bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Die Nierenkolik in der allgemein-internistischen Praxis
Authors: Schwarzenbach  , Jenzer
Published: February 2013

Die Prävalenz von Nierensteinen in einer allgemein-internistischen Praxis wurde anhand von 426 konsekutiv bei verschiedener Indikation durchgeführten Ultraschalluntersuchungen ermittelt, wobei asymptomatische Nierensteine, wie aus epidemiologischen Studien bekannt, in 5% der Fälle vorlagen. Die Wertigkeit der abdominellen Ultraschalldiagnostik bei Verdacht auf Nierenkolik wird aufgezeigt und in diesem Zusammenhang auch auf die eminente Wichtigkeit der Konkrementanalyse hingewiesen. Im Weiteren werden kurz die häufigsten Ursachen der Nierensteinbildung dargelegt (geringe Urinproduktion, mechanische Urinabflussbehinderung im Nierenbecken, Hyperkalzurie, Hyperoxalurie, ungenügende Urin-Zitratausscheidung, Hyperurikosurie). In der Folge wird auf das klinische Erscheinungsbild (das Kardinalsymptom der Lithiasis ist die Mikro/Makrohämaturie, diese ist aber je nach Literaturangabe in 20-80% der Fälle nicht nachweisbar!), sowie die Differenzialdiagnose des akuten Flankenschmerzes eingegangen: neoplastische, infektiologische, renovaskuläre und extrarenale Ursachen (retroperitoneale und vaskuläre Prozesse wie Aneurysmenruptur und Mesenterialinfarkt), gynäkologische Probleme (z.B. Stieldrehung/Zystenruptur der Ovarien, ektopische Schwangerschaft), Appendizitis, Divertikulitis sowie Milzabszess/Infarkt und hepato-pankreatiko-biliäre Ursachen finden Erwähnung. Auch metabolische Syndrome, wie z.B. die intermittiernde Porphyrie, infektiologische Erkrankungen (z.B. das Fitz-Hugh-Curtis-Syndrom) und andere seltene Pathologien (z.B. das «Mittelmeerfieber») können Grund für den akuten Flankenschmerz sein. Ein besonderes Augenmerk richtet sich aber auf die Abklärungsschritte, die in der Primärversorgung sinnvoll erscheinen: Neben der Anamneseerhebung, der klinischen Beurteilung und gezielten Laboruntersuchungen werden die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen des diagnostischen Ultraschalls aufgezeigt, unter spezieller Berücksichtigung der Doppleranwendung zur Darstellung des «Twinkling-Artefakts» bei Nierensteinbildung sowie des ostialen «Jet-Phänomens» zur Beurteilung einer Urinabflussstörung. Explizite Erwähnung findet in diesem Zusammenhang auch die Feststellung, dass eine fehlende Dilatation des NBKS eine Stauung nie ausschliesst und andererseits eine Dilatation des NBKS nicht notwendigerweise eine Stauung bedeutet! Die konservativen Therapiestrategien (Vermeiden übermässiger Trinkmengen - eine obstruierte Niere schützt sich selber - NSAR in Kombination mit Tamsulosin bei prävesikaler Urolithiasis) werden angesprochen, wobei die kritische Steingrösse (≤5 mm) und das Fehlen sonomorphologischer sowie entzündlicher Alarmzeichen als Kriterien zur weiteren nicht-fachärztlichen ambulanten Behandlung der akuten Nephro- und Ureterolithiasis hervorgehoben werden. Im Weiteren wird auf die möglichen Komplikationen der Urolithiasis, v.a. die Urosepsis und (iatrogene!) Fornixruptur sowie die Gefahr einer Nierenabszess- oder Sacknierenbildung eingegangen und die Metaphylaxis der Urolithiasis mit deren recurrence rate angesprochen.
Neutropenie und Fieber unklarer Genese
Authors: Gavillet  , Medinger  , Tichelli  , Fux-Arnold
Published: February 2013

Wir berichten über einen 22-jährigen Mann, der sich mit einer schweren Neutropenie und grenzwertigem Hämoglobinkonzentration präsentierte. Die möglichen diagnostischen Abklärungsschritte wurden beschrieben. Es ergab sich die Diagnose einer Therapie-assoziierten akuten myeloischen Leukämie nach Chemotherapie im Rahmen eines Hodentumors.
CME-ORL 7
Authors: Storck Claudio
Published: February 2013

Unklarer Knoten Hals links bei St. n. Sarkom des Endometriums
Sevrage éthylique inhabituel et compliqué: avez-vous vérifié la phosphatémie?
Authors: Gay Nicolas , Lamy Olivier , Pouget Romaine
Published: February 2013

Nous rapportons le cas d'un homme de 65 ans, éthylo-tabagique chronique, hospitalisé pour une baisse de son état général, irritabilité, tremor postural et hypotonie musculo-squelettique non latéralisée qui s'aggrave durant l'hospitalisation malgré un traitement vitaminique, des benzodiazépines et une réhydratation appropriée pour un sevrage éthylique. Une hypophosphatémie sévère <0,1 mmol/l est alors mise en évidence. Elle est associée à une hypovitaminose D, hypomagnésémie, hypokaliémie et à un syndrome de renutrition inappropriée. Les symptômes neurologiques s'amendent en 24h après correction de l'hypophosphatémie par voie parentérale puis orale.
Vom Schönheitsideal zur Krankheit – eine Reise durch die Geschichte der Adipositas
Authors: Balke Helena , Nocito Antonio
Published: February 2013

Die Adipositas ist ein seit über 25 000 Jahren bekanntes Phänomen der Menschheit. In der Steinzeit, im Mittelalter und im 17. Jahrhundert war Übergewicht als Zeichen von Wohlstand, Macht und Fruchtbarkeit ein Schönheitsideal, jedoch beschrieb Hippokrates schon in der Antike den Krankheitswert der Adipositas. Zur Zeit der industriellen Revolution wurden erste wissenschaftliche Arbeiten zum Thema Adipositas veröffentlicht. Vom 19. Jahrhundert an boomten medikamentöse Therapiemassnahmen gegen das Übergewicht. Einerseits wurde viel Profit aus Quacksalberei gezogen, andererseits kamen gefährliche, suchtgefährdende Medikamente wie z. B. Amphetamine auf den Markt. Im 20. Jahrhundert hielt die bariatrische Chirurgie Einzug, aktuell gilt die RYGB-Operation als Goldstandard. Das krankhafte Übergewicht und seine Begleiterkrankungen stellen heutzutage aus sozioökonomischer Sicht eines der grössten gesundheitspolitischen Probleme des 21. Jahrhunderts dar.
Den Störungen auf den Grund gehen
Authors: Müller Agnes
Published: February 2013

Störungen gehören zu unserem Alltag. Auch innerhalb von Lehr-Lernprozessen machen sie sich häufig in Form von Lernwiderständen, Konflikten und anderem bemerkbar. In der Themenzentrierten Interaktion nach Ruth Cohn werden sie gar als ein bedeutsames Element gesehen und haben "Vorrang". Doch wie kann man als Lehrender methodisch mit Störungen im Unterricht umgehen? Der folgende Beitrag geht dieser Frage nach und zeigt drei unterschiedliche Möglichkeiten zur Bearbeitung von Störungen auf.
Schule gemeinsam neu denken
Authors: Staudinger
Published: February 2013

Welches Verständnis von "guter Schule" haben wir? Was sind die Ziele unserer Schule? Wie möchten wir sie erreichen und unseren Erfolg überprüfen? Das Entwickeln eines Schulprogramms kann helfen, diesen und ähnlichen Fragen systematisch auf den Grund zu gehen.
Validation praktisch anwenden
Authors: Jenni  , Schlegel
Published: February 2013

Demenziell veränderten Menschen unterstützend zu begegnen und mit ihnen einen Dialog aufzubauen, setzt spezifische pflegerische Fertigkeiten voraus. Wie können wir Pflegepersonen in der Aus- und Weiterbildung diese Kompetenz vermitteln?
Theorie-Praxis-Transfer in der Pflegeausbildung
Authors: Koch F.
Published: February 2013

Die Kluft zwischen Theorie und Praxis im fachpraktischen Unterricht zu überwinden - dieses Ziel hat sich das Cedar Crest College Department of Nursing in Allentown, Pennsylvania gestellt. Wie diese Pflegeschule ihr Curriculum mithilfe evidenzbasierter Maßnahmen reformierte, zeigt der folgende Beitrag.
Bildung als freie Entfaltung der Persönlichkeit
Authors: Sahmel H.
Published: February 2013

In der Pflegepädagogik gibt es kaum eine wichtige Veröffentlichung ohne ein Zitat des bedeutenden Pädagogen Wolfgang Klafki. Im September 2012 jährt sich zum 85. Mal sein Geburtstag. Sein breit angelegtes pädagogisches Werk ist bisher noch nicht in allen seinen Facetten rezipiert worden. Wie vielfältig sein pädagogisches Denken war, zeigt der folgende Beitrag.
Evidenzbasierte Gesundheitsinformationen
Authors: Fechtelpeter  , Meyer
Published: February 2013

Evidenzbasierte Gesundheitsinformationen, die sich an Patienten richten, gewinnen an Stellenwert. Auch Pflegefachpersonen können sie als Grundlage nutzen, um gemeinsam mit den Patienten Entscheidungen zu treffen.
Regeneration als Ressource
Authors: Lehr  , Heber  , Thiart
Published: February 2013

Der Lehrerberuf kann sich äußerst belastend auswirken. Für Phasen der Regeneration zu sorgen, fällt im Alltag meist schwer. Die Folge davon ist Erschöpfung. Der Beitrag zeigt grundlegende Bausteine der Regeneration auf und verdeutlicht: Erholung stellt einen eigenständigen Wert dar.
Future of Nursing
Authors: Roes
Published: February 2013

Perspektiven der Pflegeausbildung
Das Modellprojekt PIA
Authors: Borutta
Published: February 2013

Wie können Innovationen in den unterschiedlichen Pflegeeinrichtungen generiert werden? Wie können Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter zu Innovatoren für die Weiterentwicklung pflegerischer Standards in ihrem Arbeitsfeld werden? Diese Fragen stellten den Ausgangspunkt des PIA-Projektes in der Gesundheitsregion Aachen dar.
Eine "pflegefremde" Einteilung?
Authors: Lay
Published: February 2013

Zahlreiche Fachartikel und Gesetzestexte verwenden für die Kategorisierung pflegerischer Kompetenzen die Untergliederung in Fach-, Sozial-, Personal- und Methodenkompetenz. Ob sich diese beliebte Einteilung für Pflegeberufe eignet, stellt der vorliegende Beitrag kritisch in Frage.
Abgeschnitten
Authors: Speigner
Published: February 2013

Wie erleben Patientinnen und Patienten mit einer Beinamputation ihre Versorgung? Welche informativen, schulenden oder beratenden Unterstützungsmaßnahmen erhalten sie? Wo gibt es Versorgungsbrüche und Optimierungsbedarf? Der Beitrag geht diesen Fragen nach und stellt die Sichtweise der Betroffenen in den Vordergrund.
Mentorinnen: Inspirierende Vorbilder
Authors: Staudacher
Published: February 2013

Professionelle Kompetenz kann sich am besten durch ein persönliches Vorbild entwickeln. "Mentoring" verbindet den beruflichen Reifungsprozess mit dem tiefen Bedürfnis nach einer verlässlichen Bindung. Worin genau besteht die "soziale Energie" der "Mentoring"-Beziehung?
Super-radiant backward-wave oscillators with enhanced power conversion
Authors: Rostov V. V. , Savilov A. V.
Published: February 2013

We propose a method for a very significant increase of the peak power of a backward-wave electron oscillator operating in the non-stationary regime of the super-radiation of short rf pulses. This method is based on sectioning: a regular self-oscillator section is supported with a section providing amplification of the super-radiant pulse. Profiling of a resonant parameter in the amplifying section is used to avoid the parasitic self-excitation and to increase the efficiency of the electron-wave interaction. In such systems, the conversion factor (the ratio between the rf pulse power and the electron beam power) can achieve a few hundred percent.
Mechanism behind the high thermoelectric power factor of SrTiO3 by calculating the transport coefficients
Authors: Shirai Koun , Yamanaka Kazunori
Published: February 2013

The thermoelectric power factor of SrTiO3 is unusually high with respect to its mobility and band gap. Good thermoelectrics usually have high mobility and a narrow band gap, but such properties are not found in SrTiO3. We have determined the mechanism behind the high power factor by calculating the transport coefficients. The key to understanding the power factor is that different effective masses contribute to different transport phenomena. The discrepancy between the effective mass for the conductivity and the thermoelectric power showed that the conductivity and thermoelectric power are conveyed by electrons with different effective masses in the Brillouin zone. Light electrons were responsible for the high conductivity, whereas heavy electrons were responsible for the high thermoelectric power. The high carrier concentrations of more than 1020 cm−3 did not reduce the thermoelectric power of SrTiO3 above the classical limit. This indicates that the electrons carrying the thermoelectric power were not degenerate. This is achieved by a decrease in the Fermi energy and the contribution of the heavy electrons to the Seebeck coefficient. The strong dielectric screening also contributed to the high power factor. The Coulomb scattering by ionized impurities, which would usually reduce the carrier mobility, was effectively screened. These results clarify the mechanism behind the contribution of different types of electrons, and show that high thermoelectric power does not necessarily reduce conductivity. Our findings provide a new direction for the band engineering of thermoelectric materials.
New form of polymeric nitrogen from dynamic shock simulation
Authors: Beaudet Todd D. , Mattson William D. , Rice Betsy M.
Published: February 2013

For many years there has been significant interest in polymeric phases of nitrogen at low pressure for potential application as an energetic material. This was the result of years of theoretical work indicating potentially meta-stable polymeric nitrogen. Experimental evidence of both an amorphous phase and a cubic-gauche phase has added greatly to this interest [A. F. Goncharov, E. A. Gregoryanz, H. K. Mao, Z. Liu, and R. J. Hemley, Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 1262 (2000); M. I. Eremets, R. J. Hemley, H. K. Mao, and E. Gregoryanz, Nature (London) 411, 170 (2001)10.1038/35075531]. While most of the theoretical work has been done on the many crystal phases of nitrogen, little work has been done on simulating amorphous polymeric nitrogen. The original goal of this work was to simulate amorphous polymeric nitrogen at low pressure; however, we unexpectedly found a new form of polymeric nitrogen. Starting from first principles dynamic shock simulation of cubic-gauche nitrogen [W. D. Mattson and R. Balu, Phys. Rev. B 83, 174105 (2011)10.1103/PhysRevB.83.174105] we demonstrate a new low pressure porous form that exhibits stability at low temperatures. We describe the detailed procedure of obtaining this structure as well as some of its physical characteristics. Finally, we explore composite structures of this new form of polymeric nitrogen and their possible relationship to an amorphous form.
Optical susceptibilities in singly charged ZnO colloidal quantum dots embedded in different dielectric matrices
Authors: Zeng Zaiping , Paspalakis Emmanuel , Garoufalis Christos S. , Terzis Andreas F. , Baskoutas Sotirios
Published: February 2013

Within the two-level system approximation, analytical expressions for the linear, third-order nonlinear and intensity-dependent susceptibilities in quantum dots (QDs) embedded in a dielectric matrix are developed by using density matrix equations, considering the local field effect due to the presence of dielectric mismatch. Based on the derived expressions, we perform a comparative study of the optical susceptibilities in singly charged zinc oxide QDs embedded in various dielectric matrices. Three commonly adopted matrices are considered. The electronic structure of the system is numerically calculated. In general, our results indicate that the optical susceptibilities are highly affected by the capped matrices. For example, QDs embedded in the matrix with the largest dielectric constant but the smallest energy band gap exhibit the largest linear and nonlinear optical susceptibilities, while that dispersed in a matrix with the largest energy band gap show the highest threshold energy. It is also found that the third-order nonlinear susceptibility exhibits a stronger dependence on the nature of the capped matrix as compared to its linear counterpart. Finally, we find that the total susceptibility in charged QD immersed in a matrix with a higher dielectric constant is more sensitive to the applied radiation intensity.
Coupling of kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of surface reactions to transport in a fluid for heterogeneous catalytic reactor modeling
Authors: Schaefer C. , Jansen A. P. J.
Published: February 2013

We have developed a method to couple kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of surface reactions at a molecular scale to transport equations at a macroscopic scale. This method is applicable to steady state reactors. We use a finite difference upwinding scheme and a gap-tooth scheme to efficiently use a limited amount of kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. In general the stochastic kinetic Monte Carlo results do not obey mass conservation so that unphysical accumulation of mass could occur in the reactor. We have developed a method to perform mass balance corrections that is based on a stoichiometry matrix and a least-squares problem that is reduced to a non-singular set of linear equations that is applicable to any surface catalyzed reaction. The implementation of these methods is validated by comparing numerical results of a reactor simulation with a unimolecular reaction to an analytical solution. Furthermore, the method is applied to two reaction mechanisms. The first is the ZGB model for CO oxidation in which inevitable poisoning of the catalyst limits the performance of the reactor. The second is a model for the oxidation of NO on a Pt(111) surface, which becomes active due to lateral interaction at high coverages of oxygen. This reaction model is based on ab initio density functional theory calculations from literature.
High-performance and air-processed polymer solar cells by room-temperature drying of the active layer
Authors: Hu Ziyang , Zhang Jianjun , Zhu Yuejin
Published: February 2013

High device performance is demonstrated in air-processed polymer solar cells made from an active layer of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester, with optimized efficiency and fill factor as high as 4.71% and 0.71, respectively. The degree of self-organization of the active layer can be varied by controlling the solvent evaporation rate at different room temperature (298–292 K). Device performance improvement originates from an increased absorption and increased charge-carrier mobility in the active layer. This free-annealing process compatible with flexible substrates contributes to a flexible cell with an efficiency of 4.06%.
Extended thermodynamics of charged gases with many moments
Authors: Carrisi M. C. , Pennisi S.
Published: February 2013

Recently a model with many moments for the description of relativistic gases has been studied and an exact closure has been found, depending on an arbitrary set of single variable functions. In the case of a charged gas and when the electromagnetic field acts as an external force, the exploitation of the entropy principle produces an additional condition. A closure compatible with this further condition has been found, when the highest order moment has an even number of free indexes. It amounts in restrictions on the arbitrary single variable functions appearing in the general case. They are polynomials of increasing degree with respect to equilibrium, which coefficients are arbitrary constants. When the highest order moment has an odd number M of free indexes the further condition is different from that appearing in the case M even and alternative techniques must be used to find a closure compatible with it. In this paper we take into account this last model and we find a closure compatible with the further condition. As well as in the case M even, also in the case M odd we find that the arbitrary single variable functions of the general theory are polynomials of increasing degree with respect to equilibrium, which coefficients are arbitrary constants.
Molecular beam epitaxy of high structural quality Bi2Se3 on lattice matched InP(111) substrates
Authors: Schreyeck S. , Tarakina N. V. , Karczewski G. , Schumacher C. , Borzenko T. , Brüne C. , Buhmann H. , Gould C. , Brunner K. , Molenkamp L. W.
Published: February 2013

Epitaxial layers of the topological insulator Bi2Se3 have been grown by molecular beam epitaxy on laterally lattice-matched InP(111)B substrates. High resolution X-ray diffraction shows a significant improvement of Bi2Se3 crystal quality compared to layers deposited on other substrates. The measured full width at half maximum of the rocking curve is Δω=13 arc sec, and the (ω−2θ) scans exhibit clear layer thickness fringes. Atomic force microscope images show triangular twin domains with sizes increasing with layer thickness. The structural quality of the domains is confirmed on the microscopic level by transmission electron microscopy.
Efficient end-fire coupling of surface plasmons on flat metal surfaces for improved plasmonic Mach-Zehnder interferometer
Authors: Hu Haifeng , Zeng Xie , Ji Dengxin , Zhu Lin , Gan Qiaoqiang
Published: February 2013

An efficient on-chip coupling mechanism is essential for nanoplasmonic circuits and elements. We show theoretically that end-fire coupling is a promising candidate to deliver light into regions with subwavelength dimension on flat metal surfaces. A design and optimization principle is presented for a flat metal surface and further demonstrated in a plasmonic Mach-Zehnder interferometer platform. The physical mechanism is discussed based on reciprocity. By considering the radiation pattern and position of the incidence, the coupling efficiency at the metal/air interface can be enhanced up to 77.6%–95.4%, which is promising to develop energy-efficient applications for on-chip plasmonic waveguide networks and sensors.
First-principles studies of interlayer exchange coupling in (Ga, Cr)N-based diluted magnetic semiconductor multilayers
Authors: Luo M. , Sun F. , Tang Z.
Published: February 2013

Interlayer exchange coupling (IEC) in a series model diluted magnetic semiconductor multilayer consisting of two magnetic (Ga, Cr)N layers separated by non-doped or Mg-doped GaN non-magnetic spacers has been studied by first-principles calculations. The effects of the spacer thickness and hole doping to the IEC were studied systematically. For the GaN spacers without Mg doping, the IEC between two magnetic (Ga, Cr)N layers is always ferromagnetic and is clarified as an intrinsic character of the Ruderman-Kittle-Kasuya-Yoshida interaction based on a two-band model for a gapped system. For the Mg-doped GaN spacers, the IEC is antiferromagnetic, and the antiferromagnetic IEC is stable with increasing the spacer thickness.
Magnetic and electrical/thermal transport properties of Mn-doped M
n+1AXn phase compounds Cr2−xMnxGaC (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)
Authors: Lin S. , Tong P. , Wang B. S. , Huang Y. N. , Lu W. J. , Shao D. F. , Zhao B. C. , Song W. H. , Sun Y. P.
Published: February 2013

In this paper, we report the effects of partial substitution of Mn for Cr on the structural, magnetic, and electrical/thermal transport properties of Mn+1AXn phase compounds Cr2−xMnxGaC (0 ≤ x ≤ 1). As a result, the unit cell volume and the thermal conductivity decrease while the resistivity increases with increasing x. Interestingly, the magnetism of Cr2−xMnxGaC changes from the nonmagnetic Cr2GaC (x = 0) to the ferrimagnetic CrMnGaC (x = 1). In order to shed light on the discrepancy observed between Hall coefficient and Seebeck coefficient of Cr2GaC, the electrical conductivity, Hall coefficient, and magnetoresistance are analyzed within a two-band model. Furthermore, an upturn is observed in low-temperature specific heat of Cr2−xMnxGaC, which may be related with the magnetic Mn dopant.
Two-phase stretching of molecular chains
Authors: Savin Alexander V. , Kikot Irina P. , Mazo Mikhail A. , Onufriev Alexey V.
Published: February 2013

Although stretching of most polymer chains leads to rather featureless force-extension diagrams, some, notably DNA, exhibit nontrivial behavior with a distinct plateau region. Here, we propose a unified theory that connects force-extension characteristics of the polymer chain with the convexity properties of the extension energy profile of its individual monomer subunits. Namely, if the effective monomer deformation energy as a function of its extension has a nonconvex (concave up) region, the stretched polymer chain separates into two phases: the weakly and strongly stretched monomers. Simplified planar and 3D polymer models are used to illustrate the basic principles of the proposed model. Specifically, we show rigorously that, when the secondary structure of a polymer is mostly caused by weak noncovalent interactions, the stretching is two phase, and the force-stretching diagram has the characteristic plateau. We then use realistic coarse-grained models to confirm the main findings and make direct connection to the microscopic structure of the monomers. We show in detail how the two-phase scenario is realized in the α-helix and DNA double helix. The predicted plateau parameters are consistent with single-molecules experiments. Detailed analysis of DNA stretching shows that breaking of Watson–Crick bonds is not necessary for the existence of the plateau, although some of the bonds do break as the double helix extends at room temperature. The main strengths of the proposed theory are its generality and direct microscopic connection.
big bang
gene modulates gut immune tolerance in
Drosophila
Authors: Bonnay François , Cohen-Berros Eva , Hoffmann Martine , Kim Sabrina Y. , Boulianne Gabrielle L. , Hoffmann Jules A. , Matt Nicolas , Reichhart Jean-Marc
Published: February 2013

Chronic inflammation of the intestine is detrimental to mammals. Similarly, constant activation of the immune response in the gut by the endogenous flora is suspected to be harmful to
Drosophila
. Therefore, the innate immune response in the gut of
Drosophila melanogaster
is tightly balanced to simultaneously prevent infections by pathogenic microorganisms and tolerate the endogenous flora. Here we describe the role of the
big bang
(
bbg
) gene, encoding multiple membrane-associated PDZ (PSD-95, Discs-large, ZO-1) domain-containing protein isoforms, in the modulation of the gut immune response. We show that in the adult
Drosophila
midgut, BBG is present at the level of the septate junctions, on the apical side of the enterocytes. In the absence of BBG, these junctions become loose, enabling the intestinal flora to trigger a constitutive activation of the anterior midgut immune response. This chronic epithelial inflammation leads to a reduced lifespan of
bbg
mutant flies. Clearing the commensal flora by antibiotics prevents the abnormal activation of the gut immune response and restores a normal lifespan. We now provide genetic evidence that
Drosophila
septate junctions are part of the gut immune barrier, a function that is evolutionarily conserved in mammals. Collectively, our data suggest that septate junctions are required to maintain the subtle balance between immune tolerance and immune response in the
Drosophila
gut, which represents a powerful model to study inflammatory bowel diseases.
Filtering duplicate reads from 454 pyrosequencing data
Authors: Balzer Susanne , Malde Ketil , Grohme Markus A. , Jonassen Inge
Published: February 2013

Motivation: Throughout the recent years, 454 pyrosequencing has emerged as an efficient alternative to traditional Sanger sequencing and is widely used in both de novo whole-genome sequencing and metagenomics. Especially the latter application is extremely sensitive to sequencing errors and artificially duplicated reads. Both are common in 454 pyrosequencing and can create a strong bias in the estimation of diversity and composition of a sample. To date, there are several tools that aim to remove both sequencing noise and duplicates. Nevertheless, duplicate removal is often based on nucleotide sequences rather than on the underlying flow values, which contain additional information.

Results: With the novel tool JATAC, we present an approach towards a more accurate duplicate removal by analysing flow values directly. Making use of previous findings on 454 flow data characteristics, we combine read clustering with Bayesian distance measures. Finally, we provide a benchmark with an existing algorithm.

Availability: JATAC is freely available under the General Public License from http://malde.org/ketil/jatac/.

Contact: Ketil.Malde@imr.no

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online
Approaches to common clinical problems
Authors: Bloom Stuart , Webster George , Marks Daniel
Published: February 2013

Most cases of acute diarrhoea are due to infections; in immunocompetent
patients these are usually self-limiting and intervention may be limited
to oral rehydration if there are no signs of significant fluid loss.
Diarrhoea lasting more than 14 days is usually described as persistent
or chronic, and is usually due to some other cause (exceptions in
immunocompetent patients include ...
IGR J19308+0530: Roche lobe overflow on to a compact object from a donor 1.8 times as massive
Authors: Ratti E. M. , van Grunsven T. F. J. , Torres M. A. P. , Jonker P. G. , Miller-Jones J. C. A. , Hessels J. W. T. , Van Winckel H. , van der Sluys M. , Nelemans G.
Published: February 2013

We present phase-resolved spectroscopy and photometry of the optical counterpart to the X-ray binary IGR J19308+0530. Ellipsoidal modulations in the light curve show that the F-type companion star in the system is Roche lobe filling. The optical spectra are dominated by absorption features from the donor star, with ∼10–20 per cent disc contribution to the optical continuum. We measure an orbital period of 14.662 ± 0.001 h, a radial velocity semi-amplitude for the companion star of K2 = 91.4 ± 1.4 km s− 1 and a rotational broadening of v sin i = 108.9 ± 0.6 km s− 1. From K2 and v sin i, given that the donor star is filling its Roche lobe, we derive a mass ratio of q = M2/M1 = 1.78 ± 0.04, which is typically considered to be too large for stable Roche lobe overflow. Our observations support an inclination of ∼50°. The accretor in IGR J19308+0530 is most likely a white dwarf, although a neutron star cannot entirely be excluded.
Thioclava dalianensis sp. nov., isolated from surface seawater
Authors: Zhang Rongqiu , Lai Qiliang , Wang Wanpeng , Li Shaoneng , Shao Zongze
Published: February 2013

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain DLFJ1-1T, which was isolated from an oil-degrading bacterial consortium, enriched by the surface seawater from around the Dalian Peninsula. The isolate was Gram-reaction-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, short-rod-shaped and non-motile. Growth was observed at salinities from 0.5 to 15 % and at temperatures from 4 to 37 °C; the strain was unable to degrade gelatin or to reduce nitrate. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain DLFJ1-1T belonged to the genus

Thioclava

, with the highest sequence similarity (96.4 %) to

Thioclava pacifica

TL 2T, while the similarities to other species examined were all below 95.0 %. The principal fatty acids were C19 : 0ω8c cyclo and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c/ω6c). The major quinone of strain DLFJ1-1T was Q10. The major polar lipids of strain DLFJ1-1T were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 62.5 mol%. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain DLFJ1-1T represents a novel species of the genus

Thioclava

, for which the name Thioclava dalianensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain DLFJ1-1T ( = CGMCC 1.12325T = LMG 27290T = MCCC 1A03957T). An emended description of the genus Thioclava is also proposed.
‘Leptotrichia amnionii’, a newly reported cause of early onset neonatal meningitis
Authors: Decroix Véronique , Goudjil Sabrina , Kongolo Guy , Mammeri Hedi
Published: February 2013

‘Leptotrichia amnionii’ is an underestimated fastidious inhabitant of the vaginal flora that can cause upper genital tract infections when predisposing factors are present. We describe here what is believed to be the first reported case of early onset meningitis due to ‘L. amnionii’ in a neonate with intrauterine growth retardation. The outcome was favourable after cefotaxime treatment.
Oropharyngeal flora in patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit: clinical factors and acid suppressive therapy
Authors: Frandah Wesam , Colmer-Hamood Jane , Mojazi Amiri Hoda , Raj Rishi , Nugent Kenneth
Published: February 2013

Acid suppression therapy in critically ill patients significantly reduces the incidence of stress ulceration and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding; however, recent studies suggest that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) increase the risk of pneumonia. We wanted to test the hypothesis that acid suppressive therapy promotes alteration in the bacterial flora in the GI tract and leads to colonization of the upper airway tract with pathogenic species, potentially forming the biological basis for the observed increased incidence of pneumonia in these patients. This was a prospective observational study on patients (adults 18 years or older) admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) at a tertiary care centre. Exclusion criteria included all patients with a diagnosis of pneumonia at admission, with infection in the upper airway, or with a history of significant dysphagia. Oropharyngeal cultures were obtained on day 1 and days 3 or 4 of admission. We collected data on demographics, clinical information, and severity of the underlying disease using APACHE II scores. There were 110 patients enrolled in the study. The mean age was 49±16 years, 50 were women, and the mean APACHE II score was 9.8±6.5. Twenty per cent of the patients had used a PPI in the month preceding admission. The first oropharyngeal specimen was available in 110 cases; a second specimen at 72–96 h was available in 68 cases. Seventy-five per cent of the patients admitted to the MICU had abnormal flora. In multivariate logistic regression, diabetes mellitus and PPI use were associated with abnormal oral flora on admission. Chronic renal failure and a higher body mass index reduced the frequency of abnormal oral flora on admission. Most critically ill patients admitted to our MICU have abnormal oral flora. Patients with diabetes and a history of recent PPI use are more likely to have abnormal oral flora on admission.
X-Plate Technology: a new method for detecting fluconazole resistance in Candida species
Authors: Chadwick Sean G. , Schuyler Jessica A. , Vermitsky John-Paul , Adelson Martin E. , Mordechai Eli , Gygax Scott E.
Published: February 2013

Candida species are responsible for many opportunistic fungal infections. Fluconazole is a well-tolerated antifungal drug, commonly used in the treatment of candidiasis. However, with fluconazole resistance ever increasing, rapid detection and antifungal susceptibility testing of Candida is imperative for proper patient treatment. This paper reports a cost-effective, simple and rapid chromogenic agar dilution method for simultaneous Candida species identification and fluconazole susceptibility testing. The results obtained by X-Plate Technology were in absolute concordance with standard microbroth dilution assays. Analysis of 1383 clinical patient samples with suspected vulvovaginal candidiasis revealed that this technology was able to detect and speciate the Candida isolate and determine the fluconazole susceptibility. The prevalence and susceptibility profiles of the clinical isolates using this method were highly similar to published reports using the microbroth dilution method.
Mechanistic divergence between P1 proteases of the family Potyviridae
Authors: Rodamilans Bernardo , Valli Adrián , García Juan Antonio
Published: February 2013

P1a and P1b are two serine proteases of Cucumber vein yellowing virus (an ipomovirus). They belong to the group of P1 factors present at the N terminus of the polyproteins of most members of the family Potyviridae. The present work compares the protease activities of P1a and P1b in different experimental systems. The findings made regarding how these two proteases work, such as the requirement for a host factor by P1a but not by P1b, underscore important differences in their catalytic activity that point towards their undergoing divergent evolution involving the acquisition of mechanistic variations. The expression of several truncated forms of P1b in bacteria and in planta helped define the protease domain of P1b, along with other important features such as its apparently in cis mode of action. Recent phylogenetic data, together with the present results, allow an appealing hypothesis to be proposed regarding P1 evolution and its involvement in potyvirid speciation.
A stem–loop structure in the 5′ untranslated region of bean pod mottle virus RNA2 is specifically required for RNA2 accumulation
Authors: Lin Junyan , Ali Ahmed Khamis , Chen Ping , Ghabrial Said , Finer John , Dorrance Anne , Redinbaugh Peg , Qu Feng
Published: February 2013

Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) is a bipartite, positive-sense (+) RNA plant virus of the family Secoviridae. Its RNA1 encodes all proteins needed for genome replication and is capable of autonomous replication. By contrast, BPMV RNA2 must utilize RNA1-encoded proteins for replication. Here, we sought to identify RNA elements in RNA2 required for its replication. The exchange of 5′ untranslated regions (UTRs) between genome segments revealed an RNA2-specific element in its 5′ UTR. Further mapping localized a 66 nucleotide region that was predicted to fold into an RNA stem–loop structure, designated SLC. Additional functional analysis indicated the importance of the middle portion of the stem and an adjacent two-base mismatch. This is the first report of a cis-acting RNA element in RNA2 of a bipartite secovirus.
Optimum Cooking Conditions for Shrimp and Atlantic Salmon
Authors: Brookmire Lauren , Mallikarjunan P. , Jahncke M. , Grisso R.
Published: February 2013

The quality and safety of a cooked food product depends on many variables, including the cooking method and time–temperature combinations employed. The overall heating profile of the food can be useful in predicting the quality changes and microbial inactivation occurring during cooking. Mathematical modeling can be used to attain the complex heating profile of a food product during cooking. Studies were performed to monitor the product heating profile during the baking and boiling of shrimp and the baking and pan‐frying of salmon. Product color, texture, moisture content, mass loss, and pressed juice were evaluated during the cooking processes as the products reached the internal temperature recommended by the FDA. Studies were also performed on the inactivation of Salmonella cocktails in shrimp and salmon. To effectively predict inactivation during cooking, the Bigelow, Fermi distribution, and Weibull distribution models were applied to the Salmonella thermal inactivation data. Minimum cooking temperatures necessary to destroy Salmonella in shrimp and salmon were determined. The heating profiles of the 2 products were modeled using the finite difference method. Temperature data directly from the modeled heating profiles were then used in the kinetic modeling of quality change and Salmonella inactivation during cooking. The optimum cooking times for a 3‐log reduction of Salmonella and maintaining 95% of quality attributes are 100, 233, 159, 378, 1132, and 399 s for boiling extra jumbo shrimp, baking extra jumbo shrimp, boiling colossal shrimp, baking colossal shrimp, baking Atlantic salmon, and pan frying Atlantic Salmon, respectively.
Human hair follicle dermal sheath and papilla cells support keratinocyte growth in monolayer coculture
Authors: Hill Rebecca P. , Gardner Aaron , Crawford Heather C. , Richer Rachel , Dodds Anna , Owens William A. , Lawrence Clifford , Rao Sam , Kara Bo , James S. Elizabeth , Jahoda Colin A.
Published: February 2013

Traditional skin grafting techniques are effective but limited methods of skin replacement. Autologous transplantation of rapidly cultured keratinocytes is successful for epidermal regeneration, but the current gold‐standard technique requires mouse fibroblast feeders and serum‐rich media, with serum‐free systems and dermal fibroblast (DF) feeders performing relatively poorly. Here, we investigated the capacity of human hair follicle dermal cells to act as alternative supports for keratinocyte growth. Dermal papilla (DP) dermal sheath (DS),DFand 3T3 cells were used as inactivated feeder cells for human keratinocyte coculture. Under conditions favouring dermal cells, proliferation of keratinocytes in the presence of eitherDSorDPcells was significantly enhanced compared withDFcells, at levels comparable to keratinocytes cultured under gold‐standard conditions. Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) expression increasedDSandDPcells relative toDFs; however, further experiments did not demonstrate a role in keratinocyte support.
Drosophila social clustering is disrupted by anesthetics and in narrow abdomen ion channel mutants
Authors: Burg E. D. , Langan S. T. , Nash H. A.
Published: February 2013

Members of many species tend to congregate, a behavioral strategy known as local enhancement. Selective advantages of local enhancement range from efficient use of resources to defense from predators. While previous studies have examined many types of social behavior in fruit flies, few have specifically investigated local enhancement. Resource‐independent local enhancement (RILE) has recently been described in the fruit fly using a measure called social space index (SSI), although the neural mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we analyze RILE of Drosophila under conditions that allow us to elucidate its neural mechanisms. We have investigated the effects of general volatile anesthetics, compounds that compromise higher order functioning of the type typically required for responding to social cues. We exposed Canton‐S flies to non‐immobilizing concentrations of halothane and found that flies had a significantly decreased SSI compared with flies tested in air. Narrow abdomen (na) mutants, which display altered responses to anesthetics in numerous behavioral assays, also have a significantly reduced SSI, an effect that was fully reversed by restoring expression of na by driving a UAS‐NA rescue construct with NA‐GAL4. We found that na expression in cholinergic neurons fully rescued the behavioral defect, whereas expression of na in glutamatergic neurons did so only partially. Our results also suggest a role for na expression in the mushroom bodies (MBs), as suppressing na expression in the MBs of NA‐GAL4 rescue flies diminishes SSI. Our data indicate that RILE, a simple behavioral strategy, requires complex neural processing.
Drought Resistance of C4 Grasses Under Field Conditions: Genetic Variation Among a Large Number of Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) Ecotypes Collected from Different Climatic Zones
Authors: Zhou Y. , Lambrides C. J. , Fukai S.
Published: February 2013

Predictions of extreme weather resulting from climate change will present huge challenges for scientists trying to maintain and increase agricultural production. A greater frequency of dry periods is predicted placing emphasis on the development of plant varieties that are able to maintain performance in dry conditions. The aim of this research was to determine the genetic variation for drought resistance among a large range of potential pasture or turf bermudagrasses (Cynodon spp.). Four hundred and sixty genotypes including ecotypes collected from different climatic zones of Australia, and commercial cultivars were established in the field and assessed during natural and imposed drought periods. Using descriptors of drought resistance such as turf quality and green cover, genotypes were classified into different groups; 436 genotypes were clustered into ten groups in one experiment, and 72 genotypes were clustered into three groups in a second. There was a high correlation of response (r = 0.78) for 47 genotypes common to both experiments suggesting that the drought resistance techniques used to group genotypes were robust. Physiological analyses of the genotypes within the superior drought resistance groups indicated that these group members were probably able to extract more available soil water during the drought period. No commercial cultivars were found in the most drought resistance groups. These field studies also suggested that future collections of bermudagrass ecotypes designed to select for drought resistance might best be carried out from regions that experience Mediterranean climates. The field evaluations presented here did not correlate well with drought resistance determined in previously reported shallow lysimeter (40 cm deep) experiments.
Why we don't breastfeed our children and what we should do about it
Authors: Stewart‐Knox B. J.
Published: February 2013

Despite the efforts of health promoters, breastfeeding initiation rates remain low in parts of the UK and duration shorter than the six months recommended. This suggests that we need to evaluate how we approach the promotion of breastfeeding and support breastfeeding mothers. Existing research into the maternal and societal perspective on infant feeding implies that decisions reflect attitudes and social norms related to infant feeding and the breast. Decisions are also made in consultation with partners and significant others taking into account social factors. Taken together, this implies that to successfully promote breastfeeding, a societal approach is required in which both genders, all ages and socio‐demographic groups are targeted. Attitudes to infant feeding are formed long before conception and are associated with exposure to breastfeeding, indicating a need to engage with schools in promoting breastfeeding. Most importantly, given research suggesting that breastfeeding mothers feel socially isolated, there is a need for action to socially include them by encouraging breastfeeding in social venues and public places and providing enabling facilities. Breastfeeding promotion materials should reflect this by depicting breastfeeding mothers in social situations. The process of restoring breastfeeding as the infant feeding norm is likely to take time. The financial cost of such initiatives, however, will be compensated for by the improved health and well‐being of our future generations.