bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identities of
Microbacterium
spp. Encountered in Human Clinical Specimens
Authors: Gneiding Kathrina , Frodl Reinhard , Funke Guido 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

In the present study, 50 strains of yellow-pigmented gram-positive rods that had been isolated from human clinical specimens and collected over a 5-year period were further characterized by phenotypic and molecular genetic methods. All 50 strains belonged to the genus
Microbacterium
, and together they represented 18 different species.
Microbacterium oxydans
(
n
= 11),
M. paraoxydans
(
n
= 9), and
M. foliorum
(
n
= 7) represented more than half of the strains included in the present study. The isolation of strains belonging to
M. hydrocarbonoxydans
(
n
= 2),
M. esteraromaticum
(
n
= 1),
M. oleivorans
(
n
= 1),
M. phyllosphaerae
(
n
= 1), and
M. thalassium
(
n
= 1) from humans is reported for the first time.
Microbacterium
sp. strain VKM Ac-1389 (
n
= 1) and the previously uncultured
Microbacterium
sp. clone YJQ-29 (
n
= 1) probably represent new species. Comprehensive antimicrobial susceptibility data are given for the 50
Microbacterium
isolates. This study is, so far, the largest on
Microbacterium
spp. encountered in human clinical specimens and outlines the heterogeneity of clinical
Microbacterium
strains.
Evaluation of New Colorimetric Vitek 2 Yeast Identification Card by Use of Different Source Media
Authors: Valenza Giuseppe , Strasen Jörn , Schäfer Frauke , Frosch Matthias , Kurzai Oliver , Abele-Horn Marianne 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

The new colorimetric Vitek 2 YST card was evaluated for identification of yeasts (136 strains) with respect to the influence of different source media. The Vitek 2 YST card achieved satisfactory results for all yeast species tested, with the exception of
Candida guilliermondii
,
Candida norvegensis
,
Candida parapsilosis
,
Candida rugosa
, and
Candida tropicalis.
After simple additional tests, 93.7% of all the strains tested were correctly identified. A significant influence of the isolation medium on the identification rate could not be observed.
Cost-Effectiveness of Different Strategies for Amplified
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Direct Testing for Cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Guerra Renata L. , Hooper Nancy M. , Baker James F. , Alborz Roya , Armstrong Derek T. , Kiehlbauch Julia A. , Conde Marcus B. , Dorman Susan E. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

We conducted a decision analysis to assess and compare four algorithms for amplified
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
direct (MTD) testing of respiratory specimens in terms of cost-effectiveness. The most cost-effective strategy was one in which smear-positive specimens but not smear-negative specimens were diluted prior to MTD testing.
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 1/Cyclin B1 Phosphorylates Varicella-Zoster Virus IE62 and Is Incorporated into Virions
Authors: Leisenfelder Stacey A. , Kinchington Paul R. , Moffat Jennifer F. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), an alphaherpesvirus restricted to humans, infects differentiated cells in vivo, including T lymphocytes, keratinocytes, and neurons, and spreads rapidly in confluent cultured dermal fibroblasts (HFFs). In VZV-infected HFFs, atypical expression of cyclins D3 and B1 occurs along with the induction of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity. A specific CDK1 inhibitor blocked VZV spread, indicating an important function for this cellular kinase in VZV replication. CDK activity assays of infected cells revealed a large viral phosphoprotein that was identified as being the major immediate-early transactivator, IE62. Since IE62 colocalized with CDK1/cyclin B1 by confocal microscopy, we investigated whether this cellular kinase complex interacts with IE62. Using recombinant fragments of IE62 spanning the entire amino acid sequence, we found that purified CDK1/cyclin B1 phosphorylated IE62 at residues T10, S245, and T680 in vitro. Immunoprecipitation of cyclin B1 from VZV-infected HFFs indicated that IE62 was included in the complex within infected cells. The full-length IE62 protein, obtained by immunoprecipitation from infected cells, was also phosphorylated by purified CDK1/cyclin B1. Based on IE62/CDK1/cyclin B1 colocalization near viral assembly regions, we hypothesized that these cellular proteins could be incorporated into VZV virions with IE62. Purified virions were analyzed by immunoblotting for the presence of CDK1 and cyclin B1, and active CDK1 and cyclin B1 were present in the VZV tegument with IE62 and were sensitive to detergent treatment. Thus, IE62 is a substrate for CDK1/cyclin B1, and virions could deliver the active cellular kinase to nondividing cells that normally do not express it.
Identification of Postentry Restrictions to Mason-Pfizer Monkey Virus Infection in New World Monkey Cells
Authors: Diehl William E. , Stansell Elizabeth , Kaiser Shari M. , Emerman Michael , Hunter Eric 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT
TRIM5α has been shown to be a major postentry determinant of the host range for gammaretroviruses and lentiviruses and, more recently, spumaviruses. However, the restrictive potential of TRIM5α against other retroviruses has been largely unexplored. We sought to determine whether or not Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV), a prototype betaretrovirus isolated from rhesus macaques, was sensitive to restriction by TRIM5α. Cell lines from both Old World and New World primate species were screened for their susceptibility to infection by vesicular stomatitis virus G protein pseudotyped M-PMV. All of the cell lines tested that were established from Old World primates were found to be susceptible to M-PMV infection. However, fibroblasts established from three New World monkey species specifically resisted infection by this virus. Exogenously expressing TRIM5α from either tamarin or squirrel monkeys in permissive cell lines resulted in a block to M-PMV infection. Restriction in the resistant cell line of spider monkey origin was determined to occur at a postentry stage. However, spider monkey TRIM5α expression in permissive cells failed to restrict M-PMV infection, and interference with endogenous TRIM5α in the spider monkey fibroblasts failed to relieve the block to infectivity. Our results demonstrate that TRIM5α specificity extends to betaretroviruses and suggest that New World monkeys have evolved additional mechanisms to restrict the infection of at least one primate betaretrovirus.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Nef Induces Programmed Death 1 Expression through a p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Muthumani Karuppiah , Choo Andrew Y. , Shedlock Devon J. , Laddy Dominick J. , Sundaram Senthil G. , Hirao Lauren , Wu Ling , Thieu Khanh P. , Chung Christopher W. , Lankaraman Karthikbabu M. , Tebas Pablo , Silvestri Guido , Weiner David B. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTChronic viral infection is characterized by the functional impairment of virus-specific T-cell responses. Recent evidence has suggested that the inhibitory receptor programmed death 1 (PD-1) is specifically upregulated on antigen-specific T cells during various chronic viral infections. Indeed, it has been reported that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific T cells express elevated levels of PD-1 and that this expression correlates with the viral load and inversely with CD4+T-cell counts. More importantly, antibody blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway was sufficient to both increase and stimulate virus-specific T-cell proliferation and cytokine production. However, the mechanisms that mediate HIV-induced PD-1 upregulation are not known. Here, we provide evidence that the HIV type 1 (HIV-1) accessory protein Nef can transcriptionally induce the expression of PD-1 during infection in vitro. Nef-induced PD-1 upregulation requires its proline-rich motif and the activation of the downstream kinase p38. Further, inhibition of Nef activity by p38 MAPK inhibitor effectively blocked PD-1 upregulation, suggesting that p38 MAPK activation is an important initiating event in Nef-mediated PD-1 expression in HIV-1-infected cells. These data demonstrate an important signaling event of Nef in HIV-1 pathogenesis.
Measles Viruses Possessing the Polymerase Protein Genes of the Edmonston Vaccine Strain Exhibit Attenuated Gene Expression and Growth in Cultured Cells and SLAM Knock-In Mice
Authors: Takeda Makoto , Ohno Shinji , Tahara Maino , Takeuchi Hiroki , Shirogane Yuta , Ohmura Hirofumi , Nakamura Takafumi , Yanagi Yusuke 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT
Live attenuated vaccines against measles have been developed through adaptation of clinical isolates of measles virus (MV) in various cultured cells. Analyses using recombinant MVs with chimeric genomes between wild-type and Edmonston vaccine strains indicated that viruses possessing the polymerase protein genes of the Edmonston strain exhibited attenuated viral gene expression and growth in cultured cells as well as in mice expressing an MV receptor, signaling lymphocyte activation molecule, regardless of whether the virus genome had the wild-type or vaccine-type promoter sequence. These data demonstrate that the polymerase protein genes of the Edmonston strain contribute to its attenuated phenotype.
The TRIM5α B-Box 2 Domain Promotes Cooperative Binding to the Retroviral Capsid by Mediating Higher-Order Self-Association
Authors: Li Xing , Sodroski Joseph 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

The retroviral restriction factor, TRIM5α, blocks infection of a spectrum of retroviruses soon after virus entry into the cell. TRIM5α consists of RING, B-box 2, coiled-coil, and B30.2(SPRY) domains. The B-box 2 domain is essential for retrovirus restriction by TRIM5α, but its specific function is unknown. We show here that the B-box 2 domain mediates higher-order self-association of TRIM5α
rh
oligomers. This self-association increases the efficiency of TRIM5α binding to the retroviral capsid, thus potentiating restriction of retroviral infection. The contribution of the B-box 2 domain to cooperative TRIM5α association with the retroviral capsid explains the conditional nature of the restriction phenotype exhibited by some B-box 2 TRIM5α mutants; the potentiation of capsid binding that results from B-box 2-mediated self-association is essential for restriction when B30.2(SPRY) domain-mediated interactions with the retroviral capsid are weak. Thus, B-box 2-dependent higher-order self-association and B30.2(SPRY)-dependent capsid binding represent complementary mechanisms whereby sufficiently dense arrays of capsid-bound TRIM5α proteins can be achieved.
Biochemical Characterization of a Recombinant TRIM5α Protein That Restricts Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Replication
Authors: Langelier Charles R. , Sandrin Virginie , Eckert Debra M. , Christensen Devin E. , Chandrasekaran Viswanathan , Alam Steven L. , Aiken Christopher , Olsen John C. , Kar Alak Kanti , Sodroski Joseph G. , Sundquist Wesley I. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

The rhesus monkey intrinsic immunity factor TRIM5α
rh
recognizes incoming capsids from a variety of retroviruses, including human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), and inhibits the accumulation of viral reverse transcripts. However, direct interactions between restricting TRIM5α proteins and retroviral capsids have not previously been demonstrated using pure recombinant proteins. To facilitate structural and mechanistic studies of retroviral restriction, we have developed methods for expressing and purifying an active chimeric TRIM5α
rh
protein containing the RING domain from the related human TRIM21 protein. This recombinant TRIM5-21R protein was expressed in SF-21 insect cells and purified through three chromatographic steps. Two distinct TRIM5-21R species were purified and shown to correspond to monomers and dimers, as analyzed by analytical ultracentrifugation. Chemically cross-linked recombinant TRIM5-21R dimers and mammalian-expressed TRIM5-21R and TRIM5α proteins exhibited similar sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis mobilities, indicating that mammalian TRIM5α proteins are predominantly dimeric. Purified TRIM5-21R had ubiquitin ligase activity and could autoubquitylate with different E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzymes in vitro. TRIM5-21R bound directly to synthetic capsids composed of recombinant HIV-1 CA-NC proteins and to authentic EIAV core particles. HIV-1 CA-NC assemblies bound dimeric TRIM5-21R better than either monomeric TRIM5-21R or TRIM5-21R constructs that lacked the SPRY domain or its V1 loop. Thus, our studies indicate that TRIM5α proteins are dimeric ubiquitin E3 ligases that recognize retroviral capsids through direct interactions mediated by the SPRY domain and demonstrate that these activities can be recapitulated in vitro using pure recombinant proteins.
Generation of a Conditionally Replicating Adenovirus Based on Targeted Destruction of E1A mRNA by a Cell Type-Specific MicroRNA
Authors: Ylösmäki Erkko , Hakkarainen Tanja , Hemminki Akseli , Visakorpi Tapio , Andino Raul , Saksela Kalle 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT
MicroRNAs have emerged as important players in tissue-specific mammalian gene regulation and have also been exploited in experimental targeting of gene expression. We have constructed a recombinant adenovirus that contains sequences complementary to the liver-specific microRNA 122 (miR122) in the 3′ untranslated region of the E1A gene. In Huh7 cells, which resemble normal hepatocytes in expressing high levels of miR122, this feature resulted in strongly reduced levels of E1A mRNA and protein. This property allowed us to generate a novel recombinant adenovirus that was severely attenuated in cells of hepatic origin but replicated normally in other cells. This strategy may be useful in circumventing liver toxicity associated with the systemic delivery of oncolytic adenoviruses. These data provide the first example of exploiting differential microRNA expression patterns to alter the natural tropism of a DNA virus. In addition, these results suggest that other microRNAs expressed in a tissue- or transformation-specific manner may also be used for the targeting of adenoviral replication and that the same principle may be applied to other viruses that have shown promise as oncolytic or gene delivery platforms.
Residues in the Stalk Domain of the Hendra Virus G Glycoprotein Modulate Conformational Changes Associated with Receptor Binding
Authors: Bishop Kimberly A. , Hickey Andrew C. , Khetawat Dimple , Patch Jared R. , Bossart Katharine N. , Zhu Zhongyu , Wang Lin-Fa , Dimitrov Dimiter S. , Broder Christopher C. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

Hendra virus
(HeV) is a member of the broadly tropic and highly pathogenic paramyxovirus genus
Henipavirus
. HeV is enveloped and infects cells by using membrane-anchored attachment (G) and fusion (F) glycoproteins. G possesses an N-terminal cytoplasmic tail, an external membrane-proximal stalk domain, and a C-terminal globular head that binds the recently identified receptors ephrinB2 and ephrinB3. Receptor binding is presumed to induce conformational changes in G that subsequently trigger F-mediated fusion. The stalk domains of other attachment glycoproteins appear important for oligomerization and F interaction and specificity. However, this region of G has not been functionally characterized. Here we performed a mutagenesis analysis of the HeV G stalk, targeting a series of isoleucine residues within a hydrophobic α-helical domain that is well conserved across several attachment glycoproteins. Nine of 12 individual HeV G alanine substitution mutants possessed a complete defect in fusion-promotion activity yet were cell surface expressed and recognized by a panel of conformation-dependent monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and maintained their oligomeric structure. Interestingly, these G mutations also resulted in the appearance of an additional electrophoretic species corresponding to a slightly altered glycosylated form. Analysis revealed that these G mutants appeared to adopt a receptor-bound conformation in the absence of receptor, as measured with a panel of MAbs that preferentially recognize G in a receptor-bound state. Further, this phenotype also correlated with an inability to associate with F and in triggering fusion even after receptor engagement. Together, these data suggest the stalk domain of G plays an important role in the conformational stability and receptor binding-triggered changes leading to productive fusion, such as the dissociation of G and F.
Volcanic sulfur dioxide and acute respiratory symptoms on Miyakejima island
Authors: Ishigami A , Kikuchi Y , Iwasawa S , Nishiwaki Y , Takebayashi T , Tanaka S , Omae K 
Published: September 2008

Objectives:Following a volcanic eruption in 2000, high concentrations of ambient sulfur dioxide (SO2) are still observed on Miyakejima, Japan despite the reversal 2 years ago of the ban on residents living on the island. This study examines the association between current levels of volcanic SO2and the incidence of acute subjective symptoms in volunteers on Miyakejima.Methods:The authors conducted a follow-up study on 611 healthy volunteers, on a person-hour basis (28 413 person-hours), who visited the island to provide support to residents from February to July 2005. Adverse health symptoms were measured by self-administered diary and exposure was approximated using monitoring data across 14 sites. Associations between incidence rates and increasing SO2levels (reference (the lowest), very low, low, middle and high) were examined using Poisson regression.Results:Hourly incidence of cough, scratchy throat, sore throat and breathlessness showed clear exposure–response relationships with SO2concentrations. There were statistically significant risks of those symptoms at relatively low SO2levels. Thus, rate ratios in the 0.6-2.0 ppm exposure band (vs <0.01 ppm) were: for cough, 3.4 (95% CI 1.8 to 6.6) in men and 9.8 (3.9 to 24.9) in women; for sore throat, 3.2 (1.7 to 6.2) in men and 5.8 (2.0 to 16.5) in women; and for breathlessness, 10.5 (4.2 to 26.6) in men and 18.5 (4.6 to 74.3) in women. Little evidence of SO2effects on sputum and nasal discharge/congestion was observed in this study. Eye and skin irritations showed inconsistent results between hourly maximal and hourly mean SO2concentrations.Conclusion:The authors observed strong evidence of an exposure–response relationship between volcanic SO2and subjective acute respiratory symptoms among a healthy population on Miyakejima. The results are consistent with reports that females and non-smokers are more sensitive to irritant gas than males and smokers, respectively.
A panel study in congestive heart failure to estimate the short-term effects from personal factors and environmental conditions on oxygen saturation and pulse rate
Authors: Goldberg M S , Giannetti N , Burnett R T , Mayo N E , Valois M-F , Brophy J M 
Published: September 2008

Objectives:Recent studies suggest that persons with congestive heart failure (CHF) may be at higher risk for short-term effects of air pollution. This daily diary panel study in Montreal, Quebec, was carried out to determine whether oxygen saturation and pulse rate were associated with selected personal factors, weather conditions and air pollution.Methods:Thirty-one subjects with CHF participated in this study in 2002 and 2003. Over a 2-month period, the investigators measured their oxygen saturation, pulse rate, weight and temperature each morning and recorded these and other data in a daily diary. Air pollution and weather conditions were obtained from fixed-site monitoring stations. The study made use of mixed regression models, adjusting for within-subject serial correlation and temporal trends, to determine the association between oxygen saturation and pulse rate and personal and environmental variables. Depending on the model, we accounted for the effects of a variety of personal variables (eg, body temperature, salt consumption) as well as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone, maximum temperature and change in barometric pressure at 8:00 from the previous day.Results:In multivariable analyses, the study found that oxygen saturation was reduced when subjects reported that they were ill, consumed salt, or drank liquids on the previous day and had higher body temperatures on the concurrent day (only the latter was statistically significant). Relative humidity and decreased atmospheric pressure from the previous day were associated with oxygen saturation. In univariate analyses, there was negative associations with concentrations of fine particulates, ozone, and sulphur dioxide (SO2), but only SO2was significant after adjustment for the effects of weather. For pulse rate, no associations were found for the personal variables and in univariate analyses the study found positive associations with NO2, fine particulates (aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or under, PM2.5), SO2, and maximum temperature, although only the latter two were significant after adjustment for environmental effects.Conclusions:The findings from the present investigation suggest that personal and environmental conditions affect intermediate physiological parameters that may affect the health of CHF patients.
Doctrinalia Heraclitea I et II: Âme du monde et embrasement universel (Notes de lecture)
Authors: Mouraviev Serge 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn this first paper dealing with Heraclitus' doctrine as such (as opposed to the texts both of our sources on him and of the surviving fragments of his book), the author examines and discusses two recent controversial articles with the content of which he sympathizes – one by Gábor Betegh (2007) on the cosmological (physical) status of Heraclitus' psychê, and the other by Aryeh Finkelberg (1998) on Heraclitus' cosmogony and the reality of a Heraclitean world conflagration. This examination is aimed, first, at fostering "marginal" opinions which the author believes to be fundamentally correct – and the rejection of which since times immemorial (by Schleiermacher and others) he considers to have greatly harmed and hampered our understanding of the Ephesian philosopher ; second, at introducing some personal corrections and additions to these opinions ; and third, at illustrating the advantages of a deliberately un prejudiced approach towards our sources, an approach based on the presumption of innocence, knowledgeability and intelligence for all our informers and on the rejection of any rejection [this is not a dittography!] of any source on ground of mere suspicion.Among the proposed novelties (or olden oblivitions) the following particularly deserve to be underscored: (1) the defense of the authenticity of "fr. B 76" DK qua three different fragments and (2) the reconstruction of Heraclitus' system of four physical exhalations – both of which are connected with the notion of a world soul; and (3) the interpretation of Plat. Soph. 242 C – 243 A [T 132] as confirming (and not as contradicting) Arist. De cael. 279b12 [T 170] and (4) the cosmogonical interpretation of F 31 – both of which presuppose the reality of a Heraclitean ecpyrosis.Yet, since the author's dogmatism does not extend beyond the requirement of having re course to (methodo)logically sound procedures, he is ready to give up any conclusion of which it can be proven that it is irreconcilably contradicted by a sounder one and supported by none.