bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forest edge orientation influences leaf‐cutting ant abundance and plant drought stress in the Brazilian Atlantic forest
Authors: da Silva Jônatas L. G. , de Holanda Silva Isabelle L. , Ribeiro‐Neto José D. , Wirth Rainer , Leal Inara R.
Published: November 2017

The release from bottom‐up control is a key process promoting the proliferation of leaf‐cutting ants (LCA) along neotropical rainforest edges. Considering the preference of LCA for drought‐stressed plants, edge‐induced drought‐stress in plants could be one of the mechanisms behind this bottom‐up response. We hypothesized that plants growing along the forest edge suffer higher levels of drought stress, which makes them a more suitable food resource for LCA and affects LCA colony density in a Brazilian Atlantic rainforest remnant. Additionally, we investigated whether this effect is stronger in north‐facing edges because the radiation load is higher in this edge aspect in the southern hemisphere.

We examined LCA colony density and plant relative water content (RWC) by relating them to edge distance and edge orientation.

We recorded 57 LCA colonies in which the density showed an approximately six‐fold increase within the first 50 m of the forest compared with distances > 150 m. North‐facing edges presented an approximately four‐fold higher colony density compared with other edge aspects. Among the 296 plant individuals sampled, the average RWC was unrelated to edge distance, although plants growing near north‐facing edges had approximately 10% lower RWC values compared with in south‐facing edges. We also found that, considering edge orientation, the lower the average RWC, the higher the LCA colony density.

We conclude that drought stress‐induced osmoregulation of plants varies with edge orientation and also that LCA may profit from changes in leaf quality in terms of an increased population density along edges, where plant individuals face higher drought stress levels.
General health and well‐being among primary care patients aged 75+ years: Associations with living conditions, oral health and dependency
Authors: Brennan David S , Keuskamp Dominic , Balasubramanian Madhan , Amarasena Najith
Published: November 2017

Objective

Our aim was to examine the associations between general health and well‐being with living conditions, oral health and degree of dependency.

Methods

We surveyed people from a primary care service and collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, general health, health utility, well‐being, activities, living conditions and oral health impact.

Results

Overall, 459 participated (78% response rate). Poor general health was associated with decreased instrumental activities of daily living scores (18% of those with poor general health were independent vs 60% with good general health). Greater oral health impact was also related to poor general health. Health utility was lower for some dependency, for renting and oral health impact. Well‐being was also lower for some dependency, for renting, not speaking English and oral health impact.

Conclusion

In addition to the well‐known association of poor general health with dependency, our results also illustrate the potential importance of living conditions and oral health.
Gluten sensitivities and the allergist: Threshing the grain from the husks
Authors: Burkhardt J. G. , Chapa‐Rodriguez A. , Bahna S. L.
Published: November 2017

“Gluten sensitivity” has become commonplace among the public. Wheat allergy (WA) and celiac disease (CD) are well‐defined entities, but are becoming a fraction of individuals following a gluten‐free diet (GFD). Wheat allergy has a prevalence of <0.5%. Wheat, specifically its omega‐5 gliadin fraction, is the most common allergen implicated in food‐dependent, exercise‐induced anaphylaxis. CD is a non‐IgE hypersensitivity to certain cereal proteins: gluten in wheat, secalin in rye, hordein in barley, and to a lesser extent avenin in oat. It is a rare disease, with an estimated prevalence that varied widely geographically, being higher in Northern Europe and the African Saharawi region than in South‐East Asia. In addition to suggestive symptoms, serologic testing has high diagnostic reliability and biopsy is a confirmatory procedure. Patients with CD have extra‐intestinal autoimmune comorbid conditions more frequently than expected. A third entity is nonceliac gluten sensitivity, which has been created because of the increasing number of subjects who claim a better quality of life or improvement of their variety of symptoms on switching to a GFD. The phenomenon is being fueled by the media and exploited by the industry. The lack of a specific objective test has been raising substantial controversy about this entity. Allergists and gastroenterologists need to pay attention to the multitudes of individuals who elect to follow a GFD. Many such subjects might have WA, CD, or another illness. Providing them with appropriate evaluation and specific management would be of great advantages, medically and economically.
GABAB receptors in neocortical and hippocampal pyramidal neurons are coupled to different potassium channels
Authors: Breton Jean‐Didier , Stuart Greg J.
Published: November 2017

Classically, GABAB receptors are thought to regulate neuronal excitability via G‐protein‐coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels. Recent data, however, indicate that GABAB receptors can also activate two‐pore domain potassium channels. Here, we investigate which potassium channels are coupled to GABAB receptors in rat neocortical layer 5 and hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Bath application of the non‐specific GIRK channel blocker barium (200 μm) abolished outward currents evoked by GABAB receptors in CA1 pyramidal, but only partially blocked GABAB responses in layer 5 neurons. Layer 5 and CA1 pyramidal neurons also showed differential sensitivity to tertiapin‐Q, a specific GIRK channel blocker. Tertiapin‐Q partially blocked GABAB responses in CA1 pyramidal neurons, but was ineffective in blocking GABAB responses in neocortical layer 5 neurons. Consistent with the idea that GABAB receptors are coupled to two‐pore domain potassium channels, the non‐specific blockers quinidine and bupivacaine partially blocked GABAB responses in both layer 5 and CA1 neurons. Finally, we show that lowering external pH, as occurs in hypoxia, blocks the component of GABAB responses mediated by two‐pore domain potassium channels in neocortical layer 5 pyramidal neurons, while at the same time revealing a GIRK channel component. These data indicate that GABAB receptors in neocortical layer 5 and hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons are coupled to different channels, with this coupling pH dependent on neocortical layer 5 pyramidal neurons. This pH dependency may act to maintain constant levels of GABAB inhibition during hypoxia by enhancing GIRK channel function following a reduction in two‐pore domain potassium channel activity.
CGRP and PTX3 as Predictors of Efficacy of Onabotulinumtoxin Type A in Chronic Migraine: An Observational Study
Authors: Domínguez Clara , Vieites‐Prado Alba , Pérez‐Mato María , Sobrino Tomás , Rodríguez‐Osorio Xiana , López Ana , Campos Francisco , Martínez Francisco , Castillo José , Leira Rogelio
Published: November 2017

Objective

The aim of this study is to find a relation between several biomarkers in peripheral blood and outcome after treatment with onabotulinumtoxin A (OnabotA).

Background

OnabotA is an effective treatment in chronic migraine (CM). Different studies have tried to find predictors of response to treatment, either with clinical characteristics, neuroimaging features, or molecular biomarkers; however, it is still not possible to predict the individual outcome.

Methods

We measured serum levels of biomarkers of inflammation (IL‐6, IL‐10, TNF‐α, and hs‐CRP), endothelial dysfunction (PTX3 and sTWEAK), blood‐brain barrier disruption (cFN), brain damage (S100b, NSE), and trigemino‐vascular activation (CGRP) by ELISA in a group of CM patients treated with OnabotA and healthy controls. After 24 weeks, patients were classified in two groups according to their outcome considering variations in headache frequency: nonresponders (nonimprovement or improvement <50%) and responders (improvement >50%). We compared baseline levels of biomarkers between these groups.

Results

Sixty‐two patients diagnosed with CM (IHS 2013 criteria) who fulfilled criteria for treatment with OnabotA and 24 healthy controls were included. Fifteen patients did not respond to treatment (24.2%) and 47 were responders (75.8%). Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) serum levels (1455.4 ± 487.5 pg/mL versus 720.3 ± 334.1 pg/mL, P < .0001) and calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) serum levels (133.1 ± 86.6 ng/mL versus 58.2 ± 91.7 ng/mL, P = .004) were significantly higher in responders than nonresponders. Serum basal levels of PTX3 >1000 pg/mL (AUC 0.908; 95% CI: 0.827‐0.990) and CGRP >50 ng/mL (AUC 0.800; 95% CI: 0.652‐0.947) were associated with good response to OnabotA treatment.

Conclusions

These results show that molecular markers of trigeminovascular activation (CGRP) and endothelial dysfunction (PTX3) are associated with response to OnabotA and may act as new biomarkers for the selection of treatment in chronic migraineurs.
Magnesium in Migraine Prophylaxis—Is There an Evidence‐Based Rationale? A Systematic Review
Authors: von Luckner Alexander , Riederer Franz
Published: November 2017

Objective

The primary objective was to systematically evaluate the existing evidence base on magnesium in migraine prophylaxis.

Methods

The search for clinical trials published from 1990 to 2016 was separately conducted by AvL and FR using standard search terms as well as MeSh terms on PubMed and EMBASE. Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials investigating prophylactic magnesium administration in migraineurs aged 18‐65 were considered eligible. In a mutual effort, the studies found were sorted and analyzed under consideration of the guidelines for controlled trials for drugs in migraine by the International Headache Society and using predefined eligibility criteria. The resulting clinical trials were jointly analyzed by FR and AvL applying the evidence classification scheme by the American Academy of Neurology and the Cochrane bias tool to assess the evidence‐base. In accordance with the guidelines for controlled trials, the number of migraine days and number of migraine attacks were chosen as primary efficacy parameters. The present review was not registered.

Results

Out of 204 search results, five clinical trials fulfilling the selection procedure were found. One out of two Class I evidence trials showed a significant reduction of the number of migraine attacks compared with placebo, while two out of three Class III trials evinced a statistically significant reduction of the primary efficacy parameters compared with placebo.

Conclusion

This systematic review provides Grade C (possibly effective) evidence for prevention of migraine with magnesium. Prophylactic treatment of migraine by means of high levels of magnesium dicitrate (600 mg) seems to be a safe and cost efficient strategy in clinical use.
Health information needs of pregnant women: information sources, motives and barriers
Authors: Kamali Sudabeh , Ahmadian Leila , Khajouei Reza , Bahaadinbeigy Kambiz
Published: November 2017

Background

Pregnant women should be provided with relevant and useful information to manage this specific period of their lives. Assessing information needs of this group is a prerequisite for providing this information.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the information needs of pregnant women during their pregnancy and childbirth.

Methods

This descriptive study was conducted on the pregnant women who attended antenatal clinics and obstetricians/gynaecologists’ offices in Kerman, Iran, in 2015. Data were collected using a self‐administered, valid and reliable questionnaire. A total of 400 women participated in the study.

Findings

Most pregnant women needed information about care of the foetus (n = 344, 86%), physical and psychological complications after delivery (n = 333, 83%), development and growth of the foetus (n = 330, 82.5%), pregnancy nutrition (n = 327, 82%) and special tests during pregnancy (n = 326, 81.5%). They mostly (n = 195, 49%) looked for information when they were suffering from a disease or pregnancy complications.

Conclusions

As pregnant women need extensive information to be able to take care of themselves and their babies, their information needs should be identified and taken into consideration when planning educational programmes for this group of women.
Lonicera japonica Thunb. extract improves the quality of cold‐stored porcine patty through inhibition of lipid and myofibrillar protein oxidation
Authors: Jiao Ming , Zhao Mouming , Lin Lianzhu , Wang Yong
Published: November 2017

The aim of this work was to analyse the honeysuckle extract (HE) for its in vitro antioxidant activity using the ORAC, reducing power, DPPH and ABTS assays. The effects of HE on the quality characteristics and physicochemical properties of porcine patties during refrigerated storage at 4 °C were studied. Chlorogenic acid contributed about 50% to the antioxidant activity of HE. HE possessing strong antioxidant activity was incorporated into porcine patties at 0.02%, 0.1% and 0.5% concentrations and compared with 0.02% and 0.1% chlorogenic acid as references. The addition of 0.1% HE and chlorogenic acid significantly reduced the loss of hardness, springiness, chewiness and cohesiveness of porcine patties in terms of inhibition of lipid oxidation, formation of protein carbonyls, generation of covalent bonds and tryptophan loss during 15 days of chilled storage. HE could be used in porcine patty as a natural antioxidant.
Small and Medium Enterprise Research in Supply Chain Management: The Case for Single‐Respondent Research Designs
Authors: Kull Thomas J. , Kotlar Josip , Spring Martin
Published: November 2017

Deciding on the number of respondents in a data‐collection instrument is a key design consideration requiring supply chain researchers to balance multiple competing factors. The debate on this respondent design question may unintentionally disregard over 95% of enterprises engaged in supply chains: small and medium enterprises (SMEs). We present arguments for why single‐respondent designs can be more appropriate in the SME setting, particularly when considering the various facets of supply chain management and the untapped potential of SCM‐SME research. Assuring that SCM theoretical frameworks and research designs allow for SME inclusion will be important in aiding the SCM field to progress forward.
The major cellulases CBH‐1 and CBH‐2 ofNeurospora crassarely on distinct ER cargo adaptors for efficient ER‐exit
Authors: Starr Trevor L. , Gonçalves A. Pedro , Meshgin Neeka , Glass N. Louise
Published: November 2017

Filamentous fungi are native secretors of lignocellulolytic enzymes and are used as protein‐producing factories in the industrial biotechnology sector. Despite the importance of these organisms in industry, relatively little is known about the filamentous fungal secretory pathway or how it might be manipulated for improved protein production. Here, we useNeurospora crassaas a model filamentous fungus to interrogate the requirements for trafficking of cellulase enzymes from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi. We characterized the localization and interaction properties of the p24 and ERV‐29 cargo adaptors, as well as their role in cellulase enzyme trafficking. We find that the two most abundantly secreted cellulases, CBH‐1 and CBH‐2, depend on distinct ER cargo adaptors for efficient exit from the ER. CBH‐1 depends on the p24 proteins, whereas CBH‐2 depends on theN. crassahomolog of yeast Erv29p. This study provides a first step in characterizing distinct trafficking pathways of lignocellulolytic enzymes in filamentous fungi.
Convergent and divergent evolution in carnivorous pitcher plant traps
Authors: Thorogood Chris J. , Bauer Ulrike , Hiscock Simon J.
Published: November 2017

ContentsSummary1035I.Introduction1035II.Evolution of the pitcher1036III.Convergent evolution1036IV.Divergent evolution1038V.Adaptive radiation and speciation1040VI.Conclusions and perspectives1040Acknowledgements1040References1040

The pitcher trap is a striking example of convergent evolution across unrelated carnivorous plant lineages. Convergent traits that have evolved across pitcher plant lineages are essential for trap function, suggesting that key selective pressures are in action. Recent studies have also revealed patterns of divergent evolution in functional pitcher morphology within genera. Adaptations to differences in local prey assemblages may drive such divergence and, ultimately, speciation. Here, we review recent research on convergent and divergent evolution in pitcher plant traps, with a focus on the genusNepenthes, which we propose as a new model for research into adaptive radiation and speciation.
Characterization of sweat induced with pilocarpine, physical exercise, and collected passively by metabolomic analysis
Authors: Souza S. L. , Graça G. , Oliva A.
Published: November 2017

Background/purpose

The elimination of the pain associated with needle picking is a strong motivation for the development of clinical non‐invasive diagnostic methods. Sweat has been described as an alternative biological sample that may have a direct relation to the plasma composition.

Materials and methods

In this study, analysis of sweat of human volunteers obtained by induction with pilocarpine is compared with sweat samples obtained by physical exercise and by passive collection along 7 hours. The sweat samples have been analyzed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Results

A range of 34 different metabolites has been detected in sweat samples, including lactate, several amino acids, pyroglutamate, and urocanate. Most of the metabolites identified were quantified. The majority of the amino acids detected in sweat seem to have origin in the epidermis surface. No significant differences in sweat samples from female and male were observed by 1H NMR metabolomic analysis.

Conclusions

Principal component analysis (PCA) shows that both physical exercise and pilocarpine methods seem to be equally reproducible methods in terms of sweat metabolite composition presenting better repeatability than natural sweat collection. Nevertheless, this difference is mainly originated from amino acids with origin from the skin surface.
Neurodevelopmental outcome of HIV‐exposed but uninfected infants in the Mother and Infants Health Study, Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Springer Priscilla E. , Slogrove Amy L. , Laughton Barbara , Bettinger Julie A. , Saunders Henriëtte H. , Molteno Christopher D. , Kruger Mariana
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To compare neurodevelopmental outcomes of HIV‐exposed uninfected (HEU) and HIV‐unexposed uninfected (HUU) infants in a peri‐urban South African population. HEU infants living in Africa face unique biological and environmental risks, but uncertainty remains regarding their neurodevelopmental outcome. This is partly due to lack of well‐matched HUU comparison groups needed to adjust for confounding factors.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of infants enrolled at birth from a low‐risk midwife obstetric facility. At 12 months of age, HEU and HUU infant growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes were compared. Growth was evaluated as WHO weight‐for‐age, length‐for‐age, weight‐for‐length and head‐circumference‐for‐age Z‐scores. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were evaluated using the Bayley scales of Infant Development III (BSID) and Alarm Distress Baby Scale (ADBB).

Results

Fifty‐eight HEU and 38 HUU infants were evaluated at 11–14 months of age. Performance on the BSID did not differ in any of the domains between HEU and HUU infants. The cognitive, language and motor scores were within the average range (US standardised norms). Seven (12%) HEU and 1 (2.6%) HUU infant showed social withdrawal on the ADBB (P = 0.10), while 15 (26%) HEU and 4 (11%) HUU infants showed decreased vocalisation (P = 0.06). There were no growth differences. Three HEU and one HUU infant had minor neurological signs, while eight HEU and two HUU infants had macrocephaly.

Conclusions

Although findings on the early neurodevelopmental outcome of HEU infants are reassuring, minor differences in vocalisation and on neurological examination indicate a need for reassessment at a later age.
Differential contribution of interleukin‐10 promoter variants in malaria and schistosomiasis mono‐ and co‐infections among Nigerian children
Authors: Adedoja Ayodele , Hoan Nghiem Xuan , van Tong Hoang , Adukpo Selorme , Tijani Deborah B. , Akanbi Ajibola A. , Meyer Christian G. , Ojurongbe Olusola , Velavan Thirumalaisamy P.
Published: November 2017

Objective

Interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) is an anti‐inflammatory cytokine produced by Th1 cells and macrophages. The rationale of this study was to examine and validate possible contributions of IL‐10 promoter polymorphisms in sub‐Saharan Africa in children infected with either Plasmodium falciparum or Schistosoma haematobium and in children co‐infected with both parasites.

Materials and Methods

A total of 309 Nigerian children aged 4–15 years were recruited. The study group consisted of individuals infected either with P. falciparum (n = 76) or S. haematobium (n = 94) in mono‐infections, a group of children co‐infected with both P. falciparum and S. haematobium (n = 62) and matched healthy controls (n = 77). The IL‐10 promoter polymorphisms ‐1082G/A, ‐819C/T and ‐592C/A were genotyped by direct sequencing.

Results

The frequencies of the IL‐10 ‐1082GG genotype, the ‐1082G allele and haplotype GCC (positions ‐1082, ‐819 and ‐592) were higher in children infected with P. falciparum than in healthy controls, indicating that the ‐1082GG genotype and the ‐1082G allele and the GCC haplotype are associated with increased susceptibility to malaria infection (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.2–10.8, P = 0.02; OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.1–3.4, P = 0.02; OR = 3.8, 95% CI = 2.0–7.2, P = 0.0001, respectively). Children with the ‐1082GG genotype had a higher parasitaemia than children with the ‐1082AA or ‐1082AG genotypes (P = 0.0017). Haplotype GCC occurred more frequently in children infected with S. haematobium, while haplotype GTA was less frequent than in controls (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.2–4.4, P = 0.017 and OR = 0.1, 95% CI = 0.02–0.5, P = 0.0004, respectively). No differences in the frequencies of IL‐10 promoter polymorphisms were observed between children with P. falciparum–S. haematobium co‐infections and healthy controls.

Conclusion

Although IL‐10 promoter polymorphisms are not associated with P. falciparum and S. haematobium co‐infection, variant ‐1082G/A and haplotype GCC are associated with malaria, whereas the IL‐10 haplotypes GCC and GTA are associated with schistosomiasis.
Multi‐Scale Contingencies During Individual and Joint Action
Authors: Scott Jordan J. , Schloesser Daniel S. , Bai Jiuyang , Abney Drew
Published: November 2017

The present paper describes a joint action paradigm in which individuals or pairs utilized two computer keys to keep a dot stimulus moving inside a larger rectangle. Members of a pair could neither see nor hear each other. This paradigm allowed us to combine the discrete‐trial type dependent variables (e.g., reaction time) commonly utilized by representational theorists, with the continuous, temporal dependence variables (e.g., RQA) utilized by dynamical theorists. Analysis revealed that individuals kept the dot in the rectangle longer than dyads and did so by moving it back and forth within the rectangle. Dyads, however, pressed their individual buttons as quickly as possible in order to keep the dot near the middle of the rectangle. These findings indicate that joint action constitutes a multi‐scale phenomena that is best investigated via multiple, complementary methodologies versus single‐measure, competing theories.
HYDROGENATION OF CITRONELLA OIL DERIVATIVES TO 3,7-DIMETHYL-1-OCTANOL AS POTENTIAL BIO-BASED ADDITIVES OVER MODIFIED NATURAL ZEOLITE CATALYSTS
Authors: Tursiloadi Silvester , Pertiwi Ralentri , Litiaz Akbar , Badria Adilina Indri
Published: November 2017

An alternative way for saving energy and reduce emission in fuel consumption is using oxygenate compounds as fuel additives that can reduce carbon monoxide and soot that is created during the burning of the fuel. One derivatives of citronella oil fraction, 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol, is a potential alcohol compound for fragrance and fuel additives producing efficiency energy and environmentally friendly. In this research, the conversion of citronella oil fraction (containing> 60% citronellal) into 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol was investigated using Ni based natural zeolite-Bogor (ZAB) catalysts through hydrogenation process. The structure and properties of the Ni/ZAB catalysts have been investigated extensively using some of characterization techniques for solid materials i.e. XRF and TEM. Variations of weight catalysts and temperature reaction were conducted to determine the optimum conditions for this reaction. The products were analyzed using GC-MS instrumentation. The optimum conditions for the hydrogenation of citronella oil fractions using catalysts Ni / ZAB-20wt% -HT were obtained at 300oC with 10% weight of catalysts produced 12% of the 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol compound.
Molecular function of α7 nicotinic receptors as drug targets
Authors: Bouzat Cecilia , Lasala Matías , Nielsen Beatriz Elizabeth , Corradi Jeremías , Esandi María del Carmen
Published: November 2017

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are pentameric ligand‐gated ion channels involved in many physiological and pathological processes. In vertebrates, there are seventeen different nAChR subunits that combine to yield a variety of receptors with different pharmacology, function, and localization. The homomeric α7 receptor is one of the most abundant nAChRs in the nervous system and it is also present in non‐neuronal cells. It plays important roles in cognition, memory, pain, neuroprotection, and inflammation. Its diverse physiological actions and associated disorders have made of α7 an attractive novel target for drug modulation. Potentiation of the α7 receptor has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy for several neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and inflammatory disorders. In contrast, increased α7 activity has been associated with cancer cell proliferation. The presence of different drug target sites offers a great potential for α7 modulation in different pathological contexts. In particular, compounds that target allosteric sites offer significant advantages over orthosteric agonists due to higher selectivity and a broader spectrum of degrees and mechanisms of modulation. Heterologous expression of α7, together with chaperone proteins, combined with patch clamp recordings have provided important advances in our knowledge of the molecular basis of α7 responses and their potential modulation for pathological processes. This review gives a synthetic view of α7 and its molecular function, focusing on how its unique activation and desensitization features can be modified by pharmacological agents. This fundamental information offers insights into therapeutic strategies.

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A Simple Model for Scuffing Risk Evaluation of Point Contact Under Mixed Lubrication
Authors: Wang Zhijian , Yu Qingtao , Shen Xuejin , Chen Xiaoyang
Published: November 2017

This paper developed a point-contact mixed lubrication (ML) model, incorporating thermal effect, the asperity elasto-plastic deformation and the boundary film properties, to evaluate the relative severity of contact condition. Then, based on the integrity of boundary films and the sharp increase of the friction coefficient, the possibility of the occurrence of scuffing was evaluated. The model was verified with published experimental data. A systematic parametric analysis was made to investigate the influences of surface roughness, contact geometry, and the lubricant properties on contact performance. The results suggest that low surface roughness and high-quality boundary film can effectively improve the scuffing resistance under current operating conditions, while high-viscosity oil and large-radius curvature are not as much effective especially when the components work under high-sliding and high–temperature conditions.
A Combined Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Flow and Heat Transfer Inside a Turbine Vane Cooled by Jet Impingement
Authors: Laroche Emmanuel , Fenot Matthieu , Dorignac Eva , Vuillerme Jean-Jacques , Brizzi Laurent Emmanuel , Larroya Juan Carlos
Published: November 2017

The present study aims at characterizing the flow field and heat transfer for a schematic but realistic vane cooling scheme. Experimentally, both velocity and heat transfer measurements are conducted to provide a detailed database of the investigated configuration. From a numerical point of view, the configuration is investigated using isotropic and anisotropic Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) turbulence models. A hybrid RANS/large eddy simulation (LES) technique is also considered to evaluate potential unsteady effects. Both experimental and numerical results show a very complex three-dimensional (3D) flow. Air is not evenly distributed between different injections, mainly because of a large recirculation flow. Due to the strong flow deviation at the hole inlet, the velocity distribution and the turbulence characteristics at the hole exit are far from fully developed profiles. The comparison between particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements and numerical results shows a reasonable agreement. However, coming to heat transfer, all RANS models exhibit a major overestimation compared to IR thermography measurements. The Billard–Laurence model does not bring any improvement compared to a classical k–ω shear stress transport (SST) model. The hybrid RANS/LES simulation provides the best heat transfer estimation, exhibiting potential unsteady effects ignored by RANS models. Those conclusions are different from the ones usually obtained for a single fully developed impinging jet.
Experimental Investigation of Total Pressure Loss Development in a Highly Loaded Low-Pressure Turbine Cascade
Authors: Bear Philip , Wolff Mitch , Gross Andreas , Marks Christopher R. , Sondergaard Rolf
Published: November 2017

Improvements in turbine design methods have resulted in the development of blade profiles with both high lift and good Reynolds lapse characteristics. An increase in aerodynamic loading of blades in the low-pressure turbine (LPT) section of aircraft gas turbine engines has the potential to reduce engine weight or increase power extraction. Increased blade loading means larger pressure gradients and increased secondary losses near the endwall. Prior work has emphasized the importance of reducing these losses if highly loaded blades are to be utilized. The present study analyzes the secondary flow field of the front-loaded low-pressure turbine blade designated L2F with and without blade profile contouring at the junction of the blade and endwall. The current work explores the loss production mechanisms inside the LPT cascade. Stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (SPIV) data and total pressure loss data are used to describe the secondary flow field. The flow is analyzed in terms of total pressure loss, vorticity, Q-Criterion, turbulent kinetic energy, and turbulence production. The flow description is then expanded upon using an implicit large eddy simulation (ILES) of the flow field. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) momentum equations contain terms with pressure derivatives. With some manipulation, these equations can be rearranged to form an equation for the change in total pressure along a streamline as a function of velocity only. After simplifying for the flow field in question, the equation can be interpreted as the total pressure transport along a streamline. A comparison of the total pressure transport calculated from the velocity components and the total pressure loss is presented and discussed. Peak values of total pressure transport overlap peak values of total pressure loss through and downstream of the passage suggesting that the total pressure transport is a useful tool for localizing and predicting loss origins and loss development using velocity data which can be obtained nonintrusively.
Modeling Inspiratory Flow in a Porcine Lung Airway
Authors: Gamage Peshala P. T. , Khalili Fardin , Khurshidul Azad M. D. , Mansy Hansen A
Published: November 2017

Inspiratory flow in a multigeneration pig lung airways was numerically studied at a steady inlet flow rate of 3.2 × 10−4 m3/s corresponding to a Reynolds number of 1150 in the trachea. The model was validated by comparing velocity distributions with previous measurements and simulations in simplified airway geometries. Simulation results provided detailed maps of the axial and secondary flow patterns at different cross sections of the airway tree. The vortex core regions in the airways were visualized using absolute helicity values and suggested the presence of secondary flow vortices where two counter-rotating vortices were observed at the main bifurcation and in many other bifurcations. Both laminar and turbulent flows were considered. Results showed that axial and secondary flows were comparable in the laminar and turbulent cases. Turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) vanished in the more distal airways, which indicates that the flow in these airways approaches laminar flow conditions. The simulation results suggested viscous pressure drop values comparable to earlier studies. The monopodial asymmetric nature of airway branching in pigs resulted in airflow patterns that are different from the less asymmetric human airways. The major daughters of the pig airways tended to have high airflow ratios, which may lead to different particle distribution and sound generation patterns. These differences need to be taken into consideration when interpreting the results of animal studies involving pigs before generalizing these results to humans.
Non-native phonetic learning is destabilized by exposure to phonological variability before and after training
Authors: Fuhrmeister Pamela , Myers Emily B.
Published: November 2017

Phonological variability is a key factor in many phonetic training studies, but it is unclear whether variability is universally helpful for learners. The current study explored variability and sleep consolidation in non-native phonetic learning. Two groups of participants were trained on a non-native contrast in one vowel context (/u/) and differed in whether they were also tested on an untrained context (/i/). Participants exposed to two vowels during the test were less accurate in perception of trained speech sounds and showed no overnight improvement. These findings suggest that introducing variability even in test phases may destabilize learning and prevent consolidation-based performance improvements.
Pharmacokinetics and Drug-Drug Interactions of Lopinavir-Ritonavir Administered with First- and Second-Line Antituberculosis Drugs in HIV-Infected Children Treated for Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Authors: van der Laan Louvina E. , Garcia-Prats Anthony J. , Schaaf H. Simon , Tikiso Tjokosela , Wiesner Lubbe , de Kock Mine , Winckler Jana , Norman Jennifer , McIlleron Helen , Denti Paolo , Hesseling Anneke C.
Published: November 2017

Lopinavir-ritonavir forms the backbone of current first-line antiretroviral regimens in young HIV-infected children. As multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) frequently occurs in young children in high-burden TB settings, it is important to identify potential interactions between MDR-TB treatment and lopinavir-ritonavir. We describe the pharmacokinetics of and potential drug-drug interactions between lopinavir-ritonavir and drugs routinely used for MDR-TB treatment in HIV-infected children. A combined population pharmacokinetic model was developed to jointly describe the pharmacokinetics of lopinavir and ritonavir in 32 HIV-infected children (16 with MDR-TB receiving treatment with combinations of high-dose isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol, ethionamide, terizidone, a fluoroquinolone, and amikacin and 16 without TB) who were established on a lopinavir-ritonavir-containing antiretroviral regimen. One-compartment models with first-order absorption and elimination for both lopinavir and ritonavir were combined into an integrated model. The dynamic inhibitory effect of the ritonavir concentration on lopinavir clearance was described using a maximum inhibition model. Even after adjustment for the effect of body weight with allometric scaling, a large variability in lopinavir and ritonavir exposure, together with strong correlations between the pharmacokinetic parameters of lopinavir and ritonavir, was detected. MDR-TB treatment did not have a significant effect on the bioavailability, clearance, or absorption rate constants of lopinavir or ritonavir. Most children (81% of children with MDR-TB, 88% of controls) achieved therapeutic lopinavir trough concentrations (>1 mg/liter). The coadministration of lopinavir-ritonavir with drugs routinely used for the treatment of MDR-TB was found to have no significant effect on the key pharmacokinetic parameters of lopinavir or ritonavir. These findings should be considered in the context of the large interpatient variability found in the present study and the study's modest sample size.
Risk Factors and Outcomes Associated with Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii upon Intensive Care Unit Admission
Authors: Blanco Natalia , Harris Anthony D. , Rock Clare , Johnson J. Kristie , Pineles Lisa , Bonomo Robert A. , Srinivasan Arjun , Pettigrew Melinda M. , Thom Kerri A.
Published: November 2017

Multidrug-resistant (MDR)
Acinetobacter baumannii
, associated with broad-spectrum antibiotic use, is an important nosocomial pathogen associated with morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of MDR
A. baumannii
perirectal colonization among adult patients upon admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) over a 5-year period and to identify risk factors and outcomes associated with colonization. A retrospective cohort analysis of patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) and surgical intensive care unit (SICU) at the University of Maryland Medical Center from May 2005 to September 2009 was performed using perirectal surveillance cultures on admission. Poisson and logistic models were performed to identify associated risk factors and outcomes. Four percent of the cohort were positive for MDR
A. baumannii
at ICU admission. Among patients admitted to the MICU, those positive for MDR
A. baumannii
at admission were more likely to be older, to have received antibiotics before ICU admission, and to have shorter length of stay in the hospital prior to ICU admission. Among patients admitted to the SICU, those colonized were more likely to have at least one previous admission to our hospital. Patients positive for MDR
A. baumannii
at ICU admission were 15.2 times more likely to develop a subsequent positive clinical culture for
A. baumannii
and 1.4 times more likely to die during the current hospitalization. Risk factors associated with MDR
A. baumannii
colonization differ by ICU type. Colonization acts as a marker of disease severity and of risk of developing a subsequent
Acinetobacter
infection and of dying during hospitalization. Therefore, active surveillance could guide empirical antibiotic selection and inform infection control practices.
Discovery of New Inhibitors of Toxoplasma gondii via the Pathogen Box
Authors: Spalenka Jérémy , Escotte-Binet Sandie , Bakiri Ali , Hubert Jane , Renault Jean-Hugues , Velard Frédéric , Duchateau Simon , Aubert Dominique , Huguenin Antoine , Villena Isabelle
Published: November 2017

Toxoplasma gondii
is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite which affects approximately 30% of the population worldwide. The drugs currently used against toxoplasmosis are few in number and show several limitations, such as drug intolerance, poor bioavailability, or drug resistance mechanism developed by the parasite. Thus, it is important to find new compounds able to inhibit parasite invasion or proliferation. In this study, the 400 compounds of the open-access Pathogen Box, provided by the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) foundation, were screened for their anti-
Toxoplasma gondii
activity. A preliminary
in vitro
screening performed over 72 h by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed 15 interesting compounds that were effective against
T. gondii
at 1 μM. Their cytotoxicity was estimated on Vero cells, and their 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC
50
) were further calculated. As a result, eight anti-
Toxoplasma gondii
compounds with an IC
50
of less than 2 μM and a selectivity index (SI) value of greater than 4 were identified. The most active was MMV675968, showing an IC
50
of 0.02 μM and a selectivity index value equal to 275. Two other compounds, MMV689480 and MMV687807, also showed a good activity against
T. gondii
, with IC
50
s of 0.10 μM (SI of 86.6) and 0.15 μM (SI of 11.3), respectively. Structure-activity relationships for the eight selected compounds also were discussed on the basis of fingerprinting similarity measurements using the Tanimoto method. The anti-
Toxoplasma gondii
compounds highlighted here represent potential candidates for the development of new drugs that could be used against toxoplasmosis.
Fungal Prophylaxis with a Gastro-Resistant Posaconazole Tablet for Patients with Hematological Malignancies in the POSANANTES Study
Authors: Peterlin Pierre , Chauvin Cécile , Le Gouill Steven , Pere Morgane , Dalichampt Marie , Guillaume Thierry , Garnier Alice , Paré Maxime , Le Bourgeois Amandine , Moreau Philippe , Chevallier Patrice , Deslandes Guillaume , Gastinne Thomas
Published: November 2017

Posaconazole is an antifungal drug used in both prophylaxis and treatment of invasive fungal infections. Its oral formulation requires therapeutic drug monitoring. To overcome gastric acidity, a gastro-resistant posaconazole tablet has recently been developed. POSANANTES was a prospective noninterventional study that aimed to monitor plasma concentration trough level (
C
min
) of posaconazole tablets used prophylactically in patients with hematological malignancies. Fifty patients were included. Group A (
n
= 31) included patients receiving induction chemotherapy for myeloid malignancies, and group B (
n
= 19) included patients treated for graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells transplantation. In multivariate analysis, female sex, group B assignment, and evaluation of
C
min
at day 8 (versus any other day planned by the analysis) were associated with a higher
C
min
, while diarrhea was associated with a lower
C
min
(
P
< 0.05). Thirty-four percent (
n
= 17) of all included patients had to prematurely stop treatment, mainly in group A. In conclusion, this real-life prospective study showed good absorption of posaconazole tablets used for prophylaxis in patients with hematological malignancies, even though this strategy was somewhat limited due to the high number of patients in group A who had to stop their treatment in an untimely fashion.
CD101, a Novel Echinocandin, Possesses Potent Antibiofilm Activity against Early and Mature Candida albicans Biofilms
Authors: Chandra Jyotsna , Ghannoum Mahmoud A.
Published: November 2017

Currently available echinocandins are generally effective against
Candida
biofilms, but the recent emergence of resistance has underscored the importance of developing new antifungal agents that are effective against biofilms. CD101 is a long-acting novel echinocandin with distinctive pharmacokinetic properties and improved stability and safety relative to other drugs in the same class. CD101 is currently being evaluated as a once-weekly intravenous (i.v.) infusion for the treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis. In this study, we determined (i) the effect of CD101 against early and mature phase biofilms formed by
C. albicans
in vitro
and (ii) the temporal effect of CD101 on the formation of biofilms using time-lapse microscopy (TLM). Early- or mature-phase biofilms were formed on silicone elastomer discs and were exposed to the test compounds for 24 h and quantified by measuring their metabolic activity. Separate batches were observed under a confocal microscope or used to capture TLM images from 0 to 16 h. Measurements of their metabolic activity showed that CD101 (0.25 or 1 μg/ml) significantly prevented adhesion-phase cells from developing into mature biofilms (
P
= 0.0062 or 0.0064, respectively) and eradicated preformed mature biofilms (
P
= 0.04 or 0.01, respectively) compared to those of untreated controls. Confocal microscopy showed significant reductions in biofilm thicknesses for both early and mature phases (
P
< 0.05). TLM showed that CD101 stopped the growth of adhesion- and early-phase biofilms within minutes. CD101-treated hyphae failed to grow into mature biofilms. These results suggest that CD101 may be effective in the prevention and treatment of biofilm-associated nosocomial infections.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Methyl 4-(7-Hydroxy-4,4,8-Trimethyl-3-Oxabicyclo[3.3.1]Nonan-2-yl)Benzoate as an Antileishmanial Agent and Its Synergistic Effect with Miltefosine
Authors: Bhalla Prachi , Sultana Sabera , Chiranjivi Adarsh Kumar , Saikia Anil K. , Dubey Vikash Kumar
Published: November 2017

In our interest in oxabicyclic compounds as potent antileishmanial agents, the present work deals with the chemical synthesis of a new oxabicyclic derivative, methyl 4-(7-hydroxy-4,4,8-trimethyl-3-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-2-yl)benzoate (PS-207). This oxabicyclic derivative showed a good antileishmanial effect on the parasite, on both the promastigote and the amastigote. The mode of parasitic death from PS-207 seemed to be apoptosis-like. Interestingly, the combination of PS-207 with a low dose of miltefosine showed a synergistic effect against the parasite.
Nonpathogenic Colonization with Chlamydia in the Gastrointestinal Tract as Oral Vaccination for Inducing Transmucosal Protection
Authors: Wang Luying , Zhu Cuiming , Zhang Tianyuan , Tian Qi , Zhang Nu , Morrison Sandra , Morrison Richard , Xue Min , Zhong Guangming
Published: November 2017

Chlamydia
has been detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals. We now report that gastrointestinal
Chlamydia muridarum
is able to induce robust transmucosal protection in mice.
C. muridarum
colonization in the gastrointestinal tract correlated with both a shortened course of
C. muridarum
genital tract infection and stronger protection against subsequent genital tract challenge infection. Mice preinoculated intragastrically with
C. muridarum
became highly resistant to subsequent
C. muridarum
infection in the genital tract, resulting in prevention of pathology in the upper genital tract. The transmucosal protection in the genital tract was rapidly induced, durable, and dependent on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen presentation but not MHC class I antigen presentation. Although a deficiency in CD4
+
T cells only partially reduced the transmucosal protection, depletion of CD4
+
T cells from B cell-deficient mice completely abolished the protection, suggesting a synergistic role of both CD4
+
T and B cells in the gastrointestinal
C. muridarum
-induced transmucosal immunity. However, the same protective immunity did not significantly affect
C. muridarum
colonization in the gastrointestinal tract. The long-lasting colonization with
C. muridarum
was restricted to the gastrointestinal tract and was nonpathogenic to either gastrointestinal or extragastrointestinal tissues. Furthermore, gastrointestinal
C. muridarum
did not alter the gut microbiota or the development of gut mucosal resident memory T cell responses to a nonchlamydial infection. Thus,
Chlamydia
may be developed into a safe and orally deliverable replicating vaccine for inducing transmucosal protection.