bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eliminating Underconstraint in Double Parallelogram Flexure Mechanisms
Authors: Panas Robert M. , Hopkins Jonathan B.
Published: June 2015

We present an improved flexure linkage design for removing underconstraint in a double parallelogram (DP) linear flexural mechanism. This new linkage alleviates many of the problems associated with current linkage design solutions such as static and dynamic performance losses and increased footprint. The improvements of the new linkage design will enable wider adoption of underconstraint eliminating (UE) linkages, especially in the design of linear flexural bearings. Comparisons are provided between the new linkage design and existing UE designs over a range of features including footprint, dynamics, and kinematics. A nested linkage design is shown through finite element analysis (FEA) and experimental measurement to work as predicted in selectively eliminating the underconstrained degrees-of-freedom (DOF) in DP linear flexure bearings. The improved bearing shows an 11 × gain in the resonance frequency and 134× gain in static stiffness of the underconstrained DOF, as designed. Analytical expressions are presented for designers to calculate the linear performance of the nested UE linkage (average error < 5%). The concept presented in this paper is extended to an analogous double-nested rotary flexure design.
Quantitative imaging of trace B in Si and SiO2 using ToF-SIMS
Authors: Smentkowski Vincent S.
Published: June 2015

Changes in the oxidation state of an element can result in significant changes in the ionization efficiency and hence signal intensity during secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analysis; this is referred to as the SIMS matrix effect [Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry: A Practical Handbook for Depth Profiling and Bulk Impurity Analysis, edited by R. G. Wilson, F. A. Stevie, and C. W. Magee (Wiley, New York, 1990)]. The SIMS matrix effect complicates quantitative analysis. Quantification of SIMS data requires the determination of relative sensitivity factors (RSFs), which can be used to convert the as measured intensity into concentration units [Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry: A Practical Handbook for Depth Profiling and Bulk Impurity Analysis, edited by R. G. Wilson, F. A. Stevie, and C. W. Magee (Wiley, New York, 1990)]. In this manuscript, the authors report both: RSFs which were determined for quantification of B in Si and SiO2 matrices using a dual beam time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) instrument and the protocol they are using to provide quantitative ToF-SIMS images and line scan traces. The authors also compare RSF values that were determined using oxygen and Ar ion beams for erosion, discuss the problems that can be encountered when bulk calibration samples are used to determine RSFs, and remind the reader that errors in molecular details of the matrix (density, volume, etc.) that are used to convert from atoms/cm3 to other concentration units will propagate into errors in the determined concentrations.
Possible artifacts of data biases in the recent global surface warming hiatus
Authors: Karl Thomas R. , Arguez Anthony , Huang Boyin , Lawrimore Jay H. , McMahon James R. , Menne Matthew J. , Peterson Thomas C. , Vose Russell S. , Zhang Huai-Min
Published: June 2015

Walking back talk of the end of warming

Previous analyses of global temperature trends during the first decade of the 21st century seemed to indicate that warming had stalled. This allowed critics of the idea of global warming to claim that concern about climate change was misplaced. Karl
et al.
now show that temperatures did not plateau as thought and that the supposed warming “hiatus” is just an artifact of earlier analyses. Warming has continued at a pace similar to that of the last half of the 20th century, and the slowdown was just an illusion.

Science
, this issue p.
1469
Complete Genome Sequence of a Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea S Gene Indel Strain Isolated in France in December 2014
Authors: Grasland Béatrice , Bigault Lionel , Bernard Cécilia , Quenault Hélène , Toulouse Olivier , Fablet Christelle , Rose Nicolas , Touzain Fabrice , Blanchard Yannick
Published: June 2015

We report the first and only case of a porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) outbreak occurring in December 2014 in northern France, and we show using the full-length genome sequence of the French PED virus (PEDV) isolate that it was a PEDV indel strain close to German PEDV strains recently isolated.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Toluene-Degrading Pseudomonas stutzeri Strain ST-9
Authors: Gomila Margarita , Busquets Antonio , García-Valdés Elena , Michael Esti , Cahan Rivka , Nitzan Yeshayahu , Lalucat Jorge
Published: June 2015

Strain ST-9 was isolated from toluene-contaminated soil (Samaria, Israel). The draft genome has an estimated size of 4.8 Mb, exhibits an average G+C content of 60.37%, and is predicted to encode 4,183 proteins, including a gene cluster for aromatic hydrocarbon degradation. It is assigned to genomovar 3 of
Pseudomonas stutzeri
.
Draft Genome Sequence of Aliivibrio fischeri Strain 5LC, a Bacterium Retrieved from Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) Larvae Reared in Aquaculture
Authors: Califano Gianmaria , Franco Telma , Gonçalves Ana C. S. , Castanho Sara , Soares Florbela , Ribeiro Laura , Mata Leonardo , Costa Rodrigo
Published: June 2015

To shed light on the putative host-mediated lifestyle of the quintessential marine symbiont
Aliivibrio fischeri
, and on the symbiosis versus potentially pathogenic features of bacteria associated with farmed fish, we report the draft genome sequence of
A. fischeri
strain 5LC, a bacterium retrieved from gilthead sea bream (
Sparus aurata
) larvae.
Draft Genome Sequence of Triclosan-Degrading Bacterium
Sphingomonas
sp. Strain YL-JM2C, Isolated from a Wastewater Treatment Plant in China
Authors: Mulla Sikandar I. , Hu Anyi , Xu Haili , Yu Chang-Ping
Published: June 2015

Sphingomonas
sp. strain YL-JM2C was isolated from a wastewater treatment plant in Xiamen, China, by enrichment on triclosan. The bacterium is of special interest because of its ability to degrade triclosan. Here, we present a draft genome sequence of the microorganism and its functional annotation. To our best knowledge, this is the first report of a draft genome sequence of a triclosan-degrading bacterium
Exclusively breastfed overweight infants are at the same risk of childhood overweight as formula fed overweight infants
Authors: van der Willik Esmee M , Vrijkotte Tanja G M , Altenburg Teatske M , Gademan Maaike G J , Kist-van Holthe Joana
Published: June 2015

Background and objective

Several early life determinants play a role in childhood obesity. Rapid weight gain and overweight in infancy increases the risk while breast feeding seems to protect against childhood overweight. However, should we worry about exclusively breastfed overweight infants? The aim of the study is to examine the association of feeding type (exclusive breast feeding (EBF), formula feeding or mixed feeding) and overweight at the age of 6 months with the risk of overweight at the age of 5–6 years.

Methods

The Amsterdam Born Children and their Development study is a large prospective population-based birth cohort study conducted in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Children with complete information pertaining to feeding type and weight status at the age of 6 months and 5–6 years were included (N=3367). EBF was defined as receiving only breast feeding for at least 3 months. Overweight at the ages of 6 months and 5–6 years were defined by the WHO child growth standards and the International Obesity Task Force guidelines, respectively. The association of feeding type and overweight at 6 months with overweight at 5–6 years was assessed using logistic regression analyses.

Results

Overweight infants have a 4.10-fold (95% CI 2.91 to 5.78) higher odds of childhood overweight compared with those who were not overweight, independent of feeding type. EBF did not affect the association between infant overweight and childhood overweight.

Conclusions

Overweight in infancy increases the odds of childhood overweight, equally for exclusively breastfed and formula fed infants. Overweight prevention should start before or at birth and applies to formula fed children as well as exclusively breastfed children.
The effect of food environments on fruit and vegetable intake as modified by time spent at home: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chum Antony , Farrell Eddie , Vaivada Tyler , Labetski Anna , Bohnert Arianne , Selvaratnam Inthuja , Larsen Kristian , Pinter Theresa , O'Campo Patricia
Published: June 2015

Objective

There is a growing body of research that investigates how the residential neighbourhood context relates to individual diet. However, previous studies ignore participants’ time spent in the residential environment and this may be a problem because time-use studies show that adults’ time-use pattern can significantly vary. To better understand the role of exposure duration, we designed a study to examine ‘time spent at home’ as a moderator to the residential food environment-diet association.

Design

Cross-sectional observational study.

Settings

City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Participants

2411 adults aged 25–65.

Primary outcome measure

Frequency of vegetable and fruit intake (VFI) per day.

Results

To examine how time spent at home may moderate the relationship between residential food environment and VFI, the full sample was split into three equal subgroups—short, medium and long duration spent at home. We detected significant associations between density of food stores in the residential food environment and VFI for subgroups that spend medium and long durations at home (ie, spending a mean of 8.0 and 12.3 h at home, respectively—not including sleep time), but no associations exist for people who spend the lowest amount of time at home (mean=4.7 h). Also, no associations were detected in analyses using the full sample.

Conclusions

Our study is the first to demonstrate that time spent at home may be an important variable to identify hidden population patterns regarding VFI. Time spent at home can impact the association between the residential food environment and individual VFI.
Tobacco addiction and smoking cessation in Austrian migrants: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Urban Matthias , Burghuber Otto Chris , Dereci Canan , Aydogan Masite , Selimovic Eldin , Catic Selmir , Funk Georg-Christian
Published: June 2015

Objective

Recent observations revealed substantial differences in smoking behaviour according to individuals’ migration background. However, smoking cessation strategies are rarely tailored on the basis of a migration background. We aimed to determine whether smoking behaviour and preferences for smoking cessation programmes differ between Austrian migrant smokers and Austrian smokers without a migration background.

Study design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Recruitment and interview were performed at public places in Vienna, Austria.

Participants

The 420 smokers included: 140 Bosnian, 140 Turkish migrant smokers of the first or second generation, as well as 140 Austrian smokers without a migration background.

Methods

We cross-sectionally assessed determinants of smoking behaviour and smoking cessation of every participant with a standardised questionnaire.

Primary outcome measure

The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence.

Secondary outcome measures

Determinants of smoking behaviour, willingness to quit smoking and smoking cessation.

Results

Nicotine addiction expressed via the Fagerström score was significantly higher in smokers with a migration background versus those without (Bosnian migrant smokers 4.7±2.5, Turkish migrant smokers 4.0±2.0, Austrian smokers without a migration background 3.4±2.3, p<0.0001). Bosnian and Turkish migrant smokers described a greater willingness to quit, but have had more previous cessation trials than Austrian smokers without a migration background, indicating an increased demand for cessation strategies in these study groups. They also participated in counselling programmes less often than Austrian smokers without a migration background. Finally, we found significant differences in preferences regarding smoking cessation programmes (ie, preferred location, service offered in another language besides German, and group rather than single counselling).

Conclusions

We found significant differences in addictive behaviour and cessation patterns between smokers with and without a migration background. Our results indicate a strong demand for adjusting cessation programmes to the cultural background.
Association between body mass index and onset of hypertension in men and women with and without diabetes: a cross-sectional study using national health data from the State of Kuwait in the Arabian Peninsula
Authors: Channanath Arshad Mohamed , Farran Bassam , Behbehani Kazem , Thanaraj Thangavel Alphonse
Published: June 2015

Objective

Obesity contributes directly to the risk of diabetes and hypertension. Effective management of diabetes is essential to prevent or delay the onset of comorbid hypertension. In this study, we delineate the association body mass index (BMI) has with risk and age at onset of hypertension and explore how this association is modulated by sex and the pre-existing condition of diabetes.

Design

Cross-sectional study using retrospective data.

Setting

Kuwait Health Network that integrates primary health and hospital laboratory data into a single system.

Participants

We considered 3904 native Kuwaiti comorbid individuals who had the onset of type 2 diabetes prior to that of hypertension, and 1403 native Kuwaiti hypertensive individuals with no incidence of diabetes. These participants have been regularly monitored for BMI, glycated haemoglobin and blood pressure measurements. Mean variance in BMI per individual over the period from registration is seen to be low.

Main outcome measures

Association between age at onset of hypertension and BMI (as measured at hypertension diagnosis); HRs for developing hypertension.

Results

Risk of hypertension increases with obesity levels, and is higher in patients with diabetes than in patients without diabetes but of similar obesity levels. Age at onset of hypertension is inversely related to BMI; this relationship is seen to be stronger in men compared to women (slope estimate in men, −0.62 years per unit increase in BMI; in women −0.18) and in individuals (particularly women) with diabetes compared to those without (slope estimate in women, −0.39 vs −0.18, p<0.001; in men −0.66 vs −0.62; p=0.66).

Conclusions

The observation that the presence of diabetes doubles the slope of inverse relationship between hypertension onset age and BMI in women (while the slope is high in men irrespective of diabetes status) leads to a possible proposition that pre-existing diabetes narrows down sex-specific differences in the impact of obesity on blood pressure.
End-tidal CO2detection during cadaveric ventilation
Authors: Coats T J , Morgan B , Robinson C , Biggs M , Adnan A , Rutty G
Published: June 2015

‘Life like’ end-tidal CO2production has been reported in frozen cadaver during intubation training. We report the same phenomenon in a non-frozen cadaveric model used to undertake CT postmortem, with the additional findings of an increase in CO2with chest compressions and an increase in CO2after a pause in ventilation.
Refractory diversion neovaginitis in a sigmoid-colon-derived neovagina: clinical and histopathological considerations
Authors: van der Sluis WB , Bouman M , Meijerink WJHJ , Neefjes-Borst EA , van Bodegraven AA
Published: June 2015

Colonic segments are being used as pedicled grafts in neovaginoplasty, a surgical procedure to (re)construct a (neo)vagina. A disadvantage of using colonic grafts is the potential occurrence of neovaginal complications due to diversion from the faecal stream. Here, we report a case of severe, refractory diversion colitis of the sigmoid neovagina, so-called ‘diversion neovaginitis’, in a 42-year-old woman with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome. Neovaginal biopsy specimens showed colonic-type mucosa with strong increase of lymphoplasmacellular infiltrate in the lamina propria, ulceration with fibrinoid deposition and some crypt irregularity. Endoscopy showed erythematous mucosa, superficial ulceration, mucus discharge and multiple pseudopolyp-like lesions. Local application of mesalazine foam enemas and sodium butyrate enemas initially gave symptom relief. However, this was a temporary effect, ultimately necessitating removal of the neovaginal construct. It is important that all patients are informed about neovaginal bowel complications, for example, diversion neovaginitis. Regular medical and endoscopic follow-up appears recommendable.
Relationship between expression of IGFBP7 and clinicopathological variables in gastric cancer
Authors: Sato Yuya , Inokuchi Mikito , Takagi Yoko , Otsuki Sho , Fujimori Yoshitaka , Yanaka Yoshimitsu , Kobayashi Kenta , Higuchi Kyoko , Kojima Kazuyuki , Kawano Tatsuyuki
Published: June 2015

Aims

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) is reported to have tumour suppressor function through an IGF-dependent pathway in various malignant tumours. However, the expression of IGFBP7 in adenocarcinoma and its relationship with tumour progression and survival differs among studies. Our aims were to investigate the relationship between the expression of IGFBP7 and clinicopathological variables and outcomes of patients with gastric cancer.

Methods

Tumour samples were obtained from 219 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy. The expression of IGFBP7 protein was examined by immunohistochemical staining. IGFBP7 mRNA levels were analysed using real-time quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR in 24 of the gastric cancer tumours and in adjacent non-tumour tissues. Correlation of IGFBP7 expression with clinicopathological features was analysed.

Results

The protein expression of IGFBP7 was positively correlated with depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis or recurrence and pathological stage. High expression of IGFBP7 protein was associated with a significantly worse disease-specific survival (p<0.001) and was an independent prognostic factor in multivariable analysis (HR, 4.8; 95% CI 2.1 to 10.6; p<0.001). The IGFBP7 mRNA level was significantly higher in advanced gastric cancer than in early gastric cancer, in tumours with lymph node metastasis than in tumours without lymph node metastasis, and in tumours with distant metastasis or recurrence than in tumours without distant metastasis or recurrence.

Conclusions

Overexpression of IGFBP7 was associated with tumour progression and poor survival in gastric cancer. IGFBP7 may play a role in tumour progression in gastric cancer.
The negative predictive value of CT angiography in the setting of perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Mortimer Alex M , Appelman Auke PA , Renowden Shelley A
Published: June 2015

Background

Perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage (PMSAH) is only rarely associated with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm and CT angiography (CTA) has very good sensitivity and specificity for aneurysm detection. The necessity for invasive imaging with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is therefore debatable. We chose to assess the negative predictive value (NPV) of CTA in a series of patients with PMSAH treated at our institution over a 9-year period.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed the diagnostic yield of DSA after initial negative CTA in patients with a PMSAH pattern defined as blood centered anterior to the midbrain and/or pons within the pre-pontine or interpeduncular cistern with possible quadrigeminal or ambient cistern extension; possible extension into the basal parts of the sylvian fissures but not the lateral sylvian fissures; possible extension to the cisterna magna but not centered on the cisterna magna; and possible extension into the fourth ventricle and occipital horns of the lateral ventricles.

Results

Using this definition of PMSAH, of 72 patients, one patient showed a potentially significant finding on DSA that was not demonstrated on initial CTA (NPV 98.61% (95% CI 92.47% to 99.77%)). However, when cisterna magna extension was excluded from the definition of PMSAH, no false negative CTAs in 56 patients were encountered (NPV 100% (95% CI 93.56% to 100.00%)).

Conclusions

The NPV of normal CTA for an arterial abnormality in patients with PMSAH is high and our results therefore question the role of invasive imaging. The findings also suggest that a prospective study designed to clarify the necessity of performing DSA in this population would be feasible.
Temporal assessment of seroconversion in response to inactivated foot‐and‐mouth disease vaccine in Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx)
Authors: Kilgallon C. P. , Bailey T. A. , O'Donovan D. , Wernery U. , Alexandersen S.
Published: June 2015

Ten male Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) were vaccinated with a commercially available standard aqueous foot‐and‐mouth‐disease vaccine containing aluminium hydroxide as an adjuvant, and their antibody titres against serotypes O and A were measured using solid‐phase blockingelisaand the virus neutralisation test. Meanelisaantibody titres greater than 1·45 log10were recorded for serotype A, but lowelisatitres were recorded for serotype 0; low titres were recorded byvntfor both serotypes.
Prevalence of inversion positive and inversion negative mating type (MAT) alleles andMATheterokaryons inSclerotinia sclerotiorumin the United States
Authors: Chitrampalam Periasamy , Qiu Chengxiang , Aldrich-Wolfe Laura , Leng Yueqiang , Zhong Shaobin , Nelson Berlin
Published: June 2015

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a yield-limiting pathogen of several economically important crops, and it reproduces sexually by self-fertilization. Based on the presence of an inversion in the mating type locus, S. sclerotiorum can be grouped as inversion negative (Inv– MAT) and inversion positive (Inv+ MAT) isolates. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Inv– and Inv+ MAT S. sclerotiorum isolates across the United States. In total, 164 isolates from 16 hosts and 22 states were evaluated, including 87 isolates from North Dakota and northern Minnesota and 47 isolates from soybean. PCR screening was performed separately for Inv– and Inv+ MAT with specific primers. Of the two kinds of MAT homokaryons, Inv– MAT isolates were the most frequent (31.7%) and were identified in 15 states. Another 12.8% of isolates were Inv+ MAT, and were identified in 8 states. The majority (55.5%) of isolates screened were MAT heterokaryons, and these were identified from 18 states and 11 hosts. The implications of MAT heterokaryons for the biology and management of S. sclerotiorum are discussed.
Dirac–Kähler particle in Riemann spherical space: boson interpretation
Authors: Ishkhanyan A.M. , Florea O. , Ovsiyuk E.M. , Red’kov V.M.
Published: June 2015

In the context of the composite boson interpretation, we construct the exact general solution of the Dirac–Kähler equation for the case of the spherical Riemann space of constant positive curvature, for which due to the geometry itself one may expect to have a discrete energy spectrum. In the case of the minimum value of the total angular momentum, j = 0, the radial equations are reduced to second-order ordinary differential equations, which are straightforwardly solved in terms of the hypergeometric functions. For nonzero values of the total angular momentum, however, the radial equations are reduced to a pair of complicated fourth-order differential equations. Employing the factorization approach, we derive the general solution of these equations involving four independent fundamental solutions written in terms of combinations of the hypergeometric functions. The corresponding discrete energy spectrum is then determined via termination of the involved hypergeometric series, resulting in quasi-polynomial wave-functions. The constructed solutions lead to notable observations when comparing with those for the ordinary Dirac particle. The energy spectrum for the Dirac–Kähler particle in spherical space is much more complicated. Its structure substantially differs from the one for the Dirac particle because it consists of two energy level series in parallel, each of which is twice degenerate. Besides, none of the two separate series coincides with the series for the Dirac particle. Thus, the Dirac–Kähler field cannot be interpreted as a system of four Dirac fermions. Additional arguments supporting this conclusion are discussed.
Generalized information and entanglement entropy, gravitation and holography
Authors: Obregón O.
Published: June 2015

A nonextensive statistical mechanics entropy that depends only on the probability distribution is proposed in the framework of superstatistics. It is based on a Γ(χ2) distribution that depends on β and also on pl. The corresponding modified von Neumann entropy is constructed; it is shown that it can also be obtained from a generalized Replica trick. We further demonstrate a generalized H-theorem. Considering the entropy as a function of the temperature and volume, it is possible to generalize the equation of state of an ideal gas. Moreover, following the entropic force formulation a generalized Newton's law is obtained, and following the proposal that the Einstein equations can be deduced from the Clausius law, we discuss on the structure that a generalized Einstein's theory would have. Lastly, we address the question whether the generalized entanglement entropy can play a role in the gauge/gravity duality. We pay attention to 2d CFT and their gravity duals. The correction terms to the von Neumann entropy result more relevant than the usual UV ones and also than those due to the area dependent AdS3 entropy which result comparable to the UV ones. Then the correction terms due to the new entropy would modify the Ryu–Takayanagi identification between the CFT entanglement entropy and the AdS entropy in a different manner than the UV ones or than the corrections to the AdS3 area dependent entropy.
Queuing model of a traffic bottleneck with bimodal arrival rate
Authors: Woelki Marko
Published: June 2015

This paper revisits the problem of tuning the density in a traffic bottleneck by reduction of the arrival rate when the queue length exceeds a certain threshold, studied recently for variants of totally asymmetric simple exclusion process (TASEP) and Burgers equation. In the present approach, a simple finite queuing system is considered and its contrasting “phase diagram” is derived. One can observe one jammed region, one low-density region and one region where the queue length is equilibrated around the threshold. Despite the simplicity of the model the physics is in accordance with the previous approach: The density is tuned at the threshold if the exit rate lies in between the two arrival rates.
Global stability of SEIVR epidemic model with generalized incidence and preventive vaccination
Authors: Khan Muhammad Altaf , Khan Yasir , Badshah Qaiser , Islam Saeed
Published: June 2015

In this paper, an SEIVR epidemic model with generalized incidence and preventive vaccination is considered. First, we formulate the model and obtain its basic properties. Then, we find the equilibrium points of the model, the disease-free and the endemic equilibrium. The stability of disease-free and endemic equilibrium is associated with the basic reproduction number [Formula: see text]. If the basic reproduction number [Formula: see text], the disease-free equilibrium is locally as well as globally asymptotically stable. Moreover, if the basic reproduction number [Formula: see text], the disease is uniformly persistent and the unique endemic equilibrium of the system is locally as well as globally asymptotically stable under certain conditions. Finally, the numerical results justify the analytical results.
Helicobacter pylorivirulence factors affecting gastric proton pump expression and acid secretion
Authors: Hammond Charles E. , Beeson Craig , Suarez Giovanni , Peek Richard M. , Backert Steffen , Smolka Adam J.
Published: June 2015

Acute Helicobacter pylori infection of gastric epithelial cells and human gastric biopsies represses H,K-ATPase α subunit (HKα) gene expression and inhibits acid secretion, causing transient hypochlorhydria and supporting gastric H. pylori colonization. Infection by H. pylori strains deficient in the cag pathogenicity island ( cag PAI) genes cagL, cagE, or cagM, which do not transfer CagA into host cells or induce interleukin-8 secretion, does not inhibit HKα expression, nor does a cagA-deficient strain that induces IL-8. To test the hypothesis that virulence factors other than those mediating CagA translocation or IL-8 induction participate in HKα repression by activating NF-κB, AGS cells transfected with HKα promoter- Luc reporter constructs containing an intact or mutated NF-κB binding site were infected with wild-type H. pylori strain 7.13, isogenic mutants lacking cag PAI genes responsible for CagA translocation and/or IL-8 induction ( cagA, cagζ, cagε, cagZ, and cagβ), or deficient in genes encoding two peptidoglycan hydrolases ( slt and cagγ). H. pylori-induced AGS cell HKα promoter activities, translocated CagA, and IL-8 secretion were measured by luminometry, immunoblotting, and ELISA, respectively. Human gastric biopsy acid secretion was measured by microphysiometry. Taken together, the data showed that HKα repression is independent of IL-8 expression, and that CagA translocation together with H. pylori transglycosylases encoded by slt and cagγ participate in NF-κB-dependent HKα repression and acid inhibition. The findings are significant because H. pylori factors other than CagA and IL-8 secretion are now implicated in transient hypochlorhydria which facilitates gastric colonization and potential triggering of epithelial progression to neoplasia.
Transforming growth factor-β2is sequestered in preterm human milk by chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans
Authors: Namachivayam Kopperuncholan , Coffing Hayley P. , Sankaranarayanan Nehru Viji , Jin Yingzi , MohanKumar Krishnan , Frost Brandy L. , Blanco Cynthia L. , Patel Aloka L. , Meier Paula P. , Garzon Steven A. , Desai Umesh R. , Maheshwari Akhil
Published: June 2015

Human milk contains biologically important amounts of transforming growth factor-β2isoform (TGF-β2), which is presumed to protect against inflammatory gut mucosal injury in the neonate. In preclinical models, enterally administered TGF-β2can protect against experimental necrotizing enterocolitis, an inflammatory bowel necrosis of premature infants. In this study, we investigated whether TGF-β bioactivity in human preterm milk could be enhanced for therapeutic purposes by adding recombinant TGF-β2(rTGF-β2) to milk prior to feeding. Milk-borne TGF-β bioactivity was measured by established luciferase reporter assays. Molecular interactions of TGF-β2were investigated by nondenaturing gel electrophoresis and immunoblots, computational molecular modeling, and affinity capillary electrophoresis. Addition of rTGF-β2(20–40 nM) to human preterm milk samples failed to increase TGF-β bioactivity in milk. Milk-borne TGF-β2was bound to chondroitin sulfate (CS) containing proteoglycan(s) such as biglycan, which are expressed in high concentrations in milk. Chondroitinase treatment of milk increased the bioactivity of both endogenous and rTGF-β2, and consequently, enhanced the ability of preterm milk to suppress LPS-induced NF-κB activation in macrophages. These findings provide a mechanism for the normally low bioavailability of milk-borne TGF-β2and identify chondroitinase digestion of milk as a potential therapeutic strategy to enhance the anti-inflammatory effects of preterm milk.
Metformin prevents ischemia reperfusion-induced oxidative stress in the fatty liver by attenuation of reactive oxygen species formation
Authors: Cahova Monika , Palenickova Eliska , Dankova Helena , Sticova Eva , Burian Martin , Drahota Zdenek , Cervinkova Zuzana , Kucera Otto , Gladkova Christina , Stopka Pavel , Krizova Jana , Papackova Zuzana , Oliyarnyk Olena , Kazdova Ludmila
Published: June 2015

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with chronic oxidative stress. In our study, we explored the antioxidant effect of antidiabetic metformin on chronic [high-fat diet (HFD)-induced] and acute oxidative stress induced by short-term warm partial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) or on a combination of both in the liver. Wistar rats were fed a standard diet (SD) or HFD for 10 wk, half of them being administered metformin (150 mg·kg body wt−1·day−1). Metformin treatment prevented acute stress-induced necroinflammatory reaction, reduced alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase serum activity, and diminished lipoperoxidation. The effect was more pronounced in the HFD than in the SD group. The metformin-treated groups exhibited less severe mitochondrial damage (markers: cytochrome c release, citrate synthase activity, mtDNA copy number, mitochondrial respiration) and apoptosis (caspase 9 and caspase 3 activation). Metformin-treated HFD-fed rats subjected to I/R exhibited increased antioxidant enzyme activity as well as attenuated mitochondrial respiratory capacity and ATP resynthesis. The exposure to I/R significantly increased NADH- and succinate-related reactive oxygen species (ROS) mitochondrial production in vitro. The effect of I/R was significantly alleviated by previous metformin treatment. Metformin downregulated the I/R-induced expression of proinflammatory (TNF-α, TLR4, IL-1β, Ccr2) and infiltrating monocyte (Ly6c) and macrophage (CD11b) markers. Our data indicate that metformin reduces mitochondrial performance but concomitantly protects the liver from I/R-induced injury. We propose that the beneficial effect of metformin action is based on a combination of three contributory mechanisms: increased antioxidant enzyme activity, lower mitochondrial ROS production, and reduction of postischemic inflammation.
IDH1 Mutation Induces Reprogramming of Pyruvate Metabolism
Authors: Izquierdo-Garcia Jose L. , Viswanath Pavithra , Eriksson Pia , Cai Larry , Radoul Marina , Chaumeil Myriam M. , Blough Michael , Luchman H. Artee , Weiss Samuel , Cairncross J. Gregory , Phillips Joanna J. , Pieper Russell O. , Ronen Sabrina M.
Published: June 2015

Mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) catalyzes the production of 2-hydroxyglutarate but also elicits additional metabolic changes. Levels of both glutamate and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity have been shown to be affected in U87 glioblastoma cells or normal human astrocyte (NHA) cells expressing mutant IDH1, as compared with cells expressing wild-type IDH1. In this study, we show how these phenomena are linked through the effects of IDH1 mutation, which also reprograms pyruvate metabolism. Reduced PDH activity in U87 glioblastoma and NHA IDH1 mutant cells was associated with relative increases in PDH inhibitory phosphorylation, expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-3, and levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1α. PDH activity was monitored in these cells by hyperpolarized 13C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C-MRS), which revealed a reduction in metabolism of hyperpolarized 2-13C-pyruvate to 5-13C-glutamate, relative to cells expressing wild-type IDH1. 13C-MRS also revealed a reduction in glucose flux to glutamate in IDH1 mutant cells. Notably, pharmacological activation of PDH by cell exposure to dichloroacetate (DCA) increased production of hyperpolarized 5-13C-glutamate in IDH1 mutant cells. Furthermore, DCA treatment also abrogated the clonogenic advantage conferred by IDH1 mutation. Using patient-derived mutant IDH1 neurosphere models, we showed that PDH activity was essential for cell proliferation. Taken together, our results established that the IDH1 mutation induces an MRS-detectable reprogramming of pyruvate metabolism, which is essential for cell proliferation and clonogenicity, with immediate therapeutic implications. Cancer Res; 75(15); 2999–3009. ©2015 AACR.
Unusual Eruptions Associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae Respiratory Infections: Review of the Literature
Authors: Terraneo Luisa , Lava Sebastiano A.G. , Camozzi Pietro , Zgraggen Lorenzo , Simonetti Giacomo D. , Bianchetti Mario G. , Milani Gregorio P.
Published: June 2015

Background: Maculopapular or urticarial eruptions and erythema multiforme sometimes occur in patients affected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory infections. Further eruptions have also been reported. Objective: To review the literature addressing M. pneumoniae respiratory infection and rather unusual eruptions. Methods: Computer-based search in the US National Library of Medicine database as well as in the search engine Google. Results: We found a possible relationship between M. pneumoniae infection and Fuchs' syndrome (n = 37), varicella-like eruptions (n = 8), Henoch-Schönlein syndrome and further leukocytoclastic vasculitides (n = 21) and erythema nodosum (n = 11). A temporal relationship was also observed with 2 cases of Gianotti-Crosti syndrome. Finally, there exists reasonable evidence that pityriasis rosea Gibert and pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta Mucha-Habermann are not associated with Mycoplasma infections. Conclusion: This review implies that M. pneumoniae may cause, in addition to erythematous maculopapular (or urticarial) eruptions and erythema multiforme, Fuchs' syndrome and varicella-like eruptions. Furthermore, there is an intriguing link with leukocytoclastic vasculitides or erythema nodosum that deserves further investigation.
Associations of ApoAI and ApoB–Containing Lipoproteins With AngII–Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Mice
Authors: Liu Jing , Lu Hong , Howatt Deborah A. , Balakrishnan Anju , Moorleghen Jessica J. , Sorci-Thomas Mary , Cassis Lisa A. , Daugherty Alan
Published: June 2015

Objective—

Dyslipidemia is implicated in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in humans and angiotensin (Ang) II–infused mice. This study determined effects of major lipoprotein classes on AngII-induced AAAs using multiple mouse strains with dietary and pharmacological manipulations.

Approach and Results—

Western diet had minor effects on plasma cholesterol concentrations and the low incidence of AngII-induced AAAs in C57BL/6J mice. Low incidence of AAAs in this strain was not attributed to protection from high-density lipoprotein, because apolipoprotein (apo) AI deficiency did not increase AngII-induced AAAs. ApoAI deletion also failed to alter AAA occurrence in hypercholesterolemic mice. Low-density lipoprotein receptor−/− mice fed normal diet had low incidence of AngII-induced AAAs. Western diet feeding of this strain provoked pronounced hypercholesterolemia because of increased apoB-containing lipoproteins with attendant increases of atherosclerosis in both sexes, but AAAs only in male mice. ApoE-deficient mice fed normal diet were modestly hypercholesterolemic, whereas this strain fed Western diet was severely hypercholesterolemic because of increased apoB-containing lipoprotein concentrations. The latter augmented atherosclerosis, but did not change the high incidence of AAAs in this strain. To determine whether reductions in apoB-containing lipoproteins influenced AngII-induced AAAs, ezetimibe was administered at a dose that partially reduced plasma cholesterol concentrations to ApoE-deficient mice fed Western diet. This decreased atherosclerosis, but not AAAs. This ezetimibe dose in ApoE-deficient mice fed normal diet significantly decreased plasma apoB-containing lipoprotein concentrations and reduced AngII-induced AAAs.

Conclusions—

ApoB-containing lipoproteins contribute to augmentation of AngII-induced AAA in male mice. However, unlike atherosclerosis, AAA occurrence was not correlated with increases in plasma apoB-containing lipoprotein concentrations.
Synergistic Effects of Transplanted Endothelial Progenitor Cells and RWJ 67657 in Diabetic Ischemic Stroke Models
Authors: Bai Ying-Ying , Wang Lishan , Chang Di , Zhao Zhen , Lu Chun-Qiang , Wang Guozheng , Ju Shenghong
Published: June 2015

Background and Purpose—

An immature vascular phenotype in diabetes mellitus may cause more severe vascular damage and poorer functional outcomes after stroke, and it would be feasible to repair damaged functional vessels using endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) transplantation. However, high glucose induces p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, which can accelerate the senescence and apoptosis of EPCs. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effects of EPC transplantation and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor administration on diabetic stroke outcomes.

Methods—

Bone marrow–derived EPCs were injected intra-arterially into
db/db
mice after ischemic stroke induction. RWJ 67657 (RWJ), a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, was administered orally for 7 consecutive days, with the first dose given 30 minutes before stroke induction. Functional outcome was determined at days 0, 1, 7, 14, and 21. Angiogenesis, neurogenesis, infarct volume, and Western blotting assays were performed on day 7, and white matter remodeling was determined on day 14.

Results—

Neither EPC transplantation nor RWJ administration alone significantly improved diabetic stroke outcome although RWJ displayed a potent anti-inflammatory effect. By both improving the functioning of EPCs and reducing inflammation, EPC transplantation plus RWJ administration in vivo synergistically promoted angiogenesis and neurogenesis after diabetic stroke. In addition, the white matter remodeling, behavioral scores, and expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were significantly increased in diabetic mice treated with both EPCs and RWJ.

Conclusions—

The combination of EPC transplantation and RWJ administration accelerated recovery from diabetic stroke, which might have been caused by increased levels of proangiogenic and neurotrophic factors.
In vitro assessment of the effects of Brassica juncea and Raphanus sativus leaf and root extracts on the viability of Globodera pallida encysted eggs
Authors: Ngala Bruno M. , Woods Simon R. , Back Matthew A.
Published: June 2015

The biofumigation potential of leaf and root extracts of Brassica juncea and Raphanus sativus on Globodera pallida were assessed in vitro. In an efficacy study, G. pallida encysted eggs were exposed to six different concentrations of freeze-dried leaf or root extracts for 96 h and assessed for viability using hatching assays in 6-week-old potato root leachates (PRL). For B. juncea extracts an LC50 value of 0.027 mg ml−1 w/v was determined. The LC50 of Raphanus sativus root extracts was 0.032 mg ml−1, whereas leaf extracts were effective only at higher concentrations (⩾0.50 mg ml−1; w/v) and to a lesser extent. Hatching of G. pallida was enhanced in PRL following exposure to lower concentrations (0.063 mg ml−1) of R. sativus leaf extract. An analysis of the types and concentrations of glucosinolate (GSL) present in the freeze-dried tissues revealed that B. juncea leaf tissue was rich in 2-propenyl GSL (≈98%). Root tissue also had a high concentration of 2-propenyl GSL, but the leaf extracts were found to have a higher concentration (⩾90 μmol (g dry weight)−1) when compared with the root extract (⩾10 μmol (g dry weight)−1). Raphanus sativus had two-fold more root GSL, predominantly 2-phenylethyl GSL (⩾50 μmol (g dry weight)−1), when compared with the leaf tissue which was dominated by 4-methylsulfinylbutyl GSL (⩾20 μmol (g dry weight)−1). In summary, the strong suppression of G. pallida encysted eggs exhibited by lower concentrations of B. juncea extracts shows the potential of this species in G. pallida management if effectively incorporated into an integrated potato cyst nematode management scheme. In comparison with B. juncea, the biofumigation potential of R. sativus can be improved by maximising its root biomass production.
Characterisation of, and entomopathogenic studies on, Pristionchus aerivorus (Cobb in Merrill & Ford, 1916) Chitwood, 1937 (Rhabditida: Diplogastridae) from North Carolina, USA
Authors: Ye Weimin , Yu Qing , Kanzaki Natsumi , Adams Paul R. , Cardoza Yasmin J.
Published: June 2015

During a survey of entomopathogenic nematodes in North Carolina, USA, aPristionchusspecies was recovered using theGalleriabait method. Morphological studies with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, mating tests with reference strains, as well as molecular analyses of the near-full-length small subunit rRNA gene (18S) and D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit rRNA gene (28S) identified this isolate asPristionchus aerivorus. ExposedGallerialarvae were killed within 48 h and high numbers of nematodes were recovered from the cadavers about 5 days later. Preliminary tests revealed that this nematode is capable of infecting at least two other insect species (Helicoverpa zeaandTenebrio molitor) under laboratory conditions. The status of the genusChroniodiplogasteris discussed and confirmed as a junior synonym ofPristionchusbased on morphological observation and molecular phylogenetic analysis.
Genetic structure analysis of populations of the soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines, from north China
Authors: Wang Hui-Min , Zhao Hong-hai , Chu Dong
Published: June 2015

To elucidate the genetic differentiation of the host populations ofHeterodera glycines, 348 individuals from 13 populations of three host plants (Nicotiana tabacum,Glycine maxandRehmannia glutinosa) in north China were genotyped using eight microsatellite loci. A significant departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (Fis) was found in all populations. BOTTLENECK results showed that only three populations (ZT, CR, and MR) may have experienced a genetic bottleneck. The pairwiseFSTvalues among the three host populations ranged from 0.0503 to 0.2867. There was no significant relationship between the genetic distance and geographical distance. STRUCTURE analyses suggest thatR. glutinosamight have important influence on the genetic differentiation ofH. glycinesin north China. Our study demonstrates thatH. glycinesis an inbred species that is highly genetic differentiated.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Vulnerability of Children
Authors: Sandberg Kirsten
Published: June 2015

Children share a universal vulnerability with other human beings, yet have a particular vulnerability as children and even more so as being individually positioned within that group. In this article the Convention on the Rights of the Child (crc) and the jurisprudence of the Committee on the Rights of the Child are analysed in the light of vulnerability theory. The article questions the theory’s view of non-discrimination as a solely individualized approach, as well as its reluctance to designate vulnerable groups of children. The geography of vulnerability is considered in relation to children migrating or being displaced, and general measures of implementation are related to the need for societal institutions to meet children’s vulnerability. The article concludes by focusing on the enhancement of children’s participation in society as a necessary response to their vulnerability.
The Child Rights Convention and International Criminal Justice
Authors: Amann Diane Marie
Published: June 2015

This article examines interrelations between the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, and the revival of international criminal justice that began just a few years later. Particular attention is paid to the work of the International Criminal Court as it concerns children affected by armed conflict and similar violence.