bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abundance of Vibrio cholerae, V. vulnificus, and V. parahaemolyticus in Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and Clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) from Long Island Sound
Authors: Jones Jessica L. , Lüdeke Catharina H. M. , Bowers John C. , DeRosia-Banick Kristin , Carey David H. , Hastback William
Published: October 2014

Vibriosis is a leading cause of seafood-associated morbidity and mortality in the United States. Typically associated with consumption of raw or undercooked oysters, vibriosis associated with clam consumption is increasingly being reported. However, little is known about the prevalence of
Vibrio
spp. in clams. The objective of this study was to compare the levels of
Vibrio cholerae
,
Vibrio vulnificus
, and
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
in oysters and clams harvested concurrently from Long Island Sound (LIS). Most probable number (MPN)–real-time PCR methods were used for enumeration of total
V. cholerae
,
V. vulnificus
,
V. parahaemolyticus
, and pathogenic (
tdh
+
and/or
trh
+
)
V. parahaemolyticus
.
V. cholerae
was detected in 8.8% and 3.3% of oyster (
n
= 68) and clam (
n
= 30) samples, with levels up to 1.48 and 0.48 log MPN/g in oysters and clams, respectively.
V. vulnificus
was detected in 97% and 90% of oyster and clam samples, with median levels of 0.97 and −0.08 log MPN/g, respectively.
V. parahaemolyticus
was detected in all samples, with median levels of 1.88 and 1.07 log MPN/g for oysters and clams, respectively. The differences between
V. vulnificus
and total and pathogenic
V. parahaemolyticus
levels in the two shellfish species were statistically significant (
P
< 0.001). These data indicate that
V. vulnificus
and total and pathogenic
V. parahaemolyticus
are more prevalent and are present at higher levels in oysters than in hard clams. Additionally, the data suggest differences in vibrio populations between shellfish harvested from different growing area waters within LIS. These results can be used to evaluate and refine illness mitigation strategies employed by risk managers and shellfish control authorities.
Positive Regulation of Botulinum Neurotoxin Gene Expression by CodY in Clostridium botulinum ATCC 3502
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Dahlsten Elias , Korkeala Hannu , Lindström Miia
Published: October 2014

Botulinum neurotoxin, produced mainly by the spore-forming bacterium
Clostridium botulinum
, is the most poisonous biological substance known. Here, we show that CodY, a global regulator conserved in low-G+C Gram-positive bacteria, positively regulates the botulinum neurotoxin gene expression. Inactivation of
codY
resulted in decreased expression of
botA
, encoding the neurotoxin, as well as in reduced neurotoxin synthesis. Complementation of the
codY
mutation in
trans
rescued neurotoxin synthesis, and overexpression of
codY
in
trans
caused elevated neurotoxin production. Recombinant CodY was found to bind to a 30-bp region containing the
botA
transcription start site, suggesting regulation of the neurotoxin gene transcription through direct interaction. GTP enhanced the binding affinity of CodY to the
botA
promoter, suggesting that CodY-dependent neurotoxin regulation is associated with nutritional status.
Microarray-Based Detection of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis Genes Involved in Chicken Reproductive Tract Colonization
Authors: Raspoet R. , Appia-Ayme C. , Shearer N. , Martel A. , Pasmans F. , Haesebrouck F. , Ducatelle R. , Thompson A. , Van Immerseel F.
Published: October 2014

Salmonella enterica
serovar Enteritidis has developed the potential to contaminate table eggs internally, by colonization of the chicken reproductive tract and internalization in the forming egg. The serotype Enteritidis has developed mechanisms to colonize the chicken oviduct more successfully than other serotypes. Until now, the strategies exploited by
Salmonella
Enteritidis to do so have remained largely unknown. For that reason, a microarray-based transposon library screen was used to identify genes that are essential for the persistence of
Salmonella
Enteritidis inside primary chicken oviduct gland cells
in vitro
and inside the reproductive tract
in vivo
. A total of 81 genes with a potential role in persistence in both the oviduct cells and the oviduct tissue were identified. Major groups of importance include the
Salmonella
pathogenicity islands 1 and 2, genes involved in stress responses, cell wall, and lipopolysaccharide structure, and the region-of-difference genomic islands 9, 21, and 40.
Molecular Epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in Mussels (Mytilus californianus) and California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) from Central California
Authors: Adell A. D. , Smith W. A. , Shapiro K. , Melli A. , Conrad P. A.
Published: October 2014

Cryptosporidium
and
Giardia
are of public health importance, with recognized transmission through recreational waters. Therefore, both can contaminate marine waters and shellfish, with potential to infect marine mammals in nearshore ecosystems. A 2-year study was conducted to evaluate the presence of
Cryptosporidium
and
Giardia
in mussels located at two distinct coastal areas in California, namely, (i) land runoff plume sites and (ii) locations near sea lion haul-out sites, as well as in feces of California sea lions (CSL) (
Zalophus californianus
) by the use of direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) detection methods and PCR with sequence analysis. In this study, 961 individual mussel hemolymph samples, 54 aliquots of pooled mussel tissue, and 303 CSL fecal samples were screened.
Giardia duodenalis
assemblages B and D were detected in hemolymph from mussels collected near two land runoff plume sites (Santa Rosa Creek and Carmel River), and assemblages C and D were detected in hemolymph from mussels collected near a sea lion haul-out site (White Rock). These results suggest that mussels are being contaminated by protozoa carried in terrestrial runoff and/or shed in the feces of CSL. Furthermore, low numbers of oocysts and cysts morphologically similar to
Cryptosporidium
and
Giardia
, respectively, were detected in CSL fecal samples, suggesting that CSL could be a source and a host of protozoan parasites in coastal environments. The results of this study showed that
Cryptosporidium
and
Giardia
spp. from the feces of terrestrial animals and CSL can contaminate mussels and coastal environments.
Hammondia hammondi Harbors Functional Orthologs of the Host-Modulating Effectors GRA15 and ROP16 but Is Distinguished from Toxoplasma gondii by a Unique Transcriptional Profile
Authors: Walzer Katelyn A. , Wier Gregory M. , Dam Rachel A. , Srinivasan Ananth R. , Borges Adair L. , English Elizabeth D. , Herrmann Daland C. , Schares Gereon , Dubey Jitender P. , Boyle Jon P.
Published: October 2014

Toxoplasma gondii
and its nearest extant relative,
Hammondia hammondi
, are phenotypically distinct despite their remarkable similarity in gene content, synteny, and functionality. To begin to identify genetic differences that might drive distinct infection phenotypes of
T. gondii
and
H. hammondi
, in the present study we (i) determined whether two known host-interacting proteins, dense granule protein 15 (GRA15) and rhoptry protein 16 (ROP16), were functionally conserved in
H. hammondi
and (ii) performed the first comparative transcriptional analysis of
H. hammondi
and
T. gondii
sporulated oocysts. We found that GRA15 and ROP16 from
H. hammondi
(HhGRA15 and HhROP16) modulate the host NF-κB and STAT6 pathways, respectively, when expressed heterologously in
T. gondii
. We also found the transcriptomes of
H. hammondi
and
T. gondii
to be highly distinct. Consistent with the spontaneous conversion of
H. hammondi
tachyzoites into bradyzoites both
in vitro
and
in vivo
,
H. hammondi
high-abundance transcripts are enriched for genes that are of greater abundance in
T. gondii
bradyzoites. We also identified genes that are of high transcript abundance in
H. hammondi
but are poorly expressed in multiple
T. gondii
life stages, suggesting that these genes are uniquely expressed in
H. hammondi
. Taken together, these data confirm the functional conservation of known
T. gondii
virulence effectors in
H. hammondi
and point to transcriptional differences as a potential source of the phenotypic differences between these species.
Randomized Open-Label Pilot Study of the Influence of Probiotics and the Gut Microbiome on Toxic Metal Levels in Tanzanian Pregnant Women and School Children
Authors: Bisanz Jordan E. , Enos Megan K. , Mwanga Joseph R. , Changalucha John , Burton Jeremy P. , Gloor Gregory B. , Reid Gregor
Published: October 2014

Exposure to environmental toxins is a 21st century global health problem that is often the result of dietary intake. Although efforts are made to reduce dietary toxin levels, they are often unsuccessful, warranting research into novel methods to reduce host exposure. Food-grade microbes that can be delivered to the gastrointestinal tract and that are capable of sequestering toxins present a safe and cost-effective intervention. We sought to investigate the potential for probiotic-supplemented yogurt to lower heavy metal levels in at-risk populations of pregnant women and in children in Mwanza, Tanzania, and to examine the microbiome in relation to toxin levels. Two populations suspected to have high toxic metal exposures were studied. A group of 44 school-aged children was followed over 25 days, and 60 pregnant women were followed over their last two trimesters until birth. A yogurt containing 1010 CFULactobacillus rhamnosusGR-1 per 250 g was administered, while control groups received either whole milk or no intervention. Changes in blood metal levels were assessed, and the gut microbiomes of the children were profiled by analyzing 16S rRNA sequencing via the Ion Torrent platform. The children and pregnant women in the study were found to have elevated blood levels of lead and mercury compared to age- and sex-matched Canadians. Consumption of probiotic yogurt had a protective effect against further increases in mercury (3.2 nmol/liter;P= 0.035) and arsenic (2.3 nmol/liter;P= 0.011) blood levels in the pregnant women, but this trend was not statistically significant in the children. Elevated blood lead was associated with increases inSuccinivibrionaceaeandGammaproteobacteriarelative abundance levels in stool.

IMPORTANCEProbiotic food produced locally represents a nutritious and affordable means for people in some developing countries to counter exposures to toxic metals. Further research and field trials are warranted to explore this approach in countries where communities are located near mining sites and agricultural areas, two types of areas where toxins are likely to be elevated.
Septins Arrange F-Actin-Containing Fibers on the Chlamydia trachomatis Inclusion and Are Required for Normal Release of the Inclusion by Extrusion
Authors: Volceanov Larisa , Herbst Katharina , Biniossek Martin , Schilling Oliver , Haller Dirk , Nölke Thilo , Subbarayal Prema , Rudel Thomas , Zieger Barbara , Häcker Georg
Published: October 2014

Chlamydia trachomatis
is an obligate intracellular human pathogen that grows inside a membranous, cytosolic vacuole termed an inclusion. Septins are a group of 13 GTP-binding proteins that assemble into oligomeric complexes and that can form higher-order filaments. We report here that the septins SEPT2, -9, -11, and probably -7 form fibrillar structures around the chlamydial inclusion. Colocalization studies suggest that these septins combine with F actin into fibers that encase the inclusion. Targeting the expression of individual septins by RNA interference (RNAi) prevented the formation of septin fibers as well as the recruitment of actin to the inclusion. At the end of the developmental cycle of
C. trachomatis
, newly formed, infectious elementary bodies are released, and this release occurs at least in part through the organized extrusion of intact inclusions. RNAi against SEPT9 or against the combination of SEPT2/7/9 substantially reduced the number of extrusions from a culture of infected HeLa cells. The data suggest that a higher-order structure of four septins is involved in the recruitment or stabilization of the actin coat around the chlamydial inclusion and that this actin recruitment by septins is instrumental for the coordinated egress of
C. trachomatis
from human cells. The organization of F actin around parasite-containing vacuoles may be a broader response mechanism of mammalian cells to the infection by intracellular, vacuole-dwelling pathogens.

IMPORTANCE
Chlamydia trachomatis
is a frequent bacterial pathogen throughout the world, causing mostly eye and genital infections.
C. trachomatis
can develop only inside host cells; it multiplies inside a membranous vacuole in the cytosol, termed an inclusion. The inclusion is covered by cytoskeletal “coats” or “cages,” whose organization and function are poorly understood. We here report that a relatively little-characterized group of proteins, septins, is required to organize actin fibers on the inclusion and probably through actin the release of the inclusion. Septins are a group of GTP-binding proteins that can organize into heteromeric complexes and then into large filaments. Septins have previously been found to be involved in the interaction of the cell with bacteria in the cytosol. Our observation that they also organize a reaction to bacteria living in vacuoles suggests that they have a function in the recognition of foreign compartments by a parasitized human cell.
Nuclear Herpesvirus Capsid Motility Is Not Dependent on F-Actin
Authors: Bosse Jens B. , Virding Stina , Thiberge Stephan Y. , Scherer Julian , Wodrich Harald , Ruzsics Zsolt , Koszinowski Ulrich H. , Enquist Lynn W.
Published: October 2014

A considerable part of the herpesvirus life cycle takes place in the host nucleus. While much progress has been made to understand the molecular processes required for virus replication in the nucleus, much less is known about the temporal and spatial dynamics of these events. Previous studies have suggested that nuclear capsid motility is directed and dependent on actin filaments (F-actin), possibly using a myosin-based, ATP-dependent mechanism. However, the conclusions from these studies were indirect. They either relied on the effects of F-actin depolymerizing drugs to deduce an F-actin dependency or they visualized nuclear F-actin but failed to show a direct link to capsid motility. Moreover, no direct link between nuclear capsid motility and a molecular motor has been established. In this report, we reinvestigate the involvement of F-actin in nuclear herpesvirus capsid transport. We show for representative members of all three herpesvirus subfamilies that nuclear capsid motility is not dependent on nuclear F-actin and that herpesvirus infection does not induce nuclear F-actin in primary fibroblasts. Moreover, in these cells, three F-actin-inhibiting drugs failed to effect capsid motility. Only latrunculin A treatment stalled nuclear capsids but did so by an unexpected effect: the drug induced actin rods in the nucleus. Immobile capsids accumulated around actin rods, and immunoprecipitation experiments suggested that capsid motility stopped because latrunculin-induced actin rods nonspecifically bind nuclear capsids. Interestingly, capsid motility was unaffected in cells that do not induce actin rods. Based on these data, we conclude that herpesvirus nuclear capsid motility is not dependent on F-actin.

IMPORTANCE
Herpesviruses are large DNA viruses whose replication is dependent on the host nucleus. However, we do not understand how key nuclear processes, including capsid assembly, genome replication, capsid packaging, and nuclear egress, are dynamically connected in space and time. Fluorescence live-cell microscopy revealed that nuclear capsids are highly mobile early in infection. Two studies suggested that this motility might be due to active myosin-based transport of capsids on nuclear F-actin. However, direct evidence for such motor-based transport is lacking. We revisited this phenomenon and found no evidence that nuclear capsid motility depended on F-actin. Our results reopen the question of how nuclear herpesvirus capsids move in the host nucleus.
The right ventricle following prolonged endurance exercise: are we overlooking the more important side of the heart? A meta-analysis
Authors: Elliott Adrian D , La Gerche Andre
Published: October 2014

Aims

Prolonged endurance exercise is associated with elevated biomarkers associated with myocardial damage and modest evidence of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Recent studies have reported more profound effects on right ventricular (RV) function following endurance exercise. We performed a meta-analysis of studies reporting RV function pre-endurance and postendurance exercise.

Methods

We performed a search of peer-reviewed studies with the criteria for inclusion in the analysis being (1) healthy adult participants; (2) studies examining RV function following an event of at least 90 min duration; (3) studies reporting RV fractional area change (RVFAC), RV strain (S), RV ejection fraction (RVEF) or tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and (4) studies evaluating RV function immediately (<1 h) following exercise.

Results

Fourteen studies were included with 329 participants. A random-effects meta-analysis revealed significant impairments of RV function when assessed by RVFAC (weighted mean difference (WMD) −5.78%, 95% CI −7.09% to −4.46%), S (WMD 3.71%, 95% CI 2.79% to 4.63%), RVEF (WMD −7.05%, 95% CI −12.3% to −1.8%) and TAPSE (WMD −4.77 mm, 95% CI −8.3 to −1.24 mm). Modest RV dilation was evident in studies reporting RV systolic area postexercise (WMD 1.79 cm2, 95% CI 0.5 to 3.08 cm2). In contrast, no postexercise changes in LV systolic function (expressed as LVFAC or LVEF) were observed in the included studies (standardised mean difference 0.03%, 95% CI −0.13% to 0.18%).

Conclusions

Intense prolonged exercise is associated with a measurable reduction in RV function while LV function is relatively unaffected. Future studies should examine the potential clinical consequences of repeated prolonged endurance exercise on the right ventricle.
A pilot study of a wearable apnoea detection device
Authors: Rodriguez-Villegas Esther , Chen Gwangwei , Radcliffe Jeremy , Duncan John
Published: October 2014

Rationale

Current techniques for monitoring patients for apnoea suffer from significant limitations. These include insufficient availability to meet diagnostic needs, cost, accuracy of results in the presence of artefacts and difficulty of use in unsupervised conditions.

Objectives

We created and clinically tested a novel miniature medical device that targets overcoming these limitations.

Methods

We studied 20 healthy control participants and 10 patients who had been referred for sleep apnoea diagnosis. The performances of the new system and also of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved SOMNO clinical system, conventionally used for sleep apnoea diagnosis were evaluated under the same conditions. Both systems were tested during a normal night of sleep in controls and patients. Their performances were quantified in terms of detection of apnoea and hypopnoea in individual 10 s epochs, which were compared with scoring of signals by a blinded clinician.

Main results

For spontaneous apnoeas during natural sleep and considering the clinician scorer as the gold standard, the new wearable apnoea detection device had 88.6% sensitivity and 99.6% specificity. In comparison the SOMNO system had 14.3% sensitivity and 99.3% specificity. The novel device had been specifically designed to detect apnoea, but if apnoea and hypopnoea during sleep were both considered in the assessment, the sensitivity and specificity were 77.1% and 99.7%, respectively, versus 54% and 98.5%, respectively, for the SOMNO.

Conclusions

The performance of the novel device compares very well to the scoring by an experienced clinician even in the presence of breathing artefacts, in this small pilot study. This can potentially make it a real solution for apnoea home monitoring.
Association between serum γ-glutamyltranspeptidase and atherosclerosis: a population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Fukuda Takuya , Hamaguchi Masahide , Kojima Takao , Ohshima Yasuhiro , Ohbora Akihiro , Kato Takahiro , Nakamura Naoto , Fukui Michiaki
Published: October 2014

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between serum γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) as an indicator for atherosclerosis in Japanese men and women after adjusting for fatty liver.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

A health check-up centre in Japan.

Participants

912 Japanese men and women aged 24–84 years recruited from people who received a medical health check-up programme with a standardised questionnaire and an automatic waveform analyser to measure baPWV.

Main outcome measures

We measured serum GGT concentrations and baPWV. Fatty liver was diagnosed by standardised criteria using abdominal ultrasonography. The postmenopausal state was defined as beginning 1 year after the cessation of menses.

Results

In women, log2GGT was positively associated with baPWV (β=0.11, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.19, p<0.05), independent of age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, estimated glomerular filtration rate, fatty liver, menopausal state and parameters of lifestyles. However, in men, the positive association of log2GGT with baPWV was not significant (β=−0.04, 95% CI −0.10 to 0.03, p=0.28) in multivariable linear regression analyses.

Conclusions

The serum GGT level was associated with baPWV, independently of covariates including fatty liver or menopausal state just in women, but not in men.
The effect of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation intervention comparing HRQoL, symptom burden and physical function among patients with primary glioma: an RCT study protocol
Authors: Hansen Anders , Rosenbek Minet Lisbeth Kirstine , Søgaard Karen , Jarden Jens Ole
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Gliomas are among the biggest challenges in neurological and oncology rehabilitation and optimising treatment is of major clinical importance in this population. Although inpatient rehabilitation among glioma patients’ results in improved functional measures, rehabilitation efforts are still not emphasised in this patient group and the literature lacks studies investigating the impact of outpatient rehabilitation.

Method

This protocol describes a randomised 6-week parallel group rehabilitation study investigating an outpatient interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme. The intervention consists of 6 weeks intensive physiotherapy as groups exercise in conjunction with 0–6 weeks of individual occupational therapy if a need is present. The aim of this study is to describe the design of the upcoming randomised control trial (RCT). The results of the RCT will add to the growing body of literature investigating the potential role of exercise as a supportive therapeutic intervention for a patient with cancer.

Ethics and dissemination

The project is approved by the Regional Scientific Ethical Committees for Southern Denmark under Project-ID: (S-20140108) and by the Danish Data Protection Agency (J. no.2008-58-0035). Dissemination will occur through presentation and findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals. The key strength of this study is its randomised design and it is the first study to investigate a standardised outpatient interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme among patients with glioma. A potential limitation is the uncertainty and risk of side effects to the concomitant treatment, which enhances the risk of dropout.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT02221986.
Rate of venous thromboembolism among surgical patients in Australian hospitals: a multicentre retrospective cohort study
Authors: Assareh Hassan , Chen Jack , Ou Lixin , Hollis Stephanie J , Hillman Kenneth , Flabouris Arthas
Published: October 2014

Objectives

Despite the burden of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among surgical patients on health systems in Australia, data on VTE incidence and its variation within Australia are lacking. We aim to explore VTE and subsequent mortality rates, trends and variations across Australian acute public hospitals.

Setting

A large retrospective cohort study using all elective surgical patients in 82 acute public hospitals during 2002–2009 in New South Wales, Australia.

Participants

Patients underwent elective surgery within 2 days of admission, aged between 18 and 90 years, and who were not transferred to another acute care facility; 4 362 624 patients were included.

Outcome measures

VTE incidents were identified by secondary diagnostic codes. Poisson mixed models were used to derive adjusted incidence rates and rate ratios (IRR).

Results

2/1000 patients developed postoperative VTE. VTE increased by 30% (IRR=1.30, CI 1.19 to 1.42) over the study period. Differences in the VTE rates, trends between hospital peer groups and between hospitals with the highest and those with the lowest rates were significant (between-hospital variation). Smaller hospitals, accommodated in two peer groups, had the lowest overall VTE rates (IRR=0.56:0.33 to 0.95; IRR=0.37:0.23 to 0.61) and exhibited a greater increase (64% and 237% vs 19%) overtime and greater between-hospital variations compared to larger hospitals (IRR=8.64:6.23 to 11.98; IRR=8.92:5.49 to 14.49 vs IRR=3.70:3.32 to 4.12). Mortality among patients with postoperative VTE was 8% and remained stable overtime. No differences in post-VTE death rates and trends were seen between hospital groups; however, larger hospitals exhibited less between-hospital variations (IRR=1.78:1.30 to 2.44) compared to small hospitals (IRR>23). Hospitals performed differently in prevention versus treatment of postoperative VTE.

Conclusions

VTE incidence is increasing and there is large variation between-hospital and within-hospital peer groups suggesting a varied compliance with VTE preventative strategies and the potential for targeted interventions and quality improvement opportunities.
Evaluation of long-term clinical and health service outcomes following coronary artery revascularisation in Western Australia (WACARP): a population-based cohort study protocol
Authors: Gardner C , Rankin J M , Geelhoed E , Nguyen M , Newman M , Cutlip D , Knuiman M W , Briffa T G , Hobbs M S T , Sanfilippo F M
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are procedures commonly performed on patients with significant obstructive coronary artery disease to relieve symptoms of ischaemia, improve survival or both. Although the efficacy of both procedures at the individual level has been established, the impact of advances in coronary artery revascularisation procedures (CARP) on long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness at the population level are yet to be assessed. Our aim is to evaluate a minimum of 6-year outcomes and costs for the total population of patients who had CARP in Western Australia (WA) in 2000–2005.

Methods and analysis

This retrospective population cohort study will link clinical and administrative health data for a previously defined cohort including all patients in WA who had a CARP in the period 2000–2005. The cohort consists of 19 014 patients who had 21 175 procedures (15 429 PCI and 5746 CABG). We are now collecting a minimum of 6 years follow-up of morbidity and mortality data for the cohort using the WA Data Linkage System, clinical registries and hospital records, with 12 years follow-up for cases in the year 2000. Comparison of long-term outcomes for different CARP will be reported (PCI vs CABG; bare metal stents vs drug-eluting stents vs CABG). Cost-effectiveness analysis of CARP from the perspective of the healthcare sector will be performed using individual level cost data and average costs from Australian Refined Diagnosis Related Groups.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has received ethics approval from the University of Western Australia, the Western Australian Department of Health and all participating hospitals. Being a large population cohort study, approval included a waiver of informed consent. All findings will be presented at local, national and international healthcare/academic conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.
CADM1,MALandmiR124-2methylation analysis in cervical scrapes to detect cervical and endometrial cancer
Authors: De Strooper Lise M A , van Zummeren Marjolein , Steenbergen Renske D M , Bleeker Maaike C G , Hesselink Albertus T , Wisman G Bea A , Snijders Peter J F , Heideman Daniëlle A M , Meijer Chris J L M
Published: October 2014

Aims

Gene promoter hypermethylation is recognised as an essential early step in carcinogenesis, indicating important application areas for DNA methylation analysis in early cancer detection. The current study was set out to assess the performance ofCADM1,MALandmiR124-2 methylation analysis in cervical scrapes for detection of cervical and endometrial cancer.

Methods

A series of cervical scrapes of women with cervical (n=79) or endometrial (n=21) cancer, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3) (n=16) or CIN2 (n=32), and women without evidence of CIN2 or worse (n=120) were assessed for methylation ofCADM1,MALandmiR124-2. Methylation analysis was done by the PreCursor-M assay, a multiplex quantitative methylation-specific PCR.

Results

All samples of women with cervical cancer (79/79, 100%), independent of the histotype, and 76% (16/21; 95% CI 58.0% to 94.4%) of women with endometrial cancer scored positive for DNA methylation for at least one of the three genes. In women without cancer, methylation frequencies increased significantly with severity of disease from 19.2% (23/120; 95% CI 12.1% to 26.2%) in women without CIN2 or worse to 37.5% (12/32; 95% CI 20.7% to 54.3%) and 68.8% (11/16; 95% CI 46.0% to 91.5%) in women with CIN2 and CIN3, respectively. Overall methylation positivity and the number of methylated genes increased proportionally to the lesion severity.

Conclusions

DNA methylation analysis ofCADM1,MALandmiR124-2in cervical scrapes consistently detects cervical cancer and the majority of CIN3 lesions, and has the capacity to broaden its use on cervical scrapes through the detection of a substantial subset of endometrial carcinomas.
Assessment of intra-aneurysmal flow modification after flow diverter stent placement with four-dimensional flow MRI: a feasibility study
Authors: Pereira Vitor Mendes , Brina Olivier , Delattre Benedicte M A , Ouared Rafik , Bouillot Pierre , Erceg Gorislav , Schaller Karl , Lovblad Karl-Olof , Vargas Maria-Isabel
Published: October 2014

Background

Flow diverter stents (FDS) have been effectively used for the endovascular treatment of sidewall intracranial aneurysms (IAs). Unlike standard endovascular treatments used to exclude directly the aneurysm bulge from the parent vessel, FDS induce reduction in the intra-aneurysmal flow and promote progressive and stable thrombosis therein. The advent of FDS has therefore increased the need for understanding of IA hemodynamics.

Methods

We proposed the use of the most recently evolved four-dimensional (4D) flow MRI technique to evaluate qualitatively and quantitatively post-FDS flow modification in 10 patients. We report intra-aneurysmal velocity measurements and the influence of metal artifacts induced by the stent.

Results

An index was defined to quantitatively measure flow changes—namely, the proportional velocity reduction ratio (PVRR)—with ranges from 34.6% to 71.1%. Furthermore, we could compare streamlines characterizing the post-stent flow patterns in five patients in whom the intra-aneurysmal velocity was beyond the visualization threshold of 7.69 cm/s.

Conclusions

Despite metal artifacts and the low velocities involved, 4D flow MRI could be of interest to measure qualitatively and quantitatively flow changes in stented aneurysms. However, further enhancements are required together with further validation work before it can be considered for clinical use.
Focal, transient mechanical narrowing of a pipeline embolization device following treatment of an internal carotid artery aneurysm
Authors: Miller Timothy Ryan , Jindal Gaurav , Gandhi Dheeraj
Published: October 2014

Flow diversion is a promising technique for cerebral aneurysm treatment but presents new and sometimes unique challenges. Transient reversible narrowing due to device reconfiguration of the pipeline embolization device (PED) has not been previously described. Here we describe a patient with dolichoectasia of the distal right internal carotid artery with an associated saccular sidewall aneurysm who developed asymptomatic circumferential narrowing of the proximal aspect of the PED in the first month following deployment. The patient was followed conservatively and demonstrated partial resolution of device narrowing on 6 month follow-up imaging.
Transient millwheel heart murmur and cardiorespiratory alterations in a dachshund during hemilaminectomy
Authors: Chebroux Alexandre , McMillan Matthew
Published: October 2014

A four‐year‐old dachshund was admitted for progressive para‐paresis. The dog had no signs of cardiovascular disease, and cardiac auscultation was unremarkable. The dog was anaesthetised for MRI and subsequently hemilaminectomy. During surgery, drops in blood pressure and end‐tidal carbon dioxide were observed concurrent to surgical site haemorrhage. At this time, a rumbling/churning ‘millwheel’‐type cardiac murmur was detected via an oesophageal stethoscope. Other anomalies, such as arrhythmias and tachypnoea, were also observed. The planned surgery was shortened and the dog made a full uneventful recovery. The heart murmur audible externally immediately after recovery, disappeared over the following 12 hours. The events reported are compatible with the occurrence of a venous air embolism (VAE). Review of the literature indicates that subclinical VAE might be more frequent than usually believed, as precursor signs might be tenuous and non‐evocative of VAE. Awareness of this potentially life‐threatening complication should be raised.
Assessment of inbreeding resulting from selection for scrapie resistance: a model for rare sheep breeds
Authors: Brown C. , Orford M. , Tzamaloukas O. , Mavrogenis A. P. , Miltiadou D.
Published: October 2014

Inbreeding in a small population of Chios sheep undergoing intense selection for the PrP gene was assessed 10 years after the beginning of a scrapie resistance selection programme. Inbreeding in this stock, already under selection for production traits, was analysed by using pedigree records containing 10,492 animals from 1968 to 2008, and also by genotyping 192 individuals with a panel of 15 microsatellites. Genetic markers indicated a loss of heterozygosity (FIS over all loci was 0.059) and allelic diversity (mean effective number of alleles was 3.075±0.275). The annual rate of inbreeding increased significantly after the start of the scrapie resistance programme, ΔF=0.005 compared with ΔF=0.001 before 1999, and was subjected to several genetic bottlenecks, mainly due to the low initial frequency of resistant animals. However, the mean individual inbreeding coefficient estimated from the pedigree – in this closed stock resembling the case of a rare breed – stood at the level of 4.5 per cent, five generations after the implementation of selection for the PrP gene. The inbreeding coefficient estimated by genetic markers was 4.37 per cent, implying that such a marker panel could be a useful and cost‐effective tool for estimating inbreeding in unrecorded populations.
A DFT-D study on the stability and intramolecular interactions of the salts of 1,2,3- and 1,2,4-triazoles
Authors: Zhang Xueli , Gong Xuedong
Published: October 2014

Nitrogen-rich 1,2,4-triazole (1) and 1,2,3-triazole (2) react as bases with the oxygen-rich acids HNO3 (a), HN(NO2)2 (b), and HClO4 (c) to produce energetic salts (1a, 1b, and 1c and 2a, 2b, and 2c, respectively) potentially applicable to composite explosives and propellants. In this study, these salts were studied with the dispersion-corrected density functional theory. For the isomers such as 1a and 2a, the more negative ΔrGm of the formation reaction leads to a higher thermally stable salt. The ability to form intramolecular hydrogen bonds predicted with the quantum theory of atoms in molecules has the order of 2 > 1. Different hydrogen bonds result in different second-order perturbation energies, redshifts in IR, and electron density differences. The charge transfer, binding energy, dispersion energy, lattice energy, and energy gap between frontier orbits in the salts of 1 are larger than those of 2, which is helpful for stabilizing the former, and 1 is more obviously stabilized than 2 by formation of salts. Different conformations of 1 and 2 hardly affect the frontier orbital distributions. Base 1 is a more preferred base than 2 to form salts.
Optimized process window for fresh concrete carbonation curing
Authors: Morshed Abu Zakir , Shao Yixin
Published: October 2014

The feasibility of using captured carbon dioxide as an enabling starting material for fresh concrete carbonation curing was studied. Carbonation curing of fresh concrete accelerates hydration, shortens production time, and recycles carbon dioxide recovered from cement kiln. The challenge is if an optimized process window can be established that can compete with steam curing. The carbonation reactivity of fresh concrete was reduced by high water content and internal relative humidity. It was found that water content was more dominant at a fresh state. When the water content was reduced to 40%, the internal relative humidity was still over 95%. A novel process including a high water to cement ratio mix, a precondition drying, and a static carbonation curing was developed to establish an optimized process window for enhanced carbon dioxide uptake and concrete early strength within an 8 h work shift.
Assessment of the structural reliability of loadbearing concrete masonry designed to the Canadian Standard S304.1
Authors: Moosavi Hadi , Korany Yasser
Published: October 2014

A structural reliability analysis was performed on concrete masonry under axial compression using the First Order Reliability Method (FORM) to assess the reliability levels under the current (2004) and preceding (1994) editions of the Canadian masonry design standard S304.1. The Hasofer–Lind reliability index was evaluated at different live-to-dead load and snow-to-dead load ratios using the Rackwitz–Fiessler procedure. The reliability analysis revealed that neither the masonry material resistance factor of 0.6 adopted in the current Canadian masonry design standard (S304.1-04) nor the previous value of 0.55 in its predecessor (S304.1-94) achieve acceptable reliability levels for masonry in compression under combined dead and live or snow loads. Reliability levels close to the target reliability index recommended by the Canadian standard S408-11 and the levels evaluated for concrete in compression designed to the Canadian standard A23.3-04 were achieved when a masonry material resistance factor of 0.5 was used.
Ranking the spreading ability of nodes in network core
Authors: Tong Xiao-Lei , Liu Jian-Guo , Wang Jiang-Pan , Guo Qiang , Ni Jing
Published: October 2014

Ranking nodes by their spreading ability in complex networks is of vital significance to better understand the network structure and more efficiently spread information. The k-shell decomposition method could identify the most influential nodes, namely network core, with the same ksvalues regardless to their different spreading influence. In this paper, we present an improved method based on the k-shell decomposition method and closeness centrality (CC) to rank the node spreading influence of the network core. Experiment results on the data from the scientific collaboration network and U.S. aviation network show that the accuracy of the presented method could be increased by 31% and 45% than the one obtained by the degree k, 32% and 31% than the one by the betweenness.
EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF SINGAPORE'S MANUFACTURING SECTOR 2001–2010: AN ANALYSIS USING BOOTSTRAPPED TRUNCATED APPROACH
Authors: LEE BOON L.
Published: October 2014

This paper seeks to explain the lagging productivity in Singapore's manufacturing noted in the statements of the Economic Strategies Committee (ESC) Report 2010. Two methods are employed: the Malmquist productivity to measure total factor productivity (TFP) change and Simar and Wilson's (2007) bootstrapped truncated regression approach which first derives bias-corrected efficiency estimates before being regressed against explanatory variables to help quantify sources of inefficiencies. The findings reveal that growth in TFP was attributed to efficiency change with no technical progress. Sources of efficiency were attributed to quality of worker and flexible work arrangements while the use of foreign workers lowered efficiency.
Identifying Sport Types and Postures with Complex Background by Fusion of Local Descriptors
Authors: Panakarn Piyanan , Phimoltares Suphakant , Lursinsap Chidchanok
Published: October 2014

Sport type classification and posture identification based on visual meaning of posture semantic in still images are challenging tasks. The difficulty of these tasks comes from the complex image content consisting of a player's posture, the color and texture of a player's clothes as well as complexity of the background. Player detection is one of the most important tasks in posture identification. For sport type classification without object segmentation, the new set of features, based on 64-bins color histogram, DCT coefficients, and Cb and Cr components, is introduced. To achieve high accuracy, an appropriate feature extraction technique should be also realized. For posture identification, three algorithms, concerning player region detection and suitable features for posture identification, are proposed namely blurred background elimination, irrelevant region elimination, and trimming players region. The DFT coefficients, based on image resizing and slicing techniques, are used as significant features in posture identification. Our proposed features were compared with Edge Histogram and Region-based Shape (EH and RS), two of MPEG-7 descriptors. The experimental results showed that our proposed features yielded better performance with 85.76% of accuracy in sport classification and 86.66% of accuracy in posture identification.
Epidemiological Models of Directly Transmitted Diseases: An Approach via Fuzzy Sets Theory
Authors: Barros L. C. , Oliveira R. Z. G. , Leite M. B. F. , Bassanezi R. C.
Published: October 2014

In this article, we consider environmental and demographic fuzziness when the varying uncertainties are modelled by Fuzzy Set Theory. In the first case the uncertainties are considered in the parameters of the model, frequently described by differential equations. In the second the state variables and their variation rates are linguistic and related through fuzzy rules. Here we proposed a methodology to study stability of equilibriums for systems whose direction field is partially known and given by a fuzzy rules. From the results it is possible to obtain much relevant information that can help in the study of classic models.

However this methodology can be applied to more complex epidemiological mathematical models. With the goal of making comparisons with the results of the classic model, we apply these ideas in the formulation of the SIS model (susceptible-infectedsusceptible), which is the model that describes a disease in which individual recovers but does not develop any kind of immunity. The basic reproduction values (R0) for the fuzzy model and the classic model are compared. For the SIS model described by a system based on fuzzy rules, instead of differential equations, the stability of the equilibrium point is analyzed using the Lyapunov function. Also, parameter estimation from fuzzy modelling is considered.
SURFACE MORPHOLOGY AND MICROSTRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF KCl CRYSTALS GROWN IN HALITE–SYLVITE BRINE SOLUTIONS BY ELECTRON BACKSCATTERED DIFFRACTION TECHNIQUES
Authors: PODDER JIBAN , BASU RITWIK , EVITTS RICHARD WILLIAM , BESANT ROBERT WILLIAM
Published: October 2014

In this paper, a study on the ternary NaCl – KCl – H 2 O system was carried out by an extractive metallurgy technique from mixed brine solutions of different compositions at room temperature (23°C). The surface morphology and microstructure were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The presence of [Formula: see text] was found to reduce the stability of the solutions and increase the crystallization induction period, interfacial energy, energy of formation of the nucleus and greatly reduce the nucleation rate of KCl crystal. The surface morphology of KCl crystals is significantly changed due to presence of 5 to 10% (w/w) of NaCl as impurities in the binary solutions and shows the formation of co-crystals of different crystallographic orientation of NaCl on the KCl surface. In addition X-ray diffraction studies performed on KCl crystals grown in halite–sylvite binary solutions reveals that these crystals are cubic in nature and its lattice constant is 6.2952 Å when the NaCl concentration is small.
The contribution of offshore seismic data to understanding the evolution of the New Zealand continent
Authors: Uruski Chris
Published: October 2014

Reconnaissance 2D seismic reflection data intended to investigate the petroleum potential of New Zealand's marine territories have contributed many insights into the geological evolution of the large continental block that surrounds New Zealand. These include:

definition of a back-thrust system to the Mesozoic Gondwana subduction margin along the Northland–Reinga Basin and the transition to back-arc rifting;

the development of a Mesozoic back-arc rift system through the present New Caledonia and probably the Bounty troughs;

the Early Cretaceous cause, at least locally, of the cessation of subduction along the New Zealand sector of the Gondwana margin;

evidence for anticlockwise rotation of eastern New Zealand relative to the west in Late Eocene time;

an explanation for the development of the Alpine Fault and the South Island compressional strike-slip margin between the Pacific and Australian plates through South Island.
Strategies for Design and Application of Enteric Viral Vaccines
Authors: Chattha Kuldeep S. , Roth James A. , Saif Linda J.
Published: October 2014

Enteric viral infections in domestic animals cause significant economic losses. The recent emergence of virulent enteric coronaviruses [porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV)] in North America and Asia, for which no vaccines are available, remains a challenge for the global swine industry. Vaccination strategies against rotavirus and coronavirus (transmissible gastroenteritis virus) infections are reviewed. These vaccination principles are applicable against emerging enteric infections such as PEDV. Maternal vaccines to induce lactogenic immunity, and their transmission to suckling neonates via colostrum and milk, are critical for early passive protection. Subsequently, in weaned animals, oral vaccines incorporating novel mucosal adjuvants (e.g., vitamin A, probiotics) may provide active protection when maternal immunity wanes. Understanding intestinal and systemic immune responses to experimental rotavirus and transmissible gastroenteritis virus vaccines and infection in pigs provides a basis and model for the development of safe and effective vaccines for young animals and children against established and emerging enteric infections.