bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbial diseases of travel
Authors: Kurtböke İpek , Bowater Laura
Published: April 2020

The November 2016 special issue of the Microbiology Australia is the first joint one with the Microbiology Society of the UK. Deciding on an appropriate theme for this issue, the 'Microbial Diseases of Travel' was a relatively straightforward task and a direct 'fallout' from the geographical distance that separates our two societies. In the recorded history of mankind, travel has been one of the most effective means of disseminating infectious diseases throughout and among different populations. Explorers carried with them, many infectious agents such as influenza, measles, small pox, typhus and yellow fewer resulting in devastating consequences for the indigenous populations that they encountered on their travels. Nowadays, with the current explosive rates and speed of travel the consequences of carrying infectious agents continue to be significantly detrimental to human, animal and crop populations even with our understanding of effective public health measures. Exposure to disease causing agents carried on wild animals can also be a potent force in the emergence of disease on travellers' return to their home country. In addition, migratory animals and birds can bring disease into far away countries as illustrated by the avian influenza.
Global surveillance and response to the threat posed by infectious diseases
Authors: Johnson Alan P. , Freedman Joanne
Published: April 2020

The international spread of infectious disease has long been recognised. As early as the 14th century, even though the microbial aetiology of communicable diseases was not understood, international travellers were kept in quarantine to prevent the spread of diseases such as the plague. In modern times, the ready availability of international air travel and other forms of rapid transport has made containing the spread of disease even more of a challenge.
Chytridiomycosis as a cause of global amphibian declines
Authors: Burns Thomas J. , Greener Mark S. , Hoskisson Paul A.
Published: April 2020

Amphibians are remarkable creatures that have inhabited the Earth for over 350 million years, and exhibit some of the most amazing and diverse life histories. The planet is home to around 7,500 species of amphibian, which occupy an extraordinary number of ecological niches. They are often viewed as indicators of environmental health by ecologists due to their reliance on both aquatic and terrestrial environments to complete their lifecycles. Furthermore, their thin and highly sensitive skin, where much of their respiration occurs, makes them highly susceptible to environmental toxins, disease and radiation.
Cracking the genetic code of our cities: researchers around the world aim to map the urban genome
Authors: Ahsanuddin Sofia , Afshinnekoo Ebrahim , Mason Christopher E.
Published: April 2020

It is rare to say that one has lived through a revolution, but we are all living through one right now. High-throughput sequencing technologies have become cheaper and more cost-effective over the past decade, moving even faster than Moore’s Law for computer power (doubling every 18 months). Because sequencers are modern-day 'molecular microscopes', scientists believe that we are currently experiencing a scientific revolution similar to the one sparked by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek’s invention of the world’s first light microscope in the 17th century.
Globalisation of antibiotic resistance
Authors: Livermore David M.
Published: April 2020

Travel always spreads disease. Bubonic plague reached Turkey in 1347 via the Silk Road, following an outbreak in 1330s China. By 1348, it raged in Italy, shadowing the gaiety of Boccaccio’s Decameron. By 1351, half of Europe lay in plague pits. One hundred and fifty years later, the conquistadors took smallpox to the Americas, decimating local populations. They returned – many believe – with syphilis, which ‘enjoyed’ its first European outbreak in 1495 among Charles VIII’s army, then besieging Naples. The French called it the ‘Neapolitan disease’ and carried it home. In England, it became the ‘French pox’ and in Tahiti, the ‘British disease’, imported by the Royal Navy.
Arboviruses
Authors: Smith David W
Published: April 2020

Arboviruses are established as important causes of human and animal disease within Australia, as well as being high on the list of important emerging and exotic risk to Australia. They have been an integral part of the Australian ecological environment and evolved with it, adapting to our environment, to our arthropods, to our birds and to our mammals.
Vertical Transmission
Authors: Lyras Dena
Published: April 2020

I will begin this Vertical Transmission by highlighting the links between the ASM National Executive and our State branches, and the steps we are taking to strengthen interactions between these important ASM groups.
Bacteriophages
Authors: Kurtböke İpek , Chanishvili Nina , Barr Jeremy J
Published: April 2020

In order to avoid a return to the pre-antibiotic era, alternative treatments to combat microbial diseases are urgently needed. In this context, bacteriophages, which have been used effectively in distant parts of the world during the cold war era, are now gaining significant interest in the West. This special issue of the Microbiology Australia thus focusses on bacteriophages with contributions from Australia and from the members of the Expert round table on acceptance and re-implementation of bacteriophage therapy.
Vertical Transmission
Authors: Lyras Dena
Published: April 2020

As we begin 2020, Microbiology is dominating the news with the emergence and rapid dissemination of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The impact of COVID-19 on public health, with significant financial, logistical and social repercussions, has quickly become apparent. As microbiologists we have an important role to play during this time because we can use our knowledge, expertise and experience to educate the community around us, and to reduce the panic that results from fear and misinformation. It is also critical that we ensure that racial groups are not stigmatised because of an infectious disease. A co-ordinated global effort is required to tackle this new infectious threat, and we are an important local part of this effort. It is also important to develop strategies that can be deployed when the next threat emerges, as it surely will.
Bacterial flagellar motor PL-ring disassembly subcomplexes are widespread and ancient
Authors: Kaplan Mohammed , Sweredoski Michael J. , Rodrigues João P. G. L. M. , Tocheva Elitza I. , Chang Yi-Wei , Ortega Davi R. , Beeby Morgan , Jensen Grant J.
Published: April 2020

Significance

In order to understand the evolution of complex biological machines like the bacterial flagellar motor, it is crucial to know what each component does and when it arose. Here, we show that a subcomplex of the motor thought to act as a bushing for the spinning motor likely also serves another function—it plugs the hole in the outer membrane left when the flagellum disassembles. Moreover, this component and function is ancient, since it appears in diverse phyla without evidence of recent gene transfer.
Computational design of probes to detect bacterial genomes by multivalent binding
Authors: Curk Tine , Brackley Chris A. , Farrell James D. , Xing Zhongyang , Joshi Darshana , Direito Susana , Bren Urban , Angioletti-Uberti Stefano , Dobnikar Jure , Eiser Erika , Frenkel Daan , Allen Rosalind J.
Published: April 2020

Rapid methods for diagnosis of bacterial infections are urgently needed to reduce inappropriate use of antibiotics, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance. In many rapid diagnostic methods, DNA oligonucleotide probes, attached to a surface, bind to specific nucleotide sequences in the DNA of a target pathogen. Typically, each probe binds to a single target sequence; i.e., target–probe binding is monovalent. Here we show using computer simulations that the detection sensitivity and specificity can be improved by designing probes that bind multivalently to the entire length of the pathogen genomic DNA, such that a given probe binds to multiple sites along the target DNA. Our results suggest that multivalent targeting of long pieces of genomic DNA can allow highly sensitive and selective binding of the target DNA, even if competing DNA in the sample also contains binding sites for the same probe sequences. Our results are robust to mild fragmentation of the bacterial genome. Our conclusions may also be relevant for DNA detection in other fields, such as disease diagnostics more broadly, environmental management, and food safety.
Discharge and flow characterizations of the double-side sliding discharge plasma actuator*
Authors: He Qi-Kun , Liang Hua , Zheng Bo-Rui
Published: April 2020

We investigate the discharge and flow characterizations of a double-side siding discharge plasma actuator driven by different polarities of direct current (DC) voltage. The discharge tests show that sliding discharge and extended discharge are filamentary discharge. The irregular current pulse of sliding discharge fluctuates obviously in the first half cycle, ultimately expands the discharge channel. The instantaneous power and average power consumptions of sliding discharge are larger than those of the extended discharge and dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). The flow characteristics measured by a high-frequency particle-image-velocimetry system together with high-speed schlieren technology show that the opposite jet at the bias DC electrode is induced by sliding discharge, which causes a bulge structure in the discharge channel. The bias DC electrode can deflect the direction of the induced jet, then modifying the properties of the boundary layer. Extended discharge can accelerate the velocity of the starting vortex, improving the horizontal velocity profile by 203%. The momentum growth caused by extended discharge has the largest peak value and the fastest growth rate, compared with sliding discharge and DBD. However, the momentum growth of sliding discharge lasts longer in the whole pulsed cycle, indicating that sliding discharge can also inject more momentum.
Simple and robust method for rapid cooling of 87Rb to quantum degeneracy*
Authors: Wei Chun-Hua , Yan Shu-Hua
Published: April 2020

We demonstrate a simple and fast way to produce 87Rb Bose–Einstein condensates. A digital optical phase lock loop (OPLL) board is introduced to lock and adjust the frequency of the trap laser, which simplifies the optical design and improves the experimental efficiency. We collect atoms in a magneto-optical trap, then compress the cloud and cut off hot atoms by rf knife in a magnetic quadrupole trap. The atom clouds are then transferred into a spatially mode-matched optical dipole trap by lowering the quadrupole field gradient. Our system reliably produces a condensate with 2×106 atoms every 7.5 s. The compact optical design and rapid preparation speed of our system will open the gate for mobile quantum sensing.
Quasi-canonicalization for linear homogeneous nonholonomic systems*
Authors: Wang Yong , Cui Jin-Chao , Chen Ju , Guo Yong-Xin
Published: April 2020

For conservative linear homogeneous nonholonomic systems, there exists a cotangent bundle with the symplectic structure dπμ
∧ dξμ
, in which the motion equations of the system can be written into the form of the canonical equations by the set of quasi-coordinates πμ
and quasi-momenta ξμ
. The key to construct this cotangent bundle is to define a set of suitable quasi-coordinates πμ
by a first-order linear mapping, so that the reduced configuration space of the system is a Riemann space with no torsion. The Hamilton–Jacobi method for linear homogeneous nonholonomic systems is studied as an application of the quasi-canonicalization. The Hamilton–Jacobi method can be applied not only to Chaplygin nonholonomic systems, but also to non-Chaplygin nonholonomic systems. Two examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the quasi-canonicalization and the Hamilton–Jacobi method.
Direct Coulomb explosion of N2O2+ induced by monochromatic extreme ultraviolet photons at 38.5 eV*
Authors: Zhang Min , Najjari B , Hai Bang , Zhao Dong-Mei , Lei Jian-Ting , Dong Da-Pu , Zhang Shao-Feng , Ma Xin-Wen
Published: April 2020

The direct Coulomb explosion of N2O2+ has been investigated experimentally after double-ionization by a single extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photon with an energy of ∼ 38.5 eV. From the ion–ion time-of-flight coincidence spectrum, the de-nitrogenation (N2
O2+
→ N+ + NO+) and de-oxygenation (N2O2+→ O+ + N2
+) photodissociation channels of N2O2+ are unequivocally identified. The measured kinetic energy release (KER) distribution of the de-nitrogenation channel presents a major peak accompanied by a shoulder structure. We find that the major peak can be attributed to the direct photodissociation of the 11Δ and 11Σ+ states, while the shoulder structure should be ascribed to the predissociation of the 11Σ and 11Σ+ states via 13Π state.
Symmetry properties of fluctuations in an actively driven rotor*
Authors: Li He , Yang Xiang , Zhang Hepeng
Published: April 2020

We investigate rotational dynamics of an actively driven rotor through experiments and numerical simulations. While probability density distributions of rotor angular velocity are strongly non-Gaussian, relative probabilities of observing rotation in opposite directions are shown to be linearly related to the angular velocity magnitude. We construct a stochastic model to describe transitions between different states from rotor angular velocity data and use the stochastic model to show that symmetry properties in probability density distributions are related to the detailed fluctuation relation (FR) of entropy productions.
Enhancing clean cooking options in peri-urban Kenya: a pilot study of advanced gasifier stove adoption
Authors: Bailis Rob , Ghosh Emily , O’Connor Margaret , Kwamboka Elvine , Ran Ylva , Lambe Fiona
Published: April 2020

Kenya has experienced a decade of relative prosperity with consistent economic growth and minimal political tension. GDP is growing by 3% annually and poverty rates are declining. Despite these gains, Kenya still has a lot of ground to cover to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. SDG7, which aims to ‘Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all’, exemplifies both Kenya’s achievements and the challenges that remain. Access to grid-based electricity and LPG have grown rapidly. However, over 90% of Kenyans still rely on polluting fuels like wood, charcoal and/or kerosene for some or all of their cooking needs. Substantial effort is needed to ensure all Kenyans have access to clean cooking options by 2030. We present the results of a pilot study in which gasifier-based pellet stoves were introduced in 150 peri-urban households. The stoves include an internal fan that improves combustion efficiency and reduces emissions by 90%–99% relative to charcoal and fuelwood in traditional devices. A subset of participants received stoves with ‘Pay-as-You-Cook’ (PAYC) hardware, which relies on pre-paid RFID card to activate the stove’s internal fan, allowing vendors to sell the stove below cost and recoup losses through pellet sales. We find that people were willing to include pellet stoves in their cooking routines and, in many cases, pellets displaced polluting fuels. We also find that PAYC hardware did not negatively impact adoption: PAYC users had higher daily rates of fuel consumption and reported higher willingness to pay for the stove than non-PAYC users. However, stoves were not used exclusively. Instead, people stacked pellets in combination with other cooking options, with pellets contributing to 12%–40% of their cooking needs (inter-quartile range). Though the project did not successfully overcome all of the barriers necessary to achieve long-term adoption of advanced pellet stoves, the results demonstrate that pellets could contribute to a portfolio of cleaner options.

Social media abstract:

In a pilot project, clean-burning ‘pay-as-you-cook’ pellet stoves were stacked with LPG and polluting fuels.
The Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Different Occupational Groups in New Zealand
Authors: Barnes Lucy A , Eng Amanda , Corbin Marine , Denison Hayley J , ‘t Mannetje Andrea , Haslett Stephen , McLean Dave , Jackson Rod , Douwes Jeroen
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has been shown to differ between occupations, few studies have specifically evaluated the distribution of known CVD risk factors across occupational groups. This study assessed CVD risk factors in a range of occupational groups in New Zealand, stratified by sex and ethnicity.

Methods

Two probability-based sample surveys of the general New Zealand adult population (2004–2006; n = 3003) and of the indigenous people of New Zealand (Māori; 2009–2010; n = 2107), for which occupational histories and lifestyle factors were collected, were linked with routinely collected health data. Smoking, body mass index, deprivation, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol were dichotomized and compared between occupational groups using age-adjusted logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of all known CVD risk factors was greater in the Māori survey than the general population survey, and in males compared with females. In general for men and women in both surveys ‘Plant and machine operators and assemblers’ and ‘Elementary workers’ were more likely to experience traditional CVD risk factors, while ‘Professionals’ were less likely to experience these risk factors. ‘Clerks’ were more likely to have high blood pressure and male ‘Agricultural and fishery workers’ in the general survey were less likely to have high cholesterol, but this was not observed in the Māori survey. Male Māori ‘Trades workers’ were less likely to have high cholesterol and were less obese, while for the general population survey, this was not observed.

Conclusions

This study showed differences in the distribution of known CVD risk factors across occupational groups, as well as between ethnic groups and males and females.
Relative Effectiveness of the Cell-Cultured Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine Compared to Standard, Egg-derived Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccines in Preventing Influenza-like Illness in 2017–2018
Authors: Boikos Constantina , Sylvester Gregg C , Sampalis John S , Mansi James A
Published: April 2020

Background

Influenza antigens may undergo adaptive mutations during egg-based vaccine production. In the 2017–2018 influenza season, quadrivalent, inactivated cell-derived influenza vaccine (ccIIV4) vaccine was produced using A(H3N2) seed virus propagated exclusively in cell culture, thus lacking egg adaptive changes. This United States study estimated relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) of ccIIV4 vs egg-derived quadrivalent vaccines (egg-derived IIV4) for that season.

Methods

Vaccination, outcome, and covariate data were ascertained retrospectively from a electronic medical record (EMR) dataset and analyzed. The study cohort included patients ≥ 4 years of age. rVE was estimated against influenza-like illness (ILI) using diagnostic International Classification of Diseases, Ninth or Tenth Revision codes. The adjusted odds ratios used to derive rVE estimates were estimated from multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, geographic region, and health status.

Results

Overall, 92 187 individuals had a primary care EMR record of ccIIV4 and 1 261 675 had a record of egg-derived IIV4. In the ccIIV4 group, 1705 narrowly defined ILI events occurred, and 25 645 occurred in the standard egg-derived IIV4 group. Crude rVE was 9.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.6%–13.6%). When adjusted for age, sex, health status, comorbidities, and geographic region, the estimated rVE changed to 36.2% (95% CI, 26.1%–44.9%).

Conclusions

ccIIV4, derived from A(H3N2) seed virus propagated exclusively in cell culture, was more effective than egg-derived IIV4 in preventing ILI during the 2017–2018 influenza season. This result suggests that cell-derived influenza vaccines may have greater effectiveness than standard egg-derived vaccines.
Short-Term Dispersal and Long-Term Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Carabidae (Coleoptera) in Lowbush Blueberry Fields
Authors: Loureiro Alexandre M M C , Nams Vilis O , White Scott N , Cutler G Christopher
Published: April 2020

Carabidae (Coleoptera) are important natural enemies of many insect pests in various cropping systems. Their population dynamics and how they disperse determine how effective they are at carrying out the natural enemy function. There are robust patterns of community dynamics in annual cropping systems, but it is unclear if these would carry over into a relatively underexplored North American perennial crop. In Nova Scotia lowbush blueberry fields, we found that Carabidae diversity did not change with distance from field edge nor with time. Their activity density also did not change with time, but it did change with distance from field edge. We also found that the most abundant carabid of lowbush blueberry, Harpalus rufipes (De Geer) (Coleoptera: Carabidae), can disperse approximately 14.5 m/d. Our results shed more light on the community dynamics of Carabidae in lowbush blueberry fields and can help growers make informed decisions when it comes to incorporating natural enemies into their pest management practices.
Left atrial enlargement and its association with left atrial strain in university athletes participated in 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade
Authors: Park Jae-Hyeong , Kim Kye Hun , Rink Lawrence , Hornsby Kyle , Cho Jae Yeong , Cho Goo-Yeong , Lee Jae-Hwan , Seong In-Whan , Jeong Myung Ho , Cho Jeong Gwan , Park Jong Chun
Published: April 2020

Aims

Intensive and repetitive athletic training may result in cardiac geometric changes, but the determinants of left atrial (LA) enlargement (LAE) has been poorly studied. We investigated incidence and determinants of LAE and its association with LA strains in highly trained university athletes.

Methods and results

A total of 1073 athletes (451 females, 22.4 ± 2.4 years old) who were able to measure LA size, volume, and strains during 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade were enrolled. LAE was defined as the increased LA volume index > 42 mL/m2. LA strains, reservoir, conduit, and contractile were measured by 2D speckle tracking method, and LA reservoir strain < 27.6% was considered as abnormal. LAE was developed in 205 athletes (19.1%). In univariate analysis, male [odds ratio (OR) = 1.679], Caucasian (OR = 1.746), non-African descent (OR = 1.804), body muscle mass (OR = 1.056), body fat mass (OR = 0.962), systolic blood pressure (OR = 1.012), heart rate (OR = 0.980), sports type with cardiovascular (CV) demand (OR = 1.474), training time (OR = 1.011), left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (LVGLS, OR = 0.906), and LV stroke volume (LVSV, OR = 1.044) were significantly associated with LAE. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, heart rate (OR = 0.961) and sports type with CV demand (OR = 1.299), LVGLS (OR = 0.865) and LVSV (OR = 1.013) were independent determinants of LAE. Abnormal LA reservoir strain was noted in 56 athletes (5.2%), and the incidence of abnormal value was not different between two groups; 42 athletes (4.8%) in LAE vs. 14 (6.8%) in no LAE group (P = 0.293).

Conclusion

LAE was common in university athletes (19.1%) and associated with heart rate, sports type with CV demand, LVGLS, and LVSV. Although LAE was significantly associated with the lower LA reservoir strain, the incidence of abnormal value was very low (5.2%) and indifferent between LAE and no LAE group.
Application of SDOC Cut Points for Low Muscle Strength for Recovery of Walking Speed After Hip Fracture
Authors: Orwig Denise L , Magaziner Jay , Fielding Roger A , Zhu Hao , Binder Ellen F , Cawthon Peggy M , Bhasin Shalender , Correa-de-Araujo Rosaly , Manini Todd , Patel Sheena , Shardell Michelle , Travison Thomas G
Published: April 2020

Background

Sarcopenia is often conceptualized as a precursor to loss of mobility, but its effect on recovery of mobility after a hip fracture is unknown. We determined the prevalence of low muscle strength (weakness) after hip fracture using putative sarcopenia metrics (absolute grip strength, and grip strength normalized to body mass index, total body fat, arm lean mass, and weight) identified by the Sarcopenia Definitions and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC).

Methods

We examined two well-characterized hip fracture cohorts of community-dwelling older adults from the Baltimore Hip Studies (BHS). The prevalence of muscle weakness was assessed using the SDOC cut points compared to published definitions at 2 and 6 months postfracture. We assessed associations of 2-month weakness with 6-month walking speed <0.6 m/s and calculated the sensitivity and specificity in predicting lack of meaningful change in walking speed (change < 0.1 m/s) at 6 months.

Results

Two hundred and forty-six participants (192 women; 54 men) were included; mean (SD) age of 81 (8) for women and 78 (7) for men. At 2 months, 91% women and 78% men exhibited slow walking speed (< 0.6 m/s). SDOC grip strength standardized by weight (<0.34 kg women, <0.45 kg men) was the most prevalent measure of weakness in men (74%) and women (79%) and provided high sensitivity in men (86%) and women (84%) predicting lack of meaningful change in walking speed at 6 months, although specificity was poor to moderate.

Conclusions

SDOC cut points for grip strength standardized to weight provided consistent indication of poor walking speed performance post-hip fracture.
Ngly1
−/− rats develop neurodegenerative phenotypes and pathological abnormalities in their peripheral and central nervous systems
Authors: Asahina Makoto , Fujinawa Reiko , Nakamura Sayuri , Yokoyama Kotaro , Tozawa Ryuichi , Suzuki Tadashi
Published: April 2020

N-glycanase 1 (NGLY1) deficiency, an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the NGLY1 gene, is characterized by developmental delay, hypolacrima or alacrima, seizure, intellectual disability, movement disorders and other neurological phenotypes. Because of few animal models that recapitulate these clinical signatures, the mechanisms of the onset of the disease and its progression are poorly understood, and the development of therapies is hindered. In this study, we generated the systemic Ngly1-deficient rodent model, Ngly1−/− rats, which showed developmental delay, movement disorder, somatosensory impairment and scoliosis. These phenotypes in Ngly1−/− rats are consistent with symptoms in human patients. In accordance with the pivotal role played by NGLY1 in endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation processes, cleaving N-glycans from misfolded glycoproteins in the cytosol before they can be degraded by the proteasome, loss of Ngly1 led to accumulation of cytoplasmic ubiquitinated proteins, a marker of misfolded proteins in the neurons of the central nervous system of Ngly1−/− rats. Histological analysis identified prominent pathological abnormalities, including necrotic lesions, mineralization, intra- and extracellular eosinophilic bodies, astrogliosis, microgliosis and significant loss of mature neurons in the thalamic lateral and the medial parts of the ventral posterior nucleus and ventral lateral nucleus of Ngly1−/− rats. Axonal degradation in the sciatic nerves was also observed, as in human subjects. Ngly1−/− rats, which mimic the symptoms of human patients, will be a useful animal model for preclinical testing of therapeutic options and understanding the detailed mechanisms of NGLY1 deficiency.
A novel monoclonal antibody cross-reactive with both human and mouse α9 integrin useful for therapy against rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Torikai Masaharu , Higuchi Hirofumi , Yamamoto Nobuchika , Ishikawa Daisuke , Fujita Hirotada , Taguchi Katsunari , Sakai Fumihiko , Soejima Kenji , Nakashima Toshihiro
Published: April 2020

This study introduces a novel monoclonal anti-α9 integrin antibody (MA9-413) with human variable regions, isolated by phage display technology. MA9-413 specifically binds to both human and mouse α9 integrin by recognizing a conserved loop region designated as L1 (amino acids 104–122 of human α9 integrin). MA9-413 inhibits human and mouse α9 integrin-dependent cell adhesion to ligands and suppresses synovial inflammation and osteoclast activation in a mouse model of arthritis. This is the first monoclonal anti-α9 integrin antibody that can react with and functionally inhibit both human and mouse α9 integrin. MA9-413 allows data acquisition both in animal and human pharmacological studies without resorting to surrogate antibodies. Since MA9-413 showed certain therapeutic effects in the mouse arthritis model, it can be considered as a useful therapy against rheumatoid arthritis and other α9 integrin-associated diseases.
The Identity of Psychiatry and the Challenge of Mad Activism: Rethinking the Clinical Encounter
Authors: Rashed Mohammed Abouelleil
Published: April 2020

Central to the identity of modern medical specialities, including psychiatry, is the notion of hypostatic abstraction: doctors treat conditions or disorders, which are conceived of as “things” that people “have.” Mad activism rejects this notion and hence challenges psychiatry’s identity as a medical specialty. This article elaborates the challenge of Mad activism and develops the hypostatic abstraction as applied to medicine. For psychiatry to maintain its identity as a medical speciality while accommodating the challenge of Mad activism, it must develop an additional conception of the clinical encounter. Toward elaborating this conception, this article raises two basic framing questions: For what kind of understanding of the situation should the clinical encounter aim? What is the therapeutic aim of the encounter as a whole? It proposes that the concepts of “secondary insight” (as the aim of understanding) and of “identity-making” (as a therapeutic aim) can allow the clinical encounter to proceed in a way that accommodates the challenge of Mad activism.
Parallel Genetic Origin of Foot Feathering in Birds
Authors: Bortoluzzi Chiara , Megens Hendrik-Jan , Bosse Mirte , Derks Martijn F L , Dibbits Bert , Laport Kimberly , Weigend Steffen , Groenen Martien A M , Crooijmans Richard P M A
Published: April 2020

Understanding the genetic basis of similar phenotypes shared between lineages is a long-lasting research interest. Even though animal evolution offers many examples of parallelism, for many phenotypes little is known about the underlying genes and mutations. We here use a combination of whole-genome sequencing, expression analyses, and comparative genomics to study the parallel genetic origin of ptilopody (Pti) in chicken. Ptilopody (or foot feathering) is a polygenic trait that can be observed in domesticated and wild avian species and is characterized by the partial or complete development of feathers on the ankle and feet. In domesticated birds, ptilopody is easily selected to fixation, though extensive variation in the type and level of feather development is often observed. By means of a genome-wide association analysis, we identified two genomic regions associated with ptilopody. At one of the loci, we identified a 17-kb deletion affecting PITX1 expression, a gene known to encode a transcription regulator of hindlimb identity and development. Similarly to pigeon, at the second loci, we observed ectopic expression of TBX5, a gene involved in forelimb identity and a key determinant of foot feather development. We also observed that the trait evolved only once as foot-feathered birds share the same haplotype upstream TBX5. Our findings indicate that in chicken and pigeon ptilopody is determined by the same set of genes that affect similar molecular pathways. Our study confirms that ptilopody has evolved through parallel evolution in chicken and pigeon.
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Clearance After Treatment With Direct-Acting Antivirals in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-HCV Coinfection Modulates Systemic Immune Activation and HIV Transcription on Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Ghiglione Yanina , Polo María Laura , Urioste Alejandra , Rhodes Ajantha , Czernikier Alejandro , Trifone César , Quiroga María Florencia , Sisto Alicia , Patterson Patricia , Salomón Horacio , Rolón María José , Bakkour Sonia , Lewin Sharon R , Turk Gabriela , Laufer Natalia
Published: April 2020

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) might perturb immune function and HIV persistence. We aimed to evaluate the impact of HCV clearance with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) on immune activation and HIV persistence in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods

In a prospective observational study, ART-treated participants with HIV/HCV coinfection received sofosbuvir/daclatasvir ± ribavirin (n = 19). Blood samples were collected before DAA therapy, at the end of treatment, and 12 months after DAA termination (12MPT). T- and natural killer (NK)-cell phenotype, soluble plasma factors, cell-associated (CA)-HIV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) forms (total, integrated, 2LTR), CA-unspliced (US) and multiple-spliced ribonucleic acid (RNA), and plasma HIV RNA were evaluated.

Results

Hepatitis C virus clearance was associated with (1) a downmodulation of activation and exhaustion markers in CD4+, CD8+ T, and NK cells together with (2) decreased plasma levels of Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP10), interleukin-8 (IL-8), soluble (s)CD163 and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM). Cell-associated US HIV RNA was significantly higher at 12MPT compared to baseline, with no change in HIV DNA or plasma RNA.

Conclusions

Elimination of HCV in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals alters immune function and the transcriptional activity of latently infected cells. This report provides insights into the effects of HCV coinfection in HIV persistence and regards coinfected subjects as a population in which HIV remission might prove to be more challenging.
Evaluation of the Clinical, Laboratory, and Radiological Findings and Treatment of 19 Cases of Pancreatic Echinococcosis
Authors: Gou Li , Gao Feng , Tiheiran Maijudan , Guo Hui
Published: April 2020

Background

Hydatid disease is a severe health problem in endemic areas. In recent years, the incidence of this disease in China has been increasing. As the imaging characteristics of pancreatic echinococcosis (PE) are similar to those of cystic diseases, such as cysts, tuberculosis, and tumors, PE is often misdiagnosed and mistreated.

Methods

The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, radiological findings, and treatment of 19 patients with PE between January 2006 and December 2018 in 2 hospitals were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 38 years, and the ratio of women to men was 2. All patients came from rural areas. Clinical manifestations included cholestatic jaundice, mass, nausea, pain, and swelling. Hemagglutination inhibition test results were positive for all patients. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test results were positive in 17 cases (89.5%). Foci in the pancreas were head in 52.6%, body in 26.3%, body and tail in 15.8%, tail in 5.3%. The size of lesions’ diameter ranged from 1 to 12 cm (mean, 6.5 cm). The imaging features of PE included the presence of (a) daughter cysts on abdominal computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); (b) internal cyst wall dissection and ribbon sign on abdominal CT and/or MRI; (c) typical eggshell cyst wall calcification on abdominal CT.

Conclusions

For patients with cystic lesions on CT and/or MRI combined with epidemiological history and positive echinococcosis serology, doctors can correctly diagnose PE earlier. Surgical treatment combined with drugs can reduce the mortality of PE, leading to a better prognosis.
ASYMPTOTICS OF ENTIRE FUNCTIONS AND A PROBLEM OF HAYMAN
Authors: Hilberdink Titus
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we study entire functions whose maximum on a disc of radius $r$ grows like $e^{h(\log r)}$ for some function $h(\cdot )$. We show that this is impossible if $h^{\prime \prime }(r)$ tends to a limit as $r\to \infty $, thereby solving a problem of Hayman from 1966. On the other hand, we show that entire functions can, under some mild smoothness conditions, grow like $\textrm{e}^{h(\log r)}$ if $h^{\prime \prime }(r)\to \infty $.
A 90K SNP array uncovers inbreeding and cryptic relatedness in an Antarctic fur seal breeding colony
Authors: Humble Emily , Paijmans Anneke J. , Forcada Jaume , Hoffman Joseph I.
Published: April 2020

High density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays allow large numbers of individuals to be rapidly and cost-effectively genotyped at large numbers of genetic markers. However, despite being widely used in studies of humans and domesticated plants and animals, SNP arrays are lacking for most wild organisms. We developed a custom 90K Affymetrix Axiom array for an intensively studied pinniped, the Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella). SNPs were discovered from a combination of genomic and transcriptomic resources and filtered according to strict criteria. Out of a total of 85,359 SNPs tiled on the array, 75,601 (88.6%) successfully converted and were polymorphic in 274 animals from a breeding colony at Bird Island in South Georgia. Evidence was found for inbreeding, with three genomic inbreeding coefficients being strongly intercorrelated and the proportion of the genome in ROH being non-zero in all individuals. Furthermore, analysis of genomic relatedness coefficients identified multiple second and third order relatives among a sample of ostensibly unrelated individuals. Such “cryptic relatedness” within fur seal breeding colonies may increase the likelihood of consanguinous matings and could therefore have implications for understanding fitness variation and mate choice. Finally, we demonstrate the cross-amplification potential of the array in three related species. Overall, our SNP array will facilitate future studies of Antarctic fur seals and has the potential to serve as a more general resource for the wider pinniped research community.
HUMAN PANCREATIC CANCER CELLS UNDERGO PROFOUND METABOLIC REPROGRAMMING TOWARDS CELLULAR STEMNESS AS ADAPTATION TO INHIBITION OF THE AKT PATHWAY
Authors: Arasanz Hugo , Hernández Carlos , Bocanegra Ana , Chocarro Luisa , Zuazo Miren , Gato Maria , Ausin Karina , Santamaría Enrique , Fernández-Irigoyen Joaquín , Fernandez Gonzalo , Monasterio Eva , Rodríguez Carlos , Blanco Idoia , Vera Ruth , Escors David , Kochan Grazyna
Published: April 2020

Cancer cells acquire resistance to cytotoxic therapies targeting major survival pathways by adapting their metabolism. The AKT pathway is a major regulator of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma progression. The mechanisms of adaptation to long-term silencing of AKT isoforms of pancreatic cancer cells were studied. Following silencing, cancer cells remained quiescent for long periods of time, after which they recovered proliferative capacities. Adaptation caused profound proteomic changes largely affecting mitochondrial biogenesis, energy metabolism, and acquisition of a number of distinct cancer stem cell (CSC) characteristics depending on the AKT isoform that was silenced. The adaptation to AKT1 silencing drove most de-differentiation and acquisition of stemness through C-MYC down-modulation and NANOG up-regulation, which were required for survival of adapted CSCs. The changes associated to adaptation sensitized cancer cells to inhibitors targeting regulators of oxidative respiration and mitochondrial biogenesis.In vivopharmacological co-inhibition of AKT and mitochondrial metabolism effectively controlled pancreatic adenocarcinoma growth in pre-clinical models.
Rapid Neural Reorganization during Retrieval Practice Predicts Subsequent Long-term Retention and False Memory
Authors: Zhuang Liping , Wang Jingyi , Xiong Bingsen , Bian Cheng , Hao Lei , Bayley Peter J. , Qin Shaozheng
Published: April 2020

Active retrieval can induce changes to the strength and content of a memory, yielding enhanced or distorted subsequent recall. But how consolidation influences these retrieval-induced seemingly contradictory outcomes remains unknown. Here we show rapid neural reorganization over eight runs of retrieval practice predicted subsequent recall. Behaviorally, retrieval practice boosted memory following a 24-hour (long-term) but not a 30-minute delay, and increased false memory at both delays. Long-term retention gains were predicted by multi-voxel representation distinctiveness in the posterior parietal cortex that increased progressively over retrieval practice. False memory was predicted by unstable representation distinctiveness in the medial temporal lobe during retrieval practice. Memory-related neural networks gradually reconfigured over retrieval practice, with the ventrolateral and medial prefrontal cortex acting as hubs for functional connections that predicted long-term retention gains and false memory outcomes respectively. Our findings demonstrate dynamic neural reorganization during retrieval practice, through which memories are arranged into discrete yet malleable representations for subsequent consolidation.
Reagentless Biomolecular Analysis Using a Nanoscale Molecular Pendulum
Authors: Das Jagotamoy , Gomis Surath , Chen Jenise B. , Yousefi Hanie , Ahmed Sharif , Mahmud Alam , Zhou Wendi , Sargent Edward H. , Kelley Shana O.
Published: April 2020

The ability to sense biological inputs using self-contained devices unreliant on external reagents or reporters would open countless opportunities to collect information about our health and environment. Currently, a very limited set of molecular inputs can be detected using this type of sensor format. The development of versatile reagentless sensors that could track molecular analytes in biological fluids remains an unmet need. Here, we describe a new universal sensing mechanism that is compatible with the analysis of proteins that are important physiological markers of stress, allergy, cardiovascular health, inflammation and cancer. The sensing mechanism we developed is based on the measurement of field-induced directional diffusion of a nanoscale molecular pendulum tethered to an electrode surface and the sensitivity of electron-transfer reaction kinetics to molecular size. Using time-resolved electrochemical measurements of diffusional motion, the presence of an analyte bound to a sensor complex can be continuously tracked in real time. We show that this sensing approach is compatible with making measurements in blood, saliva, urine, tears and sweat and that the sensors can collect datain situin living animals. The sensor platform described enables a broad range of applications in personalized health monitoring.
Mobilization of tissue-resident memory CD4+T lymphocytes and their contribution to a systemic secondary immune reaction
Authors: Cendón Carla , Du Weijie , Durek Pawel , Alexander Tobias , Serene Lindsay , Lai Tina , Schulz Axel Ronald , Rao Anna , Heinz Gitta-Anne , Stefanski Ana-Luisa , Bruns Anne , Siewert Katherina , Dörner Thomas , Chang Hyun-Dong , Volk Hans-Dieter , Romagnani Chiara , Mashreghi Mir-Farzin , Thurley Kevin , Radbruch Andreas , Dong Jun
Published: April 2020

While it is generally accepted that tissue-resident memory T lymphocytes protect host tissues from secondary immune challenges, it is unclear whether, and if so, how they contribute to systemic secondary immune responses. Here we show that in human individuals with an established immune memory to measles, mumps and rubella viruses, when challenged with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine again, tissue-resident memory CD4+T cells are mobilized into the blood within 16 to 48 hours after vaccination. These cells then leave the blood again, and apparently contribute to the systemic secondary immune reaction, as is evident from the representation of mobilized T cell receptor Vβ clonotypes among newly generated circulating memory T lymphocytes, from day 7 onwards. Mobilization of the tissue-resident memory T cells is cognate, in that memory T lymphocytes recognizing other antigens, e.g. tetanus toxin, are not mobilized, unless they cross-react with the vaccine. These data originally demonstrate the essential contribution of tissue-resident memory T cells to secondary systemic immune responses, confirming that immunological memories to systemic pathogens are maintained (also) by tissue-resident memory T cells. In practical terms, the present work defines day 1 to 2 after antigenic challenge as a time window to assess the entire immunological T cell memory for a certain pathogen, including mobilized tissue-resident memory T cells, and its correlates of effectivity.

Capsule summary

The study demonstrates the rapid and cognate mobilization of tissue-resident memory CD4+T cells into the blood upon antigenic rechallenge, and their contribution to secondary systemic immune responses.
FRET-based aptamer assay for sensitive detection ofSalmonella paratyphiA and revealing its molecular interaction with DNA gyrase
Authors: Renuka RM , Maroli Nikhil , Achuth J , Kadirvelu K
Published: April 2020

Rapid pathogen detection and identification of its serovars are crucial to provide essential treatment during pandemic circumstances. Herein, we developed a facile and versatile FRET-based aptasensor for rapidSalmonella paratyphiA detection. The ssDNA aptamers specific towards pathogenicSalmonella paratyphiA were generated via whole-cell SELEX. The aptamer was conjugated onto quantum dot (QD) that served as the molecular beacon and graphene oxide (GO) was used as fluorescence quencher. The detection ofSalmonella paratyphiA leads to the quenching of QD fluorescence due to the non-covalent interaction between GO and CdTe quantum dot. The assay shows a detection limit up to 10 cfu·mL−1 with no cross-reactivity towards closely related species. The spiking analysis demonstrated an inter-assay coefficient of variance less than 8 % and recovery rate between 85%-102% mitigates assay reliability. Further analysis with commercially available ELISA kit validated the reliability of the developed aptasensor. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation was used to establish the mechanism of action of generated aptamer against bacterial DNA gyrase protein. The strong non-bonded interaction energies along with hydrogen bonds between the aptamer and protein inhibit the function of the bacteria.
Metabolomic markers of colorectal tumor with different clinicopathological features
Authors: Long Zhiping , Zhou Junde , Xie Kun , Wu Zhen , Yin Huihui , Daria Volontovich , Tian Jingshen , Zhang Nannan , Li Liangliang , Zhao Yashuang , Wang Fan , Wang Maoqing , Cui Yunfu
Published: April 2020

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the result of complex interactions between the tumor’s molecular profile and metabolites produced by its microenvironment. Despite recent studies identifying CRC molecular subtypes, a metabolic classification system is still lacking. We aimed to explore the distinct phenotypes and subtypes of CRC at the metabolic level.

Methods

We conducted an untargeted metabolomics analysis of 51 paired tumor tissues and adjacent mucosa using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Multivariate analysis including principal component analysis, orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis and heat maps, univariate analysis, and pathway analysis were used to identify potential metabolic phenotypes of CRC. Unsupervised consensus clustering were used to identify robust metabolic subtypes, and evaluated their clinical relevance.

Results

A total of 173 metabolites (including nucleotides, carbohydrates, free fatty acids, and choline) were identified between CRC tumor tissue and adjacent mucosa. We found that lipid metabolism was closely related to the occurrence and progression of CRC and CRC tissues could be divided into three subtypes, and statistically significant correlations between different subtypes and clinical prognosis were observed.

Conclusions

CRC tumor tissue exhibits distinct metabolic phenotypes. Metabolic differences between subtypes may provide a basis and direction for further clinical individualized treatment planning.