bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wound healing in Mac‐1 deficient mice
Authors: Chen Lin , Nagaraja Sridevi , Zhou Jian , Zhao Yan , Fine David , Mitrophanov Alexander Y. , Reifman Jaques , DiPietro Luisa A. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMac‐1 (CD11b/CD18) is a macrophage receptor that plays several critical roles in macrophage recruitment and activation. Because macrophages are essential for proper wound healing, the impact of Mac‐1 deficiency on wound healing is of significant interest. Prior studies have shown that Mac‐1−/− mice exhibit deficits in healing, including delayed wound closure in scalp and ear wounds. This study examined whether Mac‐1 deficiency influences wound healing in small excisional and incisional skin wounds. Three millimeter diameter full thickness excisional wounds and incisional wounds were prepared on the dorsal skin of Mac‐1 deficient (Mac‐1−/−) and wild type (WT) mice, and wound healing outcomes were examined. Mac‐1 deficient mice exhibited a normal rate of wound closure, generally normal levels of total collagen, and nearly normal synthesis and distribution of collagens I and III. In incisional wounds, wound breaking strength was similar for Mac‐1−/− and WT mice. Wounds of Mac‐1 deficient mice displayed normal total macrophage content, although macrophage phenotype markers were skewed as compared to WT. Interestingly, amounts of TGF‐β1 and its downstream signaling molecules, SMAD2 and SMAD3, were significantly decreased in the wounds of Mac‐1 deficient mice compared to WT. The results suggest that Mac‐1 deficiency has little impact on the healing of small excisional and incisional wounds. Moreover, the findings demonstrate that the effect of single genetic deficiencies on wound healing may markedly differ among wound models. These conclusions have implications for the interpretation of the many prior studies that utilize a single model system to examine wound healing outcomes in genetically deficient mice.
Novel coronaviruses, astroviruses, adenoviruses and circoviruses in insectivorous bats from northern China
Authors: Han H.‐J. , Wen H.‐L. , Zhao L. , Liu J.‐W. , Luo L.‐M. , Zhou C.‐M. , Qin X.‐R. , Zhu Y.‐L. , Liu M.‐M. , Qi R. , Li W.‐Q. , Yu H. , Yu X.‐J. 
Published: April 2017

SummaryBats are considered as the reservoirs of several emerging infectious disease, and novel viruses are continually found in bats all around the world. Studies conducted in southern China found that bats carried a variety of viruses. However, few studies have been conducted on bats in northern China, which harbours a diversity of endemic insectivorous bats. It is important to understand the prevalence and diversity of viruses circulating in bats in northern China. In this study, a total of 145 insectivorous bats representing six species were collected from northern China and screened with degenerate primers for viruses belonging to six families, including coronaviruses, astroviruses, hantaviruses, paramyxoviruses, adenoviruses and circoviruses. Our study found that four of the viruses screened for were positive and the overall detection rates for astroviruses, coronaviruses, adenoviruses and circoviruses in bats were 21.4%, 15.9%, 20% and 37.2%, respectively. In addition, we found that bats in northern China harboured a diversity of novel viruses. Common Serotine (Eptesicus serotinu), Fringed long‐footed Myotis (Myotis fimriatus) and Peking Myotis (Myotis pequinius) were investigated in China for the first time. Our study provided new information on the ecology and phylogeny of bat‐borne viruses.
Interdisciplinary and Consistent Use of a 3D CAD Model for CAx Education in Engineering Studies
Authors: Faath Andreas , Anderl Reiner 
Published: April 2017

Computer Aided Design (CAD) represents one of the key lectures in the studies of mechanical and process engineering as well as several other engineering disciplines. Furthermore Computer Aided x (CAx) systems are firmly established in the product development process.
A new concept of teaching for engineering studies at the Technical University of Darmstadt (TU Darmstadt) derived by project based learning is introduced using CAx process chains i.e. the CAD-Multi Body Simulation (MBS) process chain. For the first time in engineering degree a 3D CAD model is consistently used by different process chains in multiple lectures and exercises during the whole engineering study. The early integration of this 3D CAD model in the second semester lays a foundation for its usage in further lectures, courses, projects and theses. Due to the fact, that this 3D CAD model embodies a university groups’ race car, students are able to deepen their knowledge within the university group “TU Darmstadt Racing Team e.V. (DART)”. Therefore, synergies between private and student activities are promoted, e.g. students acquire knowledge about automotive engineering. Besides the virtual implementation and validation, concepts can use the prototype for implementation and validation.
The suitability of the 3D CAD model for CAD education in engineering studies especially the modelling and assembling of parts and assemblies is validated by the coached exercise of the course “Computer Aided Design”. The design education of students with mechanical engineering orientated fields of studies is held as a mandatory course in the second semester of mechanical engineering degrees at TU Darmstadt since 1995 and is solely taught with modern 3D CAD Systems.
The MBS process chain is validated by several projects and theses using the McNeil Swendler Corp. (MSC) Software Automated Dynamic Analysis of Mechanical Systems (ADAMS) Car. Students run MBS by using the 3D CAD model. Besides driving maneuvers, stamp tests are simulated. In this context the entire MBS process chain is passed. The 3D CAD model serves as a basis for structures, geometry and the representation of kinematic chains, guided by the 3D CAD models geometry.
A Comparative Investigation of Rheological and Flow Behavior Among Clean Polymeric and Surfactant Based Fluids
Authors: Kamel Ahmed H. 
Published: April 2017

This study involves experimental investigation of rheological and hydraulic characteristics of aqueous based polymeric and surfactant fluids in straight and coiled tubing. The fluids matrix includes guar, HPG, PHPA, welan, xanthan, and surfactant. Bohlin rheometer was used to evaluate rheological and viscoelastic characteristics. For hydraulic characteristics, small- and large-scale flow loops were used.
It is observed that all fluids exhibit comparable non-Newtonian behavior and improved viscous and elastic properties. Among polymeric fluids, guar and welan provide better viscosity and suspension properties. Surfactant is significantly affected by the formation of rod-like micelles and other microstructures. Master curves for rheological and elastic properties are developed using the molecular theory approach. The foremost benefit of these curves is its dimensionless form that provides a unique technique to predict viscosity for all fluids.
For hydraulic properties, friction losses in coiled tubing are significantly higher than in straight tubing due to centrifugal forces and secondary flows. Surfactant is more sensitive to shear field applied where different microstructures are induced and thus they exhibit better drag reduction characteristics than polymeric fluids especially in coiled tubing with larger sizes. However, in straight tubing, guar shows better drag reduction characteristics than surfactant and other polymers, which diminishes as tubing size increases. However, welan gum exhibits a comparable performance. Overall, all fluids are considered good candidates as fracturing fluids with specific features for each. Unique characteristics of each fluid is discussed and explained in more details within the context of the present paper.
An Examination of How to Incorporate Ethics Into Systems Analysis and Vice Versa
Authors: Burgess Richard A. , Beruvides Mario G. 
Published: April 2017

In their paper “Combining Systems Dynamics and Ethics: Towards More Science?” Erik Pruyt and Jan Kwakkel argue that ethics ought to play a larger role in systems dynamics and vice versa (2007). Including ethics, they contend, will add sensitivity to current systems models as well as provide guidance on how to achieve best outcomes; with respect to both efficiency and flourishing (Pruyt & Kwakkel, 2007).
At first blush, such a cross pollination promises to add much needed depth of analysis to systems modeling and a higher degree of precision in ethical analyses. Not surprisingly, however, achieving such outcomes is more complex than it initially appears. Indeed, the quest for additional precision in ethical analysis is not a new one to philosophers and ethicists. The problem remains, in many ways, intractable.
In Part I of this paper, the authors expand on Pruyt and Kwakkel’s thesis by examining specific insights and tools that can and should be incorporated into systems dynamics modeling. Emphasis will be placed on the mechanics of this inclusion and the resultant implications. Part II, then, focuses on how systems dynamics tools like causal loop modeling and behavior-over-time graphs can be incorporated into ethical analyses in a non-arbitrary manner. Finally, in Part III of the paper, the authors briefly discuss the ramifications of Parts I and II for engineering education; both among students and practicing engineers.
The authors argue that both directions of the cross pollination have merit (especially the inclusion of ethical considerations in systems dynamics modeling) and ought to be developed further.
Improving Competitiveness of Engineering Students With Disabilities Through Focused Learning
Authors: Zagrai Andrei N. , Ostergren Warren J. , Borden Laurie Tacheny , Zeman Scott 
Published: April 2017

On many university campuses, students with disabilities form a noticeable group of the student population. Over the past years, enrollment of students with disabilities has markedly increased and this trend is expected to continue in the future. Although students with disabilities often prefer to major in non-technical areas, a considerable number of them choose to seek career opportunities in science, engineering and technology. The majority of prior studies on educating special engineering and STEM students have been oriented towards students with physical disabilities. A balanced approach is advocated in which individual aspects of the disability are given a special consideration and learning strategies and the environment are tailored in accordance with student’s needs. Such adjustments are critical in accommodating students with a wide spectrum of disabilities.
The aim of this paper is to consider various aspects of engineering education that may improve the competitiveness of engineering students with disabilities when they enter the professional workforce.
In Vitro
Activity of Pexiganan and 10 Comparator Antimicrobials against 234 Isolates, Including 93 Pasteurella Species and 50 Anaerobic Bacterial Isolates Recovered from Animal Bite Wounds
Authors: Goldstein Ellie J. C. , Citron Diane M. , Tyrrell Kerin L. , Leoncio Eliza S. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Animal bite wounds affect more than 5 million Americans annually, resulting in 300,000 emergency department visits, 10,000 hospitalizations, and an untold number of physician office visits. Various forms of topical therapy are empirically self-employed by many patients prior to seeking medical attention. Pexiganan, a 22-amino-acid synthetic cationic analogue of the peptide magainin II, acts by selectively damaging bacterial cell membranes. We determined the MICs for pexiganan and other antimicrobial agents often used for treatment of bite wounds. Most isolates were from U.S. patients, and ∼10% were from European and Canadian patients. The comparator antimicrobials studied were penicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, piperacillin-tazobactam, meropenem, clindamycin, doxycycline, moxifloxacin, ceftriaxone, linezolid, and metronidazole. The MIC
90
s of pexiganan were 32 μg/ml (against
Pasteurella multocida
subsp.
multocida
), 16 μg/ml (
P. multocida
subsp.
septica
,
Pasteurella canis
, and
Pasteurella dagmatis
), 8 μg/ml (
Pasteurella stomatis
), 8 μg/ml (
Eikenella corrodens
), 2 μg/ml (
Neisseria weaveri
,
Neisseria zoodegmatis
, and
Moraxella canis-Moraxella lacunata
group), 16 μg/ml (
Bergeyella zoohelcum
), 64 μg/ml (
Bacteroides pyogenes
), 4 μg/ml (
Fusobacterium russii
), 32 μg/ml (
Fusobacterium canifelinum
), and 64 μg/ml (
Prevotella heparinolytica
). The concentration of pexiganan in the cream used was 8,000 μg/ml, more than 60 to 100 times the highest MIC obtained. Pexiganan exhibited a broad range of antimicrobial activity, showing potential for treating animal bite infections. A clinical trial seems warranted.
A Waterborne Outbreak of Shigella sonnei with Resistance to Azithromycin and Third-Generation Cephalosporins in China in 2015
Authors: Ma Qiuxia , Xu Xuebin , Luo Ming , Wang Jian , Yang Chaojie , Hu Xiaofeng , Liang Beibei , Wu Fuli , Yang Xiaoxia , Wang Jinyan , Liu Hongbo , Li Wen , Zhong Yu , Li Peng , Xie Jing , Jia Leili , Wang Ligui , Hao Rongzhang , Du Xinying , Qiu Shaofu , Song Hongbin , Sun Yansong 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Here, we report for the first time a waterborne outbreak of
Shigella sonnei
in China in 2015. Eleven multidrug-resistant (MDR)
S. sonnei
isolates were recovered, showing high resistance to azithromycin and third-generation cephalosporins in particular, due to an
mph
(A)- and
bla
CTX-M-14
-harboring IncB/O/K/Z group transmissible plasmid of 104,285 kb in size. Our study highlights the potential prevalence of the MDR outbreak of
S. sonnei
in China and its further dissemination worldwide with the development of globalization.
A Case-Control Study of Molecular Epidemiology in Relation to Azithromycin Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates Collected in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, between 2008 and 2015
Authors: Wind Carolien M. , Bruisten Sylvia M. , Schim van der Loeff Maarten F. , Dierdorp Mirjam , de Vries Henry J. C. , van Dam Alje P. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Neisseria gonorrhoeae
resistance to ceftriaxone and azithromycin is increasing, which threatens the recommended dual therapy. We used molecular epidemiology to identify
N. gonorrhoeae
clusters and associations with azithromycin resistance in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
N. gonorrhoeae
isolates (
n
= 143) were selected from patients visiting the Amsterdam STI Outpatient Clinic from January 2008 through September 2015. We included all 69 azithromycin-resistant isolates (MIC ≥ 2.0 mg/liter) and 74 frequency-matched susceptible controls (MIC ≤ 0.25 mg/liter). The methods used were 23S rRNA and
mtrR
sequencing,
N. gonorrhoeae
multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST),
N. gonorrhoeae
multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (NG-MLVA), and a specific PCR to detect mosaic
penA
genes. A hierarchical cluster analysis of NG-MLVA related to resistance and epidemiological characteristics was performed. Azithromycin-resistant isolates had C2611T mutations in 23S rRNA (
n
= 62, 89.9%,
P
< 0.001) and were NG-MAST genogroup G2992 (
P
< 0.001), G5108 (
P
< 0.001), or G359 (
P
= 0.02) significantly more often than susceptible isolates and were more often part of NG-MLVA clusters (
P
< 0.001). Two resistant isolates (2.9%) had A2059G mutations, and five (7.3%) had wild-type 23S rRNA. No association between
mtrR
mutations and azithromycin resistance was found. Twenty-four isolates, including 10 azithromycin-resistant isolates, showed reduced susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins. Of these, five contained a
penA
mosaic gene. Four of the five NG-MLVA clusters contained resistant and susceptible isolates. Two clusters consisting mainly of resistant isolates included strains from men who have sex with men and from heterosexual males and females. The co-occurrence of resistant and susceptible strains in NG-MLVA clusters and the frequent occurrence of resistant strains outside of clusters suggest that azithromycin resistance develops independently from the background genome.
AUC/MIC Pharmacodynamic Target Is Not a Good Predictor of Vancomycin Efficacy in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Experimental Endocarditis
Authors: Castañeda Ximena , García-de-la-Mària Cristina , Gasch Oriol , Pericas Juan M. , Armero Yolanda , Soy Dolors , García-González Javier , Falces Carlos , Ninot Salvador , Almela Manel , Ambrosioni Juan , Quintana Eduardo , Vidal Barbara , Fuster David , Llopis Jaume , Soto Sara , Moreno Asuncion , Marco Francesc , Miró Jose M. ,   the Hospital Clinic Endocarditis Study Group
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

The aim of this
in vivo
study was to compare the efficacy of vancomycin at standard doses (VAN-SD) to that of VAN at adjusted doses (VAN-AD) in achieving a VAN area under the curve/MIC ratio (AUC/MIC) of ≥400 against three methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) strains with different microdilution VAN MICs in an experimental endocarditis model. The valve vegetation bacterial counts after 48 h of VAN therapy were compared, and no differences were observed between the two treatment groups for any of the three strains tested. Overall, for VAN-SD and VAN-AD, the rates of sterile vegetations were 15/45 (33.3%) and 21/49 (42.8%) (
P
= 0.343), while the medians (interquartile ranges [IQRs]) for log
10
CFU/g of vegetation were 2 (0 to 6.9) and 2 (0 to 4.5) (
P
= 0.384), respectively. In conclusion, this VAN AUC/MIC pharmacodynamic target was not a good predictor of vancomycin efficacy in MRSA experimental endocarditis.
9-(2′-Deoxy-2′-Fluoro-β-
d
-Arabinofuranosyl) Adenine Is a Potent Antitrypanosomal Adenosine Analogue That Circumvents Transport-Related Drug Resistance
Authors: Ranjbarian Farahnaz , Vodnala Munender , Alzahrani Khalid J. H. , Ebiloma Godwin U. , de Koning Harry P. , Hofer Anders 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Current chemotherapy against African sleeping sickness, a disease caused by the protozoan parasite
Trypanosoma brucei
, is limited by toxicity, inefficacy, and drug resistance. Nucleoside analogues have been successfully used to cure
T. brucei
-infected mice, but they have the limitation of mainly being taken up by the P2 nucleoside transporter, which, when mutated, is a common cause of multidrug resistance in
T. brucei
. We report here that adenine arabinoside (Ara-A) and the newly tested drug 9-(2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-β-
d
-arabinofuranosyl) adenine (FANA-A) are instead taken up by the P1 nucleoside transporter, which is not associated with drug resistance. Like Ara-A, FANA-A was found to be resistant to cleavage by methylthioadenosine phosphorylase, an enzyme that protects
T. brucei
against the antitrypanosomal effects of deoxyadenosine. Another important factor behind the selectivity of nucleoside analogues is how well they are phosphorylated within the cell. We found that the
T. brucei
adenosine kinase had a higher catalytic efficiency with FANA-A than the mammalian enzyme, and
T. brucei
cells treated with FANA-A accumulated high levels of FANA-A triphosphate, which even surpassed the level of ATP and led to cell cycle arrest, inhibition of DNA synthesis, and the accumulation of DNA breaks. FANA-A inhibited nucleic acid biosynthesis and parasite proliferation with 50% effective concentrations (EC
50
s) in the low nanomolar range, whereas mammalian cell proliferation was inhibited in the micromolar range. Both Ara-A and FANA-A, in combination with deoxycoformycin, cured
T. brucei
-infected mice, but FANA-A did so at a dose 100 times lower than that of Ara-A.
Protective Role for Macrophages in Respiratory Francisella tularensis Infection
Authors: Steiner Donald J. , Furuya Yoichi , Jordan Michael B. , Metzger Dennis W. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTFrancisella tularensiscauses lethal pneumonia following infection of the lungs by targeting macrophages for intracellular replication; however, macrophages stimulated with interferon gamma (IFN-γ) can resist infectionin vitro. We therefore hypothesized that the protective effect of IFN-γ againstF. tularensisin vivorequires macrophages receptive to stimulation. We found that the lethality of pulmonaryF. tularensisLVS infection was exacerbated under conditions of alveolar macrophage depletion and in mice with a macrophage-specific defect in IFN-γ signaling (termed mice with macrophages insensitive to IFN-γ [MIIG mice]). We previously found that treatment with exogenous interleukin 12 (IL-12) protects againstF. tularensisinfection; this protection was lost in MIIG mice. MIIG mice also exhibited reduced neutrophil recruitment to the lungs following infection. Systemic neutrophil depletion was found to render wild-type mice highly sensitive to respiratoryF. tularensisinfection, and depletion beginning at 3 days postinfection led to more pronounced sensitivity than depletion beginning prior to infection. Furthermore, IL-12-mediated protection required NADPH oxidase activity. These results indicate that lung macrophages serve a critical protective role in respiratoryF. tularensisLVS infection. Macrophages require IFN-γ signaling to mediate protection, which ultimately results in recruitment of neutrophils to further aid in survival from infection.
The Legionella pneumophila Incomplete Phosphotransferase System Is Required for Optimal Intracellular Growth and Maximal Expression of PmrA-Regulated Effectors
Authors: Speiser Yariv , Zusman Tal , Pasechnek Anna , Segal Gil 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

The nitrogen phosphotransferase system (PTS
Ntr
) is a regulatory cascade present in many bacteria, where it controls different functions. This system is usually composed of three basic components: enzyme I
Ntr
(EI
Ntr
), NPr, and EIIA
Ntr
(encoded by the
ptsP
,
ptsO
, and
ptsN
genes, respectively). In
Legionella pneumophila
, as well as in many other
Legionella
species, the EIIA
Ntr
component is missing. However, we found that deletion mutations in both
ptsP
and
ptsO
are partially attenuated for intracellular growth. Furthermore, these two PTS
Ntr
components were found to be required for maximal expression of effector-encoding genes regulated by the transcriptional activator PmrA. Genetic analyses which include the construction of single and double deletion mutants and overexpression of wild-type and mutated forms of EI
Ntr
, NPr, and PmrA indicated that the PTS
Ntr
components affect the expression of PmrA-regulated genes via PmrA and independently from PmrB and that EI
Ntr
and NPr are part of the same cascade and require their conserved histidine residues in order to function. Furthermore, expression of the
Legionella micdadei
EII
Ntr
component in
L. pneumophila
resulted in a reduction in the levels of expression of PmrA-regulated genes which was completely dependent on the
L. pneumophila
PTS components and the
L. micdadei
EII
Ntr
conserved histidine residue. Moreover, reconstruction of the
L. pneumophila
PTS
in vitro
indicated that EI
Ntr
is phosphorylated by phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and transfers its phosphate to NPr. Our results demonstrate that the
L. pneumophila
incomplete PTS
Ntr
is functional and involved in the expression of effector-encoding genes regulated by PmrA.