bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Immune Response Elicited by Inulin as an Adjuvant with Filarial Antigens in Mice Model
Authors: Mahalakshmi N. , Aparnaa R. , Kaliraj P.
Published: September 2014

Filariasis caused by infectious parasitic nematodes has been identified as the second leading source of permanent and long‐term disability in Sub‐Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America. Several vaccine candidates were identified from infective third‐stage larvae (L3) which involves in the critical transition from arthropod to human. Hitherto studies of these antigens in combination with alum adjuvant have shown to elicit its characteristic Th2 responses. Inulin is a safe, non‐toxic adjuvant that principally stimulates the innate immune response through the alternative complement pathway. In the present study, the immune response elicited by inulin and alum as adjuvants were compared with filarial antigens from different aetiological agents: secreted larval acidic protein 1 (SLAP1) from Onchocerca volvulus and venom allergen homologue (VAH) from Brugia malayi as single or as cocktail vaccines in mice model. The study revealed that inulin can induce better humoral response against these antigens than alum adjuvant. Antibody isotyping disclosed inulin's ability to elevate the levels of IgG2a and IgG3 antibodies which mediates in complement‐dependent cytotoxicity and antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), respectively, in mice. Splenocyte analysis showed that T cells prestimulated with inulin have higher stimulation index (P < 0.05) than alum except for BmVAH antigen. In vitro ADCC assay showed that inulin formulation had induced higher cytotoxicity with filarial antigens (as single P < 0.01 and as cocktail P < 0.05, respectively) than alum. The results had confirmed the capability of inulin to deplete the levels of Treg and brought a balance in Th1/Th2 arms against filarial antigens in mice.
Employment Insecurity and the Frayed American Dream
Authors: Rubin Beth A.
Published: September 2014

This paper reviews literature on employment insecurity and situates objective and subjective employment insecurity in the context of the contemporary economy. I draw on the argument about shifting social contracts to explain both real and perceived pervasive employment insecurity and the frayed American Dream. Employment insecurity derives from the macro‐economic changes that produced the social structure of accumulation identified as flexible accumulation that requires employment insecurity as both a form of labor discipline and profit‐enhancing strategy. This paper argues that contemporary employment insecurity is both objective and subjective and affects how individuals understand their world and their selves. To this latter point, I look at research on generational differences in the experience of employment insecurity.
Picritic porphyrites and associated basalts from the remnant Comei Large Igneous Province in SE Tibet: records of mantle‐plume activity
Authors: Xia Ying , Zhu Di‐Cheng , Wang Qing , Zhao Zhi‐Dan , Liu Dong , Wang Li‐Quan , Mo Xuan‐Xue
Published: September 2014

Picritic porphyrites and associated basalts are found in Lower Cretaceous slates within the recently identified remnant Comei Large Igneous Province, SE Tibet. They provide an opportunity to explore the mantle potential temperature of this large igneous province and the genetic correlation between the picritic porphyrites and associated basalts. The high levels of MgO and CaO in olivine phenocrysts from the picritic porphyrites indicate that these olivines crystallized from high‐Mg magmas. By deducting the accumulated olivines, we determined a parental magma MgO content for the picritic porphyrites of c. 20% MgO, corresponding to a mantle potential temperature of >1550 °C for the parental magma. Such a high temperature provides solid evidence for a mantle‐plume origin of the remnant Comei Large Igneous Province. Parallel trace‐element patterns and similar εNd (T) and (177Os/178Os)T values in the picritic porphyrites and associated basalts suggest a common hot mantle source region for their generation.
The Macroeconomic Effects of the Canada–US Free Trade Agreement on Canada: A Counterfactual Analysis
Authors: Zhang Lin , Du Zaichao , Hsiao Cheng , Yin Hua
Published: September 2014

We evaluate the macroeconomic effects of the Canada–US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Canada's economy using a counterfactual analysis. We exploit the dependence of GDP growth (labour productivity and unemployment, respectively) among different economic entities and construct the counterfactuals using data from countries other than Canada. We find that in the adjustment period from 1989:Q1 to 1992:Q1, Canada's economy bore the short‐run adjustment costs of the FTA with a decline of the annual real GDP by 2.56 per cent and a decline of the labour productivity by 0.62 per cent. After the adjustment period, the FTA had a positive and permanent effect of 1.86 per cent on Canada's annual real GDP growth and raised the labour productivity from 1992 to 1994 by 2.39 per cent on average. Moreover, the FTA increased Canada's annual unemployment rate by 1.81 per cent in the period 1989–94.
Cutaneous lesions in pet rabbits following subcutaneous administration of a novel bivalent vaccine against myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease
Authors: Selleri Paolo , Di Girolamo Nicola , Vögtlin Andrea , Fileccia Ivan , Hoop Richard , Bongiovanni Laura
Published: September 2014

Background

A novel bivalent vaccine to protect against myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease is commercially available for pet rabbits.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To describe the appearance of cutaneous lesions arising in pet rabbits positive for myxoma virus (MV) by RT‐PCR evaluation shortly after vaccination.

Animals

Four pet rabbits presenting with papular, crusting skin lesions ~10 days after vaccination.

Methods

Histological evaluation of formalin‐fixed skin biopsies obtained from lesional skin (case 1). Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) evaluation of paraffin‐embedded tissue from skin biopsies (case 1) and crusts obtained from the lesion surface (cases 2–4) for myxoma virus are reported as cycle threshold (Ct) values.

Results

Lesions affecting the ear pinna, dorsal aspect of the nose, vulva and/or conjunctiva are reported. Histopathological findings included severe ulcerative, necrotizing dermatitis and intralesional cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in myxoma cells. DNA was amplified from all the paraffin‐embedded skin biopsies (Ct = 34–35) and crusts (Ct = 20–24).

Conclusions and clinical importance

Although a wild virus challenge cannot be definitively excluded, veterinarians and pet‐owners should be aware that cutaneous lesions have been observed after vaccination with this novel vaccine in low numbers of rabbits.
The influence of mometasone furoate ear solution on intradermal test immediate reactions in dogs with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Marcia Murphy K. , Olivry Thierry
Published: September 2014

Background

Topical ear medications, often containing a glucocorticoid, are used to treat the clinical signs of atopic otitis in dogs. Studies have looked at the inhibitory effect of topical glucocorticoids on intradermal testing (IDT), but only one previously published study evaluated the influence of an otic glucocorticoid on the results of IDT in dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To assess what influence the absorption of the diester glucocorticoid mometasone furoate (MF) had on intradermal test immediate reactions, to determine an appropriate withdrawal time prior to IDT.

Methods

Twenty atopic dogs were enrolled. On day 0, histamine, rabbit anticanine IgE antiserum and saline were injected intradermally. After 20 min, a global wheal score (GWS) was determined. The otic medication, MF, was applied once daily for 14 days. Intradermal injections were then repeated and, if the GWS was within 25% of pretreatment values, the study was completed for this dog. If the GWS had decreased by ≥25% from the baseline value, the otic medication was withdrawn, and the GWS was repeated every 7 days until its value was within 25% of the original GWS.

Results

Three of the 20 dogs completed the study on day 14, while 17 of 20 dogs ended it on day 21, 7 days after withdrawal of the drug, MF.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Results from this study show that a withdrawal period of ≤7 days is possible before performing IDT in atopic dogs with active otitis externa treated with ≤14 days of MF.
A modified collagen gel dressing promotes angiogenesis in a preclinical swine model of chronic ischemic wounds
Authors: Elgharably Haytham , Ganesh Kasturi , Dickerson Jennifer , Khanna Savita , Abas Motaz , Ghatak Piya Das , Dixit Sriteja , Bergdall Valerie , Roy Sashwati , Sen Chandan K.
Published: September 2014

We recently performed proteomic characterization of a modified collagen gel (MCG) dressing and reported promising effects of the gel in healing full‐thickness excisional wounds. In this work, we test the translational relevance of our aforesaid findings by testing the dressing in a swine model of chronic ischemic wounds recently reported by our laboratory. Full‐thickness excisional wounds were established in the center of bipedicle ischemic skin flaps on the backs of animals. Ischemia was verified by laser Doppler imaging, and MCG was applied to the test group of wounds. Seven days post wounding, macrophage recruitment to the wound was significantly higher in MCG‐treated ischemic wounds. In vitro, MCG up‐regulated expression of Mrc‐1 (a reparative M2 macrophage marker) and induced the expression of anti‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)‐10 and of fibroblast growth factor‐basic (β‐FGF). An increased expression of CCR2, an M2 macrophage marker, was noted in the macrophages from MCG treated wounds. Furthermore, analyses of wound tissues 7 days post wounding showed up‐regulation of transforming growth factor‐β, vascular endothelial growth factor, von Willebrand's factor, and collagen type I expression in MCG‐treated ischemic wounds. At 21 days post wounding, MCG‐treated ischemic wounds displayed higher abundance of proliferating endothelial cells that formed mature vascular structures and increased blood flow to the wound. Fibroblast count was markedly higher in MCG‐treated ischemic wound‐edge tissue. In addition, MCG‐treated wound‐edge tissues displayed higher abundance of mature collagen with increased collagen type I : III deposition. Taken together, MCG helped mount a more robust inflammatory response that resolved in a timely manner, followed by an enhanced proliferative phase, angiogenic outcome, and postwound tissue remodeling. Findings of the current study warrant clinical testing of MCG in a setting of ischemic chronic wounds.
Effects of Exercise on Physical Self-Concept, Global Self-Esteem, and Depression in Women of Low Socioeconomic Status With Elevated Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Legrand Fabien D.
Published: September 2014

We examined the possible mediating role of physical self-perceptions, physical self-esteem, and global self-esteem in the relationships between exercise and depression in a group of socioeconomically disadvantaged women with elevated symptoms of depression. Forty-four female residents of a low-income housing complex were randomized into a 7-week-long exercise-training group or a wait-list group. Depression, physical self-perceptions and self-esteem were measured repeatedly. Significant changes were found for depression, self-esteem, physical self-worth, and self-perceived physical condition in the exercise-training group. Intent-to-treat analyses did not alter the results. Most of the reduction in depression occurred between Week 2 and Week 4 while initial improvement in physical self-worth and self-perceived physical condition was observed between baseline and Week 2. These variables can be seen as plausible mechanisms for effects of exercise on depression.
Unexpected
In Vivo
Activity of Ceftazidime Alone and in Combination with Avibactam against New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in a Murine Thigh Infection Model
Authors: MacVane Shawn H. , Crandon Jared L. , Nichols Wright W. , Nicolau David P.
Published: September 2014

The emergence of the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) among
Enterobacteriaceae
has become a global concern because of its high levels of
in vitro
resistance to nearly all available antibiotics. However, recent
in vivo
studies demonstrated the efficacies of carbapenems against NDM-1-producing isolates despite high MICs. Herein, we report
in vivo
findings with ceftazidime and ceftazidime-avibactam against an isogenic pair (wild type and NDM-1) and four clinical NDM-producing isolates that demonstrate discordance between MICs measured
in vitro
and the
in vivo
activity of ceftazidime-avibactam against this resistant genotype.
Giardial Triosephosphate Isomerase as Possible Target of the Cytotoxic Effect of Omeprazole in Giardia lamblia
Authors: Reyes-Vivas Horacio , de la Mora-de la Mora Ignacio , Castillo-Villanueva Adriana , Yépez-Mulia Lilian , Hernández-Alcántara Gloria , Figueroa-Salazar Rosalia , García-Torres Itzhel , Gómez-Manzo Saúl , Méndez Sara T. , Vanoye-Carlo América , Marcial-Quino Jaime , Torres-Arroyo Angélica , Oria-Hernández Jesús , Gutiérrez-Castrellón Pedro , Enríquez-Flores Sergio , López-Velázquez Gabriel
Published: September 2014

Giardiasis is highly prevalent in the developing world, and treatment failures with the standard drugs are common. This work deals with the proposal of omeprazole as a novel antigiardial drug, focusing on a giardial glycolytic enzyme used to follow the cytotoxic effect at the molecular level. We used recombinant technology and enzyme inactivation to demonstrate the capacity of omeprazole to inactivate giardial triosephosphate isomerase, with no adverse effects on its human counterpart. To establish the specific target in the enzyme, we used single mutants of every cysteine residue in triosephosphate isomerase. The effect on cellular triosephosphate isomerase was evaluated by following the remnant enzyme activity on trophozoites treated with omeprazole. The interaction of omeprazole with giardial proteins was analyzed by fluorescence spectroscopy. The susceptibility to omeprazole of drug-susceptible and drug-resistant strains of
Giardia lamblia
was evaluated to demonstrate its potential as a novel antigiardial drug. Our results demonstrate that omeprazole inhibits giardial triosephosphate isomerase in a species-specific manner through interaction with cysteine at position 222. Omeprazole enters the cytoplasmic compartment of the trophozoites and inhibits cellular triosephosphate isomerase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Such inhibition takes place concomitantly with the cytotoxic effect caused by omeprazole on trophozoites.
G. lamblia
triosephosphate isomerase (GlTIM) is a cytoplasmic protein which can help analyses of how omeprazole works against the proteins of this parasite and in the effort to understand its mechanism of cytotoxicity. Our results demonstrate the mechanism of giardial triosephosphate isomerase inhibition by omeprazole and show that this drug is effective
in vitro
against drug-resistant and drug-susceptible strains of
G. lamblia
.
Variability in Telavancin Cross-Reactivity among Vancomycin Immunoassays
Authors: McConeghy Kevin W. , Liao Siyun , Clark Douglas , Worboys Philip , Barriere Steven L. , Rodvold Keith A.
Published: September 2014

Telavancin is a semisynthetic lipoglycopeptide with a dual mechanism of action against Gram-positive pathogens. Two brief reports have suggested potential cross-reactivity of telavancin with the vancomycin particle-enhanced turbidometric immunoassay (PETIA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate several commercially available vancomycin immunoassays (fluorescence polarization [FPIA], enzyme-multiplied immunoassays [EMIT], PETIA, and chemiluminescent immunoassay [CMIA]) for cross-reactivity with telavancin. Seven sites were selected to analyze serum samples for vancomycin. Each site received a set of samples (
n
= 18) which combined drug-free serum with telavancin, 7-OH telavancin metabolite, or vancomycin. Immunoassays demonstrating potential cross-reactivity were further evaluated by sending a duplicate sample set to multiple laboratories. Cross-reactivity was defined as the percent theoretical concentration (reported concentration/theoretical concentration × 100). No cross-reactivity was seen with FPIA or EMIT. Within the theoretical concentration range of 5 to 120 μg/ml of telavancin, the Synchron PETIA system reported vancomycin concentrations ranging from 4.7 to 54.2 μg/ml compared to vancomycin concentrations from 1.1 to 5.6 μg/ml for the Vista PETIA system. The Architect CMIA system reported vancomycin concentrations in the range of 0.27 to 0.97 μg/ml, whereas Advia Centaur XP CMIA reported vancomycin concentrations between 1.6 and 31.6 μg/ml. The Architect CMIA immunoassay had the lowest percent cross-reactivity (0.8 to 5.4%), while the Synchron PETIA immunoassay demonstrated the highest percent cross-reactivity (45.2 to 53.8%). Telavancin samples measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy were within 93.9 to 122% of theoretical concentrations. Vancomycin concentrations were not measured in any 7-OH telavancin-spiked sample. Vancomycin concentrations measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy were within 57.2 to 113% of theoretical concentrations. PETIA and CMIA measured vancomycin concentrations in telavancin-spiked samples. Significant variability in percent cross-reactivity was observed for each platform regardless of immunoassay method.
Ganciclovir Inhibits Human Adenovirus Replication and Pathogenicity in Permissive Immunosuppressed Syrian Hamsters
Authors: Ying Baoling , Tollefson Ann E. , Spencer Jacqueline F. , Balakrishnan Lata , Dewhurst Stephen , Capella Cristina , Buller R. Mark L. , Toth Karoly , Wold William S. M.
Published: September 2014

Adenovirus infections of immunocompromised patients can develop into deadly multiorgan or systemic disease. The virus is especially threatening for pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients; according to some studies, 10% or more of these patients succumb to disease resulting from adenovirus infection. At present, there is no drug approved for the treatment or prevention of adenovirus infections. Compounds that are approved to treat other virus infections are used off-label to combat adenovirus, but only anecdotal evidence of the efficacy of these drugs exists. Ganciclovir, a drug approved for the treatment of herpesvirus infection, was previously reported to be effective against human adenoviruses
in vitro
. To model adenovirus infections in immunocompromised humans, we examined ganciclovir's efficacy in immunosuppressed Syrian hamsters intravenously infected with type 5 human adenovirus (Ad5). This animal model is permissive for Ad5 replication, and the animals develop symptoms similar to those seen in humans. We demonstrate that ganciclovir suppresses Ad5 replication in the liver of infected hamsters and that it mitigates the consequences of Ad5 infections in these animals when administered prophylactically or therapeutically. We show that ganciclovir inhibits Ad5 DNA synthesis and late gene expression. The mechanism of action for the drug is not clear; preliminary data suggest that it exerts its antiadenoviral effect by directly inhibiting the adenoviral DNA polymerase. While more extensive studies are required, we believe that ganciclovir is a promising drug candidate to treat adenovirus infections. Brincidofovir, a drug with proven activity against Ad5, was used as a positive control in the prophylactic experiment.
Disease-Associated Neisseria meningitidis Isolates Inhibit Wound Repair in Respiratory Epithelial Cells in a Type IV Pilus-Independent Manner
Authors: Ren Xiaoyun , MacKichan Joanna K.
Published: September 2014

Neisseria meningitidis
is the causative agent of meningococcal disease. Onset of meningococcal disease can be extremely rapid and can kill within a matter of hours. However, although a much-feared pathogen,
Neisseria meningitidis
is frequently found in the nasopharyngeal mucosae of healthy carriers. The bacterial factors that distinguish disease- from carriage-associated meningococci are incompletely understood. Evidence suggesting that disruptions to the nasopharynx may increase the risk of acquiring meningococcal disease led us to evaluate the ability of disease- and carriage-associated meningococcal isolates to inhibit cell migration, using an
in vitro
assay for wound repair. We found that disease-associated isolates in our collection inhibited wound closure, while carriage-associated isolates were more variable, with many isolates not inhibiting wound repair at all. For isolates selected for further study, we found that actin morphology, such as presence of lamellipodia, correlated with cell migration. We demonstrated that multiple meningococcal virulence factors, including the type IV pili, are dispensable for inhibition of wound repair. Inhibition of wound repair was also shown to be an active process, i.e., requiring live bacteria undergoing active protein synthesis.
Host Immunity to Clostridium difficile PCR Ribotype 017 Strains
Authors: Jafari Nazila V. , Songane Mario , Stabler Richard A. , Elawad Mamoun , Wren Brendan W. , Allan Elaine , Bajaj-Elliott Mona
Published: September 2014

Clostridium difficile
is an important nosocomial pathogen and the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Multilocus sequence typing indicates that
C. difficile
strains belong to five distinct genetic clades encompassing several PCR ribotypes (RT). Since their emergence in 2003, hypervirulent RT027 strains have been a major focus of research; in contrast, our current understanding of RT017-mediated disease pathogenesis lags far behind. In this study, we aimed to characterize host immunity to CF5 and M68, two genetically well-defined RT017 strains. Both strains engaged with host Toll-like receptor 2/6 (TLR2/6), TLR2-CD14, and TLR5 to similar extents in a model cell line. Despite this, CF5 mediated significantly greater dendritic cell (DC) interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-27, and IL-10 immunity than M68. Both strains elicited similar IL-1β mRNA levels, and yet only M68 caused a marked increase in secretory IL-1β. A CF5 cocultured-DC cytokine milieu drove an equipotent Th1 and Th17 response, while M68 promoted greater Th17 immunity. Human gastrointestinal
ex vivo
cytokine responses to both strains were characterized. Taken together, our data suggest that
C. difficile
strains mediate overlapping and yet distinct mucosal and DC/T cell immunity. Finally, toxin-driven IL-1β release supports the hypothesis that this cytokine axis is a likely target for therapeutic intervention for
C. difficile
infection.
Involvement of PG2212 Zinc Finger Protein in the Regulation of Oxidative Stress Resistance in Porphyromonas gingivalis W83
Authors: Dou Yuetan , Aruni Wilson , Luo Tianlong , Roy Francis , Wang Charles , Fletcher Hansel M.
Published: September 2014

The adaptation of
Porphyromonas gingivalis
to H
2
O
2
-induced stress while inducible is modulated by an unknown OxyR-independent mechanism. Previously, we reported that the PG_2212 gene was highly upregulated in
P. gingivalis
under conditions of prolonged oxidative stress. Because this gene may have regulatory properties, its function in response to H
2
O
2
was further characterized. PG2212, annotated as a hypothetical protein of unknown function, is a 10.3-kDa protein with a cysteine 2-histidine 2 (Cys
2
His
2
) zinc finger domain. The isogenic mutant
P. gingivalis
FLL366 (ΔPG_2212) showed increased sensitivity to H
2
O
2
and decreased gingipain activity compared to the parent strain. Transcriptome analysis of
P. gingivalis
FLL366 revealed that approximately 11% of the genome displayed altered expression (130 downregulated genes and 120 upregulated genes) in response to prolonged H
2
O
2
-induced stress. The majority of the modulated genes were hypothetical or of unknown function, although some are known to participate in oxidative stress resistance. The promoter region of several of the most highly modulated genes contained conserved motifs. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays, the purified rPG2212 protein did not bind its own promoter region but bound a similar region in several of the genes modulated in the PG_2212-deficient mutant. A metabolome analysis revealed that PG2212 can regulate a number of genes coding for proteins involved in metabolic pathways critical for its survival under the conditions of oxidative stress. Collectively, our data suggest that PG2212 is a transcriptional regulator that plays an important role in oxidative stress resistance and virulence regulation in
P. gingivalis
.
The PqsR and RhlR Transcriptional Regulators Determine the Level of Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal Synthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Producing Two Different
pqsABCDE
mRNA Isoforms
Authors: Brouwer Stephan , Pustelny Christian , Ritter Christiane , Klinkert Birgit , Narberhaus Franz , Häussler Susanne
Published: September 2014

Regulation of gene expression plays a key role in bacterial adaptability to changes in the environment. An integral part of this gene regulatory network is achieved via quorum sensing (QS) systems that coordinate bacterial responses under high cellular densities. In the nosocomial pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, the 2-alkyl-4-quinolone (
pqs
) signaling pathway is crucial for bacterial survival under stressful conditions. Biosynthesis of the
Pseudomonas
quinolone signal (PQS) is dependent on the
pqsABCDE
operon, which is positively regulated by the LysR family regulator PqsR and repressed by the transcriptional regulator protein RhlR. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this inhibition have remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that not only PqsR but also RhlR activates transcription of
pqsA
. The latter uses an alternative transcriptional start site and induces expression of a longer transcript that forms a secondary structure in the 5′ untranslated leader region. As a consequence, access of the ribosome to the Shine-Dalgarno sequence is restricted and translation efficiency reduced. We propose a model of a novel posttranscriptional regulation mechanism that fine-tunes PQS biosynthesis, thus highlighting the complexity of quorum sensing in
P. aeruginosa
.
Two Fis Regulators Directly Repress the Expression of Numerous Effector-Encoding Genes in Legionella pneumophila
Authors: Zusman Tal , Speiser Yariv , Segal Gil
Published: September 2014

Legionella pneumophila
is an intracellular human pathogen that utilizes the Icm/Dot type IVB secretion system to translocate a large repertoire of effectors into host cells. For most of these effectors, there is no information regarding their regulation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the involvement of the three
L. pneumophila
Fis homologs in the regulation of effector-encoding genes. Deletion mutants constructed in the genes encoding the three Fis regulators revealed that Fis1 (lpg0542 gene) and Fis3 (lpg1743) but not Fis2 (lpg1370) are partially required for intracellular growth of
L. pneumophila
in
Acanthamoeba castellanii
. To identify pathogenesis-related genes directly regulated by Fis, we established a novel
in vivo
system which resulted in the discovery of numerous effector-encoding genes directly regulated by Fis. Further examination of these genes revealed that Fis1 and Fis3 repress the level of expression of effector-encoding genes during exponential phase. Three groups of effector-encoding genes were identified: (i) effectors regulated mainly by Fis1, (ii) effectors regulated mainly by Fis3, and (iii) effectors regulated by both Fis1 and Fis3. Examination of the upstream regulatory region of all of these effector-encoding genes revealed multiple putative Fis regulatory elements, and site-directed mutagenesis confirmed that a few of these sites constitute part of a repressor binding element. Furthermore, gel mobility shift assays demonstrated the direct relation between the Fis1 and Fis3 regulators and these regulatory elements. Collectively, our results demonstrate for the first time that two of the three
L. pneumophila
Fis regulators directly repress the expression of Icm/Dot effector-encoding genes.
Conservative treatment of adhesive small bowel obstruction in children: a systematic review
Authors: Lin Lung-Huang , Lee Chee-Yew , Hung Min-Hsuan , Chen Der-Fang
Published: September 2014

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of conservative treatment for adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) in children.

Design

Systematic review of studies involved children with ASBO who received initial conservative/non-operative treatment.

Setting

The search was performed in April 2013 using PubMed (see online supplementary file 1), current contents, and the Cochrane database.

Participants

Children with ASBO.

Interventions

Conservative treatment included nasogastric decompression, parenteral fluids and correction of electrolyte and fluid imbalance.

Primary outcome

Treatment success.

Secondary outcomes

Length of hospital stay and the time to first feeding after hospital admission.

Results

7 studies (six retrospective, one prospective), involving 8–109 patients (age: 1 month to 16 years) treated conservatively, were included in the review. The nature of conservative treatment was generally consistent between studies (nasogastric decompression, parenteral fluids and correction of electrolyte and fluid imbalance), although patients in one study also received Gastrografin. The rate of conservative treatment success ranged from 16% to 75% among the five studies, but one trial showed 0% successful rate. The hospital length of stay ranged from 3 to 6.5 days for conservative treatment (vs 10.2–13 days for operative treatment). The time to first feeding ranged from 31 to 84 h for conservative treatment.

Conclusions

In conclusion, in the majority of cases, conservative treatment is an effective means of managing ASBO in children.
Calcific extension towards the mitral valve causes non-rheumatic mitral stenosis in degenerative aortic stenosis: real-time 3D transoesophageal echocardiography study
Authors: Iwataki Mai , Takeuchi Masaaki , Otani Kyoko , Kuwaki Hiroshi , Yoshitani Hidetoshi , Abe Haruhiko , Lang Roberto M , Levine Robert A , Otsuji Yutaka
Published: September 2014

Objective

Mitral annular/leaflet calcification (MALC) is frequently observed in patients with degenerative aortic stenosis (AS). However, the impact of MALC on mitral valve function has not been established. We aimed to investigate whether MALC reduces mitral annular area and restricts leaflet opening, resulting in non-rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Methods

Real-time three-dimensional transoesophageal images of the mitral valve were acquired in 101 patients with degenerative AS and 26 control participants. The outer and inner borders of the mitral annular area (MAA) and the maximal leaflet opening angle were measured at early diastole. The mitral valve area (MVA) was calculated as the left ventricular stroke volume divided by the velocity time integral of the transmitral flow velocity.

Results

Although the outer MAA was significantly larger in patients with AS compared to control participants (8.2±1.3 vs 7.3±0.9 cm2, p<0.001), the inner MAA was significantly smaller (4.5±1.1 vs 5.9±0.9 cm2, p<0.001), resulting in an average decrease of 45% in the effective MAA. The maximal anterior and posterior leaflet opening angle was also significantly smaller in patients with AS (64±10 vs 72±8°, p<0.001, 71±12 vs 87±7°, p<0.001). Thus, MVA was significantly smaller in patients with AS (2.5±1.0 vs 3.8±0.8 cm2, p<0.001). Twenty-four (24%) patients with AS showed MVA <1.5 cm2. Multivariate regression analysis including parameters for mitral valve geometry revealed that a decrease in effective MAA and a reduced posterior leaflet opening angle were independent predictors for MVA.

Conclusions

Calcific extension to the mitral valve in patients with AS reduced effective MAA and the leaflet opening, resulting in a significant non-rheumatic mitral stenosis in one-fourth of the patients.
A Novel Approach for Classification of Chinese Herbal Medicines Using Diffusion Maps
Authors: Luo Dehan , Chen Huiqin , Yu Hao , Sun Yunlong
Published: September 2014

The quality of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) and the authenticity of drugs are directly related to the effect of treatment. This paper presents a method based on diffusion maps for the identification of pungent CHMs. An electronic nose (E-nose) was employed to collect the smell print of different groups of pungent CHMs with different kinds and different harvesting time. First, the collected odor data was mapped to a high-dimensional space, then using the diffusion maps algorithm, the low-dimensional manifold features were extended to the high-dimensional odor data. Finally, the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) algorithm was employed to implement a linear classifier. The results show that, the combination of Diffusion maps and LDA algorithm can well distinguish four different kinds of pungent CHMs and three different harvesting time of the same kind, provides a new way for the classification and identification of CHMs.
NASH EQUILIBRIA IN 2 × 2 × 2 TRIMATRIX GAMES WITH IDENTICAL ANONYMOUS BEST-REPLIES
Authors: GONZÁLEZ-ALCÓN CARLOS , BORM PETER , HENDRICKX RUUD
Published: September 2014

This paper introduces the class of 2 × 2 × 2 trimatrix games with identical anonymous best-replies. For this class a complete classification on the basis of the Nash equilibrium set is provided.
Avoiding modules, co-avoiding modules, Goldie dimension and its dual
Authors: Amini Babak , Amini Afshin , Momtahan Ehsan
Published: September 2014

We introduce and study two concepts in module theory which are dual to each other. It will be revealed that, in the finite case, they are new equivalent concepts for the Goldie dimension of modules and the dual Goldie dimension. However, we shall observe, in the infinite case, they are different concepts.
Relative Brauer group and pro-p Galois group of pre-p-henselian fields
Authors: Dario R. P. , Engler A. J.
Published: September 2014

Let p be a prime number and (F, v) a valued field. In this paper, we find a presentation for the p-torsion part of the Brauer group Br (F), by means of the valuation v. We only assume that F has a primitive pth root of the unity and the residue class field has characteristic not equal to p. This result naturally leads to consider valued fields that we call pre-p-henselian fields. It concerns valuations compatible with Rp, the p-radical of the field. To be precise, Rp is the radical of the skew-symmetric pairing which associates to a pair (a, b) the class of the symbol algebra (F; a, b) in Br F. In our main result, we state that pre-p-henselian fields are precisely the fields for which the Galois group of the maximal Galois p-extension admits a particular decomposition as a free pro-p product.
Basics of DTS quasigroups: Algebra, geometry and enumeration
Authors: Drápal Aleš , Griggs Terry S. , Kozlik Andrew R.
Published: September 2014

A directed triple system can be defined as a decomposition of a complete digraph to directed triples 〈x, y, z〉. By setting xy = z, yz = x, xz = y and uu = u we get a binary operation that can be a quasigroup. We give an algebraic description of such quasigroups, explain how they can be associated with triangulated pseudosurfaces and report enumeration results.
Fast Sol–Gel Method to Prepare Mesoporous TiO2 with High Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Zhang Kui , Wang Xiangdong , Guo Xiaoling , Dai Jie , Xiang Jingyu
Published: September 2014

Mesoporous TiO 2 nanoparticles were synthesized via a fast and classical sol–gel method, respectively. Polyacrylamide was used as the template in the fast sol–gel route; the polymerization crosslink by hydrogen bonds between the template and hydrolysates of Ti alkoxides shortens the reaction time from several days to several hours. The X-ray diffraction results testified that only anatase was obtained in the samples, and the crystallite sizes of the samples prepared by fast and classical sol–gel method were 13.6 nm and 20 nm, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy and N 2 adsorption–desorption reveal that the nanocrystals have typical mesoporous structure and high surface areas. The pore sizes and surface areas of the samples prepared by fast and classical sol–gel method are 17.3 nm and 28.2 nm, 154.7 m2/g and 102.6 m2/g, respectively. The photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange solution under UV light irradiation suggests that the mesoporous TiO 2 photocatalyst prepared by the fast sol–gel method exhibits higher photocatalytic activity than the mesoporous TiO 2 prepared via classical sol–gel method.
Growth of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes from Well-Defined POSS Nanoclusters Structure
Authors: Liu Yunyun , Hu Yali , Cai Qiran , Xu Xiangju , Chen Yin , Huang Shaoming
Published: September 2014

High-quality single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with narrow diameter distribution can be generated from well-defined Si 8 O 12 nanoclusters structure which form from thermal decomposition of chemically modified polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS). The nanosized Si x O y particles were proved to be responsible for the SWNT growth and believed to be the reason for the narrow diameter distribution of the as-grown SWNTs. This could be extended to other POSS. The SWNTs grown from the nanosized Si x O y particles were found to be semiconducting enriched SWNTs (s-SWNTs). A facile patterning technology, direct photolithography, was developed for generating SWNT pattern, which is compatible to industrial-level fabrication of SWNTs pattern for device applications. The metal-free growth together with preferential growth of s-SWNTs and patterning in large scale from the structure-defined silicon oxide nanoclusters not only represent a big step toward the control growth of SWNTs and fabrication of devices for applications particularly in nanoelectronics and biomedicine but also provide a system for further studying and understanding the growth mechanism of SWNTs from nanosized materials and the relationship between the structure of SWNT and nonmetal catalysts.
Multi-layer Model Collaboration for Bioimage Temporal Stage Classification
Authors: Meng Tao , Shyu Mei-Ling
Published: September 2014

Nowadays, bioimages such as microscopic images and in situ hybridization images increase exponentially. The rapid growth of such images calls for efficient and effective methods for mining significant patterns in them. As a biological process usually consists of several temporal stages, one important task in bioimage analysis is to classify images into different stages. In this paper, a multi-layer model collaboration approach is proposed to capitalize the class correlations in order to enhance the multi-class classification accuracy. First, several middle-level classes, which are relatively easy to annotate are created. A set of subspace-based classifiers are trained. Next, the classification scores output from these models are integrated with the target class classification scores. The score integration problem was formulated as a convex optimization problem, which is solved by the gradient descent approach. Experiments on four biological image data sets demonstrate that the proposed framework outperforms other current state-of-the-art algorithms, which indicates the proposed framework is promising.
Beyond Standard Noise Models: Evaluating Denoising Algorithms with Respect to Realistic Camera Noise
Authors: Seybold Tamara , Knopp Marion , Keimel Christian , Stechele Walter
Published: September 2014

The development and tuning of denoising algorithms is usually based on readily processed test images that are artificially degraded with additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). While AWGN allows us to easily generate test data in a repeatable manner, it does not reflect the noise characteristics in a real digital camera. Realistic camera noise is signal-dependent and spatially correlated due to the demosaicking step required to obtain full-color images. Hence, the noise characteristic is fundamentally different from AWGN. Using such unrealistic data to test, optimize and compare denoising algorithms may lead to incorrect parameter tuning or suboptimal choices in research on denoising algorithms.

In this paper, we therefore propose an approach to evaluate denoising algorithms with respect to realistic camera noise: we describe a new camera noise model that includes the full processing chain of a single sensor camera. We determine the visual quality of noisy and denoised test sequences using a subjective test with 18 participants. We show that the noise characteristics have a significant effect on visual quality. Quality metrics, which are required to compare denoising results, are applied, and we first evaluate the performance of 12 full-reference metrics. As no-reference metrics are especially useful for parameter tuning, we additionally evaluate five no-reference metrics with our realistic test data. We conclude that a more realistic noise model should be used in future research to improve the quality estimation of digital images and videos and to improve the research on denoising algorithms.
Adaptive HTTP Streaming with Temporal Scalability in High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC)
Authors: Deshpande Sachin
Published: September 2014

The newly approved High Efficiency Video Coding Standard (HEVC) includes temporal sub-layering feature, which provides temporal scalability. Two types of pictures — Temporal Sub-layer Access Pictures and Step-wise Temporal Sub-layer Access Pictures are provided for this purpose. This paper utilizes the temporal scalability in HEVC to provide bandwidth adaptive HTTP streaming. We describe our HTTP streaming algorithm, which is media timeline aware and which dynamically switches temporal sub-layers on the server side. We performed subjective tests to determine user perception regarding acceptable frame rates when using temporal scalability of HEVC. These results are used to control the algorithm's temporal switching behavior to provide a good quality of experience to the user. We applied Internet and 3GPP error-delay patterns to validate the performance of our algorithm.
Globalization, Foreign Direct Investment, and Regional Innovation in China
Authors: Zhang Yi , Roelfsema Hein
Published: September 2014

This paper explores the connection between the external opening of China and differences in innovation across Chinese regions. For the period 1995–2010, we find that regions that attract inward foreign direct investment (FDI) and exports have become more innovative. Further, we show a U-shaped relation between globalization, regional income levels, and innovation, where both the lower middle-income and the most advanced regions gain from globalization in terms of increased innovation. The higher middle-income regions gain little from globalization in terms of innovation. We provide evidence that differences in ownership structures of foreign investments and outsourcing drive the results.
Foreign Direct Investment, Intellectual Property Rights, and Productivity Growth
Authors: Sudsawasd Sasatra , Chaisrisawatsuk Santi
Published: September 2014

Using panel data for 57 countries over the period of 1995–2012, this paper investigates the impact of intellectual property rights (IPR) processes on productivity growth. The IPR processes are decomposed into three stages — innovation process, commercialization process, and protection process. The paper finds that better IPR protection is directly associated with productivity improvements only in developed economies. In addition, the contribution of IPR processes on growth through foreign direct investment (FDI) appears to be quite limited. Only inward FDI in developed countries which creates better innovative capability leads to higher growth. In connection with outward FDI, only the increase in IPR protection and commercialization are proven to improve productivity in the case of developing countries, particularly when the country acts as the investing country.
Promoting SMEs and Enhancing Labor Productivity in Singapore: A Policy Analysis
Authors: Tan Khee Giap , Tan Yan Yi
Published: September 2014

While Singapore has been doing well in terms of cross-country per capita income comparisons and in terms of overall employment growth, it has been a laggard when it comes to labor productivity and this concern is more serious for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In this context, this paper first identifies the sources of gross domestic product (GDP) growth and simulates different scenarios pertaining to the potential GDP which the economy can achieve given the level of required productivity based on some employment-growth assumptions. Further, the paper reevaluates the performance, challenges and opportunities for SMEs as well as suggests several policy strategies as to how SMEs can synergize and be more competitive moving forward.
Determinants of Entrepreneurs' Activities: New Evidence from Cross-Country Data
Authors: Salman Doaa M.
Published: September 2014

This paper provides an empirical investigation of the main determinants of entrepreneurial activities across three groups of countries over the period 2004–2008, by specifically examining the importance of institutional setting and economic growth on entrepreneurial activities. The classification of countries is based on the Economic Freedom Index and the World Economic Forum (2011) which groups them on the basis of whether they are innovation-driven, efficiency-driven, or factor-driven countries. On the one hand, empirical results find a positive and significant role for economic freedom to accelerate entrepreneurial activities and growth in innovation and efficiency-driven countries characterized by strong institutional systems. On the other hand, the results suggest that in factor-driven countries characterized by relatively less economic freedom and weak institutions, there is a significant negative relationship between economic freedom and entrepreneurial activities.
Bird's-eye view on noise-based logic
Authors: Kish Laszlo B. , Granqvist Claes G. , Horvath Tamas , Klappenecker Andreas , Wen He , Bezrukov Sergey M.
Published: September 2014

Noise-based logic is a practically deterministic logic scheme inspired by the randomness of neural spikes and uses a system of uncorrelated stochastic processes and their superposition to represent the logic state. We briefly discuss various questions such as (i) What does practical determinism mean? (ii) Is noise-based logic a Turing machine? (iii) Is there hope to beat (the dreams of) quantum computation by a classical physical noise-based processor, and what are the minimum hardware requirements for that? Finally, (iv) we address the problem of random number generators and show that the common belief that quantum number generators are superior to classical (thermal) noise-based generators is nothing but a myth.