bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
N4‐Methylation of Cytosine Drastically Favors the Formation of (6‐4) Photoproducts in a TCG Context
Authors: Douki Thierry , Meador Jarah A. , Bérard Izabel , Wack Aude 
Published: October 2014

AbstractMethylation of cytosine is a common biological process both in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In addition to 5‐methylcytosine (5mC), some bacterial species contain in their genome N4‐methylcytosine (N4mC). Methylation at C5 has been shown to enhance the formation of pyrimidine dimeric photoproducts but nothing is known of the effect of N4 methylation on UV‐induced DNA damage. In the present work, we compared the yield and the nature of bipyrimidine photoproducts induced in a series of trinucleotides exhibiting a TXG sequence where X is either T, C, 5mC or N4mC. HPLC associated to tandem mass spectrometry was used to quantify cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD), (6‐4) photoproducts (64PP) and their Dewar valence isomer. Methylation at position N4 was found to drastically increase the reactivity of C upon exposure to both UVC and UVB and to favor the formation of 64PP. In contrast methylation at C5 increased the yield of CPD at the expense of 64PP. In addition, enhancement of photoreactivity by C5 methylation was much higher in the UVB than in the UVC range. These results show the drastic effect of the methylation site on the photochemistry of cytosine.
Participation and Political Equality in Direct Democracy: Educative Effect or Social Bias
Authors: Fatke Matthias 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis paper analyses the moderating effect of direct democracy on the relationship between socioeconomic status and electoral participation. A sceptical position holds that direct democracy increases social bias in the electorate as issues are too complex and demanding. Participatory democrats in contrast invoke an educative effect of direct democratic institutions, thus decreasing social bias within the electorate. To test both arguments we use data from the Swiss cantons and estimate cross‐level interactions of socioeconomic and direct democracy variables on electoral participation. First differences between effects in the least and most direct democratic cantons are not statistically significant. This result may be seen as relief for sceptics as well as dampener for proponents of direct democracy.
Synchrotron X‐ray computed laminography of the three‐dimensional anatomy of tomato leaves
Authors: Verboven Pieter , Herremans Els , Helfen Lukas , Ho Quang T. , Abera Metadel , Baumbach Tilo , Wevers Martine , Nicolaï Bart M. 
Published: October 2014

SummarySynchrotron radiation computed laminography (SR‐CL) is presented as an imaging method for analyzing the three‐dimensional (3D) anatomy of leaves. The SR‐CL method was used to provide 3D images of 1‐mm² samples of intact leaves at a pixel resolution of 750 nm. The method allowed visualization and quantitative analysis of palisade and spongy mesophyll cells, and showed local venation patterns, aspects of xylem vascular structure and stomata. The method failed to image subcellular organelles such as chloroplasts. We constructed 3D computer models of leaves that can provide a basis for calculating gas exchange, light penetration and water and solute transport. The leaf anatomy of two different tomato genotypes grown in saturating light conditions was compared by 3D analysis. Differences were found in calculated values of tissue porosity, cell number density, cell area to volume ratio and cell volume and cell shape distributions of palisade and spongy cell layers. In contrast, the exposed cell area to leaf area ratio in mesophyll, a descriptor that correlates to the maximum rate of photosynthesis in saturated light conditions, was no different between spongy and palisade cells or between genotypes. The use of 3D image processing avoids many of the limitations of anatomical analysis with two‐dimensional sections.
Respiratory motion management using audio‐visual biofeedback for respiratory‐gated radiotherapy of synchrotron‐based pulsed heavy‐ion beam delivery
Authors: He Pengbo , Li Qiang , Liu Xinguo , Dai Zhongying , Zhao Ting , Fu Tingyan , Shen Guosheng , Ma Yuanyuan , Huang Qiyan , Yan Yuanlin 
Published: October 2014

Purpose:To efficiently deliver respiratory‐gated radiation during synchrotron‐based pulsed heavy‐ion radiotherapy, a novel respiratory guidance method combining a personalized audio‐visual biofeedback (BFB) system, breath hold (BH), and synchrotron‐based gating was designed to help patients synchronize their respiratory patterns with synchrotron pulses and to overcome typical limitations such as low efficiency, residual motion, and discomfort.Methods:In‐house software was developed to acquire body surface marker positions and display BFB, gating signals, and real‐time beam profiles on a LED screen. Patients were prompted to perform short BHs or short deep breath holds (SDBH) with the aid of BFB following a personalized standard BH/SDBH (stBH/stSDBH) guiding curve or their own representative BH/SDBH (reBH/reSDBH) guiding curve. A practical simulation was performed for a group of 15 volunteers to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of this method. Effective dose rates (EDRs), mean absolute errors between the guiding curves and the measured curves, and mean absolute deviations of the measured curves were obtained within 10%–50% duty cycles (DCs) that were synchronized with the synchrotron's flat‐top phase.Results:All maneuvers for an individual volunteer took approximately half an hour, and no one experienced discomfort during the maneuvers. Using the respiratory guidance methods, the magnitude of residual motion was almost ten times less than during nongated irradiation, and increases in the average effective dose rate by factors of 2.39–4.65, 2.39–4.59, 1.73–3.50, and 1.73–3.55 for the stBH, reBH, stSDBH, and reSDBH guiding maneuvers, respectively, were observed in contrast with conventional free breathing‐based gated irradiation, depending on the respiratory‐gated duty cycle settings.Conclusions:The proposed respiratory guidance method with personalized BFB was confirmed to be feasible in a group of volunteers. Increased effective dose rate and improved overall treatment precision were observed compared to conventional free breathing‐based, respiratory‐gated irradiation. Because breathing guidance curves could be established based on the respective average respiratory period and amplitude for each patient, it may be easier for patients to cooperate using this technique.
Performance of Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Testing in Outbreak Settings
Authors: Peci Adriana , Winter Anne-Luise , King Eddie-Chong , Blair Joanne , Gubbay Jonathan B. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT
Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) may be useful during institutional respiratory disease outbreaks to identify influenza and enable antivirals to be rapidly administered to patients and for the prophylactic treatment of those exposed to the virus but not yet symptomatic. The performance of RIDTs at the outbreak level is not well documented in the literature. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of RIDTs in comparison with that of real-time reverse transcription (rRT)-PCR in the context of institutional respiratory disease outbreaks. This study included outbreak-related respiratory specimens tested for influenza virus at Public Health Ontario Laboratories by both RIDT and rRT-PCR, from 1 September 2010 to 30 April 2013. At the outbreak level, performance testing of RIDTs compared to rRT-PCR for the detection of any influenza virus type demonstrated an overall sensitivity of 76.5%, a specificity of 99.7%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 99.5%, and a negative predictive value of 85.3%. Because of their high specificity and PPV, even outside of the influenza season, RIDTs can play a role in screening for influenza virus in outbreaks and instituting antiviral therapy in a timely manner when positive. RIDTs can also be useful in remote settings where molecular virology testing is not easily accessible. Suboptimal sensitivity of RIDTs can be addressed by the use of molecular testing.
Autographa californica Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus ORF11 Is Essential for Budded-Virus Production and Occlusion-Derived-Virus Envelopment
Authors: Tao Xue Ying , Choi Jae Young , Kim Woo Jin , An Saes Byeol , Liu Qin , Kim Song Eun , Lee Seok Hee , Kim Jong Hoon , Woo Soo Dong , Jin Byung Rae , Je Yeon Ho 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

ORF11 (
ac11
) of
Autographa californica
multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) is a highly conserved gene with unknown function. To determine the role of
ac11
in the baculovirus life cycle, an
ac11
knockout mutant of AcMNPV, Ac11KO, was constructed. Northern blot and 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) analyses revealed that
ac11
is an early gene in the life cycle. Microscopy, titration assays, and Western blot analysis revealed that budded viruses (BVs) were not produced in Ac11KO-transfected Sf9 cells. However, quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis demonstrated that the deletion of
ac11
did not affect viral DNA replication. Furthermore, electron microscopy revealed that there was no nucleocapsid in the cytoplasm or plasma membrane of Ac11KO-transfected cells, which demonstrates that the defect in BV production in Ac11KO-transfected cells is due to the inefficient egress of nucleocapsids from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. In addition, electron microscopy observations showed that the nucleocapsids in the nucleus were not enveloped to form occlusion-derived viruses (ODVs) and that their subsequent embedding into occlusion bodies (OBs) was also blocked in Ac11KO-transfected cells, demonstrating that
ac11
is required for ODV envelopment. These results therefore demonstrate that
ac11
is an early gene that is essential for BV production and ODV envelopment.

IMPORTANCE
Baculoviruses have been extensively used not only as specific, environmentally benign insecticides but also as helper-independent protein expression vectors. Although the function of baculovirus genes in viral replication has been studied by using gene knockout technology, the functions of more than one-third of viral genes, which include some highly conserved genes, are still unknown. In this study,
ac11
was proven to play a crucial role in BV production and ODV envelopment. These results will lead to a better understanding of baculovirus infection cycles.
Activation of p90 Ribosomal S6 Kinases by ORF45 of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Is Critical for Optimal Production of Infectious Viruses
Authors: Fu Bishi , Kuang Ersheng , Li Wenwei , Avey Denis , Li Xiaojuan , Turpin Zachary , Valdes Ahmed , Brulois Kevin , Myoung Jinjong , Zhu Fanxiu 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

We have previously shown that ORF45, an immediate-early and tegument protein of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), causes sustained activation of p90 ribosomal S6 kinases (RSKs) and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) (E. Kuang, Q. Tang, G. G. Maul, and F. Zhu, J Virol 82:1838–1850, 2008,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JVI.02119-07
). We now have identified the critical region of ORF45 that is involved in RSK interaction and activation. Alanine scanning mutagenesis of this region revealed that a single F66A point mutation abolished binding of ORF45 to RSK or ERK and, consequently, its ability to activate the kinases. We introduced the F66A mutation into BAC16 (a bacterial artificial chromosome clone containing the entire infectious KSHV genome), producing BAC16-45F66A. In parallel, we also repaired the mutation and obtained a revertant, BAC16-45A66F. The reconstitution of these mutants in iSLK cells demonstrated that the ORF45-F66A mutant failed to cause sustained ERK and RSK activation during lytic reactivation, resulting in dramatic differences in the phosphoproteomic profile between the wild-type virus-infected cells and the mutant virus-infected cells. ORF45 mutation or deletion also was accompanied by a noticeable decreased in viral gene expression during lytic reactivation. Consequently, the ORF45-F66A mutant produced significantly fewer infectious progeny virions than the wild type or the revertant. These results suggest a critical role for ORF45-mediated RSK activation in KSHV lytic replication.

IMPORTANCE
KSHV is the causative agent of three human malignancies. KSHV pathogenesis is intimately linked to its ability to modulate the host cell microenvironment and to facilitate efficient production of progeny viral particles. We previously described the mechanism by which the KSHV lytic protein ORF45 activates the cellular kinases ERK and RSK. We now have mapped the critical region of ORF45 responsible for binding and activation of ERK/RSK to a single residue, F66. We mutated this amino acid of ORF45 (F66A) and introduced the mutation into a newly developed bacterial artificial chromosome containing the KSHV genome (BAC16). This system has provided us with a useful tool to characterize the functions of ORF45-activated RSK upon KSHV lytic reactivation. We show that viral gene expression and virion production are significantly reduced by F66A mutation, indicating a critical role for ORF45-activated RSK during KSHV lytic replication.
Perturbation in the Conserved Methyltransferase-Polymerase Interface of Flavivirus NS5 Differentially Affects Polymerase Initiation and Elongation
Authors: Wu Jiqin , Lu Guoliang , Zhang Bo , Gong Peng 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

The flavivirus NS5 is a natural fusion of a methyltransferase (MTase) and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP). Analogous to DNA-dependent RNA polymerases, the NS5 polymerase initiates RNA synthesis through a
de novo
mechanism and then makes a transition to a processive elongation phase. However, whether and how the MTase affects polymerase activities through intramolecular interactions remain elusive. By solving the crystal structure of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) NS5, we recently identified an MTase-RdRP interface containing a set of six hydrophobic residues highly conserved among flaviviruses. To dissect the functional relevance of this interface, we made a series of JEV NS5 constructs with mutations of these hydrophobic residues and/or with the N-terminal first 261 residues and other residues up to the first 303 residues deleted. Compared to the wild-type (WT) NS5, full-length NS5 variants exhibited consistent up- or downregulation of the initiation activities in two types of polymerase assays. Five representative full-length NS5 constructs were then tested in an elongation assay, from which the apparent single-nucleotide incorporation rate constant was estimated. Interestingly, two constructs exhibited different elongation kinetics from the WT NS5, with an effect rather opposite to what was observed at initiation. Moreover, constructs with MTase and/or the linker region (residues 266 to 275) removed still retained polymerase activities, albeit at overall lower levels. However, further removal of the N-terminal extension (residues 276 to 303) abolished regular template-directed synthesis. Together, our data showed that the MTase-RdRP interface is relevant in both polymerase initiation and elongation, likely with different regulation mechanisms in these two major phases of RNA synthesis.

IMPORTANCE
The flavivirus NS5 is very unique in having a methyltransferase (MTase) placed on the immediate N terminus of its RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP). We recently solved the crystal structure of the full-length NS5, which revealed a conserved interface between MTase and RdRP. Building on this discovery, here we carried out
in vitro
polymerase assays to address the functional relevance of the interface interactions. By explicitly probing polymerase initiation and elongation activities, we found that perturbation in the MTase-RdRP interface had different impacts on different phases of synthesis, suggesting that the roles and contribution of the interface interactions may change upon phase transitions. By comparing the N-terminal-truncated enzymes with the full-length NS5, we collected data to indicate the indispensability to regular polymerase activities of a region that was functionally unclarified previously. Taken together, we provide biochemical evidence and mechanistic insights for the cross talk between the two enzyme modules of flavivirus NS5.
A 2.5-Kilobase Deletion Containing a Cluster of Nine MicroRNAs in the Latency-Associated-Transcript Locus of the Pseudorabies Virus Affects the Host Response of Porcine Trigeminal Ganglia during Established Latency
Authors: Mahjoub Nada , Dhorne-Pollet Sophie , Fuchs Walter , Endale Ahanda Marie-Laure , Lange Elke , Klupp Barbara , Arya Anoop , Loveland Jane E. , Lefevre François , Mettenleiter Thomas C. , Giuffra Elisabetta 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

The alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PrV) establishes latency primarily in neurons of trigeminal ganglia when only the transcription of the latency-associated transcript (LAT) locus is detected. Eleven microRNAs (miRNAs) cluster within the LAT, suggesting a role in establishment and/or maintenance of latency. We generated a mutant (M) PrV deleted of nine miRNA genes which displayed properties that were almost identical to those of the parental PrV wild type (WT) during propagation
in vitro
. Fifteen pigs were experimentally infected with either WT or M virus or were mock infected. Similar levels of virus excretion and host antibody response were observed in all infected animals. At 62 days postinfection, trigeminal ganglia were excised and profiled by deep sequencing and quantitative RT-PCR. Latency was established in all infected animals without evidence of viral reactivation, demonstrating that miRNAs are not essential for this process. Lower levels of the large latency transcript (LLT) were found in ganglia infected by M PrV than in those infected by WT PrV. All PrV miRNAs were expressed, with highest expression observed for prv-miR-LLT1, prv-miR-LLT2 (in WT ganglia), and prv-miR-LLT10 (in both WT and M ganglia). No evidence of differentially expressed porcine miRNAs was found. Fifty-four porcine genes were differentially expressed between WT, M, and control ganglia. Both viruses triggered a strong host immune response, but in M ganglia gene upregulation was prevalent. Pathway analyses indicated that several biofunctions, including those related to cell-mediated immune response and the migration of dendritic cells, were impaired in M ganglia. These findings are consistent with a function of the LAT locus in the modulation of host response for maintaining a latent state.

IMPORTANCE
This study provides a thorough reference on the establishment of latency by PrV in its natural host, the pig. Our results corroborate the evidence obtained from the study of several LAT mutants of other alphaherpesviruses encoding miRNAs from their LAT regions. Neither PrV miRNA expression nor high LLT expression levels are essential to achieve latency in trigeminal ganglia. Once latency is established by PrV, the only remarkable differences are found in the pattern of host response. This indicates that, as in herpes simplex virus, LAT functions as an immune evasion locus.
Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Variants Lacking Transcription Inhibitory Functions Demonstrate Highly Attenuated Phenotype
Authors: Atasheva Svetlana , Kim Dal Young , Frolova Elena I. , Frolov Ilya 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT
Alphaviruses represent a significant public health threat worldwide. They are transmitted by mosquitoes and cause a variety of human diseases ranging from severe meningoencephalitis to polyarthritis. To date, no efficient and safe vaccines have been developed against any alphavirus infection. However, in recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of alphavirus replication and virus-host interactions. These data have provided the possibility for the development of new rationally designed alphavirus vaccine candidates that combine efficient immunogenicity, high safety, and inability to revert to pathogenic phenotype. New attenuated variants of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) designed in this study combine a variety of characteristics that independently contribute to a reduction in virulence. These constructs encode a noncytopathic VEEV capsid protein that is incapable of interfering with the innate immune response. The capsid-specific mutations strongly affect neurovirulence of the virus. In other constructs, they were combined with changes in control of capsid translation and an extensively mutated packaging signal. These modifications also affected the residual neurovirulence of the virus, but it remained immunogenic, and a single immunization protected mice against subsequent infection with epizootic VEEV. Similar approaches of attenuation can be applied to other encephalitogenic New World alphaviruses.

IMPORTANCE
Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is an important human and animal pathogen, which causes periodic outbreaks of highly debilitating disease. Despite a continuous public health threat, no safe and efficient vaccine candidates have been developed to date. In this study, we applied accumulated knowledge about the mechanism of VEEV replication, RNA packaging, and interaction with the host to design new VEEV vaccine candidates that demonstrate exceptionally high levels of safety due to a combination of extensive modifications in the viral genome. The introduced mutations did not affect RNA replication or structural protein synthesis but had deleterious effects on VEEV neuroinvasion and virulence. In spite of dramatically reduced virulence, the designed mutants remained highly immunogenic and protected mice against subsequent infection with epizootic VEEV. Similar methodologies can be applied for attenuation of other encephalitogenic New World alphaviruses.