bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discrimination of malignant and normal kidney tissue with short wave infrared dispersive Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Haifler Miki , Pence Isaac , Sun Yu , Kutikov Alexander , Uzzo Robert G. , Mahadevan‐Jansen Anita , Patil Chetan A.
Published: February 2018

Renal mass biopsy is still controversial due to imperfect accuracy. Raman spectroscopy (RS) demonstrated promise as an in vivo real‐time, nondestructive diagnostic tool in many malignancies. Short wave infrared (SWIR) RS has the potential to improve on previous RS systems for renal mass diagnosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate a SWIR RS system in differentiating normal and malignant renal samples. Measurements were acquired using a benchtop RS system with excitation wavelength at 1064 nm and an InGaAs array detector. Processed spectra were classified with a Bayesian machine learning algorithm, sparse multinomial logistic regression. Sensitivity and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses evaluated the classifier accuracy. Accuracy of the classifier was 92.5% with sensitivity and specificity of 95.8% and 88.8%, respectively. For posterior probability of malignant class assignment, the area under the ROC curve is 0.94 (95% confidence interval: 0.89‐0.99, P < .001). SWIR RS accurately differentiated normal and malignant kidney tumors. RS has the potential to be used as a diagnostic tool in kidney cancer.
Analysis of basidiomycete pigments in situ by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Tauber James P. , Matthäus Christian , Lenz Claudius , Hoffmeister Dirk , Popp Jürgen
Published: February 2018

Basidiomycetes, that is, mushroom‐type fungi, are known to produce pigments in response to environmental impacts. As antioxidants with a high level of unsaturation, these compounds can neutralize highly oxidative species. In the event of close contact with other microbes, the enzymatically controlled pigment production is triggered and pigment secretion is generated at the interaction zone. The identification and analysis of these pigments is important to understand the defense mechanism of fungi, which is essential to counteract an uncontrolled spread of harmful species. Usually, a detailed analysis of the pigments is time consuming as it depends on laborious sample preparation and isolation procedures. Furthermore, the applied protocols often influence the chemical integrity of the compound of interest. A possibility to noninvasively investigate the pigmentation is Raman microspectroscopy. The methodology has the potential to analyze the chemical composition of the sample spatially resolved at the interaction zone. After the acquisition of a representative spectroscopic library, the pigment production by basidiomycetes was monitored for during response to different fungi and bacteria. The presented results describe a very efficient noninvasive way of pigment analysis which can be applied with minimal sample preparation.
Anti‐inflammatory Exploration of Sulfonamide Containing Diaryl Pyrazoles with Promising COX‐2 Selectivity and Enhanced Gastric Safety Profile
Authors: Pavase Laxmikant S. , Mane Dhananjay V. , Baheti Kamalkishor G.
Published: February 2018

Novel sulfonamide containing diaryl pyrazoles were synthesized and were subsequently tested for their in vitro cyclooxygenase inhibitory assay. Compounds that showed promising in vitro COX‐2 IC50 values and selectivity indices were then evaluated for their in vivo anti‐inflammatory inhibition assay using standard carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema method. Two promising inhibitors were evaluated for ulcerogenic liability. X‐ray crystal structure of COX‐2 was taken from PDB entry COX‐2 (3LN1) having a resolution of 2.80 Å (Angstroms). Structural preparations for docking studies were accomplished using protein preparation wizard in Maestro 9.0. Compound 10b displayed reasonable COX‐2 inhibition (COX‐2 IC50 = 0.52 μM) and COX‐2 selectivity index (SI = 10.73) when compared with celecoxib (COX‐2 IC50 = 0.78 μM) and (SI = 9.51). In vivo anti‐inflammatory studies demonstrated 64.28% inhibition for 10b in comparison with the 57.14% for that of celecoxib itself. The results of ulcerogenic liability were also found comparable with standard celecoxib. Molecular docking studies revealed that all the designed molecules showed good interactions with receptor active site with glide scores in the range −13.130 to −10.624.
Socio‐economic status and time trends associated with early ART initiation following primary HIV infection in Montreal, Canada: 1996 to 2015
Authors: Mehraj Vikram , Cox Joseph , Lebouché Bertrand , Costiniuk Cecilia , Cao Wei , Li Taisheng , Ponte Rosalie , Thomas Réjean , Szabo Jason , Baril Jean‐Guy , Trottier Benoit , Côté Pierre , LeBlanc Roger , Bruneau Julie , Tremblay Cécile , Routy Jean‐Pierre ,   the Montreal Primary HIV‐Infection Study Group
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Guidelines regarding antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in HIV infection have varied over time, with the 2015 World Health Organization recommendation suggesting ART initiation at the time of diagnosis regardless of CD4 T‐cell counts. Herein, we investigated the influence of socio‐demographic and clinical factors in addition to time trends on early ART initiation among participants of the Montreal Primary HIV Infection Study.

Methods

The Montreal Primary HIV Infection Study is a prospective cohort established in three community medical centres (CMCs) and two university medical centres (UMCs). Recently diagnosed HIV‐infected adults were categorized as receiving early (vs. delayed) ART if ART was initiated within 180 days of the baseline visit. Associations between early ART initiation and socio‐demographic, socio‐economic and behavioural information were examined. Independent associations of factors linked with early ART initiation were determined using multivariable binary logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 348 participants had a documented date of HIV acquisition of <180 days. The median interquartile range (IQR) age of participants was 35 (28; 42) years and the majority were male (96%), having paid employment (63%), men who have sex with men (MSM) (78%) and one to four sexual partners in the last three months (70%). Participants presented with a median IQR HIV plasma viral load of 4.6 (3.7; 5.3) log10 copies/ml, CD4 count of 510 (387; 660) cells/μl and were recruited in CMCs (52%) or UMCs (48%). Early ART initiation was observed in 47% of the participants and the trend followed a V‐shaped curve with peaks in 1996 to 1997 (89%) and 2013 to 2015 (88%) with a dip in 2007 to 2009 (22%). Multivariable analyses showed that having a paid employment adjusted odds ratio (aOR: 2.43; 95% CI: 1.19, 4.95), lower CD4 count (aOR per 50 cell increase: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.87, 0.99) and care at UMCs (aOR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.06 to 3.90) were independently associated with early ART initiation.

Conclusions

Early ART initiation during primary HIV infection was associated with diminished biological prognostic factors and calendar time mirroring evolution of treatment guidelines. In addition, socio‐economic factors such as having a paid employment, contribute to early ART initiation in the context of universal access to care in Canada.
Preclinical optimization of antibody‐based radiopharmaceuticals for cancer imaging and radionuclide therapy—Model, vector, and radionuclide selection
Authors: Carter Lukas M. , Poty Sophie , Sharma Sai Kiran , Lewis Jason S.
Published: February 2018

Intact antibodies and their truncated counterparts (eg, Fab, scFv fragments) are generally exquisitely specific and selective vectors, enabling recognition of individual cancer‐associated molecular phenotypes against a complex and dynamic biomolecular background. Complementary alignment of these advantages with unique properties of radionuclides is a defining paradigm in both radioimmunoimaging and radioimmunotherapy, which remain some of the most adept and promising tools for cancer diagnosis and treatment. This review discusses how translational potency can be maximized through rational selection of antibody‐nuclide couples for radioimmunoimaging/therapy in preclinical models.
Gene expression profiles of the meniscus avascular phenotype: A guide for meniscus tissue engineering
Authors: Grogan Shawn P. , Duffy Stuart F. , Pauli Chantal , Lotz Martin K. , D'Lima Darryl D.
Published: February 2018

Avascular (Avas) meniscus regeneration remains a challenge, which is partly a consequence of our limited knowledge of the cells that maintain this tissue region. In this study, we utilized microarrays to characterize gene expression profiles of intact human Avas meniscus tissue and of cells following culture expansion. Using these data, we examined various 3D culture conditions to redifferentiate Avas cells toward the tissue phenotype. RNA was isolated from either the tissue directly or following cell isolation and 2 weeks in monolayer culture. RNA was hybridized on human genome arrays. Differentially expressed (DE) genes were identified by ranking analysis. DAVID pathway analysis was performed and visualized using STRING analysis. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) on additional donor menisci (tissues and cells) were used to validate array data. Avas cells cultured in 3D were subjected to qPCR to compare with the array‐generated data. A total of 387 genes were DE based on differentiation state (>3‐fold change; p < 0.01). In Avas‐cultured cells, the upregulated pathways included focal adhesion, ECM‐receptor interaction, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, and PDGF Signaling. In 3D‐cultured Avas cells, TGFβ1 or combinations of TGFβ1 and BMP6 were most effective to promote an Avas tissue phenotype. THBS2 and THBS4 expression levels were identified as a means to denote meniscus cell phenotype status. We identified the key gene expression profiles, new markers and pathways involved in characterizing the Avas meniscus phenotype in the native state and during in vitro dedifferentiation and redifferentiation. These data served to screen 3D conditions to generate meniscus‐like neotissues. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1947–1958, 2018.
Insight into old and new pure shift nuclear magnetic resonance methods for enantiodiscrimination
Authors: Nath Nilamoni , Bordoloi Priyakshi , Barman Bhaskar , Baishya Bikash , Chaudhari Sachin R.
Published: February 2018

Enantiodiscrimination and their quantification using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has always been a subject of great interest. Proton is the nucleus of choice for enantiodiscrimination due to its high sensitivity and ubiquitous presence in nature. Despite its advantages, enantiodiscrimination suffers from extensive signal splitting by the proton‐proton scalar couplings, which give complex multiplets that spread over a frequency range of some tens of hertz. These multiplets often overlap, further complicating interpretation of the spectra and quantifications. In the present review, we discuss some of the recent developments in the pure shift 1H NMR based methods for enantiomer resolution and enantiodiscrimination. We also compare various pure shift methods used for enantiodiscrimination and measurement of enantiomeric excess, considering the fact that conventional 1H NMR fails to provide any detailed insight.
Weakening the tight coupling between geometry and simulation in isogeometric analysis: From sub‐ and super‐geometric analysis to Geometry‐Independent Field approximaTion (GIFT)
Authors: Atroshchenko Elena , Tomar Satyendra , Xu Gang , Bordas Stéphane P.A.
Published: February 2018

This paper presents an approach to generalize the concept of isogeometric analysis by allowing different spaces for the parameterization of the computational domain and for the approximation of the solution field. The method inherits the main advantage of isogeometric analysis, ie, preserves the original exact computer‐aided design geometry (for example, given by nonuniform rational B‐splines), but allows pairing it with an approximation space, which is more suitable/flexible for analysis, for example, T‐splines, LR‐splines, (truncated) hierarchical B‐splines, and PHT‐splines. This generalization offers the advantage of adaptive local refinement without the need to reparameterize the domain, and therefore without weakening the link with the computer‐aided design model. We demonstrate the use of the method with different choices of geometry and field spaces and show that, despite the failure of the standard patch test, the optimum convergence rate is achieved for nonnested spaces.
Older people and their families’ perceptions about their experiences with interprofessional teams
Authors: Dahlke Sherry , Steil Kim , Freund‐Heritage Rosalie , Colborne Marnie , Labonte Susan , Wagg Adrian
Published: February 2018

Aim

To examine older people and their families’ perceptions about their experiences with interprofessional teams.

Design

Naturalistic inquiry using qualitative descriptive methods to provide a comprehensive summary of older people and their families’ experiences with interprofessional teams.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with 22 people from 11 families. The families had experiences with teams in a variety of settings, such as community, residential care and hospital. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. NiVivo was used to record preliminary codes. Analysis included comparing and contrasting families’ experiences.

Results

Older people and their families wanted communication about what was going on, regardless of whether the news was good, bad or unknown. They also wanted care that took the concerns of the older person into consideration. Communication was a necessary ingredient to ensuring that the older person's unique concerns were known to the interprofessional team. These percepectives were discussed in the themes of communication and patient‐centred care.
Nephrin as a biomarker of sickle cell glomerulopathy in Malawi
Authors: Heimlich J. Brett , Chipoka Godwin , Elsherif Laila , David Emeraghi , Ellis Graham , Kamthunzi Portia , Krysiak Robert , Mafunga Pilirani , Zhou Qingning , Cai Jianwen , Gopal Satish , Key Nigel S. , Ataga Kenneth I.
Published: February 2018

Background

Glomerulopathy is an increasingly identified complication in young patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Hyperfiltration and albuminuria followed by declining glomerular filtration rates and eventual end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) is assumed to be the typical progression of glomerular disease. There are only a few reported biomarkers to identify early‐stage renal disease in SCD.

Procedures

We detail the renal profile of 101 children with SCD in Malawi and propose a novel urinary biomarker for the identification of early renal disease.

Results

Among children with sickle cell anemia, 24.8% had a urine albumin–creatinine ratio of 30 mg/g or above. In univariate analysis, only patients with higher urinary nephrin, a urinary marker of glomerular injury, had significantly greater odds of having albuminuria. In multivariable analysis, nephrin remained significantly associated with albuminuria. A nephrin–creatinine ratio (NCR) cut‐point of 622 ng/mg, the 50th percentile, was associated with a 45.8 times greater odds of having albuminuria in children with nephrinuria above this value. Further analysis revealed this urinary NCR cut‐point to have 96% sensitivity, 64% specificity, 47% positive predictive value, and 98% negative predictive value for the presence of albuminuria.

Conclusions

These data suggest that a substantial number of children with SCD in Malawi have renal disease and could be at risk for worsening nephropathy and ESRD as they age. Our data suggest that urinary nephrin could be utilized as an early marker of glomerular disease in SCD.
Influence of poly(p‐phenyleneterephalamide) pulp by surface modification with dopamine to nitrile butadiene rubber
Authors: Kong Haijuan , Ding Haiquan , Yu Muhuo , Ding Xiaoma , Qiao Mengmeng
Published: February 2018

Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) is widely used in the production of oil and fuel‐resistant rubber parts. Poly(p‐phenyleneterephalamide) (PPTA) pulp is used as a reinforcing fabric in NBR composites to improve its mechanical properties despite the weak bonding between NBR and PPTA pulp. In this work, PPTA pulp was modified by interfacial polymerization of dopamine (DOPA). A surface‐adherent poly(dopamine) (PDA) film was formed on the surface of the PPTA pulp, which improved bonding to NBR and mechanical properties of the prepared composites. The surface of the modified PPTA pulp was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that PDA was successfully functionalized on the PPTA pulp and that the surface of the composite was rougher after modification. The effects of treatment conditions on the mechanical properties of NBR/pulp composites were also investigated. The tensile strength markedly improved with treating time of 30 h at a DOPA concentration of 2 g/L. Strong interactions, including hydrogen bonding and adsorption, play an important role in the tensile strength of the material. Our results demonstrate that surface modification by PDA is beneficial for improving the strength of the NBR matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E476–E483, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Long‐Range Interaction Between NO2 Molecules, Impurity Boron Atoms and Si Atoms with Dangling Bonds in Porous Silicon
Authors: Ptashchenko Fedor
Published: February 2018

Density functional theory (DFT) simulation show that in p‐doped porous silicon (PS), boron (B) atoms are passivated by surface dangling bonds of Si atoms (pb‐centers) at distances up to 25 Å. A positive charge of the pb‐centers leads to the appearance of an increased potential region and a Coulomb blockade (CB) of free holes. When a NO2 molecule is adsorbed on a surface OH group near the pb‐center, a shallow acceptor state arises. This state is related to the NO2 molecule and not to the B atom. When an electron is captured from the valence band by the NO2 molecule, the potential around it and the pb‐center decreases, which removes CB.
A computational investigation of the sulphuric acid‐catalysed 1,4‐hydrogen transfer in higher Criegee intermediates
Authors: Sarrami Farzaneh , Mackenzie‐Rae Felix A. , Karton Amir
Published: February 2018

Criegee intermediates (CIs) are formed during the ozonolysis of unsaturated hydrocarbons in the troposphere. The fate of CIs is of critical importance to tropospheric oxidation chemistry, particularly in the context of radical and secondary organic aerosol formation. Using the high‐level ab initio G4(MP2) method, we investigate the 1,4 hydrogen shift reaction in CIs formed from ozonolysis of two common biogenic hydrocarbons: isoprene and α‐pinene. We consider the uncatalysed reaction, as well as the reaction catalysed by a water molecule and by sulphuric acid. We show that sulphuric acid is a very effective catalyst, leading to a barrierless tautomerization relative to the free reactants and to very low reaction barrier heights relative to the reactant complexes. In particular, we obtain reaction barrier heights of Δ = 24.5 (isoprene CI) and 8.4 (α‐pinene CI) kJ mol−1relative to the reactant complexes. Given the reaction of OH radicals with SO2in the troposphere can ultimately yield sulphuric acid, these findings may have significant consequences for current atmospheric chemical models for regions of high sulphur concentrations.
Reversible platypnoea–orthodeoxia syndrome in post‐tuberculosis bronchial stenosis
Authors: Tan Geak Poh , Abisheganaden John Arputhan , Goh Soon Keng , Verma Akash
Published: February 2018

Bronchial stenosis is known to complicate endobronchial tuberculosis despite medical therapy. It is often associated with dyspnoea. In severe cases, bronchial stenosis results in airflow obstruction, impaired secretion clearance, and can lead to respiratory failure. We present an unusual observation of platypnoea–orthodeoxia syndrome in a young woman with acute atelectasis due to post‐tuberculosis bronchial stricture. Imaging revealed complete middle and right lower lobe atelectasis with a partially aerated right upper lobe. In the sitting posture, there was positional worsening of dyspnoea associated with an increase in the alveolar‐arterial oxygen gradient and shunt fraction. The likely mechanism was due to gravitational difference in ventilation–perfusion matching. The platypnoea–orthodeoxia syndrome was reversible following balloon dilatation of the bronchial stenosis and expansion of the collapsed lung.
Early diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis: increased haemosiderin‐laden macrophages in repeat bronchoscopy
Authors: Mukai Yuichi , Agatsuma Toshihiko , Ideura Gen
Published: February 2018

Idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis (IPH) is a diagnosis of exclusion, which is characterized by persistent or recurrent episodes of alveolar haemorrhage. Early diagnosis of IPH, especially in the case of first‐time manifestation, is challenging because previous episodes of alveolar haemorrhage are often difficult to prove. Repeated episodes of alveolar haemorrhage can result in chronic iron‐deficient anaemia and irreversible interstitial fibrosis; thus, early recognition and intervention are desirable in terms of clinical outcome. We report a case of IPH that was diagnosed early by confirming the presence of an increased number of haemosiderin‐laden macrophages with alveolar haemorrhage in repeat bronchoscopy. We wanted to highlight that decreased but sustained attenuation of ground‐glass opacities on high‐resolution computed tomography does not always correlate with successful remission in patients with IPH. Repeat bronchoscopy can be useful in the early recognition of IPH, especially in the case of sustained opacities a few months after alveolar haemorrhage.
Molecular Engineering of Photoacoustic Performance by Chalcogenide Variation in Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles for Brain Vascular Imaging
Authors: Liu Jie , Cai Xiaolei , Pan Han‐Chi , Bandla Aishwarya , Chuan Chan Kim , Wang Shaowei , Thakor Nitish , Liao Lun‐De , Liu Bin
Published: February 2018

As conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) have attracted growing interest as photoacoustic (PA) imaging contrast agents, revelation of the relationship between the molecular structure of conjugated polymers and PA property is highly in demand. Here, three donor–acceptor‐structured conjugated polymer analogs are designed, where only a single heteroatom of acceptor units changes from oxygen to sulfur to selenium, allowing for systematic investigation of the molecular structure–PA property relationship. The absorption and PA spectra of these CPNs can be facilely tuned by changing the heteroatoms of the acceptor units. Moreover, the absorption coefficient, and in turn the PA signal intensity, decreases when the heteroatom changes from oxygen to sulfur to selenium. As these CPNs exhibit weak fluorescence and similar photothermal conversion efficiency (≈70%), their PA intensities are approximately proportional to their absorption coefficients. The in vivo brain vasculature imaging in this study also demonstrates this trend. This study provides a simple but efficient strategy to manipulate the PA properties of CPNs through changing the heteroatom at key positions.
Micro‐ and Macrobioprinting: Current Trends in Tissue Modeling and Organ Fabrication
Authors: Santoro Marco , Navarro Javier , Fisher John P.
Published: February 2018

The recapitulation of human anatomy and physiology is critical for organ regeneration. Due to this fundamental requirement, bioprinting holds great promise in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to the possibility of fabricating complex scaffolds that host cells and biochemical cues in a physiologically relevant fashion. The ever‐growing research in this field has been proceeding along two different, yet complementary, routes: on the one hand, the development of bioprinting to fabricate large tissue surrogates for transplantation purposes in vivo (macrobioprinting), and on the other the spread of bioprinting‐based miniaturized systems to model the tissue microenvironment in vitro (microbioprinting). The latest advances in both macro‐ and microbioprinting are reviewed, emphasizing their impact on specific areas of tissue engineering. Additionally, a critical comparison of macro‐ versus microbioprinting is presented together with advantages and limitations of each approach. Ultimately, findings obtained both at the macro‐ and microscale are expected to provide a deeper insight in tissue biology and offer clinically relevant solutions for organ regeneration.
New records of the late Pliensbachian to early Toarcian (Early Jurassic) gladius‐bearing coleoid cephalopods from the Ya Ha Tinda Lagerstätte, Canada
Authors: Marroquín Selva M. , Martindale Rowan C. , Fuchs Dirk
Published: February 2018

The Ya Ha Tinda Lagerstätte from Alberta, Canada, is the first Jurassic marine Konservat‐Lagerstätte from North America and hosts a substantial collection of exceptionally preserved fossil Vampyropoda specimens. Vampyropods are soft‐bodied cephalopods (coleoids) characterized by eight arms and an internalized chitinous shell (gladius). Due to their lack of hard parts, Vampyropoda have a fragmentary fossil record, largely limited to exceptional Lagerstätten deposits. Excavations at Ya Ha Tinda have uncovered 16 vampyropod fossils from Pliensbachian and Toarcian strata, making it the largest deposit of Vampyropoda found outside the Tethys Ocean (Europe and the Middle East) for the Jurassic. Here, we present a taxonomic analysis of the Ya Ha Tinda Vampyropoda specimens and the first comprehensive study of Jurassic vampyropods from North America. In total, 14 specimens have sufficient details preserved on the gladius for taxonomic description. Two specimens are identifiable only to the suborder Loligosepiina (one to the family Geopeltidae), while the remaining specimens are identified to the genus level: six Paraplesioteuthis, three Loligosepia, one Geopeltis, one Parabelopeltis and one Jeletzkyteuthis. The discovery of Loligosepia cf. aalensis within Pliensbachian strata pushes back the earliest occurrence of this taxon from the early Toarcian to the late Pliensbachian. With the exception of Paraplesioteuthis, this is the first time these genera have been found outside of Europe for the Jurassic; therefore, this study significantly expands their palaeogeographical range. Furthermore, with established high‐resolution bio‐ and chemostratigraphy, specimens can be assigned to ammonite zones and placed in the context of the global Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event.
Regulatory and biosynthetic effects of the bkd gene clusters on the production of daptomycin and its analogs A21978C1–3
Authors: Luo Shuai , Chen Xin-Ai , Mao Xu-Ming , Li Yong-Quan
Published: February 2018

Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic produced by Streptomyces roseosporus in an acidic peptide complex A21978C. In this complex, A21978C1–3 is most abundant and contains branched-chain fatty acyl groups, while daptomycin has a straight decanoic acyl group. The branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex (BCDH complex), encoded by bkd gene clusters in Streptomyces, is responsible for the early step of converting branched-chain amino acids into branched-chain fatty acids. In a daptomycin industrial producer S. roseosporus L30, two alleles of bkd gene clusters, bkdA1B1C1/bkdA2B2C2, and a regulatory gene bkdR located upstream of bkdA2B2C2 are identified. We show that BkdR positively regulated bkdA2B2C2 expression and was negatively auto-regulated, but is not directly involved in regulation of daptomycin gene cluster expression. However, BkdR is required for both daptomycin and A21978C1–3 production. Furthermore, deletion of bkdA2B2C2 only led to partial reduction of A21978C1–3 production, while the ΔbkdA1B1C1 mutant shows very weak production of A21978C1–3, and the double bkd mutant has a similar production profile as the single ΔbkdA1B1C1 mutant, suggesting that bkdA1B1C1 gene cluster plays a dominant role in branched-chain fatty acid biosynthesis. So we reveal a unique regulatory function of BkdR and genetic engineered a bkd null strain for daptomycin production with reduced impurities.
Change in retinal structural anatomy during the preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Santos Cláudia Y. , Johnson Lenworth N. , Sinoff Stuart E. , Festa Elena K. , Heindel William C. , Snyder Peter J.
Published: February 2018

Introduction

We conducted a 27‐month longitudinal study of mid‐life adults with preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD), using spectral domain optical coherence tomography to compare changes in volume and thickness in all retinal neuronal layers to those of age‐matched healthy control subjects.

Methods

Fifty‐six older adults (mean age = 65.36 years) with multiple risk factors for AD completed spectral domain optical coherence tomography retinal imaging and cognitive testing at baseline. Twenty‐seven months later, they completed the same examinations and an 18F‐florbetapir positron emission tomography imaging study.

Results

Compared to healthy control subjects, those in the preclinical stage of AD showed a significant decrease in macular retinal nerve fiber layer (mRNFL) volume, over a 27‐month follow‐up interval period, as well as a decrease in outer nuclear layer and inner plexiform layer volumes and thickness in the inferior quadrant. However, only the mRNFL volume was linearly related to neocortical positron emission tomography amyloid standardized uptake value ratio after controlling for any main effects of age (R2 = 0.103; ρ = 0.017). Furthermore, the magnitude of mRNFL volume reduction was significantly correlated with performance on a task of participants' abilities to efficiently integrate visual and auditory speech information (McGurk effect).

Discussion

We observed a decrease in mRNFL, outer nuclear layer, and inner plexiform layer volumes, in preclinical AD relative to controls. Moreover, the largely myelinated axonal loss in the RNFL is related to increased neocortical amyloid‐β accumulation after controlling for age. Volume loss in the RNFL, during the preclinical stage, is not related to performance on measures of episodic memory or problem solving. However, this retinal change does appear to be modestly related to relative decrements in performance on a measure of audiovisual integration efficiency that has been recently advanced as a possible early cognitive marker of mild cognitive impairment.
Elevated medial temporal lobe and pervasive brain tau‐PET signal in normal participants
Authors: Lowe Val J. , Bruinsma Tyler J. , Min Hoon‐Ki , Lundt Emily S. , Fang Ping , Senjem Matthew L. , Boeve Bradley F. , Josephs Keith A. , Pandey Mukesh K. , Murray Melissa E. , Kantarci Kejal , Jones David T. , Schwarz Christopher G. , Knopman David S. , Petersen Ronald C. , Jack Clifford R.
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Medial temporal lobe (MTL) uptake on tau–positron emission tomography (PET) is seen not only in Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia but also in the aging population. The relationship of these findings to the development of AD dementia needs to be better understood.

Methods

Tau‐PET with AV‐1451 was performed on 576 cognitively unimpaired (CU) participants aged 50–94 years. The number of CUs with and without abnormal MTL regions and those with or without extra‐MTL abnormalities was determined. Left and right regions were compared within each subject.

Results

Of CUs, 58% (334/576) had abnormal tau‐PET findings. MTL abnormalities were present in 41% (238/576) of subjects.

Discussion

MTL tau‐PET signal is often associated with abnormal extra‐MTL tau‐PET signal in CU participants and may represent neurofibrillary tangle development that could identify participants most likely to develop AD dementia. Tau‐PET signal exclusively outside of the MTL is seen in 17% of CU participants and could be the initial findings in participants in different AD dementia pathways. Significant (P < .001) differences in tau–standardized uptake value ratio between sides were noted in 26 of 41 examined brain regions implicating further study of side‐specific deficits.
Cisto Ósseo Aneurismático de Patela: Relato de Caso
Authors: Gomes Alberto Ramos , Campos Felipe Neves , Becker Nadiane Maciel , Tamanini Jan Gabriel
Published: February 2018

Os tumores patelares são uma condição rara. Comumente benignos, o tumor de células gigantes e o condroblastoma são os tipos mais frequentes. O tipo menos comum entre os tumores patelares é o cisto ósseo aneurismático, que corresponde a menos de 1% dos casos. Os autores relatam o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, de 23 anos, com dor e aumento do volume da patela esquerda havia 2 anos. A radiologia sugeriu causas tumorais, e a biópsia foi negativa para neoplasia. A abordagem terapêutica escolhida foi uma patelectomia total, feita sem intercorrências. O acompanhamento com imagens não mostrou recorrência.
Temporal variation of fungal diversity in a mosaic landscape in Germany
Authors: Rudolph S. , Maciá-Vicente J.G. , Lotz-Winter H. , Schleuning M. , Piepenbring M.
Published: February 2018

This study aims at characterizing the diversity and temporal changes of species richness and composition of fungi in an ecotone of a forest border and a meadow in the Taunus mountain range in Germany. All macroscopically visible, epigeous fungi and vascular plants were sampled monthly
over three years, together with climatic variables like humidity and temperature that influence fungal diversity and composition as shown by previous studies. In this mosaic landscape, a total of 855 fungal species were collected and identified based on morphological features, the majority
of which belonged to Ascomycota (51 %) and Basidiomycota (45 %). Records of fungal species and plant species (218) for this area yielded a fungus to plant species ratio of 4:1, with a plant species accumulation curve that reached saturation. The three years of monitoring,
however, were not sufficient to reveal the total fungal species richness and estimation factors showed that a fungus to plant species ratio of 6:1 may be reached by further sampling efforts. The effect of climatic conditions on fungal species richness differed depending on the taxonomic and
ecological group, with temporal patterns of occurrence of Basidiomycota and mycorrhizal fungi being strongly associated with temperature and humidity, whereas the other fungal groups were only weakly related to abiotic conditions. In conclusion, long-term, monthly surveys over several
years yield a higher diversity of macroscopically visible fungi than standard samplings of fungi in autumn. The association of environmental variables with the occurrence of specific fungal guilds may help to improve estimators of fungal richness in temperate regions.
EFFECTS OF THE 2014 FARM BILL POLICIES ON COTTON PRODUCTION
Authors: DEVADOSS STEPHEN , LUCKSTEAD JEFF
Published: February 2018

We develop a model for a representative risk-averse cotton farmer to analyze the impact of crop insurance policies (Revenue Protection [RP], Yield Protection, Stacked Income Protection Plan [STAX], and Supplemental Coverage Option [SCO]). The model is calibrated and numerically optimized to quantify the effects of different insurance policy combinations on input use (moral hazard), insurance coverage levels, premiums, and certainty equivalent. When the farmer elects only RP, the optimal coverage rate is 80%. Under RP and STAX, the optimal RP coverage rate is 70% and the STAX coverage rate is 90%. RP and STAX is the optimal policy combination based on certainty equivalents. The RP and SCO combination has the lowest impact of input use.
Daily air temperature estimation on glacier surfaces in the Tibetan Plateau using MODIS LST data
Authors: ZHANG HONGBO , ZHANG FAN , ZHANG GUOQING , MA YAOMING , YANG KUN , YE MING
Published: February 2018

The MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) land surface temperature (LST) data have been widely used for air temperature estimation in mountainous regions where station observations are sparse. However, the performance of MODIS LST in high-elevation glacierized areas remains unclear. This study investigates air temperature estimation in glacierized areas based on ground observations at four glaciers across the Tibetan Plateau. Before being used to estimate the air temperature, MODIS LST data are evaluated at two of the glaciers, which indicates that MODIS night-time LST is more reliable than MODIS daytime LST data. Then, linear models based on each of the individual MODIS LST products from two platforms (Terra and Aqua) and two overpasses (night-time and daytime) are built to estimate daily mean, minimum and maximum air temperatures in glacierized areas. Regional glacier surface (RGS) models (mean /-mean-square differences: 3.3, 3.0 and 4.8°C for daily mean, minimum and maximum air temperatures, respectively) show higher accuracy than local non-glacier surface models (mean root-mean-square differences: 4.2, 4.7 and 5.7°C). In addition, the RGS models based on MODIS night-time LST perform better to estimate daily mean, minimum and maximum air temperatures than using temperature lapse rate derived from local stations.
Impact of prenatal diagnosis on the management and early outcome of critical duct-dependent cardiac lesions
Authors: Thakur Varsha , Dutil Nathalie , Schwartz Steven M. , Jaeggi Edgar
Published: February 2018

Objective

The objective of this study was to compare the preoperative management and outcome of neonates with duct-dependent critical CHD with fetal versus postnatal diagnosis.

Methods

Patients referred with CHD to our centre from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010 were enrolled prospectively. Live births with a critical form of CHD, a gestational age ⩾36 weeks and a weight ⩾2 kg at birth, and the intention-to-treat were included in this sub-study. Excluded were neonates with lethal non-cardiac and/or genetic anomalies.

Results

In total, 129, 63 fetal and 66 postnatal, cases met the study inclusion criteria. All had received appropriate antenatal care, including a routine fetal anatomy scan. Both cohorts were comparable in weight, gestational age, and APGAR scores at birth. Unlike the postnatal cases, there were no deaths (0/63 versus 5/66; p=0.06) and no cardiac arrests (0/63 versus 9/63; p=0.003) before surgery or catheter intervention in those cases with a prenatal diagnosis of critical CHD. Moreover, newborns with fetal diagnoses were admitted earlier (median 0 (range 0–3) versus 2 (0–25) days; p<0.001) and were less likely to require preoperative ventilation (19/63 versus 31/61, p=0.03) and vasoactive medication (4/63 versus 15/61, p=0.006) than the postnatal cases.

Conclusions

Prenatal diagnosis of critical CHD in this study was associated with significantly shorter time intervals from birth to neonatal admission and the absence of life-threatening or fatal preoperative cardiac events. Increased efforts should be made to improve rates of prenatal diagnosis.
Diagnostic errors in paediatric cardiac intensive care
Authors: Bhat Priya N. , Costello John M. , Aiyagari Ranjit , Sharek Paul J. , Algaze Claudia A. , Mazwi Mjaye L. , Roth Stephen J. , Shin Andrew Y.
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Diagnostic errors cause significant patient harm and increase costs. Data characterising such errors in the paediatric cardiac intensive care population are limited. We sought to understand the perceived frequency and types of diagnostic errors in the paediatric cardiac ICU.

Methods

Paediatric cardiac ICU practitioners including attending and trainee physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and registered nurses at three North American tertiary cardiac centres were surveyed between October 2014 and January 2015.

Results

The response rate was 46% (N=200). Most respondents (81%) perceived that diagnostic errors harm patients more than five times per year. More than half (65%) reported that errors permanently harm patients, and up to 18% perceived that diagnostic errors contributed to death or severe permanent harm more than five times per year. Medication side effects and psychiatric conditions were thought to be most commonly misdiagnosed. Physician groups also ranked pulmonary overcirculation and viral illness to be commonly misdiagnosed as bacterial illness. Inadequate care coordination, data assessment, and high clinician workload were cited as contributory factors. Delayed diagnostic studies and interventions related to the severity of the patient’s condition were thought to be the most commonly reported process breakdowns. All surveyed groups ranked improving teamwork and feedback pathways as strategies to explore for preventing future diagnostic errors.

Conclusions

Paediatric cardiac intensive care practitioners perceive that diagnostic errors causing permanent harm are common and associated more with systematic and process breakdowns than with cognitive limitations.
The nutritional content of supermarket beverages: a cross-sectional analysis of New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the UK
Authors: Chepulis Lynne , Mearns Gael , Hill Shaunie , Wu Jason HY , Crino Michelle , Alderton Sarah , Jenner Katharine
Published: February 2018

Objective

To compare the nutritional content, serving size and taxation potential of supermarket beverages from four different Western countries.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis. Multivariate regression analysis and χ2 comparisons were used to detect differences between countries.

Setting

Supermarkets in New Zealand (NZ), Australia, Canada and the UK.

Subjects

Supermarket beverages in the following categories: fruit juices, fruit-based drinks, carbonated soda, waters and sports/energy drinks.

Results

A total of 4157 products were analysed, including 749 from NZ, 1738 from Australia, 740 from Canada and 930 from the UK. NZ had the highest percentage of beverages with sugar added to them (52 %), while the UK had the lowest (9 %, P<0·001). Differences in energy, carbohydrate and sugar content were observed between countries and within categories, with UK products generally having the lowest energy and sugar content. Up to half of all products across categories/countries exceeded the US Food and Drug Administration’s reference single serving sizes, with fruit juices contributing the greatest number. Between 47 and 83 % of beverages in the different countries were eligible for sugar taxation, the UK having the lowest proportion of products in both the low tax (5–8 % sugar) and high tax (>8 % sugar) categories.

Conclusions

There is substantial difference between countries in the mean energy, serving size and proportion of products eligible for fiscal sugar taxation. Current self-regulatory approaches used in these countries may not be effective to reduce the availability, marketing and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and subsequent intake of free sugars.
LOCKE ON THE PROSPECTS FOR SECRET REFERENCE
Authors: Moore Terence
Published: February 2018

Initially Locke is inclined to pour cold water on Moore's enthusiasm for spreading the word about Secret Reference. Locke believes it will remain a pearl hidden in the bushes of neglect. Moore, on the contrary, sees Secret Reference exercising a far-reaching influence on the way we approach our understanding of misunderstanding. For a start, Moore believes realizing meaning is inherently, not accidentally, indeterminate might help. Subsequently Locke begins to warm to Moore's beliefs. He proposes a possible way forward, though still not wholly convinced much can really be achieved given the kind of society we live in.
Dignity in cancer patients with a life expectancy of a few weeks. Implementation of the factor structure of the Patient Dignity Inventory and dignity assessment for a patient-centered clinical intervention: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Bovero Andrea , Sedghi Nader Alessandro , Botto Rossana , Tosi Chiara , Ieraci Valentina , Torta Riccardo
Published: February 2018

Objective

Hospice is a favored setting for dignity care. Studies on dignity dimension in end-of-life patients are growing. The Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI) is a tool that can lead to interesting information on dignity-related aspects of suffering. The study aimed to investigate dignity among end-of-life cancer patients, by examining the Italian version of the PDI factor structure and assessing the relationship between dignity and other patients’ psychosocial and spiritual variables to improve a patient-centered clinical practice.

Method

This is a cross-sectional study. Data were collected using a battery of self-administered validated rating scales. The sample included 127 hospice patients with a life expectancy of a few weeks and a Karnofsky Performance Status ≤40. Factor structure and concurrent validity of PDI and correlations between dignity and anxious and depressive symptomatology, quality of life, demoralization, personal coping styles, spiritual well-being, and spiritual daily experience were analyzed.

Result

Factor analysis highlighted a five-factor solution, accounting for 60% of the overall variance. The factors were labeled Psychological Distress, Social Support, Physical Symptoms and Dependency, Existential Distress, and Loss of Purpose/Meaning. Dignity assessment evidenced that self-blame coping style, emotional and physical well-being, and depression were the loss of dignity significant predictors (R2 = 0.605; p < 0.01).

Significance of results

The results point out the intercultural validity of the PDI and empower an accurate detection of dignity-related distress sources in the daily clinical practice. Personality traits seem to have an active role in the loss of dignity, whereas spirituality is confirmed to be positively involved in dignity enhancement.
Schooling as a Formative Political Experience: Authority Relations and the Education of Citizens
Authors: Bruch Sarah K. , Soss Joe
Published: February 2018

How does formal education matter for inequalities of political behavior across the citizenry? Most answers to this question focus on the things that schools allocate, such as skills, knowledge, and resources. By contrast, we draw on policy feedback research to resuscitate a more “Deweyian” appreciation for schools as sites where citizens have their earliest formative experiences with public authority and learn what it means to participate in a rule-governed community. Using nationally representative panel data, we conduct an intersectional analysis of how race, class, and gender combine to shape student experiences with school authority relations, and estimate how these experiences are associated with later citizen dispositions in young adulthood. We find strong evidence that negative school authority experiences depress young adult political engagement and trust in government. American schools, we conclude, function as powerful sites of experiential learning that tighten the bond between social hierarchies and civic inequalities.
Pinpointing Effects of Hadley Cell Expansion
Authors: Witman Sarah
Published: February 2018

As a major atmospheric circulation system spreads farther poleward, some regions are drying out. But as time passes, will this drying be symmetrical across the globe?
AGU Editor Picks for 2018 Ocean Sciences Meeting
Authors: Lunn Jenny
Published: February 2018

Recommendations from AGU’s journal editors of some of the most interesting paper and poster sessions at this year’s Ocean Sciences Meeting.