bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two-Component Regulatory Systems of Mycobacteria
Authors: Parish Tanya
Published: April 2014

Two-component regulatory systems (2CRSs) are widely used by bacteria to sense and respond to environmental stimuli with coordinated changes in gene expression. Systems are normally comprised of a sensory kinase protein that activates a transcriptional regulator by phosphorylation. Mycobacteria have few 2CRSs, but they are of key importance for bacterial survival and play important roles in pathogenicity.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
has 12 paired two-component regulatory systems (which include a system with two regulators and one sensor, and a split sensor system), as well as four orphan regulators. Several systems are involved in virulence, and disruption of different systems leads to attenuation or hypervirulence. PhoPR plays a major role in regulating cell wall composition, and its inactivation results in sufficient attenuation of
M. tuberculosis
that deletion strains are live vaccine candidates. MprAB controls the stress response and is required for persistent infections. SenX3-RegX3 is required for control of aerobic respiration and phosphate uptake, and PrrAB is required for adaptation to intracellular infection. MtrAB is an essential system that controls DNA replication and cell division. The remaining systems (KdpDE, NarL, TrcRS, TcrXY, TcrA, PdtaRS, and four orphan regulators) are less well understood. The structure and binding motifs for several regulators have been characterized, revealing variations in function and operation. The sensors are less well characterized, and stimuli for many remain to be confirmed. This chapter reviews our current understanding of the role of two-component systems in mycobacteria, in particular
M. tuberculosis.
Distributive Conjugal Transfer: New Insights into Horizontal Gene Transfer and Genetic Exchange in Mycobacteria
Authors: Derbyshire Keith M. , Gray Todd A.
Published: April 2014

The past decade has seen an explosion in the application of genomic tools across all biological disciplines. This is also true for mycobacteria, where whole-genome sequences are now available for pathogens and nonpathogens alike. Genomes within the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTBC) bear the hallmarks of horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Conjugation is the form of HGT with the highest potential capacity and evolutionary influence. Donor and recipient strains of
Mycobacterium smegmatis
actively conjugate upon coculturing in biofilms and on solid media. Whole-genome sequencing of the transconjugant progeny demonstrated the incredible scale and range of genomic variation that conjugation generates. Transconjugant genomes are complex mosaics of the parental strains. Some transconjugant genomes are up to one-quarter donor-derived, distributed over 30 segments. Transferred segments range from ∼50 bp to ∼225,000 bp in length and are exchanged with their recipient orthologs all around the genome. This unpredictable genome-wide infusion of DNA sequences is called distributive conjugal transfer (DCT), to distinguish it from traditional
oriT
-based conjugation. The mosaicism generated in a single transfer event resembles that seen from meiotic recombination in sexually reproducing organisms and contrasts with traditional models of HGT. This similarity allowed the application of a genome-wide association study approach to map the donor genes that confer a donor mating identity phenotype. The mating identity genes map to the
esx1
locus, expanding the central role of ESX-1 function in conjugation. The potential for DCT to instantaneously blend genomes will affect how we view mycobacterial evolution and provide new tools for the facile manipulation of mycobacterial genomes.
Mycobacterial Pathogenomics and Evolution
Authors: Bottai Daria , Stinear Timothy P. , Supply Philip , Brosch Roland
Published: April 2014

Most mycobacterial species are harmless saprophytes, often found in aquatic environments. A few species seem to have evolved from this pool of environmental mycobacteria into major human pathogens, such asMycobacterium tuberculosis, the agent of tuberculosis,Mycobacterium leprae, the leprosy bacillus, andMycobacterium ulcerans, the agent of Buruli ulcer. While the pathogenicity ofM. ulceransrelates to the acquisition of a large plasmid encoding a polyketide-derived toxin, the molecular mechanisms by whichM. lepraeorM. tuberculosishave evolved to cause disease are complex and involve the interaction between the pathogen and the host.

Here we focus onM. tuberculosisand closely related mycobacteria and discuss insights gained from recent genomic and functional studies. Comparison ofM. tuberculosisgenome data with sequences from nontuberculous mycobacteria, such asMycobacterium marinumorMycobacterium kansasii, provides a perception of the more distant evolution ofM. tuberculosis, while the recently accomplished genome sequences of multiple tubercle bacilli with smooth colony morphology, namedMycobacterium canettii, have allowed the ancestral gene pool of tubercle bacilli to be estimated. The resulting findings are instrumental for our understanding of the pathogenomic evolution of tuberculosis-causing mycobacteria. Comparison of virulent and attenuated members of theM. tuberculosiscomplex has further contributed to identification of a specific secretion pathway, named ESX or Type VII secretion. The molecular machines involved are key elements for mycobacterial pathogenicity, strongly influencing the ability ofM. tuberculosisto cope with the immune defense mounted by the host.
BCG Vaccines
Authors: Tran Vanessa , Liu Jun , Behr Marcel A.
Published: April 2014

BCG is the collective name for a family of live attenuated strains of
Mycobacterium bovis
that are currently used as the only vaccine against tuberculosis (TB). There are two major reasons for studying the genome of these organisms: (i) Because they are attenuated, BCG vaccines provide a window into
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
virulence, and (ii) because they have provided protection in several clinical trials and case-control studies, BCG vaccines may shed light on properties required of a TB vaccine. Since the determination of the
M. tuberculosis
genome in 1998, the study of BCG vaccines has accelerated dramatically, offering data on the genomic differences between virulent
M. tuberculosis, M. bovis
, and the vaccine strains. While these findings have been rewarding for the study of virulence, there is unfortunately less accrued knowledge about protection. In this chapter, we review briefly the history of BCG vaccines and then touch upon studies over the past two decades that help explain how BCG underwent attenuation, concluding with some more speculative comments as to how these vaccines might offer protection against TB.
Molecular Genetics of Mycobacteriophages
Authors: Hatfull Graham F.
Published: April 2014

Mycobacteriophages have provided numerous essential tools for mycobacterial genetics, including delivery systems for transposons, reporter genes, and allelic exchange substrates, and components for plasmid vectors and mutagenesis. Their genetically diverse genomes also reveal insights into the broader nature of the phage population and the evolutionary mechanisms that give rise to it. The substantial advances in our understanding of the biology of mycobacteriophages including a large collection of completely sequenced genomes indicates a rich potential for further contributions in tuberculosis genetics and beyond.
Cholera: Environmental Reservoirs and Impact on Disease Transmission
Authors: Almagro-Moreno Salvador , Taylor Ronald K.
Published: April 2014

Vibrio cholerae
is widely known to be the etiological agent of the life-threatening diarrheal disease cholera. Cholera remains a major scourge in many developing countries, infecting hundreds of thousands every year. Remarkably,
V. cholerae
is a natural inhabitant of brackish riverine, estuarine, and coastal waters, and only a subset of strains are known to be pathogenic to humans. Recent studies have begun to uncover a very complex network of relationships between
V. cholerae
and other sea dwellers, and the mechanisms associated with the occurrence of seasonal epidemics in regions where cholera is endemic are beginning to be elucidated. Many of the factors required for the organism's survival and persistence in its natural environment have been revealed, as well as the ubiquitous presence of horizontal gene transfer in the emergence of pathogenic strains of
V. cholerae
. In this article, we will focus on the environmental stage of pathogenic
V. cholerae
and the interactions of the microorganism with other inhabitants of aquatic environments. We will discuss the impact that its environmental reservoirs have on disease transmission and the distinction between reservoirs of
V. cholerae
and the vectors that establish cholera as a zoonosis.
Emerging Infectious Diseases of Wildlife and Species Conservation
Authors: Medina-Vogel G.
Published: April 2014

There has been an increase in the emergence and reemergence of human infectious diseases on a global scale, and zoonotic diseases in which wildlife serves as the reservoir are a large contributing factor. Faced with this situation, there is a necessity to create integrated prevention strategies and predictive models to determine the sites most vulnerable to the emergence of new zoonoses. Cases have been documented in which pathogens responsible for infectious diseases in wild species have been readily transmitted between hosts and have threatened vulnerable declining populations. Habitat destruction and man-made changes in the landscape together with the introduction of alien species are significant environmental variables that affect the ecology of infectious diseases. Thus, the loss of biodiversity is illustrated to be related to both the emergence of new or the exacerbation of existing vector-borne zoonotic diseases through mechanisms such as the loss of the dilution effect and ecological release and simplification. Hence, it is important to consider this factor when assessing disease risk and disease prevention in domestic animals and humans. Diseases like leptospirosis in which water plays an important role are ecosystem health diseases; in fact, the reported higher prevalence ofLeptospiraspp. in river otters in southern Chile compared with species less adapted to aquatic environments and with terrestrial domestic carnivores provides evidence that man-made landscape alterations, including the introduction of alien species, has exacerbated the transmission and prevalence of leptospirosis in wildlife and thus the risk of human infection.
One Health: Lessons Learned from East Africa
Authors: Travis Dominic A. , Chapman David W. , Craft Meggan E. , Deen John , Farnham MacDonald W. , Garcia Carolyn , Hueston William D. , Kock Richard , Mahero Michael , Mugisha Lawrence , Nzietchueng Serge , Nutter Felicia B. , Olson Debra , Pekol Amy , Pelican Katharine M. , Robertson Cheryl , Rwego Innocent B.
Published: April 2014

Africa is faced with many of the most daunting challenges of our time. It comprises roughly 15% of the world’s human population, and most of its countries are perpetually ranked “Low” on the United Nations’ Human Development Index. On the other hand, Africa has arguably the largest proportion of intact natural ecosystems, biodiversity, and sociocultural capital and the lowest impact on global warming of any continent. Thus, African leaders are faced with competing demands and values among a multitude of complex issues, such as high human population growth, extreme poverty, food insecurity, land use policy, climate change, and biodiversity conservation. In this context, building sustainable national systems for human and/or animal health is one of the grand challenges of this generation. Today’s complex global health and development challenges require long-term commitment and a range of approaches that are too broad for any one discipline, institution, or country to implement on its own. The One Health concept recognizes the interconnectedness of global health issues and, as such, promotes the importance of and need for international, interdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral communication and collaboration at local, national, and international levels. By taking advantage of natural cultural tendencies for shared leadership, resource allocation, and community values, African leaders are currently proactively demonstrating the principles of One Health, and thus becoming a model for this global vision. And by focusing on partnerships rather than donor-recipient relationships, they are fostering the development of shared priorities and are increasingly driving their own health agenda to fulfill their own needs.
Genome Diversity of Spore-Forming
Firmicutes
Authors: Galperin Michael Y.
Published: April 2014

Formation of heat-resistant endospores is a specific property of the members of the phylum
Firmicutes
(low-G+C Gram-positive bacteria). It is found in representatives of four different classes of
Firmicutes
,
Bacilli
,
Clostridia
,
Erysipelotrichia
, and
Negativicutes
, which all encode similar sets of core sporulation proteins. Each of these classes also includes non-spore-forming organisms that sometimes belong to the same genus or even species as their spore-forming relatives. This chapter reviews the diversity of the members of phylum
Firmicutes
, its current taxonomy, and the status of genome-sequencing projects for various subgroups within the phylum. It also discusses the evolution of the
Firmicutes
from their apparently spore-forming common ancestor and the independent loss of sporulation genes in several different lineages (staphylococci, streptococci, listeria, lactobacilli, ruminococci) in the course of their adaptation to the saprophytic lifestyle in a nutrient-rich environment. It argues that the systematics of
Firmicutes
is a rapidly developing area of research that benefits from the evolutionary approaches to the ever-increasing amount of genomic and phenotypic data and allows arranging these data into a common framework.
Acupuncture Combined with An Antidepressant for Patients with Depression in Hospital: A Pragmatic Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Wang Tianjun , Wang Lingling , Tao Wenjian , Chen Li
Published: April 2014

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of acupuncture combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for patients with depression in hospital using a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Methods

76 patients with depression were randomly divided into two groups (randomisation ratio 2:1 for treatment and control groups (CGs), respectively) and 71 patients completed the study. The 45 patients in the treatment group (TG) underwent acupuncture and received an SSRI and the 26 patients in the CG received an SSRI only. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) was used to quantitatively assess patients after 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment.

Results

The mean (SD) baseline total HDRS scores were 22.2 (0.60) and 22.1 (0.33) in the TG and CG, respectively. After the first week of treatment the HDRS score for the TG was reduced to 15.6 (0.81), significantly different from the score of 18.3 (0.55) for the CG, p<0.05. This significant difference was maintained to the end of the 6-week treatment period, when HDRS scores had fallen to 6.3 (0.49) and 8.2 (0.35) for the TG and CG, respectively.

Conclusions

Acupuncture combined with an SSRI showed a statistically significant benefit for patients with depression in hospital over the 6-week period compared with SSRIs alone. This reduction in symptoms started in the first week and continued throughout the 6 weeks of treatment.
Haemolytic anaemia after nitrofurantoin treatment in a pregnant woman with G6PD deficiency
Authors: van de Mheen Lidewij , Smits Simone M , Terpstra Wim E , Leyte Anja , Bekedam Dick J , van den Akker Eline S A
Published: April 2014

We present a normotensive, pregnant woman with severe haemolytic anaemia in the third trimester of pregnancy. Owing to normal platelet count diagnoses other than HELLP syndrome were considered and investigated. The patient was treated with nitrofurantoin 3 weeks before presentation and she turned out to have a deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. After treatment with blood transfusion, vitamin B12and folic acid the patient recovered completely. Caesarean delivery was performed because of maternal hypertension and fetal distress at 33 weeks’ gestation.
Chemical injury caused by acute alendronic acid aspiration
Authors: Ottaway Zoe Victoria , Hammond Cara , Merritt Simon
Published: April 2014

A 79-year-old woman was prescribed bisphosphonates 3 years ago for osteoporosis. At the time of first prescription, she received counselling directions on how to take her medication, which she stringently adhered to. However, she accidentally aspirated an alendronic acid tablet and subsequently developed respiratory tract symptoms. An emergency bronchoscopy was performed. We describe the marked bronchoscopic changes following aspiration of alendronic acid.
Carney complex: fourth time excision of recurrent atrial myxoma via left thoracotomy
Authors: Azzam Raed , Abdelbar Abdelrahman , Yap Kok Hooi , Abousteit Ahmed
Published: April 2014

We report a case of a 51-year-old male patient with a known history of Carney complex, who was operated on for the fourth time due to recurrent left atrial myxomas. Despite surgical challenge, the operation was uneventful. The patient had a difficult postoperative period and needed further treatment for complications. After a prolonged recovery, he is currently well and remains myxoma-free up until now (36 months postsurgery) with regular follow-up using cardiac CT and transthoracic echocardiogram.
Spondylitic psoriatic arthritis presenting as acute urinary retention
Authors: Lo Tom Edward Ngo , Que Mary Lareine V , Tee Michael L
Published: April 2014

Psoriatic arthritis is a seronegative arthropathy occurring in the presence of psoriasis. In majority of cases, typical psoriatic skin lesions precede joint disease, making diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis without typical skin lesions, a diagnostic challenge. Nail lesions are commonly seen in patients affected by this condition, making it a useful clue in the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. This is a case of a 58-year-old Filipino woman presenting with sudden acute urinary retention and weakness of both lower extremities accompanied with active polyarthritis. Onycholytic nail changes initially thought to be a fungal nail infection led to the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis involving the spine. The patient was eventually treated with methotrexate and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs leading to full resolution of symptoms. The patient is currently ambulatory and on regular follow-up. This case report highlights the importance of clinical and physical findings particularly the nails that would lead to a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis.
Bilateral eruption cysts associated with primary molars in both the jaws
Authors: Gaddehosur Chandan D , Gopal Suma , Seelinere Prashanth T , Nimbeni Basavaraj S
Published: April 2014

Disturbances of tooth development may result in anomalies which appear in the form of swelling of the overlying mucosa of the erupting deciduous or permanent teeth, mostly in children. Eruption cyst (EC), a benign cyst is one such lesion associated with erupting teeth. ECs usually present as solitary swellings on the alveolar ridge mucosa, whereas multiple ECs presenting simultaneously or in short intervals are unusual. Here, we present a rare case of four large bilateral ECs presenting with swellings and pain in the posterior region of each quadrant in the mouth. The treatment included surgical excision under general anaesthesia and exposure of the unerupted primary teeth.
Prednisone induced two-way myocardial development in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Jiang Meng , Pu Jun , Shen Xue-dong , He Ben
Published: April 2014

We present a series of echocardiography images to demonstrate the myocardial response to a high dose of prednisone. A young woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with interventricular septal hypertrophy exhibited a high pressure gradient between the ascending aorta and left ventricular outflow tract as well as significant systolic anterior motion (SAM) and mitral regurgitation (MR) during high-dose prednisone treatment. However, the pressure gradient decreased dramatically and the MR disappeared rapidly when the dose of prednisone was reduced. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only adult case of myocardial hypertrophy that is assumed to be related to prednisone use.
Renal cell carcinoma needle biopsy: Sowing the seed for later complications?
Authors: Laird Alexander , Couper Catriona H , Glancy Stephen , O'Donnell Marie , Riddick Antony C P
Published: April 2014

Pathological examination of a radical nephrectomy for papillary renal cell carcinoma showed tumour present within the perinephric fat, with a morphology indicative of iatrogenic tumour cell tracking caused by previous biopsy of the mass. This is a rare complication of percutaneous biopsy, and as this procedure is becoming more common in investigating renal masses, it is important that the professionals are aware of the potential risks posed by renal mass biopsy.
Hepatitis E-associated encephalopathy in a renal transplant recipient
Authors: de Vries Marijke A , Samijn Johnny P A , de Man Rob , Boots Johannes M M
Published: April 2014

Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 is not rare in developed countries, and may cause chronic hepatitis in immunocompromised patients. This may not only lead to abnormalities in liver test and malaise, but to severe neurological symptoms as well. In this case, chronic hepatitis E infection caused encephalopathy, an atactic gait, Lhermitte's sign, incomplete bladder emptying and peripheral sensory neuropathy in a renal transplant recipient. The diagnosis was not performed until years after the onset of first symptoms and several months after the onset of neurological symptoms. If treated adequately, viral load can be reduced in over two-thirds of patients and neurological symptoms are often resolved. More widespread knowledge about this virus and its extrahepatic manifestations may lead to a quicker diagnosis, and may limit pathology. Serological screening should be added to standard pretransplant virological screening, so that, in the future, patients without antibodies could be vaccinated.
Evolution of accelerometer methods for physical activity research
Authors: Troiano Richard P , McClain James J , Brychta Robert J , Chen Kong Y
Published: April 2014

The technology and application of current accelerometer-based devices in physical activity (PA) research allow the capture and storage or transmission of large volumes of raw acceleration signal data. These rich data not only provide opportunities to improve PA characterisation, but also bring logistical and analytic challenges. We discuss how researchers and developers from multiple disciplines are responding to the analytic challenges and how advances in data storage, transmission and big data computing will minimise logistical challenges. These new approaches also bring the need for several paradigm shifts for PA researchers, including a shift from count-based approaches and regression calibrations for PA energy expenditure (PAEE) estimation to activity characterisation and EE estimation based on features extracted from raw acceleration signals. Furthermore, a collaborative approach towards analytic methods is proposed to facilitate PA research, which requires a shift away from multiple independent calibration studies. Finally, we make the case for a distinction between PA represented by accelerometer-based devices and PA assessed by self-report.
Jump frequency may contribute to risk of jumper's knee: a study of interindividual and sex differences in a total of 11 943 jumps video recorded during training and matches in young elite volleyball players
Authors: Bahr Martin A , Bahr Roald
Published: April 2014

Background

Male sex, total training volume (number of hours per week) and match exposure (number of sets played per week) are risk factors for jumper's knee among young elite volleyball players. However, it is not known whether jump frequency differs among players on the same squad.

Objective

To examine interindividual and sex differences in jump frequency during training and matches in young elite volleyball players.

Design

Observational study.

Setting

Norwegian elite volleyball boarding school training programme.

Participants

Student-athletes (26 boys and 18 girls, 16–18 years).

Methods

Individual jump counts were recorded based on visual analysis of video recordings obtained from 1 week of volleyball training (9 training sessions for boys and 10 for girls, 14.1 h and 17.8 h of training, respectively) and 10 matches (5.9 h for boys (16 sets) and 7.7 h for girls (21 sets).

Results

A total of 11 943 jumps were recorded, 4138 during matches and 7805 during training. As training attendance and jump frequency varied substantially between players, the total exposure in training ranged from 50 to 666 jumps/week among boys and from 11 to 251 jumps/week among girls. On average, this corresponded to 35.7 jumps/h for boys and 13.7 jumps/h for girls (Student t test, p=0.002). Total jump exposure during matches ranged between 1 and 339 jumps among boys and between 0 and 379 jumps among girls, corresponding to an average jump frequency of 62.2 jumps/h for boys and 41.9 jumps/h for girls (Student t test, p<0.039). The interindividual differences in jump frequency were substantially greater than any differences observed among player functions.

Conclusions

Jump frequency has substantial interindividual and sex differences during training and matches in young elite volleyball players. Total jump volume may represent a more important risk factor for jumper's knee than total training volume, warranting further research attention.
Methamphetamine use is an independent predictor of poor outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Moon Karam , Albuquerque Felipe C , Mitkov Mario , Ducruet Andrew F , Wilson David A , Crowley R Webster , Nakaji Peter , McDougall Cameron G
Published: April 2014

Background

Clinical outcomes of methamphetamine users with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) are unknown.

Objective

To analyze differences in presentation, in-hospital morbidity, and outcomes between methamphetamine users and non-users.

Methods

All 472 patients included in the Barrow Ruptured Aneurysm Trial from 2003 to 2007 were reviewed. Patients with 1- and 3-year follow-up were included in this analysis (n=398). Methamphetamine users were identified as patients who provided a history of methamphetamine use on admission or tested positive on urine toxicology testing. Methamphetamine users were compared with non-users using univariate analysis. Outcomes were then analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models for demographic characteristics, medical comorbidities, radiographic and clinical presentation, and vasospasm.

Results

Thirty-one patients (7.8%) were identified as methamphetamine users in this cohort. Methamphetamine users were younger than non-users (mean age 42.8 vs 55 years, p<0.001). In multivariate logistic regression models, methamphetamine use was an independent predictor of poor Glasgow Outcome Scale score at both 1 year (OR=5.02; 95% CI 1.03 to 24.48; p<0.05) and 3 years (OR=7.18; 95% CI 1.73 to 29.87; p=0.007). Other independent predictors in this model included older age, clinical vasospasm, diabetes, and aneurysm size. Cocaine and tobacco use were not significantly associated with poor outcome in our cohort. Methamphetamine use was not significantly associated with vasospasm, higher Fisher or Hunt and Hess grade, or intraparenchymal hemorrhage/intraventricular hemorrhage.

Conclusions

Methamphetamine users have significantly worse outcomes at 1 and 3 years following aSAH. Further analysis is necessary to understand the pathological response associated with methamphetamine use in this setting.
All-transretinoic acid stimulates gene expression of the cardioprotective natriuretic peptide system and prevents fibrosis and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes of obeseob/obmice
Authors: Manolescu Daniel-Constantin , Jankowski Marek , Danalache Bogdan A. , Wang Donghao , Broderick Tom L. , Chiasson Jean-Louis , Gutkowska Jolanta
Published: April 2014

In hypertensive rodents, retinoic acid (RA) prevents adverse cardiac remodelling and improves myocardial infarction outcome, but its role in obesity-related changes of cardiac tissue are unclear. We hypothesized that all-trans RA (ATRA) treatment will improve the cardioprotective oxytocin-natriuretic peptides (OT-NP) system, preventing apoptosis and collagen accumulation in hearts of ob/ob mice, a mouse model of obesity and insulin resistance. Female 9-week-old B6.V-Lep/J ob/ob mice (n = 16) were divided into 2 groups: 1 group (n = 8) treated with 100 μg of ATRA dissolved in 100 μL of corn oil (vehicle) delivered daily (∼2 μg·g body weight–1·day–1) by stomach intubation for 16 days, and 1 group (n = 8) that received the vehicle alone. A group of nonobese littermate mice (n = 9) served as controls. Ob/ob mice exhibited obesity, hyperglycaemia, and downregulation of the cardiac OT-NP system, including the mRNA for the transcription factor GATA4, OT receptor and brain NP, and the protein expression for endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Hearts from ob/ob mice also demonstrated increased apoptosis and collagen accumulation. ATRA treatment induced weight loss and decreased adipocytes diameter in the visceral fat, thus reducing visceral obesity, which is associated with a high risk for cardiovascular disease. RA treatment was associated with a reduction in hyperglycemia and a normalization of the OT-NP system’s expression in the hearts of ob/ob mice. Furthermore, ATRA treatment prevented apoptosis and collagen accumulation in hearts of ob/ob mice. The present study indicates that ATRA treatment was effective in restoring the cardioprotective OT-NP system and in preventing abnormal cardiac remodelling in the ob/ob mice.
Neoarchean continental crust formation and Paleoproterozoic deformation of the central Rae craton, Committee Bay belt, Nunavut
Authors: Sanborn-Barrie M. , Davis W.J. , Berman R.G. , Rayner N. , Skulski T. , Sandeman H.
Published: April 2014

Integrated mapping, structural analysis, and U–Pb geochronology of the Committee Bay area, Nunavut, establish a record of Neoarchean crustal growth followed by penetrative Paleoproterozoic deformation. Supracrustal rocks include a lower ca. 2.73 Ga mafic–ultramafic volcanic-dominated sequence, a middle, economically significant 2.71 Ga intermediate volcanic-bearing sequence with intercalated sulphidized, gold-bearing iron formation, and an upper <2.69 Ga clastic ± komatiite–quartzite sequence. Following an 80 million year hiatus, this succession was intruded by voluminous ca. 2.61–2.57 Ga granodiorite–tonalite–granite ± diorite, which do not appear to have thermally or tectonically affected the supracrustal belt. Instead, three generations of structures record polyphase Paleoproterozoic deformation of the region. D1structures are consistent with a doubly vergent structural fan developed at ca. 2.35 Ga in response to the Arrowsmith orogeny that affected the western Rae margin. Penetrative D2structures dominate the map pattern and include northeast-trending, southeast-dipping folds and fabrics within which gold is localized. The general southeast dips of S2and inclined, northwest-vergent attitude of F2reflect northwest-directed shortening at 1.84–1.82 Ga. The absence of syn-D2plutonic rocks in the west and central Committee Bay belt support amphibolite-facies metamorphism as a response to crustal thickening, which, in turn, led to syn-D2crustal melting in the east. Regionally extensive upright to northwest-vergent D2structures and associated ca. 1.85–1.82 Ga tectonometamorphism across the Rae craton are attributed to an early stage of the Hudsonian orogeny involving microcontinent collision(s) with its southeastern margin. D3folds and dextral shearing at ca. 1780 Ma accommodated localized, late-stage compressional strain during final amalgamation of Laurentia.
A gauge theory of nucleonic interactions by contact
Authors: Mazilu Nicolae , Ioannou Pavlos D. , Agop Maricel
Published: April 2014

A gauge theory of contact is presented, based on the general idea that the local deformation of the nucleon surface at contact should be gauged by the variation of curvature. A contact force is then defined so as to cope with both the variation of curvature and the deformation. This force generalizes the classical definition of surface tension, in that it depends on the mean curvature, but also depends on the variance of the second fundamental form of surface, considered as a statistical variable over the ensemble of contact spots. It turns out that the variance of the second fundamental form does not depend but on the metric of the space of curvature parameters, organized as Riemann space. This result compels us to review the definition of physical surface of a nucleon.
INCREMENTAL DEVELOPMENT OF FAULT PREDICTION MODELS
Authors: JIANG YUE , CUKIC BOJAN , MENZIES TIM , LIN JIE
Published: April 2014

The identification of fault-prone modules has a significant impact on software quality assurance. In addition to prediction accuracy, one of the most important goals is to detect fault prone modules as early as possible in the development lifecycle. Requirements, design, and code metrics have been successfully used for predicting fault-prone modules. In this paper, we investigate the benefits of the incremental development of software fault prediction models. We compare the performance of these models as the volume of data and their life cycle origin (design, code, or their combination) evolve during project development. We analyze 14 data sets from publicly available software engineering data repositories. These data sets offer both design and code metrics. Using a number of modeling techniques and statistical significance tests, we confirm that increasing the volume of training data improves model performance. Further models built from code metrics typically outperform those that are built using design metrics only. However, both types of models prove to be useful as they can be constructed in different phases of the life cycle. Code-based models can be used to increase the effectiveness of assigning verification and validation activities late in the development life cycle. We also conclude that models that utilize a combination of design and code level metrics outperform models which use either one metric set exclusively.
ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF PROGRAMMATIC INTERFACES FOR INTEGRATION OF DIVERSE WEB CONTENTS
Authors: GUO JUNXIA , HAN HAO
Published: April 2014

The technology that integrates various types of Web contents to build a new Web application through end-user programming is widely used nowadays. However, the Web contents do not have a uniform interface for accessing the data and computation. Most of the general Web users access information on the Web through applications until now. Hence, designing a uniform and flexible programmatic interface for integration of different Web contents is unavoidable. In this paper, we propose an approach that can be used to analyze Web applications automatically and reuse the information of Web applications through the programmatic interface we designed. Our approach can support the flexible integration of Web applications, Web services and Web feeds. In our experiments, we use a large number of Web pages from different types of Web applications and achieve the integration by the proposed programmatic interfaces. The experimental results show that our approach brings to the end-users a flexible and user-friendly programming environment.
Discrepancy of in-medium nucleon–nucleon cross-section in different T-matrix representations
Authors: Xing Yong-Zhong , Zhao Xing-Wen
Published: April 2014

In this paper, we study the in-medium nucleon–nucleon (NN) cross-section by using the Dirac–Breuckner–Hartree–Fock approximation (DBHF) with T-matrix project technique for determining the nucleon self-energy. By solving Thompson equation for different partial-wave states separately, we find that the discrepancies of nucleon self-energies in various T-matrix project representations are dominated by the channels with smaller angular momentum. Although the cross-section is independent on the project of T-matrix, the medium suppression of the cross-section in various T-matrix representations are apparently different due to the self-consistency of DBHF calculation involving effect mass of nucleon as an iterative parameter. Our results also show that the cross-sections in the complete pseudovector (CPV) choices are larger than those obtained with both DBHF in the pseudoscalar (PS) choice and nonrelativistic Brueckner–Hartree–Fock with three-body force (BHF + 3BF), respectively. Further comparison shows that the neutron–proton (NP) cross-section within DBHF + PV approach, [Formula: see text], is approximately equal to and slightly larger than that evaluated with BHF + 3BF, [Formula: see text], while the neutron–neutron (NN) (or proton–proton (PP)) cross-section given by DBHF + PV method, [Formula: see text], being the closest to the cross-section calculated by using BHF without 3BF in the lower energy region. Additionally, the discrepancies of the in-medium nucleon–nucleon differential cross-section induced by different representations of T-matrix in DBHF are discussed for nuclear matter with different densities.
Tameness and extending frames
Authors: Boney Will
Published: April 2014

We combine two notions in AECs, tameness and good λ-frames, and show that they together give a very well-behaved nonforking notion in all cardinalities. This helps to fill a longstanding gap in classification theory of tame AECs and increases the applicability of frames. Along the way, we prove a complete stability transfer theorem and uniqueness of limit models in these AECs.
Nonlinear elliptic problem related to the Hardy inequality with singular term at the boundary
Authors: Abdellaoui B. , Biroud K. , Davila J. , Mahmoudi F.
Published: April 2014

Let Ω ⊂ ℝNbe a bounded regular domain of ℝNand 1 < p < ∞. The paper is divided into two main parts. In the first part, we prove the following improved Hardy inequality for convex domains. Namely, for all [Formula: see text], we have [Formula: see text] where d(x) = dist (x, ∂Ω), [Formula: see text] and C is a positive constant depending only on p, N and Ω. The optimality of the exponent of the logarithmic term is also proved. In the second part, we consider the following class of elliptic problem [Formula: see text] where 0 < q ≤ 2* - 1. We investigate the question of existence and nonexistence of positive solutions depending on the range of the exponent q.
THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF OPPORTUNITY RECOGNITION ON INCUBATED — ENTREPRENEURIAL INNOVATION
Authors: NIAMMUAD DAMRONGRIT , NAPOMPECH KULKANYA , SUWANMANEEPONG SUNEEPORN
Published: April 2014

Opportunity recognition plays a central role in the emergence of nascent ventures in entrepreneurship research. The main purpose of this study was to present the mediating effects of opportunity recognition on incubation resources and human capital. Moreover, the study scrutinises the complex inter-relations between opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial product innovation. The data were collected from 389 incubated software start-ups in Thailand and statistically performed by Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The analysis revealed a persistent impact of the opportunity recognition on the incubation resources and human capital. Opportunity recognition also serves as a significant driver in enhancing entrepreneurial potential to boost new products/services. Interestingly, the study found that the human capital of incubated software entrepreneurs has no significant effect, statistically, on product innovation, against the better judgement of business empires worldwide.
INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP WITH BORN GLOBAL SPIN-ALONG VENTURES — A CROSS-CASE ANALYSIS OF TELEKOM INNOVATION LABORATORIES' VENTURE PORTFOLIO
Authors: MAHDJOUR SARAH , FISCHER SEBASTIAN
Published: April 2014

This study investigates a special kind of corporate ventures, so called spin-along ventures, and their motivations to internationalise early. Insights are built from a multiple case study approach, investigating the spin-along program of Telekom Innovation Laboratories (T-Labs). Our results show that early internationalisation can avoid or reduce challenges that spin-alongs face when entering the domestic market. Four major motivations for early internationalisation could be identified: (1) avoid termination based on the parent's perceived threat of cannibalisation of existing products, (2) enable a venture's collaboration with competitors, (3) overcome restrictions of parental assets in the domestic market, and (4) address markets that offer greater chances for success than the domestic market does. Based on our findings we derive concrete implications for practitioners and academics in the field of innovation management.
ACCELERATING QUANTUM DOTS' SYNTHESIS IN AQUEOUS PHASE WITH LIMITED QUANTITY OF 1,2-DIAMINOETHANE THROUGH AMINE-PROMOTION
Authors: ZHANG LEI , WU JING-SHEN
Published: April 2014

Amine-promoted process has been applied in conventional preparation of quantum dots (QDs) for years. However, the required amine quantity was large in a typical promotion procedure. For example, large amine amount was demanded in the organic phase method for polarity and solubility adjustment. Meanwhile, it was also essential for aqueous synthesis to achieve competitive coordination ability. In order to impel the promotion more efficiently, 1,2-diaminoethane (DAE) was selected in this study to decrease amine dosage while accelerating reaction rate in aqueous synthesis. Based on its bidentate structure and high formation constant, the reaction time at high temperature was efficiently shortened. Additive species and quantities were varied for comparison under different conditions. At room temperature, QDs with limited DAE were successfully generated within 3 h while the hydrazine group failed even after 100 h' storage. The optical properties of the QDs obtained using DAE additive were better than the other groups. QDs with higher quantum yield (QY) were also obtained through adjusting total ion strength. More attractive result was found in QDs' structure. Since the reaction was efficiently shortened in our method, CdS impurity reported in conventional CdTe QDs synthesis was eliminated.
Signless Laplacian and normalized Laplacian on the H-join operation of graphs
Authors: Wu Bao-Feng , Lou Yuan-Yuan , He Chang-Xiang
Published: April 2014

In this paper, we consider a generalized join operation, that is, the H-join on graphs, where H is an arbitrary graph. In terms of the signless Laplacian and the normalized Laplacian, we determine the spectra of the graphs obtained by this operation on regular graphs. Some additional consequences on the spectral radius, integral graphs and cospectral graphs, etc. are also obtained.
The Massawa gold deposit, Eastern Senegal, West Africa: an orogenic gold deposit sourced from magmatically derived fluids?
Authors: Treloar P. J. , Lawrence D. M. , Senghor D. , Boyce A. , Harbidge P.
Published: April 2014

The Massawa gold project is situated on the Senegalese side of the highly prospective/productive Palaeo-Proterozoic (Birimian) Kédougou–Kéniéba inlier, which hosts several world-class orogenic gold deposits/districts in western Mali (e.g. Loulo and Sadiola). The Massawa ore body has a strike length of at least 4 km and a current resource of 3.61 Moz at a grade of 2.8 g t
−1
. The ore body is structurally controlled and located within a package of low-grade regionally metamorphosed volcaniclastic sediments (agglomerates, tuffs and ash-tuffs), quartz–feldspar and lithic wackes, carbonaceous shales, hydrothermal breccias, and gabbro and porphyry sills. These rocks have undergone pervasive silica alteration followed by a sericite–ankerite–chlorite alteration event related to mineralization. Two major styles of mineralization are recognized at Massawa from field and laboratory studies. The first stage of sulphide–Au mineralization is associated with disseminated arsenopyrite–pyrite, which follows shear zones in the sedimentary and volcano-sedimentary host rocks. The second stage consists of quartz–stibnite±tetrahedrite veining distinguished by coarse visible gold and represents a late stage overprint on the primary mineralization. The two stages of gold mineralization are separated by a phase of quartz–molybdenite veining. A distinctive base metal trace assemblage is linked to stibnite formation including multiple Sb phases such as chalcostibite, zinkenite, roshchinite, aurostibite, jamesonite and robinsonite. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy-based gold deportment data indicate that up to 90% of stage 1 gold is held as a solid solution within either arsenopyrite or arsenian pyrite. Stable isotope data yield δ
34
S
sulphide
values of between 0 and 4.1‰ and δ
18
O
H2O
values of 5.5–10.9‰ for all stages of mineralization, suggesting a magmatic fluid influence. This is consistent with field data that suggest that mineralization is synchronous with emplacement of a sequence of concordant felsic sheets. That mineralization occurred at shallow (<6 km) depths is suggested both by the presence of stibnite and by fluid inclusion studies. Low-temperature (homogenization temperatures between 150 °C and 230 °C) H
2
O–NaCl fluids (<6 wt% NaCl equiv.) and coeval CO
2
–CH
4
inclusions, observed in both phases of mineralization, indicate trapping conditions of 220–315 °C at 1–1.65 kbar. A combination of phase petrology, fluid inclusion and stable isotope data suggests deposition of gold from low-salinity, magmatic fluids, most probably released from felsic rocks similar to those emplaced into the Massawa sequence during mineralization.
Real Time Diagnostic Point of Care by Amperometric Immuno-Biosensor Kit by Flow Technology
Authors: Braustein Harold E , Braustein Isabella E
Published: April 2014

There is a growing need for virus-detecting sensors with improved sensitivity and dynamic range, for applications including disease diagnosis, pharmaceutical research, agriculture and homeland security. We report a novel electrochemical biosensing method for improving the sensitivity for detection of the bacteriophage virus MS2, using nanoporous oxirane-derivatized beads. These beads are a commercial polymethyl-metacrylate (PMMA) polymer that has extremely high surface area to volume ratio, making it an ideal platform for surface based sensors. We have developed and evaluated a method for covalent bioconjugation of antibodies and biological support to polymeric beads. The resulting Solid State Kits (SSK) were used to selectively capture enzyme-labeled MS2 viruses from different solutions, enabling detection of a viral concentration of as low as 10 plaque-forming units per mL (pfu mL-1) by measuring the current (A) from the exposed SSK beads to the enzymatic reaction electrons movement not clear. The kit is connected to a “home made” designed micro- flow system, that exhibits sensitivity and dynamic range similar to the ELISA immuno- liquid array-based assay while outperforming protein micro-array methods. Immuno-Amperometric techniques, using nano- Bio-Polymers Solid Phase Disposable Kit, were used to measure and thus to validate the accuracy of a novel technology for virus concentration determination. These work demonstrate the utility of Immuno-Electrochemical techniques for use in environmental-health quality assurance measurements of viruses.