bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Study of Linear ARX and Nonlinear ANFIS Modeling of an Electro-Hydraulic Actuator System
Authors: Ling T. G. , Rahmat M. F. , Husain A. R.
Published: April 2014

The existence of a high degree of nonlinearity in Electro-Hydraulic Actuator (EHA) has imposed a challenge in development of a representable model for the system such as that significant control performance can be proposed. In this work, linear Autoregressive with Exogenous (ARX) model and nonlinear Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) model of an EHA system are obtained based on the mathematical model of the system. Linear ARX modeling technique has been widely applied on EHA system and satisfying result has been obtained. On the other hand, ANFIS modeling technique can model nonlinear system at high accuracy. Both models are validated offline using data set obtained and using different stimulus signals when doing online validation. Offline validation test shows that ANFIS model has 99.37% best fitting accuracy, which is more accurate than 93.75% in ARX model. ARX model fails in some online validation tests, while ANFIS model has been consistently accurate in all tests with RMSE lower than 0.25.
Dynamic Hysteresis Based Modeling Of Piezoelectric Actuators
Authors: Nafea M. Marwan , Mohamed Z. , M. Abdullahi Auwalu , Ahmad M. R. , Husain A. R.
Published: April 2014

Piezoelectric actuators are popularly applied as actuators in high precision systems due to their small displacement resolution, fast response and simple construction. However, the hysteresis nonlinear behavior limits the dynamic modeling and tracking control of piezoelectric actuators. This paper studies a dynamic model of a moving stage driven by piezoelectric stack actuator. The Bouc-Wen model is introduced and analyzed to express the nonlinear hysteresis term. Two triangular actuating voltages with frequency of 1 Hz and amplitudes of 80 V and 90 V are applied to drive the piezoelectric stack actuator. The results demonstrate the existence of the hysteresis phenomenon between the input voltage and the output displacement of the piezoelectric stack actuator, and validate the correctness of the model.
Coexisting Bi and Se surface terminations of cleaved Bi2Se3 single crystals
Authors: Hewitt Andrew S. , Wang Jingying , Boltersdorf Jon , Maggard Paul A. , Dougherty Daniel B.
Published: April 2014

Evidence for the coexistence of both Bi and Se terminations of the topological insulator Bi2Se3 is presented that is connected with details of sample storage and cleaving procedures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the Bi 4f core levels show a lower binding energy component indicative of metallic Bi near the sample surface. Single crystals stored and cleaved in high vacuum predominantly show the usual Se surface termination while those stored in air for long periods of time have a high probability for Bi termination. The different terminations have very different electronic structures as measured by angle resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. Our photoemission studies show the Se-terminated electronic structure can be recovered after annealing at 400 °C.
A Cell Culture–Derived MF59-Adjuvanted Pandemic A/H7N9 Vaccine Is Immunogenic in Adults
Authors: Bart Stephan A. , Hohenboken Matthew , Della Cioppa Giovanni , Narasimhan Vas , Dormitzer Philip R. , Kanesa-thasan Niranjan
Published: April 2014

An MF59-adjuvanted A/H7N9 candidate vaccine shows promise in the face of a possible A/H7N9 pandemic.
The Sum of One’s Parts? What Our Microbiomes Say About Us
Authors: Tsalik Ephraim L.
Published: April 2014

The human microbiome, as defined by microbial community types, reflects our experiences in ways that depend on anatomic location.
SYMPLICITY—Not as Simple as One, Two, Three
Authors: Kolandaivelu Kumaran
Published: April 2014

Extensive pre- and early clinical evidence indicated that renal sympathetic denervation effectively treats hypertension, yet the well-controlled SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial failed.
Alterations in Cholesterol Metabolism Restrict HIV-1
Trans
Infection in Nonprogressors
Authors: Rappocciolo Giovanna , Jais Mariel , Piazza Paolo , Reinhart Todd A. , Berendam Stella J. , Garcia-Exposito Laura , Gupta Phalguni , Rinaldo Charles R.
Published: April 2014

HIV-1-infected nonprogressors (NP) inhibit disease progression for years without antiretroviral therapy. Defining the mechanisms for this resistance to disease progression could be important in determining strategies for controlling HIV-1 infection. Here we show that two types of professional antigen-presenting cells (APC), i.e., dendritic cells (DC) and B lymphocytes, from NP lacked the ability to mediate HIV-1
trans
infection of CD4
+
T cells. In contrast, APC from HIV-1-infected progressors (PR) and HIV-1-seronegative donors (SN) were highly effective in mediating HIV-1
trans
infection. Direct
cis
infection of T cells with HIV-1 was comparably efficient among NP, PR, and SN. Lack of HIV-1
trans
infection in NP was linked to lower cholesterol levels and an increase in the levels of the reverse cholesterol transporter ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter A1) in APC but not in T cells. Moreover,
trans
infection mediated by APC from NP could be restored by reconstitution of cholesterol and by inhibiting ABCA1 by mRNA interference. Importantly, this appears to be an inherited trait, as it was evident in APC obtained from NP prior to their primary HIV-1 infection. The present study demonstrates a new mechanism wherein enhanced lipid metabolism in APC results in remarkable control of HIV-1
trans
infection that directly relates to lack of HIV-1 disease progression.

IMPORTANCE
HIV-1 can be captured by antigen-presenting cells (APC) such as dendritic cells and transferred to CD4 helper T cells, which results in greatly enhanced viral replication by a mechanism termed
trans
infection. A small percentage of HIV-1-infected persons are able to control disease progression for many years without antiretroviral therapy. In our study, we linked this lack of disease progression to a profound inability of APC from these individuals to
trans
infect T cells. This effect was due to altered lipid metabolism in their APC, which appears to be an inherited trait. These results provide a basis for therapeutic interventions to control of HIV-1 infection through modulation of cholesterol metabolism.
The Triphenylethylenes, a Novel Class of Antifungals
Authors: Odom Audrey R.
Published: April 2014

New antifungals are needed, particularly in the developing world, to treat life-threatening fungal infections, such as cryptococcosis. Drug repurposing is one strategy to identify new drug-like compounds, but it is often difficult to identify a mechanism of action. Here we discuss the outstanding effort by Butts et al. to identify calmodulin as an antifungal target of repurposed estrogen receptor antagonists [A. Butts, K. Koselny, Y. Chabrier-Roselló, C. P. Semighini, Y. C. S. Brown, et al., mBio 5(1):e00765-13, 2014, doi:10.1128/mBio.00765-13]. The authors show that these compounds bind to and directly inhibit fungal calmodulin and also reduce fungal burden in an animal disease model. These studies thus establish both the key preclinical efficacy and the antifungal mechanism of action, which will allow these compounds to progress toward development of novel antifungal therapies.
Immunotherapeutic Approaches To Prevent Cytomegalovirus-Mediated Disease
Authors: Seedah Edith A. , Frye Zachary P. , Maynard Jennifer A.
Published: April 2014

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the major cause of congenital neurological defects in the United States and also causes significant morbidity and mortality for hematopoietic and solid organ transplant patients. Primary infection in immunocompetent individuals rarely causes disease but resolves as a life-long latent infection, characterized by sustained antibody and cellular responses. Despite considerable efforts over the last 40 years to develop live attenuated and subunit vaccines, none is close to receiving regulatory approval. However, there is evidence that antibodies can prevent primary infection and cytotoxic T cells can suppress secondary infection. Prior maternal infection decreases the risk a fetus will contract CMV, while adoptive transfer of virus-specific CD8
+
T cells is highly protective against CMV disease in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. As a result, three polyclonal immunoglobulin preparations are approved for clinical use and one monoclonal antibody has reached phase III trials. Enhanced understanding of the viral life cycle from a biochemical perspective has revealed additional targets for neutralizing antibodies in the gH/gL/UL128-131 pentamer. Until an effective vaccine is licensed, passive immunotherapeutics may present an alternative to maintain viral loads and prevent CMV disease in susceptible populations. This review summarizes the progress and potential of immunotherapeutics to treat CMV infection.
The Basics of Cheesemaking
Authors: Kindstedt Paul S.
Published: April 2014

All cheeses have a common set of principles that involve a complex web of chemical, biochemical, and microbiological changes. These changes first transform milk into fresh or unripened cheese. Although some cheeses are consumed immediately after manufacture, most are subsequently aged or ripened for weeks to years depending on the variety. During aging or ripening, a cheese's sensory characteristics undergo multifaceted and often dramatic changes. The steps performed during the earliest days of the cheesemaking process are especially critical because they establish the chemical characteristics of the cheese at the start of ripening, and these characteristics in turn affect the ripening process. For most cheeses, the key process on the first day of cheesemaking is the fermentation of lactose to lactic acid by bacteria. The rate at which lactic acid is produced profoundly affects the initial chemical characteristics of the cheese, which selectively influence the complex microbial populations that find their way from the milk and surrounding environment into the cheese. This article discusses the basics of cheesemaking by integrating the practical steps that all cheesemakers use with the scientific principles on which those practices are based. The aim is to paint a conceptual picture in which the microbiology of cheese “fits together” with the basic practices of cheesemaking and the scientific principles that underlie them.
The Microbiology of Traditional Hard and Semihard Cooked Mountain Cheeses
Authors: Beuvier Eric , Duboz Gabriel
Published: April 2014

Traditional cheeses originate from complex systems that confer on them specific sensory characteristics. These characteristics are linked to various factors of biodiversity such as animal feed, the use of raw milk and its indigenous microflora, the cheese technology, and the ripening conditions, all in conjunction with the knowledge of the cheesemaker and affineur. In Europe, particularly in France, the preservation of traditional cheesemaking processes, some of which have protected designation of origin, is vital for the farming and food industry in certain regions. Among these cheeses, some are made in the Alps or Jura Mountains, including Comté, Beaufort, Abondance, and Emmental, which are made from raw milk. The principle of hard or semihard cooked cheese, produced in the Alps and Jura Mountains, was to make a product during the summer—a period during which the animals feed more and milk production is high—with a shelf life of several months that could be consumed in winter. Today, these traditional cheeses are produced according to a specific approach combining science and tradition in order to better understand and preserve the elements that contribute to the distinctiveness of these cheeses. To address this complex problem, a global approach to the role of the raw milk microflora in the final quality of cheeses was initially chosen. The modifications resulting from the elimination of the raw milk microflora, either by pasteurization or by microfiltration, to the biochemistry of the ripening process and ultimately the sensory quality of the cheeses were evaluated. This approach was achieved mainly with experimental hard cooked cheeses. Other types of traditional cheese made with raw and pasteurized milk are also considered when necessary. Besides the native raw milk microflora, traditional lactic starters (natural or wild starters) also participate in the development of the characteristics of traditional hard and semihard cooked mountain cheeses. After an initial description, their roles are described, mainly for Comté.
Regulated Expression Systems for Mycobacteria and Their Applications
Authors: Schnappinger Dirk , Ehrt Sabine
Published: April 2014

For bacterial model organisms like
Escherichia coli
and
Bacillus subtilis
, genetic tools to experimentally manipulate the activity of individual genes have existed for decades. But for genetically less tractable yet medically important bacteria such as
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, such tools have rarely been available. More recently, several groups developed genetic switches that function efficiently in
M. tuberculosis
and other mycobacteria. Together these systems utilize six transcription factors, eight regulated promoters, and three regulatory principles. In this chapter we describe their design features, review their main applications, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of regulating transcription, translation, or protein stability for controlling gene activities in bacteria.

Genetic elements that enable specific and quantitative control over the activity of individual genes are irreplaceable components of the modern genetic toolbox. They facilitate not only the purification of proteins for biochemical, structural, or immunological studies but can also be applied to improve our understanding of
in vivo
gene functions. Until recently, only one such tool was available for use in mycobacteria, and its applicability in slowly growing mycobacteria was limited. But during the last decade at least a dozen new systems have been developed. In this chapter we review the design, components, and regulatory mechanisms of the different systems and discuss their main applications.
Mycobacterium tuberculosisin the Proteomics Era
Authors: Gengenbacher Martin , Mouritsen Jeppe , Schubert Olga T. , Aebersold Ruedi , Kaufmann Stefan H. E.
Published: April 2014

The emerging field of proteomics has contributed greatly to improving our understanding of the human pathogenMycobacterium tuberculosisover the last two decades. In this chapter we provide a comprehensive overview of mycobacterial proteome research and highlight key findings. First, studies employing a combination of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry (MS) provided insights into the proteomic composition, initially of the whole bacillus and subsequently of subfractions, such as the cell wall, cytosol, and secreted proteins. Comparison of results obtained under various culture conditions, i.e., acidic pH, nutrient starvation, and low oxygen tension, aiming to mimic facets of the intracellular lifestyle ofM. tuberculosis,provided initial clues to proteins relevant for intracellular survival and manipulation of the host cell. Further attempts were aimed at identifying the biological functions of the hypotheticalM. tuberculosisproteins, which still make up a quarter of the gene products ofM. tuberculosis, and at characterizing posttranslational modifications. Recent technological advances in MS have given rise to new methods such as selected reaction monitoring (SRM) and data-independent acquisition (DIA). These targeted, cutting-edge techniques combined with a public database of specific MS assays covering the entire proteome ofM. tuberculosisallow the simple and reliable detection of any mycobacterial protein. Most recent studies attempt not only to identify but also to quantify absolute amounts of single proteins in the complex background of host cells without prior sample fractionation or enrichment. Finally, we will discuss the potential of proteomics to advance vaccinology, drug discovery, and biomarker identification to improve intervention and prevention measures for tuberculosis.
Structural Annotation of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Proteome
Authors: Chandra Nagasuma , Sandhya Sankaran , Anand Praveen
Published: April 2014

Efforts from the TB Structural Genomics Consortium together with those of tuberculosis structural biologists worldwide have led to the determination of about 350 structures, making up nearly a tenth of the pathogen's proteome. Given that knowledge of protein structures is essential to obtaining a high-resolution understanding of the underlying biology, it is desirable to have a structural view of the entire proteome. Indeed, structure prediction methods have advanced sufficiently to allow structural models of many more proteins to be built based on homology modeling and fold recognition strategies. By means of these approaches, structural models for about 2,877 proteins, making up nearly 70% of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
proteome, are available. Knowledge from bioinformatics has made significant inroads into an improved annotation of the
M. tuberculosis
genome and in the prediction of key protein players that interact in vital pathways, some of which are unique to the organism. Functional inferences have been made for a large number of proteins based on fold-function associations. More importantly, ligand-binding pockets of the proteins are identified and scanned against a large database, leading to binding site–based ligand associations and hence structure-based function annotation. Near proteome-wide structural models provide a global perspective of the fold distribution in the genome. New insights about the folds that predominate in the genome, as well as the fold combinations that make up multidomain proteins, are also obtained. This chapter describes the structural proteome, functional inferences drawn from it, and its applications in drug discovery.
Public Health Disease Surveillance Networks
Authors: Morse Stephen S.
Published: April 2014

Zoonotic infections are important sources of human disease; most known emerging infections are zoonotic (e.g., HIV, Ebola virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome, Nipah virus, and enteropathogenicEscherichia coli) and originated as natural infections of other species that acquired opportunities to come in contact with humans. There are also serious infectious diseases classically considered zoonotic, such as influenza, rabies, bubonic plague, brucellosis, and leptospirosis. More recently, it has been recognized that wildlife constitutes a particularly important source of novel zoonoses. With all this microbial movement, surveillance is considered the first line of public health defense. The zoonotic origin of many human and livestock infections argues strongly for the synergistic value of a One Health approach, which provides the capability to identify pathogens crossing into new species and could provide earlier warning of potential epidemics. This article discusses public health surveillance and major recent surveillance initiatives and reviews progress toward implementing a One Health surveillance framework. Networks discussed include global intergovernmental organizations and recent combined efforts of these organizations; Web-based nongovernmental systems (e.g., ProMED, the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases); and networks of bilateral or multilateral government programs (e.g., the CDC's Global Disease Detection [GDD] platform; the U.S. Department of Defense's Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System [GEIS]; regional and subregional networks; and the U.S. Agency for International Development's Emerging Pandemic Threats [EPT] program and its surveillance component, PREDICT). Syndromic surveillance also has potential to complement existing systems. New technologies are enabling revolutionary capabilities for global surveillance, but in addition to serious technical needs, both sustainability and data-sharing mechanisms remain challenges.
White-Nose Syndrome: Human Activity in the Emergence of an Extirpating Mycosis
Authors: Reynolds Hannah T. , Barton Hazel A.
Published: April 2014

In winter 2006, the bat population in Howe Cave, in central New York State, USA, contained a number of bats displaying an unusual white substance on their muzzles. The following year, numerous bats in four surrounding caves displayed unusual winter hibernation behavior, including day flying and entrance roosting. A number of bats were found dead and dying, and all demonstrated a white, powdery substance on their muzzles, ears, and wing membranes, which was later identified as the conidia of a previously undescribed fungal pathogen,
Geomyces destructans
. The growth of the conidia gave infected bats the appearance of having dunked their faces into powdered sugar. The disease was named white-nose syndrome and represents an emerging zoonotic mycosis, likely introduced through human activities, which has led to a precipitous decline in North American bat species.
Ecological Approaches to Studying Zoonoses
Authors: Loh Elizabeth H. , Murray Kris A. , Zambrana-Torrelio Carlos , Hosseini Parviez R. , Rostal Melinda K. , Karesh William B. , Daszak Peter
Published: April 2014

Concern over emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and a better understanding of their causes has resulted in increasing recognition of the linkages among human, animal, and ecosystem health. It is now well recognized that human activities can promote the emergence of infectious diseases through the large-scale modification of natural environments and inadvertent vectoring (e.g., international trade and travel). These perturbations can alter the ecological and evolutionary relationships among humans, wildlife, and the pathogens that move between them, resulting in disease emergence. In recent years, the rise in zoonotic EIDs has not only increased our awareness of the need for cross-sectoral collaborations, but has also highlighted the disconnect between current ecological theory and biological reality. As the One Health movement continues to gain steam, further integration of ecological approaches into the One Health framework will be required. We discuss the importance of ecological methods and theory to the study of zoonotic diseases by (i) discussing key ecological concepts and approaches, (ii) reviewing methods of studying wildlife diseases and their potential applications for zoonoses, and (iii) identifying future directions in the One Health movement.
Emergence of Influenza Viruses and Crossing the Species Barrier
Authors: Koçer Zeynep A. , Jones Jeremy C. , Webster Robert G.
Published: April 2014

Influenza A viruses are zoonotic pathogens that infect a variety of host species including wild aquatic birds, domestic poultry, and a limited number of mammals including humans. The error-prone nature of the virus's replication machinery and its ability to transmit among multiple hosts lead to generation of novel virus variants with altered pathogenicity and virulence. Spatial, molecular, and physiological barriers inhibit cross-species infections, particularly in the case of human infection with avian viruses. Pigs are proposed as a mixing vessel that facilitates movement of avian viruses from the wild bird reservoir into humans. However, the past decade has witnessed the emergence of highly pathogenic and virulent avian H5 and H7 viruses that have breached these barriers, bypassed the pig intermediate host, and infected humans with a high mortality rate, but have not established human-to-human transmissible lineages. Because influenza viruses pose a significant risk to both human and animal health, it is becoming increasingly important to attempt to predict their identities and pathogenic potential before their widespread emergence. Surveillance of the wild bird reservoir, molecular characterization and documentation of currently circulating viruses in humans and animals, and a comprehensive risk assessment analysis of individual isolates should remain a high priority. Such efforts are critical to the pursuit of prevention and control strategies, including vaccine development and assessment of antiviral susceptibility, that will have a direct impact on the well-being of humans and animals worldwide.
The Human-Animal Interface
Authors: Reperant Leslie A. , M. E. Osterhaus Albert D.
Published: April 2014

The human-animal interface is as ancient as the first bipedal steps taken by humans. Born with the human species, it has grown and expanded with the human species' prehistoric and historical development to reach the unprecedented scope of current times. Several facets define the human-animal interface, guiding the scope and range of human interactions with animal species. These facets have not ceased to evolve and expand since their emergence, all the more favoring disease emergence. Placing the human-animal interface in its historical perspective allows us to realize its versatile and dynamic nature. Changes in the scope and range of domestication, agriculture, urbanization, colonization, trade, and industrialization have been accompanied by evolving risks for cross-species transmission of pathogens. Because these risks are unlikely to decrease, improving our technologies to identify and monitor pathogenic threats lurking at the human-animal interface should be a priority.
Surveillance of Wildlife Diseases: Lessons from the West Nile Virus Outbreak
Authors: McNamara Tracey S. , McLean Robert G. , Saito Emi K. , Wolfe Peregrine L. , Gillin Colin M. , Fischer John R. , Ellis Julie C. , French Richard , Martin Patrick P. , Schuler Krysten L. , McRuer Dave , Clark Edward E. , Hines Megan K. , Marsh Cris , Szewczyk Victoria , Sladky Kurt , Yon Lisa , Hannant Duncan , Siemer William F.
Published: April 2014

The West Nile virus outbreak of 1999 revealed many weaknesses in this country's ability to respond to disease threats that cross species lines. There were issues of poor communication among human, domestic animal, and wildlife health agencies that delayed diagnosis; a lack of diagnostic capacity of wildlife agencies at the state level; the exclusion of captive wildlife from any surveillance efforts; an inability to visualize the geospatial relationship between the human and avian outbreaks in a timely manner; and marked disparities of funding levels across agencies. Wildlife has played an important role in recent emerging infectious diseases, and it is clear that a One Health approach will be necessary to respond to future threats. The question is, are we any better prepared to recognize and respond to a wildlife-related emerging infectious disease than we were 14 years ago? Have the lessons of WNV been learned?
Web-Based Surveillance Systems for Human, Animal, and Plant Diseases
Authors: Madoff Lawrence C. , Li Annie
Published: April 2014

The emergence of infectious diseases, caused by novel pathogens or the spread of existing ones to new populations and regions, represents a continuous threat to humans and other species. The early detection of emerging human, animal, and plant diseases is critical to preventing the spread of infection and protecting the health of our species and environment. Today, more than 75% of emerging infectious diseases are estimated to be zoonotic and capable of crossing species barriers and diminishing food supplies. Traditionally, surveillance of diseases has relied on a hierarchy of health professionals that can be costly to build and maintain, leading to a delay or interruption in reporting. However, Internet-based surveillance systems bring another dimension to epidemiology by utilizing technology to collect, organize, and disseminate information in a more timely manner. Partially and fully automated systems allow for earlier detection of disease outbreaks by searching for information from both formal sources (e.g., World Health Organization and government ministry reports) and informal sources (e.g., blogs, online media sources, and social networks). Web-based applications display disparate information online or disperse it through e-mail to subscribers or the general public. Web-based early warning systems, such as ProMED-mail, the Global Public Health Intelligence Network (GPHIN), and Health Map, have been able to recognize emerging infectious diseases earlier than traditional surveillance systems. These systems, which are continuing to evolve, are now widely utilized by individuals, humanitarian organizations, and government health ministries.
Making One Health a Reality—Crossing Bureaucratic Boundaries
Authors: Rubin Carol , Dunham Bernadette , Sleeman Jonathan
Published: April 2014

A One Health approach requires that nontraditional partners with differing mandates collaborate and communicate effectively. Barriers to such redefined relationships range from personality and institutional cultural and value differences to impediments that require changes in agency-specific policies. This article reviews interagency One Health collaborations, nationally and internationally. It presents a series of case studies that describe situations in which barriers were overcome, thus culminating in successful One Health outcomes. The case studies illustrate challenges, tipping points, and externally enabling factors that help institutionalize cross-bureaucratic working relationships. Likewise, the cases demonstrate the added value of taking a One Health approach to solving (or preventing) public health problems.
The Future of One Health
Authors: Atlas Ronald M. , Maloy Stanley
Published: April 2014

There are significant opportunities for improving human, animal, and environmental health by adopting a One Health approach. One Health approaches are likely to have a major impact on public health, with a focus on surveillance and upstream interventions that are likely to reap obvious and rapid benefits for the health of human populations. However, despite the obvious benefits, the barriers to achieving a comprehensive One Health approach are formidable given that education, research, diagnostics, surveillance, and funding for human medicine, veterinary medicine, and environmental health often exist as separate silos with limited exchange. These barriers must be overcome if the benefits of One Health are to be realized.
One Health and Food-Borne Disease:
Salmonella
Transmission between Humans, Animals, and Plants
Authors: Silva Claudia , Calva Edmundo , Maloy Stanley
Published: April 2014

There are >2,600 recognized serovars of
Salmonella enterica
. Many of these
Salmonella
serovars have a broad host range and can infect a wide variety of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. In addition,
Salmonella
can grow in plants and can survive in protozoa, soil, and water. Hence, broad-host-range
Salmonella
can be transmitted via feces from wild animals, farm animals, and pets or by consumption of a wide variety of common foods: poultry, beef, pork, eggs, milk, fruit, vegetables, spices, and nuts. Broad-host-range
Salmonella
pathogens typically cause gastroenteritis in humans. Some
Salmonella
serovars have a more restricted host range that is associated with changes in the virulence plasmid pSV, accumulation of pseudogenes, and chromosome rearrangements. These changes in host-restricted
Salmonella
alter pathogen-host interactions such that host-restricted
Salmonella
organisms commonly cause systemic infections and are transmitted between host populations by asymptomatic carriers. The secondary consequences of efforts to eliminate host-restricted
Salmonella
serovars demonstrate that basic ecological principles govern the environmental niches occupied by these pathogens, making it impossible to thwart
Salmonella
infections without a clear understanding of the human, animal, and environmental reservoirs of these pathogens. Thus, transmission of
S. enterica
provides a compelling example of the One Health paradigm because reducing human infections will require the reduction of
Salmonella
in animals and limitation of transmission from the environment.
Protein Targeting during
Bacillus subtilis
Sporulation
Authors: Dworkin Jonathan
Published: April 2014

The Gram-positive bacterium
Bacillus subtilis
initiates the formation of an endospore in response to conditions of nutrient limitation. The morphological differentiation that spores undergo initiates with the formation of an asymmetric septum near to one pole of the cell, forming a smaller compartment, the forespore, and a larger compartment, the mother cell. This process continues with the complex morphogenesis of the spore as governed by an intricate series of interactions between forespore and mother cell proteins across the inner and outer forespore membranes. Given that these interactions occur at a particular place in the cell, a critical question is how the proteins involved in these processes get properly targeted, and we discuss recent progress in identifying mechanisms responsible for this targeting.
Chance and Necessity in
Bacillus subtilis
Development
Authors: Mirouze Nicolas , Dubnau David
Published: April 2014

Bacillus subtilis
is an important model bacterium for the study of developmental adaptations that enhance survival in the face of fluctuating environmental challenges. These adaptations include sporulation, biofilm formation, motility, cannibalism, and competence. Remarkably, not all the cells in a given population exhibit the same response. The choice of fate by individual cells is random but is also governed by complex signal transduction pathways and cross talk mechanisms that reinforce decisions once made. The interplay of stochastic and deterministic mechanisms governing the selection of developmental fate on the single-cell level is discussed in this article.
Oesophageal papillomatosis, not amenable to endoscopic therapies, treated with oesophagectomy
Authors: Tanimu Sabo , Rafiullah  , Resnick Jeffrey , Onitilo Adedayo A
Published: April 2014

Oesophageal papillomatosis is a very rare entity, with only 10 cases (including ours) reported in the literature. We report a 51-year-old man with a 25-year history of dysphagia with solids and liquids who failed a trial of proton pump inhibitors and fluticasone. His initial endoscopy revealed a viliform mass with dense eosinophilic infiltrate without neoplasia. Endoscopic ultrasound examination revealed a 4×1.6×0.7 cm mucosal hemicircumferential lesion without regional adenopathy. Pathological findings from the oesophagectomy specimen confirmed oesophageal papillomatosis with no malignancy. Surveillance endoscopy 4 months later revealed the lesion had increased in size. Additional ablative therapies failed, and the patient underwent oesophagectomy. Surveillance CT of the chest and abdomen at 3 months and oesophagogastroduodenoscopy at 6 months were negative. This case illustrates that oesophageal squamous papillomatosis not amenable to medical therapy requires surgical treatment.
Molar pregnancy after tubal ligation in a patient with neuroendocrine tumour: when a rare condition coincides with an unexpected diagnosis
Authors: Semenya Afi Mansa , Roberts Caroline , Mounsey Anne
Published: April 2014

A 40-year-old woman with a history of bilateral tubal ligation and a recent diagnosis of metastatic neuroendocrine tumour in the liver presented with severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration. She had an inconclusive urine pregnancy test in the emergency department that was followed by an extremely high serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin. Transvaginal ultrasound, MRI and subsequent pathology from a dilation and curettage (D&C) revealed that the patient had a complete molar pregnancy. This is a case of an unusual patient who reminds us that one person can have a rare diagnosis and an unexpected obstetrical outcome. We could find no evidence in the medical literature of a causal link between these two diagnoses but present this case report of a reproductive age woman with neuroendocrine tumour and complete molar pregnancy. This case also serves as an example of the phenomenon of the ‘hook effect.’
Non-operative management of a grade IV pancreatic injury
Authors: Hiremath Bharati , Hegde Nishchit
Published: April 2014

Isolated pancreatic transection with ductal disruption in blunt abdominal trauma is extremely rare. We report the case of a 14-year-old boy who suffered pancreatic transection at the junction of body and head of the pancreas; yet remarkably recovered after initial conservative management. He was periodically examined clinically and underwent regular abdominal ultrasonography. Nearly 6 months later, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with pancreatic duct stenting, pancreatic sphincterotomy and cystogastrostomy for the pseudocyst diagnosed during the follow-up period was performed. Acute surgical management of pancreatic transection is fraught with high mortality and morbidity. Through this effort, we highlight the successful role of non-operative management of a haemodynamically stable patient with grade IV pancreatic injury, thereby avoiding radical surgery in the acute stage and preserving exocrine and endocrine function.
Low back pain in a diabetic on chronic haemodialysis: pyogenic spondylodiscitis
Authors: Ramcharan Kanterpersad , Conyette Liane , Mohammed Boris , Narine Ravi
Published: April 2014

Spondylodiscitis of the lumbar spine is described in a 67-year-old-man receiving chronic haemodialysis via a central venous catheter for diabetic nephropathy. He also had a forearm arteriovenous fistula created 1 month earlier. Clinical, MRI and surgical findings are described. The patient died despite spinal surgery and 1 month of antibiotic therapy from suspected pulmonary embolism. Early recognition by MRI or other imaging technique, prompt antibiotic therapy and often surgery are necessary for a successful outcome in this increasingly recognised complication in patients on chronic haemodialysis. Diabetes mellitus may be an added risk factor.
An idiopathic congenital chylothorax: surgery or conservative management?
Authors: Perisson Caroline , Nathan Nadia , Larroquet Michele , Corvol Harriet
Published: April 2014

A 3-month-old infant was admitted to the respiratory unit for dyspnoea and vomiting after her second DTaP-Polio vaccine shot. The chest X-rays showed a white right lung with a left mediastinal shift. A pleural aspiration assessed the diagnosis of chylothorax. A conservative treatment was initiated with a fat-free diet and pleural aspirations. As this treatment was ineffective, a total parenteral nutrition was started at day 11, plus increasing doses of Octreotide. As the chylothorax persisted at day 50, a pleuroperitoneal shunting was performed but a pleurodesis was finally necessary. The child was discharged from the hospital 6 weeks after the surgery. Ten months later, her physical and biological conditions were normal and her chest X-rays dramatically improved. This case highlights the difficult management of infant chylothorax. Although conservative treatment has to be tried first, surgical procedures as pleuroperitoneal shunting and rarely pleurodesis have to be discussed.
Current physical activity guidelines for health are insufficient to mitigate long-term weight gain: more data in the fitness versus fatness debate (The HUNT study, Norway)
Authors: Moholdt Trine , Wisløff Ulrik , Lydersen Stian , Nauman Javaid
Published: April 2014

Background

To promote and maintain health, all adults are recommended to do moderate-intensity aerobic activity a minimum of 30 min on 5 days, or vigorous-intensity activity of 20 min on 3 days, each week. Whether these levels prevent long-term weight gain is uncertain.

Objective

To assess the relationship between physical activity and long-term weight gain.

Study design

An observational prospective cohort study.

Methods

Weight and physical activity were measured in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study in 1984–1986, 1995–1997 and 2006–2008. Participants (n=19 127) were classified based on physical activity into inactive, below recommended level, recommended level or above recommended level. We carried out adjusted mixed model regression analyses with weight as outcome.

Results

Men maintaining physical activity above the recommendations for 33 years increased 5.6 kg, while inactive men increased 9.1 kg. For women, corresponding numbers were 3.8 kg in those above recommended physical activity levels, and 9.5 kg in inactive. In adjusted analyses, physical activity above the recommendations was associated with 2.1 kg (95% CI 1.8 to 2.4) less weight gain in men over any 11-year period, compared with inactive. Women exceeding the recommendations gained 1.8 kg (CI 1.5 to 2.2) less than inactive. Compared with inactive, the ORs of gaining meaningful weight of ≥2.3 kg were 0.79 (CI 0.69 to 0.91) and 0.70 (CI 0.60 to 0.81) if exceeding the recommendations in men and women, respectively.

Conclusions

Physical activity above the current recommendations for health benefits was associated with significantly lower risk of weight gain.
Diagnosing dying: an integrative literature review
Authors: Kennedy Catriona , Brooks-Young Patricia , Brunton Gray Carol , Larkin Phil , Connolly Michael , Wilde-Larsson Bodil , Larsson Maria , Smith Tracy , Chater Susie
Published: April 2014

Background

To ensure patients and families receive appropriate end-of-life care pathways and guidelines aim to inform clinical decision making. Ensuring appropriate outcomes through the use of these decision aids is dependent on timely use. Diagnosing dying is a complex clinical decision, and most of the available practice checklists relate to cancer. There is a need to review evidence to establish diagnostic indicators that death is imminent on the basis of need rather than a cancer diagnosis.

Aim

To examine the evidence as to how patients are judged by clinicians as being in the final hours or days of life.

Design

Integrative literature review.

Data sources

Five electronic databases (2001–2011): Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) on The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL. The search yielded a total of 576 hits, 331 titles and abstracts were screened, 42 papers were retrieved and reviewed and 23 articles were included.

Results

Analysis reveals an overarching theme of uncertainty in diagnosing dying and two subthemes: (1) ‘characteristics of dying’ involve dying trajectories that incorporate physical, social, spiritual and psychological decline towards death; (2) ‘treatment orientation’ where decision making related to diagnosing dying may remain focused towards biomedical interventions rather than systematic planning for end-of-life care.

Conclusions

The findings of this review support the explicit recognition of ‘uncertainty in diagnosing dying’ and the need to work with and within this concept. Clinical decision making needs to allow for recovery where that potential exists, but equally there is the need to avoid futile interventions.
The effect of air pollution on pneumonia-related emergency department visits in a region of extensive sugar cane plantations: a 30-month time-series study
Authors: Arbex Marcos Abdo , Pereira Luiz Alberto Amador , Carvalho-Oliveira Regiane , Saldiva Paulo Hilário do Nascimento , Braga Alfésio Luís Ferreira
Published: April 2014

Background

In Brazil, many cities are surrounded by sugar cane plantations, and when these plantations are burnt prior to harvesting, millions of people are exposed to the smoke from these fires from May to November every year.

Methods

A daily time-series regression analysis was conducted in a city located in the sugar cane plantation region of São Paulo State, Brazil, between 1 February 2005 and 31 July 2007. The percentage increase in the number of pneumonia-related emergency department visits (PEDV) associated with a 10 µg/m3increase in the total suspended particles (TSP) concentration was measured, including any effects that were delayed for up to 6 days.

Results

A total of 1505 PEDV (a median of two events per day) were analysed. During the burning period, there was an acute effect that began on the day of exposure and remained for 2 days. An increase of 6% (95% CI 2.4 to 9.9) in PEDV was observed for the 2 days following the TSP increase. This pattern and the size of the effect were similar to those observed for the whole period and also during the non-burning period.

Conclusions

Increases in TSP concentrations were found to be associated with increased PEDV in a region affected by air pollution from sugar cane burning. This finding reinforces the need for polices and efforts to ban sugar cane burning prior to harvesting.
Effect of resveratrol on exercise capacity: a randomized placebo-controlled crossover pilot study
Authors: Voduc Nha , la Porte Charles , Tessier Caroline , Mallick Ranjeeta , Cameron D. William
Published: April 2014

To assess the effect on exercise capacity and tolerability of resveratrol, 13 healthy, sedentary adult volunteers were enrolled in a randomized crossover study comparing resveratrol and placebo over two 4-week periods, with a 2-week time between periods when subjects received no treatment. No significant changes in exercise duration or aerobic capacity (peak oxygen uptake) were observed. Gastrointestinal side effects were more common during resveratrol treatment (77% vs. 15%, p = 0.0048). A small reduction in fasting glucose and small but statistically significant increases in liver enzymes, total cholesterol, and triglycerides were observed, although mean results remained within normal limits. There was no change in complete blood count, inflammatory markers, renal function, or other measures of liver function.
Influence of dietary nitrate on the physiological determinants of exercise performance: a critical review
Authors: Jones Andrew M.
Published: April 2014

Dietary nitrate supplementation, usually in the form of beetroot juice, has been heralded as a possible new ergogenic aid for sport and exercise performance. Early studies in recreationally active participants indicated that nitrate ingestion significantly reduces the O2cost of submaximal exercise and improves performance during high-intensity endurance exercise. Subsequent studies have begun to address the physiological mechanisms underpinning these observations and to investigate the human populations in whom, and the exercise conditions (high- vs. low-intensity, long- vs. short-duration, continuous vs. intermittent, normoxic vs. hypoxic) under which, nitrate supplementation may be beneficial. Moreover, the optimal nitrate loading regimen in terms of nitrate dose and duration of supplementation has been explored. Depending on these factors, nitrate supplementation has been shown to exert physiological effects that could be conducive to exercise performance enhancement, at least in recreationally active or sub-élite athletes. This article provides a “state-of-the-art” review of the literature pertinent to the evaluation of the efficacy of nitrate supplementation in altering the physiological determinants of sport and exercise performance.
Soil-buried pipeline interaction for vertical downwards relative offset
Authors: Kouretzis George P. , Krabbenhøft Kristian , Sheng Daichao , Sloan Scott W.
Published: April 2014

A new perspective is presented on the interaction effects for the vertical downwards offset of a pipeline relative to its surrounding soil. Instead of estimating the interaction force via shallow footing bearing capacity theory, as per common pipeline design practice, we assume that the vertical movement of the pipeline in uniform soil is governed by mechanisms similar to the lateral loading of a circular pile up to its limit load. The validity of this assumption is investigated numerically with the finite element limit analysis method, and design expressions are derived for the maximum interaction force on pipelines embedded in cohesive and granular soils. For the common case of buried pipelines built in sand-backfilled trenches, the same numerical method is employed to determine the necessary trench dimensions so as to avoid interaction with the possibly much stiffer native soil that results in a significant increase in the force applied on the pipeline during ground movement. The described approach can be employed in project-specific analyses to optimize trench dimensions, and thus avoid unnecessary excavation costs or mitigation measures.