bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New strategies for bacterial contaminations
Authors: Schmidt M. , Seifried E.
Published: June 2016

Background

The detection of bacterial contaminations in blood components can be classified in culture methods, rapid detection methods and experimental new technologies.

Culture methods

Culture methods have shown their benefit through easy handling and high analytic sensitivity. The challenge with culture methods, with the negative‐to‐date release concept, is a risk for false negative screening results due to sample failures and a reduced clinical efficiency.

Rapid detection methods

Within the last decade, rapid bacterial detection systems (RBDS) were developed as an alternative option to culture systems. In RBDS, testing time is reduced to 2–3 h. Therefore, a negative‐to‐date release concept is not necessary using these systems.

New technologies

In addition, new technologies are currently in development to detect bacterial strains in blood components. Electrochemical biosensors were developed for many different analytes, which range in size from individual ions and small molecules to nucleic acids and proteins up to whole viruses and bacteria.

Conclusions

Bacterial detection in blood components, especially in platelets, is implemented in many blood donor services. New approaches are promising to come to a next level to be implemented into routine screening, but the analytical sensitivity has to be improved for some of the new test systems in the coming years. Due to the fact that a risk for bacterial contamination still occurs in all blood components, the focus in transfusion medicine in the next decade will be the development of general principles and strategies to detect or inactivate bacteria in all blood components. Therefore, new developments are gladly welcome.
Introducing novel blood components – principles and practice
Authors: Kirwan S. M.
Published: June 2016

The development of novel blood components requires input from a number of functional areas within the blood service. A proposal describing the development of the new component is presented to the executive management team for discussion and inclusion into the business strategic plan. Prior to implementation of a new product, the benefits to the patient and the organization should be clearly understood. It is useful to know what other international blood services are doing in regard to the component and whether the blood service has the capability to produce the new product. The information collated to support the proposal will inevitably be comprehensive and should include a plan for confirming clinical efficacy and that the project will be delivered per defined change management procedures. Communicating the change to clinical end‐users is critical as is the on‐going quality monitoring of the product postimplementation.
Overcoming resource limitations of blood services in Indonesia
Authors: Soedarmono Y. S. M.
Published: June 2016

Background

Indonesia suffers from high maternal mortality numbers; therefore, the blood service is an important part of the health service. A strong government commitment and good strategies have recently improved blood services significantly (e.g. supply, quality and access).

Aims

The aim of this study was to describe the strategies needed to improve the blood services in Indonesia.

Method

Indonesia has a diverse geography as well as unique infrastructure. Since 1950, the blood services have been run by the Indonesian Red Cross (IRC). There were three main problems identified: (1) inadequate organization of blood services; (2) limited access of blood; and (3) variable quality of blood products. To cope with these problems, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has made some new strategies.

Results

To improve the organization of blood services, a National Committee of Blood Services was established to formulate policy and design new strategies. This was followed by establishing government and MOH regulations. These regulations emphasized 100% of voluntary donors with ensured quality. The National Agency for Food and Drugs Control (NAFDC) was appointed to control the quality of all blood products.

Conclusion

Blood services should be well organized, maintained and controlled. Organization of blood services run by IRC as well as hospitals might therefore be the best choice for Indonesia. However, strong commitment of both government and IRC remains the key to achieve an adequate and qualified blood service in Indonesia.
Charged particle transport in magnetic fields in EGSnrc
Authors: Malkov V. N. , Rogers D. W. O.
Published: June 2016

Purpose:

To accurately and efficiently implement charged particle transport in a magnetic field in EGSnrc and validate the code for the use in phantom and ion chamber simulations.

Methods:

The effect of the magnetic field on the particle motion and position is determined using one‐ and three‐point numerical integrations of the Lorentz force on the charged particle and is added to the condensed history calculation performed by the EGSnrc PRESTA‐II algorithm. The code is tested with a Fano test adapted for the presence of magnetic fields. The code is compatible with all EGSnrc based applications, including egs++. Ion chamber calculations are compared to experimental measurements and the effect of the code on the efficiency and timing is determined.

Results:

Agreement with the Fano test's theoretical value is obtained at the 0.1% level for large step‐sizes and in magnetic fields as strong as 5 T. The NE2571 dose calculations achieve agreement with the experiment within 0.5% up to 1 T beyond which deviations up to 1.2% are observed. Uniform air gaps of 0.5 and 1 mm and a misalignment of the incoming photon beam with the magnetic field are found to produce variations in the normalized dose on the order of 1%. These findings necessitate a clear definition of all experimental conditions to allow for accurate Monte Carlo simulations. It is found that ion chamber simulation times are increased by only 38%, and a 10 × 10 × 6 cm3 water phantom with (3 mm)3 voxels experiences a 48% increase in simulation time as compared to the default EGSnrc with no magnetic field.

Conclusions:

The incorporation of the effect of the magnetic fields in EGSnrc provides the capability to calculate high accuracy ion chamber and phantom doses for the use in MRI‐radiation systems. Further, the effect of apparently insignificant experimental details is found to be accentuated by the presence of the magnetic field.
Science and Brexit
Authors: Reid Graeme
Published: June 2016

Last week's dramatic vote by the United Kingdom (UK) to leave the European Union (EU) was the culmination of a heated referendum campaign that questioned the value of partnerships between the UK and the EU. Now, with many bridges burned—or at least charred—where do political leaders go next? Politicians in the UK and EU are going to need every available foundation on which to rebuild trust and mutual interests. They will need to discover once again how to work in partnership. It will be a long and difficult process; one in which science should play a crucial role.
One target to quench many
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: June 2016

Inhibiting the GTPase ARF6 chokes the diverse output of mutant G
αq
proteins in uveal melanoma.
Primed for inflammation by past meals
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: June 2016

Engulfment of apoptotic corpses during development enables macrophages to mount inflammatory responses to injury or infection.
Turning on NK cells
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: June 2016

Loss of the suppressor protein CIS unleashes the antitumor activity of natural killer cells.
AML survives with a little help from its friends
Authors: Hulbert Monica L.
Published: June 2016

An energy boost from neighbors protects leukemia stem cells from lethal chemotherapy.
Eravacycline Pharmacokinetics and Challenges in Defining Humanized Exposure
In Vivo
Authors: Thabit Abrar K. , Monogue Marguerite L. , Nicolau David P.
Published: June 2016

We assessed the pharmacokinetic profile of eravacycline, a novel antibiotic of the tetracycline class, and determined the dose in an immunocompetent murine thigh infection model that would provide free-drug exposure similar to that observed in humans after the administration of 1 mg/kg intravenously (i.v.) every 12 h (q12h). Eravacycline demonstrated a nonlinear protein-binding profile. The 2.5-mg/kg i.v. q12h dose in mice resulted in an area under the concentration-time curve for the free, unbound fraction of the drug of 1.64 mg · h/liter, which closely resembles the human exposure level.
Macrolones Are a Novel Class of Macrolide Antibiotics Active against Key Resistant Respiratory Pathogens
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Authors: Čipčić Paljetak Hana , Verbanac Donatella , Padovan Jasna , Dominis-Kramarić Miroslava , Kelnerić Željko , Perić Mihaela , Banjanac Mihailo , Ergović Gabrijela , Simon Nerrisa , Broskey John , Holmes David J. , Eraković Haber Vesna
Published: June 2016

As we face an alarming increase in bacterial resistance to current antibacterial chemotherapeutics, expanding the available therapeutic arsenal in the fight against resistant bacterial pathogens causing respiratory tract infections is of high importance. The antibacterial potency of macrolones, a novel class of macrolide antibiotics, against key respiratory pathogens was evaluated
in vitro
and
in vivo
. MIC values against
Streptococcus pneumoniae
,
Streptococcus pyogenes
,
Staphylococcus aureus
, and
Haemophilus influenzae
strains sensitive to macrolide antibiotics and with defined macrolide resistance mechanisms were determined. The propensity of macrolones to induce the expression of inducible
erm
genes was tested by the triple-disk method and incubation in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of compounds.
In vivo
efficacy was assessed in a murine model of
S. pneumoniae
-induced pneumonia, and pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles in mice were determined. The
in vitro
antibacterial profiles of macrolones were superior to those of marketed macrolide antibiotics, including the ketolide telithromycin, and the compounds did not induce the expression of inducible
erm
genes. They acted as typical protein synthesis inhibitors in an
Escherichia coli
transcription/translation assay. Macrolones were characterized by low to moderate systemic clearance, a large volume of distribution, a long half-life, and low oral bioavailability. They were highly efficacious in a murine model of pneumonia after intraperitoneal application even against an
S. pneumoniae
strain with constitutive resistance to macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B antibiotics. Macrolones are the class of macrolide antibiotics with an outstanding antibacterial profile and reasonable PK parameters resulting in good
in vivo
efficacy.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Tenofovir in HIV-1-Uninfected Members of Serodiscordant Couples and Effect of Dose Reporting Methods
Authors: Lu Yanhui , Goti Vineet , Chaturvedula Ayyappa , Haberer Jessica E. , Fossler Michael J. , Sale Mark E. , Bangsberg David , Baeten Jared M. , Celum Connie L. , Hendrix Craig W.
Published: June 2016

Antiretroviral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with once-daily dosing of tenofovir and tenofovir-emtricitabine was shown to be effective for preventing HIV-1 infection in individuals who had HIV-1-seropositive partners (the Partners PrEP Study). We developed a population pharmacokinetic model for tenofovir and investigated the impacts of different dose reporting methods. Dosing information was collected as patient-reported dosing information (PRDI) from 404 subjects (corresponding to 1,280 drug concentration records) from the main trial and electronic monitoring-based adherence data collected from 211 subjects (corresponding to 327 drug concentration records) in an ancillary adherence study. Model development was conducted with NONMEM (7.2), using PRDI with a steady-state assumption or using PRDI replaced with electronic monitoring records where available. A two-compartment model with first-order absorption was the best model in both modeling approaches, with the need for an absorption lag time when electronic monitoring-based dosing records were included in the analysis. Age, body weight, and creatinine clearance were significant covariates on clearance, but only creatinine clearance was retained in the final models per stepwise selection. Sex was not a significant covariate on clearance. Tenofovir population pharmacokinetic parameter estimates and the precisions of the parameters from the two final models were comparable with the point estimates of the parameters, differing from 0% to 35%, and bootstrap confidence intervals widely overlapped. These findings indicate that PRDI was sufficient for population pharmacokinetic model development in this study, with a high level of adherence per multiple measures.
Activities of Tedizolid and Linezolid Determined by the Reference Broth Microdilution Method against 3,032 Gram-Positive Bacterial Isolates Collected in Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, and Latin American Countries in 2014
Authors: Pfaller Michael A. , Flamm Robert K. , Jones Ronald N. , Farrell David J. , Mendes Rodrigo E.
Published: June 2016

Tedizolid and linezolid
in vitro
activities against 3,032 Gram-positive pathogens collected in Asia-Pacific, Eastern European, and Latin American medical centers during 2014 were assessed. The isolates were tested for susceptibility by the current reference broth microdilution methods. Due to concern over the effect of MIC endpoint criteria on the results of testing the oxazolidinones tedizolid and linezolid, MIC endpoint values were read by two methods: (i) reading the MIC at the first well where the trailing began without regard for pinpoint trailing, according to CLSI M07-A10 and M100-S26 document instructions for reading linezolid (i.e., 80% inhibition of growth; these reads were designated tedizolid 80 and linezolid 80), and (ii) at 100% inhibition of growth (designated tedizolid 100 and linezolid 100). All
Staphylococcus aureus
,
Streptococcus pyogenes
,
Streptococcus agalactiae
,
Streptococcus anginosus
group, and
Enterococcus faecalis
isolates were inhibited at tedizolid 80 and 100 MIC values of 0.25 and 0.5, 0.25 and 0.25, 0.25 and 0.5, 0.12 and 0.25, and 0.5 and 1 μg/ml, respectively. Generally, MIC
50
and MIC
90
results for tedizolid 80 and linezolid 80 were one doubling dilution lower than those read at 100% inhibition. Tedizolid was 4- to 8-fold more potent than linezolid against all the isolates tested regardless of the MIC endpoint criterion used. Despite the differences in potency, >99.9% of isolates tested in this survey were susceptible to both linezolid and tedizolid using CLSI and EUCAST interpretive criteria. In conclusion, tedizolid demonstrated greater
in vitro
potency than linezolid against Gram-positive pathogens isolated from patients in medical centers across the Asia-Pacific region, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Effectiveness of an Innovative Silver-Copper Nanoparticle Coating of Catheters To Prevent Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Authors: Ballo Myriam K. S. , Rtimi Sami , Pulgarin César , Hopf Nancy , Berthet Aurélie , Kiwi John , Moreillon Philippe , Entenza José M. , Bizzini Alain
Published: June 2016

In this study, silver/copper (Ag/Cu)-coated catheters were investigated for their efficacy in preventing methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) infection
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Ag and Cu were sputtered (67/33% atomic ratio) on polyurethane catheters by direct-current magnetron sputtering.
In vitro
, Ag/Cu-coated and uncoated catheters were immersed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or rat plasma and exposed to MRSA ATCC 43300 at 10
4
to 10
8
CFU/ml.
In vivo
, Ag/Cu-coated and uncoated catheters were placed in the jugular vein of rats. Directly after, MRSA (10
7
CFU/ml) was inoculated in the tail vein. Catheters were removed 48 h later and cultured.
In vitro
, Ag/Cu-coated catheters preincubated in PBS and exposed to 10
4
to 10
7
CFU/ml prevented the adherence of MRSA (0 to 12% colonization) compared to uncoated catheters (50 to 100% colonization;
P
< 0.005) and Ag/Cu-coated catheters retained their activity (0 to 20% colonization) when preincubated in rat plasma, whereas colonization of uncoated catheters increased (83 to 100%;
P
< 0.005). Ag/Cu-coating protection diminished with 10
8
CFU/ml in both PBS and plasma (50 to 100% colonization).
In vivo
, Ag/Cu-coated catheters reduced the incidence of catheter infection compared to uncoated catheters (57% versus 79%, respectively;
P
= 0.16) and bacteremia (31% versus 68%, respectively;
P
< 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy of explanted catheters suggests that the suboptimal activity of Ag/Cu catheters
in vivo
was due to the formation of a dense fibrin sheath over their surface. Ag/Cu-coated catheters thus may be able to prevent MRSA infections. Their activity might be improved by limiting plasma protein adsorption on their surfaces.
Impact of
sarA
and Phenol-Soluble Modulins on the Pathogenesis of Osteomyelitis in Diverse Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Loughran Allister J. , Gaddy Dana , Beenken Karen E. , Meeker Daniel G. , Morello Roy , Zhao Haibo , Byrum Stephanie D. , Tackett Alan J. , Cassat James E. , Smeltzer Mark S.
Published: June 2016

We used a murine model of acute, posttraumatic osteomyelitis to evaluate the virulence of two divergent
Staphylococcus aureus
clinical isolates (the USA300 strain LAC and the USA200 strain UAMS-1) and their isogenic
sarA
mutants. The results confirmed that both strains caused comparable degrees of osteolysis and reactive new bone formation in the acute phase of osteomyelitis. Conditioned medium (CM) from stationary-phase cultures of both strains was cytotoxic to cells of established cell lines (MC3TC-E1 and RAW 264.7 cells), primary murine calvarial osteoblasts, and bone marrow-derived osteoclasts. Both the cytotoxicity of CM and the reactive changes in bone were significantly reduced in the isogenic
sarA
mutants. These results confirm that
sarA
is required for the production and/or accumulation of extracellular virulence factors that limit osteoblast and osteoclast viability and that thereby promote bone destruction and reactive bone formation during the acute phase of
S. aureus
osteomyelitis. Proteomic analysis confirmed the reduced accumulation of multiple extracellular proteins in the LAC and UAMS-1
sarA
mutants. Included among these were the alpha class of phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs), which were previously implicated as important determinants of osteoblast cytotoxicity and bone destruction and repair processes in osteomyelitis. Mutation of the corresponding operon reduced the cytotoxicity of CM from both UAMS-1 and LAC cultures for osteoblasts and osteoclasts. It also significantly reduced both reactive bone formation and cortical bone destruction by CM from LAC cultures. However, this was not true for CM from cultures of a UAMS-1
psm
α
mutant, thereby suggesting the involvement of additional virulence factors in such strains that remain to be identified.
Porphyromonas gulae Has Virulence and Immunological Characteristics Similar to Those of the Human Periodontal Pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Lenzo Jason C. , O'Brien-Simpson Neil M. , Orth Rebecca K. , Mitchell Helen L. , Dashper Stuart G. , Reynolds Eric C.
Published: June 2016

Periodontitis is a significant problem in companion animals, and yet little is known about the disease-associated microbiota. A major virulence factor for the human periodontal pathogen
Porphyromonas gingivalis
is the lysyl- and arginyl-specific proteolytic activity of the gingipains. We screened several
Porphyromonas
species isolated from companion animals—
P. asaccharolytica
,
P. circumdentaria
,
P. endodontalis
,
P. levii
,
P. gulae
,
P. macacae
,
P. catoniae
, and
P. salivosa
—for Lys- and Arg-specific proteolytic activity and compared the epithelial and macrophage responses and induction of alveolar bone resorption of the protease active species to that of
Porphyromonas gingivalis
. Only
P. gulae
exhibited Lys-and Arg-specific proteolytic activity. The genes encoding the gingipains (RgpA/B and Kgp) were identified in the
P. gulae
strain ATCC 51700 and all publicly available 12 draft genomes of
P. gulae
strains.
P. gulae
ATCC 51700 induced levels of alveolar bone resorption in an animal model of periodontitis similar to those in
P. gingivalis
W50 and exhibited a higher capacity for autoaggregation and binding to oral epithelial cells with induction of apoptosis. Macrophages (RAW 264.7) were found to phagocytose
P. gulae
ATCC 51700 and the fimbriated
P. gingivalis
ATCC 33277 at similar levels. In response to
P. gulae
ATCC 51700, macrophages secreted higher levels of cytokines than those induced by
P. gingivalis
ATCC 33277 but lower than those induced by
P. gingivalis
W50, except for the interleukin-6 response. Our results indicate that
P. gulae
exhibits virulence characteristics similar to those of the human periodontal pathogen
P. gingivalis
and therefore may play a key role in the development of periodontitis in companion animals.
Competence for Genetic Transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae: Mutations in σ
A
Bypass the ComW Requirement for Late Gene Expression
Authors: Tovpeko Yanina , Bai Junqin , Morrison Donald A.
Published: June 2016

Streptococcus pneumoniae
is able to integrate exogenous DNA into its genome by natural genetic transformation. Transient accumulation of high levels of the only
S. pneumoniae
alternative σ factor is insufficient for development of full competence without expression of a second competence-specific protein, ComW. The Δ
comW
mutant is 10
4
-fold deficient in the yield of recombinants, 10-fold deficient in the amount of σ
X
activity, and 10-fold deficient in the amount of σ
X
protein. The critical role of ComW during transformation can be partially obviated by σ
A
mutations clustered on surfaces controlling affinity for core RNA polymerase (RNAP). While strains harboring σ
A
mutations in the
comW
mutant background were transforming at higher rates, the mechanism of transformation restoration was not clear. To investigate the mechanism of transformation restoration, we measured late gene expression in σ
A
* suppressor strains. Restoration of late gene expression was observed in Δ
comW
σ
A
* mutants, indicating that a consequence of the σ
A
* mutations is, at least, to restore σ
X
activity. Competence kinetics were normal in Δ
comW
σ
A
* strains, indicating that strains with restored competence exhibit the same pattern of transience as wild-type (WT) strains. We also identified a direct interaction between ComW and σ
X
using the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assay. Taken together, these data are consistent with the idea that ComW increases σ
X
access to core RNAP, pointing to a direct role of ComW in σ factor exchange during genetic transformation. However, the lack of late gene shutoff in Δ
comW
mutants also points to a potential new role for ComW in competence shutoff.

IMPORTANCE
The sole alternative sigma factor of the streptococci, SigX, regulates development of competence for genetic transformation, a widespread mechanism of adaptation by horizontal gene transfer in this genus. The transient appearance of this sigma factor is strictly controlled at the levels of transcription and stability. This report shows that it is also controlled at the point of its substitution for SigA by a second transient competence-specific protein, ComW.
cis
-Encoded Small RNAs, a Conserved Mechanism for Repression of Polysaccharide Utilization in Bacteroides
Authors: Cao Yanlu , Förstner Konrad U. , Vogel Jörg , Smith C. Jeffrey
Published: June 2016

Bacteroides
is a major component of the human gut microbiota which has a broad impact on the development and physiology of its host and a potential role in a wide range of disease syndromes. The predominance of this genus is due in large part to expansion of paralogous gene clusters, termed
p
olysaccharide
u
tilization
l
oci (PULs), dedicated to the uptake and catabolism of host-derived and dietary polysaccharides. The nutritive value and availability of polysaccharides in the gut vary greatly; thus, their utilization is hierarchical and strictly controlled. A typical PUL includes regulatory genes that induce PUL expression in response to the presence of specific glycan substrates. However, the existence of additional regulatory mechanisms has been predicted to explain phenomena such as hierarchical control and catabolite repression. In this report, a previously unknown layer of regulatory control was discovered in
Bacteroides fragilis
. Exploratory transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis revealed the presence of
cis
-encoded antisense small RNAs (sRNAs) associated with 15 (30%) of the
B. fragilis
PULs. A model system using the Don (degradation of N-glycans) PUL showed that the
donS
sRNA negatively regulated Don expression at the transcriptional level, resulting in a decrease in N-glycan utilization. Additional studies performed with other
Bacteroides
species indicated that this regulatory mechanism is highly conserved and, interestingly, that the regulated PULs appear to be closely linked to the utilization of host-derived glycans rather than dietary plant polysaccharides. The findings described here demonstrate a global control mechanism underlying known PUL regulatory circuits and provide insight into regulation of
Bacteroides
physiology.

IMPORTANCE
The human gut is colonized by a dense microbiota which is essential to the health and normal development of the host. A key to gut homeostasis is the preservation of a stable, diverse microbiota.
Bacteroides
is a dominant genus in the gut, and the ability of
Bacteroides
species to efficiently compete for a wide range of glycan energy sources is a crucial advantage for colonization. Glycan utilization is mediated by a large number of
p
olysaccharide
u
tilization
l
oci (PULs) which are regulated by substrate induction. In this report, a novel family of antisense sRNAs is described whose members repress gene expression in a distinct subset of PULs. This repression downregulates PUL expression in the presence of energy sources that are more readily utilized such as glucose, thereby allowing efficient glycan utilization.
HIV Genome-Wide Protein Associations: a Review of 30 Years of Research
Authors: Li Guangdi , De Clercq Erik
Published: June 2016

The HIV genome encodes a small number of viral proteins (i.e., 16), invariably establishing cooperative associations among HIV proteins and between HIV and host proteins, to invade host cells and hijack their internal machineries. As a known example, the HIV envelope glycoprotein GP120 is closely associated with GP41 for viral entry. From a genome-wide perspective, a hypothesis can be worked out to determine whether 16 HIV proteins could develop 120 possible pairwise associations either by physical interactions or by functional associations mediated via HIV or host molecules. Here, we present the first systematic review of experimental evidence on HIV genome-wide protein associations using a large body of publications accumulated over the past 3 decades. Of 120 possible pairwise associations between 16 HIV proteins, at least 34 physical interactions and 17 functional associations have been identified. To achieve efficient viral replication and infection, HIV protein associations play essential roles (e.g., cleavage, inhibition, and activation) during the HIV life cycle. In either a dispensable or an indispensable manner, each HIV protein collaborates with another viral protein to accomplish specific activities that precisely take place at the proper stages of the HIV life cycle. In addition, HIV genome-wide protein associations have an impact on anti-HIV inhibitors due to the extensive cross talk between drug-inhibited proteins and other HIV proteins. Overall, this study presents for the first time a comprehensive overview of HIV genome-wide protein associations, highlighting meticulous collaborations between all viral proteins during the HIV life cycle.
Urban Transit System Microbial Communities Differ by Surface Type and Interaction with Humans and the Environment
Authors: Hsu Tiffany , Joice Regina , Vallarino Jose , Abu-Ali Galeb , Hartmann Erica M. , Shafquat Afrah , DuLong Casey , Baranowski Catherine , Gevers Dirk , Green Jessica L. , Morgan Xochitl C. , Spengler John D. , Huttenhower Curtis
Published: June 2016

Mass transit environments, specifically, urban subways, are distinct microbial environments with high occupant densities, diversities, and turnovers, and they are thus especially relevant to public health. Despite this, only three culture-independent subway studies have been performed, all since 2013 and all with widely differing designs and conclusions. In this study, we profiled the Boston subway system, which provides 238 million trips per year overseen by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). This yielded the first high-precision microbial survey of a variety of surfaces, ridership environments, and microbiological functions (including tests for potential pathogenicity) in a mass transit environment. Characterizing microbial profiles for multiple transit systems will become increasingly important for biosurveillance of antibiotic resistance genes or pathogens, which can be early indicators for outbreak or sanitation events. Understanding how human contact, materials, and the environment affect microbial profiles may eventually allow us to rationally design public spaces to sustain our health in the presence of microbial reservoirs.
Incidental diagnosis of an H-type tracheo-oesophageal fistula
Authors: Donnelly Peter , McVea Steven , Flannigan Christopher , Bali Sanjeev
Published: June 2016

A 6-day-old term neonate who was intubated on day 1 of life for apnoeic episodes, was transferred to the regional paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for specialist opinion following 3 failed extubations in the neonatal unit.Escherichia colicongenital pneumonia was diagnosed and the child discharged to the local hospital. Chest radiographs and inflammatory markers were in keeping with infection. However, ongoing difficulties with secretions necessitated readmission to the PICU, following a significant cyanotic episode associated with coughing. On arrival at the PICU, a large leak around the endotracheal tube (ETT) was noted. On direct laryngoscopy, the ETT was found correctly positioned, through the cords, but air was noted to be coming back from the oesophagus. Advancing the ETT towards the carina terminated the leak and raised the suspicion of a tracheo-oesophageal fistula. An H-type tracheo-oesophageal fistula was confirmed on bronchoscopy. An uneventful fistula repair was performed and the baby discharged from the PICU on day 23 of life.
Sources of social support associated with health and quality of life: a cross-sectional study among Canadian and Latin American older adults
Authors: Bélanger Emmanuelle , Ahmed Tamer , Vafaei Afshin , Curcio Carmen Lucia , Phillips Susan P , Zunzunegui Maria Victoria
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To examine whether the association between emotional support and indicators of health and quality of life differs between Canadian and Latin American older adults.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis of the International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS). Social support from friends, family members, children and partner was measured with a previously validated social network and support scale (IMIAS-SNSS). Low social support was defined as ranking in the lowest site-specific quartile. Prevalence ratios (PR) of good health, depression and good quality of life were estimated with Poisson regression models, adjusting for age, gender, education, income and disability in activities of daily living.

Setting

Kingston and Saint-Hyacinthe in Canada, Manizales in Colombia and Natal in Brazil.

Participants

1600 community-dwelling adults aged 65–74 years, n=400 at each site.

Outcome measures

Likert scale question on self-rated health, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and 10-point analogical quality-of-life (QoL) scale.

Results

Relationships between social support and study outcomes differed between Canadian and Latin American older adults. Among Canadians, those without a partner had a lower prevalence of good health (PR=0.90; 95% CI 0.82 to 0.98), and those with high support from friends had a higher prevalence of good health (PR=1.09; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.18). Among Latin Americans, depression was lower among those with high levels of support from family (PR=0.63; 95% CI 0.48 to 0.83), children (PR=0.60; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.80) and partner (PR=0.57; 95% CI 0.31 to 0.77); good QoL was associated with high levels of support from children (PR=1.54; 95% CI 1.20 to 1.99) and partner (PR=1.31; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.67).

Conclusions

Among older adults, different sources of support were relevant to health across societies. Support from friends and having a partner were related to good health in Canada, whereas in Latin America, support from family, children and partner were associated with less depression and better QoL.
Protocol for a cluster randomised trial of a communication skills intervention for physicians to facilitate survivorship transition in patients with lymphoma
Authors: Parker Patricia A , Banerjee Smita C , Matasar Matthew J , Bylund Carma L , Franco Kara , Li Yuelin , Levin Tomer T , Jacobsen Paul B , Astrow Alan B , Leventhal Howard , Horwitz Steven , Kissane David W
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Survivors of cancer often describe a sense of abandonment post-treatment, with heightened worry, uncertainty, fear of recurrence and limited understanding of what lies ahead. This study examines the efficacy of a communication skills training (CST) intervention to help physicians address survivorship issues and introduce a new consultation focused on the use of a survivorship care plan for patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Methods and analysis

Specifically, this randomised, 4-site trial will test the efficacy of a survivorship planning consultation (physicians receive CST and apply these skills in a new survivorship-focused office visit using a survivorship plan) with patients who have achieved complete remission after completion of first-line therapy versus a control arm in which physicians are trained to subsequently provide a time-controlled, manualised wellness rehabilitation consultation focused only on discussion of healthy nutrition and exercise as rehabilitation postchemotherapy. The primary outcome for physicians will be uptake and usage of communication skills and maintenance of these skills over time. The primary outcome for patients is changes in knowledge about lymphoma and adherence to physicians’ recommendations (eg, pneumococcus and influenza vaccinations); secondary outcomes will include perceptions of the doctor–patient relationship, decreased levels of cancer worry and depression, quality of life changes, satisfaction with care and usage of healthcare. This study will also examine the moderators and mediators of change within our theoretical model derived from Leventhal's Common-Sense Model of health beliefs.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centers and all other participating sites. This work is funded by the National Cancer Institute (R01 CA 151899 awarded to DWK and SH as coprincipal investigators). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The study findings will be disseminated to the research and medical communities through publication in peer-reviewed journals and through presentations at local, national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT01483664.
Antidepressant use and violent crimes among young people: a longitudinal examination of the Finnish 1987 birth cohort
Authors: Hemminki Elina , Merikukka Marko , Gissler Mika , Wahlbeck Kristian , Savolainen Jukka , Ristikari Tiina , Aaltonen Mikko
Published: June 2016

Background

The use of antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), has been questioned due to poor efficacy and safety. We examined whether young violent offenders were more likely antidepressant users prior to their first violent offence than other young persons.

Methods

The study is a follow-up of children born in Finland in 1987 (n=59 120), linking national registers to each other using personal identity codes. Data on psychotropic drug use came from a register of reimbursed drugs and data on crimes from a register on court convictions (after the age of 14 years). Participants were followed until the age of 18 years, and for some analyses until the end of the follow-up (mean 21 years). To adjust for differences in background characteristics, regression analyses for antidepressant use were made, using the no-conviction group as the reference.

Results

Proportions of young people convicted by the age of 18 years were: 5% of boys (1.7% for violent crimes) and 1% (0.5%) of girls. Antidepressant use (both overall and for SSRIs) prior to violent crime was more common among those convicted than among those without convictions. Among boys with repeated violent crimes, it was also more common than among boys with non-violent crimes. Adjustment for differences in background characteristics decreased the associations between antidepressant use and violent crime, but did not eliminate them.

Conclusions

The results add further evidence for caution in prescribing antidepressants among young persons. It also calls for a reanalysis of violence measures in the original trial data.
Perineal herniorrhaphy in a dog using a cone‐shaped polypropylene mesh implant
Authors: Sanchez Villamil Carlos , Escribano Carrera Antia
Published: June 2016

A 10‐year‐old neutered male shih tzu was presented due to a history of rectal tenesmus, dyschezia and constipation for the previous two months. Physical assessment disclosed swelling on the left ischiorectal fossa, lateral to the anus. The swollen area was fluctuant, and the content was reducible. Rectal examination revealed rectal dilation and deviation. Perineal area palpation and rectal examination in addition to the history and clinical signs conduced to a diagnosis of perineal hernia. The patient was treated surgically, a herniorrhaphy being performed. A cone‐shaped polypropylene mesh implant was used as herniorrhaphy technique. Clinical signs were successfully controlled with the surgical procedure. No complications or hernia recurrence have been reported to date.
High concentration calcitriol induces endoplasmic reticulum stress related gene profile in breast cancer cells
Authors: Ozkaya Ali Burak , Ak Handan , Aydin Hikmet Hakan
Published: June 2016

Calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, is known for its anticancer properties including induction of apoptosis as well as the inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis. Understanding the mechanisms of action for calcitriol will help with the development of novel treatment strategies. Since vitamin D exerts its cellular actions via binding to its receptor and by altering expressions of a set of genes, we aimed to evaluate the effect of calcitriol on transcriptomic profile of breast cancer cells. We previously demonstrated that calcitriol alters endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers, therefore in this study we have focused on ER-stress-related genes to reveal calcitriols action on these genes in particular. We have treated breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 with previously determined IC50 concentrations of calcitriol and evaluated the transcriptomic alterations via microarray. During analysis, only genes altered by at least 2-fold with a P value < 0.05 were taken into consideration. Our findings revealed an ER-stress-associated transcriptomic profile induced by calcitriol. Induced genes include genes with a pro-survival function (NUPR1, DNAJB9, HMOX1, LCN2, and LAMP3) and with a pro-death function (CHOP (DDIT3), DDIT4, NDGR1, NOXA, and CLGN). These results suggest that calcitriol induces an ER-stress-like response inducing both pro-survival and pro-death transcripts in the process.
Spin connection as Lorentz gauge field in Fairchild’s action
Authors: Cianfrani Francesco , Montani Giovanni , Scopelliti Vincenzo
Published: June 2016

We propose a modified gravitational action containing besides the Einstein–Cartan term some quadratic contributions resembling the Yang–Mills Lagrangian for the Lorentz spin connections. We outline how a propagating torsion arises and we solve explicitly the linearized equations of motion on a Minkowski background. We identify among torsion components six degrees of freedom: one is carried by a pseudo-scalar particle, five by a tachyon field. By adding spinor fields and neglecting backreaction on the geometry, we point out how only the pseudo-scalar particle couples directly with fermions, but the resulting coupling constant is suppressed by the ratio between fermion and Planck masses. Including backreaction, we demonstrate how the tachyon field provides causality violation in the matter sector, via an interaction mediated by gravitational waves.
Protecting quantum entanglement and nonlocality for tripartite states under decoherence
Authors: Zhang Rui , Yin Yu Hao , Ma Wen Chao , Ye Liu
Published: June 2016

Quantum entanglement and nonlocality will suffer inevitable harm from decoherence environment. Based on GHZ state, we study the harm of the generalized amplitude damping (GAD) operation and the protection by the single local filtering (SLF) operation in this paper. We verify that the SLF functions to depress the loss of entanglement and nonlocality from GAD. This conclusion will guide us to select the best method to protect the GHZ state from GAD decoherence.
A seventh-order member of KdV6 hierarchy and its (2+1)-dimensional extensions
Authors: Wazwaz Abdul-Majid
Published: June 2016

In this work, we investigate a completely integrable seventh-order member of the KdV6 hierarchy. We develop two extensions of (2[Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]1) dimensions for this equation. We show that the dispersion relations are distinct that will reflect on the structures of the obtained solutions. We use the simplified Hirota’s method to determine multiple soliton solutions for these three equations. The integrability of the extended equations is tested by using the Painlevé analysis.
Parasitic Effects on Memristor Dynamics
Authors: Itoh Makoto , Chua Leon O.
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we show that parasitic elements have a significant effect on the dynamics of memristor circuits. We first show that certain [Formula: see text]-terminal elements such as memristors, memcapacitors, and meminductors can be used as nonvolatile memories, if the principle of conservation of state variables hold by open-circuiting, or short-circuiting, their terminals. We also show that a passive memristor with a strictly-increasing constitutive relation will eventually lose its stored flux when we switch off the power if there is a parasitic capacitance across the memristor. Similarly, a memcapacitor (resp., meminductor) with a positive memcapacitance (resp., meminductance) will eventually lose their stored physical states when we switch off the power, if it is connected to a parasitic resistance. We then show that the discontinuous jump that circuit engineers assumed to occur at impasse points of memristor circuits contradicts the principles of conservation of charge and flux at the time of the discontinuous jump. A parasitic element can be used to break an impasse point, resulting in the emergence of a continuous oscillation in the circuit. We also define a distance, a diameter, and a dimension, for each circuit element in order to measure the complexity order of the parasitic elements. They can be used to find higher-order parasitic elements which can break impasse points. Furthermore, we derived a memristor-based Chua’s circuit from a three-element circuit containing a memristor by connecting two parasitic memcapacitances to break the impasse points. We finally show that a higher-order parasitic element can be used for breaking the impasse points on two-dimensional and three-dimensional constrained spaces.
Elliptic Functions with Disconnected Julia Sets
Authors: Koss Lorelei
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we investigate elliptic functions of the form [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the Weierstrass elliptic function on a real rhombic lattice. We show that a typical function in this family has a superattracting fixed point at the origin and five other equivalence classes of critical points. We investigate conditions on the lattice which guarantee that [Formula: see text] has a double toral band, and we show that this family contains the first known examples of elliptic functions for which the Julia set is disconnected but not Cantor.
Bifurcations Induced in a Bistable Oscillator via Joint Noises and Time Delay
Authors: Fu Jin , Sun Zhongkui , Xiao Yuzhu , Xu Wei
Published: June 2016

In this paper, noise-induced and delay-induced bifurcations in a bistable Duffing–van der Pol (DVP) oscillator under time delay and joint noises are discussed theoretically and numerically. Based on the qualitative changes of the plane phase, delay-induced bifurcations are investigated in the deterministic case. However, in the stochastic case, the response of the system is a stochastic non-Markovian process owing to the existence of noise and time delay. Then, methods have been employed to derive the stationary probability density function (PDF) of the amplitude of the response. Accordingly, stochastic P-bifurcations can be observed with the variations in the qualitative behavior of the stationary PDF for amplitude. Furthermore, results from both theoretical analyses and numerical simulations best demonstrate the appearance of noise-induced and delay-induced bifurcations, which are in good agreement.
Performances of Various Base Isolation Systems in Mitigation of Structural Vibration Due to Underground Blast Induced Ground Motion
Authors: Mondal Papiya D. , Ghosh Aparna D. , Chakraborty Subrata
Published: June 2016

A comparative study is carried out on the performance of various elastomeric and frictional base isolation (BI) systems in the vibration mitigation of structures subjected to underground blast induced ground motion (BIGM). The parametric sensitivities of the base isolated structures to variations in the design parameters of the isolators are examined for different intensities of blast input. Results indicate that substantial reductions in both the acceleration and displacement responses of the structure can be achieved by the different base isolators. Generally, the Electricite de France (EDF) base isolator produces higher peak response reductions. However, peak bearing displacements are also largest here. The pure friction (P-F), resilient-friction base isolator (R-FBI) and friction pendulum (FP) systems produce lower values of response reductions but peak bearing displacements as well as residual displacements of isolators are also low. The New Zealand (N-Z) system provides good response reductions with a low to moderate value of peak bearing displacement. The present study indicates how a proper selection of the type of BI system with suitable design parameters can mitigate structural vibration due to different intensities of BIGM and restrict the unwanted characteristics of large isolator displacement and its permanent deformation.