bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ingestion of the anti‐bacterial agent, gemifloxacin mesylate, leads to increased gst activity and peroxidation products in hemolymph of Galleria mellonella l. (lepidoptera: pyralidae)
Authors: Erdem Meltem , Küçük Ceyhun , Büyükgüzel Ender , Büyükgüzel Kemal
Published: September 2016

Gemifloxacin mesylate (GEM) is a synthetic, fourth‐generation fluoroquinolone antibacterial antibiotic that has a broad spectrum of activity against bacteria. GEM inhibits DNA synthesis by inhibiting DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV activities. Recent research into insect nutrition and mass‐rearing programs, in which antibiotics are incorporated into the culture media to maintain diet quality, raised a question of whether clinical antibiotics influence the health or biological performance of the insects that ingest these compounds. Because some antibiotics are pro‐oxidant compounds, we addressed the question with experiments designed to assess the effects of GEM (mesylate salt) on oxidative stress indicators, using Galleria mellonella larvae. The insects were reared from first‐instar larvae to adulthood on artificial diets amended with GEM at 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, or 1.0%. Feeding on the 1% diets led to significantly increased hemolymph contents of the lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde and protein oxidation products, protein carbonyl. All GEM concentrations led to increased hemolymph glutathione S‐transferase activity. We inferred that although it was not directly lethal to G. mellonella larvae, dietary exposure to GEM exerts measurable oxidative damage, possibly on insects generally. Long‐term, multigenerational effects remain unknown.
Changes in kula valuables and related supply linkages between the Massim and the South Papuan Coast between 1855 and 1915
Authors: SWADLING PAMELA , BENCE POLLY
Published: August 2016

The kula is a famous exchange circuit linking some of the islands off the eastern tip of Papua New Guinea. In his classic ethnography, Bronislaw Malinowski (1922) describes how the two most highly ranked valuables were exchanged. In 1915–18, these valuables were Conus armshells and shell bead necklaces, but in 1855 this was not the case. When prehistory merged into history on Woodlark Island, it was circular boar's tusks rather than Conus armshells that were exchanged for shell necklaces. To understand how one prime valuable replaced another, it was necessary to look more broadly at changes in kula valuables since 1855. The study covers circular boar's tusks, Conus armshells, shell bead necklaces and ceremonial stone axes. Assemblages of these artefacts were assembled from examples in museum collections, historical photographs and documents. While Malinowski's ethnography captured the kula as it operated in 1915–18, this study demonstrates that it has been a constantly evolving exchange system.
Herpes Zoster and the Risk of Stroke in Patients With Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Calabrese Leonard H. , Xie Fenglong , Yun Huifeng , Winthrop Kevin L. , Baddley John W. , Calabrese Cassandra , Curtis Jeffrey R.
Published: September 2016

Objective

Herpes zoster (HZ) is an opportunistic infection caused by varicella‐zoster virus and observed with increasing frequency in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies. The literature has suggested that the risk of stroke may increase shortly after HZ, but little is known about this association in patients with autoimmune diseases, who are at increased risk of both zoster and stroke.

Methods

Medicare data from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2013 were used to identify patients with autoimmune diseases. The outcome of interest was hospitalized stroke. The hypothesis tested was that the incidence of stroke immediately following HZ is increased compared to the incidence of stroke at later time points. Secondary analyses included assessment of the impact of antiviral therapy on subsequent stroke, as well as the influence of varicella‐zoster virus–related complications on stroke incidence.

Results

The crude incidence of stroke ranged from a high of 2.30 per 100 patient‐years (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.96–5.52) within 90 days of HZ in patients who had HZ‐related cranial nerve complications and did not receive treatment to a low of 0.87 per 100 patient‐years (95% CI 0.75–1.02) at 366–730 days in those without complication who received antiviral treatment. After multivariable adjustment for multiple stroke‐related factors, the overall incidence rate ratio (IRR) for stroke in the first 90 days after HZ was 1.36 (95% CI 1.10–1.68) compared to stroke occurring at 366–730 days after HZ. The risk was greater for patients with zoster and cranial nerve complications (IRR 2.08 [95% CI 0.99–4.36]). Prompt antiviral therapy was associated with lower incidence of subsequent stroke (IRR 0.83 [95% CI 0.70–0.98]).

Conclusion

In patients with autoimmune diseases, incident HZ was associated with as much as a 2‐fold increased risk of stroke in the subsequent few months. These data underscore the urgency of developing strategies for reducing the risk of varicella‐zoster virus.
Cadaveric dissection as an educational tool for anatomical sciences in the 21st century
Authors: Ghosh Sanjib Kumar
Published: August 2016

Anatomical education has been undergoing reforms in line with the demands of medical profession. The aim of the present study is to assess the impact of a traditional method like cadaveric dissection in teaching/learning anatomy at present times when medical schools are inclining towards student‐centered, integrated, clinical application models. The article undertakes a review of literature and analyzes the observations made therein reflecting on the relevance of cadaveric dissection in anatomical education of 21st century. Despite the advent of modern technology and evolved teaching methods, dissection continues to remain a cornerstone of anatomy curriculum. Medical professionals of all levels believe that dissection enables learning anatomy with relevant clinical correlates. Moreover dissection helps to build discipline independent skills which are essential requirements of modern health care setup. It has been supplemented by other teaching/learning methods due to limited availability of cadavers in some countries. However, in the developing world due to good access to cadavers, dissection based teaching is central to anatomy education till date. Its utility is also reflected in the perception of students who are of the opinion that dissection provides them with a foundation critical to development of clinical skills. Researchers have even suggested that time has come to reinstate dissection as the core method of teaching gross anatomy to ensure safe medical practice. Nevertheless, as dissection alone cannot provide uniform learning experience hence needs to be complemented with other innovative learning methods in the future education model of anatomy. Anat Sci Educ 10: 286–299. © 2016 American Association of Anatomists.
Facile Fabrication of Near‐Infrared‐Responsive and Chitosan‐Functionalized Cu2Se Nanoparticles for Cancer Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Liu Zhou , Chan Leung , Chen Liyan , Bai Yan , Chen Tianfeng
Published: August 2016

Photothermal therapy has attracted much interest for use in cancer treatment in recent years. In this study, Cu2Se nanoparticles as a novel photothermal agent modified by chitosan (CS‐Cu2SeNPs) were successfully synthesized through a facile route at room temperature. The as‐synthesized CS‐Cu2SeNPs exhibited good water solubility and significant stability. CS‐Cu2SeNPs can efficiently convert near‐infrared (NIR) light into heat and exhibit excellent thermostability. In vitro experiments showed that CS‐Cu2SeNPs had selective cellular uptake between cancer and normal cells and expressed clear anticancer activity on A375 and HeLa human cancer cells. In addition, the anticancer activity was increased to about 400 % by combination with a laser at 808 nm, which acted through induction of apoptosis with the involvement of intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. CS‐Cu2SeNPs irradiated with a laser effectively triggered the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction that promoted cell apoptosis. Therefore, the developed CS‐Cu2SeNPs could be used as a novel phototherapeutic agent for the photothermal therapy of human cancers.
Identification of a malonyl CoA‐acyl carrier protein transacylase and its regulatory role in fatty acid biosynthesis in oleaginous microalga Nannochloropsis oceanica
Authors: Chen Jia‐Wen , Liu Wan‐Jun , Hu Dong‐Xiong , Wang Xiang , Balamurugan Srinivasan , Alimujiang Adili , Yang Wei‐Dong , Liu Jie‐Sheng , Li Hong‐Ye
Published: August 2016

Oleaginous microalgae hold great promises for biofuel production. However, commercialization of microalgal biofuels remains impracticable due to the lack of suitable industrial strains with high growth rate and lipid productivity. Engineering of metabolic pathways is a potential strategy for the improvement of microalgal strains for the production of lipids and also value‐added products in microalgae. Malonyl CoA‐acyl carrier protein transacylase (MCAT) has been reported to be involved in fatty acid biosynthesis. Here, we identified a putative MCAT in the oleaginous marine microalga Nannochloropsis oceanica. NoMCAT overexpressing N. oceanica showed a higher growth rate and photosynthetic efficiency. The neutral lipid content of engineered lines showed a significant increase by up to 31% compared to wild type. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis revealed that NoMCAT overexpression significantly altered the fatty acid composition. The composition of eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5), which is a polyunsaturated fatty acid necessary for animal nutrition, increased by 8%. These results demonstrate the role of MCAT in enhancing fatty acid biosynthesis and growth in microalgae, and also provide an insight into metabolic engineering of microalgae with high industrial potential.
A high‐throughput UHPLC–MS/MS method for the quantification of five aged butyrylcholinesterase biomarkers from human exposure to organophosphorus nerve agents
Authors: Graham Leigh Ann , Johnson Darryl , Carter Melissa D. , Stout Emily G. , Erol Huseyin A. , Isenberg Samantha L. , Mathews Thomas P. , Thomas Jerry D. , Johnson Rudolph C.
Published: August 2016

Organophosphorus nerve agents (OPNAs) are toxic compounds that are classified as prohibited Schedule 1 chemical weapons. In the body, OPNAs bind to butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) to form nerve agent adducts (OPNA–BChE). OPNA–BChE adducts can provide a reliable, long‐term protein biomarker for assessing human exposure. A major challenge facing OPNA–BChE detection is hydrolysis (aging), which can continue to occur after a clinical specimen has been collected. During aging, the o‐alkyl phosphoester bond hydrolyzes, and the specific identity of the nerve agent is lost. To better identify OPNA exposure events, a high‐throughput method for the detection of five aged OPNA–BChE adducts was developed. This is the first diagnostic panel to allow for the simultaneous quantification of any Chemical Weapons Convention Schedule 1 OPNA by measuring the aged adducts methyl phosphonate, ethyl phosphonate, propyl phosphonate, ethyl phosphoryl, phosphoryl and unadducted BChE. The calibration range for all analytes is 2.00–250. ng/mL, which is consistent with similar methodologies used to detect unaged OPNA–BChE adducts. Each analytical run is 3 min, making the time to first unknown results, including calibration curve and quality controls, less than 1 h. Analysis of commercially purchased individual serum samples demonstrated no potential interferences with detection of aged OPNA–BChE adducts, and quantitative measurements of endogenous levels of BChE were similar to those previously reported in other OPNA–BChE adduct assays.
Student Success: Identifying High‐Impact Practices
Authors: Waiwaiole Evelyn N. , Bohlig E. Michael , Massey Kristine J.
Published: September 2016

This chapter discusses the work of the Center for Community College Student Engagement, highlighting institutes the Center hosts and work that comes from these meetings. Examples of interventions that evolved from the High‐Impact Practices Institutes conducted by the Center are provided. The chapter concludes with a discussion about implementation and evaluation practices important to the interpretation of intervention success.
Desulphurization of gas oil in a packed bed extractor: Optimization of operating parameters for simultaneous maximization of efficiency and yield by desirability approach
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Srivastava Vimal Chandra , Nanoti Shrikant Madhusudan , Yadav Pooja
Published: September 2016

A full factorial central composite design (CCD) method was used to design the experiments for extractive desulphurization of straight run gas oil (SRGO) containing 0.013 g/g (1.3 wt%) sulphur in a packed bed extractor using N‐N‐dimethyl formamide (DMF) as solvent. The operational parameters, namely water concentration (WC) in main solvent, solvent‐to‐feed ratio (S/F), and extraction temperature (TE) which affect the sulphur removal and yield were used as input variables in design of experiments. Considering the trade‐off between sulphur removal and yield, multi‐response optimization with a desirability function approach has been used to estimate the optimized value of these operating parameters so as to maximize sulphur removal and yield of extracted straight run gas oil (ESRGO). Optimum values of selected variables were: water content in solvent = 2.91, solvent‐to‐feed ratio = 1.70, and extraction temperature = 46.4 °C. At the maximum desirability value, ESRGO yield and percent sulphur removal were 81.67 and 60.53 %, respectively. Since importance of sulphur removal and yield would depend on the secondary process to be selected for reducing the sulphur to 50–10 ppm, an analysis of goal importance effect on the optimized value of operational parameters for maximum desirability was also presented and discussed.
Major benefits of guarding behavior in subsocial bees: implications for social evolution
Authors: Mikát Michael , Černá Kateřina , Straka Jakub
Published: September 2016

Parental care is a behavior that increases the growth and survival of offspring, often at a cost to the parents' own survival and/or future reproduction. In this study, we focused on nest guarding, which is one of the most important types of extended parental care; we studied this behavior in two solitary bee species of the genus Ceratina with social ancestors. We performed the experiment of removing the laying female, who usually guards the nest after completing its provisioning, to test the effects of nest guarding on the offspring survival and nest fate. By dissecting natural nests, we found that Ceratina cucurbitina females always guarded their offspring until the offspring reached adulthood. In addition, the females of this species were able to crawl across the nest partitions and inspect the offspring in the brood cells. In contrast, several Ceratina chalybea females guarded their nests until the offspring reached adulthood, but others closed the nest entrance with a plug and deserted the nest. Nests with a low number of provisioned cells were more likely to be plugged and abandoned than nests with a higher number of cells. The female removal experiment had a significantly negative effect on offspring survival in both species. These nests frequently failed due to the attacks of natural enemies (e.g., ants, chalcidoid wasps, and other competing Ceratina bees). Increased offspring survival is the most important benefit of the guarding strategy. The abandonment of a potentially unsuccessful brood might constitute a benefit of the nest plugging behavior. The facultative nest desertion strategy is a derived behavior in the studied bees and constitutes an example of an evolutionary reduction in the extent of parental care.
Effect of Microstructure on Thermal Conduction within Lithium‐Ion Battery Electrodes using Discrete Element Method Simulations
Authors: Sangrós Clara , Schilde Carsten , Kwade Arno
Published: August 2016

Heat transfer within lithium‐ion‐battery electrodes constitutes an important issue regarding not only battery performance but also safety aspects. The objective of this study is to gain insight into the thermal behavior of particles forming lithium‐ion electrodes to understand the effect of microstructural parameters on heat conduction and, ultimately, improve electrode design. To this end, a discrete element method (DEM) approach is proposed in which a contact model is included. Thus, individual particles are modelled within the electrode and their temperature values are tracked just after the copper substrate, on which the particles are coated, is heated from 273 to 350 K. Furthermore, by adjusting numerous simulations with different structural parameters, namely porosity, particle size, and electrode thickness, the effect of these parameters on the heating rate is investigated.
Throughfall enrichment and stream nutrient chemistry in small headwater catchments with different land cover in southern Chile
Authors: Hervé‐Fernandez Pedro , Oyarzún Carlos E. , Woelfl Stefan
Published: August 2016

Land cover changes have a great impact on nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) fluxes catchments. In this study, we wanted to compare different land covers: deciduous (D), evergreen (E) (both native forests), and exotic Eucalyptus globulus plantation (EP), affected precipitation, and stream discharge on N and P species concentrations and fluxes, under a low deposition climate in south‐central Chile. For this, we collected bulk precipitation, throughfall, and stream water samples after 41 rainfall events in E and EP, during the period June 2009–March 2011, and 31 rainfall events in D, during the period October 2009–March 2011. The highest canopy enrichment of N and P species for throughfall was observed in deciduous forest, while E. globulus showed the minimum enrichment. Total nitrogen (total‐N) discharge in EP was about 8.6 times higher than that of E and D catchments. Total‐N annual retention was positive only in E and D catchments. However, EP catchment showed a net loss (−4.79 kg N ha/year). The biggest difference was observed in nitrate stream concentrations, which showed low values for E (3.4 ± 1.3 μg/L), while EP and D showed higher nitrate concentrations (84.9 ± 16.7 and 134.7 ± 36.7 μg/L, for EP and D, respectively). Total phosphorous (total‐P) discharge flux was low in EP (0.4 kg P ha/year), and negligible in E and D forests (<0.1 kg P ha/year). Total‐P annual retention was near to 1.0 kg N ha/year (on E and D), while a net loss (−1.5 kg N ha/year) was observed for EP. We attribute the observed differences in nutrient throughfall enrichment due to high multi‐stratified canopies in the native forests. Both deciduous and evergreen native forest‐covered catchments showed the highest retention of total‐N and total‐P, in contrast to Eucalyptus‐covered plantation.
Knock-In of the Recurrent R368X Mutation of PRKAR1A that Represses cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase A Activation: A Model of Type 1 Acrodysostosis
Authors: Le Stunff Catherine , Tilotta Francoise , Sadoine Jérémy , Le Denmat Dominique , Briet Claire , Motte Emmanuelle , Clauser Eric , Bougnères Pierre , Chaussain Catherine , Silve Caroline
Published: September 2016

In humans, activating mutations in the PRKAR1A gene cause acrodysostosis 1 (ACRDYS1). These mutations result in a reduction in PKA activation caused by an impaired ability of cAMP to dissociate mutant PRKAR1A from catalytic PKA subunits. Two striking features of this rare developmental disease are renal resistance to PTH and chondrodysplasia resulting from the constitutive inhibition of PTHR1/Gsa/AC/cAMP/PKA signaling. We developed a knock-in of the recurrent ACRDYS1 R368X PRKAR1A mutation in the mouse. No litters were obtained from [R368X]/[+] females (thus no homozygous [R368X]/[R368X] mice). In [R368X]/[+] mice, Western blot analysis confirmed mutant allele heterozygous expression. Growth retardation, peripheral acrodysostosis (including brachydactyly affecting all digits), and facial dysostosis were shown in [R368X]/[+] mice by weight curves and skeletal measurements (μCT scan) as a function of time. [R368X]/[+] male and female mice were similarly affected. Unexpected, however, whole-mount skeletal preparations revealed a striking delay in mineralization in newborn mutant mice, accompanied by a decrease in the height of terminal hypertrophic chondrocyte layer, an increase in the height of columnar proliferative prehypertrophic chondrocyte layer, and changes in the number and spatial arrangement of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive chondrocytes. Plasma PTH and basal urinary cAMP were significantly higher in [R368X]/[+] compared to WT mice. PTH injection increased urinary cAMP similarly in [R368X]/[+] and WT mice. PRKACA expression was regulated in a tissue (kidney not bone and liver) manner. This model, the first describing the germline expression of a PRKAR1A mutation causing dominant repression of cAMP-dependent PKA, reproduced the main features of ACRDYS1 in humans. It should help decipher the specificity of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway, crucial for numerous stimuli. In addition, our results indicate that PRKAR1A, by tempering intracellular cAMP levels, is a molecular switch at the crossroads of signaling pathways regulating chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Rapid non‐invasive quality control of semi‐finished products for the food industry by direct injection mass spectrometry headspace analysis: the case of milk powder, whey powder and anhydrous milk fat
Authors: Makhoul Salim , Yener Sine , Khomenko Iuliia , Capozzi Vittorio , Cappellin Luca , Aprea Eugenio , Scampicchio Matteo , Gasperi Flavia , Biasioli Franco
Published: August 2016

In this study, we demonstrated the suitability of direct injection mass spectrometry headspace analysis for rapid non‐invasive quality control of semi‐finished dairy ingredients, such as skim milk powder (SMP), whole milk powder (WMP), whey powder (WP) and anhydrous milk fat (AMF), which are widely used as ingredients in the food industry. In this work, for the first time, we applied proton transfer reaction‐mass spectrometry (PTR‐MS) with a time‐of‐flight (ToF) analyzer for the rapid and non‐invasive analysis of volatile compounds in different samples of SMP, WMP, WP and AMF. We selected different dairy ingredients in various concrete situations (e.g. same producer and different expiration times, different producers and same days of storage, different producers) based on their sensory evaluation. PTR‐ToF‐MS allowed the separation and characterization of different samples based on the volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles. Statistically significant differences in VOC content were generally coherent with differences in sensory evaluation, particularly for SMP, WMP and WP. The good separation of SMP samples from WMP samples suggested the possible application of PTR‐ToF‐MS to detect possible cases of adulteration of dairy ingredients for the food industry. Our findings demonstrate the efficient and rapid differentiation of dairy ingredients on the basis of the released VOCs via PTR‐ToF‐MS analysis and suggest this method as a versatile tool (1) for the facilitation/optimization of the selection of dairy ingredients in the food industry and (2) and for the prompt innovation in the production of dairy ingredients. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genipin crosslinking decreases the mechanical wear and biochemical degradation of impacted cartilage in vitro
Authors: Bonitsky Craig M. , McGann Megan E. , Selep Michael J. , Ovaert Timothy C. , Trippel Stephen B. , Wagner Diane R.
Published: September 2016

High energy trauma to cartilage causes surface fissures and microstructural damage, but the degree to which this damage renders the tissue more susceptible to wear and contributes to the progression of post‐traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is unknown. Additionally, no treatments are currently available to strengthen cartilage after joint trauma and to protect the tissue from subsequent degradation and wear. The purposes of this study were to investigate the role of mechanical damage in the degradation and wear of cartilage, to evaluate the effects of impact and subsequent genipin crosslinking on the changes in the viscoelastic parameters of articular cartilage, and to test the hypothesis that genipin crosslinking is an effective treatment to enhance the resistance to biochemical degradation and mechanical wear. Results demonstrate that cartilage stiffness decreases after impact loading, likely due to the formation of fissures and microarchitectural damage, and is partially or fully restored by crosslinking. The wear resistance of impacted articular cartilage was diminished compared to undamaged cartilage, suggesting that mechanical damage that is directly induced by the impact may contribute to the progression of PTOA. However, the decrease in wear resistance was completely reversed by the crosslinking treatments. Additionally, the crosslinking treatments improved the resistance to collagenase digestion at the impact‐damaged articular surface. These results highlight the potential therapeutic value of collagen crosslinking via genipin in the prevention of cartilage degeneration after traumatic injury. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:558–565, 2017.
Ironing out iron infusions – does premedication reduce adverse reactions during iron polymaltose infusion: a single‐centre retrospective review
Authors: Chia Puey Ling , Tong Erica , Newnham Harvey H. , Skinner Matthew J.
Published: September 2016

Aim

Iron polymaltose infusions are increasingly prescribed in the management of iron deficiency but the efficacy of premedication to prevent complications of infusion remains uncertain. In order to simplify our infusion protocol, we retrospectively reviewed our experience of patients receiving iron polymaltose infusion to assess its safety profile, identify risk factors for adverse reactions and evaluate the efficacy of premedication in preventing adverse reactions.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective re
view of 300 patients who received iron infusions at Alfred Health (including The Alfred, Caulfield Hospital and Sandringham Hospital) between April 2010 and April 2011. Patients were identified via pharmacy dispensing records during the study period regardless of inpatient or day procedure admission status. Data collected from scanned medical records included: gender, body weight, iron dose, compliance to current guideline, units of blood received, serum iron levels, haemoglobin levels, premedications given/charted, duration of infusion, and any adverse effects that occurred.

Results

From April 2010 to April 2011, 300 patients who received an iron infusion were reviewed. Mean age was 64 years (range: 19–100), with balanced sex distribution (male:female = 148:152). The existing protocol was followed in 90.3% of the patients; however, premedications (cetirizine and hydrocortisone) were given to only 76.25% patients. Only three (1%) patients developed anaphylaxis, but other side effects included headache (1.4%), rash (1%), chest pain (1%) and fever (0.3%). All three patients who developed anaphylaxis had received premedication. Most side effects occurred within 30–60 min of commencing the infusion, with a mean infusion rate of 117 mL/h.

Conclusion

Iron polymaltose infusions are generally well tolerated and serious adverse reactions are rare. As a result of this audit, we have modified our guidelines to minimise the use of premedications and to rationalise the monitoring of patients receiving iron infusions. Further research to identify specific risk factors for adverse reactions may allow more targeted use of premedications to prevent specific side effects. Reducing the use of premedication and focusing attention to potential side effects during the 60 min after commencement of infusion could improve efficiency, reduce cost and minimise the inconvenience associated with iron infusions.
Stable isotope composition of the Holsteinian (MIS 11) freshwater snail Valvata piscinalis (O. F. Müller, 1774) from eastern Poland and its palaeoenvironmental implications
Authors: Szymanek Marcin
Published: August 2016

Stable oxygen and carbon isotope investigations were conducted on shells of the freshwater gastropod Valvata piscinalis from palaeolake deposits of Holsteinian age (Marine Isotope Stage 11) from eastern Poland. The isotope record of this species was used for the first time as an archive of environmental conditions for selected lakes between the protocratic stage and the post‐optimum period of the interglacial. The lowest δ18O and δ13C values of −8.1 and −12.1‰, respectively, were recorded in the Picea–Alnus zone at Ortel Królewski palaeolake. The sparse vegetation and low productivity of that time are reflected in the relatively low δ13C values. The first significant increase of temperature was recorded in the Taxus zone (i.e. an increase in δ18O). The higher temperature influenced the expansion of macrophytes, which stimulated enhanced photosynthesis. Similar mean δ18O values in the Taxus and Pinus–Larix zones imply no distinct temperature change. V. piscinalis populations from Ossówka–Hrud and Roskosz palaeolakes record variations in lake productivity during the climatic optimum of the interglacial (Carpinus–Abies zone). The δ18O values of that time are relatively high (up to −4.5‰) and reveal no significant differences between the lakes. Decreases of the oxygen isotope values in the Szymanowo lake reflect post‐optimum cooling.
Pharmacogenetics of Parkinson's Disease in Clinical Practice
Authors: Corvol Jean‐Christophe , Poewe Werner
Published: September 2016

Background

Pharmacogenetics aims to identify the genetic factors participating in the heterogeneity of drug response. The ultimate goal is to provide personalized treatment by identifying responders and non‐responders, individuals at risk of developing drug adverse effects, and by adjusting dosage. Several studies have been performed in Parkinson's disease (PD), to investigate drug response variability according to genetic factors for dopamine replacement therapies.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature search of articles related to pharmacogenetic studies inPD, and found 47 studies.

Findings

Motor response and adverse reactions to dopaminergic drugs were associated with genes encoding enzymes of their metabolism as well as their receptors or targets. Despite some interesting results, considerable work remains to be done to replicate and validate their clinical relevance before translation into clinical practice.

Conclusions

There are currently no guidelines published for pharmacogenetic factors related toPDdrugs. More research is need in this field in order to improve our knowledge in drug response variability inPD. Algorithms taking into account clinical, pharmacological, and genetic factors are probably the most promising way to help for a personalized medicine inPD.
Does silybin protect against toxicity induced by polymyxin E in rat kidney?
Authors: Hassan Sherif M. Sabry , Youakim Magdy F. , Rizk Ayman Abou Elenein , Thomann Charity , Ahmad Zulfiqar
Published: August 2016

Aims

Although once a common antibiotic, polymyxin E fell out of favor after reports of its nephrotoxicity. However, recent concerns with gram‐negative bacteria, which are resistant to multiple antibiotics, have resulted in increased interest in polymyxin E. Silybin is a known antihepatotoxic drug and may have potential for protecting the kidney from polymyxin E. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate whether silybin affected the damages produced by polymyxin E on the rat kidney.

Methods

Four groups of rats with 10 rats per group were included in the study: control (no treatment, group I), vehicle (control vehicle treatment, group II), polymyxin E treatment (group III), and polymyxin E and silybin treatment (group IV). Groups II‐IV received intravenous treatment twice a day for 7 days. All rats were euthanized after 7 days. Histological, ultrastructural, and morphometric analyses were performed on the rats’ kidney tissues.

Results

Analysis of tissues from group III showed differences from groups I and II, such as glomerular and tubular affection and changes in morphometric measures. Results for group IV were more similar to those of groups I and II than those of group III.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that administering silybin with polymyxin E alleviated polymyxin E‐induced nephrotoxicity in the rat kidney. Future biochemical studies should investigate whether silybin could ameliorate the nephrotoxicity caused by polymyxin E in rats and whether concomitant administration of silybin could be an effective clinical pharmacological strategy to protect against polymyxin E‐induced insult in human kidneys.
Facile synthesis of LDH nanoplates as reinforcing agents in PVA nanocomposites
Authors: Zhou Keqing , Gui Zhou , Hu Yuan
Published: August 2016

In the present study, layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoplates with high crystallinity and uniform size were facilely synthesized to act as reinforcing agents in polymer materials. The structure of the synthesized LDH nanoplates was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy measurements. Subsequently, the LDH nanoplates were incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix as reinforcing agents based on a solution casting method. The LDH nanoplates were well dispersed in PVA matrix and formed strong interfacial interactions with PVA chains, leading to remarkable improvements of thermal stability, flame retardancy, and mechanical properties. With the incorporation of 1 wt% LDH nanoplates into PVA, the Tonset and T50% increased by 11°C and 57°C, respectively. Moreover, the presence of LDH nanoplates decreases the decomposition rates of PVA and increases the amount of char residues. Compared with pure PVA, the peak heat release rate value of the PVA/5 wt% LDH nanocomposites is decreased by 52%. The tensile strength and the elongation at break increased by 71% and 187%, respectively, when incorporating with 3 wt% LDH nanoplates. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Survival and complication rates in patients with thalassemia major in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Han‐Ping , Lin Cheng‐Li , Chang Yin‐Chen , Wu Kang‐Hsi , Lei Rouh‐Lih , Peng Ching‐Tien , Weng Tefu , Tai Yu‐Man , Chao Yu‐Hua
Published: August 2016

Background

While transfusion and iron chelation therapy for thalassemia major (TM) has improved dramatically in recent years, the consequences of this improvement (current rates of survival and TM‐related complications) remain unknown.

Methods

This nationwide population‐based cohort study analyzed 2007–2011 data obtained from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database.

Results

After excluding those patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, we enrolled 454 patients with TM who received transfusion and chelation therapy (median age, 17.2 years). Among these patients, the mortality rate was 2.9% in 2007, 2.3% in 2008, 2.9% in 2009, 2.6% in 2010, and 0.7% in 2011. Heart was the most common target organ of TM‐related complications. There were 80 patients (17.6%) with arrhythmia and 86 patients (18.9%) with congestive heart failure. Dysfunction of endocrine organs was common, and the most common endocrinopathy was hypogonadism (23.1%), followed by diabetes (21.2%). There were 75 patients (16.5%) with liver cirrhosis and 79 patients (17.4%) with osteoporosis.

Conclusions

Adequate red blood cell transfusion and iron chelation is available to all patients with TM in Taiwan under the universal health insurance system, and has resulted in reduction of TM‐related mortality to very low levels. As these patients get older, early detection of complications and adequate intervention are important to quality‐of‐life improvement.
Piezoelectric properties of monolayer II–VI group oxides by first‐principles calculations
Authors: Alyörük M. Menderes
Published: August 2016

Piezoelectric properties of group II–VI oxide structures is carried out by first principles methods. Piezoelectric effect is the ability of the certain materials to generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress, and it is also reversible. Two‐dimensional IIA/IIB–VI group oxides are expected to have great potential due to their non‐centrosymmetric structure and intrinsic large band gaps. PBE formulation and HSE06 hybrid functionals were used to get realistic forbidden bandgap values. Density functional theory‐based first‐principles calculations (DFT and DFPT) are used to investigate the piezoelectric stress, , and strain, , coefficients of monolayer IIA/IIB–VI group oxides (MO where M = Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, and Cd). We predicted that 2D II–VI family compounds exhibit highly promising piezoelectric properties. BeO has the highest and the BaO has the highest relaxed‐ion coefficients. All piezoelectricity calculation results give close values for the CaO structure. Calculation results show increasing trend for relaxed ion piezoelectric coefficients for IIA group and decreasing trend for IIB group, according to row number of the atoms. Our calculations reveal that II–VI family oxide structures are strong candidates for future atomically thin piezoelectric applications.

Calculated DFT (clamped‐ion and relaxed‐ion) and DFPT values of (a) piezoelectric stress () and (b) piezoelectric strain () coefficients.
Time Reliability Measures in bus Transport Services from the Accurate use of Automatic Vehicle Location raw Data
Authors: Barabino Benedetto , Di Francesco Massimo , Mozzoni Sara
Published: September 2016

Archived automatic vehicle location (AVL) data are widely used in bus transportation, but typically contain anomalies, such as missing data points and unseen bus overtakings. These anomalies may alter the measurement of time reliability (i.e., headways and schedule time deviations) of buses at stops with respect to passenger experiences. However, in many studies, anomalies are ignored, neglected, or partially addressed. This paper investigates the effect of AVL anomalies on headways and schedule deviations, which are keys for regularity and punctuality evaluations and are well‐practicized among bus operators worldwide. The analysis is carried out on six scenarios, each representing a combination of AVL data anomalies. The outcomes show that addressing anomalies result in more severe regularity measures, which point out criticalities suffered by passengers, whereas it can be skipped for the measurement of punctuality. In addition, an increase of 5% of missing data results in the increase of 5% in the coefficient of variation of the headway, but it does not lead to meaningful variations in punctuality measures. These results are useful for both practitioners interested in passenger‐oriented measurement of time reliability and researchers working on the disclosure of the determinants of unreliability. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrogen Optical Metamaterial Sensor Based on Pd Dendritic Nanostructures
Authors: Rocha‐Rodrigues Pedro , Hierro‐Rodriguez Aurelio , Guerreiro Ariel , Jorge Pedro , Santos José Luís , Araújo João Pedro , Teixeira José Miguel
Published: August 2016

In this manuscript we present a new type of hydrogen optical metamaterial sensor based on the fabrication of Pd dendritic nanostructures. The fabrication of the sensor relies on a cheap self‐assembly process based on the pulsed electrodeposition method in nanoporous alumina templates. By performing optical transmission measurements, we demonstrate how this sensor can monitor hydrogen gas concentrations at room temperature either by evaluating the rate of signal decay during the Pd hydrogen absorption (transient regime) or by measuring the total variation in signal once the system achieves the equilibrium state (stationary regime). We take into account the effects of the Pd‐hydrogen phase transition and its size dependency to explain the kinetics of the hydrogen absorption and desorption in the studied samples. By using the transient detection method, the sensor is able to detect in approximately 50 s the explosive H2(g) concentration threshold of 4 % v/v at atmospheric pressure and room temperature.
Embodying Authenticity in Higher Education
Authors: Douglass Laura
Published: September 2016

Orienting to the community of higher education involves a learning experience that is authentic and embodied for one new college administrator. Reflecting on her experience, she articulates how her relationship to her body helps to understand and respond to the tensions of engaging with a scholarly community.
Learning and adaptation in waterfowl conservation: By chance or by design?
Authors: Johnson Fred A. , Case David J. , Humburg Dale D.
Published: August 2016

The most recent revision of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan seeks to increase the adaptive capacity of the management enterprise to cope with accelerating changes in climate, land‐use patterns, agency priorities, and the waterfowl and wetlands constituency. Institutional and cultural changes of the magnitude envisioned are necessarily slow, messy processes, involving many actors who at a minimum must agree on the need for change. Waterfowl conservation now finds itself in the transition zone between business as usual and some new mode of operation. There are at least 2 different perspectives of this transition: one focuses on process, accountability, and planning for change; another focuses on solutions generated from an organic process of creativity, information sharing, and risk‐taking. Both of these views have something to contribute, but some in the wildlife management enterprise may tend to focus more on the first view. We suggest that ideas from panarchy theory, especially those related to the behaviors of complex adaptive systems, can help waterfowl managers better understand and foster the institutional changes they seek. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Engineering an ATP-dependent d-Ala:d-Ala ligase for synthesizing amino acid amides from amino acids
Authors: Miki Yuta , Okazaki Seiji , Asano Yasuhisa
Published: September 2016

We successfully engineered a new enzyme that catalyzes the formation of d-Ala amide (d-AlaNH2) from d-Ala by modifying ATP-dependent d-Ala:d-Ala ligase (EC 6.3.2.4) from Thermus thermophilus, which catalyzes the formation of d-Ala-d-Ala from two molecules of d-Ala. The new enzyme was created by the replacement of the Ser293 residue with acidic amino acids, as it was speculated to bind to the second d-Ala of d-Ala-d-Ala. In addition, a replacement of the position with Glu performed better than that with Asp with regards to specificity for d-AlaNH2 production. The S293E variant, which was selected as the best enzyme for d-AlaNH2 production, exhibited an optimal activity at pH 9.0 and 40 °C for d-AlaNH2 production. The apparent K  m values of this variant for d-Ala and NH3 were 7.35 mM and 1.58 M, respectively. The S293E variant could catalyze the synthesis of 9.3 and 35.7 mM of d-AlaNH2 from 10 and 50 mM d-Ala and 3 M NH4Cl with conversion yields of 93 and 71.4 %, respectively. This is the first report showing the enzymatic formation of amino acid amides from amino acids.
Aspergillus oryzae Lipase‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Dioleoyl; Palmitoyl‐Rich Triacylglycerols in Two Reactors
Authors: Gu Siyun , Feng Fengqin , Li Yang , Wei Wei , Lu Rongrong
Published: August 2016

Dioleoyl; palmitoyl‐rich triacylglycerols (OPO‐rich TAG) were synthesized through Aspergillus oryzae lipase (AOL)‐catalyzed acidolysis of palm stearin with commercial oleic acid by a one‐step process in a stirred tank reactor and continuous packed bed reactor to evaluate the feasibility of using immobilized AOL. AOL was found to be valuable for the synthesis of OPO‐rich TAG when compared with commercial lipase from Thermomyces lanuginose (Lipozyme® TL IM; Novozymes A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark). The C52 (triglycerides with a carbon number of 52, stands for OPO, OPL, LPL and their isomers) content of AOL was higher (45.65 %), and the intensity of treatment (IOT: lipase amount × reaction time/TAG amount) of AOL was just 6.25 % of that of Lipozyme® TL IM under similar reaction conditions in the stirred tank reactor. Response surface methodology were used to optimize the reaction conditions of the AOL‐catalyzed acidolysis is reaction in the packed bed reactor. The optimal point for the set of experimental conditions generated were as follows: residence time 3.0 h; temperature 62.09 °C; substrate molar ratio 7.13 mol/mol. The highest C52 content obtained was 48.60 ± 2.36 %, with 57.46 ± 1.72 % total palmitic acid at the sn‐2 position and 74.21 ± 2.45 % oleic acid at the sn‐1,3 positions. The half‐life of AOL was 24 h in the stirred tank reactor and 140 h in the packed bed reactor. The immobilized AOL achieved similar conversion and selectivity to commercial lipases for the catalyzed synthesis of OPO‐rich TAG and may offer a cheaper alternative.
The validity of the Reynolds equation in spool valve analysis considering cavitation
Authors: Hong Sung-Ho , Kim Kyung-Woong
Published: September 2016

The purpose of this research is to investigate the validity of the Reynolds equation in spool valve analysis under cavitation. This study is carried out for a laminar and isothermal flow between a sleeve and spool with grooves. The pressure and lateral force obtained from the Reynolds equation and the Navier-Stokes equation are compared with variations of aspect ratio, cross sectional area, and number of grooves. The cavitation phenomenon is considered by using a cavitation model in the Navier-Stokes equation and the Reynolds cavitation boundary condition in the Reynolds equation. A large difference of more than 20% is found between the equations for a lateral force of spool valve with many grooves. It was found that the Reynolds equation is not suitable for calculation of a lateral force of the spool valve with multiple-grooves of which the width and depth are even larger than the clearance under cavitation.
Evaluation of a simulation‐based curriculum for implementing a new clinical protocol
Authors: Marzano David , Smith Roger , Mhyre Jill M. , Seagull F. Jacob , Curran Diana , Behrmann Sydney , Priessnitz Kristina , Hammoud Maya
Published: September 2016

Objective

To evaluate the implementation of a new clinical protocol utilizing on‐unit simulation for team training.

Methods

A prospective observational study was performed at the obstetrics unit of Von Voightlander Women's Hospital, Michigan, USA, between October 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013. All members of the labor and delivery team were eligible for participation. Traditional education methods and in‐situ multi‐disciplinary simulations were used to educate labor and delivery staff. Following each simulation, participants responded to a survey regarding their experience. To evaluate the effect of the interventions, paging content was analyzed for mandated elements and adherence to operating room entry‐time tracking was examined.

Results

In total, 51 unique individuals participated in 12 simulations during a 6‐month period. Simulation was perceived as a valuable activity and paging content improved. Following the intervention, the inclusion of a goal time for reaching the operation room increased from 7% to 61% of pages and the proportion of patients entering to operating room within 10 minutes of the stated goal increased from 67% to 85%.

Conclusion

The training program was well received, and the accuracy of the communication and the goal set for reaching the operating room improved.