bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MicroRNAs as serum biomarkers for periodontitis
Authors: Tomofuji Takaaki , Yoneda Toshiki , Machida Tatsuya , Ekuni Daisuke , Azuma Tetsuji , Kataoka Kota , Maruyama Takayuki , Morita Manabu
Published: February 2016

Aim

Studies demonstrated that periodontitis modulates microRNA (miRNAs) expression rates in periodontal tissue. However, the relationship between periodontitis and miRNAs profile in circulation remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of periodontitis on serum miRNAs profile in a rat model.

Material and Methods

Male Wistar rats (n = 32, 8 weeks old) were divided into four groups of eight rats each. The control groups received no treatment for 2 or 4 weeks. In the other two groups, periodontitis was ligature induced for 2 or 4 weeks. Serum miRNAs expression profiles of each group were compared.

Results

Ligation around teeth induced periodontal inflammation at 2 weeks and periodontal tissue destruction at 4 weeks. Microarray results showed that 25 miRNAs were expressed with a <0.5 or >2 difference between the control and periodontitis groups at 4 weeks. Results of real‐time PCR revealed that the periodontitis group up‐regulated expression rates of serum miR‐207 and miR‐495 at 2 weeks, and miR‐376b‐3p at 4 weeks (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Serum miRNAs (miR‐207, miR‐495, and miR‐376b‐3p) could be valuable biomarkers for periodontitis.
Biorhythms, deciduous enamel thickness, and primary bone growth: a test of the Havers‐Halberg Oscillation hypothesis
Authors: Mahoney Patrick , Miszkiewicz Justyna J. , Pitfield Rosie , Schlecht Stephen H. , Deter Chris , Guatelli‐Steinberg Debbie
Published: February 2016

Across mammalian species, the periodicity with which enamel layers form (Retzius periodicity) in permanent teeth corresponds with average body mass and the pace of life history. According to the Havers–Halberg Oscillation hypothesis (HHO), Retzius periodicity (RP) is a manifestation of a biorhythm that is also expressed in lamellar bone. Potentially, these links provide a basis for investigating aspects of a species’ biology from fossilized teeth. Here, we tested intra‐specific predictions of this hypothesis on skeletal samples of human juveniles. We measured daily enamel growth increments to calculate RP in deciduous molars (n = 25). Correlations were sought between RP, molar average and relative enamel thickness (AET, RET), and the average amount of primary bone growth (n = 7) in humeri of age‐matched juveniles. Results show a previously undescribed relationship between RP and enamel thickness. Reduced major axis regression reveals RP is significantly and positively correlated with AET and RET, and scales isometrically. The direction of the correlation was opposite to HHO predictions as currently understood for human adults. Juveniles with higher RPs and thicker enamel had increased primary bone formation, which suggests a coordinating biorhythm. However, the direction of the correspondence was, again, opposite to predictions. Next, we compared RP from deciduous molars with new data for permanent molars, and with previously published values. The lowermost RP of 4 and 5 days in deciduous enamel extends below the lowermost RP of 6 days in permanent enamel. A lowered range of RP values in deciduous enamel implies that the underlying biorhythm might change with age. Our results develop the intra‐specific HHO hypothesis.
Improved vigilance after sodium oxybate treatment in narcolepsy: a comparison between in‐field and in‐laboratory measurements
Authors: van Schie Mojca K. M. , Werth Esther , Lammers Gert Jan , Overeem Sebastiaan , Baumann Christian R. , Fronczek Rolf
Published: February 2016

This two‐centre observational study of vigilance measurements assessed the feasibility of vigilance measurements on multiple days using the Sustained Attention to Response Task and the Psychomotor Vigilance Test with portable task equipment, and subsequently assessed the effect of sodium oxybate treatment on vigilance in patients with narcolepsy. Twenty‐six patients with narcolepsy and 15 healthy controls were included. The study comprised two in‐laboratory days for the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test and the Oxford Sleep Resistance test, followed by 7‐day portable vigilance battery measurements. This procedure was repeated for patients with narcolepsy after at least 3 months of stable treatment with sodium oxybate. Patients with narcolepsy had a higher Sustained Attention to Response Task error count, lower Psychomotor Vigilance Test reciprocal reaction time, higher Oxford Sleep Resistance test omission error count adjusted for test duration (Oxford Sleep Resistance testOMIS/MIN), and lower Oxford Sleep Resistance test and Maintenance of Wakefulness Test sleep latency compared with controls (all P < 0.01). Treatment with sodium oxybate was associated with a longer Maintenance of Wakefulness Test sleep latency (P < 0.01), lower Oxford Sleep Resistance testOMIS/MIN (P = 0.01) and a lower Sustained Attention to Response Task error count (P = 0.01) in patients with narcolepsy, but not with absolute changes in Oxford Sleep Resistance test sleep latency or Psychomotor Vigilance Test reciprocal reaction time. It was concluded that portable measurements of sustained attention as well as in‐laboratory Oxford Sleep Resistance test and Maintenance of Wakefulness Test measurements revealed worse performance for narcoleptic patients compared with controls, and that sodium oxybate was associated with an improvement of sustained attention and a better resistance to sleep.
Effects of NRG1 genotypes on orbitofrontal sulcogyral patterns in Japanese patients diagnosed with schizophrenia
Authors: Yoshimi Asuka , Suda Akira , Hayano Fumi , Nakamura Motoaki , Aoyama‐Uehara Kumi , Konishi Jun , Asami Takeshi , Kishida Ikuko , Kawanishi Chiaki , Inoue Tomio , McCarley Robert W. , Shenton Martha E. , Hirayasu Yoshio
Published: February 2016

Aim

Numerous reports have described differences in the distribution of orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) sulcogyral patterns between patients with schizophrenia (SZ patients) and healthy controls (HC). Alterations in OFC morphology are also observed in those at high risk for developing SZ and in first‐episode SZ, suggesting that genetic associations may be extant in determining OFC sulcogyral patterns. We investigated the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in NRG1 and OFC sulcogyral patterns.

Methods

A total of 59 Japanese patients diagnosed with SZ and 60 HC were scanned on a 1.5‐T magnet. Patients were also assessed clinically. OFC sulcogyral patterns were evaluated for each participant, and genotyping was performed for four SNP in NRG1 (SNP8NRG243177, SNP8NRG221533, SNP8NRG241930, and rs1081062).

Results

There were significant differences in the distribution of OFC sulcogyral patterns between SZ patients and HC (χ2 = 6.52, P = 0.038). SZ patients showed an increase in the frequency of Type III expression, which was associated with an earlier age of disease onset (β = −0.302, F = 4.948, P = 0.030). Although no difference was found in genotype frequencies between SZ patients and HC, an NRG1 SNP, SNP8NRG243177, was associated with Type II expression in SZ patients (β = 0.237, F = 4.120, P = 0.047).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that OFC sulcogyral pattern formation in schizophrenia may be associated with NRG1 allele frequency, which is closely related to neurodevelopment.
NORE1/SAUL1 integrates temperature‐dependent defense programs involving SGT1b and PAD4 pathways and leaf senescence in Arabidopsis
Authors: Lee Il Hwan , Lee In Chul , Kim Jeongsik , Kim Jin Hee , Chung Eui‐Hwan , Kim Hyo Jung , Park Su Jin , Kim Yong Min , Kang Sin Kyu , Nam Hong Gil , Woo Hye Ryun , Lim Pyung Ok
Published: February 2016

Leaf senescence is not only primarily governed by developmental age but also influenced by various internal and external factors. Although some genes that control leaf senescence have been identified, the detailed regulatory mechanisms underlying integration of diverse senescence‐associated signals into the senescence programs remain to be elucidated. To dissect the regulatory pathways involved in leaf senescence, we isolated the not oresara1‐1 (nore1‐1) mutant showing accelerated leaf senescence phenotypes from an EMS‐mutagenized Arabidopsis thaliana population. We found that altered transcriptional programs in defense response‐related processes were associated with the accelerated leaf senescence phenotypes observed in nore1‐1 through microarray analysis. The nore1‐1 mutation activated defense program, leading to enhanced disease resistance. Intriguingly, high ambient temperature effectively suppresses the early senescence and death phenotypes of nore1‐1. The gene responsible for the phenotypes of nore1‐1 contains a missense mutation in SENESCENCE‐ASSOCIATED E3 UBIQUITIN LIGASE 1 (SAUL1), which was reported as a negative regulator of premature senescence in the light intensity‐ and PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT 4 (PAD4)‐dependent manner. Through extensive double mutant analyses, we recently identified suppressor of the G2 Allele of SKP1b (SGT1b), one of the positive regulators for disease resistance conferred by many resistance (R) proteins, as a downstream signaling component in NORE1‐mediated senescence and cell death pathways. In conclusion, NORE1/SAUL1 is a key factor integrating signals from temperature‐dependent defense programs and leaf senescence in Arabidopsis. These findings provide a new insight that plants might utilize defense response program in regulating leaf senescence process, possibly through recruiting the related genes during the evolution of the leaf senescence program.
AGE‐induced keratinocyte MMP‐9 expression is linked to TET2‐mediated CpG demethylation
Authors: Zhang Jinglu , Yang Chuan , Wang Chuan , Liu Dan , Lao Guojuan , Liang Ying , Sun Kan , Luo Hengcong , Tan Qin , Ren Meng , Yan Li
Published: February 2016

Studies have documented that unusually high expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) suppresses wound healing during the late stages of diabetic foot ulcers. Recently, it has been reported that the presence of advanced glycation end products‐bovine serum albumin (AGE‐BSA) resulted in a higher expression of MMP‐9 in skin primary keratinocytes. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the molecular machinery that is responsible for the inappropriately high AGE‐BSA–induced expression of MMP‐9. It has been demonstrated that site‐specific DNA demethylation played an important role in MMP‐9 expression in AGE‐BSA–stimulated keratinocytes. Ten–eleven translocation‐2 (TET2) was up‐regulated, whereas the percentage of methylation in the MMP‐9 promoter was reduced. Furthermore, TET2 directly bound to a fragment surrounding the transcriptional start site in the MMP‐9 promoter region, contributing to the regulation of MMP‐9 expression. In addition, evidence indicated that TET2 affected the migration and proliferation in vitro of cultured skin primary keratinocytes. These findings indicated that TET2 directly interacted with the promoter region of MMP‐9 in diabetic tissues and may be a novel master regulator of wound healing.
Self-patterning of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and chondrocytes cocultured on hyaluronan-grafted chitosan surface
Authors: Yeh Hsi-Yi , Hsieh Fu-Yu , Hsu Shan-hui
Published: February 2016

The articular cartilage, once injured, has a limited capacity for intrinsic repair. Preparation of functionally biocartilage substitutes in vitro for cartilage repair is an attractive concept with the recent advances in tissue engineering. In this study, adipose-derived adult stem cells (ADAS) and chondrocytes (Ch) were cocultured in different population ratios on the surface of hyaluronan-grafted chitosan (CS-HA) membranes. The two types of cells could self-assemble into cospheroids with different morphologies. In particular, when ADAS and Ch were cocultured at an initial ratio of 7:3 on CS-HA surface, the expression of chondrogenic markers was upregulated, leading to preferred chondrogenesis of the cospheroids. Therefore, using the ADAS/Ch 7:3 cospheroids derived on CS-HA surface instead of using only a single type of cells may be favorable for future therapeutic applications.
Toward improved target conformity for two spot scanning proton therapy delivery systems using dynamic collimation
Authors: Moignier Alexandra , Gelover Edgar , Smith Blake R. , Wang Dongxu , Flynn Ryan T. , Kirk Maura L. , Lin Liyong , Solberg Timothy D. , Lin Alexander , Hyer Daniel E.
Published: February 2016

Purpose:

To quantify improvement in target conformity in brain and head and neck tumor treatments resulting from the use of a dynamic collimation system (DCS) with two spot scanning proton therapy delivery systems (universal nozzle, UN, and dedicated nozzle, DN) with median spot sizes of 5.2 and 3.2 mm over a range of energies from 100 to 230 MeV.

Methods:

Uncollimated and collimated plans were calculated with both UN and DN beam models implemented within our in‐house treatment planning system for five brain and ten head and neck datasets in patients previously treated with spot scanning proton therapy. The prescription dose and beam angles from the clinical plans were used for both the UN and DN plans. The average reduction of the mean dose to the 10‐mm ring surrounding the target between the uncollimated and collimated plans was calculated for the UN and the DN. Target conformity was analyzed using the mean dose to 1‐mm thickness rings surrounding the target at increasing distances ranging from 1 to 10 mm.

Results:

The average reductions of the 10‐mm ring mean dose for the UN and DN plans were 13.7% (95% CI: 11.6%–15.7%; p < 0.0001) and 11.5% (95% CI: 9.5%–13.5%; p < 0.0001) across all brain cases and 7.1% (95% CI: 4.4%–9.8%; p < 0.001) and 6.3% (95% CI: 3.7%–9.0%; p < 0.001), respectively, across all head and neck cases. The collimated UN plans were either more conformal (all brain cases and 60% of the head and neck cases) than or equivalent (40% of the head and neck cases) to the uncollimated DN plans. The collimated DN plans offered the highest conformity.

Conclusions:

The DCS added either to the UN or DN improved the target conformity. The DCS may be of particular interest for sites with UN systems looking for a more economical solution than upgrading the nozzle to improve the target conformity of their spot scanning proton therapy system.
Maternal T
H
17 cells take a toll on baby's brain
Authors: Estes Myka L. , McAllister A. Kimberley
Published: February 2016

Infection produces an immune molecule that interferes with brain development

[Also see Research Article by

Choi
et al.

]
Human Papillomavirus Laboratory Testing: the Changing Paradigm
Authors: Burd Eileen M.
Published: February 2016

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause essentially all cervical cancers, most anal and oropharyngeal cancers, and some vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers. Improved understanding of the pathogenesis of infection and the availability of newer tests are changing the approach to screening and diagnosis. Molecular tests to detect DNA from the most common high-risk HPVs are FDA approved for use in conjunction with cytology in cervical cancer screening programs. More-specific tests that detect RNA from high-risk HPV types are now also available. The use of molecular tests as the primary screening tests is being adopted in some areas. Genotyping to identify HPV16 and -18 has a recommended role in triaging patients for colposcopy who are high-risk HPV positive but have normal cytology. There are currently no recommended screening methods for anal, vulvar, vaginal, penile, or oropharyngeal HPV infections. HPV testing has limited utility in patients at high risk for anal cancer, but p16 immunohistochemistry is recommended to clarify lesions in tissue biopsy specimens that show moderate dysplasia or precancer mimics. HPV testing is recommended for oropharyngeal squamous cell tumors as a prognostic indicator. Ongoing research will help to improve the content of future guidelines for screening and diagnostic testing.
HIV Integration Site Analysis of Cellular Models of HIV Latency with a Probe-Enriched Next-Generation Sequencing Assay
Authors: Sunshine Sara , Kirchner Rory , Amr Sami S. , Mansur Leandra , Shakhbatyan Rimma , Kim Michelle , Bosque Alberto , Siliciano Robert F. , Planelles Vicente , Hofmann Oliver , Ho Sui Shannan , Li Jonathan Z.
Published: February 2016

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is successful in the suppression of HIV but cannot target and eradicate the latent proviral reservoir. The location of retroviral integration into the human genome is thought to play a role in the clonal expansion of infected cells and HIV persistence. We developed a high-throughput targeted sequence capture assay that uses a pool of HIV-specific probes to enrich Illumina libraries prior to deep sequencing. Using an expanded clonal population of ACH-2 cells, we demonstrate that this sequence capture assay has an extremely low false-positive rate. This assay assessed four cellular models commonly used to study HIV latency and latency-reversing agents: ACH-2 cells, J-Lat cells, the Bcl-2-transduced primary CD4+model, and the cultured TCM(central memory) CD4+model. HIV integration site characteristics and genes were compared between these cellular models and to previously reported patient data sets. Across these cellular models, there were significant differences in integration site characteristics, including orientation relative to that of the host gene, the proportion of clonally expanded sites, and the proportion located within genic regions and exons. Despite a greater diversity of minority integration sites than expected in ACH-2 cells, their integration site characteristics consistently differed from those of the other models and from the patient samples. Gene ontology analysis of highly represented genes from the patient samples found little overlap with HIV-containing genes from the cell lines. These findings show that integration site differences exist among the commonly used cellular models of HIV latency and in comparison to integration sites found in patient samples.

IMPORTANCEDespite the success of ART, currently there is no successful therapy to eradicate integrated proviruses. Cellular models of HIV latency are used to test the efficacy of latency-reversing agents, but it is unclear how well these models reflect HIV integration into the human genomein vivo. We have developed a novel probe-based sequence enrichment assay to sequence and analyze integrated HIV. We compared HIV integration site characteristics between four cellular models and to previously described patient data sets. Significant differences were detected in the distribution of HIV integration sites between cellular models of HIV latency and compared to data sets from patient samples. The results from this study have implications for how well these cellular models of HIV infection truly reflect HIV integrationin vivoand their applicability in drug discovery for novel latency-reversing agents.
Mucosa-Associated Invariant T Cells Are Systemically Depleted in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Vinton Carol , Wu Fan , Rossjohn Jamie , Matsuda Kenta , McCluskey James , Hirsch Vanessa , Price David A. , Brenchley Jason M.
Published: February 2016

Mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells contribute to host immune protection against a wide range of potential pathogens via the recognition of bacterial metabolites presented by the major histocompatibility complex class I-related molecule MR1. Although bacterial products translocate systemically in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected Asian macaques, several studies have shown that MAIT cell frequencies actually decrease in peripheral blood during the course of HIV/SIV disease. However, the mechanisms underlying this proportional decline remain unclear. In this study, we characterized the phenotype, activation status, functionality, distribution, and clonotypic structure of MAIT cell populations in the peripheral blood, liver, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), jejunum, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of healthy and SIV-infected rhesus macaques (RMs). Low frequencies of MAIT cells were observed in the peripheral blood, MLNs, and BAL fluid of SIV-infected RMs. These numerical changes were coupled with increased proliferation and a highly public T cell receptor alpha (TCRα) repertoire in the MAIT cell compartment without redistribution to other anatomical sites. Collectively, our data show systemically decreased frequencies of MAIT cells likely attributable to enhanced turnover in SIV-infected RMs. This process may impair protective immunity against certain opportunistic infections with progression to AIDS.

IMPORTANCE
The data presented in this study reveal for the first time that MAIT cells are systemically depleted in an AIDS virus infection. These findings provide a new mechanistic link with our current understanding of HIV/SIV pathogenesis and implicate MAIT cell depletion in the disease process.
Use of the Microparticle Nanoscale Silicon Dioxide as an Adjuvant To Boost Vaccine Immune Responses against Influenza Virus in Neonatal Mice
Authors: Russell Ryan F. , McDonald Jacqueline U. , Lambert Laura , Tregoning John S.
Published: February 2016

Neonates are at a high risk of infection, but vaccines are less effective in this age group; tailored adjuvants could potentially improve vaccine efficacy. Increased understanding about danger sensing by the innate immune system has led to the rational design of novel adjuvants. But differences in the neonatal innate immune response, for example, to Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, can reduce the efficacy of these adjuvants in early life. We therefore targeted alternative danger-sensing pathways, focusing on a range of compounds described as inflammasome agonists, including nanoscale silicon dioxide (NanoSiO2), calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals, and muramyl tripeptide (M-Tri-DAP), for their ability to act as adjuvants.In vitro, these compounds induced an interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) response in the macrophage-like cell line THP1.In vivo, adult CB6F1 female mice were immunized intramuscularly with H1N1 influenza vaccine antigens in combination with NanoSiO2, CPPD, or M-Tri-DAP and subsequently challenged with H1N1 influenza virus (A/England/195/2009). The adjuvants boosted anti-hemagglutinin IgG and IgA antibody levels. Both adult and neonatal animals that received NanoSiO2-adjuvanted vaccines lost significantly less weight and recovered earlier after infection than control animals treated with antigen alone. Administration of the adjuvants led to an influx of activated inflammatory cells into the muscle but to little systemic inflammation measured by serum cytokine levels. Blocking IL-1β or caspase 1in vivohad little effect on NanoSiO2 adjuvant function, suggesting that it may work through pathways other than the inflammasome. Here we demonstrate that NanoSiO2 can act as an adjuvant and is effective in early life.

IMPORTANCEVaccines can fail to protect the most at-risk populations, including the very young, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. There is a gap in neonatal immunity between the waning of maternal protection and routine infant immunization schedules, exacerbated by the failure of vaccines to work in the first months of life. One approach is to design age-specific formulations, with more-effective adjuvants, based on our understanding of the nature of the neonatal immune response. We chose to target the inflammasome, a molecular complex capable of detecting infection and cell damage and of triggering IL-1β-driven inflammation. We screened a range of compoundsin vitroandin vivoand identified three lead candidates: NanoSiO2, CPPD, and M-Tri-DAP. Of these, NanoSiO2 was the most effective and boosted the anti-influenza virus response in both adult and neonatal mice. This finding is important for the development of age-specific vaccines, designed using our knowledge of the neonatal immune response.
Predicting the outcome of hip fracture patients by using N-terminal fragment of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide
Authors: Nordling Pauliina , Kiviniemi Tuomas , Strandberg Marjatta , Strandberg Niko , Airaksinen Juhani
Published: February 2016

Objective

To examine the prognostic value of perioperative N-terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in hip fracture patients.

Design

Blinded prospective cohort study.

Setting

Single centre trial at Turku University Hospital in Finland.

Participants

Inclusion criterion was admittance to the study hospital due to hip fracture during the trial period of October 2009—May 2010. Exclusion criteria were the patient's refusal and inadequate laboratory tests. The final study population consisted of 182 patients.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

NT-proBNP was assessed once during the perioperative period and later if clinically indicated, and troponin T (TnT) and ECG recordings were evaluated repeatedly. The short-term (30-day) and long-term (1000 days) mortalities were studied.

Results

Median (IQR) follow-up time was 3.1 (0.3) years. The median (IQR) NT-proBNP level was 1260 (2298) ng/L in preoperative and 1600 (3971) ng/L in postoperative samples (p=0.001). TnT was elevated in 66 (36%) patients, and was significantly more common in patients with higher NT-proBNP. Patients with high (>2370 ng/L) and intermediate (806–2370 ng/L) NT-proBNP level had significantly higher short-term mortality compared with patients having a low (<806 ng/L) NT-proBNP level (15 vs 11 vs 2%, p=0.04), and the long-term mortality remained higher in these patients (69% vs 49% vs 27%, p<0.001). Intermediate or high NT-proBNP level (HR 7.8, 95% CI 1.03 to 59.14, p<0.05) was the only independent predictor of short-term mortality, while intermediate or high NT-proBNP level (HR 2.27, 95% CI 1.30 to 3.96, p=0.004), the presence of dementia (HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.66, p=0.01) and higher preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists’ (ASA) classification (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.38, p=0.02) were independent predictors of long-term mortality.

Conclusion

An elevated perioperative NT-proBNP level is common in hip fracture patients, and it is an independent predictor of short-term and long-term mortality superior to the commonly used clinical risk scores.

Trial registration number

NCT01015105; Results.
Gut microbiota, obesity and diabetes
Authors: Patterson Elaine , Ryan Paul M , Cryan John F , Dinan Timothy G , Ross R Paul , Fitzgerald Gerald F , Stanton Catherine
Published: February 2016

The central role of the intestinal microbiota in the progression and, equally, prevention of metabolic dysfunction is becoming abundantly apparent. The symbiotic relationship between intestinal microbiota and host ensures appropriate development of the metabolic system in humans. However, disturbances in composition and, in turn, functionality of the intestinal microbiota can disrupt gut barrier function, a trip switch for metabolic endotoxemia. This low-grade chronic inflammation, brought about by the influx of inflammatory bacterial fragments into circulation through a malfunctioning gut barrier, has considerable knock-on effects for host adiposity and insulin resistance. Conversely, recent evidence suggests that there are certain bacterial species that may interact with host metabolism through metabolite-mediated stimulation of enteric hormones and other systems outside of the gastrointestinal tract, such as the endocannabinoid system. When the abundance of these keystone species begins to decline, we see a collapse of the symbiosis, reflected in a deterioration of host metabolic health. This review will investigate the intricate axis between the microbiota and host metabolism, while also addressing the promising and novel field of probiotics as metabolic therapies.
Hand hygiene of medical students and resident physicians: predictors of attitudes and behaviour
Authors: Barroso Violeta , Caceres Wendy , Loftus Pooja , Evans Kambria H , Shieh Lisa
Published: February 2016

Objectives

We measured medical students' and resident trainees' hand hygiene behaviour, knowledge and attitudes in order to identify important predictors of hand hygiene behaviour in this population.

Methods

An anonymous, web-based questionnaire was distributed to medical students and residents at Stanford University School of Medicine in August of 2012. The questionnaire included questions regarding participants' behaviour, knowledge, attitude and experiences about hand hygiene. Behaviour, knowledge and attitude indices were scaled from 0 to 1, with 1 representing superior responses. Using multivariate regression, we identified positive and negative predictors of superior hand hygiene behaviour. We investigated effectiveness of interventions, barriers and comfort reminding others.

Results

280 participants (111 students and 169 residents) completed the questionnaire (response rate 27.8%). Residents and medical students reported hand hygiene behaviour compliance of 0.45 and 0.55, respectively (p=0.02). Resident and medical student knowledge was 0.80 and 0.73, respectively (p=0.001). The attitude index for residents was 0.56 and 0.55 for medical students. Regression analysis identified experiences as predictors of hand hygiene behaviour (both positive and negative influence). Knowledge was not a significant predictor of behaviour, but a working gel dispenser and observing attending physicians with good hand hygiene practices were reported by both groups as the most effective strategy in influencing trainees.

Conclusions

Medical students and residents have similar attitudes about hand hygiene, but differ in their level of knowledge and compliance. Concerns about hierarchy may have a significant negative impact on hand hygiene advocacy.
Up for a challenge
Authors: Machalinska Dobrochna
Published: February 2016

Dobrochna Machalinska qualified as vet in Poland. Wanting to be a general practitioner and to develop her skills and knowledge, she came to the UK. Overcoming language difficulties was just one of the challenges she faced in pursuing her ambition
Isolation of lactic acid bacteria from swine milk and characterization of potential probiotic strains with antagonistic effects against swine-associated gastrointestinal pathogens
Authors: Quilodrán-Vega Sandra Rayén , Villena Julio , Valdebenito José , Salas María José , Parra Cristian , Ruiz Alvaro , Kitazawa Haruki , García Apolinaria
Published: February 2016

Probiotics are usually isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. The search of probiotics in human milk is a recent field of research, as the existence of the human milk microbiome was discovered only about a decade ago. To our knowledge, no reports regarding the potential probiotic effect of bacteria from swine milk have been published. In this work, we isolated several lactic acid bacteria from swine milk and evaluated them for them potential as probiotics. Among the isolated strains, Lactobacillus curvatus TUCO-5E showed antagonistic effects against swine-associated gastrointestinal pathogens. TUCO-5E was able to reduce the growth of enterotoxigenic and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli strains as well as pathogenic salmonella. In vitro exclusion and displacement assays in intestinal epithelial cells showed a remarkable antagonistic effect for L. curvatus TUCO-5E against Salmonella sp. strain TUCO-I7 and Salmonella enterica ATCC 13096. Moreover, by using a mouse model of Salmonella infection, we were able to demonstrate that preventative administration of L. curvatus TUCO-5E for 5 consecutive days was capable of decreasing the number of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in the liver and spleen of treated mice, compared with the controls, and prevented dissemination of the pathogen to the blood stream. Therefore, we have demonstrated here that swine milk is an interesting source of beneficial bacteria. In addition, the results of this work suggest that L. curvatus TUCO-5E is a good candidate to study in vivo the protective effect of probiotics against intestinal infection and damage induced by Salmonella infection in the porcine host.
Ranking Two-Stage Production Units in Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Azizi Roza , Matin Reza Kazemi
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we propose a new approach to rank two-stage production systems in data envelopment analysis based on performance of the stages. To do this, a method is devised to compare the stages performance of a special two-stage unit with the corresponding stages performance of other units. The relative performance of two-stage production units is investigated under new definitions of weak and strong relations and a new ranking criterion is introduced as the result. The most important features of our method is the ability to achieve ranking intervals for two-stage production units based on the introduced relations over all feasible weights, as well as the ability to generate accurate information about sources of inefficiency of two-stage production units.
Gauging quantum groups: Yang–Baxter joining Yang–Mills
Authors: Wu Yong-Shi
Published: February 2016

This review is an expansion of my talk at the conference on Sixty Years of Yang–Mills Theory. I review and explain the line of thoughts that lead to a recent joint work with Hu and Geer [Hu et al., arXiv:1502.03433] on the construction, exact solutions and ubiquitous properties of a class of quantum group gauge models on a honey-comb lattice. Conceptually the construction achieves a synthesis of the ideas of Yang–Baxter equations with those of Yang–Mills theory. Physically the models describe topological anyonic states in 2D systems.
Extracting the resonance parameters from experimental data on scattering of charged particles
Authors: Vaandrager P. , Rakityansky S. A.
Published: February 2016

A new parametrization of the multi-channel [Formula: see text]-matrix is used to fit scattering data and then to locate the resonances as its poles. The [Formula: see text]-matrix is written in terms of the corresponding “in” and “out” Jost matrices which are expanded in the Taylor series of the collision energy [Formula: see text] around an appropriately chosen energy [Formula: see text]. In order to do this, the Jost matrices are written in a semi-analytic form where all the factors (involving the channel momenta and Sommerfeld parameters) responsible for their “bad behavior” (i.e., responsible for the multi-valuedness of the Jost matrices and for branching of the Riemann surface of the energy) are given explicitly. The remaining unknown factors in the Jost matrices are analytic and single-valued functions of the variable [Formula: see text] and are defined on a simple energy plane. The expansion is done for these analytic functions and the expansion coefficients are used as the fitting parameters. The method is tested on a two-channel model, using a set of artificially generated data points with typical error bars and a typical random noise in the positions of the points.
Photodynamic therapy: Promotion of efficacy by a sequential protocol
Authors: Kessel David
Published: February 2016

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers a new approach to selective tumor eradication. Modifications designed to increase and optimize efficacy continue to emerge. Selective photodamage to malignant cells and their environment can bring about tumor cell destruction, shutdown of the tumor vasculature, stimulation of immunologic anti-tumor effects and potentiation of other therapeutic effects. Current development of combination protocols may provide a better rationale for integration of PDT into clinical practice. An example described here is the ability of a sequential (two-sensitizer) PDT protocol to enhance the efficacy of photokilling. The first step involves low-level lysosomal photodamage that has been shown to promote the apoptotic response to subsequent photodynamic effects directed at mitochondria. In this report, we demonstrate the ability of Photofrin, an FDA-approved photosensitizing agent, to serve as either the first or second element of the sequential protocol.
Quercitrin ameliorates the development of systemic lupus erythematosus-like disease in a chronic graft-versus-host murine model
Authors: Li Wei , Li Hu , Zhang Mu , Wang Mengqi , Zhong Youxiu , Wu Hezhen , Yang Yanfang , Morel Laurence , Wei Qun
Published: February 2016

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a serious disorder of immune regulation characterized by overproduction of autoantibodies, lupus nephritis, CD4+ T cell aberrant activation, and immune complex-mediated inflammation. The chronic graft vs. host disease (cGVHD) mouse model is a well-established model of SLE. Quercitrin is a natural compound found in Tartary buckwheat with a potential anti-inflammatory effect that is used to treat heart and vascular conditions. In our previous study, we determined that quercitrin is an immunosuppressant with beneficial effects in mouse models of immune diseases. We hypothesized that quercitrin could prevent lupus nephritis in the cGVHD mouse model by decreasing the production of autoantibodies and inflammatory cytokines, and reducing immune cell activation. cGVHD was induced by injecting DBA/2 spleen cells into the tail vein of BDF1 mice. The cGVHD mice exhibited significant proteinuria, which is a marker of nephritis. Quercitrin decreased the number of serum antibodies, CD4+ T cell activation, as well as the expression levels of T-bet, GATA-3, and selected cytokines. Moreover, quercitrin treatment decreased the expression of inflammatory genes and cytokines in the kidney, as well as in peritoneal macrophages. In addition, quercitrin inhibited LPS-induced cytokines as well as the phosphorylation of ERK, p38 MAPK, and JNK in Raw264.7 cells. Overall, quercitrin ameliorated the symptoms of lupus nephritis in the cGVHD mouse model, which may be due to the inhibition of CD4 T cell activation and anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages.
Renal endothelial function is associated with the anti-proteinuric effect of ACE inhibition in 5/6 nephrectomized rats
Authors: Vettoretti Simone , Vavrinec Peter , Ochodnicky Peter , Deelman Leo E. , De Zeeuw Dick , Henning Rob H. , Buikema Hendrik
Published: February 2016

In healthy rats, the physiological variation of baseline endothelial function of intrarenal arteries correlates with the severity of renal damage in response to a subsequent specific renal injury. However, whether such a variation in endothelial function may also condition or predict the variable response to angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibiting treatment in these individuals has not been addressed before. To study this, 5/6 nephrectomy was performed to induce renal injury and chronic kidney disease in a group of healthy Wistar rats. At the time of nephrectomy, interlobar arteries were obtained from the extirpated right kidney and studied in vitro for endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine. Six weeks thereafter, treatment with lisinopril was started ( n = 11) and continued for 9 wk. Proteinuria (metabolic cages) and systolic blood pressure (SBP; tail cuff) were evaluated weekly, and these were analyzed in relation to renal endothelial function at baseline. 5/6 Nephrectomy induced an increase in SBP and progressive proteinuria. Treatment with lisinopril reduced SBP and slowed proteinuria, albeit to a variable degree among individuals. The acetylcholine-induced renal artery dilation at baseline negatively correlated with lisinopril-induced reduction of proteinuria ( r2= 0.648, P = 0.003) and with the decrease in SBP ( r2= 0.592, P = 0.006). Our data suggest that angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitor attenuates the progression of renal damage the most in those individuals with decreased basal renal endothelial-mediated vasodilation.
Role of Ih in differentiating the dynamics of the gastric and pyloric neurons in the stomatogastric ganglion of the lobster, Homarus americanus
Authors: Zhu Lin , Selverston Allen I. , Ayers Joseph
Published: February 2016

The hyperpolarization-activated inward cationic current ( Ih) is known to regulate the rhythmicity, excitability, and synaptic transmission in heart cells and many types of neurons across a variety of species, including some pyloric and gastric mill neurons in the stomatogastric ganglion (STG) in Cancer borealis and Panulirus interruptus. However, little is known about the role of Ih in regulating the gastric mill dynamics and its contribution to the dynamical bifurcation of the gastric mill and pyloric networks. We investigated the role of Ih in the rhythmic activity and cellular excitability of both the gastric mill neurons (medial gastric, gastric mill) and pyloric neurons (pyloric dilator, lateral pyloric) in Homarus americanus. Through testing the burst period between 5 and 50 mM CsCl, and elimination of postinhibitory rebound and voltage sag, we found that 30 mM CsCl can sufficiently block Ih in both the pyloric and gastric mill neurons. Our results show that Ih maintains the excitability of both the pyloric and gastric mill neurons. However, Ih regulates slow oscillations of the pyloric and gastric mill neurons differently. Specifically, blocking Ih diminishes the difference between the pyloric and gastric mill burst periods by increasing the pyloric burst period and decreasing the gastric mill burst period. Moreover, the phase-plane analysis shows that blocking Ih causes the trajectory of slow oscillations of the gastric mill neurons to change toward the pyloric sinusoidal-like trajectories. In addition to regulating the pyloric rhythm, we found that Ih is also essential for the gastric mill rhythms and differentially regulates these two dynamics.
Land-Cover Legacy Effects on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Abundance in Human and Wildlife Dominated Systems in Tropical Savanna
Authors: Soka Geofrey E. , Ritchie Mark E.
Published: February 2016

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can be important mutualists to plant hosts in acquiring soil nutrients. Past work has not explored whether previous land-cover history influences current AMF abundance in croplands and whether different land-cover histories in grazed but not cultivated areas influence AMF. This study was conducted to assess the effects of land-cover history in and near Serengeti National Park on AMF abundance in areas with three different land uses. The results showed that land-cover history influenced a number of soil physicochemical properties following conversion of grassland to cropland or woodland to cropland during the past 27 years. Different original land cover generally did not significantly influence current AMF abundance in croplands or livestock-grazed soils. However, livestock-grazed current grasslands that were formerly woodlands had lower AMF abundance than sites that had been grasslands since 1984. These results suggest that lower AMF abundance in livestock-grazed and cropland areas as compared to protected wildlife-grazed areas may reflect reduced total carbon inputs and higher disturbance and are not strongly influenced by the legacy of previous land cover. Given that recent studies have detected legacy effects on AMF, such effects may reflect more the impact on the taxonomic composition of AMF rather than their total abundance.
Transmission Reliability Evaluation for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhu Xiaojuan , Lu Yang , Han Jianghong , Shi Lei
Published: February 2016

Network reliability of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is difficult to be evaluated because of its complexity, multistates, and dynamic characteristics. To satisfy the user's need of reliability evaluation for network transmission we propose some evaluation models and a dynamical evaluation framework. The evaluation models are mission-oriented and based on transmission paths (uplink and downlink). The dynamic evaluation framework can be on-demand customized and it will be autoupdated once the communication environment changes or the nodes fail. Finally, we simulated clustered and mesh WSNs with NS-2. Simulation result shows that the proposed evaluation framework was effective and accurate.
Haemostasis in Thyroid Surgery: Collagen-Fibrinogen-Thrombin Patch versus Cellulose Gauze—Our Experience
Authors: Tartaglia Nicola , Di Lascia Alessandra , Lizzi Vincenzo , Cianci Pasquale , Fersini Alberto , Ambrosi Antonio , Neri Vincenzo
Published: February 2016

Purpose. Postoperative hemorrhage is fortunately uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication of thyroid surgery that increases the postoperative morbidity and the hospital stay. In this study we compare the efficacy of collagen patch coated with human fibrinogen and human thrombin (CFTP) (group C) and oxidized regenerated cellulose gauze (group B) versus traditional hemostatic procedures (group A) in thyroid surgery.Methods. From January 2011 to December 2013, 226 were eligible for our prospective, nonrandomized, comparative study. Patients requiring a video-assisted thyroidectomy without drain, “near total,” or hemithyroidectomy were excluded. Other exclusion criteria were a diagnosis of malignancy, substernal goiter, disorders of hemostasis or coagulation, and Graves or hyperfunctioning thyroid diseases. Outcomes included duration of operation, drainage volume, and postoperative complications.Results. Our results show a significant reduction in drainage volume in group C in comparison with the other two groups. In group C there was no bleeding but the limited numbers do not make this result significant. There were no differences in terms of other complications, except for the incidence of seroma in group B.Conclusion. The use of CFTP reduces the drainage volume, potentially the bleeding complications, and the hospital stay. These findings confirm the efficacy of CFTP, encouraging its use in thyroid surgery.
Thermal, Morphological, and Biodegradability Properties of Bioplastic Fertilizer Composites Made of Oil Palm Biomass, Fertilizer, and Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate)
Authors: Harmaen A. S. , Khalina A. , Ali H. Mohd , Azowa I. Nor
Published: February 2016

Slow-release bioplastic fertilizer (BpF) composites were developed by processing oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB), fertilizer, and poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate) (PHBv) using extrusion techniques with controlled formulation and temperature. The temperature was kept at 150°C for 3 to 5 min during processing using twin-screw extruder. The PHBv lost weight gradually with the increasing temperature and its thermal degradation occurred initially at 263.4°C and reached the maximum at 300.7°C. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that the bonding of all composites created small gaps between matrices polymer and fiber because the hydrophilic characteristic of EFB fibers weakened the interfacial bonding. PHBv/EFB/NPKC2 showed faster biodegradation over PHBv/NPKC1 and PHBv/NPKC2, which was 99.35% compared to 68.66% and 90.28%, respectively.
Experimental and Numerical Evaluation of Progressive Collapse Behavior in Scaled RC Beam-Column Subassemblage
Authors: Ahmadi Rasool , Rashidian Omid , Abbasnia Reza , Mohajeri Nav Foad , Usefi Nima
Published: February 2016

An experimental test was carried out on a 3/10 scale subassemblage in order to investigate the progressive collapse behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Investigation of alternative load paths and resistance mechanisms in scaled subassemblage and differences between the results of full-scale and scaled specimens are the main goals of this research. Main characteristics of specimen response including load-displacement curve, mechanism of formation and development of cracks, and failure mode of the scaled specimen had good agreement with the full-scale specimen. In order to provide a reliable numerical model for progressive collapse analysis of RC beam-column subassemblages, a macromodel was also developed. First, numerical model was validated with experimental tests in the literature. Then, experimental results in this study were compared with validated numerical results. It is shown that the proposed macromodel can provide a precise estimation of collapse behavior of RC subassemblages under the middle column removal scenario. In addition, for further evaluation, using the validated numerical model, parametric study of new subassemblages with different details, geometric and boundary conditions, was also done.