bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Respiratory Kinetics of Marine Bacteria Exposed to Decreasing Oxygen Concentrations
Authors: Gong Xianzhe , Garcia-Robledo Emilio , Schramm Andreas , Revsbech Niels Peter
Published: December 2015

During aerobic respiration, microorganisms consume oxygen (O2) through the use of different types of terminal oxidases which have a wide range of affinities for O2. TheKmvalues for O2of these enzymes have been determined to be in the range of 3 to 200 nmol liter−1. In this study, we examined the time course of development of aerobic respiratory kinetics of four marine bacterial species (Dinoroseobacter shibae,Roseobacter denitrificans,Idiomarina loihiensis, andMarinobacter daepoensis) during exposure to decreasing O2concentrations. The genomes of all four species have genes for both high-affinity and low-affinity terminal oxidases. The respiration rate of the bacteria was measured by the use of extremely sensitive optical trace O2sensors (range, 1 to 1,000 nmol liter−1). Three of the four isolates exhibited apparentKmvalues of 30 to 60 nmol liter−1when exposed to submicromolar O2concentrations, but a decrease to values below 10 nmol liter−1was observed when the respiration rate per cell was lowered and the cell size was decreased due to starvation. The fourth isolate did not reach a low respiration rate per cell during starvation and exhibited apparentKmvalues of about 20 nmol liter−1throughout the experiment. The results clearly demonstrate not only that enzyme kinetics may limit O2uptake but also that even individual cells may be diffusion limited and that this diffusion limitation is the most pronounced at high respiration rates. A decrease in cell size by starvation, due to limiting organic carbon, and thereby more efficient diffusion uptake may also contribute to lower apparentKmvalues.
pyrF
as a Counterselectable Marker for Unmarked Genetic Manipulations in Treponema denticola
Authors: Kurniyati Kurni , Li Chunhao
Published: December 2015

The pathophysiology of
Treponema denticola
, an oral pathogen associated with both periodontal and endodontic infections, is poorly understood due to its fastidious growth and recalcitrance to genetic manipulations. Counterselectable markers are instrumental in constructing clean and unmarked mutations in bacteria. Here, we demonstrate that
pyrF
, a gene encoding orotidine-5′-monophosphate decarboxylase, can be used as a counterselectable marker in
T. denticola
to construct marker-free mutants.
T. denticola
is susceptible to 5-fluoroorotic acid (5-FOA). To establish a
pyrF
-based counterselectable knockout system in
T. denticola
, the
pyrF
gene was deleted. The deletion conferred resistance to 5-FOA in
T. denticola
. Next, a single-crossover mutant was constructed by reintroducing
pyrF
along with a gentamicin resistance gene (
aacC1
) back into the chromosome of the
pyrF
mutant at the locus of choice. In this study, we chose
flgE
, a flagellar hook gene that is located within a large polycistronic motility gene operon, as our target gene. The obtained single-crossover mutant (named FlgE
in
) regained the susceptibility to 5-FOA. Finally, FlgE
in
was plated on solid agar containing 5-FOA. Numerous colonies of the 5-FOA-resistant mutant (named FlgE
out
) were obtained and characterized by PCR and Southern blotting analyses. The results showed that the
flgE
gene was deleted and FlgE
out
was free of selection markers (i.e.,
pyrF
and
aacC1
). Compared to previously constructed
flgE
mutants that contain an antibiotic selection marker, the deletion of
flgE
in FlgE
out
has no polar effect on its downstream gene expression. The system developed here will provide us with a new tool for investigating the genetics and pathogenicity of
T. denticola
.
Distributions of Fecal Markers in Wastewater from Different Climatic Zones for Human Fecal Pollution Tracking in Australian Surface Waters
Authors: Ahmed W. , Sidhu J. P. S. , Smith K. , Beale D. J. , Gyawali P. , Toze S.
Published: December 2015

Recreational and potable water supplies polluted with human wastewater can pose a direct health risk to humans. Therefore, sensitive detection of human fecal pollution in environmental waters is very important to water quality authorities around the globe. Microbial source tracking (MST) utilizes human fecal markers (HFMs) to detect human wastewater pollution in environmental waters. The concentrations of these markers in raw wastewater are considered important because it is likely that a marker whose concentration is high in wastewater will be more frequently detected in polluted waters. In this study, quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays were used to determine the concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB)
Escherichia coli
and
Enterococcus
spp., HFMs
Bacteroides
HF183, human adenoviruses (HAdVs), and polyomaviruses (HPyVs) in raw municipal wastewater influent from various climatic zones in Australia.
E. coli
mean concentrations in pooled human wastewater data sets (from various climatic zones) were the highest (3.2 × 10
6
gene copies per ml), followed by those of HF183 (8.0 × 10
5
gene copies per ml) and
Enterococcus
spp. (3.6 × 10
5
gene copies per ml). HAdV and HPyV concentrations were 2 to 3 orders of magnitude lower than those of FIB and HF183. Strong positive and negative correlations were observed between the FIB and HFM concentrations within and across wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). To identify the most sensitive marker of human fecal pollution, environmental water samples were seeded with raw human wastewater. The results from the seeding experiments indicated that
Bacteroides
HF183 was more sensitive for detecting human fecal pollution than HAdVs and HPyVs. Since the HF183 marker can occasionally be present in nontarget animal fecal samples, it is recommended that HF183 along with a viral marker (HAdVs or HPyVs) be used for tracking human fecal pollution in Australian environmental waters.
The impact of short periods of match congestion on injury risk and patterns in an elite football club
Authors: Carling Chris , McCall Alan , Le Gall Franck , Dupont Gregory
Published: December 2015

Background

The effect of fixture congestion on injury rates and patterns has received scarce attention in elite football and existing investigations have not accounted for player rotation or examined the temporal distribution and potential cause of injuries.

Aim

To prospectively investigate the epidemiology of injury during short periods of fixture congestion in a professional football club.

Methods

Over a six-season period, exposure time and injury data were compared in the same players (n=25 (14 individuals)) when participating in two frequently occurring short congested fixture cycles in comparison to match-play outside these cycles. (1) two successive matches separated by an interval totalling ≤3 days calculated immediately from the end of play in match 1 to the beginning of play in match 2; (2) three successive matches separated by ≤4-day intervals starting the day immediately after each match.

Results

In two-match congestion cycles, incidence rate ratios (IRR) showed that there was a higher risk of injury in the final 15 min of play in the second match in comparison to match-play outside the cycles (IRR: 3.1 (95% CI 1.1 to 9.3), p=0.0400). A greater risk of injury overall (IRR: 2.0 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.8), p=0.0345) and in the first-half of play (2.6 (1.1 to 6,5), p=0.0386), and risk of ankle sprains (10.4 (95% CI 1.9 to 57.9), p=0.0068) and non-contact injuries due to a ‘change in direction’ (IRR: 7.8 (1.3 to 46.8), p=0.0243) were observed in the final match of three-match congestion cycles in comparison to match-play outside the cycles.

Conclusions

Injury rates and patterns were affected in the same elite football players when competing in short congested fixture cycles in comparison to match-play outside the cycles.
Risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and cardiovascular events due to NSAIDs in the diabetic elderly population
Authors: Kim Jungmee , Lee Joongyub , Shin Cheol Min , Lee Dong Ho , Park Byung-Joo
Published: December 2015

Objective

We assessed gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) and cardiovascular (CV) risks such as myocardial infarction or stroke associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use among elderly patients with diabetes.

Methods

Using a nationwide claims database covering 2008–2012, we conducted a cohort study of patients with diabetes aged ≥65 years. Among the 117 610 patients, NSAID users and non-users were propensity score matched, excluding any who had experienced a potentially confounding event in the year prior to cohort entry. Multivariate Cox regression models treating death as competing risk were used.

Results

There were 2184 (1.86%) cases of GIB and NSAID users had an adjusted HR (aHR) of 1.68 (95% CI 1.54 to 1.83) of GIB risk after adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities and recent medications compared to NSAID non-users. There were 9333 (7.94%) cases of myocardial infarction or stroke with an aHR of 1.20 (95% CI 1.15 to 1.25). The risk of GIB was higher in patients with liver disease and renal failure, while that of CV events was higher in patients who received anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, aspirin and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The number needed to harm was 111 for GIB and 77 for CV events. Among different NSAIDs, nimesulide increased the risk of GIB and ketorolac increased the risk of CV events compared to celecoxib (aHR 2.60 and 3.13, respectively).

Conclusions

Elderly patients with diabetes treating NSAIDs had a significantly higher risk of both upper GIB and CV events compared to NSAID non-users, and the risk varied among different NSAIDs regardless of cyclooxygenase-2 activity.
Risk of psychological distress in parents of preterm children in the first year: evidence from the UK Millennium Cohort Study
Authors: Carson Claire , Redshaw Maggie , Gray Ron , Quigley Maria A
Published: December 2015

Objective

To assess whether the parents of babies born preterm (PT; <37 weeks completed gestation) are at excess risk of psychological distress (PD) at 9 months postpartum, and to explore the influence of the degree of prematurity.

Design and participants

Data were drawn from the UK Millennium Cohort Study, a nationally representative prospective cohort of babies born in 2000–2002. 12 100 families with complete data available for both parents at recruitment (9 months postpartum) are included.

Exposure and outcome

Mothers report of gestational age at birth (in weeks) was grouped into: very PT (<32 weeks), moderately PT (32–33 weeks), late PT (34–36 weeks), early term (37–38 weeks), full-term (39–41 weeks), post-term (42 weeks). PD was assessed using a modified Rutter Malaise Inventory, a validated instrument that has been used in both men and women to assess levels of anxiety and distress.

Results

Overall, 7% of families reported a PT birth; 12.1% of mothers and 8.9% of fathers showed signs of PD at 9 months postpartum. The mothers of very PT infants had an increased risk of PD, compared with the mothers of full-term babies (unadjusted OR 2.10 (1.30 to 3.39; adjusted OR 1.66 (1.02 to 2.69)). Mothers of moderate or late PT babies had no apparent increased risk of PD. However, mothers of early term babies also showed a small excess risk of PD (adjusted OR 1.16 (0.99 to 1.36)). Unadjusted analysis suggested a doubling in the risk of PD in fathers of very and moderately PT babies, compared with fathers of full-term babies, which remains statistically significant after adjustment in the moderately PT group (adjusted OR1.98 (1.20 to 3.29)).

Conclusions

The parents of very PT children are at an increased risk of PD at 9 months postpartum, and mothers of children born at early term also see an elevated risk compared with mothers of full-term babies.
Systematic review of the evidence on the effectiveness of sexual and reproductive health interventions in humanitarian crises
Authors: Warren Emily , Post Nathan , Hossain Mazeda , Blanchet Karl , Roberts Bayard
Published: December 2015

Objectives

This systematic review aims to evaluate evidence on the effectiveness of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) interventions delivered in humanitarian crises.

Setting

Crisis affected low-income or middle-income countries.

Participants

Crisis-affected populations in low-income or middle-income countries.

Method

Peer-reviewed and grey literature sources were systematically searched for relevant papers detailing interventions from 1 January 1980 until the search date on 30 April 2013. Data from included studies were then extracted, and the papers’ quality evaluated using criteria based on modified STROBE and CONSORT checklists.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcomes include, but are not limited to, changes in morbidity, mortality, sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis or gender-based violence. Secondary outcomes include, but are not limited to, reported condom use or skilled attendance at birth. Primary outputs include, but are not limited to, condoms distributed or education courses taught.

Results

Of 7149 returned citations, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Only one randomised controlled trial was identified. The remaining observational studies were of moderate quality, demonstrating limited use of controls and inadequate attempts to address bias. Evidence of effectiveness was available for the following interventions: impregnated bed nets for pregnant women, subsidised refugee healthcare, female community health workers, and tiered community reproductive health services.

Conclusions

The limited evidence base for SRH interventions highlights the need for improved research on the effectiveness of public health interventions in humanitarian crises. While interventions proven efficacious in stable settings are being used in humanitarian efforts, more evidence is required to demonstrate the effectiveness of delivering and scaling-up such interventions in humanitarian crises.
Effect of obesity on functional outcomes at 6 months post-stroke among elderly Koreans: a prospective multicentre study
Authors: Jang Shin Yi , Shin Yong-Il , Kim Deog Young , Sohn Min Kyun , Lee Jongmin , Lee Sam-Gyu , Oh Gyung-Jae , Lee Yang-Soo , Joo Min Cheol , Han Eun Young , Chang Won Hyuk , Kang Chung , Kim Yun-Hee
Published: December 2015

Objectives

We examined whether obesity based on body mass index (BMI) was a predictor of functional independence measure (FIM) at 6 months after ischaemic stroke onset while adjusting for stroke risk factors and covariates and stratifying by age group.

Design

This is an interim report of the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation that was designed as a nested case study within a nationwide hospital-based cohort.

Setting

We identified all patients who were admitted to nine representative hospitals in Korea from 2012 until 2014 under a diagnosis of acute first-ever ischaemic stroke. The hospitals were selected from the metropolitan district, mid-sized cities and a small-sized city.

Participants

The sample included 2057 patients with acute ischaemic stroke who were at least 18 years old.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We divided participants into two age levels (<65 and ≥65 years). Participants were classified into five groups according to their baseline BMI at admission: underweight (BMI<18.5), normal (18.5≤BMI<23), overweight (23≤BMI<25), obese (25≤BMI<30) and extremely obese (30≤BMI).

Results

The proportion of patients who were aged ≥65 years was 55.0%. The proportions of underweight, normal, overweight, obese and extremely obese patients were 2.6%, 24.3%, 29.6%, 37.2% and 6.3%, respectively, in the <65 years group and 5.5%, 34.5%, 27.9%, 28.8% and 3.3%, respectively, in the ≥65 years group. In a multiple linear regression, the 6-month FIM after stroke in the elderly group was significantly associated with being extremely obese (7.95, p<0.05) after adjusting for confounding variables. In the <65 years group, the 6-month FIM was not associated with any weight category.

Conclusions

This nationwide hospital-based cohort study showed that extreme obesity is a predictor of a good 6-month FIM, especially in patients with ischaemic stroke who are at least 65 years of age.
Social distribution of diabetes, hypertension and related risk factors in Barbados: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Howitt Christina , Hambleton Ian R , Rose Angela M C , Hennis Anselm , Samuels T Alafia , George Kenneth S , Unwin Nigel
Published: December 2015

Objective

To describe the distribution of diabetes, hypertension and related behavioural and biological risk factors in adults in Barbados by gender, education and occupation.

Design

Multistage probability sampling was used to select a representative sample of the adult population (≥25 years). Participants were interviewed using standard questionnaires, underwent anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, and provided fasting blood for glucose and cholesterol measurements. Standard WHO definitions were used. Data were weighted for sampling and non-response, and were age and sex standardised to the 2010 Barbados population. Weighted prevalence estimates were calculated, and prevalence ratios were calculated for behavioural and biological risk factors by demographic and socioeconomic group.

Results

Study response rate was 55.0%, with 764 women, 470 men. Prevalence of obesity was 33.8% (95% CI 30.7% to 37.1%); hypertension 40.6% (95% CI 36.5% to 44.9%); and diabetes 18.7% (95% CI 16.2% to 21.4%). Compared with women, men were less likely to be obese (prevalence ratio 0.5; 95% CI 0.4 to 0.7), or physically inactive (0.5; 0.4 to 0.6), but more likely to smoke tobacco (4.1; 2.5 to 6.7) and consume large amounts of alcohol in a single episode (4.6; 2.7 to 7.6). Both diabetes (0.83; 0.65 to 1.05) and hypertension (0.89; 0.79 to 1.02) were lower in men, but not significantly so. In women, higher educational level was related to higher fruit and vegetable intake, more physical activity, less diabetes and less hypercholesterolaemia (p 0.01–0.04). In men, higher education was related only to less smoking (p 0.04). Differences by occupation were limited to smoking in men and hypercholesterolaemia in women.

Conclusions

In this developing country population, sex appears to be a much stronger determinant of behavioural risk factors, as well as obesity and its related risks, than education or occupation. These findings have implications for meeting the commitments made in the 2011 Rio Political Declaration, to eliminate health inequities.
Incidence of childhood pneumonia: facility-based surveillance estimate compared to measured incidence in a South African birth cohort study
Authors: le Roux David M , Myer Landon , Nicol Mark P , Zar Heather J
Published: December 2015

Background

Pneumonia is the leading cause of childhood mortality and a major contributor to childhood morbidity, but accurate measurement of pneumonia incidence is challenging. We compared pneumonia incidence using a facility-based surveillance system to estimates from a cohort study conducted contemporaneously in the same community in Cape Town, South Africa.

Methods

A surveillance system was developed in six public sector primary care clinics and in a regional referral hospital, to detect childhood pneumonia cases. Nurses recorded all children presenting to facilities who met WHO case definitions of pneumonia, and hospital records were reviewed. Estimates of pneumonia incidence and severity were compared with incidence rates based on active surveillance in the Drakenstein Child Health Study.

Results

From June 2012 until September 2013, the surveillance system detected 306 pneumonia episodes in children under 1 year of age, an incidence of 0.20 episodes/child-year (e/cy) (95% CI 0.17 to 0.22 e/cy). The incidence in the cohort study from the same period was 0.27 e/cy (95% CI 0.23 to 0.32 e/cy). Pneumonia incidence in the surveillance system was almost 30% lower than in the birth cohort; incidence rate ratio 0.72 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.89). In the surveillance system, 18% were severe pneumonia cases, compared to 23% in the birth cohort, rate ratio 0.81 (95% CI 0.55 to 1.18).

Conclusions

In this setting, facility-based pneumonia surveillance detected fewer cases of pneumonia, and fewer severe cases, compared to the corresponding cohort study. Facility pneumonia surveillance using data collected by local healthcare workers provides a useful estimate of the epidemiology of childhood pneumonia but may underestimate incidence and severity.
Impulsivity-focused group intervention to reduce binge eating episodes in patients with binge eating disorder: study protocol of the randomised controlled IMPULS trial
Authors: Schag Kathrin , Leehr Elisabeth J , Martus Peter , Bethge Wolfgang , Becker Sandra , Zipfel Stephan , Giel Katrin E
Published: December 2015

Introduction

The core symptom of binge eating disorder (BED) is recurrent binge eating that is accompanied by a sense of loss of control. BED is frequently associated with obesity, one of the main public health challenges today. Experimental studies deliver evidence that general trait impulsivity and disorder-specific food-related impulsivity constitute risk factors for BED. Cognitive-behavioural treatment (CBT) is deemed to be the most effective intervention concerning BED. We developed a group intervention based on CBT and especially focusing on impulsivity. We hypothesise that such an impulsivity-focused group intervention is able to increase control over impulsive eating behaviour, that is, reduce binge eating episodes, further eating pathology and impulsivity. Body weight might also be influenced in the long term.

Methods and analysis

The present randomised controlled trial investigates the feasibility, acceptance and efficacy of this impulsivity-focused group intervention in patients with BED. We compare 39 patients with BED in the experimental group to 39 patients with BED in the control group at three appointments: before and after the group intervention and in a 3-month follow-up. Patients with BED in the experimental group receive 8 weekly sessions of the impulsivity-focused group intervention with 5-6 patients per group. Patients with BED in the control group receive no group intervention. The primary outcome is the binge eating frequency over the past 4 weeks. Secondary outcomes comprise further eating pathology, general impulsivity and food-related impulsivity assessed by eye tracking methodology, and body weight. Additionally, we assess binge eating and other impulsive behaviour weekly in process analyses during the time period of the group intervention.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the ethics committee of the medical faculty of Eberhard Karls University Tübingen and the University Hospital Tübingen. Data are monitored by the Centre of Clinical Studies, University Hospital Tübingen.

Trial registration number

German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00007689, 14/01/2015, version from 11/06/2015, pre-results.
Comparison of respiratory health-related quality of life in patients with intractable breathlessness due to advanced cancer or advanced COPD
Authors: Javadzadeh Shagayegh , Chowienczyk Sarah , Booth Sara , Farquhar Morag
Published: December 2015

Objectives

Breathlessness is common in patients with advanced cancer and almost universal in advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but studies suggest their experiences of breathlessness vary. This report builds on these studies by providing quantitative evidence of differences in respiratory health-related quality of life (HRQoL) between these groups. Further, it explores the validity of the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ) in patients with cancer.

Methods

The CRQ-Original was completed within baseline interviews for a randomised controlled trial of a palliative intervention for intractable breathlessness due to advanced disease. Independent samples Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to identify significant differences in median scores for the four CRQ domains (mastery, dyspnoea, emotional function, fatigue) in patients with advanced COPD (n=73) or advanced cancer (n=67). The Minimally Clinically Important Difference of 0.5 was applied to determine clinical significance.

Results

Patients with advanced COPD scored lower across all four CRQ domains. This was statistically significant for dyspnoea, mastery and emotional function (p<0.05), and clinically significant for the latter two, suggesting poorer respiratory HRQoL.

Conclusions

Patients with breathlessness due to advanced COPD have worse respiratory HRQoL than those with advanced cancer. This may result from greater burden of breathlessness in COPD due to condition longevity, lesser burden of breathlessness in cancer due to its episodic nature, or variance in palliative referral thresholds by disease group. Our results suggest that greater access to palliative care is needed in advanced COPD, and that formal psychometric testing of the CRQ may be warranted in cancer.

Trial registration number

NCT00678405.
Pharmacodynamic monitoring of (immuno)proteasome inhibition during bortezomib treatment of a critically ill patient with lupus nephritis and myocarditis
Authors: de Groot Karina A , Tsang a Sjoe Michel , Niewerth Denise , Cloos Jacqueline , Blank Jonathan L , Niessen Hans W M , Zweegman Sonja , Voskuyl Alexandre E , Jansen Gerrit , van der Heijden Joost W
Published: December 2015

Objective

To describe the pharmacodynamic monitoring of (immuno)proteasome inhibition following treatment with bortezomib in a therapy-refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patient with life-threatening myocarditis and lupus nephritis.

Patient and methods

Inhibition of catalytic activities of the proteasome subunits β5 (constitutive proteasome), β5i and β1i (immunoproteasome) were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using subunit-specific fluorogenic peptide substrates in a patient who received three cycles of bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2subcutaneously, days 1, 4, 8 and 11; every three weeks) along with plasma exchange during the first two cycles.

Results

Proteasome β5, β5i and β1i subunit activities were readily inhibited 1 h after bortezomib administration. Twenty-four hours post-bortezomib administration, β5 and β5i activities were largely restored, whereas inhibition of β1i activity was sustained. Clinically, after three cycles, cardiac function had improved, with concurrent improvement of haemodynamic stability during haemodialysis. Anti-ds-DNA dropped from >400 to 12 IU/mL along with normalisation of complement C3 and C4. Bortezomib therapy was well tolerated, and patient now has a sustained remission for >16 months.

Conclusions

This case illustrates the potential benefit of pharmacodynamic monitoring of (immune)proteasome subunit-specific activity after bortezomib dosing in patients with therapy refractory SLE. This tool may hold potential to guide personalised/precision dosing aiming to achieve maximal efficacy and minimal toxicity.
Distinguishing between eogenetic, unconformity-related and mesogenetic dissolution: a case study from the Panna and Mukta fields, offshore Mumbai, India
Authors: Barnett A. J. , Wright V. P. , Chandra V. S. , Jain V.
Published: December 2015

The Panna–Mukta fields host hydrocarbons in the Bassein Formation Eocene–Oligocene ramp limestones. The pore system is almost wholly secondary, comprising microporosity, mouldic porosity, vugs, solution-enlarged stylolites and fractures. Although petrographical evidence points to dissolution after extensive late cementation, the presence of a high permeability layer close to a palaeokarstic surface at the Eocene–Oligocene boundary has raised the possibility that this secondary porosity could be related to subaerial exposure. However, the Panna–Mukta reservoirs show a strong correlation between secondary matrix porosity and stylolite density measured from cores. Stylolites only developed in ‘clean’ limestones lacking argillaceous material, whereas more argillaceous limestones in the succession are characterized by dissolution seams and have poor reservoir quality. These cleaner limestones occur preferentially below the Eocene–Oligocene boundary, representing an upwards-shallowing sequence, whereas the argillaceous limestones occur further below the Eocene–Oligocene boundary in the lower part of the same shallowing-upwards sequence and in the transgressive limestones at the base of the Bassein A. This secondary porosity distribution suggests movement of corrosive fluids along pre-existing stylolites. Despite an apparent link between porosity distribution and an unconformity, secondary porosity development was mesogenetic and related to the distribution of facies that favoured stylolites that acted as conduits for the flow of corrosive fluids. The Bassein Formation reservoirs show unequivocal evidence of significant porosity development by mesogenetic dissolution but the exact process or processes by which such porosity creation occurs requires further work.
Estimation of coronary wave intensity analysis using noninvasive techniques and its application to exercise physiology
Authors: Broyd Christopher J. , Nijjer Sukhjinder , Sen Sayan , Petraco Ricardo , Jones Siana , Al-Lamee Rasha , Foin Nicolas , Al-Bustami Mahmud , Sethi Amarjit , Kaprielian Raffi , Ramrakha Punit , Khan Masood , Malik Iqbal S. , Francis Darrel P. , Parker Kim , Hughes Alun D. , Mikhail Ghada W. , Mayet Jamil , Davies Justin E.
Published: December 2015

Wave intensity analysis (WIA) has found particular applicability in the coronary circulation where it can quantify traveling waves that accelerate and decelerate blood flow. The most important wave for the regulation of flow is the backward-traveling decompression wave (BDW). Coronary WIA has hitherto always been calculated from invasive measures of pressure and flow. However, recently it has become feasible to obtain estimates of these waveforms noninvasively. In this study we set out to assess the agreement between invasive and noninvasive coronary WIA at rest and measure the effect of exercise. Twenty-two patients (mean age 60) with unobstructed coronaries underwent invasive WIA in the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Immediately afterwards, noninvasive LAD flow and pressure were recorded and WIA calculated from pulsed-wave Doppler coronary flow velocity and central blood pressure waveforms measured using a cuff-based technique. Nine of these patients underwent noninvasive coronary WIA assessment during exercise. A pattern of six waves were observed in both modalities. The BDW was similar between invasive and noninvasive measures [peak: 14.9 ± 7.8 vs. −13.8 ± 7.1 × 104 W·m−2·s−2, concordance correlation coefficient (CCC): 0.73, P < 0.01; cumulative: −64.4 ± 32.8 vs. −59.4 ± 34.2 × 102 W·m−2·s−1, CCC: 0.66, P < 0.01], but smaller waves were underestimated noninvasively. Increased left ventricular mass correlated with a decreased noninvasive BDW fraction ( r = −0.48, P = 0.02). Exercise increased the BDW: at maximum exercise peak BDW was −47.0 ± 29.5 × 104 W·m−2·s−2 ( P < 0.01 vs. rest) and cumulative BDW −19.2 ± 12.6 × 103 W·m−2·s−1 ( P < 0.01 vs. rest). The BDW can be measured noninvasively with acceptable reliably potentially simplifying assessments and increasing the applicability of coronary WIA.
Prenatal methamphetamine differentially alters myocardial sensitivity to ischemic injury in male and female adult hearts
Authors: Rorabaugh Boyd R. , Seeley Sarah L. , Bui Albert D. , Sprague Lisanne , D'Souza Manoranjan S.
Published: December 2015

Methamphetamine is one of the most common illicit drugs abused during pregnancy. The neurological effects of prenatal methamphetamine are well known. However, few studies have investigated the potential effects of prenatal methamphetamine on adult cardiovascular function. Previous work demonstrated that prenatal cocaine exposure increases sensitivity of the adult heart to ischemic injury. Methamphetamine and cocaine have different mechanisms of action, but both drugs exert their effects by increasing dopaminergic and adrenergic receptor stimulation. Thus the goal of this study was to determine whether prenatal methamphetamine also worsens ischemic injury in the adult heart. Pregnant rats were injected with methamphetamine (5 mg·kg−1·day−1) or saline throughout pregnancy. When pups reached 8 wk of age, their hearts were subjected to ischemia and reperfusion by means of a Langendorff isolated heart system. Prenatal methamphetamine had no significant effect on infarct size, preischemic contractile function, or postischemic recovery of contractile function in male hearts. However, methamphetamine-treated female hearts exhibited significantly larger infarcts and significantly elevated end-diastolic pressure during recovery from ischemia. Methamphetamine significantly reduced protein kinase Cε expression and Akt phosphorylation in female hearts but had no effect on these cardioprotective proteins in male hearts. These data indicate that prenatal methamphetamine differentially affects male and female sensitivity to myocardial ischemic injury and alters cardioprotective signaling proteins in the adult heart.
Stem cell-based therapies to promote angiogenesis in ischemic cardiovascular disease
Authors: Hou Luqia , Kim Joseph J. , Woo Y. Joseph , Huang Ngan F.
Published: December 2015

Stem cell therapy is a promising approach for the treatment of tissue ischemia associated with myocardial infarction and peripheral arterial disease. Stem and progenitor cells derived from bone marrow or from pluripotent stem cells have shown therapeutic benefit in boosting angiogenesis as well as restoring tissue function. Notably, adult stem and progenitor cells including mononuclear cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and mesenchymal stem cells have progressed into clinical trials and have shown positive benefits. In this review, we overview the major classes of stem and progenitor cells, including pluripotent stem cells, and summarize the state of the art in applying these cell types for treating myocardial infarction and peripheral arterial disease.
Positioning of extracellular loop 1 affects pore gating of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator
Authors: Infield Daniel T. , Cui Guiying , Kuang Christopher , McCarty Nael A.
Published: December 2015

The cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a chloride ion channel, the dysfunction of which directly leads to the life-shortening disease CF. Extracellular loop 1 (ECL1) of CFTR contains several residues involved in stabilizing the open state of the channel; some, including D110, are sites of disease-associated gating mutations. Structures from related proteins suggest that the position of CFTR's extracellular loops may change considerably during gating. To better understand the roles of ECL1 in CFTR function, we utilized functional cysteine cross-linking to determine the effects of modulation of D110C-CFTR and of a double mutant of D110C with K892C in extracellular loop 4 (ECL4). The reducing agent DTT elicited a large potentiation of the macroscopic conductance of D110C/K892C-CFTR, likely due to breakage of a spontaneous disulfide bond between C110 and C892. DTT-reduced D110C/K892C-CFTR was rapidly inhibited by binding cadmium ions with high affinity, suggesting that these residues frequently come in close proximity in actively gating channels. Effects of DTT and cadmium on modulation of pore gating were demonstrated at the single-channel level. Finally, disulfided D110C/K892C-CFTR channels were found to be less sensitive than wild-type or DTT-treated D110C/K892C-CFTR channels to stimulation by IBMX, suggesting an impact of this conformational restriction on channel activation by phosphorylation. The results are best explained in the context of a model of CFTR gating wherein stable channel opening requires correct positioning of functional elements structurally influenced by ECL1.
Antimitogenic effect of bitter taste receptor agonists on airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: Sharma Pawan , Panebra Alfredo , Pera Tonio , Tiegs Brian C. , Hershfeld Alena , Kenyon Lawrence C. , Deshpande Deepak A.
Published: December 2015

Airway remodeling is a hallmark feature of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Clinical studies and animal models have demonstrated increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass, and ASM thickness is correlated with severity of the disease. Current medications control inflammation and reverse airway obstruction effectively but have limited effect on remodeling. Recently we identified the expression of bitter taste receptors (TAS2R) on ASM cells, and activation with known TAS2R agonists resulted in ASM relaxation and bronchodilation. These studies suggest that TAS2R can be used as new therapeutic targets in the treatment of obstructive lung diseases. To further establish their effectiveness, in this study we aimed to determine the effects of TAS2R agonists on ASM growth and promitogenic signaling. Pretreatment of healthy and asthmatic human ASM cells with TAS2R agonists resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of ASM proliferation. The antimitogenic effect of TAS2R ligands was not dependent on activation of protein kinase A, protein kinase C, or high/intermediate-conductance calcium-activated K+channels. Immunoblot analyses revealed that TAS2R agonists inhibit growth factor-activated protein kinase B phosphorylation without affecting the availability of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate, suggesting TAS2R agonists block signaling downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Furthermore, the antimitogenic effect of TAS2R agonists involved inhibition of induced transcription factors (activator protein-1, signal transducer and activator of transcription-3, E2 factor, nuclear factor of activated T cells) and inhibition of expression of multiple cell cycle regulatory genes, suggesting a direct inhibition of cell cycle progression. Collectively, these findings establish the antimitogenic effect of TAS2R agonists and identify a novel class of receptors and signaling pathways that can be targeted to reduce or prevent airway remodeling as well as bronchoconstriction in obstructive airway disease.
Estrogenic compounds reduce influenza A virus replication in primary human nasal epithelial cells derived from female, but not male, donors
Authors: Peretz Jackye , Pekosz Andrew , Lane Andrew P. , Klein Sabra L.
Published: December 2015

Influenza causes an acute infection characterized by virus replication in respiratory epithelial cells. The severity of influenza and other respiratory diseases changes over the life course and during pregnancy in women, suggesting that sex steroid hormones, such as estrogens, may be involved. Using primary, differentiated human nasal epithelial cell (hNEC) cultures from adult male and female donors, we exposed cultures to the endogenous 17β-estradiol (E2) or select estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and then infected cultures with a seasonal influenza A virus (IAV) to determine whether estrogenic signaling could affect the outcome of IAV infection and whether these effects were sex dependent. Estradiol, raloxifene, and bisphenol A decreased IAV titers in hNECs from female, but not male, donors. The estrogenic decrease in viral titer was dependent on the genomic estrogen receptor-2 (ESR2) as neither genomic ESR1 nor nongenomic GPR30 was expressed in hNEC cultures and addition of the genomic ER antagonist ICI 182,780 reversed the antiviral effects of E2. Treatment of hNECs with E2 had no effect on interferon or chemokine secretion but significantly downregulated cell metabolic processes, including genes that encode for zinc finger proteins, many of which contain estrogen response elements in their promoters. These data provide novel insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of how natural and synthetic estrogens impact IAV infection in respiratory epithelial cells derived from humans.
Frank Low and the first images of the ultrastructure of the pulmonary blood-gas barrier
Authors: West John B.
Published: December 2015

Frank N. Low (1911–1998) has the distinction of publishing the first electron micrographs showing the ultrastructure of the pulmonary capillary and particularly the blood-gas barrier. This work in 1952 and 1953 was enabled by the progress in fixation and staining of tissue made by George Palade and was part of the very rapid advance in electron microscopy during the previous 25 years. Low's micrographs clearly showed the three layers of the blood-gas barrier: capillary endothelium, extracellular matrix, and alveolar epithelium. The images immediately resolved the debate about the composition of the blood-gas barrier that had been raging for 100 years. The first published micrographs were rather poor, but the quality rapidly improved and a major event was the first electron micrograph of the human blood-gas barrier published in 1953. These images had an enormous influence on the development of pulmonary physiology and biology. For example, for the first time it became clear that the barrier separating the blood from the alveolar gas was vanishingly thin. The discovery of the extracellular matrix layer ultimately clarified how this barrier, despite its extraordinary thinness, was sufficiently strong to avoid mechanical failure. Despite the major advances made by Low, his name is almost unknown in pulmonary physiology and biology, and perhaps this tribute will help to give him his due.
Effect of Coastal Waves on Hydrodynamics in One-Inlet Coastal Nador Lagoon, Morocco
Authors: Mohammed Jeyar , Chaabelasri Elmiloud , Salhi Najim
Published: December 2015

Nador lagoon is a coastal system connected to the sea through a narrow and shallow inlet; understanding its hydraulic performance is required for its design and operation. This paper investigates the hydrodynamic impacts of the whole lagoon due to tidal waves using a numerical approach. In this study we use a two-dimensional, depth-averaged hydrodynamic model based on so-called shallow water equations solved within triangular mesh by a developed efficient finite volume method. The method was calibrated and validated against observed data and applied to analyze and predict water levels, tidal currents, and wind effects within the lagoon. Two typical idealized scenarios were investigated: tide only and tide with wind forcing. The predicted sea surface elevations and current speeds have been presented during a typical tidal period and show correct physics in different scenarios.
Geographic, Racial/Ethnic, and Sociodemographic Disparities in Parent-Reported Receipt of Family-Centered Care among US Children
Authors: Azuine Romuladus E. , Singh Gopal K. , Ghandour Reem M. , Kogan Michael D.
Published: December 2015

This study examined geographic, racial/ethnic, and sociodemographic disparities in parental reporting of receipt of family-centered care (FCC) and its components among US children aged 0–17 years. We used the 2011-2012 National Survey of Children’s Health to estimate the prevalence and odds of not receiving FCC by covariates. Based on parent report, 33.4% of US children did not receive FCC. Children in Arizona, Mississippi, Nevada, California, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, and New York had at least 1.51 times higher adjusted odds of not receiving FCC than children in Vermont. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic children had 2.11 and 1.58 times higher odds, respectively, of not receiving FCC than non-Hispanic White children. Children from non-English-speaking households had 2.23 and 2.35 times higher adjusted odds of not receiving FCC overall and their doctors not spending enough time in their care than children from English-speaking households, respectively. Children from low-education and low-income households had a higher likelihood of not receiving FCC. The clustering of children who did not receive FCC and its components in several Southern and Western US states, as well as children from poor, uninsured, and publicly insured and of minority background, is a cause for concern in the face of federal policies to reduce health care disparities.
Clinical Assessment and Management of Spondyloarthritides in the Middle East: A Multinational Investigation
Authors: Hammoudeh Mohammed , Al Rayes Hanan , Alawadhi Adel , Gado Kamel , Shirazy Khalid , Deodhar Atul
Published: December 2015

Data on spondyloarthritis (SpA) from the Middle East are sparse and the management of these diseases in this area of the world faces a number of challenges, including the relevant resources to enable early diagnosis and referral and sufficient funds to aid the most appropriate treatment strategy. The objective was to report on the characteristics, disease burden, and treatment of SpA in the Middle East region and to highlight where management strategies could be improved, with the overall aim of achieving better patient outcomes. This multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study collected demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data on 169 consecutive SpA patients at four centers (Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia). The data collected presents the average time from symptom onset to diagnosis along with the presence of comorbidities in the region and comparisons between treatment with NSAIDs and biologics. In the absence of regional registries of SpA patients, the data presented here provide a rare snapshot of the characteristics, disease burden, and treatment of these patients, highlighting the management challenges in the region.
Two Embedded Pairs of Runge-Kutta Type Methods for Direct Solution of Special Fourth-Order Ordinary Differential Equations
Authors: Hussain Kasim , Ismail Fudziah , Senu Norazak
Published: December 2015

We present two pairs of embedded Runge-Kutta type methods for direct solution of fourth-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) of the formy(iv)=f(x,y)denoted as RKFD methods. The first pair, which we will call RKFD5(4), has orders 5 and 4, and the second one has orders 6 and 5 and we will call it RKFD6(5). The techniques used in the derivation of the methods are that the higher order methods are very precise and the lower order methods give the best error estimate. Based on these pairs, we have developed variable step codes and we have used them to solve a set of special fourth-order problems. Numerical results show the robustness and the efficiency of the new RKFD pairs as compared with the well-known embedded Runge-Kutta pairs in the scientific literature after reducing the problems into a system of first-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and solving them.
The Potential Malignancy of a Solitary Fibrous Tumour of the Lung
Authors: Shukla Rajeev , Patrini Davide , Borg Elaine , Lawrence David , Hayward Martin , Panagiotopoulos Nikolaos
Published: December 2015

Solitary fibrous tumours (SFTs) are rare neoplasms that in the majority of cases are benign. We present the case of a 52-year-old male, with a 23-year history of a slow growing pleural mass, presenting to our department with worsening dyspnoea and localised chest discomfort. The purpose of this case report is to highlight the potential malignancy of a solitary fibrous tumour of the lung along with the key features in diagnosis and management.