bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Renal transplant in plasma cell dyscrasias with lenalidomide treatment after autologous stem cell transplantation
Authors: Sánchez Quintana Ana , Rull Pablo Ríos , Atienza Joaquín Breña , McDonnell Cristina Notario
Published: August 2013

Plasma cell dyscrasias (PCD) are a spectrum of diseases characterized by clonal proliferation of plasma cells secreting a monoclonal immunoglobulin. Although considered an incurable disease, a combination of autologous stem cell transplant with novel therapies, including lenalidomide, has improved the overall and progression‐free survival of these patients. Renal impairment is an important complication of the disease that, in some cases, progresses to end‐stage renal disease. Due to the characteristics of PCD, traditionally these patients have not been candidates for renal transplantation. However, treatment improvement allows a reconsideration of this perception, especially in younger patients with good performance status and treatment response. We report two cases of patients diagnosed with PCD undergoing renal transplantation after autologous stem cell transplantation, both cases under treatment with lenalidomide. We also report their perioperative management and their outcome.
An observational study of cognitive function in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Berrill J. W. , Gallacher J. , Hood K. , Green J. T. , Matthews S. B. , Campbell A. K. , Smith A.
Published: August 2013

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are associated with several risk factors for developing cognitive impairment. These include altered cytokine levels, concurrent mood disorders, and the presence of chronic pain. This observational study aimed to explore the cognitive profile of patients with these conditions.

Methods

Participants completed the Cardiff Cognitive Battery, a series of computerized neuropsychological performance tests that examine a range of cognitive function including psychomotor speed, memory, and intelligence. A progressive analysis of covariance model was used with demographic details, anxiety and depression scores entered as covariates. Fecal calprotectin levels were measured in IBD patients to determine disease activity.

Key Results

In total 231 participants were recruited (150 IBD patients, 40 IBS patients, and 41 healthy controls). IBD patients had significantly lower scores on fluid (p = 0.01) and crystalline intelligence tests (p = 0.028) compared to healthy volunteers, however, this reflected differences in concurrent mood disorder and level of education. When these factors were added as covariates, there was no significant difference between the groups. Duration and activity of disease did not affect cognitive function in IBD patients. Severity of symptoms had no impact on cognition in patients with IBS.

Conclusions & Inferences

The results of this observational study do not support the hypothesis that IBS or IBD have an intrinsic disease process that is associated with cognitive dysfunction. It is possible that concurrent mood disorders, in particular depression, may affect the cognitive performance of patients with IBD in specific tasks.
Extreme diversification of the mating type–high‐mobility group (MATA‐HMG) gene family in a plant‐associated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus
Authors: Riley Rohan , Charron Philippe , Idnurm Alexander , Farinelli Laurent , Dalpé Yolande , Martin Francis , Corradi Nicolas
Published: August 2013

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are important plant symbionts that have long been considered evolutionary anomalies because of their apparent long‐term lack of sexuality, but recent explorations of available DNA sequence have challenged this notion by revealing the presence of homologues of fungal mating type–high‐mobility group (MATA‐HMG) and core meiotic genes in these organisms.

To obtain more insights into the sexual potential of AMF, homologues of MATA‐HMGs were sought in the transcriptome of three AMF isolates, and their functional and evolutionary trajectories were studied in genetically divergent strains of Rhizophagus irregularis using conventional and quantitative PCR procedures.

Our analyses revealed the presence of at least 76 homologues of MATA‐HMGs in R. irregularis isolates. None of these was found to be surrounded by genes generally found near other known fungal mating type loci, but here we report the presence of a 9‐kb‐long region in the AMF R. irregularis harbouring a total of four tandem‐repeated MATA‐HMGs; a feature that highlights a potentially elevated intragenomic diversity in this AMF species.

The present study provides intriguing insights into the genome evolution of R. irregularis, and represents a stepping stone for understanding the potential of these fungi to undergo cryptic sex.
An inhibitor of oil body mobilization in Arabidopsis
Authors: Brown Laura‐Anne , Larson Tony R. , Graham Ian A. , Hawes Chris , Paudyal Rupesh , Warriner Stuart L. , Baker Alison
Published: August 2013

Fatty acid β‐oxidation is an essential process in many aspects of plant development, and storage oil in the form of triacylglycerol (TAG) is an important food source for humans and animals, for biofuel and for industrial feedstocks. In this study we characterize the effects of a small molecule, diphenyl methylphosphonate, on oil mobilization in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Confocal laser scanning microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and quantitative lipid profiling were used to examine the effects of diphenyl methylphosphonate treatment on seedlings.

Diphenyl methylphosphonate causes peroxisome clustering around oil bodies but does not affect morphology of other cellular organelles. We show that this molecule blocks the breakdown of pre‐existing oil bodies resulting in retention of TAG and accumulation of acyl CoAs. The biochemical and phenotypic effects are consistent with a block in the early part of the β‐oxidation pathway.

Diphenyl methylphosphonate appears to be a fairly specific inhibitor of TAG mobilization in plants and whilst further work is required to identify the molecular target of the compound it should prove a useful tool to interrogate and manipulate these pathways in a controlled and reproducible manner.
Are salmeterol's beneficial effects on corticosteroid action in the airways executed at the epithelial barrier?
Authors: Heijink Irene H. , van den Berge Maarten
Published: August 2013

See article, page 1197
Proximal and distal gastro‐oesophageal reflux in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchiectasis
Authors: Lee Annemarie L. , Button Brenda M. , Denehy Linda , Roberts Stuart J. , Bamford Tiffany L. , Ellis Samantha J. , Mu Fi‐Tjen , Heine Ralf G. , Stirling Robert G. , Wilson John W.
Published: August 2013

Background and objective

The aims of this observational study were (i) to examine the prevalence of symptomatic and clinically silent proximal and distal gastro‐oesophageal reflux (GOR) in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis, (ii) the presence of gastric aspiration, and (iii) to explore the possible clinical significance of this comorbidity in these conditions.

Methods

Twenty‐seven participants with COPD, 27 with bronchiectasis and 17 control subjects completed reflux symptom evaluation and dual‐channel 24 h oesophageal pH monitoring. In those with lung disease, pepsin levels in sputum samples were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, with disease severity (lung function and high‐resolution computed tomography) also measured.

Results

The prevalence of GOR in COPD was 37%, in bronchiectasis was 40% and in control subjects was 18% (P = 0.005). Of those diagnosed with GOR, clinically silent reflux was detected in 20% of participants with COPD and 42% with bronchiectasis. While pepsin was found in 33% of COPD and 26% of bronchiectasis participants, the presence of pepsin in sputum was not related to a diagnosis of GOR based on oesophageal pH monitoring in either condition. Neither a diagnosis of GOR nor the presence of pepsin was associated with increased severity of lung disease in COPD or bronchiectasis.

Conclusions

The prevalence of GOR in COPD or bronchiectasis is twice that of the control population, and the diagnosis could not be based on symptoms alone. Pepsin was detected in sputum in COPD and bronchiectasis, suggesting a possible role of pulmonary aspiration, which requires further exploration.
Conceptions of mental health care – from the perspective of parents' of adult children suffering from mental illness
Authors: Johansson Anita , Andershed Birgitta , Anderzen‐Carlsson Agneta
Published: August 2013

The aim of this study was to describe parents' conceptions of the mental health care provided to adult children suffering from mental illness. Data were collected using qualitative research interviews with a purposive sample of sixteen mothers and ten fathers. Phenomenographic analysis was used to identify conceptions and formulate descriptive categories. The first category, questioning the availability of care, describes mental health care as being unequal in terms of accessibility and lacking in continuity. The second category, disapproval of parental exclusion, illustrates conceptions that mental healthcare professionals disregard parents and do not provide them with adequate information. The third category, questioning the quality of care, encompasses conceptions of lack of trust in the professionals' competence, an unsatisfactory environment as well as inadequate cooperation with other healthcare providers and authorities. Positive aspects, such as being seen and confirmed, were mentioned as valuable by the parents.
Real evaporative cooling efficiency of one‐layer tight‐fitting sportswear in a hot environment
Authors: Wang F. , Annaheim S. , Morrissey M. , Rossi R. M.
Published: August 2013

Real evaporative cooling efficiency, the ratio of real evaporative heat loss to evaporative cooling potential, is an important parameter to characterize the real cooling benefit for the human body. Previous studies on protective clothing showed that the cooling efficiency decreases with increasing distance between the evaporation locations and the human skin. However, it is still unclear how evaporative cooling efficiency decreases as the moisture is transported from the skin to the clothing layer. In this study, we performed experiments with a sweating torso manikin to mimic three different phases of moisture absorption in one‐layer tight‐fitting sportswear. Clothing materials Coolmax® (CM; INVISTA, Wichita, Kansas, USA; 100%, profiled cross‐section polyester fiber), merino wool (MW; 100%), sports wool (SW; 50% wool, 50% polyester), and cotton (CO; 100%) were selected for the study. The results demonstrated that, for the sportswear materials tested, the real evaporative cooling efficiency linearly decreases with the increasing ratio of moisture being transported away from skin surface to clothing layer (adjusted R2 >0.97). In addition, clothing fabric thickness has a negative effect on the real evaporative cooling efficiency. Clothing CM and SW showed a good ability in maintaining evaporative cooling efficiency. In contrast, clothing MW made from thicker fabric had the worst performance in maintaining evaporative cooling efficiency. It is thus suggested that thin fabric materials such as CM and SW should be used to manufacture one‐layer tight‐fitting sportswear.
Risk factors, preemptive therapy, and antiperistaltic agents for Clostridium difficile infection in cancer patients
Authors: Krishna S.G. , Zhao W. , Apewokin S.K. , Krishna K. , Chepyala P. , Anaissie E.J.
Published: August 2013

Background

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a serious complication of chemotherapy including high‐dose regimens with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Antiperistaltic agents are contraindicated in CDI and preemptive CDI therapy is not recommended. We assessed the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of CDI in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) receiving similar antineoplastic therapy and supportive care including antiperistaltic agents and preemptive CDI antibiotics for significant diarrhea.

Methods

A total of 303 consecutive MM patients (2004–2007) were enrolled in a protocol consisting of induction chemotherapy, tandem melphalan (MEL)‐ASCT, and consolidation. Patients with grade 2–4 diarrhea were simultaneously tested for CDI, and initiated on antiperistaltic agents (loperamide) and preemptive anti‐CDI therapy. Risk factors, including prior CDI and MM immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype, were evaluated. Multinomial logistic regression was used to compute the relative risk ratio (RRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

There were 43 cases of CDI (14.2%) during 1529 chemotherapy courses (536 ASCT). IgA MM protected against CDI (RRR 0.35; 95% CI 0.13–0.93, P = 0.04) whereas CDI during first induction markedly increased the risk of recurrence during second induction (RRR = 10.94; 95% CI 1.90, 62.92, P = 0.01) and following MEL‐ASCT (RRR = 6.63; 95% CI 1.51, 29.12, P = 0.01). No CDI‐related surgical intervention or death ensued despite use of antiperistaltic agents.

Conclusions

CDI was not uncommon in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. IgA myeloma appears to be protective. Concurrent antiperistaltic (loperamide) and preemptive CDI therapies were associated with excellent outcomes. Prior CDI history increased the risk for recurrence during successive chemotherapy courses.
Brucellosis in a renal transplant recipient
Authors: Ting I.‐W. , Ho M.‐W. , Sung Y.‐J. , Tien N. , Chi C.‐Y. , Ho H.‐C. , Huang C.‐C.
Published: August 2013

Brucellosis is one of the most common systemic zoonotic diseases transmitted by consumption of unpasteurized dairy products or by occupational contact with infected animals. Brucellosis is rare in renal transplant recipients. Only 3 cases have been reported in the literature. We report a case of brucellosis with hematologic and hepatobiliary complications in a patient 3 years after renal transplantation. The mean time from transplantation to the diagnosis of brucellosis in these 4 reported patients was 5.1 years (range 17 months to 13 years). All patients had fever and constitutional symptoms, and all attained clinical cure after combination antibiotic therapy. Given the small number of patients, further study is needed to identify the characteristics of brucellosis in renal transplant recipients. Drug interactions and acute renal failure developed in our patient during antibiotic treatment. Therefore, we should monitor the levels of immunosuppressive agents frequently. Several studies have shown in vitro susceptibilities of Brucella melitensis to tigecycline. In our patient, fever finally subsided after tigecycline administration. The minimum inhibitory concentration of tigecycline using Etest was 0.094 μg/mL. Tigecycline may be a potential option for treatment of brucellosis in the setting of transplantation.
The association between red blood cell and platelet transfusion and subsequently developing idiopathic pneumonia syndrome after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Vande Vusse Lisa K. , Madtes David K. , Guthrie Katherine A. , Gernsheimer Terry B. , Curtis J. Randall , Watkins Timothy R.
Published: August 2013

Background

Blood transfusions are common during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and may contribute to lung injury.

Study Design and Methods

This study examined the associations between red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) transfusions and idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS) among 914 individuals who underwent myeloablative allogeneic HSCT between 1997 and 2001. Patients received allogeneic blood transfusions at their physicians' discretion. RBCs, PLTs, and a composite of “other” transfusions were quantified as the sum of units received each 7‐day period from 6 days before transplant until IPS onset, death, or Posttransplant Day 120. RBC and PLT transfusions were modeled as separate time‐varying exposures in proportional hazards models adjusted for IPS risk factors (age, baseline disease, irradiation dose) and other transfusions. Timing of PLT transfusion relative to myeloid engraftment and PLT ABO blood group (match vs. mismatch) were included as potential interaction terms.

Results

Patients received a median of 9 PLT and 10 RBC units. There were 77 IPS cases (8.4%). Each additional PLT unit transfused in the prior week was associated with 16% higher IPS risk (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.09‐1.23; p < 0.001). Recent RBC and PLT transfusions were each significantly associated with greater risk of IPS when examined without the other; only PLT transfusions retained significance when both exposures were included in the model. The PLT association was not modified by engraftment or ABO mismatch.

Conclusion

PLT transfusions are associated with greater risk of IPS after myeloablative HSCT. RBCs may also contribute; however, these findings need confirmation.
Recent Advances in Sailing Yacht Aerodynamics
Authors: Maria Viola Ignazio
Published: August 2013

The analysis of sailing yacht aerodynamics has changed dramatically over the last 15 years and has enabled significant advances in performance prediction. For instance, the growth of computational fluid dynamics has significantly changed the way high-performance sails are designed. Three-dimensional mathematical models of fully rigged sail plans and the visualization of the turbulent unsteady flow pattern around them are now quite common, whereas ten years ago such a simulation would have been very rare and 20 years ago it would have been impossible. The parallel development of optimization techniques has resulted in new sail and yacht design methods. Changes in the experimental techniques have been as dramatic as in the numerical techniques. The introduction of the twisted flow device, the real-time velocity prediction program, and the most recent pressure measurements have allowed a step change in the potentialities of experimental sail aerodynamics. This paper aims to review the recent advances in sail aerodynamics and to highlight potential research areas for future work.
Determining local residual stresses from high resolution wafer geometry measurements
Authors: Gong Jie , Vukkadala Pradeep , Sinha Jaydeep K. , Turner Kevin T.
Published: August 2013

Multiple thin film deposition steps are central to most semiconductor device fabrication processes. The residual stresses in these thin films can induce both in-plane and out-of-plane distortions to the wafer. These residual stresses can vary spatially across the wafer, and the residual stress distributions can change between lithography steps. This can result in noncorrectable overlay errors in the lithography processes. In order to develop strategies for minimizing overlay errors due to residual stress-induced distortion, there is a critical need for techniques that allow the distributions of residual stresses in deposited thin films to be characterized with high spatial resolution. In this paper, the application of established analytical methods for extracting local residual stress from wafer geometry measurements (shape) is investigated. Three-dimensional finite-element models were used to generate simulated wafer shapes resulting from nonuniform residual stress distributions in thin-films. The results of these finite element simulations were used to assess the effectiveness of established analytical techniques. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that local mean curvature of the wafer shape is a simple metric that can be used to qualitatively describe local residual stress variation across the wafer. The simulations also demonstrated that when residual stresses varied over scales of tens of millimeters that high spatial resolution (<1 mm) shape measurements were required in order to accurately predict local residual stress.
Activation of the Transcriptional Function of the NF-κB Protein c-Rel by
O
-GlcNAc Glycosylation
Authors: Ramakrishnan Parameswaran , Clark Peter M. , Mason Daniel E. , Peters Eric C. , Hsieh-Wilson Linda C. , Baltimore David
Published: August 2013

Production of proinflammatory cytokines in response to T cell receptor activation requires glycosylation of an NF-κB subunit.
Activation of the Cl
−
Channel ANO1 by Localized Calcium Signals in Nociceptive Sensory Neurons Requires Coupling with the IP
3
Receptor
Authors: Jin Xin , Shah Shihab , Liu Yani , Zhang Huiran , Lees Meredith , Fu Zhaojun , Lippiat Jonathan D. , Beech David J. , Sivaprasadarao Asipu , Baldwin Stephen A. , Zhang Hailin , Gamper Nikita
Published: August 2013

Positioning of an excitatory channel where the endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane meet enables pain-sensing neurons to distinguish among calcium signals.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 27 August 2013
Authors: Yang Peixin , Reece E. Albert , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: August 2013

A proapoptotic kinase plays a critical role in the development of neural tube defects associated with maternal hyperglycemia.
Sensing the Bitter in the Sweet
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: August 2013

Bitter chemicals bind a secreted protein that interacts with and inhibits sweet receptors.
Superoxide-Mediated Protection of Escherichia coli from Antimicrobials
Authors: Mosel Michael , Li Liping , Drlica Karl , Zhao Xilin
Published: August 2013

Antimicrobial lethality is promoted by reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide, peroxide, and hydroxyl radical. Pretreatment with subinhibitory concentrations of plumbagin or paraquat, metabolic generators of superoxide, paradoxically reduced killing for oxolinic acid, kanamycin, and ampicillin. These pretreatments also reduced an oxolinic acid-mediated ROS surge. Defects in SoxS MarA or AcrB eliminated plumbagin- and paraquat-mediated MIC increases but maintained protection from killing. Thus, superoxide has both protective and detrimental roles in response to antimicrobial stress.
Mitochondria Influence
CDR1
Efflux Pump Activity, Hog1-Mediated Oxidative Stress Pathway, Iron Homeostasis, and Ergosterol Levels in Candida albicans
Authors: Thomas Edwina , Roman Elvira , Claypool Steven , Manzoor Nikhat , Pla Jesús , Panwar Sneh Lata
Published: August 2013

Mitochondrial dysfunction in
Candida albicans
is known to be associated with drug susceptibility, cell wall integrity, phospholipid homeostasis, and virulence. In this study, we deleted
CaFZO1
, a key component required during biogenesis of functional mitochondria. Cells with
FZO1
deleted displayed fragmented mitochondria, mitochondrial genome loss, and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and were rendered sensitive to azoles and peroxide. In order to understand the cellular response to dysfunctional mitochondria, genome-wide expression profiling of
fzo1
Δ/Δ cells was performed. Our results show that the increased susceptibility to azoles was likely due to reduced efflux activity of
CDR
efflux pumps, caused by the missorting of Cdr1p into the vacuole. In addition,
fzo1
Δ/Δ cells showed upregulation of genes involved in iron assimilation, in iron-sufficient conditions, characteristic of iron-starved cells. One of the consequent effects was downregulation of genes of the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway with a commensurate decrease in cellular ergosterol levels. We therefore connect deregulated iron metabolism to ergosterol biosynthesis pathway in response to dysfunctional mitochondria. Impaired activation of the Hog1 pathway in the mutant was the basis for increased susceptibility to peroxide and increase in reactive oxygen species, indicating the importance of functional mitochondria in controlling Hog1-mediated oxidative stress response. Mitochondrial phospholipid levels were also altered as indicated by an increase in phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine and decrease in phosphatidylcholine in
fzo1
Δ/Δ cells. Collectively, these findings reinforce the connection between functional mitochondria and azole tolerance, oxidant-mediated stress, and iron homeostasis in
C. albicans
.
New Structure of Phage-Related Islands Carrying
fusB
and a Virulence Gene in Fusidic Acid-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis
Authors: Chen Hsiao-Jan , Chang Ya-Chun , Tsai Jui-Chang , Hung Wei-Chun , Lin Yu-Tzu , You Shang-Jie , Tseng Sung-Pin , Teng Lee-Jene
Published: August 2013

Nucleotide sequencing of the
fusB
-flanking regions in two fusidic acid-resistant
Staphylococcus epidermidis
isolates with the type IV
aj1
-leader peptide (LP)-
fusB
structure (lacking
aj1
) revealed that their
fusB
gene was located on novel phage-related islands inserted downstream of
smpB
and are here referred to as SeRI

fusB
-3692

and SePI

fusB
-857

. The novel SePI

fusB
-857

structure was followed by SeCI
857
, forming a composite pathogenicity island which contained a putative virulence gene,
vapE
. The linkage of
fusB
and
vapE
may contribute to bacterial adaption.
Involvement of Mutation in
ampD
I,
mrcA
, and at Least One Additional Gene in β-Lactamase Hyperproduction in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
Authors: Talfan Asmaa , Mounsey Oliver , Charman Matthew , Townsend Eleanor , Avison Matthew B.
Published: August 2013

It has been reported that targeted disruption of
ampD
I or
mrcA
causes β-lactamase hyperproduction in
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
. We show here that β-lactamase-hyperproducing laboratory selected mutants and clinical isolates can have wild-type
ampD
I and
mrcA
genes, implicating mutation of at least one additional gene in this phenotype. The involvement of mutations at multiple loci in the activation of β-lactamase production in
S. maltophilia
reveals that there are significant deviations from the enterobacterial paradigm of AmpR-mediated control of β-lactamase induction. We do show, however, that
S. maltophilia
ampD
I can complement a mutation in
Escherichia coli
ampD
. This suggests that an anhydromuropeptide degradation product of peptidoglycan is used to activate AmpR in
S. maltophilia
, as is also the case in enteric bacteria.
Characterization of
sil
in Invasive Group A and G Streptococci: Antibodies against Bacterial Pheromone Peptide SilCR Result in Severe Infection
Authors: Michael-Gayego Ayelet , Dan-Goor Mary , Jaffe Joseph , Hidalgo-Grass Carlos , Moses Allon E.
Published: August 2013

Group G beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GGS) strains cause severe invasive infections, mostly in patients with comorbidities. GGS is known to possess virulence factors similar to those of its more virulent counterpart group A streptococcus (GAS). A streptococcal invasion locus,
sil
, was identified in GAS.
sil
encodes a competence-stimulating peptide named SilCR that activates bacterial quorum sensing and has the ability to attenuate virulence in GAS infections. We found that
sil
is present in most GGS strains (82%) but in only 25% of GAS strains, with a similar gene arrangement. GGS strains that contained
sil
expressed the SilCR peptide and secreted it into the growth medium. In a modified murine model of GGS soft tissue infection, GGS grown in the presence of SilCR caused a milder disease than GGS grown in the absence of SilCR. To further study the role of the peptide in bacterial virulence attenuation, we vaccinated mice with SilCR to produce specific anti-SilCR antibodies. Vaccinated mice developed a significantly more severe illness than nonvaccinated mice. Our results indicate that the
sil
locus is much more prevalent among the less virulent GGS strains than among GAS strains. GGS strains express and secrete SilCR, which has a role in attenuation of virulence in a murine model. We show that the SilCR peptide can protect mice from infection caused by GGS. Furthermore, vaccinated mice that produce specific anti-SilCR antibodies develop a significantly more severe infection. To our knowledge, this is a novel report demonstrating that specific antibodies against a bacterial component cause more severe infection by those bacteria.
Natural Variation in the Promoter of the Gene Encoding the Mga Regulator Alters Host-Pathogen Interactions in Group A Streptococcus Carrier Strains
Authors: Flores Anthony R. , Olsen Randall J. , Wunsche Andrea , Kumaraswami Muthiah , Shelburne Samuel A. , Carroll Ronan K. , Musser James M.
Published: August 2013

Humans commonly carry pathogenic bacteria asymptomatically, but the molecular factors underlying microbial asymptomatic carriage are poorly understood. We previously reported that two epidemiologically unassociated serotype M3 group AStreptococcus(GAS) carrier strains had an identical 12-bp deletion in the promoter of the gene encoding Mga, a global positive gene regulator. Herein, we report on studies designed to test the hypothesis that the identified 12-bp deletion in themgapromoter alters GAS virulence, thereby potentially contributing to the asymptomatic carrier phenotype. Using allelic exchange, we introduced the variant promoter into a serotype M3 invasive strain and the wild-type promoter into an asymptomatic carrier strain. Compared to strains with the wild-typemgapromoter, we discovered that strains containing the promoter with the 12-bp deletion produced significantly fewermgaand Mga-regulated gene transcripts. Consistent with decreasedmgatranscripts, strains containing the variantmgapromoter were also significantly less virulent inin vivoandex vivomodels of GAS disease. Further, we provide evidence that the pleiotropic regulator protein CodY binds to themgapromoter and that the 12-bp deletion in themgapromoter reduces CodY-mediatedmgatranscription. We conclude that the naturally occurring 12-bp deletion in themgapromoter significantly alters the pathogen-host interaction of these asymptomatic carrier strains. Our findings provide new insight into the molecular basis of the carrier state of an important human pathogen.
Investigating well-being, work limitations and preferences for self-management education and peer support among younger people with hip and knee osteoarthritis: protocol for a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ackerman Ilana N , Page Richard S , Schoch Peter , Brand Caroline A
Published: August 2013

Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) has traditionally been considered a condition of older age. However, younger people are also affected by hip and knee OA, often as a result of sporting and work-related injuries. As OA studies have generally focused on older individuals, little is known about the experience of younger adults with hip or knee OA who can face a distinct set of pressures including work responsibilities and parenting roles. This study aims to investigate well-being and work participation among younger people with hip or knee OA, as well as preferences for OA education and support.

Methods and analysis

200 people aged 20–55 years with a diagnosis of hip and/or knee OA will be recruited for this cross-sectional study. Participants will be recruited from three major public hospitals in the state of Victoria, Australia following screening of orthopaedic outpatient clinic lists and referrals, and through community-based advertisements. A study questionnaire will be mailed to all participants and written informed consent obtained. Validated measures of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), health status, psychological distress and work limitations will be used. Information on health services use will be collected, in addition to information on the perceived utility and accessibility of a range of existing and proposed education and peer support models. HRQoL data will be compared with Australian population norms using independent t tests, and associations between HRQoL, health status, psychological distress, work limitations and demographic factors will be evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Data on the perceived utility and accessibility of education and peer support models will be analysed descriptively.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval for the study has been obtained. The study findings will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals and arthritis consumer organisations for broader dissemination, and presented at national and international scientific meetings.
An analysis of the door-to-balloon time in STEMI patients in an underdeveloped area of China: a single-centre analysis
Authors: Yu Zi-Xiang , Shen Xin , Ma Yi-Tong , Yang Yi-Ning , Ma Xiang , Xie Xiang
Published: August 2013

Objectives

This study was conducted to break the door-to-balloon time (DTBT) into constituent elements, and compared which components prolonged markedly. We identified the factors that significantly prolonged the DTBT in an underdeveloped area of China.

Methods

The patients were included from January 2008 to December 2010 in 301 consecutive patients presenting with STEMI in our hospital. We analysed the components of total DTB times, such as ‘Diagnosis time’, ‘Cardiologist consultation time’, ‘Explain the patient's condition time’, ‘Transferring time’, ‘Preparation of the catheterisation laboratory (CL) time’, and determined which factors significantly prolonged the DTBT potentially.

Results

The median DTBT of all patients was 134 (98–186) min. The group was divided by the DTBT into two: ≤120 min and >120 min. In the ≤120 min group, more patients (68.1%) presented to our hospital during working hours (p=0.000), whereas in the >120 min group, more patients (63.2%) presented out of hours (p=0.000). More patients (49.3%) presented when the interventionist was on site (p=0.000) in the ≤120 min group. In the >120 min group, the times for consultation by the cardiologist and explaining the patient's condition to the family prolonged markedly, as compared to the ≤120 min group (p=0.000) when the interventionist was off-duty (OR=4.050, p=0.000) and presentation during non-working hours (OR=3.334, p=0.000) were significant predictors of >120 min DTB times.

Conclusions

In our centre, the time of consultation by the cardiologists and explaining the patient's condition to the family accounted for most of the delay in reperfusion. A lack of interventionists usually resulted in a delay during non-working hours in the CL. Several measures should be taken involving asking emergency department physicians to awake CL directly, sending the patients’ information to the cardiologists, popularising medical knowledge to the citizens, and increasing the numbers of interventionists qualified to carry out primary percutaneous coronary intervention, should be developed to shorten the DTBT.
RECENT HEAVY FLAVOR RESULTS FROM THE ATLAS EXPERIMENT
Authors: CERRI ALESSANDRO
Published: August 2013

This paper provides an overview of the heavy flavor physics program of the ATLAS experiment and its future potential through the discussion of recent published results.
ELKO SPINOR MODEL WITH TORSION AND COSMOLOGY
Authors: KOUWN SEYEN , LEE JOOHAN , LEE TAE HOON , OH PHILLIAL
Published: August 2013

We investigate the cosmology of ELKO spinor model when minimal coupling with torsion is included. Unlike the Dirac spinor which interacts only with the totally anti-symmetric components of torsion tensor, we find the interaction of the time component of the trace of torsion tensor with ELKO spinor provides different aspects of cosmology with fermions. We discuss a couple of cases with given potentials of ELKO spinor which can result in interesting cosmological consequences. Especially, we show that there exists an exact cosmological solution in which the universe began its acceleration only recently and this solution is an attractor. This corresponds to specific forms of torsion and potential with a mild fine-tuning which can address the coincidence problem.
INTRINSIC LOCALIZED MODES IN QUANTUM FERROMAGNETIC ISING–HEISENBERG CHAINS WITH SINGLE-ION UNIAXIAL ANISOTROPY
Authors: TANG BING , LI DE-JUN , HU KE , TANG YI
Published: August 2013

Based on the coherent-state method combined with the Dyson–Maleev representation of spin operators, the existence and properties of intrinsic localized spin-wave modes in quantum ferromagnetic Ising–Heisenberg chains with single-ion uniaxial anisotropy are investigated analytically in the semiclassical limit. With the help of the multiple-scale method combined with semidiscrete approximation, the equation of motion for the coherent-state amplitude is reduced to the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. It is found that, at the center of the Brillouin zone, a bright type intrinsic localized spin-wave mode can exist below the bottom of the linear spin-wave spectrum. Besides, we show that, at the boundary of the Brillouin zone, a dark type intrinsic localized spin-wave mode appears above the top of the linear spin-wave spectrum, which is different from the resonant nonpropagating kink mode.
FAST ION BEAM MICROSCOPY OF WHOLE CELLS
Authors: WATT FRANK , CHEN XIAO , CHEN CE-BELLE , UDALAGAMA CHAMMIKA NB , REN MINQIN , PASTORIN G , BETTIOL ANDREW
Published: August 2013

The way in which biological cells function is of prime importance, and the determination of such knowledge is highly dependent on probes that can extract information from within the cell. Probing deep inside the cell at high resolutions however is not easy: optical microscopy is limited by fundamental diffraction limits, electron microscopy is not able to maintain spatial resolutions inside a whole cell without slicing the cell into thin sections, and many other new and novel high resolution techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and near field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) are essentially surface probes. In this paper we show that microscopy using fast ions has the potential to extract information from inside whole cells in a unique way. This novel fast ion probe utilises the unique characteristic of MeV ion beams, which is the ability to pass through a whole cell while maintaining high spatial resolutions.

This paper first addresses the fundamental difference between several types of charged particle probes, more specifically focused beams of electrons and fast ions, as they penetrate organic material. Simulations show that whereas electrons scatter as they penetrate the sample, ions travel in a straight path and therefore maintain spatial resolutions. Also described is a preliminary experiment in which a whole cell is scanned using a low energy (45 keV) helium ion microscope, and the results compared to images obtained using a focused beam of fast (1.2 MeV) helium ions. The results demonstrate the complementarity between imaging using low energy ions, which essentially produce a high resolution image of the cell surface, and high energy ions, which produce an image of the cell interior. The characteristics of the fast ion probe appear to be ideally suited for imaging gold nanoparticles in whole cells. Using scanning transmission ion microscopy (STIM) to image the cell interior, forward scattering transmission ion microscopy (FSTIM) to improve the contrast of the gold nanoparticles, and Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) to determine the depth of the gold nanoparticles in the cell, a 3D visualization of the nanoparticles within the cell can be constructed. Finally a new technique, proton induced fluorescence (PIF), is tested on a cell stained with DAPI, a cell-nucleic acid stain that exhibits a 20-fold increase in fluorescence when binding to DNA. The results indicate that the technique of PIF, although still at an early stage of development, has high potential since there does not seem to be any physical barrier to develop simultaneous structural and fluorescence imaging at sub 10 nm resolutions.
NETWORKS, KNOWLEDGE SPILLOVERS AND TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS OF FIRMS: SIMULATIONS IN AN EVOLUTIONARY FRAMEWORK
Authors: HENNING CHRISTIAN , SAGGAU VOLKER
Published: August 2013

Following modern innovation theory, this paper analyses in an evolutionary framework the impact of information network structures on firms' absorptive capacities and induced realization of technological progress (t.p.) in a finite set of firms. Main results of simulation analyses are: (i) At the macro-level average speed of firms' realized t.p. depends on global network structures, i.e. a high local size and centralization, but a low clustering of a networks. (ii) Networks are only important if firms' direct R&D activities are moderately successful. (iii) A free-rider problem arises, i.e. collectively, firms have high incentives to form interfirm network ties, but not individually.
Synthesis and optical properties of phthalocyanine-dihydrobenzocyclobutacenaphthylene systems
Authors: Ortiz Javier , Parejo Concepción , Payá Federico , Fernández-Lázaro Fernando , Lüer Larry , Sastre-Santos Ángela
Published: August 2013

Four new zinc phthalocyanines (ZnPcs 1–4) peripherally substituted with fully conjugated 6b,10b-dihydrobenzo[j]cyclobut[a]acenaphthylene (DBCA) have been synthesized and chemically characterized. In ( DBCA )4 ZnPc 1 and t Bu 3( DBCA ) ZnPc 2 the DBCA units are directly connected to the phthalocyanine core, meanwhile in ( VDBCA )4 ZnPc 3 and t Bu 3( VDBCA ) ZnPc 4 DCBA units are connected through a vinyl spacer. We describe the effect of the substituents on optical spectra, fluorescence lifetimes and quantum yields.
Regiospecific synthesis of lanthanum(III) and neodymium(III) triple-decker (tetrakis-meso-(3-bromophenyl)-porphyrinato)(crownphthalocyaninates)
Authors: Birin Kirill P. , Kamarova Kamila A. , Gorbunova Yulia G. , Tsivadze Aslan Yu.
Published: August 2013

The triple-decker complexes of symmetrical type [m Br 4 TPP ] Ln [(15 C 5)4 Pc ] Ln [m Br 4 TPP ] ( Ln -m TD ; Ln = La , Nd ; [(15 C 5)4 Pc ] = tetra-(15-crown-5)-phthalocyaninato-ligand; [m Br 4 TPP ] = tetrakis-meso-(3-bromophenyl)-porphyrinato-ligand) are synthesized for the first time with 43% and 36% yield. The applicability of the previously developed selective one-step synthetic approach for the preparation of the mentioned complexes is demonstrated and the limitations, determined by meta-substitution of meso-aryl-fragments, are revealed. The spectral features of the obtained complexes is determined by means of UV-vis and NMR spectroscopy. The hindered rotation of porphyrin meso-substituents in the obtained complexes and formation of statistical set of atropisomers are demonstrated.
TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC INVESTIGATION OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (SPV) REFRIGERATION SYSTEM IN EASTERN PROVINCE OF SAUDI ARABIA
Authors: El-SHAARAWI M. A. I. , AL-QUTUB A. , SAID S. A. M. , ADEBIYI A.
Published: August 2013

The paper presents the performance and economic analysis of a simple photovoltaic powered vapor compression refrigeration system carried out on winter days in the eastern province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The system has a 66 W DC refrigerator, 100 W PV mono-crystalline module and a 100 Ah battery bank. The thermal loads were distributed in the refrigerator cabin using ice trays of 300 mL each for a total mass of 2.1 kg. The system performed continuously without any interruption or fault for the entire time of the experiment. The minimum time taking for complete formation of ice in the trays was 6 h and 40 min. A larger area to volume ratio, which enhances the heat transfer is created due to this load distribution pattern. A refrigeration efficiency of 60% was calculated after ice formation has been completed. At the maximum solar radiation level, the best PV efficiency and solar panel orientation efficiencies were 15.5% and 98%, respectively. It was however observed from the cost analysis that the system would not be economical without government subsidy on the system components or alleviating the current subsidy on the electricity cost in Saudi Arabia.
Network reconnaissance, attack, and defense laboratories for an introductory cyber-security course
Authors: Standard Sarah , Greenlaw Raymond , Phillips Andrew , Stahl David , Schultz John
Published: August 2013

Cyber-security is an area in which much curriculum development is taking place; it is important that such efforts be evaluated and shared. We describe three laboratories developed at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) for use in its fundamentals of cyber-security course. All three labs are conducted in a sandboxed virtual environment. Detailed instructor notes, student instructions, worksheets, grading guidance and supporting course software were developed for these labs. In this paper we share our experiences with these labs, assessment and evaluation material, and lessons learned so that others might benefit from our work.
Fast development tools considered harmful
Authors: Berque David A.
Published: August 2013

This article lays out an intentionally provocative case against modern fast software development tools. Modern compilers run in at most a few seconds when presented with programs of the size students typically encounter. Might this speed encourage programmers to program too much by trial and error? This article will argue that this may in fact be the case.
Spotlight
Authors: White Curt M.
Published: August 2013

Hello, and welcome to

Spotlight

, an ongoing section that highlights and reflects the current trends within computing education. The computing-education community is composed of many Special Interest Groups under the ACM umbrella. One of the largest ACM Special Interest Groups which is based on computer science education is SIGCSE. But there are other Special Interest Groups that also deal with education under the computing umbrella. Two of those -- SIGITE (SIG Information Technology Education) and SIGMIS (SIG Management Information Systems) -- are also spotlighted in this issue. But let's start first with my report on SIGCSE.

Curt M. White
Spotlight Trend Tracker
cwhite@cs.depaul.edu
Limits of region-based dynamic binary parallelization
Authors: Edler von Koch Tobias J.K. , Franke Björn
Published: August 2013

Efficiently executing sequential legacy binaries on chip multi-processors (CMPs) composed of many, small cores is one of today's most pressing problems. Single-threaded execution is a suboptimal option due to CMPs' lower single-core performance, while multi-threaded execution relies on prior parallelization, which is severely hampered by the low-level binary representation of applications compiled and optimized for a single-core target. A recent technology to address this problem is Dynamic Binary Parallelization (DBP), which creates a Virtual Execution Environment (VEE) taking advantage of the underlying multicore host to transparently parallelize the sequential binary executable. While still in its infancy, DBP has received broad interest within the research community. The combined use of DBP and thread-level speculation (TLS) has been proposed as a technique to accelerate legacy uniprocessor code on modern CMPs. In this paper, we investigate the limits of DBP and seek to gain an understanding of the factors contributing to these limits and the costs and overheads of its implementation. We have performed an extensive evaluation using a parameterizable DBP system targeting a CMP with light-weight architectural TLS support. We demonstrate that there is room for a significant reduction of up to 54% in the number of instructions on the critical paths of legacy SPEC CPU2006 benchmarks. However, we show that it is much harder to translate these savings into actual performance improvements, with a realistic hardware-supported implementation achieving a speedup of 1.09 on average.