bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recalcitrant vulnerability curves: methods of analysis and the concept of fibre bridges for enhanced cavitation resistance
Authors: CAI JING , LI SHAN , ZHANG HAIXIN , ZHANG SHUOXIN , TYREE MELVIN T. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractVulnerability curves (VCs) generally can be fitted to the Weibull equation; however, a growing number of VCs appear to be recalcitrant, that is, deviate from a Weibull but seem to fit dual Weibull curves. We hypothesize that dual Weibull curves in Hippophae rhamnoides L. are due to different vessel diameter classes, inter‐vessel hydraulic connections or vessels versus fibre tracheids. We used dye staining techniques, hydraulic measurements and quantitative anatomy measurements to test these hypotheses. The fibres contribute 1.3% of the total stem conductivity, which eliminates the hypothesis that fibre tracheids account for the second Weibull curve. Nevertheless, the staining pattern of vessels and fibre tracheids suggested that fibres might function as a hydraulic bridge between adjacent vessels. We also argue that fibre bridges are safer than vessel‐to‐vessel pits and put forward the concept as a new paradigm. Hence, we tentatively propose that the first Weibull curve may be accounted by vessels connected to each other directly by pit fields, while the second Weibull curve is associated with vessels that are connected almost exclusively by fibre bridges. Further research is needed to test the concept of fibre bridge safety in species that have recalcitrant or normal Weibull curves.
Sowing wild oats: Valuable experience or a field full of weeds?
Authors: BUSBY DEAN M. , WILLOUGHBY BRIAN J. , CARROLL JASON S. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn this study, the association was explored between the number of sexual partners individuals had in their lifetimes and martial outcomes. The research objective was to test whether the number of sexual partners was associated with sexual quality, communication, relationship satisfaction, and relationship stability, while controlling for relationship length, education, race, income, age, and religiosity, using the two competing theories of sexual compatibility and sexual restraint. The results, with a sample of 2,654 married individuals, indicated that the number of sexual partners was associated with lower levels of sexual quality, communication, and relationship stability, providing support for the sexual restraint theory. Gender was not significantly associated with the patterns in the model but age cohorts did have different patterns.
The impact of salinity exposure on survival and temperature tolerance of theAntarctic collembolanCryptopygus antarcticus
Authors: EVERATT MATTHEW J. , WORLAND MICHAEL R. , CONVEY PETER , BALE JEFF S. , HAYWARD SCOTT A. L. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe collembolanCryptopygus antarcticusWillem is potentially exposed to habitat salinities equal to (or greater than) sea water, as a result of sea spray, drying of littoral habitats, dispersal or temporary entrapment on the surface of sea water, or exposure to localized salt deposits from dense vertebrate populations on terrestrial habitats. To test the impact of this exposure onC. antarcticus, the tolerance of the collembolan to being placed on the surface of sea water and solutions of higher salt concentrations is investigated. The effects of acclimation to exposure to liquids of different salinities [44, 100 and 200 parts per thousand (ppt) sea salt] on cold and heat tolerance, as well as thermal activity thresholds, are also explored.Cryptopygus antarcticusshows > 75% survival after 10 days of exposure to both sea water and 100‐ppt salt, whereas it exhibits significantly lower survival after 5 days (60% survival) and 10 days (40%) of exposure to a 200‐ppt solution. Body water content also decreases after exposure to all salinities, and particularly to the 200‐ppt solution, in which > 50% of body water is lost after 10 days. Acclimation results in greater cold tolerance, although heat tolerance at 33, 35 and 37 °C is either unaltered or reduced. The thermal activity thresholds ofC. antarcticusat both high and low temperatures are also negatively affected by saline exposure. The data demonstrate the capacity ofC. antarcticusto tolerate periods of exposure to saline conditions, and also show that this exposure can enhance cross‐tolerance to low temperatures. The present study also demonstrates that salinity‐associated stress at moderately low and high temperatures narrows the thermal range of activity, thus reducing the ability of collembolans to forage, develop and reproduce. © 2013 The Royal Entomological Society
Attention Deficit‐Hyperactivity Disorder as the Medicalization of Childhood: Challenges from and for Sociology
Authors: Rafalovich Adam 
Published: April 2013

AbstractSociology has problematized the expanding province of medicine for several decades, and it is important to clarify some of the central questions regarding the medicalization question for those new to this subset of the discipline. With a primary focus on the diagnosis of attention deficit‐hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), this paper seeks to accomplish four goals. First, this paper will summarize the general concept of medicalization, including the way that medical practitioners attribute children’s behavioral problems to disease entities. Second, this paper argues that the medicalization of childhood and the rise of the disease entity of ADHD stems from the transformation of children and childhood into objects of scientific study. Third, using the example of ADHD, this paper will attempt to demystify the premise that medicalization emanates from the “monolith” of medicine, but is instead, a process rife with internal contradiction and epistemological disagreement. Fourth, following the uncertainty of etiological positions toward childhood behavior problems, this paper will discuss some of the external critiques of medicalization, including the way that lay actors push back against the medicalization process, and concerns about the effectiveness of technologies used to diagnose and treat ADHD.
Leadership Trends in Advanced Democracies
Authors: Pakulski Jan 
Published: April 2013

AbstractPolitical sociology suggests two inter‐related leadership trends in advanced democracies: the increasing prominence of political leaders, and the waning influence of political parties, especially the ideological‐programmatic ‘mass parties’ or Volksparteien. These trends intensified and reinforced each other over the last 30–40 years resulting in a rapidly changing physiognomy of contemporary democracy. Democratic politics becomes more elite driven, mass‐mediated and populist in style than in the past. Moreover, the power and elite structures in advanced democracies, as well as the electoral competition, increasingly resemble what Weber labelled ‘leader democracy’. The shift towards ‘leader democracy’ has coincided with the processes of party‐voter dealignment and decline of political parties, the rise of the electronic mass media, and the ascendancy of powerful leaders–reformers in the ‘core’ liberal democracies. The sociological argument about the shift is anchored in a theoretical framework derived from works of Max Weber and Joseph Schumpeter. It depicts democratic political leaders as key political actors embedded in broader elites, motivated by determination and commitment, and empowered by the resources of modern states and the mass media.
HLA associations with tubulointerstitial nephritis with or without uveitis in Finnish pediatric population: a nation‐wide study
Authors: Peräsaari J. , Saarela V. , Nikkilä J. , Ala‐Houhala M. , Arikoski P. , Kataja J. , Rönnholm K. , Merenmies J. , Nuutinen M. , Jahnukainen T. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotype has been shown to associate with tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) and tubulointerstitial nephritis with uveitis syndrome (TINU). The association of HLA genes with TIN was examined in this nation‐wide study. HLA genotyping was performed in 31 pediatric patients with biopsy‐proven TIN. All patients were examined by an ophthalmologist to diagnose possible uveitis. Class II HLA genotypes of TIN patients were compared with the Finnish reference population. We found a significant association between the HLA alleles DQA1*04:01 [risk ratio (RR) 5.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0–11.2], DQB1*04:02 (RR 2.7, 95% CI 1.4–5.3), and DRB1*08 (RR 3.8, 95% CI 1.5–8.4) and TIN. Uveitis was found in 20/31 (64.5%) patients. HLA genotyping of the TINU patients showed additional risk HLA alleles: DQA1*01:04 (RR 6.1, 95% CI 1.5–17.8), and DRB1*14 (RR 8.2, 95% CI 2.2–22.1). The alleles DQA1*01:04 (RR 8.8, 95% CI 2.2–26.5), DQA1*04:01 (RR 3.2, 95% CI 1.2–7.3), and DRB1*14 (RR 12.0, 95% CI 3.2–33.0) were more frequent in patients with TIN and chronic uveitis than in reference population. The HLA class II haplotype DQA1*04:01/DQB1:04:02/DRB1*08 was the most common combination in our study population (58.1%). None of the patients had haplotype DQA1*04:01/DQB1*06:02/DRB1*15, which is common in Finland. HLA genotype did not predict the renal outcome. We found a strong association between certain HLA genotypes both in TIN and TINU patients. The TIN/TINU‐associated HLA alleles appear to vary depending on study population.
Trans‐sialidase Stimulates Eat Me Response from Epithelial Cells
Authors: Butler Claire E. , de Carvalho Tecia M. U. , Grisard Edmundo C. , Field Robert A. , Tyler Kevin M. 
Published: April 2013

Epithelial cell invasion by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is enhanced by the presence of an enzyme expressed on its cell surface during the trypomastigote life cycle stage. The enzyme, trans‐sialidase (TS), is a member of one of the largest gene families expressed by the parasite and the role of its activity in mediating epithelial cell entry has not hitherto been understood. Here we show that the T. cruzi TS generates an eat me signal which is capable of enabling epithelial cell entry. We have utilized purified, recombinant, active (TcTS) and inactive (TcTS2V0) TS coated onto beads to challenge an epithelial cell line. We find that TS activity acts upon G protein coupled receptors present at the epithelial cell synapse with the coated bead, thereby enhancing cell entry. By so doing, we provide evidence that TS proteins bind glycans, mediate the formation of distinct synaptic domains and promote macropinocytotic uptake of microparticles into a perinuclear compartment in a manner which may emulate entosis.
Subject‐centered free‐response ROC (FROC) analysis
Authors: Bandos Andriy I. , Rockette Howard E. , Gur David 
Published: April 2013

Purpose:To develop an approach of estimating subject‐centered free‐response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) curve for providing patient‐centered inferences regarding detection‐localization characteristics of a diagnostic system.Methods:The authors examine properties of the conventional, target‐centered, FROC curve and demonstrate that in scenarios where the diagnostic performance correlates with the total number of targets on a subject, it may lead to inadequate inferences from the perspective of possible benefits to a patient. Following solutions to patient‐centered approaches in other applications, the authors define a subject‐centered FROC curve and develop its formulation as a covariate‐adjusted FROC curve. The authors also conduct a numerical study illustrating the relative properties of the conventional and subject‐centered approach and provide an example.Results:A simple‐to‐implement approach for estimating the subject‐centered FROC curve and its overall index can be formulated as a type of stratified FROC analysis. The authors demonstrate that when diagnostic performance is associated with the number of targets, the diagnostic system with apparently superior target‐centered characteristics (conventional approach) can be actually inferior from the subject‐centered perspective. The authors show that under some clinically reasonable conditions the magnitude of disagreement in results could be substantial. An example from an actual observer performance study illustrates the natural setting where the developed approach would be relevant and lead to conclusions that are contradictory to those obtained from conventional analysis.Conclusions:The authors developed a subject‐centered FROC curve and its overall index provides tools for inferences that may be relevant from a perspective of potential benefits to a patient.
Evaluation of RevA, a Fibronectin-Binding Protein of Borrelia burgdorferi, as a Potential Vaccine Candidate for Lyme Disease
Authors: Floden Angela M. , Gonzalez Tammy , Gaultney Robert A. , Brissette Catherine A. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Previous studies indicated that the Lyme disease spirochete
Borrelia burgdorferi
expresses the RevA outer surface protein during mammalian infection. As an adhesin that promotes bacterial interaction with fibronectin, RevA appears to be a good target for preventive therapies. RevA proteins are highly conserved across all Lyme borreliae, and antibodies against RevA protein are cross-reactive among RevA proteins from diverse strains. Mice infected with
B. burgdorferi
mounted a rapid IgM response to RevA, followed by a strong IgG response that generally remained elevated for more than 12 months, suggesting continued exposure of RevA protein to the immune system. RevA antibodies were bactericidal
in vitro
. To evaluate the RevA antigen as a potential vaccine, mice were vaccinated with recombinant RevA and challenged with
B. burgdorferi
by inoculation with a needle or by a tick bite. Cultured tissues from all treatment groups were positive for
B. burgdorferi
. Vaccinated animals also appeared to have similar levels of
B. burgdorferi
DNA compared to nonvaccinated controls. Despite its antigenicity, surface expression, and the production of bactericidal antibodies against it, RevA does not protect against
Borrelia burgdorferi
infection in a mouse model. However, passive immunization with anti-RevA antibodies did prevent infection, suggesting the possible utility of RevA-based immunotherapeutics or vaccine.
PCR-Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Direct Detection of Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance from Heart Valves in Patients with Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Brinkman Cassandra L. , Vergidis Paschalis , Uhl James R. , Pritt Bobbi S. , Cockerill Franklin R. , Steckelberg James M. , Baddour Larry M. , Maleszewski Joseph J. , Edwards William D. , Sampath Rangarajan , Patel Robin 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Microbiological diagnosis is pivotal to the appropriate management and treatment of infective endocarditis. We evaluated PCR-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS) for bacterial and candidal detection using 83 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded heart valves from subjects with endocarditis who had positive valve and/or blood cultures, 63 of whom had positive valvular Gram stains. PCR/ESI-MS yielded 55% positivity with concordant microbiology at the genus/species or organism group level (e.g., viridans group streptococci), 11% positivity with discordant microbiology, and 34% with no detection. PCR/ESI-MS detected all antimicrobial resistance encoded by
mecA
or
vanA
/
B
and identified a case of
Tropheryma whipplei
endocarditis not previously recognized.
Results of External Quality Assessment for Proviral DNA Testing of HIV Tropism in the Maraviroc Switch Collaborative Study
Authors: Tu Elise , Swenson Luke C. , Land Sally , Pett Sarah , Emery Sean , Marks Kat , Kelleher Anthony D. , Kaye Steve , Kaiser Rolf , Schuelter Eugene , Harrigan Richard 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

The
Mar
aviroc Swit
ch
collaborative study (MARCH) is a study in aviremic patients on stable antiretroviral therapy and utilizes population-based sequencing of proviral DNA to determine HIV tropism and susceptibility to maraviroc. An external quality assessment (EQA) program was implemented to ensure competency in assessing the tropism of clinical samples conducted by MARCH laboratories (
n
= 14). The MARCH EQA has three prestudy phases assessing V3 loop sequencing and tropism determination using the bioinformatic algorithm geno2pheno, which generates a false-positive rate (FPR). DNA sequences with low FPRs are more likely to be from CXCR4-using (X4) viruses. Phase 1 of the EQA involved chromatogram interpretation. Phases 2, 2/3, and 3 involved patient and clonal samples. Clinical samples used in these phases were from treatment-experienced HIV-infected volunteers; 18/20 had viral loads of <50 copies/ml, and 10/15 were CXCR4-tropic on prior phenotyping. All samples were tested in triplicate, and any replicate with a geno2pheno FPR of <10% was designated X4. Performance was deemed adequate if ≤2 R5 and ≤1 X4 specimens were miscalled. For several clinical samples in the EQA, triplicate testing revealed marked DNA variability (FPR range, 0 to 96.7%). Therefore, a consensus-based approach was employed for each sample, i.e., a median FPR across laboratories was used to define sample tropism. Further sequencing analysis showed mixed viral populations in the clinical samples, explaining the differences in tropism predictions. All laboratories passed the EQA after achieving predefined competence thresholds in either of the phase 2 rounds. The use of clinical samples from patients resembling those who were likely to be screened in the MARCH, coupled with triplicate testing, revealed inherent DNA variability that might have been missed if single or duplicate testing and/or clonal samples alone were used. These data highlight the importance of intensive EQA of tropism laboratories before embarking on clinical studies. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01384682 [
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01384682?term=NCT01384682&rank=1
].)
Influence of Clinical Breakpoint Changes from CLSI 2009 to EUCAST 2011 Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Guidelines on Multidrug Resistance Rates of Gram-Negative Rods
Authors: Hombach Michael , Wolfensberger Aline , Kuster Stefan P. , Böttger Erik C. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Multidrug resistance (MDR) rates of Gram-negative rods were analyzed comparing CLSI 2009 and EUCAST 2011 antibiotic susceptibility testing guidelines. After EUCAST 2011 was applied, the MDR rates increased for
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(2.2%),
Enterobacter cloacae
(1.1%),
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(0.7%), and
Escherichia coli
(0.4%). A total of 24% of
Enterobacteriaceae
MDR isolates and 12% of
P. aeruginosa
MDR isolates were categorized as MDR due to breakpoint changes.
The Structure of the Herpes Simplex Virus DNA-Packaging Terminase pUL15 Nuclease Domain Suggests an Evolutionary Lineage among Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Viruses
Authors: Selvarajan Sigamani Sundaresan , Zhao Haiyan , Kamau Yvonne N. , Baines Joel D. , Tang Liang 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), the prototypic member of herpesviruses, employs a virally encoded molecular machine called terminase to package the viral double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome into a preformed protein shell. The terminase contains a large subunit that is thought to cleave concatemeric viral DNA during the packaging initiation and completion of each packaging cycle and supply energy to the packaging process via ATP hydrolysis. We have determined the X-ray structure of the C-terminal domain of the terminase large-subunit pUL15 (pUL15C) from HSV-1. The structure shows a fold resembling those of bacteriophage terminases, RNase H, integrases, DNA polymerases, and topoisomerases, with an active site clustered with acidic residues. Docking analysis reveals a DNA-binding surface surrounded by flexible loops, indicating considerable conformational changes upon DNA binding.
In vitro
assay shows that pUL15C possesses non-sequence-specific, Mg
2+
-dependent nuclease activity. These results suggest that pUL15 uses an RNase H-like, metal ion-mediated catalysis mechanism for cleavage of viral concatemeric DNA. The structure reveals extra structural elements in addition to the RNase H-like fold core and variations in local architecture of the nuclease active site, which are conserved in herpesvirus terminases and bear great similarity to the phage T4 gp17 but are distinct from podovirus and siphovirus orthologs and cellular RNase H, delineating a new evolutionary lineage among a large family of eukaryotic viruses and simple and complex prokaryotic viruses.
Identification of a Pegivirus (GB Virus-Like Virus) That Infects Horses
Authors: Kapoor Amit , Simmonds Peter , Cullen John M. , Scheel Troels K. H. , Medina Jan L. , Giannitti Federico , Nishiuchi Eiko , Brock Kenny V. , Burbelo Peter D. , Rice Charles M. , Lipkin W. Ian 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

The recent identification of nonprimate hepaciviruses in dogs and then in horses prompted us to look for pegiviruses (GB virus-like viruses) in these species. Although none were detected in canines, we found widespread natural infection of horses by a novel pegivirus. Unique genomic features and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the tentatively named equine pegivirus (EPgV) represents a novel species within the
Pegivirus
genus. We also determined that EPgV causes persistent viremia whereas its clinical significance is undetermined.
Comprehensive Analysis of Varicella-Zoster Virus Proteins Using a New Monoclonal Antibody Collection
Authors: Lenac Roviš Tihana , Bailer Susanne M. , Pothineni Venkata R. , Ouwendijk Werner J. D. , Šimić Hrvoje , Babić Marina , Miklić Karmela , Malić Suzana , Verweij Marieke C. , Baiker Armin , Gonzalez Orland , von Brunn Albrecht , Zimmer Ralf , Früh Klaus , Verjans Georges M. G. M. , Jonjić Stipan , Haas Jürgen 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the etiological agent of chickenpox and shingles. Due to the virus's restricted host and cell type tropism and the lack of tools for VZV proteomics, it is one of the least-characterized human herpesviruses. We generated 251 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against 59 of the 71 (83%) currently known unique VZV proteins to characterize VZV protein expression
in vitro
and
in situ
. Using this new set of MAbs, 44 viral proteins were detected by Western blotting (WB) and indirect immunofluorescence (IF); 13 were detected by WB only, and 2 were detected by IF only. A large proportion of viral proteins was analyzed for the first time in the context of virus infection. Our study revealed the subcellular localization of 46 proteins, 14 of which were analyzed in detail by confocal microscopy. Seven viral proteins were analyzed in time course experiments and showed a cascade-like temporal gene expression pattern similar to those of other herpesviruses. Furthermore, selected MAbs tested positive on human skin lesions by using immunohistochemistry, demonstrating the wide applicability of the MAb collection. Finally, a significant portion of the VZV-specific antibodies reacted with orthologs of simian varicella virus (SVV), thus enabling the systematic analysis of varicella in a nonhuman primate model system. In summary, this study provides insight into the potential function of numerous VZV proteins and novel tools to systematically study VZV and SVV pathogenesis.