bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changing the process of care and practice in acute asthma in the emergency department: experience with an asthma care map in a regional hospital
Authors: Mackey Duncan , Myles Marlene , Spooner Carol H. , Lari Harris , Tyler Leslie , Blitz Sandra , Senthilselvan Ambikaipakan , Rowe Brian H.
Published: July 2016

Introduction:

Despite the frequency of acute asthma in the emergency department (ED) and the availability of guidelines, significant practice variation exists. Asthma care maps (ACMs) may standardize treatment. This study examined the use of an ACM to determine its effects on patient management in a regional hospital.

Methods:

Patients aged 2 to 65 years who presented to the ED with a primary diagnosis of acute asthma were enrolled in a prospective study that took place 5 months before (pre) and 5 months after (post) ACM implementation. Research assistants using a standardized questionnaire abstracted data through direct patient interviews and then followed up at 2 weeks with a standardized telephone interview.

Results:

Overall, 71 pre patients and 70 post patients were enrolled. Characteristics in both groups were similar. The care map was used in 100% of the cases during the post period. The mean length of stay in the ED for the pre, compared with the post period, was similar (2 h 14 min v. 2 h 25 min;p= 0.60), as were admission rates (11% v. 9%;p= 0.59). Systemic corticosteroid use was similar (62% v. 57%;p= 0.56); however, the total number of β-agonists (2 v. 4 treatments;p= 0.002) and anticholinergics (1 v. 2 treatments;p< 0.001) administered in the ED was higher during the post period. Prescriptions for oral (73% v. 60%;p= 0.15) and inhaled (78% v. 78%;p= 0.98) corticosteroids at discharge remained the same. Relapse rates at follow-up were unchanged (29% v. 34%;p= 0.52).

Conclusion:

This study provides evidence that implementation of an ACM increased acute bronchodilator use; however, prescribing preventive medications did not increase. Further research is required to evaluate other strategies to improve asthma care by emergency physicians.
Botfly myiasis: a case report
Authors: Ofordeme Ken G. , Papa Linda , Brennan Daniel F.
Published: July 2016

Cutaneous infestation by the human botfly, Dermatobia hominis, results in furuncular myiasis. This condition is endemic to the forested areas of Mexico, Central and South America. However, because of widespread travel, furuncular myiasis has become more common in North America. Misdiagnosis and mismanagement can occur owing to limited awareness of the condition outside endemic areas. To our knowledge, there is only a single report of botfly myiasis in the recent emergency medicine literature, which is surprising since the emergency department is likely to be the place many patients with this condition first seek attention. We present and discuss the case of a 50-year-old man with furuncular myiasis acquired in Belize. Parasitic infestation should be included in the differential diagnosis of a new skin lesion in patients who have travelled to endemic areas.
Teenagers with Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) poisoning
Authors: Spina Sean P. , Taddei Anthony
Published: July 2016

We report 2 cases of teenagers who were poisoned with Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) and presented to the emergency department with a severe acute anticholinergic toxidrome after ingestion of several hundred seeds. The patients presented with visual hallucinations, disorientation, incomprehensible and nonsensical speech, and dilated sluggish pupils. Both patients required restraints for combativeness until adequate sedation with lorazepam and haloperidol was achieved.

Jimson weed is found in southern Canada and the United States and can cause acute anticholinergic poisoning and death in humans and animals. The treatment of choice for anticholinergic poisoning is mainly supportive care and gastrointestinal decontamination with activated charcoal. Jimson weed intoxication should be considered in cases of patients presenting with unexplained peripheral and central anticholinergic symptoms including delirium, agitation and seizures, especially among younger patients and partygoers. It is important that health care professionals recognize that Jimson weed is a toxic, indigenous, “wild” growing plant, subject to misuse and potentially serious intoxication requiring hospitalization.
Auswahlverfahren für Masterstudiengänge aus Sicht von Bachelorstudierenden
Authors: Herde Christoph Nils , Stegt Stephan , Preckel Franzis
Published: July 2016

Zusammenfassung. Eine Studierendenauswahl mit Hilfe prognostisch valider Verfahren, welche von den Bewerberinnen und Bewerbern wertgeschätzt werden, kann die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit von Hochschulen stärken. Diese multimethodale Studie untersuchte bei 394 Bachelorstudierenden die Akzeptanz von elf Verfahren der Studierendenauswahl für Masterstudiengänge. Die Methoden zur Akzeptanzmessung umfassten eine Rangreihung, eine Ratingskala und einen vollständigen Paarvergleich. Methodenübergeifend erhielten studienfachspezifische Fähigkeitstests und Bachelornoten die höchste Akzeptanz. Akzeptanzwerte korrelierten positiv mit der selbsteingeschätzten Leistung in Vorerfahrungen mit den Verfahren; es zeigten sich geringe Zusammenhänge mit den Big-Five-Persönlichkeitsfaktoren und dem akademischen Selbstkonzept. Die Akzeptanz von strukturierten und frei geführten Auswahlgesprächen sowie von Persönlichkeitstests variierte abhängig vom Studienfach der Bachelorstudierenden. Die Ergebnisse können als Orientierung bei der Gestaltung der Studierendenauswahl für Masterstudiengänge dienen.
Characterizing Climate Fluctuations over Wide-Scale Ranges
Authors: Lovejoy S. , Crucifix M. , De Vernal A.
Published: July 2016

Scale and Scaling in the Climate System; Jouvence, Quebec, Canada, 5–7 October 2015
The interplay between microbiota and inflammation: lessons from peritonitis and sepsis
Authors: Lobo Leandro A , Benjamim Claudia F , Oliveira Ana Carolina
Published: July 2016

Mammals harbor a complex gut‐associated microbiota, comprising bacteria that provide immunological, metabolic and neurological benefits to the host, and contribute to their well‐being. However, dysregulation of the microbiota composition, known as dysbiosis, along with the associated mucosal immune response have a key role in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), type 1 and type 2 diabetes, asthma, multiple sclerosis, among others. In addition, outside the gut lumen, bacteria from microbiota are the causative agent of peritoneal inflammation, abdominal sepsis and systemic sepsis. Critical care interventions during sepsis by antibiotics induce dysbiosis and present acute and long‐term poor prognosis. In this review, we discuss immunomodulatory effects of the microbial molecules and products, highlighting the role of Bacteroides fragilis, a human commensal with ambiguous interactions with the host. Moreover, we also address the impact of antibiotic treatment in sepsis outcome and discuss new insights for microbiota modulation.
Structure of the initiation-competent RNA polymerase I and its implication for transcription
Authors: Pilsl Michael , Crucifix Corinne , Papai Gabor , Krupp Ferdinand , Steinbauer Robert , Griesenbeck Joachim , Milkereit Philipp , Tschochner Herbert , Schultz Patrick
Published: July 2016

Eukaryotic RNA polymerase I (Pol I) is specialized in rRNA gene transcription synthesizing up to 60% of cellular RNA. High level rRNA production relies on efficient binding of initiation factors to the rRNA gene promoter and recruitment of Pol I complexes containing initiation factor Rrn3. Here, we determine the cryo-EM structure of the Pol I-Rrn3 complex at 7.5 Å resolution, and compare it with Rrn3-free monomeric and dimeric Pol I. We observe that Rrn3 contacts the Pol I A43/A14 stalk and subunits A190 and AC40, that association re-organizes the Rrn3 interaction interface, thereby preventing Pol I dimerization; and Rrn3-bound and monomeric Pol I differ from the dimeric enzyme in cleft opening, and localization of the A12.2 C-terminus in the active centre. Our findings thus support a dual role for Rrn3 in transcription initiation to stabilize a monomeric initiation competent Pol I and to drive pre-initiation complex formation.
Mass spectrometry locates local and allosteric conformational changes that occur on cofactor binding
Authors: Beveridge Rebecca , Migas Lukasz G. , Payne Karl A. P. , Scrutton Nigel S. , Leys David , Barran Perdita E.
Published: July 2016

Fdc1 is a decarboxylase enzyme that requires the novel prenylated FMN cofactor for activity. Here, we use it as an exemplar system to show how native top-down and bottom-up mass spectrometry can measure the structural effect of cofactor binding by a protein. For Fdc1Ubix, the cofactor confers structural stability to the enzyme. IM–MS shows the holo protein to exist in four closely related conformational families, the populations of which differ in the apo form; the two smaller families are more populated in the presence of the cofactor and depopulated in its absence. These findings, supported by MD simulations, indicate a more open structure for the apo form. HDX-MS reveals that while the dominant structural changes occur proximal to the cofactor-binding site, rearrangements on cofactor binding are evident throughout the protein, predominantly attributable to allosteric conformational tightening, consistent with IM–MS data.
Regulation of PERK–eIF2α signalling by tuberous sclerosis complex-1 controls homoeostasis and survival of myelinating oligodendrocytes
Authors: Jiang Minqing , Liu Lei , He Xuelian , Wang Haibo , Lin Wensheng , Wang Huimin , Yoon Sung O. , Wood Teresa L. , Lu Q. Richard
Published: July 2016

Tuberous sclerosis complex-1 or 2 (TSC1/2) mutations cause white matter abnormalities, including myelin deficits in the CNS; however, underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. TSC1/2 negatively regulate the function of mTOR, which is required for oligodendrocyte differentiation. Here we report that, unexpectedly, constitutive activation of mTOR signalling by Tsc1 deletion in the oligodendrocyte lineage results in severe myelination defects and oligodendrocyte cell death in mice, despite an initial increase of oligodendrocyte precursors during early development. Expression profiling analysis reveals that Tsc1 ablation induces prominent endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress responses by activating a PERK–eIF2α signalling axis and Fas–JNK apoptotic pathways. Enhancement of the phospho-eIF2α adaptation pathway by inhibition of Gadd34-PP1 phosphatase with guanabenz protects oligodendrocytes and partially rescues myelination defects in Tsc1 mutants. Thus, TSC1-mTOR signalling acts as an important checkpoint for maintaining oligodendrocyte homoeostasis, pointing to a previously uncharacterized ER stress mechanism that contributes to hypomyelination in tuberous sclerosis.
Adiponectin enhances bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell resistance to flow shear stress through AMP-activated protein kinase signaling
Authors: Zhao Lin , Fan Chongxi , Zhang Yu , Yang Yang , Wang Dongjin , Deng Chao , Hu Wei , Ma Zhiqiang , Jiang Shuai , Di Shouyi , Qin Zhigang , Lv Jianjun , Sun Yang , Yi Wei
Published: July 2016

Adiponectin has been demonstrated to protect the cardiovascular system and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). However, it is unclear whether adiponectin can protect BMSCs against flow shear stress (FSS). In this study, our aim was to explore the effects of adiponectin on BMSCs and to explore the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling in this process. Shear stress significantly inhibits the survival and increases the apoptosis of BMSCs in an intensity-dependent manner. The expression levels of TGF-β, bFGF, VEGF, PDGF and Bcl2 are simultaneously reduced and the phosphorylation levels of AMPK and ACC, as well as the expression level of Bax, are increased. Supplementation with adiponectin promotes the survival of BMSCs; reverses the changes in the expression levels of TGF-β, bFGF, VEGF, PDGF, Bcl2 and Bax; and further amplifies the phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC. Furthermore, the protective effects of adiponectin can be partially neutralized by AMPK siRNA. In summary, we have demonstrated for the first time that adiponectin can effectively protect BMSCs from FSS and that this effect depends, at least in part, on the activation of AMPK signaling.
Dynamics of plant DNA replication based on PCNA visualization
Authors: Yokoyama Ryohei , Hirakawa Takeshi , Hayashi Seri , Sakamoto Takuya , Matsunaga Sachihiro
Published: July 2016

DNA replication is an essential process for the copying of genomic information in living organisms. Imaging of DNA replication in tissues and organs is mainly performed using fixed cells after incorporation of thymidine analogs. To establish a useful marker line to measure the duration of DNA replication and analyze the dynamics of DNA replication, we focused on the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), which functions as a DNA sliding clamp for replicative DNA polymerases and is an essential component of replisomes. In this study we produced an Arabidopsis thaliana line expressing PCNA1 fused with the green fluorescent protein under the control of its own promoter (pAtPCNA1::AtPCNA1-sGFP). The duration of the S phase measured using the expression line was consistent with that measured after incorporation of a thymidine analog. Live cell imaging revealed that three distinct nuclear localization patterns (whole, dotted, and speckled) were sequentially observable. These whole, dotted, and speckled patterns of subnuclear AtPCNA1 signals were indicative of the G1 or G2 phase, early S phase and late S phase, respectively. The results indicate that the pAtPCNA1::AtPCNA1-sGFP line is a useful marker line for visualization of S-phase progression in live plant organs.
Proposed correlation of structure network inherited from producing techniques and deformation behavior for Ni-Ti-Mo metallic glasses via atomistic simulations
Authors: Yang M. H. , Li J. H. , Liu B. X.
Published: July 2016

Based on the newly constructed n-body potential of Ni-Ti-Mo system, Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations predict an energetically favored glass formation region and an optimal composition sub-region with the highest glass-forming ability. In order to compare the producing techniques between liquid melt quenching (LMQ) and solid-state amorphization (SSA), inherent hierarchical structure and its effect on mechanical property were clarified via atomistic simulations. It is revealed that both producing techniques exhibit no pronounced differences in the local atomic structure and mechanical behavior, while the LMQ method makes a relatively more ordered structure and a higher intrinsic strength. Meanwhile, it is found that the dominant short-order clusters of Ni-Ti-Mo metallic glasses obtained by LMQ and SSA are similar. By analyzing the structural evolution upon uniaxial tensile deformation, it is concluded that the gradual collapse of the spatial structure network is intimately correlated to the mechanical response of metallic glasses and acts as a structural signature of the initiation and propagation of shear bands.
In-situ Adsorption-Biological Combined Technology Treating Sediment Phosphorus in all Fractions
Authors: Zhang Y. , Wang C. , He F. , Liu B. , Xu D. , Xia S. , Zhou Q. , Wu Z.
Published: July 2016

The removal efficiency of sediment phosphorus (P) in all fractions with in-situ adsorption-biological combined technology was studied in West Lake, Hangzhou, China. The removal amounts of sediment Ca-P, Fe/Al-P, IP, OP and TP by the combined effect of PCFM (Porous ceramic filter media) and V. spiralis was 61 mg/kg, 249 mg/kg, 318 mg/kg, 85 mg/kg and 416 mg/kg, respectively and the corresponding removing rate reached 10.5%, 44.6%, 27.5%, 30.6% and 29.2%. This study suggested that the combination of PCFM and V. spiralis could achieve a synergetic sediment P removal because the removal rates of the combinations were higher than the sum of that of PCFM and macrophytes used separately. From analysis of sediment microbial community and predicted function, we found that the combined PCFM and V. spiralis enhanced the function of P metabolism by increasing specific genus that belong to phylum Firmicutes and Nitrospirae. Thus it can be seen the in-situ adsorption-biological combined technology could be further applied to treat internal P loading in eutrophic waters.
Diagnostic test accuracy of glutamate dehydrogenase for Clostridium difficile: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Arimoto Jun , Horita Nobuyuki , Kato Shingo , Fuyuki Akiko , Higurashi Takuma , Ohkubo Hidenori , Endo Hiroki , Takashi Nonaka , Kaneko Takeshi , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: July 2016

We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the diagnostic accuracy of detecting glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) based on the hierarchical model. Two investigators electrically searched four databases. Reference tests were stool cell cytotoxicity neutralization assay (CCNA) and stool toxigenic culture (TC). To assess the overall accuracy, we calculated the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) using a DerSimonian-Laird random-model and area the under hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics (AUC) using Holling’s proportional hazard models. The summary estimate of the sensitivity and the specificity were obtained using the bivariate model. According to 42 reports consisting of 3055 reference positive comparisons and 26188 reference negative comparisons, the DOR was 115 (95%CI: 77–172, I2 = 12.0%) and the AUC was 0.970 (95%CI: 0.958–0.982). The summary estimate of sensitivity and specificity were 0.911 (95%CI: 0.871–0.940) and 0.912 (95%CI: 0.892–0.928). The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 10.4 (95%CI 8.4–12.7) and 0.098 (95%CI 0.066–0.142), respectively. Detecting GDH for the diagnosis of CDI had both high sensitivity and specificity. Considering its low cost and prevalence, it is appropriate for a screening test for CDI.
Patterns of metastasis in colon and rectal cancer
Authors: Riihimäki Matias , Hemminki Akseli , Sundquist Jan , Hemminki Kari
Published: July 2016

Investigating epidemiology of metastatic colon and rectal cancer is challenging, because cancer registries seldom record metastatic sites. We used a population based approach to assess metastatic spread in colon and rectal cancers. 49,096 patients with colorectal cancer were identified from the nationwide Swedish Cancer Registry. Metastatic sites were identified from the National Patient Register and Cause of Death Register. Rectal cancer more frequently metastasized into thoracic organs (OR = 2.4) and the nervous system (1.5) and less frequently within the peritoneum (0.3). Mucinous and signet ring adenocarcinomas more frequently metastasized within the peritoneum compared with generic adenocarcinoma (3.8 [colon]/3.2 [rectum]), and less frequently into the liver (0.5/0.6). Lung metastases occurred frequently together with nervous system metastases, whereas peritoneal metastases were often listed with ovarian and pleural metastases. Thoracic metastases are almost as common as liver metastases in rectal cancer patients with a low stage at diagnosis. In colorectal cancer patients with solitary metastases the survival differed between 5 and 19 months depending on T or N stage. Metastatic patterns differ notably between colon and rectal cancers. This knowledge should help clinicians to identify patients in need for extra surveillance and gives insight to further studies on the mechanisms of metastasis.
Effects of clonal integration on the invasive clonal plant Alternanthera philoxeroides under heterogeneous and homogeneous water availability
Authors: You Wen-Hua , Han Cui-Min , Liu Chun-Hua , Yu Dan
Published: July 2016

Many notorious invasive plants are clonal, living in heterogeneous or homogeneous habitats. To understand how clonal integration affects the performance of these plants in different habitat conditions, an 8-week greenhouse experiment was conducted: ramet pairs of A. philoxeroides were grown in two habitats, either heterogeneous or homogeneous in water availability, with the stolon connections either severed or kept intact. Under heterogeneous water availability, compared with ramets in homogeneous habitats, clonal integration significantly promoted the growth and photosynthetic performance of water-stressed apical ramets, whereas it only increased the photosynthetic performance but did not affect the growth of water-stressed basal ramets. Moreover, clonal integration markedly increased the root/shoot ratios of ramets grown in habitats with high water supply but decreased it under low water availability. Under homogeneous water availability, stolon connection (clonal integration) did not influence the growth, photosynthetic performance and biomass allocation of water-stressed ramets, but it significantly promoted the growth of well-watered ramets in both apical and basal sections. These findings deepen our understanding of the bidirectional and differentiated (mainly acropetal) clonal integration of A. philoxeroides, suggesting that the invasive plant A. philoxeroides can benefit from clonal integration in both heterogeneous and homogeneous habitats.
Evaluation of a Micro-Optical Coherence Tomography for the Corneal Endothelium in an Animal Model
Authors: Ang Marcus , Konstantopoulos Aris , Goh Gwendoline , Htoon Hla M. , Seah Xinyi , Lwin Nyein Chan , Liu Xinyu , Chen Si , Liu Linbo , Mehta Jodhbir S.
Published: July 2016

Recent developments in optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems for the cornea have limited resolution or acquisition speed. In this study we aim to evaluate the use of a ‘micro-OCT’ (μOCT ~1 μm axial resolution) compared to existing imaging modalities using animal models of corneal endothelial disease. We used established cryoinjury and bullous keratopathy models in Sprague Dawley rats comparing ex vivo μOCT imaging in normal and diseased eyes to (1) histology; (2) in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM); and (3) scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Qualitative and quantitative comparisons amongst imaging modalities were performed using mean endothelial cell circularity [(4π × Area)/Perimeter2] with coefficient of variation (COV). We found that μOCT imaging was able to delineate endothelial cells (with nuclei), detect inflammatory cells and corneal layers with histology-like resolution, comparable to existing imaging modalities. The mean endothelial cell circularity score was 0.88 ± 0.03, 0.87 ± 0.04 and 0.88 ± 0.05 (P = 0.216) for the SEM, IVCM and μOCT respectively, with SEM producing homogenous endothelial cell images (COV = 0.028) compared to the IVCM (0.051) and μOCT (0.062). In summary, our preliminary study suggests that the μOCT may be useful for achieving non-contact, histology-like images of the cornea for endothelial cell evaluation, which requires further development for in vivo imaging.
Detection of methoxylated and hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls in sewage sludge in China with evidence for their microbial transformation
Authors: Sun Jianteng , Zhu Lizhong , Pan Lili , Wei Zi , Song Yao , Zhang Yuduo , Qu Liping , Zhan Yu
Published: July 2016

The concentrations of methoxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (MeO-PCBs) and hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) were measured in the sewage sludge samples collected from twelve wastewater treatment plants in China. Two MeO-PCB congeners, including 3′-MeO-CB-65 and 4′-MeO-CB-101, were detected in three sludge with mean concentrations of 0.58 and 0.52 ng/g dry weight, respectively. OH-PCBs were detected in eight sludge samples, with an average total concentration of 4.2 ng/g dry weight. Furthermore, laboratory exposure was conducted to determine the possible source of OH-PCBs and MeO-PCBs in the sewage sludge and their metabolism by the microbes. Both 4′-OH-CB-101 and 4′-MeO-CB-101 were detected as metabolites of CB-101 at a limited conversion rate after 5 days. Importantly, microbial interconversion between OH-PCBs and MeO-PCBs was observed in sewage sludge. Demethylation of MeO-PCBs was favored over methylation of OH-PCBs. The abundant and diverse microbes in sludge play a key role in the transformation processes of the PCB analogues. To our knowledge, this is the first report on MeO-PCBs in environmental matrices and on OH-PCBs in sewage sludge. The findings are important to understand the environmental fate of PCBs.
Cross-talk between intestinal epithelial cells and immune cells in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Al-Ghadban Sara , Kaissi Samira , Homaidan Fadia R. , Naim Hassan Y. , El-Sabban Marwan E.
Published: July 2016

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves functional impairment of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), concomitant with the infiltration of the lamina propria by inflammatory cells. We explored the reciprocal paracrine and direct interaction between human IECs and macrophages (MΦ) in a co-culture system that mimics some aspects of IBD. We investigated the expression of intercellular junctional proteins in cultured IECs under inflammatory conditions and in tissues from IBD patients. IECs establish functional gap junctions with IECs and MΦ, respectively. Connexin (Cx26) and Cx43 expression in cultured IECs is augmented under inflammatory conditions; while, Cx43-associated junctional complexes partners, E-cadherin, ZO-1, and β-catenin expression is decreased. The expression of Cx26 and Cx43 in IBD tissues is redistributed to the basal membrane of IEC, which is associated with decrease in junctional complex proteins’ expression, collagen type IV expression and infiltration of MΦ. These data support the notion that the combination of paracrine and hetero-cellular communication between IECs and MΦs may regulate epithelial cell function through the establishment of junctional complexes between inflammatory cells and IECs, which ultimately contribute to the dys-regulation of intestinal epithelial barrier.
Clostridium Difficile Infection Worsen Outcome of Hospitalized Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Zhang Ting , Lin Qian-Yun , Fei Jia-Xi , Zhang Yan , Lin Min-Yi , Jiang Shuang-Hong , Wang Pu , Chen Ye
Published: July 2016

The prevalence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased rapidly over the past several decades in North America and Europe. However, the exact global epidemiology remains unclear because of insufficient data from developing countries. A total of 646 hospitalized adult IBD patients were enrolled; and their fresh stool specimens were obtained and used for Clostridium difficile detection. The incidence of CDI in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients (12.7%) was significantly lower than that in Ulcerative disease (UC) patients (19.3%). Among the toxin types, A+B+ strain was the most common. Length of stay, hospitalization frequency and bowel surgery rate were significantly higher in the CDI than in the non-CDI group in CD or UC patients. More patients in CDI-CD group were still in active and even clinical moderate or severe CD stage than non-CDI-CD group after 2 years of following-up. Fistula, antibiotics and infliximab usage likely increased the CDI rate in CD patients, Infliximab treatment was considered a risk factor in UC patients. CDI is an exacerbating public health issue that may influence IBD course, increase expenditures, and delay the remission of IBD patients. IBD patients with CDI require urgent attention.
Atmosphere-Ocean Coupling Effect on Intense Tropical Cyclone Distribution and its Future Change with 60 km-AOGCM
Authors: Ogata Tomomichi , Mizuta Ryo , Adachi Yukimasa , Murakami Hiroyuki , Ose Tomoaki
Published: July 2016

Atmosphere-ocean coupling effect on the frequency distribution of tropical cyclones (TCs) and its future change is studied using an atmosphere and ocean coupled general circulation model (AOGCM). In the present climate simulation, the atmosphere-ocean coupling in the AOGCM improves biases in the AGCM such as the poleward shift of the maximum of intense TC distribution in the Northern Hemisphere and too many intense TCs in the Southern Hemisphere. Particularly, subsurface cold water plays a key role to reduce these AGCM biases of intense TC distribution. Besides, the future change of intense TC distribution is significantly different between AOGCM and AGCM despite the same monthly SST. In the north Atlantic, subsurface warming causes larger increase in frequency of intense TCs in AOGCM than that in AGCM. Such subsurface warming in AOGCM also acts to alter large decrease of intense TC in AGCM to no significant change in AOGCM over the southwestern Indian Ocean. These results suggest that atmosphere-ocean coupling characterized by subsurface oceanic structure is responsible for more realistic intense TC distribution in the current climate simulation and gives significant impacts on its future projection.
Effect of interlayer interactions on exciton luminescence in atomic-layered MoS2 crystals
Authors: Kim Jung Gon , Yun Won Seok , Jo Sunghwan , Lee JaeDong , Cho Chang-Hee
Published: July 2016

The atomic-layered semiconducting materials of transition metal dichalcogenides are considered effective light sources with both potential applications in thin and flexible optoelectronics and novel functionalities. In spite of the great interest in optoelectronic properties of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides, the excitonic properties still need to be addressed, specifically in terms of the interlayer interactions. Here, we report the distinct behavior of the A and B excitons in the presence of interlayer interactions of layered MoS2 crystals. Micro-photoluminescence spectroscopic studies reveal that on the interlayer interactions in double layer MoS2 crystals, the emission quantum yield of the A exciton is drastically changed, whereas that of the B exciton remains nearly constant for both single and double layer MoS2 crystals. First-principles density functional theory calculations confirm that a significant charge redistribution occurs in the double layer MoS2 due to the interlayer interactions producing a local electric field at the interfacial region. Analogous to the quantum-confined Stark effect, we suggest that the distinct behavior of the A and B excitons can be explained by a simplified band-bending model.
Romanian wild boars and Mangalitza pigs have a European ancestry and harbour genetic signatures compatible with past population bottlenecks
Authors: Manunza A. , Amills M. , Noce A. , Cabrera B. , Zidi A. , Eghbalsaied S. , de Albornoz E. Carrillo , Portell M. , Mercadé A. , Sànchez A. , Balteanu V.
Published: July 2016

We aimed to analyse the genetic diversity of Romanian wild boars and to compare it with that from other wild boar and pig populations from Europe and Asia. Partial sequencing of the mitochondrial encoded cytochrome b (MT-CYB) gene from 36 Romanian wild boars and 36 domestic pigs (Mangalitza, Bazna and Vietnamese breeds) showed that the diversity of Romanian wild boars and Mangalitza pigs is fairly reduced and that most of the members of these two populations share a common MT-CYB haplotype. Besides, in strong contrast with the Bazna animals, Romanian wild boars and Mangalitza swine did not carry Asian variants at the MT-CYB locus. The autosomal genotyping of 18 Romanian wild boars with the Illumina Porcine SNP60 BeadChip revealed that their genetic background is fundamentally European, even though signs of a potential Near Eastern ancestry (~25%) were detectable at K = 4 (the most significant number of clusters), but not at higher K-values. Admixture analysis also showed that two wild boars are of a hybrid origin, which could be explained by the mating of feral animals with domestic pigs. Finally, a number of Romanian wild boars displayed long runs of homozygosity, an observation that is consistent with the occurrence of past population bottlenecks and the raise of inbreeding possibly due to overhunting or to the outbreak of infectious diseases.
Glycosylation enables aesculin to activate Nrf2
Authors: Kim Kyun Ha , Park Hyunsu , Park Hee Jin , Choi Kyoung-Hwa , Sadikot Ruxana T. , Cha Jaeho , Joo Myungsoo
Published: July 2016

Since aesculin, 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin-6-O-β-glucopyranoside, suppresses inflammation, we asked whether its anti-inflammatory activity is associated with the activation of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a key anti-inflammatory factor. Our results, however, show that aesculin marginally activated Nrf2. Since glycosylation can enhance the function of a compound, we then asked whether adding a glucose makes aesculin activate Nrf2. Our results show that the glycosylated aesculin, 3-O-β-d-glycosyl aesculin, robustly activated Nrf2, inducing the expression of Nrf2-dependent genes, such as heme oxygenase-1, glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 in macrophages. Mechanistically, 3-O-β-d-glycosyl aesculin suppressed ubiquitination of Nrf2, retarding degradation of Nrf2. Unlike aesculin, 3-O-β-d-glycosyl aesculin significantly suppressed neutrophilic lung inflammation, a hallmark of acute lung injury (ALI), in mice, which was not recapitulated in Nrf2 knockout mice, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory function of the compound largely acts through Nrf2. In a mouse model of sepsis, a major cause of ALI, 3-O-β-d-glycosyl aesculin significantly enhanced the survival of mice, compared with aesculin. Together, these results show that glycosylation could confer the ability to activate Nrf2 on aesculin, enhancing the anti-inflammatory function of aesculin. These results suggest that glycosylation can be a way to improve or alter the function of aesculin.
Proteomic Analysis of Human Brown Adipose Tissue Reveals Utilization of Coupled and Uncoupled Energy Expenditure Pathways
Authors: Müller Sebastian , Balaz Miroslav , Stefanicka Patrik , Varga Lukas , Amri Ez-Zoubir , Ukropec Jozef , Wollscheid Bernd , Wolfrum Christian
Published: July 2016

Human brown adipose tissue (BAT) has become an attractive target to combat the current epidemical spread of obesity and its associated co-morbidities. Currently, information on its functional role is primarily derived from rodent studies. Here, we present the first comparative proteotype analysis of primary human brown adipose tissue versus adjacent white adipose tissue, which reveals significant quantitative differences in protein abundances and in turn differential functional capabilities. The majority of the 318 proteins with increased abundance in BAT are associated with mitochondrial metabolism and confirm the increased oxidative capacity. In addition to uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), the main functional effector for uncoupled respiration, we also detected the mitochondrial creatine kinases (CKMT1A/B, CKMT2), as effective modulators of ATP synthase coupled respiration, to be exclusively expressed in BAT. The abundant expression and utilization of both energy expenditure pathways in parallel highlights the complex functional involvement of BAT in human physiology.
Probiotic modulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis and behaviour in zebrafish
Authors: Borrelli Luca , Aceto Serena , Agnisola Claudio , De Paolo Sofia , Dipineto Ludovico , Stilling Roman M. , Dinan Timothy G. , Cryan John F. , Menna Lucia F. , Fioretti Alessandro
Published: July 2016

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the bi-directional gut–brain axis, a communication that integrates the gut and central nervous system (CNS) activities. Animal studies reveal that gut bacteria influence behaviour, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels and serotonin metabolism. In the present study, we report for the first time an analysis of the microbiota–gut–brain axis in zebrafish (Danio rerio). After 28 days of dietary administration with the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501, we found differences in shoaling behaviour, brain expression levels of bdnf and of genes involved in serotonin signalling/metabolism between control and treated zebrafish group. In addition, in microbiota we found a significant increase of Firmicutes and a trending reduction of Proteobacteria. This study demonstrates that selected microbes can be used to modulate endogenous neuroactive molecules in zebrafish.
Genome engineering Escherichia coli for L-DOPA overproduction from glucose
Authors: Wei Tao , Cheng Bi-Yan , Liu Jian-Zhong
Published: July 2016

Genome engineering has become a powerful tool for creating useful strains in research and industry. In this study, we applied singleplex and multiplex genome engineering approaches to construct an E. coli strain for the production of L-DOPA from glucose. We first used the singleplex genome engineering approach to create an L-DOPA-producing strain, E. coli DOPA-1, by deleting transcriptional regulators (tyrosine repressor tyrR and carbon storage regulator A csrA), altering glucose transport from the phosphotransferase system (PTS) to ATP-dependent uptake and the phosphorylation system overexpressing galactose permease gene (galP) and glucokinase gene (glk), knocking out glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (zwf) and prephenate dehydratase and its leader peptide genes (pheLA) and integrating the fusion protein chimera of the downstream pathway of chorismate. Then, multiplex automated genome engineering (MAGE) based on 23 targets was used to further improve L-DOPA production. The resulting strain, E. coli DOPA-30N, produced 8.67 g/L of L-DOPA in 60 h in a 5 L fed-batch fermentation. This titer is the highest achieved in metabolically engineered E. coli having PHAH activity from glucose.
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma arising in Warthin’s tumor of the parotid gland: Clinicopathological characteristics and immunophenotypes
Authors: Yu Chunkai , Song Zhigang , Xiao Zhibo , Lin Qiushi , Dong Xiaoqun
Published: July 2016

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), an extremely rare tumor, arises from the epithelial component of preexisting parotid Warthin tumors (WT). Among the 309 cases of surgically resected WTs in Chinese PLA General Hospital and Beijing Shijitan Hospital of Capital Medical University, 5 cases (1.6%) fulfilled the criteria for MECs transformed from WTs. Clinicopathological characteristics of MECs was demonstrated in order to avoid misdiagnosis of this rare type of tumor. All the 5 patients, 3 males and 2 females, presented painless masses in the parotid gland. MECs were located inside or at the edge of WTs, with an obvious transitional zone between WT and MEC. Basal cells of WTs and epidermoid cells of MECs were strongly positive for cytokeratin CK5/6, CK34βE12, and P63; whereas negative for CK7, CK20, and CEA. Mucous cells of MECs were positive for CK7, CEA, as well as periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), whereas negative for CK5/6, CK34βE12, CK20, and P63. MECs patients were followed up for 25–69 months after surgery, presenting no evidence of recurrence or metastasis. Collectively, MECs arising from WT is very rare. The pathological diagnosis was based on histological morphology, especially the transitional zone between WT and MEC.
Simultaneous realization of high catalytic activity and stability for catalytic cracking of n-heptane on highly exposed (010) crystal planes of nanosheet ZSM-5 zeolite
Authors: Xiao Xia , Zhang Yaoyuan , Jiang Guiyuan , Liu Jia , Han Shanlei , Zhao Zhen , Wang Ruipu , Li Cong , Xu Chunming , Duan Aijun , Wang Yajun , Liu Jian , Wei Yuechang
Published: July 2016

Nanosheet ZSM-5 zeolite exhibits outstanding reactivity and anti-coking stability for catalytic cracking of n-heptane.
Base-controlled [3+3] cycloaddition of isoquinoline N-oxides with azaoxyallyl cations
Authors: An Yuanyuan , Xia Hongguang , Wu Jie
Published: July 2016

A base-controlled [3+3] cycloaddition reaction of isoquinoline N-oxides with azaoxyallyl cations is developed, leading to 1,11b-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazino[3,2-a]isoquinolin-2(3H)-ones and 2-(isoquinolin-1-yloxy)acetamides, respectively. This transformation proceeds through an azaoxyallyl cation generated in situ from α-bromohydroxamate.
Pinning effect of reactive elements on adhesion energy and adhesive strength of incoherent Al2O3/NiAl interface
Authors: Zhang Z. , Zhang R. F. , Legut D. , Li D. Q. , Zhang S. H. , Fu Z. H. , Guo H. B.
Published: July 2016

We perform density functional theory calculations and information targeted experiments to reveal the origin of the enhancement of interface adhesion in thermal barrier coatings by doping with reactive elements.
Dinuclear cyclometalated platinum(ii) complexes containing a deep blue fluorescence chromophore: synthesis, photophysics and application in single dopant white PLEDs
Authors: Zhang Youming , Jiang Haigang , Liu Yu , Zhou Kaifeng , Wang Yafei , Tan Hua , Su Shijian , Zhu Weiguo
Published: July 2016

A novel dinuclear platinum complex of DPy(TPA)-C6DBCzC6-DFPt(pic) containing a deep blue-emitting fluorophore DPy(TPA) was synthesized and characterized.
Energy-yield prediction for II–VI-based thin-film tandem solar cells
Authors: Mailoa Jonathan P. , Lee Mitchell , Peters Ian M. , Buonassisi Tonio , Panchula Alex , Weiss Dirk N.
Published: July 2016

Polycrystalline, thin-film tandem solar cells that leverage commercial II–VI semiconductor technologies as the top cell could overcome the practical conversion-efficiency limits of single-junction solar cells. In this paper we provide energy-yield calculation of a solar cell – single-junction and tandem – in a real-world climate conditions.
Novel stabilisation of emulsions by soft particles: polyelectrolyte complexes
Authors: Bago Rodriguez Ana Maria , Binks Bernard P. , Sekine Tomoko
Published: July 2016

We put forward the concept of a novel particle stabiliser of oil–water emulsions, being the polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) formed between oppositely charged water-soluble polymers in cases where either polymer alone is incapable of stabilising an emulsion. Using poly(4-styrene sulfonate) sodium salt, PSSNa and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), PDADMAC, of low polydispersity and similar molecular mass, we correlate the behaviour of their mixtures in water with that of emulsions after addition of oil. In aqueous mixtures, spherical particles of diameters between 100 and 150 nm are formed through electrostatic interactions between charged polymer chains. Around equal mole fractions of the two polymers, the zeta potential of the particles reverses in sign and emulsions of oil-in-water (o/w) for a range of oils can be prepared which are the most stable to coalescence and creaming. The effects of PEC concentration and the oil : water ratio have been examined. All emulsions are o/w and stability is achieved by close-packed particle layers at drop interfaces and particle aggregation in the continuous phase. Increasing the salt concentration initially causes destabilisation of the aqueous particle dispersion due to particle aggregation followed by dissolution of particles at high concentrations; the corresponding emulsions change from being stable to completely unstable and are then re-stabilised due to adsorption of uncharged individual polymer molecules.
An on-chip micromagnet frictionometer based on magnetically driven colloids for nano-bio interfaces
Authors: Hu Xinghao , Goudu Sandhya Rani , Torati Sri Ramulu , Lim Byeonghwa , Kim Kunwoo , Kim CheolGi
Published: July 2016

A novel method based on remotely controlled magnetic forces of bio-functionalized superparamagnetic colloids using micromagnet arrays was devised to measure frictional force at the sub-picoNewton (pN) scale for bio-nano-/micro-electromechanical system (bio-NEMS/MEMS) interfaces in liquid.
Recent developments of small molecule chemical probes for fluorescence-based detection of human carbonic anhydrase II and IX
Authors: Teruya Kanae , Tonissen Kathryn F. , Poulsen Sally-Ann
Published: July 2016

The increasingly sophisticated array of approaches for the specific labeling and fluorescence-based detection of carbonic anhydrase enzymes using small molecule affinity-based chemical probes is reviewed.
The direct synthesis of Au nanocrystals in microdroplets using the spray-assisted method
Authors: Fang Hairui , Huang Keke , Yuan Long , Wu Xiaofeng , Wang Dong , Chen Huanwen , Feng Shouhua
Published: July 2016

Without any surfactants or inorganic ligands, the Au nanocrystals with different morphologies have been synthesized using the spray-assisted method.
Advances in the 1-phenanthryl-tetrahydroisoquinoline series of PAK4 inhibitors: potent agents restrain tumor cell growth and invasion
Authors: Hao Chenzhou , Li Xiaodong , Song Shuai , Guo Bingyu , Guo Jing , Zhang Jian , Zhang Qiaoling , Huang Wanxu , Wang Jian , Lin Bin , Cheng Maosheng , Li Feng , Zhao Dongmei
Published: July 2016

Discovery of a new class of natural product-inspired PAK4 inhibitors as potent anti-cancer agents.
Ligand-free Cu-catalyzed [3 + 2] cyclization for the synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolines with ambient air as a terminal oxidant
Authors: Yu Yang , Liu Yuan , Liu Aoxia , Xie Hexin , Li Hao , Wang Wei
Published: July 2016

A ligand-free Cu-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition of ethyl 2-(quinolin-2-yl)acetates, ethyl 2-(isoquinolin-1-yl)acetates, and ethyl 2-(pyridin-2-yl)acetates with (E)-chalcones for a “one-pot” synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolines, pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines and indolizines has been developed.
All-thiophene-based conjugated porous organic polymers
Authors: Sun Chao-Jing , Wang Peng-Fei , Wang Hua , Han Bao-Hang
Published: July 2016

Novel all-thiophene-based conjugated porous organic polymers (ThPOP-1 and ThPOP-2) were synthesized through ferric chloride-catalyzed oxidative coupling polymerization at room temperature.
Electrochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization of n-butyl acrylate on non-platinum cathodes
Authors: Lorandi Francesca , Fantin Marco , Isse Abdirisak A. , Gennaro Armando
Published: July 2016

Inexpensive metals and metal alloys were used as cathodes in well-controlled, electrochemically mediated ATRP ofn-butyl acrylate in DMF with the ppm level of catalysts.
A convenient approach of MIP/Co–TiO2 nanocomposites with highly enhanced photocatalytic activity and selectivity under visible light irradiation
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhu Jielian , Liu Xiang , Li Hexing
Published: July 2016

MIP/Co–TiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized. Their mechanisms of preferable photocatalytic activity and good selectivity for target contaminants were identified and discussed.
Suppressing cation segregation on lanthanum-based perovskite oxides to enhance the stability of solid oxide fuel cell cathodes
Authors: Kwon Hyunguk , Lee Wonyoung , Han Jeong Woo
Published: July 2016

Relieving the elastic interaction, which is a key origin of dopant segregation on the surface of LaBO3-type perovskites, by using the proper A- and B-site cations is a way to suppress the dopant segregation which often degrades SOFC performance.
Regioselective BF3·Et2O-catalyzed C–H functionalization of indoles and pyrrole with reaction of α-diazophosphonates
Authors: Cai Yan , Li Yuming , Zhang Minxuan , Fu Jiaxin , Miao Zhiwei
Published: July 2016

A regioselective synthesis of β-(3-indol)-β-aminophosphonates and β-(2-pyrrol)-β-aminophosphonates was developed through an intermolecular C–H insertion of α-diazophosphonates with indole and pyrrole derivatives catalyzed by BF3·Et2O.
The cold way for glutathione biosynthesis in the psychrophile Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis. Redundancy and reaction rates
Authors: Albino Antonella , De Angelis Amalia , Rullo Rosario , Maranta Chiara , Capasso Alessandra , Ruocco Maria Rosaria , Sica Filomena , De Vendittis Emmanuele
Published: July 2016

In the psychrophileP. haloplanktisGSH is formed in two consecutive steps coupled to ATP hydrolysis. Differently from other sources, two redundant γ-glutamyl cysteine ligases catalyse first step; overall GSH biosynthesis is rate-limited by second step.
Phosphotungstic acid on zirconia-modified silica as catalyst for oxidative desulfurization
Authors: Zhang Xiaotian , Zhu Yunfeng , Huang Pengcheng , Zhu Mingyuan
Published: July 2016

H3PW12O40/ZrO2–SiO2 catalyst was successfully prepared by immobilizing phosphotungstic acid (H3PW12O40, HPW) on zirconia-modified silica and employed as a catalyst for oxidative desulfurization (ODS).