bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public budget composition, fiscal (de)centralization, and welfare
Authors: Arcalean Calin , Glomm Gerhard , Schiopu Ioana , Suedekum Jens
Published: May 2015

Abstract We study the optimal degree of fiscal decentralization in a dynamic federal economy where governments decide on budget size and its allocation between public education and infrastructure spending. We find that full centralization of tax and expenditure policies is optimal when infrastructure productivity is similar across regions. When differences are not too large, partial centralization is optimal. With strong differences, full decentralization becomes optimal. National steady‐state output tends to be highest under full decentralization. We provide a justification for the mixed evidence regarding the Oates conjecture by showing that full dominates partial decentralization, despite being inferior to complete decentralization.
Formulation and evaluation of tacrolimus-loaded galactosylated Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles for liver targeting
Authors: Mistry Nishita P , Desai Jagruti L , Thakkar Hetal P
Published: May 2015

Objective

The aim of this investigation was to formulate liver targeted tacrolimus-loaded nanoparticles for reducing renal distribution and thereby decreasing nephrotoxicity.

Method

Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) was galactosylated, and confirmation of galactosylation was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Tacrolimus-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (Tac-PLGA NP) and galactosylated PLGA nanoparticles (Tac-Gal-PLGA NPs) were prepared by ultrasonic emulsification solvent evaporation technique and characterized.

Key findings

The size of both the formulations was below 150 nm and negative zeta potential indicated the stability and reticuloendothelial system targeting efficiency. The in-vitro release and pharmacokinetics showed sustained release of tacrolimus from nanoparticles in comparison to plain drug solution. The biodistribution studies revealed the potential of both the nanoparticulate systems to target tacrolimus to the liver for prolonged periods of time compared with the plain drug solution. However, significantly higher liver and spleen targeting efficiency of Tac-Gal-PLGA NPs compared with Tac-PLGA NPs was evident indicating its active targeting. Significantly lower distribution in the kidney from nanoparticles indicated the possibility of reduced nephrotoxicity – the principal reason for patient non-compliance. Both nanoparticles showed stability at refrigerated condition (5°C ± 3°C) upon storage for 1 month.

Conclusion

Galactosylated PLGA nanoparticles seem to be a promising carrier for liver targeting of tacrolimus.
Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Polymorphisms and Erectile Dysfunction: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Chunhui , Lu Kai , Tao Tao , Zhang Lei , Zhang Xiaowen , Jiang Liang , Huang Yeqing , Guan Han , Chen Ming , Xu Bin
Published: May 2015

Introduction and Aims

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a frequent disorder in men and has a serious impact on the quality of the patient's life. Recent studies have examined the relationship between endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) polymorphisms and ED. However, the results remain inconclusive. The present study aimed to offer an actual view of estimating the correlation between eNOS polymorphisms and ED.

Methods

We performed a meta-analysis to estimate the association between eNOS polymorphisms and ED risk. Databases employed for data mining until December 1, 2014 included PubMed, Web of Science, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure. Two study investigators independently conducted a literature search and data extraction. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals for the risk were calculated by using a random effects model or fixed effects model.

Results

A total of 20 studies in 13 publications were included in the meta-analysis. In the overall comparison, the eNOS G984T polymorphism was associated with an increased ED risk in allele contrast, dominant, heterozygote, and homozygote models (allele contrast: OR = 1.514, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.019–2.248). For 4 VNTR polymorphisms, the overall analysis showed a significant association between homozygote comparison and recessive genetic model (homozygote comparison: OR = 1.917, CI: 1.073–3.424). The eNOS T786C polymorphism increased ED risk in allele contrast, homozygote, and recessive models (allele contrast: OR = 1.588, CI: 1.316–1.915). Significant heterogeneity was mainly observed in studies on the G894T polymorphism. No publication bias was detected in all of the variants.

Conclusion

The eNOS polymorphisms G894T, 4 VNTR, and T786C were associated with an increased risk for ED. However, these results are still preliminary. Further studies based on different confounders and using a large population size should be conducted to generate more accurate and reliable conclusions.
The interferon receptor‐1 promoter polymorphisms affect the outcome of Caucasians with HBeAg‐negative chronic HBV infection
Authors: Karamitros Timokratis , Papatheodoridis George , Dimopoulou Eleni , Papageorgiou Maria‐Vasiliki , Paraskevis Dimitrios , Magiorkinis Gkikas , Sypsa Vana , Hatzakis Angelos
Published: May 2015

Background & Aims

The outcome of HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients who may remain in the inactive carrier state (IC) or progress to HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B may be affected by the host genetic profile. Genetic polymorphisms within not only the promoter but also the coding sequence of the interferon receptor 1 (INFAR1) gene have been associated with susceptibility to chronic HBV infection, but their role on the outcomes of HBeAg‐negative patients has not been evaluated. We examined the association of INFAR1 promoter polymorphisms with the phase of chronic HBV infection in a demographically characterized Caucasian cohort of 183 consecutive HBeAg‐negative chronic HBV patients.

Methods

Using a combination of conventional and allele‐specific polymerase chain reactions, bidirectional sequencing and DNA‐fragment analysis, we performed typing of three Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs ‐568G/C, ‐408C/T, ‐3C/T) and one Variable Number Tandem Repeat [VNTR ‐77(GT)n] within the INFR1 promoter sequence.

Results

The genetic polymorphisms examined were found to be associated with the phase of HBeAg‐negative chronic HBV patients. Using a multiple logistic regression model adjusting for age, gender and origin of the individuals, we found that patients with linked genotypes ‐408CT_‐3CT were more likely to be ICs (OR = 2.42 vs. CC, P = 0.036). Also, given the partial linkage between SNP ‐568G/C and VNTR ‐77(GT)n, we found that linked genotypes ‐77(GT)n ≤ 8/≤8_‐568GC and ‐77(GT)n ≤ 8/≤8_‐568CC were detected more frequently among ICs (OR = 11.69, P = 0.005 and OR = 7.56, P = 0.001 vs. ‐77(GT)n >8/>8_‐568GG respectively).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that these genetic variations represent important factors associated with the clinical phase of HBeAg‐negative chronic HBV infection.
Cell type‐specific responses to salinity – the epidermal bladder cell transcriptome of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
Authors: Oh Dong‐Ha , Barkla Bronwyn J. , Vera‐Estrella Rosario , Pantoja Omar , Lee Sang‐Yeol , Bohnert Hans J. , Dassanayake Maheshi
Published: May 2015

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (ice plant) exhibits extreme tolerance to salt. Epidermal bladder cells (EBCs), developing on the surface of aerial tissues and specialized in sodium sequestration and other protective functions, are critical for the plant's stress adaptation. We present the first transcriptome analysis of EBCs isolated from intact plants, to investigate cell type‐specific responses during plant salt adaptation.

We developed a de novo assembled, nonredundant EBC reference transcriptome. Using RNAseq, we compared the expression patterns of the EBC‐specific transcriptome between control and salt‐treated plants.

The EBC reference transcriptome consists of 37 341 transcript‐contigs, of which 7% showed significantly different expression between salt‐treated and control samples. We identified significant changes in ion transport, metabolism related to energy generation and osmolyte accumulation, stress signalling, and organelle functions, as well as a number of lineage‐specific genes of unknown function, in response to salt treatment.

The salinity‐induced EBC transcriptome includes active transcript clusters, refuting the view of EBCs as passive storage compartments in the whole‐plant stress response. EBC transcriptomes, differing from those of whole plants or leaf tissue, exemplify the importance of cell type‐specific resolution in understanding stress adaptive mechanisms.
Neuroendocrine and viral correlates of premature immunosenescence
Authors: Bauer Moisés E. , Wieck Andrea , Petersen Laura E. , Baptista Talita S.A.
Published: May 2015

Aging continuously remodels the immune system, a process known as immunosenescence. Here, we review evidence of premature immunosenescence in younger individuals under conditions of chronic psychological stress, chronic inflammation, or exposure to certain persistent viral infections. Chronic stress may accelerate various features of immunosenescence by activating key allostatic systems, notably the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and increased cortisol levels. Chronic stress is associated with thymic involution, blunted T cell proliferation, increased serum proinflammatory markers, and shorter telomere lengths. Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been implicated in accelerating immunosenescence by shrinking the T cell receptor repertoire and causing clonal expansion of senescent CD8+CD28– T cells with a proinflammatory profile. These factors increase inflammation associated with aging, or “inflammaging,” particularly as it relates to etiology of several age‐related diseases and increased mortality. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have been shown to have several signatures of premature immunosenescence, including expansion of senescent T cells associated with cognitive impairment. We end by speculating that bipolar disorder can be considered as a model of accelerated aging because it has been associated with shortened telomeres, higher CMV IgG titers, and expansion of senescent and regulatory T cells.
Examination strategies of experienced and novice clinicians viewing the retina
Authors: Stainer Matthew J. , Anderson Andrew J. , Denniss Jonathan
Published: May 2015

Purpose

Expertise in viewing medical images is thought to be due to the ability to process holistic image information. Eye care clinicians can inspect photographs of the retina to search for signs of disease. However, they commonly also view the eye in vivo using the restricted view of a slit lamp, which removes the potential benefits of holistic processing. We investigated how expert and novice clinicians inspect the fundus using these two methods.

Methods

Twenty clinicians (10 experienced, 10 novices) examined 64 photographs of human retinae. Each participant viewed half of the images as fundus photographs while having their eye position recorded. The other half were viewed via a simple slit lamp simulation, whereby a computer mouse was used to control the position of a viewing window that revealed the underlying fundus photograph.

Results

Experienced clinicians made decisions significantly faster than novices, with faster decision‐making when viewing the fundus photograph compared to via the slit lamp simulation. The distribution of inspection was similar, although novices spent longer examining the optic nerve head than other regions. Experienced clinicians showed significantly earlier inspection of the optic nerve head when it was judged to be unhealthy.

Conclusions

Our results support the idea that experienced eyecare clinicians use holistic image information, if available, when inspecting the fundus. This was particularly prominent for the optic nerve head region, which was the region that novices spent most of their time examining. Holistic processing benefits were only present in experts’ free‐viewing fundus photographs; the limited field of view from the slit lamp disrupts such global image benefits.
13CO2/12CO2 exchange fluxes in a clamp‐on leaf cuvette: disentangling artefacts and flux components
Authors: Gong Xiao Ying , Schäufele Rudi , Feneis Wolfgang , Schnyder Hans
Published: May 2015

Leaks and isotopic disequilibria represent potential errors and artefacts during combined measurements of gas exchange and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ). This paper presents new protocols to quantify, minimize, and correct such phenomena. We performed experiments with gradients of CO2 concentration (up to ±250 μmol mol−1) and δ13CCO2 (34‰), between a clamp‐on leaf cuvette (LI‐6400) and surrounding air, to assess (1) leak coefficients for CO2, 12CO2, and 13CO2 with the empty cuvette and with intact leaves of Holcus lanatus (C3) or Sorghum bicolor (C4) in the cuvette; and (2) isotopic disequilibria between net photosynthesis and dark respiration in light. Leak coefficients were virtually identical for 12CO2 and 13CO2, but ∼8 times higher with leaves in the cuvette. Leaks generated errors on Δ up to 6‰ for H. lanatus and 2‰ for S. bicolor in full light; isotopic disequilibria produced similar variation of Δ. Leak errors in Δ in darkness were much larger due to small biological : leak flux ratios. Leak artefacts were fully corrected with leak coefficients determined on the same leaves as Δ measurements. Analysis of isotopic disequilibria enabled partitioning of net photosynthesis and dark respiration, and indicated inhibitions of dark respiration in full light (H. lanatus: 14%, S. bicolor: 58%).
Bed Sharing, SIDS Research, and the Concept of Confounding: A Review for Public Health Nurses
Authors: Keys Elizabeth M. , Rankin James A.
Published: May 2015

Confounding is an important concept for public health nurses (PHNs) to understand when considering the results of epidemiological research. The term confounding is derived from Latin, confundere, which means to “mix‐up” or “mix together”. Epidemiologists attempt to derive a cause and effect relationship between two variables traditionally known as the exposure and disease (e.g., smoking and lung cancer). Confounding occurs when a third factor, known as a confounder, leads to an over‐ or underestimate of the magnitude of the association between the exposure and disease. An understanding of confounding will facilitate critical appraisal of epidemiological research findings. This knowledge will enable PHNs to strengthen their evidence‐based practice and better prepare them for policy development and implementation. In recent years, researchers and clinicians have examined the relationship between bed sharing and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The discussion regarding the risk of bed sharing and SIDS provides ample opportunity to discuss the various aspects of confounding. The purpose of this article is to use the bed sharing and SIDS literature to assist PHNs to understand confounding and to apply this knowledge when appraising epidemiological research. In addition, strategies that are used to control confounding are discussed.
Quantitative trait loci associated with constitutive traits control water use in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]
Authors: Aparna K. , Nepolean T. , Srivastsava R. K. , Kholová J. , Rajaram V. , Kumar S. , Rekha B. , Senthilvel S. , Hash C.T. , Vadez V.
Published: May 2015

There is substantial genetic variation for drought adaption in pearl millet in terms of traits controlling plant water use. It is important to understand genomic regions responsible for these traits. Here, F7 recombinant inbred lines were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) and allelic interactions for traits affecting plant water use, and their relevance is discussed for crop productivity in water‐limited environments. Four QTL contributed to increased transpiration rate under high vapour pressure deficit (VPD) conditions, all with alleles from drought‐sensitive parent ICMB 841. Of these four QTL, a major QTL (35.7%) was mapped on linkage group (LG) 6. The alleles for 863B at this QTL decreased transpiration rate and this QTL co‐mapped to a previously detected LG 6 QTL, with alleles from 863B for grain weight and panicle harvest index across severe terminal drought stress environments. This provided additional support for a link between water saving from a lower transpiration rate under high VPD and drought tolerance. 863B alleles in this same genomic region also increased shoot weight, leaf area and total transpiration under well‐watered conditions. One unexpected outcome was reduced transpiration under high VPD (15%) from the interaction of two alleles for high VPD transpiration (LG 6 (B), 40.7) and specific leaf mass and biomass (LG 7 (A), 35.3), (A, allele from ICMB 841, B, allele from 863B, marker position). The LG 6 QTL appears to combine alleles for growth potential, beneficial for non‐stress conditions, and for saving water under high evaporative demand, beneficial under stressful conditions. Mapping QTL for water‐use traits, and assessing their interactions offers considerable potential for improving pearl millet adaptation to specific stress conditions through physiology‐informed marker‐assisted selection.
Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies associated with the crucifer white leaf spot pathogen, Pseudocercosporella capsellae, in Western Australia
Authors: Gunasinghe N. , You M. P. , Barbetti M. J.
Published: May 2015

Pseudocercosporella capsellae (white leaf spot disease) is an important disease on crucifers. Fifty‐four single‐conidial isolates collected from Brassica juncea (Indian mustard), B. napus (oilseed rape), B. rapa (turnip), and Raphanus raphanistrum (wild radish) across Western Australia were investigated for differences in pathogenicity and virulence using cotyledon screening tests, genetic differences using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, and growth rates on potato dextrose, V8 juice and malt extract agars. All isolates from the four crucifer hosts were pathogenic on the three test species: B. juncea, B. napus and R. raphanistrum, but showed differences in levels of virulence. Overall, isolates from B. juncea, B. napus and B. rapa showed greatest virulence on B. juncea, least on R. raphanistrum and intermediate virulence on B. napus. Isolates from R. raphanistrum showed greatest virulence on B. juncea, least on B. napus and intermediate virulence on R. raphanistrum. Growth and production of a purple‐pink pigment indicative of cercosporin was greatest on malt extract agar and cercosporin production on V8 juice agar was positively correlated with virulence of isolates on B. juncea and B. napus. ITS sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that isolates collected from B. napus, B. juncea and B. rapa, in general and with few exceptions, had a high degree of genetic similarity. In contrast, isolates from R. raphanistrum were clearly differentiated from isolate groups collected from Brassica hosts. Pseudocercosporella capsellae reference isolates from other countries generally grouped into a single separate cluster, highlighting the genetic distinctiveness of Western Australian isolates.
Using Theory to Identify Beliefs Associated with Intentions to Follow Fish Consumption Advisories Among Anglers Living in the Great Lakes Region
Authors: Niederdeppe Jeff , Connelly Nancy A. , Labuer T. Bruce , Knuth Barbara A.
Published: May 2015

Fish consumption advisories are issued by states, tribes, and federal agencies to provide guidance to consumers about eating sport‐caught fish potentially affected by chemical contaminants. Previous work has found that while anglers report being aware that advisories are available, awareness and use of specific advisory recommendations is low. This study uses the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction (IMBP) to identify beliefs with potential to increase intentions to follow fish consumption advisories in Great Lakes states. We conducted a mail survey of 1,712 licensed anglers in seven of eight Great Lakes states (excluding Ohio) to gauge advisory awareness, cognitive factors influencing fish consumption behaviors (informed by the IMBP), and sociodemographic characteristics. Results show that most anglers reported being generally or vaguely aware of fish consumption advisories and try to follow them, but far fewer report being aware of specific advice needed to decide whether or not to consume different types of sport‐caught fish. Informed by the IMBP, we also identify several behavioral, normative, and control beliefs that have sufficient room to change, strong associations with intentions to follow the advisories, and potential to be modified if targeted with strategic risk messages. Targeting these beliefs with strategic communication holds potential to increase the proportion of anglers intending to follow fish consumption advisory recommendations in choosing which fish to eat.
Achilles tendon structure improves on UTC imaging over a 5‐month pre‐season in elite Australian football players
Authors: Docking S. I. , Rosengarten S. D. , Cook J.
Published: May 2015

Pre‐season injuries are common and may be due to a reintroduction of training loads. Tendons are sensitive to changes in load, making them vulnerable to injury in the pre‐season. This study investigated changes in Achilles tendon structure on ultrasound tissue characterization (UTC) over the course of a 5‐month pre‐season in elite male Australian football players. Eighteen elite male Australian football players with no history of Achilles tendinopathy and normal Achilles tendons were recruited. The left Achilles tendon was scanned with UTC to quantify the stability of the echopattern. Participants were scanned at the start and completion of a 5‐month pre‐season. Fifteen players remained asymptomatic over the course of the pre‐season. All four echo‐types were significantly different at the end of the pre‐season, with the overall echopattern suggesting an improvement in Achilles tendon structure. Three of the 18 participants developed Achilles tendon pain that coincided with a change in the UTC echopattern. This study demonstrates that the UTC echopattern of the Achilles tendon improves over a 5‐month pre‐season training period, representing increased fibrillar alignment. However, further investigation is needed to elucidate with this alteration in the UTC echopattern results in improved tendon resilience and load capacity.
The Effects of a Mathematics Infusion Curriculum on Middle School Student Mathematics Achievement
Authors: Burghardt M. David , Lauckhardt James , Kennedy Maria , Hecht Deborah , McHugh Luisa
Published: May 2015

Increasing mathematical competencies of American students has been a focus for educators, researchers, and policy makers alike. One purported approach to increase student learning is through connecting mathematics and science curricula. Yet there is a lack of research examining the impact of making these connections. The Mathematics Infusion into Science Project, funded by the National Science Foundation, developed a middle school mathematics‐infused science curriculum. Twenty teachers utilized this curriculum with over 1,200 students. The current research evaluated the effects of this curriculum on students' mathematics learning and compared effects to students who did not receive the curriculum. Students who were taught the infusion curriculum showed a significant increase in mathematical content scores when compared with the control students.
God and Marriage: The Impact of Religious Identity Priming on Attitudes Toward Same‐Sex Marriage*
Authors: Harrison Brian F. , Michelson Melissa R.
Published: May 2015

Objective

We hypothesize that priming a shared in‐group identity can lead to openness to attitudinal change, even on highly polarized issues. Specifically, we test whether priming a shared identity as a religious person can generate willingness to voice support for same‐sex marriage.

Methods

We conduct a randomized survey experiment using the SocialSci platform, exposing religious and secular respondents to religious and anonymous primes about same‐sex marriage.

Results

Individuals who are religious and who are exposed to the treatment prime are more likely to say that they support marriage equality and would vote for a ballot initiative in their state that would allow same‐sex marriage.

Conclusion

Despite widespread opposition to marriage equality among people of faith, having that religious identity primed through an elite religious cue has a significant and often dramatic effect on attitudes toward marriage equality.
Accelerated statistical reconstruction for C‐arm cone‐beam CT using Nesterov's method
Authors: Wang Adam S. , Stayman J. Webster , Otake Yoshito , Vogt Sebastian , Kleinszig Gerhard , Siewerdsen Jeffrey H.
Published: May 2015

Purpose:

To accelerate model‐based iterative reconstruction (IR) methods for C‐arm cone‐beam CT (CBCT), thereby combining the benefits of improved image quality and/or reduced radiation dose with reconstruction times on the order of minutes rather than hours.

Methods:

The ordered‐subsets, separable quadratic surrogates (OS‐SQS) algorithm for solving the penalized‐likelihood (PL) objective was modified to include Nesterov's method, which utilizes “momentum” from image updates of previous iterations to better inform the current iteration and provide significantly faster convergence. Reconstruction performance of an anthropomorphic head phantom was assessed on a benchtop CBCT system, followed by CBCT on a mobile C‐arm, which provided typical levels of incomplete data, including lateral truncation. Additionally, a cadaveric torso that presented realistic soft‐tissue and bony anatomy was imaged on the C‐arm, and different projectors were assessed for reconstruction speed.

Results:

Nesterov's method provided equivalent image quality to OS‐SQS while reducing the reconstruction time by an order of magnitude (10.0 ×) by reducing the number of iterations required for convergence. The faster projectors were shown to produce similar levels of convergence as more accurate projectors and reduced the reconstruction time by another 5.3 ×. Despite the slower convergence of IR with truncated C‐arm CBCT, comparison of PL reconstruction methods implemented on graphics processing units showed that reconstruction time was reduced from 106 min for the conventional OS‐SQS method to as little as 2.0 min with Nesterov's method for a volumetric reconstruction of the head. In body imaging, reconstruction of the larger cadaveric torso was reduced from 159 min down to 3.3 min with Nesterov's method.

Conclusions:

The acceleration achieved through Nesterov's method combined with ordered subsets reduced IR times down to a few minutes. This improved compatibility with clinical workflow better enables broader adoption of IR in CBCT‐guided procedures, with corresponding benefits in overcoming conventional limits of image quality at lower dose.
A new redundancy weighting scheme for nonstationary data for computed tomography
Authors: Taguchi Katsuyuki , Cammin Jochen
Published: May 2015

Purpose:

The same projection data (or line integrals) are often measured multiple times, e.g., twice from opposite directions during one gantry rotation. The redundant data must be normalized by applying redundancy weighting such as the halfscan algorithm, which assumes that the noise of the data is uniform. This assumption, however, is not correct when a tube current modulation technique is employed. The variance of line integrals, which is inversely related to the tube current, could vary significantly. The purpose of this work is to improve how the projection data are used during analytical reconstruction when the tube current is modulated during the scan.

Methods:

The authors developed a new redundancy weighting scheme. It not only takes into account the data statistics but also can control how much to weigh the statistics from 100% (αs = 1.0) to 0% (αs = 0.0) by a parameter αs. The proposed weighting scheme reduces to the conventional redundancy weighting scheme when αs = 0.0. The authors evaluated the performance of the proposed scheme using computer simulations targeting at myocardial perfusion CT imaging. The image quality was evaluated in terms of the image noise and halfscan artifacts, and perfusion defect detection performance was evaluated by the positive predictive value (PPV) and the area‐under‐the‐receiver operating characteristic‐curve (AUC) value.

Results:

Results showed a tradeoff between the image noise and halfscan artifacts. The normalized noise standard deviation was 1.00 with halfscan, 0.89 with αs = 1.0, 0.97 with αs = 0.5, and 1.20 with αs = 0.0 when projections over one rotation (75% of projections are acquired with full dose, 25% with 1/10 of the full dose) are used. The halfscan artifacts were 13.4 Hounsfield unit (HU) with halfscan, 8.2 HU with αs = 1.0, 4.5 HU with αs = 0.5, and 3.1 HU with αs = 0.0. Both the PPVs and AUCs were improved from the halfscan method: PPV, 69.0%–70.6% vs 58.0%, P < 0.003; AUC, 0.935–0.938 vs 0.908, P < 0.003.

Conclusions:

The new redundancy weight allows for decreasing the image noise and controlling the tradeoff between the image noise and artifacts.
Artificial rheotaxis
Authors: Palacci Jérémie , Sacanna Stefano , Abramian Anaïs , Barral Jérémie , Hanson Kasey , Grosberg Alexander Y. , Pine David J. , Chaikin Paul M.
Published: May 2015

Synthetic self-propelled particles that migrate upstream mimic bacteria.
Sequential Combination Therapy with Pegylated Interferon Leads to Loss of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Hepatitis B e Antigen (HBeAg) Seroconversion in HBeAg-Positive Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Long-Term Entecavir Treatment
Authors: Li Guo-Jun , Yu Yi-Qi , Chen Shao-Long , Fan Ping , Shao Ling-Yun , Chen Jia-Zhen , Li Chang-Shui , Yi Bin , Chen Wei-Cun , Xie Shu-Yuan , Mao Xiao-Na , Zou He-Hui , Zhang Wen-Hong
Published: May 2015

Nucleos(t)ide analogues rarely result in a durable off-treatment response in chronic hepatitis B infection, whereas pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) induces a long-lasting response only in a subset of patients. We assessed the effect of sequential combination therapy with Peg-IFN-α2a and entecavir in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients with prior long-term entecavir therapy and investigated the predictors of response to treatment. HBeAg-positive individuals who did not achieve HBeAg seroconversion during previous long-term entecavir therapy, receiving Peg-IFN-α2a added to ongoing entecavir therapy (sequential combination [S-C] therapy;
n
= 81) for 48 weeks or remaining on entecavir monotherapy (
n
= 116), were retrospectively included. A matched pair was created at a 1:1 ratio from each treatment group. The primary endpoint was HBeAg seroconversion at week 48. Subgroup analysis of response prediction was conducted for 81 patients with S-C therapy. More patients in the S-C therapy group achieved HBeAg seroconversion than those in the entecavir group (44% versus 6%;
P
< 0.0001). An HBeAg level of <200 signal-to-cutoff ratio (S/CO) at baseline was a strong predictor for higher HBeAg seroconversion than that achieved when HBeAg was ≥200 S/CO (64.2% versus 17.9%;
P
< 0.0001). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels at baseline and the decrease in HBsAg levels predicted HBsAg loss in the S-C therapy group. The combination of baseline HBeAg of <200 S/CO and HBsAg of <1,000 IU/ml and an HBsAg decline at week 12 of ≥0.5 log
10
IU/ml provided the highest rate of HBeAg seroconversion (92.31%) and HBsAg loss (83.3%) at week 48. Patients receiving sequential combination therapy have a higher rate of HBeAg seroconversion and are more likely to experience HBsAg clearance than do those continuing entecavir monotherapy. Sequential combination therapy can be guided by baseline HBsAg/HBeAg levels and on-treatment HBsAg dynamics.
Metronidazole- and Carbapenem-Resistant Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron Isolated in Rochester, Minnesota, in 2014
Authors: Sadarangani Sapna P. , Cunningham Scott A. , Jeraldo Patricio R. , Wilson John W. , Khare Reeti , Patel Robin
Published: May 2015

Emerging antimicrobial resistance in members of the
Bacteroides fragilis
group is a concern in clinical medicine. Although metronidazole and carbapenem resistance have been reported in
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
, a member of the
B. fragilis
group, they have not, to the best of our knowledge, been reported together in the same
B. thetaiotaomicron
isolate. Herein, we report isolation of piperacillin-tazobactam-, metronidazole-, clindamycin-, ertapenem-, and meropenem-resistant
B. thetaiotaomicron
from a patient with postoperative intra-abdominal abscess and empyema. Whole-genome sequencing demonstrated the presence of
nimD
with at least a portion of IS
1169
upstream, a second putative
nim
gene, two β-lactamase genes (one of which has not been previously reported), two
tetX
genes,
tetQ
,
ermF
, two
cat
genes, and a number of efflux pumps. This report highlights emerging antimicrobial resistance in
B. thetaiotaomicron
and the importance of identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of selected anaerobic bacteria.
Aggressive Emerging Pathovars of Xanthomonas arboricola Represent Widespread Epidemic Clones Distinct from Poorly Pathogenic Strains, as Revealed by Multilocus Sequence Typing
Authors: Fischer-Le Saux Marion , Bonneau Sophie , Essakhi Salwa , Manceau Charles , Jacques Marie-Agnès
Published: May 2015

Deep and comprehensive knowledge of the genetic structure of pathogenic species is the cornerstone on which the design of precise molecular diagnostic tools is built.
Xanthomonas arboricola
is divided into pathovars, some of which are classified as quarantine organisms in many countries and are responsible for diseases on nut and stone fruit trees that have emerged worldwide. Recent taxonomic studies of the genus
Xanthomonas
showed that strains isolated from other hosts should be classified in
X. arboricola
, extending the host range of the species. To investigate the genetic structure of
X. arboricola
and the genetic relationships between highly pathogenic strains and strains apparently not relevant to plant health, we conducted multilocus sequence analyses on a collection of strains representative of the known diversity of the species. Most of the pathovars were clustered in separate monophyletic groups. The pathovars pruni, corylina, and juglandis, responsible for pandemics in specific hosts, were highly phylogenetically related and clustered in three distinct clonal complexes. In contrast, strains with no or uncertain pathogenicity were represented by numerous unrelated singletons scattered in the phylogenic tree. Depending on the pathovar, intra- and interspecies recombination played contrasting roles in generating nucleotide polymorphism. This work provides a population genetics framework for molecular epidemiological surveys of emerging plant pathogens within
X. arboricola
. Based on our results, we propose to reclassify three former pathovars of
Xanthomonas campestris
as
X. arboricola
pv. arracaciae comb. nov.,
X. arboricola
pv. guizotiae comb. nov., and
X. arboricola
pv. zantedeschiae comb. nov. An emended description of
X. arboricola
Vauterin et al. 1995 is provided.
Soil Conditions That Can Alter Natural Suppression of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Ohio Specialty Crop Soils
Authors: Williams Michele L. , LeJeune Jeffrey T. , McSpadden Gardener Brian
Published: May 2015

Food-borne pathogen persistence in soil fundamentally affects the production of safe vegetables and small fruits. Interventions that reduce pathogen survival in soil would have positive impacts on food safety by minimizing preharvest contamination entering the food chain. Laboratory-controlled studies determined the effects of soil pH, moisture content, and soil organic matter (SOM) on the survivability of this pathogen through the creation of single-parameter gradients. Longitudinal field-based studies were conducted in Ohio to quantify the extent to which field soils suppressed
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 survival. In all experiments, heat-sensitive microorganisms were responsible for the suppression of
E. coli
O157 in soil regardless of the chemical composition of the soil. In laboratory-based studies, soil pH and moisture content were primary drivers of
E. coli
O157 survival, with increases in pH after 48 h (
P
= 0.02) and decreases in moisture content after 48 h (
P
= 0.007) significantly increasing the log reduction of
E. coli
O157 numbers. In field-based experiments,
E. coli
O157 counts from both heated and unheated samples were sensitive to both season (
P
= 0.004 for heated samples and
P
= 0.001 for unheated samples) and region (
P
= 0.002 for heated samples and
P
= 0.001 for unheated samples). SOM was observed to be a more significant driver of pathogen suppression than the other two factors after 48 h at both planting and harvest (
P
= 0.002 at planting and
P
= 0.058 at harvest). This research reinforces the need for both laboratory-controlled experiments and longitudinal field-based experiments to unravel the complex relationships controlling the survival of introduced organisms in soil.
Extracellular Vesicles of the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon “Thermococcus onnurineus” NA1
T
Authors: Choi Dong Hee , Kwon Yong Min , Chiura Hiroshi Xavier , Yang Eun Chan , Bae Seung Seob , Kang Sung Gyun , Lee Jung-Hyun , Yoon Hwan Su , Kim Sang-Jin
Published: May 2015

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) produced by a sulfur-reducing, hyperthermophilic archaeon, “
Thermococcus onnurineus
” NA1
T
, were purified and characterized. A maximum of four EV bands, showing buoyant densities between 1.1899 and 1.2828 g cm
−3
, were observed after CsCl ultracentrifugation. The two major EV bands, B (buoyant density at 25°C [ρ
25
] = 1.2434 g cm
−3
) and C (ρ
25
= 1.2648 g cm
−3
), were separately purified and counted using a qNano particle analyzer. These EVs, showing different buoyant densities, were identically spherical in shape, and their sizes varied from 80 to 210 nm in diameter, with 120- and 190-nm sizes predominant. The average size of DNA packaged into EVs was about 14 kb. The DNA of the EVs in band C was sequenced and assembled. Mapping of the
T. onnurineus
NA1
T
EV (ToEV) DNA sequences onto the reference genome of the parent archaeon revealed that most genes of
T. onnurineus
NA1
T
were packaged into EVs, except for an ∼9.4-kb region from TON_0536 to TON_0544. The absence of this specific region of the genome in the EVs was confirmed from band B of the same culture and from bands B and C purified from a different batch culture. The presence of the 3′-terminal sequence and the absence of the 5′-terminal sequence of TON_0536 were repeatedly confirmed. On the basis of these results, we hypothesize that the unpackaged part of the
T. onnurineus
NA1
T
genome might be related to the process that delivers DNA into ToEVs and/or the mechanism generating the ToEVs themselves.
Identity and Substrate Specificity of Reductive Dehalogenases Expressed in Dehalococcoides-Containing Enrichment Cultures Maintained on Different Chlorinated Ethenes
Authors: Liang Xiaoming , Molenda Olivia , Tang Shuiquan , Edwards Elizabeth A.
Published: May 2015

Many reductive dehalogenases (RDases) have been identified in organohalide-respiring microorganisms, and yet their substrates, specific activities, and conditions for expression are not well understood. We tested whether RDase expression varied depending on the substrate-exposure history of reductive dechlorinating communities. For this purpose, we used the enrichment culture KB-1 maintained on trichloroethene (TCE), as well as subcultures maintained on the intermediates
cis
-dichloroethene (cDCE) and vinyl chloride (VC). KB-1 contains a TCE-to-cDCE dechlorinating
Geobacter
and several
Dehalococcoides
strains that together harbor many of the known chloroethene reductases. Expressed RDases were identified using blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, enzyme assays in gel slices, and peptide sequencing. As anticipated but never previously quantified, the RDase from
Geobacter
was only detected transiently at the beginning of TCE dechlorination. The
Dehalococcoides
RDase VcrA and smaller amounts of TceA were expressed in the parent KB-1 culture during complete dechlorination of TCE to ethene regardless of time point or amended substrate. The
Dehalococcoides
RDase BvcA was only detected in enrichments maintained on cDCE as growth substrates, in roughly equal abundance to VcrA. Only VcrA was detected in subcultures enriched on VC. Enzyme assays revealed that 1,1-DCE, a substrate not used for culture enrichment, afforded the highest specific activity.
trans
-DCE was substantially dechlorinated only by extracts from cDCE enrichments expressing BvcA. RDase gene distribution indicated enrichment of different strains of
Dehalococcoides
as a function of electron acceptor TCE, cDCE, or VC. Each chloroethene reductase has distinct substrate preferences leading to strain selection in mixed communities.
Bacteriophages Isolated from Chicken Meat and the Horizontal Transfer of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes
Authors: Shousha Amira , Awaiwanont Nattakarn , Sofka Dmitrij , Smulders Frans J. M. , Paulsen Peter , Szostak Michael P. , Humphrey Tom , Hilbert Friederike
Published: May 2015

Antimicrobial resistance in microbes poses a global and increasing threat to public health. The horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes was thought to be due largely to conjugative plasmids or transposons, with only a minor part being played by transduction through bacteriophages. However, whole-genome sequencing has recently shown that the latter mechanism could be highly important in the exchange of antimicrobial resistance genes between microorganisms and environments. The transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes by phages could underlie the origin of resistant bacteria found in food. We show that chicken meat carries a number of phages capable of transferring antimicrobial resistance. Of 243 phages randomly isolated from chicken meat, about a quarter (24.7%) were able to transduce resistance to one or more of the five antimicrobials tested into
Escherichia coli
ATCC 13706 (DSM 12242). Resistance to kanamycin was transduced the most often, followed by that to chloramphenicol, with four phages transducing tetracycline resistance and three transducing ampicillin resistance. Phages able to transduce antimicrobial resistance were isolated from 44% of the samples of chicken meat that we tested. The statistically significant (
P
= 0.01) relationship between the presence of phages transducing kanamycin resistance and
E. coli
isolates resistant to this antibiotic suggests that transduction may be an important mechanism for transferring kanamycin resistance to
E. coli
. It appears that the transduction of resistance to certain antimicrobials, e.g., kanamycin, not only is widely distributed in
E. coli
isolates found on meat but also could represent a major mechanism for resistance transfer. The result is of high importance for animal and human health.
2,3-Butanediol Metabolism in the Acetogen Acetobacterium woodii
Authors: Hess Verena , Oyrik Olga , Trifunović Dragan , Müller Volker
Published: May 2015

The acetogenic bacterium
Acetobacterium woodii
is able to reduce CO
2
to acetate via the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. Only recently we demonstrated that degradation of 1,2-propanediol by
A. woodii
was not dependent on acetogenesis, but that it is disproportionated to propanol and propionate. Here, we analyzed the metabolism of
A. woodii
on another diol, 2,3-butanediol. Experiments with growing and resting cells, metabolite analysis and enzymatic measurements revealed that 2,3-butanediol is oxidized in an NAD
+
-dependent manner to acetate via the intermediates acetoin, acetaldehyde, and acetyl coenzyme A. Ethanol was not detected as an end product, either in growing cultures or in cell suspensions. Apparently, all reducing equivalents originating from the oxidation of 2,3-butanediol were funneled into the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway to reduce CO
2
to another acetate. Thus, the metabolism of 2,3-butanediol requires the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway.
Unraveling the Function of the Response Regulator BcSkn7 in the Stress Signaling Network of Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Viefhues Anne , Schlathoelter Ina , Simon Adeline , Viaud Muriel , Tudzynski Paul
Published: May 2015

Important for the lifestyle and survival of every organism is the ability to respond to changing environmental conditions. The necrotrophic plant pathogen
Botrytis cinerea
triggers an oxidative burst in the course of plant infection and therefore needs efficient signal transduction to cope with this stress. The factors involved in this process and their precise roles are still not well known. Here, we show that the transcription factor Bap1 and the response regulator (RR)
B. cinerea
Skn7 (BcSkn7) are two key players in the oxidative stress response (OSR) of
B. cinerea
; both have a major influence on the regulation of classical OSR genes. A yeast-one-hybrid (Y1H) approach proved direct binding to the promoters of
gsh1
and
grx1
by Bap1 and of
glr1
by BcSkn7. While the function of Bap1 is restricted to the regulation of oxidative stress, analyses of Δ
bcskn7
mutants revealed functions beyond the OSR. Involvement of BcSkn7 in development and virulence could be demonstrated, indicated by reduced vegetative growth, impaired formation of reproductive structures, and reduced infection cushion-mediated penetration of the host by the mutants. Furthermore, Δ
bcskn7
mutants were highly sensitive to oxidative, osmotic, and cell wall stress. Analyses of Δ
bap1 bcskn7
double mutants indicated that loss of BcSkn7 uncovers an underlying phenotype of Bap1. In contrast to
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, the ortholog of the glutathione peroxidase Gpx3p is not required for nuclear translocation of Bap1. The presented results contribute to the understanding of the OSR in
B. cinerea
and prove that it differs substantially from that of yeast, demonstrating the complexity and versatility of components involved in signaling pathways.
Gallbladder perforation and massive intra-abdominal haemorrhage complicating acute cholecystitis in a patient with haemophilia A
Authors: Mechera Robert , Graf Lukas , Oertli Daniel , Viehl Carsten T
Published: May 2015

We present an unusual case of a 32-year-old man with haemophilia A, who sustained massive, haemodynamically significant intra-abdominal bleeding from a perforated gallbladder wall and from the greater omentum as a complication of acute ulcerophlegmonous and haemorrhagic cholecystitis. Recombinant coagulation factor VIII was given and an emergency laparotomy was performed, with open cholecystectomy and haemostasis. Coagulation factor VIII was given for a further 2 weeks postoperatively, and the patient was discharged in good condition. In most published cases of haemorrhagic cholecystitis, the haemoperitoneum arises via transhepatic perforation; in this case, there was a free rupture into the peritoneal cavity. Patients with coagulopathies may have severe haemorrhagic complications and therefore need interdisciplinary management before, during and after surgery. Replacement therapy with factor concentrates should be initiated at once, and early surgery for gallbladder disease should be considered.
Laryngeal verruca vulgaris
Authors: Topdag Murat , Erdogan Selvet , Kara Ahmet , Derin Serhan
Published: May 2015

Laryngeal verruca vulgaris is a rare disease of the larynx that is easily misdiagnosed as other laryngeal lesions. This article reports three patients with laryngeal verruca vulgaris and discusses the differential diagnosis of laryngeal verrucous lesions to avoid over treatment.