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Background Protection against herpes zoster is primarily conferred by cell-mediated immunity. However, anti–varicella-zoster virus (VZV) glycoprotein (anti-gp) antibody responses to zoster vaccine live (ZVL) are correlated with protection, suggesting a potential protective role for antibody. Detailed studies of antibody responses to the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) are provided. Methods We compared enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay–measured anti–VZV glycoproteins (anti-gp) and glycoprotein E (anti-gE) antibody levels and avidity in 159 participants randomized to RZV (n = 80) or ZVL (n = 79) recipients over 5 years after vaccination and identified predictors of antibody persistence. Results The comparison between vaccine groups showed higher anti-gE and anti-gp antibody levels after RZV than after ZVL over the 5-year study duration. RZV recipients also had higher anti-gE avidity for 5 years and higher anti-gp avidity in the first year after vaccination. Compared with prevaccination levels, RZV recipients maintained higher levels of anti-gE antibodies and avidity for 5 years, whereas ZVL recipients only maintained higher anti-gE avidity. Anti-gp antibody levels and avidity decreased to prevaccination levels or below beyond 1 year after vaccination in both groups. Independent predictors of persistence of antibody levels and avidity included vaccine type, prevaccination and peak antibody levels and avidity, prevaccination and peak cell-mediated immunity, and age. Sex or prior ZVL administration did not affect persistence. Conclusions Antibody responses and avidity were higher and more persistent in RZV than in ZVL recipients. The effect of age on antibody persistence in RZV recipients is novel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the establishment, maintenance and reactivation from alphaherpesvirus latency is far from fully understood, some things are now manifestly clear: Alphaherpesvirus latency occurs in neurons of the peripheral nervous system and control of the process is multifactorial and complex. This includes components of the immune system, contributions from non-neuronal cells surrounding neurons in ganglia, specialized nucleic acids and modifications to the viral DNA to name some of the most important. Efficacious vaccines have been developed to control both acute varicella and zoster, the outcome of reactivation, but despite considerable effort vaccines for acute herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection or reactivated lesions have thus far failed to materialize despite considerable effort. Given the relevance of the immune system to establish and maintain HSV latency, a vaccine designed to tailor the HSV response to maximize the activity of components most critical for controlling reactivated infection might limit the severity of recurrences and hence reduce viral transmission. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of immunological factors that contribute to HSV and VZV latency, identify differences between varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and HSV that could explain why vaccines have been valuable at controlling VZV disease but not HSV, and finish by outlining possible strategies for developing effective HSV vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two herpes zoster (HZ) vaccines licensed in the United States are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP): (i) live-attenuated vaccine (ZVL) using vOka strain varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and (ii) recombinant adjuvanted vaccine (RZV) containing recombinant varicella-zoster virus (VZV) glycoprotein E (gE). Two phase 3 clinical trials of RZV led the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to recommend it with preferred status. VZV T cell-mediated immunity (CMI), but not humoral immunity, is considered essential for protection against HZ. Published studies of humoral immunity focused on VZV-specific IgG concentration. To complement reports comparing the CMI responses to these vaccines, we compared humoral responses in ZVL and RZV recipients, emphasizing functional qualities (avidity and neutralization). Baseline avidities to a VZV glycoprotein mixture (gp) were near the upper limit of detection, but avidity to gE was much lower. Small increases in gp avidity were observed for both RZV and ZVL vaccination (19 and 12 avidity index units [AIU], respectively). RZV boosted both gE avidity and VZV neutralizing antibody significantly more than ZVL (mean gE avidity boost, 47 AIU versus 22 AIU; mean neutralizing antibody boost, 22-fold versus 8-fold). Increases in neutralizing antibodies strongly correlated with gE avidity increases (r=0.5) and moderately with gp avidity increases (r= 0.23). After 1 year, 81% of RZV recipients and only 18% of ZVL recipients retained >50% of their peak avidity boosts. These results are consistent with the CMI responses to these vaccines: RZV responses are skewed to long-term memory, whereas ZVL preferentially induces transient effector responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury is host to a rich and highly dynamic plasma environment, resulting from the interaction of the solar wind with Mercury's intrinsic magnetic field and tenuous exosphere. Ion cyclotron waves generated by the pick‐up of freshly photoionized neutrals are a common physical phenomenon in the exosphere of weakly and/or unmagnetized bodies. Here we study the properties of cyclotron waves generated by proton pick‐up, the so‐called proton cyclotron waves (PCWs), at Mercury. We surveyed 4 years of MESSENGER magnetometer data and identified 5455 PCW events observed over a wide spatial range, where ∼73% of the observed PCWs are located in the solar wind and ∼27% in the magnetosheath. By associating the wave properties with their spatial distribution, we evaluate the characteristics and differences of the PCWs in the two regions. Plain Language Summary: Mercury possesses an internally generated magnetic field which constitutes an obstacle to the supersonic solar wind. Upstream of the planet a bow shock emerges where the supersonic solar wind slowed and then flows subsonically in the so‐called magnetosheath. Mercury is also surrounded by a tenuous exosphere, which contains a variety of species that find their origin in the solar wind, micrometeorites that impact the planet and from Mercury's surface itself. These neutral particles can get photoionized through the solar UV radiation, and will then be picked‐up by the solar wind. Because the freshly pick‐up particles have a different velocity than the solar wind, the solar wind plasma becomes unstable for the generation of plasma waves, in particular for the so‐called ion cyclotron waves. Here we report for the first time on ion cyclotron waves generated by the pick‐up of photoionized hydrogen at Mercury. They are detected upstream and downstream of the bow shock, in the solar wind and magnetosheath. From the results found in this study, we speculate that the pick‐up ion cyclotron waves in these two regions might originate from different excitation mechanisms. Key Points: First report of ion cyclotron waves generated by the pick‐up of protons in the space environment of MercuryIn the solar wind the right‐hand beam resonant instability is dominatingIn the magnetosheath the left‐hand ring‐beam distribution instability becomes important [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The frequently stated problem of under‐delivery in oil and gas exploration is largely due to overprediction in the volumetric size of prospects rather than to the misinterpretation of risk. In an effort to deal with the significant degree of uncertainty inherent in sub‐surface evaluations, the standard method involves building a stochastic volumetric model of the potential container by choosing distributions and probabilities of the gross rock volume, the simulated column height, and the average 3D net/gross, as well as of other reservoir and fluid parameters. Unfortunately, prior to drilling, the three main inputs to the model are difficult to constrain as they are closely tied to the seismic interpretation rather than to historical information. By contrast, a source of hard data is available from existing discoveries and wells in the form of statistics for the play or analogue play, the most useful of which are: (i) the footprint area of the discoveries; (ii) the properties of net reservoir, encapsulated in an area yield parameter MMboe/km2; and (iii) the downside size of the discoveries, specifically the inferred P99 recoverable resource. In this paper, we propose a method called Prospect Area Yield (PAY) to assess the potential size of an exploration prospect which simply integrates these statistical data with the most reliable information from seismic mapping. The main step involves calculating an upside volume by multiplying a mid‐case MMboe/km2 yield with a mapped reasonable closure area for the prospect. This upside volume is assigned a probability which is currently assumed to be P10, implying that 90% of discovery outcomes will be smaller. A probabilistic distribution of the recoverable resource for the prospect is then produced by using the upside volume (P10) and the inferred P99 to construct a lognormal trend. The method can be tested by companies using lookbacks to fine‐tune the probability of the upside volume to ensure that exploration predictions effectively match historical reality. In the meantime, it is recommended that the PAY method, which is available as a free online tool, is used as a check on the results of stochastic models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on photoemission studies of the zinc oxide/cadmium sulfide interface. Description of the ultrahigh vacuum system used in the experiment; Interpretation of the valence band spectra of the polycrystalline zinc oxide surface compared to a zinc oxide UPS spectrum measured with He II excitation; Description of the main valence band region for different stages of cadmium sulfide deposition.

Presents a study that proposed a model for the formation of heterojunctions in polycrystalline CuInSe[sub2] thin films on the basis of surface analysis experiments. Description of experimental setup; Characterization of polycrystalline CuInSe[sub2] thin films and In-rich surfaces; Measurements of valence-band offsets.

Thirty-three long-term care residents (mean age 76.5 years), who were participating in a study in which they were randomized to receive either oral daily standard dose (400–1000 IU/day) 25-hydroxy vitamin D (vitamin D3) (SD) or high dose (3000–4000 IU/day) (HD) vitamin D3, were vaccinated with the live, attenuated herpes zoster vaccine. Blood was drawn at vaccination and three weeks later to determine varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antibody and T-cell mediated immune responses. ELISA and neutralizing antibodies increased significantly, but to the same extent, in both groups. The antibody avidity significantly increased from pre- to post-vaccination only in the HD group. VZV-CMI, as measured by FLUOROSPOT significantly increased post-vaccination in both groups, but the difference in interferon-γ spot-forming cells (SFC) and interleukin-2 SFC was lower in the HD than SD group. The increase in VZV-CMI correlated inversely with circulating regulatory T cells in the HD group. We conclude that pre-treatment with HD vitamin D3 does not appreciably enhance the antibody response to a live vaccine and that VZV-CMI responses were diminished in HD vitamin D3 recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the outbreak of Streptococcus pyogenes among female patients in the obstetric ward of an Austrian hospital. The study aims to identify the source and mode of transmission by descriptive epidemiology and typing based on whole-genome sequencing (WGS). It notes that the healthcare workers remain a potential source of infection.

Thyroid cancer incidence has increased rapidly over time, as has obesity prevalence. A link between the two appears plausible, but the relation of adiposity to thyroid cancer remains incompletely understood. We performed a meta-analysis of adiposity measures and thyroid cancer using studies identified through October 2014. Twenty-one articles yielded data on 12,199 thyroid cancer cases. We found a statistically significant 25% greater risk of thyroid cancer in overweight individuals and a 55% greater thyroid cancer risk in obese individuals as compared with their normal-weight peers. Each 5-unit increase in body mass index ( BMI), 5 kg increase in weight, 5 cm increase in waist or hip circumference and 0.1-unit increase in waist-to-hip ratio were associated with 30%, 5%, 5% and 14% greater risks of thyroid cancer, respectively. When evaluated by histologic type, obesity was significantly positively related to papillary, follicular and anaplastic thyroid cancers, whereas it revealed an inverse association with medullary thyroid cancer. Both general and abdominal adiposity are positively associated with thyroid cancer. However, relations with BMI vary importantly by tumour histologic type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linked Articles: This article is a reply to De Felice LJ and Cameron KN (2015). Comments on 'A quantitative model of amphetamine action on the serotonin transporter', by Sandtner et al., Br J Pharmacol 171: 1007-1018. Br J Pharmacol 172: this issue, doi: 10.1111/bph.12767, commenting on Sandtner W, Schmid D, Schicker K, Gerstbrein K, Koenig X, Mayer FP, Boehm S, Freissmuth M and Sitte HH (2014). A quantitative model of amphetamine action on the 5-HT transporter. Br J Pharmacol 171: 1007-1018. doi: 10.1111/bph.12520. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In single electron tunneling through clean, suspended carbon nanotube devices at low temperature, distinct switching phenomena have regularly been observed. These can be explained via strong interaction of single electron tunneling and vibrational motion of the nanotube. We present measurements on a highly stable nanotube device, subsequently recorded in the vacuum chamber of a dilution refrigerator and immersed in the 3He/ 4He mixture of a second dilution refrigerator. The switching phenomena are absent when the sample is kept in the viscous liquid, additionally supporting the interpretation of dc-driven vibration. Transport measurements in liquid helium can thus be used for finite bias spectroscopy where otherwise the mechanical effects would dominate the current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Adipokines in breast milk have been associated with infant growth trajectories. Objective We aimed to explore the relationship of leptin and adiponectin in breast milk with infant weight gain and body composition up to the age of 2 years. Methods Breast milk samples were collected from exclusively or partially breastfeeding mothers at 6 weeks ( n = 152) and 4 months ( n = 120) post-partum. Leptin and adiponectin were determined in skim breast milk and related to infant growth and fat mass assessed by skin-fold thickness measurements. A total of 118 infants were examined at 2 years. Results The levels of both milk adipokines were slightly lower at 4 months compared with 6 weeks post-partum. Breast milk leptin was largely unrelated to infant anthropometric measures up to 2 years. Milk adiponectin tended to be inversely related to early infant anthropometry up to 4 months, but beyond was positively associated with weight gain and the sum of skin-folds up to 2 years. Conclusions Our results suggest that higher adiponectin levels in breast milk might be associated with greater weight gain and higher fat mass in the offspring up to 2 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epidemiologic studies have reported that cardiorespiratory fitness is inversely associated with mortality from cancer. However, the evidence relating cardiorespiratory fitness to cancer mortality has not yet been quantitatively summarized. Methods: Following the preferred reporting items for sytematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and total cancer mortality. Relevant studies were identified through a literature search in PubMed up to August 2013 and by screening reference lists of qualifying articles. Data extraction was carried out independently by both authors and summary risk estimates were obtained using random-effects models. Results: Six prospective studies with an overall number of 71 654 individuals and 2002 cases of total cancer mortality were included. The median follow-up time in the studies was 16.4 years. Cardiorespiratory fitness showed a strong, graded, inverse association with total cancer mortality. Using low cardiorespiratory fitness as the reference group, intermediate and high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness were related to statistically significant decreased summary relative risks (RRs) of total cancer mortality of 0.80 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67–0.97] and 0.55 (95% CI 0.47–0.65), respectively. Studies that adjusted for adiposity yielded similar results to those that did not adjust for adiposity. Conclusion: Increased cardiorespiratory fitness represents a strong predictor of decreased total cancer mortality risk, independent of adiposity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Extracorporeal photochemotherapy ( ECP) is an established therapy in various diseases, such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and graft-versus-host disease. This study was performed to investigate the practicability of a flow cytometric T-cell evaluation after ECP as a tool to validate the quality of ECP procedures and to enable the comparability of treatments with different ECP devices. Materials and Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMNCs) of healthy volunteer blood donors were treated by offline ECP. To quantify the effect of ECP on T cells in vitro, phosphatidylserine exposure and 7-aminoactinomycin D (7- AAD) reactivity as well as the proliferative activity of phytohaemagglutinin-induced, viable CD3+ lymphocytes were analysed by flow cytometry. Results The expected T-cell death after ECP was confirmed by 7- AAD measurements. Phosphatidylserine exposure gradually increased between 20 and 70 h after ECP. Treatment-related inhibition of T-cell proliferation was 92·6 ± 1·4%. Conclusion The combination of viability, phosphatidylserine exposure and T-cell division analyses by flow cytometry in a single-platform system provides a valuable tool to validate ECP procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This meta-analysis found that engaging in the equivalent of 150 minutes/week of at least moderate intensity physical activity before or after cancer diagnosis was related to significant reduction in mortality risk among breast cancer survivors and colorectal cancer survivors. Increasing physical activity levels from pre- to post-diagnosis was associated with reduced risk of cancer mortality.Background Physical activity improves physical function during and after cancer treatment, but whether physical activity imparts survival benefit remains uncertain. Design Using prospective studies published through June 2013, we conducted a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of pre- and post-diagnosis physical activity in relation to total and cancer mortality among breast or colorectal cancer survivors. Results Sixteen studies of breast cancer survivors and seven studies of colorectal cancer survivors yielded 49095 total cancer survivors, including 8129 total mortality cases and 4826 cancer mortality cases. Comparing the highest versus lowest levels of pre-diagnosis physical activity among breast cancer survivors, the summary relative risks (RRs) of total and breast cancer mortality were 0.77 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.69–0.88] and 0.77 (95% CI = 0.66–0.90, respectively. For post-diagnosis physical activity, the summary RRs of total and breast cancer mortality were 0.52 (95% CI = 0.42–0.64) and 0.72 (95% CI = 0.60–0.85), respectively. For pre-diagnosis physical activity among colorectal cancer survivors, the summary RRs of total and colorectal cancer mortality were 0.74 (95% CI = 0.63–0.86) and 0.75 (95% CI = 0.62–0.91), respectively. For post-diagnosis physical activity, the summary RRs of total and colorectal cancer mortality were 0.58 (95% CI = 0.48–0.70) and 0.61 (95% CI = 0.40–0.92), respectively. Each 10 metabolic equivalent task-hour/week increase in post-diagnosis physical activity (equivalent to current recommendations of 150 min/week of at least moderate intensity activity) was associated with 24% (95% CI = 11–36%) decreased total mortality risk among breast cancer survivors and 28% (95% CI = 20–35%) decreased total mortality risk among colorectal cancer survivors. Breast or colorectal cancer survivors who increased their physical activity by any level from pre- to post-diagnosis showed decreased total mortality risk (RR = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.46–0.80) compared with those who did not change their physical activity level or were inactive/insufficiently active before diagnosis. Conclusion Physical activity performed before or after cancer diagnosis is related to reduced mortality risk among breast and colorectal cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study where mirror mode structures are generated near unmagnetized solar system bodies (Venus and comet P/Halley measured in situ by Venus Ex-press and Giotto). To estimate the location of the mirror mode source region at Venus, we apply a turbulent diffusion model of mirror mode structures, which has already been successfully tested in planetary magnetosheaths (Earth, Jupiter, Saturn). It enables us to estimate the distance between the measured location of the mirror mode and the origin of the mirror mode structure through the mirror mode size. We find that the scenario of mirror mode excitation at the bow shock with subsequent convection and diffusion downstream to the magnetopause is valid for Venus. In the cometary case, however, we find that the size of the mirror mode structure is comparable to the gyroradius of water group ions. This suggests local production of mirror mode structures in the cometary magnetosheath, most likely through fresh ion pickup, as opposed to the convection and diffusion mechanism at Venus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cluster of seven human cases of listeriosis occurred in Austria and in Germany between April 2011 and July 2013. The Listeria monocytogenes serovar ( SV) 1/2b isolates shared pulsed-field gel electrophoresis ( PFGE) and fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism (f AFLP) patterns indistinguishable from those from five food producers. The seven human isolates, a control strain with a different PFGE/f AFLP profile and ten food isolates were subjected to whole genome sequencing ( WGS) in a blinded fashion. A gene-by-gene comparison (multilocus sequence typing ( MLST)+) was performed, and the resulting whole genome allelic profiles were compared using SeqSphere+ software version 1.0. On analysis of 2298 genes, the four human outbreak isolates from 2012 to 2013 had different alleles at ≤6 genes, i.e. differed by ≤6 genes from each other; the dendrogram placed these isolates in between five Austrian unaged soft cheese isolates from producer A (≤19-gene difference from the human cluster) and two Austrian ready-to-eat meat isolates from producer B (≤8-gene difference from the human cluster). Both food products appeared on grocery bills prospectively collected by these outbreak cases after hospital discharge. Epidemiological results on food consumption and MLST+ clearly separated the three cases in 2011 from the four 2012-2013 outbreak cases (≥48 different genes). We showed that WGS is capable of discriminating L. monocytogenes SV1/2b clones not distinguishable by PFGE and f AFLP. The listeriosis outbreak described clearly underlines the potential of sequence-based typing methods to offer enhanced resolution and comparability of typing systems for public health applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first laboratory-documented case of herpes zoster caused by the attenuated varicella zoster virus (VZV) contained in Zostavax in a 68-year-old immunocompetent adult with strong evidence of prior wild-type VZV infection. The complete genome sequence of the isolate revealed that the strain carried 15 of 42 (36%) recognized varicella vaccine–associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms, including all 5 of the fixed vaccine markers present in nearly all of the strains in the vaccine. The case of herpes zoster was relatively mild and resolved without complications. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In 2010 a case of a dual infection with Legionella pneumophila serogroup (sg) 1 and sg 3 was identified by culture of a blood sample collected from a female Austrian patient with septic pneumonia. Subsequently all 35 European National Legionella Reference Laboratories were interviewed regarding the frequency of dual infections in legionellosis. The Reference Laboratories in Denmark, the UK and Germany reported the detection of another 14 cases of dual infections with different Legionella strains between 2002 and 2012. Among the 15 cases, there were four cases with different Legionella species, six cases with different L. pneumophila serogroups, and five cases of dual infections with L. pneumophila sg 1 with different MAb-types. The median age of the 15 cases was 56 years and the male to female ratio 1:1.14. Six of the 15 patients were receiving immunosuppressive treatment following organ transplantation ( n = 3) or for underlying haematological and solid malignancies ( n = 3). Five of the 15 cases died within 30 days following diagnosis. Efforts to detect dual infections with different Legionella strains will improve our ability to correctly elucidate the causative sources of infection and enhance our understanding of the epidemiology of Legionella infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The intrauterine metabolic environment might have a programming effect on offspring body composition. We aimed to explore associations of maternal variables of glucose and lipid metabolism during pregnancy, as well as cord blood insulin, with infant growth and body composition up to 2 years post-partum. Methods Data of pregnant women and their infants came from a randomized controlled trial designed to investigate the impact of nutritional fatty acids on adipose tissue development in the offspring. Of the 208 pregnant women enrolled, 118 infants were examined at 2 years. In the present analysis, maternal fasting plasma insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and serum triglycerides measured during pregnancy, as well as insulin in umbilical cord plasma, were related to infant growth and body composition assessed by skinfold thickness measurements and abdominal ultrasonography up to 2 years of age. Results Maternal homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance at the 32nd week of gestation was significantly inversely associated with infant lean body mass at birth, whereas the change in serum triglycerides during pregnancy was positively associated with ponderal index at 4 months, but not at later time points. Cord plasma insulin correlated positively with birthweight and neonatal fat mass and was inversely associated with body weight gain up to 2 years after multiple adjustments. Subsequent stratification by gender revealed that this relationship with weight gain was stronger, and significant only in girls. Conclusions Cord blood insulin is inversely associated with subsequent infant weight gain up to 2 years and this seems to be more pronounced in girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) can provide information about angiogenesis and blood-flow characteristics in tumours. [18F]Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is one of the major oncological imaging techniques which provides information about viability of the tumour cell and partly also about its aggressiveness. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between FDG and CTP data in patients with head and neck cancers.Materials and Methods: Forty-one patients with a clinically suspected head and neck cancer were prospectively included. All patients underwent a combined PET/CT with an integrated CTP examination in the area of the head and neck tumour. CTP data (BF, BV and MTT) and PET data (SUVmax, SUVmean, TLG, PETvol) were compared between tumours and (1) healthy contralateral tissue, (2) inflammatory lesions, (3) metastatic lymph nodes, and CTP data and PET data were correlated in tumours.Results: Thirty-five patients had a head and neck cancer. All CTP data were statistically different between tumours, inflammatory lesions, healthy tissue and metastatic lymph nodes; PET/CT data were in part significantly different. CTP and PET parameters were not significantly correlated.Conclusion: CTP and PET parameters were not significantly correlated; thus, the additional CTP values provide additional insights into tumour behaviour and their glycolytic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk factors of severity (need for surgical intervention, intensive care or fatal outcome) were analysed in hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in a 777-bed community hospital. In a prospective analytical cross-sectional study, age (≥65 years), sex, CDI characteristics, underlying diseases, severity of comorbidity and PCR ribotypes were tested for associations with severe CDI. In total, 133 cases of hospital-acquired CDI (mean age 74.4 years) were identified, resulting in an incidence rate of 5.7/10,000 hospital-days. A recurrent episode of diarrhoea occurred in 25 cases (18.8%) and complications including toxic megacolon, dehydration and septicaemia in 69 cases (51.9%). Four cases (3.0%) required ICU admission, one case (0.8%) surgical intervention and 22 cases (16.5%) died within the 30-day follow-up period. Variables identified to be independently associated with severe CDI were severe diarrhoea (odds ratio [OR] 3.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-11.11, p = 0.02), chronic pulmonary disease (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.08-8.40, p = 0.04), chronic renal disease (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.07-7.81, p = 0.04) and diabetes mellitus (OR 4.30, 95% CI 1.57-11.76, p = 0.004). The case fatality of 16.5% underlines the importance of increased efforts in CDI prevention, in particular for patients with underlying diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A suspended, doubly clamped single-wall carbon nanotube is characterized at cryogenic temperatures. We observe specific switching effects in dc-current spectroscopy of the embedded quantum dot. These have been identified previously as nano-electromechanical self-excitation of the system, where positive feedback from single-electron tunneling drives mechanical motion. A magnetic field suppresses this effect, by providing an additional damping mechanism. This is modeled by eddy current damping, and confirmed by measuring the resonance quality factor of the radio-frequency-driven nano-electromechanical resonator in an increasing magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of dipolarization fronts of the Earth's magnetotail has been performed using seven years (2001- 2007) of Cluster data. Events both with and without highspeed earthward flows are included. A superposed epoch analysis of the data shows that the dipolarization is preceeded by a decrease of Bz before the increase. The duration of the dipolarization tends to be decreasing with increasing velocity of the plasma flows. The thickness of the dipolarization front is on average 1.8 plasma inertial lengths, independent of the plasma velocity. We find that the events fall into two categories: Earthward and tailward moving dipolarizations. The dipolarization fronts can be assumed to be tangential discontinuities and the currents on the front have mainly a perpendicular component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shape preferred orientation of rock constituents results in an overall mechanical anisotropy. A differential effective medium (DEM) type of scheme predicting the effective anisotropic viscosity of a composite consisting of aligned elliptical inclusions is proposed and validated by finite element modeling. A comparison with an existing self-consistent averaging (SCA) scheme is given and the DEM scheme is shown to provide an improved estimate of the effective normal and shear viscosity for high inclusion concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The myelin and lymphocyte protein (MAL) is a raft-associated membrane protein predominantly expressed by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells. Here we show that MAL regulates myelination in the peripheral nervous system. In mice overexpressing MAL, myelination was retarded and fibers were hypomyelinated, whereas myelination in MAL knockout mice was accelerated. This was not due to impaired Schwann cell proliferation, differentiation or axonal sorting. We found that the expression level of p75 neurotrophin receptor mRNA and protein was strongly reduced in developing sciatic nerves in MAL-overexpressing mice. This reduction is well correlated with the observed alterations in myelination initiation, speed of myelination and alterations in Remak bundle development. Our results suggest a functional role for MAL in peripheral myelination by influencing the expression of membrane components that mediate axon-glia interaction during ensheathment and myelin wrapping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An outbreak of hepatitis A affecting 21 residents of an Austrian city occurred from the end of November 2007 until mid-January 2008. A case series investigation suggested the consumption of food purchased from supermarket X as the common link. A food handler employed in the delicatessen department of that supermarket had been serologically diagnosed with hepatitis A on 28th November 2007. During the infectious period of approximately 3 weeks, he worked on 11 days. Interviews with the other cluster cases revealed that the hepatitis A virus (HAV)-infected food handler did not practice appropriate hand hygiene. The investigation revealed no other possible source of infection. We hypothesize that the food of the delicatessen department contaminated by the HAV-infected food handler during his infectious period was the source of the outbreak. The district public health authority recommended the reinforcement of hygiene precautions, i.e., access to viricidal hand disinfectant and the use of disposable gloves and single-use paper towels, in the involved supermarket. The federal ministry of health recommended HAV vaccination for all food handlers in food production and gastronomy companies; this recommendation was included in the Austrian national vaccination plan 2008, even though the vaccination of food handlers is costly and its cost-effectiveness is not proven. Appropriate and regular hand hygiene, particularly after toilet visits, is the most effective measure for preventing HAV transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical reactions and phase changes generally involve volume changes. In confined settings this will cause a mechanical deformation of the matrix that surrounds the reaction sites where the volume change takes place. Consequently, mineral reactions and the mechanical response of the rock matrix are coupled. A companion paper in this issue illustrates this coupling with experiments where quartz and olivine react to form enstatite reaction rims under ambient conditions of 1 GPa and 1000 °C. It has been demonstrated that for identical run conditions, the thickness of the reaction rims depends on whether quartz grains are embedded in an olivine matrix or olivine grains are included in a quartz matrix. The experimental conditions, the nature of the results, and the large volume change of the reaction (−6%) leave only viscous creep as a viable matrix response to the reaction progress. A model is developed for this reaction, which combines diffusion of chemical components through the growing rim and viscous creep of the matrix. The resulting rate law for reaction rim growth in spherical geometry shows that the progress rate is proportional to the reaction overstepping and controlled by the slower of the two competing processes; either diffusion or creep. If diffusion is rate limiting the usual linear proportionality between rim growth and results. However, if viscous creep is rate limiting, then the reaction rates are reduced and may become effectively creep controlled. With respect to the experiments in the companion paper it is inferred that the effective viscosity of the two matrix materials, i.e. polycrystalline quartz and olivine, differ by approximately one order of magnitude with the quartz being the stronger one. The absolute values of the inferred viscosities correspond well to published flow laws. The rheological properties of natural rocks are well within the parameter range for which significant mechanical control on reaction rim growth is expected. This implies that for the interpretation of natural reaction rims and corona structures both diffusion and mechanical control need to be considered. In addition the mechanical effect also needs to be considered when interdiffusion coefficients are retrieved from rim growth experiments. This should also be considered for geospeedometry analyses. Furthermore, the control on reaction rate because of slow creep of the matrix is expected to be even more important, compared to the experiments, under colder crustal conditions and may contribute substantially to the frequent observation of only partially completed reactions. We suggest that this phenomenon is referred to as ‘mechanical closure’, which may be an important mechanism in the kinetic displacement of the boundaries between the stability fields of phase assemblages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A plethora of tests for determining the presence of antibodies to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) have been developed over the years, with a wide range of performance standards. There is general agreement that the presence of VZV antibodies in serum indicates immunity to varicella and protection from chickenpox, although the role of specific antibody in mediating protection remains unclear. Both antibodies and cellular immunity probably interact to mediate immunity to the virus. In any case, VZV-specific serum antibody is a useful indicator of protection against chickenpox in patients and persons at high risk of exposure, whether they have been immunized or naturally infected. Serological tests are also a useful implement for evaluating the length of time that immunity to varicella persists after vaccination and whether waning of vaccine-induced immunity occurs. The purpose of this review is to contrast the strengths and weaknesses of currently available VZV antibody assays. Although several of these methods are useful for various specific applications, simpler and more accurate tests to measure antibodies to VZV are a high priority for future research and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As with most live attenuated viral vaccines, varicella vaccine comprises a mixture of variant strains. Knowledge about the pathogenic potential of individual strains in the varicella vaccine is limited. Vaccination against chickenpox causes a usually modified varicella-like rash in a small percentage of healthy children, and vaccine virus reactivates on rare occasions to cause herpes zoster (HZ). In several published studies, our respective laboratories have analyzed genomic variation among specimens from cases of postvaccination rash and HZ in vaccine recipients, focusing on polymorphisms between vaccine Oka strains and the parental Oka strain. In most respects, these studies were in close agreement, identifying the set of wild-type markers among vaccine adverse event isolates, each occurring at similar frequencies. The same 3 universally present vaccine markers, at positions 106262, 107252, and 108111, were also identified by both laboratories. One notable difference has been the observation of mostly clonal vaccine virus among isolates examined by one laboratory and mostly mixed viruses in isolates examined by the other. In addition to reviewing and comparing our combined observations, we propose possible explanations for our contrasting findings and propose future studies to reconcile them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microcystin (MC) producing P. rubescens occurs in pre-alpine lakes and may impact fishery success, bathing, and raw water quality. P. rubescens extracts, characterized via LC-MS, contained the two MC-RR variants [Asp³]MC-RR and [Asp³,Dhb7]MC-RR. The protein-phosphatase-inhibition assay (cPPIA with phosphatases 1 and 2A) in its capability to quantify [Asp³]MC-RR, [Asp³,Dhb7]MC-RR, and MC-RR was compared to HPLC-DAD and anti-Adda-ELISA. The IC50 values (PP1 and PP2A) determined for MC-LR, MC-RR, and [Asp³]MC-RR were in the same range (1.9–3.8 and 0.45–0.75 nM). A 50-fold higher concentration of [Asp³,Dhb7]MC-RR (29.8 nM) was necessary to inhibit the PP2A by 50%. The PP1-IC50 of [Asp³,Dhb7]MC-RR was 22-fold higher (56.4 nM) than those of the other MCs, suggesting that specific structural characteristics are responsible for its weaker PPI capacity. Western blots demonstrated that [Asp³,Dhb7]MC-RR does not covalently bind to PPI. [Asp³,Dhb7]MC-RR has comparable in vivo LD50 values to MC-RR, despite a far lower PP-inhibiting capacity, suggesting that toxicodynamic and toxicokinetic characteristics of [Asp³,DhbT]MC-RR are responsible for its high in vivo toxicity. The data demonstrate that cPPIA analysis of [Asp³,Dhb7]MC-RR-containing samples prevent reliable MC determination and lead to underestimation of potential toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combination of thin- and thick-plate theories, and finite element models is used to systematically analyze folding in multilayer stacks. We show that if the interlayer spacing is large, individual layers fold as single layers, if the spacing is small the entire stack folds as one effective single layer. In between, a third folding mode exists that is characterised by a dominant wavelength that scales with n 1/3 , irrespective of total number of layers, n . The maximum growth rates in the true multilayer-folding mode are higher than the corresponding single layer growth rates, increase with n and are bounded by a saturation value that is directly proportional to the viscosity contrast. This growth rate saturation as well as the applicability of the true multilayer-folding mode with respect to interlayer spacing can be explained by the normal and inverse contact strain theory. The true multilayer-folding mode is expected to be the most frequent mode in nature, because it exhibits the highest growth rates and has a relatively large applicability range with respect to interlayer spacing. The increased growth rates in multilayer folding are especially important for systems where the corresponding single layer values are not sufficient to drive the folding instability, such as folding in low-viscosity contrast layers and detachment folding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Quinolones are widely used, broad spectrum antibiotics that can induce immediate- and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions, presumably either IgE or T cell mediated, in about 2–3% of treated patients. Objective To better understand how T cells interact with quinolones, we analysed six patients with delayed hypersensitivity reactions to ciprofloxacin (CPFX), norfloxacin (NRFX) or moxifloxacin (MXFX). Methods We confirmed the involvement of T cells in vivo by patch test and in vitro by means of the lymphocyte proliferation test (LTT). The nature of the drug–T cell interaction as well as the cross-reactivity with other quinolones were investigated through the generation and analysis (flow cytometry and proliferation assays) of quinolone-specific T cell clones (TCC). Results The LTT confirmed the involvement of T cells because peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) mounted an enhanced in vitro proliferative response to CPFX and/or NRFX or MXFX in all patients. Patch tests were positive after 24 and 48 h in three out of the six patients. From two patients, CPFX- and MXFX-specific CD4+/CD8+ T cell receptor (TCR) αβ+ TCC were generated to investigate the nature of the drug-T cell interaction as well as the cross-reactivity with other quinolones. The use of eight different quinolones as antigens (Ag) revealed three patterns of cross-reactivity: clones exclusively reacting with the eliciting drug, clones with a limited cross-reactivity and clones showing a broad cross-reactivity. The TCC recognized quinolones directly without need of processing and without covalent association with the major histocompatability complex (MHC)–peptide complex, as glutaraldehyde-fixed Ag-presenting cells (APC) could present the drug and washing quinolone-pulsed APC removed the drug, abrogating the reactivity of quinolone-specific TCC. Conclusion Our data show that T cells are involved in delayed immune reactions to quinolones and that cross-reactivity among the different quinolones is frequent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MHC class II molecules are thought to present peptides derived from extracellular proteins to CD4+ T cells, which are important mediators of adaptive immunity to infections. In contrast, autophagy delivers constitutively cytosolic material for lysosomal degradation and has so far been recognized as an efficient mechanism of innate immunity against bacteria and viruses. Recent studies, however, link these two pathways and suggest that intracellular cytosolic and nuclear antigens are processed for MHC class II presentation after autophagy.Cell Death and Differentiation (2005) 12, 1519–1527. doi:10.1038/sj.cdd.4401727 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective study aimed at determining whether nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR) findings correlate to the neurologic disorders in spinal cord injured (SCI) patients suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED). A total of 25 acute SCI male patients with post-traumatic ED underwent neurological, electrophysiological and urodynamic examinations, respectively, as well as NPTR recordings. The mean value for rigidity (R), tumescence (T) and duration (D) during NTPR tests were 83.3%, 3.3?cm, 6.4?min in patients with a complete lesion above the sacral (S2-S4) spinal cord (n=10), 46.1%, 1.6?cm, 5.5?min in patients with a complete lesion involving the sacral metameres (n=5) and 89.8%, 3.8?cm, 29?min in patients with an incomplete suprasacral lesion (n=7). The differences among these groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Patients with lesions involving both sacral and thoracolumbar spinal cord showed no erections (n=3). We found four NTPR patterns: (1) normal R and T, short D; (2) weak R and T, short D; (3) normal R, T and D; and (4) no erections, which can be assigned to different levels and completeness of spinal cord lesions. Nocturnal erections of normal quality need preservation of thoracolumbar and sacral neuronal control as well as partially intact connections of the spinal erection centres with brain areas responsible for sexual arousal.International Journal of Impotence Research (2004) 16, 433-440. doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3901188 Published online 11 March 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY DESIGN:: Pudendal nerve stimulation in complete spinal cord injury (SCI). OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate the influence of pudendal nerve stimulation on the cardiovascular system in SCI patients in order to assess the underlying neuronal mechanism and the potential risk during stimulation. SETTING:: Swiss Paraplegic Center, and University Hospital, Zurich. METHODS:: A total of 22 male patients with a complete SCI were divided into two groups according to the level of lesion: group A (C6-T6, n=15) and group B (T7-L2, n=7). A total of 66 stimulations using biphasic rectangular impulses (0.2 ms, 10 Hz) with intensities up to 100 mA were applied to the dorsal penile nerve. Of these, 15 stimulations in five patients were repeated after intravenous application of 7 mg of phentolamine. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were recorded by a Finapres® cuff applied to the right index finger. RESULTS:: Significant increased diastolic and systolic BP accompanied by significant decreased HR suggested the occurrence of autonomic dysreflexia (AD) during pudendal nerve stimulation. These cardiovascular changes corresponded with the subjective sensation of AD symptoms in patients of group A. Intravenous phentolamine lowered the resting BP and prevented severe hypertension during stimulation. Patients in group B presented with mild HR and BP changes in response to pudendal nerve stimulation and reported no AD symptoms. CONCLUSION:: Our results show a considerable effect of electrical pudendal nerve stimulation on HR and BP in patients with high SCI. This may indicate that sacral somatic afferent fibers of the pudendal nerve are involved in the neuronal mechanism of AD in SCI patients with high neurological level. Intravenous phentolamine enables pudendal nerve stimulation without the risk of severe hypertension.Spinal Cord (2003) 41, 539-542. doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3101509 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linked Articles This article is a reply to De Felice LJ and Cameron KN (2015). Comments on 'A quantitative model of amphetamine action on the serotonin transporter', by Sandtner et al., Br J Pharmacol 171: 1007-1018. Br J Pharmacol 172: this issue, doi: , commenting on Sandtner W, Schmid D, Schicker K, Gerstbrein K, Koenig X, Mayer FP, Boehm S, Freissmuth M and Sitte HH (2014). A quantitative model of amphetamine action on the 5-HT transporter. Br J Pharmacol 171: 1007-1018. doi: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The WT1 gene is expressed in 73-100% of patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and is thought to play a role in maintaining the viability of leukemic cells. WT1 has been proposed as a marker for minimal residual disease in leukemia. We obtained serial blood or bone marrow samples from patients with de novo AML at diagnosis, during therapy, and up to 95 months after diagnosis and analyzed for WT1 gene expression by RT-PCR to determine whether gene expression was predictive of relapse. Forty-four patients had WT1-positive AML and achieved a complete remission (CR) following chemotherapy and 24 patients underwent unrelated donor (n = 4), sibling donor (n = 13) or autologous (n = 7) marrow transplantation. After achieving CR 62% of the patients became WT1-negative, while 38% remained WT1-positive. There was no difference in the disease-free survival (DFS) and survival from remission between WT1-positive and -negative patients (P > 0.1). Following BMT, 32% of the patients analyzed in CR within the first 100 days after transplantation were WT1 PCR positive. Detection of WT1 transcripts within 100 days following BMT did not affect DFS and overall survival (OS) after transplantation (P > 0.1). Ten of 11 patients who are in continuous CR following chemotherapy or BMT for more than 3 years were transiently WT1-positive during the observation period. Four of these patients displayed the WT1 transcript at the last examination. Thirteen of 39 patients were WT1 PCR negative within 4 months before clinical onset of relapse and eight patients were WT1 PCR negative at time of relapse. These data indicate that: (1) achievement of WT1 negativity is not associated with longer DFS, survival from remission, or OS after transplantation; (2) not all patients who relapse become WT1 positive again; (3) long-term remitters frequently display the WT1 transcript. Thus, we conclude that the monitoring of WT1 gene expression by qualitative RT-PCR during treatment and CR is of very limited value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The roles of accessory cells and T cell- growth factor (TCGF) in the in vitro induction of herpes simplex type I (HSV) specific cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) were evaluated. Spleen cells from animals infected with HSV 4-6 weeks previously were depleted of adherent cells by passage over Sephadex G10. Unlike intact cells, such depleted spleen cells failed to respond by producing H-2 restricted virus- specific CTL upon culture for 5 days with infectious HSV. The CTL response could be restored either by adding normal genetically compatible peritoneal cells as accessory cells or by the addition of TCGF. To obtain optimum restoration accessory cells needed to be added soon after culture initiation but with TCGF addition, partial restoration was evident when added as late as 72 hr after culture. TCGF also permitted intact spleen cells to respond to heat-inactivated virus. The results are interpreted to indicate that accessory cells are essentially required for the presentation of virus to specific helper cells with such cells responding by the production of TCGF. The results also indicate that certain forms of virus may trigger the response of CTL precursors but not the response of helper cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the presence of WT1-specific mRNA in bone marrow samples of 125 patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia at diagnosis by two-step RT-PCR. The sensitivity of the assay was 1:100 (first step) and 1:10000 (second step), respectively. WT1-specific mRNA was detected in 73% of patients. No correlation was found between WT1 gene expression and age, FAB type, LDH and karyotype at diagnosis. All patients were treated with standard induction chemotherapy. There was no difference in the CR rate between WT1-positive and -negative patients. Using Kaplan and Meier plot analysis we found no difference in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) between patients displaying the WT1 transcript and WT1-negative patients. Furthermore, no significant interactions between WT1 PCR results and age, FAB type, LDH and karyotype on DFS and OS were demonstrable using Cox regression analysis. Eight patients who were WT1 PCR positive at diagnosis and achieved complete hematological remission following chemotherapy were monitored during the course of the disease. Based on our limited data demonstrating a heterogeneity of WT1 PCR results in CR we cannot draw any conclusions regarding the usefulness of WT1 PCR analysis for the early detection of relapse. We conclude that WT1 gene expression at diagnosis is not associated with specific characteristics of AML blast cells and is not a prognostic factor for CR, remission duration and overall survival in acute myeloid leukemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An important question influencing therapy for dizziness is whether the strengths of the relationships of emotional and functional aspects of dizziness to 1) anxiety and other mental states, 2) perceived state of health (SoH) and quality of life (QoL) are different in patients with and without normal balance control. We attempted to answer this question by examining these dimensions' regression strengths with Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) scores.Methods: We divided 40 patients receiving group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and vestibular rehabilitation for dizziness, into 2 groups: dizziness only (DO) and normal balance control; dizziness and a quantified balance deficit (QBD). Group-wise, we first performed stepwise multivariate regression analysis relating total DHI scores with Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) sub-scores obtained pre- and post-therapy. Then, regression analysis was expanded to include SoH, QoL, and balance scores. Finally, we performed regressions with DHI sub-scores.Results: In both groups, the BSI phobic anxiety state score was selected first in the multivariate regression analysis. In the DO group, obsessiveness/compulsiveness was also selected. The correlation coefficient, R, was 0.74 and 0.55 for the DO and QBD groups, respectively. When QoL and SoH scores were included, R values increased to 0.86 and 0.74, explaining in total 74, and 55% of the DHI variance for DO and QBD groups, respectively. Correlations with balance scores were not significant (R ≤ 0.21). The psychometric scores selected showed the strongest correlations with emotional DHI sub-scores, and perceived QoL and SoH scores with functional DHI sub-scores.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that reducing phobic anxiety and obsessiveness/compulsiveness during CBT may improve emotional aspects of dizziness and targeting perceived SoH and QoL may improve functional aspects of dizziness for those with and without normal balance control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven foreign cases of travel-associated Legionnaires' disease were associated with two neighbouring tourist villages in Austria between 1992 and 2004. The seven foreigners stayed in four hotels located in a geographical diameter of less than 10 km. Two cases were diagnosed in The Netherlands and five in the UK. The first case occurred in 1992, while the remaining cases clustered between August 2000 and April 2004. None of these cases was reported officially as part of a hotel-associated cluster, thereby highlighting several weaknesses of the infectious disease control systems involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A magnetic field, through its vector potential, usually causes measurable changes in the electron wave function only in the direction transverse to the field. Here, we demonstrate experimentally and theoretically that, in carbon nanotube quantum dots combining cylindrical topology and bipartite hexagonal lattice, a magnetic field along the nanotube axis impacts also the longitudinal profile of the electronic states. With the high (up to 17 T) magnetic fields in our experiment, the wave functions can be tuned all the way from a "half-wave resonator" shape with nodes at both ends to a "quarter-wave resonator" shape with an antinode at one end. This in turn causes a distinct dependence of the conductance on the magnetic field. Our results demonstrate a new strategy for the control of wave functions using magnetic fields in quantum systems with a nontrivial lattice and topology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reflects on efficiency of zoster vaccine in protecting adults more than 60 years of age from herpes zoster (HZ). It makes reference to an article by M.J. Levin and colleagues on acquired immune responses to a second dose of zoster vaccine in persons more than 70 years of age, published in the journal. The study shows correlation between cell-mediated immune (CMI) with reduced HZ morbidity.

Using the transversal vibration resonance of a suspended carbon nanotube as a charge detector for its embedded quantum dot, we investigate the case of strong Kondo correlations between a quantum dot and its leads. We demonstrate that even when large Kondo conductance is carried at odd electron number, the charging behavior remains similar between odd and even quantum dot occupations. While the Kondo conductance is caused by higher order processes, a sequential tunneling only model can describe the time-averaged charge. The gate potentials of the maximum current and fastest charge increase display a characteristic relative shift, which is suppressed at increased temperature. These observations agree very well with models for Kondo-correlated quantum dots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]