bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A dispermic chimerism detected in a Taiwanese potential unrelated hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Yang E. K. L. , Marsh S. G. E. , Chen P.‐Y. , Chen C.‐P. , Chen S.‐P. , Lin P. Y.
Published: January 2017

Chimerism is defined as the presence of 2 or more than 1 genetically distinct cell populations in an organism. Dispermic chimeras are derived from the fertilization of 1 or 2 matured nuclei by 2 sperms. We here report detection of a healthy and phenotypically normal female with normal ABO red blood cell typing in whom dispermic chimerism was suspected after 3 alleles were identified at multiple human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loci using molecular HLA analysis. Molecular HLA typing showed the donor to have 3 HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐DRB1, ‐DQB1 and ‐DPB1 alleles in blood, saliva and nail samples. In addition, 3 of her 9 short tandem repeat loci also showed to have 3 distinct alleles in blood, nail and saliva specimens. In all investigations, the third alleles were attributed to a dual paternal contribution. This case represents a dispermic chimerism, with 2 paternal and 1 maternal haplotypes variably distributed throughout body tissues in a healthy and phenotypically normal female without abnormalities in erythrocyte ABO blood group. The origin of this chimerism is probably due to the fertilization of a single egg and its polar body, or a parthenogenetic egg, by 2 sperms.
Conceptions of teaching: an illustrated review
Authors: Ross Michael
Published: January 2017

Background

Asking teachers what the term ‘teaching’ means to them can be a useful first activity in a faculty development session, as it typically leads to an engaging and enlightening discussion for participants and facilitators. Mapping their responses to ‘conceptions of teaching’ (sets of assumptions, knowledge and beliefs about teaching) in the literature seems particularly helpful in illuminating the inconsistencies, gaps and additional ways of thinking about teaching that participants may wish to consider.

Literature review

At least 25 conceptions of teaching can be identified in the literature. Each of these are briefly described and illustrated in this article, along with detailed examples and suggestions of how conceptions of teaching can be explored in faculty development. There is evidence that a teacher's conceptions of teaching affect the way that they approach their teaching, which in turn can affect learner learning. There is also some evidence that helping teachers examine and develop their conceptions of teaching may be more effective and have more impact on learner learning than other forms of faculty development.

Take‐home messages

Different conceptions of teaching seem to be more or less appropriate in different teaching situations and contexts. It is likely that the more ways in which teachers can conceptualise and reflect on what they are doing, and why, the more adaptable, responsive and effective their teaching will be. Teachers have much to gain from learning more about themselves, their values and assumptions, and how these can influence their practice. This article offers a practical approach aimed at helping them to achieve this.

A teacher's conceptions of teaching affect the way that they approach their teaching
Prevalence and causes of hearing impairment in Fundong Health District, North‐West Cameroon
Authors: Ferrite Silvia , Mactaggart Islay , Kuper Hannah , Oye Joseph , Polack Sarah
Published: January 2017

Objective

To estimate the prevalence and causes of hearing impairment in Fundong Health District, North‐West Cameroon.

Methods

We selected 51 clusters of 80 people (all ages) through probability proportionate to size sampling. Initial hearing screening was undertaken through an otoacoustic emission (OAE) test. Participants aged 4+ years who failed this test in both ears or for whom an OAE reading could not be taken underwent a manual pure‐tone audiometry (PTA) screening. Cases of hearing impairment were defined as those with pure‐tone average ≥41 dBHL in adults and ≥35 dBHL in children in the better ear, or children under age 4 who failed the OAE test in both ears. Each case with hearing loss was examined by an ear, nose and throat nurse who indicated the main likely cause.

Results

We examined 3567 (86.9%) of 4104 eligible people. The overall prevalence of hearing impairment was 3.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.8–4.6). The prevalence was low in people aged 0–17 (1.1%, 0.7–1.8%) and 18–49 (1.1%, 0.5–2.6%) and then rose sharply in people aged 50+ (14.8%, 11.7–19.1%). Among cases, the majority were classified as moderate (76%), followed by severe (15%) and profound (9%). More than one‐third of cases of hearing impairment were classified as unknown (37%) or conductive (37%) causes, while sensorineural causes were less common (26%).

Conclusions

Prevalence of hearing impairment in North‐West Cameroon is in line with the WHO estimate for sub‐Saharan Africa. The majority of cases with known causes are treatable, with impacted wax playing a major role.
High prevalence of diabetes and anthropometric heterogeneity among tuberculosis patients in Pakistan
Authors: Aftab Huma , Ambreen Atiqa , Jamil Mohammad , Garred Peter , Petersen Jørgen H. , Nielsen Susanne D. , Bygbjerg Ib C. , Christensen Dirk L.
Published: January 2017

Background

In Pakistan, the prevalence of diabetes (DM) among adults is 6.9% and expected to double by 2040. DM may facilitate transmission and halter the elimination of tuberculosis (TB). We aimed to determine the prevalence of DM among patients with TB in Pakistan, and to investigate anthropometric biochemical and haemodynamic associations between TB patients with and without DM.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study at Gulab Devi Chest Hospital in Lahore, Punjab. A total of 3027 newly diagnosed smear‐positive TB patients ≥25 years of age were screened for DM by HbA1c regardless of previous DM history.

Results

The prevalence of screen‐detected DM and known DM among the TB participants was 13.5% and 26.1%, respectively, resulting in a combined DM prevalence of 39.6%. Most participants were male (64.4%). Using bivariate analyses, participants with DM were significantly older (49.8 vs. 40.6 years) with higher haemoglobin (men, 12.1 vs. 11.8 g/dl, women 11.5 vs. 10.7 g/dl), body mass index (21.0 vs. 17.6 kg/m2) and waist–hip ratio (men, 0.87 vs. 0.81, women, 0.87 vs. 0.79) (all P < 0.05) than participants without DM. Stratifying by screen‐detected and known DM, these differences remained significant when using multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

We report a high prevalence of DM among patients with TB who may be anthropometrically and biochemically distinct from TB patients without DM, and this heterogeneity further transcends the different DM groups.
Corrigendum: Analytic representation theory of Lie groups: general theory and analytic globalizations of Harish-Chandra modules
Authors: Gimperlein Heiko , Krötz Bernhard , Schlichtkrull Henrik
Published: January 2017

We correct the proof of the main result of the paper, Theorem 5.7. Our corrected proof relies on weaker versions of a number of intermediate results from the paper. The original, more general, versions of these statements are not known to be true.
APPLICABLE LAW TO DISTRIBUTION CONTRACTS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION REGULATION 593/2008 (ROME I)
Authors: Martínez-Luna William Fernando
Published: January 2017

La ley aplicable al contrato internacional de distribución en la Unión Europea presentó muchas dificultades bajo la aplicación del Convenio de Roma de 1980, pues esta norma jurídica uniforme requería, para establecer la ley aplicable al contrato internacional, identificar la prestación característica de esa relación jurídica. La prestación característica del contrato de distribución no pudo ser determinada de manera uniforme, pues unos tribunales de los Estados parte entendían que la llevaba a cabo el distribuidor; otros sostenían que era el concedente de las mercancías; mientras que otros consideraban que a este contrato no podía establecérsele una prestación característica. El Reglamento Roma I de la Unión Europea ha hecho importantes modificaciones en cuanto a la determinación de la ley aplicable a este contrato, pues ha establecido de manera rígida y directa, que a esta relación jurídica le sea aplicable la ley de la residencia habitual del distribuidor. El presente artículo pretende analizar si la determinación rígida de la ley aplicable al contrato de distribución en el Reglamento de la Unión Europea Roma I logra solucionar los problemas interpretativos presentados en el Convenio de Roma de 1980, para otorgar seguridad jurídica mediante la previsibilidad de la ley aplicable al contrato internacional.
LA CONSTITUCIÓN DEL DERECHO INTERNACIONAL, EL SUEÑO DE UN REDUCTO JURÍDICO OCCIDENTAL
Authors: Benavides-Casals María Angélica
Published: January 2017

Una discusión —occidental— sobre la existencia de una constitución o constitucionalización del derecho internacional, nos lleva en primer término a plantear el fundamento de validez de ese derecho, que sea plausible según el desarrollo actual de la sociedad internacional, considerando las diferencias entre los ordenamientos jurídicos y culturas de los sujetos que la forman, sumado al fenómeno de la globalización. Luego entramos en una discusión sobre la existencia, la necesidad y la posibilidad de una constitución y constitucionalización del derecho internacional.
RESPONSABILIDAD DEL SUPERIOR JERÁRQUICO Y RESPONSABILIDAD PENAL POR OMISIÓN DE MIEMBROS DE LA FUERZA PÚBLICA EN COLOMBIA: ¿CONVERGENCIA ENTRE EL DERECHO PENAL NACIONAL E INTERNACIONAL?
Authors: Cote-Barco Gustavo Emilio
Published: January 2017

Desde el 4 de septiembre de 2012, cuando oficialmente inició el proceso de paz entre el gobierno colombiano y las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, se ha hecho referencia en varios contextos a la doctrina de responsabilidad del superior jerárquico. Sin embargo, es importante diferenciar, por un lado, el ámbito de aplicación de esta doctrina tal como ha sido desarrollada en el Derecho Penal Internacional y, por otro lado, el régimen de responsabilidad por omisión según el Código Penal colombiano (CPC). El presente trabajo explora las formas de responsabilidad penal y las hipótesis fácticas que la doctrina de responsabilidad del superior abarca. También analiza algunas decisiones judiciales colombianas sobre la responsabilidad penal por omisión de miembros de la Fuerza Pública (en especial con relación al artículo 25 CPC) y discute algunos problemas dogmáticos que se han presentado en estos casos. Al respecto, sostiene que la doctrina de responsabilidad del superior y el artículo 25 CPC solo coinciden parcialmente y que en el ordenamiento jurídico interno es necesario recurrir también a tipos penales de omisión propia para cubrir algunas hipótesis que sí podrían ser cubiertas por la doctrina de responsabilidad del superior como ha sido definida, por ejemplo, en el Estatuto de Roma. Finalmente, se llama la atención sobre la importancia de no confundir los dos ámbitos de responsabilidad para no reproducir en el sistema jurídico colombiano algunos de los problemas que se han presentado en el contexto del Derecho Internacional.
Effects of annealing on top-gated MoS2 transistors with HfO2 dielectric
Authors: Zhao Peng , Azcatl Angelica , Bolshakov Pavel , Moon Jiyoung , Hinkle Christopher L. , Hurley Paul K. , Wallace Robert M. , Young Chadwin D.
Published: January 2017

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted intensive attention due to their atomic layer-by-layer structure and moderate energy bandgap. However, top-gated transistors were only reported in a limited number of research works, especially transistors with a high-k gate dielectric that are thinner than 10 nm because high-k dielectrics are difficult to deposit on the inert surface of the sulfide-based TMDs. In this work, the authors fabricated and characterized top-gated, few-layer MoS2 transistors with an 8 nm HfO2 gate dielectric. The authors show that the cleaning effect of ultrahigh vacuum annealing before high-k deposition results in significantly reduced gate leakage current of HfO2, and they show that N2 or a forming gas anneal after device fabrication affects the threshold voltage, drive current, dielectric leakage, and C-V frequency dependence. This work demonstrates how the fabrication process can affect the yield and the electrical characterization of top-gated TMD transistors, which in effect can help researchers further enhance the performance of their devices.
Your self-driving car could kill radio astronomy
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: January 2017

Emerging technologies pose challenges to observatories.
A half-billion-dollar bid to head off emerging diseases
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: January 2017

Nascent vaccine coalition has funds and early targets.
Taming rabies
Authors: Stokstad Erik
Published: January 2017

The best way to stop people from dying of rabies is to protect dogs. Can that strategy work in the world's poorest countries?
Distortion of histone octamer core promotes nucleosome mobilization by a chromatin remodeler
Authors: Sinha Kalyan K. , Gross John D. , Narlikar Geeta J.
Published: January 2017

Deformation powers the nucleosome slide

In eukaryotes, DNA is packed onto nucleosomes. For transcription factors and other proteins to gain access to DNA, nucleosomes must be moved out of the way, or “remodeled”—but not disassembled. Nucleosomes are composed of histone protein octamers, the cores of which have generally been considered to be fairly rigid. Sinha
et al.
used nuclear magnetic resonance and protein cross-linking to show that one of the enzyme complexes that remodel nucleosomes, SNF2h, is able to distort the histone octamer (see the Perspective by Flaus and Owen-Hughes). Nucleosome deformation was important for this remodeler to be able to slide nucleosomes out of the way.

Science
, this issue p.
10.1126/science.aaa3761
; see also p.
245
Root diffusion barrier control by a vasculature-derived peptide binding to the SGN3 receptor
Authors: Doblas Verónica G. , Smakowska-Luzan Elwira , Fujita Satoshi , Alassimone Julien , Barberon Marie , Madalinski Mathias , Belkhadir Youssef , Geldner Niko
Published: January 2017

Keeping roots water-tight

The Casparian strip provides a waterproofing function to plant roots, protecting them against unregulated influxes of water and minerals. The integrity of the Casparian strip depends on a receptor-like kinase. Doblas
et al.
and Nakayama
et al.
now identify the peptide ligands in the core of the root (the stele) that help regulate Casparian strip formation. The receptor is expressed on the outward-facing surface of the root endodermal cells that surround the stele. When the endodermal layer is sealed by the Casparian strip, the peptide ligands cannot reach their receptors. When the endodermal layer is breached, whether by damage or during development, the peptides reach their receptors and activate signaling that encourages lignin deposition, shoring up the strips.

Science
, this issue p.
280
, p.
284
Unlocking the nucleosome
Authors: Flaus Andrew , Owen-Hughes Tom
Published: January 2017

Both DNA and histones flex to undergo remodeling
Everyone should try
Authors: Berg Jeremy
Published: January 2017

The new year brings opportunities to think creatively about finding solutions to difficult problems. It's a chance to affirm that although views may differ dramatically, we should try to work effectively with one another. My namesake believed in this. Jeremy Stone, the long-time president of the Federation of American Scientists, passed away on 1 January at the age of 81. As a graduate student, Stone attended mathematics classes taught by my father, and he and his wife Betty Jane (B.J.) Stone, also a distinguished mathematician and statistician, babysat my brother and me. Stone's career followed a remarkable and unusual path for a scientist—indeed, for anyone—and highlights how individuals with training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can contribute to society in diverse and profound ways.
Rapid and Specific Detection of the Escherichia coli Sequence Type 648 Complex within Phylogroup F
Authors: Johnson James R. , Johnston Brian D. , Gordon David M.
Published: January 2017

The
Escherichia coli
sequence type 648 complex (STc648) is an emerging lineage within phylogroup F—formerly included within phylogroup D—that is associated with multidrug resistance. Here, we designed and validated a novel multiplex PCR-based assay for STc648 that took advantage of (i) four distinctive single-nucleotide polymorphisms in
icd
allele 96 and
gyrB
allele 87, two of the multilocus sequence typing alleles that define ST648; and (ii) the typical absence within STc648 of
uidA
, an
E. coli
-specific gene encoding β-glucuronidase. Within a diverse 212-strain validation set that included 109 STs other than STc648, from phylogroups A, B1, B2, C, D, E, and F, the assay exhibited 100% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI], 82% to 100%) and specificity (95% CI, 98% to 100%). It functioned similarly well in two distant laboratories that used boiled lysates or DNAzol-purified DNA as the template DNA. Thus, this novel multiplex PCR-based assay should enable any laboratory equipped for diagnostic PCR to rapidly, accurately, and economically screen
E. coli
isolates for membership in STc648.
Human Rhinovirus Diversity and Evolution: How Strange the Change from Major to Minor
Authors: Lewis-Rogers Nicole , Seger Jon , Adler Frederick R.
Published: January 2017

Rhinoviruses are the most common causes of the common cold. Their many distinct lineages fall into “major” and “minor” groups that use different cell surface receptors to enter host cells. Minor-group rhinoviruses are more immunogenic in laboratory studies, although their patterns of transmission and their cold symptoms are broadly similar to those of the major group. Here we present evolutionary evidence that minor-group viruses are also more immunogenic in humans. A key finding is that rates of amino acid substitutions at exposed sites in the capsid proteins VP2, VP3, and VP1 tend to be elevated in minor-group relative to major-group viruses, while rates at buried sites show no consistent differences. A reanalysis of historical virus watch data also indicates a higher immunogenicity of minor-group viruses, consistent with our findings about evolutionary rates at amino acid positions most directly exposed to immune surveillance. The increased immunogenicity and speed of evolution in minor-group lineages may contribute to the very large numbers of rhinovirus serotypes that coexist while differing in virulence.

IMPORTANCE
Most colds are caused by rhinoviruses (RVs). Those caused by a subset known as the minor-group members of rhinovirus species A (RV-A) are correlated with the inception and aggravation of asthma in at-risk populations. Genetically, minor-group viruses are similar to major-group RV-A, from which they were derived, although they tend to elicit stronger immune responses. Differences in their rates and patterns of molecular evolution should be highly relevant to their epidemiology. All RV-A strains show high rates of amino acid substitutions in the capsid proteins at exposed sites not previously identified as being immunogenic, and this increase is significantly greater in minor-group viruses. These findings will inform future studies of the recently discovered RV-C, which also appears to exacerbate asthma in adults and children. In addition, these findings draw attention to the difficult problem of explaining the long-term coexistence of many serotypes of major- and minor-group RVs.
The V3 Loop of HIV-1 Env Determines Viral Susceptibility to IFITM3 Impairment of Viral Infectivity
Authors: Wang Yimeng , Pan Qinghua , Ding Shilei , Wang Zhen , Yu Jingyou , Finzi Andrés , Liu Shan-Lu , Liang Chen
Published: January 2017

Interferon-inducible transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) inhibit a broad spectrum of viruses, including HIV-1. IFITM proteins deter HIV-1 entry when expressed in target cells and also impair HIV-1 infectivity when expressed in virus producer cells. However, little is known about how viruses resist IFITM inhibition. In this study, we have investigated the susceptibilities of different primary isolates of HIV-1 to the inhibition of viral infectivity by IFITMs. Our results demonstrate that the infectivity of different HIV-1 primary isolates, including transmitted founder viruses, is diminished by IFITM3 to various levels, with strain AD8-1 exhibiting strong resistance. Further mutagenesis studies revealed that HIV-1 Env, and the V3 loop sequence in particular, determines the extent of inhibition of viral infectivity by IFITM3. IFITM3-sensitive Env proteins are also more susceptible to neutralization by soluble CD4 or the 17b antibody than are IFITM3-resistant Env proteins. Together, data from our study suggest that the propensity of HIV-1 Env to sample CD4-bound-like conformations modulates viral sensitivity to IFITM3 inhibition.

IMPORTANCE
Results of our study have revealed the key features of the HIV-1 envelope protein that are associated with viral resistance to the IFITM3 protein. IFITM proteins are important effectors in interferon-mediated antiviral defense. A variety of viruses are inhibited by IFITMs at the virus entry step. Although it is known that envelope proteins of several different viruses resist IFITM inhibition, the detailed mechanisms are not fully understood. Taking advantage of the fact that envelope proteins of different HIV-1 strains exhibit different degrees of resistance to IFITM3 and that these HIV-1 envelope proteins share the same domain structure and similar sequences, we performed mutagenesis studies and determined the key role of the V3 loop in this viral resistance phenotype. We were also able to associate viral resistance to IFITM3 inhibition with the susceptibility of HIV-1 to inhibition by soluble CD4 and the 17b antibody that recognizes CD4-binding-induced epitopes.
Recombinant Adenoviruses Displaying Matrix 2 Ectodomain Epitopes on Their Fiber Proteins as Universal Influenza Vaccines
Authors: Tang Xinying , Yang Yong , Xia Xiaoli , Zhang Chao , Yang Xi , Song Yufeng , Dai Xinyi , Wang Min , Zhou Dongming
Published: January 2017

Influenza is a zoonotic disease that poses severe threats to public health and the global economy. Reemerging influenza pandemics highlight the demand for universal influenza vaccines. We developed a novel virus platform using extracellular domain IV of the matrix 2 protein (M2e), AdC68-F3M2e, by introducing three conserved M2e epitopes into the HI loop of the chimpanzee adenovirus (AdV) fiber protein. The M2e epitopes were expressed sufficiently on the AdV virion surface without affecting fiber trimerization. Additionally, one recombinant adenovirus, AdC68-F3M2e(H1-H5-H7), induced robust M2e-specific antibody responses in BALB/c mice after two sequential vaccinations and conferred efficient protection against homologous and heterologous influenza virus (IV) challenges. We found that the use of AdV with tandem M2e epitopes in fiber is a potential strategy for influenza prevention.

IMPORTANCE
Influenza epidemics and pandemics severely threaten public health. Universal influenza vaccines have increasingly attracted interest in recent years. Here, we describe a new strategy that incorporates triple M2e epitopes into the fiber protein of chimpanzee adenovirus 68. We optimized the process of inserting foreign genes into the AdC68 structural protein by one-step isothermal assembly and demonstrated that this 225-bp HI loop insertion could be well tolerated. Furthermore, two doses of adjuvant-free fiber-modified AdC68 could confer sufficient protection against homologous and heterologous influenza virus infections in mice. Our results show that AdC68-F3M2e could be pursued as a novel universal influenza vaccine.
Bacterial Lysis through Interference with Peptidoglycan Synthesis Increases Biofilm Formation by Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae
Authors: Marti Sara , Puig Carmen , Merlos Alexandra , Viñas Miguel , de Jonge Marien I. , Liñares Josefina , Ardanuy Carmen , Langereis Jeroen D.
Published: January 2017

Most, if not all, bacteria form a biofilm, a multicellular structure that protects them from antimicrobial actions of the host immune system and affords resistance to antibiotics. The latter is especially disturbing with the increase in multiresistant bacterial clones worldwide. Bacterial biofilm formation is a multistep process that starts with surface adhesion, after which attached bacteria divide and give rise to biomass. The actual steps required for
Haemophilus influenzae
biofilm formation are largely not known. We show that interference with peptidoglycan biosynthesis increases biofilm formation because of the release of bacterial genomic DNA. Subinhibitory concentrations of β-lactam antibiotics, which are often prescribed to treat
H. influenzae
infections, increase biofilm formation through a similar mechanism. Therefore, when β-lactam antibiotics do not reach their MIC
in vivo
, they might not only drive selection for β-lactam-resistant clones but also increase biofilm formation and resistance to other antimicrobial compounds.
Household expenditures on pneumonia and diarrhoea treatment in Ethiopia: a facility-based study
Authors: Memirie Solomon Tessema , Metaferia Zewdu Sisay , Norheim Ole F , Levin Carol E , Verguet Stéphane , Johansson Kjell Arne
Published: January 2017

Background

Out-of-pocket (OOP) medical payments can lead to catastrophic health expenditure and impoverishment. We quantified household OOP expenditure for treatment of childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea and its impact on poverty for different socioeconomic groups in Ethiopia.

Methods

This study employs a mix of retrospective and prospective primary household data collection for direct medical and non-medical costs (2013 US$). Data from 345 pneumonia and 341 diarrhoea cases (0–59 months of age) were collected retrospectively through exit interviews from 35 purposively sampled health facilities in Ethiopia. Prospective 2-week follow-up interviews were conducted at the household level using a structured questionnaire.

Results

The mean total medical expenditures per outpatient visit were US$8 for pneumonia and US$6 for diarrhoea, while the mean for inpatient visits was US$64 for severe pneumonia and US$79 for severe diarrhoea. The mean associated direct non-medical costs (mainly transport costs) were US$2, US$2, US$13 and US$20 respectively. 7% and 6% of the households with a case of severe pneumonia and severe diarrhoea, respectively, were pushed below the extreme poverty threshold of purchasing power parity (PPP) US$1.25 per day. Wealthier and urban households had higher OOP payments, but poorer and rural households were more likely to be impoverished due to medical payments.

Conclusions

Households in Ethiopia incur considerable costs for the treatment of childhood diarrhoea and pneumonia with catastrophic consequences and impoverishment. The present circumstances call for revisiting the existing health financing strategy for high-priority services that places a substantial burden of payment on households at the point of care.
Pectus excavatum: congenital thoracic deformity in cats
Authors: Charlesworth Tim
Published: January 2017

Pectus excavatum is an unusual congenital condition and, as such, there is a relative paucity of published information concerning the condition in companion animals. Pectus excavatum is more commonly reported in cats than dogs and so this article will discuss the presentation, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this unusual condition in feline patients.
Lactoferrin inhibits melanogenesis by down-regulating MITF in melanoma cells and normal melanocytes
Authors: Ishii Nanase , Ryu Mizuyuki , Suzuki Yasushi A.
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bovine lactoferrin (bLf) on melanin-producing cells and to elucidate its mechanism of action. We tested the anti-melanogenic effect of bLf on a 3-dimensional cultured pigmentation skin model and confirmed a 20% reduction in pigmentation, suggesting that bLf was transdermally absorbed and it suppressed melanin production. Treatment of human melanoma cells with bLf resulted in a significant, dose-dependent suppression of melanin production. Apo-bLf and holo-bLf suppressed melanogenesis to the same degree as bLf. The key feature behind this anti-melanogenic effect of bLf was the down-regulation of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), leading to the suppression of tyrosinase activity. Treatment with bLf resulted in both decreased expression of MITF mRNA and enhanced degradation of MITF protein. However, the primary effector was enhanced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), leading to the phosphorylation and degradation of MITF. Our finding that bLf suppresses melanin production in melanocytes indicates that bLf is a possible candidate for application as a skin-whitening agent.
Protein–surfactant interactions between bovine lactoferrin and sophorolipids under neutral and acidic conditions
Authors: Matsumiya Kentaro , Suzuki Yasushi A. , Hirata Yoshihiko , Nambu Yuko , Matsumura Yasuki
Published: January 2017

To understand the protein–surfactant interactions between naturally derived sophorolipids (SLs) and bovine lactoferrin (bLf), we carried out spectroscopic, microscopic, and biochemical experiments under weakly acidic and neutral pH conditions. Particle size analysis, microscopy, and enzymatic digestion indicated that bLf and SLs interact with each other to form sheet-like and small aggregated structures reflecting the original self-organization of SLs at pH 5.0 and 7.0, respectively. Circular dichroism (CD) showed that SLs did not significantly affect the secondary structure of bLf.
Exotic earthworm (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) assemblages on a landscape scale in central Canadian woodlands: importance of region and vegetation type
Authors: Choi Amy , Sackett Tara E. , Smith Sandy M. , Bellocq M. Isabel
Published: January 2017

A growing understanding about the impacts of earthworms (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) on ecosystem processes and forest restoration necessitates an examination of their role in Canadian forests where they have become invasive. Little is known about the landscape-scale responses of earthworm populations to different regional characteristics and vegetation types within Canada’s central woodlands. We examined the regional variation of earthworm species richness, biomass, and assemblage composition across a range of four municipal regions (from south to north: Halton, Wellington, York, and Simcoe) and four habitat types (deciduous forest, mixed forest, tree plantation, and meadow) with varying soil characteristics in woodlands of south-central Ontario, Canada. In general, earthworm communities differed by region but not by habitat type. The most southern regions supported the highest earthworm species richness, biomass (i.e., Lumbricus and Octolasion), and density, and this was associated with a south–north gradient in soil characteristics. Assemblage composition differed by region but not by habitat type. The observed south–north gradient suggests an underlying effect of invasion spread associated with human settlement and density. Our results provide baseline information about earthworm communities in south-central Ontario forests and will enable managers to plan for the increasing role of earthworms in Canada’s future forests.
Bathymetric mapping of the coastal and offshore geology and structure of the Jurassic Coast, Weymouth Bay, UK
Authors: Sanderson David J. , Dix Justin K. , Westhead Keith R. , Collier Jenny S.
Published: January 2017

Four hundred square kilometres of 1 m binned, full coverage swath bathymetry data, integrated with similar resolution onshore topography, have been used to generate a seamless onshore to offshore bedrock map covering an extensive area adjacent to the ‘Jurassic Coast’ World Heritage site. Analysis of these data provides new insights into the structural development of the Purbeck Monocline Cenozoic inversion structure; in particular, variations in the expression of strain between the hanging-wall block and the fault inversion zone. The footwall to the basin-bounding faults compartmentalized deformation and uplift, and acted as a buttress to compression. The data also show a limited thickness changes within the major lithostratigraphical divisions, and a notable absence of basin-related extensional faulting in the offshore area that is in marked contrast to the more extensively studied onshore region. This indicates that prior to inversion, the basin evolved by intermittent activity on a few major extensional faults. This improved understanding of the development of the basin and inversion structures results from our ability to integrate and quantitatively manipulate these high-resolution and spatially extensive offshore and onshore datasets.
A Novel Synthesis of 1,2,3-Benzotriazinones from 2-(o-Aminophenyl)oxazolines
Authors: Rocha-Alonzo Fernando , Chávez Daniel , Ochoa-Terán Adrián , Morales-Morales David , Velázquez-Contreras Enrique F. , Parra-Hake Miguel
Published: January 2017

1,2,3-Benzotriazinones were synthesized in excellent yields by the reaction of 2-(o-aminophenyl)oxazolines and isoamyl nitrite in methanol. The crystal structure of the acetyl derivative of one of the 1,2,3-benzotriazinones provided additional support for the spectroscopic structural characterization of the title compounds.
A Case-Control Study of the Association between Polymorphisms in the Fibrinogen Alpha Chain Gene and Schizophrenia
Authors: Rao Wenwang , Zhou Na , Zhang Huiping , Liu Rui , Zhang Shangchao , Su Yingying , Yang Guang , Ma Yue , Shi Jieping , Yu Yaqin , Yu Qiong
Published: January 2017

Our previous studies using the mass spectrum analysis provided evidence that fibrinopeptide A (FPA) could be a potential biomarker for schizophrenia diagnosis. We sought further to demonstrate that variants in the fibrinogen alpha chain gene (FGA) coded FPA might confer vulnerability to schizophrenia. 1,145 patients with schizophrenia and 1,016 healthy volunteers from the Han population in Northeast China were recruited. The association of three tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2070011 in the 5′UTR, rs2070016 in intron 4, and rs2070022 in the 3′UTR) in FGA and schizophrenia was examined using a case-control study design. Genotypic distributions of these three SNPs were not found to be significantly different between cases and controls (rs2070011: χ2=1.28, P=0.528; rs2070016: χ2=4.11, P=0.128; rs2070022: χ2=1.23, P=0.541). There were also no significant differences in SNP allelic frequencies between cases and controls (all P>0.05). Additionally, the frequency of haplotypes consisting of alleles of these three SNPs was not significantly different between cases and healthy control subjects (global χ2=9.27, P=0.159). Our study did not show a significant association of FGA SNPs with schizophrenia. Future studies may need to test more FGA SNPs in a larger sample to identify those SNPs with a minor or moderate effect on schizophrenia.
Salmonella entericaSerotype Typhi Bacteremia Complicating Pregnancy in the Third Trimester
Authors: Guirguis George F. , Patel Krunal , Gittens-Williams Lisa , Apuzzio Joseph J. , Martimucci Kristina , Williams Shauna F.
Published: January 2017

Background.Salmonella entericaserotype Typhi (S.Typhi) is an anaerobic gram-negative enteric rod that causes infection when contaminated food or water is ingested and may cause illness in pregnancy.Case. This is a patient who presented at 31 weeks’ gestation with abdominal pain and fever and was diagnosed withS.Typhi bacteremia.Conclusion.S. Typhi should be considered in febrile patients with recent travel presenting with abdominal discomfort with or without elevated liver enzymes.
Evaluation of Metal Ion Concentration in Hard Tissues of Teeth in Residents of Central Poland
Authors: Wychowanski Piotr , Malkiewicz Konrad
Published: January 2017

Objectives. The aim of the study was an assessment of the content of trace elements in enamel and dentin of teeth extracted in patients residing in urban and agricultural areas of Poland. Methods. The study included 30 generally healthy patients with retained third molars. 65 samples of enamel and dentin from individuals living in urban areas and 85 samples of enamel and dentin from individuals living in agricultural areas were prepared. The content of manganese, lead, cadmium, and chromium in the studied enamel and dentin samples from retained teeth was determined by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. In the process of statistical hypothesis testing, the level of significance was assumed at α=0.05. Results. A comparative analysis of the data showed that enamel and dentin of inhabitants of industrialized areas contain significantly higher amounts of lead and cadmium than hard tissues of teeth in residents of agricultural areas and comparable amounts of manganese and chromium. Significance. It appears that hard tissues of retained teeth may constitute valuable material for assessment of long-term environmental exposure to metal ions. The study confirms that the risk of exposure to heavy metals depends on the place of residence and environmental pollution.
Effect of BMP-2 Delivery Mode on Osteogenic Differentiation of Stem Cells
Authors: Jung Taekhee , Lee John Hwan , Park Soonjung , Kim Yong-Jin , Seo Joseph , Shim Hye-Eun , Kim Ki-Suk , Jang Hyon-Seok , Chung Hyung-Min , Oh Seong-Geun , Moon Sung-Hwan , Kang Sun-Woong
Published: January 2017

Differentiation of stem cells is an important strategy for regeneration of defective tissue in stem cell therapy. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is a well-known osteogenic differentiation factor that stimulates stem cell signaling pathways by activating transmembrane type I and type II receptors. However, BMPs have a very short half-life and may rapidly lose their bioactivity. Thus, a BMP delivery system is required to take advantage of an osteoinductive effect for osteogenic differentiation. Previously, BMP delivery has been designed and evaluated for osteogenic differentiation, focusing on carriers and sustained release system for delivery of BMPs. The effect of the delivery mode in cell culture plate on osteogenic differentiation potential was not evaluated. Herein, to investigate the effect of delivery mode on osteogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs in this study, we fabricated bottom-up release and top-down release systems for culture plate delivery of BMP-2. And also, we selected Arg-Gly-Asp- (RGD-) conjugated alginate hydrogel for BMP-2 delivery because alginate is able to release BMP-2 in a sustained manner and it is a biocompatible material. After 7 days of culture, the bottom-up release system in culture plate significantly stimulated alkaline phosphate activity of human bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells. The present study highlights the potential value of the tool in stem cell therapy.
A Low-Field Temperature Dependent EPR Signal in Terraced MgO:Mn2+ Nanoparticles: An Enhanced Zeeman Splitting in the Wide-Bandgap Oxide
Authors: Pikhitsa Peter V. , Chae Sukbyung , Shin Seungha , Choi Mansoo
Published: January 2017

Mn2+ ion doping is used as an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) probe to investigate the influence of low-coordination structural defects such as step edges at the surface of terraced (001) MgO nanoparticles on the electronic properties. Beside the well-known hyperfine sextet of Mn2+ ions in the cubic crystal field of MgO, an additional EPR feature with a striking nonmonotonous temperature dependent shift of the g-factor is observed in terraced nanoparticles in the temperature range from 4 K to room temperature. By linking the difference in the temperature dependence of the Mn2+ sextet intensity in cubic and terraced nanoparticles with the possible s-d exchange shift and enhanced Zeeman splitting we conclude that the novel EPR feature originates from the loosely trapped charge-compensating carriers at the abundant structural defects at the surface of terraced nanoparticles due to their exchange interaction with neighboring Mn2+ ions.
Evaluations of Intravenous Administration of CD34+ Human Umbilical Cord Blood Cells in a Mouse Model of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Authors: Ohshima Makiko , Taguchi Akihiko , Sato Yoshiaki , Ogawa Yuko , Saito Satoshi , Yamahara Kenichi , Ihara Masafumi , Harada-Shiba Mariko , Ikeda Tomoaki , Matsuyama Tomohiro , Tsuji Masahiro
Published: January 2017

Several cell therapies have been explored as novel therapeutic strategies for neonatal encephalopathy because the benefits of current treatments are limited. We previously reported that intravenous administration of human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) CD34+ cells (hematopoietic stem cells/endothelial progenitor cells) at 48 h after insult exerts therapeutic effects in neonatal mice with stroke, i.e., permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Although neonatal stroke and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) are grouped under the term “neonatal encephalopathy,” their pathogenesis differs. However, little is known about the differences in the effects of the same treatment between these 2 diseases. In this study, we investigated whether the same treatment protocol exerts therapeutic effects in neonatal mice with HIE. The treatment significantly ameliorated the decreased cerebral blood flow in the ischemic penumbra. Although the cylinder and rotarod tests showed a trend of amelioration of behavioral impairments from the treatment, these were not statistically significant. Morphological brain injuries were not altered by treatment. The cell administration did not cause any adverse effects apart from hyperactivity in the open-field test. Some of these findings are consistent with the results obtained in our previous study using a stroke model, but others are not. This study suggests that the treatment protocol needs to be optimized for each pathological condition.
Real-Time Ultrasound-Guided Catheter Navigation for Approaching Deep-Seated Brain Lesions: Role of Intraoperative Neurosonography with and without Fusion with Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Manjila Sunil , Karhade Aditya , Phi Ji Hoon , Scott R. Michael , Smith Edward R.
Published: January 2017

Background/Aims: Brain shift during the exposure of cranial lesions may reduce the accuracy of frameless stereotaxy. We describe a rapid, safe, and effective method to approach deep-seated brain lesions using real-time intraoperative ultrasound placement of a catheter to mark the dissection trajectory to the lesion. Methods: With Institutional Review Board approval, we retrospectively reviewed the radiographic, pathologic, and intraoperative data of 11 pediatric patients who underwent excision of 12 lesions by means of this technique. Results: Full data sets were available for 12 lesions in 11 patients. Ten lesions were tumors and 2 were cavernous malformations. Lesion locations included the thalamus (n = 4), trigone (n = 3), mesial temporal lobe (n = 3), and deep white matter (n = 2). Catheter placement was successful in all patients, and the median time required for the procedure was 3 min (range 2-5 min). There were no complications related to catheter placement. The median diameter of surgical corridors on postresection magnetic resonance imaging was 6.6 mm (range 3.0-12.1 mm). Conclusions: Use of real-time ultrasound guidance to place a catheter to aid in the dissection to reach a deep-seated brain lesion provides advantages complementary to existing techniques, such as frameless stereotaxy. The catheter insertion technique described here provides a quick, accurate, and safe method for reaching deep-seated lesions.
Initiation and Cessation Timing of Renal Replacement Therapy in Patients with Type 1 Cardiorenal Syndrome: An Observational Study
Authors: Wu Buyun , Yan Wenyan , Li Xing , Kong Xiangqing , Yu Xiangbao , Zhu Yamei , Xing Changying , Mao Huijuan
Published: January 2017

Background/Aims: Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is a rescue therapy for patients with type 1 cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) with poor prognoses. However, the optimal timing for initiation and cessation of RRT remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal timing of initiation and cessation of RRT for patients with type 1 CRS. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, patients with refractory type 1 CRS receiving RRT were divided into 3 groups according to weaning from RRT and death within 90 days. Baseline characteristics, underlying heart disease, comorbidities, drug use before RRT, indicators of RRT initiation, and prognosis were compared between the 3 groups. Results: Fifty-two patients were enrolled, which included 27 males and 25 females with a mean age of 70.7 ± 16.1 years and a 90-day mortality rate of 65.4%. The mean urine output before RRT initiation was 800 mL/ 24 h in the RRT-independent group, 650 mL/24 h in the RRT-dependent group, and 345 mL/ 24 h in the death group (p = 0.021). Additionally, there were obvious differences in fluid balance between the 3 groups (167, 250, and 1,270 mL, respectively, p = 0.016). Patients could be successfully weaned from RRT when urine output was >880 mL and fluid balance volume was <150 mL. Conclusion: The mean fluid balance of survivors was remarkably less than that of the death group at RRT initiation. RRT termination can be considered when urine output is >880 mL/24 h and volume balance is <150 mL/24 h.
Spironolactone Treatment and Effect on Survival in Chronic Heart Failure Patients with Reduced Renal Function: A Propensity-Matched Study
Authors: Stubnova Viera , Os Ingrid , Grundtvig Morten , Atar Dan , Waldum-Grevbo Bård
Published: January 2017

Background/Aims: Spironolactone may be hazardous in heart failure (HF) patients with renal dysfunction due to risk of hyperkalemia and worsened renal function. We aimed to evaluate the effect of spironolactone on all-cause mortality in HF outpatients with renal dysfunction in a propensity-score-matched study. Methods: A total of 2,077 patients from the Norwegian Heart Failure Registry with renal dysfunction (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) not treated with spironolactone at the first visit at the HF clinic were eligible for the study. Patients started on spironolactone at the outpatient HF clinics (n = 206) were propensity-score-matched 1:1 with patients not started on spironolactone, based on 16 measured baseline characteristics. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the independent effect of spironolactone on 2-year all-cause mortality. Results: Propensity score matching identified 170 pairs of patients, one group receiving spironolactone and the other not. The two groups were well matched (mean age 76.7 ± 8.1 years, 66.4% males, and eGFR 46.2 ± 10.2 mL/min/1.73 m2). Treatment with spironolactone was associated with increased potassium (delta potassium 0.31 ± 0.55 vs. 0.05 ± 0.41 mmol/L, p < 0.001) and decreased eGFR (delta eGFR -4.12 ± 12.2 vs. -0.98 ± 7.88 mL/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.006) compared to the non-spironolactone group. After 2 years, 84% of patients were alive in the spironolactone group and 73% of patients in the non-spironolactone group (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.37-0.92, p = 0.020). Conclusion: In HF outpatients with renal dysfunction, treatment with spironolactone was associated with improved 2-year survival compared to well-matched patients not treated with spironolactone. Favorable survival was observed despite worsened renal function and increased potassium in the spironolactone group.