bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carcass characteristics, chemical and fatty acid composition and oxidative stability of meat from broiler chickens fed black cumin (Nigella sativa) seeds
Authors: Kumar P. , Patra A. K. , Mandal G. P. , Debnath B. C.
Published: March 2018

A study was conducted to investigate the dietary supplementation of black cumin seeds (BCS) on carcass characteristics, chemical and fatty acid (FA) composition and antioxidant properties of thigh and breast meat of broiler chickens at 42 days of age. Three hundred sixty 1‐day‐old broiler chickens were allocated to five dietary treatment groups (each group containing eight replicate pens with each pen containing nine broiler chickens): basal diet (control; CON), CON + 0.05 g/kg of bacitracin methylene disalicylate (AB), CON + 5 g/kg of BCS (low dose of BCS), CON + 10 g/kg of BCS (medium dose of BCS) and CON + 20 g/kg of BCS (high dose of BCS). Weight (g) of slaughtered birds (p = .03), hot carcass (p = .007), breast (p = .03), thigh (p < .001), wing (p = .06), neck (p = .01), liver (p = .09), abdominal fat (p = .01) and total edible parts (p = .01) increased or tended to increase due to BCS supplementation compared with the CON. The concentrations of dry matter, crude protein and ether extract in chicken thigh and breast meat increased (p = .038 to <.001) with increasing doses of BCS in diets. The ferric reducing antioxidant activity in blood and meat increased linearly with increasing doses of BCS in the diets. However, peroxide values in meat were not affected by BCS and AB on both days 1 and 7 of storage at 4°C. Supplementation of BCS increased the concentrations of C14:1, C18:3n‐6, C20:1, C20:2 FA and PUFA linearly (p < .05) and tended to increase (p = .098) the concentration of C18:2cis linearly. However, the concentrations of C16:0 and C16:1 FA decreased linearly with increasing doses of BCS in the diets. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of BCS at 20 g/kg diet may improve slaughter body weight, beneficial FA concentrations and antioxidant properties of broiler chicken meat.
Evolutionary trends in Tetrastigma (Vitaceae): Morphological diversity and taxonomic implications
Authors: Habib Sadaf , Dang Viet‐Cuong , Ickert‐Bond Stefanie M. , Wen Jun , Chen Zhi‐Duan , Lu Li‐Min
Published: March 2018

Tetrastigma (Miq.) Planch. (Vitaceae) is a genus with ca. 100 species showing great morphological diversity. Previous molecular phylogenetic studies suggested that traditional classification systems are not consistent with the molecular phylogeny, and Tetrastigma is undergoing further systematic investigation. We traced the evolutionary trends of 20 morphological characters within a robust phylogenetic framework. Our results revealed that many morphological characters show either multiple transitions or few state changes, however, some characters show distinct variation. The two subgenera in Tetrastigma (subgen. Tetrastigma and subgen. Palmicirrata) based on unbranched/bifurcate versus digitately branched tendrils are not supported because subgen. Tetrastigma is paraphyletic. However, the unbranched versus bifurcate/digitately branched tendril is of taxonomic utility to characterize some of the major clades. Inflorescences in Tetrastigma appear axillary, but are leaf‐opposed on a compressed axillary shoot. We found most of the species in Tetrastigma retained the ancestral compound dichasial inflorescence, except those of clade IV that have derived pseudo‐umbellate inflorescences. Other characters including habit, leaf organization, and berry shape provide additional morphological support for the major clades. Our morphological analysis and recent molecular study suggest each of the five major clades within Tetrastigma be treated as distinct taxonomic sections (five sections in the genus).
Complement system activation in obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Horvath Peter , Tarnoki David L. , Tarnoki Adam D. , Karlinger Kinga , Lazar Zsofia , Losonczy Gyorgy , Kunos Laszlo , Bikov Andras
Published: March 2018

The complement system may play a role in the systemic inflammation characterising obstructive sleep apnea; however, this has not been investigated before. We aimed to study the involvement of effector complement elements in obstructive sleep apnea, namely C3a, C5a and SC5b‐9. Venous blood was collected in 50 patients with obstructive sleep apnea and 26 control subjects in the evening and the following morning. Plasma complement proteins were analysed with ELISA. Complement factor levels were compared between the two groups and correlated with clinical variables. Plasma C3a concentration was elevated in obstructive sleep apnea both in the evening (84.1 [0–338.5] ng ml−1) and in the morning (85.5 [0–247.8] ng ml−1) compared with controls (30.3 [0–176.8] ng ml−1 and 36.3 [0–167.1] ng ml−1, evening and morning, respectively, both p < 0.05). On the contrary, C5a and SC5b‐9 levels were comparable between patients and controls at each time point (p > 0.05). There was no change in complement factors from evening to morning in either group (p > 0.05), except for C5a that decreased from evening to morning in obstructive sleep apnea (from 11.6 [1.6–47.4] ng ml−1 to 9.3 [0–46.4] ng ml−1, p = 0.01). Elevated C3a levels were directly related to obstructive sleep apnea severity, and were significantly associated with male gender, weight, body mass index, hypertension, high C‐reactive protein and low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05). The complement system is activated in obstructive sleep apnea, which is correlated with disease severity. Our findings highlight the potential role of complement system in the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea, thus facilitating further research.
Treatment efficiency and stability of skeletal Class III malocclusion with a surgery‐first approach
Authors: Lian Y. K. , Hsieh A. M. C. , Tsai M. S. , Jiang H. R. , Yen C. Y. , Hsia Y. J. , Lee S. Y.
Published: March 2018

Structured Abstract

Objectives

To compare treatment duration in skeletal Class III malocclusion patients managed with a 2‐step treatment (surgery‐first approach, SFA) and conventional 3‐step treatment, and to compare stability of surgical outcomes between segmentation and non‐segmentation in the 2‐step treatment group.

Setting and Sample Population

The sample population consisted of 37 patients who completed orthognathic surgery (OGS) and orthodontic correction at the Charm Aesthetic Surgery Clinic (Taipei, Taiwan) between 2012 and 2015. Of these, 26 received 2‐step treatment and 11 received 3‐step treatment.

Materials and Methods

To compare treatment efficiency and stability, three time points were analysed: T0, before treatment (before OGS in the 2‐step group and before orthodontic treatment in the 3‐step group); T1, after OGS but before orthodontic correction (cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was obtained within 2 weeks of OGS); and T2, after orthodontic correction (CBCT was obtained on the day of bracket removal). The post‐OGS (T1) CBCT items were individually superimposed on the pre‐treatment (T0) CBCT items to determine the distance of B point migration.

Results

A significant difference was found in treatment times between 2‐step treatment and conventional 3‐step treatment. In addition, no significant difference was found when comparing B‐X (mm) and B‐Y (mm) at T2‐T1 for the segmentation and non‐segmentation groups.

Conclusions

Using SFA for skeletal Class III malocclusions saves approximately 6 months of treatment time over 3‐step treatment; the stability of the segmentation group was comparable to that of the non‐segmentation group, a result that is possibly associated with the fixation of 2 miniplates.
Simplified procedures to treat periodontal intraosseous defects in esthetic areas
Authors: Trombelli Leonardo , Simonelli Anna , Minenna Luigi , Vecchiatini Renata , Farina Roberto
Published: March 2018

Successful treatment of deep intraosseous defects in esthetic areas implies clinical improvement of the lesion consistent with long‐term tooth survival as well as the preservation (or improvement) of esthetics. It is hoped that such treatment end points may be reached through procedures (which we have termed as ‘simplified’) that, on the one hand can be easily and successfully applied by the majority of clinicians, and, on the other hand, are well tolerated by patients in terms of postsurgical pain and discomfort, adverse events and cost. In this review, we describe the technical aspects of the simplified procedures currently available (i.e. nonsurgical therapy and the single flap approach and its variants). Also, we analyze the effect of such procedures on clinical parameters and patient‐centered outcomes. While nonsurgical therapy seems to be appropriate per se in lesions with a probing depth of < 7 mm and a limited intraosseous component, severe intraosseous defects can be successfully treated using simplified surgical procedures. Overall, data support the effectiveness of simplified surgical procedures and indicate that they result in minimal esthetic impairment (i.e. post‐treatment recession) and a more tolerable postoperative course when compared with conventional surgical (double flap) approaches. In particular, the single flap approach was shown to be at least as effective as traditional papilla‐preservation techniques when evaluated either as a stand‐alone protocol or in combination with regenerative devices. Bioactive agents have shown the most appropriate regenerative technology when used in association with simplified surgical procedures.
Nuclear parameters and chromatin remodeling in epithelial cells and lymphocytes from the palpebral conjunctiva of dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca
Authors: dos Santos Daniela Moura , Aldrovani Marcela , Filezio Marcella Rosa , Abreu Thais Guimarães Morato , Balthazar da Silveira Camila Pinho , Cruz Nathan Rocha das Neves , Laus José Luiz
Published: March 2018

Objective

To study parameters related to nuclear morphology and chromatin remodeling in epithelial cells and lymphocytes from the inferior palpebral conjunctiva of dogs with and without keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS).

Animals studied

Thirty‐two dogs (64 eyes) were included in the study. Based on the tear production measured by Schirmer tear test 1, the dogs were distributed into control and KCS groups.

Procedures

Epithelial cells and lymphocytes were collected by conjunctival brush cytology, fixed on glass slides, and subjected to the Feulgen reaction, a topochemical method specific for DNA/chromatin. Feulgen‐stained cells were studied by microscopy and video image analysis to establish nuclear size (area and perimeter) and shape (relative nuclear roundness factor = RNRF), DNA content (ploidy), and compaction and texture of chromatin.

Results

Conjunctival samples in the KCS group showed infiltration of inflammatory and immune cells. Micronuclei, snake‐like chromatin, aberrant chromosomes, and goblet cells were not detected. Compared with the controls, cells on the conjunctival surface of dogs with KCS showed altered nuclei. Conjunctival epithelial cells were more affected by KCS (changes in nuclear size, shape, DNA content, and chromatin compaction) than lymphocytes (changes in chromatin compaction, only). Significant chromatin decompaction was observed in both conjunctival epithelial cells and lymphocytes.

Conclusions

Our results show that KCS promotes chromatin remodeling in epithelial cells and lymphocytes on the conjunctival surface of dogs. The changes described in this study are different from those reported for conjunctival cell nuclei of human KCS patients.
ATP increases [Ca2+]iand activates a Ca2+‐dependent Cl−current in rat ventricular fibroblasts
Authors: Hatano Noriyuki , Ohya Susumu , Imaizumi Yuji , Clark Robert B. , Belke Darrell , Giles Wayne R.
Published: March 2018

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Although electrophysiological and biophysical characteristics of heart fibroblasts have been studied in detail, their responses to prominent paracrine agents in the myocardium have not been addressed adequately. Our experiments characterize changes in cellular electrophysiology and intracellular calcium in response to ATP.

What is the main finding and its importance?

In rat ventricular fibroblasts maintained in cell culture, we find that ATP activates a specific subset of Ca2+‐activated Cl−channels as a consequence of binding to P2Y purinoceptors and then activating phospholipase C. This response is not dependent on [Ca2+]obut requires an increase in [Ca2+]iand is modulated by the type of nucleotide that is the purinergic agonist.

Effects of ATP on enzymatically isolated rat ventricular fibroblasts maintained in short‐term (36–72 h) cell culture were examined. Immunocytochemical staining of these cells revealed that a fibroblast, as opposed to a myofibroblast, phenotype was predominant. ATP, ADP or uridine 5′‐triphosphate (UTP) all produced large increases in [Ca2+]i. Voltage‐clamp studies (amphotericin‐perforated patch) showed that ATP (1–100 μm) activated an outwardly rectifying current, with a reversal potential very close to the Nernst potential for Cl−. In contrast, ADP was much less effective, and UTP produced no detectable current. The non‐selective Cl−channel blockers niflumic acid, DIDS and NPPB (each at 100 μm), blocked the responses to 100 μmATP. An agonist for P2Y purinoceptors, 2‐MTATP, activated a very similar outwardly rectifying C1−current. The P2Y receptor antagonists, suramin and PPADS (100 μmeach), significantly inhibited the Cl−current produced by 100 μmATP. ATP was able to activate this Cl−current when [Ca2+]owas removed, but not when [Ca2+]iwas buffered with BAPTA‐AM. In the presence of the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122, this Cl−current could not be activated. PCR analysis revealed strong signals for a number of P2Y purinoceptors and for the Ca2+‐activated Cl−channel, TMEM16F (also denoted ANO6). In summary, these results demonstrate that activation of P2Y receptors by ATP causes a phospholipase C‐dependent increase in [Ca2+]i, followed by activation of a Ca2+‐dependent Cl−current in rat ventricular fibroblasts.
REVIEWS OF ACOUSTICAL PATENTS
Authors: Fulop Sean A. , Rice Lloyd
Published: March 2018

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. Printed copies of United States Patents may be ordered at $3.00 each from the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, Washington, DC 20231. Patents are available via the Internet at http://www.uspto.gov.
Restraining immunity could lower high blood pressure
Authors: Leslie Mitch
Published: March 2018

Researchers hope to launch clinical trial of new strategy.
Better atomic clocks herald new era of timekeeping
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: March 2018

Metrologists move to redefine the second with a visible light standard that would boost accuracy by a factor of 100.
Cosmic dawn signal holds clue to dark matter
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: March 2018

Microwaves from the big bang probe primordial gas clouds as the first stars turn on.
Bending to the water's will
Authors: Cornwall Warren
Published: March 2018

In flood-prone Bangladesh, resilience can mean letting water have its way.
Observation of fractional Chern insulators in a van der Waals heterostructure
Authors: Spanton Eric M. , Zibrov Alexander A. , Zhou Haoxin , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Zaletel Michael P. , Young Andrea F.
Published: March 2018

Beyond fractional quantum Hall

Unlike most electronic topological phenomena, the fractional quantum Hall effect requires correlations among electrons. Spanton
et al.
describe a class of related but even more unusual states, the fractional Chern insulators (see the Perspective by Repellin and Regnault). They observed these states in samples of bilayer graphene, where one of the graphene layers was misaligned by a small angle with respect to an adjoining layer of hexagonal boron nitride. The misalignment created a superlattice potential and topologically nontrivial bands, which had a fractional filling, thanks to strong electronic interactions. The findings expand the class of correlated topological states, which have been predicted to harbor exotic excitations.

Science
, this issue p.
62
; see also p.
31
Accurate computational design of multipass transmembrane proteins
Authors: Lu Peilong , Min Duyoung , DiMaio Frank , Wei Kathy Y. , Vahey Michael D. , Boyken Scott E. , Chen Zibo , Fallas Jorge A. , Ueda George , Sheffler William , Mulligan Vikram Khipple , Xu Wenqing , Bowie James U. , Baker David
Published: March 2018

Membrane protein oligomers by design

In recent years, soluble protein design has achieved successes such as artificial enzymes and large protein cages. Membrane proteins present a considerable design challenge, but here too there have been advances, including the design of a zinc-transporting tetramer. Lu
et al.
report the design of stable transmembrane monomers, homodimers, trimers, and tetramers with up to eight membrane-spanning regions in an oligomer. The designed proteins adopted the target oligomerization state and localized to the predicted cellular membranes, and crystal structures of the designed dimer and tetramer reflected the design models.

Science
, this issue p.
1042
Microbial warfare against viruses
Authors: Kim Jin-Soo
Published: March 2018

Many new antiviral defense systems are found in bacteria and archaea
Spotlight on origami robots
Authors: Rus Daniela , Sung Cynthia
Published: March 2018

Origami robots promise a future with increased customizability and adaptability in autonomous machines.
Acylhydrazones as Antifungal Agents Targeting the Synthesis of Fungal Sphingolipids
Authors: Lazzarini Cristina , Haranahalli Krupanandan , Rieger Robert , Ananthula Hari Krishna , Desai Pankaj B. , Ashbaugh Alan , Linke Michael J. , Cushion Melanie T. , Ruzsicska Bela , Haley John , Ojima Iwao , Del Poeta Maurizio
Published: March 2018

The incidence of invasive fungal infections has risen dramatically in recent decades. Current antifungal drugs are either toxic, likely to interact with other drugs, have a narrow spectrum of activity, or induce fungal resistance. Hence, there is a great need for new antifungals, possibly with novel mechanisms of action. Previously our group reported an acylhydrazone called BHBM that targeted the sphingolipid pathway and showed strong antifungal activity against several fungi. In this study, we screened 19 derivatives of BHBM. Three out of 19 derivatives were highly active against
Cryptococcus neoformans
in vitro
and had low toxicity in mammalian cells. In particular, one of them, called D13, had a high selectivity index and showed better activity in an animal model of cryptococcosis, candidiasis, and pulmonary aspergillosis. D13 also displayed suitable pharmacokinetic properties and was able to pass through the blood-brain barrier. These results suggest that acylhydrazones are promising molecules for the research and development of new antifungal agents.
P174E Substitution in GES-1 and GES-5 β-Lactamases Improves Catalytic Efficiency toward Carbapenems
Authors: Piccirilli Alessandra , Mercuri Paola Sandra , Galleni Moreno , Aschi Massimiliano , Matagne André , Amicosante Gianfranco , Perilli Mariagrazia
Published: March 2018

GES-type β-lactamases are a group of enzymes that have evolved their hydrolytic activity against carbapenems. In this study, the role of residue 174 inside the Ω-loop of GES-1 and GES-5 was investigated. GES-1
P174E
and GES-5
P174E
mutants, selected by site saturation mutagenesis, were purified and kinetically characterized. In comparison with GES-1 and GES-5 wild-type enzymes, GES-1
P174E
and GES-5
P174E
mutants exhibited lower
k
cat
and
k
cat
/

K
m

values for cephalosporins and penicillins. Concerning carbapenems, GES-1
P174E
shared higher
k
cat
values but lower

K
m

values than those calculated for GES-1. The GES-1
P174E
and GES-5
P174E
mutants showed high hydrolytic efficiency for imipenem, with
k
cat
/

K
m

values 100- and 660-fold higher, respectively, than those of GES-1. Clavulanic acid and tazobactam are good inhibitors for both GES-1
P174E
and GES-5
P174E
. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations carried out for GES-1, GES-5, GES-1
P174E
, and GES-5
P174E
complexed with imipenem and meropenem have shown that mutation at position 174 induces a drastic increase of enzyme flexibility, in particular in the Ω-loop. The circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy spectra of the four enzymes indicate that the P174E substitution in GES-1 and GES-5 does not affect the secondary structural content of the enzymes.
Two
rsaM
Homologues Encode Central Regulatory Elements Modulating Quorum Sensing in Burkholderia thailandensis
Authors: Le Guillouzer Servane , Groleau Marie-Christine , Déziel Eric
Published: March 2018

The bacterium
Burkholderia thailandensis
possesses three
N
-acyl-
l
-homoserine lactone (AHL) quorum sensing (QS) systems designated BtaI1/BtaR1 (QS-1), BtaI2/BtaR2 (QS-2), and BtaI3/BtaR3 (QS-3). These QS systems are associated with the biosynthesis of
N
-octanoyl-homoserine lactone (C
8
-HSL),
N
-3-hydroxy-decanoyl-homoserine lactone (3OHC
10
-HSL), and
N
-3-hydroxy-octanoyl-homoserine lactone (3OHC
8
-HSL), which are produced by the LuxI-type synthases BtaI1, BtaI2, and BtaI3 and modulated by the LuxR-type transcriptional regulators BtaR1, BtaR2, and BtaR3. The
btaR1-btaI1
and
btaR2-btaI2
gene clusters each carry an additional gene encoding a homologue of the QS repressor RsaM originally identified in the phytopathogen
Pseudomonas fuscovaginae
and thus here named
rsaM1
and
rsaM2
, respectively. We have characterized the functions of these two conserved
rsaM
homologues and demonstrated their involvement in the regulation of AHL biosynthesis in
B. thailandensis
strain E264. We quantified the production of C
8
-HSL, 3OHC
10
-HSL, and 3OHC
8
-HSL by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the wild-type strain and in the
rsaM1
and
rsaM2
mutants, and we monitored
btaI1
,
btaI2
, and
btaI3
expression using chromosomal mini-CTX-
lux
transcriptional reporters. The transcription of
btaR1
,
btaR2
, and
btaR3
was also measured by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). We observed that RsaM1 mainly represses the QS-1 system, whereas RsaM2 principally represses the QS-2 system. We also found that both
rsaM1
and
rsaM2
are QS controlled and negatively autoregulated. We conclude that RsaM1 and RsaM2 are an integral part of the QS circuitry of
B. thailandensis
and play a major role in the hierarchical and homeostatic organization of the QS-1, QS-2, and QS-3 systems.

IMPORTANCE
Quorum sensing (QS) is commonly involved in the coordination of gene transcription associated with the establishment of host-pathogen interactions and acclimatization to the environment. We present the functional characterization of two
rsaM
homologues in the regulation of the multiple QS systems coexisting in the nonpathogenic bacterium
Burkholderia thailandensis
, which is widely used as a model system for the study of the human pathogen
Burkholderia pseudomallei
. We found that inactivation of these
rsaM
homologues, which are clustered with the other QS genes, profoundly affects the QS circuitry of
B. thailandensis
. We conclude that they constitute essential regulatory components of the QS modulatory network and provide additional layers of regulation to modulate the transcription of QS-controlled genes, particularly those linked to environmental adaptation.
A Bacterial Microcompartment Is Used for Choline Fermentation by Escherichia coli 536
Authors: Herring Taylor I. , Harris Tiffany N. , Chowdhury Chiranjit , Mohanty Sujit Kumar , Bobik Thomas A.
Published: March 2018

Bacterial choline degradation in the human gut has been associated with cancer and heart disease. In addition, recent studies found that a bacterial microcompartment is involved in choline utilization byProteusandDesulfovibriospecies. However, many aspects of this process have not been fully defined. Here, we investigate choline degradation by the uropathogenEscherichia coli536. Growth studies indicatedE. coli536 degrades choline primarily by fermentation. Electron microscopy indicated that a bacterial microcompartment was used for this process. Bioinformatic analyses suggested that the choline utilization (cut) gene cluster ofE. coli536 includes two operons, one containing three genes and a main operon of 13 genes. Regulatory studies indicate that thecutXgene encodes a positive transcriptional regulator required for induction of the maincutoperon in response to choline supplementation. Each of the 16 genes in thecutcluster was individually deleted, and phenotypes were examined. ThecutX,cutY,cutF,cutO,cutC,cutD,cutU, andcutVgenes were required for choline degradation, but the remaining genes of thecutcluster were not essential under the conditions used. The reasons for these varied phenotypes are discussed.

IMPORTANCEHere, we investigate choline degradation inE. coli536. These studies provide a basis for understanding a new type of bacterial microcompartment and may provide deeper insight into the link between choline degradation in the human gut and cancer and heart disease. These are also the first studies of choline degradation inE. coli536, an organism for which sophisticated genetic analysis methods are available. In addition, thecutgene cluster ofE. coli536 is located in pathogenicity island II (PAI-II536) and hence might contribute to pathogenesis.
Nucleotide Sequence Database Comparison for Routine Dermatophyte Identification by Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 Genetic Region DNA Barcoding
Authors: Normand A. C. , Packeu A. , Cassagne C. , Hendrickx M. , Ranque S. , Piarroux R.
Published: March 2018

Conventional dermatophyte identification is based on morphological features. However, recent studies have proposed to use the nucleotide sequences of the rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region as an identification barcode of all fungi, including dermatophytes. Several nucleotide databases are available to compare sequences and thus identify isolates; however, these databases often contain mislabeled sequences that impair sequence-based identification. We evaluated five of these databases on a clinical isolate panel. We selected 292 clinical dermatophyte strains that were prospectively subjected to an ITS2 nucleotide sequence analysis. Sequences were analyzed against the databases, and the results were compared to clusters obtained via DNA alignment of sequence segments. The DNA tree served as the identification standard throughout the study. According to the ITS2 sequence identification, the majority of strains (255/292) belonged to the genus
Trichophyton
, mainly
T. rubrum
complex (
n
= 184),
T. interdigitale
(
n
= 40),
T. tonsurans
(
n
= 26), and
T. benhamiae
(
n
= 5). Other genera included
Microsporum
(e.g.,
M. canis
[
n
= 21],
M. audouinii
[
n
= 10],
Nannizzia gypsea
[
n
= 3], and
Epidermophyton
[
n
= 3]). Species-level identification of
T. rubrum
complex isolates was an issue. Overall, ITS DNA sequencing is a reliable tool to identify dermatophyte species given that a comprehensive and correctly labeled database is consulted. Since many inaccurate identification results exist in the DNA databases used for this study, reference databases must be verified frequently and amended in line with the current revisions of fungal taxonomy. Before describing a new species or adding a new DNA reference to the available databases, its position in the phylogenetic tree must be verified.
Validation of a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA Cervical Screening Test That Provides Expanded HPV Typing
Authors: Demarco Maria , Carter-Pokras Olivia , Hyun Noorie , Castle Philip E. , He Xin , Dallal Cher M. , Chen Jie , Gage Julia C. , Befano Brian , Fetterman Barbara , Lorey Thomas , Poitras Nancy , Raine-Bennett Tina R. , Wentzensen Nicolas , Schiffman Mark
Published: March 2018

As cervical cancer screening shifts from cytology to human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, a major question is the clinical value of identifying individual HPV types. We aimed to validate Onclarity (Becton Dickinson Diagnostics, Sparks, MD), a nine-channel HPV test recently approved by the FDA, by assessing (i) the association of Onclarity types/channels with precancer/cancer; (ii) HPV type/channel agreement between the results of Onclarity and cobas (Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, CA), another FDA-approved test; and (iii) Onclarity typing for all types/channels compared to typing results from a research assay (linear array [LA]; Roche). We compared Onclarity to histopathology, cobas, and LA. We tested a stratified random sample (
n
= 9,701) of discarded routine clinical specimens that had tested positive by Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2; Qiagen, Germantown, MD). A subset had already been tested by cobas and LA (
n
= 1,965). Cervical histopathology was ascertained from electronic health records. Hierarchical Onclarity channels showed a significant linear association with histological severity. Onclarity and cobas had excellent agreement on partial typing of HPV16, HPV18, and the other 12 types as a pool (sample-weighted kappa value of 0.83); cobas was slightly more sensitive for HPV18 and slightly less sensitive for the pooled high-risk types. Typing by Onclarity showed excellent agreement with types and groups of types identified by LA (kappa values from 0.80 for HPV39/68/35 to 0.97 for HPV16). Onclarity typing results corresponded well to histopathology and to an already validated HPV DNA test and could provide additional clinical typing if such discrimination is determined to be clinically desirable.
Tunneling Nanotubes as a Novel Route of Cell-to-Cell Spread of Herpesviruses
Authors: Panasiuk Mirosława , Rychłowski Michał , Derewońko Natalia , Bieńkowska-Szewczyk Krystyna
Published: March 2018

Various types of intercellular connections that are essential for communication between cells are often utilized by pathogens. Recently, a new type of cellular connection, consisting of long, thin, actin-rich membrane extensions named tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), has been shown to play an important role in cell-to-cell spread of HIV and influenza virus. In the present report, we show that TNTs are frequently formed by cells infected by an alphaherpesvirus, bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1). Viral proteins, such as envelope glycoprotein E (gE), capsid protein VP26, and tegument protein Us3, as well as cellular organelles (mitochondria) were detected by immunofluorescence and live-cell imaging of nanotubes formed by bovine primary fibroblasts and oropharynx cells (KOP cells). Time-lapse confocal studies of live cells infected with fluorescently labeled viruses showed that viral particles were transmitted via TNTs. This transfer also occurred in the presence of neutralizing antibodies, which prevented free entry of BoHV-1. We conclude that TNT formation contributes to successful cell-to-cell spread of BoHV-1 and demonstrate for the first time the participation of membrane nanotubes in intercellular transfer of a herpesvirus in live cells.

IMPORTANCE
Efficient transmission of viral particles between cells is an important factor in successful infection by herpesviruses. Herpesviruses can spread by the free-entry mode or direct cell-to-cell transfer via cell junctions and long extensions of neuronal cells. In this report, we show for the first time that an alphaherpesvirus can also spread between various types of cells using tunneling nanotubes, intercellular connections that are utilized by HIV and other viruses. Live-cell monitoring revealed that viral transmission occurs between the cells of the same type as well as between epithelial cells and fibroblasts. This newly discovered route of herpesviruses spread may contribute to efficient transmission despite the presence of host immune responses, especially after reactivation from latency that developed after primary infection. Long-range communication provided by TNTs may facilitate the spread of herpesviruses between many tissues and organs of an infected organism.
Children’s toothache is becoming everybody’s business: where do parents go when their children have oral pain in London, England? A cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Muirhead Vanessa Elaine , Quayyum Zahidul , Markey Donal , Weston-Price Sally , Kimber Annette , Rouse Wayne , Pine Cynthia M
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To assess the number of parents who visited community pharmacies in London seeking pain medications for their children’s pain and specifically for oral pain, to identify which health services parents contacted before their pharmacy visit and to estimate the cost to the National Health Service (NHS) when children with oral pain who visit pharmacies also see health professionals outside dentistry.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

1862 pharmacies in London in November 2016–January 2017.

Participants

Parents, carers and adolescents purchasing over-the-counter pain medications or collecting pain prescriptions for children (0–19 years).

Brief intervention

A survey administered by pharmacy staff to participants and a guidance pack.

Main outcome measures

The number of parents who visited pharmacies seeking pain medications for their children’s pain and oral pain and the number of parents who contacted health professionals outside dentistry before their pharmacy visit. Estimated costs of visits by children with oral pain to health professionals outside dentistry.

Results

One in two (951) pharmacies participated collecting information from 6915 parents seeking pain medications for their children. The majority (65%) of parents sought pain medications to relieve their children’s oral pain. Only 30% of children with oral pain had seen a dentist before the pharmacy visit, while 28% of children had seen between one and four different health professionals. The cost to the NHS of children contacting health professionals outside dentistry was £36 573, extrapolated to an annual cost of £373 288. Replicating these findings across all pharmacies in England could mean that the NHS spends an estimated £2.3 million annually when children with oral pain inappropriately use multiple health services.

Conclusion

Most parents who visited pharmacies for children’s pain medications in London sought pain medications for children’s oral pain. Children’s inappropriate contact with multiple health services when they have oral pain adds significant costs to the NHS.
Remission and low disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus: an achievable goal even with fewer steroids? Real-life data from a monocentric cohort
Authors: Tani Chiara , Vagelli Roberta , Stagnaro Chiara , Carli Linda , Mosca Marta
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To evaluate what proportion of patients fulfil the DORIS definition of remission, the definition of lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) and LLDAS with a glucocorticoid (GC) dosage ≤5 (LLDAS5) in a longitudinal monocentric cohort of patients with SLE; to identify predictors of sustained remission and LLDAS attainment; to evaluate the effect of sustained remission and LLDAS on damage accrual over a period of 5 years and compare the two conditions in terms of clinical outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of data prospectively collected from patients with SLE followed from 2012 to 2016.

Results

115 patients were included in this analysis. At baseline, 72% of patients were on LLDAS and almost all patients also fulfilled the LLDAS5 definition; 45% of patients were in remission on treatment, 12% were in remission off treatment, 26% were in complete remission on treatment, 2% were in complete remission off treatment. Disease activity at baseline was the strongest predictor of subsequent LLDAS and remission; the presence of joint and cutaneous manifestations was associated with a minor likelihood to achieve LLDAS or remission during follow-up.

Patients in remission and LLDAS for the whole follow-up period accrued significantly less organ damage; on the contrary, patients who maintained all kinds of remissions or LLDAS for less than 50% of the time did not show any differences in damage accrual with respect to the rest of the cohort.

Conclusion

Remission and LLDAS, even with reduced GC use, are an achievable goal in clinical practice; sustained LLDAS and remission are both associated with reduced damage accrual.
Lesbian motherhood and mitochondrial replacement techniques: reproductive freedom and genetic kinship
Authors: Cavaliere Giulia , Palacios-González César
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we argue that lesbian couples who wish to have children who are genetically related to both of them should be allowed access to mitochondrial replacement techniques (MRTs). First, we provide a brief explanation of mitochondrial diseases and MRTs. We then present the reasons why MRTs are not, by nature, therapeutic. The upshot of the view that MRTs are non-therapeutic techniques is that their therapeutic potential cannot be invoked for restricting their use only to those cases where a mitochondrial DNA disease could be ‘cured’. We then argue that a positive case for MRTs is justified by an appeal to reproductive freedom, and that the criteria to access these techniques should hence be extended to include lesbian couples who wish to share genetic parenthood. Finally, we consider a potential objection to our argument: that the desire to have genetically related kin is not a morally sufficient reason to allow lesbian couples to access MRTs.
Determining resolution of Angiostrongylus vasorum in dogs following anthelmintic treatment with an imidacloprid 10 per cent/moxidectin 2.5 per cent spot‐on
Authors: Bird Louise Elizabeth , Bilbrough Graham , Fitzgerald Ronan , Walker David John
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To determine the time from treatment with a product containing imidacloprid 10 per cent/moxidectin 2.5 per cent spot‐on (Advocate™), to dogs becoming negative for Angiostrongylus vasorum (A. vasorum). The authors hypothesised that most dogs would have resolution of A. vasorum within four weeks of treatment with Advocate™.

Design

Prospective, non‐randomised, prepost treatment study.

Setting

Cases were enrolled from general practices along the southern coast of the United Kingdom.

Participants

Nine dogs completed the study and were enrolled if A. vasorum had been diagnosed based on a positive commercially available, in‐clinic, serological A. vasorum antigen test (Angio Detect®) or Baermann performed at an external laboratory or both.

Interventions

The only treatment A. vasorum‐positive dogs received was Advocate™ which was applied at the time of diagnosis and reapplied if necessary at four‐weekly intervals until dogs tested negative by Angio Detect.

Primary outcome measures

Angio Detect® was performed and Advocate™ was reapplied at four‐weekly intervals until dogs tested negative by this method.

Secondary outcome measures

Baermann was also performed at four‐weekly intervals until dogs tested negative by this method.

Results

Application of Advocate™ was an effective treatment for A. vasorum infection in dogs and resulted in resolution of the infection, based on Angio Detect® testing and Baermann, within four weeks, in eight out of nine dogs. Post‐treatment Angio Detect® testing was concordant with Baermann in seven of nine dogs.

Conclusions

Application of Advocate™ was an effective treatment for A. vasorum infection in dogs and resulted in resolution of the infection within four weeks in most dogs. Repeat Angio Detect® testing is recommended following treatment of A. vasorum to confirm resolution of the infection.
Transit analysis of the exoplanet host Kepler-485
Authors: Püsküllü Çağlar , Soydugan Faruk
Published: March 2018

In this study, we present solutions of the transit light curves of the recently discovered exoplanet Kepler-485b observed by the Kepler space telescope. To obtain stellar, planetary, and orbital properties, WINFITTER code was applied to transit light curve data, which are available at the NASA Exoplanet Archive (NEA).
General structure of democratic mass matrix of lepton sector in E6 model
Authors: Çiftçi A.K. , Çiftçi R.
Published: March 2018

An extension of the Standard Model (SM) fermion sector, which is inspired by the E6 grand unified theory model, may be a good candidate to explain a number of unanswered questions in SM. Existence of the E6 leptons may explain great mass difference of charged and neutral leptons. Also, democracy on mass matrix elements is a natural approach in SM. In this study, we have given general structure of democratic mass matrix of lepton sector in E6 model.
Model of a Frame of Dynamic Routing and Its Equilibrium
Authors: Zhang Shu , Yuan Yuan , Xu Jian
Published: March 2018

Dynamic routing algorithm based on the shortest path principle is criticized due to the oscillation induced by such routing scheme. In the present work, we propose the model of TCP/RED algorithm by a new frame of dynamic routing, based on the measurement of occupation ratio of router buffer for different links, which only requires the information of the queue size at the buffer of the router, to stabilize the system. We classify several types of equilibrium and employ the numerical method to study the stability of the steady state. Our numerical results show that the careful selection of the parameters characterizing the dynamic routing algorithm can stabilize the system in some cases.
The theory of spherically symmetric thin shells in conformal gravity
Authors: Berezin Victor , Dokuchaev Vyacheslav , Eroshenko Yury
Published: March 2018

The spherically symmetric thin shells are the nearest generalizations of the point-like particles. Moreover, they serve as the simple sources of the gravitational fields both in General Relativity and much more complex quadratic gravity theories. We are interested in the special and physically important case when all the quadratic in curvature tensor (Riemann tensor) and its contractions (Ricci tensor and scalar curvature) terms are present in the form of the square of Weyl tensor. By definition, the energy–momentum tensor of the thin shell is proportional to Diracs delta-function. We constructed the theory of the spherically symmetric thin shells for three types of gravitational theories with the shell: (1) General Relativity; (2) Pure conformal (Weyl) gravity where the gravitational part of the total Lagrangian is just the square of the Weyl tensor; (3) Weyl–Einstein gravity. The results are compared with these in General Relativity (Israel equations). We considered in detail the shells immersed in the vacuum. Some peculiar properties of such shells are found. In particular, for the traceless ([Formula: see text] massless) shell, it is shown that their dynamics cannot be derived from the matching conditions and, thus, is completely arbitrary. On the contrary, in the case of the Weyl–Einstein gravity, the trajectory of the same type of shell is completely restored even without knowledge of the outside solution.
Probes for dark matter physics
Authors: Khlopov Maxim Yu.
Published: March 2018

The existence of cosmological dark matter is in the bedrock of the modern cosmology. The dark matter is assumed to be nonbaryonic and consists of new stable particles. Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) miracle appeals to search for neutral stable weakly interacting particles in underground experiments by their nuclear recoil and at colliders by missing energy and momentum, which they carry out. However, the lack of WIMP effects in their direct underground searches and at colliders can appeal to other forms of dark matter candidates. These candidates may be weakly interacting slim particles, superweakly interacting particles, or composite dark matter, in which new particles are bound. Their existence should lead to cosmological effects that can find probes in the astrophysical data. However, if composite dark matter contains stable electrically charged leptons and quarks bound by ordinary Coulomb interaction in elusive dark atoms, these charged constituents of dark atoms can be the subject of direct experimental test at the colliders. The models, predicting stable particles with charge [Formula: see text] without stable particles with charges [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] can avoid severe constraints on anomalous isotopes of light elements and provide solution for the puzzles of dark matter searches. In such models, the excessive [Formula: see text] charged particles are bound with primordial helium in O-helium atoms, maintaining specific nuclear-interacting form of the dark matter. The successful development of composite dark matter scenarios appeals for experimental search for doubly charged constituents of dark atoms, making experimental search for exotic stable double charged particles experimentum crucis for dark atoms of composite dark matter.
Analysis of charged compact stars in modified gravity
Authors: Shamir M. Farasat , Zia Saeeda
Published: March 2018

Current study highlights the physical characteristics of charged anisotropic compact stars by exploring some exact solutions of modified field equations in [Formula: see text] gravity. A comprehensive analysis is performed from the obtained solutions regarding stability, energy conditions, regularity, sound velocity and compactness. These solutions can be referred to model the compact celestial entities. In particular, a compact star named, [Formula: see text] has been modeled which indicates that current solution fits and is in conformity to the observational data as well. A useful and interesting fact from this model arises that relative difference between two forces of anisotropic pressure and electromagnetic force may occur inside the aforementioned compact star. This is another mechanism which is essential for stability of the compact object and prevent stellar object to annihilate.
Application of multireference linearized coupled-cluster theory to atomic and molecular systems
Authors: Yi Jiang , Chen Feiwu
Published: March 2018

Applications of the multireference linearized coupled-cluster single-doubles (MRLCCSD) to atomic and molecular systems have been carried out. MRLCCSD is exploited to calculate the ground-state energies of HF, H2O, NH3, CH4, N2, BF, and C2with basis sets, cc-pVDZ, cc-pVTZ and cc-pVQZ. The equilibrium bond lengths and vibration frequencies of HF, HCl, Li2, LiH, LiF, LiBr, BH, and AlF are computed with MRLCCSD and compared with the experimental data. The electron affinities of F and CH as well as the proton affinities of H2O and NH3are also calculated with MRLCCSD. These results are compared with the results produced with second-order perturbation theory, linearized coupled-cluster doubles (LCCD), coupled-cluster doubles (CCD), coupled-cluster singles and doubles (CCSD), CCSD with perturbative triples correction (CCSD(T)). It is shown that all results obtained with MRLCCSD are reliable and accurate.
Koiter’s Reduction Finite Element Method for Nonlinear Stability Analysis of Thin-Walled Shells
Authors: Liang Ke , Sun Qin
Published: March 2018

Thin-walled structures are widely used in aeronautical and aerospace engineering. Conical and cylindrical shells structures, under axial compression, are prone to failure by buckling and typically show a snap-back phenomenon in the end-shortening curve. Path-following technologies based on Newton-type methods have difficulties to trace reliably the snap-back response due to the extremely sharp turning angle near the limit point. In this paper, a Koiter’s reduction finite element method, termed the Koiter–Newton (KN) method, is presented to trace reliably the post-buckling path of cylinders and cones considering either linear buckling modes or dimples from lateral perturbation loads as geometric imperfection. A robust algorithm based on the bifurcation-detection technique is applied during the solution of the reduced order model to achieve a successful path-tracing. The numerical results presented reveal that the nonlinear prediction obtained from Koiter’s perturbation theory at the unloaded state of the structure is numerically accurate up to the buckling load and the initial post-buckling path.