bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Positive allosteric modulation of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid glutamate receptors differentially modulates the behavioural effects of citalopram in mouse models of antidepressant and anxiolytic action
Authors: Fitzpatrick Ciarán M. , Larsen Maria , Madsen Louise H. , Caballero-Puntiverio Maitane , Pickering Darryl S. , Clausen Rasmus P. , Andreasen Jesper T.
Published: June 2016

Drugs that increase monoamine neurotransmission are effective in both anxiety and depression. The therapeutic effects of monoamine-based antidepressant drugs may involve indirect effects on neurotransmission through α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid glutamate receptors (AMPAR). Thus, chronic antidepressant treatment increases AMPAR-mediated neurotransmission and AMPAR-positive allosteric modulators have shown antidepressant-like efficacy in rodents. Here, the effect of enhanced AMPAR neurotransmission on the antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like actions of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram (0–10 mg/kg) was investigated in mice using the AMPAR-positive allosteric modulator LY451646 (0–3 mg/kg). Antidepressant-like effects were assessed using the forced-swim test (FST), whereas anxiolytic-like effects were tested using the elevated zero maze (EZM) and the marble burying test. LY451646 (3 mg/kg) increased swim distance in the FST and a subactive dose of LY451646 (1 mg/kg) enhanced the effect of citalopram in the FST. In the EZM, LY451646 (3 mg/kg) did not show anxiogenic effects alone, but blocked the anxiolytic-like action of citalopram in the EZM, as reflected by an increase in the latency to enter the open areas and a decrease in the number of entries and time spent in the open areas in citalopram-treated mice. In the marble burying test, LY451646 (3 mg/kg) showed no effect alone, but significantly attenuated the anxiolytic-like effect of citalopram (1.25–2.5 mg/kg) by increasing the number of marbles buried in citalopram-treated mice. These results suggest that AMPAR neurotransmission plays opposite roles in anxiety and depression as AMPAR potentiation facilitated the antidepressant-like effects of citalopram while attenuating its anxiolytic-like effect. These findings have ramifications in the search for AMPAR-based novel anxiolytic and antidepressant treatments.
Rasch Analysis of the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness Questionnaire
Authors: Asiedu Kofi
Published: June 2016

Background:

This study sought to investigate, if the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) questionnaire acts as a measure of dry eye severity and whether it is unidimensional using Rasch analysis.

Methods:

This is a hospital-based cross-sectional study. The study included 127 patients with glaucoma with either a clinical diagnosis of dry eye or an Ocular Surface Disease Index score of ≥13. Participants completed questionnaires (SPEED) delivered directly to them.

Results:

A total of 127 participants met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Category response analysis revealed that the average logit measures for the response category increased with higher response category from −4.93 to +5.41 logit. Item infit mean square statistics of the individual items ranged from 0.57 to 1.33, with a mean of 0.99±0.2. The individual item outfit mean square ranged from 0.58 to 1.36, with a mean of 1.02±0.0. The person separation index (PSI) and separation reliability of the SPEED were 2.23 and 0.83, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the standardized model residuals revealed evidence of multidimensionality, with first contrast eigenvalue of 2.5 and the second contrast eigenvalue of 1.7. Because fit statistics of all items were within 0.5 to 1.7 and considered adequate for clinical observations, no item was removed. However, the six items of the SPEED that asked about the commonest dry eye symptoms as reported by patients with dry eye were analyzed separately to determine how they behaved. The item fit statistics of these six items were within the range of 0.6 to 1.4. The outfit statistics range from 0.62 to 1.26, with a mean of 1.00±0.1. The infit statistics range from 0.61 to 1.24, with a mean of 0.99±0.2. The PSI and reliability were 2.2 and 0.83, respectively. Finally, PCA of the standardized model residuals revealed no evidence of multidimensionality, with first contrast eigenvalue of 2.0.

Conclusion:

In summary, this study showed that the SPEED had an ordered response category and was a measure of dry eye severity. However, PCA of the standardized model residuals revealed evidence of multidimensionality. A proposed six-item SPEED was unidimensional and was also a measure of disease severity. Hence, the SPEED questionnaire score may be used as a measure of dry eye severity in clinical practice and epidemiological studies.
Co-Recovery of Mycobacterium avium Complex and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Patients With Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Dogbey-Smith M. Christina , Schlossberg David
Published: June 2016

Background

Patients eventually shown to have pulmonary tuberculosis often grow both Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) from sputum. If the MAC grows first, patients may erroneously be assumed to have MAC disease, with discontinuation of isolation, contact investigation and alterations in chemotherapy. In patient with compatible disease, it would be helpful to know the likelihood of recovering both MAC and MTB as well as the predictive value of a positive sputum smear.

Methods

During 2012 and 2013 the Tuberculosis Control Program of the Philadelphia Department of Public health evaluated the relative incidence of MAC versus MTB in patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis, the time to culture growth from the initial smear for MTB and MAC, and determined the positive predictive value of a positive acid fast smear.

Results

In this setting, 22% of patients that were culture positive for MTB also grew MAC, with 78% of them growing MAC before MTB. The positive predictive value of a positive acid fast smear was 89% for MTB versus MAC.

Conclusions

There is a relatively high frequency of recovering MAC in TB patients Therefore, the recovery of MAC in a patient with a positive acid fast smear and compatible disease should not rule out MTB until cultures are final.
Bordetella bronchiseptica Post-Surgical Meningitis in an Adult
Authors: Groner Mordechai , Rodriguez Anamaria , Doblecki-Lewis Susanne
Published: June 2016

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a well-described pathogen classically causing respiratory infections in household pets. We describe a case of postsurgical meningitis in an adult patient. A 49-year -old man with a recently resected glioblastoma developed altered mental status approximately 2 weeks after surgery and was found to have B bronchiseptica meningitis. B bronchiseptica is a very rare cause of meningitis. It has only been described twice before in the literature, both in pediatric patients. It should be considered in patients with household pets. It can be a particularly virulent organism given its ability to form biofilms. In our case, the patient failed initial treatment with 2 weeks of meropenem and required re-treatment.
Nonceliac gluten sensitivity: an approach to diagnosis and management
Authors: Collyer Elizabeth M. , Kaplan Barbara S.
Published: June 2016

Purpose of review

Symptoms attributed to gluten consumption are frequently reported evoking the need for differentiating nonceliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) from other gluten-related disorders such as celiac disease and wheat allergy. This review discusses diagnostic criteria and research to date on the pathogenesis and diagnosis of NCGS.

Recent findings

There is recent evidence to support NCGS as a distinct clinical entity. The symptoms attributed to NCGS are nonspecific, overlapping with those reported in patients with celiac disease and irritable bowel syndrome. In contrast to celiac disease and wheat allergy, the diagnosis of NCGS is more challenging because there are no specific clinical biomarkers and because the pathogenesis of NCGS is largely not well understood. The pathogenesis of NCGS may reflect alterations in innate immunity to gluten or other components of wheat, may be linked with autoimmunity, or is a result of a reaction to gluten as a fermentable carbohydrate.

NCGS is a newly characterized and evolving clinical entity that requires ruling out other causes of wheat-related or gluten-related gastrointestinal symptoms, including celiac disease and wheat allergy, coupled with double-blind placebo-controlled crossover challenge with gluten.
Core Biopsy of Vascular Neoplasms of the Breast
Authors: Mantilla Jose G. , Koenigsberg Tova , Reig Beatriu , Shapiro Nella , Villanueva-Siles Esperanza , Fineberg Susan
Published: June 2016

Vascular lesions (VLs) of the breast present a diagnostic challenge on breast core biopsy (BCBx). We report on 27 VLs presenting on BCBx. The mean patient age was 60 years, and mean size was 7.5 mm (range, 1.6 to 16 mm). Presentation included palpable mass in 6 (22%), incidental in 6 (22%), and an imaging abnormality in 15 (56%) cases. Imaging impression included hematoma (24%), lymph node (10%), fat necrosis (10%), tortuous vessel (5%), and not provided in 52%. The lesions were classified on the basis of BCBx or BCBx and excision (available in 16 pts) as follows: 1 low-grade angiosarcoma, 8 angiolipomas, 6 capillary hemangiomas, 4 cavernous hemangiomas, 2 hemangiomas (not otherwise specified), 1 papillary endothelial hyperplasia, and 5 perilobular hemangiomas. The angiosarcoma was 9 mm, detected incidentally by magnetic resonance imaging, and showed dissection of stromal collagen, infiltration of glands, high cellularity, moderate cytologic atypia, scant mitotic activity, and Ki-67 reactivity of 10%. Among the 26 benign VLs, worrisome histologic features were noted in 14 on BCBx, including anastomosing vascular channels in 9, moderate cytologic atypia in 4, high cellularity in 2, Ki-67>10% in 2, mitotic activity in 1, and infiltration of glands in 1. Of the 12 VLs without worrisome features, the lesion extended to edge of core in 8, precluding complete evaluation. BCBx of VLs presents diagnostic challenges due to overlapping clinicopathologic and radiologic features with low-grade angiosarcoma. If completeness of removal is documented on BCBx, and cytoarchitectural changes are not worrisome, follow-up could be considered rather than excision. However, only 4 of these cases fulfilled those criteria.
Primary Endometrial Marginal Zone Lymphoma (MALT Lymphoma)
Authors: Bennett Jennifer A. , Oliva Esther , Nardi Valentina , Lindeman Neal , Ferry Judith A. , Louissaint Abner
Published: June 2016

Primary lymphoma of the endometrium is exceptionally rare. Several cases of distinctly nodular lymphoid proliferations confined to the endometrium have previously been described and reported as lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). We report the largest series (n=8) of these lymphomas, further defining their morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular spectrum. Patients ranged in age from 50 to 87 (median, 62) years. None had a prior history of lymphoma, and lesions were incidental in all but 1 in which a polyp was noted on macroscopic examination. Nodules ranged from small, round, and uniform with minimal architectural effacement to large, expansile, and coalescing with foci of diffuse growth. In the majority, the nodules were confined to the endometrium; however, 2 cases showed myometrial involvement, 1 of which also had extensive extrauterine disease. The nodules comprised monomorphic populations of mature CD20+ B lymphocytes with pale scant cytoplasm, CD43, BCL2, and IgM coexpression, and absence of CD10, CD23, and IgD expression. The nodules were associated with CD21/CD23+ follicular dendritic meshworks. Clonality was detected in 6 lesions, in 4 by polymerase chain reaction for clonal IGH rearrangement and in 3 by in situ hybridization for immunoglobulin light chains. All were negative for IGH and MALT1 rearrangements by fluorescence in situ hybridization. None of the patients received additional therapy after resection, and most (7/8) are alive with no evidence of disease at last follow-up (mean 4.2 y), whereas the remaining patient is alive with stable disease. These findings demonstrate the unique clinical and pathologic features that characterize primary MALT lymphoma of the endometrium.
Effectiveness of Stretch Interventions for Children With Neuromuscular Disabilities: Evidence-Based Recommendations
Authors: Craig Jason , Hilderman Courtney , Wilson Geoffrey , Misovic Robyn
Published: June 2016

Purpose:

To determine whether casting, orthoses, stretching, or supported standing programs are effective in improving or maintaining body functions and structures, activity, or participation in children with neuromuscular disabilities.

Methods:

A systematic review was conducted using 6 electronic databases to identify Level 1 and 2 studies investigating stretch interventions for children aged 0 to 19 years with neuromuscular disabilities. Interventions were coded using the International Classification of Function and rated with Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation, the Oxford Levels of Evidence, and the Evidence Alert Traffic Light System.

Results:

Sixteen studies evaluated the effectiveness of stretch interventions. Low-grade evidence supports casting temporarily increasing ankle range of motion, orthoses improving gait parameters while they are worn, and supported standing programs improving bone mineral density.

Conclusion:

There is limited evidence suggesting stretch interventions benefit body functions and structures. There is inconclusive evidence to support or refute stretching interventions for preventing contractures or impacting a child's activity or participation.

Trial Registration:

Prospero CRD42014013807.
Immediate Effect of Positioning Devices on Infant Leg Movement Characteristics
Authors: Jiang Crystal , de Armendi Joyce T. , Smith Beth A.
Published: June 2016

Purpose:

To determine the immediate effects of constraining or encouraging positioning devices on leg movement of infants with typical development (TD) and at-risk for developmental delay (AR).

Methods:

Twenty-six infants (13 TD, 13 AR) were placed in the supine position, a jungle gym, or a car seat. Movement sensors on infants' ankles measured acceleration and angular velocity. We calculated the number of leg movements, peak acceleration, and peak rotational rate of each leg movement. A 2 (group) × 3 (condition) analysis of variance with repeated measures on condition tested for a group effect, a condition effect, and a group by condition interaction for leg movement quantity, average peak acceleration, and average peak rotation.

Results:

Leg movement quantity and average peak acceleration were significantly lower for the car seat condition compared with the supine position or the gym.

Conclusions:

Positioning device use has an immediate effect on infant leg movement characteristics. Long-term effects remain unknown.
Withholding versus withdrawing treatment: artificial nutrition and hydration as a model
Authors: Somers Emma , Grey Carl , Satkoske Valerie
Published: June 2016

Purpose of review

This article explores various cultural perspectives of withholding and withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment utilizing a case involving artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) to guide ethical discussion.

Recent findings

In the United States, there is a general consensus in the medical, ethical, and legal communities that the withholding and withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment are morally equivalent at the end of life. Despite this consensus, the withdrawal of treatment is still emotionally difficult, particularly with ANH. Recent literature challenges the evidence base that feeding tubes for people with advanced dementia lead to significant harm. In light of these new findings, we will reconsider end-of-life decision making that concerns ANH to determine whether these new findings undermine previous ethical arguments and to consider how to best educate and support patients and families during the decision-making process.

Despite many believing that there is no ethical, medical, or moral difference between withholding and withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment, there is no denying it is emotionally taxing, particularly withdrawal of ANH. Upholding the patient's values during high-quality shared decision making, facilitating rapport, and utilizing time limited trials will help, even when treatment is considered medically ineffective.
Reassessment of T Lymphocytes Crossmatches Results Prediction With Luminex Class I Single Antigen Flow Beads Assay
Authors: Visentin Jonathan , Bachelet Thomas , Borg Cécile , Franchini Nicolas , Nong Thoa , Lee Jar-How , Couzi Lionel , Merville Pierre , Guidicelli Gwendaline , Taupin Jean-Luc
Published: June 2016

Background

In virtual crossmatch (XM) strategies, a correct anticipation of XM results is required for appropriately allocating organs. We reassessed the ability to predict T lymphocyte flow cytometry and complement dependent cytotoxicity XM results with the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) in Luminex class I single antigen flow beads (SAFB) assay, after correction of complement interference and exclusion of antidenatured HLA antibodies.

Methods

Among 432 XM with T lymphocytes (T-XM), 407 were analyzed after exclusion of antidenatured HLA antibodies. Only ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-treated serum MFI was considered. Only 1 cellular target HLA antigen for the serum was expressed in 238 cases, 209 and 29 being heterozygous and homozygous for this antigen, respectively. For the remaining 169 cases, at least 2 antigens were recognized. Single antigen flow bead MFI thresholds allowing XM positivity to be predicted were calculated with receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

T-XM results were tightly associated with SAFB MFI values. Anti-HLA-A and anti-HLA-B antibodies behaved similarly. Prediction and sensitivity SAFB MFI thresholds were determined, respectively, assessing the highest sensitivity/specificity ratio and at least 95% sensitivity for predicting T-XM positivity. Both were slightly lower for HLA-B than for HLA-A, whereas anti-HLA-Cw antibodies induced random XM results. Both thresholds were only slightly diminished for homozygous and for multiple HLA targets, considering the immunodominant, but not the sum, of antibodies MFI.

Conclusions

Antibodies against HLA-A, -B, or -Cw behave differently. A homozygous HLA target does not trigger a twice higher XM positivity. Multiple antibodies are better evaluated through the immunodominant DSA MFI than through the sum of DSA MFI.
The Effects of Computerized Cognitive Testing of Older Patients on Primary Care Physicians’ Approaches to Care
Authors: Tierney Mary C. , Charles Jocelyn , Naglie Gary , Jaakkimainen Liisa , Moineddin Rahim
Published: June 2016

Background:

We evaluated effects of providing primary care physicians (PCPs) with reports of their patients’ results on the Computer Assessment of Mild Cognitive Impairment (CAMCI) by examining their documented care approaches after receipt of the report.

Methods:

Patients were 65 years and above, without a diagnosis or previous workup for dementia, seen consecutively over 2 months by one of 13 PCPs. PCPs indicated whether they, patients, or families had concerns about patients’ cognition. A total of 259 patients individually completed the CAMCI and results were provided to the PCP. Two raters blind to CAMCI results recorded care approaches documented by PCPs at the first visit within 3 months of report (n=181).

Results:

In total, 28 different care approaches were grouped as related to Cognition or Safety/Self-Care. Negative binomial regression revealed that the number of care approaches was significantly associated with performance on the CAMCI for both Cognition and Safety/Self-care domains. These findings remained significant when covariates included PCPs’ cognitive concern before CAMCI results, and patients’ age, sex, number of comorbidities, and living arrangements.

Conclusions:

Our findings indicate that PCPs documented more care approaches in patients with greater cognitive impairment based on the CAMCI results and this was independent of their, the patients’, or families’ prior concerns about their patients’ cognition.
Congenital Tonic Pupils Associated With Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome and Hirschsprung Disease
Authors: Mehta Viraj J. , Ling Joseph J. , Martinez Elizabeth G. , Reddy Anvesh C. , Donahue Sean P.
Published: June 2016

Autonomic dysfunction can be associated with pupillary abnormalities. We describe a rare association of tonic pupils, congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, and Hirschsprung disease in a newborn with a mutation in the PHOX2B gene, a key regulator of neural crest cells. Hirschsprung disease is characterized by the congenital absence of neural crest–derived intrinsic ganglion cells. Tonic pupils may result from an abnormality of the ciliary ganglion, another structure of neural crest origin. The close association of these conditions in this child suggests a common abnormality in neural crest migration and differentiation.
DNA methylation adjusts the specificity of memories depending on the learning context and promotes relearning
Authors: Biergans Stephanie D , Claudianos Charles , Reinhard Judith , Galizia C Giovanni
Published: June 2016

The activity of the epigenetic writers DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts) after olfactory reward conditioning is important for both stimulus-specific long-term memory (LTM) formation and extinction. It, however, remains unknown which components of memory formation Dnmts regulate (e.g. associative vs. non-associative) and in what context (e.g. varying training conditions). Here we address these aspects in order to clarify the role of Dnmt-mediated DNA methylation in memory formation. We used a pharmacological Dnmt inhibitor and classical appetitive conditioning in the honeybeeApis mellifera, a well characterized model for classical conditioning. We quantified the effect of DNA methylation on naïve odour and sugar responses, and on responses following olfactory reward conditioning. We show that (1) Dnmts do not influence naïve odour or sugar responses, (2) Dnmts do not affect the learning of new stimuli, but (3) Dnmts influence odour-coding, i.e. 'correct' (stimulus-specific) LTM formation. Particularly, Dnmts reduce memory specificity when experience is low (one-trial training), and increase memory specificity when experience is high (multiple-trial training), generating an ecologically more useful response to learning. (4) In reversal learning conditions, Dnmts are involved in regulating both excitatory (re-acquisition) and inhibitory (forgetting) processes.
Using reference-free compressed data structures to analyse sequencing reads from thousands of human genomes
Authors: Dolle Dirk D. , Liu Zhicheng , Cotten Matthew , Simpson Jared T. , Iqbal Zamin , Durbin Richard , McCarthy Shane A. , Keane Thomas M.
Published: June 2016

We are rapidly approaching the point where we have sequenced millions of human genomes. There is a pressing need for new data structures to store raw sequencing data and efficient algorithms for population scale analysis. Current reference based data formats do not fully exploit the redundancy in population sequencing nor take advantage of shared genetic variation. In recent years, the Burrows-Wheeler transform (BWT) and FM-index have been widely employed as a full text searchable index for read alignment and de novo assembly. We introduce the concept of a population BWT and use it to store and index the sequencing reads of 2,705 samples from the 1000 Genomes Project. A key feature is that as more genomes are added, identical read sequences are increasingly observed and compression becomes more efficient. We assess the support in the 1000 Genomes read data for every base position of two human reference assembly versions, identifying that 3.2 Mbp with population support was lost in the transition from GRCh37 with 13.7 Mbp added to GRCh38. We show that the vast majority of variant alleles can be uniquely described by overlapping 31-mers and show how rapid and accurate SNP and indel genotyping can be carried out across the genomes in the population BWT. We use the population BWT to carry out non-reference queries to search for the presence of all known viral genomes, and discover human T-lymphotropic virus 1 integrations in six samples in a recognised epidemiological distribution.
aRNApipe: A balanced, efficient and distributed pipeline for processing RNA-seq data in high performance computing environments
Authors: Alonso Arnald , Lasseigne Brittany N. , Williams Kelly , Nielsen Josh , Ramaker Ryne C. , Hardigan Andrew A. , Johnston Bobbi , Roberts Brian S. , Cooper Sara J. , Marsal Sara , Myers Richard M.
Published: June 2016

The wide range of RNA-seq applications and their high computational needs require the development of pipelines orchestrating the entire workflow and optimizing usage of available computational resources. We present aRNApipe, a project-oriented pipeline for processing of RNA-seq data in high performance cluster environments. aRNApipe is highly modular and can be easily migrated to any high performance computing (HPC) environment. The current applications included in aRNApipe combine the essential RNA-seq primary analyses, including quality control metrics, transcript alignment, count generation, transcript fusion identification, alternative splicing, and sequence variant calling. aRNApipe is project-oriented and dynamic so users can easily update analyses to include or exclude samples or enable additional processing modules. Workflow parameters are easily set using a single configuration file that provides centralized tracking of all analytical processes. Finally, aRNApipe incorporates interactive web reports for sample tracking and a tool for managing the genome assemblies available to perform an analysis.

Availability and documentation

https://github.com/HudsonAlpha/aRNAPipe; DOI:10.5281/zenodo.202950

Contact

rmyers@hudsonalpha.org

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Proteomic analysis reveals GIT1 as a novel mTOR complex component critical for mediating astrocyte survival
Authors: Smithson Laura J. , Gutmann David H.
Published: June 2016

As a critical regulator of cell growth, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) protein operates as part of two molecularly and functionally distinct complexes. Herein, we demonstrate that mTOR complex molecular composition varies in different somatic tissues. In astrocytes and neural stem cells, we identified G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting protein 1 (GIT1) as a novel mTOR-binding protein, creating a unique mTOR complex lacking Raptor and Rictor. Moreover, GIT1 binding to mTOR is regulated by AKT activation and is essential for mTOR-mediated astrocyte survival. Together, these data reveal that mTOR complex function is partly dictated by its molecuflar composition in different cell types.
Di- and triphenylacetate complexes of yttrium and europium
Authors: Minyaev Mikhail E. , Vinogradov Alexandr A. , Roitershtein Dmitrii M. , Lyssenko Konstantin A. , Ananyev Ivan V. , Nifant'ev Ilya E.
Published: June 2016

The significant variety in the crystal structures of rare-earth carboxylate complexes is due to both the large coordination numbers of the rare-earth cations and the ability of the carboxylate anions to form several types of bridges between rare-earth metal atoms. Therefore, these complexes are represented by mono-, di- and polynuclear complexes, and by coordination polymers. The interaction of LnCl3(thf)x(Ln = Eu or Y; thf is tetrahydrofuran) with sodium or diethylammonium diphenylacetate in methanol followed by recrystallization from a DME/THF/hexane solvent mixture (DME is 1,2-dimethoxyethane) leads to crystals of the non-isomorphic dinuclear complexes tetrakis(μ-2,2-diphenylacetato)-κ4O:O′;κ3O,O′:O′;κ3O:O,O′-bis[(1,2-dimethoxyethane-κ2O,O′)(2,2-diphenylacetato-κ2O,O′)europium(III)], [Eu(C14H11O2)6(C4H10O2)2], (I), and tetrakis(μ-2,2-diphenylacetato)-κ4O:O′;κ3O,O′:O′;κ3O:O,O′-bis[(1,2-dimethoxyethane-κ2O,O′)(2,2-diphenylacetato-κ2O,O′)yttrium(III)], [Y(C14H11O2)6(C4H10O2)2], (II), possessing monoclinic (P21/c) symmetry. The [Ln(Ph2CHCOO)3(dme)]2molecule (Ln = Eu or Y) lies on an inversion centre and exhibits three different coordination modes of the diphenylacetate ligands, namely bidentate κ2O,O′-terminal, bidentate μ2-κ1O:κ1O′-bridging and tridentate μ2-κ1O:κ2O,O′-semibridging. The terminal and bridging ligands in (I) are disordered over two positions, with an occupancy ratio of 0.806 (2):0.194 (2). The interaction of EuCl3(thf)2with Na[Ph3CCOO] in methanol followed by crystallization from hot methanol produces crystals of tetrakis(methanol-κO)tris(2,2,2-triphenylacetato)-κ4O:O′;κO-europium(III) methanol disolvate, [Eu(C19H15O2)3(CH3OH)4]·2CH3OH, (III)·2MeOH, with triclinic (P\overline{1}) symmetry. The molecule of (III) contains twoO,O′-bidentate and oneO-monodentate terminal triphenylacetate ligand. (III)·2MeOH possesses one intramolecular and four intermolecular hydrogen bonds, forming a [(III)·2MeOH]2dimer with two bridging methanol molecules.
Neutron and X-ray single-crystal diffraction from protein microcrystalsviamagnetically oriented microcrystal arrays in gels
Authors: Tsukui Shu , Kimura Fumiko , Kusaka Katsuhiro , Baba Seiki , Mizuno Nobuhiro , Kimura Tsunehisa
Published: June 2016

Protein microcrystals magnetically aligned in D2O hydrogels were subjected to neutron diffraction measurements, and reflections were observed for the first time to a resolution of 3.4 Å from lysozyme microcrystals (∼10 × 10 × 50 µm). This result demonstrated the possibility that magnetically oriented microcrystals consolidated in D2O gels may provide a promising means to obtain single-crystal neutron diffraction from proteins that do not crystallize at the sizes required for neutron diffraction structure determination. In addition, lysozyme microcrystals aligned in H2O hydrogels allowed structure determination at a resolution of 1.76 Å at room temperature by X-ray diffraction. The use of gels has advantages since the microcrystals are measured under hydrated conditions.
Ab initiophasing by molecular averaging in real space with new criteria: application to structure determination of a betanodavirus
Authors: Yoshimura Masato , Chen Nai-Chi , Guan Hong-Hsiang , Chuankhayan Phimonphan , Lin Chien-Chih , Nakagawa Atsushi , Chen Chun-Jung
Published: June 2016

Molecular averaging, including noncrystallographic symmetry (NCS) averaging, is a powerful method forab initiophase determination and phase improvement. Applications of the cross-crystal averaging (CCA) method have been shown to be effective for phase improvement after initial phasing by molecular replacement, isomorphous replacement, anomalous dispersion or combinations of these methods. Here, a two-step process for phase determination in the X-ray structural analysis of a new coat protein from a betanodavirus,Grouper nervous necrosis virus, is described in detail. The first step isab initiostructure determination of theT= 3 icosahedral virus-like particle using NCS averaging (NCSA). The second step involves structure determination of the protrusion domain of the viral molecule using cross-crystal averaging. In this method, molecular averaging and solvent flattening constrain the electron density in real space. To quantify these constraints, a new, simple and general indicator, free fraction (ff), is introduced, where ff is defined as the ratio of the volume of the electron density that is freely changed to the total volume of the crystal unit cell. This indicator is useful and effective to evaluate the strengths of both NCSA and CCA. Under the condition that a mask (envelope) covers the target molecule well, an ff value of less than 0.1, as a new rule of thumb, gives sufficient phasing power for the successful construction of new structures.
Contract agreement model for murabahah financing in Indonesia Islamic banking
Authors: Wulandari Permata , Putri Niken Iwani Surya , Kassim Salina , Sulung Liyu Adikasari
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure the pattern of contract agreement process to map various banks’ position in perceiving Sharia conduct. This is done by incorporating the dynamics of culture, market demand and Sharia literacy in different banks. Finding of this research will serve as the formula to map the latent degree of Islamic bank’s commitment to their strategic vision and identity as an Islamic-based financial institution.

Design/methodology/approach

This research develops its theoretical background in classical and contemporary literature review on murabahah contract in Islamic perspective. Focus group discussion (FGD) and in-depth interview are conducted on 32 bankers (in 14 Islamic banks), two National Sharia Council, five academicians and three central bank representatives as an input for qualitative analysis. Content analysis is utilized in this paper to emphasize the process of discovering the relationship between dynamic factors affecting contract agreement process in murabahah scheme in Indonesian banking.

Findings

There are four dimensions affecting the contract agreement: fairness to customer, country regulation, perceived business practicality and product characteristic. The four dimensions are assumed to be influenced with categories proposed, as the category item is mostly repeated and is perceived to be significant in the participant’s perspective.

Originality/value

This research will be beneficial in mapping the determinant of degree of Sharia compliance in Sharia banking in Indonesia, focusing on the contract agreement process.
An investigation of the level of compliance with international accounting standards (IAS 1) by listed firms in Bahrain Bourse
Authors: Alrawahi Fatema Ebrahim , Sarea Adel Mohammed
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the association between seven firm-specific characteristics and the level of mandatory compliance with International Accounting Standards (IAS) 1 by firms listed on Bahrain Bourse.

Design/methodology/approach

A disclosure index is used to measure the extent of compliance with IAS 1. Each of the 36 sampled firms’ annual reports were examined against the index for the financial year ending December 31, 2013.

Findings

The results reveal an overall compliance of 83 per cent. Regression results report that only audit firm size, profitability and industry type have a positive and significant association with IAS 1 disclosure requirements.

Practical implications

This study should be particularly relevant to regulatory bodies in Bahrain for strategizing and encouraging compliance with IAS 1 by listed firms.

Originality/value

Additionally, the study contributes to financial reporting literature relating to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, mainly Bahrain. Bahrain is a financial hub, and it is interesting to examine how it presents its financial statements to investors and the degree of its compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards since its adoption in 2007.
Understanding the impact of cloud-based services adoption on organizational flexibility
Authors: Lal Prerna , Bharadwaj Sangeeta Shah
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that drive the adoption of cloud-based services and further understand the impact of this adoption on the organizational flexibility. This study presents information technology executive’s perspective and discovers new constructs of organizational flexibility that can be achieved due to the adoption of cloud-based services, which is the main contribution of this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study uses in-depth interview approach. Total 21 Indian cases were studied by interacting with respondents having similar profiles (i.e. CIOs, CTOs, technology heads, and systems managers). Based on the literature review a semi-structured questionnaire was prepared and administered through in-depth interviews.

Findings

– Analysis of data reveals that cloud-based services provide relative advantage in terms of scalability, accessibility, and on-demand deployment of services within no time. Easy to use interface, experience, and expertise of the cloud service provider as well as support from top management plays important role in the cloud adoption decision. Further the study also identifies that no matter which model of cloud-based services (software-as-a-service (SaaS), platform-as-a-service (PaaS), or infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS)) is used; cloud-based services’ adoption impacts organizational flexibility, which can be divided into four categories, namely, economic flexibility, process flexibility, performance flexibility, and market flexibility.

Research limitations/implications

– This is an exploratory study conducted through in-depth interviews hence the results can further be verified through a quantitative research. The study does not explore negative factors that may discourage adoption of cloud-based services. Though two factors vendor lock-in and security emerged as a concern very prominently in the in-depth interviews but this issue can further be explored in detail.

Originality/value

– This study bridge the gap in the research by identifying the factors that drive the adoption of cloud-based services in different forms (SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS) as well exploring the impact of cloud adoption on the organizational flexibility in case of Indian organizations.
Pharmacokinetics of the phage endolysin‐based candidate drug SAL200 in monkeys and its appropriate intravenous dosing period
Authors: Jun Soo Youn , Jung Gi Mo , Yoon Seong Jun , Youm So Young , Han Hyoung‐Yun , Lee Jong‐Hwa , Kang Sang Hyeon
Published: June 2016

SAL200 is a new phage endolysin‐based candidate drug for the treatment of staphylococcal infections. An intravenous administration study was conducted in monkeys to obtain pharmacokinetic information on SAL200 and to assess the safety of a short SAL200 dosing period (<1 week). Maximum serum drug concentrations and systemic SAL200 exposure were proportional to the dose and comparable in male and female monkeys. SAL200 was well tolerated, and no adverse events or laboratory abnormalities were detected after injection of a single dose of up to 80 mg/kg per day, or injection of multiple doses of up to 40 mg/kg per day.
Internet Websites for Chest Pain Symptoms Demonstrate Highly Variable Content and Quality
Authors: Joury Abdulaziz U. , Alshathri Mashhoor , Alkhunaizi Mohammad , Jaleesah Najlaa , Pines Jesse M.
Published: June 2016

Objective

Chest pain is a common symptom with causes that range from benign to serious. We assess the content and quality of websites about chest pain symptoms that describe its causes and when to seek care.

Methods

We used five search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo, Ask, AOL) using the term “chest pain” and assessed the first 30 websites that resulted from each search. We excluded websites that were diagnosis‐driven, intended for physicians, patient blogs, advertisements, news, or videos. For included websites, we assessed for the presence of content potentially useful to patients with chest pain symptoms; website quality with three instruments (DISCERN, HONcode, and JAMA benchmark criteria); readability using four validated scores, accessibility, usability, and reliability using the LIDA instrument; and popularity using the Alexa tool.

Results

In 27 included websites, 96 and 81% mentioned cardiac and noncardiac causes of chest pain, respectively, while 85% described when to seek emergency care. Only 51% of websites mentioned potential tests that might be used to diagnose symptoms, 22% described potential treatments, and 11% mentioned consequences if treatment is delayed or avoided. The median website DISCERN score was 23 (interquartile range [IQR] = 18–32) out of a possible 45 points, which can be interpreted as low to medium quality. A total of 44% of websites had HONcode certification, and only 11% fulfilled all four JAMA benchmark criteria. Average reading scores demonstrated that half of websites were above the eighth to ninth grade reading level. With LIDA, the average scores were “medium” for accessibility at 83% and usability at 59% and “low” for reliability at 43%.

Conclusions

Many websites that provide health information for patients about chest pain symptoms are not reliable. There is highly variable content and quality, and the average website is difficult to read for patients with low health literacy.
Sirex woodwasp Sirex noctilio (Hymenoptera: Siricidae): revisiting some past perceptions
Authors: Nahrung Helen F.
Published: June 2016

The Sirex Woodwasp, Sirex noctilio Fabricius, is the focus of extensive global research because of its pest status, damage potential and ongoing spread within commercial softwood plantations and native forest ecosystems worldwide. In this overview, some small but persistent errors in the reported biological attributes of S. noctilio and its biological control nematode are highlighted. First, an error is noted in the equations reported for estimating size/fecundity relationships, whereby the female S. noctilio prothorax should be measured in cm, not mm. Second, the temperature requirements for egg‐adult development time are recalculated to provide more precise estimates of lower thermal threshold (5.1 °C) and cumulative day‐degree requirements (1973) using modern software techniques. Third, the origin of the Australian laboratory culture of Amylostereum areolatum used in rearing Deladenus siricidicola is clarified: it was collected from S. noctilio in Mt Gambier, South Australia, around 1995. It is envisaged that these corrections will result in improved research efforts.
Weed seed granivory by carabid beetles and crickets for biological control of weeds in commercial lowbush blueberry fields
Authors: Cutler G. Christopher , Astatkie Tess , Chahil Gurminder S.
Published: June 2016

Weeds are one of the most limiting factors in the commercial production of lowbush blueberriesVaccinium angustifolium(Ericaceae). Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella) and hairy fescue (Festuca tenuifolia) are prominent weeds in lowbush blueberry fields.

Because the granivorous insectsHarpalus rufipes(Carabidae) andGryllus pennsylvanicus(Gryllidae) are common in lowbush blueberry fields when sheep sorrel and hairy fescue are dispersing seeds, we examined how granivorous insects can contribute to the biocontrol of these weeds.

In the laboratory,H. rufipesandG. pennsylvanicusconsumed a significant number of seeds of sheep sorrel and hairy fescue, and a field experiment found that insects probably consume a significant number of sheep sorrel and hairy fescue seeds in blueberry fields.

Additional experiments found thatH. rufipeswas highly susceptible to field rates of phosmet and acetamiprid, although not to field rates of spirotetramat, which are insecticides that may be used in blueberry fields when the beetle is active.

Natural populations of granivorous insects probably provide a valuable ecological service in commercial lowbush blueberry fields and should be conserved in the development of integrated weed management programmes.
Pearson and Responsibility: (Mis‐)Understanding the Capabilities Approach
Authors: Johnson Matthew , Brigg Morgan , Graham Mary
Published: June 2016

Aboriginal Australian public intellectual Noel Pearson has gained prominence and influence for his brand of policy reform in Indigenous affairs by drawing upon the capabilities approach. This article challenges the coherence of Pearson's position, arguing that his unrelenting focus on personal responsibility leads him to conflate different elements within capabilities thinking. Pearson 1) mistakes social capabilities (to which people are entitled) for human potential to be unfolded, and 2) casts and prescribes personal responsibility as a type of latent capability. The latter a) inverts the capabilities approach wherein phenomena such as personal responsibility arise as an effect of the realization of latent capabilities rather than serving as latent capabilities themselves, and b) is at odds with the liberal basis of the capabilities approach that rejects imposing “good” ways of life on people. This is illustrated through reference to Pearson's advocacy of Direct Instruction teaching and engagement with the “real economy”. The paper recognizes Pearson's contribution to the policy debate and that the problems he highlights are real, but argues that the remedial approaches adopted are problematic, including in terms of Pearson's stated stance against assimilationist policy agendas.
Nontoxic concentration of DNA‐PK inhibitor NU7441 radio‐sensitizes lung tumor cells with little effect on double strand break repair
Authors: Sunada Shigeaki , Kanai Hideki , Lee Younghyun , Yasuda Takeshi , Hirakawa Hirokazu , Liu Cuihua , Fujimori Akira , Uesaka Mitsuru , Okayasu Ryuichi
Published: June 2016

High‐linear energy transfer (LET) heavy ions have been increasingly employed as a useful alternative to conventional photon radiotherapy. As recent studies suggested that high LET radiation mainly affects the nonhomologous end‐joining (NHEJ) pathway of DNA double strand break (DSB) repair, we further investigated this concept by evaluating the combined effect of an NHEJ inhibitor (NU7441) at a non‐toxic concentration and carbon ions. NU7441‐treated non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 and H1299 cells were irradiated with X‐rays and carbon ions (290 MeV/n, 50 keV/μm). Cell survival was measured by clonogenic assay. DNA DSB repair, cell cycle distribution, DNA fragmentation and cellular senescence induction were studied using a flow cytometer. Senescence‐associated protein p21 was detected by western blotting. In the present study, 0.3 μM of NU7441, nontoxic to both normal and tumor cells, caused a significant radio‐sensitization in tumor cells exposed to X‐rays and carbon ions. This concentration did not seem to cause inhibition of DNA DSB repair but induced a significant G2/M arrest, which was particularly emphasized in p53‐null H1299 cells treated with NU7441 and carbon ions. In addition, the combined treatment induced more DNA fragmentation and a higher degree of senescence in H1299 cells than in A549 cells, indicating that DNA‐PK inhibitor contributes to various modes of cell death in a p53‐dependent manner. In summary, NSCLC cells irradiated with carbon ions were radio‐sensitized by a low concentration of DNA‐PK inhibitor NU7441 through a strong G2/M cell cycle arrest. Our findings may contribute to further effective radiotherapy using heavy ions.
Realizing Relevance: The Influence of Domain‐Specific Information on Generation of New Knowledge Through Integration in 4‐ to 8‐Year‐Old Children
Authors: Bauer Patricia J. , Larkina Marina
Published: June 2016

In accumulating knowledge, direct modes of learning are complemented by productive processes, including self‐generation based on integration of separate episodes. Effects of the number of potentially relevant episodes on integration were examined in 4‐ to 8‐year‐olds (N = 121; racially/ethnically heterogeneous sample, English speakers, from large metropolitan area). Information was presented along with unrelated or related episodes; the latter challenged children to identify the relevant subset of episodes for integration. In Experiment 1, 4‐ and 6‐year‐olds integrated in the unrelated context. Six‐year‐olds also succeeded in the related context in forced‐choice testing. In Experiment 2, 8‐year‐olds succeeded in open‐ended and forced‐choice testing. Results illustrate a developmental progression in productive extension of knowledge due in part to age‐related increases in identification of relevant information.