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) model.Methods:We collected diffusion‐weighted MRI (DW‐MRI) data of 29 subjects (5 healthy subjects and 24 patients with Crohn's disease in the ileum). We evaluated parameters estimates’ robustness against different combinations of b‐values (i.e., 4 b‐values and 7 b‐values) by comparing the variance of the estimates obtained with the SCIM and the independent voxel‐wise IVIM model. We also evaluated the improvement in the precision of parameter estimates by comparing the coefficient of variation (CV) of the SCIM parameter estimates to that of the IVIM.Results:The SCIM method was more robust compared to IVIM (up to 70% in liver and spleen) for different combinations of b‐values. Also, the CV values of the parameter estimations using the SCIM method were significantly lower compared to repeated acquisition and signal averaging estimated using IVIM, especially for the fast diffusion parameter in liver (CVIV IM = 46.61 ± 11.22, CVSCIM = 16.85 ± 2.160, p < 0.001) and spleen (CVIV IM = 95.15 ± 19.82, CVSCIM = 52.55 ± 1.91, p < 0.001).Conclusions:The SCIM method characterizes fast and slow diffusion more precisely compared to the independent voxel‐wise IVIM model fitting in the liver and spleen.
Improvement of registration accuracy in accelerated partial breast irradiation using the point‐based rigid‐body registration algorithm for patients with implanted fiducial markers
Authors: Inoue Minoru , Yoshimura Michio , Sato Sayaka , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Yamada Masahiro , Hirata Kimiko , Sasaki Makoto , Fujimoto Takahiro , Ogura Masakazu , Hiraoka Masahiro 
Published: March 2015

Purpose:To investigate image‐registration errors when using fiducial markers with a manual method and the point‐based rigid‐body registration (PRBR) algorithm in accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) patients, with accompanying fiducial deviations.Methods:Twenty‐two consecutive patients were enrolled in a prospective trial examining 10‐fraction APBI. Titanium clips were implanted intraoperatively around the seroma in all patients. For image‐registration, the positions of the clips in daily kV x‐ray images were matched to those in the planning digitally reconstructed radiographs. Fiducial and gravity registration errors (FREs and GREs, respectively), representing resulting misalignments of the edge and center of the target, respectively, were compared between the manual and algorithm‐based methods.Results:In total, 218 fractions were evaluated. Although the mean FRE/GRE values for the manual and algorithm‐based methods were within 3 mm (2.3/1.7 and 1.3/0.4 mm, respectively), the percentages of fractions where FRE/GRE exceeded 3 mm using the manual and algorithm‐based methods were 18.8%/7.3% and 0%/0%, respectively. Manual registration resulted in 18.6% of patients with fractions of FRE/GRE exceeding 5 mm. The patients with larger clip deviation had significantly more fractions showing large FRE/GRE using manual registration.Conclusions:For image‐registration using fiducial markers in APBI, the manual registration results in more fractions with considerable registration error due to loss of fiducial objectivity resulting from their deviation. The authors recommend the PRBR algorithm as a safe and effective strategy for accurate, image‐guided registration and PTV margin reduction.
Fluid Replacement Attenuates Physiological Strain Resulting From Mild Hypohydration Without Impacting Cognitive Performance
Authors: Wittbrodt Matthew T. , Millard-Stafford Mindy , Sherman Ross A. , Cheatham Christopher C. 
Published: March 2015

Purpose:The impact of mild hypohydration on physiological responses and cognitive performance following exercise-heat stress (EHS) were examined compared with conditions when fluids were ingested ad libitum (AL) or replaced to match sweat losses (FR).Methods:Twelve unacclimatized, recreationally-active men (22.2 ± 2.4 y) completed 50 min cycling (60%VO2peak) in the heat (32°C; 65% RH) under three conditions: no fluid (NF), AL, and FR. Before and after EHS, a cognitive battery was completed: Trail making, perceptual vigilance, pattern comparison, match-to-sample, and letter-digit recognition tests.Results:Hypohydration during NF was greater compared with AL and FR (NF: -1.5 ± 0.6; AL: -0.3 ± 0.8; FR: -0.1 ± 0.3% body mass loss) resulting in higher core temperature (by 0.4, 0.5 °C), heart rate (by 13 and 15 b·min-1), and physiological strain (by 1.3, 1.5) at the end of EHS compared with AL and FR, respectively. Cognitive performance (response time and accuracy) was not altered by fluid condition; however, mean response time improved (p < .05) for letter-digit recognition (by 56.7 ± 85.8 ms or 3.8%; p < .05) and pattern comparison (by 80.6 ± 57.4 ms or 7.1%; p < .001), but mean accuracy decreased in trail making (by 1.2 ± 1.4%; p = .01) after EHS (across all conditions).Conclusions:For recreational athletes, fluid intake effectively mitigated physiological strain induced by mild hypohydration; however, mild hypohydration resulting from EHS elicited no adverse changes in cognitive performance.
Induction of Potent Adaptive Immunity by the Novel Polyion Complex Nanoparticles
Authors: Uto Tomofumi , Akagi Takami , Akashi Mitsuru , Baba Masanori 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTThe development of effective and simple methods of vaccine preparation is desired for the prophylaxis and treatment of a variety of infectious diseases and cancers. We have created novel polyion complex (PIC) nanoparticles (NPs) composed of amphiphilic anionic biodegradable poly(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) and cationic polymers as a vaccine adjuvant. PIC NPs can be prepared by mixing γ-PGA-graft-l-phenylalanine ethylester (γ-PGA-Phe) polymer with cationic polymer in phosphate-buffered saline. We examined the efficacy of PIC NPs for antigen delivery and immunostimulatory activityin vitroandin vivo. PIC NPs enhanced the uptake of ovalbumin (OVA) by dendritic cells (DCs) and subsequently induced DC maturation. The immunization of mice with OVA-carrying PIC NPs induced potent and antigen-specific cellular and humoral immunity. Since PIC NPs can be created with water-soluble anionic γ-PGA-Phe and a cationic polymer by simple mixing in the absence of any organic solvents, PIC NPs may have potential as a novel candidate for an effective antigen carrier and vaccine adjuvant.
Comparative Exoproteomics and Host Inflammatory Response in Staphylococcus aureus Skin and Soft Tissue Infections, Bacteremia, and Subclinical Colonization
Authors: Liew Yun Khoon , Awang Hamat Rukman , van Belkum Alex , Chong Pei Pei , Neela Vasanthakumari 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTThe exoproteome ofStaphylococcus aureuscontains enzymes and virulence factors that are important for host adaptation. We investigated the exoprotein profiles and cytokine/chemokine responses obtained in three differentS. aureus-host interaction scenarios by using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DGE) and two-dimensional immunoblotting (2D-IB) combined with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and cytometric bead array techniques. The scenarios includedS. aureusbacteremia, skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), and healthy carriage. By the 2-DGE approach, 12 exoproteins (the chaperone protein DnaK, a phosphoglycerate kinase [Pgk], the chaperone GroEL, a multisensor hybrid histidine kinase, a 3-methyl-2-oxobutanoate hydroxymethyltransferase [PanB], cysteine synthase A, anN-acetyltransferase, four isoforms of elongation factor Tu [EF-Tu], and one signature protein spot that could not be reliably identified by MS/MS) were found to be consistently present in more than 50% of the bacteremia isolates, while none of the SSTI or healthy-carrier isolates showed any of these proteins. By the 2D-IB approach, we also identified five antigens (methionine aminopeptidase [MetAPs], exotoxin 15 [Set15], a peptidoglycan hydrolase [LytM], an alkyl hydroperoxide reductase [AhpC], and a haptoglobin-binding heme uptake protein [HarA]) specific for SSTI cases. Cytokine and chemokine production varied during the course of different infection types and carriage. Monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG) was more highly stimulated in bacteremia patients than in SSTI patients and healthy carriers, especially during the acute phase of infection. MIG could therefore be further explored as a potential biomarker of bacteremia. In conclusion, 12 exoproteins from bacteremia isolates, MIG production, and five antigenic proteins identified during SSTIs should be further investigated for potential use as diagnostic markers.
Whole-Genome Sequences of Nonencapsulated Haemophilus influenzae Strains Isolated in Italy
Authors: Giufrè Maria , De Chiara Matteo , Censini Stefano , Guidotti Silvia , Torricelli Giulia , De Angelis Gabriella , Cardines Rita , Pizza Mariagrazia , Muzzi Alessandro , Cerquetti Marina , Soriani Marco 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

Haemophilus influenzae
is an important human pathogen involved in invasive disease. Here, we report the whole-genome sequences of 11 nonencapsulated
H. influenzae
(ncHi) strains isolated from both invasive disease and healthy carriers in Italy. This genomic information will enrich our understanding of the molecular basis of ncHi pathogenesis.
Complete Genome Sequence and Annotation of Corynebacterium singulare DSM 44357, Isolated from a Human Semen Specimen
Authors: Merten Madlen , Brinkrolf Karina , Albersmeier Andreas , Kutter Yvonne , Rückert Christian , Tauch Andreas 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

Corynebacterium singulare
DSM 44357 is a urease-positive microorganism isolated from human semen. The complete genome sequence of C. singulare DSM 44357 comprises 2,830,519 bp with a mean G+C content of 60.12% and 2,581 protein-coding genes. The deduced antibiotic resistance pattern of this strain includes macrolides, lincosamides, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, and tetracyline.
Draft Genome Sequence of Clostridium tyrobutyricum Strain DIVETGP, Isolated from Cow's Milk for Grana Padano Production
Authors: Soggiu Alessio , Piras Cristian , Gaiarsa Stefano , Bendixen Emøke , Panitz Frank , Bendixen Christian , Sassera Davide , Brasca Milena , Bonizzi Luigi , Roncada Paola 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

We announce the draft genome sequence of
Clostridium tyrobutyricum
strain DIVETGP. This strain was isolated from cow's milk used for Grana Padano cheese production. The genome was obtained using Illumina HiSeq technology and comprises 45 contigs for 3,018,999 bp, with a G+C content of 30.8%.
Draft Genome Sequence of Cupriavidus pauculus Strain KF709, a Biphenyl-Utilizing Bacterium Isolated from Biphenyl-Contaminated Soil
Authors: Watanabe Takahito , Yamazoe Atsushi , Hosoyama Akira , Fujihara Hidehiko , Suenaga Hikaru , Hirose Jun , Futagami Taiki , Goto Masatoshi , Kimura Nobutada , Furukawa Kensuke 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

We report the draft genome sequence of
Cupriavidus pauculus
strain KF709, which comprises 6,826,799 bp with 6,272 coding sequences. The strain KF709 utilizes biphenyl and degrades low-chlorinated biphenyls; however, it possesses fewer coding sequences involved in the degradation of aromatic compounds than other strains belonging to the
Betaproteobacteria
.
Whole-Genome Sequencing of a Vibrio cholerae El Tor Strain Isolated in the Imported Cholera Focus in Siberia
Authors: Balakhonov S. V. , Mironova L. V. , Basov E. A. , Gladkikh A. S. , Afanasev M. V. , Ganin V. S. , Urbanovich L. Y. , Sidorova E. A. 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

The draft genome sequence of
Vibrio cholerae
O1 strain I-1263, isolated from a patient in the imported focus in Siberia, was determined. The established structural features of the mobile genetic elements indicate stage-by-stage formation of a highly pathogenic
V. cholerae
clone and promote understanding of the mechanisms of evolutionary pathogen transformations.
Evaluation of a Method Using Three Genomic Guided Escherichia coli Markers for Phylogenetic Typing of E. coli Isolates of Various Genetic Backgrounds
Authors: Hamamoto Kouta , Ueda Shuhei , Yamamoto Yoshimasa , Hirai Itaru 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

Genotyping and characterization of bacterial isolates are essential steps in the identification and control of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Recently, one novel genotyping method using three genomic guided
Escherichia coli
markers (GIG-EM),
dinG
,
tonB
, and dipeptide permease (DPP), was reported. Because GIG-EM has not been fully evaluated using clinical isolates, we assessed this typing method with 72
E. coli
collection of reference (ECOR) environmental
E. coli
reference strains and 63
E. coli
isolates of various genetic backgrounds. In this study, we designated 768 bp of
dinG
, 745 bp of
tonB
, and 655 bp of DPP target sequences for use in the typing method. Concatenations of the processed marker sequences were used to draw GIG-EM phylogenetic trees.
E. coli
isolates with identical sequence types as identified by the conventional multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method were localized to the same branch of the GIG-EM phylogenetic tree. Sixteen clinical
E. coli
isolates were utilized as test isolates without prior characterization by conventional MLST and phylogenetic grouping before GIG-EM typing. Of these, 14 clinical isolates were assigned to a branch including only isolates of a pandemic clone,
E. coli
B2-ST131-O25b, and these results were confirmed by conventional typing methods. Our results suggested that the GIG-EM typing method and its application to phylogenetic trees might be useful tools for the molecular characterization and determination of the genetic relationships among
E. coli
isolates.
Multidrug-Resistant Candida auris Misidentified as Candida haemulonii: Characterization by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry and DNA Sequencing and Its Antifungal Susceptibility Profile Variability by Vitek 2, CLSI Broth Microdilution, and Etest Method
Authors: Kathuria Shallu , Singh Pradeep K. , Sharma Cheshta , Prakash Anupam , Masih Aradhana , Kumar Anil , Meis Jacques F. , Chowdhary Anuradha 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

Candida auris
is a multidrug-resistant yeast that causes a wide spectrum of infections, especially in intensive care settings. We investigated
C. auris
prevalence among 102 clinical isolates previously identified as
Candida haemulonii
or
Candida famata
by the Vitek 2 system. Internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) sequencing confirmed 88.2% of the isolates as
C. auris
, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) easily separated all related species,
viz
.,
C. auris
(
n
= 90),
C. haemulonii
(
n
= 6),
C. haemulonii
var.
vulnera
(
n
= 1), and
Candida duobushaemulonii
(
n
= 5). The
in vitro
antifungal susceptibility was determined using CLSI broth microdilution (CLSI-BMD), the Vitek 2 antifungal susceptibility test, and the Etest method.
C. auris
isolates revealed uniformly elevated fluconazole MICs (MIC
50
, 64 μg/ml), and an alarming percentage of isolates (37%) exhibited elevated caspofungin MICs by CLSI-BMD. Notably, 34% of
C. auris
isolates had coexisting elevated MICs (≥2 μg/ml) for both fluconazole and voriconazole, and 10% of the isolates had elevated coexisting MICs (≥2 μg/ml) to two additional azoles, i.e., posaconazole and isavuconazole. In contrast to reduced amphotericin B MICs by CLSI-BMD (MIC
50
, 1 μg/ml) for
C. auris
, elevated MICs were noted by Vitek 2 (MIC
50
, 8 μg/ml), which were statistically significant.
Candida auris
remains an unnoticed pathogen in routine microbiology laboratories, as 90% of the isolates characterized by commercial identification systems are misidentified as
C. haemulonii
. MALDI-TOF MS proved to be a more robust diagnostic technique for rapid identification of
C. auris
. Considering that misleading elevated MICs of amphotericin B by the Vitek AST-YS07 card may lead to the selection of inappropriate therapy, a cautionary approach is recommended for laboratories relying on commercial systems for identification and antifungal susceptibility testing of rare yeasts.
The Glycoprotein Precursor Gene of Junin Virus Determines the Virulence of the Romero Strain and the Attenuation of the Candid #1 Strain in a Representative Animal Model of Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever
Authors: Seregin Alexey V. , Yun Nadezhda E. , Miller Milagros , Aronson Judith , Smith Jennifer K. , Walker Aida G. , Smith Jeanon N. , Huang Cheng , Manning John T. , de la Torre Juan C. , Paessler Slobodan 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

The New World arenavirus Junin virus (JUNV) is the causative agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF), a potentially deadly disease endemic to central regions of Argentina. The live-attenuated Candid #1 (Can) strain of JUNV is currently used to vaccinate the human population at risk. However, the mechanism of attenuation of this strain is still largely unknown. Therefore, the identification and functional characterization of viral genetic determinants dictating JUNV virulence or attenuation would significantly improve the understanding of the mechanisms underlying AHF and facilitate the development of novel, more effective, and safer vaccines. Here, we utilized a reverse genetics approach to generate recombinant JUNV (rJUNV) strains encoding different gene combinations of the pathogenic Romero (Rom) and attenuated Can strains of JUNV. All strains of rJUNV exhibited
in vitro
growth kinetics similar to those of their parental counterparts. Analysis of virulence of the rJUNV in a guinea pig model of lethal infection that closely reproduces the features of AHF identified the envelope glycoproteins (GPs) as the major determinants of pathogenesis and attenuation of JUNV. Accordingly, rJUNV strains expressing the full-length GPs of Rom and Can exhibited virulent and attenuated phenotypes, respectively, in guinea pigs. Mutation F427I in the transmembrane region of JUNV envelope glycoprotein GP2 has been shown to attenuate the neurovirulence of JUNV in suckling mice. We document that in the guinea pig model of AHF, mutation F427I in GP2 is also highly attenuating but insufficient to prevent virus dissemination and development of mild clinical and pathological symptoms, indicating that complete attenuation of JUNV requires additional mutations present in Can glycoprotein precursor (GPC).

IMPORTANCE
Development of antiviral strategies against viral hemorrhagic fevers, including AHF, is one of the top priorities within the Implementation Plan of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise. Live-attenuated Candid #1 strain, derived from the 44th mouse brain passage of the prototype XJ strain of JUNV, has been demonstrated to be safe, immunogenic, and highly protective and is currently licensed for human use in Argentina. However, the bases for the attenuated phenotype of Candid #1 have not been established. Therefore, the identification and functional characterization of viral genetic factors implicated in JUNV pathogenesis and attenuation would significantly improve the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying AHF and facilitate the development of novel antiviral strategies.