bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Multifocality an Indicator of Aggressive Behavior in Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Tumors?
Authors: Choi Allen B. , Maxwell Jessica E. , Keck Kendall J. , Bellizzi Andrew J. , Dillon Joseph S. , O'Dorisio Thomas M. , Howe James R.
Published: September 2017

Objectives

Many patients with small bowel neuroendocrine tumors (SBNETs) have multifocal tumors (MFTs), but the frequency of MFTs has varied widely across SBNET studies. It is also unclear whether patients with MFTs have more advanced disease or worse clinical course than do those with unifocal SBNETs. We set out to determine the frequency of multifocal and unifocal SBNETs and compare clinicopathologic factors, somatostatin receptor 2 expression, and survival.

Methods

Clinicopathologic variables from 179 patients with surgically managed SBNETs were collected. Statistical comparisons were made using Welch t-test, Wilcoxon test, and Fisher’s exact test. Survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Somatostatin receptor 2 expression was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Ki-67 expression by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Multifocal tumors were found in 45% of patients with SBNETs. Clinicopathologic factors such as grade, TNM stage, presence of distant metastases, mean somatostatin receptor 2 expression, success of imaging modalities, and preoperative and postoperative hormone levels were not significantly different between multifocal and unifocal groups. Progression-free survival and overall survival were also not significantly affected by multifocality.

Conclusions

Clinicopathologic features and survival of patients with MFTs and unifocal tumors are remarkably similar. Although the etiology of MFTs is unclear, patients with MFTs do not have a more aggressive clinical course than patients with unifocal SBNETs.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Neuroendocrine Tumor Hepatic Metastases
Authors: Morse Brian , Jeong Daniel , Thomas Kerry , Diallo Dalanda , Strosberg Jonathan R.
Published: September 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine if magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed with hepatobiliary phase imaging results in higher lesion conspicuity and produces lesion measurements with higher interobserver agreement than other MRI sequences when imaging neuroendocrine hepatic metastases.

Methods

Patients who had MRIs with both gadoxetate disodium and gadopentetate dimeglumine contrast within a 6-month span were identified, and 23 hepatic lesions were selected. Three radiologists and 1 oncologist measured the greatest diameter of each lesion on the following sequences: T2 weighted, T1 weighted, postcontrast (dynamic, delayed, and hepatobiliary phase), and diffusion weighted. Signal intensity ratio (SIlesion/SIliver) and contrast-to-noise ratio ([SIlesion – SIliver]/noise) were calculated for all lesions on each sequence. The interobserver agreement of measurements on each sequence was calculated using concordance correlation coefficient.

Results

Diffusion-weighted sequences had the highest signal intensity ratio ranging from 147% to 187% (vs other sequences range of 19.6%–130%). One hepatobiliary sequence had the highest contrast-to-noise ratio with a value of 41 (vs other sequences range of 3.2–28.1). Lesion measurements on all sequences showed high-interobserver agreement, with hepatobiliary sequences showing some of the highest levels of agreement.

Conclusions

Our results support the use of contrast agents with hepatobiliary excretion when imaging neuroendocrine tumors metastatic to liver.
Age-Specific Pattern of Anogenital Wart in Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Ong Jason J. , Fairley Christopher K. , Read Tim R.H. , Chen Marcus Y. , Zhang Lei , Chow Eric P.F.
Published: September 2017

We examined the proportion of anogenital warts in men who have sex with men attending a sexual health center. Anal warts were most common in younger men who have sex with men (5.8% for age <21 years) and became less common with age (2.8% in age >50 years), but penile warts occurred at approximately the same proportion (~1.5%) over all age groups.
Selecting an HIV Test: A Narrative Review for Clinicians and Researchers
Authors: Hurt Christopher B. , Nelson Julie A.E. , Hightow-Weidman Lisa B. , Miller William C.
Published: September 2017

Given the many options available, selecting an HIV test for a particular clinical or research setting can be daunting. Making an informed decision requires an assessment of the likelihood of acute infection in the test population and an understanding of key aspects of the tests themselves. The ability of individual tests to reliably detect HIV infection depends on the target(s) being detected, when they can be expected to be present after infection, and the concentration of stable target in test specimens, all of which are explained by the virologic and serologic events after infection. The purpose of this article is to review the timeline of HIV infection, nomenclature, and characteristics of different tests; compare point-of-care and laboratory-based tests; discuss the impact of different specimens on test performance; and provide practical advice to help clinicians and researchers new to the field select a test that best suits their needs.
The Interaction of Sexual Validation, Criminal Justice Involvement, and Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk Among Adolescent and Young Adult Males
Authors: Matson Pamela A. , Towe Vivian , Ellen Jonathan M. , Chung Shang-en , Sherman Susan G.
Published: September 2017

Background

Young men who have been involved with the criminal justice system are more likely to have concurrent sexual partners, a key driver of sexually transmitted infections. The value men place on having sexual relationships to validate themselves may play an important role in understanding this association.

Methods

Data were from a household survey. Young men (N = 132), aged 16 to 24 years, self-reported whether they ever spent time in jail or juvenile detention and if they had sexual partnerships that overlapped in time. A novel scale, “Validation through Sex and Sexual Relationships” (VTSSR) assessed the importance young men place on sex and sexual relationships (α = 0.91). Weighted logistic regression accounted for the sampling design.

Results

The mean (SD) VTSSR score was 23.7 (8.8) with no differences by race. Both criminal justice involvement (CJI) (odds ratio [OR], 3.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–12.1) and sexual validation (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.04–1.16) were associated with an increased odds of concurrency; however, CJI did not remain associated with concurrency in the fully adjusted model. There was effect modification, CJI was associated with concurrency among those who scored high on sexual validation (OR, 9.18; 95% CI, 1.73–48.6]; however, there was no association among those who scored low on sexual validation. Racial differences were observed between CJI and concurrency, but not between sexual validation and concurrency.

Conclusions

Sexual validation may be an important driver of concurrency for men who have been involved with the criminal justice system. Study findings have important implications on how sexual validation may explain racial differences in rates of concurrency.
HIV Transmission Dynamics Among Foreign-Born Persons in the United States
Authors: Valverde Eduardo E. , Oster Alexandra M. , Xu Songli , Wertheim Joel O. , Hernandez Angela L.
Published: September 2017

Background:

In the United States (US), foreign-born persons are disproportionately affected by HIV and differ epidemiologically from US-born persons with diagnosed HIV infection. Understanding HIV transmission dynamics among foreign-born persons is important to guide HIV prevention efforts for these populations. We conducted molecular transmission network analysis to describe HIV transmission dynamics among foreign-born persons with diagnosed HIV.

Methods:

Using HIV-1 polymerase nucleotide sequences reported to the US National HIV Surveillance System for persons with diagnosed HIV infection during 2001–2013, we constructed a genetic distance-based transmission network using HIV-TRACE and examined the birth region of potential transmission partners in this network.

Results:

Of 77,686 people, 12,064 (16%) were foreign born. Overall, 28% of foreign-born persons linked to at least one other person in the transmission network. Of potential transmission partners, 62% were born in the United States, 31% were born in the same region as the foreign-born person, and 7% were born in another region of the world. Most transmission partners of male foreign-born persons (63%) were born in the United States, whereas most transmission partners of female foreign-borns (57%) were born in their same world region.

Discussion:

These finding suggests that a majority of HIV infections among foreign-born persons in our network occurred after immigrating to the United States. Efforts to prevent HIV infection among foreign-born persons in the United States should include information of the transmission networks in which these individuals acquire or transmit HIV to develop more targeted HIV prevention interventions.
The 2016 WHO classification of central nervous system tumors: what neurologists need to know
Authors: DeWitt John C. , Mock Andreas , Louis David N.
Published: September 2017

Purpose of review

The 2016 WHO classification of tumors of the central nervous system (2016 CNS WHO) features many changes that are relevant to neurologists treating patients with brain tumors as well as neurologists involved in basic, clinical, and epidemiological research. This review summarizes what neurologists need to know and will need to know in the next years.

Recent findings

The 2016 CNS WHO introduces diagnostic terms that ‘integrate’ histological and molecular information and suggests presenting diagnoses in a four-layered reporting format. In addition, it utilizes a ‘not otherwise specified’ designation to identify diagnostic categories that are not precisely defined. A better understanding of the biology of entities further led to changes in the tumor nosology, for example, diffuse gliomas based on IDH gene status. Meaningful molecular subgroups could also be identified in embryonal tumors and other entities. Given the pace of change in the field of brain tumor classification, there will likely be additional practical advances that emerge over the next few years. A new initiative entitled Consortium to Inform Molecular and Practical Approaches to CNS Tumor Taxonomy intends to formulate recommendations between WHO updates.

The 2016 CNS WHO includes major changes in the way brain tumors are classified, with molecular parameters being incorporated into diagnostic criteria for a substantial number of such entities.
Allosteric signalling paths in hemoglobin: a protein dynamics network analysis
Authors: Monza Emanuele , Blouin George , Spiro Thomas G. , Guallar Victor
Published: September 2017

Hemoglobin is the paradigm of cooperative protein-ligand binding. Cooperativity is the consequence of inter-subunit allosteric communication: binding at one site increases the affinity of the others. Despite half a century of studies, the mechanism behind oxygen binding in hemoglobin is not fully understood yet. In particular, it is not clear if cooperativity arises from preferential inter-subunit channels and which residues propagate the allosteric signal from one heme to the others. In this work, the heme-heme dynamical interactions have been mapped through a network-based analysis of residue conformational fluctuations, as described by molecular dynamics simulations. In particular, it was possible to suggest which inter-subunit interactions are mostly responsible of allosteric signalling and, within each pair of subunits, which protein fragments convey such signalling process.
Novel full-length major histocompatibility complex class I allele discovery and haplotype definition in pig-tailed macaques
Authors: Semler Matthew R. , Wiseman Roger W. , Karl Julie A. , Graham Michael E. , Gieger Samantha M. , O’Connor David H.
Published: September 2017

Pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina, Mane) are important models for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) studies. Their infectability with minimally modified HIV makes them a uniquely valuable animal model to mimic human infection with HIV and progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, variation in the pig-tailed macaque major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and the impact of individual transcripts on the pathogenesis of HIV and other infectious diseases is understudied compared to rhesus and cynomolgus macaques. In this study, we used Pacific Biosciences single-molecule real-time circular consensus sequencing to describe full-length MHC class I (MHC-I) transcripts for 194 pig-tailed macaques from three breeding centers. We then used the full-length sequences to inferMane-AandMane-Bhaplotypes containing groups of MHC-I transcripts that co-segregate due to physical linkage. In total, we characterized full-length open reading frames (ORFs) for 313Mane-A,Mane-B, andMane-Isequences that defined 86Mane-Aand 106Mane-BMHC-I haplotypes. Pacific Biosciences technology allows us to resolve theseMane-AandMane-Bhaplotypes to the level of synonymous allelic variants. The newly defined haplotypes and transcript sequences containing full-length ORFs provide an important resource for infectious disease researchers as certain MHC haplotypes have been shown to provide exceptional control of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) replication and prevention of AIDS-like disease in nonhuman primates. The increased allelic resolution provided by Pacific Biosciences sequencing also benefits transplant research by allowing researchers to more specifically match haplotypes between donors and recipients to the level of nonsynonymous allelic variation, thus reducing the risk of graft-versus-host disease.
Positional encoding in cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus)
Authors: Versace Elisabetta , Rogge Jessica R. , Shelton-May Natalie , Ravignani Andrea
Published: September 2017

Strategies used in artificial grammar learning can shed light into the abilities of different species to extract regularities from the environment. In theA(X)nBrule,AandBitems are linked but assigned to different positional categories and separated by distractor items. Open questions are how widespread is the ability to extract positional regularities fromA(X)nBpatterns, which strategies are used to encode positional regularities and whether individuals exhibit preferences for absolute or relative position encoding. We used visual arrays to investigate whether cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) can learn this rule and which strategies they use. After training on a subset of exemplars, half of the tested monkeys successfully generalized to novel combinations. These tamarins discriminated between categories of tokens with different properties (A,B,X) and detected a positional relationship between non-adjacent items even in the presence of novel distractors. Generalization, though, was incomplete, since we observed a failure with items that during training had always been presented in reinforced arrays. The pattern of errors revealed that successful subjects used visual similarity with training stimuli to solve the task, and that tamarins extracted the relative position ofAsandBsrather than their absolute position, similarly to what observed in other species. Relative position encoding appears to be the default strategy in different tasks and taxa.
Viable But Non-Culturable Cells Are Persister Cells
Authors: Kim Jun-Seob , Chowdhury Nityananda , Wood Thomas K.
Published: September 2017

Bacteria have two dormant phenotypes: the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state and the persister state. Both resting stages arise without mutation and both have been linked to chronic infections; however, persister cells revive rapidly whereas the cell population called VBNC is reported to not resuscitate. Here we investigated the relatedness of the two stress-induced phenotypes at the single-cell level by using transmission electron microscopy and fluorescent microscopy to examine cell morphology and by quantifying cell resuscitation. Using the classic starvation conditions to create VBNC cells, we found that the majority of the remainingEscherichia colipopulation are spherical, have empty cytosol, and fail to resuscitate; however, some of the spherical cells under these classic VBNC-inducing conditions resuscitate immediately (most probably those with dense cytosol). Critically, all the culturable cells became persister cells within 14 days of starvation. We found that the persister cells initially are rodlike, have clear but limited membrane damage, can resuscitate immediately, and gradually become spherical by aging. After 24 h, only rod-shaped persister cells survive, and all the spherical cells lyse. Both cell populations formed under the VBNC-inducing conditions and the persister cells are metabolically inactive. Therefore, the bacterial population consists of dead cells and persister cells in the VBNC-inducing conditions; i.e., the non-lysed particles that do not resuscitate are dead, and the dormant cells that resuscitate are persister cells. Hence, “VBNC” and “persister” describe the same dormant phenotype.
Identification of DISE-inducing shRNAs by monitoring cellular responses
Authors: Patel Monal , Peter Marcus E.
Published: September 2017

Off-target effects (OTE) are an undesired side effect of RNA interference (RNAi) caused by partial complementarity between the targeting siRNA and mRNAs other than the gene to be silenced. The death receptor CD95 and its ligand CD95L contain multiple sequences that when expressed as either si-or shRNAs kill cancer cells through a defined OTE that targets critical survival genes. Death induced by survival gene elimination (DISE) is characterized by specific morphological changes such as elongated cell shapes, senescence-like enlarged cells, appearance of large intracellular vesicles, release of mitochondrial ROS followed by activation of caspase-2, and induction of a necrotic form of mitotic catastrophe. Using genome-wide shRNA lethality screens with eight different cancer cell lines, we recently identified 651 genes as critical for the survival of cancer cells. To determine whether the toxic shRNAs targeting these 651 genes contained shRNAs that kill cancer cell through DISE rather than by silencing their respective target genes, we tested all shRNAs in the TRC library derived from a subset of these genes targeting tumor suppressors (TS). We now report that only by monitoring the responses of cancer cells following expression of shRNAs derived from these putative TS it was possible to identify DISE-inducing shRNAs in five of the genes. These data indicate that DISE in general is not an undefined toxic response of cells caused by a random OTE but rather a specific cellular response with shared features that points at a specific biological function involving multiple genes in the genome.
Successful TS‐1 monotherapy as the second‐line treatment for advanced extramammary Paget's disease: A report of two cases
Authors: Kato Junji , Hida Tokimasa , Yamashita Toshiharu , Kamiya Shiori , Horimoto Kohei , Sato Sayuri , Takahashi Hitomi , Sawada Masahide , Yamada Mao , Uhara Hisashi
Published: September 2017

There is no standard chemotherapeutic treatment for advanced extramammary Paget's disease, though the effectiveness of some chemotherapy regimens, including docetaxel, has been reported. In this report, we report that TS‐1 monotherapy was effective in two patients with advanced extramammary Paget's disease after docetaxel treatment failure. TS‐1 monotherapy may be useful as the second‐line treatment for patients with advanced extramammary Paget's disease.
Mapping biopsy for Buruli ulcer self‐medicated with occlusive dressing
Authors: Hayami Takuma , Takahashi Toshifumi , Kato Takeshi , Tanaka Toshihiro , Fujimoto Noriki
Published: September 2017

Buruli ulcer is the third most common mycobacterial infection next to tuberculosis and leprosy caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. Although it affects the skin, subcutaneous tissues, muscles and sometimes bones, there is no reliable evidence to determine the extent of debridement. We present here a case of Buruli ulcer treated successfully with a preoperative mapping biopsy procedure, which had been self‐medicated with occlusive dressing. Because Buruli ulcer is accompanied by subtle pain, patients and clinicians tend to initially treat the ulcer with occlusive dressing therapy, which leads to the misdiagnosis of Buruli ulcer as a common bacterial infection only judging from bacterial culture of the surface of the ulcer. We propose the efficacy of mapping biopsy for treating Buruli ulcer.
Application of spectral decomposition and neural networks to characterise deep turbidite systems in the outer fold and thrust belt of the Niger Delta
Authors: Aminu Muslim B. , Ojo Samuel B.
Published: September 2017

We have applied a wavelet‐based spectral decomposition scheme and a multi‐layered feed‐forward neural network to interpret turbidite depositional systems from three‐dimensional reflection seismic data and well logs for a prospective hydrocarbon zone in the outer fold and thrust belt of the Niger Delta. The goal was to overcome difficulties in interpreting depositional systems from deep sections of the Field, occasioned by loss of seismic resolution with depth and the sparse distribution of wells.

The decomposition scheme allowed us to delineate multiple depositional systems not apparent on the conventional seismic amplitude display. These systems include linear channel systems with terminal splay lobes, a sinuous channel system and its abandoned meander loops, and sediment wave features in overbank areas. Delineated channel morphologies and transport directions varied both laterally and vertically and were possibly dependent upon the disposition of the pre‐thrusting paleo‐seafloor. Terminal splay lobes are fragmented and coincident with the locations of topographic lows, which are possibly related to the initial configurations of the oceanic basement below. Predicted porosity and resistivity distributions have morphologies that correlate well with the mapping provided by the spectral decomposition scheme. The property distributions indicate that reservoir prone systems in the Field and possibly within the outer fold and thrust belt are composed primarily of channel systems, both linear and sinuous, and their associated splay lobes. The channel systems appear vertically stacked, and this situation possibly increases the potential success rate for exploration wells in the region. Beyond channel limits, redistributive bottom currents varying rapidly in speed and direction apparently encouraged the dispersal of sand‐rich sediments to form sediment waves.

Despite the limited well control, the methodology significantly aided our interpretation. It proved effective at revealing the distribution of reservoir prone facies within the Field and provided insight into the dominant factors that controlled deposition within the Field.
The basis of differences in thermodynamic efficiency among skeletal muscles
Authors: Barclay Christopher J.
Published: September 2017

Muscles convert chemical free energy into mechanical work. The energy conversion occurs in 2 steps. First, free energy obtained from oxidation of metabolic substrates (ΔGS) is transferred to ATP and, second, free energy from ATP hydrolysis (ΔGATP) is converted into work by myosin cross‐bridges. The fraction of ΔGS transferred to ATP is called mitochondrial efficiency (ηM) and the fraction of ΔGATP converted into work is called cross‐bridge efficiency (ηCB). Overall cross‐bridge efficiency varies among muscles from ~20% and 35% and the analysis presented in the current studies shows that this variation is largely due to differences in ηCB whereas ηM is similar (~80%) in all the muscles assessed. There is an inverse, linear relationship between maximum normalised power output and ηCB; that is, more efficient muscles tend to be less powerful than less efficient muscles. It is proposed that differences in cross‐bridge efficiency reflect the extent to which cross‐bridges traverse the force‐length relationship for attached cross‐bridges. In this framework, cross‐bridges from tortoise muscle (ηCB = 45%) produce close to the maximum possible work a cross‐bridge can perform in a single attachment cycle.
Deep nirS amplicon sequencing of San Francisco Bay sediments enables prediction of geography and environmental conditions from denitrifying community composition
Authors: Lee Jessica A. , Francis Christopher A.
Published: September 2017

Denitrification is a dominant nitrogen loss process in the sediments of San Francisco Bay. In this study, we sought to understand the ecology of denitrifying bacteria by using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) to survey the diversity of a denitrification functional gene, nirS (encoding cytchrome‐cd1 nitrite reductase), along the salinity gradient of San Francisco Bay over the course of a year. We compared our dataset to a library of nirS sequences obtained previously from the same samples by standard PCR cloning and Sanger sequencing, and showed that both methods similarly demonstrated geography, salinity and, to a lesser extent, nitrogen, to be strong determinants of community composition. Furthermore, the depth afforded by NGS enabled novel techniques for measuring the association between environment and community composition. We used Random Forests modelling to demonstrate that the site and salinity of a sample could be predicted from its nirS sequences, and to identify indicator taxa associated with those environmental characteristics. This work contributes significantly to our understanding of the distribution and dynamics of denitrifying communities in San Francisco Bay, and provides valuable tools for the further study of this key N‐cycling guild in all estuarine systems.
Busting Some of the Public Private Partnership Myths from a Government Perspective
Authors: Curtain Kim , Betts Jim
Published: September 2017

Since the 1980s, state governments across Australia have procured critical and complex infrastructure projects via a Public Private Partnership (“PPP”). Despite the long history and widespread use of PPPs in many sectors, there are still many misconceptions and myths regarding PPPs. This article attempts to demystify, from a government's perspective, some of those common misconceptions and myths. We noted that there are multiple ways of structuring a PPP arrangement, that the purpose is not to maximise risk transfer to the private sector but to allocate risks to the party best able to manage them and that a PPP structure does not circumvent funding constraints.
Cervical dilatation patterns of ‘low‐risk’ women with spontaneous labour and normal perinatal outcomes: a systematic review
Authors: Oladapo OT , Diaz V , Bonet M , Abalos E , Thwin SS , Souza H , Perdoná G , Souza JP , Gülmezoglu AM
Published: September 2017

Background

The call for women‐centred approaches to reduce labour interventions, particularly primary caesarean section, has renewed an interest in gaining a better understanding of natural labour progression.

Objective

To synthesise available data on the cervical dilatation patterns during spontaneous labour of ‘low‐risk’ women with normal perinatal outcomes.

Search strategy

PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, POPLINE, Global Health Library, and reference lists of eligible studies.

Selection criteria

Observational studies and other study designs.

Data collection and analysis

Two authors extracted data on: maternal characteristics; labour interventions; the duration of labour centimetre by centimetre; and the duration of labour from dilatation at admission through to 10 cm. We pooled data across studies using weighted medians and employed the Bootstrap‐t method to generate the corresponding confidence bounds.

Main results

Seven observational studies describing labour patterns for 99 971 women met our inclusion criteria. The median time to advance by 1 cm in nulliparous women was longer than 1 hour until a dilatation of 5 cm was reached, with markedly rapid progress after 6 cm. Similar labour progression patterns were observed in parous women. The 95th percentiles for both parity groups suggest that it was not uncommon for some women to reach 10 cm, despite dilatation rates that were much slower than the 1‐cm/hour threshold for most part of their first stage of labours.

Conclusion

An expectation of a minimum cervical dilatation threshold of 1 cm/hour throughout the first stage of labour is unrealistic for most healthy nulliparous and parous women. Our findings call into question the universal application of clinical standards that are conceptually based on an expectation of linear labour progress in all women.

Funding

UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Tweetable abstract

Cervical dilatation threshold of 1 cm/hour throughout labour is unrealistic for most women, regardless of parity.
Raisins and Currants as Conventional Nutraceuticals in Italian Market: Natural Occurrence of Ochratoxin A
Authors: Fanelli Francesca , Cozzi Giuseppe , Raiola Assunta , Dini Irene , Mulè Giuseppina , Logrieco Antonio F. , Ritieni Alberto
Published: September 2017

The healthy consumers make a strong pressure to natural products that can prevent the chronic diseases and improve the general health status, and therefore an important aspect that have to be considered is the safe level of the nutraceuticals. This study reports the occurrence of Ochratoxin A (OTA) and associated fungal contamination in 35 samples of dried vine fruits imported in the European community potentially used for the development of new nutraceutical supplements. High pressure liquid chromatography analysis identified 18 samples as contaminated by OTA with an average level of 2.6 μg/kg. OTA was measured in 4 samples of currants (mean value of 6.6 μg/kg) and 13 samples of raisins (mean value of 1.4 μg/kg). In one sample of currants and one of raisins from Turkey OTA exceeded the limits set by European Commission of 10 μg/kg, being contaminated with 12.61 and 15.99 μg/kg, respectively. All the positive samples were confirmed by Orbitrap Q Exactive through their molecular weight and the corresponding fragmentation. The worldwide consumption of dried vine fruits contributed to OTA exposure in several group of consumers. In particular, considering the potential nutraceutical approach, this consumption may be represent a severe risk for healthy consumers that consider these products like healthy and salutistic for their contents in antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols. Data reported in this study confirmed the need to regularly monitor mycotoxin levels in these food products and optimize the process of fruits drying in order to reduce the development of toxigenic molds.
Effects of Ultra‐High Pressure Homogenization and Hydrocolloids on Physicochemical and Storage Properties of Soymilk
Authors: Mukherjee Dipaloke , Chang Sam K. C. , Zhang Yin , Mukherjee Soma
Published: September 2017

This study investigated the efficacy of ultra‐high pressure homogenization (UHPH) in the presence or absence of added hydrocolloids for enhancing a range of physic‐chemical properties of soymilk—which are important for extending shelf‐life. Soymilk preparations containing different concentrations (0.01%, 0.02%, and 0.05%, w/v) of 2 different hydrocolloids (κ‐carrageenan, κ‐C, and gum Arabic, GA) were subjected to 3 different levels of UHPH (70, 140, and 210 MPa) and stored in sterilized containers at 4 °C. Emulsion properties of the soymilk preparations were analyzed over a period of 5 weeks. The results showed that soymilk with 0.05% κ‐C had markedly improved storage properties, evident by significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced surface energy and absolute ζ potential values compared to the unhomogenized soymilk with no hydrocolloid (16% and 39% augmentations, respectively) at the 1st week of storage. This trend continued throughout the entire period of study. The soymilk containing 0.05% κ‐C also exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) lower (60%) mean globular particle size at the initial week compared to the latter ones and maintained the trend throughout the 3rd week of storage. The study can potentially lead to a considerable economic benefit to the soymilk industry by providing valuable information to extend shelf‐life of soymilk.

Practical Application

Soymilk is one of the most important soy products, and as a beverage, it is rapidly gaining popularity in the Western markets. However, it tends to form precipitates during storage to affect quality of the product. This study used a 2‐prong approach of ultra‐high pressure homogenization and addition of hydrocolloids to prevent aggregation of soymilk particles and the retention of antioxidant capacity. The results showed enhancement of the quality of soymilk during storage. The techniques developed can be adopted by the food industry.
Mapping range dynamics from opportunistic data: spatiotemporal modelling of the lynx distribution in the Alps over 21 years
Authors: Molinari‐Jobin A. , Kéry M. , Marboutin E. , Marucco F. , Zimmermann F. , Molinari P. , Frick H. , Fuxjäger C. , Wölfl S. , Bled F. , Breitenmoser‐Würsten C. , Kos I. , Wölfl M. , Černe R. , Müller O. , Breitenmoser U.
Published: September 2017

The Eurasian lynx is of special conservation concern based on the European Union's Habitat Directive and its populations need to be maintained or restored at favourable conservation status. To evaluate lynx population status, appropriate monitoring needs to be in place. We modelled the distribution dynamics of lynx in the Alps (200 000 km2) during 1994–2014 at a resolution of 100 km2. Lynx distribution and detection probability varied by year, country, forest cover, elevation and distance to the nearest release site. Occupancy of neighbouring quadrats had a strong positive effect on colonization and persistence rates. Our analyses demonstrate the importance of accounting for imperfect detection: the raw data underestimated the lynx range by 55% on average, depending on country and winter. Over the past 20 years the Alpine lynx range has expanded at an average rate of 4% per year, which was partly due to the lynx translocations to new areas. Our approach to large‐scale distribution modelling and analysing trends using site occupancy models can be applied retrospectively and is useful in many cases where a network of trained people is established to report the presence of target species, for example, in Europe where member states of the European Union have to report conservation status of species of community interest. Hence, dynamic occupancy models are an appealing framework for inference about the large‐scale range dynamics based on opportunistic data and a useful tool for large‐scale management and conservation programmes.
The association of postoperative pulmonary complications in 109,360 patients with pressure‐controlled or volume‐controlled ventilation
Authors: Bagchi A. , Rudolph M. I. , Ng P. Y. , Timm F. P. , Long D. R. , Shaefi S. , Ladha K. , Vidal Melo M. F. , Eikermann M.
Published: September 2017

We thought that the rate of postoperative pulmonary complications might be higher after pressure‐controlled ventilation than after volume‐controlled ventilation. We analysed peri‐operative data recorded for 109,360 adults, whose lungs were mechanically ventilated during surgery at three hospitals in Massachusetts, USA. We used multivariable regression and propensity score matching. Postoperative pulmonary complications were more common after pressure‐controlled ventilation, odds ratio (95%CI) 1.29 (1.21–1.37), p < 0.001. Tidal volumes and driving pressures were more varied with pressure‐controlled ventilation compared with volume‐controlled ventilation: mean (SD) variance from the median 1.61 (1.36) ml.kg−1 vs. 1.23 (1.11) ml.kg−1, p < 0.001; and 3.91 (3.47) cmH2O vs. 3.40 (2.69) cmH2O, p < 0.001. The odds ratio (95%CI) of pulmonary complications after pressure‐controlled ventilation compared with volume‐controlled ventilation at positive end‐expiratory pressures < 5 cmH2O was 1.40 (1.26–1.55) and 1.20 (1.11–1.31) when ≥ 5 cmH2O, both p < 0.001, a relative risk ratio of 1.17 (1.03–1.33), p = 0.023. The odds ratio (95%CI) of pulmonary complications after pressure‐controlled ventilation compared with volume‐controlled ventilation at driving pressures of < 19 cmH2O was 1.37 (1.27–1.48), p < 0.001, and 1.16 (1.04–1.30) when ≥ 19 cmH2O, p = 0.011, a relative risk ratio of 1.18 (1.07–1.30), p = 0.016. Our data support volume‐controlled ventilation during surgery, particularly for patients more likely to suffer postoperative pulmonary complications.
Study on the tumor‐induced angiogenesis using mathematical models
Authors: Suzuki Takashi , Minerva Dhisa , Nishiyama Koichi , Koshikawa Naohiko , Chaplain Mark Andrew Joseph
Published: September 2017

We studied angiogenesis using mathematical models describing the dynamics of tip cells. We reviewed the basic ideas of angiogenesis models and its numerical simulation technique to produce realistic computer graphics images of sprouting angiogenesis. We examined the classical model of Anderson‐Chaplain using fundamental concepts of mass transport and chemical reaction with ECM degradation included. We then constructed two types of numerical schemes, model‐faithful and model‐driven ones, where new techniques of numerical simulation are introduced, such as transient probability, particle velocity, and Boolean variables.
Prevalence of human papillomavirus in benign and malignant laryngeal lesions in Egyptian patients: Cross‐sectional study
Authors: Milad P. , Kassamy H. , Askoura A. , Abuelela S. , Salem R. , Ragab D.
Published: September 2017

Objective

To assess the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in benign and malignant laryngeal lesions among Egyptian patients.

Design

Observational analytical cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Ain Shams University hospital, Otorhinolaryngology department

Participants

Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded specimens of 126 patients (70 benign laryngeal lesions and 56 squamous cell carcinoma lesions) were assessed for the presence of HPV DNA using MY09/11 PCR‐based DNA detection.

Main Outcome Measures

Percentage of positive samples was calculated.

Results

All 70 benign laryngeal lesion specimens were negative for the HPV DNA, while 2 of the 56 squamous cell carcinoma lesions (3.6%) were positive.

Conclusions

The presence of HPV DNA in only two specimens in our study suggests that the proportion of laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas attributable to infection by HPV seems to be very low in Egypt.
A non‐probabilistic reliability‐based design optimization method for structures based on interval models
Authors: Wang M.R. , Fan J.P. , Hu J.
Published: September 2017

A non‐probabilistic reliability optimization method for structures with uncertain‐but‐bounded variables was presented. Based on the interval model description for the uncertain‐but‐bounded parameters, the non‐probabilistic reliability index was used to measure the structural reliability. The optimal design was formulated as a nested two‐loop optimization problem. For a nonlinear function, a number of constraints that satisfied the non‐probabilistic reliability index were treated as the serial system, and the feasible region of the uncertain parameters was determined by the target non‐probabilistic reliability index. The inner optimization method for solving a number of non‐probabilistic reliability indices was transformed into the problem of minimizing the functions within the feasible range. For a linear function, the non‐probabilistic reliability optimization problem can be transformed into a deterministic optimization problem. The high computational cost of determining the non‐probabilistic reliability was greatly reduced. Three numerical examples were presented to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed method.
Decrypting stable‐isotope (δ13C and δ15N) variability in aquatic plants
Authors: Chappuis Eglantine , Seriñá Vanesa , Martí Eugènia , Ballesteros Enric , Gacia Esperança
Published: September 2017

Variability in C and N stable isotopes has been acknowledged to hinder their use as tracers of food sources in the study of trophic interactions in ecosystems. This is particularly so whenever benthic primary production is substantial (variability in δ13C) and the ecosystem under study is affected by human impacts (variability in δ15N) in aquatic ecosystems.

In this study, we aim to better understand the large and often unexplained variability in the natural abundance of δ13C and δ15N signatures of aquatic plants by analyzing the isotopic composition of plants from 81 lentic systems from NE Spain in relation to extrinsic (alkalinity, pH, nutrient concentrations, water body typology and basin land use) and intrinsic (functional group, carbon assimilation metabolism, elemental composition) predictors.

We have encountered significant plasticity in isotopic signatures of aquatic plants associated with the variation in local conditions at the regional scale. The δ13C signature varied from −43.1‰ to −7.5‰ (35.7‰ range) and drivers were both intrinsic and extrinsic. The functional group was the most important factor as it is influenced by different carbon sources. Aquatic plants with leaves in contact with the atmosphere (helophytes, free floating and floating attached; −34.8‰ to −14.6‰) responded in a similar way as terrestrial plants. This contrasted with the enriched mean values of rooted submerged plants (−16.7‰ to −10.5‰) that were more enriched than the described terrestrial C3 range (−34‰ to −22‰) and completely overlapped the terrestrial C4 range (−20‰ to −8‰). Concentration of DIC and pH also emerged as important extrinsic factors driving δ13C variability.

The δ15N signature ranged from −5.2‰ to 20.1‰ (25.2‰ range) and the variability was mostly associated with extrinsic factors such as water body type and basin land use, as they influence both the δ15N signature and concentration of the dissolved inorganic nitrogen in the aquatic ecosystems.

Only one multifactorial model including the functional group (with the largest contribution), DIC and pH was selected as the best model explaining the variability in δ13C signatures of aquatic plants. The final model had a relatively large explained deviance and was consistent with the previous unifactorial results. Two different models were selected as the best models explaining variability in δ15N signatures of aquatic plants. The models included the geomorphological type of water body as the variable with the largest contribution, and the percentage of either natural or agricultural coverage in the basin. These results are summarized in a conceptual model showing the predictors and their range and direction of variation.

This study shows that extrinsic factors are of greater importance in influencing the stable‐isotope signatures of aquatic plants compared to terrestrial plants, because of varied sources and an often limited isotopic discrimination.
The effects of dispersal and river spatial structure on asynchrony in consumer–resource metacommunities
Authors: Anderson Kurt E. , Hayes Sean M.
Published: September 2017

River network structure influences many important population and community processes. Previous work examining ecological dynamics in river networks has focused on within‐trophic‐level dynamics, with less emphasis on food‐web interactions. Yet, trophic interactions in rivers are influenced by processes that may interact with network structure and position.

Using a spatially explicit consumer–resource model, we explore how trophic dynamics are influenced by the branching nature of river networks. We focus on cases where the consumer–resource interaction is prone to temporal oscillations and periodic low population sizes. In these cases, we find that the influence of network structure and dispersal can reduce temporal variability and increase persistence of consumers and resources at the metacommunity scale.

The effects of network structure and dispersal on our observed metacommunity dynamics result from asynchrony among dynamics of local communities: when asynchronous local fluctuations are averaged, consumer–resource dynamics become less variable and bounded higher above zero at regional spatial scales. Fluctuations synchronise across clusters of linked local communities.

Communities that connect to only one other downstream community typically vary independently of other patches and show high variability, while communities that are linked to multiple upstream and downstream habitats show greater clustering and less variability. These patterns suggest that headwater versus mainstem locations in river networks may show different levels of population variability and thus differential responses to management and restoration efforts.
Other Helicobacters, gastric and gut microbiota
Authors: Péré‐Védrenne Christelle , Flahou Bram , Loke Mun Fai , Ménard Armelle , Vadivelu Jamuna
Published: September 2017

The current article is a review of the most important and relevant literature published in 2016 and early 2017 on non‐Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter infections in humans and animals, as well as interactions between H. pylori and the microbiota of the stomach and other organs. Some putative new Helicobacter species were identified in sea otters, wild boars, dogs, and mice. Many cases of Helicobacter fennelliae and Helicobacter cinaedi infection have been reported in humans, mostly in immunocompromised patients. Mouse models have been used frequently as a model to investigate human Helicobacter infection, although some studies have investigated the pathogenesis of Helicobacters in their natural host, as was the case for Helicobacter suis infection in pigs. Our understanding of both the gastric and gut microbiome has made progress and, in addition, interactions between H. pylori and the microbiome were demonstrated to go beyond the stomach. Some new approaches of preventing Helicobacter infection or its related pathologies were investigated and, in this respect, the probiotic properties of Saccharomyces, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. were confirmed.
Helicobacter pylori, gastric cancer and other gastrointestinal malignancies
Authors: Venerito Marino , Vasapolli Riccardo , Rokkas Theodore , Delchier Jean‐Charles , Malfertheiner Peter
Published: September 2017

In a retrospective study performed in California, U.S.A., ca. 3% of patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) developed gastric cancer (GC) within a median time period of 4.6 years after diagnosis of GIM. This observation stresses the importance of targeted surveillance even in regions with a low GC prevalence. Patients with alcoholic liver disease as well as survivors of colorectal and lobular breast cancer were found to be at increased risk of secondary GC. A population‐based Chinese study confirmed “serologic biopsy” as a useful screening tool for stratifying the individual risk of developing GC. Concerning GC therapy, a post hoc analysis of the MAGIC trial reported that regression of lymph node metastases, but not the tumor regression itself, predicts overall survival. Furthermore, in patients with high microsatellite instable tumors, perioperative chemotherapy leads to an increased risk of mortality. Two studies confirmed that eradication therapy is worthwhile as an initial treatment for gastric mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma irrespective of the H. pylori infection status and stage. An increased risk of a second primary malignancy including GC was observed in these patients treated with immuno/chemotherapy but not in patients treated solely with an H. pylori eradication treatment. With respect to gastrointestinal malignancies other than GC, discrepant data have been published regarding the association of H. pylori with pancreatic cancer whereas no association has been reported with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The majority of published studies still support an association of H. pylori with colon neoplasms.