bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Critical Synergistic Concentration of Lecithin Phospholipids Improves the Antimicrobial Activity of Eugenol against Escherichia coli
Authors: Zhang Haoshu , Dudley Edward G. , Harte Federico 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT

In this study, the effect of individual lecithin phospholipids on the antimicrobial properties of eugenol against
Escherichia coli
C600 was investigated. We tested five major phospholipids common in soy or egg lecithin (1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DPPC], 1,2-dioctadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC], 1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine [DPPE], 1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate [sodium salt] [DPPA], and 1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-
l
-serine [DPPS]) and one synthetic cationic phospholipid (1,2-dioctadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-ethylphosphocholine [18:0 EPC]). Among the six phospholipids, DPPC, DSPC, DPPE, DPPA, and the cationic 18:0 EPC showed critical synergistic concentrations that significantly improved the inactivation effect of eugenol against
E. coli
after 30 min of exposure. At the critical synergistic concentration, an additional ca. 0.4 to 1.9 log reduction (ca. 0.66 to 2.17 log CFU/ml reduction) in the microbial population was observed compared to eugenol-only (control) treatments (ca. 0.25 log reduction). In all cases, increasing the phospholipid amount above the critical synergistic concentration (which was different for each phospholipid) resulted in antimicrobial properties similar to those seen with the eugenol-only (control) treatments. DPPS did not affect the antimicrobial properties of eugenol at the tested concentrations. The critical synergistic concentration of phospholipids was correlated with their critical micelle concentrations (CMC).

IMPORTANCE
Essential oils (EOs) are naturally occurring antimicrobials, with limited use in food due to their hydrophobicity and strong aroma. Lecithin is used as a natural emulsifier to stabilize EOs in aqueous systems. We previously demonstrated that, within a narrow critical-concentration window, lecithin can synergistically enhance the antimicrobial properties of eugenol. Since lecithin is a mixture of different phospholipids, we aimed to identify which phospholipids are crucial for the observed synergistic effect. This research studied the bioactivity of lecithin phospholipids, contributing to a rational design in using lecithin to effectively control foodborne pathogens in foods.
A Bacterial Multidomain NAD-Independent
d
-Lactate Dehydrogenase Utilizes Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide and Fe-S Clusters as Cofactors and Quinone as an Electron Acceptor for
d
-Lactate Oxidization
Authors: Jiang Tianyi , Guo Xiaoting , Yan Jinxin , Zhang Yingxin , Wang Yujiao , Zhang Manman , Sheng Binbin , Ma Cuiqing , Xu Ping , Gao Chao 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT

Bacterial membrane-associated NAD-independent
d
-lactate dehydrogenase (Fe-S
d
-iLDH) oxidizes
d
-lactate into pyruvate. A sequence analysis of the enzyme reveals that it contains an Fe-S oxidoreductase domain in addition to a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-containing dehydrogenase domain, which differs from other typical
d
-iLDHs. Fe-S
d
-iLDH from
Pseudomonas putida
KT2440 was purified as a His-tagged protein and characterized in detail. This monomeric enzyme exhibited activities with
l
-lactate and several
d
-2-hydroxyacids. Quinone was shown to be the preferred electron acceptor of the enzyme. The two domains of the enzyme were then heterologously expressed and purified separately. The Fe-S cluster-binding motifs predicted by sequence alignment were preliminarily verified by site-directed mutagenesis of the Fe-S oxidoreductase domain. The FAD-containing dehydrogenase domain retained 2-hydroxyacid-oxidizing activity, although it decreased compared to the full Fe-S
d
-iLDH. Compared to the intact enzyme, the FAD-containing dehydrogenase domain showed increased catalytic efficiency with cytochrome
c
as the electron acceptor, but it completely lost the ability to use coenzyme Q
10
. Additionally, the FAD-containing dehydrogenase domain was no longer associated with the cell membrane, and it could not support the utilization of
d
-lactate as a carbon source. Based on the results obtained, we conclude that the Fe-S oxidoreductase domain functions as an electron transfer component to facilitate the utilization of quinone as an electron acceptor by Fe-S
d
-iLDH, and it helps the enzyme associate with the cell membrane. These functions make the Fe-S oxidoreductase domain crucial for the
in vivo
d
-lactate utilization function of Fe-S
d
-iLDH.

IMPORTANCE
Lactate metabolism plays versatile roles in most domains of life. Lactate utilization processes depend on certain enzymes to oxidize lactate to pyruvate. In recent years, novel bacterial lactate-oxidizing enzymes have been continually reported, including the unique NAD-independent
d
-lactate dehydrogenase that contains an Fe-S oxidoreductase domain besides the typical flavin-containing domain (Fe-S
d
-iLDH). Although Fe-S
d
-iLDH is widely distributed among bacterial species, the investigation of it is insufficient. Fe-S
d
-iLDH from
Pseudomonas putida
KT2440, which is the major
d
-lactate-oxidizing enzyme for the strain, might be a representative of this type of enzyme. A study of it will be helpful in understanding the detailed mechanisms underlying the lactate utilization processes.
Socioeconomic inequity in survival for deliveries at 22–24 weeks of gestation
Authors: Morisaki Naho , Isayama Tetsuya , Samura Osamu , Wada Kazuko , Kusuda Satoshi 
Published: August 2017

ObjectiveGuidelines recommend individual decision making on resuscitating infants of 22–24 weeks’ gestational age (GA) at birth. When the decision not to resuscitate is made, infants would likely die soon after delivery, and under some circumstances such neonatal deaths may be registered as stillbirths occurring during delivery (intrapartum stillbirth). Thus we assessed whether socioeconomic factors are associated with peridelivery deaths (during or within 1 hour of delivery) of infants delivered at 22–24 weeks’ gestation.MethodsWe analysed 14 726 singletons of 22–24 weeks’ GA using the 2003–2011 Japanese vital statistics, and assessed how maternal characteristics influence risk of peridelivery death as well as intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) and death after 1 hour of age until 40 weeks postmenstrual age.ResultsLiving in a municipality with low-average income (lowest tertile (risk ratio 1.32, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.44), middle tertile (risk ratio 1.08, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.19)), younger maternal age (age <20 (risk ratio 1.43, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.75), age 20–34 (risk ratio 1.14, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.27)) and having previous live births (risk ratio 1.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.17) increased risk of peridelivery deaths, but did not increase risk of IUFD or deaths after 1 hour of age. Peridelivery death was twice as likely to occur in births to multiparous teenage mothers in a low-income municipality, compared with those of older primiparous mothers in a wealthier municipality.ConclusionsSocioeconomic factors substantially influence whether births of 22–24 weeks’ GA survive delivery and the first hour of life. Such disparities may reflect the impact of socioeconomic situations on decision making for resuscitation.
Prevalence of amblyopia and its association with refraction in Chinese preschool children aged 36–48 months
Authors: Huang Dan , Chen Xuejuan , Zhu Hui , Ding Hui , Bai Jing , Chen Ji , Fu Zhujun , Pan Chen-Wei , Liu Hu 
Published: August 2017

PurposeTo determine the prevalence of amblyopia and its association with refraction in Chinese preschool children.MethodsThe Yuhuatai Pediatric Eye Disease Study, a cross-sectional, population-based study, was conducted in children aged 36–48 months in Yuhuatai District, Nanjing, China, in 2015. Visual acuity was measured in 1695 eligible children.ResultsOf the 1695 subjects, manifested amblyopia was detected in 25 children (1.47%, 95% CI 0.90% to 2.05%), including 11 and 14 with bilateral and unilateral amblyopia, respectively. Amblyopia prevalence did not differ by gender (p=0.77). Significant refractive errors were found in 22 (88.0%) of children with amblyopia, and strabismus was found in 6 (24.0%) children with amblyopia. In multivariate analysis, amblyopia was significantly associated with hyperopia (≥+2.00 dioptres (D); OR 8.81, 95% CI 3.27 to 23.69, p<0.0001), astigmatism (≥2.00 D; OR 17.90, 95% CI 6.78 to 47.21, p<0.0001) and anisometropia (≥2.00 D; OR 5.87, 95% CI 1.52 to 22.77, p<0.05).ConclusionsThe prevalence of amblyopia in children 36–48 months old in Eastern China was 1.47%. The refractive error is a major risk factor for amblyopia.
Bullous X linked retinoschisis: clinical features and prognosis
Authors: Hinds Anne-Marie , Fahim Abigail , Moore Anthony T , Wong Sui Chien , Michaelides Michel 
Published: August 2017

Background/AimsA subset of patients with X linked retinoschisis (XLRS) have bullous schisis cavities in the peripheral retina. This study describes the characteristics and prognosis of the bullous form of XLRS.MethodsA retrospective case series was performed of nine patients with molecularly proven bullous XLRS seen at a single tertiary centre.ResultsAll cases of bullous peripheral schisis were bilateral, with one unilateral case at presentation which developed into bilateral bullous schisis over time. The mean age of onset was 1.9 years (range: 1 month–7 years, SD: 2.1 years) and at clinical diagnosis was 5.9 years (range: 1 month–27 years, SD: 9.0 years). Mean follow-up was 11 years (range: 6 months–36 years, SD: 10.8 years). Strabismus was the most common presentation (n=7). Other presenting complaints included decreased vision, floaters and an irregularly shaped pupil. The most frequently associated ocular features were strabismus (100%), vitreous haemorrhage (4/18 eyes, 22%), nystagmus (2/9, 22%) and persistent fetal vasculature (1/18, 6%). Localised tractional detachment was seen in 2/18 (11%) eyes, total detachment that underwent surgical repair in 1/18 (6%) and pigmented demarcation lines in a further 22% of the eyes. There was one eye with exudative retinal detachment.ConclusionIn XLRS, bullous schisis may be congenital or develop soon after birth and most commonly presents with strabismus. Cases may be complicated by some form of retinal detachment, which may be tractional or a Coats-like exudative detachment.
Reclaiming the value of pictorial health warning labels in Jordan
Authors: Obeidat Nour A , Al-Hadid Mai , Hatoqai Asma A , Shihab Rawan A , Hawari Feras I 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundIn Jordan, four non-graphic pictorial health warning labels (PHWLs) concerning a limited selection of tobacco-caused harms have been used since 2011; however, research suggests that they may be ineffective.ObjectivesTo explore Jordanian smokers’ reactions to novel PHWLs featuring various health themes and/or graphic and symbolic imagery and to discuss existing PHWLs in light of the novel PHWLs.MethodsWe conducted 14 focus groups (FGs) with smokers who assessed 12 novel PHWLs and commented on four existing PHWLs. Data were analysed using an inductive approach.ResultsSix themes emerged from the FG discussions: understanding the overall meaning of PHWLs, the impact of graphic images, magnitude and controllability of harm, personal or vicarious experiences, the futility of quitting and fatalism. PHWLs depicting graphic respiratory and oral tobacco-caused harms resonated with most smokers. Smokers also sought direct, harm-specific taglines when trying to understand the overall PHWL. Some smokers viewed the PHWLs as exaggerated, and while the majority acknowledged that smoking was harmful, they felt that PHWLs would not accomplish their goal of inducing quitting.ConclusionsOur findings support the use of graphic imagery to communicate tobacco-caused harms (particularly respiratory ones) and the use of specific taglines explaining the mechanism of harm depicted.
Use of prescribed smoking cessation pharmacotherapy following release from prison: a prospective data linkage study
Authors: Puljević Cheneal , de Andrade Dominique , Carroll Megan , Spittal Matthew J , Kinner Stuart A 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundA significant proportion of people who cycle through prisons express a desire to quit smoking, yet smoking rates in this population are two to four times higher than in the general community. Smoking cessation pharmacotherapy (SCP) is an important component of evidence-based cessation support, yet no studies have examined use of this pharmacotherapy after release from prison.MethodsWe linked data from a survey of 971 smokers who were within 8 weeks of release from prison in Queensland, Australia, with federal Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) records for the 2 years after release, to identify subsidised use of SCP (varenicline, bupropion and nicotine patches). We used Cox proportional hazards regression to identify independent predictors of SCP use.FindingsAccording to PBS data, 86 participants (8.9%) accessed SCP in the 2 years following release from prison. Participants who were aged 25 years or older (HR 2.51, 95% CI 1.19 to 5.31), employed before prison (HR 1.93, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.28), highly nicotine dependent at baseline (HR 2.21, 95% CI 1.23 to 3.97) and using non-psychotropic medications in prison (HR 2.29, 95% CI 1.24 to 4.22) were more likely to use subsidised SCP during follow-up.ConclusionDespite a very high rate of tobacco use among people cycling through prisons and the very low cost of (subsidised) SCP in Australia, few ex-prisoners obtain pharmaceutical assistance with quitting smoking. Policy attention needs to focus on supporting former prisoners to access SCP, to reduce the high rate of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality in this profoundly marginalised population.
Staged generic programming
Authors: Yallop Jeremy 
Published: August 2017

Generic programming libraries such as Scrap Your Boilerplate eliminate the need to write repetitive code, but typically introduce significant performance overheads.
This leaves programmers with the regrettable choice between writing succinct but slow programs and writing tedious but efficient programs.
Applying structured multi-stage programming techniques transforms Scrap Your Boilerplate from an inefficient library into a typed optimising code generator, bringing its performance in line with hand-written code, and so combining high-level programming with uncompromised performance.
Plastics and cardiovascular health: phthalates may disrupt heart rate variability and cardiovascular reactivity
Authors: Jaimes Rafael , Swiercz Adam , Sherman Meredith , Muselimyan Narine , Marvar Paul J. , Posnack Nikki Gillum 
Published: August 2017

Plastics have revolutionized medical device technology, transformed hematological care, and facilitated modern cardiology procedures. Despite these advances, studies have shown that phthalate chemicals migrate out of plastic products and that these chemicals are bioactive. Recent epidemiological and research studies have suggested that phthalate exposure adversely affects cardiovascular function. Our objective was to assess the safety and biocompatibility of phthalate chemicals and resolve the impact on cardiovascular and autonomic physiology. Adult mice were implanted with radiofrequency transmitters to monitor heart rate variability, blood pressure, and autonomic regulation in response to di-2-ethylhexyl-phthalate (DEHP) exposure. DEHP-treated animals displayed a decrease in heart rate variability (−17% SD of normal beat-to-beat intervals and −36% high-frequency power) and an exaggerated mean arterial pressure response to ganglionic blockade (31.5% via chlorisondamine). In response to a conditioned stressor, DEHP-treated animals displayed enhanced cardiovascular reactivity (−56% SD major axis Poincarè plot) and prolonged blood pressure recovery. Alterations in cardiac gene expression of endothelin-1, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and nitric oxide synthase may partly explain these cardiovascular alterations. This is the first study to show an association between phthalate chemicals that are used in medical devices with alterations in autonomic regulation, heart rate variability, and cardiovascular reactivity. Because changes in autonomic balance often precede clinical manifestations of hypertension, atherosclerosis, and conduction abnormalities, future studies are warranted to assess the downstream impact of plastic chemical exposure on end-organ function in sensitive patient populations. This study also highlights the importance of adopting safer biomaterials, chemicals, and/or surface coatings for use in medical devices.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Phthalates are widely used in the manufacturing of consumer and medical products. In the present study, di-2-ethylhexyl-phthalate exposure was associated with alterations in heart rate variability and cardiovascular reactivity. This highlights the importance of investigating the impact of phthalates on health and identifying suitable alternatives for medical device manufacturing.
MITF-High and MITF-Low Cells and a Novel Subpopulation Expressing Genes of Both Cell States Contribute to Intra- and Intertumoral Heterogeneity of Primary Melanoma
Authors: Ennen Marie , Keime Céline , Gambi Giovanni , Kieny Alice , Coassolo Sebastien , Thibault-Carpentier Christelle , Margerin-Schaller Fanny , Davidson Guillaume , Vagne Constance , Lipsker Dan , Davidson Irwin 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Purpose: Understanding tumor heterogeneity is an important challenge in current cancer research. Transcription and epigenetic profiling of cultured melanoma cells have defined at least two distinct cell phenotypes characterized by distinctive gene expression signatures associated with high or low/absent expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). Nevertheless, heterogeneity of cell populations and gene expression in primary human tumors is much less well characterized.
Experimental Design: We performed single-cell gene expression analyses on 472 cells isolated from needle biopsies of 5 primary human melanomas, 4 superficial spreading, and one acral melanoma. The expression of MITF-high and MITF-low signature genes was assessed and compared to investigate intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity and correlated gene expression profiles.
Results: Single-cell gene expression analyses revealed varying degrees of intra- and intertumor heterogeneity conferred by the variable expression of distinct sets of genes in different tumors. Expression of MITF partially correlated with that of its known target genes, while SOX10 expression correlated best with PAX3 and ZEB2. Nevertheless, cells simultaneously expressing MITF-high and MITF-low signature genes were observed both by single-cell analyses and RNAscope.
Conclusions: Single-cell analyses can be performed on limiting numbers of cells from primary human melanomas revealing their heterogeneity. Although tumors comprised variable proportions of cells with the MITF-high and MITF-low gene expression signatures characteristic of melanoma cultures, primary tumors also comprised cells expressing markers of both signatures defining a novel cell state in tumors in vivo. Clin Cancer Res; 23(22); 7097–107. ©2017 AACR.
TRP53 Mutants Drive Neuroendocrine Lung Cancer Through Loss-of-Function Mechanisms with Gain-of-Function Effects on Chemotherapy Response
Authors: Akeno Nagako , Reece Alisa L. , Callahan Melissa , Miller Ashley L. , Kim Rebecca G. , He Diana , Lane Adam , Moulton Jonathan S. , Wikenheiser-Brokamp Kathryn A. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) as the most aggressive subtype. Preferential occurrence of TP53 missense mutations rather than loss implicates a selective advantage for TP53-mutant expression in SCLC pathogenesis. We show that lung epithelial expression of R270H and R172H (R273H and R175H in humans), common TRP53 mutants in lung cancer, combined with RB1 loss selectively results in two subtypes of neuroendocrine carcinoma, SCLC and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). Tumor initiation and progression occur in a remarkably consistent time frame with short latency and uniform progression to lethal metastatic disease by 7 months. R270H or R172H expression and TRP53 loss result in similar phenotypes demonstrating that TRP53 mutants promote lung carcinogenesis through loss-of-function and not gain-of-function mechanisms. Tumor responses to targeted and cytotoxic therapeutics were discordant in mice and corresponding tumor cell cultures demonstrating need to assess therapeutic response at the organismal level. Rapamycin did not have therapeutic efficacy in the mouse model despite inhibiting mTOR signaling and markedly suppressing tumor cell growth in culture. In contrast, cisplatin/etoposide treatment using a patient regimen prolonged survival with development of chemoresistance recapitulating human responses. R270H, but not R172H, expression conferred gain-of-function activity in attenuating chemotherapeutic efficacy. These data demonstrate a causative role for TRP53 mutants in development of chemoresistant lung cancer, and provide tractable preclinical models to test novel therapeutics for refractory disease. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(12); 2913–26. ©2017 AACR.
IL15 Infusion of Cancer Patients Expands the Subpopulation of Cytotoxic CD56bright NK Cells and Increases NK-Cell Cytokine Release Capabilities
Authors: Dubois Sigrid , Conlon Kevin C. , Müller Jürgen R. , Hsu-Albert Jennifer , Beltran Nancy , Bryant Bonita R. , Waldmann Thomas A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe cytokine IL15 is required for survival and activation of natural killer (NK) cells as well as expansion of NK-cell populations. Here, we compare the effects of continuous IL15 infusions on NK-cell subpopulations in cancer patients. Infusions affected the CD56bright NK-cell subpopulation in that the expansion rates exceeded those of CD56dim NK-cell populations with a 350-fold increase in their total cell numbers compared with 20-fold expansion for the CD56dim subset. CD56bright NK cells responded with increased cytokine release to various stimuli, as expected given their immunoregulatory functions. Moreover, CD56bright NK cells gained the ability to kill various target cells at levels that are typical for CD56dim NK cells. Some increased cytotoxic activities were also observed for CD56dim NK cells. IL15 infusions induced expression changes on the surface of both NK-cell subsets, resulting in a previously undescribed and similar phenotype. These data suggest that IL15 infusions expand and arm CD56bright NK cells that alone or in combination with tumor-targeting antibodies may be useful in the treatment of cancer. Cancer Immunol Res; 5(10); 929–38. ©2017 AACR.
<b>First report of soft coral <I>Sarcophyton birkelandi</I> Verseveldt, 1978 (Anthozoa: Alcyonacea) in Indian waters from Andaman Islands</b>
Authors: Rajendra Seepana , Raghunathan C. , Mondal Tamal , Venkataraman K. 
Published: August 2017

Sarcophyton birkelandi Verseveldt, 1978 is reported as a new record to Indian waters from Andaman Islands. Colony morphology, sclerite structures and measurements were extracted and examined from the surface and coenenchyme of both capitulum and stalk for confirmation of species. Structural differentiation was observed in sclerite shape such as club shaped, needle shaped and spindle shaped with a variety of sizes and orientation pattern.