bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Hedonic Bias in Emotional Scene Memory
Authors: Bradley Margaret M. , Karlsson Marie , Lang Peter J.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Across studies, memory for emotional events has shown a positivity bias, a negativity bias, and/or an arousal bias, and different types of memory biases have been reported in patients diagnosed with anxiety and mood disorders. Here, we investigated hedonic bias in memory for emotionally evocative scenes in a large sample (n = 625) of healthy young adults, in order to provide normative data on effects of pleasure, arousal, and content on immediate free recall that could facilitate future clinical investigations. Participants first viewed and rated a set of 60 pictures, followed by an unexpected memory test. Across participants, memory data was obtained for 360 different pictures, which served as the unit of analysis. There was neither a systematic positivity nor negativity bias in free recall of emotionally arousing scenes. Rather, memory was enhanced for scenes rated as highly arousing, whether pleasant or unpleasant, with those depicting romantic/sexual love and death/violence remembered equally well, and significantly better than other hedonic contents. Gender differences were not strong. Taken together, these data provide a basic science foundation for assessing hedonic bias in clinical populations.
Modulation of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae drug efflux conduit MtrE
Authors: Tamburrino Giulia , Llabrés Salomé , Vickery Owen N. , Pitt Samantha J. , Zachariae Ulrich
Published: November 2017

Widespread antibiotic resistance, especially of Gram-negative bacteria, has become a severe concern for human health. Tripartite efflux pumps are one of the major contributors to resistance in Gram-negative pathogens, by efficiently expelling a broad spectrum of antibiotics from the organism. In Neisseria gonorrhoeae, one of the first bacteria for which pan-resistance has been reported, the most expressed efflux complex is MtrCDE. Here we present the electrophysiological characterisation of the outer membrane component MtrE and the membrane fusion protein MtrC, obtained by a combination of planar lipid bilayer recordings and in silico techniques. Our in vitro results show that MtrE can be regulated by periplasmic binding events and that the interaction between MtrE and MtrC is sufficient to stabilize this complex in an open state. In contrast to other efflux conduits, the open complex only displays a slight preference for cations. The maximum conductance we obtain in the in vitro recordings is comparable to that seen in our computational electrophysiology simulations conducted on the MtrE crystal structure, indicating that this state may reflect a physiologically relevant open conformation of MtrE. Our results suggest that the MtrC/E binding interface is an important modulator of MtrE function, which could potentially be targeted by new efflux inhibitors.
Diarylmaleimide-based branched oligomers: strong full-color emission in both solution and solid films
Authors: Wang Jingwei , Zheng Rong , Chen Huan , Yao Huimei , Yan Liyu , Wei Jie , Lin Zhenghuan , Ling Qidan
Published: November 2017

An effective design method is presented to construct highly efficient fluorescent materials in both solution and solid films, by non-conjugately linking fluorophores into branched oligomers. Surface aryl groups are changed to tune the luminescent color from blue (λem= 480 nm) to red (λem= 651 nm), and realize full-color emission.
miR-27b promotes type II collagen expression by targetting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ2 during rat articular chondrocyte differentiation
Authors: Xu Jinying , Lv Shuang , Hou Yi , Xu Kan , Sun Dongjie , Zheng Yangyang , Zhang Zechuan , Li Xianglan , Li Yulin , Chi Guangfan
Published: November 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in articular cartilage development and growth. However, the exact mechanisms involved in this process remain unknown. In the present study, we investigated the biological functions of miR-27b during hypertrophic differentiation of rat articular chondrocytes. Based on in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we report that miR-27b expression is reduced in the hypertrophic zone of articular cartilage, but expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (Pparγ) is increased. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and Western blot analysis demonstrated that Pparγ2 is a target of miR-27b. Overexpression of miR-27b inhibited expression of Pparγ2, as well as type X collagen (Col10a1) and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (Mmp13), while significantly promoting the expression of Sex-determining Region-box 9 (Sox9) and type II collagen (Col2a1) at both the mRNA and protein levels. Rosiglitazone, a Pparγ agonist, suppressed Col2a1 expression, while promoting expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and Col10a1 in a concentration-dependent manner. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Pparγ2 caused an increase in protein levels of Col2a1. The present study demonstrates that miR-27b regulates chondrocyte hypertrophy in part by targetting Pparγ2, and that miR-27b may have important therapeutic implications in cartilage diseases.
16‐Element circular polarised antenna array based on sequential arrangement of non‐identical disc patches
Authors: Maddio S. , Pelosi G. , Righini M. , Selleri S.
Published: November 2017

A circular polarised antenna array based on the recursive application of the sequential rotation architecture is presented. The first level sequential arrangement is applied to a set of four non‐identical slightly detuned patches, resulting in a broadband improper array. At the second level, the sequential arrangement is applied to four identical first‐level sub‐arrays, regularising the structure. Experimental validations confirm a gain exceeding 10 dB from 5.35 to 7.25 GHz, with a maximum of 13 dB. Global bandwidth is 30% despite an area of only
No dead‐time modulation algorithm for an off‐grid inverter based on H6 topology
Authors: Xia Kun , Tian Yanan , Lu Jing , Ge Yue , Bi Chao
Published: November 2017

In this study, a no‐dead‐time modulation method based on the H6 topology is proposed. The main objective is to reduce the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the inverter output voltage and improve the output‐voltage waveform quality. On the basis of the working state of the main circuit, the proposed method selects an appropriate switch modulation, thereby realising the objective of not inserting a dead time, most of the time. Simulations and experiments demonstrate that the modulation method suppresses the THD better than the conventional modulation algorithm, at all power factors and power levels. Furthermore, with the increase in power, the output current increases, but the current commutation interval decreases and the output‐voltage suppression effect THD is better. It can also be concluded that simultaneously there is a higher DC‐link voltage utilisation efficiency in the no‐dead‐time modulation method than in the conventional modulation method.
Monodispersing Eu3+ and Li+ codoped CaF2 nanoparticles for efficient luminescence
Authors: Fan Ting , Lü Jiantao , Huang Yongfa , Li Guoji
Published: November 2017

Monodisperse oleic acid (OA) modified Eu3+ and Li+ codoped CaF2 nanoparticles are presented in this work. The as‐obtained nanoparticles, with a hexagonal shape, can be well‐dispersed in organic apolar solvents. The incorporation of Li+ ions in CaF2 :Eu3+ does not lead to new crystalline phases. The main diffraction peaks are found to shift to small angles when codoped with 7 mol% Li+, while a reverse shift can be noted with the codoping amount increasing to 9 mol% Li+, indicating that the codoped Li+ enables the crystal field environment of Eu3+ to be changed. The excitation and luminescence intensities of all peaks indexed to Eu3+ have enhanced apparently when codoped with 7 mol% Li+ ions. The lifetime of the 5 D0 state of Eu3+ ions is also increased by introducing 7 mol% of Li+ ions.
Strain rate and orientation-dependent strain hardening of Mg–9Li–Al using crystal plasticity
Authors: Han M. C. , Sun C. Y. , Shi B. , Guo N.
Published: November 2017

A crystal plasticity finite element model was proposed considering slip and twinning interactions. The grain morphology and crystallographic orientations were introduced into the model to describe the microstructure of duplex polycrystalline Mg–9Li–Al. The activation of the slip systems and the strain localisation with respect to initial grain orientations were investigated. In addition, the effects of phase distributions and volume fractions on the macroscopic responses and on strain hardening rates were analysed. The results show that the strain hardening is rate-dependent but the texture is less sensitive to strain rate. The distribution of a phase and its volume fraction play primary roles in governing the mechanical response.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Unit-Level Changes in Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infection Before and After Implementation of the Affordable Care Act and Mandatory Reporting Legislation
Authors: Woodward Benjamin C. , Umberger Reba A.
Published: November 2017

Background:

Central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) prevention efforts have increased over the past decade because of implications of the Affordable Care Act and mandatory reporting laws. These legislative measures allow for reduced reimbursement to hospitals with high level of CLABSIs and other health care–associated infections.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to explore the impact of legislation and mandatory reporting on CLABSI rates and reporting.

Methods:

The study team performed a retrospective review of medical intensive care unit patients in January 2008, 2012, and 2015 to examine changes in CLABSI reporting by 2 methods (International Classification of Diseases [ICD] by providers and Centers for Disease Control by infection prevention [IP]), as well as changes in central line use over time. Data were summarized and compared. Percent agreement and κ statistics were calculated for ICD- and IP-coded CLABSIs.

Results:

Among 465 intensive care unit patients, most were white (89.9%), males (52.0%), aged 58.7 ± 17.1 years. Only 3 new CLABSIs were reported during the study period: 2 by ICD and IP in 2008, 1 by ICD in 2012, and 0 by either method in 2015. The percent agreement (99.6%) and κ (0.799) represent excellent agreement. Central line usage was similar for each time period.

Discussion:

The number of CLABSIs decreased over time; however, the findings were limited, and a larger sample over a longer period is needed to draw conclusions about the influence of legislative changes. One discrepancy was observed between the 2 reporting methods, which is consistent with other studies. More research is needed to understand the complexity of provider coding practices and changes in central line use (eg, duration, type, location) over time.
Critical-Care Nurses’ Pain Experiences and the Prognostic Factors
Authors: Çelik Sevim , Taşdemir Nurten , Öksüzoğlu Ayşe , Dirimeşe Elif , Koçaşli Sema
Published: November 2017

Objective:

The objective of this study was to determine the emergence of pain in critical-care nurses and the prognostic risk factors.

Design:

This study is a cross-sectional descriptive research.

Setting and Subjects:

This study was conducted with the participation of 111 critical-care nurses in Zonguldak province, Turkey.

Interventions:

The data were collected using a survey form and the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire between August and November 2015. The data were evaluated using frequency, average, Pearson correlation analysis, χ
2, logistic regression, and odds ratio tests.

Results:

The critical-care nurses were found to experience pain mostly in their lower backs (88.3%), upper backs (77.5%), right (76.6%) and left (78.4%) feet, necks (73.9%), and most infrequently in the right (28.8%) and left (28.8%) lower arms. Changing bed linens while the patient remained in bed and lifting, pulling, or pushing heavy materials caused those nurses who felt despondent and tired to feel significant pain in the shoulder, neck, upper arm, wrist, and knee (P < .05).

Conclusions:

These results were significant for placing emphasis on maintaining body mechanics while caring for patients, providing appropriate environmental conditions, and ensuring ergonomics to preserve the health of critical-care nurses who work in hospitals.
Totally Endoscopic Robotic Management of Failed Percutaneous Atrial Septal Defect Closure with Tricuspid Valve Injury
Authors: Onan Burak , Kadirogullari Ersin , Basgoze Serdar , Bulent Rabus Murat
Published: November 2017

Totally endoscopic robotic surgery is a safe approach to atrial septal defect closure in adults. Robotic approach can be an alternative to traditional incisions in the management of concomitant tricuspid valve regurgitation with ruptured chordae tendineae. Herein, we describe a woman who presented with atrial septal defect and tricuspid insufficiency after an unsuccessful percutaneous intervention with device removal from the right ventricle. Concomitant closure of septal defect and tricuspid valve repair with artificial chords was successfully performed using robot assistance.
Molecular chaperones impacts in growth, metabolism, pathogenicity and production of virulence factors in bacterial pathogen
Authors: Ghazaei Ciamak
Published: November 2017

Molecular chaperones are proteins that assist the valence folding or evolution and also the assembly or activity of different organic compound structures. In bacterial cell, the folding of expressed proteins is mainly occurred by preserved cytosolic chaperones, namely trigger factor. Many chaperones consider heat shock proteins, that is proteins expressed in response to elevated temperatures or alternative cellular stresses. Molecular chaperones are proteins responsible for varied processes in microbial cells, as well as helping the folding of new synthesized proteins, each throughout and when translation, helping in polypeptide secretion, and repairing proteins that are broken or misfolded by stress like a heat shock proteins. Molecular chaperones play a vital role in protein degradation, microbial adhesion activity and in responding to diseases joined to polypeptide (protein) aggregation.
Risk Factors for Admission and Prolonged Length of Stay in Pediatric Isolated Skull Fractures
Authors: Williams Daniel C. , Selassie Anbesaw W. , Russell William S. , Borg Keith T. , Basco William T.
Published: November 2017

Objectives

This study aimed to assess management of pediatric isolated skull fracture (ISF) patients by determining frequency of admission and describing characteristics associated with patients admitted for observation compared with patients discharged directly from the emergency department (ED) and those requiring a prolonged hospitalization.

Methods

We evaluated children younger than 5 years who presented with ISF using the South Carolina Traumatic Brain Injury Surveillance and Registry System data from 2001 to 2011. Outcomes analyzed included discharged from ED, admitted for less than 24 hours, and admitted for more than 24 hours (prolonged hospitalization). Bivariate analyses and a polytomous logistic regression model identified factors associated with patient disposition.

Results

Five hundred twenty-seven patients met the study criteria (ED discharge = 283 [53%]; inpatient <24 hours = 156 [29%]; inpatient >24 hours = 88 [18%]). The mean length of stay for admissions was 1.9 (SD, 1.5) days. In the regression model, ED discharges had greater odds of presenting to levels 2 to 3 hospitals (level 2: odds ratio [OR], 6.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.66–10.39; level 3: OR, 30.98; 95% CI, 10.92–87.91) and lower odds of a high poverty status (OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.10–0.40). Prolonged hospitalizations had greater odds of concomitant injuries (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.12–4.36).

Conclusions

Admission after ISF is high despite a low risk of deterioration. High-poverty patients presenting to high-acuity medical centers are more commonly admitted for observation. Only presence of concomitant injuries was clinically predictive of prolonged hospitalization. The ability to better stratify risk after pediatric ISF would help providers make more informed decisions regarding ED disposition.
Increasing Authenticity of Simulation-Based Assessment in Diagnostic Radiology
Authors: van der Gijp Anouk , Ravesloot Cécile J. , Tipker Corinne A. , de Crom Kim , Rutgers Dik R. , van der Schaaf Marieke F. , van der Schaaf Irene C. , Mol Christian P. , Vincken Koen L. , ten Cate Olle Th.J. , Maas Mario , van Schaik Jan P.J.
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Clinical reasoning in diagnostic imaging professions is a complex skill that requires processing of visual information and image manipulation skills. We developed a digital simulation-based test method to increase authenticity of image interpretation skill assessment.

Methods

A digital application, allowing volumetric image viewing and manipulation, was used for three test administrations of the national Dutch Radiology Progress Test for residents. This study describes the development and implementation process in three phases. To assess authenticity of the digital tests, perceived image quality and correspondence to clinical practice were evaluated and compared with previous paper-based tests (PTs). Quantitative and qualitative evaluation results were used to improve subsequent tests.

Results

Authenticity of the first digital test was not rated higher than the PTs. Test characteristics and environmental conditions, such as image manipulation options and ambient lighting, were optimized based on participants’ comments. After adjustments in the third digital test, participants favored the image quality and clinical correspondence of the digital image questions over paper-based image questions.

Conclusions

Digital simulations can increase authenticity of diagnostic radiology assessments compared with paper-based testing. However, authenticity does not necessarily increase with higher fidelity. It can be challenging to simulate the image interpretation task of clinical practice in a large-scale assessment setting, because of technological limitations. Optimizing image manipulation options, the level of ambient light, time limits, and question types can help improve authenticity of simulation-based radiology assessments.
Inhibition of the Platelet-activating factor receptor for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?
Authors: Briones Marcelo R. S. , Snyder Amanda M. , Neely Elizabeth B. , Connor James R. , Broach James R.
Published: November 2017

Cerebrospinal Fluids (CSF) of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients have increased levels of the inflammatory cytokine IL-18. Because IL-18 is produced by dendritic cells stimulated by the Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a major neuroinflammatory mediator, it is expected that PAF is involved in ALS. Pilot experimental data on amplification of PAF receptor (PAFR) mRNA by RT-PCR show that PAFR is overexpressed, as compared to age matched controls, in the spinal cords of transgenic ALS mouse model SOD1-G93A, suggesting PAF mediation. Although anti-inflammatory drugs have been tested for ALS before, no clinical trial has been conducted using PAFR specific inhibitors. Therefore, we hypothesize that administration of PAFR inhibitors, such as Ginkgolide B, PCA 4248 and WEB 2086, have potential to function as a novel therapy for ALS, particularly in SOD1 familial ALS forms. Because currently there are only two approved drugs with modest effectiveness for ALS therapy, a search for novel drugs and targets is essential.
The MALDI TOF E2/E3 ligase assay as an universal tool for drug discovery in the ubiquitin pathway
Authors: De Cesare Virginia , Johnson Clare , Barlow Victoria , Hastie James , Knebel Axel , Trost Matthias
Published: November 2017

In many diseases, components of the ubiquitin system - such as E2/E3 ligases and deubiquitylases - are dysregulated. The ubiquitin system has therefore become an emergent target for the treatment of a number of diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration and autoimmunity. Despite of the efforts in this field, primary screenings of compound libraries to individuate new potential therapeutic molecules targeting the ubiquitin pathway have been strongly limited by the lack of robust and fast high-throughput assays. Here we report the first label-free high-throughput screening (HTS) assay for ubiquitin E2 conjugating enzymes and E3 ligases based on Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-Of-Flight (MALDI TOF) mass spectrometry. The MALDI TOF E2/E3 assay allows us to test E2 conjugating enzymes and E3 ligases for their ubiquitin transfer activity, to identify E2/E3 active pairs, inhibitor potency and specificity and to screen compound librariesin vitrowithout synthesis of chemical or fluorescent probes. We demonstrate that the MALDI TOF E2/E3 assay is a universal tool for drug discovery screening in the ubiquitin pathway as it is suitable for working with all E3 ligase families and requires a reduced amount of reagents, compared to standard biochemical assays.
Community-driven data analysis training for biology
Authors: Batut Bérénice , Hiltemann Saskia , Bagnacani Andrea , Baker Dannon , Bhardwaj Vivek , Blank Clemens , Bretaudeau Anthony , Brillet-Guéguen Loraine , Čech Martin , Chilton John , Clements Dave , Doppelt-Azeroual Olivia , Erxleben Anika , Freeberg Mallory Ann , Gladman Simon , Hoogstrate Youri , Hotz Hans-Rudolf , Houwaart Torsten , Jagtap Pratik , Larivière Delphine , Corguillé Gildas Le , Manke Thomas , Mareuil Fabien , Ramírez Fidel , Ryan Devon , Sigloch Florian Christoph , Soranzo Nicola , Wolff Joachim , Videm Pavankumar , Wolfien Markus , Wubuli Aisanjiang , Yusuf Dilmurat , Network Galaxy Training , Backofen Rolf , Taylor James , Nekrutenko Anton , Grüning Björn
Published: November 2017

The primary problem with the explosion of biomedical datasets is not the data itself, not computational resources, and not the required storage space, but the general lack of trained and skilled researchers to manipulate and analyze these data. Eliminating this problem requires development of comprehensive educational resources. Here we present a community-driven framework that enables modern, interactive teaching of data analytics in life sciences and facilitates the development of training materials. The key feature of our system is that it is not a static but a continuously improved collection of tutorials. By coupling tutorials with a web-based analysis framework, biomedical researchers can learn by performing computation themselves through a web-browser without the need to install software or search for example datasets. Our ultimate goal is to expand the breadth of training materials to include fundamental statistical and data science topics and to precipitate a complete re-engineering of undergraduate and graduate curricula in life sciences.
Biomolecular Simulations under Realistic Macroscopic Salt Conditions
Authors: Ross Gregory A. , Rustenburg Ariën S. , Grinaway Patrick B. , Fass Josh , Chodera John D.
Published: November 2017

Biomolecular simulations are typically performed in an aqueous environment where the number of ions remains fixed for the duration of the simulation, generally with either a minimally neutralizing ion environment or a number of salt pairs intended to match the macroscopic salt concentration. In contrast, real biomolecules experience local ion environments where the salt concentration is dynamic and may differ from bulk. The degree of salt concentration variability and average deviation from the macroscopic concentration remains, as yet, unknown. Here, we describe the theory and implementation of a Monte Carloosmostatthat can be added to explicit solvent molecular dynamics or Monte Carlo simulations to sample from a semigrand canonical ensemble in which the number of salt pairs fluctuates dynamically during the simulation. The osmostat reproduce the correct equilibrium statistics for a simulation volume that can exchange ions with a large reservoir at a defined macroscopic salt concentration. To achieve useful Monte Carlo acceptance rates, the method makes use of nonequilibrium candidate Monte Carlo (NCMC) moves in which monovalent ions and water molecules are alchemically transmuted using short nonequilibrium trajectories, with a modified Metropolis-Hastings criterion ensuring correct equilibrium statistics for an (Δµ, N, p, T) ensemble. We demonstrate how typical protein (DHFR and the tyrosine kinase Src) and nucleic acid (Drew-Dickerson B-DNA dodecamer) systems exhibit salt concentration distributions that significantly differ from fixed-salt bulk simulations and display fluctuations that are on the same order of magnitude as the average.
An adaptable chromosome preparation methodology for use in invertebrate research organisms
Authors: Guo Longhua , Accorsi Alice , He Shuonan , Guerrero-Hernández Carlos , Sivagnanam Shamilene , McKinney Sean , Gibson Matthew , Alvarado Alejandro Sánchez
Published: November 2017

Background

The ability to efficiently visualize and manipulate chromosomes is fundamental to understand the genetic architecture of organisms. This can be challenging for many invertebrates because conventional chromosome preparation protocols deal primarily hypotonic conditions tailored for use with vertebrates and rely extensively on cultured cells which are rarely available for invertebrates. Hence, a simple and inexpensive chromosome preparation protocol, adaptable to multiple invertebrate model species is needed.

Results

We optimized a chromosome preparation protocol and applied it to several planarian species (Phylum: Platyhelminthes), the freshwater apple snailPomacea canaliculata(Phylum: Mollusca), and the starlet sea anemoneNematostella vectensis(Phylum: Cnidaria). We showed that both mitotically active adult tissues and embryos can be used as sources of metaphase chromosomes, expanding the potential use of this technique to invertebrates lacking cell lines and/or with limited access to the complete life cycle. Simple hypotonic treatment with DI water was sufficient for karyotyping. The karyotypes we obtained allowed the identification of differences in ploidy and chromosome architecture among otherwise morphologically indistinguishable organisms, as in the case of a mixed population of planarians collected in the wild. Furthermore, we showed that in all tested organisms representing three different phyla, this protocol can be effectively coupled with downstream applications, such as chromosome fluorescentin situhybridization.

Conclusion

The simple and inexpensive chromosome preparation protocol reported here can be readily adapted to new invertebrate research organisms in order to expand and accelerate the discovery of new biology in understudied branches of the tree of life.
TheVibrio choleraeType VI Secretion System Can Modulate Host Intestinal Mechanics to Displace Commensal Gut Bacteria
Authors: Logan Savannah L. , Thomas Jacob , Yan Jinyuan , Baker Ryan P. , Shields Drew S. , Xavier Joao B. , Hammer Brian K. , Parthasarathy Raghuveer
Published: November 2017

Host-associated microbiota help defend against bacterial pathogens; the mechanisms that pathogens possess to overcome this defense, however, remain largely unknown. We developed a zebrafish model and used live imaging to directly study how the human pathogenVibrio choleraeinvades the intestine. The gut microbiota of fish mono-colonized by commensal strainAeromonas veroniiwas displaced byV. choleraeexpressing its Type VI Secretion System (T6SS), a syringe-like apparatus that deploys effector proteins into target cells. Surprisingly, displacement was independent of T6SS-mediated killing ofAeromonas, driven instead by T6SS-induced enhancement of zebrafish intestinal movements that led to expulsion of the resident commensal by the host. Deleting an actin crosslinking domain from the T6SS apparatus returned intestinal motility to normal and thwarted expulsion, without weakeningV. cholerae′sability to killAeromonas in vitro. Our finding that bacteria can manipulate host physiology to influence inter-microbial competition has implications for both pathogenesis and microbiome engineering.
Presence of WH2 like domain in VgrG-1 toxin of Vibrio cholerae reveals the molecular mechanism of actin cross-linking
Authors: Dutta Priyanka , Jijumon A.S. , Mazumder Mohit , Dileep Drisya , Mukhopadhyay Asish K. , Gourinath Samudrala , Maiti Sankar
Published: November 2017

Type VI secretion systems (T6SS) plays a crucial role in Vibrio cholerae mediated pathogenicity and predation. Tip of T6SS is homologous to gp27/gp5 complex or tail spike of T4 bacteriophage. VgrG-1 of V. cholerae T6SS is unusual among other VgrG because its effector domain is trans-located into the cytosol of eukaryotic cells with an additional actin cross-linking domain (ACD) at its C terminal end. ACD of VgrG-1 (VgrG-1-ACD) causes T6SS dependent host cell cytotoxicity through actin cytoskeleton disruption to prevent bacterial engulfment by macrophages. ACD mediated actin cross-linking promotes survival of the bacteria in the small intestine of humans, along with other virulence factors; establishes successful infection with the onset of diarrhoea in humans. Our studies demonstrated VgrG-1-ACD can bind to actin besides actin cross-linking activity. Computational analysis of ACD revealed the presence of WH2 domain through which it binds actin. Mutations in WH2 domain lead to loss of actin binding in vitro. VgrG-1-ACD having the mutated WH2 domain cannot cross-link actin efficiently in vitro and manifests less actin cytoskeleton disruption when transfected in HeLa cells.

Summary statement

Actin cross-linking (ACD) domain of VgrG-1 toxin of Type VI secretion in Vibrio cholera has WASP Homology domain 2 (WH2) domain. ACD interact with actin through WH2 domain, WH2 is essential for ACD mediated cross-linking and disruption of actin cytoskeleton in the host cell.
Increased usage of antiseptics is associated with reduced susceptibility in clinical isolates of S. aureus
Authors: Hardy Katherine , Sunnucks Katie , Gil Hannah , Shabir Sahida , Trampari Eleftheria , Hawkey Peter , Webber Mark
Published: November 2017

Hospital acquired infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and regimes to prevent infection are crucial in infection control. These include decolonisation of at-risk patients of carriage of MRSA which is commonly achieved by protocols that include the use of chlorhexidine, or octenidine as biocidal agents. There is however no standardised single decolonisation regime agreed upon in the UK or other countries and protocols include a variety of active agents. Antibiotic resistant bacteria cause major problems in hospital medicine and concern has been raised regarding the development of biocide resistance which would cause decolonisation regimes to become unreliable. In this study, we assembled a panel of isolates of S. aureus including isolates collected before the development of chlorhexidine and octenidine through to a contemporaneous panel of isolates from a major hospital trust in the UK during a period when the decolonisation regime was altered. We observed significant increases in the MIC and MBC of chlorhexidine in isolates collected from periods of high usage of chlorhexidine. No isolates had a significantly altered MIC or MBC of octenidine apart from those collected after octenidine was introduced into the trust where isolates with four-fold decreases in susceptibility emerged. There was no suggestion of cross-resistance between the two biocidal agents. A combination of VNTR, PCR for qac genes and whole genome sequencing was used to type isolates and examine possible mechanisms of resistance. The typing data showed no expansion of a single strain was associated with decreased biocide tolerance and isolates with increased chlorhexidine MIC and MBCs were found from different clonal complexes; CC8, CC22 and CC30. Biocide susceptibility did not correlate with carriage of qac efflux pump genes – carriage of qacA and qacB was detected but, with one exception was restricted to isolates of CC8. Analysis of genome sequence data for closely related pairs of strains with differential biocide susceptibility revealed no common mutations or carriage of accessory elements that correlated with biocide tolerance. Mutations with the NorA or NorB efflux pumps, previously associated with chlorhexidine export were identified suggesting this may be an important mechanism of biocide tolerance. The clinical relevance of decreased biocide tolerance in terms of efficacy of decolonisation therapies remains to be established but we present evidence here that isolates are evolving in the face of biocide challenge in patients and that changes to decolonisation regimes are reflected in changes in susceptibility of isolates. More work is needed to assess the impact of these changes to ensure effective and robust decolonisation protocols remain in place.
Ethics in the information age
Authors: Joyce Douglas James , deLeon Linda
Published: November 2017

Ethics in the Information Age requires an awareness of abstracted reasoning just as information itself is the integration of abstracted data. Recent works by Gibson and Boisot are employed to introduce the rise of an information society and the abstraction of information upon which we base our knowledge. Several ethical problems of the Information Age are discussed, including personal privacy, the specter of alternate personae in the virtual world of computer networks, the quality of information, even disinformation, and codes of conduct. The ethical problems inherent in the notion of intellectual property reveal themselves through application of John Locke's natural law of property right juxtaposed against the dilemmas encountered by fictional characters (in William Gibson's Idoru) living in a virtual world set just a few years from now. An ethical analysis for the Age of Information applies philosophical tenets found in deep ecology, social ecology, communitarianism, and anarchy to the current problems of ethics. In conclusion, the greater degree of abstraction required by ethical behavior in the Information Age requires even greater attention to the philosophers of the past, as well as the philosophies of the presen
Organizational design and ethics: The effects of rigid hierarchy on moral reasoning
Authors: White Richard D.
Published: November 2017

This study investigates the relationship between organizational design and ethics. It argues that an organization designed in a rigidly hierarchical structure restricts the moral development of its members and ultimately adversely affects their ethical behavior. Prior research suggests members of organizations structured in a rigid hierarchy exhibit less autonomous behavior when compared to less rigid organizations. As autonomous behavior is also a sine qua non for higher levels of moral development, then the study hypothesizes a negative relationship between rigid hierarchy and moral development. To empirically test this hypothesis, the study compared the moral development of individuals from a rigid hierarchy with individuals from society-at-large and from less-rigid organizations. The study used Kohlberg’s six-stage moral development framework to operationalize different levels of moral judgment, and employed Rest’s Defining Issues Test (DIT) as a measurement instrument. The DIT was administered to a cross-section of 480 members of the U.S.
Public virtual organizations
Authors: Lynch Thomas D. , Lynch Cynthia E. , White Richard D.
Published: November 2017

This article argues that the virtual organization model (also called web-enterprises by the former U.S. Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich in The Work of Nations) can meet the challenge for our new age. This model is already in place in the U.S. federal government in the form of Cooperative Administrative Support Units (CASU’s). These organizations bear a close resemblance to Reich's model and have documented significant successes. The article also argues that the implications and applications of the CASU in public administration are far reaching. This creative and innovative approach to responsible government warrants expanded use into new and diverse areas. Organizational designers should not restrict its use simply to rote administrative activities.
This article draws heavily from the work of former Secretary Reich and Warren Master, Director of the National CASU Program in the U.S. General Services Administration. Both provide new paths of possibilities for administrators. Their leadership forges new and often brighter expectations for future organizational performance.
The thin blue line meets the bottom line of community policing
Authors: Glaser Mark A. , Parker Lee E.
Published: November 2017

Increasingly police departments throughout the United States are in transition between traditional and community-based law enforcement. Community policing is thought to increase effectiveness by engaging members of the community in the coproduction of public safety. At the same time, the nature of police activities naturally encourages the formation of bonds between officers. Although bonds between officers are helpful, organizationally, in many ways, these same bonds can also become barriers between police and the citizens they serve. This “bond-barrier" relationship is popularly referred to as the "thin blue line.” The effectiveness of community policing and the use of public safety dollars depends on changes in internal operations as well as the departmental interface with citizens. This paper uses the input of over 300 law enforcement officers to examine an agency in transition between traditional to community policing including the application of a systems approach to articulate transitional concerns. In addition, this paper develops a Satisfaction-Mission Expectation Classification System and uses it to examine law enforcement officers' perceptions of the organization and its environment.
Barnard’s cooperative systems and the power of the coworker effect
Authors: Sue Love Mary , Macy Granger , Dougherty Thomas W.
Published: November 2017

Barnard was acutely aware of the social factors present in organizations and their influence on the effectiveness of organizations. He realized that cooperation, and more specifically that systems of cooperation, were a critical, essential element of effective organizational functioning. This paper extends Barnard’s conception of cooperative systems into what we call the coworker effect. The coworker effect is as an important factor linking positive individual behavior with the broader social context of the work group. In this article we will discuss the outcomes of the coworker effect and the sources that give it its power. In so doing, we can show how cooperative systems behaviorally impact on organizations and how organizations might be able to marshal this important resource more effectively.
Developing a domain ontology for knowledge management technologies
Authors: Hashemi Parvin , Khadivar Ameneh , Shamizanjani Mehdi
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new ontology for knowledge management (KM) technologies, determining the relationships between these technologies and classification of them.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies NOY methodology – named after Natalya F. Noy who initiated this methodology. Protégé software and ontology web language are used for building the ontology. The presented ontology is evaluated with abbreviation and consistency criteria and knowledge retrieval of KM technologies by experts.

Findings

All the main concepts in the scope of KM technologies are extracted from existing literature. There are 241 words, 49 out of them are domain concepts, eight terms are about taxonomic and non-taxonomic relations, one term relates to data property and 183 terms are instances. These terms are used to develop KM technologies’ ontology based on three factors: facilitating KM processes, supporting KM strategies and the position of technology in the KM technology stage model. The presented ontology is created a common understanding in the field of KM technologies.

Research limitations/implications

Lack of specific documentary about logic behind decision making and prioritizing criteria in choosing KM technologies.

Practical implications

Uploading the presented ontology in the web environment provides a platform for knowledge sharing between experts from around the world. In addition, it helps to decide on the choice of KM technologies based on KM processes and KM strategy.

Originality/value

Among the many categories of KM technologies in literature, there is no classifying according to several criteria simultaneously. This paper contributes to filling this gap and considers KM processes, KM strategy and stages of growth for KM technologies simultaneously to choice the KM technologies and also there exists no formal ontology regarding KM technologies. This study has tried to propose a formal KM technologies’ ontology.
Comparison of virtual and physical dimensions in AM resin dental devices and fit of devices with conventionally produced base plates
Authors: Al Mortadi Noor Abdullah , Eggbeer Dominic , Lewis Jeffrey , Williams Robert
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop and apply clinically relevant methods of analysing the accuracy of dental appliances fabricated using additive manufacture (AM) compared to the computer-aided design (CAD) geometry. The study also compared fit between conventionally laboratory-fabricated and AM-produced base plates.

Design/methodology/approach

The techniques were applied to two types of dental devices where AM fabrication methods could foreseeably be used as an alternative to laboratory production. “L” and cubic shapes of defined dimensions and spatial locations were positioned on the devices which were fabricated using AM. For assessing the dimensions, the “L” and cubic shapes were then measured on the physical builds ten times and compared to the CAD model. To assess the fit of AM and lab-produced devices, three upper and three lower conventionally fabricated acrylic base plates were compared to three upper and three lower plates. Silicone impression material was allowed to set between the casts and the base plates which filled any discrepancy between the two surfaces. The thickness of this silicone media was measured ten times at five different points on each base plate type and the results compared.

Findings

The results indicated that the evaluated CAD/AM technique is able to produce dental appliance components that are consistent with tolerance levels that would be expected with conventional methods of baseplate design. This research demonstrated that a fully CAD/AM methodology represents a potentially viable alternative to conventional lab-based methods for two types of dental appliances.

Originality/value

This work is original. The authors do not believe any previous papers similar to the one submitted have been published.
Long‐term clinical efficacy and safety of secukinumab for Japanese patients with psoriasis: A single‐center experience
Authors: Momose Mami , Asahina Akihiko , Umezawa Yoshinori , Nakagawa Hidemi
Published: November 2017

Secukinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that can selectively neutralize interleukin‐17A, and its excellent efficacy has been demonstrated in clinical trials for psoriasis. The aim of our study is to assess long‐term efficacy and safety of secukinumab for 52 weeks in real‐world clinical practise in our facility. A total of 83 patients (71 with psoriasis vulgaris and 12 with psoriatic arthritis) were included, and 49 of them were bio‐switched patients. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75 and PASI‐90 responses were 80% and 64% at week 12, 77% and 65% at week 24, and 76% and 58% at week 52, respectively. No significant differences were observed in efficacy between bio‐naive and bio‐switched patients. Arthralgia showed improvement by week 12 in all patients with psoriatic arthritis with a reduction of serum C‐reactive protein level. Treatment was discontinued in 22% (18/83), including eight patients with no improvement or exacerbation of cutaneous manifestations, one patient with new onset of arthritis and two patients with transient infection. Overall, secukinumab showed a sustained clinical response with an acceptable safety profile through week 52 in Japanese psoriatic patients.
Presenting characteristics and prevalence of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in Scandinavian patients with treatment‐naïve exudative age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Lorentzen Thomas Dam , Subhi Yousif , Sørensen Torben Lykke
Published: November 2017

Purpose

To study presenting characteristics and prevalence of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in Scandinavian Caucasians with treatment‐naïve exudative age‐related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

We reviewed all patients referred in year 2014 and diagnosed using fundus examination, optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Details of found PCVs and its subtypes (clinical and angiographical) were correlated to the baseline best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Results

Of 299 Caucasian patients with a tentative diagnosis of exudative AMD, 18 eyes of 17 patients (5.7%, CI 95%: 3.5–9.1%) had PCV. Patients with PCV were 75.8 (SD: 7.5) years old and 11 (65%) were females. Lesions were predominantly extramacular. Most eyes (56%) had subretinal haemorrhage, 39% had the exudative type and one (6%) eye had the quiescent type. Larger lesion area and disruption of the foveal inner‐segment/outer‐segment layer correlated with worse baseline BCVA. Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) type 1 was present in 50% and PCV type 2 in the other 50%. Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) type 1 was associated with a worse baseline BCVA and greater lesion size.

Conclusion

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is not a rare condition in Danes with exudative AMD and presents often extramacular and with haemorrhage. This study underscores the importance of ICGA as a part of the diagnostic repertoire in AMD and suggests its routine use in Scandinavian populations.
A systems medicine approach reveals disordered immune system and lipid metabolism in multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Pazhouhandeh M , Sahraian M-A , Siadat S D , Fateh A , Vaziri F , Tabrizi F , Ajorloo F , Arshadi A K , Fatemi E , Piri Gavgani S , Mahboudi F , Rahimi Jamnani F
Published: November 2017

Identification of autoimmune processes and introduction of new autoantigens involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be helpful in the design of new drugs to prevent unresponsiveness and side effects in patients. To find significant changes, we evaluated the autoantibody repertoires in newly diagnosed relapsing–remitting MS patients (NDP) and those receiving disease-modifying therapy (RP). Through a random peptide phage library, a panel of NDP- and RP-specific peptides was identified, producing two protein data sets visualized using Gephi, based on protein-–protein interactions in the STRING database. The top modules of NDP and RP networks were assessed using Enrichr. Based on the findings, a set of proteins, including ATP binding cassette subfamily C member 1 (ABCC1), neurogenic locus notch homologue protein 1 (NOTCH1), hepatocyte growth factor receptor (MET), RAF proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase (RAF1) and proto-oncogene vav (VAV1) was found in NDP and was involved in over-represented terms correlated with cell-mediated immunity and cancer. In contrast, transcription factor RelB (RELB), histone acetyltransferase p300 (EP300), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 (ACACB), adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 mitochondrial (PCK2) had major contributions to viral infections and lipid metabolism as significant events in RP. According to these findings, further research is required to demonstrate the pathogenic roles of such proteins and autoantibodies targeting them in MS and to develop therapeutic agents which can ameliorate disease severity.