bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pressure-dependent isotopic composition of iron alloys
Authors: Shahar A. , Schauble E. A. , Caracas R. , Gleason A. E. , Reagan M. M. , Xiao Y. , Shu J. , Mao W.
Published: April 2016

Iron isotopes constrain core chemistry

The overall composition of Earth's core is an important constraint on the chemistry and evolution of our planet's interior. A longstanding problem has been determining the minor element contribution to its predominately iron-nickel alloy. Based on the iron isotope fractionation of various iron alloys with pressure, Shahar
et al.
find that carbon and hydrogen are probably not primary components of the core. The fractionation occurs at the high pressures of core formation, suggesting that the stable iron isotope ratios of Earth are a new and independent constraint on core composition.

Science
, this issue p.
580
Structure of a bd oxidase indicates similar mechanisms for membrane-integrated oxygen reductases
Authors: Safarian Schara , Rajendran Chitra , Müller Hannelore , Preu Julia , Langer Julian D. , Ovchinnikov Sergey , Hirose Taichiro , Kusumoto Tomoichirou , Sakamoto Junshi , Michel Hartmut
Published: April 2016

Peering into a membrance oxidase

Microorganisms have evolved a number of enzymes to reduce oxygen and prevent oxidative stress. Cytochrome bd oxidases serve this role and also protect pathogenic bacteria from nitric acid; however, this class of enzymes so far has eluded high-resolution crystallography. Safarian
et al.
were able to resolve the three-dimensional structure of cytochrome bd oxidase from a thermophilic bacterium (see the Perspective by Cook and Poole). The overall structure and triangular arrangement of its heme cofactors bear little structural resemblance to those of other membrane-spanning oxidases, despite serving a similar function.

Science
, this issue p.
583
; see also p.
518
A fresh eye on nonequilibrium systems
Authors: Rupprecht Jean-Francois , Prost Jacques
Published: April 2016

A noninvasive probe reveals nonequilibrium behavior in systems at steady state
Monoclonal Antibodies to Different Components of the Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Pentamer gH/gL/pUL128L and Trimer gH/gL/gO as well as Antibodies Elicited during Primary HCMV Infection Prevent Epithelial Cell Syncytium Formation
Authors: Gerna Giuseppe , Percivalle Elena , Perez Laurent , Lanzavecchia Antonio , Lilleri Daniele
Published: April 2016

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) may cause disseminated/end-organ disease in congenitally infected newborns and immunosuppressed transplant recipients. Two glycoprotein complexes, gH/gL/gO and gH/gL/pUL128/pUL130/pUL131 (gH/gL/pUL128L; referred to as the pentamer), are required for HCMV entry into fibroblasts and endothelial/epithelial cells, respectively, in the presence of the viral fusion protein gB. In addition, gH/gL/gO was recently reported to also be required for infection of endothelial/epithelial cells. Virus entry into human fibroblasts involves fusion of the virus envelope with the plasma membrane, whereas entry into endothelial/epithelial cells involves macropinocytosis or endocytosis and low-pH-dependent fusion with endosomes. A large set of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), directed to gH, gB, and multiple components of the pentamer, was developed. In addition, novel anti-gO human monoclonal antibodies were recently isolated. It is known that epithelial cell infection with a wild HCMV strain at a high multiplicity of infection produces a large number of syncytia. Incubation of heavily HCMV VR1814-infected ARPE-19 epithelial cells with neutralizing MAbs to one, two, or three components of the pUL128L portion of the pentamer blocked syncytium formation at an antibody concentration of 10 μg/ml, whereas only a partial inhibitory effect was displayed for MAbs to gO, gH, or gB at the same concentration. A blocking effect was also exhibited by convalescent-phase sera from primary HCMV infections. These findings indicate that the pentamer is required for syncytium formation in epithelial cells.

IMPORTANCE
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) mostly infects epithelial and endothelial cells
in vivo
. Recently, the pentamer protein complex (gH/gL/pUL128L) was identified as being required for infection of these cells, in association with the other protein complex, gH/gL/gO. In primary infections, HCMV migrates to endothelial cells and then to leukocytes, which disseminate the infection throughout the body. The virus then spreads to organs and tissues, mostly infecting either single cells or multinucleated epithelial giant cells (syncytia), depending on the viral load. Potent neutralizing human MAbs directed to distinct binding sites of the pUL128L portion of the pentamer were shown in the past to block virus dissemination. In the present study, MAbs to pUL128L were shown to block syncytium formation with a higher potency than that of MAbs to gO, gH, or gB, thus suggesting their role in limiting virus dissemination. This finding provides additional information useful for the development of anti-HCMV therapeutic antibodies and subunit vaccines.
Migration of Nucleocapsids in Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-Infected Cells Is Dependent on both Microtubules and Actin Filaments
Authors: Yacovone Shalane K. , Smelser Amanda M. , Macosko Jed C. , Holzwarth George , Ornelles David A. , Lyles Douglas S.
Published: April 2016

The distribution of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) nucleocapsids in the cytoplasm of infected cells was analyzed by scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy using a newly developed quantitative approach called the border-to-border distribution method. Nucleocapsids were located near the cell nucleus at early times postinfection (2 h) but were redistributed during infection toward the edges of the cell. This redistribution was inhibited by treatment with nocodazole, colcemid, or cytochalasin D, indicating it is dependent on both microtubules and actin filaments. The role of actin filaments in nucleocapsid mobility was also confirmed by live-cell imaging of fluorescent nucleocapsids of a virus containing P protein fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein. However, in contrast to the overall redistribution in the cytoplasm, the incorporation of nucleocapsids into virions as determined in pulse-chase experiments was dependent on the activity of actin filaments with little if any effect on inhibition of microtubule function. These results indicate that the mechanisms by which nucleocapsids are transported to the farthest reaches of the cell differ from those required for incorporation into virions. This is likely due to the ability of nucleocapsids to follow shorter paths to the plasma membrane mediated by actin filaments.

IMPORTANCE
Nucleocapsids of nonsegmented negative-strand viruses like VSV are assembled in the cytoplasm during genome RNA replication and must migrate to the plasma membrane for assembly into virions. Nucleocapsids are too large to diffuse in the cytoplasm in the time required for virus assembly and must be transported by cytoskeletal elements. Previous results suggested that microtubules were responsible for migration of VSV nucleocapsids to the plasma membrane for virus assembly. Data presented here show that both microtubules and actin filaments are responsible for mobility of nucleocapsids in the cytoplasm, but that actin filaments play a larger role than microtubules in incorporation of nucleocapsids into virions.
Physiology, Biochemistry, and Applications of F420- and Fo-Dependent Redox Reactions
Authors: Greening Chris , Ahmed F. Hafna , Mohamed A. Elaaf , Lee Brendon M. , Pandey Gunjan , Warden Andrew C. , Scott Colin , Oakeshott John G. , Taylor Matthew C. , Jackson Colin J.
Published: April 2016

5-Deazaflavin cofactors enhance the metabolic flexibility of microorganisms by catalyzing a wide range of challenging enzymatic redox reactions. While structurally similar to riboflavin, 5-deazaflavins have distinctive and biologically useful electrochemical and photochemical properties as a result of the substitution of N-5 of the isoalloxazine ring for a carbon. 8-Hydroxy-5-deazaflavin (Fo) appears to be used for a single function: as a light-harvesting chromophore for DNA photolyases across the three domains of life. In contrast, its oligoglutamyl derivative F420is a taxonomically restricted but functionally versatile cofactor that facilitates many low-potential two-electron redox reactions. It serves as an essential catabolic cofactor in methanogenic, sulfate-reducing, and likely methanotrophic archaea. It also transforms a wide range of exogenous substrates and endogenous metabolites in aerobic actinobacteria, for example mycobacteria and streptomycetes. In this review, we discuss the physiological roles of F420in microorganisms and the biochemistry of the various oxidoreductases that mediate these roles. Particular focus is placed on the central roles of F420in methanogenic archaea in processes such as substrate oxidation, C1pathways, respiration, and oxygen detoxification. We also describe how two F420-dependent oxidoreductase superfamilies mediate many environmentally and medically important reactions in bacteria, including biosynthesis of tetracycline and pyrrolobenzodiazepine antibiotics by streptomycetes, activation of the prodrugs pretomanid and delamanid byMycobacterium tuberculosis, and degradation of environmental contaminants such as picrate, aflatoxin, and malachite green. The biosynthesis pathways of Foand F420are also detailed. We conclude by considering opportunities to exploit deazaflavin-dependent processes in tuberculosis treatment, methane mitigation, bioremediation, and industrial biocatalysis.
Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome: an anaesthetic challenge?
Authors: Chieira Diana , Conceição Luis , Semedo Edgar , Almeida Valentina
Published: April 2016

Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, or hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), is an autosomal dominant vascular dysplasia characterised by mucocutaneous telangiectases and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Diagnosis is clinical and treatment is supportive. The authors demonstrate a safe anaesthetic approach for a patient with HHT. A 53-year-old woman with a left trochanteric fracture was scheduled for urgent orthopaedic surgery. She was diagnosed as having HHT and presented with recurrent epistaxis, telangiectases and gastrointestinal AVMs. She had undergone a nasal dermoseptoplasty 4 weeks earlier, with total nasal occlusion. Surgery was undertaken with a lumbar and sacral plexus block performed with neurostimulation. She was sedated and spontaneous ventilation was maintained. The procedure was completed without complications. Anaesthetic management of patients with HHT is a challenge. The patients should be carefully studied before surgery, to reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality. Regional anaesthesia may be a good alternative to general anaesthesia, but the use of neuroaxial techniques is still controversial.
Investigation of bias in meta-analyses due to selective inclusion of trial effect estimates: empirical study
Authors: Page Matthew J , Forbes Andrew , Chau Marisa , Green Sally E , McKenzie Joanne E
Published: April 2016

Objective

To explore whether systematic reviewers selectively include trial effect estimates in meta-analyses when multiple are available, and what impact this may have on meta-analytic effects.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Data sources

We randomly selected systematic reviews of interventions from 2 clinical specialties published between January 2010 and 2012. The first presented meta-analysis of a continuous outcome in each review was selected (index meta-analysis), and all trial effect estimates that were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis (eg, from multiple scales or time points) were extracted from trial reports.

Analysis

We calculated a statistic (the Potential Bias Index (PBI)) to quantify and test for evidence of selective inclusion. The PBI ranges from 0 to 1; values above or below 0.5 are suggestive of selective inclusion of effect estimates more or less favourable to the intervention, respectively. The impact of any potential selective inclusion was investigated by comparing the index meta-analytic standardised mean difference (SMD) to the median of a randomly constructed distribution of meta-analytic SMDs (representing the meta-analytic SMD expected when there is no selective inclusion).

Results

31 reviews (250 trials) were included. The estimated PBI was 0.57 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.63), suggesting that trial effect estimates that were more favourable to the intervention were included in meta-analyses slightly more often than expected under a process consistent with random selection; however, the 95% CI included the null hypothesis of no selective inclusion. Any potential selective inclusion did not have an important impact on the meta-analytic effects.

Conclusion

There was no clear evidence that selective inclusion of trial effect estimates occurred in this sample of meta-analyses. Further research on selective inclusion in other clinical specialties is needed. To enable readers to assess the risk of selective inclusion bias, we recommend that systematic reviewers report the methods used to select effect estimates to include in meta-analyses.
Rapid identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of positive blood cultures using MALDI-TOF MS and a modification of the standardised disc diffusion test: a pilot study
Authors: Fitzgerald C , Stapleton P , Phelan E , Mulhare P , Carey B , Hickey M , Lynch B , Doyle M
Published: April 2016

Aims

In an era when clinical microbiology laboratories are under increasing financial pressure, there is a need for inexpensive, yet effective, rapid microbiology tests. The aim of this study was to evaluate a novel modification of standard methodology for the identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of pathogens in positive blood cultures, reducing the turnaround time of laboratory results by 24 h.

Methods

277 positive blood cultures had a Gram stain performed and were subcultured and incubated at 37°C in a CO2atmosphere for 4–6 h. Identification of the visible growth was performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Taking a modified approach to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute-standardised AST methodology, an inoculum density of 0.5 McFarland was prepared from the early growth for disc diffusion testing. The standard AST method was also performed on the 18–24 h culture.

Results

96% (n=73/76) of gram-negative organisms were correctly identified by MALDI-TOF MS. Comparative analysis of the rapid and standard AST results showed an overall interpretive category error rate of 7.7% (6.7% minor errors, 0.6% major errors and 0.4% very major errors). 100% ofStaphylococcus aureus(n=41) and enterococcus isolates (n=9) were correctly identified after 4–6 h incubation. The overall AST categorical agreement was also 100% for these isolates.

Conclusions

An incubation of 4–6 h directly from positive blood cultures allowed for both a rapid species identification and an antimicrobial susceptibility result approximately 24 h earlier than is possible using standard methodology.
Association between exercise-induced change in body composition and change in cardiometabolic risk factors in postmenopausal South Asian women
Authors: Lesser Iris A. , Guenette Jordan A. , Hoogbruin Amandah , Mackey Dawn C. , Singer Joel , Gasevic Danijela , Lear Scott A.
Published: April 2016

The South Asian population suffers from a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). A unique obesity phenotype of elevated visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is associated with CVD risk among South Asians. Exercise-induced reduction in VAT and body fat is an effective mechanism to improve cardiometabolic risk factors but this has not been shown in South Asians. Whether exercise-induced changes in measurements such as waist circumference (WC) are independently related to changes in cardiometabolic risk factors in South Asians is unknown. Multi-slice computed tomography scanning was used to assess VAT, cardiometabolic risk factors through a fasting blood sample, and body fat using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Forty- nine postmenopausal South Asian women who participated in two 12-week aerobic exercise programs were included. Bivariate correlations were used to assess associations between change in cardiometabolic risk factors and change in body composition. Regression analyses were conducted with change in glucose, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) as dependent variables and change in body composition as independent variables of interest. There were significant associations between changes in fasting insulin, glucose, and HOMA-IR with change in VAT. The association between change in VAT and these cardiometabolic risk factors was independent of change in other body composition variables of interest. South Asian women should be encouraged to engage in aerobic activity to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes and CVD, and physicians should be aware of improvements in glucose regulation with exercise training not observed through reductions in WC.
Can recovery from disturbance explain observed declines in total phosphorus in Precambrian Shield catchments?
Authors: Crossman Jill , Eimers M. Catherine , Watmough Shaun A. , Futter Martyn N. , Kerr Jason , Baker Scott R. , Dillon Peter J.
Published: April 2016

The plausibility of land disturbance as a cause of declining phosphorus (P) concentrations in oligotrophic lakes within south-central Ontario, Canada, is evaluated using the process-based model INCA-P. The model was calibrated upon three catchments in the Muskoka–Haliburton region (MHR): Harp (HP), Dickie (DE), and Plastic (PC), which have varying degrees of declining P export and different forms of historic disturbances (timber harvesting, tree death, and soil acidification, respectively). Hindcasts (1978–2007) were run with and without simulated disturbances. Model performance of both DE and HP was greatly improved when effects of wetland tree deaths (DE) and harvesting (HP) were included. In PC, with no record of timber harvesting and relatively minor declines in P, initial hindcasts successfully accounted for the majority of interannual P fluxes, and performance was only marginally improved through the simulation of soil acidification. Vegetation decay, harvesting, and catchment acidification accounted for 63%, 24%, and 0.6%, respectively, of P export over the past 30 years. Of all disturbances, wetland vegetation death had the highest impact on areal P exports, indicating that riparian stability is particularly important.
Sliding of microtubules by a team of dynein motors: Understanding the effect of spatial distribution of motor tails and mutual exclusion of motor heads on microtubules
Authors: Singh Hanumant Pratap , Takshak Anjneya , Mall Utkarsh , Kunwar Ambarish
Published: April 2016

Molecular motors are natural nanomachines that use the free energy released from ATP hydrolysis to generate mechanical forces. Cytoplasmic dynein motors often work collectively as a team to drive important processes such as axonal growth, proplatelet formation and mitosis, as forces generated by single motors are insufficient. A large team of dynein motors is used to slide cytoskeletal microtubules with respect to one another during the process of proplatelet formation and axonal growth. These motors attach to a cargo microtubule via their tail domains, undergo the process of detachment and reattachment of their head domains on another track microtubule, while sliding the cargo microtubule along the track. Traditional continuum/mean-field approaches used in the past are not ideal for studying the sliding mechanism of microtubules, as they ignore spatial and temporal fluctuations due to different possible distributions of motor tails on cargo filament, as well as binding/unbinding of motors from their track. Therefore, these models cannot be used to address important questions such as how the distribution of motor tails on microtubules, or how the mutual exclusion of motor heads on microtubule tracks affects the sliding velocity of cargo microtubule. To answer these, here we use a computational stochastic model where we model each dynein motor explicitly. In our model, we use both random as well as uniform distributions of dynein motors on cargo microtubule, as well as mutual exclusion of motors on microtubule tracks. We find that sliding velocities are least affected by the distribution of motor tails on microtubules, whereas they are greatly affected by mutual exclusion of motor heads on microtubule tracks. We also find that sliding velocity depends on the length of cargo microtubule if mutual exclusion among motor heads is considered.
Alcohol vapor sensing by cadmium-doped zinc oxide thick films based chemical sensor
Authors: Zargar R. A. , Arora M. , Chackrabarti S. , Ahmad S. , Kumar J. , Hafiz A. K.
Published: April 2016

Cadmium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles were derived by simple chemical co-precipitation route using zinc acetate dihydrate and cadmium acetate dihydrate as precursor materials. The thick films were casted from chemical co-precipitation route prepared nanoparticles by economic facile screen printing method. The structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties of the film were characterized relevant to alcohol vapor sensing application by powder XRD, SEM, UV-VIS and DC conductivity techniques. The response and sensitivity of alcohol (ethanol) vapor sensor are obtained from the recovery curves at optimum working temperature range from 20[Formula: see text]C to 50[Formula: see text]C. The result shows that maximum sensitivity of the sensor is observed at 25[Formula: see text]C operating temperature. On varying alcohol vapor concentration, minor variation in resistance has been observed. The sensing mechanism of sensor has been described in terms of physical adsorption and chemical absorption of alcohol vapors on cadmium-doped zinc oxide film surface and inside film lattice network through weak hydrogen bonding, respectively.
Conformal mapping of the Misner–Sharp mass from gravitational collapse
Authors: Hammad Fayçal
Published: April 2016

The conformal transformation of the Misner–Sharp mass is reexamined. It has recently been found that this mass does not transform like usual masses do under conformal mappings of spacetime. We show that when it comes to conformal transformations, the widely used geometric definition of the Misner–Sharp mass is fundamentally different from the original conception of the latter. Indeed, when working within the full hydrodynamic setup that gave rise to that mass, i.e. the physics of gravitational collapse, the familiar conformal transformation of a usual mass is recovered. The case of scalar–tensor theories of gravity is also examined.
Application of Dynamic Instance Queuing to Activity Sequences in Cooperative Business Process Scenarios
Authors: Pflug Johannes , Rinderle-Ma Stefanie
Published: April 2016

The optimization of their business processes is a crucial challenge for many enterprises. This applies especially for organizations using complex cooperative information systems to support human work, production lines, or computing services. Optimizations can touch different aspects such as costs, throughput times, and quality. Nowadays, improvements in workflows are mostly achieved by restructuring the process model. However, in many applications there is a huge potential for optimizations during runtime as well. This holds particularly true for collaborative processes with critical activities, i.e. activities that require a high setup or changeover time, typically leading to waiting queues in instance processing. What is usually suggested in this situation is to bundle several instances in order to execute them as a batch. How the batching is achieved, however, has been only decided on static rules so far. In this paper, we feature dynamic instance queuing (DIQ) as an approach towards clustering and batching instances based on the current conditions in the process, e.g. attribute values of the instances. Specifically, we extend our previous work on applying DIQ at single activities towards a queuing approach that spans activity sequences (DIQS). The approach is evaluated based on a real-world case study from the manufacturing domain. We discuss limitations and further applications of the DIQ idea, e.g. with respect to collaborative human tasks.
Influence of Cylinder Offset on the Operation Characteristics of an Oil-Free Lubricated Wobble-reciprocating Compressor
Authors: Geng Ainong , Geng Kuihua , Su Wengui , Yu Hongdong , Li Xinmo
Published: April 2016

This work introduced the structural characteristic and working principle of cylinder offset oil-free lubricated wobble-reciprocating compressor. A mathematical model of crank-link mechanism was setup. The influence of cylinder offset to side clearance, side pressure and friction power were discussed. It revealed that when the offset applied on suction stroke side, the peak value of side pressure in suction stroke was relatively low in comparison to that of the compression stroke. Low friction loss was hereby achieved; meanwhile the system’s sealability was deteriorated, due to the larger backlash between piston and cylinder during the compression process. Reverse trend was found when the offset moved to compression stroke side. The side pressure in suction stroke and the friction power increased, with the decrease of side pressure of compression process and the improvement of sealability.
Piecewise straightening and Lipschitz simplicial volume
Authors: Strzałkowski Karol
Published: April 2016

We study the Lipschitz simplicial volume, which is a metric version of the simplicial volume. We introduce the piecewise straightening procedure for singular chains, which allows us to generalize the proportionality principle and the product inequality to the case of complete Riemannian manifolds of finite volume with sectional curvature bounded from above.
Adding real-time capabilities to a SML compiler
Authors: Li Muyuan , McArdle Daniel E. , Murphy Jeffrey C. , Shivkumar Bhargav , Ziarek Lukasz
Published: April 2016

There has been much recent interest in adopting functional and reactive programming for use in real-time system design. Moving toward a more declarative methodology for developing real-time systems purports to improve the fidelity of software. To study the benefits of functional and reactive programming for real-time systems, real-time aware functional compilers and language runtimes are required. In this paper we examine the necessary changes to a modern Standard ML compiler, MLton, to provide basic support for real-time execution. We detail our current progress in modifying MLton with a threading model that supports priorities, a chunked object model to support real-time garbage collection, and low level modification to execute on top of a real-time operating system. We present preliminary numbers and our work in progress prototype, which is able to boot ML programs compiled with MLton on x86 machines.
Towards a declarative modeling and execution framework for real-time systems
Authors: Altmeyer Sebastian , Navet Nicolas
Published: April 2016

Our work is a contribution towards addressing what Thomas Henziger called the grand challenge in embedded software design [5]: "
offering high-level programming models that exposes the execution properties of a system in a way that permits the programmer to express desired reaction and execution requirements, permits the compiler and run-time systems to ensure that these requirements are satisfied
". In the programming model we describe here, the developer states the permissible timing behavior of the system, a system synthesis step involving both analysis and optimization generates a scheduling solution which at run-time is enforced by the execution environment. With respect to the synchronous programming models, our approach implements a weaker version of time-determinism, still providing a form of timing-predictability sufficient in many applications while remaining closer to mainstay software development practices. This approach is currently being implemented and experimented in the CPAL language development tools and associated runtime environment.
A short survey on Kantorovich
Authors: Lecerf Grégoire , Saadé Joelle
Published: April 2016

We survey influential quantitative results on the convergence of the Newton iterator towards simple roots of continuously differentiable maps defined over Banach spaces. We present a general statement of Kantorovich's theorem, with a concise proof from scratch, dedicated to wide audience. From it, we quickly recover known results, and gather historical notes together with pointers to recent articles.
Sulfate transporters involved in sulfate secretion in the kidney are localized in the renal proximal tubule II of the elephant fish (Callorhinchus milii)
Authors: Hasegawa Kumi , Kato Akira , Watanabe Taro , Takagi Wataru , Romero Michael F. , Bell Justin D. , Toop Tes , Donald John A. , Hyodo Susumu
Published: April 2016

Most vertebrates, including cartilaginous fishes, maintain their plasma SO42−concentration ([SO42−]) within a narrow range of 0.2–1 mM. As seawater has a [SO42−] about 40 times higher than that of the plasma, SO42−excretion is the major role of kidneys in marine teleost fishes. It has been suggested that cartilaginous fishes also excrete excess SO42−via the kidney. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms for SO42−transport in cartilaginous fish, largely due to the extraordinarily elaborate four-loop configuration of the nephron, which consists of at least 10 morphologically distinguishable segments. In the present study, we determined cDNA sequences from the kidney of holocephalan elephant fish ( Callorhinchus milii) that encoded solute carrier family 26 member 1 (Slc26a1) and member 6 (Slc26a6), which are SO42−transporters that are expressed in mammalian and teleost kidneys. Elephant fish Slc26a1 (cmSlc26a1) and cmSlc26a6 mRNAs were coexpressed in the proximal II (PII) segment of the nephron, which comprises the second loop in the sinus zone. Functional analyses using Xenopus oocytes and the results of immunohistochemistry revealed that cmSlc26a1 is a basolaterally located electroneutral SO42−transporter, while cmSlc26a6 is an apically located, electrogenic Cl−/SO42−exchanger. In addition, we found that both cmSlc26a1 and cmSlc26a6 were abundantly expressed in the kidney of embryos; SO42−was concentrated in a bladder-like structure of elephant fish embryos. Our results demonstrated that the PII segment of the nephron contributes to the secretion of excess SO42−by the kidney of elephant fish. Possible mechanisms for SO42−secretion in the PII segment are discussed.
Bone Cutting Forceps: A Safe Approach for Saving Strangulated Penis
Authors: Abd El Salam Mohamed Ahmed , Gamal Ahmed , Elenany Hossam
Published: April 2016

Penile strangulation is considered a rare andrological emergency that may lead to a wide range of complications. Penile strangulation may be related to mental retardation in children or hypersexuality, abnormal sexual preferences in adults. This case report shows a 23-year-old male who presented to the emergency room with agonizing pain related to a metallic ring placed at the base of the penis for more than 8 hours during an attempt of masturbation. Removing this metallic ring and saving the patient’s penis from gangrene without causing injury were very challenging. Patient was successfully managed and had an uneventful recovery.
Status and Trend of Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in the 4th of July Butterfly Count Program in 1977–2014
Authors: Swengel Scott R. , Swengel Ann B.
Published: April 2016

Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia) primarily inhabits prairie, a native grassland of central North America, and occurs rarely in nonprairie grasslands further east. This butterfly has experienced widespread decline and marked range contraction. We analyze Regal Fritillary incidence and abundance during 1977–2014 in 4th of July Butterfly Counts, an annual census of butterflies in North America. Volunteers count within the same 24 km diameter circle each year. Only 6% of counts in range reported a Regal, while 18% of counts in core range in the Midwest and Great Plains did. 99.9% of Regal individuals occurred in core range. Only four circles east of core range reported this species, and only during the first half of the study period. All individuals reported west of its main range occurred in two circles in Colorado in the second half of the study. The number of counts per year and survey effort per count increased during the study. During 1991–2014, >31 counts occurred per year in core Regal range, compared to 0–23 during 1975–1990. During 1991–2014, all measures of Regal presence and abundance declined, most significantly. These results agree with other sources that Regal Fritillary has contracted its range and declined in abundance.
A Very Rare Complication of Acute Appendicitis: Appendicovesical Fistula
Authors: Alis Deniz , Samanci Cesur , Namdar Yesim , Ustabasioglu Fethi Emre , Yamac Elif , Tutar Onur , Ucpinar Burak , Onal Bulent
Published: April 2016

Appendicovesical fistula (AVF) is an uncommon type of enterovesical fistula and a very rare complication of acute appendicitis. Herein, we report a case of 39-year-old male patient who presented with persistent urinary tract infection, recurrent abdominal pain, and pneumaturia. Imaging techniques including ultrasonography (USG), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed to identify the abnormality. However, definitive diagnosis of AVF was made by cystoscopy.
Characterization of the ATP-Dependent Lon-Like Protease inMethanobrevibacter smithii
Authors: Pei Jihua , Yan Jianfang , Jiang Yi
Published: April 2016

The Lon protease is highly evolutionarily conserved. However, little is known about Lon in the context of gut microbial communities. A gene encoding a Lon-like protease (Lon-like-Ms) was identified and characterized fromMethanobrevibacter smithii, the predominant archaeon in the human gut ecosystem. Phylogenetic and sequence analyses showed that Lon-like-Ms and its homologs are newly identified members of the Lon family. A recombinant form of the enzyme was purified by affinity chromatography, and its catalytic properties were examined. Recombinant Lon-like-Ms exhibited ATPase activity and cleavage activity toward fluorogenic peptides and casein. The peptidase activity of Lon-like-Ms relied strictly on Mg2+(or other divalent cations) and ATP. These results highlight a new type of Lon-like protease that differs from its bacterial counterpart.
Thermal Equilibrium Dynamic Control Based on DPWM Dual-Mode Modulation of High Power NPC Three-Level Inverter
Authors: Xu Shi-Zhou , He Feng-You
Published: April 2016

In some special applications of NPC three-level inverters, such as mine hoist, there exist special conditions of overloading during the whole hoisting process and large overload in starting stage, during which the power-loss calculation of power devices and thermal control are important factors affecting the thermal stability of inverters. The principles of SVPWM and DPWM were described in this paper firstly, based on which the dynamic power losses of the two modulations of hoist in single period were calculated. Secondly, a thermal equilibrium dynamic control based on DPMW dual-mode modulation was proposed, which can switch the modulation dynamically according to the change of dynamic power loss to realize dynamic control of power loss and thermal equilibrium of inverter. Finally, simulation and experiment prove the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Methanogen Diversity in Indigenous and Introduced Ruminant Species on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Huang Xiao Dan , Martinez-Fernandez Gonzalo , Padmanabha Jagadish , Long Ruijun , Denman Stuart E. , McSweeney Christopher S.
Published: April 2016

Host factors are regarded as important in shaping the archaeal community in the rumen but few controlled studies have been performed to demonstrate this across host species under the same environmental conditions. A study was designed to investigate the structure of the methanogen community in the rumen of two indigenous (yak and Tibetan sheep) and two introduced domestic ruminant (cattle and crossbred sheep) species raised and fed under similar conditions on the high altitude Tibetan Plateau. The methylotrophic Methanomassiliicoccaceae was the predominant archaeal group in all animals even thoughMethanobrevibacterare usually present in greater abundance in ruminants globally. Furthermore, within the Methanomassiliicoccaceae family members fromMmc.group 10 andMmc.group 4 were dominant in Tibetan Plateau ruminants compared toMmc.group 12 found to be highest in other ruminants studied. Small ruminants presented the highest number of sequences that belonged to Methanomassiliicoccaceae compared to the larger ruminants. Although the methanogen community structure was different among the ruminant species, there were striking similarities between the animals in this environment. This indicates that factors such as the extreme environmental conditions and diet on the Tibetan Plateau might have a greater impact on rumen methanogen community compared to host differences.
Coffee Consumption and the Incidence of Colorectal Cancer in Women
Authors: Groessl Erik J. , Allison Matthew A. , Larson Joseph C. , Ho Samuel B. , Snetslaar Linda G. , Lane Dorothy S. , Tharp Katie M. , Stefanick Marcia L.
Published: April 2016

Background.Higher coffee consumption has been associated with decreased incidence of colorectal cancer. Our objective was to examine the relationship of coffee intake to colorectal cancer incidence in a large observational cohort of postmenopausal US women.Methods.Data were collected for the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study providing a follow-up period of 12.9 years. The mean age of our sample (N=83,778 women) was 63.5 years. Daily coffee intake was grouped into 3 categories: None, moderate (>0–<4 cups), and high (4+ cups). Proportional hazards modeling was used to evaluate the relationship between coffee intake and colorectal cancer.Results.There were 1,282 (1.53%) new cases of colorectal cancer during follow-up. Compared to nondrinkers, moderate and high coffee drinkers had an increased incidence of colorectal cancer in multivariate analysis (HR 1.15, 1.02–1.29; HR 1.14, 0.93–1.38). Moderate drip brew coffee intake (HR 1.20, 1.05–1.36) and high nondrip brew coffee intake (HR 1.43, 1.01–2.02) were associated with increased odds.Conclusion.Our results suggesting increased incidence of colorectal cancer associated with higher coffee consumption contradict recent meta-analyses but agree with a number of other studies showing that coffee increases risk or has no effect. Brew method results are novel and warrant further research.
Biodiesel Production by Reactive Flash: A Numerical Simulation
Authors: Regalado-Méndez Alejandro , Skogestad Sigurd , Natividad Reyna , Romero Rubí
Published: April 2016

Reactive flash (RF) in biodiesel production has been studied in order to investigate steady-state multiplicities, singularities, and effect of biodiesel quality when the RF system approaches to bubble point. The RF was modeled by an index-2 system of differential algebraic equations, the vapor split (ϕ) was computed by modified Rachford-Rice equation and modified Raoult’s law computed bubble point, and the continuation analysis was tracked on MATCONT. Results of this study show the existence of turning points, leading to a unique bubble point manifold,(xBiodiesel,T)=(0.46,478.41 K), which is a globally stable flashing operation. Also, the results of the simulation in MATLAB® of the dynamic behavior of the RF show that conversion of triglycerides reaches 97% for a residence time of 5.8 minutes and a methanol to triglyceride molar flow ratio of 5 : 1.
Genomic Analysis Unravels Reduced Inorganic Sulfur Compound Oxidation of Heterotrophic AcidophilicAcidicaldussp. Strain DX-1
Authors: Liu Yuanyuan , Yang Hongying , Zhang Xian , Xiao Yunhua , Guo Xue , Liu Xueduan
Published: April 2016

Although reduced inorganic sulfur compound (RISC) oxidation in many chemolithoautotrophic sulfur oxidizers has been investigated in recent years, there is little information about RISC oxidation in heterotrophic acidophiles. In this study,Acidicaldussp. strain DX-1, a heterotrophic sulfur-oxidizing acidophile, was isolated. Its genome was sequenced and then used for comparative genomics. Furthermore, real-time quantitative PCR was performed to identify the expression of genes involved in the RISC oxidation. Gene encoding thiosulfate: quinone oxidoreductase was present inAcidicaldussp. strain DX-1, while no candidate genes with significant similarity to tetrathionate hydrolase were found. Additionally, there were genes encoding heterodisulfide reductase complex, which was proposed to play a crucial role in oxidizing cytoplasmic sulfur. Like many heterotrophic sulfur oxidizers,Acidicaldussp. strain DX-1 had no genes encoding enzymes essential for the direct oxidation of sulfite. An indirect oxidation of sulfite via adenosine-5′-phosphosulfate was proposed inAcidicaldusstrain DX-1. However, compared to other closely related bacteriaAcidiphilium cryptumandAcidiphilium multivorum, which harbored the genes encoding Sox system, almost all of these genes were not detected inAcidicaldussp. strain DX-1. This study might provide some references for the future study of RISC oxidation in heterotrophic sulfur-oxidizing acidophiles.
The Dynamics of the Discrete Ultimatum Game and the Role of the Expectation Level
Authors: Deng Lili , Zhang Wei , Wang Cheng , Han Yi , Cai Jianhu
Published: April 2016

We have studied evolutionary ultimatum game with spatially arranged players, who have choice between the two kinds of strategies (named greedy and altruist). The strategies in the ultimatum game here are described byp(i)anda(i), that is, the probability of offeringito himself and the accepting probability when receivingi. By using computer simulations with C++ builder, we have provided the dynamics of the greedy and altruistic strategies and found that the proportion evolution of the “greedy” strategy for different initial cases is approximately 60%. Furthermore, the explanations for the interesting phenomenon are presented from different aspects. In addition, we illustrate that the factor of the expectation level (aspiration level) in the updating rule plays an important role in the promotion of altruistic behaviors.
OSR1 and SPAK Sensitivity of Large-Conductance Ca2+ Activated K+ Channel
Authors: Elvira Bernat , Singh Yogesh , Warsi Jamshed , Munoz Carlos , Lang Florian
Published: April 2016

Background/Aims: The oxidative stress-responsive kinase 1 (OSR1) and the serine/threonine kinases SPAK (SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase) are under the control of WNK (with-no-K [Lys]) kinases. OSR1 and SPAK participate in diverse functions including cell volume regulation and neuronal excitability. Cell volume and neuronal excitation are further modified by the large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (maxi K+ channel or BK channels). An influence of OSR1 and/or SPAK on BK channel activity has, however, never been shown. The present study thus explored whether OSR1 and/or SPAK modify the activity of BK channels. Methods: cRNA encoding the Ca2+ insensitive BK channel mutant BKM513I+Δ899-903 was injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes without or with additional injection of cRNA encoding wild-type OSR1 or wild-type SPAK, constitutively active T185EOSR1, catalytically inactive D164AOSR1, constitutively active T233ESPAK or catalytically inactive D212ASPAK. K+ channel activity was measured utilizing dual electrode voltage clamp. Results: BK channel activity in BKM513I+Δ899-903 expressing oocytes was significantly decreased by co-expression of OSR1 or SPAK. The effect of wild-type OSR1/SPAK was mimicked by T185EOSR1 and T233ESPAK, but not by D164AOSR1 or D212ASPAK. Conclusions: OSR1 and SPAK suppress BK channels, an effect possibly contributing to cell volume regulation and neuroexcitability.
Asymptomatic Pulmonary Embolism after Ablation
Authors: Guler Gamze Babur , Can Mehmet Mustafa , Guler Ekrem , Akinci Tugba , Sogukpinar Ozlem , Hatipoglu Suzan , Kilicaslan Fethi , Serebruany Victor L.
Published: April 2016

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening event with a broad presentation spectrum ranging from asymptomatic cases to sudden cardiac arrest. It is unclear if right atrial emboli cause PE in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or if mild PE itself increases right cardiac pressure provoking AF. Objective: To determine the incidence and predictors of asymptomatic PE in patients undergoing AF ablation. Method and Results: Patients (n = 93) were screened and those with previous or current symptomatic PE or venous thromboembolism, pulmonary hypertension, increased right heart pressures detected on echocardiography, a history of stroke, transient ischemic attack, coagulopathy or cancer and inappropriate contrast for the evaluation of pulmonary arterial tree were excluded. The remaining AF patients (n = 71) underwent guided ablation controlled with 3-dimensional, left atrial and pulmonary venous computed tomography. The asymptomatic PE was defined by using the modified Miller score by 2 independent assessors in 6 patients. Univariate logistic regression showed that age (OR: 1.094, 95% CI 1.007-1.188, p = 0.033), diabetes (OR: 12.000, 95% CI 1.902-75.716, p = 0.008), CHA2DS2-VASc score (OR: 2.800, 95% CI 1.304-6.013, p = 0.008), and pulmonary artery diameter (OR: 1.221, 95% CI 1.033-1.444, p = 0.019) were significantly associated with PE. However, multivariate analysis revealed that the CHA2DS2-VASc score (p = 0.047) remained the exclusive significant predictor for asymptomatic PE. Conclusion: The incidence of random asymptomatic PE in AF patients is high (>8%). The CHA2DS2-VASc score can predict silent PE. Since patients with a high CHA2DS2-VASc score are already anticoagulated, our results do not change clinical practice but are noteworthy in terms of the cause-effect relationship between AF and PE.
Practical Management of Castleman's Disease
Authors: Alzahrani Musa Fares , Radwi Mansoor , Leitch Heather A.
Published: April 2016

Castleman's disease (CD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder that is most commonly present in multicentric (MCD) form in association with HIV infection. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) play major roles in MCD pathogenesis. Important treatment options have recently become available, particularly with the introduction of IL-6 and IL-6 receptor inhibitors for the treatment of HIV-negative patients with MCD. Though advances in therapy may improve outcomes in some patients, the prognosis remains guarded, and a stratified approach to the management of MCD is needed.
Histopathology Findings of Corneal Buttons in Congenital Aniridia Patients
Authors: Bausili Maria Montserrat , Alvarez de Toledo Juan , Barraquer Rafael I. , Michael Ralph , Tresserra Francesc , de la Paz Maria Fideliz
Published: April 2016

Purpose: To evaluate the corneal button of primary penetrating keratoplasty of patients diagnosed with congenital aniridia. The study took place at the Instituto Universitario Barraquer and the Centro de Oftalmología Barraquer. Methods: A retrospective analysis of cases diagnosed with congenital aniridia was carried out. We analyzed 13 corneal buttons of 11 eyes with congenital aniridia. We only included those patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty for the first time. The corneal buttons were analyzed for histological characteristics of the presence of vascularization, the presence or not of Bowman's layer, the thickness of the stroma and Descemet's membrane, and endothelium layer alterations. Results: We found alterations in the epithelium and stroma in all patients, although this loss of architecture was not seen in Descemet's membrane and the endothelial population. Conclusion: Patients with advanced congenital aniridic keratopathy may be good candidates for deep or superficial anterior lamellar keratoplasty for the preservation of normal endothelium and Descemet's membrane, along with limbal stem cell transplantation, to address epithelial and stromal pathology.