bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eight Novel Capsular Polysaccharide Synthesis Gene Loci Identified in Nontypeable Streptococcus suis Isolates
Authors: Zheng Han , Ji Shaobo , Liu Zhijie , Lan Ruiting , Huang Ying , Bai Xuemei , Gottschalk Marcelo , Xu Jianguo
Published: April 2015

Streptococcus suis
is an important pathogen of pigs and may cause serious disease in humans. Serotyping is one of the important diagnostic tools and is used for the epidemiological study of
S. suis
. Nontypeable
S. suis
strains have been reported in many studies; however, the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) synthesis
cps
loci of nontypeable strains have not been analyzed. In this study, we investigated the genetic characteristics of
cps
loci in 78 nontypeable strains isolated from healthy pigs. Eight novel
cps
loci (NCLs) were found, and all of them were located between the
orfZ-orfX
region and the
glf
gene. All NCLs possess the
wzy
and
wzx
genes, strongly suggesting that the CPSs of these NCLs were synthesized using the Wzx/Wzy-dependent pathway. The
cps
genes found in the 78 isolates were assigned to 96 homology groups (HGs), 55 of which were NCL specific. The encapsulation of the 78 isolates was also examined using transmission electron microscopy. Fifty-three isolates were found to have a capsule, and these were of varied thicknesses. Our data enhance our understanding of the
cps
gene cluster diversity of nontypeable
S. suis
strains and provide insight into the evolution of the
S. suis
capsular genes.
Utilization of
d
-Lactate as an Energy Source Supports the Growth of Gluconobacter oxydans
Authors: Sheng Binbin , Xu Jing , Zhang Yingxin , Jiang Tianyi , Deng Sisi , Kong Jian , Gao Chao , Ma Cuiqing , Xu Ping
Published: April 2015

d
-Lactate was identified as one of the few available organic acids that supported the growth of
Gluconobacter oxydans
621H in this study. Interestingly, the strain used
d
-lactate as an energy source but not as a carbon source, unlike other lactate-utilizing bacteria. The enzymatic basis for the growth of
G. oxydans
621H on
d
-lactate was therefore investigated. Although two putative NAD-independent
d
-lactate dehydrogenases, GOX1253 and GOX2071, were capable of oxidizing
d
-lactate, GOX1253 was the only enzyme able to support the
d
-lactate-driven growth of the strain. GOX1253 was characterized as a membrane-bound dehydrogenase with high activity toward
d
-lactate, while GOX2071 was characterized as a soluble oxidase with broad substrate specificity toward
d
-2-hydroxy acids. The latter used molecular oxygen as a direct electron acceptor, a feature that has not been reported previously in
d
-lactate-oxidizing enzymes. This study not only clarifies the mechanism for the growth of
G. oxydans
on
d
-lactate, but also provides new insights for applications of the important industrial microbe and the novel
d
-lactate oxidase.
Real-Time PCR and Sequencing Assays for Rapid Detection and Identification of Avian Schistosomes in Environmental Samples
Authors: Jothikumar Narayanan , Mull Bonnie J. , Brant Sara V. , Loker Eric S. , Collinson Jeremy , Secor W. Evan , Hill Vincent R.
Published: April 2015

Cercarial dermatitis, also known as swimmer's itch, is an allergenic skin reaction followed by intense itching caused by schistosome cercariae penetrating human skin. Cercarial dermatitis outbreaks occur globally and are frequently associated with freshwater lakes and are occasionally associated with marine or estuarine waters where birds reside year-round or where migratory birds reside. In this study, a broadly reactive TaqMan assay targeting 18S rRNA gene (ribosomal DNA [rDNA]) sequences that was based on a genetically diverse panel of schistosome isolates representing 13 genera and 20 species (the 18S rDNA TaqMan assay) was developed. A PCR assay was also developed to amplify a 28S rDNA region for subsequent sequencing to identify schistosomes. When applied to surface water samples seeded with
Schistosoma mansoni
cercariae, the 18S rDNA TaqMan assay enabled detection at a level of 5
S. mansoni
cercariae in 100 liters of lake water. The 18S rDNA TaqMan and 28S rDNA PCR sequencing assays were also applied to 100-liter water samples collected from lakes in Nebraska and Wisconsin where there were reported dermatitis outbreaks. Avian schistosome DNA was detected in 11 of 34 lake water samples using the TaqMan assay. Further 28S rDNA sequence analysis of positive samples confirmed the presence of avian schistosome DNA and provided a preliminary identification of the avian schistosomes in 10 of the 11 samples. These data indicate that the broadly schistosome-reactive TaqMan assay can be effective for rapid screening of large-volume water samples for detection of avian schistosomes, thereby facilitating timely response actions to mitigate or prevent dermatitis outbreaks. Additionally, samples positive by the 18S rDNA TaqMan assay can be further assayed using the 28S rDNA sequencing assay to both confirm the presence of schistosomes and contribute to their identification.
Functional Characterization of Corynebacterium alkanolyticum β-Xylosidase and Xyloside ABC Transporter in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Watanabe Akira , Hiraga Kazumi , Suda Masako , Yukawa Hideaki , Inui Masayuki
Published: April 2015

The
Corynebacterium alkanolyticum
xylEFGD
gene cluster comprises the
xylD
gene that encodes an intracellular β-xylosidase next to the
xylEFG
operon encoding a substrate-binding protein and two membrane permease proteins of a xyloside ABC transporter. Cloning of the cluster revealed a recombinant β-xylosidase of moderately high activity (turnover for
p
-nitrophenyl-β-
d
-xylopyranoside of 111 ± 4 s
−1
), weak α-
l
-arabinofuranosidase activity (turnover for
p
-nitrophenyl-α-
l
-arabinofuranoside of 5 ± 1 s
−1
), and high tolerance to product inhibition (

K
i

for xylose of 67.6 ± 2.6 mM). Heterologous expression of the entire cluster under the control of the strong constitutive
tac
promoter in the
Corynebacterium glutamicum
xylose-fermenting strain X1 enabled the resultant strain X1EFGD to rapidly utilize not only xylooligosaccharides but also arabino-xylooligosaccharides. The ability to utilize arabino-xylooligosaccharides depended on
cgR
_
2369
, a gene encoding a multitask ATP-binding protein. Heterologous expression of the contiguous
xylD
gene in strain X1 led to strain X1D with 10-fold greater β-xylosidase activity than strain X1EFGD, albeit with a total loss of arabino-xylooligosaccharide utilization ability and only half the ability to utilize xylooligosaccharides. The findings suggest some inherent ability of
C. glutamicum
to take up xylooligosaccharides, an ability that is enhanced by in the presence of a functional
xylEFG
-encoded xyloside ABC transporter. The finding that
xylEFG
imparts nonnative ability to take up arabino-xylooligosaccharides should be useful in constructing industrial strains with efficient fermentation of arabinoxylan, a major component of lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysates.
Abundance and Distribution of Dimethylsulfoniopropionate Degradation Genes and the Corresponding Bacterial Community Structure at Dimethyl Sulfide Hot Spots in the Tropical and Subtropical Pacific Ocean
Authors: Cui Yingshun , Suzuki Shotaro , Omori Yuko , Wong Shu-Kuan , Ijichi Minoru , Kaneko Ryo , Kameyama Sohiko , Tanimoto Hiroshi , Hamasaki Koji
Published: April 2015

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is mainly produced by marine phytoplankton but is released into the microbial food web and degraded by marine bacteria to dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and other products. To reveal the abundance and distribution of bacterial DMSP degradation genes and the corresponding bacterial communities in relation to DMS and DMSP concentrations in seawater, we collected surface seawater samples from DMS hot spot sites during a cruise across the Pacific Ocean. We analyzed the genes encoding DMSP lyase (
dddP
) and DMSP demethylase (
dmdA
), which are responsible for the transformation of DMSP to DMS and DMSP assimilation, respectively. The averaged abundance (±standard deviation) of these DMSP degradation genes relative to that of the 16S rRNA genes was 33% ± 12%. The abundances of these genes showed large spatial variations.
dddP
genes showed more variation in abundances than
dmdA
genes. Multidimensional analysis based on the abundances of DMSP degradation genes and environmental factors revealed that the distribution pattern of these genes was influenced by chlorophyll
a
concentrations and temperatures.
dddP
genes,
dmdA
subclade C/2 genes, and
dmdA
subclade D genes exhibited significant correlations with the marine
Roseobacter
clade, SAR11 subgroup Ib, and SAR11 subgroup Ia, respectively. SAR11 subgroups Ia and Ib, which possessed
dmdA
genes, were suggested to be the main potential DMSP consumers. The
Roseobacter
clade members possessing
dddP
genes in oligotrophic subtropical regions were possible DMS producers. These results suggest that DMSP degradation genes are abundant and widely distributed in the surface seawater and that the marine bacteria possessing these genes influence the degradation of DMSP and regulate the emissions of DMS in subtropical gyres of the Pacific Ocean.
A Glycosylation Mutant of Trypanosoma brucei Links Social Motility Defects
In Vitro
to Impaired Colonization of Tsetse Flies
In Vivo
Authors: Imhof Simon , Vu Xuan Lan , Bütikofer Peter , Roditi Isabel
Published: April 2015

Transmission of African trypanosomes by tsetse flies requires that the parasites migrate out of the midgut lumen and colonize the ectoperitrophic space. Early procyclic culture forms correspond to trypanosomes in the lumen; on agarose plates they exhibit social motility, migrating
en masse
as radial projections from an inoculation site. We show that an
Rft1
−/−
mutant needs to reach a greater threshold number before migration begins, and that it forms fewer projections than its wild-type parent. The mutant is also up to 4 times less efficient at establishing midgut infections. Ectopic expression of
Rft1
rescues social motility defects and restores the ability to colonize the fly. These results are consistent with social motility reflecting movement to the ectoperitrophic space, implicate N-glycans in the signaling cascades for migration
in vivo
and
in vitro
, and provide the first evidence that parasite-parasite interactions determine the success of transmission by the insect host.
Nationwide registry-based ecological analysis of Q fever incidence and pregnancy outcome during an outbreak in the Netherlands
Authors: de Lange Marit M A , Hukkelhoven Chantal W P M , Munster Janna M , Schneeberger Peter M , van der Hoek Wim
Published: April 2015

Objective

Whether areas affected by Q fever during a large outbreak (2008–2010) had higher rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes than areas not affected by Q fever.

Design

Nationwide registry-based ecological study.

Setting

Pregnant women in areas affected and not affected by Q fever in the Netherlands, 2003–2004 and 2008–2010.

Participants

Index group (N=58 737): pregnant women in 307 areas with more than two Q fever notifications. Reference group (N=310 635): pregnant women in 921 areas without Q fever notifications. As a baseline, pregnant women in index and reference areas in the years 2003–2004 were also included in the reference group to estimate the effect of Q fever in 2008–2010, and not the already existing differences before the outbreak.

Main outcome measures

Preterm delivery, small for gestational age, perinatal mortality.

Results

In 2008–2010, there was no association between residing in a Q fever-affected area and both preterm delivery (adjusted OR 1.01 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.08)), and perinatal mortality (adjusted OR 0.87 (95% CI 0.72 to 1.05)). In contrast, we found a weak significant association between residing in a Q fever-affected area in 2008–2010 and small for gestational age (adjusted OR 1.06 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.12)), with a population-attributable fraction of 0.70% (95% CI 0.07% to 1.34%). We observed no dose–response relation for this outcome with increasing Q fever notifications, and we did not find a stronger association for women who were in their first trimester of pregnancy during the months of high human Q fever incidence.

Conclusions

This study found a weak association between residing in a Q fever-affected area and the pregnancy outcome small for gestational age. Early detection of infection would require mass screening of pregnant women; this does not seem to be justified considering these results, and the uncertainties about its efficacy and the adverse effects of antibiotic treatment.
Preventing device-associated infections in US hospitals: national surveys from 2005 to 2013
Authors: Krein Sarah L , Fowler Karen E , Ratz David , Meddings Jennifer , Saint Sanjay
Published: April 2015

Background

Numerous initiatives have focused on reducing device-associated infections, contributing to an overall decrease in infections nationwide. To better understand factors associated with this decline, we assessed the use of key practices to prevent device-associated infections by US acute care hospitals from 2005 to 2013.

Methods

We mailed surveys to infection preventionists at a national random sample of ∼600 US acute care hospitals in 2005, 2009 and 2013. Our survey asked about the use of practices to prevent the 3 most common device-associated infections: central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). Using sample weights, we estimated the per cent of hospitals reporting regular use (a score of 4 or 5 on a scale from 1 (never use) to 5 (always use)) of prevention practices from 2005 to 2013.

Results

The response rate was about 70% in all 3 periods. Use of most recommended prevention practices increased significantly over time. Among those showing the greatest increase were use of an antimicrobial dressing for preventing CLABSI (25–78%, p<0.001), use of an antimicrobial mouth rinse for preventing VAP (41–79%, p<0.001) and use of catheter removal prompts for preventing CAUTI (9–53%, p<0.001). Likewise, a significant increase in facility-wide surveillance was found for all three infections. Practices for which little change was observed included use of antimicrobial catheters to prevent either CLABSI or CAUTI.

Conclusions

US hospitals have responded to the call to reduce infection by increasing use of key recommended practices. Vigilance is needed to ensure sustained improvement and additional strategies may still be required, given an apparent continuing lag in CAUTI prevention efforts.
Preoperative serum-gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) does not represent an independent prognostic factor in a European cohort of patients with non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Dalpiaz Orietta , Pichler Martin , Mrsic Edvin , Reitz Daniel , Krieger Daniel , Venturino Luca , Bezan Angelika , Stojakovic Tatjana , Pummer Karl , Zigeuner Richard , Hutterer Georg C
Published: April 2015

Aims

Increasing evidence suggests that the serum-gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) might correlate with tumour development and growth rates in various human cancer types. Thus, we decided to investigate the potential prognostic impact of the preoperatively assessed serum-GGT in a European cohort of patients with non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods

Clinicopathological data from 700 consecutive patients with non-metastatic RCC, operated between 2000 and 2010 at a single tertiary academic centre, were evaluated retrospectively. Preoperative serum-GGT was assessed 1 day before surgery. Patients were categorised using a serum-GGT cut-off value of 40 U/L according to a calculation by receiver operating curve analysis. Patients’ cancer-specific survival (CSS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), as well as overall survival (OS) were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional models.

Results

In univariate analysis, an elevated preoperative serum-GGT level (<40 U/L vs ≥40 U/L) was statistically significantly associated with a shorter MFS (HR=1.517, 95% CI 1.047 to 2.197, p=0.027). In multivariate analyses, pathological T-Stage (pT-1 vs pT-2–4, HR=2.065, 95% CI 1.665 to 2.560), tumour grade (G-1+G-2 vs G-3+G-4, HR=1.671, 95% CI 1.261 to 2.213), as well as the presence of histological tumour necrosis (No vs Yes, HR=2.031, 95% CI 1.355 to 3.046) were independent predictors of MFS in patients with RCC, whereas the preoperative serum-GGT failed to reach independent predictor status (<40 U/L vs ≥40 U/L, HR=1.156, 95% CI 0.791 to 1.690). No prognostic role for GGT in OS or CSS could be identified.

Conclusions

In the cohort studied, patients with an elevated (≥40 U/L) preoperative serum-GGT had a subsequently shorter MFS only in univariate analysis. In contrast to previous studies, our data failed to demonstrate preoperatively assessed serum-GGT as an independent prognostic factor in patients with non-metastatic RCC.
Photographic art in exam rooms may reduce white coat hypertension
Authors: Harper Michael B , Kanayama-Trivedi Stacy , Caldito Gloria , Montgomery David , Mayeaux EJ , DelRosso Lourdes M
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Blood pressure (BP) elevation in medical office settings in patients who are normotensive in nonmedical settings is an effect known as ‘white coat hypertension’. This phenomenon is thought to be due to situational anxiety caused by the experience of visiting a doctor and the anxiety-inducing nature of the medical office. Our study was designed to determine if carefully selected photographic art could counter the anxiety that causes white coat hypertension and lead to lower BP recordings in some patients.

Methods

117 adults, non-pregnant patients from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Family Medicine Resident Clinic participated in this study. After the triage nurse measured the BP, the patients were randomly placed in either an exam room with standard medical posters (control room) or in an exam room with photographic art (photo room). The BP was measured in the exam room. After the medical visit, the patients switched rooms and the BP was measured a third time. The patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire to identify room preference.

Results

On average, the BP obtained in the control rooms was higher than that obtained in the photo rooms. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean arterial pressure, systolic BP and diastolic BP between the control room and the photo room.

Conclusions

Landscape photographic art may have the beneficial effect of reducing BP in medical office examination rooms.
Three-dimensional printing of anatomically accurate, patient specific intracranial aneurysm models
Authors: Anderson Jeff R , Thompson Walker L , Alkattan Abdulaziz K , Diaz Orlando , Klucznik Richard , Zhang Yi J , Britz Gavin W , Grossman Robert G , Karmonik Christof
Published: April 2015

Objective

To develop and validate a method for creating realistic, patient specific replicas of cerebral aneurysms by means of fused deposition modeling.

Methods

The luminal boundaries of 10 cerebral aneurysms, together with adjacent proximal and distal sections of the parent artery, were segmented based on DSA images, and corresponding virtual three-dimensional (3D) surface reconstructions were created. From these, polylactic acid and MakerBot Flexible Filament replicas of each aneurysm were created by means of fused deposition modeling. The accuracy of the replicas was assessed by quantifying statistical significance in the variations of their inner dimensions relative to 3D DSA images. Feasibility for using these replicas as flow phantoms in combination with phase contrast MRI was demonstrated.

Results

3D printed aneurysm models were created for all 10 subjects. Good agreement was seen between the models and the source anatomy. Aneurysm diameter measurements of the printed models and source images correlated well (r=0.999; p<0.001), with no statistically significant group difference (p=0.4) or observed bias. The SDs of the measurements were 0.5 mm and 0.2 mm for source images and 3D models, respectively. 3D printed models could be imaged with flow via MRI.

Conclusions

The 3D printed aneurysm models presented were accurate and were able to be produced inhouse. These models can be used for previously cited applications, but their anatomical accuracy also enables their use as MRI flow phantoms for comparison with ongoing studies of computational fluid dynamics. Proof of principle imaging experiments confirm MRI flow phantom utility.
Stromal Cells in Chronic Inflammation and Tertiary Lymphoid Organ Formation
Authors: Buckley Christopher D. , Barone Francesca , Nayar Saba , Bénézech Cecile , Caamaño Jorge
Published: April 2015

Inflammation is an unstable state. It either resolves or persists. Why inflammation persists and the factors that define tissue tropism remain obscure. Increasing evidence suggests that tissue-resident stromal cells not only provide positional memory but also actively regulate the differential accumulation of inflammatory cells within inflamed tissues. Furthermore, at many sites of chronic inflammation, structures that mimic secondary lymphoid tissues are observed, suggesting that chronic inflammation and lymphoid tissue formation share common activation programs. Similarly, blood and lymphatic endothelial cells contribute to tissue homeostasis and disease persistence in chronic inflammation. This review highlights our increasing understanding of the role of stromal cells in inflammation and summarizes the novel immunological role that stromal cells exert in the persistence of inflammatory diseases.
Beyond the Big Five: New Directions for Personality Research and Practice in Organizations
Authors: Hough Leaetta M. , Oswald Frederick L. , Ock Jisoo
Published: April 2015

Industrial and organizational personality researchers and practitioners contend with ever-changing requirements of the workplace, and therefore, it is important to reevaluate and innovate with respect to useful organizational research. Much research evidence documents the importance of personality variables in determining behavior and performance in work settings, yet further advances in understanding and predicting work outcomes will depend upon more sophisticated taxonomic structures of personality, better criterion constructs and measurement, and different validation strategies. We describe the logic, strengths, and weaknesses of four taxonomic approaches to the structure of personality—the Five-Factor Model, HEXACO model, circumplex models, and nomological-web clustering—and how each limits or facilitates future developments in theory and practice. We describe how improved measurement and modeling approaches to personality, along with advances in synthetic validation efforts, will enable greater accuracy in our theories, hypotheses, and prediction of work outcomes.
Exposure to medium and high ambient levels of ozone causes adverse systemic inflammatory and cardiac autonomic effects
Authors: Arjomandi Mehrdad , Wong Hofer , Donde Aneesh , Frelinger Jessica , Dalton Sarah , Ching Wendy , Power Karron , Balmes John R.
Published: April 2015

Epidemiological evidence suggests that exposure to ozone increases cardiovascular morbidity. However, the specific biological mechanisms mediating ozone-associated cardiovascular effects are unknown. To determine whether short-term exposure to ambient levels of ozone causes changes in biomarkers of cardiovascular disease including heart rate variability (HRV), systemic inflammation, and coagulability, 26 subjects were exposed to 0, 100, and 200 ppb ozone in random order for 4 h with intermittent exercise. HRV was measured and blood samples were obtained immediately before (0 h), immediately after (4 h), and 20 h after (24 h) each exposure. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed 20 h after exposure. Regression modeling was used to examine dose-response trends between the endpoints and ozone exposure. Inhalation of ozone induced dose-dependent adverse changes in the frequency domains of HRV across exposures consistent with increased sympathetic tone [increase of (parameter estimate ± SE) 0.4 ± 0.2 and 0.3 ± 0.1 in low- to high-frequency domain HRV ratio per 100 ppb increase in ozone at 4 h and 24 h, respectively ( P = 0.02 and P = 0.01)] and a dose-dependent increase in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) across exposures at 24 h [increase of 0.61 ± 0.24 mg/l in CRP per 100 ppb increase in ozone ( P = 0.01)]. Changes in HRV and CRP did not correlate with ozone-induced local lung inflammatory responses (BAL granulocytes, IL-6, or IL-8), but changes in HRV and CRP were associated with each other after adjustment for age and ozone level. Inhalation of ozone causes adverse systemic inflammatory and cardiac autonomic effects that may contribute to the cardiovascular mortality associated with short-term exposure.
Best anesthetics for assessing left ventricular systolic function by echocardiography in mice
Authors: Pachon Ronald E. , Scharf Bruce A. , Vatner Dorothy E. , Vatner Stephen F.
Published: April 2015

Our review of the literature of the major cardiovascular journals for the past three years showed that for all studies using anesthesia for mouse echocardiography, the predominant anesthetic was isoflurane, which was used in 76% of the studies. The goal of this investigation was to determine if isoflurane is indeed the best anesthetic. Accordingly, we compared isoflurane with 2,2,2-tribromoethanol (Avertin), ketamine-xylazine, and ketamine on different days in the same 14 mice, also studied in the conscious state without anesthesia. A randomized crossover study design was employed to compare the effects on left ventricular (LV) systolic function and heart rate of the four different anesthetic agents assessed by transthoracic echocardiography. As expected, each anesthetic depressed LV ejection fraction and heart rate when compared with values in conscious mice. Surprisingly, isoflurane was not the best, but actually second to last in maintaining normal LV function and heart rate. The anesthetic with the least effect on LV function and heart rate was ketamine alone at a dose of 150 mg/kg, followed by Avertin at 290 mg/kg, isoflurane at 3% induction and 1 to 2% maintenance, and lastly ketamine-xylazine at 100 and 10 mg/kg, respectively. In summary, these results indicate that ketamine alone exerts the least depressant effects on LV function and heart rate, with Avertin second, suggesting that these anesthetics should be used when it is not feasible to study the animals in the conscious state as opposed to the most commonly used anesthetic, isoflurane.
Systematic Screening Identifies Dual PI3K and mTOR Inhibition as a Conserved Therapeutic Vulnerability in Osteosarcoma
Authors: Gupte Ankita , Baker Emma K. , Wan Soo-San , Stewart Elizabeth , Loh Amos , Shelat Anang A. , Gould Cathryn M. , Chalk Alistair M. , Taylor Scott , Lackovic Kurt , Karlström Åsa , Mutsaers Anthony J. , Desai Jayesh , Madhamshettiwar Piyush B. , Zannettino Andrew C.W. , Burns Chris , Huang David C.S. , Dyer Michael A. , Simpson Kaylene J. , Walkley Carl R.
Published: April 2015

Purpose: Osteosarcoma is the most common cancer of bone occurring mostly in teenagers. Despite rapid advances in our knowledge of the genetics and cell biology of osteosarcoma, significant improvements in patient survival have not been observed. The identification of effective therapeutics has been largely empirically based. The identification of new therapies and therapeutic targets are urgently needed to enable improved outcomes for osteosarcoma patients.

Experimental Design: We have used genetically engineered murine models of human osteosarcoma in a systematic, genome-wide screen to identify new candidate therapeutic targets. We performed a genome-wide siRNA screen, with or without doxorubicin. In parallel, a screen of therapeutically relevant small molecules was conducted on primary murine– and primary human osteosarcoma–derived cell cultures. All results were validated across independent cell cultures and across human and mouse osteosarcoma.

Results: The results from the genetic and chemical screens significantly overlapped, with a profound enrichment of pathways regulated by PI3K and mTOR pathways. Drugs that concurrently target both PI3K and mTOR were effective at inducing apoptosis in primary osteosarcoma cell cultures in vitro in both human and mouse osteosarcoma, whereas specific PI3K or mTOR inhibitors were not effective. The results were confirmed with siRNA and small molecule approaches. Rationale combinations of specific PI3K and mTOR inhibitors could recapitulate the effect on osteosarcoma cell cultures.

Conclusions: The approaches described here have identified dual inhibition of the PI3K–mTOR pathway as a sensitive, druggable target in osteosarcoma, and provide rationale for translational studies with these agents. Clin Cancer Res; 21(14); 3216–29. ©2015 AACR.
Pancreatic Fistulae after Urologic Surgery - A Single Centre Experience
Authors: Nestler Sebastian , Neisius Andreas , Roos Frederik , Hampel Christian , Rubenwolf Peter , Jäger Wolfgang , Thüroff Joachim W. , Thomas Christian
Published: April 2015

Introduction: To evaluate incidence, symptoms and management of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after urologic surgery based on our experience. Material and Methods: Database was searched for clinically evident POPF after urologic surgery between 1998 and 2014. Fistulae were graded using the POPF classification. Clinical course of every POPF patient was evaluated. Results: During this time, 3,200 surgeries for renal, adrenal and retroperitoneal pathologies were performed. Twelve POPF occurred postoperatively in this series. Eight fistulae were POPF grade A, 3 POPF grade B and one POPF grade C. POPF became clinically evident after a median of 3 days (IQR 2-3). In all POPF grade A/B patients, secretion from the pancreatic fistula completely subsided under conservative therapy. In one POPF grade C patient with positive surgical margins of urothelial cancer, conservative treatment failed and the patient died due to POPF-related sepsis. Conclusions: POPF is a rare complication after urologic surgery. Conservative therapy is the first choice of treatment and will be successful in the majority of cases. Pancreatic fistula after surgery of recurrent malignancy may have a poor outcome.
Flexibilidade, trabalho atípico e representação sindical. Uma comparação entre a Itália e o Brasil
Authors: Columbu Francesca
Published: April 2015

O presente estudo analisa as implicações do advento do pós-fordismo no surgimento e desenvolvimento de formas de trabalho atípicas e da relacionada representação sindical.
 O desenvolvimento da flexibilidade no mercado de trabalho junto com a difusão das tipologias contratuais “atipicas”, tem como efeito, de um lado, um acesso a direitos sindicais de maneira mais problemática, em virtude de características do contrato de trabalho que, de maneira não-estável, vincula o trabalhador ao empregador ou ao tomador dos serviços; de outro lado, verifica-se uma verdadeira e profunda desestruturação da representação e da organização coletivas do trabalho.
 Na Itália a resposta das maiores Confederações sindicais à proliferação do trabalho atípico concretizou-se na construção de estruturas específicas (Nidil, Felsa, UIL Temp) as quais englobam, no seu âmbito as diferentes tipologias atípicas de trabalho contemporâneo, de acordo com uma perspectiva transversal do trabalho.
 No Brasil, o monopólio da representação sindical baseado no conceito de categoria tem que lidar com o modelo de relações coletivas “semicorporativista”.
 Em confronto com as incertezas e fragilidades do atual movimento sindical, a “despadronização” do contrato de trabalho, bem como a atomização do local e do tempo de trabalho, longe de determinarem o declínio da representação sindical, constituem fatores todos que colocam em destaque a importância do movimento sindical.
Transição em infraestruturas urbanas de controle pluvial: uma estratégia paisagística de adaptação às mudanças climáticas
Authors: Moura Newton Celio Becker , Pellegrino Paulo Renato Mesquita , Martins José Rodolfo Scarati
Published: April 2015

Projeções em modelos climáticos globais quanto às emissões de gases de efeito estufa apontam um aumento na intensidade e frequência dos eventos extremos de chuva, que, associado ao crescimento urbano e à expansão das superfícies impermeáveis, deverá gerar impactos sem precedentes sobre a infraestrutura de drenagem. Diante desse cenário, as cidades têm a oportunidade de realizar uma transição infraestrutural ao adotar técnicas de Melhores Práticas de Manejo (MPM) das águas de chuva como solução mais sustentável, resiliente e integrada à paisagem urbana. Este estudo apresenta uma comparação qualiquantitativa entre reservatórios de detenção e MPM dos escoamentos como estratégias de controle pluvial. Considerando uma microbacia urbana na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo (RMSP), onde foram instalados dois reservatórios com volume de detenção total de 19.200 m3, distribuíram-se elementos de
biorretenção e passeios porosos nas vias públicas localizadas na área de contribuição da bacia. O volume de retenção das técnicas propostas como tratamento dos espaços abertos públicos corresponde a 42% da capacidade de detenção dos reservatórios. Confirma-se, então, a viabilidade das MPM como alternativas para adaptação das cidades às mudanças climáticas, desde que levadas em conta as especificidades ambientais e paisagísticas locais no desenho desses elementos como forma de garantir a sua eficiência. 
To Die with the Buddha: The Brick Pagoda and Its Role in the Xuezhuang Tomb in Early Medieval China
Authors: Shi Jie
Published: April 2015

The important late fifth- or early sixth-century brick tomb at Xuezhuang in Dengxian (Henan) features a brick form at the rear wall, which remained mysterious until it has recently been shown to represent a Buddhist pagoda. This discovery sheds light on the purpose of the burial chamber, featuring the novel combination of vaulted ceiling, colonnade, and pagoda, as simulating an Indian-derived Buddhist temple (caitya). To reinforce this Buddhist context, the burial chamber simultaneously imitates the structure of a Buddhist votive stele (zaoxiangbei 造像碑), in which various Buddhist images, including the Buddha and bodhisattvas, apsaras, worshippers, and guardians, are carefully organized. The Xuezhuang tomb thus merges Buddhist structures with the traditional Chinese funerary structure, representing an entirely new manner in which funerary art and Buddhist art interacted with one another in early medieval China. While in earlier times Buddhist elements were subject to the unilaterally dominant funerary context, in the fifth to sixth centuries, as the importance of a specifically Buddhist context increased, the tomb occupant, whose coffin lay right before the pagoda, became an integral part of a simulated Buddhist structure as a worshipper symbolically poised to worship the pagoda or attend the “dead” Buddha in the concealed Buddhist “temple” that was the tomb. 

La tombe importante, datant de la fin du ve siècle ou du début du vie, découverte à Xuezhang (Dengxian, Henan) comporte une forme en briques sur son mur postérieur dont on n’a montré que récemment qu’il s’agissait d’une pagode bouddhiste. Cette découverte éclaire l’objet de la chambre funéraire: la combinaison d’un plafond en voûte, d’une colonnade et d’une pagode évoque un temple bouddhiste de style indien (caitya). Renforçant encore ce contexte religieux, la chambre funéraire imite en même temps la structure d’une stèle votive bouddhiste (zaoxiangbei 造像碑), dans laquelle les images du Bouddha, des bodhisattvas, des apsaras, des adorateurs et des gardiens sont soigneusement disposées. La tombe de Xuezhang combine de la sorte des structures bouddhistes et une structure funéraire chinoise traditionnelle; elle représente une manière entièrement nouvelle dans la Chine du début du Moyen Âge, dans laquelle interagissent l’art funéraire et l’art bouddhique. Alors qu’auparavant les éléments bouddhistes étaient subordonnés à un contexte exclusivement funéraire, aux ve-vie siècles le contexte spécifiquement bouddhique a gagné en importance; en conséquence, l’occupant de la tombe, dont le cercueil était placé directement devant la pagode, est devenu partie intégrante d’une structure bouddhique simulée en tant qu’adorateur placé symboliquement pour faire ses dévotions à la pagode, ou alors être au service du Bouddha “mort” dans le temple bouddhique caché qu’était devenue la tombe.
Contrasting Local versus Regional Effects of Land-Use-Change-Induced Heterogeneity on Historical Climate: Analysis with the GFDL Earth System Model
Authors: Malyshev Sergey , Shevliakova Elena , Stouffer Ronald J. , Pacala Stephen W.
Published: April 2015

The effects of land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) on surface climate using two ensembles of numerical experiments with the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) comprehensive Earth System Model ESM2Mb are investigated in this study. The experiments simulate historical climate with two different assumptions about LULCC: 1) no land-use change with potential vegetation (PV) and 2) with the CMIP5 historical reconstruction of LULCC (LU). Two different approaches were used in the analysis: 1) the authors compare differences in LU and PV climates to evaluate the regional and global effects of LULCC and 2) the authors characterize subgrid climate differences among different land-use tiles within each grid cell in the LU experiment. Using the first method, the authors estimate the magnitude of LULCC effect to be similar to some previous studies. Using the second method, the authors found a pronounced subgrid signal of LULCC in near-surface temperature over majority of areas affected by LULCC. The signal is strongest on croplands, where it is detectable with 95% confidence over 68.5% of all nonglaciated land grid cells in June–July–August, compared to 8.3% in the first method. In agricultural areas, the subgrid signal tends to be stronger than LU–PV signal by a factor of 1.3 in tropics in both summer and winter and by 1.5 in extratropics in winter. This analysis for the first time demonstrates and quantifies the local, subgrid-scale LULCC effects with a comprehensive ESM and compares it to previous global and regional approaches.
A Comparison of Multiscale GSI-Based EnKF and 3DVar Data Assimilation Using Radar and Conventional Observations for Midlatitude Convective-Scale Precipitation Forecasts
Authors: Johnson Aaron , Wang Xuguang , Carley Jacob R. , Wicker Louis J. , Karstens Christopher
Published: April 2015

A GSI-based data assimilation (DA) system, including three-dimensional variational assimilation (3DVar) and ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF), is extended to the multiscale assimilation of both meso- and synoptic-scale observation networks and convective-scale radar reflectivity and velocity observations. EnKF and 3DVar are systematically compared in this multiscale context to better understand the impacts of differences between the DA techniques on the analyses at multiple scales and the subsequent convective-scale precipitation forecasts.

Averaged over 10 diverse cases, 8-h precipitation forecasts initialized using GSI-based EnKF are more skillful than those using GSI-based 3DVar, both with and without storm-scale radar DA. The advantage from radar DA persists for ~5 h using EnKF, but only ~1 h using 3DVar.

A case study of an upscale growing MCS is also examined. The better EnKF-initialized forecast is attributed to more accurate analyses of both the mesoscale environment and the storm-scale features. The mesoscale location and structure of a warm front is more accurately analyzed using EnKF than 3DVar. Furthermore, storms in the EnKF multiscale analysis are maintained during the subsequent forecast period. However, storms in the 3DVar multiscale analysis are not maintained and generate excessive cold pools. Therefore, while the EnKF forecast with radar DA remains better than the forecast without radar DA throughout the forecast period, the 3DVar forecast quality is degraded by radar DA after the first hour. Diagnostics revealed that the inferior analysis at mesoscales and storm scales for the 3DVar is primarily attributed to the lack of flow dependence and cross-variable correlation, respectively, in the 3DVar static background error covariance.
Evaluation of Wind Forecasts and Observation Impacts from Variational and Ensemble Data Assimilation for Wind Energy Applications
Authors: Ancell Brian C. , Kashawlic Erin , Schroeder John L.
Published: April 2015

The U.S. Department of Energy Wind Forecast Improvement Project (WFIP) has recently been completed with the aim of 1) understanding the performance of different mesoscale data assimilation systems for lower-atmospheric wind prediction and 2) determining the observation impacts on wind forecasts within the different assimilation systems. Here an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) was tested against a three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) technique. Forecasts lasting 24 hours were produced for a month-long period to determine the day-to-day performance of each system, as well as over 10 individual wind ramp cases. The observation impacts from surface mesonet and profiler/sodar wind observations aloft were also tested in each system for both the month-long run and the ramp forecasts.

It was found that EnKF forecasts verified over a domain including Texas and Oklahoma were better than those of 3DVAR for the month-long experiment throughout the forecast window, presumably from the use of flow-dependent covariances in the EnKF. The assimilation of mesonet data improved both EnKF and 3DVAR early forecasts, but sodar/profiler data showed a degradation (EnKF) or had no effect (3DVAR), with the degradation apparently resulting from a lower-atmospheric wind bias. For the wind ramp forecasts, ensemble averaging appears to overwhelm any improvements flow-dependent assimilation may have on ramp forecasts, leading to better 3DVAR ramp prediction. This suggests that best member techniques within the EnKF may be necessary for improved performance over 3DVAR for forecasts of sharp features such as wind ramps. Observation impacts from mesonet and profiler/sodar observations generally improved EnKF ramp forecasts, but either had little effect on or degraded 3DVAR forecasts.
A rapid anion-exchange chromatography for measurement of cholesterol concentrations in five lipoprotein classes and estimation of lipoprotein profiles in male volunteers without overt diseases
Authors: Manita Daisuke , Hirowatari Yuji , Yoshida Hiroshi
Published: April 2015

Background

Analysis of lipoprotein profile gives important clinical information for lipid-lowering therapy which prevents atherosclerotic diseases. The lipoprotein classes can be isolated from serum with ultracentrifugation, which inevitably consumes a long time and needs large serum volume. We have established a method with anion-exchange chromatography with 1.0 µL of the injected volume in 5.2 min for assay of one sample.

Methods

One-hundred-forty-one male volunteers without overt diseases were divided three groups (Group 1, non-dyslipidemia with LDL-cholesterol [LDL-C] <120 mg/dL and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) ≥40 mg/dL; Group 2, borderline dyslipidemia with 120 ≤ LDL-C < 140 mg/dL and HDL-C ≥40 mg/dL; Group 3, dyslipidemia with LDL-C ≥ 140 mg/dL or HDL-C < 40 mg/dL). Their lipoprotein profiles were evaluated by rapid anion-exchange chromatography, which measured concentrations of HDL-C, LDL-C, IDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, and other fraction (chylomicron + lipoprotein [a])-cholesterol (other-C).

Results

The within-day and between-day assay coefficients of variation of lipoprotein cholesterol values were 0.33–4.31% and 2.37–9.19%, respectively. The correlation coefficients between values of HDL-C, LDL-C, IDL-C and VLDL-C by the anion-exchange chromatography and those by ultracentrifugal method were 0.97, 0.92, 0.58 and 0.94, respectively. Group 3 had significantly lower HDL-C and higher concentrations of IDL-C, VLDL-C and other-C than did Group 1. Group 2, borderline dyslipidemia, had significantly higher concentrations of IDL-C and VLDL-C than did Group 1.

Conclusion

The rapid anion-exchange chromatography assay may be sufficiently applied to the assessment of borderline dyslipidemia.
Religiosity/spirituality: Relationships with non-suicidal self-harm behaviors and attempted suicide
Authors: Sansone Randy A , Wiederman Michael W
Published: April 2015

Background:

The relationships between religiosity/spirituality (RS) and self-harm behavior, including non-suicidal self-harm behavior (NS-SHB) and suicide attempts/completions, remain of keen interest. Whereas the majority of studies strongly suggest that RS protects against suicide attempts/completions, relationships between RS and NS-SHB have been rarely studied.

Aim:

In this study, we examined RS in relationship to both NS-SHB (six explicit behaviors) and past history of suicide attempts.

Method:

In a cross-sectional sample of 306 consecutive primary care outpatients, we administered four self-report assessments for RS (extent participant considered self a religious person, extent participant considered self a spiritual person, extent religion is involved in understanding/dealing with stressful situations, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp-12)) as well as examined seven items on the Self-Harm Inventory: six items reflecting NS-SHB and one item reflecting a past suicide attempt.

Results:

While two RS items yielded no significant findings (extent participant considered self a spiritual person, extent religion is involved in understanding/dealing with stressful situations), the remaining two items were associated with a lowered risk of self-harm behavior, particularly the FACIT-Sp-12.

Conclusions:

Some but not all aspects of RS are associated with lowered risk for self-harm. In this study, considering oneself a religious person and reporting a general sense of RS well-being offered the most protective effect to participants, particularly the latter.
Synthesis of blocking polyether silicone oil and silicone blocking waterborne polyurethane and application to cashmere knitted fabric finishing
Authors: Xu Chengshu , OuYang Lei , Liu Haiyan , Chen Qianwei , Cai Zaisheng , Xing Jianwei , Li Yi
Published: April 2015

Blocking polyether silicone oil is prepared through a reaction between amino-terminated polyether and epoxide-terminated polyether silicones. A fabric finishing agent made with cationic waterborne polyurethane modified by silicone oil is prepared by using polytetramethylene glycol as the soft segment, N-methyl diethanolamine as the hydrophilic unit, and tailor-made blocking polyether silicone oil as a chain extender for modification purposes. The finishing agent and the blocking polyether silicone oil are jointly used to treat cashmere knitted fabric. It is found that resistance to pilling of the treated cashmere knitted fabric is improved from a scale of 2–3 to 4 and its washing shrinkage rate is reduced from 11.2% to 3.3%. The treated cashmere knitted fabric has good hydrophilic ability, high water vapor and air permeabilities, and a soft handle. Moreover, the color of the fabric remains almost unchanged after finishing and the durability of the finishing properties is excellent.