bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ESTIMATING DISTANCES FROM PARALLAXES. III. DISTANCES OF TWO MILLION STARS IN THE Gaia DR1 CATALOGUE
Authors: Astraatmadja Tri L. , Bailer-Jones Coryn A. L. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACT
We infer distances and their asymmetric uncertainties for two million stars using the parallaxes published in the Gaia DR1 (GDR1) catalogue. We do this with two distance priors: A minimalist, isotropic prior assuming an exponentially decreasing space density with increasing distance, and an anisotropic prior derived from the observability of stars in a Milky Way model. We validate our results by comparing our distance estimates for 105 Cepheids which have more precise, independently estimated distances. For this sample we find that the Milky Way prior performs better (the rms of the scaled residuals is 0.40) than the exponentially decreasing space density prior (rms is 0.57), although for distances beyond 2 kpc the Milky Way prior performs worse, with a bias in the scaled residuals of −0.36 (versus −0.07 for the exponentially decreasing space density prior). We do not attempt to include the photometric data in GDR1 due to the lack of reliable color information. Our distance catalog is available at http://www.mpia.de/homes/calj/tgas_distances/main.html as well as at CDS. This should only be used to give individual distances. Combining data or testing models should be done with the original parallaxes, and attention paid to correlated and systematic uncertainties.
EXPLORING BIASES OF ATMOSPHERIC RETRIEVALS IN SIMULATED JWST TRANSMISSION SPECTRA OF HOT JUPITERS
Authors: Rocchetto M. , Waldmann I. P. , Venot O. , Lagage P.-O. , Tinetti G. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACT
With a scheduled launch in 2018 October, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is expected to revolutionize the field of atmospheric characterization of exoplanets. The broad wavelength coverage and high sensitivity of its instruments will allow us to extract far more information from exoplanet spectra than what has been possible with current observations. In this paper, we investigate whether current retrieval methods will still be valid in the era of JWST, exploring common approximations used when retrieving transmission spectra of hot Jupiters. To assess biases, we use 1D photochemical models to simulate typical hot Jupiter cloud-free atmospheres and generate synthetic observations for a range of carbon-to-oxygen ratios. Then, we retrieve these spectra using TauREx, a Bayesian retrieval tool, using two methodologies: one assuming an isothermal atmosphere, and one assuming a parameterized temperature profile. Both methods assume constant-with-altitude abundances. We found that the isothermal approximation biases the retrieved parameters considerably, overestimating the abundances by about one order of magnitude. The retrieved abundances using the parameterized profile are usually within 1σ of the true state, and we found the retrieved uncertainties to be generally larger compared to the isothermal approximation. Interestingly, we found that by using the parameterized temperature profile we could place tight constraints on the temperature structure. This opens the possibility of characterizing the temperature profile of the terminator region of hot Jupiters. Lastly, we found that assuming a constant-with-altitude mixing ratio profile is a good approximation for most of the atmospheres under study.
THE OXYGEN CHARGE-STATE RATIO AS AN INDICATOR OF FOOTPOINT FIELD STRENGTH IN THE SOURCE REGIONS OF THE SOLAR WIND
Authors: Wang Y.-M. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACT
Because of its distinctive compositional properties and high variability, the slow solar wind is widely believed to originate from coronal streamers, unlike high-speed wind, which emanates from coronal holes. Based on measurements from the Advanced Composition Explorer, it has been proposed that an oxygen charge-state ratio O7+/O6+ of 0.145 is the threshold that separates streamer from coronal hole wind. During the 2007–2009 sunspot minimum, however, the median value of O7+/O6+ fell to only 0.06, implying that almost all of the near-Earth wind came from coronal holes, despite the fact that the streamer belt lay much closer to the ecliptic plane at that time than at solar maximum. Employing extrapolations of photospheric field maps to derive the footpoint field strengths B
0 of the near-Earth wind, we find that the median value of B
0 decreased to only 2.6 G during 2007–2009, from a value of 21 G during 1998–2004. The factor of ∼2 decrease in the median value of O7+/O6+ thus reflects the factor of ∼8 decrease in the footpoint field strength. Variations in O7+/O6+ are strongly anticorrelated with the wind speed on timescales of days, but not on long timescales, which are dominated by changes in B
0. We suggest that the charge-state ratio is determined by the amount of energy deposited near the coronal base, which in turn depends on B
0 and the local flux-tube expansion rate. High values of O7+/O6+ are associated with rapidly diverging flux tubes rooted just inside the boundaries of coronal holes with strong footpoint fields.
EVIDENCE FOR CLUSTER TO CLUSTER VARIATIONS IN LOW-MASS STELLAR ROTATIONAL EVOLUTION
Authors: Coker Carl T. , Pinsonneault Marc , Terndrup Donald M. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACT
The concordance model for angular momentum evolution postulates that star-forming regions and clusters are an evolutionary sequence that can be modeled with assumptions about protostar–disk coupling, angular momentum loss from magnetized winds that saturates in a mass-dependent fashion at high rotation rates, and core-envelope decoupling for solar analogs. We test this approach by combining established data with the large h Per data set from the MONITOR project and new low-mass Pleiades data. We confirm prior results that young low-mass stars can be used to test star–disk coupling and angular momentum loss independent of the treatment of internal angular momentum transport. For slow rotators, we confirm the need for star–disk interactions to evolve the ONC to older systems, using h Per (age 13 Myr) as our natural post-disk case. There is no evidence for extremely long-lived disks as an alternative to core-envelope decoupling. However, our wind models cannot evolve rapid rotators from h Per to older systems consistently, and we find that this result is robust with respect to the choice of angular momentum loss prescription. We outline two possible solutions: either there is cosmic variance in the distribution of stellar rotation rates in different clusters or there are substantially enhanced torques in low-mass rapid rotators. We favor the former explanation and discuss observational tests that could be used to distinguish them. If the distribution of initial conditions depends on environment, models that test parameters by assuming a universal underlying distribution of initial conditions will need to be re-evaluated.
Identification of a novel collagen type IV alpha-4 (COL4A4) mutation in a Chinese family with autosomal dominant Alport syndrome using exome sequencing
Authors: Deng Sheng , Xu Hongbo , Yuan Jinzhong , Xiao Jingjing , Yuan Lamei , Deng Xiong , Guan Liping , Zhu Anding , Rong Pengfei , Zhang Jianguo , Deng Hao 
Published: December 2016

Background & objectives:
Alport syndrome (AS) is an inherited disorder characterized by glomerulonephritis and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The aim of this study was to identify the gene responsible for the glomerulopathy in a Chinese family with autosomal dominant AS using exome sequencing.

Methods:
A 4-generation, 30-member Chinese Han family was enrolled in this study. Exome sequencing was conducted in the proband of the family, and then direct sequencing was performed in family members of the pedigree and 100 normal controls.

Results:
A novel frameshift mutation, c.3213delA (p.Gly1072Glufs*69), in the collagen type IV alpha-4 gene (COL4A4) was found to be the genetic cause. Neither sensorineural hearing loss nor ocular abnormalities were present in the patients of this family. Other clinical features, such as age of onset, age of ESRD occurring and disease severity, varied among the patients of this family.

Interpretation & conclusions:
A novel frameshift mutation, c.3213delA (p.Gly1072Glufs*69) in the COL4A4 gene, was identified in the Chinese pedigree with autosomal dominant AS. Our findings may provide new insights into the cause and diagnosis of AS and also have implications for genetic counselling.
Subtelomeric rearrangements in Indian children with idiopathic intellectual disability/developmental delay
Authors: Mohan Shruthi , Koshy Teena , Vekatachalam Perumal , Nampoothiri Sheela , Yesodharan Dhanya , Gowrishankar Kalpana , Kumar Jeevan , Ravichandran Latha , Joseph Santhosh , Chandrasekaran Anupama , Paul Solomon F. D. 
Published: December 2016

Background & objectives:
Subtelomeres are prone to deleterious rearrangements owing to their proximity to unique sequences on the one end and telomeric repetitive sequences, which increase their tendency to recombine, on the other end. These subtelomeric rearrangements resulting in segmental aneusomy are reported to contribute to the aetiology of idiopathic intellectual disability/developmental delay (ID/DD). We undertook this study to estimate the frequency of subtelomeric rearrangements in children with ID/DD.

Methods:
One hundred and twenty seven children with idiopathic ID/DD were tested for subtelomeric rearrangements using karyotyping and FISH. Blood samples were cultured, harvested, fixed and GTG-banded using the standard protocols.

Results:
Rearrangements involving the subtelomeres were observed in 7.8 per cent of the tested samples. Detection of rearrangements visible at the resolution of the karyotype constituted 2.3 per cent, while those rearrangements detected only with FISH constituted 5.5 per cent. Five deletions and five unbalanced translocations were detected. Analysis of parental samples wherever possible was informative regarding the inheritance of the rearrangement.

Interpretation & conclusions:
The frequency of subtelomeric rearrangements observed in this study was within the reported range of 0-35 per cent. All abnormal genotypes were clinically correlated. Further analysis with array technologies presents a future prospect. Our results suggest the need to test individuals with ID/DD for subtelomeric rearrangements using sensitive methods such as FISH.
Effect of a polyherbal formulation cream on diabetic neuropathic pain among patients with type 2 diabetes – A pilot study
Authors: Viswanathan Vijay , Rajsekar Seena , Selvaraj Bamila , Kumpatla Satyavani 
Published: December 2016

Background & objectives:
Painful diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes and can severely limit patients’ daily functions. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the safety and effect of using a polyherbal formulation in reducing the symptoms of diabetic neuropathic pain in comparison with placebo among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods:
A total of 50 (M:F = 33:17) consecutive type 2 diabetes patients with painful diabetic neuropathy were enrolled in this study. All these patients had either two or more symptoms of diabetic neuropathy such as pain, burning and pricking sensations and numbness in their feet. They were randomly assigned to two groups: group 1 (n = 26) patients were treated with polyherbal formulation cream and group 2 (n = 24) patients were administered placebo. The patients were followed up for six months. Changes in the symptoms of painful diabetic neuropathy of each patient were recorded at baseline, third and sixth month using the Diabetic Neuropathic Score.

Results:
The mean age of the patients, duration of diabetes and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were similar in both groups at baseline. During follow up visits, there was a decrease in the HbA1c levels in the study and control groups. The symptoms of painful diabetic neuropathy were also similar in both groups at baseline. A significant decrease in symptoms of neuropathic pain was observed among the group of patients treated with polyherbal formulation cream (76.9 per cent) compared to the placebo-treated group (12.5 per cent) (P<0.001), at the end of the final follow up.

Interpretation & conclusions:
In this pilot study polyherbal formulation cream was found to be effective as well as safe to treat painful diabetic neuropathy. However, its long term use needs to be evaluated for any further effectiveness and side effects.
Circulating heat shock protein mRNA profile in gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia & foetal growth restriction
Authors: Hromadnikova Ilona , Dvorakova Lenka , Kotlabova Katerina , Kestlerova Andrea , Hympanova Lucie , Novotna Veronika , Doucha Jindrich , Krofta Ladislav 
Published: December 2016

Background & objectives:
Heat shock proteins (Hsp) are ubiquitously distributed phylogenetically conserved molecules that regulate cellular homeostasis and maintain the integrity and function of cellular proteins. Increased levels of Hsp in maternal circulation have been shown to be associated with increased risk of pregnancy related complications. The objective of this study was to explore extracellular Hsp mRNA levels in maternal circulation and quantified Hsp27, Hsp60, Hsp70, Hsp90 and Hsp70 binding protein 1 (HspBP1) mRNAs in maternal plasma samples using real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

Methods:
Pregnancies with gestational hypertension (GH) (n = 33), pre-eclampsia (PE) with or without foetal growth restriction (FGR) (n = 78) and FGR (n = 25) were involved in the study. Hsp gene expression was analysed in relation to the severity of the disease with respect to the degree of clinical signs, requirements for the delivery and Doppler ultrasound parameters.

Results:
Upregulation of Hsp70 was observed in patients with mild and severe PE (P = 0.004 and P = 0.005, respectively) and in pregnancies complicated with PE delivering before and after 34 wk of gestation regardless of the degree of clinical signs (P = 0.015 and P = 0.009, respectively). No difference in the expression of other Hsp genes among the studied groups was observed. No association between Hsp gene expression and Doppler ultrasonography parameters was found.

Interpretation & conclusions:
These data support that maternal circulation can reflect both maternal and foetal pathologic conditions. Hsp70 represents the sole plasmatic marker, and increased Hsp70 mRNA levels reflect maternal and placental stress response to pregnancy-related complications such as GH and PE, irrespective of the severity of the disease.
Use of hydrogen peroxide vapour & plasma irradiation in combination for quick decontamination of closed chambers
Authors: Mourya Devendra T. , Shahani Hamish C. , Yadav Pragya D. , Barde Pradip V. 
Published: December 2016

Background & objectives:
Various conventional methods such as gaseous, vapour and misting systems, fogging, manual spray and wipe techniques employing a number of chemical agents are used for decontamination of enclosed spaces. Among all these methods, use of aerosolized formaldehyde is the most preferred method due to cost-effectiveness and practical aspects. However, being extremely corrosive in nature generating very irritating fumes and difficulty in maintaining a high level of gas concentration, many laboratories prefer the vaporization of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as an alternative. We present here the results of using H2O2 vapour in combination with plasma irradiation for quick decontamination of closed chambers.

Methods:
The present study describes a decontamination method, using plasma irradiation in combination with H2O2 (5%). Effect of plasma irradiation and H2O2 on the viability of bacterial spores (Bacillus subtilis), Chikungunya and Kyasanur Forest Disease viruses was assessed.

Results:
Data suggest that with the combination of H2O2 vapour and plasma irradiation, within short time (three minutes), decontamination of surfaces and space volume could be achieved. Although it showed damage of spores present on the strips, it did not show any penetration power.

Interpretation & conclusions:
The results were encouraging, and this method was found to be efficient for achieving surface sterilization in a short time. This application may be useful in laboratories and industries particularly, those working on clean facility concept following good laboratory and manufacturing practices.
Molecular appraisal of intestinal parasitic infection in transplant recipients
Authors: Yadav Pooja , Khalil Shehla , Mirdha Bijay Ranjan 
Published: December 2016

Background & objectives:
Diarrhoea is the main clinical manifestation caused by intestinal parasitic infections in patients, with special reference to transplant recipients who require careful consideration to reduce morbidity and mortality. Further, molecular characterization of some important parasites is necessary to delineate the different modes of transmission to consider appropriate management strategies. We undertook this study to investigate the intestinal parasitic infections in transplant recipients with or without diarrhoea, and the genotypes of the isolated parasites were also determined.

Methods:
Stool samples from 38 transplant recipients comprising 29 post-renal, two liver and seven bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients presenting with diarrhoea and 50 transplant recipients (42 post-renal transplant, eight BMT) without diarrhoea were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites by light microscopy using wet mount, modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining for intestinal coccidia and modified trichrome staining for microsporidia. Genotypes of Cryptosporidium species were determined by multilocus genotyping using small subunit ribosomal (SSUrRNA), Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) as the target genes. Assemblage study for Giardia lamblia was performed using triose phosphate isomerase (TPI) as the target gene. Samples were also screened for bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens.

Results:
The parasites that were detected included Cryptosporidium species (21%, 8/38), Cystoisospora (Isospora) belli (8%, 3), Cyclospora cayetanensis (5%, 2), G. lamblia (11%, 4), Hymenolepis nana (11%, 4), Strongyloides stercoralis (3%, 1) and Blastocystis hominis (3%, 1). Multilocus genotyping of Cryptosporidium species at SSUrRNA, COWP and DHFR loci could detect four isolates of C. hominis; two of C. parvum, one of mixed genotype and one could not be genotyped. All the C. hominis isolates were detected in adult post-renal transplant (PRT) recipients, whereas the C. parvum isolates included a child with BMT and an adult with PRT. Clostridium difficle, cytomegalovirus and Candida albicans were found in 2, 3 and 2 patients, respectively.

Interpretation & conclusions:
In the present study, C. hominis was observed as an important parasite causing intestinal infections in transplant recipients. Multilocus genotyping of Cryptosporidium species could detect four isolates of C. hominis; two of C. parvum, one of mixed genotype and one could not be genotyped. Genotyping of G. lamblia revealed that assemblage B was most common.
Transmission of mutans streptococci in mother-child pairs
Authors: Damle S. G. , Yadav Renu , Garg Shalini , Dhindsa Abhishek , Beniwal Vikas , Loomba Ashish , Chatterjee Shailja 
Published: December 2016

Background & objectives:
Dental caries is an infectious, transmissible disease. Maternal transfer of mutans streptococci (MS) has been a subject of research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the transmission of MS from mother to children through genetic analysis.

Methods:
Thirty mother–child pairs were included and divided into three groups according to the age of the children. Saliva samples were collected and MS colonies from each mother-child pair were isolated. After inoculation and incubation, MS colonies were submitted to amplification technique by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for identification and arbitrarily primed PCRs (AP-PCRs) to determine various MS genotypes.

Results:
From birth to six months of age, 30 per cent of children exhibited MS colonization, and by the age of 30 months, 100 per cent harboured the bacteria (P < 0.001). Factors associated with MS colonization were eruption of teeth (P < 0.001), feeding habits with mean colony count being significantly lower in breast-fed as compared to bottle-fed children (P < 0.001) and a significant association between mean MS count of child and mother's practice of sharing spoon with child (P < 0.001). The AP-PCR fingerprinting profile analysis showed 17 MS groups (clusters) containing identical or highly related isolates in mother-child pairs with a high level of similarity (77.27 %).

Interpretation & conclusions:
The presence of matching MS genotypes suggested vertical transmission from mothers to children. Feeding habits, gum cleaning and number of erupted teeth in children had significant effect on MS colonization. There is a need to develop strategies to present MS colonization in children.
Presence of metallo-beta-lactamases (MBL), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) & AmpC positive non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli among Intensive Care Unit patients with special reference to molecular detection of bla CTX-M & bla AmpC genes
Authors: Gupta Richa , Malik Abida , Rizvi Meher , Ahmed Moied 
Published: December 2016

Background & objectives:
Non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (NFGNB) including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii have been implicated in a variety of infections, particularly in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs). This study was aimed to overview the burden of multidrug-resistant NFGNB causing infections in ICU and also to assess the occurrence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC and metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) among these isolates.

Methods:
Bacterial culture, identification and antibiotic susceptibility were carried out. ESBLs and AmpC were detected both phenotypically and genotypically. MBL was detected by modified Hodge and imipenem-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid double-disc synergy test.

Results:
NFGNB represented 45 (37%) of total 121 Gram negative isolates. Multidrug resistance was observed in 66.9 per cent and 72.5 per cent isolates of P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii, respectively. Detection by phenotypic methods showed presence of ESBL, AmpC and MBL in 21.4, 51.1 and 21.4 per cent isolates, respectively. When detected genotypically by polymerase chain reaction, ESBL and AmpC were detected in 21.4 and 41.4 per cent of NFGNB isolates, respectively. Bla
CTX-M (21.4%) was the most prevalent gene responsible for ESBL production.

Interpretation & conclusions:
Most of the NFGNB isolated from ICU patients were multidrug-resistant and producers of ESBL, AmpC and MBL. A regular surveillance is required to detect ESBL, AmpC and MBL producers, especially in ICU patients.