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Most Cited Infection, Genetics and Evolution Articles
The most cited articles published since 2011, extracted from Scopus.
The revised Trypanosoma cruzi subspecific nomenclature: Rationale, epidemiological relevance and research applicationsBianca Zingales | Michael A. Miles | David A. Campbell | Michel Tibayrenc | Andrea M. Macedo | Marta M G Teixeira | Alejandro G. Schijman | Martin S. Llewellyn | Eliane Lages-Silva | Carlos R. Machado | Sonia G. Andrade | Nancy R. Sturm
Volume 12, Issue 2, March 2012, Pages 240-253
The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, its mammalian reservoirs, and vectors have existed in nature for millions of years. The human infection, named Chagas disease, is a major public health problem for Latin America. T. cruzi is genetically highly diverse and the understanding of the population structure of this parasite is critical because of the links to transmission cycles and disease. At present, T. cruzi is partitioned into six discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI-TcVI. Here we focus on the current status of taxonomy-related areas such as population structure, phylogeographical and eco-epidemiological features, and the correlation of DTU with natural and experimental infection. We also summarize methods for DTU genotyping, available for widespread use in endemic areas. For the immediate future multilocus sequence typing is likely to be the gold standard for population studies. We conclude that greater advances in our knowledge on pathogenic and epidemiological features of these parasites are expected in the coming decade through the comparative analysis of the genomes from isolates of various DTUs. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
SITVITWEB - A publicly available international multimarker database for studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis genetic diversity and molecular epidemiologyChristophe Demay | Benjamin Liens | Thomas Burguière | Véronique Hill | David Couvin | Julie Millet | Igor Mokrousov | Christophe Sola | Thierry Zozio | Nalin Rastogi
Volume 12, Issue 4, June 2012, Pages 755-766
Among various genotyping methods to study Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) genotypic polymorphism, spoligotyping and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units-variable number of DNA tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTRs) have recently gained international approval as robust, fast, and reproducible typing methods generating data in a portable format. Spoligotyping constituted the backbone of a publicly available database SpolDB4 released in 2006; nonetheless this method possesses a low discriminatory power when used alone and should be ideally used in conjunction with a second typing method such as MIRU-VNTRs for high-resolution epidemiological studies. We hereby describe a publicly available international database named SITVITWEB which incorporates such multimarker data allowing to have a global vision of MTC genetic diversity worldwide based on 62,582 clinical isolates corresponding to 153 countries of patient origin (105 countries of isolation). We report a total of 7105 spoligotype patterns (corresponding to 58,180 clinical isolates) - grouped into 2740 shared-types or spoligotype international types (SIT) containing 53,816 clinical isolates and 4364 orphan patterns. Interestingly, only 7% of the MTC isolates worldwide were orphans whereas more than half of SITed isolates (n=27,059) were restricted to only 24 most prevalent SITs. The database also contains a total of 2379 MIRU patterns (from 8161 clinical isolates) from 87 countries of patient origin (35 countries of isolation); these were grouped in 847 shared-types or MIRU international types (MIT) containing 6626 isolates and 1533 orphan patterns. Lastly, data on 5-locus exact tandem repeats (ETRs) were available on 4626 isolates from 59 countries of patient origin (22 countries of isolation); a total of 458 different VNTR patterns were observed - split into 245 shared-types or VNTR International Types (VIT) containing 4413 isolates) and 213 orphan patterns. Datamining of SITVITWEB further allowed to update rules defining MTC genotypic lineages as well to have a new insight into MTC population structure and worldwide distribution at country, sub-regional and continental levels. At evolutionary level, the data compiled may be useful to distinguish the occasional convergent evolution of genotypes versus specific evolution of sublineages essentially influenced by adaptation to the host. This database is publicly available at: http://www.pasteur-guadeloupe.fr:8081/SITVIT_ONLINE. © 2012 Elsevier B.V..
"Bird biting" mosquitoes and human disease: A review of the role of Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes in epidemiologyAry Farajollahi | Dina M. Fonseca | Laura D. Kramer | A. Marm Kilpatrick
Volume 11, Issue 7, October 2011, Pages 1577-1585
The transmission of vector-borne pathogens is greatly influenced by the ecology of their vector, which is in turn shaped by genetic ancestry, the environment, and the hosts that are fed on. One group of vectors, the mosquitoes in the Culex pipiens complex, play key roles in the transmission of a range of pathogens including several viruses such as West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis viruses, avian malaria (Plasmodium spp.), and filarial worms. The Cx. pipiens complex includes Culex pipiens pipiens with two forms, pipiens and molestus, Culex pipiens pallens, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex australicus, and Culex globocoxitus. While several members of the complex have limited geographic distributions, Cx. pipiens pipiens and Cx. quinquefasciatus are found in all known urban and sub-urban temperate and tropical regions, respectively, across the world, where they are often principal disease vectors. In addition, hybrids are common in areas of overlap. Although gaps in our knowledge still remain, the advent of genetic tools has greatly enhanced our understanding of the history of speciation, domestication, dispersal, and hybridization. We review the taxonomy, genetics, evolution, behavior, and ecology of members of the Cx. pipiens complex and their role in the transmission of medically important pathogens. The adaptation of Cx. pipiens complex mosquitoes to human-altered environments led to their global distribution through dispersal via humans and, combined with their mixed feeding patterns on birds and mammals (including humans), increased the transmission of several avian pathogens to humans. We highlight several unanswered questions that will increase our ability to control diseases transmitted by these mosquitoes. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.
Astrovirus infections in humans and animals - Molecular biology, genetic diversity, and interspecies transmissionsPaola De Benedictis | Stacey Schultz-Cherry | Andrew Burnham | Giovanni Cattoli
Volume 11, Issue 7, October 2011, Pages 1529-1544
Astroviruses are small, non-enveloped, positive sense, single-stranded RNA viruses first identified in 1975 in children suffering from diarrhea and then described in a wide variety of animals. To date, the list of animal species susceptible to astrovirus infection has expanded to 22 animal species or families, including domestic, synantropic and wild animals, avian, and mammalian species in the terrestrial and aquatic environments. Astrovirus infections are considered among the most common cause of gastroenteritis in children, second only to rotavirus infections, but in animals their association with enteric diseases is not well documented, with the exception of turkey and mink astrovirus infection. Genetic variability has been described in almost all astrovirus species sufficiently examined infecting mammals and birds; however, antigenic variability has been demonstrated for human astroviruses but is far less investigated in animal viruses. Interestingly, there is an increasing evidence of recombination events occurring in astroviruses, which contributes to increase the genetic variability of this group of viruses. A wide variety of species infected, the evident virus genetic diversity and the occurrence of recombination events indicate or imply either cross-species transmission and subsequent virus adaptation to new hosts or the co-infection of the same host with different astroviruses. This can also favor the emergence of novel astroviruses infecting animals or with a zoonotic potential. After more than 30. years from their first description in humans, there are many exciting streams of research to be explored and intriguing questions that remain to be answered about the relatively under-studied Astroviridae family. In the present work, we will review the existing knowledge concerning astrovirus infections in humans and animals, with particular focus on the molecular biology, interspecies transmission and zoonotic potential of this group of viruses. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.
Babesia: A world emergingLeonhard Schnittger | Anabel E. Rodriguez | Monica Florin-Christensen | David A. Morrison
Volume 12, Issue 8, December 2012, Pages 1788-1809
Babesia are tick-transmitted hemoprotozooans that infect mammals and birds, and which are acknowledged for their major impact on farm and pet animal health and associated economic costs worldwide. Additionally, Babesia infections of wildlife can be fatal if associated with stressful management practices; and human babesiosis, also transmitted by blood transfusion, is an increasing public-health concern. Due to the huge diversity of species reported to serve as Babesia hosts, all vertebrates might be potential carriers, as long as they are adequate hosts for Babesia-vector ticks. We here provide a comprehensive overview of the most relevant Babesia species, and a discussion of the classical taxonomic criteria. Babesia, Cytauxzoon and Theileria parasites are closely related and collectively referred to as piroplasmids. A possible scenario for the history of piroplasmids is presented in the context of recent findings, and its implications for future research avenues are outlined. Phylogenetic trees of all available 18S rRNA and hsp70 genes were generated, based on which we present a thoroughly revised molecular classification, comprising five monophyletic Babesia lineages, one Cytauxzoon clade, and one Theileria clade. Updated 18S rRNA and beta-tubulin gene trees of the B. microti isolates agree with those previously reported. To reconcile estimates of the origin of piroplasmids and ticks (∼300. Ma, respectively), and mammalian radiation (60. Ma), we hypothesize that the dixenous piroplasmid life cycle evolved with the origin of ticks. Thus, the observed time gap between tick origin and mammalian radiation indicates the existence of hitherto unknown piroplasmid lineages and/or species in extant vertebrate taxa, including reptiles and possibly amphibians. The development and current status of the molecular taxonomy of Babesia, with emphasis on human-infecting species, is discussed. Finally, recent results from population genetic studies of Babesia parasites, and their implications for the development of pathogenicity, drug resistance and vaccines, are summarized. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
Genetic diversity of avian paramyxovirus type 1: Proposal for a unified nomenclature and classification system of Newcastle disease virus genotypesDiego G. Diel | Luciana H A da Silva | Hualei Liu | Zhiliang Wang | Patti J. Miller | Claudio L. Afonso
Volume 12, Issue 8, December 2012, Pages 1770-1779
The avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1), or Newcastle disease virus (NDV), comprise a diverse group of viruses with a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome. Historically, two systems have been simultaneously used to classify NDV isolates into lineages or genotypes, generating confusion in the nomenclature and discrepancies in the assignment of genetic groups. In the present study we assessed the genetic diversity of the avian paramyxovirus type-1 (APMV-1) and propose a unified nomenclature and a classification system based on objective criteria to separate NDV into genotypes. Complete F gene sequences of class I (n= 110) and class II (n= 602) viruses were used for the phylogenetic reconstruction and to identify distinct taxonomic groups. The mean interpopulational evolutionary distance was estimated (10%) and set as the cutoff value to assign new genotypes. Results of our study revealed that class I viruses comprise a single genotype, while class II contains 15 genetic groups including 10 previously established (I-IX, and XI) and five new genotypes (X, XII, XIII, XIV and XV). Sub-genotypes were identified among class I and class II genotypes. Adoption of a unified nomenclature and of objective criteria to classify NDV isolates will facilitate studies on NDV epidemiology, evolution, disease control and diagnostics. © 2012.
Population genetics, taxonomy, phylogeny and evolution of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu latoGabriele Margos | Stephanie A. Vollmer | Nicholas H. Ogden | Durland Fish
Volume 11, Issue 7, October 2011, Pages 1545-1563
In order to understand the population structure and dynamics of bacterial microorganisms, typing systems that accurately reflect the phylogenetic and evolutionary relationship of the agents are required. Over the past 15. years multilocus sequence typing schemes have replaced single locus approaches, giving novel insights into phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships of many bacterial species and facilitating taxonomy. Since 2004, several schemes using multiple loci have been developed to better understand the taxonomy, phylogeny and evolution of Lyme borreliosis spirochetes and in this paper we have reviewed and summarized the progress that has been made for this important group of vector-borne zoonotic bacteria. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.
Picornavirus and enterovirus diversity with associated human diseasesCaroline Tapparel | Fredy Siegrist | Tom J. Petty | Laurent Kaiser
Volume 14, Issue 1, March 2013, Pages 282-293
Members of the Picornaviridae family are non-enveloped, positive-stranded RNA viruses with a 30. nm icosahedral capsid. This virus family exhibits a considerable amount of genetic variability driven both by mutation and recombination. Recently, three previously unknown human picornaviruses, namely the human Saffold cardiovirus, cosavirus and salivirus, have been identified in stools or respiratory samples from subjects presenting symptoms ranging from gastroenteritis to acute flaccid paralysis. However, these viruses were also frequently detected in asymptomatic subjects and their clinical relevance remains to be elucidated. The Enterovirus genus is a prototype example of the Picornaviridae heterogeneity at both genetic and phenotypic levels. This genus is divided into 10 species, seven of which contain human viruses, including three Rhinovirus species. Both human rhino- and enteroviruses are also characterized by high levels of genetic variability, as exemplified by the existence of over 250 different serotypes and the recent discovery of new enterovirus genotypes and the Rhinovirus C species. Despite their common genomic features, rhinoviruses are restricted to the respiratory tract, whereas the vast majority of enteroviruses infect the gastrointestinal tract and can spread to other organs, such as the heart or the central nervous system. Understanding the genetic determinants of such phenotypic diversity is an important challenge and a field for future investigation. Better characterization of these ubiquitous human pathogens may help to develop vaccines or antiviral treatments and to monitor the emergence of new strains. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
Molecular epidemiology, population genetics, and pathogenic role of Helicobacter pyloriRumiko Suzuki | Seiji Shiota | Yoshio Yamaoka
Volume 12, Issue 2, March 2012, Pages 203-213
Helicobacter pylori infection is linked to various gastroduodenal diseases; however, only approximately 20% of infected individuals develop severe diseases. Despite the high prevalence of H. pylori infection in Africa and South Asia, the incidence of gastric cancer in these areas is much lower than in other countries. Furthermore, the incidence of gastric cancer tends to decrease from north to south in East Asia. Such geographic differences in the pathology can be explained, at least in part, by the presence of different types of H. pylori virulence factors, especially cagA, vacA, and the right end of the cag pathogenicity island. The genotype of the virulence genes is also useful as a tool to track human migration utilizing the high genetic diversity and frequent recombination between different H. pylori strains. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis using seven housekeeping genes can also help to predict the history of human migrations. Population structure analysis based on MLST has revealed seven modern population types of H. pylori, which derived from six ancestral populations. Interestingly, the incidence of gastric cancer is closely related to the distribution of H. pylori populations. The different incidence of gastric cancer can be partly attributed to the different genotypes of H. pylori circulating in different geographic areas. Although approaches by MLST and virulence factors are effective, these methods focus on a small number of genes and may miss information conveyed by the rest of the genome. Genome-wide analyses using DNA microarray or whole-genome sequencing technology give a broad view on the genome of H. pylori. In particular, next-generation sequencers, which can read DNA sequences in less time and at lower costs than Sanger sequencing, enabled us to efficiently investigate not only the evolution of H. pylori, but also novel virulence factors and genomic changes related to drug resistance. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.
Animal and human pathogenic Escherichia coli strains share common genetic backgroundsOlivier Clermont | Maiwenn Olier | Claire Hoede | Laure Diancourt | Sylvain Brisse | Monique Keroudean | Jérémy Glodt | Bertrand Picard | Eric Oswald | Erick Denamur
Volume 11, Issue 3, April 2011, Pages 654-662
Escherichia coli is a versatile species encompassing both commensals of the digestive tracts of many vertebrates, including humans, and pathogenic strains causing various intra- and extraintestinal infections. Despite extensive gene flow between strains, the E. coli species has a globally clonal population structure, consisting of distinct phylogenetic groups. Little is known about the relationships between phylogenetic groups and host specificity. We therefore used multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to investigate phylogenetic relationships and evaluated the virulence gene content of 35 E. coli strains representative of the diverse diseases encountered in domestic animals. We compared these strains with a panel of 101 human pathogenic and 98 non-human and human commensal strains representative of the phylogenetic and pathovar diversity of this species. A global factorial analysis of correspondence indicated that extraintestinal infections were caused mostly by phylogenetic group B2 strains, whereas intraintestinal infections were caused mostly by phylogenetic group A/B1/E strains, with strains responsible from extraintestinal or intraintestinal infections having specific virulence factors. It was not possible to distinguish between strains of human and animal origin. A detailed phylogenetic analysis of the MLST data showed that numerous pathogenic animal and human strains are very closely related, and had a number of virulence genes in common. However, a set of specific adhesins was identified in animal non-B2 group strains of all pathotypes. In conclusion, human and animal pathogenic strains share common genetic backgrounds, but non-B2 strains of different origins seem to have different sets of adhesins that could be involved in host specificity. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.
Multiple reassortment and interspecies transmission events contribute to the diversity of feline, canine and feline/canine-like human group A rotavirus strainsJelle Matthijnssens | Simona De Grazia | Jan Piessens | Elisabeth Heylen | Mark Zeller | Giovanni M. Giammanco | Krisztián Bányai | Canio Buonavoglia | Max Ciarlet | Vito Martella | Marc Van Ranst
Volume 11, Issue 6, August 2011, Pages 1396-1406
RNA-RNA hybridization assays and complete genome sequence analyses have shown that feline rotavirus (FRV) and canine rotavirus (CRV) strains display at least two distinct genotype constellations (genogroups), represented by the FRV strain RVA/Cat-tc/AUS/Cat97/1984/G3P[3] and the human rotavirus (HRV) strain RVA/Human-tc/JPN/AU-1/1982/G3P3[9], respectively. G3P[3] and G3P[9] strains have been detected sporadically in humans. The complete genomes of two CRV strains (RVA/Dog-tc/ITA/RV198-95/1995/G3P[3] and RVA/Dog-tc/ITA/RV52-96/1996/G3P[3]) and an unusual HRV strain (RVA/Human-tc/ITA/PA260-97/1997/G3P[3]) were determined to further elucidate the complex relationships among FRV, CRV and HRV strains. The CRV strains RV198-95 and RV52-96 were shown to possess a Cat97-like genotype constellation. However, 3 and 5 genes of RV198-95 and RV52-96, respectively, were found in distinct subclusters of the same genotypes, suggesting the occurrence of reassortment events among strains belonging to this FRV/CRV/HRV genogroup. Detailed phylogenetic analyses of the HRV strain PA260-97 showed that (i) 8 genome segments (VP3, VP4, VP6, VP7 and NSP2-5) clustered closely with RV198-95 and/or RV52-96; (ii) 2 genome segments (VP1 and VP2) were more closely related to HRV AU-1; and (iii) 1 genome segment (NSP1) was distantly related to any other established NSP1 genotypes and was ratified as a new NSP1 genotype, A15. These findings suggest that the human strain PA260-97 has a history of zoonotic transmission and is likely a reassortant among FRV/CRV strains from the Cat97 and AU-1-like genogroups. In addition, a potential third BA222-05-like genogroup of FRV and HRV strains should be recognized, consisting of rotavirus strains with a stable genetic genotype constellation of genes also partially related to bovine rotavirus (BRV) and bovine-like rotaviruses. The detailed phylogenetic analysis indicated that three major genotype constellations exist among FRV, CRV and feline/canine-like HRV strains, and that reassortment and interspecies transmission events contribute significantly to their wide genetic diversity. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.
Skin microbiota: Microbial community structure and its potential association with health and diseaseMariana Rosenthal | Deborah Goldberg | Allison Aiello | Elaine Larson | Betsy Foxman
Volume 11, Issue 5, July 2011, Pages 839-848
Skin, the largest human organ, is a complex and dynamic ecosystem inhabited by a multitude of microorganisms. Host demographics and genetics, human behavior, local and regional environmental characteristics, and transmission events may all potentially drive human skin microbiota variability, resulting in an alteration of microbial community structure. This alteration may have important consequences regarding health and disease outcomes among individuals. More specifically, certain diversity patterns of human microbiota may be predictive or diagnostic of disease. The purpose of this review is to briefly describe the skin microbiota, outline the potential determining factors driving its variability, posit the likelihood of an association between the resulting microbial community structure on the skin with disease outcomes among individuals, and finally, to present some challenges and implications for studying the skin microbiota. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.
Contribution of efflux activity to isoniazid resistance in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complexLiliana Rodrigues | Diana Machado | Isabel Couto | Leonard Amaral | Miguel Viveiros
Volume 12, Issue 4, June 2012, Pages 695-700
Resistance to isoniazid (INH), one of the main drugs used in tuberculosis (TB) therapy, is mostly due to chromosomal mutations in target genes. However, approximately 20-30% of INH resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates do not have mutations in any of the genes associated with INH resistance. This suggests that other mechanism(s) may be involved, namely efflux pump systems capable of extruding the drug to the exterior of the cell. In a previous work, we have induced clinical INH susceptible M. tuberculosis isolates and the H37Rv reference strain to high-level resistance to INH, by gradual exposure to increasing concentrations of this drug. In the present study, we have characterized these strains and Mycobacterium bovis BCG induced to INH resistance with respect to their efflux activity and its contribution to INH resistance using the following approach: determination of the susceptibility to INH in the presence and absence of the efflux inhibitors (EIs) chlorpromazine, thioridazine and verapamil; evaluation of efflux activity by a semi-automated fluorometric method; and quantification of the expression level of genes coding for efflux pumps by real-time RT-qPCR.The EIs decreased INH resistance in the INH induced strains, in particular verapamil promoted a reversal of resistance in some of the strains tested. The induced strains presented an increased efflux activity that was inhibited by the EIs and showed overexpression of the efflux pump genes efpA, mmpL7, mmr, p55 and the Tap-like gene Rv1258c. Altogether, these results correlate efflux activity with INH resistance and demonstrate that efflux pumps play an important role in acquired INH resistance in M. tuberculosis complex. The development of EIs that can restore the antimicrobial activity of the antibiotic subject to efflux is an approach that can be useful in order to prevent the emergence of this resistance and guide the development of new effective anti-TB therapeutical approaches. © 2011 Elsevier B.V..
Genetic support and diversity of acquired extended-spectrum β-lactamases in Gram-negative rodsLaurent Poirel | Rémy A. Bonnin | Patrice Nordmann
Volume 12, Issue 5, July 2012, Pages 883-893
Genes encoding extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) have been reported in a variety of Gram-negative species, mostly in Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. They are either TEM- or SHV-derivatives, CTX-M-like enzymes and less frequently of the GES, PER, or VEB types. The mechanisms at the origin of their acquisition are diverse, and mostly are related to insertion sequences, transposons and class 1 integrons. This diversity of genetic vehicles at the origin of these mobilization/acquisition processes may explain spread of ESBLs worldwide. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and " Candidatus Neoehrlichia" bacteria: Pathogenicity, biodiversity, and molecular genetic characteristics, a reviewVera Rar | Irina Golovljova
Volume 11, Issue 8, December 2011, Pages 1842-1861
The family Anaplasmataceae includes gram-negative obligate intracellular alphaproteobacteria, which amplify within membrane-bound vacuoles. The genera Anaplasma and Ehrlichia as well as the recently specified cluster " Candidatus Neoehrlichia" comprise all bacteria of the family that are transmitted by ixodid ticks to mammalian hosts and cause infections in humans and numerous domestic and wild animal species. Totally, six Anaplasma, five Ehrlichia, and two " Candidatus Neoehrlichia" species as well as a variety of Ehrlichia bacteria with undefined taxonomic position belong to tick-borne bacteria. This review briefs the ecology, pathogenic properties, and molecular genetic diversity of Anaplasmataceae validated species, " Candidatus" species, and undefined novel Ehrlichia genetic variants. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.
Molecular methods for pathogen and microbial community detection and characterization: Current and potential application in diagnostic microbiologyChristopher D. Sibley | Gisele Peirano | Deirdre L. Church
Volume 12, Issue 3, April 2012, Pages 505-521
Clinical microbiology laboratories worldwide have historically relied on phenotypic methods (i.e., culture and biochemical tests) for detection, identification and characterization of virulence traits (e.g., antibiotic resistance genes, toxins) of human pathogens. However, limitations to implementation of molecular methods for human infectious diseases testing are being rapidly overcome allowing for the clinical evaluation and implementation of diverse technologies with expanding diagnostic capabilities. The advantages and limitation of molecular techniques including real-time polymerase chain reaction, partial or whole genome sequencing, molecular typing, microarrays, broad-range PCR and multiplexing will be discussed. Finally, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and deep sequencing are introduced as technologies at the clinical interface with the potential to dramatically enhance our ability to diagnose infectious diseases and better define the epidemiology and microbial ecology of a wide range of complex infections. © 2012 Elsevier B.V..
Comparative genomics and the role of lateral gene transfer in the evolution of bovine adapted Streptococcus agalactiaeVincent P. Richards | Ping Lang | Paulina D. Pavinski Bitar | Tristan Lefébure | Ynte H. Schukken | Ruth N. Zadoks | Michael J. Stanhope
Volume 11, Issue 6, August 2011, Pages 1263-1275
In addition to causing severe invasive infections in humans, Streptococcus agalactiae, or group B Streptococcus (GBS), is also a major cause of bovine mastitis. Here we provide the first genome sequence for S. agalactiae isolated from a cow diagnosed with clinical mastitis (strain FSL S3-026). Comparison to eight S. agalactiae genomes obtained from human disease isolates revealed 183 genes specific to the bovine strain. Subsequent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening for the presence/absence of a subset of these loci in additional bovine and human strains revealed strong differentiation between the two groups (Fisher exact test: p<0.0001). The majority of the bovine strain-specific genes (~85%) clustered tightly into eight genomic islands, suggesting these genes were acquired through lateral gene transfer (LGT). This bovine GBS also contained an unusually high proportion of insertion sequences (4.3% of the total genome), suggesting frequent genomic rearrangement. Comparison to other mastitis-causing species of bacteria provided strong evidence for two cases of interspecies LGT within the shared bovine environment: bovine S. agalactiae with Streptococcus uberis (nisin U operon) and Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae (lactose operon). We also found evidence for LGT, involving the salivaricin operon, between the bovine S. agalactiae strain and either Streptococcus pyogenes or Streptococcus salivarius. Our findings provide insight into mechanisms facilitating environmental adaptation and acquisition of potential virulence factors, while highlighting both the key role LGT has played in the recent evolution of the bovine S. agalactiae strain, and the importance of LGT among pathogens within a shared environment. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.
Pathogen typing in the genomics era: MLST and the future of molecular epidemiologyMarcos Pérez-Losada | Patricia Cabezas | Eduardo Castro-Nallar | Keith A. Crandall
Volume 16, Issue , June 2013, Pages 38-53
Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) is a high-resolution genetic typing approach to identify species and strains of pathogens impacting human health, agriculture (animals and plants), and biosafety. In this review, we outline the general concepts behind MLST, molecular approaches for obtaining MLST data, analytical approaches for MLST data, and the contributions MLST studies have made in a wide variety of areas. We then look at the future of MLST and their relative strengths and weaknesses with respect to whole genome sequence typing approaches that are moving into the research arena at an ever-increasing pace. Throughout the paper, we provide exemplar references of these various aspects of MLST. The literature is simply too vast to make this review comprehensive, nevertheless, we have attempted to include enough references in a variety of key areas to introduce the reader to the broad applications and complications of MLST data. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.
Automated subtyping of HIV-1 genetic sequences for clinical and surveillance purposes: Performance evaluation of the new REGA version 3 and seven other toolsAndrea Clemencia Pineda-Peña | Nuno Rodrigues Faria | Stijn Imbrechts | Pieter Libin | Ana Barroso Abecasis | Koen Deforche | Arley Gómez-López | Ricardo J. Camacho | Tulio De Oliveira | Anne Mieke Vandamme
Volume 19, Issue , October 2013, Pages 337-348
Background: To investigate differences in pathogenesis, diagnosis and resistance pathways between HIV-1 subtypes, an accurate subtyping tool for large datasets is needed. We aimed to evaluate the performance of automated subtyping tools to classify the different subtypes and circulating recombinant forms using pol, the most sequenced region in clinical practice. We also present the upgraded version 3 of the Rega HIV subtyping tool (REGAv3). Methodology: HIV-1 pol sequences (PR. +. RT) for 4674 patients retrieved from the Portuguese HIV Drug Resistance Database, and 1872 pol sequences trimmed from full-length genomes retrieved from the Los Alamos database were classified with statistical-based tools such as COMET, jpHMM and STAR; similarity-based tools such as NCBI and Stanford; and phylogenetic-based tools such as REGA version 2 (REGAv2), REGAv3, and SCUEAL. The performance of these tools, for pol, and for PR and RT separately, was compared in terms of reproducibility, sensitivity and specificity with respect to the gold standard which was manual phylogenetic analysis of the pol region. Results: The sensitivity and specificity for subtypes B and C was more than 96% for seven tools, but was variable for other subtypes such as A, D, F and G. With regard to the most common circulating recombinant forms (CRFs), the sensitivity and specificity for CRF01_AE was ~99% with statistical-based tools, with phylogenetic-based tools and with Stanford, one of the similarity based tools. CRF02_AG was correctly identified for more than 96% by COMET, REGAv3, Stanford and STAR. All the tools reached a specificity of more than 97% for most of the subtypes and the two main CRFs (CRF01_AE and CRF02_AG). Other CRFs were identified only by COMET, REGAv2, REGAv3, and SCUEAL and with variable sensitivity. When analyzing sequences for PR and RT separately, the performance for PR was generally lower and variable between the tools. Similarity and statistical-based tools were 100% reproducible, but this was lower for phylogenetic-based tools such as REGA (~99%) and SCUEAL (~96%). Conclusions: REGAv3 had an improved performance for subtype B and CRF02_AG compared to REGAv2 and is now able to also identify all epidemiologically relevant CRFs. In general the best performing tools, in alphabetical order, were COMET, jpHMM, REGAv3, and SCUEAL when analyzing pure subtypes in the pol region, and COMET and REGAv3 when analyzing most of the CRFs. Based on this study, we recommend to confirm subtyping with 2 well performing tools, and be cautious with the interpretation of short sequences. © 2013 The Authors.
Levels of genetic diversity vary dramatically between Blastocystis subtypesC. Rune Stensvold | Mohammed Alfellani | C. Graham Clark
Volume 12, Issue 2, March 2012, Pages 263-273
Blastocystis is a common single-celled parasite of humans and other animals comprising at least 13 genetically distinct small subunit ribosomal RNA lineages (subtypes (STs)). In this study we investigated intra-subtype genetic diversity and host specificity of two of the most common subtypes in humans, namely ST3 and ST4, by analysing and comparing over 400 complete and partial nuclear SSU-rDNAs and data from multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of the mitochondrion-like organelle (MLO) genome of 132 samples. Inferences from phylogenetic analyses of nuclear SSU-rDNA and concatenated MLST sequences were compatible.Human ST3 infections were restricted to one of four identified MLO clades except where exposure to non-human primates had occurred. This suggests relatively high host specificity within ST3, that human ST3 infections are caused predominantly by human-to-human transmission, and that human strains falling into other clades are almost certainly the result of zoonotic transmission. ST4 from humans belonged almost exclusively to one of two SSU-rDNA clades, and only five MLST sequence types were found among 50 ST4s belonging to Clade 1 (discriminatory index: 0.41) compared to 58 MLST sequence types among 81 ST3s (discriminatory index: 0.99).The remarkable differences in intra-subtype genetic variability suggest that ST4 has a more recent history of colonising humans than ST3. This is congruent with the apparently restricted geographical distribution of ST4 relative to ST3. The implications of this observation are unclear, however, and the population structure and distribution of ST4 should be subject to further scrutiny in view of the fact ST4 is being increasingly linked with intestinal disease. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.
Dengue virus surveillance in Singapore reveals high viral diversity through multiple introductions and in situ evolutionKim Sung Lee | Sharon Lo | Sharon Siok Yin Tan | Rachel Chua | Li Kiang Tan | Helen Xu | Lee Ching Ng
Volume 12, Issue 1, January 2012, Pages 77-85
Dengue fever, a vector-borne disease, has caused tremendous burden to countries in the tropics and sub tropics. Over the past 20. years, dengue epidemics have become more widespread, severe and frequent. This study aims to understand the dynamics of dengue viruses in cosmopolitan Singapore. Envelope protein gene sequences of all four dengue serotypes (DENV-1-DENV-4) obtained from human sera in Singapore (2008-2010) revealed that constant viral introductions and in situ evolution contribute to viral diversity in Singapore and play important roles in shaping the epidemiology of dengue in the island state. The diversity of dengue viruses reported here could be a reflection of the on-going dengue situation in the region given Singapore's location in a dengue hyperendemic region and its role as the regional hub for travels and trade. Though cosmopolitan genotype of DENV-2 has remained as the predominant strain circulating in Singapore, we uncovered evidence of in situ evolution which could possibly result in viruses with improved fitness. While we have previously shown that a switch in the predominant dengue serotype could serve as a warning for an impending outbreak, our current data shows that a replacement of a predominant viral clade, even in the absence of a switch in predominant serotype, could signal a possible increase in dengue transmission. The circulating dengue viruses in Singapore are highly diverse, a situation which could offer ample opportunities for selection of strains of higher fitness, thus increasing the risk of outbreaks despite a low Aedes population. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.
DNA fingerprinting of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: From phage typing to whole-genome sequencingAnita C. Schürch | Dick van Soolingen
Volume 12, Issue 4, June 2012, Pages 602-609
Current typing methods for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex evolved from simple phenotypic approaches like phage typing and drug susceptibility profiling to DNA-based strain typing methods, such as IS. 6110-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) and variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) typing. Examples of the usefulness of molecular typing are source case finding and epidemiological linkage of tuberculosis (TB) cases, international transmission of MDR/XDR-TB, the discrimination between endogenous reactivation and exogenous re-infection as a cause of relapses after curative treatment of tuberculosis, the evidence of multiple M. tuberculosis infections, and the disclosure of laboratory cross-contaminations.Simultaneously, phylogenetic analyses were developed based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), genomic deletions usually referred to as regions of difference (RDs) and spoligotyping which served both strain typing and phylogenetic analysis. National and international initiatives that rely on the application of these typing methods have brought significant insight into the molecular epidemiology of tuberculosis. However, current DNA fingerprinting methods have important limitations. They can often not distinguish between genetically closely related strains and the turn-over of these markers is variable. Moreover, the suitability of most DNA typing methods for phylogenetic reconstruction is limited as they show a high propensity of convergent evolution or misinfer genetic distances. In order to fully explore the possibilities of genotyping in the molecular epidemiology of tuberculosis and to study the phylogeny of the causative bacteria reliably, the application of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis for all M. tuberculosis isolates is the optimal, although currently still a costly solution. In the last years WGS for typing of pathogens has been explored and yielded important additional information on strain diversity in comparison to the classical DNA typing methods. With the ongoing cost reduction of DNA sequencing it is possible that WGS will become the sole diagnostic tool in the secondary laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis for identification, drug susceptibility testing and genetic characterization. © 2011 Elsevier B.V..
Genetic evolution and clinical impact in extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniaeYong Chong | Yoshikiyo Ito | Tomohiko Kamimura
Volume 11, Issue 7, October 2011, Pages 1499-1504
The emergence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, is now a critical concern for the development of therapies against bacterial infection. ESBLs consist of three major genetic groups: TEM, SHV, and CTX-M types. Nosocomial infections due to TEM and SHV-producing K. pneumoniae strains were frequently documented until the late 1990s. The number of reports on community-acquired infections caused by CTX-M-producing E. coli strains have dramatically increased over the last decade; however, K. pneumoniae strains, of either the TEM or SHV types, are persistent and important ESBL producers. The spread of ESBL genes is associated with various mobile genetic elements, such as transposons, insertion sequences, and integrons. The rapid dissemination of ESBL genes of the CTX-M type may be related to highly complicated genetic structures. These structures harboring ESBL genes and mobile elements are found in a variety of plasmids, which often carry many other antibiotic resistance genes. Multidrug-resistant CTX-M-15-producing E. coli strains disseminate worldwide. Efficient mobile elements and plasmids may have accelerated the genetic diversity and the rapid spread of ESBL genes, and their genetic evolution has caused an emerging threat to the bacteria for which few effective drugs have been identified. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.
Full genome characterization of a porcine-like human G9P[6] rotavirus strain isolated from an infant in BelgiumMark Zeller | Elisabeth Heylen | Sarah De Coster | Marc Van Ranst | Jelle Matthijnssens
Volume 12, Issue 7, October 2012, Pages 1492-1500
Interspecies transmissions of group A rotavirus (RVA) strains among animals and humans are thought to take place frequently. During a RVA surveillance study in Belgium we isolated an unusual G9P[6] RVA strain, RVA/human-wt/BEL/BE2001/2009/G9P[6], from a 1. month old boy, which did not cluster with other G9 or P[6] strains isolated in Belgium. In this study we sequenced and characterized the complete genome of this unusual G9P[6] strain BE2001. Phylogenetic analyses of all 11 genes revealed a unique genotype constellation: G9-P[6]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T7-E1-H1. The VP6 and NSP1 genotypes I5 and A8 are genotypes commonly found in porcine RVA strains, while the VP7 and VP4 genes clustered only distantly to human lineages of G9 and P[6], respectively. The VP1, VP2, VP3, NSP2, NSP4 and NSP5 genes all belonged to Wa-like genotypes, but clustered more closely to porcine strains than to human strains. NSP3 belonged to the rare T7 genotype. Thus far, T7 genotypes have only been detected in one porcine-like human strain (RVA/human-tc/CHN/R479/2004/G4P[6]), one bovine-like human strain (RVA/human-xx/IND/mani-265/2007/G10P[6]) and one bovine RVA strain (RVA/cow-tc/GBR/UK/1973/G6P7[5]). Sequence analysis of the BE2001 NSP5 gene segment revealed a 300 nucleotide duplication in the 3' end non-coding region. BE2001 is most likely a direct interspecies transmission between a pig and a human. Inquiry with the patient's physician revealed that the father of the patient had been working on a pig farm in the week the patient became ill, providing a plausible route of transmission. © 2012.
Origin and evolution of the worldwide distributed pathogenic amoeboflagellate Naegleria fowleriJohan F. De Jonckheere
Volume 11, Issue 7, October 2011, Pages 1520-1528
Naegleria fowleri, a worldwide distributed pathogen, is the causative agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Because it is such a fulminant disease, most patients do not survive the infection. This pathogen is a free-living amoeboflagellate present in warm water. To date, it is well established that there are several types of N. fowleri, which can be distinguished based on the length of the internal transcribed spacer 1 and a one bp transition in the 5.8S rDNA. Seven of the eight known types have been detected in Europe. Three types are present in the USA, of which one is unique to this country. Only one of the eight types occurs in Oceania (Australia and New Zealand) and Japan. In mainland Asia (India, China and Thailand) the two most common types are found, which are also present in Europe and the USA. There is strong indication that the pathogenic N. fowleri evolved from the nonpathogenic Naegleria lovaniensis on the American continent. There is no evidence of virulence differences between the types of N. fowleri. Two other Naegleria spp. are pathogenic for mice, but human infections due to these two other Naegleria spp. are not known. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.


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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a proposed rulemaking that would create a new category of school buses — the multifunctional school activity bus — that would provide a safer alternative to 15-passenger vans.
This bus could be used in several scenarios, including child care, Head Start and school activity transportation. It could also be used by local social service agencies for transportation of senior citizens, for example. It would be restricted, however, from use in home-to-school transportation.
The bus would not be required to be equipped with traffic-control features such as eight-way warning light systems or stop arms. It would be required, however, to meet all school bus standards for crashworthiness and crash avoidance.
Under the proposal, the bus would have a maximum gross vehicle weight rating of 15,000 pounds.
These buses could be used for Head Start transportation because they would qualify as "allowable alternate vehicles" under the regulations for that program.
NHTSA Deputy Administrator Annette Sandberg announced the proposal Nov. 1 at the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C. (For more coverage of NASDPTS' annual meeting, see feature story.)
"This regulation will allow institutions to take advantage of the safety benefits associated with school buses, which are, by far, the safest means of transporting our children," said NHTSA Administrator Jeffrey W. Runge.
NHTSA noted that in June 1999 the National Transportation Safety Board recommended that the 50 states and the District of Columbia require that all vehicles carrying more than 10 passengers and transporting children to and from school and school-related activities, including, but not limited to, Head Start programs and childcare centers, meet the school bus structural standards and enact regulatory measures to enforce compliance with the revised statutes.
NHTSA believes that if finalized, this rule would make it easier for institutions with the responsibility for transporting children to use vehicles that provide a higher level of safety than fully loaded large passenger vans.
In addition, NHTSA officials said the proposed rule, if approved, could make funding for the purchase of the school buses available to Head Start programs and coordinated transportation providers through the Federal Transit Administration.
The complete proposal is available at http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/rulings/buspedsafety/SchoolActtivityBus.html
To comment on this proposed rulemaking, visit http://dms.dot.gov and click on "Simple Search." To search by docket number, type in "13704" and press "Search." Comments will be accepted until Jan. 3, 2003.
VERO BEACH, Fla. — Alan Mackerley, the New Jersey school bus contractor who was convicted in 1998 of killing a longtime business rival, had his conviction overturned, forcing a new trial that subsequently ended in a mistrial on Nov. 10.
In both trials, Mackerley, who owns Byram Bus in Hopatcong, N.J., was alleged to have used his then-girlfriend Lisa Costello to lure rival Frank L. Black of Andover, N.J., to south Florida under false pretenses, only to shoot him to death and dispose of his body in the ocean.
Black, who owned Black Bus Co. (which was later sold to First Student Inc.), was last seen alive on Feb. 24, 1996. Mackerley was convicted in February 1998 of first-degree murder and kidnapping and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Last year, Mackerley was granted a new trial after his convictions were overturned by the Florida Supreme Court, which held that the verdict couldn't be supported because it was never proven that a murder occurred. Black's body was never found.
During the recent three-week trial held in Vero Beach, Fla., Mackerley testified that Costello was the one who killed Black, hitting him on the head with an exercise weight in Mackerley's Stuart, Fla., home. Mackerley said he helped to cover up the slaying, but that he was not present during the killing.
After several days of deliberations, the jury deadlocked, with 11 jurors holding for a guilty verdict and one holdout for not guilty. Prosecutors and Black's family were disheartened by the outcome of the trial. "Obviously, we are shocked," Assistant State Attorney Tom Bakkedahl told a local newspaper. "We felt the evidence was overwhelming and obviously the vast majority of jurors agreed with us."
Prosecutors said they would retry the case. In the meantime, Mackerley will continue to be held at Martin County jail in Florida.
Get the latest news and most popular articles from SBF delivered straight to your inbox. Stay on top of the school bus industry and don't miss a thing!

subset: commoncrawl


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Women Share What It Really Takes to Stay MarriedA bestselling, groundbreaking author investigates successful long term marriages, interviewing wives and their uncensored strategies for staying married. America's high divorce rate is well known. But little attention has been paid to the flip side: couples who creatively (sometimes clandestinely) manage to build marriages that are lasting longer than we ever thought possible. What's the secret?
Women Share How Intimacy Changes as Life ChangesThe bestselling author of The Secret Lives of Wives offers a refreshingly straightforward guide to enjoying a long, satisfying sex life. Women of the baby boomer generation know and trust Iris Krasnow as a writer who speaks candidly to the issues that concern them most. In the months following the publication of her most recent book, The Secret Lives of Wives, Krasnow addressed thousands of women
$8.99Surrendering To Motherhood Losing Your Mind, Finding Your Soul is a life-changing book that send a message to the authors own generation of women programmed to have it all, great jobs and great families. As her provocative and passionate book unfolds, Krasnow shows readers through personal experiences and powerful ancedotes the importance of streamlining big careers, so they can savor this moment
$8.99In the New York Times best-seller Surrendering to Marriage, Iris Krasnow offers a raw and penetrating portrait of modern marriage and the backbreaking work required to make it last. With joyous, sexy, and shocking stories of real marriages, real affairs, and real divorces, Surrendering to Marriage moves far beyond a how-to manual; Krasnow shows us that a successful marriage has less to do with
Making Peace with Mom--Before It's Too LateIris Krasnow-mother, daughter, and bestselling journalist-tackles the toughest relationship in the lives of many grown women: the mother-daughter bond. With women's life expectancy inching up past 80, you may be embroiled with your mother well past the time your own hair turns white. The good news: Living longer means more time to make peace-and this book shows you how. Drawing on her own
Rudolph, Frosty, and Captain Kangaroo: The Musical Life of Hecky Krasnow ¿ Producer of the World's Most Beloved Children's SongsRudolph, Frosty, and Captain Kangaroo is a memoir by Judy Gail Krasnow about her father, Hecky Krasnow, the producer of such classic children's records and holiday tunes as "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Frosty the Snowman," "I'm Gettin' Nuttin' for Christmas," "Peter Cottontail," "Suzy Snowflake," "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," "The Captain Kangaroo March," ̶...
Rudolph, Frosty, and Captain Kangaroo
The Musical Life of Hecky Krasnow - Producer of the World's Most Beloved Children's SongsRudolph, Frosty, and Captain Kangaroo is a memoir by Judy Gail Krasnow about her father, Hecky Krasnow, the producer of such classic children's records and holiday tunes as Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer," Frosty the Snowman," I'm Gettin' Nuttin' for Christmas," Peter Cottontail," Suzy Snowflake," I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," The Captain Kangaroo March," Smokey the Bear," Davy Crockett,"
$23.79My Life as a Male Anorexic is a uniquely male point of view of anorexia nervosa. It is the autobiographical account of a young man's ongoing struggle with anorexia. Michael shared his story as part of the featured health segment "Men Dying to be Thin" on WSVN Channel 7 News in Miami, Florida, in May 1997.Michael Krasnow has had anorexia since 1984, and he chronicles his daily struggles, feelings,
Medical Imaging in Clinical TrialsIn the last few years the use of medical imaging has increased exponentially in routine clinical practice. This has been reflected in a rapidly increasing use of medical imaging in clinical trials, through all phases. More recently this has culminated in a number of inter-disciplinary meetings with the various stake holders, including the FDA. Changes in the regulatory process has resulted, when
$2.99She was safe in a world of darkness.Now danger threatens in the cold light of day…Before the experimental surgery that gave her sight, Kendra Michaels developed her other senses to an amazing capacity. Now she can identify a Nissan by the sound of its engine, a Norelco electric razor by the pattern of stubble it leaves behind, or an obscure colorless fire accelerant by its sweet smell. Law


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Facebook App: Open links in External Browser
There is a specific issue with the Facebook in-app browser intermittently making requests to websites without cookies that had previously been set. This appears to be a defect in the browser which should be addressed soon. The simplest approach to avoid this problem is to continue to use the Facebook app but not use the in-app browser. This can be done through the following steps:
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- Select the Safari icon to return to Safari.
Flood alerts remain amid rising rivers
THE river has burst its banks at Virginia, in Adelaide's north while Gawler and Port Wakefield remain at risk: LIVE UPDATES.
Cut off for three days, Port Lincoln's a ghost town
STORM ravaged and powerless for three days, Port Lincoln resembles a 'ghost town" — empty shops, barren streets and closed schools.
Meet our version of 'Walter White'
EXCLUSIVE: There's an eerie similarity about why Adelaide's version of Walter White — from the hit television show Breaking Bad — smuggled $59 million worth of drugs into Australia.
One dead, one bound and gagged
A WOMAN has been found dead and a second woman bound and gagged in mysterious circumstances in Adelaide's north eastern suburbs.
Drone video: Bird's eye view of swollen river Torrens
EXTRAORDINARY footage, shot using a drone, has revealed the scale of flooding and the remarkable volumes of water rushing down Adelaide's Torrens River system.
More heavy rain on the way to SA
SOUTH Australians will have some respite from the wild weather today but they won't see the end of it just yet.
AFL stars' big punt on property
CROWS midfielder Richard Douglas knows it takes discipline and hard work to play AFL football. And the same discipline has helped him build a solid property portfolio.
Flooding closes roads, rivers swell
POLICE have advised that Port Wakefield Road at Virginia is now closed to all traffic due to flooding. The North Para River continues to swell. A flood alert remains for Gawler, which is experiencing flooding. But in enormously good news for Port Lincoln, the city is finally back on the grid after losing power on Wednesday.
Families' futures dashed by loss
ABOUT 50 embryos, belonging to 12 families, were lost in the "absolute tragedy" that unfolded at Flinders Medical Centre during this week's statewide blackout.
Glory days: Notes from The Boss
BRUCE Springsteen's new memoir reveals him as undiminished champion of the underdog and one of the great narrators of American life.
Bec looks to get back in the saddle
Bec Hewitt admits she has been 'out of the loop' so long she's lost confidence, but is taking her first tentative steps back into the media spotlight, writes JACKIE EPSTEIN
Best day of Bazz's life – until the final siren
IT'S 55 years since the Bulldogs were last in a grand final, but popular SA personality Barry "Bazz" Ion has vivid memories of the clash.
Watertight assurances as subs design deal is inked
AFTER days of high-level talks in Adelaide, Australia and France have signed a contract for the Future Submarines.
Teen bailed in Adelaide pensioner murder case
A QUEENSLAND teenager accused of watching an Adelaide pensioner a few months before his granddaughter murdered him is free on bail despite concerns she may impede the investigation.
Whyalla disaster averted, $30M hit
ARRIUM will be $30 million out of pocket as a result of the storm-related shutdown of its Whyalla operations if the outage last as long as currently expected.


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This is a letter I have been meaning to write for many years.
Americans consider themselves sensitive to killings in other countries — tragedies of war and school killings, to name a few.
When I see news stories showing anyone, beginning with the president (any since Reagan), telling the nation how horrible the people from fill-in-the-blank are because they kill others, it makes me want to vomit.
The media lament over the murders of children, and how we as a nation have to do more to prevent this.
Their faces pretend to care. I say pretend, because if they do care, why do they not weep for 55 million innocent babies (not fetuses) slaughtered in this country?
America is responsible for the countless "doctors," nurses, assistants and others aware of these murders. This would give us more than half a million murderous offenses in this "virtuous and civilized" country.
Our justice department is a joke. To convince themselves they are not killers, people go out of their way to save the lives of murderers.
Let's do away with the death penalty, because we must save the lives of murderers.
Are our medical facilities so backward and unhelpful that unborn babies cannot be helped?
My take is that since murder in this country is on the level of stealing a piece of candy, and the guilty are more protected than the innocent and the victims, how can young people ever learn the value of life? It is impossible.
My challenge to all who think this is nonsense (especially the media and politicians) — have somebody with power and money record an abortion. Make thousands of copies, so anyone with the guts to see what is happening daily can truly speak about the horrors they have seen.
If anyone, after actually seeing an abortion, can honestly say this is not a horrible crime, there is no hope for this country. The only reason to not see the truth of an abortion is that it reveals your inner self.
Please — those who have access, help end this horror or continue to hide it.
Maria Hutchins


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Co-Founder of Dub Hub Toronto, Slamsterdam is always on the front line of sonic warfare. Every bassline is a bomb. Every drum is the snap of a gun. Every song is an advance of the front line. Every release... is a victory.
Press play to try again.
You can get it here.


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Winslow Homer (1836-1910), generally acknowledged as America's greatest watercolorist, came to the medium relatively late in his career. Only during his late 30s, while living for an extended period in a small English fishing village near Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear, did he begin to experiment seriously with watercolor. Over the next 30 years he would produce nearly 700 watercolors. Some of the best are among his last.
Not surprisingly for one interested in the nuances of light reflected from moving surfaces, Homer often painted the sea. Sometimes his subject was the sea alone, a massive breathing force of nature. Sometimes he painted a lone figure against the sea, telling the tragic story of the unequal struggle of man against nature. At other times he emphasized the symbiotic relationship between the two, as in The Water Fan (cover), completed while Homer was in Nassau during the season of 1898-1899.
Graphic Jump Location
Winslow Homer (1836-1910), The Water Fan, 1898-1899, American. Watercolor with blotting and touches of scraping over graphite on thick, rough, twill-textured, ivory wove paper. 37.4 × 53.4 cm. Courtesy of The Art Institute of Chicago (http://www.artic.edu/aic/), Chicago, Illinois; gift of Dorothy A., John A. Jr, and Christopher Holabird in memory of William and Mary Holabird, 1972.190. Photograph by Robert Lifson. Photography © The Art Institute of Chicago. Image not for download.
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Created in this Craftsy class
Sew Better, Sew Faster: Garment Industry Secrets taught by Janet Pray
Sew more quickly and efficiently, without sacrificing quality, once youve learned Janet Pray's garment industry secret techniques.
Other projects made as part of this class:
SewingPicture postcard jacket
SewingDenim Jacket
SewingPurple Dots
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Wow very sharp jacket. Love the contrast trim.
10/23/2013 Flag
Thank you. I used slub silk that I had in my stash
11/01/2013 Flag
Great versatile jacket!
10/26/2013 Flag
Yes I can dress it up or down. I have worn it oftenQ
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Love your version of the jacket. It's fun to modify a pattern to suit your personality.
11/13/2013 Flag


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Def Leppard Won't Play Any New Songs on Upcoming Tour
Def Leppard is taking a break from work on a long-awaited studio album to tour with Styx and Tesla, but don't expect any concert previews of their new songs.
Def Leppard is taking a break from work on a long-awaited studio album to tour with Styx and Tesla, but don't expect any concert previews of their new songs.
For something that's supposed to be a huge honor, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction sure does get a lot of artists riled up.
Fans who turn out to see Def Leppard with Styx and Tesla this summer shouldn't expect to see any big set-closing jams.
The two bands will hit the shed circuit this summer with Tesla as the opener.
While they're waiting for the band's new album, Def Leppard fans in the U.S. can also look forward to summer tour dates -- at least two of them, anyway.
In one of the scariest and ultimately inspiring stories in recent rock history, Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen nearly lost his life and did lose his left arm in a car accident on Dec. 31, 1984.
Def Leppard have never been known for being particularly avant garde, but singer Joe Elliott hinted at some potentially surprising stuff on the band's new album during a recent interview.
Def Leppard / Dio guitarist Vivian Campbell has finally come back home after undergoing a stem cell transplant to fight the shredder's ongoing cancer battle.
Watch Kiss and Def Leppard get ice water dunked on them after a concert.
Def Leppard will focus on a new album and world tour before considering another residency in Las Vegas.
Campbell says on-going chemotherapy treatments have meant "sporting a new 'do."
Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell discusses his current chemo treatment and talks about plans to receive a stem-cell transplant later this year.


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Property Directions
You can easily get to the hotel by public transportation. Stop in Metro Liceu green line. There are buses from the airport to get Plaza Catalunya and it cost around 7euros. Also Taxis around 30euros.
Hostelworld Mobile Apps
Book on the go with the new Hostelworld mobile apps.