bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New insights into an old debate: Investigating the temporal sequence of commitment and performance at the business unit level
Authors: Winkler Silvan , König Cornelius J. , Kleinmann Martin 
Published: March 2012

Job attitudes and performance are correlated, but which comes first? Despite a long‐lasting debate regarding this question, the potential ordering of the job attitude–job performance relationship and its ideal timing of measurement over time remains unclear. Based on the hedonic treadmill theory and the endowment/contrast model, we develop arguments as to why the influence of performance on subsequent attitudes might be less persistent over time than vice versa and we suggest a strategy to determine the ideal period for measurement time lags. We contrasted both temporal directions within a data set of 755 employees from the retail banking division of a large bank, nested in 34 business units, for the period of 2005–2008, allowing for a controlled environment and consistent data capturing over time. We studied the relationship of organizational commitment aggregated to the business unit level with two business unit performance indicators (financial achievement and customer satisfaction). Results indicated that organizational commitment had a more persistent influence on performance at the business unit level than vice versa. Consistent with prior research, this suggests that job attitudes may come first, and that practitioners might be well advised to aim to improve job attitudes in order to boost performance.Practitioner Points
Our study suggests a potential answer to the chicken‐and‐egg problem (i.e., the temporal ordering of the job attitude–job performance relationship): Our theory and data suggest that the influence of performance on subsequent attitudes might be less persistent over time than vice versa.
Our study sheds new light onto which timely dimensions are involved in the job attitude–job performance relationship: While the impact of performance on attitudes diminishes after 1 year, the impact of attitudes on performance lasts up to 3 years.
Our results may be relevant for practitioners when it comes to evaluating the benefits of human resource initiatives and adding dollar values to the discussion around attitudinal changes.
ACOUSTICAL STANDARDS NEWS
Authors: Blaeser Susan B. , Schomer Paul D. 
Published: March 2012

American National Standards (ANSI Standards) developed by Accredited Standards Committees S1, S2, S3, and S12 in the areas of acoustics, mechanical vibration and shock, 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.
Induction of Protective Immune Responses by a Multiantigenic DNA Vaccine Encoding GRA7 and ROP1 of Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Quan Juan-Hua , Chu Jia-Qi , Ismail Hassan Ahmed Hassan Ahmed , Zhou Wei , Jo Eun-Kyeong , Cha Guang-Ho , Lee Young-Ha 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTToxoplasma gondiiis distributed worldwide and infects most species of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The heavy incidence and severe or lethal damage caused byT. gondiiinfection clearly indicates the need for the development of a vaccine. To evaluate the protective efficacy of a multiantigenic DNA vaccine expressing GRA7 and ROP1 ofT. gondiiwith or without a plasmid encoding murine interleukin-12 (pIL12), we constructed DNA vaccines using the eukaryotic plasmids pGRA7, pROP1, and pGRA7-ROP1. Mice immunized with pGRA7, pROP1, or pGRA7-ROP1 showed significantly increased serum IgG2a titers; production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α);in vitroT cell proliferation; and survival, as well as decreased cyst burdens in the brain, compared to mice immunized with either the empty plasmid, pIL12, or vector with pIL12 (vector+pIL12). Moreover, mice immunized with the multiantigenic DNA vaccine pGRA7-ROP1 had higher IgG2a titers, production of IFN-γ and TNF-α, survival time, and cyst reduction rate compared to those of mice vaccinated with either pGRA7 or pROP1 alone. Furthermore, mice immunized with either a pGRA7-ROP1+pIL12 or a single-gene vaccine combined with pIL12 showed greater Th1 immune response and protective efficacy than the single-gene-vaccinated groups. Our data suggest that the multiantigenic DNA antigen pGRA7-ROP1 was more effective in stimulating host protective immune responses than separately injected single antigens, and that IL-12 serves as a good DNA adjuvant.
Development and Evaluation of a Genus-Specific, Probe-Based, Internal-Process-Controlled Real-Time PCR Assay for Sensitive and Specific Detection of Blastocystis spp
Authors: Stensvold Christen Rune , Ahmed Umran Nisar , Andersen Lee O'Brien , Nielsen Henrik Vedel 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

Blastocystis
is a common intestinal parasite of unsettled clinical significance, which is not easily detected by standard parasitological methods. The genus comprises at least 13 subtypes (STs) (which likely represent separate species), 9 of which have been found in humans. Recent data indicate that at least one of the subtypes is associated with intestinal disease. A quantitative TaqMan 5′ nuclease real-time PCR (TaqMan PCR) including an internal process control (IPC) was developed for the detection of
Blastocystis
and shown to be applicable to genomic DNAs extracted directly from feces. The assay enabled successful amplification of DNAs from all relevant subtypes within the genus (ST1 to ST9). For assay evaluation, 153 samples previously tested by xenic
in vitro
culture (XIVC) were screened by the TaqMan assay. A total of 49/51 samples positive by XIVC and 13/102 samples negative by XIVC were positive by the TaqMan assay; samples positive by the TaqMan assay and negative by XIVC were subsequently tested by conventional PCR, and amplicons could be identified to the subtype level by sequencing in 69% of the cases. Compared to the TaqMan assay, XIVC had a sensitivity of 79%. This is the first time that a genus-specific, probe-based, internal-process-controlled real-time PCR assay for the detection
Blastocystis
has been introduced.
A New Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Method for Rapid, Simple, and Sensitive Detection of Leptospira spp. in Urine
Authors: Koizumi Nobuo , Nakajima Chie , Harunari Tsunehito , Tanikawa Tsutomu , Tokiwa Toshihiro , Uchimura Eriko , Furuya Tokujiro , Mingala Claro Niegos , Villanueva Marvin Ardeza , Ohnishi Makoto , Suzuki Yasuhiko 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTWe developed a new loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method to detectrrs, a 16S rRNA gene of pathogenicLeptospiraspp. in urine. The method enables detection of two leptospiral cells per reaction mixture following boiling of urine specimens. The sensitivity of this method is higher than that of culture or offlaBnested PCR.
Point-Counterpoint: Molecular Testing for Infectious Diseases Should Be Done in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory
Authors: Mosammaparast Nima , McAdam Alexander J. , Nolte Frederick S. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

Over the past decade, there has been an explosion in the use of molecular tests to diagnose and manage infectious diseases. HIV is a prime example of an infectious agent whose diagnosis at least in the acute stage, susceptibility testing, and management are all dependent on molecular diagnostics. The ability to accurately diagnose a plethora of respiratory pathogens quickly, simply, and relatively inexpensively compared to traditional methods is becoming a reality. Direct sequencing and microarray analysis holds great promise for directly detecting a wide variety of organisms from clinical specimens. The question is where this testing should be done in the clinical laboratory. There are at least four models that have emerged:

Molecular infectious disease testing as an arm of the clinical microbiology laboratory

Molecular infectious disease testing done in a central molecular pathology laboratory under the leadership of a clinical microbiologist

Molecular infectious disease testing done in a central molecular pathology laboratory under the leadership of an individual whose primary interest is in another area of molecular pathology

Molecular infectious disease testing sent to a reference laboratory and not done on site or within the institution's health care system.

IMPORTANCE
We have asked three individuals who have thought about this very complex issue to share their rationale for supporting one of these models. Frederick Nolte is the Director of Clinical Laboratories and Director of Molecular Pathology at the Medical University of South Carolina, is active in and held several positions of responsibility in AMP (Association of Molecular Pathology) and is Chair of the CLSI's Area Committee for Molecular Methods, Alex McAdam is the Director of the Infectious Diseases Diagnostic Division at Children's Hospital Boston and an editor of this journal, and his colleague, Nima Mosammaparast, is the Assistant Director of the Infectious Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory at Children's Hospital Boston.
Direct Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex in Clinical Samples by a Molecular Method Based on GenoQuick Technology
Authors: Moure Raquel , Torres Miriam , Martín Rogelio , Alcaide Fernando 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

Several molecular systems for direct detection of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTBC) have recently been developed. The GenoQuick MTB assay (GQ-MTB) used in this study detected 82 of the 96 (85.4%) samples with MTBC, including 50 of 64 (78.1%) samples with negative acid-fast bacillus smears. Fifteen samples containing nontuberculous mycobacteria were also studied: 13 were GQ-MTB negative, one was positive, and one was indeterminate. GQ-MTB showed good effectiveness for the direct detection of MTBC from clinical samples.
The Small Membrane Filter Method of Microscopy to Diagnose Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Fennelly Kevin P. , Morais Carlos Gustavo , Hadad David Jamil , Vinhas Solange , Dietze Reynaldo , Palaci Moises 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

We modified microscopy for acid-fast bacilli to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) using small membrane filters (SMFs) after special processing and prefiltration. With the first specimen obtained from each of 335 persons suspected of having TB, the sensitivity of the new SMF method using fluorescence microscopy (FM) was 89% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 80%, 95%). This was significantly better (
P
= 0.0001) than the sensitivity of routine FM of centrifuged specimens of 60% (95% CI: 49%, 71%) or that of direct sputum smears of 56% (95% CI: 40%, 72%).
HIV-2 Genome Dimerization Is Required for the Correct Processing of Gag: a Second-Site Reversion in Matrix Can Restore Both Processes in Dimerization-Impaired Mutant Viruses
Authors: L'Hernault Anne , Weiss Eva U. , Greatorex Jane S. , Lever Andrew M. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

A unique feature of retroviruses is the packaging of two copies of their genome, noncovalently linked at their 5′ ends.
In vitro
, dimerization of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) RNA occurs by interaction of a self-complementary sequence exposed in the loop of stem-loop 1 (SL-1), also termed the dimer initiation site (DIS). However, in virions, HIV-2 genome dimerization does not depend on the DIS. Instead, a palindrome located within the packaging signal (Psi) is the essential motif for genome dimerization. We reported previously that a mutation within Psi decreasing genome dimerization and packaging also resulted in a reduced proportion of mature particles (A. L'Hernault, J. S. Greatorex, R. A. Crowther, and A. M. Lever, Retrovirology 4:90, 2007). In this study, we investigated further the relationship between HIV-2 genome dimerization, particle maturation, and infectivity by using a series of targeted mutations in SL-1. Our results show that disruption of a purine-rich (
392
-GGAG-
395
) motif within Psi causes a severe reduction in genome dimerization and a replication defect. Maintaining the extended SL-1 structure in combination with the
392
-GGAG-
395
motif enhanced packaging. Unlike that of HIV-1, which can replicate despite mutation of the DIS, HIV-2 replication depends critically on genome dimerization rather than just packaging efficiency. Gag processing was altered in the HIV-2 dimerization mutants, resulting in the accumulation of the MA-CA-p2 processing intermediate and suggesting a link between genome dimerization and particle assembly. Analysis of revertant SL-1 mutant viruses revealed that a compensatory mutation in matrix (70TI) could rescue viral replication and partially restore genome dimerization and Gag processing. Our results are consistent with interdependence between HIV-2 RNA dimerization and the correct proteolytic cleavage of the Gag polyprotein.
Virus Inhibition Activity of Effector Memory CD8
+
T Cells Determines Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Load in Vaccinated Monkeys after Vaccine Breakthrough Infection
Authors: Yamamoto Takuya , Johnson Matthew J. , Price David A. , Wolinsky David I. , Almeida Jorge R. , Petrovas Constantinos , Nason Martha , Yeh Wendy W. , Shen Ling , Roederer Mario , Rao Srinivas S. , McDermott Adrian B. , Lefebvre Francois , Nabel Gary J. , Haddad Elias K. , Letvin Norman L. , Douek Daniel C. , Koup Richard A. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

The goal of an effective AIDS vaccine is to generate immunity that will prevent human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) acquisition. Despite limited progress toward this goal, renewed optimism has followed the recent success of the RV144 vaccine trial in Thailand. However, the lack of complete protection in this trial suggests that breakthroughs, where infection occurs despite adequate vaccination, will be a reality for many vaccine candidates. We previously reported that neutralizing antibodies elicited by DNA prime-recombinant adenovirus serotype 5 (rAd5) boost vaccination with simian immunodeficiency virus strain mac239 (SIVmac239) Gag-Pol and Env provided protection against pathogenic SIVsmE660 acquisition after repeated mucosal challenge. Here, we report that SIV-specific CD8
+
T cells elicited by that vaccine lowered both peak and set-point viral loads in macaques that became infected despite vaccination. These SIV-specific CD8
+
T cells showed strong virus-inhibitory activity (VIA) and displayed an effector memory (EM) phenotype. VIA correlated with high levels of CD107a mobilization and perforin expression in SIV-specific CD8
+
T cells. Remarkably, both the frequency and the number of Gag CM9-specific public clonotypes were strongly correlated with VIA mediated by EM CD8
+
T cells. The ability to elicit such virus-specific EM CD8
+
T cells might contribute substantially to an efficacious HIV/AIDS vaccine, even after breakthrough infection.
The Autographa californica M Nucleopolyhedrovirus
ac79
Gene Encodes an Early Gene Product with Structural Similarities to UvrC and Intron-Encoded Endonucleases That Is Required for Efficient Budded Virus Production
Authors: Wu Wenbi , Passarelli A. Lorena 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

The
Autographa californica
M nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV)
orf79
(
ac79
) gene is a conserved gene in baculoviruses and shares homology with genes in ascoviruses, iridoviruses, and several bacteria. Ac79 has a conserved motif and structural similarities to UvrC and intron-encoded endonucleases. Ac79 is produced at early times during infection and concentrates in the nucleus of infected cells at late times, suggesting a cellular compartment-specific function. To investigate its function, an
ac79
-knockout bacmid was generated through homologous recombination in
Escherichia coli
. Titration assays showed that budded virus (BV) production was reduced in the
ac79
-knockout virus compared to control viruses, following either virus infection or the transfection of bacmid DNA. The
ac79
-knockout virus-infected cells produced plaques smaller than those infected with control
ac79
-carrying viruses. No obvious differences were observed in viral DNA synthesis, viral protein accumulation, or the formation of occlusion bodies in
ac79
-knockout and control viral DNA-transfected cells, indicating progression into the late and very late phases of viral infection. However, comparative analyses of the amounts of BV genomic DNA and structural proteins in a given quantity of infectious virions suggested that the
ac79
-knockout virus produced more noninfectious BV in infected cells than the control virus. The structure of the
ac79
-knockout BV determined by transmission electron microscopy appeared to be similar to that of the control virus, although aberrant capsid protein-containing tubular structures were observed in the nuclei of
ac79
-knockout virus-infected cells. Tubular structures were not observed for
ac79
viruses with mutations in conserved endonuclease residues. These results indicate that Ac79 is required for efficient BV production.
Analysis of Clinical Ostreid Herpesvirus 1 (Malacoherpesviridae) Specimens by Sequencing Amplified Fragments from Three Virus Genome Areas
Authors: Renault Tristan , Moreau Pierrick , Faury Nicole , Pepin Jean-François , Segarra Amélie , Webb Stephen 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT
Although there are a number of ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1) variants, it is expected that the true diversity of this virus will be known only after the analysis of significantly more data. To this end, we analyzed 72 OsHV-1 “specimens” collected mainly in France over an 18-year period, from 1993 to 2010. Additional samples were also collected in Ireland, the United States, China, Japan, and New Zealand. Three virus genome regions (open reading frame 4 [ORF4], ORF35, -36, -37, and -38, and ORF42 and -43) were selected for PCR analysis and sequencing. Although ORF4 appeared to be the most polymorphic genome area, distinguishing several genogroups, ORF35, -36, -37, and -38 and ORF42 and -43 also showed variations useful in grouping subpopulations of this virus.
Removal of Vaccinia Virus Genes That Block Interferon Type I and II Pathways Improves Adaptive and Memory Responses of the HIV/AIDS Vaccine Candidate NYVAC-C in Mice
Authors: Gómez Carmen Elena , Perdiguero Beatriz , Nájera Jose Luis , Sorzano Carlos Oscar S. , Jiménez Victoria , González-Sanz Rubén , Esteban Mariano 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

Poxviruses encode multiple inhibitors of the interferon (IFN) system, acting at different levels and blocking the induction of host defense mechanisms. Two viral gene products, B19 and B8, have been shown to act as decoy receptors of type I and type II IFNs, blocking the binding of IFN to its receptor. Since IFN plays a major role in innate immune responses, in this investigation we asked to what extent the viral inhibitors of the IFN system impact the capacity of poxvirus vectors to activate immune responses. This was tested in a mouse model with single and double deletion mutants of the vaccine candidate NYVAC-C, which expresses the HIV-1 Env, Gag, Pol, and Nef antigens. When deleted individually or in double, the type I (B19) and type II (B8) IFN binding proteins were not required for virus replication in cultured cells. Studies of immune responses in mice after DNA prime/NYVAC boost revealed that deletion of
B8R
and/or
B19R
genes improved the magnitude and quality of HIV-1-specific CD8
+
T cell adaptive immune responses and impacted their memory phase, changing the contraction, the memory differentiation, the effect magnitude, and the functionality profile. For B cell responses, deletion of the viral gene
B8R
and/or
B19R
had no effect on antibody levels to HIV-1 Env. These findings revealed that single or double deletion of viral factors (B8 and B19) targeting the IFN pathway is a useful approach in the design of improved poxvirus-based vaccines.
Transformation by E1A Oncoprotein Involves Ubiquitin-Mediated Proteolysis of the Neuronal and Tumor Repressor REST in the Nucleus
Authors: Guan Hancheng , Ricciardi Robert P. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

The adenovirus early region 1A (E1A) protein promotes cell immortalization and transformation by mediating the activities of key cellular regulators. The repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor (REST), which is a major neuronal and tumor suppressor, was previously found mainly in the cytoplasm rather than in the nuclei of adenovirus-transformed rodent cells (22). We now demonstrate that the loss of REST in the nucleus is due to its rapid degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Only nuclear REST, but not its cytoplasmic counterpart, was ubiquitinated and degraded. REST degradation was blocked by the ubiquitination inhibitor PYR-41 and the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 but not by the nuclear export inhibitor leptomycin B. REST degradation required both of its two C-terminal degrons that are recognized by the ubiquitin ligase SCF
β-TrCP
, since deletion or mutation of either degron eliminated degradation. Importantly, E1A was shown to mediate REST ubiquitination and degradation by upregulating β-TrCP. Knockdown of E1A in virus-transformed cells reduced both β-TrCP and ubiquitination of nuclear REST. In contrast, when expressed in HeLa cells, E1A enhanced the degradation of nuclear REST. Reconstitution of REST in virus-transformed cells negatively affected E1A-mediated cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth. These data strongly indicate that E1A stimulates ubiquitination and proteolysis of REST in the nucleus, thereby abolishing the tumor suppressor functions of REST.
The Amino Terminus of the Vaccinia Virus E3 Protein Is Necessary To Inhibit the Interferon Response
Authors: White Stacy D. , Jacobs Bertram L. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTVaccinia virus (VACV) encodes a multifunctional protein, E3L, that is necessary for interferon (IFN) resistance in cells in culture. Interferon resistance has been mapped to the well-characterized carboxy terminus of E3L, which contains a conserved double-stranded RNA binding domain. The amino terminus of E3L has a Z-form nucleic acid binding domain, which has been shown to be dispensable for replication and IFN resistance in HeLa and RK13 cells; however, a virus expressing E3L deleted of the amino terminus has reduced pathogenicity in an animal model. In this study, we demonstrate that the pathogenicity of a virus expressing E3L deleted of the amino terminus was fully rescued in type I IFN receptor knockout (IFN-α/βR−/−) mice. Furthermore, this virus was IFN sensitive in primary mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs). This virus induced the phosphorylation of the α subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2α) in MEFs in an IFN-dependent manner. The depletion of double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) from these MEFs restored the IFN resistance of this virus. Furthermore, the virus expressing E3L deleted of the amino terminus was also IFN resistant in PKR−/−MEFs. Thus, our data demonstrate that the amino terminus of E3L is necessary to inhibit the type I IFN response both in mice and in MEFs and that in MEFs, the amino terminus of E3L functions to inhibit the PKR pathway.
Abortive Replication of Influenza Virus in Mouse Dendritic Cells
Authors: Ioannidis Lisa J. , Verity Erin E. , Crawford Simon , Rockman Steven P. , Brown Lorena E. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT
The interaction between influenza virus and dendritic cells (DCs) remains poorly defined and controversial. Here we show that influenza virus replication in mouse bone marrow-derived DCs is abortive, despite viral genome transcription and replication occurring for each gene segment and viral hemagglutinin and nucleoprotein, at least, being produced. Electron microscopy reveals that virus assembly, rather than release of virus from the cell surface, is defective.