Unusual Cluster Research Articles

Di‐ and Tetranuclear Palladium(II) Complexes Containing C,N‐Bidentate Furoylhydrazone for Suzuki–Miyaura Reactions

Furoylhydrazones of general formula 4‐R–C6H4–CH=NNH–CO–2‐C4H3O [R = H (HL1) and OCH3 (HL2)] have been conveniently prepared from furan‐2‐carbohydrazide. The reaction of HL1 with Li2[PdCl4] and CH3COONa provided the di‐µ‐chloro‐bridged cyclopalladated complex [Pd(C6H4–CH=N–NH–CO–2‐C4H3O)(µ‐Cl)]2 (1) through aryl C–H bond activation, whereas the unusual tetranuclear cluster [Pd(4‐CH3O–C6H4–CH=N–NH–CO–2‐C4H3O)(µ‐Cl)]4 (2) was obtained from the reaction with ligand HL2. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 show a slightly distorted square‐planar coordination geometry around the palladium ion to which the furoylhydrazone is attached in a bidentate fashion. The two palladium(II) complexes were able to catalyze the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions of phenylboronic acid with aryl halides to afford the desired biaryl derivatives in excellent yields (up to 99.2 %).

Chikungunya virus disease outbreak in Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia.

BackgroundChikungunya virus is a mosquito-borne alphavirus which causes an acute febrile illness associated with polyarthralgia. Beginning in August 2013, clinicians from the Yap State Department of Health in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) identified an unusual cluster of illness which was subsequently confirmed to be chikungunya virus disease. Chikungunya virus disease previously had not been recognized in FSM.Methodology/Principal findingsInformation from patients presenting to healthcare facilities was collected and analyzed. During August 11, 2013, to August 10, 2014, a total of 1,761 clinical cases were reported for an attack rate of 155 clinical cases per 1,000 population. Among residents of Yap Main Island, 3% were hospitalized. There were no deaths. The outbreak began on Yap Main Island and rapidly spread throughout Yap Main Island and to three neighboring islands.Conclusions/SignificanceChikungunya virus can cause explosive outbreaks with substantial morbidity. Given the increasing globalization of chikungunya virus, strong surveillance systems and access to laboratory testing are essential to detect outbreaks.

Two- and three-dimensional silver acetylide frameworks with high-nuclearity silver cluster building blocks assembled using a bifunctional (4-ethynylphenyl)diphenyl phosphine ligand

A bifunctional ligand precursor (4-ethynylphenyl)diphenyl phosphine was synthesized and used for constructing silver acetylide frameworks. Its reaction with Ag(I) in the presence of triethylamine afforded silver acetylide [AgL]n, in which L=Ph2P-C6H4-4-CC− could act as a bifunctional ligand bearing both phenylethynide and phosphine binding sites for Ag(I). Reactions of [AgL]n and AgCF3CO2 under different conditions gave four silver acetylides. They are [Ag18L8(CF3COO)6(HCO3)4(DMF)4]n (1, DMF=dimethylformamide), [Ag20L8(CF3COO)12(DMF)6]n (2), [Ag17L6(CF3COO)9(HCO3)2]n (3), and [Ag17L6(CF3COO)9.58(HCO3)1.42]n (4). Crystallographic studies revealed that complex 1 crystallized in the triclinic space group P1¯ with a=14.1252(9)Å, b=18.6012(12)Å, c=25.2137(17)Å, α=108.340(2)°, β=95.386(2)°, γ=95.535(2)°, V=6204.6(7)Å3, and Z=1. Complex 2 crystallized in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a=48.046(4)Å, b=14.1860(10)Å, c=34.943(2)Å, β=98.315(3)°, V=23,566(3)Å3, and Z=4. Complex 3 crystallized in the triclinic space group P1¯ with a=15.5690(7)Å, b=16.7707(8)Å, c=34.0810(16)Å, α=93.4040(10)°, β=100.3690(10)°, γ=94.8250(10)°, V=8697.1(7)Å3, and Z=2. Complex 4 crystallized in the triclinic space group P1¯ with a=15.5396(6)Å, b=16.7595(7)Å, c=34.0225(15)Å, α=93.8140(10)°, β=100.1000(10)°, γ=94.9770(10)°, V=8660.2(6)Å3, and Z=2. The presence of Ag(I)–ethynide, Ag(I)–P and Ag(I)–Ag(I) bonding interactions makes all four silver acetylides to have two- and three-dimensional framework structures with unusual high-nuclearity silver cluster building blocks.

Rotavirus epidemiology 5–6 years after universal rotavirus vaccination: persistent rotavirus activity in older children and elderly

Background: Rotavirus (RV) vaccination using RotaTeq® vaccine exclusively was introduced into Finnish National Immunization Program (NIP) in 2009, and soon reached high (≥90%) coverage. Since mid-2013, all stool samples from laboratory diagnosed cases of RV gastroenteritis in the entire country have been typed.Methods: 364 RV positive stool samples collected from clinical laboratories over a 2-year period were G- and P-typed using RT-PCR, and the results were confirmed by sequencing. In addition, the genome segment encoding for VP6 was sequenced to distinguish between wild-type and vaccine origin (bovine) RVs.Results: RV winter epidemic seasons 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 lasted until July each. The age distribution of RV cases showed two unusual clusters: one in children 6–16 years of age, too old to have been vaccinated in NIP, and the other in elderly over 70 years of age. In children, diverse genotypes were observed without any obvious predominance. The most common ones were G1P[8] (30.0%), G2P[4] (22.4%), G9P[8] (15.8%), G3P[8] (12.2%) and G4P[8] (11.2%). The genotype distribution was not different among vaccinated and unvaccinated children. Most cases in the elderly were associated with G2P[4].Conclusions: Even at high vaccine coverage and high effectiveness of RV vaccine, RV activity continues to persist, particularly in unvaccinated older children. RV genotypes show greater diversity than before RV vaccinations. We conclude that RV disease can be controlled but not eliminated by vaccinations. Herd-protection in long-term follow-up may be less than at the start of RV vaccinations.

A series of alkaline earth metal coordination polymers constructed from two newly designed imidazole-based dicarboxylate ligands containing pyridinylmethyl groups

Two new imidazole-based dicarboxylate ligands, which are 2-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid (H3pPyMIDC) and 2-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid (H3mPyMIDC), have been designed and successfully synthesized. Both these multidentate ligands are then used to react with different kinds of alkaline earth metal ions under solvothermal conditions, leading to the construction of a series of new coordination polymers (CPs), namely, [Ba(μ5-HpPyMIDC)(H2O)]n (1), [Sr(μ5-HpPyMIDC)(H2O)]n (2), [Ca2(μ4-HpPyMIDC)2(H2O)2]n (3), {[Ca2(μ3-HpPyMIDC)(μ4-HpPyMIDC)(H2O)2]·H2O}n (4), [Ba(μ5-HmPyMIDC)(H2O)]n (5), {[Mg10(μ3-mPyMIDC)3(μ4-mPyMIDC)3(H2O)21]·SO4·12H2O}n (6) and {[Sr(μ2-H2mPyMIDC)2(DMF)2]n·H2O}n (7). Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural, exhibiting two-dimensional (2D) network structures with a hexagonal honeycomb (6,3) topology if the corresponding metal ions are seen as 3-connected nodes. Compound 3 displays another type of 2D network, which is built by the connection of μ4-HpPyMIDC ligands and Ca(II) centres. Compound 4 is a binodal (3,4)-connected 3D framework with the Schläfli symbol of (6·82)(65·8). The 2D structure of compound 5 is similar to those of compounds 1 and 2, although different kinds of ligands are employed. Compound 6 exhibits an interesting 3D framework with a pcu topology by considering each unusual heptanuclear magnesium cluster as a 6-connected node. In compound 7, connection of μ2-H2mPyMIDC ligands with Sr(II) ions results in the formation of an uncommon 3D chiral framework containing two different types of 1D helical chains. The present results reveal that both these new imidazole-based dicarboxylate ligands containing flexible pyridinylmethyl groups show versatile coordination abilities and are good candidates for fabricating new CPs. Moreover, the thermogravimetric and solid-state luminescence properties of all the compounds have also been studied.

Multimodal Imaging in an Unusual Cluster of Multiple Evanescent White Dot Syndrome.

Objective To describe an unusual cluster of multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS) encountered within a 3-month period. Methods This retrospective observation study is comprised of seven patients who presented with MEWDS in a 3-month period in central Israel. Data were collected from patients' medical records on clinical, multimodal imaging, and viral serology findings. Results Six women and one man of mean age 31.5 ± 7.2 years. Three reported a precedent viral infection. All had unilateral decreased vision. Funduscopy revealed foveal granularity. Main Imaging Findings Hyperfluorescent spots on blue autofluorescence (BAF), hypofluorescent spots on indocyanine green angiography, dark lesions on infrared photos, and ellipsoid zone irregularities on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Resolution of the spots on BAF correlated with anatomic (SD-OCT) and visual recovery. OCT angiography performed following the convalescence stage demonstrated intact retinal and choroidal flow. Serologic findings were inconclusive. Conclusion We report a unique cluster of MEWDS patients presented in a short period of time. SD-OCT findings of ellipsoid zone disruption in combination with other multimodal imaging modalities are outlined meticulously. Recognizing these imaging features along with high index of clinical suspicion is important for the diagnosis of MEWDS. Serologic testing might be considered in future patients.

Longitudinal Outcomes in the 2014 Acute Flaccid Paralysis Cluster in Canada.

We describe the presenting features and long-term outcome of an unusual cluster of pediatric acute flaccid paralysis cases that occurred in Canada during the 2014 enterovirus D68 outbreak. Children (n = 25; median age 7.8 years) presenting to Canadian centers between July 1 and October 31, 2014, and who met diagnostic criteria for acute flaccid paralysis were evaluated retrospectively. The predominant presenting features included prodromal respiratory illness (n = 22), cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytic pleocytosis (n = 18), pain in neck/back (n = 14) and extremities (n = 10), bowel/bladder dysfunction (n = 9), focal central gray matter lesions found in all regions of the spinal cord within the cohort (n = 16), brain stem lesions (n = 8), and bulbar symptoms (n = 5). Enterovirus D68 was detectable in nasopharyngeal specimens (n = 7) but not in cerebrospinal fluid. Acute therapies (corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulins, plasmapheresis) were well tolerated with few side effects. Fourteen of 16 patients who were followed beyond 12 months post onset had neurologic deficits but showed ongoing clinical improvement and motor recovery.

Gemini/GRACES spectroscopy of stars in Tri II

The chemical abundance ratios and radial velocities for two stars in the recently discovered Triangulum II faint dwarf galaxy have been determined from high resolution, medium signal-to-noise ratio spectra from the Gemini-GRACES facility. These stars have stellar parameters and metallicities similar to those derived from their photometry and medium-resolution Ca II triplet spectra, and supports that Triangulum II has a metallicity spread consistent with chemical evolution in a dwarf galaxy. The elemental abundances show that both stars have typical calcium abundances and barium upper limits for their metallicities, but low magnesium and sodium. This chemical composition resembles some stars in dwarf galaxies, attributed to inhomogeneous mixing in a low star formation environment, and/or yields from only a few supernova events. One of our targets (Star40) has an enhancement in potassium, and resembles some stars in the unusual outer halo star cluster, NGC 2419. Our other target (Star46) appears to be a binary based on a change in its radial velocity (Delta v(rad) = 24.5 +/- 2.1 km/s). This is consistent with variations found in binary stars in other dwarf galaxies. While this serves as a reminder of the high binary fraction in these ultra faint dwarf galaxies, this particular object has had little impact on the previous determination of the velocity dispersion in Triangulum II.

Triangular Monometallic Cyanide Cluster Entrapped in Carbon Cage with Geometry-Dependent Molecular Magnetism.

Clusterfullerenes are capable of entrapping a variety of metal clusters within carbon cage, for which the entrapped metal cluster generally keeps its geometric structure (e.g., bond distance and angle) upon changing the isomeric structure of fullerene cage, and whether the properties of the entrapped metal cluster is geometry-dependent remains unclear. Herein we report an unusual triangular monometallic cluster entrapped in fullerene cage by isolating several novel terbium cyanide clusterfullerenes (TbNC@C82) with different cage isomeric structures. Upon varying the isomeric structure of C82 cage from C2(5) to Cs(6) and to C2v(9), the entrapped triangular TbNC cluster exhibits significant distortions as evidenced by the changes of Tb-C(N) and C-N bond distances and variation of the Tb-C(N)-N(C) angle by up to 20°, revealing that the geometric structure of the entrapped triangular TbNC cluster is variable. All three TbNC@C82 molecules are found to be single-ion magnets, and the change of the geometric structure of TbNC cluster directly leads to the alternation of the magnetic relaxation time of the corresponding TbNC@C82 clusterfullerene.

New mixed-valence MnII4MnIV clusters from an unusual ligand transformation

The syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties are reported of two new and unusual mixed-valence Mn clusters [MnII4MnIVO(mpko)5(MeO-hmp)(mpko-hmp)(H2O)](ClO4)3 (1) and [MnII4MnIVO(ppko)5(MeO-hmp)(ppko-hmp)(H2O)](ClO4)3 (2). They were obtained from the reaction of mpkoH or ppkoH and hmpH with Mn(ClO4)2 in the presence of NaOMe, where mpkoH is methyl(pyridin-2-yl)ketone oxime, ppkoH is phenyl(pyridin-2-yl)ketone oxime, and hmpH is 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine. Complex 1 possesses a distorted MnII4 cubane core attached to an external MnIV by the O2− ion. The peripheral ligation includes two unprecedented hemiacetal ligands formed in situ from the reaction of hmpH with MeOH or mpkoH/ppkoH. Solid-state dc and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements established that both 1 and 2 possess an S=7/2 ground state, which was confirmed by ac in-phase susceptibility data. Simulations of the χMT versus T data established the presence of dominant antiferromagnetic exchange interactions, rationalizing the observed ground state.

The mass distribution of the unusual merging cluster Abell 2146 from strong lensing

Abell 2146 consists of two galaxy clusters that have recently collided close to the plane of the sky, and it is unique in showing two large shocks on $\textit{Chandra X-ray Observatory}$ images. With an early stage merger, shortly after first core passage, one would expect the cluster galaxies and the dark matter to be leading the X-ray emitting plasma. In this regard, the cluster Abell 2146-A is very unusual in that the X-ray cool core appears to lead, rather than lag, the Brightest Cluster Galaxy (BCG) in their trajectories. Here we present a strong lensing analysis of multiple image systems identified on $\textit{Hubble Space Telescope}$ images. In particular, we focus on the distribution of mass in Abell 2146-A in order to determine the centroid of the dark matter halo. We use object colours and morphologies to identify multiple image systems; very conservatively, four of these systems are used as constraints on a lens mass model. We find that the centroid of the dark matter halo, constrained using the strongly lensed features, is coincident with the BCG, with an offset of $\approx$ 2 kpc between the centres of the dark matter halo and the BCG. Thus from the strong lensing model, the X-ray cool core also leads the centroid of the dark matter in Abell 2146-A, with an offset of $\approx$ 30 kpc.

Investigation of a Guillain-Barré syndrome cluster in the Republic of Fiji

BackgroundIn 2014, we investigated a cluster of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) in Fiji that occurred during a dengue epidemic. We designed a case-control study to determine the etiology. MethodsCases were patients meeting Brighton Collaboration criteria for GBS with onset from February 2014 to May 2014. Controls were persons without symptoms of GBS who were matched by age group and location. We collected information on demographics and potential exposures. Serum samples were tested for evidence of recent arboviral or Leptospira spp. infections. ResultsNine cases of GBS were identified for an incidence of five cases per 100,000 population/year. Median age of cases was 27years (range: 0.8–52); five (56%) were male. Six (67%) reported an acute illness prior to GBS onset. Among the 9 cases and 28 controls enrolled, odds ratios for reported exposures or antibodies against various arboviruses or Leptospira spp. were not statistically significant. ConclusionsNo clear etiologies were identified for this unusual GBS cluster. There was a temporal association between the GBS cluster and a dengue epidemic, but we were unable to substantiate an epidemiologic or laboratory association. Further study is needed to explore potential associations between arboviral infections and GBS.

Partial In Vitro Reconstitution of an Orphan Polyketide Synthase Associated with Clinical Cases of Nocardiosis.

Although a few well-characterized polyketide synthases (PKSs) have been functionally reconstituted in vitro from purified protein components, the use of this strategy to decode "orphan" assembly line PKSs has not been described. To begin investigating a PKS found only in Nocardia strains associated with clinical cases of nocardiosis, we reconstituted in vitro its five terminal catalytic modules. In the presence of octanoyl-CoA, malonyl-CoA, NADPH, and S-adenosyl methionine, this pentamodular PKS system yielded unprecedented octaketide and heptaketide products whose structures were partially elucidated using mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The PKS has several notable features, including a "split, stuttering" module and a terminal reductive release mechanism. Our findings pave the way for further analysis of this unusual biosynthetic gene cluster whose natural product may enhance the infectivity of its producer strains in human hosts.

Chain structures and clusters of particles with the mixed dipole–quadrupole interaction in smectic freely suspended nanofilms

The formation of unusual chain structures and clusters of particles with the mixed dipole–quadrupole interaction has been found in smectic nanofilms. Unlike topological dipoles and quadrupoles, the interaction between which leads to the formation of structures with finite interparticle distances, the particles with the mixed interaction touch each other and form stable chains and two-dimensional clusters. The orientation of particles in chains is intermediate between dipole and quadrupole chains. The variation of the interparticle distance and orientation of chains is explained qualitatively on the basis of the calculation of the с-director (field lines) near particles and the mutual arrangement of particles providing the minimum distortion of field lines.

Defining the syndrome associated with congenital Zika virus infection.

Zika virus infection in humans is usually mild or asymptomatic. However, some babies born to women infected with Zika virus have severe neurological sequelae. An unusual cluster of cases of congenital microcephaly and other neurological disorders in the WHO Region of the Americas, led to the declaration of a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 1 February 2016. By 5 May 2016, reports of newborns or fetuses with microcephaly or other malformations – presumably associated with Zika virus infection – have been described in the following countries and territories: Brazil (1271 cases); Cabo Verde (3 cases); Colombia (7 cases); French Polynesia (8 cases); Martinique (2 cases) and Panama (4 cases). Additional cases were also reported in Slovenia and the United States of America, in which the mothers had histories of travel to Brazil during their pregnancies.1 Zika virus is an intensely neurotropic virus that particularly targets neural progenitor cells but also – to a lesser extent – neuronal cells in all stages of maturity. Viral cerebritis can disrupt cerebral embryogenesis and result in microcephaly and other neurological abnormalities.2 Zika virus has been isolated from the brains and cerebrospinal fluid of neonates born with congenital microcephaly and identified in the placental tissue of mothers who had had clinical symptoms consistent with Zika virus infection during their pregnancies.3–5 The spatiotemporal association of cases of microcephaly with the Zika virus outbreak and the evidence emerging from case reports and epidemiologic studies, has led to a strong scientific consensus that Zika virus is implicated in congenital abnormalities.6,7 Existing evidence and unpublished data shared with WHO highlight the wider range of congenital abnormalities probably associated with the acquisition of Zika virus infection in utero. In addition to microcephaly, other manifestations include craniofacial disproportion, spasticity, seizures, irritability and brainstem dysfunction including feeding difficulties, ocular abnormalities and findings on neuroimaging such as calcifications, cortical disorders and ventriculomegaly.3–6,8–10 Similar to other infections acquired in utero, cases range in severity; some babies have been reported to have neurological abnormalities with a normal head circumference. Preliminary data from Colombia and Panama also suggest that the genitourinary, cardiac and digestive systems can be affected (Pilar Ramon-Pardo, unpublished data). The range of abnormalities seen and the likely causal relationship with Zika virus infection suggest the presence of a new congenital syndrome. WHO has set in place a process for defining the spectrum of this syndrome. The process focuses on mapping and analysing the clinical manifestations encompassing the neurological, hearing, visual and other abnormalities, and neuroimaging findings. WHO will need good antenatal and postnatal histories and follow-up data, sound laboratory results, exclusion of other etiologies and analysis of imaging findings to properly delineate this syndrome. The scope of the syndrome will expand as further information and longer follow-up of affected children become available. The surveillance system that was established as part of the epidemic response to the outbreak initially called only for the reporting of microcephaly cases. This surveillance guidance has been expanded to include a spectrum of congenital malformations that could be associated with intrauterine Zika virus infection.11 Effective sharing of data is needed to define this syndrome. A few reports have described a wide range of abnormalities,3–6,8–10 but most data related to congenital manifestations of Zika infection remain unpublished. Global health organizations and research funders have committed to sharing data and results relevant to the Zika epidemic as openly as possible.12 Further analysis of data from cohorts of pregnant women with Zika virus infection are needed to understand all outcomes of Zika virus infection in pregnancy. Thirty-seven countries and territories in the Region of the Americas now report mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus and risk of sexual transmission. With such spread, it is possible that many thousands of infants will incur moderate to severe neurological disabilities. Therefore, routine surveillance systems and research protocols need to include a larger population than simply children with microcephaly. The health system response, including psychosocial services for women, babies and affected families will need to be fully resourced. The Zika virus public health emergency is distinct because of its long-term health consequences and social impact. A coordinated approach to data sharing, surveillance and research is needed. WHO has thus started coordinating efforts to define the congenital Zika virus syndrome and issues an open invitation to all partners to join in this effort.

Causal or not: applying the Bradford Hill aspects of evidence to the association between Zika virus and microcephaly.

After the emergence of unusual clusters of microcephaly among babies born in the fall of 2015 in Brazil—and, retrospectively, in French Polynesia—WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in January 2016 (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2016/1st-emergency-committee-zika/en/). Based on the spatial and temporal correlation of these clusters with outbreaks of Zika virus infections a few months before, a causal link is suspected. Whether the observed link between infection and microcephaly is indeed causal needs careful assessment—not the least because we might fall into the trap of ecological fallacy, inferring a causal association on the individual level from an association on the aggregate or population level. Here, we organize the currently available data into Austin Bradford Hill's aspects of evidence for the consideration of causality (Hill, 1965). Although it is no longer considered a litmus test in itself, Hill's recipe for careful and multifaceted contemplation of the available evidence is still a rigorous method for separating what is known from what is not known. For each aspect, we first consider individual‐level evidence, but supplement it with likely more readily observable effects on the population level. Studies to characterize the strength of this association in terms of odds ratios from case–control studies or (preferable) relative risks from cohort studies are already underway. These should be able to answer how much more likely a mother infected with Zika virus any time during pregnancy, or in a specific time window, will be giving birth to a child with microcephaly compared to mothers who were not infected. On the ecological level, a strong increase in microcephaly cases is not by itself evidence for a strong causal association because there might be confounding or biases. Nevertheless, if there were a strong causal association, we would expect to see a large increase in cases of microcephaly in a population with …

Herpes Simplex Virus and Interferon Signaling Induce Novel Autophagic Clusters in Sensory Neurons.

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) establishes lifelong infection in the neurons of trigeminal ganglia (TG), cycling between productive infection and latency. Neuronal antiviral responses are driven by type I interferon (IFN) and are crucial to controlling HSV-1 virulence. Autophagy also plays a role in this neuronal antiviral response, but the mechanism remains obscure. In this study, HSV-1 infection of murine TG neurons triggered unusual clusters of autophagosomes, predominantly in neurons lacking detectable HSV-1 antigen. Treatment of neurons with IFN-β induced a similar response, and cluster formation by infection or IFN treatment was dependent upon an intact IFN-signaling pathway. The autophagic clusters were decorated with both ISG15, an essential effecter of the antiviral response, and p62, a selective autophagy receptor. The autophagic clusters were not induced by rapamycin or starvation, consistent with a process of selective autophagy. While clusters were triggered by other neurotropic herpesviruses, infection with unrelated viruses failed to induce this response. Following ocular infection in vivo, clusters formed exclusively in the infected ophthalmic branch of the TG. Taken together, our results show that infection with HSV and antiviral signaling in TG neurons produce an unorthodox autophagic response. This autophagic clustering is associated with antiviral signaling, the presence of viral genome, and the absence of HSV protein expression and may therefore represent an important neuronal response to HSV infection and the establishment of latency. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a ubiquitous virus and a significant cause of morbidity and some mortality. It is the causative agent of benign cold sores, but it can also cause blindness and life-threatening encephalitis. The success of HSV-1 is largely due to its ability to establish lifelong latent infections in neurons and to occasionally reactivate. The exact mechanisms by which neurons defend against virus infection is poorly understood, but such defense is at least partially mediated by autophagy, an intracellular pathway by which pathogens and other unwanted cargoes are degraded. The study demonstrates and investigates a new autophagic structure that appears to be specific to the interaction between neurotropic herpesviruses and murine primary sensory neurons. This work may therefore have important implications for our understanding of latency and reactivation.

Cluster of atypical adult Guillain-Barré syndrome temporally associated with neurological illness due to EV-D68 in children, South Wales, United Kingdom, October 2015 to January 2016.

We report a cluster of atypical Guillain-Barré syndrome in 10 adults temporally related to a cluster of four children with acute flaccid paralysis, over a 3-month period in South Wales, United Kingdom. All adult cases were male, aged between 24 and 77 years. Seven had prominent facial diplegia at onset. Available electrophysiological studies showed axonal involvement in five adults. Seven reported various forms of respiratory disease before onset of neurological symptoms. The ages of children ranged from one to 13 years, three of the four were two years old or younger. Enterovirus testing is available for three children; two had evidence of enterovirus D68 infection in stool or respiratory samples. We describe the clinical features, epidemiology and state of current investigations for these unusual clusters of illness.

Enumerating Rigid Sphere Packings

Packing problems, which ask how to arrange a collection of objects in space to meet certain criteria, are important in a great many physical and biological systems, where geometrical arrangements at small scales control behaviour at larger ones. In many systems there is no single, optimal packing that dominates, but rather one must understand the entire set of possible packings. As a step in this direction we enumerate rigid clusters of identical hard spheres for $n\leq 14$, and clusters with the maximum number of contacts for $n\leq 19$. A rigid cluster is one that cannot be continuously deformed while maintaining all contacts. This is a nonlinear notion that arises naturally because such clusters are the metastable states when the spheres interact with a short-range potential, as is the case in many nano- or micro-scale systems. We expect these lists are nearly complete, except for a small number of highly singular clusters (linearly floppy but nonlinearly rigid.) The data contains some major geometrical surprises, such as the prevalence of hypostatic clusters: those with less than the $3n-6$ contacts generically necessary for rigidity. We discuss these and several other unusual clusters, whose geometries may shed insight into physical mechanisms, pose mathematical and computational problems, or bring inspiration for designing new materials.

Exo-bonded six-membered heterocycle in the crystal structures of RE7Co2Ge4 (RE = La-Nd).

In this article four new ternary phases of RE7Co2Ge4 (RE = La-Nd) are reported. They were synthesized by a solid-state reaction of the elements at high temperature, and their crystal structures were investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The isostructural phases crystallize in a new monoclinic structure type, space group P21/c, Z = 4, Pearson code mP52, and Wyckoff sequence e13. They feature planar {Co4Ge6} clusters consisting of a benzene-like six-membered (Co4Ge2) metal heterocycle and four Co-Ge exo-bonds. Band structure calculations were carried out to investigate the electronic structures of La7Co2Ge4, in order to understand the nature of the chemical bonding, and the structure directing factors that determine the atomic ordering and the structure stability. These calculations indicate that the cobalt mid-transition metals are present as (formally) anionic species. They also reveal significant valence electron back-donation from the anionic {Co4Ge6} units to the La-d orbitals through multicenter bonding involving all atoms of the structure, which is key for the structure's stability with respect to incomplete charge transfer. The applicability of the 18 - n rule in rationalizing the Co-Co relative bond strength was also assessed and, the impact of these metal-metal interactions in stabilizing these clusters was described. Similar valence electron back-donation to stabilize further unusual cluster shapes is expected in other rare earth-transition metal-main group phases.