bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The mechanism of the excitatory action of catecholamines and histamine on the smooth muscle of guinea‐pig ureter.
Authors: Shuba M F
Published: January 2015

1. The ionic mechanism of the excitatory action of catecholamines and histamine on the smooth muscle cells of guinea‐pig ureter was studied with the double sucrose‐gap method. 2. In normal conditions adrenaline and noradrenaline in a concentration of 10(‐5) g/ml., and histamine in a concentration of 10(‐6) g/ml., prolonged the duration of the plateau of the action potential and increased the amplitude and duration of the phasic contraction. Sometimes these changes were accompanied by a slight depolarization of the muscle membrane and by a small increase (with noradrenaline) or decrease (with histamine) of the membrane resistance. The amplitude and duration of the fast spike component of the action potential were not changed. 3. Isoprenaline in a concentration of 10(‐5) g/ml. either caused no change or it decreased the duration of the plateau, reduced the amplitude of contractions and reduced excitability. 4. Tetraethyl ammonium (TEA; 5 mM), which blocks the delayed outward K current, did not prevent the increase in the duration of the plateau nor the increase of the amplitude and duration of the contractions by noradrenaline and histamine. 5. In Na‐free or in K‐free solution or in the presence of ouabain, i.e. in conditions in which the Na‐gradient across the membrane was reduced, noradrenaline and histamine were unable to increase the duration of the plateau and the amplitude and duration of the contraction. 6. In the presence of Mn2+ (2 mM) which suppressed the spike component of tha action potential and the phasic contraction, theeffects of noradrenaline and histamine were almost abolished. 7. The results suggest a dual ionic mechanism of the alpha‐action of catecholamines and of the action of histamine on the smooth muscle of ureter: (1) these drugs affect the passive ionic permeability of the membrane in a manner that results in depolarization; (2) they specifically activate the potential‐dependent conductance of the slow Na channels, thereby increasing the plateau duration. The increased amplitude and duration of the contraction is the result of their primary effect on the plateau of the action potential.
Firing rate and recruitment order of toe extensor motor units in different modes of voluntary conraction.
Authors: Grimby L , Hannerz J
Published: January 2015

1. The discharge properties of individual motor units in different modes of voluntary contraction were studied with electromyographic techniques in the short toe extensor muscle of normal man. 2. The short toe extensor muscle consisted of type I and type II muscle fibres in about equal proportion. In some subjects there was type‐grouping so that recordings with sufficient selectivity could easily be obtained. 3. Certain motor units could be driven continuously, attained regular firing intervals even at a firing rate of 10/sec, increased slowly in firing rate with increase in contraction strength, had maximum firing rate below 30/sec during sustained contraction but above 60/sec in twitch contraction. 4. Other motor units could not be dirven continuously, did not fire repeatedly at rates below 20/sec, increased rapidly in firing rate with increase in contraction strength and attained firing rates above 100/sec. 5. There were intermediate forms between continuously firing low frequency motor units and intermittently firing high frequency motor units. 6. In a prolonged contraction of constant strength only continuously firing motor units were active. 7. On rapid accelerations, however, both continuously and intermittently firing motor units were active and played about the same role. 8. This applied also to prolonged series of accelerations as in rhythmically alternating movements. 9. In twitch contractions selective activation of intermittently firing motor units occurred if the muscle was relaxed prior to the twitch and great effort was used to elicit the twitch and minimum duration of the twitch was intended. 10. It is suggested that continuously firing low frequency motor units have type I muscle fibres and intermittently firing high frequency units have type II muscle fibres and that the order of recruitment and the relative roles of the two motor unit types are adapted to the mode of contraction.
Selective responsiveness of polymodal nociceptors of the rabbit ear to capsaicin, bradykinin and ultra‐violet irradiation.
Authors: Szolcsányi J
Published: January 2015

1. The activity of single C‐ and A‐fibre cutaneous sensory units was recorded from the great auricular nerve of anaesthetized rabbits to compare the effects of chemical with other forms of stimulation under several experimental conditions. Chemical agents were delivered by close arterial injection. 2. Small intra‐arterial injections of bradykinin (0.2 microgram) and a substantial range of capsaicin doses (2‐200 micrograms) consistently activated C polymodal nociceptors without exciting other types of C‐ or A‐fibre cutaneous sense organs. 3. Topical application of xylene to the receptive field of polymodal nociceptors evoked a strong excitation which lasted several minutes. 4. The responses of polymodal nociceptors to mechanical, chemical (bradykinin, xylene) and noxious thermal stimuli were suppressed or abolished after large intra‐arterial doses of capsaicin. Capsaicin desensitization of polymodal nociceptors to one kind of stimulation often was not paralleled by similar changes in responsiveness to other stimuli. However, on the average, capsaicin desensitization altered responses to thermal, chemical and mechanical stimuli without afferent selectivity. 5. Background discharge developed in C polymodal nociceptors of the rabbit ear following ultra‐violet irradiation sufficient to produce evidence of delayed inflammation. Noxious heat and bradykinin injection (0.2 micrograms) evoked more activity from C polymodal nociceptors in the irradiated ears than from control units.
Effects of morphine on electrical activity of the rectum in man.
Authors: Bouvier M , Grimaud J C , Naudy B , Salducci J
Published: January 2015

1. The effects of morphine on the electrical activity of the human rectum were investigated. 2. In healthy volunteers, morphine (0.04‐0.16 mg/kg, i.v.) induced spike activity that could become cyclical. 3. All the effects of morphine were antagonized by naloxone (0.03‐0.2 mg/kg, i.v.), but not blocked by atropine (0.007‐0.014 mg/kg, i.v.). 4. In patients with spinal cord injury, morphine was observed to have similar excitatory effects. Spinal cord transection was complete in all patients, so that participation of supraspinal nervous structures in these effects could be ruled out. The sacral parasympathetic nervous centres could not have been involved in two patients in whom the medullary cone was also destroyed. The thoracolumbar sympathetic nervous centres were not completely destroyed in any of the patients, however, so that the possibility that these centres may have been involved cannot be entirely ruled out. 5. Morphine failed to activate an aganglionic rectum in a patient with Hirschsprung's disease, indicating that it had no direct effect on smooth muscle cells. It is therefore probable that morphine may have an effect on the intrinsic innervation.
Sodium channels near end‐plates and nuclei of snake skeletal muscle.
Authors: Roberts W M
Published: January 2015

1. The spatial distribution of the two predominant types of voltage‐gated channels in the sarcolemma, Na+ channels and delayed K+ channels, was studied in skeletal muscle fibres of garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) using loose‐seal patch recordings. 2. The average Na+‐current density was five times larger in the perijunctional sarcolemma (within 25 microns of the visible edge of the end‐plate) than at distant locations. K+ currents were not larger near end‐plates. The apparent membrane capacitance, 3‐6 microF/cm2, was the same in perijunctional and extrajunctional regions, indicating that differences in Na+‐current density reflect differences in the number of Na+ channels per unit membrane area. 3. Perijunctional Na+ channels had the same voltage dependence, gating kinetics and sensitivity to tetrodotoxin as extrajunctional Na+ channels, suggesting that these cells express a single type of Na+ channel. 4. Myonuclei were found to cluster near end‐plates and to avoid regions where a nerve branch or blood vessel crossed a fibre's surface. 5. Na+‐current density in the sarcolemma above a nucleus was no larger than away from nuclei, indicating that functional Na+ channels are probably not inserted near nuclei. 6. Maps spanning several millimetres of fibre length showed up to sixfold differences in current density between widely separated patches. Differences between patches separated by 50 or 100 microns were much smaller.
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide stimulates the secretion of catecholamines from the rat adrenal gland.
Authors: Malhotra R K , Wakade A R
Published: January 2015

1. Our previous studies have indicated that splanchnic nerves release a substance(s), other than acetylcholine, that induces the secretion of catecholamines from the rat adrenal medulla. To identify the nature of the non‐cholinergic substance, the effects of met‐enkephalin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) were investigated in the perfused adrenal gland of the rat. 2. The secretion of catecholamines increased from a basal level of 8 ng to a maximum value of 18 ng during perfusion with 100 microM‐met‐enkephalin. The secretion evoked by 10 micrograms acetylcholine increased from 118 to 143 ng in the presence of 10 microM‐met‐enkephalin. Higher concentrations of met‐enkephalin (100 microM) had no additional effect. Secretion of catecholamines evoked by stimulation of splanchnic nerves (10 Hz for 30 s) was even less (8%) affected by met‐enkephalin. 3. 0.3 microM‐VIP caused a significant increase in the secretion of catecholamines, and the effect increased with an increase in the concentration of VIP. About 115 ng of catecholamines were secreted during 15 min perfusion with 3 microM‐VIP. 4. VIP‐evoked secretion was not affected by antagonists of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, nor by chronic splanchnicotomy. However, removal of calcium ions from, and inclusion of 1 mM‐EGTA in, the perfusion medium completely inhibited the secretion evoked by VIP. 5. VIP‐evoked secretion was reduced (20‐75%) in a concentration‐dependent manner by 3‐30 microM‐naloxone. 6. It is suggested that VIP may be the non‐cholinergic excitatory substance present in the splanchnic nerves and released along with acetylcholine during simulation of the nerves to evoke secretion of catecholamine from the rat chromaffin cells.
Responses in small hand muscles from magnetic stimulation of the human brain.
Authors: Hess C W , Mills K R , Murray N M
Published: January 2015

1. The magnetic field generated by a brief current in a 9 cm diameter flat circular coil varies rapidly with time and when applied over the human scalp it is capable of exciting motor structures subserving the small hand muscles. With a peak magnetic field at the centre of the coil of 0.9‐1.6 Tesla, single scalp stimuli produced twitches in the right abductor digiti minimi (a.d.m.), first dorsal interosseous (f.d.i.) and adductor pollicis muscles. Compound muscle action potentials (c.m.a.p.s) and single motor units from these muscles were recorded. 2. The twitch force and corresponding c.m.a.p. were greatly enhanced by voluntary background contraction of the muscle and depended on the direction and intensity of the magnetic field. Response amplitude was maximal with the stimulating coil centred near the vertex but precise coil position was not critical. 3. When the orthodromic volley set up in the peripheral nerve by magnetic stimulation of the brain collided with a maximal antidromic volley set up by stimulation at the wrist, remaining electromyographic (e.m.g.) activity gave evidence of multiple firing of some spinal motoneurones, provided that the muscle exerted a slight voluntary background contraction and the stimulus intensity was above threshold for relaxed muscle. 4. When the muscle changed from total relaxation to a slightly contracted state the onset latency of the c.m.a.p. was shortened by about 3 ms without further change when the background contraction increased. In slightly contracted muscle, c.m.a.p. onset latency was little affected over a wide range of stimulus intensities and was unaffected by the position of the stimulating coil within an area of 6 X 6 cm over the vertex. 5. Single motor units, recorded with needle electrodes in the a.d.m. or f.d.i. muscle, could be caused to discharge at a constant latency by threshold brain stimuli. Different single motor units had latencies varying from 22.4 to 32.1 ms. The same motor unit was activated from different coil positions up to 7 cm apart. These motor units had the lowest thresholds for voluntary activation. Stronger stimuli caused the same motor unit to discharge 1.5 ms earlier. 6. The threshold for excitation of pathways to the a.d.m. muscle was reduced by voluntary contraction of the contralateral a.d.m. and by contraction of the ipsilateral f.d.i. muscles. Using these procedures, the c.m.a.p. of totally relaxed a.d.m. muscle showed a more than 2‐fold amplitude increase, a shortening of onset latency to a similar degree as with contraction of the muscle itself, and single motor units in the a.d.m. muscle discharged 1.5 ms earlier.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The secretory actions of histamine in rat small intestine.
Authors: Hardcastle J , Hardcastle P T
Published: January 2015

1. Histamine caused a dose‐dependent rise in the transintestinal potential difference in vivo that was competitively blocked by H1, but not by H2 antagonists. This effect of histamine was also reduced by the cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. 2. Histamine induced a net secretion of fluid by the small intestine and this effect was reduced by indomethacin. 3. In intestinal sheets histamine increased the potential difference, short‐circuit current and tissue resistance. This response was decreased in the absence of Cl‐ and in the presence of furosemide, suggesting that Cl‐ secretion was responsible for the observed electrical changes. This was confirmed by direct measurement of ion fluxes which showed an increase in net Cl‐ secretion together with an inhibition of net Na+ absorption. 4. The response to histamine was Ca2+‐dependent since it was inhibited by removal of serosal Ca2+ and by verapamil. 5. Indomethacin caused a dose‐dependent reduction in the response of intestinal sheets to histamine, without affecting the rise in short‐circuit current induced by mucosal glucose or serosal prostaglandin E2. Mepacrine also inhibited the response to histamine, but not that to prostaglandin E2. 6. It is concluded that histamine induces intestinal secretion by stimulating the production of prostaglandins which then activate the secretory process.
Slow depolarizing potentials recorded from glial cells in the rat superficial dorsal horn.
Authors: Takahashi T , Tsuruhara H
Published: January 2015

1. Intracellular potentials were recorded from inexcitable cells in the superficial dorsal horn of the rat lumbar spinal cord in vitro. 2. These cells had a large resting membrane potential (up to ‐90 mV) but when depolarized were unable to produce action potentials. The resting potential was highly dependent upon extracellular K+ concentrations ([K+]o), with a slope of about 45 mV for a 10‐fold change in [K+]o. 3. Electrical stimulation of dorsal roots evoked a slow depolarizing potential lasting for many seconds in the inexcitable cells. The slow potentials were not accompanied by any appreciable change in input conductance, nor were their amplitudes dependent upon the membrane potential. 4. The morphology of the inexcitable cells marked by intracellular injection of a fluorescent dye, Lucifer Yellow, was consistent with their being glial cells. 5. [K+]o values were measured by K+‐sensitive electrodes simultaneously with intracellular glial potentials. Changes in the K+‐electrode potential occurred in parallel with slow depolarizing potentials following stimulation of dorsal roots. When the stimulus intensity was altered, changes in the magnitude of the K+‐electrode response were correlated with those of the slow potentials. 6. Replacement of extracellular Ca2+ by Mg2+ abolished both the slow potentials and K+‐electrode responses evoked by afferent stimulation, suggesting that impulses in primary afferent fibres do not directly contribute to the glial slow potentials. 7. It is concluded that the slow potentials in glial cells result from a transient increase in [K+]o at the superficial dorsal horn, which is induced by activation of neighbouring internuncial neurones.
Distribution of single‐axon recurrent inhibitory post‐synaptic potentials in a single spinal motor nucleus in the cat.
Authors: Hamm T M , Sasaki S , Stuart D G , Windhorst U , Yuan C S
Published: January 2015

1. The distribution of recurrent Renshaw inhibition was examined in the medial gastrocnemius motor nucleus of the cat by measurement of single‐axon recurrent inhibitory post‐synaptic potentials (recurrent i.p.s.p.s) in motoneurones supplying medial gastrocnemius produced by single impulses of antidromically stimulated single motor axons supplying the same muscle. 2. Stimulated motor‐axon‐recorded‐motoneurone pairs were classified as 'close' if both contributed their axons to the same portion of the ventral roots (L7 rostral, L7 caudal or S1). Alternatively, they were classified as 'distant' if their axons were in different portions of these ventral roots. 3. Both the incidence and amplitude of 'close‐pair' recurrent i.p.s.p.s were shown to be significantly larger than the corresponding values for 'distant‐pair' recurrent i.p.s.p.s. 4. The results provided evidence of a strong topographic effect on the distribution of recurrent Renshaw inhibition within a single spinal motor nucleus. This finding is discussed in relation to the roles of topographic and species specificity in determining the organization of recurrent inhibition and to the partitioned distribution of monosynaptic Ia excitation in single motor nuclei.
Responses of spinothalamic tract cells in the superficial dorsal horn of the primate lumbar spinal cord.
Authors: Ferrington D G , Sorkin L S , Willis W D
Published: January 2015

1. The responses of thirty‐five spinothalamic tract (s.t.t.) cells in or near lamina I of the dorsal horn were examined in chloralose‐ and barbiturate‐anaesthetized monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Many of the cells could be classified on the basis of receptive field properties as either wide dynamic range (w.d.r.) cells or as high‐threshold (h.t.) cells. 2. Thalamic stimulation sites for antidromic activation of the s.t.t. cells were in or around the ventral posterior lateral nucleus. Axons of the s.t.t. cells had a mean conduction velocity of 17 m/s (33 and 14 m/s for w.d.r. and h.t. cells, respectively). Mean minimum afferent conduction velocity averaged 37 m/s (52 and 23 m/s for w.d.r. and h.t. cells, respectively). Background activity was low (mean of 2.3 impulses/s). 3. An alternative classification of the cells was based on a kappa means cluster analysis of the responses to a series of mechanical stimuli. The response profiles for a given cell were normalized, and those of the s.t.t. cells in or near lamina I were analysed along with the responses of a population of s.t.t. cells, largely in laminae IV‐VI, that had been described previously. S.t.t. cells in or near lamina I were distributed amongst three of the four groups of cells determined by the cluster analysis (types 2‐4). 4. Vibratory stimuli excited most of the w.d.r. but none of the h.t. cells tested. Best frequencies were 5‐10 Hz (at 100 and 500 microns indentations). 5. Most w.d.r. but few h.t. cells responded to cutaneous cooling. All of the cells responded to noxious heating, but w.d.r. cells had steeper stimulus‐response curves. 6. After a series of noxious heat stimuli, the thresholds for noxious heat were lowered and responses to lower‐intensity noxious heat stimuli were enhanced (sensitization). However, responses to more intense stimuli were reduced (inactivation). Similar changes were seen in the responses to graded mechanical stimuli. 7. It is concluded that s.t.t. cells in or near lamina I can signal noxious cutaneous stimuli but have poor coding abilities for innocuous mechanical stimuli. Some of these cells respond to innocuous thermal stimuli, but their role in thermoreception is unclear. The small receptive fields suggest that these cells could contribute to stimulus localization.
Atom‐by‐atom engineering of voltage‐gated ion channels: Magnified insights into function and pharmacology
Authors: Pless Stephan A. , Kim Robin Y. , Ahern Christopher A. , Kurata Harley T.
Published: January 2015

Unnatural amino acid incorporation into ion channels has proven to be a valuable approach to interrogate detailed hypotheses arising from atomic resolution structures. In this short review, we provide a brief overview of some of the basic principles and methods for incorporation of unnatural amino acids into proteins. We also review insights into the function and pharmacology of voltage‐gated ion channels that have emerged from unnatural amino acid mutagenesis approaches.
Accuracy of Monte Carlo simulations compared to in‐vivo MDCT dosimetry
Authors: Bostani Maryam , Mueller Jonathon W. , McMillan Kyle , Cody Dianna D. , Cagnon Chris H. , DeMarco John J. , McNitt‐Gray Michael F.
Published: January 2015

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of a Monte Carlo simulation‐based method for estimating radiation dose from multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) by comparing simulated doses in ten patients to in‐vivo dose measurements.

Methods:

MD Anderson Cancer Center Institutional Review Board approved the acquisition of in‐vivo rectal dose measurements in a pilot study of ten patients undergoing virtual colonoscopy. The dose measurements were obtained by affixing TLD capsules to the inner lumen of rectal catheters. Voxelized patient models were generated from the MDCT images of the ten patients, and the dose to the TLD for all exposures was estimated using Monte Carlo based simulations. The Monte Carlo simulation results were compared to the in‐vivo dose measurements to determine accuracy.

Results:

The calculated mean percent difference between TLD measurements and Monte Carlo simulations was −4.9% with standard deviation of 8.7% and a range of −22.7% to 5.7%.

Conclusions:

The results of this study demonstrate very good agreement between simulated and measured doses in‐vivo. Taken together with previous validation efforts, this work demonstrates that the Monte Carlo simulation methods can provide accurate estimates of radiation dose in patients undergoing CT examinations.
Simultaneous beam sampling and aperture shape optimization for SPORT
Authors: Zarepisheh Masoud , Li Ruijiang , Ye Yinyu , Xing Lei
Published: January 2015

Purpose:

Station parameter optimized radiation therapy (SPORT) was recently proposed to fully utilize the technical capability of emerging digital linear accelerators, in which the station parameters of a delivery system, such as aperture shape and weight, couch position/angle, gantry/collimator angle, can be optimized simultaneously. SPORT promises to deliver remarkable radiation dose distributions in an efficient manner, yet there exists no optimization algorithm for its implementation. The purpose of this work is to develop an algorithm to simultaneously optimize the beam sampling and aperture shapes.

Methods:

The authors build a mathematical model with the fundamental station point parameters as the decision variables. To solve the resulting large‐scale optimization problem, the authors devise an effective algorithm by integrating three advanced optimization techniques: column generation, subgradient method, and pattern search. Column generation adds the most beneficial stations sequentially until the plan quality improvement saturates and provides a good starting point for the subsequent optimization. It also adds the new stations during the algorithm if beneficial. For each update resulted from column generation, the subgradient method improves the selected stations locally by reshaping the apertures and updating the beam angles toward a descent subgradient direction. The algorithm continues to improve the selected stations locally and globally by a pattern search algorithm to explore the part of search space not reachable by the subgradient method. By combining these three techniques together, all plausible combinations of station parameters are searched efficiently to yield the optimal solution.

Results:

A SPORT optimization framework with seamlessly integration of three complementary algorithms, column generation, subgradient method, and pattern search, was established. The proposed technique was applied to two previously treated clinical cases: a head and neck and a prostate case. It significantly improved the target conformality and at the same time critical structure sparing compared with conventional intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). In the head and neck case, for example, the average PTV coverage D99% for two PTVs, cord and brainstem max doses, and right parotid gland mean dose were improved, respectively, by about 7%, 37%, 12%, and 16%.

Conclusions:

The proposed method automatically determines the number of the stations required to generate a satisfactory plan and optimizes simultaneously the involved station parameters, leading to improved quality of the resultant treatment plans as compared with the conventional IMRT plans.
Transition to Adulthood: Relationships Among Psychosocial Correlates, Stages of Change for Physical Activity, and Health Outcomes in a Cross-Cultural Sample
Authors: Duan Yanping , Brehm Walter , Wagner Petra , Chung Pak-Kwong , Graf Sebastian , Zhang Ru , Si Gangyan
Published: January 2015

Background:

A successful transition from late adolescence to adulthood is essential. Physical activity (PA) can support this process and lead to positive health outcomes. The change in PA from inactive to active stages is influenced by psychosocial correlates, and as such, this study tested the relationships among psychosocial correlates, stages of change for PA and health outcomes in university students from Hong Kong (n = 404) and Germany (n = 366).

Methods:

The questionnaire contained (1) PA and stages of change; (2) 10 psychosocial correlates including outcome expectations, affective attitude, barriers, self-efficacy, body-concept, plans, intrinsic motivation, activity emotions, assessment of activity situation, and social support; and (3) 5 health outcomes, including fitness, subjective well-being, health satisfaction, physical complaints, and BMI.

Results:

Barriers and intrinsic motivation were the critical psychosocial variables related to stages of change. Specific planning was more important for Hong Kong students’ stage progression within inactive stages. Competitive or enjoyable PA programs were more effective for male students moving from inactive to active stages. The link between stages of change for PA and health outcomes (ie, fitness, health satisfaction) was well established.

Conclusion:

Public health researchers should conduct effective psychosocial interventions that motivate young adults to engage in PA for positive health outcomes.
Phosphorylation of innate immune adaptor proteins MAVS, STING, and TRIF induces IRF3 activation
Authors: Liu Siqi , Cai Xin , Wu Jiaxi , Cong Qian , Chen Xiang , Li Tuo , Du Fenghe , Ren Junyao , Wu You-Tong , Grishin Nick V. , Chen Zhijian J.
Published: January 2015

Innate immune receptor signaling, united

Innate immune receptors such as RIG-I, cGAS, and Toll-like receptors bind microbial fragments and alert the immune system to an infection. Each receptor type signals through a different adapter protein. These signals activate the protein kinase TBK1 and the transcription factor IRF3, which tells cells to secrete interferon proteins (IFNs) important for host defense. Liu
et al.
now report a common signaling mechanism used by all three types of innate immune receptor-adaptor protein pairs to activate IRF3 and generate IFNs. This is important because cells must regulate their IFN production carefully to avoid inflammation and autoimmunity.

Science
, this issue
10.1126/science.aaa2630
Draft Genome of Cladophialophora immunda, a Black Yeast and Efficient Degrader of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons
Authors: Sterflinger Katja , Lopandic Ksenija , Blasi Barbara , Poynter Caroline , de Hoog Sybren , Tafer Hakim
Published: January 2015

The fungal genus Cladophialophora comprises many species which cause severe and even fatal infections in humans as well as environmental strains able to degrade polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The draft genome of Cladophialophora immunda presented here is the first whole-genome sequence within this important genus.
Draft Genome Sequences of Seven Pseudomonas fluorescens Subclade III Strains Isolated from Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Authors: Scales Brittan S. , Erb-Downward John R. , Huffnagle Ian M. , LiPuma John J. , Huffnagle Gary B.
Published: January 2015

We report here the first draft genome sequences of
Pseudomonas fluorescens
strains that have been isolated from humans. The seven assembled draft genomes contained an average of 60.1% G+C content, were an average genomic size of 6.3 Mbp, and mapped by multilocus sequence analysis to subclade III.
Complete Genome Sequence of Citrobacter freundii Myophage Moogle
Authors: Nguyen Quynh T. , Luna Adrian J. , Hernandez Adriana C. , Kuty Everett Gabriel F.
Published: January 2015

Citrobacter freundii
is an opportunistic pathogen that has been linked to nosocomial infections, such as brain abscesses and pneumonia. Further study on phages infecting
C. freundii
may provide therapeutics for these infections. Here, we announce the complete genome sequence of the FelixO1-like myophage Moogle and describe its features.
Complete Genome of Bacillus megaterium Podophage Pookie
Authors: Ladzekpo Tsonyake N. , DeCrescenzo Andrew J. , Hernandez Adriana C. , Kuty Everett Gabriel F.
Published: January 2015

Bacteriophage Pookie is a novel podophage, isolated from soil, which infects
Bacillus megaterium
.
B. megaterium
is an important host for large-scale recombinant protein production. Here, we present the complete genome of phage Pookie and describe its core features.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Rhodococcus Strain Isolated from Tannery Wastewater Treatment Sludge
Authors: Sun Ji-Quan , Xu Lian , Wang Li-Juan , Wu Xiao-Lei
Published: January 2015

Rhodococcus sp. Chr-9 can degrade pyridine in the presence of chromate. Its draft genome sequence revealed that strain Chr-9 harbors sets of genes for resistance to heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenate, and cobalt, as well as three different gene clusters for metabolizing aromatic compounds, such as phenol, benzoate, and 4-nitrophenol.
Genome Sequence of the Sulfate-Reducing Thermophilic Bacterium Thermodesulfovibrio yellowstonii Strain DSM 11347
T
(Phylum
Nitrospirae
)
Authors: Bhatnagar Srijak , Badger Jonathan H. , Madupu Ramana , Khouri Hoda M. , O’Connor Elizabeth M. , Robb Frank T. , Ward Naomi L. , Eisen Jonathan A.
Published: January 2015

Here, we present the complete 2,003,803-bp genome of a sulfate-reducing thermophilic bacterium,
Thermodesulfovibrio yellowstonii
strain DSM 11347
T
.
Genome Sequence of a Sulfate-Reducing Thermophilic Bacterium, Thermodesulfobacterium commune DSM 2178
T
(Phylum
Thermodesulfobacteria
)
Authors: Bhatnagar Srijak , Badger Jonathan H. , Madupu Ramana , Khouri Hoda M. , O’Connor Elizabeth M. , Robb Frank T. , Ward Naomi L. , Eisen Jonathan A.
Published: January 2015

Here, we present the complete genome sequence of
Thermodesulfobacterium commune
DSM 2178
T
of the phylum
Thermodesulfobacteria
.
Draft Genome Sequences of Pseudomonas fluorescens Strains PA4C2 and PA3G8 and Pseudomonas putida PA14H7, Three Biocontrol Bacteria against Dickeya Phytopathogens
Authors: Cigna Jérémy , Raoul des Essarts Yannick , Mondy Samuel , Hélias Valérie , Beury-Cirou Amélie , Faure Denis
Published: January 2015

Pseudomonas fluorescens
strains PA4C2 and PA3G8 and
Pseudomonas putida
strain PA14H7 were isolated from potato rhizosphere and show an ability to inhibit the growth of Dickeya phytopathogens. Here, we report their draft genome sequences, which provide a basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in antibiosis against Dickeya.
The congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders
Authors: Gutowski N J , Chilton J K
Published: January 2015

Congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders (CCDD) encompass a number of related conditions and includes Duane syndrome, congenital fibrosis of the external ocular muscles, Möbius syndrome, congenital ptosis and hereditary congenital facial paresis. These are congenital disorders where the primary findings are non-progressive and are caused by developmental abnormalities of cranial nerves/nuclei with primary or secondary dysinnervation. Several CCDD genes have been found, which enhance our understanding of the mechanisms involved in brain stem development and axonal guidance.
Childhood obesity trends from primary care electronic health records in England between 1994 and 2013: population-based cohort study
Authors: van Jaarsveld Cornelia H M , Gulliford Martin C
Published: January 2015

Objective

This study aimed to use primary care electronic health records to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 2–15-year-old children in England and compare trends over the last two decades.

Design

Cohort study of primary care electronic health records.

Setting

375 general practices in England that contribute to the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

Patients

Individual participants were sampled if they were aged between 2 and 15 years during the period 1994–2013 and had one or more records of body mass index (BMI).

Main outcome measure

Prevalence of overweight (including obesity) was defined as a BMI equal to or greater than the 85th centile of the 1990 UK reference population.

Results

Data were analysed for 370 544 children with 507 483 BMI records. From 1994 to 2003, the odds of overweight and obesity increased by 8.1% per year (95% CI 7.2% to 8.9%) compared with 0.4% (−0.2% to 1.1%) from 2004 to 2013. Trends were similar for boys and girls, but differed by age groups, with prevalence stabilising in 2004 to 2013 in the younger (2–10 year) but not older (11–15 year) age group, where rates continued to increase.

Conclusions

Primary care electronic health records in England may provide a valuable resource for monitoring obesity trends. More than a third of UK children are overweight or obese, but the prevalence of overweight and obesity may have stabilised between 2004 and 2013.
An uncommon oesophageal foreign body in a neonate
Authors: Hernot Sharad , Yadav Samar Pal Singh , Kathuria Bhushan , Kaintura Madhuri
Published: January 2015

We report a case of a 2-month-old male child who presented with sudden onset of vomiting and refusal to breast feed. Chest and abdomen examination were normal. A foreign body (zipper) was visualised in the cervical oesophagus on X-ray of the neck. The retrieval of the zipper by oesophagoscopy relieved the symptoms of the patient.
Repeated head trauma is associated with smaller thalamic volumes and slower processing speed: the Professional Fighters’ Brain Health Study
Authors: Bernick Charles , Banks Sarah J , Shin Wanyong , Obuchowski Nancy , Butler Sam , Noback Michael , Phillips Michael , Lowe Mark , Jones Stephen , Modic Michael
Published: January 2015

Objectives

Cumulative head trauma may alter brain structure and function. We explored the relationship between exposure variables, cognition and MRI brain structural measures in a cohort of professional combatants.

Methods

224 fighters (131 mixed martial arts fighters and 93 boxers) participating in the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study, a longitudinal cohort study of licensed professional combatants, were recruited, as were 22 controls. Each participant underwent computerised cognitive testing and volumetric brain MRI. Fighting history including years of fighting and fights per year was obtained from self-report and published records. Statistical analyses of the baseline evaluations were applied cross-sectionally to determine the relationship between fight exposure variables and volumes of the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, caudate, putamen. Moreover, the relationship between exposure and brain volumes with cognitive function was assessed.

Results

Increasing exposure to repetitive head trauma measured by number of professional fights, years of fighting, or a Fight Exposure Score (FES) was associated with lower brain volumes, particularly the thalamus and caudate. In addition, speed of processing decreased with decreased thalamic volumes and with increasing fight exposure. Higher scores on a FES used to reflect exposure to repetitive head trauma were associated with greater likelihood of having cognitive impairment.

Conclusions

Greater exposure to repetitive head trauma is associated with lower brain volumes and lower processing speed in active professional fighters.
Study quality on groin injury management remains low: a systematic review on treatment of groin pain in athletes
Authors: Serner Andreas , van Eijck Casper H , Beumer Berend R , Hölmich Per , Weir Adam , de Vos Robert-Jan
Published: January 2015

Background

Groin pain in athletes is frequent and many different treatment options have been proposed. The current level of evidence for the efficacy of these treatments is unknown.

Objective

Systematically review the literature on the efficacy of treatments for groin pain in athletes.

Methods

Nine medical databases were searched in May 2014. Inclusion criteria: treatment studies in athletes with groin pain; randomised controlled trials, controlled clinical trials or case series; n>10; outcome measures describing number of recovered athletes, patient satisfaction, pain scores or functional outcome scores. One author screened search results, and two authors independently assessed study quality. A best evidence synthesis was performed. Relationships between quality score and outcomes were evaluated. Review registration number CRD42014010262.

Results

72 studies were included for quality analysis. Four studies were high quality. There is moderate evidence that, for adductor-related groin pain, active exercises compared with passive treatments improve success, multimodal treatment with a manual therapy technique shortens the time to return to sports compared with active exercises and adductor tenotomy improves treatment success over time. There is moderate evidence that for athletes with sportsman's hernia, surgery results in better treatment success then conservative treatment. There was a moderate and inverse correlation between study quality and treatment success (p<0.001, r=−0.41), but not between study quality and publication year (p=0.09, r=0.20).

Conclusions

Only 6% of publications were high quality. Low-quality studies showed significantly higher treatment success and study quality has not improved since 1985. There is moderate evidence for the efficacy of conservative treatment (active exercises and multimodal treatments) and for surgery in patients with adductor-related groin pain. There is moderate evidence for efficacy of surgical treatment in sportsman's hernia.
Why do some people with type 2 diabetes who are using insulin have poor glycaemic control? A qualitative study
Authors: Tong Wen Ting , Vethakkan Shireene Ratna , Ng Chirk Jenn
Published: January 2015

Objective

To explore factors influencing poor glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes using insulin.

Research design

A qualitative method comprising in-depth individual interviews. A semistructured interview guide was used. The interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic approach.

Participants

Seventeen people with type 2 diabetes using insulin with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥9% for >1 year.

Setting

The Primary Care Clinic and Diabetes Clinic in the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Malaysia.

Results

Data analysis uncovered four themes: lifestyle challenges in adhering to medical recommendations; psychosocial and emotional hurdles; treatment-related factors; lack of knowledge about and self-efficacy in diabetes self-care.

Conclusions

Factors that explain the poor glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes using insulin were identified. Healthcare providers could use these findings to address patients’ concerns during consultations and help to improve glycaemic control.
The use of an IV to PO clinical intervention form to improve antibiotic administration in a community based hospital
Authors: Thompson Cameron , Zahradnik Michelle , Brown Allison , Gina Fleming Dimitra , Law Madelyn
Published: January 2015

Antimicrobials are among the most commonly prescribed medications in acute care settings, with 50% of antimicrobial use deemed inappropriate. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) aim to optimize antibiotic use in order to improve patient clinical outcomes while minimizing unwanted effects of therapy including Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and the emergence of resistant organisms. Antimicrobial Stewardship involves a coordinated set of interventions that ensure patients who require antimicrobial therapy receive the most appropriate agent at the correct dose, by the correct route for the correct duration. This project focused on the appropriate conversion from intravenous (IV) to oral (PO) antibiotics. The purpose of the project was to determine whether antibiotic prescribing patterns improved following the implementation of an IV to PO conversion clinical intervention form.

A collaborative approach was used by an interprofessional team to review medical records and design a clinical intervention form that adheres to evidence-based guidelines to promote appropriate conversion for patients on intravenous antibiotics. Education efforts were made to inform health system staff about the goal of the intervention and to gather feedback for the improvement of the clinical intervention form. A five-week pilot intervention period trial was carried out with a specific focus on the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics, specifically ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and levofloxacin.

Data from the intervention phase, including overall antibiotic use, ratio of intravenous:oral antibiotic time and compliance with the clinical intervention form were assessed. The ratio of intravenous to oral fluoroquinolone use changed from 39.4% IV: 60.6% PO before the intervention, to 34.7% IV: 65.3% PO during the intervention, indicating an overall increase in the usage of oral fluoroquinolones during the intervention phase. In patients eligible to receive the clinical intervention form, physician compliance with the form was 50%. IV duration decreased by 42% in patients with physician compliance.

Further refinement of this form and the process for implementation will further enhance the conversion of intravenous to oral therapy. Based on these findings and the lessons learned, this process will be considered for further refinements, spread, and sustainability.
Endovascular therapy of wake-up strokes in the modern era of stent retriever thrombectomy
Authors: Mokin Maxim , Kan Peter , Sivakanthan Sananthan , Veznedaroglu Erol , Binning Mandy J , Liebman Kenneth M , Jethwa Pinakin R , Turner Raymond D , Turk Aquilla S , Natarajan Sabareesh K , Siddiqui Adnan H , Levy Elad I
Published: January 2015

Background

Endovascular treatment of wake-up strokes (WUS) has been previously described, mostly with the use of pharmacological thrombolysis or first generation thrombectomy devices.

Objective

To describe outcomes of WUS treated with modern endovascular therapy since the Food and Drug Administration approval of stent retrievers, and to identify predictors of good clinical outcome in this population of stroke patients.

Methods

We performed a multicenter retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with WUS who underwent thrombectomy with stent retrievers Trevo (Stryker, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA) and Solitaire FR (Covidien, Irvine, California, USA), or primary aspiration thrombectomy. We correlated favorable clinical outcomes with demographic, clinical, and technical characteristics.

Results

52 patients were included in this study; 46 (88%) cases were treated with stent retrievers and 6 (12%) were treated with primary aspiration thrombectomy alone. Successful recanalization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2b/3) was achieved in 36 (69%) patients. Favorable clinical outcome at 3 months, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2, was achieved in 25 (48%) patients. Duration of intervention <30 min and its success, defined as TICI 2b/3 recanalization, were strong predictors of favorable clinical outcome at 90 days (p<0.001 and p<0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions

Our study indicates that endovascular treatment of WUS with stent retrievers and aspiration thrombectomy is safe and effective.
Determining the virgin compression lines of reconstituted clays at different initial water contents
Authors: Zeng Ling-Ling , Hong Zhen-Shun , Cui Yu-Jun
Published: January 2015

Forty-eight consolidometer tests were performed on various natural clays and a kaolinite clay reconstituted in the laboratory at different initial water contents using a modified consolidometer apparatus. These data together with those published previously allow a multi-regression analysis for the development of an approach for determining the intrinsic compression parameters that depend on initial water content and liquid limit. The approach proposed by Burland can be thereby extended to provide an expression describing the compression response of a wide range of clays. Based on the intrinsic concept, a simple way of determining the virgin compression lines of reconstituted clays is also proposed using the density of soil particles, initial water content, and liquid limit.
Transverse projective structures of foliations and infinitesimal derivatives of the Godbillon–Vey class
Authors: Asuke Taro
Published: January 2015

We study transverse projective structures of foliations and construct an invariant, which is a homomorphism from a foliated cohomology to the ordinary one. It is shown that the infinitesimal derivatives of the Godbillon–Vey class and the Bott class are determined by the invariant. As a corollary, a rigidity theorem for the Godbillon–Vey class and the Bott class is shown.
Stability of pseudoconvexity of disc bundles over compact Riemann surfaces and application to a family of Galois coverings
Authors: Ohsawa Takeo
Published: January 2015

It is proved that Galois coverings of smooth families of compact Riemann surfaces over Stein manifolds are holomorphically convex if the covering transformation groups are isomorphic to discrete subgroups of the automorphism group of the unit disc. The proof is based on an extension of the fact that disc bundles over compact Kähler manifolds are weakly 1-complete.
Moderate smoothness of most Alexandrov surfaces
Authors: Itoh Jin-ichi , Rouyer Joël , Vîlcu Costin
Published: January 2015

We show that, in the sense of Baire categories, a typical Alexandrov surface with curvature bounded below by κ has no conical points. We use this result to prove that, on such a surface (unless it is flat), at a typical point, the lower and the upper Gaussian curvatures are equal to κ and ∞, respectively.