bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validating a 14-Drug Microtiter Plate Containing Bedaquiline and Delamanid for Large-Scale Research Susceptibility Testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Rancoita Paola M. V. , Cugnata Federica , Gibertoni Cruz Ana Luíza , Borroni Emanuele , Hoosdally Sarah J. , Walker Timothy M. , Grazian Clara , Davies Timothy J. , Peto Timothy E. A. , Crook Derrick W. , Fowler Philip W. , Cirillo Daniela M. ,   for the CRyPTIC Consortium Derrick W. Crook University of Oxford Timothy E. A. Peto University of Oxford A. Sarah Walker University of Oxford Sarah J. Hoosdally University of Oxford Ana L. Gibertoni Cruz University of Oxford Clara Grazian University of Oxford Timothy M. Walker University of Oxford Philip W. Fowler University of Oxford Daniel Wilson University of Oxford David Clifton University of Oxford Zamin Iqbal European Bioinformatics Institute Martin Hunt European Bioinformatics Institute E. Grace Smi
Published: June 2018

The UKMYC5 plate is a 96-well microtiter plate designed by the CRyPTIC Consortium (Comprehensive Resistance Prediction for Tuberculosis: an International Consortium) to enable the measurement of MICs of 14 different antituberculosis (anti-TB) compounds for >30,000 clinical
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolates. Unlike the MYCOTB plate, on which the UKMYC5 plate is based, the UKMYC5 plate includes two new (bedaquiline and delamanid) and two repurposed (clofazimine and linezolid) compounds.
Quantification of Cefepime, Meropenem, Piperacillin, and Tazobactam in Human Plasma Using a Sensitive and Robust Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method, Part 1: Assay Development and Validation
Authors: D'Cunha Ronilda , Bach Thanh , Young Beth Ann , Li Peizhi , Nalbant Demet , Zhang Jun , Winokur Patricia , An Guohua
Published: June 2018

The highly variable pharmacokinetics of β-lactam antibiotics and β-lactamase inhibitors poses a significant challenge to clinicians in ensuring appropriate antibiotic doses in critically ill patients. Therefore, routine monitoring of plasma concentrations is important for individualization of antimicrobial therapy.
The Human Cytomegalovirus Protein UL148A Downregulates the NK Cell-Activating Ligand MICA To Avoid NK Cell Attack
Authors: Dassa Liat , Seidel Einat , Oiknine-Djian Esther , Yamin Rachel , Wolf Dana G. , Le-Trilling Vu Thuy Khanh , Mandelboim Ofer
Published: June 2018

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous pathogen which is usually asymptomatic but that can cause serious complications and mortality in congenital infections and in immunosuppressed patients. One of the difficulties in developing novel vaccines and treatments for HCMV is its remarkable ability to evade our immune system. In particular, HCMV directs significant efforts to thwarting cells of the innate immune system known as natural killer (NK) cells. These cells are crucial for successful control of HCMV infection, and yet our understanding of the mechanisms which HCMV utilizes to elude NK cells is partial at best. In the present study, we discovered that a protein encoded by HCMV which had no known function is important for preventing NK cells from killing HCMV-infected cells. This knowledge can be used in the future for designing more-efficient HCMV vaccines and for formulating novel therapies targeting this virus.
Attenuated Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) Expressing a Mutant Form of ICP6 Stimulates a Strong Immune Response That Protects Mice against HSV-1-Induced Corneal Disease
Authors: Davido David J. , Tu Eleain M. , Wang Hong , Korom Maria , Gazquez Casals Andreu , Reddy P. Jahnu , Mostafa Heba H. , Combs Benjamin , Haenchen Steve D. , Morrison Lynda A.
Published: June 2018

HSV-1 is a ubiquitous human pathogen that infects the majority of the world's population. Although most infections are asymptomatic, HSV-1 establishes lifelong latency in infected sensory neurons, from which it can reactivate to cause deadly encephalitis or potentially blinding eye disease. No clinically effective vaccine is available. In this study, we tested the protective potential of a neuroattenuated HSV-1 mutant (KOS-NA) as a vaccine in mice. We compared the effects of immunization with KOS-NA to those of two other attenuated viruses, a replication-competent (ICP0
−
) virus and a replication-incompetent (ICP8
−
) virus. Our data show that KOS-NA proved superior to the ICP0- and ICP8-null mutants in protecting mice from corneal disease and latent infection. With its significant neuroattenuation, severe impairment in establishing latency, and excellent protective effect, KOS-NA represents a significant discovery in the field of HSV-1 vaccine development.
Identification of Host Factors Involved in Human Cytomegalovirus Replication, Assembly, and Egress Using a Two-Step Small Interfering RNA Screen
Authors: McCormick Dominique , Lin Yao-Tang , Grey Finn
Published: June 2018

As obligate intracellular parasites, viruses are completely dependent on host factors for replication. Assembly and egress of complex virus particles, such as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), are likely to require many host factors. Despite this, relatively few have been identified and characterized. This study describes a novel high-throughput, two-step small interfering RNA (siRNA) screen, which independently measures virus replication and virus production. By combining data from replication and virus production, multiple candidate genes were identified in which knockdown resulted in substantial loss of virus production with limited effect on primary replication, suggesting roles in later stages such as virus assembly and egress. Knockdown of the top candidates, ERC1, RAB4B, COPA, and COPB2, caused profound loss of virus production. Despite COPA and COPB2 being reported to function in the same complex, knockdown of these genes produced distinct phenotypes. Furthermore, knockdown of COPA caused increased expression of viral late genes despite substantial inhibition of viral DNA replication. This suggests that efficient viral genome replication is not required for late gene expression. Finally, we show that RAB4B relocates to the viral assembly compartment following infection with HCMV and knockdown of RAB4B reduces the release of intact virion particles, suggesting that it plays a role in virion assembly and egress. This study demonstrates a powerful high-throughput screen for identification of host-virus interactions, identifies multiple host genes associated with HCMV assembly and egress, and uncovers potentially independent functions for coatomer components COPA and COPB2 during infection.

IMPORTANCE
Human cytomegalovirus infection is a significant cause of disease in immunocompromised populations, individuals with heart disease, and recipients of solid organ and bone marrow transplants. HCMV is also the leading cause of infectious congenital birth defects. The majority of antivirals in clinical use target components of the virus to specifically inhibit replication. However, a major drawback of this approach is the emergence of resistance. An alternative approach is to target host factors that the virus requires for successful infection. In this study, multiple host factors were identified that were found to be essential for the production of newly infectious human cytomegalovirus. Identifying which host genes are necessary for virus replication extends our understanding of how viruses replicate and how cells function and provides potential targets for novel antivirals.
Trichomonas vaginalis
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Mediates Parasite Survival during Nutrient Stress
Authors: Chen Yi-Pei , Twu Olivia , Johnson Patricia J.
Published: June 2018

Trichomonas vaginalis
is responsible for the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide, and yet the mechanisms used by this parasite to establish and maintain infection are poorly understood. We previously identified a
T. vaginalis
homologue (TvMIF) of a human cytokine, human macrophage migration inhibitory factor (huMIF). TvMIF mimics huMIF’s role in increasing cell growth and inhibiting apoptosis in human host cells. To interrogate a role of TvMIF in parasite survival during infection, we asked whether overexpression of TvMIF (TvMIF-OE) confers an advantage to the parasite under nutrient stress conditions by comparing the survival of TvMIF-OE parasites to that of empty vector (EV) parasites. We found that under conditions of serum starvation, overexpression of TvMIF resulted in increased parasite survival. Serum-starved parasites secrete 2.5-fold more intrinsic TvMIF than unstarved parasites, stimulating autocrine and paracrine signaling. Similarly, we observed that addition of recombinant TvMIF increased the survival of the parasites in the absence of serum. Recombinant huMIF likewise increased the parasite survival in the absence of serum, indicating that the parasite may use this host survival factor to resist its own death. Moreover, TvMIF-OE parasites were found to undergo significantly less apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation under conditions of serum starvation, consistent with increased survival being the result of blocking ROS-induced apoptosis. These studies demonstrated that a parasitic MIF enhances survival under adverse conditions and defined TvMIF and huMIF as conserved survival factors that exhibit cross talk in host-pathogen interactions.

IMPORTANCE
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a conserved protein found in most eukaryotes which has been well characterized in mammals but poorly studied in other eukaryotes. The limited analyses of MIF proteins found in unicellular eukaryotes have focused exclusively on the effect of parasitic MIF on the mammalian host. This was the first study to assess the function of a parasite MIF in parasite biology. We demonstrate that the
Trichomonas vaginalis
MIF functions to suppress cell death induced by apoptosis, thereby enhancing parasite survival under adverse conditions. Our research reveals a conserved survival mechanism, shared by a parasite and its host, and indicates a role for a conserved protein in mediating cross talk in host-pathogen interactions.
A Proteolytic Complex Targets Multiple Cell Wall Hydrolases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Srivastava Disha , Seo Jin , Rimal Binayak , Kim Sung Joon , Zhen Stephanie , Darwin Andrew J.
Published: June 2018

Carboxy-terminal processing proteases (CTPs) occur in all three domains of life. In bacteria, some of them have been associated with virulence. However, the precise roles of bacterial CTPs are poorly understood, and few direct proteolytic substrates have been identified. One bacterial CTP is the CtpA protease of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, which is required for type III secretion system (T3SS) function and for virulence in a mouse model of acute pneumonia. Here, we have investigated the function of CtpA in
P. aeruginosa
and identified some of the proteins it cleaves. We discovered that CtpA forms a complex with a previously uncharacterized protein, which we have named LbcA (
l
ipoprotein
b
inding partner of
C
tpA). LbcA is required for CtpA activity
in vivo
and promotes its activity
in vitro
. We have also identified four proteolytic substrates of CtpA, all of which are uncharacterized proteins predicted to cleave the peptide cross-links within peptidoglycan. Consistent with this, a
ctpA
null mutant was found to have fewer peptidoglycan cross-links than the wild type and grew slowly in salt-free medium. Intriguingly, the accumulation of just one of the CtpA substrates was required for some Δ
ctpA
mutant phenotypes, including the defective T3SS. We propose that LbcA-CtpA is a proteolytic complex in the
P. aeruginosa
cell envelope, which controls the activity of several peptidoglycan cross-link hydrolases by degrading them. Furthermore, based on these and other findings, we suggest that many bacterial CTPs might be similarly controlled by partner proteins as part of a widespread mechanism to control peptidoglycan hydrolase activity.

IMPORTANCE
Bacterial carboxy-terminal processing proteases (CTPs) are widely conserved and have been associated with the virulence of several species. However, their roles are poorly understood, and few direct substrates have been identified in any species.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is an important human pathogen in which one CTP, known as CtpA, is required for type III secretion system function and for virulence. This work provides an important advance by showing that CtpA works with a previously uncharacterized binding partner to degrade four substrates. These substrates are all predicted to hydrolyze peptidoglycan cross-links, suggesting that the CtpA complex is an important control mechanism for peptidoglycan hydrolysis. This is likely to emerge as a widespread mechanism used by diverse bacteria to control some of their peptidoglycan hydrolases. This is significant, given the links between CTPs and virulence in several pathogens and the importance of peptidoglycan remodeling to almost all bacterial cells.
Quercetin ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting SphK1/S1P signaling
Authors: Zhang Xingcai , Cai Yuli , Zhang Wei , Chen Xianhai
Published: June 2018

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is an agnogenic chronic disorder with high morbidity and low survival rate. Quercetin is a flavonoid found in a variety of herbs with anti-fibrosis function. In this study, bleomycin was employed to induce a pulmonary fibrosis mouse model. The quercetin administration ameliorated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, evidenced by the expression level changes of hydroxyproline, fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin, Collagen I, and Collagen III. Similar results were observed in transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-treated human embryonic lung fibroblast (HELF). The bleomycin or TGF-β administration caused the increase of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) level in pulmonary tissue and HELF cells, as well as its activation-required kinase, sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1), and its degradation enzyme, sphinogosine-1-phosphate lyase (S1PL). However, the increase of S1P, SphK1, and S1PL was attenuated by application of quercetin. In addition, the effect of quercetin on fibrosis was abolished by the ectopic expression of SphK1. The colocalization of SphK1/S1PL and fibroblast specific protein 1 (FSP1) suggested the roles of fibroblasts in pulmonary fibrosis. In summary, we demonstrated that quercetin ameliorated pulmonary fibrosis in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting SphK1/S1P signaling.
Macroecology of fish community biomass – size structure: effects of invasive species and river regulation
Authors: Kopf R. Keller , Humphries Paul , Bond Nick R. , Sims Neil C. , Watts Robyn J. , Thompson Ross M. , Hladyz Sally , Koehn John D. , King Alison J. , McCasker Nicole , McDonald Simon
Published: June 2018

The biomass of organisms of different sizes is increasingly being used to explore macroscale variation in food-web and community structure. Here we examine how invasive species and river flow regulation affect native fish biomass and fish community log10biomass – body mass scaling relationships in Australia’s largest river system, the Murray–Darling. The log10biomass – body mass scaling exponent (scaling B) of invasive fishes (95% CI: −0.14 to −0.18) was less negative than for native fishes (95% CI: −0.20 to −0.25), meaning that invasive species attained a higher biomass in larger size-classes compared to native species. Flow alteration and invasive common carp (Cyprinus carpio) biomass were correlated with severe reductions in native fish biomass ranging from −47% to −68% (95% CI). Our study provides novel evidence suggesting that invasive and native communities have different biomass – body mass scaling patterns, which likely depend on differences in their trophic ecology and body size distributions. Our results suggest that restoration efforts using environmental flows and common carp control has potential to boost native fish biomass to more than double the current level.
Numerical study of the effect of gas-to-liquid ratio on the internal and external flows of effervescent atomizers
Authors: Mousavi Milad , Dolatabadi Ali
Published: June 2018

In an effort to capture the complex evolving interface of internal and external flow in an effervescent atomizer, a compressible Eulerian method, along with the volume-of-fluid method coupled with the large eddy simulation model, are employed in a two-phase flow system. Water is injected into the atomizer with a constant mass flow rate of 0.0133 kg/s (i.e., 800 mL/min). The mass flow rate of air is adjusted to vary the gas-to-liquid ratio (GLR) from 0.55% to 2.6%. It is observed that the increase in the GLR is accompanied by an evolution of the internal flow from a complex bubbly flow to an annular flow, which consequently reduces the liquid film thickness at the discharge orifice. Further studies on the internal pressure illustrate the critical condition, which leads to choked flow and pressure oscillations at the discharge orifice. Increasing the GLR was found to affect the internal flow, resulting in changes to primary atomization parameters such as a shortening of the breakup length and a widening of the spray cone angle. The numerical predictions are in good agreement with the experimental results under the same operating conditions.
On equivariant Serre problem for principal bundles
Authors: Biswas Indranil , Dey Arijit , Poddar Mainak
Published: June 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a [Formula: see text]-equivariant algebraic principal [Formula: see text]-bundle over a normal complex affine variety [Formula: see text] equipped with an action of [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are complex linear algebraic groups. Suppose [Formula: see text] is contractible as a topological [Formula: see text]-space with a dense orbit, and [Formula: see text] is a [Formula: see text]-fixed point. We show that if [Formula: see text] is reductive, then [Formula: see text] admits a [Formula: see text]-equivariant isomorphism with the product principal [Formula: see text]-bundle [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a homomorphism between algebraic groups. As a consequence, any torus equivariant principal [Formula: see text]-bundle over an affine toric variety is equivariantly trivial. This leads to a classification of torus equivariant principal [Formula: see text]-bundles over any complex toric variety, generalizing the main result of [A classification of equivariant principal bundles over nonsingular toric varieties, Internat. J. Math. 27(14) (2016)].
Stability analysis of car-following model on straight and curved roads considering the preceding vehicle’s velocity feedback control
Authors: Tan Peng , Sun Di-Hua , Chen Dong , Zhao Min , Chen Tao
Published: June 2018

In order to reveal the impact of preceding vehicle’s velocity on traffic flow, an extended car-following model considering preceding vehicle’s velocity feedback control is proposed in this paper. The linear stability criterion of the new model is derived through control theory method and it shows that the feedback control signal impacts the stability of traffic flow. Numerical simulation results is in good agreement with the theoretical analysis, which prove that a smaller negative feedback control of the preceding vehicle’s velocity can enhance the stability of traffic flow, while a smaller positive feedback control of the preceding vehicle’s velocity can exacerbate traffic congestion. Moreover, the reaction coefficients of straight and curved road conditions also play an important role in the stability of traffic flow.
Effect of ultrasonic impact treatment on surface microstructure and fatigue properties of 6082 aluminum alloy butt joint
Authors: He Bolin , Feng Yaming , Li Li , Chen Zhaoxia
Published: June 2018

Effect of ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT) on microstructure and fatigue properties of the aluminum alloy 6082 was studied at room temperature. The change of microstructure on the surface and the grain size after impact treatment was observed by metallographic microscope and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The residual stress was measured by residual stress tester. The experimental results show that the UIT can lead to obvious plastic deformation layer in the treated surface, and nanocrystals were formed. Compressive residual stress of 50.4 MPa was maximum at the surface after the UIT. With an impact current of 1.0 A and impact time of 2 min, compared with untreated specimens, the fatigue strength of the 6082 aluminum alloy joint increases by about 11.18%. The fracture position for the treated specimen has been changed, the crack initiation is seen in the weld toe surface for the as-welded joint, and the crack initiation in the sub-surface for the treated specimen is comparable to the as-welded joint fatigue.
Age Replacement Policies with Shortage and Excess Costs
Authors: Chen Mingchih , Zhao Xufeng , Nakagawa Toshio
Published: June 2018

It has been proposed in recent literatures that if replacement time is planned too early prior to failure time, a waste of operation cost, i.e., excess costs, would incur because the system might run for an additional period of time to complete critical operations; and if the replacement time is too late after failure, a great failure cost, i.e., shortage cost, is incurred due to the delay in time of the carelessly scheduled replacement. The above notion of shortage and excess costs are taken into consideration for the replacement first, replacement last and replacement overtime models in this paper. We obtain the expected cost rates and their optimum replacement times. Comparisons among these optimum times are made analytically and numerically.
A Review of the Potential Replacements of HCFC/HFCs Using Environment-Friendly Refrigerants
Authors: El-Sayed A. R. , El Morsi M. , Mahmoud N. A.
Published: June 2018

The adequate and efficient performance of HVAC systems are signs of luxury and human comfort, and the improvement of their performance has been the target of continuous researches. Choosing the suitable refrigerant is the main parameter in matching the system components, selecting the type of heat exchangers, the compressor, the expansion device and the suitable lubricant. The theoretically ideal refrigerant is the one having zero ozone depletion potential (ODP), low global warming potential (GWP), nontoxic, nonflammable, has appropriate thermodynamic and heat transfer properties and is compatible with any type of lubricating oil. Chlorinated, fluorinated refrigerants, zeotropic and azeotropic mixtures satisfy many requirements, but have high ODP and GWP and are not compatible with all types of oil. Hydrocarbons (HCs) satisfy all the requirements except being highly flammable. This work reviews previous research aiming to find substitutes for the environmentally harmful refrigerants by other environmentally friendly ones and compare their performance in various HVAC appliances.
Portmanteau word-play for vocabulary enhancement with humanoid robot support
Authors: Schicchi Daniele , Pilato Giovanni
Published: June 2018

Word-play is as powerful learning and motivation tool often used by educators for teaching the ability of reading, which is a complex activity. In this paper, we introduce a system that exploits a Pepper humanoid robot acting as a playfellow in a word-play game based on portmanteau words. The robot shows the ability to play with children using a conversation engine, a portmanteau creation engine, and a definition engine. In this manner, Pepper can integrate itself within a group of kids, and it can support a teacher in her activities. The humanoid can be involved in a word-based round-game in which it can play the role of either answerer or generator of new words.
Evaluation of catgut implantation at acupoints for asthma: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cui Wenqiang , Sun Wenshan , Mao-Ying Qi-Liang , Mi Wenli , Chu Yuxia , Wang Yanqing
Published: June 2018

Objective: This study aims to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of catgut implantation at acupoints (CIA) treating asthma, extracting data from the published clinical trials.

Methods: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), CNKI, WANFANG and VIP databases were searched up to February 2017. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving CIA or CIA plus conventional medicine treatment (CMT) were selected with CMT as control. We assessed the methodological quality of RCTs using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions. The outcome data of trials were analyzed using RevMan5.3.

Results: A total of 12 studies ([Formula: see text]) were included. Most of the included studies were assessed to have high risk of bias with low quality of methodology. CIA application significantly improved the overall therapeutic efficacy ([Formula: see text]) and pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1[Formula: see text]s (FEV1) and FEV1%, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) and reduced the overall scores of TCM symptoms ([Formula: see text]). Further, it significantly relieved several TCM symptoms including shortness of breath, chest distress and cough ([Formula: see text]). However, CIA only exerted a protective tendency for expectoration and wheezing without significant difference and had no effects on recurrence rate (all [Formula: see text]).

Conclusions: CIA treatment could improve the overall efficacy and pulmonary function and relief several symptoms. However, the evidence remains weak. Rigorous and larger trials will be the basis of the effectiveness and long-term effects of CIA therapies.
Efficacy of Spa Therapy, Mud-Pack Therapy, Balneotherapy, and Mud-Bath Therapy in the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis. A Systematic Review
Authors: Fraioli Antonio , Mennuni Gioacchino , Fontana Mario , Nocchi Silvia , Ceccarelli Fulvia , Perricone Carlo , Serio Angelo
Published: June 2018

Background. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common musculoskeletal disease in the world. OA is the result of an inflammatory and degenerative process affecting the entire joint. Osteoarthritis, especially involving the knee, has a relevant socioeconomic impact in terms of drugs, hospital admissions, work absences, and temporary or permanent invalidity. Therapy of knee osteoarthritis is based on pharmacological and nonpharmacological measures.Methods. We conducted a systematic review of the studies published between 2002 and 2017 on spa therapy, mud-pack therapy, balneotherapy, and mud-bath therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in order to investigate the evidence of the efficacy of such treatment on pain, functional limitation, drug use, and quality of life. Overall, 35 studies were examined among which 12 were selected and included in the review if they are trial comparative. We have been able to illustrate the main results obtained in the individual studies and to elaborate these results in order to allow as much a unitary presentation as possible and hence an overall judgment.Results. Because the studies we reviewed differed markedly from one another in terms of the methods used, we were unable to conduct a quantitative analysis (meta-analysis) of pooled data from the 12 studies. For the purposes of the present review, we reevaluated the results of the different studies using the same statistical method, Student’st-test, which is used to compare the means of two frequency distributions. Among all the studies, the most relevant indexes used to measure effectiveness of spa therapy were improved including VAS, Lequesne, and WOMAC Score.Conclusions. The mud-pack therapy, balneotherapy, mud-bath therapy, and spa therapy have proved to be effective in the treatment and in the secondary prevention of knee osteoarthritis, by reducing pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug consumption, and functional limitation and improving quality of life of affected patients.
Distribution, Density, and Abundance of Parthenium Weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) at Kuala Muda, Malaysia
Authors: Maszura C. M. , Karim S. M. R. , Norhafizah M. Z. , Kayat F. , Arifullah M.
Published: June 2018

Knowledge of distribution, density, and abundance of weed in a place is a prerequisite for its proper management. Parthenium hazard is a national agenda in Malaysia, and Kedah is the worst infested state in the country. Despite it, the distribution and abundance of the weed is not systematically documented. Periodical weed surveys were conducted at Kuala Muda, Kedah, during March and September 2015 to identify infested locations, to determine density, abundance, and severity of infestation, and to do mapping of weed distribution of the area. Geographic locations were recorded using a GPS. Weed density was measured following the list count quadrat method. The mapping of weed infestation was done by the ArcGIS software using data of GPS and weed density. Different letters were used to indicate the severity of infestation. Results indicated that in Kuala Muda, sixteen sites are infested having average weed density of 10.6 weeds/m2. The highest density was noted at Kg. Kongsi 6 (24.3 plants/m2). The relative density was highest at Semeling (27.25%) followed by Kg. Kongsi 6 (23.14%). The average severity of infestation was viewed as the medium. Parthenium abundance and relative density increased by 18.0% and 27%, respectively, in the second survey conducted. The intervention of concerned authority to tackle the weed problem using integrated weed management approach is emphasized.
Stunting and Its Determinants among Children Aged 6–59 Months in Northern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Abeway Shiferaw , Gebremichael Bereket , Murugan Rajalakshmi , Assefa Masresha , Adinew Yohannes Mehretie
Published: June 2018

Background. Stunting reflects chronic undernutrition during the most critical periods of growth and development in early life. The study was aimed at assessing the magnitude of stunting and associated factors among children aged 6–59 month in central Ethiopia. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 410 children aged between 6 and 59 months. Systematic random sampling technique was employed to select study participants. Interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were entered using EPI INFO version 3.5.1, and analysis was done by SPSS version 21 and ENA, 2007 software for anthropometric calculation. World Health Organization standard 2006 was used to analyse anthropometric data. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were also carried out to identify predictors of stunting. Statistical significance was declared at p<0.05 and 95% CI. Results. Overall magnitude of stunting was 52.4 (95% CI: 47.6–57.2). Being female (AOR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.503–5.099), belonging to age group of 25–59 months (AOR: 4, 95% CI: 1.881–8.424) and birth weight of <2.5 kg (AOR: 5, 95% CI: 1.450–17.309), mothers' lack of ANC visits (AOR: 3.2 95% CI: 1.40–7.10), and mistimed complementary feeding initiation (AOR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.266–4.606) were positively associated with child stunting, whereas educational status of the mother (AOR: 0.01, 95% CI: 0.001–0.063) showed negative association. Conclusion. Stunting was a highly prevalent problem in the study area. Low weight at birth, female sex, older age, mistimed initiation of complimentary feeding, and mothers’ lack of ANC visit were found to have significant relation with children’s chronic malnutrition. Thus, interventions shall effectively address those factors to alleviate the problem.
LASH in Severely Enlarged Uterine Leiomyoma: Removal of a Uterus of 4065 g
Authors: Tchartchian Garri , Krentel Harald , Bojahr Bernd , De Wilde Rudy L.
Published: June 2018

Today, even though minimally invasive approaches have become standard worldwide, large uteri are still mainly removed by means of open abdominal approaches. The present case describes the successful removal of the largest uterus ever reported (4065 g) by means of laparoscopy-assisted supracervical hysterectomy (LASH). We combined LASH with the changeover technique which allows a better access and view. We further explain how this approach allows for the safe minimally invasive removal of uteri of any size.
Anti‐Inflammatory Activity of Boswellia serrata Extracts: An In Vitro Study on Porcine Aortic Endothelial Cells
Authors: Bertocchi Martina , Isani Gloria , Medici Federica , Andreani Giulia , Tubon Usca Irvin , Roncada Paola , Forni Monica , Bernardini Chiara
Published: June 2018

This study is aimed at investigating the cytotoxicity, anti‐inflammatory, and angiogenic activities of two Boswellia serrata extracts on primary culture of porcine aortic endothelial cells (pAECs). Chemical characterization of a dry extract (extract A) and a hydroenzymatic extract (extract G) of B. serrata was performed by HPLC using pure boswellic acids (BAs) as standard. In cultured pAECs, extract G improved cell viability, following LPS challenge, in a dose‐dependent manner and did not show any toxic effect. On the other hand, extract A was toxic at higher doses and restored pAEC viability after LPS challenge only at lower doses. Pure BAs, used at the same concentrations as those determined in the phytoextracts, did not contrast LPS‐induced cytotoxicity. Extract A showed proangiogenic properties at the lowest dose, and the same result was observed using pure AKBA at the corresponding concentration, whereas extract G did not show any effect on the migration capacity of endothelial cells. In conclusion, an anti‐inflammatory activity of B. serrata extracts on endothelial cells was reported, though cytotoxicity or proliferative stimulation can occur instead of a protective effect, depending on the dose and the formulation.
Activating the PGC‐1α/TERT Pathway by Catalpol Ameliorates Atherosclerosis via Modulating ROS Production, DNA Damage, and Telomere Function: Implications on Mitochondria and Telomere Link
Authors: Zhang Yukun , Wang Changyuan , Jin Yue , Yang Qining , Meng Qiang , Liu Qi , Dai Yongguo , Cai Lifei , Liu Zhihao , Liu Kexin , Sun Huijun
Published: June 2018

Catalpol, an iridoid glucoside, has been found present in large quantities in the root of Rehmannia glutinosa L. and showed a strong antioxidant capacity in the previous study. In the present work, the protective effect of catalpol against AS via inhibiting oxidative stress, DNA damage, and telomere shortening was found in LDLr−/− mice. This study also shows that activation of the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α)/telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) pathway, which is the new link between mitochondria and telomere, was involved in the protective effects of catalpol. Further, by using PGC‐1α or TERT siRNA in oxLDL‐treated macrophages, it is proved that catalpol reduced oxidative stress, telomere function, and related DNA damage at least partly through activating the PGC‐1α/TERT pathway. Moreover, dual luciferase activity assay‐validated catalpol directly enhanced PGC‐1α promoter activity. In conclusion, our study revealed that the PGC‐1α/TERT pathway might be a possible therapeutic target in AS and catalpol has highly favorable characteristics for the treatment of AS via modulating this pathway.
Infection of a Ventricular Septal Defect Patch with Acremonium Species
Authors: Nasir Nosheen , Jabeen Kauser , Farooqi Joveria , Sultan Binish Arif , Zafar Afia , Khan Aamir Hameed , Amanullah Muneer , Ali Farheen
Published: June 2018

A ventricular septal defect (VSD) patch infection with Acremonium species isolated from vegetation and blood culture is described. Antifungal treatment was discontinued after 3 months and patient developed relapse. Surgery with prolonged oral voriconazole was instituted with recovery. We emphasize importance of surgery and prolonged therapy to treat such infections.
Welfare Technologies and Ageing Bodies: Various Ways of Practising Autonomy
Authors: Dahler Anne Marie
Published: June 2018

Contemporary policy strategies frame welfare technologies as a solution for welfare states facing the challenges of demographic change. Technologies are supposed to reduce or substitute the work of care workers and thereby reduce attrition among their ranks, reduce costs, and at the same make elderly people self-reliant and independent. In this paper, it is suggested that this way of framing how welfare technologies work with elderly people holds an instrumental view of technologies as well as of bodies and needs to be challenged. Drawing on an STS (Science Technology Studies) understanding of the constituting role of technology in people’s lives, the guiding question in this study is how autonomy is practised in the lives of elderly people using welfare technologies. The study is based on interviews with eight elderly citizens in a Danish municipality who have been provided with a wash toilet and often also other technologies as part of their welfare service package. The study shows how autonomy is practised in various ways, how autonomy is practised in specific areas of life linked to the specific life story and body of the elderly citizen, how autonomy is situational as it is practised in specific situations during the day/week, and how autonomy is relational as it is practised in relation to specific persons and things and with specific persons and things. Implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the implementation of welfare technology as well as forms of governance appropriate for embodied elderly citizens and technologies.
The Influence of Various Chloride Salts to Reduce Sodium Content on the Quality Parameters of Şalgam (Shalgam): A Traditional Turkish Beverage Based on Black Carrot
Authors: Agirman Bilal , Erten Huseyin
Published: June 2018

Sodium chloride is essential in şalgam processing affecting the flavour and microbiological stability of the final product. However, reduction of sodium salt in şalgam beverage is essential due to consumers’ demand for low-sodium foods as well as recommendation of health authorities. NaCl was replaced both partially and totally by KCl and CaCl2 in the present study. Experimental design was established to investigate the effects of five different combinations (1.7% NaCl (control treatment); 0.85% NaCl–0.85% KCl; 0.85% NaCl–0.85% CaCl2; 0.85% KCl–0.85% CaCl2, and 0.56% NaCl–0.56% KCl–0.56% CaCl2) of chloride salts on microbiological, chemical, and sensory qualities of şalgam. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were present in populations ranging from 8.0 to 8.61 log cfu/mL while total yeasts were 6.89 to 7.12 log cfu/mL at the end of the process. The maximum number of LAB was detected in the fermentation employed NaCl + KCl salts combination. Regarding the microbiological profile, LAB growth was stimulated significantly in presence of KCl while yeast patterns were not linked to different salt treatments. The final values of total acidity (TA) and pH for şalgam were found between 7.40 and 8.71 g/L and 3.26–3.47, respectively. Concerning physicochemical attributes, pH decreased when CaCl2 increased while TA is higher in the presence of CaCl2. Şalgam juice fermented with 0.85% NaCl–0.85% KCl mineral salt combination received the best sensory results among the different salt substitutions. Results demonstrate that NaCl can be replaced in şalgam with KCl by 50%, without affecting the traditional taste of şalgam in order to meet consumers’ demand for low-sodium dietary intake.
A Biobjective Model for Manual Materials Handling with Energy Consumption Being Accounted For
Authors: Zhang Wenqian , Fan Shuhai , Xiong Jiawei , Chen Siyu
Published: June 2018

Aiming at production environment and operation design in manual materials handling which often overlook workers’ physiological factors and cause fatigue, even work-related musculoskeletal disorders, we construct a biobjective model based on economics and ergonomics. In the model, two objectives include functions about handling time and energy consumption. Based on the openness of IGRIP/ERGO simulation software combined with MATLAB, we design and develop the interactive simulation platform, where program language can be automatically generated. Then, we analyze the case about handling operations in an automobile brake pad manufacturing company, and the number of input materials and process scheduling are taken as research objects. Finally, the results show that the win-win optimal solution can be usually obtained between productivity and ergonomics for decision makers according to the proposed biobjective model. Moreover, the case study demonstrates that the interactive simulation platform can be devoted to providing the solution for modern production operation directly and conveniently, which can make the production environment and operation design in accordance with ergonomics.
Analytical and Experimental Vibration of Sandwich Beams Having Various Boundary Conditions
Authors: Joubaneh Eshagh F. , Barry Oumar R. , Tanbour Hesham E.
Published: June 2018

Generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method is used to analyze the vibration of sandwich beams with different boundary conditions. The equations of motion of the sandwich beam are derived using higher‐order sandwich panel theory (HSAPT). Seven partial differential equations of motions are obtained through the use of Hamilton’s principle. The GDQ method is utilized to solve the equations of motion. Experiments are conducted to validate the proposed theory. The results from the analytical model are also compared to those from the literature and finite element method (FEM). Parametric studies are conducted to investigate the effects of different parameters on the natural frequency and response of the sandwich beam under various boundary conditions.
A New Rock Joint Generation Method and Its Verification in PFC2D
Authors: Li Lielie , Xiao Mingli , Tan Cai
Published: June 2018

The first part of this paper presents the major drawbacks of the traditional methods for generating joints in Particle Flow Code 2D (PFC2D). Violent oscillations in the postpeak shear stress and shear‐induced dilation in the normal direction occur in specimens generated by directly removing bonds in joints and using the discrete fracture network (DFN) method. The specimens generated by the additional wall method can be used to simulate realistic shear mechanical properties in the direct shear test, but it is difficult to achieve a uniform initial stress distribution within the specimen due to the constraint of particle motion. The second part of this paper explores an improved method to generate realistic joints based on the particle grouping technique and the smooth joint model, and the validity of this method is verified by a set of numerical direct shear tests. The numerical results show that the proposed joint generation method can effectively eliminate the oscillation of the postpeak shear stress and shear‐induced dilation in the normal direction. In addition, the mechanical behaviours of the rough jointed rock mass correspond well with the theoretical results obtained from Patton’s and Barton’s models. The proposed model can also simulate the asperity degradation of rough jointed rock masses.
Sex Determination of 3D Skull Based on a Novel Unsupervised Learning Method
Authors: Gao Hongjuan , Geng Guohua , Yang Wen
Published: June 2018

In law enforcement investigation cases, sex determination from skull morphology is one of the important steps in establishing the identity of an individual from unidentified human skeleton. To our knowledge, existing studies of sex determination of the skull mostly utilize supervised learning methods to analyze and classify data and can have limitations when applied to actual cases with the absence of category labels in the skull samples or a large difference in the number of male and female samples of the skull. This paper proposes a novel approach which is based on an unsupervised classification technique in performing sex determination of the skull of Han Chinese ethnic group. The 78 landmarks on the outer surface of 3D skull models from computed tomography scans are marked, and a skull dataset of a total of 40 interlandmark measurements is constructed. A stable and efficient unsupervised algorithm which we abbreviated as MKDSIF-FCM is proposed to address the classification problem for the skull dataset. The experimental results of the adult skull suggest that the proposed MKDSIF-FCM algorithm warrants fairly high sex determination accuracy for females and males, which is 98.0% and 93.02%, respectively, and is superior to all the classification methods we attempted. As a result of its fairly high accuracy, extremely good stability, and the advantage of unsupervised learning, the proposed method is potentially applicable for forensic investigations and archaeological studies.
Molecular Imaging of Aminopeptidase N in Cancer and Angiogenesis
Authors: Schreiber Cynthia L. , Smith Bradley D.
Published: June 2018

This review focuses on recent advances in the molecular imaging of aminopeptidase N (APN, also known as CD13), a zinc metalloenzyme that cleavesN-terminal neutral amino acids. It is overexpressed in multiple cancer types and also on the surface of vasculature undergoing angiogenesis, making it a promising target for molecular imaging and targeted therapy. Molecular imaging probes for APN are divided into two large subgroups: reactive and nonreactive. The structures of the reactive probes (substrates) contain a reporter group that is cleaved and released by the APN enzyme. The nonreactive probes are not cleaved by the enzyme and contain an antibody, peptide, or nonpeptide for targeting the enzyme exterior or active site. Multivalent homotopic probes utilize multiple copies of the same targeting unit, whereas multivalent heterotopic molecular probes are equipped with different targeting units for different receptors. Several recent preclinical cancer imaging studies have shown that multivalent APN probes exhibit enhanced tumor specificity and accumulation compared to monovalent analogues. The few studies that have evaluated APN-specific probes for imaging angiogenesis have focused on cardiac regeneration. These promising results suggest that APN imaging can be expanded to detect and monitor other diseases that are associated with angiogenesis.
Cerebellar lncRNA Expression Profile Analysis of SCA3/MJD Mice
Authors: Long Zhe , Li Tianjiao , Chen Zhao , Peng Yun , Wang Chunrong , Hou Xiaocan , Yuan Hongyu , Wang Puzhi , Xie Yue , He Lang , Zhou Xin , Peng Huirong , Qiu Rong , Xia Kun , Tang Beisha , Jiang Hong
Published: June 2018

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) or Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is the most common autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia in China with highly clinical heterogeneity, such as progressive cerebellar ataxia, dysarthria, pyramidal signs, external ophthalmoplegia, dysphagia, and distal muscle atrophy. It is caused by the abnormal expansion of CAG repeats in a coding region of ATXN3. However, by focusing on the ATXN3 itself cannot fully explain the heterogeneous clinical features of SCA3/MJD. With the discovery of the increasing number of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that are believed to be involved in spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 (SCA8) and Huntington disease (HD), we wonder whether the lncRNAs are differentially expressed in the SCA3/MJD patients compared to the nonpatients. As the first step, we used lncRNA-Seq to investigate differential expression of the lncRNAs in the SCA3/MJD mice. Two known lncRNAs, n297609 and n297477, and a novel lncRNA TCONS_00072962 have been identified in SCA3/MJD mice with abnormal expression. The first discovery of the novel lncRNA TCONS_00072962 enriched the lncRNA expression profile in the SCA3/MJD mouse model.