bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vif Proteins from Diverse Primate Lentiviral Lineages Use the Same Binding Site in APOBEC3G
Authors: Letko Michael , Silvestri Guido , Hahn Beatrice H. , Bibollet-Ruche Frederick , Gokcumen Omer , Simon Viviana , Ooms Marcel 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACT
APOBEC3G (A3G) is a cytidine deaminase that restricts human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and other lentiviruses. Most of these viruses encode a Vif protein that directly binds A3G and leads to its proteasomal degradation. Both Vif proteins of HIV-1 and African green monkey simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVagm) bind residue 128 of A3G. However, this position does not control the A3G degradation by Vif variants derived from HIV-2 and SIVmac, which both originated from SIV of sooty mangabey monkeys (SIVsmm), suggesting that the A3G binding site for Vif proteins of the SIVsmm/HIV-2 lineage differs from that of HIV-1. To map the SIVsmm Vif binding site of A3G, we performed immunoprecipitations of individual A3G domains, Vif/A3G degradation assays and a detailed mutational analysis of human A3G. We show that A3G residue 129, but not the adjacent position 128, confers susceptibility to degradation by SIVsmm Vif. An artificial A3G mutant, the P129D mutant, was resistant to degradation by diverse Vifs from HIV-1, HIV-2, SIVagm, and chimpanzee SIV (SIVcpz), suggesting a conserved lentiviral Vif binding site. Gorilla A3G naturally contains a glutamine (Q) at position 129, which makes its A3G resistant to Vifs from diverse lineages. We speculate that gorilla A3G serves as a barrier against SIVcpz strains. In summary, we show that Vif proteins from distinct lineages bind to the same A3G loop, which includes positions 128 and 129. The multiple adaptations within this loop among diverse primates underscore the importance of counteracting A3G in lentiviral evolution.
Assessing Activity and Inhibition of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Papain-Like and 3C-Like Proteases Using Luciferase-Based Biosensors
Authors: Kilianski Andy , Mielech Anna M. , Deng Xufang , Baker Susan C. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACT
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is associated with an outbreak of more than 90 cases of severe pneumonia with high mortality (greater than 50%). To date, there are no antiviral drugs or specific therapies to treat MERS-CoV. To rapidly identify potential inhibitors of MERS-CoV replication, we expressed the papain-like protease (PLpro) and the 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) from MERS-CoV and developed luciferase-based biosensors to monitor protease activity in cells. We show that the expressed MERS-CoV PLpro recognizes and processes the canonical CoV-PLpro cleavage site RLKGG in the biosensor. However, existing CoV PLpro inhibitors were unable to block MERS-CoV PLpro activity, likely due to the divergence of the amino acid sequence in the drug binding site. To investigate MERS-CoV 3CLpro activity, we expressed the protease in context with flanking nonstructural protein 4 (nsp4) and the amino-terminal portion of nsp6 and detected processing of the luciferase-based biosensors containing the canonical 3CLpro cleavage site VRLQS. Importantly, we found that a small-molecule inhibitor that blocks replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) CoV and murine CoV also inhibits the activity of MERS-CoV 3CLpro. Overall, the protease expression and biosensor assays developed here allow for rapid evaluation of viral protease activity and the identification of protease inhibitors. These biosensor assays can now be used to screen for MERS-CoV-specific or broad-spectrum coronavirus PLpro and 3CLpro inhibitors.
Antirepression System Associated with the Life Cycle Switch in the Temperate Podoviridae Phage SPC32H
Authors: Kim Minsik , Ryu Sangryeol 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACT

Prophages switch from lysogenic to lytic mode in response to the host SOS response. The primary factor that governs this switch is a phage repressor, which is typically a host RecA-dependent autocleavable protein. Here, in an effort to reveal the mechanism underlying the phenotypic differences between the
Salmonella
temperate phages SPC32H and SPC32N, whose genome sequences differ by only two nucleotides, we identified a new class of
Podoviridae
phage lytic switch antirepressor that is structurally distinct from the previously reported
Sipho
- and
Myoviridae
phage antirepressors. The SPC32H repressor (Rep) is not cleaved by the SOS response but instead is inactivated by a small antirepressor (Ant), the expression of which is negatively controlled by host LexA. A single nucleotide mutation in the consensus sequence of the LexA-binding site, which overlaps with the
ant
promoter, results in constitutive Ant synthesis and consequently induces SPC32N to enter the lytic cycle. Numerous potential Ant homologues were identified in a variety of putative prophages and temperate
Podoviridae
phages, indicating that antirepressors may be widespread among temperate phages in the order
Caudovirales
to mediate a prudent prophage induction.
Role of Interleukin-2 and Herpes Simplex Virus 1 in Central Nervous System Demyelination in Mice
Authors: Mott Kevin R. , Zandian Mandana , Allen Sariah J. , Ghiasi Homayon 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTWe have reported previously that ocular infection of different strains of mice with recombinant herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) constitutively expressing interleukin-2 (IL-2) provokes central nervous system (CNS) demyelination and optic neuropathy, as determined by changes in visual evoked cortical potentials and pathological changes in the optic nerve and CNS, whereas recombinant viruses expressing IL-4, gamma interferon, IL-12p35, IL-12p40, or IL-12p70 do not induce this neuropathy. The goal of this study was to dissect the mechanism underlying the interplay between the immune system (elevation of IL-2) and an environmental factor (infection with HSV-1) that elicits this pathology. Similar results were obtained upon delivery of IL-2 into the mouse brain using osmotic minipumps or injection of mice with recombinant IL-2 protein, IL-2 DNA, or IL-2 synthetic peptides prior to infection with wild-type (wt) HSV-1 strains McKrae and KOS. The critical role of IL-2 is further supported by our data, indicating that a single mutation at position T27A in IL-2 completely blocks the HSV-1-induced pathology. This study shows a novel model of autoimmunity in which viral infection and enhanced IL-2 cause CNS demyelination.
M2-polarised macrophages in infantile haemangiomas: correlation with promoted angiogenesis
Authors: Wang Feng-Qin , Chen Gang , Zhu Jun-Yi , Zhang Wei , Ren Jian-Gang , Liu Hui , Sun Zhi-Jun , Jia Jun , Zhao Yi-Fang 
Published: August 2013

AimsThe pathogenesis of infantile haemangiomas (IHs) is still far from clear despite the fact that they are common vascular tumours distinctive for their perinatal presentation, rapid growth during the first year of life and subsequent slow involution.AimsTo determine the role of M2-polarised macrophages in IHs.MethodsM2-polarised macrophages were initially identified in 20 specimens of IHs by both immunochemistry and immunofluorescence for CD68 and CD163. The immunopositive M2-polarised macrophages in different phases of IHs were quantified, and further analysed for their correlations with the expression levels of Ki67, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF).ResultsThe infiltrating macrophages in proliferative IHs were predominantly CD68/CD163, thus of the M2-polarised phenotype, whereas the density of these cells was significantly decreased in the involuting IHs. The high density of M2-polarised macrophages in proliferative IHs was closely correlated with overexpression of M-CSF, one of the cytokines considered to induce macrophages to polarise towards an M2 phenotype. The infiltrating M2-polarised macrophages probably contributed to the proliferation and angiogenesis of haemangioma endothelial cells, as evidenced by their close correlations with the immunoreactivities of Ki67 and VEGF.ConclusionsResults indicate that the infiltrating M2-polarised macrophages may contribute to the progression of IHs by promoting the angiogenic process.
Low-Sodium DASH Diet Improves Diastolic Function and Ventricular–Arterial Coupling in Hypertensive Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Hummel Scott L. , Seymour E. Mitchell , Brook Robert D. , Sheth Samar S. , Ghosh Erina , Zhu Simeng , Weder Alan B. , Kovács Sándor J. , Kolias Theodore J. 
Published: August 2013

Background—
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) involves failure of cardiovascular reserve in multiple domains. In HFPEF animal models, dietary sodium restriction improves ventricular and vascular stiffness and function. We hypothesized that the sodium-restricted dietary approaches to stop hypertension diet (DASH/SRD) would improve left ventricular diastolic function, arterial elastance, and ventricular–arterial coupling in hypertensive HFPEF.

Methods and Results—

Thirteen patients with treated hypertension and compensated HFPEF consumed the DASH/SRD (target sodium, 50 mmol/2100 kcal) for 21 days. We measured baseline and post-DASH/SRD brachial and central blood pressure (via radial arterial tonometry) and cardiovascular function with echocardiographic measures (all previously invasively validated). Diastolic function was quantified via the parametrized diastolic filling formalism that yields relaxation/viscoelastic (
c
) and passive/stiffness (
k
) constants through the analysis of Doppler mitral inflow velocity (E-wave) contours. Effective arterial elastance (
E
a
) end-systolic elastance (
E
es
) and ventricular–arterial coupling (defined as the ratio
E
es
:
E
a
) were determined using previously published techniques. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank tests were used for pre–post comparisons. The DASH/SRD reduced clinic and 24-hour brachial systolic pressure (155±35 to 138±30 and 130±16 to 123±18 mm Hg; both
P
=0.02), and central end-systolic pressure trended lower (116±18 to 111±16 mm Hg;
P
=0.12). In conjunction, diastolic function improved (
c
=24.3±5.3 to 22.7±8.1 g/s;
P
=0.03;
k
=252±115 to 170±37 g/s
2
;
P
=0.03),
E
a
decreased (2.0±0.4 to 1.7±0.4 mm Hg/mL;
P
=0.007), and ventricular–arterial coupling improved (
E
es
:
E
a
=1.5±0.3 to 1.7±0.4;
P
=0.04).

Conclusions—
In patients with hypertensive HFPEF, the sodium-restricted DASH diet was associated with favorable changes in ventricular diastolic function, arterial elastance, and ventricular–arterial coupling.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00939640.
Glycosaminoglycan Overproduction in the Aorta Increases Aortic Calcification in Murine Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Purnomo Eko , Emoto Noriaki , Nugrahaningsih Dwi Aris Agung , Nakayama Kazuhiko , Yagi Keiko , Heiden Susi , Nadanaka Satomi , Kitagawa Hiroshi , Hirata Ken‐ichi 
Published: August 2013

Background
Vascular calcification accompanying chronic kidney disease increases the mortality and morbidity associated with cardiovascular disorders, but no effective therapy is available. We hypothesized that glycosaminoglycans may contribute to osteoblastic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells during vascular calcification.

Methods and Results

We used exostosin‐like glycosyltranferase 2–deficient (

EXTL
2

knockout) mice expressing high levels of glycosaminoglycans in several organs including the aorta. We performed 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy and fed the mice a high‐phosphate diet to induce chronic kidney disease. Overexpression of
glycosaminoglycans
in the aorta enhanced aortic calcification in chronic kidney disease in

EXTL
2

knockout mice. Ex vivo and in vitro, matrix mineralization in aortic rings and vascular smooth muscle cells of

EXTL
2

knockout mice was augmented. Furthermore, removal of
glycosaminoglycans
in

EXTL
2

knockout and
wild‐type
mice‐derived vascular smooth muscle cells effectively suppressed calcium deposition in a high‐phosphate environment.

Conclusions

These results illustrate an important role for
glycosaminoglycans
in the development of vascular calcification. Manipulation of
glycosaminoglycan
expression may have beneficial effects on the progression of vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease patients.
Site fidelity and localised homing behaviour in three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
Authors: Ward A.J.W. , James R. , Wilson A.D.M. , Webster M.M. 
Published: August 2013

The ability of animals to disperse towards their original home range following displacement has been demonstrated in a number of species. However, little is known about the homing ability of three-spine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus), an important model species in behavioural ecology. In addition, few studies have examined the role of social facilitation in relation to homing behaviour in fishes. We examined homing behaviour of sticklebacks displaced over distances of between 80 m and 160 m in land-drains with directional water flow. Fish were translocated from their original capture site, tagged and then released either in groups or solitarily. We performed recapture transects either one or two days later. Data provided by recaptured sticklebacks show that the fish dispersed in the direction of their original capture site. Although fish translocated downstream typically moved further than those translocated upstream, both dispersed towards their original capture site. There was no difference between fish released solitarily or in groups in their homing ability and indeed there was little evidence that fish translocated in groups remained together following their release. The homing ability of the fish was demonstrated by the finding that up to 80% of fish returned to their home ranges within two days of release over a distance equivalent to approximately 5000 body lengths of these small fish.
Effectiveness of different Heterorhabditis isolates from Southern Benin for biocontrol of the subterranean termite, Macrotermes bellicosus (Isoptera: Macrotermitinae), in laboratory trials
Authors: Zadji Lionel , Baimey Hugues , Afouda Leonard , Moens Maurice , Decraemer Wilfrida 
Published: August 2013

The host-finding ability of 28 Heterorhabditis sonorensis isolates and one H. indica isolate from southern Benin and one H. indica isolate from India was examined in vertical migration sand bioassays against workers of a target citrus termite pest, Macrotermes bellicosus. Thereafter, nine selected isolates were subjected to further investigations on virulence. Our results revealed that both H. sonorensis and H. indica isolates exhibit a cruiser type of search strategy and were capable, to various degrees, of migrating, infecting and killing workers of M. bellicosus in sand columns up to 20 cm long over a period of 3 days. However, only three isolates of H. sonorensis caused 100% mortality to M. bellicosus at the greatest depth tested. The exotic H. indica isolate (LN2) did not show strong finding ability compared to the indigenous one. Concerning virulence, differences were observed among isolates for their ability to invade workers of M. bellicosus. After 12 h post exposure, H. sonorensis from Ze (Ze2) and H. sonorensis from Azohoue (Azohoue2) exhibited the lowest invasion time with IT50 = 3.35 and 3.67 h, respectively, and a higher penetration rate (11.4% and 10%, respectively) compared with the other isolates. In the concentration-mortality test, we found that, based on 95% confidence limits, all H. sonorensis and H. indica isolates appeared to be equal, with LC50 values ranging from nine to 16 infected juveniles (IJ) termite−1. Interestingly, 40 IJ termite−1 were enough to cause 80% mortality to M. bellicosus. Contrary to the LC50, the results of our studies clearly demonstrate that M. bellicosus exhibits a time-dependent susceptibility to the tested nematode isolates. So, the lowest LT50 was observed for H. sonorensis Ze2 (LT50 = 23.30 h), the highest for H. sonorensis Yokon (34.76 h). The LT50 of the indigenous H. indica isolate was estimated to 24.07 h. In addition, all selected isolates were able to reproduce in M. bellicosus workers. The highest reproduction potential in M. bellicosus was observed with H. sonorensis Yokon with 20 213 IJ/termite followed by H. sonorensis Ze2 with 19 368 IJ/termites. All tested Beninese EPN isolates were pathogenic to the citrus termite pest M. bellicosus, with H. sonorensis Ze2 being the most virulent.
Secularism and Myth
Authors: Reed Randall 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe problem of secularism is amply raised by Burton Mack in his paper; it is clear that the term secular is problematic. However, in this response I would like to take a cultural turn. Using the social theory developed by Burton Mack in other writings, I will argue that the secular criticism of the Bible can be understood as a new mythology (as all criticism of the Bible are) that is a part of a growing secular wave within the United States found in a variety of cultural corners and particularly among the younger demographics. As such secular criticism—and secular movements like it—constitute one response to a particular set of social interests at this particular juncture in time.
The 21st International Diatom Symposium
Authors: JULIUS MATTHEW L. , EDLUND MARK B. 
Published: August 2013

The 21st International Diatom Symposium (IDS) convened from 29 August to 03 September 2010 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. Over 135 delegates representing 23 countries attended the symposium and enjoyed keynote addresses by Drs John Smol and Ellinor Michel. Delegates participated in special sessions on Genetic Barcoding, Life Cycles and Resting Stages, Marine Biostratigraphy and Paleoceanography, Diatoms and Inferring Water Quality, Ecology and Distribution of Cyclotella sensu lato, and a Diatoms of North America workshop. Sixty-eight papers were presented in oral sessions and over 60 papers given in two poster sessions. A mid-week excursion gave delegates the opportunity to canoe on the Mississippi River or attend the Minnesota State Fair. Other symposia events included the first IDS Auction to raise money for students attending the symposium, an evening gala at the Science Museum of Minnesota, and a closing banquet dinner and dance overlooking the Mississippi River valley. At the 2010 biennial general meeting of the International Society for Diatom Research in St. Paul, a motion was passed for the 22nd International Diatom Symposium to be held in Ghent, Belgium in August 2012.
A brief history of the International Diatom Symposium
Authors: EDLUND MARK B. , ANDRESEN NORMAN A. 
Published: August 2013

The International Diatom Symposium began as the "First Symposium on Recent and Fossil Marine Diatoms" in Bremerhaven, Germany in 1970 with 15 diatomists in attendance. The informal group decided to meet on a biennial basis with meetings moving to different venues across Europe. The group grew with each of the early meetings and came to recognize the need to include both marine and freshwater researchers at the symposium. At the fifth meeting of the group, the name was changed to reflect this; the "Fifth Symposium on Recent and Fossil Diatoms" was held in Antwerp, Belgium in 1978. The meeting eventually adopted the name "International Diatom Symposium" at the 1982 seventh meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. In 1986, at the Ninth International Diatom Symposium in Bristol, UK, the International Society for Diatom Research (ISDR) was formally established and has used the International Diatom Symposium to hold their biennial meetings of the Council and the Society. The IDS continues as a biennial gathering of international diatomists with symposia venues proposed by members, subjected to member vote, and given final council approval. The Society has encouraged meetings beyond European and American venues; notable venues have included the first Asian meeting (Fourteenth International Diatom Symposium, in Tokyo, Japan), the first Australian meeting (Fifteenth International Diatom Symposium, in Perth, Australia), and a symposium held in Russia (Nineteenth International Diatom Symposium in Irkutsk, Russia).
Unified Formulation of Single- and Multimoment Normalizations of the Raindrop Size Distribution Based on the Gamma Probability Density Function
Authors: Yu Nan , Delrieu Guy , Boudevillain Brice , Hazenberg Pieter , Uijlenhoet Remko 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThis study offers a unified formulation of single- and multimoment normalizations of the raindrop size distribution (DSD), which have been proposed in the framework of scaling analyses in the literature. The key point is to consider a well-defined “general distribution” g(x) as the probability density function (pdf) of the raindrop diameter scaled by a characteristic diameter Dc. The two-parameter gamma pdf is used to model the g(x) function. This theory is illustrated with a 3-yr DSD time series collected in the Cévennes region, France. It is shown that three DSD moments (M2, M3, and M4) make it possible to satisfactorily model the DSDs, both for individual spectra and for time series of spectra. The formulation is then extended to the one- and two-moment normalization by introducing single and dual power-law models. As compared with previous scaling formulations, this approach explicitly accounts for the prefactors of the power-law models to yield a unique and dimensionless g(x), whatever the scaling moment(s) considered. A parameter estimation procedure, based on the analysis of power-law regressions and the self-consistency relationships, is proposed for those normalizations. The implementation of this method with different scaling DSD moments (rain rate and/or radar reflectivity) yields g(x) functions similar to the one obtained with the three-moment normalization. For a particular rain event, highly consistent g(x) functions can be obtained during homogeneous rain phases, whatever the scaling moments used. However, the g(x) functions may present contrasting shapes from one phase to another. This supports the idea that the g(x) function is process dependent and not “unique” as hypothesized in the scaling theory.
A Numerical Study of Typhoon Megi (2010). Part I: Rapid Intensification
Authors: Wang Hui , Wang Yuqing 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Typhoon Megi (15W) was the most powerful and longest-lived tropical cyclone (TC) over the western North Pacific during 2010. While it shared many common features of TCs that crossed Luzon Island in the northern Philippines, Megi experienced unique intensity and structural changes, which were reproduced reasonably well in a simulation using the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting Model (ARW-WRF) with both dynamical initialization and large-scale spectral nudging. In this paper processes responsible for the rapid intensification (RI) of the modeled Megi before it made landfall over Luzon Island were analyzed. The results show that Megi experienced RI over the warm ocean with high ocean heat content and decreasing environmental vertical shear. The onset of RI was triggered by convective bursts (CBs), which penetrate into the upper troposphere, leading to the upper-tropospheric warming and the formation of the upper-level warm core. In turn, CBs with their roots inside of the eyewall in the boundary layer were buoyantly triggered/supported by slantwise convective available potential energy (SCAPE) accumulated in the eye region. During RI, convective area coverage in the inner-core region was increasing while the updraft velocity in the upper troposphere and the number of CBs were both decreasing. Different from the majority of TCs that experience RI with a significant eyewall contraction, the simulated Megi, as the observed, rapidly intensified without an eyewall contraction. This is attributed to diabatic heating in active spiral rainbands, a process previously proposed to explain the inner-core size increase, enhanced by the interaction of the typhoon vortex with a low-level synoptic depression in which Megi was embedded.