bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ACOUSTICAL STANDARDS NEWS
Authors: Blaeser Susan B. , Schomer Paul D. 
Published: July 2014

American National Standards (ANSI Standards) developed by Accredited Standards Committees S1, S2, S3, S3/SC 1, and S12 in the areas of acoustics, mechanical vibration and shock, bioacoustics, animal bioacoustics, and noise, respectively, are published by the Acoustical Society of America (ASA). In addition to these standards, ASA publishes catalogs of Acoustical Standards, both National and International. To receive copies of the latest Standards catalogs, please contact Susan B. Blaeser.
Comments are welcomed on all material in Acoustical Standards News.
This Acoustical Standards News section in JASA, as well as the National and International Catalogs of Acoustical Standards, and other information on the Standards Program of the Acoustical Society of America, are available via the ASA home page: http://acousticalsociety.org.
Schistosoma mansoni Soluble Egg Antigens Enhance Listeria monocytogenes Vector HIV-1 Vaccine Induction of Cytotoxic T Cells
Authors: Bui Cac T. , Shollenberger Lisa M. , Paterson Yvonne , Harn Donald A. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTVaccines are an important public health measure for prevention and treatment of diseases. In addition to the vaccine immunogen, many vaccines incorporate adjuvants to stimulate the recipient's immune system and enhance vaccine-specific responses. While vaccine development has advanced from attenuated organism to recombinant protein or use of plasmid DNA, the development of new adjuvants that safely increase immune responses has not kept pace. Previous studies have shown that the complex mixture of molecules that comprise saline soluble egg antigens (SEA) fromSchistosoma mansonieggs functions to promote CD4+T helper 2 (Th2) responses. Therefore, we hypothesized that coadministration of SEA with aListeriavector HIV-1 Gag (Lm-Gag) vaccine would suppress host cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and T helper 1 (Th1) responses to HIV-1 Gag epitopes. Surprisingly, instead of driving HIV-1 Gag-specific responses toward Th2 type, we found that coadministration of SEA with Lm-Gag vaccine significantly increased the frequency of gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producing Gag-specific Th1 and CTL responses over that seen in mice administered Lm-Gag only. Analysis of the functionality and durability of vaccine responses suggested that SEA not only enlarged different memory T cell compartments but induced functional and long-lasting vaccine-specific responses as well. These results suggest there are components in SEA that can synergize with potent inducers of strong and durable Th1-type responses such as those toListeria. We hypothesize that SEA contains moieties that, if defined, can be used to expand type 1 proinflammatory responses for use in vaccines.
Clones of Streptococcus zooepidemicus from Outbreaks of Hemorrhagic Canine Pneumonia and Associated Immune Responses
Authors: Velineni Sridhar , Timoney John F. , Russell Kim , Hamlen Heidi J. , Pesavento Patricia , Fortney William D. , Crawford P. Cynda 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTAcute hemorrhagic pneumonia caused byStreptococcus zooepidemicushas emerged as a major disease of shelter dogs and greyhounds.S. zooepidemicusstrains differing in multilocus sequence typing (MLST), protective protein (SzP), and M-like protein (SzM) sequences were identified from 9 outbreaks in Texas, Kansas, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. Clonality based on 2 or more isolates was evident for 7 of these outbreaks. The Pennsylvania and Nevada outbreaks also involved cats. Goat antisera against acutely infected lung tissue as well as convalescent-phase sera reacted with a mucinase (Sz115), hyaluronidase (HylC), InlA domain-containing cell surface-anchored protein (INLA), membrane-anchored protein (MAP), SzP, SzM, and extracellular oligopeptide-binding protein (OppA). The amino acid sequences of SzP and SzM of the isolates varied greatly. Theszpandszmalleles of the closely related Kansas clone (sequence type 129 [ST-129]) and United Kingdom isolate BHS5 (ST-123) were different, indicating that MLST was unreliable as a predictor of virulence phenotype. Combinations of conserved HylC and serine protease (ScpC) and variable SzM and SzP proteins ofS. zooepidemicusstrain NC78 were protectively immunogenic for mice challenged with a virulent canine strain. Thus, although canine pneumonia outbreaks are caused by different strains ofS. zooepidemicus, protective immune responses were elicited in mice by combinations of conserved or variableS. zooepidemicusproteins from a single strain.
Highly Discriminatory Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Markers for Genotyping of Trichophyton interdigitale Strains
Authors: Drira Ines , Hadrich Ines , Neji Sourour , Mahfouth Nedia , Trabelsi Houaida , Sellami Hayet , Makni Fattouma , Ayadi Ali 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Trichophyton
interdigitale
is the second most frequent cause of superficial fungal infections of various parts of the human body. Studying the population structure and genotype differentiation of
T. interdigitale
strains may lead to significant improvements in clinical practice. The present study aimed to develop and select suitable variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) markers for 92 clinical strains of
T. interdigitale
. On the basis of an analysis of four VNTR markers, four to eight distinct alleles were detected for each marker. The marker with the highest discriminatory power had eight alleles and a
D
value of 0.802. The combination of all four markers yielded a
D
value of 0.969 with 29 distinct multilocus genotypes. VNTR typing revealed the genetic diversity of the strains, identifying three populations according to their colonization sites. A correlation between phenotypic characteristics and multilocus genotypes was observed. Seven patients harbored
T. interdigitale
strains with different genotypes. Typing of clinical
T. interdigitale
samples by VNTR markers displayed excellent discriminatory power and 100% reproducibility.
High-Throughput Ultrasensitive Molecular Techniques for Quantifying Low-Density Malaria Parasitemias
Authors: Imwong Mallika , Hanchana Sarun , Malleret Benoit , Rénia Laurent , Day Nicholas P. J. , Dondorp Arjen , Nosten Francois , Snounou Georges , White Nicholas J. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

The epidemiology of malaria in “low-transmission” areas has been underestimated. Molecular detection methods have revealed higher prevalences of malaria than conventional microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests, but these typically evaluate finger-prick capillary blood samples (∼5 μl) and therefore cannot detect parasite densities of <200/ml. Their use underestimates true parasite carriage rates. To characterize the epidemiology of malaria in low-transmission settings and plan elimination strategies, more sensitive quantitative PCR (qPCR) is needed to identify and quantify low-density malaria parasitemias. A highly sensitive “high-volume” quantitative PCR (qPCR) method based on
Plasmodium
sp. 18S RNA was adapted for blood sample volumes of ≥250 μl and scaled for high throughput. The methods were validated by assessment of the analytical sensitivity and specificity, diagnostic sensitivity, and specificity, efficiency, precision, analytical and diagnostic accuracies, limit of detection, root cause analysis of false positives, and robustness. The high-volume qPCR method based on
Plasmodium
sp. 18S RNA gave high PCR efficiency of 90 to 105%. Concentrations of parasite DNA from large volumes of blood gave a consistent analytical detection limit (LOD) of 22 parasites/ml (95% CI, 21.79 to 74.9), which is some 2,500 times more sensitive than conventional microscopy and 50 times more sensitive than currently used PCR methods from filter paper blood spots. The diagnostic specificity was 99.75%. Using automated procedures it was possible to process 700 blood samples per week. A very sensitive and specific high-throughput high-volume qPCR method for the detection of low-density parasitemias (>20 parasites/ml) was developed and validated.
Bacterial Nanoscale Cultures for Phenotypic Multiplexed Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing
Authors: Weibull Emilie , Antypas Haris , Kjäll Peter , Brauner Annelie , Andersson-Svahn Helene , Richter-Dahlfors Agneta 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

An optimal antimicrobial drug regimen is the key to successful clinical outcomes of bacterial infections. To direct the choice of antibiotic, access to fast and precise antibiotic susceptibility profiling of the infecting bacteria is critical. We have developed a high-throughput nanowell antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) device for direct, multiplexed analysis. By processing in real time the optical recordings of nanoscale cultures of reference and clinical uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
strains with a mathematical algorithm, the time point when growth shifts from lag phase to early logarithmic phase (
T
lag
) was identified for each of the several hundreds of cultures tested. Based on
T
lag
, the MIC could be defined within 4 h. Heatmap presentation of data from this high-throughput analysis allowed multiple resistance patterns to be differentiated at a glance. With a possibility to enhance multiplexing capacity, this device serves as a high-throughput diagnostic tool that rapidly aids clinicians in prescribing the optimal antibiotic therapy.
Enterobius vermicularis Salpingitis Seen in the Setting of Ectopic Pregnancy in a Malaysian Patient
Authors: Ngui Romano , Ravindran Sarala , Ong Diana Bee Lan , Chow Tak Kuan , Low Kah Pin , Nureena Zaidi Syeda , Rajoo Yamuna , Chin Yuee Teng , Amir Amirah , Ahmad Arine Fadzlun , Lim Yvonne Ai Lian , Mahmud Rohela 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTWe report a rare and unusual case of invasiveEnterobius vermicularisinfection in a fallopian tube. The patient was a 23-year-old Malaysian woman who presented with suprapubic pain and vaginal bleeding. A clinical diagnosis of ruptured right ovarian ectopic pregnancy was made. She underwent a laparotomy with a right salpingo-oophorectomy. Histopathological examination of the right fallopian tube showed eggs and adult remnants ofE. vermicularis, and the results were confirmed using PCR and DNA sequencing.
Neurotropic Astrovirus in Cattle with Nonsuppurative Encephalitis in Europe
Authors: Bouzalas Ilias G. , Wüthrich Daniel , Walland Julia , Drögemüller Cord , Zurbriggen Andreas , Vandevelde Marc , Oevermann Anna , Bruggmann Rémy , Seuberlich Torsten 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Encephalitis is a frequently diagnosed condition in cattle with neurological diseases. Many affected animals present with a nonsuppurative inflammatory reaction pattern in the brain. While this pattern supports a viral etiology, the causative pathogen remains unknown in a large proportion of cases. Using viral metagenomics, we identified an astrovirus (bovine astrovirus [BoAstV]-CH13) in the brain of a cow with nonsuppurative encephalitis. Additionally, BoAstV RNA was detected with reverse transcription-PCR and
in situ
hybridization in about one fourth (5/22 animals) of cattle with nonsuppurative encephalitis of unknown etiology. Viral RNA was found primarily in neurons and at the site of pathology. These findings support the notion that BoAstV infection is a common cause of encephalitis in cattle. Phylogenetically, BoAstV-CH13 was closely related to rare astrovirus isolates from encephalitis cases in animals and a human patient. Future research needs to be directed toward the pathogenic mechanisms, epidemiology, and potential cross-species transmission of these neurotropic astroviruses.
Psychrobacter sanguinis: an Unusual Bacterium for Nosocomial Meningitis
Authors: Le Guern Rémi , Wallet Frédéric , Vega Emmanuel , Courcol René J. , Loïez Caroline 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

We report the first case of postneurosurgical meningitis due to
Psychrobacter sanguinis
, identified only by 16S rRNA analysis.
Psychrobacter
spp. usually live in deep sea environments and cold habitats. Despite a strict questioning of the patient and the medical staff, we did not find the source of this bacterium.
Genetic Diversity in Enterocytozoon bieneusi Isolates from Dogs and Cats in China: Host Specificity and Public Health Implications
Authors: Karim Md Robiul , Dong Haiju , Yu Fuchang , Jian Fuchun , Zhang Longxian , Wang Rongjun , Zhang Sumei , Rume Farzana Islam , Ning Changshen , Xiao Lihua 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

To explore the genetic diversity, host specificity, and zoonotic potential of
Enterocytozoon bieneusi
, feces from 348 stray and pet dogs and 96 pet cats from different locations in China were examined by internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based PCR.
E. bieneusi
was detected in 15.5% of the dogs, including 20.5% of stray dogs and 11.7% of pet dogs, and in 11.5% of the pet cats. Higher infection rates were recorded in the >2-year and the 1- to 2-year age groups in dogs and cats, respectively. Altogether, 24 genotypes, including 11 known and 13 new, were detected in 65 infected animals. In 54 positive dogs, 18 genotypes, 9 known (PtEbIX, O, D, CM1, EbpA, Peru8, type IV, EbpC, and PigEBITS5) and 9 new (CD1 to CD9), were found. In contrast, 8 genotypes, 4 known (D, BEB6, I, and PtEbIX) and 4 new (CC1 to CC4), were identified in 11 infected cats. The dominant genotype in dogs was PtEbIX (26/54). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 8 known genotypes (D, Peru8, type IV, CM1, EbpC, PigEBITS5, O, and EbpA) and 7 new genotypes (CD1 to CD4 and CC2 to CC4) were the members of zoonotic group 1, whereas genotypes CD7, CD8, and CD9 together with PtEbIX belonged to the dog-specific group, and genotypes CD6 and CC1 were placed in group 2 with BEB6 and I. Conversely, genotype CD5 clustered with CM4 without belonging to any previous groups. We conclude that zoonotic genotypes are common in dogs and cats, as are host-specific genotypes in dogs.
H7N9 and Other Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses Elicit a Three-Pronged Transcriptomic Signature That Is Reminiscent of 1918 Influenza Virus and Is Associated with Lethal Outcome in Mice
Authors: Morrison Juliet , Josset Laurence , Tchitchek Nicolas , Chang Jean , Belser Jessica A. , Swayne David E. , Pantin-Jackwood Mary J. , Tumpey Terrence M. , Katze Michael G. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT
Modulating the host response is a promising approach to treating influenza, caused by a virus whose pathogenesis is determined in part by the reaction it elicits within the host. Though the pathogenicity of emerging H7N9 influenza virus in several animal models has been reported, these studies have not included a detailed characterization of the host response following infection. Therefore, we characterized the transcriptomic response of BALB/c mice infected with H7N9 (A/Anhui/01/2013) virus and compared it to the responses induced by H5N1 (A/Vietnam/1203/2004), H7N7 (A/Netherlands/219/2003), and pandemic 2009 H1N1 (A/Mexico/4482/2009) influenza viruses. We found that responses to the H7 subtype viruses were intermediate to those elicited by H5N1 and pdm09H1N1 early in infection but that they evolved to resemble the H5N1 response as infection progressed. H5N1, H7N7, and H7N9 viruses were pathogenic in mice, and this pathogenicity correlated with increased transcription of cytokine response genes and decreased transcription of lipid metabolism and coagulation signaling genes. This three-pronged transcriptomic signature was observed in mice infected with pathogenic H1N1 strains such as the 1918 virus, indicating that it may be predictive of pathogenicity across multiple influenza virus strains. Finally, we used host transcriptomic profiling to computationally predict drugs that reverse the host response to H7N9 infection, and we identified six FDA-approved drugs that could potentially be repurposed to treat H7N9 and other pathogenic influenza viruses.

IMPORTANCE
Emerging avian influenza viruses are of global concern because the human population is immunologically naive to them. Current influenza drugs target viral molecules, but the high mutation rate of influenza viruses eventually leads to the development of antiviral resistance. As the host evolves far more slowly than the virus, and influenza pathogenesis is determined in part by the host response, targeting the host response is a promising approach to treating influenza. Here we characterize the host transcriptomic response to emerging H7N9 influenza virus and compare it with the responses to H7N7, H5N1, and pdm09H1N1. All three avian viruses were pathogenic in mice and elicited a transcriptomic signature that also occurs in response to the legendary 1918 influenza virus. Our work identifies host responses that could be targeted to treat severe H7N9 influenza and identifies six FDA-approved drugs that could potentially be repurposed as H7N9 influenza therapeutics.
Homeostatic Cytokines Induce CD4 Downregulation in African Green Monkeys Independently of Antigen Exposure To Generate Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Resistant CD8αα T Cells
Authors: Perkins Molly R. , Briant Judith A. , Calantone Nina , Whitted Sonya , Vinton Carol L. , Klatt Nichole R. , Ourmanov Ilnour , Ortiz Alexandra M. , Hirsch Vanessa M. , Brenchley Jason M. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

African green monkeys (AGMs; genus
Chlorocebus
) are a natural host of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV
AGM
). As they do not develop simian AIDS, there is great interest in understanding how this species has evolved to avoid immunodeficiency. Adult African green monkeys naturally have low numbers of CD4 T cells and a large population of major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted CD8α
dim
T cells that are generated through CD4 downregulation in CD4
+
T cells. Mechanisms that drive this process of CD4 downregulation are unknown. Here, we show that juvenile AGMs accelerate CD4-to-CD8αα conversion upon SIV infection and avoid progression to AIDS. The CD4 downregulation induced by SIV infection is not limited to SIV-specific T cells, and vaccination of an adult AGM who had a negligible number of CD4 T cells demonstrated that CD4 downregulation can occur without antigenic exposure. Finally, we show that the T cell homeostatic cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-7, and IL-15 can induce CD4 downregulation
in vitro
. These data identify a mechanism that allows AGMs to generate a large, diverse population of T cells that perform CD4 T cell functions but are resistant to SIV infection. A better understanding of this mechanism may allow the development of treatments to induce protective CD4 downregulation in humans.

IMPORTANCE
Many African primate species are naturally infected with SIV. African green monkeys, one natural host species, avoid simian AIDS by creating a population of T cells that lack CD4, the human immunodeficiency virus/SIV receptor; therefore, they are resistant to infection. However, these T cells maintain properties of CD4
+
T cells even after receptor downregulation and preserve immune function. Here, we show that juvenile AGMs, who have not undergone extensive CD4 downregulation, accelerate this process upon SIV infection. Furthermore, we show that
in vivo
, CD4 downregulation does not occur exclusively in antigen-experienced T cells. Finally, we show that the cytokines IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15, which induce homeostatic T cell proliferation, lead to CD4 downregulation
in vitro
; therefore, they can provide signals that lead to antigen-independent CD4 downregulation. These results suggest that if a similar process of CD4 downregulation could be induced in humans, it could provide a cure for AIDS.
Snow Goose Hepatitis B Virus (SGHBV) Envelope and Capsid Proteins Independently Contribute to the Ability of SGHBV To Package Capsids Containing Single-Stranded DNA in Virions
Authors: Greco Natalie , Hayes Michael H. , Loeb Daniel D. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT
Hepadnaviruses selectively package capsids containing mature double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes in virions. Snow goose hepatitis B virus (SGHBV) is the only known hepadnavirus that packages capsids containing single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) in virions. We found that cells replicating SGHBV produce virions containing ssDNA as efficiently as virions containing mature dsDNA. We determined that SGHBV capsid and envelope proteins independently contribute to the production of virions containing ssDNA, with the capsid protein (Cp) making a larger contribution. We identified that amino acid residues 74 and 107 of SGHBV Cp contribute to this feature of SGHBV. When we changed these residues in duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) Cp, capsids containing immature ssDNA were packaged in virions. This result suggests that residues 74 and 107 contribute to the appearance of the “capsid packaging signal” on the surface of capsids and interact with the envelope proteins during virion formation. We also found that cells replicating SGHBV package a larger fraction of the total dsDNA they synthesize into virions than do those replicating DHBV. We determined that the SGHBV envelope proteins are responsible for this property of SGHBV. Determining if the ability of SGHBV envelope proteins to cause the formation of virions containing ssDNA is related to its ability to support high levels of virion production or if these two properties are mechanistically distinct will provide insights into virion morphogenesis.

IMPORTANCE
Cells replicating hepadnaviruses contain cytoplasmic capsids that contain mature and immature genomes. However, only capsids containing mature dsDNA genomes are packaged in virions. A mechanistic understanding of this phenomenon, which is currently lacking, is critical to understanding the process of hepadnaviral virion morphogenesis. In this study, we determined that the envelope proteins contribute to the ability of hepadnaviruses to selectively produce virions containing mature dsDNA genomes. Our finding sheds new light on the mechanisms underlying virion morphogenesis and challenges the dogma that “capsid maturation,” and therefore the capsid protein (Cp), is solely responsible for the selective production of virions containing mature dsDNA genomes. Further, we identified amino acid residues of Cp that contribute to its ability to cause the selective production of virions containing mature dsDNA genomes. Future studies on the role of these residues in selective secretion will broaden our understanding of this poorly understood aspect of virus replication.