bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tell me about your hay fever: a qualitative investigation of allergic rhinitis management from the perspective of the patient
Authors: Cvetkovski Biljana , Kritikos Vicky , Yan Kwok , Bosnic-Anticevich Sinthia
Published: January 2018

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is sub-optimally managed in the community and is responsible for a significant health and economic burden. Uncontrolled AR increases the risk of poorly controlled asthma and presents an increased susceptibility to thunderstorm asthma. With the availability of treatments over-the-counter, bypassing the health care professional (HCP), the role of the patient is paramount. Research on the role of the patient in AR management in the current environment is limited. This study aims to explore the patient perspective of AR management and understand why it is sub-optimally managed in the community. Patient perspectives of AR management were explored utilizing a qualitative, phenomenological approach. Adults with AR were included in the study and interviewed. Transcripts were analyzed for recurrent themes and emergent concepts. Forty-seven participants with AR were interviewed about their experiences. Patient reports of delayed diagnosis, treatment fatigue and confidence in the ability to manage their AR themselves, heavily influenced their management preferences. Patients also described barriers associated with AR management including financial expense as well as being mistaken for having an infectious disease. Patients described examples of the impact on their quality of life caused by their AR, yet they strongly believed they could manage it themselves. This belief that AR is a condition that should be entirely self-managed, contributes to its burden. It amplifies patients’ separation from HCPs and having access to guidelines aimed at optimizing their AR control.
Physiological status of plant tissue affects the frequency and types of mutations induced by carbon-ion irradiation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hase Yoshihiro , Satoh Katsuya , Kitamura Satoshi , Oono Yutaka
Published: January 2018

Ionizing radiation including heavy-ion beams has been widely used in mutation breeding. Dry seeds, seedlings, and cultured tissues are often used for mutagenesis; however, little is known about the differences in induced mutations among them. Here, we examined the characteristics of mutations using randomly chosen Arabidopsis M2 plants derived from dry seeds and seedlings irradiated with carbon ions. The mutation frequency was 1.4–1.9 times higher in dry-seed irradiation than in seedling irradiation. This difference was mainly due to the three-times higher frequency of insertions and deletions (InDels) in dry-seed irradiation than in seedling irradiation. This difference increased the proportion of mutations predicted to affect gene function among all mutations identified by whole genome re-sequencing. Our results demonstrate that the physiological status of plant tissue greatly affects the characteristics of mutations induced by ionizing radiation, and that dry seeds are more suitable materials than seedlings for inducing loss-of-function mutations. The results also showed that single base deletions often occurred in homopolymeric sequences, while InDels larger than 2–3 bp often occurred in or near polynucleotide-repeat or microhomologous sequences. Interestingly, microhomology was less commonly found around large deletions (≥50 bp), suggesting that the rejoining process differs depending on the deletion size.
Experimental identification of non-classicality of noisy twin beams and other related two-mode states
Authors: Arkhipov Ievgen I. , Peřina Jan
Published: January 2018

Different non-classicality criteria expressed in the form of inequalities among intensity moments and elements of photon-number distributions are applied to noisy twin beams and other two-mode states obtained from a twin beam by using a beam splitter. Their performance in revealing the non-classicality is judged in comparison with the exact results provided by suitable entanglement and local non-classicality quantifiers. Whereas the non-classicality of noisy twin beams is always revealed by these criteria, not all the nonclassical states obtained at the output of the beam splitter can be identified by these experimentally easily reachable criteria.
Characterization of the multimeric structure of poly(A)-binding protein on a poly(A) tail
Authors: Sawazaki Ryoichi , Imai Shunsuke , Yokogawa Mariko , Hosoda Nao , Hoshino Shin-ichi , Mio Muneyo , Mio Kazuhiro , Shimada Ichio , Osawa Masanori
Published: January 2018

Eukaryotic mature mRNAs possess a poly adenylate tail (poly(A)), to which multiple molecules of poly(A)-binding protein C1 (PABPC1) bind. PABPC1 regulates translation and mRNA metabolism by binding to regulatory proteins. To understand functional mechanism of the regulatory proteins, it is necessary to reveal how multiple molecules of PABPC1 exist on poly(A). Here, we characterize the structure of the multiple molecules of PABPC1 on poly(A), by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), chemical cross-linking, and NMR spectroscopy. The TEM images and chemical cross-linking results indicate that multiple PABPC1 molecules form a wormlike structure in the PABPC1-poly(A) complex, in which the PABPC1 molecules are linearly arrayed. NMR and cross-linking analyses indicate that PABPC1 forms a multimer by binding to the neighbouring PABPC1 molecules via interactions between the RNA recognition motif (RRM) 2 in one molecule and the middle portion of the linker region of another molecule. A PABPC1 mutant lacking the interaction site in the linker, which possesses an impaired ability to form the multimer, reduced the in vitro translation activity, suggesting the importance of PABPC1 multimer formation in the translation process. We therefore propose a model of the PABPC1 multimer that provides clues to comprehensively understand the regulation mechanism of mRNA translation.
New rapid one-step PCR diagnostic assay for Plasmodium falciparum infective mosquitoes
Authors: Kefi Mary , Mavridis Konstantinos , Simões Maria L. , Dimopoulos George , Siden-Kiamos Inga , Vontas John
Published: January 2018

An essential component of malaria vector control programmes is the detection of Plasmodium falciparum within its mosquito vectors, particularly in the salivary glands where the infective sporozoites reside. Several protocols have been developed for this purpose; however they require dissection of mosquito specimens prior to analysis. Here, a novel one-step RT-qPCR TaqMan diagnostic assay was developed for mosquitoes with infective Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites in the salivary glands. It is based on detection of the sporozoite-specific Pfslarp and Pfplp1 gene transcripts. These transcripts were chosen based on bioinformatics analysis, and experimentally verified to be overexpressed in the salivary gland sporozoite stage of the parasite compared to other mosquito parasite stages. The proof of principle and the performance of the assay were demonstrated using RNAlater preserved mosquito samples. Tests of analytical sensitivity showed the novel TaqMan assay to be 100% accurate, although its performance in the field needs to be further demonstrated. This method has no requirement for dissection and post-PCR processing and thus is simple and rapid to perform in individual mosquitoes or mosquito pools. It can be used in single or multiplex formats also targeting additional markers expressed in different tissues, such as detoxification enzymes associated with insecticide resistance.
Effect of Salt Intake on Plasma and Urinary Uric Acid Levels in Chinese Adults: An Interventional Trial
Authors: Wang Yang , Chu Chao , Wang Ke-Ke , Hu Jia-Wen , Yan Yu , Lv Yong-Bo , Cao Yu-Meng , Zheng Wen-Ling , Dang Xi-Long , Xu Jing-Tao , Chen Wei , Yuan Zu-Yi , Mu Jian-Jun
Published: January 2018

Uric acid (UA) has been proposed as an important risk factor for cardiovascular and renal morbidity. We conducted an interventional trial to assess effects of altered salt intake on plasma and urine UA levels and the relationship between UA levels and salt sensitivity in humans. Ninety subjects (18–65 years old) were sequentially maintained on a normal diet for 3 days at baseline, a low-salt diet for 7 days (3.0 g/day, NaCl), and a high-salt diet for an additional 7 days (18.0 g/day of NaCl). Plasma UA levels significantly increased from baseline to low-salt diet and decreased from low-salt to high-salt diet. By contrast, daily urinary levels of UA significantly decreased from baseline to low-salt diet and increased from low-salt to high-salt diet. The 24 h urinary sodium excretions showed inverse correlation with plasma UA and positive correlation with urinary UA excretions. Additionally, salt-sensitive subjects presented significantly higher plasma UA changes in comparison to salt-resistant subjects, and a negative correlation was observed between degree of salt sensitivity and plasma UA difference. The present study indicates that variations in dietary salt intake affect plasma and urine UA levels, and plasma UA may be involved in pathophysiological process of salt sensitivity.
Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein promotes liver metastasis of gastrointestinal cancer by activating a β1-integrin-FAK-YAP1/TAZ signaling pathway
Authors: Xiang Xiaoyu , Wang Yuanguo , Zhang Hongbin , Piao Jinhua , Muthusamy Selvaraj , Wang Lei , Deng Yibin , Zhang Wei , Kuang Rui , Billadeau Daniel D. , Huang Shengbing , Lai Jinping , Urrutia Raul , Kang Ningling
Published: January 2018

Extracellular matrix (ECM)-induced β1-integrin-FAK signaling promotes cell attachment, survival, and migration of cancer cells in a distant organ so as to enable cancer metastasis. However, mechanisms governing activation of the β1-integrin-FAK signaling remain incompletely understood. Here, we report that vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), an actin binding protein, is required for ECM–mediated β1-integrin-FAK-YAP1/TAZ signaling in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer cells and their liver metastasis. In patient-derived samples, VASP is upregulated in 53 of 63 colorectal cancers and 43 of 53 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas and high VASP levels correlate with liver metastasis and reduced patient survival. In a Matrigel-based 3-dimensional (3D) culture model, short hairpin RNA (shRNA)–mediated VASP knockdown in colorectal cancer cells (KM12L4, HCT116, and HT29) and pancreatic cancer cells (L3.6 and MIA PaCa-1) suppresses the growth of 3D cancer spheroids. Mechanistic studies reveal that VASP knockdown suppresses FAK phosphorylation and YAP1/TAZ protein levels, but not Akt or Erk-related pathways and that YAP1/TAZ proteins are enhanced by the β1-integrin-FAK signaling. Additionally, VASP regulates the β1-integrin-FAK-YAP1/TAZ signaling by at least two mechanisms: (1) promoting ECM-mediated β1-integrin activation and (2) regulating YAP1/TAZ dephosphorylation at downstream of RhoA to enhance the stability of YAP1/TAZ proteins. In agreement with these, preclinical studies with two experimental liver metastasis mouse models demonstrate that VASP knockdown suppresses GI cancer liver metastasis, β1-integrin activation, and YAP1/TAZ levels of metastatic cancer cells. Together, our data support VASP as a treatment target for liver metastasis of colorectal and pancreatic cancers.
An automated microfluidic DNA microarray platform for genetic variant detection in inherited arrhythmic diseases
Authors: Huang Shu-Hong , Chang Yu-Shin , Juang Jyh-Ming Jimmy , Chang Kai-Wei , Tsai Mong-Hsun , Lu Tzu-Pin , Lai Liang-Chuan , Chuang Eric Y. , Huang Nien-Tsu
Published: January 2018

In this study, we developed an automated microfluidic DNA microarray (AMDM) platform for genetic variant detection in inherited arrhythmic diseases.
Development of an analytical method for pesticide residues in berries with dispersive solid phase extraction using multiwalled carbon nanotubes and primary secondary amine sorbents
Authors: Zhao Pengyue , Alvarez Pedro J. J. , Li Xuesheng , Pan Canping
Published: January 2018

A dispersive SPE with PSA and MWCNTs as sorbent material was developed for pesticide residue analysis in berry samples.
Preparation of ordered mesoporous carbon material based on poly-dopamine and its application in selective enrichment ofN-linked glycans
Authors: Zhao Yameng , Gan Yangyang , Zhang Lingyi , Chu Zhanying , Liu Fan , Zhang Weibing
Published: January 2018

A highly ordered mesoporous carbon material was prepared and applied to selective enrichment ofN-linked glycans.
A self-assembled peroxidase from 5′-GMP and heme
Authors: Harraz Deiaa M. , Davis Jeffery T.
Published: January 2018

Guanosine 5′-monophosphate (5′-GMP) and Fe(iii)-heme form a supramolecular catalyst with peroxidase activity.
One-pot synthesis of hierarchical-pore metal–organic frameworks for drug delivery and fluorescent imaging
Authors: Gao Xuechuan , Wang Yuewu , Ji Guanfeng , Cui Ruixue , Liu Zhiliang
Published: January 2018

A one-pot process has been developed for the synthesis of hierarchical-pore metal–organic frameworks, aimed at loading large and small drug molecules simultaneously.
A theoretical study of the effect of a non-aqueous proton donor on electrochemical ammonia synthesis
Authors: Zhang Linan , Mallikarjun Sharada Shaama , Singh Aayush R. , Rohr Brian A. , Su Yanjing , Qiao Lijie , Nørskov Jens K.
Published: January 2018

The Volmer reaction is rendered with quite higher barriers using LutH+when compared to H3O+, mainly due to surface puckering.
A non-tight chemomechanical coupling model for force-dependence of movement dynamics of molecular motors
Authors: Xie Ping , Chen Hong
Published: January 2018

We present a simple yet general model that can quantitatively reproduce diverse single-molecule experimental data on dimeric kinesin and myosin-V.
Enhancing electrical energy storage capability of dielectric polymer nanocomposites via the room temperature Coulomb blockade effect of ultra-small platinum nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Liwei , Huang Xingyi , Zhu Yingke , Jiang Pingkai
Published: January 2018

Introducing a high dielectric constant (high-k) nanofiller into a dielectric polymer is the most common way to achieve flexible nanocomposites for electrostatic energy storage devices.
A theoretical study on the mechanism of hydrogenation of carboxylic acids catalyzed by the Saito catalyst
Authors: Lu Qianqian , Song Jinshuai , Zhang Minyi , Wei Jing , Li Chunsen
Published: January 2018

The novel mechanism of carboxylic acid hydrogenation includes the hydrogenation of the carboxylic acid to an aldehyde and the hydrogenation of the aldehyde to an alcohol.
Modifying the donor properties of tris(pyridyl)aluminates in lanthanide(ii) sandwich compounds
Authors: García-Rodríguez Raúl , Kopf Sara , Wright Dominic S.
Published: January 2018

Changing the substituents at the 6-position of the 2-pyridyl groups in the aluminate ligands [EtAl(2-py)3]− has a large electronic and steric effect on their coordination to lanthanide(ii) ions.
Pressure-actuated monolithic acrylic microfluidic valves and pumps
Authors: Guevara-Pantoja Pablo E. , Jiménez-Valdés Rocío J. , García-Cordero Jose L. , Caballero-Robledo Gabriel A.
Published: January 2018

We describe for the first time the fabrication, operation and performance of microfluidic valves and pumps made entirely of acrylic.
Structural insights into a novel anticancer sulfonamide chalcone
Authors: Custodio Jean M. F. , Michelini Lidiane J. , de Castro Mirian Rita C. , Vaz Wesley F. , Neves Bruno J. , Cravo Pedro V. L. , Barreto Francisco S. , Filho Manoel O. M. , Perez Caridad N. , Napolitano Hamilton B.
Published: January 2018

Natural products have stood out due to their wide range of biological activities.
Looking at new ligands for chelation therapy
Authors: Nurchi Valeria Marina , Jaraquemada-Pelaez Maria de Guadalupe , Lachowicz Joanna I. , Zoroddu Maria Antonietta , Peana Massimiliano , Domínguez-Martín Alicia , Choquesillo-Lazarte Duane , Remelli Maurizio , Szewczuk Zbigniew , Crisponi Guido
Published: January 2018

Four kojic acid derivatives were synthesized, and their chelation properties toward Fe3+, Al3+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ metal ions were evaluated and discussed.
An ultra-sensitive electrochemical sensor for the detection of acetaminophen in the presence of etilefrine using bimetallic Pd–Ag/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites
Authors: Veera Manohara Reddy Y. , Bathinapatla Sravani , Łuczak T. , Osińska M. , Maseed H. , Ragavendra P. , Subramanyam Sarma L. , Srikanth V. V. S. S. , Madhavi G.
Published: January 2018

In this study we report a one-step procedure for the fabrication of Pd–Ag bimetallic nanoparticles on the surface of a graphene oxide (rGO) support.
Preferential horizontal growth of tungsten sulfide on carbon and insight into active sulfur sites for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Seo Bora , Jung Gwan Yeong , Kim Jae Hyung , Shin Tae Joo , Jeong Hu Young , Kwak Sang Kyu , Joo Sang Hoon
Published: January 2018

WSx prefers horizontal growth on the carbon surface, and it exhibits a structural effect on the HER performance.
On-surface synthesis: a promising strategy toward the encapsulation of air unstable ultra-thin 2D materials
Authors: Li Qiang , Zhao Yinghe , Guo Jiyuan , Zhou Qionghua , Chen Qian , Wang Jinlan
Published: January 2018

The on-surface synthesis of a 2D nonporous metal organic polymer in solutions is proposed as a facile and effective strategy toward the satisfactory passivation of air unstable ultrathin 2D materials.
A red-emitting fluorescent probe for hydrogen sulfide in living cells with a large Stokes shift
Authors: Yang Lei , Su Yuanan , Sha Zhankui , Geng Yani , Qi Fengpei , Song Xiangzhi
Published: January 2018

An azido-based fluorescent probe was developed for the sensitive and selective detection of H2S with a red emission and a large Stokes shift. The probe was successfully applied to detect H2S both in aqueous solution and in living cells.
Facile synthesis of ROS-responsive biodegradable main chain poly(carbonate-thioether) copolymers
Authors: Yan Bingkun , Zhang Yan , Wei Chao , Xu Yue
Published: January 2018

The amphiphilic main chain poly(carbonate-thioether) copolymers were synthesized based on a novel macrocyclic sulfur-substituted carbonate monomer. The assembled nanostructures have rich ROS responsiveness.
Thermal activation of methane by vanadium boride cluster cations VBn+ (n = 3–6)
Authors: Chen Qiang , Zhao Yan-Xia , Jiang Li-Xue , Li Hai-Fang , Chen Jiao-Jiao , Zhang Ting , Liu Qing-Yu , He Sheng-Gui
Published: January 2018

A new type of active species, transition metal boride cluster cations [VBn+ (n = 3–6)], has been experimentally identified to dehydrogenate methane under thermal collision conditions. The B3 unit in VB3+ cluster is polarized by the V+ cation to activate CH4.
Methanol ice co-desorption as a mechanism to explain cold methanol in the gas-phase
Authors: Ligterink N. F. W. , Walsh C. , Bhuin R. G. , Vissapragada S. , Terwisscha van Scheltinga J. , Linnartz H.
Published: January 2018

Context. Methanol is formed via surface reactions on icy dust grains. Methanol is also detected in the gas-phase at temperatures below its thermal desorption temperature and at levels higher than can be explained by pure gas-phase chemistry. The process that controls the transition from solid state to gas-phase methanol in cold environments is not understood.

Aims. The goal of this work is to investigate whether thermal CO desorption provides an indirect pathway for methanol to co-desorb at low temperatures.

Methods. Mixed CH3OH:CO/CH4 ices were heated under ultra-high vacuum conditions and ice contents are traced using RAIRS (reflection absorption IR spectroscopy), while desorbing species were detected mass spectrometrically. An updated gas-grain chemical network was used to test the impact of the results of these experiments. The physical model used is applicable for TW Hya, a protoplanetary disk in which cold gas-phase methanol has recently been detected.

Results. Methanol release together with thermal CO desorption is found to be an ineffective process in the experiments, resulting in an upper limit of ≤ 7.3 × 10−7 CH3OH molecules per CO molecule over all ice mixtures considered. Chemical modelling based on the upper limits shows that co-desorption rates as low as 10−6 CH3OH molecules per CO molecule are high enough to release substantial amounts of methanol to the gas-phase at and around the location of the CO thermal desorption front in a protoplanetary disk. The impact of thermal co-desorption of CH3OH with CO as a grain-gas bridge mechanism is compared with that of UV induced photodesorption and chemisorption.
Knochenstoffwechsel im Alter
Authors: Rolvien Tim , Amling Michael
Published: January 2018

Das Skelettsystem wird unter optimalen Bedingungen lebenslang erneuert, um sich mechanischen Belastungen anpassen sowie Knochenbrüchen Widerstand leisten zu können. Mit dem Alter kann sich das Gleichgewicht zwischen Knochenauf- und -abbau auf die Seite des Abbaus verschieben sowie die Knochenqualität verschlechtern, was zu einem Anstieg des Frakturrisikos führt. Ursächlich hierfür sind u. a. die Abnahme der regenerativen Kapazität mesenchymaler Stammzellen und die dadurch verminderte Knochenformation durch Osteoblasten. Des Weiteren sinkt die Zahl der sich im Knochen befindenden Osteozyten und es kommt zu zellintrinsischen Prozessen wie einer Anhäufung von reaktiven Sauerstoffspezies sowie verminderter lysosomaler Verdauung (Autophagozytose). Der Mangel an Geschlechtshormononen, Wachstumsfaktoren sowie endogener Glukokortikoidüberschuss und fehlende körperliche Bewegung sind weitere Faktoren, die im Alter zu einem katabolen Knochenstoffwechsel und einer Abnahme der Knochenmasse führen können. Patienten nach erfolgter Fraktur und über 60 Jahren sollten daher vor allem bei Vorhandensein von typischen Risikofaktoren osteologisch untersucht werden. Zur osteologischen Basisdiagnostik gehört die Knochendichtemessung in DXA-Technologie (DXA: dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) und ein ausführliches osteologisches Labor inklusive Bestimmung von Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy-Vitamin-D3). Die Patienten, deren statistisches Frakturrisiko ein Level von 30% übersteigt, erhalten dann zusätzlich zur Basistherapie in Form von Bewegung und Vitamin-D-Substitution eine spezifische osteologische Therapie (wie z. B. Bisphosphonat, Denosumab, Teriparatid), was mit einer erheblichen Risikoreduktion für weitere Frakturen einhergeht. Zusammenfassend stellt das Lebensalter einen Hauptrisikofaktor für Knochenbrüche und Osteoporose dar, weshalb die entsprechenden Patienten richtig diagnostiziert und behandelt werden müssen. So können die meisten Frakturen verhindert werden.
Alterstraumatologie im Gesichtsschädelbereich
Authors: Cornelius Carl-Peter , Mast Gerson , Goetz Philipp , Ehrenfeld Michael , Metzger Marc-Christian , Probst Florian
Published: January 2018

CMF-Traumen im Alter 65+ sind durch besondere Merkmale gekennzeichnet: Lokalisation und Frakturmuster, Stand des Involutionsprozesses mit Abnahme von Knochenquantität und -qualität, Begleitverletzungen, altersassoziierte physische und psychische Funktionseinbußen und präexistente Komorbiditäten. Der Stand des Wissens und aktuelle bevölkerungsbezogene Daten dieser Variablen werden zu Anfang dieser Übersicht dargestellt. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird dann zu den verschiedenen Frakturen und Frakturtypen in den einzelnen Regionen des Gesichtsschädelskeletts Stellung genommen und die Indikation zu einem konservativen oder operativen Prozedere in den Alterspopulationen diskutiert. Spezielle Aufmerksamkeit kommt dabei Fraktursituationen bei Zahnlosigkeit und Atrophie im Ober- und/oder Unterkiefer zu. Innerhalb des weitgesteckten Gesamtspektrums der Frakturszenarien haben schonende, situationsadaptierte, ggf. auch unkonventinelle Lösungen Priorität vor Standardtherapieverfahren. Neue Techniken wie computerassistierte Chirurgie und patientenspezifische Implantate spielen eine immer größere Rolle und werden an Einzelbeispielen demonstriert. Betont werden muss, dass die physischen Reserven und nötigenfalls die geriatrietypische Multimorbidität jedes Patienten individuell einzuschätzen ist und vorrangige Bedeutung vor dem kalendarischen Lebensalter hat.
Phenolic Compounds as Arginase Inhibitors: New Insights Regarding Endothelial Dysfunction Treatment
Authors: Minozzo Bruno , Fernandes Daniel , Beltrame Flávio
Published: January 2018

Endothelial dysfunction is characterised by the low bioavailability of nitric oxide with a relevant negative impact on the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway. The loss of nitric oxide/cGMP signaling may be caused by an increased arginase activity. Plant-derived substances, especially polyphenols, are compounds that have the potential to inhibit arginase activity and they may represent an attractive therapeutic option to combat clinical outcomes related to endothelial dysfunction. An extensive review was carried out using all available data published in English in the Pubmed database, and without restriction regarding the year of publication. Despite the increased number of new substances that have been tested as arginase inhibitors, it is rare to find a compound that satisfies all the toxicological criteria to be used in the development of a new drug. On the other hand, recent data have shown that substances from plants have great potential to be applied as arginase inhibitors, most of which are polyphenols. Of the relevant mechanisms in this process, the inhibition of arginase by natural products seems to act against endothelial dysfunction by reestablishing the vascular function and elevating nitric oxide levels (by increasing the amounts of substrate (L-arginine, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation and stabilisation) as well as decreasing the generation of reactive species (formed by uncoupledendothelial nitric oxide synthase). This review summarises several topics regarding arginase inhibition by natural substances as well as indicating this pathway as an emergent strategy to elevate nitric oxide levels in disorders involving endothelial dysfunction. In addition, some aspects regarding structural activity and future perspectives are discussed.
Design of a cathodoluminescence image generator using a Raspberry Pi coupled to a scanning electron microscope
Authors: Benítez Alfredo , Santiago Ulises , Sanchez John E. , Ponce Arturo
Published: January 2018

In this work, an innovative cathodoluminescence (CL) system is coupled to a scanning electron microscope and synchronized with a Raspberry Pi computer integrated with an innovative processing signal. The post-processing signal is based on a Python algorithm that correlates the CL and secondary electron (SE) images with a precise dwell time correction. For CL imaging, the emission signal is collected through an optical fiber and transduced to an electrical signal via a photomultiplier tube (PMT). CL Images are registered in a panchromatic mode and can be filtered using a monochromator connected between the optical fiber and the PMT to produce monochromatic CL images. The designed system has been employed to study ZnO samples prepared by electrical arc discharge and microwave methods. CL images are compared with SE images and chemical elemental mapping images to correlate the emission regions of the sample.
Quantitative estimation of nonmonotonic residual stress depth-profiles using an extended Kypris-Jiles model of the magnetic Barkhausen noise spectrum
Authors: Lasaosa Aitor , Gurruchaga Kizkitza , Arizti Fernando , Martínez-de-Guerenu Ane
Published: January 2018

Using nondestructive techniques to quantitatively estimate residual stresses along the depth is necessary to improve the ability to predict the real fatigue life of pieces for many applications. Magnetic Barkhausen noise has been proven to successfully estimate the residual stress at the surface produced by machining, plastic deformation, phase transformation or surface treatments such as shot peening, also allowing one to obtain information of the residual stress depth-profile in shot peened pieces which presented similar depth-profile shapes. However, residual stress depth-profiles with nonmonotonic or different shapes have not been successfully estimated. In the present study, an extended approach is developed in order to estimate these stresses independent of the shape of the residual stress depth-profile. The approach proposed here improves an existing model of the Barkhausen noise spectrum (Kypris-Jiles model) by adding the effect of the attenuation of the applied magnetic field on the Barkhausen noise. This extended approach is used to estimate the residual stress depth-profiles of samples with different depth-profiles using a calibration process. The approach is validated by estimating the residual stress depth-profiles, with errors smaller than 70 MPa in a depth of 130 μm, in all the samples studied.
Leaky electronic states for photovoltaic photodetectors based on asymmetric superlattices
Authors: Penello Germano Maioli , Pereira Pedro Henrique , Pires Mauricio Pamplona , Sivco Deborah , Gmachl Claire , Souza Patricia Lustoza
Published: January 2018

The concept of leaky electronic states in the continuum is used to achieve room temperature operation of photovoltaic superlattice infrared photodetectors. A structural asymmetric InGaAs/InAlAs potential profile is designed to create states in the continuum with the preferential direction for electron extraction and, consequently, to obtain photovoltaic operation at room temperature. Due to the photovoltaic operation and virtual increase in the bandoffset, the device presents both low dark current and low noise. The Johnson noise limited specific detectivity reaches values as high as 1.4 × 1011 Jones at 80 K. At 300 K, the detectivity obtained is 7.0 × 105 Jones.
Note: Improvement of the 3ω thermal conductivity measurement technique for its application at the nanoscale
Authors: Pennelli G. , Dimaggio E. , Macucci M.
Published: January 2018

Conventional techniques for thermal conductivity measurements can lead to unreliable results when applied to nanostructures because heaters and temperature sensors needed for the measurement cannot have a negligible size and therefore perturb the result. In this paper, we focus on the 3ω technique, applied to the evaluation of the thermal conductivity of suspended silicon nanoribbons. We introduce a numerical approach based on the finite element solution of the electrical and thermal transport equations and compare its results with those of conventional methods. We show that with our approach we achieve an excellent fit of the experimental data, in particular, for nanostructured materials.
On the folding of a structurally complex protein to its metastable active state
Authors: Giri Rao V. V. Hemanth , Gosavi Shachi
Published: January 2018

Significance

Proteins usually fold to their thermodynamically stable states. The serine protease inhibitors (serpins) modulate several biological processes such as blood clotting and inflammation. These proteins are unusual because their functionally active state, and consequently the state that they need to fold to and populate, is significantly less stable than an alternate latent conformation. This metastability facilitates conformational conversion to the inactive state which irreversibly traps the protease. However, it also makes the serpins prone to disease-linked polymerization. Here, we investigate the structural basis for this conformational choice using folding simulations of the serpin, α1-antitrypsin. We find that the structure of the protease-binding reactive center loop is determined early during folding and gates kinetic accessibility to the latent conformation.
Role of boundary conditions in determining cell alignment in response to stretch
Authors: Chen Kellen , Vigliotti Andrea , Bacca Mattia , McMeeking Robert M. , Deshpande Vikram S. , Holmes Jeffrey W.
Published: January 2018

Significance

Alignment of cells in response to mechanical cues plays an important role in a wide range of physiologic processes. Multiple cell types orient perpendicular to applied cyclic stretch in 2D culture but parallel to stretch in 3D culture, and the mechanisms underlying this behavior remain elusive. We tested a promising hypothesized mechanism called strain avoidance and showed that it cannot explain cell alignment across the conditions that we examined. By contrast, a computational model of stress fiber kinetics incorporating the influence of traction boundary conditions and altered strain transmission in soft gels reproduced all of our experimental results as well as published 2D stretch experiments. These findings could improve understanding, modeling, and therapeutic modulation of tissue development, regeneration, and repair.
Functional evolution of biosynthetic enzymes that produce plant volatiles*
Authors: Koeduka Takao
Published: January 2018

Plants synthesize volatile compounds to attract pollinators. The volatiles emitted by flowers are often complex mixtures of organic compounds; pollinators are capable of distinctly recognizing different volatile compounds. Plants also produce volatile compounds to protect themselves against herbivores and pathogens. Some of the volatile compounds produced in floral and vegetative tissues are toxic to insects and microbes. To adapt changes in the environment, plants have evolved the ability to synthesize a unique set of volatiles. Intensive studies have identified and characterized the enzymes responsible for the formation of plant volatiles. In particular, many biosynthetic genes have been isolated and their enzymatic functions have been proposed. This review describes how plants have evolved the biosynthetic pathways leading to the formation of green leaf volatiles and phenylpropene volatiles.
Cdk1-dependent phosphoinhibition of a formin-F-BAR interaction opposes cytokinetic contractile ring formation
Authors: Willet Alaina H. , Bohnert K. Adam , Gould Kathleen L.
Published: January 2018

In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, cytokinesis requires the assembly and constriction of an actomyosin-based contractile ring (CR). A single essential formin, Cdc12, localizes to the cell middle upon mitotic onset and nucleates the F-actin of the CR. Cdc12 medial recruitment is mediated in part by its direct binding to the F-BAR scaffold Cdc15. Given that Cdc12 is hyperphosphorylated in M phase, we explored whether Cdc12 phosphoregulation impacts its association with Cdc15 during mitosis. We found that Cdk1, a major mitotic kinase, phosphorylates Cdc12 on six N-terminal residues near the Cdc15-binding site, and phosphorylation on these sites inhibits its interaction with the Cdc15 F-BAR domain. Consistent with this finding, a cdc12 mutant with all six Cdk1 sites changed to phosphomimetic residues (cdc12-6D) displays phenotypes similar to cdc12-P31A, in which the Cdc15-binding motif is disrupted; both show reduced Cdc12 at the CR and delayed CR formation. Together, these results indicate that Cdk1 phosphorylation of formin Cdc12 antagonizes its interaction with Cdc15 and thereby opposes Cdc12’s CR localization. These results are consistent with a general role for Cdk1 in inhibiting cytokinesis until chromosome segregation is complete.
Central banking and the infrastructural power of finance: the case of ECB support for repo and securitization markets
Authors: Braun Benjamin
Published: January 2018

The pre-crisis rise and post-crisis resilience of European repo and securitization markets represent political victories for the interests of large banks. To explain when and how finance wins, the literature emphasizes lobbying capacity (instrumental power) and the financial sector’s central position in the economy (structural power). Increasingly, however, finance also enjoys infrastructural power, which stems from entanglements between specific financial markets and public-sector actors, such as treasuries and central banks, which govern by transacting in those markets. To demonstrate the analytical value of this perspective, the article traces how the European Central Bank (ECB), motivated by monetary policy considerations, has shaped post-crisis financial policymaking in the EU. It shows that the ECB has played a key part in fending off a financial transaction tax on repos and in shoring up and rebuilding the securitization market. With market-based forms of state agency on the rise, infrastructural entanglement and power shed new light on the politics of finance.
Adenocarcinoma of Pigmented Ciliary Epithelium in a Child With Aicardi Syndrome and Congenital Microphthalmia With Cyst
Authors: Lira Jennifer , Berry Duncan E. , Weller Christopher L. , Proia Alan D. , Leyngold Ilya M.
Published: January 2018

A 5-year-old girl with Aicardi syndrome and microphthalmia with cyst of the OD presented with progressive enlargement of the cyst causing pain. Microophthalmia with inferior cyst (35 × 25 × 12 mm) was noted at birth, and Aicardi syndrome was diagnosed at 10 months by the presence of the classic triad of callosal agenesis, infantile spasms, and chorioretinal lacunae. She underwent enucleation with cyst resection, and subsequent reconstruction with a dermis fat graft. Histopathologic study revealed adenocarcinoma of the pigmented ciliary epithelium. Full-body metastatic workup was negative. Adenocarcinoma of the pigmented ciliary epithelium is an extremely rare eye tumor with only 4 documented cases in the literature, none arising in a microophthalmic eye with cyst. Aicardi syndrome is also a rare disease that has been associated with increased incidence of malignancy and ocular abnormalities, but has never been described in association with microophthalmia with cyst or with adenocarcinoma of the pigmented ciliary epithelium. Herein, the authors present a review of the case and relevant literature.
Extended Versus Intermittent Infusions of Cefepime for the Treatment of Febrile Neutropenia
Authors: Przybylski Daniel J. , Reeves David J.
Published: January 2018

Background

Neutropenic fever is an oncologic emergency treated with β-lactam antibiotics. Previous literature suggests that extended infusions of β-lactam antibiotics may improve clinical outcomes. Currently, there is only 1 previous study investigating the use of extended infusions in this population, which demonstrated a lack of benefit.

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of extended infusions of cefepime compared with intermittent infusions in patients with febrile neutropenia.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was completed comparing extended infusions with intermittent infusions of cefepime for febrile neutropenia. Adult patients admitted to a community teaching hospital who incurred febrile neutropenia were included.

Results

A total of 166 patients receiving cefepime were included, of which 28 received extended infusions and 138 received intermittent infusions. Overall, baseline characteristics were similar between groups besides receipt of prior chemotherapy, duration of neutropenia, optimal renal dosing, and presence of documented mucositis. In the extended infusion arm, defervescence at 24 hours was more frequent (82% vs 51%, P = 0.002) and median time to defervescence was decreased by 14 hours (10 vs 24 hours, P = 0.02). Furthermore, extended infusions increased the odds of defervescence at 24 hours by 4.28 (95% confidence interval, 1.43–12.75; P = 0.009) and doubled the likelihood of defervescence at any time (hazard ratio, 2.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.23–3.32, P = 0.005).

Conclusions

Contrary to prior literature, extended infusions of cefepime significantly decreased the time to defervescence and increased the proportion with defervescence at 24 hours. This suggests that extended infusions of cefepime may be superior to intermittent infusions, but future prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
An Innovative Solution for Prolonged Air Leaks
Authors: Mehta Ravindra M. , Singla Abhinav , Bhat Rajani S. , Godara Rakesh , Lokanath Chakravarthi , Cutaia Michael
Published: January 2018

Background:

Prolonged air leak (PAL) is a life-threatening condition that can present either as bronchopleural fistula, or alveolar-pleural fistula (APF). Although numerous bronchoscopic treatments are described, they are either expensive, not widely available in the developing world or have limited success. We describe our experience with a novel customized endobronchial silicone blocker (CESB) for PAL treatment.

Methods:

This is a retrospective study of PAL patients who underwent CESB placement. The air leak was localized using a balloon occlusion test. The CESB was uniquely designed by molding silicone stent pieces into a conical shape, deployed with rigid bronchoscopy into the appropriate segment, and reinforced with cyanoacrylate glue to prevent migration. In patients with APF, pleurodesis was performed after leak resolution to prevent recurrence. Following this, the CESB was removed after 6 weeks.

Results:

Forty-nine CESBs were placed in 31 patients (25 male individuals, 6 female individuals) with mean age of 49.7±19.7 years. The PALs included APF (n=16), bronchopleural fistula (n=14), and airway-mediastinal fistula (n=1). The average diameter of the CESB used was 7.9±2.9 mm. There was resolution of the PAL in 26 of 31 patients (84%). The CESB migrated in 5 patients with no adverse events. Pleurodesis was performed in 13 of 16 patients with APF, to prevent recurrence. No other significant complications were observed.

Conclusions:

CESBs represent a safe, effective, and innovative approach in the management of PAL. They should be considered in patients who are not surgical candidates, fail surgery, or those who have a recurrence following surgery.
Direction-fixed and Direction-changing Positional Nystagmus in Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
Authors: Kim Chang-Hee , Choi Jin Woo , Han Kyu Jin , Lee Yong Sik , Shin Jung Eun
Published: January 2018

Objectives:

To investigate the incidence of positional nystagmus (PN) using a head-roll test in patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome with vertigo (RHS_V) and discuss possible mechanisms.

Study Design:

Retrospective study.

Setting:

Tertiary referral academic medical center.

Patients:

Twenty-eight patients with RHS_V were enrolled.

Main Outcome Measure:

Eye movements were recorded at positions of head roll to the right or left, and PN was classified as direction-fixed or direction-changing. Vestibular function tests including caloric test were performed.

Results:

Direction-fixed nystagmus beating away from the affected side was the most common type of PN (61%), followed by direction-changing geotropic type (18%), direction-fixed nystagmus beating toward the affected side (14%), and direction-changing apogeotropic type (7%). The duration of nystagmus was longer than 60 seconds in all patients exhibiting direction-changing PN. Postcontrast T1-weighted internal auditory canal (IAC) magnetic resonance imaging showed enhancement of not only the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves, but also the inner ear structures or dura along the IAC, suggesting inflammatory changes within the labyrinthine membrane or IAC dura.

Conclusion:

Although direction-fixed PN was more commonly observed (75%), direction-changing PN was also observed in some RHS_V patients (25%). The mechanism of direction-changing PN may be, at least in part, explained by the alteration of specific gravity of the lateral semicircular canal cupula or endolymph due to inflammation in the inner ear membrane.
Patterns and Predictors of Return to Work After Major Trauma
Authors: Collie Alex , Simpson Pamela M. , Cameron Peter A. , Ameratunga Shanthi , Ponsford Jennie , Lyons Ronan A. , Braaf Sandra , Nunn Andrew , Harrison James E. , Gabbe Belinda J.
Published: January 2018

Objective:

To characterize patterns of engagement in work during the 4-year period after major traumatic injury, and to identify factors associated with those patterns.

Background:

Employment is an important marker of functional recovery from injury. There are few population-based studies of long-term employment outcomes, and limited data on the patterns of return to work (RTW) after injury.

Methods:

A population-based, prospective cohort study using the Victorian State Trauma Registry. A total of 1086 working age individuals, in paid employment or full-time education before injury, were followed-up through telephone interview at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months post-injury. Responses to RTW questions were used to define 4 discrete patterns: early and sustained; delayed; failed; no RTW. Predictors of RTW patterns were assessed using multivariate multinomial logistic regression.

Results:

Slightly more than half of respondents (51.6%) recorded early sustained RTW. A further 15.5% had delayed and 13.3% failed RTW. One in 5 (19.7%) did not RTW. Compared with early sustained RTW, predictors of delayed and no RTW included being in a manual occupation and injury in a motor vehicle accident. Older age and receiving compensation predicted both failed and no RTW patterns. Preinjury disability was an additional predictor of failed RTW. Presence of comorbidity was an additional predictor of no RTW.

Conclusions:

A range of personal, occupational, injury, health, and compensation system factors influence RTW patterns after serious injury. Early identification of people at risk for delayed, failed, or no RTW is needed so that targeted interventions can be delivered.
Robotic crabs reveal that female fiddler crabs are sensitive to changes in male display rate
Authors: Mowles Sophie L. , Jennions Michael D. , Backwell Patricia R. Y.
Published: January 2018

Males often produce dynamic, repetitive courtship displays that can be demanding to perform and might advertise male quality to females. A key feature of demanding displays is that they can change in intensity: escalating as a male increases his signalling effort, but de-escalating as a signaller becomes fatigued. Here, we investigated whether female fiddler crabs,
Uca mjoebergi
, are sensitive to changes in male courtship wave rate. We performed playback experiments using robotic male crabs that had the same mean wave rate, but either escalated, de-escalated or remained constant. Females demonstrated a strong preference for escalating robots, but showed mixed responses to robots that de-escalated (‘fast’ to ‘slow’) compared to those that waved at a constant ‘medium’ rate. These findings demonstrate that females can discern changes in male display rate, and prefer males that escalate, but that females are also sensitive to past display rates indicative of prior vigour.
Comprehensive assessment of the quality of Salmonella whole genome sequence data available in public sequence databases using the Salmonella in silico Typing Resource (SISTR)
Authors: Robertson James , Yoshida Catherine , Kruczkiewicz Peter , Nadon Celine , Nichani Anil , Taboada Eduardo N. , Nash John Howard Eagles
Published: January 2018

Public health and food safety institutions around the world are adopting whole genome sequencing (WGS) to replace conventional methods for characterizing Salmonella for use in surveillance and outbreak response. Falling costs and increased throughput of WGS have resulted in an explosion of data, but questions remain as to the reliability and robustness of the data. Due to the critical importance of serovar information to public health, it is essential to have reliable serovar assignments available for all of the Salmonella records. The current study used a systematic assessment and curation of all Salmonella in the sequence read archive (SRA) to assess the state of the data and their utility. A total of 67 758 genomes were assembled de novo and quality-assessed for their assembly metrics as well as species and serovar assignments. A total of 42 400 genomes passed all of the quality criteria but 30.16 % of genomes were deposited without serotype information. These data were used to compare the concordance of reported and predicted serovars for two in silico prediction tools, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and the Salmonella in silico Typing Resource (SISTR), which produced predictions that were fully concordant with 87.51 and 91.91 % of the tested isolates, respectively. Concordance of in silico predictions increased when serovar variants were grouped together, 89.25 % for MLST and 94.98 % for SISTR. This study represents the first large-scale validation of serovar information in public genomes and provides a large validated set of genomes, which can be used to benchmark new bioinformatics tools.