bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole-Genome Sequence of a Suid Herpesvirus-1 Strain Isolated from the Brain of a Hunting Dog in Italy
Authors: Pizzurro Federica , Mangone Iolanda , Zaccaria Guendalina , De Luca Eliana , Malatesta Daniela , Innocenti Marco , Carmine Irene , Cito Francesca , Marcacci Maurilia , Di Sabatino Daria , Lorusso Alessio
Published: December 2016

Suid herpesvirus-1 (SHV-1), a DNA virus of the family
Herpesviridae
, causes a severe and fatal disease in a wide range of mammals. Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of an SHV-1 isolated in Italy in 2014 from the brain of a hunting dog that suffered from an acute and severe disease.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Barley Pathogen Xanthomonas translucens pv. translucens DSM 18974
T
(ATCC 19319
T
)
Authors: Jaenicke Sebastian , Bunk Boyke , Wibberg Daniel , Spröer Cathrin , Hersemann Lena , Blom Jochen , Winkler Anika , Schatschneider Sarah , Albaum Stefan P. , Kölliker Roland , Goesmann Alexander , Pühler Alfred , Overmann Jörg , Vorhölter Frank-Jörg
Published: December 2016

We report here the complete 4.7-Mb genome sequence of
Xanthomonas translucens
pv. translucens DSM 18974
T
, which causes black chaff disease on barley (
Hordeum vulgare
). Genome data of this
X. translucens
type strain will improve our understanding of this bacterial species.
Whole-Genome Sequencing Applied to the Molecular Epidemiology of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Argentina
Authors: Carbonari Claudia Carolina , Fittipaldi Nahuel , Teatero Sarah , Athey Taryn B. T. , Pianciola Luis , Masana Marcelo , Melano Roberto G. , Rivas Marta , Chinen Isabel
Published: December 2016

Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
strains are worldwide associated with sporadic human infections and outbreaks. In this work, we report the availability of high-quality draft whole-genome sequences for 19 O157:H7 strains isolated in Argentina.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Multiresistant Bovine Isolate of Staphylococcus lentus from Tanzania
Authors: Seni Jeremiah , Mshana Stephen E. , Msigwa Felician , Matee Mecky , Mazigo Humphrey , Parkhill Julian , Holmes Mark A. , Paterson Gavin K.
Published: December 2016

We report here the draft genome sequence of a
Staphylococcus lentus
isolate, 050AP, collected in Tanzania from a swab of healthy bovine perineum. The draft genome sequence contained 2.72 Mbp and 2,750 coding sequences with a G+C content of 31.7%.
Protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae Invasive Pathogenesis by a Protein-Based Vaccine Is Achieved by Suppression of Nasopharyngeal Bacterial Density during Influenza A Virus Coinfection
Authors: Khan M. Nadeem , Xu Qingfu , Pichichero Michael E.
Published: November 2016

An increase in
Streptococcus pneumoniae
nasopharynx (NP) colonization density during a viral coinfection initiates pathogenesis. To mimic natural
S. pneumoniae
pathogenesis, we commensally colonized the NPs of adult C57BL/6 mice with
S. pneumoniae
serotype (ST) 6A or 8 and then coinfected them with mouse-adapted H1N1 influenza A virus (PR/8/34).
S. pneumoniae
established effective commensal colonization, and influenza virus coinfection caused
S. pneumoniae
NP density to increase, resulting in bacteremia and mortality. We then studied histidine triad protein D (PhtD), an
S. pneumoniae
adhesin vaccine candidate, for its ability to prevent invasive
S. pneumoniae
disease in adult and infant mice. In adult mice, the efficacy of PhtD vaccination was compared with that of PCV13. Vaccination with PCV13 led to a greater reduction of
S. pneumoniae
NP density (>2.5 log units) than PhtD vaccination (∼1-log-unit reduction). However, no significant difference was observed with regard to the prevention of
S. pneumoniae
bacteremia, and there was no difference in mortality. Depletion of CD4
+
T cells in PhtD-vaccinated adult mice, but not PCV13-vaccinated mice, caused a loss of vaccine-induced protection. In infant mice, passive transfer of antisera or CD4
+
T cells from PhtD-vaccinated adult mice led to a nonsignificant reduction in NP colonization density, whereas passive transfer of antisera and CD4
+
T cells was needed to cause a significant reduction in NP colonization density. For the first time, these data show an outcome with regard to prevention of invasive
S. pneumoniae
pathogenesis with a protein vaccine similar to that which occurs with a glycoconjugate vaccine despite a less robust reduction in NP bacterial density.
Cloning and transcriptional analysis of two threonine biosynthetic genes from Lactococcus lactis MG1614
Authors: Madsen S M , Albrechtsen B , Hansen E B , Israelsen H
Published: November 2016

Two genes, hom and thrB, involved in threonine biosynthesis in Lactococcus lactis MG1614, were cloned and sequenced. These genes, which encode homoserine dehydrogenase and homoserine kinase, were initially identified by the homology of their gene products with known homoserine dehydrogenases and homoserine kinases from other organisms. The identification was supported by construction of a mutant containing a deletion in hom and thrB that was unable to grow in a defined medium lacking threonine. Transcriptional analysis showed that the two genes were located in a bicistronic operon with the order 5' hom-thrB 3' and that transcription started 66 bp upstream of the translational start codon of the hom gene. A putative -10 promoter region (TATAAT) was located 6 bp upstream of the transcriptional start point, but no putative -35 region was identified. A DNA fragment covering 155 bp upstream of the hom translational start site was functional in pAK80, an L. lactis promoter probe vector. In addition, transcriptional studies showed no threonine-dependent regulation of hom-thrB transcription.
Mutagenesis of hydroxylamine oxidoreductase in Nitrosomonas europaea by transformation and recombination
Authors: Hommes N G , Sayavedra-Soto L A , Arp D J
Published: November 2016

Mutagenesis of Nitrosomonas europaea was achieved by electroporation and recombination. To demonstrate this, an aminoglycoside 3'-phosphotransferase (kan) gene was specifically inserted into each of the three gene copies of hao individually. Southern hybridizations and PCR analysis showed the incorporation of the kan gene at the chosen genetic loci. The isolation of mutant strains was achieved in 7 to 14 days when the strains were grown on solid medium. The induced mutations were stable even in the absence of kanamycin-selective pressure for periods of up to 45 days in culture. The mutant strains did not show an observable phenotype different from that of the wild type when grown under the same conditions.
Growth phase-dependent transcription of the sigma(54)-dependent Po promoter controlling the Pseudomonas-derived (methyl)phenol dmp operon of pVI150
Authors: Sze C C , Moore T , Shingler V
Published: November 2016

Transcription from Pseudomonas-derived -24, -12 Po promoter of the pVI150-encoded dmp operon is mediated by the sigma 54-dependent DmpR activator in response to the presence of aromatic pathway substrates in the medium. However, global regulatory mechanisms are superimposed on this regulatory system so that the specific response to aromatic effectors is absent in cultures until the stationary phase is reached. Here we genetically dissect the system to show that the growth phase response is faithfully mimicked by a minimal system composed of the dmpR regulatory gene and the Po promoter regulatory region and can be reproduced in heterologous Escherichia coli. Using this system, we show that the growth phase-dependent DmpR-mediated response to aromatic compounds is limited to fast-growing cultures. Thus, during exponential growth of cultures in minimal media containing different carbon sources, the response to aromatics is immediate, while the response is suppressed in cultures grown on rich media until the exponential-to-stationary phase transition. Elements known to be involved in the DmpR-mediated transcription from Po were analyzed for the ability to influence the growth phase response. Most dramatically, overexpression of DmpR was shown to completely abolish the growth phase response, suggesting that a negatively acting factor may mediate this level of regulation. The possible mechanism of action and integration (of the specific regulation of the dmp operon-encoded catabolic enzymes with the physiological status of the bacteria are discussed.
Disruption of the serine proteinase gene (sep) in Aspergillus flavus leads to a compensatory increase in the expression of a metalloproteinase gene (mep20)
Authors: Ramesh M V , Kolattukudy P E
Published: November 2016

The serine proteinase gene (sep) in Aspergillus flavus was disrupted by homologous recombination with a hygromycin resistance gene as the marker. The gene-disrupted mutant GR-2 contained a single-copy insertion of the marker gene and did not express the sep gene. Serine proteinase activity, 36-kDa protein labeled by 3H-diisopropylfluorophosphate, and immunologically detectable proteinase were not detected in the culture fluid of GR-2. Despite the absence of the serine proteinase, the total elastinolytic activity levels in the mutant and the wild-type A.flavus were comparable. Immunoblots revealed that the mutant secreted greater amounts of an elastinolytic metalloproteinase gene (mep20) product than did the wild type. Furthermore, mep20 mRNA levels, measured by RNase protection assay, in the mutant were higher than those in the wild type. Inhibition of the serine proteinase by Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor (SSI) in the culture medium of wild-type A.flavus also resulted in an elevation of mep20 gene products. Although no serine proteinase activity could be detected, the level of elastinolytic activity of the SSI-treated culture was comparable to that of the control. Immunoblots revealed that the addition of SSI caused an elevation in the levels of metalloproteinase and its mRNA. These results suggest that the expression of the genes encoding serine and metalloproteinases are controlled by a common regulatory system and the fungus has a mechanism to sense the status of extracellular proteolytic activities.
PstB protein of the phosphate-specific transport system of Escherichia coli is an ATPase
Authors: Chan F Y , Torriani A
Published: November 2016

The PstB protein of the phosphate-specific transport (Pst) system of Escherichia coli bound and hydrolyzed ATP, producing ADP. Urea-treated denatured PstB did not bind ATP. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the immune serum-precipitable PstB protein was determined, and it corresponded to that deduced from the DNA sequence.
High dose rivastigmine in the symptom management of Lewy body dementia
Authors: Nour Joseph Marwan , Chouliaras Leonidas , Hickey Lilian
Published: November 2016

A man presented in late 2004 at the age of 65 with a decline in memory. He was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and started on 3 mg rivastigmine a day, which made a marked clinical improvement. He lived with the illness for 10 years, over which time the dose of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) he took rose to two 9.5 mg rivastigmine patches and 7.5 mg donepezil, significantly above British National Formulary (BNF) limits. He demonstrated clear clinical response to ChEI and showed improvements in alertness and functioning. He did not exhibit life-threatening cardiac side effects and his death in 2014 was not related to the ChEI.
Ethnic differences in the prevalence of knee pain among adults of a community in a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chia Yook Chin , Beh Hooi Chin , Ng Chirk Jenn , Teng Cheong Lieng , Hanafi Nik Sherina , Choo Wan Yuen , Ching Siew Mooi
Published: December 2016

Objective

To determine the prevalence of knee pain among 3 major ethnic groups in Malaysia. By identifying high-risk groups, preventive measures can be targeted at these populations.

Design and setting

A cross-sectional survey was carried out in rural and urban areas in a state in Malaysia. Secondary schools were randomly selected and used as sampling units.

Participants

Adults aged ≥18 years old were invited to answer a self-administered questionnaire on pain experienced over the previous 6 months. Out of 9300 questionnaires distributed, 5206 were returned and 150 participants who did not fall into the 3 ethnic groups were excluded, yielding a total of 5056 questionnaires for analysis. 58.2% (n=2926) were women. 50% (n=2512) were Malays, 41.4% (n=2079) were Chinese and 8.6% (n=434) were Indians.

Results

21.1% (n=1069) had knee pain during the previous 6 months. More Indians (31.8%) experienced knee pain compared with Malays (24.3%) and Chinese (15%) (p<0.001). The odds of Indian women reporting knee pain was twofold higher compared with Malay women. There was a rising trend in the prevalence of knee pain with increasing age (p<0.001). The association between age and knee pain appeared to be stronger in women than men. 68.1% of Indians used analgesia for knee pain while 75.4% of Malays and 52.1% of Chinese did so (p<0.001). The most common analgesic used for knee pain across all groups was topical medicated oil (43.7%).

Conclusions

The prevalence of knee pain in adults was more common in Indian women and older women age groups and Chinese men had the lowest prevalence of knee pain. Further studies should investigate the reasons for these differences.
Defining adolescent common mental disorders using electronic primary care data: a comparison with outcomes measured using the CIS-R
Authors: Cornish Rosie P , John Ann , Boyd Andy , Tilling Kate , Macleod John
Published: December 2016

Objective

To compare the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) derived from data held in primary care records with that measured using the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) in order to assess the potential robustness of findings based only on routinely collected data.

Design and setting

Comparison study using linkage between the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and electronic primary care records.

Participants

We studied 1562 adolescents who had completed the CIS-R in ALSPAC at age 17–18 years and had linkage established to their primary care records.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures from ALSPAC were whether or not an individual met International Classification of Diseases-10 criteria for a diagnosis of (1) a CMD or, specifically, (2) depression. Lists of Read codes corresponding to diagnoses, symptoms and treatments were used to create 12 definitions of CMD and depression alone using the primary care data. We calculated sensitivities and specificities of these, using CIS-R definitions as the reference standard.

Results

Sensitivities ranged from 5.2% to 24.3% for depression and from 3.8% to 19.2% for CMD. The specificities of all definitions were above 98% for depression and above 96% for CMD.

For both outcomes, the definition that included current diagnosis, treatment or symptoms identified the highest proportion of CIS-R cases.

Conclusions

Most individuals meeting case definitions for CMD based on primary care data also met CIS-R case definitions. Conversely many individuals identified as cases using the CIS-R had no evidence of CMD in their clinical records. This suggests that clinical databases are likely to yield underestimates of the burden of CMD in the population. However, clinical records appear to yield valid diagnoses which may be useful for studying risk factors and consequences of CMD. The greatest epidemiological value may be obtained when information is available from survey and clinical records.
Postoperative prophylaxis in Crohn's disease after intestinal resection: a retrospective analysis
Authors: O'Connor Anthony , Hamlin Peter J , Taylor Jennifer , Selinger Christian , Scott Nigel , Ford Alexander C
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Up to 80% of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) may require surgery at some point in their lives, and it is estimated that as many as 40% may require several surgeries. It has been suggested that prophylactic medication decreases the rate of clinical and endoscopic recurrence following intestinal resection. This study aims to describe real-world clinical outcomes observed from a pragmatic, individualised strategy in postoperative CD.

Methods

All patients undergoing intestinal resection for CD between 2009 and 2013 were identified. The endpoint of the study, treatment success, was defined as glucocorticosteroid-free, resection-free survival, at the last point of follow-up, without requiring an escalation or change of therapy during this time. Clinical information was extracted from chart reviews, endoscopy and radiology reports, and from prescribing databases. Patients were followed from the date of surgery, and the last point of follow-up was 31 January 2015.

Results

149 patients were analysed. Median duration of follow-up was 32 months (range 1–69 months). 101 patients received postoperative prophylactic therapy, and 48 did not. In 77 (51.7%) patients, thiopurines were used as first-line therapy, with treatment success occurring in 32 (41.6%) with a median follow-up of 25 months. 11 patients (7.4%) received anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α monotherapy, with treatment success occurring in 5 patients (45.5%) with a median follow-up of 35 months. 13 (8.7%) patients received first-line combination therapy, with 11 (84.6%) patients achieving treatment success with a median follow-up of 21 months.

Conclusions

In our study, combination therapy with anti-TNF-α and immunomodulator therapy was well tolerated, efficacious (efficacy appeared durable for patients with postoperative CD) and superior to monotherapy with either thiopurines or anti-TNF-α drugs. Several limitations notwithstanding, our data suggest that there may be merit in the use of combination therapy in carefully selected postoperative patients whose care has been individualised via a multidisciplinary team meeting format. Prospective, controlled studies are therefore required to further assess the efficacy and safety of combination therapy for postoperative prophylaxis in CD.
Effects of the etonogestrel contraceptive implant (Implanon®) on bone metabolism during lactation: a prospective study
Authors: Iltemir Duvan Candan , Onaran Yuksel , Aktepe Keskin Esra , Yüce Ebru , Yanık Burcu , Kafali Hasan , Ozturk Turhan Nilgun
Published: December 2016

Aim

To evaluate the effects of the etonogestrel contraceptive implant (Implanon®) on bone metabolism in lactating women using markers for bone formation and resorption.

Study design

This single-centre, prospective cohort study was conducted in Turgut Ozal University Medical Faculty Obstetrics and Gynecology Department with healthy lactating women aged between 24 and 38 years to compare the effect on bone metabolism of 6 months’ use of either the implant or a non-hormonal contraceptive method. The study group (n=25) used an implant and the control group (n=25) used a non-hormonal contraceptive intrauterine device inserted 40 days’ postpartum. Bone metabolism differences at the time of insertion and after 6 months were assessed quantitatively by biochemical analysis of serum and urine samples.

Results

At baseline, serum levels of bone metabolism parameters were similar for the two groups. In the implant group, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels decreased (p=0.004) and total protein levels increased (p=0.045) at 6 months. In the control group, serum levels of bone metabolism parameters did not change at 6 months compared to baseline. However, serum levels of phosphorus (p=0.013) and ALP (p=0.003) decreased at 6 months compared to baseline.

Conclusion

Six months’ postpartum use of Implanon was found to have no deleterious impact on bone turnover in healthy lactating women.
Particle dynamics around time conformal regular black holes via Noether symmetries
Authors: Jawad Abdul , Umair Shahzad M.
Published: December 2016

The time conformal regular black hole (RBH) solutions which are admitting the time conformal factor [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is an arbitrary function of time and [Formula: see text] is the perturbation parameter are being considered. The approximate Noether symmetries technique is being used for finding the function [Formula: see text] which leads to [Formula: see text]. The dynamics of particles around RBHs are also being discussed through symmetry generators which provide approximate energy as well as angular momentum of the particles. In addition, we analyze the motion of neutral and charged particles around two well known RBHs such as charged RBH using Fermi–Dirac distribution and Kehagias–Sftesos asymptotically flat RBH. We obtain the innermost stable circular orbit and corresponding approximate energy and angular momentum. The behavior of effective potential, effective force and escape velocity of the particles in the presence/absence of magnetic field for different values of angular momentum near horizons are also being analyzed. The stable and unstable regions of particle near horizons due to the effect of angular momentum and magnetic field are also explained.
CANTOR-TYPE SETS IN HYPERBOLIC NUMBERS
Authors: BALANKIN A. S. , BORY-REYES J. , LUNA-ELIZARRARÁS M. E. , SHAPIRO M.
Published: December 2016

The construction of the ternary Cantor set is generalized into the context of hyperbolic numbers. The partial order structure of hyperbolic numbers is revealed and the notion of hyperbolic interval is defined. This allows us to define a general framework of the fractal geometry on the hyperbolic plane. Three types of the hyperbolic analogues of the real Cantor set are identified. The complementary nature of the real Cantor dust and the real Sierpinski carpet on the hyperbolic plane are outlined. The relevance of these findings in the context of modern physics are briefly discussed.
PRICING OPTIONS ON FORWARDS IN ENERGY MARKETS: THE ROLE OF MEAN REVERSION'S SPEED
Authors: SCHMECK MAREN DIANE
Published: November 2016

Consider the problem of pricing options on forwards in energy markets, when spot prices follow a geometric multi-factor model in which several rates of mean reversion appear. In this paper, we investigate the role played by slow mean reversion when pricing and hedging options on forwards. In particular, we determine both upper and lower bounds for the error one makes neglecting low rates of mean reversion in the spot price dynamics in a jump diffusion setting. When including stochastic volatility as well as time dependent mean reversion into the model, we quantify a bound for the maximum error one makes.
Wavelet transforms associated with the Kontorovich–Lebedev transform
Authors: Prasad Akhilesh , Mandal U. K.
Published: November 2016

The main objective of this paper is to study continuous wavelet transform (CWT) using the convolution theory of Kontorovich–Lebedev transform (KL-transform) and discuss some of its basic properties. Plancherel’s as well as Parseval’s relation and Reconstruction formula for CWT are obtained and some examples are also given. The discrete version of the wavelet transform associated with KL-transform is also given and reconstruction formula is derived.
Multiple Context of Innovation: Insights from Literature
Authors: D’Auria Anna , Tregua Marco , Spena Tiziana Russo , Bifulco Francesco
Published: December 2016

The aim of this paper is to investigate the most relevant conceptualizations of innovation taken into account by scholars, and the linkages among them. Over time, the increasing interest in this area has involved a great variety of actors and contexts in establishing the definition of different innovation labels; we chose to focus the analysis on “system innovation”, “network innovation” and “ecosystem innovation”. In order to observe the most relevant elements of each research stream and common aspects, a two-step analysis of literature contributions has been performed through a bibliometric analysis comparing the evidence emerging from one survey of keywords provided by authors and a second of keywords provided by editors. Through this kind of investigation the editors’ keywords emerged as more objective, but nevertheless, by considering some of the different evidences obtained from the keywords provided by authors, the two-step analysis is useful to provide more complete results.
Tomás Torres’ research in a nutshell
Authors: Bottari Giovanni , de la Escosura Andrés , González-Rodríguez David , de la Torre Gema
Published: December 2016

This review, dedicated to Professor Tomás Torres on the occasion of his 65th birthday, offers an overview of the main achievements in his research career. Having a strong background in organic chemistry, he and his group have constantly devoted much effort to the development of synthetic methods towards novel systems based on phthalocyanines and other porphyrinoid analogues. Not less important, the founding of solid collaborations with other prominent scientists has led to study the physicochemical properties of these [Formula: see text]-conjugated dyes, and to evaluate their potential application in multidisciplinary areas such as self-assembly, nanochemistry, optoelectronics and biomedicine.
Projections of the sphere graph to the arc graph of a surface
Authors: Bowditch Brian H. , Iezzi Francesca
Published: December 2016

Let [Formula: see text] be a compact surface, and [Formula: see text] be the double of a handlebody. Given a homotopy class of maps from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] inducing an isomorphism of fundamental groups, we describe a canonical uniformly Lipschitz retraction of the sphere graph of [Formula: see text] to the arc graph of [Formula: see text]. We also show that this retraction is a uniformly bounded distance from the nearest point projection map.
Set-valued contraction mappings of Prešić–Reich type in ultrametric spaces
Authors: Ramesh Kumar D. , Pitchaimani M.
Published: November 2016

In this paper, we introduce the concept of set-valued Prešić–Reich type contractive condition in ultrametric spaces and establish the existence and uniqueness of coincidence and common fixed point of a set-valued and a single-valued mapping besides furnishing illustrative examples to highlight the realized improvements in the context of ultrametric spaces. Our results generalize and extend some known results in the literature.
Photoluminescence and energy transfer of YAG: Ce3+, Gd3+, Bi3+
Authors: Que Meidan , Que Wenxiu , Zhou Ting , Shao Jinyou , Kong Lingbing
Published: November 2016

In this study, Gd[Formula: see text] and Bi[Formula: see text] ions act to redshift the emission band to orange region, and to enhance significantly the maximum emission of YAG: Ce[Formula: see text]. On account that size mismatch between the host and the doped Gd[Formula: see text] ion, the crystal structure turns soft, and the emission spectra are not tuned from 540 to 570[Formula: see text]nm but decreased the emission intensity. Accordingly, an effective way to increase emission intensity is to introduce Bi[Formula: see text] ion into the YAG: Ce[Formula: see text], Gd[Formula: see text] phosphors. Experimental results show partial overlapping between the emission band of Bi[Formula: see text] ion and the excitation band of Ce[Formula: see text] ion, indicating that the energy transfer from Bi[Formula: see text] to Ce[Formula: see text] ions exists in the (Y[Formula: see text]Ce[Formula: see text]Gd)Al5O[Formula: see text]: Bi[Formula: see text] phosphor. Bi[Formula: see text] ion can serve as the activator to provide energy for Ce[Formula: see text] ion via cross relaxation phenomenon. Therefore, the (Y[Formula: see text]Ce[Formula: see text]Gd)Al5O[Formula: see text]: Bi[Formula: see text] phosphor could have potential applications in warm white LEDs.
Constitutive relationship of irradiated metallic materials by Eshelby formalism and micro-mechanical scheme
Authors: Yu Long , Chen Lirong , Xiao Xiazi , Chen Qianying , Duan Huiling
Published: December 2016

In this paper, a theoretical framework including the micro-mechanical method and crystal plasticity model is developed to characterize the macroscopic mechanical behaviors of irradiated metallic materials. At the microscale, a rate-dependent crystal plasticity model is applied to capture the effects of irradiation-induced defects and helium (He) bubbles for individual grains. Then, the micro-mechanical method is adopted to establish the relationship between microscopic individual grains and macroscopic polycrystals. The developed theoretical framework is applied to simulate the mechanical behaviors of neutron irradiated polycrystalline Cu and He implanted Cu/Nb nano-metallic-multilayers (NMMs), and the numerical results match well with corresponding experimental data.
Predicting Occupation from Images by Combining Face and Body Context Information
Authors: Chu Wei-Ta , Chiu Chih-Hao
Published: December 2016

Facial images embed age, gender, and other rich information that is implicitly related to occupation. In this work, we advocate that occupation prediction from a single facial image is a doable computer vision problem. We extract multilevel hand-crafted features associated with locality-constrained linear coding and convolutional neural network features as image occupation descriptors. To avoid the curse of dimensionality and overfitting, a boost strategy called multichannel SVM is used to integrate features from face and body. Intra- and interclass visual variations are jointly considered in the boosting framework to further improve performance. In the evaluation, we verify the effectiveness of predicting occupation from face and demonstrate promising performance obtained by combining face and body information. More importantly, our work further integrates deep features into the multichannel SVM framework and shows significantly better performance over the state of the art.
Digital 3D reconstructions using histological serial sections of lung tissue including the alveolar capillary network
Authors: Grothausmann Roman , Knudsen Lars , Ochs Matthias , Mühlfeld Christian
Published: December 2016

Grothausmann R, Knudsen L, Ochs M, Mühlfeld C. Digital 3D reconstructions using histological serial sections of lung tissue including the alveolar capillary network. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 312: L243–L257, 2017. First published December 2, 2016; doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00326.2016 .—The alveolar capillary network (ACN) provides an enormously large surface area that is necessary for pulmonary gas exchange. Changes of the ACN during normal or pathological development or in pulmonary diseases are of great functional impact and warrant further analysis. Due to the complexity of the three-dimensional (3D) architecture of the ACN, 2D approaches are limited in providing a comprehensive impression of the characteristics of the normal ACN or the nature of its alterations. Stereological methods offer a quantitative way to assess the ACN in 3D in terms of capillary volume, surface area, or number but lack a 3D visualization to interpret the data. Hence, the necessity to visualize the ACN in 3D and to correlate this with data from the same set of data arises. Such an approach requires a large sample volume combined with a high resolution. Here, we present a technically simple and cost-efficient approach to create 3D representations of lung tissue ranging from bronchioles over alveolar ducts and alveoli up to the ACN from more than 1 mm sample extent to a resolution of less than 1 μm. The method is based on automated image acquisition of serially sectioned epoxy resin-embedded lung tissue fixed by vascular perfusion and subsequent automated digital reconstruction and analysis of the 3D data. This efficient method may help to better understand mechanisms of vascular development and pathology of the lung.
Unique cytokine and chemokine responses to exertional heat stroke in mice
Authors: King Michelle A. , Leon Lisa R. , Morse Deborah A. , Clanton Thomas L.
Published: December 2016

In heat stroke, cytokines are believed to play important roles in multiorgan dysfunction and recovery of damaged tissue. The time course of the cytokine response is well defined in passive heat stroke (PHS), but little is known about exertional heat stroke (EHS). In this study we used a recently developed mouse EHS model to measure the responses of circulating cytokines/chemokines and cytokine gene expression in muscle. A very rapid increase in circulating IL-6 was observed at maximum core temperature (Tc,max) that peaked at 0.5 h of recovery and disappeared by 3 h. IL-10 was not elevated at any time. This contrasts with PHS where both IL-6 and IL-10 peak at 3 h of recovery. Keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC), granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, MIP-1β, and monocyte chemoattractive factor-1 also demonstrated near peak responses at 0.5 h. Only G-CSF and KC remained elevated at 3 h. Muscle mRNA for innate immune cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, but not TNF-α) were greatly increased in diaphragm and soleus compared with similar measurements in PHS. We hypothesized that these altered cytokine responses in EHS may be due to a lower Tc,maxachieved in EHS or a lower overall heat load. However, when these variables were controlled for, they could not account for the differences between EHS and PHS. We conclude that moderate exercise, superimposed on heat exposure, alters the pattern of circulating cytokine and chemokine production and muscle cytokine expression in EHS. This response may comprise an endocrine reflex to exercise in heat that initiates survival pathways and early onset tissue repair mechanisms.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Immune modulators called cytokines are released following extreme hyperthermia leading to heat stroke. It is not known whether exercise in hyperthermia, leading to EHS, influences this response. Using a mouse model of EHS, we discovered a rapid accumulation of interleukin-6 and other cytokines involved in immune cell trafficking. This response may comprise a protective mechanism for early induction of cell survival and tissue repair pathways needed for recovery from thermal injury.
Left ventricle transcriptomic analysis reveals connective tissue accumulation associates with initial age-dependent decline in V̇o2peak from its lifetime apex
Authors: Ruegsegger Gregory N. , Toedebusch Ryan G. , Braselton Joshua F. , Childs Thomas E. , Booth Frank W.
Published: December 2016

Peak oxygen consumption (V̇o2peak) strongly predicts morbidity and mortality better than other established risk factors, yet mechanisms associated with its age-associated decline are unknown. Our laboratory has shown that V̇o2peak first begins to decrease at the same age of 19–20 wk in both sedentary and wheel-running, female Wistar rats (Toedebusch et al., Physiol Genomics. 48: 101–115, 2016). Here, we employed a total systemic approach using unsupervised interrogation of mRNA with RNA sequencing. The purpose of our study was to analyze transcriptomic profiles from both sedentary (SED) and wheel-running (RUN) conditions as a strategy to identify pathways in the left ventricle that may contribute to the initial reductions in V̇o2peak occurring between 19 and 27 wk of age. Transcriptomic comparisons were made within both SED and RUN rats between 19 and 27 wk ( n = 5–8). Analysis of mRNAs shared in SED and RUN between 19 and 27 wk found 17 upregulated (e.g., Adra1d, Rpl17, Xpo7) and 8 downregulated (e.g., Cdo1, Ctfg, Sfrp1) mRNAs, at 19 wk, respectively. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis of mRNAs common to SED and RUN produced networks suggestive of increased connective tissue development at 27 vs. 19 wk. Additionally, Ctfg mRNA was negatively associated with V̇o2peak in both SED and RUN ( P < 0.05). In summary, transcriptomic analysis revealed mRNAs and networks associated with increased connective tissue development, decreased α-adrenergic activity, and decreased protein translation in the left ventricle that could, in part, potentially influence the initiation of the lifelong reduction in V̇o2peak, independent of physical activity levels.
Mortality Related Risk Factors in High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism in the ICU
Authors: Ergan Begüm , Ergün Recai , Çalışkan Taner , Aydın Kutlay , Tokur Murat Emre , Savran Yusuf , Koca Uğur , Cömert Bilgin , Gökmen Necati
Published: November 2016

Introduction. We sought to identify possible risk factors associated with mortality in patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) after intensive care unit (ICU) admission.Patients and Methods. PE patients, diagnosed with computer tomography pulmonary angiography, were included from two ICUs and were categorized into groups: group 1 high-risk patients and group 2 intermediate/low-risk patients.Results. Fifty-six patients were included. Of them, 41 (73.2%) were group 1 and 15 (26.7%) were group 2. When compared to group 2, need for vasopressor therapy (0 vs 68.3%;p<0.001) and need for invasive mechanical ventilation (6.7 vs 36.6%;p=0.043) were more frequent in group 1. The treatment of choice for group 1 was thrombolytic therapy in 29 (70.7%) and anticoagulation in 12 (29.3%) patients. ICU mortality for group 1 was 31.7% (n=13). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, APACHE II score >18 (OR 42.47 95% CI 1.50–1201.1), invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 30.10 95% CI 1.96–463.31), and thrombolytic therapy (OR 0.03 95% CI 0.01–0.98) were found as independent predictors of mortality.Conclusion. In high-risk PE, admission APACHE II score and need for invasive mechanical ventilation may predict death in ICU. Thrombolytic therapy seems to be beneficial in these patients.
Research on Geometric Mappings in Complex Systems Analysis
Authors: Cui Yanyan , Wang Chaojun , Zhu Sifeng
Published: November 2016

We mainly discuss the properties of a new subclass of starlike functions, namely, almost starlike functions of complex order λ, in one and several complex variables. We get the growth and distortion results for almost starlike functions of complex order λ. By the properties of functions with positive real parts and considering the zero of order k, we obtain the coefficient estimates for almost starlike functions of complex order λ on D. We also discuss the invariance of almost starlike mappings of complex order λ on Reinhardt domains and on the unit ball B in complex Banach spaces. The conclusions contain and generalize some known results.
Carrier-Based PWM Method to Reduce Common-Mode Voltage of Three-to-Five-Phase Indirect Matrix Converter
Authors: Wang Rutian , Mu Xingjun , Wu Zhiqiang , Zhu Lihui , Chen Qiufeng , Wang Xue
Published: November 2016

In order to reduce the common-mode voltage (CMV) for three-to-five-phase indirect matrix converter (IMC), the CMV with the conventional modulation strategy is analyzed. A novel carrier-based PWM (CBPWM) method is proposed in this paper. The zero vectors in the inverter stage are assigned to the rectifier stage, equivalently, which are not considered in the inverter stage. The zero vectors are selected appropriately to ensure that the dc-link is connected to an input phase with the minimum absolute value, so that the larger CMV can be avoided. Then, the modulation signals are derived by the duty ratios, which are used to compare with the only one carrier signal and generate the gate pulses of switches. With the proposed method, the CMV is reduced effectively compared with the conventional modulation strategy. This method is analyzed and researched with a simulation model established by Matlab/Simulink. Simulation results are provided in detail to verify the feasibility and validity of the proposed method.
A Bufferable Tuned-Mass Damper of an Offshore Platform against Stroke and Response Delay Problems under Earthquake Loads
Authors: Wu Qiong , Zhao Xilu , He Shuai , Tang Wenxian , Zheng Rencheng
Published: November 2016

A tuned-mass damper (TMD) is applied to ensure the safety and stability of an offshore platform in practice; however, damper stroke and response delay problems always result in intractable performances of vibration control while exposed to large earthquake loads. Therefore, this paper proposes a bufferable TMD, a passive TMD with buffers on both sides, to improve the performance of offshore platforms subjected to large seismic waves. A comprehensive simulation and experimental study was executed to investigate the dynamic performances of the bufferable TMD, by application of a 1 : 200-scale offshore platform prototype. It is verified that the bufferable TMD can be effective in absorbing the stroke energy, while the damper exceeds limitations of motion. Meanwhile, the bufferable TMD can maintain high-response characteristics. In conclusion, the experimental results indicate that the displacement, acceleration, and frequency performances of an offshore platform can be significantly decreased, and the evaluation indices show that the method is effective in reducing overall vibration levels and maximum peak values, with the application of the bufferable damper system.
Verbal Fluency Tasks: Effects of Age, Gender, and Education
Authors: Santos Nogueira Dalia , Azevedo Reis Elizabeth , Vieira Ana
Published: December 2016

Objectives: This study presents data for semantic fluency, phonemic fluency, action fluency, and alternate fluency. The aim is to provide normative data by age, gender, and education for European Portuguese in each fluency category. Methods: Norms for the verbal fluency task were collected from a volunteer population of 444 healthy Portuguese participants. Multiple regression analysis with age, gender, and education as independent variables was performed for the semantic fluency global score, and these variables were considered separately for each phonemic category. Results: Age, education, and gender significantly affected the semantic global score, as well as scores of names, supermarket, kitchen objects, food, and clothes. No gender effect was observed in the categories “p-words,” animals, transports, verbs, and alternating fluency. This last category was only influenced by years of education. Conclusions: Equivalent scores of verbal fluency tasks are useful in clinical practice, allowing the comparison between the normal and the abnormal performance of language disorders.
Intraventricular Tuberculoma in a Child: A Rare Location
Authors: Sachdeva Deepashu , Bishnoi Ishu , Jagetia Anita , Rathore Lavlesh , Agarwal Atul , Batra Vineeta , Kaur Amandeep
Published: December 2016

Intracranial tuberculoma is an uncommon presentation of tuberculosis, and its occurrence in an intraventricular location is very rare. It is usually confused with glioma, parasitic cyst, and craniopharyngioma. Few case reports exist in the literature on this entity. We report a case of tuberculoma at the foramen of Monro in a 7-year-old child and review the literature in terms of diagnostic dilemma.
HSV-1/HSV-2 Infection-Related Cancers in Bantu Populations Driving HIV-1 Prevalence in Africa: Tracking the Origin of AIDS at the Onset of the 20th Century
Authors: Le Goaster Jacqueline , Bouree Patrice , El Sissy Franck N. , Phuong Bui Florence , Pokossy Epee Johanna , Rollin Paul , Tangy Frédéric , Haenni Anne-Lise
Published: November 2016

Introduction: At the onset of the 20th century, ancient clinical observations of cancer epidemics in Bantu populations of Sub-Saharan Africa were discovered. They were reported from 1914 to 1960, but remained unexplained. In 1983, in San Francisco, Calif., USA, cancer epidemics were related to infections by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) known as AIDS disease. Yet since 1996, it is known that HIV-1 strains are not the only ones involved. In Sub-Saharan Africa, recurrent orobuccal herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and genital recurrent herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) appeared many times prior to infection by HIV-1. Case Reports: Data on these ancient medical observations regarding African cancer epidemics can today be referred to as the relationship between the unfortunate immune deficiency of herpes in Bantu populations and HIV-1 viral strains. For centuries, the Bantu populations dispersed in forests were living in close proximity to chimpanzees infected by simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and were exposed to SIV contamination which became HIV-1 in human beings. Presently, these unexplained Bantu cancer epidemics can be linked to the viral partnership of HSV-1/HSV-2 to HIV-1 strains. Conclusion: The key issue is now to prevent HSV-1/HSV-2 diseases related to HIV-1. An anti-herpes treatment administered early during childhood to Bantu populations will offer a mean of preventing herpes diseases related to HIV-1 infection and hence avoid cancer epidemics.
Eye Salvage with Combination of Intravitreal and Intracameral Melphalan Injection for Recurrent Retinoblastoma with Anterior Chamber Involvement: Report of a Case
Authors: Cassoux Nathalie , Aerts Isabelle , Lumbroso-Le Rouic Livia , Freneaux Paul , Desjardins Laurence
Published: December 2016

Aims: Herein we report successful eye salvage following combined intravitreal and intracameral administration of melphalan for anterior chamber recurrence of retinoblastoma. Methods: A 12-month-old boy was referred with a sporadic bilateral retinoblastoma staged as group D and V in the right eye and group E and V in the left eye. Treatment initially involved 6 cycles of 3 drugs followed by focal treatments. The left eye was enucleated. Three months after the end of systemic chemotherapy, multiple recurrent lesions were noted in the ciliary body and the anterior chamber. A series of intravitreal (IVT) and intracameral (IC) injections of melphalan combined with a 7th cycle of systemic chemotherapy was performed. The therapeutic schedule alternated: week A an IVT of melphalan (30 μg/0.1 mL) for a total of 4 versus week B IC injections of melphalan (15 μg/0.05 mL) 4 IC in total. Each injection was preceded by an anterior chamber. Cryotherapy to the injection punctures was systematically performed. Results: Rapidly, iris and ciliary body nodules regressed completely based on clinical and ultrasound biomicroscopic examinations. After 3 years of follow-up, the patient has shown no evidence of recurrence. Conclusion: In our patient, combined IVT and IC administration of melphalan proved highly efficacious in eradicating the ciliary body and anterior chamber disease and salvage of his one remaining functional eye.
The Role of Nephrologist in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Endre Zoltán H.
Published: December 2016

Participation by nephrologists is needed in most intensive care units, even when such units are ‘closed'. This participation should assist with diagnosis and management of intrinsic and complex renal diseases such as vasculitis, complex metabolic and electrolyte disorders including hyponatremia, and acute kidney injury (AKI) with and without underlying chronic kidney disease (CKD). Early nephrologist involvement will also facilitate transition to continuing care and follow-up after an episode of AKI, but may also assist in avoiding dialysis where treatment is futile. Management of AKI by intensivists should be in partnership with nephrologists to oversight and hopefully to minimize progression to CKD.
Role of MicroRNA in the Lung's Innate Immune Response
Authors: Cohen Taylor S.
Published: December 2016

The immune response to respiratory pathogens must be robust enough to defend the host yet properly constrained such that inflammation-induced tissue damage is avoided. MicroRNA (miRNA) are small noncoding RNA which posttranscriptionally influence gene expression. In this review, we discuss recent experimental evidence of the contribution of miRNA to the lung's response to bacterial and viral pathogens.