bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contrasting acclimation abilities of two dominant boreal conifers to elevated CO2 and temperature
Authors: Kurepin Leonid V. , Stangl Zsofia R. , Ivanov Alexander G. , Bui Vi , Mema Marin , Hüner Norman P.A. , Öquist Gunnar , Way Danielle , Hurry Vaughan
Published: February 2018

High latitude forests will experience large changes in temperature and CO2 concentrations this century. We evaluated the effects of future climate conditions on 2 dominant boreal tree species, Pinus sylvestris L. and Picea abies (L.) H. Karst, exposing seedlings to 3 seasons of ambient (430 ppm) or elevated CO2 (750 ppm) and ambient temperatures, a + 4 °C warming or a + 8 °C warming. Pinus sylvestris responded positively to warming: seedlings developed a larger canopy, maintained high net CO2 assimilation rates (Anet), and acclimated dark respiration (Rdark). In contrast, carbon fluxes in Picea abies were negatively impacted by warming: maximum rates of Anet decreased, electron transport was redirected to alternative electron acceptors, and thermal acclimation of Rdark was weak. Elevated CO2 tended to exacerbate these effects in warm‐grown Picea abies, and by the end of the experiment Picea abies from the +8 °C, high CO2 treatment produced fewer buds than they had 3 years earlier. Treatments had little effect on leaf and wood anatomy. Our results highlight that species within the same plant functional type may show opposite responses to warming and imply that Picea abies may be particularly vulnerable to warming due to low plasticity in photosynthetic and respiratory metabolism.
Giant reed genotypes from temperate and arid environments show different response mechanisms to drought
Authors: Zegada‐Lizarazu Walter , Della Rocca Giammi , Centritto Mauro , Parenti Andrea , Monti Andrea
Published: February 2018

Studies at the root level and how the root–shoot interactions may influence the whole crop performance of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) under limited water conditions are largely missing. In the present study, we illustrate the effects of water stress on some phenotypic traits at the root–shoot levels of two giant reed genotypes (from Morocco and Northern Italy) that were reported to have different adaptive hydraulic stem conductivities despite the limited genetic variability of the species. The trial was carried out in 1 m3 rhizotrons (1 × 1 × 1 m) for two consecutive growing seasons. As expected, both genotypes showed an effective behavior to contrast water shortage; however, the Moroccan genotype showed a higher leaf water potential, a lower root length density (RLD) and thinner roots in the upper soil layer (0–20 cm), and similar to control RLD values at deep soil layers (40–60 cm). On the other hand the Italian genotype showed the opposite pattern; that is no drought (DR) effects in RLD and root diameter at upper soil layers and reduced RLD in deep layers, thus revealing different DR adaptation characteristics between two genotypes. This DR adaptation variability might bring new insights on DR tolerance of giant reed identifying potential traits aimed to improve the integral plant functioning, to a more efficient use of water resources, and to a more effective crop allocation to targeted stressful conditions under a climate change scenario that foresees the increase of DR periods.
Sentence composition ability in two patients with non‐fluent/agrammatic variant primary progressive aphasia
Authors: Watanabe Hiroyuki , Matsuda Minoru , Ota Shoko , Baba Toru , Iizuka Osamu , Mori Etsuro
Published: February 2018

Agrammatism is one of the core clinical features of non‐fluent/agrammatic variant primary progressive aphasia, and it has traditionally been considered the hallmark of non‐fluent aphasia in Western countries. However, agrammatic speech may remain undetected in Japanese patients because of the agglutinative structure of the language and high flexibility in word order. In the present study, we aimed to analyze agrammatism in the speech production of Japanese patients with aphasia due to neurodegenerative disease using an anagram test generated by our laboratory. Four patients were recruited from the dementia clinic at Tohoku University Hospital between December 2014 and August 2015: two patients with non‐fluent/agrammatic variant primary progressive aphasia, one with semantic variant primary progressive aphasia, and one with probable Alzheimer's disease experiencing episodic memory impairment accompanied by transcortical sensory aphasia. All patients underwent thorough neurological and neuropsychological testing before performing a Japanese anagram task based on the Northwestern Anagram Test. Our findings indicated that the two patients with non‐fluent/agrammatic variant primary progressive aphasia exhibited poorer performance on the anagram task than the remaining two patients. Therefore, the anagram test used in the present study may aid in detecting output aspects of agrammatism in Japanese patients with aphasia, although future studies are required to develop a standardized version of test.
Exploration outcomes of M&A: the interplay between coordination mechanisms and acquisition experience
Authors: Dao Mai Anh , Strobl Andreas
Published: February 2018

Post‐acquisition exploration aims at triggering innovation outcomes through newly acquired resources and capabilities. To this end, formal and informal mechanisms contribute to coordinating such exploration goals. As the usefulness of such coordination mechanisms in merger and acquisition (M&A) depends upon transaction experience, we investigate how tacit and explicit acquisition experience influences the outcomes of formal and informal coordination mechanisms on post‐merger exploration. Based on a sample of 115 transactions of German, Austrian, and Swiss acquirers, our results demonstrate that exploration outcomes are fostered through informal coordination mechanisms. Yet the effect is dampened when previous M&A experiences are held tacit. Formal coordination mechanisms show positive influences on post‐acquisition exploration only when acquisition experience is made explicit. In combination with tacit M&A experience, formal coordination has a negative influence. Thus, we contribute to the extant literature by showing which coordination mechanisms can be utilized to foster post‐acquisition exploration and how explicit and tacit M&A experience can be deployed effectively.
How can new ventures command a price premium with innovations in emerging markets?
Authors: Shi Haina , Xu Haoping
Published: February 2018

Successful financing is critical for new ventures' survival and future sustainable growth. With the unique institutional characteristics, it is especially difficult for new ventures in emerging economies to transform innovation capital into favorable investor responses (such as willingness‐to‐pay, WTP) during the process of initial public offerings (IPOs). Based on the patent records from a unique sample of Chinese firms, we demonstrate that new ventures can successfully leverage innovation for higher WTP in IPOs contingent on the existence of venture capital ownership and reputable underwriter endorsements. These financial intermediates can send inside‐out and outside‐in signals to market investors to reduce information asymmetry. Our study contributes to research on the valuation of innovations in IPOs. We also provide practical implications to managers and investors of new ventures. We provide implication to managers and investors of new ventures on how to increase the benefits from innovations, which fosters national economic growth and social welfare.
Soluble MHC class II‐driven therapy for a systemic lupus erythematosus murine experimental in vitro and in vivo model
Authors: Bakela K. , Dimakopoulou M. , Batsou P. , Manidakis N. , Athanassakis I.
Published: February 2018

Taking into consideration the multiparametric nature of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the severity and variability of symptoms and the lack of effective therapeutic approaches, this study took advantage of the recently described role of soluble major histocompatibility complex class II (sMHCII) molecules in maintaining tolerance to the organism and attempted to apply sMHCII proteins as a treatment to murine SLE experimental models in vitro as well as in vivo. After breaking tolerance to DNA in vitro, which was accompanied by development of specific anti‐dsDNA antibodies, syngeneic or allogeneic sMHCII molecules, purified from healthy mouse serum, could significantly reduce the specific antibody levels and drive the system towards immunosuppression, as assessed by specific marker analysis on T cells and cytokine production by flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. The in vivo experimental model consisted of pristane‐induced SLE symptoms to BALB/c mice, which developed maximal levels of anti‐dsDNA 2 months after pristane inoculation. Syngeneic or allogeneic sMHCII administration could alleviate pristane‐induced symptoms, significantly decrease specific anti‐dsDNA antibody production and develop immunosuppression to the host, as manifested by increase of CD4 + CTLA‐4 +  and CD4 + CD25 +  cell populations in the spleen. Thus, the results presented in this study introduced the ability of sMHCII proteins to suppress specific autoantigen response, opening new areas of research and offering novel therapeutic approaches to SLE with expanding features to other autoimmune diseases.
Mangrove forest dynamics in Tanintharyi, Myanmar from 1989–2014, and the role of future economic and political developments
Authors: Gaw Leon Y.F. , Linkie Matthew , Friess Daniel A.
Published: February 2018

Mangrove forests in Southeast Asia provide many ecosystem services, though are experiencing extensive deforestation, especially in Myanmar. Recent political and economic reforms in Myanmar are projected to further increase development pressures on natural resources. Mangrove forests in the southern state of Tanintharyi have largely been spared clearance because of poor infrastructure and a volatile security situation, though this may change with plans for economic expansion. We quantified land cover dynamics and proximate drivers of mangrove deforestation in Tanintharyi between 1989 and 2014 using a remote sensing approach over five time intervals. Tanintharyi experienced low mangrove cover loss overall, as compared with other regions of Myanmar, with 3.2 per cent being deforested over 25 years. However, this statistic hides large site‐specific losses and gains, which varied significantly within the study area. Myeik district lost 210 km2 of mangrove over 25 years, but also gained 132 km2. Dawei and Kawthung had minimal net loss of mangroves because of extensive mangrove regeneration. This historical mangrove baseline is essential for supporting environmentally‐conscious development in Myanmar's southernmost state.
Whorl pattern keratopathies in veterinary and human patients
Authors: Kim Soohyun , Thomasy Sara M. , Ramsey David , Zhao Min , Mannis Mark J. , Murphy Christopher J.
Published: February 2018

The course travelled by corneal epithelial cells from their stem cell niche at the limbus toward the vertex of the cornea is normally not evident due to their transparency, but in certain conditions, the epithelial cells can be rendered visible to the clinician. In such cases, the pathway taken by epithelial cells can manifest as a whorl pattern described using a variety of terms including hurricane keratitis/keratopathy, vortex keratopathy, whorl keratopathy, cornea verticillata, and at times, named after causative agents as exemplified by amiodarone keratopathy. Here, we briefly discuss the terminology used and the spectrum of conditions that can result in keratopathies with whorl patterns in human patients. We review the manifestations of such patterns in veterinary patients and discuss the state of understanding of the underlying forces that create the whorl distribution of epithelial cells on the ocular surface.
Sub‐Tenon's anesthesia for canine cataract surgery
Authors: Bayley Kellam D. , Read R. A.
Published: February 2018

Objective

To test a sub‐Tenon's anesthesia technique in dogs as an alternative to systemic neuromuscular blockade to aid in canine cataract surgery under general anesthesia.

Procedures

A prospective controlled clinical study was performed involving 12 dogs undergoing bilateral cataract surgery under general anesthesia. One eye was randomly assigned to have phacoemulsification and prosthetic lens implantation performed with sub‐Tenon's anesthesia (STA), and the control eye had surgery performed with systemic neuromuscular blockade (NMB). Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured immediately before and afterSTAadministration. Globe position, globe rotation, pupillary dilation, and vitreal expansion were assessed for bothSTAandNMBeyes during surgery.

Results

Sub‐Tenon's anesthesia produced a globe position suitable for cataract surgery with the degree of vitreal expansion not significantly different to controlNMBeyes.STAproduced greater anterior globe displacement thanNMBin all cases.STAhad no significant effect onIOP.

Conclusion

Sub‐Tenon's anesthesia was an effective alternative to systemic neuromuscular blockade for canine cataract surgery and may be beneficial for surgical exposure in deep orbited breeds.
Technique, postoperative complications, and visual outcomes of phacoemulsification cataract surgery in 21 penguins (27 eyes): 2011‐2015
Authors: Church Melanie L. , Priehs Daniel R. , Denis Heidi , Croft Lara , DiRocco Stacy , Davis Michelle
Published: February 2018

Objective

To describe surgical technique, postoperative complications, and visual outcome in penguins after phacoemulsification lens extraction surgery.

Animals studied

Twenty‐one penguins (27 eyes) that had phacoemulsification from 2011 to 2015 at Animal Eye Associates. Species included are as follows: 14 southern Rockhopper (18 eyes, 66.6%), 4 Gentoo (4 eyes, 19%), 2 King (3 eyes, 9.5%), and 1 Chinstrap penguin (2 eyes, 4.8%). Eleven of the penguins were females, and 10 were males with average age at the time of surgery being 27.5 years (range of 22‐31 years).

Procedure

This is a retrospective study of phacoemulsification cataract surgery patients from 2011 to 2015. Visual outcome was evaluated by veterinary ophthalmologists at postoperative recheck examinations and subjectively by penguin keepers using individual bird surveys and pairedttests for statistical analysis.

Results

All eyes were functionally visual after surgery and at the time of last follow‐up. Based on keeper surveys, 81% (17/21) of penguins showed immediate improvements in overall quality of life and 90% (19/21) of penguins exhibited improvement in mobility and behavior within their exhibit following cataract removal. Of the 14 penguins that received 1:5 intracameral atracurium during surgery, 10 (71.4%) had moderate mydriasis, 1 (7.1%) had minimal mydriasis, and 3 (21.4%) showed no effect to the pupil. Seventy percent of the cases had phacoemulsification times less than 60 seconds/eye; the mean time was 72 seconds. Sixteen eyes (59.3%) underwent anterior capsulotomy only, planned anterior and posterior capsulotomies were performed in 3 eyes (11.1%), and the entire lens capsule was removed due to capsular fibrosis and wrinkling in 8 eyes (29.6%). The most common short‐term postoperative complication was temporary mild blepharospasm and/or epiphora, reported in 8 eyes (29.6%) from 7 penguins (33.3%). Long‐term complications, 2‐6 years postoperatively, included posterior synechiation resulting in dyscoria (10 of 24 eyes, 41.7%) and capsular fibrosis in all penguins with residual lens capsule (19/19, 100%).

Conclusion

The prognosis for vision and behavioral improvement after phacoemulsification surgery in penguins is good, with low incidence of vision‐threatening complications.
Effect of a patency bundle on central venous catheter complications among hospitalized adult patients: a best practice implementation project
Authors: Huang Vivian
Published: February 2018

Objectives:

The aim of this project was to improve continuity of care by decreasing central catheter occlusions in adults in two acute care units with high use of central venous catheters. Specific objectives were to introduce a patency bundle and train nurses on thrombolytic administration for timely resolution of catheter occlusions.

Introduction:

Central venous catheters are a vital component of medical care of acutely ill hospitalized patients. Occluded catheters delay treatment and can increase infection risk. There are bundles of best practices on catheter insertion, dressing and removal. However, a gap exists in nursing guidance for maintaining and restoring catheter patency.

Methods:

The project used the Joanna Briggs Institute's tools for promoting practice change. Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) and Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (PACES) assisted with strategy formation and data analysis. Direct observation and medical record review were used for baseline and follow-up audits. Several teaching strategies were employed to educate direct care nurses.

Results:

Occlusion rates fluctuated greatly above and below baseline rates. Infection rates did not increase with thrombolytic administration. Nurses’ compliance with catheter access and flushing techniques doubled. Timeliness of thrombolytic administration increased to 100% compliance. However, patency documentation did not improve.

Conclusions:

Multi-modal education reached all nurses and contributed to significantly improved compliance with patency best practice. Nurses were empowered to expediently troubleshoot occlusions by using thrombolytics. However, three months of post-implementation data was not enough to demonstrate a continued downward trend in occlusion rates. Thrombolytic administration by nurses on the other adult units and improved patency documentation are in the planning stages.
Vision loss in Indigenous peoples of the world: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Foreman Joshua , Keel Stuart , van Wijngaarden Peter , Bourne Rupert , Wormald Richard , Crowston Jonathan , Taylor Hugh R. , Dirani Mohamed
Published: February 2018

Review objective/question:

The objectives of this review are:
Effectiveness of primary surgery versus primary radiotherapy on unknown primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Dharmawardana Nuwan , Campbell Jared M. , Carney A. Simon , Boase Samuel
Published: February 2018

Review question:

The review question is: what is the effectiveness of primary surgery versus primary radiotherapy on disease-free survival and quality of life in adults with an unknown primary, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma?
Influence of Impinging Wall Ramping Modification on the Flow Field of Open Cavity at M = 2.0
Authors: Saranyamol V. S. , Kumar P. , Das S.
Published: February 2018

Studies were made to understand the flow features around an open cavity at Mach 2.0 corresponding to Re = 0.55 × 106 based on the cavity depth. Experiments were carried out using a blowdown type supersonic wind tunnel having a test section size of 50 mm × 100 mm. Oil flow and schlieren flow visualization were made to understand the steady flow features inside the cavity. Unsteady pressures were measured at several locations to obtain the fluctuating flow field details and the pressure spectrum. Impinging wall modifications of the cavity were made with an objective to reduce the Rossiter's mode frequencies and its amplitude. Partial ramping of the impinging wall with variations in height and angles were made. With adoption of a specific combination of the impinging wall height and angle, the first two modes of the multiple tonal characteristics could be reduced significantly. The present adopted method could result in 74% reduction of root-mean-square (RMS) pressure and a noise reduction of 11 dB.
Elliptical Shape Hole-Pattern Seals Performance Evaluation Using Design of Experiments Technique1
Authors: Jin Hanxiang , Untaroiu Alexandrina
Published: February 2018

Hole-pattern annular gas seals have two distinct flow regions: an annular jet-flow region between the rotor and stator, and cylindrical indentions in the stator that serve as cavities where flow recirculation occurs. As the working fluid enters the cavities and recirculates, its kinetic energy is reduced, resulting in a reduction of leakage flow rate through the seal. The geometry of the cylindrical cavities has a significant effect on the overall performance of the seal. In this study, the effects of elliptical shape hole pattern geometry on the leakage and dynamic response performance of an industry-relevant hole-pattern seal design are investigated using a combination of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), hybrid bulk flow-CFD analysis, and design of experiments (DOEs) technique. The design space was defined by varying the values of five geometrical characteristics: the major and minor radius of hole, the angle between the major axis and the axis of the seal, the spacing between holes along the seal axis, and hole spacing in the circumferential direction. This detailed analysis allowed for a greater understanding of the interaction effects from varying all of these design parameters together as opposed to studying them one variable at a time. Response maps generated from the calculated results demonstrate the effects of each design parameter on seal leakage as well as the co-dependence between the design parameters. The data from this analysis were also used to generate linear regression models that demonstrate how these parameters affect the leakage rate and the dynamic coefficients, including the effective damping.
High-Order Velocity Moments of Turbulent Boundary Layers in Seepage Affected Alluvial Channel
Authors: Sharma Anurag , Kumar Bimlesh
Published: February 2018

In this work, we have performed the flume study to analyze the high-order velocity moments of turbulent boundary layer with and without downward seepage. Sediment transport experiments were done in the laboratory for no seepage (NS), 10% seepage (10%S), and 15% seepage (15%S) cases. Measures of streamwise velocity variance were found increasing with seepage, which lead to increase in sediment transport with seepage. Results show that the variance of streamwise velocity fluctuation follows logarithmic law with distance away from the bed, within inner layer. This observation is also valid for even-order moments obtained in this work. The results show that the (2p-order moments)1/p also follows logarithmic law. The slopes Ap in the turbulent boundary layer seem fairly unaffected to NS and seepage flow but follows nonuniversal behavior for NS and seepage runs. The computed slope based on the Gaussian statistics does not agree well with the slope obtained from the experimental data and computed slope are reliable with sub-Gaussian performance for NS flow and super-Gaussian behavior for seepage flow.
Inducing a nonreflective airborne discontinuity in a circular duct by using a nonresonant side branch to create mode complexity
Authors: Xiao Yongxiong , Lu Huancai , McFarland D. Michael , Vakakis Alexander F. , Bergman Lawrence A.
Published: February 2018

A nonreflective airborne discontinuity is created in a one-dimensional rigid-walled duct when the mode complexity introduced by a nonresonant side branch reaches a maximum, so that a sound wave can be spatially separated into physical regions of traveling and standing waves. The nonresonance of the side branch is demonstrated, the mode complexity is quantified, and a computational method to optimize side-branch parameters to maximize mode complexity in the duct in the presence of three-dimensional effects is presented. The optimal side-branch parameters that maximize the mode complexity and thus minimize reflection are found using finite element analysis and a derivative-free optimization routine. Sensitivity of mode complexity near the optimum with respect to side-branch parameters is then examined. The results show reflection from the impedance discontinuity in the duct can be reduced nearly to zero, providing a practical means of achieving a nonreflective discontinuity for a plane wave propagating in a duct of finite length.
Coach Education and Learning Sources for Coaches of Masters Swimmers
Authors: Callary Bettina , Rathwell Scott , Young Bradley W.
Published: February 2018

Masters Athletes (MAs; adult athletes typically over 35 years old who prepare in order to compete at levels ranging from very recreational competition to serious competition) want coaches to cater their approaches to working with adults. Using adult learning principles, we previously found that some coaches cater their approaches in ways to accommodate the manner in which adult athletes prefer to learn. The purpose of this article is to articulate swim coaches’ perceptions of how they learned to work with MAs and whether their formal coach training meets their needs related to coaching MAs. Eleven swim coaches were interviewed regarding how they learned to coach MAs, and were questioned specifically about their coach development broadly and coach education specifically. The data were thematically analyzed and results revealed six main learning sources: coaching experiences (e.g., interacting with MAs, reflection, advice from MAs, coaching youth), experience as an athlete, reading books and Internet searches, networks and mentors, formal coach education, and non-swimming experiences. Results also revealed key themes about coaches’ perceptions regarding coach education, specifically the lack of connection between coach education programs and the Masters sport context, and coaches’ interest in coach education specific to MAs.
Ecological Physics and the Perceptual Information That Supports Motor Control
Authors: Stoffregen Thomas A.
Published: February 2018

Ordinary behavior, such as walking, reading, and throwing, depends on real-time perceptual guidance. In this article, I discuss the nature of perceptual information that, in principle, might be sufficient for the guidance of movement to achieve behavioral goals. I argue that we achieve behavioral goals by controlling movements relative to multiple physical referents. Movement relative to different physical referents causes changes in the structure of different forms of ambient energy (e.g., light, sound) and, therefore, to changes in sensory stimulation. I claim that movement always is controlled simultaneously relative to multiple referents, such that no single form of ambient energy can, in principle, contain information that is sufficient for successful control. The needed perceptual information exists, I claim, solely in theglobal array, that is, in emergent, higher-order patterns that extend across different forms of ambient energy. I review formal and empirical examples, and discuss implications for kinesiology.
Thoughts About the Negative Results of Clinical Trials in Rehabilitation Medicine
Authors: Winstein Carolee
Published: February 2018

The last decade has witnessed an increase in the number of moderate to large-scale nonpharmacologic stroke recovery trials. While a majority, having tested the superiority of a particular evidence-based intervention, returned negative findings, the rehabilitation research community has gained an important perspective for future efforts. We offer our interpretation first, on why most of the past decade’s trials failed in the sense of not supporting the primary superiority hypothesis, and, second, we provide our perspective on how to solve this problem and thereby inform the next generation of neurorehabilitation clinical trials. The first large-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) ever conducted in neurorehabilitation was the Extremity Constraint Induced Movement Therapy Evaluation (EXCITE) trial. The majority of stroke recovery trials that followed were based on a prevailing, but as yet immature science of brain-behavior mechanisms for recovery and limited practical know-how about how to select the most meaningful outcomes. The research community had been seduced by a set of preclinical studies, ignited by the 1990’s revolution in neuroscience and an oversimplified premise that high doses of task-oriented training was the most important ingredient to foster recovery. Here, we highlight recent qualitative and quantitative evidence, both mechanistic and theory-driven, that integrates crucial social and personal factors to inform a more mature science better suited for the next generation of recovery-supportive rehabilitation clinical trials.
The CCR4-NOT deadenylase complex controls Atg7-dependent cell death and heart function
Authors: Yamaguchi Tomokazu , Suzuki Takashi , Sato Teruki , Takahashi Akinori , Watanabe Hiroyuki , Kadowaki Ayumi , Natsui Miyuki , Inagaki Hideaki , Arakawa Satoko , Nakaoka Shinji , Koizumi Yukio , Seki Shinsuke , Adachi Shungo , Fukao Akira , Fujiwara Toshinobu , Natsume Tohru , Kimura Akinori , Komatsu Masaaki , Shimizu Shigeomi , Ito Hiroshi , Suzuki Yutaka , Penninger Josef M. , Yamamoto Tadashi , Imai Yumiko , Kuba Keiji
Published: February 2018

Destabilization of
Atg7
mRNA by the CCR4-NOT complex prevents p53-dependent cell death in the heart.
Hedgehog reciprocally controls trafficking of Smo and Ptc through the Smurf family of E3 ubiquitin ligases
Authors: Li Shuang , Li Shuangxi , Wang Bing , Jiang Jin
Published: February 2018

The ubiquitin E3 ligase Smurf controls the reciprocal trafficking of the Hedgehog signaling mediators Smoothened and Patched.
G protein–coupled receptors control the sensitivity of cells to the morphogen Sonic Hedgehog
Authors: Pusapati Ganesh V. , Kong Jennifer H. , Patel Bhaven B. , Gouti Mina , Sagner Andreas , Sircar Ria , Luchetti Giovanni , Ingham Philip W. , Briscoe James , Rohatgi Rajat
Published: February 2018

Gα
s
protein–coupled receptors reduce the sensitivity of cells to the morphogen Sonic Hedgehog.
Exponentially Increased Thermal Resistance of Salmonella spp. and Enterococcus faecium at Reduced Water Activity
Authors: Liu Shuxiang , Tang Juming , Tadapaneni Ravi Kiran , Yang Ren , Zhu Mei-Jun
Published: February 2018

Salmonella
spp. exhibit prolonged survivability and high tolerance to heat in low-moisture foods. The reported thermal resistance parameters of
Salmonella
spp. in low-moisture foods appear to be unpredictable due to various unknown factors. We report here that temperature-dependent water activity (a
w, treatment temperature
) plays an important role in the sharply increased thermal resistance of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Enteritidis PT 30 and its potential surrogate
Enterococcus faecium
NRRL B-2354. In our study, silicon dioxide granules, as carriers, were separately inoculated with these two microorganisms and were heated at 80°C with controlled relative humidity between 18 and 72% (resulting in corresponding a
w,80°C
values for bacteria between 0.18 and 0.72) in custom-designed test cells. The inactivation kinetics of both microorganisms fitted a log-linear model (
R
2
, 0.83 to 0.97). Reductions in the a
w,80°C
values of bacterial cells exponentially increased the
D
80°C
(the time needed to achieve a 1-log reduction in a bacterial population at 80°C) values for
S
. Enteritidis and
E. faecium
on silicon dioxide. The log-linear relationship between the
D
80°C
values for each strain in silicon dioxide and its a
w,80°C
values was also verified for organic wheat flour.
E. faecium
showed consistently higher
D
80°C
values than
S
. Enteritidis over the a
w,80°C
range tested. The estimated z
aw
(the change in a
w,80°C
needed to change
D
80°C
by 1 log) values of
S
. Enteritidis and
E. faecium
were 0.31 and 0.28, respectively. This study provides insight into the interpretation of
Salmonella
thermal resistance that could guide the development and validation of thermal processing of low-moisture foods.

IMPORTANCE
In this paper, we established that the thermal resistance of the pathogen
S
. Enteritidis and its surrogate
Enterococcus faecium
, as reflected by
D
values at 80°C, increases sharply with decreasing relative humidity in the environment. The log-linear relationship between the
D
80°C
values of each strain in silicon dioxide and its a
w,80°C
values was also verified for organic wheat flour. The results provide new quantitative insight into the way in which the thermal resistance of microorganisms changes in low-moisture systems, and they should aid in the development of effective thermal treatment strategies for pathogen control in low-moisture foods.
Near-Complete Genome Sequences of Several New Norovirus Genogroup II Genotypes
Authors: Chhabra Preeti , Aswath Kshama , Collins Nikail , Ahmed Tahmeed , Olórtegui Maribel Paredes , Kosek Margaret , Cebelinski Elizabeth , Cooper Phil J. , Bucardo Filemon , Lopez Maria Renee , Castro Christina J. , Marine Rachel L. , Ng Terry Fei Fan , Vinjé Jan
Published: February 2018

We report here the near-complete genome sequences of 13 norovirus strains detected in stool samples from patients with acute gastroenteritis from Bangladesh, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, Nicaragua, and the United States that are classified into one existing (genotype II.22 [GII.22]), 3 novel (GII.23, GII.24 and GII.25), and 3 tentative novel (GII.NA1, GII.NA2, and GII.NA3) genotypes.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Endophyte
Paenibacillus
sp. Strain GM2FR Isolated from
Festuca rubra
Authors: Wemheuer Franziska , Wemheuer Bernd , Hollensteiner Jacqueline , Daniel Rolf , Poehlein Anja
Published: February 2018

Here, we report the 7.4-Mb draft genome sequence of
Paenibacillus
sp. strain GM2FR, an endophytic bacterium isolated from aerial plant tissues of
Festuca rubra
L. Genome analysis revealed 6,652 coding gene sequences and several gene clusters involved in plant growth promotion, such as that for the siderophore bacillibactin.
Genome Sequence of
Serratia marcescens
subsp.
sakuensis
Strain K27, a Marine Bacterium Isolated from Sponge (
Haliclona amboinensis
)
Authors: Cheng Tzi Him , Saidin Jasnizat , Danish-Daniel Muhd , Gan Han Ming , Mat Isa Mohd Noor , Abu Bakar Mohd Faizal , Ismail Noraznawati
Published: February 2018

Serratia marcescens
subsp.
sakuensis
strain K27 was isolated from sponge (
Haliclona amboinensis
). The genome of this strain consists of 5,325,727 bp, with 5,140 open reading frames (ORFs), 3 rRNAs, and 67 tRNAs. It contains genes for the production of amylases, lipases, and proteases. Gene clusters for the biosynthesis of nonribosomal peptides and thiopeptide were also identified.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Rhodococcus
sp. Strain M8, Which Can Degrade a Broad Range of Nitriles
Authors: Novikov Andrey D. , Lavrov Konstantin V. , Kasianov Artem S. , Gerasimova Tatyana V. , Yanenko Alexander S.
Published: February 2018

Rhodococcus
sp. strain M8 is a nitrile-degrading bacterium isolated from acrylonitrile-contaminated sites. This strain produces the enzymes for sequential nitrile degradation, cobalt-type nitrile hydratase, and amidase in large amounts. Its draft genome sequence, announced here, has an estimated size of 6.3 Mbp.
Draft Whole-Genome Sequences of
Zhihengliuella halotolerans
La12 and
Microbacterium kitamiense
Sa12, Strains with Cellulase Activity, Isolated from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Chen Mingming , Qin Na , Pei Wenqin , Li Qianhui , Yang Qing , Chen Yao , Huang Duntao , Xiang Yingying , Lin Ling
Published: February 2018

We report the complete genome sequences of cellulolytic strains
Zhihengliuella halotolerans
La12 and
Microbacterium kitamiense
Sa12, which were isolated from soil samples collected from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in Western China. The final assemblies of La12 and Sa12 comprise 3,712,694 bp, with over 111 contigs, and 3,830,439 bp, with over 39 contigs, respectively.
Draft Genome Sequences of
Acinetobacter
and
Bacillus
Strains Isolated from Spacecraft-Associated Surfaces
Authors: Seuylemezian Arman , Vaishampayan Parag , Cooper Kerry , Venkateswaran Kasthuri
Published: February 2018

We report here the draft genome sequences of four strains isolated from spacecraft-associated surfaces exhibiting increased resistance to stressors such as UV radiation and exposure to H
2
O
2
. The draft genomes of strains 1P01SC
T
, FO-92
T
, 50v1, and 2P01AA had sizes of 5,500,894 bp, 4,699,376 bp, 3,174,402 bp, and 4,328,804 bp, respectively.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Recombinant Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Strain, CH/JXJA/2017, Isolated in Jiangxi, China, in 2017
Authors: Li Kai , Song Deping , Zhang Fanfan , Gong Wang , Guo Nannan , Li Anqi , Zhou Xingrong , Huang Dongyan , Ye Yu , Tang Yuxin
Published: February 2018

The full-length genome sequence of a variant of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), that of strain CH/JXJA/2017, was highly homologous to CH/ZMDZY/11, a highly virulent Chinese PEDV strain. CH/JXJA/2017 had a distant relationship with the attenuated CV777 vaccine strain, but the insertion sites of the S1 gene were similar to those of the recombinant strain of CH/ZMDZY/11.
Complete Genome Sequence and Methylome Analysis of
Bacillus caldolyticus
NEB414
Authors: Fomenkov Alexey , Vincze Tamas , Mersha Fana , Roberts Richard J.
Published: February 2018

Bacillus caldolyticus
NEB414 is the original source strain for the restriction enzyme BclI. Its complete sequence and full methylome were determined using single-molecule real-time sequencing.
HAVCR1 (CD365) and Its Mouse Ortholog Are Functional Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Cellular Receptors That Mediate HAV Infection
Authors: Costafreda Maria Isabel , Kaplan Gerardo
Published: February 2018

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) cellular receptor 1 (HAVCR1), classified as CD365, was initially discovered as an HAV cellular receptor using an expression cloning strategy. Due to the lack of HAV receptor-negative replication-competent cells, it was not possible to fully prove that HAVCR1 was a functional HAV receptor. However, biochemistry, classical virology, and epidemiology studies further supported the functional role of HAVCR1 as an HAV receptor. Here, we show that an anti-HAVCR1 monoclonal antibody that protected African green monkey kidney (AGMK) cells against HAV infection only partially protected monkey Vero E6 cells and human hepatoma Huh7 cells, indicating that these two cell lines express alternative yet unidentified HAV receptors. Therefore, we focused our work on AGMK cells to further characterize the function of HAVCR1 as an HAV receptor. Advances in clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/Cas9 technology allowed us to knock out the monkey ortholog of HAVCR1 in AGMK cells. The resulting AGMK HAVCR1 knockout (KO) cells lost susceptibility to HAV infection, including HAV-free viral particles (vpHAV) and exosomes purified from HAV-infected cells (exo-HAV). Transfection of HAVCR1 cDNA into AGMK HAVCR1 KO cells restored susceptibility to vpHAV and exo-HAV infection. Furthermore, transfection of the mouse ortholog of HAVCR1, mHavcr1, also restored the susceptibility of AGMK HAVCR1 KO cells to HAV infection. Taken together, our data clearly show that HAVCR1 and mHavcr1 are functional HAV receptors that mediate HAV infection. This work paves the way for the identification of alternative HAV receptors to gain a complete understanding of their interplay with HAVCR1 in the cell entry and pathogenic processes of HAV.

IMPORTANCE
HAVCR1, an HAV receptor, is expressed in different cell types, including regulatory immune cells and antigen-presenting cells. How HAV evades the immune response during a long incubation period of up to 4 weeks and the mechanism by which the subsequent necroinflammatory process clears the infection remain a puzzle that most likely involves the HAV-HAVCR1 interaction. Based on negative data, a recent paper from the S. M. Lemon and W. Maury laboratories (A. Das, A. Hirai-Yuki, O. Gonzalez-Lopez, B. Rhein, S. Moller-Tank, R. Brouillette, L. Hensley, I. Misumi, W. Lovell, J. M. Cullen, J. K. Whitmire, W. Maury, and S. M. Lemon, mBio 8:e00969-17, 2017,
https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00969-17
) suggested that HAVCR1 is not a functional HAV receptor, nor it is it required for HAV infection. However, our data, based on regain of the HAV receptor function in HAVCR1 knockout cells transfected with HAVCR1 cDNA, disagree with their findings. Our positive data show conclusively that HAVCR1 is indeed a functional HAV receptor and lays the ground for the identification of alternative HAV receptors and how they interact with HAVCR1 in cell entry and the pathogenesis of HAV.
Sexual inequality in incident tuberculosis: a cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Yen Yung-Feng , Hu Hsiao-Yun , Lee Ya-Ling , Ku Po-Wen , Ko Ming-Chung , Chuang Pei-Hung , Lai Yun-ju , Chu Dachen
Published: February 2018

Objective

Animal studies showed that male subjects had lower activity of immune response to infections than female subjects, which may increase the risk of the development of tuberculosis in male population. This study intended to investigate the risk of incident tuberculosis in male and female adults in Taiwan.

Design

This is a retrospective cohort study.

Setting

The present analyses used data of Taiwan National Health Interview Survey 2001, 2005 and 2009, National Register of Deaths Dataset, and National Health Insurance Research Database from 2000 to 2013.

Participants

A total of 43 424 subjects with a mean age of 43.04 years were analysed.

Primary outcome measures

Incidence of tuberculosis.

Results

During 381 561 person-years of follow-up period, incident tuberculosis was recognised in 268 individuals. The incidence rates of tuberculosis were 97.56 and 43.24 per 100 000 person-years among male and female participants, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves comparing male and female subjects showed statistical significance (log-rank test, P value<0.01). After adjusting for subjects’ demographics and comorbidities, men showed increased risks of incident tuberculosis (adjusted HR, 1.68; 95% CI 1.21 to 2.34; P value<0.01) compared with women. On subgroup analysis, after stratifying by age, smoking and alcohol use, men had a higher risk of incident tuberculosis than women in all patient subgroups, except those who were current smokers.

Conclusions

This study suggests that men had a higher risk of incident tuberculosis than women. Future tuberculosis control programmes should particularly target the male population.
Subcutaneous treprostinil in congenital heart disease-related pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Skoro-Sajer Nika , Gerges Christian , Balint Olga Hajnalka , Kohalmi Dora , Kaldararova Monika , Simkova Iveta , Jakowitsch Johannes , Gabriel Harald , Baumgartner Helmut , Gerges Mario , Sadushi-Kolici Roela , Celermajer David S , Lang Irene Marthe
Published: February 2018

Objective

To assess the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous treprostinil in adult patients with congenital heart disease (CHD)-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) after 12 months of treatment.

Methods

Consecutive adult patients with CHD–PAH received subcutaneous treprostinil to maximum tolerated doses in an observational study.

Results

Advanced CHD–PAH patients with WHO class III or IV disease (n=32, age 40±10 years, 20 females) received treprostinil for suboptimal response to bosentan (n=12), WHO functional class IV disease (FC, n=7) or prior to bosentan approval (n=13). In the multivariate mixed model, mean increase in 6 min walk distance (6-MWD) from baseline to 12 months was 114 m (76; 152) (P<0.001). WHO FC improved significantly (P=0.001) and B-type brain natriuretic peptide decreased from 1259 (375; 2368) pg/mL to 380 (144; 1468) pg/mL (P=0.02). In those 14 patients who had haemodynamic data before and after initiation of treprostinil, pulmonary vascular resistance decreased significantly (from 18.4±11.1 to 12.6±7.9 Wood units, P=0.003). The most common adverse events were infusion-site erythema and pain. One patient stopped treatment because of intolerable infusion-site pain after 8 months of treatment. No other major treatment-related complications were observed. Five patients died during early follow-up, having experienced a decrease in their 6-MWD prior.

Conclusions

Subcutaneous treprostinil therapy is generally safe and effective for at least 12 months and may be used in CHD-related PAH class III and IV.
The underlying physiological mechanisms whereby anticholinergics alleviate asthma
Authors: Gazzola Morgan , Mailhot-Larouche Samuel , Beucher Clémentine , Bossé Ynuk
Published: February 2018

The mechanisms whereby anticholinergics improve asthma outcomes, such as lung function, symptoms, and rate of exacerbation, can be numerous. The most obvious is by affecting the contraction of airway smooth muscle (ASM). The acetylcholine released from the cholinergic nerves is the most important bronchoconstrictor that sets the baseline degree of contractile activation of ASM in healthy individuals. Although the degree of ASM’s contractile activation can also be fine-tuned by a plethora of other bronchoconstrictors and bronchodilators in asthma, blocking the ceaseless effect of acetylcholine on ASM by anticholinergics reduces, at any given moment, the overall degree of contractile activation. Because the relationships that exist between the degree of contractile activation, ASM force, ASM shortening, airway narrowing, airflow resistance, and respiratory resistance are not linear, small decreases in the contractile activation of ASM can be greatly amplified and thus translate into important benefits to a patient’s well-being. Plus, many inflammatory and remodeling features that are often found in asthmatic lungs synergize with the contractile activation of ASM to increase respiratory resistance. This review recalls that the proven effectiveness of anticholinergics in the treatment of asthma could be merely attributed to a small reduction in the contractile activation of ASM.
Higher-derivative relativistic quantum gravity
Authors: Larin S. A.
Published: February 2018

Relativistic quantum gravity with the action including terms quadratic in the curvature tensor is analyzed. We derive new expressions for the corresponding Lagrangian and the graviton propagator within dimensional regularization. We argue that the considered model is a good candidate for the fundamental quantum theory of gravitation.
Beam dynamics pre-study for the RFQ of SPPC p-Linac
Authors: Liu Jing , Lu Yuanrong , Li Haipeng , Su Jiancang , Liu Xiaolong
Published: February 2018

A proton–proton collider at center-of-mass energy of more than 70 TeV is the second stage of the CEPC-SPPC program. As proposed, the SPPC injector chain will use a 1.2 GeV p-Linac and three synchrotrons of 10 GeV p-RCS, 180 GeV MSS and 2.1 TeV SS. Peking University is responsible for the preliminary conceptual design of the room temperature part of SPPC p-Linac. This paper is focusing on the beam dynamics studies performed with respect to the 325 MHz RFQ. As the first accelerator structure after the ion source and the front-end of the whole SPPC, RFQ plays an important role in the beam initial transverse focusing and longitudinal bunching. Based on the New Four Section Procedure strategy, as well as the matched and Equipartitioning design method, a 3 MeV RFQ designed by Parmteq code will be introduced. The cavity length of RFQ is 3.6 m and the transmission efficiency is 98%. In this design scheme, the 40 mA proton beam from the 50 keV ion source is accelerated to 3 MeV in 3.8 m length, which achieves a sixty times energy gain. The results of the analyses show that the RFQ design is reliable and meets all the SPPC p-Linac requirements well.