bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and psychometric examination of a German video‐based situational judgment test for social competencies in medical school applicants
Authors: Fröhlich Melanie , Kahmann Janine , Kadmon Martina
Published: February 2017

The present study describes the development and validation of a video‐based situational judgment test (SJT) assessing social competencies in applicants to medical school. Study 1 explored the psychometric properties of the SJT based on two applicant cohorts (N1 = 769, N2 = 787). Study 2 compared SJT data from applicants and 90 medical students. Tests for mean differences, correlation and factor analyses were used. In Study 1, the supposed two‐factor model for the SJT must be rejected. According to the minimum average partial test a single factor solution explaining 19–21% of the variance was suggested. The SJT showed satisfactory psychometric properties and stronger correlations to personality than to cognition as well as high acceptance. In study 2, applicants reached higher SJT scores than students.
Metaheuristics for solving the biobjective single‐path multicommodity communication flow problem
Authors: Masri Hela , Krichen Saoussen , Guitouni Adel
Published: February 2017

Single‐path multicommodity flow problem (SMCFP) is a well‐known combinatorial optimization problem, in which the flow of each commodity can be transmitted using only one path linking its destination to an appropriate origin within the addressed network. In this paper, we study the SMCFP in a multiobjective context by considering the simultaneous optimization of paths' delay and average reliability. The network is modeled as a finite set of nodes that can communicate using preestablished connections where each connection is characterized by a capacity, a lead time, and a reliability. A node can be an information producer or/and information consumer. The contention problem is solved by assigning a path and a dedicated bandwidth to each flow. The problem is formulated as a biobjective nonlinear optimization problem. This biobjective problem has not been considered in the literature. We design three alternative procedures for approximating the Pareto front. We proposed an MGA based on NSGA‐II, a multiobjective variable neighborhood search and a new distance‐based hybrid metaheuristic. The hybridization integrates a local search into the framework of genetic algorithm to effectively drive the search toward a better approximating of the Pareto front. The propounded algorithms' efficiencies are experimentally investigated on a test bed of instances applied to a planar and a grid network. A comparative study is conducted based on different multiobjective performance indicators.
Divided Sovereignty, Nation and Legal Community
Authors: Günther Klaus
Published: February 2017

With a view to EU democracy, Jürgen Habermas introduced the idea that the relationship between the roles of state citizens and European citizens should be understood as a form of ‘divided sovereignty’. This notion is a constructive solution to theoretical problems resulting from the goal of realizing national and European democracy at the same time, but one might suspect that one of the suggested roles comes more naturally to most citizens. While state citizenship can draw on national identities, EU citizenship appears artificial and constructed, and hence not very attractive. I argue that the contraposition of ‘natural’ vs. ‘artificial’ sovereigns is inadequate. Both parts of divided sovereignty need to be understood in a constructivist sense as they are attributed to legal associations. Much in the same way as the idea of national sovereignty had to be appropriated in learning processes, citizens could grow into the role of EU sovereigns.
Lifestyle change reduces cardiometabolic risk factors and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 levels in obese first‐degree relatives of people with diabetes
Authors: Bowes A. , Begley J. , Kerr D.
Published: February 2017

Background

Preventing type 2 diabetes in a real‐world setting remains challenging. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a lifestyle‐based programme for individuals at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes as assessed by achieved weight loss, cardiovascular risk factors and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1).

Methods

Sixty‐six obese individuals with history of diabetes in first‐degree relatives participated in an 8‐month lifestyle programme consisting of 12 × 1.25 h group education sessions led by dietitian and a weekly exercise programme. Before and after comparisons were made of fasting blood glucose, insulin, HbA1c, lipids, GLP‐1 and quality of life (QoL).

Results

Fifty‐four participants of whom the majority were women [47 females; mean (SD) body mass index 35.3 (2.8) kg m−2; age = 52 (10) years] completed the 8‐month programme. Mean (SD) weight loss was 10.1 (6.0) kg (P < 0.001). Out of 54 participants, 36 lost more than 7% of their body weight and 47 lost more than 5%, with significant improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, glycaemia and QoL scores. The fall was observed in basal (P < 0.05 versus baseline) but not stimulated GLP‐1 levels. In the subgroup of participants losing >10 kg, a correlation was found between weight change and change in both basal (r = 0.61, P < 0.05) and stimulated (r = 0.49, P < 0.05) GLP‐1.

Conclusions

An evidence‐based lifestyle programme achieved sustained weight loss in obese first‐degree relatives of individuals with type 2 diabetes associated with improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors and QoL without the ‘voltage drop’ of less benefit commonly seen when moving from the clinical trial experience into the real world.
ORA59 and EIN3 interaction couples jasmonate‐ethylene synergistic action to antagonistic salicylic acid regulation of PDF expression
Authors: He Xiang , Jiang Jishan , Wang Chang‐Quan , Dehesh Katayoon
Published: February 2017

Hormonal crosstalk is central for tailoring plant responses to the nature of challenges encountered. The role of antagonism between the two major defense hormones, salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA), and modulation of this interplay by ethylene (ET) in favor of JA signaling pathway in plant stress responses is well recognized, but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we show the opposing function of two transcription factors, ethylene insensitive3 (EIN3) and EIN3‐Like1 (EIL1), in SA‐mediated suppression and JA‐mediated activation of PLANT DEFENSIN1.2 (PDF1.2). This functional duality is mediated via their effect on protein, not transcript levels of the PDF1.2 transcriptional activator octadecanoid‐responsive Arabidopsis59 (ORA59). Specifically, JA induces ORA59 protein levels independently of EIN3/EIL1, whereas SA reduces the protein levels dependently of EIN3/EIL1. Co‐infiltration assays revealed nuclear co‐localization of ORA59 and EIN3, and split‐luciferase together with yeast‐two‐hybrid assays established their physical interaction. The functional ramification of the physical interaction is EIN3‐dependent degradation of ORA59 by the 26S proteasome.

These findings allude to SA‐responsive reduction of ORA59 levels mediated by EIN3 binding to and targeting of ORA59 for degradation, thus nominating ORA59 pool as a coordination node for the antagonistic function of ET/JA and SA.
Endothelin‐converting enzymes degrade α‐synuclein and are reduced in dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Miners James Scott , Love Seth
Published: February 2017

We have examined the roles of the endothelin‐converting enzyme‐1 and ‐2 (ECE‐1 and ECE‐2) in the homeostasis of α‐synuclein (α‐syn) and pathogenesis of Lewy body disease. The ECEs are named for their ability to convert inactive big endothelin to the vasoactive peptide endothelin‐1 (EDN1). We have found that ECE‐1 and ECE‐2 cleave and degrade α‐syn in vitro and siRNA‐mediated knockdown of ECE‐1 and ECE‐2 in SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells significantly increased α‐syn both intracellularly (within the cell lysate) (p < 0.05 for both ECE‐1 and ‐2) and extracellularly (in the surrounding medium) (p < 0.05 for ECE‐1 and p = 0.07 for ECE‐2). Double immunofluorescent labelling showed co‐localization of ECE‐1 and ECE‐2 with α‐syn within the endolysosomal system (confirmed by a proximity ligation assay). To assess the possible relevance of these findings to human Lewy body disease, we measured ECE‐1 and ECE‐2 levels by sandwich ELISA in post‐mortem samples of cingulate cortex (a region with a predilection for Lewy body pathology) in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and age‐matched controls. ECE‐1 (p < 0.001) and ECE‐2 (p < 0.01) levels were significantly reduced in DLB and both enzymes correlated inversely with the severity of Lewy body pathology as indicated by the level of α‐syn phosphorylated at Ser129 (r = −0.54, p < 0.01 for ECE‐1 and r = −0.49, p < 0.05 for ECE‐2). Our novel findings suggest a role for ECEs in the metabolism of α‐syn that could contribute to the development and progression of DLB.

image
Localised intravascular coagulation complicating venous malformations in children: Associations and therapeutic options
Authors: Zhuo Kevin Y , Russell Susan , Wargon Orli , Adams Susan
Published: February 2017

Venous malformations are slow‐flow congenital vascular malformations that enlarge as the child ages and may be associated with localised intravascular coagulation, a consumptive coagulopathy characterised by elevated D‐dimer and decreased fibrinogen levels. The authors review the known correlations between localised intravascular coagulation and venous malformation number, size and planes involved, and call attention to the concept of the progression of localised intravascular coagulopathy as the child ages and their venous malformations enlarge. The authors also discuss the identified therapeutic options for its investigation, management and treatment, including compression garments, anti‐coagulation therapy, sclerotherapy, endovascular laser, surgical excision and sirolimus (rapamycin). Evidence for protocol improvements that may be instigated for the optimal physical and medical therapy of venous malformations complicated by localised intravascular coagulopathy is reviewed.
Regulation and rent‐seeking: The role of the distribution of political and economic power
Authors: Rio Fernando Del , Lores Francisco‐Xavier
Published: February 2017

It is shown that the joint distribution of economic and political power plays a key role in determining regulatory and tax policies of national and subnational governments. If both economic and political power are evenly distributed across individuals, then regulatory and tax policies are efficient, but if they are unevenly distributed and positively correlated, then regulatory policy is used by subnational governments to redistribute income in favor of individuals with higher economic and political power at the expense of productivity and output. Consequently, the national government has to raise the tax rate to finance public expenditure. Moreover, if there exists a positive correlation between economic and political power, then the higher the fiscal gap, the larger the gap between equilibrium and efficient policies because subnational governments underestimate more the fall of public revenues caused by inefficient policies.
Cladistic Parsimony, Historical Linguistics and Cultural Phylogenetics
Authors: Cabrera Frank
Published: February 2017

Here, I consider the recent application of phylogenetic methods in historical linguistics. After a preliminary survey of one such method, i.e. cladistic parsimony, I respond to two common criticisms of cultural phylogenies: (1) that cultural artifacts cannot be modeled as tree‐like because of borrowing across lineages, and (2) that the mechanism of cultural change differs radically from that of biological evolution. I argue that while perhaps (1) remains true for certain cultural artifacts, the nature of language may be such as to side‐step this objection. Moreover, I explore the possibility that cladistic parsimony can be justified even if (2) is true by appealing to the inference pattern known among philosophers as ‘Inference to the Best Explanation’ (IBE).
Helicoverpa zea gut‐associated bacteria indirectly induce defenses in tomato by triggering a salivary elicitor(s)
Authors: Wang Jie , Peiffer Michelle , Hoover Kelli , Rosa Cristina , Zeng Rensen , Felton Gary W.
Published: February 2017

Insect gut‐associated microbes modulating plant defenses have been observed in beetles and piercing‐sucking insects, but the role of caterpillar‐associated bacteria in regulating plant induced defenses has not been adequately examined.

We identified bacteria from the regurgitant of field‐collected Helicoverpa zea larvae using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry. A combination of biochemical, molecular, and confocal electron microscopy methods were used to determine the role of caterpillar‐associated bacteria in mediating defenses in Solanum lycopersicum (tomato).

Laboratory‐reared H. zea inoculated with one of the bacteria identified in field‐collected H. zea, Enterobacter ludwigii, induced expression of the tomato defense‐related enzyme polyphenol oxidase and genes regulated by jasmonic acid (JA), whereas the salicylic acid (SA)‐responsive pathogenesis‐related gene was suppressed. Additionally, saliva and its main component glucose oxidase from inoculated caterpillars played an important role in elevating tomato anti‐herbivore defenses. However, there were only low detectable amounts of regurgitant or bacteria on H. zea‐damaged tomato leaves.

Our results suggest that H. zea gut‐associated bacteria indirectly mediate plant–insect interactions by triggering salivary elicitors. These findings provide a proof of concept that introducing gut bacteria to a herbivore may provide a novel approach to pest management through indirect induction of plant resistance.
Early post‐operative psychosocial and weight predictors of later outcome in bariatric surgery: a systematic literature review
Authors: Hindle A. , de la Piedad Garcia X. , Brennan L.
Published: February 2017

This is the first systematic review to synthesize the evidence concerning early post‐operative variables predictive of later weight and psychosocial outcomes in bariatric surgery. Eight electronic databases for empirical studies were searched (1954 to 2016). Most of the 39 included studies reported solely on weight outcomes; eating and psychosocial outcomes were less common. A better early weight loss trajectory was the most consistent predictor of more successful medium‐term weight outcome (≤24 months); however, its relationship to longer term weight loss maintenance is less certain. Early eating adaptation may be associated with later weight loss, but further research is needed. Evidence is lacking for associations between early adherence or early psychosocial variables and later outcome. In particular, the relationship between early post‐operative depression and later weight remains unclear. Little research has considered early prediction of later eating or psychosocial outcomes. Consideration of mediating or moderating relationships is lacking. The body of evidence is limited, and synthesis is hampered by heterogeneity in the type and time at which predictors and outcomes are measured and quality of statistical reporting. Further research on prospective prediction of bariatric surgery outcome is needed to guide early post‐operative intervention for those at greatest risk of poor outcomes.
Health‐related quality of life in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Data from the Australian IPF Registry
Authors: Glaspole Ian N. , Chapman Sally A. , Cooper Wendy A. , Ellis Samantha J. , Goh Nicole S. , Hopkins Peter M. , Macansh Sacha , Mahar Annabelle , Moodley Yuben P. , Paul Eldho , Reynolds Paul N. , Walters E.Haydn. , Zappala Christopher J. , Corte Tamera J.
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT

Background and objective

Studies analysing the effect of worsening pulmonary physiological impairment in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with respect to quality of life have been limited to single centres or highly selected trial populations. The aim of this study was to determine the principal determinants of baseline and longitudinal health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in a large unselected IPF population.

Methods

We used the Australian IPF Registry to examine the relationship between HRQoL, measured using the St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and demographic features, physiological features, co‐morbidities and symptoms. Linear regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of baseline HRQoL, linear mixed model analysis to determine the effect of time and forced vital capacity (FVC) on SGRQ and Cox proportional hazards regression to examine the relationship between HRQoL and all‐cause mortality.

Results

Baseline data from 516 patients were available (347 males; mean (SD) age: 71.3 ± 8.6 years). Univariate analysis showed significant associations between HRQoL and demographic, clinical and physiological features. However, multivariate analysis demonstrated independent associations only between SGRQ and dyspnoea (University of California San Diego Shortness of Breathlessness Questionnaire (UCSD‐SOBQ); R2 = 0.71, P < 0.0001), cough severity (visual analogue scale; R2 = 0.06, P < 0.0001) and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; R2 = 0.04, P < 0.0001). Linear mixed‐effects modelling of combined baseline and longitudinal data confirmed these associations, as well as for FVC% predicted (P = 0.005). Multivariate Cox proportionate‐proportional hazards regression analysis demonstrated no association between HRQoL and risk of mortality.

Conclusion

Cough, dyspnoea and depression are major symptomatic determinants of HRQoL in IPF. FVC decline is associated with worsening HRQoL.
Physical function, grip strength and frailty in people living with HIV in sub‐Saharan Africa: systematic review
Authors: Bernard Charlotte , Dabis François , de Rekeneire Nathalie
Published: February 2017

Objective

To present the current knowledge on physical function, grip strength and frailty in HIV‐infected patients living in sub‐Saharan Africa, where the phenomenon is largely underestimated.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted on MEDLINE, Scopus and African Index Medicus. We reviewed articles on sub‐Saharan African people living with HIV (PLHIV) >18 years old, published until November 2016.

Results

Of 537 articles, 12 were conducted in six African countries and included in this review. Five articles reported information on functional limitation and one on disability. Two of these five articles reported functional limitation (low gait speed) in PLHIV. Disability was observed in 27% and 3% of PLHIV living in rural and urban places, respectively. Two of three studies reporting grip strength reported lower grip strength (nearly 4 kg) in PLHIV in comparison with uninfected patients. One study reported that PLHIV were more likely to be frail than HIV‐uninfected individuals (19.4% vs. 13.3%), whereas another reported no statistical difference.

Conclusion

Decline in physical function, grip strength and frailty are now part of the burden of PLHIV living in SSA countries, but current data are insufficient to characterise the real public health dimension of these impairments. Further studies are needed to depict this major public health challenge. As this is likely to contribute to a significant burden on the African healthcare systems and human resources in the near future, a holistic care approach should be developed to inform guidelines.
Acute exercise activates p38 MAPK and increases the expression of telomere‐protective genes in cardiac muscle
Authors: Ludlow Andrew T. , Gratidão Laila , Ludlow Lindsay W. , Spangenburg Espen E. , Roth Stephen M.
Published: February 2017

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

A positive association between telomere length and exercise training has been shown in cardiac tissue of mice. It is currently unknown how each bout of exercise influences telomere‐length‐regulating proteins. We sought to determine how a bout of exercise altered the expression of telomere‐length‐regulating genes and a related signalling pathway in cardiac tissue of mice.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Acute exercise altered the expression of telomere‐length‐regulating genes in cardiac tissue and might be related to altered mitogen‐activated protein kinase signalling. These findings are important in understanding how exercise provides a cardioprotective phenotype with ageing.

Age is the greatest risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Telomere length is shorter in the hearts of aged mice compared with young mice, and short telomere length has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. One year of voluntary wheel‐running exercise attenuates the age‐associated loss of telomere length and results in altered gene expression of telomere‐length‐maintaining and genome‐stabilizing proteins in heart tissue of mice. Understanding the early adaptive response of the heart to an endurance exercise bout is paramount to understanding the impact of endurance exercise on heart tissue and cells. To this end, we studied mice before (BL), immediately after (TP1) and 1 h after a treadmill running bout (TP2). We measured the changes in expression of telomere‐related genes (shelterin components), DNA‐damage‐sensing (p53 and Chk2) and DNA‐repair genes (Ku70 and Ku80) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling. The TP1 animals had increased TRF1 and TRF2 protein and mRNA levels, greater expression of DNA‐repair and ‐response genes (Chk2 and Ku80) and greater protein content of phosphorylated p38 MAPK compared with both BL and TP2 animals. These data provide insights into how physiological stressors remodel the heart tissue and how an early adaptive response mediated by exercise may be maintaining telomere length and/or stabilizing the heart genome through the upregulation of telomere‐protective genes.
Voltage‐sensitive conductances increase the sensitivity of rod photoresponses following pigment bleaching
Authors: Pahlberg Johan , Frederiksen Rikard , Pollock Gabriel E. , Miyagishima Kiyoharu J. , Sampath Alapakkam P. , Cornwall M. Carter
Published: February 2017

Key points

Following substantial bleaching of the visual pigment, the desensitization of the rod photovoltage is not as substantial as the desensitization of the rod outer segment photocurrent.

The block of cation conductances during the internal dialysis of Cs+ further desensitizes the photovoltage thereby eliminating its difference in desensitization with the rod outer segment photocurrent.

Bleached visual pigment produced an acceleration of the rod photovoltage with respect to the outer segment photocurrent, which is eliminated upon internal dialysis of Cs+.

A majority of our visual experience occurs during the day when a substantial fraction of the visual pigment in our photoreceptor cells is bleached. Under these conditions it is widely believed that rods are saturated and do not contribute substantially to downstream signalling. However, behavioural experiments on subjects with only rod function reveals that these individuals unexpectedly retain substantial vision in daylight. We sought to understand this discrepancy by characterizing the sensitivity of rod photoresponses following exposure to bright bleaching light. Measurements of the rod outer segment photocurrent in transgenic mice, which have only rod function, revealed the well‐studied reduction in the sensitivity of rod photoresponses following pigment bleaching. However, membrane voltage measurements showed that the desensitization of the photovoltage was considerably less than that of the outer segment photocurrent following equivalent pigment bleaching. This discrepancy was largely eliminated during the blockade of cation channels due to the internal dialysis of Cs+, which increased the bleach‐induced desensitization of the photovoltage and slowed its temporal characteristics. Thus, sensitization of the photovoltage by rod inner segment conductances appears to extend the operating range of rod phototransduction following pigment bleaching.
Does Preschool Physical Activity and Electronic Media Use Predict Later Social and Emotional Skills at 6 to 8 Years? A Cohort Study
Authors: Hinkley Trina , Timperio Anna , Salmon Jo , Hesketh Kylie
Published: February 2017

Background:

Little is known about the associations of preschoolers’ health behaviors with their later psychosocial wellbeing. This study investigates the association of 3- to 5-year-old children’s physical activity and electronic media use with their later social-emotional skills (6-8 years).

Methods:

Data were collected in 2008–2009 and 2011–2012 for the Healthy Active Preschool and Primary Years (HAPPY) Study in metropolitan Melbourne. Participants were a random subsample (n = 108) of the 567 children at follow-up. Physical activity was objectively measured using ActiGraph GT1M accelerometers; electronic media use (television viewing, sedentary electronic games and active electronic games) was parent proxy-reported. Social and emotional skills were child-reported using the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory—Youth Version. Regression analyses controlled for sex, clustering by center of recruitment, and accelerometer wear time (for physical activity analyses).

Results:

Sedentary electronic games were positively associated with intrapersonal and stress management skills and total emotional quotient. Computer/internet use was inversely associated with interpersonal, and positively associated with stress management, skills.

Conclusions:

Findings suggest that physical activity is not associated with children’s psychosocial health while some types of electronic media use are. Future research should investigate the contexts in which preschoolers participate in these behaviors and potential causal mechanisms of associations.
Fitness Equipment in Public Parks: Frequency of Use and Community Perceptions in a Small Urban Centre
Authors: Copeland Jennifer L. , Currie Cheryl , Walker Ali , Mason Erin , Willoughby Taura N. , Amson Ashley
Published: February 2017

Background:

Providing freely accessible exercise facilities may increase physical activity at a population level. An increasingly popular strategy is outdoor fitness equipment in urban parks. Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of this intervention in smaller cities. This study examined fitness equipment use, perceived effectiveness, and ways to increase use in a city of 100,000 people in 2015.

Methods:

Two parks with fitness equipment and 4 without were directly observed. Interviews with 139 adults in active parks or living nearby were also conducted.

Results:

Only 2.7% of adult park users used the fitness equipment over 100 hours of observation across 3 seasons. In contrast, 22.3% of adults interviewed reported monthly or more use of the equipment, highlighting the limitations of self-report methods. Adults interviewed perceived the equipment as potentially beneficial and suggested strategies to increase public use, including increased advertising, the introduction of programming to teach and encourage use, improved equipment quality, and improved maintenance of the equipment and surrounding area.

Conclusions:

In a low density city, park fitness equipment may not be an effective public health practice without additional efforts to market, introduce programming, and maintain these sites.
Acquisition of Rifampin Resistance in Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Kayigire Xavier A. , Friedrich Sven O. , van der Merwe Lize , Diacon Andreas H.
Published: February 2017

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
strains with spontaneous mutations conferring resistance to rifampin (RIF) are exceedingly rare, and fixed drug combinations typically prevent augmentation of resistance to single drugs. Fourteen newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients were treated with RIF alone for 14 days, and bacterial loads, including mutation frequencies, were determined. A statistical model estimated that 1% of the remaining viable mycobacteria could be RIF resistant after 30 days of monotherapy. This indicates that temporal and spatial windows of RIF monotherapy due to uneven drug distribution within lung lesions could contribute to the acquisition of resistance to RIF.
Enterocin AS-48 as Evidence for the Use of Bacteriocins as New Leishmanicidal Agents
Authors: Abengózar María Ángeles , Cebrián Rubén , Saugar José María , Gárate Teresa , Valdivia Eva , Martínez-Bueno Manuel , Maqueda Mercedes , Rivas Luis
Published: February 2017

We report the feasibility of enterocin AS-48, a circular cationic peptide produced by
Enterococcus faecalis
, as a new leishmanicidal agent. AS-48 is lethal to
Leishmania
promastigotes as well as to axenic and intracellular amastigotes at low micromolar concentrations, with scarce cytotoxicity to macrophages. AS-48 induced a fast bioenergetic collapse of
L. donovani
promastigotes but only a partial permeation of their plasma membrane with limited entrance of vital dyes, even at concentrations beyond its full lethality. Fluoresceinated AS-48 was visualized inside parasites by confocal microscopy and seen to cause mitochondrial depolarization and reactive oxygen species production. Altogether, AS-48 appeared to have a mixed leishmanicidal mechanism that includes both plasma membrane permeabilization and additional intracellular targets, with mitochondrial dysfunctionality being of special relevance. This complex leishmanicidal mechanism of AS-48 persisted even for the killing of intracellular amastigotes, as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy. We demonstrated the potentiality of AS-48 as a new and safe leishmanicidal agent, expanding the growing repertoire of eukaryotic targets for bacteriocins, and our results provide a proof of mechanism for the search of new leishmanicidal bacteriocins, whose diversity constitutes an almost endless source for new structures at moderate production cost and whose safe use on food preservation is well established.
Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Distribution of Benznidazole after Oral Administration in Mice
Authors: Perin Luísa , Moreira da Silva Rodrigo , Fonseca Kátia da Silva , Cardoso Jamille Mirelle de Oliveira , Mathias Fernando Augusto Siqueira , Reis Levi Eduardo Soares , Molina Israel , Correa-Oliveira Rodrigo , Vieira Paula Melo de Abreu , Carneiro Cláudia Martins
Published: February 2017

Specific chemotherapy using benznidazole (BNZ) for Chagas disease during the chronic stage is controversial due to its limited efficacy and toxic effects. Although BNZ has been used to treat Chagas disease since the 1970s, few studies about the biodistribution of this drug exist. In this study, BNZ tissue biodistribution in a murine model and its pharmacokinetic profile in plasma were monitored. A bioanalytical high-performance liquid chromatography method with a UV detector (HPLC-UV) was developed and validated according to the European Medicines Agency for quantification of BNZ in organs and plasma samples prepared by liquid-liquid extraction using ethyl acetate. The developed method was linear in the BNZ concentration, which ranged from 0.1 to 100.0 μg/ml for plasma, spleen, brain, colon, heart, lung, and kidney and from 0.2 to 100.0 μg/ml for liver. Validation assays demonstrated good stability for BNZ under all conditions evaluated. Pharmacokinetic parameters confirmed rapid, but low, absorption of BNZ after oral administration. Biodistribution assays demonstrated different maximum concentrations in organs and similar times to maximum concentration and mean residence times, with means of 40 min and 2.5 h, respectively. Therefore, the biodistribution of BNZ is extensive, reaching organs such as the heart and colon, which are the most relevant organs affected by
Trypanosoma cruzi
infection, and also the spleen, brain, liver, lungs, and kidneys. Simultaneous analyses of tissues and plasma indicated high BNZ metabolism in the liver. Our results suggest that low bioavailability, instead of inadequate biodistribution, could be responsible for therapeutic failure during the chronic phase of Chagas disease.
Genomic Characterization of Two KPC-Producing Klebsiella Isolates Collected in 1997 in New York City
Authors: Eilertson Brandon , Chen Liang , Chavda Kalyan D. , Kreiswirth Barry N.
Published: February 2017

Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC)-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
have now become a global public health threat. However, the origin of this pandemic and the characterization of pre-2003
bla
KPC
-harboring plasmids remain unknown. Here we used next-generation sequencing to characterize two KPC-2-producing
K. pneumoniae
and
K
.
michiganensis
isolates collected from a New York City hospital in 1997. Although identified in two different
Klebsiella
species, the
bla
KPC-2
gene was harbored by Tn
4401b
transposons on two highly similar IncN plasmids.
Defining the Ail Ligand-Binding Surface: Hydrophobic Residues in Two Extracellular Loops Mediate Cell and Extracellular Matrix Binding To Facilitate Yop Delivery
Authors: Tsang Tiffany M. , Wiese Jeffrey S. , Alhabeil Jamal A. , Usselman Lisa D. , Thomson Joshua J. , Matti Rafla , Kronshage Malte , Maricic Natalie , Williams Shanedah , Sleiman Naama H. , Felek Suleyman , Krukonis Eric S.
Published: February 2017

Yersinia pestis
, the causative agent of plague, binds host cells to deliver cytotoxic Yop proteins into the cytoplasm that prevent phagocytosis and generation of proinflammatory cytokines. Ail is an eight-stranded β-barrel outer membrane protein with four extracellular loops that mediates cell binding and resistance to human serum. Following the deletion of each of the four extracellular loops that potentially interact with host cells, the Ail-Δloop 2 and Ail-Δloop 3 mutant proteins had no cell-binding activity while Ail-Δloop 4 maintained cell binding (the Ail-Δloop 1 protein was unstable). Using the codon mutagenesis scheme SWIM (selection without isolation of mutants), we identified individual residues in loops 1, 2, and 3 that contribute to host cell binding. While several residues contributed to the binding of host cells and purified fibronectin and laminin, as well as Yop delivery, three mutations, F80A (loop 2), S128A (loop 3), and F130A (loop 3), produced particularly severe defects in cell binding. Combining these mutations led to an even greater reduction in cell binding and severely impaired Yop delivery with only a slight defect in serum resistance. These findings demonstrate that
Y. pestis
Ail uses multiple extracellular loops to interact with substrates important for adhesion via polyvalent hydrophobic interactions.
Duodenocolic fistula diagnosed by endoscopy: a rare complication of colon cancer
Authors: Timbol Aeden Bernice G , Co Vanessa Charlene O , Djajakusuma Angela V , Banez Virgilio P
Published: February 2017

Duodenocolic fistula (DCF) is a rare complication of colon cancer with only 70 cases reported since its first description in 1862. Owing to its rarity, current knowledge on DCF still relies on single case reports. We present 2 cases of DCF from a hepatic flexure adenocarcinoma demonstrated initially by endoscopy. 2 adult male patients were admitted due to a 2–3-month history of right-upper quadrant pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and a palpable right upper quadrant mass. In both cases, a circumferential, friable mass was noted on upper endoscopy at the second portion of the duodenum, leading to the ascending colon. A similar-looking lesion was also noted on colonoscopy. Biopsies in both cases confirmed colonic adenocarcinoma. Owing to the advanced nature of the disease, en bloc resection was not achieved. Instead, tube jejunostomy and loop ileostomy were created. Both patients were discharged tolerating feeding with improvement in symptoms.
Sternal stress fracture in a middle-aged woman
Authors: Lee Justin , Fields Karl Bertrand
Published: February 2017

A middle-aged premenopausal woman presented with 3 months of right chest wall pain after beginning a new weight training programme. Examination was significant only for mild-to-moderate tenderness to palpation over the right pectoral muscle and sternoclavicular joint. In-office musculoskeletal ultrasound scan, chest X-ray and shoulder X-rays were unremarkable. Subsequent MRI of the chest wall showed oedema in the sternum at the level of the sternoclavicular joint consistent with a sternal stress fracture. She was started on calcium and vitamin D supplementation and told to rest for 6 weeks. After this she began to gradually increase her activity and was pain free after 4 months.
Achieving responsible antimicrobial use: communicating with farmers
Authors: Reyher Kristen K. , Barrett David C. , Tisdall David A.
Published: February 2017

Communicating with farmers is key in achieving responsible antimicrobial use on the farm. With the farmer and vet working together and using their own individual knowledge and expertise, the change in antimicrobial use can be sustained and work for both parties. This article discusses the issues surrounding antimicribial use and why there may be a difference in opinion between the vet and the farmer. It provides tools that vets can use to improve their commmunication with the farmer to create a better working relationship.
Differences in optoelectronic properties between H-saturated and unsaturated GaN nanowires with DFT method
Authors: Diao Yu , Liu Lei , Xia Sihao , Kong Yike
Published: February 2017

To investigate the influences of dangling bonds on GaN nanowires surface, the differences in optoelectronic properties between H-saturated and unsaturated GaN nanowires are researched through first-principles study. The GaN nanowires along the [0001] growth direction with diameters of 3.7, 7.5 and 9.5 Å are considered. According to the results, H-saturated GaN nanowires are more stable than the unsaturated ones. With increasing nanowire diameter, unsaturated GaN nanowires become more stable, while the stability of H-saturated GaN nanowires has little change. After geometry optimization, the atomic displacements of unsaturated and H-saturated models are almost reversed. In (0001) crystal plane, Ga atoms tend to move inwards and N atoms tend to move outwards slightly for the unsaturated nanowires, while Ga atoms tend to move outwards and N atoms tend to move inwards slightly for the H-saturated nanowires. Besides, with increasing nanowire diameter, the conduction band minimum of H-saturated nanowire moves to the lower energy side, while that of the unsaturated nanowire changes slightly. The bandgaps of H-saturated nanowires are approaching to bulk GaN as the diameter increases. Absorption curves and reflectivity curves of the unsaturated and H-saturated nanowires exhibit the same trend with the change of energy except the H-saturated models which show larger variations. Through all the calculated results above, we can better understand the effects of dangling bonds on the optoelectronic properties of GaN nanowires and select more proper calculation models and methods for other calculations.
Holographic dark energy with the sign-changeable interaction term
Authors: Zadeh M. Abdollahi , Sheykhi A. , Moradpour H.
Published: February 2017

We use three infrared (IR) cutoffs, including the future event horizon, the Hubble and Granda–Oliveros (GO) cutoffs, to construct three holographic models of dark energy (DE). Additionally, we consider a Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) universe filled by a dark matter (DM) and a DE that interact with each other through a mutual sign-changeable interaction with positive coupling constant. Thereinafter, we address the evolution of the some cosmological parameters, such as the equation of state (EoS) and dimensionless density parameters of DE as well as the deceleration parameter, during the cosmic evolution from the matter-dominated era until the late-time acceleration. We observe that a holographic dark energy (HDE) model with Hubble cutoff interacting with DM cannot be in line with the current universe. Our study shows that models with the future event horizon as the IR cutoff or the GO cutoff are in good agreement with the observational data. In fact, we find out that these two recent models can predict the universe transition from a deceleration phase to the acceleration one in a compatible way with observations. The three obtained models may also allow the EoS parameter to cross the phantom line, a result which depends on the values of the system’s constants such as the value of the interaction coupling constant.
KINETIC AND KINEMATIC PERFORMANCE OF THE UNAFFECTED LOWER LIMB DURING STEP DESCENT IN SUBJECTS WITH ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY
Authors: NEMATOLLAHI MOHAMMADREZA , KARIMI MOHAMMAD TAGHI , RAFIEE ALI , FATOYE FRANCIS
Published: February 2017

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) plays a significant role in the dynamics of the knee joint during locomotion. Previous investigations mainly verified kinematics and kinetics of patients with ACL deficiency drawn on the injured leg. Most studies analyzed these patients after reconstruction surgery. The aim of the present study was to scrutinize the kinematics and kinetics of the intact leg of the ACL deficient individuals during a single step descent. 15 ACL deficient individuals (ACLD) and 15 healthy subjects were recruited in this study. They were asked to descent a single step and continue to walk with preferred speed. Kinematics and kinetics of the hip, knee and ankle of both lower extremities were analyzed. Data was divided into step and walking phases. For the step phase, there were significant differences between the two groups in hip ([Formula: see text]), knee ([Formula: see text]) and ankle ([Formula: see text]) joints range of motion between groups. Velocity of the step descent phase was higher in ACLD subjects in comparison to normal group ([Formula: see text]). For the walking phase, knee joint range of motion in anteroposterior plane was lower in patients group ([Formula: see text]). The stride length in patients group was shorter than that of healthy subjects ([Formula: see text]). The sound side of the ACLD subjects demonstrated different patterns as compared to healthy control group. Both lower extremities may experience early degenerative changes. Therefore, it is recommended that both lower extremities should be assessed in ACLD patients.
Complementary Keratoconus Indices Based on Topographical Interpretation of Biomechanical Waveform Parameters: A Supplement to Established Keratoconus Indices
Authors: Goebels Susanne , Eppig Timo , Wagenpfeil Stefan , Cayless Alan , Seitz Berthold , Langenbucher Achim
Published: February 2017

Purpose. To build new models with the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) waveform parameters to create new indices analogous to established topographic keratoconus indices. Method. Biomechanical, tomographic, and topographic measurements of 505 eyes from the Homburger Keratoconus Centre were included. Thirty-seven waveform parameters (WF) were derived from the biomechanical measurement with the ORA. Area under curve (ROC, receiver operating characteristic) was used to quantify the screening performance. A logistic regression analysis was used to create two new keratoconus prediction models based on these waveform parameters to resample the clinically established keratoconus indices from Pentacam and TMS-5. Results. ROC curves show the best results for the waveform parameters p1area, p2area, h1, h2, dive1, mslew1, aspect1, aplhf, and dslope1. The new keratoconus prediction model to resample the Pentacam topographic keratoconus index (TKC) was WFTKC = −4.068 + 0.002 × p2area − 0.005 × dive1 − 0.01 × h1 − 2.501 × aplhf, which achieves a sensitivity of 90.3% and specificity of 89.4%; to resample the TMS-5 keratoconus classification index (KCI) it was WFKCI = −3.606 + 0.002 × p2area, which achieves a sensitivity of 75.4% and a specificity of 81.8%. Conclusion. In addition to the biomechanically provided Keratoconus Index two new indices which were based on the topographic gold standards (either Pentacam or TMS-5) were created. Of course, these do not replace the original topographic measurement.
Smart Cylindrical Dome Antenna Based on Active Frequency Selective Surface
Authors: Ding Tongyu , Zhang Shaoqing , Zhang Liang , Liu Yanhui
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we proposed a beamforming antenna, which is realized using an omnidirectional antenna in the center surrounded by a cylindrical smart dome. The smart dome is made of 16 active frequency selective surface columns of which the amplitude and phase response can be continuously tuned by varying the bias voltages of the employed varactors. Thus, the performance of the proposed antenna could achieve higher gain, better nulling level, and more agility than many switch methods-based cylindrical reconfigurable antennas. Moreover, in order to overcome the unavailable analytical synthesis caused by complex mutual coupling between columns, we develop a genetic algorithm based optimization system and conducted a serial of experiments to evaluate the high-gain, nulling, continuously steering, and frequency-invariant ability. The results show that, during the frequency tunable range of the AFSS (2.0 GHz to 2.7 GHz), the antenna can offer an additional gain of up to 6.57 dB and nulling level of −56.41 dBi. For the high-gain modes, the −3 dB beam widths are 26°–34°, which offers enhanced angular resolution compared with other reported beam-sweeping work. Furthermore, the radiation pattern is continuously steerable.
Synthesis Characterization and Biological Activities of Coordination Compounds of 4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-2H-chromen-2-one and Its Aminoethanoic Acid and Pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic Acid Mixed Ligand Complexes
Authors: Aiyelabola Temitayo , Akinkunmi Ezekiel , Obuotor Efere , Olawuni Idowu , Isabirye David , Jordaan Johan
Published: February 2017

Coordination compounds of 4-hydroxy-3-nitro-2H-chromen-2-one and their mixed ligand complexes with aminoethanoic acid and pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid were synthesized by the reaction of Cu(II) and Zn(II) salts in molar ratio 1 : 2 for the coumarin complexes and 1 : 1 : 1 for the mixed ligand complexes, in basic media. The compounds formed were characterized using infrared, Uv-vis spectrophotometric analyses, mass spectrometry, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and EDX analyses. It was concluded that 4-hydroxy-3-nitro-2H-chromen-2-one coordinated as a monobasic ligand for all the complexes; it also coordinated via the carbonyl moiety in the case of the Cu(II) mixed ligand complexes. Similarly it was proposed that the amino acids also coordinated in a bidentate fashion via their amino nitrogen and carboxylate oxygen atoms. The synthesized compounds were screened for their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. The complexes exhibited marginal antimicrobial activity but good cytotoxic activity.
Detection of Intermittent Fault for Discrete-Time Systems with Output Dead-Zone: A Variant Tobit Kalman Filtering Approach
Authors: Huang Jie , He Xiao
Published: February 2017

This paper is concerned with the intermittent fault detection problem for a class of discrete-time linear systems with output dead-zone. Dead-zone phenomenon exists in many real practical systems due to the employment of low-cost commercial off-the-shelf sensors. Two Bernoulli random variables are utilized to model the dead-zone effect and a variant formation of Tobit Kalman filter is brought forward to generate a residual that can indicate the occurrence of an intermittent fault. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed technique. The statistical performance of the technique is illustrated as well.