bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate change and glacier retreat drive shifts in an Antarctic benthic ecosystem
Authors: Sahade Ricardo , Lagger Cristian , Torre Luciana , Momo Fernando , Monien Patrick , Schloss Irene , Barnes David K. A. , Servetto Natalia , Tarantelli Soledad , Tatián Marcos , Zamboni Nadia , Abele Doris
Published: November 2015

Climatic change in the Antarctic Peninsula has driven profound shifts in the seabed.
Superresolution microscopy reveals a dynamic picture of cell polarity maintenance during directional growth
Authors: Ishitsuka Yuji , Savage Natasha , Li Yiming , Bergs Anna , Grün Nathalie , Kohler Daria , Donnelly Rebecca , Nienhaus G. Ulrich , Fischer Reinhard , Takeshita Norio
Published: November 2015

Transient assembly of polarity sites explains how cell polarity is stably maintained during highly active directional growth.
Fast retreat of Zachariæ Isstrøm, northeast Greenland
Authors: Mouginot J. , Rignot E. , Scheuchl B. , Fenty I. , Khazendar A. , Morlighem M. , Buzzi A. , Paden J.
Published: November 2015

Shrinking shelf and faster flow

Zachariæ Isstrøm, a large glacier in northeast Greenland, began a rapid retreat after detaching from a stabilizing sill in the late 1990s. Mouginot
et al.
report that between 2002 and 2014, the area covered by the glacier's ice shelf shrank by 95%; since 1999, the glacier's flow rate has nearly doubled; and its acceleration increased threefold in the fall of 2012. These dramatic changes appear to be the result of a combination of warmer air and ocean temperatures and the topography of the ocean floor at the head of the glacier. Rising sea levels should continue to destabilize the marine portion of Zachariæ Isstrøm for decades.

Science
, this issue p.
1357
“Candidatus Finniella” (Rickettsiales, Alphaproteobacteria), Novel Endosymbionts of Viridiraptorid Amoeboflagellates (Cercozoa, Rhizaria)
Authors: Hess Sebastian , Suthaus Andreas , Melkonian Michael
Published: November 2015

The
Rickettsiales
(
Alphaproteobacteria
) are obligate intracellular bacteria that colonize a wide range of eukaryotic hosts, including diverse metazoa and protists. Here, we characterize rickettsial endosymbionts discovered in the cytoplasm of the algivorous amoeboflagellates
Viridiraptor invadens
and
Orciraptor agilis
(Viridiraptoridae, Cercozoa, Rhizaria), supplying evidence of free-living, phagotrophic members of the Cercozoa serving as hosts for
Rickettsiales
. According to 16S rRNA gene phylogenies, the bacteria represent two closely related but distinct genotypes within a deep-branching rickettsial clade, which contains the genera “
Candidatus
Odyssella,” “
Candidatus
Paracaedibacter,” and “
Candidatus
Captivus.” Using the full-cycle rRNA approach, we detected the novel bacteria in four of nine viridiraptorid strains tested. Furthermore, two specific oligonucleotide probes with a single-nucleotide-difference discriminated both bacterial genotypes by fluorescence
in situ
hybridization (FISH). We establish the candidate species “
Candidatus
Finniella inopinata” (found in
Viridiraptor invadens
) and “
Candidatus
Finniella lucida” (found in
Orciraptor agilis
) for the novel bacteria and propose a new, provisional family of
Rickettsiales
, “
Candidatus
Paracaedibacteraceae.”
Formation of
In Vitro
Mixed-Species Biofilms by Lactobacillus pentosus and Yeasts Isolated from Spanish-Style Green Table Olive Fermentations
Authors: León-Romero Ángela , Domínguez-Manzano Jesús , Garrido-Fernández Antonio , Arroyo-López Francisco Noé , Jiménez-Díaz Rufino
Published: November 2015

The present work details the
in vitro
interactions between
Lactobacillus pentosus
and yeast strains isolated from table olive processing to form mixed biofilms. Among the different pairs assayed, the strongest biofilms were obtained from
L. pentosus
and
Candida boidinii
strain cocultures. However, biofilm formation was inhibited in the presence of
d
-(+)-mannose. In addition, biofilm formation by
C. boidinii
monoculture was stimulated in the absence of cell-cell contact with
L. pentosus
. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that a sort of “sticky” material formed by the yeasts contributed to substrate adherence. Hence, the data obtained in this work suggest that yeast-lactobacilli biofilms may be favored by the presence of a specific mate of yeast and
L. pentosus
, and that more than one mechanism might be implicated in the biofilm formation. This knowledge will help in the design of appropriate mixed starter cultures of
L. pentosus
-yeast species pairs that are able to improve the quality and safety of Spanish-style green table olive processing.
A Two-Component
para
-Nitrophenol Monooxygenase Initiates a Novel 2-Chloro-4-Nitrophenol Catabolism Pathway in Rhodococcus imtechensis RKJ300
Authors: Min Jun , Zhang Jun-Jie , Zhou Ning-Yi
Published: November 2015

Rhodococcus imtechensis
RKJ300 (DSM 45091) grows on 2-chloro-4-nitrophenol (2C4NP) and
para
-nitrophenol (PNP) as the sole carbon and nitrogen sources. In this study, by genetic and biochemical analyses, a novel 2C4NP catabolic pathway different from those of all other 2C4NP utilizers was identified with hydroxyquinol (hydroxy-1,4-hydroquinone or 1,2,4-benzenetriol [BT]) as the ring cleavage substrate. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis indicated that the
pnp
cluster located in three operons is likely involved in the catabolism of both 2C4NP and PNP. The oxygenase component (PnpA1) and reductase component (PnpA2) of the two-component PNP monooxygenase were expressed and purified to homogeneity, respectively. The identification of chlorohydroquinone (CHQ) and BT during 2C4NP degradation catalyzed by PnpA1A2 indicated that PnpA1A2 catalyzes the sequential denitration and dechlorination of 2C4NP to BT and catalyzes the conversion of PNP to BT. Genetic analyses revealed that
pnpA1
plays an essential role in both 2C4NP and PNP degradations by gene knockout and complementation. In addition to catalyzing the oxidation of CHQ to BT, PnpA1A2 was also found to be able to catalyze the hydroxylation of hydroquinone (HQ) to BT, revealing the probable fate of HQ that remains unclear in PNP catabolism by Gram-positive bacteria. This study fills a gap in our knowledge of the 2C4NP degradation mechanism in Gram-positive bacteria and also enhances our understanding of the genetic and biochemical diversity of 2C4NP catabolism.
HipH Catalyzes the Hydroxylation of 4-Hydroxyisophthalate to Protocatechuate in 2,4-Xylenol Catabolism by Pseudomonas putida NCIMB 9866
Authors: Chao Hong-Jun , Chen Yan-Fei , Fang Ti , Xu Ying , Huang Wei E. , Zhou Ning-Yi
Published: November 2015

In addition to growing on
p
-cresol,
Pseudomonas putida
NCIMB 9866 is the only reported strain capable of aerobically growing on 2,4-xylenol, which is listed as a priority pollutant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Several enzymes involved in the oxidation of the
para
-methyl group, as well as the corresponding genes, have previously been reported. The enzyme catalyzing oxidation of the catabolic intermediate 4-hydroxyisophthalate to the ring cleavage substrate protocatechuate was also purified from strain NCIMB 9866, but its genetic determinant is still unavailable. In this study, the gene
hipH
, encoding 4-hydroxyisophthalate hydroxylase, from strain NCIMB 9866 was cloned by transposon mutagenesis. Purified recombinant HipH-His
6
was found to be a dimer protein with a molecular mass of approximately 110 kDa. HipH-His
6
catalyzed the hydroxylation of 4-hydroxyisophthalate to protocatechuate with a specific activity of 1.54 U mg
−1
and showed apparent

K
m

values of 11.40 ± 3.05 μM for 4-hydroxyisophthalate with NADPH and 11.23 ± 2.43 μM with NADH and similar

K
m

values for NADPH and NADH (64.31 ± 13.16 and 72.76 ± 12.06 μM, respectively). The identity of protocatechuate generated from 4-hydroxyisophthalate hydroxylation by HipH-His
6
has also been confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Gene transcriptional analysis, gene knockout, and complementation indicated that
hipH
is essential for 2,4-xylenol catabolism but not for
p
-cresol catabolism in this strain. This fills a gap in our understanding of the gene that encodes a critical step in 2,4-xylenol catabolism and also provides another example of biochemical and genetic diversity of microbial catabolism of structurally similar compounds.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Pandoraea apista LMG 16407 Type Strain
Authors: Millard A. D. , Westblade L. F. , LiPuma J. J. , Vavikolanu K. , Read T. D. , Pallen M. J. , Burd E. M. , Constantinidou C. I.
Published: November 2015

Pandoraea
species, in particular
Pandoraea apista
, are opportunistic, multidrug-resistant pathogens in persons with cystic fibrosis (CF). To aid in understanding the role of
P. apista
in CF lung disease, we used Illumina MiSeq and nanopore MinION technology to sequence the whole genome of the
P. apista
LMG 16407
T
.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Intermediate Rough Vaccine Strain Brucella abortus S19Δ
per
Mutant
Authors: Chaudhuri Pallab , Goswami T Tapas K. , Lalsiamthara Jonathan , Kaur Gurpreet , Vishnu Udayakumar S. , Sankarasubramanian Jagadesan , Gunasekaran Paramasamy , Rajendhran Jeyaprakash
Published: November 2015

Here, we report the genome sequence of the intermediate rough vaccine strain mutant,
Brucella abortus
S19Δ
per
. The length of the draft genome was 3,271,238 bp, with 57.2% G+C content. A total of 3,204 protein-coding genes and 56 RNA genes were predicted.
An evaluation of the epidemiology of medication discrepancies and clinical significance of medicines reconciliation in children admitted to hospital
Authors: Huynh Chi , Tomlin Stephen , Jani Yogini , Solanki Guirish A , Haley Helen , Smith Rachel E , Lowey Andrew , Sinclair Anthony , Wilson Keith A , Wong Ian Chi Kei , Terry David
Published: November 2015

Aims

To determine the incidence of unintended medication discrepancies in paediatric patients at the time of hospital admission; evaluate the process of medicines reconciliation; assess the benefit of medicines reconciliation in preventing clinical harm.

Method

A 5 month prospective multisite study. Pharmacists at four English hospitals conducted admission medicines reconciliation in children using a standardised data collection form. A discrepancy was defined as a difference between the patient's preadmission medication (PAM), compared with the initial admission medication orders written by the hospital doctor. The discrepancies were classified into intentional and unintentional discrepancies. The unintentional discrepancies were assessed for potential clinical harm by a team of healthcare professionals, which included doctors, pharmacists and nurses.

Results

Medicines reconciliation was conducted in 244 children admitted to hospital. 45% (109/244) of the children had at least one unintentional medication discrepancy between the PAM and admission medication order. The overall results indicated that 32% (78/244) of patients had at least one clinically significant unintentional medication discrepancy with potential to cause moderate 20% (50/244) or severe 11% (28/244) harm. No single source of information provided all the relevant details of a patient's medication history. Parents/carers provided the most accurate details of a patient's medication history in 81% of cases.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that in the absence of medicines reconciliation, children admitted to hospitals across England are at risk of harm from unintended medication discrepancies at the transition of care from the community to hospital. No single source of information provided a reliable medication history.
The combined effect of visit-to-visit variability in HbA1c and systolic blood pressure on the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Takao Toshiko , Matsuyama Yutaka , Suka Machi , Yanagisawa Hiroyuki , Iwamoto Yasuhiko
Published: November 2015

Objective

To investigate the association between long-term visit-to-visit variability in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 632 patients with type 2 diabetes and no history of CVD who first visited our hospital between 1995 and 1996, were followed-up for ≥1 year, attended at least 4 clinic visits and had at least 1 visit per year. Patients were followed until June 2012 at the latest, and mailed questionnaires.

Results

During the median follow-up period (15.4 years), 81 patients developed CVD. Multivariate analysis revealed that the coefficient of variation (CV) and the variation independent of mean (VIM) for HbA1c and SBP were significant predictors of CVD incidence independent of mean HbA1c and SBP. Patients were classified into 4 groups by median HbA1cCV and SBPCV values and by median HbA1cVIM and SBPVIM values. Among these groups, the HRs were highest in the high-HbA1cCV/high-SBPCV and high-HbA1cVIM/high-SBPVIM groups and were significantly higher compared with those in the low-HbA1cCV/low-SBPCV and low-HbA1cVIM/low-SBPVIM groups, respectively. Among patients with mean SBP≥130 mm Hg, the HRs associated with HbA1cCV and HbA1cVIM were drastically elevated compared with those with mean SBP<130 mm Hg (interaction p<0.05).

Conclusions

Long-term visit-to-visit variability in HbA1c and SBP represented a combined and additive risk for CVD incidence in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is suggested that a synergistic effect exists between HbA1c variability and mean SBP levels for CVD incidence.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists versus standard androgen suppression therapy for advanced prostate cancer A systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Kunath Frank , Borgmann Hendrik , Blümle Anette , Keck Bastian , Wullich Bernd , Schmucker Christine , Sikic Danijel , Roelle Catharina , Schmidt Stefanie , Wahba Amr , Meerpohl Joerg J
Published: November 2015

Objectives

To evaluate efficacy and safety of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists compared to standard androgen suppression therapy for advanced prostate cancer.

Setting

The international review team included methodologists of the German Cochrane Centre and clinical experts.

Participants

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, trial registries and conference books for randomised controlled trials (RCT) for effectiveness data analysis, and randomised or non-randomised controlled studies (non-RCT) for safety data analysis (March 2015). Two authors independently screened identified articles, extracted data, evaluated risk of bias and rated quality of evidence according to GRADE.

Results

13 studies (10 RCTs, 3 non-RCTs) were included. No study reported cancer-specific survival or clinical progression. There were no differences in overall mortality (RR 1.35, 95% CI 0.63 to 2.93), treatment failure (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.17) or prostate-specific antigen progression (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.06). While there was no difference in quality of life related to urinary symptoms, improved quality of life regarding prostate symptoms, measured with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), with the use of GnRH antagonists compared with the use of standard androgen suppression therapy (mean score difference −0.40, 95% CI −0.94 to 0.14, and −1.84, 95% CI −3.00 to −0.69, respectively) was found. Quality of evidence for all assessed outcomes was rated low according to GRADE. The risk for injection-site events was increased, but cardiovascular events may occur less often by using GnRH antagonist. Available evidence is hampered by risk of bias, selective reporting and limited follow-up.

Conclusions

There is currently insufficient evidence to make firm conclusive statements on the efficacy of GnRH antagonist compared to standard androgen suppression therapy for advanced prostate cancer. There is need for further high-quality research on GnRH antagonists with long-term follow-up.

Trial registration number

CRD42012002751.
Systematic critical review of previous economic evaluations of smoking cessation during pregnancy
Authors: Jones Matthew , Lewis Sarah , Parrott Steve , Coleman Tim
Published: November 2015

Objective

To identify and critically assess previous economic evaluations of smoking cessation interventions delivered during pregnancy.

Design

Qualitative review of studies with primary data collection or hypothetical modelling. Quality assessed using the Quality of Health Economic Studies checklist.

Data sources

Electronic search of 13 databases including Medline, Econlit, Embase, and PubMed, and manual search of the UK's National Institute of Health and Care Excellence guidelines and US Surgeon General.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

All study designs considered if they were published in English, evaluated a cessation intervention delivered to pregnant women during pregnancy, and reported any relevant economic evaluation metric (eg, cost per quitter, incremental cost per quality adjusted life year).

Results

18 studies were included. 18 evaluations were conducted alongside clinical trials, four were part of observational studies, five were hypothetical decision-analytic models and one combined modelling with within-trial analysis. Analyses conducted were cost-offset (nine studies), cost-effectiveness (five studies), cost-utility (two studies), and combined cost-effectiveness and cost-utility (two studies). Six studies each were identified as high, fair and poor quality, respectively. All interventions were demonstrated to be cost-effective except motivational interviewing which was dominated by usual care (one study). Areas where the current literature was limited were the robust investigation of uncertainty, including time horizons that included outcomes beyond the end of pregnancy, including major morbidities for the mother and her infant, and incorporating better estimates of postpartum relapse.

Conclusions

There are relatively few high quality economic evaluations of cessation interventions during pregnancy. The majority of the literature suggests that such interventions offer value for money; however, there are methodological issues that require addressing, including investigating uncertainty more robustly, utilising better estimates for postpartum relapse, extending beyond a within-pregnancy time horizon, and including major morbidities for the mother and her infant for within-pregnancy and beyond.
Association between breastfeeding support and breastfeeding rates in the UK: a comparison of late preterm and term infants
Authors: Rayfield Sarah , Oakley Laura , Quigley Maria A
Published: November 2015

Objective

To explore the association between breastfeeding support and breastfeeding among late preterm (gestation 34–36 weeks) and term (gestation ≥37 weeks) infants.

Methods

Secondary analysis of the UK 2010 Infant Feeding Survey. Logistic regression was used to determine the association of breastfeeding support with breastfeeding at 10 days and 6 weeks in late preterm and term infants.

Results

The study included 14 525 term and 579 late preterm infants. A total of 11 729 infants initiated breastfeeding (11 292 (81.1%) term, 437 (79.4%) late preterm infants, p=0.425). Of these, 9230 (84.3%) term and 365 (85.6%) late preterm infants were breastfeeding at 10 days (p=0.586); of these 7547 (82.0%) term and 281 (75.4%) late preterm infants were still breastfeeding at 6 weeks (p=0.012). Mothers who reported receiving contact details for breastfeeding support groups had a higher likelihood of breastfeeding late preterm (adjusted ORs, aOR 3.14, 95% CI 1.40 to 7.04) and term infants (aOR 2.24, 95% CI 1.86 to 2.68) at 10 days and term infants at 6 weeks (aOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.51 to 2.22). Those who reported that they did not receive enough help with breastfeeding in hospital had a lower likelihood of breastfeeding late preterm at 10 days and term infants at 10 days and 6 weeks, compared to those who reported having enough help.

Conclusions

Receiving sufficient help with breastfeeding in hospital and the contact details for breastfeeding support groups is associated with breastfeeding term infants up to 6 weeks and late preterm infants at 10 days.
Waist circumference values equivalent to body mass index points for predicting absolute cardiovascular disease risks among adults in an Aboriginal community: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Adegbija Odewumi , Hoy Wendy E , Wang Zhiqiang
Published: November 2015

Objective

There have been suggestions that currently recommended waist circumference (WC) cut-off points for Australians of European origin may not be applicable to Aboriginal people who have different body habitus profiles. We aimed to generate equivalent WC values that correspond to body mass index (BMI) points for identifying absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

An Aboriginal community in Australia's Northern Territory.

Participants

From 1992 to 1998, 920 adults without CVD, with age, WC and BMI measurements were followed-up for up to 20 years.

Outcome measures

Incident CVD, coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF) events during the follow-up period ascertained from hospitalisation data. We generated WC values with 10-year absolute risks equivalent for the development of CVD as BMI values (20–34 kg/m2) using the Weibull accelerated time-failure model.

Results

There were 211 incident cases of CVD over 13 669 person-years of follow-up. At the average age of 35 years, WC values with absolute CVD, CAD and HF risks equivalent to BMI of 25 kg/m2were 91.5, 91.8 and 91.7 cm, respectively, for males, and corresponding WC values were 92.5, 92.7 and 93 cm for females. WC values with equal absolute CVD, CAD and HF risks to BMI of 30 kg/m2were 101.7, 103.1 and 102.6 cm, respectively, for males, and corresponding values were 99.2, 101.6 and 101.5 cm for females. Association between WC and CVD did not depend on gender (p=0.54).

Conclusions

WC ranging from 91 to 93 cm was equivalent to BMI 25 kg/m2for overweight, and 99 to 103 cm was equivalent to BMI of 30 kg/m2for obesity in terms of predicting 10-year absolute CVD risk. Replicating the absolute risk method in other Aboriginal communities will further validate the WC values generated for future development of WC cut-off points for Aboriginal people.
Decreased argyrophilic nucleolar organiser region (AgNOR) expression in Purkinje cells: first signal of neuronal damage in sudden fetal and infant death
Authors: Lavezzi Anna M , Alfonsi Graziella , Pusiol Teresa , Matturri Luigi
Published: November 2015

Aims

The nucleolus is an important cellular component involved in the biogenesis of the ribosome. This study was performed in order to validate the introduction of the argyrophilic nucleolar organiser region (AgNOR) stain technique, specific for the nucleoli detection, in neuropathological studies on sudden fetal and infant death.

Methods

In a wide set of fetuses and infants, aged from 27 gestational weeks to eight postnatal months and dead from both known and unknown causes, an in-depth neuropathological study usually applied at the Lino Rossi Research Center of the Milan University was implemented by the AgNOR method.

Results

Peculiar abnormalities of the nucleoli, as partial or total disruption above all in Purkinje cells (PCs), were exclusively found in victims of sudden fetal and infant death, and not in controls. The observed nucleolar alterations were frequently related to nicotine absorption in pregnancy.

Conclusions

We conclude that these findings represent early hallmarks of PC degeneration, contributing to the pathophysiology of sudden perinatal death.
Drug sensitivity testing platforms for gastric cancer diagnostics
Authors: Lau Vianne , Wong Andrea Li-Ann , Ng Christopher , Mok Yingting , Lakshmanan Manikandan , Yan Benedict
Published: November 2015

Gastric cancer diagnostics has traditionally been histomorphological and primarily the domain of surgical pathologists. Although there is an increasing usage of molecular and genomic techniques for clinical diagnostics, there is an emerging field of personalised drug sensitivity testing. In this review, we describe the various personalised drug sensitivity testing platforms and discuss the challenges facing clinical adoption of these assays for gastric cancer.
Contribution of health behaviours and clinical factors to socioeconomic differences in frailty among older adults
Authors: Soler-Vila Hosanna , García-Esquinas Esther , León-Muñoz Luz Mª , López-García Esther , Banegas José R , Rodríguez-Artalejo Fernando
Published: November 2015

Background

To examine the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and risk of frailty, and to assess whether behavioural and clinical factors (BCF) mediate this association.

Methods

Cohort of 1857 non-institutionalised individuals aged ≥60 years recruited in 2008–2010 and followed through 2012. Education, occupation, and BCF were ascertained at baseline, and incident frailty was assessed at follow-up with the Fried frailty criteria.

Results

Men showed no differences in frailty risk by education or occupation. Compared with women with university education, the adjusted OR (aOR) adjusted for age and the number of frailty criteria at baseline for incident frailty in women with primary or lower education was 3.02 (95% CI 1.25 to 7.30); once fully adjusted for BCF, the OR was 2.00 (95% CI 0.76 to 5.23). No alcohol intake (vs light–moderate), longer time spent watching TV, less time spent reading, and a higher frequency of obesity, depression and musculoskeletal disease in those with primary or lower education accounted for most of the decline in OR. BCF explained 50.5% of the excess frailty risk associated with lower education. The aOR of frailty incidence for manual versus non-manual occupation was 2.24 (95% CI 1.41 to 3.56) versus a fully aOR of 2.05 (95% CI 1.24 to 3.37). BCF explained 15.3% of the association, with individual mediators being similar to those for education-related differences.

Conclusions

A lower education or a manual occupation was associated with higher frailty risk in older women. These associations were partly explained by lower alcohol consumption, higher sedentariness, and higher obesity and chronic disease rates in women with lower SES.
A proteinuria cut-off level of 0.7 g/day after 12 months of treatment best predicts long-term renal outcome in lupus nephritis: data from theMAINTAIN Nephritis Trial
Authors: Tamirou Farah , Lauwerys Bernard R , Dall'Era Maria , Mackay Meggan , Rovin Brad , Cervera Ricard , Houssiau Frédéric A
Published: November 2015

Background

Although an early decrease in proteinuria has been correlated with good long-term renal outcome in lupus nephritis (LN), studies aimed at defining a cut-off proteinuria value are missing, except a recent analysis performed on patients randomised in the Euro-Lupus Nephritis Trial, demonstrating that a target value of 0.8 g/day at month 12 optimised sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of good renal outcome. The objective of the current work is to validate this target in another LN study, namely theMAINTAIN Nephritis Trial(MNT).

Methods

Long-term (at least 7 years) renal function data were available for 90 patients randomised in theMNT. Receiver operating characteristic curves were built to test the performance of proteinuria measured within the 1st year as short-term predictor of long-term renal outcome. We calculated the positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV).

Results

After 12 months of treatment, achievement of a proteinuria <0.7 g/day best predicted good renal outcome, with a sensitivity and a specificity of 71% and 75%, respectively. The PPV was high (94%) but the NPV low (29%). Addition of the requirement of urine red blood cells ≤5/hpf as response criteria at month 12 reduced sensitivity from 71% to 41%.

Conclusions

In this cohort of mainly Caucasian patients suffering from a first episode of LN in most cases, achievement of a proteinuria <0.7 g/day at month 12 best predicts good outcome at 7 years and inclusion of haematuria in the set of criteria at month 12 undermines the sensitivity of early proteinuria decrease for the prediction of good outcome. The robustness of these conclusions stems from the very similar results obtained in two distinct LN cohorts.

Trial registration number:

NCT00204022.
Republished: A direct aspiration first pass technique for retrieval of a detached coil
Authors: Masahira Noritaka , Ohta Tsuyoshi , Fukui Naoki , Yanagawa Toshio , Kondou Yuichirou , Morimoto Masanori , Ueba Tetsuya
Published: November 2015

A 64-year-old man was referred to our hospital for treatment of a cerebral aneurysm that was incidentally found. The aneurysm was 7 mm in size and located on the left anterior communicating artery. Using a balloon assisted technique, we performed coil embolization. During the second coil insertion, the first coil was dislodged into the anterior communicating artery. We attempted coil retrieval using a snare, which was unsuccessful. We applied a direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT) and advanced a Penumbra 4MAX immediately proximal to the dislodged coil; the dislodged coil was then successfully retrieved. ADAPT is a simple procedure for retrieval of a detached coil, and it can be used as an alternative to the snare technique.
Communicating uncertainty in quota advice: a case for confidence interval harvest control rules (CI-HCRs) for fisheries
Authors: Dankel Dorothy Jane , Vølstad Jon Helge , Aanes Sondre
Published: November 2015

Multi-annual management plans are important tactical arrangements to support upper-level marine resource policies in many countries. The newly reformed Common Fisheries Policy in the EU reiterates the role of management plans, supported by the development of harvest algorithms, commonly called harvest control rules (HCRs). Current HCRs for most commercially important fish stocks in Europe and Norway depend on point estimates of the size of the spawning stock biomass (SSB) and level of fishing mortality (F) to dictate the scientifically recommended total allowable catch (TAC). When annual TAC advice from the ICES Advisory Committee, for example, is based on a point estimate for SSB, the propagation of uncertainties (assessment models of varying complexity, variable data sources, and variable degrees and structures of random and systematic errors) and subjective expert decisions is contained, at best, in an annex of the official ICES advice document. TAC advice given as an exact number (sometimes specified to the kilogram) often occurs when clients (who commission the advice or ministerial or other government authority) expect more of science than science can deliver. We outline an alternative formulation of the HCR that reflects the knowledge base through confidence intervals (CIs) dictated by the quality of input data from multistage sample surveys and model uncertainties. Our CI-HCR determines the TAC advice given the range of SSB and F assessed and performs more robustly in the face of uncertainties than the standard HCR formulation. The advantage of CI-HCR is that the advised quota will depend on the quality of the assessments. Also, the adequate level of monitoring for advice support can be determined based on what science can actually provide.
First-principles study of oxygen and hydrogen adsorption on Pt(111) and PtML/Pd(111) surfaces
Authors: Nie J. L. , Ao L. , Zu X. T.
Published: November 2015

In this paper, first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) have been performed to investigate the adsorption of oxygen and hydrogen on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] surfaces covered by monolayer (ML) of [Formula: see text]. The results have shown that the oxygen molecule tends to adsorb on fcc site on both surfaces at the coverage of 0.25 ML, which becomes degeneration with hcp site when the coverage increases to 1 ML. For both oxygen and hydrogen, the adsorption on [Formula: see text] surface are stronger than those on [Formula: see text] surface. The adsorption energy difference for oxygen on the two surfaces is [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]0.2 eV at the coverage of 1 ML, which increases to [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]0.6 eV with the coverage decreasing to 0.25 ML. The similar energy difference was also found for hydrogen adsorption. The density of states analysis have demonstrated the chemical interaction of adsorbed oxygen with both pure [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] surfaces with certain shift of [Formula: see text] states to lower level compared to isolated oxygen. For hydrogen adsorption, the hybridization of [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] states were observed for both surfaces, indicating the covalent bonding component of H–Pt bond.
Electrochemical behavior of hydrogen precipitated Zircaloy-4
Authors: Rafique Mohsin , Afzal Naveed , Deen K. M. , Kim Yong-Soo
Published: November 2015

This work investigates the hydrogen precipitation effects on the electrochemical behavior of Zircaloy-4 in acidic saline media. The specimens of Zircaloy-4 were hydrogen charged at 200, 400 and 600 ppm concentrations for 30 min at 400[Formula: see text]C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies confirmed the formation of delta hydrides in the material. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results also indicated the presence of elongated hydrides whose density and thickness increased with the increase of hydrogen concentration in the alloy. The corrosion kinetics of the specimens were explored before and after hydrogen precipitation using potentiodynamic anodic polarization (PAP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The results showed that hydrogen precipitation shifts the corrosion potential towards more positive and thus improves the corrosion resistance of the alloy. The charge transfer resistance [Formula: see text] of the alloy was found to increase with increasing hydrogen concentration. This indicates an increased polarization tendency of the Zircaloy-4 surface with a limited dissolution tendency in the presence of delta hydrides.
A field theoretic approach to the electric interfacial layer — Mixture of trivalent rod-like and monovalent point-like ions between charged walls
Authors: Bohinc Klemen , Lue Leo
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we study the interaction between charged macroions (surfaces) immersed in a solution of oppositely charged, rod-like counterions and point-like co-ions. The system is modeled by a field theoretic approach, which was extended to treat mixtures of rod- and point-like ions. The theory is applicable from the weak to the intermediate through to the strong coupling regimes. In the weak coupling limit, the force between the charged surfaces are only repulsive. In the intermediate coupling regime, the rod-like ions can induce attractive force between the charged surfaces. In the strong coupling limit, the inter-ionic charge correlations dominate the attractive forces at short separations between the charged surfaces.
Modulation of singlet oxygen generation and amphiphilic properties of trihydroxylated monohalogenated porphyrins
Authors: Topkaya Derya , Arnoux Philippe , Dumoulin Fabienne
Published: November 2015

Two of the properties important for photodynamic therapy applications are systematically investigated on a trihydroxylated monohalogenated porphyrin core. Singlet oxygen generation can be increased thanks to the heavy atom effect, frequently provided by the introduction of halogen atoms on the photosensitizer. We compare the effect of the presence of the four halogen atoms with the analogous halogen-free porphyrin. Cell uptake is crucial as well for successful photodynamic outcome and is directly related to the amphiphilicity of the molecule. The five derivatives bearing H, F, Cl, Br or I atoms are compared in this regard. The presence of iodine atom induces a sharp difference in singlet oxygen generation compared to all the other derivatives investigated, but increases its lipophilicity, still in the limits suitable for biomedical applications.
Automated Expected Output Generation
Authors: Singh Yogesh
Published: November 2015

What is the importance of automated test data generation? This question is of concern for the entire software community. We want to know the meaning and usefulness of automated test data generation. Is it related to design of test cases or execution of already designed test cases or both? How can we generate expected output using automated test data generation technique? This is a weak area and limits the applicability of automated testing. The test case creation, execution and evaluation are three distinct activities. The execution and evaluation of test cases can be easily automated, but creation needs expected output that is difficult to automate due to its dependency on functionality of the program. This paper addresses the significance of techniques and tools available for automated test data generation. In this work, we analyze and assess the existing techniques for automated expected output generation and discuss the practical significance of these techniques.
Software Engineering for Smart Cyber-Physical Systems -- Towards a Research Agenda
Authors: Bures Tomas , Weyns Danny , Berger Christian , Biffl Stefan , Daun Marian , Gabor Thomas , Garlan David , Gerostathopoulos Ilias , Julien Christine , Krikava Filip , Mordinyi Richard , Pronios Nikos
Published: November 2015

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are large interconnected softwareintensive systems that influence, by sensing and actuating, the physical world. Examples are traffic management and power grids. One of the trends we observe is the need to endow such systems with the "smart" capabilities, typically in the form of selfawareness and self-adaptation, along with the traditional qualities of safety and dependability. These requirements combined with specifics of the domain of smart CPS -- such as large scale, the role of end-users, uncertainty, and open-endedness -- render traditional software engineering (SE) techniques not directly applicable; making systematic SE of smart CPS a challenging task. This paper reports on the results of the First International Workshop on Software Engineering of Smart Cyber-Physical Systems (SEsCPS 2015), where participants discussed characteristics, challenges and opportunities of SE for smart CPS, with the aim to outline an agenda for future research in this important area.
Introduction to dynamic belief elicitation
Authors: Chambers Christopher P. , Lambert Nicolas S.
Published: November 2015

We present a protocol for eliciting dynamic beliefs from forecasters. At time
t
= 0, forecasters hold beliefs about a random variable of interest that will realize publicly at time
t
= 1. Between
t
= 0 and
t
= 1, forecasters observe private information that impacts their beliefs. We design a class of protocols that, at the outset, elicit forecasters' beliefs about the random variable and elicit beliefs about any private information they expect to receive over time, and then elicit the private information that forecasters receive as they receive it. We show that any alternative elicitation mechanism can be approximated by protocols in our class. The information elicited can be used to solve optimally an arbitrary dynamic decision problem.
Pluripotent Stem Cells from Domesticated Mammals
Authors: Ezashi Toshihiko , Yuan Ye , Roberts R. Michael
Published: November 2015

This review deals with the latest advances in the study of embryonic stem cells (ESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from domesticated species, with a focus on pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, cats, and dogs. Whereas the derivation of fully pluripotent ESC from these species has proved slow, reprogramming of somatic cells to iPSC has been more straightforward. However, most of these iPSC depend on the continued expression of the introduced transgenes, a major drawback to their utility. The persistent failure in generating ESC and the dependency of iPSC on ectopic genes probably stem from an inability to maintain the stability of the endogenous gene networks necessary to maintain pluripotency. Based on work in humans and rodents, achievement of full pluripotency will likely require fine adjustments in the growth factors and signaling inhibitors provided to the cells. Finally, we discuss the future utility of these cells for biomedical and agricultural purposes.
Studying Lineage Decision-Making In Vitro: Emerging Concepts and Novel Tools
Authors: Semrau Stefan , van Oudenaarden Alexander
Published: November 2015

Correct and timely lineage decisions are critical for normal embryonic development and homeostasis of adult tissues. Therefore, the search for fundamental principles that underlie lineage decision-making lies at the heart of developmental biology. Here, we review attempts to understand lineage decision-making as the interplay of single-cell heterogeneity and gene regulation. Fluctuations at the single-cell level are an important driving force behind cell-state transitions and the creation of cell-type diversity. Gene regulatory networks amplify such fluctuations and define stable cell types. They also mediate the influence of signaling inputs on the lineage decision. In this review, we focus on insights gleaned from in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells. We discuss emerging concepts, with an emphasis on transcriptional regulation, dynamical aspects of differentiation, and functional single-cell heterogeneity. We also highlight some novel tools to study lineage decision-making in vitro.
The Ins and Outs of Polarized Axonal Domains
Authors: Zollinger Daniel R. , Baalman Kelli L. , Rasband Matthew N.
Published: November 2015

Myelinated axons are divided into polarized subdomains including axon initial segments and nodes of Ranvier. These domains initiate and propagate action potentials and regulate the trafficking and localization of somatodendritic and axonal proteins. Formation of axon initial segments and nodes of Ranvier depends on intrinsic (neuronal) and extrinsic (glial) interactions. Several levels of redundancy in both mechanisms and molecules also exist to ensure efficient node formation. Furthermore, the establishment of polarized domains at and near nodes of Ranvier reflects the intrinsic polarity of the myelinating glia responsible for node assembly. Here, we discuss the various polarized domains of myelinated axons, how they are established by both intrinsic and extrinsic interactions, and the polarity of myelinating glia.
Feeling Force: Physical and Physiological Principles Enabling Sensory Mechanotransduction
Authors: Katta Samata , Krieg Michael , Goodman Miriam B.
Published: November 2015

Organisms as diverse as microbes, roundworms, insects, and mammals detect and respond to applied force. In animals, this ability depends on ionotropic force receptors, known as mechanoelectrical transduction (MeT) channels, that are expressed by specialized mechanoreceptor cells embedded in diverse tissues and distributed throughout the body. These cells mediate hearing, touch, and proprioception and play a crucial role in regulating organ function. Here, we attempt to integrate knowledge about the architecture of mechanoreceptor cells and their sensory organs with principles of cell mechanics, and we consider how engulfing tissues contribute to mechanical filtering. We address progress in the quest to identify the proteins that form MeT channels and to understand how these channels are gated. For clarity and convenience, we focus on sensory mechanobiology in nematodes, fruit flies, and mice. These themes are emphasized: asymmetric responses to applied forces, which may reflect anisotropy of the structure and mechanics of sensory mechanoreceptor cells, and proteins that function as MeT channels, which appear to have emerged many times through evolution.
TGFβ1regulates Scleraxis expression in primary cardiac myofibroblasts by a Smad-independent mechanism
Authors: Zeglinski Matthew R. , Roche Patricia , Hnatowich Mark , Jassal Davinder S. , Wigle Jeffrey T. , Czubryt Michael P. , Dixon Ian M. C.
Published: November 2015

In cardiac wound healing following myocardial infarction (MI), relatively inactive resident cardiac fibroblasts phenoconvert to hypersynthetic/secretory myofibroblasts that produce large quantities of extracellular matrix (ECM) and fibrillar collagen proteins. Our laboratory and others have identified TGFβ1as being a persistent stimulus in the chronic and inappropriate wound healing phase that is marked by hypertrophic scarring and eventual stiffening of the entire myocardium, ultimately leading to the pathogenesis of heart failure following MI. Ski is a potent negative regulator of TGFβ/Smad signaling with known antifibrotic effects. Conversely, Scleraxis is a potent profibrotic basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor that stimulates fibrillar collagen expression. We hypothesize that TGFβ1induces Scleraxis expression by a novel Smad-independent pathway. Our data support the hypothesis that Scleraxis expression is induced by TGFβ1through a Smad-independent pathway in the cardiac myofibroblast. Specifically, we demonstrate that TGFβ1stimulates p42/44 (Erk1/2) kinases, which leads to increased Scleraxis expression. Inhibition of MEK1/2 using U0126 led to a sequential temporal reduction of phospho-p42/44 and subsequent Scleraxis expression. We also found that adenoviral Ski expression in primary myofibroblasts caused a significant repression of endogenous Scleraxis expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Thus we have identified a novel TGFβ1-driven, Smad-independent, signaling cascade that may play an important role in regulating the fibrotic response in activated cardiac myofibroblasts following cardiac injury.
Altered Na/Ca exchange distribution in ventricular myocytes from failing hearts
Authors: Gadeberg Hanne C. , Bryant Simon M. , James Andrew F. , Orchard Clive H.
Published: November 2015

In mammalian cardiac ventricular myocytes, Ca efflux via Na/Ca exchange (NCX) occurs predominantly at T tubules. Heart failure is associated with disrupted t-tubular structure, but its effect on t-tubular function is less clear. We therefore investigated t-tubular NCX activity in ventricular myocytes isolated from rat hearts ∼18 wk after coronary artery ligation (CAL) or corresponding sham operation (Sham). NCX current ( INCX) and l-type Ca current ( ICa) were recorded using the whole cell, voltage-clamp technique in intact and detubulated (DT) myocytes; intracellular free Ca concentration ([Ca]i) was monitored simultaneously using fluo-4. INCX was activated and measured during application of caffeine to release Ca from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Whole cell INCX was not significantly different in Sham and CAL myocytes and occurred predominantly in the T tubules in Sham myocytes. CAL was associated with redistribution of INCX and ICa away from the T tubules to the cell surface and an increase in t-tubular INCX/ ICa density from 0.12 in Sham to 0.30 in CAL myocytes. The decrease in t-tubular INCX in CAL myocytes was accompanied by an increase in the fraction of Ca sequestered by SR. However, SR Ca content was not significantly different in Sham, Sham DT, and CAL myocytes but was significantly increased by DT of CAL myocytes. In Sham myocytes, there was hysteresis between INCX and [Ca]i, which was absent in DT Sham but present in CAL and DT CAL myocytes. These data suggest altered distribution of NCX in CAL myocytes.