bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 3 integrates the functions of AGAMOUS and APETALA2 in floral meristem determinacy
Authors: Liu Xigang , Dinh Thanh Theresa , Li Dongming , Shi Bihai , Li Yongpeng , Cao Xiuwei , Guo Lin , Pan Yanyun , Jiao Yuling , Chen Xuemei 
Published: September 2014

SummaryIn Arabidopsis, AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 3 (ARF3) belongs to the auxin response factor (ARF) family that regulates the expression of auxin‐responsive genes. ARF3 is known to function in leaf polarity specification and gynoecium patterning. In this study, we discovered a previously unknown role for ARF3 in floral meristem (FM) determinacy through the isolation and characterization of a mutant of ARF3 that enhanced the FM determinacy defects of agamous (ag)‐10, a weak ag allele. Central players in FM determinacy include WUSCHEL (WUS), a gene critical for FM maintenance, and AG and APETALA2 (AP2), which regulate FM determinacy by repression and promotion of WUS expression, respectively. We showed that ARF3 confers FM determinacy through repression of WUS expression, and associates with the WUS locus in part in an AG‐dependent manner. We demonstrated that ARF3 is a direct target of AP2 and partially mediates AP2's function in FM determinacy. ARF3 exhibits dynamic and complex expression patterns in floral organ primordia; altering the patterns spatially compromised FM determinacy. This study uncovered a role for ARF3 in FM determinacy and revealed relationships among genes in the genetic network governing FM determinacy.
ACOUSTICAL STANDARDS NEWS
Authors: Blaeser Susan B. , Schomer Paul D. 
Published: September 2014

American National Standards (ANSI Standards) developed by Accredited Standards Committees S1, S2, S3, S3/SC 1, and S12 in the areas of acoustics, mechanical vibration and shock, bioacoustics, animal 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.
Comprehensive Analysis and Selection of Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed Immune Correlates of Protection in Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Chen Ligong , Schiffer Jarad M. , Dalton Shannon , Sabourin Carol L. , Niemuth Nancy A. , Plikaytis Brian D. , Quinn Conrad P. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTHumoral and cell-mediated immune correlates of protection (COP) for inhalation anthrax in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) model were determined. The immunological and survival data were from 114 vaccinated and 23 control animals exposed toBacillus anthracisspores at 12, 30, or 52 months after the first vaccination. The vaccinated animals received a 3-dose intramuscular priming series (3-i.m.) of anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA) (BioThrax) at 0, 1, and 6 months. The immune responses were modulated by administering a range of vaccine dilutions. Together with the vaccine dilution dose and interval between the first vaccination and challenge, each of 80 immune response variables to anthrax toxin protective antigen (PA) at every available study time point was analyzed as a potential COP by logistic regression penalized by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) or elastic net. The anti-PA IgG level at the last available time point before challenge (last) and lymphocyte stimulation index (SI) at months 2 and 6 were identified consistently as a COP. Anti-PA IgG levels and lethal toxin neutralization activity (TNA) at months 6 and 7 (peak) and the frequency of gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-secreting cells at month 6 also had statistically significant positive correlations with survival. The ratio of interleukin 4 (IL-4) mRNA to IFN-γ mRNA at month 6 also had a statistically significant negative correlation with survival. TNA had lower accuracy as a COP than did anti-PA IgG response. Following the 3-i.m. priming with AVA, the anti-PA IgG responses at the time of exposure or at month 7 were practicable and accurate metrics for correlating vaccine-induced immunity with protection against inhalation anthrax.
Heterogeneity in Rhesus Macaque Complement Factor H Binding to Meningococcal Factor H Binding Protein (FHbp) Informs Selection of Primates To Assess Immunogenicity of FHbp-Based Vaccines
Authors: Beernink Peter T. , Shaughnessy Jutamas , Stefek Heather , Ram Sanjay , Granoff Dan M. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTNeisseria meningitidiscauses disease only in humans. An important mechanism underlying this host specificity is the ability of the organism to resist complement by recruiting the complement downregulator factor H (FH) to the bacterial surface. In previous studies, binding of FH to one of the major meningococcal FH ligands, factor H binding protein (FHbp), was reported to be specific for human FH. Here we report that sera from 23 of 73 rhesus macaques (32%) tested had high FH binding to FHbp. Similar to human FH, binding of macaque FH to the meningococcal cell surface inhibited the complement alternative pathway by decreasing deposition of C3b. FH contains 20 domains (or short consensus repeats), with domains 6 and 7 being responsible for binding of human FH to FHbp. DNA sequence analyses of FH domains 6 and 7 from macaques with high or low FH binding showed a polymorphism at residue 352 in domain 6, with Tyr being associated with high binding and His with low binding. A recombinant macaque FH 6,7/Fc fragment with Tyr352 showed higher binding to FHbp than the corresponding fragment with His352. In previous studies in human FH transgenic mice, binding of FH to FHbp vaccines decreased protective antibody responses, and mutant FHbp vaccines with decreased FH binding elicited serum antibodies with greater protective activity. Thus, macaques with high FH binding to FHbp represent an attractive nonhuman primate model to investigate further the effects of FH binding on the immunogenicity of FHbp vaccines.
Antibody Response to a T-Cell-Independent Antigen Is Preserved after Splenic Artery Embolization for Trauma
Authors: Olthof D. C. , Lammers A. J. J. , van Leeuwen E. M. M. , Hoekstra J. B. L. , ten Berge I. J. M. , Goslings J. C. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTSplenic artery embolization (SAE) is increasingly being used as a nonoperative management strategy for patients with blunt splenic injury following trauma. The aim of this study was to assess the splenic function of patients who were embolized. A clinical study was performed, with splenic function assessed by examining the antibody response to polysaccharide antigens (pneumococcal 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine), B-cell subsets, and the presence of Howell-Jolly bodies (HJB). The data were compared to those obtained from splenectomized patients and healthy controls (HC) who had been included in a previously conducted study. A total of 30 patients were studied: 5 who had proximal SAE, 7 who had distal SAE, 8 who had a splenectomy, and 10 HC. The median vaccine-specific antibody response of the SAE patients (fold increase, 3.97) did not differ significantly from that of the HC (5.29;P= 0.90); however, the median response of the splenectomized patients (2.30) did differ (P= 0.003). In 2 of the proximally embolized patients and none of the distally embolized patients, the ratio of the IgG antibody level postvaccination compared to that prevaccination was <2. There were no significant differences in the absolute numbers of lymphocytes or B-cell subsets between the SAE patients and the HC. HJB were not observed in the SAE patients. The splenic immune function of embolized patients was preserved, and therefore routine vaccination appears not to be indicated. Although the median antibody responses did not differ between the patients who underwent proximal SAE and those who underwent distal SAE, 2 of the 5 proximally embolized patients had insufficient responses to vaccination, whereas none of the distally embolized patients exhibited an insufficient response. Further research should be done to confirm this finding.
Molecular and Phenotypic Characterization of Vibrio navarrensis Isolates Associated with Human Illness
Authors: Gladney Lori M. , Tarr Cheryl L. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

We characterized 18
Vibrio
isolates, including 15 recovered from human clinical specimens, and found that they clustered with two previously characterized
Vibrio navarrensis
isolates in a phylogenetic analysis. Four of the 18 strains may represent a new
Vibrio
species, distinct from
V. navarrensis
. The potential role of
V. navarrensis
in human disease needs further investigation.
First Reported Case of Ehrlichia ewingii Involving Human Bone Marrow
Authors: Allen M. Brandon , Pritt Bobbi S. , Sloan Lynne M. , Paddock Christopher D. , Musham Chaitanya K. , Ramos Jeanette M. , Cetin Neslihan , Rosenbaum Eric R. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

A 65-year-old female with a history of multiple tick bites presented with fever and pancytopenia. Intracytoplasmic rickettsial morulae were detected on peripheral smear and bone marrow biopsy specimens, and PCR amplified
Ehrlichia ewingii
DNA from both specimens. To our knowledge, this is the first report of
E. ewingii
infection of human bone marrow.
Seroepidemiologic Study of Human Infections with Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae in North Carolina
Authors: Vaughn Meagan F. , Delisle Josie , Johnson Joey , Daves Gaylen , Williams Carl , Reber Jodi , Mendell Nicole L. , Bouyer Donald H. , Nicholson William L. , Moncayo Abelardo C. , Meshnick Steven R. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

Increasing entomologic and epidemiologic evidence suggests that spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) other than
Rickettsia rickettsii
are responsible for spotted fever rickettsioses in the United States. A retrospective seroepidemiologic study was conducted on stored acute- and convalescent-phase sera that had been submitted for Rocky Mountain spotted fever testing to the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health. We evaluated the serologic reactivity of the paired sera to
R. rickettsii
,
Rickettsia parkeri
, and
Rickettsia amblyommii
antigens. Of the 106 eligible pairs tested, 21 patients seroconverted to one or more antigens. Cross-reactivity to multiple antigens was observed in 10 patients, and seroconversions to single antigens occurred in 11 patients, including 1 against
R. rickettsii
, 4 against
R. parkeri
, and 6 against
R. amblyommii
. Cross-absorption of cross-reactive sera and/or Western blots identified two presumptive cases of infection with
R. parkeri
, two presumptive cases of infection with
R. rickettsii
, and one presumptive case of infection with
R. amblyommii
. These findings suggest that species of SFGR other than
R. rickettsii
are associated with illness among North Carolina residents and that serologic testing using
R. rickettsii
antigen may miss cases of spotted fever rickettsioses caused by other species of SFGR.
Improved Single-Copy Assays for Quantification of Persistent HIV-1 Viremia in Patients on Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Cillo Anthony R. , Vagratian David , Bedison Margaret A. , Anderson Elizabeth M. , Kearney Mary F. , Fyne Elizabeth , Koontz Dianna , Coffin John M. , Piatak Michael , Mellors John W. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

A quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay with single-copy sensitivity targeting HIV-1
gag
RNA (the
gag
single-copy assay [gSCA]) has been used widely to quantify plasma viremia below the limit of detection of clinical assays in patients on effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), but viral RNA in 15 to 30% of samples amplifies inefficiently because of primer/probe mismatches. We sought to develop improved single-copy assays with increased sensitivity by improving nucleic acid recovery, designing qRT-PCR primers and a probe for a highly conserved region of integrase in the HIV-1
pol
gene (the integrase single-copy assay [iSCA]), and increasing the plasma volume tested (Mega-iSCA). We evaluated gSCA versus iSCA in paired plasma samples from 10 consecutive patients with viremia of >1,000 copies/ml and 25 consecutive patients on suppressive ART. Three of 10 viremic samples amplified inefficiently with gSCA compared to the Roche Cobas Ampliprep/TaqMan 2.0, whereas all 10 samples amplified efficiently with iSCA. Among 25 samples from patients on suppressive ART, 8 of 12 samples that were negative for HIV-1 RNA by gSCA had detectable HIV-1 RNA by iSCA, and iSCA detected 3-fold or higher HIV-1 RNA levels compared to gSCA in 10 of 25 samples. Large-volume plasma samples (>20 ml) from 7 patients were assayed using Mega-iSCA, and HIV-1 RNA was quantifiable in 6, including 4 of 5 that were negative by standard-volume iSCA. These improved assays with superior sensitivity will be useful for evaluating whether
in vivo
interventions can reduce plasma viremia and for assessing relationships between residual viremia and other virologic parameters, including the inducible proviral reservoir.
Phenotypic Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae by Use of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry and the Carba NP Test
Authors: Knox James , Jadhav Snehal , Sevior Danielle , Agyekum Alex , Whipp Margaret , Waring Lynette , Iredell Jonathan , Palombo Enzo 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the Carba NP test with that of a straightforward matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) method for detecting carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
(CPE). Using PCR as the reference method, both tests demonstrated a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 100%. MALDI-TOF MS offers a potential alternative for the rapid detection of CPE in the clinical laboratory setting.
A Leucine Residue in the C Terminus of Human Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 Matrix Protein Is Essential for Efficient Virus-Like Particle and Virion Release
Authors: Zhang Guangyuan , Zhang Shengwei , Ding Binbin , Yang Xiaodan , Chen Longyun , Yan Qin , Jiang Yanliang , Zhong Yi , Chen Mingzhou 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

Paramyxovirus particles, like other enveloped virus particles, are formed by budding from membranes of infected cells, and matrix (M) proteins are critical for this process. To identify the M protein important for this process, we have characterized the budding of the human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) M protein. Our results showed that expression of the HPIV3 M protein alone is sufficient to initiate the release of virus-like particles (VLPs). Electron microscopy analysis confirmed that VLPs are morphologically similar to HPIV3 virions. We identified a leucine (L302) residue within the C terminus of the HPIV3 M protein that is critical for M protein-mediated VLP production by regulating the ubiquitination of the M protein. When L302 was mutated into A302, ubiquitination of M protein was defective, the release of VLPs was abolished, and the membrane binding and budding abilities of M protein were greatly weakened, but the M
L302A
mutant retained oligomerization activity and had a dominant negative effect on M protein-mediated VLP production. Furthermore, treatment with a proteasome inhibitor also inhibited M protein-mediated VLP production and viral budding. Finally, recombinant HPIV3 containing the M
L302A
mutant could not be rescued. These results suggest that L302 acts as a critical regulating signal for the ubiquitination of the HPIV3 M protein and virion release.

IMPORTANCE
Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) is an enveloped virus with a nonsegmented negative-strand RNA genome. It can cause severe respiratory tract diseases, such as bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and croup in infants and young children. However, no valid antiviral therapy or vaccine is currently available. Thus, further elucidation of its assembly and budding will be helpful in the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Here, we show that a leucine residue (L302) located at the C terminus of the HPIV3 M protein is essential for efficient production of virus-like particles (VLPs). Furthermore, we found L302 regulated M protein-mediated VLP production via regulation of M protein ubiquitination. Recombinant HPIV3 containing the M
L302A
mutant is growth defective. These findings provide new insight into the critical role of M protein-mediated VLP production and virion release of a residue that does not belong to L domain and may advance our understanding of HPIV3 viral assembly and budding.
A Histidine Residue of the Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin Controls the pH Dependence of the Conformational Change Mediating Membrane Fusion
Authors: Mair Caroline M. , Meyer Tim , Schneider Katjana , Huang Qiang , Veit Michael , Herrmann Andreas 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

The conformational change of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) protein mediating the fusion between the virus envelope and the endosomal membrane was hypothesized to be induced by protonation of specific histidine residues since their pK
a
s match the pHs of late endosomes (pK
a
of ∼6.0). However, such critical key histidine residues remain to be identified. We investigated the highly conserved His184 at the HA1-HA1 interface and His110 at the HA1-HA2 interface of highly pathogenic H5N1 HA as potential pH sensors. By replacing both histidines with different amino acids and analyzing the effect of these mutations on conformational change and fusion, we found that His184, but not His110, plays an essential role in the pH dependence of the conformational change of HA. Computational modeling of the protonated His184 revealed that His184 is central in a conserved interaction network possibly regulating the pH dependence of conformational change via its pK
a
. As the propensity of histidine to get protonated largely depends on its local environment, mutation of residues in the vicinity of histidine may affect its pK
a
. The HA of highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses carries a Glu-to-Arg mutation at position 216 close to His184. By mutation of residue 216 in the highly pathogenic as well as the low pathogenic H5 HA, we observed a significant influence on the pH dependence of conformational change and fusion. These results are in support of a pK
a
-modulating effect of neighboring residues.

IMPORTANCE
The main pathogenic determinant of influenza viruses, the hemagglutinin (HA) protein, triggers a key step of the infection process: the fusion of the virus envelope with the endosomal membrane releasing the viral genome. Whereas essential aspects of the fusion-inducing mechanism of HA at low pH are well understood, the molecular trigger of the pH-dependent conformational change inducing fusion has been unclear. We provide evidence that His184 regulates the pH dependence of the HA conformational change via its pK
a
. Mutations of neighboring residues which may affect the pK
a
of His184 could play an important role in virus adaptation to a specific host. We suggest that mutation of neighboring residue 216, which is present in all highly pathogenic phenotypes of H5N1 influenza virus strains, contributed to the adaptation of these viruses to the human host via its effect on the pK
a
of His184.
Identification of a High-Efficiency Baculovirus DNA Replication Origin That Functions in Insect and Mammalian Cells
Authors: Wu Yueh-Lung , Wu Carol-P , Huang Yu-Hui , Huang Sheng-Ping , Lo Huei-Ru , Chang Hao-Shuo , Lin Pi-Hsiu , Wu Ming-Cheng , Chang Chia-Jung , Chao Yu-Chan 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

The
p143
gene from
Autographa californica
multinucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (
Ac
MNPV) has been found to increase the expression of luciferase, which is driven by the polyhedrin gene promoter, in a plasmid with virus coinfection. Further study indicated that this is due to the presence of a replication origin (
ori
) in the coding region of this gene. Transient DNA replication assays showed that a specific fragment of the
p143
coding sequence,
p143
-3, underwent virus-dependent DNA replication in
Spodoptera frugiperda
IPLB-Sf-21 (Sf-21) cells. Deletion analysis of the
p143
-3 fragment showed that subfragment
p143
-3.2a contained the essential sequence of this putative
ori
. Sequence analysis of this region revealed a unique distribution of imperfect palindromes with high AT contents. No sequence homology or similarity between
p143
-3.2a and any other known
ori
was detected, suggesting that it is a novel baculovirus
ori
. Further study showed that the
p143
-3.2a
ori
can replicate more efficiently in infected Sf-21 cells than baculovirus homologous regions (
hr
s), the major baculovirus
ori
, or non-
hr ori
s during virus replication. Previously,
hr
on its own was unable to replicate in mammalian cells, and for mammalian viral
ori
s, viral proteins are generally required for their proper replication in host cells. However, the
p143
-3.2a
ori
was, surprisingly, found to function as an efficient
ori
in mammalian cells without the need for any viral proteins. We conclude that
p143
contains a unique sequence that can function as an
ori
to enhance gene expression in not only insect cells but also mammalian cells.

IMPORTANCE
Baculovirus DNA replication relies on both
hr
and non-
hr ori
s; however, so far very little is known about the latter
ori
s. Here we have identified a new non-
hr ori
, the
p143 ori
, which resides in the coding region of
p143
. By developing a novel DNA replication-enhanced reporter system, we have identified and located the core region required for the
p143 ori
. This
ori
contains a large number of imperfect inverted repeats and is the most active
ori
in the viral genome during virus infection in insect cells. We also found that it is a unique
ori
that can replicate in mammalian cells without the assistance of baculovirus gene products. The identification of this
ori
should contribute to a better understanding of baculovirus DNA replication. Also, this
ori
is very useful in assisting with gene expression in mammalian cells.