bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Case of Decreased Susceptibility to Ceftriaxone in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the Absence of a Mosaic Penicillin-Binding Protein 2 (penA) Allele
Authors: Abrams A. Jeanine , Kirkcaldy Robert D. , Pettus Kevin , Fox Jan L. , Kubin Grace , Trees David L.
Published: June 2017

We report a case of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with a non-mosaic penA allele that exhibited decreased susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, including a ceftriaxone minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.5 μg/mL. An analysis of resistance determinants suggested that the observed phenotype might have resulted from the combined effects of mutations in multiple genes.
Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention in 78 Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinics—United States, 2014–2015
Authors: McGinnis Emily , Meyerson Beth E. , Meites Elissa , Saraiya Mona , Griesse Rebecca , Snoek Emily , Haderxhanaj Laura , Markowitz Lauri E. , Smith William
Published: June 2017

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections cause approximately 30,700 cancers annually among US men and women, cervical cancer being the most common. Human papillomavirus vaccination is recommended routinely for US girls and boys at age 11 to 12 years, and for those not previously vaccinated, through age 26 and 21 years for women and men, respectively. Our objective was to assess current cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination practices among sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in the United States.

Methods

We surveyed a geographically diverse convenience sample of US STD clinics identified by members of the National Coalition of STD Directors within 65 state, territorial, and local jurisdictions. An online multiple-choice survey about clinical services was administered to clinic directors or designees during October 2014 to February 2015.

Results

Survey respondents included 78 clinics from 46 states and territories. Of these clinics, 31 (39.7%) offered both cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination, 6 (7.7%) offered cervical cancer screening only, 21 (26.9%) offered HPV vaccination only, and 20 (25.6%) offered neither cervical cancer prevention service. Among those not offering the service, the most commonly reported barrier to cervical cancer screening was time constraints (25/41, 61.0%); for HPV vaccination it was reimbursement (11/26, 42.3%).

Conclusions

By early 2015, in a geographically diverse group of 78 STD clinics, 39.7% provided nationally recommended HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening, whereas 25.6% provided neither. Further research could identify strategies for STD clinics to reduce HPV-associated cancers by increasing provision of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening services, particularly among medically underserved populations.
Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Cisgender and Transgender Women Sex Workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Results From a Respondent-Driven Sampling Study
Authors: Wickersham Jeffrey A. , Gibson Britton A. , Bazazi Alexander R. , Pillai Veena , Pedersen Courtney J. , Meyer Jaimie P. , El-Bassel Nabila , Mayer Kenneth H. , Kamarulzaman Adeeba , Altice Frederick L.
Published: June 2017

Background

Sex workers face a disproportionate burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STI) worldwide. For cisgender women sex workers (CWSW), global HIV prevalence is over 10%, whereas transgender women sex workers (TWSW) face an HIV burden of 19% to 27%.

Methods

We used respondent-driven sampling to recruit 492 sex workers, including CWSW (n = 299) and TWSW (n = 193) in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Participants completed an in-depth survey and were screened for HIV, syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Sample characteristics stratified by gender identity and interview site are presented. Bivariate analyses comparing CWSW and TWSW were conducted using independent samples t tests for continuous variables and χ2 tests for categorical variables.

Results

Pooled HIV prevalence was high (11.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.8–14.5), and was similar for CWSW (11.1%) and TWSW (12.4%). Rates of syphilis 25.5% (95% CI, 21.6–29.5), C. trachomatis (14.8%; 95% CI, 11.6–18.0) and N. gonorrhoeae (5.8%; 95% CI, 3.7–7.9) were also concerning. Both groups reported lifetime HIV testing (62.4%), but CWSW were less likely to have ever been HIV tested (54.5%) than TWSW (74.6%). Median time since last HIV test was 24 months. Previous screening for STI was low. Inconsistent condom use and drug use during sex work were not uncommon.

Conclusions

High HIV and STI prevalence, coupled with infrequent HIV and STI screening, inconsistent condom use, and occupational drug use, underscore the need for expanded HIV and STI prevention, screening, and treatment efforts among CWSW and TWSW in Malaysia.
What is New in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor?
Authors: Schaefer Inga-Marie , Mariño-Enríquez Adrián , Fletcher Jonathan A.
Published: June 2017

The classification “gastrointestinal stromal tumor” (GIST) became commonplace in the 1990s and since that time various advances have characterized the GIST lineage of origin, tyrosine kinase mutations, and mechanisms of response and resistance to targeted therapies. In addition to tyrosine kinase mutations and their constitutive activation of downstream signaling pathways, GISTs acquire a sequence of chromosomal aberrations. These include deletions of chromosomes 14q, 22q, 1p, and 15q, which harbor putative tumor suppressor genes required for stepwise progression from microscopic, preclinical forms of GIST (microGIST) to clinically relevant tumors with malignant potential. Recent advances extend our understanding of GIST biology beyond that of the oncogenic KIT/PDGFRA tyrosine kinases and beyond mechanisms of KIT/PDGFRA-inhibitor treatment response and resistance. These advances have characterized ETV1 as an essential interstitial cell of Cajal-GIST transcription factor in oncogenic KIT signaling pathways, and have characterized the biologically distinct subgroup of succinate dehydrogenase deficient GIST, which are particularly common in young adults. Also, recent discoveries of MAX and dystrophin genomic inactivation have expanded our understanding of GIST development and progression, showing that MAX inactivation is an early event fostering cell cycle activity, whereas dystrophin inactivation promotes invasion and metastasis.
Acute Abdominal Pain
Authors: Norbedo Stefania , Bassanese Giulia , Barbieri Francesca , Barbi Egidio
Published: June 2017

Objective

The main aim of the study was to investigate the incidence and the clinically relevant features of functional constipation in patients evaluated for acute abdominal pain in a tertiary care pediatric emergency department.

Methods

This is a retrospective study. We analyzed 4394 medical records and recorded the information (demographics, triage code, symptoms, medical history, physical evaluation, laboratory tests, radiological studies, procedures, and treatments) of all patients admitted for acute abdominal pain to the emergency department of the IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, during 2010 to 2013.

Results

In this study, a quarter of patients (1020) presenting in the emergency department with acute abdominal pain were affected by functional constipation. Acute pain associated with functional constipation is generally rated from moderate to severe, and the location of the pain on physical evaluation was not a sufficient criterion to guide diagnosis. Isolated vomiting may be present in a minority of cases. Digital rectal exploration was never performed; the majority of patients were treated by means of an enema with prompt relief. Six percent of patients with constipation underwent radiological studies.

Conclusions

This study confirms that the medical history provides a pivotal role in the diagnosis of functional constipation. Digital rectal exploration and x-rays should be avoided in this setting, whereas an enema plays a useful diagnostic and therapeutic role in our study patients.
Understanding the Constipation Conundrum
Authors: MacGeorge Claire A. , Williams Daniel C. , Vajta Natalie , Morella Kristen , Thacker Paul G. , Russell Scott , Basco William T. , Bundy David G.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

Many children with constipation who are evaluated in emergency departments (EDs) receive an abdominal radiograph (AR) despite evidence-based guidelines discouraging imaging. The objectives of this study were to identify predictors associated with obtaining an AR and to determine if ARs were associated with a longer length of stay (LOS) among children with constipation evaluated in the ED.

Methods

A review of billing and electronic health records was conducted in an academic pediatric ED for children ages 0 to 17 years who had a primary discharge diagnosis of constipation from July 2013 to June 2014. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors for obtaining an AR. Differences in mean LOS were analyzed using linear regression.

Results

In total, 326 children met inclusion criteria, and 60% of the children received an AR. In logistic regression, significant predictors included age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.1/year of age, P = 0.004), presenting with abdominal pain as chief complaint compared with constipation (OR = 4.4, P < 0.0001), and history of emesis (OR = 2.8, P = 0.001) after controlling for provider type and previous constipation medication use. In linear regression, the adjusted mean LOS for those with an AR was 163 minutes compared with 117 minutes for those without after controlling for age, provider type, and history of constipation medication use (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Abdominal radiographs were used frequently in the ED diagnosis and management of constipation, particularly in older children and those with abdominal pain and emesis. Abdominal radiographs were associated with increased LOS.
Imaging Adults With Congenital Heart Disease Part II
Authors: Sahu Anurag , Slesnick Timothy C.
Published: June 2017

Because of great strides in medical care, survival into adulthood has become a common expectation in patients suffering from nearly all forms of congenital heart disease. As this aging population expands, the utilization of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in their care continues to grow. Magnetic resonance technology has developed exponentially over the last 2 decades, and several advanced techniques for imaging adults with congenital heart disease have moved from the purely research arena into routine clinical care. In particular, 4-dimensional phase-contrast imaging allows comprehensive hemodynamic assessment, myocardial characterization quantifies fibrosis, stress magnetic resonance imaging detects vulnerable myocardium and hemodynamic reserve, and 3-dimensional modeling enables preinterventional planning, all of which are now widespread in their applications.
Frontotemporal Dementia Presenting as Gambling Disorder: When a Psychiatric Condition Is the Clue to a Neurodegenerative Disease
Authors: Tondo Giacomo , De Marchi Fabiola , Terazzi Emanuela , Sacchetti Marta , Cantello Roberto
Published: June 2017

Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, the most common form of frontotemporal dementia, is characterized by executive dysfunction and changes in personality and behavior, sometimes with associated psychiatric disorders. We report a man who suddenly developed a gambling disorder when he was 55 years old. A year later he developed personality changes of agitation, euphoria, and disinhibition, along with binge eating and dysthymia. He did not improve on paroxetine 40 mg/day. Two years after the onset of his symptoms, he came to our clinic for evaluation. Neuropsychological testing showed deficits in cognitive control, planning, and attention. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans showed predominant frontal and temporal alterations, worse in the right hemisphere than the left. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was not compatible with Alzheimer disease. On the basis of current criteria, we gave him a diagnosis of probable behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia presenting with a psychiatric symptom. Our findings in this unusual patient confirm the importance of close clinical monitoring in people who have a psychiatric disorder with atypical features, because the condition may mask an underlying neurodegenerative disease.
Cryo-electron tomography: an ideal method to study membrane-associated proteins
Authors: Dunstone Michelle A. , de Marco Alex
Published: June 2017

Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) is a three-dimensional imaging technique that makes it possible to analyse the structure of complex and dynamic biological assemblies in their native conditions. The latest technological and image processing developments demonstrate that it is possible to obtain structural information at nanometre resolution. The sample preparation required for the cryo-ET technique does not require the isolation of a protein and other macromolecular complexes from its native environment. Therefore, cryo-ET is emerging as an important tool to study the structure of membrane-associated proteins including pores.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Membrane pores: from structure and assembly, to medicine and technology’.
Design of self-assembling transmembrane helical bundles to elucidate principles required for membrane protein folding and ion transport
Authors: Joh Nathan H. , Grigoryan Gevorg , Wu Yibing , DeGrado William F.
Published: June 2017

Ion transporters and channels are able to identify and act on specific substrates among myriads of ions and molecules critical to cellular processes, such as homeostasis, cell signalling, nutrient influx and drug efflux. Recently, we designed Rocker, a minimalist model for Zn
2+
/H
+
co-transport. The success of this effort suggests that
de novo
membrane protein design has now come of age so as to serve a key approach towards probing the determinants of membrane protein folding, assembly and function. Here, we review general principles that can be used to design membrane proteins, with particular reference to helical assemblies with transport function. We also provide new functional and NMR data that probe the dynamic mechanism of conduction through Rocker.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Membrane pores: from structure and assembly, to medicine and technology’.
Pore formation by dimeric Bak and Bax: an unusual pore?
Authors: Uren Rachel T. , Iyer Sweta , Kluck Ruth M.
Published: June 2017

Apoptotic cell death via the mitochondrial pathway occurs in all vertebrate cells and requires the formation of pores in the mitochondrial outer membrane. Two Bcl-2 protein family members, Bak and Bax, form these pores during apoptosis, and how they do so has been investigated for the last two decades. Many of the conformation changes that occur during their transition to pore-forming proteins have now been delineated. Notably, biochemical, biophysical and structural studies indicate that symmetric homodimers are the basic unit of pore formation. Each dimer contains an extended hydrophobic surface that lies on the outer membrane, and is anchored at either end by a transmembrane domain. Membrane-remodelling events such as positive membrane curvature have been reported to accompany apoptotic pore formation, suggesting Bak and Bax form lipidic pores rather than proteinaceous pores. However, it remains unclear how symmetric dimers assemble to porate the membrane. Here, we review how clusters of dimers and their lipid-mediated interactions provide a molecular explanation for the heterogeneous assemblies of Bak and Bax observed during apoptosis.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Membrane pores: from structure and assembly, to medicine and technology’.
Single-molecule nanopore enzymology
Authors: Willems Kherim , Van Meervelt Veerle , Wloka Carsten , Maglia Giovanni
Published: June 2017

Biological nanopores are a class of membrane proteins that open nanoscale water conduits in biological membranes. When they are reconstituted in artificial membranes and a bias voltage is applied across the membrane, the ionic current passing through individual nanopores can be used to monitor chemical reactions, to recognize individual molecules and, of most interest, to sequence DNA. In addition, a more recent nanopore application is the analysis of single proteins and enzymes. Monitoring enzymatic reactions with nanopores, i.e. nanopore enzymology, has the unique advantage that it allows long-timescale observations of native proteins at the single-molecule level. Here, we describe the approaches and challenges in nanopore enzymology.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Membrane pores: from structure and assembly, to medicine and technology’.
Comparison of protein expression during wild-type, and E1B-55k-deletion, adenovirus infection using quantitative time-course proteomics
Authors: Fu Yen Rong , Turnell Andrew S. , Davis Simon , Heesom Kate J. , Evans Vanessa C. , Matthews David A.
Published: June 2017

Adenovirus has evolved strategies to usurp host-cell factors and machinery to facilitate its life cycle, including cell entry, replication, assembly and egress. Adenovirus continues, therefore, to be an important model system for investigating fundamental cellular processes. The role of adenovirus E1B-55k in targeting host-cell proteins that possess antiviral activity for proteasomal degradation is now well established. To expand our understanding of E1B-55k in regulating the levels of host-cell proteins, we performed comparative proteome analysis of wild-type, and E1B-55k-deletion, adenovirus-infected cancer cells. As such we performed quantitative MS/MS analysis to monitor protein expression changes affected by viral E1B-55k. We identified 5937 proteins, and of these, 69 and 58 proteins were down-regulated during wild-type and E1B-55k (dl1520) adenovirus infection, respectively. This analysis revealed that there are many, previously unidentified, cellular proteins subjected to degradation by adenovirus utilizing pathways independent of E1B-55k expression. Moreover, we found that ALCAM, EPHA2 and PTPRF, three cellular proteins that function in the regulation of cell–cell contacts, appeared to be degraded by E1B-55k/E4orf3 and/or E1B-55k/E4orf6 complexes. These molecules, like integrin α3 (a known substrate of E1B-55k/E4orf6), are critical regulators of cell signalling, cell adhesion and cell surface modulation, and their degradation during infection is, potentially, pertinent to adenovirus propagation. The data presented in this study illustrate the broad nature of protein down-regulation mediated by adenovirus.
A RESTful API to serve BAM file with OAuth2 compatible authorization
Authors: Delafontaine Julien , Pradervand Sylvain
Published: June 2017

Bam-server is an open-source RESTful service to query slices of BAM files securely and manage their user accesses. A typical use case is the visualization of local read alignments in a web interface for variant calling diagnostic, without exposing sensitive data to unauthorized users through the network, and without moving the original - heavy - file. Bam-server follows the standard implementation of a protected resource server in the context of a typical token-based authorization protocol, supporting HMAC- and RSA-hashed signatures from an authorization server of choice.

Availability

The source code is available athttps://github.com/chuv-ssrc/bam-server-scala, and a complete documentation can be found athttp://bam-server-scala.readthedocs.io/en/latest/.

Contact

sylvain.pradervand@chuv.ch
Evaluating 35 Methods to Generate Structural Connectomes Using Pairwise Classification
Authors: Petrov Dmitry , Ivanov Alexander , Faskowitz Joshua , Gutman Boris , Moyer Daniel , Villalon Julio , Jahanshad Neda , Thompson Paul
Published: June 2017

There is no consensus on how to construct structural brain networks from diffusion MRI. How variations in pre-processing steps affect network reliability and its ability to distinguish subjects remains opaque. In this work, we address this issue by comparing 35 structural connectome-building pipelines. We vary diffusion reconstruction models, tractography algorithms and parcellations. Next, we classify structural connectome pairs as either belonging to the same individual or not. Connectome weights and eight topological derivative measures form our feature set. For experiments, we use three test-retest datasets from the Consortium for Reliability and Reproducibility (CoRR) comprised of a total of 105 individuals. We also compare pairwise classification results to a commonly used parametric test-retest measure, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC)‡.
TheCaenorhabditis elegansRAD-51 isoform A is required for the induction of DNA-damage-dependent apoptosis
Authors: Germoglio Marcello , Adamo Adele
Published: June 2017

Therad-51gene inCaenorhabditis elegansis transcribed into alternative mRNAs potentially coding three alternative protein isoforms. We have genetically modified this gene in order to investigate the potential roles of the longest isoform, namely isoform A, in genome stability. The RAD-51 isoform A appears to contribute to genome stability in late development, but is not implicated in meiosis or DNA repair in the germline. However, the RAD-51 isoform A has a pivotal role in DNA damage induced apoptosis, but not in DNA damage checkpoint activation or physiological cell death. This is a relevant new finding that improves our understanding of how DNA damage apoptosis is restricted to late pachytene stage preventing the inappropriate loss of nuclei undergoing the earlier stages of meiotic recombination, during which a large number of physiologically induced DSBs are present.
IMPDH polymers accommodate both catalytically active and inactive conformations
Authors: Anthony Sajitha , Burrell Anika L. , Johnson Matthew C. , Duong-Ly Krisna C. , Kuo Yin-Ming , Michener Peter , Andrews Andrew , Kollman Justin M. , Peterson Jeffrey R.
Published: June 2017

Several metabolic enzymes undergo reversible polymerization into macromolecular assemblies. The function of these assemblies is often unclear but in some cases they regulate enzyme activity and metabolic homeostasis. The guanine nucleotide biosynthetic enzyme inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) forms octamers that polymerize into helical chains. In mammalian cells, IMPDH filaments can associate into micron-length assemblies. Polymerization and enzyme activity are regulated in part by binding of purine nucleotides to an allosteric regulatory domain. ATP promotes octamer polymerization, whereas GTP promotes a compact, inactive conformation whose ability to polymerize is unknown. An open question is whether polymerization directly alters IMPDH catalytic activity. To address this, we identified point mutants of human IMPDH2 that either prevent or promote polymerization. Unexpectedly, we found that polymerized and non-assembled forms of IMPDH have comparable catalytic activity, substrate affinity, and GTP sensitivity and validated this finding in cells. Electron microscopy revealed that substrates and allosteric nucleotides shift the equilibrium between active and inactive conformations in both the octamer and the filament. Unlike other metabolic filaments, which selectively stabilize active or inactive conformations, IMPDH filaments accommodate multiple states. Thus, although polymerization alone does not impact catalytic activity, substrate availability and purine balance dramatically affect IMPDH filament architecture.
(2Z)-2-(5-Fluoro-1-methyl-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-N-(3-fluorophenyl)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide
Authors: Atioğlu Zeliha , Sevinçli Zekiye Şeyma , Karalı Nilgün , Akkurt Mehmet , Ersanlı Cem Cüneyt
Published: June 2017

In the title compound, C16H12F2N4OS, the whole molecule is essentially planar (r.m.s deviation = 0.003 Å), with only the H atoms of the methyl group lying out of the molecular plane. A planar indole fused-ring system (r.m.s deviation = 0.004 Å) is linked through a hydrazine–carbothioamide bridge to a fluorobenzene ring, with the indole ring system and inclined to the fluorobenzene ring by 4.26 (14)°. The planarity of the molecule is strengthened by three intramolecular N—H...N, N—H...O and C—H...S hydrogen bonds that generateS(5),S(6) andS(6) ring motifs, respectively. In the crystal, π–π stacking interactions combine with C—H...·F hydrogen bonds to link the molecules into layers parallel to the (10-1) plane.
Microbiome dynamics in early life stages of the scleractinian coral Acropora gemmifera in response to elevated pCO2
Authors: Zhou Guowei , Cai Lin , Yuan Tao , Tian Renmao , Tong Haoya , Zhang Weipeng , Jiang Lei , Guo Minglan , Liu Sheng , Qian Pei‐Yuan , Huang Hui
Published: June 2017

Reef‐building corals are complex holobionts, harbouring diverse microorganisms that play essential roles in maintaining coral health. However, microbiome development in early life stages of corals remains poorly understood. Here, microbiomes of Acropora gemmifera were analysed during spawning and early developmental stages, and also under different seawater partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) conditions, using amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA gene for bacteria and archaea and of ITS2 for Symbiodinium. No remarkable microbiome shift was observed in adults before and after spawning. Moreover, microbiomes in eggs were highly similar to those in spawned adults, possibly suggesting a vertical transmission from parents to offspring. However, significant stage‐specific changes were found in coral microbiome during development, indicating that host development played a dominant role in shaping coral microbiome. Specifically, Cyanobacteria were particularly abundant in 6‐day‐old juveniles, but decreased largely in 31‐day‐old juveniles with a possible subclade shift in Symbiodinium dominance from C2r to D17. Larval microbiome showed changes in elevated pCO2, while juvenile microbiomes remained rather stable in response to higher pCO2. This study provides novel insights into the microbiome development during the critical life stages of coral.
Trying not to lose: The electoral consequences of unilateral reform efforts and the social pact formation process
Authors: CASTATER ERIC GRAIG , HAN KYUNG JOON
Published: June 2017

The existing social pact literature claims that governing parties offer social pact proposals because they anticipate they will receive an electoral benefit from social pact agreements. Yet the available data on social pacts inform us that in a substantial minority of cases social pact proposals fail to become social pact agreements. In an effort to better determine the political calculations made by governments before they propose a social pact, this article examines the effect of implementing reform legislation unilaterally, social pact proposals, social pact proposal failures and social pact agreements on the vote share of government parties in 15 Western European countries between 1981 and 2006. It is found that social pact proposals do not have any electoral consequences for governing parties, unilateral legislation and social pact proposal failures reduce the vote share of governing parties, and social pact agreements provide an electoral benefit to parties in minority governments only. These findings suggest that governing parties propose social pacts in a good faith effort to complete a social pact agreement; and that such an agreement is not a way for these parties to gain votes, but to avoid the electoral punishment associated with enacting unpopular reforms unilaterally.
Techniques for the Analysis of Minor Lipid Oxidation Products Derived from Triacylglycerols: Epoxides, Alcohols, and Ketones
Authors: Xia Wei , Budge Suzanne M.
Published: June 2017

Lipid oxidation can lead to flavor and safety issues in fat‐containing foods. In order to measure the extent of lipid oxidation, hydroperoxides and their scission products are normally targeted for analytical purposes. In recent years, the formation of rarely monitored oxygenated products, including epoxides, alcohols, and ketones, has also raised concerns. These products are thought to form from alternative pathways that compete with chain scissions, and should not be neglected. In this review, a number of instrumental techniques and approaches to determine epoxides, alcohols, and ketones are discussed, with a focus on their selectivity and sensitivity in applications to food lipids and oils. Special attention is given to methods employing gas chromatography (GC), high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). For characterization purposes, GC‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) provides valuable information regarding the structures of individual oxygenated fatty acids, typically as methyl esters, isolated from oxygenated triacylglycerols (TAGs), while the use of liquid chromatography–MS (LC‐MS) techniques allows analysis of intact oxygenated TAGs and offers information about the position of the oxygenated acyl chain on the glycerol backbone. For quantitative purposes, traditional chromatography methods have exhibited excellent sensitivity, while spectroscopic methods, including NMR, are superior to chromatography for their rapid analytical cycles. Future studies should focus on the development of a routine quantitative method that is both selective and sensitive.
Benford's Law for Quality Assurance of Manner of Death Counts in Small and Large Databases
Authors: Daniels Jeremy , Caetano Samantha‐Jo , Huyer Dirk , Stephen Andrew , Fernandes John , Lytwyn Alice , Hoppe Fred M.
Published: June 2017

To assess if Benford's law, a mathematical law used for quality assurance in accounting, can be applied as a quality assurance measure for the manner of death determination. We examined a regional forensic pathology service's monthly manner of death counts (N = 2352) from 2011 to 2013, and provincial monthly and weekly death counts from 2009 to 2013 (N = 81,831). We tested whether each dataset's leading digit followed Benford's law via the chi‐square test. For each database, we assessed whether number 1 was the most common leading digit. The manner of death counts first digit followed Benford's law in all the three datasets. Two of the three datasets had 1 as the most frequent leading digit. The manner of death data in this study showed qualities consistent with Benford's law. The law has potential as a quality assurance metric in the manner of death determination for both small and large databases.
Compositional Analyses and Shelf‐Life Modeling of Njangsa (Ricinodendron heudelotii) Seed Oil Using the Weibull Hazard Analysis
Authors: Abaidoo‐Ayin Harold K. , Boakye Prince G. , Jones Kerby C. , Wyatt Victor T. , Besong Samuel A. , Lumor Stephen E.
Published: June 2017

This study investigated the compositional characteristics and shelf‐life of Njangsa seed oil (NSO). Oil from Njangsa had a high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content of which alpha eleostearic acid (α‐ESA), an unusual conjugated linoleic acid was the most prevalent (about 52%). Linoleic acid was also present in appreciable amounts (approximately 34%). Our investigations also indicated that the acid‐catalyzed transesterification of NSO resulted in lower yields of α‐ESA methyl esters, due to isomerization, a phenomenon which was not observed under basic conditions. The triacylglycerol (TAG) profile analysis showed the presence of at least 1 α‐ESA fatty acid chain in more than 95% of the oil's TAGs. Shelf‐life was determined by the Weibull Hazard Sensory Method, where the end of shelf‐life was defined as the time at which 50% of panelists found the flavor of NSO to be unacceptable. This was determined as 21 wk. Our findings therefore support the potential commercial viability of NSO as an important source of physiologically beneficial PUFAs.
Increasing Oil Concentration Affects Consumer Perception and Physical Properties of Mayonnaise‐type Spreads Containing KCl
Authors: Torrico Damir Dennis , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon
Published: June 2017

Reducing sodium intakes remains a global challenge for the food industry. KCl is a potential salt substitute but imparts bitterness when used at high concentrations. Little is known about how oil concentrations (OC) affect consumers’ perception of saltiness and bitterness in emulsion products such as mayonnaise containing KCl. We evaluated consumers’ perception and physical properties of mayonnaise‐type spreads at various oil and tastant (NaCl or KCl) concentrations. Consumers (N = 306) evaluated saltiness, bitterness, overall taste liking (OTL) and purchase intent (PI). Viscosity, pH, water activity, and consistency/texture were also measured. Oil and tastant (NaCl or KCl) concentrations had significant effects on saltiness, viscosity, and pH. As OC increased, saltiness intensity slightly decreased for spreads. Increasing oil concentration increased viscosity. Generally, spreads containing KCl had higher bitterness and pH than spreads containing NaCl. All spreads containing KCl were penalized for being “too bitter.” PI was affected by OTL for all spreads but OC was also a significant factor in the purchase decision of spreads containing NaCl. This study demonstrated that increasing OC affected consumers’ taste perception (saltiness and bitterness) and spreads’ physical properties including pH and viscosity.
A bacterial chloroform reductive dehalogenase: purification and biochemical characterization
Authors: Jugder Bat‐Erdene , Bohl Susanne , Lebhar Helene , Healey Robert D. , Manefield Mike , Marquis Christopher P. , Lee Matthew
Published: June 2017

We report herein the purification of a chloroform (CF)‐reducing enzyme, TmrA, from the membrane fraction of a strict anaerobe Dehalobacter sp. strain UNSWDHB to apparent homogeneity with an approximate 23‐fold increase in relative purity compared to crude lysate. The membrane fraction obtained by ultracentrifugation was solubilized in Triton X‐100 in the presence of glycerol, followed by purification by anion exchange chromatography. The molecular mass of the purified TmrA was determined to be 44.5 kDa by SDS‐PAGE and MALDI‐TOF/TOF. The purified dehalogenase reductively dechlorinated CF to dichloromethane in vitro with reduced methyl viologen as the electron donor at a specific activity of (1.27 ± 0.04) × 103 units mg protein−1. The optimum temperature and pH for the activity were 45°C and 7.2, respectively. The UV‐visible spectrometric analysis indicated the presence of a corrinoid and two [4Fe‐4S] clusters, predicted from the amino acid sequence. This is the first report of the production, purification and biochemical characterization of a CF reductive dehalogenase.
A H2‐oxidizing, 1,2,3‐trichlorobenzene‐reducing multienzyme complex isolated from the obligately organohalide‐respiring bacterium Dehalococcoides mccartyi strain CBDB1
Authors: Hartwig Stefanie , Dragomirova Nadya , Kublik Anja , Türkowsky Dominique , von Bergen Martin , Lechner Ute , Adrian Lorenz , Sawers R. Gary
Published: June 2017

Dehalococcoides mccartyi is a small, slow‐growing bacterium of the phylum Chloroflexi that conserves energy using aliphatic and aromatic organohalides as electron acceptors, and hydrogen as sole electron donor. A recent study identified a protein complex in the membrane of strain CBDB1 comprising a Hup hydrogenase, a complex iron‐sulphur molybdoprotein and a reductive dehalogenase (RdhA) that catalyses reduction of 1,2,3,4‐tetrachlorobenzene. Using a combination of size‐exclusion chromatography, in‐gel hydrogenase activity‐staining, immunological analysis and mass spectrometry, we identified here a large molecular mass protein complex solubilized from the cytoplasmic membrane of D. mccartyi strain CBDB1 that catalysed H2‐dependent reduction of 1,2,3‐trichlorobenzene (1,2,3‐TCB) to 1,3‐DCB. In‐gel zymographic staining revealed H2:benzyl viologen oxidoreductase activity associated with the complex and immunological analysis identified co‐elution of CdbdA195, the predicted catalytic subunit of the iron‐sulphur molybdoenzyme, the chlorobenzene‐specific RdhA, CbrA, and traces of HupL, the catalytic subunit of the Hup hydrogenase. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR analyses indicated that the expression of the hupL and cbdbA195 genes was induced by 1,2,3‐TCB but not by hydrogen. Together, these data identify and describe a protein‐based electron‐transfer complex catalysing H2 oxidation coupled to chlorobenzene reduction.
Future Realized Return, Firm‐specific Risk and the Implied Expected Return
Authors: Wang Pengguo
Published: June 2017

In this paper, I propose a novel approach to derive a firm‐specific measure of expected return. It builds on recent accounting‐based valuation models developed by Clubb (2013) and Ashton and Wang (2013). The measure is intrinsically linked to commonly used financial ratios, including book‐to‐market, (forward) earnings yield, and dividend‐to‐price, as well as growth and past returns. The empirical evidence shows that it is significantly positively associated with future realized stock returns and also significantly correlated with commonly used risk characteristics in a theoretically predictable manner. The results are likely to be of interest to practitioners and managers in making capital allocation decisions and to academics in need of proxies for firms’ discount rates and expected returns.
A prospective microbiome‐wide association study of food sensitization and food allergy in early childhood
Authors: Savage Jessica H. , Lee‐Sarwar Kathleen A. , Sordillo Joanne , Bunyavanich Supinda , Zhou Yanjiao , O'Connor George , Sandel Megan , Bacharier Leonard B. , Zeiger Robert , Sodergren Erica , Weinstock George M. , Gold Diane R. , Weiss Scott T. , Litonjua Augusto A.
Published: June 2017

Background

Alterations in the intestinal microbiome are prospectively associated with the development of asthma; less is known regarding the role of microbiome alterations in food allergy development.

Methods

Intestinal microbiome samples were collected at age 3‐6 months in children participating in the follow‐up phase of an interventional trial of high‐dose vitamin D given during pregnancy. At age 3, sensitization to foods (milk, egg, peanut, soy, wheat, walnut) was assessed. Food allergy was defined as caretaker report of healthcare provider‐diagnosed allergy to the above foods prior to age 3 with evidence of IgE sensitization. Analysis was performed using Phyloseq and DESeq2; P‐values were adjusted for multiple comparisons.

Results

Complete data were available for 225 children; there were 87 cases of food sensitization and 14 cases of food allergy. Microbial diversity measures did not differ between food sensitization and food allergy cases and controls. The genera Haemophilus (log2 fold change −2.15, P=.003), Dialister (log2 fold change −2.22, P=.009), Dorea (log2 fold change −1.65, P=.02), and Clostridium (log2 fold change −1.47, P=.002) were underrepresented among subjects with food sensitization. The genera Citrobacter (log2 fold change −3.41, P=.03), Oscillospira (log2 fold change −2.80, P=.03), Lactococcus (log2 fold change −3.19, P=.05), and Dorea (log2 fold change −3.00, P=.05) were underrepresented among subjects with food allergy.

Conclusions

The temporal association between bacterial colonization and food sensitization and allergy suggests that the microbiome may have a causal role in the development of food allergy. Our findings have therapeutic implications for the prevention and treatment of food allergy.
Long‐term follow‐up of intra‐cytoplasmic sperm injection‐conceived offspring compared with in vitro fertilization‐conceived offspring: a systematic review of health outcomes beyond the neonatal period
Authors: Catford S. R. , McLachlan R. I. , O'Bryan M. K. , Halliday J. L.
Published: June 2017

The use of intra‐cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has increased significantly worldwide, often chosen instead of in vitro fertilization (IVF), yet long‐term health outcomes are unknown and health differences betweenICSIandIVFconceptions have not been comprehensively assessed. A systematic review of health outcomes ofICSI‐conceived offspring beyond the neonatal period compared toIVF‐conceived offspring was carried out. PubMed,OVIDMedline/Embase, Informit, Web of Science and Proquest databases were searched on 9 November 2016 for studies reporting on health outcomes inICSI‐conceived offspring beyond 28 days after birth. Physical and psychosocial health were the main outcome measures. The search strategy yielded 2781 articles; 2539 were not relevant or did not meet inclusion criteria and 137 were duplicates. One hundred and five full‐text papers were evaluated further and 34 satisfied the inclusion criteria. Studies comparingICSI‐ andIVF‐conceived children suggest their neurodevelopment is comparable. Growth and aspects of physical health are also similar; however, studies are few and limited to childhood.ICSI‐conceived children may be at increased risk of autism and intellectual impairment. No difference in risk of childhood cancer was reported in one study. Whilst the neurodevelopment ofICSI‐conceived children appears comparable to those ofIVFconception, data relating to neurodevelopmental disorders, growth, physical health and childhood cancer are inconclusive. Further research into health outcomes in adolescence and adulthood is required before conclusions can be drawn about the long‐term safety ofICSIcompared toIVF. Until then,ICSImight be better reserved for its original intended use, male‐factor infertility.
Two‐years results of small‐incision lenticule extraction and wavefront‐guided laser in situ keratomileusis for Myopia
Authors: Kobashi Hidenaga , Kamiya Kazutaka , Igarashi Akihito , Takahashi Masahide , Shimizu Kimiya
Published: June 2017

Purpose

To compare the 2‐years visual and refractive outcomes between small‐incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and wavefront‐guided laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in eyes with myopia and myopic astigmatism.

Methods

Our retrospective case–control study examined 30 eyes of 30 patients with the manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) of −3.71 ± 1.83 dioptres (D) who underwent SMILE and 30 eyes of 30 patients with MRSE of −3.81 ± 1.40 D who underwent wavefront‐guided LASIK. We assessed the 2‐years clinical outcomes.

Results

Logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (LogMAR)‐corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was −0.23 ± 0.07 in the SMILE group and −0.24 ± 0.07 in the wavefront‐guided LASIK group 2 years postoperatively (p = 0.82). Logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution‐uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was −0.18 ± 0.09 and −0.15 ± 0.11 (p = 0.30, respectively). In the SMILE and wavefront‐guided LASIK groups 2 years postoperatively, 100% and 73% of eyes, respectively, were within 0.5 D of the prompted MRSE correction (p = 0.005). Changes in the MRSE of −0.10 ± 0.30 D and −0.23 ± 0.51 D occurred from 3 months to 2 years (p = 0.40, respectively). We found a significant correlation between myopic regression and the changes in the keratometric readings from 3 months to 2 years after wavefront‐guided LASIK (r = −0.48, p = 0.002), but not after SMILE (r = −0.004, p = 0.90).

Conclusion

Small‐incision lenticule extraction offers better refractive outcomes than wavefront‐guided LASIK during a 2‐years follow‐up for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism.
The genesis of mud volcano conduits through thick evaporite sequences
Authors: Kirkham C. , Cartwright J. , Hermanrud C. , Jebsen C.
Published: June 2017

This study documents the seismic expression of the conduits underlying over 350 mud volcanoes that were erupted in an area of the western Nile Cone in the past 5.3 Myr. The study is based on a c. 4300 km2 3D seismic survey. The conduits are interpreted to transect the >1000‐m‐thick Messinian Evaporite succession, demonstrating that the eruptive process is sufficiently dynamic to breach the formidable seal represented by the evaporites. The mud volcano conduits are remarkably similar in geometry and seismic characteristics to many previously described examples of fluid escape pipes. They are vertical to subvertical structures with a crudely cylindrical geometry, but that can either widen or narrow upwards towards their upper terminations in the mud volcano edifices. Imaging at depth within the Messinian Evaporites and pre‐evaporite successions is more uncertain, but direct sampling of mud from surface volcanoes suggests a pre‐Messinian source, confirming the seismic interpretation that they root within presalt stratigraphy. A conceptual model for the genesis of these mud volcano conduits through salt is proposed, for which hydraulic fracturing is driven by high overpressures that developed in the presalt source stratigraphy as a response to the Messinian Salinity Crisis. Dissolution and removal of evaporites resulting in fracturing and collapse via a stoping mechanism is a slow process by comparison to hydraulic fracturing but is argued to potentially contribute to conduit formation. The analysis presented here demonstrates the potential for bypassing a >1‐km‐thick unit of sealing evaporites via focused fluid and sediment mobilisation from deeper overpressured cells in other salt basins worldwide, and has significant implications for hydrocarbon exploration, CO2 sequestration and nuclear waste disposal.
Equipped to cope with climate change: traits associated with range filling across European taxa
Authors: Estrada Alba , Morales‐Castilla Ignacio , Meireles Catarina , Caplat Paul , Early Regan
Published: June 2017

In order to understand the ecological effects of climate change it is essential to forecast suitable areas for species in the future. However, species’ ability to reach potentially suitable areas is also critical for species survival. These ‘range‐shift’ abilities can be studied using life‐history traits related to four range‐shift stages: emigration, movement, establishment, and proliferation. Here, we use the extent to which species’ ranges fill the climatically suitable area available (‘range filling’) as a proxy for the ability of European mammals and birds to shift their ranges under climate change. We detect which traits associate most closely with range filling. Drawing comparisons with a recent analysis for plants, we ask whether the latitudinal position of species’ ranges supports the assertion that post‐glacial range‐shift limitations cause disequilibrium between ranges and climate. We also disentangle which of the three taxonomic groups has greatest range filling. For mammals, generalists and early‐reproducing species have the greatest range filling. For birds, generalist species with high annual fecundity, which live longer than expected based on body size, have the greatest range filling. Although we consider traits related to the four range‐shift stages, only traits related to establishment and proliferation ability significantly influence range filling of mammals and birds. Species with the greatest range filling are those whose range centroid falls in the latitudinal centre of Europe, suggesting that post‐glacial range expansion is a leading cause of disequilibrium with climate, although other explanations are also possible. Range filling of plants is lower than that of mammals or birds, suggesting that plants are more range‐limited by non‐climatic factors. Therefore, plants might be face greater non‐climatic restraints on range shifts than mammals or birds.