bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fatal Cryptococcus gattii genotype AFLP6/VGII infection in a HIV‐negative patient: case report and a literature review
Authors: Favalessa Olivia Cometti , Lázera Márcia dos Santos , Wanke Bodo , Trilles Luciana , Takahara Doracilde Terumi , Tadano Tomoko , Dias Luciana Basili , Vieira Ananda Castro , Novack Glaúcia Vanessa , Hahn Rosane Christine
Published: July 2014

Cryptococcus gattii, a species belonging to the Cryptococcus complex which occurs endemically in tropical and subtropical regions, has been reported as a causative agent of cryptococcosis in healthy individuals. We report a case of meningitis in HIV‐negative patient from Cuiaba, MT, in the Midwestern region of Brazil. Cryptococcus gattii AFLP6/VGII was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid and molecular typing was performed by URA5‐RFLP. The in vitro susceptibility profile was determined using the standard method according to the document M27A3, CLSI 2008. C. gattii AFLP6/VGII was shown to be susceptible to the antifungals tested. Treatment with 0.8 mg/kg of amphotericin B was initiated; however, the patient died 2 days after the onset of therapy.
Extensive cortical spongiform changes with cerebellar small amyloid plaques: The clinicopathological case of MV2K+C subtype in Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease
Authors: Araki Kunihiko , Nakano Yuta , Kobayashi Atsushi , Matsudaira Takashi , Sugiura Akira , Takao Masaki , Kitamoto Tetsuyuki , Murayama Shigeo , Obi Tomokazu
Published: July 2014

We report a clinical case report of the MV2K+C subtype of sporadic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (sCJD). The patient was a 72‐year‐old woman who exhibited progressive dementia over the course of 22 months. Diffusion‐weighted MRI during this period showed abnormal hyperintensity in the cerebral cortex in the early stage. The clinical course was similar to that of previously reported patients with the MV2K or MV2K+C subtype of sCJD. However, histopathological examination revealed unique features: severe extensive spongiform changes with perivacuolar deposits in the cerebrum and basal ganglia, plaque‐like PrP deposits in the cerebrum, and only mild changes in the cerebellum with small amyloid plaques (∼20 μm in diameter), smaller than those in the MV2K subtype or variant CJD (40–50 μm in diameter). Molecular analysis showed a methionine/valine heterozygosity at codon 129 and no pathogenic mutation in the PrP gene (PRNP). Western blot analysis of the protease‐resistant PrP (PrPSc) in the right temporal pole revealed the type 2 pattern, which is characterized by a single unglycosylated band, in contrast to the doublet described for the typical MV2 subtype of sCJD. The other intermediate band might exist in the cerebellum with kuru plaques. Therefore, small amyloid plaques in the cerebellum can be crucial for MV2K+C subtype.
αB‐crystallin and HSP27 in glial cells in tauopathies
Authors: López‐González Irene , Carmona Margarita , Arregui Laura , Kovacs Gabor G. , Ferrer Isidre
Published: July 2014

Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by hyper‐phosphorylated tau deposition in neurons and glial cells. Chaperones, such as small heat shock proteins αB‐crystallin and HSP27 highly expressed in normal glial cells, have been postulated as putative molecules preventing abnormal deposition and folding in glial cells in tauopathies. The objective of this work was to assess the expression of αB‐crystallin, phosphorylated αB‐crystallin at Ser59 and HSP27 in glial cells with and without tau deposits in progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration (CBD), argyrophilic grain disease (AGD), Pick's disease (PiD), Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration associated with mutations in the tau gene (FTLD‐tau), globular glial tauopathy (GGT) and tauopathy in the elderly. Immunohistochemistry, and double‐labeling immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy have been used for this purpose. Increased expression of αB‐crystallin and phosphorylated αB‐crystallin at Ser59 occurs in a subpopulation of glial cells with and without hyper‐phosphorylated tau deposition in all the analyzed tauopathies, but their expression in neurons is restricted to ballooned neurons in CBD, AGD and PiD. HSP27 barely co‐localizes with tau and with phosphorylated αB‐crystallin at Ser59, thus making the formation of active dimers operating as chaperones unlikely. Results suggest a limited function of αB‐crystallin and HSP27 in preventing abnormal tau protein deposition in glial cells and neurons; in addition, the expression of αB‐crystallin phosphorylated at Ser59 may act as a protective factor in glial cells.
Density‐related effects on the infectivity and aggressiveness of a sterilising smut in a wild population of Digitaria sanguinalis
Authors: Verdú A. M. C. , Mas M.T.
Published: July 2014

Understanding host–pathogen evolutionary dynamics needs characterisation and quantification of processes occurring at many spatiotemporal scales. With this aim, the effects of smut on a naturally infected population of the summer annual Digitaria sanguinalis were followed for 4 years in an uncropped field. The main purpose of the study was to quantify the effects of within‐population density on the infectivity and the aggressiveness of the pathogen in a range of densities that occurred naturally. The infectivity‐related variable measured was the proportion of smutted plants at the end of each growing season; proportions were analysed using a generalised linear model with a binomial distribution considering the year, the density and their interaction as effects. The aggressiveness‐related variables chosen were the number of smutted inflorescences per plant and per area, obtained over the last 2 years; they were analysed by means of ancova considering disease status (seeded or smutted), year, density and all the interactions between them. Although the disease is monocyclic, results showed clearly that infectivity increased with plant density. The number of inflorescences per plant was 1.5 times higher in smutted plants than in healthy plants throughout the range of densities. This variable declined when density increased, but as the infectivity increased at a higher rate, the aggressiveness also increased with density. The surprising results on infectivity are discussed in the context of current knowledge of plant–pathogen interaction dynamics, as well as neighbour effects on pathogen aggressiveness. Moreover, the results could be useful to develop weed biological control strategies.
Carbon dioxide enrichment alleviates heat stress by improving cellular redox homeostasis through an ABA‐independent process in tomato plants
Authors: Li X. , Ahammed G. J. , Zhang Y. Q. , Zhang G. Q. , Sun Z. H. , Zhou J. , Zhou Y. H. , Xia X. J. , Yu J. Q. , Shi K.
Published: July 2014

Plant responses to elevated CO2 and high temperature are critically regulated through a complex network of phytohormones and redox homeostasis. However, the involvement of abscisic acid (ABA) in plant adaptation to heat stress under elevated CO2 conditions has not been thoroughly studied. This study investigated the interactive effects of elevated CO2 (800 μmol·mol−1) and heat stress (42 °C for 24 h) on the endogenous level of ABA and the cellular redox state of two genotypes of tomato with different ABA biosynthesis capacities. Heat stress significantly decreased maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and leaf water potential, but also increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage (EL) in both genotypes. Heat‐induced damage was more severe in the ABA‐deficient mutant notabilis (not) than in its parental cultivar Ailsa Craig (Ailsa), suggesting that a certain level of endogenous ABA is required to minimise the heat‐induced oxidative damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. Irrespective of genotype, the enrichment of CO2 remarkably stimulated Fv/Fm, MDA and EL in heat‐stressed plants towards enhanced tolerance. In addition, elevated CO2 significantly strengthened the antioxidant capacity of heat‐stressed tomato seedlings towards a reduced cellular redox state for a prolonged period, thereby mitigating oxidative stress. However, elevated CO2 and heat stress did not alter the endogenous level of ABA or the expression of its biosynthetic gene NCED2 in either genotype, indicating that ABA is not involved in elevated CO2‐induced heat stress alleviation. The results of this study suggest that elevated CO2 alleviated heat stress through efficient regulation of the cellular redox poise in an ABA‐independent manner in tomato plants.
The Guru's Way: Exploring Diversity Among British Khalsa Sikhs
Authors: Singh Jasjit
Published: July 2014

This article will examine some of the diversity within the Khalsa tradition. Although Sikhs are regularly described as being ‘orthodox’ or ‘non‐orthodox’ depending on whether or not they have undergone the amrit initiation ceremony, research into the religious lives of young British Sikhs found much diversity within the British Khalsa tradition. This diversity is based primarily around different maryadas or ‘codes of conduct’; each of which emphasises particular ideas and practices. Rather than comparing these maryadas to a supposed ‘norm’, maryada specific practices and notions of religious authority will be examined in order to understand how the ideas presented in these maryadas impact on ideas of Sikh identity, dietary requirements, gender equality and scriptural authority.
Clinical implications of initial peripheral eosinophilia in acute eosinophilic pneumonia
Authors: Jhun Byung Woo , Kim Se Jin , Kim Kang , Lee Ji Eun
Published: July 2014

Background and objective

The initial peripheral eosinophil count (PEC) is rarely elevated but tends to increase during the clinical course of acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP). We evaluated whether initial peripheral eosinophilia is an indicator of mild disease in patients with AEP.

Methods

We retrospectively examined associations between initial peripheral absolute eosinophil count, inflammatory markers and clinical characteristics in 85 patients with AEP.

Results

Of 85 patients, 24 (28%) had initial peripheral eosinophilia (>500/μL). Initial peripheral absolute eosinophil count was inversely correlated to white blood cell (WBC) count (ρ = −0.386, P < 0.001), neutrophil percentage (ρ = −0.645, P < 0.001) and C‐reactive protein (CRP; ρ = −0.495, P < 0.001). During treatment, peripheral absolute eosinophil counts increased, while inflammatory markers (WBC, neutrophil percentage, and CRP) decreased. Patients with initial peripheral eosinophilia had a longer duration from onset of symptoms to admission (P = 0.006), had lower WBC counts, neutrophil percentages and CRP values (all P < 0.001), and higher oxygen saturation (P = 0.004) than patients with normal peripheral eosinophil counts. Oxygen requirements (P = 0.013), duration of oxygen administration (P = 0.028) and intensive care unit admission rates (P = 0.003) were lower in patients with initial peripheral eosinophilia. All patients survived and recovered fully after corticosteroid or conservative treatment.

Conclusions

Initial PEC may be related to a milder disease status on admission, compared with normal PEC in patients with AEP. This may help to stratify disease severity in AEP.
Effects of two different knee tape procedures on lower‐limb kinematics and kinetics in recreational runners
Authors: Howe A. , Campbell A. , Ng L. , Hall T. , Hopper D.
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Mulligan's tape (MT) and kinesio tape (KT) with no tape (NT) on hip and knee kinematics and kinetics during running. Twenty‐nine female recreational runners performed a series of ‘run‐throughs’ along a 10‐m runway under the three taping conditions. Two force plates and a 14‐camera Vicon motion analysis system (Oxford Metrics, Inc., Oxford, UK) captured kinematic and kinetic data for each dependent variable from ground contact to toe off. Comparisons of each dependent variable under three taping conditions were assessed through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS; SPSS, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA; P‐value < 0.01) using repeated measure analyses of variance. For each dependent variable with a P‐value < 0.01, repeated measures with pairwise comparisons and Bonferroni adjustment were conducted to compare the three taping conditions. MT induced a significant reduction in anterior and posterior hip forces, knee flexion angular velocity, knee extensor moments, and hip flexion and extension moments compared with NT and KT (P = 0.001). There was no difference in hip or knee, kinematics or kinetics, between KT and NT (P = 1.000). MT appears to influence hip and knee biomechanics during running in an asymptomatic sample, whereas KT appeared to be biomechanically not different from NT.
Responses of track and field coaches to athletes with eating problems
Authors: Plateau C. R. , Arcelus J. , McDermott H. J. , Meyer C.
Published: July 2014

This study aimed to explore how track and field coaches respond to athletes with eating problems. Eleven experienced coaches participated in semi‐structured interviews exploring their responses to, and challenges faced when, working with athletes with eating problems. The analysis revealed three themes relating to the strategies employed by coaches. The first theme indicated a supportive approach, where coaches were proactive in seeking support and in reducing training at the early stages of an eating problem. The second theme outlined an avoidant approach, characterized by coach reluctance to be involved in managing eating problems, and a lack of confidence in their knowledge of eating disorders. The third theme involved a confrontational approach, where coaches employed strict rules and engaged in coercion to persuade athletes to seek treatment. All of the coaches reported facing challenges in persuading athletes to seek treatment and were frustrated by the lack of available support. The study highlights the importance of providing resources and support services where coaches can seek advice. Coach‐education packages can utilize the findings to highlight the strengths and limitations of different coach strategies, and to reinforce the importance of their role in identification and intervention when eating problems in athletes are suspected.
How to Measure Motivation: A Guide for the Experimental Social Psychologist
Authors: Touré‐Tillery Maferima , Fishbach Ayelet
Published: July 2014

This article examines cognitive, affective, and behavioral measures of motivation and reviews their use throughout the discipline of experimental social psychology. We distinguish between two dimensions of motivation (outcome‐focused motivation and process‐focused motivation). We discuss circumstances under which measures may help distinguish between different dimensions of motivation, as well as circumstances under which measures may capture different dimensions of motivation in similar ways. Furthermore, we examine situations in which various measures may capture fluctuations in non‐motivational factors, such as learning or physiological depletion. This analysis seeks to advance research in experimental social psychology by highlighting the need for caution when selecting measures of motivation and when interpreting fluctuations captured by these measures.
The Social in Social Psychology
Authors: Greenwood John D.
Published: July 2014

In this paper, I make a critical plea for the rehabilitation of the theoretical conception of the intrinsically social dimensions of cognition, emotion, and behavior shared by early social psychologists but progressively neglected and abandoned in the last century. Some critical implications of this theoretical conception are considered, including its relation to contemporary theories of social cognition and the restrictive methodological prescriptions of experimental social psychology. Finally, I consider the relation between this conception and alternative theoretical traditions in social psychology, such as social representation theory and ‘social identity’ theory, cultural psychology, and social constructionism.
Perspective‐Taking as a Strategy for Improving Intergroup Relations: Evidence, Mechanisms, and Qualifications
Authors: Todd Andrew R. , Galinsky Adam D.
Published: July 2014

In this article, we review empirical research investigating the efficacy of perspective‐taking – the active consideration of others' mental states and subjective experiences – as a strategy for navigating intergroup environments. We begin by describing some of the benefits accrued from perspective‐taking: more favorable implicit and explicit intergroup evaluations, stronger approach‐oriented action tendencies and positive non‐verbal behaviors, increased intergroup helping, reduced reliance on stereotype‐maintaining mental processes, and heightened recognition of intergroup disparities. We then discuss several of the processes through which perspective‐taking operates, focusing specifically on two affective (i.e., parallel and reactive empathy) and two cognitive (i.e., shifts in attributional thinking and self‐outgroup merging) mechanisms. We also note several moderating factors based on perceiver characteristics, target characteristics, and features of the surrounding context that qualify the effects of perspective‐taking. Finally, we conclude by suggesting potential directions for future research on intergroup perspective‐taking.
Prognostic implications of recipient or donor hepatitis B seropositivity in thoracic transplantation: analysis of 426 hepatitis B surface antigen‐positive recipients
Authors: Manickam P. , Krishnamoorthi R. , Kanaan Z. , Gunasekaran P.K. , Cappell M.S.
Published: July 2014

Background

Prognostic data on survival of hepatitis B surface antigen‐positive (HBsAg+) recipients and of hepatitis B core antibody‐positive (HBcAb+) donors are limited in the thoracic transplantation (TT) cohort. Improved understanding of risks could potentially expand the recipient and donor pools.

Methods

Post‐hoc analysis of limited‐access dataset of the United Network for Organ Sharing database from January 2000–September 2010 was performed. Analyses were performed for all TT, including single and bilateral lung, orthotopic heart, and simultaneous heart‐lung transplants. The primary analyzed outcome was overall survival. A Cox proportional multivariate hazards model was used to adjust for significant risk predictors.

Results

Of 24,817 patients included, 426 recipients were HBsAg+, of whom 106 (25%) died during a mean follow‐up of 3.6 years. On multivariate analysis, recipient HBsAg+ (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69–1.32; P = 0.80), and donor HBcAb+ (HR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.68–1.22; P = 0.53) were not associated with increased overall mortality in the entire TT cohort, with similar results for each individual transplant cohort. Unadjusted survival analysis using Kaplan–Meier curves in individual transplant cohorts did not show significant differences between HBsAg+ and HBsAg− recipients. No statistically significant differences were found between causes of mortality in the 2 groups.

Conclusion

HBsAg+ status of recipients or HBcAb+ status of donors does not significantly affect overall survival of TT recipients. These data add to the scant literature on this subject and could potentially increase the donor and recipient pools.
Medical abuse at Guantanamo Bay Military Prison – what do we do now?
Authors: Buckley Emmeline J. , Rokadiya Sakib , Kessel Anthony , Porter John , Dar Osman
Published: July 2014

A la fin de 2013, l'Institut de Médecine comme Profession (IMAP) et les Fondations Open Society ont publié un rapport qui révélait que les politiques du Département Américain de la Défense et de l'Agence Centrale de Renseignement (CIA) ont institutionnalisé un éventail de pratiques par les agents de santé militaires et de l'agence de renseignement travaillant à la prison militaire de la Baie de Guantanamo, qui violent globalement les normes acceptées de l’éthique médicale. Il s'agit notamment de la participation du personnel médical à des interrogatoires abusifs, l'utilisation des informations médicales personnelles à des fins d'interrogatoire et le gavage des grévistes de la faim. Cet éditorial souligne ces pratiques continues et appelle à une action cohérente de la communauté médicale mondiale.
Relationship Between Work Context and Adherence to a Clinical Practice Guideline for Peripheral Venous Catheters Among Registered Nurses in Pediatric Care
Authors: Förberg Ulrika , Wallin Lars , Johansson Eva , Ygge Britt‐Marie , Backheden Magnus , Ehrenberg Anna
Published: July 2014

Background

It is known that registered nurses’ (RNs’) work context is related to their use of research and that it can affect nurse and patient satisfaction, as well as the outcomes of care. However, little is known about the relationship between work context and nurses’ adherence to clinical practice guidelines. The aim of this study was to describe RNs’ adherence to a clinical practice guideline (CPG) on the management of peripheral venous catheters (PVCs), their perceptions of work context, and how nurses’ work context and characteristics relate to guideline adherence.

Methods

This cross‐sectional survey was conducted at a large pediatric university hospital in Sweden. Data were collected through a questionnaire on RNs’ adherence to components of a CPG and by using the Alberta Context Tool to assess the nurses’ perceptions of work context, including leadership, culture, feedback processes, and other organizational characteristics.

Results

Work context—in the form of structural and electronic resources, information sharing activities, and feedback processes—was in different ways associated with the adherence to the CPG components. The RNs’ adherence on unit level varied: half the units demonstrated complete adherence on disinfection of hands, whereas a majority of the units reported less than 70% adherence on the use of disposable gloves and the daily inspection of a PVC site.

Linking Evidence to Action

Our findings indicate that components in one CPG might require diverse implementation strategies because they are linked to different contextual factors.
Dual Solutions in Magnetohydrodynamic Stagnation-Point Flow and Heat Transfer Over a Shrinking Surface With Partial Slip
Authors: Ray Mahapatra Tapas , Kumar Nandy Samir , Pop Ioan
Published: July 2014

In this paper, the problem of steady two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stagnation-point flow and heat transfer of an incompressible viscous fluid over a stretching/shrinking sheet is investigated in the presence of velocity and thermal slips. With the help of similarity transformations, the governing Navier–Stokes and the energy equations are reduced to ordinary differential equations, which are then solved numerically using a shooting technique. Interesting solution behavior is observed for the similarity equations with multiple solution branches for certain parameter domain. Fluid velocity increases due to the increasing value of the velocity slip parameter resulting in a decrease in the temperature field. Temperature at a point increases with increase in the thermal slip parameter. The effects of the slips, stretching/shrinking, and the magnetic parameters on the skin friction or the wall shear stress, heat flux from the surface of the sheet, velocity, and temperature profiles are computed and discussed.
Exosomes from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells contain a microRNA that promotes dormancy in metastatic breast cancer cells
Authors: Ono Makiko , Kosaka Nobuyoshi , Tominaga Naoomi , Yoshioka Yusuke , Takeshita Fumitaka , Takahashi Ryou-u , Yoshida Masayuki , Tsuda Hitoshi , Tamura Kenji , Ochiya Takahiro
Published: July 2014

The bone marrow delivers dormancy signals in exosomes to metastatic cancer cells.
How Hawkmoths Sniff Out a Flower
Authors: Vignieri Sacha
Published: July 2014

Moths find flowers by building an odor map in their antennal lobes.
An Old Drug Knows New Anticancer Tricks
Authors: Nusinovich Yevgeniya
Published: July 2014

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibits angiogenesis, suppresses tumor growth, and augments the effects of traditional angiogenesis inhibitors.
The Sunny Side of Addiction
Authors: Berndt Jason D.
Published: July 2014

UV-exposed skin releases opioid peptides that cause addiction.
Cycling Down Glucose Concentrations
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: July 2014

Insulin signaling triggers the suppression of hepatic gluconeogenesis by cyclin D1 and CDK4 in a cell cycle–independent manner.
PKR, Not Just for Infected Cells
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: July 2014

A kinase involved in the antiviral response also regulates the cell cycle.
Recipient NK cell inactivation and intestinal barrier loss are required for MHC-matched graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Nalle Sam C. , Aimee Kwak H. , Edelblum Karen L. , Joseph Nora E. , Singh Gurminder , Khramtsova Galina F. , Mortenson Eric D. , Savage Peter A. , Turner Jerrold R.
Published: July 2014

Pretransplant conditioning promotes minor mismatch GVHD by causing intestinal barrier loss and depleting NK cells.
Phenotypic Evolution of Therapeutic Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium after Invasion of TRAMP Mouse Prostate Tumor
Authors: Choe Elizabeth , Kazmierczak Robert A. , Eisenstark Abraham
Published: July 2014

Salmonella
has been of interest in cancer research due to its intrinsic ability to selectively target and colonize within tumors, leading to tumor cell death. Current research indicates promising use of
Salmonella
in regular administrations to remove tumors in mouse models while minimizing toxic side effects. However, selection of mutants during such long-term tumor colonization is a safety concern, and understanding selection of certain phenotypes within a tumor is an important consideration in predicting the long-term success of bacterium-based cancer treatment strategies. Thus, we have made an initial examination of selected phenotypes in a therapeutic
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium population developed from an archival wild-type LT2 strain and intraperitoneally injected into a 6-month-old TRAMP (transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate) mouse. We compared the original injected strain to isolates recovered from prostate tumors and those recovered from the spleen and liver of non-tumor-bearing TRAMP mice through phenotypic assessments of bacteriophage susceptibility, motility, growth rates, morphology, and metabolic activity. Tumor isolate traits, particularly the loss of wild-type motility and flagella, reflect the selective pressure of the tumor, while the maintenance of bacteriophage resistance indicates no active selection to remove this robust trait. We posit that the
Salmonella
population adopts certain strategies to minimize energy consumption and maximize survival and proliferation once within the tumor. We find these insights to be nonnegligible considerations in the development of cancer therapies involving bacteria and suggest further examinations into the evolution of therapeutic strains during passage through tumors.

IMPORTANCE
Salmonella
is of interest in cancer research due to its intrinsic abilities to selectively target, colonize, and replicate within tumors, leading to tumor cell death. However, mutation of strains during long-term colonization within tumors is a safety concern, and understanding their evolution within a tumor is an important consideration in predicting the long-term success of bacterium-based cancer treatment strategies. Thus, we have made an initial examination of phenotypically diverse
Salmonella
colonies recovered from a therapeutic
Salmonella
strain that we developed and injected into prostate tumor-bearing mice. We compared the bacteriophage susceptibility, motility, growth rates, morphology, and metabolic activity of the original therapeutic strain to those of strains recovered from prostate tumors of tumor-bearing mice and the liver and spleen of non-tumor-bearing mice. Our results suggest that the
Salmonella
population adopts certain strategies to minimize energy consumption and maximize survival and proliferation once within the tumor, leading to phenotypic changes in the strain.
Efficient Editing of Malaria Parasite Genome Using the CRISPR/Cas9 System
Authors: Zhang Cui , Xiao Bo , Jiang Yuanyuan , Zhao Yihua , Li Zhenkui , Gao Han , Ling Yuan , Wei Jun , Li Shaoneng , Lu Mingke , Su Xin-zhuan , Cui Huiting , Yuan Jing
Published: July 2014

Malaria parasites are unicellular organisms residing inside the red blood cells, and current methods for editing the parasite genes have been inefficient. The CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and Cas9 endonuclease-mediated genome editing) system is a new powerful technique for genome editing and has been widely employed to study gene function in various organisms. However, whether this technique can be applied to modify the genomes of malaria parasites has not been determined. In this paper, we demonstrated that Cas9 is able to introduce site-specific DNA double-strand breaks in the
Plasmodium yoelii
genome that can be repaired through homologous recombination. By supplying engineered homologous repair templates, we generated targeted deletion, reporter knock-in, and nucleotide replacement in multiple parasite genes, achieving up to 100% efficiency in gene deletion and 22 to 45% efficiencies in knock-in and allelic replacement. Our results establish methodologies for introducing desired modifications in the
P. yoelii
genome with high efficiency and accuracy, which will greatly improve our ability to study gene function of malaria parasites.

IMPORTANCE
Malaria, caused by infection of
Plasmodium
parasites, remains a world-wide public health burden. Although the genomes of many malaria parasites have been sequenced, we still do not know the functions of approximately half of the genes in the genomes. Studying gene function has become the focus of many studies; however, editing genes in malaria parasite genomes is still inefficient. Here we designed several efficient approaches, based on the CRISPR/Cas9 system, to introduce site-specific DNA double-strand breaks in the
Plasmodium yoelii
genome that can be repaired through homologous recombination. Using this system, we achieved high efficiencies in gene deletion, reporter tagging, and allelic replacement in multiple parasite genes. This technique for editing the malaria parasite genome will greatly facilitate our ability to elucidate gene function.
Gangliocytic paraganglioma, a rare ampullary tumour treated with open transduodenal resection and sphincteroplasty
Authors: Rafiullah  , Tanimu Sabo , Onitilo Adedayo A
Published: July 2014

Gangliocytic paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumours residing in the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly the periampullary region. Most are benign tumours with a low malignancy rate. We report a 50-year-old man who presented with acute onset of left-upper quadrant abdominal pain with radiation to the back. An intraluminal mass at the junction of the duodenum with normal pancreatic/hepatic parenchyma was discovered on abdominal CT. Following upper endoscopy and MRI revealing a periampullary lesion, fine-needle aspiration and biopsies were. Immunohistochemistry was positive for synaptophysin and S100HU, consistent with gangliocytic paraganglioma. The benign nature of this tumour and unique anatomy of a separate opening of the pancreatic and common bile ducts led to transduodenal excision with sphincteroplasty, thereby avoiding extensive surgery. Surveillance CT every 6 months and upper endoscopy initially every 6 months (now yearly) revealed no evidence of endoscopic or histological recurrence at 3 years follow-up.
Aleukaemic leukaemia presenting with pathological fracture
Authors: Chua Gilbert T , Chow Kam Ching , So Jason Chi Chiu , Cheuk Daniel Ka Leung
Published: July 2014

A 19-month-old Chinese girl presented with pathological fracture of her right distal tibia. Peripheral blood revealed no abnormal cells, electrolytes were normal and bone biopsy at the fracture site only showed small aggregates of unremarkable lymphocytes. A bone marrow study could not provide a definitive diagnosis of acute leukaemia on morphology and immunohistochemistry. A diagnosis of precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was unequivocally confirmed by a cytogenetic study which showed a hyperdiploid clone with gain of chromosome 4 among other trisomies.
Development of chronic heart failure in a young woman with hypertension associated with renal artery stenosis with preserved renal function
Authors: Byrne Christina , Abdulla Jawdat
Published: July 2014

A 33-year-old woman with presumed essential hypertension and symptoms equivalent to New York Heart Association class II was suspected of heart failure and referred to echocardiography. The patient's ECG showed a left bundle branch block. Electrolytes, serum creatinine and estimated-glomerular filtration rate as well as urine test for protein were all normal. The patient had no peripheral oedema. The transthoracic echocardiography confirmed systolic and diastolic dysfunction and an ejection fraction of 25% and left ventricular hypertrophy. Ultrasound of renal arteries and renal CT angiography (renal CTA) revealed a significant stenosis and an aneurysm corresponding to the right renal artery with challenges to traditional interventions.
Regioselective palladium-catalyzed ring-opening reactions of C1-substituted oxabenzonorbornadienes
Authors: Raheem Mohammed Abdul , Edmunds Michael , Tam William
Published: July 2014

The effect of ethyl and methoxycarbonyl substitution on the C1 position of oxabenzonorbornadienes undergoing palladium-catalyzed nucleophilic ring opening was investigated with a variety of aryl iodide nucleophiles. Electron-withdrawing groups in the C1 position or on the aryl iodide afforded lower yields and led to aromatization of products. The presence of an electron-donating group in either position provided high yields in all cases. Despite variances in electronic nature, all trials produced a single regioisomeric product resulting from addition of the aryl group to the olefin carbon farthest from the C1 substituent. Based on these findings, a mechanism has also been proposed.
AGE AND PERIODIC REPLACEMENT MODELS WITH OVERTIME POLICIES
Authors: ZHAO XUFENG , QIAN CUNHUA , NAKAMURA SYOUJI
Published: July 2014

This paper proposes two modified replacement policies which combine random replacement with standard age and periodic policies, where units undergo replacement at the first completion of some random working time over a planned time T, which are called replacement overtime. The expected cost rates of age and periodic replacement overtime polices are obtained, and optimal policies which minimize them are discussed analytically. Comparisons between such two overtime policies and standard age and periodic replacements are made in detail. When two costs for replacement overtime and standard age or periodic policies are the same, it is shown as estimated previously that the standard replacements are better than their overtime policies. Furthermore, two modified replacement overtime costs are discussed and computed numerically when such new policies would be better than the standard age and periodic replacements.
Some remarks on subgroups of maximal class in a finite p-group
Authors: Berkovich Yakov
Published: July 2014

The following characterizations of p-groups of maximal class are proved: (a) If a p-group of order > pp+2 contains a subgroup of maximal class and index p, then G possesses at most one normal subgroup of order pp and exponent p. (b) If the center of any nonabelian epimorphic image of a nonabelian two-generator p-group G is cyclic, then either G ≅ M pn or G is of maximal class. (c) An 𝒜n-group G, n > 1, is of maximal class ⇔ all its 𝒜2-subgroups of minimal order are of maximal class. (iv) If all factors of the lower central series of a nonabelian two-generator p-group are cyclic, then it is either of maximal class or ≅ M pn. (v) If a nonabelian p-group G is such that any s pairwise non-commuting elements generate a group of maximal class, where s is the fixed member of the set {3, …, p + 1} and p > 2 if s ≠ p + 1, then G is also of maximal class. We also study the noncyclic p-groups containing only one normal subgroup of a given order.
Additive maps having a generalized derivation expansion
Authors: Lee Tsiu-Kwen
Published: July 2014

Let R be a prime ring with extended centroid C. We prove that an additive map from R into RC + C can be characterized in terms of left and right b-generalized derivations if it has a generalized derivation expansion. As a consequence, a generalization of the Noether–Skolem theorem is proved among other things: A linear map from a finite-dimensional central simple algebra into itself is an elementary operator if it has a generalized derivation expansion.
Quantum theories and geometric topology: A chapter in physical mathematics
Authors: Marathe Kishore
Published: July 2014

In recent years, the interaction between geometric topology and classical and quantum field theories has attracted a great deal of attention from both the mathematicians and physicists. We discuss some topics from low-dimensional topology where this has led to new viewpoints as well as new results. They include categorification of knot polynomials and a special case of the gauge theory to string theory correspondence in the Euclidean version of the theories, where exact results are available. We show how the Witten–Reshetikhin–Turaev invariant in SU (n) Chern–Simons theory on S3is related via conifold transition to the all-genus generating function of the topological string amplitudes on a Calabi–Yau manifold. This result can be thought of as an interpretation of TQFT as topological quantum gravity (TQG). After a brief discussion of Perelman's work on the geometrization conjecture and its relation to gravity, we comment on some recent work on black hole radiation and its relation to mock moonshine.
Synthesis and Immunogenicity Assessment of Elastin-Like Polypeptide-M2e Construct as an Influenza Antigen
Authors: Ingrole Rohan S. , Tao Wenqian , Tripathy Jatindra N. , Gill Harvinder S.
Published: July 2014

The 23 amino acid-long extracellular domain of the influenza virus transmembrane protein M2 (M2e) has remained highly conserved since the 1918 pandemic, and is thus considered a good candidate for development of a universal influenza A vaccine. However, M2e is poorly immunogenic. In this study we assessed the potential of increasing immunogenicity of M2e by constructing a nanoscale-designed protein polymer containing the M2e sequence and an elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) nanodomain consisting of alanine and tyrosine guest residues (ELP(A2YA2)24). The ELP nanodomain was included to increase antigen size, and to exploit the inherent thermal inverse phase transition behavior of ELPs to purify the protein polymer. The ELP(A2YA2)24 + M2e nanodomained molecule was recombinantly synthesized. Characterization of its inverse phase transition behavior demonstrated that attachment of M2e to ELP(A2YA2)24 increased its transition temperature compared to ELP(A2YA2)24. Using a dot blot test we determined that M2e conjugated to ELP is recognizable by M2e-specific antibodies, suggesting that the conjugation process does not adversely affect the immunogenic property of M2e. Further, upon vaccinating mice with ELP(A2YA2)24 + M2e it was found that indeed the nanodomained protein enhanced M2e-specific antibodies in mouse serum compared to free M2e peptide and ELP(A2YA2)24. The immune serum could also recognize M2 expressed on influenza virions. Overall, this data suggests the potential of using molecules containing M2e-ELP nanodomains to develop a universal influenza vaccine.
Coverage Control for Mobile Sensor Networks on a Circle
Authors: Song Cheng , Feng Gang
Published: July 2014

This paper investigates the coverage problem for mobile sensor networks on a circle. The goal is to minimize the largest distance from any point on the circle to its nearest sensor while preserving the mobile sensors' order. The coverage problem is translated into a multi-agent consensus problem by showing that the largest distance from any point to its nearest sensor is minimized if the counterclockwise distance between each sensor and its right neighbor reaches a consensus. Distributed control laws are also developed to drive the mobile agents to the optimal configuration with order preservation. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control laws.
A law of the iterated logarithm under sublinear expectations
Authors: Chen Zengjing , Hu Feng
Published: July 2014

In this paper, with the notion of independent and identically distributed (IID) random variables under sublinear expectations initiated by Peng, we develop a law of the iterated logarithm (LIL) for capacities. It turns out that our theorem is a natural extension of the Kolmogorov and the Hartman–Wintner LIL.
Intima modifier locus 2 controls endothelial cell activation and vascular permeability
Authors: Smolock Elaine M. , Burke Ryan M. , Wang Chenjing , Thomas Tamlyn , Batchu Sri N. , Qiu Xing , Zettel Martha , Fujiwara Keigi , Berk Bradford C. , Korshunov Vyacheslav A.
Published: July 2014

Carotid intima formation is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. C3H/FeJ (C3H/F) and SJL/J (SJL) inbred mouse strains differ in susceptibility to immune and vascular traits. Using a congenic approach we demonstrated that the Intima modifier 2 ( Im2) locus on chromosome 11 regulates leukocyte infiltration. We sought to determine whether inflammation was due to changes in circulating immune cells or activation of vascular wall cells in genetically pure Im2 (C3H/F.SJL.11.1) mice. Complete blood counts showed no differences in circulating monocytes between C3H/F and C3H/F.SJL.11.1 compared with SJL mice. Aortic vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) total protein levels were dramatically increased in SJL and C3H/F.SJL.11.1 compared with C3H/F mice. Immunostaining of aortic endothelial cells (EC) showed a significant increase in VCAM-1 expression in SJL and C3H/F.SJL.11.1 compared with C3H/F under steady flow conditions. Immunostaining of EC membranes revealed a significant decrease in EC size in SJL and C3H/F.SJL.11.1 vs. C3H/F in regions of disturbed flow. Vascular permeability was significantly higher in C3H/F.SJL.11.1 compared with C3H/F. Our results indicate that Im2 regulation of leukocyte infiltration is mediated by EC inflammation and permeability. RNA sequencing and pathway analyses comparing genes in the Im2 locus to C3H/F provide insight into candidate genes that regulate vascular wall inflammation and permeability highlighting important genetic mechanisms that control vascular intima in response to injury.
Facilitative and Inhibitory Effect of Litter on Seedling Emergence and Early Growth of Six Herbaceous Species in an Early Successional Old Field Ecosystem
Authors: Li Qiang , Yu Pujia , Chen Xiaoying , Li Guangdi , Zhou Daowei , Zheng Wei
Published: July 2014

In the current study, a field experiment was conducted to examine effects of litter on seedling emergence and early growth of four dominant weed species from the early successional stages of old field ecosystem and two perennial grassland species in late successional stages. Our results showed that increased litter cover decreased soil temperature and temperature variability over time and improved soil moisture status. Surface soil electrical conductivity increased as litter increased. The increased litter delayed seedling emergence time and rate. The emergence percentage of seedlings and establishment success rate firstly increased then decreased as litter cover increased. When litter biomass was below 600 g m−2, litter increased seedlings emergence and establishment success in all species. With litter increasing, the basal diameter of seedling decreased, but seedling height increased. Increasing amounts of litter tended to increase seedling dry weight and stem leaf ratio. Different species responded differently to the increase of litter.Puccinellia tenuifloraandChloris virgatawill acquire more emergence benefits under high litter amount. It is predicted thatChloris virgatawill dominate further in this natural succession old field ecosystem with litter accumulation. ArtificialP. tenuifloraseeds addition may be required to accelerate old field succession toward matured grassland.
Key Updating Methods for Combinatorial Design Based Key Management Schemes
Authors: Xu Chonghuan , Liu Weinan
Published: July 2014

Wireless sensor network (WSN) has become one of the most promising network technologies for many useful applications. However, for the lack of resources, it is different but important to ensure the security of the WSNs. Key management is a corner stone on which to build secure WSNs for it has a fundamental role in confidentiality, authentication, and so on. Combinatorial design theory has been used to generate good-designed key rings for each sensor node in WSNs. A large number of combinatorial design based key management schemes have been proposed but none of them have taken key updating into consideration. In this paper, we point out the essence of key updating for the unital design based key management scheme and propose two key updating methods; then, we conduct performance analysis on the two methods from three aspects; at last, we generalize the two methods to other combinatorial design based key management schemes and enhance the second method.
Neoadjuvant Therapy in Pancreatic Cancer: An Emerging Strategy
Authors: Bittoni Alessandro , Santoni Matteo , Lanese Andrea , Pellei Chiara , Andrikou Kalliopi , Stefano Cascinu
Published: July 2014

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women, being responsible for 6% of all cancer-related deaths. Surgical resection offers the only chance of cure, but only 15 to 20 percent of cases are potentially resectable at presentation. In recent years, increasing evidences support the use of neoadjuvant strategies in pancreatic cancer in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer as well as in patients with borderline resectable or locally advanced PDAC in order to allow early treatment of micrometastatic disease, tumour regression, and reduced risk of peritoneal tumour implantation during surgery. Furthermore, neoadjuvant treatment allows evaluation of tumour response and increases patient’s compliance. However, most evidences in this setting come from retrospective analysis or small case series and in many studies chemotherapy or chemoradiation therapies used were suboptimal. Currently, prospective randomized trials using the most active chemotherapy regimens available are trying to define the real benefit of neoadjuvant strategies compared to conventional adjuvant strategies. In this review, the authors examined available data on neoadjuvant treatment in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer as well as in patients with borderline resectable or locally advanced PDAC and the future directions in this peculiar setting.