bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Malassezia species in the facial lesions of Chinese seborrhoeic dermatitis patients based on DNA sequencing
Authors: Lian C.‐h. , Shen L.‐l. , Gao Q.‐y. , Jiang M. , Zhao Z.‐j. , Zhao J.‐j.
Published: August 2014

The genus Malassezia is important in the aetiology of facial seborrhoeic dermatitis (FSD), which is the most common clinical type. The purpose of this study was to analyse the distribution of Malassezia species in the facial lesions of Chinese seborrhoeic dermatitis (SD) patients and healthy individuals. Sixty‐four isolates of Malassezia were isolated from FSD patients and 60 isolates from healthy individuals. Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was used to identify the isolates. The most frequently identified Malassezia species associated with FSD was M. furfur (76.56%), followed by M. sympodialis (12.50%) and M. japonica (9.38%). The most frequently isolated species in healthy individuals were M. furfur (61.67%), followed by M. sympodialis (25.00%), M. japonica (6.67%), M. globosa (3.33%), and M. obtusa (3.33%). Overall, our study revealed that while M. furfur is the predominant Malassezia species in Chinese SD patients, there is no significant difference in the distribution of Malassezia species between Chinese SD patients and healthy individuals.
Update of the vitamin D content of fortified foods and supplements in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey Nutrient Databank
Authors: Allen R. E. , Dangour A. D. , Tedstone A. E.
Published: August 2014

Food composition tables require updating regularly to keep abreast of the periodic reformulation of fortified foods and dietary supplements. This paper describes a process undertaken to update the vitamin D content of fortified foods and supplements consumed in the UK, and the impact this may have on reported vitamin D intake.

In 2011, the vitamin D content of the 289 vitamin D fortified foods and vitamin D containing supplements recorded in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) Nutrient Databank (last updated in 2008) was compared to data from industry websites, trade associations and manufacturers, and nutrition labelling on pack. Typical ‘overages’ (the additional amount added to account for any processing loss or degradation) applied during vitamin D fortification were also obtained. This information was used to update the NDNS Nutrient Databank, and applied to NDNS food consumption data (2008/2010) to determine the impact of the composition update on reported population vitamin D intakes.

Up‐to‐date vitamin D values were obtained for 257 (89%) of the 289 items in the NDNS databank; the remainder were no longer available on the market. The vitamin D content of 31 (11%) of the items had changed, and these were most commonly breakfast cereals, fat spreads and powdered malt drinks. A further eight food items were identified as newly fortified with vitamin D. Calculation of mean vitamin D intakes using updated data identified that use of out‐of‐date food composition data may lead to an underestimation of UK vitamin D intakes of around 3% (0.1 μg/day). When a blanket 12.5% ‘overage’ was applied to all items, this underestimate increased to 6% (0.2 μg/day).

Even though the absolute impact of updating the vitamin D content of fortified foods and supplements on population mean intakes is relatively small, our analysis suggests it is important that nutrient databases are regularly updated. The new estimates of the vitamin D content of foods and supplements should be used for future estimates of vitamin D intake in the UK until a further periodic update is conducted.
Influence of repeated infusion of capsaicin‐contained red pepper sauce on esophageal secondary peristalsis in humans
Authors: Liu T. T. , Yi C. H. , Lei W. Y. , Hung X. S. , Yu H. C. , Chen C.L.
Published: August 2014

Background

The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 has been implicated as a target mediator for heartburn perception and modulation of esophageal secondary peristalsis. Our aim was to determine the effect of repeated esophageal infusion of capsaicin‐contained red pepper sauce on heartburn perception and secondary peristalsis in healthy adults.

Methods

Secondary peristalsis was performed with mid‐esophageal injections of air in 15 healthy adults. Two separate protocols including esophageal infusion with saline and capsaicin‐contained red pepper sauce and 2 consecutive sessions of capsaicin‐contained red pepper sauce were randomly performed.

Key Results

After repeated infusion of capsaicin‐contained red pepper sauce, the threshold volume to activate secondary peristalsis was significantly increased during slow (p < 0.001) and rapid air injections (p = 0.004). Acute infusion of capsaicin‐contained red pepper sauce enhanced heartburn perception (p < 0.001), but the intensity of heartburn perception was significantly reduced after repeated capsaicin‐contained red pepper sauce infusion (p = 0.007). Acute infusion of capsaicin‐contained red pepper sauce significantly increased pressure wave amplitudes of distal esophagus during slow (p = 0.003) and rapid air injections (p = 0.01), but repeated infusion of capsaicin‐contained red pepper sauce significantly decreased pressure wave amplitude of distal esophagus during slow (p = 0.0005) and rapid air injections (p = 0.003).

Conclusions & Inferences

Repeated esophageal infusion of capsaicin appears to attenuate heartburn perception and inhibit distension‐induced secondary peristalsis in healthy adults. These results suggest capsaicin‐sensitive afferents in modulating sensorimotor function of secondary peristalsis in human esophagus.
Evaluation of esophagogastric junction relaxation by 4‐second Integrated Relaxation Pressure in achalasia using High Resolution Manometry with water‐perfused catheters
Authors: Ortiz V. , Poppele G. , Alonso N. , Castellano C. , Garrigues V.
Published: August 2014

Background

Relaxation of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) is now evaluated calculating 4‐second integrated relaxation pressure (4‐s IRP) by high resolution manometry (HREPT). Solid‐state catheters have been used to define abnormal values. Our aim was to evaluate 4‐s IRP in esophageal achalasia using HREPT with perfused catheters.

Methods

From June 2009 to June 2013, 936 HREPT studies have been performed in our unit. Of these, 194 patients having treated achalasia were excluded. Control group was constituted by 695 patients without achalasia, and 47 patients with untreated achalasia constituted the study group. HREPT was performed with water‐perfused catheters. To establish the cut‐off value for 4‐s IRP that better discriminate patients with achalasia from all other patients, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed.

Key Results

Twenty three of 47 achalasia patients (49%) showed a 4‐s IRP under 15 mmHg; and seven (15%) had a value under modified Chicago criteria. A cut‐off value for 4‐s IRP of 6.5 mmHg, calculated by ROC analysis, highly discriminates achalasia from the rest of the patients and especially from scleroderma patients (area under the curve: 0.997, 95% CI: 0.995–1.000; p < 0.001).

Conclusions & Inferences

Cut‐off values for 4‐s IRP defined using HREPT with solid‐state catheters are not adequate for diagnosing esophageal achalasia with water‐perfused systems. A lower value, i.e., 6.5 mmHg, is suggested for this equipment. The diagnostic criteria of esophageal achalasia should be modified for HREPT performed with water‐perfused systems.
Chaperone network composition in Solanum lycopersicum explored by transcriptome profiling and microarray meta‐analysis
Authors: FRAGKOSTEFANAKIS SOTIRIOS , SIMM STEFAN , PAUL PUNEET , BUBLAK DANIELA , SCHARF KLAUS‐DIETER , SCHLEIFF ENRICO
Published: August 2014

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are molecular chaperones primarily involved in maintenance of protein homeostasis. Their function has been best characterized in heat stress (HS) response during which Hsps are transcriptionally controlled by HS transcription factors (Hsfs). The role of Hsfs and Hsps in HS response in tomato was initially examined by transcriptome analysis using the massive analysis of cDNA ends (MACE) method. Approximately 9.6% of all genes expressed in leaves are enhanced in response to HS, including a subset of Hsfs and Hsps. The underlying Hsp‐Hsf networks with potential functions in stress responses or developmental processes were further explored by meta‐analysis of existing microarray datasets. We identified clusters with differential transcript profiles with respect to abiotic stresses, plant organs and developmental stages. The composition of two clusters points towards two major chaperone networks. One cluster consisted of constitutively expressed plastidial chaperones and other genes involved in chloroplast protein homeostasis. The second cluster represents genes strongly induced by heat, drought and salinity stress, including HsfA2 and many stress‐inducible chaperones, but also potential targets of HsfA2 not related to protein homeostasis. This observation attributes a central regulatory role to HsfA2 in controlling different aspects of abiotic stress response and tolerance in tomato.
Systemic signalling in photosynthetic induction of Rumex K‐1 (Rumex patientia × Rumex tianschaious) leaves
Authors: HOU FEI , JIN LI‐QIAO , ZHANG ZI‐SHAN , GAO HUI‐YUAN
Published: August 2014

The rapid induction of photosynthesis is critical for plants under light‐fleck environment. Most previous studies about photosynthetic induction focused upon single leaf, but they did not consider the systemic integrity of plant. Here, we verified whether systemic signalling is involved in photosynthetic induction. Rumex K‐1 (Rumex patientia × Rumex tianschaious) plants were grown under light‐fleck condition. After whole night dark adaptation, different numbers of leaves (system leaf or SL) were pre‐illuminated with light, and then the photosynthetic induction of other leaves (target leaf or TL) was investigated. This study showed that the pre‐illumination of SL promoted photosynthetic induction in TL. This promotion was independent of the number of SL, the light intensity on SL and the distance between SL and TL, indicating that this systemic signalling is non‐dose‐dependent. More interestingly, the photosynthetic induction was promoted by only the pre‐illumination of morphological upper leaf rather than the pre‐illumination of morphological lower leaf, indicating that the transfer of this signal is directional. The results showed that the transfer of this systemic signalling depends upon the phloem. This systemic signalling helps plants to use light energy more efficiently under light flecks.
Combining quantitative trait loci analysis with physiological models to predict genotype‐specific transpiration rates
Authors: REUNING GRETCHEN A. , BAUERLE WILLIAM L. , MULLEN JACK L. , MCKAY JOHN K.
Published: August 2014

Transpiration is controlled by evaporative demand and stomatal conductance (gs), and there can be substantial genetic variation in gs. A key parameter in empirical models of transpiration is minimum stomatal conductance (g0), a trait that can be measured and has a large effect on gs and transpiration. In Arabidopsis thaliana, g0 exhibits both environmental and genetic variation, and quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been mapped. We used this information to create a genetically parameterized empirical model to predict transpiration of genotypes. For the parental lines, this worked well. However, in a recombinant inbred population, the predictions proved less accurate. When based only upon their genotype at a single g0 QTL, genotypes were less distinct than our model predicted. Follow‐up experiments indicated that both genotype by environment interaction and a polygenic inheritance complicate the application of genetic effects into physiological models. The use of ecophysiological or ‘crop’ models for predicting transpiration of novel genetic lines will benefit from incorporating further knowledge of the genetic control and degree of independence of core traits/parameters underlying gs variation.
A team fares well with a fair coach: Predictors of social loafing in interactive female sport teams
Authors: De Backer M. , Boen F. , De Cuyper B. , Høigaard R. , Vande Broek G.
Published: August 2014

The present research aimed to develop and test a theoretical model that links players' perceived justice of the coach to a more optimal motivational climate, which in turn increases players' team identification and cohesion, and results in lower levels of social loafing in female sport teams. Belgian elite female basketball, volleyball, and football players (study 1; N = 259; Mage = 22.6) and Norwegian world‐class female handball players (study 2; N = 110; Mage = 22.8) completed questionnaires assessing players' perceived justice (distributive and procedural), motivational climate, team identification, team cohesion (task and social), and social loafing (perceived and self‐reported). In both studies, confirmatory and exploratory path analyses indicated that perceived justice was positively related to a mastery climate (P < 0.05) and negatively to a performance climate (P < 0.05). In turn, a mastery climate was linked to increased levels of team identification (P < 0.05) and task cohesion (P < 0.05). Consequently, players' perceived and self‐reported social loafing decreased (P < 0.05). The findings of both independent studies demonstrated the impact of coaches' fairness, and consequently, the motivational climate created by the coach on the optimal functioning of female sport teams.
EFFECTS OF TWO DIFFERENT ANESTHETIC PROTOCOLS ON CARDIAC FLOW MEASURED BY TWO DIMENSIONAL PHASE CONTRAST MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
Authors: Drees Randi , Johnson Rebecca A. , Stepien Rebecca L. , Munoz Del Rio Alejandro , François Christopher J.
Published: August 2014

Companion animals are routinely anesthetized or heavily sedated for cardiac MRI studies, however effects of varying anesthetic protocols on cardiac function measurements are incompletely understood. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare effects of two anesthetic protocols (Protocol A: Midazolam, fentanyl; Protocol B: Dexmedetomidine) on quantitative and qualitative blood flow values measured through the aortic, pulmonic, mitral, and tricuspid valves using two‐dimensional phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (2D PC MRI) in healthy dogs. Mean flow per heartbeat values through the pulmonary artery (Qp) and aorta (Qs) were compared to right and left ventricular stroke volumes (RVSV, LVSV) measured using a reference standard of 2D Cine balanced steady‐state free precession MRI. Pulmonary to systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs) was also calculated. Differences in flow and Qp/Qs values generated using 2D PC MRI did not differ between the two anesthetic protocols (P = 1). Mean differences between Qp and RVSV were 3.82 ml/beat (95% limits of agreement: 3.62, −11.26) and 1.9 ml/beat (−7.86, 11.66) for anesthesia protocols A and B, respectively. Mean differences between Qs and LVSV were 1.65 ml/beat (−5.04, 8.34) and 0.03 ml/beat (−4.65, 4.72) for anesthesia protocols A and B, respectively. Mild tricuspid or mitral reflux was seen in 2/10 dogs using 2D PC MRI. No aortic or pulmonic insufficiency was observed. Findings from the current study indicated that these two anesthetic protocols yield similar functional measures of cardiac blood flow using 2D PC MRI in healthy dogs. Future studies in clinically affected patients are needed.
Bio-Inspired Design: An Overview Investigating Open Questions From the Broader Field of Design-by-Analogy
Authors: Fu Katherine , Moreno Diana , Yang Maria , Wood Kristin L.
Published: August 2014

Bio-inspired design and the broader field of design-by-analogy have been the basis of numerous innovative designs throughout history; yet there remains much to be understood about these practices of design, their underlying cognitive mechanisms, and preferred ways in which to teach and support them. In this paper, we work to unify the broader design-by-analogy research literature with that of the bio-inspired design field, reviewing the current knowledge of designer cognition, the seminal supporting tools and methods for bio-inspired design, and postulating the future of bio-inspired design research from the larger design-by-analogy perspective. We examine seminal methods for supporting bio-inspired design, highlighting the areas well aligned with current findings in design-by-analogy cognition work and noting important areas for future research identified by the investigators responsible for these seminal tools and methods. Supplemental to the visions of these experts in bio-inspired design, we suggest additional projections for the future of the field, posing intriguing research questions to further unify the field of bio-inspired design with its broader resident field of design-by-analogy.
The Optimal Distribution of Pin Fins for Blade Tip Cap Underside Cooling
Authors: Ledezma Gustavo A. , Bunker Ronald S.
Published: August 2014

This article presents a geometric optimization study to maximize the total heat transfer rate between an array of discrete pin fins and the surrounding serpentine cooling flow. The fins are installed on the tip cap underside of a high-pressure turbine blade (HPTB) model. The study has three parts. In the first, the numerical model is validated against experimental data obtained with liquid crystal thermography. In the second part, the heat and fluid flow performance of the pin fin assembly is simulated numerically, using RANS turbulence models in the range 25,000 < Re < 100,000 and Pr ∼ 0.7. The effect of varying the spacing and the tip cap boundary condition is investigated. In the last part of the study, it is shown that the optimal spacing between the pin fins can be correlated following the same theoretical arguments derived in the previous investigations that used simpler geometries.
Natural Frequency of Stator Core of PM Synchronous Motor
Authors: Yu Yinquan , Bi Chao , Jiang Quan , Lin Song , Aung Nay Lin Htun , Mamun A. A.
Published: August 2014

As the degree of office automation to improve, more and more automation equipments are utilized in office. Moreover, numbers of motors are employed in automation to realize multiple functions to attract customers. As a result, the motor which can run more quietly are highly demanded than ever. One of the main causes of noise production in motors is resonance between the electromagnetic forces e.g. Unbalanced Magnetic Pulls (UMPs) and the stator and the frame of the motor. Therefore, the accurate determination of the natural frequencies of stator at the design stage becomes very important [1]. Researchers have studied motor natural frequencies, vibration and acoustic signals in recent years [2]–[5]. In this paper, the PMSM stator mathematic model has introduced and validated by 12 slots and 5 pole-pairs PM surface mounting Synchronous motor M1 simulation case study. The dynamic responses of the model with high frequency excitation force are studied through simulation and experimental approach to further validate the analytical model.
Parallel Micro Manipulator for Effective Optical Spot Array Alignment
Authors: Li Zheng Yuan , Park Sae Whan , Inh Yong Seok , Choi Jong Yoon , Koo Ja Choon
Published: August 2014

Photolithography is one of the core technologies of micro-nano fabrication. Recently, lithography technology is applied to diverse field of technologies. These technologies include MEMS (micro electro mechanical system) devices, FPD (flat panel display), and semiconductor industry. When it comes to the typical exposure process of lithography technology, photomask costs is occupying large portion of the optical system. So, how to reduce the cost of the mask and employing maskless lithography technology has become an important issue to engineers. Although there being both advantages and disadvantages, maskless lithography is a receiving substantial attention from engineers in the fileds of micro-nano fabrication. With the development of technology, low cost, flexibility, efficiency in the fabrication of device are in high demand in maskless lithography technology.

How to generate line/space patterns is gaining considerable attention in terms of maskless lithography exposure process. In order to achieve the accurate alignments of numerous optical heads within a reasonable amount of tack time, installing autonomous position align micro parallel manipulator system in each optical heads required. Applied parallel manipulator that consists of four 2-DOF (degree of freedom) decoupled actuator gives chances to provide 6-DOF independence motion, and has strength in high accuracy. It is thus, this parallel manipulator is suitable for the experiment.

This paper covers the follows: First, we reported the DMD (Digital Micro mirror Device)-based makless lithography system to introduce spot array method in maskless digital exposure process. Second, applying a redundant parallel micro manipulator and analyzing kinematic characteristic of the 4-[PP]PS parallel manipulator is described. After that, comparing benefits and drawbacks of 4-[PP]PS parallel and 4-DOF serial manipulator is covered. Third, proposing a suitable error model of the system and applying the genetic algorithm to alignment spot array concerning position correction. Finally, we designed experiment which has vision sensor and align unit to verify positioning algorithm. Simulation and experimental result will be shown with the regard to parallel manipulator can find the optimal solution based on genetic algorithm and carry out the problem of spot array alignment by reducing the position error of the system.
Mechatronic Integration of Magnetic Linear Encoding Medium Manufacturing
Authors: Chen Brian , Chang Jen-Yuan (James)
Published: August 2014

Linear encoder has been widely used in various position controls in industries, especially in machinery industry. The purpose of using linear encoders is to give precise position control in dynamic applications. Furthermore, using linear encoders helps minimize errors caused by human or mechanical problems such as backlash and thermal expansion [2]. There are various types of linear encoders such as mechanical, optical, magnetic, etc. Nevertheless, magnetic encoders are able to withstand harsh environment such as oil, grease, and dust much effective than the rest. Magnetic encoders have several advantageous qualities: low cost, fast response, and high reliability [1, 3]. Figure 1 shows the magnetic field of a magnetic scale where the yellow curves indicate the change of magnetic poles. The upper half of the scale is the incremental mark and the bottom half is the reference mark. Prior to magnetization, the scale has only the incremental mark, and the magnetizing process is to magnetize bottom half of the incremental mark into reference mark as shown in Fig. 1.
Advanced Operational Shock Analysis Considering Ramp-Disk Contact for 2.5 Inch Stamped Base HDD
Authors: Lim Geonyup , Park Kyoung-Su , Park No-Cheol , Park Young-Pil
Published: August 2014

This research proposes an operational shock analysis method that considers contact between a disk and the parking ramp for 2.5 inch stamped base HDD. The 2.5 inch stamped base HDD is susceptible to the external shock. The external shock increased the possibility of contact between disk and ramp. The contact between disk and ramp affect to the dynamic behavior of slider. Here, we describe a simulation method for a nonlinear contact model and a nonlinear air bearing spring. The vertical force and moment were calculated using a transient analysis, and applied as an input to a dynamic slider simulation. Simulations were used to investigate the characteristics of the head disk interface in response to shocks of various magnitudes and duration.
System Dynamics and Disk Drive Head Position Error Prediction in a Data Storage Box
Authors: Huang Lidu , Ku Chiao-ping Roger , O’Young Jean , Hirano Toshiki
Published: August 2014

Disk drives are packed at ever dense arrangement in a modern data storage system, internal and external mechanical disturbances can have a great effect to disk drive’s read and write performances. The VCM torque generated during seeking affects its own as well as neighboring drives head position. In this study, we modeled a storage box with multiple HDDs installed to obtain mechanical system transfer function. The mechanical excitation is characterized by VCM torque, and HDD operational vibration behaviors on linear and rotational shakers are measured. A system level hybrid method predicting HDD head position error in a data storage box is described, and both analytical and measured results will be presented.
Observer Design for Non-Uniform Sampled Systems Using Gain-Scheduling
Authors: Bagherieh Omid , Shahsavari Behrooz , Keikha Ehsan , Horowitz Roberto
Published: August 2014

In non-uniform sampled systems, the measurements are arriving at irregular time intervals. However, the control is updated at regular time intervals. An observer is required to obtain the estimate of the states during the control update times. We evaluate two observer designs: A Kalman filter and a gain-scheduling observer. The Kalman filter has the optimal performance. However, it is computationally expensive. In contrast, a recent gain-scheduling synthesis technique [1] can be used to design a time varying observer, whose time varying coefficients are a function of the measured sampling time variations. This observer is suboptimal, but it has significantly less computational complexity as compared to the Kalman filter, which makes it feasible to implement. Simulations are conducted for a self servo writing process in hard disk drives, in order to evaluate performance of H2 gain-scheduling observer design.
A memory of errors in sensorimotor learning
Authors: Herzfeld David J. , Vaswani Pavan A. , Marko Mollie K. , Shadmehr Reza
Published: August 2014

Practice makes perfect — or does it?

How do we learn from past errors? Herzfeld
et al.
found that when we practice a movement, the human brain has a memory for errors that is then used to learn faster in new conditions. This memory for error exists in parallel with motor memory's two traditional forms: memory of actions and memory of external perturbations. They also proposed a mathematical model for learning from errors. This model explained previous experimental results and predicted other major findings that they later verified experimentally.

Science
, this issue p.
1349
Prevention of muscular dystrophy in mice by CRISPR/Cas9–mediated editing of germline DNA
Authors: Long Chengzu , McAnally John R. , Shelton John M. , Mireault Alex A. , Bassel-Duby Rhonda , Olson Eric N.
Published: August 2014

Genome editing corrects a muscle disease

Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy find their muscles growing progressively weaker. Studies identified
dystrophin
as the culprit gene, which galvanized research into gene-targeted therapies. Long
et al.
apply genome editing to “correct” the disease-causing mutation in mice genetically destined to develop the disease. This germline editing strategy kept muscles from degenerating, even in mice harboring only a small percentage of corrected cells. Although not feasible for humans, this proof of concept sets the stage for applying genome editing to specific cell types involved in the disease.

Science
, this issue p.
1184
Ultrafast optical control of orbital and spin dynamics in a solid-state defect
Authors: Bassett Lee C. , Heremans F. Joseph , Christle David J. , Yale Christopher G. , Burkard Guido , Buckley Bob B. , Awschalom David D.
Published: August 2014

Manipulating a defect in diamond

Like magnetic storage in today's classical computers, tiny “magnets” associated with electronic and nuclear states—spins—are promising qubits (quantum bits) for the future. Electronic spins in special defects in diamond called nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers are one example. Whereas most applications focus on the least energetic (ground) state of an NV center, Bassett
et al.
explored the properties of the higher-energy (excited) state (see the Perspective by Childress). They used light pulses to bring the system into the excited state and to vary the time it stayed there. In this way, they could both deduce the electronic structure of the excited state and manipulate the ground state spin. Similar methods may be applicable to other quantum information systems.

Science
, this issue p.
1333
; see also p.
1247
A Gapless, Unambiguous Genome Sequence of the Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strain EDL933
Authors: Latif Haythem , Li Howard J. , Charusanti Pep , Palsson Bernhard Ø. , Aziz Ramy K.
Published: August 2014

Escherichia coli
EDL933 is the prototypic strain for enterohemorrhagic
E. coli
serotype O157:H7, associated with deadly food-borne outbreaks. Because the publicly available sequence of the EDL933 genome has gaps and >6,000 ambiguous base calls, we here present an updated high-quality, unambiguous genome sequence with no assembly gaps.
Draft Genome Sequence of Haloalkaliphilic
Exiguobacterium
sp. Strain AB2 from Manleluag Ophiolitic Spring, Philippines
Authors: Cabria Gamaliel Lysander B. , Argayosa Vina B. , Lazaro Jose Enrico H. , Argayosa Anacleto M. , Arcilla Carlo A.
Published: August 2014

Exiguobacterium
sp. AB2 is a haloalkaliphilic bacterium isolated from a hyperalkaline spring in Manleluag, Pangasinan, Philippines. Sequencing of bacterial DNA assembled a 2.85 MB draft genome. Analysis suggests the presence of genes for tolerance to stresses such as elevated pH and salt concentrations and toxic metals.
Registration of whole immunohistochemical slide images: an efficient way to characterize biomarker colocalization
Authors: Moles Lopez Xavier , Barbot Paul , Van Eycke Yves-Rémi , Verset Laurine , Trépant Anne-Laure , Larbanoix Lionel , Salmon Isabelle , Decaestecker Christine
Published: August 2014

Background and objective Extracting accurate information from complex biological processes involved in diseases, such as cancers, requires the simultaneous targeting of multiple proteins and locating their respective expression in tissue samples. This information can be collected by imaging and registering adjacent sections from the same tissue sample and stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Registration accuracy should be on the scale of a few cells to enable protein colocalization to be assessed.

Methods We propose a simple and efficient method based on the open-source elastix framework to register virtual slides of adjacent sections from the same tissue sample. We characterize registration accuracies for different types of tissue and IHC staining.

Results Our results indicate that this technique is suitable for the evaluation of the colocalization of biomarkers on the scale of a few cells. We also show that using this technique in conjunction with a sequential IHC labeling and erasing technique offers improved registration accuracies.

Discussion Brightfield IHC enables to address the problem of large series of tissue samples, which are usually required in clinical research. However, this approach, which is simple at the tissue processing level, requires challenging image analysis processes, such as accurate registration, to view and extract the protein colocalization information.

Conclusions The method proposed in this work enables accurate registration (on the scale of a few cells) of virtual slides of adjacent tissue sections on which the expression of different proteins is evidenced by standard IHC. Furthermore, combining our method with a sequential labeling and erasing technique enables cell-scale colocalization.
Reduction in stillbirths at term after new birth induction paradigm: results of a national intervention
Authors: Hedegaard Mette , Lidegaard Øjvind , Skovlund Charlotte Wessel , Mørch Lina Steinrud , Hedegaard Morten
Published: August 2014

Objective

The risk of fetal death increases steeply after 42 gestational weeks. Since 2009, Denmark has had a more proactive policy including prevention of prolonged pregnancy, and early intervention in women with diabetes, preeclampsia, high body mass index and of a higher age group. The aim of this study was to describe the development in fetal deaths with this more proactive birth induction practice, and to identify and quantify contributing factors for this development.

Design

National cohort study.

Setting

Denmark.

Participants

Delivering women in Denmark, 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2012.

Outcome measures

Stillbirths per 1000 women at risk (prospective risk of stillbirth) and per 1000 newborn from 37 and 40 gestational weeks, respectively, through the study period.

Results

During the study period, 829 165 children were live born and 3770 (0.45%) stillborn. Induction of labour increased from 12.4% in year 2000 to 25.1% in 2012 (p<0.001), and the percentage of children born at or after 42 weeks decreased from 8.0% to 1.5% (p<0.001). Through the same period, the prospective risk of stillbirth after 37 weeks fell from 0.70 to 0.41/1000 ongoing pregnancies (p<0.001), and from 2.4 to 1.4/1000 newborn (p<0.001). The regression analysis confirmed the inverse association between year of birth and risk of stillbirth. The lowest risk was observed in the years 2011–2012 as compared with years 2000–2002 with a fully adjusted HR of 0.69 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.83). The general earlier induction, the focused earlier induction of women with body mass index >30, twins, and of women above 40 years and a halving of smoking pregnant women were all independent contributing factors for the decrease.

Conclusions

A gradually more proactive and differential earlier labour induction practice is likely to have mainly been responsible for the substantial reduction in stillbirths in Denmark.
Educational differences in mortality and the relative importance of different causes of death: a 7-year follow-up study of Spanish adults
Authors: Reques Laura , Giráldez-García Carolina , Miqueleiz Estrella , Belza María J , Regidor Enrique
Published: August 2014

Background

The evidence on mortality patterns by education in Spain comes from regional areas. This study aimed to estimate these patterns in the whole Spanish population.

Methods

All citizens aged 25 years and over and residing in Spain in 2001 were followed during 7 years to determine their vital status, resulting in a total of 196 470 401 person-years and 2 379 558 deaths. We estimated the age-adjusted total and cause-specific mortality by educational level—primary, lower secondary, upper secondary and university education—and then calculated the relative and absolute measures of inequality in mortality and contribution of the leading causes of death to absolute inequalities.

Results

Except for some cancer sites, the mortality rate for the leading causes of death shows an inverse gradient with educational level. The leading causes of death with the highest relative index of inequality ratios were HIV disease (9.81 in women and 11.61 in men), diabetes in women (4.02) and suicide in men (3.52). The leading causes of death that contribute most to the absolute inequality in mortality are cardiovascular diseases (48.8%), respiratory diseases (9.3%) and diabetes mellitus (8.8%) in women, and cardiovascular diseases (20.8%), respiratory diseases (19.8%) and cancer (19.6%) in men.

Conclusions

Although the causes of death with the strongest gradient in mortality rate are HIV disease in both sexes, diabetes mellitus in women and suicide in men, most of the absolute education-related inequalities in total mortality are due to cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and diabetes mellitus in women and to cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and cancer in men.
Risk relativism and physical law
Authors: Broadbent Alex
Published: August 2014

In two 1959 papers, one coauthored, Jerome Cornfield asserts that ‘relative’ measures are more useful for causal inference while ‘absolute’ measures are more useful for public health purposes. In one of these papers (the single-authored one), he asks how epidemiology should respond to the fact that its domain is not a highly ‘articulated’ one—it is not susceptible to being subsumed under general laws. What is the connection between these issues? There has recently been some backlash against ‘risk relativism’, and Charles Poole has recently dismantled the mathematical argument for the first claim. However the problem with ‘Cornfield's Principle’ seems to go much deeper. The whole attempt to partition measures into absolute and relative is fundamentally mistaken. Why, then, has it seemed so appealing? Perhaps one reason is the influence that early education in the physical sciences continues to exert on the way epidemiologists think, and their response to the low articulation of their domain of study.
Identifying barriers to participation in cardiac prevention and rehabilitation programmes via decision tree analysis: establishing targets for remedial interventions
Authors: Reges Orna , Vilchinsky Noa , Leibowitz Morton , Khaskia Abdulrahem , Mosseri Morris , Kark Jeremy D
Published: August 2014

Background

Participation rates of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in efficacious cardiac prevention and rehabilitation programmes (CPRPs) are low, particularly in ethnic minorities. Few studies have evaluated the full array of potential barriers to participation in a multiethnic cohort with identical insurance coverage.

Objective

To assess the hierarchy of multiple barriers (ie, sociodemographic, systemic, illness related, psychological and cultural) to participation in CPRP of Jewish and Arab patients served by a regional hospital in Israel.

Methods

Patients with ACS (N=420) were interviewed during hospitalisation about potential barriers and subsequently about participation in CPRP. Decision tree analysis determined, hierarchically, the best predictors of participation in CPRP.

Results

Ethnicity was the salient predictor of participation in CPRP (61.1% (95% CI 55.6% to 66.5%) of Jewish patients versus 17.2% (95% CI 11.2% to 24.9%) of Arab patients). Among Jewish patients the dominant determinant was a recommendation for CPRP in the hospital discharge letter (32.5% (95% CI 23.1% to 43.1%) vs 71.9% (95% CI 65.8% to 77.6%) participation without and with a recommendation, respectively). Other major hierarchical determinants included age, discharge diagnosis, socioeconomic position and perceived benefits of exercise. Among Arab patients, anxiety was the main predictor (5.5% (95% CI 1.1% to 14.1%) vs 27.9% (95% CI 17.7% to 40.0%) participation among those with high vs lower anxiety levels). Additional contributors were a predischarge visit to the rehabilitation centre (familiarisation) and car ownership (access).

Conclusions

Utilisation of decision tree analysis enables us to identify the key barriers to participation in CPRP in an ethnic-specific mode. Interventions to improve participation can then be designed to address each group's specific barriers.
Magnetism in rare-earth alloys
Authors: Gulacsi M.
Published: August 2014

Low dimensional rare-earth alloys reveal a rich phase diagram which always incorporate a ferromagnetic (FM) phase. Here we show that rare-earth ferromagnetism in low dimensions is due to double-exchange mechanism. We use the bosonized version of the one-dimensional Anderson lattice model in Toulouse limit to characterize the properties of this emerging FM phase. We give a comprehensive description of the FM ordering of the correlated electrons which appears at intermediate couplings and doping. Determine the critical properties of the phase transitions into the quantum disordered paramagnetic phases. The obtained phase transitions have been identified to be an order–disorder transition of the quantum random transverse-field Ising type.
STRUCTURAL AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF THE THIN FILM OF COBALT NITRIDE
Authors: KAYANI ZOHRA NAZIR , RIAZ SAIRA , NASEEM SHAHZAD
Published: August 2014

Cobalt nitride has been prepared and studied for magnetic memory applications. Sol–gel technique is used to prepare thin films of cobalt nitride. The films were deposited onto Cu substrates by spin coating at 3000 rpm for 30 s. The films were then air dried and heated at 300°C for 120 min. As-deposited and heated samples were characterized for their structural and magnetic properties using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques. The grain size was in the range of 22.7–30.10 nm. Their surface was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Orthorhombic structure can be seen in SEM micrographs. This orthorhombic structure is also confirmed by XRD.
Multiple positive solutions for a class of concave–convex elliptic problems in ℝNinvolving sign-changing weight, II
Authors: Huang Yisheng , Wu Tsung-Fang , Wu Yuanze
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we study the following concave–convex elliptic problems: [Formula: see text] where N ≥ 3, 1 < q < 2 < p < 2* = 2N/(N - 2), λ > 0 and μ < 0 are two parameters. By using several variational methods and a perturbation argument, we obtain three positive solutions to this problem under the predefined conditions of fλ(x) and gμ(x), which simultaneously extends the result of [T. Hsu, Multiple positive solutions for a class of concave–convex semilinear elliptic equations in unbounded domains with sign-changing weights, Bound. Value Probl. 2010 (2010), Article ID 856932, 18pp.; T. Wu, Multiple positive solutions for a class of concave–convex elliptic problems in ℝNinvolving sign-changing weight, J. Funct. Anal. 258 (2010) 99–131]. We also study the concentration behavior of these three solutions both for λ → 0 and μ → -∞.
Quantitative and temporal differential recovery of articular and muscular limitations of knee joint contractures; results in a rat model
Authors: Trudel Guy , Laneuville Odette , Coletta Elizabeth , Goudreau Louis , Uhthoff Hans K.
Published: August 2014

Joint contractures alter the mechanical properties of articular and muscular structures. Reversibility of a contracture depends on the restoration of the elasticity of both structures. We determined the differential contribution of articular and muscular structures to knee flexion contractures during spontaneous recovery. Rats (250, divided into 24 groups) had one knee joint surgically fixed in flexion for six different durations, from 1 to 32 wk, creating joint contractures of various severities. After the fixation was removed, the animals were left to spontaneously recover for 1 to 48 wk. After the recovery periods, animals were killed and the knee extension was measured before and after division of the transarticular posterior muscles using a motorized arthrometer. No articular limitation had developed in contracture of recent onset (≤2 wk of fixation, P > 0.05); muscular limitations were responsible for the majority of the contracture (34 ± 8° and 38 ± 6°, respectively; both P < 0.05). Recovery for 1 and 8 wk reversed the muscular limitation of contractures of recent onset (1 and 2 wk of fixation, respectively). Long-lasting contractures (≥4 wk of fixation) presented articular limitations, irreversible in all 12 durations of recovery compared with controls (all 12 P < 0.05). Knee flexion contractures of recent onset were primarily due to muscular structures, and they were reversible during spontaneous recovery. Long-lasting contractures were primarily due to articular structures and were irreversible. Comprehensive temporal and quantitative data on the differential reversibility of mechanically significant alterations in articular and muscular structures represent novel evidence on which to base clinical practice.
Acute effects of taurine on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ accumulation and contractility in human type I and type II skeletal muscle fibers
Authors: Dutka T. L. , Lamboley C. R. , Murphy R. M. , Lamb G. D.
Published: August 2014

Taurine occurs in high concentrations in muscle and is implicated in numerous physiological processes, yet its effects on many aspects of contractility remain unclear. Using mechanically skinned segments of human vastus lateralis muscle fibers, we characterized the effects of taurine on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ accumulation and contractile apparatus properties in type I and type II fibers. Prolonged myoplasmic exposure (>10 min) to taurine substantially increased the rate of accumulation of Ca2+ by the SR in both fiber types, with no change in the maximum amount accumulated; no such effect was found with carnosine. SR Ca2+ accumulation was similar with 10 or 20 mM taurine, but was significantly slower at 5 mM taurine. Cytoplasmic taurine (20 mM) had no detectable effects on the responsiveness of the Ca2+ release channels in either fiber type. Taurine caused a small increase in Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile apparatus in type I fibers, but type II fibers were unaffected; maximum Ca2+-activated force was unchanged in both cases. The effects of taurine on SR Ca2+ accumulation 1) only became apparent after prolonged cytoplasmic exposure, and 2) persisted for some minutes after complete removal of taurine from the cytoplasm, consistent with the hypothesis that the effects were due to an action of taurine from inside the SR. In summary, taurine potentiates the rate of SR Ca2+ uptake in both type I and type II human fibers, possibly via an action from within the SR lumen, with the degree of potentiation being significantly reduced at low physiological taurine levels.
Vaccine-Elicited CD8+ T Cells Cure Mesothelioma by Overcoming Tumor-Induced Immunosuppressive Environment
Authors: Tan Zhiwu , Zhou Jingying , Cheung Allen K.L. , Yu Zhe , Cheung Ka-Wai , Liang Jianguo , Wang Haibo , Lee Boon Kiat , Man Kwan , Liu Li , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Chen Zhiwei
Published: August 2014

Eradicating malignant tumors by vaccine-elicited host immunity remains a major medical challenge. To date, correlates of immune protection remain unknown for malignant mesothelioma. In this study, we demonstrated that antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell immune response correlates with the elimination of malignant mesothelioma by a model PD-1–based DNA vaccine. Unlike the nonprotective tumor antigen WT1-based DNA vaccines, the model vaccine showed complete and long-lasting protection against lethal mesothelioma challenge in immunocompetent BALB/c mice. Furthermore, it remained highly immunogenic in tumor-bearing animals and led to therapeutic cure of preexisting mesothelioma. T-cell depletion and adoptive transfer experiments revealed that vaccine-elicited CD8+ T cells conferred to the protective efficacy in a dose-dependent way. Also, these CD8+ T cells functioned by releasing inflammatory IFNγ and TNFα in the vicinity of target cells as well as by initiating TRAIL-directed tumor cell apoptosis. Importantly, repeated DNA vaccinations, a major advantage over live-vectored vaccines with issues of preexisting immunity, achieve an active functional state, not only preventing the rise of exhausted PD-1+ and Tim-3+ CD8+ T cells but also suppressing tumor-induced myeloid-derived suppressive cells and Treg cells, with the frequency of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells inversely correlating with tumor mass. Our results provide new insights into quantitative and qualitative requirements of vaccine-elicited functional CD8+ T cells in cancer prevention and immunotherapy. Cancer Res; 74(21); 6010–21. ©2014 AACR.