bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonthymoma‐associated exfoliative dermatitis in 18 cats
Authors: Linek Monika , Rüfenacht Silvia , Brachelente Chiara , von Tscharner Claudia , Favrot Claude , Wilhelm Sylvia , Nett Claudia , Mueller Ralf S. , Mayer Ursula , Welle Monika
Published: November 2014

Background

Exfoliative dermatitis has been described in cats as a paraneoplastic skin disease associated with thymoma. There are anecdotal reports of cases without thymoma, with various suspected aetiologies.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To identify common features, underlying causes, response to therapy and outcome of nonthymoma‐associated exfoliative dermatitis in cats.

Methods

Retrospective analysis was carried out of cases presented to dermatology referral centres or cases submitted for histopathological examination. Detailed historical and clinical data were obtained and evaluated statistically. Histopathology was reviewed in a blinded fashion by three dermatopathologists, and PCR for herpesvirus was performed.

Results

Eighteen cats fulfilled all inclusion criteria. There was no sex, age or breed predisposition. All cats presented with severe generalized (77%) or multifocal exfoliation (23%); 12 cats were severely depressed. In all cats, thymoma was excluded radiographically and feline leukaemia virus tests were negative. Additional imaging procedures in 14 cats and postmortem examination in two cats did not detect neoplasia. Histopathology revealed interface dermatitis, mural interface folliculitis and sebaceous adenitis indistinguishable from findings in thymoma‐associated cases. PCR for herpes DNA was negative. No aetiology was identified. Treatment in 12 cases consisted of immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids and/or ciclosporin; one responded to antibiotics, one to shampoo, two went into spontaneous remission, and two did not receive any therapy and were euthanized.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Nonthymoma‐associated exfoliative dermatitis in cats is clinically and histopathologically indistinguishable from thymoma‐associated cases. Most cases benefit from immunosuppressive therapy; therefore, an immunopathological response to an undefined trigger is suspected.
Development and Validation of a New Self-Report Instrument for Measuring Sedentary Behaviors and Light-Intensity Physical Activity in Adults
Authors: Barwais Faisal Awad , Cuddihy Thomas F. , Washington Tracy , Tomson L. Michaud , Brymer Eric
Published: November 2014

Background:

Low levels of physical activity and high levels of sedentary behavior (SB) are major public health concerns. This study was designed to develop and validate the 7-day Sedentary (S) and Light Intensity Physical Activity (LIPA) Log (7-day SLIPA Log), a self-report measure of specific daily behaviors.

Method:

To develop the log, 62 specific SB and LIPA behaviors were chosen from the Compendium of Physical Activities. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 32 sedentary volunteers to identify domains and behaviors of SB and LIPA. To validate the log, a further 22 sedentary adults were recruited to wear the GT3x for 7 consecutive days and nights.

Results:

Pearson correlations (r) between the 7-day SLIPA Log and GT3x were significant for sedentary (r = .86, P < .001), for LIPA (r = .80, P < .001). Lying and sitting postures were positively correlated with GT3x output (r = .60 and r = .64, P < .001, respectively). No significant correlation was found for standing posture (r = .14, P = .53).The kappa values between the 7-day SLIPA Log and GT3x variables ranged from 0.09 to 0.61, indicating poor to good agreement.

Conclusion:

The 7-day SLIPA Log is a valid self-report measure of SB and LIPA in specific behavioral domains.
Proximal and Distal Environmental Correlates of Adolescent Obesity
Authors: Nesbit Kathryn C. , Kolobe Thubi A. , Arnold Sandra H. , Sisson Susan B. , Anderson Michael P.
Published: November 2014

Background:

The purpose of this study was to determine how proximal (home) and distal (neighborhood) environmental characteristics interact to influence obesity in early and middle adolescents.

Methods:

This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study using the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health (NCSH). Participants were 39,542 children ages 11 to 17 years. Logistic regressions were used to examine the relationship between adolescent obesity and environmental factors, the relative strength of these factors, and the influence of age and gender.

Results:

Proximal environmental factors were stronger correlates of adolescent obesity than distal environmental factors. Sedentary behavior related to TV watching time at home was the strongest correlate of adolescent obesity overall (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.11–1.15). Parks and playgrounds (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.08–0.92), as well as recreation centers (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85–0.97) were significant distal environmental factor correlates. Girls and middle adolescents were at less risk for obesity than boys and early adolescents (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.68–0.82; OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.68–0.96).

Conclusion:

The results of this study reveal the importance of proximal environmental characteristics on adolescent obesity relative to distal environmental characteristics. Obesity intervention strategies for adolescents should target sedentary behavior and opportunities for physical activity with a focus on early adolescents and boys.
Physical Activity During High School Recess in Spanish Adolescents: The AFINOS Study
Authors: Martinez-Gomez David , Veiga Oscar Luis , Zapatera Belen , Gomez-Martinez Sonia , Martínez David , Marcos Ascension
Published: November 2014

Background:

The morning recess period during school days represents a regular opportunity to accumulate physical activity (PA). However, little is known about the contribution of recess to PA guidelines (60 min/day in moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA]) in adolescents.

Methods:

This study comprised 1065 Spanish adolescents (52% girls), aged 13 to 16 years. Adolescents completed a validated Recess PA Recall in 2007–2008. Differences in levels of PA during the recess period were analyzed by gender, age group, type of school, school location, immigrant status, weight status, fitness levels and snack eating during recess.

Results:

Adolescent boys spent more time in MVPA (7.7 vs. 6.4 min in MVPA, P = .009) and were more active (29.6% vs. 24.5% in MVPA, P = .007) than girls during the recess period. Adolescent boys in the youngest age group and with the school located in cities were more active than their peers (all P < .05). There were no differences in levels of PA during recess by all the descriptive characteristics in adolescent girls (all P > .05).

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that recess in Spanish high schools may contribute to the daily recommended MVPA for adolescents, but greater efforts must be implemented to increase PA levels among adolescent girls during this school period.
Greenway Siting and Design: Relationships With Physical Activity Behaviors and User Characteristics
Authors: Wolff-Hughes Dana L. , Fitzhugh Eugene C. , Bassett David R. , Cherry Christopher R.
Published: November 2014

Background:

Greenways (GW) can be sited and designed in a variety of ways. However, the extent to which siting and design relate to GW user’s demographic characteristics and physical activity (PA) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare 2 GWs that differed in terms of their siting and design, with respect to the aforementioned variables.

Methods:

A trail intercept survey measuring PA, modes of GW access, and demographics was administered on 2 GWs (GWlinear vs. GWloop), which varied in siting and design characteristics.

Results:

GWlinear (n = 216), compared with GWloop users (n = 400), accumulated significantly greater volumes of PA from both accessing and using the GW (P = .012). GWlinear users were more likely to be younger, male, and never married; they were also more likely to engage in transportational PA (10.6 vs. 0.3%, P ≤ .001) and access the GW via active transit modes (37.0% vs. 4.2%, P ≤ .001).

Conclusions:

GW siting and design appears to be related to user characteristics, and the types and volumes of PA performed. These results should be considered by GW planners and designers to best serve the PA needs of the community.
Detection of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum by PCR Primer Extension and Lateral Flow Immunoassay
Authors: Moers A. P. H. A. , Hallett R. L. , Burrow R. , Schallig H. D. F. H. , Sutherland C. J. , van Amerongen A.
Published: November 2014

The resistance of
Plasmodium falciparum
to some antimalarial drugs is linked to single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Currently, there are no methods for the identification of resistant parasites that are sufficiently simple, cheap, and fast enough to be performed at point-of-care, i.e., in local hospitals where drugs are prescribed. Primer extension methods (PEXT) were developed to identify 4 SNPs in
P. falciparum
positioned at amino acids 86, 184, and 1246 of the
P. falciparum
multidrug resistance 1 gene (
pfmdr1
) and amino acid 76 of the chloroquine resistance transporter gene (
pfcrt
). The PEXT products were visualized by a nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay (NALFIA) with carbon nanoparticles as the detection labels. PCR-PEXT-NALFIAs showed good correlation to the reference methods, quantitative PCR (qPCR) or direct amplicon sequence analysis, in an initial open-label evaluation with 17 field samples. The tests were further evaluated in a blind study design in a set of 150 patient isolates. High specificities of 98 to 100% were found for all 4 PCR-PEXT genotyping assays. The sensitivities ranged from 75% to 100% when all PEXT-positive tests were considered. A number of samples with a low parasite density were successfully characterized by the reference methods but failed to generate a result in the PCR-PEXT-NALFIA, particularly those samples with microscopy-negative subpatent infections. This proof-of principle study validates the use of PCR-PEXT-NALFIA for the detection of resistance-associated mutations in
P. falciparum
, particularly for microscopy-positive infections. Although it requires a standard thermal cycler, the procedure is cheap and rapid and thus a potentially valuable tool for point-of-care detection in developing countries.
Antiviral Characteristics of GSK1265744, an HIV Integrase Inhibitor Dosed Orally or by Long-Acting Injection
Authors: Yoshinaga Tomokazu , Kobayashi Masanori , Seki Takahiro , Miki Shigeru , Wakasa-Morimoto Chiaki , Suyama-Kagitani Akemi , Kawauchi-Miki Shinobu , Taishi Teruhiko , Kawasuji Takashi , Johns Brian A. , Underwood Mark R. , Garvey Edward P. , Sato Akihiko , Fujiwara Tamio
Published: November 2014

GSK1265744 is a new HIV integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) engineered to deliver efficient antiviral activity with a once-daily, low-milligram dose that does not require a pharmacokinetic booster. The
in vitro
antiviral profile and mechanism of action of GSK1265744 were established through integrase enzyme assays, resistance passage experiments, and cellular assays with site-directed molecular (SDM) HIV clones resistant to other classes of anti-HIV-1 agents and earlier INSTIs. GSK1265744 inhibited HIV replication with low or subnanomolar efficacy and with a selectivity index of at least 22,000 under the same culture conditions. The protein-adjusted half-maximal inhibitory concentration (PA-EC
50
) extrapolated to 100% human serum was 102 nM. When the virus was passaged in the presence of GSK1265744, highly resistant mutants with more than a 10-fold change (FC) in EC
50
relative to that of the wild-type were not observed for up to 112 days of culture. GSK1265744 demonstrated activity against SDM clones containing the raltegravir (RAL)-resistant Y143R, Q148K, N155H, and G140S/Q148H signature variants (FC less than 6.1), while these mutants had a high FC in the EC
50
for RAL (11 to >130). Either additive or synergistic effects were observed when GSK1265744 was tested in combination with representative anti-HIV agents, and no antagonistic effects were seen. These findings demonstrate that, similar to dolutegravir, GSK1265744 is differentiated as a new INSTI, having a markedly distinct resistance profile compared with earlier INSTIs, RAL, and elvitegravir (EVG). The collective data set supports further clinical development of GSK1265744.
Adenovirus Vector Expressing Stx1/Stx2-Neutralizing Agent Protects Piglets Infected with Escherichia coli O157:H7 against Fatal Systemic Intoxication
Authors: Sheoran Abhineet S. , Dmitriev Igor P. , Kashentseva Elena A. , Cohen Ocean , Mukherjee Jean , Debatis Michelle , Shearer Jonathan , Tremblay Jacqueline M. , Beamer Gillian , Curiel David T. , Shoemaker Charles B. , Tzipori Saul
Published: November 2014

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), caused by Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC), remains untreatable. Production of human monoclonal antibodies against Stx, which are highly effective in preventing Stx sequelae in animal models, is languishing due to cost and logistics. We reported previously that the production and evaluation of a camelid heavy-chain-only V
H
domain (VHH)-based neutralizing agent (VNA) targeting Stx1 and Stx2 (VNA-Stx) protected mice from Stx1 and Stx2 intoxication. Here we report that a single intramuscular (i.m.) injection of a nonreplicating adenovirus (Ad) vector carrying a secretory transgene of VNA-Stx (Ad/VNA-Stx) protected mice challenged with Stx2 and protected gnotobiotic piglets infected with STEC from fatal systemic intoxication. One i.m. dose of Ad/VNA-Stx prevented fatal central nervous system (CNS) symptoms in 9 of 10 animals when it was given to piglets 24 h after bacterial challenge and in 5 of 9 animals when it was given 48 h after bacterial challenge, just prior to the onset of CNS symptoms. All 6 placebo animals died or were euthanized with severe CNS symptoms. Ad/VNA-Stx treatment had no impact on diarrhea. In conclusion, Ad/VNA-Stx treatment is effective in protecting piglets from fatal Stx2-mediated CNS complications following STEC challenge. With a low production cost and further development, this could presumably be an effective treatment for patients with HUS and/or individuals at high risk of developing HUS due to exposure to STEC.
Impact of Detergent on Biophysical Properties and Immune Response of the IpaDB Fusion Protein, a Candidate Subunit Vaccine against Shigella Species
Authors: Chen Xiaotong , Choudhari Shyamal P. , Martinez-Becerra Francisco J. , Kim Jae Hyun , Dickenson Nicholas E. , Toth Ronald T. , Joshi Sangeeta B. , Greenwood Jamie C. , Clements John D. , Picking William D. , Middaugh C. Russell , Picking Wendy L.
Published: November 2014

Shigella
spp. are causative agents of bacillary dysentery, a human illness with high global morbidity levels, particularly among elderly and infant populations.
Shigella
infects via the fecal-oral route, and its virulence is dependent upon a type III secretion system (T3SS). Two components of the exposed needle tip complex of the
Shigella
T3SS, invasion plasmid antigen D (IpaD) and IpaB, have been identified as broadly protective antigens in the mouse lethal pneumonia model. A recombinant fusion protein (DB fusion) was created by joining the coding sequences of IpaD and IpaB. The DB fusion is coexpressed with IpaB's cognate chaperone, IpgC, for proper recombinant expression. The chaperone can then be removed by using the mild detergents octyl oligooxyethelene (OPOE) or
N
,
N
-dimethyldodecylamine
N
-oxide (LDAO). The DB fusion in OPOE or LDAO was used for biophysical characterization and subsequent construction of an empirical phase diagram (EPD). The EPD showed that the DB fusion in OPOE is most stable at neutral pH below 55°C. In contrast, the DB fusion in LDAO exhibited remarkable thermal plasticity, since this detergent prevents the loss of secondary and tertiary structures after thermal unfolding at 90°C, as well as preventing thermally induced aggregation. Moreover, the DB fusion in LDAO induced higher interleukin-17 secretion and provided a higher protective efficacy in a mouse challenge model than did the DB fusion in OPOE. These data indicate that LDAO might introduce plasticity to the protein, promoting thermal resilience and enhanced protective efficacy, which may be important in its use as a subunit vaccine.
Macrophage Polarization Drives Granuloma Outcome during Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Marino Simeone , Cilfone Nicholas A. , Mattila Joshua T. , Linderman Jennifer J. , Flynn JoAnne L. , Kirschner Denise E.
Published: November 2014

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), induces formation of granulomas, structures in which immune cells and bacteria colocalize. Macrophages are among the most abundant cell types in granulomas and have been shown to serve as both critical bactericidal cells and targets forM. tuberculosisinfection and proliferation throughout the course of infection. Very little is known about how these processes are regulated, what controls macrophage microenvironment-specific polarization and plasticity, or why some granulomas control bacteria and others permit bacterial dissemination. We take a computational-biology approach to investigate mechanisms that drive macrophage polarization, function, and bacterial control in granulomas. We define a “macrophage polarization ratio” as a metric to understand how cytokine signaling translates into polarization of single macrophages in a granuloma, which in turn modulates cellular functions, including antimicrobial activity and cytokine production. Ultimately, we extend this macrophage ratio to the tissue scale and define a “granuloma polarization ratio” describing mean polarization measures for entire granulomas. Here we coupled experimental data from nonhuman primate TB granulomas to our computational model, and we predict two novel and testable hypotheses regarding macrophage profiles in TB outcomes. First, the temporal dynamics of granuloma polarization ratios are predictive of granuloma outcome. Second, stable necrotic granulomas with low CFU counts and limited inflammation are characterized by short NF-κB signal activation intervals. These results suggest that the dynamics of NF-κB signaling is a viable therapeutic target to promote M1polarization early during infection and to improve outcome.
Sterilizing Immunity Elicited by Neisseria meningitidis Carriage Shows Broader Protection than Predicted by Serum Antibody Cross-Reactivity in
CEACAM1
-Humanized Mice
Authors: Johswich Kay O. , McCaw Shannon E. , Strobel Lea , Frosch Matthias , Gray-Owen Scott D.
Published: November 2014

Neisseria meningitidis
asymptomatically colonizes the human upper respiratory tract but is also the cause of meningitis and severe septicemia. Carriage or disease evokes an immune response against the infecting strain. Hitherto, we have known little about the breadth of immunity induced by natural carriage of a single strain or its implications for subsequent infectious challenge. In this study, we establish that transgenic mice expressing human
CEACAM1
support nasal colonization by a variety of strains of different capsular types. Next, we nasally challenged these mice with either of the
N. meningitidis
strains H44/76 (serogroup B, ST-32) and 90/18311 (serogroup C, ST-11), while following the induction of strain-specific immunoglobulin. When these antisera were tested for reactivity with a diverse panel of
N. meningitidis
strains, very low levels of antibody were detected against all meningococcal strains, yet a mutually exclusive “fingerprint” of high-level cross-reactivity toward certain strains became apparent. To test the efficacy of these responses for protection against subsequent challenge,
CEACAM1
-humanized mice exposed to strain 90/18311 were then rechallenged with different
N. meningitidis
strains. As expected, the mice were immune to challenge with the same strain and with a closely related ST-11 strain, 38VI, while H44/76 (ST-32) could still colonize these animals. Notably, however, despite the paucity of detectable humoral response against strain 196/87 (ST-32), this strain was unable to colonize the 90/18311-exposed mice. Combined, our data suggest that current approaches may underestimate the actual breadth of mucosal protection gained through natural exposure to
N. meningitidis
strains.
Host Hydrogen Rather than That Produced by the Pathogen Is Important for Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Virulence
Authors: Lamichhane-Khadka Reena , Benoit Stéphane L. , Miller-Parks Erica F. , Maier Robert J.
Published: November 2014

Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium utilizes molecular hydrogen as a substrate in various respiratory pathways, via H
2
-uptake enzymes termed Hya, Hyb, and Hyd. A different hydrogenase, the hydrogen-evolving Hyc enzyme, removes excess reductant during fermentative growth. Virulence phenotypes conferred by mutations in
hyc
genes, either alone or in combination with mutations in the H
2
-uptake enzyme genes, are addressed. Anaerobically grown Δ
hycB
or Δ
hycC
single-deletion strains were more sensitive to acid than the wild-type strain, but the Δ
hyc
strains were like the virulent parent strain with respect to both mouse morbidity and mortality and in organ burden numbers. Even fecal-recovery numbers for both mutant strains at several time points prior to the animals succumbing to salmonellosis were like those seen with the parent. Neither hydrogen uptake nor evolution of the gas was detected in a hydrogenase quadruple-mutant strain containing deletions in the
hya
,
hyb
,
hyd
, and
hyc
genes. As previously described, a strain lacking all H
2
-uptake ability was severely attenuated in its virulence characteristics, and the quadruple-mutant strain had the same (greatly attenuated) phenotype. While H
2
levels were greatly reduced in ceca of mice treated with antibiotics, both the Δ
hycB
and Δ
hycC
strains were still like the parent in their ability to cause typhoid salmonellosis. It seems that the level of H
2
produced by the pathogen (through formate hydrogen lyase [FHL] and Hyc) is insignificant in terms of providing respiratory reductant to facilitate either organ colonization or contributions to gut growth leading to pathogenesis.
Host Intestinal Signal-Promoted Biofilm Dispersal Induces Vibrio cholerae Colonization
Authors: Hay Amanda J. , Zhu Jun
Published: November 2014

Vibrio cholerae
causes human infection through ingestion of contaminated food and water, leading to the devastating diarrheal disease cholera.
V. cholerae
forms matrix-encased aggregates, known as biofilms, in the native aquatic environment. While the formation of
V. cholerae
biofilms has been well studied, little is known about the dispersal from biofilms, particularly upon entry into the host. In this study, we found that the exposure of mature biofilms to physiologic levels of the bile salt taurocholate, a host signal for the virulence gene induction of
V. cholerae
, induces an increase in the number of detached cells with a concomitant decrease in biofilm mass. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs of biofilms exposed to taurocholate revealed an altered, perhaps degraded, appearance of the biofilm matrix. The inhibition of protein synthesis did not alter rates of detachment, suggesting that
V. cholerae
undergoes a passive dispersal. Cell-free media from taurocholate-exposed biofilms contains a larger amount of free polysaccharide, suggesting an abiotic degradation of biofilm matrix by taurocholate. Furthermore, we found that
V. cholerae
is only able to induce virulence in response to taurocholate after exit from the biofilm. Thus, we propose a model in which
V. cholerae
ingested as a biofilm has coopted the host-derived bile salt signal to detach from the biofilm and go on to activate virulence.
Universal Response-Adaptation Relation in Bacterial Chemotaxis
Authors: Krembel Anna K. , Neumann Silke , Sourjik Victor
Published: November 2014

The bacterial strategy of chemotaxis relies on temporal comparisons of chemical concentrations, where the probability of maintaining the current direction of swimming is modulated by changes in stimulation experienced during the recent past. A short-term memory required for such comparisons is provided by the adaptation system, which operates through the activity-dependent methylation of chemotaxis receptors. Previous theoretical studies have suggested that efficient navigation in gradients requires a well-defined adaptation rate, because the memory time scale needs to match the duration of straight runs made by bacteria. Here we demonstrate that the chemotaxis pathway of
Escherichia coli
does indeed exhibit a universal relation between the response magnitude and adaptation time which does not depend on the type of chemical ligand. Our results suggest that this alignment of adaptation rates for different ligands is achieved through cooperative interactions among chemoreceptors rather than through fine-tuning of methylation rates for individual receptors. This observation illustrates a yet-unrecognized function of receptor clustering in bacterial chemotaxis.
Bacteriocin Protein BacL1of Enterococcus faecalis Targets Cell Division Loci and Specifically Recognizes l-Ala2-Cross-Bridged Peptidoglycan
Authors: Kurushima Jun , Nakane Daisuke , Nishizaka Takayuki , Tomita Haruyoshi
Published: November 2014

Bacteriocin 41 (Bac41) is produced from clinical isolates ofEnterococcus faecalisand consists of two extracellular proteins, BacL1and BacA. We previously reported that BacL1protein (595 amino acids, 64.5 kDa) is a bacteriolytic peptidoglycand-isoglutamyl-l-lysine endopeptidase that induces cell lysis ofE. faecaliswhen an accessory factor, BacA, is copresent. However, the target of BacL1remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the targeting specificity of BacL1. Fluorescence microscopy analysis using fluorescent dye-conjugated recombinant protein demonstrated that BacL1specifically localized at the cell division-associated site, including the equatorial ring, division septum, and nascent cell wall, on the cell surface of targetE. faecaliscells. This specific targeting was dependent on the triple repeat of the SH3 domain located in the region from amino acid 329 to 590 of BacL1. Repression of cell growth due to the stationary state of the growth phase or to treatment with bacteriostatic antibiotics rescued bacteria from the bacteriolytic activity of BacL1and BacA. The static growth state also abolished the binding and targeting of BacL1to the cell division-associated site. Furthermore, the targeting of BacL1was detectable among Gram-positive bacteria with anl-Ala-l-Ala-cross-bridging peptidoglycan, includingE. faecalis,Streptococcus pyogenes, orStreptococcus pneumoniae, but not among bacteria with alternate peptidoglycan structures, such asEnterococcus faecium,Enterococcus hirae,Staphylococcus aureus, orListeria monocytogenes. These data suggest that BacL1specifically targets thel-Ala-l-Ala-cross-bridged peptidoglycan and potentially lyses theE. faecaliscells during cell division.
Evaluation of the accuracy in detecting cervical lesions by nurses versus doctors using a stationary colposcope and Gynocular in a low-resource setting
Authors: Nessa Ashrafun , Roy Joya Shree , Chowdhury Most Afroza , Khanam Quayuma , Afroz Romena , Wistrand Charlotte , Thuresson Marcus , Thorsell Malin , Shemer Isaac , Wikström Shemer Elisabeth Andrea
Published: November 2014

Objectives

Evaluation of the performance of VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid) trained nurses to learn colposcopy and the Swede score method to detect cervical lesions by using stationary colposcope or a portable, hand-held colposcope; the Gynocular, as compared to doctors.

Design

A crossover randomised clinical trial.

Setting

The Colposcopy Clinic of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Participants

932 women attending the clinic as either screening naïve for VIA screening (404) or women referred as VIA positive (528) from other VIA screening centres in the Dhaka region.

Intervention

VIA trained nurses were trained on-site in colposcopy and in the Swede score systematic colposcopy method. The Swede score grade cervical acetowhiteness, margins plus surface. vessel pattern, lesion size and iodine staining. The women were randomised to start the examination by either a stationary colposcope or the Gynocular. Swede scores were first obtained by a nurse and the same patient was equally evaluated by a doctor.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Agreement between nurses and doctors in Swede scores was evaluated using the weighted κ statistic for the Gynocular and standard colposcope. The ability to predict CIN 2+ (CIN 2, CIN 3 and invasive cervical cancer) using Swede scores was evaluated using receiver-operating characteristic curves.

Results

The Swede scores obtained by nurses and doctors using the Gynocular and stationary colposcope showed high agreement with a κ statistic of 0.858 and 0.859, respectively, and no difference in detecting cervical lesions in biopsy. Biopsy detected CIN 2+ in 39 (4.2%) women.

Conclusions

Our study showed that VIA nurses can perform colposcopy. There was no significant differences compared to doctors in detecting cervical lesions by stationary colposcope or the Gynocular using the Swede score system. Swede scores obtained by nurses using the Gynocular could offer an accurate cervical diagnostic approach in low resource settings.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN53264564.
Mental symptoms in patients with cardiac symptoms and normal coronary arteries
Authors: Christoph Marian , Christoph Antje , Dannemann Stephanie , Poitz David , Pfluecke Christian , Strasser Ruth H , Wunderlich Carsten , Koellner Volker , Ibrahim Karim
Published: November 2014

Objectives

Patients with chest pain and normal coronary arteries often suffer from physical and psychological symptoms. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the incidence of mental symptoms in patients with angiographic exclusion of a coronary heart disease.

Design

In 253 patients with angiographic exclusion of a coronary heart disease the type and intensity of their symptoms were evaluated before and after coronary angiography. In addition, the incidence of psychopathological symptoms was quantified by standardised questionnaires such as general anxiety and depression (HADS), heart-focused anxiety (CAQ), hypochondria (Whiteley Index) and somatoform disorder (SOMS) and quality of life (SF-12). Finally, the incidence of psychological symptoms in these patients was compared to the incidence in the normal population.

Results

Despite the absence of a coronary artery disease, 70% of patients continue to suffer from cardiac symptoms. The incidence of general anxiety was increased by 37% in women and by 22% in men in comparison to the normal population. Heart-focused anxiety was raised by 27%. Somatoform disorder appeared 120% more often in patients after cardiac catheterisation in comparison to the normal population. In addition, the incidence of hypochondria was elevated by 68% in patients after coronary angiography compared to normal population. This increased appearance of psychological symptoms was reflected in a significantly lower quality of life (SF-12) in patients with inconspicuous coronary angiography.

Conclusions

Patients with cardiac symptoms and normal coronary arteries more often suffer from mental symptoms in comparison to the healthy population.
Conformational changes opening and closing the CFTR chloride channel: Insights from cysteine scanning mutagenesis
Authors: El Hiani Yassine , Linsdell Paul
Published: November 2014

Cystic fibrosis, the most common lethal genetic disease affecting young people in North America, is caused by failure of the chloride ion channel known as CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator). CFTR belongs to the large family of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) membrane transporters. In CFTR, ATP-driven events at the nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) open and close a gate that controls chloride permeation. However, the conformational changes concomitant with opening and closing of the CFTR gate are unknown. Diverse techniques including substituted cysteine accessibility method, disulfide cross-linking, and patch-clamp recording have been used to explore CFTR channel structure. Here, we consider the architecture of both the open and the closed CFTR channel. We review how CFTR channel structure changes between the closed and the open channel conformations and portray the relative function of both cytoplasmic and vestigial gates during the gating cycle. Understanding how the CFTR channel gates chloride permeation is central for understanding how CFTR defects lead to CF. Such knowledge opens the door for novel ways to maximize CFTR channel activity in a CF setting.
Genetic evidence of local exploitation of Atlantic salmon in a coastal subsistence fishery in the Northwest Atlantic
Authors: Bradbury Ian R. , Hamilton Lorraine C. , Rafferty Sara , Meerburg David , Poole Rebecca , Dempson J. Brian , Robertson Martha J. , Reddin David G. , Bourret Vincent , Dionne Mélanie , Chaput Gerald , Sheehan Timothy F. , King Timothy L. , Candy John R. , Bernatchez Louis
Published: November 2014

Fisheries targeting mixtures of populations risk the overutilization of minor stock constituents unless harvests are monitored and managed. We evaluated stock composition and exploitation of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in a subsistence fishery in coastal Labrador, Canada, using genetic mixture analysis and individual assignment with a microsatellite baseline (15 loci, 11 829 individuals, 12 regional groups) encompassing the species’ western Atlantic range. Bayesian and maximum likelihood mixture analyses of fishery samples over 6 years (2006–2011; 1772 individuals) indicate contributions of adjacent stocks of 96%–97%. Estimates of fishery-associated exploitation were highest for Labrador salmon (4.2%–10.6% per year) and generally <1% for other regions. Individual assignment of fishery samples indicated nonlocal contributions to the fishery (e.g., Quebec, Newfoundland) were rare and primarily in southern Labrador, consistent with migration pathways utilizing the Strait of Belle Isle. This work illustrates how genetic analysis of mixed stock Atlantic salmon fisheries in the Northwest Atlantic using this new baseline can disentangle exploitation and reveal complex migratory behaviours.
Identification and characterization of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans YY2 and its application in the biodesulfurization of coal
Authors: Yang Xinping , Wang Shimei , Liu Yujiao , Zhang Yuanyuan
Published: November 2014

The acidophilic Fe-oxidizing and S-oxidizing bacterium YY2 was isolated from the acid drainage of a coalmine. Based on morphological and physiological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis, it was identified as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Significant differences were observed in the oxidation efficiency and cell morphology when YY2 was cultured in 9K medium with ferrous ion (Fe2+), elemental sulfur (S0), and pyrite as the sole energy source. YY2 exhibited marked Fe2+ oxidation activity; 44.2 g·L−1 FeSO4·7H2O was completely oxidized in 30 h, but the rates of S0 and pyrite oxidization were slower. After 20 days, the efficiencies of oxidizing 10 g·L−1 S0 and 10 g·L−1 pyrite were approximately 9.6% and 20%, respectively. Cells cultured in pyrite as substrate secreted more extracellular polymeric substances than they did when cultured in Fe2+ or S0. Additionally, 75% total sulfur removal and 86% pyritic sulfur removal was achieved in a sequencing batch reactor of biodesulfurization of coal.
Adaptation to physical training in rats orally supplemented with glycerol
Authors: Andrade Eric Francelino , Lobato Raquel Vieira , de Araújo Ticiana Vasques , Orlando Débora Ribeiro , Vicente da Costa Diego , de Oliveira Silva Víviam , Rogatto Gustavo Puggina , Zangeronimo Márcio Gilberto , Rosa Priscila Vieira , Pereira Luciano José
Published: November 2014

We evaluated training adaptation and physical performance parameters in rats orally supplemented with glycerol, glucose, or saline, and submitted to moderate aerobic exercise. Thirty male rats were trained for 6 weeks and administered the supplements during the last 4 weeks of the experiment. Animals were distributed in a completely randomized factorial 2 × 3 design (with or without exercise and 3 substrates). Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were compared using the Student–Newmann–Keuls test at 5%. Among the trained animals, none of the substances caused differences in the percentages of protein, fat, or water content in the carcass. Compared with the sedentary animals, the trained animals supplemented with saline and glucose showed a higher protein percentage in the carcass. The relative mass of the heart and adrenal glands was higher in the trained animals. Glycerol improved the protein content in non-trained animals and increased the relative adrenal mass in both groups. Glycerol reduced the variation in levels of lactate and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) during the last exercise session. There was no difference between groups regarding the relative mass of the thymus and gastrocnemius or with the diameter of muscle fibers or the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio. Supplementation with glycerol was efficient at attenuating variation in AST and lactate levels during exercise.
Locomotor activity in the Namaqua rock mouse (Micaelamys namaquensis): entrainment by light manipulations
Authors: van der Merwe I. , Bennett N.C. , Haim A. , Oosthuizen M.K.
Published: November 2014

The locomotor activity rhythms of wild-caught Namaqua rock mice (Micaelamys namaquensis (A. Smith, 1834)) were examined under four light-cycle regimes to quantitatively describe the daily expression of locomotor activity and to study the innate relationship between activity and the light–dark cycle. Activity was always significantly higher at night than during the day; we note four trends. (1) The LD1 light cycle (12 h light : 12 h dark) established a distinct light-entrained and strongly nocturnal activity rhythm (99.11% nocturnal activity). The activity onset was prompt (zeitgeber time (ZT) 12.2 ± 0.04) and activity continued without any prominent peaks or extended times of rest until the offset of activity at ZT 23.73 ± 0.08. (2) Evidence for the internal maintenance of locomotor activity was obtained from the constant dark cycle (DD) in which locomotor activity free ran (mean τ = 23.89 h) and 77.58% of the activity was expressed during the subjective night. (3) During re-entrainment (LD2; 12 h light : 12 h dark), a nocturnal activity rhythm was re-established (98.65% nocturnal activity). (4) The inversion of the light cycle (DL; 12 h dark : 12 h light) evoked a shift in activity that again revealed dark-induced locomotor activity (95.69% nocturnal activity). Females were consistently more active than males in all of the light cycles, but only under the DD and LD2 cycles were females significantly more active than males. Although this species is considered nocturnal from field observations, information regarding its daily expression of activity and the role of light in its entrainment is lacking. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report quantitatively on the species’ daily rhythm of activity and to investigate its relationship to the light–dark cycle.
Testosterone, body size, and sexual signals predict parasite load in Yarrow’s Spiny Lizards (Sceloporusjarrovii)
Authors: Halliday W.D. , Paterson J.E. , Patterson L.D. , Cooke S.J. , Blouin-Demers G.
Published: November 2014

Parasite load significantly impacts host health and fitness and may vary substantially among individuals within a population. The immunocompetence handicap hypothesis posits that sexual signals are honest indicators of male quality because they are maintained by testosterone, an immunosuppressant that yields higher parasite loads. Additionally, testosterone may influence parasite load by increasing activity levels. We examined these two hypotheses in a wild population of Yarrow’s Spiny Lizards (Sceloporus jarrovii Cope, 1875) in Arizona. We (i) compared fecal testosterone levels to ectoparasite and haemoparasite loads, (ii) tested if sexual signals (total coloured area, aggression, and head size), locomotor activity, and body size correlated with testosterone levels, and (iii) compared sexual signals, locomotor activity, and body size to parasite load. Ectoparasite loads increased with total coloured area and tended to increase with testosterone, but this latter relationship was only nearly significant. Parasite loads increased with body size. Thus, we found some support for the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis and none for the activity hypothesis. Our results are consistent with an alternative hypothesis that larger individuals have more parasites because they have more surface area and (or) have had longer to accumulate parasites. Future studies should examine the relative contributions of testosterone and glucocorticoids in driving variation in parasite loads.
Can we eliminate major tornadoes in Tornado Alley? — Response to the Comments
Authors: Tao R.
Published: November 2014

Dahl and Markowski are wrong and misleading to claim that the major tornadoes in USA Tornado Alley are not related to the collisions between northbound warm air flow and southbound cold air flow. In addition, they use incompressible and inviscid fluid model for atmosphere in their simulations about the interaction between air wind and the wall. Such approach ignores the basic physics and thus cannot reach any meaningful results. As air is compressible, the collision between the wind and wall will compress air, eventually lead the air density to decrease fast with the height and make the air flow stratified. The viscosity will produce wind shear, turbulent eddies and greatly reduce the wind's forwarding speed. Laboratory experiments and the Nature have all shown that hills with height about 300 m will not block winds completely to change the climate, but can effectively reduce the wind speed, weaken the air mass collisions and eliminate the major tornadoes. All these strongly support the theory that building east–west ranged walls of 300 m high and 50 m wide will eliminate major tornado threat in Tornado Alley.
Appreciating loess landscapes through history: the basis of modern loess geotourism in the Vojvodina region of North Serbia
Authors: Vasiljević Djordjije A. , Marković Slobodan B. , Vujičić Miroslav D.
Published: November 2014

Loess is wind-blown sediment that covers extensive areas in the middle latitudes. Much of the loess in Eastern and Central–Eastern Europe has been redeposited by the River Danube and its tributaries. The case study area (Vojvodina region) encompasses the confluence area of the Danube, Sava and Tisa rivers. This region includes the most complete and the thickest loess–palaeosol sequences found in Europe, a valuable record of palaeo-climates over the past two million years only recognized in the closing decades of the twentieth century. Long before then however, several enthusiasts, engineers and travellers recognized and appreciated loess as a significant natural phenomenon. Among them was Luigi Ferdinando Marsigli (1658–1730) who gave the first scientific description of European loess in his outstanding multivolume work
Danubius Pannonico Mysicus
where he drew and explained notable loess–palaeosol exposures along the Danube River. Many other loess observations were also recorded by a number of international travellers, whose illustrated travelogues (mainly published in the nineteenth century) mentioned and illustrated loess observations along the Danube and its major tributaries. This chapter explores the interplay of scientific loess research and its geo-historical literary aspects as the foundations of modern loess geotourism.
MDL4BMF
Authors: Miettinen Pauli , Vreeken Jilles
Published: November 2014

Matrix factorizations—where a given data matrix is approximated by a product of two or more factor matrices—are powerful data mining tools. Among other tasks, matrix factorizations are often used to separate global structure from noise. This, however, requires solving the “model order selection problem” of determining the proper rank of the factorization, that is, to answer where fine-grained structure stops, and where noise starts.

Boolean Matrix Factorization (BMF)—where data, factors, and matrix product are Boolean—has in recent years received increased attention from the data mining community. The technique has desirable properties, such as high interpretability and natural sparsity. Yet, so far no method for selecting the correct model order for BMF has been available. In this article, we propose the use of the Minimum Description Length (MDL) principle for this task. Besides solving the problem, this well-founded approach has numerous benefits; for example, it is automatic, does not require a likelihood function, is fast, and, as experiments show, is highly accurate.

We formulate the description length function for BMF in general—making it applicable for any BMF algorithm. We discuss how to construct an appropriate encoding: starting from a simple and intuitive approach, we arrive at a highly efficient data-to-model--based encoding for BMF. We extend an existing algorithm for BMF to use MDL to identify the best Boolean matrix factorization, analyze the complexity of the problem, and perform an extensive experimental evaluation to study its behavior.
Evaluating Phase Change Memory for Enterprise Storage Systems
Authors: Kim Hyojun , Seshadri Sangeetha , Dickey Clement L. , Chiu Lawrence
Published: November 2014

Storage systems based on Phase Change Memory (PCM) devices are beginning to generate considerable attention in both industry and academic communities. But whether the technology in its current state will be a commercially and technically viable alternative to entrenched technologies such as flash-based SSDs remains undecided. To address this, it is important to consider PCM SSD devices not just from a device standpoint, but also from a holistic perspective.

This article presents the results of our performance study of a recent all-PCM SSD prototype. The average latency for a 4KiB random read is 6.7μs, which is about 16× faster than a comparable eMLC flash SSD. The distribution of I/O response times is also much narrower than flash SSD for both reads and writes. Based on the performance measurements and real-world workload traces, we explore two typical storage use cases: tiering and caching. We report that the IOPS/$ of a tiered storage system can be improved by 12--66% and the aggregate elapsed time of a server-side caching solution can be improved by up to 35% by adding PCM.

Our results show that (even at current price points) PCM storage devices show promising performance as a new component in enterprise storage systems.
Checking the Integrity of Transactional Mechanisms
Authors: Fryer Daniel , Qin Mike , Sun Jack , Lee Kah Wai , Brown Angela Demke , Goel Ashvin
Published: November 2014

Data corruption is the most common consequence of file-system bugs. When such corruption occurs, offline check and recovery tools must be used, but they are error prone and cause significant downtime. Previously we showed that a runtime checker for the Ext3 file system can verify that metadata updates are consistent, helping detect corruption in metadata blocks at transaction commit time. However, corruption can still occur when a bug in the file system’s transactional mechanism loses, misdirects, or corrupts writes. We show that a runtime checker must enforce the atomicity and durability properties of the file system on every write, in addition to checking transactions at commit time, to provide the strong guarantee that every block write will maintain file system consistency.

We identify the invariants that need to be enforced on journaling and shadow paging file systems to preserve the integrity of committed transactions. We also describe the key properties that make it feasible to check these invariants for a file system. Based on this characterization, we have implemented runtime checkers for Ext3 and Btrfs. Our evaluation shows that both checkers detect data corruption effectively, and they can be used during normal operation with low overhead.