bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between maternal prepregnancy obesity and breastfeeding duration: Data from a nationwide prospective birth cohort
Authors: Boudet‐Berquier Julie , Salanave Benoit , Desenclos Jean‐Claude , Castetbon Katia
Published: August 2017

Association of maternal obesity with shorter breastfeeding duration may involve different factors and might be modified by parity. In a national birth cohort, we aimed to estimate the association between prepregnancy body mass index (pBMI) and breastfeeding duration after adjustment for sociodemographic, pregnancy, and other characteristics and assess the effect modification of parity in such associations. In 2012, 3,368 mother–infant dyads were randomly included at birth in the French Epifane cohort. Breastfeeding information was collected in maternity wards and by phone interview at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months postpartum. Poisson regression analyses estimated the association of pBMI with the number of days of “any breastfeeding” (ABF) and “exclusive breastfeeding” (EBF) in unadjusted and adjusted models. Interactions between parity and pBMI were tested. Obesity before pregnancy was independently associated with shorter ABF duration (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.86, 95%CI [0.74, 0.99]) compared to normal‐weight status. Parity showed an effect modification only with EBF duration. Among primiparae, no association was found for obesity, but overweight was significantly associated with shorter EBF duration independently of all covariates (IRR = 0.74 [0.58, 0.95]). Among multiparas, obesity was associated with shorter EBF duration after controlling for sociodemographic factors (IRR = 0.71 [0.53, 0.95]). This association was no longer statistically significant after controlling for other covariates. Obesity appears to be a strong risk factor in shorter ABF duration. Furthermore, parity is a key factor in the relationship of pBMI to shorter EBF duration. Overweight primiparous and obese multiparous women need additional support to prolong breastfeeding duration.
Gödel's Argument for Cantorian Cardinality
Authors: Parker Matthew W.
Published: August 2017

On the first page of “What is Cantor's Continuum Problem?”, Gödel argues that Cantor's theory of cardinality, where a bijection implies equal number, is in some sense uniquely determined. The argument, involving a thought experiment with sets of physical objects, is initially persuasive, but recent authors have developed alternative theories of cardinality that are consistent with the standard set theory ZFC and have appealing algebraic features that Cantor's powers lack, as well as some promise for applications. Here we diagnose Gödel's argument, showing that it fails in two important ways: (i) Its premises are not sufficiently compelling to discredit countervailing intuitions and pragmatic considerations, nor pluralism, and (ii) its final inference, from the superiority of Cantor's theory as applied to sets of changeable physical objects to the unique acceptability of that theory for all sets, is irredeemably invalid.
Roles of impaired intracellular calcium cycling in arrhythmogenicity of diabetic mouse model
Authors: Chou Chung‐Chuan , Ho Chien‐Te , Lee Hui‐Ling , Chu Yen , Yen Tzung‐Hai , Wen Ming‐Shien , Lin Shien‐Fong , Lee Cheng‐Hung , Chang Po‐Cheng
Published: August 2017

Background

Diabetes mellitus is associated an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), but the underlying electrophysiological mechanisms are not fully explored. This study was aimed to test whether dynamic factors and Cai handling play roles in arrhythmogenesis of a diabetic animal model.

Methods

We used 26 db/db type 2 diabetes mice and 28 control mice in this study. VA inducibility was evaluated in vivo under isoflurane general anesthesia. The intracellular Ca2+ (Cai) and membrane voltage (Vm) signals of the Langendorff‐perfused mouse hearts were simultaneously recorded using the optical mapping technique. Action potential duration (APD), Cai dynamics conduction velocity (CV), and arrhythmogenic alternans were analyzed. Western blot was conducted to examine expressions of calcium handling and associated ion channels proteins.

Results

The diabetic db/db mice showed significantly increased VA inducibility and severity. Longer APD and Cai transient duration and slower Cai decay and CV in the db/db mice than these in the control ones were observed. Dynamic pacing showed increased incidence of spatially discordant alternans leading to more VA inducibility in the db/db mice. Western blot analyses revealed increased phosphorylated‐Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II protein expression and decreased ryanodine receptor protein expression, which probably underlay the molecular mechanisms of enhanced arrhythmogenicity in db/db mice.

Conclusions

The type 2 diabetic mouse hearts show impaired repolarization, Cai handling homeostasis, and cardiac conduction reserve, leading to vulnerability of spatially discordant alternans development and induction of VA. Altered Cai‐handling protein expressions probably underlie the molecular mechanisms of arrhythmogenicity in the type 2 diabetes animal model.
Epicardial ablation utilizing remote magnetic navigation in a patient with Brugada syndrome and inferior early repolarization
Authors: Lim Paul Chun Yih , Nademanee Koonlawee , Lee Edward Chun Yi , Teo Wee Siong
Published: August 2017

We report a case of epicardial ablation in a combined Brugada and inferior early repolarization syndrome patient with recurrent defibrillator therapy for spontaneous ventricular fibrillation. Electroanatomic mapping and ablation were achieved with remote magnetic navigation. Highly fractionated electrograms were seen epicardially in the anterior right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and at the anterior‐inferior right ventricle. Ablation of the RVOT region resulted in resolution Brugada pattern electrocardiogram. The inferior early repolarization persisted despite ablation of the inferior right ventricular epicardium. Our patient remained event free at 12‐months follow‐up.
Effect of Intravenous Corticosteroids on Pain Management and Early Rehabilitation in Patients Undergoing Total Knee or Hip Arthroplasty: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Li Donghai , Wang Changde , Yang Zhouyuan , Kang Pengde
Published: August 2017

Background

Corticosteroids are frequently used for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and have also been reported to have an effect on postoperative analgesia. This study was conducted to assess the pain management effect of perioperative intravenous corticosteroids in patients undergoing total knee or hip arthroplasty and evaluate their early rehabilitation.

Method

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched from electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase (Ovid interface), and the Cochrane Library (Ovid interface). Among 932 records identified, 14 RCTs involving 1,023 patients were eligible for data extraction and meta‐analysis.

Results

The use of intravenous steroids was associated with reduced pain at rest and with activity during the first 24 hours after operation (P < 0.05). Patient steroid groups had less opioid consumption (P < 0.05). Additionally, patients using intravenous corticosteroids had better outcomes, in terms of nausea and vomiting (both P < 0.05). Moreover, corticosteroids were effective in decreasing the inflammatory marker interleukin‐6 (P < 0.05). Complications such as deep infection and pruritus showed similar occurrence in both the corticosteroid groups and control groups (P > 0.05), while the occurrence of venous thromboembolism was lower in the corticosteroid groups, with a marginally significant difference. In addition, no significant difference in length of hospital stay was observed, irrespective of whether patients received intravenous corticosteroids (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results show that intravenous corticosteroids have good efficacy and safety when used perioperatively in total knee or hip arthroplasty.
The potassium channel FaTPK1 plays a critical role in fruit quality formation in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa)
Authors: Wang Shufang , Song Miaoyu , Guo Jiaxuan , Huang Yun , Zhang Fangfang , Xu Cheng , Xiao Yinghui , Zhang Lusheng
Published: August 2017

Potassium (K+), an abundant cation in plant cells, is important in fruit development and plant resistance. However, how cellular K+ is directed by potassium channels in fruit development and quality formation of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is not yet fully clear. Here, a two‐pore K+ (TPK) channel gene in strawberry, FaTPK1, was cloned using reverse transcription–PCR. A green fluorescent protein subcellular localization analysis showed that FaTPK1 localized in the vacuole membrane. A transcription analysis indicated that the mRNA expression level of FaTPK1 increased rapidly and was maintained at a high level in ripened fruit, which was coupled with the fruit's red colour development, suggesting that FaTPK1 is related to fruit quality formation. The down‐ and up‐regulation of the FaTPK1 mRNA expression levels using RNA interference and overexpression, respectively, inhibited and promoted fruit ripening, respectively, as demonstrated by consistent changes in firmness and the contents of soluble sugars, anthocyanin and abscisic acid, as well as the transcript levels of ripening‐regulated genes PG1 (polygalacturonase), GAL6 (beta‐galactosidase), XYL2 (D‐xylulose reductase), SUT1 (sucrose transporter), CHS (chalcone synthase) and CHI (chalcone flavanone isomerase). Additionally, the regulatory changes influenced fruit resistance to Botrytis cinerea. An isothermal calorimetry analysis showed that the Escherichia coli‐expressed FaTPK1 recombinant protein could bind K+ with a binding constant of 2.1 × 10–3 m−1 and a dissociation constant of 476 μm. Thus, the strawberry TPK1 is a ubiquitously expressed, tonoplast‐localized two‐pore potassium channel that plays important roles in fruit ripening and quality formation.
Association of zinc and copper with clinical parameters in the preterm newborn
Authors: Kojima Chiharu , Shoji Hiromichi , Ikeda Naho , Kitamura Tomohiro , Hisata Ken , Shimizu Toshiaki
Published: August 2017

Background

Given that preterm infants are born at a time of rapid fetal growth, they are at risk of deficiency of essential nutrients for brain development, including zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu). This study evaluate the relationship between serum Cu or Zn, gestational age (GA) and anthropometric parameters at birth in preterm infants.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of infants <35 weeks’ GA from January 2010 to August 2012. We collected the data from medical records of 59 preterm infants at birth with regard to GA, anthropometric parameters, and serum Cu and Zn levels. Correlation of Cu, Zn, and GA with anthropometric parameters at birth was then done.

Results

Zn was inversely correlated with GA, bodyweight (BW), body length (BL), and head circumference (HC), and Cu was inversely correlated with the standard deviation (SD) score for BW, BL, and HC. On stepwise multiple regression analysis, GA was a significant independent predictor of Zn level, and HC SD score was a significant independent predictor of Cu level.

Conclusions

Prematurity influences Zn, and intrauterine head growth restriction influences Cu at birth in preterm infants. Further research is needed to evaluate the relationship between intrauterine growth restriction and brain Cu metabolism.
The experience of being envied at work: How being envied shapes employee feelings and motivation
Authors: Lee KiYoung , Duffy Michelle K. , Scott Kristin L. , Schippers Michaéla C.
Published: August 2017

We develop and test a theoretical framework delineating the dual affective and motivational experiences arising from perceptions of being envied in the workplace. We theorize that being envied can be pleasantly or unpleasantly experienced with opposite downstream effects on motivation and job performance. We test our model in two field studies using a sample of government employees (Study 1) and a sample of employees in the financial industry (Study 2). Our results indicate that being envied can elicit unpleasant mood and anxiety that influence work engagement and job performance in negative ways. In addition, we found that positive emotional experiences from being envied bolster work engagement and performance through positive mood but not pride. Implications of our findings are discussed.
A research and development decision model for pharmaceutical industry: case of China
Authors: Chan Leong , Daim Tugrul
Published: August 2017

This paper evaluates prospective technology areas, development strategies, and various innovation resources in China's pharmaceutical sector through the use of a hierarchical decision model. The results indicate that although domestic SMEs are the major preferred innovation alternative, it is followed closely by foreign MNCs. The sensitivity analysis indicates that the effectiveness of policy decisions are influenced by certain high technology areas. Recombinant therapeutic proteins, recombinant vaccines, and monoclonal antibody technologies are identified as the major areas that will influence the priority of innovation resources. The research crafts a research framework to formulate innovation strategies in dealing with the uncertainties of technology development and policy decisions in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: A protean and challenging disease
Authors: Jee Adelle S. , Jo Helen E. , Corte Tamera J.
Published: August 2017

See related Article
‘Now she has become my daughter’: parents’ early experiences of skin‐to‐skin contact with extremely preterm infants
Authors: Maastrup Ragnhild , Weis Janne , Engsig Anne B. , Johannsen Kirsten L. , Zoffmann Vibeke
Published: August 2017

Background

Based on the Family‐Centred Care philosophy, skin‐to‐skin contact is a key activity in neonatal care, and use of this practice is increasing also with extremely preterm infants. Little is known about parents’ immediate experiences of and readiness for skin‐to‐skin contact, while their fragile infant may still not be ‘on safe ground’. Knowledge about parents’ experiences might reduce doubt and reluctance among healthcare professionals to use skin‐to‐skin contact with extremely preterm infants and thus increase its dissemination in practice.

Aims and objectives

To explore parents’ immediate experiences of skin‐to‐skin contact with extremely preterm infants <28‐week postmenstrual age.

Methodological design

A qualitative study using thematic analysis.

Research methods

Thirteen semi‐structured interviews conducted in 2008 with 16 parents after skin‐to‐skin contact with their extremely preterm infants analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Findings

Parents’ experiences were related to the process before, during and after skin‐to‐skin contact and moved from ambivalence to appreciating skin‐to‐skin contact as beneficial for both parents and infant. The process comprised three stages: (i) overcoming ambivalence through professional support and personal experience; (ii) proximity creating parental feelings and an inner need to provide care; (iii) feeling useful as a parent and realising the importance of skin‐to‐skin contact. Having repeatedly gone through stages 2 and 3, parents developed an overall confidence in the value of bonding, independent of the infant's survival.

Conclusions

Parents progressed from ambivalence to a feeling of fundamental mutual needs for skin‐to‐skin contact. Parents found the bonding facilitated by skin‐to‐skin contact to be valuable, regardless of the infant's survival.
Does a short self‐compassion intervention for students increase healthy self‐regulation? A randomized control trial
Authors: Dundas Ingrid , Binder Per‐Einar , Hansen Tia G. B. , Stige Signe Hjelen
Published: August 2017

The primary aim of this study was to examine the effects of a two‐week self‐compassion course on healthy self‐regulation (personal growth self‐efficacy and healthy impulse control) and unhealthy self‐regulation (self‐judgment and habitual negative self‐directed thinking) in university students. We also examined the effects on self‐compassion, anxiety and depression. Students (N = 158, 85% women, mean age = 25 years) were randomized to an intervention group and a waiting‐list control group in a multi‐baseline randomized control trial. Healthy self‐control was measured by the Personal Growth Initiative Scale (PGIS) and the Self‐Control Scale; unhealthy self‐control was measured by the Non‐judgement subscale from the Five‐Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (reversed) and the Habit Index of Negative Thinking (HINT). Secondary outcomes were measured by the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI‐trait), the Major Depression Inventory (MDI), and the Self‐Compassion Scale (SCS). A 2 × 3 repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed gains for the intervention‐group in personal growth self‐efficacy and healthy impulse‐control and reductions in self‐judgment and habitual negative self‐directed thinking, as well as increases in self‐compassion and reductions in anxiety and depression. After all participants had completed the course, the groups were combined and repeated measures ANOVAs showed that changes remained at six‐month follow‐up for personal growth self‐efficacy, self‐judgment and habitual negative self‐directed thinking; as well as for self‐compassion, anxiety and depression. Concluding, a short self‐compassion course seems an effective method of increasing self‐compassion and perceived control over one's life for university students, as well as increasing mental health.
Graded isavuconazole introduction in a patient with voriconazole allergy
Authors: Morales Megan K. , Harris Ché , Shoham Shmuel
Published: August 2017

Triazole antifungal drugs may rarely cause serious allergic reactions including angioedema. No standardized tests are available to predict cross‐reactivity within the azole class and little guiding information exists on whether to change therapy within the class or to another class after a serious allergic reaction. Herein we report the first successful use, to our knowledge, of graded isavuconazole introduction for treatment of aspergillosis in a liver transplant recipient with severe voriconazole allergy.
Influence of High Duty Ratio and Frequency in WECM Employing In Situ Fabricated Wire Electrode
Authors: Debnath S. , Kundu J. , Bhattacharyya B.
Published: August 2017

To adapt with today's rapidly changing world, fabrication of intricate microparts is becoming an urgent need. Manufacturing of these microparts with stringent requirements necessitates the early adoption of different microfabrication techniques. Wire electrochemical machining (WECM) is such a process which removes excess metal by dissolving it electrochemically. This process can easily generate features downscaled to micron ranges and offers several advantages like the requirement of very simple setup, fabrication of accurate complex microfeatures without undergoing any thermal stress, burr formation, and tool wear, which make it superior from other existing micromachining processes. However, this process is new, and little is known about its applicability and feasibility. Hence, the present work is directed towards developing suitable WECM setup to fabricate microfeatures by introducing proper means for enhancing the mass transport phenomenon. The tungsten tool wire for machining has been in situ etched to a diameter of 23.43 μm by a novel approach for retaining its regular cylindrical form and has been implemented during machining. Moreover, the influences of high duty ratio and applied frequency have been investigated on the corresponding width of the fabricated microslits and the experimental results have been represented graphically where the minimum width of the microslit is obtained as 44.85 μm. Furthermore, mathematical modeling has been developed to correlate duty ratio and applied frequency with generated slit width. Additionally, the mathematical modeling has been validated with practical results and complex stepped type microfeatures have been generated to establish process suitability.
Effect of Substrate and Nanoparticle Spacing on Plasmonic Enhancement in Three-Dimensional Nanoparticle Structures
Authors: Yuksel Anil , Yu Edward T. , Murthy Jayathi , Cullinan Michael
Published: August 2017

Surface plasmon polaritons associated with light-nanoparticle interactions can result in dramatic enhancement of electromagnetic fields near and in the gaps between the particles, which can have a large effect on the sintering of these nanoparticles. For example, the plasmonic field enhancement within nanoparticle assemblies is affected by the particle size, spacing, interlayer distance, and light source properties. Computational analysis of plasmonic effects in three-dimensional (3D) nanoparticle packings are presented herein using 532 nm plane wave light. This analysis provides insight into the particle interactions both within and between adjacent layers for multilayer nanoparticle packings. Electric field enhancements up to 400-fold for transverse magnetic (TM) or X-polarized light and 26-fold for transverse electric (TE) or Y-polarized light are observed. It is observed that the thermo-optical properties of the nanoparticle packings change nonlinearly between 0 and 10 nm gap spacing due to the strong and nonlocal near-field interaction between the particles for TM polarized light, but this relationship is linear for TE polarized light. These studies help provide a foundation for understanding micro/nanoscale heating and heat transport for Cu nanoparticle packings under 532 nm light under different polarization for the photonic sintering of nanoparticle assemblies.
Double Stratification in Flow by Curved Stretching Sheet With Thermal Radiation and Joule Heating
Authors: Hayat Tasawar , Qayyum Sumaira , Imtiaz Maria , Alsaedi Ahmed
Published: August 2017

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow of viscous fluid by curved stretching surface is presented in this paper. Heat and mass transfer analysis is studied with double stratification and thermal radiation effects. Joule heating is also taken into consideration. Basic equations of flow problem are obtained using curvilinear coordinates. The partial differential equations are reduced to the nonlinear ordinary differential equations using suitable transformations. Graphical results are shown and analyzed for the effect of different parameters on fluid characteristics. It is noted that thermal and solutal stratification parameters have opposite effect on temperature and concentration distributions. Magnitude of pressure, skin friction coefficient, and Nusselt number decreases for larger curvature parameter.
High-resolution ultrasonography in assessing temporomandibular joint disc position
Authors: Talmaceanu Daniel , Lenghel Lavinia Manuela , Bolog Nicolae , Popa Stanila Roxana , Buduru Smaranda , Leucuta Daniel Corneliu , Rotar Horatiu , Baciut Mihaela , Baciut Grigore
Published: August 2017

Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of high-resolution ultrasonography (US) in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc displacements.Materials and methods: A number of 74 patients (148 TMJs) with signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders, according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, were included in this study. All patients received US and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of both TMJs 1 to 5 days after the clinical examination. MRI examinations were performed using 1.5 T MRI equipment (Siemens Avanto, Siemens, Erlangen). Ultrasonographic examination was performed on a Hitachi EUB 8500 (Hitachi Medical Corp., Tokyo, Japan) scanner with L 54 M6.5-13 MHz linear transducer.Results: MRI depicted 68 (45.95%) normal joints, 47 (31.76%) with disc displacement with reduction, 33 (22.3%) with disc displacement without reduction and 34 (22.97%) with degenerative changes. US detected 78 (52.7%) normal joints, 37 (25%) with disc displacement with reduction, 33 (22.3%) with disc displacement without reduction and 21 (14.19%) with degenerative changes. Compared to MRI, US showed a sensitivity of 93.1%, specificity of 87.88%, accuracy of 90.32%, a positive predictive value of 87.1% and a negative predictive value of 93.55% for overall diagnosis of disc displacement. The Youden index was 0.81.Conclusions: Based on our results, high-resolution ultrasonography showed high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in the diagnosis of TMJ disc displacement. It could be a valuable imaging technique in assessing TMJ disc position. The diagnostic value of high-resolution ultrasonography depends strictly on the examiner’s skills and on the equipment used.
The value of ultrasound diagnosis in the multidisciplinary approach of cutaneous tumours. Case report
Authors: Manea Avram , Crisan Diana , Badea Alexandru Florin , Dumitrascu Iuliu Dinu , Baciut Mihaela Felicia , Bran Simion , Mitre Ileana , Crisan Maria , Baciut Grigore
Published: August 2017

We report the case of a senior patient, presenting with two cutaneous tumours in which the clinical and dermoscopic examination pointed towards a basal cell carcinoma. Ultrasound revealed highly vascularised tumours and elastography showed increased rigidity. Histological examination of both lesions following complete resection was consistent with squamous cell carcinomas. The distinctive feature of this case consists of the complex non-invasive diagnostic imaging of the tumour morphology, performed in real time, revealing aspects compatible with highly proliferative malignant tumours. This case emphasises the importance of ultrasound diagnosis in a multi-disciplinary approach for better and more predictable results.
Testicular volume and elasticity changes in young children with undescended testes
Authors: Shin Hyun Joo , Lee Yong Seung , Yoon Haesung , Kim Myung-Joon , Han Sang Won , Kim Ha Yan , Lee Jinae , Lee Mi-Jung
Published: August 2017

Aims: To evaluate the differences and changes of testicular volume and elasticity in normal (NL) testes and undescended testes (UDTs) of children using shear wave elastography (SWE).Materials and methods: Testicular ultrasound images from children younger than 60 months old were retrospectively reviewed. Testicular volumes and elasticities were compared between the UDT group and NL group. In patients with unilateral UDT (uUDT), we also compared the values between uUDT and contralateral grossly normal (CGN) testis groups.Results: There were 25 UDTs including 4 bilateral in the UDT groupand 54 normal testes in the NL group. While testicular volume was significantly smaller in UDT (vs. NL) and uUDT (vs. CGN) groups, the elasticity was not different. Testicular volume was positively correlated with age in both NL (r=0.474) and CGN (r=0.729) groups (p<0.001), while there was no correlation in the UDT group. Testicular stiffness showed negative correlation with age in the NL group (r=-0.390, p=0.004) and positive correlation in the UDT group (r=0.426, p=0.034).Conclusions: Instead of increasing volume and decreasing stiffness of normal testes during development of the early 60 months, UDTsexhibited smaller volume and increasing stiffness. The CGN testes of uUDT patients showed increasing volume without stiffness change.
Effect of the three-dimensional microstructure on the sound absorption of foams: A parametric study
Authors: Chevillotte Fabien , Perrot Camille
Published: August 2017

The purpose of this work is to systematically study the effect of the throat and the pore sizes on the sound absorbing properties of open-cell foams. The three-dimensional idealized unit cell used in this work enables to mimic the acoustical macro-behavior of a large class of cellular solid foams. This study is carried out for a normal incidence and also for a diffuse field excitation, with a relatively large range of sample thicknesses. The transport and sound absorbing properties are numerically studied as a function of the throat size, the pore size, and the sample thickness. The resulting diagrams show the ranges of the specific throat sizes and pore sizes where the sound absorption grading is maximized due to the pore morphology as a function of the sample thickness, and how it correlates with the corresponding transport parameters. These charts demonstrate, together with typical examples, how the morphological characteristics of foam could be modified in order to increase the visco-thermal dissipation effects.
Protein kinase N3 promotes bone resorption by osteoclasts in response to Wnt5a-Ror2 signaling
Authors: Uehara Shunsuke , Udagawa Nobuyuki , Mukai Hideyuki , Ishihara Akihiro , Maeda Kazuhiro , Yamashita Teruhito , Murakami Kohei , Nishita Michiru , Nakamura Takashi , Kato Shigeaki , Minami Yasuhiro , Takahashi Naoyuki , Kobayashi Yasuhiro
Published: August 2017

A signaling pathway that promotes the cytoskeleton remodeling in osteoclasts necessary for bone resorption is elucidated.
Potentiation of Tobramycin by Silver Nanoparticles against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms
Authors: Habash Marc B. , Goodyear Mara C. , Park Amber J. , Surette Matthew D. , Vis Emily C. , Harris Robert J. , Khursigara Cezar M.
Published: August 2017

Increasing antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacterial species is a serious public health problem and has prompted research examining the antibacterial effects of alternative compounds and novel treatment strategies. Compounding this problem is the ability of many pathogenic bacteria to form biofilms during chronic infections. Importantly, these communities are often recalcitrant to antibiotic treatments that show effectiveness against acute infection. The antimicrobial properties of silver have been known for decades, but recently silver and silver-containing compounds have seen renewed interest as antimicrobial agents for treating bacterial infections. The goal of this study was to assess the ability of citrate-capped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of various sizes, alone and in combination with the aminoglycoside antibiotic tobramycin, to inhibit established
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
biofilms. Our results demonstrate that smaller 10-nm and 20-nm AgNPs were more effective at synergistically potentiating the activity of tobramycin. Visualization of biofilms treated with combinations of 10-nm AgNPs and tobramycin reveals that the synergistic bactericidal effect may be caused by disrupting cellular membranes. Minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) assays using clinical
P. aeruginosa
isolates shows that small AgNPs are more effective than larger AgNPs at inhibiting biofilms, but that the synergy effect is likely a strain-dependent phenomenon. These data suggest that small AgNPs synergistically potentiate the activity of tobramycin against
P. aeruginosa
in vitro
and may reveal a potential role for AgNP/antibiotic combinations in treating patients with chronic infections in a strain-specific manner.
Development of Methionyl-tRNA Synthetase Inhibitors as Antibiotics for Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections
Authors: Faghih Omeed , Zhang Zhongsheng , Ranade Ranae M. , Gillespie J. Robert , Creason Sharon A. , Huang Wenlin , Shibata Sayaka , Barros-Álvarez Ximena , Verlinde Christophe L. M. J. , Hol Wim G. J. , Fan Erkang , Buckner Frederick S.
Published: August 2017

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are widespread and pose a growing threat to human health. New antibiotics acting by novel mechanisms of action are needed to address this challenge. The bacterial methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MetRS) enzyme is essential for protein synthesis, and the type found in Gram-positive bacteria is substantially different from its counterpart found in the mammalian cytoplasm. Both previously published and new selective inhibitors were shown to be highly active against Gram-positive bacteria with MICs of ≤1.3 μg/ml against
Staphylococcus
,
Enterococcus
, and
Streptococcus
strains. Incorporation of radioactive precursors demonstrated that the mechanism of activity was due to the inhibition of protein synthesis. Little activity against Gram-negative bacteria was observed, consistent with the fact that Gram-negative bacterial species contain a different type of MetRS enzyme. The ratio of the MIC to the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was consistent with a bacteriostatic mechanism. The level of protein binding of the compounds was high (>95%), and this translated to a substantial increase in MICs when the compounds were tested in the presence of serum. Despite this, the compounds were very active when they were tested in a
Staphylococcus aureus
murine thigh infection model. Compounds 1717 and 2144, given by oral gavage, resulted in 3- to 4-log decreases in the bacterial load compared to that in vehicle-treated mice, which was comparable to the results observed with the comparator drugs, vancomycin and linezolid. In summary, the research describes MetRS inhibitors with oral bioavailability that represent a class of compounds acting by a novel mechanism with excellent potential for clinical development.
Chromosome-Mediated
mcr-3
Variants in Aeromonas veronii from Chicken Meat
Authors: Ling Zhuoren , Yin Wenjuan , Li Hui , Zhang Qidi , Wang Xiaoming , Wang Zheng , Ke Yuebin , Wang Yang , Shen Jianzhong
Published: August 2017

Two adjacent colistin resistance gene variants, termed
mcr-3.3
and
mcr-3
-like, were identified in the chromosome of an
Aeromonas veronii
isolate obtained from retail chicken meat. The variants showed 95.20% and 84.19% nucleotide sequence identity, respectively, to
mcr-3
from porcine
Escherichia coli
. Functional cloning indicated that only
mcr-3.3
conferred polymyxin resistance in both
E. coli
and
Aeromonas salmonicida
. The
mcr-3.3-mcr-3
-like segment was also observed in other
Aeromonas
species, including
A. media
,
A. caviae
, and
A. hydrophila
.
Amino Acid Substitution in the Major Multidrug Efflux Transporter Protein AcrB Contributes to Low Susceptibility to Azithromycin in Haemophilus influenzae
Authors: Seyama Shoji , Wajima Takeaki , Nakaminami Hidemasa , Noguchi Norihisa
Published: August 2017

Clarithromycin-resistant
Haemophilus influenzae
strains with a nonsense mutation in
acrR
generally exhibited susceptibility to azithromycin, although one strain was found to be nonsusceptible; we aimed to clarify the differences. This strain had an amino acid substitution, Arg327Ser, in AcrB. Introduction of this substitution into
H. influenzae
Rd caused an increase in the MIC of azithromycin, suggesting that this substitution contributed to nonsusceptibility. These findings indicate that azithromycin-nonsusceptible isolates could occur through stepwise mutation in the
acr
region.
The Arsenic Resistance-Associated Listeria Genomic Island LGI2 Exhibits Sequence and Integration Site Diversity and a Propensity for Three Listeria monocytogenes Clones with Enhanced Virulence
Authors: Lee Sangmi , Ward Todd J. , Jima Dereje D. , Parsons Cameron , Kathariou Sophia
Published: August 2017

In the foodborne pathogen
Listeria monocytogenes
, arsenic resistance is encountered primarily in serotype 4b clones considered to have enhanced virulence and is associated with an arsenic resistance gene cluster within a 35-kb chromosomal region,
Listeria
genomic island 2 (LGI2). LGI2 was first identified in strain Scott A and includes genes putatively involved in arsenic and cadmium resistance, DNA integration, conjugation, and pathogenicity. However, the genomic localization and sequence content of LGI2 remain poorly characterized. Here we investigated 85 arsenic-resistant
L. monocytogenes
strains, mostly of serotype 4b. All but one of the 70 serotype 4b strains belonged to clonal complex 1 (CC1), CC2, and CC4, three major clones associated with enhanced virulence. PCR analysis suggested that 53 strains (62.4%) harbored an island highly similar to LGI2 of Scott A, frequently (42/53) in the same location as Scott A (
LMOf2365_2257
homolog). Random-primed PCR and whole-genome sequencing revealed seven novel insertion sites, mostly internal to chromosomal coding sequences, among strains harboring LGI2 outside the
LMOf2365_2257
homolog. Interestingly, many CC1 strains harbored a noticeably diversified LGI2 (LGI2-1) in a unique location (
LMOf2365_0902
homolog) and with a novel additional gene. With few exceptions, the tested LGI2 genes were not detected in arsenic-resistant strains of serogroup 1/2, which instead often harbored a Tn
554
-associated arsenic resistance determinant not encountered in serotype 4b. These findings indicate that in
L. monocytogenes
, LGI2 has a propensity for certain serotype 4b clones, exhibits content diversity, and is highly promiscuous, suggesting an ability to mobilize various accessory genes into diverse chromosomal loci.

IMPORTANCE
Listeria monocytogenes
is widely distributed in the environment and causes listeriosis, a foodborne disease with high mortality and morbidity. Arsenic and other heavy metals can powerfully shape the populations of human pathogens with pronounced environmental lifestyles such as
L. monocytogenes
. Arsenic resistance is encountered primarily in certain serotype 4b clones considered to have enhanced virulence and is associated with a large chromosomal island,
Listeria
genomic island 2 (LGI2). LGI2 also harbors a cadmium resistance cassette and genes putatively involved in DNA integration, conjugation, and pathogenicity. Our findings indicate that LGI2 exhibits pronounced content plasticity and is capable of transferring various accessory genes into diverse chromosomal locations. LGI2 may serve as a paradigm on how exposure to a potent environmental toxicant such as arsenic may have dynamically selected for arsenic-resistant subpopulations in certain clones of
L. monocytogenes
which also contribute significantly to disease.
The Limnohabitans Genus Harbors Generalistic and Opportunistic Subtypes: Evidence from Spatiotemporal Succession in a Canyon-Shaped Reservoir
Authors: Jezberová Jitka , Jezbera Jan , Znachor Petr , Nedoma Jiří , Kasalický Vojtěch , Šimek Karel
Published: August 2017

We studied the diversity of
Limnohabitans
using reverse line blot hybridization with
Limnohabitans
lineage-specific probes in the freshwater canyon-shaped Římov reservoir (Czech Republic). To examine the succession of distinct lineages, we performed (i) a study of an intensive spring sampling program at the lacustrine part of the Římov reservoir (from ice melt through a phytoplankton peak to the clear-water phase), and (ii) a seasonal study (April to November) when the occurrence of distinct
Limnohabitans
lineages was related to the inherent longitudinal heterogeneity of the reservoir. Significant spatiotemporal changes in the compositions of distinct
Limnohabitans
lineages allowed for the identification of “generalists” that were always present throughout the whole season as well as “specialists” that appeared in the reservoir only for limited periods of time or irregularly. Our results indicate that some phytoplankton groups, such as cryptophytes or cyanobacteria, and zooplankton composition were the major factors modulating the distribution and dynamics of distinct
Limnohabitans
lineages. The highest
Limnohabitans
diversity was observed during the spring algal bloom, whereas the lowest was during the summer cyanobacterial bloom. The microdiversity also markedly increased upstream in the reservoir, being highest at the inflow, and thus likely reflecting strong influences of the watershed.

IMPORTANCE
The genus
Limnohabitans
is a typical freshwater bacterioplankton and is believed to play a significant role in inland freshwater habitats. This work is unique in detecting and tracing different closely related lineages of this bacterial genus in its natural conditions using the semiquantitative reverse line blot hybridization method and in discovering the factors influencing the microdiversity, subtype alternations, and seasonality.
Critical Synergistic Concentration of Lecithin Phospholipids Improves the Antimicrobial Activity of Eugenol against Escherichia coli
Authors: Zhang Haoshu , Dudley Edward G. , Harte Federico
Published: August 2017

In this study, the effect of individual lecithin phospholipids on the antimicrobial properties of eugenol against
Escherichia coli
C600 was investigated. We tested five major phospholipids common in soy or egg lecithin (1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DPPC], 1,2-dioctadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC], 1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine [DPPE], 1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate [sodium salt] [DPPA], and 1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-
l
-serine [DPPS]) and one synthetic cationic phospholipid (1,2-dioctadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine [18:0 EPC]). Among the six phospholipids, DPPC, DSPC, DPPE, DPPA, and the cationic 18:0 EPC showed critical synergistic concentrations that significantly improved the inactivation effect of eugenol against
E. coli
after 30 min of exposure. At the critical synergistic concentration, an additional ca. 0.4 to 1.9 log reduction (ca. 0.66 to 2.17 log CFU/ml reduction) in the microbial population was observed compared to eugenol-only (control) treatments (ca. 0.25 log reduction). In all cases, increasing the phospholipid amount above the critical synergistic concentration (which was different for each phospholipid) resulted in antimicrobial properties similar to those seen with the eugenol-only (control) treatments. DPPS did not affect the antimicrobial properties of eugenol at the tested concentrations. The critical synergistic concentration of phospholipids was correlated with their critical micelle concentrations (CMC).

IMPORTANCE
Essential oils (EOs) are naturally occurring antimicrobials, with limited use in food due to their hydrophobicity and strong aroma. Lecithin is used as a natural emulsifier to stabilize EOs in aqueous systems. We previously demonstrated that, within a narrow critical-concentration window, lecithin can synergistically enhance the antimicrobial properties of eugenol. Since lecithin is a mixture of different phospholipids, we aimed to identify which phospholipids are crucial for the observed synergistic effect. This research studied the bioactivity of lecithin phospholipids, contributing to a rational design in using lecithin to effectively control foodborne pathogens in foods.
A Bacterial Multidomain NAD-Independent
d
-Lactate Dehydrogenase Utilizes Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide and Fe-S Clusters as Cofactors and Quinone as an Electron Acceptor for
d
-Lactate Oxidization
Authors: Jiang Tianyi , Guo Xiaoting , Yan Jinxin , Zhang Yingxin , Wang Yujiao , Zhang Manman , Sheng Binbin , Ma Cuiqing , Xu Ping , Gao Chao
Published: August 2017

Bacterial membrane-associated NAD-independent
d
-lactate dehydrogenase (Fe-S
d
-iLDH) oxidizes
d
-lactate into pyruvate. A sequence analysis of the enzyme reveals that it contains an Fe-S oxidoreductase domain in addition to a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-containing dehydrogenase domain, which differs from other typical
d
-iLDHs. Fe-S
d
-iLDH from
Pseudomonas putida
KT2440 was purified as a His-tagged protein and characterized in detail. This monomeric enzyme exhibited activities with
l
-lactate and several
d
-2-hydroxyacids. Quinone was shown to be the preferred electron acceptor of the enzyme. The two domains of the enzyme were then heterologously expressed and purified separately. The Fe-S cluster-binding motifs predicted by sequence alignment were preliminarily verified by site-directed mutagenesis of the Fe-S oxidoreductase domain. The FAD-containing dehydrogenase domain retained 2-hydroxyacid-oxidizing activity, although it decreased compared to the full Fe-S
d
-iLDH. Compared to the intact enzyme, the FAD-containing dehydrogenase domain showed increased catalytic efficiency with cytochrome
c
as the electron acceptor, but it completely lost the ability to use coenzyme Q
10
. Additionally, the FAD-containing dehydrogenase domain was no longer associated with the cell membrane, and it could not support the utilization of
d
-lactate as a carbon source. Based on the results obtained, we conclude that the Fe-S oxidoreductase domain functions as an electron transfer component to facilitate the utilization of quinone as an electron acceptor by Fe-S
d
-iLDH, and it helps the enzyme associate with the cell membrane. These functions make the Fe-S oxidoreductase domain crucial for the
in vivo
d
-lactate utilization function of Fe-S
d
-iLDH.

IMPORTANCE
Lactate metabolism plays versatile roles in most domains of life. Lactate utilization processes depend on certain enzymes to oxidize lactate to pyruvate. In recent years, novel bacterial lactate-oxidizing enzymes have been continually reported, including the unique NAD-independent
d
-lactate dehydrogenase that contains an Fe-S oxidoreductase domain besides the typical flavin-containing domain (Fe-S
d
-iLDH). Although Fe-S
d
-iLDH is widely distributed among bacterial species, the investigation of it is insufficient. Fe-S
d
-iLDH from
Pseudomonas putida
KT2440, which is the major
d
-lactate-oxidizing enzyme for the strain, might be a representative of this type of enzyme. A study of it will be helpful in understanding the detailed mechanisms underlying the lactate utilization processes.
Socioeconomic inequity in survival for deliveries at 22–24 weeks of gestation
Authors: Morisaki Naho , Isayama Tetsuya , Samura Osamu , Wada Kazuko , Kusuda Satoshi
Published: August 2017

Objective

Guidelines recommend individual decision making on resuscitating infants of 22–24 weeks’ gestational age (GA) at birth. When the decision not to resuscitate is made, infants would likely die soon after delivery, and under some circumstances such neonatal deaths may be registered as stillbirths occurring during delivery (intrapartum stillbirth). Thus we assessed whether socioeconomic factors are associated with peridelivery deaths (during or within 1 hour of delivery) of infants delivered at 22–24 weeks’ gestation.

Methods

We analysed 14 726 singletons of 22–24 weeks’ GA using the 2003–2011 Japanese vital statistics, and assessed how maternal characteristics influence risk of peridelivery death as well as intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) and death after 1 hour of age until 40 weeks postmenstrual age.

Results

Living in a municipality with low-average income (lowest tertile (risk ratio 1.32, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.44), middle tertile (risk ratio 1.08, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.19)), younger maternal age (age <20 (risk ratio 1.43, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.75), age 20–34 (risk ratio 1.14, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.27)) and having previous live births (risk ratio 1.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.17) increased risk of peridelivery deaths, but did not increase risk of IUFD or deaths after 1 hour of age. Peridelivery death was twice as likely to occur in births to multiparous teenage mothers in a low-income municipality, compared with those of older primiparous mothers in a wealthier municipality.

Conclusions

Socioeconomic factors substantially influence whether births of 22–24 weeks’ GA survive delivery and the first hour of life. Such disparities may reflect the impact of socioeconomic situations on decision making for resuscitation.
Prevalence of amblyopia and its association with refraction in Chinese preschool children aged 36–48 months
Authors: Huang Dan , Chen Xuejuan , Zhu Hui , Ding Hui , Bai Jing , Chen Ji , Fu Zhujun , Pan Chen-Wei , Liu Hu
Published: August 2017

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of amblyopia and its association with refraction in Chinese preschool children.

Methods

The Yuhuatai Pediatric Eye Disease Study, a cross-sectional, population-based study, was conducted in children aged 36–48 months in Yuhuatai District, Nanjing, China, in 2015. Visual acuity was measured in 1695 eligible children.

Results

Of the 1695 subjects, manifested amblyopia was detected in 25 children (1.47%, 95% CI 0.90% to 2.05%), including 11 and 14 with bilateral and unilateral amblyopia, respectively. Amblyopia prevalence did not differ by gender (p=0.77). Significant refractive errors were found in 22 (88.0%) of children with amblyopia, and strabismus was found in 6 (24.0%) children with amblyopia. In multivariate analysis, amblyopia was significantly associated with hyperopia (≥+2.00 dioptres (D); OR 8.81, 95% CI 3.27 to 23.69, p<0.0001), astigmatism (≥2.00 D; OR 17.90, 95% CI 6.78 to 47.21, p<0.0001) and anisometropia (≥2.00 D; OR 5.87, 95% CI 1.52 to 22.77, p<0.05).

Conclusions

The prevalence of amblyopia in children 36–48 months old in Eastern China was 1.47%. The refractive error is a major risk factor for amblyopia.