AlH lines in the blue spectrum of Proxima Centauri

The recently-computed ExoMol line lists for isotopologues of AlH are used to analyse the blue spectrum (4000-4500 {\AA}) of Proxima Cen (M5.5 V). Comparison of the observed and computed spectra enables the identification of a large number of 27AlH lines of the A1{\Pi} - X1{\Sigma}+ band system: the spectral range covering 1-0, 0-0 and 1-1 bands is dominated by clearly resolved AlH lines. We reveal the diffuse nature of transitions close to the dissociation limit which appears in the form of increasingly wider(up to 5 {\AA}) and shallower (up to the continuum confusion limit) AlH line profiles. The predicted wavelengths of AlH diffuse lines are systematically displaced. The effect broadening by pre-dissociation states on the line profiles is included by increasing the radiative damping rate by up to 5 orders of magnitude. We determine empirical values of damping rates for a number of the clean 0-0 Q-branch transitions by comparing the observed and synthetic stellar spectra. We find excellent agreement between our damping rates and lifetimes available in the literature. A comparison of 27Al1H ExoMol and REALH spectra shows that the observed spectrum is better described by the ExoMol line list. A search for 26Al1H lines in the Proxima Cen spectrum does not reveal any notable features; giving an upper limit of 27Al1H/26Al1H {>} 100.Comment: 22 pages, 6 tables, 10 figs, accepted by MNRA

A Phylogenetic Analysis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Sequences in Kiev: Findings Among Key Populations

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in Ukraine has been driven by a rapid rise among people who inject drugs, but recent studies have shown an increase through sexual transmission. Methods: Protease and reverse transcriptase sequences from 876 new HIV diagnoses (April 2013–March 2015) in Kiev were linked to demographic data. We constructed phylogenetic trees for 794 subtype A1 and 64 subtype B sequences and identified factors associated with transmission clustering. Clusters were defined as ≥2 sequences, ≥80% local branch support, and maximum genetic distance of all sequence pairs in the cluster ≤2.5%. Recent infection was determined through the limiting antigen avidity enzyme immunoassay. Sequences were analyzed for transmitted drug resistance mutations. Results Thirty percent of subtype A1 and 66% of subtype B sequences clustered. Large clusters (maximum 11 sequences) contained mixed risk groups. In univariate analysis, clustering was significantly associated with subtype B compared to A1 (odds ratio [OR], 4.38 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.56–7.50]); risk group (OR, 5.65 [95% CI, 3.27–9.75]) for men who have sex with men compared to heterosexual males; recent, compared to long-standing, infection (OR, 2.72 [95% CI, 1.64–4.52]); reported sex work contact (OR, 1.93 [95% CI, 1.07–3.47]); and younger age groups compared with age ≥36 years (OR, 1.83 [95% CI, 1.10–3.05] for age ≤25 years). Females were associated with lower odds of clustering than heterosexual males (OR, 0.49 [95% CI, .31–.77]). In multivariate analysis, risk group, subtype, and age group were independently associated with clustering (P < .001, P = .007, and P = .033, respectively). Eighteen sequences (2.1%) indicated evidence of transmitted drug resistance. Conclusions Our findings suggest high levels of transmission and bridging between risk groups

Magneto-optical imaging of columnar YBCO films

The columnar growth of superconducting films is a new approach that provides high density of evenly distributed extended defects on the nanometer scale. This growth can be activated by tightly-packed nanoparticles deposited on substrate prior to the pulse deposition of superconducting film. The magnetization measurements demonstrate that critical current density (Jc) in columnar films is higher than in common epitaxial films. However, in magnetization measurements calculation of Jc is model sensitive. An assumption of ideal critical state frequently proves to be wrong giving incorrect Jc averaged over the entire sample. Missing details of current distribution can be obtained by magneto-optical imaging (MOI) that also allows obtaining local Jc in the samples. In this paper we report MOI study of previously not imaged relatively thick (about one micrometer) columnar YBa2Cu3Ox films in order to clarify if they fit a critical state model and to what extent their properties are modified by the columnar growth. MOI demonstrates a homogeneous penetration of magnetic flux that fits a critical state model. The long-length influence of defects, especially those residing on the edges is less pronounced in columnar than in common epitaxial films. The measurement of the depth of flux front at partial flux penetration allows estimating average low-field Jc, which is in good agreement with extrapolated magnetization measurements. The spatial details of the distribution of magnetic flux provide valuable information for tailoring deposition parameters in order to obtain highest possible value of Jc. MOI could be an ideal tool for measuring Jc when other methods are not available or not appropriate. Using MOI and magnetometry, an important effect of the increase in Jc in aged columnar films has been observed

Comparative Study of Extracellular Vesicles from the Urine of Healthy Individuals and Prostate Cancer Patients.

Recent studies suggest that extracellular vesicles may be the key to timely diagnosis and monitoring of genito-urological malignancies. In this study we investigated the composition and content of extracellular vesicles found in the urine of healthy donors and prostate cancer patients. Urine of 14 PCa patients and 20 healthy volunteers was clarified by low-speed centrifugation and total extracellular vesicles fraction was obtain by high-speed centrifugation. The exosome-enriched fraction was obtained by filtration of total extracellular vesicles through a 0.1 μm pore filter. Transmission electron microscopy showed that cell-free urine in both groups contained vesicles from 20 to 230 nm. Immunogold staining after ultrafiltration demonstrated that 95% and 90% of extracellular vesicles in healthy individuals and cancer patients, respectively, were exosomes. Protein, DNA and RNA concentrations as well as size distribution of extracellular vesicles in both fractions were analyzed. Only 75% of the total protein content of extracellular vesicles was associated with exosomes which amounted to 90-95% of all vesicles. Median DNA concentrations in total extracellular vesicles and exosome-enriched fractions were 18 pg/ml and 2.6 pg/ml urine, correspondingly. Urine extracellular vesicles carried a population of RNA molecules 25 nt to 200 nt in concentration of no more than 290 pg/ml of urine. Additionally, concentrations of miR-19b, miR-25, miR-125b, and miR-205 were quantified by qRT-PCR. MiRNAs were shown to be differently distributed between different fractions of extracellular vesicles. Detection of miR-19b versus miR-16 in total vesicles and exosome-enriched fractions achieved 100%/93% and 95%/79% specificity/sensitivity in distinguishing cancer patients from healthy individuals, respectively, demonstrating the diagnostic value of urine extracellular vesicles

Analysis of <i>Puumala orthohantavirus</i> Genome Variants Identified in the Territories of Volga Federal District

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a zoonotic disease commonly diagnosed in the Volga Federal District (VFD). HFRS is caused by Puumala orthohantavirus (PUUV), and this virus is usually detected in bank voles as its natural host (Myodes glareolus). The PUUV genome is composed of the single-stranded, negative-sense RNA containing three segments. The goal of the current study is to identify genome variants of PUUV strains circulating in bank voles captured in the Udmurt Republic (UR) and Ulyanovsk region (ULR). The comparative and phylogenetic analysis of PUUV strains revealed that strains from Varaksino site UR are closely related to strains previously identified in the Pre-Kama area of the Republic of Tatarstan (RT), whilst strains from Kurlan and Mullovka sites ULR are similar to strains from the Trans-Kama area of the RT. It was also found that Barysh ULR strains form a separate distinct group phylogenetically equidistant from Varaksino and Kurlan–Mullovka groups. The identified groups of strains can be considered as separate sub-lineages in the PUUV Russian genetic lineage. In addition, the genomes of the strains from the UR, most likely, were formed as a result of reassortment

Overview of the study population.

<p>Overview of the study population.</p

Expression and diagnostic value of miRNA in HD and PCa patients.

<p>Analytical performance ROC analysis and statistical analysis of the results (non-parametric Mann-Whitney test) of miRNA expression in urine.</p

Appearance and size of urine EVs.

<p>(A) TEM images of EVs from urine of HD and PCa patients before and after 0.1 μm filtration. (B) Size distribution of EVs before and after 0.1 μm filtration. Mean size with error bars for range. Additional TEM images can be found in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0157566#pone.0157566.s001" target="_blank">S1 Fig</a>.</p

Total RNA in preparations of urine EVs.

<p>Bioanalyzer traces of total RNA from ERV fraction of the urine of HD (A) and PCa patient (B). The data from Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer with 25 nt RNA fragment as an internal standard.</p