bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chlamydia trachomatis dapF
Encodes a Bifunctional Enzyme Capable of Both
d
-Glutamate Racemase and Diaminopimelate Epimerase Activities
Authors: Liechti George , Singh Raghuveer , Rossi Patricia L. , Gray Miranda D. , Adams Nancy E. , Maurelli Anthony T.
Published: April 2018

Peptidoglycan is a sugar/amino acid polymer unique to bacteria and essential for division and cell shape maintenance. The
d
-amino acids that make up its cross-linked stem peptides are not abundant in nature and must be synthesized by bacteria
de novo
.
d
-Glutamate is present at the second position of the pentapeptide stem and is strictly conserved in all bacterial species. In Gram-negative bacteria,
d
-glutamate is generated via the racemization of
l
-glutamate by glutamate racemase (MurI).
Chlamydia trachomatis
is the leading cause of infectious blindness and sexually transmitted bacterial infections worldwide. While its genome encodes a majority of the enzymes involved in peptidoglycan synthesis, no
murI
homologue has ever been annotated. Recent studies have revealed the presence of peptidoglycan in
C. trachomatis
and confirmed that its pentapeptide includes
d
-glutamate. In this study, we show that
C. trachomatis
synthesizes
d
-glutamate by utilizing a novel, bifunctional homologue of diaminopimelate epimerase (DapF). DapF catalyzes the final step in the synthesis of
meso
-diaminopimelate, another amino acid unique to peptidoglycan. Genetic complementation of an
Escherichia coli murI
mutant demonstrated that
Chlamydia
DapF can generate
d
-glutamate. Biochemical analysis showed robust activity, but unlike canonical glutamate racemases, activity was dependent on the cofactor pyridoxal phosphate. Genetic complementation, enzymatic characterization, and bioinformatic analyses indicate that chlamydial DapF shares characteristics with other promiscuous/primordial enzymes, presenting a potential mechanism for
d
-glutamate synthesis not only in
Chlamydia
but also numerous other genera within the
Planctomycetes
-
Verrucomicrobiae
-
Chlamydiae
superphylum that lack recognized glutamate racemases.

IMPORTANCE
Here we describe one of the last remaining “missing” steps in peptidoglycan synthesis in pathogenic
Chlamydia
species, the synthesis of
d
-glutamate. We have determined that the diaminopimelate epimerase (DapF) encoded by
Chlamydia trachomatis
is capable of carrying out both the epimerization of DAP and the pyridoxal phosphate-dependent racemization of glutamate. Enzyme promiscuity is thought to be the hallmark of early microbial life on this planet, and there is currently an active debate as to whether “moonlighting enzymes” represent primordial evolutionary relics or are a product of more recent reductionist evolutionary pressures. Given the large number of
Chlamydia
species (as well as members of the
Planctomycetes
-
Verrucomicrobiae
-
Chlamydiae
superphylum) that possess DapF but lack homologues of MurI, it is likely that DapF is a primordial isomerase that functions as both racemase and epimerase in these organisms, suggesting that specialized
d
-glutamate racemase enzymes never evolved in these microbes.
Conservation and Divergence in the
Candida
Species Biofilm Matrix Mannan-Glucan Complex Structure, Function, and Genetic Control
Authors: Dominguez Eddie , Zarnowski Robert , Sanchez Hiram , Covelli Antonio S. , Westler William M. , Azadi Parastoo , Nett Jeniel , Mitchell Aaron P. , Andes David R.
Published: April 2018

Candida
biofilms resist the effects of available antifungal therapies. Prior studies with
Candida albicans
biofilms show that an extracellular matrix mannan-glucan complex (MGCx) contributes to antifungal sequestration, leading to drug resistance. Here we implement biochemical, pharmacological, and genetic approaches to explore a similar mechanism of resistance for the three most common clinically encountered non-
albicans
Candida
species (NAC). Our findings reveal that each
Candida
species biofilm synthesizes a mannan-glucan complex and that the antifungal-protective function of this complex is conserved. Structural similarities extended primarily to the polysaccharide backbone (α-1,6-mannan and β-1,6-glucan). Surprisingly, biochemical analysis uncovered stark differences in the branching side chains of the MGCx among the species. Consistent with the structural analysis, similarities in the genetic control of MGCx production for each
Candida
species also appeared limited to the synthesis of the polysaccharide backbone. Each species appears to employ a unique subset of modification enzymes for MGCx synthesis, likely accounting for the observed side chain diversity. Our results argue for the conservation of matrix function among
Candida
spp. While biogenesis is preserved at the level of the mannan-glucan complex backbone, divergence emerges for construction of branching side chains. Thus, the MGCx backbone represents an ideal drug target for effective pan-
Candida
species biofilm therapy.

IMPORTANCE
Candida
species, the most common fungal pathogens, frequently grow as a biofilm. These adherent communities tolerate extremely high concentrations of antifungal agents, due in large part, to a protective extracellular matrix. The present studies define the structural, functional, and genetic similarities and differences in the biofilm matrix from the four most common
Candida
species. Each species synthesizes an extracellular mannan-glucan complex (MGCx) which contributes to sequestration of antifungal drug, shielding the fungus from this external assault. Synthesis of a common polysaccharide backbone appears conserved. However, subtle structural differences in the branching side chains likely rely upon unique modification enzymes, which are species specific. Our findings identify MGCx backbone synthesis as a potential pan-
Candida
biofilm therapeutic target.
In Vivo
-Selected Compensatory Mutations Restore the Fitness Cost of Mosaic
penA
Alleles That Confer Ceftriaxone Resistance in
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Vincent Leah R. , Kerr Samuel R. , Tan Yang , Tomberg Joshua , Raterman Erica L. , Dunning Hotopp Julie C. , Unemo Magnus , Nicholas Robert A. , Jerse Ann E.
Published: April 2018

Resistance to ceftriaxone in
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
is mainly conferred by mosaic
penA
alleles that encode penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP2) variants with markedly lower rates of acylation by ceftriaxone. To assess the impact of these mosaic
penA
alleles on gonococcal fitness, we introduced the mosaic
penA
alleles from two ceftriaxone-resistant (Cro
r
) clinical isolates (H041 and F89) into a Cro
s
strain (FA19) by allelic exchange and showed that the resultant Cro
r
mutants were significantly outcompeted by the Cro
s
parent strain
in vitro
and in a murine infection model. Four Cro
r
compensatory mutants of FA19
penA41
were isolated independently from mice that outcompeted the parent strain both
in vitro
and
in vivo
. One of these compensatory mutants (LV41C) displayed a unique growth profile, with rapid log growth followed by a sharp plateau/gradual decline at stationary phase. Genome sequencing of LV41C revealed a mutation (G348D) in the
acnB
gene encoding the bifunctional aconitate hydratase 2/2 methylisocitrate dehydratase. Introduction of the
acnB

G348D

allele into FA19
penA41
conferred both a growth profile that phenocopied that of LV41C and a fitness advantage, although not as strongly as that exhibited by the original compensatory mutant, suggesting the existence of additional compensatory mutations. The mutant aconitase appears to be a functional knockout with lower activity and expression than wild-type aconitase. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of FA19
penA41 acnB

G348D

revealed a large set of upregulated genes involved in carbon and energy metabolism. We conclude that compensatory mutations can be selected in Cro
r
gonococcal strains that increase metabolism to ameliorate their fitness deficit.

IMPORTANCE
The emergence of ceftriaxone-resistant (Cro
r
)
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
has led to the looming threat of untreatable gonorrhea. Whether Cro resistance is likely to spread can be predicted from studies that compare the relative fitnesses of susceptible and resistant strains that differ only in the
penA
gene that confers Cro resistance. We showed that mosaic
penA
alleles found in Cro
r
clinical isolates are outcompeted by the Cro
s
parent strain
in vitro
and
in vivo
but that compensatory mutations that allow ceftriaxone resistance to be maintained by increasing bacterial fitness are selected during mouse infection. One compensatory mutant that was studied in more detail had a mutation in
acnB
, which encodes the aconitase that functions in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. This study illustrates that compensatory mutations can be selected during infection, which we hypothesize may allow the spread of Cro resistance in nature. This study also provides novel insights into gonococcal metabolism and physiology.
Comparative analysis of large macular hole surgery using an internal limiting membrane insertion versus inverted flap technique
Authors: Park Jong Ho , Lee Seung Min , Park Sung Who , Lee Ji Eun , Byon Ik Soo
Published: April 2018

Background

To determine whether the internal limiting membrane (ILM) insertion technique is as effective as the inverted ILM flap technique for the initial surgical treatment of eyes with large idiopathic macular holes (MHs).

Methods

This retrospective, non-randomised, comparative clinical study included 41 eyes with large MHs (minimum diameter >500 µm) that were treated using the ILM insertion technique or the inverted ILM flap technique. The hole closure rate, postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and swept source optical coherence tomography findings were analysed at 6 months after surgery.

Results

There were 15 and 26 eyes in the insertion and inverted flap groups, respectively. Hole closure was achieved in all eyes. The mean final BCVA was better in the inverted flap group than in the insertion group (0.527 vs 0.773, p=0.006), although significant postoperative improvements were observed in both groups (p<0.001). Postoperative foveal discolouration was more common in the insertion group than in the inverted flap group (86.7% vs 7.7%, p<0.001). Complete resolution of ellipsoid zone and external limiting membrane defects was observed in 7 and 18 eyes, respectively, in the inverted flap group; in contrast, complete resolution was not observed in any of the eyes in the insertion group (p=0.035 and p<0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

The ILM insertion technique may be as effective as the inverted ILM flap technique for the closure of large MHs. However, the latter technique results in better recovery of photoreceptor layers and, consequently, better postoperative visual acuity.
Assessing the response of hen weight, body composition, feather score, egg quality, and level of excreta nitrogen content to digestible balanced protein intake of laying hens
Authors: Kumar D. , Raginski C. , Schwean-Lardner K. , Classen H.L.
Published: April 2018

Ideally balanced dietary protein is critical for laying hen egg production and feed efficiency, but also affects other important characteristics. This research was designed to study the nonegg production and feed intake response of Lohmann-LSL Lite hens to 550, 625, 700, 775, and 850 mg d−1 of amino acid balanced digestible lysine (Dlys) from 27 to 66 wk of age. Data collection included hen weight (HW), feather scoring, tissue weights, egg specific gravity, egg component weights, and excreta nitrogen (N) content. The experiment was a completely randomized design and level of significance was fixed at P ≤ 0.05. Hen weight (quadratic, Q), pectoralis muscle (absolute, % – Q), and abdominal fat (absolute – linear, L; % – Q) increased with increasing Dlys intake. Although gastrointestinal segment weights and lengths were affected by Dlys intake, interpretation of results was confounded by other aspects of diet composition. Hen feather score (L) and excreta N content (Q) increased, and egg shell quality (L) decreased with increasing Dlys intake. Absolute egg component weights increased with Dlys intake, but effects on proportional weights were Q and relatively minor. In conclusion, balanced Dlys intake affected a variety of practical nonproduction characteristics in laying hens.
Fast Approximate Evaluation of Parallel Overhead from a Minimal Set of Measured Execution Times
Authors: Höfinger Siegfried , Ruh Thomas , Haunschmid Ernst
Published: April 2018

Porting scientific key algorithms to HPC architectures requires a thorough understanding of the subtle balance between gain in performance and introduced overhead. Here we continue the development of our recently proposed technique that uses plain execution times to predict the extent of parallel overhead. The focus here is on an analytic solution that takes into account as many data points as there are unknowns, i.e. model parameters. A test set of 9 applications frequently used in scientific computing can be well described by the suggested model even including atypical cases that were originally not considered part of the development. However, the choice about which particular set of explicit data points will lead to an optimal prediction cannot be made a-priori.
Study of rare nuclear processes with CUORE
Authors: Alduino C. , Alfonso K. , Avignone F. T. , Azzolini O. , Bari G. , Bellini F. , Benato G. , Bersani A. , Biassoni M. , Branca A. , Brofferio C. , Bucci C. , Camacho A. , Caminata A. , Canonica L. , Cao X. G. , Capelli S. , Cappelli L. , Cardani L. , Carniti P. , Casali N. , Cassina L. , Chiesa D. , Chott N. , Clemenza M. , Copello S. , Cosmelli C. , Cremonesi O. , Creswick R. J. , Cushman J. S. , D’Addabbo A. , D’Aguanno D. , Dafinei I. , Davis C. J. , Dell’Oro S. , Deninno M. M. , Di Domizio S. , Di Vacri M. L. , Dompè V. , Drobizhev A. , Fang D. Q. , Faverzani M. , Ferri E. , Ferroni F. , Fiorini E. , Franceschi M. A. , Freedman S. J. , Fujikawa B. K. , Giachero A. , Gironi L. , Giuliani A. , Gladstone L. , Gorla P. , Gotti C. , Gutierrez T. D. , Han K. , Heeger K. M. , Hennings-Yeomans R. , Huang H. Z. , Keppel G. , Kolomensky Yu. G. , Leder A. , Ligi C. , Lim K. E. , Ma Y. G. , Marini L. , Martinez M. , Maruyama R. H. , Mei Y. , Moggi N. , Morganti S. , Nagorny S. S. , Napolitano T. , Nastasi M. , Nones C. , Norman E. B. , Novati V. , Nucciotti A. , Nutini I. , O’Donnell T. , Ouellet J. L. , Pagliarone C. E. , Pallavicini M. , Palmieri V. , Pattavina L. , Pavan M. , Pessina G. , Pira C. , Pirro S. , Pozzi S. , Previtali E. , Reindl F. , Rosenfeld C. , Rusconi C. , Sakai M. , Sangiorgio S. , Santone D. , Schmidt B. , Schmidt J. , Scielzo N. D. , Singh V. , Sisti M. , Taffarello L. , Terranova F. , Tomei C. , Vignati M. , Wagaarachchi S. L. , Wang B. S. , Wang H. W. , Welliver B. , Wilson J. , Wilson K. , Winslow L. A. , Wise T. , Zanotti L. , Zhang G. Q. , Zimmermann S. , Zucchelli S.
Published: April 2018

TeO2 bolometers have been used for many years to search for neutrinoless double beta decay in [Formula: see text]Te. CUORE, a tonne-scale TeO2 detector array, recently published the most sensitive limit on the half-life, [Formula: see text] yr, which corresponds to an upper bound of 140–400 meV on the effective Majorana mass of the neutrino. While it makes CUORE a world-leading experiment looking for neutrinoless double beta decay, it is not the only study that CUORE will contribute to in the field of nuclear and particle physics. As already done over the years with many small-scale experiments, CUORE will investigate both rare decays (such as the two-neutrino double beta decay of [Formula: see text]Te and the hypothesized electron capture in [Formula: see text]Te), and rare processes (e.g. dark matter and axion interactions). This paper describes some of the achievements of past experiments that used TeO2 bolometers, and perspectives for CUORE.
Direct measurement of nuclear cross-section of astrophysical interest: Results and perspectives
Authors: Cavanna Francesca , Prati Paolo
Published: April 2018

Stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis are interconnected by a wide network of nuclear reactions: the study of such connection is usually known as nuclear astrophysics. The main task of this discipline is the determination of nuclear cross-section and hence of the reaction rate in different scenarios, i.e. from the synthesis of a few very light isotopes just after the Big Bang to the heavy element production in the violent explosive end of massive stars. The experimental determination of reaction cross-section at the astrophysical relevant energies is extremely difficult, sometime impossible, due to the Coulomb repulsion between the interacting nuclei which turns out in cross-section values down to the fbar level. To overcome these obstacles, several experimental approaches have been developed and the adopted techniques can be roughly divided into two categories, i.e. direct and indirect methods. In this review paper, the general problem of nuclear astrophysics is introduced and discussed from the point of view of experimental approach. We focus on direct methods and in particular on the features of low-background experiments performed at underground laboratory facilities. The present knowledge of reactions involved in the Big Bang and stellar hydrogen-burning scenarios is discussed as well as the ongoing projects aiming to investigate mainly the helium- and carbon-burning phases. Worldwide, a new generation of experiment in the MeV range is in the design phase or at the very first steps and decisive progresses are expected to come in the next years.
Single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping using DNA sequencing on multiwalled carbon nanotubes monolayer by CNT-plasmon resonance
Authors: Grushevskaya H. V. , Krylova N. G. , Lipnevich I. V. , Egorova V. P. , Babenka A. S.
Published: April 2018

DNA-nanosensor based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) decorated by nanocyclic thiophene-pyrrole complexes of octahedral high-spin Fe has been proposed for high-performance sensing of DNA-hybridization utilizing a surface-enhanced spin-dependent CNT-plasmon resonance. This DNA-nanosensor operates on screening and quenching effects at Raman scattering of light in duplexes DNA-probe/DNA-target at complementary pairing of nucleotides in DNA. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping has been successfully performed for DNA samples from healthy and cancer-suffering donors.
Measuring the Error in Approximating the Sub-Level Set Topology of Sampled Scalar Data
Authors: Beketayev Kenes , Yeliussizov Damir , Morozov Dmitriy , Weber Gunther H. , Hamann Bernd
Published: April 2018

This paper studies the influence of the definition of neighborhoods and methods used for creating point connectivity on topological analysis of scalar functions. It is assumed that a scalar function is known only at a finite set of points with associated function values. In order to utilize topological approaches to analyze the scalar-valued point set, it is necessary to choose point neighborhoods and, usually, point connectivity to meaningfully determine critical-point behavior for the point set. Two distances are used to measure the difference in topology when different point neighborhoods and means to define connectivity are used: (i) the bottleneck distance for persistence diagrams and (ii) the distance between merge trees. Usually, these distances define how different scalar functions are with respect to their topology. These measures, when properly adapted to point sets coupled with a definition of neighborhood and connectivity, make it possible to understand how topological characteristics depend on connectivity. Noise is another aspect considered. Five types of neighborhoods and connectivity are discussed: (i) the Delaunay triangulation; (ii) the relative neighborhood graph; (iii) the Gabriel graph; (iv) the [Formula: see text]-nearest-neighbor (KNN) neighborhood; and (v) the Vietoris–Rips complex. It is discussed in detail how topological characterizations depend on the chosen connectivity.
Notes on analytical treatment of black hole shadow
Authors: Tsupko Oleg Yu.
Published: April 2018

In this work, we present and discuss recent results of analytical investigations of black hole (BH) shadow. First of all, we discuss definition of shadow in details. Then, we describe fully analytical approach for extraction of spin of BH from the deformation of its shadow. Finally, we present analytical investigation of plasma influence on the shadow size. This paper is based on talk given at the conference ‘High-Energy Phenomena in Relativistic Outflows VI', September 11–15, 2017, Moscow, Russia.
FRACTAL APPROACH TO EROSION THRESHOLD OF BENTONITES
Authors: XU Y. F. , LI X. Y.
Published: April 2018

Bentonite has been considered as a candidate buffer material for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) because of its low permeability, high sorption capacity, self-sealing characteristics and durability in a natural environment. Bentonite erosion caused by groundwater flow may take place at the interface of the compacted bentonite and fractured granite. Surface erosion of bentonite flocs is represented typically as an erosion threshold. Predicting the erosion threshold of bentonite flocs requires taking into account cohesion, which results from interactions between clay particles. Beyond the usual dependence on grain size, a significant correlation between erosion threshold and porosity measurements is confirmed for bentonite flocs. A fractal model for erosion threshold of bentonite flocs is proposed. Cohesion forces, the long-range van der Waals interaction between two clay particles are taken as the resource of the erosion threshold. The model verification is conducted by the comparison with experiments published in the literature. The results show that the proposed model for erosion threshold is in good agreement with the experimental data.
A Noise Spectroscopy-Based Selective Gas Sensing with MOX Gas Sensors
Authors: Gomri S. , Seguin J. , Contaret T. , Fiorido T. , Aguir K.
Published: April 2018

We propose a new method for obtaining a fluctuation-enhanced sensing (FES) signature of a gas using a single metal oxide (MOX) gas micro sensor. Starting from our model of adsorption–desorption (A–D) noise previously developed, we show theoretically that the product of frequency by the power spectrum density (PSD) of the gas sensing layer resistance fluctuations often has a maximum which is characteristic of the gas. This property was experimentally confirmed in the case of the detection of NO2 and O3 using a WO3 sensing layer. This method could be useful for classifying gases. Furthermore, our noise measurements confirm our previous model showing that PSD of the A–Dnoise in MOX gas sensor is a combination of Lorentzians having a low frequency magnitude and a cut-off frequency which depends on the nature of the detected gas.
A limit theorem for a splitting distribution of a quantum walk
Authors: Machida Takuya
Published: April 2018

Discrete-time quantum walks are considered a counterpart of random walks and their study has been getting attention since around 2000. In this paper, we focus on a quantum walk which generates a probability distribution splitting to two parts. The quantum walker with two coin states spreads at points, represented by integers, and we analyze the chance of finding the walker at each position after it carries out a unitary evolution a lot of times. The result is reported as a long-time limit distribution from which one can see an approximation to the finding probability.
Iron azaphthalocyanines with axial ligands
Authors: Thies Rüdiger , Kaiser Jens , Hanack Michael
Published: April 2018

The syntheses of the iron azaphthalocyanines Tetra(2,3-pyrido)porphyrazinato-iron, T(2,3-Py)PFe (1), Tetra(3,4-pyrido)porphyrazinato-iron, T(3,4-Py)PFe (2), Tetrapyrazoporphyrazinato-iron, TPzPFe (3), Tetratertbutyltetrapyrazoporphyrazinato-iron tbu[Formula: see text]TPzPFe (4) is reported. They react with the monodentate pyridine, substituted pyridines, piperidine (pip) and various isontriles to form the corresponding bis-axially substituted porphyrazinato-iron compounds McFeL[Formula: see text]. Bidentate ligands. [Formula: see text] pyrazine (pyz) or diisocyanobenzene (dib), form the polymeric adducts, [Formula: see text] [T(2,3-Py)pyz][Formula: see text] or [T(2,3 Py)PFedib][Formula: see text]. The spectroscopic data ([Formula: see text]H-NMR, IR, UV-vis, Mössbauer) are reported and compared with the analogous phthalocyaninato-iron compounds.
Electricity price forecasting using multiple wavelet coherence method: Comparison of ARMA versus VARMA
Authors: Gülerce Mustafa , Ünal Gazanfer
Published: April 2018

The aim of this paper is to bring out a new perspective for Electricity price forecasting. Numerous studies have focused on forecasting the day-ahead or long-term price forecasting of electricity, rather than examine the relationship between energy commodities, by using various methods. Therefore, this study proposes a model-free approach for electricity price forcasting (EPF). The proposed approach is based on Partial Wavelet Coherency (PWC) and Multiple Wavelet Coherency (MWC) method. These methods are capable of uncovering the coherent time intervals simultaneously for time and frequency domains between the examined time series. VARMA uses the coherent time intervals and outperforms its univariate counterpart (ARMA), both in point and interval forecasting.
Detection of Surface Crack in Building Structures Using Image Processing Technique with an Improved Otsu Method for Image Thresholding
Authors: Hoang Nhat-Duc
Published: April 2018

The detection of cracks is a crucial task in monitoring structural health and ensuring structural safety. The manual process of crack detection is painstakingly time‐consuming and suffers from subjective judgments of inspectors. This study establishes an intelligent model based on image processing techniques for automatic crack recognition and analyses. In the new model, a gray intensity adjustment method, called Min‐Max Gray Level Discrimination (M2GLD), is proposed to preprocess the image thresholded by the Otsu method. The goal of this gray intensity adjustment method is to meliorate the accuracy of the crack detection results. Experimental results point out that the integration of M2GLD and the Otsu method, followed by other shape analysis algorithms, can successfully detect crack defects in digital images. Therefore, the constructed model can be a useful tool for building management agencies and construction engineers in the task of structure maintenance.
Effect of Diacerein on Metabolic Control and Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Using Antidiabetic Agents: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Tres Glaucia S. , Fuchs Sandra C. , Piovesan Fabiana , Koehler-Santos Patricia , Pereira Fernanda dos S. , Camey Suzi , Lisboa Hugo K. , Moreira Leila B.
Published: April 2018

Introduction. Studies have shown that T2DM is an inflammatory disease. Thus, the present study was aimed at evaluating whether diacerein could improve the metabolic and inflammatory profile among patients with T2DM under long-term treatment with glucose-lowering agents. Methods. This is a double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled trial with 72 participants randomly assigned to diacerein 50 mg or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the between-group difference in change in HbA1c. Secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients achieving metabolic control [HbA1c≤7.0% (53 mmol/mol)] and change in inflammatory mediators. Results. Participants in the diacerein group had greater reductions in mean HbA1c level in comparison to placebo (−0.98; 95% CI: −2.02 to 0.05, P=0.06), independently of confounding factors. The difference in HbA1c level was −1.3 (95% CI: −2.3 to −0.4) in favor of diacerein (P=0.007) in those with <14 years of diabetes duration versus 0.05 (−0.7 to 0.8; P=0.9) in those with longer duration. The diacerein group had a 50% increase in the number of participants at the lowest TNF-α level (≤1.46 pg/mL). Conclusions. In patients with long-established T2DM under long-term treatment with glucose-lowering agents, diacerein improves metabolic control as measured by HbA1c level and has a favorable impact on inflammatory profile. Clinical Trial Registry. This trial is registered with Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBEC) number RBR-29j956.
Augmenting High‐Performance Mobile Cloud Computations for Big Data in AMBER
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Munwar , Ali Muhammad , Alfawair Mai , Lateef Ahsan , Minhas Abid Ali , Al Mazyad Abdulaziz , Naseer Kashif
Published: April 2018

Big data is an inspirational area of research that involves best practices used in the industry and academia. Challenging and complex systems are the core requirements for the data collation and analysis of big data. Data analysis approaches and algorithms development are the necessary and essential components of the big data analytics. Big data and high‐performance computing emergent nature help to solve complex and challenging problems. High‐Performance Mobile Cloud Computing (HPMCC) technology contributes to the execution of the intensive computational application at any location independently on laptops using virtual machines. HPMCC technique enables executing computationally extreme scientific tasks on a cloud comprising laptops. Assisted Model Building with Energy Refinement (AMBER) with the force fields calculations for molecular dynamics is a computationally hungry task that requires high and computational hardware resources for execution. The core objective of the study is to deliver and provide researchers with a mobile cloud of laptops capable of doing the heavy processing. An innovative execution of AMBER with force field empirical formula using Message Passing Interface (MPI) infrastructure on HPMCC is proposed. It is homogeneous mobile cloud platform comprising a laptop and virtual machines as processors nodes along with dynamic parallelism. Some processes can be executed to distribute and run the task among the various computational nodes. This task‐based and data‐based parallelism is achieved in proposed solution by using a Message Passing Interface. Trace‐based results and graphs will present the significance of the proposed method.
Pirt Together with TRPV1 Is Involved in the Regulation of Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Wang Changming , Gu Leying , Ruan Yonglan , Gegen Tana , Yu Lei , Zhu Chan , Yang Yan , Zhou Yuan , Yu Guang , Tang Zongxiang
Published: April 2018

Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain and reduces the life quality of patients substantially. Transient receptor potential vanilloid channel 1 (TRPV1), a nonselective cation channel, has been shown to play a crucial role in neuropathic pain. Although TRPV1 plays an important role in neuropathic pain, the mechanism of how TRPV1 was regulated in neuropathic pain remains unclear. Pirt is a membrane protein and binds to TRPV1 to enhance its activity. It was suggested that Pirt should also be involved in neuropathic pain. In this study, we investigated the role of Pirt in neuropathic pain (CCI model); the results show that mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were alleviated in Pirt−/− mice in CCI models. TRPV1 expression was increased by immunofluorescence and real-time PCR experiments. The increase in TRPV1 expression was less in Pirt knockout mice in CCI models. Moreover, the number of capsaicin-responding neurons and the magnitude of evoked calcium response were attenuated in DRG neurons from Pirt−/− mice in CCI models. Finally, we found that the pain behavior attenuated in dysfunction of both Pirt and TRPV1 was much stronger than in dysfunction of Pirt or TRPV1 only in a CCI model in vitro study. Taken together, Pirt together with TRPV1 is involved in CCI-induced neuropathic pain.
A Review on Melt‐Pool Characteristics in Laser Welding of Metals
Authors: Fotovvati Behzad , Wayne Steven F. , Lewis Gladius , Asadi Ebrahim
Published: April 2018

Laser welding of metals involves with formation of a melt‐pool and subsequent rapid solidification, resulting in alteration of properties and the microstructure of the welded metal. Understanding and predicting relationships between laser welding process parameters, such as laser speed and welding power, and melt‐pool characteristics have been the subjects of many studies in literature because this knowledge is critical to controlling and improving laser welding. Recent advances in metal additive manufacturing processes have renewed interest in the melt‐pool studies because in many of these processes, part fabrication involves small moving melt‐pools. The present work is a critical review of the literature on experimental and modeling studies on laser welding, with the focus being on the influence of process parameters on geometry, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, microstructure, and porosity characteristics of the melt‐pool. These data may inform future experimental laser welding studies and may be used for verification and validation of results obtained in future melt‐pool modeling studies.
Acute Physiological and Psychological Effects of Qigong Exercise in Older Practitioners
Authors: Lin Chun-Yi , Wei Tze-Taur , Wang Chen-Chen , Chen Wan-Chen , Wang Yu-Min , Tsai Song-Yen
Published: April 2018

Qigong is a gentle exercise that promotes health and well‐being. This study evaluated the acute physiological and psychological effects of one session of qigong exercise in older practitioners. A total of 45 participants (mean age, 65.14 years) were recruited. Meridian electrical conductance, State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), heart rate variability (HRV), and Short Form 36 (SF‐36) were evaluated and compared before and after one session of qigong exercise. The results revealed that the electrical conductance of all meridians, except spleen and bladder meridians, increased significantly (p < 0.05). Compared with baseline values, upper to lower body ratio and sympathetic/vagal index were significantly improved and closer to 1 (p = 0.011 and p = 0.007, resp.). STAI‐S and STAI‐T scores decreased significantly (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, resp.). The RR interval of HRV decreased significantly (p = 0.035), a significant positive correlation was observed between kidney meridian electrical conductance and SF‐36 physical scores (r = 0.74, p = 0.018), and a positive correlation was observed between pericardium meridian electrical conductance and SF‐36 mental scores (r = 0.50, p = 0.06). In conclusion, one session of qigong exercise increased meridian electrical conductance, reduced anxiety, and improved body and autonomic nervous system balance. These findings provide scientific evidence for acute physiological and psychological effects of qigong exercise in older practitioners.
Optimal Combination of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulations and Motor Imagery Interventions
Authors: Saruco Elodie , Di Rienzo Franck , Nunez-Nagy Susana , Rubio-Gonzalez Miguel A. , Debarnot Ursula , Collet Christian , Guillot Aymeric , Saimpont Arnaud
Published: April 2018

Motor imagery contributes to enhance the (re)learning of motor skills through remapping of cortical networks. Combining motor imagery with anodal transcranial direct-current stimulation (a-tDCS) over the primary motor cortex has further been shown to promote its beneficial effects on postural control. Whether motor imagery should be performed concomitantly to a-tDCS (over depolarized membrane) or consecutively (over changing neurotransmitters activity) remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we measured the performance in a postural control task before and after three experimental conditions. Participants received a-tDCS before (tDCSBefore), during (tDCSDuring), or both before and during motor imagery training (tDCSBefore + During). Performance was improved after tDCSDuring, but not after both the tDCSBefore and tDCSBefore + During conditions. These results support that homeostatic plasticity is likely to operate following a-tDCS through decreasing cortical excitability and that motor imagery should be performed during anodal stimulation for optimum gains.
Role of the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in Renal Osteodystrophy
Authors: Bisson Sarah-Kim , Ung Roth-Visal , Mac-Way Fabrice
Published: April 2018

Vascular calcification and bone fragility are common and interrelated health problems that affect chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Bone fragility, which leads to higher risk of fracture and mortality, arises from the abnormal bone remodeling and mineralization that are seen in chronic kidney disease. Recently, sclerostin and Dickkopf-related protein 1 were suggested to play a significant role in CKD-related bone disease as they are known inhibitors of the Wnt pathway, thus preventing bone formation. This review focuses on new knowledge about the Wnt pathway in bone, how its function is affected by chronic kidney disease and how this affects bone structure. Expression of components and inhibitors of the Wnt pathway has been shown to be affected by the loss of kidney function, and a better understanding of the bone effects of Wnt pathway inhibitors could allow the development of new therapies to prevent bone fragility in this population.
Combined Therapy with Extracorporeal Shock Wave and Adipose‐Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Remarkably Improved Acute Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury of Quadriceps Muscle
Authors: Yin Tsung-Cheng , Wu Re-Wen , Sheu Jiunn-Jye , Sung Pei-Hsun , Chen Kuan-Hung , Chiang John Y. , Hsueh Shu-Kai , Chung Wen-Jung , Lin Pao-Yuan , Hsu Shan-Ling , Chen Chien-Chang , Chen Chen-Yu , Shao Pei-Lin , Yip Hon-Kan
Published: April 2018

Extracorporeal shock wave (ECSW) and adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) have been recognized to have capacities of anti‐inflammation and angiogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that ECSW and ADMSC therapy could attenuate ischemia‐reperfusion‐ (IR‐) induced thigh injury (femoral artery tightened for 6 h then the tightness was relieved) in rats. Adult male SD rats (n = 30) were divided into group 1 (sham‐control), group 2 (IR), group 3 (IR + ECSW/120 impulses at 0.12 mJ/mm2 given at 3 h/24 h/72 h after IR), group 4 (allogenic ADMSC/1.2 × 106 cell intramuscular and 1.2 × 106 cell intravenous injections 3 h after IR procedure), and group 5 (ECSW + ADMSC). At day 7 after the IR procedure, the left quadriceps muscle was harvested for studies. At 18 h after the IR procedure, serum myoglobin/creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels were highest in group 2, lowest in group 1, and with intermediate values significantly progressively reduced in groups 3 to 5 (all p < 0.0001). By day 5 after IR, the mechanical paw‐withdrawal threshold displayed an opposite pattern of CPK (all p < 0.0001). The protein expressions of inflammatory, oxidative‐stress, apoptotic, fibrotic, DNA‐damaged, and mitochondrial‐damaged biomarkers and cellular expressions of inflammatory and DNA‐damaged biomarkers exhibited an identical pattern of CPK among the five groups (all p < 0.0001). The microscopic findings of endothelial‐cell biomarkers and number of arterioles expressed an opposite pattern of CPK, and the angiogenesis marker was significantly progressively increased from groups 1 to 5, whereas the histopathology showed that muscle‐damaged/fibrosis/collagen‐deposition areas exhibited an identical pattern of CPK among the five groups (all p < 0.0001). In conclusion, ECSW‐ADMSC therapy is superior to either one applied individually for protecting against IR‐induced thigh injury.
Prediction of Compressive Strength of Concrete in Wet‐Dry Environment by BP Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Liang Chengyao , Qian Chunxiang , Chen Huaicheng , Kang Wence
Published: April 2018

Engineering structure degradation in the marine environment, especially the tidal zone and splash zone, is serious. The compressive strength of concrete exposed to the wet‐dry cycle is investigated in this study. Several significant influencing factors of compressive strength of concrete in the wet‐dry environment are selected. Then, the database of compressive strength influencing factors is established from vast literature after a statistical analysis of those data. Backpropagation artificial neural networks (BP‐ANNs) are applied to establish a multifactorial model to predict the compressive strength of concrete in the wet‐dry exposure environment. Furthermore, experiments are done to verify the generalization of the BP‐ANN model. This model turns out to give a high accuracy and statistical analysis to confirm some rules in marine concrete mix and exposure. In general, this model is practical to predict the concrete mechanical performance.
Ceramic Hollow Fibre Constructs for Continuous Perfusion and Cell Harvest from 3D Hematopoietic Organoids
Authors: Allenby Mark C. , Tahlawi Asma , Morais José C. F. , Li Kang , Panoskaltsis Nicki , Mantalaris Athanasios
Published: April 2018

Tissue vasculature efficiently distributes nutrients, removes metabolites, and possesses selective cellular permeability for tissue growth and function. Engineered tissue models have been limited by small volumes, low cell densities, and invasive cell extraction due to ineffective nutrient diffusion and cell-biomaterial attachment. Herein, we describe the fabrication and testing of ceramic hollow fibre membranes (HFs) able to separate red blood cells (RBCs) and mononuclear cells (MNCs) and be incorporated into 3D tissue models to improve nutrient and metabolite exchange. These HFs filtered RBCs from human umbilical cord blood (CB) suspensions of 20% RBCs to produce 90% RBC filtrate suspensions. When incorporated within 5 mL of 3D collagen-coated polyurethane porous scaffold, medium-perfused HFs maintained nontoxic glucose, lactate, pH levels, and higher cell densities over 21 days of culture in comparison to nonperfused 0.125 mL scaffolds. This hollow fibre bioreactor (HFBR) required a smaller per-cell medium requirement and operated at cell densities > 10-fold higher than current 2D methods whilst allowing for continuous cell harvest through HFs. Herein, we propose HFs to improve 3D cell culture nutrient and metabolite diffusion, increase culture volume and cell density, and continuously harvest products for translational cell therapy biomanufacturing protocols.
Colonic Abnormalities in Manitoban Children with Helicobacter pylori Gastritis
Authors: Banik Upama , Stefanovici Camelia , Griffin Jennifer , El-Matary Wael
Published: April 2018

Objectives. Association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and colonic pathology is underinvestigated. The aim of this work was to examine the prevalence and nature of colonic changes in children diagnosed with H. pylori gastritis. Methods. A comprehensive retrospective review of the medical records for all Manitoban children (≤17 years) diagnosed with H. pylori gastritis from January 1996 to May 2015 was conducted. Children with H. pylori gastritis who had colonoscopy were identified. Patients’ demographics, indications for colonoscopy, laboratory and endoscopic findings, and colonic histopathological abnormalities were documented. Results. A total of 231 children were found to have H. pylori gastritis. The mean age at diagnosis was 12.3 ± 4.1 years; 108 (46.6%) were girls. Of the 231 patients, 37 (16%) patients were found to have colonoscopy performed. Indications for colonoscopy included bleeding per rectum, significant weight loss, and hypoalbuminemia. Twenty-two (59%) of 37 children who had colonoscopy had significant endoscopic and histopathological findings on colonoscopy including polyposis and colitis. Boys with colonic changes were diagnosed at an earlier age compared to those without (11.5 ± 7.0 versus 15.0 ± 2.0, p<0.049). Conclusions. Our study may suggest a possible association between H. pylori and a subset of colonic changes in children.
A Development of Clinical Decision Support System for Video Head Impulse Test Based on Fuzzy Inference System
Authors: Nguyen Dao Thi Anh , Won Insu , Kim Kyusung , Kwon Jangwoo
Published: April 2018

This paper represents the clinical decision support system for video head impulse test (vHIT) based on fuzzy inference system. It examines the eye and head movement recorded by the eye movement tracking device, calculates the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain, and applies fuzzy inference system to output the normality and artifact index of the test result. The position VOR gain and the proportion of covert and overt catch-up saccades (CUS) within the dataset are used as the input of the inference system. In addition, this system yields one more factor, the artifact index, which represents the current interference in the dataset. Data of fifteen vestibular neuritis patients and two of normal subjects were evaluated. The artifact index appears to be very high in the lesion side of vestibular neuritis (VN) patients, indicating highly theoretical contradictions, which are low gain but without CUS, or normal gain with the appearance of CUS. Both intact side and normal subject show high normality and low artifact index, even though the intact side has slightly lower normality and higher artifact index. In conclusion, this is a robust system, which is the first one that takes gain and CUS into account, to output not only the normality of the vHIT dataset, but also the artifacts.
Nb‐Doped TiO2 Photocatalysts Used to Reduction of CO2 to Methanol
Authors: Nogueira M. V. , Lustosa G. M. M. M. , Kobayakawa Y. , Kogler W. , Ruiz M. , Monteiro Filho E. S. , Zaghete M. A. , Perazolli L. A.
Published: April 2018

In pursuit of higher photoactivity, Nb‐doped TiO2 powders were evaluated in the reduction of CO2. The replacement of Ti by Nb in the crystalline structure of TiO2 promoted methanol formation. Nb‐doped TiO2 powders were successfully synthesized in Nb concentrations of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.5% (w/w = weight/weight) using the Pechini method. The materials were calcined at 500°C for two hours to promote the formation of the anatase crystalline phase. After characterization, the powders were modified through an Nb0 magnetron sputtering deposition using a metallic target in vacuum conditions of 2 × 10−3 torr, with a deposition time of 10 minutes, and calcination again at 500°C for two hours. The resulting powders showed a surface area up to 30 m2/g. The Pechini method promoted the substitution of Ti4+ for Nb4+ as observed using XRD and XPS techniques at the crystalline structure and at the surface of the powder. Furthermore, the presence of Nb0 was also observed at the powder’s surface. The presence of Nb in the crystalline structure increased the photoactivity of powders when compared to nonmodified TiO2 powders, while the Nb0 deposition at the powder’s surface decreased the photoactivity for all the investigated compositions.
Evaluation of Autonomic Nervous System, Saliva Cortisol Levels, and Cognitive Function in Major Depressive Disorder Patients
Authors: Ngampramuan Sukonthar , Tungtong Puttichai , Mukda Sujira , Jariyavilas Apichat , Sakulisariyaporn Chanin
Published: April 2018

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with changes in autonomic nervous system (ANS) and cognitive impairment. Heart rate variability (HRV) and Pulse pressure (PP) parameters reflect influences of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Cortisol exerts its greatest effect on the hippocampus, a brain area closely related to cognitive function. This study aims to examine the effect of HRV, PPG, salivary cortisol levels, and cognitive function in MDD patients by using noninvasive techniques. We have recruited MDD patients, diagnosed based on DSM-V-TR criteria compared with healthy control subjects. Their HRV and PP were measured by electrocardiogram (ECG) and photoplethysmography (PPG). Salivary cortisol levels were collected and measured on the same day. MDD patients exhibited elevated values of mean HR, standard deviation of HR (SDHR), low frequency (LF) power, low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio, mean PP, standard deviation of pulse pressure (SDPP), and salivary cortisol levels. Simultaneously, they displayed lower values of mean of R-R intervals (mean NN), standard deviation of R-R intervals (SDNN), high frequency (HF) power, and WCST scores. Results have shown that the ANS of MDD patients were dominated by the sympathetic activity and that they have cognitive deficits especially in the domain of executive functioning.