bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An
Alphavirus
E2 Membrane-Proximal Domain Promotes Envelope Protein Lateral Interactions and Virus Budding
Authors: Byrd Emily A. , Kielian Margaret
Published: November 2017

Alphaviruses are members of a group of small enveloped RNA viruses that includes important human pathogens such as Chikungunya virus and the equine encephalitis viruses. The virus membrane is covered by a lattice composed of 80 spikes, each a trimer of heterodimers of the E2 and E1 transmembrane proteins. During virus endocytic entry, the E1 glycoprotein mediates the low-pH-dependent fusion of the virus membrane with the endosome membrane, thus initiating virus infection. While much is known about E1 structural rearrangements during membrane fusion, it is unclear how the E1/E2 dimer dissociates, a step required for the fusion reaction. A recent
Alphavirus
cryo-electron microscopy reconstruction revealed a previously unidentified D subdomain in the E2 ectodomain, close to the virus membrane. A loop within this region, here referred to as the D-loop, contains two highly conserved histidines, H348 and H352, which were hypothesized to play a role in dimer dissociation. We generated Semliki Forest virus mutants containing the single and double alanine substitutions H348A, H352A, and H348/352A. The three D-loop mutations caused a reduction in virus growth ranging from 1.6 to 2 log but did not significantly affect structural protein biosynthesis or transport, dimer stability, virus fusion, or specific infectivity. Instead, growth reduction was due to inhibition of a late stage of virus assembly at the plasma membrane. The virus particles that are produced show reduced thermostability compared to the wild type. We propose the E2 D-loop as a key region in establishing the E1-E2 contacts that drive glycoprotein lattice formation and promote
Alphavirus
budding from the plasma membrane.

IMPORTANCE
Alphavirus
infection causes severe and debilitating human diseases for which there are no effective antiviral therapies or vaccines. In order to develop targeted therapeutics, detailed molecular understanding of the viral entry and exit mechanisms is required. In this report, we define the role of the E2 protein juxtamembrane D-loop, which contains highly conserved histidine residues at positions 348 and 352. These histidines do not play an important role in virus fusion and infection. However, mutation of the D-loop histidines causes significant decreases in the assembly and thermostability of
Alphavirus
particles. Our results suggest that the E2 D-loop interacts with the E1 protein to promote
Alphavirus
budding.
High circulating plasma dipeptidyl peptidase- 4 levels in non-obese Asian Indians with type 2 diabetes correlate with fasting insulin and LDL-C levels, triceps skinfolds, total intra-abdominal adipose tissue volume and presence of diabetes: a case–control study
Authors: Anoop Shajith , Misra Anoop , Bhatt Surya Prakash , Gulati Seema , Pandey Ravindra Mohan , Mahajan Harsh
Published: November 2017

Aim

To evaluate circulating plasma dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) levels in non-obese Asian Indians with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to correlate these with metabolic profile and measures of anthropometry, skinfolds, abdominal adipose tissue depots, pancreatic volume, and liver span.

Methodology

Non-obese (body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2) patients with T2DM (cases,n=93), diagnosed within 1 year from recruitment, on metformin therapy and BMI-matched, and non-diabetic subjects (controls, n=40) were compared. Measurements of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, plasma insulin levels, lipid profile, hepatic transaminases and plasma DPP4 levels, and quantification of abdominal fat depots, pancreatic volume and liver span (MRI scan), were done.

Results

Significantly higher (p<0.001) circulating plasma DPP4 levels were observed in cases as compared to controls. Specifically, in patients with T2DM with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (n=48), the mean plasma DPP4 level (52.6±27.8 ng/mL) was significantly higher (p<0.05) as compared with those without NAFLD (n=43; 47±28.3 ng/mL). Significant positive correlation was observed for circulating plasma DPP4 levels with waist-to-hip ratio, total intra-abdominal adipose volume, and liver span. Fasting serum insulin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triceps skinfolds, total intra-abdominal adipose tissue volume and presence of T2DM were significant determinants of circulating plasma DPP4 levels.

Conclusion

Non-obese Asian Indian patients with T2DM and on metformin therapy have significantly higher circulating plasma DPP4 levels as compared to non-obese non-diabetic controls, and these levels correlate with fasting insulin and LDL-C levels, upper limb subcutaneous adipose tissue, intra-abdominal adiposity and presence of diabetes.
Preinjury ASA score as an independent predictor of readmission after major traumatic injury
Authors: Tran Alexandre , Mai Trinh , El-Haddad Julie , Lampron Jacinthe , Yelle Jean-Denis , Pagliarello Giuseppe , Matar Maher
Published: November 2017

Background

Patients with trauma have a high predisposition for readmission after discharge. Unplanned solicitation of medical services is a validated quality of care indicator and is associated with considerable economic costs. While the existing literature emphasizes the severity of the injury, there is heterogeneity in defining preinjury health status. We evaluate the validity of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status score as an independent predictor of readmission and compare it to the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI).

Methods

This is a single center, retrospective cohort study based on adult patients (>18 years of age) with trauma admitted to the Ottawa Hospital from January 1, 2004 to November 1, 2014. A multivariate logistic regression model is used to control for confounding and assess individual predictors. Outcome is readmission to hospital within 30 days, 3 months and 6 months.

Results

A total of 4732 adult patients were included in this analysis. Readmission rates were 6.5%, 9.6% and 11.8% for 30 days, 3 months and 6 months, respectively. Higher preinjury ASA scores demonstrated significantly increased risk of readmission across all levels in a dose-dependent manner for all time frames. The effect of preinjury ASA scores on readmission is most striking at 30 days, with patients demonstrating a 2.81 (1.88–4.22, P<0.0001), 3.59 (2.43–5.32, P<0.0001) and 7.52 (4.72–11.99, P<0.0001) fold odds of readmission for ASA class 2, 3 and 4, respectively, as compared with healthy ASA class 1 patients. The ASA scores outperformed the CCI at 30 days and 3 months.

Conclusions

The preinjury ASA score is a strong independent predictor of readmission after traumatic injury. In comparison to the CCI, the preinjury ASA score was a better predictor of readmission at 3 and 6 months after a major traumatic injury.

Level of Evidence

Prognostic and Epidemiological Study, Level III.
Impact of formation and dissociation conditions on stiffness of a hydrate-bearing sand
Authors: Sultaniya Amit , Priest Jeffrey A. , Clayton C.R.I.
Published: November 2017

Methane gas recovery from gas hydrate–bearing sands requires dissociation of the hydrate. Understanding changes in the stiffness of the sand is essential if future production scenarios are to be modelled realistically. This paper reports the results of resonant column tests conducted to measure changes in shear and flexural Young’s modulus (stiffness) of sand specimens during the formation and dissociation of hydrate within the pore space. Factors such as hydrate saturation, effective stress, and dissociation method (thermal stimulation and depressurization) were evaluated. Results show a nonlinear relationship between stiffness and hydrate volume, with hydrate formation and dissociation giving markedly different changes in stiffness. Stiffness increases more slowly during the initial stages of hydrate formation, compared to later stages, with the eventual stiffness being independent of the effective stress applied at the start of formation. In contrast, the onset of dissociation leads to a rapid reduction in stiffness, with thermal stimulation giving a greater reduction compared to depressurization for similar changes in hydrate volume. These results highlight the impact of hydrate morphology on changes in stiffness during the hydrate formation process or its dissociation. We present and discuss a conceptual model to explain the differences observed.
Hydrogen-bonded networks in oxygen-coordinated monoamide complexes of zinc(II)
Authors: Mokhtabad Amrei Leila , Boeré René T.
Published: November 2017

The preparation of the bulky secondary amide N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2,2-dimethylpropanamide and the determination of its crystal structure at 173(2) K are reported. The structure displays disorder of thetBu methyl groups due to thermal motion and an infinite N–H····O=C hydrogen-bonded chain described by a [Formula: see text] graph set. Reaction of this amide with ZnCl2or ZnBr2in tetrahydrofuran (THF) results in dihalo-(tetrahydrofurano)-(N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)–2,2-dimethylpropanamido)-zinc(II) complexes (Cl, Br) for which the crystal structures have also been determined. These complexes, as well as a chloroform solvate of the dichloro-complex, contain N–H····X–Zn hydrogen-bonded chains described by [Formula: see text] graph sets. Evaporative crystallization results in the loss of both chloroform and THF to afford crystals determined to be bis(μ2-chloro)-dichloro-bis(N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2,2-dimethylpropanamido)-dizinc(II) by single crystal X-ray diffraction. This dimeric complex shows a complex network of N–H····Cl–Zn hydrogen bonds describable by [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] chains, small [Formula: see text] molecular “squares”, and larger [Formula: see text] rings.
Water budget, performance of evapotranspiration formulations, and their impact on hydrological modeling of a small boreal peatland-dominated watershed
Authors: Isabelle Pierre-Erik , Nadeau Daniel F. , Rousseau Alain N. , Anctil François
Published: November 2017

Peatlands occupy around 13% of the land cover of Canada, and thus they play a key role in the water balance at high latitudes. They are well known for having substantial water loss due to evapotranspiration. Since measurements of evapotranspiration are scarce over these environments, hydrologists generally rely on models of varying complexity to evaluate these water exchanges in the global watershed balance. This study quantifies the water budget of a small boreal peatland-dominated watershed. We assess the performance of three evapotranspiration models in comparison with in situ observations and the impact of using these models in the hydrological modeling of the watershed. The study site (∼1 km2) is located in the eastern James Bay lowlands, Québec, Canada. During summer 2012, an eddy flux tower measured evapotranspiration continuously, while a trapezoidal flume monitored streamflow at the watershed outlet. We estimated evapotranspiration with a combinational model (Penman), a radiation-based model (Priestley–Taylor), and a temperature-based model (Hydro-Québec), and performed the hydrological modeling of the watershed with HYDROTEL, a physically based semi-distributed model. Our results show that the Penman and Priestley–Taylor models reproduce the observations with the highest precision, while a substantial drop in performance occurs with the Hydro-Québec model. However, these discrepancies did not appear to reduce the hydrological model efficiency, at least from what can be concluded from a 3-month modeling period. HYDROTEL appears sensitive to evapotranspiration inputs, but calibration of model parameters can compensate for the differences. These findings still need to be confirmed with longer modeling periods.
Dimensional analysis on forest fuel bed fire spread
Authors: Yang Jiann C.
Published: November 2017

A dimensional analysis was performed to correlate the fuel bed fire rate of spread data previously reported in the literature. Under wind condition, six pertinent dimensionless groups were identified, namely dimensionless fire spread rate, dimensionless fuel particle size, fuel moisture content, dimensionless fuel bed depth or dimensionless fuel loading density, dimensionless wind speed, and angle of inclination of fuel bed. Under no-wind condition, five similar dimensionless groups resulted. Given the uncertainties associated with some of the parameters used to estimate the dimensionless groups, the dimensionless correlations using the resulting dimensionless groups correlate the fire rates of spread reasonably well under wind and no-wind conditions.
Variation in fire scar phenology from mixed conifer trees in the Sierra Nevada
Authors: Stephens Scott L. , Maier Liam , Gonen Lilah , York Jennifer D. , Collins Brandon M. , Fry Danny L.
Published: November 2017

Fire scar based studies have provided robust reconstructions of past fire regimes. The season in which a fire occurs can have considerable impacts to ecosystems but inference on seasonality from fire scars is relatively uncertain. This study examined patterns in the phenology of cambium formation and wounding responses in the five common mixed conifer tree species of the Sierra Nevada. The outer bark was shaved on 35 trees and individual locations within the shaved portions were wounded systematically by applying direct heat using a handheld torch. Most of the trees had not commenced annual ring development by the first burning treatment in late May. By the second treatment, scars were identified mostly within the early or middle earlywood, although variation was high compared with other treatment periods. By late October, all scars were recorded at the ring boundary. Although intra-ring scar positions generally followed a logical temporal pattern, there was high tree to tree variation such as Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) burned on 26 June induced scars in the early, mid, and late earlywood depending on the individual tree. This high variation makes it somewhat challenging to precisely assign past fire season to published fire history studies.
QUANTIFYING THE RELATION BETWEEN PERFORMANCE AND SUCCESS IN SOCCER
Authors: PAPPALARDO LUCA , CINTIA PAOLO
Published: November 2017

The availability of massive data about sports activities offers nowadays the opportunity to quantify the relation between performance and success. In this study, we analyze more than 6000 games and 10 million events in six European leagues and investigate this relation in soccer competitions. We discover that a team’s position in a competition’s final ranking is significantly related to its typical performance, as described by a set of technical features extracted from the soccer data. Moreover, we find that, while victory and defeats can be explained by the team’s performance during a game, it is difficult to detect draws by using a machine learning approach. We then simulate the outcomes of an entire season of each league only relying on technical data and exploiting a machine learning model trained on data from past seasons. The simulation produces a team ranking which is similar to the actual ranking, suggesting that a complex systems’ view on soccer has the potential of revealing hidden patterns regarding the relation between performance and success.
Estimation of two-qubit interactions through channels with environment assistance
Authors: Rexiti Milajiguli , Mancini Stefano
Published: November 2017

We consider the estimation of two-qubit interactions when initial states of both qubit can be locally controlled, while the final state of only one qubit can be measured. This amounts to realize a model of quantum channel communication with environment assistance. In such a framework, the unitaries’ parameters space results a tetrahedron in [Formula: see text]. On its edges the problem, becoming of single parameter estimation, can be exactly solved and we derive optimal probe states and estimators. Our results show that the possibility of environment assistance is always beneficial, while the usage of entanglement at channels’ input is not.
CATASTROPHIC THRESHOLDS, BAYESIAN LEARNING AND THE ROBUSTNESS OF CLIMATE POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
Authors: CHANG WONJUN , RUTHERFORD THOMAS F.
Published: November 2017

How does risk and uncertainty in climate thresholds impact optimal short-run mitigation? This paper contrasts the near-term mitigation consequences of using an expected value, stochastic programming, and stochastic control model to capture the policy effects of uncertain climate thresholds. The risk of threshold outcomes increases expected climate damages. The passive learning associated with stochastic programming creates an extra incentive to mitigate promptly by reducing the damages from remaining threshold hazards. The active learning associated with stochastic control creates yet another incentive to do near-term mitigation, through the delaying of potential threshold effects.
Architecture and Compiler Support for GPUs Using Energy-Efficient Affine Register Files
Authors: Wang Shao-Chung , Kan Li-Chen , Lee Chao-Lin , Hwang Yuan-Shin , Lee Jenq-Kuen
Published: November 2017

A modern GPU can simultaneously process thousands of hardware threads. These threads are grouped into fixed-size SIMD batches executing the same instruction on vectors of data in a lockstep to achieve high throughput and performance. The register files are huge due to each SIMD group accessing a dedicated set of vector registers for fast context switching, and consequently the power consumption of register files has become an important issue. One proposed solution is to replace some of the vector registers by scalar registers, as different threads in a same SIMD group operate on scalar values and so the redundant computations and accesses of these scalar values can be eliminated. However, it has been observed that a significant number of registers containing affine vectors υ such that υ[
i
] =
b
+
i
×
s
can be represented by base
b
and stride
s
. Therefore, this article proposes an affine register file design for GPUs that is energy efficient due to it reducing the redundant executions of both the uniform and affine vectors. This design uses a pair of registers to store the base and stride of each affine vector and provides specific affine ALUs to execute affine instructions. A method of compiler analysis has been developed to detect scalars and affine vectors and annotate instructions for facilitating their corresponding scalar and affine computations. Furthermore, a priority-based register allocation scheme has been implemented to assign scalars and affine vectors to appropriate scalar and affine register files. Experimental results show that this design was able to dispatch 43.56% of the computations to scalar and affine ALUs when using eight scalar and four affine registers per warp. This resulted in the current design also reducing the energy consumption of the register files and ALUs to 21.86% and 26.54%, respectively, and it reduced the overall energy consumption of the GPU by an average of 5.18%.
Effects of muscle action type on corticospinal excitability and triceps surae muscle-tendon mechanics
Authors: Valadão P. , Kurokawa S. , Finni T. , Avela J.
Published: November 2017

This study investigated whether the specific motor control strategy reported for eccentric muscle actions is dependent on muscle mechanical behavior. Motor evoked potentials, Hoffman reflex (H-reflex), fascicle length, pennation angle, and fascicle velocity of soleus muscle were compared between isometric and two eccentric conditions. Ten volunteers performed maximal plantarflexion trials in isometric, slow eccentric (25°/s), and fast eccentric (100°/s) conditions, each in a different randomized testing session. H-reflex normalized by the preceding M wave (H/M) was depressed in both eccentric conditions compared with isometric ( P < 0.001), while no differences in fascicle length and pennation angle were found among conditions. Furthermore, although the fast eccentric condition had greater fascicle velocity than slow eccentric ( P = 0.001), there were no differences in H/M. There were no differences in motor evoked potential size between conditions, and silent period was shorter for both eccentric conditions compared with isometric ( P = 0.009). Taken together, the present results corroborate the hypothesis that the central nervous system has an unique activation strategy during eccentric muscle actions and suggest that sensory feedback does not play an important role in modulating these muscle actions.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study provides new insight into the motor control of eccentric muscle actions. It was demonstrated that task-dependent corticospinal excitability modulation does not seem to depend on sensory information processing. These findings support the hypothesis that the central nervous system has a unique activation strategy during eccentric muscle actions.
A fast, invariant representation for human action in the visual system
Authors: Isik Leyla , Tacchetti Andrea , Poggio Tomaso
Published: November 2017

Humans can effortlessly recognize others’ actions in the presence of complex transformations, such as changes in viewpoint. Several studies have located the regions in the brain involved in invariant action recognition; however, the underlying neural computations remain poorly understood. We use magnetoencephalography decoding and a data set of well-controlled, naturalistic videos of five actions (run, walk, jump, eat, drink) performed by different actors at different viewpoints to study the computational steps used to recognize actions across complex transformations. In particular, we ask when the brain discriminates between different actions, and when it does so in a manner that is invariant to changes in 3D viewpoint. We measure the latency difference between invariant and noninvariant action decoding when subjects view full videos as well as form-depleted and motion-depleted stimuli. We were unable to detect a difference in decoding latency or temporal profile between invariant and noninvariant action recognition in full videos. However, when either form or motion information is removed from the stimulus set, we observe a decrease and delay in invariant action decoding. Our results suggest that the brain recognizes actions and builds invariance to complex transformations at the same time and that both form and motion information are crucial for fast, invariant action recognition.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The human brain can quickly recognize actions despite transformations that change their visual appearance. We use neural timing data to uncover the computations underlying this ability. We find that within 200 ms action can be read out of magnetoencephalography data and that this representation is invariant to changes in viewpoint. We find form and motion are needed for this fast action decoding, suggesting that the brain quickly integrates complex spatiotemporal features to form invariant action representations.
Using Reduced Inoculum Densities of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in MGIT Pyrazinamide Susceptibility Testing to Prevent False-Resistant Results and Improve Accuracy: A Multicenter Evaluation
Authors: Morlock Glenn P. , Tyrrell Frances C. , Baynham Dorothy , Escuyer Vincent E. , Green Nicole , Kim Youngmi , Longley-Olson Patricia A. , Parrish Nicole , Pennington Courtney , Tan Desmond , Austin Brett , Posey James E.
Published: November 2017

The primary platform used for pyrazinamide (PZA) susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the MGIT culture system (Becton Dickinson). Since false-resistant results have been associated with the use of this system, we conducted a multicenter evaluation to determine the effect of using a reduced cell density inoculum on the rate of false resistance. Two reduced inoculum densities were compared with that prescribed by the manufacturer (designated as “BD” method). The reduced inoculum methods (designated as “A” and “C”) were identical to the manufacturer’s protocol in all aspects with the exception of the cell density of the inoculum. Twenty genetically and phenotypically characterized M. tuberculosis isolates were tested in duplicate by ten independent laboratories using the three inoculum methods. False-resistant results declined from 21.1% using the standard “BD” method to 5.7% using the intermediate (“A”) inoculum and further declined to 2.8% using the most dilute (“C”) inoculum method. The percentages of the resistant results that were false-resistant declined from 55.2% for the “BD” test to 28.8% and 16.0% for the “A” and “C” tests, respectively. These results represent compelling evidence that the occurrence of false-resistant MGIT PZA susceptibility test results can be mitigated through the use of reduced inoculum densities.
Are the Therapeutic Effects of Huangqi (Astragalus membranaceus) on Diabetic Nephropathy Correlated with Its Regulation of Macrophage iNOS Activity?
Authors: Liao Hui , Hu Ling , Cheng Xingnuo , Wang Xiaocheng , Li Jiarui , Banbury Linda , Li Rongshan
Published: November 2017

Objective. To investigate the correlation between the clinical effects of Huangqi (Astragalus membranaceus) on different stages of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and the pharmacological effect of Huangqi on the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in macrophages in different states. Methods. The PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases were searched. Clinical data was sourced from papers on treatment of different stages of DN with Huangqi, and pharmacological data was from papers on the effects of Huangqi on the iNOS activity of macrophages in a resting or an activated state. Results. Meta-analysis of Huangqi injections on stages III and III-IV DN and randomized controlled trials on other stages showed that Huangqi had therapeutic effects on different stages of DN and on macrophages in different states: inducing normal macrophages in a resting state to generate nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α, and so forth upon iNOS activation; inhibiting NO generation by normal lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) activated macrophages; and enhancing NO generation by LPS-induced macrophages from patients with renal failure. Conclusions. Huangqi can regulate iNOS activity of macrophages in different states in vitro. These biphasic or antagonistic effects may explain why Huangqi can be used to treat different stages of DN.
Hypokalemic Paralysis Secondary to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy
Authors: Balakrishna Pragathi , Villegas Augusto
Published: November 2017

Introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has led to significant improvements in the treatment of multiple malignancies. Anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) are two essential ICIs that have been FDA approved since 2011. As the use of immunotherapy in melanoma and other malignancies increases, the potential of adverse events also increases. Overall, anti-PD-1 agents are well tolerated. In rare instances, colitis, endocrinopathies, skin, and renal toxicities have been observed. A 58-year-old male with a history of stage 4 cutaneous melanoma presented with quadriplegia while on nivolumab. Routine blood test revealed low potassium, low bicarbonate, and high serum creatinine. Admission diagnosis included hypokalemia, acute kidney injury, and renal tubal acidosis. The offending drug was discontinued, and the patient was started on high-dose corticosteroids. On discharge, paralysis was resolved. Renal function and potassium were normalized. Nivolumab was discontinued, and he was started on pembrolizumab. Literature suggests that, although rare, patients receiving ICE may develop immune-mediated nephritis and renal dysfunction. The mainstay of immune-related adverse event (irAE) management is immune suppression. Hence, given the increasing frequency of immunotherapy use, awareness should be raised in regard to irAEs and their appropriate management.
The Effect of Deworming Using Triple-Dose Albendazole on Nutritional Status of Children in Perobatang Village, Southwest Sumba, Indonesia
Authors: Sungkar Saleha , Ridwan Asri S. , Kusumowidagdo Gladys
Published: November 2017

High prevalence of STH leads to malnutrition, anemia, cognitive impairment, and growth disorders. Triple-dose albendazole 400 mg is a broad-spectrum anthelminthic; however, its effectiveness varies in every region. This study aims to determine the benefits of deworming using triple-dose albendazole on children’s nutritional status in Perobatang Village, Southwest Sumba, Indonesia. This pre-post study was conducted in July 2016 and January 2017. Children aged 1–15 years were asked to collect stool for diagnosis of STH infection (Kato-Katz method), were measured for anthropometry status to obtain the nutritional status, and took albendazole 400 mg for three consecutive days. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 20. Prevalence of STH prior to the treatment was 95.4%: T. trichiura 85.2%, A. lumbricoides 71.6%, and hookworm 18.2%. After treatment, prevalence of STH decreased significantly (McNemar test, p<0.001) to 53.4%, (T. trichiura 39.8%, A. lumbricoides 22.7%, and hookworm 1.1%). Before treatment, 33% participants were in normal nutritional status, 47.7% underweight, and 19.3% severely underweight. After treatment, children in normal nutritional status increased to 75%, underweight children decreased to 25%, and there were no severely underweight children. In conclusion, deworming with triple-dose albendazole 400 mg is effective in improving the nutritional status of children in Perobatang Village.
The Influences of the Model Configuration on the Simulation of Stratospheric Northern-Hemisphere Polar Vortex in the CMIP5 Models
Authors: Cai Zelin , Wei Ke , Xu Luyang , Lan Xiaoqing , Chen Wen , Nath Debashis
Published: November 2017

As a basic part of the atmosphere, the stratosphere plays an important role in the tropospheric climate and weather systems, especially during the winter, when the stratosphere and troposphere have their strongest interactions. This study assesses the abilities of the Fifth Phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) and CMIP3 models to simulate the boreal winter stratospheric polar vortex. Analysis indicates that the models with well-resolved stratospheres, that is, with a high model top (HTOP) covering the whole stratosphere, a high vertical resolution (HVer) of the stratosphere, and nonorographic gravity wave drag (NOG), rank higher in both the temporal scoring system and the spatial scoring system. The extreme cold polar vortex bias, which was found in the CMIP3 models, vanishes in the CMIP5 models with HTOP, HVer, and NOG but persists in the other CMIP5 models. A dynamical analysis shows that the heat flux propagating into the stratosphere is stronger in models with HTOP, HVer, and NOG, but these propagations are still weaker than those in the ERA40 reanalysis, indicating the lack of variability in the current CMIP5 models.
A Laboratory Assessment of Two Local Strains of the Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. against the Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Their Potential as a Mycopesticide
Authors: Ortucu Serkan , Algur Omer Faruk
Published: November 2017

This study was conducted to assess highly pathogenic Beauveria bassiana isolates to be used in biocontrol and to determine their potentials as mycopesticide. For this purpose, two B. bassiana isolates, which were locally isolated from T. urticae, were chosen. Firstly, three suspensions were investigated at the degree of humidity of 65 ± 5% and 100% RH. Secondly, these strains were selected according to their tendency to mass production, tolerance to UV radiation, and capability of producing spore at the different temperatures. Finally, identification of the selected isolate was performed by using ITS rDNA analysis. Both tested fungal isolates were pathogenic to the T. urticae. Mycelial growths of isolate AT076 at 20°C and 30°C were found to be greater than isolate AT007. It was observed that isolate AT076 had more spore production with 1.61 × 107 spore/disc at 30°C and 44.33% germination after UV radiation for 15 min. The numbers of spores per 5 mm disk area for isolates AT076 and AT007 were found to be 1.2 × 106 and 1.0 × 106. These results show that isolate AT076 was more virulent and more UV-tolerant and had higher tendency to mass production compared to isolate AT007 against T. urticae. As a result of this study, isolate AT076 can be used in the biocontrol as mycopesticide.
Improvement of the Early-Age Compressive Strength, Water Permeability, and Sulfuric Acid Resistance of Scoria-Based Mortars/Concrete Using Limestone Filler
Authors: Al-Swaidani Aref , Soud Andraos , Hammami Amina
Published: November 2017

Natural pozzolan is being widely used as cement replacement. Despite the economic, ecological, and technical benefits of its adding, it is often associated with shortcomings such as the need of moist-curing for longer time and a lower early strength. This study is an attempt to investigate the effect of adding limestone filler on the compressive strength and durability of mortars/concrete containing scoria. Sixteen types of binders with different replacement levels of scoria (0, 10, 20, and 30%) and limestone (0, 5, 10, and 15%) were prepared. The development of the compressive strength of mortar/concrete specimens was investigated after 2, 7, 28, and 90 days’ curing. In addition, the acid resistance of the 28 days’ cured mortars was evaluated after 90 days’ exposure to 5% H2SO4. Concrete permeability was also evaluated after 2, 7, 28, and 90 days’ curing. Test results revealed that there was an increase in the early-age compressive strength and a decrease in water penetration depths with adding limestone filler. Contrary to expectation, the best acid resistance to 5% H2SO4 solution was noted in the mortars containing 15% limestone. Based on the results obtained, an empirical equation was derived to predict the compressive strength of mortars.
Bioconversion of Sugarcane Vinasse into High-Added Value Products and Energy
Authors: Naspolini Bianca Ferrazzo , Machado Antonio Carlos de Oliveira , Cravo Junior Walter Barreiro , Freire Denise Maria Guimarães , Cammarota Magali Christe
Published: November 2017

Vinasse, a residue from bioethanol production containing high organic matter concentration, was used as substrate in submerged fermentation ofPseudomonas aeruginosaPA1 for biosurfactant production. About 2.7 g/L of rhamnolipids was obtained, with surface tension of 29.2 mN/m and critical micelle concentration of 80.3 mg/L. After separation of rhamnolipid and biomass, residual fermentation media were submitted to anaerobic biodegradation in mesophilic conditions. The residual medium derived from fermentation with vinasse diluted to 1 : 1, without addition of nitrogen, C : N 21, and for 168 h, led to 63.2% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and 97.6 mL CH4/gCODremoved. Compared to results obtained with fresh vinasse (73.7% COD removal and 112.4 mL CH4/gCODremoved), it could be concluded that both processes can be integrated in order to add value to the residue and obtain energy, reducing production costs and at the same time environmental impacts related to vinasse disposal.
Tissue-Engineered Vascular Graft of Small Diameter Based on Electrospun Polylactide Microfibers
Authors: Popryadukhin P. V. , Popov G. I. , Yukina G. Yu. , Dobrovolskaya I. P. , Ivan’kova E. M. , Vavilov V. N. , Yudin V. E.
Published: November 2017

Tubular vascular grafts 1.1 mm in diameter based on poly(L-lactide) microfibers were obtained by electrospinning. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy data demonstrated that the samples treated atT=70°C for 1 h in the fixed state on a cylindrical mandrel possessed dense fibrous structure; their degree of crystallinity was approximately 44%. Strength and deformation stability of these samples were higher than those of the native blood vessels; thus, it was possible to use them in tissue engineering as bioresorbable vascular grafts. The experiments on including implantation into rat abdominal aorta demonstrated that the obtained vascular grafts did not cause pathological reactions in the rats; in four weeks, inner side of the grafts became completely covered with endothelial cells, and fibroblasts grew throughout the wall. After exposure for 12 weeks, resorption of PLLA fibers started, and this process was completed in 64 weeks. Resorbed synthetic fibers were replaced by collagen and fibroblasts. At that time, the blood vessel was formed; its neointima and neoadventitia were close to those of the native vessel in structure and composition.
Personalisierte Therapie bei AMD-Patienten?
Authors: Strauss Olaf
Published: November 2017

Ziel: Die Evidenzlage zum Zusammenhang der Polymorphie des Gens für Komplementfaktor H (CFH) auf Position 402 (Y402H) mit dem Therapieansprechen bei feuchter altersbedingter Makuladegeneration (AMD) ist widersprüchlich. Das Ziel dieser Studie war die Untersuchung des funktionellen und morphologischen Verlaufs über ein Jahr bei Patienten mit exsudativer AMD unter Behandlung mit Wirkstoffen gegen den vaskulären endothelialen Wachstumsfaktor (VEGF) und mit CFH-Y402H-Polymorphie in der brasilianischen Bevölkerung. Methoden: 46 Patienten mit feuchter AMD, die mit Bevacizumab oder Ranibizumab pro re nata behandelt wurden, wurden in die Studie aufgenommen. Der Verlauf der besten korrigierten Sehschärfe (Visus c. c.) und der zentralen Netzhautdicke (CRT) sowie die Zahl der Injektionen über einen Beobachtungszeitraum von einem Jahr wurden mit dem CFH-Genotyp korreliert. Ergebnisse: Die Varianzanalyse der BCVA-Differenz, ausgedrückt als logMAR (Logarithmus des minimalen Auflösungswinkels), ergab nach einem Jahr eine Verbesserung gegenüber Studienbeginn (p = 0,039). Eine Profilkontrastanalyse ergab, dass dieser Unterschied lediglich in der Gruppe mit dem C-Allel signifikant war (p = 0,049); bei Patienten mit dem Risiko-Allel lag keine Signifikanz vor (p = 0,241). Die mittlere CRT war nach einem Jahr geringer als bei Studienbeginn (p < 0,001). Signifikante Unterschiede in der Profilkontrastanalyse lagen sowohl in der Gruppe mit dem C-Allel vor (p < 0,001) als auch bei den Patienten mit dem Risiko-Allel (p = 0,002). Bei der Anzahl der Injektionen bestand kein Unterschied zwischen den Gruppen (p = 0,787). Schlussfolgerungen: In dieser brasilianischen Patientenpopulation unter Anti-VEGF-Therapie wegen exsudativer AMD korrelierte das Vorliegen des Risiko-Allels der Y402H-Polymorphie im CFH-Gen mit einem weniger günstigen Verlauf über 1 Jahr. In Übereinstimmung mit ähnlichen früheren Studien kommt die vorliegende Studie zu dem Schluss, dass die CFH-Risiko-Genotypen das Therapieansprechen bei dieser Erkrankung beeinflussen können.
Reduzierte Lichtunterschiedsempfindlichkeit nach Netzhautablösung
Authors: Rohrschneider Klaus
Published: November 2017

Ziel: Untersuchung der Frage, ob sich postoperativ die Lichtempfindlichkeit vollständig regeneriert und nach erfolgreicher chirurgischer Behandlung einer rhegmatogenen Netzhautablösung (RNA) auf das Niveau vor deren Entwicklung zurückkehrt. Methoden: Wir untersuchten retrospektiv 44 Augen von 44 Patienten, bei denen eine RNA erfolgreich operiert und nachfolgend eine zentrale 30-2-Humphrey-Perimetrie durchgeführt worden war. Die Durchschnittsabweichung in der Humphrey-Perimetrie in der wiederangelegten Netzhaut wurde mit der horizontalen oder vertikalen Entsprechung in der präoperativ nicht-abgelösten Netzhaut verglichen. Ergebnisse: Die Durchschnittsabweichung in der wiederangelegten Netzhaut war signifikant niedriger als im Vergleichsareal (p < 0,0001). Der gemittelte verbleibende Lichtempfindlichkeitsverlust korrelierte nicht mit der postoperativen Sehschärfe (p = 0,8047) oder deren Veränderung (p = 0,8047). Schlussfolgerungen: Die Lichtempfindlichkeit in der abgelösten Netzhaut in Augen mit RNA regeneriert sich nach erfolgreicher operativer Behandlung nicht vollständig.
Aging-Induced Modulation of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Peptide- and Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide-Induced Vasomotor Responses in the Arteries of Mice
Authors: Ivic Ivan , Solymar Margit , Fulop Balazs D. , Hashimoto Hitoshi , Toth Gabor , Tamas Andrea , Juhasz Tamas , Koller Akos , Reglodi Dora
Published: November 2017

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP; 1-38 and 1-27) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) are related neuropeptides of the secretin/glucagon family. Overlapping signaling through G-protein-coupled receptors mediates their vasomotor activity. We previously showed that PACAP deficiency (PACAP-KO) shifts the mechanisms of vascular response and maintains arterial relaxation through the VIP backup mechanism and (mainly) its VPAC1R, but their age-dependent modulation is still unknown. We hypothesized that backup mechanisms exist, which maintain the vasomotor activity of these peptides also in older age. Thus, we investigated the effects of exogenous VIP and PACAP peptides in isolated carotid arteries of 2- and 15-month-old wild-type (WT) and PACAP-KO mice. All peptides induced relaxation in the arteries of young WT mice, whereas in young PACAP-KO mice PACAP1-27 and VIP, but not PACAP1-38, induced relaxation. Unlike VIP, PACAP-induced vasomotor responses were reduced in aging WT mice. However, in the arteries of aging PACAP-KO mice, PACAP1-27- and VIP-induced responses were reduced, but PACAP1-38 showed a greater vasomotor response compared to that of young PACAP-KO animals. There were no significant differences between the vasomotor responses of aging WT and PACAP-KO mice. Our data suggest that, in the absence of PACAP both in young and old ages, the vascular response is mediated through backup mechanisms, most likely VIP, maintaining proper vascular relaxation in aging-induced PACAP insufficiency.
Seneca's Medea and De ira: justice and revenge
Authors: Braicovich Rodrigo Sebastián
Published: November 2017

I try to show Seneca’s Medea provides us with two elements -which, as far as I am aware, have not received proper attention- that complement his approach to the phenomenon of anger and can improve our understanding of the Stoic psychology of action defended in De ira. The first element is linked to the question of whether the angry person is responsive to reasons or not; the second one concerns the question of indifference, tolerance and forgiveness, and addresses the issue of Medea's inability to conceive of a more appropriate or desirable irtreaction to Jason’s offense than anger.
Livedoid vasculopathy: a clinical case proposition
Authors: Coelho Júnior Luilson Geraldo , Cunha Efigênia Pereira de Lourenzo , Almeida Pedro Rodrigo Magalhães Negreiros de , Rebello Luciana Guimarães Borges , Mendanha Marcos Paulo Borges , Machado Gabrielly Borges
Published: November 2017

Livedoid vasculopathy is a chronic occlusive vasculopathy dermatosis, with a pauciinflammatory or noninflammatory characteristic, and is extremely painful. Its ethiology is not entirely known, being associated with pro-thrombotic events. Characterized by erythematous purpuric maculopapular lesions on the legs, especially on the ankles and feet, that ulcerates and heals with white atrophic scars, named atrophie blanche. Histopathology shows occlusion of dermal vases, segmental hyalinization and endothelial proliferation; there is also a discreet perivascular inflammatory infiltrate. We describe a case of livedoid vasculopathy showing the histopathological findings on the biopsy.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)–Derived Extracellular Vesicles Are Safer and More Effective for Cardiac Repair Than iPSCs
Authors: Adamiak Marta , Cheng Guangming , Bobis-Wozowicz Sylwia , Zhao Lin , Kedracka-Krok Sylwia , Samanta Anweshan , Karnas Elzbieta , Xuan Yu-Ting , Skupien-Rabian Bozena , Chen Xing , Jankowska Urszula , Girgis Magdy , Sekula Malgorzata , Davani Arash , Lasota Slawomir , Vincent Robert J. , Sarna Michal , Newell Kathy L. , Wang Ou-Li , Dudley Nathaniel , Madeja Zbigniew , Dawn Buddhadeb , Zuba-Surma Ewa K.
Published: November 2017

Rationale:

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are tiny membrane-enclosed droplets released by cells through membrane budding or exocytosis. The myocardial reparative abilities of EVs derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have not been directly compared with the source iPSCs.

Objective:

To examine whether iPSC-derived EVs can influence the biological functions of cardiac cells in vitro and to compare the safety and efficacy of iPSC-derived EVs (iPSC-EVs) and iPSCs for cardiac repair in vivo.

Methods and Results:

Murine iPSCs were generated, and EVs isolated from culture supernatants by sequential centrifugation. Atomic force microscopy, high-resolution flow cytometry, real-time quantitative RT-PCR, and mass spectrometry were used to characterize EV morphology and contents. iPSC-EVs were enriched in miRNAs and proteins with proangiogenic and cytoprotective properties. iPSC-EVs enhanced angiogenic, migratory, and antiapoptotic properties of murine cardiac endothelial cells in vitro. To compare the cardiac reparative capacities in vivo, vehicle, iPSCs, and iPSC-EVs were injected intramyocardially at 48 hours after a reperfused myocardial infarction in mice. Compared with vehicle-injected mice, both iPSC- and iPSC-EV–treated mice exhibited improved left ventricular function at 35 d after myocardial infarction, albeit iPSC-EVs rendered greater improvement. iPSC-EV injection also resulted in reduction in left ventricular mass and superior perfusion in the infarct zone. Both iPSCs and iPSC-EVs preserved viable myocardium in the infarct zone, whereas reduction in apoptosis was significant with iPSC-EVs. iPSC injection resulted in teratoma formation, whereas iPSC-EV injection was safe.

Conclusions:

iPSC-derived EVs impart cytoprotective properties to cardiac cells in vitro and induce superior cardiac repair in vivo with regard to left ventricular function, vascularization, and amelioration of apoptosis and hypertrophy. Because of their acellular nature, iPSC-EVs represent a safer alternative for potential therapeutic applications in patients with ischemic myocardial damage.
Host suitability of common agricultural crops to Scutylenchus rugosus (Siddiqi, 1963) Siddiqi, 1979 in Iran, with a focus on wheat and maize
Authors: Hashemi Kobra , Karegar Akbar
Published: November 2017

The host suitability of alfalfa, barley, cantaloupe, cowpea, cucumber, maize, millet, rapeseed, spinach, squash, sugar beet, tomato and wheat to Scutylenchus rugosus was evaluated under glasshouse and outdoor conditions. The results showed that reproduction factor () of the nematode on wheat and barley was higher than 2.4 and on maize hybrids (SC 704 and MV 524), spinach and alfalfa was between 0.9-2.1. In two other experiments, the effects of field populations of S. rugosus on growth of three Iranian wheat cultivars and three maize hybrids were investigated. The results showed that the nematode had significant negative effects on growth parameters of the plants. Wheat cultivars were more suitable hosts and of the nematode on them was significantly higher than on the maize hybrids.