bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design and Fabrication of Safe, Light-Weight, Flying Robots
Authors: Mulgaonkar Yash , Kientz Terry , Whitzer Mickey , Kumar Vijay 
Published: January 2016

This work presents the design, fabrication, and testing of a novel lightweight yet sturdy cage for micro aerial vehicles. Fabricated from a polymer infused 12k carbon-fiber using a smart liquid silicone rubber (LSR) molding process, the cage weighs only 3g and is capable of sustaining impacts at speeds up to 6m/s. We also quantitatively and qualitatively characterize the rigidity and stiffness of the cage using a universal testing machine.
This paper subsequently describes the fabrication methodology employed for designing the cage to achieve the high strength-weight ratio. This involves 3D printing, silicon rubber molding, plaster mold rotocasting, wet layup of carbon fiber and finally autoclaving. Finally we demonstrate a 23g autonomous, pico quadrotor capable of sustaining stable flight with collisions with the environment.
Optimization of oncological 18F‐FDG PET/CT imaging based on a multiparameter analysis
Authors: Menezes Vinicius O. , Machado Marcos A. D. , Queiroz Cleiton C. , Souza Susana O. , d'Errico Francesco , Namías Mauro , Larocca Ticiana F. , Soares Milena B. P. 
Published: January 2016

Purpose:This paper describes a method to achieve consistent clinical image quality in 18F‐FDG scans accounting for patient habitus, dose regimen, image acquisition, and processing techniques.Methods:Oncological PET/CT scan data for 58 subjects were evaluated retrospectively to derive analytical curves that predict image quality. Patient noise equivalent count rate and coefficient of variation (CV) were used as metrics in their analysis. Optimized acquisition protocols were identified and prospectively applied to 179 subjects.Results:The adoption of different schemes for three body mass ranges (<60 kg, 60–90 kg, >90 kg) allows improved image quality with both point spread function and ordered‐subsets expectation maximization‐3D reconstruction methods. The application of this methodology showed that CV improved significantly (p < 0.0001) in clinical practice.Conclusions:Consistent oncological PET/CT image quality on a high‐performance scanner was achieved from an analysis of the relations existing between dose regimen, patient habitus, acquisition, and processing techniques. The proposed methodology may be used by PET/CT centers to develop protocols to standardize PET/CT imaging procedures and achieve better patient management and cost‐effective operations.
Antiviral Activities of Different Interferon Types and Subtypes against Hepatitis E Virus Replication
Authors: Todt Daniel , François Catherine , Anggakusuma  , Behrendt Patrick , Engelmann Michael , Knegendorf Leonard , Vieyres Gabrielle , Wedemeyer Heiner , Hartmann Rune , Pietschmann Thomas , Duverlie Gilles , Steinmann Eike 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of hepatitis E in humans and a member of the genus
Orthohepevirus
in the family
Hepeviridae
. HEV infections are the common cause of acute hepatitis but can also take chronic courses. Ribavirin is the treatment of choice for most patients, and type I interferon (IFN) has been evaluated in a few infected transplant patients
in vivo
. In this study, the antiviral effects of different exogenously administered interferons were investigated by using state-of-the-art subgenomic replicon and full-length HEV genome cell culture models. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) subgenomic replicons based on the genotype 2a JFH1 isolate served as the reference. The experiments revealed that HEV RNA replication was inhibited by the application of all types of IFN, including IFN-α (type I), IFN-γ (type II), and IFN-λ3 (type III), but to a far lesser extent than HCV replication. Simultaneous determination of interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression levels for all IFN types demonstrated efficient downregulation by HEV. Furthermore, different IFN-α subtypes were also able to block viral replication in combination with ribavirin. The IFN-α subtypes 2a and 2b exerted the strongest antiviral activity against HEV. In conclusion, these data demonstrate for the first time moderate anti-HEV activities of types II and III IFNs and different IFN-α subtypes. As HEV employed a potent anti-interferon mechanism by restricting ISG expression, exogenous application of IFNs as immunotherapy should be carefully assessed.
The Investigational Fungal Cyp51 Inhibitor VT-1129 Demonstrates Potent
In Vitro
Activity against Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii
Authors: Lockhart Shawn R. , Fothergill Annette W. , Iqbal Naureen , Bolden Carol B. , Grossman Nina T. , Garvey Edward P. , Brand Stephen R. , Hoekstra William J. , Schotzinger Robert J. , Ottinger Elizabeth , Patterson Thomas F. , Wiederhold Nathan P. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

The
in vitro
activities of the novel fungal Cyp51 inhibitor VT-1129 were evaluated against a large panel of
Cryptococcus neoformans
and
Cryptococcus gattii
isolates. VT-1129 demonstrated potent activities against both
Cryptococcus
species as demonstrated by low MIC
50
and MIC
90
values. For
C. gattii
, the
in vitro
potency was maintained against all genotypes. In addition, significantly lower geometric mean MICs were observed for VT-1129 than for fluconazole against
C. neoformans
, including isolates with reduced fluconazole susceptibility.
Variation in Inflammatory Response during Pneumococcal Infection Is Influenced by Host-Pathogen Interactions but Associated with Animal Survival
Authors: Jonczyk Magda S. , Escudero Laura , Sylvius Nicolas , Norman Martin , Henriques-Normark Birgitta , Andrew Peter W. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Inflammation is a crucial part of innate immune responses but, if imbalanced, can lead to serious clinical conditions or even death. Cytokines regulate inflammation, and studies report their impact on clinical outcome. However, host and pathogen genetic backgrounds influence cytokine production, making it difficult to evaluate which inflammatory profiles (if any) relate to improved prognosis.
Streptococcus pneumoniae
is a common human pathogen associated with asymptomatic nasopharyngeal carriage. Infrequently, it can lead to a wide range of diseases with high morbidity and mortality rates. Studies show that both pneumococcal serotype and host genetic background affect the development of disease and contribute to variation in inflammatory responses. In this study, we investigated the impact of the host and pneumococcal genetic backgrounds on pulmonary cytokine responses and their relationship to animal survival. Two inbred mouse strains, BALB/c and CBA/Ca, were infected with 10 pneumococcal strains, and the concentrations of six pulmonary cytokines were measured at 6 h and 24 h postinfection. Collected data were analyzed by principal-component analysis to identify whether there is any pattern in the observed cytokine variation. Our results show that host-pneumococcus combination was at the core of observed variation in cytokine responses, yet the resulting cytokine profile discriminated only between survivors and fatalities but not mouse or pneumococcal strains used during infection. Therefore, our results indicate that although alternative inflammatory profiles are generated during pneumococcal infection, a common pattern emerged, which determined the clinical outcome of pneumococcal infections.
Insights into the Function of a Second, Nonclassical Ahp Peroxidase, AhpA, in Oxidative Stress Resistance in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Broden Nicole J. , Flury Sarah , King Alyssa N. , Schroeder Braden W. , Coe Gabrielle Dierker , Faulkner Melinda J. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Organisms growing aerobically generate reactive oxygen-containing molecules, such as hydrogen peroxide (H
2
O
2
). These reactive oxygen molecules damage enzymes and DNA and may even cause cell death. In response,
Bacillus subtilis
produces at least nine potential peroxide-scavenging enzymes, two of which appear to be the primary enzymes responsible for detoxifying peroxides during vegetative growth: a catalase (encoded by
katA
) and an alkylhydroperoxide reductase (Ahp, encoded by
ahpC
). AhpC uses two redox-active cysteine residues to reduce peroxides to nontoxic molecules. A specialized thioredoxin-like protein, AhpF, is then required to restore oxidized AhpC back to its reduced state. Curiously,
B. subtilis
has two genes encoding Ahp:
ahpC
and
ahpA
. Although AhpC is well characterized, very little is known about AhpA. In fact, numerous bacterial species have multiple
ahp
genes; however, these additional Ahp proteins are generally uncharacterized. We seek to understand the role of AhpA in the bacterium's defense against toxic peroxide molecules in relation to the roles previously assigned to AhpC and catalase. Our results demonstrate that AhpA has catalytic activity similar to that of the primary enzyme, AhpC. Furthermore, our results suggest that a unique thioredoxin redox protein, AhpT, may reduce AhpA upon its oxidation by peroxides. However, unlike AhpC, which is expressed well during vegetative growth, our results suggest that AhpA is expressed primarily during postexponential growth.

IMPORTANCE
B. subtilis
appears to produce nine enzymes designed to protect cells against peroxides; two belong to the Ahp class of peroxidases. These studies provide an initial characterization of one of these Ahp homologs and demonstrate that the two Ahp enzymes are not simply replicates of each other, suggesting that they instead are expressed at different times during growth of the cells. These results highlight the need to further study the Ahp homologs to better understand how they differ from one another and to identify their function, if any, in protection against oxidative stress. Through these studies, we may better understand why bacteria have multiple enzymes designed to scavenge peroxides and thus have a more accurate understanding of oxidative stress resistance.
Anaerobic Growth of Haloarchaeon Haloferax volcanii by Denitrification Is Controlled by the Transcription Regulator NarO
Authors: Hattori Tatsuya , Shiba Hiromichi , Ashiki Ken-ichi , Araki Takuma , Nagashima Yoh-kow , Yoshimatsu Katsuhiko , Fujiwara Taketomo 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

The extremely halophilic archaeon
Haloferax volcanii
grows anaerobically by denitrification. A putative DNA-binding protein, NarO, is encoded upstream of the respiratory nitrate reductase gene of
H. volcanii
. Disruption of the
narO
gene resulted in a loss of denitrifying growth of
H. volcanii
, and the expression of the recombinant NarO recovered the denitrification capacity. A novel CX

n

CXCX
7
C motif showing no remarkable similarities with known sequences was conserved in the N terminus of the NarO homologous proteins found in the haloarchaea. Restoration of the denitrifying growth was not achieved by expression of any mutant NarO in which any one of the four conserved cysteines was individually replaced by serine. A promoter assay experiment indicated that the
narO
gene was usually transcribed, regardless of whether it was cultivated under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Transcription of the genes encoding the denitrifying enzymes nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase was activated under anaerobic conditions. A putative
cis
element was identified in the promoter sequence of haloarchaeal denitrifying genes. These results demonstrated a significant effect of NarO, probably due to its oxygen-sensing function, on the transcriptional activation of haloarchaeal denitrifying genes.

IMPORTANCE
H. volcanii
is an extremely halophilic archaeon capable of anaerobic growth by denitrification. The regulatory mechanism of denitrification has been well understood in bacteria but remains unknown in archaea. In this work, we show that the helix-turn-helix (HTH)-type regulator NarO activates transcription of the denitrifying genes of
H. volcanii
under anaerobic conditions. A novel cysteine-rich motif, which is critical for transcriptional regulation, is present in NarO. A putative
cis
element was also identified in the promoter sequence of the haloarchaeal denitrifying genes.
Uncovering the Transmembrane Metal Binding Site of the Novel Bacterial Major Facilitator Superfamily-Type Copper Importer CcoA
Authors: Khalfaoui-Hassani Bahia , Verissimo Andreia F. , Koch Hans-Georg , Daldal Fevzi 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTUptake and trafficking of metals and their delivery to their respective metalloproteins are important processes. Cells need precise control of each step to avoid exposure to excessive metal concentrations and their harmful consequences. Copper (Cu) is a required micronutrient used as a cofactor in proteins. However, in large amounts, it can induce oxidative damage; hence, Cu homeostasis is indispensable for cell survival. Biogenesis of respiratory heme-Cu oxygen (HCO) reductases includes insertion of Cu into their catalytic subunits to form heme-Cu binuclear centers. Previously, we had shown that CcoA is a major facilitator superfamily (MFS)-type bacterial Cu importer required for biogenesis ofcbb3-type cytochromecoxidase (cbb3-Cox). Here, usingRhodobacter capsulatus, we focused on the import and delivery of Cu tocbb3-Cox. By comparing the CcoA amino acid sequence with its homologues from other bacterial species, we located several well-conserved Met, His, and Tyr residues that might be important for Cu transport. We determined the topology of the transmembrane helices that carry these residues to establish that they are membrane embedded, and substituted for them amino acids that do not ligand metal atoms. Characterization of these mutants for their uptake of radioactive64Cu andcbb3-Cox activities demonstrated that Met233 and His261 of CcoA are essential and Met237 and Met265 are important, whereas Tyr230 has no role for Cu uptake orcbb3-Cox biogenesis. These findings show for the first time that CcoA-mediated Cu import relies on conserved Met and His residues that could act as metal ligands at the membrane-embedded Cu binding domain of this transporter.IMPORTANCECu is a micronutrient that is both essential and toxic; hence, its cellular homeostasis is crucial. Respiratorycbb3-type cytochromecoxidases (cbb3-Cox) are Cu-containing energy-transducing enzymes that are important for many microaerophilic processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, and bacterial pathogenesis. How Cu is incorporated intocbb3-Cox enzymes is not well known. So far, CcoA is the only known major facilitator superfamily (MFS)-type transporter required for Cu import into the bacterial cytoplasm and forcbb3-Cox biogenesis. This study shows that the membrane-embedded, universally conserved Met and His residues of CcoA are essential for its Cu import function and also for its role incbb3-Cox biogenesis, shedding light on the mechanism of function of this bacterial prototypical Cu importer.
‘Just so you know, the patient is staff’: healthcare professionals’ perceptions of caring for healthcare professional–patients
Authors: Svantesson Mia , Carlsson E , Prenkert M , Anderzén-Carlsson A 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveTo explore healthcare professionals’ conceptions of the care of patients who are also healthcare professionals.DesignExplorative, with a qualitative, phenomenographic approach.Participants and setting16 healthcare personnel within different professions (doctors, nurses, assistant nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists) were interviewed about the care of 32 patients who were themselves members of different healthcare professions, in one healthcare organisation in Sweden.ResultsThe care of patients who are healthcare professionals was conceived in five different ways, as: usual, dutiful, prioritised and secure, insecure and responsive. An initial conception was that their care was usual, just as for any other patient, and also a perceived duty to treat them and to protect their right to be a patient—as any other patient. Exploring further, informants described that these patients did receive secure and prioritised care, as the informants experienced making a greater commitment, especially doctors giving privileges to doctor–patients. A conception of insecure care infused the informants’ descriptions. This comprised of them feeling intimidated in their professional role, feeling affected by colleagues’ stressful behaviour and ambiguity whether the healthcare professional–patient could be regarded as a competent professional. The deepest way of understanding care seemed to be responsive care, such as acknowledging and respecting the patient's identity and responding to their wishes of how treatment was to be met.ConclusionsCaring for healthcare professionals seems to trigger different ethical approaches, such as deontology and ethics of care. According to ethics of care, the findings may indeed suggest that these patients should be cared for just as any other patients would be, but only if this means that they are cared for as persons, that is, they are given ‘person-centred care’. This would imply balancing between acknowledging the vulnerable patient in the colleague and acknowledging the identity of the colleague in the patient.
Unequal socioeconomic distribution of the primary care workforce: whole-population small area longitudinal study
Authors: Asaria Miqdad , Cookson Richard , Fleetcroft Robert , Ali Shehzad 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveTo measure changes in socioeconomic inequality in the distribution of family physicians (general practitioners (GPs)) relative to need in England from 2004/2005 to 2013/2014.DesignWhole-population small area longitudinal data linkage study.SettingEngland from 2004/2005 to 2013/2014.Participants32 482 lower layer super output areas (neighbourhoods of 1500 people on average).Main outcome measuresSlope index of inequality (SII) between the most and least deprived small areas in annual full-time equivalent GPs (FTE GPs) per 100 000 need adjusted population.ResultsIn 2004/2005, inequality in primary care supply as measured by the SII in FTE GPs was 4.2 (95% CI 3.1 to 5.3) GPs per 100 000. By 2013/2014, this SII had fallen to −0.7 (95% CI −2.5 to 1.1) GPs per 100 000. The number of FTE GPs per 100 000 serving the most deprived fifth of small areas increased over this period from 54.0 to 60.5, while increasing from 57.2 to 59.9 in the least deprived fifth, so that by the end of the study period there were more GPs per 100 000 need adjusted population in the most deprived areas than in the least deprived. The increase in GP supply in the most deprived fifth of neighbourhoods was larger in areas that received targeted investment for establishing new practices under the ‘Equitable Access to Primary Medical Care’.ConclusionsThere was a substantial reduction in socioeconomic inequality in family physician supply associated with national policy. This policy may not have completely eliminated socioeconomic inequality in family physician supply since existing need adjustment formulae do not fully capture the additional burden of multimorbidity in deprived neighbourhoods. The small area approach introduced in this study can be used routinely to monitor socioeconomic inequality of access to primary care and to indicate workforce shortages in particular neighbourhoods.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Managing Cancer And Living Meaningfully (CALM): randomised feasibility trial in patients with advanced cancer
Authors: Lo Chris , Hales Sarah , Chiu Aubrey , Panday Tania , Malfitano Carmine , Jung Judy , Rydall Anne , Li Madeline , Nissim Rinat , Zimmermann Camilla , Rodin Gary 
Published: January 2016

BackgroundManaging Cancer And Living Meaningfully (CALM) is a brief individual psychotherapy for patients with advanced cancer. In an intervention-only phase 2a trial, CALM showed promising results, leading to the present 2b pilot, which introduces procedures for randomisation and improved rigour in preparation for a phase 3 randomised controlled trial (RCT).AimsTo test trial methodology and assess feasibility of a confirmatory RCT.DesignA parallel-arm RCT (intervention vs usual care) with 3 and 6-month follow-ups. Assessment of feasibility included rates of consent, randomisation, attrition, intervention non-compliance and usual care contamination. Primary outcome: depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9; PHQ-9). Secondary outcomes: major depressive disorder (MDD), generalised anxiety, death anxiety, spiritual well-being, attachment anxiety and avoidance, self-esteem, experiential avoidance, quality of life and post-traumatic growth. Bayesian conjugate analysis was used in this low-powered setting.Setting/participants60 adult patients with advanced cancer from the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.ResultsRate of consent was 32%, randomisation 78%, attrition 25%, non-compliance 37% and contamination 17%. There was support for potential treatment effects on: PHQ-9, OR=1.48, 95% Credible Interval (CRI.95) (0.65, 3.38); MDD, OR=1.56, CRI.95(0.50, 4.84); attachment anxiety, OR=1.72, CRI.95(0.73, 4.03); and attachment avoidance, OR=1.58, CRI.95(0.67, 3.71). There was no support for effects on the seven remaining secondary outcomes.ConclusionsA phase 3 CALM RCT is feasible and should aim to detect effect sizes of d=0.40, with greater attention to issues of compliance and contamination.Trial registration numberNCT02353546.
The HemoScreen, a novel haematology analyser for the point of care
Authors: Ben-Yosef Yaara , Marom Barak , Hirshberg Galit , D'Souza Carol , Larsson Anders , Bransky Avishay 
Published: January 2016

Background and aimsA haematology analyser, based on a new technology, is presented herein. The analyser that provides a complete blood count (CBC) and five-part differential accepts disposable cartridges containing all required reagents, making it maintenance-free and ideal for point-of-care (POC) settings. The test reproducibility and imperviousness to analytical errors are attributed to the imaging-based analysis employed. Imaging enables cell-morphology-based differentiation, which is analogous to the gold standard microscopic analysis. This article presents the HemoScreen new technology and evaluates its performance through a small-scale study conducted in its designated clinical settings.MethodsThirty anticoagulated whole blood samples were analysed on the HemoScreen and Sysmex XE-2100. Linear regression was performed for the methods comparison. Two samples with 15 replicates were processed for imprecision. Ease of use of the device was also considered.ResultsThe HemoScreen demonstrated acceptable imprecision and good agreement with the Sysmex XE-2100. The white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT), platelets (PLT), neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils have coefficients of correlation (r) >0.97. For mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell HGB (MCH) and RBC distribution width (RDW), r values ranged from 0.92 to 0.96. For mean cell HGB concentration (MCHC) and monocytes r=0.82 was demonstrated. User-friendliness and suitability of the device for operation in the designated POC settings was also confirmed.ConclusionsThe HemoScreen employs innovative technologies of viscoelastic focusing and microfluidics within a disposable cartridge for an image-based blood cell analysis. By providing accurate and repeatable CBC and five-part differential results within minutes and maintaining the simplicity of operation, the HemoScreen could have far-reaching implications for use at POC. Further extended evaluation is in progress.