bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Columnar cell lesions of the breast: radiological features and histological correlation
Authors: Elif Aktas , Burcu Sahin , Nazan Ciledag , Sumru Cosar Zehra , Kemal Arda Niyazi
Published: June 2015

Objective: This study aimed at investigating the characteristic imaging findings of the columnar cell lesions (CCLs) of the breast via mammography (MG), ultrasonography (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and meth- ods: The MG, US and MRI findings of 72 patients with histopathological diagnosis of CCLs were retrospectively evaluated. Histopathologically, the CCLs were divided into those with and without atypia; the radiological findings of these two groups were compared with a Chi-square test. Results: Sixty-nine patients underwent stereotaxic biopsy (MG-guided in 50 patients and US-guided in 19 patients) and 3 patients underwent US-guided core needle biopsy; all of these patients were diagnosed with CCLs based on a histological examination. The evaluation of the CCLs in patients that underwent MG-guided stereotaxic biopsy revealed that the most common type of microcalcifications were amorphous-indistinct (52%, n= 26/50) and the most common microcalcification distribution pattern was clustered type (76%, n= 38/50). The ratio of CCLs with atypia was similar in patients with high-risk microcalcifications and in those with benign or intermediate-risk microcalcifications (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.573-2.227, p: 0.475). On the other hand, those patients who underwent US-guided biopsies for the evaluation of CCLs had similar proportions of cystic or solid lesions, posterior acoustic shadowing and contour irregularities whether or not they had atypia (p: 0.584, 0.075, 0.187, respectively). Patients with atypia had a higher number of lesions greater than 1 cm via US as compared to those without atypia, but this difference was not statistically significant (p: 0.06). MRI findings were also similar in patients with and without atypia. Conclusions: MG revealed that clustered distribution patterns and amorphous- in- distinct type microcalcifications were more commonly seen in patients with CCLs; however, there was no significant relation- ship between US or MRI findings and CCLs. In addition, the MG, US and MRI findings were similar in patients with CCLs that did or did not have histopathological characteristics of atypia.
Pitfall in Echocardiography: infective endocarditis or valvular strand? Case report
Authors: Zampi Giordano , Pergolin Amedeo , Tinti Maria Denitza , Alessi Claudio , Sommariva Luigi
Published: June 2015

Lambl’s excrescences are thin filiform mobile processes with thin attachment at valvular closure lines. In this case report we describe the transesophageal views of Lambl’s excrescences; our case is meant to serve as a classic example of this com- monly misinterpreted lesion.
Endoscopic ultrasound for the characterization and staging of rectal cancer. Current state of the method. Technological advances and perspectives.
Authors: Gersak Mariana M. , Badea Radu , Graur Florin , Hajjar Nadim al , Furcea Luminita , Dudea Sorin M.
Published: June 2015

Endoscopic ultrasound is the most accurate type of examination for the assessment of rectal tumors. Over the years, the method has advanced from gray-scale examination to intravenous contrast media administration and to different types of elas- tography. The multimodal approach of tumors (transrectal, transvaginal) is adapted to each case. 3D ultrasound is useful for spatial representation and precise measurement of tumor formations, using CT/MR image reconstruction; color elastography is useful for tumor characterization and staging; endoscopic ultrasound using intravenous contrast agents can help study the amount of contrast agent targeted at the level of the tumor formations and contrast wash-in/wash-out time, based on the curves displayed on the device. The transvaginal approach often allows better visualization of the tumor than the transrectal approach. Performing the procedure with the rectal ampulla distended with contrast agent may be seen as an optimization of the examina- tion methodology. All these aspects are additional methods for gray-scale endoscopic ultrasound, capable of increasing diagnos- tic accuracy. This paper aims at reviewing the progress of transrectal and transvaginal ultrasound, generically called endoscopic ultrasound, for rectal tumor diagnosis and staging, with emphasis on the current state of the method and its development trends.
Ultrasound-guided drainage of walled-off pancreatic necrosis. Case report.
Authors: Popa Bogdan , Ilie Madalina , Plotogea Oana , Olteanu Ionut , Turculet Claudiu , Constantinescu Gabriel
Published: June 2015

ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) represents a safe endoscopic procedure and serious complica- tions (perforation, haemorrhage, and acute pancreatitis) are usually uncommon. We present the case of a 38-year-old patient with gallstones in the common biliary duct who developed acute pancreatitis after ERCP. One month later a huge fluid col- lection with necrotic tissue in the right paracolic gutter was found, the fluid being drained by percutaneous drainage under ultrasonographic guiding. The particularity of the case is the post-ERCP pancreatitis, complicated with walled-off necrosis, resolved without surgical intervention by using percutaneous drainage.
Adaptive muffler based on controlled flow valves
Authors: Šteblaj Peter , Čudina Mirko , Lipar Primož , Prezelj Jurij
Published: June 2015

An adaptive muffler with a flexible internal structure is considered. Flexibility is achieved using controlled flow valves. The proposed adaptive muffler is able to adapt to changes in engine operating conditions. It consists of a Helmholtz resonator, expansion chamber, and quarter wavelength resonator. Different combinations of the control valves' states at different operating conditions define the main working principle. To control the valve's position, an active noise control approach was used. With the proposed muffler, the transmission loss can be increased by more than 10 dB in the selected frequency range.
Efficiency of some voice coil transducers in low frequency reciprocal operations
Authors: Fröjd Patrik , Ulriksen Peter
Published: June 2015

The feasibility of using different voice coil transducers in applications with reciprocal transducers of mechanical waves is investigated. It was speculated that voice coil transducers could be a more efficient alternative to piezoelectric transducers in low frequency ranges. Five different voice coil transducers, originally constructed for either transmission or reception, were characterized in both modes of operation. A piezoelectric ceramic disk was used for comparison between the transducer types. The results show that voice coils indeed can function as reciprocal transducers and that the most sensitive of the evaluated transducers is more efficient than the piezoelectric disk for low frequencies.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Does Not Fully Restore Normal 3D Knee Kinematics at 12 Months During Walking and Walk-Pivoting: A Longitudinal Gait Analysis Study
Authors: Hasegawa Takayuki , Otani Toshiro , Takeda Kentaro , Matsumoto Hideo , Harato Kengo , Toyama Yoshiaki , Nagura Takeo
Published: June 2015

The purpose of the current study was to longitudinally evaluate how preoperative knee kinematics change after ACL reconstruction. Three-dimensional gait analysis using the point cluster method was undertaken on the same subjects preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months after ACL reconstructive surgery. Thirteen subjects (7 males, 6 females) were examined while performing 2 different activities at self-selected speeds: walking and walk-pivoting (walking, pivoting toward the landed limb side and walking away). The contralateral knees of subjects at 12 months postoperatively were selected as control knees. Flexion range in the stance phase increased with time after surgery, but remained lower than in the contralateral knee, even at 12 months postoperatively (P < .05) during walking and walk-pivoting. The rotation pattern during walking and walk-pivoting showed an offset toward external rotation by 6 months postoperatively compared with control knees, while at 12 months postoperatively the offset had nearly disappeared and the movement pattern resembled that in control knees. These findings suggest that a return to sport participation by 6 months after ACL reconstruction requires careful consideration. Depending on the type of sport, activity restriction even after 12 months may need to be considered to allow complete kinematic restoration.
The Effect of Acute Exercise on Neutrophil Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Inflammatory Markers in Healthy Prepubertal and Adult Males
Authors: Liu Maple , Timmons Brian W.
Published: June 2015

The adaptive effects of exercise-induced inflammation and reactive oxygen species production has been well studied in adults, but not in children. Characterizing the exercise responses in children compared with adults will start clarifying the transition from the child phenotype to that of an adult. Ten children aged 8–10 and 12 adults aged 19–21 performed 2 × 30-min bouts of continuous cycling, separated by a 6-min rest period, at a target work rate of 60% of their maximum aerobic capacity. Blood samples were collected pre- and immediately postexercise, and analyzed for neutrophil count, systemic oxidative and inflammatory markers, and intracellular neutrophil-derived reactive oxygen species. Although postexercise absolute neutrophils increased by approximately twofold in men (2.72 ± 0.49 × 109/L to 4.85 ± 2.05 × 109/L; p = .007), boys showed no such change (3.18 ± 0.67 × 109/L to 3.57 ± 0.73 × 109/L; p = .52). Contrary to these findings, boys did show an increase in overall intracellular neutrophil ROS production, whereas men did not. Boys also demonstrated higher overall protein carbonyl levels (0.07 nmol/mg vs 0.04 nmol/mg; boys vs men respectively), whereas men showed higher overall malondialdehyde (0.24 μM vs 0.67 μM; boys vs men respectively). The differences observed in the exercise-induced inflammatory and oxidative stress response may indicate growth-mediated adaptive responses to exercise during childhood development.
Children’s Participation in Organized Sport and Physical Activities and Active Free Play: Exploring the Impact of Time, Gender and Neighbourhood Household Income Using Longitudinal Data
Authors: Cairney John , Joshi Divya , Kwan Matthew , Hay John , Faught Brent
Published: June 2015

This study examines the associations among socioeconomic status (SES), aging, gender and sport and physical activity participation from late childhood into adolescence. Drawing from previous research, we test three hypotheses regarding the impact of aging on SES and sport participation using longitudinal data. The data come from a prospective cohort study of children, all of whom were enrolled in grade 4 (at baseline) in the public school system of a large region of southern Ontario, Canada. We examine two outcome measures: participation in organized sport and physical activity and active free play. Our results show different effects of neighborhood household income, aging and gender for each outcome. For organized sport participation, neighborhood household income effects are constant over time for both boys and girls. For active free play however, neighborhood household income differences widen (or diverge) over time for girls, but not for boys. We discuss the implications of these findings for future research and policy considerations.

Cette étude examine les associations entre statut socioéconomique, âge, genre et participation en sport et en activité physique de la fin de l’enfance à l’adolescence. Nous nous appuyons sur les recherches antérieures et des données longitudinales pour tester trois hypothèses à propos de l’impact de l’âge sur le statut socioéconomique et la participation en sport. Les données proviennent d’une étude de cohorte prospective d’enfants, tous étant inscrits en 4ème année (au début de l’étude) dans le système scolaire public d’une grande région du sud de l’Ontario au Canada. Nous mesurons deux types de résultats : la participation en sport organisé et activité physique et le jeu libre actif. Nos résultats montrent différents effets du revenu du ménage du quartier, de l’âge et du genre pour chaque résultat. Pour la participation en sport organisé, les effets du revenu du ménage du quartier sont constants avec le temps à la fois pour les garçons et les filles. Pour le jeu libre actif en revanche, les différences dans le revenu du ménage augmentent (ou divergent) avec le temps pour les filles, mais pas pour les garçons. Nous discutons les implications de ces résultats pour les études et politiques futures.
Common-Pool Resources in Rock Climbing
Authors: Rendueles César
Published: June 2015

Sport climbing relies materially on the existence of routes equipped with bolts: vertical itineraries with anchors that allow climbers a safe ascent. Without bolting, sport climbing simply would not exist. In many countries, bolting is an altruistic individual activity that is usually neither organized nor regulated. Sport climbing bolting requires expensive hardware and sophisticated technical skills. However, equippers earn no money or prestige for this effort, which benefits many climbers. This paper develops a sociological approach to rock climbing bolting as a common-pool resource facing a deep crisis. In its early years, bolting was ruled by generalized reciprocity. The popularization of sport climbing quickly changed this framework. A small group of very active equippers has become net providers of public goods without compensation in economic or status terms.
Athletic Success and NCAA Profit-Athletes’ Adjusted Graduation Gaps
Authors: Southall Richard M. , Eckard E. Woodrow , Nagel Mark S. , Randall Morgan H.
Published: June 2015

Within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Division I men’s basketball many profit-athletes travel to Predominately White Institution (PWI) work sites for “pre-professional” sport opportunities. At most PWIs the Black male student population is less than ten percent, while football and men’s basketball rosters are overwhelmingly comprised of Black athletes. This study—using multiple regression models—examines the relationship between athletic success and profit-athletes’ graduation rates. The main dependent variable is the Adjusted Graduation Gap (AGG) as a measure of academic success. Results indicated Black profit-athletes who play for the most successful FBS football and NCAA D-I men’s basketball programs graduate at significantly lower rates than full-time male students. However, at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Black football and men’s basketball players graduate at higher rates than full-time male students.
Critical Discourse Analysis of Motivational Content in Commercially Available Exercise DVDs: Body Capital on Display or Psychological Capital Being Developed?
Authors: Cardinal Bradley J. , Rogers Kim A. , Kuo Brian , Locklear Rosalee L. , Comfort Katelyn E. , Cardinal Marita K.
Published: June 2015

Guided by critical discourse analysis, commercially available exercise DVDs are described in terms of the instructor and model characteristics, and the motivational content being verbally conveyed by the instructors on the DVDs. Ten commercially available, contemporary, single instructor lead exercise DVDs were obtained from multiple sources. Instructor and model characteristics, emergent relationship patterns, and the motivational content of the primary instructor were analyzed. Most instructors and models were female, Caucasian, slim, and dressed in revealing attire. Motivational statements comprised 26.9% (SD = 11.31) of the transcripts. One in seven motivational statements were negative. With body capital clearly on display and some of the motivational language being suspect in terms of building potential participants’ psychological capital, the value of commercial exercise DVDs is brought into question.
Risk Factors for Resistance to β-Lactam/β-Lactamase Inhibitors and Ertapenem in Bacteroides Bacteremia
Authors: Smith Janessa M. , Avdic Edina , Tamma Pranita D. , Zhang Long , Carroll Karen C. , Cosgrove Sara E.
Published: June 2015

The objective of this study was to determine risk factors for the development of resistance to β-lactams/β-lactamase inhibitors (βL/βLIs) and ertapenem among
Bacteroides
species bacteremia. We conducted a retrospective case-control study of 101 adult patients with
Bacteroides
species bacteremia at a 1,051-bed tertiary care medical center. The duration of exposure to βL/βLIs (odds ratio [OR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 2.31) was the only independent risk factor for resistance.
Amphiphilic Tobramycin Analogues as Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents
Authors: Shrestha Sanjib K. , Fosso Marina Y. , Green Keith D. , Garneau-Tsodikova Sylvie
Published: June 2015

In this study, we investigated the
in vitro
antifungal activities, cytotoxicities, and membrane-disruptive actions of amphiphilic tobramycin (TOB) analogues. The antifungal activities were established by determination of MIC values and in time-kill studies. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in mammalian cell lines. The fungal membrane-disruptive action of these analogues was studied by using the membrane-impermeable dye propidium iodide. TOB analogues bearing a linear alkyl chain at their 6″-position in a thioether linkage exhibited chain length-dependent antifungal activities. Analogues with C
12
and C
14
chains showed promising antifungal activities against tested fungal strains, with MIC values ranging from 1.95 to 62.5 mg/liter and 1.95 to 7.8 mg/liter, respectively. However, C
4
, C
6
, and C
8
TOB analogues and TOB itself exhibited little to no antifungal activity. Fifty percent inhibitory concentrations (IC
50
s) for the most potent TOB analogues (C
12
and C
14
) against A549 and Beas 2B cells were 4- to 64-fold and 32- to 64-fold higher, respectively, than their antifungal MIC values against various fungi. Unlike conventional aminoglycoside antibiotics, TOB analogues with alkyl chain lengths of C
12
and C
14
appear to inhibit fungi by inducing apoptosis and disrupting the fungal membrane as a novel mechanism of action. Amphiphilic TOB analogues showed broad-spectrum antifungal activities with minimal mammalian cell cytotoxicity. This study provides novel lead compounds for the development of antifungal drugs.
Ultrashort Antimicrobial Peptides with Antiendotoxin Properties
Authors: Chih Ya-Han , Lin Yen-Shan , Yip Bak-Sau , Wei Hsiu-Ju , Chu Hung-Lun , Yu Hui-Yuan , Cheng Hsi-Tsung , Chou Yu-Ting , Cheng Jya-Wei
Published: June 2015

Release of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (endotoxin) from bacteria into the bloodstream may cause serious unwanted stimulation of the host immune system. Some but not all antimicrobial peptides can neutralize LPS-stimulated proinflammatory responses. Salt resistance and serum stability of short antimicrobial peptides can be boosted by adding β-naphthylalanine to their termini. Herein, significant antiendotoxin effects were observed
in vitro
and
in vivo
with the β-naphthylalanine end-tagged variants of the short antimicrobial peptides S1 and KWWK.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Strains of “
Candidatus
Filomicrobium marinum,” a Methanesulfonate-Degrading Species
Authors: Henriques Ana C. , De Marco Paolo
Published: June 2015

Two novel methanesulfonate-degrading bacterial strains of “
Candidatus
Filomicrobium marinum” (strains Y and W) were isolated from a marine water enrichment, and their complete genome sequences are presented here. These are the first full genomes reported for the genus
Filomicrobium
and for methanesulfonate (MSA)-degrading bacteria.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus megaterium Podophage Palmer
Authors: Hargrove Emily C. , Lopez Mariana S. , Hernandez Adriana C. , Kuty Everett Gabriel F.
Published: June 2015

Bacillus megaterium
has been widely used as a research tool for decades. Its use is on the rise as a recombinant protein production host and as a bioremediation bacterium. Bacteriophages against this bacterium may have biotechnological applications. Here, we describe the novel podophage Palmer, which infects
B. megaterium
.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Lineage I Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Isolated in 1969 in West Africa
Authors: Dundon William G. , Yu Daojin , Lô Modou Moustapha , Loitsch Angelika , Diop Mariame , Diallo Adama
Published: June 2015

We report the complete genome sequence of a lineage I peste des petits ruminants virus (E32/1969) isolated in a Senegalese laboratory in 1969. This is the earliest peste des petits ruminants virus of any lineage sequenced to date and only the second lineage I virus available in public databases.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Phthalate Ester-Degrading Bacterium,
Rhizobium
sp. LMB-1, Isolated from Cultured Soil
Authors: Tang Wen-Juan , Zhou Ying , Ye Bang-Ce
Published: June 2015

Rhizobium
sp. LMB-1, newly isolated from greenhouse soil, can effectively degrade phthalate. Here, we present a 5.2-Mb assembly of this
Rhizobium
sp. genome for the first time. It may provide abundant molecular information for the transformation of phthalates.
Complete Genome Sequence Analysis of Bacillus subtilis T30
Authors: Xu Shuang-yong , Boitano Matthew , Clark Tyson A. , Vincze Tamas , Fomenkov Alexey , Kumar Sanjay , Too Priscilla Hiu-Mei , Gonchar Danila , Degtyarev Sergey K. , Roberts Richard J.
Published: June 2015

The complete genome sequence of
Bacillus subtilis
T30 was determined by SMRT sequencing. The entire genome contains 4,138 predicted genes. The genome carries one intact prophage sequence (37.4 kb) similar to
Bacillus
phage SPBc2 and one incomplete prophage genome of 39.9 kb similar to
Bacillus
phage phi105.
Complete Genome Sequence of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp.
insidiosus
R1-1 Using PacBio Single-Molecule Real-Time Technology
Authors: Lu You , Samac Deborah A. , Glazebrook Jane , Ishimaru Carol A.
Published: June 2015

We report here the complete genome sequence of
Clavibacter michiganensis
subsp.
insidiosus
R1-1, isolated in Minnesota, USA. The R1-1 genome, generated by a
de novo
assembly of PacBio sequencing data, is the first complete genome sequence available for this subspecies.
Draft Genome Sequences of Three Escherichia coli Strains with Different
In Vivo
Pathogenicities in an Avian (Ascending) Infection Model of the Oviduct
Authors: Olsen Rikke Heidemann , Thøfner Ida Cecilie Naundrup , Pors Susanne Elisabeth , Christensen Henrik , Bisgaard Magne , Christensen Jens Peter
Published: June 2015

Here, we present three draft genome sequences of
Escherichia coli
strains that experimentally were proven to possess low (strain D2-2), intermediate (Chronic_salp), or high virulence (Cp6salp3) in an avian (ascending) infection model of the oviduct.
Draft Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strain E186hv of Beijing B0/W Lineage with Reduced Virulence
Authors: Shur K. V. , Klimina K. M. , Zakharevich N. V. , Maslov D. A. , Bekker O. B. , Zaychikova M. V. , Kamaev E. Y. , Kravchenko M. A. , Skornyakov S. N. , Zhang Y. , Danilenko V. N.
Published: June 2015

We report a draft genome sequence of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
strain E186hv, belonging to the Beijing B0/W lineage and isolated from a patient from Kurgan, Russia. This clinical isolate showed a reduced virulence phenotype unusual for this lineage and resistance to isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, and ofloxacin. We analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with virulence.
Draft Genome Sequence of Paenibacillus polymyxa EBL06, a Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium Isolated from Wheat Phyllosphere
Authors: Liang Shengxian , Jin Decai , Wang Xinxin , Fan Haiyan , Bai Zhihui
Published: June 2015

Paenibacillus polymyxa
strain EBL06 is a plant growth-promoting bacterium with high antifungal activity. The estimated genome of this strain is 5.68 Mb in size and harbors 4,792 coding sequences (CDSs).
Draft Genome Sequence of Citrobacter rodentium DBS100 (ATCC 51459), a Primary Model of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli Virulence
Authors: Lenz Abigail , Tomkins Jeffrey , Fabich Andrew J.
Published: June 2015

Citrobacter rodentium
is a Gram-negative bacterium which causes transmissible murine colonic hyperplasia and models the virulence of enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
in vivo
. Thus,
C. rodentium
is used to study human gastrointestinal disease. We present the draft genome sequence of
C. rodentium
strain ATCC 51459, also known as DBS100.
Complete Closed Genome Sequences of a Mannheimia haemolytica Serotype A1 Leukotoxin Deletion Mutant and Its Wild-Type Parent Strain
Authors: Heaton Michael P. , Harhay Gregory P. , Smith Timothy P. L. , Bono James L. , Chitko-McKown Carol G.
Published: June 2015

Mannheimia haemolyticais a bacterial pathogen that secretes leukotoxin (LktA) which binds to leukocyte membranes via CD18, causing bacterial pneumonia in ruminants. We report the complete closed genome sequences of a leukotoxin mutant and its parent strain that are frequently used in respiratory disease studies.
Draft Genome Sequence of Brucella abortus Virulent Strain 544
Authors: Singh D. K. , Kumar Ashok , Tiwari A. K. , Sankarasubramanian Jagadesan , Vishnu Udayakumar S. , Sridhar Jayavel , Gunasekaran Paramasamy , Rajendhran Jeyaprakash
Published: June 2015

Here, we present the draft genome sequence and annotation of
Brucella abortus
virulent strain 544. The genome of this strain is 3,289,405 bp long, with 57.2% G+C content. A total of 3,259 protein-coding genes and 60 RNA genes were predicted.
Complete Genome Sequence of Biocontrol Strain Pseudomonas fluorescens LBUM223
Authors: Roquigny Roxane , Arseneault Tanya , Gadkar Vijay J. , Novinscak Amy , Joly David L. , Filion Martin
Published: June 2015

Pseudomonas fluorescens
LBUM223 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) with biocontrol activity against various plant pathogens. It produces the antimicrobial metabolite phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, which is involved in the biocontrol of
Streptomyces scabies
, the causal agent of common scab of potato. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
P. fluorescens
LBUM223.
Homologues of Genetic Transformation DNA Import Genes Are Required for Rhodobacter capsulatus Gene Transfer Agent Recipient Capability Regulated by the Response Regulator CtrA
Authors: Brimacombe Cedric A. , Ding Hao , Johnson Jeanette A. , Beatty J. Thomas
Published: June 2015

Gene transfer agents (GTAs) morphologically resemble small, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) bacteriophages; however, their only known role is to package and transfer random pieces of the producing cell genome to recipient cells. The best understood GTA is that of
Rhodobacter capsulatus
, termed RcGTA. We discovered that homologues of three genes involved in natural transformation in other bacteria,
comEC
,
comF
, and
comM
, are essential for RcGTA-mediated gene acquisition. This paper gives genetic and biochemical evidence that RcGTA-borne DNA entry into cells requires the ComEC and ComF putative DNA transport proteins and genetic evidence that putative cytoplasmic ComM protein of unknown function is required for recipient capability. Furthermore, the master regulator of RcGTA production in <1% of a cell population, CtrA, which is also required for gene acquisition in recipient cells, is expressed in the vast majority of the population. Our results indicate that RcGTA-mediated gene transfer combines key aspects of two bacterial horizontal gene transfer mechanisms, where donor DNA is packaged in transducing phage-like particles and recipient cells take up DNA using natural transformation-related machinery. Both of these differentiated subsets of a culture population, donors and recipients, are dependent on the same response regulator, CtrA.

IMPORTANCE
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a major driver of bacterial evolution and adaptation to environmental stresses. Traits such as antibiotic resistance or metabolic properties can be transferred between bacteria via HGT; thus, HGT can have a tremendous effect on the fitness of a bacterial population. The three classically described HGT mechanisms are conjugation, transformation, and phage-mediated transduction. More recently, the HGT factor GTA was described, where random pieces of producing cell genome are packaged into phage-like particles that deliver DNA to recipient cells. In this report, we show that transport of DNA borne by the
R. capsulatus
RcGTA into recipient cells requires key genes previously thought to be specific to natural transformation pathways. These findings indicate that RcGTA combines central aspects of phage-mediated transduction and natural transformation in an efficient, regulated mode of HGT.
Clonidine withdrawal induced sympathetic surge
Authors: Shaw Michael , Matsa Ramprasad
Published: June 2015

A 30-year-old man with a history of epilepsy and substance misuse presented to the hospital with status epilepticus. Difficult seizure control necessitated anaesthetising the patient followed by intubation and ventilation. A clonidine infusion was started as the patient developed withdrawal syndrome and was difficult to wean off mechanical ventilation. Once the withdrawal syndrome was controlled, the clonidine was abruptly stopped. Two hours after stopping the infusion, the patient developed high-grade fever, severe hypertension, tachycardia, profound sweating and lacrimation. The patient then developed respiratory distress syndrome secondary to acute pulmonary oedema. Clonidine withdrawal as a cause of such response was proposed. Reversal of symptoms and successful reweaning was achieved by restarting a low-dose clonidine infusion followed by slow downward titration and use of oral clonidine as a step-down measure. The patient was subsequently discharged from the intensive care unit.
Minimising post-operative risk using a Post-Anaesthetic Care Tool (PACT): protocol for a prospective observational study and cost-effectiveness analysis
Authors: Street Maryann , Phillips Nicole M , Kent Bridie , Colgan Stephen , Mohebbi Mohammadreza
Published: June 2015

Introduction

While the risk of adverse events following surgery has been identified, the impact of nursing care on early detection of these events is not well established. A systematic review of the evidence and an expert consensus study in post-anaesthetic care identified essential criteria for nursing assessment of patient readiness for discharge from the post-anaesthetic care unit (PACU). These criteria were included in a new nursing assessment tool, thePost-Anaesthetic Care Tool(PACT), and incorporated into the post-anaesthetic documentation at a large health service. The aim of this study is to test the clinical reliability of the PACT and evaluate whether the use of PACT will (1) enhance the recognition and response to patients at risk of deterioration in PACU; (2) improve documentation for handover from PACU nurse to ward nurse; (3) result in improved patient outcomes and (4) reduce healthcare costs.

Methods and analysis

A prospective, non-randomised, pre-implementation and post-implementation design comparing: (1) patients (n=750) who have surgery prior to the implementation of the PACT and (2) patients (n=750) who have surgery after PACT. The study will examine the use of the tool through the observation of patient care and nursing handover. Patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness will be determined from health service data and medical record audit. Descriptive statistics will be used to describe the sample and compare the two patient groups (pre-intervention and post-intervention). Differences in patient outcomes between the two groups will be compared using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test and regression analyses and reported as ORs with the corresponding 95% CIs.

Conclusions

This study will test the clinical reliability and cost-effectiveness of the PACT. It is hypothesised that the PACT will enable nurses to recognise and respond to patients at risk of deterioration, improve handover to ward nurses, improve patient outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs.
Disclosure of researcher allegiance in meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials of psychotherapy: a systematic appraisal
Authors: Dragioti Elena , Dimoliatis Ioannis , Evangelou Evangelos
Published: June 2015

Objective

Psychotherapy research may suffer from factors such as a researcher’s own therapy allegiance. The aim of this study was to evaluate if researcher allegiance (RA) was reported in meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of psychotherapeutic treatments.

Design

Systematic approach using meta-analyses of different types of psychotherapies.

Data sources

Medline, PsycINFO and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Methods

We evaluated meta-analyses of RCTs regarding various types of psychotherapies. Meta-analyses were eligible if they included at least one RCT with RA and they were published in journals in Medline, PsycINFO and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews with an impact factor larger than 5.

Results

We identified 146 eligible meta-analyses that synthesised data from a total of 1198 unique RCTs. Only 25 of the meta-analyses (17.2%) reported allegiance and only 6 (4.1%) used a proper method to control its effect. Of the 1198 eligible primary RCTs, 793 (66.3%) were allegiant. Authors in 25 of these 793 RCTs (3.2%) reported their allegiance while only one study (0.2%) controlled for its effect.

Conclusions

The vast majority among a group of published meta-analyses and RCTs of psychotherapeutic treatments seldom reported and evaluated the allegiance effect. The results of the present study highlight a major lack of this information in meta-analyses and their included studies, though meta-analyses perform slightly better than RCTs. Stringent guidelines should be adopted by journals in order to improve reporting and attenuate possible effects of RA in future research.
Risk of bladder cancer in patients with diabetes: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Goossens Maria E , Zeegers Maurice P , Bazelier Marloes T , De Bruin Marie L , Buntinx Frank , de Vries Frank
Published: June 2015

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine the association between diabetes, and both urinary bladder cancer (UBC) risk and mortality.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) linked to the Office of National Statistics (ONS). Patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2, or using antidiabetic drugs (ADDs), were compared to matched non-diabetic controls. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the risk and mortality of UBC. We adjusted for age, sex, smoking status and body mass index.

Results

The cohort included 329 168 patients using ADD, and 307 315 controls with 1295 and 1071 patients, respectively, diagnosed as having UBC during follow-up. The adjusted HRs of UBC were 0.77 (95% CI 0.57 to 1.05) and 1.04 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.14) for type 1 and 2 diabetes, respectively. These results were similar if we restricted our analysis to an inception cohort. We noticed a small increased risk during the first year after diagnosis (HR=1.26 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.52)), which could be explained by detection bias. There was no influence of the severity of diabetes as measured by the glycated haemoglobin. Mortality of UBC was not increased for patients with either type 1 (HR=0.95 (95% CI 0.39 to 2.34)) or type 2 diabetes (HR=1.16 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.46)).

Conclusions

Neither the risk of UBC nor the mortality from UBC was increased in patients with type 1 and patients with type 2 diabetes in the CPRD data.
Which clinical scenarios do surgeons record as complications? A benchmarking study of seven hospitals
Authors: Visser Annelies , Ubbink Dirk T , Gouma Dirk J , Goslings J Carel
Published: June 2015

Objectives

To investigate agreement and potential differences in the application and interpretation of the definition among surgical departments of various hospitals.

Design

24 cases were formulated including general, trauma, gastrointestinal and vascular surgery, and based on points of discussion about the definition and ambiguities regarding complication registration as encountered in daily practice. The cases were presented to the surgical staff and residents in seven Dutch hospitals, using the national registration system of complications and an electronic response system.

Results

In total, 134 participants responded. Interpretation differences were particularly found regarding: (1) complications considered as logical consequences of a surgical procedure; (2) complications occurring after radiological interventions; (3) severity criteria such as when to consider a complication as a ‘(probably) permanent damage or function loss’; (4) registering a cancelled operation as a complication and (5) patients with serial complications during hospital stay.

Conclusions

The definition of surgical complications as currently applied in the Netherlands does not ensure a uniform complication registration. Improvement of this registration system is mandatory before benchmarking of these findings in the public domain is appropriate. Modifications of the current definition of a surgical complication, and improved consensus about specific clinical situations and training of surgeons might improve the quality of benchmarking.
Congenital cobalamin malabsorption (Imerslund‐Gräsbeck syndrome) in two Beagles in the UK
Authors: Murtagh Kevin , Batchelor Daniel , German Alex , Piviani Martina , Silvestrini Paolo
Published: June 2015

Two immature Beagles, one nine months old and one six months old, presented with a variety of clinical signs, including pyrexia, lethargy, weight loss and intermittent vomiting and diarrhoea in one Beagle and severe lethargy, haemorrhagic diarrhoea and vomiting in the second. Investigations in both cases demonstrated a serum cobalamin below the detection limit of the assay. Genetic testing confirmed a CUBN:c.786delC mutation in a homozygous state, confirming Imerslund‐Gräsbeck syndrome (IGS) in both Beagles. Both Beagles responded rapidly and completely to parenteral cobalamin supplementation. Both dogs are currently normal, receiving cobalamin subcutaneously every two weeks. This is the first report of genetically confirmed IGS in the Beagle breed in the UK.
Short-term development of a multilayered forest stand after target diameter harvest in southern Sweden
Authors: Drössler Lars , Ekö Per Magnus , Balster Roman
Published: June 2015

Harvest strategies that emulate natural disturbances are being promoted to restore multilayered forest heterogeneity, notably the harvest of largest trees. However, their use also increases management complexity, and more information on their practical feasibility and effects on forests is needed. Therefore, in this study, target diameter cutting treatments were applied to a heterogeneously structured stand in southern Sweden (exemplifying a conifer-dominated forest of the hemiboreal forest region in northern Europe) to assess their effects on gap dynamics, natural regeneration, and stand growth. The target diameter cutting resulted in an exponentially decreasing gap size distribution, with the largest canopy gaps measuring 0.1–0.2 ha. The gap closure rate was higher than reported rates for gaps in natural forests. After 5 years, sufficient numbers of seedlings had regenerated, but proportions of intermediate- and late-successional tree species were low. The observed stand growth exceeded rates simulated using the growth model Standwise in the Heureka forest planning software package. The findings from this case study are useful for refining the general concept of close-to-nature forestry, but they need to be complemented with the information available from other regeneration studies after partial harvest.
Homothetic vector fields in a specially homogenous Bianchi type-I cosmological model in Lyra geometry
Authors: Alofi A.S. , Gad Ragab M.
Published: June 2015

In this paper, homothetic vector fields of a spatially homogenous Bianchi type-I cosmological model have been evaluated based on Lyra geometry. Further, we investigate the equation of state in cases when a displacement vector [Formula: see text] is a function of t and when it is constant. We give a comparison between the obtained results, using Lyra geometry, and those obtained previously in the context of general relativity, based on Riemannian geometry.
Synthesis of Cost-Optimal Strong Plans in Non-Deterministic Domains
Authors: Penna Giuseppe Della , Intrigila Bedenetto , Magazzeni Daniele , Mercorio Fabio
Published: June 2015

Automatic planning tools can be a valuable aid to build control systems for a wide range of everyday appliances. Many systems which interact with the real world present a non-deterministic behaviour, often made more complex by nonlinear continuous dynamics. In this context, strong planning, which requires finding a plan that is guaranteed to achieve the goal regardless of non-determinism, plays an important role. With the increasing need for optimising the use of resources, finding strong solutions while minimising a cost function appears a significant research challenge, which has not previously been addressed.

In this paper we provide a formal description of the cost-optimal strong planning problem and present an algorithm to solve it with good complexity bounds. The algorithm correctness and completeness are formally proved, and its implementation in the disk-based SUPMurphi tool is described. Finally, two meaningful case studies are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach compared with a state-of-the-art strong planning tool.
On the Jones polynomial of 2n-plat presentations of knots
Authors: Kwon Bo-hyun
Published: June 2015

In this paper, a method is given to calculate the Jones polynomial of the 6-plat presentations of knots by using a representation of the braid group 𝔹6 into a group of 5 × 5 matrices. We also can calculate the Jones polynomial of the 2n-plat presentations of knots by generalizing the method for the 6-plat presentations of knots. Also, it helps us to detect 3-bridge knots in 3-plat presentations.
The complete list of prime knots whose flat plumbing basket numbers are 6 or less
Authors: Choi Yoon-Ho , Chung Yun Ki , Kim Dongseok
Published: June 2015

Flat plumbing basket surfaces of links were introduced to study the geometry of the complement of the links. These flat plumbing basket surfaces can be presented by a sequential presentation known as flat plumbing basket code first found by Furihata, Hirasawa and Kobayashi. The minimum number of flat plumbings to obtain flat plumbing basket surfaces of a link is defined to be the flat plumbing basket number of the given link. In this paper, we use these sequential presentations to find the complete classification theorem of prime knots whose flat plumbing basket number is 6 or less. As applications, this result improves the work of Hirose and Nakashima which finds the flat plumbing basket number of prime knots up to nine crossings.
On the Existence of Berge Equilibrium: An Order Theoretic Approach
Authors: Keskin Kerim , Çağrı Sağlam H.
Published: June 2015

We propose lattice-theoretical methods to analyze the existence and the order structure of Berge equilibria (in the sense of Zhukovskii) in noncooperative games. We introduce Berge-modular games, and prove that the set of Berge equilibrium turns out to be a complete lattice.
Geometry, vibrational frequency, and isomerization of neutral and cation Cu–CN complex
Authors: Nie Boli , Yan Shihai , Sun Lixiang
Published: June 2015

The geometry structure, vibrational frequency, and the isomerization of neutral and cation copper cyanide systems ( CuCN and CuCN +) were investigated by employing three DFT methods (B3LYP, B3P86 and B3PW91) and MP2 functional with 6-311+G* basis set. The cyanides CuCN (1Σ+) is the most stable one among the isomers of CuCN , and CuNC +(2Σ+) isocyanides is the global minimum on its potential energy surface (PES). The vibrational modes of these isomers were assigned. Two dissociation mechanisms were designed for each species. The complex ( CuCN and CuCN +) tends to dissociate through neutral mechanism into CN cluster. The useful information is brought forward about the synthesis of material and biological macromolecule. The state–state isomerization pathways were established using the intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC).
Differentiable-path integrals in quantum mechanics
Authors: Koch Benjamin , Reyes Ignacio
Published: June 2015

A method is presented which restricts the space of paths entering the path integral of quantum mechanics to subspaces of Cα, by only allowing paths which possess at least α derivatives. The method introduces two external parameters, and induces the appearance of a particular time scale ϵD such that for time intervals longer than ϵD the model behaves as usual quantum mechanics. However, for time scales smaller than ϵD, modifications to standard formulation of quantum theory occur. This restriction renders convergent some quantities which are usually divergent in the time-continuum limit ϵ → 0. We illustrate the model by computing several meaningful physical quantities such as the mean square velocity 〈v2〉, the canonical commutator, the Schrödinger equation and the energy levels of the harmonic oscillator. It is shown that an adequate choice of the parameters introduced makes the evolution unitary.
A short course on quantum mechanics and methods of quantization
Authors: Ercolessi Elisa
Published: June 2015

These notes collect the lectures given by the author to the "XXIII International Workshop on Geometry and Physics" held in Granada (Spain) in September 2014. The first part of this paper aims at introducing a mathematical oriented reader to the realm of Quantum Mechanics (QM) and then to present the geometric structures that underline the mathematical formalism of QM which, contrary to what is usually done in Classical Mechanics (CM), are usually not taught in introductory courses. The mathematics related to Hilbert spaces and Differential Geometry are assumed to be known by the reader. In the second part, we concentrate on some quantization procedures, that are founded on the geometric structures of QM — as we have described them in the first part — and represent the ones that are more operatively used in modern theoretical physics. We will discuss first the so-called Coherent State Approach which, mainly complemented by "Feynman Path Integral Technique", is the method which is most widely used in quantum field theory. Finally, we will describe the "Weyl Quantization Approach" which is at the origin of modern tomographic techniques, originally used in optics and now in quantum information theory.
Kinematic Response of Single Piles to Vertical P-Waves in Multilayered Soil
Authors: Ke Wenhai , Zhang Chao , Deng Peng
Published: June 2015

A rigorous mathematical formulation for the kinematic response of single piles embedded in multilayered soil subjected to vertically incident P-waves is proposed based on the modified Vlasov model. The governing equations and boundary conditions of the soil–pile system are obtained by using Hamilton's principle. The soil–pile interaction and the physical properties of the layered soils are taken into consideration in the proposed model. The accuracy of the proposed method is validated by the comparison of the proposed solution results with some existing solutions. A parametric study is conducted to investigate the effects of the soil inhomogeneity on the kinematic response of single piles. The results reveal that: as for the two-layered case, the thickness of the upper soft layer has a significant influence on the kinematic response of single piles; as for the three-layered case, the soil–pile interaction is very sensitive to the thickness and Young's modulus of the middle layer.