bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Papers of note in
Science Translational Medicine
9
(410)
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: October 2017

This week’s article and a review describe ways to potentially improve immunotherapy for cancer patients.
In Vitro
Activities of Pexiganan and 10 Comparator Antimicrobials against 502 Anaerobic Isolates Recovered from Skin and Skin Structure Infections
Authors: Goldstein Ellie J. C. , Citron Diane M. , Tyrrell Kerin L. , Leoncio Eliza S.
Published: October 2017

Pexiganan, a cationic peptide, exhibited a broad range of anti-anaerobic antimicrobial activity. The MIC
90
s of studied isolates were as follows:
Bacteroides fragilis
, 16 μg/ml; other
B. fragilis
group spp., 4 μg/ml;
Prevotella
and
Fusobacterium
spp., 32 μg/ml;
Porphyromonas
spp., 64 μg/ml;
Propionibacterium acnes
, 4 μg/ml;
Eggerthella lenta
and
Peptostreptococcus anaerobius
, 32 μg/ml; other Gram-positive rods and cocci, 4 μg/ml;
Clostridium perfringens
, 128 μg/ml; and other clostridia, 256 μg/ml. Pexiganan cream shows potential as adjunctive therapy for skin and skin structure infections (SSSIs) involving anaerobes.
Evaluation of a Plasmodium-Specific Carrier Protein To Enhance Production of RecombinantPfs25, a Leading Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Candidate
Authors: Parzych Elizabeth M. , Miura Kazutoyo , Ramanathan Aarti , Long Carole A. , Burns James M.
Published: October 2017

Challenges with the production and suboptimal immunogenicity of malaria vaccine candidates have slowed the development of aPlasmodium falciparummultiantigen vaccine. Attempting to resolve these issues, we focused on the use of highly immunogenic merozoite surface protein 8 (MSP8) as a vaccine carrier protein. Previously, we showed that a genetic fusion of the C-terminal 19-kDa fragment of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP119) toP. falciparumMSP8 (PfMSP8) facilitated antigen production and folding and the induction of neutralizing antibodies to conformational B cell epitopes of MSP119. Here, using thePfMSP1/8 construct, we further optimized the recombinantPfMSP8 (rPfMSP8) carrier by the introduction of two cysteine-to-serine substitutions (CΔS) to improve the yield of the monomeric product. We then sought to test the broad applicability of this approach using the transmission-blocking vaccine candidatePfs25. The production of rPfs25-based vaccines has presented challenges. Antibodies directed against the four highly constrained epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains ofPfs25 block sexual-stage development in mosquitoes. The sequence encoding maturePfs25 was codon harmonized for expression inEscherichia coli. We produced a rPfs25-PfMSP8 fusion protein [rPfs25/8(CΔS)] as well as unfused, mature rPfs25. rPfs25 was purified with a modest yield but required the incorporation of refolding protocols to obtain a proper conformation. In comparison, chimeric rPfs25/8(CΔS) was expressed and easily purified, with thePfs25 domain bearing the proper conformation without renaturation. Both antigens were immunogenic in rabbits, inducing IgG that bound nativePfs25 and exhibited potent transmission-reducing activity. These data further demonstrate the utility ofPfMSP8 as a parasite-specific carrier protein to enhance the production of complex malaria vaccine targets.
Brucella abortus Promotes a Fibrotic Phenotype in Hepatic Stellate Cells, with Concomitant Activation of the Autophagy Pathway
Authors: Arriola Benitez Paula Constanza , Pesce Viglietti Ayelén Ivana , Herrmann Claudia Karina , Dennis Vida A. , Comerci Diego José , Giambartolomei Guillermo Hernán , Delpino María Victoria
Published: October 2017

The liver is frequently affected in patients with active brucellosis. The present study demonstrates that
Brucella abortus
infection induces the activation of the autophagic pathway in hepatic stellate cells to create a microenvironment that promotes a profibrogenic phenotype through the induction of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), collagen deposition, and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) secretion. Autophagy was revealed by upregulation of the LC3II/LC3I ratio and Beclin-1 expression as well as inhibition of p62 expression in infected cells. The above-described findings were dependent on the type IV secretion system (VirB) and the secreted BPE005 protein, which were partially corroborated using the pharmacological inhibitors wortmannin, a phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase inhibitor, and leupeptin plus E64 (inhibitors of lysosomal proteases). Activation of the autophagic pathway in hepatic stellate cells during
Brucella
infection could have an important contribution to attenuating inflammatory hepatic injury by inducing fibrosis. However, with time,
B. abortus
infection induced Beclin-1 cleavage with concomitant cleavage of caspase-3, indicating the onset of apoptosis of LX-2 cells, as was confirmed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay and Hoechst staining. These results demonstrate that the cross talk of LX-2 cells and
B. abortus
induces autophagy and fibrosis with concomitant apoptosis of LX-2 cells, which may explain some potential mechanisms of liver damage observed in human brucellosis.
Growth and morbidity of extremely preterm infants after early full enteral nutrition
Authors: Maas Christoph , Franz Axel R , von Krogh Stefanie , Arand Jörg , Poets Christian F
Published: October 2017

Objectives

To evaluate feasibility and consequences of accelerated feeding advancement on short-term outcomes in extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs) who stayed in our institution for >28 days.

Methods

Retrospective single-centre cohort analysis covering the years 2011–2013. Data are presented as median (IQR).

Results

Infants '(n=77) birth weight was 745 (640 to 960) g and gestational age at birth 26.7 (25.1 to 27.4) weeks. Full enteral feeds were attained by postnatal day 7 (5 to 11). Weight gain from birth to discharge was 14.3 (13.3 to 16.1) g/kg/day, change in SD score for weight −0.03 (−0.55 to 0.46) and 0.09 (−0.78 and 0.82) for head circumference. Rates of necrotising enterocolitis and spontaneous intestinal perforation in all ELGANs admitted during the study period were 3.1% and 9.4%, respectively.

Conclusions

This cohort of ELGANs showed good weight gain and head growth after early full enteral nutrition. The impact of this feeding practice on neonatal morbidity and long-term outcome remains to be tested in adequately powered randomised trials.
Embedding electronic growth charts into clinical practice at a children’s hospital
Authors: Andrews Edward T , Wootton Stephen , Cable David , Marchant Alastair , Miller Harriet , Davies Justin H
Published: October 2017

Embedding electronic growth charts (EGCs) into clinical practice in a children’s hospital. We employed initial implementation in the outpatient setting and subsequently extended this across inpatients with the growth chart following the child’s records through both settings and significantly increasing growth data documentation.
Paediatric case of ductal origin of right pulmonary artery presenting with exertional dyspnoea and mimicking asthma and primary ciliary dyskinesia
Authors: Sagar Malvika , Marshall Anderson S , Clary Cody W , Qureshi Athar M
Published: October 2017

Ductal origin of pulmonary artery is a rare anomaly that is frequently misdiagnosed. Patients may present with exertional dyspnoea, recurrent respiratory infections and pulmonary hypertension. The presence of pulmonary hypertension can adversely affect clinical outcome in these patients; hence, early identification and intervention is the key to improve survival. A case of a 3-year-old child presenting with exertional dyspnoea is presented in this report. Chest radiograph revealed right-sided pulmonary hypoplasia and mediastinal shift to the right. Pulmonary artery agenesis was suspected when CT of the chest demonstrated right-sided pulmonary artery agenesis. Cardiac catheterisation revealed the correct diagnosis of ductal origin of right pulmonary artery. The most striking feature of this case is that the clinical presentation is mild compared with the findings on imaging.
Ogilvie’s syndrome treated with an emergency laparotomy, right hemicolectomy and end ileostomy
Authors: Robinson Andrew James , Quigley John-Patrick , Banks Athene , Farmer Martin
Published: October 2017

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO), or Ogilvie’s syndrome, is a rare clinical entity in which there is massive non-toxic colonic dilatation in the absence of a mechanically obstructing lesion. It is an important yet poorly recognised cause of surgical morbidity and mortality occurring typically in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. ACPO can often be reversed conservatively with colonoscopic or nasogastric decompression. Surgical intervention is seldom necessary. We present a case of Ogilvie’s syndrome in which a healthy 76-year-old man developed life-threatening pseudo-obstruction following rib polytrauma after a mechanical fall. Pneumatosis coli was evident radiologically, prompting emergency exploratory laparotomy. Operative findings of serosal tearing and ischaemic colitis necessitated treatment with right hemicolectomy and ileostomy formation. Microbiological and histopathological analyses proved negative for inflammatory, obstructive and infectious colitides. The case emphasises the importance of early recognition and timely intervention in the management of this rare yet potentially fatal cause of megacolon.
Stroke resulting from an isolated pulmonary arteriovenous malformation
Authors: Saidman Jakob , Abdou Hossam , Sampath Kumar Sridhar
Published: October 2017

Isolated pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM) are rare, but can be responsible for paradoxical embolic events. It is important to recognise these situations early and intervene quickly to attain the best outcome. We describe the case of a 45-year-old woman with a long-standing history of migraines with aura who presented to the emergency department with left-sided weakness and slurred speech. Work-up was unclear and she was diagnosed with cryptogenic stroke. Follow-up transoesophageal echocardiogram was suggestive of an atrial septal defect, though no clear defect was evident. Pulmonary angiography revealed an isolated PAVM arising from the right lower lung segmental artery with a 2 mm feeding artery leading into 3–4 mm of dysplastic vessel that connects to the vein. The vessel was embolised successfully using a combination of a 4 mm Amplatzer Vascular Plug in the distal feeding artery and a 4 mm Nester coil proximally.
Factors related to the development of health-promoting community activities in Spanish primary healthcare: two case–control studies
Authors: March Sebastià , Ripoll Joana , Jordan Martin Matilde , Zabaleta-del-Olmo Edurne , Benedé Azagra Carmen Belén , Elizalde Soto Lázaro , Vidal Mª Clara , Bauzà Amengual María de Lluc , Planas Juan Trinidad , Pérez Mariano Damiana Maria , Llull Sarralde Micaela , Ruiz-Giménez Juan Luís , Bajo Viñas Rosa , Solano Villarubia Carmen , Rodriguez Bajo Maria , Cordoba Victoria Manuela , Badia Capdevila Marta , Serrano Ferrandez Elena , Bosom Diumenjo Maria , Montaner-Gomis Isabel , Bolibar-Ribas Buenaventura , Antoñanzas Lombarte Angel , Bregel Cotaina Samantha , Calvo Tocado Ana , Olivan Blázquez Barbara , Magallon Botaya Rosa , Marín Palacios Pilar , Echauri Ozcoidi Margarita , Perez - arauta María Jose , Llobera Joan , Ramos Maria
Published: October 2017

Objective

Spanish primary healthcare teams have the responsibility of performing health-promoting community activities (CAs), although such activities are not widespread. Our aim was to identify the factors related to participation in those activities.

Design

Two case–control studies.

Setting

Performed in primary care of five Spanish regions.

Subjects

In the first study, cases were teams that performed health-promoting CAs and controls were those that did not. In the second study (on case teams from the first study), cases were professionals who developed these activities and controls were those who did not.

Main outcome measures

Team, professional and community characteristics collected through questionnaires (team managers/professionals) and from secondary sources.

Results

The first study examined 203 teams (103 cases, 100 controls). Adjusted factors associated with performing CAs were percentage of nurses (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.14), community socioeconomic status (higher vs lower OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.95) and performing undergraduate training (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.93). In the second study, 597 professionals responded (254 cases, 343 controls). Adjusted factors were professional classification (physicians do fewer activities than nurses and social workers do more), training in CAs (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.1), team support (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5 to 5.7), seniority (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.09), nursing tutor (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.5), motivation (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.8 to 7.5), collaboration with non-governmental organisations (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.1) and participation in neighbourhood activities (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.9 to 5.1).

Conclusions

Professional personal characteristics, such as social sensitivity, profession, to feel team support or motivation, have influence in performing health-promoting CAs. In contrast to the opinion expressed by many professionals, workload is not related to performance of health-promoting CAs.
MEDication reminder APPs to improve medication adherence in Coronary Heart Disease (MedApp-CHD) Study: a randomised controlled trial protocol
Authors: Santo Karla , Chow Clara K , Thiagalingam Aravinda , Rogers Kris , Chalmers John , Redfern Julie
Published: October 2017

Introduction

The growing number of smartphone health applications available in the app stores makes these apps a promising tool to help reduce the global problem of non-adherence to long-term medications. However, to date, there is limited evidence that available medication reminder apps are effective. This study aims to determine the impact of medication reminder apps on adherence to cardiovascular medication when compared with usual care for people with coronary heart disease (CHD) and to determine whether an advanced app compared with a basic app is associated with higher adherence.

Methods and analysis

Randomised controlled trial with follow-up at 3 months to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of medication reminder apps on medication adherence compared with usual care. An estimated sample size of 156 patients with CHD will be randomised to one of three groups (usual care group, basic medication reminder app group and advanced medication reminder app group). The usual care group will receive standard care for CHD with no access to a medication reminder app. The basic medication reminder app group will have access to a medication reminder app with a basic feature of providing simple daily reminders with no interactivity. The advanced medication reminder app group will have access to a medication reminder app with additional interactive and customisable features. The primary outcome is medication adherence measured by the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale at 3 months. Secondary outcomes include clinical measurements of blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and medication knowledge. A process evaluation will also be performed to assess the feasibility of the intervention by evaluating the acceptability, utility and engagement with the apps.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained from the Western Sydney Local Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee (AU/RED/HREC/1/WMEAD/3). Study findings will be disseminated via usual scientific forums.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12616000661471; Pre-results
Evaluating a novel Integrated Community of Care (ICoC) for patients from an urbanised low-income community in Singapore using the participatory action research (PAR) methodology: a study protocol
Authors: Low Lian Leng , Maulod Adlina , Lee Kheng Hock
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Poorer health outcomes and disproportionate healthcare use in socioeconomically disadvantaged patients is well established. However, there is sparse literature on effective integrated care interventions that specifically target these high-risk individuals. The Integrated Community of Care (ICoC) is a novel care model that integrates hospital-based transitional care with health and social care in the community for high-risk individuals living in socially deprived communities. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the ICoC in reducing acute hospital use and investigate the implementation process and its effects on clinical outcomes using a mixed-methods participatory action research (PAR) approach.

Methods and analysis

This is a single-centre prospective, controlled, observational study performed in the SingHealth Regional Health System. A total of 250 eligible patients from an urbanised low-income community in Singapore will be enrolled during their index hospitalisation. Our PAR model combines two research components: quantitative and qualitative, at different phases of the intervention. Outcomes of acute hospital use and health-related quality of life are compared with controls, at 30 days and 1 year. The qualitative study aims at developing a more context-specific social ecological model of health behaviour. This model will identify how influences within one’s social environment: individual, interpersonal, organisational, community and policy factors affect people’s experiences and behaviours during care transitions from hospital to home. Knowledge on the operational aspects of ICoC will enrich our evidence-based strategies to understand the impact of the ICoC. The blending of qualitative and quantitative mixed methods recognises the dynamic implementation processes as well as the complex and evolving needs of community stakeholders in shaping outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was granted by the SingHealth Centralised Institutional Review Board (CIRB 2015/2277). The findings from this study will be disseminated by publications in peer-reviewed journals, scientific meetings and presentations to government policy-makers.

Trial registration number

NCT02678273
Recruitment, adherence, and retention of endometrial cancer survivors in a behavioural lifestyle programme: the Diet and Exercise in Uterine Cancer Survivors (DEUS) parallel randomised pilot trial
Authors: Koutoukidis Dimitrios A , Beeken Rebecca J , Manchanda Ranjit , Michalopoulou Moscho , Burnell Matthew , Knobf M Tish , Lanceley Anne
Published: October 2017

Objective

Healthy eating and physical activity may help endometrial cancer survivors (ECS) improve their quality of life. However, most ECS do not meet the relevant guidelines. This pilot trial aimed to test the study feasibility procedures for a definitive trial of a behavioural lifestyle programme.

Design and setting

This 24-week parallel two-arm randomised pilot trial took place in two hospitals in London, UK (April 2015–June 2016).

Participants

Sixty disease-free ECS within 3 years of diagnosis.

Interventions

Participants were randomised using minimisation to receive the intervention or care as usual. The ‘Shape-Up following cancer treatment’ programme used self-monitoring, goal-setting, self-incentives, problem-solving and group social support for 12 hours over 8 weeks to help survivors improve their eating and physical activity.

Outcome measures

The main outcome measures were recruitment, adherence, and retention rates. Further outcomes included barriers to participation and feedback on programme satisfaction.

Results

Of the 296 potentially eligible ECS, 20% (n=60) were randomly allocated to the active intervention (n=29) or control group (n=31). Three participants in each arm were deemed ineligible after randomisation and excluded from analysis. Twenty participants (77%; 95% CI 61% to 93%) adhered to the intervention and provided generally favourable feedback. At 24 weeks, 25/26 (96%; 95% CI 89% to 100%) intervention and 24/28 (86%; 95% CI 73% to 99%) control participants completed their assessment. No intervention-related adverse events were reported. Among eligible survivors who declined study participation (n=83), inconvenience (78%; 95% CI 69% to 87%) was the most common barrier.

Conclusions

The trial was feasible to deliver based on the a priori feasibility criteria. Enhancing recruitment and adherence in a definitive trial will require designs that promote convenience and consider ECS-reported barriers.

Trial registration number

NCT02433080; Pre-results.

Trial funding

University College London, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital Nurses League, and NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre.
Providing feedback following Leadership WalkRounds is associated with better patient safety culture, higher employee engagement and lower burnout
Authors: Sexton J Bryan , Adair Kathryn C , Leonard Michael W , Frankel Terri Christensen , Proulx Joshua , Watson Sam R , Magnus Brooke , Bogan Brittany , Jamal Maleek , Schwendimann Rene , Frankel Allan S
Published: October 2017

Background

There is a poorly understood relationship between Leadership WalkRounds (WR) and domains such as safety culture, employee engagement, burnout and work-life balance.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey study evaluated associations between receiving feedback about actions taken as a result of WR and healthcare worker assessments of patient safety culture, employee engagement, burnout and work-life balance, across 829 work settings.

Results

16 797 of 23 853 administered surveys were returned (70.4%). 5497 (32.7% of total) reported that they had participated in WR, and 4074 (24.3%) reported that they participated in WR with feedback. Work settings reporting more WR with feedback had substantially higher safety culture domain scores (first vs fourth quartile Cohen’s d range: 0.34–0.84; % increase range: 15–27) and significantly higher engagement scores for four of its six domains (first vs fourth quartile Cohen’s d range: 0.02–0.76; % increase range: 0.48–0.70).

Conclusion

This WR study of patient safety and organisational outcomes tested relationships with a comprehensive set of safety culture and engagement metrics in the largest sample of hospitals and respondents to date. Beyond measuring simply whether WRs occur, we examine WR with feedback, as WR being done well. We suggest that when WRs are conducted, acted on, and the results are fed back to those involved, the work setting is a better place to deliver and receive care as assessed across a broad range of metrics, including teamwork, safety, leadership, growth opportunities, participation in decision-making and the emotional exhaustion component of burnout. Whether WR with feedback is a manifestation of better norms, or a cause of these norms, is unknown, but the link is demonstrably potent.
A collaborative approach to facilitate professionals to support the breathless patient
Authors: Shaw Vanessa , Davies Alison , Ong Bie Nio
Published: October 2017

Objectives

Breathlessness is a major problem for people in their last weeks of life. Breathlessness is considered to be multidimensional with physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual factors all playing a part. It has been recognised that specific training to health professionals is beneficial in order to improve the care for patients with breathlessness.

Breathlessness courses have tended to focus on senior nurses. A new flexible and collaborative training course was designed to include a wider range of nurses and other health professionals in hospital, hospice, primary care and community settings. The aim of the ’Practical Skills to Support the Breathless Patient' programme was to make patients and carers feel better supported in their breathlessness, for health professionals to develop confidence and skills in using proven interventions, and to adopt a flexible educational design that could be adapted to different contexts.

Methods

The course is learner-centred and teaching methods encourage interaction and participation via a mix of lectures and discussions with practical skills-focused, experiential workshops in smaller groups. Case study work was included to integrate learning with participants' practice environment. Evaluation is built in during the course, so adaptations can be made throughout to respond to changing learner needs.

Results

Participants reported increased confidence in terms of knowledge and applying this within everyday practice. The theory-practice dynamic worked well within each participant' specific work context in particular through the case study approach.

Conclusions

The course developed a number of innovative approaches, such as multi-disciplinary learning groups, regular feedback loops, reflexive learning about putting theory into practice and long-term follow-up. Combining these elements increases professionals' confidence and sustains new clinical practice.
Wrist mass in a 93-year-old woman
Authors: Maznyczka Annette Marie , Valenti Domenico , Byrne Jonathan
Published: October 2017

Clinical introduction

A 93-year-old woman presented electively for transaortic valve implantation (TAVI), for severe aortic stenosis. She had a history of hypertension and hypothyroidism, and she was taking clopidogrel, antihypertensives and levothyroxine. In preparation for her TAVI procedure she underwent coronary angiography 4 months previously. Her coronary angiogram revealed severe three vessel disease, however, the consensus from the multidisciplinary team meeting, at that time, was to manage the coronary disease medically. Physical examination revealed a large, non-tender swelling on the volar aspect of her wrist (figure 1). The swelling had progressively enlarged in size over the preceding 4 months. Duplex ultrasonography was performed, but was technically difficult. Turbulent bidirectional flow was seen within the wrist swelling, however the connecting tract from which the flow originated was not adequately visualised. The greyscale ultrasound is shown (figure 1).

Figure 1

The panel on the left shows the swelling on the volar aspect of the wrist. The panel on the right shows the grey scale ultrasound image of the swelling at the wrist.

Question 

What is the next most appropriate management step?

Antibiotics and drainage

Urgent ultrasound guided thrombin injection

Non-emergent vascular surgery

Conservative management, with observation and follow-up

Ultrasound guided compression
Civilian and military doctors’ knowledge of tranexamic acid (TXA) use in major trauma: a comparison study
Authors: Herron Jonathan Blair Thomas , French R , Gilliam A D
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Tranexamic acid (TXA) administration within the recommended time of 3 hours has been demonstrated to improve outcomes following trauma. The aim of this study was to identify potential knowledge gaps in the administration of TXA in order to target further educational training in those doctors responsible for the management of acute trauma.

Methods

104 military and 852 civilian doctors were invited to complete a four-item web-based questionnaire pertaining to the indications, dose, side effects and evidence base for TXA administration in trauma. Doctors of all grades and surgical specialties including emergency trainees and anaesthetics were surveyed.

Results

65 military and 460 civilian doctors responded with a response rate of 62% and 54%, respectively. Responses were required for every question to allow progression and submission. 93% of military doctors knew the initial dose of TXA compared with 34% of civilian doctors. The Clinical randomisation of an Antifibrinolytic in Significant Haemorrhage (CRASH) 2 trial was known to 91% of military doctors compared with 24% of civilian doctors. The optimal time for delivery of TXA in under 3 hours was correctly identified by 91% of military doctors compared with 10% by civilian doctors.

Discussion

Military doctors are more familiar with TXA and its side effect profile. Given the potential impact of TXA on patient outcome and the findings of this study, further education of all doctors is recommended including dose, timing and potential side effects.
Ulcerative lymphangitis due to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in Bulgarian Holstein dairy cows
Authors: Steerforth Daniel , Marutsov Plamen
Published: October 2017

Morbidity due to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection occurred in a 320 Holstein dairy herd in south‐eastern Bulgaria during 2014. All established cases (n=43) were of multiple abscess formation and cellulitis predominantly localised on the hindlegs. The pyogranulomatous and ulcerative lesions in all cases were associated with mastitis. The disease was treated with parenteral antibiotics and local antiseptics, without any satisfactory outcome, and most of the affected animals were culled. Presumptive laboratory diagnosis of C pseudotuberculosis was made in November 2014, when 43 cases (herd prevalence 23.9 per cent) were recorded on the farm. The culling rate reached 95.3 per cent. All reported cases were in first calving cows (n=31; case prevalence 72.1 per cent), and cows between second and fifth lactation (n=12; case prevalence 27.9 per cent). Younger cattle appeared to be less susceptible to the infection. In first calving cows, all cases with lesions and mastitis occurred shortly after calving.
Juxta‐articular bone cyst in a dog: stabilisation with transarticular fixator and computed tomographic follow‐up
Authors: Rossanese Matteo , Wustefeld‐Janssens Brandan G , Pratesi Andrea
Published: October 2017

A six‐month‐old, 27 kg, entire male labrador was presented with an acute onset of severe left thoracic limb lameness. CT of both thoracic limbs revealed a well‐delineated region of lucency in the distal humerus consistent with a bone cyst. The cyst was drained, curetted and packed with autogenous cancellous bone graft combined with freeze‐dried canine demineralised bone matrix. Temporary stabilisation was achieved with a hinged transarticular external skeletal fixator. Follow‐up CT six weeks after surgery revealed the cyst to be largely filled in by amorphous mineralised tissue. Eight months following surgery, CT revealed normal appearance of the bone compared with the previous study. CT provided valuable information regarding origin, size and location of the lesion itself and allowed to accurately plan the surgery. The postoperative CT images provided an accurate indication of the bone healing describing the increased bone density and the complete healing of the bone cyst.
Development of rapid immunochromatographic strip test for the detection of porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus
Authors: Lyoo Kwang‐Soo , Yeom Minjoo , Kim Jungho , Kim Donghyuk , Ha Gunwoo , Na Woonsung , Le Van Phan , Song Daesub
Published: October 2017

Porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) causes acute and severe watery diarrhoea and dehydration, as well as 50–100 per cent mortality in piglets. For the PEDV diagnosis, a rapid test kit that is specific and sensitive to PEDV is critical to monitor this disease at pig farms. The present study aimed to develop an immunochromatographic assay (ICA) strip test for detecting PEDV in faecal swabs. The newly developed diagnostic test showed a detection limit of 104.0 TCID50/ml of PEDV. Using faecal swab samples, the relative sensitivity and specificity of the ICA kit were 95.0 per cent and 98.6 per cent, respectively, compared with those of real‐time RT‐PCR. In samples from piglets experimentally infected with PEDV, the results showed 100 per cent agreement with those found by real‐time RT‐PCR. Our developed test strip will be useful for rapid diagnosis and can be used for epidemiological surveillance of PEDV infection.
Isometric parameters in the monitoring of maximal strength, power, and hypertrophic resistance-training
Authors: Peltonen Heikki , Walker Simon , Lähitie Anuliisa , Häkkinen Keijo , Avela Janne
Published: October 2017

This study monitored strength-training adaptations via isometric parameters throughout 2 × 10 weeks of hypertrophic (HYP I–II) or 10 weeks maximum strength (MS) followed by 10 weeks power (P) training with untrained controls. Trainees performed bilateral isometric leg press tests analyzed for peak force (maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)) and rate of force development (RFD) every 3.5 weeks. These parameters were compared with dynamic performance, voluntary and electrically induced isometric contractions, muscle activity, and cross-sectional area (CSA) in the laboratory before and after 10 and 20 weeks. RFD increased similarly during the first 7 weeks (HYP I, 44% ± 53%; MS, 48% ± 55%, P < 0.05), but RFD continued to increase up to 65% ± 61% from baseline (P < 0.01) only during P. These increases were concomitant with enhanced dynamic performances of 1-repetition maximum (1RM) (HYP I, 8% ± 6%; MS, 11% ± 6%, P < 0.001), and explosive repetitions during P (11% ± 15%, P < 0.05). Time to reach peak RFD differed (P < 0.001) between HYP (mean 42 ± 20 ms) and MS-P (mean 31 ± 12 ms) groups because of training. The changes in MVC correlated with the changes in CSA during weeks 1–20 (HYP I–II, r = 0.664; MS-P, r = 0.595, P ≤ 0.05), as well as changes in 1RM (r = 0.724, P < 0.05) during weeks 11–20 (HYP II). Muscle activity increased during MS and P only. Both MVC and RFD improvements reflected combinations of central and peripheral adaptations. RFD parameters may be effective tools to evaluate adaptations, particularly during maximal strength/power training, while MVC cannot distinguish between strength or muscle mass changes. Monitoring RFD provided important information regarding plateaus in RFD improvement, which were observed in dynamic explosive performances after HYP II compared with P.
Common bed bugs can biosynthesize pheromone components from amino acid precursors in human blood
Authors: Gries Regine , Zhai Huimin , Lewis Andrew R. , Britton Robert , Gries Gerhard
Published: October 2017

We have recently shown that the aggregation pheromone of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, comprises a six-component blend of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS), (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-octenal, 2-hexanone, and histamine. Here, we tested the hypothesis that bed bugs biosynthesize some pheromone components from amino acid precursors in human blood, namely DMDS and DMTS from L-methionine and histamine from histidine. We tested this hypothesis by (i) allowing bed bugs to feed on and metabolize sheep blood enriched with13C-labelled histidine or2H-labelled methionine, (ii) extracting bed bug feces (a source of the aggregation pheromone), and (iii) analyzing feces extracts by GC-MS, HPLC-MS and NMR spectroscopy. The analyses revealed that bed bugs converted2H-methionine to2H-DMDS and2H-DMTS, and13C-histidine to13C-histamine. There is not enough histidine in human blood to account for the amount of histamine that bed bugs produce and excrete with their feces, and only a small proportion of the available13C-histidine was converted to13C-histamine in our study. Therefore, it is likely that bed bugs biosynthesize histamine, and possibly also DMDS and DMTS, primarily de novo.
Irrationality of generic cubic threefold via Weil's conjectures
Authors: Markushevich Dimitri , Roulleau Xavier
Published: October 2017

An arithmetic method of proving the irrationality of smooth projective 3-folds is described, using reduction modulo [Formula: see text]. It is illustrated by an application to a cubic threefold, for which the hypothesis that its intermediate Jacobian is isomorphic to the Jacobian of a curve is contradicted by reducing modulo 3 and counting points over appropriate extensions of [Formula: see text]. As a spin-off, it is shown that the 5-dimensional Prym varieties arising as intermediate Jacobians of certain cubic 3-folds have the maximal number of points over [Formula: see text] which attains Perret's and Weil's upper bounds.
Global gradient estimates for asymptotically regular problems of p(x)-Laplacian type
Authors: Byun Sun-Sig , Oh Jehan
Published: October 2017

We study an asymptotically regular problem of [Formula: see text]-Laplacian type with discontinuous nonlinearity in a nonsmooth bounded domain. A global Calderón–Zygmund estimate is established for such a nonlinear elliptic problem with nonstandard growth under the assumption that the associated nonlinearity has a more general kind of the asymptotic behavior near the infinity with respect to the gradient variable. We also address an optimal regularity requirement on the nonlinearity as well as a minimal geometric assumption on the boundary of the domain for the nonlinear Calderón–Zygmund theory in the setting of variable exponent Sobolev spaces.
Some Riemann Hypotheses from random walks over primes
Authors: França Guilherme , LeClair André
Published: October 2017

The aim of this paper is to investigate how various Riemann Hypotheses would follow only from properties of the prime numbers. To this end, we consider two classes of [Formula: see text]-functions, namely, non-principal Dirichlet and those based on cusp forms. The simplest example of the latter is based on the Ramanujan tau arithmetic function. For both classes, we prove that if a particular trigonometric series involving sums of multiplicative characters over primes is [Formula: see text], then the Euler product converges in the right half of the critical strip. When this result is combined with the functional equation, the non-trivial zeros are constrained to lie on the critical line. We argue that this [Formula: see text] growth is a consequence of the series behaving like a one-dimensional random walk. Based on these results, we obtain an equation which relates every individual non-trivial zero of the [Formula: see text]-function to a sum involving all the primes. Finally, we briefly mention important differences for principal Dirichlet [Formula: see text]-functions due to the existence of the pole at [Formula: see text], in which the Riemann [Formula: see text]-function is a particular case.
Metagenome sequence clustering with hash-based canopies
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Arifur , LaPierre Nathan , Rangwala Huzefa , Barbara Daniel
Published: October 2017

Metagenomics is the collective sequencing of co-existing microbial communities which are ubiquitous across various clinical and ecological environments. Due to the large volume and random short sequences (reads) obtained from community sequences, analysis of diversity, abundance and functions of different organisms within these communities are challenging tasks. We present a fast and scalable clustering algorithm for analyzing large-scale metagenome sequence data. Our approach achieves efficiency by partitioning the large number of sequence reads into groups (called canopies) using hashing. These canopies are then refined by using state-of-the-art sequence clustering algorithms. This canopy-clustering (CC) algorithm can be used as a pre-processing phase for computationally expensive clustering algorithms. We use and compare three hashing schemes for canopy construction with five popular and state-of-the-art sequence clustering methods. We evaluate our clustering algorithm on synthetic and real-world 16S and whole metagenome benchmarks. We demonstrate the ability of our proposed approach to determine meaningful Operational Taxonomic Units (OTU) and observe significant speedup with regards to run time when compared to different clustering algorithms. We also make our source code publicly available on Github. a
A GLOBAL FOOD DEMAND MODEL FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF COMPLEX HUMAN-EARTH SYSTEMS
Authors: EDMONDS JAMES A. , LINK ROBERT , WALDHOFF STEPHANIE T. , CUI RYNA
Published: October 2017

Demand for agricultural products is an important problem in global change economics. Food consumption will shape and be shaped by global change through interactions with bioenergy and afforestation, two critical issues in meeting international goals. We develop a model of food demand for staple and nonstaple commodities that evolves with changing incomes and prices. The model addresses a long-standing issue in estimating food demands, the evolution of demand relationships across large changes in income and prices. We discuss the model, some of its properties and limitations. We estimate parameter values using pooled cross-sectional-time-series observations and Bayesian Monte Carlo method and cross-validate the model by estimating parameters using a subset of the observations and test its ability to project into the unused observations. Finally, we apply bias correction techniques borrowed from the Earth system modeling community and report results. We find that the demand for food rises rapidly as income initially increases from zero. Demand for staples peaks at under $1000 per person per capita. Nonstaple food demands increase steadily with income. While staples are an inferior good at per capita incomes greater than $1000, we see no evidence that there is a range of per capita income for which staples are Giffen goods.
Bedrock structural control on catchment-scale connectivity and alluvial fan processes, High Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Authors: Mather Anne E. , Stokes Martin
Published: October 2017

Lithology is acknowledged to be an important internal catchment control on flow processes to adjacent alluvial fans. However, the role of inherited structural configurations (e.g. bedrock attitude) in catchment connectivity and sediment transport is rarely considered. We examine four young (<100-year-old) active tributary junction alluvial fan systems from the Dadès Valley in the High Atlas of Morocco in terms of their catchment-scale connectivity, sediment transfer and resulting alluvial fan processes. The catchments occur on the same lithologies (limestones and interbedded mudstones), but experience different passive structural configurations (tilted and structurally thickened beds). The fan systems react differently to historical peak discharges (20–172 m
3
s
−1
). Catchments containing tectonically thickened limestone units develop slot canyons, which compartmentalize the catchment by acting as barriers to sediment transfer, encouraging lower sediment to water flows on the fans. Syn-dip catchments boost connectivity and sediment delivery from translational bedrock landslides as a result of steep channel gradients, encouraging higher sediment to water flows. By contrast, translational landslides in strike-oriented drainages disrupt longitudinal connectivity by constricting the valley width, while the gradients of the main channels are supressed by the attitude of the limestone beds, encouraging localized backfilling. This diminishes the sediment to water content of the resulting flows.
A precipitation perspective of the Hydrosphere-cryosphere interaction in the Himalaya
Authors: Amir Khan Abul , Pant N. C. , Ravindra Rasik , Alok Apurva , Gupta Manika , Gupta Shikha
Published: October 2017

The hydrological budget of the three major Asian rivers, namely the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra, is controlled by the Indian monsoon and Westerlies but their contribution in these basins are highly variable. Widely varying average annual precipitation has been reported within these basins. A poor network of
in situ
rain gauges, particularly in mountainous regions, inaccessible terrain, high variations in altitude and the significantly large size of basins forces adaption of satellite-based average annual precipitation. We investigate precipitation patterns for these three basins by using satellite-based Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM-3B42) data and compare and validate it with Asian Precipitation Highly Resolved Data Integration Towards Evaluation (APHRODITE) and India Meteorological Department (IMD) interpolated gridded precipitation data. The entire basins as well as basinal areas within the geographic limits of India have been considered. Our study shows that the precipitation broadly follows an east–west and north–south gradient control. The easternmost Brahmaputra Basin has the highest amount of precipitation followed by the Ganga Basin, and the westernmost Indus Basin has the least precipitation; precipitation is highest on the higher elevations than compared to lower elevations of the basins. A seasonal- and elevation-based approach is adapted to estimate snow precipitation and is discussed in terms of overall precipitation.
Lease/Release
Authors: Haider Syed Kamran , Hasenplaugh William , Alistarh Dan
Published: October 2017

High memory contention is generally agreed to be a worst-case scenario for concurrent data structures. There has been a significant amount of research effort spent investigating designs that minimize contention, and several programming techniques have been proposed to mitigate its effects. However, there are currently few architectural mechanisms to allow scaling contended data structures at high thread counts.

In this article, we investigate hardware support for scalable contended data structures. We propose Lease/Release, a simple addition to standard directory-based MESI cache coherence protocols, allowing participants to lease memory, at the granularity of cache lines, by delaying coherence messages for a short, bounded period of time. Our analysis shows that Lease/Release can significantly reduce the overheads of contention for both non-blocking (lock-free) and lock-based data structure implementations while ensuring that no deadlocks are introduced. We validate Lease/Release empirically on the Graphite multiprocessor simulator on a range of data structures, including queue, stack, and priority queue implementations, as well as on transactional applications. Results show that Lease/Release consistently improves both throughput and energy usage, by up to 5x, both for lock-free and lock-based data structure designs.
Glucose uptake inhibition decreases expressions of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) and osteocalcin in osteocytic MLO-Y4-A2 cells
Authors: Takeno Ayumu , Kanazawa Ippei , Notsu Masakazu , Tanaka Ken-ichiro , Sugimoto Toshitsugu
Published: October 2017

Bone and glucose metabolism are closely associated with each other. Both osteoblast and osteoclast functions are important for the action of osteocalcin, which plays pivotal roles as an endocrine hormone regulating glucose metabolism. However, it is unknown whether osteocytes are involved in the interaction between bone and glucose metabolism. We used MLO-Y4-A2, a murine long bone-derived osteocytic cell line, to investigate effects of glucose uptake inhibition on expressions of osteocalcin and bone-remodeling modulators in osteocytes. We found that glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) is expressed in MLO-Y4-A2 cells and that treatment with phloretin, a GLUT inhibitor, significantly inhibited glucose uptake. Real-time PCR and Western blot showed that phloretin significantly and dose-dependently decreased the expressions of RANKL and osteocalcin, whereas osteoprotegerin or sclerostin was not affected. Moreover, phloretin activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an intracellular energy sensor. Coincubation of ara-A, an AMPK inhibitor, with phloretin canceled the phloretin-induced decrease in osteocalcin expression, but not RANKL. In contrast, phloretin suppressed phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK, and treatments with the p38 inhibitor SB203580 and the MEK inhibitor PD98059, but not the JNK inhibitor SP600125, significantly decreased expressions of RANKL and osteocalcin. These results indicate that glucose uptake by GLUT1 is required for RANKL and osteocalcin expressions in osteocytes, and that inhibition of glucose uptake decreases their expressions through AMPK, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK pathways. These findings suggest that lowering glucose uptake into osteocytes may contribute to maintain blood glucose levels by decreasing osteocalcin expression and RANKL-induced bone resorption.