bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of a Theoretical Model Toward Understanding Continued Food Insecurity Post Hurricane Katrina
Authors: Clay Lauren A. , Papas Mia A. , Gill Kimberly , Abramson David M.
Published: July 2017

Objective

Disaster recovery efforts focus on restoring basic needs to survivors, such as food, water, and shelter. However, long after the immediate recovery phase is over, some individuals will continue to experience unmet needs. Ongoing food insecurity has been identified as a post-disaster problem. There is a paucity of information regarding the factors that might place an individual at risk for continued food insecurity post disaster.

Methods

Using data from a sample (n=737) of households severely impacted by Hurricane Katrina, we estimated the associations between food insecurity and structural, physical and mental health, and psychosocial factors 5 years after Hurricane Katrina. Logistic regression models were fit and odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI estimated.

Results

Nearly one-quarter of respondents (23%) reported food insecurity 5 years post Katrina. Marital/partner status (OR: 0.7, CI: 0.42, 0.99), self-efficacy (OR: 0.56, CI: 0.37, 0.84), sense of community (OR: 0.7, CI: 0.44, 0.98), and social support (OR: 0.59, CI: 0.39, 0.89) lowered the odds of food insecurity and explained most of the effects of mental health distress on food insecurity. Social support, self-efficacy, and being partnered were protective against food insecurity.

Conclusions

Recovery efforts should focus on fostering social-support networks and increased self-efficacy to improve food insecurity post disaster. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:47–56)
Identification of Keywords From Twitter and Web Blog Posts to Detect Influenza Epidemics in Korea
Authors: Woo Hyekyung , Sung Cho Hyeon , Shim Eunyoung , Lee Jong Koo , Lee Kihwang , Song Gilyoung , Cho Youngtae
Published: July 2017

Objective

Social media data are a highly contextual health information source. The objective of this study was to identify Korean keywords for detecting influenza epidemics from social media data.

Methods

We included data from Twitter and online blog posts to obtain a sufficient number of candidate indicators and to represent a larger proportion of the Korean population. We performed the following steps: initial keyword selection; generation of a keyword time series using a preprocessing approach; optimal feature selection; model building and validation using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, support vector machine (SVM), and random forest regression (RFR).

Results

A total of 15 keywords optimally detected the influenza epidemic, evenly distributed across Twitter and blog data sources. Model estimates generated using our SVM model were highly correlated with recent influenza incidence data.

Conclusions

The basic principles underpinning our approach could be applied to other countries, languages, infectious diseases, and social media sources. Social media monitoring using our approach may support and extend the capacity of traditional surveillance systems for detecting emerging influenza. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018; 12: 352–359)
The Iowa Disinfection Cleaning Project: Opportunities, Successes, and Challenges of a Structured Intervention Program in 56 Hospitals
Authors: Carling Philip , Herwaldt Loreen A.
Published: July 2017

OBJECTIVE

A diverse group of hospitals in Iowa implemented a program to objectively evaluate and improve the thoroughness of disinfection cleaning of near-patient surfaces. Administrative benefits of, challenges of, and impediments to the program were also evaluated.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective, quasi-experimental pre-/postintervention trial to improve the thoroughness of terminal room disinfection cleaning. Infection preventionists utilized an objective cleaning performance monitoring system (DAZO) to evaluate the thoroughness of disinfection cleaning (TDC) expressed as a proportion of objects confirmed to have been cleaned (numerator) to objects to be cleaned per hospital policy (denominator)×100. Data analysis, educational interventions, and objective performance feedback were modeled on previously published studies using the same monitoring tool. Programmatic analysis utilized unstructured and structured information from participants irrespective of whether they participated in the process improvement aspects to the program.

RESULTS

Initially, the overall TDC was 61% in 56 hospitals. Hospitals completing 1 or 2 feedback cycles improved their TDC percentages significantly (P<.0001; P<.005). Overall, 22 hospitals (39.3%) completed all 3 study phases and significantly increased their TDC percentages to a mean of 89%. Moreover, 6 hospitals maintained the program beyond the planned study period and sustained TDC percentages >90% for at least 38 months. A survey of infection preventionists found that lack of time and staff turnover were the most common reasons for terminating the study early.

CONCLUSION

The study confirmed that hospitals using this program can improve their TDC percentages significantly. Hospitals must invest resources to improve cleaning and to sustain their gains.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:960–965
Reducing Second Gram-Negative Antibiotic Therapy on Pediatric Oncology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Services
Authors: Wattier Rachel L. , Levy Emily R. , Sabnis Amit J. , Dvorak Christopher C. , Auerbach Andrew D.
Published: July 2017

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate interventions to reduce avoidable antibiotic use on pediatric oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) services.

DESIGN

Interrupted time series.

SETTING

Academic pediatric hospital with separate oncology and HSCT services.

PARTICIPANTS

Children admitted to the services during baseline (October 2011–August 2013) and 2 intervention periods, September 2013–June 2015 and July 2015–June 2016, including 1,525 oncology hospitalizations and 301 HSCT hospitalizations.

INTERVENTION

In phase 1, we completed an update of the institutional febrile neutropenia (FN) guideline for the pediatric oncology service, recommending first-line β-lactam monotherapy rather than routine use of 2 gram-negative agents. Phase 2 included updating the HSCT service FN guideline and engagement with a new pediatric antimicrobial stewardship program. The use of target antibiotics (tobramycin and ciprofloxacin) was measured in days of therapy per 1,000 patient days collected from administrative data. Intervention effects were evaluated using interrupted time series with segmented regression.

RESULTS

Phase 1 had mixed effects–long-term reduction in tobramycin use (97% below projected at 18 months) but rebound with increasing slope in ciprofloxacin use (+18% per month). Following phase 2, tobramycin and ciprofloxacin use on the oncology service were both 99% below projected levels at 12 months. On the HSCT service, tobramycin use was 99% below the projected level and ciprofloxacin use was 96% below the projected level at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Locally adapted guidelines can facilitate practice changes in oncology and HSCT settings. More comprehensive and ongoing interventions, including follow-up education, feedback, and engagement of companion services may be needed to sustain changes.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2017;38:1039–1047
IS IT UNCONSTITUTIONAL TO PROHIBIT FAITH-BASED SCHOOLS FROM BECOMING CHARTER SCHOOLS?
Authors: Sugarman Stephen D.
Published: July 2017

This article argues that it is unconstitutional for state charter school programs to preclude faith-based schools from obtaining charters. The first section describes the “school choice” movement of the past fifty years, situating charter schools in that movement. The current state of play of school choice is documented and the roles of charter schools, private schools (primarily faith-based schools), and public school choice options are elaborated. The second section argues that based on the current state of the law it should not be unconstitutional, under the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, for states to elect to make faith-based schools eligible for charters, and, therefore, the current practice of formal discrimination on the basis of religion against families and school founders who want faith-based charter schools should be deemed unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court. Put differently, this is not the sort of issue in which the “play in the joints” between the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses should apply so as to give states the option of restricting charter schools to secular schools.
Comparative assessment of canine-origin Lactobacillus johnsonii CPN23 and dairy-origin Lactobacillus acidophillus NCDC 15 for nutrient digestibility, faecal fermentative metabolites and selected gut health indices in dogs
Authors: Kumar Sachin , Pattanaik Ashok K. , Sharma Shalini , Gupta Reema , Jadhav Sunil E. , Dutta Narayan
Published: July 2017

The present experiment was undertaken to validate a probiotic of canine origin for its potential use in dogs. A total of fifteen adult female Labrador dogs were allocated to three equal groups and fed a basal diet without probiotic (control) or with probiotic of either canine (Lactobacillus johnsonii CPN23; cPRO) or dairy (L. acidophilus NCDC 15; dPRO) origin for 9 weeks. The digestibility of most macronutrients remained similar among the groups; however, fibre digestibility was improved (P = 0·034) in dogs receiving cPRO. The faecal fermentative metabolites ammonia (P < 0·05) and lactate (P = 0·094) were altered favourably, indicating a positive influence of both probiotics. Faecal concentrations of acetate, propionate and butyrate were increased (P < 0·01) in both probiotic groups. However, improvements were higher in cPRO v. dPRO. The delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to intradermal inoculation of phytohaemagglutinin-P was higher (P = 0·053) in cPRO as compared with control. The antibody response to sheep erythrocytes was, however, similar across the three groups. Overall, in dogs, the canine-origin probiotic was superior when compared with the dairy-origin probiotic.
Chronology and glass chemistry of tephra and cryptotephra horizons from lake sediments in northern Alaska, USA
Authors: Monteath Alistair J. , van Hardenbroek Maarten , Davies Lauren J. , Froese Duane G. , Langdon Peter G. , Xu Xiaomei , Edwards Mary E.
Published: July 2017

Holocene tephrostratigraphy in Alaska provides independent chronology and stratigraphic correlation in a region where reworked old (Holocene) organic carbon can significantly distort radiocarbon chronologies. Here, we present new glass chemistry and chronology for Holocene tephras preserved in three Alaskan lakes: one in the eastern interior and two in the southern Brooks Range. Tephra beds in the eastern interior lake-sediment core are correlated with the White River Ash and the Hayes tephra set H (~4200–3700 cal yr BP), and an additional discrete tephra bed is likely from the Aleutian arc/Alaska Peninsula. Cryptotephras (nonvisible tephras) found in the Brooks Range include the informally named “Ruppert tephra” (~2700–2300 cal yr BP) and the Aniakchak caldera-forming event II (CFE II) tephra (~3600 cal yr BP). A third underlying Brooks Range cryptotephra is chemically indistinguishable from the Aniakchak CFE II tephra (4070–3760 cal yr BP) and is likely to be from an earlier eruption of the Aniakchak volcano.
Dating of Iron Age Agriculture in the Negev Highlands: A Response to Shahack-Gross and Finkelstein
Authors: Bruins Hendrik J , van der Plicht Johannes
Published: July 2017

In this response to the reply by Shahack-Gross and Finkelstein (2017), we present additional data of our research at Horvat Haluqim. This includes phytolith percentages and multicellular phytolith stomata in a thin section of a layer in Terraced Field 12, dated by radiocarbon (14C) to the Late Bronze–Early Iron Age. We also show thin-section evidence of aggrading sediment laminations in this terraced field. A new 14C date is given of the Early Islamic Period in Terraced Field 7, as differences in terrace wall architecture are highlighted. We revisit the interpretation by Shahack-Gross and Finkelstein in relation to herd management. Our 14C dates attest that terrace agriculture based on runoff/floodwater irrigation occurred in the Negev Highlands during several periods, including the Iron Age.
Ecological preferences of large carnivores in remote, high-altitude protected areas: insights from Buxa Tiger Reserve, India
Authors: Sarkar Mriganka Shekhar , Segu Harika , Bhaskar J. V. , Jakher Rajendra , Mohapatra Swati , Shalini K. , Shivaji S. , Reddy P. Anuradha
Published: July 2017

Difficult terrain and inclement weather limit our knowledge of large predators, such as the tigerPanthera tigris, in the Himalayas. A lack of empirical data on large carnivores can lead to mismanagement of protected areas and population declines. We used non-invasive genetic and remote sensing data to inform the management of such high-altitude protected areas. We used the tiger as a focal species to investigate prey preference and habitat suitability in India's Buxa Tiger Reserve, which encompasses several eco-geographical regions in the Himalayan and subtropical zones. During 2010–2013, 909 faecal samples were collected, of which 372 were confirmed, using genetic analysis, to be of tiger origin. Fourteen prey species/groups were identified in 240 tiger faecal samples, largely dominated by goatsCapraspp. (26.59%), rhesus macaquesMacaca mulatta(22.22%) and cattleBosspp. (20.63%). Considering only the wild prey species for which survey data are available, however, and frequency of occurrence of prey in faecal samples, hog deerAxis porcinus, sambar deerRusa unicolorand spotted deerAxis axiswere the most preferred prey species. Using faecal sample locations to examine the relationship between tiger presence and environmental features indicated that the niche for tigers is narrower than the available protected area: c. 62% of core protected area is suitable, of which only 17% is highly suitable for tigers. Tigers prefer dense vegetation, open forests, riverine vegetation and areas close to water sources. Faecal sample-based studies have the potential to generate data that can help us understand the ecology of elusive carnivore species inhabiting high-altitude landscapes.
The silent impact of hearing loss: using longitudinal data to explore the effects on depression and social activity restriction among older people
Authors: ANDRADE CLÁUDIA CAMPOS , PEREIRA CÍCERO ROBERTO , SILVA PEDRO ALCÂNTARA DA
Published: July 2017

Hearing loss is frequent in old age and has been associated with fewer social activities and depression. However, hearing problems have also been associated with other comorbidities, which prevent more definitive conclusions about the unique role on older people's wellbeing. Moreover, little attention has been paid to the psychological processes through which this relationship occurs. This study aims to investigate the effect of hearing loss on older adults’ wellbeing from a longitudinal perspective. Using data from three points in time, we investigated the mutual relationship between hearing loss, depression and social activities. Based on longitudinal data of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) from ten European countries, we conducted the test of competing auto-regressive cross-lagged theoretical models. Results show that hearing loss reduces social activity, which is mediated by depression. The adequacy of this model (versus a model proposing that social activity restriction mediates the relationship between hearing loss and depression) was supported in each of the countries of the sample. Findings showing that hearing loss can contribute to depression and, subsequently, to restriction in social activities have implications for early detection and clinical interventions on hearing loss.
Biogeographical patterns among deep sea megabenthic communities across the Drake Passage
Authors: Auscavitch Steven R. , Waller Rhian G.
Published: July 2017

Biogeographical patterns among deep sea benthic communities in the Drake Passage remain poorly understood as a consequence of poor sampling resolution and the spatial remoteness of many sea floor features. Hard-bottom features, including at least 20 seamounts, remain uncharacterized with respect to their benthic megafaunal community assemblages. Here, we present community assemblage patterns from several locations across the Drake Passage to better understand the faunal relationships between deep sea floor communities in the region. Towed camera surveys were conducted on nine topographical features ranging from shelf environments on the southern Chilean Margin, the western Antarctic Peninsula shelf and seamounts in the central Drake Passage. These are the first quantitative measurements of megafaunal abundance at two seamount complexes in the central Drake Passage and multivariate analyses are used to examine the factors influencing species distributions. Three biogeographical groupings were identified based on species assemblages and environmental variables specific to major water mass boundaries in the region: sub-Antarctic Mode Water (318–523 m), Antarctic Intermediate Water (504–1128 m) and Circumpolar Deep Water (1837–3034 m). Further examination of megafaunal associations between sea floor structures may provide clues as to how sub-Antarctic communities are connected throughout the greater Southern Ocean.
Dazzled by the dominions of dopamine: clinical roles of D3, D2, and D1 receptors
Authors: Stahl Stephen M.
Published: July 2017

Unravelling the mystery of dopamine neurotransmission, especially at its 3 most clinically relevant receptors, D3, D2, and D1, helps explain the pathophysiology of numerous psychiatric and neurologic symptoms in various CNS disorders that are theoretically caused by dysregulation of this neurotransmitter.
TRUCK SAFETY BARRIERS FOR MINING SITES
Authors: FOWKES NEVILLE , DURKIN STEVE , BASSOM ANDREW P.
Published: July 2017

Safescape is a Western Australian company that has recently developed a device for improved safety in open-pit mines. Serious accidents can occur when large trucks veer off the roads running around the edge of the mine. The conventional technique to mitigate the risk is to pile waste rock to form a so-called bund on the edge of the road. This method is not fail safe though as vehicles can, and do, drive completely over the bund. In this paper, we describe a new device that consists of a row of filled polyethylene shell units which are linked together and sit on the road side of the rock bund. The vertical front face of the edge protector prevents out of control dump trucks from climbing over the bund and into the pit, so that they push against the barriers and heave the broken rock behind the bund. The models developed here suggest that the primary resistance to an impacting truck is provided by the large heaving force with the barrier simply facilitating this process. The theory indicates that the total resistance is independent of truck speed, meaning that simple barrier pushing experiments are sufficient to validate the analysis. The conclusions of the theory and field tests suggest that in a worst-case scenario involving the normal impact of a 500 tonne filled dump truck, the barriers and bund move a few metres before coming to rest.
Anaerobic microorganisms in astrobiological analogue environments: from field site to culture collection
Authors: Cockell C. S. , Schwendner P. , Perras A. , Rettberg P. , Beblo-Vranesevic K. , Bohmeier M. , Rabbow E. , Moissl-Eichinger C. , Wink L. , Marteinsson V. , Vannier P. , Gomez F. , Garcia-Descalzo L. , Ehrenfreund P. , Monaghan E.P. , Westall F. , Gaboyer F. , Amils R. , Malki M. , Pukall R. , Cabezas P. , Walter N.
Published: July 2017

Astrobiology seeks to understand the limits of life and to determine the physiology of organisms in order to better assess the habitability of other worlds. To successfully achieve these goals we require microorganisms from environments on Earth that approximate to extraterrestrial environments in terms of physical and/or chemical conditions. The most challenging of these environments with respect to sample collection, isolation and cultivation of microorganisms are anoxic environments. In this paper, an approach to this challenge was implemented within the European Union's MASE (Mars Analogues for Space Exploration) project. In this review paper, we aim to provide a set of methods for future field work and sampling campaigns. A number of anoxic environment based on characteristics that make them analogous to past and present locations on Mars were selected. They included anoxic sulphur-rich springs (Germany), the salt-rich Boulby Mine (UK), a lake in a basaltic context (Iceland), acidic sediments in the Rio Tinto (Spain), glacier samples (Austria) and permafrost samples (Russia and Canada). Samples were collected under strict anoxic conditions to be used for cultivation and genomic community analysis. Using the samples, a culturing approach was implemented to enrich anaerobic organisms using a defined medium that would allow for organisms to be grown under identical conditions in future physiological comparisons. Anaerobic microorganisms were isolated and deposited with the DSMZ (Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH) culture collection to make them available to other scientists. In MASE, the selected organisms are studied with respect to survival and growth under Mars relevant stresses. They are artificially fossilized and the resulting biosignatures studied and used to investigate the efficacy of life detection instrumentation for planetary missions. Some of the organisms belong to genera with medical and environmental importance such asYersiniaspp., illustrating how astrobiology field research can be used to increase the availability of microbial isolates for applied terrestrial purposes.
Psychometric Properties of the Brief Version of the Social Skills Inventory for Adolescents
Authors: Romera Leme Vanessa Barbosa , Valentini Felipe , Campos Josiane Rosa , Del Prette Almir , Del Prette Zilda A. P.
Published: July 2017

The present study aimed to evaluate the evidence of internal structure and scores reliability of the Social Skills Inventory for adolescents - brief version (IHSA-Del-Prette). The following analyses were performed: (1) Exploratory Factor Analysis - EFA; (2) Confirmatory Factor Analysis - CFA; (3) Reliability; (4) Multigroup Analysis (invariance). The participants were 2,291 students of the Middle and High Schools, both sexes aged 12 to 17 years old divided into two sample groups: 1,172 participants in sample group 1 (collected 2006–2007) and 1,119 in sample group 2 (collected 2011–2012). The results of the EFA (group 1) support the four subscales structure (Self-control, Affective Approach, Empathy and Assertiveness) for 16 items (loadings > .30). The structure was confirmed by the CFA performed on the second group (CFI = .96, TLI = .95, RMSEA = .05, 90% CI [.04, .05], loadings > .50); and showed scalar invariance (samples 1 and 2) due to group and age, as well as partial scalar invariance due to gender (ΔCFI < .01; ΔNCI < .02). It was concluded the brief version of IHSA-Del-Prette presents psychometric properties for use in the Brazilian context.
Particle focusing by 3D inertial microfluidics
Authors: Paiè Petra , Bragheri Francesca , Di Carlo Dino , Osellame Roberto
Published: July 2017

Three-dimensional (3D) particle focusing in microfluidics is a fundamental capability with a wide range of applications, such as on-chip flow cytometry, where high-throughput analysis at the single-cell level is performed. Currently, 3D focusing is achieved mainly in devices with complex layouts, additional sheath fluids, and complex pumping systems. In this work, we present a compact microfluidic device capable of 3D particle focusing at high flow rates and with a small footprint, without the requirement of external fields or lateral sheath flows, but using only a single-inlet, single-outlet microfluidic sequence of straight channels and tightly curving vertical loops. This device exploits inertial fluidic effects that occur in a laminar regime at sufficiently high flow rates, manipulating the particle positions by the combination of inertial lift forces and Dean drag forces. The device is fabricated by femtosecond laser irradiation followed by chemical etching, which is a simple two-step process enabling the creation of 3D microfluidic networks in fused silica glass substrates. The use of tightly curving three-dimensional microfluidic loops produces strong Dean drag forces along the whole loop but also induces an asymmetric Dean flow decay in the subsequent straight channel, thus producing rapid cross-sectional mixing flows that assist with 3D particle focusing. The use of out-of-plane loops favors a compact parallelization of multiple focusing channels, allowing one to process large amounts of samples. In addition, the low fluidic resistance of the channel network is compatible with vacuum driven flows. The resulting device is quite interesting for high-throughput on-chip flow cytometry.
A novel hierarchical porous nitrogen-doped carbon derived from bamboo shoot for high performance supercapacitor
Authors: Chen Xiufang , Zhang Junyi , Zhang Bo , Dong Shanmu , Guo Xingcui , Mu Xindong , Fei Benhua
Published: July 2017

Porous N-doped carbons hold good prospects for application in supercapacitor due to their low-cost, large surface area, good surface wettability, high electrical conductivity as well as extra pseudocapacitance. However, most synthetic methods required the tedious and multiple-step process with the assistance of hard/soft templates or the massive use of chemical reagents, and exogenous nitrogen sources, which made them difficult to realize industrial production and application. Here, we described a novel hierarchical porous N-doped carbons fabricated by a facile and sustainable approach via hydrothermal treatment and subsequent carbonization process by using renewable bamboo shoots as the starting material without any templates, additional chemical activation and nitrogen source. The obtained bamboo shoot-derived carbons possessed a large BET surface area (up to 972 m2 g−1), hierarchically interconnected porous framework, rich and uniform nitrogen incorporation (3.0 at%). Benefiting from these unique features, the novel carbon-based electrode materials displayed a high capacitance of 412 F g−1 in KOH electrolyte and long cycling life stability. Thus, an advanced electrode material for high-performance supercapacitor was successfully assembled by a simple and scalable synthesis route with abundant renewable resources freely available in nature.
Decreased long-chain acylcarnitines from insufficient β-oxidation as potential early diagnostic markers for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Saiki Shinji , Hatano Taku , Fujimaki Motoki , Ishikawa Kei-Ichi , Mori Akio , Oji Yutaka , Okuzumi Ayami , Fukuhara Takeshi , Koinuma Takahiro , Imamichi Yoko , Nagumo Miho , Furuya Norihiko , Nojiri Shuko , Amo Taku , Yamashiro Kazuo , Hattori Nobutaka
Published: July 2017

Increasing evidence shows that metabolic abnormalities in body fluids are distinguishing features of the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease. However, a non-invasive approach has not been established in the earliest or pre-symptomatic phases. Here, we report comprehensive double-cohort analyses of the metabolome using capillary electrophoresis/liquid chromatography mass-spectrometry. The plasma analyses identified 18 Parkinson’s disease-specific metabolites and revealed decreased levels of seven long-chain acylcarnitines in two Parkinson’s disease cohorts (n = 109, 145) compared with controls (n = 32, 45), respectively. Furthermore, statistically significant decreases in five long-chain acylcarnitines were detected in Hoehn and Yahr stage I. Likewise, decreased levels of acylcarnitine(16:0), a decreased ratio of acylcarnitine(16:0) to fatty acid(16:0), and an increased index of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 were identified in Hoehn and Yahr stage I of both cohorts, suggesting of initial β-oxidation suppression. Receiver operating characteristic curves produced using 12–14 long-chain acylcarnitines provided a large area of under the curve, high specificity and moderate sensitivity for diagnosing Parkinson’s disease. Our data demonstrate that a primary decrement of mitochondrial β-oxidation and that 12–14 long-chain acylcarnitines decreases would be promising diagnostic biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease.
Clinical dosage of meclozine promotes longitudinal bone growth, bone volume, and trabecular bone quality in transgenic mice with achondroplasia
Authors: Matsushita Masaki , Esaki Ryusaku , Mishima Kenichi , Ishiguro Naoki , Ohno Kinji , Kitoh Hiroshi
Published: July 2017

Achondroplasia (ACH) is the most common short-limbed skeletal dysplasia caused by gain-of-function mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3). No effective FGFR3-targeted therapies for ACH are currently available. By drug repositioning strategies, we identified that meclozine, which has been used as an anti-motion-sickness, suppressed FGFR3 signaling in chondrocytes and rescued short-limbed phenotype in ACH mouse model. Here, we conducted various pharmacological tests for future clinical application in ACH. Pharmacokinetic analyses demonstrated that peak drug concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of 2 mg/kg of meclozine to mice was lower than that of 25 mg/body to human, which is a clinical usage for anti-motion-sickness. Pharmacokinetic simulation studies showed that repeated dose of 2 mg/kg of meclozine showed no accumulation effects. Short stature phenotype in the transgenic mice was significantly rescued by twice-daily oral administration of 2 mg/kg/day of meclozine. In addition to stimulation of longitudinal bone growth, bone volume and metaphyseal trabecular bone quality were improved by meclozine treatment. We confirmed a preclinical proof of concept for applying meclozine for the treatment of short stature in ACH, although toxicity and adverse events associated with long-term administration of this drug should be examined.
Tuneable strong optical absorption in a graphene-insulator-metal hybrid plasmonic device
Authors: Matthaiakakis N. , Yan Xingzhao , Mizuta H. , Charlton M. D. B.
Published: July 2017

An optical device configuration allowing efficient electrical tuning of near total optical absorption in monolayer graphene is reported. This is achieved by combining a two-dimensional gold coated diffraction grating with a transparent spacer and a suspended graphene layer to form a doubly resonant plasmonic structure. Electrical tuneability is achieved with the inclusion of an ionic gel layer which plays the role of the gate dielectric. The underlying grating comprises a 2-dimensional array of inverted pyramids with a triple layer coating consisting of a reflective gold layer and two transparent dielectric spacers, also forming a vertical micro-cavity known as a Salisbury screen. Resonant coupling of plasmons between the gold grating and graphene result in strong enhancement of plasmon excitations in the atomic monolayer. Plasmon excitations can be dynamically switched off by lowering the chemical potential of graphene. Very high absorption values for an atomic monolayer and large tuning range, extremely large electrostatically induced changes in absorption over very small shifts in chemical potential are possible thus allowing for very sharp transitions in the optical behavior of the device. Overall this leads to the possibility of making electrically tunable plasmonic switches and optical memory elements by exploiting slow modes.
cAMP receptor protein regulates mouse colonization, motility, fimbria-mediated adhesion, and stress tolerance in uropathogenic Proteus mirabilis
Authors: Tsai Yi-Lin , Chien Hsiung-Fei , Huang Kuo-Tong , Lin Wen-Yuan , Liaw Shwu-Jen
Published: July 2017

Cyclic AMP receptor protein (Crp) is a major transcriptional regulator in bacteria. This study demonstrated that Crp affects numerous virulence-related phenotypes, including colonization of mice, motility, fimbria-mediated adhesion, and glucose stress tolerance in uropathogenic Proteus mirabilis. Diabetic mice were more susceptible to kidney colonization by wild-type strain than nondiabetic mice, in which the crp mutant exhibited increased kidney colonization. Loss of crp or addition of 10% glucose increased the P. mirabilis adhesion to kidney cells. Direct negative regulation of pmpA (which encodes the major subunit of P-like fimbriae) expression by Crp was demonstrated using a reporter assay and DNase I footprinting. Moreover, the pmpA/crp double mutant exhibited reduced kidney adhesion comparable to that of the pmpA mutant, and mouse kidney colonization by the pmpA mutant was significantly attenuated. Hence, the upregulation of P-like fimbriae in the crp mutant substantially enhanced kidney colonization. Moreover, increased survival in macrophages, increased stress tolerance, RpoS upregulation, and flagellum deficiency leading to immune evasion may promote kidney colonization by the crp mutant. This is the first study to elucidate the role of Crp in the virulence of uropathogenic P. mirabilis, underlying mechanisms, and related therapeutic potential.
Data Mining for Three-Dimensional Organic Dirac Materials: Focus on Space Group 19
Authors: Geilhufe R. Matthias , Borysov Stanislav S. , Bouhon Adrien , Balatsky Alexander V.
Published: July 2017

We combined the group theory and data mining approach within the Organic Materials Database that leads to the prediction of stable Dirac-point nodes within the electronic band structure of three-dimensional organic crystals. We find a particular space group P212121 (#19) that is conducive to the Dirac nodes formation. We prove that nodes are a consequence of the orthorhombic crystal structure. Within the electronic band structure, two different kinds of nodes can be distinguished: 8-fold degenerate Dirac nodes protected by the crystalline symmetry and 4-fold degenerate Dirac nodes protected by band topology. Mining the Organic Materials Database, we present band structure calculations and symmetry analysis for 6 previously synthesized organic materials. In all these materials, the Dirac nodes are well separated within the energy and located near the Fermi surface, which opens up a possibility for their direct experimental observation.
Estimation of the impact of Fasciola hepatica infection on time taken for UK beef cattle to reach slaughter weight
Authors: Mazeri Stella , Rydevik Gustaf , Handel Ian , Bronsvoort Barend M. deC. , Sargison Neil
Published: July 2017

Fasciolosis is common in UK beef cattle, but it is unclear at what levels liver fluke burdens cause production losses. This study aimed to address these uncertainties by estimating the impact of liver fluke infection on UK beef cattle productivity and investigating the use of diagnostic tests in a quantitative manner. We built three linear regression models for slaughter age by weight and different measures of liver fluke status, while accounting for sex, breed, season, year and farm of origin. Data were sourced from Scotland’s largest red meat abattoir throughout 2013 and 2014. Our Meat Hygiene Service model estimated that cattle classified as having liver fluke damage had on average 10 days greater slaughter age than animals with no evidence of fasciolosis. Our liver fibrosis model estimated that the increase in slaughter age was more severe for higher fibrosis scores. Similarly, our burden model showed an increase in slaughter age for animals with as few as 1 to 10 parasites found in their livers. Lastly, we used receiver operating characteristic curves to show that serum antibody ELISA, copro-antigen ELISA and faecal egg counting can be useful in distinguishing between animals with and without production limiting levels of fasciolosis.
Neurite elongation is highly correlated with bulk forward translocation of microtubules
Authors: Athamneh Ahmad I. M. , He Yingpei , Lamoureux Phillip , Fix Lucas , Suter Daniel M. , Miller Kyle E.
Published: July 2017

During the development of the nervous system and regeneration following injury, microtubules (MTs) are required for neurite elongation. Whether this elongation occurs primarily through tubulin assembly at the tip of the axon, the transport of individual MTs, or because MTs translocate forward in bulk is unclear. Using fluorescent speckle microscopy (FSM), differential interference contrast (DIC), and phase contrast microscopy, we tracked the movement of MTs, phase dense material, and docked mitochondria in chick sensory and Aplysia bag cell neurons growing rapidly on physiological substrates. In all cases, we find that MTs and other neuritic components move forward in bulk at a rate that on average matches the velocity of neurite elongation. To better understand whether and why MT assembly is required for bulk translocation, we disrupted it with nocodazole. We found this blocked the forward bulk advance of material along the neurite and was paired with a transient increase in axonal tension. This indicates that disruption of MT dynamics interferes with neurite outgrowth, not by disrupting the net assembly of MTs at the growth cone, but rather because it alters the balance of forces that power the bulk forward translocation of MTs.
Dietary perturbations alter the ecological significance of ingested Lactobacillus plantarum in the digestive tract
Authors: Yin Xiaochen , Lee Bokyung , Zaragoza Jose , Marco Maria L.
Published: July 2017

Host diet is a major determinant of the composition and function of the intestinal microbiome. Less understood is the importance of diet on ingested strains with probiotic significance. We investigated the population dynamics of exogenous Lactobacillus plantarum and its interactions with intestinal bacteria in mice undergoing switches between high-fat, high-sugar (HFHSD) and low-fat, plant-polysaccharide rich (LFPPD) diets. The survival and persistence of ingested L. plantarum WCFS1 was significantly improved during mouse consumption of HFHSD and was negatively associated with the numbers of indigenous Lactobacillus species. Diet also rapidly changed the composition of the indigenous microbiota, but with some taxa differentially affected between HFHSD periods. L. plantarum was not integrated into indigenous bacterial community networks according to co-occurrence patterns but still conferred distinct effects on bacterial species diversity and microbiota stability largely in a diet-dependent manner. Metagenome predictions supported the premise that L. plantarum dampens the effects of diet on the microbiome. This strain also consistently altered the predicted genetic content in the distal gut by enriching for genes encoding glyosyltransferases and bile salt hydrolases. Our findings demonstrate the interactions between ingested, transient probiotic bacteria and intestinal bacterial communities and how they can differ depending on host diet.
Pathogenicity and peramivir efficacy in immunocompromised murine models of influenza B virus infection
Authors: Pascua Philippe Noriel Q. , Mostafa Heba H. , Marathe Bindumadhav M. , Vogel Peter , Russell Charles J. , Webby Richard J. , Govorkova Elena A.
Published: July 2017

Influenza B viruses are important human pathogens that remain inadequately studied, largely because available animal models are poorly defined. Here, we developed an immunocompromised murine models for influenza B virus infection, which we subsequently used to study pathogenicity and to examine antiviral efficacy of the neuraminidase inhibitor peramivir. We studied three influenza B viruses that represent both the Yamagata (B/Massachusetts/2/2012 and B/Phuket/3073/2013) and Victoria (B/Brisbane/60/2008, BR/08) lineages. BR/08 was the most pathogenic in genetically modified immunocompromised mice [BALBscidand non-obese diabetic (NOD)scidstrains] causing lethal infection without prior adaptation. The immunocompromised mice demonstrated prolonged virus shedding with modest induction of immune responses compared to BALB/c. Rather than severe virus burden, BR/08 virus-associated disease severity correlated with extensive virus spread and severe pulmonary pathology, stronger and persistent natural killer cell responses, and the extended induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In contrast to a single-dose treatment (75 mg/kg/day), repeated doses of peramivir rescued BALBscidmice from lethal challenge with BR/08, but did not result in complete virus clearance. In summary, we have established immunocompromised murine models for influenza B virus infection that will facilitate evaluations of the efficacy of currently available and investigational anti-influenza drugs.
Aspergillus Secondary Metabolite Database, a resource to understand the Secondary metabolome of Aspergillus genus
Authors: Vadlapudi Varahalarao , Borah Nabajyoti , Yellusani Kanaka Raju , Gade Sriramya , Reddy Prabhakar , Rajamanikyam Maheshwari , Vempati Lakshmi Narasimha Santosh , Gubbala Satya Prakash , Chopra Pankaj , Upadhyayula Suryanarayana Murty , Amanchy Ramars
Published: July 2017

Aspergillus is a genus of ubiquitous fungi that are pathologically & therapeutically important. Aspergillus Secondary Metabolites Database (A2MDB) is a curated compendium of information on Aspergillus & its secondary metabolome. A2MDB catalogs 807 unique non-redundantsecondary metabolites derived from 675 Aspergillus species. A2MDB has a compilation of 100 cellular targets of secondary metabolites, 44 secondary metabolic pathways, 150 electron and light microscopy images of various Aspergillus species. A phylogenetic representation of over 2500 strains has been provided. A2MDB presents a detailed chemical information of secondary metabolites and their mycotoxins. Molecular docking models of metabolite-target protein interactions have been put together. A2MDB also has epidemiological data representing Aspergillosis and global occurrence of Aspergillus species. Furthermore a novel classification of Aspergillosis along with 370 case reports with images, were made available. For each metabolite catalogued, external links to related databases have been provided. All this data is available on A2MDB, launched through Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India, as an open resource http://www.iictindia.org/A2MDB. We believe A2MDB is of practical relevance to the scientific community that is in pursuit of novel therapeutics.
Magnetic frustration induced large magnetocaloric effect in the absence of long range magnetic order
Authors: Pakhira Santanu , Mazumdar Chandan , Ranganathan R. , Avdeev Maxim
Published: July 2017

We have synthesized a new intermetallic compound Ho2Ni0.95Si2.95 in a single phase with a defect crystal structure. The magnetic ground state of this material found to be highly frustrated without any long range order or glassy feature as investigated through magnetic, heat capacity and neutron diffraction measurements. The interest in this material stems from the fact that despite the absence of true long range order, large magnetocaloric effect (isothermal magnetic entropy change, −ΔSM ~ 28.65 J/Kg K (~205.78 mJ/cm3 K), relative cooling power, RCP ~ 696 J/Kg (~5 J/cm3) and adiabatic temperature change, ΔT
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 ~ 9.32 K for a field change of 70 kOe) has been observed which is rather hard to find in nature.
Ratiometric fluorescent probe with AIE property for monitoring endogenous hydrogen peroxide in macrophages and cancer cells
Authors: Liu Yong , Nie Jing , Niu Jie , Meng Fangfang , Lin Weiying
Published: July 2017

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) plays a key role in the progression of human illnesses, such as autoimmune and auto-inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases, diabetes, and cancer, etc. In this work, we have discribed a novel probe, TPE-TLE, which remarkably displayed AIE property and ratiometric fluorescence emission profiles in the presence of H2O2. This ratiometric fluorescent probe with AIE property exhibits outstanding features such as the well-resolved emission peaks, high sensitivity, high selectivity, low cytotoxicity, and good cell-membrane permeability. These excellent attributes enable us to demonstrate the ratiometric imaging of endogenously produced H2O2 in macrophages and cancer cells based on the novel ratiometric probe with AIE property for the first time. By comparing two kinds of cells, it is firstly found that cancer cells should contain much more endogenous H2O2 than macrophages. We expect that TPE-TLE will be useful fluorescent platform for the development of a variety of ratiometric fluorescent probes with AIE property to achieve unique biological applications.
Secretome profiles of immortalized dental follicle cells using iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis
Authors: Dou Lei , Wu Yan , Yan Qifang , Wang Jinhua , Zhang Yan , Ji Ping
Published: July 2017

Secretomes produced by mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were considered to be therapeutic potential. However, harvesting enough primary MSCs from tissue was time-consuming and costly, which impeded the application of MSCs secretomes. This study was to immortalize MSCs and compare the secretomes profile of immortalized and original MSCs. Human dental follicle cells (DFCs) were isolated and immortalized using pMPH86. The secretome profile of immortalized DFCs (iDFCs) was investigated and compared using iTRAQ labeling combined with mass spectrometry (MS) quantitative proteomics. The MS data was analyzed using ProteinPilotTM software, and then bioinformatic analysis of identified proteins was done. A total of 2092 secreted proteins were detected in conditioned media of iDFCs. Compared with primary DFCs, 253 differently expressed proteins were found in iDFCs secretome (142 up-regulated and 111 down-regulated). Intensive bioinformatic analysis revealed that the majority of secreted proteins were involved in cellular process, metabolic process, biological regulation, cellular component organization or biogenesis, immune system process, developmental process, response to stimulus and signaling. Proteomic profile of cell secretome wasn’t largely affected after immortalization converted by this piggyBac immortalization system. The secretome of iDFCs may be a good candidate of primary DFCs for regenerative medicine.
Natural enemies partially compensate for warming induced excess herbivory in an organic growth system
Authors: Beleznai Orsolya , Dreyer Jamin , Tóth Zoltán , Samu Ferenc
Published: July 2017

Predators can limit prey abundance and/or levels of activity. The magnitudes of these effects are contingent on predator and prey traits that may change with environmental conditions. Aberrant thermal regimes could disrupt pest suppression through asymmetric effects, e.g. heat-sensitive predator vs. heat-tolerant prey. To explore potential effects of warming on suppressing pests and controlling herbivory in a vegetable crop, we performed laboratory experiments exposing an important pest species to two spider predator species at different temperatures. Heat tolerance was characterised by the critical thermal maxima parameter (CTM50) of the cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata), wolf spider (Tigrosa helluo), and nursery web spider (Pisaurina mira). Cucumber beetles and wolf spiders were equally heat tolerant (CTM50 > 40 °C), but nursery web spiders had limited heat tolerance (CTM50 = 34 °C). Inside mesocosms, beetle feeding increased with temperature, wolf spiders were always effective predators, nursery web spiders were less lethal at high temperature (38 °C). Neither spider species reduced herbivory at ambient temperature (22 °C), however, at warm temperature both species reduced herbivory with evidence of a dominant non-consumptive effect. Our experiments highlight the contingent nature of predator-prey interactions and suggest that non-consumptive effects should not be ignored when assessing the impact of temperature change.