bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Acanthamoeba polyphaga Observed by Imaging Flow Cytometry
Authors: Dey Rafik , Rieger Aja M. , Stephens Caroline , Ashbolt Nicholas J.
Published: April 2019

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram‐negative bacterium that is abundant in the environment and water systems, with strains that cause serious infections, especially in patients with compromised immune systems. In times of stress or as part of its natural life cycle, P. aeruginosa can adopt a viable but not culturable (VBNC) state, which renders it undetectable by current conventional food and water testing methods and makes it highly resistant to antibiotic treatment. Specific conditions can resuscitate these coccoid VBNC P. aeruginosa cells, which returns them to their active, virulent rod‐shaped form. Underreporting the VBNC cells of P. aeruginosa by standard culture‐based methods in water distribution systems may therefore pose serious risks to public health. As such, being able to accurately detect and quantify the presence of VBNC P. aeruginosa, especially in a hospital setting, is of critical importance. Herein, we describe a method to analyze VBNC P. aeruginosa using imaging flow cytometry. With this technique, we can accurately distinguish between active and VBNC forms. We also show here that association of VBNC P. aeruginosa with Acanthamoeba polyphaga results in resuscitation of P. aeruginosa to an active form within 2 h. Our approach could provide an alternative, reliable detection method of VBNC P. aeruginosa when coupled with species‐specific staining. Most importantly, our experiments demonstrate that the coculture with amoebae can lead to a resuscitation of P. aeruginosa of culturable morphology after only 2 h, indicating that VBNC P. aeruginosa could potentially resuscitate in piped water (healthcare) environments colonized with amoebae. © 2019 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Rapid sex determination of a wild passerine species using loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)
Authors: Koch Hanna R. , Blohm‐Sievers Elke , Liedvogel Miriam
Published: April 2019

Many bird species are sexually monomorphic and cannot be sexed based on phenotypic traits. Rapid sex determination is often a necessary component of avian studies focusing on behavior, ecology, evolution, and conservation. While PCR‐based methods are the most common technique for molecularly sexing birds in the laboratory, a simpler, faster, and cheaper method has emerged, which can be used in the laboratory, but importantly also in the field. Herein, we used loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for rapid sex determination of blood samples from juvenile European blackcaps, Sylvia atricapilla, sampled in the wild. We designed LAMP primers unique to S. atricapilla based on the sex chromosome‐specific gene, chromo‐helicase‐DNA‐binding protein (CHD), optimized the primers for laboratory and field application, and then used them to test a subset of wild‐caught juvenile blackcaps of unknown gender at the time of capture. Sex determination results were fast and accurate. The advantages of this technique are that it allows researchers to identify the sex of individual birds within hours of sampling and eliminates the need for direct access to a laboratory if implemented at a remote field site. This work adds to the increasing list of available LAMP primers for different bird species and is a new addition within the Passeriformes order.
Total Synthesis of Luminmycin A, a Cryptic Natural Product from Photorhabdus Luminescens
Authors: Servatius Phil , Stach Tanja , Kazmaier Uli
Published: April 2019

Luminmycin A, a natural proteasome inhibitor transcripted by a silent gene cluster from Photorhabdus luminescens, belongs to the compound family of the syrbactins and is structurally closely related to the glidobactins. Key step for the synthesis of the 12‐membered cyclopeptide ring is an intramolecular Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction, while the double unsaturated fatty acid side chain can be obtained via phosphane‐catalyzed isomerization of a corresponding acetylenic fatty acid ester.
Techno‐economic assessment of hybrid renewable resources for a residential building in tehran
Authors: Ashrafi Goudarzi Sima , Fazelpour Farivar , B. Gharehpetian Gevork , Rosen Marc A.
Published: April 2019

Continued reductions in air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are crucial in megacities like Tehran, Iran, as they pose serious threats to both people's health and the environment. Reducing energy use through renewable energy projects will result in the mitigation of GHG emissions. Hence, this study was designed to assess the use of renewable energy resources to provide the energy services for a residential building. The specific objective of this article is to select a hybrid renewable energy system that can meet the energy demand of a 5‐story residential building in Tehran. The energy consumption of the building is calculated using DesignBuilder software. Then, HOMER software is applied to propose an economically feasible solar‐wind hybrid system that can meet the energy demand of the building. Initially, information required for HOMER and DesignBuilder software such as the building plan, details on electrical appliances used in the building, solar radiation, wind speed, and cost of renewable systems were collected. Subsequently, the energy performance of the building was simulated in DesignBuilder software and the results were applied to HOMER software. Finally, the hybrid systems proposed by HOMER were economically compared. Furthermore, the emissions produced by the proposed system were evaluated against a diesel only system to assess the amount of offset emissions. The comparison of the hybrid and diesel systems shows that utilization of hybrid systems can significantly reduce the magnitude of GHG emissions along with achieving cost saving. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13146, 2019
Achieving Meaningful Access to Medicaid
Authors: Francis Leslie , Silvers Anita
Published: April 2019

Federal and state budgetary constraints continually challenge Medicaid. The effects of benefit cuts are common: long waiting lists for community‐based services, skeletonized drug formularies with unstable access to long‐term prescriptions, no psychiatric therapy for people immobilized by depression, and no more than fourteen days of acute hospitalization. Reimbursements may be so low that providers cannot hire qualified staff and must reduce services, close facilities, or refuse to take Medicaid altogether. Misguided efficiency policies may afflict some groups of patients as well. Decisions to narrow access rights to publicly funded health care promote the perception that more broadly inclusive programs would be unwisely and unfairly generous. They also risk characterizing disability rights as “special,” confined to a narrow class of people who charitably ought not to be expected to provide for themselves. In contrast, on a philosophical view we have been exploring—one that addresses problems of justice under circumstances of injustice by pursuing rather than reducing inclusion—efforts like these are unjust.
Medical School: The Wrong Applicant Pool?
Authors: Appel Jacob M.
Published: April 2019

Evidence‐based medicine has become both the mantra of clinical practice and the dominant contemporary approach to patient care. Gordon Guyatt et al. first proposed applying the concept to medical education in the early 1990s, arguing for training that “de‐emphasizes intuition, unsystematic clinical experience, and pathophysiologic rationale” in favor of “examination of evidence from clinical research”; over the following twenty‐five years, nearly every medical school and residency program in the United States incorporated these methods into its training. During this same period, admissions requirements and protocols have continued to rely on subjective, non‐evidence‐based ideals largely developed a century earlier. In light of the continued underrepresentation of certain demographic groups among matriculants, as well as the national controversy surrounding admissions standards at undergraduate institutions—most notably embodied in the lawsuit by Students for Fair Admissions against Harvard University—the moment may be ripe for a radical reexamination of those requirements.
Measuring catastrophic medical expenditures: Reflections on three issues
Authors: Wagstaff Adam
Published: April 2019

In the “basic” approach, medical expenses are catastrophic if they exceed a prespecified percentage of consumption or income; the approach tells us if expenses cause a large percentage reduction in living standards. The ability‐to‐pay (ATP) approach defines expenses as catastrophic if they exceed a prespecified percentage of consumption less expenses on nonmedical necessities or an allowance for them. The paper argues that the ATP approach does not tell us whether expenses are large enough to undermine a household's ability to purchase nonmedical necessities. The paper compares the income‐based and consumption‐based variants of the basic approach, and shows that if the individual is a borrower after a health shock, the income‐based ratio will exceed the consumption‐based ratio, and both will exceed the more theoretically correct Flores et al. ratio; whereas if the individual continues to be a saver after a health shock, the ordering is reversed and the income‐based ratio may not overestimate Flores et al.'s ratio. Last, the paper proposes a lifetime money metric utility (LMMU) approach defining medical expenses as catastrophic in terms of their lifetime consequences. Under certain assumptions, the LMMU and Flores et al. approaches are identical, and neither requires data on how households finance their medical expenses.
Arteriovenous fistula after robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy: A rare case report
Authors: Suzuki Ryosuke , Goto Takayuki , Kohno Shigeshi , Kita Yuki , Shimizu Hironori , Kobayashi Takashi , Yamasaki Toshinari , Ogawa Osamu , Inoue Takahiro
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Arteriovenous fistula after radical prostatectomy is very uncommon. We report a rare case of pseudoaneurysm associated with arteriovenous fistula following robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Case presentation

A 67‐year‐old man diagnosed with prostatic adenocarcinoma underwent robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. He had a fever and lower abdominal pain with sign of peritoneal irritation, and his blood hemoglobin level dropped on postoperative day 11. Hemorrhage in the pelvic space with extravascular leakage was detected by contrast‐enhanced computed tomography, and he underwent emergency angiography. An aneurysmal dilatation with early venous drainage was confirmed in a branch of the left internal iliac artery, and we diagnosed arteriovenous fistula. Transcatheter arterial embolization was performed, and the aneurysmal structure subsequently disappeared.

Conclusion

Arteriovenous fistula may occur as a complication of robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. Transcatheter arterial embolization appears to be a useful and minimally invasive treatment.
Assessment of cerebral hemodynamics during neurosurgical procedures using laser speckle image analysis
Authors: Venugopal Krishnapriya , Unni Sujatha N. , Bach Annika , Conzen Catharina , Lindauer Ute
Published: April 2019

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a severe medical condition associated with a significant cause of mortality throughout the world. Cisterna magna injection model is accepted widely to mimic clinical aSAH and is performed on small animal models to study aSAH during neurosurgery. Coherent light scattered from the surface of the rat brain is used to infer information about the variations in blood flow during this condition. We obtained speckle images from the exposed cortex during the entire experiment using an external tissue imaging system. Contrast and fractal analyses are carried out for the recorded speckle pattern time series. Correlation analysis based on Hurst exponent for these images is found to be a more sensitive tool in studying aSAH as compared to routinely used laser speckle contrast analysis for assessing the changes in blood flow velocity. Additionally, our studies provide improved blood flow detection sensitivity with image Hurst exponent in combination with computed fractal dimension, during an event of aSAH.
Inhibition of indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase attenuates endotoxin‐mediated tolerance in granulosa cells through kynurenine pathway
Authors: Dahiya Sunita , Onteru Suneel Kumar , Singh Dheer
Published: April 2019

Ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) have been shown to have innate immune capabilities, which modulate their native endocrine functions through toll‐like receptors (TLRs). We have recently shown that GCs exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1.0 µg/mL) transiently regulate proinflammatory cytokine expression (interleukin 1β [IL‐1β], IL‐6, and tumor necrosis factor α) through chromatin remodeling. In the present study, we have demonstrated that GCs become tolerant to LPS on repeated exposure of LPS. To understand the mechanism of this endotoxin tolerance (ET) phenomenon in buffalo GCs, we have further studied the genome‐wide transcriptomic analyses in buffalo GCs (unpublished data) and identified indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) gene, known to be involved in tryptophan catabolism, was found to be highly upregulated in endotoxin‐tolerant GCs. Real‐time gene expression analyses also showed similar results. Further analyses of tryptophan and tryptophan metabolite, kynurenine, showed that tryptophan was found to be depleted with the accumulation of kynurenine in the endotoxin‐tolerant GCs. The effect of IDO1 induced ET was reversed when cells were pretreated with IDO1 inhibitor (1‐methyl tryptophan, 1 mM). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the role of IDO1 gene in ET in GCs mimicked by repeated endotoxin exposure in vitro. In summary, the present study convincingly demonstrated that the tryptophan catabolism, through the kynurenine pathway, plays a crucial role as an immunomodulatory mechanism of ET in GCs. The finding could be exploited in developing potential therapeutics to treat impaired GCs function due to the ET underlying prolonged uterine or systemic infection leads to accumulation of endotoxin in follicular fluid.
Retracted: lncRNA‐ATB promotes viability, migration, and angiogenesis in human microvascular endothelial cells by sponging microRNA‐195
Authors: Zhu Ai‐Dong , Sun Ying‐Ying , Ma Qiu‐Ju , Xu Fei
Published: April 2019

The atherosclerosis in the arterial system of the extremities is considered as the major pathogenesis of peripheral arterial disease. The present work aimed to explore the potential role of long noncoding RNA activated by tumor growth factor‐β (lncRNA‐ATB) on the dysfunction of endothelial cells. Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC‐1) were transfected with lncRNA‐ATB expressing vectors, and then the formation of tubes and expression of proteins associated with angiogenesis were analyzed using microscope and reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR)/Western blot analysis. Cell viability, migration, and microRNA‐195 (miR‐195) expression were examined by Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay, modified Boyden chambers, Western blot analysis, and RT‐qPCR. The interaction between lncRNA‐ATB and miR‐195 was determined by RT‐qPCR, dual‐luciferase reporter assay, and biotin‐avidin pull‐down assay. Finally, expression of key kinases in the PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways was determined by Western blot analysis. We found vascular tubulogenesis was induced spontaneously when HMEC‐1 cells were cultured in Matrigel‐coated plates. lncRNA‐ATB overexpression increased cell viability, migration and formation of tubes, along with upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2), MMP‐9, and vascular endothelial growth factor. Then, we found lncRNA‐ATB worked as a molecular sponge for miR‐195, and the effects of lncRNA‐ATB on HMEC‐1 cells were reversed by miR‐195 overexpression while were augmented by miR‐195 inhibition. Phosphorylated levels of key kinases in the PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways were increased by lncRNA‐ATB via miR‐195. In conclusion, lncRNA‐ATB enhanced cell viability, migration and angiogenesis in HMEC‐1 cells through sponging miR‐195. Moreover, the PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways were activated by lncRNA‐ATB via miR‐195.
Delta neutrophil index as a prognostic marker in emergent abdominal surgery
Authors: Soh Jae Seung , Lim Sang‐Woo
Published: April 2019

Background

Delta neutrophil index (DNI) is the fraction of circulating immature granulocytes provided by a routine, complete blood cell analyzer. It is known to be a useful prognostic marker of sepsis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of DNI in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients who had undergone emergent surgery for an acute abdomen.

Methods

A total of 694 patients who had visited the emergency room for acute abdominal pain and undergone emergent abdominal surgery from May 2015 to September 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical characteristics, laboratory findings on the day of hospital visit, hospital stay, postoperative complications, and 30‐day mortality were investigated.

Results

In the analysis of patients who had undergone an operation for acute peritonitis, the DNI was a good predictor for predicting 30‐day mortality rate (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.826). It was not inferior to other laboratory values, including activated partial thromboplastin time (AUC: 0.729), C‐reactive protein (AUC: 0.727), albumin (AUC: 0.834), prothrombin time (AUC: 0.816), and creatinine (AUC: 0.837) known to be associated with sepsis. Patients with high DNI displayed higher incidence of bacteremia and sepsis, longer hospital stay, higher postoperative complication rate, and higher 30‐day mortality rate than patients with low DNI. Among patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis, the DNI was a useful marker for differentiating appendiceal perforation.

Conclusion

The DNI was a practical and useful marker for predicting the prognosis of patients who needed emergent abdominal surgery.
Sumoylation of PPARγ contributes to vascular endothelium insulin resistance through stabilizing the PPARγ–NcoR complex
Authors: Lan Dongyi , Shen Xiaodan , Yuan Wanwan , Zhou Yumeng , Huang Qiren
Published: April 2019

Sumoylation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) affects its stabilization, sublocalization, and transcriptional activity. However, it remains largely unknown whether PPARγ sumoylation inhibits the transactivation effect, leading to endothelium insulin resistance (IR). To test this possibility, human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) with a 90% confluence were randomly allocated to two batches. One batch was first pretreated with or without vitamin E for 24 hr and the other infected with adenoviruses containing either PIAS1‐shRNA (protein inhibitor of activated STAT1‐short hairpin RNA) or scramble shRNA. Cells were suffered from high glucose and palmitic acid (PA) exposure for further 48 hr. The levels of PPARγ, p‐IKK, IKK, and NcoR (nuclear corepressors) were measured by western blot analysis. The interaction of IKK and PIAS1, as well as the PPARγ sumoylation, were examined by coimmunoprecipitation. The results showed that the exposure of high glucose and PA induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and IKK activation in HUVECs, promoting the interaction of IKK and PIAS1 and the sumoylation of PPARγ. However, vitamin E and PIAS1‐shRNA partially decreased ROS production and IKK activation induced by high glucose and PA exposure. These data indicate that ROS–IKK–PIAS1 pathway mediates PPARγ sumoylation, leading to endothelium IR via stabilizing PPARγ–NcoR complex. These findings benefit understanding of regulatory networks of insulin signaling, which might provide a potential target to prevent and cure IR‐related diseases.
The lncRNA CCAT2 rs6983267 G allele is associated with decreased susceptibility to recurrent miscarriage
Authors: Che Di , Huang Wendong , Fang Zhenzhen , Li Li , Wu Haiying , Pi Lei , Zhou Huazhong , Xu Yufen , Fu LanYan , Tan Yaqian , Lu Zhaoliang , Li Qingfeng , Gu Xiaoqiong
Published: April 2019

Genetics might play various roles in susceptibility to recurrent miscarriage, and previous studies suggest that some gene polymorphisms might be associated with abortion and breast cancer onset. Colon cancer‐associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) is a novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) transcript that might be correlated with susceptibility to multiple cancers, including breast cancer. However, whether lncRNA CCAT2 polymorphisms are related to susceptibility to recurrent miscarriage is unclear. We genotyped two lncRNA CCAT2 polymorphisms (rs6983267 and rs3843549) in 248 patients with recurrent miscarriage and 392 controls through a TaqMan real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay, and the strength of each association was evaluated via 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and odds ratios (ORs). Our results showed that the rs6983267 G allele in lncRNA CCAT2 was associated with decreased susceptibility to recurrent miscarriage (TG vs. TT: adjusted OR = 0.603; 95% CI = 0.420–0.866; p = 0.0062; GG/TG vs. TT: adjusted OR = 0.620; 95% CI = 0.441–0.873; p = 0.0061). The combined analysis of the two protective polymorphisms (rs3843549 AA and rs6983267 TG/GG) revealed that individuals with two unfavorable alleles exhibited a lower risk of recurrent miscarriage than those with no or only one unfavorable allele (adjusted OR = 0.531; 95% CI = 0.382–0.739). Moreover, the decreased risk associated with the two protective alleles was most obvious in women aged less than 35 years (OR = 0.551; 95% CI = 0.378–0.8803; p = 0.0019) and in women with two to three miscarriages (adjusted OR = 0.466; 95% CI = 0.318–0.683; p < 0.0001). In conclusion, our study indicates that the rs6983267G allele might contribute to a decreased risk of recurrent miscarriage in the South Chinese population.
Asprosin attenuates insulin signaling pathway through PKCδ‐activated ER stress and inflammation in skeletal muscle
Authors: Jung Tae Woo , Kim Hyoung‐Chun , Kim Ho Ung , Park Taekwang , Park Jinwoo , Kim Uiseok , Kim Min Kyoon , Jeong Ji Hoon
Published: April 2019

It has been reported that asprosin is a novel adipokine which is augmented in mice and humans with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Asprosin stimulates hepatic gluconeogenesis under fasting conditions. However, the roles of asprosin in inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle has not been studied. In the currents study, elevated levels of asprosin expression were observed in adipocytes under hyperlipidemic conditions. Treatment of C2C12 myocytes with asprosin‐induced ER stress markers (phosphorylated inositol‐requiring enzyme 1 and eukaryotic initiation factor 2, and CHOP expression) as well as inflammation markers (interleukin‐6 expression, phosphorylated IκB, and nuclear translocated nuclear factor‐κβ). Finally, asprosin treatment promoted exacerbation of insulin sensitivity as determined by levels of insulin receptor substrate 1 and Akt phosphorylation as well as glucose uptake. Moreover, treatment of asprosin augmented protein kinase C‐δ (PKCδ) phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, but suppressed messenger RNA expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase 2b in both C2C12 myocytes and in mouse soleus skeletal muscle. These asprosin‐induced effects were markedly decreased in small interfering (si) RNA‐mediated PKCδ‐knockdown in C2C12 myocytes. These results suggest that asprosin results in impairment of insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle through PKCδ‐associated ER stress/inflammation pathways and may be a valuable strategy for management of insulin resistance and T2DM.
Viral suppression among children and their caregivers living with HIV in western Kenya
Authors: Humphrey John M , Genberg Becky L , Keter Alfred , Musick Beverly , Apondi Edith , Gardner Adrian , Hogan Joseph W , Wools‐Kaloustian Kara
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Despite the central role of caregivers in managing HIV treatment for children living with HIV, viral suppression within caregiver–child dyads in which both members are living with HIV is not well described.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of children living with HIV <15 years of age and their caregivers living with HIV attending HIV clinics affiliated with the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) in Kenya between 2015 and 2017. To be included in the analysis, children and caregivers must have had ≥1 viral load (VL) during the study period while receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for ≥6 months, and the date of the caregiver's VL must have occurred ±90 days from the date of the child's VL. The characteristics of children, caregivers and dyads were descriptively summarized. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of viral non‐suppression (≥ 1000 copies/mL) in children, adjusting for caregiver and child characteristics.

Results

Of 7667 children who received care at AMPATH during the study period, 1698 were linked to a caregiver living with HIV and included as caregiver–child dyads. For caregivers, 94% were mothers, median age at ART initiation 32.8 years, median CD4 count at ART initiation 164 cells/mm3 and 23% were not virally suppressed. For children, 52% were female, median age at ART initiation 4.2 years, median CD4 values at ART initiation were 15% (age < 5 years) and 396 cells/mm3 (age ≥ 5 years), and 38% were not virally suppressed. In the multivariable model, children were found more likely to not be virally suppressed if their caregivers were not suppressed compared to children with suppressed caregivers (aOR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.86 to 3.10). Other characteristics associated with child viral non‐suppression included caregiver ART regimen change prior to the VL, caregiver receipt of a non‐NNRTI‐based regimen at the time of the VL, younger child age at ART initiation and child tuberculosis treatment at the time of the VL.

Conclusions

Children were at higher risk of viral non‐suppression if their caregivers were not virally suppressed compared to children with suppressed caregivers. A child's viral suppression status should be closely monitored if his or her caregiver is not suppressed.
Human bocavirus detection and quantification in fecal and serum specimens from recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A longitudinal study
Authors: Costa Brunno Câmara Lopes , Dábilla Nathânia Alves Silva , Almeida Tâmera Nunes , Fiaccadori Fabíola Souza , de Souza Teresinha Teixeira , Cardoso Divina das Dores de Paula , Arantes Adriano de Moraes , Souza Menira
Published: April 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of human bocavirus (HBoV) and to determine viral loads in samples of patients admitted for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT).

Methods

Fecal and serum samples were collected from 19 patients, during a 24‐month period. Samples were screened by quantitative polymerase chain reaction TaqMan assay, with specific probe and primers targeting the NP1 gene of all HBoVs genotypes (HBoV‐1 to ‐ 4), and viral loads were determined using serial dilutions of a recombinant plasmid.

Results

HBoV DNA was detected in 42.1% (8 of 19) of the patients in at least one type of sample (feces and/or serum) during the study period, with 75% (6 of 8) of the patients being positive in both types of sample. Viral shedding in feces had a median of 26 days (range, 5 to 121) and viremia was detected in 87.5% (7 of 8) of the patients. The HBoV loads in fecal samples were higher than in sera and, in most cases, HBoV was detected earlier in fecal than in sera samples. In six HBoV‐positive patients (6 of 8) diarrhea was observed concomitantly to viral detection in fecal samples.

Conclusions

A high frequency and loads of HBoV in allo‐HSCT recipients was observed, especially in fecal samples. Positivity in fecal samples was an early predictor of HBoV presence.
Testing mechanisms underlying the Hedley sequential phosphorus extraction of soils
Authors: Klotzbücher Anika , Kaiser Klaus , Klotzbücher Thimo , Wolff Maximilian , Mikutta Robert
Published: April 2019

The Hedley fractionation has become the preeminent measure for estimating the bioavailability of phosphorus (P) in soils. However, mechanisms underlying P extractability have never been tested. We hypothesize that P sequentially extracted by individual steps can either be referred to a specific mineral source (Hypothesis 1) or to its binding strength to minerals (Hypothesis 2). We prepared mineral‐P associations in the laboratory using various secondary mineral phases and P forms (orthophosphate, phytic acid, ribonucleic acid), which were then subject to the Hedley sequential extraction scheme (anion exchange resin in
form, 0.5 M NaHCO3, 0.1 M NaOH, 1 M HCl, and concentrated HCl at 80°C). Extracts were analyzed for P as well as for the main mineral‐borne elements by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP–OES). In order to test if the observed mineral dissolution patterns match those of natural soils, we applied the Hedley fractionation to forest soils comprising various P stocks and measured in addition to extracted P also iron, aluminum, and calcium by ICP–OES. Phosphorus extractability from mineral‐P associations differed between P forms and mineral phases. Adsorbed P always contributed to several or all extracts, Hypothesis 1 was thus not tenable. Aluminum hydroxide, allophane, ferrihydrite, and goethite completely dissolved during Hedley fractionation from the third extraction step onwards. Successive mineral dissolution also occurred for the soil samples. Thus, extracted P represents partly desorbed P from various soil constituents and partly P co‐released upon dissolution of various minerals. Consequently, also Hypothesis 2 could not be confirmed, i.e., the sequential extraction is not suitable to assess different binding strengths between P forms and minerals. We conclude that the method hardly provides information for studies aiming at the mechanistic understanding of P bioavailability in soil.
Effect of novel atmospheric‐pressure jet pretreatment on the drying kinetics and quality of white grapes
Authors: Huang Chien‐Chih , Wu James Swi‐Bea , Wu Jong‐Shinn , Ting Yuwen
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Raisin is a popular snack and a common constituent of many foods owing to its good flavor and nutritional value. Conventional drying of grapes can be a slow and energy‐consuming process as their waxy surface hinders efficient moisture migration. A drying pretreatment that disrupts the waxy cuticle is usually applied to increase the drying rate.

RESULTS

The application of an atmospheric‐pressure air plasma jet to the grape surface could effectively enhance the drying kinetics and decrease the drying time by more than 20%. Through etching of the waxy cuticle, the air plasma jet optimally improves the quality of the final product. Although the surface hydrophilicity was increased by 40%, the physical appearance, color, and texture of plasma‐treated raisins were similar to the product from untreated control and chemical‐treated groups. A more than twofold increase in the total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity was observed when compared to other experimental groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that atmospheric plasma could be a better option than using chemicals to pretreat grapes before drying since it leaves no toxic residue, while successfully preserving the product quality. This work shows the great potential for the application of atmospheric air plasma in the drying of food materials. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Free radical scavenging and anti‐inflammatory potential of a protein hydrolysate derived from salmon bones on RAW 264.7 macrophage cells
Authors: Saisavoey Tanatorn , Sangtanoo Papassara , Reamtong Onrapak , Karnchanatat Aphichart
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Salmon bones, a waste by‐product from the salmon industry, were used as a protein hydrolysate source for the production of bioactive peptides. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties of salmon bone protein hydrolysate (SBPH).

RESULTS

Salmon bones were hydrolyzed by separately using one of four proteases (Alcalase, Favourzyme, Neutrase and papain) at various concentrations (10, 25 and 50 mg mL−1), where the SBPH derived from 10 mg mL−1 papain hydrolysis exhibited the highest nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging activity. After ultrafiltration, the MW < 0.65 kDa fraction showed the strongest NO inhibitory activity and was further fractionated by gel filtration chromatography (G1 and G2 fractions) and reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatographic fractionation of the G1 fraction, from which the three main peaks (H1, H2 and H3) were found to have a marked NO‐inhibitory activity and their peptide sequences were determined. Moreover, the G1 fraction was shown to inhibit both the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced NO production and the LPS‐induced inducible NO synthase , interleukin‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α and induced NO production and the LPSCOX‐2 mRNA levels in RAW 264.7 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Salmon bones from the salmon fisheries and farming industry were utilized by enzymatic hydrolysis for the production of valuable peptides. The results of this study suggested that bioactive peptides derived from salmon bones would be alternative anti‐inflammation materials in functional resources. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Technically Adequate Images for Preparticipation Screening Echocardiography Can Be Obtained by Novices After a Single Day of Training
Authors: Stephen Victoria Sarah , Wells Mike
Published: April 2019

Objectives

Echocardiography‐naïve physicians were trained in a 1‐day course to determine whether they could obtain images adequate for preparticipation screening in athletes.

Methods

Twenty‐six physicians with no previous experience in echocardiography were trained to perform preparticipation screening echocardiography during a 6‐hour course. Each image was rated for its technical quality on a diagnostic adequacy score. The time taken to perform the images was also evaluated.

Results

The images obtained a median score of 3 (interquartile range, 2–4), which was considered adequate for preparticipation screening. Video clips achieved a higher rating than the still images, with a median score of 4 (interquartile range, 3–4). The best‐performing 50% of the participants obtained adequate images for screening 95% of the time after the initial training. Considering the group overall, 79.2% of all video clips were adequate. The median time to perform the scans was 39 seconds. The correlation between the time and adequacy score showed that the quickest novices were also able to obtain the best images.

Conclusions

It is feasible to use novice sonographers to perform preparticipation screening echocardiography provided that the skill of the candidates is assessed after training, and competent individuals are selected. Video images should be used rather than still images.
The impact of frailty on perioperative outcomes and resource utilization in sinonasal cancer surgery
Authors: Goel Alexander N. , Lee Jivianne T. , Gurrola Jose G. , Wang Marilene B. , Suh Jeffrey D.
Published: April 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

Frailty is a measure of decreased physiologic reserve that has been associated with adverse outcomes in older surgical patients. We aimed to measure the association of preoperative frailty with outcomes in patients undergoing sinonasal cancer surgery.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

We identified 5,346 patients in the Nationwide Readmissions Database undergoing sinonasal cancer surgery from 2010 to 2014. Frailty was defined using the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups frailty‐defining diagnoses indicator. Multivariate regression was used to analyze the association of frailty with postoperative outcomes.

Results

Frailty was present in 7.4% of patients. Frailty was a significant independent predictor of intensive care unit–level complications (odds ratio [OR]: 4.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.95‐7.93; P < .001) and nonhome discharge (OR: 3.07; 95% CI: 1.68‐5.60; P < .001). Compared to nonfrail patients, frail patients had threefold longer median length of stay (12 days vs. 4 days; P < .001) and more than twofold higher median hospital costs ($44,408 vs. $18,660; P < .001). Frailty outperformed advanced comorbidity (defined as Charlson‐Deyo score ≥3), age ≥80 years, and markers of surgical complexity (e.g., skull base/orbit involvement, flap reconstruction, neck dissection) in predicting serious complications, nonhome discharge, length of stay, and hospital costs.

Conclusions

Frailty appears to have a stronger and more consistent association with adverse outcomes and increased resource utilization after sinonasal cancer surgery than age or comorbidity index. This information may be used in surgical risk stratification and can guide strategies to prevent or mitigate adverse events in this high‐risk group.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 130:290–296, 2020
Generalized nonisospectral super integrable hierarchies
Authors: Yu Jing , Zhou Shouhang , Han Jingwei , He Jingsong
Published: April 2019

For the Lie superalgebra B(0,1), we choose a set of basis matrices. Then we consider a linear combination of the basis matrices, which is exactly the spectral matrix of the spatial part for the super Ablowitz‐Kaup‐Newell‐Segur (AKNS) hierarchy. The compatible condition of the spatial and temporal spectral problems leads to the well‐known zero curvature equation. Here, when the spectral parameter is independent (dependent) of temporal parameter, we obtain isospectral (nonisospectral) super AKNS hierarchy. Furthermore, we derive the generalized nonisospectral super AKNS hierarchy (GNI‐SAKNS). As another example, similar method is successfully applied to the super Dirac hierarchy, and we obtain the generalized nonisospectral super Dirac hierarchy (GNI‐SD).
Genetic Identification of Species Responsible for Depredation in Commercial and Recreational Fisheries
Authors: Drymon J. Marcus , Cooper Pearce T. , Powers Sean P. , Miller Molly M. , Magnuson Sharon , Krell Evan , Bird Chris
Published: April 2019

Depredation, the partial or complete removal of hooked fish (prey) by a nontarget predator species, is a cryptic interaction that negatively affects predators, prey, and fishing industries. However, these interactions are rarely observed, rendering positive identification of the predator nearly impossible. We therefore tested a genetic method for predator identification. Depredated remains from sharks and bony fish were sampled with buccal swabs. Genetic material was isolated from the swabs, which we hypothesized contained oral cells from the predator. A portion of the cytochrome-c oxidase subunit I locus was amplified using prey-specific blocking primers and sequenced in high depth using a metagenetics approach. We sequenced haplotypes from the remains of four sharks, where the predator was visually confirmed, and four bony fish, where the predator was unknown. For all interactions with known predators, our technique suggested the correct predator species. For all interactions where the predators were unknown, our technique suggested species previously confirmed as perpetrators in depredation events. Our findings provide a basis for the development of a genetic technique for predator identification, while highlighting challenges to be overcome before predator identification can be applied to large-scale fisheries.
The correlation of adenosine challenge test results with subsequent clinical course among young children with suspected asthma: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Levin Gabriel , Rottenstreich Amihai , Picard Elie , Avital Avraham , Springer Chaim , Cohen Shlomo
Published: April 2019

Aim

Our aim was to evaluate the correlation of Adenosine monophosphate challenge test (AMP‐PCW) results with the patients' subsequent clinical course.

Methods

We performed a 6‐year retrospective cohort study of young children with suspected asthma who underwent AMP‐PCW test.

Results

Fifty four children were included in the study (median age, 50.5 months; range, 26‐90). AMP‐PCW was positive in 35 (65%) children. During the 3‐year follow‐up period, among 22 of 35 patients in the positive AMP‐PCW group and among 17 of 19 in the negative AMP‐PCW group—prophylactic therapy was not changed. Prophylactic therapy was initiated or its dose was escalated in 12 of 13 (92.3%) of the children with a positive AMP‐PCW test compared to none of the children with a negative challenge test (P < 0.001). Prophylactic therapy was discontinued in only one (7.6%) of the children with a positive test as compared to two (100%) of the children with a negative test (P < 0.001). There were significantly fewer severe asthma exacerbations during a 3‐year follow‐up period after the challenge test as compared to the preceding 3‐year period both in children with a positive (from 34 to 9 total events, P = 0.01) or a negative challenge test (from 16 to 0 events P = 0.01). The severity of airway hyper responsiveness was found to associate with the number of severe asthma exacerbations (P = 0.04) and with a diagnosis of asthma during the following 3 years (P = 0.02).

Conclusions

AMP‐PCW test results correlates with the subsequent clinical course of young children with suspected asthma performing the test.
Protein tertiary structure modeling driven by deep learning and contact distance prediction in CASP13
Authors: Hou Jie , Wu Tianqi , Cao Renzhi , Cheng Jianlin
Published: April 2019

Predicting residue‐residue distance relationships (eg, contacts) has become the key direction to advance protein structure prediction since 2014 CASP11 experiment, while deep learning has revolutionized the technology for contact and distance distribution prediction since its debut in 2012 CASP10 experiment. During 2018 CASP13 experiment, we enhanced our MULTICOM protein structure prediction system with three major components: contact distance prediction based on deep convolutional neural networks, distance‐driven template‐free (ab initio) modeling, and protein model ranking empowered by deep learning and contact prediction. Our experiment demonstrates that contact distance prediction and deep learning methods are the key reasons that MULTICOM was ranked 3rd out of all 98 predictors in both template‐free and template‐based structure modeling in CASP13. Deep convolutional neural network can utilize global information in pairwise residue‐residue features such as coevolution scores to substantially improve contact distance prediction, which played a decisive role in correctly folding some free modeling and hard template‐based modeling targets. Deep learning also successfully integrated one‐dimensional structural features, two‐dimensional contact information, and three‐dimensional structural quality scores to improve protein model quality assessment, where the contact prediction was demonstrated to consistently enhance ranking of protein models for the first time. The success of MULTICOM system clearly shows that protein contact distance prediction and model selection driven by deep learning holds the key of solving protein structure prediction problem. However, there are still challenges in accurately predicting protein contact distance when there are few homologous sequences, folding proteins from noisy contact distances, and ranking models of hard targets.
Surface‐Emitting Micro‐Mirror Superluminescent Diodes: Investigation of Tilt Accuracy Via Far‐Field Analysis
Authors: Jentzsch Bruno , Gomez‐Iglesias Alvaro , Tonkikh Alexander , Zull Heribert , Kugler Siegmar , Witzigmann Bernd
Published: April 2019

Far‐field characteristics of novel surface‐emitting micro‐mirror superluminescent diodes are investigated. The mirrors are fabricated by using thin film technology and an inductively coupled plasma etching process on wafer scale, suitable for mass production. Combining measurements and modeling results, the mirror tilt is estimated and the feasibility of good‐quality ≈45° mirrors is demonstrated. This approach offers an accuracy better than optical inspection with, e.g., scanning electron microscopy. In addition, our experiments revealed spurious ripples in the far‐field profiles with increasing tilt deviations, which finite‐difference time‐domain simulations identified as interference with back reflections. These results highlight the importance of tailored waveguides, high quality coatings, and precise mirror tilt to achieve maximal performance with surface‐emitting in‐plane semiconductor devices.
An Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics study of Low Temperature Effects in Crystalline α‐HMX
Authors: Zhu Simin , Zhu Weihua
Published: April 2019

Ab initio molecular dynamics and DFT‐D method were used to study the average structural, electronic, vibrational frequencies, optical properties, and mechanic properties of the α‐HMX (octahydro‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocine) crystal at different temperatures. The calculated crystal structure agrees well with experimental results at ambient temperature. The increasing temperature does not produce any obvious effects on the crystal structure of α‐HMX. But the increasing temperature strengthens the free rotation of the nitro groups. As the temperature increases, the electrons become more and more delocalized. The NO2 asymmetric stretching modes are sensitive to the temperature. The vibrational modes of these side groups (NO2 and CH2) couple strongly with the increasing temperature and so could provide an important vibrational channel for H migration reactions and N‐NO2 cleavage. The effects of temperature on the optical properties of the α‐HMX crystal are different in different frequency regions. This finding indicates that the increasing temperature produces a complicated effect on the mechanical properties of the α‐HMX crystal.
Time‐Dependent Operations in Molecular Gap Atomic Switches
Authors: Suzuki Ayana , Tsuruoka Tohru , Hasegawa Tsuyoshi
Published: April 2019

Learning by human beings is achieved by changing the synaptic weights of a neural network in the brain. Low frequency stimulation temporarily increases a synaptic weight, which then decreases to the initial low state in the interval after each stimulation. Conversely, high frequency stimulation keeps a synaptic weight at an elevated level, even after the stimulation ends. These phenomena are termed short‐term plasticity (STP) and long‐term potentiation (LTP), respectively. These functions have been emulated by various nonvolatile devices, with the aim of developing hardware‐based artificial intelligent (AI) systems. In order to use the functions in actual AI systems with other conventional devices, control of the operating characteristics, such as matching a decay constant in STP, is indispensable. This paper reports an electrochemical method for controlling the characteristics of time‐dependent neuromorphic operations of molecular gap atomic switches. Pre‐doping of Ag+ cations into an ionic transfer layer (Ta2O5) changes the amount of shift in an electrochemical potential in the time‐dependent operation, which drastically improves the decaying characteristics in STP mode.