bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peptidylarginine Deiminase Inhibition Reduces Vascular Damage and Modulates Innate Immune Responses in Murine Models of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Knight Jason S. , Luo Wei , O’Dell Alexander A. , Yalavarthi Srilakshmi , Zhao Wenpu , Subramanian Venkataraman , Guo Chiao , Grenn Robert C. , Thompson Paul R. , Eitzman Daniel T. , Kaplan Mariana J.
Published: January 2014

Rationale:

Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation promotes vascular damage, thrombosis, and activation of interferon-α–producing plasmacytoid dendritic cells in diseased arteries. Peptidylarginine deiminase inhibition is a strategy that can decrease in vivo NET formation.

Objective:

To test whether peptidylarginine deiminase inhibition, a novel approach to targeting arterial disease, can reduce vascular damage and inhibit innate immune responses in murine models of atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results:

Apolipoprotein-E (Apoe
)
−/−
mice demonstrated enhanced NET formation, developed autoantibodies to NETs, and expressed high levels of interferon-α in diseased arteries.
Apoe
−/−
mice were treated for 11 weeks with daily injections of Cl-amidine, a peptidylarginine deiminase inhibitor. Peptidylarginine deiminase inhibition blocked NET formation, reduced atherosclerotic lesion area, and delayed time to carotid artery thrombosis in a photochemical injury model. Decreases in atherosclerosis burden were accompanied by reduced recruitment of netting neutrophils and macrophages to arteries, as well as by reduced arterial interferon-α expression.

Conclusions:

Pharmacological interventions that block NET formation can reduce atherosclerosis burden and arterial thrombosis in murine systems. These results support a role for aberrant NET formation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis through modulation of innate immune responses.
Mites of the superfamily Pygmephoroidea (Acari: Heterostigmata: Neopygmephoridae, Pygmephoridae) associated with Trox cadaverinus (Coleoptera: Trogidae) from the Far East of Russia, with description of a new genus and two new species
Authors: KHAUSTOV ALEXANDR A. , TRACH VIACHESLAV A.
Published: January 2014

Three species of the superfamily Pygmephoroidea (Neopygmephoridae: Pygmephoridae), phoretic on Trox cadaverinus Illiger (Coleoptera: Trogidae) are recorded from the Far East of Russia. A new genus, Troxodania Khaustov and Trach gen. nov. (Neopygmephoridae), and 2 new species, Troxodania magnifica Khaustov and Trach sp. nov. and Pseudopygmephorellus troxi Khaustov and Trach sp. nov. (Pygmephoridae), are described. Bakerdania sinanii Sevastianov and Zahida Al Douri, 1989 (Neopygmephoridae) is considered as a junior synonym of Troxodania decumanus (Krczal, 1959) comb. nov. The key to genera of neopygmephorid females which have median genital sclerites is provided. The taxonomic significance of the median genital sclerite in females of the family Neopygmephoridae is discussed.
Invalid usage of Pyrrhulopsis Reichenbach as the generic name for the Fijian shining parrots, Prosopeia Bonaparte, and its consequences
Authors: SCHODDE RICHARD , BOCK WALTER J. , WATLING DICK , PACHECO J. FERNANDO
Published: January 2014

Recently in this journal, Gregory & Dickinson (2012) replaced Prosopeia Bonaparte,1854, the widely used and long-accustomed generic name for the Fijian shining parrots, with Pyrrhulopsis Reichenbach, 1850. This action was then followed in the influential Howard & Moore global checklist of birds (Dickinson & Remsen 2013: 377) and the websites Avibase (2013) and TiF Checklist (2013). Gregory and Dickinson’s decision rested on information in Kashin (1978), which showed that G.R. Gray (1855) was the first to assign a type species to Pyrrhulopsis Reichenbach. Gray designated “Coracopsis? personata G.R. Gray,1848”, one of the shining parrots, by subsequent monotypy. Until then, Prosopeia had been used for the shining parrots for most of the 20th century into the 21st, following Peters (1937: 250, footnote). Gregory & Dickinson’s (2012) action nevertheless contravenes the purpose of Article 23.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, hereafter “the Code”, which stresses that the Principle of Priority is not to be used to upset long-accepted names in their accustomed meaning. Because of this, we had been preparing an application to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to conserve Prosopeia—until we discovered an evident error in Gregory & Dickinson’s argument. The apparent error, which makes application to conserve Prosopeia unnecessary, is explained here to affirm Prosopeia as the valid generic name for the shining parrots.
Nomenclature, lectotype designation and type locality restriction for Amietophrynus mauritanicus (Schlegel, 1841) (Anura, Bufonidae)
Authors: BEUKEMA WOUTER , CROCHET PIERRE-ANDRÉ
Published: January 2014

As part of his function as assistant to the director of the Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie in Leiden, the Netherlands (RMNH, currently Naturalis Biodiversity Center), the German biologist Hermann Schlegel received several herpetological specimens from Algeria for identification purposes during the mid-19th century. These specimens were sent to him by Moritz Wagner, who undertook an expedition to Algeria between 1836 and 1838 (Wagner et al. 2012). As part of the publication describing the specimens collected on this expedition, Schlegel (1841) provided a description and diagnosis of Amietophrynus mauritanicus (Schlegel 1841) mainly based on a single specimen which is still extant in the RMNH. This specimen was treated as holotype by M. S. Hoogmoed in Frost (1985). During a recent appraisal of historical documentation dealing with north-west African amphibians (Beukema et al. 2013) we came across the account of Schlegel (1841) describing A. mauritanicus, and noticed the following issues; (i) Schlegel did not intend to describe A. mauritanicus as a new species; (ii) a single specimen is described in detail, but it is obvious from the description that it was based on multiple observed individuals; (iii) there is confusion on the type locality, which has been described to comprise multiple regions (e.g. Frost 2012) despite the assumed presence of only a single type specimen; (iv) Schlegel is shown as sole author while the account is in the plural (i.e. ‘wir’ – see also Wagner et al. 2012). Herein, we address these issues, provide a lectotype designation and restrict the type locality of A. mauritanicus following the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 1999).
Review of south temperate New World Coelocybinae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)
Authors: HEYDON STEVEN L.
Published: January 2014

The Coelocybinae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) of the southern parts of the New World are reviewed. Ariasina Heydon n. gen. is described for Ar. adusta Heydon n. sp. and Ar. gigas Heydon n. sp. Other new species described are Ambogaster karooi Heydon n. sp., Lanthanomyia bockleri Heydon n. sp. and L. pardos Heydon n. sp. Updated information on distributional records, new host plant information, and a key to all included genera and species of the Coelocybinae of Chile and Argentina are presented.
A checklist of the millipedes (Diplopoda) of Laos
Authors: LIKHITRAKARN NATDANAI , GOLOVATCH SERGEI I. , PANHA SOMSAK
Published: January 2014

At the present, the millipede fauna of Laos comprises only 34 species from 20 genera, 13 families and 7 orders. These counts certainly represent but a minor fraction of the country’s real diversity of Diplopoda even at the ordinal level, let alone at lower ones. Based on the available information from the adjacent parts of China, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and/or Cambodia, the orders Polyxenida, Sphaerotheriida, Chordeumatida, Julida and Polyzoniida must occur in Laos, may be also Glomeridesmida, Siphonocryptida and Stemmiulida, but none has been recorded there yet. Moreover, even some ubiquitous “tramp” species, such as Glyphiulus granulatus (Gervais, 1847), Trigoniulus corallinus (Gervais, 1847), Desmoxytes planata (Pocock, 1895) or Oxidus gracilis (C. L. Koch, 1847), have hitherto not been found in Laos. This shows that a lot more collecting efforts, which have heretofore been rather strongly biased to caves, are required to amass a representative material of Diplopoda of Laos and make it available for study.
Nonlinear Feedbacks Associated with the Indian Ocean Dipole and Their Response to Global Warming in the GFDL-ESM2M Coupled Climate Model
Authors: Ng Benjamin , Cai Wenju , Walsh Kevin
Published: January 2014

A feature of the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) is its positive skewness, with cold IOD east pole (IODE) sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) exhibiting larger amplitudes than warm SSTAs. Using the coupled Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Earth System Model with Modular Ocean Model version 4 (MOM4) component (GFDL-ESM2M), the role of nonlinear feedbacks in generating this positive skewness is investigated and their response to global warming examined. These feedbacks are a nonlinear dynamic heating process, the Bjerknes feedback, wind–evaporation–SST feedback, and SST–cloud–radiation feedback. Nonlinear dynamic heating assists IOD skewness by strongly damping warm IODE SSTAs and reinforcing cold IODE anomalies. In a warmer climate, the damping strengthens while the reinforcement weakens. The SST–thermocline relationship is part of the positive Bjerknes feedback and contributes strongly to IOD skewness as it is weak during the development of warm IODE SSTAs, but strong during the development of cold IODE SSTAs. In response to global warming, this relationship displays weaker asymmetry associated with weaker westerly winds over the central equatorial Indian Ocean. The negative SST–cloud–radiation feedback is also asymmetric with cold IODE SSTAs less damped by incoming shortwave radiation. Under global warming, the damping of cold IODE SSTAs shows little change but warm IODE SSTAs become more damped. This stronger damping is a symptom of negative IODs becoming stronger in amplitude due to the mean IODE thermocline shoaling. The wind–evaporation–SST feedback does not contribute to IOD asymmetry with cold IODE SSTAs decreasing evaporation, which in turn warms the surface. However, as this study focuses on one model, the response of these feedbacks to global warming is uncertain.
An algorithm to improve the performance of string matching
Authors: Hlayel Abdallah A. , Hnaif Adnan
Published: January 2014

Approximate string matching algorithms are techniques used to find a pattern ‘P’ in a text ‘T’ partially or exactly. These techniques become very important in terms of performance and the accuracy of searching results. In this paper, we propose a general approach algorithm, called the Direct Matching Algorithm (DMA). The function of this algorithm is to perform direct access matching for the exact pattern or its similarities within a text depending on the location of a character in alphabetical order. We simulated the DMA in order to show its competence. The simulation result showed significant improvement in the exact string matching or similarity matching, and therefore extreme competence in the real applications.
Accuracy of Intraoperative Determination of Central Node Metastasis by the Surgeon in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Ji Yong Bae , Lee Dong Won , Song Chang Myeon , Kim Kyung Rae , Park Chul Won , Tae Kyung
Published: January 2014

Objective

Prophylactic central neck dissection (CND) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remains controversial. If the presence of central lymph node metastasis could be assessed preoperatively or intraoperatively, unnecessary CND could be avoided. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of intraoperative determination of central lymph node metastasis by the surgeon using palpation and inspection in clinically node‐negative PTC.

Study Design

Prospective study.

Setting

University tertiary care facility.

Subjects and Methods

A total of 122 consecutive patients with clinically node‐negative PTC were enrolled. Any suspicious lymph nodes on intraoperative palpation or inspection were sent for frozen biopsy, and then bilateral CND with total thyroidectomy was carried out in all patients. The criteria for a suspicious lymph node included palpable hardness, dark discoloration, or size exceeding 5 mm in diameter. We compared the surgeon's judgments with the final pathologic results.

Results

Suspicious lymph nodes were found in 37 (30.3%) patients, and 15 of them had metastasis on permanent biopsy. Of 85 patients with no suspicious lymph nodes, 27 (31.8%) had metastasis on permanent biopsy. The sensitivity and specificity as well as positive and negative predictive values of intraoperative determination of central lymph node metastasis were 35.7%, 72.5%, 40.5%, and 68.2%, respectively. The positive predictive values of enlarged lymph nodes, dark discoloration, and hardness were 30.4%, 50.0%, and 78.6%, respectively.

Conclusion

Intraoperative determination of central lymph node metastasis by the surgeon is a limited guide for CND in clinically node‐negative PTC because of its low sensitivity and specificity.
I Built My House of Hope
Authors: Tutty Leslie M. , Ogden Cindy , Giurgiu Bianca , Weaver-Dunlop Gillian
Published: January 2014

Violence from intimate partners is a serious reality for a number of women. For some abused women, leaving becomes a path to homelessness. In fact, when abused women and their children leave their homes because of partner abuse, they become homeless even if they subsequently seek residence in a shelter for woman abuse. This project interviewed 62 women from across Canada who had been abused by partners and were homeless at some point. The women were asked about their experiences with both partner abuse and homelessness and the effects on themselves and their children, which suggest important policy shifts.
A variational formulation for electroelasticity of microcontinua
Authors: Romeo Maurizio
Published: January 2014

The governing equations for a micromorphic theory of electromagneto-elastic dielectrics are derived by a variational formulation. Balance equations and boundary conditions are obtained assuming the internal energy as dependent on macro and micro-strain variables. A micropolar linear model is derived and the evolution equations for dipole and quadrupole are exploited to arrive at an expression for the polarization density. The present model is applied to the simple shear static problem for an isotropic dielectric layer subject to an external field. The resulting shear displacement and electric potential noticeably differ from the classical elastic case.
Medical management and monitoring of the hyperthyroid cat: a survey of UK general practitioners
Authors: Higgs Paul , Murray Jane K , Hibbert Angie
Published: January 2014

Feline hyperthyroidism is commonly diagnosed in general practice. This study assessed the opinions and experiences of UK general practitioners (GPs) regarding the management of feline hyperthyroidism. This included an evaluation of preferred treatment modalities and the monitoring of medically treated cats in relation to thyroxine (T4) level, co-morbid disease and adverse drug reactions. Six hundred and three GPs completed an online questionnaire comprising 34 questions. Oral medication was the most commonly preferred treatment option (65.7% of respondents), followed by thyroidectomy (27.5%) and then radioiodine (5.5%). When cost of treatment was eliminated as a consideration factor, significantly more respondents selected radioiodine (40.5%, P <0.001). Concerning target total T4 levels during medical management, 48.4% aimed for the lower half of the reference interval (RI), 32.3% anywhere within RI, 13.1% within the top half of RI and 0.5% above the RI; 3.4% evaluated efficacy by physical assessment only. In the presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) respondents were significantly more likely to target total T4 levels within the upper half of the RI (40.3%) or above it (9.8%) when compared with targets for routine cases ( P <0.001). Assessment for unmasking of CKD after initiating treatment or for hypertension was not consistently performed. Variability in monitoring strategies may result in CKD and hypertension remaining undetected, inadequate suppression of T4 levels in cats with concurrent CKD and delayed recognition of potentially significant haematological abnormalities.
Conceiving education: The creative task before us
Authors: Laverty Megan J.
Published: January 2014

Philosophers of education regularly undertake the challenging task of defining their field and what it is they do. John White and Harvey Siegel are no exception: Siegel categorizes philosophy of education as a branch of philosophy, and White responds that philosophers of education would do better to adopt a Deweyan perspective. White claims that philosophy of education is not a sui generis area of philosophy. It does not engage timeless philosophical questions, but draws heavily from ethics and epistemology (and other fields) to address contemporary developments in education. Contrary to White, I view philosophy of education and aesthetics as analogous and, building upon the analogy, suggest that philosophers of education resist totalizing approaches to their field. To this end, I argue that a Wittgensteinian-inspired approach to philosophy of education is particularly valuable for teachers today.
Your Brain on Insulin
Authors: McNay Ewan
Published: January 2014

As recently as 1988, the idea that insulin might regulate cognitive and neural functions was, if not quite heretical, still seen as unlikely. As our ability to measure metabolic and molecular changes in the brain has improved, the hippocampus in particular has been revealed as a primary target for insulin. Today insulin is established as a key regulator of hippocampal fuel supply and a critical component of memory formation and storage within the hippocampus. Brain insulin signaling is a target for therapeutic intervention in patients with neuropsychological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Responding to Indigenous Australian Sexual Assault
Authors: McCalman Janya , Bridge Francesca , Whiteside Mary , Bainbridge Roxanne , Tsey Komla , Jongen Crystal
Published: January 2014

Indigenous Australians experience a high prevalence of sexual assault, yet a regional sexual assault service found few Indigenous Australians accessed their services. This prompted exploration of how its services might be improved. A resultant systematic search of the literature is reported in this article. Seven electronic databases and seven websites were systematically searched for peer reviewed and gray literature documenting responses to the sexual assault of Indigenous Australians. These publications were then classified by response type and study type. Twenty-three publications met the inclusion criteria. They included studies of legal justice, media, and community-based and mainstream service responses for Indigenous survivors and perpetrators. We located program descriptions, measurement, and descriptive research, but no intervention studies. There is currently insufficient evidence to confidently prescribe what works to effectively respond to Indigenous Australian sexual assault. The study revealed an urgent need for researchers, Indigenous communities, and services to work together to develop the evidence base.
Films with nanosilvers improve biocorrosion resistance of aluminium in sea water
Authors: Liu T. , Dong Y. , He T. , Guo Na , Zhang F.
Published: January 2014

The silver nanocrystals encapsulated in mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Ag-MSN) with increased stability and enhanced antibacterial potency were prepared. The morphology of the nanoparticles was characterised by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction analyses proved that the silver nanocrystals were truly embedded in the mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was carried out to evaluate the effects of organosiloxane films containing Ag-MSN on reducing microbial influenced corrosion. The corrosion resistance property showed that the films containing Ag-MSN could significantly decrease the Vibrio natriegens adhesion and protect the aluminium against biocorrosion in sea water.
New sealing treatment of microarc oxidation coating
Authors: Wang Y. Q. , Deng Y. Z. , Shao Y. W. , Wang F. H.
Published: January 2014

Silanisation treatment was proposed as a new approach for sealing treatment of microarc oxidation (MAO) coating on Mg alloy AZ91D. The morphologies of the Mg alloy surfaces after MAO with or without silanisation sealing treatment were characterised by scanning electron microscopy. The results demonstrated that quite a few structural defects, including microcracks and micropores, could be observed after MAO treatment, while most of them were able to be well sealed after silanisation treatment. Moreover, the corrosion resistance performances of the Mg alloy after surface treatments were evaluated by potentiodynamic polarisation curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that the corrosion current density of the AZ91D Mg alloy combining MAO and silanisation treatment was decreased by five orders of magnitude comparing with the untreated blank substrate, which demonstrates sharply increasing anticorrosive performances of the alloy.
Molecular mechanisms underlying synergistic adhesion of sickle red blood cells by hypoxia and low nitric oxide bioavailability
Authors: Gutsaeva Diana R. , Montero-Huerta Pedro , Parkerson James B. , Yerigenahally Shobha D. , Ikuta Tohru , Head C. Alvin
Published: January 2014

Key Points

Adhesion of sRBCs is synergistically regulated by hypoxia and low NO bioavailability. P-selectin and p38 kinase pathways play a role in the synergistic adhesion of sRBCs.
Osteoblastic niche supports the growth of quiescent multiple myeloma cells
Authors: Chen Zheng , Orlowski Robert Z. , Wang Michael , Kwak Larry , McCarty Nami
Published: January 2014

Key Points

Osteoblastic niche supports quiescent multiple myeloma cells in vivo. Multiple myeloma cells isolated from osteoblastic niche have enhanced tumorigenicity and stemlike properties.
OncomiRdbB: a comprehensive database of microRNAs and their targets in breast cancer
Authors: Khurana Rimpi , Verma Vinod Kumar , Rawoof Abdul , Tiwari Shrish , Nair Rekha A , Mahidhara Ganesh , Idris Mohammed M , Clarke Alan R , Kumar Lekha Dinesh
Published: January 2014

Background

Given the estimate that 30% of our genes are controlled by microRNAs, it is essential that we understand the precise relationship between microRNAs and their targets. OncomiRs are microRNAs (miRNAs) that have been frequently shown to be deregulated in cancer. However, although several oncomiRs have been identified and characterized, there is as yet no comprehensive compilation of this data which has rendered it underutilized by cancer biologists. There is therefore an unmet need in generating bioinformatic platforms to speed the identification of novel therapeutic targets.

Description

We describe here OncomiRdbB, a comprehensive database of oncomiRs mined from different existing databases for mouse and humans along with novel oncomiRs that we have validated in human breast cancer samples. The database also lists their respective predicted targets, identified using miRanda, along with their IDs, sequences, chromosome location and detailed description. This database facilitates querying by search strings including microRNA name, sequence, accession number, target genes and organisms. The microRNA networks and their hubs with respective targets at 3'UTR, 5'UTR and exons of different pathway genes were also deciphered using the 'R' algorithm.

Conclusion

OncomiRdbB is a comprehensive and integrated database of oncomiRs and their targets in breast cancer with multiple query options which will help enhance both understanding of the biology of breast cancer and the development of new and innovative microRNA based diagnostic tools and targets of therapeutic significance. OncomiRdbB is freely available for download through the URL link http://tdb.ccmb.res.in/OncomiRdbB/index.htm.
Alterations in hepatic miRNA expression during negative energy balance in postpartum dairy cattle
Authors: Fatima Attia , Waters Sinead , O’Boyle Padraig , Seoighe Cathal , Morris Dermot G
Published: January 2014

Background

Negative energy balance (NEB), an altered metabolic state, occurs in early postpartum dairy cattle when energy demands to support lactation exceed energy intake. During NEB the liver undergoes oxidative stress and increased breakdown of fatty acids accompanied by changes in gene expression. It is now known that micro RNAs (miRNA) can have a role in mediating such alterations in gene expression through repression or degradation of target mRNAs. miRNA expression is known to be altered by metabolism and environmental factors and miRNAs are implicated in expression modulation of metabolism related genes.

Results

miRNA expression was profiled in the liver of moderate yielding dairy cattle under severe NEB (SNEB) and mild NEB (MNEB) using the Affymetrix Gene Chip miRNA_2.0 array with 679 probe sets for Bos-taurus miRNAs. Ten miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed using the ‘samr’ statistical package (delta = 0.6) at a q-value FDR of < 12%. Five miRNAs including miR-17-5p, miR-31, miR-140, miR-1281 and miR-2885 were validated using RT-qPCR, to be up-regulated under SNEB. Liver diseases associated with these miRNAs include non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). miR-140 and miR-17-5p are known to show differential expression under oxidative stress. A total of 32 down-regulated putative target genes were also identified among 418 differentially expressed hepatic genes previously reported for the same animal model. Among these, GPR37 (G protein-coupled receptor 37), HEYL (hairy/enhancer-of-split related with YRPW motif-like), DNJA1, CD14 (Cluster of differentiation 14) and GNS (glucosamine (N-acetyl)-6-sulfatase) are known to be associated with hepatic metabolic disorders. In addition miR-140 and miR-2885 have binding sites on the most down-regulated of these genes, FADS2 (Fatty acid desaturase 2) which encodes an enzyme critical in lipid biosynthesis. Furthermore, HNF3- gamma (Hepatocyte nuclear factor 3-gamma), a hepatic transcription factor (TF) that is involved in IGF-1 expression regulation and maintenance of glucose homeostasis is a putative target of miR-31.

Conclusions

This study shows that SNEB affects liver miRNA expression and these miRNAs have putative targets in hepatic genes down-regulated under this condition. This study highlights the potential role of miRNAs in transcription regulation of hepatic gene expression during SNEB in dairy cattle.
Prevention of Clostridium difficilespore formation by sub-inhibitory concentrations of tigecycline and piperacillin/tazobactam
Authors: Garneau Julian R , Valiquette Louis , Fortier Louis-Charles
Published: January 2014

Background

Sporulation of Clostridium difficile during infection and persistence of spores within the gut could partly explain treatment failures and recurrence. However, the influence of antibiotics on sporulation is unclear. The objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, piperacillin/tazobactam, tigecycline, and vancomycin on C. difficile sporulation in vitro.

Methods

The reference strains ATCC 9689, 630, VPI 10463, and seven other clinical isolates of C. difficile were used, including three epidemic NAP1/027 isolates. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined and sporulation was assessed after growth in the absence or presence of ≤0.5x MIC concentrations of each antibiotic.

Results

All strains were sensitive to the antibiotics tested, except ribotype 027 isolates that were resistant to ciprofloxacin (MIC = 128 mg/L). Metronidazole and vancomycin generally did not significantly affect spore production in C. difficile, although vancomycin slightly affected sporulation of a few isolates. Ciprofloxacin inhibited sporulation of ribotype 027 isolates mainly. Interestingly, sub-MIC concentrations of piperacillin/tazobactam reduced spore formation in several isolates. However, the most striking observation was made with tigecycline, with an important reduction of spore formation in most isolates.

Conclusions

The capacity of C. difficile to sporulate can be significantly affected by certain antibiotics. The reduced sporulation observed with tigecycline and piperacillin/tazobactam might explain why these antibiotics are generally associated with lower risk of C. difficile infections. In addition, the inhibition of sporulation might partly explain the apparent efficacy of tigecycline for treatment of patients with recurrent infection.
The prevalence of severe maternal morbidity and near miss and associated factors in Sergipe, Northeast Brazil
Authors: Galvão Larissa Paes Leme , Alvim-Pereira Fabiano , de Mendonça Caio Menezes Machado , Menezes Filipe Emanuel Fonseca , Góis Kaique Andre do Nascimento , Ribeiro Jr Ruy Farias , Gurgel Ricardo Queiroz
Published: January 2014

Background

The investigation of severe maternal morbidity (SAMM) and maternal near miss (NM) and associated risk factors is important for the global reduction of maternal mortality. This study investigated the prevalence of SAMM and NM cases and the associated risk factors in two reference maternity hospitals in a capital city in Northeast-Brazil.

Methods

A cross-sectional study with a nested case–control component was conducted from June-2011 to May-2012. Case identification was prospective and data collection was performed according to WHO criteria and definitions. Odds ratio with confidence intervals and multivariate analysis were used whenever possible.

Results

There were 16,243 deliveries, 1,102 SAMM cases, 77 NM cases and 17 maternal deaths. The maternal NM outcome ratio was 5.8 cases/1,000 live births (LB); the total prevalence of SAMM + NM was 72.6 cases/1,000 LB, the maternal near miss: mortality ratio was 4.5cases/1 maternal death (18% of mortality index). Management-based criteria were the most common events for NM (87.1%) and hypertensive disorders for SAMM (67.5%). Higher age, previous abortion and caesarean delivery, the non-adhesion to antenatal care, current caesarean delivery and bad perinatal results were associated with SAMM/NM. In the multivariate analysis, patient’s status, previous caesarian and abortion and level of consciousness were significant when analyzed together.

Conclusions

SAMM and NM situations were prevalent in the studied population and some risk factors seem to be associated with the event, particularly previous gestational antecedents. Protocols based on SAMM/NM situations can save lives and decrease maternal mortality.
Academic performance, educational aspiration and birth outcomes among adolescent mothers: a national longitudinal study
Authors: Xie Yiqiong , Harville Emily Wheeler , Madkour Aubrey Spriggs
Published: January 2014

Background

Maternal educational attainment has been associated with birth outcomes among adult mothers. However, limited research explores whether academic performance and educational aspiration influence birth outcomes among adolescent mothers.

Methods

Data from Waves I and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) were used. Adolescent girls whose first pregnancy occurred after Wave I, during their adolescence, and ended with a singleton live birth were included. Adolescents’ grade point average (GPA), experience of ever skipping a grade and ever repeating a grade, and their aspiration to attend college were examined as predictors of birth outcomes (birthweight and gestational age; n = 763). Univariate statistics, bivariate analyses and multivariable models were run stratified on race using survey procedures.

Results

Among Black adolescents, those who ever skipped a grade had higher offspring’s birthweight. Among non-Black adolescents, ever skipping a grade and higher educational aspiration were associated with higher offspring’s birthweight; ever skipping a grade was also associated with higher gestational age. GPA was not statistically significantly associated with either birth outcome. The addition of smoking during pregnancy and prenatal care visit into the multivariable models did not change these associations.

Conclusions

Some indicators of higher academic performance and aspiration are associated with better birth outcomes among adolescents. Investing in improving educational opportunities may improve birth outcomes among teenage mothers.
Potential point of care tests (POCTs) for maternal health in Peru, perspectives of pregnant women and their partners
Authors: Bayer Angela M , Najarro Lizzete , Zevallos Mercedes , García Patricia J
Published: January 2014

Background

Globally, no qualitative studies have explored the perspectives of women and their partners about the integration of technology – and specifically diagnostic testing technologies – into antenatal care. The study objective was to describe the demand side for pregnancy-related diagnostic tests from the perspective of Peruvian consumers, including female and male community members, by engaging participants about their awareness of and care-seeking for pregnancy-related diagnostic tests and their preferred characteristics and testing conditions for pregnancy-related point-of-care diagnostic tests (POCTs).

Methods

Sixty-seven mothers and fathers of children under one from the peri-urban coast and the peri-urban and rural highlands and jungle of Peru participated in ten focus groups.

Results

Participants think that pregnancy-related diagnostic tests are important and they and their fellow community members are committed to ensuring that pregnant women receive the tests they need. Participants expressed clear demands for pregnancy-related POCTs, including important characteristics for the tests themselves (certification, rapid, reliable results) and for test implementation (well-trained, personable good communicators as test administrators at well-equipped, convenient testing sites). Participants emphasized the importance of short waiting times and explained that many people have some ability to pay for POCTs, particularly if they are innovative, rapid or multiplex.

Conclusions

Engaging future POCT users as consumers who are able to make key decisions about the development and implementation of pregnancy-related POCTs is valuable and informative.
Distribution and dissemination of the Val1016Ile and Phe1534Cys Kdr mutations in Aedes aegypti Brazilian natural populations
Authors: Linss Jutta Gerlinde Birggitt , Brito Luiz Paulo , Garcia Gabriela Azambuja , Araki Alejandra Saori , Bruno Rafaela Vieira , Lima José Bento Pereira , Valle Denise , Martins Ademir Jesus
Published: January 2014

Background

The chemical control of the mosquitoAedes aegypti, the major vector of dengue, is being seriously threatened due to the development of pyrethroid resistance. Substitutions in the 1016 and 1534 sites of the voltage gated sodium channel (AaNaV), commonly known askdrmutations, confer the mosquito with knockdown resistance. Our aim was to evaluate the allelic composition of natural populations of BrazilianAe. aegyptiat bothkdrsites.

Methods

The AaNaVIIIS6 region was cloned and sequenced from three Brazilian populations. Additionally, individual mosquitoes from 30 populations throughout the country were genotyped for 1016 and 1534 sites, based in allele-specific PCR. For individual genotypes both sites were considered as a single locus.

Results

The 350 bp sequence spanning the IIIS6 region of theAaNaVgene revealed the occurrence of thekdrmutation Phe1534Cys in Brazil. Concerning the individual genotyping, beyond the susceptible wild-type (NaVS), twokdralleles were identified: substitutions restricted to the 1534 position (NaVR1) or simultaneous substitutions in both 1016 and 1534 sites (NaVR2). A clear regional distribution pattern of these alleles was observed. The NaVR1kdrallele occurred in all localities, while NaVR2was more frequent in the Central and Southeastern localities. Locations that were sampled multiple times in the course of a decade revealed an increase in frequency of thekdrmutations, mainly the double mutant allele NaVR2. Recent samples also indicate that NaVR2is spreading towards the Northern region.

Conclusions

We have found that in addition to the previously reported Val1016Ilekdrmutation, the Phe1534Cys mutation also occurs in Brazil. Allelic composition at both sites was important to elucidate the actual distribution ofkdrmutations throughout the country. Studies to determine gene flow and the fitness costs of thesekdralleles are underway and will be important to better understand the dynamics ofAe. aegyptipyrethroid resistance.
Survey of the genus Stegana Meigen (Diptera, Drosophilidae) from Taiwan, with DNA barcodes and descriptions of three new species
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Tsaur Shun-Chern , Chen Hong-Wei
Published: January 2014

Background

TwelveSteganaspecies have been reported from Taiwan, yet only four were also recorded from Mainland China. This may not reflect the actual fauna between both sides of the strait. This report mainly deals with a fly collection of the genusSteganaduring a short visit to Taiwan in 2012. It represents the most recent drosophilid faunal survey of Taiwan associating with bleeding trees.

Results

In this study, 17 species were recognized including three new ones and eight new records. They areStegana(Oxyphortica)convergens(de Meijere, 1911);Stegana(Oxyphortica)nigripennis(Hendel, 1914);Stegana(Stegana)taiwanaOkada, 1991;Stegana(Steganina)bacillaChen and Aotsuka, 2004;Stegana(Steganina)chitouensisSidorenko, 1998;Stegana(Steganina)ctenariaNishiharu, 1979;Stegana(Steganina)euryphyllaChen and Chen, 2009;Stegana(Steganina)langufoliaceaWu, Gao and Chen, 2010;Stegana(Steganina)melanostomaChen and Chen, 2009;Stegana(Steganina)nigrolimbataDuda, 1924;Stegana(Steganina)ornatipesWheeler and Takada, 1964;Stegana(Steganina)reniWang, Gao and Chen, 2010;Stegana(Steganina)tongiWang, Gao and Chen, 2010;Stegana(Steganina)xuiWang, Gao and Chen, 2010;Stegana(Steganina)jianqinaesp. nov.;Stegana(Stegana)yangisp. nov., andStegana(Steganina)wulaisp. nov. Six recorded species are redescribed based on new materials. The key to all species of the genusSteganain Taiwan is presented. The DNA barcoding fragments of the mitochondrialCOIgene are sequenced and used to delineate species.

Conclusions

Among the 23 recorded species, two most widely distributed species range across two zoogeographic regions, and one occurs in both Taiwan and India. Five species are insular species recorded from Taiwan and Japan. The remaining 16 species are distributed in both Taiwan and southern Mainland China. One montane species was collected at an elevation of 1,500 m. As a whole, this implies that TaiwaneseSteganafauna should be largely of a Mainland China origin, probably as a consequence of the east- and/or southward dispersals of the ancestral species during the glacial epoch. The 20% (5/23) endemism at the genus level is comparable to that of the family level at 63/320. It is notable that the Fujian province, which is bordered by Guangdong to the south but isolated from Taiwan by the 180-km-wide strait, has no species in common with Guangdong and Taiwan. This may be due to insufficient drosophilid faunal survey in these areas, especially for Fujian.
Correlation between DNA methylation and chronological age of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocycla var. pubescens)
Authors: Yuan Jin-Ling , Sun Hui-Min , Guo Guang-Ping , Yue Jin-Jun , Gu Xiao-Ping
Published: January 2014

Background

Chronological age is the primary consideration when studying the physiological development, aging, and flowering of bamboo. However, it’s difficult to determine bamboo’s chronological age if the time of germination is unknown. To investigate the chronological age of bamboo from the genomic DNA methylation profile, methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) was employed to analyze the genomic DNA methylation of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocycla var. pubescens) from stands of nine germination-ages, using six primer pairs which have previously been shown to yield methylation rates that reflect the age of Moso bamboo.

Results

The results showed that the total genomic DNA methylation rates in Moso bamboo at different chronological ages were significantly different, and the increase in genomic DNA methylation rate was consistent with the increase of chronological age. Six primer pairs displayed different genomic DNA methylation rates in Moso bamboo of nine age’s group; however, a significantly positive correlation existed among these primer pairs. An integrated index was obtained by performing principal component analysis on the six primer pairs to represent the genomic DNA methylation levels in Moso bamboo of various chronological ages, and a quadratic curve between the chronological age and genomic DNA methylation levels was obtained.

Conclusions

Such a relationship between DNA methylation and its chronological age may serve a reference for its aging study in Moso bamboo.
IL‐17 producing T cells correlate with polysensitization but not with bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with allergic rhinitis
Authors: Tsvetkova‐Vicheva Vanya M , Gecheva Svetla P , Komsa‐Penkova Regina , Velkova Angelika S , Lukanov Tcvetan H
Published: January 2014

Background

Th2‐type T cell response has a considerable role in atopic diseases. The involvement of Th17 and IL‐17 in atopy process provided new understanding of allergic diseases. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness is quite common in allergic rhinitis. We aimed to explore the expression of IL‐17 producing CD3+ CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood of rhinitic patients, with/without bronchial hyperresponsiveness and sensitized to common allergens, as this relationship has not been examined.

Methods

Sixty one patients with allergic rhinitis and thirty controls were examined. IL‐17 producing T cells were detected by flow cytometry, IL‐17, IL‐4 and IL‐13 levels in peripheral blood were evaluated by ELISA. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was investigated with methacholine challenge test. Atopy was evaluated by skin prick tests with common allergens.

Results

IL‐17 producing T cell percentage of AR group was significantly higher: 2.59 ± 1.32 than in controls 1.24 ± 0.22, (p = 0.001). Significant sex related difference in CD3+ CD4+ IL‐17 T cells was observed: respectively in male patients versus female 3.15 ± 1.8% and 2.31 ± 0.9%, (p = 0.02). Rhinitics had greater bronchodilator responses compared to controls (p = 0.001), however the percentages of T cells in both groups appeared equal. Serum IL‐17 levels in AR group were significantly higher (5.10 ± 4.40) pg/ml than in controls (3.46 ±1.28) pg/ml, (p = 0.04). IL‐4 levels (0.88 ± 1.27) and IL‐13 levels (3.14 ± 5.85) in patients were significantly higher than in control's (0.54 ± 0.10) pg/ml, (p = 0.001) and (1.19 ± 0.64) pg/ml; (p = 0.001) respectively.

The percentages of T cells in patients sensitized to 5 allergens (group I) were significantly lower (1.91 ± 0.62) than those sensitized to more than 5 allergens (group II) (2.91 ± 1.5) (p = 0.004).

Conclusions

The observed higher levels of IL‐17 producing T cells in polysensitized males suggest a role of IL‐17 in pathogenesis of AR. The higher airway responsiveness in AR may not be Th17 dependent. The higher serum values of IL‐17, IL‐4 and IL‐13 demonstrate the presence of cytokine balance in atopic diseases.
WITHDRAWN: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is associated with fracture risk in diabetes patients – a nested case-control study
Authors: Starup-Linde Jakob , Gregersen Soeren , Vestergaard Peter
Published: January 2014

Aim

Diabetes Mellitus is associated with an increased risk of fractures, which is not explained fully by bone mineral density and common risk factors. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of medication and biochemical markers on the risk of fracture in a diabetes population.

Methods

Nested case-control study based on Danish diabetes patients from The Danish National Hospital Discharge Registry. The cases of the study were diabetes patients with a fracture (n= 24,349) and controls were diabetes patients with no fracture (n=132,349). A total of 2,816 diabetes patients were available for an analysis of patient characteristics, co-morbidities, biochemical parameters and drug usage.

Results

Patient age at the time of diabetes diagnosis, a diagnosis of previous fracture, an alcohol related diagnosis, total cholesterol level, and the usage of antidepressants, antiepileptics and insulin all increased the odds of fracture. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels decreased the odds of fracture, where the level of 3.04–5.96 mmol/l was optimal with regard to fracture risk.

Conclusion

LDL may add to the understanding of fractures in diabetes patients and it may be added to current fracture risk models in diabetes patients.
Mll2 is required for H3K4 trimethylation on bivalent promoters in embryonic stem cells, whereas Mll1 is redundant
Authors: Denissov Sergei , Hofemeister Helmut , Marks Hendrik , Kranz Andrea , Ciotta Giovanni , Singh Sukhdeep , Anastassiadis Konstantinos , Stunnenberg Hendrik G. , Stewart A. Francis
Published: January 2014

Trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3) at the promoters of actively transcribed genes is a universal epigenetic mark and a key product of Trithorax group action. Here, we show that Mll2, one of the six Set1/Trithorax-type H3K4 methyltransferases in mammals, is required for trimethylation of bivalent promoters in mouse embryonic stem cells. Mll2 is bound to bivalent promoters but also to most active promoters, which do not require Mll2 for H3K4me3 or mRNA expression. By contrast, the Set1 complex (Set1C) subunit Cxxc1 is primarily bound to active but not bivalent promoters. This indicates that bivalent promoters rely on Mll2 for H3K4me3 whereas active promoters have more than one bound H3K4 methyltransferase, including Set1C. Removal of Mll1, sister to Mll2, had almost no effect on any promoter unless Mll2 was also removed, indicating functional backup between these enzymes. Except for a subset, loss of H3K4me3 on bivalent promoters did not prevent responsiveness to retinoic acid, thereby arguing against a priming model for bivalency. In contrast, we propose that Mll2 is the pioneer trimethyltransferase for promoter definition in the naïve epigenome and that Polycomb group action on bivalent promoters blocks the premature establishment of active, Set1C-bound, promoters.
TGF-β-induced differentiation into myofibroblasts involves specific regulation of two MKL1 isoforms
Authors: Scharenberg Matthias A. , Pippenger Benjamin E. , Sack Ragna , Zingg Dominik , Ferralli Jacqueline , Schenk Susanne , Martin Ivan , Chiquet-Ehrismann Ruth
Published: January 2014

Cellular transformation into myofibroblasts is a central physiological process enabling tissue repair. Its deregulation promotes fibrosis and carcinogenesis. TGF-β is the main inducer of the contractile gene program that drives myofibroblast differentiation from various precursor cell types. Crucial regulators of this transcriptional program are SRF and its cofactor MKL1/MRTF-A. However, the exact mechanism of the crosstalk between TGF-β signaling and MKL1 remains unclear. Here, we report the discovery of a novel MKL1 variant/isoform, MKL1_S, transcribed from an alternative promoter and uncover a novel translation start of the published human isoform, MKL1_L. Using a human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell differentiation model, we show that TGF-β specifically up-regulates MKL1_S during the initial phase of myofibroblast differentiation. We identified a functional N-terminal motif in MKL1_S that allows specific induction of a group of genes including ECM modifiers MMP-16 and SPOCK3/testican-3. We propose that TGF-β-mediated induction of MKL1_S initiates progression to later stages of differentiation towards a stationary myofibroblast.
Chemisorption of Carbon Dioxide in Carboxylate-Functionalized Ionic Liquids: A Mechanistic Study
Authors: Yasaka Yoshiro , Ueno Masakatsu , Kimura Yoshifumi
Published: January 2014

Spectroscopic investigations on the CO2 chemisorption by tetra-n-butylphosphonium formate as an example of carboxylate-functionalized ionic liquids reveal that the formation of hydrogen-bond complexes such as diformate anion supplies the driving force of the chemisorption.