bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
STATISTICAL OPTIMIZATION OF GELATIN IMMOBILISATION ON MODIFIED SURFACE PCL MICROCARRIER TO IMPROVE PCL MICROCARRIER COMPATIBILITY
Authors: Samsudin Nurhusna , Has-Yun Hashim Yumi Zuhanis , Arifin Mohd Azmir , Mel Maizirwan , Mohd. Salleh Hamzah , Nordin Norshariza , Sopyan Iis , Jimat Dzun Noraini 
Published: August 2017

Growing cells on microcarriers may have overcome the limitation of conventional cell culture system. However, the main challenge remains at ensuring the surface biocompatibility with cells. Polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable polymer, has received considerable attention because of its excellent mechanical properties and degradation kinetics that suit various applications, but its non-polar hydrocarbon moiety renders it sub-optimal for cell attachment. In this present study, the aim was to improve biocompatibility of PCL microcarrier by introducing oxygen functional group via ultraviolet irradiation and ozone aeration (UV/O3 system) to allow covalent immobilization of gelatin on the PCL microcarrier surface. Respond surface methodology was used as a statistical approach to optimized parameters that effect the immobilization of gelatin. The parameters used to maximized amount of gelatin immobilize were the mol ratio of COOH:EDAC, NHS concentration and gelatin concentration. The optimum conditions for maximum amount of gelatin (1797.33 µg/g) on the surface of PCL were as follows: 1.5 of COOH:EDAC ratio, 10 mM NHS concentration and, 80 mg/ml gelatin. The result shows that gelatin coated PCL microcarrier promote more and rapid cell adhesion with density of as compared to raw PCL microcarrier ( and UV/O3 treated PCL microcarrier ( . Therefore, immobilization of gelatin with optimized parameters onto PCL microcarrier improved biocompatibility of PCL microcarrier.
PRESTASI PEMBAKARAN MINYAK JATROPHA SEBAGAI BAHAN API CECAIR BIODIESEL PADA SISTEM PEMBAKAR BERBAHAN API CECAIR
Authors: Rahim Muhammad Roslan , Yusof Mustafa , Azman Aidil Hafiz , Mohd Jaafar Mohammad Nazri 
Published: August 2017

The world is passing through a phase of sustainable modernization and industrial development day by day. As a result, there is an increasing number of vehicles used and heat engines demands in the market. However, energy sources used in these engines are limited and decreasing gradually. This situation leads to evolution of alternative sources to viable fuel for diesel engine. Biodiesel is seen as an alternative fuel for diesel engine combustion. The esters of vegetable or plant oil and animal fats are known as biodiesel. This article investigates the prospect of producing biodiesel from Jatropha oil. Jatropha curcas oil is a renewable non-edible plant. The seeds of Jatropha contain 50-60% oil. In this study, the oil has been converted to biodiesel by a well-known two-step, acid-base catalytic transesterification and used in diesel burner for performance evaluation. Biodiesel used in this study is a blend of diesel and Jatropha biodiesel. The performance of burner system using Jatropha biodiesel is based on its temperature profile and emissions generated such as nitrous oxide (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). A reduction of 50% was achieved for both CO dan SO2 when burning Jatropha biodiesel compared to burning diesel.
On mod local-global compatibility for in the ordinary case
Authors: Herzig Florian , Le Daniel , Morra Stefano 
Published: August 2017

Suppose that $F/F^{+}$ is a CM extension of number fields in which the prime $p$ splits completely and every other prime is unramified. Fix a place $w|p$ of $F$. Suppose that $\overline{r}:\operatorname{Gal}(\overline{F}/F)\rightarrow \text{GL}_{3}(\overline{\mathbb{F}}_{p})$ is a continuous irreducible Galois representation such that $\overline{r}|_{\operatorname{Gal}(\overline{F}_{w}/F_{w})}$ is upper-triangular, maximally non-split, and generic. If $\overline{r}$ is automorphic, and some suitable technical conditions hold, we show that $\overline{r}|_{\operatorname{Gal}(\overline{F}_{w}/F_{w})}$ can be recovered from the $\text{GL}_{3}(F_{w})$-action on a space of mod $p$ automorphic forms on a compact unitary group. On the way we prove results about weights in Serre’s conjecture for $\overline{r}$, show the existence of an ordinary lifting of $\overline{r}$, and prove the freeness of certain Taylor–Wiles patched modules in this context. We also show the existence of many Galois representations $\overline{r}$ to which our main theorem applies.
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Bacterial Pathogens: the Future of Nosocomial Outbreak Analysis
Authors: Quainoo Scott , Coolen Jordy P. M. , van Hijum Sacha A. F. T. , Huynen Martijn A. , Melchers Willem J. G. , van Schaik Willem , Wertheim Heiman F. L. 
Published: August 2017

SUMMARY
Outbreaks of multidrug-resistant bacteria present a frequent threat to vulnerable patient populations in hospitals around the world. Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to nosocomial infections due to indwelling devices such as intravascular catheters, drains, and intratracheal tubes for mechanical ventilation. The increased vulnerability of infected ICU patients demonstrates the importance of effective outbreak management protocols to be in place. Understanding the transmission of pathogens via genotyping methods is an important tool for outbreak management. Recently, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of pathogens has become more accessible and affordable as a tool for genotyping. Analysis of the entire pathogen genome via WGS could provide unprecedented resolution in discriminating even highly related lineages of bacteria and revolutionize outbreak analysis in hospitals. Nevertheless, clinicians have long been hesitant to implement WGS in outbreak analyses due to the expensive and cumbersome nature of early sequencing platforms. Recent improvements in sequencing technologies and analysis tools have rapidly increased the output and analysis speed as well as reduced the overall costs of WGS. In this review, we assess the feasibility of WGS technologies and bioinformatics analysis tools for nosocomial outbreak analyses and provide a comparison to conventional outbreak analysis workflows. Moreover, we review advantages and limitations of sequencing technologies and analysis tools and present a real-world example of the implementation of WGS for antimicrobial resistance analysis. We aimed to provide health care professionals with a guide to WGS outbreak analysis that highlights its benefits for hospitals and assists in the transition from conventional to WGS-based outbreak analysis.
Inhibition of Amebic Lysosomal Acidification Blocks Amebic Trogocytosis and Cell Killing
Authors: Gilmartin Allissia A. , Ralston Katherine S. , Petri William A. 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT

Entamoeba histolytica
ingests fragments of live host cells in a nibbling-like process termed amebic trogocytosis. Amebic trogocytosis is required for cell killing and contributes to tissue invasion, which is a hallmark of invasive amebic colitis. Work done prior to the discovery of amebic trogocytosis showed that acid vesicles are required for amebic cytotoxicity. In the present study, we show that acidified lysosomes are required for amebic trogocytosis and cell killing. Interference with lysosome acidification using ammonium chloride, a weak base, or concanamycin A, a vacuolar H
+
ATPase inhibitor, decreased amebic trogocytosis and amebic cytotoxicity. Our data suggest that the inhibitors do not impair the ingestion of an initial fragment but rather block continued trogocytosis and the ingestion of multiple fragments. The acidification inhibitors also decreased phagocytosis, but not fluid-phase endocytosis. These data suggest that amebic lysosomes play a crucial role in amebic trogocytosis, phagocytosis, and cell killing.

IMPORTANCE
E. histolytica
is a protozoan parasite that is prevalent in low-income countries, where it causes potentially fatal diarrhea, dysentery, and liver abscesses. Tissue destruction is a hallmark of invasive
E. histolytica
infection. The parasite is highly cytotoxic to a wide range of human cells, and parasite cytotoxic activity is likely to drive tissue destruction.
E. histolytica
is able to kill human cells through amebic trogocytosis. This process also contributes to tissue invasion. Trogocytosis has been observed in other organisms; however, little is known about the mechanism in any system. We show that interference with lysosomal acidification impairs amebic trogocytosis, phagocytosis, and cell killing, indicating that amebic lysosomes are critically important for these processes.
Functional Constraints on Replacing an Essential Gene with Its Ancient and Modern Homologs
Authors: Kacar Betül , Garmendia Eva , Tuncbag Nurcan , Andersson Dan I. , Hughes Diarmaid 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT

Genes encoding proteins that carry out essential informational tasks in the cell, in particular where multiple interaction partners are involved, are less likely to be transferable to a foreign organism. Here, we investigated the constraints on transfer of a gene encoding a highly conserved informational protein, translation elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), by systematically replacing the endogenous
tufA
gene in the
Escherichia coli
genome with its extant and ancestral homologs. The extant homologs represented
tuf
variants from both near and distant homologous organisms. The ancestral homologs represented phylogenetically resurrected
tuf
sequences dating from 0.7 to 3.6 billion years ago (bya). Our results demonstrate that all of the foreign
tuf
genes are transferable to the
E. coli
genome, provided that an additional copy of the EF-Tu gene,
tufB
, remains present in the
E. coli
genome. However, when the
tufB
gene was removed, only the variants obtained from the gammaproteobacterial family (extant and ancestral) supported growth which demonstrates the limited functional interchangeability of
E. coli tuf
with its homologs. Relative bacterial fitness correlated with the evolutionary distance of the extant
tuf
homologs inserted into the
E. coli
genome. This reduced fitness was associated with reduced levels of EF-Tu and reduced rates of protein synthesis. Increasing the expression of
tuf
partially ameliorated these fitness costs. In summary, our analysis suggests that the functional conservation of protein activity, the amount of protein expressed, and its network connectivity act to constrain the successful transfer of this essential gene into foreign bacteria.

IMPORTANCE
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a fundamental driving force in bacterial evolution. However, whether essential genes can be acquired by HGT and whether they can be acquired from distant organisms are very poorly understood. By systematically replacing
tuf
with ancestral homologs and homologs from distantly related organisms, we investigated the constraints on HGT of a highly conserved gene with multiple interaction partners. The ancestral homologs represented phylogenetically resurrected
tuf
sequences dating from 0.7 to 3.6 bya. Only variants obtained from the gammaproteobacterial family (extant and ancestral) supported growth, demonstrating the limited functional interchangeability of
E. coli tuf
with its homologs. Our analysis suggests that the functional conservation of protein activity, the amount of protein expressed, and its network connectivity act to constrain the successful transfer of this essential gene into foreign bacteria.
Multifunctional Involvement of a C2H2 Zinc Finger Protein (PbZfp) in Malaria Transmission, Histone Modification, and Susceptibility to DNA Damage Response
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Anusha M. , Aly Ahmed S. I. , Aravind L. , Kumar Nirbhay 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACT

In sexually reproducing organisms, meiosis is an essential step responsible for generation of haploid gametes from diploid somatic cells. The quest for understanding regulatory mechanisms of meiotic recombination in
Plasmodium
led to identification of a gene encoding a protein that contains 11 copies of C
2
H
2
zinc fingers (ZnF). Reverse genetic approaches were used to create
Plasmodium berghei
parasites either lacking expression of full-length
Plasmodium berghei
zinc finger protein (PbZfp) (knockout [KO]) or expressing PbZfp lacking C-terminal zinc finger region (truncated [Trunc]). Mice infected with KO parasites survived two times longer (
P
< 0.0001) than mice infected with wild-type (WT) parasites. In mosquito transmission experiments, the infectivity of KO and Trunc parasites was severely compromised (>95% oocyst reduction). KO parasites revealed a total lack of trimethylation of histone 3 at several lysine residues (K4, K27, and K36) without any effect on acetylation patterns (H3K9, H3K14, and H4K16). Reduced DNA damage and reduced expression of topoisomerase-like Spo11 in the KO parasites with normal Rad51 expression further suggest a functional role for PbZfp during genetic recombination that involves DNA double-strand break (DSB) formation followed by DNA repair. These finding raise the possibility of some convergent similarities of PbZfp functions to functions of mammalian PRDM9, also a C
2
H
2
ZnF protein with histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferase activity. These functions include the major role played by the latter in binding recombination hotspots in the genome during meiosis and trimethylation of the associated histones and subsequent chromatin recruitment of topoisomerase-like Spo11 to catalyze DNA DSB formation and DMC1/Rad51-mediated DNA repair and homologous recombination.

IMPORTANCE
Malaria parasites are haploid throughout their life cycle except for a brief time period when zygotes are produced as a result of fertilization between male and female gametes during transmission through the mosquito vector. The reciprocal recombination events that follow zygote formation ensure orderly segregation of homologous chromosomes during meiosis, creating genetic diversity among offspring. Studies presented in the current manuscript identify a novel C2H2 ZnF-containing protein exhibiting multifunctional roles in parasite virulence, mosquito transmission, and homologous recombination during meiosis. Understanding the transmission biology of malaria will result in the identification of novel targets for transmission-blocking intervention approaches.
Educational attainment and differences in relative survival after acute myocardial infarction in Norway: a registry-based population study
Authors: Klitkou Søren Toksvig , Wangen Knut R 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundAlthough there is a broad societal interest in socioeconomic differences in survival after an acute myocardial infarction, only a few studies have investigated how such differences relate to the survival in general population groups. We aimed to investigate education-specific survival after acute myocardial infarction and to compare this with the survival of corresponding groups in the general population.MethodsOur study included the entire population of Norwegian patients admitted to hospitals for acute myocardial infarction during 2008–2010, with a 6- year follow-up period. Patient survival was measured relative to the expected survival in the general population for three educational groups: primary, secondary and tertiary. Education, sex, age and calendar year-specific expected survival were obtained from population life tables and adjusted for the presence of infarction-related mortality.ResultsSix-year patient survivals were 56.3% (55.3–57.2) and 65.5% (65.6–69.3) for the primary and tertiary educational groups (95% CIs), respectively. Also 6-year relative survival was markedly lower for the primary educational group: 70.2% (68.6–71.8) versus 81.2% (77.4–84.4). Throughout the follow-up period, patient survival tended to remain lower than the survival in the general population with the same educational background.ConclusionBoth patient survival and relative survival after acute myocardial infarction are positively associated with educational level. Our findings may suggest that secondary prevention has been more effective for the highly educated.
Shifting tasks from pharmacy to non-pharmacy personnel for providing antiretroviral therapy to people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mbeye Nyanyiwe Masingi , Adetokunboh Olatunji , Negussie Eyerusalem , Kredo Tamara , Wiysonge Charles Shey 
Published: August 2017

ObjectivesLay people or non-pharmacy health workers with training could dispense antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource-constrained countries, freeing up time for pharmacists to focus on more technical tasks. We assessed the effectiveness of such task-shifting in low-income and middle-income countries.MethodWe conducted comprehensive searches of peer-reviewed and grey literature. Two authors independently screened search outputs, selected controlled trials, extracted data and resolved discrepancies by consensus. We performed random-effects meta-analysis and assessed certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.ResultsThree studies with 1993 participants met the inclusion criteria, including two cluster trials conducted in Kenya and Uganda and an individually randomised trial conducted in Brazil. We found very low certainty evidence regarding mortality due to the low number of events. Therefore, we are uncertain whether there is a true increase in mortality as the effect size suggests, or a reduction in mortality between pharmacy and non-pharmacy models of dispensing ART (risk ratio (RR) 1.86, 95% CI 0.44 to 7.95, n=1993, three trials, very low certainty evidence). There may be no differences between pharmacy and non-pharmacy models of dispensing ART on virological failure (risk ratio (RR) 0.92, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.15, n=1993, three trials, low certainty evidence) and loss to follow-up (RR 1.13, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.91, n=1993. three trials, low certainty evidence). We found some evidence that costs may be reduced for the patient and health system when task-shifting is undertaken.ConclusionsThe low certainty regarding the evidence implies a high likelihood that further research may find the effects of the intervention to be substantially different from our findings. If resource-constrained countries decide to shift ART dispensing and distribution from pharmacy to non-pharmacy personnel, this should be accompanied by robust monitoring and impact evaluation.
Initial protocol for a national evaluation of an area-based intervention programme (A Better Start) on early-life outcomes: a longitudinal cohort study with comparison (control) cohort samples
Authors: Barlow Jane , Beake Sarah , Bick Debra , Bryson Caroline , Day Laurie , Gilby Nicholas , Glover Vivette , Knibbs Sarah , Leyland Alastair , Lindsay Geoff , Mathers Sandra , McKenna Katharine , Petrou Stavros , Purdon Susan , Sylva Kathy , Summerbell Carolyn D , Tudor Fiona , Wheeler Amy , Woolgar Virginia 
Published: August 2017

IntroductionPregnancy and the first few years of a child’s life are important windows of opportunity in which to equalise life chances. A Better Start (ABS) is an area-based intervention being delivered in five areas of socioeconomic disadvantage across England. This protocol describes an evaluation of the impact and cost-effectiveness of ABS.Methods and analysisThe evaluation of ABS comprises a mixed-methods design including impact, cost-effectiveness and process components. It involves a cohort study in the 5 ABS areas and 15 matched comparison sites (n=2885), beginning in pregnancy in 2017 and ending in 2024 when the child is age 7, with a separate cross-sectional baseline survey in 2016/2017. Process data will include a profiling of the structure and services being provided in the five ABS sites at baseline and yearly thereafter, and data regarding the participating families and the services that they receive. Eligible participants will include pregnant women living within the designated sites, with recruitment beginning at 16 weeks of pregnancy. Data collection will involve interviewer-administered and self-completion surveys at eight time points. Primary outcomes include nutrition, socioemotional development, speech, language and learning. Data analysis will include the use of propensity score techniques to construct matched programme and comparison groups, and a range of statistical techniques to calculate the difference in differences between the intervention and comparison groups. The economic evaluation will involve a within-cohort study economic evaluation to compare individual-level costs and outcomes, and a decision analytic cost-effectiveness model to estimate the expected incremental cost per unit change in primary outcomes for ABS in comparison to usual care.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval to conduct the study has been obtained. The learning and dissemination workstream involves working within and across the sites to generate learning via communities of practice and a range of learning and dissemination events.
Mortality and readmission following hip fracture surgery: a retrospective study comparing conventional and fast-track care
Authors: Haugan Kristin , Johnsen Lars G , Basso Trude , Foss Olav A 
Published: August 2017

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacies of two pathways—conventional and fast-track care—in patients with hip fracture.DesignRetrospective single-centre study.SettingUniversity hospital in middle Norway.Participants1820 patients aged ≥65 years with hip fracture (intracapsular, intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric).Interventions788 patients were treated according to conventional care from April 2008 to September 2011, and 1032 patients were treated according to fast-track care from October 2011 to December 2013.Primary and secondary outcomePrimary: mortality and readmission to hospital, within 365 days follow-up. Secondary: length of stay.ResultsWe found no statistically significant differences in mortality and readmission rate between patients in the fast-track and conventional care models within 365 days after the initial hospital admission. The conventional care group had a higher, no statistical significant mortality HR of 1.10 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.31, p=0.326) without and 1.16 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.40, p=0.118) with covariate adjustment. Regarding the readmission, the conventional care group sub-HR was 1.02 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.18, p=0.822) without and 0.97 (95% CI 0.83 to 1.12, p=0.644) with adjusting for covariates. Length of stay and time to surgery was statistically significant shorter for patients who received fast-track care, a mean difference of 3.4 days and 6 hours, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in sex, type of fracture, age or Charlson Comorbidity Index score at baseline between patients in the two pathways.ConclusionsThere was insufficient evidence to show an impact of fast-track care on mortality and readmission. Length of stay and time to surgery were decreased.Trial registration numberNCT00667914; results