bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness and Safety of Oral Triamcinolone in the Management of Acute Exacerbations of Asthma: A Prospective Interventional Study
Authors: Balamurugan Santhalingam
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Acute exacerbation of asthma leads to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Oral Corticosteroids (OCS) are critical in the management of asthma exacerbations; however, the response varies between patients. While there are some studies about a good response to Intramuscular (IM) triamcinolone, there is no data about the effect of oral triamcinolone on objective parameters during asthma exacerbations. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral triamcinolone as an adjunct to Standard-Of-Care (SOC) comprising Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) with or without Long-Acting β2-Agonist (LABA) in treating mild-to-moderate exacerbations of asthma. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, interventional, single-arm, single-centre, open-label study. Adults with bronchial asthma on stable doses of asthma medications for at least three months and presenting with mild-to-moderate exacerbation were recruited. Oral triamcinolone 4-16 mg/day for seven days was prescribed depending on exacerbation severity. Improvements in the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-6) score, Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) were evaluated. All patients in the study who had taken at least one dose of the study medication were included in the Intention-To-Treat (ITT) set. All patients in the ITT set who completed the study as Per Protocol (PP) were included in the PP set and considered for effectiveness analysis. Qualitative data are presented as numbers (n) and percentages (%), and quantitative data as n, mean, and Standard Deviation (SD). Quantitative variables were further evaluated using paired t-test at a 5% level of significance. Results: A total of 100 (38 males and 62 females) patients with a mean±SD age of 45.2±12.7 years were enrolled. The mean ACQ score decreased from 2.2 to 1.4 (p-value<0.001), mean FEV1 increased from 1.6 to 1.7 L/s (p-value<0.001), and the mean±SD PEFR increased significantly from 251.5±90.0 to 270.4±88.3 L/ min (p-value<0.001) on day 7. Overall, triamcinolone was welltolerated with no serious Adverse Events (AE). Conclusion: In patients with mild-to-moderate asthma exacerbations, oral triamcinolone as an adjunct to SOC improved ACQ-6 score, FEV1, and PEFR with a favourable safety profile. These findings support the use of oral triamcinolone for treating acute exacerbations of asthma.
Das E-Sportrecht als neues Betätigungsfeld für Juristen
Authors: Daum Oliver
Published: August 2024

Seit vielen Jahren nimmt in Deutschland die Bedeutung des ESports unaufhörlich zu. Die Gründe hierfür sind insbesondere wirtschaftlicher und gesellschaftlicher Natur. Aufgrund dieser Entwicklung hat sich für Juristen mit dem E-Sportrecht ein neues Betätigungsfeld ergeben. Vor diesem Hintergrund gibt der vorliegende Beitrag einen Überblick zum Ökosystem des E-Sports, insbesondere zu den Akteuren, und widmet sich den branchentypischen Problemen und zivilrechtlichen Fragestellungen.
Experiments with claw models explain the function of the waving display of Ilyoplax pusilla (Brachyura: Dotillidae)
Authors: Izumi Daichi , Kawano Yoko , Henmi Yasuhisa
Published: August 2015

Males of the dotillid crab, Ilyoplax pusilla, perform waving displays during the reproductive season. Unlike many fiddler crabs (genus Uca), however, the function of the waving display is unclear for this species. Experiments using waving and static claw models over short (10 cm) and long (25 cm) distances were conducted to investigate responses by wandering females to artificial waving signals. In long-distance choice experiments, presuming undirected waving to unseen females as broadcast waving, females were equally likely to approach the waving and static claw sections during the non-reproductive season, but significantly more females (65 %) chose the waving claw section during the reproductive season. In short-distance choice experiments, presuming directed courtship waving toward a particular female, there was no significant difference between the waving and static claw models during the non-reproductive season, but significantly more females (88 %) chose the waving claw during the reproductive season. These results suggest that one function of the waving display of I. pusilla is mate attraction and that waving from a short distance is more effective.
Case Report: Direct Access Genetic Testing and A False‐Positive Result For Long QT Syndrome
Authors: Predham Sarah , Hamilton Sara , Elliott Alison M. , T. Gibson William
Published: August 2015

We report the case of a woman who pursued direct access genetic testing and then presented with concerns regarding a positive test result for Long‐QT syndrome. Although the result ultimately proved to be a false positive, this case illustrates that costs associated with follow‐up of direct access genetic testing results can be non‐trivial for both the patient and for health care systems. Here we raise policy questions regarding the appropriate distribution of these costs. We also discuss the possibility that, when confronted by a direct access genetic test result that reports high risk for one or more actionable diseases, a family physician might feel compelled to act out of a desire to avoid liability, even when information regarding the accuracy and validity of the testing were not easily accessible. This case outlines lessons that can easily be translated into clinical practice, not only by genetic counselors, but also by family physicians, medical specialists and members of the public.
Being bullied and feeling ashamed: Implications for eating psychopathology and depression in adolescent girls
Authors: Duarte Cristiana , Pinto‐Gouveia José , Rodrigues Tânia
Published: August 2015

The current study examined the associations between peer victimization, body image shame, self‐criticism, self‐reassurance, depressive symptoms and eating psychopathology in 609 female adolescents.

Correlational analyses showed that being the victim of bullying was positively associated with body image shame, self‐criticism, with low self‐reassurance, depressive symptoms and eating psychopathology. A path analysis indicated that victimization experiences were associated with increased depressive symptoms partially through increased levels of body image shame, and a severe form of self‐criticism – hated self. Body image shame and hated‐self self‐criticism fully mediated the association between victimization experiences eating psychopathology. The tested model accounted for a total of 51% of depressive symptoms variance and for 52% of eating psychopathology variance.

These findings may have important intervention and prevention implications, by suggesting that bullying experiences fuel body image shame and consequent self‐directed hostility and anger, which, in turn, predict increased depressive symptomatology and eating psychopathology in female adolescents.
Sard property for the endpoint map on some Carnot groups
Authors: Ottazzi Alessandro , Pansu Pierre , Vittone Davide , Le Donne Enrico , Montgomery Richard
Published: August 2015

In Carnot–Carathéodory or sub-Riemannian geometry, one of the major open problems is whether the conclusions of Sard's theorem holds for the endpoint map, a canonical map from an infinite-dimensional path space to the underlying finite-dimensional manifold. The set of critical values for the endpoint map is also known as abnormal set, being the set of endpoints of abnormal extremals leaving the base point. We prove that a strong version of Sard's property holds for all step-2 Carnot groups and several other classes of Lie groups endowed with left-invariant distributions. Namely, we prove that the abnormal set lies in a proper analytic subvariety. In doing so we examine several characterizations of the abnormal set in the case of Lie groups.
Lil3 dimerization and chlorophyll binding inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Mork-Jansson Astrid Elisabeth , Gargano Daniela , Kmiec Karol , Furnes Clemens , Shevela Dmitriy , Eichacker Lutz Andreas
Published: August 2015

The two‐helix light harvesting like (Lil) protein Lil3 belongs to the family of chlorophyll binding light harvesting proteins of photosynthetic membranes. A function in tetrapyrrol synthesis and stabilization of geranylgeraniol reductase has been shown. Lil proteins contain the chlorophyll a/b‐binding motif; however, binding of chlorophyll has not been demonstrated. We find that Lil3.2 fromArabidopsis thaliana forms heterodimers with Lil3.1 and binds chlorophyll. Lil3.2 heterodimerization (25 ± 7.8 nM) is favored relative to homodimerization (431 ± 59 nM). Interaction of Lil3.2 with chlorophyll a (231 ± 49 nM) suggests that heterodimerization precedes binding of chlorophyll inArabidopsis thaliana.
Critical role of JSAP1 and JLP in axonal transport in the cerebellar Purkinje cells of mice
Authors: Sato Tokiharu , Ishikawa Momoe , Yoshihara Toru , Nakazato Ryota , Higashida Haruhiro , Asano Masahide , Yoshioka Katsuji
Published: August 2015

JNK/stress‐activated protein kinase‐associated protein 1 (JSAP1) and JNK‐associated leucine zipper protein (JLP) are structurally related scaffolding proteins that are highly expressed in the brain. Here, we found that JSAP1 and JLP play functionally redundant and essential roles in mouse cerebellar Purkinje cell (PC) survival. Mice containing PCs with deletions in both JSAP1 and JLP exhibited PC axonal dystrophy, followed by gradual, progressive neuronal loss. Kinesin‐1 cargoes accumulated selectively in the swollen axons ofJsap1/Jlp‐deficient PCs. In addition, autophagy inactivation in these mice markedly accelerated PC degeneration. These findings suggest that JSAP1 and JLP play critical roles in kinesin‐1‐dependent axonal transport, which prevents brain neuronal degeneration.
A practical guide to small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) of flexible and intrinsically disordered proteins
Authors: Kikhney Alexey G. , Svergun Dmitri I.
Published: August 2015

Small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) is a biophysical method to study the overall shape and structural transitions of biological macromolecules in solution. SAXS provides low resolution information on the shape, conformation and assembly state of proteins, nucleic acids and various macromolecular complexes. The technique also offers powerful means for the quantitative analysis of flexible systems, including intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). Here, the basic principles of SAXS are presented, and profits and pitfalls of the characterization of multidomain flexible proteins and IDPs using SAXS are discussed from the practical point of view. Examples of the synergistic use of SAXS with high resolution methods like X‐ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), as well as other experimental andin silico techniques to characterize completely, or partially unstructured proteins, are presented.
Control of p97 function by cofactor binding
Authors: Buchberger Alexander , Schindelin Hermann , Hänzelmann Petra
Published: August 2015

p97 (also known as Cdc48, Ter94, and VCP) is an essential, abundant and highly conserved ATPase driving the turnover of ubiquitylated proteins in eukaryotes. Even though p97 is involved in highly diverse cellular pathways and processes, it exhibits hardly any substrate specificity on its own. Instead, it relies on a large number of regulatory cofactors controlling substrate specificity and turnover. The complexity as well as temporal and spatial regulation of the interactions between p97 and its cofactors is only beginning to be understood at the molecular level. Here, we give an overview on the structural framework of p97 interactions with its cofactors, the emerging principles underlying the assembly of complexes with different cofactors, and the pathogenic effects of disease‐associated p97 mutations on cofactor binding.
The efficacy of automated breast volume scanning over conventional ultrasonography among patients with breast lesions
Authors: Xiao Yuan‐ming , Chen Zhi‐heng , Zhou Qi‐chang , Wang Zhiyuan
Published: August 2015

Objective

To compare the efficacy of automated breast volume scanning (ABVS) with that of conventional ultrasonography in the detection of breast cancer lesions.

Methods

In a retrospective study, patients aged 18–78 years who had breast cancer, had undergone screening using ABVS and conventional ultrasonography, and provided a biopsy sample at a center in Changsha, China, between July 22, 2011, and September 20, 2014, were identified. Results of ultrasonography and ABVS were compared.

Results

A total of 417 lesions were detected among 300 patients. Ultrasonography detected 326 lesions, whereas ABVS detected all 417 (P < 0.001). ABVS detected all 32 malignant lesions and ultrasonography detected 31 (P = 0.158). Conventional ultrasonography identified microcalcifications in only two cases, whereas ABVS reported these in eight cases (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

ABVS detects significantly more breast lesions than conventional ultrasonography does.
Obstetric anal sphincter injury rates among primiparous women with different modes of vaginal delivery
Authors: Ampt Amanda J. , Patterson Jillian A. , Roberts Christine L. , Ford Jane B.
Published: August 2015

Objective

To determine whether rates of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) are continuing to increase and whether risk of OASIS according to mode of delivery is constant over time.

Methods

In a retrospective population‐based study, data were obtained for vaginal singleton vertex deliveries at 37–41 weeks of pregnancy among primiparous women in New South Wales, Australia, between January 2001 and December 2011. Annual OASIS rates were determined among non‐instrumental, forceps, and vacuum deliveries with and without episiotomy. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine adjusted odds ratios for each delivery mode category by year. Trends in adjusted odds ratios over time for each delivery category were compared.

Results

OASIS occurred in 955 (4.1%) of 23 081 deliveries in 2001 and 1487 (5.9%) of 25 081 deliveries in 2011. After adjustment for known risk factors, the only delivery categories to show statistically significant increases in OASIS over the study period were non‐instrumental deliveries without episiotomy (linear trend P < 0.001) and forceps deliveries with episiotomy (linear trend P = 0.004).

Conclusion

Overall, OASIS rates have continued to increase. Known risk factors do not fully explain the increase in OASIS rates in non‐instrumental deliveries without an episiotomy and in forceps deliveries with an episiotomy.
The Global Alzheimer's Association Interactive Network
Authors: Toga Arthur W. , Neu Scott C. , Bhatt Priya , Crawford Karen L. , Ashish Naveen
Published: August 2015

Introduction

The Global Alzheimer's Association Interactive Network (GAAIN) is consolidating the efforts of independent Alzheimer's disease data repositories around the world with the goals of revealing more insights into the causes of Alzheimer's disease, improving treatments, and designing preventative measures that delay the onset of physical symptoms.

Methods

We developed a system for federating these repositories that is reliant on the tenets that (1) its participants require incentives to join, (2) joining the network is not disruptive to existing repository systems, and (3) the data ownership rights of its members are protected.

Results

We are currently in various phases of recruitment with over 55 data repositories in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia and can presently query >250,000 subjects using GAAIN's search interfaces.

Discussion

GAAIN's data sharing philosophy, which guided our architectural choices, is conducive to motivating membership in a voluntary data sharing network.
A Survey of High School Students' Views of Modern War and Just War Principles
Authors: Pearcy Mark
Published: August 2015

This article describes findings from a survey of high school students in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida, regarding their views of war and wartime policy. The survey is drawn from, and correlated to, elements of the Just War doctrine, a philosophical framework which forms the basis of most international law, treaties, and conventions. The survey results indicate that students tend to adhere to traditional moral norms regarding the conditions for engaging in war, but have considerable divergences from internationally-held principles regarding how a war is waged. The findings indicate that social studies instructors face impediments in helping students acquire high-level, meaningful conceptions of war as a topic of study. The article describes the necessity of moral and critical inquiry in social studies education and the value of the Just War doctrine as pedagogical tool towards that end.
Prognostic factors in Taiwanese patients with penile‐invasive squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Geng Jiun‐Hung , Huang Shu‐Pin , Huang Chao‐Yuan
Published: August 2015

In Taiwanese patients, carcinoma of the penis is an uncommon disease. We retrospectively reviewed potential prognostic factors in Taiwanese patients with invasive‐penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). From 1997 to 2009, 52 patients were enrolled. The median patient age at diagnosis was 66.5 years and the peak incident occurred during the 6th and 7th decades of life. Thirteen patients (25%) died of penile cancer, with a mean follow‐up time of 45 months (interquartile range: 15–64 months). The 5‐year cumulative cancer‐specific survival rate was 81%, with 100% for those with Stage I, 90% for those with Stage II, 60% for those with Stage III, and 14% for those with Stage IV. Eleven variables, including grade, tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) stage, involvement of corpus spongiosum or corpora cavernosa, lymphovascular or perineural invasion, lymphadenectomy, and palpable lymph node, with p < 0.05 using univariate analysis were chosen for multivariate regression analysis. Three of these potential prognostic factors, including histological grade, distant metastasis, and lymphovascular invasion, remained statistically significant. Our study is the first report using the latest TNM classification (2009) to determine these potential predictors with penile SCC in Taiwan.
Titanium Elastic Nail versus plate fixation of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures: A retrospective comparison study
Authors: Wang Ying‐Chun , Fu Yin‐Chih , Chou Shih‐Hsiang , Liu Ping‐Cheng , Tien Yin‐Chun , Lu Cheng‐Chang
Published: August 2015

This study has two purposes: (1) to compare the clinical results between the Titanium Elastic Nail (TEN) and plate fixation of the displaced midshaft clavicle fracture; and (2) to demonstrate the relationship between length shortening and functional outcome after TEN fixation, especially in the comminuted fracture pattern. A retrospective, case‐controlled study was conducted and 55 patients were included in our study: 25 in the TEN fixation group (TEN group) and 30 in the plate fixation group (plate group). All patients were classified into four subgroups: simple fracture in the TEN group (ST; n = 13), simple fracture in the plate group (SP; n = 15), comminuted fracture in the TEN group (CT; n = 12), and comminuted fracture in the plate group (CP; n = 15). Wound size was significantly smaller in the TEN group (p < 0.001). The injured clavicular length after fracture healing was significantly shorter in the TEN group (p = 0.036). There was no significant difference in the mean Constant and DASH scores. Injured clavicle shortening was significantly larger in the CT subgroup (p = 0.018). However, there was no statistically significant difference in Constant score and DASH score while comparing the CT subgroup to other subgroups. Although TEN fixation may lead to a higher degree of length shortening after bony union especially in cases of comminuted fracture pattern, no statistically significant difference was observed in objective functional results as compared to other subgroups. Therefore, TEN can be used to fix a displaced midshaft clavicle fracture even in cases of comminuted fracture pattern, which overall is an effective and less surgically invasive procedure.
Perfil de valores humanos de médicos en formación profesional
Authors: Prieto-Miranda Sergio Emilio , Canales-González Mónica Patricia , Jiménez-Bernardino Carlos Alberto , Esparza-Pérez Ramiro Israel , Rodríguez-Rivera Luz Rebeca
Published: August 2015

Introducción: Existen pocos estudios acerca del perfil de valores humanos a través de la medición de los intereses dominantes de la personalidad de médicos en formación, en ellos se encontró que los principales intereses fueron el social y el económico, y sus motivaciones: la moral y la legal.
Objetivo: Se identificó el perfil de valores humanos de médicos en formación de acuerdo con los intereses dominantes de la personalidad.
Método: Estudio descriptivo-transversal. Se incluyó a 187 médicos becarios, 96 (51.3%) hombres y 91 (48.7%) mujeres; 66 (35.3%) médicos de pregrado y 121 (64.7%) de posgrado. La media de edad fue de 25.49±3.4 a˜nos. Se aplicó el test de Allport, que evaluó los intereses o motivos básicos de la personalidad con base en 6 categorías: económica, social, teórica, religiosa, estética y política. Cada una se midió en muy alto, alto, promedio, bajo y muy bajo. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva e inferencial.
Resultados: Los intereses en la personalidad que predominaron fueron el «teórico» en «muy alto» (51.3%) y el «religioso» en «muy bajo» (54.5%). Al compararlos por género, en mujeres predominó el interés teórico (62 vs. 34; p = 0.004) y político (11 vs. 3; p = 0.033) en «muy alto» y el interés económico en «alto» en comparación con hombres (27 vs. 12; p = 0.016); en estos predominaron el interés estético en «muy alto» (12 vs. 2; p = 0.008), el interés social en «alto» (17 vs. 7; p = 0.041), y el interés político en categoría «muy bajo» en comparación con mujeres (8 vs. 1; p = 0.020).
Conclusiones: En el perfil de valores humanos los intereses dominantes de la personalidad de médicos en formación predominó la personalidad teórica y el de menor peso fue el interés religioso; se encontraron diferencias por género.
Does U.S. Hurricane Rating Scale Get the Danger Right?
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: August 2015

Some scientists think it's time to retire the Saffir-Simpson scale and start fresh.
Role of miR-140 in embryonic bone development and cancer
Authors: Green Darrell , Dalmay Tamas , Fraser William D.
Published: August 2015

Bone is increasingly viewed as an endocrine organ with key biological functions. The skeleton produces hormones and cytokines, such as FGF23 and osteocalcin, which regulate an extensive list of homoeostatic functions. Some of these functions include glucose metabolism, male fertility, blood cell production and calcium/phosphate metabolism. Many of the genes regulating these functions are specific to bone cells. Some of these genes can be wrongly expressed by other malfunctioning cells, driving the generation of disease. The miRNAs are a class of non-coding RNA molecules that are powerful regulators of gene expression by suppressing and fine-tuning target mRNAs. Expression of one such miRNA, miR-140, is ubiquitous in chondrocyte cells during embryonic bone development. Activity in cells found in the adult breast, colon and lung tissue can silence genes required for tumour suppression. The realization that the same miRNA can be both normal and detrimental, depending on the cell, tissue and time point, provides a captivating twist to the study of whole-organism functional genomics. With the recent interest in miRNAs in bone biology and RNA-based therapeutics on the horizon, we present a review on the role of miR-140 in the molecular events that govern bone formation in the embryo. Cellular pathways involving miR-140 may be reactivated or inhibited when treating skeletal injury or disorder in adulthood. These pathways may also provide a novel model system when studying cancer biology of other cells and tissues.
Direct molecular simulation of nitrogen dissociation based on an ab initio potential energy surface
Authors: Valentini Paolo , Schwartzentruber Thomas E. , Bender Jason D. , Nompelis Ioannis , Candler Graham V.
Published: August 2015

The direct molecular simulation (DMS) approach is used to predict the internal energy relaxation and dissociation dynamics of high-temperature nitrogen. An ab initio potential energy surface (PES) is used to calculate the dynamics of two interacting nitrogen molecules by providing forces between the four atoms. In the near-equilibrium limit, it is shown that DMS reproduces the results obtained from well-established quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) analysis, verifying the validity of the approach. DMS is used to predict the vibrational relaxation time constant for N2–N2 collisions and its temperature dependence, which are in close agreement with existing experiments and theory. Using both QCT and DMS with the same PES, we find that dissociation significantly depletes the upper vibrational energy levels. As a result, across a wide temperature range, the dissociation rate is found to be approximately 4–5 times lower compared to the rates computed using QCT with Boltzmann energy distributions. DMS calculations predict a quasi-steady-state distribution of rotational and vibrational energies in which the rate of depletion of high-energy states due to dissociation is balanced by their rate of repopulation due to collisional processes. The DMS approach simulates the evolution of internal energy distributions and their coupling to dissociation without the need to precompute rates or cross sections for all possible energy transitions. These benchmark results could be used to develop new computational fluid dynamics models for high-enthalpy flow applications.
Propagation and deposition of non-circular finite release particle-laden currents
Authors: Zgheib Nadim , Bonometti Thomas , Balachandar S.
Published: August 2015

The dynamics of non-axisymmetric turbidity currents is considered here for a range of Reynolds numbers of O (104) when based on the initial height of the release. The study comprises a series of experiments and highly resolved simulations for which a finite volume of particle-laden solution is released into fresh water. A mixture of water and polystyrene particles of mean diameter d̃p=300μm and mixture density ρ̃c=1012kg/m3 is initially confined in a hollow cylinder at the centre of a large tank filled with fresh water. Cylinders with two different cross-sectional shapes, but equal cross-sectional areas, are examined: a circle and a rounded rectangle in which the sharp corners are smoothened. The time evolution of the front is recorded as well as the spatial distribution of the thickness of the final deposit via the use of a laser triangulation technique. The dynamics of the front and final deposits are significantly influenced by the initial geometry, displaying substantial azimuthal variation especially for the rectangular case where the current extends farther and deposits more particles along the initial minor axis of the rectangular cross section. Several parameters are varied to assess the dependence on the settling velocity, initial height aspect ratio, and volume fraction. Even though resuspension is not taken into account in our simulations, good agreement with experiments indicates that it does not play an important role in the front dynamics, in terms of velocity and extent of the current. However, wall shear stress measurements show that incipient motion of particles and particle transport along the bed are likely to occur in the body of the current and should be accounted to properly capture the final deposition profile of particles.
Intrawire absorption and emission spectroscopies of individual CdSe nanowires
Authors: Chatterjee Rusha , McDonald Matthew P. , Kuno Masaru
Published: August 2015

Concerted absorption and emission spectroscopies have been used to measure intrawire band edge absorption/emission energy variations along the length of individual CdSe nanowires (NWs). An effective mass model, previously used to explain the size-dependent linear absorption as well as Stokes shift of single CdSe NWs, has been used to rationalize the origin of observed absorption/emission heterogeneities. Associated intrawire Stokes shifts have likewise been used to estimate local exciton trap state densities as well as most probably trap depths. Mean densities of the order of 1020 and 1017 cm−3 have been obtained for small and large radii NWs, respectively, and represent the first exciton trap state density estimates for CdSe NWs. These concerted intrawire measurements broaden the scope of existing single wire microscopies and provide greater insight into the effects of size- and dielectric environment-induced inhomogeneities on the optical/electrical response of individual NWs.
Neural Activations Associated with Decision‐time and Choice in a Milk Labeling Experiment
Authors: Crespi John M. , Lusk Jayson L. , Cherry J. Bradley C. , Martin Laura E. , McFadden Brandon R. , Bruce Amanda S.
Published: August 2015

The authors incorporate brain activation data in an analysis of decision time and choices for milk labeled as produced with growth hormone or cloning technologies, or labeled as conventional milk. Non‐hypothetical choices and decision time are correlated with blood oxygenation level‐dependent extractions in brain regions previously found to be involved in valuation. The significance of the activations related to price and production technology differs in models of decision time and choice. More areas influence the time it takes to make a decision. The final decision appears to be most correlated with localized areas in the medial prefrontal cortex, with a higher correlation when the choice is about growth hormones than cloning technology.
Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Assessment After Laser Capsulotomy in Pseudophakic Eyes With Pseudoexfoliation
Authors: Eliacik Mustafa , Karaman Erdur Sevil , Gulkilik Gokhan , Ozsutcu Mustafa , Aras Cengiz , Bayramlar Huseyin , Aslan Cemile Anil
Published: August 2015

Purpose:

To assess changes in anterior-chamber depth (ACD) and angle width after neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy pseudophakia in eyes with pseudoexfoliation (PEX).

Methods:

This prospective and interventional case series study included 25 pseudophakic eyes of 25 patients with PEX and 26 pseudophakic eyes of 26 patients without PEX scheduled for Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy in a single institution. Anterior-chamber depth and angle width were measured with anterior segment optical coherence tomography before and three days after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. Preoperative and postoperative measurements of ACD and angle width included the angle opening distance (AOD), measured as the perpendicular distance from the trabecular meshwork at 500 and 750 mm anterior to the scleral spur to the anterior iris surface (AOD500 and AOD750, respectively) and anterior-chamber angle (ACA) in the nasal and temporal quadrants. Main outcome measures were the changes in ACD and angle width parameters.

Results:

The mean ACD, AOD500, AOD750, and ACA (nasal and temporal) measurements were 3.67±0.12 mm, 0.63±0.05 mm and 0.65±0.05 mm, 0.67±0.06 mm and 0.77±0.04 mm, 35.25±1.69° and 35.37±1.68° in eyes with PEX and 3.73±0.11 mm, 0.6±0.05 mm and 0.63±0.05 mm, 0.66±0.06 mm and 0.74±0.06 mm, 34.24±1.6° and 34.6±1.47° in control eyes, respectively (P>0.05 for all). After Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, mean ACD, AOD500, AOD750, and ACA (nasal and temporal) measurements were 3.76±0.09 mm, 0.73±0.05 mm and 0.76±0.05 mm, 0.75±0.06 mm and 0.87±0.04 mm, 36.82±1.46° and 35.06±1.52° in eyes with PEX and 3.77±0.1 mm, 0.68±0.06 mm and 0.72±0.06 mm, 0.72±0.05 mm and 0.84±0.06 mm, 34.95±1.4° and 35.79±1.36° in control eyes, respectively (P=0.811, P=0.019, P=0.021, P=0.109, P=0.126, P=0.001, and P=0.01, respectively).

Conclusions:

The depth and width of the anterior chamber in eyes with PEX and in control eyes increased significantly after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. The change in the width of the anterior chamber in eyes PEX was statistically significant comparing control eyes.
Corneal Pseudodendritic Lesions Masquerading as Herpetic Keratitis in a Patient With Tyrosinemia Type I
Authors: Gulmez Sevim Duygu , Gumus Koray , Cavanagh H. Dwight
Published: August 2015

Objective:

To describe the clinical findings of a patient with tyrosinemia type I with noncompliance to a protein-restricted diet, treated with 2-(2-nitro-4-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)-1,3-cyclohexanedione (NTBC).

Methods:

Clinical findings at the initial examination and after strict compliance to a protein-restricted diet after 4 weeks follow-up are described in a patient with tyrosinemia type I on NTBC treatment, who had been treated with presumed herpetic keratitis.

Results:

A 10-year-old girl diagnosed with hereditary tyrosinemia type I and on NTBC treatment presented with photophobia and ocular discomfort in both eyes. An ophthalmologic examination demonstrated bilateral dendritiform epithelial lesions in the central cornea, staining faintly with fluorescein. These lesions were subsequently intermittently treated with topical antivirals for presumed herpes simplex virus keratitis and lubricant eye drops for 9 months without resolution; however, when strict compliance with a protein-restricted diet was instituted, nearly a complete resolution of the lesions was noted at the 4-week follow-up.

Conclusions:

Although type II tyrosinemia is known to have corneal involvement, the natural course of tyrosinemia type I has not been shown to have corneal involvement. Corneal involvement in type I tyrosinemia may be an indicator of dietary noncompliance and may show complete resolution with a strict compliance to protein-restricted diet only.
Simultaneously inferring T cell fate and clonality from single cell transcriptomes
Authors: Stubbington Michael J.T. , Lönnberg Tapio , Proserpio Valentina , Clare Simon , Speak Anneliese O. , Dougan Gordon , Teichmann Sarah A.
Published: August 2015

The heterodimeric T cell receptor (TCR) comprises two protein chains that pair to determine the antigen specificity of each T lymphocyte. The enormous sequence diversity within TCR repertoires allows specific TCR sequences to be used as lineage markers for T cells that derive from a common progenitor. We have developed a computational method, called TraCeR, to reconstruct full-length, paired TCR sequences from T lymphocyte single-cell RNA-seq by combining existing assembly and alignment programs with a “synthetic genome” library comprising all possible TCR sequences. We validate this method with PCR to quantify its accuracy and sensitivity, and compare to other TCR sequencing methods. Our inferred TCR sequences reveal clonal relationships between T cells, which we put into the context of each cell’s functional state from the complete transcriptional landscape quantified from the remaining RNA-seq data. This provides a powerful tool to link T cell specificity with functional response in a variety of normal and pathological conditions. We demonstrate this by determining the distribution of members of expanded T cell clonotypes in response toSalmonellainfection in the mouse. We show that members of the same clonotype span early activated CD4+ T cells, as well as mature effector and memory cells.
Analysis of Small Ubiquitin-Like Modifier (SUMO) Targets Reflects the Essential Nature of Protein SUMOylation and Provides Insight to Elucidate the Role of SUMO in Plant Development
Authors: Elrouby Nabil
Published: August 2015

Posttranslational modification of proteins by small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) has received much attention, reflected by a flood of recent studies implicating SUMO in a wide range of cellular and molecular activities, many of which are conserved throughout eukaryotes. Whereas most of these studies were performed in vitro or in single cells, plants provide an excellent system to study the role of SUMO at the developmental level. Consistent with its essential roles during plant development, mutations of the basic SUMOylation machinery in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) cause embryo stage arrest or major developmental defects due to perturbation of the dynamics of target SUMOylation. Efforts to identify SUMO protein targets in Arabidopsis have been modest; however, recent success in identifying thousands of human SUMO targets using unique experimental designs can potentially help identify plant SUMO targets more efficiently. Here, known Arabidopsis SUMO targets are reevaluated, and potential approaches to dissect the roles of SUMO in plant development are discussed.
Objective classification system for sagittal craniosynostosis based on suture segmentation
Authors: Qian Xiaohua , Tan Hua , Zhang Jian , Zhuang Xiahai , Branch Leslie , Sanger Chaire , Thompson Allison , Zhao Weiling , Li King Chuen , David Lisa , Zhou Xiaobo
Published: August 2015

Purpose:

Spring‐assisted surgery is an effective and minimally invasive treatment for sagittal craniosynostosis (CSO). The principal barrier to the advancement of spring‐assisted surgery is the patient‐specific spring selection. The selection of spring force depends on the suture involved, subtypes of sagittal CSO, and age of the infant, among other factors. Clinically, physicians manually judge the subtype of sagittal CSO patients based on their CT image data, which may cause bias from different clinicians. An objective system would be helpful to stratify the sagittal CSO patients and make spring choice less subjective.

Methods:

The authors developed a novel informatics system to automatically segment and characterize sutures and classify sagittal CSO. The proposed system is composed of three phases: preprocessing, sutures segmentation, and classification. First, the three‐dimensional (3D) skull was extracted from the CT images and aligned with the symmetry of the cranial vault. Second, a “hemispherical projection” algorithm was developed to transform 3D surface of the skull to a polar two‐dimensional plane. Through the transformation, an “effective” projected region can be obtained to enable easy segmentation of sutures. Then, the different types of sutures, such as coronal sutures, lambdoid sutures, sagittal suture, and metopic suture, obtained from the segmented sutures were further identified by a dual‐projection technique of the midline of the sutures. Finally, 108 quantified features of sutures were extracted and selected by a proposed multiclass feature scoring system. The sagittal CSO patients were classified into four subtypes: anterior, central, posterior, and complex with the support vector machine approach. Fivefold cross validation (CV) was employed to evaluate the capability of selected features in discriminating the four subtypes in 33 sagittal CSO patients. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to assess the robustness of the developed system.

Results:

The segmentation results of the proposed method were clinically acceptable for the qualitative evaluation. For the quantitative evaluation, the fivefold CV accuracy of the classification for the four subtypes was 72.7%. This classification system was reliable with the area under curve (in ROC analysis) being greater than 0.8 for four two‐class problems.

Conclusions:

The proposed hemispherical projection algorithm based on backtracking search can successfully segment sutures of the cranial vault. The classification system can also offer a desirable performance. As a result, the proposed segmentation and classification system is expected to bring insights into clinic research and the selection of the spring force to facilitate widespread application of this minimally invasive treatment.
Platform technology for scalable assembly of instantaneously functional mosaic tissues
Authors: Zhang Boyang , Montgomery Miles , Davenport-Huyer Locke , Korolj Anastasia , Radisic Milica
Published: August 2015

A biodegradable polymer-based approach enables vertical and horizontal assembly of living tissues in a single step using a hook and look mechanism.
High-precision geochronology confirms voluminous magmatism before, during, and after Earth’s most severe extinction
Authors: Burgess Seth D. , Bowring Samuel A.
Published: August 2015

High-precision geochronology confirms voluminous magmatism before, during, and after Earth’s most severe mass extinction.
Carbon-based electrocatalysts for advanced energy conversion and storage
Authors: Zhang Jintao , Xia Zhenhai , Dai Liming
Published: August 2015

A review of the recent advances, along with perspectives and challenges, in the fast-growing field of carbon-based electrocatalysts.
The structure of DNA by direct imaging
Authors: Marini Monica , Falqui Andrea , Moretti Manola , Limongi Tania , Allione Marco , Genovese Alessandro , Lopatin Sergei , Tirinato Luca , Das Gobind , Torre Bruno , Giugni Andrea , Gentile Francesco , Candeloro Patrizio , Di Fabrizio Enzo
Published: August 2015

The DNA helix and its internal structures were directly imaged; characteristic lengths and inner components were measured and reported.
A dietary phytochemical alters caste-associated gene expression in honey bees
Authors: Mao Wenfu , Schuler Mary A. , Berenbaum May R.
Published: August 2015

By adding honey and beebread to worker-destined larval diet, nurse honey bees introduce a phytochemical that alters caste-determining gene expression.
Unique Plasmids Generated via pUC Replicon Mutagenesis in an Error-Prone Thermophile Derived from Geobacillus kaustophilus HTA426
Authors: Kobayashi Jyumpei , Tanabiki Misaki , Doi Shohei , Kondo Akihiko , Ohshiro Takashi , Suzuki Hirokazu
Published: August 2015

The plasmid pGKE75-

cat
A138T

, which comprises pUC18 and the

cat
A138T

gene encoding thermostable chloramphenicol acetyltransferase with an A138T amino acid replacement (CAT
A138T
), serves as an
Escherichia coli-Geobacillus kaustophilus
shuttle plasmid that confers moderate chloramphenicol resistance on
G. kaustophilus
HTA426. The present study examined the thermoadaptation-directed mutagenesis of pGKE75-

cat
A138T

in an error-prone thermophile, generating the mutant plasmid pGKE75
αβ
-

cat
A138T

responsible for substantial chloramphenicol resistance at 65°C. pGKE75
αβ
-

cat
A138T

contained no mutation in the

cat
A138T

gene but had two mutations in the pUC replicon, even though the replicon has no apparent role in
G. kaustophilus
. Biochemical characterization suggested that the efficient chloramphenicol resistance conferred by pGKE75
αβ
-

cat
A138T

is attributable to increases in intracellular CAT
A138T
and acetyl-coenzyme A following a decrease in incomplete forms of pGKE75
αβ
-

cat
A138T

. The decrease in incomplete plasmids may be due to optimization of plasmid replication by RNA species transcribed from the mutant pUC replicon, which were actually produced in
G. kaustophilus
. It is noteworthy that
G. kaustophilus
was transformed with pGKE75
αβ
-

cat
A138T

using chloramphenicol selection at 60°C. In addition, a pUC18 derivative with the two mutations propagated in
E. coli
at a high copy number independently of the culture temperature and high plasmid stability. Since these properties have not been observed in known plasmids, the outcomes extend the genetic toolboxes for
G. kaustophilus
and
E. coli
.
Inactivation of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus by Citric Acid and Sodium Carbonate with Deicers
Authors: Hong Jang-Kwan , Lee Kwang-Nyeong , You Su-Hwa , Kim Su-Mi , Tark Dongseob , Lee Hyang-Sim , Ko Young-Joon , Seo Min-Goo , Park Jong-Hyeon , Kim Byounghan
Published: August 2015

Three out of five outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) since 2010 in the Republic of Korea have occurred in the winter. At the freezing temperatures, it was impossible to spray disinfectant on the surfaces of vehicles, roads, and farm premises because the disinfectant would be frozen shortly after discharge and the surfaces of the roads or machines would become slippery in cold weather. In this study, we added chemical deicers (ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, ethyl alcohol, and commercial windshield washer fluid) to keep disinfectants (0.2% citric acid and 4% sodium carbonate) from freezing, and we tested their virucidal efficacies under simulated cold temperatures in a tube. The 0.2% citric acid could reduce the virus titer 4 logs at −20°C with all the deicers. On the other hand, 4% sodium carbonate showed little virucidal activity at −20°C within 30 min, although it resisted being frozen with the function of the deicers. In conclusion, for the winter season, we may recommend the use of citric acid (>0.2%) diluted in 30% ethyl alcohol or 25% sodium chloride solvent, depending on its purpose.
Molecular Epidemiology of Oyster-Related Human Noroviruses and Their Global Genetic Diversity and Temporal-Geographical Distribution from 1983 to 2014
Authors: Yu Yongxin , Cai Hui , Hu Linghao , Lei Rongwei , Pan Yingjie , Yan Shuling , Wang Yongjie
Published: August 2015

Noroviruses (NoVs) are a leading cause of epidemic and sporadic cases of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Oysters are well recognized as the main vectors of environmentally transmitted NoVs, and disease outbreaks linked to oyster consumption have been commonly observed. Here, to quantify the genetic diversity, temporal distribution, and circulation of oyster-related NoVs on a global scale, 1,077 oyster-related NoV sequences deposited from 1983 to 2014 were downloaded from both NCBI GenBank and the NoroNet outbreak database and were then screened for quality control. A total of 665 sequences with reliable information were obtained and were subsequently subjected to genotyping and phylogenetic analyses. The results indicated that the majority of oyster-related NoV sequences were obtained from coastal countries and regions and that the numbers of sequences in these regions were unevenly distributed. Moreover, >80% of human NoV genotypes were detected in oyster samples or oyster-related outbreaks. A higher proportion of genogroup I (GI) (34%) was observed for oyster-related sequences than for non-oyster-related outbreaks, where GII strains dominated with an overwhelming majority of >90%, indicating that the prevalences of GI and GII are different in humans and oysters. In addition, a related convergence of the circulation trend was found between oyster-related NoV sequences and human pandemic outbreaks. This suggests that oysters not only act as a vector of NoV through environmental transmission but also serve as an important reservoir of human NoVs. These results highlight the importance of oysters in the persistence and transmission of human NoVs in the environment and have important implications for the surveillance of human NoVs in oyster samples.
Cyclic AMP (cAMP) Receptor Protein-cAMP Complex Regulates Heparosan Production in Escherichia coli Strain Nissle 1917
Authors: Yan Huihui , Bao Feifei , Zhao Liping , Yu Yanying , Tang Jiaqin , Zhou Xianxuan
Published: August 2015

Heparosan serves as the starting carbon backbone for the chemoenzymatic synthesis of heparin, a widely used clinical anticoagulant drug. The availability of heparosan is a significant concern for the cost-effective synthesis of bioengineered heparin. The carbon source is known as the pivotal factor affecting heparosan production. However, the mechanism by which carbon sources control the biosynthesis of heparosan is unclear. In this study, we found that the biosynthesis of heparosan was influenced by different carbon sources. Glucose inhibits the biosynthesis of heparosan, while the addition of either fructose or mannose increases the yield of heparosan. Further study demonstrated that the cyclic AMP (cAMP)-cAMP receptor protein (CRP) complex binds to the upstream region of the region 3 promoter and stimulates the transcription of the gene cluster for heparosan biosynthesis. Site-directed mutagenesis of the CRP binding site abolished its capability of binding CRP and eliminated the stimulative effect on transcription.
1
H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis was further performed to determine the
Escherichia coli
strain Nissle 1917 (EcN) heparosan structure and quantify extracellular heparosan production. Our results add to the understanding of the regulation of heparosan biosynthesis and may contribute to the study of other exopolysaccharide-producing strains.