bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of glutathione S‐transferase theta 1 and glutathione S‐transferase mu 1 gene polymorphism with the risk of pre‐eclampsia during pregnancy in Bangladesh
Authors: Akther Lutfa , Rahman Md Mostafijur , Bhuiyan Md Elias S. , Hosen Md Bayejid , Nesa Ayatun , Kabir Yearul
Published: August 2018

Aim

In this study, we analyzed the risk of developing pre‐eclampsia with respect to glutathione S‐transferase theta 1 (GSTT1) and glutathione S‐transferase mu 1 (GSTM1) genotypes. We also tried to find relationship between genotypes and biochemical parameter change in pre‐eclampsia patients.

Methods

In total, 104 pre‐eclampsia patients and 200 healthy controls were recruited for the study. Peripheral venous blood was drawn from study subjects and DNA was extracted from whole blood and multiplex polymerase chain reaction method was used to identify genotypes of GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene. All biochemical parameters were measured using colorimetric method.

Results

Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase level was significantly higher (P < 0.01) and hemoglobin level was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in pre‐eclampsia patients compared to control subjects. Significant association was found in GSTM1 null genotype with pre‐eclampsia (P < 0.001) with an odds ratio (OR) analysis showing more than four‐fold increased risk (OR = 4.75; 95% CI = 2.17–10.39; P <0.001). But for GSTT1 gene, null genotype was not associated with increased risk of developing pre‐eclampsia (P > 0.05). In case of GSTT1 and GSTM1, the patients having both null genotypes for GSTT1 and GSTM1 showed significant (P < 0.001) higher risk of developing pre‐eclampsia (OR = 7.64; 95% CI = 2.38–24.60; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

GSTM1 null genotype increases the risk of pre‐eclampsia. Combined GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotype, the risk was even higher.
Arginase inhibition improves endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus despite intensive glucose‐lowering therapy
Authors: Mahdi A. , Kövamees O. , Checa A. , Wheelock C. E. , von Heijne M. , Alvarsson M. , Pernow J.
Published: August 2018

Background

Arginase is implicated in the pathogenesis behind endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by its inhibition of nitric oxide formation. Strict glycaemic control is not sufficient to improve endothelial function or cardiovascular outcomes in patients with T2DM, thus other treatment strategies are needed. We hypothesized that arginase inhibition improves endothelial function beyond glucose‐lowering therapy following glucose optimization in patients with poorly controlled T2DM.

Methods and results

Endothelial function was evaluated in 16 patients with poorly controlled T2DM (visit 1) and 16 age‐matched controls using venous occlusion plethysmography. T2DM patients were re‐evaluated (visit 2) after intensive glucose‐lowering regimen. Endothelium‐dependent (EDV) and ‐independent (EIDV) vasodilatations were evaluated before and after 120 min intra‐arterial infusion of the arginase inhibitor N(ω)‐hydroxy‐nor‐L‐arginine (nor‐NOHA). HbA1c was reduced from 87 ± 17 (visit 1) to 65 ± 11 mmol mol−1 (visit 2, P < 0.001). Basal EDV, but not EIDV, was significantly lower in patients with T2DM than in healthy subjects (P < 0.05). EDV and EIDV were unaffected by glucose‐lowering regimen in patients with T2DM. Arginase inhibition enhanced EDV in T2DM patients both at visit 1 and visit 2 (P < 0.01). There was no difference in improvement in EDV between the two occasions. EIDV was unaltered by nor‐NOHA in T2DM at visit 1, but was slightly improved at visit 2.

Conclusions

Arginase inhibition improves endothelial function in patients with poorly controlled T2DM, which is maintained following glucose optimization. Thus, arginase inhibition is a promising therapeutic target beyond glucose lowering for improving endothelial function in T2DM patients.
Expression profile of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors in high‐fat diet feeding chickens
Authors: Chen Ching‐Yi , Chen Yu‐Jen , Ding Shih‐Torng , Lin Yuan‐Yu
Published: August 2018

Adiponectin is a circulatory cytokine secreted from adipose tissues and exerts critical metabolic functions in mammals. However, expression profiles of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors in the avian species that may be very different from mammals, especially under affluent nutrition conditions, remain unexplored to examine the effects of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors in chicken adipose tissues under high‐fat diet (HFD) feeding. Twenty Taiwan country chickens (L2 bred) of 12 weeks old were challenged with a 10% high‐fat diet for 6 weeks. Results showed that body weights and plasma triglycerides, cholesterol and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP4) were all increased in the HFD treatments. Interestingly, we first demonstrated that chicken circulating macromolecule adiponectin and fat disulphide‐bond A oxidoreductase‐like protein (DsbA‐L), a regulator involved in adiponectin secretion, were elevated upon HFD feeding. Moreover, the mRNA expression of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors as well as additional adipose‐related genes such as fatty acid synthase (FAS), adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) were also increased in the chicken abdominal fats under HFD conditions. These results suggest that HFD treatment alters adiponectin and metabolic genes in chicken adipose tissues. In conclusion, in the present study, we examine expression profiles of adiponectin, adiponectin receptors, adiponectin secretion regulator DsbA‐L, and metabolic genes in chicken fats upon HFD supplementation and provide new insights for how adiponectin entail the pathophysiologically obesogenic conditions in the avian species.
Effects of feed form and xylanase supplementation on metabolizable energy partitioning in broiler chicken fed wheat‐based diets
Authors: Nourmohammadi Rouhollah , Khosravinia Heshmatollah , Afzali Nazar
Published: August 2018

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feed form and xylanase supplementation on the growth performance, energetic efficiencies, energy partitioning, and nitrogen (N) balance of Ross 308 male broilers fed wheat‐based diets. The experiment was conducted as a 2 × 2 × 5 factorial arrangement with 2 levels of feed forms (mash or pellets) and xylanase (0 or 500 mg/kg), and five feeding levels (ad libitum, 85%, 70%, 55%, and 40% of ad libitum intake). Each of the 20 dietary treatments was fed to 5 replicate pens (5 birds/pen) from 22 to 42 days of age. A significant interaction between feed form and xylanase on was observed for average daily feed intake and heat production (p < 0.01). Pelleting and dietary supplementation with xylanase increased average daily gain and feed conversion ratio but decreased (p < 0.05) average daily feed intake. Broilers fed xylanase‐supplemented diet ingested and pelleted diet retained more than in those fed the mash form or the diet without xylanase. Xylanase and pellets decreased (p < 0.01) heat production and metabolizable energy intake (MEI), but increased retained energy (p < 0.05). The birds fed xylanase also needed less MEI per gram of N retained than those fed the diets without enzyme (p < 0.01). Estimation of both metabolizable and net energy requirements for maintenance as a function of BW0.75 showed that requirements for broilers fed pelleted diet and xylanase‐supplemented diet were lower than in those fed mash form or the diet without xylanase (p < 0.01). The higher energetic efficiencies for retention were estimated in the birds offered pelleted and xylanase‐supplemented diets compared with the values determined for those fed the diet with mash form or the diet without xylanase (p < 0.05). The efficiency of energy utilization for protein for birds fed xylanase‐supplemented diets was higher (p < 0.01) than those fed diets without xylanase, and fat deposition for broilers fed the pelleted diet was greater than those fed the mash diet (p < 0.01). Because MEI for maintenance requirements represents a large portion of the MEI, the results from this experiment could be considered in calculation of energy requirements for finishing broilers fed wheat‐based diets.
Renal phosphorus excretion in adult healthy cats after the intake of high phosphorus diets with either calcium monophosphate or sodium monophosphate
Authors: Dobenecker Britta , Hertel‐Böhnke Peggy , Webel Anna , Kienzle Ellen
Published: August 2018

Renal and faecal phosphorus excretion of adult healthy European shorthaired cats after the intake of high phosphorus diets (meat/rice based) with either calcium monophosphate (HP‐CaP) or sodium monophosphate (HP‐NaP) as main phosphorus source was compared. The control diets (CON‐CaP and CON‐NaP, respectively) did not contain any added phosphorus. Calcium/phosphorus ratio was adjusted to 1.3/1 by adding calcium carbonate. Twenty‐three cats were available for the trials. All cats were fed the control diets for 29 days; then, the HP diets were tested for 29 days against controls in a crossover design. Faeces and urine were collected in the last 10 days of each trial. Phosphorus in food, faeces and urine was measured by photometry after wet digestion. Phosphorus intake amounted to 84 ± 10 mg/kg body weight (BW) in CON‐NaP (n = 13) and to 74 ± 7 in CON‐CaP (n = 12). In the HP groups, the intake was 255 ± 34 mg/kg BW (HP‐NaP; n = 13) and 216 ± 20 mg/kg BW (HP‐CaP; n = 12). The sodium monophosphate in group HP‐NaP led to a higher renal phosphorus excretion (83 ± 15 mg/kg BW) than the calcium monophosphate (25 ± 5 mg/kg BW; p < 0.05), even though the apparent phosphorus digestibility was higher in HP‐CaP than in HP‐NaP (p < 0.05). Faecal calcium excretion was strictly correlated to faecal phosphorus excretion (r2 = 0.98). The same was true for calcium and phosphorus balance (r2 = 0.89). In group HP‐NaP, seven of 13 cats showed glucosuria. By contrast, in HP‐CaP glucosuria was not observed. Highly water‐soluble inorganic phosphorus sources such as sodium phosphate are likely to lead to phosphaturia and may present a risk for renal health of cats.
Why are woody plants fleshy‐fruited at low elevations? Evidence from a high‐elevation oceanic island
Authors: Albert Sébastien , Flores Olivier , Rouget Mathieu , Wilding Nicholas , Strasberg Dominique
Published: August 2018

Question

The composition of fruit types, fleshy vs dry fruits, greatly influences the functioning of plant communities. Literature documenting spatial patterns of fruit types at fine scale is abundant. However, studies at larger geographical scale remain scarce, especially on high‐elevation oceanic islands that provide a great environmental heterogeneity. Here, we investigated how abiotic factors explained the proportion of fleshy‐fruited species (pFF) on Réunion. We asked (a) which abiotic factors were most related to pFF, (b) if fleshy‐fruited canopy species were more sensitive than fleshy‐fruited shrubs to harsh climatic conditions and (c) what are the relationships between pFF, endemism and phylogenetic relatedness.

Location

Réunion (3,070 m a.s.l), Mascarene archipelago, South‐West Indian Ocean.

Methods

We used a dataset of 429 vegetation plots and assigned fruit types, growth forms and geographical distribution to 213 native woody species. Phylogenetic trees were constructed for each plot. We used GLMs to measure the relationship between pFF and abiotic factors, controlling for spatial autocorrelation. We then assessed the relationship between pFF, the standardized net relatedness index and the proportion of endemic species.

Results

The top model explained 78% of the variation in pFF. Elevation was by far the best predictor, with pFF decreasing from 81% at 50 m a.s.l to 0% at 3,000 m a.s.l. At low elevations, pFF was higher on the wet windward (81%) than on the leeward (70%) where phylogenetic clustering was evident. Almost half (48%) of woody plants was fleshy‐fruited trees at low elevations. The proportion of fleshy‐fruited trees declined sharply with elevation and was significantly related to precipitation of the driest month contrary to the proportion of fleshy‐fruited shrubs that showed a hump shaped pattern along elevational gradient and no correlation with precipitation of the driest month. At high elevations, most plant assemblages were phylogenetically clustered and strongly dominated by single‐island endemic dry‐fruited plants.

Conclusions

The striking relationship between pFF and elevation, the shift among fleshy‐fruited growth forms along climatic gradients and the phylogenetic clustering of assemblages subjected to harsh climatic conditions, suggested that climatic factors were the main drivers of the distribution of fruit types on Réunion. To explain the absence of fleshy‐fruited species at high elevations, we hypothesized that native fleshy‐fruited lineages lacked the evolutionary potential to adapt and fleshy‐fruited cold‐adapted lineages had major difficulties reaching Réunion.
Guidelines are silver, but a multidisciplinary team discussion may be golden?
Authors: Wörns Marcus‐Alexander , Galle Peter R.
Published: August 2018

See Article on Page 1624
Environmental extremes drive population structure at the northern range limit of Atlantic salmon in North America
Authors: Sylvester Emma V. A. , Beiko Robert G. , Bentzen Paul , Paterson Ian , Horne John B. , Watson Beth , Lehnert Sarah , Duffy Steven , Clément Marie , Robertson Martha J. , Bradbury Ian R.
Published: August 2018

Conservation of exploited species requires an understanding of both genetic diversity and the dominant structuring forces, particularly near range limits, where climatic variation can drive rapid expansions or contractions of geographic range. Here, we examine population structure and landscape associations in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) across a heterogeneous landscape near the northern range limit in Labrador, Canada. Analysis of two amplicon‐based data sets containing 101 microsatellites and 376 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 35 locations revealed clear differentiation between populations spawning in rivers flowing into a large marine embayment (Lake Melville) compared to coastal populations. The mechanisms influencing the differentiation of embayment populations were investigated using both multivariate and machine‐learning landscape genetic approaches. We identified temperature as the strongest correlate with genetic structure, particularly warm temperature extremes and wider annual temperature ranges. The genomic basis of this divergence was further explored using a subset of locations (n = 17) and a 220KSNParray.SNPs associated with spatial structuring and temperature mapped to a diverse set of genes and molecular pathways, including regulation of gene expression, immune response, and cell development and differentiation. The results spanning molecular marker types and both novel and established methods clearly show climate‐associated, fine‐scale population structure across an environmental gradient in Atlantic salmon near its range limit in North America, highlighting valuable approaches for predicting population responses to climate change and managing species sustainability.
The timing of frugivore‐mediated seed dispersal effectiveness
Authors: González‐Varo Juan P. , Arroyo Juan M. , Jordano Pedro
Published: August 2018

The seed dispersal effectiveness framework allows assessing mutualistic services from frugivorous animals in terms of quantity and quality. Quantity accounts for the number of seeds dispersed and quality for the probability of recruitment of dispersed seeds. Research on this topic has largely focused on the spatial patterns of seed deposition because seed fates often vary between microhabitats due to differences in biotic and abiotic factors. However, the temporal dimension has remained completely overlooked despite these factors—and even local disperser assemblages—can change dramatically during long fruiting periods. Here, we test timing effects on seed dispersal effectiveness, using as study case a keystone shrub species dispersed by frugivorous birds and with a fruiting period of 9 months. We evaluated quantity and quality in different microhabitats of a Mediterranean forest and different periods of the fruiting phenophase. We identified the bird species responsible for seed deposition through DNA barcoding and evaluated the probability of seedling recruitment through a series of field experiments on sequential demographic processes. We found that timing matters: The disperser assemblage was temporally structured, seed viability decreased markedly during the plant's fruiting phenophase, and germination was lower for viable seeds dispersed in the fruiting peak. We show how small contributions to seed deposition by transient migratory species can result in a relevant effectiveness if they disperse seeds in a high‐quality period for seedling recruitment. This study expands our understanding of seed dispersal effectiveness, highlighting the importance of timing and infrequent interactions for population and community dynamics.
TRAPPopathies: An emerging set of disorders linked to variations in the genes encoding transport protein particle (TRAPP)‐associated proteins
Authors: Sacher Michael , Shahrzad Nassim , Kamel Hiba , Milev Miroslav P.
Published: August 2018

The movement of proteins between cellular compartments requires the orchestrated actions of many factors including Rab family GTPases, Soluble NSF Attachment protein REceptors (SNAREs) and so‐called tethering factors. One such tethering factor is called TRAnsport Protein Particle (TRAPP), and in humans, TRAPP proteins are distributed into two related complexes called TRAPP II and III. Although thought to act as a single unit within the complex, in the past few years it has become evident that some TRAPP proteins function independently of the complex. Consistent with this, variations in the genes encoding these proteins result in a spectrum of human diseases with diverse, but partially overlapping, phenotypes. This contrasts with other tethering factors such as COG, where variations in the genes that encode its subunits all result in an identical phenotype. In this review, we present an up‐to‐date summary of all the known disease‐related variations of genes encoding TRAPP‐associated proteins and the disorders linked to these variations which we now call TRAPPopathies.
Plant growth inhibitors in turmeric (Curcuma longa) and their effects on Bidens pilosa
Authors: Akter Jesmin , Islam Md. Zahorul , Takara Kensaku , Hossain Md. Amzad , Gima Shinichi , Hou De‐Xing
Published: August 2018

Turmeric (Curcuma spp.) has numerous biological activities, including anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal and insecticidal properties. Here, we evaluated the plant growth‐inhibitory activities of two cultivars of Curcuma longa (C. longa; Ryudai gold and Okinawa ukon) against radish, cress, lettuce and Bidens pilosa (B. pilosa). The methanol extracts of both turmeric varieties inhibited the seed germination and seedling growth of all the tested plants. Ryudai gold had a significantly higher inhibitory effect on the seed germination and root and shoot growth of the plants than Okinawa ukon. Therefore, Ryudai gold was chosen for the isolation of plant growth‐inhibitory compounds using a silica gel column and high‐performance liquid chromatography. The structural identification of the compounds was carried out using 1H NMR, 13C NMR and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The growth inhibitors were identified as four curcuminoids; dihydrobisdemethoxycurcumin (1), bisdemethoxycurcumin (2), demethoxycurcumin (3) and curcumin (4). The IC50 of the curcuminoids against the root and shoot growth of B. pilosa ranged from 8.7 ± 1.7 to 12.9 ± 1.8 and from 15.5 ± 1.8 to 38.9 ± 2.8 μmol L−1, respectively. Compound 1 showed the lowest IC50 against the root and shoot growth of B. pilosa. These results suggested that Ryudai gold has a potential growth‐inhibitory effect against B. pilosa.
Haptic exploration attenuates and alters somatosensory cortical oscillations
Authors: Kurz Max J. , Wiesman Alex I. , Coolidge Nathan M. , Wilson Tony W.
Published: August 2018

Key points

Several behavioural studies have shown the sensory perceptions are reduced during movement; yet the neurophysiological reason for this is not clear.

Participants underwent stimulation of the median nerve when either sitting quietly (i.e. passive stimulation condition) or performing haptic exploration of a ball with the left hand.

Magnetoencephalographic brain imaging and advanced beamforming methods were used to identify the differences in somatosensory cortical responses.

We show that the neural populations active during the passive stimulation condition were strongly gated during the haptic exploration task.

These results imply that the reduced haptic perceptions might be governed by gating of certain somatosensory neural populations.

Several behavioural studies have shown that children have reduced sensory perceptions during movement; however, the neurophysiological nexus for these altered perceptions remains unknown. We used magnetoencephalographic brain imaging and advanced beamforming methods to address this knowledge gap. In our experiment, a cohort of children (aged 10–18 years) underwent stimulation of the median nerve when either sitting quietly (i.e. passive stimulation condition) or performing haptic exploration of a ball with the left hand. Our results revealed two novel observations. First, there was a relationship between the child's age and the strength of the beta (18–26 Hz) response seen within the somatosensory cortices during the passive stimulation condition. This suggests that there may be an age‐dependent change in the processing of peripheral feedback by the somatosensory cortices. Second, all of the cortical regions that were active during the passive stimulation condition were almost completely gated during the haptic task. Instead, the haptic task involved neural oscillations within Brodmann area 2, which is known to convey less spatially precise tactile information but is involved in the processing of more complex somatosensations across the respective digits. These results imply that the reduced somatosensory perceptions seen during movements in healthy children may be related to the gating of certain neural generators, as well as activation of haptic‐specific neural generators within the somatosensory cortices. The utilization of such haptic‐specific circuits during development may lead to the enhanced somatosensory processing during haptic exploration seen in healthy adults.
On remarkable Pachylaelaps species with unusual sperm induction system in females (Acari, Mesostigmata, Pachylaelapidae)
Authors: Masan Peter , Mojahed Samaneh , Hajizadeh Jalil , Hosseini Reza , Ahadiyat Ali
Published: August 2018

In our study of the pachylaelapid mites from Iran, a new remarkable species, Pachylaelaps (Pachylaelaps) prodigiosus sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on adult stages found in soil detritus of broadleaved deciduous forest habitats. The sperm induction system detected in females of the new species is unusual in having its tubular structures exclusively associated with coxae III instead of coxae IV, as found in all other members of the genus. An adult male of P. (P.) grandis Koroleva, 1977, a similar species with analogous sperm induction system in female, is described for the first time. A new species group in the subgenus Pachylaelaps, represented by P. (P.) grandis, P. (P.) kirghizorum Koroleva, 1977 and P. (P.) prodigiosus sp. nov., is newly constituted, and its specific characters of insemination apparatus discussed.
Physical vapor deposition of Ag nanoparticles through shadowing and re-emission effects
Authors: Han Caiqin , Ye Dexian , Zhao Yiping , Fu Junxue
Published: August 2018

The morphology evolution of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) deposited by glancing angle deposition (GLAD) in a wide range of nominal deposition thickness d at room temperature has been investigated systematically. Nonspherical Ag NPs are formed with d < 500 nm, while vertical Ag-nanorod-like nanostructures are produced when d > 500 nm. Based on three-dimensional Monte Carlo simulations, such a morphological change can be attributed to the high mobility and re-emission of Ag atoms as well as the shadowing effect during the GLAD growth.
Influence of classroom acoustics on the reading speed: A case study on Italian second-graders
Authors: Puglisi Giuseppina Emma , Prato Andrea , Sacco Tiziana , Astolfi Arianna
Published: August 2018

The need of tuning into speech in noisy and reverberant classrooms is a challenge for good speech communication and literacy development at school. Reading development can be compromised if children are exposed to inadequate acoustics, especially those with poor neural processing in speech discrimination. This work reports preliminary results on the influence of classroom acoustics on the reading speed of 94 Italian second-graders. Speech clarity (C50) was found to be significantly correlated with all the investigated reading tasks, while no significant correlations were found with reverberation time.
Poisson-like effect for flexural waves in periodically perforated thin plates
Authors: Gao Penglin , Sánchez-Dehesa José , Wu Linzhi
Published: August 2018

The Poisson-like effect, describing the redirection of waves by 90°, is shown to be feasible for flexural waves propagating in perforated thin plates. It is demonstrated that the lowest order symmetric leaky guided mode (S0 mode) is responsible for the splitting of wave motion in two orthogonal directions. The S0 mode shows a feature of stationary waves containing standing wave modes in one and two orthogonal directions for smaller and larger holes, respectively. The former case is well understood thanks to the phenomenon of Wood's anomaly, which was first observed in optical gratings supposed to be transparent. On the contrary, the strong scattering caused by the larger holes leads to a mixed mode occurring when the incident wave is totally transmitted. The mixed mode easily couples with the incoming waves and, therefore, the Poisson-like effect activated under this mechanism is much stronger. Using the Poisson-like effect, a device is proposed in which about 82% of the incident mechanical energy is redirected to the perpendicular direction. Results obtained with arrays of free holes also apply to inclusions with parameters properly chosen. The findings may provide applications in beam splitting and waveguiding.
Hyperbolic geometry of the olfactory space
Authors: Zhou Yuansheng , Smith Brian H. , Sharpee Tatyana O.
Published: August 2018

Natural odors and human perceptual descriptions of odors can be represented within three-dimensional hyperbolic space.
Short-lived pause in Central California subsidence after heavy winter precipitation of 2017
Authors: Murray Kyle D. , Lohman Rowena B.
Published: August 2018

Spatially and temporally complex Central California aquifer storage is inferred from Sentinel-1a/b satellite radar imagery.
Electrophoretic drug delivery for seizure control
Authors: Proctor Christopher M. , Slézia Andrea , Kaszas Attila , Ghestem Antoine , del Agua Isabel , Pappa Anna-Maria , Bernard Christophe , Williamson Adam , Malliaras George G.
Published: August 2018

An implantable microfluidic ion pump prevents seizures in a mice by delivery of inhibitory neurotransmitters to the seizure source.
Preventing loss of mechanosensation by the nuclear membranes of alveolar cells reduces lung injury in mice during mechanical ventilation
Authors: López-Alonso Inés , Blázquez-Prieto Jorge , Amado-Rodríguez Laura , González-López Adrián , Astudillo Aurora , Sánchez Manuel , Huidobro Covadonga , López-Martínez Cecilia , dos Santos Claudia C. , Albaiceta Guillermo M.
Published: August 2018

Mechanical stretch sensed by the nuclear membranes of lung alveoli triggers cell death that can be prevented by maintaining nuclear membrane stiffness.
Glycoconjugate vaccines: Principles and mechanisms
Authors: Rappuoli Rino
Published: August 2018

Insight into the mechanisms of glycoconjugate vaccines can improve their efficacy and impact in the future.
Treating phenylketonuria now Phe-sible with engineered bacteria?
Authors: Houtkooper Riekelt
Published: August 2018

Engineered bacteria are capable of converting phenylalanine and may serve as a potential therapy for phenylketonuria.
Dysfunction of Prohibitin 2 Results in Reduced Susceptibility to Multiple Antifungal Drugs via Activation of the Oxidative Stress-Responsive Transcription Factor Pap1 in Fission Yeast
Authors: Liu Qiannan , Yao Fan , Jiang Guanglie , Xu Min , Chen Si , Zhou Lina , Sakamoto Norihiro , Kuno Takayoshi , Fang Yue
Published: August 2018

The fight against resistance to antifungal drugs requires a better understanding of the underlying cellular mechanisms. In order to gain insight into the mechanisms leading to antifungal drug resistance, we performed a genetic screen on a model organism,
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
, to identify genes whose overexpression caused resistance to antifungal drugs, including clotrimazole and terbinafine.
Assessment of the
In Vivo
Efficacy of WCK 5222 (Cefepime-Zidebactam) against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in the Neutropenic Murine Lung Infection Model
Authors: Avery Lindsay M. , Abdelraouf Kamilia , Nicolau David P.
Published: August 2018

We evaluated the
in vivo
efficacy of human-simulated WCK 5222 (cefepime-zidebactam) against cefepime-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
strains (
n
= 13) in the neutropenic murine lung infection model. Twelve isolates were meropenem resistant.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Degradation Pathways of the Obligate Marine PAH Degrader Cycloclasticus sp. Strain P1
Authors: Wang Wanpeng , Wang Lin , Shao Zongze
Published: August 2018

PAHs are ubiquitous in the environment and are carcinogenic compounds and tend to accumulate in food chains due to their low bioavailability and poor biodegradability.
Cycloclasticus
is an obligate marine PAH degrader and is widespread in marine environments, while the PAH degradation pathways remain unclear. In this report, the degradation pathways for naphthalene, phenanthrene, and pyrene were revealed, and an integrated PAH metabolic network covering pyrene, phenanthrene, and naphthalene was constructed in
Cycloclasticus
. This overlapping network provides streamlined processing of PAHs to intermediates and ultimately to complete mineralization. Furthermore, these results provide an additional context for the prevalence of
Cycloclasticus
in oil-polluted marine environments and pelagic settings. In conclusion, these analyses provide a useful framework for understanding the cellular processes involved in PAH metabolism in an ecologically important marine bacterium.
Variable Lipoprotein Hemagglutinin A Gene (
vlhA
) Expression in Variant Mycoplasmagallisepticum Strains
In Vivo
Authors: Pflaum K. , Tulman E. R. , Beaudet J. , Canter J. , Geary S. J.
Published: August 2018

Mycoplasma gallisepticum
, the primary etiologic agent of chronic respiratory disease, is a significant poultry pathogen, causing severe inflammation and leading to economic losses worldwide. Immunodominant proteins encoded by the variable lipoprotein and hemagglutinin (
vlhA
) gene family are thought to be important for
M. gallisepticum
-host interaction, pathogenesis, and immune evasion, but their exact role remains unknown.
Draft Genome Sequence of Shewanella algidipiscicola H1, a Highly Chromate-Resistant Strain Isolated from Mediterranean Marine Sediments
Authors: Baaziz Hiba , Lemaire Olivier N. , Jourlin-Castelli Cécile , Iobbi-Nivol Chantal , Méjean Vincent , Alatou Radia , Fons Michel
Published: August 2018

The ability of different
Shewanella
spp. to convert heavy metals and toxic substances into less toxic products by using them as electron acceptors has led to their use in environmental clean-up strategies.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
Serotype Typhimurium Sequence Type 313, Isolated from India
Authors: Bangera Sohan Rodney , Umakanth Shashikiran , Mukhopadhyay Asish K. , Leekitcharoenphon Pimlapas , Chowdhury Goutam , Hendriksen Rene S. , Ballal Mamatha
Published: August 2018

Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
serotype Typhimurium sequence type 313 (ST313) is most commonly associated with invasive nontyphoidal
Salmonella
disease in Africa among patients with HIV infection and malignancy.
Field detection devices for screening the quality of medicines: a systematic review
Authors: Vickers Serena , Bernier Matthew , Zambrzycki Stephen , Fernandez Facundo M , Newton Paul N , Caillet Céline
Published: August 2018

Background

Poor quality medicines have devastating consequences. A plethora of innovative portable devices to screen for poor quality medicines has become available, leading to hope that they could empower medicine inspectors and enhance surveillance. However, information comparing these new technologies is woefully scarce.

Methods

We undertook a systematic review of Embase, PubMed, Web of Science and SciFinder databases up to 30 April 2018. Scientific studies evaluating the performances/abilities of portable devices to assess any aspect of the quality of pharmaceutical products were included.

Results

Forty-one devices, from small benchtop spectrometers to ‘lab-on-a-chip’ single-use devices, with prices ranging from US$20 000, were included. Only six devices had been field-tested (GPHF-Minilab, CD3/CD3+, TruScan RM, lateral flow dipstick immunoassay, CBEx and Speedy Breedy). The median (range) number of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) assessed per device was only 2 (1–20). The majority of devices showed promise to distinguish genuine from falsified medicines. Devices with the potential to assay API (semi)-quantitatively required consumables and were destructive (GPHF-Minilab, PharmaChk, aPADs, lateral flow immunoassay dipsticks, paper-based microfluidic strip and capillary electrophoresis), except for spectroscopic devices. However, the 10 spectroscopic devices tested for their abilities to quantitate APIs required processing complex API-specific calibration models. Scientific evidence of the ability of the devices to accurately test liquid, capsule or topical formulations, or to distinguish between chiral molecules, was limited. There was no comment on cost-effectiveness and little information on where in the pharmaceutical supply chain these devices could be best deployed.

Conclusion

Although a diverse range of portable field detection devices for medicines quality screening is available, there is a vitally important lack of independent evaluation of the majority of devices, particularly in field settings. Intensive research is needed in order to inform national medicines regulatory authorities of the optimal choice of device(s) to combat poor quality medicines.
Designing the landscape for technological development in neonatal neurocritical care
Authors: Hamilton Colin , Phaal Robert , Brahmbhatt Mita , Jarritt Peter , Austin Topun
Published: August 2018

Objectives

To identify current ‘gaps’ in clinical practice or therapeutic knowledge of the care of neonatal neurointensive care patients and to determine the impact healthcare technologies can have on improving outcomes.

Design

The Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing’s (IfM) roadmapping methodology.

Setting

Cambridge, UK.

Participants

16 delegates were selected through professional networks. They provided coverage of academia and clinical skills, as well as expertise in neonatology, engineering and technology development.

Main outcome measures

A ‘strategic landscape’ has been developed with ‘landmarks’ identified as ‘trends or drivers’, ‘patient pathway experience and unmet needs’ and ‘enabling project or resources’. Priorities were voted on by delegates.

Results

26 strategic ‘landmarks’ were identified, and of these 8 were considered ‘trends or drivers’, 8 ‘patient pathway experience and unmet needs’ and 10 as ‘enabling project or resources’. Of these, five priorities for the future of neonatal neurocritical care were identified by a voting process: real-time video monitoring for parents; individualised management of preterm infants in neonatal neurocritical care based on real-time multimodal monitoring; continuous electroencephalogram monitoring for early seizure diagnosis; neuroprotection: understanding basic mechanisms; and sleep measurement.

Conclusions

Through the use of the IfM methodology, a list of priorities has been developed for future work into improving the experience and possible outcomes of newborn infants with brain injuries and their families. While not an exhaustive list, it provides the beginning for a national conversation on the topic.
Prevalence of low birth weight and its association with maternal body weight status in selected countries in Africa: a cross-sectional study
Authors: He Zhifei , Bishwajit Ghose , Yaya Sanni , Cheng Zhaohui , Zou Dongsheng , Zhou Yan
Published: August 2018

Objectives

The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW), and to investigate the association between maternal body weight measured in terms of body mass index (BMI) and birth weight in selected countries in Africa.

Setting

Urban and rural household in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi, Senegal and Uganda.

Participants

Mothers (n=11 418) aged between 15 and 49 years with a history of childbirth in the last 5 years.

Results

The prevalence of LBW in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi, Senegal and Uganda was, respectively, 13.4%, 10.2%, 12.1%, 15.7% and 10%. Compared with women who are of normal weight, underweight mothers had a higher likelihood of giving birth to LBW babies in all countries except Ghana. However, the association between maternal BMI and birth weight was found to be statistically significant for Senegal only (OR=1.961 (95% CI 1.259 to 3.055)).

Conclusion

Underweight mothers in Senegal share a greater risk of having LBW babies compared with their normal-weight counterparts. Programmes targeting to address infant mortality should focus on promoting nutritional status among women of childbearing age. Longitudinal studies are required to better elucidate the causal nature of the relationship between maternal underweight and LBW.
Weight loss surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea with obesity in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Dong Zhiyong , Hong Brian Y , Yu Ashley M , Cathey John , Shariful Islam Sheikh Mohammed , Wang Cunchuan
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is caused by complete or partial obstruction of the upper airway resulting in repeated episodes of interrupted or shallow breaths. OSA is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The prevalence is estimated to range from 3% to 7% in the general population but may be much higher. Several studies show that weight loss or bariatric surgery may have a role in treating OSA. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the safety and efficacy of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of weight loss surgery for adults with OSA and comorbid obesity.

Methods and analysis

A search of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, EMBASE and two major Chinese biomedical databases will be performed to identify related trials published as of October 2018. This study will include RCTs, comparing different types of weight loss surgery for OSA with obesity or weight loss surgery for OSA with obesity with other upper airway surgeries. The primary outcomes that will be measured are apnoea–hypopnoea index, excess weight loss and in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcomes will include duration of hospital stay, neck circumference, reoperation, waist circumference, body mass index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, overt complications (eg, gastric fistula, bleeding, delayed gastric emptying, wound infection), quality of life, quality of sleep and/or functionality. The systematic review will be conducted according to the recommendations as outlined by the Cochrane collaboration.

Ethics and dissemination

The systematic review and meta-analysis will include published data available online and thus ethics approval will not be required. The findings will be disseminated and published in a peer-reviewed journal. Review updates will be conducted if there is new evidence that may cause any change in review conclusions. Any changes to the study protocol will be updated in the PROSPERO trial registry accordingly.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017081743.
Systematic investigation of childhood sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in Beijing: validation of survey methodology
Authors: Li Xiaodan , Tai Jun , Xu Zhifei , Ma Jun , Peng Xiaoxia , Pan Yongping , Yan Xiaoyan , Wang Guixiang , Wu Yunxiao , Zheng Li , Du Jiangnan , Ge Wentong , Zhang Jie , Zhang Yamei , Ni Xin
Published: August 2018

Objective

To systematically investigate and validate the survey methodology for the epidemiological study of childhood sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in mainland China using the Mandarin version of the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire-Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder (PSQ-SRBD).

Design

A cross-sectional study using randomised, stratified, multistage, cluster sampling method.

Setting

A total of 11 kindergartens, 7 primary schools and 8 middle schools from 7 districts of Beijing, China.

Participants

A total of 9198 children with valid questionnaires (4736 boys and 4462 girls; age range 3.0–14.4 years) were included.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Data on sociodemographic characteristics and PSQ-SRBD were collected. The score on PSQ-SRBD and the included factors were calculated with the effective data after data cleaning. Logistic regression and factor analysis with the principal components method were used to evaluate the validity of the questionnaire; reliability was assessed by retesting 5% of the respondents after 2±4 weeks of the initial test, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated.

Results

The effective response rate of80.54% matched the sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents with respect to age group ratio and sex ratio in Beijing. With regard to construct validity of the PSQ-SRBD, the item score, except that of ‘delayed growth’, was highly correlated to the SRBD score as assessed by the logistic regression model. The exploratory factor analysis displayed a credible construct validity, with majority of the items grouped as the original dimensions. The test–retest reliability coefficient of each dimension’s score ranged from 0.758 to 0.901, with an SRBD score of 0.730 indicating significant retest reliability.

Conclusions

This study conducted and validated a successful survey methodology for investigation of childhood SDB in Beijing, China. The questionnaire demonstrated credible construct validity and retest reliability, thereby supporting the applicability and generalisability of the PSQ-SRBD in a large epidemiological survey of childhood SDB in China.
Systemic immunomodulatory treatments for atopic dermatitis: protocol for a systematic review with network meta-analysis
Authors: Drucker Aaron Mark , Ellis Alexandra , Jabbar-Lopez Zarif , Yiu Zenas Z N , Arents Bernd W M , Burton Tim , Spuls Phyllis I , Küster Denise , Schmitt Jochen , Flohr Carsten
Published: August 2018

Introduction

There are numerous new systemic treatments for atopic dermatitis in various stages of development and most are being compared with placebo rather than active comparators. In order to understand the relative efficacy and safety of existing and new treatments for atopic dermatitis, robust mixed comparisons (ie, direct and indirect) would be beneficial. To address this gap, this protocol describes methods for a systematic review and network meta-analysis of systemic treatments for atopic dermatitis.

Methods and analysis

We will update the search of a previous systematic review, including searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase, Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Information database and the Global Resource of EczemA Trials database in addition to clinical trial protocol registries. Title, abstract and full paper screening as well as data extraction will be conducted in duplicate by independent researchers. Primary outcomes include efficacy with regards to clinician-reported signs and patient-reported symptoms and safety with regards to withdrawal from treatment due to adverse events and the occurrence of serious adverse events. Secondary outcomes will include change in quality of life and itch severity. Where possible and appropriate, network meta-analysis will be performed for each outcome using a random-effects model within a Bayesian framework. If appropriate, the review will be transitioned to a living review with continuous updating of the analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

Dissemination in a peer-reviewed scientific journal is planned.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018088112; Pre-results.
ELECTIVIST: a novel system to improve elective caesarean section booking
Authors: Robertson Katherine , Clacey Joe , D’Arcy Rhiannon , Khan Neveen , Reddy Aparna
Published: August 2018

Elective caesarean sections (ELCS) vary widely in surgical complexity and are routinely performed between 39 and 40 weeks of pregnancy. Unselected ELCS lists may create clinical risk due to inappropriately complex case mixes and over-running theatre time, impacting on emergency care. Despite evidence that ELCS list over-run is a widespread concern for many units, there is a paucity of literature regarding effective ELCS booking systems.

We designed a novel ELCS risk scoring system, ELECTIVIST, comprising a risk assessment by the booking clinician and allocation of a complexity score to each case from 1 to 6. The maximum risk score for any one patient was 6, with a maximum total score on any one ELCS list of 6 and a maximum of three cases per list. We performed a retrospective analysis of all ELCS performed in our unit in 2016 using existing booking information and theatre data to assess existing case mix complexity and theatre over-run. This showed that 36% of ELCS lists were overbooked with inappropriately complex case mix and 21% of lists over-ran with 6% impacting on emergency obstetric theatres. Assessment of the impact of ELECTIVIST on ELCS capacity prior to implementation showed that no additional capacity was required to accommodate existing complexity. At 6 months following implementation, theatre over-run was reduced to 10% and over-run impacting on emergency theatre to 1%. The requirement for extra ELCS lists to accommodate capacity reduced by 66%.

ELECTIVIST is a novel system that improves ELCS booking using existing capacity and reduces theatre list over-run. It is transferable, cost neutral and could be widely applied in obstetric units.
The reliability of thromboelastography in a simulated rotary wing environment
Authors: Scott Robert , Burns Brian , Ware Sandra , Oud Floris , Miller Matthew
Published: August 2018

Background

With the increasing role of point-of-care coagulation testing in trauma, we sought to test the reliability of the thromboelastography (TEG)6s machine in a simulated rotary wing environment.

Method

A two-arm study was conducted, running TEG6s quality control cartridges in a helicopter flight simulator with realistic vibration and in stable ground conditions. The flight conditions during testing included take-offs, landings and inflight emergencies such as engine failures. TEG values for R time, K time, α-angle and maximum amplitude (MA) were collected and compared with manufacturers’ normal ranges.

Results

148 TEG samples were included for analysis (72 simulator arm, 76 ground arm). In the simulator arm, four of our K time values fell below the normal range and four MA values were above the normal range. All other values in both simulator and ground arms were in the normal range.

Conclusion

The TEG6s is a viable technology in the simulated rotary wing environment, and it is feasible to conduct further studies using human blood in live rotary wing conditions. Extreme flight conditions should be avoided during further testing.