bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Home‐country and Host‐country Corruption on Foreign Direct Investment
Authors: Brada Josef C. , Drabek Zdenek , Perez M. Fabricio 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe effect of corruption on FDI is analysed. Using FDI outflows from a sample of East European transition economies that had virtually no outward FDI before 1995, FDI flows are observed based mainly on current investment decisions and less on the inertia of past investments. The model separates the effects of corruption on FDI location decisions and on the amount invested. A linear and negative relationship is found between host‐country corruption and the likelihood of MNCs locating in that country. The relationship between home‐country corruption and FDI is non‐monotonic, with an inverse U shape where both high and low levels of corruption in the home country reducing the probability of outward FDI flows. If FDI is undertaken to a host country, the volume of FDI is affected by home‐country but not by host‐country corruption.
The Informal Sector, Productivity, and Enforcement in West Africa: A Firm‐level Analysis
Authors: Benjamin Nancy C. , Mbaye Ahmadou Aly 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe informal sector accounts for a major share of African economies' GDP, employment and firms. Most national surveys of the sector focus on informal employment rather than the structure of informal businesses, with sample designs oriented to small scale individual or household firms. Here, firm‐level data are used, collected on 900 formal and informal businesses in the capitals of Benin, Burkina Faso and Senegal. Data from these surveys, complemented by semi‐structured interviews of major stakeholders in the three cities as well as data from national accounts, document huge enforcement problems, leading to the emergence of large informal actors coexisting with smaller informal businesses. While there is a significant difference in productivity between formal and informal firms, the productivity gap is much smaller for large informal firms than for small informal firms, suggesting that large informal firms have the pre‐requisites to formalize but choose not to do so.
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and pulmonary mucormycosis
Authors: Schneidawind D. , Nann D. , Vogel W. , Faul C. , Fend F. , Horger M. , Kanz L. , Bethge W. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractMucormycosis is a serious invasive fungal infection in immunocompromised patients. Patients undergoing treatment for hematologic malignancies are predominantly prone to the pulmonary manifestation of mucormycosis. Historically, allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in patients suffering from pulmonary mucormycosis (PM) was considered contraindicated owing to mortality rates up to 90%. We present 3 patients with acute myeloid leukemia and PM who were treated with radical surgical debridement combined with high‐dose liposomal amphotericin B (LAB), and subsequently underwent successful allogeneic HCT. To date, all 3 patients are in complete remission and show no signs of mucormycosis. Allogeneic HCT in patients with PM seems feasible provided that the infectious focus is completely removed surgically and adequate antifungal pharmacotherapy, such as high‐dose LAB or posaconazole, is established.
Subacute cytomegalovirus appendicitis in a renal transplant recipient
Authors: Posen A. , Renckens I. , Sagaert X. , Kuypers D. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractCytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in transplant patients is a well‐known disease. We describe the first case, to our knowledge, documenting CMV appendicitis in a renal transplant patient, and its clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.
Three‐dimensional thermoacoustic imaging for early breast cancer detection
Authors: Ji Zhong , Lou Cunguang , Yang Sihua , Xing Da 
Published: October 2012

Purpose:Microwave‐induced thermoacoustic tomography (TAT) is a noninvasive modality based on the differences in microwave absorption of various biological tissues. In this paper, the feasibility of the early breast tumor detection by TAT system has been discussed and validated experimentally.Methods:A fast TAT system, which based on three 128‐elements transducers, a 384‐64ch switch and a parallel data acquisition system (DAS), was developed to reconstruct the three‐dimensional (3D) image of a breast model with similar microwave absorption coefficient to breast tissue. A novel method to explore the ability of TAT system to distinguish absorption coefficient was introduced and the minimum absorption coefficient difference that can be distinguished clearly by our TAT system is 12 m−1.Results:The potential applications of the TAT system were clearly demonstrated by successfully mapping breast model with mimicked tumors and microcalcification. An imaging experiment of human breast tumor embedding in the breast model was performed and the tumor was visualized by the 3D thermoacoustic volume.Conclusions:The thermoacoustic images match well with the samples and achieve penetration depth of 6 cm. The experimental results indicate that TAT has a great potential to be used for detecting early‐stage breast cancers with high contrast and high resolution.
Characterization of a New Clinical Yeast Species, Candida tunisiensis sp. nov., Isolated from a Strain Collection from Tunisian Hospitals
Authors: Eddouzi Jamel , Hofstetter Valérie , Groenewald Marizeth , Manai Mohamed , Sanglard Dominique 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

From a collection of yeast isolates isolated from patients in Tunisian hospitals between September 2006 and July 2010, the yeast strain JEY63 (CBS 12513), isolated from a 50-year-old male that suffered from oral thrush, could not be identified to the species level using conventional methods used in clinical laboratories. These methods include matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), germ tube formation, and the use of CHROMagar
Candida
and metabolic galleries. Sequence analysis of the nuclear rRNA (18S rRNA, 5.8S rRNA, and 26S rRNA) and internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1 and ITS2) indicated that the ribosomal DNA sequences of this species were not yet reported. Multiple gene phylogenic analyses suggested that this isolate clustered at the base of the
Dipodascaceae
(
Saccharomycetales
,
Saccharomycetes
, and
Ascomycota
). JEY63 was named
Candida tunisiensis
sp. nov. according to several phenotypic criteria and its geographical origin.
C. tunisiensis
was able to grow at 42°C and does not form chlamydospores and hyphae but could grow as yeast and pseudohyphal forms.
C. tunisiensis
exhibited most probably a haploid genome with an estimated size of 10 Mb on at least three chromosomes. Using European Committee for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) and Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
Candida albicans
susceptibility breakpoints as a reference,
C. tunisiensis
was resistant to fluconazole (MIC = 8 μg/ml), voriconazole (MIC = 0.5 μg/ml), itraconazole (MIC = 16 μg/ml), and amphotericin B (MIC = 4 μg/ml) but still susceptible to posaconazole (MIC = 0.008 μg/ml) and caspofungin (MIC = 0.5 μg/ml). In conclusion, MALDI-TOF MS permitted the early selection of an unusual isolate, which was still unreported in molecular databases but could not be unambiguously classified based on phylogenetic approaches.
Tailored HIV-1 Vectors for Genetic Modification of Primary Human Dendritic Cells and Monocytes
Authors: Durand Stéphanie , Nguyen Xuan-Nhi , Turpin Jocelyn , Cordeil Stephanie , Nazaret Nicolas , Croze Séverine , Mahieux Renaud , Lachuer Joël , Legras-Lachuer Catherine , Cimarelli Andrea 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT
Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) play a key role in the regulation of the immune system and are the target of numerous gene therapy applications. The genetic modification of MDDCs is possible with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-derived lentiviral vectors (LVs) but requires high viral doses to bypass their natural resistance to viral infection, and this in turn affects their physiological properties. To date, a single viral protein is able to counter this restrictive phenotype, Vpx, a protein derived from members of the HIV-2/simian immunodeficiency virus SM lineage that counters at least two restriction factors present in myeloid cells. By tagging Vpx with a short heterologous membrane-targeting domain, we have obtained HIV-1 LVs incorporating high levels of this protein (HIV-1-Src-Vpx). These vectors efficiently transduce differentiated MDDCs and monocytes either as previously purified populations or as populations within unsorted peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In addition, these vectors can be efficiently pseudotyped with receptor-specific envelopes, further restricting their cellular tropism almost uniquely to MDDCs. Compared to conventional HIV-1 LVs, these novel vectors allow for an efficient genetic modification of MDDCs and, more importantly, do not cause their maturation or affect their survival, which are unwanted side effects of the transduction process. This study describes HIV-1-Src-Vpx LVs as a novel potent tool for the genetic modification of differentiated MDDCs and of circulating monocyte precursors with strong potential for a wide range of gene therapy applications.
mRNA Decay during Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections: Mutations That Affect Translation of an mRNA Influence the Sites at Which It Is Cleaved by the HSV Virion Host Shutoff (Vhs) Protein
Authors: Shiflett Lora A. , Read G. Sullivan 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTDuring lytic infections, the herpes simplex virus (HSV) virion host shutoff (Vhs) endoribonuclease degrades many host and viral mRNAs. Within infected cells it cuts mRNAs at preferred sites, including some in regions of translation initiation. Vhs binds the translation initiation factors eIF4H, eIF4AI, and eIF4AII, suggesting that its mRNA degradative function is somehow linked to translation. To explore how Vhs is targeted to preferred sites, we examined thein vitrodegradation of a target mRNA in rabbit reticulocyte lysates containingin vitro-translated Vhs. Vhs caused rapid degradation of mRNAs beginning with cleavages at sites in the first 250 nucleotides, including a number near the start codon and in the 5′ untranslated region. Ligation of the ends to form a circular mRNA inhibited Vhs cleavage at the same sites at which it cuts capped linear molecules. This was not due to an inability to cut any circular RNA, since Vhs cuts circular mRNAs containing an encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) internal ribosome entry site (IRES) at the same sites as linear molecules with the IRES. Cutting linear mRNAs at preferred sites was augmented by the presence of a 5′ cap. Moreover, mutations that altered the 5′ proximal AUG abolished Vhs cleavage at nearby sites, while mutations that changed sequences surrounding the AUG to improve their match to the Kozak consensus sequence enhanced Vhs cutting near the start codon. The results indicate that mutations in an mRNA that affect its translation affect the sites at which it is cut by Vhs and suggest that Vhs is directed to its preferred cut sites during translation initiation.
Effect of Complement on HIV-2 Plasma Antiviral Activity Is Intratype Specific and Potent
Authors: Özkaya Şahin Gülşen , Holmgren Birgitta , Sheik-Khalil Enas , da Silva Zacarias , Nielsen Jens , Nowroozalizadeh Salma , Månsson Fredrik , Norrgren Hans , Aaby Peter , Fenyö Eva Maria , Jansson Marianne 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTHuman immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2)-infected individuals develop immunodeficiency with a considerable delay and transmit the virus at rates lower than HIV-1-infected persons. Conceivably, comparative studies on the immune responsiveness of HIV-1- and HIV-2-infected hosts may help to explain the differences in pathogenesis and transmission between the two types of infection. Previous studies have shown that the neutralizing antibody response is more potent and broader in HIV-2 than in HIV-1 infection. In the present study, we have examined further the function of the humoral immune response and studied the effect of complement on the antiviral activity of plasma from singly HIV-1- or HIV-2-infected individuals, as well as HIV-1/HIV-2 dually infected individuals. The neutralization and antibody-dependent complement-mediated inactivation of HIV-1 and HIV-2 isolates were tested in a plaque reduction assay using U87.CD4.CCR5 cells. The results showed that the addition of complement increased intratype antiviral activities of both HIV-1 and HIV-2 plasma samples, although the complement effect was more pronounced with HIV-2 than HIV-1 plasma. Using an area-under-the-curve (AUC)-based readout, multivariate statistical analysis confirmed that the type of HIV infection was independently associated with the magnitude of the complement effect. The analyses carried out with purified IgG indicated that the complement effect was largely exerted through the classical complement pathway involving IgG in both HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections. In summary, these findings suggest that antibody binding to HIV-2 structures facilitates the efficient use of complement and thereby may be one factor contributing to a strong antiviral activity present in HIV-2 infection.
A Chimeric Vesiculo/Alphavirus Is an Effective Alphavirus Vaccine
Authors: Chattopadhyay Anasuya , Wang Eryu , Seymour Robert , Weaver Scott C. , Rose John K. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT
While a large number of mosquito-transmitted alphaviruses are known to cause serious human diseases, there are no licensed vaccines that protect against alphavirus infections. The alphavirus chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has caused multiple recent outbreaks of chikungunya fever. This virus has the potential to cause a worldwide epidemic and has generated strong interest in development of a prophylactic CHIKV vaccine. We report here on the development of a potent experimental vaccine for CHIKV based on a chimeric vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) expressing the entire CHIKV envelope polyprotein (E3-E2-6K-E1) in place of the VSV glycoprotein (G). These VSVΔG-CHIKV chimeras incorporated functional CHIKV glycoproteins into the viral envelope in place of VSV G. The chimeric viruses were attenuated for growth in tissue culture but could be propagated to high titers without VSV G complementation. They also generated robust neutralizing antibody and cellular immune responses to CHIKV in mice after a single dose and protected mice against CHIKV infection. VSVΔG-alphavirus chimeras could have general applicability as alphavirus vaccines.
Attenuation of Semliki Forest Virus Neurovirulence by MicroRNA-Mediated Detargeting
Authors: Ylösmäki Erkko , Martikainen Miika , Hinkkanen Ari , Saksela Kalle 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT
Artificial target sequences for tissue-specific miRNAs have recently been introduced as a new means for altering the tissue tropism of viral replication. This approach can be used to improve the safety of oncolytic viruses for cancer virotherapy by restricting their replication in unwanted tissues, such as the liver. Semliki Forest virus (SFV) is a positive-strand RNA virus and, similar to the related alphaviruses, like Sindbis virus, has potential as a gene therapy vector and an oncolytic virotherapy agent, but this potential is limited by the neurovirulence of these alphaviruses. Here, we have generated a replicative SFV4 carrying six tandem targets for the neuron-specific miR124 between the viral nonstructural protein 3 and 4 (nsp3 and nsp4) genes. When administered intraperitoneally into adult BALB/c mice, SFV4-miRT124 displayed an attenuated spread into the central nervous system (CNS) and greatly increased survival. Peripheral replication was not affected, indicating neuron-specific attenuation. Moreover, a strong protective SFV immunity was elicited in these animals. Intracranial infection of adult mice with SFV4-miRT124 showed greatly reduced infection of neurons in the brain but led to the infection of oligodendrocytes in the corpus callosum. Taken together, our data show that miR124-mediated attenuation of neurovirulence is a feasible and promising strategy for generating safer oncolytic alphavirus virotherapy agents.
Tsg101 Interacts with Herpes Simplex Virus 1 VP1/2 and Is a Substrate of VP1/2 Ubiquitin-Specific Protease Domain Activity
Authors: Caduco Martina , Comin Alessandra , Toffoletto Marta , Munegato Denis , Sartori Elena , Celestino Michele , Salata Cristiano , Parolin Cristina , Palù Giorgio , Calistri Arianna 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT
Ubiquitination/deubiquitination of key factors represent crucial steps in the biogenesis of multivesicular body (MVB) and sorting of transmembrane proteins. We and others previously demonstrated that MVB is involved in herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) envelopment and budding. Here, we report that the HSV-1 large tegument protein, VP1/2, interacts with and regulates the ubiquitination of Tsg101, a cellular protein essential in MVB formation, thus identifying the first cellular substrate of a herpesviral deubiquitinating enzyme.
Human Anti-Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) Recombinant Monoclonal Antibody Produced after Zostavax Immunization Recognizes the gH/gL Complex and Neutralizes VZV Infection
Authors: Birlea Marius , Owens Gregory P. , Eshleman Emily M. , Ritchie Alanna , Traktinskiy Igor , Bos Nathan , Seitz Scott , Azarkh Yevgeniy , Mahalingam Ravi , Gilden Don , Cohrs Randall J. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTVaricella-zoster virus (VZV) is a ubiquitous, highly cell-associated, and exclusively human neurotropic alphaherpesvirus. VZV infection is initiated by membrane fusion, an event dependent in part on VZV glycoproteins gH and gL. Consistent with its location on the virus envelope, the gH/gL complex is a target of neutralizing antibodies produced after virus infection. One week after immunizing a 59-year-old VZV-seropositive man with Zostavax, we sorted his circulating blood plasma blasts and amplified expressed immunoglobulin variable domain sequences by single-cell PCR. Sequence analysis identified two plasma blast clones, one of which was used to construct a recombinant monoclonal antibody (rec-RC IgG). The rec-RC IgG colocalized with VZV gE on the membranes of VZV-infected cells and neutralized VZV infection in tissue culture. Mass spectrometric analysis of proteins immunoprecipitated by rec-RC IgG identified both VZV gH and gL. Transfection experiments showed that rec-RC IgG recognized a VZV gH/gL protein complex but not individual gH or gL proteins. Overall, our recombinant monoclonal anti-VZV antibody effectively neutralizes VZV and recognizes a conformational epitope within the VZV gH/L protein complex. An unlimited supply of this antibody provides the opportunity to analyze membrane fusion events that follow virus attachment and to identify multiple epitopes on VZV-specific proteins.
Residues Arg283, Arg285, and Ile287 in the Nucleotide Binding Pocket of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus NS5B RNA Polymerase Affect Catalysis and Fidelity
Authors: Curti Elena , Jaeger Joachim 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

Residues Arg283, Arg285, and Ile287 are highly conserved amino acids in bovine viral diarrhea virus RNA polymerase (BVDV RdRp) and RdRps from related positive-strand RNA viruses. This motif is an important part of the binding pocket for the nascent RNA base pair during initiation and elongation. We found that replacement of the arginines with alanines or more conserved lysines or replacement of isoleucine with alanine or valine alters the ability of the mutant RdRps to incorporate ribonucleotides efficiently. The reduced RdRp activity stems from both decreased ribonucleotide binding and decreased catalytic efficiency in both primer-dependent and
de novo
initiation, as shown by kinetic studies. In line with other studies on flaviviral RdRps, our data suggest that Arg283 and Ile287 may be implicated in ribonucleotide binding and positioning of the template base in the active site. Arg285 appears to be involved directly in the selection of cognate nucleotide. The findings for Arg285 and Ile287 mutants also agree with similar data from picornavirus RdRps.
Carbonate rocks and petroleum reservoirs: a geological perspective from the industry
Authors: Burchette Trevor P. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Carbonate oil reservoirs are sometimes regarded with apprehension in the petroleum industry since it can be difficult to predict the quality of, and ensure high recovery factors from, this rock family. Particular problems are the complex and heterogeneous nature of porosity in carbonate rocks, often leading to large ranges in permeability for any given porosity, and the organization of carbonate successions most commonly as vertically heterogeneous, but laterally persistent, layers.
Important issues that arise time and again in carbonate reservoir description include (a) predicting reservoir quality at inter-well scales and in uncored wells, (b) recognizing problematic high-permeability layers, (c) determining the permeability component to allocate to fractures and connected vug systems, and (d) populating reservoir models with representative physical parameters. Because porosity in carbonate rocks generally presents as diverse and heterogeneous, conventional core plugs are seldom representative of large rock volumes and significant issues remain in terms of the scale-compatibility of the various datasets for measured physical parameters that are used in carbonate reservoir description.
Many of the world's largest carbonate reservoirs were discovered and developed shortly after the Second World War and are now showing signs of maturity, expressed variously as poor pressure support, water or gas breakthrough and stranded resources. The proportion of the world's ‘conventional’ petroleum that is reservoired in carbonate rocks is commonly estimated at around 50–60% and many large carbonate reservoirs are likely to have a production lifetime beyond 50 years. It is no coincidence then that the petroleum industry has been the primary source of funding of and promotion of research into carbonate rocks and depositional systems, often with impacts extending well beyond oil and gas exploitation.
The Machar Oil Field, UK Central North Sea: impact of seismic reprocessing on the development of a complex fractured chalk field
Authors: Ward M. V. , Pearse C. , Jehanno Y. , O'Hanlon M. , Zett A. , Houliston D. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The Machar Field in the UK Central North Sea is a fractured Cretaceous chalk and Palaeocene sandstone oil reservoir, developed around a tall salt diapir. Machar was discovered in 1976 and, after a lengthy appraisal including extended flow tests starting in 1994, has been developed in a phased manner from 1998 through a multi-well subsea development. The steeper eastern flank has historically lacked coherent reflectivity on seismic data and has remained undrilled. The geological possibility of a reservoir on the east flank provided motivation for extensive seismic reprocessing between 2005 and 2007, and the seismic interpretation showed both a chalk and a sand presence in this area of the field. Simulation modelling suggested that a well here would deliver substantial incremental field volumes. Confidence in the new seismic interpretation reduced the subsurface risk associated with the area, and a new subsea drill-centre reduced the drilling risks and costs sufficiently to allow a Machar East well to be sanctioned. Successful well results in 2008 changed the entire perception of the field and acted as a springboard for further development including a sidetrack in the northern area and a third injection well to support the east, which was drilled and completed in the summer of 2010.