bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ablation index‐guided 50 W ablation for pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation: Procedural data, lesion analysis, and initial results from the FAFA AI High Power Study
Authors: Chen Shaojie , Schmidt Boris , Bordignon Stefano , Urbanek Lukas , Tohoku Shota , Bologna Fabrizio , Angelkov Lazar , Garvanski Iskren , Tsianakas Nikolaos , Konstantinou Athanasios , Trolese Luca , Weise Felix , Perrotta Laura , Chun K. R. Julian
Published: October 2019

Background

Radiofrequency high‐power ablation appears to be a novel concept for atrial fibrillation (AF). The ablation index (AI) value has been associated with durability of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Objectives

This study aimed to report the procedural data and initial results of a combined ablation technique using AI‐guided high‐power (AI‐HP; 50 W) ablation for PVI.

Methods

Symptomatic AF patients were consecutively enrolled and underwent wide‐area contiguous circumferential PVI. Contact‐force catheters were used, ablation power was set to 50 W targeting AI values (550 anterior and 400 posterior). Esophageal temperature was monitored during procedure, all patients underwent postablation esophageal endoscopy.

Results

PVI was achieved in all (n = 50, mean age: 68 ± 9 years, female: 60%) patients, rate of first‐round PVI was 92%. A total of N = 2105 AI‐guided ablation lesions were analyzed. Comparing left anterior wall vs left posterior wall and right anterior wall vs right posterior wall, mean ablation time (s) per lesion was 20.5 ± 8 vs 8.6 ± 3 and 12.2 ± 4 vs 9.3 ± 3; mean contact force (g): 17.1 ± 12 vs 25.4 ± 14 and 33.7 ± 13 vs 21.0 ± 11; mean AI: 547 ± 48 vs 445 ± 55 and 555 ± 56 vs 440 ± 47 (all P < .0001). Procedure and fluoroscopy time (minute) were 55.6 ± 6.6 and 6 ± 1.7, respectively. Only one (2%) patient had a minimal esophageal lesion. During In‐hospital and 1‐month follow‐up no major complications such as death, stroke, tamponade, or atriaesophageal fistula (AE) occurred. Preliminary 6‐month follow‐up showed 48 of 50 (96%) patients were free from clinical AF/atrial tachycardia recurrence.

Conclusion

AI‐HP (50 W) ablation appears to be a feasible, safe, fast, and effective ablation technique for PVI.
Safety review of phenoxyethanol when used as a preservative in cosmetics
Authors: Dréno B. , Zuberbier T. , Gelmetti C. , Gontijo G. , Marinovich M.
Published: October 2019

Phenoxyethanol, or 2‐phenoxyethanol, has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and has been widely used as a preservative in cosmetic products for decades. It is effective against various Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria, as well as against yeasts, and has only a weak inhibitory effect on resident skin flora. According to the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, phenoxyethanol is safe for all consumers – including children of all ages – when used as a preservative in cosmetic products at a maximum concentration of 1%. Adverse systemic effects have been observed in toxicological studies on animals but only when the levels of exposure were many magnitudes higher (around 200‐fold higher) than those to which consumers are exposed when using phenoxyethanol‐containing cosmetic products. Despite its widespread use in cosmetic products, phenoxyethanol is a rare sensitizer. It can be considered as one of the most well‐tolerated preservatives used in cosmetic products.
Review of the safety of octocrylene used as an ultraviolet filter in cosmetics
Authors: Berardesca E. , Zuberbier T. , Sanchez Viera M. , Marinovich M.
Published: October 2019

Octocrylene or octocrilene is an organic ultraviolet (UV) filter which absorbs mainly UVB radiation and short UVA wavelengths. It is used in various cosmetic products to either provide an appropriate sun protection factor in sunscreen products or to protect cosmetic formulations from UV radiation. There is no discussion that UV filters are beneficial ingredients in cosmetics since they protect from skin cancer, but octocrylene has been recently incriminated to potentially induce adverse effects on the endocrine system in addition to having allergic and/or photoallergic potential. However, the substance has the advantage to work synergistically with other filters allowing a beneficial broad photoprotection, e.g. it stabilizes the UVA filter avobenzone (i.e. butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane). Like all chemicals used in cosmetics, the safety profile of octocrylene is constantly under assessment by the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) since it has been registered according to the European regulation Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. Summaries of safety data of octocrylene are publicly available on the ECHA website. This review aims to present the main safety data from the ECHA website, as well as those reported in scientific articles from peer‐reviewed journals. The available data show that octocrylene does not have any endocrine disruption potential. It is a rare sensitizer, photocontact allergy is more frequent and it is considered consecutive to photosensitization to ketoprofen. Based on these results, octocrylene can be considered as safe when used as a UV filter in cosmetic products at a concentration up to 10%.
Mineral oils and waxes in cosmetics: an overview mainly based on the current European regulations and the safety profile of these compounds
Authors: Chuberre B. , Araviiskaia E. , Bieber T. , Barbaud A.
Published: October 2019

Mineral oils and waxes are mixtures of predominantly saturated hydrocarbons consisting of straight‐chain, branched and ring structures with carbon chain lengths greater than C14. They have been used for many decades in skin and lip care cosmetic products due to their excellent skin tolerance as well as their high protecting and cleansing performance and broad viscosity options. In contrast to vegetable oils, mineral oils are non‐allergenic since they are highly stable and not susceptible to oxidation or rancidity. They have a long history of safe use which is confirmed by clinical and epidemiological data. In Europe, mineral oils are only permitted in cosmetics if compliant with purity specifications on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and safety requirements laid down in the European pharmacopoeia and the EU cosmetics regulation EC/1223/2009. The high quality of these mineral oils is assured by robust quality assurance and a refining/purification process designed to exclude substances with carcinogenic potential and to minimize the presence of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons. Given their highly lipophilic properties, mineral oils do not penetrate human skin and, thus, are not systemically bioavailable in the body. Moreover, no significant changes in the skin and no effects on any internal organ system have been reported and attributed to the topical application of refined mineral oils. Regarding potential oral exposure from cosmetic lip care products, Cosmetics Europe, the European trade association for the cosmetics and personal care industry, has advised cosmetic manufacturers to only use mineral oil fractions for which recognized food acceptable daily intake (ADI) values apply. The estimated dose of mineral oils ingested via lip care products contributes to <10% of the ADI value and should therefore be considered of no toxicological concern.
Observation of a porbeagle shark Lamna nasus aggregation at a North Sea oil platform
Authors: Haugen Janne B. , Papastamatiou Yannis
Published: October 2019

A minimum of 20 porbeagles Lamna nasus were observed circling the Alba oil platform (UK North Sea) over several days in July 2014. Although schools of fish often aggregate around oil platforms, less is known about their ability to aggregate pelagic sharks and L. nasus are rarely seen at the surface. This unusual observation provides new insights into L. nasus behaviour and habitat use and the potential role of offshore artificial structures on pelagic predators.
Feeding studies take guts – critical review and recommendations of methods for stomach contents analysis in fish
Authors: Amundsen Per‐Arne , Sánchez‐Hernández Javier
Published: October 2019

Studies on the feeding ecology of fish are essential for exploring and contrasting trophic interactions and population and community dynamics within and among aquatic ecosystems. In this respect, many different methods have been adopted for the analysis of fish stomach contents. No consensus has, however, been reached for a standardised methodology despite that for several decades there has been an ongoing debate about which methodical approaches that should be preferred. Here, we critically review and scrutinise methods, addressing their strengths and weaknesses and emphasising inherent problems and possible pitfalls in their use. Although our critical assessment reveals that no completely ideal approach exists, appropriate and reliable procedures can be adopted through careful considerations and implementation. In particular, we advocate that different objectives require different methodical approaches and the choice of method should therefore be closely linked to the research questions that are addressed. For a standardisation of methods, we recommend a combination of the relative‐fullness and presence–absence methods as the optimal approach for the commonly applied feeding studies addressing relative dietary composition in terms of prey diversity and abundance. Additionally, we recommend the gravimetric method for objectives related to the quantification of food consumption rates and the numerical method for prey selection studies. DNA‐based dietary analysis provides a new and promising complementary approach to visual examination of stomach contents, although some technical challenges still exist. The suggested method standardisation facilitates comparisons across species, ecosystems and time and will enhance the applicability and benefits of fish feeding studies in trophic ecology research.
Effect of ultrasonic‐assisted brining on mass transfer of beef
Authors: Zhao Xutong , Sun Yonghai , Zhou Yajun , Leng Yue
Published: October 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultrasonic intensity (7.5, 10.0, and 12.7 W/cm2) and treatment time (10, 20, and 30 min) on mass transfer of beef during brining process. Changes in the salt and moisture contents in brined beef showed that ultrasound treatment had a positive effect on the mass transfer during brining process. The high correlation between the weight changes of beef and treatment time indicated that the mass transfer kinetics model could be used to evaluate the weight changes of beef during ultrasonic‐assisted brining process. The increase of NaCl diffusion coefficients calculated by the Fick's second law suggested that ultrasound treatment could accelerate the NaCl diffusion into beef (p < .05). The binarized images visualized the increments of NaCl solution in beef by ultrasonic‐assisted brining. These results provided a basis for the ultrasound application in rapid brining of meat products.

Practical applications

Ultrasound as a novel and promising technology has some potential advantages in meat processing. This research showed that ultrasound treatment could contribute to the mass transfer during brining processing, and enhanced the NaCl diffusion into beef. The binarized images visualized the quantity of NaCl solution in beef treated with ultrasound. Therefore, ultrasound could be considered as an effective method to accelerate the brining process of meat products.
Understanding the future of lithium: Part 2, temporally and spatially resolved life‐cycle assessment modeling
Authors: Ambrose Hanjiro , Kendall Alissa
Published: October 2019

An array of emerging technologies, from electric vehicles to renewable energy systems, relies on large‐format lithium ion batteries (LIBs). LIBs are a critical enabler of clean energy technologies commonly associated with air pollution and greenhouse gas mitigation strategies. However, LIBs require lithium, and expanding the supply of lithium requires new lithium production capacity, which, in turn, changes the environmental impacts associated with lithium production since different resource types and ore qualities will be exploited. A question of interest is whether this will lead to significant changes in the environmental impacts of primary lithium over time. Part one of this two‐part article series describes the development of a novel resource production model that predicts future lithium demand and production characteristics (e.g., timing, location, and ore type). In this article, part two, the forecast is coupled with anticipatory life‐cycle assessment (LCA) modeling to estimate the environmental impacts of producing battery‐grade lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) each year between 2018 and 2100.

The result is a normalized life‐cycle impact intensity for LCE that reflects the changing resource type, quantity, and region of production. Sustained growth in lithium demands through 2100 necessitates extraction of lower grade resources and mineral deposits, especially after 2050. Despite the reliance on lower grade resources and differences in impact intensity for LCE production from each deposit, the LCA results show only small to modest increases in impact, for example, carbon intensity increases from 3.2 kg CO2e/kg LCE in 2020 to 3.3 kg CO2e/kg LCE in 2100.
Mineral resources in the age of climate adaptation and resilience
Authors: Bleischwitz Raimund
Published: October 2019

This article discusses issues on resources availability to achieve climate adaptation and resilience for cities and infrastructures. In the age of climate change, there could be cascading failures through a range of infrastructure breakdowns. Direct and indirect damage costs could exceed what had been estimated in traditional risk assessments. This could be exacerbated through abrupt price peaks in international supply chains of minerals, and through events happening in remote parts of the world that affect extraction and vulnerable industries. The core argument made here is one of feedbacks: climate adaptation has significant resource implications, and how resources are being used will have implications on climate strategies. Industrial Ecology has a role to play assessing those interactions and providing a better grasp of the spatial dimension of material flows, partly to track those flows and align them to specific actors, and partly to address interlinkages across different flows and their stocks (‘the resource nexus’). Methodological novelties are needed to better understand the resource base and the socio‐economic dimension, especially on innovations and transitions that can help to cope with the challenges ahead. Altogether this would enable research to establish an evidence base on sustainable materials to deliver parts of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to reassess infrastructure assets and the mineral resources in the age of climate adaptation and resilience.
Phenotype and genotype of polycystic ovary syndrome in Asia: Ethnic differences
Authors: Kim Jin Ju , Choi Young Min
Published: October 2019

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in reproductive‐aged women, and ethnic diversity has been reported in its manifestation. This review addressed phenotype and genetic studies in Asian women with PCOS. Generally, East Asians are less hirsute, and the hirsutism score cutoff is lower than the Caucasian counterpart. It is not clear whether there are any significant differences in the prevalence or severity of irregular menstruation (IM) or characteristics of polycystic ovary (PCO) across ethnicities. Interestingly, the IM/PCO subgroup is a relatively common phenotype in East Asian patients but not in Caucasian patients. The prevalence of insulin resistance in PCOS patients varies depending on the index used and the cutoff, but women with PCOS showed a higher degree of insulin resistance than those of controls across ethnicities. Lower body mass index (BMI) and lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome were reported in East Asian patients, but despite lower BMI, a comparative study reported that Asian women with PCOS were more likely to have diabetes compared with Caucasian patients, suggesting they also have metabolic complications. Unlike East Asian patients, South Asian patients showed an increased degree of hirsutism, early onset of symptoms, and severe insulin resistance and metabolic risks compared with Caucasians. Genetic components play important roles in the pathogenesis of PCOS, and genome‐wide association studies of PCOS suggest that similar genetic risk factors exist between Asian and Caucasian patients. Continuous comparative studies are needed to standardize the diagnosis and management of PCOS across different ethnicities.
New candidate genes for ST‐elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Cederström S. , Lundman P. , Folkersen L. , Paulsson‐Berne G. , Karadimou G. , Eriksson P. , Caidahl K. , Gabrielsen A. , Jernberg T. , Persson J. , Tornvall P.
Published: October 2019

Background

Despite extensive research in atherosclerosis, the mechanisms of coronary atherothrombosis in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients are undetermined.

Objectives

Our aim was to find candidate genes involved in STEMI by analysing leucocyte gene expression in STEMI patients, without the influence of secondary inflammation from innate immunity, which was assumed to be a consequence rather than the cause of coronary atherothrombosis.

Methods

Fifty‐one patients were included at coronary angiography because of STEMI. Arterial blood was sampled in the acute phase (P1), at 24–48 h (P2) and at 3 months (P3). Leucocyte RNA was isolated and gene expression analysis was performed by Affymetrix Human Transcriptome Array 2.0. By omission of up‐ or downregulated genes at P2, secondary changes from innate immunity were excluded. Genes differentially expressed in P1 when compared to the convalescent sample in P3 were determined as genes involved in STEMI.

Results

Three genes were upregulated at P1 compared to P3; ABCG1 (P = 5.81 × 10−5), RAB20 (P = 3.69 × 10−5) and TMEM2 (P = 7.75 × 10−6) whilst four were downregulated; ACVR1 (P = 9.01 × 10−5), NFATC2IP (P = 8.86 × 10−5), SUN1 (P = 3.87 × 10−5) and TTC9C (P = 7.18 × 10−6). These genes were also highly expressed in carotid atherosclerotic plaques.

Conclusions

We found seven genes involved in STEMI. The study is unique regarding the blood sampling in the acute phase and omission of secondary expressed genes from innate immunity. However, the results need to be replicated by future studies.
Ethoxy mansonone G as an anticancer agent in estrogen receptor-positive and endocrine-resistant breast cancer
Authors: Chonsut Piriya , Mahalapbutr Panupong , Pradubyat Nalinee , Chavasiri Warinthorn , Wonganan Piyanuch , Ketchart Wannarasmi
Published: October 2019

Objectives

To study anticancer effects, underlying mechanism and safety of ethoxy mansonone G (EMG) which is the potent derivative of mansonone G (MG) in breast cancer cells.

Methods

Anticancer, antimigration, anti-invasion effects and anchorage-independent growth were investigated by MTT, scratch, matrigel invasion and soft agar assays. Estrogen receptor (ER)-targeted genes and endocrine-resistant genes were assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot.

Key findings

Ethoxy mansonone G is the most potent MG derivative and has anticancer effects in ER-positive, endocrine-resistant and ER-negative breast cancer cells. Our results demonstrated that EMG can significantly inhibit estrogen-induced cell proliferation and the expression of ER-targeted genes in ER-positive breast cancer cells, suggesting the anti-estrogenic property of EMG which is consisting with the virtual molecular docking that EMG could possibly bind to the ERα. Moreover, EMG has synergistic effect with tamoxifen in endocrine-resistant cells. EMG also inhibited cell proliferation, invasion and anchorage-independent growth by reducing expression of genes involved in endocrine resistance and invasive factors during the metastatic process.

Conclusion

Ethoxy mansonone G has an anticancer effect in breast cancer cells and is possible to use as a therapeutic agent in patients with breast cancer.
Chromogranin A and its fragments in cardiovascular, immunometabolic, and cancer regulation
Authors: Mahata Sushil K. , Corti Angelo
Published: October 2019

Chromogranin A (CgA)—the index member of the chromogranin/secretogranin secretory protein family—is ubiquitously distributed in endocrine, neuroendocrine, and immune cells. Elevated levels of CgA‐related polypeptides, consisting of full‐length molecules and fragments, are detected in the blood of patients suffering from neuroendocrine tumors, heart failure, renal failure, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Full‐length CgA and various CgA‐derived peptides, including vasostatin‐1, pancreastatin, catestatin, and serpinin, are expressed at different relative levels in normal and pathological conditions and exert diverse, and sometime opposite, biological functions. For example, CgA is overexpressed in genetic hypertension, whereas catestatin is diminished. In rodents, the administration of catestatin decreases hypertension, cardiac contractility, obesity, atherosclerosis, and inflammation, and it improves insulin sensitivity. By contrast, pancreastatin is elevated in diabetic patients, and the administration of this peptide to obese mice decreases insulin sensitivity and increases inflammation. CgA and the N‐terminal fragment of vasostatin‐1 can enhance the endothelial barrier function, exert antiangiogenic effects, and inhibit tumor growth in animal models, whereas CgA fragments lacking the CgA C‐terminal region promote angiogenesis and tumor growth. Overall, the CgA system, consisting of full‐length CgA and its fragments, is emerging as an important and complex player in cardiovascular, immunometabolic, and cancer regulation.
Isolated very low QRS voltage predicts response to tilt‐table testing in patients with neurally mediated syncope
Authors: Blendea Dan , McPherson Craig A. , Pop Sorin , Anton Florin P. , Crisan Sorin , Ruskin Jeremy N.
Published: October 2019

Background

A number of patients with neurally mediated syncope (NMS) have isolated QRS complexes of very low voltage (≤0.3 mV) in the frontal plane leads on the 12‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG).

Hypothesis

The aim of this study was to assess the importance of QRS voltage in predicting response to tilt‐table testing (TTT) in patients with suspected NMS.

Methods

We included 216 patients (age: 49 ± 20 years, 103 men) with suspected NMS who had either a positive or negative response to TTT (n = 91 TTT+, and n = 125 TTT−). The QRS voltage was measured in mV on 12‐lead ECGs performed within 3 days of the TTT. The lowest QRS voltage (QRSmin), as well as the voltage in each of the 12 leads was also determined.

Results

Very low voltage (QRSmin  ≤ 0.3 mV) in the frontal leads was significantly more prevalent in the TTT+ group than in the TTT− group (74 vs 22%, respectively; P  < .001). Patients in the TTT+ group had significantly lower QRSmin when compared to patients in the TTT− group. QRSmin predicted a positive tilt‐table test in a multivariate model that also included patient gender, height, history of presyncope, QRS duration, and left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter indexed to height. ROC analysis showed that QRSmin of ≥0.3 mV discriminated between TTT+ and TTT− patients with a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 68%.

Conclusion

Isolated very low QRS voltage in the frontal leads predicts a positive response to TTT in patients with suspected NMS.
Pediatric trichotillomania: Review of management
Authors: Henkel Emily D. , Jaquez Sasha D. , Diaz Lucia Z.
Published: October 2019

Trichotillomania can present in childhood, with many families seeking initial evaluation by a dermatologist for hair loss. Prompt and accurate diagnosis by dermatologists is crucial, as children can suffer from academic or social impairments as well as mental health sequelae. Children are especially vulnerable to lasting psychological distress from appearance‐related bullying. This article reviews the psychosocial impacts of pediatric trichotillomania and the current interventions studied in this population. Included are studies evaluating behavioral therapies as well as pharmacologic options. This review highlights the importance of early and appropriate identification, intervention, and the need for more treatment studies in the pediatric population.
Topical tacrolimus therapy in the management of lower extremity ulcers due to prolidase deficiency
Authors: Good Allison J. , Nielson Colton B. , Schoch Jennifer J.
Published: October 2019

Prolidase deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cutaneous ulcers, facial dysmorphism, recurrent infections, and intellectual disability. We report a unique case of a 6‐year‐old boy with prolidase deficiency and Crohn's disease who presented with lower extremity ulcers. Cutaneous ulcers due to prolidase deficiency are historically resistant to treatment, and we report success with the novel use of topical tacrolimus.
A novel allele HLA‐B*15:02:01:04, recognized in an individual from the Angami tribe, Nagaland, North‐East India
Authors: Keppen Chenole , Sharma Akanksha , Medhi Subhash , Khamo Vinotsole , Kanga Uma
Published: October 2019

A single nucleotide change (T to C) in HLA‐B*15:02:01:01 results in the novel allele, HLA‐B*15:02:01:04.
A silent mutation in codon 228 results in a novel allele HLA‐C*04:06:03 in an Ao‐Naga individual from North‐East India
Authors: Keppen Chenole , Sharma Akanksha , Abid Mohd , Khamo Vinotsole , Kanga Uma
Published: October 2019

One nucleotide substitution (C>T) in codon 228 of HLA‐C*04:06:01 results in the novel allele, HLA‐C*04:06:03.
Characterization of three novel HLA‐DPA1*02:01:01 variants, identified in Brazilian individuals
Authors: Vianna Romulo , Secco Danielle , Santos Angela , Porto Luís Cristóvão
Published: October 2019

Characterization of three novel HLA‐DPA1*02:01:01 variants: HLA‐DPA1*02:01:01:14, ‐DPA1*02:01:01:15, and ‐DPA1*02:01:01:16.
Acquired hypogammaglobulinemia and pathogen‐specific antibody depletion after solid organ transplantation in human immunodeficiency virus infection: A brief report
Authors: Newman Margaret , Gregg Kevin , Estes Randee , Pursell Kenneth , Pitrak David
Published: October 2019

Hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) frequently occurs in recipients after types of (SOT). The incidence and significance of HGG in HIV+ recipients of SOT are just being explored. We reported that 12% of the recipients in the SOT in multi‐center HIV‐TR (HIV‐TR) Study developed moderate or severe HGG at 1 year. In LT recipients, this was associated with serious infections and death. We have now further characterized the decreased antibodies in HIV+ SOT recipients who developed HGG. We measured the levels of pathogen‐specific antibodies and poly‐specific self‐reactive antibodies (PSA) in relation to total IgG levels from serial serum samples for 20 HIV+ SOT recipients who developed moderate to severe HGG following SOT. Serum antibody levels to measles, tetanus toxoid, and HIV‐1 were determined by EIA. Levels of PSAs were determined by incubating control lymphocytes with patient serum, staining with anti‐human IgG Fab‐FITC, and analysis by flow cytometry. Levels of PSA were higher compared to healthy, HIV‐uninfected controls at pre‐transplant baseline and increased by weeks 12 and 26, but the changes were not significant. Likewise, anti‐HIV antibody levels remained unchanged over time. In contrast, antibody levels against measles and tetanus were significantly reduced from baseline by week 12, and did not return to baseline, even after 2 years. For HIV patients who develop moderate to severe HGG after transplant, the reduction in IgG levels is associated with a significant decrease in pathogen‐specific antibody titers, while PSA levels and anti‐HIV antibodies are unchanged. This may contribute to infectious complications and other clinical endpoints.
Estimation of Forcing Function, Mistuning, and Modal Damping in a Bladed Rotor
Authors: Chauhan Arjun Singh , Sinha Alok
Published: October 2019

This paper deals with the estimation of forcing function, modal damping, and mistuned modal stiffnesses in a bladed rotor. Previous research on parameter estimation in a mistuned bladed rotor relies on the knowledge of the forcing function as well as the vibration data. This paper presents two novel approaches. The first approach relies on knowledge of both the forcing and vibration data. The parameters are treated as states of the system and an augmented state space model is created. Unscented Kalman filter (UKF) is then used on the steady-state data to estimate the parameters. The second approach eliminates the dependence on forcing data. Both the forcing and parameters are now treated as states of the system to construct an augmented state space model. UKF is then used on transient vibration data for estimation. Numerical results are presented for a simple model of a mistuned bladed rotor which considers a single mode of vibration per blade.
Parameter Set Reduction and Ensemble Kalman Filtering for Engine Model Calibration
Authors: Salehi Rasoul , Stefanopoulou Anna
Published: October 2019

A novel methodology is presented in this paper to reduce the burden of calibrating an engine model associated with a high number of parameters and nonlinear equations. The proposed idea decreases the calibration candidate parameters by detecting the most influential ones in an engine air-charge path model and then using them as a reduced parameter set for further model calibration. Since only the most influential parameters are tuned at the final calibration stage, this approach helps to avoid over-parameterization associated with tuning highly nonlinear engine models. Detection of the influential parameters is proposed using sensitivity analysis followed by principal component analysis (PCA) as an early off-line stage in the model tuning process. Then, an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is used for tuning the detected influential parameters. The Jacobian-free suboptimal filtering approach of EnKF allows tuning parameters either with off-line recorded data or during on-line engine testing. Using EnKF along with parameter set reduction presents an approach for decreasing the complexity of parameter tuning for online model calibration. Results from experiments on a heavy duty diesel engine show an average of 50% improvement of the model accuracy after calibrating the engine model using the proposed reduced parameter set tuning methodology.
Modeling of Scrap Dissolution in Molten Iron for the Case of Heat Transfer-Controlled Process by Different Approaches and Comparison of Their Accuracies
Authors: Shukla Ajay Kumar , Deo Brahma , Robertson D. G. C.
Published: October 2019

Dissolution of steel scrap in molten iron is studied by using analytical as well as numerical approaches for the case of a heat transfer-controlled process. The approaches used are Green's function approach, quasi-static approach, integral profile method (IPM) (with parabolic profile), and finite difference methods (FDM). Application of FDM explicit and FDM implicit with fixed grid and variable grid is described. Accuracy of all the approaches is compared in terms of total dissolution time evaluated from overall heat balance criterion. The selection rule of time step and deciding the suitable approach for achieving minimum error for different operating conditions, represented by nondimensional Biot number, are described in this paper.
An oribatid mite, Hydrozetes lemnae (Hydrozetidae) on farmed eels Anguilla australis and A. dieffenbachii (Anguillidae)

Authors: Fan Qing-Hai , Heath Philip
Published: October 2019

An oribatid mite species found infesting the farmed eels Anguilla australis and A. dieffenbachii (Anguillidae) in New Zealand was identified as Hydrozetes lemnae in the family Hydrozetidae (Acari: Sacoptiformes). All post larval stages have been detected and identified. The potential significance of the mites to the farmed eels is discussed.
Eriophyoid mites from Malaysia with description of one new genus, six new species and two new records (Acari: Eriophyoidea)

Authors: Yuan Yan Mei , Xue Xiao Feng
Published: October 2019

One new genus and six new species of eriophyoid mite from Mountain Trusmadi, Malaysia are described and illustrated. They are Isoannulus morrisianae sp. nov. on Diospyros morrisiana (Ebenaceae), Abacarus bicolorus sp. nov. on Lespedeza bicolor (Leguminosae), Parneometaculus persicariae gen. nov. & sp. nov. on Persicaria chinensis (Polygonaceae), Shevtchenkella miscanthis sp. nov. on Miscanthus floridulus (Poaceae), Davisella nitidis sp. nov. on Artocarpus nitidus subsp. lingnanensis (Moraceae), and Vimola blastis sp. nov. on Blastus cochinchinensis (Melastomataceae). Furthermore, two new records of eriophyoid mites are found: Knorella bambusae (Kuang & Feng, 1989) rec. nov. on Bambusa sp. (Poaceae) and Diptilomiopus melastomae (Boczek & Chandrapatya, 2002) rec. nov. on Melastoma malabathricum (Melastomataceae). All these new eriophyoid mite species and new records are vagrants causing no apparent symptom to their host plants.
Two new species of the feather mite genus Pteroherpus Gaud, 1981 (Analgoidea, Pteronyssidae) from China

Authors: Constantinescu Ioana Cristina , Chișamera Gabriel Bogdan , Gustafsson Daniel R. , Zou Fasheng , Chu Xingzhi , Adam Costică
Published: October 2019

Two new pteronyssid feather mite species are described from passeriform birds in China: Pteroherpus pomatorhinae sp. nov. from the Streak-breasted Scimitar-babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis Hodgson (Passeriformes, Timaliidae), and Pteroherpus chinensis sp. nov. from the Collared Finchbill Spizixos semitorques Swinhoe (Passeriformes, Pycnonotidae). Pteroherpus pomatorhinae sp. nov. belongs to the diploplax species group. The males of Pteroherpus pomatorhinae sp. nov. have the prodorsal shield elongated, the opisthosoma narrowed to posterior end, the opisthosomal lobes slightly elongated, and two pairs of small additional sclerites (one dorsally, between prodorsal and hysteronotal shield, and one ventrally posterior to genital apparatus). The females of Pteroherpus pomatorhinae sp. nov. have a pair of anterior hysteronotal sclerites, a central sclerite, a pair of lateral opisthosomal sclerites partially split into lateral and inner fragments and a pair of pygidial sclerites. The central sclerite has almost parallel lateral margins and concave posterior margin, and the posterior ends of the fragments of opisthosomal shields are connected by a thick bridge. Pteroherpus chinensis sp. nov. belongs to the hoplophorus species group. The males of Pteroherpus chinensis sp. nov. have prodorsal shield slightly longer than wide, the opisthosoma moderately narrowed to posterior end, the opisthosomal lobes wide and short and the adanal shield with irregular form. The females of Pteroherpus chinensis sp. nov. have the anterior hysteronotal sclerite fused with the prodorsal shield into a complex shield, a central sclerite, a pair of lateral opisthosomal sclerites and a pair of pygidial sclerites. The central sclerite is well delimited, and shaped as a longitudinal plate, slightly narrower posteriorly, with slightly convex anterior margin, concave lateral margins, and strongly convex posterior end.
REVIEWS OF ACOUSTICAL PATENTS
Authors: Fulop Sean A.
Published: October 2019

The purpose of these acoustical patent reviews is to provide enough information for a Journal reader to decide whether to seek more information from the patent itself. Any opinions expressed here are those of the reviewers as individuals and are not legal opinions. Patents are available via the internet at the USPTO website, and also using Google Patents.
In Vitro
Antifungal Combination of Flucytosine with Amphotericin B, Voriconazole, or Micafungin against Candida auris Shows No Antagonism
Authors: Bidaud A. L. , Botterel F. , Chowdhary A. , Dannaoui E.
Published: October 2019

Candida auris
is an emerging, multidrug-resistant pathogen responsible for invasive hospital-acquired infections. Flucytosine is an effective anti-
Candida
species drug, but which cannot be used as a monotherapy because of the risk of development of resistant mutants during treatment. It is, therefore, noteworthy to test possible combinations with flucytosine that may have a synergistic interaction.
A 2.5-Year Within-Patient Evolution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates with
In Vivo
Acquisition of Ceftolozane-Tazobactam and Ceftazidime-Avibactam Resistance upon Treatment
Authors: Boulant Thibaud , Jousset Agnès B. , Bonnin Rémy A. , Barrail-Tran Aurélie , Borgel Adrien , Oueslati Saoussen , Naas Thierry , Dortet Laurent
Published: October 2019

Ceftolozane-tazobactam is considered to be a last-resort treatment for infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. Although resistance to this antimicrobial has been described
in vitro
, the development of resistance
in vivo
has rarely been reported. Here, we describe the evolution of resistance to ceftolozane-tazobactam of
P. aeruginosa
isolates recovered from the same patient during recurrent infections over 2.5 years.
Phenylacetyl Coenzyme A, Not Phenylacetic Acid, Attenuates CepIR-Regulated Virulence in Burkholderia cenocepacia
Authors: Lightly Tasia Joy , Frejuk Kara L. , Groleau Marie-Christine , Chiarelli Laurent R. , Ras Cor , Buroni Silvia , Déziel Eric , Sorensen John L. , Cardona Silvia T.
Published: October 2019

The opportunistic pathogen
Burkholderia cenocepacia
uses a chemical signal process called quorum sensing (QS) to produce virulence factors. In
B. cenocepacia
, QS relies on the presence of the transcriptional regulator CepR which, upon binding QS signal molecules, activates virulence. In this work, we found that even in the absence of CepR,
B. cenocepacia
can elicit a pathogenic response if phenylacetyl-CoA, an intermediate of the phenylacetic acid degradation pathway, is not produced. Instead, accumulation of phenylacetyl-CoA appears to attenuate pathogenicity. Therefore, we have discovered that it is possible to trigger virulence in the absence of CepR, challenging the classical view of activation of virulence by this QS mechanism. Our work provides new insight into the relationship between metabolism and virulence in opportunistic bacteria. We propose that in the event that QS signaling molecules cannot accumulate to trigger a pathogenic response, a metabolic signal can still activate virulence in
B. cenocepacia
.
Detection of Colistin Resistance in Escherichia coli by Use of the MALDI Biotyper Sirius Mass Spectrometry System
Authors: Furniss R. Christopher D. , Dortet Laurent , Bolland William , Drews Oliver , Sparbier Katrin , Bonnin Rémy A. , Filloux Alain , Kostrzewa Markus , Mavridou Despoina A. I. , Larrouy-Maumus Gerald
Published: October 2019

Polymyxin antibiotics are a last-line treatment for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. However, the emergence of colistin resistance, including the spread of mobile
mcr
genes, necessitates the development of improved diagnostics for the detection of colistin-resistant organisms in hospital settings.
HA-Dependent Tropism of H5N1 and H7N9 Influenza Viruses to Human Endothelial Cells Is Determined by Reduced Stability of the HA, Which Allows the Virus To Cope with Inefficient Endosomal Acidification and Constitutively Expressed IFITM3
Authors: Hensen Luca , Matrosovich Tatyana , Roth Katrin , Klenk Hans-Dieter , Matrosovich Mikhail
Published: October 2019

Receptor specificity of the HA of IAVs is known to be a critical determinant of viral cell tropism. Here, we show that fusion properties of the HA may also play a key role in the tropism. Thus, we demonstrate that IAVs having a relatively low pH optimum of fusion cannot efficiently infect human endothelial cells owing to their relatively high endosomal pH and increased expression of fusion-inhibiting IFITM3 protein. These restrictions can be overcome by IAVs with elevated pH of fusion, such as zoonotic H5N1 and H7N9. Our results illustrate that the infectivity of IAVs depends on an interplay between HA conformational stability, endosomal acidification and IFITM3 expression in target cells, and the extracellular pH. Given significant variation of levels of HA stability among animal, human, and zoonotic IAVs, our findings prompt further studies on the fusion-dependent tropism of IAVs to different cell types in humans and its role in viral host range and pathogenicity.
Inherited Chromosomally Integrated Human Herpesvirus 6 Demonstrates Tissue-Specific RNA Expression
In Vivo
That Correlates with an Increased Antibody Immune Response
Authors: Peddu Vikas , Dubuc Isabelle , Gravel Annie , Xie Hong , Huang Meei-Li , Tenenbaum Dan , Jerome Keith R. , Tardif Jean-Claude , Dubé Marie-Pierre , Flamand Louis , Greninger Alexander L.
Published: October 2019

HHV-6A and -6B are human herpesviruses that have the unique property of being able to integrate into the telomeric regions of human chromosomes. Approximately 1% of the world’s population carries integrated HHV-6A/B genome in every cell of their body. Whether viral genes are transcriptionally active in these individuals is unclear. By taking advantage of a unique tissue-specific gene expression data set, we showed that the majority of tissues from iciHHV-6 individuals do not show HHV-6 gene expression. Brain and testes showed the highest tissue-specific expression of HHV-6 genes in two separate data sets. Two HHV-6 genes, U90 (immediate early 1 protein) and U100 (glycoproteins Q1 and Q2), were found to be selectively and consistently expressed across several human tissues. Expression of U90 translates into an increase in antigen-specific antibody response in iciHHV-6A/B
+
subjects relative to controls. Future studies will be needed to determine the mechanism of gene expression, the effects of these genes on human gene transcription networks, and the pathophysiological impact of having increased viral protein expression in tissue in conjunction with increased antigen-specific antibody production.
Selection of Bacterial Mutants in Late Infections: When Vector Transmission Trades Off against Growth Advantage in Stationary Phase
Authors: Cambon Marine C. , Parthuisot Nathalie , Pagès Sylvie , Lanois Anne , Givaudan Alain , Ferdy Jean-Baptiste
Published: October 2019

Pathogens can evolve inside their host, and the importance of this mutation-fueled process is increasingly recognized. A disease outcome may indeed depend in part on pathogen adaptations that emerge during infection. It is therefore important to document these adaptations and the conditions that drive them. In our study, we took advantage of the possibility to monitor within-host evolution in the insect pathogen
X. nematophila
. We demonstrated that selection occurring in aged infection favors
lrp
defective mutants, because these metabolic mutants benefit from a growth advantage in stationary phase (GASP). We also demonstrated that these mutants have reduced virulence and impaired transmission, modifying the infection outcome. Beyond the specific case of
X. nematophila
, we propose that metabolic mutants are to be found in other bacterial pathogens that stay for many generations inside their host.
Asparagine Deprivation Causes a Reversible Inhibition of Human Cytomegalovirus Acute Virus Replication
Authors: Lee Chen-Hsuin , Griffiths Samantha , Digard Paul , Pham Nhan , Auer Manfred , Haas Juergen , Grey Finn
Published: October 2019

HCMV accounts for more than 60% of complications associated with solid organ transplant patients. Prophylactic or preventative treatment with antivirals, such as ganciclovir, reduces the occurrence of early onset HCMV disease. However, late onset disease remains a significant problem, and prolonged treatment, especially in patients with suppressed immune systems, greatly increases the risk of antiviral resistance. Very few antivirals have been developed for use against HCMV since the licensing of ganciclovir, and of these, the same viral genes are often targeted, reducing the usefulness of these drugs against resistant strains. An alternative approach is to target host genes essential for virus replication. Here we demonstrate that HCMV replication is highly dependent on levels of the amino acid asparagine and that knockdown of a critical enzyme involved in asparagine synthesis results in severe attenuation of virus replication. These results suggest that reducing asparagine levels through dietary restriction or chemotherapeutic treatment could limit HCMV replication in patients.
An Amyloid Core Sequence in the Major Candida albicans Adhesin Als1p Mediates Cell-Cell Adhesion
Authors: Ho Vida , Herman-Bausier Philippe , Shaw Christopher , Conrad Karen A. , Garcia-Sherman Melissa C. , Draghi Jeremy , Dufrene Yves F. , Lipke Peter N. , Rauceo Jason M.
Published: October 2019

Microbial cell surface adhesins control essential processes such as adhesion, colonization, and biofilm formation. In the opportunistic fungal pathogen
Candida albicans
, the
a
gglutinin-
l
ike
s
equence (
ALS
) gene family encodes eight cell surface glycoproteins that mediate adherence to biotic and abiotic surfaces and cell-cell aggregation. Als proteins are critical for commensalism and virulence. Their activities include attachment and invasion of endothelial and epithelial cells, morphogenesis, and formation of biofilms on host tissue and indwelling medical catheters. At the molecular level, Als5p-mediated cell-cell aggregation is dependent on the formation of amyloid-like nanodomains between Als5p-expressing cells. A single-site mutation to valine 326 abolishes cellular aggregation and amyloid formation. Our results show that the binding characteristics of Als1p follow a mechanistic model similar to Als5p, despite its differential expression and biological roles.
A Genome-Wide Knockout Screen in Human Macrophages Identified Host Factors Modulating
Salmonella
Infection
Authors: Yeung Amy T. Y. , Choi Yoon Ha , Lee Amy H. Y. , Hale Christine , Ponstingl Hannes , Pickard Derek , Goulding David , Thomas Mark , Gill Erin , Kim Jong Kyoung , Bradley Allan , Hancock Robert E. W. , Dougan Gordon
Published: October 2019

Salmonella
exploits macrophages to gain access to the lymphatic system and bloodstream to lead to local and potentially systemic infections. With an increasing number of antibiotic-resistant isolates identified in humans,
Salmonella
infections have become major threats to public health. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify alternative approaches to anti-infective therapy, including host-directed therapies. In this study, we used a simple genome-wide screen to identify 183 candidate host factors in macrophages that can confer resistance to
Salmonella
infection. These factors may be potential therapeutic targets against
Salmonella
infections.
Antibodies to Cryptic Epitopes in Distant Homologues Underpin a Mechanism of Heterologous Immunity betweenPlasmodium vivaxPvDBP andPlasmodium falciparumVAR2CSA
Authors: Mitran Catherine J. , Mena Angie , Gnidehou Sedami , Banman Shanna , Arango Eliana , Lima Barbara A. S. , Lugo Hazel , Ganesan Aravindhan , Salanti Ali , Mbonye Anthony K. , Ntumngia Francis , Barakat Khaled , Adams John H. , Kano Flora S. , Carvalho Luzia H. , Maestre Amanda E. , Good Michael F. , Yanow Stephanie K.
Published: October 2019

In this work, we describe a molecular mechanism of heterologous immunity between two distant species ofPlasmodium. Our results suggest a mechanism that subverts the classic parasite strategy of presenting highly polymorphic epitopes in surface antigens to evade immunity to that parasite. This alternative immune pathway can be exploited to protect pregnant women from falciparum placental malaria by designing vaccines to cryptic epitopes that elicit broadly inhibitory antibodies against variant parasite strains.