bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiyear, Multinational Survey of the Incidence and Global Distribution of Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Kazmierczak Krystyna M. , Rabine Sharon , Hackel Meredith , McLaughlin Robert E. , Biedenbach Douglas J. , Bouchillon Samuel K. , Sahm Daniel F. , Bradford Patricia A.
Published: December 2015

Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) hydrolyze all classes of β-lactams except monobactams and are not inhibited by classic serine β-lactamase inhibitors. Gram-negative pathogens isolated from patient infections were collected from 202 medical centers in 40 countries as part of a global surveillance study from 2012 to 2014. Carbapenem-nonsusceptible
Enterobacteriaceae
and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
were characterized for
bla
genes encoding VIM, IMP, NDM, SPM, and GIM variants using PCR and sequencing. A total of 471 MBL-positive isolates included the following species (numbers of isolates are in parentheses):
P. aeruginosa
(308),
Klebsiella
spp. (85),
Enterobacter
spp. (39),
Proteeae
(16),
Citrobacter freundii
(12),
Escherichia coli
(6), and
Serratia marcescens
(5) and were submitted by sites from 34 countries. Of these, 69.6% were collected in 9 countries (numbers of isolates are in parentheses): Russia (72), Greece (61), Philippines (54), Venezuela (29), and Kuwait, Nigeria, Romania, South Africa, and Thailand (20 to 25 isolates each). Thirty-two different MBL variants were detected (14 VIM, 14 IMP, and 4 NDM enzymes). Seven novel MBL variants were encountered in the study, each differing from a previously reported variant by one amino acid substitution: VIM-42 (VIM-1 [V223I]), VIM-43 (VIM-4 [A24V]), VIM-44 (VIM-2 [K257N]), VIM-45 (VIM-2 [T35I]), IMP-48 (IMP-14 [I69T]), IMP-49 (IMP-18 [V49F]), and NDM-16 (NDM-1 [R264H]). The
in vitro
activities of all tested antibiotics against MBL-positive
Enterobacteriaceae
were significantly reduced with the exception of that of aztreonam-avibactam (MIC
90
, 0.5 to 1 μg/ml), whereas colistin was the most effective agent against MBL-positive
P. aeruginosa
isolates (>97% susceptible). Although the global percentage of isolates encoding MBLs remains relatively low, their detection in 12 species, 34 countries, and all regions participating in this surveillance study is concerning.
Sterilizing Activity of Pyrazinamide in Combination with First-Line Drugs in a C3HeB/FeJ Mouse Model of Tuberculosis
Authors: Lanoix Jean-Philippe , Betoudji Fabrice , Nuermberger Eric
Published: December 2015

Pyrazinamide (PZA) is a key sterilizing drug in first-line tuberculosis (TB) regimens and exerts its activity entirely during the first 2 months in human infections. We recently described the reduced activity of PZA in C3HeB/FeJ mice with large caseous tubercles due to neutral pH. Here, we aimed to determine the contribution of PZA to the sterilizing activity of the first-line TB regimen in C3HeB/FeJ and BALB/c mice. Three regimens were compared (in combinations: R, rifampin; H, isoniazid; E, ethambutol; Z, pyrazinamide; with numbers indicating the treatment duration, in months): 2RHEZ/4RH, 2RHE/4RH, and 2RHEZ/4RHZ. Lung CFU counts were assessed after 0 and 2 months of treatment, and relapse rates were assessed 3 months after 3, 4.5, and 6 months of treatment. The relapse rates after 3 months of treatment were 53% and 95% in C3HeB/FeJ mice receiving 2RHEZ/1RH and 2RHE/1RH, respectively, and 67%, 100%, and 80% in BALB/c receiving 2RHEZ/1RH, 2RHE/1RH, and 2RHEZ/1RHZ, respectively. The relapse rates after 4.5 months of treatment were 32%, 20%, and 0% in C3HeB/FeJ mice receiving 2RHEZ/2.5RH, 2RHE/2.5RH, and 2RHEZ/2.5RHZ, respectively, and 0% and 67% in BALB/c receiving 2RHEZ/2.5RH and 2RHE/2.5RH, respectively. The month-6 relapse rates were 0%, 13%, and 0% in C3HeB/FeJ mice given 2RHEZ/4RH, 2RHE/4RH, and 2RHEZ/4RHZ, respectively, and 7% in BALB/c mice receiving 2RHE/4RH. The addition of PZA shortens the duration of treatment needed to prevent relapse in both mouse strains. However, while its contribution is limited to the first 2 months of treatment in BALB/c mice, continuing PZA beyond the first 2 months is beneficial in C3HeB/FeJ mice by preventing relapse among those with the highest disease burden.
IncI1 Plasmids Carrying Various
bla
CTX-M
Genes Contribute to Ceftriaxone Resistance in Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis in China
Authors: Wong Marcus Ho-yin , Kan Biao , Chan Edward Wai-chi , Yan Meiying , Chen Sheng
Published: December 2015

Resistance to extended-spectrum β-lactams in
Salmonella
, in particular, in serotypes such as
Salmonella enterica
serovar Enteritidis that are frequently associated with clinical infections, is a serious public health concern. In this study, phenotypic characterization of 433 clinical
S
. Enteritidis strains obtained from a nationwide collection of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention during the period from 2005 to 2010 depicted a trend of increasing resistance to ceftriaxone from 2008 onwards. Seventeen (4%) of the strains were found to be resistant to ceftriaxone, 7% were found to be resistant to ciprofloxacin, and 0.7% were found to be resistant to both ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone. Most of the ceftriaxone-resistant
S
. Enteritidis strains (15/17) were genetically unrelated and originated from Henan Province. The complete sequence of an IncI1 plasmid, pSE115, which belonged to a novel sequence type, was obtained. This 87,255-bp IncI1 plasmid was found to harbor a
bla
CTX-M-14
gene in a novel multidrug resistance region (MRR) within the
tra
locus. Although the majority of strains were also found to contain conjugative IncI1 plasmids with a size similar to that of pSE115 (∼90 kb) and harbor a variety of
bla
CTX-M
group 1 and group 9 elements, the novel MRR site at the
tra
locus in pSE115 was not detectable in the other IncI1 plasmids. The findings from this study show that cephalosporin resistance in
S
. Enteritidis strains collected in China was mainly due to the dissemination of IncI1 plasmids carrying
bla
CTX-M
, resembling the situation in which IncI1 plasmids serve as major vectors of
bla
CTX-M
variants in other members of the
Enterobacteriaceae
.
A Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Strain Evades a Major Caenorhabditis elegans Defense Pathway
Authors: White Corin V. , Darby Brian J. , Breeden Robert J. , Herman Michael A.
Published: December 2015

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
is a ubiquitous bacterium and an emerging nosocomial pathogen. This bacterium is resistant to many antibiotics, associated with a number of infections, and a significant health risk, especially for immunocompromised patients. Given that
Caenorhabditis elegans
shares many conserved genetic pathways and pathway components with higher organisms, the study of its interaction with bacterial pathogens has biomedical implications.
S. maltophilia
has been isolated in association with nematodes from grassland soils, and it is likely that
C. elegans
encounters this bacterium in nature. We found that a local
S. maltophilia
isolate, JCMS, is more virulent than the other
S. maltophilia
isolates (R551-3 and K279a) tested. JCMS virulence correlates with intestinal distension and bacterial accumulation and requires the bacteria to be alive. Many of the conserved innate immune pathways that serve to protect
C. elegans
from various pathogenic bacteria also play a role in combating
S. maltophilia
JCMS. However,
S. maltophilia
JCMS is virulent to normally pathogen-resistant DAF-2/16 insulin-like signaling pathway mutants. Furthermore, several insulin-like signaling effector genes were not significantly differentially expressed between
S. maltophilia
JCMS and avirulent bacteria (
Escherichia coli
OP50). Taken together, these findings suggest that
S. maltophilia
JCMS evades the pathogen resistance conferred by the loss of DAF-2/16 pathway components. In summary, we have discovered a novel host-pathogen interaction between
C. elegans
and
S. maltophilia
and established a new animal model with which to study the mode of action of this emerging nosocomial pathogen.
The Surface Sensor NlpE of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli Contributes to Regulation of the Type III Secretion System and Flagella by the Cpx Response to Adhesion
Authors: Shimizu Takeshi , Ichimura Kimitoshi , Noda Masatoshi
Published: December 2015

Although the adhesion of enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
(EHEC) is central to the EHEC-host interaction during infection, it remains unclear how such adhesion regulates virulence factors. Adhesion to abiotic surfaces by
E. coli
has been reported to be an outer membrane lipoprotein NlpE-dependent activation cue of the Cpx pathway. Therefore, we investigated the role of NlpE in EHEC on the adhesion-mediated expression of virulence genes. NlpE in EHEC contributed to upregulation of the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) genes encoded type III secretion system and to downregulated expression of the flagellin gene by activation of the Cpx pathway during adherence to hydrophobic glass beads and undifferentiated Caco-2 cells. Moreover, LysR homologue A (LrhA) in EHEC was involved in regulating the expression of the LEE genes and flagellin gene in response to adhesion. Gel mobility shift analysis revealed that response regulator CpxR bound to the
lrhA
promoter region and thereby regulated expressions of the LEE genes and flagellin gene via the transcriptional regulator LrhA in EHEC. Therefore, these results suggest that the sensing of adhesion signals via NlpE is important for regulation of the expression of the type III secretion system and flagella in EHEC during infection.
Interleukin-22-Induced Antimicrobial Phospholipase A2 Group IIA Mediates Protective Innate Immunity of Nonhematopoietic Cells against Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Okita Yamato , Shiono Takeru , Yahagi Ayano , Hamada Satoru , Umemura Masayuki , Matsuzaki Goro
Published: December 2015

Listeria monocytogenesis a bacterial pathogen which establishes intracellular parasitism in various cells, including macrophages and nonhematopoietic cells, such as hepatocytes. It has been reported that several proinflammatory cytokines have pivotal roles in innate protection againstL. monocytogenesinfection. We found that a proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin 22 (IL-22), was expressed by CD3+CD4+T cells at an early stage ofL. monocytogenesinfection in mice. To assess the influence of IL-22 onL. monocytogenesinfection in hepatocytes, cells of a human hepatocellular carcinoma line, HepG2, were treated with IL-22 beforeL. monocytogenesinfectionin vitro. Gene expression analysis of the IL-22-treated HepG2 cells identified phospholipase A2 group IIA (PLA2G2A) as an upregulated antimicrobial molecule. Addition of recombinant PLA2G2A to the HepG2 culture significantly suppressedL. monocytogenesinfection. Culture supernatant of the IL-22-treated HepG2 cells contained bactericidal activity againstL. monocytogenes, and the activity was abrogated by a specific PLA2G2A inhibitor, demonstrating that HepG2 cells secreted PLA2G2A, which killed extracellularL. monocytogenes. Furthermore, colocalization of PLA2G2A andL. monocytogeneswas detected in the IL-22-treated infected HepG2 cells, which suggests involvement of PLA2G2A in the mechanism of intracellular killing ofL. monocytogenesby HepG2 cells. These results suggest that IL-22 induced at an early stage ofL. monocytogenesinfection enhances innate immunity againstL. monocytogenesin the liver by stimulating hepatocytes to produce an antimicrobial molecule, PLA2G2A.
Hypothetical Protein BB0569 Is Essential for Chemotaxis of the Lyme Disease Spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi
Authors: Zhang Kai , Liu Jun , Charon Nyles W. , Li Chunhao
Published: December 2015

The Lyme disease spirochete
Borrelia burgdorferi
has five putative methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs). In this report, we provide evidence that a hypothetical protein, BB0569, is essential for the chemotaxis of
B. burgdorferi
. While BB0569 lacks significant homology to the canonical MCPs, it contains a conserved domain (spanning residues 110 to 170) that is often evident in membrane-bound MCPs such as Tar and Tsr of
Escherichia coli
. Unlike Tar and Tsr, BB0569 lacks transmembrane regions and recognizable HAMP and methylation domains and is similar to TlpC, a cytoplasmic chemoreceptor of
Rhodobacter sphaeroides
. An isogenic mutant of
BB0569
constantly runs in one direction and fails to respond to attractants, indicating that BB0569 is essential for chemotaxis. Immunofluorescence, green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion, and cryo-electron tomography analyses demonstrate that BB0569 localizes at the cell poles and is required for chemoreceptor clustering at the cell poles. Protein cross-linking studies reveal that BB0569 forms large protein complexes with MCP3, indicative of its interactions with other MCPs. Interestingly, analysis of
B. burgdorferi
mcp
mutants shows that inactivation of either
mcp
2
or
mcp
3
reduces the level of BB0569 substantially and that such a reduction is caused by protein turnover. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the domain composition and function of BB0569 are similar in some respects to those of TlpC but that these proteins are different in their cellular locations, further highlighting that the chemotaxis of
B. burgdorferi
is unique and different from the
Escherichia coli
and
Salmonella enterica
paradigm.

IMPORTANCE
Spirochete chemotaxis differs substantially from the
Escherichia coli
and
Salmonella enterica
paradigm, and the basis for controlling the rotation of the bundles of periplasmic flagella at each end of the cell is unknown. In recent years,
Borrelia burgdorferi
, the causative agent of Lyme disease, has been used as a model organism to understand spirochete chemotaxis and its role in infectious processes of the disease. In this report, BB0569, a hypothetical protein of
B. burgdorferi
, has been investigated by using an approach of genetic, biochemistry, and cryo-electron tomography analyses. The results indicate that BB0569 has a distinct role in chemotaxis that may be unique to spirochetes and represents a novel paradigm.
Gastro-pancreaticojejunostomy for treatment of pancreatic ductal obstruction in a post-Whipple procedure patient
Authors: Rodrigues-Pinto Eduardo , Grimm Ian S , Baron Todd H
Published: December 2015

We report a case of a woman with a medical history of classic Whipple surgery who underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided pancreatic drainage due to smouldering acute pancreatitis secondary to an obstructing pancreatic ductal stone. A gastro-pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis was created anterogradely, with dilation of both the anastomoses in the same procedure, with subsequent decompression of the pancreatic duct. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) is often impossible to perform in patients with post-Whipple procedure anatomy due to inaccessibility to the pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis. EUS-guided pancreatic drainage may be offered in these patients in whom the pancreatic duct cannot be accessed at ERP. It has been used as a platform for access to and drainage of the pancreatic duct either by rendezvous or transmural drainage. However, only one of four patients achieve successful completion of the rendezvous procedure. There are limited data regarding safety and long-term outcome of this procedure, as well as scant guidelines on the optimal time for leaving stents in place. We believe definitive endoscopic therapy should be attempted, whenever possible, after relief of obstruction. In our case, we expect that stent occlusion is inevitable and that long-term drainage is possible due to drainage occurring between the stent and the stone.
Differential sex-related winter energetics in free-ranging snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus)
Authors: Ellsworth E. , Boudreau M.R. , Nagy K. , Rachlow J.L. , Murray D.L.
Published: December 2015

Animals spend considerable time and energy acquiring food to meet their metabolic requirements, but if energetic or fitness costs are substantive, such as during winter, then some individuals may limit daily energy expenditure by reducing foraging duration. To date, the prevalence and magnitude of such compensatory foraging responses are poorly known. We examined energy balance compensation in free-ranging snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777) via a food supplementation experiment to determine whether individuals reduced their daily energy expenditure (DEE) and activity periods in response to increased food availability. Overall, food supplementation had no effect on diel activity patterns, although males had higher DEE compared with females. During early and mid-winter, hares did not alter their activity periods in response to food supplementation, but during late winter, when natural food availability declined, food-supplemented females (but not males) were ∼11% less active compared with controls. Natural food likely was sufficient and could have been acquired at relatively low energetic cost, but because males likely have higher DEE due to mating behavior whereas females may limit their activity (and thus DEE) to reduce predation risk, we conclude that gender-specific life-history demands can over-ride predicted responses to supplemental food when baseline food abundance is adequate.
PWSCC Assessment by Using Extended Finite Element Method
Authors: Lee Sung-Jun , Lee Sang-Hwan , Chang Yoon-Suk
Published: December 2015

The head penetration nozzle of control rod driving mechanism (CRDM) is known to be susceptible to primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) due to the welding-induced residual stress. Especially, the J-groove dissimilar metal weld regions have received many attentions in the previous studies. However, even though several advanced techniques such as weight function and finite element alternating methods have been introduced to predict the occurrence of PWSCC, there are still difficulties in respect of applicability and efficiency. In this study, the extended finite element method (XFEM), which allows convenient crack element modeling by enriching degree of freedom (DOF) with special displacement function, was employed to evaluate structural integrity of the CRDM head penetration nozzle. The resulting stress intensity factors of surface cracks were verified for the reliability of proposed method through the comparison with those suggested in the American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME) code. The detailed results from the FE analyses are fully discussed in the manuscript.
Hamiltonian Systems and Optimal Control in Computational Anatomy: 100 Years Since D'Arcy Thompson
Authors: Miller Michael I. , Trouvé Alain , Younes Laurent
Published: December 2015

The Computational Anatomy project is the morphome-scale study of shape and form, which we model as an orbit under diffeomorphic group action. Metric comparison calculates the geodesic length of the diffeomorphic flow connecting one form to another. Geodesic connection provides a positioning system for coordinatizing the forms and positioning their associated functional information. This article reviews progress since the Euler-Lagrange characterization of the geodesics a decade ago. Geodesic positioning is posed as a series of problems in Hamiltonian control, which emphasize the key reduction from the Eulerian momentum with dimension of the flow of the group, to the parametric coordinates appropriate to the dimension of the submanifolds being positioned. The Hamiltonian viewpoint provides important extensions of the core setting to new, object-informed positioning systems. Several submanifold mapping problems are discussed as they apply to metamorphosis, multiple shape spaces, and longitudinal time series studies of growth and atrophy via shape splines.
Positron Emission Tomography: Current Challenges and Opportunities for Technological Advances in Clinical and Preclinical Imaging Systems
Authors: Vaquero Juan José , Kinahan Paul
Published: December 2015

Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging is based on detecting two time-coincident high-energy photons from the emission of a positron-emitting radioisotope. The physics of the emission, and the detection of the coincident photons, give PET imaging unique capabilities for both very high sensitivity and accurate estimation of the in vivo concentration of the radiotracer. PET imaging has been widely adopted as an important clinical modality for oncological, cardiovascular, and neurological applications. PET imaging has also become an important tool in preclinical studies, particularly for investigating murine models of disease and other small-animal models. However, there are several challenges to using PET imaging systems. These include the fundamental trade-offs between resolution and noise, the quantitative accuracy of the measurements, and integration with X-ray computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In this article, we review how researchers and industry are addressing these challenges.
Digital Microfluidic Cell Culture
Authors: Ng Alphonsus H.C. , Li Bingyu Betty , Chamberlain M. Dean , Wheeler Aaron R.
Published: December 2015

Digital microfluidics (DMF) is a droplet-based liquid-handling technology that has recently become popular for cell culture and analysis. In DMF, picoliter- to microliter-sized droplets are manipulated on a planar surface using electric fields, thus enabling software-reconfigurable operations on individual droplets, such as move, merge, split, and dispense from reservoirs. Using this technique, multistep cell-based processes can be carried out using simple and compact instrumentation, making DMF an attractive platform for eventual integration into routine biology workflows. In this review, we summarize the state-of-the-art in DMF cell culture, and describe design considerations, types of DMF cell culture, and cell-based applications of DMF.
The Mechanobiology of Aging
Authors: Phillip Jude M. , Aifuwa Ivie , Walston Jeremy , Wirtz Denis
Published: December 2015

Aging is a complex, multifaceted process that induces a myriad of physiological changes over an extended period of time. Aging is accompanied by major biochemical and biomechanical changes at macroscopic and microscopic length scales that affect not only tissues and organs but also cells and subcellular organelles. These changes include transcriptional and epigenetic modifications; changes in energy production within mitochondria; and alterations in the overall mechanics of cells, their nuclei, and their surrounding extracellular matrix. In addition, aging influences the ability of cells to sense changes in extracellular-matrix compliance (mechanosensation) and to transduce these changes into biochemical signals (mechanotransduction). Moreover, following a complex positive-feedback loop, aging is accompanied by changes in the composition and structure of the extracellular matrix, resulting in changes in the mechanics of connective tissues in older individuals. Consequently, these progressive dysfunctions facilitate many human pathologies and deficits that are associated with aging, including cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neurodegenerative disorders and diseases. Here, we critically review recent work highlighting some of the primary biophysical changes occurring in cells and tissues that accompany the aging process.
Asset Price Bubbles
Authors: Jarrow Robert A.
Published: December 2015

This article reviews the theoretical literature on asset price bubbles, with an emphasis on the martingale theory of bubbles. The key questions studied are as follows: First, under what conditions can asset price bubbles exist in an economy? Second, if bubbles exist, what are the implications for the pricing of derivatives on the bubble-laden asset? Third, if bubbles can exist, how can they be empirically determined? Answers are provided for three frictionless and competitive economies with increasingly restrictive structures. The least restrictive economy just assumes no arbitrage. The next satisfies no arbitrage and no dominance. The third assumes the existence of an equilibrium.
Consumption-Based Asset Pricing, Part 1: Classic Theory and Tests, Measurement Issues, and Limited Participation
Authors: Breeden Douglas T. , Litzenberger Robert H. , Jia Tingyan
Published: December 2015

This article, Part 1 of 2, reviews the classical origins, development, and tests of consumption-based asset pricing theory, focusing mainly on the first two decades from 1976 to 1998. Starting with the original consumption capital asset pricing model (CCAPM) derivations, we review both theory and subsequent tests and provide some new applications. The consumption aggregation theorem and CCAPM are derived, and optimal consumption and portfolio strategies are discussed. The term structure of interest rates is derived from the term structures for expected growth, volatility, and inflation. Time aggregation biases in consumption betas as well as the usefulness of the “consumption-mimicking portfolio” are also derived. In addition to various empirical tests, models and tests of limited participation in asset markets as well as models of incomplete markets are presented. When certain measurement issues are taken into account, the CCAPM performs better than the original CAPM and nearly as well as the Fama-French three-factor model.
Real Estate Price Indices and Price Dynamics: An Overview from an Investments Perspective
Authors: Geltner David
Published: December 2015

This article reviews the state of the art in real estate price indexing and the state of knowledge about real estate price dynamics, with a focus on investment property, or income-generating commercial property. Investment properties form a large component of the national wealth and of capital markets and represent a major investment asset class. They are characterized by various types of heterogeneity, including among assets, markets, and data sources, making the study of real estate pricing uniquely challenging. Yet in recent decades, urban economists and econometricians have pioneered major new price indexing methodologies that, combined with new types of data sources, are shedding light on the nature of commercial property price dynamics, revealing both important commonalities and unique differences compared with equities and fixed-income securities pricing.
Financial Stability Monitoring
Authors: Adrian Tobias , Covitz Daniel , Liang Nellie
Published: December 2015

We present a forward-looking monitoring program to identify and track the sources of systemic risk over time and to facilitate the development of preemptive policies to promote financial stability. We offer a framework that distinguishes between shocks, which are difficult to prevent, and vulnerabilities, which amplify shocks. Building on substantial research, we focus on leverage, maturity transformation, interconnectedness, complexity, and the pricing of risk as the primary vulnerabilities in the financial system. The monitoring program tracks these vulnerabilities in four areas: the banking sector, shadow banking, asset markets, and the nonfinancial sector. The framework also highlights the policy trade-off between reducing systemic risk and raising the cost of financial intermediation by taking preemptive actions to reduce vulnerabilities.
Supervisory Stress Tests
Authors: Hirtle Beverly , Lehnert Andreas
Published: December 2015

We describe the background, design choices, and particular details of stress tests used as part of an overall supervisory regime, that is, their formal integration into the ongoing prudential supervision of banks and other large financial institutions. We then describe how the US Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (CCAR) and Dodd-Frank Act stress testing (DFAST) regime is designed and what that means for the macroprudential versus microprudential nature of US supervisory exercises. We argue that routine stress tests have the potential to substantially change the nature of the supervisory process. We also argue that a great deal depends on the philosophy underpinning modeling decisions, which has not received as much attention as scenario design, disclosure, or other stress test design choices.
A Prospective Study of Bipolar Transurethral Resection of Prostate Comparing the Efficiency and Safety of the Method in Large and Small Adenomas
Authors: Mertziotis Nikolaos , Kozyrakis Diomidis , Kyratsas Christos , Konandreas Andreas
Published: December 2015

Bipolar technology offers a new perspective in the treatment of BPH.Purpose.To present our experience with the TURis system (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan).Materials and Methods.From February 2011 till December 2013 in a prospective study, 93 patients were treated for BPH. They were evaluated with IPSS, QoL, uroflow (Qmax), and residual urine (RU), preoperatively as well as 6 and 9 months postoperatively. Based on the prostate volume, the patients were divided into two groups: group A (n=48) with prostates ≥ 75 cc and group B (n=45) with smaller prostate glands. All patients underwent bipolar TURP or/and plasma vaporization.Results.The postoperative improvement for IPSS, QoL,Qmax, and RU was statistically significant. The operation time was longer in group A in comparison with group B (P<0.001). The former group also had higher infection and stricture formation rates; however, there was no statistical difference between the two groups.Conclusions.Treatment with the TURis constitutes an effective technique and can be offered to large prostates with results equivalent to those in small ones. Regarding safety, large adenomas treated with TURis are not at a higher risk for urethral stricture but their odds to develop urogenital infections are relatively higher compared to the smaller adenomas.
Temporal and Spatial Foraging Behavior of the Larvae of the Fall WebwormHyphantria cunea
Authors: Fitzgerald Terrence D.
Published: December 2015

During their first three larval stadia, caterpillars ofHyphantria cunea(Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) are patch-restricted foragers, confining their activity to a web-nest they construct in the branches of the host tree. Activity recordings of eight field colonies made over 46 colony-days showed that the later instars become central place foragers, leaving their nests at dusk to feed at distant sites and then returning to their nests in the morning. Colonies maintained in the laboratory showed that same pattern of foraging. In Y-choice laboratory experiments, caterpillars were slow to abandon old, exhausted feeding sites in favor of new food finds. An average of approximately 40% of the caterpillars in five colonies still selected pathways leading to exhausted sites at the onset of foraging bouts over those leading to new sites after feeding exclusively at the new sites on each of the previous four days. On returning to their nests in the morning, approximately 23% of the caterpillars erred by selecting pathways that led them away from the nest rather than toward it and showed no improvement over the course of the study. The results of these Y-choice studies indicate that, compared to other previously studied species of social caterpillars, the webworm employs a relatively simple system of collective foraging.
Tumor‐Induced Local and Systemic Impact on Blood Vessel Function
Authors: Cedervall J. , Dimberg A. , Olsson A-K.
Published: December 2015

Endothelial dysfunction plays a role in several processes that contribute to cancer‐associated mortality. The vessel wall serves as a barrier for metastatic tumor cells, and the integrity and activation status of the endothelium serves as an important defense mechanism against metastasis. In addition, leukocytes, such as cytotoxic T‐cells, have to travel across the vessel wall to enter the tumor tissue where they contribute to killing of cancer cells. Tumor cells can alter the characteristics of the endothelium by recruitment of leukocytes such as neutrophils and macrophages, which further stimulate inflammation and promote tumorigenesis. Recent findings also suggest that leukocyte‐mediated effects on vascular function are not limited to the primary tumor or tissues that represent metastatic sites. Peripheral organs, such as kidney and heart, also display impaired vascular function in tumor‐bearing individuals, potentially contributing to organ failure. Here, we discuss how vascular function is altered in malignant tissue and distant organs in individuals with cancer and how leukocytes function as potent mediators of these tumor‐induced effects.
The Nexus between Child Marriage and Women Empowerment with Physical Violence in Two Culturally Distinct States of India
Authors: Singh Jayakant , Anand Enu
Published: December 2015

Summary. We investigated the relationship between child marriage among young women and their level of empowerment with spousal physical violence in two culturally distinct states of India (Bihar and Tamil Nadu) using nationally representative survey data. Empowerment index was calculated taking into account parameters such as mobility, economic independence, and decision-making power of a woman using Principal Component Analysis method. Lower level of women empowerment was significantly associated with physical violence in Tamil Nadu (OR = 2.38, p<0.01) whereas marriage before the age of 15 was associated with physical violence in Bihar (OR = 3.27, p<0.001). The mean age at marriage was low among women who reported physical violence as compared to those who did not report physical violence across Bihar and Tamil Nadu and at all India level. Although the majority of the women in Tamil Nadu justified wife beating and witnessed father beating mother as compared to the women from Bihar, however, they were less likely to report physical violence than women from Bihar. Factors contributing to physical violence are distinct in Bihar and Tamil Nadu. Culture specific intervention may be considered while planning intervention strategies to curb spousal violence against women.
Parasitic Zoonoses in Humans and Their Dogs from a Rural Community of Tropical Mexico
Authors: Ortega-Pacheco Antonio , Torres-Acosta Juan F. J. , Alzina-López Alejandro , Gutiérrez-Blanco Eduardo , Bolio-González Manuel E. , Aguilar-Caballero Armando J. , Rodríguez-Vivas Roger I. , Gutiérrez-Ruiz Edwin , Acosta-Viana Karla Y. , Guzmán-Marín Eugenia , Rosado-Aguilar Alberto , Jiménez-Coello Matilde
Published: December 2015

A cross-sectional study was made on 89 inhabitants and their dogs from a rural community of Yucatan, Mexico, to determine the serological prevalence of some zoonotic parasitic agents. Samples were taken to monitor the presence and intensity of infection with gastrointestinal parasites in dogs. In humans, the serological prevalence ofT. canis,T. gondii, andT. spiraliswas 29.2%, 91.0%, and 6.7%, respectively. No associations were found between positive cases and studied variables. From the total of blood samples taken from dogs, 87 (97.6%) were seropositive toT. gondii; only 52 viable fecal samples were collected from dogs of which 46.2% had the presence of gastrointestinal parasites with low to moderate intensity; from those, 12% had the presence ofT. canis. This study demonstrates the presence of the studied zoonotic agents in the area particularlyT. gondiiwhich suggest a common source of infection in dogs and humans and a high number of oocyts present in the environment. Preventive measures must be designed towards good prophylactic practices in domestic and backyard animals (T. canisandT. spiralis). Contaminated sources withT. gondii(food and water) should be further investigated in order to design effective control measures.
Characterization of Adsorbents for Cytokine Removal from Blood in anIn VitroModel
Authors: Harm Stephan , Gabor Franz , Hartmann Jens
Published: December 2015

Introduction. Cytokines are basic targets that have to be removed effectively in order to improve the patient’s health status in treating severe inflammation, sepsis, and septic shock. Although there are different adsorbents commercially available, the success of their clinical use is limited. Here, we tested different adsorbents for their effective removal of cytokines from plasma and the resulting effect on endothelial cell activation.Methods. The three polystyrene divinylbenzene (PS-DVB) based adsorbents Amberchrom CG161c and CG300m and a clinically approved haemoperfusion adsorbent (HAC) were studied with regard to cytokine removal in human blood. To induce cytokine release from leucocytes, human blood cells were stimulated with 1 ng/ml LPS for 4 hours. Plasma was separated and adsorption experiments in a dynamic model were performed. The effect of cytokine removal on endothelial cell activation was evaluated using a HUVEC-based cell culture model. The beneficial outcome was assessed by measuring ICAM-1, E-selectin, and secreted cytokines IL-8 and IL-6. Additionally the threshold concentration for HUVEC activation by TNF-αand IL-1βwas determined using this cell culture model.Results. CG161c showed promising results in removing the investigated cytokines. Due to its pore size the adsorbent efficiently removed the key factor TNF-α, outperforming the commercially available adsorbents. The CG161c treatment reduced cytokine secretion and expression of cell adhesion molecules by HUVEC which underlines the importance of effective removal of TNF-αin inflammatory diseases.Conclusion. These results confirm the hypothesis that cytokine removal from the blood should approach physiological levels in order to reduce endothelial cell activation.
Imaging of Posterior Interosseous Neuropathy following Distal Biceps Repair: A Report of 3 Cases
Authors: Fitzpatrick Darren , Petchprapa Catherine , Rybak Leon
Published: December 2015

Three cases of PIN palsy following biceps repair are presented with clinical and imaging correlation. The imaging findings in these cases will be discussed and the orthopedic literature, as regards possible surgical approaches and technical factors believed to predispose to or prevent this complication, will be reviewed. It is important for radiologists to serve as consultants in these uncommon but sometimes devastating complications, helping to quickly and accurately recognize the imaging findings corresponding to the clinical symptoms and aiding the surgeon in diagnosis and treatment by identifying the possible causes and sites of nerve compression.
Divergence of the bZIP Gene Family in Strawberry, Peach, and Apple Suggests Multiple Modes of Gene Evolution after Duplication
Authors: Wang Xiao-Long , Zhong Yan , Cheng Zong-Ming , Xiong Jin-Song
Published: December 2015

The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors are the most diverse members of dimerizing transcription factors. In the present study, 50, 116, and 47bZIPgenes were identified inMalus domestica(apple),Prunus persica(peach), andFragaria vesca(strawberry), respectively. Species-specific duplication was the main contributor to the large number ofbZIPsobserved in apple. After WGD in apple genome, orthologousbZIPgenes corresponding to strawberry on duplicated regions in apple genome were retained. However, in peach ancestor, these syntenic regions were quickly lost or deleted. Maybe the positive selection contributed to the expansion of clade S to adapt to the development and environment stresses. In addition, purifying selection was mainly responsible forbZIPsequence-specific DNA binding. The analysis of orthologous pairs between chromosomes indicates that these orthologs derived from one gene duplication located on one of the nine ancient chromosomes in the Rosaceae. The comparative analysis ofbZIPgenes in three species provides information on the evolutionary fate ofbZIPgenes in apple and peach after they diverged from strawberry.
Research on the Sparse Representation for Gearbox Compound Fault Features Using Wavelet Bases
Authors: Luo Chunyan , Shen Changqing , Fan Wei , Cai Gaigai , Huang Weiguo , Zhu Zhongkui
Published: December 2015

The research on gearbox fault diagnosis has been gaining increasing attention in recent years, especially on single fault diagnosis. In engineering practices, there is always more than one fault in the gearbox, which is demonstrated as compound fault. Hence, it is equally important for gearbox compound fault diagnosis. Both bearing and gear faults in the gearbox tend to result in different kinds of transient impulse responses in the captured signal and thus it is necessary to propose a potential approach for compound fault diagnosis. Sparse representation is one of the effective methods for feature extraction from strong background noise. Therefore, sparse representation under wavelet bases for compound fault features extraction is developed in this paper. With the proposed method, the different transient features of both bearing and gear can be separated and extracted. Both the simulated study and the practical application in the gearbox with compound fault verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Exploring the Link between the Components of Metabolic Syndrome and the Risk of Depression
Authors: Liaw Fang-Yih , Kao Tung-Wei , Hsueh Ju-Ting , Chan Yi-Hsin , Chang Yaw-Wen , Chen Wei-Liang
Published: December 2015

Background.Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been reported with an increased risk of depression. MetS was also associated with insulin resistance. This study aimed to evaluate whether MetS components might contribute to depression in participants with insulin resistance (IR) or not.Methods.This study included 3,331 participants ≥18 years in the NHANES 2009-2010. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). MetS components were measured using blood chemistry and body measurements. IR was identified using the homeostasis model assessment method.Results.Predicted PHQ-9 scores significantly increased as the number of MetS components increased in patients with IR. The adjustedβcoefficients of the predicted PHQ-9 score with 2, 4, and 5 MetS components were 1.803, 2.081, and 3.048, respectively (Pfor trend < 0.05). Low HDL-C levels were significantly associated with higher predicted total PHQ-9 scores in fully adjusted models in the IR group (P<0.05).Conclusion.The results indicated that the presence of a greater number of components of MetS was significantly associated with higher predicted total PHQ-9 scores in participants with IR. Among the components of MetS, the most apparent association was observed between low HDL and higher predicted total PHQ-9 scores.
Natural Hirudin Increases Rat Flap Viability by Anti-Inflammation via PARs/p38/NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Peng Liu , Pan Xinyuan , Yin Guoqian
Published: December 2015

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of natural hirudin on rat random skin flap viability and to determine the mechanism. Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into 2 groups. After the dorsal skin flap operation (3 cm × 10 cm in size), subcutaneous injections of 6 ATU hirudin were administered to group H (n=24) every 12 h, while group C (n=24) received an equal volume of 0.9% normal saline. Six rats from each group were euthanized 1, 2, 4, and 7 days after the operation. A full skin sample was collected from these rats to measure the p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK), phospho-p38- (Pp38-) MAPK, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65, phosphor-NF-κB (pNF-κB) p65, tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-)α, interleukin- (IL-) 6, and intercellular adhesion molecule- (ICAM-) 1 levels via western blot (WB) assays. The results showed that flap viability was significantly higher in the hirudin-treated group, which showed a reduced inflammatory response compared with the control group. The Pp38/p38, pNF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, TNF-α, IL-6, and ICAM-1 levels in the hirudin-treated group were lower than those in the control group. The results demonstrated that hirudin could improve random skin flap viability and suggested that this effect maybe occurs by blocking the thrombin/proteinase-activated receptors (PARs)/p38/NF-κB signalling pathway, thus decreasing the inflammatory response.
Posterior Analysis of State Space Model with Spherical Symmetricity
Authors: Pandey Ranjita
Published: December 2015

The present work investigates state space model with nonnormal disturbances when the deviation from normality has been observed only with respect to kurtosis and the distribution of disturbances continues to follow a symmetric family of distributions. Spherically symmetric distribution is used to approximate behavior of symmetric nonnormal disturbances for discrete time series. The conditional posterior densities of the involved parameters are derived, which are further utilized in Gibbs sampler scheme for estimating the marginal posterior densities. The state space model with disturbances following multivariate-tdistribution, which is a particular case of spherically symmetric distribution, is discussed.
An SIRS Epidemic Model with Vital Dynamics and a Ratio-Dependent Saturation Incidence Rate
Authors: Wang Xinli
Published: December 2015

This paper presents an investigation on the dynamics of an epidemic model with vital dynamics and a nonlinear incidence rate of saturated mass action as a function of the ratio of the number of the infectives to that of the susceptibles. The stabilities of the disease-free equilibrium and the endemic equilibrium are first studied. Under the assumption of nonexistence of periodic solution, the global dynamics of the model is established: either the number of infective individuals tends to zero as time evolves or it produces bistability in which there is a region such that the disease will persist if the initial position lies in the region and disappears if the initial position lies outside this region. Computer simulation shows such results.
Experimental Evaluation of Erosion of Gunmetal under Asymmetrical Shaped Sand Particle
Authors: Chowdhury Mohammad Asaduzzaman , Debnath Uttam Kumar , Nuruzzaman Dewan Muhammad , Islam Md. Monirul
Published: December 2015

The erosion characteristics of gunmetal have been evaluated practically at different operating conditions. Asymmetrical silica sand (SiO2) is taken into account as erodent within range of 300–600 μm. The impact velocity within 30–50 m/sec, impact angle 15–900, and stand off distance 15–25 mm are inspected as other relevant operating test conditions. The maximum level of erosion is obtained at impact angle 15° which indicates the ductile manner of the tested gunmetal. The higher the impact velocity, the higher the erosion rate as almost linear fashion is observed. Mass loss of gunmetal reduces with the increase of stand-off distance. A dimensional analysis, erosion efficiency (η), and relationship between friction and erosion indicate the prominent correlation. The test results are designated using Taguchi’s and ANOVA concept.S/Nratio indicates that there are 1.72% deviations that are estimated between predicted and experimental results. To elaborately analyze the results, ANN and GMDH methods are mentioned. After erosion process of tested composite, the damage propagation on surfaces is examined using SEM for the confirmation of possible nature of wear behavior. The elemental composition of eroded test samples at varying percentage of gunmetal is analyzed by EDX analysis.
Probabilistic Modeling of Partial Shading of Photovoltaic Arrays
Authors: Wang Yaw-Juen , Sheu Ruey-Long
Published: December 2015

The probabilistic modeling technique is used in this paper to ascertain the performance of energy conversion of a photovoltaic (PV) array under the influence of partial shading. Three cases of increasing complexity are studied in this paper. The first case is to find the probability density function (pdf) of the maximum power output (MPO) of a single PV module exposed to a random level of solar irradiance. Given that the probability distribution of solar irradiance is knowna priori, the pdf of the MPO of the PV module is derived analytically. A Monte Carlo simulation is then conducted to validate the analysis. This is followed in the second case by studying the MPO of an array composed of two series PV modules, each exposed to a random and independent level of irradiance. The third case further involves the effects of bypass diodes which are commonly installed to reduce partial shading losses.