bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antiseizure and neuroprotective effects of delayed treatment with midazolam in a rodent model of organophosphate exposure
Authors: Spampanato Jay , Pouliot Wendy , Bealer Steven L. , Roach Bonnie , Dudek Francis Edward
Published: May 2019

Objective

Exposure to organophosphates (OPs) and OP nerve agents (NAs) causes status epilepticus (SE) and irreversible brain damage. Rapid control of seizure activity is important to minimize neuronal injury and the resulting neurological and behavioral disorders; however, early treatment will not be possible after mass release of OPs or NAs.

Methods

We utilized a delayed‐treatment model of OP exposure in adult rats by administration of diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) to study the relationship between the antiseizure and neuroprotective effects of the “standard‐of‐care” benzodiazepine, midazolam (MDZ), when given at 30, 60, and 120 minutes after SE onset. After electroencephalography (EEG) recordings, neural damage in serial brain sections was studied with Fluoro‐Jade B staining.

Results

MDZ‐induced seizure suppression was equivalent in magnitude regardless of treatment delay (ie, seizure duration). When assessed globally (ie, normalized across 10 different brain regions) for each treatment delay, MDZ administration resulted in only nonsignificant reductions in neuronal death. However, when data for MDZ treatment were combined from all three delay times, a small but significant reduction in global neuronal death was detected when compared to vehicle treatment, which indicated that the substantive MDZ‐induced seizure suppression led to only a small reduction in neuronal death.

Significance

In conclusion, MDZ significantly reduced DFP‐induced SE intensity when treatment was delayed 30, 60, and even up to 120 minutes; however, this reduction in seizure intensity had no detectable effect on neuronal death at each individual delay time. These data show that although MDZ suppressed seizures, additional neuroprotective therapies are needed to mitigate the effects of OP exposure.
Carbonic anhydrases in human keratinocytes and their regulation by all‐trans retinoic acid and 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3
Authors: Suri Bani Kaur , Schmidtchen Artur , Verma Navin Kumar
Published: May 2019

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are ubiquitously expressed enzymes and catalyse an important physiological reaction of interconverting the hydration of carbon dioxide to bicarbonates, which is crucial for maintaining acid/base equilibrium in certain tissues. While 15 different isoforms of CAs are present in various cell types in human tissues, their expression pattern in the epidermis remains to be investigated. Here, we report the expression of 5 CA isoforms (CAII, CAIX, CAXI, CAXII and CAXIII) in human primary keratinocytes. Further, we demonstrate that the expression of CAII and CAIX in these cells is significantly up‐regulated by the biologically active metabolites of vitamin A (all‐trans retinoic acid) and vitamin D (1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3), respectively. Taken together, apart from providing new information on the expression of CAs in the skin, our results highlight a previously undisclosed connection between vitamin A and CAII expression and vitamin D and CAIX expression.
Adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference modelling and sensitivity analysis for capacity estimation of fiber reinforced polymer‐strengthened circular reinforced concrete columns
Authors: Naderpour Hosein , Nagai Kohei , Haji Mohammad , Mirrashid Masoomeh
Published: May 2019

In this study, a fuzzy logic‐based model for predicting the ultimate strength of FRP‐confined circular reinforced concrete (RC) columns is presented. The adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) model was generated using valid experimental data with seven input variables. Input parameters were considered in such a way that all the parameters affecting the compressive strength of the column were simultaneously involved. Different models for compressive strength of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP)‐confined concrete including the model in American Concrete Institute (ACI), to calculate the maximum stress endured by the column under axial load, were presented and compared with the results of the ANFIS model. Also, for similarity to other models, the ACI equation for calculating the maximum compressive strength tolerated by a column was considered without reducing coefficients as ACI‐N and was compared with other models. The results obtained from the ANFIS model were compared with results from other models. ANFIS model showed the highest accuracy among all models in predicting the experimental results.
A meta‐analysis of fish behavioural reaction to underwater human presence
Authors: Samia Diogo S. M. , Bessa Eduardo , Blumstein Daniel T. , Nunes José A. C. C. , Azzurro Ernesto , Morroni Lorenzo , Sbragaglia Valerio , Januchowski‐Hartley Fraser A. , Geffroy Benjamin
Published: May 2019

In an increasingly anthropic world, humans have profound impacts on the distribution and behaviour of marine fishes. The increased human presence has modified fishes’ antipredator behavioural responses, and consequently flight decisions, as a function of their changed perceptions of risk. Understanding how fish react to human presence can help identify the most vulnerable functional groups/species and estimate impacts caused by human disturbance. Shoal and body size are known to influence fish flight initiation distance (FID; the distance between the predator and prey when the prey begins to escape); however, few studies attempt to test the moderators of these relationships. Here, we present a comprehensive meta‐analysis evaluating FID of fish in response to human presence. Specifically, we investigated six candidate moderators that could influence the relationship between FID with shoal and body size. Our results showed that individual fish size was strongly and positively correlated with FID and the most important moderator that explained the variance in individual body size‐FID relationship was shoaling behaviour. However, and somehow surprisingly, we detected no significant relationship between shoal size and FID. We discuss how these results can inform the development of fish conservation strategies and ultimately assist in the management of marine protected areas.
Cell surface molecule, Klingon, mediates the refinement of synaptic specificity in the Drosophila visual system
Authors: Shimozono Mai , Osaka Jiro , Kato Yuya , Araki Tomohiro , Kawamura Hinata , Takechi Hiroki , Hakeda‐Suzuki Satoko , Suzuki Takashi
Published: May 2019

In the Drosophila brain, neurons form genetically specified synaptic connections with defined neuronal targets. It is proposed that each central nervous system neuron expresses specific cell surface proteins, which act as identification tags. Through an RNAi screen of cell surface molecules in the Drosophila visual system, we found that the cell adhesion molecule Klingon (Klg) plays an important role in repressing the ectopic formation of extended axons, preventing the formation of excessive synapses. Cell‐specific manipulation of klg showed that Klg is required in both photoreceptors and the glia, suggesting that the balanced homophilic interaction between photoreceptor axons and the glia is required for normal synapse formation. Previous studies suggested that Klg binds to cDIP and our genetic analyses indicate that cDIP is required in glia for ectopic synaptic repression. These data suggest that Klg play a critical role together with cDIP in refining synaptic specificity and preventing unnecessary connections in the brain.
Murine experimental leprosy: Evaluation of immune response by analysis of peritoneal lavage cells and footpad histopathology
Authors: Vilani‐Moreno Fátima Regina , Barbosa Adriana Sierra Assêncio Almeida , Sartori Beatriz Gomes Carreira , Diório Suzana Madeira , Silva Sônia Maria Usó Ruiz , Rosa Patrícia Sammarco , de Faria Fernandes Belone Andréa , Soares Cleverson Teixeira , Lauris José Roberto Pereira , Pedrini Sílvia Cristina Barboza
Published: May 2019

This study evaluated the immune response of nude and BALB/c mice inoculated in the footpads (FP) with Mycobacterium leprae after 3, 5 and 8 months. At each timepoint peritoneal cells, peripheral blood, FP and popliteal lymph nodes (PLN) were collected. Peritoneal cell cultures were performed to measure the H2O2, O2−, NO, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐10, IL‐12, IFN‐γ and TNF levels. Serum levels of anti‐PGL‐I antibodies were also quantified. The results showed that the infection was progressive in nude mice with bacterial multiplication, development of macroscopic lesions in the FP and presence of bacilli in the PLN at 8 months. In BALB/c mice, the infection reached a plateau of bacillary multiplication at 5 months and regressed at 8 months. Histopathological analysis of FP revealed a mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate with a large number of neutrophils at 5 months, with a higher number in nude mice. At 8 months, the number of neutrophils decreased and the infiltrate was predominantly mononuclear in both mouse strains. There was no H2O2, O2−, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐10 and IFN‐γ production in the course of infection in nude mice; however, in BALB/c, O2− and IL‐12 production was higher at 5 months and NO, IFN‐γ and TNF production was higher at 8 months when there was a decrease in the number of bacilli. The level of anti‐PGL‐I antibodies was higher in BALB/c mice. Thus, nude and BALB/c mice can be used as experimental models for the study of various aspects of leprosy.
The ICN code of ethics for nurses: a time for revision
Authors: Stievano Alessandro , Tschudin Verena.
Published: May 2019

Since its development in 1953, the International Council of Nursing's Code of Ethics for Nurses has been revised a number of times and adopted or adapted as a guide for nurses in many countries. The Code serves as a critical model for ethical standards in the nursing profession, stressing responsibility and advocacy for the human rights of patients, their families and communities, as well as social issues, the work of nurses within health care systems and working with other health professionals. The most recent edition of the Code (2012) is now in the process of revision by an international Steering Committee. This policy paper describes the meaning of the Code, as well as the processes in place to develop a revised Code that is better fitted for the current needs of nurses around the globe.
The predictive validity of the MoCA‐LD for assessing mental capacity in adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Edge Daniel , Ewing Louise
Published: May 2019

Background

Mental capacity assessments currently rely on subjective opinion. Researchers have yet to explore the association between key cognitive functions of rational decision making and mental capacity classifications for people with intellectual disabilities.

Method

Sixty‐three adults completed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, which yielded estimates of their overall cognitive ability (MoCA‐LD) as well as their memory, attention, language and executive functioning. Differences in scores were explored for those who had, and lacked, capacity, and logistic regression was used to test the predictive validity of each measure.

Results

There were significant differences between both groups for all measures. Logistic regression identified MoCA‐LD as a significant predictor of capacity assessment outcomes. ROC curve analysis provided novel, evidence‐based benchmarks to help guide clinical practice based on MoCA‐LD scores.

Conclusion

This study offers a foundation for more objective approaches to mental capacity assessment. This demonstrates that assessments of cognitive ability can yield information that is helpful for mental capacity evaluations.
Success in periodontology: An evolutive concept
Authors: Pini Prato Giovan Paolo , Di Gianfilippo Riccardo , Wang Hom‐Lay
Published: May 2019

Aim

The purpose of this editorial was to discuss a definition of success after periodontal therapy based on the retention of natural dentition.

Materials and Methods

Based on topic and relevance, references were collected and then divided into four categories: (a) the influence of available therapeutic techniques on the definition of hopeless teeth, (b) the long‐term rate of tooth loss during supportive periodontal therapy, (c) the duration of time that the treatment outcomes may be considered stable and (d) patients’ perception and satisfaction of periodontal therapy.

Results

Periodontal therapy can change the prognosis of hopeless teeth, making them maintainable in the long term. The rate of tooth loss can be minimized in a way that a period of 10 years or more is needed to evaluate further periodontal breakdown. In addition, patients’ perception and satisfaction of the treatment should be considered as the main therapeutic endpoints of the provided periodontal therapy.

Conclusions

Definition of success is linked to the available therapeutic tools. Due to the recent advancement of treatment modalities, periodontally hopeless teeth can now be treated and maintained for a long period of time with health, function and patient satisfaction.
Reverse transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification assays allow the rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh‐cut fruits and vegetables
Authors: Ma Congcong , Song Dafeng , Gu Qing , Li Ping , Zhan Lingzhi
Published: May 2019

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is a major concern in human food safety. Here, the development of a reverse transcription‐loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (RT‐LAMP) method, targeting the hly A gene of L. monocytogenes, to rapidly detect this important pathogen in food is described. The RT‐LAMP conditions were optimized and the following parameters established: 60 min, 63°C, 0.2 M betaine, 8.0 mM MgSO4, 0.8 mM dNTPs, 0.4 μM outer primers, and 1.6 μM inner primers. RT‐LAMP products were identified by the visualization of white precipitates and bands on a 2% agarose gel after electrophoresis. Results revealed the specificity of RT‐LAMP with no false‐positives or false‐negatives observed. RT‐LAMP detection of L. monocytogenes was highly sensitive at levels of one colony forming unit (CFU) per reaction. Samples (up to 100) of fresh‐cut fruits and vegetables were simultaneously assayed using RT‐LAMP and Chinese national standard (GB) methods to further confirm its accuracy and reliability. Data revealed that the RT‐LAMP results were comparable to those obtained with standard GB methods. The method presents the first example of the use of RT‐LAMP for the detection of L. monocytogenes. This work provides a new and simple detection method for identifying L. monocytogenes in infected food products and the method should be considered in future testing protocols.

Practical Applications

Successful detection of live pathogens is the key to food safety testing. However, the inability to distinguish between live and dead cells is a major drawback of almost all DNA‐based assays. This study has developed a RNA‐based detection method for the detection of L. monocytogenes and this method using RT‐LAMP addresses these deficiencies. RT‐LAMP could detect L. monocytogenes at levels of 1 CFU/reaction, which was 10‐fold higher than the sensitivity of PMA‐LAMP methods. The testing of fresh‐out foods using RT‐LAMP further demonstrated the practicality and reliability of the method. Results show that this method could become a diagnostic tool for accurately detecting the presence of live L. monocytogenes in food.
Harmful Procompetitive Effects of Trade in Presence of Credit Market Frictions
Authors: FOELLMI RETO , OECHSLIN MANUEL
Published: May 2019

We explore the consequences of international trade in an economy that encompasses technology choice and an endogenous distribution of mark‐ups due to credit market frictions. We show that in such an environment a gradual opening of trade may—but not necessarily must—have a negative impact on productivity and overall output. The reason is that the procompetitive effects of trade reduce mark‐ups and hence make access to credit more difficult for smaller firms. As a result, smaller firms—while not driven out of the market—may be forced to switch to less productive technologies.
Skin characterization and immediate effects of different dermocosmetic treatments in French and Brazilian skin
Authors: Salomão Calixto Lívia , Picard Céline , Savary Géraldine , Campos Patrícia M.B.G. Maia
Published: May 2019

Background

All over the world, people face the same skin problems. However, their skin characteristics are different. Thus, it is a challenge to prescribe treatments that will be effective on different skin types. Therefore, it is very important to consider the skin biology when indicating a dermocosmetic treatment.

Objectives

To assess skin biophysical parameters in French and Brazilian subjects and to verify the efficacy of four dermocosmetic treatments in these populations.

Methods

Five test areas were defined on each volar forearm of the eighteen Brazilian and eighteen French participants using a randomized design. Biophysical measurements in terms of skin hydration, skin barrier function, skin brightness, and skin viscoelasticity were performed before and after 60 minutes of treatment.

Results

Skin biophysical differences between populations were found. French skin has been shown to be more hydrated regarding epidermal mechanic properties and stratum corneum water content and more radiant when compared with Brazilian skin. However, it showed more signs of cutaneous aging and fatigue effects on skin. The Brazilian skin showed better skin barrier function. In addition, the treatments were effective in both populations.

Conclusions

Despite the differences found in French and Brazilian skin, the proposed dermocosmetic treatments showed effective in both populations.
Adolescents’ Daily Experience of Fathers’ Emotional Support and Self‐Evaluation in Korea
Authors: Cheon Yuen Mi , Chung Grace H.
Published: May 2019

Recently, fathers’ role in children's development has been recognized internationally. In Asian countries, similar conversations have emerged but there has been a lack of empirical studies that considered the unique cultural contexts. As a response, based on Bronfenbrenner's process‐person‐context‐time model, the present study examined the daily dynamics and individual differences in the experience of fathers’ emotional support and self‐evaluation in social roles among 283 Korean adolescents in 5th and 8th grade. Through Hierarchical Linear Modeling, within‐person associations between adolescents’ experience of fathers’ emotional support and self‐evaluation in social roles on the same day and the next day were found, with individual differences by grade level and family affluence. Theoretical and practical implications within the relevant cultural context are discussed.
Regulation of flowering time by SPL10/MED25 module in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yao Tao , Park Bong Soo , Mao Hui‐Zhu , Seo Jun Sung , Ohama Naohiko , Li Ying , Yu Niu , Mustafa Nur Fatimah Binte , Huang Chung‐Hao , Chua Nam‐Hai
Published: May 2019

Several SQUAMASA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN‐LIKE (SPL) transcription factors are involved in plant developmental transition from vegetative to reproductive growth. However, the function of SPL10 in regulating floral transition is largely unknown. It is also not known which Mediator subunit mediates SPL10 transcriptional activity.

Here, we used overexpression lines and knockout mutants to examine the role of SPL10 in flowering‐time regulation and we investigated possible interactions of SPL10 with several mediator subunits in vitro and in vivo.

Plants overexpressing SPL10 showed precocious flowering, whereas the triple loss‐of‐function mutants of SPL10 and its two homologous genes, SPL2 and SPL11, flowered late compared with wild‐type plants. We found that SPL10 interacts with MED25, a subunit of the Mediator complex, which bridges transcription factors and RNA polymerase II to facilitate transcription initiation. Genetic analysis showed that MED25 acts downstream of SPL10 to execute SPL10‐regulated floral transition. Furthermore, SPL10 was required for MED25 association with the promoters of two target genes, FUL and LFY.

We provide evidence that SPL10 recruits MED25 to the promoters of target genes to regulate flowering time. Our results on the SPL10/MED25 module are relevant to the molecular mechanism of other SPL family members.
An AP2/ERF transcription factor ERF139 coordinates xylem cell expansion and secondary cell wall deposition
Authors: Wessels Bernard , Seyfferth Carolin , Escamez Sacha , Vain Thomas , Antos Kamil , Vahala Jorma , Delhomme Nicolas , Kangasjärvi Jaakko , Eder Michaela , Felten Judith , Tuominen Hannele
Published: May 2019

Differentiation of xylem elements involves cell expansion, secondary cell wall (SCW) deposition and programmed cell death. Transitions between these phases require strict spatiotemporal control.

The function of Populus ERF139 (Potri.013G101100) in xylem differentiation was characterized in transgenic overexpression and dominant repressor lines of ERF139 in hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × tremuloides). Xylem properties, SCW chemistry and downstream targets were analyzed in both types of transgenic trees using microscopy techniques, Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy, pyrolysis‐GC/MS, wet chemistry methods and RNA sequencing.

Opposite phenotypes were observed in the secondary xylem vessel sizes and SCW chemistry in the two different types of transgenic trees, supporting the function of ERF139 in suppressing the radial expansion of vessel elements and stimulating accumulation of guaiacyl‐type lignin and possibly also xylan. Comparative transcriptomics identified genes related to SCW biosynthesis (LAC5, LBD15, MYB86) and salt and drought stress‐responsive genes (ANAC002, ABA1) as potential direct targets of ERF139.

The phenotypes of the transgenic trees and the stem expression profiles of ERF139 potential target genes support the role of ERF139 as a transcriptional regulator of xylem cell expansion and SCW formation, possibly in response to osmotic changes of the cells.
Alienation on Social Media
Authors: Serpa Sandro
Published: May 2019

Digital technology has a growing dominance in social relationships. This opinion paper aims, through a selection of information deemed relevant on this topic, to offer a reflection on alienation in the context of social media, as well as, to the extent possible, some of its implications.
Advanced age protects resistance arteries of mouse skeletal muscle from oxidative stress through attenuating apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Norton Charles E. , Sinkler Shenghua Y. , Jacobsen Nicole L. , Segal Steven S.
Published: May 2019

Key points

Vascular oxidative stress increases with advancing age.

We hypothesized that resistance vessels develop resilience to oxidative stress to protect functional integrity and tested this hypothesis by exposing isolated pressurized superior epigastric arteries (SEAs) of old and young mice to H2O2.

H2O2‐induced death was greater in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) than endothelial cells (ECs) and lower in SEAs from old vs. young mice; the rise in vessel wall [Ca2+]i induced by H2O2 was attenuated with ageing, as was the decline in noradrenergic vasoconstriction; genetic deletion of IL‐10 mimicked the effects of advanced age on cell survival.

Inhibiting NO synthase or scavenging peroxynitrite reduced SMC death; endothelial denudation or inhibiting gap junctions increased SMC death; delocalization of cytochrome C activated caspases 9 and 3 to induce apoptosis.

Vascular cells develop resilience to H2O2 during ageing by preventing Ca2+ overload and endothelial integrity promotes SMC survival.

Advanced age is associated with elevated oxidative stress and can protect the endothelium from cell death induced by H2O2. Whether such protection occurs for intact vessels or differs between smooth muscle cell (SMC) and endothelial cell (EC) layers is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that ageing protects SMCs and ECs during acute exposure to H2O2 (200 µm, 50 min). Mouse superior epigastric arteries (SEAs; diameter, ∼150 µm) were isolated and pressurized to 100 cmH2O at 37˚C. For SEAs from young (4 months) mice, H2O2 killed 57% of SMCs and 11% of ECs in males vs. 8% and 2%, respectively, in females. Therefore, SEAs from males were studied to resolve the effect of ageing and experimental interventions. For old (24 months) mice, SMC death was reduced to 10% with diminished accumulation of [Ca2+]i in the vessel wall during H2O2 exposure. In young mice, genetic deletion of IL‐10 mimicked the protective effect of ageing on cell death and [Ca2+]i accumulation. Whereas endothelial denudation or gap junction inhibition (carbenoxolone; 100 µm) increased SMC death, inhibiting NO synthase (l‐NAME, 100 µm) or scavenging peroxynitrite (FeTPPS, 5 µm) reduced SMC death along with [Ca2+]i. Despite NO toxicity via peroxynitrite formation, endothelial integrity protects SMCs. Caspase inhibition (Z‐VAD‐FMK, 50 µm) attenuated cell death with immunostaining for annexin V, cytochrome C, and caspases 3 and 9 pointing to induction of intrinsic apoptosis during H2O2 exposure. We conclude that advanced age reduces Ca2+ influx that triggers apoptosis, thereby promoting resilience of the vascular wall during oxidative stress.
A survey of adaptive cell population dynamics models of emergence of drug resistance in cancer, and open questions about evolution and cancer
Authors: Clairambault Jean , Pouchol Camille
Published: May 2019

This article is a proceeding survey (deepening a talk given by the first author at the Biomath 2019 International Conference on Mathematical Models and Methods, held in Bedlewo, Poland) of mathematical models of cancer and healthy cell population adaptive dynamics exposed to anticancer drugs, to describe how cancer cell populations evolve toward drug resistance.Such mathematical models consist of partial differential equations (PDEs) structured in continuous phenotypes coding for the expression of drug resistance genes; they involve different functions representing targets for different drugs, cytotoxic and cytostatic, with complementary effects in limiting tumour growth. These phenotypes evolve continuously under drug exposure, and their fate governs the evolution of the cell population under treatment. Methods of optimal control are used, taking inevitable emergence of drug resistance into account, to achieve the best strategies to contain the expansion of a tumour.This evolutionary point of view, which relies on biological observations and resulting modelling assumptions, naturally extends to questioning the very nature of cancer as evolutionary disease, seen not only at the short time scale of a human life, but also at the billion year-long time scale of Darwinian evolution, from unicellular organisms to evolved multicellular organs such as animals and man. Such questioning, not so recent, but recently revived, in cancer studies, may have consequences for understanding and treating cancer.Some open and challenging questions may thus be (non exhaustively) listed as:- May cancer be defined as a spatially localised loss of coherence between tissues in the sameВ multicellular organism, `spatially localised' meaning initially starting from a given organ in the body, butВ also possibly due to flaws in an individual's rms of evolution towards drug resistance governed by the phenotypes which determine landscape such as imperfect epigenetic control of differentiation genes?- If one assumes that ''The genes of cellular cooperation that evolved with multicellularity about a billion years ago arethe same genes that malfunction in cancer.'', how can these genes besystematically investigated, looking for zones of fragility - that depend on individuals - in the 'tinkering' evolution is made of, tracking local defaults of coherence?- What is such coherence made of and to what extent is the immune system responsible for it (the self and differentiation within the self)?Related to this question of self, what parallelism can be established between the developmentВ of multicellularity in different species proceeding from the same origin and the development of theВ immune system in these different species?
Two new phyllocoptine species and new records of eriophyoid mites (Eriophyidae, Phyllocoptinae) from Crimea, with evaluation of the phylogenetic position of the new taxa using GenBank data
Authors: Chetverikov Philipp , Klimov Pavel , Letukhova Viktoria Yu. , Ripka Géza , Zukoff Sarah
Published: May 2019

We describe two new species and report new occurrences for six species of eriophyid mites (Eriophyoidea: Eriophyidae) in Crimea: Abacarus denticulifer n. sp. from Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. (Poaceae), Aceria aculiformis Sukhareva 1986 from Melica ciliata L. (Poaceae), Aceria peucedani (Canestrini 1891) from Seseli tortuosum L. (Apiaceae), Anthocoptes recki (Bagdasarian 1972) n. comb. (from Tegonotus) from Pistacia atlantica subsp. mutica (Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) (Anacardiaceae), Epitrimerus inulae Farkas 1963 from Inula germanica L. (Asteraceae), Phyllocoptes sanctus n. sp. from Potentilla recta subsp. obscura (Willd.) (Rosaceae), Phyllocoptes bilobospinosus Chetverikov 2019 (in Chetverikov et al. 2019) from Tamarix spp. (Tamaricaceae), Tegoprionus dentatus (Nalepa 1891) from Galium verum L. (Rubiaceae). For an Indian phyllocoptine mite species associated with Apluda mutica L. (Poaceae), a new combination was proposed: Abacarus muticus (Sur & Chakrabarti 2017) n. comb. (from Mesalox). Mitochondrial COI and D2 28S rDNA sequences of three phyllocoptine species from Crimea were obtained: A. denticulifer n. sp. (GenBank accession numbers MK415989 and MK408623), P. bilobospinosus (MK408624), and P. sanctus n. sp. (MK415988 and MK408622). Comparison of all COI and D2 28S sequences of Eriophyoidea from GenBank showed that sequences JF920111 and JF920110 Aceria tulipae are identical to JF920101 Aceria tosichella, and D2 28S sequence KP297379 Tegolophus sp. is identical to KM111079 Shevtchenkella sp., which indicates either one or more misidentifications or sample contamination. Molecular phylogenetic analyses (a) confirmed the morphology-based assignment of A. denticulifer n. sp. to the Abacarus hystrix s.l. species complex, (b) supported the monophyly of Abacarus hystrix s.l., (c) revealed that the genera Phyllocoptes, Epitrimerus, and Calepitrimerus are paraphyletic, and (d) indicated that Phyllocoptini (including P. sanctus n. sp.), which are associated with Rosaceae and Caprifoliaceae, are monophyletic. The position of P. bilobospinosus was uncertain in all analyses. Based on the results of our study, it is recommended that descriptions of new species in large, putatively paraphyletic genera of Eriophyoidea include comparisons with mite species associated with the same plant family. Our work also provides new evidence that a species in a large complex of cryptic species could have evolved a distinct morphology if it is associated with an endemic plant host restricted to a geographically isolated area.
Phytoseiid mites under different vineyard managements in the subregions of Lima and Cávado of the Vinho Verde region in Portugal
Authors: Silva Darliane Evangelho , Nascimento Joseane Moreira , Meira Anderson De Azevedo , Johann Liana , Costa Corrêa Luiz Liberato , Rodrigues Raúl , Ferla Noeli Juarez
Published: May 2019

Knowledge about phytoseiid species associated with vines is a preliminary step in the development and implementation of integrated management strategies against phytophagous mites such as Panonychus ulmi. The aim of this study was to perform a comparative survey of phytoseiids present in abandoned, organically managed, and conventionally managed vineyards, as well as to compare ecological indices in these production systems. Samplings were conducted between July and September 2017 in vineyards situated in the Subregions of Lima and Cávado, the Vinho Verde region. A total of 50 leaves/vineyard were collected from 12 vineyards, kept in containers at low temperature and taken to Escola Superior Agrária-Instituto Politécnico Viana do Castelo to be screened under a stereoscope microscope. A total of 3.153 phytoseiid mites were sampled, belonging to eight species distributed across the vineyards analyzed. The most common species were Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) pyri (45.7%), Kampimodromus aberrans (39%), and Phytoseius macropilis (8.7%). Higher richness occurred in abandoned vineyards, with seven species, and the most abundant were K. aberrans (46.5%) and T. (T.) pyri (28.9%). Only two predatory species were present (in similar proportions) in organically managed vineyards, T. (T.) pyri and K. aberrans, while T. (T.) pyri predominated in conventionally managed vineyards (93.8%). Kampimodromus aberrans, P. macropilis, and T. (T.) pyri were eudominant in abandoned vineyards while K. aberrans and T. (T.) pyri were eudominant in organic vineyards. Typhlodromus (T.) pyri was eudominant and T. (T.) exhilaratus was dominant in conventionally managed vineyards. Therefore, we might conclude that phytoseiid abundance significantly differs among vineyard management types, with higher ecological indices in abandoned vineyards, and lower indices in conventional managed vineyards in the northern region of Portugal.
Reference-free grazing incidence x-ray fluorescence and reflectometry as a methodology for independent validation of x-ray reflectometry on ultrathin layer stacks and a depth-dependent characterization
Authors: Hönicke Philipp , Detlefs Blanka , Nolot Emmanuel , Kayser Yves , Mühle Uwe , Pollakowski Beatrix , Beckhoff Burkhard
Published: May 2019

Nanolayer stacks are technologically very relevant for current and future applications in many fields of research. A nondestructive characterization of such systems is often performed using x-ray reflectometry (XRR). For complex stacks of multiple layers, low electron density contrast materials, or very thin layers without any pronounced angular minima, this requires a full modeling of the XRR data. As such a modeling is using the thicknesses, the densities, and the roughnesses of each layer as parameters, this approach quickly results in a large number of free parameters. In consequence, cross correlation effects or interparameter dependencies can falsify the modeling results. Here, the authors present a route for validation of such modeling results which is based on the reference-free grazing incidence x-ray fluorescence (GIXRF) methodology. In conjunction with the radiometrically calibrated instrumentation of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, the method allows for reference-free quantification of the elemental mass depositions. In addition, a modeling approach of reference-free GIXRF-XRR data is presented, which takes advantage of the quantifiable elemental mass depositions by distributing them depth dependently. This approach allows for a reduction of the free model parameters. Both the validation capabilities and the combined reference-free GIXRF-XRR modeling are demonstrated using several nanoscale layer stacks consisting of HfO2 and Al2O3 layers.
Cost-Effective Respiratory Virus Testing
Authors: Pinsky B. A. , Hayden R. T.
Published: May 2019

The timely and accurate diagnosis of respiratory virus infections has the potential to optimize downstream (posttesting) use of limited health care resources, including antibiotics, antivirals, ancillary testing, and inpatient and emergency department beds.
The Gram-Positive Bacterial Cell Wall
Authors: Rohde Manfred
Published: May 2019

The chapter about the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall gives a brief historical background on the discovery of Gram-positive cell walls and their constituents and microscopic methods applied for studying the Gram-positive cell envelope. Followed by the description of the different chemical building blocks of peptidoglycan and the biosynthesis of the peptidoglycan layers and high turnover of peptidoglycan during bacterial growth. Lipoteichoic acids and wall teichoic acids are highlighted as major components of the cell wall. Characterization of capsules and the formation of extracellular vesicles by Gram-positive bacteria close the section on cell envelopes which have a high impact on bacterial pathogenesis. In addition, the specialized complex and unusual cell wall of mycobacteria is introduced thereafter. Next a short back view is given on the development of electron microscopic examinations for studying bacterial cell walls. Different electron microscopic techniques and methods applied to examine bacterial cell envelopes are discussed in the view that most of the illustrated methods should be available in a well-equipped life sciences orientated electron microscopic laboratory. In addition, newly developed and mostly well-established cryo-methods like high-pressure freezing and freeze-substitution (HPF-FS) and cryo-sections of hydrated vitrified bacteria (CEMOVIS, Cryo-electron microscopy of vitreous sections) are described. At last, modern cryo-methods like cryo-electron tomography (CET) and cryo-FIB-SEM milling (focus ion beam-scanning electron microscopy) are introduced which are available only in specialized institutions, but at present represent the best available methods and techniques to study Gram-positive cell walls under close-to-nature conditions in great detail and at high resolution.
Staphylococcus aureus
in Animals
Authors: Haag Andreas F. , Fitzgerald J. Ross , Penadés José R.
Published: May 2019

Staphylococcus aureus
is a mammalian commensal and opportunistic pathogen that colonizes niches such as skin, nares and diverse mucosal membranes of about 20-30% of the human population.
S. aureus
can cause a wide spectrum of diseases in humans and both methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant strains are common causes of nosocomial- and community-acquired infections. Despite the prevalence of literature characterising staphylococcal pathogenesis in humans,
S. aureus
is a major cause of infection and disease in a plethora of animal hosts leading to a significant impact on public health and agriculture. Infections in animals are deleterious to animal health, and animals can act as a reservoir for staphylococcal transmission to humans.

Host-switching events between humans and animals and amongst animals are frequent and have been accentuated with the domestication and/or commercialisation of specific animal species. Host-switching is typically followed by subsequent adaptation through acquisition and/or loss of mobile genetic elements such as phages, pathogenicity islands and plasmids as well as further host-specific mutations allowing it to expand into new host populations.

In this chapter, we will be giving an overview of
S. aureus
in animals, how this bacterial species was, and is, being transferred to new host species and the key elements thought to be involved in its adaptation to new ecological host niches. We will also highlight animal hosts as a reservoir for the development and transfer of antimicrobial resistance determinants.
Binge alcohol consumption leading to hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis
Authors: Mahendran Manjit , Agarwal Shubham , Ray Animesh , Vikram Naval Kishore
Published: May 2019

A 43-year-old man presented with acute onset rapidly progressive weakness in all four limbs (proximal greater than distal), following an episode of binge alcohol ingestion, and was admitted for evaluation and management. There was a history of decreased urine output since 2 days with dark-coloured urine. He was found to have severe hypokalemia and renal dysfunction. Serum creatine kinase was significantly high, and further investigation revealed significantly elevated serum and urine myoglobin levels suggestive of rhabdomyolysis, which was secondary to severe hypokalemia. Following supplementation with intravenous and oral potassium and supportive care, the weakness improved significantly, and he was subsequently discharged. This case describes severe hypokalemia, resulting in rhabdomyolysis and generalised lower motor neuron weakness, in a setting of binge alcohol ingestion, which is an entity rarely described in literature.
Effectiveness of standardised preoperative assessment and patient instructions on admission blood glucose for patients with diabetes undergoing orthopaedic surgery at a tertiary referral hospital
Authors: Franco Thérèse , Rupp Stephen , Williams Barbara , Blackmore Craig
Published: May 2019

Diabetes and hyperglycaemia affect a significant number of people and are associated with a variety of untoward effects, especially under physiological stress such as surgery. Due, in large part to limited evidence, clinical practice in monitoring blood glucose and treating hyperglycaemic conditions in the perioperative period is variable. We used Lean methodologies to implement a standardised approach to preoperative management of patients undergoing elective surgery in an effort to improve glycaemic control. Overall, we saw an appropriate increase in monitoring and a decrease in the rate of hyperglycaemia on presentation to the operating room. This approach may be useful in other care settings or patient populations, potentially contributing to improved glycaemic control and subsequent decrease in associated complications.
Genetic alterations and expression of PTEN and its relationship with cancer stem cell markers to investigate pathogenesis and to evaluate prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chen Dingbao , Li Zhao , Cheng Qian , Wang Ying , Qian Lihua , Gao Jie , Zhu Ji-Ye
Published: May 2019

Aims

To investigate molecular alteration and expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) gene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to evaluate the correlation between PTEN and cancer stem cell (CSC) markers and the prognostic value of these markers.

Methods

We evaluated changes of PTEN and CSC markers (CD133, epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and CK19) in 183 resection specimens by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and detected PTEN and phosphoinositide-3-kinase catalytic-alpha (PIK3CA) gene by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) in some specimens.

Results

PTEN and CD133, EpCAM and CK19 in 183 resection specimens were studied by IHC, and PTEN and PIK3CA genes were detected by FISH. PTEN expression was reduced in 92 HCC tissues (50.3%). There were 16 HCCs with PTEN deletion (51.6%). Comparison between PTEN IHC and FISH showed that the analysis was highly concordant (54/59, 91.5%). There were 19 HCCs with PIK3CA amplification. Deletion of PTEN was positively correlated with amplification of PIK3CA. Positive expression of CD133, EpCAM and CK19 was correlated with steatosis, moderate to poor differentiation, and so on. Reduction of PTEN expression was negatively correlated with positive expression of CD133, EpCAM and CK19. Reduced expression of PTEN (p=0.028) was an independent predictor for HCC recurrence and overall survival in HCC. PTEN−/CD133+ group had shorter OS and RFS time.

Conclusions

PTEN plays a key role in hepatocarcinogenesis and reduction of PTEN expression is related to increased expression of CD133, EpCAM and CK19, which is a useful tool to evaluate HCC prognosis and recurrence.
Corporate medical cultures: MD Anderson as a case study in American corporate medical values
Authors: Mulligan John , Rehman Bilal
Published: May 2019

This paper contributes to the evolving body of literature diagnosing the ‘business-like’ transformation of American medicine by historicising and recuperating the concepts of medical leadership and the corporation. In an analysis of the evolving uses of ‘leadership’ in medical literature, we argue that the term’s appeal derives from its ability to productively articulate the inevitable conflicts that arise between competing values in corporations, and so should be understood as a response to the neoliberal corporation’s false resolutions of conflict according to the single value of profit (or consumer welfare for the business-like non-profit). Drawing on mid-century theories of the corporation to reframe dominant social histories of medical corporatisation, we go on to argue that large medical institutions are productive sites for deliberation over the medical profession’s social contract. Our primary case study for this longer historical and broader theoretical argument is the MD Anderson Cancer Center, the world’s foremost treatment hospital for patients with cancer. We hold that the historical trajectory that led to MD Anderson’s exceptional but exemplary place in the evolution of American corporate medicine is reflective of historical trends in the practice.
Use of subcutaneous ureteral bypass systems as a bridge to definitive ureteral repair in a cat with bilateral ureteral ligation secondary to complicated ovariohysterectomy
Authors: Beer Andrew James Carey , Lipscomb Vicky J , Rutherford Lynda , Lee Karla Chui Luan
Published: May 2019

A kitten presented with acute kidney injury, bilateral hydronephrosis and proximal hydroureter, three days following bilateral ureteral ligation, during a complicated ovariohysterectomy procedure. Clinical signs were anorexia, lethargy, weakness, hypothermia, nausea, pain and anuria, associated with marked azotaemia, hyperkalaemia and metabolic acidosis. Insufficient response to medical management alone led to emergency surgical placement of bilateral subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) systems, resulting in dramatic improvement in azotaemia and acidosis and resolution of hyperkalaemia. Elective bilateral neoureterocystostomy was performed the next day. The cat was clinically well for three months until the left SUB cystostomy catheter migrated out of the bladder resulting in uroabdomen. At this time, fluoroscopy demonstrated normal ureteral function bilaterally, so both SUBs were removed. Following recovery from surgery the cat has remained clinically normal. This report highlights the possibility of temporary SUB placement as a bridge to definitive ureteral repair in cases of accidental ureteral ligation.
Commutative–non-commutative dualities
Authors: Scholtz F.G. , Williams P.H. , Kriel J.N.
Published: May 2019

We show that it is in principle possible to construct dualities between commutative and non-commutative theories in a systematic way. This construction exploits a generalization of the exact renormalization group equation (ERG). We apply this to the simple case of the Landau problem and then generalize it to the free and interacting non-canonical scalar field theory. This constructive approach offers the advantage of tracking the implementation of the Lorentz symmetry in the non-commutative dual theory. In principle, it allows for the construction of completely consistent non-commutative and non-local theories where the Lorentz symmetry and unitarity are still respected, but may be implemented in a highly non-trivial and non-local manner.