bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oligomerized CARD16 promotes caspase‐1 assembly and IL‐1β processing
Authors: Karasawa Tadayoshi , Kawashima Akira , Usui Fumitake , Kimura Hiroaki , Shirasuna Koumei , Inoue Yoshiyuki , Komada Takanori , Kobayashi Motoi , Mizushina Yoshiko , Sagara Junji , Takahashi Masafumi
Published: April 2015

Increasing evidence indicates that caspase recruitment domain (CARD)‐mediated caspase‐1 (CASP1) assembly is an essential process for its activation and subsequent interleukin (IL)‐1β release, leading to the initiation of inflammation. Both CARD16 and CARD17 were previously reported as inhibitory homologs of CASP1; however, their molecular function remains unclear. Here, we identified that oligomerization activity allows CARD16 to function as a CASP1 activator. We investigated the molecular characteristics of CARD16 and CARD17 in transiently transfected HeLa cells. Although both CARD16 and CARD17 interacted with CASP1CARD, only CARD16 formed a homo‐oligomer. Oligomerized CARD16 formed a filament‐like structure with CASP1CARD and a speck with apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a CARD. A filament‐like structure formed by CARD16 promoted CASP1 filament assembly and IL‐1β release. In contrast, CARD17 did not form a homo‐oligomer or filaments and inhibited CASP1‐dependent IL‐1β release. Mutated CARD16D27G, mimicking the CARD17 amino acid sequence, formed a homo‐oligomer but failed to form a filament‐like structure. Consequently, CARD16D27G weakly promoted CASP1 filament assembly and subsequent IL‐1β release. These results suggest that oligomerized CARD16 promotes CARD‐mediated molecular assembly and CASP1 activation.
Enhanced differentiation of neural stem cells to neurons and promotion of neurite outgrowth by oxygen–glucose deprivation
Authors: Wang Qin , Yang Lin , Wang Yaping
Published: April 2015

Stroke has become the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Hypoxic or ischemic insults are crucial factors mediating the neural damage in the brain tissue of stroke patients. Neural stem cells (NSCs) have been recognized as a promising tool for the treatment of ischemic stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases due to their inducible pluripotency. In this study, we aim to mimick the cerebral hypoxic‐ischemic injury in vitro using oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) strategy, and evaluate the effects of OGD on the NSC's neural differentiation, as well as the differentiated neurite outgrowth. Our data showed that NSCs under the short‐term 2 h OGD treatment are able to maintain cell viability and the capability to form neurospheres. Importantly, this moderate OGD treatment promotes NSC differentiation to neurons and enhances the performance of the mature neuronal networks, accompanying increased neurite outgrowth of differentiated neurons. However, long‐term 6 h and 8 h OGD exposures in NSCs lead to decreased cell survival, reduced differentiation and diminished NSC‐derived neurite outgrowth. The expressions of neuron‐specific microtubule‐associated protein 2 (MAP‐2) and growth associated protein 43 (GAP‐43) are increased by short‐term OGD treatments but suppressed by long‐term OGD. Overall, our results demonstrate that short‐term OGD exposure in vitro induces differentiation of NSCs while maintaining their proliferation and survival, providing valuable insights of adopting NSC‐based therapy for ischemic stroke and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Nice guys making Nice Blocks
Authors: Gibb Jenny , Connolly Heather , Collins Eva , Pavlovich Kathryn
Published: April 2015

Like so many New Zealand stories, it began with a small, but innovative idea. One weekend at the beach, Tommy said to his friend James, ‘Why isn’t there a decent fruit juice ice block for sale?’. A market opportunity was obvious and the boys decided why not? The ‘Nice Blocks’ name and the ‘Tommy and James’ concept was developed. The company was registered in August 2010 and was New Zealand’s first Fairtrade-certified ice block company. Chris Morrison, a New Zealand pioneer of organic and Fairtrade opportunities (e.g., Phoenix Organics, All Good Bananas and Kokako Organic Coffee), joined them as a third partner in 2011, and since then two other partners have also joined the team. Nice Blocks led to Nice Cream, a coconut-based ice cream. Something nice had begun.

Even without a formal business plan, Tommy and James knew that if the company was to grow they needed to think big. After working in rented cafe space, in November 2011 they took the plunge and entered a 3-year sublease on an export-quality production facility, which included a fully equipped kitchen and office spaces, along with separate space for the ice block making and refrigerated storage. In this new space, the partners installed a 40-foot-long ice block machine that led the company to quadruple its output overnight. According to James, they had the second-largest capacity to make ice blocks in New Zealand, after market leader Tip Top. The pair employs five additional staff in the summer, making a total of 10 staff.

In April 2014, Tommy and James were deciding whether to focus on growing their New Zealand market share or to enter the Australian market. According to Tommy, ‘If we are to keep achieving our sales, which we have done all summer, where our growth is about 15% a month we will meet all the models that we put in place to have enough capacity to export to Australia. But we don’t want to move too fast’.
Philosophy and Poetry: A New Look At An Old Quarrel
Authors: BURNS TIMOTHY W.
Published: April 2015

The subordination of poetry to rational guidance has been denounced as a symptom of a specifically Western sickness, with its origin in Plato'sRepublic. But Plato's disposition to the poets is more complex than is often supposed. Although Book Three's education in civic virtue includes a call for an austere, civic poetry, in Book Ten Socrates finds the wisdom of this provision to need a serious reconsideration, one made necessary because philosophy has emerged as the true answer to the search for a genuinely fulfilling, happy life. Book Ten's reconsideration quietly shows that great poets like Homer are wiser than the earlier examination had suggested, especially about death, and are even indistinguishable from Socratic philosophers in their understanding of and disposition toward death and so in the related matter of the best human life.
A triple-color fluorescent probe for multiple nuclease assays
Authors: Xu Qinfeng , Zhang Yihong , Zhang Chun-yang
Published: April 2015

We develop a triple-color fluorescent probe which may function as a lab-on-a-DNA-molecule for simultaneous detection of multiple nucleases.
A bioresponsive controlled-release bioassay based on aptamer-gated Au nanocages and its application in living cells
Authors: Wang Wei , Chen Chen , Li Xiaoxiao , Wang Shiying , Luo Xiliang
Published: April 2015

Fluorescence microscopy imaging of ATP in living cells using positive charge-modified Au nanocages capped with an aptamer molecular gate.
Influence of the synergistic effect between Co–N–C and ceria on the catalytic performance for selective oxidation of ethylbenzene
Authors: Chen Yuan , Zhao Sufang , Liu Zhigang
Published: April 2015

A series of catalysts, i.e. metal oxides (MO) such as CeO2, Fe2O3 and Al2O3 supported Co–N–C (Co–N–C/MO) were prepared by heating supported cobalt porphyrin in a N2 atmosphere.
Improving cyclic performance of Si anode for lithium-ion batteries by forming an intermetallic skin
Authors: Huang Xingkang , Mao Shun , Chang Jingbo , Hallac Peter B. , Fell Christopher R. , Luo Yanting , Metz Bernhard , Jiang Junwei , Chen Junhong
Published: April 2015

A chemically bonded NiSix layer was coated on the Si anode surface for enhancing cyclic performance of the Si anode.
Synthesis of Ag nanoparticle–carbon nanotube–reduced graphene oxide hybrids for highly sensitive non-enzymatic hydrogen peroxide detection
Authors: Zhang Yong , Wang Ziying , Ji Ye , Liu Sen , Zhang Tong
Published: April 2015

AgNP–CNT–rGO hybrids were successfully prepared and such hybrids exhibited good sensing performance for electrochemical non-enzymatic detection of hydrogen peroxide.
Enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic performances using Bi2WO6/MS (M = Cd, Zn) heterostructures: facile synthesis and photocatalytic mechanisms
Authors: Tang Rongfeng , Su Huaifen , Duan Shengxia , Sun Yuanwei , Li Lei , Zhang Xianxi , Zeng Suyuan , Sun Dezhi
Published: April 2015

A surface functionalization method using 3-mercaptopropionic acid as the surface functionalizing agent was used for the synthesis of Bi2WO6/MS (M = Cd and Zn) heterostructures which exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activities for the decomposition of Rh B.
Preparation and assessment of antimicrobial properties of bimetallic materials based on NaY zeolite
Authors: Ferreira Liliana , Almeida-Aguiar Cristina , Parpot Pier , Fonseca António M. , Neves Isabel C.
Published: April 2015

ZnAg–Y was the most active material tested against the bacteria Escherichia coli and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as indicator strains.
Graphene oxide as a corrosion-inhibitive coating on magnesium alloys
Authors: Qiu Zhaozhong , Wang Rui , Wu Jinzhu , Zhang Yushen , Qu Yunfei , Wu Xiaohong
Published: April 2015

A graphene oxide film was formed on the PEO coatings of magnesium alloys via an electrostatic self-assembly method, which functioned as a physical separation with inhibiting effects between the protected metal and reactants.
Investigating a Multimodal Intervention for Children With Limited Expressive Vocabularies Associated With Autism
Authors: Brady Nancy C. , Storkel Holly L. , Bushnell Paige , Barker R. Michael , Saunders Kate , Daniels Debby , Fleming Kandace
Published: April 2015

Purpose

This study investigated a new intervention package aimed at increasing expressive word learning by school-age children with autism who have limited expressive vocabularies. This pilot investigation was intended to show proof of concept.

Method

Ten children between the ages of 6 and 10 years participated, with educational diagnoses of autism and limited expressive vocabularies at the outset of the study. A multimodal intervention composed of speech sound practice and augmentative and alternative communication was used to teach individualized vocabulary words that were selected on the basis of initial speech sound repertoires and principles of phonotactic probability and neighborhood density. A multiple-probe design was used to evaluate learning outcomes.

Results

Five children showed gains in spoken-word learning across successive word sets (high responders). Five children did not meet learning criteria (low responders). Comparisons of behaviors measured prior to intervention indicated that high responders had relatively higher skills in receptive language, prelinguistic communication, vocal/verbal imitation, adaptive behavior, and consonant productions.

Conclusions

The intervention package holds promise for improving spoken word productions for some children with autism who have limited expressive vocabularies. Further research is needed to better describe who may most benefit from this approach as well as investigate generalized benefits to untaught contexts and targets.
Joint compressive single target detection and parameter estimation in radar without signal reconstruction
Authors: Hariri Alireza , Babaie‐Zadeh Massoud
Published: April 2015

In this study, a detector/estimator is proposed for compressed sensing radars, which does not need to reconstruct the radar signal, and which works directly from compressive measurements. More precisely, through direct processing of the measurements, and without the need for reconstructing the original radar signal, the system performs target detection, and then estimates range, Doppler frequency shift and radar cross section in the presence of a Gaussian clutter. It can be seen that for large compression ratios, the detection performance and estimation quality is comparable with a common radar system while having a much lower data rate and with less computational load.
Synthesis of Fluorinated and Trifluoromethyl-Substituted Alkenes through the Modified Julia Olefination: An Update
Authors: Pfund Emmanuel , Lequeux Thierry , Gueyrard David
Published: April 2015

The modified Julia olefination is now a powerful tool for the synthesis of a large range of functionalized alkenes. This short review covers the last five years and provides an overview of the synthesis of mono-, difluoro-, and trifluoromethyl-substituted alkenes via the modified Julia olefination focusing on the novel scope of this reaction.

1 Introduction

2 Monofluoroalkenes

2.1 Disubstituted α- and β-Monofluoroalkenes

2.2 Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl Sulfones

2.3 Conjugated Monofluoroalkenes

2.4 Intramolecular Julia Olefination

2.5 Smiles Rearrangement from Fluorinated Keto Sulfones

2.6 Fluoroallylamines

2.7 Fluorinated exo-Glycals

2.8 Monofluoroalkenes with an α-Stereocenter at the Allylic Position

3 1,1-Difluoroalkenes

4 Trifluoromethyl-Substituted Alkenes

5 Conclusion
Model based control of dynamic atomic force microscope
Authors: Lee Chibum , Salapaka Srinivasa M.
Published: April 2015

A model-based robust control approach is proposed that significantly improves imaging bandwidth for the dynamic mode atomic force microscopy. A model for cantilever oscillation amplitude and phase dynamics is derived and used for the control design. In particular, the control design is based on a linearized model and robust H∞ control theory. This design yields a significant improvement when compared to the conventional proportional-integral designs and verified by experiments.
Sensing of molecules using quantum dynamics
Authors: Migliore Agostino , Naaman Ron , Beratan David N.
Published: April 2015

Significance

We explore the viability of using intrinsically quantum phenomena for molecular sensing. We formulate a theory for coherent sensing by combining the full analytical description of electronic relaxation processes with mass diffusion and charge transport models. This theory produces molecular-scale design criteria for sensors with responses rooted in quantum mechanical coherence phenomena. For example, the sensitivity of the detector can increase with decreased coupling between the molecular binding sites and the sensor substrate. Exploiting quantum properties of the analyte and the sensing element (e.g., electronic affinity, polarizability, etc.) enables enhanced discrimination among multiple analytes.
Finite group actions on certain stably projectionless C*-algebras with the Rohlin property
Authors: Nawata Norio
Published: April 2015

We introduce the Rohlin property and approximate representability for finite group actions on stably projectionless C

∗

^*

-algebras and study their basic properties. We give some examples of finite group actions on the Razak-Jacelon algebra

W

\mathcal {W}

and show some classification results of these actions. This study is based on the work of Izumi, Robert’s classification theorem and Kirchberg’s central sequence C

∗

^*

-algebras.
Phase Space Distributions
Authors: Dalton Bryan J. , Jeffers John , Barnett Stephen M.
Published: April 2015

This chapter formally presents the representation of the quantum density operator by phase space distribution functions of phase space variables, leading to expressions for quantum correlation functions in terms of phase space integrals in which phase space variables for each mode—c-numbers for bosons, Grassmann numbers for fermions—replace mode annihilation and creation operators. The emphasis is on double-phase-space normally ordered (positive P type) normalised distribution functions, with distinct phase space variables for annihilation and creation operators; however, symmetrically ordered (Wigner type) distribution functions are also considered, along with unnormalised B distribution functions, which lead to phase space integrals for Fock state populations and coherences. Characteristic functions are first defined and then shown to be related to distribution functions via phase space integrals. The existence and symmetry properties of distribution functions—which are non-unique and non-analytic for bosons—is demonstrated using Bargmann coherent-state projectors.
4. Practices, motives, and experiences
Authors: Reader Ian
Published: April 2015

‘Practices, motives, and experiences’ considers why people undertake pilgrimages, the ways that they shape and perform them, and how the journeys affect them. It shows that pilgrimage is neither separate from the normal lives of participants nor transitory in nature: some people become permanent pilgrims, constantly on the road. While pilgrimage can be about being restless and wanting to get away from normal daily existences to find things anew, it also is closely associated with reinforcing the everyday nature of existence. Similarly, while it involves going away from home to places where something spiritually potent and empowering may be encountered, it also is associated with thoughts about home.
1. What are nuclear weapons?
Authors: Siracusa Joseph M.
Published: April 2015

Atomic energy is the source of power for both nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons. This energy comes from the fission or fusion of atoms. ‘What are nuclear weapons?’ explains how a nuclear weapon works by looking at the characteristics of an atom and charts the discovery of the power of the atom for destructive purposes. The peaceful end of the Cold War did not mean the end of nuclear threats. We don't like to imagine the scenario of the use of nuclear weapons today. The task of caring for the injured would literally be beyond the ability of any medical system to respond.
3. A choice between the quick and the dead
Authors: Siracusa Joseph M.
Published: April 2015

At the beginning of the nuclear age, there were no rules, no non-proliferation norms, no concepts of nuclear deterrence, and no taboo against using such weapons. ‘A choice between the quick and the dead’ examines developments in nuclear technology in terms of military and civilian uses of atomic energy, and efforts to tie international agreements with this new technology to control it. When Bernard Burach presented the United States's initial ideas for dealing with atomic weapons at the inauguration of the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission in June 1946, he set the tone for many multilateral and bilateral discussions on arms control measures.
5. Nuclear deterrence and arms control
Authors: Siracusa Joseph M.
Published: April 2015

The nuclear revolution, it is argued, caused an era of relative peace. Not all agree. Some suggest that nuclear weapons were actually irrelevant to keeping the peace because a world war had become too costly. ‘Nuclear deterrence and arms control’ considers both sides of the argument. Not until the second decade of the nuclear age was the danger of nuclear weaponry and the perception of this danger enough to give impetus to the concept of deterrence and cause a Cold War stalemate. Deterrence did not emerge as a military strategy, it was just a political reality. Nuclear stability prevailed due to good luck and mutual prudence.
7. Reflections on the Atomic Age
Authors: Siracusa Joseph M.
Published: April 2015

Does the spread of nuclear weapons make the world safer or more dangerous? ‘Reflections on the Atomic Age’ considers this debate's relevance now and in the future. The clarity of the Cold War world has given way to the ambiguities and uncertainties of a world where global security is threatened by regime collapse, nuclear terrorism, new nuclear weapons states, regional conflict, and pre-existing nuclear arsenals. The prediction of mass destruction has so far proved false, but is that because of effective efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons, or is it just luck?
Intramyocellular and Extramyocellular Lipids Are Associated With Arterial Stiffness
Authors: Hasegawa Natsuki , Kurihara Toshiyuki , Sato Koji , Homma Toshiyuki , Fujie Shumpei , Fujita Satoshi , Sanada Kiyoshi , Hamaoka Takafumi , Iemitsu Motoyuki
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

Obese and overweight patients are at increased risk of arterial stiffness, and visceral, epicardial and hepatic fat accumulation is associated with cardiovascular disease risk. In general, muscular lipids are stored either in interstitial adipose tissue (extramyocellular lipid (EMCL)) or in lipid droplets within muscle cells (intramyocellular lipid (IMCL)). However, the association between IMCL or EMCL content and arterial stiffness remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to clarify this association.

METHODS

A total of 237 subjects (18–81 years) were enrolled in this study. The IMCL and EMCL contents of the right vastus lateralis muscle were evaluated by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Arterial stiffness was estimated using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).

RESULTS

There were significant correlations between baPWV and the contents of both IMCL (R = −0.23, P < 0.001) and EMCL (R = 0.53, P < 0.001) in all subjects. The baPWV negatively correlated with IMCL content (R = −0.45, P < 0.001) in females only. In contrast, significant positive correlations were observed between baPWV and EMCL content in both males (R = 0.59, P < 0.001) and females (R = 0.55, P < 0.001). IMCL and EMCL contents contributed independently to baPWV variation after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat, upper and lower limb fat, blood pressure, heart rate, and lipid profiles.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that IMCL and EMCL contents may be a risk factor for arterial stiffness, and this association differed with gender and age.
ms-data-core-api: an open-source, metadata-oriented library for computational proteomics
Authors: Perez-Riverol Yasset , Uszkoreit Julian , Sanchez Aniel , Ternent Tobias , del Toro Noemi , Hermjakob Henning , Vizcaíno Juan Antonio , Wang Rui
Published: April 2015

Summary: The ms-data-core-api is a free, open-source library for developing computational proteomics tools and pipelines. The Application Programming Interface, written in Java, enables rapid tool creation by providing a robust, pluggable programming interface and common data model. The data model is based on controlled vocabularies/ontologies and captures the whole range of data types included in common proteomics experimental workflows, going from spectra to peptide/protein identifications to quantitative results. The library contains readers for three of the most used Proteomics Standards Initiative standard file formats: mzML, mzIdentML, and mzTab. In addition to mzML, it also supports other common mass spectra data formats: dta, ms2, mgf, pkl, apl (text-based), mzXML and mzData (XML-based). Also, it can be used to read PRIDE XML, the original format used by the PRIDE database, one of the world-leading proteomics resources. Finally, we present a set of algorithms and tools whose implementation illustrates the simplicity of developing applications using the library.

Availability and implementation: The software is freely available at https://github.com/PRIDE-Utilities/ms-data-core-api.

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online

Contact:  juan@ebi.ac.uk
R-U policy frontiers for health data de-identification
Authors: Xia Weiyi , Heatherly Raymond , Ding Xiaofeng , Li Jiuyong , Malin Bradley A
Published: April 2015

Objective The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Rule enables healthcare organizations to share de-identified data via two routes. They can either 1) show re-identification risk is small (e.g., via a formal model, such as k-anonymity) with respect to an anticipated recipient or 2) apply a rule-based policy (i.e., Safe Harbor) that enumerates attributes to be altered (e.g., dates to years). The latter is often invoked because it is interpretable, but it fails to tailor protections to the capabilities of the recipient. The paper shows rule-based policies can be mapped to a utility (U) and re-identification risk (R) space, which can be searched for a collection, or frontier, of policies that systematically trade off between these goals.

Methods We extend an algorithm to efficiently compose an R-U frontier using a lattice of policy options. Risk is proportional to the number of patients to which a record corresponds, while utility is proportional to similarity of the original and de-identified distribution. We allow our method to search 20 000 rule-based policies (out of 2700) and compare the resulting frontier with k-anonymous solutions and Safe Harbor using the demographics of 10 U.S. states.

Results The results demonstrate the rule-based frontier 1) consists, on average, of 5000 policies, 2% of which enable better utility with less risk than Safe Harbor and 2) the policies cover a broader spectrum of utility and risk than k-anonymity frontiers.

Conclusions R-U frontiers of de-identification policies can be discovered efficiently, allowing healthcare organizations to tailor protections to anticipated needs and trustworthiness of recipients.
Catalysis: facing the future
Authors: Ball Philip
Published: April 2015

Most of the chemical reactions used to produce the molecules and materials that our societies need—for example, in the petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries, the synthesis of plastics and other materials, and the production of foods and drinks—make use of catalysts. These speed up the rate at which atoms and molecules rearrange themselves into new forms, and provide a degree of control over the shape and form of those rearrangements. Catalysts let us drive a chemical reaction in a selected direction, in preference to others that could occur. In this way they turn chemistry from crude cookery into a rational and precise form of molecular engineering. And always we can draw inspiration, and sometimes borrow tricks, from the delicate and precise catalytic processes that occur in nature, where enzymes carry out processes in aqueous solution and at mild temperatures and pressures that often we struggle to achieve with far more extreme conditions—such as the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen into useful forms. It is often claimed that this particular catalytic process—the Haber–Bosch process for converting nitrogen into ammonia, discovered just over a century ago—has, by making possible the synthesis of artificial fertilizers, had a greater effect on humankind than any other single chemical innovation. It is what allows us to feed the world. Yet while nature performs this reaction using soluble molecules (enzymes) as catalysts, the Haber–Bosch process uses powdered iron (plus some additives). The reactions between nitrogen and hydrogen take place on the surface of iron particles: this is so-called heterogeneous catalysis, involving surface chemistry, rather than the homogeneous catalysis of enzyme reactions, in which the catalysts are soluble molecules. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis are essential to the chemical industries. National Science Review spoke with two of the foremost practitioners of the latter field—Nobel laureate Gerhard Ertl of the Fritz Haber Institute in Berlin, Germany, and Avelino Corma of the Institute of Chemical Technology (ITQ) at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain—about the current status of research in catalysis and prospects for the future.
Mullers Muscle Conjunctival Resection for Treatment of Contact Lens-Associated Ptosis
Authors: Teo Livia , Lagler Christine P. , Mannor Geva , Glass Lora D. , Freitag Suzanne K.
Published: April 2015

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to look at the surgical outcomes of posterior approach Mullers muscle conjunctival resection surgery for contact lens-related ptosis.

Methods:

This was a retrospective, comparative interventional case series. All patients and controls underwent phenylephrine 10% testing and had a positive response prior to surgical intervention.

Results:

Thirty-one eyelids with ptosis were identified in 20 contact lens wearing patients, which were matched with 27 eyelids in 15 controls. The contact lens wearing patients wore contact lenses for a mean of 20.6 ± 12.1 years. More than half (60%) wore soft contact lenses, as opposed to rigid gas-permeable contact lenses. Preoperative margin-to-reflex distance-1 was lower in patients who wore rigid contact lenses (0.8 ± 0.7 mm) as compared with patients with soft contact lenses (1.7 ± 1.1 mm) (p = 0.01). Surgical success, as defined by margin-to-reflex distance-1 ≥3 mm or symmetry of upper eyelid height (within 1 mm), was achieved in 93.5% in the contact lens group and 92.6% of controls. Postoperative margin-to-reflex distance-1 was significantly higher in the contact lens wearers (3.9 ± 1.3 mm) compared with the controls (3.2 ± 1.1 mm; p = 0.01). There was a significant correlation between the amount of tissue resected intraoperatively and the improvement in margin-to-reflex distance-1 (Pearsons correlation coefficient, r =0.36; p = 0.006). There were no surgical complications of any patients in the study.

Conclusion:

Mullers muscle conjunctival resection surgery is an effective surgical correction for contact lens-associated ptosis. Patients can achieve excellent results with minimal risk of residual ptosis or asymmetry.
Impaled Orbital TASER Probe Injury Requiring Primary Enucleation
Authors: Rafailov Leon , Temnogorod Jenny , Tsai Frank F. , Shinder Roman
Published: April 2015

The Conducted Electrical Weapon is a weapon often used by law enforcement agencies as a method of less lethal means to subdue a suspect. Injuries to the eye with these devices are usually due to the projectile force of the metal probes that are released when these devices are engaged. The authors report what may be the first case of an impaled orbital TASER probe that required primary enucleation for globe perforation.
Adherence to Endoscopy Biopsy Guidelines for Celiac Disease
Authors: Ofei Sylvia , Boyle Brendan , Ediger Tracy , Hill Ivor
Published: April 2015

Objective:

Histologic changes in celiac disease (CD) may be patchy or confined to the bulb. Present guidelines recommend obtaining multiple biopsies from the bulb and distal duodenum when evaluating for CD. Adherence to these recommendations among adult gastroenterologists is low. There are no such data for pediatric gastroenterologists. This study compared endoscopic biopsy practices among pediatric gastroenterologists in histologically confirmed patients with CD to those without histologically confirmed CD.

Methods:

Retrospective review of esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGDs) during a 13‐month period was performed. Children with histologically confirmed CD and a random sample of age‐matched children without CD were identified. Endoscopy and histology reports were reviewed. The site and number of biopsy samples obtained was recorded. The groups were compared for number of biopsies.

Results:

A total of 98 children with CD were compared with 103 controls without CD. The number of biopsies obtained in the group with CD was higher than the group without CD (5.9 ± 1.6 vs 3.6 ± 1.2) (P < 0.0001). In children with CD, 80.5% had ≥5 biopsies compared with 11.7% in the group without CD (P < 0.0001). Only 10% of the children in the group with CD had bulb biopsies documented compared with none in the group without CD.

Conclusions:

Pediatric gastroenterologists at our center generally obtain the recommended number of biopsies in children with histologically confirmed CD but seldom document biopsies from the bulb. In those without histologic evidence of CD, fewer biopsies are obtained with none documented from the bulb. Failure to take the recommended number of biopsies could result in some missed cases of CD.
Influence of Enteral Nutrition on Occurrences of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Very‐Low‐Birth‐Weight Infants
Authors: Kimak Karine S. , de Castro Antunes Margarida M. , Braga Taciana D. , Brandt Katia G. , de Carvalho Lima Marilia
Published: April 2015

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of enteral feeding management on occurrences of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very‐low‐birth‐weight (VLBW) infants.

Methods:

This was a case‐control study conducted in a sample of 1028 VLBW infants (750 to 1499 g) admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit between January 2003 and May 2008. “Cases” were infants born with VLBW and diagnosed with NEC within the first 30 days of life, and “controls” were VLBW infants who did not develop NEC during this period. Occurrences of NEC were defined using the modified Bell criteria (stage ≥2).

Results:

Among the 1028 VLBW infants, 55 (5.4%) developed NEC within the first month of life. Logistic regression analysis showed that breast milk given exclusively for <7 days (odds ratio [OR] = 4.02), never achieving full enteral feeding during the first month (OR = 3.50), and parenteral nutrition (OR = 2.70) were factors that increased the chances of NEC occurrence. The use of vasoactive drugs was associated with a lower risk of NEC (OR = 0.15).

Conclusions:

Breast milk should be recommended as a priority for the enteral nutrition of VLBW infants for no <7 days. Enteral nutrition should start early and progress quickly to achieve full enteral feeding; these procedures may help reduce the occurrence of NEC.
The role of social and ecological processes in structuring animal populations: a case study from automated tracking of wild birds
Authors: Farine Damien R. , Firth Josh A. , Aplin Lucy M. , Crates Ross A. , Culina Antica , Garroway Colin J. , Hinde Camilla A. , Kidd Lindall R. , Milligan Nicole D. , Psorakis Ioannis , Radersma Reinder , Verhelst Brecht , Voelkl Bernhard , Sheldon Ben C.
Published: April 2015

Both social and ecological factors influence population process and structure, with resultant consequences for phenotypic selection on individuals. Understanding the scale and relative contribution of these two factors is thus a central aim in evolutionary ecology. In this study, we develop a framework using null models to identify the social and spatial patterns that contribute to phenotypic structure in a wild population of songbirds. We used automated technologies to track 1053 individuals that formed 73 737 groups from which we inferred a social network. Our framework identified that both social and spatial drivers contributed to assortment in the network. In particular, groups had a more even sex ratio than expected and exhibited a consistent age structure that suggested local association preferences, such as preferential attachment or avoidance. By contrast, recent immigrants were spatially partitioned from locally born individuals, suggesting differential dispersal strategies by phenotype. Our results highlight how different scales of social decision-making, ranging from post-natal dispersal settlement to fission–fusion dynamics, can interact to drive phenotypic structure in animal populations.
Erythrobacter luteus sp. nov., isolated from mangrove sediment
Authors: Lei Xueqian , Zhang Huajun , Chen Yao , Li Yi , Chen Zhangran , Lai Qiliang , Zhang Jingyan , Zheng Wei , Xu Hong , Zheng Tianling
Published: April 2015

A Gram-staining-negative, orange-pigmented, aerobic bacterial strain, designated KA37T, was isolated from a mangrove sediment sample collected from Yunxiao mangrove National Nature Reserve, Fujian Province, China. Growth was observed at 4–37 °C, 0–3 % (w/v) NaCl and pH 5–10. Mg2+ ions were required for growth. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the isolate was a member of the genus Erythrobacter, which belongs to the family Erythrobacteraceae. Strain KA37T was most closely related to Erythrobacter gangjinensis KCTC 22330T (96.9 % sequence similarity), followed by Erythrobacter marinus KCTC 23554T (96.8 %); similarity to other members of the genus was below 96.6 %. The major fatty acids were C17 : 1ω6c, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). Strain KA37T did not produce bacteriochlorophyll a. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10). The polar lipids of strain KA37T were sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, five unknown lipids and one unidentified phospholipid. According to its morphology, physiology, fatty acid composition and 16S rRNA sequence, the novel strain most appropriately belongs to the genus Erythrobacter, but can be distinguished readily from species of the genus Erythrobacter with validly published names. The name Erythrobacter luteus sp. nov. is proposed, with strain KA37T ( = MCCC 1F01227T = KCTC 42179T) as the type strain.
Bullera vrieseae sp. nov., a tremellaceous yeast species isolated from bromeliads
Authors: Landell Melissa Fontes , Brandão Luciana R. , Safar Silvana V. B. , Gomes Fatima C. O. , Félix Ciro R. , Santos Ana Raquel O. , Pagani Danielle M. , Ramos Jesus P. , Broetto Leonardo , Mott Tamí , Vainstein Marilene H. , Valente Patricia , Rosa Carlos A.
Published: April 2015

Two independent surveys of yeasts associated with different bromeliads in different Brazilian regions led to the proposal of a novel yeast species,Bullera vrieseaesp. nov., belonging to the Tremellales clade (Agaricomycotina, Basidiomycota). Analysis of the sequences in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene suggested affinity to a phylogenetic lineage that includesBullera miyagianaandBullera sakaeratica. Six isolates of the novel species were obtained from different bromeliads and regions in Brazil. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit of the rRNA gene showed that the novel species differs fromB.miyagianaandB. sakaeraticaby 85 and 64 nt substitutions, respectively and by more than 75 nt substitutions in the ITS region. Phenotypically,Bullera vrieseaesp. nov. can be distinguished from both species based on the assimilation ofmeso-erythritol, which was negative forB. vrieseaesp. nov. but positive for the others, assimilation ofd-glucosamine, which was positive forB. vrieseaesp. nov. but negative forB. miyagianaand ofl-sorbose, which was negative forB. vrieseaesp. nov. but positive forB. sakaeratica. The novel speciesBullera vrieseaesp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these isolates. The type strain ofBullera vrieseaesp. nov. is UFMG-CM-Y379T(BRO443T; ex-type CBS 13870T).
The human papillomavirus type 16 L1 protein directly interacts with E2 and enhances E2-dependent replication and transcription activation
Authors: Siddiqa Abida , Léon Karen Campos , James Claire D. , Bhatti Muhammad Faraz , Roberts Sally , Parish Joanna L.
Published: April 2015

The human papillomavirus (HPV) E2 protein is a multifunctional protein essential for the control of virus gene expression, genome replication and persistence. E2 is expressed throughout the differentiation-dependent virus life cycle and is functionally regulated by association with multiple viral and cellular proteins. Here, we show for the first time to our knowledge that HPV16 E2 directly associates with the major capsid protein L1, independently of other viral or cellular proteins. We have mapped the L1 binding region within E2 and show that the α-2 helices within the E2 DNA-binding domain mediate L1 interaction. Using cell-based assays, we show that co-expression of L1 and E2 results in enhanced transcription and virus origin-dependent DNA replication. Upon co-expression in keratinocytes, L1 reduces nucleolar association of E2 protein, and when co-expressed with E1 and E2, L1 is partially recruited to viral replication factories. Furthermore, co-distribution of E2 and L1 was detected in the nuclei of upper suprabasal cells in stratified epithelia of HPV16 genome-containing primary human keratinocytes. Taken together, our findings suggest that the interaction between E2 and L1 is important for the regulation of E2 function during the late events of the HPV life cycle.
Acute and chronic gregarisation are associated with distinct DNA methylation fingerprints in desert locusts
Authors: Mallon Eamonn B. , Amarasinghe Harindra E. , Ott Swidbert R.
Published: April 2015

Desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) show a dramatic form of socially induced phenotypic plasticity known as phase polyphenism. In the absence of conspecifics, locusts occur in a shy and cryptic solitarious phase. Crowding with conspecifics drives a behavioural transformation towards gregariousness that occurs within hours and is followed by changes in physiology, colouration and morphology, resulting in the full gregarious phase syndrome. We analysed methylation-sensitive amplified fragment length polymorphisms (MS-AFLP) to compare the effect of acute and chronic crowding on DNA methylation in the central nervous system. We find that crowd-reared and solitary-reared locusts show markedly different neural MS-AFLP fingerprints. However, crowding for a day resulted in neural MS-AFLP fingerprints that were clearly distinct from both crowd-reared and uncrowded solitary-reared locusts. Our results indicate that changes in DNA methylation associated with behavioural gregarisation proceed through intermediate states that are not simply partial realisations of the endpoint states.
Predicting genetic interactions from Boolean models of biological networks
Authors: Calzone Laurence , Barillot Emmanuel , Zinovyev Andrei
Published: April 2015

Genetic interaction can be defined as a deviation of the phenotypic quantitative effect of a double gene mutation from the effect predicted from single mutations using a simple (e.g., multiplicative or linear additive) statistical model. Experimentally characterized genetic interaction networks in model organisms provide important insights into relationships between different biological functions. We describe a computational methodology allowing to systematically and quantitatively characterize a Boolean mathematical model of a biological network in terms of genetic interactions between all loss of function and gain of function mutations with respect to all model phenotypes or outputs. We use the probabilistic framework defined in MaBoSS software, based on continuous time Markov chains and stochastic simulations. In addition, we suggest several computational tools for studying the distribution of double mutants in the space of model phenotype probabilities. We demonstrate this methodology on three published models for each of which we derive the genetic interaction networks and analyze their properties. We classify the obtained interactions according to their class of epistasis, dependence on the chosen initial conditions and phenotype. The use of this methodology for validating mathematical models from experimental data and designing new experiments is discussed.†
Measuring the Landscape of CpG Methylation of Individual Repetitive Elements
Authors: Suzuki Yuta , Korlach Jonas , Turner Stephen W. , Tsukahara Tatsuya , Taniguchi Junko , Qu Wei , Ichikawa Kazuki , Yoshimura Jun , Yurino Hideaki , Takahashi Yuji , Mitsui Jun , Ishiura Hiroyuki , Tsuji Shoji , Takeda Hiroyuki , Morishita Shinichi
Published: April 2015

Determining the methylation state of regions with high copy numbers is challenging for second-generation sequencing, because the read length is insufficient to map reads uniquely, especially when repetitive regions are long and nearly identical to each other. Single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing is a promising method for observing such regions, because it is not vulnerable to GC bias, it performs long read lengths, and its kinetic information is sensitive to DNA modifications. We propose a novel algorithm that combines the kinetic information for neighboring CpG sites and increases the confidence in identifying the methylation states of those sites. Both the sensitivity and precision of our algorithm were ∼93.7% on CpG site basis for the genome of an inbred medaka (Oryzias latipes) strain within a practical read coverage of ∼30-fold. The method is quantitatively accurate because we observed a high correlation coefficient (R= 0.884) between our method and bisulfite sequencing, and 92.0% of CpG sites were in concordance within 0.25. Using this method, we characterized the landscape of the methylation status of repetitive elements, such as LINEs, in the human genome, thereby revealing the strong correlation between CpG density and unmethylation and detecting unmethylation hot spots of LTRs and LINEs. We could uncover the methylation states for nearly identical active transposons, two novel LINE insertions of identity ∼99% and length 6050 base pairs (bp) in the human genome, and sixteenTol2elements of identity >99.8% and length 4682 bp in the medaka genome.
The consumer’s perspective on evaluating products: service is the key
Authors: Oliver Jason
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to begin to remedy deficiencies in the understanding of how the increased focus on service, even in manufacturing environments, relates to consumer desire for relationships. The role of relationships in both services and physical goods has taken on a new meaning that should be further explored.

Design/methodology/approach

– The qualitative study reported in this paper examines the extent to which consumers feel that they are in relationships with companies from a variety of product categories that range from search goods (easy to evaluate in advance of purchase) to credence goods (difficult to evaluate). The analysis is based on semi-structured interviews with 20 customers.

Findings

– The results identify when consumers place an emphasis on specific relational behaviors in evaluating the product use experience. Specifically, trust, commitment and expertise seemed more important when products were difficult to evaluate in advance, whereas social benefits and special treatment were mentioned with search and credence products more than experience products.

Research limitations/implications

– The results are exploratory and should be replicated and extended utilizing a larger, more representative sample before they are generalized to market.

Practical implications

– The results have important implications for practitioners in both manufacturing and service industries, as they decide when and how to differentiate their service components and pursue relationships with consumers. Firms need to stand out from a service perspective.

Originality/value

– The manuscript develops a more robust understanding of the relational behaviors that matter to customers and provides recommendations about how to best manage them.
Trust, choice and obligation: a qualitative study of enablers of colorectal cancer screening in South Australia
Authors: Ward Paul R , Coffey Cushla , Meyer Samantha
Published: April 2015

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has the second highest cancer prevalence and mortality rates in Australia. The Australian National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) aims to increase early detection of CRC by offering free faecal occult blood testing. The NBCSP aims to offer choice to consumers about whether or not to participate in screening. This article presents data on trust, choice and perceived obligation to participate in the NBCSP by population groups with low uptake. A qualitative study was undertaken in South Australia. We interviewed 94 people from four culturally distinct groups: Greek, Iranian, Anglo‐Australian and Indigenous peoples. This article demonstrates the complexity of factors shaping the choice, or lack thereof, to participate in the NBCSP. Informed choice is based on adequate knowledge, although this varied among our participants, highlighting the need for more health education in appropriate languages. An obligation to participate was found in the Iranian and Anglo‐Australian groups and resulted from an established personal relationship with the doctor, a sense of duty, the acknowledgement of government investment and appreciation. Overall, this article makes a link between trust, choice and obligation, adding to literature on the sociology of trust and medical screening and highlighting important issues in the need of a policy and practice to improve CRC screening rates.