bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rhodobacter capsulatus DprA is essential for RecA‐mediated gene transfer agent (RcGTA) recipient capability regulated by quorum‐sensing and the CtrA response regulator
Authors: Brimacombe Cedric A. , Ding Hao , Beatty J. Thomas 
Published: May 2014

SummaryGene transfer agents (GTAs) are genetic exchange elements that resemble small DNA bacteriophages that transfer random pieces of the producing cell's genome to recipient cells. The best‐studied GTA is that of Rhodobacter capsulatus, termed RcGTA. We discovered that the putative response regulator CtrA, which is essential for RcGTA production, is required for RcGTA‐mediated gene acquisition, and confirmed that a RecA homologue is required. It was also discovered that a DprA (DNA‐protecting protein A) homologue is essential for RcGTA‐mediated gene acquisition, and that dprA expression is induced by gtaI‐dependent quorum‐sensing and non‐phosphorylated CtrA. Modelling of the R. capsulatus DprA structure indicated the presence of a C‐terminal region that resembles a dsDNA‐binding protein domain. Purified His‐tagged R. capsulatus DprA protein bound to both single‐stranded (ss)DNA and double‐stranded (ds)DNA, but with a greater affinity for ssDNA. Additionally, DprA protected dsDNA from endonuclease digestion, and increased the rate of nucleation of Escherichia coli RecA onto ssDNA. Single‐cell expression analyses revealed that dprA is expressed in the majority of cells throughout a population. Overall, the results suggest that incorporation of RcGTA DNA into the recipient cell genome proceeds through a homologous recombination pathway resembling DNA recombination in natural transformation.
Mathematical modelling of arsenic transport, distribution and detoxification processes in yeast
Authors: Talemi Soheil Rastgou , Jacobson Therese , Garla Vijay , Navarrete Clara , Wagner Annemarie , Tamás Markus J. , Schaber Jörg 
Published: May 2014

SummaryArsenic has a dual role as causative and curative agent of human disease. Therefore, there is considerable interest in elucidating arsenic toxicity and detoxification mechanisms. By an ensemble modelling approach, we identified a best parsimonious mathematical model which recapitulates and predicts intracellular arsenic dynamics for different conditions and mutants, thereby providing novel insights into arsenic toxicity and detoxification mechanisms in yeast, which could partly be confirmed experimentally by dedicated experiments. Specifically, our analyses suggest that: (i) arsenic is mainly protein‐bound during short‐term (acute) exposure, whereas glutathione‐conjugated arsenic dominates during long‐term (chronic) exposure, (ii) arsenic is not stably retained, but can leave the vacuole via an export mechanism, and (iii) Fps1 is controlled by Hog1‐dependent and Hog1‐independent mechanisms during arsenite stress. Our results challenge glutathione depletion as a key mechanism for arsenic toxicity and instead suggest that (iv) increased glutathione biosynthesis protects the proteome against the damaging effects of arsenic and that (v) widespread protein inactivation contributes to the toxicity of this metalloid. Our work in yeast may prove useful to elucidate similar mechanisms in higher eukaryotes and have implications for the use of arsenic in medical therapy.
Relationship between Echocardiographic LV Mass and ECG Based Left Ventricular Voltages in an Adolescent Population: Related or Random?
Authors: CZOSEK RICHARD J. , CNOTA JAMES F. , KNILANS TIMOTHY K. , PRATT JESSE , GUERRIER KARINE , ANDERSON JEFFREY B. 
Published: May 2014

BackgroundIn attempts to detect diseases that may place adolescents at risk for sudden death, some have advocated for population‐based screening. Controversy exists over electrocardiography (ECG) screening due to the lack of specificity, cost, and detrimental effects of false positive or extraneous outcomes.ObjectivesAnalyze the relationship between precordial lead voltage on ECG and left ventricle (LV) mass by echocardiogram in adolescent athletes.MethodsRetrospective cohort analysis of a prospectively obtained population of self‐identified adolescent athletes during sports screening with ECG and echocardiogram. Correlation between ECG LV voltages (R wave in V6 [RV6] and S wave in lead V1 [SV1]) was compared to echocardiogram‐based measurements of left ventricular mass. Potential effects on ECG voltages by body anthropometrics, including weight, body mass index (BMI), and body surface area were analyzed, and ECG voltages indexed to BMI were compared to LV mass indices to analyze for improved correlation.ResultsA total of 659 adolescents enrolled in this study (64% male). The mean age was 15.4 years (14–18). The correlations between LV mass and RV6, SV1, and RV6 + SV1 were all less than 0.20. The false positive rate for abnormal voltages was relatively high (5.5%) but improved if abnormal voltages in both RV6 and SV1 were mandated simultaneously (0%). Indexing ECG voltages to BMI significantly improved correlation to LV mass, though false positive findings were increased (12.9%).ConclusionThere is poor correlation between ECG precordial voltages and echocardiographic LV mass. This relationship is modified by BMI. This finding may contribute to the poor ECG screening characteristics.
Spatiotemporal variation in airborne sporangia of Phytophthora infestans: characterization and initiatives towards improving potato late blight risk estimation
Authors: Fall M. L. , Van der Heyden H. , Brodeur L. , Leclerc Y. , Moreau G. , Carisse O. 
Published: May 2014

This study investigated the value of using real‐time monitoring of Phytophthora infestans airborne inoculum as a complement to decision support systems (DSS). The experiment was conducted during the 2010, 2011 and 2012 potato production seasons in two locations in New Brunswick, Canada. Airborne sporangia concentrations (ASC) of P. infestans were monitored using 16 rotating‐arm spore samplers placed 3 m above the ground. The first cases of late blight (2010 and 2011) were detected 6–7 days after the first ASC peak, and all samplers captured their first sporangia within the same week (at 3‐ and 9‐day periods). The cumulative ASC curve and the risk curves from two DSS (PLANT‐Plus and Pameseb Late Blight) had the same shape but different magnitudes. In both locations, the negative binomial distribution fitted the data better than the Poisson distribution, which is indicative of heterogeneity, and based on Taylor's power law, the heterogeneity increased with increasing ASC. Therefore, the present results suggest that spore‐sampling network devices may be a suitable approach for early detection of incoming inoculum and, when combined with DSS, represent a potential aid for targeting the optimal time to apply a disease‐control product. In this context, cumulative ASC can be a counterweight to the DSS risk estimate: a high risk combined with significant ASC will trigger fungicide spraying. Moreover, spore sampling can be used to assess the efficiency of management strategies by means of examining the area under the inoculum progress curve.
Redefining the global populations of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae based on pathogenic, molecular and phenotypic characteristics
Authors: Ferrante P. , Scortichini M. 
Published: May 2014

Knowing the population structure of a pathogen is fundamental for developing reliable phytosanitary legislation, detection techniques, and control strategies based on the actual aggressiveness and distribution of the pathogen. Currently, four populations of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) have been described: Psa 1, Psa 2, Psa 3 and Psa 4. However, diagnostic assays specific for Psa populations do not detect Psa 4, the less virulent (LV) strains isolated in New Zealand. Similarly, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of housekeeping genes, or broad Psa strain genome comparisons, revealed that Psa 4‐LV strains clustered separately from other Psa populations. In order to examine whether the placement of Psa 4 in the pathovar actinidiae was appropriate, various tests were carried out. It was shown that the Psa 4‐LV strains induced leaf and shoot wilting in Prunus cerasus, extensive necrotic lesions in Capsicum annuum fruits, and no significant symptoms in Actinidia deliciosa. Moreover, repetitive‐sequence PCR fingerprinting, type III secretion system effector protein genes detection and colony morphology clearly indicated the distinctiveness of Psa 4‐LV strains from the other three Psa populations. Rep‐PCR molecular typing revealed a high similarity of the Psa 4‐LV strains with members of Pseudomonas avellanae species. The Psa 4‐LV strains, most probably, belong to a new, still unnamed pathovar. It was concluded that the Psa 4‐LV strains isolated in New Zealand do not belong to the pathovar actinidiae, and, consequently, three Psa populations pathogenic to Actinidia spp. should currently include Psa 1, Psa 2 and Psa 3.
Religion and Capital Punishment in the United States
Authors: Santoro Anthony 
Published: May 2014

AbstractReligion and the death penalty have long been linked in the United States, from colonial establishments that used biblical law as one basis for criminal statutes to the contemporary use of religion to support or oppose executions. This article begins by analyzing the literature on these links at the most abstract before using religiously motivated opposition to capital punishment to survey the history and historiography on the subject. It then looks at how religious institutions engage the issue before bringing the discussion into the courtroom to look at how religion impacts the legal process and how this has been studied. The article concludes by suggesting some avenues for future research.
On the Importance of Attribution Theory in Political Psychology
Authors: Sahar Gail 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAttribution theory, which was initially applied to the study of academic achievement, has generated a large amount of research in psychology. Judgments of causal responsibility, an important facet of attributions, have since been studied in a variety of other contexts, revealing that they pervade our understanding of the social world. The present paper considers the many ways in which causal judgments, particularly attributions of responsibility, influence political life. Examining scholarship primarily from the fields of psychology, political science, and sociology, I discuss how perceptions of responsibility are linked to ideology and how they influence policy attitudes (welfare, affirmative action, abortion, gay rights) and perceptions of international conflict (beliefs about terrorism and war). An argument is made for increased communication among fields and a more systematic application of attributional models to the study of political judgments.
No association between CCL2 gene polymorphisms and risk of inflammatory demyelinating diseases in a Korean population
Authors: Namgoong S. , Bae J. S. , Cheong H. S. , Kim J.‐H. , Kim J. Y. , Kim L. H. , Kim H. J. , Shin H. D. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractInflammatory demyelinating disease (IDD), which includes multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO), affects the central nervous system. Chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2/MCP‐1) is considered an important contributor to the development or progression of IDD. However, genetic association studies of Asian populations are lacking. In this study, we investigated a possible association between CCL2 polymorphisms (rs1024611, rs28730833, and rs2857657) and a Korean population (178 IDD patients and 237 healthy controls) using multiple logistic regression models. However, we did not find any association, which was consistent with other studies in Caucasian populations. In conclusion, our results suggest that CCL2 variants may not contribute to the pathogenesis of IDD.
Impact of repeat testing of living kidney donors within 14 days of the transplant procedure: a multicenter retrospective survey
Authors: Echenique I.A. , Cohen D. , Rudow D.L. , Ison M.G. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundA transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from a live kidney donor prompted recommendations by the New York State Department of Health and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that all live donors undergo additional screening for HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) within 7–14 days of the donation procedure. There are concerns that re‐screening will result in delays and cancelled transplants.MethodsWe surveyed live‐donor transplant centers in New York State to assess their screening protocols and outcomes. Nine live‐donor programs (kidney and liver centers) responded.ResultsAll but 1 program has a formal repeat screening policy. Overall, no cancellations occurred, but 2 centers experienced transplantation delays, generally as the result of technician and laboratory procedural mistakes necessitating repeat phlebotomy. Testing is typically coordinated with pre‐surgical visits, additional laboratory tests, and physical examinations. In the initial evaluation, serology was most frequently used (all 9 centers), with few centers utilizing nucleic acid testing (NAT) (HIV NAT, 1; HBV NAT, 2; HCV NAT, 2). Repeat testing modalities varied: HIV antibody (5, 55%), HIV NAT (8, 88%), hepatitis B surface antigen (5, 55%), hepatitis B surface antibody (2, 22%), hepatitis B core antibody (3, 33%), HBV NAT (3, 33%), HCV antibody (3, 33%), and HCV NAT (5, 55%).ConclusionMost respondents have policies to re‐test living donors within 14 days of the transplant procedures. Rarely, centers encountered repeat testing‐associated delays, but no cancellations occurred.
Teachers' attitudes towards Korean English in South Korea
Authors: AHN HYEJEONG 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTThis study explores the attitudes of English teachers, both Korean and non‐Korean, towards ‘Korean English’ (KoE) in South Korea. Data about these attitudes were collected via 204 questionnaires and 25 post‐survey individual interviews, from two major regions, Busan Gyeongnam and Seoul Gyeonggi, and were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The results indicate that the majority of participants displayed a positive attitude towards KoE, especially regarding to the ‘cognitive’ component of attitude, while they showed ‘confused’ and ‘conflicting’ attitudes in the behavioural element. The unique features of KoE, its intelligibility, demographic and widespread use of KoE were perceived by participants as the most influential factors shaping their cognitive attitudes towards the language. Language variation and an acceptance of a pluralistic model of English language norms played a critical role in developing positive attitudes towards KoE in both the cognitive and behavioural components of participants’ attitudes.
World Englishes in international proficiency tests
Authors: HAMID M. OBAIDUL 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTThe demographic dominance of ‘non‐native’ speakers of English and the growing recognition of world Englishes (WE) call for critical examinations of varieties of English underpinning international proficiency tests. Expectedly, there has been an ongoing debate between those who argue for British and American norms and those who argue for all English norms including WE in international tests. While this welcome debate may develop awareness of WE issues among stakeholders, there has been little research on test‐takers and their perspectives on the relevance of WE to high‐stakes tests. This paper reports on data from an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) study to explore two questions: (1) How do IELTS test‐takers perceive the relevance of WE to the test and why? (2) What are the implications of their perceptions for WE research? Analyses of quantitative and qualitative data show test‐takers’ mixed views and attitudes: While the majority of them supported WE in an abstract, ideological sense, they were against the inclusion of WE in the test for reasons related to maintaining standards, fairness, equality and test‐taker interests. A critical discussion of the findings is undertaken to draw out implications for WE and WE researchers in the context of the dominance of English tests and their hegemonic discourses.
Seroepidemiology of Astrovirus MLB1
Authors: Holtz Lori R. , Bauer Irma K. , Jiang Hongbing , Belshe Robert , Freiden Pamela , Schultz-Cherry Stacey L. , Wang David 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
To determine the seroprevalence of astrovirus MLB1 (MLB1), an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was established. MLB1 seropositivity was high in children <6 months old, decreased to a nadir at 12 to 23 months old, and increased to 100% by adulthood. MLB1 infection is common, and primary exposure occurs in childhood.
Identification of a Novel Single-Stranded Circular DNA Virus in Pig Feces
Authors: Cheung Andrew K. , Ng Terry Fei Fan , Lager Kelly M. , Alt David P. , Delwart Eric L. , Pogranichniy Roman M. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
Porcine stool-associated circular virus 5 (PoSCV5) was detected in the feces of a pig with diarrhea. The complete 3,062-nucleotide genome contains two bidirectionally transcribed open reading frames (ORFs). Phylogenetic analysis of the deduced replication initiator protein (Rep) places PoSCV5 alone on a deep branch among the small circular Rep-encoding single-stranded DNA viruses.
High-Quality Draft Whole-Genome Sequences of 162 Salmonella enterica subsp.
enterica
Serovar Enteritidis Strains Isolated from Diverse Sources in Canada
Authors: Rehman Muhammad A. , Ziebell Kim , Nash John H. E. , Kropinski Andrew M. , Zong Zusheng , Nafziger Emily , Boerlin Patrick , Chui Linda , Devenish John , Bekal Sadjia , Graham Morag , Johnson Roger P. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

We report the high-quality draft genome sequences of 162 strains of
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
serovar Enteritidis representing diverse phage types and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles. The analysis of these genomes will enable the identification of markers that are useful for differentiating strains of this highly clonal serovar and will provide insights into the evolution, virulence, and epidemiology of the strains.
Draft Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium mageritense DSM 44476
T
Authors: Croce Olivier , Robert Catherine , Raoult Didier , Drancourt Michel 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

We report the draft genome sequence of
Mycobacterium mageritense
strain DSM 44476
T
(CIP 104973), a nontuberculosis species responsible for various infections. The genome described here is composed of 7,966,608 bp, with a G+C content of 66.95%, and contains 7,675 protein-coding genes and 120 predicted RNA genes.
The Nucleocapsid Domain of Gag Is Dispensable for Actin Incorporation into HIV-1 and for Association of Viral Budding Sites with Cortical F-Actin
Authors: Stauffer Sarah , Rahman Sheikh Abdul , de Marco Alex , Carlson Lars-Anders , Glass Bärbel , Oberwinkler Heike , Herold Nikolas , Briggs John A. G. , Müller Barbara , Grünewald Kay , Kräusslich Hans-Georg 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
Actin and actin-binding proteins are incorporated into HIV-1 particles, and F-actin has been suggested to bind the NC domain in HIV-1 Gag. Furthermore, F-actin has been frequently observed in the vicinity of HIV-1 budding sites by cryo-electron tomography (cET). Filamentous structures emanating from viral buds and suggested to correspond to actin filaments have been observed by atomic force microscopy. To determine whether the NC domain of Gag is required for actin association with viral buds and for actin incorporation into HIV-1, we performed comparative analyses of virus-like particles (VLPs) obtained by expression of wild-type HIV-1 Gag or a Gag variant where the entire NC domain had been replaced by a dimerizing leucine zipper [Gag(LZ)]. The latter protein yielded efficient production of VLPs with near-wild-type assembly kinetics and size and exhibited a regular immature Gag lattice. Typical HIV-1 budding sites were detected by using cET in cells expressing either Gag or Gag(LZ), and no difference was observed regarding the association of buds with the F-actin network. Furthermore, actin was equally incorporated into wild-type HIV-1 and Gag- or Gag(LZ)-derived VLPs, with less actin per particle observed than had been reported previously. Incorporation appeared to correlate with the relative intracellular actin concentration, suggesting an uptake of cytosol rather than a specific recruitment of actin. Thus, the NC domain in HIV-1 Gag does not appear to have a role in actin recruitment or actin incorporation into HIV-1 particles.

IMPORTANCE
HIV-1 particles bud from the plasma membrane, which is lined by a network of actin filaments. Actin was found to interact with the nucleocapsid domain of the viral structural protein Gag and is incorporated in significant amounts into HIV-1 particles, suggesting that it may play an active role in virus release. Using electron microscopy techniques, we previously observed bundles of actin filaments near HIV-1 buds, often seemingly in contact with the Gag layer. Here, we show that this spatial association is observed independently of the proposed actin-binding domain of HIV-1. The absence of this domain also did not affect actin incorporation and had a minor effect on the viral assembly rate. Furthermore, actin was not enriched in the virus compared to the average levels in the respective producing cell. Our data argue against a specific recruitment of actin to HIV-1 budding sites by the nucleocapsid domain of Gag.
Missed acute appendicitis presenting as necrotising fasciitis of the thigh
Authors: Taif Sawsan , Alrawi Asif 
Published: May 2014

Necrotising fasciitis is a rapidly progressive soft tissue infection that leads to diffuse tissue necrosis. It is associated with systemic toxicity and rapid deterioration resulting in high mortality. Rapid diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential to improve the outcome. We report the case of a 26-year-old woman who presented with severe thigh pain and swelling associated with irritability of a few hours’ duration following 2 days history of right abdominal pain. Urgent MRI and CT scan showed features of necrotising fasciitis in the thigh spreading from an inflamed appendix. Emergency surgery was performed which revealed perforated appendix with disseminated infection in the intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal spaces as well as the right thigh. The patient rapidly deteriorated with evidence of sepsis, shock and renal impairment. In spite of surgery and all supportive measures, she succumbed shortly postoperatively. Blood culture revealedStaphylococcus aureusandStreptococci, while tissue culture showed growth ofEscherichia coliand proteus.