bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autoregulated paracellular clearance of amyloid-β across the blood-brain barrier
Authors: Keaney James , Walsh Dominic M. , O’Malley Tiernan , Hudson Natalie , Crosbie Darragh E. , Loftus Teresa , Sheehan Florike , McDaid Jacqueline , Humphries Marian M. , Callanan John J. , Brett Francesca M. , Farrell Michael A. , Humphries Peter , Campbell Matthew
Published: September 2015

Size-selective and passive paracellular diffusion of amyloid-β across tight junctions of the blood-brain barrier in Alzheimer’s disease.
Increasing Anaerobic Acetate Consumption and Ethanol Yields in Saccharomyces cerevisiae with NADPH-Specific Alcohol Dehydrogenase
Authors: Henningsen Brooks M. , Hon Shuen , Covalla Sean F. , Sonu Carolina , Argyros D. Aaron , Barrett Trisha F. , Wiswall Erin , Froehlich Allan C. , Zelle Rintze M.
Published: September 2015

Saccharomyces cerevisiae
has recently been engineered to use acetate, a primary inhibitor in lignocellulosic hydrolysates, as a cosubstrate during anaerobic ethanolic fermentation. However, the original metabolic pathway devised to convert acetate to ethanol uses NADH-specific acetylating acetaldehyde dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase and quickly becomes constrained by limited NADH availability, even when glycerol formation is abolished. We present alcohol dehydrogenase as a novel target for anaerobic redox engineering of
S. cerevisiae
. Introduction of an NADPH-specific alcohol dehydrogenase (NADPH-ADH) not only reduces the NADH demand of the acetate-to-ethanol pathway but also allows the cell to effectively exchange NADPH for NADH during sugar fermentation. Unlike NADH, NADPH can be freely generated under anoxic conditions, via the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway. We show that an industrial bioethanol strain engineered with the original pathway (expressing acetylating acetaldehyde dehydrogenase from
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
and with deletions of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes
GPD1
and
GPD2
) consumed 1.9 g liter
−1
acetate during fermentation of 114 g liter
−1
glucose. Combined with a decrease in glycerol production from 4.0 to 0.1 g liter
−1
, this increased the ethanol yield by 4% over that for the wild type. We provide evidence that acetate consumption in this strain is indeed limited by NADH availability. By introducing an NADPH-ADH from
Entamoeba histolytica
and with overexpression of
ACS2
and
ZWF1
, we increased acetate consumption to 5.3 g liter
−1
and raised the ethanol yield to 7% above the wild-type level.
Plant Pathogen-Induced Water-Soaking Promotes Salmonella enterica Growth on Tomato Leaves
Authors: Potnis Neha , Colee James , Jones Jeffrey B. , Barak Jeri D.
Published: September 2015

Plant pathogen infection is a critical factor for the persistence of
Salmonella enterica
on plants. We investigated the mechanisms responsible for the persistence of
S. enterica
on diseased tomato plants by using four diverse bacterial spot
Xanthomonas
species that differ in disease severities.
Xanthomonas euvesicatoria
and
X. gardneri
infection fostered
S. enterica
growth, while
X. perforans
infection did not induce growth but supported the persistence of
S. enterica
.
X. vesicatoria
-infected leaves harbored
S. enterica
populations similar to those on healthy leaves. Growth of
S. enterica
was associated with extensive water-soaking and necrosis in
X. euvesicatoria
- and
X. gardneri
-infected plants. The contribution of water-soaking to the growth of
S. enterica
was corroborated by an increased growth of populations on water-saturated leaves in the absence of a plant pathogen.
S. enterica
aggregates were observed with bacterial spot lesions caused by either
X. euvesicatoria
or
X. vesicatoria
; however, more
S. enterica
aggregates formed on
X. euvesicatoria
-infected leaves as a result of larger lesion sizes per leaf area and extensive water-soaking. Sparsely distributed lesions caused by
X. vesicatoria
infection do not support the overall growth of
S. enterica
or aggregates in areas without lesions or water-soaking;
S. enterica
was observed as single cells and not aggregates. Thus, pathogen-induced water-soaking and necrosis allow
S. enterica
to replicate and proliferate on tomato leaves. The finding that the pathogen-induced virulence phenotype affects the fate of
S. enterica
populations in diseased plants suggests that targeting of plant pathogen disease is important in controlling
S. enterica
populations on plants.
O Antigen Modulates Insect Vector Acquisition of the Bacterial Plant Pathogen Xylella fastidiosa
Authors: Rapicavoli Jeannette N. , Kinsinger Nichola , Perring Thomas M. , Backus Elaine A. , Shugart Holly J. , Walker Sharon , Roper M. Caroline
Published: September 2015

Hemipteran insect vectors transmit the majority of plant pathogens. Acquisition of pathogenic bacteria by these piercing/sucking insects requires intimate associations between the bacterial cells and insect surfaces. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the predominant macromolecule displayed on the cell surface of Gram-negative bacteria and thus mediates bacterial interactions with the environment and potential hosts. We hypothesized that bacterial cell surface properties mediated by LPS would be important in modulating vector-pathogen interactions required for acquisition of the bacterial plant pathogen
Xylella fastidiosa
, the causative agent of Pierce's disease of grapevines. Utilizing a mutant that produces truncated O antigen (the terminal portion of the LPS molecule), we present results that link this LPS structural alteration to a significant decrease in the attachment of
X. fastidiosa
to blue-green sharpshooter foreguts. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that this defect in initial attachment compromised subsequent biofilm formation within vector foreguts, thus impairing pathogen acquisition. We also establish a relationship between O antigen truncation and significant changes in the physiochemical properties of the cell, which in turn affect the dynamics of
X. fastidiosa
adhesion to the vector foregut. Lastly, we couple measurements of the physiochemical properties of the cell with hydrodynamic fluid shear rates to produce a Comsol model that predicts primary areas of bacterial colonization within blue-green sharpshooter foreguts, and we present experimental data that support the model. These results demonstrate that, in addition to reported protein adhesin-ligand interactions, O antigen is crucial for vector-pathogen interactions, specifically in the acquisition of this destructive agricultural pathogen.
A Rapid and Specific Method for the Detection of Indole in Complex Biological Samples
Authors: Darkoh Charles , Chappell Cynthia , Gonzales Christopher , Okhuysen Pablo
Published: September 2015

Indole, a bacterial product of tryptophan degradation, has a variety of important applications in the pharmaceutical industry and is a biomarker in biological and clinical specimens. Yet, specific assays to quantitate indole are complex and require expensive equipment and a high level of training. Thus, indole in biological samples is often estimated using the simple and rapid Kovács assay, which nonspecifically detects a variety of commonly occurring indole analogs. We demonstrate here a sensitive, specific, and rapid method for measuring indole in complex biological samples using a specific reaction between unsubstituted indole and hydroxylamine. We compared the hydroxylamine-based indole assay (HIA) to the Kovács assay and confirmed that the two assays are capable of detecting microgram amounts of indole. However, the HIA is specific to indole and does not detect other naturally occurring indole analogs. We further demonstrated the utility of the HIA in measuring indole levels in clinically relevant biological materials, such as fecal samples and bacterial cultures. Mean and median fecal indole concentrations from 53 healthy adults were 2.59 mM and 2.73 mM, respectively, but varied widely (0.30 mM to 6.64 mM) among individuals. We also determined that enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
strain H10407 produces 3.3 ± 0.22 mM indole during a 24-h period in the presence of 5 mM tryptophan. The sensitive and specific HIA should be of value in a variety of settings, such as the evaluation of various clinical samples and the study of indole-producing bacterial species in the gut microbiota.
Microbial Iron Oxidation in the Arctic Tundra and Its Implications for Biogeochemical Cycling
Authors: Emerson David , Scott Jarrod J. , Benes Joshua , Bowden William B.
Published: September 2015

The role that neutrophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria play in the Arctic tundra is unknown. This study surveyed chemosynthetic iron-oxidizing communities at the North Slope of Alaska near Toolik Field Station (TFS) at Toolik Lake (lat 68.63, long −149.60). Microbial iron mats were common in submerged habitats with stationary or slowly flowing water, and their greatest areal extent is in coating plant stems and sediments in wet sedge meadows. Some Fe-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) produce easily recognized sheath or stalk morphotypes that were present and dominant in all the mats we observed. The cool water temperatures (9 to 11°C) and reduced pH (5.0 to 6.6) at all sites kinetically favor microbial iron oxidation. A microbial survey of five sites based on 16S rRNA genes found a predominance of
Proteobacteria
, with
Betaproteobacteria
and members of the family
Comamonadaceae
being the most prevalent operational taxonomic units (OTUs). In relative abundance, clades of lithotrophic FeOB composed 5 to 10% of the communities. OTUs related to cyanobacteria and chloroplasts accounted for 3 to 25% of the communities. Oxygen profiles showed evidence for oxygenic photosynthesis at the surface of some mats, indicating the coexistence of photosynthetic and FeOB populations. The relative abundance of OTUs belonging to putative Fe-reducing bacteria (FeRB) averaged around 11% in the sampled iron mats. Mats incubated anaerobically with 10 mM acetate rapidly initiated Fe reduction, indicating that active iron cycling is likely. The prevalence of iron mats on the tundra might impact the carbon cycle through lithoautotrophic chemosynthesis, anaerobic respiration of organic carbon coupled to iron reduction, and the suppression of methanogenesis, and it potentially influences phosphorus dynamics through the adsorption of phosphorus to iron oxides.
The Cch1-Mid1 High-Affinity Calcium Channel Contributes to the Virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans by Mitigating Oxidative Stress
Authors: Vu Kiem , Bautos Jennifer M. , Gelli Angie
Published: September 2015

Pathogenic fungi have developed mechanisms to cope with stresses imposed by hosts. For
Cryptococcus
spp., this implies active defense mechanisms that attenuate and ultimately overcome the onslaught of oxidative stresses in macrophages. Among cellular pathways within
Cryptococcus neoformans
' arsenal is the plasma membrane high-affinity Cch1-Mid1 calcium (Ca
2+
) channel (CMC). Here we show that CMC has an unexpectedly complex and disparate role in mitigating oxidative stress. Upon inhibiting the Ccp1-mediated oxidative response pathway with antimycin, strains of
C. neoformans
expressing only Mid1 displayed enhanced growth, but this was significantly attenuated upon H
2
O
2
exposure in the absence of Mid1, suggesting a regulatory role for Mid1 acting through the Ccp1-mediated oxidative stress response. This notion is further supported by the interaction detected between Mid1 and Ccp1 (cytochrome
c
peroxidase). In contrast, Cch1 appears to have a more general role in promoting cryptococci survival during oxidative stress. A strain lacking Cch1 displayed a growth defect in the presence of H
2
O
2
without BAPTA [(1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-
N
,
N
,
N
′,
N
′-tetraacetic acid, cesium salt] or additional stressors such as antimycin. Consistent with a greater contribution of Cch1 to oxidative stress tolerance, an intracellular growth defect was observed for the
cch1
Δ strain in the macrophage cell line J774A.1. Interestingly, while the absence of either Mid1 or Cch1 significantly compromises the ability of
C. neoformans
to tolerate oxidative stress, the absence of both Mid1 and Cch1 has a negligible effect on
C. neoformans
growth during H
2
O
2
stress, suggesting the existence of a compensatory mechanism that becomes active in the absence of CMC.
The dose–response effect of physical activity on cancer mortality: findings from 71 prospective cohort studies
Authors: Li Tingting , Wei Shaozhong , Shi Yun , Pang Shuo , Qin Qin , Yin Jieyun , Deng Yunte , Chen Qiongrong , Wei Sheng , Nie Shaofa , Liu Li
Published: September 2015

Background

The WHO recommends moderate physical activity to combat the increasing risk of death from chronic diseases. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the association between physical activity and cancer mortality and the WHO recommendations to reduce the latter.

Methods

MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched up until May 2014 for cohort studies examining physical activity and cancer mortality in the general population and cancer survivors. Combined HRs were estimated using fixed-effect or random-effect meta-analysis of binary analysis. Associated HRs with defined increments and recommended levels of recreational physical activity were estimated by two-stage random-effects dose–response meta-analysis.

Results

A total of 71 cohort studies met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. Binary analyses determined that individuals who participated in the most physical activity had an HR of 0.83 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.87) and 0.78 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.84) for cancer mortality in the general population and among cancer survivors, respectively. There was an inverse non-linear dose–response between the effects of physical activity and cancer mortality. In the general population, a minimum of 2.5 h/week of moderate-intensity activity led to a significant 13% reduction in cancer mortality. Cancer survivors who completed 15 metabolic equivalents of task (MET)-h/week of physical activity had a 27% lower risk of cancer mortality. A greater protective effect occurred in cancer survivors undertaking physical activity postdiagnosis versus prediagnosis, where 15 MET-h/week decreased the risk by 35% and 21%, respectively.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis supports that current physical activity recommendations from WHO reduce cancer mortality in both the general population and cancer survivors. We infer that physical activity after a cancer diagnosis may result in significant protection among cancer survivors.
Education Against Tobacco (EAT): a quasi-experimental prospective evaluation of a multinational medical-student-delivered smoking prevention programme for secondary schools in Germany
Authors: Brinker Titus J , Stamm-Balderjahn Sabine , Seeger Werner , Klingelhöfer Doris , Groneberg David A
Published: September 2015

Objectives

To evaluate the multinational medical-student-delivered tobacco prevention programme for secondary schools for its effectiveness to reduce the smoking prevalence among adolescents aged 11–15 years in Germany at half year follow-up.

Setting

We used a prospective quasi-experimental study design with measurements at baseline (t1) and 6 months postintervention (t2) to investigate an intervention in 8 German secondary schools. The participants were split into intervention and control classes in the same schools and grades.

Participants

A total of 1474 eligible participants of both genders at the age of 11–15 years were involved within the survey for baseline assessment of which 1200 completed the questionnaire at 6-month follow-up (=longitudinal sample). The schools participated voluntarily. The inclusion criteria were age (10–15 years), grade (6–8) and school type (regular secondary schools).

Intervention

Two 60 min school-based modules delivered by medical students.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary end point was the difference from t1 to t2 of the smoking prevalence in the control group versus the difference from t1 to t2 in the intervention group (difference of differences approach). The percentage of former smokers and new smokers in the two groups were studied as secondary outcome measures.

Results

In the control group, the percentage of students who claimed to be smokers doubled from 4.2% (t1) to 8.1% (t2), whereas it remained almost the same in the intervention group (7.1% (t1) to 7.4% (t2); p=0.01). The likelihood of quitting smoking was almost six times higher in the intervention group (total of 67 smokers at t1; 27 (4.6%) and 7 (1.1%) in the control group; OR 5.63; 95% CI 2.01 to 15.79; p<0.01). However, no primary preventive effect was found.

Conclusions

We report a significant secondary preventive (smoking cessation) effect at 6-month follow-up. Long-term evaluation is planned.
Providing immediate neonatal care and resuscitation at birth beside the mother: parents’ views, a qualitative study
Authors: Sawyer Alexandra , Ayers Susan , Bertullies Sophia , Thomas Margaret , Weeks Andrew D , Yoxall Charles W , Duley Lelia
Published: September 2015

Objectives

The aims of this study were to assess parents’ views of immediate neonatal care and resuscitation at birth being provided beside the mother, and their experiences of a mobile trolley designed to facilitate this bedside care.

Design

Qualitative study with semistructured interviews. Results were analysed using thematic analysis.

Setting

Large UK maternity hospital.

Participants

Mothers whose baby received initial neonatal care in the first few minutes of life at the bedside, and their birth partners, were eligible. 30 participants were interviewed (19 mothers, 10 partners and 1 grandmother). 5 babies required advanced neonatal resuscitation.

Results

5 themes were identified: (1) Reassurance, which included ‘Baby is OK’, ‘Having baby close’, ‘Confidence in care’, ‘Knowing what's going on’ and ‘Dad as informant’; (2) Involvement of the family, which included ‘Opportunity for contact’, ‘Family involvement’ and ‘Normality’; (3) Staff communication, which included ‘Communication’ and ‘Experience’; (4) Reservations, which included ‘Reservations about witnessing resuscitation’, ‘Negative emotions’ and ‘Worries about the impact on staff’ and (5) Experiences of the trolley, which included ‘Practical issues’ and ‘Comparisons with standard resuscitation equipment’.

Conclusions

Families were positive about neonatal care being provided at the bedside, and felt it gave reassurance about their baby's health and care. They also reported feeling involved as a family. Some parents reported experiencing negative emotions as a result of witnessing resuscitation of their baby. Parents were positive about the trolley.
Perioperative diabetes care: development and validation of quality indicators throughout the entire hospital care pathway
Authors: Hommel Inge , van Gurp Petra J , Tack Cees J , Wollersheim Hub , Hulscher Marlies EJL
Published: September 2015

Background

In this study, we aim to develop a set of quality indicators for optimal perioperative diabetes care throughout the hospital care pathway and to gain insight into the feasibility of the indicator set in daily clinical practice by assessing the clinimetric properties of the indicators in a practice test.

Methods

A literature-based modified Delphi method was used to develop a set of quality indicators. To assess clinimetric properties of each indicator (measurability, applicability, reliability, improvement potential and case-mix stability), a practice test was performed in six Dutch hospitals using a sample of 389 major surgery patients with diabetes who underwent abdominal, cardiac or large joint orthopaedic surgery.

Results

We developed a set of 36 quality indicators for perioperative diabetes care. The practice test showed that one indicator was inapplicable, and nine indicators were unmeasurable. Interobserver reliability was good (0.61≤k≤0.8) for all indicators except for one with moderate (0.41≤k≤0.6) interobserver reliability. Improvement potential was low (<10%) for five indicators. Twenty-one indicators, including three outcome indicators, nine process indicators and nine structure indicators, could be used to assess the quality of care delivered in our six study hospitals.

Conclusion

We developed a face and content valid set of quality indicators for optimal perioperative diabetes care throughout the hospital care pathway, using a rigorous and systematic approach. The results from our practice test show that it is essential to subject indicators to a practice test before applying them for quality improvement purposes.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT01610674.
Rosiglitazone elicits in vitro relaxation in airways and precision cut lung slices from a mouse model of chronic allergic airways disease
Authors: Donovan Chantal , Bailey Simon R. , Tran Jenny , Haitsma Gertruud , Ibrahim Zaridatul A. , Foster Simon R. , Tang Mimi L. K. , Royce Simon G. , Bourke Jane E.
Published: September 2015

Rosiglitazone (RGZ), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) ligand, is a novel dilator of small airways in mouse precision cut lung slices (PCLS). In this study, relaxation to RGZ and β-adrenoceptor agonists were compared in trachea from naïve mice and guinea pigs and trachea and PCLS from a mouse model of chronic allergic airways disease (AAD). Airways were precontracted with methacholine before addition of PPARγ ligands [RGZ, ciglitazone (CGZ), or 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15-deoxy-PGJ2)] or β-adrenoceptor agonists (isoprenaline and salbutamol). The effects of T0070907 and GW9662 (PPARγ antagonists) or epithelial removal on relaxation were assessed. Changes in force of trachea and lumen area in PCLS were measured using preparations from saline-challenged mice and mice sensitized ( days 0 and 14) and challenged with ovalbumin (3 times/wk, 6 wk). RGZ and CGZ elicited complete relaxation with greater efficacy than β-adrenoceptor agonists in mouse airways but not guinea pig trachea, while 15-deoxy-PGJ2 did not mediate bronchodilation. Relaxation to RGZ was not prevented by T0070907 or GW9662 or by epithelial removal. RGZ-induced relaxation was preserved in the trachea and increased in PCLS after ovalbumin-challenge. Although RGZ was less potent than β-adrenoceptor agonists, its effects were additive with salbutamol and isoprenaline and only RGZ maintained potency and full efficacy in maximally contracted airways or after allergen challenge. Acute PPARγ-independent, epithelial-independent airway relaxation to RGZ is resistant to functional antagonism and maintained in both trachea and PCLS from a model of chronic AAD. These novel efficacious actions of RGZ support its therapeutic potential in asthma when responsiveness to β-adrenoceptor agonists is limited.
Comorbidity between Type 2 Diabetes and Depression in the Adult Population: Directions of the Association and Its Possible Pathophysiological Mechanisms
Authors: Berge Line Iden , Riise Trond
Published: September 2015

Type 2 diabetes and depression are regarded as comorbid conditions, and three possible directions of the association between the diseases can underlie this observation of comorbidity. First, common etiology can increase a person’s risk of both diseases; second, persons with type 2 diabetes have increased prevalence or risk of future development of depression; or third, persons with depression have increased prevalence or risk of development of type 2 diabetes. This review gives an overview over possible pathophysiological mechanisms for each of the directions of the association between type 2 diabetes and depression and further discusses epigenetics as an additional, direction independent approach. We argue that unspecific pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the stress response might, at least to some extent, explain each of the directions of the association between type 2 diabetes and depression, while changes in brain structure and function among persons with diabetes and possible increased risk of development of type 2 diabetes after use of antidepressant agents could represent more disease specific mechanisms underlying the comorbidity.
Variations of Tongue Coating Microbiota in Patients with Gastric Cancer
Authors: Hu Jie , Han Shuwen , Chen Yan , Ji Zhaoning
Published: September 2015

The physical status of humans can be estimated by observing the appearance of the tongue coating, known as tongue diagnosis. The goals of this study were to reveal the relationship between tongue coating appearance and the oral microbiota in patients with gastric cancer and to open a novel research direction supporting tongue diagnosis. We used a tongue manifestation acquisition instrument to analyse the thickness of the tongue coating of patients with gastric cancer and that of healthy controls, and high-throughput sequencing was used to describe the microbial community of the tongue coating by sequencing the V2–V4 region of the 16S rDNA. The tongue coatings of 74 patients with gastric cancer were significantly thicker than those of 72 healthy controls (343.11 ± 198.22 versus 98.42 ± 48.25,P<0.001); 51.35% of the patients were assessed as having thick tongue coatings, whereas all healthy controls were assessed as having thin tongue coatings. Thick tongue coatings presented lower microbial community diversity than thin tongue coatings. The tongue coating bacterial community is associated with the appearance of the tongue coating. The tongue coating may be a potential source for diagnosing gastric cancer, but its sensitivity needs to be further improved.
Mechanical Characterization and Machinability Behavior of Annealed AISI D6 Cold Working Steel
Authors: Nayak Manoj , Sehgal Rakesh , Sharma Rajiv Kumar
Published: September 2015

Tool steels in metal forming industry are exposed to complex and aggressive conditions due to multiple effects (mechanical, thermal, or tribological loading) and require defined mechanical properties. Also machining of tool steel with poor machinability like AISI D6 to manufacture form tools is an extremely difficult task. This paper investigates the microstructural, mechanical, and machining behavior of AISI D6 steel in annealed and hardened conditions. Various mechanical tests indicated good hardenability, improved surface hardness, and phenomenal improvement in tensile strength but extremely poor resistance to impact in both annealed and hardened condition for this steel. The machining characteristics of AISI D6 steel were evaluated using a 2k unreplicated full factorial design approach and statistical techniques have been used to assess and identify the significant factors, namely, cutting speed, feed, depth of cut, and approach angle, in minimizing surface roughness and main cutting force while machining this steel with a carbide tool. It was found that the depth of cut, feed, and approach angle are the most significant factors affecting the surface roughness and depth of cut and feed affect the main cutting force. Cutting speed has no effect on surface roughness and main cutting force in machining of the steel in annealed condition.
On a Coupled System of Shallow Water Equations Admitting Travelling Wave Solutions
Authors: Burini D. , De Lillo S. , Skouteris D.
Published: September 2015

We consider three inviscid, incompressible, irrotational fluids that are contained between the rigid wallsy=−h1andy=h+Hand that are separated by two free interfacesη1andη2. A generalized nonlocal spectral (NSP) formulation is developed, from which asymptotic reductions of stratified fluids are obtained, including coupled nonlinear generalized Boussinesq equations and(1+1)-dimensional shallow water equations. A numerical investigation of the(1+1)-dimensional case shows the existence of solitary wave solutions which have been investigated for different values of the characteristic parameters.
Extraintracranial Bypass as a Rescue Therapy for Symptomatic Flow Diverter Thrombosis
Authors: Lanterna Luigi A. , Lunghi Alessandro , Brembilla Carlo , Gritti Paolo , Bernucci Claudio
Published: September 2015

A 56-year-old female with a giant partially thrombosed unruptured carotid-ophthalmic aneurysm was treated with a Pipeline flow diverter. Three months after the procedure, in concomitance with the discontinuation of one of the antiplatelet medications, the patient suffered from a minor stroke and relapsing transient ischemic attacks. The angiography demonstrated the occlusion of the internal carotid artery, and a perfusion-weighted CT scan showed a condition of hypoperfusion. The patient underwent a double-barrel extraintracranial bypass. The postoperative course was uneventful and she has experienced no further ischemic events to date.
Greek Physicians’ Perceptions on Generic Drugs in the Era of Austerity
Authors: Labiris Georgios , Fanariotis Michael , Kastanioti Catherine , Alexias Georgios , Protopapas Adonis , Karampitsakos Theodoros , Niakas Dimitris
Published: September 2015

Purpose.To assess the beliefs and preferences of Greek physicians, regarding generic drugs, in the years of financial crisis.Setting.Multicentered, nationwide survey.Material and Methods.A custom questionnaire based on former similar studies was developed and administered to Greek physicians. The variable “perception on generics” was constructed after an exploratory study and the instrument was validated by conventional and Rasch analysis methods. 22 items formed 5 subscales that constructed the variable in question.Results.908 physicians successfully participated in the study (response rate: 80%). Mean total scores to the instrument were 60.63 ± 12.12 for men and significantly less (58.24 ± 11.73) for women (p= 0.04). Greek physicians were not persuaded on the potential economic gain (45.79 ± 10.53); moreover they identified that Greek authorities cannot address the increased pharmacovigilance mandates. Physicians working in Athens and those working in surgical units demonstrated significantly worse scores than their colleagues from the rest of Greece and those working in Internal Medicine wards (p= 0.03).  Conclusion. Our results suggest an overall poor acceptance of the national initiative on generic drugs by Greek physicians. This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov identifier:NCT01855802.
Chilean Strawberry Consumption Protects against LPS-Induced Liver Injury by Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Capability in Sprague-Dawley Rats
Authors: Molinett Sebastian , Nuñez Francisca , Moya-León María Alejandra , Zúñiga-Hernández Jessica
Published: September 2015

The Chilean strawberry fruit has high content of antioxidants and polyphenols. Previous studies evidenced antioxidant properties byin vitromethods. However, the antioxidant effect and its impact as functional food on animal health have not been evaluated. In this study, rats were fed with a Chilean strawberry aqueous extract (4 g/kg of animal per day) and then subjected to LPS-induced liver injury (5 mg/kg). Transaminases and histological studies revealed a reduction in liver injury in rats fed with strawberry aqueous extract compared with the control group. Additionally, white strawberry supplementation significantly reduced the serum levels and gene expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1βcytokines compared with nonsupplemented rats. The level of F2-isoprostanes and GSH/GSSG indicated a reduction in liver oxidative stress by the consumption of strawberry aqueous extract. Altogether, the evidence suggests that dietary supplementation of rats with a Chilean white strawberry aqueous extract favours the normalization of oxidative and inflammatory responses after a liver injury induced by LPS.
ACO-Initialized Wavelet Neural Network for Vibration Fault Diagnosis of Hydroturbine Generating Unit
Authors: Xiao Zhihuai , He Xinying , Fu Xiangqian , Malik O. P.
Published: September 2015

Considering the drawbacks of traditional wavelet neural network, such as low convergence speed and high sensitivity to initial parameters, an ant colony optimization- (ACO-) initialized wavelet neural network is proposed in this paper for vibration fault diagnosis of a hydroturbine generating unit. In this method, parameters of the wavelet neural network are initialized by the ACO algorithm, and then the wavelet neural network is trained by the gradient descent algorithm. Amplitudes of the frequency components of the hydroturbine generating unit vibration signals are used as feature vectors for wavelet neural network training to realize mapping relationship from vibration features to fault types. A real vibration fault diagnosis case result of a hydroturbine generating unit shows that the proposed method has faster convergence speed and stronger generalization ability than the traditional wavelet neural network and ACO wavelet neural network. Thus it can provide an effective solution for online vibration fault diagnosis of a hydroturbine generating unit.
Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: Prion Pathology in Medulla Oblongata—Possible Routes of Infection and Host Susceptibility
Authors: Iacono Diego , Ferrari Sergio , Gelati Matteo , Zanusso Gianluigi , Mariotto Sara , Monaco Salvatore
Published: September 2015

Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD), the most frequent human prion disorder, is characterized by remarkable phenotypic variability, which is influenced by the conformation of the pathologic prion protein and the methionine/valine polymorphic codon 129 of the prion protein gene. While the etiology of sCJD remains unknown, it has been hypothesized that environmental exposure to prions might occur through conjunctival/mucosal contact, oral ingestion, inhalation, or simultaneous involvement of the olfactory and enteric systems. We studied 21 subjects with definite sCJD to assess neuropathological involvement of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus and other medullary nuclei and to evaluate possible associations with codon 129 genotype and prion protein conformation. The present data show that prion protein deposition was detected in medullary nuclei of distinct sCJD subtypes, either valine homozygous or heterozygous at codon 129. These findings suggest that an “environmental exposure” might occur, supporting the hypothesis that external sources of contamination could contribute to sCJD in susceptible hosts. Furthermore, these novel data could shed the light on possible causes of sCJD through a “triple match” hypothesis that identify environmental exposure, host genotype, and direct exposure of specific anatomical regions as possible pathogenetic factors.
Use of Zeolite ZSM-5 for Loading and Release of 5-Fluorouracil
Authors: Al-Thawabeia Ruba A. , Hodali Hamdallah A.
Published: September 2015

Samples of zeolite ZSM-5 have been synthesized in both the sodium form (ZSM-5) and the acid activated form (H-ZSM-5). In addition, each of these two forms was prepared in the two molar SiO2/Al2O3ratios of 169 and 15. All samples of these ZSM-5 derivatives were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The samples were successfully loaded with the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with loading capacities varying from 22% (for the sodium form having the lower molar SiO2/Al2O3ratio of 15, ZSM-5-(15)) to 43% (for the corresponding acid form, H-ZSM-5-(15)). Percent release of the drug-loaded ZSM-5 samples into simulated body fluid (SBF) was measured at pH 7.4 and 37°C. The results showed a slight variation in the % release within the range 84–93%, while the first-order rate constant (k) varied from 2.2 h−1for ZSM-5-(15) to 3.9 h−1for H-ZSM-5-(15). It was interesting to note that at the higher molar SiO2/Al2O3ratios of 169, both the sodium form, ZSM-5-(169), and the acid form, H-ZSM-5-(169), exhibit an intermediate efficiency in either % loading (38%) or first-order kinetic release constant (k= 2.9 h−1).
Cripto-1 Promotes the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Huang Chun , Chen Wangsheng , Wang Xiaowen , Zhao Jinqiu , Li Qian , Fu Zhongxue
Published: September 2015

Esophageal carcinoma is a major public health problem worldwide and one of the most aggressively malignant neoplasms. Although considerable diagnostic and therapeutic progress has been made in recent years, the prognosis of EC patients still remains dismal due to high rates of recurrence/metastasis and invasion. Previous studies have demonstrated that Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is proposed as a critical mechanism for the acquisition of malignant phenotypes by epithelial cells. Several lines of evidence have shown that Cripto-1 plays an important oncogenic role during tumorigenesis by promoting EMT. The aim of our study was to evaluate the significance of Cripto-1 which plays a role in EMT and its metastasis in esophageal carcinoma. Data of this study suggest that Cripto-1 overexpression is connected with the tumorigenesis and progression of esophageal carcinoma; shRNA might be feasible for the inhibition of the invasion and metastasis of esophageal carcinoma.
Epidemiology of Chain Saw Related Injuries, United States: 2009 through 2013
Authors: Hammig Bart , Jones Ches
Published: September 2015

Problem. Chain saws are a commonly used tool with the potential to inflict severe injuries. Methods. Descriptive epidemiological estimates for emergency department (ED) visits for injuries associated with the use of a chain saw were calculated using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for the years 2009–2013. Results. A total of 115,895 ED visits for injuries related to the use of a chain saw occurred during the study period. Most injury visits occurred among males (95%) and persons aged 30–59 years and during the months of September through November. The main body sites injured were the hand/fingers and knee. The majority of injuries were lacerations (80%). Conclusions. Chain saw injuries present with characteristic patterns which can aid in prevention of injuries related to the use of these tools. Examination of the epidemiology of chain saw injuries will help to ascertain targeted needs for prevention and control efforts.
Biologically Motivated Novel Localization Paradigm by High‐Level Multiple Object Recognition in Panoramic Images
Authors: Kim Sungho , Shim Min-Sheob
Published: September 2015

This paper presents the novel paradigm of a global localization method
motivated by human visual systems (HVSs). HVSs actively use the information
of the object recognition results for self‐position localization and for
viewing direction. The proposed localization paradigm consisted of three parts: panoramic image acquisition, multiple object recognition, and grid‐based
localization. Multiple object recognition information from panoramic
images is utilized in the localization part. High‐level object information
was useful not only for global localization, but also for robot‐object interactions.
The metric global localization (position, viewing direction) was
conducted based on the bearing information of recognized objects from just
one panoramic image. The feasibility of the novel localization paradigm
was validated experimentally.
Coblator Arytenoidectomy in the Treatment of Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis
Authors: Googe Benjamin , Nida Andrew , Schweinfurth John
Published: September 2015

A 77-year-old female with bilateral vocal cord paralysis and dependent tracheostomy status after total thyroidectomy presented to clinic for evaluation of decannulation via arytenoidectomy. Preliminary data suggests coblation versus standard CO2laser ablation in arytenoidectomy may provide benefits in terms of decreased tissue necrosis and patient outcome. The patient elected to proceed with arytenoidectomy by coblation. The initial procedure went well but postoperative bleeding required a return trip to the operating room for hemostasis. In the coming months the patient’s tracheostomy tube was gradually downsized and eventually capped. She was decannulated eight months after surgery, speaking well and without complaints. Details of the surgical procedure and outcome will be discussed.
Free Radical Scavenging Activity: Antiproliferative and Proteomics Analyses of the Differential Expression of Apoptotic Proteins in MCF-7 Cells Treated with Acetone Leaf Extract ofDiospyros lycioides(Ebenaceae)
Authors: Pilane M. C. , Bagla V. P. , Mokgotho M. P. , Mbazima V. , Matsebatlela T. M. , Ncube I. , Mampuru L.
Published: September 2015

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in South Africa. The acetone leaf extract ofDiospyros lycioideswas evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively for its antioxidant potential using DPPH assay and nitric oxide radical scavenging effect, while the viability of MCF-7 cells was evaluated using the MTT. MCF-7 treated cells were stained with Hoechst 335258 dye and annexin-V-FITC to be evaluated for apoptotic effect of the extract, while mRNA expression levels of apoptotic genes were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR and deferential protein expression levels using 2D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Results revealed presence of antioxidant constituents in the extract. Extract was shown to be cytotoxic in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Cytotoxicity was demonstrated to be due to apoptosis, with 70% of the extract-treated cells being annexin-V-positive/PI negative at 48 hours. The extract was also shown to upregulate the expression of p53 gene with concomitant downregulation of the Bcl-2 antiapoptotic gene while differentially expressed proteins were identified as enolase, pyruvate kinase, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate. The extract in this study was shown to induce apoptosis at an early stage which makes it an ideal source that can be explored for compounds that may be used in the treatment and management of cancer.
Internal Jugular Vein Thrombosis following Oropharyngeal Infection
Authors: Bostanci Asli , Turhan Murat
Published: September 2015

Internal jugular vein thrombosis (IJVT) is a rare condition which may lead to life-threatening complications such as sepsis and pulmonary embolism. Prolonged central venous catheterization, intravenous (IV) drug use, trauma, and radiotherapy are the most frequent causes of the IJVT. IJVT that develops after the oropharyngeal infection is a quite rare situation today. In this paper, a 37-year-old woman was presented; swelling occurred on her neck after acute tonsillitis and she was diagnosed with IJVT through Doppler ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging and managed without complications. Early diagnosis and conservative treatment with broad-spectrum IV antibiotics and anticoagulant agents have a critical importance for the prevention of fatal complications.
Application of Artificial Intelligence to the Prediction of the Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils
Authors: Daynac Mathieu , Cortes-Cabrera Alvaro , Prieto Jose M.
Published: September 2015

Essential oils (EOs) are vastly used as natural antibiotics in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Their intrinsic chemical variability and synergisms/antagonisms between its components make difficult to ensure consistent effects through different batches. Our aim is to evaluate the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs) for the prediction of their antimicrobial activity.Methods.The chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of 49 EOs, extracts, and/or fractions was extracted from NCCLS compliant works. The fast artificial neural networks (FANN) software was used and the output data reflected the antimicrobial activity of these EOs against four common pathogens:Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, andClostridium perfringensas measured by standardised disk diffusion assays.Results.ANNs were able to predict >70% of the antimicrobial activities within a 10 mm maximum error range. Similarly, ANNs were able to predict 2 or 3 different bioactivities at the same time. The accuracy of the prediction was only limited by the inherent errors of the popular antimicrobial disk susceptibility test and the nature of the pathogens.Conclusions.ANNs can be reliable, fast, and cheap tools for the prediction of the antimicrobial activity of EOs thus improving their use in CAM.
The Pathogenesis of Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, and Cervical Adenitis Syndrome: A Review of Current Research
Authors: Kraszewska-Głomba Barbara , Matkowska-Kocjan Agnieszka , Szenborn Leszek
Published: September 2015

Background. PFAPA syndrome is a chronic disease that is characterized by recurrent episodes of high fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis. Knowledge regarding the etiology of PFAPA is limited. Objectives. To provide up‐to‐date information considering etiology of PFAPA syndrome, by summarizing what has been explored and established in this area so far. Materials and Methods. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched for pertinent reports. Eventually 19 articles were selected. The results were classified into categories regarding three areas of interest: familial occurrence, genetic basis, and immunological mechanisms of PFAPA. Results. Recent findings suggest that there is a familial tendency to PFAPA but the level of evidence does not warrant definite conclusions. The absence of a clear monogenic trait indicates a heterogenous, polygenic, or complex inheritance of PFAPA syndrome. As two mutations with a possible functional effect on the inflammasomes (MEFV E148Q and NLRP3 Q703K) have been found in several PFAPA cohorts, the role of inflammasome‐related genes in PFAPA pathogenesis cannot be excluded. Immunological mechanisms of PFAPA involve an abnormal, IL‐1β dependent innate immune response to an environmental trigger, which leads to Th1‐driven inflammation expressed by recruitment of T‐cells to the periphery.
Influencing Parameters in the Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Effluent via Nanometal Oxide Catalyst: A Review
Authors: Gnanaprakasam A. , Sivakumar V. M. , Thirumarimurugan M.
Published: September 2015

This paper aims to review the recent works on the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in the presence of nanophotocatalyst. In this regard the effects of operation parameters which could influence the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants (such as catalyst preparation method, initial concentration of organic pollutants, presence of doping, catalyst loading, calcinations temperature, pH, presence of oxidants, UV intensity, temperature, and presence of supports) are discussed. Recent research suggests that the parameters mentioned above have great influence on the photocatalytic activity of prepared nanocatalyst. Also, the general mechanism of photocatalytic degradation and some recent synthesis methods are discussed here.
Modeling and Analysis of Train Rear-End Collision Accidents Based on Stochastic Petri Nets
Authors: Wu Chao , Cao Chengxuan , Sun Yahua , Li Keping
Published: September 2015

We proposed a model of the train rear-end collision accidents based on stochastic Petri nets (SPN) theory. By isomorphic Markov chain model of the proposed accident model, we provide the quantitative analysis of the train rear-end collision accidents. Fuzzy random method is also applied to analyze the performance of the proposed model. In addition, according to the data extracted from a large amount of historical data of the accident statistics, we present a case analysis and discussion. It showed that the results of the proposed train rear-end accident model based on SPN are reasonable in practical applications and can be used to effectively analyze the accidents and prevent loss, and the results may be a reference to the department of railway safety management.