bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advances in Brucellosis and Brucella infection biology
Authors: Ghazaei Ciamak
Published: May 2016

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that is caused by a bacteria called Brucella abortus. It is a zoonotic disease which means that it can transferred from animals to human beings. More than half a million people are affected with brucellosis each year. It is a Gram-negative, facultative, and intercellular bacterium. The bacteria is of the α-2 subdivision in the proteobacteria. The bacterium localizes in the reproductive organs of the host animals causing abortion and sterility. Its mode of transmission from animals to human beings is through ingestion of infected food products, having a direct contact with infected animals and the inhalation of aerosol. In human beings, the bacteria causes acute and chronic signs and symptoms. However, the infection can be treated through the use of antibiotics. Brucellosis is as one of the diseases that have been neglected in the Middle East and North Africa. This paper is a close analysis and discussion on the advancements in the biology and pathogenesis of Brucella and concludes the research by describing how Brucellosis can be treated and how it is prevented.
Tomato Consumption in the United States and Its Relationship to the US Department of Agriculture Food Pattern
Authors: Reimers Kristin J. , Keast Debra R.
Published: May 2016

Not many vegetables rank as a “favorite” among Americans, but tomatoes can fit that description. Consumption of tomatoes in the United States is second only to potatoes. Because of their nutrient density and widespread consumption, tomatoes were highlighted in the 2010 US Department of Agriculture Food Pattern’s red and orange vegetable subgroup, with the goal of making vegetable intake more achievable. Whether tomatoes can make vegetable intake more achievable has not been shown empirically, but examination of tomato consumption in the What We Eat in America diet survey can help describe the forms and recipes reported by those who consume the most tomatoes and show whether higher tomato intake is related to higher vegetable intake. The objectives of this report are to (1) describe the tomato forms (tomato products or raw) consumed by US adults participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey What We Eat in America survey (2005–2010) and (2) describe the relationship between tomato intake and the US Department of Agriculture Food Pattern/MyPlate recommendations. The results showed that most tomatoes were consumed as tomato products and that heavy tomato consumers ate a greater share of tomatoes as tomato products (68%) than did typical tomato consumers (57%). The primary recipe that contributed to tomato consumption was pasta with sauce, accounting for 21% of total tomato intake by heavy consumers. Heavy tomato consumers achieved a mean total vegetable intake of 2.47 cups per day, approximating the 2.5 cup equivalent MyPlate vegetable target amount at the 2000 kcal level. These findings can inform strategies of dietitians, educators, and consumers in the ongoing challenge to increase vegetable intake among Americans.
Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Transplantation: A Global Initiative to Develop a Core Outcome Set for Trials in Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Tong Allison , Budde Klemens , Gill John , Josephson Michelle A. , Marson Lorna , Pruett Timothy L. , Reese Peter P. , Rosenbloom David , Rostaing Lionel , Warrens Anthony N. , Wong Germaine , Craig Jonathan C. , Crowe Sally , Harris Tess , Hemmelgarn Brenda , Manns Braden , Tugwell Peter , Van Biesen Wim , Wheeler David C. , Winkelmayer Wolfgang C. , Evangelidis Nicole , Sautenet Benedicte , Howell Martin , Chapman Jeremy R.
Published: May 2016

Background

Although advances in treatment have dramatically improved short-term graft survival and acute rejection in kidney transplant recipients, long-term graft outcomes have not substantially improved. Transplant recipients also have a considerably increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and infection, which all contribute to appreciable morbidity and premature mortality. Many trials in kidney transplantation are short-term, frequently use unvalidated surrogate endpoints, outcomes of uncertain relevance to patients and clinicians, and do not consistently measure and report key outcomes like death, graft loss, graft function, and adverse effects of therapy. This diminishes the value of trials in supporting treatment decisions that require individual-level multiple tradeoffs between graft survival and the risk of side effects, adverse events, and mortality. The Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology-Transplantation initiative aims to develop a core outcome set for trials in kidney transplantation that is based on the shared priorities of all stakeholders.

Methods

This will include a systematic review to identify outcomes reported in randomized trials, a Delphi survey with an international multistakeholder panel (patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, policy makers, members from industry) to develop a consensus-based prioritized list of outcome domains and a consensus workshop to review and finalize the core outcome set for trials in kidney transplantation.

Conclusions

Developing and implementing a core outcome set to be reported, at a minimum, in all kidney transplantation trials will improve the transparency, quality, and relevance of research; to enable kidney transplant recipients and their clinicians to make better-informed treatment decisions for improved patient outcomes.
Systematic comparison of monoclonal versus polyclonal antibodies for mapping histone modifications by ChIP-seq
Authors: Busby Michele , Xue Catherine , Li Catherine , Farjoun Yossi , Gienger Elizabeth , Yofe Ido , Gladden Adrianne , Epstein Charles B. , Cornett Evan M. , Rothbart Scott B. , Nusbaum Chad , Goren Alon
Published: May 2016

Background

The robustness of ChIP-seq datasets is highly dependent upon the antibodies used. Currently, polyclonal antibodies are the standard despite several limitations: they are non-renewable, vary in performance between lots, and need to be validated with each new lot. In contrast, monoclonal antibody lots are renewable and provide consistent performance. To increase ChIP-seq standardization, we investigated whether monoclonal antibodies could replace polyclonal antibodies. We compared monoclonal antibodies that target five key histone modifications (H3K4me1, H3K4me3, H3K9me3, H3K27ac and H3K27me3) to their polyclonal counterparts in both human and mouse cells.

Results

Overall performance was highly similar for four monoclonal/polyclonal pairs, including when we used two distinct lots of the same monoclonal antibody. In contrast, the binding patterns for H3K27ac differed substantially between polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. However, this was most likely due to the distinct immunogen used rather than the clonality of the antibody.

Conclusions

Altogether, we found that monoclonal antibodies as a class perform as well as polyclonal antibodies for the detection of histone post-translational modifications in both human and mouse. Accordingly, we recommend the use of monoclonal antibodies in ChIP-seq experiments.
Crystal structure of (1RS,21SR,22RS,24SR)-28-oxo-24-propyl-8,11,14-trioxa-24,27-diazapentacyclo[19.5.1.122,26.02,7.015,20]octacosa-2,4,6,15(20),16,18-hexaene acetic acid monosolvate
Authors: Hieu Truong Hong , Anh Le Tuan , Soldatenkov Anatoly T. , Tuyen Nguyen Van , Khrustalev Victor N.
Published: May 2016

The title compound, C26H32N2O4(M)·C2H4O2, (I), is the product of the Petrenko–Kritchenko condensation ofN-propylpiperidinone with 1,5-bis(2-formylphenoxy)-3-oxapentane and ammonium acetate. InM, the aza-14-crown-3-ether ring adopts a bowl conformation, with the configuration of the C—O—C—C —O—C—C—O—C polyether chain beingt–g(−)–t–t–g(+)–t(t=trans, 180°;g=gauche, ±60°). The dihedral angle between the planes of the benzene rings fused to the aza-14-crown-4-ether moiety is 62.75 (5)°. The central piperidinone ring has a boat conformation, whereas the terminal piperidinone ring adopts a chair conformation. The boat conformation of the central piperidinone ring is supported by the bifurcated intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond. In the crystal, each solvent molecule is linked to moleculeM viastrong O—H...N hydrogen bonding, forming hydrogen-bonded pairs of molecules, which further interact through weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming layers parallel to theacplane.
3-Carboxy-2-(piperidin-1-ium-1-yl)propanoate
Authors: Sudhahar S. , Sankaranarayanan K. , Ravi G. , Kumar R. Mohan , Chakkaravarthi G.
Published: May 2016

In the zwitterionic title compound, C9H15NO4, the piperidinium N atom is protonated and the OH group of one of the carboxylate groups is deprotonated. The piperidinium ring adopts a chair conformation. In the crystal, N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds generate anR33(15) ring motif and link the molecules into infinite chains propagating along [010]. The structure is further consolidated by weak C—H...O interactions to form a three-dimensional network.
6-Bromo-2-methyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine
Authors: Bouayad Kaoutar , Kandri Rodi Youssef , El Ghadraoui El Houcine , Mague Joel T. , Essassi El Mokhtar , Zouihri Hafid
Published: May 2016

The title molecule, C7H6BrN3, crystallizes with two molecules,AandB, in the asymmetric unit, with all non-hydrogen atoms lying on a crystallographic mirror plane. In the crystal, the molecules are linked into [100] chains of alternatingAandBmolecules by complementary N—H...N and C—H...N hydrogen bonds. The chains are associated through offset aromatic π–π stacking [shortest centroid–centroid separation = 3.6215 (9) Å] along thebaxis.
Bis(μ-diethyl sulfide-κ2S:S)bis[(biphenyl-2,2′-diyl)platinum(ll)]
Authors: Rillema D. Paul , Moore Curtis , Jehan Ali
Published: May 2016

The C4S2donor set in the title compound, [Pt(C12H8){(C2H5)2S}]2, defines a distorted square-planar geometry about the two PtIIatoms, with very small deviations from planarity. The bidentate nature of the biphenyl dianionic ligand results in C—Pt—C bond angles of 80.9 (2) and 81.2 (2)°; the S—Pt—S bond angles are 78.08 (5) and 78.09 (5)°. The average Pt—C bond length is 2.023 Å [range 2.016 (5)–2.028 (6) Å] and the average of Pt—S bond length is 2.3790 Å [range 2.3742 (14)–2.3837 (14) Å].
2-Amino-3-((E)-{[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]imino}methyl)-4H-chromen-4-one
Authors: Atalay Şehriman , Gerçeker Semra , Meral Seher , Alaman Ağar Ayşen
Published: May 2016

In the title compound, C17H11F3N2O2, the dihedral angle between the chromene ring system and the benzene ring is 19.19 (6)°, and an intramolecular N—H...N hydrogen bond closes anS(6) ring. In the crystal, molecules are linked into [100]C(6) chains by N—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Healthcare under the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in a decentralised health system
Authors: Kumar Virendra , Jayanta Mishra Anindya
Published: May 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the challenges and benefits arising from the involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the provisioning of primary healthcare in a decentralised health system of India.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study design was used in this study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews from 89 respondents selected from nine primary health centres across the district. A thematic analytical framework approach was used to analyse the data.

Findings

The research results indicate that there are several challenges resulting from PRIs involvement, including prioritisation of service providers and users, coercive unethical work and lack of communication. However, there are some benefits associated with the involvement of the PRIs in service provisioning, including improved availability and regularity of healthcare providers at the health centres.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of the findings suggest that the PRIs play an important role in healthcare provisioning; however, their involvement is ineffective due to their partial capabilities and approach, which creates a non-conducive environment.

Practical implications

Health issues are among the most important human concerns, and recognising and addressing the grassroot challenges help to locate, and overcome the challenges that hinder the smooth healthcare provisioning process.

Originality/value

National Rural Health Mission has recognised the PRIs as a platform to promote decentralised health planning and for achieving its goals in India. The PRIs are significantly involved in planning, monitoring and provisioning of primary healthcare services at grassroot level. This paper addresses the challenges and benefits that emerged due to their involvement.
Rennet coagulation properties of UHT‐treated phosphocasein dispersions as a function of casein and NaCl concentrations
Authors: Bulca Selda , Wolfschoon‐Pombo Alan , Kulozik Ulrich
Published: May 2016

The renneting properties of whey protein‐free, UHT‐heated (140 °C/10 s) casein dispersions were investigated as a function of casein and NaCl concentration. It was found that the rennet coagulation time and gel firmness can be optimised when the whey protein‐free casein concentration is increased, while the added NaCl concentration is kept low. The strongest gel firmness occurs at 0.05 and 0.08 m NaCl addition and at a micellar casein concentration between 6.0 and 6.6 g/100 mL. Weak rennet gels were formed at 3.0–3.6 g/100 mL casein at all NaCl concentrations tested.
Possible evolutionary origins of human female sexual fluidity
Authors: Kanazawa Satoshi
Published: May 2016

I propose an evolutionary theory of human female sexual fluidity and argue that women may have been evolutionarily designed to be sexually fluid in order to allow them to have sex with their cowives in polygynous marriage and thus reduce conflict and tension inherent in such marriage. In addition to providing an extensive definition and operationalization of the concept of sexual fluidity and specifying its ultimate function for women, the proposed theory can potentially solve several theoretical and empirical puzzles in evolutionary psychology and sex research. Analyses of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) confirm the theory's predictions that: (i) women (but not men) who experience increased levels of sexual fluidity have a larger number of children (suggesting that female sexual fluidity, if heritable, may be evolutionarily selected); (ii) women (but not men) who experience marriage or parenthood early in adult life subsequently experience increased levels of sexual fluidity; and (iii) sexual fluidity is significantly positively correlated with known markers of unrestricted sexual orientation among women whereas it is significantly negatively correlated with such markers among men.
Regulation of melanocortin 1 receptor in allergic rhinitis in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Kleiner S. , Braunstahl G‐J. , Rüdrich U. , Gehring M. , Eiz‐Vesper B. , Luger T. A. , Steelant B. , Seys S. F. , Kapp A. , Böhm M. , Hellings P. W. , Raap U.
Published: May 2016

Background

α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) was shown to inhibit allergic airway inflammation and exert suppressive effects on human basophils.

Objective

This study aims to extend our current knowledge on the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) expression in nasal tissue of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and functional effects of α‐MSH in human basophils especially from patients with allergic rhinitis.

Methods

MC1R expression before and after nasal allergen provocation was studied in nasal mucosal tissue of AR patients and in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation using immunofluorescence. In vitro regulation of the MC1R and CD203c surface expression on whole‐blood basophils of patients with AR and controls was assessed with flow cytometry. Functional effects of α‐MSH on isolated basophils were analysed regarding apoptosis with flow cytometry and chemotaxis using a Boyden chamber assay.

Results

We detected an accumulation of MC1R‐positive basophils in nasal mucosa tissue of patients with AR 24 h after nasal allergen provocation. Such accumulation was not present in mucosa sections from healthy controls. In mice with allergic airway inflammation, we found a clear accumulation of MC1R‐positive basophils in the nasal tissue compared to control mice. MC1R expression was inducible in AR patients and controls by stimulation with anti‐IgE. α‐MSH inhibited anti‐IgE and grass pollen induced upregulation of CD203c, but had no effect on chemotaxis or apoptosis of basophils in vitro.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

MC1R‐positive basophils accumulate in the nasal mucosa of patients with AR after nasal allergen provocation. Since α‐MSH suppresses proinflammatory effector functions in human basophils via the MC1R, it constitutes an interesting novel target for modulating the allergic inflammatory response.
Multiplex component‐based allergen microarray in recent clinical studies
Authors: Patelis A. , Borres M. P. , Kober A. , Berthold M.
Published: May 2016

During the last decades component‐resolved diagnostics either as singleplex or multiplex measurements has been introduced into the field of clinical allergology, providing important information that cannot be obtained from extract‐based tests. Here we review recent studies that demonstrate clinical applications of the multiplex microarray technique in the diagnosis and risk assessment of allergic patients, and its usefulness in studies of allergic diseases. The usefulness of ImmunoCAP ISAC has been validated in a wide spectrum of allergic diseases like asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, food allergy and anaphylaxis. ISAC provides a broad picture of a patient's sensitization profile from a single test, and provides information on specific and cross‐reactive sensitizations that facilitate diagnosis, risk assessment, and disease management. Furthermore, it can reveal unexpected sensitizations which may explain anaphylaxis previously categorized as idiopathic and also display for the moment clinically non‐relevant sensitizations. ISAC can facilitate a better selection of relevant allergens for immunotherapy compared with extract testing. Microarray technique can visualize the allergic march and molecular spreading in the preclinical stages of allergic diseases, and may indicate that the likelihood of developing symptomatic allergy is associated with specific profiles of sensitization to allergen components. ISAC is shown to be a useful tool in routine allergy diagnostics due to its ability to improve risk assessment, to better select relevant allergens for immunotherapy as well as detecting unknown sensitization. Multiplex component testing is especially suitable for patients with complex symptomatology.
Gauging the Effect of Honey Bee Pollen Collection on Native Bee Communities
Authors: Cane James H. , Tepedino Vincent J.
Published: May 2016

Experimental demonstration of direct exploitative competition between foraging honey bees and native bees in wildlands has proven elusive, due to problems of experimental design, scale, and context‐dependence. We propose a different approach that translates floral resources collected by a honey bee colony into progeny equivalents of an average solitary bee. Such a metric is needed by public land managers confronting migratory beekeeper demands for insecticide‐free, convenient, resource‐rich habitats for summering. We calculate that, from June–August, a strong colony gathers as much pollen as could produce 100,000 progeny of an average solitary bee. Analogous to the animal unit month (AUM) for livestock, a hive unit month (HUM) is therefore 33,000 native bee progeny. By this calculation, a 40‐hive apiary residing on wildlands for 3 months collects the pollen equivalent of four million wild bees. We introduce a rapid assessment metric to gauge stocking of honey bees, and briefly highlight alternative strategies to provide quality pasture for honey bees with minimal impact on native bees.
Discrimination Against Migrant Job Applicants in Austria: An Experimental Study
Authors: Weichselbaumer Doris
Published: May 2016

This paper presents the results of an experimental study that examined the employment opportunities of Austrians with and without a migration background when applying for job openings. Previous experiments used applicants’ names as indicators for different ethnicities, but this signal may not always be perceived as intended by the experimenters. In this study, a novel approach was applied that signals ethnic background using carefully matched photos as distinct visual cues. While the results document employment discrimination against all groups with a migration background, it is most pronounced for applicants with African heritage. To determine why and when discrimination occurs, an array of firm- and job-specific characteristics were examined. However, they offer little help in explaining the level of employment discrimination in Austria.
Low thrombin generation during major orthopaedic surgery fails to predict the bleeding risk in inhibitor patients treated with bypassing agents
Authors: Mancuso M. E. , Chantarangkul V. , Clerici M. , Fasulo M. R. , Padovan L. , Scalambrino E. , Peyvandi F. , Tripodi A. , Santagostino E.
Published: May 2016

Introduction

In the presence of high‐titre inhibitors, haemostatic bypassing agents are used to control bleeding and perform surgery. In this setting, no specific laboratory test is yet available to guide drug choice, monitor treatment efficacy and predict the risk of bleeding.

Aim

The aims of this study, carried out in patients candidate to orthopaedic surgery, were to assess the dose‐dependent increase in thrombin generation (TG) after infusion of bypassing agents and to evaluate whether or not a correlation existed between the haemostatic efficacy of bypassing therapies and perioperative TG values.

Methods and Results

TG was measured in 16 inhibitor patients, 10 of whom underwent 11 major orthopaedic procedures. In the non‐bleeding state, TG significantly improved 30 min after whichever dose (P < 0.01), with no dose–response relationship when values obtained after different rFVIIa doses were compared. TG significantly improved 30 min after the preoperative bolus (P < 0.05), while during the postoperative period TG values measured before and after dosing did not differ. Moreover, postoperative TG values were similar or even more impaired (P ≤ 0.05) than those measured before preoperative dosing. No difference was found by comparing procedures with and without bleeding complications and yet no bleeding occurred in spite of persistently low TG values in one‐third of procedures.

Conclusion

This study fails to support a definite role for the TG assay as a reliable laboratory tool to monitor the haemostatic efficacy of bypassing therapies and as a predictor of the risk of bleeding in inhibitor patients using these agents during orthopaedic surgery.
Chronic myelogenous leukaemia exosomes modulate bone marrow microenvironment through activation of epidermal growth factor receptor
Authors: Corrado Chiara , Saieva Laura , Raimondo Stefania , Santoro Alessandra , De Leo Giacomo , Alessandro Riccardo
Published: May 2016

Chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder. Recent evidence indicates that altered crosstalk between CML and mesenchymal stromal cells may affect leukaemia survival; moreover, vesicles released by both tumour and non‐tumour cells into the microenvironment provide a suitable niche for cancer cell growth and survival. We previously demonstrated that leukaemic and stromal cells establish an exosome‐mediated bidirectional crosstalk leading to the production of IL8 in stromal cells, thus sustaining the survival of CML cells. Human cell lines used are LAMA84 (CML cells), HS5 (stromal cells) and bone marrow primary stromal cells; gene expression and protein analysis were performed by real‐time PCR and Western blot. IL8 and MMP9 secretions were evaluated by ELISA. Exosomes were isolated from CML cells and blood samples of CML patients. Here, we show that LAMA84 and CML patients’ exosomes contain amphiregulin (AREG), thus activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling in stromal cells. EGFR signalling increases the expression of SNAIL and its targets, MMP9 and IL8. We also demonstrated that pre‐treatment of HS5 with LAMA84 exosomes increases the expression of annexin A2 that promotes the adhesion of leukaemic cells to the stromal monolayer, finally supporting the growth and invasiveness of leukaemic cells. Leukaemic and stromal cells establish a bidirectional crosstalk: exosomes promote proliferation and survival of leukaemic cells, both in vitro and in vivo, by inducing IL8 secretion from stromal cells. We propose that this mechanism is activated by a ligand–receptor interaction between AREG, found in CML exosomes, and EGFR in bone marrow stromal cells.
Railways, rebellions and Rage Against The Machine: adolescents' interests and meaning‐making in the creation of multimodal identity texts
Authors: Nagle Joelle , Stooke Rosamund
Published: May 2016

This paper draws on a Canadian qualitative case study grounded in multiliteracies theory to describe the meaning‐making processes of four students aged 13‐14 years as they created history projects. Students were invited to explore curriculum content in self‐chosen ways and to produce presentations in a range of formats. The data we present and discuss were collected through participant observation and in‐situ interviews with four students who selected digital formats. We examine these data using multiliteracies concepts: specifically multimodality and identity texts. We argue that multimodal literacy practices have potential to bridge gaps between students' in‐school and out‐of‐school lives and underscore the importance of allowing students to draw on their out‐of‐school identities and interests to guide explorations of curriculum content.
Comparative metabolomic analysis reveals a reactive oxygen species‐dominated dynamic model underlying chilling environment adaptation and tolerance in rice
Authors: Zhang Jingyu , Luo Wei , Zhao Yuan , Xu Yunyuan , Song Shuhui , Chong Kang
Published: May 2016

Cold, a major environmental stress for plants, has been studied intensively for decades. Its response system has been revealed, especially at the transcriptional level. The mechanisms underlying recovery growth and environmental adaptation, however, remain unknown.

Taking advantage of a naturally existing system, two subspecies of Asian cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) with significant divergence in chilling tolerance, we analyzed representative japonica and indica varieties, Nipponbare and 93‐11, using comparative metabolomic analysis at six time points covering chilling treatment and recovery.

In total, 223 known metabolites were detected. During chilling treatment, significant biochemical changes were centered on antioxidation. During recovery, a wide‐ranging chilling response was observed. Large‐scale amino acid accumulation occurred, consistent with the appearance of chilling injury. At the mid‐treatment stage, the accumulation of antioxidation‐related compounds appeared earlier in Nipponbare than in 93‐11, consistent with the higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in japonica vs indica varieties. A significant contribution of ROS‐mediated gene regulation, rather than the C‐repeat binding factor/dehydration‐responsive‐element binding factor (CBF/DREB) regulon, to the more vigorous transcriptional stress response in Nipponbare was revealed by RNA‐seq. Accordingly, during recovery, the induction of stress‐tolerant‐related metabolites was more active in the chilling‐tolerant variety Nipponbare. Senescence‐related compounds accumulated only in the chilling‐sensitive variety 93‐11.

Our study uncovers the dynamic metabolic models underlying chilling response and recovery, and reveals a ROS‐dominated rice adaptation mechanism to low‐temperature environments.
STABILITY ANALYSIS AND OPTIMAL VACCINATION OF A WATERBORNE DISEASE MODEL WITH MULTIPLE WATER SOURCES
Authors: COLLINS O. C. , GOVINDER K. S.
Published: May 2016

Waterborne diseases are among the major health problems facing the world today. This is especially true in developing countries where there is limited access to clean water. In such settings, even when multiple water sources exist, they tend to be contaminated. In this paper, we formulate a waterborne disease model where individuals are exposed to multiple contaminated water sources. The fundamental mathematical features of the model such as the basic reproduction numberand final epidemic size are obtained and analyzed accordingly. The global stability analysis of the disease‐free equilibrium is performed. The model is later extended by considering vaccination as a possible control intervention strategy. An optimal control problem is constructed to investigate the existence of an optimal control function that reduces the spread of the disease with minimum cost. We support our analytical predictions by carrying out numerical simulations using published and estimated data from the recent cholera outbreak in Haiti.
The Effect of Chronic Kidney Disease on Mortality with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: DALY DAVID D. , MARAN ANBUKARASI , HYER J. MADISON , FUNKE FREDERICK , WARING ASHLEY , CUOCO FRANK A. , STURDIVANT J. LACY , LEMAN ROBERT B. , GOLD MICHAEL R.
Published: May 2016

Background

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves functional status, reduces heart failure hospitalizations, and decreases mortality. Several comorbidities including renal function affect outcomes with CRT. However, moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) was an exclusion criterion in the large randomized control trials.

Objective

To evaluate the association of renal function on survival following CRT implantation.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of 432 consecutive patients implanted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator with CRT (CRT‐D). The primary end point was defined as death by any cause, and it was determined using hospital records and the U.S. Social Security Death Index. A Kaplan‐Meier analysis was performed separating renal dysfunction into renal stage based on glomerular filtration rate. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess the clinical predictors of mortality.

Results

Patients were followed for up to 12 years with a mean follow‐up time of 4.3 ± 3.2 years. A total of 164 patients (39.3%) died over the course of the study. Patients with normal and mild renal diseases (Stages 1 and 2) had improved survival compared with those with moderate‐, severe‐, or end‐stage (Stages 3–5) renal disease. This effect remained statistically significant after multivariate analysis. The estimated 5‐year mortality was 36.3% for stage 1, 33.4% for stage 2, 40.6% for stage 3, and 62.1% for stage 4/5 kidney disease (P = 0.004 by log‐rank test).

Conclusion

CKD is a strong and an independent predictor of long‐term mortality among patients undergoing CRT‐D implantation.
Atrial Conduction Velocity Correlates with Frequency Content of Bipolar Signal
Authors: GROSSI STEFANO , GRASSI FRANCESCO , GALLEANI LORENZO , BIANCHI FRANCESCA , SIBONA MASI ANDREA , CONTE MARIA ROSA
Published: May 2016

Background

Anisotropy in conduction velocity (CV) is a key substrate abnormality influencing atrial arrhythmias. In skeletal muscle fibers, CV and frequency content of the surface electromyogram signal are directly related. We hypothesized that in human atria the frequency content of the bipolar signal, recorded on the endocardial surface, is directly related to the local CV.

Methods

In 15 patients submitted to ablation of supraventricular arrhythmias, incremental pacing was performed through an octapolar catheter inserted into the coronary sinus (CS), alternatively from both extremities in two different sequences: CS bipole 1–2 as the pacing site and CS bipole 7–8 as the detection site in the first, and vice versa in the second. The pacing cycle length (PCL) was stepwise decreased from 600 ms to 500 ms, 400 ms, 300 ms, until 250 ms. Estimation of the CV was performed as the ratio between the distance traveled by the propagating pulse and the propagation time. The frequency distribution of the signal energy was estimated using the fast Fourier transform, and the characteristic frequency (CF) was estimated as the barycenter of the frequency spectrum.

Results

A total of 2,496 bipolar signals were analyzed; CV and CF were estimated and compared. The single patient and group data analysis showed a significant direct correlation between CV and CF of the local bipolar signal.

Conclusions

Comparing the degree of spectral compression among signals registered in different points of the endocardial cardiac surface in response to decreasing PCL enables to map local differences in CV, a useful arrhythmogenic substrate index.
Transient Elimination of Posterior Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Ectopy by Sternal Pressure
Authors: WIECZOREK MARCUS , HOELTGEN REINHARD
Published: May 2016

Background

Ventricular ectopy (VE) originating in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) is a common arrhythmia. Mechanisms triggering or eliminating VE from RVOT are not entirely understood.

Methods and Results

A patient with frequent, symptomatic VE underwent an electrophysiologic study: VE origin was mapped by NavX 3D navigation (St. Jude Medical, Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA). Incidental pressure applied manually to the sternum reproducibly eliminated VE for the time of exposure. Radiofrequency‐ablation was successfully performed in the posterior RVOT.

Conclusion

The mechanism resulting in VE suppression remains speculative, since a mechanical alteration of the substrate for VE in the posterior RVOT by sternal pressure seems unlikely. “Mechano‐electrical feedback” might have been the mechanism operative in this case.
Benign Nerve Sheath Myxoma in an Infant Misdiagnosed as Infantile Digital Fibromatosis
Authors: Güngör Şule , Şişman Servet , Kocaturk Emek , Oguz Topal Ilteris , Yıldırım Selda
Published: May 2016

Herein we present the case of a 16‐month boy, clinically diagnosed with infantile digital fibromatosis, but 9 months after continued growth, the mass was excised and the histopathologic diagnosis was that of a benign nerve sheath myxoma. We present this case to emphasize that nerve sheath myxomas (also known as myxoid neurothekeoma) should be included in the differential diagnosis of dermal nodules in infants.
Symptoms of a Misunderstanding in Contemporary Academic Philosophy
Authors: Gjertsen Øystein Daae
Published: May 2016

This paper challenges a conception of philosophy that is seldom clearly expressed, yet appears to be prevalent in contemporary academic philosophy. On the website of the American Philosophical Quarterly, some sentences appear that articulate well the essentials of that assumption. This article discusses those sentences and assumes that they may be symptomatic of a widespread blindness to a fundamental aspect of the nature of philosophical study. The first part of the article consists of an analysis and criticism of the sentences in question. The second part investigates some possible defences of the sentences and the conception of philosophy they express.
Identification of a novel HLA‐A*02 variant, HLA‐A*02:614, in a Taiwanese individual
Authors: Yang K. L. , Chen S.‐P. , Lin P. Y.
Published: May 2016

One nucleotide substitution at residue 806 of HLA‐A*02:01:01:01 results in a new allele, HLA‐A*02:614.
Growth Effect of Foreign Direct Investment in Developing Economies: The Role of Institutional Quality
Authors: Jude Cristina , Levieuge Gregory
Published: May 2016

This paper investigates the effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth conditional on the institutional quality of host countries. We first develop several theoretical arguments to show that institutional heterogeneity may be an explanation for the mixed results of previous empirical studies. Second, using a panel smooth regression model on a large sample of developing countries, we show that FDI has a positive effect on growth only beyond a certain threshold of institutional quality. To benefit from FDI‐led growth, institutional reforms should thus precede FDI attraction policies. Additionally, some reforms seem to promote faster marginal effects of FDI, while institutional complementarities may lead to an incremental effect on growth.
Global Views on Modular Design Research: Linking Alternative Methods to Support Modular Product Family Concept Development
Authors: Otto Kevin , Hölttä-Otto Katja , Simpson Timothy W. , Krause Dieter , Ripperda Sebastian , Ki Moon Seung
Published: May 2016

Modular product platforms have been shown to provide substantial cost and time savings while still allowing companies to offer a variety of products. As a result, a multitude of product platform methods have been developed over the last decade within the design research community. However, comparison and integration of suitable methods is difficult since the methods have, for the most part, been developed in isolation from one another. In reviewing the literature in modularity and product platforms, we create a generic set of 13 platform design steps for developing a platform concept. We then examine a set of product platform concept development processes used at several different companies, and from this form a generic sequence of the steps. We then associate the various developed methods to the sequence, thereby enabling the chaining together of the various modular and platform design methods developed by the community.
Decomposition-Based Design Optimization of Hybrid Electric Powertrain Architectures: Simultaneous Configuration and Sizing Design
Authors: Bayrak Alparslan Emrah , Kang Namwoo , Papalambros Panos Y.
Published: May 2016

Effective electrification of automotive vehicles requires designing the powertrain's configuration along with sizing its components for a particular vehicle type. Employing planetary gear (PG) systems in hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrain architectures allows various architecture alternatives to be explored, including single-mode architectures that are based on a fixed configuration and multimode architectures that allow switching power flow configuration during vehicle operation. Previous studies have addressed the configuration and sizing problems separately. However, the two problems are coupled and must be optimized together to achieve system optimality. An all-in-one (AIO) system solution approach to the combined problem is not viable due to the high complexity of the resulting optimization problem. This paper presents a partitioning and coordination strategy based on analytical target cascading (ATC) for simultaneous design of powertrain configuration and sizing for given vehicle applications. The capability of the proposed design framework is demonstrated by designing powertrains with one and two PGs for a midsize passenger vehicle.
The Canterbury Earthquakes and refugee communities
Authors: Marlowe Jay , Lou Lucy
Published: May 2016

The Canterbury earthquakes and subsequent aftershocks have presented a number of challenges forresettled refugee communities living in this region. These events highlight the need to recognise the diversity within culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations for effective disaster preparedness and response initiatives. This paper presents a pilot study of focus groups conducted with the Ethiopian, Afghan and Bhutanese communities about their perspectives and responses to this particular disaster. The participant comments illustrate both the forms of resilience and potential vulnerabilities within these distinct communities and reveal how social work can play an important role in disaster risk reduction strategies.
Social workers’ perceptions of multi-disciplinary team work: A case study of health social workers at a major regional hospital in New Zealand
Authors: Giles Rebecca
Published: May 2016

INTRODUCTION: International research has highlighted the importance of effective multidisciplinary team (MDT) functioning in health care settings: when collaboration between disciplines is effective, higher quality patient care results; whereas poor MDT functioning is associated with deleterious health outcomes. This study explores the findings of a small-scale case study into social workers’ views of MDT functioning at a major, regional public hospital in New Zealand.METHODS: Data was collected using in-depth interviews with eight health social workers and one focus group with three additional health social workers. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes, and a discourse analysis undertaken to identify predominant discourses evident in the data.FINDINGS: Study participants considered that when MDTs were well-facilitated important non-medical aspects of patient care were addressed: patient care and discharge plans were communicated clearly and consistently to patients and families, and coordination between MDT members was effective. However, participants also identified occasions when the facilitation of MDTs was poor, where meetings were unstructured and unfocussed, and where social work and patient concerns with wider non-medical issues was devalued. Participants considered that such situations could lead to confusion and distress for patients and a failure to coordinate effective plans for discharge.CONCLUSION: The findings from this case-study suggest that, from the perspective of health social workers, ineffective facilitation of MDTs, an undue emphasis on the discourse of the patient as a ‘site of disease’, and a preoccupation with the management of risk can demote and devalue more holistic patient-centred perspectives, and the effectiveness of important, nonmedical aspects of patient care.
‘Cell painting’ highlights responses to drugs and toxins
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: May 2016

Machine learning combined with molecular paints allows rapid screening of changes in cell shape and function.
‘Employment crisis’ for new Ph.D.s is an illusion
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: May 2016

NSF surveys generate what seem to be conflicting data on the status of those entering the scientific job market.
China Rethinks Cities
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: May 2016

After decades of reckless growth, the country revises its vision.
Ubiquitous signatures of nematic quantum criticality in optimally doped Fe-based superconductors
Authors: Kuo Hsueh-Hui , Chu Jiun-Haw , Palmstrom Johanna C. , Kivelson Steven A. , Fisher Ian R.
Published: May 2016

Discerning the nematic connection

The phase diagram of any given family of iron-based superconductors is complicated: Superconductivity competes with antiferromagnetism, with a structural transition often thrown in for good measure. Transport experiments have shown that in one of these families, Ba(Fe

1-
x

Co
x
)2As
2
, a rotational electronic asymmetry, dubbed nematicity, drives the structural transition. Kuo
et al.
detected nematic fluctuations in five Fe-based superconductor families in the vicinity of optimal chemical doping: the doping that maximizes the superconducting transition temperature. Thus, nematicity may play a role in the mechanism of superconductivity in these compounds.

Science
, this issue p.
958
The tumor microenvironment underlies acquired resistance to CSF-1R inhibition in gliomas
Authors: Quail Daniela F. , Bowman Robert L. , Akkari Leila , Quick Marsha L. , Schuhmacher Alberto J. , Huse Jason T. , Holland Eric C. , Sutton James C. , Joyce Johanna A.
Published: May 2016

Another pathway to cancer resistance

Therapies targeting the tumor microenvironment show promise for treating cancer. For example, antibodies targeting colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) inhibit protumorigenic macrophages and regress tumors in mouse models of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a deadly form of brain cancer. Quail
et al.
found that although CSR-1R blockade prolonged survival in mouse models of GBM, more than 50% of tumors eventually recurred. Recurrence was correlated with elevated PI3-K activity in tumors, driven by macrophage-secreted IGF-1. Blocking PI3-K and IGF-1 signaling in rebounding tumors prolonged survival. Thus, tumors can acquire resistance to therapy through intrinsic changes and through changes in their microenvironment.

Science
, this issue p.
10.1126/science.aad3018
ppGpp couples transcription to DNA repair in
E. coli
Authors: Kamarthapu Venu , Epshtein Vitaly , Benjamin Bradley , Proshkin Sergey , Mironov Alexander , Cashel Michael , Nudler Evgeny
Published: May 2016

A starvation survival signal fights DNA damage

The alarmone guanosine-3′,5′-(bis)pyrophosphate (ppGpp) shuts down transcription in bacteria that are starving. This “stringent response” helps them conserve energy and survive adverse conditions. Kamarthapu
et al.
show that ppGpp is also essential for DNA repair. ppGpp couples transcription elongation to the nucleotide excision repair pathway. ppGpp helps backtrack the RNA polymerase away from the DNA damage to facilitate repair. Through inhibiting DNA replication, it also avoids dangerous collisions between the replication fork and backtracked RNA polymerase.

Science
, this issue p.
993
Coregulation of tandem duplicate genes slows evolution of subfunctionalization in mammals
Authors: Lan Xun , Pritchard Jonathan K.
Published: May 2016

Evolutionary maintenance of gene duplications

Understanding genetic redundancy—the maintenance of multiple copies of a gene after duplication—and its relevance to genetic evolution have long been debated. Lan and Pritchard examined gene duplicates within human and other mammalian genomes. The expression of genes appears to be controlled by dosage balance and tight coregulation of tandem duplicates. They found little evidence for gene copies evincing significantly different expression patterns. However, such changes can evolve later, after gene copies become physically separated within the genome and thus are no longer jointly regulated.

Science
, this issue p.
1009
City-integrated renewable energy for urban sustainability
Authors: Kammen Daniel M. , Sunter Deborah A.
Published: May 2016

To prepare for an urban influx of 2.5 billion people by 2050, it is critical to create cities that are low-carbon, resilient, and livable. Cities not only contribute to global climate change by emitting the majority of anthropogenic greenhouse gases but also are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and extreme weather. We explore options for establishing sustainable energy systems by reducing energy consumption, particularly in the buildings and transportation sectors, and providing robust, decentralized, and renewable energy sources. Through technical advancements in power density, city-integrated renewable energy will be better suited to satisfy the high-energy demands of growing urban areas. Several economic, technical, behavioral, and political challenges need to be overcome for innovation to improve urban sustainability.
Asymmetric division of clonal muscle stem cells coordinates muscle regeneration in vivo
Authors: Gurevich David B. , Nguyen Phong Dang , Siegel Ashley L. , Ehrlich Ophelia V. , Sonntag Carmen , Phan Jennifer M. N. , Berger Silke , Ratnayake Dhanushika , Hersey Lucy , Berger Joachim , Verkade Heather , Hall Thomas E. , Currie Peter D.
Published: May 2016

Dividing asymmetrically to fix muscle

Resident tissue stem cells called satellite cells repair muscle after injury. However, how satellite cells operate inside living tissue is unclear. Gurevich
et al.
exploited the optical clarity of zebrafish larvae and used a series of genetic approaches to study muscle injury. After injury, satellite cells divide asymmetrically to generate a progenitor pool for muscle replacement and at the same time “self-renew” the satellite stem cell. This results in regeneration that is highly clonal in nature, validating many decades of in vitro analyses examining the regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle.

Science
, this issue p.
136