bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacteriophages to reduce gut carriage of antibiotic resistant uropathogens with low impact on microbiota composition
Authors: Galtier Matthieu , De Sordi Luisa , Maura Damien , Arachchi Harindra , Volant Stevenn , Dillies Marie‐Agnès , Debarbieux Laurent
Published: March 2016

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the leading cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) worldwide, causing over 150 million clinical cases annually. There is currently no specific treatment addressing the asymptomatic carriage in the gut of UPEC before they initiate UTIs. This study investigates the efficacy of virulent bacteriophages to decrease carriage of gut pathogens. Three virulent bacteriophages infecting an antibiotic‐resistant UPEC strain were isolated and characterized both in vitro and in vivo. A new experimental murine model of gut carriage of E. coli was elaborated and the impact of virulent bacteriophages on colonization levels and microbiota diversity was assessed. A single dose of a cocktail of the three bacteriophages led to a sharp decrease in E. coli levels throughout the gut. We also observed that microbiota diversity was much less affected by bacteriophages than by antibiotics. Therefore, virulent bacteriophages can efficiently target UPEC strains residing in the gut, with potentially profound public health and economic impacts. These results open a new area with the possibility to manipulate specifically the microbiota using virulent bacteriophages, which could have broad applications in many gut‐related disorders/diseases and beyond.
Endosomal sorting complexes required for transport‐0 is essential for fungal development and pathogenicity in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Xie Qiurong , Chen Ahai , Zheng Wenhui , Xu Huaijian , Shang Wenjie , Zheng Huawei , Zhang Dongmei , Zhou Jie , Lu Guodong , Li Guangpu , Wang Zonghua
Published: March 2016

Fusarium graminearum is an important plant pathogen that causes head blight of major cereal crops. The vacuolar protein sorting (Vps) protein Vps27 is a component of ESCRT‐0 involved in the multivesicular body (MVB) sorting pathway during endocytosis. In this study, we investigated the function of FgVps27 using a gene replacement strategy. The FgVPS27 deletion mutant (ΔFgvps27) exhibited a reduction in growth rate, aerial hyphae formation and hydrophobicity. It also showed increased sensitivity to cell wall‐damaging agents and to osmotic stresses. In addition, FgHog1, the critical component of high osmolarity glycerol response pathway, was mis‐localized in the ΔFgvps27 mutant upon NaCl treatment. Furthermore, the ΔFgvps27 mutant was defective in conidial production and was unable to generate perithecium in sexual reproduction. The depletion of FgVPS27 also caused a significant reduction in virulence. Further analysis by domain‐specific deletion revealed that the FYVE domain was essential for the FgVps27 function and was necessary for the proper localization of FgVps27‐GFP and endocytosis. Another component of ESCRT‐0, the FgVps27‐interacting partner FgHse1, also played an important role in F. graminearum development and pathogenesis. Overall, our results indicate that ESCRT‐0 components play critical roles in a variety of cellular and biological processes.
Licensing, Popular Practices and Public Spaces: An Inquiry via the Geographies of Street Food Vending
Authors: Koch Regan
Published: March 2016

The socio‐legal technology of licensing is one of the primary tools governments use to manage spaces and practices deemed risky or threatening to public order. Licensing requirements thus play a crucial role in shaping routine experiences in public space as well as the trajectories of emerging forms of public life. Yet licensing laws have largely been ignored in critical urban scholarship: too often concerned with the interpretation and critique of popular practices and public spaces, the mundane operations of urban governance are often left to practitioners and policy researchers. This article demonstrates how paying closer attention to licensure can provide valuable and unexpected insights into matters of social equality, urban amenity and economic opportunity. It does so through a comparative inquiry into practices of street food vending in New York City, Seattle, and Portland, Oregon. Drawing on ethnographic study and interviews, the article demonstrates how licensing can be involved in the production of quite peculiar and unjust geographies of practice, but also how shifts in popular culture can force a reconsideration of taken‐for‐ granted laws. In conclusion, it is argued that a focus on licensing offers a productive pathway for new forms of critical urban research and provides a potential point of leverage in efforts to configure better and more democratic forms of urban public life.
A randomized phase l pharmacokinetic study comparing SB4 and etanercept reference product (Enbrel®) in healthy subjects
Authors: Lee Yoon Jung , Shin Donghoon , Kim Youngdoe , Kang Jungwon , Gauliard Anke , Fuhr Rainard
Published: March 2016

Aims

SB4 has been developed as a biosimilar of etanercept. The primary objective of the present study was to demonstrate the pharmacokinetic (PK) equivalence between SB4 and European Union ‐sourced etanercept (EU‐ETN), SB4 and United States‐sourced etanercept (US‐ETN), and EU‐ETN and US‐ETN. The safety and immunogenicity were also compared between the treatments.

Methods

This was a single‐blind, three‐part, crossover study in 138 healthy male subjects. In each part, 46 subjects were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive a single 50 mg subcutaneous dose of the treatments (part A: SB4 or EU‐ETN; part B: SB4 or US‐ETN; and part C: EU‐ETN or US‐ETN) in period 1, followed by the crossover treatment in period 2 according to their assigned sequences. PK equivalence between the treatments was determined using the standard equivalence margin of 80–125%.

Results

The geometric least squares means ratios of AUCinf, AUClast and Cmax were 99.04%, 98.62% and 103.71% (part A: SB4 vs. EU‐ETN); 101.09%, 100.96% and 104.36% (part B: SB4 vs. US‐ETN); and 100.51%, 101.27% and 103.29% (part C: EU‐ETN vs. US‐ETN), respectively, and the corresponding 90% confidence intervals were completely contained within the limits of 80–125 %. The incidence of treatment‐emergent adverse events was comparable, and the incidence of the antidrug antibodies was lower in SB4 compared with the reference products.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated PK equivalence between SB4 and EU‐ETN, SB4 and US‐ETN, and EU‐ETN and US‐ETN in healthy male subjects. SB4 was well tolerated, with a lower immunogenicity profile and similar safety profile compared with those of the reference products.
Prophylaxe beim hereditären Angioödem (HAE) mit C1‐Inhibitormangel
Authors: Greve Jens , Strassen Ulrich , Gorczyza Marina , Dominas Nina , Frahm Uta‐Marie , Mühlberg Heike , Wiednig Michaela , Zampeli Vasiliki , Magerl Markus
Published: March 2016

Das hereditäre Angioödem (engl.: hereditary angioedema, HAE) ist eine seltene angeborene Erkrankung, die durch wiederkehrende Episoden subkutaner oder submuköser Ödeme charakterisiert ist. Kehlkopf‐Manifestationen können lebensbedrohlich sein. In den meisten Fällen kann die Erkrankung mit einem On‐Demand‐Ansatz angemessen behandelt werden – in einigen Fällen ist jedoch eine Kurz‐ oder Langzeitprophylaxe angebracht. Attenuierte Androgene waren einmal das Standardmedikament; sie werden jedoch mit erheblichen Nebenwirkungen in Verbindung gebracht und sind in den deutschsprachigen Ländern der EU nicht mehr kommerziell erhältlich. Zurzeit werden sie von wirksameren und besser verträglichen Therapien wie C1‐Esterase‐Inhibitoren, dem Kallikrein‐Inhibitor Ecallantid und dem B2‐Rezeptorantagonisten Icatibant verdrängt, welche kürzlich auf dem Markt zugelassen wurden. Diese neuen Medikamente hatten einen erheblichen Einfluss, insbesondere auf die Indikationsstellung und das Vorgehen bei einer Langzeitprophylaxe. Nach den neuesten internationalen Konsenspapieren und unserer eigenen Erfahrung sind selbstverabreichte C1‐Inhibitoren nun die erste Option bei der Langzeitprophylaxe. Die Entscheidung für eine Prophylaxe sollte nicht länger auf der Grundlage einzelner Parameter wie der Häufigkeit der Anfälle getroffen werden, sondern auf einer adäquaten allgemeinen Krankheitskontrolle, einschließlich der Lebensqualität. Zurzeit werden weitere Medikamente entwickelt, welche zu weiteren Veränderungen bei den Behandlungsalgorithmen des HAE führen könnten.
Leitlinie Dermatomyositis – Auszug aus der interdisziplinären S2k‐Leitlinie zu Myositissyndromen der deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurologie
Authors: Sunderkötter Cord , Nast Alexander , Worm Margitta , Dengler Reinhard , Dörner Thomas , Ganter Horst , Hohlfeld Reinhard , Melms Arthur , Melzer Nico , Rösler Kai , Schmidt Jens , Sinnreich Michael , Walter Maggi C. , Wanschitz Julia , Wiendl Heinz
Published: March 2016

Diese Leitlinie für Dermatomyositis (DM) ist ein Auszug aus der interdisziplinären S2k‐Leitlinie der deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurologie zu Myositissyndromen. Schlüsselsymptom für die Myositis bei DM ist eine proximal‐symmetrische Muskelschwäche. Weitere diagnostische Hinweise liefern Creatinkinase, CRP oder BSG, Elektromyographie und Muskelbiopsie. Schluck‐, Atem‐, Herz‐ und Nackenmuskulatur können beteiligt sein. Da ca. 30 % der Patienten eine interstitielle Lungenerkrankung haben, sollte auch ein Lungenfunktionstest erfolgen. Die Hauteffloreszenzen sind unterschiedlich, aber in ihrer Zusammenschau ein charakteristisches und entscheidendes Kriterium für die DM. In fünf bis ca. 20 % der Fälle treten typische Hauteffloreszenzen, aber keine klinisch manifeste Muskelbeteiligung auf (amyopathische DM). Etwa 30 % aller DM des Erwachsenen sind tumorassoziiert, die Therapie bei schwerer Myositis sollte aber deshalb nicht verzögert werden.

Mittel der ersten Wahl gegen die Myositis sind Glukokortikoide. Häufig sind zusätzlich Immunsuppressiva notwendig (Azathioprin, bei Kindern Methotrexat). Bei ungenügendem Ansprechen sind intravenöse Immunglobuline gerechtfertigt. Der Nutzen von Rituximab konnte nicht abschließend beurteilt werden. Auf die Akuttherapie folgt für ca. 1–3 Jahre eine niedrig dosierte Langzeittherapie. Die Hautsymptome sprechen nicht immer ausreichend auf die Myositis‐Therapie an. Hier helfen topische Glukokortikoide, mitunter auch Calcineurininhibitoren. Systemisch haben Antimalariamittel (auch kombiniert), Methotrexat und Glukokortikoide Wirksamkeit gezeigt, intravenöse Immunglobuline oder Rituximab können ebenfalls wirksam sein. Sonnenschutz ist eine wichtige prophylaktische Maßnahme.
Exploring the non‐linear association between BMI and mortality in adults with and without diabetes: the US National Health Interview Survey
Authors: Wang Z. , Dong B. , Hu J. , Adegbija O. , Arnold L. W.
Published: March 2016

Aims

To assess the non‐linear relationship between BMI and mortality and to determine the BMI values with the lowest mortality risk in adults with and without diabetes.

Methods

This observational study assessed the relationship between BMI and mortality with flexible parametric survival models using data from the US National Health Interview Survey. Participants included 25 458 adults with diabetes and 315 939 adults without diabetes, aged 18–84 years at baseline surveys, conducted from 1997 to 2009. Mortality status data were obtained from the linked mortality data up to 2011.

Results

We observed a U‐shaped relationship between BMI and mortality in both adults with and without diabetes. With the BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2 group as reference, hazard ratios (95% CI) of mortality for those with BMI < 18.5, 18.5–24.9, 30–34.9, 35–39.9 and ≥ 40 kg/m2 were 2.67 (2.12, 3.35), 1.26 (1.18, 1.35), 1.04 (0.98, 1.12), 1.12 (1.02, 1.22) and 1.37 (1.24, 1.51), respectively, for adults with diabetes, adjusting for age, sex, race and survey year. The corresponding hazard ratios for adults without diabetes were 2.97 (2.78, 3.17), 1.27 (1.23, 1.30), 1.07 (1.03, 1.12), 1.36 (1.27, 1.45), and 1.77 (1.62, 1.92), respectively. The BMI values associated with the lowest mortality were 29.1 kg/m2 for adults with diabetes and 26.7 kg/m2 for those without diabetes.

Conclusions

Regardless of the presence of diabetes, there is a U‐shaped relationship between BMI and mortality. The BMI values associated with the lowest mortality were above the current ‘normal’ range for adults with and without diabetes.
The JAK/STAT pathway in obesity and diabetes
Authors: Gurzov Esteban N. , Stanley William J. , Pappas Evan G. , Thomas Helen E. , Gough Daniel J.
Published: March 2016

Diabetes mellitus are complex, multi‐organ metabolic pathologies characterized by hyperglycemia. Emerging evidence shows that the highly conserved and potent JAK/STAT signaling pathway is required for normal homeostasis, and, when dysregulated, contributes to the development of obesity and diabetes. In this review, we analyze the role of JAK/STAT activation in the brain, liver, muscle, fat and pancreas, and how this affects the course of the disease. We also consider the therapeutic implications of targeting the JAK/STAT pathway in treatment of obesity and diabetes.
Episodic granite accumulation and extraction from the mid‐crust
Authors: Hall D. , Kisters A.
Published: March 2016

The processes of long‐range granitic magma transfer from mid‐ and lower crustal anatectic zones to upper crustal pluton emplacement sites remain controversial in the literature. This is partly because feeder networks that could have accommodated this large‐scale magma transport remain elusive in the field. Existing granite ascent models are based largely on numerical and theoretical studies that seek to demonstrate the viability of fracture‐controlled magma transport through dykes or self‐propagating hydrofractures. In most cases, the models present very little supporting field evidence, such as sufficiently voluminous near‐ or within‐source magma accumulations, to support their basic premises. We document large (deca‐ to hectometre‐scale), steeply dipping and largely homogeneous granite lenses in suprasolidus (~5 kbar, ~750 °C) mid‐crustal rocks in the Damara Belt in Namibia. The lenses are surrounded by and connected to shallowly dipping networks of stromatic leucogranites in the well‐layered gneisses of the deeply incised Husab Gorge. The outcrops define a four‐stage process from (i) the initial formation and growth of large, subvertical magma‐filled lenses as extension fractures developed at high angles to the subhorizontal regional extension in relatively competent wall‐rock layers. This stage is followed by (ii) the simultaneous lateral inflation and (iii) subcritical vertical growth of the lenses to a critical length that (iv) promotes fracture destabilization, buoyancy‐driven upward fracture mobilization and, consequently, vertical magma transport. These field observations are compared with existing numerical models and are used to constrain, by referring to the dimensions of the largest preserved inflated leucogranite lens, an estimate of the minimum fracture length (~100 m) and volume (~2.4 × 105 m3) required to initiate buoyancy‐driven brittle fracture propagation in this particular mid‐crustal section. The critical values and field relationships compare favourably with theoretical models of magma ascent along vertical self‐propagating hydrofractures which close at their tails during propagation. This process leaves behind subtle wake‐like structures and thin leucogranite trails that mark the path of magma ascent. Reutilization of such conduits by repeated inflation and drainage is consistent with the episodic accumulation and removal of magma from the mid‐crust and is reflected in the sheeted nature of many upper crustal granitoid plutons.
Psychopathy and Machiavellianism: A Distinction Without a Difference?
Authors: Miller Joshua D. , Hyatt Courtland S. , Maples‐Keller Jessica L. , Carter Nathan T. , Lynam Donald R.
Published: March 2016

A robust literature has emerged on the Dark Triad (DT) of personality—Machiavellianism (MACH), psychopathy, and narcissism. Questions remain as to whether MACH and psychopathy are distinguishable and whether MACH's empirical and theoretical networks are consistent. In Study 1 (N = 393; MTurk research participants), factor analyses were used to compare two‐factor (MACH and psychopathy combined + narcissism) and three‐factor models, with both fitting the data equally well. In Studies 1 and 2 (N = 341; undergraduate research participants), DT scores were examined in relation to a variety of external criteria, including self‐ and informant ratings of personality, adverse developmental experiences, and psychopathological symptoms/behaviors. In both studies, MACH and psychopathy manifested nearly identical empirical profiles and both were significantly related to disinhibitory traits thought to be antithetical to MACH. In Study 3 (N = 36; expert raters), expert ratings of the Five‐Factor Model traits prototypical of MACH were collected and compared with empirically derived profiles. Measures of MACH yielded profiles that were inconsistent with the prototypical expert‐rated profile due to their positive relations with a broad spectrum of impulsivity‐related traits. Ultimately, measures of psychopathy and MACH appear to be measuring the same construct, and MACH assessments fail to capture the construct as articulated in theoretical descriptions.
Blockade of RAGE in Zucker obese rats with experimental periodontitis
Authors: Grauballe M. B. , Østergaard J. A. , Schou S. , Flyvbjerg A. , Holmstrup P.
Published: March 2016

Background and Objective

Periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) are two interrelated chronic diseases. Periodontitis is more prevalent in patients with T2D than in healthy subjects, and studies indicate that periodontitis impacts the metabolic control of patients with T2D. Hyperglycemia in T2D leads to the formation of advanced glycation end‐products (AGEs). Binding of AGEs to the receptor of AGE (RAGE) elicits an increased inflammatory response that may be a key modulator linking the two diseases. The present study aimed to elucidate the effect of blocking the RAGE on the interrelationship between periodontitis and T2D in a rat model of both diseases.

Material and methods

Zucker obese rats (HsdHlr:ZUCKER‐Lepr fa/fa) and their lean littermates were divided into five treatment groups, with and without periodontitis. Monoclonal anti‐RAGE IgG3 were injected into the rats three times a week. The diabetic state was evaluated by oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs), the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), concentration of free fatty acids and repeated measurements of blood glucose. Markers of systemic inflammation, including interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6 and tumor necrosis factor α, were evaluated in plasma. Kidney complications were evaluated by quantitative real‐time PCR, the creatinine clearance rate, the albumin excretion rate and kidney hypertrophy. Periodontitis was evaluated by morphometric registration of alveolar bone loss and radiographic recording of bone support.

Results

The diabetic state was improved by antibody treatment for 4 wk, resulting in a lower area under the glucose concentration curve during OGTTs, lower insulin levels and a lower HOMA. Furthermore, the antibody treatment resulted in milder kidney complications, as evaluated by measuring the albumin excretion rate and the kidney weight. There was no impact of periodontal inflammation on the level of complications. Periodontal bone support was influenced by diabetes, but the altered diabetic status as a result of treatment with anti‐RAGE Ig had no effect on periodontitis.

Conclusion

In this study, treatment with anti‐RAGE IgG3 resulted in improved glucose tolerance and attenuated renal complications. However, no effect was observed on the diabetes‐associated periodontitis in Zucker obese rats. Furthermore, periodontitis had no effect on diabetic markers or renal complications. Therefore, activation of RAGE is important in the development of T2D.
Nomogram of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer system for individual prognostic prediction in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hsu Chia‐Yang , Liu Po‐Hong , Hsia Cheng‐Yuan , Lee Yun‐Hsuan , Al Juboori Alhareth , Lee Rheun‐Chuan , Lin Han‐Chieh , Huo Teh‐Ia
Published: March 2016

Background & Aims

The predictive accuracy of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system on a single patient is not clear. This study aimed to develop a nomogram to predict individualized survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on the BCLC system.

Methods

A total of 3179 patients were randomly grouped into derivation (n = 2119) and validation (n = 1060) sets. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to generate the nomogram from tumour burden, cirrhosis and performance status (PS). The performance of the nomogram was evaluated by concordance indices and calibration tests.

Results

Beta coefficients from the Cox model were used to assign nomogram points to different degrees of tumour burden, Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh classification and PS. A nomogram with a scale of 0–26 was developed and the predicted survival rates at 3 and 5 years were calculated. The derivation set had a concordance index of 0.766 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.686–0.838); and the validation set showed a concordance index of 0.775 (95% CI: 0.607–0.909). The calibration plots were close to the 45‐degree line for 3‐ and 5‐year survival prediction of BCLC stages 0–C patients in both derivation and validation groups. For BCLC stage D patients, calibration plots in both groups showed deviation from the 45‐degree line for 3‐ and 5‐year prediction.

Conclusions

This study provides quantitative evidence to support the prognostic ability of BCLC system. This straightforward and easy‐to‐use nomogram may accurately predict the survival at 3 and 5 years for individual HCC patient except for BCLC stage D patients.
Diabetes mellitus in patients with cirrhosis: clinical implications and management
Authors: Elkrief Laure , Rautou Pierre‐Emmanuel , Sarin Shiv , Valla Dominique , Paradis Valérie , Moreau Richard
Published: March 2016

Disorders of glucose metabolism, namely glucose intolerance and diabetes, are frequent in patients with chronic liver diseases. In patients with cirrhosis, diabetes can be either a classical type 2 diabetes mellitus or the so‐called hepatogenous diabetes, i.e. a consequence of liver insufficiency and portal hypertension. This review article provides an overview of the possible pathophysiological mechanisms explaining diabetes in patients with cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is associated with portosystemic shunts as well as reduced hepatic mass, which can both impair insulin clearance by the liver, contributing to peripheral insulin resistance through insulin receptors down‐regulation. Moreover, cirrhosis is associated with increased levels of advanced‐glycation‐end products and hypoxia‐inducible‐factors, which may play a role in the development of diabetes. This review also focuses on the clinical implications of diabetes in patients with cirrhosis. First, diabetes is an independent factor for poor prognosis in patients with cirrhosis. Specifically, diabetes is associated with the occurrence of major complications of cirrhosis, including ascites and renal dysfunction, hepatic encephalopathy and bacterial infections. Diabetes is also associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic liver diseases. Last, the management of patients with concurrent diabetes and liver disease is also addressed. Recent findings suggest a beneficial impact of metformin in patients with chronic liver diseases. Insulin is often required in patients with advanced cirrhosis. However, the favourable impact of controlling diabetes in patients with cirrhosis has not been demonstrated yet.
Deciphering the regulon of a GntR family regulator via transcriptome and ChIP‐exo analyses and its contribution to virulence in Xanthomonas citri
Authors: Zhou Xiaofeng , Yan Qing , Wang Nian
Published: March 2016

Xanthomonas contains a large group of plant‐associated species, many of which cause severe diseases on important crops worldwide. Six gluconate‐operon repressor (GntR) family transcriptional regulators are predicted in Xanthomonas, one of which, belonging to the YtrA subfamily, plays a prominent role in bacterial virulence. However, the direct targets and comprehensive regulatory profile of YtrA remain unknown. Here, we performed microarray and high‐resolution chromatin immunoprecipitation‐exonuclease (ChIP‐exo) experiments to identify YtrA direct targets and its DNA binding motif in X. citri ssp. citri (Xac), the causal agent of citrus canker. Integrative microarray and ChIP‐exo data analysis revealed that YtrA directly regulates three operons by binding to a palindromic motif GGTG‐N16‐CACC at the promoter region. A similar palindromic motif and YtrA homologues were also identified in many other bacteria, including Stenotrophomonas, Pseudoxanthomonas and Frateuria, indicating a widespread phenomenon. Deletion of ytrA in Xac abolishes bacterial virulence and induction of the hypersensitive response (HR). We found that YtrA regulates the expression of hrp/hrc genes encoding the bacterial type III secretion system (T3SS) and controls multiple biological processes, including motility and adhesion, oxidative stress, extracellular enzyme production and iron uptake. YtrA represses the expression of its direct targets in artificial medium or in planta. Importantly, over‐expression of yro3, one of the YtrA directly regulated operons which contains trmL and XAC0231, induced weaker canker symptoms and down‐regulation of hrp/hrc gene expression, suggesting a negative regulation in Xac virulence and T3SS. Our study has significantly advanced the mechanistic understanding of YtrA regulation and its contribution to bacterial virulence.
Non‐random correlation of species dynamics in tropical tree communities
Authors: Jabot Franck , Lohier Théophile
Published: March 2016

The importance of environmental stochasticity for tropical tree dynamics has been recently stressed by several studies. This has spurred the development of a ‘time‐averaged neutral model’ of community dynamics by Kalyuzhny and colleagues that extends the neutral model by incorporating environmental stochasticity. We here show that this framework can be used to assess the presence of non‐random correlations between species dynamics. Indeed, the time‐averaged neutral model makes the simplifying assumption that species responses to environmental variation are uncorrelated. We therefore propose to use this model as a null hypothesis against which observed community dynamics can be compared. This study makes five contributions. First, we describe a novel time‐averaged neutral model of community dynamics that is close to, but more flexible than the one previously proposed by Kalyuzhny and colleagues. Second, we develop an inference method based on approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) and demonstrate the identifiability of the model parameters from community time series data. Third, we develop a test of the significance of environmental stochasticity, and a method to quantify its contribution to population variance. Fourth, we develop a test of non‐random correlation between species dynamics. Fifth, we apply these developments to three datasets of tropical tree dynamics. We evidence both a strong contribution of environmental stochasticity to population variance in the three datasets, and a non‐random correlation of species dynamics in one of them. We finally discuss the implications of these results for the modelling of tropical tree community dynamics.
Competition and Coordination in Two‐Tier Public Service Systems under Government Fiscal Policy
Authors: Hua Zhongsheng , Chen Wuhua , Zhang Zhe George
Published: March 2016

As a result of government budgetary limits and rapid market growth, many public service systems—such as health care—are characterized by extensive customer wait times that have become a serious problem. This problem might be solved by allowing private firms to enter these markets, which would provide customers with a choice between a free (governmental) public service provider (SP) and a fee‐charging (or “toll”) private SP. In such a two‐tier service system, the two SPs are differentiated by service quality and cost efficiency. This study focuses on the competition and coordination issues for two‐tier service systems with customers who are sensitive to both service quality and delay. The free system attempts to maximize its expected total customer utility with limited capacity, whereas the toll system attempts to maximize its profit. Neither goal is aligned with the social welfare goal of the public service. To achieve the social welfare goal, the government plays a crucial role in coordinating the two‐tier service system via the budget, the tradeoff of social members' goals, and tax‐subsidy policies. Using a mixed duopoly game, we establish Nash equilibrium strategies and identify the conditions for the existence of the two‐tier service system. We employ several interesting and counter‐intuitive managerial insights generated by the model to show that the public service can be delivered more efficiently via customer choice and SP competition. In addition, we show that a relatively low tax‐subsidy rate can almost perfectly coordinate the two SPs to achieve most of the maximum possible benefit of the two‐tier service system.
Communicating Uncertain Science to the Public: How Amount and Source of Uncertainty Impact Fatalism, Backlash, and Overload
Authors: Jensen Jakob D. , Pokharel Manusheela , Scherr Courtney L. , King Andy J. , Brown Natasha , Jones Christina
Published: March 2016

Public dissemination of scientific research often focuses on the finding (e.g., nanobombs kill lung cancer) rather than the uncertainty/limitations (e.g., in mice). Adults (n = 880) participated in an experiment where they read a manipulated news report about cancer research (a) that contained either low or high uncertainty (b) that was attributed to the scientists responsible for the research (disclosure condition) or an unaffiliated scientist (dueling condition). Compared to the dueling condition, the disclosure condition triggered less prevention‐focused cancer fatalism and nutritional backlash.
An Approach to Breast Cancer Immunotherapy: The Apoptotic Activity of Recombinant Anti‐Interleukin‐6 Monoclonal Antibodies in Intact Tumour Microenvironment of Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Abou‐Shousha S. , Moaaz M. , Sheta M. , Motawea M. A.
Published: March 2016

Current work is one of our comprehensive preclinical studies, a new approach to breast cancer (BC) immunotherapy through induction of tumour cell apoptosis. Tumour growth is not just a result of uncontrolled cell proliferation but also of reduced apoptosis. High levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) are associated with metastatic BC and correlated with poor survival as it promotes growth of tumour‐initiating cells during early tumorigenesis protecting these cells from apoptosis. Therefore, this study aims at investigating the potential of anti‐IL‐6 monoclonal antibodies to suppress IL‐6 proliferative/anti‐apoptotic activities in intact tumour microenvironment of BC. Fresh sterile tumour and normal breast tissue specimens were taken from 50 female Egyptian patients with BC undergoing radical mastectomy. A unique tissue culture system designed to provide cells of each intact tumour/normal tissue sample with its proper microenvironment either supplemented or not with anti‐IL‐6 monoclonal antibodies. To evaluate the apoptotic activity of anti‐IL‐6 as a novel candidate for BC treatment strategy, we compared its effects with those obtained using tumour necrosis‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand TRAIL as an established apoptotic agent. Our results revealed that levels of either anti‐IL‐6‐ or TRAIL‐induced apoptosis in the tumour or normal tissue cultures were significantly higher than those in their corresponding untreated ones (P < 0.001). No statistically significant differences have been found between apoptosis levels induced by anti‐IL‐6 monoclonal antibodies and those induced by TRAIL. Recombinant anti‐IL‐6 monoclonal antibodies could represent a novel effective element of immunotherapeutic treatment strategy for BC. The selectivity and anti‐apoptotic potential of anti‐IL‐6 is highly hopeful in IL‐6‐ abundant BC tumour microenvironment.
Clinical Significance of Myeloid‐Derived Suppressor Cells in Human Immunodeficiency Virus‐1/ Hepatitis C Virus‐coinfected Patients
Authors: Lei A. H. , Yang Q. , Cai W. P. , Liu Y. F. , Lan Y. , Qin A. P. , Hu F. Y. , Zhou J.
Published: March 2016

Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are known to accumulate during chronic viral infection, including human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and play a critical role in suppressing immune responses. However, the role of MDSCs in HIV/HCV coinfection is unclear. Here, we observed a dramatic increase in monocytic MDSCs (M‐MDSCs) level in the peripheral blood of HIV/HCV‐coinfected patients compared to that of healthy controls; the level of M‐MDSCs proportion in coinfection was not higher than that in HIV or HCV monoinfection. Interestingly, we found the M‐MDSCs level in coinfected patients correlated well with CD4+ T cell loss (r = −0.5680; P = 0.0058), HIV‐1 load (r = 0.6011; P = 0.0031), HCV load (r = 0.6288; P = 0.0017) and activated CD38+ T cells (r = 0.5139; P = 0.0144). Initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy considerably reduced both M‐MDSCs and CD8+CD38+‐activated T cell proportion in coinfected patients, and they showed a parallel course of decline. Thus, our results suggest that HIV‐1 infection and high chronic immune activation may contribute to the expansion of M‐MDSCs and accelerate the disease progression in HIV/HCV‐coinfected patients.
Clinical impact and prevalence of IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses in antenatal alloimmunized women: experience from a tertiary medical centre in South India
Authors: Choudhuri J. , Chacko M. P. , Kuruvilla A. K. , Jose R. , Mathews J. , Regi A. , Daniel D.
Published: March 2016

Background

Haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN) occurs due to maternal sensitization to paternal antigens. According to literature, IgG1 and IgG3 have a greater impact when compared to IgG2 and IgG4. To date, there is limited literature available from India. The current study was therefore executed using the column agglutination technique (CAT) for subclass identification (IgG1 and IgG3). The findings might be important to facilitate early referral, to centers where appropriate care is possible.

Methodology

Eighty‐five alloimmunized antenatal women were included in the study. IgG subclass (IgG1/IgG3) was determined using the ‘DAT IgG1/IgG3 ID’ card (Bio‐Rad). Pregnancies were followed up and categorized into ‘no/mild/moderate’ or ‘severe’ HDFN. Prevalence was calculated and severity of HDFN was correlated with subclass.

Result

In alloimmunized women (2·18%), the prevalence of IgG subclass was 20% for IgG1, 3·53% for IgG3, 24·71% for IgG1 + IgG3 and 51·76% had neither IgG1 nor IgG3. There was a highly significant difference between disease severity and the absence/presence of IgG1/IgG3 – either singly or in combination (P < 0·001) in newborns at risk. The risk of severe HDFN increased a sevenfold: it was lowest in patients with neither IgG1 nor IgG3, when compared to having either one of them or both (P < 0·05, CI between 1·5–31·89).

Conclusion

The presence of IgG1/IgG3 subclass has a significant impact on the severity of HDFN. Therefore, these mothers require close antenatal monitoring to provide appropriate and timely intervention for newborns. CAT is a feasible option to identify high‐risk pregnancies and facilitate early referral.
Role of annexin gene and its regulation during zebrafish caudal fin regeneration
Authors: Saxena Sandeep , Purushothaman Sruthi , Meghah Vuppalapaty , Bhatti Bhawna , Poruri Akhila , Meena Lakshmi Mula G. , Sarath Babu Nukala , Narasimha Murthy Ch. Lakshmi , Mandal Komal K. , Kumar Arvind , Idris Mohammed M.
Published: March 2016

The molecular mechanism of epimorphic regeneration is elusive due to its complexity and limitation in mammals. Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms play a crucial role in development and regeneration. This investigation attempted to reveal the role of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, such as histone H3 and H4 lysine acetylation and methylation during zebrafish caudal fin regeneration. It was intriguing to observe that H3K9,14 acetylation, H4K20 trimethylation, H3K4 trimethylation and H3K9 dimethylation along with their respective regulatory genes, such asGCN5, SETd8b,SETD7/9, andSUV39h1, were differentially regulated in the regenerating fin at various time points of post‐amputation. Annexin genes have been associated with regeneration; this study reveals the significant up‐regulation ofANXA2aandANXA2btranscripts and their protein products during the regeneration process. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and PCR analysis of the regulatory regions of theANXA2aandANXA2bgenes demonstrated the ability to repress two histone methylations, H3K27me3 and H4K20me3, in transcriptional regulation during regeneration. It is hypothesized that this novel insight into the diverse epigenetic mechanisms that play a critical role during the regeneration process may help to strategize the translational efforts, in addition to identifying the molecules involved in vertebrate regeneration.
DNA barcodes, cryptic diversity and phylogeography of a W Mediterranean assemblage of thermosbaenacean crustaceans
Authors: Cánovas Fernando , Jurado‐Rivera José A. , Cerro‐Gálvez Elena , Juan Carlos , Jaume Damià , Pons Joan
Published: March 2016

We assess the occurrence of crypticism and analyse the phylogeography of a thermosbaenacean crustacean, the monodellid Tethysbaena scabra, endemic to the Balearic Islands (W Mediterranean). This species occurs only in mixohaline waters of coastal wells and caves adjacent to the seashore. We have used the mitochondrial DNA barcode region to assess its genetic population structure throughout the anchialine environment of the islands. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses showed that the Balearic Tethysbaena and those from the NW Italian Peninsula form a monophyletic assemblage subdivided into several lineages. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) p‐distances among the more divergent Mallorcan lineages are remarkably high and on par with those established between the formally described species T. scabra from Menorca and T. argentarii from Italy. This result and the application of the generalised mixed Yule coalescence model (GMYC) suggest that at least some of the Mallorcan lineages represent cryptic species. A clear‐cut phylogeographic pattern is displayed by this anchialine assemblage: six of its seven lineages appear in allopatry, with the exception of a Mallorcan lineage limited to a single cave nested within the geographic range of another lineage. All lineages show a distribution reduced to a single cave or to short portions of coast not exceeding 60 km in length. Our coalescence estimations suggest an early Tortonian (10.7 Ma) origin for the Balearic + Italy Tethysbaena clade, an age that is largely prior to the onset of the eustatic oscillations associated with the Quaternary glaciations. Only the diversification that took place within some of the Mallorcan lineages could be coeval with the broad glacio‐eustatic oscillations of the Quaternary.
Cryptic species in the Neotropical fish genus Curimatopsis (Teleostei, Characiformes)
Authors: Melo Bruno F. , Ochoa Luz E. , Vari Richard P. , Oliveira Claudio
Published: March 2016

Detritivores of the fish family Curimatidae are assigned to eight genera, one of which, the Curimatopsis, with only five species, is the least speciose genus and sister to other seven genera in the family. Ongoing morphological investigations reveal, however, the likely existence of additional species. In this study, fifty‐one specimens of Curimatopsis from multiple rivers of the Amazon, Paraguay and Suriname drainages were identified morphologically according to the present species concepts and then barcoded using the universal cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) mitochondrial marker. Species delimitation analyses were conducted using Bayesian methods through the general mixed Yule‐coalescent analysis combined with conventional likelihood, genetic distance and haplotypic diversity approaches. We found eleven well‐supported clusters that represent four of the named species and seven cryptic, undescribed species of Curimatopsis. Our results show a clear delimitation of species boundaries constrained by distinct Amazonian river ecotones that may have promoted intrageneric lineage diversification. This is the first of a series of genetic studies applicable to future taxonomic, phylogenetic and evolutionary studies across the Curimatidae.
NANOSTRUCTURAL AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF HIERARCHICAL ZNO GROWN VIA HYDROTHERMAL METHOD
Authors: N. Abbas Khaldoon , Bidin Noriah , A. Al-Azawi Mohammed , J. Al-Asedy Hayder
Published: March 2016

A simple hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize 3D hierarchical ZnO nanorods deposited on Si (100) substrate at different growth temperatures (110 and 90oC) within 3 h. The structure, mode and composition of hierarchical ZnO nanorods were investigated by XRD, FESEM and EDX spectroscopy. The polycrystalline ZnO nanostructures products were indexed as hexagonal wurtzite structured, while the morphology was urchin like ZnO nanorods with different aspect ratio of nanorods and stoichiometric. The photoluminescence (PL) properties were studied of as-grown ZnO samples dependent on various growth temperatures. The PL results after UV excitation source were shown a single broad Vis emission peak for both samples with absents of UV emission peak. The emission edge of Vis peak was exhibited blue-shift due to increase temperature growth, and that suggest enhancement in hierarchical ZnO nanorods crystallinity. Oxygen deficiency is evidence on the creation various defects types in hierarchical ZnO nanorods. It is responsible on Vis emission bands. The results demonstrate promising future for the hierarchal ZnO nanostructure which could be applied in optoelectronics and gas sensing.
USING Z-SCAN TECHNIQUE TO MEASURE THE NONLINEAR OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF PMMA/ZNO NANOCOMPOSITES
Authors: Mohammed Shanshool Haider , Yahaya Muhammad , Mat Yunus Wan Mahmood , Abdullah Ibtisam Yahya
Published: March 2016

The study of nonlinear optical properties of polymer nanocomposites has been given increasing attention due its application in laser, communication and data storage technology. There is a need to enhance the understanding of all photonics technologies. In the current work, PMMA-ZnO nanocomposites as foils and as thin films have been successfully prepared. Casting method and spin coating were used to prepare them respectively. Nanocomposites were prepared by mixing ZnO nanoparticles with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as the polymer matrix. Different contents of ZnO nanoparticles were used as the filler in the nanocomposites. The absorbance spectra of the samples were obtained. The linear absorption coefficient was calculated. The nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficient were investigated using a single beam Z-scan technique. A Q-switched Nd-YAG pulsed laser   (532 nm, 7 ns, 5 Hz) was used as a light source. Both thin film’s and foil’s samples showed peak absorption at 375 nm and increasing absorption with ZnO nanoparticles concentration. The nonlinear refractive index was in the order of 10-11 cm2/W for thin film samples and 10-12 cm2 /W for foil’s samples with a negative sign. In contrast, the nonlinear absorption coefficient is in the order of 10-6 cm/W and 10-7 cm /W for thin film and foil respectively. The figures of merit W and T were calculated in order to evaluate the suitability of the samples as optical switching device .However; they unsatisfied the requirements of optical switching devices but they can be considered as an excellent candidate for optical limiting.
FIBRE BRAGG GRATING SENSOR SYSTEM FOR TEMPERATURE APPLICATION
Authors: Daud Suzairi , Ahmad Noorden Ahmad Fakhrurrazi
Published: March 2016

A practical pass-through type fibre Bragg grating (FBG) temperature sensor system have been designed and experimentally investigated. The performance of FBG was evaluated with the varying of focusing elements in harsh environments, under direct sunlight. The sensor head of FBG was designed to be focused with convex and hand lens. Results shows that the Bragg wavelength shift,  increase proportionally with the temperature for both systems. The sensitivities of FBG were recorded to be 0.0107 and 0.0122 nm °C-1 for the system where convex and hand lens applied to the FBG’s sensor head respectively.
IMPACT OF FLUCTUATIONS OF GRADED-INDEX OPTICAL FIBER PARAMETERS ON PROPAGATION OF GAUSSIAN BEAMS
Authors: Pakarzadeh Hassan , Dousti Jamshid
Published: March 2016

In this paper, the impact of fluctuations of graded-index (GRIN) optical fiber parameters on propagation of Gaussian beams is investigated by using ABCD matrix approach and a stochastic process. Since GRIN optical fibers have many applications in the optical communications, variations of fiber parameters such as core refractive index, core-cladding index difference and core radius affect the propagation of optical signals. Results show that the variations of the mentioned parameters change the beam spot size as well as the periodicity of the beam. Also, the fluctuations of such fiber parameters increase the spot size of the output Gaussian beam in comparison with the case when the fluctuations are ignored.
EFFECT OF ETCHING TIME ON OPTICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF N-TYPE POROUS SILICON PREPARED BY PHOTO-ELECTROCHEMICAL METHOD
Authors: A. Thahe Asad , Bidin Noriah , A. Al-Azawi Mohammed , M. Ahmed Naser
Published: March 2016

Achieving efficient visible photoluminescence from porous-silicon (PSi) is demanding for optoelectronic and solar cells applications. Improving the absorption and emission features of PSi is challenging. Photo-electro-chemical etching assisted formation of PSi layers on n-type (111) silicon (Si) wafers is reported. Samples are prepared at constant current density (~30 mA/cm2) under varying etching times of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min. The influence of etching time duration on the growth morphology and spectral properties are inspected. Room temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurement is performed to determine the optical properties of as-synthesized samples. Sample morphologies are imaged via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The thickness and porosity of the prepared samples are estimated using the gravimetric method. The emission and absorption data is further used to determine the samples band gap and electronic structure properties. Results and analyzed, interpreted with different mechanisms and compared.
ANALYSIS OF TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN ALL-PASS MICRORING RESONATOR
Authors: Mohamad Azam , Bahadoran Mahdi , Daud Suzairi , Chaudhary Kashif Tufail , Aziz M. S. , Jalil M. A. , Ali Jalil , Yupapin P. P.
Published: March 2016

The temperature sensor using all-pass microrin resonator (APMRR) investigated theoretically and analyzed. An optical bright soliton is used as a probe to study the effect of applied temperature on the light behavior pass through microring waveguide. The split-step Fourier method is used to study the pulse propagation inside the APMRR. Result shows that the rise of temperature on peak amplitude ratio fit with quadratic line in temperature range of 27 oC-37 oC. . The temperature at 30 oC generate higher slope of reduction compare to temperature at 36oC. The amplitude ratio is reduced into 0.6 (-4.4370 dB) when the temperature increased as small as 1 oC. The operating range for all-pass resonator is 97 oC with amplitude reduction of -8.3975 dB.