bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synacton and individual activity of synthetic and natural corticotropins
Authors: Vyunova T. V. , Andreeva L. A. , Shevchenko K. V. , Myasoedov N. F. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractShort endogenous peptides represent one of the most important constituents of the mammalian body's general regulatory system. Some synthesized analogs and modified natural peptides (eg, corticotropins) also show high biological activity. Nevertheless, the mechanism of action of regulatory peptides remains unclear. To explain the effects of peptides of intermolecular processes, the hypothesis that a synactonal mechanism underlies the action of regulatory peptides, exemplified by the heptapeptide Semax, has been proposed. Thus, in the total pool of Semax metabolites, which includes the cleavage products of the parental molecule, we can distinguish the functional core, represented by the major metabolic products—peptides HFPGP and PGP. These peptides have their own binding sites with similar although differing characteristics. Together with Semax, they constitute a single complex of bioregulators acting in a certain sequence and in interaction, ie, synacton. It can be assumed that the diverse clinically significant effects of the drug Semax are determined by its synacton. Specific interactions between some tritium‐labeled peptides (basic constituents of the Semax synacton) and plasma membranes of neurons have been characterized. Only a few peptides of the Semax synacton showed competitive activity for the Semax binding sites. Fragments comprising 5 amino acid residues (EHFPG and HFPGP) showed the highest competitive activity. We also characterized the processes of specific ligand‐receptor interactions of some tritium‐labeled corticotropins ([3H‐Pro]MEHFPGP, [3H‐Pro]HFPGP, and [3H‐Pro]PGP) by applying mathematical discriminative models (Scatchard, Hill, Bjerrum, and Lineweaver‐Burk plots). So the intermolecular interactions of these peptides with plasma membranes of neuronal brain targets are probably not limited by specific binding at orthosteric sites. The effect of peptides that act in the synacton considerably extends the regulatory potential of the initial molecule.
Masked trichothecene and zearalenone mycotoxins withstand digestion and absorption in the upper GI tract but are efficiently hydrolyzed by human gut microbiota in vitro
Authors: Gratz Silvia W. , Dinesh Reshma , Yoshinari Tomoya , Holtrop Grietje , Richardson Anthony J. , Duncan Gary , MacDonald Susan , Lloyd Antony , Tarbin Jonathan 
Published: December 2016

ScopeCereal grains are commonly contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins and their plant‐derived masked metabolites. The fate of masked mycotoxins in the human gut is poorly understood. Here we assess the metabolism and transport of glucoside metabolites of common trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, T‐2 toxin) and zearalenone compounds (zearalenone, α‐ and β‐zearalenol) in the human gut in vitro.Methods and resultsMasked mycotoxins were incubated with artificial digestive juices and absorption was assessed in differentiated Caco‐2/TC7 cells. Colonic metabolism was studied using fecal batch cultures from five donors and mycotoxins were detected using LC‐MS/MS. All masked mycotoxins were stable under upper GI tract conditions and no absorption was observed. Free trichothecenes were absorbed intact whereas free zearalenone compounds were absorbed and metabolized to undetected compounds by Caco‐2/TC7 cells. Human gut microbiota efficiently hydrolyzed all masked mycotoxins. Trichothecenes were fully recovered as parent mycotoxins whereas 40–70% of zearalenone compounds were further metabolized to unknown metabolites.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that masked trichothecenes will reach the colon intact to be released as parent mycotoxins by gut microbiota, hence contributing to mycotoxin exposure. Masked zearalenone compounds are metabolized by gut microbiota and epithelial cells and the identity and toxicity of metabolites remain to be determined.
UHPLC‐MS‐based HDAC Assay Applied to Bio‐guided Microfractionation of Fungal Extracts
Authors: Zwick Vincent , Allard Pierre‐Marie , Ory Lucie , Simões‐Pires Claudia A. , Marcourt Laurence , Gindro Katia , Wolfender Jean‐Luc , Cuendet Muriel 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIntroductionHistone deacetylases (HDAC) are considered as promising targets for cancer treatment. Today, four HDAC inhibitors, vorinostat, romidepsin, belinostat, and panobinostat, have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cancer treatment, while others are in clinical trials. Among them, several are naturally occurring fungal metabolites.ObjectiveTo develop and optimise an enzyme assay for bio‐guided identification of HDAC inhibitors in fungal strains.MethodsFluorescence and MS‐based HDAC enzymatic assays were compared during the bio‐guided fractionation of Penicillium griseofulvum. The MS‐based approach was then optimised to evaluate HDAC selectivity using the human recombinant class I isoform HDAC1 and the class II isoform HDAC6.ResultsFluorescence‐based assays have several drawbacks when used for bio‐guided fractionation because of the native fluorescence and the trypsin inhibitory ability of compounds present in many extracts. The MS‐based method led to the isolation of gliocladride C, which is selective for HDAC1 and salirepol, which showed an HDAC6 selectivity. Their activity and presence in P. griseofulvum is described here for the first time.ConclusionThe UHPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS‐based method using specific HDAC isoforms is suitable to isolate selective HDAC inhibitors by bio‐guided fractionation of fungal strains. Also, it decreases potential interferences with natural products compared to the fluorescence‐based assay.
Superiority of SDS lysis over saponin lysis for direct bacterial identification from positive blood culture bottle by MALDI‐TOF MS
Authors: Caspar Yvan , Garnaud Cécile , Raykova Mariya , Bailly Sébastien , Bidart Marie , Maubon Danièle 
Published: December 2016

PurposeFast species diagnosis has an important health care impact, as rapid and specific antibacterial therapy is of clear benefit for patient's outcome. Here, a new protocol for species identification directly from positive blood cultures is proposed.Experimental designFour in‐house protocols for bacterial identification by MS directly from clinical positive blood cultures evaluating two lytic agents, SDS and saponin, and two protein extraction schemes, fast (FP) and long (LP) are compared. One hundred and sixty‐eight identification tests are carried out on 42 strains.ResultsOverall, there are correct identifications to the species level in 90% samples for the SDS‐LP, 60% for the SDS‐FP, 48% for the saponin LP, and 43% for the saponin FP. Adapted scores allowed 92, 86, 72, and 53% identification for SDS‐LP, SDS‐FP, saponin LP, and saponin FP, respectively. Saponin lysis is associated with a significantly lower score compared to SDS (0.87 [0.83–0.92], p‐value < 0.001).Conclusions and clinical relevanceThis study supports the use of SDS lysis instead of saponin lysis and the application of this rapid and cost‐effective protocol in daily routine for microbiological agents implicated in septicemia.
Factors contributing to students’ misconceptions in learning covalent bonds
Authors: Erman Erman 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThis study aims to identify students’ misconceptions regarding covalent bonds. Seventy‐seven graduate students in the middle of Indonesia participated in the study. Data were collected in three stages. First, misconceptions were identified by using the Semi Open Diagnostic Test. Ten students who experienced the worst misconceptions were interviewed. Lastly, textbooks were reviewed. Content analysis was used to analyze the misconception data. We identified eight primary misconceptions, namely: (i) a covalent bond is formed between two atoms with a pair of free electrons; (ii) each atom in a stable molecule must follow the octet rules; (iii) a covalent bond is polar if the electron affinity of two bonded atoms is different; (iv) the form of the molecule depends on the number of atoms bonded to the central atom; (v) nonpolar molecules have a dipole moment µ > 0; (vi) all bonds in polar molecules are polar, while all bonds in non‐polar molecules are non‐polar; (vii) the number of bonds depends on the electronegativity of the atoms; and (viii) bond length depends on the type of bond. The main causes of student misconceptions are as follows: (i) incomplete information; (ii) difficulty understanding basic concepts regarding covalent bonds; and (iii) lack of effective communication between students and teachers. The results suggested the following implications for teaching: the teacher should identify misconceptions about prior knowledge or concepts prior to teaching the basics, identify reference book learning, and facilitate effective communication so that information received by the student is complete and correct. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 54: 520–537, 2017
Properties of the offshore low level jet and rotor layer wind shear as measured by scanning Doppler Lidar
Authors: Pichugina Y. L. , Brewer W. A. , Banta R. M. , Choukulkar A. , Clack C. T. M. , Marquis M. C. , McCarty B. J. , Weickmann A. M. , Sandberg S. P. , Marchbanks R. D. , Hardesty R. M. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe atmospheric flow phenomenon known as the Low Level Jet (LLJ) is an important source of wind power production in the Great Plains. However, due to the lack of measurements with the precision and vertical resolution needed, particularly at rotor heights, it is not well‐characterized or understood in offshore regions being considered for wind‐farm development.The present paper describes the properties of LLJs and wind shear through the rotor layer of a hypothetical wind turbine, as measured from a ship‐borne Doppler lidar in the Gulf of Maine in July–August 2004.LLJs, frequently observed below 600 m, were mostly during nighttime and transitional periods, but they were also were seen during some daytime hours. The presence of a LLJ significantly modified wind profiles producing vertical wind speed shear. When the wind shear was strong, the estimates of wind power based upon wind speeds measured at hub‐height could have significant errors. Additionally, the inference of hub‐height winds from near‐surface measurements may introduce further error in the wind power estimate. The lidar dataset was used to investigate the uncertainty of the simplified power‐law relation that is often employed in engineering approaches for the extrapolation of surface winds to higher elevations. The results show diurnal and spatial variations of the shear exponent empirically found from surface and hub‐height measurements.Finally, the discrepancies between wind power estimates using lidar‐measured hub‐height winds and rotor equivalent winds are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Short forms of the Utrecht‐Management of Identity Commitments Scale (U‐MICS) with the domains of job, romantic relationship, and region
Authors: Schubach Elisabeth , Zimmermann Julia , Noack Peter , Neyer Franz J. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTThe U‐MICS is a self‐report questionnaire designed to assess the identity dimensions from a domain‐specific perspective. The present study reports on the development of a short‐form version for the domains of job and romantic relationship in young adults from Germany and extends this scale to include the domain of region (nSample1 = 95, 84% female, mean age 22.45 years; nSample2 = 1,795, 71% female, mean age 24.53 years). We found the short form to possess adequate psychometric properties and to demonstrate a factor structure congruent to the long‐form version. Regarding validity, the small correlations across domains within dimensions support a domain‐specific approach to identity. The associations between the different identity domains with personality traits are similar, indicating a consistent pattern of convergent validity for all domains. We conclude that “region” provides a valuable complement to the established domains that can all be reliably assessed with the U‐MICS–Short Form.
Long-term validity of the At Risk Mental State (ARMS) for predicting psychotic and non-psychotic mental disorders
Authors: Fusar-Poli P. , Rutigliano G. , Stahl D. , Davies C. , De Micheli A. , Ramella-Cravaro V. , Bonoldi I. , McGuire P. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe long-term clinical validity of the At Risk Mental State (ARMS) for the prediction of non-psychotic mental disorders is unknown.MethodsClinical register-based cohort study including all non-psychotic individuals assessed by the Outreach And Support in South London (OASIS) service (2002–2015). The primary outcome was risk of developing any mental disorder (psychotic or non-psychotic). Analyses included Cox proportional hazard models, Kaplan–Meier survival/failure function and C statistics.ResultsA total of 710 subjects were included. A total of 411 subjects were at risk (ARMS+) and 299 not at risk (ARMS−). Relative to ARMS−, the ARMS+ was associated with an increased risk (HR = 4.825) of developing psychotic disorders, and a reduced risk (HR = 0.545) of developing non-psychotic disorders (mainly personality disorders). At 6-year, the ARMS designation retained high sensitivity (0.873) but only modest specificity (0.456) for the prediction of psychosis onset (AUC 0.68). The brief and limited intermittent psychotic symptoms (BLIPS) subgroup had a higher risk of developing psychosis, and a lower risk of developing non-psychotic disorders as compared to the attenuated psychotic symptoms (APS) subgroup (P < 0.001).ConclusionsIn the long-term, the ARMS specifically predicts the onset of psychotic disorders, with modest accuracy, but not of non-psychotic disorders. Individuals meeting BLIPS criteria have distinct clinical outcomes.Significant outcomesIn the long-term, the ARMS designation is still significantly associated with an increased risk of developing psychotic disorders but its prognostic accuracy is only modest. There is no evidence that the ARMS is associated with an increased risk of developing non-psychotic mental disorders. The BLIPS subgroup at lower risk of developing non-psychotic disorders compared to the APS subgroup.LimitationsWhile incident diagnoses employed in this study are high in ecological validity they have not been subjected to formal validation with research-based criteria.
A developmental study of glutamatergic neuron populations in the ventrobasal and the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus: Comparing Genetic Absence Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) and normal control wistar rats
Authors: Kirazlı Özlem , Çavdar Safiye , Yıldızel Sercan , Onat Filiz , Kaptanoğlu Erkan 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAn imbalance of GABAergic inhibition and glutamatergic excitation is suspected to be the cause of absence epileptic seizures. Absence seizures are known to be generated in thalamocortical circuitry. In the present study we used light microscopy immunohistochemistry to quantify the density of glutamate+ve neurons at two developmental stages (P10 and P60) in two thalamic nuclei, the ventrobasal (VB) and lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in Wistar rats and compared the results with similar data obtained from genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS).Rats were perfused transcardially with glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde fixative, then samples from VB and LGN were removed from each animal and sectioned. The glutamatergic neurons were labelled using light‐microscopic glutamate immunohistochemistry. The disector method was used to quantify the glutamate+ve neurons in VB and LGN of GAERS and Wistar rats. The data were statistically analyzed.The distribution of the glutamate+ve neurons in the VB thalamic nucleus showed a significant reduction in the neuronal profiles per unit thalamic area from P10 to P60 in both Wistar and GAERS. The decrease was greater in the GAERS compared to the Wistar animals. However, in the LGN no reduction was observed either in the Wistar or in the GAERS. Comparing the density of glutamate+ve neurons in the VB thalamic nucleus of P10 of Wistar animals with of P10 GAERS showed statistically significant greater densities of these neurons in GAERS than in the Wistar rats. However no significant difference was present at P60 between the Wistar and GAERS animals.The disproportional decrease in GAERS may be related to the onset of absence seizures or may be related to neurogenesis of absence epilepsy.
Successful Placement of Penile Prostheses in Men with Severe Corporal Fibrosis Following Vacuum Therapy Protocol
Authors: Tsambarlis Peter N. , Chaus Fahad , Levine Laurence A. 
Published: December 2016

Abstract

Introduction
Penile prosthesis (PP) implantation in men with severe corporal fibrosis presents a significant surgical challenge. For the past 7 years, we have used a novel, preoperative protocol of daily vacuum therapy (VT) using a vacuum erection device for at least 3 months before PP placement for men with severe corporal fibrosis from PP infection or ischemic priapism.

Aim
To evaluate this standardized preoperative regimen.

Methods
We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent three-piece PP placement at our institution from 2008 through 2015. Of these, 13 men had severe corporal fibrosis from prior PP infection (11 of 13) or prolonged ischemic priapism (2 of 13). Our protocol included VT for 10 to 15 minutes at least two times daily in all patients for at least 3 months (mean = 3.5 months).

Main Outcome Measures
We report on our surgical experience and post-VT stretched flaccid penile length (SFPL) compared with baseline SFPL.

Results
All 13 men underwent successful three-piece PP placement with standard-size cylinders without additional surgical maneuvers. There was one infection and one erosion requiring revision. Daily average use of VT was 32.5 minutes. SFPL increased 0.92 cm (range = 0–2 cm, SD = 0.76 cm) after VT and three-piece PP placement compared with preoperative SFPL. These men also noted improved quality of life and sexuality as measured by postoperative office interviews.

Conclusion
The use of VT before surgery appears to result in softening of corporal fibrosis and facilitates placement of a PP regardless of the period from developing corporal fibrosis to starting VT. We strongly recommend preoperative corporal tissue rehabilitation with VT to improve surgical outcomes and to decrease difficulty during PP implantation in men with severe corporal fibrosis.
Lessons From an Outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease on a Hematology-Oncology Unit
Authors: Francois Watkins Louise K. , Toews Karrie-Ann E. , Harris Aaron M. , Davidson Sherri , Ayers-Millsap Stephanie , Lucas Claressa E. , Hubbard Brian C. , Kozak-Muiznieks Natalia A. , Khan Edward , Kutty Preeta K. 
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVESTo define the scope of an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), to identify the source, and to stop transmission.DESIGN AND SETTINGEpidemiologic investigation of an LD outbreak among patients and a visitor exposed to a newly constructed hematology-oncology unit.METHODSAn LD case was defined as radiographically confirmed pneumonia in a person with positive urinary antigen testing and/or respiratory culture forLegionellaand exposure to the hematology-oncology unit after February 20, 2014. Cases were classified as definitely or probably healthcare-associated based on whether they were exposed to the unit for all or part of the incubation period (2–10 days). We conducted an environmental assessment and collected water samples for culture. Clinical and environmental isolates were compared by monoclonal antibody (MAb) and sequence-based typing.RESULTSOver a 12-week period, 10 cases were identified, including 6 definite and 4 probable cases. Environmental sampling revealedLegionella pneumophilaserogroup 1 (Lp1) in the potable water at 9 of 10 unit sites (90%), including all patient rooms tested. The 3 clinical isolates were identical to environmental isolates from the unit (MAb2-positive, sequence type ST36). No cases occurred with exposure after the implementation of water restrictions followed by point-of-use filters.CONCLUSIONSContamination of the unit’s potable water system with Lp1 strain ST36 was the likely source of this outbreak. Healthcare providers should routinely test patients who develop pneumonia at least 2 days after hospital admission for LD. A single case of LD that is definitely healthcare associated should prompt a full investigation.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2017;38:306–313
Generation and characteristics of vortex rings free of piston vortex and stopping vortex effects
Authors: Das Debopam , Bansal M. , Manghnani A. 
Published: December 2016

This paper presents a novel method for generating vortex rings that circumvents some of the drawbacks associated with existing methods in producing them. The predominant effects that occur in previously used methods are due to the presence of some of the other vortices such as the stopping vortex, piston vortex, image vortex and orifice lip generated vortices in the early stage of development. These disturbances influence the geometric, kinematic and dynamic characteristics of a vortex ring and lead to mismatches with classical theoretical predictions. It is shown in the present study that the disturbance free vortex rings produced follow the classical theory. Flow visualization and particle image velocimetry experiments are carried out in the Reynolds number (defined as the ratio of circulation ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$) and kinematic viscosity ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}$)) range, $2270<Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}}<6790$, to find the translational velocity, total and core circulation, core diameter, ring diameter and bubble diameter. In reference to the earlier studies, significant differences are noted in the variations of the vortex ring diameter and core diameter. A model for the core diameter during the formation stage is proposed. The translational velocity variation with time shows that the second-order accurate formula derived using Hamilton’s equation by Fraenkel (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 51, 1972, pp. 119–135) predicts it best.