bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mosquito and West Nile virus surveillance in northeast Montana, U.S.A., 2005 and 2006
Authors: FRIESEN K. M. , JOHNSON G. D. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractMosquito and West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance was conducted on a national wildlife refuge in northeast Montana in 2005 and 2006, during which outbreaks of WNV in a colony of American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Gmelin) (Pelecaniformes: Pelecanidae) resulted in juvenile mortality rates of ∼ 31%. Both years, floodwater species Ochlerotatus dorsalis (Meigen) (Diptera: Culicidae), Aedes vexans (Meigen) (Diptera: Culicidae) and Ochlerotatus flavescens (Muller) (Diptera: Culicidae) comprised 78% of the total collection and heightened host‐seeking activity was observed from mid‐June to mid‐July. Culex tarsalis Coquillett (Diptera: Culicidae) was most active from mid‐July to mid‐August and comprised 18% of the collection in 2005 and 20% in 2006. However, fewer than 10% of the Cx. tarsalis females collected in 2006 were obtained adjacent to the pelicans' nesting grounds. Minimum infection rates per 1000 Cx. tarsalis tested for WNV were 1.36 in 2005 and 1.41 in 2006. All pools in which WNV was detected in 2006 were composed of females collected 10 km from the nesting grounds. Substantial juvenile pelican mortality in 2006 despite reductions in the population of the primary vector and in mosquito infection rates near the colony suggests that the methods used to detect the introduction of WNV were too coarse and that amplification of the virus within the colony may reflect causes other than mosquito infection.
Stored carbon partly fuels fine‐root respiration but is not used for production of new fine roots
Authors: Lynch Douglas J. , Matamala Roser , Iversen Colleen M. , Norby Richard J. , Gonzalez‐Meler Miquel A. 
Published: May 2013

Summary

The relative use of new photosynthate compared to stored carbon (C) for the production and maintenance of fine roots, and the rate of C turnover in heterogeneous fine‐root populations, are poorly understood.

We followed the relaxation of a 13C tracer in fine roots in a Liquidambar styraciflua plantation at the conclusion of a free‐air CO2 enrichment experiment. Goals included quantifying the relative fractions of new photosynthate vs stored C used in root growth and root respiration, as well as the turnover rate of fine‐root C fixed during [CO2] fumigation.

New fine‐root growth was largely from recent photosynthate, while nearly one‐quarter of respired C was from a storage pool. Changes in the isotopic composition of the fine‐root population over two full growing seasons indicated heterogeneous C pools; < 10% of root C had a residence time < 3 months, while a majority of root C had a residence time > 2 yr.

Compared to a one‐pool model, a two‐pool model for C turnover in fine roots (with 5 and 0.37 yr−1 turnover times) doubles the fine‐root contribution to forest NPP (9–13%) and supports the 50% root‐to‐soil transfer rate often used in models.
Unified changes in cell size permit coordinated leaf evolution
Authors: Brodribb Tim J. , Jordan Greg J. , Carpenter Raymond J. 
Published: May 2013

Summary

The processes by which the functions of interdependent tissues are coordinated as lineages diversify are poorly understood.

Here, we examine evolutionary coordination of vascular, epidermal and cortical leaf tissues in the anatomically, ecologically and morphologically diverse woody plant family Proteaceae.

We found that, across the phylogenetic range of Proteaceae, the sizes of guard, epidermal, palisade and xylem cells were positively correlated with each other but negatively associated with vein and stomatal densities. The link between venation and stomata resulted in a highly efficient match between potential maximum water loss (determined by stomatal conductance) and the leaf vascular system's capacity to replace that water. This important linkage is likely to be driven by stomatal size, because spatial limits in the packing of stomata onto the leaf surface apparently constrain the maximum size and density of stomata.

We conclude that unified evolutionary changes in cell sizes of independent tissues, possibly mediated by changes in genome size, provide a means of substantially modifying leaf function while maintaining important functional links between leaf tissues. Our data also imply the presence of alternative evolutionary strategies involving cellular miniaturization during radiation into closed forest, and cell size increase in open habitats.
Physiological and metabolic consequences of autophagy deficiency for the management of nitrogen and protein resources in Arabidopsis leaves depending on nitrate availability
Authors: Guiboileau Anne , Avila‐Ospina Liliana , Yoshimoto Kohki , Soulay Fabienne , Azzopardi Marianne , Marmagne Anne , Lothier Jérémy , Masclaux‐Daubresse Céline 
Published: May 2013

Summary

Autophagy is present at a basal level in all plant tissues and is induced during leaf ageing and in response to nitrogen (N) starvation. Nitrogen remobilization from the rosette to the seeds is impaired in autophagy mutants. This report focuses on the role of autophagy in leaf N management and proteolysis during plant ageing.

Metabolites, enzyme activities and protein contents were monitored in several autophagy‐defective (atg) Arabidopsis mutants grown under low and high nitrate conditions.

Results showed that carbon (C) and N statuses were affected in atg mutants before any senescence symptoms appeared. atg mutants accumulated larger amounts of ammonium, amino acids and proteins than wild type, and were depleted in sugars. Over‐accumulation of proteins in atg mutants was selective and occurred despite higher endopeptidase and carboxypeptidase activities. Specific over‐accumulation of the ribosomal proteins S6 and L13 subunits, and of catalase and glutamate dehydrogenase proteins was observed. atg mutants also accumulated peptides putatively identified as degradation products of the Rubisco large subunit and glutamine synthetase 2 (GS2). Incomplete chloroplast protein degradation resulting from autophagy defects could explain the higher N concentrations measured in atg rosettes and defects in N remobilization.

It is concluded that autophagy controls C : N status and protein content in leaves of Arabidopsis.
The mechanism of ORFH79 suppression with the artificial restorer fertility gene Mt‐GRP162
Authors: Hu Jun , Huang Wenchao , Huang Qi , Qin Xiaojian , Dan Zhiwu , Yao Guoxin , Zhu Renshan , Zhu Yingguo 
Published: May 2013

Summary

The restoration fertility complex (RFC) was previously identified in Honglian (HL)‐cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) rice (Oryza sativa), and glycine‐rich protein 162 (GRP162) is responsible for binding to the CMS‐associated transcript atp6‐orfH79.

Here, we engineered a recombinant GRP162 containing the mitochondrial transit peptide, termed Mt‐GRP162, as an artificial restorer of fertility (Rf) gene. Mt‐GRP162 was confirmed to bind to CMS‐associated RNA and to localize to the mitochondria. The transgenic plants showed restored fertility with partially functional pollen.

We found that the expression of ORFH79 decreased in transgenic plants, while the expression of atp6‐orfH79 was not changed. These findings indicate that Mt‐GRP162 restores fertility by suppressing the expression of the cytotoxic protein ORFH79 at the post‐transcriptional level rather than via the cleavage of atp6‐orfH79 in the presence of RFC.

These findings contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms of restoration through diverse pathways.
An appraisal of the fossil record for the Cirolanidae (Malacostraca: Peracarida: Isopoda: Cymothoida), with a description of a new cirolanid isopod crustacean from the early Miocene of the Vienna Basin (Western Carpathians)
Authors: HYŽNÝ MATÚŠ , BRUCE NIEL L. , SCHLÖGL JÁN 
Published: May 2013

Abstract: Isopod crustaceans are rarely preserved in the fossil record. Herein, an appraisal of the fossil record for the cirolanid isopods is presented. Five genera are briefly discussed, includingBathynomus,Brunnaega,Palaega,PseudopalaegaandCirolana. A key for the cirolanid genera known to date from the fossil record is provided based mostly on pleotelson characters. From the early Miocene of the Slovak part of the Vienna Basin,Cirolana feldmannisp. nov. is described being only the fifth fossilCirolanaspecies known to date and one of the few with preserved appendages. The material exhibits preservation suggesting biphasic moulting; the mode of preservation suggests a rather short time between shedding the posterior and anterior parts of the exoskeleton instead of hours or even days known in extant taxa. As no subsequent transport or physical disturbance was inferred, the specimens can be stated asin situpreservation. From the palaeoecological point of view, it is concluded thatCirolana feldmannisp. nov. is the first unequivocal fossil deep‐waterCirolanaas suggested by the accompanied fauna.
A new specimen of theTriassic pistosauroidYunguisaurus, with implications for the origin ofPlesiosauria (Reptilia,Sauropterygia)
Authors: Sato Tamaki , Zhao Li‐Jun , Wu Xiao‐Chun , Li Chun 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAn adult skeleton of the pistosauroid sauropterygianYunguisaurus liaereveals a number of morphological features not observed in the holotype, such as the complete morphology of the skull roof, stapes, atlas and axis, ventral view of the postcranium, and nearly complete limbs and tail. Size and morphological differences between the two specimens are mostly regarded as ontogenetic variation, and newly added data did not affect the phylogenetic relationships with other pistosauroids significantly. The number of mesopodia (11 carpals and 8 tarsals) exceeds that known in any otherTriassic marine reptiles and does not serve as a precursor of the plesiosaurian pattern with fewer mesopodia of different topology; it demonstrates variability of the limb morphology among theTriassic pistosauroids. The pectoral girdles ofCorosaurus,AugustasaurusandYunguisaurusmay indicate early stages of the adaptation towards the plesiosaurian style of paraxial limb movements with ventroposterior power stroke.
Wavelet Thresholding Estimation in a Poissonian Interactions Model with Application to Genomic Data
Authors: Sansonnet Laure 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTThis paper deals with the study of dependencies between two given events modelled by point processes. In particular, we focus on the context of DNA to detect favoured or avoided distances between two given motifs along a genome suggesting possible interactions at a molecular level. For this, we naturally introduce a so‐called reproduction function h that allows to quantify the favoured positions of the motifs and that is considered as the intensity of a Poisson process. Our first interest is the estimation of this function h assumed to be well localized. The estimator based on random thresholds achieves an oracle inequality. Then, minimax properties of on Besov balls are established. Some simulations are provided, proving the good practical behaviour of our procedure. Finally, our method is applied to the analysis of the dependence between promoter sites and genes along the genome of the Escherichia coli bacterium.
Prevalence of high‐risk human papilloma virus among women with hepatitis C virus before liver transplantation
Authors: Tarallo P.A. , Smolowitz J. , Carriero D. , Tarallo J. , Siegel A. , Jia H. , Emond J.C. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundWe sought to assess the prevalence and risk factors for high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among female liver transplant (LT) candidates. Traditional health screening before LT listing has included Pap smear and is typically carried out by the patient's local provider. The prevalence of high‐risk HPV in this population has not been studied.MethodsWith Institutional Review Board approval, 62 LT candidates received a liquid‐based Pap smear with high‐risk HPV testing as part of their pre‐transplant evaluation by a single provider. Clinical variables included age, ethnicity, insurance status, prior Pap smear, and HPV results, HPV risk factors including age of first intercourse, number of lifetime partners, last sexual activity, smoking, birth control pill use, history of sexually transmitted infections, human immunodeficiency virus status, immunosuppressive medication, medical diagnoses, prescribed medications, and history of hepatitis A, B, C, or D.ResultsThe 62 women had a median age of 56 years, and 39% had high‐risk behavior known to be associated with HPV. Ten of 62 patients (16.1%) had high‐risk HPV at baseline screening, 5 of whom had atypical cytology. All of the patients who were positive for high‐risk HPV had an etiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) as the underlying cause of liver disease, with the majority (90%) having no history of high‐risk behavior for HPV. In contrast, all patients with high‐risk behavior who were HCV negative were HPV negative. Fisher's exact test demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between HPV and HCV; odds ratio = 24.4, 95% confidence interval, 1.4, 438.7, P‐value = 0.0013. None of the other potential risk factors were associated with HPV in this cohort.ConclusionsIn this study, we provide evidence of a strong association between HCV and HPV in LT candidates, which has not been previously reported. HPV positivity was observed in non‐sexually active women, suggesting a reactivation of dormant HPV. An association between hepatitis C and high‐risk HPV could involve impairment of T‐cell function by hepatitis C. These data support close surveillance in women's health screening for LT candidates. Further studies to characterize immune responses in these patients will be in order.
ACOUSTICAL STANDARDS NEWS
Authors: Blaeser Susan B. , Schomer Paul D. 
Published: May 2013

American National Standards (ANSI Standards) developed by Accredited Standards Committees S1, S2, S3, and S12 in the areas of acoustics, mechanical vibration and shock, bioacoustics, and noise, respectively, are published by the Acoustical Society of America (ASA). In addition to these standards, ASA publishes catalogs of Acoustical Standards, both National and International. To receive copies of the latest Standards catalogs, please contact Susan B. Blaeser.
Comments are welcomed on all material in Acoustical Standards News.
This Acoustical Standards News section in JASA, as well as the National and International Catalogs of Acoustical Standards, and other information on the Standards Program of the Acoustical Society of America, are available via the ASA home page: http://acousticalsociety.org.
pH Dependence of Microbe Sterilization by Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides
Authors: Walkenhorst William F. , Klein J. Wolfgang , Vo Phuong , Wimley William C. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

We recently described a family of cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) selected from a combinatorial library that exhibited potent, broad-spectrum activity at neutral pH and low ionic strength. To further delimit the utility and activity profiles of these peptides, we investigated the effects of solution conditions, such as pH and ionic strength, on the efficacy of the peptide antimicrobials against a panel of microorganisms. Peptide minimum sterilizing concentrations (MSCs) varied linearly with pH for each subtype within our family of CAMPs for all organisms tested. The peptides were much less effective against Gram-negative bacteria at high pH, consistent with a decrease in net positive charge on the peptides. A similar trend was observed for the fungus
Candida albicans
. Surprisingly, the opposite pH trend was observed with the Gram-positive
Staphylococcus aureus
. In addition, an additive ionic strength effect was observed with increasing buffer strengths at identical pH values. The extreme difference in the observed pH behavior between Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms is attributed to the presence of native charged molecules in the much thicker peptidoglycan layer of the Gram-positive organism. The novel species-specific effects of pH observed here have important implications for applications using CAMPs and for the design of novel CAMPs.
Hydrophobic Gentamicin-Loaded Nanoparticles Are Effective against Brucella melitensis Infection in Mice
Authors: Imbuluzqueta Edurne , Gamazo Carlos , Lana Hugo , Campanero Miguel Ángel , Salas David , Gil Ana Gloria , Elizondo Elisa , Ventosa Nora , Veciana Jaume , Blanco-Prieto María J. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

The clinical management of human brucellosis is still challenging and demands
in vitro
active antibiotics capable of targeting the pathogen-harboring intracellular compartments. A sustained release of the antibiotic at the site of infection would make it possible to reduce the number of required doses and thus the treatment-associated toxicity. In this study, a hydrophobically modified gentamicin, gentamicin-AOT [AOT is bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate sodium salt], was either microstructured or encapsulated in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles. The efficacy of the formulations developed was studied both
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Gentamicin formulations reduced
Brucella
infection in experimentally infected THP-1 monocytes (>2-log
10
unit reduction) when using clinically relevant concentrations (18 mg/liter). Moreover,
in vivo
studies demonstrated that gentamicin-AOT-loaded nanoparticles efficiently targeted the drug both to the liver and the spleen and maintained an antibiotic therapeutic concentration for up to 4 days in both organs. This resulted in an improved efficacy of the antibiotic in experimentally infected mice. Thus, while 14 doses of free gentamicin did not alter the course of the infection, only 4 doses of gentamicin-AOT-loaded nanoparticles reduced the splenic infection by 3.23 logs and eliminated it from 50% of the infected mice with no evidence of adverse toxic effects. These results strongly suggest that PLGA nanoparticles containing chemically modified hydrophobic gentamicin may be a promising alternative for the treatment of human brucellosis.
Can Intermittent Dosing Optimize Prolonged Linezolid Treatment of Difficult Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis?
Authors: Chang Kwok-Chiu , Yew Wing-Wai , Cheung Siu-Wai , Leung Chi-Chiu , Tam Cheuk-Ming , Chau Chi-Hung , Wen Peter Kin-Ho , Chan Raphael Chiu-Yeung 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT
We evaluated treatment with linezolid, dosed at 800 mg once daily for 1 to 4 months as guided by sputum culture status and tolerance and then at 1,200 mg thrice weekly until ≥1 year after culture conversion, in addition to individually optimized regimens among 10 consecutive patients with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis or fluoroquinolone-resistant multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. All achieved stable cure, with anemia corrected and neuropathy stabilized, ameliorated, or avoided after switching to intermittent dosing. Serum linezolid profiles appeared better optimized.
SatR Is a Repressor of Fluoroquinolone Efflux Pump SatAB
Authors: Escudero Jose Antonio , San Millan Alvaro , Montero Natalia , Gutierrez Belen , Ovejero Cristina Martinez , Carrilero Laura , González-Zorn Bruno 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus suis
is an emerging zoonotic agent responsible for high-mortality outbreaks among the human population in China. In this species, the ABC transporter SatAB mediates fluoroquinolone resistance when overexpressed. Here, we describe and characterize
satR
, an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a MarR superfamily regulator that acts as a repressor of
satAB. satR
is cotranscribed with
satAB
, and its interruption entails the overexpression of the pump, leading to a clinically relevant increase in resistance to fluoroquinolones.
Intrapulmonary Pharmacokinetics of GSK2251052 in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Tenero David , Bowers Gary , Rodvold Keith A. , Patel Apurva , Kurtinecz Milena , Dumont Etienne , Tomayko John , Patel Parul 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

The plasma and intrapulmonary pharmacokinetics (PK) of intravenous (i.v.) GSK2251052, a novel boron-containing antimicrobial, were evaluated in healthy adult subjects. Thirty subjects underwent bronchoscopy and timed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) either following a single dose (cohort 1) or after 5 twice-daily doses (cohort 2) of 1,500 mg GSK2251052 i.v. Serial PK and safety assessments were obtained throughout the study. Bronchoscopy was performed on a single occasion in each subject at 2, 6, or 12 h after start of infusion. Noncompartmental analysis was performed to calculate PK parameters. Thirty subjects completed the study. The mean clearance (CL), volume of distribution at steady state (
V
ss
), and half-life (
t
1/2
) values were 22 liters/h, 231 liters, and 10.7 h, respectively. Approximately 30% of the dose was excreted unchanged in urine. The GSK2251052 concentrations in epithelial lining fluid (ELF) and alveolar macrophages (AM) were approximately 50% and 500 to 600%, respectively, compared to the concentration in plasma. the GSK2251052 exposures in ELF and AM were comparable following single- and repeat-dose administration. The most frequently reported drug-related adverse event (AE) was mild to moderate infusion site reactions (7 subjects) that occurred primarily in the repeat-dose cohort. No serious drug-related AEs or clinically significant trends in laboratory values, vital signs, or electrocardiograms were observed. GSK2251052 given as a 1,500-mg infusion was generally tolerated following single- or repeat-dose administration. GSK2251052 distributes into both the ELF and AM of healthy volunteers, which supports further study in patients with pneumonia.
Novel Synthetic (Poly)Glycerolphosphate-Based Antistaphylococcal Conjugate Vaccine
Authors: Chen Quanyi , Dintaman Jay , Lees Andrew , Sen Goutam , Schwartz David , Shirtliff Mark E. , Park Saeyoung , Lee Jean C. , Mond James J. , Snapper Clifford M. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTStaphylococcal infections are a major source of global morbidity and mortality. Currently there exists no antistaphylococcal vaccine in clinical use. Previous animal studies suggested a possible role for purified lipoteichoic acid as a vaccine target for eliciting protective IgG to several Gram-positive pathogens. Since the highly conserved (poly)glycerolphosphate backbone of lipoteichoic acid is a major antigenic target of the humoral immune system during staphylococcal infections, we developed a synthetic method for producing glycerol phosphoramidites to create a covalent 10-mer of (poly)glycerolphosphate for potential use in a conjugate vaccine. We initially demonstrated that intactStaphylococcus aureuselicits murine CD4+T cell-dependent (poly)glycerolphosphate-specific IgM and IgG responsesin vivo. Naive mice immunized with a covalent conjugate of (poly)glycerolphosphate and tetanus toxoid in alum plus CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides produced high secondary titers of serum (poly)glycerolphosphate-specific IgG. Sera from immunized mice enhanced opsonophagocytic killing of liveStaphylococcus aureusin vitro. Mice actively immunized with the (poly)glycerolphosphate conjugate vaccine showed rapid clearance of staphylococcal bacteremiain vivorelative to mice similarly immunized with an irrelevant conjugate vaccine. In contrast to purified, natural lipoteichoic acid, the (poly)glycerolphosphate conjugate vaccine itself exhibited no detectable inflammatory activity. These data suggest that a synthetic (poly)glycerolphosphate-based conjugate vaccine will contribute to active protection against extracellular Gram-positive pathogens expressing this highly conserved backbone structure in their membrane-associated lipoteichoic acid.