Complete Genome Sequence of a Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Subgenotype 1e Strain Isolated in Switzerland

We sequenced the complete genome of the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) strain Carlito. It belongs to the subgenotype 1e that is described in Europe only and represents the second most prevalent subgenotype in Switzerland. This is the first report of a full-length sequence of BVDV-1e.

Complete Genome Sequence of KPC-3- and CTX-M-15-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Sequence Type 307.

Klebsiella pneumoniaesequence type (ST) 307, carryingblaKPC-3,blaCTX-M-15,blaOXA-1,aac(6')-Ib-cr, andqnrB1 genes, is replacing the predominant hyperepidemic ST258 clone in Italy. Whole-genome and complete plasmid sequencing of one ST307 strain was performed and new features were identified.

The chronobiology of the menstrual life sequence of American women

Seasonal variation in menarche, menstrual cycle length and menopause was investigated using Tremin Trust data. Too, self-reported hot flash data for women with natural and surgically-induced menopause were analyzed for rhythms.^ Menarche data from approximately 600 U.S. women born between 1940 and 1970 revealed a 6-month rhythm (first acrophase in January, double amplitude of 58%M). A notable shift from a December-January peak in menarche for those born in the 1940s and 1950s to an August-September peak for those born in the 1960s was observed. Groups of girls 8-14 and 15-17 yr old at menarche exhibited a seasonal difference in the pattern of menarche occurrence of about 6 months in relation to each other. Girls experiencing menarche during August-October were statistically significantly younger than those experiencing it at other times. Season of birth was not associated with season of menarche.^ The lengths of approximately 150,000 menstrual intervals of U.S. women were analyzed for seasonality. Menstrual intervals possibly disturbed by natural (e.g., childbirth) or other events (e.g., surgery, medication) were excluded. No 6- or 12-month rhythmicities were found for specific interval lengths (14-24, 25-31 and 32-56 days) or ages in relation to menstrual interval (9-11, 12-13, 15-19, 20-24, 25-39, 40-44 and 44 yr old and older).^ Hot flash data of 14 women experiencing natural menopause (NM) and 11 experiencing surgically-induced menopause (SIM) did not differ in frequency of hot flashes. Hot flashes in NM women exhibited 12- and 8-hr, but not 24-hr rhythmicities. Hot flashes in SIM women exhibited 24- and 12-hr, but not 8-hr, rhythmicities. Regardless of type of menopause, women with a peak frequency in hot flashes during the morning (0400 through 0950) were distinguishable from those with such in the evening (1600 through 2159).^ Data from approximately 200 U.S. women revealed a 6-month rhythm in menopause with first peak in May. No significant 12-month variation in menopause was detected by Cosinor analysis. Season of birth and age at menopause were not associated with season of menopause. Age at menopause declined significantly over the years for women born between 1907 and 1926, inclusive. ^

Secondary mineral assemblages in a volcanic sequence of ODP Hole 104-642E

Mineralogical and geochemical analyses of alteration products from upper and lower volcanic series recovered during ODP Leg 104 reveal variations both in composition and order of crystallization of clay minerals vesicles and voids filling and replacing glass. These results provide information about successive alteration stages of rocks and interlayered volcaniclastic sediments. The first stage, related to initial basalt-seawater interaction, is characterized by development of Fe-smectites, especially Fe-rich saponite. A second stage of intermittently superimposed subaerial weathering is marked by iron-oxides-halloysite-kaolinite formation. The third episode, interpreted as hydrothermal on the basis of O-isotopic data, is defined by postburial coprecipitation of Fe-poor, Mg-rich saponite and celadonite. A distinct final and pervasive hydrothermal stage, occurring mainly in the lower series and dominated by Al-smectites-zeolites assemblage, indicates changes toward a more reducing alteration environment.

Tab. 1: Meerfelder Maar Drilling B4, stratigraphy and sequence of the lake sediments (pdf 215 kB)

A core from Meerfelder Maar, with a basal age of 29,000 years, provides a continuous sedimentary sequence from Late-Glacial times to the present. It includes the stratigraphical marker of the Laach Pumice Tuff. Sedimentological, geochemical, palynological, palaeobiological, palaeomagnetic and palaeontological analyses permit reconstructions of the history of the lake and its catchment area, and hence of the climate of the region, to be made. The discovery of Middle Oligocene marine, detrital fossils in the maar sediments provides insights into the palaeogeography of the Eifel region during Tertiary times.