bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of IDH1 p.R132H Mutant Clones Using Mutation-specific Antibody in Myeloid Neoplasms
Authors: Kurt Habibe , Bueso-Ramos Carlos E. , Khoury Joseph D. , Routbort Mark J. , Kanagal-Shamanna Rashmi , Patel Umang V. , Jorgensen Jeffrey L. , Wang Sa A. , Ravandi Farhad , DiNardo Courtney , Luthra Rajyalakshmi , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Patel Keyur P.
Published: October 2017

Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and IDH2 mutations occur in a variety of myeloid neoplasms. Immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based direct visualization of mutant clones of hematopoietic cells can be useful for rapid diagnostic screening and for monitoring treatment response. In this study, we first evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the IDH1 p.R132H mutation-specific antibody by IHC. All IDH1 wild type cases (n=11) and IDH1 mutant cases with a non-p.R132H mutation (n=30) were negative by IHC, demonstrating 100% antibody specificity. All the initial diagnostic specimens with IDH1 p.R132H mutation including acute myeloid leukemia (n=30), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) (n=10), MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) (n=4), and MPN (n=5) were positive by IHC, demonstrating 100% antibody sensitivity. Both immature and mature myeloid cells showed immunoreactivity. Erythroid precursors, lymphoid cells, endothelial cells, and osteoblasts were consistently negative by IHC. We then evaluated the follow-up specimens with a known IDH1 mutation status including acute myeloid leukemia (n=23), MDS (n=2), MDS/MPN (n=2), and MPN (n=2). Thirty-three IDH1 p.R132H mutant cases were positive by IHC and 12 IDH1 mutation negative cases were negative by IHC. However, IHC reactivity in up to 25% of bone marrow cells was noted in 8 of 20 polymerase chain reaction-negative cases, all from patients with a known history of IDH1 p.R132H mutation indicating sampling error or a sensitivity issue with molecular tests. These data indicate that IHC is a highly specific and sensitive tool to detect IDH1 p.R132H mutation in bone marrow involved by myeloid neoplasms. In addition, IDH1 p.R132H IHC also allows localization and assessment of the maturation stage of the clones carrying the mutation.
Delirium in the Pediatric Cardiac Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patient Population: A Case Series
Authors: Patel Anita K. , Biagas Katherine V. , Clark Eunice C. , Traube Chani
Published: October 2017

Objective:

To determine the prevalence of delirium in children who require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Design:

Prospective observational longitudinal cohort study.

Setting:

Urban academic cardiothoracic ICU.

Patients:

All consecutive admissions to the cardiothoracic ICU who required venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support.

Interventions:

Daily delirium screening with the Cornell Assessment for Pediatric Delirium.

Measurements and Main Results:

Eight children required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during the study period, with a median extracorporeal membrane oxygenation duration of 202 hours (interquartile range, 99–302). All eight children developed delirium during their cardiothoracic ICU stay. Seventy-two days on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were included in the analysis. A majority of patient days on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were spent in coma (65%). Delirium was diagnosed during 21% of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation days. Only 13% of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation days were categorized as delirium free and coma free. Delirium screening was successfully completed on 70/72 days on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (97%).

Conclusions:

In this cohort, delirium occurred in all children who required venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. It is likely that this patient population has an extremely high risk for delirium and will benefit from routine screening in order to detect and treat delirium sooner. This has potential to improve both short- and long-term outcomes.
Early steps toward understanding neuronal communication
Authors: Snyder Adam C. , Smith Matthew A.
Published: October 2017

Purpose of review

The computational power of the brain arises from the complex interactions between neurons. One straightforward method to quantify the strength of neuronal interactions is by measuring correlation and coherence. Efforts to measure correlation have been advancing rapidly of late, spurred by the development of advanced recording technologies enabling recording from many neurons and brain areas simultaneously. This review highlights recent results that provide clues into the principles of neural coordination, connections to cognitive and neurological phenomena, and key directions for future research.

Recent findings

The correlation structure of neural activity in the brain has important consequences for the encoding properties of neural populations. Recent studies have shown that this correlation structure is not fixed, but adapts in a variety of contexts in ways that appear beneficial to task performance. By studying these changes in biological neural networks and computational models, researchers have improved our understanding of the principles guiding neural communication.

Correlation and coherence are highly informative metrics for studying coding and communication in the brain. Recent findings have emphasized how the brain modifies correlation structure dynamically in order to improve information-processing in a goal-directed fashion. One key direction for future research concerns how to leverage these dynamic changes for therapeutic purposes.
Mitochondrial determinants of mammalian longevity
Authors: Kitazoe Yasuhiro , Hasegawa Masami , Tanaka Masashi , Futami Midori , Futami Junichiro
Published: October 2017

Current ageing theories are far from satisfactory because of the many determinants involved in ageing. The well-known rate-of-living theory assumes that the product (lifetime energy expenditure, LEE) of maximum lifespan (MLS) and mass-specific basal metabolic rate (msBMR) is approximately constant. Although this theory provides a significant inverse correlation between msBMR and MLS as a whole for mammals, it remains problematic for two reasons. First, several interspecies studies within respective orders (typically within rodents) have shown no inverse relationships between msBMR and MLS. Second, LEE values widely vary in mammals and birds. Here, to solve these two problems, we introduced a new quantity designated as mitochondrial (mt) lifetime energy output, mtLEO = MLS × mtMR, in place of LEE, by using the mt metabolic rate (mtMR) per mitochondrion. Thereby, we found that mtLEO values were distributed more narrowly than LEE ones, and strongly correlated with the four amino-acid variables (AAVs) of Ser, Thr and Cys contents and hydrophobicity of mtDNA-encoded membrane proteins (these variables were related to the stability of these proteins). Consequently, only these two mt items, mtMR and the AAVs, solved the above-mentioned problems in the rate-of-living theory, and thus extensively improved the correlation with MLS compared with that given by LEE.
Fe(OTf)
3
-catalysed Friedel–Crafts reaction of benzenoid arenes with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds: easy access to 1,1-diarylalkanes
Authors: Bhattacharya Aditya , Shukla Pushpendra Mani , Maji Biswajit
Published: October 2017

A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of 1,1-diarylalkanes via the Friedel–Crafts-type alkylation reaction of electron-rich arenes with cinnamic acid ester derivatives or chalcones is reported. Iron triflate has been found to be the best catalyst for the Friedel–Crafts-type alkylation reaction with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. This reaction afforded β,β-diaryl carbonyl compounds in good yields (65–93%) and with excellent regioselectivities. Remarkably, this method is also compatible with a variety of indoles to provide 3-indolyl-aryl carbonyl compounds in excellent yields. Great efforts have been made to deduce a plausible reaction mechanism based on isotopic labelling experiments.
Aligning evidence: concerns regarding multiple sequence alignments in estimating the phylogeny of the Nudibranchia suborder Doridina
Authors: Hallas Joshua M. , Chichvarkhin Anton , Gosliner Terrence M.
Published: October 2017

Molecular estimates of phylogenetic relationships rely heavily on multiple sequence alignment construction. There has been little consensus, however, on how to properly address issues pertaining to the alignment of variable regions. Here, we construct alignments from four commonly sequenced molecular markers (16S, 18S, 28S and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) for the Nudibranchia using three different methodologies: (i) strict mathematical algorithm; (ii) exclusion of variable or divergent regions and (iii) manually curated, and examine how different alignment construction methods can affect phylogenetic signal and phylogenetic estimates for the suborder Doridina. Phylogenetic informativeness (PI) profiles suggest that the molecular markers tested lack the power to resolve relationships at the base of the Doridina, while being more robust at family-level classifications. This supports the lack of consistent resolution between the 19 families within the Doridina across all three alignments. Most of the 19 families were recovered as monophyletic, and instances of non-monophyletic families were consistently recovered between analyses. We conclude that the alignment of variable regions has some effect on phylogenetic estimates of the Doridina, but these effects can vary depending on the size and scope of the phylogenetic query and PI of molecular markers.
Imperial trophy or island relict? A new extinction paradigm for Père David's deer: a Chinese conservation icon
Authors: Turvey Samuel T. , Barnes Ian , Marr Melissa , Brace Selina
Published: October 2017

Determining the ‘dynamic biogeography’ of range collapse in threatened species is essential for effective conservation, but reconstruction of spatio-temporal patterns of population vulnerability and resilience can require use of non-standard ecological data such as historical archives. Père David's deer or milu, one of the few living mammal species that has become extinct in the wild, is historically known only from a small captive herd of unknown provenance that survived until 1900 in the Imperial Hunting Park near Beijing, from which all living individuals are descended. Using ancient DNA analysis, we demonstrate that two fawns collected in 1868 from Hainan Island, off the southern Chinese mainland, represent the only known wild milu specimens and were sampled from probably the last wild population. The Hainan milu population shows extremely low genetic differentiation from descendants of the Beijing herd, suggesting that this now-extinct population may have been the source of the captive herd. This revised extinction model refutes the supposed long-term survival of a captive milu herd for centuries or millennia after final extinction of wild populations, highlighting the vulnerability of remnant mammal populations in the absence of proactive management and the importance of historical museum collections for providing unique new insights on evolution, biogeography and conservation. Milu experienced a pattern of final population persistence on an island at the periphery of their former range, consistent with the ‘range eclipse’ or ‘contagion’ model of range collapse, and matching the spatial extinction dynamics of other extinct mammals such as the thylacine and woolly mammoth.
Critical ignition conditions in exothermically reacting systems: first-order reactions
Authors: Filimonov Valeriy Yu.
Published: October 2017

In this paper, the comparative analysis of the thermal explosion (TE) critical conditions on the planes temperature–conversion degree and temperature–time was conducted. It was established that the ignition criteria are almost identical only at relatively small values of Todes parameter. Otherwise, the results of critical conditions analysis on the plane temperature–conversion degree may be wrong. The asymptotic method of critical conditions calculation for the first-order reactions was proposed (taking into account the reactant consumption). The degeneration conditions of TE were determined. The calculation of critical conditions for specific first-order reaction was made. The comparison of the analytical results obtained with the results of numerical calculations and experimental data showed that they are in good agreement.
Comparing the constructions of Goldberg, Fuller, Caspar, Klug and Coxeter, and a general approach to local symmetry-preserving operations
Authors: Brinkmann Gunnar , Goetschalckx Pieter , Schein Stan
Published: October 2017

The use of operations on polyhedra possibly dates back to the ancient Greeks, who were the first to describe the Archimedean solids, which can be constructed from the Platonic solids by local symmetry-preserving operations (e.g. truncation) on the solid. By contrast, the results of decorations of polyhedra, e.g. by Islamic artists and by Escher, have been interpreted as decorated polyhedra—and not as new and different polyhedra. Only by interpreting decorations as combinatorial operations does it become clear how closely these two approaches are connected. In this article, we first sketch and compare the operations of Goldberg, Fuller, Caspar & Klug and Coxeter to construct polyhedra with icosahedral symmetry, where all faces are pentagons or hexagons and all vertices have three neighbours. We point out and correct an error in Goldberg’s construction. In addition, we transform the term
symmetry-preserving
into an exact requirement. This goal, symmetry-preserving, could also be obtained by taking global properties into account, e.g. the symmetry group itself, so we make precise the terms
local
and
operation
. As a result, we can generalize Goldberg’s approach to a systematic one that uses
chamber operations
to encompass all local symmetry-preserving operations on polyhedra.
The motion of a vortex on a closed surface of constant negative curvature
Authors: Ragazzo C. Grotta
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this work is to present an algorithm to determine the motion of a single hydrodynamic vortex on a closed surface of constant curvature and of genus greater than one. The algorithm is based on a relation between the Laplace–Beltrami Green function and the heat kernel. The algorithm is used to compute the motion of a vortex on the Bolza surface. This is the first determination of the orbits of a vortex on a closed surface of genus greater than one. The numerical results show that all the 46 vortex equilibria can be explicitly computed using the symmetries of the Bolza surface. Some of these equilibria allow for the construction of the first two examples of infinite vortex crystals on the hyperbolic disc. The following theorem is proved: ‘a Weierstrass point of a hyperellitic surface of constant curvature is always a vortex equilibrium’.
Constructive anthropomorphism: a functional evolutionary approach to the study of human-like cognitive mechanisms in animals
Authors: Arbilly Michal , Lotem Arnon
Published: October 2017

Anthropomorphism, the attribution of human cognitive processes and emotional states to animals, is commonly viewed as non-scientific and potentially misleading. This is mainly because apparent similarity to humans can usually be explained by alternative, simpler mechanisms in animals, and because there is no explanatory power in analogies to human phenomena when these phenomena are not well understood. Yet, because it is also difficult to preclude real similarity and continuity in the evolution of humans' and animals’ cognitive abilities, it may not be productive to completely ignore our understanding of human behaviour when thinking about animals. Here we propose that in applying a functional approach to the evolution of cognitive mechanisms, human cognition may be used to broaden our theoretical thinking and to generate testable hypotheses. Our goal is not to ‘elevate’ animals, but rather to find the minimal set of mechanistic principles that may explain ‘advanced’ cognitive abilities in humans, and consider under what conditions these mechanisms were likely to enhance fitness and to evolve in animals. We illustrate this approach, from relatively simple emotional states, to more advanced mechanisms, involved in planning and decision-making, episodic memory, metacognition, theory of mind, and consciousness.
The genomics of recovery from coral bleaching
Authors: Thomas Luke , Palumbi Stephen R.
Published: October 2017

Ecological damage from periodic environmental extremes is often repaired in resilient ecosystems, but the rate of return to a non-damaged state is critical. Measures of recovery of communities include biomass, productivity and diversity, while measures of recovery of individuals tend to focus on physiological conditions and the return to normal metabolic functioning. Transcriptomics offers a window into the entire physiology of the organism under stress and can represent a holistic view of organismal recovery. In this study, we track the recovery of seven colonies of
Acropora hyacinthus
following a natural bleaching event. We identified a large environmental stress response in the field that involved approximately 20% of the host transcriptome. The transcriptome remained largely perturbed for at least six months after temperatures had cooled and four months after symbiont populations had recovered. Moreover, a small set of genes did not recover to previous expression levels even 12 months after the event, about the time that normal growth rates resumed. This study is among the first to incorporate transcriptomics into a longitudinal dataset of recovery from environmental stress. The data demonstrate large and lasting effects on coral physiology long after environmental conditions return to normal and symbiont populations recover.
Antioxidant and physiological activities of Hijikia fusiforme by extraction methods
Authors: Kwon Yu-ri , Youn Kwang-Sup
Published: October 2017

The physiological properties of extracts from Hizikia fusiforme with different extraction methods (hot water extraction, autoclave extraction and high pressure extraction) were investigated. The amounts of substances related to polyphenol and flavonoids contents were the highest in autoclave extract (30.51 mg/g and 4.78 mg/g, respectively). The DPPH radical scavenging activity was the highest in the autoclave extract (81.80%) at the 5 mg/mL. Autoclave extract exhibited the strongest ABTS radical scavenging activity and reducing power among the three extraction methods. However, ferrous ion chelating, TBA reactive substances and xanthine oxidase inhibition activity of high pressure extract were higher than those of the other extracts. Additionally, the tyrosinase and elastase inhibition activities of high pressure extract with a concentration of 1 mg/mL were higher than those of the other extracts. These results suggest that extracts of Hizikia fusiforme have a potential to act as functional materials, and autoclave and high pressure extractions are superior to hot water extraction for enhancement of the biological activity.
Image Segmentation based on Relative Motion and Relative Disparity Cues in Topographically Organized Areas of Human Visual Cortex
Authors: Kohler Peter J. , Cottereau Benoit R. , Norcia Anthony M.
Published: October 2017

The borders between objects and their backgrounds create discontinuities in image feature maps that can be used to recover object shape. Here we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study the sensitivity of visual cortex to two of the most important image segmentation cues: relative motion and relative disparity. Relative motion and disparity cues were isolated using random-dot kinematograms and stereograms, respectively. For motion-defined boundaries, we found a strong retinotopically organized representation of a 2-degree radius motion-defined disk, starting in V1 and extending though V2 and V3. In the surrounding region, we observed phase-inverted activations indicative of suppression, extending out to at least 6 degrees of retinal eccentricity. For relative disparity, figure responses were only robust in V3, while suppression was observed in all early visual areas. When attention was captured at fixation, figure responses persisted while suppression did not, suggesting that suppression is generated by attentional feedback from higher-order visual areas. Outside of the early visual areas, several areas were sensitive to both types of cues, most notably hV4, LO1 and V3B, making them additional candidate areas for motion- and disparity-cue combination. The overall pattern of extra-striate activations is consistent with recent three-stream models of cortical organization.
Fish Diversity as a Function of Depth and Body Size
Authors: Stiefel Klaus M. , Quimpo Timothy Joseph R.
Published: October 2017

We analyze the number of marine fish species as a function of fish body size and occurrence depth. For this purpose, we analyze the FishBase database. We compare these data to predictions of fish species numbers derived from the neutral theory of biodiversity combined with well-established ecological scaling laws, and measured oceanic biomass data. We consider several variants of these scaling laws, and we find that more large fish species exist compared to the prediction, which is especially true for elasmobranchs, possibly due to their overwhelmingly predatory niches. We find species numbers decreasing with occurrence depth somewhat quicker than our predictions based on the decrease of the number of individuals with depth indicates. This is especially true for the elasmobranchs. This is unsurprising, since the individuals versus depth data did not specifically determine elasmobranch biomass, and since sharks are known to be limited to depths < 3,000 m.

Finally, we discuss how a reduced rate of speciation in larger animals could explain why large species are rare, in spite of the advantages of large body sizes outlined in Cope’s rule.
Hsp90 dictates viral sequence space by balancing the evolutionary tradeoffs between protein stability, aggregation and translation rate
Authors: Geller Ron , Pechmann Sebastian , Acevedo Ashley , Andino Raul , Frydman Judith
Published: October 2017

Acquisition of mutations is central to evolution but the detrimental effects of most mutations on protein folding and stability limit protein evolvability. Molecular chaperones, which suppress aggregation and facilitate polypeptide folding, are proposed to promote sequence diversification by buffering destabilizing mutations. However, whether and how chaperones directly control protein evolution remains poorly understood. Here, we examine the effect of reducing the activity of the key eukaryotic chaperone Hsp90 on poliovirus evolution. Contrary to predictions of a buffering model, inhibiting Hsp90 increases population sequence diversity and promotes accumulation of mutations reducing protein stability. Explaining this counterintuitive observation, we find that Hsp90 offsets the evolutionary tradeoff between protein stability and aggregation. Lower chaperone levels favor sequence variants of reduced hydrophobicity, thus decreasing protein aggregation propensity but at a cost to protein stability. Notably, reducing Hsp90 activity also promotes clusters of codon-deoptimized synonymous mutations at inter-domain boundaries, likely to promote local ribosomal slowdown to facilitate cotranslational domain folding. Our results reveal how a chaperone can shape the sequence landscape at both the protein and RNA levels to harmonize the competing constraints posed by protein stability, aggregation propensity and translation rate on successful protein biogenesis.
For sensation’s sake
Authors: Stoermer Sebastian , Davies Samuel E. , Bahrisch Oliver , Portniagin Fedor
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Corporate business activities can require expatriates to relocate to dangerous countries. Applying the expectancy value theory, the purpose of this paper is to investigate differences in female and male expatriates in their relocation willingness to dangerous countries as a function of sensation seeking. The authors further examine money orientation as a moderator of the effects of sensation seeking.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample is comprised of 148 expatriates currently residing in safe host countries. The authors build and examine a moderated mediation model using the PROCESS tool.

Findings

The results show that male expatriates are more sensation seeking than female expatriates. Further, the results indicate a positive main effect of sensation seeking on relocation willingness to dangerous countries. Most importantly, sensation seeking was found to mediate the effects of gender on relocation willingness. Accordingly, male expatriates are more willing to relocate to dangerous countries due to higher sensation seeking. Money orientation was not found to interact with sensation seeking.

Research limitations/implications

The authors analyzed cross-sectional data. Future studies are encouraged to use multi-wave research designs and to examine further predictors, as well as mediators and moderators of relocation willingness to dangerous countries. Another limitation is the low number of organizational expatriates in the sample.

Practical implications

The study provides implications for the process of selecting eligible individuals who are willing to relocate to dangerous countries.

Originality/value

The study is among the first research endeavors to investigate antecedents of expatriates’ relocation willingness to dangerous countries. The authors also introduce the sensation seeking construct to the literature on expatriation management.
Familial acanthosis nigricans with p.K650T FGFR3 mutation
Authors: Fukuchi Kensuke , Tatsuno Kazuki , Matsushita Kayo , Kubo Akiharu , Ito Taisuke , Tokura Yoshiki
Published: October 2017

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a pigmentary skin disorder, which may present in association with clinical disorders such as obesity and malignancy. Occasionally, this unique skin manifestation is seen in alliance with several skeletal disorders, such Crouzon syndrome, achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia (HCH). These orthopedic disorders are known to have genetic changes in FGFR3. Recently, AN was reported in HCH with p.K650T mutation in FGFR3, and to date, there are only three reports, comprising 18 cases, describing AN harboring this specific gene mutation. Herein, we detail three new cases of AN with p.K650T FGFR3 mutation, and review the 21 known cases.
Outline of a sociology of decisionism
Authors: Abend Gabriel
Published: October 2017

I propose an agenda for empirical research on decision, choice, decision‐makers, and decision‐makingquasocial facts. Given societyS, groupG, or fieldF, I make a twofold sociological proposal. First, empirically investigate the conditions under which something—call itX—is taken to be a decision or choice, or the outcome of a decision‐making process. What mustXbe like? What doesn't count (besides, presumably, myotatic reflexes and blushing)? Whom or what mustXbe done by? What can't be a decision‐maker (besides, presumably, rocks and apples)? Second, empirically investigate how decision/choice concepts are used in everyday life, politics, business, education, law, technology, and science. What are they used for? To what extent do people understand and represent themselves and others as decision‐makers? Where do decision‐centric or “decisionist” understandings succeed? These aren't armchair, theoretical, philosophical questions, but empirical ones. Decision/choice concepts’ apparent ubiquity in contemporary societies calls for a well‐thought‐out research program on their social life and uses.
Cross‐Firm Real Earnings Management
Authors: EINHORN ETI , LANGBERG NISAN , VERSANO TSAHI
Published: October 2017

Our analysis is rooted in the notion that stockholders can learn about the fundamental value of any firm from observing the earnings reports of its rivals. We argue that such intraindustry information transfers, which have been broadly documented in the empirical literature, may motivate managers to alter stockholders’ beliefs about the value of their firm not only by manipulating their own earnings report but also by influencing the earnings reports of rival firms. Managers obviously do not have access to the accounting system of peer firms, but they can nevertheless influence the earnings reports of rival firms by distorting real transactions that relate to the product market competition. We demonstrate such managerial behavior, which we refer to as cross‐firm real earnings management, and explore its potential consequences and interrelation with the practice of accounting‐based earnings management within an industry setting with imperfect (nonproprietary) accounting information.
The Effect of Different Methods of Fermentation on the Detection of Milk Protein Residues in Retail Cheese by Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Authors: Ivens Katherine O. , Baumert Joseph L. , Hutkins Robert L. , Taylor Steve L.
Published: October 2017

Milk and milk products are among the most important allergenic food ingredients, both in the United States and throughout the world; cheeses are among the most important of these milk products. Milk contains several major antigenic proteins, each with differing susceptibilities to proteolytic enzymes. The extent of proteolysis in cheese varies as a result of conditions during manufacture and ripening. Proteolysis has the potential to degrade antigenic and allergenic epitopes that are important for residue detection and elicitation of allergic reactions. Commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are not currently validated for use in detecting residues in hydrolyzed or fermented food products. Eighteen retail cheeses produced using 5 different styles of fermentation were investigated for detectable milk protein residues with 4 commercial ELISA kits. Mozzarella, Swiss, Blue, Limburger, and Brie cheeses were assessed. The Neogen Veratox® Casein and Neogen Veratox® Total Milk kits were capable of detecting milk residues in most cheeses evaluated, including blue‐veined cheeses that exhibit extensive proteolysis. The other 2 ELISA kits evaluated, r‐Biopharm® Fast Casein and ELISA Systems™ Casein, can detect milk residues in cheeses other than blue‐veined varieties. ELISA results cannot be quantitatively compared among kits. The quantitative reliability of ELISA results in detection of cheese residues is questionable, but some methods are sufficiently robust to use as a semi‐quantitative indication of proper allergen control for the validation of cleaning programs in industry settings.

Practical Application

Many commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are not validated for detection of allergenic residues in fermented or hydrolyzed products. This research seeks to determine if commercial milk ELISAs can detect milk residues in varieties of cheese that have undergone different styles of fermentation and different degrees of proteolysis. Only certain milk ELISA kits are capable of detecting residues in all varieties of cheese. However, commercial milk ELISA kits are capable of semiquantitative detection of cheese residues in foods, or in industry settings for the validation of allergen cleaning programs.
Electrophysiological effects of desflurane in children with Wolff‐Parkinson‐White syndrome: a randomized crossover study
Authors: Hino H. , Oda Y. , Yoshida Y. , Suzuki T. , Shimada M. , Nishikawa K.
Published: October 2017

Background

We hypothesized that, compared with propofol, desflurane prolongs the antegrade accessory pathway effective refractory period (APERP) in children undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation for Wolff‐Parkinson‐White (WPW) syndrome.

Methods

In this randomized crossover study, children aged 4.1−16.1 years undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation for WPW syndrome were randomly divided into four groups according to the concentration of desflurane and anesthetics used in the first and the second electrophysiological studies (EPS). After induction of general anesthesia with propofol and tracheal intubation, they received one of the following regimens: 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) desflurane (first EPS) and propofol (second EPS) (Des0.5‐Prop group, n = 8); propofol (first EPS) and 0.5 MAC desflurane (second EPS) (Prop‐Des0.5 group, n = 9); 1 MAC desflurane (first EPS) and propofol (second EPS) (Des1.0‐Prop group, n = 10); propofol (first EPS) and 1 MAC desflurane (second EPS) (Prop‐Des1.0 group, n = 9). Radiofrequency catheter ablation was performed upon completion of EPS. Sample size was determined to detect a difference in the APERP.

Results

Desflurane at 1.0 MAC significantly prolonged the APERP compared with propofol, but did not affect the sinoatrial conduction time, atrio‐His interval or atrioventricular node effective refractory period. Supraventricular tachycardia was induced in all children receiving propofol, but not induced in 1 and 4 children receiving 0.5 MAC and 1.0 MAC desflurane, respectively.

Conclusion

Desflurane enhances the refractoriness and may block the electrical conduction of the atrioventricular accessory pathway, and is therefore not suitable for use in children undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation for WPW syndrome.
Emerging roles of innate lymphoid cells in inflammatory diseases: Clinical implications
Authors: Kortekaas Krohn I. , Shikhagaie M. M. , Golebski K. , Bernink J. H. , Breynaert C. , Creyns B. , Diamant Z. , Fokkens W. J. , Gevaert P. , Hellings P. , Hendriks R. W. , Klimek L. , Mjösberg J. , Morita H. , Ogg G. S. , O'Mahony L. , Schwarze J. , Seys S. F. , Shamji M. H. , Bal S. M.
Published: October 2017

Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) represent a group of lymphocytes that lack specific antigen receptors and are relatively rare as compared to adaptive lymphocytes. ILCs play important roles in allergic and nonallergic inflammatory diseases due to their location at barrier surfaces within the airways, gut, and skin, and they respond to cytokines produced by activated cells in their local environment. Innate lymphoid cells contribute to the immune response by the release of cytokines and other mediators, forming a link between innate and adaptive immunity. In recent years, these cells have been extensively characterized and their role in animal models of disease has been investigated. Data to translate the relevance of ILCs in human pathology, and the potential role of ILCs in diagnosis, as biomarkers and/or as future treatment targets are also emerging. This review, produced by a task force of the Immunology Section of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), encompassing clinicians and researchers, highlights the role of ILCs in human allergic and nonallergic diseases in the airways, gastrointestinal tract, and skin, with a focus on new insights into clinical implications, therapeutic options, and future research opportunities.
Understanding the associations and significance of fetal movements in overweight or obese pregnant women: a systematic review
Authors: Bradford Billie F. , Thompson John M.D. , Heazell Alexander E.P. , Mccowan Lesley M.E. , McKinlay Chris J.D.
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Presentation with decreased fetal movement (DFM) is associated with fetal growth restriction and stillbirth. Some studies report that DFM is frequent among overweight or obese mothers. We aimed to determine the significance and associations of fetal movements in women of increased body size.

Material and methods

This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement and the protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42016046352). Major databases were explored from inception to September 2017, using a predefined search strategy. We restricted inclusion to studies published in English and considered studies of any design that compared fetal movements in women of increased and normal body size. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed quality.

Results

We included 23 publications from 19 observational studies; data were extracted from 10 studies. Increased maternal body size was not associated with altered perception of fetal movement (four studies, 95 women, very low‐quality evidence), but was associated with increased presentation for DFM (two cohort studies, 20 588 women, OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.27–1.92: three case‐control studies, 3445 women, OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.12–1.54; low‐quality evidence). Among women with DFM, increased maternal body size was associated with increased risk of stillbirth and fetal growth restriction (one study, 2168 women, very low‐quality evidence).

Conclusions

This systematic review identified limited evidence that women with increased body size are more likely to present with DFM but do not have impaired perception of fetal movements. In women with DFM, increased body size is associated with worse pregnancy outcome, including stillbirth.
Reproducibility and acceptability of ultrasound measurements of head–perineum distance
Authors: Benediktsdottir Sigurlaug , Salvesen Kjell Å. , Hjartardottir Hulda , Eggebø Torbjørn M.
Published: October 2017

Introduction

We aimed to test the reproducibility of head–perineum distance (HPD) measurements using two different ultrasound devices and five examiners, to compare ultrasound measurements and clinical assessments and to study if ultrasound examinations were acceptable for women in labor.

Material and methods

A reproducibility study was performed at Lund University Hospital, Sweden and Landspitali University Hospital, Iceland from February 2015 to February 2017. The study population comprised 40 healthy women in labor. HPD was measured with three replicate measurements from each woman with two different ultrasound devices, and the measurements were compared with clinical assessments. Acceptability was tested with a visual analog scale (VAS), and the mean VAS score from both ultrasound devices was compared with the VAS score from clinical palpation.

Results

The median time interval between start of examinations with devices was 10 min (range 1–26 min). The intra‐observer repeatability coefficient was 4.3 mm and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.97 (95% CI 0.95–0.98). The intraclass correlation coefficient between the two devices was 0.86 (95% CI 0.74–0.93) and limits of agreement were −9.6 mm to 16.6 mm. However, we observed a significant mean HPD difference between devices (3.5 mm; 95% CI 1.4–5.6 mm). Clinical assessments and the mean measurements of HPD were correlated (r = 0.64, p < 0.01). We found significant differences in acceptability in favor of ultrasound. The mean VAS score for both ultrasound devices was 2.0 vs. 4.1 for clinical examination (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

We found excellent intra‐observer repeatability, good correlation but significant difference between devices. Women reported less discomfort with ultrasound than with clinical examinations.
Influence of exercise on the structure of the anterior chamber of the eye
Authors: Li Mu , Song Yinwei , Zhao Yin , Yan Xiaoqin , Zhang Hong
Published: October 2017

Purpose

To measure changes in anterior chamber structure before and after exercise in healthy individuals using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT).

Methods

Thirty‐two healthy young individuals performed jogging for 20 min. Eye blinking rate was recorded during rest and exercise. The anterior chamber angle (ACA), angle opening distance at 500 μm from the scleral spur (AOD500), trabecular‐iris space area at 500 μm from the scleral spur (TISA500), iris concavity (IC), iris concavity ratio (CR), iris thickness at 750 μm from the scleral spur (IT750), anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber width (ACW), pupil diameter (PD), intraocular pressure (IOP), blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded before and after exercise. Anterior chamber angle (ACA), AOD500, TISA500, IC, IT750, ACD, ACW and PD were measured with ASOCT.

Results

Compared with rest, the blinking rate during exercise did not change significantly (13.04 ± 5.80 versus 13.52 ± 5.87 blinks/min, p = 0.645). The average IOP (15.4 ± 2.4 versus 12.4 ± 2.1 mmHg), ACA (35.96 ± 11.35 versus 40.25 ± 12.64 degrees), AOD500 (0.800 ± 0.348 versus 0.942 ± 0.387 mm), TISA500 (0.308 ± 0.155 versus 0.374 ± 0.193 mm2), IC (−0.078 ± 0.148 versus −0.153 ± 0.159 mm) and CR (−0.027 ± 0.050 versus −0.054 ± 0.056) changed significantly (all p < 0.001), while the average IT750 (0.463 ± 0.084 versus 0.465 ± 0.086 mm; p = 0.492), ACD (3.171 ± 0.229 versus 3.175 ± 0.238 mm; p = 0.543) and ACW (11.768 ± 0.377 versus 11.755 ± 0.378 mm; p = 0.122) showed no significant change after exercise.

Conclusion

The blinking rate did not change significantly during exercise, while ACA, AOD500 and TISA500 increased after exercise. Exercise also induced or increased IC. These changes in anterior chamber structure were only associated with exercise, but not with the postexercise change in PD or IOP.
The Analysis of Late Bronze Age Glass from Nuzi and the Question of the Origin of Glass‐Making
Authors: Shortland A. J. , Kirk S. , Eremin K. , Degryse P. , Walton M.
Published: October 2017

This paper re‐analyses a considerable corpus of glass from the Late Bronze Age site of Nuzi, found near Kirkuk in Iraq. SEM–WDS and Sr and Nd isotopic analysis were applied, in addition to cataloguing the glass. The work showed that the glass technology at Nuzi was subtly different from contemporary Egyptian sites, using different ways of opacifying and working glass. At least two, perhaps three, Near Eastern production sites are postulated. The range of glass colours and the skill of their application at Nuzi was perhaps not on a par with the Egyptian sites. This led to a reconsideration and review of the accepted wisdom that the Near East is the source of the innovation that is glass‐making. This opinion is based on limited textual and iconographic sources and is dominated by an erroneous early date for a very developed Nuzi glass industry along with a few finds of glass vessels in early contexts. Some of this evidence has now been at least questioned, suggesting that glass‐making in Egypt, at least as early as the middle of the 15th century bc, and probably earlier, is no later than that in the Near East. It is argued that it is far from clear that the Near East was the source of the innovation and that a more cautious approach would better fit the evidence.
Antidote Availability in Saudi Arabia Hospitals in the Riyadh Province
Authors: AlTamimi Abdullah , Malhis Nidal K. , Khojah Najla M. , Manea Saleh A. , AlTamimi Abdulrahman , AlShammary Sami Ayed
Published: October 2017

Inadequate antidote stocking is a global problem in hospitals. Insufficient supplies and delays in the administration of antidotes could lead to death and additional potentially negative clinical consequences. Our objective was to determine the availability of antidotes in hospitals listed on the Saudi Ministry of Health website in the Riyadh Province and to evaluate the leading poison in Saudi Arabia. A cross‐sectional study was conducted using questionnaires. The questionnaires were distributed to pharmacist directors and emergency room‐treating physicians in 17 public hospitals throughout the Riyadh Province. None (0/17) of the pharmacies contained the 24 recommended essential antidotes by the expert consensus guidelines for stocking of antidotes in hospitals. Polyvalent scorpion antivenom, atropine sulphate, calcium gluconate, flumazenil and naloxone hydrochloride were stocked in 94.12% (16/17) of hospitals. 66.67% of patients presented with osmolality, and 55.56% of referral patients with opiates, barbiturates, acetaminophen and salicylate. Our findings have important implications for healthcare institutions and pharmaceutical practices. National practice guidelines are needed to assist pharmacists in selecting appropriate antidotes based on the local pattern of poisoning incidents. Therefore, further study in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia needs to be completed to fully evaluate the availability of antidotes throughout the country.
Identification of chlamydial T3SS inhibitors through virtual screening against T3SS ATPase
Authors: Grishin Alexander V. , Luyksaar Sergey I. , Kapotina Lidiya N. , Kirsanov Dmitry D. , Zayakin Egor S. , Karyagina Anna S. , Zigangirova Naylia A.
Published: October 2017

Chlamydia trachomatis is a widespread sexually transmitted pathogen that resides within a special vacuole inside host cells. Although acute infection can be treated with antibiotics, chlamydia can enter persistent state, leading to chronic infection that is difficult to cure. Thus, novel anti‐chlamydial compounds active against persistent chlamydia are required. Chlamydiae rely upon type III secretion system (T3SS) to inject effector proteins into host cell cytoplasm, and T3SS inhibitors are viewed as promising compounds for treatment of chlamydial infections. C. trachomatis ATPase SctN is an important T3SS component and has not been targeted before. We thus used virtual screening against homology modeled SctN structure to search for SctN inhibitors. Selected compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit chlamydial survival and development within eukaryotic cells, and for the ability to suppress normal T3SS functioning. We identified two compounds that were able to block normal protein translocation through T3SS and inhibit chlamydial survival within eukaryotic cells in 50–100 μm concentrations. These two novel T3SS inhibitors also possessed relatively low toxicity toward eukaryotic cells. A small series of derivatives was further synthesized for the most active of two inhibitors to probe SAR properties.
Therapeutic administration of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells reduces airway inflammation without up‐regulating Tregs in experimental asthma
Authors: Kitoko J. Z. , de Castro L. L. , Nascimento A. P. , Abreu S. C. , Cruz F. F. , Arantes A. C. , Xisto D. G. , Martins M. A. , Morales M. M. , Rocco P. R. M. , Olsen P. C.
Published: October 2017

Background

Prophylactic administration of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from adipose (AD‐MSC) and bone marrow tissue (BM‐MSC) in ovalbumin‐induced asthma hinders inflammation in a Treg‐dependent manner. It is uncertain whether MSCs act through Tregs when inflammation is already established in asthma induced by a clinically relevant allergen.

Objective

Evaluate the effect of therapeutic administration of MSCs on inflammation and Treg cells in house dust mite (HDM)‐induced asthma.

Methods

BM‐MSCs and AD‐MSCs were administered intratracheally to C57BL/6 mice 1 day after the last HDM challenge. Lung function, remodelling and parenchymal inflammation were assayed 3 or 7 days after MSCs treatment, through invasive plethysmography and histology, respectively. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and mediastinal lymph nodes (mLNs) were assessed regarding the inflammatory profile by flow cytometry, ELISA and qRT‐PCR. MSCs were studied regarding their potential to induce Treg cells from primed and unprimed lymphocytes in vitro.

Results

BM‐MSCs, but not AD‐MSCs, reduced lung influx of eosinophils and B cells and increased IL‐10 levels in HDM‐challenged mice. Neither BM‐MSCs nor AD‐MSCs reduced lung parenchymal inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness or mucus hypersecretion. BM‐MSCs and AD‐MSCs did not up‐regulate Treg cell counts within the airways and mLNs, but BM‐MSCs decreased the pro‐inflammatory profile of alveolar macrophages. Co‐culture of BM‐MSCs and AD‐MSCs with allergen‐stimulated lymphocytes reduced Treg cell counts in a cell‐to‐cell contact‐independent manner, although co‐culture of both MSCs with unprimed lymphocytes up‐regulated Treg cell counts.

Conclusions

MSCs therapeutically administered exert anti‐inflammatory effects in the airway of HDM‐challenged mice, but do not ameliorate lung function or remodelling. Although MSC pre‐treatment can increase Treg cell numbers, it is highly unlikely that the MSCs will induce Treg cell expansion when lymphocytes are allergenically primed in an established lung inflammation.