bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bat Rabies Surveillance in Europe
Authors: Schatz J. , Fooks A. R. , McElhinney L. , Horton D. , Echevarria J. , Vázquez‐Moron S. , Kooi E. A. , Rasmussen T. B. , Müller T. , Freuling C. M. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryRabies is the oldest known zoonotic disease and was also the first recognized bat associated infection in humans. To date, four different lyssavirus species are the causative agents of rabies in European bats: the European Bat Lyssaviruses type 1 and 2 (EBLV‐1, EBLV‐2), the recently discovered putative new lyssavirus species Bokeloh Bat Lyssavirus (BBLV) and the West Caucasian Bat Virus (WCBV). Unlike in the new world, bat rabies cases in Europe are comparatively less frequent, possibly as a result of varying intensity of surveillance. Thus, the objective was to provide an assessment of the bat rabies surveillance data in Europe, taking both reported data to the WHO Rabies Bulletin Europe and published results into account. In Europe, 959 bat rabies cases were reported to the RBE in the time period 1977–2010 with the vast majority characterized as EBLV‐1, frequently isolated in the Netherlands, North Germany, Denmark, Poland and also in parts of France and Spain. Most EBLV‐2 isolates originated from the United Kingdom (UK) and the Netherlands, and EBLV‐2 was also detected in Germany, Finland and Switzerland. Thus far, only one isolate of BBLV was found in Germany. Published passive bat rabies surveillance comprised testing of 28 of the 52 different European bat species for rabies. EBLV‐1 was isolated exclusively from Serotine bats (Eptesicus serotinus and Eptesicus isabellinus), while EBLV‐2 was detected in 14 Daubenton′s bats (Myotis daubentonii) and 5 Pond bats (Myotis dasycneme). A virus from a single Natterer’s bat (Myotis nattereri) was characterized as BBLV. During active surveillance, only oral swabs from 2 Daubenton′s bats (EBLV‐2) and from several Eptesicus bats (EBLV‐1) yielded virus positive RNA. Virus neutralizing antibodies against lyssaviruses were detected in various European bat species from different countries, and its value and implications are discussed.
PyCox: computing with (finite) Coxeter groups and Iwahori–Hecke algebras
Authors: Geck Meinolf 
Published: September 2012

AbstractWe introduce the computer algebra package PyCox, written entirely in the Python language. It implements a set of algorithms, in a spirit similar to the older CHEVIE system, for working with Coxeter groups and Hecke algebras. This includes a new variation of the traditional algorithm for computing Kazhdan–Lusztig cells andW-graphs, which works efficiently for all finite groups of rank ≤8 (exceptE8). We also discuss the computation of Lusztig’s leading coefficients of character values and distinguished involutions (which works forE8as well). Our experiments suggest a re-definition of Lusztig’s ‘special’ representations which, conjecturally, should also apply to the unequal parameter case. Supplementary materials are available with this article.
Adult‐like action potential properties and abundant GABAergic synaptic responses in amygdala neurons from newborn marmosets
Authors: Yamada Daisuke , Miyajima Moeko , Ishibashi Hidetoshi , Wada Keiji , Seki Kazuhiko , Sekiguchi Masayuki 
Published: September 2012

Key pointsThe amygdala plays an important role in the processing of emotional events, but little is known about the postnatal development of electrophysiological properties of amygdala neurons.We performed slice patch‐clamp recordings from basolateral amygdala (BLA) pyramidal neurons in the developing and adult common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).The marmoset is a non‐human primate that has been increasingly used as an animal model of human disease, but no previous studies have used brain slice patch‐clamp techniques in marmosets.We found that BLA pyramidal neurons from newborn marmosets possess relatively mature action potentials and receive vigorous GABAergic synaptic inputs, and that marmoset BLA neurons acquire adult‐like electrophysiological properties within the first 4 weeks of life.Our study provides novel information on several features of postnatal development of BLA pyramidal neurons in marmosets.Abstract The amygdala plays an important role in the processing of emotional events. This information processing is altered by development, but little is known about the development of electrophysiological properties of neurons in the amygdala. We studied the postnatal development of electrophysiological properties of neurons in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings were obtained from BLA pyramidal neurons in brain slices prepared from developing and adult marmosets, and electrophysiological properties known to change during development in rats were analysed. Two passive electrical properties of the neuronal membrane – the input resistance (Rin) and the membrane time constant (τ) – significantly decreased with postnatal development. In contrast, the action potential only showed a slight decrease in duration during the first month of life, whereas the amplitude did not change after birth. Passive electrical properties and action potentials in neurons of 4‐week‐old marmosets were similar to those in neurons of 4‐year‐old marmosets. The development of the action potential duration was not correlated with the development ofRinor τ, whereas the development ofRinand τ was correlated with each other. Abundant spontaneous and noradrenaline‐induced GABAergic currents were present immediately after birth and did not change during postnatal development. These results suggest that newborn infant marmoset BLA pyramidal neurons possess relatively mature action potentials and receive vigorous GABAergic synaptic inputs, and that they acquire adult‐like electrophysiological properties by the fourth week of life.
Lifelong physical activity preserves functional sympatholysis and purinergic signalling in the ageing human leg
Authors: Mortensen S. P. , Nyberg M. , Winding K. , Saltin B. 
Published: September 2012

Key points
Ageing is associated with a reduced exercise hyperaemia and impaired ability to override sympathetic vasoconstrictor activity (functional sympatholysis).
We find that sedentary elderly have a lower vasodilator response to ACh and ATP in the leg compared to young, but also that this age‐related reduction is partially (ACh) or completely (ATP) offset in lifelong physically active elderly subjects.
An increase in sympathetic vasoconstrictor activity induced by tyramine reduces exercise hyperaemia in sedentary elderly, but not active elderly and young subjects.
Interstitial ATP levels during exercise and P2Y2 receptor content are more related to the physical activity level than age.
Physical activity can prevent the age‐related impairment in functional sympatholysis and maintain a sufficient O2 delivery during moderate intensity exercise despite a loss of endothelial function.
Abstract  Ageing is associated with an impaired ability to modulate sympathetic vasoconstrictor activity (functional sympatholysis) and a reduced exercise hyperaemia. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a physically active lifestyle can offset the impaired functional sympatholysis and exercise hyperaemia in the leg and whether ATP signalling is altered by ageing and physical activity. Leg haemodynamics, interstitial [ATP] and P2Y2 receptor content was determined in eight young (23 ± 1 years), eight lifelong sedentary elderly (66 ± 2 years) and eight lifelong active elderly (62 ± 2 years) men at rest and during one‐legged knee extensions (12 W and 45% maximal workload (WLmax)) and arterial infusion of ACh and ATP with and without tyramine. The vasodilatory response to ACh was lowest in the sedentary elderly, higher in active elderly (P < 0.05) and highest in the young men (P < 0.05), whereas ATP‐induced vasodilatation was lower in the sedentary elderly (P < 0.05). During exercise (12 W), leg blood flow, vascular conductance and was lower and leg lactate release higher in the sedentary elderly compared to the young (P < 0.05), whereas there was no difference between the active elderly and young. Interstitial [ATP] during exercise and P2Y2 receptor content were higher in the active elderly compared to the sedentary elderly (P < 0.05). Tyramine infusion lowered resting vascular conductance in all groups, but only in the sedentary elderly during exercise (P < 0.05). Tyramine did not alter the vasodilator response to ATP infusion in any of the three groups. Plasma [noradrenaline] increased more during tyramine infusion in both elderly groups compared to young (P < 0.05). A lifelong physically active lifestyle can maintain an intact functional sympatholysis during exercise and vasodilator response to ATP despite a reduction in endothelial nitric oxide function. A physically active lifestyle increases interstitial ATP levels and skeletal muscle P2Y2 receptor content.
Acute vagal stimulation attenuates cardiac metabolic response to β‐adrenergic stress
Authors: Vimercati Claudio , Qanud Khaled , Ilsar Itamar , Mitacchione Gianfranco , Sarnari Roberto , Mania Daniella , Faulk Ryan , Stanley William C. , Sabbah Hani N. , Recchia Fabio A. 
Published: September 2012

Key points
Whereas the effects of catecholamines on myocardial metabolism are well characterized, the potential role of the parasympathetic system is generally considered minor or absent.
We tested the hypothesis that acute stimulation of the right vagus nerve alters the balance between cardiac free fatty acid and carbohydrate oxidation and opposes the metabolic effects of beta‐adrenergic stimulation.
Using a clinical‐type selective stimulator of the vagal efferent fibers in dogs, we found that vagal stimulation did not significantly affect baseline cardiac performance, haemodynamics and myocardial metabolism.
During dobutamine stress, vagal stimulation attenuated the increase in left ventricular mechanical performance, cardiac oxygen consumption and myocardial glucose oxidation, while free fatty acid oxidation was affected only at low catecholamine dose.
Our results elucidate a previously unexplored parasympathetic function, indicating that selective vagal efferent stimulation antagonizes the effects of beta‐adrenergic activation on myocardial metabolism.
Abstract  The effects of vagal stimulation (VS) on cardiac energy substrate metabolism are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that acute VS alters the balance between free fatty acid (FFA) and carbohydrate oxidation and opposes the metabolic effects of β‐adrenergic stimulation. A clinical‐type selective stimulator of the vagal efferent fibres was connected to the intact right vagus in chronically instrumented dogs. VS was set to reduce heart rate by 30 beats min−1, and the confounding effects of bradycardia were then eliminated by pacing the heart at 165 beats min−1. [3H]Oleate and [14C]glucose were infused to measure FFA and glucose oxidation. The heart was subjected to β‐adrenergic stress by infusing dobutamine at 5, 10 and 15 μg kg−1 min−1 before and during VS. VS did not significantly affect baseline cardiac performance, haemodynamics or myocardial metabolism. However, at peak dobutamine stress, VS attenuated the increase in left ventricular pressure–diameter area from 235.9 ± 72.8 to 167.3 ± 55.8%, and in cardiac oxygen consumption from 173.9 ± 23.3 to 127.89 ± 6.2% (both P < 0.05), and thus mechanical efficiency was not enhanced. The increase in glucose oxidation fell from 289.3 ± 55.5 to 131.1 ± 20.9%(P < 0.05), while FFA oxidation was not increased by β‐adrenergic stress and fell below baseline during VS only at the lowest dose of dobutamine. The functional and in part the metabolic changes were reversed by 0.1 mg kg−1 atropine i.v. Our data show that acute right VS does not affect baseline cardiac metabolism, but attenuates myocardial oxygen consumption and glucose oxidation in response to adrenergic stress, thus functioning as a cardio‐selective antagonist to β‐adrenergic activation.
KPC-9, a Novel Carbapenemase from Clinical Specimens in Israel
Authors: Hidalgo-Grass Carlos , Warburg Gabriela , Temper Violeta , Benenson Shmuel , Moses Allon E. , Block Colin , Strahilevitz Jacob 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

A
bla
KPC-9
carbapenemase variant was discovered in isolates of
Klebsiella pneumoniae
and
Escherichia coli
from a single patient. It differed from
bla
KPC-3
by one amino acid substitution (Val239Ala). The
K. pneumoniae
isolate was typed as ST258, as was the epidemic Israeli KPC-3 clone.
bla
KPC-9
was found on a plasmid indistinguishable from pKpQIL that carries
bla
KPC-3
in the epidemic clone. Compared to KPC-3, KPC-9 conferred less resistance to carbapenems and higher resistance to ceftazidime.
In Vitro
Antifungal Activity of Isavuconazole against Madurella mycetomatis
Authors: Kloezen Wendy , Meis Jacques F. , Curfs-Breuker Ilse , Fahal Ahmed H. , van de Sande Wendy W. J. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

Currently, therapy of black-grain mycetoma caused by
Madurella mycetomatis
consists of extensive debridement of the infected tissue combined with prolonged antifungal therapy with ketoconazole or itraconazole. In the present study, the
in vitro
activity of the new triazole isavuconazole toward
M. mycetomatis
was evaluated. Isavuconazole appeared to have high activity against
M. mycetomatis
, with MICs ranging from ≤0.016 to 0.125 μg/ml. Due to its favorable pharmacokinetics, isavuconazole could be a promising antifungal agent in the treatment of mycetoma.
Virulence Phenotypes of Legionella pneumophila Associated with Noncoding RNA lpr0035
Authors: Jayakumar Deepak , Early Julie V. , Steinman Howard M. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTThe Philadelphia-1 strain ofLegionella pneumophila, the causative organism of Legionnaires' disease, contains a recently discovered noncoding RNA, lpr0035. lpr0035 straddles the 5′ chromosomal junction of a 45-kbp mobile genetic element, pLP45, which can exist as an episome or integrated in the bacterial chromosome. A 121-bp deletion was introduced in strain JR32, a Philadelphia-1 derivative. The deletion inactivated lpr0035, removed the 49-bp direct repeat at the 5′ junction of pLP45, and locked pLP45 in the chromosome. Intracellular multiplication of the deletion mutant was decreased by nearly 3 orders of magnitude inAcanthamoeba castellaniiamoebae and nearly 2 orders of magnitude in J774 mouse macrophages. Entry of the deletion mutant into amoebae and macrophages was decreased by >70%. The level of entry in both hosts was restored to that in strain JR32 by plasmid copies of two open reading frames immediately downstream of the 5′ junction and plasmid lpr0035 driven by its endogenous promoter. When induced from atacpromoter, plasmid lpr0035 completely reversed the intracellular multiplication defect in macrophages but was without effect in amoebae. These data are the first evidence of a role for noncoding RNA lpr0035, which has homologs in six otherLegionellagenomes, in entry ofL. pneumophilainto amoebae and macrophages and in host-specific intracellular multiplication. The data also demonstrate that deletion of a direct-repeat sequence restricts the mobility of pLP45 and is a means of studying the role of pLP45 mobility inLegionellavirulence phenotypes.
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and Vaccinia Virus Do Not Require the Family of WASP-Interacting Proteins for Pathogen-Induced Actin Assembly
Authors: Garber John J. , Takeshima Fuminao , Antón Inés M. , Oyoshi Michiko K. , Lyubimova Anna , Kapoor Archana , Shibata Tomoyuki , Chen Feng , Alt Frederick W. , Geha Raif S. , Leong John M. , Snapper Scott B. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

The human pathogens enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(EPEC) and vaccinia virus trigger actin assembly in host cells by activating the host adaptor Nck and the actin nucleation promoter neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP). EPEC translocates effector molecules into host cells via type III secretion, and the interaction between the translocated intimin receptor (Tir) and the bacterial membrane protein intimin stimulates Nck and N-WASP recruitment, leading to the formation of actin pedestals beneath adherent bacteria. Vaccinia virus also recruits Nck and N-WASP to generate actin tails that promote cell-to-cell spread of the virus. In addition to Nck and N-WASP, WASP-interacting protein (WIP) localizes to vaccinia virus tails, and inhibition of actin tail formation upon ectopic expression of WIP mutants led to the suggestion that WIP is required for this process. Similar studies of WIP mutants, however, did not affect the ability of EPEC to form actin pedestals, arguing against an essential role for WIP in EPEC-induced actin assembly. In this study, we demonstrate that Nck and N-WASP are normally recruited by vaccinia virus and EPEC in the absence of WIP, and neither WIP nor the WIP family members CR16 and WIRE/WICH are essential for pathogen induced actin assembly. In addition, although Nck binds EPEC Tir directly, N-WASP is required for its localization during pedestal formation. Overall, these data highlight similar pathogenic strategies shared by EPEC and vaccinia virus by demonstrating a requirement for both Nck and N-WASP, but not WIP or WIP family members in pathogen-induced actin assembly.
BCG vaccination in England since 2005: a survey of policy and practice
Authors: Pilger Daniel , Nguipdop-Djomo Patrick , Abubakar Ibrahim , Elliman David , Rodrigues Laura C , Watson John M , Eastman Vera , Mangtani Punam 
Published: September 2012

ObjectiveAssess the current BCG vaccination policies and delivery pathways for immunisation in Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in England since the 2005 change in recommendations.DesignA survey of key informants across PCTs using a standardised, structured questionnaire.Setting152 PCTs in England.ResultsComplete questionnaires were returned from 127 (84%) PCTs. Sixteen (27%) PCTs reported universal infant vaccination and 111 (73%) had selective infant vaccination. Selective vaccination outside infancy was also reported from 94 (74%) PCTs. PCTs with selective infant policy most frequently vaccinated on postnatal wards (51/102, 50%), whereas PCTs with universal infant vaccination most frequently vaccinated in community clinics (9/13, 69%; p=0.011). To identify and flag up eligible infants in PCTs with targeted infant immunisation, those who mostly vaccinate on postnatal wards depend on midwives and maternity records, whereas those who vaccinate primarily in the community rely more often on various healthcare professionals.ConclusionsTargeted infant vaccination has been implemented in most PCTs across the UK. PCTs with selective infant vaccination provide BCG vaccine via a greater variety of healthcare professionals than those with universal infant vaccination policies. Data on vaccine coverage would help evaluate the effectiveness of delivery. Interruptions of delivery noted here emphasise the importance of not just an agreed, standardised, local pathway, but also a named person in charge.
IIVFDT: IGNORANCE FUNCTIONS BASED INTERVAL-VALUED FUZZY DECISION TREE WITH GENETIC TUNING
Authors: SANZ J. , BUSTINCE H. , FERNÁNDEZ A. , HERRERA F. 
Published: September 2012

The choice of membership functions plays an essential role in the success of fuzzy systems. This is a complex problem due to the possible lack of knowledge when assigning punctual values as membership degrees. To face this handicap, we propose a methodology called Ignorance functions based Interval-Valued Fuzzy Decision Tree with genetic tuning, IIVFDT for short, which allows to improve the performance of fuzzy decision trees by taking into account the ignorance degree. This ignorance degree is the result of a weak ignorance function applied to the punctual value set as membership degree. Our IIVFDT proposal is composed of four steps: (1) the base fuzzy decision tree is generated using the fuzzy ID3 algorithm; (2) the linguistic labels are modeled with Interval-Valued Fuzzy Sets. To do so, a new parametrized construction method of Interval-Valued Fuzzy Sets is defined, whose length represents such ignorance degree; (3) the fuzzy reasoning method is extended to work with this representation of the linguistic terms; (4) an evolutionary tuning step is applied for computing the optimal ignorance degree for each Interval-Valued Fuzzy Set. The experimental study shows that the IIVFDT method allows the results provided by the initial fuzzy ID3 with and without Interval-Valued Fuzzy Sets to be outperformed. The suitability of the proposed methodology is shown with respect to both several state-of-the-art fuzzy decision trees and C4.5. Furthermore, we analyze the quality of our approach versus two methods that learn the fuzzy decision tree using genetic algorithms. Finally, we show that a superior performance can be achieved by means of the positive synergy obtained when applying the well known genetic tuning of the lateral position after the application of the IIVFDT method.
Sedimentological controls on the fracture distribution and network development in Mesaverde Group sandstone lithofacies, Uinta Basin, Utah, USA
Authors: Sonntag Ryan , Evans James P. , La Pointe Paul , Deraps Meagan , Sisley Hope , Richey David 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
The Mesaverde Group, Uinta Basin, Utah is the source of current significant natural gas production and contains several trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas resources. To evaluate and model the potential connectivity of hydraulically induced fractures to natural fractures in the subsurface, the natural fracture network was examined using scanline sampling, image and well logs, core and microstructural analyses. Regional fracture sets include subvertical fractures with dominant orientations of: north–south (006–015°), NE (045–059°), NNW (326–342°) and a WNW (271–286°). Sedimentologic and diagenetic characteristics of seven sandstone lithofacies control the fracture development and distribution in the group. Key sedimentologic and diagenetic influences on fracture distribution include bed thickness, stratigraphic architecture, the degree of cementation and the type of cement. From these sedimentologic controls on the character of natural fractures, lithofacies can potentially predict fracture distribution within the Mesaverde Group based on environments of deposition. The presence of NW-trending discontinuous sandstone reservoirs deposited in meandering fluvial environments that are highly fractured by a pervasive WNW-striking fracture set helps to explain fairways of prolific natural gas production within the basin.
Sills as fractured hydrocarbon reservoirs: examples and models
Authors: Gudmundsson Agust , Løtveit Ingrid F. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Sills are common in sedimentary basins and, through thermal effects, may contribute significantly to the transformation of organic material into oil and gas. In addition, many sills act as hydrocarbon reservoirs, either as seals or as fractured reservoirs themselves. The seals are related to glassy margins and/or low permeable metamorphosed host rocks at the contacts between the sills and their host rocks. Reservoir formation may then be encouraged at sill-fault or sill-dyke contacts, provided the dykes/faults have low permeabilities. If the seal at the lower margin of a sill is ruptured (because of changes in tectonic loading) while the seal at the upper margin is maintained, the sill may itself act as a fractured hydrocarbon reservoir. Major sills in sedimentary basins are mostly
c.
15–150 m thick and are mostly fed by (much thinner) dykes. Deflection of dykes into sills is primarily due to three related factors: (1) opening of contacts ahead of the feeder dyke (the ‘Cook–Gordon debonding’); (2) dykes meeting layers with local stresses unfavourable to dykes but favourable to sills (‘stress barriers’); and (3) abrupt increase in Young's modulus (‘elastic mismatch’) across a contact. Theoretical models predict common lateral dimension/maximum thickness (aspect) ratios of sills between 150 and 500, in agreement with actual measurements of sill dimensions. Many thick sills worldwide are currently exploited as hydrocarbon reservoirs.