bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lethal and sublethal effects of eucalyptol on Triatoma infestans and Rhodnius prolixus, vectors of Chagas disease
Authors: Moretti Ariadna N. , Zerba Eduardo N. , Alzogaray Raúl A.
Published: December 2014

Eucalyptol is the common name for a cyclic ether monoterpene found in essential oils from Eucalyptus species and other plants. Several reports showed its insecticidal activity. In this work, visible symptoms of intoxication, effect on locomotor activity, knock‐down, and repellence produced by eucalyptol were evaluated on nymphs of Triatoma infestans Klug and Rhodnius prolixus Ståhl (both Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Both insects are among the main vectors of Chagas disease in Latin America. Visible symptoms of intoxication were similar to those observed for neurotoxic insecticides. A video tracking technique was used to evaluate locomotor activity and repellence by exposing the nymphs to impregnated papers. Hyperactivity (a non‐directional increase in locomotor activity) is a symptom of intoxication that is used to detect triatomines in rural houses, because it causes the insects to leave their refuges. Eucalyptol produced hyperactivity only in T. infestans at a concentration 1 000× higher than the positive control, deltamethrin [(S)‐cyano(3‐phenoxyphenyl)methyl (1R,3R)‐3‐(2,2‐dibromoethenyl)‐2,2‐dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate]. It also produced repellence on both species at a concentration 10× higher than the positive control, DEET (N,N‐diethyl‐3‐methylbenzamide). Knock‐down effect was evaluated by exposing the nymphs to impregnated papers in closed containers (contact and fumigation simultaneously). Values of knock‐down time for 50% of exposed nymphs (KT50) were calculated for various concentrations of eucalyptol. The onset of knock‐down occurred more rapidly as the concentration increased. In the best cases, eucalyptol was 12–15× less toxic than the positive control dichlorvos (2,2‐dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate). After these results, eucalyptol seems discouraged as a hyperactivant agent for monitoring insects in rural houses. Nevertheless, its knock‐down and repellence effect on vectors of Chagas disease deserve further investigation.
Symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage after thrombolysis with adjuvant anticoagulation in basilar artery occlusion
Authors: Sairanen T. , Strbian D. , Ruuskanen R. , Silvennoinen H. , Salonen O. , Lindsberg P. J.
Published: December 2014

Background and purpose

Our aim was to determine factors associated with symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH) in basilar artery occlusion patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and adjuvant anticoagulant therapy.

Methods

A registry of 176 consecutive patients with angiography‐proven basilar artery occlusion who received IVT with alteplase and heparin between 1995 to 2013 was assessed. Post‐treatment sICH was evaluated with the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study II criteria. Unfavourable outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 3–6 at 3 months.

Results

Twenty‐four patients developed sICH (13.6%, sICH+), all of whom had unfavourable outcome and only two (8.3%) sICH+ patients survived. On admission, sICH+ patients more frequently had extensive ischaemic changes defined as posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early CT Score (PC‐ASPECTS) < 8 (50% vs. 27% in sICH−, P = 0.031) and lower platelet counts (183 vs. 218 E9/l; P = 0.011). They also had higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) (median 160 vs. 147 mmHg, P = 0.034) immediately after IVT. In multivariable regression analysis, lower platelet values [odds ratio (OR) 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97–0.996; P = 0.006], PC‐ASPECTS < 8 on admission (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.3–10.3; P = 0.017) and higher SBP after treatment (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.05; P = 0.017) were independently associated with sICH. Ninety per cent of the sICHs occurred within 48 h from IVT/anticoagulation treatment. No differences in activated partial thrompoplastin times prior to or after the treatment were observed between sICH+ and sICH− patients.

Conclusions

The risk of sICH was largely determined by extension of ischaemic changes on admission computed tomography. Clinically relevantly, also higher post‐thrombolytic SBP as described earlier and lower perithrombolytic platelet counts do increase the risk, a finding requiring confirmation in other patient series.
Post‐stroke cognitive decline: an update and perspectives for clinical research
Authors: Brainin M. , Tuomilehto J. , Heiss W.‐D. , Bornstein N. M. , Bath P. M. W. , Teuschl Y. , Richard E. , Guekht A. , Quinn T. ,   the Post Stroke Cognition Study Group
Published: December 2014

The close relationship between stroke and dementia is an important health issue. Ischaemic stroke can facilitate the onset of vascular dementia as well as aggravate pre‐existing cognitive decline. The onset of cognitive decline may become manifest immediately following the onset of ischaemic stroke, but often there is a delay in the development of cognitive decline after a stroke. This delay can be seen as a therapeutic time window allowing interventions to be applied to preserve cognition following stroke. Both neurodegenerative and vascular mechanisms are activated and probably result in overlapping processes within the neurovascular unit. This review focuses on the incidence and prevalence of cognitive decline following stroke, predisposing stroke aetiologies, pre‐stroke decline, imaging factors and biomarkers. Outcomes are discussed in relation to timing of assessment and neuropsychological tests used for evaluation of cognitive decline in ischaemic stroke patients. Including such tests in routine evaluations of stroke patients after some weeks or months is recommended. Finally, an outlook on ongoing and planned intervention trials is added and some recommendations for future research are proposed.
Life‐course social influences on tooth loss and oral attitudes among older people: evidence from a prospective cohort study
Authors: Åstrøm Anne N. , Ekback Gunnar , Lie Stein A. , Ordell Sven
Published: December 2014

This study examined the relationship of trajectories in social condition with oral attitudes and major tooth loss, using the social mobility and accumulation life‐course models in a cohort. Whether social‐condition inequalities remained stable or changed from 65 yr of age to 70 yr of age was investigated. In 1992, 6,346 inhabitants born in 1942 and residing in two Swedish counties agreed to participate in a prospective survey. Of the participants in 1992, 3,585 (47.6% men) completed questionnaires in 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012. In line with the social‐mobility model, the prevalence of negative oral attitudes and major tooth loss in participants at 65 and 70 yr of age showed a consistent gradient according to social‐condition trajectory, whereby it was lowest among those who were persistently high and highest among those who were persistently low, with the upwardly and downwardly mobile categories being intermediate. A linear graded association between the number of periods with disadvantaged social condition and oral health supported the accumulation model. Both the social mobility and accumulation life‐course models were supported. Social‐condition differentials in negative oral attitudes and tooth loss seem to remain stable or to narrow weakly after the usual age of retirement.
Localization of specific language pathways using diffusion‐weighted imaging tractography for presurgical planning of children with intractable epilepsy
Authors: Jeong Jeong‐Won , Asano Eishi , Juhász Csaba , Chugani Harry T.
Published: December 2014

Objective

To examine whether diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) tractography can detect multiple white matter pathways connected to language cortices, we employed a maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) classification method, which has been recently validated for the corticospinal tract.

Methods

DWI was performed in 12 normally developing children and 17 children with intractable focal epilepsy who underwent subsequent two‐stage epilepsy surgery with intracranial functional mapping. First, whole‐brain DWI tractography was performed to identify unique pathways originating from Broca's area, premotor area, and Wernicke's area on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of normal children and intracranial electrical stimulation mapping (ESM) of children with epilepsy. Group averaging of these pathways based on fMRI was performed to construct the probability maps of language areas in standard MRI space. These maps were finally used to design a DWI‐MAP classifier, which can automatically sort individual fibers originating from fMRI language areas as well as ESM language areas.

Results

In normally developing children, the DWI‐MAP classifier predicted language‐activation areas on fMRI with up to 77% accuracy. In children with focal epilepsy, the DWI‐MAP classifier also showed high accuracy (up to 82%) for the fibers terminating in proximity to essential language areas determined by ESM. Decreased volumes in DWI‐MAP–defined pathways after epilepsy surgery were associated with postoperative language deficits.

Significance

This study encourages further investigations to determine if DWI‐MAP analysis can serve as a noninvasive diagnostic tool during pediatric presurgical planning by estimating not only the location of essential language cortices, but also the underlying fibers connecting these cortical areas.
α‐sarcin and RNase T1 based immunoconjugates: the role of intracellular trafficking in cytotoxic efficiency
Authors: Tomé‐Amat Jaime , Ruiz‐de‐la‐Herrán Javier , Martínez‐del‐Pozo Álvaro , Gavilanes José G. , Lacadena Javier
Published: December 2014

Toxins have been thoroughly studied for their use as therapeutic agents in search of an improvement in toxic efficiency together with a minimization of their undesired side effects. Different studies have shown how toxins can follow different intracellular pathways which are connected with their cytotoxic action inside the cells. The work herein presented describes the different pathways followed by the ribotoxin α‐sarcin and the fungal RNase T1, as toxic domains of immunoconjugates with identical binding domain, the single chain variable fragment of a monoclonal antibody raised against the glycoprotein A33. According to the results obtained both immunoconjugates enter the cells via early endosomes and, while α‐sarcin can translocate directly into the cytosol to exert its deathly action, RNase T1 follows a pathway that involves lysosomes and the Golgi apparatus. These facts contribute to explaining the different cytotoxicity observed against their targeted cells, and reveal how the innate properties of the toxic domain, apart from its catalytic features, can be a key factor to be considered for immunotoxin optimization.
Towards the free energy landscape for catalysis in mammalian nitric oxide synthases
Authors: Leferink Nicole G. H. , Hay Sam , Rigby Stephen E. J. , Scrutton Nigel S.
Published: December 2014

The general requirement for conformational sampling in biological electron transfer reactions catalysed by multi‐domain redox systems has been emphasized in recent years. Crucially, we lack insight into the extent of the conformational space explored and the nature of the energy landscapes associated with these reactions. The nitric oxide synthases (NOS) produce the signalling moleculeNOthrough a series of complex electron transfer reactions. There is accumulating evidence that protein domain dynamics and calmodulin binding are implicated in regulating electron flow fromNADPH, through theFADandFMNcofactors, to the haem oxygenase domain, whereNOis generated. Simple models based on static crystal structures of the isolated reductase domain have suggested a role for large‐scale motions of theFMN‐binding domain in shuttling electrons from the reductase domain to the oxygenase domain. However, detailed insight into the higher‐order domain architecture and dynamic structural transitions inNOSenzymes during enzyme turnover is lacking. In this review, we discuss the recent advances made towards mapping the catalytic free energy landscapes ofNOSenzymes through integration of both structural techniques (e.g. cryo‐electron microscopy) and biophysical techniques (e.g. pulsed‐electron paramagnetic resonance). The general picture that emerges from these experiments is thatNOSenzymes exist in an equilibrium of conformations, comprising a ‘rugged’ or ‘frustrated’ energy landscape, with a key regulatory role for calmodulin in driving vectorial electron transfer by altering the conformational equilibrium. A detailed understanding of these landscapes may provide new opportunities for discovery of isoform‐specific inhibitors that bind at the dynamic interfaces of these multi‐dimensional energy landscapes.
Feedforward regulation of mRNA stability by prolonged extracellular signal‐regulated kinase activity
Authors: Nagashima Takeshi , Inoue Norihiko , Yumoto Noriko , Saeki Yuko , Magi Shigeyuki , Volinsky Natalia , Sorkin Alexander , Kholodenko Boris N. , Okada‐Hatakeyama Mariko
Published: December 2014

Extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) plays a central role in signal transduction networks and cell fate decisions. Sustained ERK activation induces cell differentiation, whereas transient ERK results in the proliferation of several types of cells. Sustained ERK activity stabilizes the proteins of early‐response gene products. However, the effect of ERK activity duration on mRNA stability is unknown. We analyzed the quantitative relationship between the duration of four ERK activity kinetics and the mRNA expression profile in growth factor‐treated cells. Time‐course transcriptome analysis revealed that the cells with prolonged ERK activity generally showed sustained mRNA expression of late response genes but not early or mid genes. Selected late response genes decayed more rapidly in the presence of a specific ERK inhibitor than a general transcription inhibitor and the decay rate was not related to the number of AU‐rich elements. Our results suggest that sustained ERK activity plays an important role in the lifespan of the mRNA encoded by late response genes, in addition to the previously demonstrated role in protein stabilization of early‐response genes, including transcription factors regulating the transcription of mid and late genes. This double‐positive regulation of ligand‐induced genes, also termed feedforward regulation, is critical in cell fate decisions.
Vitamin C induces a pluripotent state in mouse embryonic stem cells by modulating microRNA expression
Authors: Gao Yuan , Han Zhuo , Li Qian , Wu Yongyan , Shi Xiaoyan , Ai Zhiying , Du Juan , Li Wenzhong , Guo Zekun , Zhang Yong
Published: December 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a group of noncoding RNAs, function as post‐transcriptional gene regulators and control the establishment, self‐renewal and differentiation of stem cells. Vitamin C has been recognized as a reprogramming enhancer because of its ability to induce a blastocyst‐like state in embryonic stem cells (ESCs). However, knowledge on the regulation of miRNAs by vitamin C in ESCs is limited. In this study, we found that vitamin C induced miRNA expression, particularly of ESC‐specific miRNAs. Moreover, vitamin C maintained the miRNA expression of the Dlk1–Dio3 imprinting region. The miRNAs in this region contain identical seed sequences, which target a class of genes, including Kdm6b, Klf13, and Sox6, and are mainly related to cell differentiation and development. These genes were significantly downregulated by vitamin C. Notably, miR‐143 promoted self‐renewal of mouse ESCs and suppressed expression of the de novo methyltransferase gene Dnmt3a. Knockdown of miR‐143 by use of its inhibitor counteracted the vitamin C‐induced reduction in Dnmt3a expression, showing that vitamin C repressed Dnmt3a expression via miR‐143. Vitamin C also promoted DNA demethylation, including of pluripotency gene promoters (Tbx3, Tcl1, and Esrrb) and ESC‐specific miRNA promoters (miR‐290–295 and miR‐17–92 clusters), and DNA hydroxymethylation, including of the intergenic differentially methylated region of the Dlk1–Dio3 region. These results strongly suggested that vitamin C promoted widespread DNA demethylation in gene promoters by modulating epigenetic modifiers, including Dnmt3a, which activated pluripotency genes and ESC‐specific miRNAs. Then, differentiation and development genes were repressed by ESC‐enriched miRNAs, which maintained the stem cell state.
Fatigue crack growth in Haynes 230 single crystals: an analysis with digital image correlation
Authors: Rabbolini S. , Pataky G. J. , Sehitoglu H. , Beretta S.
Published: December 2014

Fatigue crack growth was investigated in Haynes 230, a nickel‐based superalloy. Anisotropic stress intensity factors were calculated with a least squares algorithm using the displacements obtained from digital image correlation. Crack opening/sliding levels were measured by analysing the relative displacement of crack flanks. Reversed crack tip plastic zones were calculated adopting an anisotropic yield criterion. The strains measured in the reversed plastic zone by digital image correlation showed a dependence on crystallographic orientation. Finally, a finite element model was adopted to examine plasticity around the crack tip. Results were compared with the experimentally observed strains.
Study of the fracture of ferritic ductile cast iron under different loading conditions
Authors: Fernandino D. O. , Boeri R.
Published: December 2014

This work is a continuation of the studies presented in a recent paper by the authors, where the fracture surfaces of pearlitic ductile cast iron under different loading conditions were exhaustively analysed. In this study, fracture surfaces of ferritic ductile cast iron (or ferritic spheroidal graphite cast iron) generated under impact, bending and fatigue loading conditions were characterised and compared. The fracture surfaces were characterised qualitatively and quantitatively from the observation under a scanning electron microscope. The fracture mechanisms in each case were identified. For impact tests, as test temperature increases, the dominant fracture mechanism changes from brittle to ductile. For bending tests, a fully ductile fracture micromechanism dominates the surface. In fatigue tests, the surface shows a mix of flat facets that appear to be cleavage facets and ductile striations, but the typical fatigue striations are not easily found on the fracture surface. Methodologies for the determination of the macroscopic direction of main crack propagation in both ductile and brittle failure modes are proposed. These allow identifying main crack propagation direction with good approximation.

The results are potentially useful to identify the nature of loading conditions in a fractured specimen of ferritic spheroidal graphite cast iron. The authors believe that it is necessary to extend the methodologies proposed in samples with different geometry and size, before they can be used to provide additional information to the classical fractographic analysis.
Detecting long‐term growth trends using tree rings: a critical evaluation of methods
Authors: Peters Richard L. , Groenendijk Peter , Vlam Mart , Zuidema Pieter A.
Published: December 2014

Tree‐ring analysis is often used to assess long‐term trends in tree growth. A variety of growth‐trend detection methods (GDMs) exist to disentangle age/size trends in growth from long‐term growth changes. However, these detrending methods strongly differ in approach, with possible implications for their output. Here, we critically evaluate the consistency, sensitivity, reliability and accuracy of four most widely used GDMs: conservative detrending (CD) applies mathematical functions to correct for decreasing ring widths with age; basal area correction (BAC) transforms diameter into basal area growth; regional curve standardization (RCS) detrends individual tree‐ring series using average age/size trends; and size class isolation (SCI) calculates growth trends within separate size classes. First, we evaluated whether these GDMs produce consistent results applied to an empirical tree‐ring data set of Melia azedarach, a tropical tree species from Thailand. Three GDMs yielded similar results – a growth decline over time – but the widely used CD method did not detect any change. Second, we assessed the sensitivity (probability of correct growth‐trend detection), reliability (100% minus probability of detecting false trends) and accuracy (whether the strength of imposed trends is correctly detected) of these GDMs, by applying them to simulated growth trajectories with different imposed trends: no trend, strong trends (−6% and +6% change per decade) and weak trends (−2%, +2%). All methods except CD, showed high sensitivity, reliability and accuracy to detect strong imposed trends. However, these were considerably lower in the weak or no‐trend scenarios. BAC showed good sensitivity and accuracy, but low reliability, indicating uncertainty of trend detection using this method. Our study reveals that the choice of GDM influences results of growth‐trend studies. We recommend applying multiple methods when analysing trends and encourage performing sensitivity and reliability analysis. Finally, we recommend SCI and RCS, as these methods showed highest reliability to detect long‐term growth trends.
Annual burning of a tallgrass prairie inhibits C and N cycling in soil, increasing recalcitrant pyrogenic organic matter storage while reducing N availability
Authors: Soong Jennifer L. , Cotrufo M. Francesca
Published: December 2014

Grassland ecosystems store an estimated 30% of the world's total soil C and are frequently disturbed by wildfires or fire management. Aboveground litter decomposition is one of the main processes that form soil organic matter (SOM). However, during a fire biomass is removed or partially combusted and litter inputs to the soil are substituted with inputs of pyrogenic organic matter (py‐OM). Py‐OMaccounts for a more recalcitrant plant input toSOMthan fresh litter, and the historical frequency of burning may alter C and N retention of both fresh litter and py‐OMinputs to the soil. We compared the fate of these two forms of plant material by incubating13C‐ and15N‐labeledAndropogon gerardiilitter and py‐OMat both an annually burned and an infrequently burned tallgrass prairie site for 11 months. We traced litter and py‐OMC and N into uncomplexed and organo‐mineralSOMfractions andCO2fluxes and determined how fire history affects the fate of these two forms of aboveground biomass. Evidence fromCO2fluxes andSOMC:N ratios indicates that the litter was microbially transformed during decomposition while, besides an initial labile fraction, py‐OMadded toSOMlargely untransformed by soil microbes. Additionally, at the N‐limited annually burned site, litter N was tightly conserved. Together, these results demonstrate how, although py‐OMmay contribute to C and N sequestration in the soil due to its resistance to microbial degradation, a long history of annual removal of fresh litter and input of py‐OMinfers N limitation due to the inhibition of microbial decomposition of aboveground plant inputs to the soil. These results provide new insight into how fire may impact plant inputs to the soil, and the effects of py‐OMonSOMformation and ecosystem C and N cycling.
A review and meta‐analysis of the effects of multiple abiotic stressors on marine embryos and larvae
Authors: Przeslawski Rachel , Byrne Maria , Mellin Camille
Published: December 2014

Marine organisms are simultaneously exposed to anthropogenic stressors with likely interactive effects, including synergisms in which the combined effects of multiple stressors are greater than the sum of individual effects. Early life stages of marine organisms are potentially vulnerable to the stressors associated with global change, but identifying general patterns across studies, species and response variables is challenging. This review represents the first meta‐analysis of multistressor studies to target early marine life stages (embryo to larvae), particularly between temperature, salinity and pH as these are the best studied. Knowledge gaps in research on multiple abiotic stressors and early life stages are also identified. The meta‐analysis yielded several key results: (1) Synergistic interactions (65% of individual tests) are more common than additive (17%) or antagonistic (17%) interactions. (2) Larvae are generally more vulnerable than embryos to thermal and pH stress. (3) Survival is more likely than sublethal responses to be affected by thermal, salinity and pH stress. (4) Interaction types vary among stressors, ontogenetic stages and biological responses, but they are more consistent among phyla. (5) Ocean acidification is a greater stressor for calcifying than noncalcifying larvae. Despite being more ecologically realistic than single‐factor studies, multifactorial studies may still oversimplify complex systems, and so meta‐analyses of the data from them must be cautiously interpreted with regard to extrapolation to field conditions. Nonetheless, our results identify taxa with early life stages that may be particularly vulnerable (e.g. molluscs, echinoderms) or robust (e.g. arthropods, cnidarians) to abiotic stress. We provide a list of recommendations for future multiple stressor studies, particularly those focussed on early marine life stages.
Impact of hepatitis E virus seropositivity on chronic liver disease in cancer patients with hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Kyvernitakis Andreas , Taremi Mahnaz , Blechacz Boris , Hwang Jessica , Jiang Ying , Mahale Parag , Torres Harrys A.
Published: December 2014

Aim

Immunocompromised patients can develop chronic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection and progress to cirrhosis. Hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected cancer patients who have received chemotherapeutic agents experience accelerated liver fibrosis progression. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence and impact of HEV seropositivity on liver‐related outcomes in HCV‐infected cancer patients.

Methods

As part of a prospective study of HCV‐infected cancer patients conducted at our center, we investigate the characteristics associated with progression of their liver disease.

Results

Of the 115 patients tested, 13 (11%) were positive for HEV immunoglobulin G. HEV seropositivity was associated with advanced age (P = 0.004), race (P = 0.02), place of birth outside the USA (P = 0.021), cirrhosis (P = 0.027), history of reused needles/syringes during massive vaccination campaigns (P = 0.015) and coronary artery disease (P = 0.039). Overall, 47 (41%) of the patients had cirrhosis. Factors independently associated with cirrhosis were male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; P = 0.028) and HEV seropositivity (OR, 4.1; P = 0.032).

Conclusion

HEV seropositivity is present in 11% of HCV‐infected cancer patients and seems to be associated with cirrhosis. Our results suggest that HEV screening should be implemented in HCV‐infected patients with cancer.
The Case of the Missing Hand: Gender, Disability, and Bodily Norms in Selective Termination
Authors: Mills Catherine
Published: December 2014

The practice of terminating a pregnancy following the diagnosis of a fetal abnormality raises questions about notions of bodily normality and the ways these shape ethical decision‐making. This is particularly the case with terminations done on the basis of ostensibly minor morphological anomalies, such as cleft lip and isolated malformations of the limbs or digits. In this paper, I examine a recent case of selective termination after a morphology ultrasound scan revealed the fetus to be missing a hand (acheiria). Using the work of Georges Canguilhem, I show that a person with acheiria could be considered normal. Further, I show that this case reveals a kind of “undecidability” in the significance of fetal sex/gender and disability in termination. From this, I consider the conceptual interaction of disability with sex/gender, to argue that the ethics of disability termination are not as distinct from those of sex/gender selection as is commonly supposed.
Bacillus cereus in personal care products: risk to consumers
Authors: Pitt T. L. , McClure J. , Parker M. D. , Amézquita A. , McClure P. J.
Published: December 2014

Synopsis

Bacillus cereus is ubiquitous in nature and thus occurs naturally in a wide range of raw materials and foodstuffs. B. cereus spores are resistant to desiccation and heat and able to survive dry storage and cooking. Vegetative cells produce several toxins which on ingestion in sufficient numbers can cause vomiting and/or diarrhoea depending on the toxins produced. Gastrointestinal disease is commonly associated with reheated or inadequately cooked foods. In addition to being a rare cause of several acute infections (e.g. pneumonia and septicaemia), B. cereus can also cause localized infection of post‐surgical or trauma wounds and is a rare but significant pathogen of the eye where it may result in severe endophthalmitis often leading to loss of vision. Key risk factors in such cases are trauma to the eye and retained contaminated intraocular foreign bodies. In addition, rare cases of B. cereus‐associated keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) have been linked to contact lens use. Bacillus cereus is therefore a microbial contaminant that could adversely affect product safety of cosmetic and facial toiletries and pose a threat to the user if other key risk factors are also present. The infective dose in the human eye is unknown, but as few as 100 cfu has been reported to initiate infection in a susceptible animal model. However, we are not aware of any reports in the literature of B. cereus infections in any body site linked with use of personal care products. Low levels of B. cereus spores may on occasion be present in near‐eye cosmetics, and these products have been used by consumers for many years. In addition, exposure to B. cereus is more likely to occur through other routes (e.g. dustborne contamination) due to its ubiquity and resistance properties of spores. The organism has been recovered from the eyes of healthy individuals. Therefore, although there may be a perceived hazard, the risk of severe eye infections as a consequence of exposure through contaminated near‐eye cosmetics is judged to be vanishingly small. It is unlikely that more stringent microbiological standards for near‐eye cosmetics will have any impact on the risk of severe eye infections caused by B. cereus, as these are not linked to use of personal care products.
Correlation between instrumental texture and colour quality attributes with sensory analysis of selected cheeses as affected by fat contents
Authors: Półtorak A. , Wyrwisz J. , Moczkowska M. , Marcinkowska‐Lesiak M. , Stelmasiak A. , Ulanicka U. , Zalewska M. , Wierzbicka A. , Sun Da‐Wen
Published: December 2014

This study evaluated several physical and sensory parameters of different types of cheese available in the Polish market. The measurements of textural properties were conducted in an Instron universal testing machine, while the colour properties of cheeses were measured using a Minolta chromameter. The chemical composition was determined by means of the near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRs). Moreover, a trained sensory panel was invited to assess the cheese texture‐related properties. Generally, cheeses with reduced fat content were characterised by higher hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness and elasticity. Texture‐related parameters of cheese with canola oil were comparable to that of most of full‐fat cheeses. The correlation analysis between physical and sensory attributes related to cheese textural properties indicated the potential applications of TPA, shear and penetration tests (r = 0.766, r = 0.75 and r = 0.765, respectively) for the evaluation of sensory properties related to the hardness. Meanwhile, the elasticity of cheese obtained from sensory evaluation was strongly correlated with the elasticity determined from the shear test (r = 0.722) and moderately correlated with the elasticity from penetration test (r = 0.588), indicating a need to refine the method of penetration test. In addition, cheeses exhibited higher meltability during convection heating at 230 °C than microwave heating. The values of meltability for cheese with reduced fat content were lower than those of full‐fat cheese.
Potentially probiotic acetic acid bacteria isolation and identification from traditional dairies microbiota
Authors: Haghshenas Babak , Nami Yousef , Abdullah Norhafizah , Radiah Dayang , Rosli Rozita , Barzegari Abolfazl , Yari Khosroushahi Ahmad
Published: December 2014

Among probiotics, acetic acid bacteria (AAB) can be used as preservative agents because of their high fermentation and acidification activities. This study aimed to isolate, identify and biologically characterise Acetobacter strains from traditional Iranian dairy products. Acetobacter strains were identified by catalase assay, Gram staining, and combined repetitive sequence‐based PCR [(GTG)5‐PCR fingerprints] and 16S rDNA gene sequencing. We identified eight strains belonging to four species, including Acetobacter aceti, Acetobacter indonesiensis, Acetobacter cibinongensis and Acetobacter syzygii. The molecular techniques could be used as an effective and rapid alternative tool to identify and characterise dairy‐associated AAB. Primary probiotic assessments, including low pH and high bile salt tolerance tests, antagonistic activity test against pathogens, and antibiotic susceptibility confirmed the probiotic properties of these AAB, particularly A. cibinongensis 34L strain, which was isolated from curd. Therefore, this strain can be introduced as novel candidate probiotics that could be used in the food industry.
Application of cold oxygen plasma for the reduction of Cladosporium cladosporioides and Penicillium citrinum on the surface of dried filefish (Stephanolepis cirrhifer) fillets
Authors: Park Shin Young , Ha Sang‐Do
Published: December 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cold oxygen plasma (COP) on the reductions of Penicillium citrinum and Cladosporium cladosporioides on the surface of dried filefish fillets (Stephanolepis cirrhifer). The counts were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced with the increase in the treatment time (3–20 min) of COP on the fillets. However, no significant (P > 0.05) differences were observed in the counts between 3 and 5 min of COP. The average decrease in the counts of C. cladosporioides and P. citrinum caused by 3–20 min of COP was 0.91 and 1.04 log10 CFU g−1, respectively. A reduction of >1‐log10 CFU g−1 was observed on the fillets treated with COP for >10 min. Decimal reduction time (dR) by Weibull model was 9.32 and 7.42 min of COP for C. cladosporioides and P. citrinum, respectively. The fillets exposed to 20 min of COP displayed increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and decreased overall sensory acceptance. However, the fillets treated with 10 min of COP received satisfactory TBARS and consumer acceptance. Therefore, a 10‐min COP could be effective in reducing >90% and inactivating of the mould without causing any deleterious changes to the physicochemical and sensory qualities of the fillet.
Protocol for Cilostazol Stroke Prevention Study for Antiplatelet Combination (CSPS.com): A Randomized, Open-Label, Parallel-Group Trial
Authors: Toyoda Kazunori , Uchiyama Shinichiro , Hoshino Haruhiko , Kimura Kazumi , Origasa Hideki , Naritomi Hiroaki , Minematsu Kazuo , Yamaguchi Takenori ,   for the CSPS.com Study Investigators
Published: December 2014

Rationale and aims

Monotherapy with antiplatelet agents is only modestly effective in secondary prevention of ischemic stroke (IS), particularly in patients with multiple risk factors such as cervicocephalic arterial stenosis, diabetes, and hypertension. While dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel reduced IS recurrence, particularly in the early stages after IS, it increased the risk of bleeding. Compared with aspirin, cilostazol prevented IS recurrence without increasing the incidence of serious bleeds. In patients with intracranial arterial stenosis, no significant increase in bleeding events was observed for DAPT with cilostazol and aspirin, compared to that for aspirin monotherapy. DAPT involving cilostazol may therefore be safer than conventional DAPT. These findings prompted us to conduct the Cilostazol Stroke Prevention Study for Antiplatelet Combination ( CSPS.com ; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01995370) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DAPT involving cilostazol for secondary IS prevention, in comparison with that of antiplatelet monotherapy.

Design

The CSPS.com is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group trial. A total of 4000 high-risk patients with noncardioembolic IS will be randomized 8–180 days after onset to receive aspirin or clopidogrel monotherapy, or DAPT with cilostazol and aspirin or clopidogrel for at least one-year.

Study outcomes

The primary outcome is IS recurrence. Secondary outcomes are composite occurrences of any stroke, death from any cause, myocardial infarction, vascular death, and other vascular events.

Discussion

The CSPS.com is expected to provide evidence indicating whether secondary IS prevention in high-risk patients can be improved by using DAPT involving cilostazol.
Outcomes after Stroke Thrombolysis According to Prior Antiplatelet Use
Authors: Meseguer Elena , Labreuche Julien , Guidoux Celine , Lavallée Philippa C. , Cabrejo Lucie , Sirimarco Gaia , Valcarcel Jaime G. , Klein Isabelle F. , Amarenco Pierre , Mazighi Mikael
Published: December 2014

Background

Thirty percent of ischemic stroke (IS) patients suffering from acute stroke are under antiplatelet therapy.

Aims

We evaluated whether prior antiplatelet use before intravenous (IV), intra-arterial (IA) or combined IV/IA therapy may be associated with worse outcomes and an increased intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) risk after reperfusion therapies.

Methods

We analyzed data from our patient registry ( n = 874) and conducted a systematic review of previous observational studies. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients who developed symptomatic ICH (sICH), defined in our registry per ECASS-II definition.

Results

We identified 43 previous reports that evaluated the impact of prior antiplatelet use on outcomes after reperfusion therapy in AIS patients. Prior antiplatelet use was found in 35% of AIS patients, eligible for reperfusion therapies and was associated with a worse vascular profile. In an unadjusted meta-analysis that included our registry data, prior antiplatelet use was associated with more sICH per ECASS-II definition (OR, 1·78 (95% CI, 1·48–2·13), and less favorable outcome (OR, 0·86; 95% CI, 0·77–0·98). However, in multivariate analyses conducted in our registry showed that prior antiplatelet use was not associated with worse outcome ( P > 0·23); and in the systematic review, only 3 studies reported a slight, but significant adjusted increase in sICH risk, of whom one had conflicting results according to sICH definition.

Conclusions

These results suggest no significant detrimental effect of prior antiplatelet use in AIS patients treated by IV, IA or combined IV/IA therapy. Further studies are needed to assess the specific impact of different and cumulative antiplatelet agents.
Insect midgut carboxypeptidases with emphasis on S10 hemipteran and M14 lepidopteran carboxypeptidases
Authors: Ferreira C. , Rebola K. G. O. , Cardoso C. , Bragatto I. , Ribeiro A. F. , Terra W. R.
Published: December 2014

We compared the whole complement of midgut carboxypeptidases from 10 insects pertaining to five orders based on transcriptomes obtained by deep sequencing and biochemical data. Most of the carboxypeptidases were metallocarboxypeptidases from family M14, with carboxypeptidase A (CPA) predominating over carboxypeptidase B (CPB). They were found in all of the insects studied except for the hemipterans and a bruchid beetle. M14 carboxypeptidases were expressed only in the midgut of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera). The most expressed CPA from this insect (SfCPA) was cloned, sequenced and expressed as a recombinant enzyme. This enzyme was used to generate antibodies used to demonstrate that SfCPA is secreted by an exocytic route. Serine carboxypeptidases from family S10 were found in all of the insects studied here. In S. frugiperda, they are expressed in all tissues besides the midgut, in accordance with their presumed lysosomal role. In the hemipteran Dysdercus peruvianus, S10 carboxypeptidases are expressed only in midgut, suggesting that they are digestive enzymes. This was confirmed by enzyme assays of midgut contents. Furthermore, the substrate specificity of D. peruvianus S10 carboxypeptidases are predicted to be one CPC (preferring hydrophobic residues) and one CPD (preferring basic residues), thus able to hydrolyse the peptides formed by their digestive cathepsin D and cathepsin L, respectively. The role of S10 carboxypeptidases in bruchid beetles are suggested to be the same as in hemipterans.
Combined treatment with chlorhexidine and 0·9% saline in a newborn infant with an infected surgical wound
Authors: Tekgündüz Kadir Şerafettin , Kepenekli Eda , Demirelli Yaşar , Caner İbrahim , Kara Mustafa
Published: December 2014

Newborns are more susceptible to infection; this makes proper wound care extremely important in them. Unfortunately, in spite of successful surgery, patients can die as a result of wound area infections. Herein, we report a case in which a combined therapy of chlorhexidine (a disinfectant) and saline (a cleansing agent used in wound care) was used effectively to treat the wound in a newborn infant with an antibiotic‐resistant, Gram‐negative, bacteria‐related surgical site infection.
Aetiology, comorbidities and cofactors of chronic leg ulcers: retrospective evaluation of 1 000 patients from 10 specialised dermatological wound care centers in Germany
Authors: Jockenhöfer Finja , Gollnick Harald , Herberger Katharina , Isbary Georg , Renner Regina , Stücker Markus , Valesky Eva , Wollina Uwe , Weichenthal Michael , Karrer Sigrid , Kuepper Bernhard , Roesch Alexander , Dissemond Joachim
Published: December 2014

Numerous comorbidities and cofactors have been known to influence wound healing processes. In this multicentre study, clinical data of 1 000 patients with chronic leg ulcers from ten specialised dermatological wound care centers were analysed. The patient cohort comprised 567 females and 433 males with an average age of 69·9 years. The wounds persisted on average for 40·8 months and had a mean size of 43·7 cm2. Venous leg ulcers represented the most common entity accounting for 51·3% of all chronic wounds, followed by mixed‐type ulcers in 12·9% and arterial ulcerations in 11·0% of the patients. Vasculitis was diagnosed in 4·5%, trauma in 3·2%, pyoderma gangrenosum in 2·8%, lymphoedema in 1·7%, neoplasia in 1·0% and delayed post‐surgical wound healing in 0·6% of the included patients. In total, 70·5% of patients suffered from arterial hypertension, 45·2% were obese, 27·2% had non‐insulin dependent diabetes, and 24·4% dyslipidaemia. Altogether 18·4% suffered from metabolic syndrome. Cofactors and comorbidities of patients with chronic leg ulcers have previously been studied but not in detail. Here, we were able to demonstrate the existence of several potentially relevant cofactors, comorbidities of their associations and geographical distributions, which should be routinely examined in patients with chronic leg ulcers and – if possible – treated.
Conservation of the Sunda gharial Tomistoma schlegelii in Lake Mesangat, Indonesia
Authors: Stuebing R. , Sommerlad R. , Staniewicz A.
Published: December 2014

Although featured in many international zoo collections for decades, little was known about the natural history of Sunda gharial Tomistoma schlegelii until recently. Zoos rarely keep large individuals and breeding success has been low. As late as 1998, even though most conservationists regarded the conservation status of the species as Endangered, the reality was that over most of the range the actual status of the Sunda gharial was Data Deficient. Beginning with surveys of the species by international and local scientists in Indonesian Sumatra and, later, in Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, supported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature/Species Survival Commission Crocodile Specialist Group, more details on the broad distribution of this crocodilian came to light. Ironically, rediscovery of a large and healthy population of T. schlegelii in East Kalimantan arose from an oil‐palm company accessing the area to develop a site called Danau Mesangat. Subsequently through a cooperation agreement with the oil‐palm company's conservation department and a local foundation, a group of dedicated zoos in Europe and America, and the Tomistoma Task Force set up by the Crocodile Specialist Group, provided funding for three consecutive years of field studies by a research group. These studies investigated the ecology of T. schlegelii and of a sympatric population of the Critically Endangered Siamese crocodile Crocodylus siamensis. The role of the zoos, including their role in the development of the research programme, is described. Accounts are given of the characteristics of the Mesangat habitat, some new details about the distribution and abundance of Sunda gharial and Siamese crocodiles in the habitat, and information about reproduction in T. schlegelii. In summary, an overview of threats and suggestions for conservation actions needed at the Mesangat site are provided.
Conservation breeding of the Northern river terrapin Batagur baska at the Vienna Zoo, Austria, and in Bangladesh
Authors: Weissenbacher A. , Preininger D. , Ghosh R. , Morshed A. G. J. , Praschag P.
Published: December 2014

Wild populations of the Northern river terrapin Batagur baska have been decimated to such an extent that the species can be considered as ecologically extinct. Harvesting and habitat reduction are the main reasons for the drastic demise of B. baska, which formerly inhabited rivers and estuaries in East India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. A cooperative in situ and ex situ conservation project was established to secure the survival of this large river terrapin. In 2010, at Vienna Zoo, Austria, the first two captive‐bred juveniles of the project hatched and presented an opportunity to call attention to this Critically Endangered species. With combined efforts a breeding population has been assembled in Bangladesh's Bhawal National Park and 84 juveniles have been reared in the past 2 years. Project‐Batagur demonstrates how zoos can play a key role in sustainable long‐term conservation of threatened species.
Thermally Induced Microstructural Changes in Fly Ash Geopolymers: Experimental Results and Proposed Model
Authors: Rickard William D.A. , Kealley Catherine S. , van Riessen Arie
Published: December 2014

This study presents a proposed model for thermally induced microstructural changes in fly ash geopolymers. Two paste mixes with different as‐cured microstructures are evaluated for thermal resistance. One mix was a highly reacted, high‐strength geopolymer with a compact microstructure and the other mix had higher degree of unreacted fly ash resulting in a low strength, low‐density geopolymer. Changes in the microstructure and bulk properties for each formulation were assessed at 100°C temperature intervals up to 1000°C using SEM, Q‐XRD and physical testing. It was observed that the higher density and apparent lower permeability of the high‐strength geopolymer led to it being more vulnerable to dehydration damage. Dimensional and phase changes also caused further strength losses before sintering at higher temperatures promoted strength gains. The low‐strength geopolymer was not damaged by dehydration and was better able to accommodate volumetric changes; hence it exhibited an increase in strength after thermal exposure due to the sintering. From these results and others in the literature, a model has been proposed for thermally induced changes in fly ash geopolymers.