bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of assessment toolkits for improving the diagnosis of the Lewy body dementias: feasibility study within the DIAMOND Lewy study
Authors: Thomas Alan J. , Taylor John Paul , McKeith Ian , Bamford Claire , Burn David , Allan Louise , O'Brien John
Published: December 2016

Objective

The Lewy body dementias (LBD, dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease dementia) are the second most common cause of neurodegenerative dementia but remain under‐recognised, with long delays from initial assessment to diagnosis. Whilst validated instruments have been developed for key symptoms, there is no brief instrument for overall diagnostic assessment suitable for routine practice. We here report the development of such assessment toolkits.

Methods

We developed the LBD assessment toolkits in three stages. First, we conducted a systematic search for brief validated assessments for key symptoms and combined these into draft instruments. Second, we obtained feedback on acceptability and feasibility through two rounds of interviews with our patient and public involvement group. This led to modification of the toolkits. Finally, we piloted the toolkits in a feasibility study in routine dementia and Parkinson's disease services to produce final instruments suitable for routine clinical practice.

Results

Eleven clinicians, working in both dementia/memory assessment and Parkinson's disease/movement disorder services, consented to pilot the assessment toolkits and provide feedback on their feasibility. Clinicians worked in routine health service (not academic) settings and piloted the draft toolkits by integrating them into their regular clinical assessments. Feedback obtained informally, by written comments and through qualitative interviews led to modifications and production of final acceptable versions.

Conclusions

We were able to address an important need, the under‐diagnosis of LBD, by developing toolkits for improving the recognition and diagnosis of the LBD, which were acceptable to clinicians working in routine dementia and Parkinson's disease services. © 2016 The Authors. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Entropy Analysis of a Coupled‐Convection Flow through a Vertical Channel Partially Filled by a Porous Medium with Injection/Suction and Slip Boundary Conditions
Authors: Chauhan Dileep Singh , Khemchandani Vinita
Published: December 2016

Flow fields, thermal fields, and entropy generation have been investigated for fully developed mixed convection flow between two vertical porous plates. The vertical channel is partially filled by a porous medium, and channel walls are subjected to a constant injection velocity at the left wall and constant suction velocity at the right wall. The viscous dissipation effects and velocity slip for the longitudinal component of the velocity at the channel walls are also taken into account. The momentum and energy equations for the mixed convection problem in the vertical channel are solved by means of the perturbation series method, by taking perturbation parameter proportional to the Brinkman number. For the present problem, numerical solution is also obtained and compared with the analytical solution. The effects of various pertinent parameters on the velocity distribution, temperature distribution, entropy generation rate, and Bejan number are investigated and discussed graphically.
Association between overall rate of change in rising breath alcohol concentration and the magnitude of acute tolerance of subjective intoxication via the Mellanby method
Authors: Morris David H. , Amlung Michael T. , Tsai Chia‐Lin , McCarthy Denis M.
Published: December 2016

Objective

The magnitude of acute tolerance is a strong predictor of the development of longer‐term chronic tolerance and plays a decisive role in risky decisions (e.g., driving after drinking). Therefore, it is important to identify factors that increase the magnitude of this adaptive process. This study explored whether acute tolerance magnitude varied as a function of the overall rate of increase in breath alcohol concentration (BrAC).

Methods

Twenty‐nine young adult social drinkers (M age = 22.55, SD = 3.10; 62.1% women) consumed a moderate dose of alcohol (men: 0.86 g/kg, women: 0.75 g/kg) in a controlled laboratory setting. Subjective intoxication was assessed at matched BrACs (~0.060 g/dl) on each limb of the BrAC curve.

Results

Hierarchical regression results indicated that faster overall increases in BrAC on the ascending limb were associated with greater acute tolerance for subjective intoxication ratings (p < .01, R2 = .29).

Conclusions

These results present some of the first evidence that faster increases in BrAC may be associated with greater acute tolerance, as indicated by greater reduction in subjective intoxication across the limbs of the BrAC curve. This greater reduction may, in turn, promote heavier drinking and/or engagement in behaviors for which one is unfit (e.g., driving after drinking).
Hepatoma cell functions modulated by NEK2 are associated with liver cancer progression
Authors: Wu Sheng‐Ming , Lin Syuan‐Ling , Lee Kang‐Yun , Chuang Hsiao‐Chi , Feng Po‐Hao , Cheng Wan‐Li , Liao Chia‐Jung , Chi Hsiang‐Cheng , Lin Yang‐Hsiang , Tsai Chung‐Ying , Chen Wei‐Jan , Yeh Chau‐Ting , Lin Kwang‐Huei
Published: December 2016

NEK2 (NIMA‐related expressed kinase 2) is a serine/threonine centrosomal kinase that acts as a critical regulator of centrosome structure and function. Aberrant NEK2 activities lead to failure in regulating centrosome duplication. NEK2 overexpression promotes tumorigenesis and is associated with poor prognosis in several cancers. Increased NEK2 expression during the late pathological stage has been detected in the Oncomine liver dataset and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) specimens. Elevated NEK2 protein is associated with poor overall survival in patients with HCC. However, the precise roles and mechanisms of NEK2 in liver cancer progression remain largely unknown. An earlier functional study revealed that NEK2 mediates drug resistance (cisplatin or lipo‐doxorubicin) via expression of an ABCC10 transporter. Active angiogenesis and metastasis underlie the rapid recurrence and poor survival of HCC. Results from the current study showed that NEK2 mediates tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis in vivo. NEK2‐mediated drug resistance was blocked by a specific PI3K or AKT inhibitor. Moreover, NEK2 mediated liver cancer cell migration via pAKT/NF‐κB signaling and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation. Angiogenesis was induced via the same signaling pathway and IL‐8 stimulation. Our findings collectively indicate that NEK2 modulates hepatoma cell functions, including growth, drug resistance, metastasis and angiogenesis via downstream genes activation.
The GPU‐enabled divide‐expand‐consolidate RI‐MP2 method (DEC‐RI‐MP2)
Authors: Bykov Dmytro , Kjaergaard Thomas
Published: December 2016

We report porting of the Divide‐Expand‐Consolidate Resolution of the Identity second‐order Møller–Plesset perturbation (DEC‐RI‐MP2) method to the graphic processing units (GPUs) using OpenACC compiler directives. It is shown that the OpenACC compiler directives implementation efficiently accelerates the rate‐determining step of the DEC‐RI‐MP2 method with minor implementation effort. Moreover, the GPU acceleration results in a better load balance and thus in an overall scaling improvement of the DEC algorithm. The resulting cross‐platform hybrid MPI/OpenMP/OpenACC implementation has scalable and portable performance on heterogeneous HPC architectures. The GPU‐enabled code was benchmarked using a reduced version of the S12L test set of Stefan Grimme (Grimme, Chem. Eur. J. 2012, 18, 9955) consisting of supramolecular complexes up to 158 atoms and 4292 contracted basis functions (cc‐pVTZ). The test set results demonstrate the general applicability of the DEC‐RI‐MP2 method showing results consistent with the DEC‐RI‐MP2 introductory paper (Baudin et al., J. Chem. Phys. 2016, 144, 054102) on molecules of complicated electronic structures. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Human 3D In Vitro Model to Assess the Relationship Between Osteoporosis and Dissemination to Bone of Breast Cancer Tumor Cells
Authors: Salamanna Francesca , Borsari Veronica , Brogini Silvia , Torricelli Paola , Cepollaro Simona , Cadossi Matteo , Fini Milena
Published: December 2016

Despite consistent improvements in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for breast cancer, up to 40% of patients will develop bone metastases. To reduce the morbidity and complications related with bone metastases, it is imperative to reduce their etiological factors. Osteoporosis, being characterized by a sudden estrogen deficiency, may provide a favorable condition for bone metastasis. This work, using a humanized 3D in vitro model, aims at evaluating the relationship between osteoporosis and breast cancer‐derived bone metastases. Bone tissue discarded from total hip replacement surgery of healthy and osteoporotic patients was cultured in a rolling apparatus system in hypoxic environment. Protein levels (i.e., vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor 1, VEGF receptor 2, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐1β, IL‐8 IL‐10, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator for nuclear factor KB ligand (RANKL)) and histological and immunohistochemical (i.e., cytokeratin 8 and 18) analyses showed a noticeable specificity of breast cancer cells for the colonization of osteoporotic bone. These data are the first to demonstrate that using humanized 3D in vitro systems, which individually model the pre‐ and postmenopausal bone microenvironment, it is possible to recognize major differences in tumor growth and colonization between healthy and osteoporotic status. Thus, this system might help to develop a shared system between basic and clinical sciences where a personalized diagnosis is associated to a therapeutic strategy designed for a single patient: a model able to achieve a translational research approach in the clinical setting, which may lead to the application and dissemination of personalized medicine. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 1826–1834, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Calprotectin Induces IL‐6 and MCP‐1 Production via Toll‐Like Receptor 4 Signaling in Human Gingival Fibroblasts
Authors: Nishikawa Yasufumi , Kajiura Yukari , Lew Jung Hwan , Kido Jun‐ichi , Nagata Toshihiko , Naruishi Koji
Published: December 2016

Calprotectin, a heterodimer of S100A8 and S100A9 molecules, is associated with inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease. We have reported that calprotectin levels in gingival crevicular fluids of periodontitis patients are significantly higher than in healthy subjects. However, the functions of calprotectin in pathophysiology of periodontitis are still unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of calprotectin on the productivity of inflammatory cytokines in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). The HGFs cell line CRL‐2014® (ATCC) were cultured, and total RNAs were collected to examine the expression of TLR2/4 and RAGE mRNA using RT‐PCR. After the cells were treated with S100A8, S100A9, and calprotectin, supernatants were collected and the levels of IL‐6 and MCP‐1 were measured using ELISA methods. To examine the intracellular signals involved in calprotectin‐induced cytokine production, several chemical inhibitors were used. Furthermore, after the siRNA‐mediated TLR4 down‐regulated cells were treated with S100A8, S100A9, and calprotectin, the levels of IL‐6 and MCP‐1 were also measured. HGFs showed greater expression of TLR4 mRNA, but not TLR2 and RAGE mRNA compared with human oral epithelial cells. Calprotectin increased significantly the production of MCP‐1 and IL‐6 in HGFs, and the cytokine productions were significantly suppressed in the cells treated with MAPKs, NF‐κB, and TLR4 inhibitors. Furthermore, calprotectin‐mediated MCP‐1 and IL‐6 production were significantly suppressed in TLR4 down‐regulated cells. Taken together, calprotectin induces IL‐6 and MCP‐1 production in HGFs via TLR4 signaling that involves MAPK and NF‐κB, resulting in the progression of periodontitis. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 1862–1871, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Population Pharmacokinetics and Exposure–Response Relationship of Carfilzomib in Patients With Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Ou Ying , Doshi Sameer , Nguyen Anh , Jonsson Fredrik , Aggarwal Sanjay , Rajangam Kanya , Dimopoulos Meletios A. , Stewart A. Keith , Badros Ashraf , Papadopoulos Kyriakos P. , Siegel David , Jagannath Sundar , Vij Ravi , Niesvizky Ruben , Graham Richard , Visich Jenn
Published: December 2016

A population pharmacokinetic (PK) model and exposure–response (E‐R) analysis was developed using data collected from 5 phase 1b/2 and 2 phase 3 studies in subjects with multiple myeloma. Subjects receiving intravenous infusion on 2 consecutive days each week for 3 weeks (days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16) in each cycle at doses ranging from 15 to 20/56 mg/m2 (20 mg/m2 in cycle 1 and, if tolerated, escalated to 56 mg/m2 on day 8 of cycle 1). The population PK analysis indicated that among all the covariates tested, the only statistically significant covariate was body surface area on carfilzomib clearance; however, this covariate was unlikely to be clinically significant. Despite inclusion of different populations (relapsed or relapsed/refractory), treatments (carfilzomib monotherapy or combination therapy), infusion lengths (2 to 10 minutes or 30 minutes), and different doses, the E‐R analysis of efficacy showed that after adjusting for baseline characteristics, higher area under the concentration–time curve was associated with improved overall response rate (ORR), from 15 to 20/56 mg/m2. No positive relationships between maximum concentration and ORR were identified, indicating that ORR would not be expected to be impacted by infusion length. For safety end points, no statistically significant relationship between exposure and increasing risk of adverse events was identified. The results of an E‐R analysis provided strong support for a carfilzomib dose at 20/56 mg/m2 as a 30‐minute infusion for monotherapy and combination therapy. This article illustrates an example of application of E‐R analysis to support labeling dose recommendation in the absence of extensive clinical data.
Impact of everolimus on Japanese patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms
Authors: Lee Lingaku , Ito Tetsuhide , Igarashi Hisato , Ueda Keijiro , Fujiyama Takashi , Kawabe Ken , Ogawa Yoshihiro
Published: December 2016

Background

Although everolimus has become a key therapeutic agent in patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNEN), its efficacy and safety in clinical practice remains unclear.

Methods

Forty‐seven patients with advanced PNEN treated with everolimus were reviewed retrospectively. To evaluate the safety of everolimus as a long‐term treatment, the patients were divided into two groups according to treatment duration: group A, ≤1 year (n = 21); group B, >1 year (n = 26).

Results

Among 42 patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET), the median progression‐free survival, overall survival, and objective response rate were 27.5 months, 60.8 months, and 19.0%, respectively. Two patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (PNEC) with lower Ki‐67 index and well‐differentiated tumors showed favorable responses. More patients in group A discontinued everolimus owing to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) than in group B. The median relative dose intensity was significantly lower in group B than group A (P = 0.045), whereas the drug interruption rate was significantly higher in group B than group A (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Everolimus showed significant clinical benefit in Japanese patients with advanced PNEN. Prevention of severe ADRs by appropriate dose reduction and interruption is necessary for a long‐term continuation of everolimus.
Sucrose replacement in high ratio white layer cakes
Authors: Miller Rebecca A , Dann Orelia E , Oakley Amanda R , Angermayer Megan E , Brackebusch Katherine H
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND

Several commercially available alternative sweeteners have potential in reducing the caloric content of baked products. Sugar alcohols and natural sweeteners have similar bulk as sucrose and can replace sucrose directly. High intensity sweeteners have high potency but light weight so bulking agents are often added. This study determined alternative sweeteners and combinations of alternative sweetener and a bulking agent that produced good quality white layer cakes.

RESULTS

Cakes made with maltitol were acceptable but erythritol and fructose produced undesirable cakes. Maltodextrin and polydextrose were acceptable bulking agents, producing cakes that were similar to control cakes. The flavor of cakes sweetened with sucralose was acceptable but those with stevia had a disagreeable metallic aftertaste. Cakes made with sucralose plus maltodextrin were preferred over those containing sucralose plus polydextrose. Consumer acceptance of flavor, texture and overall liking of cakes containing maltitol was similar to sucrose and both were preferred over cakes containing maltodextrin plus sucralose.

CONCLUSION

Replacing sucrose with maltitol in white layer cakes reduced the caloric content by 16% with no loss in quality. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Microwave enhanced oxidation treatment of organic fertilizers
Authors: More Abhilasha , Srinivasan Asha , Liao Ping Huang , Lo Kwang Victor
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND

Liquid organic fertilizers (LOFs) are relatively easier to degrade than those of solid organic fertilizers, and the nutrients are readily available for plant uptake. Microwave enhanced advanced oxidation treatment (MW/H2O2‐AOP) was used to convert solid organic fertilizers (insoluble blood meal, bone meal, feather meal, sunflower ash and a mixture) into LOF.

RESULTS

After the MW/H2O2‐AOP treatment, high soluble nitrogen (11–29%), soluble phosphorus (64%) and potassium (92%), as well as low total suspended solids content could be obtained. The resulting LOF would make the nutrients more bioavailable, and would provide some of them for the plant uptake immediately. Temperature and hydrogen peroxide dosage were found to be significant factors affecting nitrogen release from blood meal and feather meal, while temperature and pH were found to be significant factors for solubilizing phosphorus and potassium from bone meal and ash, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The MW/H2O2‐AOP reduced suspended solids, and released nutrients into solution; therefore, it was an effective treatment method to make LOFs. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Two new oxygen‐containing biomarkers isolated from the Chinese Maoming oil shale by silica gel column chromatography and preparative gas chromatography
Authors: Zhang Xiangyun , Lu Hong , Liao Jing , Tang Caiming , Sheng Guoying , Peng Ping'an
Published: December 2016

Two biomarkers, 5,9‐dimethyl‐6‐isopropyl‐2‐decanone (1) and 4,9,11‐trimethyl‐6‐isopropyl‐2‐dodecanone (2), were isolated from Chinese Maoming oil shale by silica gel column chromatography and preparative gas chromatography. Their structures were elucidated by using spectroscopic techniques.
On the Early Irrigation of Gypseous Lands in Spain
Authors: Herrero Juan
Published: December 2016

Gypseous lands occur mainly in arid regions of the world, where irrigation is required for profitable agriculture. The study of gypseous soils has been neglected for years in the main stream of the soil science. Agriculture and, more recently, the environmental concerns are challenging research in the countries that have extensive gypsum outcrops. Those challenges have been obvious since at least the 1960s, when economic development in some of these countries led to the construction of new irrigation schemes and associated infrastructures. This paper presents examples of documents about agriculture on gypseous soils in Spain that might be applicable to similar situations elsewhere in the world. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Separating pathways in double‐quantum optical spectroscopy reveals excitonic interactions
Authors: Tollerud Jonathan O. , Davis Jeffrey A.
Published: December 2016

Techniques for coherent multidimensional optical spectroscopy have been developed and utilised to understand many different processes, including energy transfer in photosynthesis and many‐body effects in semiconductor nanostructures. Double‐quantum 2D spectroscopy is one variation that has been particularly useful for understanding many‐body effects. In condensed matter systems, however, there are often many competing signal pathways, which can make it difficult to isolate different contributions and retrieve quantitative information. Here, a means of separating overlapping pathways while maintaining the fidelity of the relevant peak/s is demonstrated. This selective approach is used to isolate the double‐quantum signal from a mixed two exciton state in a semiconductor quantum well. The removal of overlapping peaks allows analysis of the relevant peak‐shape and thus details of interactions with the environment and other carriers to be revealed. An alternative pulse ordering identifies a double‐quantum state associated only with GaAs defects, the signature of which has previously been confused with other interaction induced effects. The experimental approach described here provides access to otherwise hidden details of excitonic interactions and demonstrates that the manner in which the double‐quantum coherence is generated can be important and provide an additional control to help understand the many‐body physics in complex systems.

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Solution form of a higher‐order system of difference equations and dynamical behavior of its special case
Authors: Haddad Nabila , Touafek Nouressadat , Rabago Julius Fergy T.
Published: December 2016

The solution form of the system of nonlinear difference equations

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma4248:mma4248-math-0001

where the coefficients a,b,α,β and the initial values x − i,y − i,i∈{0,1,…,k} are non‐zero real numbers, is obtained. Furthermore, the behavior of solutions of the aforementioned system when p = 1 is examined. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The nonrelativistic limit of relativistic Vlasov–Maxwell system
Authors: Schaeffer Jack , Wu Lei
Published: December 2016

We consider the one and one‐half dimensional multi‐species relativistic Vlasov–Maxwell system with non‐decaying (in space) initial data. We prove its well‐posedness and nonrelativistic limit as the speed of light
. These results mainly rely on a delicate analysis of energy structure and application of estimates along the characteristic lines. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lycopene inhibits regulator of calcineurin 1‐mediated apoptosis by reducing oxidative stress and down‐regulating Nucling in neuronal cells
Authors: Lim Seiyoung , Hwang Sinwoo , Yu Ji Hoon , Lim Joo Weon , Kim Hyeyoung
Published: December 2016

Scope

Regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) is located on the Down syndrome critical region (DSCR) locus in human chromosome 21. Oxidative stress and overexpression of RCAN1 are implicated in neuronal impairment in Down's syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Serum level of lycopene, an antioxidant pigment, is low in DS and AD patients, which may be related to neuronal damage. The present study is to investigate whether lycopene inhibits apoptosis by reducing ROS levels, NF‐κB activation, expression of the apoptosis regulator Nucling, cell viability, and indices of apoptosis (cytochrome c release, caspase‐3 activation) in RCAN1‐overexpressing neuronal cells.

Methods and results

Cells transfected with either pcDNA or RCAN1 were treated with or without lycopene. Lycopene decreased intracellular and mitochondrial ROS levels, NF‐κB activity, and Nucling expression while it reversed decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial respiration, and glycolytic function in RCAN1‐overexpressing cells. Lycopene inhibited cell death, DNA fragmentation, caspase‐3 activation, and cytochrome c release in RCAN1‐overexpressing cells.

Conclusion

Lycopene inhibits RCAN1‐mediated apoptosis by reducing ROS levels and by inhibiting NF‐κB activation, Nucling induction, and the increase in apoptotic indices in neuronal cells. Consumption of lycopene‐rich foods may prevent oxidative stress‐associated neuronal damage in some pathologic conditions such as DS or AD.
Theoretical study addressing the effects of tautomerism and explicit/implicit water molecules on NQR and NMR parameters of tetrazole‐5‐thione
Authors: Tahan Arezoo
Published: December 2016

DFT/B3LYP calculations were employed to study the effects of tautomerism and explicit/implicit water molecules on Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) tensors of nitrogen nuclei in tetrazole‐5‐thione structure. The obtained results revealed that nuclear quadrupole coupling constant (χ) and isotropic chemical shielding (σiso) values of nitrogen nuclei in tetrazole ring of five possible tautomeric forms of tetrazole‐5‐thione, i.e. two thione forms called tautomers A and E and three thiol forms called tautomers B, C, and D, were functions of resonance energy(E2) values of nitrogen lone pairs. Furthermore, it was observed that by increasing participation of lone pairs of nitrogen atoms in the ring resonance interactions, the σiso values around them were increased, while their χ and qzz values were decreased. However, the results indicated that with exception of tautomer B, the order of qzz and χ values of nitrogen nuclei in tetrazole ring was exactly opposite of the order of resonance energy values for the same nitrogen nuclei in all tautomers and their mono‐hydrated complexes. In addition, a significant decrease was noticed in χ and qzz values when a water molecule was put in different positions near the tetrazole ring in tautomers A–E. The mentioned result can be attributed to hydrogen bond formation between nitrogen nuclei and the oxygen of water. In mono‐hydrated complexes, the σiso values around nitrogen atoms acting as hydrogen donors in hydrogen bond formation (N―H….OH2) were decreased, while its values were increased for nitrogen atoms acting as hydrogen acceptors in hydrogen bond formation(N….H―OH). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Persistency of Enlarged Autolysosomes Underscores Nanoparticle‐Induced Autophagy in Hepatocytes
Authors: Zhang Ji‐Qian , Zhou Wei , Zhu Sha‐Sha , Lin Jun , Wei Peng‐Fei , Li Fen‐Fen , Jin Pei‐Pei , Yao Han , Zhang Yun‐Jiao , Hu Yi , Liu Yi‐Ming , Chen Ming , Li Zheng‐Quan , Liu Xue‐sheng , Bai Li , Wen Long‐ping
Published: December 2016

The diverse biological effects of nanomaterials form the basis for their applications in biomedicine but also cause safety issues. Induction of autophagy is a cellular response after nanoparticles exposure. It may be beneficial in some circumstances, yet autophagy‐mediated toxicity raises an alarming concern. Previously, it has been reported that upconversion nanoparticles (UCNs) elicit liver damage, with autophagy contributing most of this toxicity. However, the detailed mechanism is unclear. This study reveals persistent presence of enlarged autolysosomes in hepatocytes after exposure to UCNs and SiO2 nanoparticles both in vitro and in vivo. This phenomenon is due to anomaly in the autophagy termination process named autophagic lysosome reformation (ALR). Phosphatidylinositol 4‐phosphate (PI(4)P) relocates onto autolysosome membrane, which is a key event of ALR. PI(4)P is then converted into phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) by phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate 5‐kinase. Clathrin is subsequently recruited by PI(4,5)P2 and leads to tubule budding of ALR. Yet it is observed that PI(4)P cannot be converted in nanoparticle‐treated hepatocytes cells. Exogenous supplement of PI(4,5)P2 suppresses the enlarged autolysosomes in vitro. Abolishment of these enlarged autolysosomes by autophagy inhibitor relieves the hepatotoxicity of UCNs in vivo. The results provide evidence for disrupted ALR in nanoparticle‐treated hepatocytes, suggesting that the termination of nanoparticle‐induced autophagy is of equal importance as the initiation.
Bias in carnivore diet analysis resulting from misclassification of predator scats based on field identification
Authors: Morin Dana J. , Higdon Summer D. , Holub Jennifer L. , Montague David M. , Fies Michael L. , Waits Lisette P. , Kelly Marcella J.
Published: December 2016

Diet studies are frequently used to improve understanding of predator ecology, potential effects of carnivores on prey populations, and competition among predators. However, field identification of carnivore scat typically relies on scat morphology, size, and contents resulting in possible subjective predator identification and potentially biased results. Advancements in noninvasive genetic sampling allow for molecular identification of predator scat, eliminating many issues associated with field identification methods. We collected scat samples once per month from June 2011 to May 2012 in western Virginia, USA, using morphological characteristics for field identification of the predator. We then used mitochondrial DNA to identify the predator species of each scat and identified prey remains visually. Using confusion matrices, we found a range of accuracy in field identification for the 3 target species: coyotes (Canis latrans; 54.0%), bobcats (Lynx rufus; 57.1%), and black bears (Ursus americanus; 95.2%), even though we only considered samples with high‐confidence field identification. We found a high coyote false‐positive rate (52.7%), indicating we often incorrectly identified scats as coyote (98% of misidentified bobcat scats and 75% of misidentified black bear scats were recorded as coyote in the field). This asymmetrical bias in predator identification resulted in inaccurate estimates of dietary niche breadth and overlap between competitors. Our results suggest that caution should be exercised when interpreting results from studies in which carnivore species are identified by scat morphology. Future studies should employ noninvasive genetic sampling for carnivore scat identification, especially in areas with sympatric predator species that have similar scat morphology. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Relationship Between Long-term Flooding and Serious Mental Illness After the 2011 Flood in Thailand
Authors: Yoda Takeshi , Yokoyama Katsunori , Suzuki Hiromi , Hirao Tomohiro
Published: December 2016

Objective

The present study aimed to evaluate the long-term psychological effects of the 2011 flood in Thailand on flood victims and unaffected residents, taking into account risk factors such as floodwater levels in the house, period of flooding, and disruption to essential services.

Methods

Surveys were conducted in Salaya and Nakhon Chaisri subdistrict, Nakhonpatom Province, from May to June 2012. Approximately 400 households were selected. Measures of sociodemographic variables, exposure to flooding, incidents (eg, disruption of services), and outcome variables (Kessler 10) were recorded.

Results

A total of 407 respondents completed the survey. The results of the univariate analysis showed that possible serious mental illness was approximately 1.5 times higher in flood victims than in unaffected respondents. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, significant associations were found for disruption of essential services and hypertension or diabetes with possible serious mental illness.

Conclusions

Disruption of essential services and chronic illness may affect psychological distress among flood victims. Public health agencies should develop and evaluate strategies to improve risk communication and psychological support for flood victims. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:300–304).
Outbreak ofKlebsiella pneumoniaeCarbapenemase–ProducingCitrobacter freundiiat a Tertiary Acute Care Facility in Miami, Florida
Authors: Jiménez Adriana , Castro José G. , Munoz-Price L. Silvia , de Pascale Dennise , Shimose Luis , Mustapha Mustapha M. , Spychala Caressa N. , Mettus Roberta T. , Cooper Vaughn S. , Doi Yohei
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE

To describe the investigation and control of a rare cluster ofKlebsiella pneumoniaecarbapenemase–producingCitrobacter freundiiin a hospital in southern Florida.

METHODS

An epidemiologic investigation, review of infection prevention procedures, and molecular studies including whole genome sequencing were conducted.

RESULTS

An outbreak ofK. pneumoniaecarbapenemase–3-producingC. freundiiwas identified at a tertiary hospital in Florida in 2014. Of the 6 cases identified, 3 occurred in the same intensive care unit and were caused by the same clone. For 2 of the 3 remaining cases, the isolates had low carbapenem minimum inhibitory concentrations and were unrelated by whole genome sequencing. As a response to the outbreak, supplementary environmental cleaning was implemented, including closure and terminal cleaning of the unit where the 3 cases clustered, in addition to the infection control bundle already in place at the time. No further cases were identified after these additional interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

AlthoughC. freundiiis not a species that commonly demonstrates carbapenem resistance, our findings suggest that carbapenemase-producingC. freundiimay be underdetected even when active surveillance is in place and has a potential to cause hospital outbreak.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2017;38:320–326
Note on the limitations of the Theodorsen and Sears functions
Authors: Cordes Ulrike , Kampers G. , Meißner T. , Tropea C. , Peinke J. , Hölling M.
Published: December 2016

Two transfer functions for the unsteady lift response of an airfoil under attached flow conditions are experimentally investigated: the Theodorsen function for an airfoil oscillating in a constant free stream and the Sears function for a steady airfoil encountering a sinusoidal vertical gust. A two-dimensional airfoil with a Clark Y profile is submitted to two different unsteady excitations of distinct frequencies: a pitching oscillation around the leading edge and a sinusoidal vertical gust. The reduced frequency of the perturbation is in the range of $0.025<k<0.3$ and the Reynolds number of the undisturbed flow is in the range of $120\,000<\mathit{Re}<300\,000$. While the Theodorsen function is found to be a good estimator for the unsteady lift at moderate mean angles of attack, the Sears function does not capture the experimental transfer functions in frequency dependence or in limiting values. A second-order model provided by Atassi (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 141, 1984, pp. 109–122) agrees well with the experimental transfer function.
Reliability of basal plasma vasopressin concentrations in healthy male adults
Authors: Quintana Daniel S. , Westlye Lars T. , Smerud Knut T. , Mahmoud Ramy A. , Djupesland Per G. , Andreassen Ole A.
Published: December 2016

Objective

The neuropeptides oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) play important and interrelated roles in modulating mammalian social behaviour. While the OT system has received considerable research attention for its potential to treat psychiatric symptoms, comparatively little is known about the role of the AVP system in human social behaviour. To better understand the intraindividual stability of basal AVP, the present study assessed the reproducibility of basal plasma AVP concentrations.

Methods

Basal plasma AVP was assessed at four sampling points separated by 8 days, on average, in 16 healthy adult males.

Results

Only one out of six comparisons revealed strong evidence for reproducibility of basal AVP concentrations (visit 2 vs. visit 4:r=0.8,p<0.001; all other comparisonsp>0.1). The concordance correlation coefficient [0.15, 95% CI (−0.55, 0.73)] also revealed poor overall reproducibility.

Conclusion

Poor reliability of basal AVP concentrations suggests future work covarying AVP with trait markers should proceed with careful consideration of intraindividual fluctuations.
Assessment of polymorphisms in mysostatin gene and their allele substitution effects showed weak association with growth traits in Iranian Markhoz goats
Authors: KHANI K. , ABDOLMOHAMMADI A. , FOROUTANIFAR S. , ZEBARJADI A.
Published: December 2016

Polymorphisms in the myostatin (MSTN) gene were detected in 150 female Iranian Markhoz goats. Two 573 base pairs (bp) and 475 bp fragments of the MSTN gene, which contains a deletion 5 bp indel (206 TTTTA/), in the region of exon 1 encoding the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of the MSTN transcript, and two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of substitution (339T/A, 169T/G) in exon 1 and 3 regions, respectively, were amplified. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were digested separately using restriction enzyme endonuclease DraI, HinIII and HindIII. The digestion results indicated AA and AB genotypes in the region of exon 1 encoding the 5′UTR of the MSTN transcript, AA, AT and TT genotypes in exon 1 and TT, TG and GG genotypes in exon 3. The SNPs loci were in Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium but the deletion locus showed equilibrium in the Markhoz goat population. Evaluation of associations between the polymorphisms with the studied growth traits showed that the AA and GG genotypes of exons 1 and 3 have a significant positive effect on weight at 6 months of age (W6) and average daily gain (ADG) traits, but genotypes in the region of exon 1 encoding the 5′UTR of the MSTN transcript did not have any significant effect on the studied growth traits. The statistical analyses showed a positive and significant effect of the 339A allele (exon 1) for W6 and negative and significant effect of the 169G allele (exon 3) for ADG trait. Therefore, these results suggest that the MSTN gene could be a potential candidate gene that affects ADG and W6 traits in goats. More studies are needed to simultaneously consider variants of this region in a larger population to better understand MSTN gene effects on the economic traits in goat.
Parametric decay of wide band Langmuir wave spectra
Authors: Kono Mitsuo , Pécseli Hans L.
Published: December 2016

Previous results obtained for modulational instability of a Langmuir wave spectrum are extended to account also for the Langmuir wave decay. The general model is tested by considering first the parametric decay of single-mode Langmuir waves, and also two-wave models, where several combinations are considered: one wave is modulationally unstable, another decay unstable and one where both waves are unstable with respect to decay. For the general case with continuous wave spectra it is found that distribution of the Langmuir wave energy over a wide wavenumber band reduces the decay rate when the correlation length for the spectrum becomes comparable to the wavelength of the most unstable sound wave among the possible decay products.
New Trypetheliaceae from northern and southern Atlantic rainforests in Brazil
Authors: APTROOT André , MENDONÇA Cléverton de Oliveira , ANDRADE Danyelly Santos , SILVA Jeanne dos Reis , MARTINS Suzana Maria de Azevedo , GUMBOSKI Emerson , FRAGA Carlos Augusto Vidigal , CÁCERES Marcela Eugenia da Silva
Published: December 2016

The following 16 new species of Trypetheliaceae are described from Brazil: Astrothelium aeneoides Aptroot, differing from A. aeneum by the absence of pigment on the thallus, but medulla of pseudostroma K+ blood red and ascospores 3-septate, lumina diamond-shaped; A. curvatum Aptroot & M. Cáceres with immersed pyriform ascomata with lateral ostioles and bent, muriform ascospores, 74–90×25–34 μm; A. globosum Aptroot & M. Cáceres with immersed ascomata, thallus consisting of nearly globose warts and ascospores 3-septate, 35–40×11–13 μm; A. graphicum Aptroot & S. M. A. Martins with an extended, reticulate pseudostroma, which is lower than the slightly bullate thallus, orange pruina on the thallus and pseudostroma and ascospores muriform, 60–66×12–16 µm; A. longisporum Aptroot, J. R. Silva & M. Cáceres, which differs from A. megaspermum by the eccentric ostioles and the 8 instead of 4 ascospores per ascus; A. macrostomum Aptroot which is similar to A. eustomum (Mont.) Müll. Arg., but differing by the 5–7-septate ascospores 65–85×16–19 μm.; A. megeustomum Aptroot & Fraga Júnior which is similar to Astrothelium eustomum, but with muriform ascospores 117–125×17–21 μm; A. pictum Aptroot with 5-septate ascospores, red crystals in the pseudostroma medulla and lichexanthone in the thallus; A. rubrocrystallinum Aptroot & M. Cáceres which is similar to A. annulare, but with copious red crystals in a thick layer around the ascomata and ascospores 22–27×7–9 μm; A. simplex Aptroot & S. M. A. Martins with 3-septate ascospores and a very rough thallus, differing from A. sinuosum by the lack of lichexanthone; A. sinuosum Aptroot & Gumboski with an ostiolar UV+ yellow reaction, bullate thallus and a wavy gelatinous sheath around the ascospores; A. tetrasporum Aptroot & M. Cáceres which is similar to A. puiggarii, but differs by the non-inspersed hamathecium and the ascus that contains only 4 ascospores; Polymeridium endoflavens Aptroot, D. S. Andrade & M. Cáceres with yellow oil inspersion in the hamathecium and 5–7-septate ascospores 32–37×10–13 μm; P. longiflavens Aptroot, Mendonça & M. Cáceres with yellow oil inspersion in the hamathecium, an apical ostiole and 9–11-septate ascospores 57–70×12–14 μm; Trypethelium luteolucidum Aptroot, Mendonça & M. Cáceres which is similar to T. regnellii, but differs by the presence of anthraquinone crystals in the pseudostromata; and Viridothelium leptoseptatum Aptroot & M. Cáceres, resembling Astrothelium aeneum but with no pigment on the thallus, a thin to absent thallus cover on the ascomata and thin-walled, constricted ascospores with lumina of a similar shape to the ascospore cell walls. Most are known only from Brazil, but a few are also known from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and/or Guyana. North-eastern Brazil is the centre of diversity of the genus Polymeridium, with 33 species now known.
Inside Doctor Livingstone: a Scottish icon's encounter with tropical disease
Authors: BARRETT MICHAEL P. , GIORDANI FEDERICA
Published: December 2016

Dr David Livingstone died on May 1st 1873. He was 60 years old and had spent much of the previous 30 years walking across large stretches of Southern Africa, exploring the terrain he hoped could provide new environments in which Europeans and Africans could cohabit on equal terms and bring prosperity to a part of the world he saw ravaged by the slave trade. Just days before he died, he wrote in his journal about the permanent stream of blood that he was emitting related to haemorrhoids and the acute intestinal pain that had left him incapable of walking. What actually killed Livingstone is unknown, yet the years spent exploring sub-Saharan Africa undoubtedly exposed him to a gamut of parasitic and other infectious diseases. Some of these we can be certain of. He wrote prolifically and described his encounters with malaria, relapsing fevers, parasitic helminths and more. His graphic writing allows us to explore his own encounters with tropical diseases and how European visitors to Africa considered them at this time. This paper outlines Livingstone's life and his contributions to understanding parasitic diseases.
Mass spectrometry: a technique of many faces
Authors: Olshina Maya A. , Sharon Michal
Published: December 2016

Protein complexes form the critical foundation for a wide range of biological process, however understanding the intricate details of their activities is often challenging. In this review we describe how mass spectrometry (MS) plays a key role in the analysis of protein assemblies and the cellular pathways which they are involved in. Specifically, we discuss how the versatility of mass spectrometric approaches provides unprecedented information on multiple levels. We demonstrate this on the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway, a process that is responsible for protein turnover. We follow the various steps of this degradation route and illustrate the different MS workflows that were applied for elucidating molecular information. Overall, this review aims to stimulate the integrated use of multiple mass spectrometry approaches for analyzing complex biological systems.
DO NORMATIVE FACTS MATTER . . . TO WHAT IS FEASIBLE?
Authors: Brennan Geoffrey , Sayre-McCord Geoffrey
Published: December 2016

G. A. Cohen famously argued that fundamental normative principles (for example,
concerning justice) are “fact-free” in such a way that
their truth is independent of non-normative facts. For our purposes here, we
take Cohen’s claim as given. Our focus is on what might be thought of
as the “other side” of this issue — on whether
the non-normative facts that determine what might be feasible for us to
accomplish are value-independent. We argue that they are not, that people have
reason to think that the normative properties of different possible options can
and sometimes do have a crucial impact on their feasibility. In other words:
facts about feasibility are partially dependent on Cohen’s
“fact-free moral principles.”
JUSTICE, REALISM, AND FAMILY CARE FOR THE AGED
Authors: Philp Mark
Published: December 2016

Starting with a particular case of familial care for the aging, the discussion
points to the difficulties in deriving practical judgments from ideal theory in
cases where there seems to be injustice, but where there are multiple competing
dimensions of value and cost. The essay argues that the problems discussed are
deeply embedded in modern western cultures, where life expectancy has risen
dramatically and has been coupled with a range of other social and demographic
changes that make familial care for the aged difficult and burdensome, and where
our thinking about justice and rights are integral to the conflicted ways in
which people construct and experience these situations, rather than standing
independently as a solution to them. The essay argues for a set of partial,
limited, and “realist” responses that reduce some elements
of burden, without pretending to provide a solution that is in any sense ideal
or wholly just. The argument from a case is integral to the essay’s
case for realism in moral and political philosophy.
PROBING THE LIMITS OF RAWLS’S REALISTIC UTOPIA
Authors: Förster Annette
Published: December 2016

InThe Law of Peoples, John Rawls introduces a framework for realistic utopia, within which the limits of practicable political possibility are probed through the further development of his international theory. This essay addresses the apparent paradox of realistic utopianism within the context of, and in relation to, ideal theory, in an attempt to explore the scope and limits of Rawls’s theory. The ideas behind Rawls’s realistic utopia are discussed in detail, the concept is contrasted with ideal theory in order to assess to what extent Rawls’s framework for realistic utopia introduced inThe Law of Peoplesdiffers from other forms of ideal theory, and the limits of realistic utopianism are identified.

I argue first, that, in an attempt to address the potential feasibility constraint, Rawls tries to distinguish his framework of realistic utopia from that of more traditional ideal theory. I then proceed to examine the differences between realistic utopianism inThe Law of Peoplesand ideal theory inA Theory of Justice. I then conclude that Rawls only partially meets the challenge of establishing practicable political possibility. In actuality, Rawls’s focus on ideal agents in ideal as well as nonideal theory, together with his emphasis on societies as closed and self-sufficient, ignores the potential for noncompliance by liberal and decent societies, as well as interdependencies between societies that can cause or lead to injustice, conflict, and instability. I argue that despite these flaws, Rawls’s approach nevertheless provokes new insights into the function of the principles of the ideal theory framework as guidelines for real-world policies striving toward peace, stability, and justice.