bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydroxychloroquine augments early virological response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin in genotype‐4 chronic hepatitis C patients
Authors: Helal Gouda Kamel , Gad Magdy Abdelmawgoud , Abd‐Ellah Mohamed Fahmy , Eid Mahmoud Saied
Published: May 2016

The therapeutic effect of pegylated interferon (peg‐IFN) alfa‐2a combined with ribavirin (RBV) on chronic hepatitis C Egyptian patients is low and further efforts are required to optimize this therapy for achievement of higher rates of virological response. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in combination with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin on early virological response (EVR) in chronic hepatitis C Egyptian patients. Naïve 120 Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection were divided into two groups. Group 1 have administered the standard of care therapy (pegylated interferon alfa‐2a plus ribavirin) for 12 weeks, (n = 60). Group 2 have administered hydroxychloroquine plus standard of care therapy for 12 weeks, (n = 60). Therapeutics included hydroxychloroquine (200 mg) oral twice daily, peginterferon alfa‐2a (160 μg) subcutaneous once weekly and oral weight‐based ribavirin (1000–1200 mg/day). Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. The percentage of early virological response was significantly more in patients given the triple therapy than in patients given the standard of care [54/60 (90%) vs. 43/60 (71.7%); P = 0.011; respectively]. Biochemical response at week 12 was also significantly higher in patients given the triple therapy compared with the standard of care [58/60 (96.7%) vs. 42/60 (70%); P < 0.001; respectively]. Along the study, the observed adverse events were mild and similar across treatment groups. Addition of hydroxychloroquine to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin improves the rate of early virological and biochemical responses in chronic hepatitis C Egyptian patients without an increase in adverse events. J. Med. Virol. 88:2170–2178, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role of Wasp and the small GTPases RhoA, RhoB, and Cdc42 during capacitation and acrosome reaction in spermatozoa of English guinea pigs
Authors: Delgado‐Buenrostro Norma L. , Mújica Adela , Chiquete‐Felix Natalia , Déciga‐Alcaraz Alejandro , Medina‐Reyes Estefany I. , Uribe‐Carvajal Salvador , Chirino Yolanda I.
Published: May 2016

Cytoskeleton remodeling is necessary for capacitation and the acrosome reaction in spermatozoa. F‐actin is located in the acrosome and equatorial region during capacitation, but is relocated in the post‐acrosomal region during the acrosome reaction in spermatozoa from bull, rat, mice, and guinea pig. Actin polymerization and relocalization are generally regulated by small GTPases that activate Wasp protein, which coordinates with Arp2/3, profilin I, and profilin II to complete cytoskeletal remodeling. This sequence of events is not completely described in spermatozoa, though. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if Wasp interacts with small GTPases (RhoA, RhoB, and Cdc42) and proteins (Arp2/3, profilin I, and profilin II) that co‐localize with F‐actin during capacitation and the acrosome reaction in English guinea pig spermatozoa obtained from the vas deferens. The spermatozoa were capacitated in calcium‐free medium, incubated with an activator or an inhibitor of GTPases, and then induced to acrosome react using calcium. The distribution patterns of F‐actin were compared to the patterns of Wasp and its putative interaction partners: Wasp and RhoB, but not RhoA or Cdc42, localization overlap with F‐actin during capacitation and the acrosome reaction. Activation of small GTPases localized RhoB to the post‐acrosomal region whereas their inhibition prevented acrosome exocytosis. Arp2/3 and profilin II appear to interact with Wasp in the post‐acrosomal region and flagellum, while profilin I and Wasp could be found in the equatorial region. Thus, Wasp and F‐actin distribution overlap during capacitation and acrosome reaction, and small GTPases play an important role in cytoskeleton remodeling during these processes in spermatozoa.Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 927–937, 2016 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Single amino acid loss in the dystrophin protein associated with a mild clinical phenotype
Authors: Pons Roser , Kekou Kyriaki , Gkika Artemis , Papadimas George , Vogiatzakis Nikolaos , Svingou Maria , Papadopooulos Constantinos , Nikas Ioanis , Dinopoulos Argirios , Youroukos Sotiris , Kanavakis Emmanouel
Published: May 2016

Introduction: The dystrophinopathies include a spectrum of muscle diseases caused by mutations in the dystrophin (DMD) gene. The clinical phenotype ranges from severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy to a mild phenotype with elevated creatine kinase (CK). Methods: Clinical and molecular assessment of 7 patients carrying a single amino acid loss in the dystrophin protein (p.His1690del) caused by a c.5068_5070delCAC tri‐nucleotide deletion in exon 36 of the DMD gene. Results: All patients were asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic and had elevated CK levels. Febrile illness, but not exercise, induced muscle symptoms in some patients. None had evidence of cardiomyopathy. Analysis of the short tandem repeat (STR)45 locus and sequencing of exon 36 of the DMD gene indicates that c.5068_5070delCAC is a founder mutation. Conclusions: The c.5068_5070delCAC locus in the DMD gene is associated with a very mild phenotype. Further study is needed to evaluate disease progression in these patients. Muscle Nerve 55: 46–50, 2017
Structure, function and management of semi‐natural habitats for conservation biological control: a review of European studies
Authors: Holland John M , Bianchi Felix JJA , Entling Martin H , Moonen Anna‐Camilla , Smith Barbara M , Jeanneret Philippe
Published: May 2016

Different semi‐natural habitats occur on farmland, and it is the vegetation's traits and structure that subsequently determine their ability to support natural enemies and their associated contribution to conservation biocontrol. New habitats can be created and existing ones improved with agri‐environment scheme funding in all EU member states. Understanding the contribution of each habitat type can aid the development of conservation control strategies. Here we review the extent to which the predominant habitat types in Europe support natural enemies, whether this results in enhanced natural enemy densities in the adjacent crop and whether this leads to reduced pest densities. Considerable variation exists in the available information for the different habitat types and trophic levels. Natural enemies within each habitat were the most studied, with less information on whether they were enhanced in adjacent fields, while their impact on pests was rarely investigated. Most information was available for woody and herbaceous linear habitats, yet not for woodland which can be the most common semi‐natural habitat in many regions. While the management and design of habitats offer potential to stimulate conservation biocontrol, we also identified knowledge gaps. A better understanding of the relationship between resource availability and arthropod communities across habitat types, the spatiotemporal distribution of resources in the landscape and interactions with other factors that play a role in pest regulation could contribute to an informed management of semi‐natural habitats for biocontrol. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Study of conservation laws with the Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter
Authors: Zeng Yuefei , Janjić Tijana
Published: May 2016

Numerical discretization schemes have a long history of incorporating the most important conservation properties of the continuous system in order to improve the prediction of the nonlinear flow. The question arises whether data assimilation algorithms should follow a similar approach. To address this issue, we explore the conservation properties during data assimilation using perfect model experiments with a 2D shallow‐water model preserving important properties of the true nonlinear flow. The data assimilation scheme used here is the Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter with varying observed variables, inflation, localization radius and thinning interval. It is found that, during the assimilation, the total energy of the analysis ensemble mean converges with time towards the nature run value. However, enstrophy, divergence and the energy spectra are strongly affected by the data assimilation settings. Having in mind that the conservation of both the kinetic energy and enstrophy by the momentum advection schemes in the case of non‐divergent flow prevents a systematic and unrealistic energy cascade towards the high wave numbers, we test the effects on the prediction depending on the type of error in the initial condition. During the assimilation, we assess the downward nonlinear energy cascade through a scalar, domain‐averaged noise measure. We show that the accumulated noise during assimilation and the error of analysis are good indicators of the quality of the prediction.
A new implementation of ab initio ehrenfest dynamics using electronic configuration basis: Exact formulation with molecular orbital connection and effective propagation scheme with locally quasi‐diabatic representation
Authors: Kunisada Tomotaka , Ushiyama Hiroshi , Yamashita Koichi
Published: May 2016

We propose a new implementation of Ehrenfest molecular dynamics based on the configuration interaction theory using configuration state functions (CSF) as basis set originally proposed by Amano and Takatsuka (J. Chem. Phys. 2005, 122, 084113). Our development consists of two independet new features. The first one deals with the problem on how to “identify” the molecular orbitals at a simulation time step in terms of those at the previous time step. By giving an exact expression of CSF Ehrenfest method, this problem naturaly vanishes. To actually perform this method, the concept of molecular orbital connection which allows the MOs to be noncanonical is necessary. The second feature of our method is aimed to reduce the computational cost. We propose an approximaion to effectively perform the time propagation of the electron wavefunction. Due to the analogy to the locally diabatic representation method, we name our method locally quasi‐diabatic representation method. In the present work, these two new features were combined and employed to perform test computations. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nondestructive inspection of thermal barrier coating of gas turbine high temperature components
Authors: Fukuchi Tetsuo , Ozeki Takayuki , Okada Mitsutoshi , Fujii Tomoharu
Published: May 2016

A thermal barrier coating (TBC) is applied to high‐temperature components in gas turbines, and consists of a ceramic topcoat and a metallic bondcoat. Various kinds of TBC degradation and damage occur in high‐temperature components during service, such as topcoat thinning, topcoat delamination, and formation of a thermally grown oxide (TGO) layer below the topcoat, each of which can be examined using a suitable nondestructive inspection technique. Topcoat thinning can be detected by topcoat thickness measurement using terahertz waves, which are electromagnetic waves in the frequency region between optical and radio waves. The measurement resolution is about 10 μm, which is comparable to microscopic observation of the cross section in destructive inspection. Topcoat delamination can be detected by active thermography, in which the topcoat surface is scanned by a heating laser and the surface temperature distribution is measured by a thermal infrared camera. The combination of temperature peak and residual thermal image detection is effective in eliminating false detection. The TGO layer can be detected using photoluminescence, in which the Cr3+ ions included as an impurity in Al2O3 are detected. Since delamination tends to occur at locations at which the TGO layer has grown, TGO layer detection provides an effective method to select regions where delamination has occurred or is likely to occur. An inspection flow based on these techniques is proposed, which is expected to aid the establishment of condition‐based maintenance strategies of high‐temperature components. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Developing bioimaging and quantitative methods to study 3D genome
Authors: Gao Juntao , Yang Xusan , Nadhir Djekidel Mohamed , Wang Yang , Xi Peng , Zhang Michael Q.
Published: May 2016

The recent advances in chromosome configuration capture (3C)‐based series molecular methods and optical super‐resolution (SR) techniques offer powerful tools to investigate three dimensional (3D) genomic structure in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell nucleus. In this review, we focus on the progress during the last decade in this exciting field. Here we at first introduce briefly genome organization at chromosome, domain and sub‐domain level, respectively; then we provide a short introduction to various super‐resolution microscopy techniques which can be employed to detect genome 3D structure. We also reviewed the progress of quantitative and visualization tools to evaluate and visualize chromatin interactions in 3D genome derived from Hi‐C data. We end up with the discussion that imaging methods and 3C‐based molecular methods are not mutually exclusive ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ actually they are complemental to each other and can be combined together to study 3D genome organization.
De novo assembly of transcriptome from next‐generation sequencing data
Authors: Li Xuan , Kong Yimeng , Zhao Qiong‐Yi , Li Yuan‐Yuan , Hao Pei
Published: May 2016

Reconstruction of transcriptome by de novo assembly from next generation sequencing (NGS) short‐sequence reads provides an essential mean to catalog expressed genes, identify splicing isoforms, and capture the expression detail of transcripts for organisms with no reference genome available. De novo transcriptome assembly faces many unique challenges, including alternative splicing, variable expression level covering a dynamic range of several orders of magnitude, artifacts introduced by reverse transcription, etc. In the current review, we illustrate the grand strategy in applying De Bruijn Graph (DBG) approach in de novo transcriptome assembly. We further analyze many parameters proven critical in transcriptome assembly using DBG. Among them, k‐mer length, coverage depth of reads, genome complexity, performance of different programs are addressed in greater details. A multi‐k‐mer strategy balancing efficiency and sensitivity is discussed and highly recommended for de novo transcriptome assembly. Future direction points to the combination of NGS and third generation sequencing technology that would greatly enhance the power of de novo transcriptomics study.
Delineating the respective impacts of stochastic curl‐ and grad‐forces in a family of idealized core genetic commitment circuits
Authors: Turcotte Marc
Published: May 2016

Stochastic dynamics pervades gene regulation. Despite being random, the dynamics displays a kind of innate structure. In fact, two stochastic forces combine driving efforts: one force originates from the gradient of the underlying stochastic potential, and the other originates from the mathematical curl of the probability flux. The curl force gives rise to rotation. The gradient force gives rise to drift. Together they give rise to helical behavior. Here, it is shown that around and about the vicinity of attractive fixed points, the gradient force naturally wanes but the curl force is found to remain high. This leads to a locally noticeably different type of stochastic track near and about attractive fixed points, compared to tracks in regions where drift dominates. The consistency of this observation with the experimental fact that, in biology, fate commitment appears to not be a‐priory locked‐in, but rather necessitating active maintenance, is discussed. Hence attractive fixed‐points are not only fuzzy, but may effectively be, locally, “more free”.
The slider task: an example of restricted inference on incentive effects
Authors: Araujo Felipe A. , Carbone Erin , Conell-Price Lynn , Dunietz Marli W. , Jaroszewicz Ania , Landsman Rachel , Lamé Diego , Vesterlund Lise , Wang Stephanie W. , Wilson Alistair J.
Published: May 2016

Real-effort experiments are frequently used when examining a response to incentives. For a real-effort task to be well suited for such an exercise its measurable output must be sufficiently elastic over the incentives considered. The popular slider task in Gill and Prowse (Am Econ Rev 102(1):469–503, 2012) has been characterized as satisfying this requirement, and the task is increasingly used to investigate the response to incentives. However, a between-subject examination of the slider task’s response to incentives has not been conducted. We provide such an examination with three different piece-rate incentives: half a cent, two cents, and eight cents per slider completed. We find only a small increase in performance: despite a 1500 % increase in the incentives, output only increases by 5 %. With such an inelastic response we caution that for typical experimental sample sizes and incentives the slider task is unlikely to demonstrate a meaningful and statistically significant performance response.
Pattern of Injuries and Treatment Given to Victims of Rana Plaza Tragedy in a Level II Armed Forces Medical Facility in Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Shafiul , Alam Rabiul , Islam Manirul , Salek Amin
Published: May 2016

Background

Rana Plaza building collapse is the worst industrial disaster of Bangladesh so far. The 9-storied structure collapsed suddenly on April 24, 2013, with more than 4000 people inside. Bangladesh Armed Forces played a key role in the massive rescue operations.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study with 423 victims who were treated at a Combined Military Hospital to review the pattern of injuries and management provided.

Results

Middle-aged (35±12.75 years) females (68.32%) were the majority of the victims. Among the injured, 42.35% had soft tissue injury, 22.55% had abrasions, 18.79% had fractures, 3.75% had facial injuries, and 2.5% each had head and abdominal injuries. We treated the injured with various surgical approaches, such as soft tissue debridement (38.84%), fasciotomy (18.79%), amputation (3.75%), and other procedures. We had to refer 8.27% of the patients to different advanced centers. The mortality rate was 5.91%, including 1 volunteer rescuer.

Conclusion

Pattern of injuries and modalities of management needed in an industrial disaster is a valuable experience which can be utilized in preparing to face disasters in the future and beyond. Death of a voluntary rescuer once again warrants the necessity of using a helmet and safety gear during any rescue operation. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:21–24)
Canadian Entrepreneurs and the Preservation of the Capitalist Peace in the North Atlantic Triangle in the Civil War Era, 1861–1871
Authors: SMITH ANDREW D. , MUSSIO LAURENCE B.
Published: May 2016

In their 2013 bookReimagining Business History, Philip Scranton and Patrick Fridenson called on business historians to reassess militarization and the “two-way exchanges” between the military and the private sector. The call is timely. The extensive business-historical scholarship on the relationship between companies and war sensibly focuses on companies that profited from their involvement in the military-industrial complex.1The business-historical literature is virtually silent, however, on the role of business in preventing wars from starting in the first place. In other words, business historians have missed a productive opportunity to engage with capitalist peace theory (CPT), an increasingly important theory in the discipline of international relations (IR). Many IR scholars now argue that the mutual economic interdependence characteristic of global capitalism reduces the likelihood of war. Their research suggests that while extensive cross-border economic linkages do not preclude the possibility of war, the creation of a transnational community of economic interests tends,ceteris paribus, to reduce the frequency, duration, and intensity of warfare.2
“No Good Deed Goes Unpunished”: Ignaz Semmelweis and the Story of Puerperal Fever
Authors: Manor Joshua , Blum Nava , Lurie Yoav
Published: May 2016

Ignác Fülöp Semmelweis was born almost 200 years ago, in 1818, to a well-to-do middle class Hungarian family. He started law school in 1837, switched to medicine a year later, and graduated in 1844.
Boundary Element Analysis of Interior Thermoelastic Stresses in Three-Dimensional Generally Anisotropic Bodies
Authors: Shiah Y.-C. , Chong J.-Y.
Published: May 2016

This paper is to present the treatment of internal thermoelastic stress analysis in 3D anisotropic bodies by the boundary element method (BEM). Fundamentally, thermal effects will give rise to an additional volume integral in the boundary integral equation (BIE). By applying the fundamental solutions represented by Fourier series, the volume integral has been analytically transformed to the boundary. For the present work, spatial differentiations of the integral equation are performed to give displacement gradients at internal points of interest. This differentiated integral equation is further implemented to perform thermoelastic stress analysis inside 3D anisotropic bodies. This analysis is particularly important in engineering applications when thermoelastic stresses concentrations are present inside the bodies. The present work is the first BEM implementation for this study by the transformed BIE. In the end, two benchmark examples are tested to demonstrate the applicability of the present BEM treatment.
A Second Timber Circle, Trackways, and Coppicing at Holme-next-the-Sea Beach, Norfolk: use of Salt- and Freshwater Marshes in the Bronze Age
Authors: Robertson David , Taylor Maisie , Tyers Ian , Cook Gordon , Hamilton W. Derek
Published: May 2016

Since 1998 archaeological investigations on Holme-next-the-Sea beach have recorded the waterlogged remains of two Bronze Age timber circles, timber structures, coppiced trees, metal objects, and salt- and freshwater marshes. The second timber circle (Holme II) is only the third waterlogged structure of its type to be discovered in Britain and only the second to be dated by dendrochronology. The felling of timbers used in Holme II has been dated to the spring or summer of 2049 bc, exactly the time as the felling of the timbers used to build the first circle (Holme I). This shared date provides the only known example of two adjacent monuments constructed at precisely the same time in British prehistory. It also informs comparisons between Holme II and other British timber circles and therefore helps develop interpretations. This paper suggests Holme II was a mortuary monument directly related to the use of Holme I.
Effect ofα-linolenic acid and DHA intake on lipogenesis and gene expression involved in fatty acid metabolism in growing-finishing pigs
Authors: De Tonnac A. , Labussière E. , Vincent A. , Mourot J.
Published: May 2016

The regulation of lipogenesis mechanisms related to consumption ofn-3 PUFA is poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to find out whetherα-linolenic acid (ALA) or DHA uptake can have an effect on activities and gene expressions of enzymes involved in lipid metabolism in the liver, subcutaneous adipose tissue andlongissimus dorsi(LD) muscle of growing–finishing pigs. Six groups of ten pigs received one of six experimental diets supplemented with rapeseed oil in the control diet, extruded linseed, microalgae or a mixture of both to implement different levels of ALA and DHA with the same content in totaln-3. Results were analysed for linear and quadratic effects of DHA intake. The results showed that activities of malic enzyme (ME) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) decreased linearly in the liver with dietary DHA. Although the expression of the genes of these enzymes and their activities were poorly correlated,MEandFASexpressions also decreased linearly with DHA intake. The intake of DHA down-regulates the expressions of other genes involved in fatty acid (FA) metabolism in some tissues of pigs, such asfatty acid desaturase 2andsterol-regulatory element binding transcription factor 1in the liver and2,4-dienoyl CoA reductase 2in the LD muscle. FA oxidation in the LD muscle and FA synthesis decreased in the liver with increasing amount of dietary DHA, whereas a retroconversion of DHA into EPA seems to be set up in this last tissue.
Inflammatory insults and mental health consequences: does timing matter when it comes to depression?
Authors: Du Preez A. , Leveson J. , Zunszain P. A. , Pariante C. M.
Published: May 2016

It has become widely accepted that the immune system, and specifically increased levels of inflammation, play a role in the development of depression. However, not everyone with increased inflammation develops depression, and as with all other diseases, there are risk factors that may contribute to an increased vulnerability in certain individuals. One such risk factor could be the timing of an inflammatory exposure. Here, using a combination of PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid Medline and PsycINFO, we systematically reviewed whether exposure to medically related inflammationin utero, in childhood, and in adolescence, increases the risk for depression in adulthood. Moreover, we tried to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to identify a particular time point during the developmental trajectory in which an immune insult could be more damaging. While animal research shows that early life exposure to inflammation increases susceptibility to anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour, human studies surprisingly find little evidence to support the notion that medically related inflammationin uteroand in adolescence contributes to an increased risk of developing depression in later life. However, we did find an association between childhood inflammation and later life depression, with most studies reporting a significantly increased risk of depression in adults who were exposed to inflammation as children. More robust clinical research, measuring direct markers of inflammation throughout the life course, is greatly needed to expand on, and definitively address, the important research questions raised in this review.
Higher organism load associated with failure of azithromycin to treat rectal chlamydia
Authors: KONG F. Y. S. , TABRIZI S. N. , FAIRLEY C. K. , PHILLIPS S. , FEHLER G. , LAW M. , VODSTRCIL L. A. , CHEN M. , BRADSHAW C. S. , HOCKING J. S.
Published: May 2016

Repeat rectal chlamydia infection is common in men who have sex with men (MSM) following treatment with 1 g azithromycin. This study describes the association between organism load and repeat rectal chlamydia infection, genovar distribution, and efficacy of azithromycin in asymptomatic MSM. Stored rectal chlamydia-positive samples from MSM were analysed for organism load and genotyped to assist differentiation between reinfection and treatment failure. Included men had follow-up tests within 100 days of index infection. Lymphogranuloma venereum and proctitis diagnosed symptomatically were excluded. Factors associated with repeat infection, treatment failure and reinfection were investigated. In total, 227 MSM were included – 64 with repeat infections [28·2%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 22·4–34·5]. Repeat positivity was associated with increased pre-treatment organism load [odds ratio (OR) 1·7, 95% CI 1·4–2·2]. Of 64 repeat infections, 29 (12·8%, 95% CI 8·7–17·8) were treatment failures and 35 (15·4%, 95% CI 11·0–20·8) were reinfections, 11 (17·2%, 95% CI 8·9–28·7) of which were definite reinfections. Treatment failure and reinfection were both associated with increased load (OR 2·0, 95% CI 1·4–2·7 and 1·6, 95% CI 1·2–2·2, respectively). The most prevalent genovars were G, D and J. Treatment efficacy for 1 g azithromycin was 83·6% (95% CI 77·2–88·8). Repeat positivity was associated with high pre-treatment organism load. Randomized controlled trials are urgently needed to evaluate azithromycin's efficacy and whether extended doses can overcome rectal infections with high organism load.
Resistant Shigella strains in refugees, August–October 2015, Greece
Authors: GEORGAKOPOULOU T. , MANDILARA G. , MELLOU K. , TRYFINOPOULOU K. , CHRISOSTOMOU A. , LILLAKOU H. , HADJICHRISTODOULOU C. , VATOPOULOS A.
Published: May 2016

Shigellosis is endemic in most developing countries and thus a known risk in refugees and internally displaced persons. In 2015, a massive influx of refugees into Greece, due to the political crisis in the Middle East, led to the development of appropriate conditions for outbreaks of communicable diseases as shigellosis. We present a cluster of 16 shigellosis cases in refugees, detected by the implementation of a syndromic notification system in one transit centre in Athens, between 20 August and 7 October 2015. Both Shigella flexneri (n = 8) and S. sonnei (n = 8) were identified, distributed in various serotypes. All tested isolates (n = 13) were multidrug resistant; seven were CTX-M-type extended-spectrum β-lactamase producers. Our results indicate lack of a potential common source, although pulsed-field gel electrophoresis typing results revealed small clusters in isolates of the same serotype indicating possible limited person-to-person transmission without identifying secondary community cases related to the refugees. To prevent the spread of shigellosis, empirical antibiotic treatment as well as environmental hygiene measures were implemented. The detection of multi-drug resistance is important for determining the appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment for the more severe cases, while at the same time real-time typing is useful for epidemiological investigation and control measures.
Stimulants for impulsive violence in schizophrenia spectrum disordered women: a case series and brief review
Authors: Skoretz Philip , Tang Chin
Published: May 2016

High violence prevalence is a common concern for forensic psychiatric settings. Categorizing underlying drivers of violence has helped to direct treatment and management efforts toward psychotic, predatory, and impulsively violent psychopathology. This article describes a series of cases in which clozapine provided adequate control of psychosis in women suffering schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Nevertheless, impulsive violence remained problematic. Add-on methylphenidate was found to be safe and effective in curbing impulsive violent behavior in this select group of patients.
Role of family support and women’s knowledge on pregnancy-related risks in adherence to maternal iron–folic acid supplementation in Indonesia
Authors: Wiradnyani Luh Ade Ari , Khusun Helda , Achadi Endang L , Ocviyanti Dwiana , Shankar Anuraj H
Published: May 2016

Objective

To examine whether women’s knowledge of pregnancy-related risks and family support received during pregnancy are associated with adherence to maternal iron–folic acid (IFA) supplementation.

Design

Secondary data analysis of the 2002–03, 2007 and 2012 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey. Analysis of the association between factors associated with adherence (consuming ≥90 IFA tablets), including the women’s knowledge and family support, was performed using multivariate logistic regression.

Setting

National household survey.

Subjects

Women (n19 133) who had given birth within 2 years prior to the interview date.

Results

Knowledge of pregnancy-related risks was associated with increased adherence to IFA supplementation (adjusted OR=1·8; 95 % CI 1·6, 2·0), as was full family (particularly husband’s) support (adjusted OR=1·9; 95 % CI 1·6, 2·3). Adequate antenatal care (ANC) visits (i.e. four or more) was associated with increased adherence (adjusted OR=2·2; 95 % CI 2·0, 2·4). However, ANC providers missed opportunities to distribute tablets and information, as among women with adequate ANC visits, 15 % reported never having received/bought any IFA tablets and 30 % had no knowledge of pregnancy-related risks. A significant interaction was observed between family support and the women’s educational level in predicting adherence. Family support significantly increased the adherence among women with <9 years of education.

Conclusions

Improving women’s knowledge of pregnancy-related risks and involving family members, particularly the husband and importantly for less-educated women, improved adherence to IFA supplementation. ANC visit opportunities must be optimized to provide women with sufficient numbers of IFA tablets along with health information (especially on pregnancy-related risks) and partner support counselling.
New Approaches for Air-Sea Fluxes in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Gille Sarah , Josey Simon , Swart Seb
Published: May 2016

Air-Sea Fluxes for the Southern Ocean: Strategies and Requirements for Detecting Physical and Biogeochemical Exchanges; Frascati, Italy, 21–23 September 2015
High Energy Growth, Fossil Fuel Dependence Forecast Through 2040
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: May 2016

By then, coal, natural gas, and renewables each will contribute about 30% of global net electricity, new report predicts.
Cytoplasmic cyclin D1 regulates cell invasion and metastasis through the phosphorylation of paxillin
Authors: Fusté Noel P. , Fernández-Hernández Rita , Cemeli Tània , Mirantes Cristina , Pedraza Neus , Rafel Marta , Torres-Rosell Jordi , Colomina Neus , Ferrezuelo Francisco , Dolcet Xavier , Garí Eloi
Published: May 2016

Cyclin D1 (Ccnd1) together with its binding partner Cdk4 act as a transcriptional regulator to control cell proliferation and migration, and abnormal Ccnd1·Cdk4 expression promotes tumour growth and metastasis. While different nuclear Ccnd1·Cdk4 targets participating in cell proliferation and tissue development have been identified, little is known about how Ccnd1·Cdk4 controls cell adherence and invasion. Here, we show that the focal adhesion component paxillin is a cytoplasmic substrate of Ccnd1·Cdk4. This complex phosphorylates a fraction of paxillin specifically associated to the cell membrane, and promotes Rac1 activation, thereby triggering membrane ruffling and cell invasion in both normal fibroblasts and tumour cells. Our results demonstrate that localization of Ccnd1·Cdk4 to the cytoplasm does not simply act to restrain cell proliferation, but constitutes a functionally relevant mechanism operating under normal and pathological conditions to control cell adhesion, migration and metastasis through activation of a Ccnd1·Cdk4-paxillin-Rac1 axis.
An early granulocyte colony-stimulating factor treatment attenuates neuropathic pain through activation of mu opioid receptors on the injured nerve
Authors: Liao Ming-Feng , Yeh Shin-Rung , Lo Ai-Lun , Chao Po-Kuan , Lee Yun-Lin , Hung Yu-Hui , Lu Kwok-Tung , Ro Long-Sun
Published: May 2016

Several studies have shown that the mu opioid receptor (MOR) located in the peripheral nerves can be activated after nerve injury and that it attenuates peripheral nociceptive signals to the spinal dorsal horn. Various cytokines and phosphorylated-p38 (p-p38) activation in the dorsal horn also play an important role in neuropathic pain development. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (GCSF) is a growth factor that can stimulate granulocyte formation and has been shown to exert an analgesic effect on neuropathic pain through recruiting opioid-containing leukocytes to the injured nerve. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Herein, the results of behavior tests in addition to MOR levels in the injured sciatic nerve and the levels of p-p38 and various cytokines in the spinal dorsal horn were studied in vehicle-treated or GCSF-treated chronic constriction injured (CCI) rats at different time points (i.e., 1, 3 and 7 days, respectively) after nerve injury. The results showed that a single early systemic GCSF treatment after nerve injury can up-regulate MORs in the injured nerve, which can decrease peripheral nociceptive signals. Thereafter, those changes suppress the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 but enhance the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4, followed by decreases in p-p38 in the dorsal horn and thus further attenuate neuropathic pain.
Sepsis in preterm infants causes alterations in mucosal gene expression and microbiota profiles compared to non-septic twins
Authors: Cernada María , Bäuerl Christine , Serna Eva , Collado Maria Carmen , Martínez Gaspar Pérez , Vento Máximo
Published: May 2016

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition in preterm infants. Neonatal microbiota plays a pivotal role in the immune system maturation. Changes in gut microbiota have been associated to inflammatory disorders; however, a link with sepsis in the neonatal period has not yet been established. We aimed to analyze gut microbiota and mucosal gene expression using non-invasively obtained samples to provide with an integrative perspective of host-microbe interactions in neonatal sepsis. For this purpose, a prospective observational case-control study was conducted in septic preterm dizygotic twins and their non-septic twin controls. Fecal samples were used for both microbiota analysis and host genome-wide expression using exfoliated intestinal cells. Gene expression of exfoliated intestinal cells in septic preterm showed an induction of inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways in the gut and pro-oxidant profile that caused dysbiosis in the gut microbiota with predominance of Enterobacteria and reduction of Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium spp.in fecal samples, leading to a global reduction of beneficial anaerobic bacteria. Sepsis in preterm infants induced low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress in the gut mucosa, and also changes in the gut microbiota. This study highlights the role of inflammation and oxidative stress in neonatal sepsis on gut microbial profiles.
Universal classification of twisted, strained and sheared graphene moiré superlattices
Authors: Artaud A. , Magaud L. , Le Quang T. , Guisset V. , David P. , Chapelier C. , Coraux J.
Published: May 2016

Moiré superlattices in graphene supported on various substrates have opened a new avenue to engineer graphene’s electronic properties. Yet, the exact crystallographic structure on which their band structure depends remains highly debated. In this scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory study, we have analysed graphene samples grown on multilayer graphene prepared onto SiC and on the close-packed surfaces of Re and Ir with ultra-high precision. We resolve small-angle twists and shears in graphene and identify large unit cells comprising more than 1,000 carbon atoms and exhibiting non-trivial nanopatterns for moiré superlattices, which are commensurate to the graphene lattice. Finally, a general formalism applicable to any hexagonal moiré is presented to classify all reported structures.
High therapeutic efficacy of Cathelicidin-WA against postweaning diarrhea via inhibiting inflammation and enhancing epithelial barrier in the intestine
Authors: Yi Hongbo , Zhang Lin , Gan Zhenshun , Xiong Haitao , Yu Caihua , Du Huahua , Wang Yizhen
Published: May 2016

Diarrhea is a leading cause of death among young mammals, especially during weaning. Here, we investigated the effects of Cathelicidin-WA (CWA) on diarrhea, intestinal morphology, inflammatory responses, epithelial barrier and microbiota in the intestine of young mammals during weaning. Piglets with clinical diarrhea were selected and treated with saline (control), CWA or enrofloxacin (Enro) for 4 days. Both CWA and Enro effectively attenuated diarrhea. Compared with the control, CWA decreased IL-6, IL-8 and IL-22 levels and reduced neutrophil infiltration into the jejunum. CWA inhibited inflammation by down-regulating the TLR4-, MyD88- and NF-κB-dependent pathways. Additionally, CWA improved intestinal morphology by increasing villus and microvillus heights and enhancing intestinal barrier function by increasing tight junction (TJ) protein expression and augmenting wound-healing ability in intestinal epithelial cells. CWA also improved microbiota composition and increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels in feces. By contrast, Enro not only disrupted the intestinal barrier but also negatively affected microbiota composition and SCFA levels in the intestine. In conclusion, CWA effectively attenuated inflammation, enhanced intestinal barrier function and improved microbiota composition in the intestines of weaned piglets. These results suggest that CWA could be an effective and safe therapy for diarrhea or other intestinal diseases in young mammals.
Rearrangement of mitochondrial tRNA genes in flat bugs (Hemiptera: Aradidae)
Authors: Song Fan , Li Hu , Shao Renfu , Shi Aimin , Bai Xiaoshuan , Zheng Xiaorong , Heiss Ernst , Cai Wanzhi
Published: May 2016

The typical insect mitochondrial (mt) genome organization, which contains a single chromosome with 37 genes, was found in the infraorder Pentatomomorpha (suborder Heteroptera). The arrangement of mt genes in these true bugs is usually the same as the ancestral mt gene arrangement of insects. Rearrangement of transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, however, has been found in two subfamilies of flat bugs (Mezirinae and Calisiinae, family Aradidae). In this study, we sequenced the complete mt genomes of four species from three other subfamilies (Aradinae, Carventinae and Aneurinae). We found tRNA gene rearrangement in all of these four species. All of the rearranged tRNA genes are located between the mitochondrial control region andcox1, indicating this region as a hotspot for gene rearrangement in flat bugs; the rearrangement is likely caused by events of tandem duplication and random deletion of genes. Furthermore, our phylogenetic and dating analyses indicated that the swap of positions betweentrnQandtrnIoccurred ~162 million years ago (MYA) in the most recent common ancestor of the five subfamilies of flat bugs investigated to date, whereas the swap of positions betweentrnCandtrnWoccurred later in the lineage leading to Calisiinae, and the translocation oftrnCandtrnYoccurred later than 134 MYA in the lineage leading to Aradinae.
Pteropod eggs released at high pCO2 lack resilience to ocean acidification
Authors: Manno Clara , Peck Victoria L. , Tarling Geraint A.
Published: May 2016

The effects of ocean acidification (OA) on the early recruitment of pteropods in the Scotia Sea, was investigated considering the process of spawning, quality of the spawned eggs and their capacity to develop. Maternal OA stress was induced on female pteropods (Limacina helicina antarctica) through exposure to present day pCO2 conditions and two potential future OA states (750 μatm and 1200 μatm). The eggs spawned from these females, both before and during their exposure to OA, were incubated themselves in this same range of conditions (embryonic OA stress). Maternal OA stress resulted in eggs with lower carbon content, while embryonic OA stress retarded development. The combination of maternal and embryonic OA stress reduced the percentage of eggs successfully reaching organogenesis by 80%. We propose that OA stress not only affects the somatic tissue of pteropods but also the functioning of their gonads. Corresponding in-situ sampling found that post-larval L. helicina antarctica concentrated around 600 m depth, which is deeper than previously assumed. A deeper distribution makes their exposure to waters undersaturated for aragonite more likely in the near future given that these waters are predicted to shoal from depth over the coming decades.
An integrated soil-crop system model for water and nitrogen management in North China
Authors: Liang Hao , Hu Kelin , Batchelor William D. , Qi Zhiming , Li Baoguo
Published: May 2016

An integrated model WHCNS (soil Water Heat Carbon Nitrogen Simulator) was developed to assess water and nitrogen (N) management in North China. It included five main modules: soil water, soil temperature, soil carbon (C), soil N, and crop growth. The model integrated some features of several widely used crop and soil models, and some modifications were made in order to apply the WHCNS model under the complex conditions of intensive cropping systems in North China. The WHCNS model was evaluated using an open access dataset from the European International Conference on Modeling Soil Water and N Dynamics. WHCNS gave better estimations of soil water and N dynamics, dry matter accumulation and N uptake than 14 other models. The model was tested against data from four experimental sites in North China under various soil, crop, climate, and management practices. Simulated soil water content, soil nitrate concentrations, crop dry matter, leaf area index and grain yields all agreed well with measured values. This study indicates that the WHCNS model can be used to analyze and evaluate the effects of various field management practices on crop yield, fate of N, and water and N use efficiencies in North China.
Two common structural motifs for TCR recognition by staphylococcal enterotoxins
Authors: Rödström Karin E. J. , Regenthal Paulina , Bahl Christopher , Ford Alex , Baker David , Lindkvist-Petersson Karin
Published: May 2016

Superantigens are toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus, called staphylococcal enterotoxins (abbreviated SEA to SEU). They can cross-link the T cell receptor (TCR) and major histocompatibility complex class II, triggering a massive T cell activation and hence disease. Due to high stability and toxicity, superantigens are potential agents of bioterrorism. Hence, antagonists may not only be useful in the treatment of disease but also serve as countermeasures to biological warfare. Of particular interest are inhibitors against SEA and SEB. SEA is the main cause of food poisoning, while SEB is a common toxin manufactured as a biological weapon. Here, we present the crystal structures of SEA in complex with TCR and SEE in complex with the same TCR, complemented with computational alanine-scanning mutagenesis of SEA, SEB, SEC3, SEE and SEH. We have identified two common areas that contribute to the general TCR binding for these superantigens. This paves the way for design of single antagonists directed towards multiple toxins.
Quantum versus simulated annealing in wireless interference network optimization
Authors: Wang Chi , Chen Huo , Jonckheere Edmond
Published: May 2016

Quantum annealing (QA) serves as a specialized optimizer that is able to solve many NP-hard problems and that is believed to have a theoretical advantage over simulated annealing (SA) via quantum tunneling. With the introduction of the D-Wave programmable quantum annealer, a considerable amount of effort has been devoted to detect and quantify quantum speedup. While the debate over speedup remains inconclusive as of now, instead of attempting to show general quantum advantage, here, we focus on a novel real-world application of D-Wave in wireless networking—more specifically, the scheduling of the activation of the air-links for maximum throughput subject to interference avoidance near network nodes. In addition, D-Wave implementation is made error insensitive by a novel Hamiltonian extra penalty weight adjustment that enlarges the gap and substantially reduces the occurrence of interference violations resulting from inevitable spin bias and coupling errors. The major result of this paper is that quantum annealing benefits more than simulated annealing from this gap expansion process, both in terms of ST99 speedup and network queue occupancy. It is the hope that this could become a real-word application niche where potential benefits of quantum annealing could be objectively assessed.
Photonic reagents for concentration measurement of flu-orescent proteins with overlapping spectra
Authors: Goun Alexei , Bondar Denys I. , Er Ali O. , Quine Zachary , Rabitz Herschel A.
Published: May 2016

By exploiting photonic reagents (i.e., coherent control by shaped laser pulses), we employ Optimal Dynamic Discrimination (ODD) as a novel means for quantitatively characterizing mixtures of fluorescent proteins with a large spectral overlap. To illustrate ODD, we simultaneously measured concentrations of in vitro mixtures of Enhanced Blue Fluorescent Protein (EBFP) and Enhanced Cyan Fluorescent Protein (ECFP). Building on this foundational study, the ultimate goal is to exploit the capabilities of ODD for parallel monitoring of genetic and protein circuits by suppressing the spectral cross-talk among multiple fluorescent reporters.