bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Dual Glycolytic Pathways for Fructose Metabolism in Heterofermentative Lactobacillus panis PM1
Authors: Kang Tae Sun , Korber Darren R. , Tanaka Takuji
Published: October 2013

Lactobacillus panis
PM1 belongs to the group III heterofermentative lactobacilli that use the 6-phosphogluconate/phosphoketolase (6-PG/PK) pathway as their central metabolic pathway and are reportedly unable to grow on fructose as a sole carbon source. We isolated a variant PM1 strain capable of sporadic growth on fructose medium and observed its distinctive characteristics of fructose metabolism. The end product pattern was different from what is expected in typical group III lactobacilli using the 6-PG/PK pathway (i.e., more lactate, less acetate, and no mannitol). In addition,
in silico
analysis revealed the presence of genes encoding most of critical enzymes in the Embden-Meyerhof (EM) pathway. These observations indicated that fructose was metabolized via two pathways. Fructose metabolism in the PM1 strain was influenced by the activities of two enzymes, triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) and glucose 6-phosphate isomerase (PGI). A lack of TPI resulted in the intracellular accumulation of dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) in PM1, the toxicity of which caused early growth cessation during fructose fermentation. The activity of PGI was enhanced by the presence of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GAP), which allowed additional fructose to enter into the 6-PG/PK pathway to avoid toxicity by DHAP. Exogenous TPI gene expression shifted fructose metabolism from heterolactic to homolactic fermentation, indicating that TPI enabled the PM1 strain to mainly use the EM pathway for fructose fermentation. These findings clearly demonstrate that the balance in the accumulation of GAP and DHAP determines the fate of fructose metabolism and the activity of TPI plays a critical role during fructose fermentation via the EM pathway in
L. panis
PM1.
Sequence-Based Analysis of the Intestinal Microbiota of Sows and Their Offspring Fed Genetically Modified Maize Expressing a Truncated Form of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab Protein (Bt Maize)
Authors: Buzoianu Stefan G. , Walsh Maria C. , Rea Mary C. , Quigley Lisa , O'Sullivan Orla , Cotter Paul D. , Ross R. Paul , Gardiner Gillian E. , Lawlor Peadar G.
Published: October 2013

The aim was to investigate transgenerational effects of feeding genetically modified (GM) maize expressing a truncated form of
Bacillus thuringiensis
Cry1Ab protein (Bt maize) to sows and their offspring on maternal and offspring intestinal microbiota. Sows were assigned to either non-GM or GM maize dietary treatments during gestation and lactation. At weaning, offspring were assigned within sow treatment to non-GM or GM maize diets for 115 days, as follows: (i) non-GM maize-fed sow/non-GM maize-fed offspring (non-GM/non-GM), (ii) non-GM maize-fed sow/GM maize-fed offspring (non-GM/GM), (iii) GM maize-fed sow/non-GM maize-fed offspring (GM/non-GM), and (iv) GM maize-fed sow/GM maize-fed offspring (GM/GM). Offspring of GM maize-fed sows had higher counts of fecal total anaerobes and
Enterobacteriaceae
at days 70 and 100 postweaning, respectively. At day 115 postweaning, GM/non-GM offspring had lower ileal
Enterobacteriaceae
counts than non-GM/non-GM or GM/GM offspring and lower ileal total anaerobes than pigs on the other treatments. GM maize-fed offspring also had higher ileal total anaerobe counts than non-GM maize-fed offspring, and cecal total anaerobes were lower in non-GM/GM and GM/non-GM offspring than in those from the non-GM/non-GM treatment. The only differences observed for major bacterial phyla using 16S rRNA gene sequencing were that fecal
Proteobacteria
were less abundant in GM maize-fed sows prior to farrowing and in offspring at weaning, with fecal
Firmicutes
more abundant in offspring. While other differences occurred, they were not observed consistently in offspring, were mostly encountered for low-abundance, low-frequency bacterial taxa, and were not associated with pathology. Therefore, their biological relevance is questionable. This confirms the lack of adverse effects of GM maize on the intestinal microbiota of pigs, even following transgenerational consumption.
Microbial Ecology Dynamics during Rye and Wheat Sourdough Preparation
Authors: Ercolini Danilo , Pontonio Erica , De Filippis Francesca , Minervini Fabio , La Storia Antonietta , Gobbetti Marco , Di Cagno Raffaella
Published: October 2013

The bacterial ecology during rye and wheat sourdough preparation was described by 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing. Viable plate counts of presumptive lactic acid bacteria, the ratio between lactic acid bacteria and yeasts, the rate of acidification, a permutation analysis based on biochemical and microbial features, the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs), and diversity indices all together demonstrated the maturity of the sourdoughs during 5 to 7 days of propagation. Flours were mainly contaminated by metabolically active genera (
Acinetobacter
,
Pantoea
,
Pseudomonas
,
Comamonas
,
Enterobacter
,
Erwinia
, and
Sphingomonas
) belonging to the phylum
Proteobacteria
or
Bacteroidetes
(genus
Chryseobacterium
). Their relative abundances varied with the flour. Soon after 1 day of propagation, this population was almost completely inhibited except for the
Enterobacteriaceae
. Although members of the phylum
Firmicutes
were present at very low or intermediate relative abundances in the flours, they became dominant soon after 1 day of propagation. Lactic acid bacteria were almost exclusively representative of the
Firmicutes
by this time.
Weissella
spp. were already dominant in rye flour and stably persisted, though they were later flanked by the
Lactobacillus sakei
group. There was a succession of species during 10 days of propagation of wheat sourdoughs. The fluctuation between dominating and subdominating populations of
L. sakei
group,
Leuconostoc
spp.,
Weissella
spp., and
Lactococcus lactis
was demonstrated. Other subdominant species such as
Lactobacillus plantarum
were detectable throughout propagation. As shown by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analysis,
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
dominated throughout the sourdough propagation. Notwithstanding variations due to environmental and technology determinants, the results of this study represent a clear example of how the microbial ecology evolves during sourdough preparation.
Draft Genome Sequence of Xylella fastidiosa subsp.
multiplex
Strain Griffin-1 from
Quercus rubra
in Georgia
Authors: Chen Jianchi , Huang Hong , Chang Chung-Jan , Stenger Drake C.
Published: October 2013

The draft genome sequence of
Xylella fastidiosa
subsp.
multiplex
strain Griffin-1, isolated from a red oak tree (
Quercus rubra
) in Georgia, is reported here. The bacterium has a genome size of 2,387,314 bp, with a G+C content of 51.7%. The Griffin-1 strain genome contains 2,903 predicted open reading frames and 50 RNA genes.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus thuringiensis var.
thuringiensis
Strain T01-328, a Brazilian Isolate That Produces a Soluble Pesticide Protein, Cry1Ia
Authors: Varani Alessandro M. , Lemos Manoel V. F. , Fernandes Camila C. , Lemos Eliana G. M. , Alves Eliane C. C. , Desidério Janete A.
Published: October 2013

Bacillus thuringiensis
var.
thuringiensis
strain T01-328, isolated from Cubatão county (São Paulo State, Brazil), produces a soluble pesticide protein, Cry1Ia, during vegetative growth. Here, we report the 7.089-Mbp draft genome sequence, composed of a 5.5-Mb chromosome and 14 plasmids, which is the largest
B. thuringiensis
genome sequenced to date.
Evolutionary Analysis of Burkholderia pseudomallei Identifies Putative Novel Virulence Genes, Including a Microbial Regulator of Host Cell Autophagy
Authors: Singh Arvind Pratap , Lai Shu-chin , Nandi Tannistha , Chua Hui Hoon , Ooi Wen Fong , Ong Catherine , Boyce John D. , Adler Ben , Devenish Rodney J. , Tan Patrick
Published: October 2013

Burkholderia pseudomallei
, the causative agent of melioidosis, contains a large pathogen genome (7.2 Mb) with ∼2,000 genes of putative or unknown function. Interactions with potential hosts and environmental factors may induce rapid adaptations in these
B. pseudomallei
genes, which can be discerned through evolutionary analysis of multiple
B. pseudomallei
genomes. Here we show that several previously uncharacterized
B. pseudomallei
genes bearing genetic signatures of rapid adaptation (positive selection) can induce diverse cellular phenotypes when expressed in mammalian cells. Notably, several of these phenotypes are plausibly related to virulence, including multinuclear giant cell formation, apoptosis, and autophagy induction. Specifically, we show that
BPSS0180
, a type VI cluster-associated gene, is capable of inducing autophagy in both phagocytic and nonphagocytic mammalian cells. Following infection of macrophages, a
B. pseudomallei
mutant disrupted in
BPSS0180
exhibited significantly decreased colocalization with LC3 and impaired intracellular survival; these phenotypes were rescued by introduction of an intact
BPSS0180
gene. The results suggest that
BPSS0180
may be a novel inducer of host cell autophagy that contributes to
B. pseudomallei
intracellular growth. More generally, our study highlights the utility of applying evolutionary principles to microbial genomes to identify novel virulence genes.
Structural and Functional Studies of gpX of Escherichia coli Phage P2 Reveal a Widespread Role for LysM Domains in the Baseplates of Contractile-Tailed Phages
Authors: Maxwell Karen L. , Fatehi Hassanabad Mostafa , Chang Tom , Pirani Nawaz , Bona Diane , Edwards Aled M. , Davidson Alan R.
Published: October 2013

A variety of bacterial pathogenicity determinants, including the type VI secretion system and the virulence cassettes from
Photorhabdus
and
Serratia
, share an evolutionary origin with contractile-tailed myophages. The well-characterized
Escherichia coli
phage P2 provides an excellent system for studies related to these systems, as its protein composition appears to represent the “minimal” myophage tail. In this study, we used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to determine the solution structure of gpX, a 68-residue tail baseplate protein. Although the sequence and structure of gpX are similar to those of LysM domains, which are a large family associated with peptidoglycan binding, we did not detect a peptidoglycan-binding activity for gpX. However, bioinformatic analysis revealed that half of all myophages, including all that possess phage T4-like baseplates, encode a tail protein with a LysM-like domain, emphasizing a widespread role for this domain in baseplate function. While phage P2 gpX comprises only a single LysM domain, many myophages display LysM domain fusions with other tail proteins, such as the DNA circulation protein found in Mu-like phages and gp53 of T4-like phages. Electron microscopy of P2 phage particles with an incorporated gpX-maltose binding protein fusion revealed that gpX is located at the top of the baseplate, near the junction of the baseplate and tail tube. gpW, the orthologue of phage T4 gp25, was also found to localize to this region. A general colocalization of LysM-like domains and gpW homologues in diverse phages is supported by our bioinformatic analysis.
Interactions of NBU1 IntN1 and Orf2x Proteins with Attachment Site DNA
Authors: Wood Margaret M. , Rajeev Lara , Gardner Jeffrey F.
Published: October 2013

NBU1 is a mobilizable transposon found in
Bacteroides
spp. Mobilizable transposons require gene products from coresident conjugative transposons for excision and transfer to recipient cells. The integration of NBU1 requires IntN1, which has been identified as a tyrosine recombinase, as well as
Bacteroides
host factor BHFa. Excision of NBU1 is a more complicated process, involving five element-encoded proteins (IntN1, Orf2, Orf2x, Orf3, and PrmN1) as well as a
Bacteroides
host factor and a
cis
-acting DNA sequence. Little has been known about what role the proteins play in excision, although IntN1 and Orf2x have been shown to be the only proteins absolutely required for detectable excision. To determine where IntN1 and Orf2x bind during the excision of NBU1, both proteins were partially purified and tested in DNase I footprinting experiments with the excisive attachment sites
attL
and
attR
. The results demonstrate that IntN1 binds to four core-type sites that flank the region of cleavage and strand exchange, as well as six arm-type sites. A unique feature of the system is the location of DR2a and DR2b arm-type sites immediately downstream of the
attL
core. The DR1a, DR1b, DR3a, and DR3b arm-type sites were shown to be required for
in vitro
integration of NBU1. In addition, we have identified one Orf2x binding site (O1) on
attL
as well as a dA+dT-rich upstream element that is required for Orf2x interactions with O1.
Identification and Characterization of Novel Helicobacter pylori apo-Fur-Regulated Target Genes
Authors: Carpenter Beth M. , Gilbreath Jeremy J. , Pich Oscar Q. , McKelvey Ann M. , Maynard Ernest L. , Li Zhao-Zhang , Merrell D. Scott
Published: October 2013

In
Helicobacter pylori
, the ferric uptake regulator (Fur) has evolved additional regulatory functions not seen in other bacteria; it can repress and activate different groups of genes in both its iron-bound and
apo
forms. Because little is understood about the process of
apo
-Fur repression and because only two
apo
-Fur-repressed genes (
pfr
and
sodB
) have previously been identified, we sought to expand our understanding of this type of regulation. Utilizing published genomic studies, we selected three potential new
apo
-Fur-regulated gene targets:
serB
,
hydA
, and the cytochrome
c
553
gene. Transcriptional analyses confirmed Fur-dependent repression of these genes in the absence of iron, as well as derepression in the absence of Fur. Binding studies showed that
apo
-Fur directly interacted with the suspected
hydA
and cytochrome
c
553
promoters but not that of
serB
, which was subsequently shown to be cotranscribed with
pfr
;
apo
-Fur-dependent regulation occurred at the
pfr
promoter. Alignments of
apo
-regulated promoter regions revealed a conserved, 6-bp consensus sequence (AAATGA). DNase I footprinting showed that this sequence lies within the protected regions of the
pfr
and
hydA
promoters. Moreover, mutation of the sequence in the
pfr
promoter abrogated Fur binding and DNase protection. Likewise, fluorescence anisotropy studies and binding studies with mutated consensus sequences showed that the sequence was important for
apo
-Fur binding to the
pfr
promoter. Together these studies expand the known
apo
-Fur regulon in
H. pylori
and characterize the first reported
apo
-Fur box sequence.
Enamel microabrasion for aesthetic management of dental fluorosis
Authors: Pandey Pallavi , Ansari Afroz Alam , Moda Preeti , Yadav Madhulika
Published: October 2013

Fluorosis has increased in recent times due to fluoridation of drinking water and addition of fluoride to various edible items, which leads to unaesthetic appearance of teeth visible at close quarters. The enamel microabrasion technique is a conservative method that improves the appearance of the teeth by restoring bright and superficial smoothness, without causing significant structural loss. The aim of this article is to describe an easy technique for managing mild to moderate dental fluorosis using Opalustre (Ultradent Products) microabrasion slurry. This conservative approach may be considered an interesting alternative to more invasive prosthetic techniques like composite resin restorations, ceramic veneers or crown fabrications.
The effects of a mindfulness-based lifestyle programme for adults with Parkinson’s disease: protocol for a mixed methods, randomised two-group control study
Authors: Advocat Jenny , Russell Grant , Enticott Joanne , Hassed Craig , Hester Jennifer , Vandenberg Brooke
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in developed countries. There is an increasing interest in the use of mindfulness-related interventions in the management of patients with a chronic disease. In addition, interventions that promote personal control, stress-management and other lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, assist in reducing disability and improving quality of life in people with chronic illnesses. There has been little research in this area for people with PD.

Methods

A prospective mixed-method randomised clinical trial involving community living adults with PD aged <76 years and with moderate disease severity (Hoehn and Yahr stage 2) PD. Participants will be randomised into the ESSENCE 6-week programme or a matched wait list control group. ESSENCE is a multifaceted, healthy lifestyle and mindfulness programme designed to improve quality of life. We aim to determine whether participation in a mindfulness and lifestyle programme could improve PD-related function and explore self-management related experiences and changing attitudes towards self-management. The outcome measures will include 5 self-administered questionnaires: PD function and well-being questionnaire (PDQ39), Health Behaviours, Mental health, Multidimensional locus of control, and Freiburg mindfulness inventory. An embedded qualitative protocol will include in-depth interviews with 12 participants before and after participation in the 6-week programme and a researcher will observe the programme and take notes.

Analysis

Repeated measures of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) will examine the outcome measures for any significant effects from the group allocation, age, sex, adherence score and attendance. Qualitative data will be analysed thematically. We will outline the benefits of, and barriers to, the uptake of the intervention.

Ethics

This protocol has received ethics approval from the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee project number CF11/2662–2011001553.

Dissemination

This is the first research of its kind in Australia involving a comprehensive, lifestyle-based programme for people with PD and has the potential to involve a broader range of providers than standard care. The findings will be disseminated through peer reviewed journals, primary care conferences in Australia as well as abroad and through the Parkinson's community.

Registration details

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12612000440820.
What do Canadians think of advanced care planning? Findings from an online opinion poll
Authors: Teixeira Ana A , Hanvey Louise , Tayler Carolyn , Barwich Doris , Baxter Sharon , Heyland Daren K
Published: October 2013

Background

Advance care planning (ACP) has the potential to increase patient-centred care, reduce caregiver burden, and reduce healthcare costs at the end of life. Current levels of public participation in ACP activities are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of engagement of average Canadians in ACP activities.

Methods

Data come from an on-line opinion poll of a national sample of respondents who were asked five questions on ACP activities along with their sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

Respondents were from all provinces of Canada, 52% were women, and 33% were between 45 years and 54 years of age. Of 1021 national sample respondents, 16% were aware of the term, ACP (95% CI 13% to 18%), 52% had discussions with their family or friends (95% CI 49% to 55%), and 10% had discussions with healthcare providers (95% CI 8% to 12%). Overall, 20% (95% CI 18% to 22%) of respondents had a written ACP and 47% (95% CI 44% to 50%) had designated a substitute decision maker. Being older was associated with significantly more engagement in ACP activities and there were significant differences in ACP engagement across Canada.

Conclusions

Although only a small proportion of Canadians are aware of the formal term, ACP, a higher percentage of Canadians are actually engaged in ACP, through either having discussions or making decisions about end-of-life care. Older citizens are more likely to be engaged in ACP and there are geographic differences in the level of ACP engagement across Canada.
Experience of long-term use of non-invasive ventilation in motor neuron disease: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Ando Hikari , Chakrabarti Biswajit , Angus Robert M , Cousins Rosanna , Thornton Everard W , Young Carolyn A
Published: October 2013

Objective

Although non-invasive ventilation (NIV) can promote quality of life in motor neuron disease (MND), previous studies have disregarded the impact of progression of illness. This study explored how patients’ perceptions of NIV treatment evolve over time and how this was reflected in their adherence to NIV.

Methods

Five patients with MND (male=4, mean age=59 years), from a bigger cohort who were prospectively followed, had multiple post-NIV semistructured interviews, covering more than 12 months, along with ventilator interaction data. The transcribed phenomenological data were analysed using qualitative methodology.

Results

Three themes emerged: experience of NIV, influence on attitudes and perceived impact of NIV on prognosis. The ventilator interaction data identified regular use of NIV by four participants who each gave positive account of their experience of NIV treatment, and irregular use by one participant who at interview revealed a negative attitude to NIV treatment and in whom MND induced feelings of hopelessness.

Conclusions

This exploratory study suggests that a positive coping style, adaptation and hope are key factors for psychological well-being and better adherence to NIV. More studies are needed to determine these relationships.
What is important to patients in wound management
Authors: Keeton Helen , Crouch Robert , Lowe Kate
Published: October 2013

Traumatic wounds are a common reason for patients to attend emergency departments. There are many ways of managing these wounds from glue to suturing. The authors conducted a patient survey to identify the outcome measures most important to patients after closure of traumatic wounds. The results showed that having the least chance of infection was the most important outcome, followed by being looked after by caring staff and a quick recovery. These finding were consistent regardless of the anatomical location of the wound or age of the patient. This information is being used to guide the authors in the most appropriate outcome measures for further research.
Duplication of radiology imaging studies in the emergency department: what is the cost?
Authors: Kamat Achyut B , Midgley Stephanie , Kimbrell Katherine
Published: October 2013

Objective

To quantify the rate of preventable duplication of imaging studies in the Emergency Department. Previously, to estimate potential savings from the Health Information Exchange, figures used to be based on expert opinion, as the actual rate of redundant imaging is unknown.

Materials and methods

We prospectively quantified the frequency of duplicate CT scans in tertiary care and community hospital emergency departments (ED) through a short questionnaire at the time the studies were ordered.

Results

During the study period, 9246 CT scans were performed with a preventable duplicate rate of 0.42%. Both sites had equivalent rates of preventable duplicates.

Discussion and conclusions

We used two EDs to quantify the rate of preventable duplicate CT scans ordered. Our results demonstrate that only 0.4% of CT scans performed in our EDs are preventable duplicates. Our rate of preventable duplicate studies was much lower than what experts and emergency practitioners suspected, which suggests that potential cost savings from elimination of preventable duplicates may also be much lower than currently estimated.
Aligning oral mesalazine treatment to health service priorities: guidance for nurses
Authors: Kemp Karen , Sephton Mark
Published: October 2013

Oral mesalazine represents a crucial front-line agent for the treatment of active ulcerative colitis (UC) and the maintenance of remission. Clinical aspects of mesalazine therapy are guided by robust evidence-based guidelines, although there is a relative paucity of guidance examining the specific administrative and professional issues faced by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) nurses. As IBD nurses frequently influence treatment decisions in UC, this article was written to provide a practical review of the key evidence and issues affecting mesalazine treatment. Therefore, it may act as an additional resource for IBD nurses, to enhance prescribing decisions. Using the UK's Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) agenda as a framework, it considers clinical and health service priorities affecting treatment decisions. The quality of care perspective naturally focuses on efficacy; recent interest in specific aspects of efficacy, such as the speed of symptom resolution allows targeting of mesalazine treatment to individual needs. Furthermore, innovative adherence programmes build on the latest evidence to develop robust, integrated patient support approaches. In terms of productivity, nurse-led activities and more sophisticated management strategies may offer the best routes towards reducing the costs of care. Key opportunities for preventing ill health include improving adherence to maintenance therapy and achieving mucosal healing. The principles and approaches highlighted by the QIPP agenda emphasise that prescribing decisions for mesalazine in UC must take account of the full spectrum of clinical and health service needs, and cannot focus on any one element in isolation.
miR-181a is associated with poor clinical outcome in patients with colorectal cancer treated with EGFR inhibitor
Authors: Pichler Martin , Winter Elke , Ress Anna Lena , Bauernhofer Thomas , Gerger Armin , Kiesslich Tobias , Lax Sigurd , Samonigg Hellmut , Hoefler Gerald
Published: October 2013

Aims

miR-181a expression is frequently altered in different types of cancer. Members of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, which is commonly altered in colorectal cancer (CRC), have been reported as molecular interaction partners of miR-181. However, the role of miR-181a expression in CRC and its ability to predict survival and response to agents targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have not been explored yet.

Methods

In this study, we analysed 80 patients with wild typeKRASCRC undergoing treatment with the EGFR-targeting monoclonal antibodies cetuximab and panitumumab for metastatic CRC. TheKRASmutational status was determined by pyrosequencing and miR-181a expression was measured by quantitative RT-PCR in CRC tumour tissue and corresponding non-neoplastic colon tissue. The microRNA expression levels were correlated with clinicopathological characteristics. Cancer-specific survival was calculated by univariate and multivariate analyses, and progression-free survival (PFS) during treatment with EGFR-targeting agents was also evaluated.

Results

A low miR-181a expression level was associated with poor differentiation of CRC (p=0.04). A Kaplan-Meier curve showed a decreased survival time for patients with low miR-181a expression (p=0.019). Low miR-181a expression was furthermore associated with poor PFS (p=0.015).

Conclusions

In conclusion, our data suggest that the miR-181a expression level is associated with poor survival in patients with CRC. Furthermore, miR-181a expression might predict PFS in EGFR-targeted therapy.
Exploring the social determinants of mental health service use using intersectionality theory and CART analysis
Authors: Cairney John , Veldhuizen Scott , Vigod Simone , Streiner David L , Wade Terrance J , Kurdyak Paul
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

Fewer than half of individuals with a mental disorder seek formal care in a given year. Much research has been conducted on the factors that influence service use in this population, but the methods generally used cannot easily identify the complex interactions that are thought to exist. In this paper, we examine predictors of subsequent service use among respondents to a population health survey who met criteria for a past-year mood, anxiety or substance-related disorder.

METHODS

To determine service use, we use an administrative database including all physician consultations in the period of interest. To identify predictors, we use classification tree (CART) analysis, a data mining technique with the ability to identify unsuspected interactions. We compare results to those from logistic regression models.

RESULTS

We identify 1213 individuals with past-year disorder. In the year after the survey, 24% (n=312) of these had a mental health-related physician consultation. Logistic regression revealed that age, sex and marital status predicted service use. CART analysis yielded a set of rules based on age, sex, marital status and income adequacy, with marital status playing a role among men and by income adequacy important among women. CART analysis proved moderately effective overall, with agreement of 60%, sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 53%.

CONCLUSION

Results highlight the potential of data-mining techniques to uncover complex interactions, and offer support to the view that the intersection of multiple statuses influence health and behaviour in ways that are difficult to identify with conventional statistics. The disadvantages of these methods are also discussed.
Risk factors for antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli found in GB turkey flocks
Authors: Jones E. M. , Snow L. C. , Carrique‐Mas J. J. , Gosling R. J. , Clouting C. , Davies R. H.
Published: October 2013

Four models are presented investigating risks present on Great Britain (GB) turkey farms in breeding and fattening flocks for ciprofloxacin and cephalosporin resistance. Risk factors for ciprofloxacin resistance in fattening flocks were sourcing of feed from national compounders, antimicrobial use in the flock and evidence of mice. Disinfection of floors and walls at depopulation, older flocks and division of the flock with partitions reduced the risk. In breeding farms holding over 10,000 birds, administration of fluoroquinolones within the last year and horses on the neighbouring farm all increased the risk, whereas replenishing foot dips more than once a week reduced the risk. For cephalosporin‐resistant Escherichia coli on fattening farms, being an independent farm, having a watercourse near the poultry houses, dividing the flock with partitions and providing staff with gloves reduced the risk. Factors that increased the risk included if staff worked with other livestock and if there were pigs on neighbouring farms. This work suggests that good hygiene and biosecurity, rodent control and responsible use of antimicrobials on turkey farms might help minimise the prevalence of fluoroquinolone and cephalosporin resistance in E coli, and restrict the spread of resistance genes to other organisms.
The association of middle ear effusion with trigeminal nerve mass lesions in dogs
Authors: Wessmann A. , Hennessey A. , Goncalves R. , Benigni L. , Hammond G. , Volk H. A.
Published: October 2013

The trigeminal nerve is involved in the opening of the pharyngeal orifice of the Eustachian tube by operating the tensor veli palatini muscle. The hypothesis was investigated that middle ear effusion occurs in a more severe disease phenotype of canine trigeminal nerve mass lesions compared with dogs without middle ear effusion. Three observers reviewed canine MRIs with an MRI‐diagnosis of trigeminal nerve mass lesion from three institutions. Various parameters describing the musculature innervated by the trigeminal nerve were scored and compared between dogs with and without middle ear effusion. Nineteen dogs met the inclusion criteria. Ipsilateral middle ear effusion was observed in 63 per cent (95% CI 48.4 per cent to 77.6 per cent) of the dogs. The size of the trigeminal nerve mass lesions was positively correlated with the severity of masticatory muscle mass loss (Spearman r=0.5, P=0.03). Dogs with middle ear effusion had a significantly increased generalised masticatory muscle mass loss (P=0.02) or tensor veli palatini muscle loss score (P=0.03) compared with those without. Larger trigeminal nerve mass lesions were associated with a greater degree of masticatory muscle mass loss. Masticatory muscle mass and, importantly, tensor veli palatini muscle mass was more severely affected in dogs with middle ear effusion suggesting an associated Eustachian tube dysfunction.
Characterization of three alternative splice variants associated with theArabidopsisrhomboid protein geneAt1g74130
Authors: Powles Joshua , Sedivy-Haley Katharine , Chapman Eric , Ko Kenton
Published: October 2013

Rhomboid serine proteases are grouped into three main types — secretases, presenilin-like associated rhomboid-like (PARL) proteases, and “inactive” rhomboid proteins. Although the three rhomboid groups are distinct, the different types are likely to operate within the same cell or compartment, such as observed in the plastids of Arabidopsis. There are four distinct plastid rhomboid genes at play in Arabidopsis plastids, two for active types (At1g25290 and At5g25752) and two for inactive forms (At1g74130 and At1g74140). The number of working plastid rhomboids is further increased by alternative splicing, as reported for At1g25290. To understand how the plastid rhomboid system works, it is necessary to identify all rhomboid forms in play. To this end, this study was designed to examine the alternative splicing activities of At1g74130, one of the two genes encoding proteolytically “inactive” plastid rhomboids. The exon mapping and DNA sequencing results obtained here indicate the presence of three prominent alternative splice variants in the At1g74130 transcript population. The dominant splice variant, L, encodes the full-length protein. The other two splice variants, M and S, produce proteins lacking sections from the carboxyl transmembrane domain region. The splice variants M and S appear to be at levels with functional potential and appear to adjust relative to each other during development and in response to changes in the level of Tic40, a component of the plastid translocon. The splice variant proteins themselves exhibit different characteristics with respect to rhomboid protein–substrate interactions. These differences were observed in bacterial co-expression pull-down assays and in yeast mitochondrial studies. When considered together, the data suggest that the alternative splicing of At1g74130 bears functional significance in Arabidopsis and is likely to be part of a mechanism for diversifying plastid rhomboid function.
Productivity dynamics of Atlantic cod
Authors: Minto Cóilín , Mills Flemming Joanna , Britten Gregory Lee , Worm Boris
Published: October 2013

Productivity is a central determinant of population dynamics with consequences for population viability, resilience to exploitation, and extinction. In fish, the strength of a cohort is typically established during early life stages. Traditional approaches to measuring productivity do not allow for interannual variation in the maximum reproductive rate, a parameter governing population productivity. Allowing such process variation provides the ability to track dynamic changes instead of assuming a static productivity regime. Here we develop and evaluate a multivariate stock–recruitment state-space model to simultaneously estimate time-varying stock productivity and synchronicity of dynamics across populations. We apply the method to North Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) populations, showing that the productivity of early life stages has varied markedly over time, with many populations at historically low productivity. Trends in productivity were similar in some adjacent populations but less regionally coherent than previously thought, particularly in the Northwest Atlantic. Latitudinal variation in the Northeast Atlantic suggests a differential response to environmental change. We conclude that time-varying productivity provides a useful framework that integrates across many dimensions of environmental change affecting early life history dynamics.
LINEAR AND NONLINEAR ARABESQUES: A STUDY OF CLOSED CHAINS OF NEGATIVE 2-ELEMENT CIRCUITS
Authors: ANTONOPOULOS CHRIS , BASIOS VASILEIOS , DEMONGEOT JACQUES , NARDONE PASQUALE , THOMAS RENÉ
Published: October 2013

In this paper we consider a family of dynamical systems that we call "arabesques", defined as closed chains of 2-element negative circuits. An n-dimensional arabesque system has n 2-element circuits, but in addition, it displays by construction, two n-element circuits which are both positive versus one positive and one negative, depending on the parity (even or odd) of the dimension n. In view of the absence of diagonal terms in their Jacobian matrices, all these dynamical systems are conservative and consequently, they cannot possess any attractor. First, we analyze a linear variant of them which we call "arabesque 0" or for short "A0". For increasing dimensions, the trajectories are increasingly complex open tori. Next, we inserted a single cubic nonlinearity that does not affect the signs of its circuits (that we call "arabesque 1" or for short "A1"). These systems have three steady states, whatever be the dimension, in agreement with the order of the nonlinearity. All three are unstable, as there cannot be any attractor in their state-space. The 3D variant (that we call for short "A1_3D") has been analyzed in some detail and found to display a complex mixed set of quasi-periodic and chaotic trajectories. Inserting n cubic nonlinearities (one per equation) in the same way as above, we generate systems "A2_nD". A2_3D behaves essentially as A1_3D, in agreement with the fact that the signs of the circuits remain identical. A2_4D, as well as other arabesque systems with even dimension, has two positive n-circuits and nine steady states. Finally, we investigate and compare the complex dynamics of this family of systems in terms of their symmetries.
Optimization in Cardiovascular Modeling
Authors: Marsden Alison L.
Published: October 2013

Fluid mechanics plays a key role in the development, progression, and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Advances in imaging methods and patient-specific modeling now reveal increasingly detailed information about blood flow patterns in health and disease. Building on these tools, there is now an opportunity to couple blood flow simulation with optimization algorithms to improve the design of surgeries and devices, incorporating more information about the flow physics in the design process to augment current medical knowledge. In doing so, a major challenge is the need for efficient optimization tools that are appropriate for unsteady fluid mechanics problems, particularly for the optimization of complex patient-specific models in the presence of uncertainty. This article reviews the state of the art in optimization tools for virtual surgery, device design, and model parameter identification in cardiovascular flow and mechanobiology applications. In particular, it reviews trade-offs between traditional gradient-based methods and derivative-free approaches, as well as the need to incorporate uncertainties. Key future challenges are outlined, which extend to the incorporation of biological response and the customization of surgeries and devices for individual patients.
The Fluid Dynamics of Competitive Swimming
Authors: Wei Timothy , Mark Russell , Hutchison Sean
Published: October 2013

Nowhere in sport is performance so dependent on the interaction of the athlete with the surrounding medium than in competitive swimming. As a result, understanding (at least implicitly) and controlling (explicitly) the fluid dynamics of swimming are essential to earning a spot on the medal stand. This is an extremely complex, highly multidisciplinary problem with a broad spectrum of research approaches. This review attempts to provide a historical framework for the fluid dynamics–related aspects of human swimming research, principally conducted roughly over the past five decades, with an emphasis on the past 25 years. The literature is organized below to show a continuous integration of computational and experimental technologies into the sport. Illustrations from the authors' collaborations over a 10-year period, coupling the knowledge and experience of an elite-level coach, a lead biomechanician at USA Swimming, and an experimental fluid dynamicist, are intended to bring relevance and immediacy to the review.
Pulse Electrodeposition of Multi-Segmented Super Invar/Au Nanowires
Authors: Kim Hana , Soper Steven A. , Podlaha-Murphy Elizabeth J.
Published: October 2013

Nanowires are fabricated by template directed electrodeposition with multi-segmented nanowires with combined functionality. Five-segmented nanowires are developed in the sequence of: magnetic material, gold, sacrificial layer, gold, and magnetic material, to be used to create a nanogap electrode pair. The magnetic material was fabricated via pulsed electrodeposition of an alloy containing FeCoNi, the gold was deposited onto the FeCoNi, the sacrificial layer was Cu, and this layer was electrochemically etched in a citrate electrolyte that does not attack the other layers, particularly FeCoNi.
Electrochemical Formation of RE-Cu (RE=Dy, Nd) Alloys in a Molten LiCl-KCl System
Authors: Konishi Hirokazu , Ono Hideki , Takeuchi Eiichi , Nohira Toshiyuki , Oishi Tetsuo
Published: October 2013

The electrochemical formation of RE-Cu (RE=Dy, Nd) alloys were investigated in a molten LiCl-KCl-RECl3 (0.50 mol% added) at 723 K. Open-circuit potentiometry was carried out with a Cu electrode after depositing Dy metal by potentiostatic electrolysis at 0.40 V (vs. Li+ / Li) for 120 s in a molten LiCl-KCl-DyCl3(0.50 mol%) at 723 K. There were four potential plateaus at (a) 0.50 V, (b) 0.68 V, (c) 0.88 V and (d) 0.95 V. An alloy sample was prepared at 0.55 V for 4 h. From the XRD pattern of the sample, the alloy phase was identified as DyCu2. In the sample obtained at 0.78 V, the existence of DyCu5 was seen. The phase of the sample obtained at 1.50 V was transformed to Cu. On the basis of these results, alloy samples were prepared by potentiostatic electrolysis at 0.45-0.75 V for 1 h using Cu plates in a molten LiCl-KCl-DyCl3-NdCl3. The mass ratios of Dy/Nd in the alloy samples were found to be 6-12 by ICP-AES.
Pulse Current Electrodeposition of Nanocatalysts Using Different Waveforms for Use in PEMFCs
Authors: Karimi Shahram
Published: October 2013

An electrochemical method based on pulse current electrodeposition (PCE) utilizing different waveforms was developed and used for fabricating membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) with low catalyst loading for use in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. It was found that both peak deposition current density and duty cycle control the nucleation rate and the growth of platinum crystallites. Based on the combination of parameters used in this study, the optimum conditions for PCE were found to be a peak deposition current density of 400 mA cm-2, a duty cycle of 4%, and a pulse generated and delivered in the microsecond range utilizing a ramp-down waveform. MEAs prepared by PCE using the ramp-down waveform show performance comparable with commercial MEAs that employ several times the loading of platinum catalyst.
Fabrication of SERS-Active Substrates by Electrochemical and Electroless Deposition of Metals in Macroporous Silicon
Authors: Artsemyeva Ksenya , Dolgiy Alexei , Bandarenka Hanna , Panarin Andrei , Khodasevich Inna , Terekhov Sergei , Bondarenko Vitaly
Published: October 2013

SERS-active substrates based on hybrid metallic nanovoids were formed by successive Ni electrodeposition and Ag electroless deposition in macroporous silicon. It was shown that the SERS signal intensity greatly depends on the morphology and elemental composition of hybrid melallization. Optimal regimes of metallization were found which provided fabrication of the most SERS-active substrates demonstrated 10-11 M detection limit for rhodamine R6G.
The Influence of Fuel-to-Air Ratio on Water Balance in a Polymer-Electrolyte Fuel Cell with Counter-Current Reactant Flow
Authors: Darling Robert M.
Published: October 2013

The performance of a polymyer-electrolyte fuel cell is strongly influenced by the movement and accumulation of water. The distribution of water between counter flowing fuel and air streams at dry operating conditions was measured and compared to an equilibrium-stage model for water separation. The model predicts a broad optimum in fuel-to-air ratio that is supported by experimental observations.
Development of Durable Electrocatalysts for PEFC through Graphitization of Carbon Support Surface
Authors: Zhao Xiaojing , Hayashi Akari , Noda Zhiyun , Sasaki Kazunari
Published: October 2013

With the aim of developing durable electrocatalysts for PEFC, their durability with different carbon supports was evaluated electrochemically. During our study, Pt deposited Ketjen Black carbon was found to lose most of electrochemical active surface area after the potential cycle tests, and then a possible mechanism for that was investigated. We believe two different mechanisms probably occur at the same time. Many of Pt particles are dissolved into the electrolyte solution either as Pt ion or Pt nanoparticles. Some of Pt particles are also embedded into the hole formed on the carbon surface owing to carbon corrosion. However, the effect of these two factors was rather small for Vulcan carbon. Moreover, on the graphitized surface, such problems were mostly overcome. Consequently, graphitization of the carbon surface is a simple but useful technique to improve the durability of electrocatalysts.
The Effect of Lithium Adsorption and Edge Modification in the Electronic Transport of Zigzag Graphene Nanoribbons
Authors: Leggesse Ermias Girma , Chen Chi-Liang , Jiang Jyh-Chiang
Published: October 2013

The influence of Lithium adatom and edge modification on the electronic structure and the transport properties of zigzag-edged graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) were studied using ab initio density functional theory in combination with the nonequilibrium green’s function methods. We find that lithium adatoms adsorb preferentially on hollow sites of ZGNRs with edge modifications. However, the interaction of Li with ZGNRs gradually decreases as the adsorption site is moved towards the center of the nanoribbons. The transmission conductance of hydrogen terminated ZGNR (ZGNR-H) and hydroxyl terminated ZGNR (ZGNR-OH) are similar which means that the incoming wave function is not scattered, resulting in ballistic transport. However, as a result of lithium adsorption a dip drop near the Fermi level is observed in both systems indicating a strong scattering at this energy level. Based on the transport calculation, we have found that the ZGNR-H shows the worst conductance among the three GNRs being studied.
Electrochemical Aspects of Stress Corrosion Cracking of Ni-Cr-Fe Alloys in Acid Sulfate Solutions Relevant to Nuclear Steam Generators
Authors: Persaud Suraj Y. , Carcea Anatolie G. , Newman Roger C.
Published: October 2013

Alloy 600 and Alloy 800 are Ni-Fe-Cr alloys used in nuclear steam generators. Sulfate is an impurity found in faulted secondary side water that can accumulate in crevices in the acidic-to-neutral pH range, possibly resulting in acid sulfate stress corrosion cracking. Electrochemical measurements were done on Alloys 600 and 800 exposed to acid sulfate solutions at 315 °C and 120 bar. Results indicate that the addition of sulfate significantly increased the corrosion rate of both alloys – possibly due to reduction of sulfate resulting in impairment of surface passivity by reduced sulfur species. The addition of Fe2+ in solution reduced the corrosion rate due to the formation of a magnetite film. The corrosion rate and anodic current density of the 800 alloy were greater than those of the 600 alloy at high sulfate concentrations but became comparable at lower concentrations, or with the addition of Fe2+. SCC experiments were done and were in broad agreement with electrochemical measurements.