bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The complete genome sequence of Vibrio aestuarianus W‐40 reveals virulence factor genes
Authors: Xu Xiaojin , Huang Lixing , Su Yongquan , Yan Qingpi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractVibrio aestuarianus is an opportunistic environmental pathogen that has been associated with epidemics in cultured shrimp Penaeus vannamei. Hepatopancreas microsporidian (HPM) and monodon slow growth syndrome (MSGS) have been reported in cultured P. vannamei. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the whole genome of V. aestuarianus strain W‐40, a strain that was originally isolated from the intestines of an infected P. vannamei. The genome of V. aestuarianus strain W‐40 contains two circular chromosomes of 483,7307 bp with a 46.23% GC content. We identified 4,457 open reading frames (ORFs) that occupy 86.35% of the genome. Vibrio aestuarianus strain W‐40 consists primarily of the ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter system and the phosphotransferase system (PTS). CagA is a metabolism system that includes bacterial extracellular solute‐binding protein. Glutathione reductase can purge superoxide radicals () and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) damage in V. aestuarianus strain W‐40. The presence of two compete type I restriction‐modification systems was confirmed. A total of 42 insertion sequences (IS) elements and 16 IS elements were identified. Our results revealed a host of virulence factors that likely contribute to the pathogenicity of V. aestuarianus strain W‐40, including the virulence factor genes vacA, clpC, and bvgA, which are important for biofilm dispersion. Several bacitracin and tetracycline antibiotic resistance‐encoding genes and type VI secretion systems were also identified in the genome. The complete genome sequence will aid future studies of the pathogenesis of V. aestuarianus strain W‐40 and allow for new strategies to control disease to be developed.
Direct assessment of renal mitochondrial redox state using hyperpolarized 13C‐acetoacetate
Authors: von Morze Cornelius , Ohliger Michael A. , Marco‐Rius Irene , Wilson David M. , Flavell Robert R. , Pearce David , Vigneron Daniel B. , Kurhanewicz John , Wang Zhen J. 
Published: January 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the hyperpolarized ketone body 13C‐acetoacetate (AcAc) and its conversion to 13C‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (βOHB) in vivo, catalyzed by β‐hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BDH), as a novel direct marker of mitochondrial redox state.Methods[1,3‐13C2]AcAc was synthesized by hydrolysis of the ethyl ester, and hyperpolarized via dissolution DNP. Cold storage under basic conditions resulted in sufficient chemical stability for use in hyperpolarized (HP) MRI studies. Polarizations and relaxation times of HP [1,3‐13C2]AcAc were measured in a clinical 3T MRI scanner, and 8 rats were scanned by dynamic HP 13C MR spectroscopy of a slab through the kidneys. Four rats were scanned after acute treatment with high dose metformin (125 mg/kg, intravenous), which is known to modulate mitochondrial redox via inhibition of mitochondrial complex I. An additional metformin‐treated rat was scanned by abdominal 2D CSI (8 mm × 8 mm).ResultsPolarizations of 7 ± 1% and 7 ± 3%, and T1 relaxation times of 58 ± 5 s and 52 ± 3 s, were attained at the C1 and C3 positions, respectively. Rapid conversion of HP AcAc to βOHB was detected in rat kidney in vivo, via the C1 label. The product HP βOHB was resolved from closely resonating acetate. Conversion to βOHB was also detected via 2D CSI, in both kidney as well as liver regions. Metformin treatment resulted in a significant increase (40%, P = 0.01) of conversion of HP AcAc to βOHB.ConclusionRapid conversion of HP AcAc to βOHB was observed in rat kidney in vivo and is a promising new non‐invasive marker of mitochondrial redox state. Magn Reson Med 79:1862–1869, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Recommendations for the treatment of children with radiotherapy in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC): A position paper from the Pediatric Radiation Oncology Society (PROS‐LMIC) and Pediatric Oncology in Developing Countries (PODC) working groups of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP)
Authors: Parkes Jeannette , Hess Clayton , Burger Hester , Anacak Yavuz , Ahern Verity , Howard Scott C. , Elhassan Moawia , Ahmed Soha , Ghalibafian Mithra , Abbasi Ahmed Nadeem , Qureshi Bilal Mazhar , Zaghloul Mohamed , Zubizarreta Eduardo , Bey Pierre , Davidson Alan , Bouffet Eric , Esiashvili Natia 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPediatric radiotherapy is a critical part of pediatric oncology protocols and the quality of the radiotherapy may determine the future quality of life for long‐term survivors. Multidisciplinary team decision making provides the basis for high‐quality care. However, delivery of high‐quality radiotherapy is dependent on resources. This article provides guidelines for delivery of good quality radiation therapy in resource‐limited countries based on rational procurement and maintenance planning, protocol development, three‐dimensional planning, quality assurance, and adequate staff numbers and training.
Emotional context modulates micro‐expression processing as reflected in event‐related potentials
Authors: Zhang Ming , Fu Qiufang , Chen Yu‐Hsin , Fu Xiaolan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMicro‐expression recognition is influenced by emotional contexts at the behavioral level. It is found that the recognition for micro‐expressions is poorer following a negative context compared to the recognition following a neutral context. However, it remains unclear whether the modulation takes place in the early or later stage of the processing of micro‐expressions as reflected in event‐related potentials (ERPs). Using synthesized micro‐expressions in this study, we investigated how emotional context modulates the ERP components that are elicited by micro‐expressions. We observed that, compared to neutral contexts, negative and positive contexts elicited more positive amplitude trends for processing the subsequent target micro‐expressions, and more positive P1 and N170 effects were elicited by target micro‐expressions following negative and positive contexts compared to those following neutral contexts. Moreover, there were larger P1 effects elicited by the target micro‐expressions when the context and target expressions were incongruent compared to when they were congruent. Our findings provide new ERP evidence to indicate that emotional contexts modulate micro‐expression processing, and that the modulation of emotional contexts takes place at the early stage of facial‐expression processing.
Sorted patterned ground in a karst cave, Ledenica pod Hrušico, Slovenia
Authors: Obu Jaroslav , Košutnik Jure , Overduin Paul P. , Boike Julia , Blatnik Matej , Zwieback Simon , Gostinčar Petra , Mihevc Andrej 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPatterned ground is a characteristic periglacial landform in polar and alpine environments but has not been systematically studied in karst caves. Here we characterize the periglacial environment and sorted stripes within the Ledenica pod Hrušico ice cave, western Slovenia. The stripes were mapped, sediment depth and grain size were measured, and cave and outside air temperatures were monitored together with ground temperatures. Eleven sorted stripes of coarse limestone debris had developed on 1 m thick silt‐rich sediment, underlain by limestone bedrock. Silt‐rich cave sediments can accumulate as insoluble carbonate residue or during flood events, whereas coarse debris may result from frost shattering. Cold winter air entered the ice cave, but little air exchange occurred during summer, when the cave air temperature slowly rose to a maximum of 5°C. Winter temperature oscillations propagated efficiently to the snow‐free cave floor. Fourteen freeze‐thaw cycles were observed at the patterned‐ground surface during winter 2015/2016 and may cause the differential frost heaving necessary for sediment sorting. Such periglacial conditions and mixtures of silty and coarse sediments can produce sorted patterns in karst caves.
Improving the assessment of adverse drug reactions using the Naranjo Algorithm in daily practice: The Japan Adverse Drug Events Study
Authors: Murayama Hiroki , Sakuma Mio , Takahashi Yuri , Morimoto Takeshi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIt is difficult to determine adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in daily complicated clinical practice in which many kinds of drugs are prescribed. We evaluated how well the Naranjo Algorithm (NA) categorized ADRs among suspected ADRs. The Japan Adverse Drug Events (JADE) study was a prospective cohort study of 3459 inpatients. After all suspected ADRs were reported from research assistants, a single physician reviewer independently assigned an NA score to each. After all NA score of suspected ADRs were scored, two physician reviewers discussed and determined ADRs based on the literature. We investigated the sensitivity and specificity of NA and each component to categorize ADRs among suspected ADRs. A total of 1579 suspected ADRs were reported in 962 patients. Physician reviewers determined 997 ADRs. The percentage of ADRs was 94% if the total NA score reached 5. The modified NA consisted of 5 components that showed high classification abilities; its area under the curve (AUC) was 0.92 for categorizing ADRs, the same as the original. When we set the total NA score cut‐off value to 5, specificity was 0.95 and sensitivity was 0.59. When we reclassified NA components as binary variables, the specificity increased to 0.98 with a cut‐off value of 4 and yielded an AUC of 0.93. In conclusion, we showed that both NA and modified NA could categorize ADRs among suspected ADRs with a high likelihood in daily clinical practice.
Remarkably efficient production of a highly insecticidal Chrysodeixis chalcites nucleopolyhedrovirus (ChchNPV) isolate in its homologous host
Authors: Bernal Alexandra , Simón Oihane , Williams Trevor , Muñoz Delia , Caballero Primitivo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDA Chrysodeixis chalcites nucleopolyhedrovirus from the Canary Islands (ChchNPV‐TF1) has proved to be effective for control of Chrysodeixis chalcites on banana crops. Commercialization of this virus as a bioinsecticide requires an efficient production system.RESULTSThe sixth instar (L6) was the most suitable for virus production, producing 1.80 × 1011 occlusion bodies (OB)/larva and showed a lower prevalence of cannibalism (5.4%) than fourth (L4) or fifth (L5) instars. Inoculation of L6 at 24 h post molting produced six times more OB (5.72 × 1011 OB/larva) than recently molted L6 larvae (1.00 × 1011 OB/larva). No significant differences were recorded in mean time to death (165–175 h) or OB production per larva (3.75 × 1011 to 5.97 × 1011) or per mg larval weight (1.30 × 1011 to 2.11 × 109), in larvae inoculated with a range of inoculum concentrations (LC50–LC90). Groups of infected L6 larvae reared at a density of 150 larvae/container produced a greater total number of OBs (8.07 × 1013 OB/container) than lower densities (25, 50 and 100 OB/container), and a similar number to containers with 200 inoculated larvae (8.43 × 1013 OB/container).CONCLUSIONThe processes described here allow efficient production of sufficient OBs to treat ∼ 40 ha of banana crops using the insects from a single container. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Binding targets of termiticidal lectins from the bark and leaf of Myracrodruon urundeuva in the gut of Nasutitermes corniger workers
Authors: Lima Thâmarah A , Dornelles Leonardo P , Oliveira Ana Patrícia S , Guedes Caio CS , Souza Sueden O , Sá Roberto A , Zingali Russolina B , Napoleão Thiago H , Paiva Patrícia MG 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDLectins, carbohydrate‐binding proteins, from the bark (MuBL) and leaf (MuLL) of Myracrodruon urundeuva are termiticidal agents against Nasutitermes corniger workers and have been shown to induce oxidative stress and cell death in the midgut of these insects. In this study, we investigated the binding targets of MuBL and MuLL in the gut of N. corniger workers by determining the effects of these lectins on the activity of digestive enzymes. In addition, we used mass spectrometry to identify peptides from gut proteins that adsorbed to MuBL–Sepharose and MuLL–Sepharose columns.RESULTSExoglucanase activity was neutralized in the presence of MuBL and stimulated by MuLL. α‐l‐Arabinofuranosidase activity was not affected by MuBL but was inhibited by MuLL. Both lectins stimulated α‐amylase activity and inhibited protease and trypsin‐like activities. Peptides with homology to apolipophorin, trypsin‐like enzyme, and ABC transporter substrate‐binding protein were detected from proteins that adsorbed to MuBL–Sepharose, while peptides from proteins that bound to MuLL–Sepharose shared homology with apolipophorin.CONCLUSIONThis study revealed that digestive enzymes and transport proteins found in worker guts can be recognized by MuBL and MuLL. Thus, the mechanism of their termiticidal activity may involve changes in the digestion and absorption of nutrients. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Linking Northern Hemisphere temperature extremes to Rossby wave packets
Authors: Fragkoulidis G. , Wirth V. , Bossmann P. , Fink A. H. 
Published: January 2018

This work investigates the statistical linkage between upper‐tropospheric transient Rossby wave packets (RWPs) and lower‐tropospheric temperature extremes in the Northern Hemisphere during the period 1979–2015. Data from ERA‐Interim reanalyses are used for the diagnosis of RWP amplitude and temperature anomalies as well as the systematic examination of their connection. Areas of large RWP amplitude are found to be associated with an increased probability of lower‐tropospheric temperature extremes in many regions of the midlatitudes. Although a seasonal and inter‐regional variability is apparent, this link is always stronger than in an analysis using a circumglobal waviness metric based on Fourier wavenumber amplitudes.Further insight is gained by complementing the climatological results with an investigation of the two most severe recent heat waves in Europe, viz. during the 2003 and 2010 summers. Both events are found to be associated with conspicuous non‐circumglobal RWPs, but differences between the two events suggest that the mechanisms linking RWPs and temperature extremes are case‐dependent. The aforementioned results underscore the important role of upper‐troposphere dynamics and open up avenues for future research on heat waves and cold spells at both weather and climate time‐scales.
The Effect of MgO‐MgF2 Synthesis Method on the Electrolyte Binding Ability in Thermal Batteries
Authors: Zieliński Michał , Czajka Bogdan , Pietrowski Mariusz , Kiderys Angelika , Tomska‐Foralewska Iwona , Przystajko Wiesław , Wojciechowska Maria 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis paper describes a comparative study of synthesis (sol‐gel and suspension methods) of MgF2‐MgO material used as an immobilizing agent of the electrolyte (KCl‐LiCl‐RbCl) for high temperature cells. Samples containing 20 mol.% MgF2 obtained by the sol‐gel method, followed by calcination at 500 and 600oC, were characterized by large specific surface areas greater than those of samples obtained by the suspension method. It was demonstrated that pellets containing 40 wt.% immobilizing agent composed of 20 mol.% MgF2 – 80 mol.% MgO, obtained by the sol‐gel method, and calcinated at 500 °C, were good electrolyte immobilizers. This mixture remains dimensionally stable at 400 °C and under 60 kPa pressure (no leakage of the electrolyte was observed) and reveals good ionic conductivity during tests in a model cell ‐ the voltage was not less than 1.0 V and current more than 0.75 A for approximately 400 s.
Risk of spontaneous preterm birth in singleton pregnancies conceived after IVF/ICSI treatment: meta‐analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Cavoretto P. , Candiani M. , Giorgione V. , Inversetti A. , Abu‐Saba M. M. , Tiberio F. , Sigismondi C. , Farina A. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTObjectivePreterm birth (PTB) is more common in pregnancies conceived by in‐vitro fertilization (IVF) as compared with those conceived naturally. However, the extent to which this is attributed to spontaneous labor or to iatrogenic indications has not been determined. The aim of this study was to quantify the risk of spontaneous PTB (sPTB) in singleton pregnancies resulting from IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment as compared with that in spontaneously conceived pregnancies.MethodsAn electronic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science to September 2017 and manual search of reference lists identified articles comparing the risk of sPTB in IVF/ICSI vs spontaneously conceived singleton pregnancies. Inclusion criteria were singleton conception with IVF/ICSI, PTB defined as delivery before 37 weeks' gestation and cohort design with clear distinction between spontaneous and indicated PTB. The primary outcome was sPTB < 37 weeks. Relevant secondary outcomes were also analyzed, including sPTB < 34 and < 32 weeks, preterm prelabor rupture of membranes, stillbirth, perinatal mortality, neonatal sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome and gastrointestinal morbidity. A meta‐analysis provided the estimation of risk of sPTB in IVF/ICSI pregnancies.ResultsIn total, 674 records were identified from the search, of which 15 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta‐analysis. A pooled crude analysis of the primary outcome generated a total sample size of 61 677 births, including 8044 singletons conceived after IVF/ICSI and 53 633 conceived spontaneously. A pooled crude data analysis showed a significant increase in the incidence of sPTB < 37 weeks in singleton IVF/ICSI pregnancies compared with those conceived spontaneously (810/8044 (10.1%) vs 2932/53 633 (5.5%); odds ratio (OR), 1.75; 95% CI, 1.50–2.03; I2 = 39%). A subgroup analysis of studies matching for maternal age and parity confirmed the finding (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.30–2.05; I2 = 33%). A pooled crude analysis of secondary outcomes showed a significant increase in the incidence of sPTB < 34 weeks in pregnancies conceived after IVF/ICSI compared with those conceived spontaneously (37/1012 (3.6%) vs 24/1107 (2.2%); OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.03–3.08; I2 = 6%) and did not show any significant difference for any of the other secondary outcomes analyzed. The quality of evidence, rated using the GRADE criteria, was low for the outcome sPTB < 37 weeks and very low for sPTB < 34 weeks.ConclusionsThe risk of sPTB in singleton pregnancies resulting from IVF/ICSI is significantly greater than that in spontaneously conceived singletons. These findings should be interpreted with caution given the low quality of the available evidence. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The cochlear implant and possibilities for narrowing the remaining gaps between prosthetic and normal hearing
Authors: Wilson Blake S. 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundThe cochlear implant has become the standard of care for severe or worse losses in hearing and indeed has produced the first substantial restoration of a lost or absent human sense using a medical intervention. However, the devices are not perfect and many efforts to narrow the remaining gaps between prosthetic and normal hearing are underway.ObjectiveTo assess the present status of cochlear implants and to describe possibilities for improving them.ResultsThe present‐day devices work well in quiet conditions for the great majority of users. However, not all users have high levels of speech reception in quiet and nearly all users struggle with speech reception in typically noisy acoustic environments. In addition, perception of sounds more complex than speech, such as most music, is generally poor unless residual hearing at low frequencies can be stimulated acoustically in conjunction with the electrical stimuli provided by the implant. Possibilities for improving the present devices include increasing the spatial specificity of neural excitation by reducing masking effects or with new stimulus modes; prudent pruning of interfering or otherwise detrimental electrodes from the stimulation map; a further relaxation in the criteria for implant candidacy, based on recent evidence from persons with high levels of residual hearing and to allow many more people to benefit from cochlear implants; and “top down” or “brain centric” approaches to implant designs and applications.ConclusionsProgress in the development of the cochlear implant and related treatments has been remarkable but room remains for improvements. The future looks bright as there are multiple promising possibilities for improvements and many talented teams are pursuing them.
Supping with the Devil? Indicators and the rise of managerial rationality in law
Authors: Amariles David Restrepo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractManagerial devices are rapidly developing as a means for driving the legal performance of organisations, including those of states and corporations. This paper explores the managerial rationality underpinning global legal indicators, and the constraints they convey on institutional behaviour. In particular, it argues that indicators are better understood as part of a system of management control and distributed governance, which is steadily eroding state-centred forms of authority, including state law. In this context, legitimacy and reactivity are contingent to their cycle of production and implementation, which is fourfold: data-collecting, benchmarking, auditing and allocating incentives. Each process is meant to generate respectively subjectification, self-knowledge by comparison, accountability and stimulus for action. Indicators with higher degrees of legitimacy become entrenched in institutional practices and legal decision-making processes. The paper concludes that regulatory spaces where indicators unfold need critical and political scrutiny to expose their pernicious effects, undesirable uses and inevitable misuses.
Freshwater lake to salt-water sea causing widespread hydrate dissociation in the Black Sea
Authors: Riboulot Vincent , Ker Stephan , Sultan Nabil , Thomas Yannick , Marsset Bruno , Scalabrin Carla , Ruffine Livio , Boulart Cédric , Ion Gabriel 
Published: January 2018

AbstractGas hydrates, a solid established by water and gas molecules, are widespread along the continental margins of the world. Their dynamics have mainly been regarded through the lens of temperature-pressure conditions. A fluctuation in one of these parameters may cause destabilization of gas hydrate-bearing sediments below the seafloor with implications in ocean acidification and eventually in global warming. Here we show throughout an example of the Black Sea, the world’s most isolated sea, evidence that extensive gas hydrate dissociation may occur in the future due to recent salinity changes of the sea water. Recent and forthcoming salt diffusion within the sediment will destabilize gas hydrates by reducing the extension and thickness of their thermodynamic stability zone in a region covering at least 2800 square kilometers which focus seepages at the observed sites. We suspect this process to occur in other world regions (e.g., Caspian Sea, Sea of Marmara).