bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shared Mycobacterium avium Genotypes Observed among Unlinked Clinical and Environmental Isolates
Authors: Dirac M. Ashworth , Weigel Kris M. , Yakrus Mitchell A. , Becker Annie L. , Chen Hui-Ling , Fridley Gina , Sikora Arthur , Speake Cate , Hilborn Elizabeth D. , Pfaller Stacy , Cangelosi Gerard A.
Published: July 2013

Our understanding of the sources of
Mycobacterium avium
infection is partially based on genotypic matching of pathogen isolates from cases and environmental sources. These approaches assume that genotypic identity is rare in isolates from unlinked cases or sources. To test this assumption, a high-resolution PCR-based genotyping approach, large-sequence polymorphism (LSP)-mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit–variable-number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR), was selected and used to analyze clinical and environmental isolates of
M. avium
from geographically diverse sources. Among 127 clinical isolates from seven locations in North America, South America, and Europe, 42 genotypes were observed. Among 12 of these genotypes, matches were seen in isolates from apparently unlinked patients in two or more geographic locations. Six of the 12 were also observed in environmental isolates. A subset of these isolates was further analyzed by alternative strain genotyping methods, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and MIRU-VNTR, which confirmed the existence of geographically dispersed strain genotypes. These results suggest that caution should be exercised in interpreting high-resolution genotypic matches as evidence for an acquisition event.
Proteolysin, a Novel Highly Thermostable and Cosolvent-Compatible Protease from the Thermophilic Bacterium Coprothermobacter proteolyticus
Authors: Toplak Ana , Wu Bian , Fusetti Fabrizia , Quaedflieg Peter J. L. M. , Janssen Dick B.
Published: July 2013

Through genome mining, we identified a gene encoding a putative serine protease of the thermitase subgroup of subtilases (EC 3.4.21.66) in the thermophilic bacterium
Coprothermobacter proteolyticus
. The gene was functionally expressed in
Escherichia coli
, and the enzyme, which we called proteolysin, was purified to near homogeneity from crude cell lysate by a single heat treatment step. Proteolysin has a broad pH tolerance and is active at temperatures of up to 80°C. In addition, the enzyme shows good activity and stability in the presence of organic solvents, detergents, and dithiothreitol, and it remains active in 6 M guanidinium hydrochloride. Based on its stability and activity profile, proteolysin can be an excellent candidate for applications where resistance to harsh process conditions is required.
Nisin Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes Is Increased by Exposure to Salt Stress and Is Mediated via LiaR
Authors: Bergholz Teresa M. , Tang Silin , Wiedmann Martin , Boor Kathryn J.
Published: July 2013

Growth ofListeria monocytogeneson refrigerated, ready-to-eat food is a significant food safety concern. Natural antimicrobials, such as nisin, can be used to control this pathogen on food, but little is known about how other food-related stresses may impact how the pathogen responds to these compounds. Prior work demonstrated that exposure ofL. monocytogenesto salt stress at 7°C led to increased expression of genes involved in nisin resistance, including the response regulatorliaR. We hypothesized that exposure to salt stress would increase subsequent resistance to nisin and that LiaR would contribute to increased nisin resistance. Isogenic deletion mutations inliaRwere constructed in 7 strains ofL. monocytogenes, and strains were exposed to 6% NaCl in brain heart infusion broth and then tested for resistance to nisin (2 mg/ml Nisaplin) at 7°C. For the wild-type strains, exposure to salt significantly increased subsequent nisin resistance (P< 0.0001) over innate levels of resistance. Compared to the salt-induced nisin resistance of wild-type strains, ΔliaRstrains were significantly more sensitive to nisin (P< 0.001), indicating that induction of LiaFSR led to cross-protection ofL. monocytogenesagainst subsequent inactivation by nisin. Transcript levels of LiaR-regulated genes were induced by salt stress, and lmo1746 andtelAwere found to contribute to LiaR-mediated salt-induced nisin resistance. These data suggest that environmental stresses similar to those on foods can influence the resistance ofL. monocytogenesto antimicrobials such as nisin, and potential cross-protective effects should be considered when selecting and applying control measures for this pathogen on ready-to-eat foods.
Whole-Transcriptome Shotgun Sequencing (RNA-seq) Screen Reveals Upregulation of Cellobiose and Motility Operons of Lactobacillus ruminis L5 during Growth on Tetrasaccharides Derived from Barley β-Glucan
Authors: Lawley Blair , Sims Ian M. , Tannock Gerald W.
Published: July 2013

Lactobacillus ruminis
is an inhabitant of human bowels and bovine rumens. None of 10 isolates (three from bovine rumen, seven from human feces) of
L. ruminis
that were tested could utilize barley β-glucan for growth. Seven of the strains of
L. ruminis
were, however, able to utilize tetrasaccharides (3-
O
-β-cellotriosyl-
d
-glucose [LDP4] or 4-
O
-β-laminaribiosyl-
d
-cellobiose [CDP4]) present in β-glucan hydrolysates for growth. The tetrasaccharides were generated by the use of lichenase or cellulase, respectively. To learn more about the utilization of tetrasaccharides by
L. ruminis
, whole-transcriptome shotgun sequencing (RNA-seq) was tested as a transcriptional screen to detect altered gene expression when an autochthonous human strain (L5) was grown in medium containing CDP4. RNA-seq results were confirmed and extended by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR assays of selected genes in two upregulated operons when cells were grown as batch cultures in medium containing either CDP4 or LDP4. The cellobiose utilization operon had increased transcription, particularly in early growth phase, whereas the chemotaxis/motility operon was upregulated in late growth phase. Phenotypic changes were seen in relation to upregulation of chemotaxis/flagellar operons: flagella were rarely seen by electron microscopy on glucose-grown cells but cells cultured in tetrasaccharide medium were commonly flagellated. Chemotactic movement toward tetrasaccharides was demonstrated in capillary cultures.
L. ruminis
utilized 3-
O
-β-cellotriosyl-
d
-glucose released by β-glucan hydrolysis due to bowel commensal
Coprococcus
sp., indicating that cross feeding of tetrasaccharide between bacteria could occur. Therefore, the RNA-seq screen and subsequent experiments had utility in revealing foraging attributes of gut commensal
Lactobacillus ruminis
.
Benzoyl Coenzyme A Pathway-Mediated Metabolism of
meta
-Hydroxy-Aromatic Acids in Rhodopseudomonas palustris
Authors: Gall Daniel L. , Ralph John , Donohue Timothy J. , Noguera Daniel R.
Published: July 2013

Photoheterotrophic metabolism of two
meta
-hydroxy-aromatic acids,
meta
-,
para
-dihydroxybenzoate (protocatechuate) and
meta
-hydroxybenzoate, was investigated in
Rhodopseudomonas palustris
. When protocatechuate was the sole organic carbon source, photoheterotrophic growth in
R. palustris
was slow relative to cells using compounds known to be metabolized by the benzoyl coenzyme A (benzoyl-CoA) pathway.
R. palustris
was unable to grow when
meta
-hydroxybenzoate was provided as a sole source of organic carbon under photoheterotrophic growth conditions. However, in cultures supplemented with known benzoyl-CoA pathway inducers (
para
-hydroxybenzoate, benzoate, or cyclohexanoate), protocatechuate and
meta
-hydroxybenzoate were taken up from the culture medium. Further, protocatechuate and
meta
-hydroxybenzoate were each removed from cultures containing both
meta
-hydroxy-aromatic acids at equimolar concentrations in the absence of other organic compounds. Analysis of changes in culture optical density and in the concentration of soluble organic compounds indicated that the loss of these
meta
-hydroxy-aromatic acids was accompanied by biomass production. Additional experiments with defined mutants demonstrated that enzymes known to participate in the dehydroxylation of
para
-hydroxybenzoyl-CoA (HbaBCD) and reductive dearomatization of benzoyl-CoA (BadDEFG) were required for metabolism of protocatechuate and
meta
-hydroxybenzoate. These findings indicate that, under photoheterotrophic growth conditions,
R. palustris
can degrade
meta
-hydroxy-aromatic acids via the benzoyl-CoA pathway, apparently due to the promiscuity of the enzymes involved.
Persistence of DNA in a Cured Patient and Positive Culture in Cases with Low Antibody Levels Bring into Question Diagnosis of Q Fever Endocarditis
Authors: Edouard Sophie , Million Matthieu , Lepidi Hubert , Rolain Jean-Marc , Fournier Pierre-Edouard , La Scola Bernard , Grisoli Dominique , Raoult Didier
Published: July 2013

We evaluated the performance of tools for diagnosing Q fever cardiovascular infection. We retrospectively analyzed 162 cardiovascular samples from 125 patients who were tested serologically by immunofluorescence, quantitative PCR (qPCR), 16S rRNA gene amplification, culture, and immunohistochemistry, and we assessed the viability of
Coxiella burnetii
by measuring the transcription of the 16S rRNA gene. The qPCR technique was significantly more sensitive than 16S rRNA gene amplification (
P
< 0.0001), cell culture (
P
= 0.0002), and immunohistochemistry (
P
< 0.0001). The sensitivity of these techniques was reduced when applied to patients who had been previously treated. The severity of infection appears to be correlated with phase I IgG levels. We report for the first time 4 cases of endocarditis with positive qPCR and/or culture assay result from patients with a low phase I IgG (IgG I) titer (<800), and we have identified the longest (16 years) persistence of DNA described in a heart valve from a patient cured after being previously treated for endocarditis. The active transcription of the 16S rRNA gene was found in 19/59 tested samples, with a positive predictive value of 100% for a positive culture. In conclusion, the diagnosis of Q fever cardiovascular infection should not be excluded in patients with low titers of phase I IgG when they present with valvulopathy. We recommend testing cardiovascular samples using 3 or 4 different biopsy sections by qPCR evaluation for patients with IgG I titers of ≥200.
Diagnostic Implications of Inconsistent Results Obtained with the Xpert MTB/Rif Assay in Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates with an
rpoB
Mutation Associated with Low-Level Rifampin Resistance
Authors: Somoskovi Akos , Deggim Vanessa , Ciardo Diana , Bloemberg Guido V.
Published: July 2013

Xpert-MTB/Rif is one of the most frequently used molecular screening tests for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis worldwide. We report false-negative assay results in the presence of
rpoB
Leu533Pro, which is associated with low-level phenotypic rifampin resistance. Accurate and timely confirmation of rifampin susceptibility results obtained with Xpert-MTB/Rif is imperative.
Interlaboratory Comparison of Intact-Cell Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Results for Identification and Differentiation of Brucella spp
Authors: Karger Axel , Melzer Falk , Timke Markus , Bettin Barbara , Kostrzewa Markus , Nöckler Karsten , Hohmann Angelika , Tomaso Herbert , Neubauer Heinrich , Al Dahouk Sascha
Published: July 2013

Classical microbiological diagnosis of human brucellosis is time-consuming, hazardous, and subject to variable interpretation. Intact-cell matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was evaluated for the routine identification of
Brucella
spp. Analysis of mass peak patterns allowed accurate identification to the genus level. However, statistical models based on peak intensities were needed for definite species differentiation. Interlaboratory comparison confirmed the reproducibility of the results.
Carpal tunnel syndrome due to a plexiform neurofibroma of the median nerve in a neurofibromatosis type 1 patient: clinical approach
Authors: Freitas Daniel , Aido Ricardo , Sousa Marco , Costa Luís , Oliveira Vânia , Cardoso Pedro
Published: July 2013

The authors report the case of a 56-year-old male patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) diagnosed during adolescence and with an insidious clinical evolution, characterised by an exuberant cutaneous involvement, referred to the orthopaedics outpatient clinic presenting with carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to a plexiform neurofibroma of the median nerve. A comprehensive clinical approach is discussed, considering the natural history of the disease and its potential complications, as well as the lack of consensus regarding standard therapeutic options for the compressive peripheral neuropathies in the NF1 disease.
Huntington’s disease masquerading as spinocerebellar ataxia
Authors: Rodríguez-Quiroga Sergio Alejandro , Gonzalez-Morón Dolores , Garretto Nelida , Kauffman Marcelo Andres
Published: July 2013

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterised by the presence of choreic abnormal movements, behavioural or psychiatric disturbances and dementia. Noteworthy, despite atypical motor symptoms other than chorea have been reported as initial presentation in some patients, a very few number of HD patients, presenting at onset mostly cerebellar dysfunction masquerading dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA), were occasionally reported. We report the case of a 42-year-old man with a 5-year history of gait disturbance, dysarthria and cognitive impairment and familial antecedents of dementia and movement disorders. Initially the clinical picture suggested the diagnosis of a dominant SCA, but finally a diagnosis of HD was made based on the molecular evidence of abnormal 39 Cytosine-Adenine-Guanine (CAG) repeats in exon 1 of Huntingtin gene. The authors highlight the importance of suspecting HD in the aetiology of spinocerebellar ataxias when dementia is a prominent feature in the proband or their family.
Acute visceral obstruction
Authors: Mabbutt Sarah Elizabeth , Burdall Oliver Charles , Kariyawasam Sanjeeva
Published: July 2013

Gastric volvulus is a rare cause for acute visceral obstruction, with a high mortality rate that rises with delay in definitive treatment. A 33-year-old woman with a rare chromosomal mutation (46,XX,del(6)(q25.1q25.3)) presented with evidence of acute visceral obstruction. Diagnostic difficulties delayed treatment and she clinically deteriorated. Urgent CT imaging revealed acute mesentero-axial gastric volvulus. At laparotomy, global failure of colonic and splenic fixation was found. The viscera were de-rotated, the stomach salvaged and gastropexy and colopexy were performed. This is the first report of gastric volvulus secondary to congenital absence of colonic and splenic ligamentous attachments occurring in a patient over 30 years of age. This case is interesting not only due to unique pathology, but also highlights that general surgeons must be aware of the possibility of unusual causes for intestinal obstruction in patients with recognised genetic abnormalities, even in adult cases, to avoid harmful diagnostic delay.
Exsanguinated uterus after massive atonic postpartum haemorrhage
Authors: Mahadik Kalpana V , Swami M B , Pandey Neha , Pathak Ashish
Published: July 2013

This article addresses issues related to pregnancy anaemia and late referral by a village birth attendant in resource poor setting in a central state of India. A young anaemic woman had labour onset at her village, a birth attendant tried to deliver her but failed. When she came to our hospital, had established septicaemia and absolutely non-reassurable uterine tone leading to intractable atonic postpartum haemorrhage. She died after 5 days because of coagulopathy and multiorgan failure. Huge budgets are being spent for the promotion of institutional deliveries but still the maternal mortality ratio has not reduced. The epidemiology of childbirth, social awareness for safe labour and administrative lethargy towards implementation of government programmes have not changed. The tertiary care—blood and components—multidisciplinary approach could not prevent the death of an anaemic woman. Unless there is a grassroot level change in the healthcare delivery system at the village level, the scenario might not change.
Skull base osteomyelitis presenting with an isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy
Authors: Kasfiki Eirini Vasileiou , Kelly Ciaran , Smith John , Nicolaides Andreas
Published: July 2013

This is the first case of skull base osteomyelitis presenting with isolated bilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy reported in the literature. A 75-year-old man presented with tongue paralysis without any other cranial nerve palsy. He was otherwise well apart from recently having a high prostate-specific antigen level recorded. Investigations for malignancy or cerebrovascular insult were negative with the diagnosis of skull base osteomyelitis confirmed using CT. Following treatment with intravenous antibiotics for 6 weeks, symptoms resolved.
Anaphylactic shock and cardiac arrest caused by thiamine infusion
Authors: Juel Jacob , Pareek Manan , Langfrits Christian Sigvald , Jensen Svend Eggert
Published: July 2013

Parenteral thiamine has a very high safety profile. The most common adverse effect is local irritation; however, anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions may occur, mostly related to intravenous administration. We describe a 44-year-old man, a chronic alcoholic, who was admitted with alcohol intoxication and developed cardiac arrest due to anaphylactic shock following intravenous thiamine infusion. The patient was successfully resuscitated after 15 min and repeated epinephrine administrations. He was discharged in good health after 14 days. This case report emphasises both the importance of recognising the symptoms of anaphylaxis and the fact that facilities for treating anaphylaxis and cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be available when thiamine or for that matter, any drug is given in-hospital.
Left ventricular non-compaction presenting with heart failure and intramural thrombus
Authors: Aryal Madan Raj , Badal Madan , Giri Smith , Pradhan Rajesh
Published: July 2013

Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is a rare disorder caused by the arrest of myocardial compaction during embryogenesis, leading to a non-compacted endocardial layer with marked trabeculations. The diagnosis is primarily based on echocardiographic demonstration of a spongy myocardium. Here, we present a young male with LVNC presenting with left heart failure and multiple left ventricular thrombi. We also review the presentation, diagnosis and management of this condition.
Cutis verticis gyrata as a clinical manifestation of Touraine-Solente-Gole’ syndrome (pachydermoperiostosis)
Authors: Sandoval Aldo René Hurtarte , Robles Bryan Josué Flores , Llanos Jaime Caceres , Porres Salvador , Dardón José David Penate , Harrison Rachael Marie
Published: July 2013

Cutis verticis gyrata is a descriptive term for a condition of the scalp consisting of deep grooves and convolutions that resemble the surface of the brain. We present a case of a 22-year-old man who presented with pain and swelling of both knees and hands. Enlarged wrists, ankles and feet were also noted, along with facial seborrhoea, thickening of the skin and deformity of the fingers. Physical examination of the scalp showed a cerebriform appearance with accentuating folds and deep furrows (cutis verticis gyrata), thickening in the face, frontal and parietal regions. Bone enlargement of the hands, knees, ankles and feet was also found. Secondary causes of pachydermoperiostosis were negative.
New development of cardiac tamponade on underlying effusive–constrictive pericarditis: an uncommon initial presentation of scleroderma
Authors: Subramanian Stalin R , Akram Rakhshanda , Velayati Arash , Chadow Hal
Published: July 2013

A 40-year-old man with a medical history of hypertension was admitted for weight loss, generalised weakness, joint pains and mottling of fingertips. The initial laboratory data revealed microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure. Intravenous steroids were started for possible diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus based on admission assessment. Intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapharesis were subsequently added to the treatment plan to cover thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura while his autoimmune panel was pending. The echocardiogram study on day 2 revealed cardiac tamponade for which he underwent pericardiocentesis and right heart catheterisation. The atrial waveforms postpericardiocentesis demonstrated effusive–constrictive pericarditis. His clinical condition kept on deteriorating with reaccumulation of pericardial effusion and further complicated by hemoperitoneum and colonic obstruction. He had cardiorespiratory arrest on his fourth admission day and was not revived. Anti-Scl-70 antibody came back positive. Autopsy findings confirmed the presence of fibrinous pericarditis and hemoperitoneum.
Multiple glomuvenous malformations presenting in a child: follow-up over a period of 8 years
Authors: Jabir Shehab , Frew Quentin , Petkar Mahir , Dziewulski Peter
Published: July 2013

Multiple glomuvenous malformations (GVMs) are a rare condition which usually present in children with only a handful of cases reported in the literature. It is usually congenital and has an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. They may be distributed throughout the body in either a localised, segmental or disseminated pattern. Pain, which is a characteristic feature of glomus tumours, is less often associated with GVMs. In addition, unlike glomus tumours which most commonly occur over acral skin surfaces, GVMs may occur throughout the body. A number of treatment options are available including surgical excision, laser treatments and sclerotherapy. We present the case of a 14-year-old boy with multiple GVMs which were treated with surgical excision and followed him up over a period of 8 years.
Relapsing fevers and lymphadenopathy in a young woman
Authors: Sah Raghuwansh P , Wilson Michael E , Seningen Justin , Bhagra Anjali
Published: July 2013

A 23-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with severe occipital headache, nausea and fever. She was treated with intravenous antibiotics for suspected meningitis. After a brief period of response, her symptoms relapsed and remained refractory despite continuing intravenous antibiotics for 10 days leading to referral to our centre. Physical examination was significant for tender right cervical lymph node. Initial tests included pancytopenia, elevated C reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase and unremarkable cerebrospinal fluid. Extensive infectious and rheumatology work-up was negative. Massive posterior cervical, axillary and inguinal lymphadenopathy was revealed on imaging. Excisional biopsy of the deep cervical lymph node showed histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis suggesting a diagnosis of Kikuchi disease. Her course was complicated by acute renal failure. Her symptoms resolved in about a week with supportive treatment along with improvement in pancytopenia and renal function. She had two additional self-limited recurrences in the next 3 months and remains symptom free thereafter.
Implementation of a rapid HIV testing programme favourably impacts provider opinions on emergency department HIV testing
Authors: Schechter-Perkins Elissa M , Rubin-Smith Julia E , Mitchell Patricia M
Published: July 2013

Objective

To assess staff knowledge of Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, attitudes and barriers towards emergency department (ED) HIV testing before and after implementing an ED rapid HIV testing programme (EDRHTP).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional pre/post survey at an urban academic medical centre. In March 2009, ED registered nurses (RNs) and doctors (MDs) participated in an anonymous survey. An EDRHTP was established in September 2009, and in March 2011, the survey was redistributed to ED staff. Differences before and after programme implementation were assessed using χ2statistics or Fisher's exact test.

Results

Respondents reported greater familiarity with CDC guidelines after programme implementation (44% vs 59%, p=0.04) and more believed that HIV testing should be offered to all ED patients (44% vs 79%, p<0.0001). Prior to programme implementation, RNs and MDs differed in attitudes towards ED HIV testing across most questions, and differences disappeared post programme.

Conclusions

Overall support for ED HIV testing increased after establishment of a rapid testing programme.
UK Role 4 Military Infection Services: past, present and future
Authors: Dufty Ngozi E , Bailey M S
Published: July 2013

NATO describes ‘Role 4’ military medical services as those provided for the definitive care of patients who cannot be treated within a theatre of operations and these are usually located in a military force's country of origin and may include the involvement of civilian medical services. The UK Defence Medical Services have a proud history of developing and providing clinical services in infectious diseases and tropical medicine, sexual health and HIV medicine, and medical microbiology and virology. These UK Role 4 Military Infection Services have adapted well to recent overseas deployments, but new challenges will arise due to current military cutbacks and a greater diversity of contingency operations in the future. Further evidence-based development of these services will require leadership by military clinicians and improved communication and support for ‘reach-back’ services.
Ergonomic assessment of enhanced protection under body armour combat shirt neck collars
Authors: Breeze John , Granger C J , Pearkes T D , Clasper J C
Published: July 2013

Introduction

Combat neck injury due to explosively propelled fragments is a significant cause of mortality and long-term morbidity in UK soldiers deployed on current operations. Reinforcing the collar of the existing under body armour combat shirt (UBACS) has been suggested as a potential method for reducing the incidence of combat neck injury.

Method

20 soldiers serving in Afghanistan objectively compared three designs of enhanced protection UBACS (EP-UBACS) using 10 representative military tasks against a baseline of a standard UBACS. Each EP-UBACS design was trialled using three constituent materials: two layers of para-aramid felt, one layer of ultra high molecule weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) felt or two layers of a silk fabric. Subjective assessment of these nine configurations in terms of comfort, heat dissipation and overall acceptability were compared with the standard UBACS using a χ2test.

Results

All military tasks could be performed with all nine configurations of EP-UBACS. Although silk was the most comfortable material, it was not functionally practical in any of the three designs. Crossover collars incorporating UHMWPE or para-aramid were the only two of the nine configurations to demonstrate similar user acceptability to a standard UBACS.

Conclusions

The EP-UBACS has the potential to provide neck protection without reducing performance incorporating materials analogous to either of the felts assessed in this study. The collar should provide stand-off from the skin to improve heat dissipation and comfort, which can be maximised by changing the current UBACS collar shape to one that crosses over at the front. Should a zip be desired, it should be moved to one side of the midline to reduce rubbing on the chin and be covered with ballistic protective material. Additional semi-circles of silk beneath the collar at the front and back would improve protection without affecting comfort.
Malaria
Authors: Fletcher Tom E , Beeching N J
Published: July 2013

Malaria is a life-threatening disease, with its largest impact being due toPlasmodium falciparuminfection in Africa. Military populations continue to be at a high risk of malaria and reported case series have frequently revealed poor compliance with preventative measures. The symptoms of malaria are non-specific and its management depends on awareness of the diagnosis and early recognition and treatment. This is aided by new and simple rapid diagnostic tests, but these should not replace the examination of blood films if these are available. Artemisinin combination therapy provides a more rapid and dependable cure of uncomplicatedP falciparuminfection, with artesunate now being the drug of choice in severe infection.
Sexual health and HIV in the Army
Authors: Dufty Ngozi E , Clay K , Wilson R , Watson J
Published: July 2013

Sexual acquisition of infections has always been an important part of military history and although disease patterns have changed over time, the problem has not gone away. This article will look at how to recognise infection, the general principles of management, where to access guidance and how to get specialised help within the complexities of the military environment.
Successful management of a severe combat penetrating brain injury
Authors: Hoffmann Clément , Falzone E , Dagain A , Cirodde A , Leclerc T , Lenoir B
Published: July 2013

We report the case of successful management of a transcranial penetrating high-energy transfer injury in a 20-year-old soldier. The bullet traversed both cerebral hemispheres and lacerated the superior sagittal sinus rendering him unconscious. We detail the care received at all stages following injury from ‘Buddy Aid’ on the battlefield, resuscitation by a forward medical team through to prompt neurosurgery within 2 h of injury. Subsequent aeromedical evacuation and continuing aggressive critical care has allowed the patient to survive with acceptable neurological impairment after what is generally considered an unsurvivable injury.
Republished: Interleukin 13 and its role in gut defence and inflammation
Authors: Mannon Peter , Reinisch Walter
Published: July 2013

Interleukin 13 (IL-13) is a cytokine of increasing interest to gastroenterologists because of its developing role in ulcerative colitis, eosinophilic oesophagitis (EO) and fibrosis. Recent data show that IL-13 may play an important role in a novel innate immune response since it can be released by signals from an injured or inflamed epithelium, of particular relevance to the gut. Animal models of IL-13-driven inflammation (from asthma to colitis and EO) are being translated to human disease and providing insight into potential strategies for new therapies. In fact, multiple clinical trials using anti-IL-13 drugs are underway in asthma and are being extended to gastrointestinal diseases. This review presents the current knowledge on IL-13 production and function in the gut, including the cells and receptor signalling pathways involved in mediating IL-13 effects, the proposed mechanisms of IL-13 induced gut disease and the many drugs currently being tested that target IL-13 related pathways.
Lymphogranuloma venereum diagnoses among men who have sex with men in the UK: interpreting a cross-sectional study using an epidemic phase-specific framework
Authors: Hughes Gwenda , Alexander Sarah , Simms Ian , Conti Stefano , Ward Helen , Powers Cassandra , Ison Catherine ,   on behalf of the LGV Incident Group
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To investigate the drivers behind the epidemic expansion of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) cases in late 2009 to help inform infection control.

Methods

An epidemic curve of all LGV diagnoses between 2003 and mid-2012 was plotted and divided into the initial detection period, and endemic, growth and hyperendemic phases. Detailed clinical and behavioural data were collected and logistic regression was used to compare the characteristics of diagnoses made during the growth and endemic phases.

Results

Between April 2003 and June 2012, 2138 cases of LGV were diagnosed. Enhanced surveillance data were available for 1370 of whom 1353 were men who have sex with men (MSM). 98% of MSM presented with proctitis, 82% were HIV positive, 20% were hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody positive, and 67% lived in London. Growth phase cases (n=488) were more likely to report meeting sexual contacts at sex parties (11% vs 6%, p=0.014), unprotected receptive or insertive oral intercourse (93% vs 86%, p=0.001; 92% vs 85%, p=0.001) and sharing sex toys (8% vs 4%; p=0.011), and to be diagnosed HIV positive (86% vs 80%; p=0.014), than endemic phase cases (n=423). Unprotected receptive anal intercourse was equally likely to be reported in both phases (71% vs 73%). After adjustment, cases in the growth phase were more likely to meet new contacts at sex parties (p=0.031) and be HIV positive (p=0.045).

Conclusions

Rapid epidemic growth coincided with an intensification of unprotected sexual activity among a core population of HIV-positive MSM. Efforts to develop innovative interventions for this hard-to-reach population are needed.
High levels of unprotected anal intercourse and never testing for HIV among men who have sex with men in Nigeria: evidence from a cross-sectional survey for the need for innovative approaches to HIV prevention
Authors: Vu Lung , Andrinopoulos Katherine , Tun Waimar , Adebajo Sylvia
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To describe sexual risk behaviour, correlates of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and never testing for HIV and its implications for HIV prevention interventions among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nigeria and other similar contexts.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was administered to 712 MSM in Abuja, Ibadan and Lagos, recruited through respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Levels of sexual risk behaviour and never having tested for HIV prior to the survey were calculated using weighted data for each city and unweighted data for the pooled sample. Correlates of UAI and never testing for HIV were determined using multiple logistic regression.

Results

The risk for HIV and STI among MSM in Nigeria is high, with 43.4% reporting UAI at last sex, 45.1% never having been tested for HIV and 53.9% reporting exchange of sex for resources in the past 6 months. Correlates of UAI in multivariate analysis included living in Ibadan, marriage or cohabitation with a woman, identification as bisexual, not having tested for HIV and being HIV-positive. Correlates of not having tested for HIV in multivariate analysis included living in Ibadan, young age, less education, unemployment and report of UAI.

Conclusions

HIV testing is low and associated with UAI. Findings merit targeted and innovative approaches for HIV prevention for MSM, especially access to HIV self-testing. Attention to social and structural determinants of health-seeking and sexual risk behaviour is also needed, including the criminalisation of homosexuality and social marginalisation of MSM.
Simulating stand-level harvest prescriptions across landscapes: LANDIS PRO harvest module design
Authors: Fraser Jacob S. , He Hong S. , Shifley Stephen R. , Wang Wen J. , Thompson Frank R.
Published: July 2013

Forest landscape models (FLMs) are an important tool for assessing the long-term cumulative effects of harvest over large spatial extents. However, they have not been commonly used to guide forest management planning and on-the-ground operations. This is largely because FLMs track relatively simplistic vegetation information such as age cohort presence/absence, forest type, and biomass that are incompatible with tree density and size on which most harvest prescriptions are based. We describe and demonstrate the newly developed harvest module of the LANDIS PRO FLM, which tracks density, size, basal area, and stocking by species age cohorts for each site (cell). With this quantitative information, the module can simulate basal area controlled harvest, stocking-level controlled harvest, and group selection harvest. Through user-specified harvest year (frequency), stand ranking, and species and age preference, the new module can simulate a wide variety of harvest prescriptions such as thinning from above and below, shelterwood, clear-cutting, and group selection. We applied the LANDIS PRO harvest module to a large (17 000 km2) central hardwood forest landscape in Missouri. The simulated harvest prescriptions produced realistic stand-scale results when plotted on Gingrich stocking charts. The harvest module improves on previous versions by allowing partial treatment of individual age-classes within a cell and reporting results in metrics commonly used in stand-scale silviculture. It provides a closer link between landscape-scale simulation methods and stand-scale management.
Cloning and characterization of serpin-like genes from the striped rice stem borer,Chilo suppressalis
Authors: Ge Zhao-Yu , Wan Pin-Jun , Cheng Xiong-Feng , Zhang Yang , Li Guo-Qing , Han Zhao-Jun
Published: July 2013

Serpins, also called serine proteinase inhibitors, are widely distributed in eukaryotes. In insects, serpins play important roles in regulating immune responses, gut physiology, and other processes. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of 12 serpin-like cDNAs from the striped rice stem borer (Chilo suppressalis), a major rice pest. The putative proteins share significant sequence similarity with known insect serpins, especially those from lepidopterons. Analysis of functional domains revealed that nine of the cloned serpins are putative trypsin- or chymotrypsin-like inhibitors; two are mixed-type serpins that may act as inhibitors for trypsins, elastases, or thrombin; and the remaining one is truncate. The potential functions of these serpins in interacting with host plants were also investigated by analyzing tissue-specific expression and the impact of different host plant genotypes on gene expression. Our results provide a foundation for future studies on the role of serpins in gut physiology in the striped rice stem borer, and also useful information for comparative analyses of serpins from different insect species.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF JET SUBSTRUCTURE TAGGERS
Authors: QUIROGA-ARIAS PALOMA , SAPETA SEBASTIAN
Published: July 2013

We explicitly study how jet substructure taggers act on a set of signal and background events. We focus on two-pronged hadronic decay of a boosted Z-boson. The background to this process comes from QCD jets with masses of the order of mZ. We find a way to compare various taggers within a single framework by applying them to the most relevant splitting in a jet. We develop a tool, TOY-TAG, which allows one to get insight into what happens when a particular tagger is applied to a set of signal or background events. It also provides estimates for significance and purity. We use our tool to analyze differences between various taggers and potential ways to improve the performance by combining several of them.
ENHANCEMENT OF SCREEN FILM MAMMOGRAM UP TO A LEVEL OF DIGITAL MAMMOGRAM: EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS
Authors: BHALE APARNA NARENDRA , JOSHI MANISH RATNAKAR
Published: July 2013

Breast cancer is one of the major causes of death among women. If a cancer can be detected early, the options of treatment and the chances of total recovery will increase. From a woman's point of view, the procedure practiced (compression of breasts to record an image) to obtain a digital mammogram (DM) is exactly the same that is used to obtain a screen film mammogram (SFM). The quality of DM is undoubtedly better than SFM.

However, obtaining DM is costlier and very few institutions can afford DM machines. According to the National Cancer Institute 92% of breast imaging centers in India do not have digital mammography machines and they depend on the conventional SFM. Hence in this context, one should answer "Can SFM be enhanced up to a level of DM?" In this paper, we discuss our experimental analysis in this regard. We applied elementary image enhancement techniques to obtain enhanced SFM. We performed the quality analysis of DM and enhanced SFM using standard metrics like PSNR and RMSE on more than 350 mammograms. We also used mean opinion score (MOS) analysis to evaluate enhanced SFMs. The results showed that the clarity of processed SFM is as good as DM.

Furthermore, we analyzed the extent of radiation exposed during SFM and DM. We presented our literally findings and clinical observations.
FUZZY CLUSTERING OF IMAGE TRADEMARK DATABASE AND PREPROCESSING USING ADAPTIVE FILTER AND KARHUNEN–LOÈVE TRANSFORM
Authors: NIGAM AKRITI , INDORIA AJAY , TRIPATHI R. C.
Published: July 2013

In this paper, an efficient preprocessing module has been described which focuses on building a trademark database that can be used for developing a trademark retrieval system. The preprocessing module focuses on noise removal from the trademark images using an adaptive filtering technique using Wiener filters, followed by Karhunen–Loève transform that makes the trademark search process rotation invariant by rotating the object along positive y direction. Since the registered trademarks are huge in number and will increase invariantly in the future it will be strenuous for the search system to search for similarity in such huge database. Intention was to reduce the search space hence fuzzy clustering has been applied. All these preprocessing steps make a retrieval system more efficient and reduce computation cost.
THE ROLE OF CORRELATION IN QUANTUM AND CLASSICAL GAMES
Authors: PHOENIX SIMON J. D. , KHAN FAISAL SHAH
Published: July 2013

We use the example of playing a 2-player game with entangled quantum objects to investigate the effect of quantum correlation. We find that for simple game scenarios it is classical correlation that is the central feature and that these simple quantum games are not sensitive to the quantum part of the correlation. In these games played with quantum objects it is possible to transform a game such as Prisoner's Dilemma into the game of Chicken. We show that this behavior, and the associated enhanced equilibrium payoff over playing the game with quantum objects in nonentangled states, is entirely due to the classical part of the correlation.

Generalizing these games to the pure strategy 2-player quantum game where the players have finite strategy sets and a projective joint measurement is made on the output state produced by the players, we show that a given quantum game of this form can always be reproduced by a classical model, such as a communication channel. Where entanglement is a feature of the these 2-player quantum games the matrix of expected outcomes for the players can be reproduced by a classical channel with correlated noise.
The role of geodiversity in delivering ecosystem services and benefits in Scotland
Authors: Gordon John E. , Barron Hugh F.
Published: July 2013

Synopsis

The ecosystem services approach is now a key driver for environmental policy and conservation management both in the UK and globally. Within this, geodiversity provides or underpins many essential provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting ecosystem services and so it is not only the inherent value of geodiversity that matters, but also its role in ecosystem functioning. Protecting geodiversity contributes to maintaining the resilience and adaptive capacity of biodiversity and supports critical ecosystem services. In addition, the analysis of palaeoenvironmental archives and geomorphological records provides a key long-term perspective on trends, rates of change and future trajectories in ecosystems and service delivery, an acknowledged gap within the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, as well as informing adaptive management of the effects of climate change, including sea-level rise. Better integration of geodiversity and biodiversity as part of Earth system science is critical for the future-proofing of ecosystems and their services and provides opportunities and challenges for applied geoscience.
Geomorphological and geoforensic interpretation of maps, aerial imagery, conditions of diggability and the colour-coded RAG prioritization system in searches for criminal burials
Authors: Donnelly Laurance , Harrison Mark
Published: July 2013

The objective of this paper is to draw attention to the use of air photographs, diggability surveys and the RAG (Red–Amber–Green) prioritization system during police ground searches for burials. The acquisition, analysis and interpretation of aerial imagery by a geologist may provide a useful reconnaissance technique to help delineate and prioritize search areas. A diggability survey may provide information on the ease and efficiency with which the ground may be dug and reinstated by an offender. This is influenced by the depth of the soils, the geology, groundwater, obstructions, the digging implements used, the ability of the offender, the nature of item being buried and the time frames involved. The results of a diggability survey may conveniently be presented as a RAG, map which can help in prioritizing the search. The RAG system appears to have been used independently by geologists, police/law enforcement and the military, and has evolved differently and independently since the early part of the 1900s. These methods have been applied to law enforcement searches for graves and other buried objects as demonstrated by operational case examples.
Compressive light field photography using overcomplete dictionaries and optimized projections
Authors: Marwah Kshitij , Wetzstein Gordon , Bando Yosuke , Raskar Ramesh
Published: July 2013

Light field photography has gained a significant research interest in the last two decades; today, commercial light field cameras are widely available. Nevertheless, most existing acquisition approaches either multiplex a low-resolution light field into a single 2D sensor image or require multiple photographs to be taken for acquiring a high-resolution light field. We propose a compressive light field camera architecture that allows for higher-resolution light fields to be recovered than previously possible from a single image. The proposed architecture comprises three key components: light field atoms as a sparse representation of natural light fields, an optical design that allows for capturing optimized 2D light field projections, and robust sparse reconstruction methods to recover a 4D light field from a single coded 2D projection. In addition, we demonstrate a variety of other applications for light field atoms and sparse coding, including 4D light field compression and denoising.
Reciprocal frame structures made easy
Authors: Song Peng , Fu Chi-Wing , Goswami Prashant , Zheng Jianmin , Mitra Niloy J. , Cohen-Or Daniel
Published: July 2013

A reciprocal frame (RF) is a self-supported three-dimensional structure made up of three or more sloping rods, which form a closed circuit, namely an RF-unit. Large RF-structures built as complex grillages of one or a few similar RF-units have an intrinsic beauty derived from their inherent self-similar and highly symmetric patterns. Designing RF-structures that span over large domains is an intricate and complex task. In this paper, we present an interactive computational tool for designing RF-structures over a 3D guiding surface, focusing on the aesthetic aspect of the design.

There are three key contributions in this work. First, we draw an analogy between RF-structures and plane tiling with regular polygons, and develop a computational scheme to generate coherent RF-tessellations from simple grammar rules. Second, we employ a conformal mapping to lift the 2D tessellation over a 3D guiding surface, allowing a real-time preview and efficient exploration of wide ranges of RF design parameters. Third, we devise an optimization method to guarantee the collinearity of contact joints along each rod, while preserving the geometric properties of the RF-structure. Our tool not only supports the design of wide variety of RF pattern classes and their variations, but also allows preview and refinement through interactive controls.