bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parkinson’s disease biomarkers based on α‐synuclein
Authors: Fayyad Muneera , Salim Safa , Majbour Nour , Erskine Daniel , Stoops Erik , Mollenhauer Brit , El‐Agnaf Omar M. A.
Published: July 2019

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease and is estimated to affect approximately 1–4% of individuals aged over 60 years old. Although considerable efforts have been invested into developing disease‐modifying therapies for Parkinson’s disease, such efforts have been confounded by the difficulty in accurately diagnosing Parkinson’s disease during life to enable accurate patient stratification for clinical trialling of candidate therapeutics. Therefore, the search for effective biomarkers that can be accurately evaluated during life with non‐invasive means is a pressing issue in the field. Since the discovery of α‐synuclein (α‐syn) as a protein linked to a familial form of Parkinson’s disease, later identified as the major protein component of the neuropathological hallmark of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, considerable interest has focused on this protein and its distinct conformers. We describe here the progress that has been made in the area of Parkinson’s disease biomarker discovery with a focus on α‐synuclein. In particular, we highlight the novel assays that have been employed and the increasing complexity in evaluating α‐synuclein with regard to the considerable diversity of conformers that exist in the biofluids and peripheral tissues under disease conditions.

image

“This article is part of the Special Issue Synuclein.”
A Trendy Approach to UK Inflation Dynamics1
Authors: Forbes Kristin , Kirkham Lewis , Theodoridis Konstantinos
Published: July 2019

This paper focuses on the time series of UK inflation to isolate a low‐frequency and slow‐moving component (the trend) from deviations around this trend. This slow‐moving trend explains a substantial share of UK inflation dynamics. International prices are significantly correlated with the cyclical movements, and the exchange rate is significantly correlated with movements in the persistent trend. The significance of variables emphasized in standard models (i.e. slack and inflation expectations) varies, and the magnitude of their effects is smaller than for commodity prices and exchange rates. These results highlight the sensitivity of UK inflation to external events and provide guidance on how monetary policy should respond.
A Systematic Review on the Conceptualization and Operationalization of Students' Levels of Processing in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies
Authors: Catrysse Leen , Gijbels David , Donche Vincent
Published: July 2019

In educational research, there is a growing interest in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine students' levels of processing. As there is a growing interest in the use of fMRI, a systematic review was conducted to examine how deep and surface levels of processing are operationalized within the neuroscientific field. In addition, we investigated how this operationalization impacts on the conceptualization of levels of processing within fMRI research. A systematic search was conducted within the MEDLINE, PubMed, ERIC, and Web of Science databases, and 25 studies were identified for this review. With regard to the operationalization, the review indicates that levels of processing were examined under highly controlled conditions with decontextualized and simplified language stimuli. Analysis of these studies revealed that there is a lack of conceptual clarity as, in half of the cases, no theoretical framework was explicitly mentioned, and no clear definition was given regarding levels of processing.
The information distortion bias: implications for medical decisions
Authors: Boyle Peter J , Purdon Michael
Published: July 2019

Context

Every diagnosis involves an act of decision making, which requires proper evaluation of information. However, even seemingly objective information can require interpretation, often without our conscious awareness. In this cross‐cutting edge article we describe the phenomenon of leader‐driven information distortion (ID) and its implications for medical education.

Information distortion

Recent research indicates that one threat to good decisions is a biased interpretation of information to favour one alternative course of action over another. Once an alternative emerges as a leader during a decision there is a strong tendency to evaluate subsequent information as supporting that option. This can occur when deciding between two competing diagnoses. It is particularly a concern if diagnostic tests provide potentially ambiguous results. This leader‐driven ID is pre‐decisional in nature, in that it develops during a decision and involves the interpretation of information available prior to the final decision or diagnosis, with different interpretations possible depending on whichever alternative is the leader. Studies reveal that the distortion bias is pervasive in decisions, and that awareness of the act of distortion is low in decision makers.

Application to medical education

Empirical research has confirmed the presence of leader‐driven ID in hypothetical diagnoses made by physicians. ID creates two threats to medical decisions: First, it can make a diagnosis sticky in that it is resistant to being overturned by contradictory information. Second, it can promote unwarranted certainty in a diagnosis. The outcome may be premature closure, unnecessary testing or incorrect treatment, resulting in delayed or missed diagnoses.

Methods

This paper summarises research related to leader‐driven ID in medical and professional decisions and discusses various approaches directed towards reducing ID. A framework and language are provided for thinking about and discussing ID in medical decisions and medical education. Courses of action for mitigating the effects of ID are suggested.
Effects of endogenous levels of master regulator PrgX and peptide pheromones on inducibility of conjugation in the enterococcal pCF10 system
Authors: Erickson Rebecca J. B. , Manias Dawn A. , Hu Wei‐Shou , Dunny Gary M.
Published: July 2019

Enterococcal pheromone responsive conjugative plasmids like pCF10 promote horizontal spread of antibiotic resistance genes following induction of plasmid‐containing cells by potential recipients. Transcription of conjugation genes from promoter PQ is inhibited by the master regulator PrgX, further repressed when PrgX is in complex with the inhibitory I peptide, and allowed when PrgX is in complex with the C inducing peptide. Single‐cell analysis has shown that heterogeneity in the pheromone response is prevalent. Here, we systematically varied levels of regulatory molecules to better understand why some individual cells have increased propensity for induction. In this study, PrgX was confirmed to repress PQ in the absence of exogenous peptides in vivo, but cells with increased levels of PrgX were shown to be more prone to induction. Further, ablation of endogenous I reduced PrgX levels, resulting in reduced basal repression and loss of inducibility. Reduction of both endogenous peptides by washing increased the inducibility of cells. Together, these results show that endogenous PrgX, C, and I levels can impact the induction potential of a cell and establish the importance of basal I for regulation. These results also suggest that PrgX/C complexes may directly activate prgQ transcription, contrary to a long‐standing working model.
Clinicopathological differences between the motor onset and psychiatric onset of Huntington's disease, focusing on the nucleus accumbens
Authors: Hirano Mitsuaki , Iritani Shuji , Fujishiro Hiroshige , Torii Youta , Habuchi Chikako , Sekiguchi Hirotaka , Yoshida Mari , Ozaki Norio
Published: July 2019

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal‐dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of chorea, psychiatric symptoms, and dementia. Although motor symptoms are thought to be correlated with the degeneration of the striatum, there is little information regarding the neuropathological basis of psychiatric symptoms. The ventral part of the striatum is known as the nucleus accumbens (Acb) and is a region of interest as a responsible focus of psychiatric symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the neuronal changes in the Acb and its relevance to psychiatric symptoms in HD. We investigated the brains of 16 HD patients (three patients presented psychiatric symptoms as the onset phenotype (HD‐P), 13 patients presented motor symptoms as the onset phenotype (HD‐M)) and four control subjects. The numerical cell densities for each of the large and small striatal neurons in the Acb, caudate nucleus and putamen were measured at three levels from the caudal to rostral region. As the result, the median small neuronal densities in all striatal regions in the HD brains were significantly lower than controls. Regarding the median small neuronal density in the caudate nucleus and putamen among the three levels, there were significant differences in the HD brains, but not in controls. The median large neuronal density in the Acb was significantly higher in the HD‐P than in the HD‐M, but there was no difference in the median small neuronal density between them. In the present study, we revealed that the Acb as well as the caudate nucleus were affected in HD brains. In terms of neuronal size and caudal to rostral levels, non‐uniform neurodegeneration was observed in the striatum of the HD brains. The pathological difference in the Acb between HD‐P and HD‐M may be one of the factors involved in the development of psychiatric symptoms.
Prey detection in antlions: propagation of vibrational signals deep into the sand
Authors: Podlesnik Jan , Klokočovnik Vesna , Lorent Vincent , Devetak Dušan
Published: July 2019

Trap‐building antlion larvae detect their prey according to the substrate vibrations produced during movement of the prey on the sand surface. Although most studies are devoted to surface vibrational waves, in the present study, we determine the role of vibrations travelling through deeper sand layers. A behavioural experiment confirms that vibrational stimuli from prey insects on the surface of the sand stimulate the antlions buried in deeper sand layers to move towards the surface. Sand depth and particle size both have a strong effect on signal transmission. The damping coefficient (α10) varies from 0.49 dB to 3.30 dB cm−1 and depends on frequency (in the range from 100 to 300 Hz), particle size (from finest to coarse sand) and distance from the source of the vibrations. The deeper the sand, the narrower the frequency range of the signal becomes. Sand is a filter for higher frequencies. The smaller the sand particles, the more intense the filtering becomes. Fine sand with a mean sand particle size of 360 μm is a more efficient filter than coarse sand; consequently, high frequencies (> 2.5 kHz) are eliminated at a depth of 3 cm. Mean frequency depends on both depth and particle size. However, low frequency signals still propagate at a certain distance, which is biologically important in prey detection. Although the most efficient signal propagation appears to occur in coarse sand, it contains overly large particles that are inconvenient for relatively small antlion larvae. Predators seek a compromise between fine and coarse sand choosing medium sand.
Revealing on hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide signals co‐ordination for plant growth under stress conditions
Authors: Singh Simranjeet , Kumar Vijay , Kapoor Dhriti , Kumar Sanjay , Singh Satyender , Dhanjal Daljeet Singh , Datta Shivika , Samuel Jastin , Dey Pinaki , Wang Shanquan , Prasad Ram , Singh Joginder
Published: July 2019

In the recent times, plants are facing certain types of environmental stresses, which give rise to formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxides, superoxide anions and so on. These are required by the plants at low concentrations for signal transduction and at high concentrations, they repress plant root growth. Apart from the ROS activities, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and nitric oxide (NO) have major contributions in regulating growth and developmental processes in plants, as they also play key roles as signaling molecules and act as chief plant immune defense mechanisms against various biotic as well as abiotic stresses. H2S and NO are the two pivotal gaseous messengers involved in growth, germination and improved tolerance in plants under stressed and non‐stress conditions. H2S and NO mediate cell signaling in plants as a response to several abiotic stresses like temperature, heavy metal exposure, water and salinity. They alter gene expression levels to induce the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes, osmolytes and also trigger their interactions with each other. However, research has been limited to only cross adaptations and signal transductions. Understanding the change and mechanism of H2S and NO mediated cell signaling will broaden our knowledge on the various biochemical changes that occur in plant cells related to different stresses. A clear understanding of these molecules in various environmental stresses would help to confer biotechnological applications to protect plants against abiotic stresses and to improve crop productivity.
Practical aspects of the measurements of non‐photochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching in green microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using Open FluorCam
Authors: Nowicka Beatrycze
Published: July 2019

Methods of chlorophyll fluorescence measurements are widely used in the research on photosynthesis and ecophysiology of plants and algae. Among them, a very popular technique is pulse‐amplitude‐modulation (PAM) flourometry, which is simple to carry out, fast and non‐invasive. However, this method is also prone to generate artifacts if the experiments were not planned and executed properly. Application of this technique to algae brings additional complications, which need to be taken into consideration. Some of them are connected with sample preparation and setting of the protocols used, while another origin from the differences in the photosynthetic apparatus and regulation of photosynthesis in various algal groups when compared to vascular plants. In the present paper, some important practical aspects concerning PAM fluorometry measurements in the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii have been described, including the equipment settings and sample preparation. The impact of growth conditions, such as light, temperature and medium type on the induction of non‐photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence have been also tackled, as well as the question of state transitions occurring in darkness.
Improved diagnostic yield for lung nodules with digital tomosynthesis‐corrected navigational bronchoscopy: Initial experience with a novel adjunct
Authors: Aboudara Matt , Roller Lance , Rickman Otis , Lentz Robert J. , Pannu Jasleen , Chen Heidi , Maldonado Fabien
Published: July 2019

Background and objective

The diagnostic yield of electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) is inferior to that of computed tomography (CT)‐guided needle biopsy for pulmonary nodules. One explanation for this is divergence between the nodule location on the pre‐procedure CT scan and its actual location during the procedure. Fluoroscopic ENB (F‐ENB) consists of digital tomosynthesis using a conventional C‐arm to re‐register the target lesion based on near real‐time imaging. We performed a retrospective review of ENB cases at our institution before and after introduction of F‐ENB to assess diagnostic yield.

Methods

All consecutive ENB procedures performed at our institution from 25 December 2017 to 25 August 2018 were reviewed. F‐ENB was introduced on 25 April 2018. Two cohorts were analysed: standard ENB (S‐ENB) from 25 December 2017 to 24 April 2018 and F‐ENB from 25 April 2018 to 25 August 2018. All procedural, demographic and diagnostic data were collected. Descriptive statistics, chi‐square, Wilcoxon test and Student's t‐test were used where appropriate. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to assess factors associated with diagnostic yield.

Results

A total of 101 and 67 nodules were biopsied in the S‐ENB and F‐ENB groups, respectively. Diagnostic yield was 54% in S‐ENB cohort and 79% in the F‐ENB group (P = 0.0019). Factors independently associated with a positive diagnosis were F‐ENB and a positive radial ultrasound view (odds ratio (OR): 3.57, 95% CI: 1.56–8.18 and OR: 3.74, 95% CI: 1.37–11.05, respectively). Complications were minimal (pneumothorax: 1.5%).

Conclusion

The use of F‐ENB may increase the diagnostic yield of ENB and has a low complication rate.
Body weight and subcutaneous fat patterning in elite judokas
Authors: Sengeis Marietta , Müller Wolfram , Störchle Paul , Führhapter‐Rieger Alfred
Published: July 2019

Body weight and fat are major performance variables in many sports. Extreme weight reduction can lead to severe medical problems. Accurate body composition measurements are fundamental for both medical and performance optimization. Relative body weight in terms of mass index (MI1 = 0.53 M/(hs)), and in terms of body mass index (BMI = M/h2) were determined (h:stature, s:sitting height, M:body mass). Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) was measured using a recently standardized ultrasound (US) method. US thickness sums from eight body sites were measured in 26 female and 35 male judokas of various weight classes. Comparisons of US and skinfold results indicate that the latter can be severely misleading in competitive judokas. Mean MI1 of females was 22.8 kg m−2 (BMI:22.9 kg m−2), males: 26.7 kg m−2 (BMI:26.5 kg m−2), but individual differences MI1‐BMI were larger than 0.5 kg m−2 in 13 and larger than 1.0 kg m−2 in three cases. Medians of SAT thickness sums DI were three‐times higher in females (66.1 mm) than in males (21.8 mm), and the fat patterning differed significantly. Females had 8.6% (median) fibrous structures embedded in SAT, and males 20.2%. Both MI and BMI were not correlated with SAT. Mean pre‐competition weight loss was 4.3% (ie, 3.0 kg), and maximum was 9.2% (7.4 kg), indicating that modifications of weigh‐in procedures are urgently needed. DI‐values mirror the athletes' potential to reduce ballast fat instead of short‐term weight reduction by dehydration; however, weight loss and SAT measured some weeks before the competitions were not correlated. Further, US measurements and medical longitudinal observations are required for discussing the large individual variations and possible fat minimum demands.
Increased stride‐rate in runners following an independent retraining program: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Baumgartner Jesson , Gusmer Rebecca , Hollman John , Finnoff Jonathan T.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Increasing stride‐rate by 5%‐10% has been used for injury prevention and rehabilitation but evidence is limited if an independent program can alter stride‐rate in runners. The objective of this study was to determine whether the preferred stride‐rate of recreational runners can be increased by 5%‐10% following a 6‐week independent training program.

Methods

Thirty‐eight runners running a minimum of 15 miles/wk with a preferred stride‐rate ≤85 strides/min determined during treadmill testing were randomized into two groups: (a) Experimental group was instructed to increase stride‐rate by 10% using a watch and foot pod for stride‐rate feedback; and (b) Control group was instructed to continue normal running. Compliance was tracked with a training log. One stride being defined as two sequential steps. Preferred running stride‐rate was retested at 6 weeks using the same testing protocol.

Results

There was no significant difference in baseline preferred running stride‐rates between the experimental or control groups. A significant (P < .001) increase in stride‐rate from 79.9 ± 4.8 to 86.8 ± 5.7 strides/min (8.6% increase) was found in the experimental group. The control group did not significantly change their stride‐rate (Baseline: 80.4 ± 4.2, 6 weeks: 81.3 ± 3.3 strides/min).

Conclusion

A 6‐week home training program using a watch and foot pod can increase the preferred running stride‐rate by 5%‐10% in runners with a stride‐rate of 85 or less. Clinicians may be able to apply this type of gait retraining in recreational runners when designing injury prevention and rehabilitation programs.
Interactions between Transport Protein Particle (TRAPP) complexes and Rab GTPases in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kalde Monika , Elliott Liam , Ravikumar Raksha , Rybak Katarzyna , Altmann Melina , Klaeger Susan , Wiese Christian , Abele Miriam , Al Benjamin , Kalbfuß Nils , Qi Xingyun , Steiner Alexander , Meng Chen , Zheng Huanquan , Kuster Bernhard , Falter‐Braun Pascal , Ludwig Christina , Moore Ian , Assaad Farhah F.
Published: July 2019

Transport Protein Particle II (TRAPPII) is essential for exocytosis, endocytosis, protein sorting and cytokinesis. In spite of a considerable understanding of its biological role, little information is known about Arabidopsis TRAPPII complex topology and molecular function. In this study, independent proteomic approaches initiated with TRAPP components or Rab‐A GTPase variants converge on the TRAPPII complex. We show that the Arabidopsis genome encodes the full complement of 13 TRAPPC subunits, including four previously unidentified components. A dimerization model is proposed to account for binary interactions between TRAPPII subunits. Preferential binding to dominant negative (GDP‐bound) versus wild‐type or constitutively active (GTP‐bound) RAB‐A2a variants discriminates between TRAPPII and TRAPPIII subunits and shows that Arabidopsis complexes differ from yeast but resemble metazoan TRAPP complexes. Analyzes of Rab‐A mutant variants in trappii backgrounds provide genetic evidence that TRAPPII functions upstream of RAB‐A2a, allowing us to propose that TRAPPII is likely to behave as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for the RAB‐A2a GTPase. GEFs catalyze exchange of GDP for GTP; the GTP‐bound, activated, Rab then recruits a diverse local network of Rab effectors to specify membrane identity in subsequent vesicle fusion events. Understanding GEF−Rab interactions will be crucial to unravel the co‐ordination of plant membrane traffic.
Listening
Authors: Williams Nina
Published: July 2019

Listening as a methodology is about an enhanced receptivity to what is taking place in a research encounter. Reflecting on a process of workshopping audio methodologies, this piece highlights the diverse set of pre‐individual and nonhuman agencies that occupy fields of listening, indifferent to, and often against, the predefined intentions of the researcher. In directing us to the field in these ways, the intervention in listening makes apparent that post‐humanist methodologies are not only about finding new ways of communicating, documenting, or representing research environments, but rather about engendering new ways of relating to them.
How can natural hybridisation between self‐compatible and self‐incompatible species be bidirectional?
Authors: Li C , Cousens R D , Mesgaran M B
Published: July 2019

Self‐compatible (SC) plants often deposit pollen on their own stigmas before flowers open. Thus, if we find natural hybrids between a SC species and a closely related self‐incompatible (SI) species, the pollen donor is usually expected to be the SC species. However, in previous studies of naturally occurring mixed populations of invasive Cakile maritima (SI) and Cakile edentula (SC) in Australia, hybridisation was found to have been bidirectional. Here, we explored the floral development of these species in order to test the hypothesis that there might be a short opportunity for pollinators to visit open SC flowers before the self‐pollen is released. Results indicated that both species showed reverse herkogamy during early development, though by the time pollen was ripe the four long anthers always overtopped the stigma; in C. maritima, most of the short anthers remained below the stigma. In both species, ripe, compatible pollen was able to germinate on the stigmatic surface at all stages of floral development. Anther dehiscence commenced earlier in C. edentula and well before flowers opened, in contrast to C. maritima, but the timing of pollen release varied between individual flowers, with a small proportion of uncontaminated stigmas after flowering; therefore, C. edentula can be either pollen recipient or pollen donor when interspecific outcrossing occurs. In summary, our results suggest that the variation between individual flowers of C. edentula contributed to the bidirectional hybridisation despite being a predominant selfer, providing new insights into plant colonisation.
Monocyte and macrophage subtypes as paired cell biomarkers for coronary artery disease
Authors: Arnold Kathryn A. , Blair John E. , Paul Jonathan D. , Shah Atman P. , Nathan Sandeep , Alenghat Francis J.
Published: July 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Are circulating monocyte markers correlated with their derived macrophage polarization patterns and coronary artery disease severity?

What is the main finding and its importance?

There was an inverse relationship between circulating CD16+ monocytes (high) and M2 macrophages (low) that marked coronary disease severity, and the differences in polarization of macrophages were seen despite a week of cell culture ex vivo. This study highlights the importance, and potential prognostic implications, of circulating monocyte and descendant macrophage phenotypes in coronary artery disease.

Monocytes and macrophages are central to atherosclerosis, but how they combine to mark progression of human coronary artery disease (CAD) is unclear. We tested whether patients’ monocyte subtypes paired with their derived macrophage profiles were correlated with extent of CAD. Peripheral blood was collected from 40 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization, and patients were categorized as having no significant CAD, single vessel disease or multivessel disease according to the number of affected coronary arteries. Mononuclear cells were measured for the monocyte markers CD14 and CD16 by flow cytometry, and separate monocytes were cultured into macrophages over 7 days and measured for the polarization markers CD86 and CD206. At baseline, patients with a greater CAD burden were older, with higher rates of statin, β‐blocker and antiplatelet drug use, whereas other characteristics were similar across the spectrum of coronary disease. CD16+ (both intermediate and non‐classical) monocytes were elevated in patients with single vessel and multivessel disease compared with those without significant CAD (P < 0.05), whereas regulatory M2 macrophages (CD206+) were decreased in patients with single vessel and multivessel disease (P < 0.001). An inverse relationship between paired CD16+ monocytes and M2 macrophages marked CAD severity. On multivariable linear regression, CAD severity was associated, along with age and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, with CD16+ monocytes (directly) and M2 macrophages (inversely). Circulating monocytes may influence downstream polarization of lesional macrophages, and these measures of monocyte and macrophage subtypes hold potential as biomarkers in CAD.
Dual ion beam grown silicon carbide thin films: Variation of refractive index and bandgap with film thickness
Authors: Mathur Aakash , Pal Dipayan , Singh Ajaib , Singh Rinki , Zollner Stefan , Chattopadhyay Sudeshna
Published: July 2019

Amorphous SiC thin films on a silicon substrate (Si) with different film thicknesses (about 20–450 nm) were deposited using dual ion beam sputtering deposition (DIBSD) at room temperature. These SiC thin films were of high quality showing high coverage (>90%) and low surface and interface roughness (<5 Å). The structure and morphology of these SiC/Si systems were explored by x-ray reflectivity, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The bonding configuration and compositional details of the SiC films were examined by Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The optical constants (complex dielectric function and refractive index) and the bandgap of SiC thin films were analyzed through spectroscopic ellipsometry in the 0.55–6.3 eV energy range. An increase in the bandgap (5.15–5.59 eV) and a corresponding decrease in the refractive index (2.97–2.77) were noticed with the increase of SiC film thickness from about 20–450 nm. This thickness dependent trend in optical properties is attributed to the increase of the C to Si atomic concentration ratio in DIBSD grown SiC thin films with increasing film thickness, as observed from energy dispersive x-ray analysis measurements. The unique properties of amorphous SiC have already placed it as a suitable candidate for solar cells and photovoltaic applications in its thin film form. The results developed in this study for thickness dependent optical properties of SiC thin films can be used for further optimizing the performance of SiC in various applications through tuning of optical properties.
The Role of
Ureaplasma
spp. in the Development of Nongonococcal Urethritis and Infertility among Men
Authors: Beeton Michael L. , Payne Matthew S. , Jones Lucy
Published: July 2019

Ureaplasma
spp. are a genus of bacteria for which two human-associated species exist:
Ureaplasma urealyticum
and
Ureaplasma parvum
. Their definition as a pathogen in the context of nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) and infertility among males remains highly controversial, largely due to historically high rates of isolation of these bacteria from the urethra of seemingly healthy men.
Taming the Beast: Interplay between Gut Small Molecules and Enteric Pathogens
Authors: Kumar Aman , Ellermann Melissa , Sperandio Vanessa
Published: July 2019

The overuse of antibiotics has led to the evolution of drug-resistant bacteria that are becoming increasingly dangerous to human health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antibiotic-resistant bacteria cause at least 2 million illnesses and 23,000 deaths in the United States annually. Traditionally, antibiotics are bactericidal or bacteriostatic agents that place selective pressure on bacteria, leading to the expansion of antibiotic-resistant strains.
Draft Genome Sequences of Eight Canadian Citrobacter braakii and Citrobacter freundii Strains
Authors: Duceppe Marc-Olivier , Phipps-Todd Beverley , Carrillo Catherine , Huang Hongsheng
Published: July 2019

Citrobacter braakii
and
Citrobacter freundii
are Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens associated with many infectious diseases, including septicemia, in humans and animals. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of seven
C. braakii
strains and one
C. freundii
strain isolated from Canadian wastewater treatment facilities.
Complete Genome Sequences of 10 Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae Bacteriophages
Authors: Kovács Tamás , Molnár János , Varga Ildikó , Nagy Ildikó K. , Valappil Sarshad Koderi , Papp Szilvia , Vera Cruz Casiana M. , Oliva Ricardo , Vizi Tímea , Schneider György , Rákhely Gábor
Published: July 2019

Xanthomonas oryzaepv. oryzae is the causative agent of bacterial leaf blight of rice. The application of bacteriophages may provide an effective tool against this bacterium. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of 10 newly isolated OP2-likeX. oryzaepv. oryzae bacteriophages.
Complete Genome Sequence of Leuconostoc kimchii Strain NKJ218, Isolated from Homemade Kimchi
Authors: Jung Ji Young , Jeong Jin-Woo , Lee Seung-Young , Jin Hyun Mi , Choi Hee Won , Ryu Byung-Gon , Han Sang-Soo , Kang Hye Kyeong , Chung Eu Jin , Choi Kyung-Min
Published: July 2019

Leuconostoc kimchii
strain NKJ218 was isolated from homemade kimchi in South Korea. The whole genome was sequenced using the PacBio RS II and Illumina NovoSeq 6000 platforms. Here, we report a genome sequence of strain NKJ218, which consists of a 1.9-Mbp chromosome and three plasmid contigs. A total of 2,005 coding sequences (CDS) were predicted, including 1,881 protein-coding sequences.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Yeast
Pichia manshurica
YM63, a Participant in Secondary Fermentation of Ishizuchi-Kurocha, a Japanese Fermented Tea
Authors: Toyotome Takahito , Yamamoto Miyu , Horie Masanori
Published: July 2019

Pichia manshurica
is common in fermentation; however, genome analysis has never been reported for the species. This yeast plays a role in the secondary fermentation of Ishizuchi-kurocha, a traditional Japanese fermented tea. This paper presents the draft genome sequence of
P. manshurica
YM63, isolated from the leaves of fermented tea.
Complete Genome Sequence of Serratia marcescens Podophage Parlo
Authors: Bockoven Ryan , Gutierrez Jamie , Newkirk Heather , Liu Mei , Cahill Jesse , Ramsey Jolene
Published: July 2019

Serratia marcescens
is an opportunistic human pathogen with multiple resistance mechanisms that infects hospitalized patients. Here, we report the full genome sequence of
S. marcescens
podophage Parlo. Parlo is most similar to Erwinia phage PEp14 and encodes a 3,764-residue protein assumed to be a homolog of DarB, an antirestriction protein.
Retrospective Analysis of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infection and Monochloramine Disinfection of Municipal Drinking Water in Michigan
Authors: Kotlarz Nadine , Raskin Lutgarde , Zimbric Madsen , Errickson Josh , LiPuma John J. , Caverly Lindsay J.
Published: July 2019

Infections by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) result in significant morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. NTM are primarily acquired from environmental sources, including exposure to municipally treated drinking water. Higher levels of NTM have been reported in drinking water disinfected with monochloramine than in drinking water disinfected with chlorine. Our results suggest that municipal drinking water disinfection with monochloramine compared to chlorine is not associated with higher risk of NTM infection. This is important given that regulations that limit drinking water concentrations of disinfection by-products, which are formed primarily when chlorine disinfection is used, incentivize drinking water utilities to change from chlorine disinfection to monochloramine disinfection.
Effects of organisational and patient factors on doctors’ burnout: a national survey in China
Authors: Cheng Yao , Wang Fang , Zhang Liuyi , Zhang Ping , Ye Beizhu , Sun Yi , Zhu Xi , Zhang Naixing , Liang Yuan
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To measure the burnout of doctors affiliated with western medicine (WM) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospitals and to evaluate its relationships with organisational and patient factors.

Design

A national cross-sectional study in China.

Setting

By convenience sampling, this study was conducted in 64 general hospitals from six provinces and Beijing between July 2014 and April 2015. There were a total of 2576 eligible participants, including 1766 WM doctors and 810 TCM doctors in this study.

Primary outcome measures

Burnout symptoms of emotional exhaustion, job involvement and personal accomplishment were measured.

Results

In total, 73.6% of doctors reported emotional exhaustion, the core component of burnout. In multivariable models, emotional exhaustion was significantly associated with organisational factors, including salary fairness [WM: odds ratio (OR)=2.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.80 to 3.09; TCM: OR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.08 to 2.33], participation in organisational decision-making (WM: OR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.21 to 2.08; TCM: OR=1.84, 95% CI: 1.23 to 2.74), professional value (WM: OR=1.74, 95% CI: 1.35 to 2.25), frequency of participation in full-time training (TCM: OR=1.48, 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.16) and frequency of participation in clinical meetings (WM: OR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.11 to 2.10; TCM: OR=2.48, 95% CI: 1.57 to 3.92). Patient factors are also associated with burnout among both WM and TCM doctors, including respect (WM: OR=1.73, 95% CI: 1.31 to 2.28; TCM: OR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.10 to 2.45) and unreasonable demands (WM: OR=2.31, 95% CI: 1.68 to 3.20; TCM: OR=3.44, 95% CI: 2.15 to 5.49). Moreover, job involvement and personal accomplishment among both WM and TCM doctors were significantly associated with organisational and patient factors.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that improving organisational management and patient behaviours may be beneficial to reduce doctors’ burnout. Our findings require further validation in different organisational settings.
Optimisation of telephone triage of callers with symptoms suggestive of acute cardiovascular disease in out-of-hours primary care: observational design of the Safety First study
Authors: Erkelens Daphne CA , Wouters Loes TCM , Zwart Dorien LM , Damoiseaux Roger AMJ , De Groot Esther , Hoes Arno W , Rutten Frans H
Published: July 2019

Introduction

In the Netherlands, the ‘Netherlands Triage Standard’ (NTS) is frequently used as digital decision support system for telephone triage at out-of-hours services in primary care (OHS-PC). The aim of the NTS is to guarantee accessible, efficient and safe care. However, there are indications that current triage is inefficient, with overestimation of urgency, notably in suspected acute cardiovascular disease. In addition, in primary care settings the NTS has only been validated against surrogate markers, and diagnostic accuracy with clinical outcomes as the reference is unknown. In the Safety First study, we address this gap in knowledge by describing, understanding and improving the diagnostic process and urgency allocation in callers with symptoms suggestive of acute cardiovascular disease, in order to improve both efficiency and safety of telephone triage in this domain.

Methods and analysis

An observational study in which 3000 telephone triage recordings (period 2014–2016) will be analysed. Information is collected from the recordings including caller and symptom characteristics and urgency allocation. The callers’ own general practitioners are contacted for the final diagnosis of each contact. We included recordings of callers with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)/stroke. With univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses the diagnostic accuracy of caller and symptom characteristics will be analysed in terms of predictive values with urgency level, and ACS and TIA/stroke as outcomes, respectively. To further improve our understanding of the triage process at OHS-PC, we will carry out additional studies applying both quantitative and qualitative methods: (i) case-control study on serious adverse events (SAE), (ii) conversation analysis study and (iii) interview study with triage nurses.

Ethics and dissemination

The Medical Ethics Committee Utrecht, the Netherlands endorsed this study (National Trial Register identification: NTR7331). Results will be disseminated at scientific conferences, regional educational sessions and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Inferring prior distributions of recruitment compensation metrics from life-history parameters and allometries
Authors: Munyandorero Joseph
Published: July 2019

The recruitment compensation metrics, the stock–recruit steepness (h) and compensation ratio (κ), are difficult to estimate, yet they are integral components of contemporary fishery models. To aid in the estimation of κ and h, a hybrid method to construct their prior distributions for a species is developed. The method is hybrid because it integrates (i) a meta-analysis of the relationship between maximum rates of recruit production (α) and asymptotic lengths obtained across fish species of different life histories and (ii) species-specific unfished spawning biomass per recruit (Φ0). This method is applied to five finfish species found off the East Coast of the United States. Uncertainty is introduced by sampling growth parameters, α, and natural mortality and — through Monte Carlo simulations — propagated into Φ0, κ, and h for the Beverton–Holt and Ricker stock–recruit relationships. Descriptive statistics and parameters from probability density functions of the simulated distributions of κ and h are generated. The method developed requires fewer inputs than the reproductive ecology method while likewise allowing the development of species-specific statistics for κ and h. These statistics, rather than their counterparts generated from classical meta-analyses, are better suited for use in fishery models.
Origin of the orbital period change in contact binary stars
Authors: Sargsyan V. V. , Lenske H. , Adamian G. G. , Antonenko N. V.
Published: July 2019

The evolution of contact binary star systems in mass asymmetry (transfer) coordinate is considered. The orbital period changes are explained by an evolution in mass asymmetry towards the symmetry (symmetrization of binary system). It is predicted that decreasing and increasing orbital periods are related, respectively, with the nonoverlapping and overlapping stage of the binary star during its symmetrization. A huge amount of energy [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]J is converted from the potential energy into internal energy of the stars during the symmetrization. As shown, the merger of stars in the binary systems, including KIC 9832227, is energetically an unfavorable process. The sensitivity of the calculated results to the values of total mass and orbital angular momentum is analyzed.
A Framework for Knowledge Models Transformation: A Step Towards Knowledge Integration and Warehousing
Authors: Ayadi Rim , Hachaichi Yasser , Feki Jamel
Published: July 2019

An intelligent decision support system should based on a knowledge warehouse (KW). A KW gathers knowledge initially expressed in different formalisms and therefore heterogeneous. Consequently, the KW building process requires knowledge homogenisation. This paper deals with this main issue; it introduces a three-layer architecture for a KW; more precisely, it focuses on the first layer architecture called Knowledge Acquisition and Transformation. This layer aims to transform heterogeneous knowledge models into the MOT (Modeling with Object Types) semi-formal language [Paquette, G (2002). Knowledge and Skills Modeling: A Graphical Language for Designing and Learning. Sainte-Foy: University of Quebec Press (in French).] that we have selected as a pivot knowledge model. For this transformation step, first, we design four meta-models; one for MOT and one for each of the three explicit knowledge models, namely, decision tree, association rules and clustering. Secondly, we define 15 transformation rules that we formalise in ATL (Atlas Transformation Language). Finally, we exemplify the knowledge transformation in order to show its usefulness for the KW building process.
Cold Sintering: Progress, Challenges, and Future Opportunities
Authors: Guo Jing , Floyd Richard , Lowum Sarah , Maria Jon-Paul , Herisson de Beauvoir Thomas , Seo Joo-Hwan , Randall Clive A.
Published: July 2019

Cold sintering is an unusually low-temperature process that uses a transient transport phase, which is most often liquid, and an applied uniaxial force to assist in densification of a powder compact. By using this approach, many ceramic powders can be transformed to high-density monoliths at temperatures far below the melting point. In this article, we present a summary of cold sintering accomplishments and the current working models that describe the operative mechanisms in the context of other strategies for low-temperature ceramic densification. Current observations in several systems suggest a multiple-stage densification process that bears similarity to models that describe liquid phase sintering. We find that grain growth trends are consistent with classical behavior, but with activation energy values that are lower than observed for thermally driven processes. Densification behavior in these low-temperature systems is rich, and there is much to be investigated regarding mass transport within and across the liquid-solid interfaces that populate these ceramics during densification. Irrespective of mechanisms, these low temperatures create a new opportunity spectrum to design grain boundaries and create new types of nanocomposites among material combinations that previously had incompatible processing windows. Future directions are discussed in terms of both the fundamental science and engineering of cold sintering.
MicroRNA-30-3p Suppresses Inflammatory Factor-Induced Endothelial Cell Injury by Targeting TCF21
Authors: Zhou Zhenyu , Chen Yu , Zhang Dongying , Wu Shiyong , Liu Tao , Cai Guoqiang , Qin Shu
Published: July 2019

Atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Growing evidence suggested that miRNAs contributed to the progression of atherosclerosis. miR-30-5p was found involved in various diseases. However, the role of miR-30-5p in regulation of atherosclerosis is not known. Here, we aim to investigate the effects of miR-30-5p on regulating the progression of atherosclerosis. The expression levels of miR-30-5p in serum collected from atherosclerosis patients and normal healthy people were analyzed by qRT-PCR. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway bioinformatics were carried out to reveal the possible signaling pathways involved in the mode of action of miR-30-5p. A potential target gene of miRNA-30-5p was searched and examined by a luciferase reporter assay. ELISA, Western blot, proliferation, and flow cytometry assays were performed to assess the biological functional role of miR-30-5p in vitro. Also, an in vitro monocyte-endothelial cell coculture model was used to study the functional role of miR-30-5p in atherosclerosis. We found that miR-30-5p was significantly decreased in serum samples from atherosclerosis patients compared with control subjects. GO and KEGG analysis results showed that miR-30-5p is highly associated with genetic profile of cardiovascular disease. TCF21 was verified as a target gene of miR-30-5p. Overexpression of miR-30-5p in THP-1 not only protected endothelial cell viability but also inhibited endothelial cell apoptosis, and similar results were observed in cells with that of TCF21 knocked down. Moreover, miR-30-5p decreased the expression levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. NF-κB and MAPK/p38 pathways played an indispensable role in the protection ability of miR-30-5p against atherosclerosis. Our results reveal that miR-30-5p suppresses the progression of atherosclerosis through targeting TCF21 in vitro. Therefore, the miR-30-5p-TCF21-MAPK/p38 signaling pathway may be a potential biomarker or therapeutic target in atherosclerosis.