bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glycolipid biosurfactants: main properties and potential applications in agriculture and food industry
Authors: Mnif Inès , Ghribi Dhouha 
Published: April 2016

AbstractGlycolipids, consisting of a carbohydrate moiety linked to fatty acids, are microbial surface active compounds produced by various microorganisms. They are characterized by high structural diversity and have the ability to decrease the surface and interfacial tension at the surface and interface, respectively. Rhamnolipids, trehalolipids, mannosylerythritol lipids and cellobiose lipids are among the most popular glycolipids. They have received much practical attention as biopesticides for controlling plant diseases and protecting stored products. As a result of their antifungal activity towards phytopathogenic fungi and larvicidal and mosquitocidal potencies, glycolipid biosurfactants permit the preservation of plants and plant crops from pest invasion. Also, as a result of their emulsifying and antibacterial activities, glycolipids have great potential as food additives and food preservatives. Furthermore, the valorization of food byproducts via the production of glycolipid biosurfactant has received much attention because it permits the bioconversion of byproducts on valuable compounds and decreases the cost of production. Generally, the use of glycolipids in many fields requires their retention from fermentation media. Accordingly, different strategies have been developed to extract and purify glycolipids. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
A two‐tiered structure device based on stereolithography for residual mandible repositioning in mandibular reconstruction with fibular flap
Authors: Kadowaki Miki , Kubo Tateki , Fujikawa Masakazu , Tashima Hiroki , Nagayama Hiromi , Ishihara Osamu , Yamada Ryuhei , Otake Ippei , Hosokawa Ko 
Published: April 2016

ObjectiveWe invented a two‐tiered structure device based on stereolithography for residual mandible repositioning in mandibular reconstruction with fibular flap, and examined its usefulness.Patients and methodsA total of eight patients (six carcinomas and two osteomyelitis) who had undergone mandibular reconstruction with fibular flap were included. Mandibular defects according to Jewer's classification were L for five, LC for two, and H for one patient (range of bone defect size, 7.7‐13.3 cm). Based on a stereolithographic mandibular model, a two‐tiered structure device was made preoperatively with resin, and was applied during surgery to define the accurate position of residual mandible following segmental mandibulectomy. Postoperative aesthetic and functional outcomes, including dental status, diet, and speech were evaluated.ResultsThe device was applied without any problems during surgery. Follow‐up period ranged from eight to twenty‐two months. Good postoperative alignment of the grafts and occlusion were also achieved in all eight patients. Five patients were able to return to eating meals as they had pre‐surgery, and two patients required dental rehabilitation with dentures. As for speech, four patients scored ten points, three patients scored eight points, and one patient scored four points in Hirose's scoring system, which means that seven patients was rated as excellent, and one patient was rated as poor. Aesthetic outcomes were excellent in three patients, good in three patients, and fair in two patients.ConclusionOur device was easy to prepare, successfully maintained the precise position of the residual mandible, and facilitated bone graft cutting and insetting during reconstruction. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:509–515, 2017.
Effect of processing methods on electrical percolation and electromagnetic shielding of PC/MWCNTs nanocomposites
Authors: Seyedi Ghezghapan S. M. , Javadi A. 
Published: April 2016

Nanocomposites of polycarbonate (PC)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) containing 0.5–3 wt% of MWCNTs were prepared via two methods of melt mixing and solution mixing. The effect of CNT content and processing methods on electrical and electromagnetic properties of nanocomposite samples were investigated. TEM microphotographs revealed that the PC/MWCNT composites prepared by the solution method, have better dispersion and distribution of CNTs in the PC matrix. Electrical measurements indicated an electrical percolation threshold of less than 1 wt% of CNTs for this system. Also, it was found that PC/MWCNT composites prepared by the solution method, exhibit higher electrical conductivity and lower electrical percolation threshold. The electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) measurements in the X‐band (8.2–12.4 GHz) indicated that EMI SE is increased by increasing the amount of CNTs in the samples, and also the thickness of specimens. In addition, the results showed that the composites prepared by the solution method, have higher SE values. Finally, in order to reach an acceptable value for commercial applications of EMI shielding materials (20 dB), thicker samples were produced and it was found that the 3.5 mm thick samples containing 2 wt% CNTs, have a 19.6 dB shielding effectiveness. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:E269–E276, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
The Genetic Counselor's Role in Managing Ethical Dilemmas Arising in the Laboratory Setting
Authors: Balcom Jessica R. , Kotzer Katrina E. , Waltman Lindsey A. , Kemppainen Jennifer L. , Thomas Brittany C. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractEthical dilemmas are encountered commonly in the setting of the clinical genetic testing laboratory due to the complexity of genetic testing and the number of relevant stakeholders involved in the genetic testing process. Based on their clinical training and role within the laboratory, genetic counselors are uniquely equipped to identify and facilitate management of ethical dilemmas. This paper reviews the historical context of ethical theory and its application to the field of genetic counseling. Theoretical and applied ethics are explored in the context of dilemmas arising in the laboratory setting, with a focus on the role of the laboratory genetic counselor in managing ethical dilemmas. Two illustrative case examples are provided.
Association Between High-Risk Medication Usage and Healthcare Facility-Onset C. difficile Infection
Authors: Patterson Julie A. , Edmond Michael B. , Hohmann Samuel F. , Pakyz Amy L. 
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVENational hospital performance measures for C. difficile infection (CD) are available; comparing antibacterial use among performance levels can aid in identifying effective antimicrobial stewardship strategies to reduce CDI rates.DESIGNHospital-level, cross-sectional analysis.METHODSHospital characteristics (ie, demographics, medications, patient mix) were obtained for 77 hospitals for 2013. Hospitals were assigned 1 of 3 levels of a CDI standardized infection ratio (SIR): ‘Worse than,’ ‘Better than,’ or ‘No different than’ a national benchmark. Analyses compared medication use (total and broad-spectrum antibacterials) for 3 metrics: days of therapy per 1,000 patient days; length of therapy; and proportion of patients receiving a medication across SIR levels. A multivariate, ordered-probit regression identified characteristics associated with SIR categories.RESULTSRegarding total average antimicrobial use per patient, there was a significant difference detected in mean length of therapy: ‘No different’ hospitals having the longest (4.93 days) versus ‘Worse’ (4.78 days) and ‘Better’ (4.43 days) (P<.01). ‘Better’ hospitals used fewer total antibacterials (693 days of therapy per 1,000 patient days) versus ‘No different’ (776 days) versus ‘Worse’ (777 days) (P<.05). The ‘Better’ hospitals used broad-spectrum antibacterials for a shorter average length of therapy (4.03 days) versus ‘No different’ (4.51 days) versus ‘Worse’ (4.38 days) (P<.05). ‘Better’ hospitals used fewer broad-spectrum antibacterials (310 days of therapy per 1,000 patient days) versus ‘No different’ (364 days) versus ‘Worse’ (349 days) (P<.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the proportion of elderly patients and chemotherapy days of therapy per 1,000 patient days was significantly negatively associated with the SIR.CONCLUSIONSThese findings have potential implications regarding the need to fully account for hospital patient mix when carrying out inter-hospital comparisons of CDI rates.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:909–915
The Primacy of Justice in Moral Theology
Authors: Maguire Daniel C. 
Published: April 2016

It should warm the self-righteous cockles of Catholic hearts to read Protestant theologian Emil Brunner's remark that “while the Catholic Church, drawing on centuries of tradition, possesses an impressive systematic theory of justice, Protestant Christianity has had none for some three hundred years past.” The cockles, however, are in for a chilling with the realization of how little we have done, particularly in the United States, to give this noble tradition salience and application in Catholic thought, or to give it voice and currency in national and international political discourse. With such an in-house treasure as Brunner noted, why were we content to live as misers responding so little to the poverty in justice theory that scars our national setting? There were some notable exceptions, but they never became mainstreamed in American Catholic life. Why?The principal reasons, I submit, are these: Catholic thought was (I) prone to conflate the just and the juridical; (II) distracted by charity to the neglect of justice; (III) insufficiently nourished by the justice preoccupations of the Bible; (IV) inattentive to the need to clarify and develop the theories underlying our social justice tradition.
The effect ofWolbachiaon dengue dynamics in the presence of two serotypes of dengue: symmetric and asymmetric epidemiological characteristics
Authors: NDII M. Z. , ALLINGHAM D. , HICKSON R. I. , GLASS K. 
Published: April 2016

SUMMARYAn innovative strategy to reduce dengue transmission uses the bacteriumWolbachia. We analysed the effects ofWolbachiaon dengue transmission dynamics in the presence of two serotypes of dengue using a mathematical model, allowing for differences in the epidemiological characteristics of the serotypes. We found thatWolbachiahas a greater effect on secondary infections than on primary infections across a range of epidemiological characteristics. If one serotype is more transmissible than the other, it will dominate primary infections andWolbachiawill be less effective at reducing secondary infections of either serotype. Differences in the antibody-dependent enhancement of the two serotypes have considerably less effect on the benefits ofWolbachiathan differences in transmission probability. Even if the antibody-dependent enhancement rate is high,Wolbachiais still effective in reducing dengue. Our findings suggest thatWolbachiawill be effective in the presence of more than one serotype of dengue; however, a better understanding of serotype-specific differences in transmission probability may be needed to optimize delivery of aWolbachiaintervention.
Measurement equivalence across gender and education in the WHOQOL-BREF for community-dwelling elderly Taiwanese
Authors: Lin Chung-Ying , Li Yueh-Ping , Lin Sang-I , Chen Ching-Huey 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTBackground:The WHOQOL-BREF, a generic quality of life (QoL) instrument, has been widely used clinically and for research on older populations. However, its measurement equivalence/invariance (ME/I) has not been well examined for the elderly (≥ 65 years) across some different demographics.Methods:The data were derived from a cross-sectional study with a convenience sampling design in Taiwan. We enrolled 244 elderly participants: men = 143 (58.6%); educational level ≤ primary school = 121 (49.6%). The ME/I was examined using multiple group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) across gender and educational level.Results:The fit indices were satisfactory for the configural models of gender and educational level (standardized root mean square residual [SRMR] = 0.0742 and 0.0770; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.0655 and 0.0686; comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.953). In addition, MGCFAs showed that ME/I was supported across gender (ΔSRMR = 0.001 to 0.019; ΔRMSEA = −0.003 to 0.001; ΔCFI = −0.003 to 0.000) and educational level (ΔSRMR = 0.002 to 0.006; ΔRMSEA = −0.002 to 0.004; ΔCFI = −0.007 to 0.000).Conclusion:The WHOQOL-BREF Taiwan version is appropriate for combined use and for comparisons in older people across gender and different educational levels.
The effects of apolipoproteinε4 on aging brain in cognitively normal Chinese elderly: a surface-based morphometry study
Authors: Lu Hanna , Ma Suk Ling , Chan Sandra Sau Man , Lam Linda Chiu Wa 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTBackground:Default mode network (DMN) has been reported to be susceptible to APOEε4 genotype. However, the APOEε4-related brain changes in young carriers are different from the ones in elderly carriers. The current study aimed to evaluate the cortical morphometry of DMN subregions in cognitively normal elderly with APOEε4.Method:11 cognitively normal senior APOEε4 carriers and 27 matched healthy controls (HC) participated the neuropsychological tests, genotyping, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis was used to assess the global volumetric changes. Surface-based morphometry (SBM) analysis was performed to measure regional gray matter volume (GMV) and gray matter thickness (GMT).Results:Advancing age was associated with decreased GMV of DMN subregions. Compared to HC, APOEε4 carriers presented cortical atrophy in right cingulate gyrus (R_CG) (GMV: APOE carriers: 8475.23 ± 1940.73 mm3, HC: 9727.34 ± 1311.57 mm3,t= 2.314,p= 0.026, corrected) and left insular (GMT: APOEε4 carriers: 3.83 ± 0.37 mm, HC: 4.05 ± 0.25 mm,t= 2.197,p= 0.033, corrected).Conclusions:Our results highlight the difference between different cortical measures and suggest that the cortical reduction of CG and insular maybe a potential neuroimaging marker for APOE 4εsenior carriers, even in the context of relatively intact cognition.
Pharmacogenetic testing for the guidance of psychiatric treatment: a multicenter retrospective analysis
Authors: Espadaler Jordi , Tuson Miquel , Lopez-Ibor Jose Miguel , Lopez-Ibor Franciso , Lopez-Ibor Maria Ines 
Published: April 2016

ObjectiveWe investigated the association between clinical outcome and the recommendations of a pharmacogenetic test (Neuropharmagen) in patients with a variety of psychiatric conditions whose previous treatment regimen had failed.MethodsThis retrospective, naturalistic, multicenter study included adult psychiatric patients (depression, psychosis, anxiety, bipolar, etc.) who had been seen at 3 private clinics. All patients had received pharmacogenetic testing (Neuropharmagen) and were classified depending on whether or not their post-test treatment regimen followed the test recommendations. Clinical severity was assessed with the Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-S) at baseline (pre-test) and 3-month follow-up, and adverse events were recorded.Results182 patients were available for analysis. After multivariate adjustment, patients whose treatment followed the test recommendations had odds of improvement about 4 times greater than patients whose treatment did not follow the recommendations (adjusted OR=3.86, 95%CI 1.36–10.95; p=0.011). Importantly, psychiatric diagnosis did not significantly affect the odds of improvement. Also, in the subpopulation with baseline CGI-S score >3 (N=170), the rate of stabilization at follow-up (defined as CGI-S≤3) was significantly higher in patients whose treatment followed the pharmacogenetic recommendations (p=0.033). There was no apparent difference in the incidence of adverse events (6 patients in each group).ConclusionsNon–drug naïve patients whose treatment followed the recommendations of pharmacogenetic testing were more likely to improve their condition than patients whose treatment did not. These results are consistent with previous clinical research on depressed patients, and this study also suggests that this benefit can be extended to psychiatric conditions other than depression.
Development of a toolkit for early identification of cauda equina syndrome
Authors: Greenhalgh Sue , Truman Carole , Webster Valerie , Selfe James 
Published: April 2016

AimTo develop a simple cauda equina syndrome (CES) toolkit to facilitate the subjective examination of low back pain patients potentially at risk of CES. To undertake preliminary validation of the content of the toolkit.BackgroundCES is a rare condition which can be very challenging to identify in a generalist medical setting.MethodA three phase iterative design with two stake holder groups; extended scope practitioners experienced in managing CES patients and CES sufferers.Toolkit developmentSynthesis of existing CES literature with CES patient data generated from in depth interviews.Toolkit validationContent validation of the draft toolkit with CES patients.Toolkit validationContent validation of the draft toolkit with extended scope physiotherapists.FindingsA three arm toolkit has been developed for use with patients considered by the clinician as at risk of developing CES (eg, worsening low back pain with symptoms/signs of progressive sensory-motor deficit in the lower limbs); patient expertise, clinical expertise, research and pathways. Uniquely, the toolkit drew upon the lived experiences of patients suffering from CES to inform the content.
Tobacco use and self-reported morbidity among rural Indian adults
Authors: Barik Anamitra , Rai Rajesh Kumar , Chowdhury Abhijit 
Published: April 2016

AimTo measure the prevalence of self-reported morbidity and its associated factors among adults (aged ⩾15 years) in a select rural Indian population.BackgroundSelf-reporting of smoking has been validated as population-based surveys using self-reported data provide reasonably consistent estimates of smoking prevalence, and are generally considered to be sufficiently accurate for tracking the general pattern of morbidity associated with tobacco use in populations. However, to gauge the true disease burden using self-reported morbidity data requires cautious interpretation.MethodsDuring 2010–2011, a cross-sectional survey was conducted under the banner of the Health and Demographic Surveillance System, Birbhum, an initiative of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, India. With over 93.6% response rate from the population living in 12 300 households, this study uses the responses from 16 354 individuals: 8012 smokers, and 8333 smokeless tobacco users. Smokers and smokeless tobacco users were asked whether they have developed any morbidity symptoms due to smoking, or smokeless tobacco use. Bivariate, as well as multivariate logistic regression analyses were deployed to attain the study objective.FindingsOver 20% of smokers and over 9% of smokeless tobacco users reported any morbidity. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) estimated using logistic regression shows that women are less likely to report any morbidity attributable to smoking (OR: 0.69; CI: 0.54–0.87), and more likely to report any morbidity due to smokeless tobacco use (OR: 1.68; CI: 1.36–2.09). Non-Hindus have higher odds, whereas the wealthiest respondents have lower odds of reporting any morbidity. With a culturally appropriate intervention to change behaviour, youth (both men and women) could be targeted with comprehensive tobacco cessation assistance programmes. A focussed intervention could be designed for unprocessed tobacco users to curb hazardous effects of tobacco use.
Real-time quantification of protein expression at the single-cell level via dynamic protein synthesis translocation reporters
Authors: Aymoz Delphine , Wosika Victoria , Durandau Eric , Pelet Serge 
Published: April 2016

AbstractProtein expression is a dynamic process, which can be rapidly induced by extracellular signals. It is widely appreciated that single cells can display large variations in the level of gene induction. However, the variability in the dynamics of this process in individual cells is difficult to quantify using standard fluorescent protein (FP) expression assays, due to the slow maturation of their fluorophore. Here we have developed expression reporters that accurately measure both the levels and dynamics of protein synthesis in live single cells with a temporal resolution under a minute. Our system relies on the quantification of the translocation of a constitutively expressed FP into the nucleus. As a proof of concept, we used these reporters to measure the transient protein synthesis arising from two promoters responding to the yeast hyper osmolarity glycerol mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway (pSTL1 and pGPD1). They display distinct expression dynamics giving rise to strikingly different instantaneous expression noise.
Energy efficiency trade-offs drive nucleotide usage in transcribed regions
Authors: Chen Wei-Hua , Lu Guanting , Bork Peer , Hu Songnian , Lercher Martin J. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractEfficient nutrient usage is a trait under universal selection. A substantial part of cellular resources is spent on making nucleotides. We thus expect preferential use of cheaper nucleotides especially in transcribed sequences, which are often amplified thousand-fold compared with genomic sequences. To test this hypothesis, we derive a mutation-selection-drift equilibrium model for nucleotide skews (strand-specific usage of ‘A’ versus ‘T’ and ‘G’ versus ‘C’), which explains nucleotide skews across 1,550 prokaryotic genomes as a consequence of selection on efficient resource usage. Transcription-related selection generally favours the cheaper nucleotides ‘U’ and ‘C’ at synonymous sites. However, the information encoded in mRNA is further amplified through translation. Due to unexpected trade-offs in the codon table, cheaper nucleotides encode on average energetically more expensive amino acids. These trade-offs apply to both strand-specific nucleotide usage and GC content, causing a universal bias towards the more expensive nucleotides ‘A’ and ‘G’ at non-synonymous coding sites.
Adipose tissue mTORC2 regulates ChREBP-driven de novo lipogenesis and hepatic glucose metabolism
Authors: Tang Yuefeng , Wallace Martina , Sanchez-Gurmaches Joan , Hsiao Wen-Yu , Li Huawei , Lee Peter L. , Vernia Santiago , Metallo Christian M. , Guertin David A. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAdipose tissue de novo lipogenesis (DNL) positively influences insulin sensitivity, is reduced in obesity, and predicts insulin resistance. Therefore, elucidating mechanisms controlling adipose tissue DNL could lead to therapies for type 2 diabetes. Here, we report that mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) functions in white adipose tissue (WAT) to control expression of the lipogenic transcription factor ChREBPβ. Conditionally deleting the essential mTORC2 subunit Rictor in mature adipocytes decreases ChREBPβ expression, which reduces DNL in WAT, and impairs hepatic insulin sensitivity. Mechanistically, Rictor/mTORC2 promotes ChREBPβ expression in part by controlling glucose uptake, but without impairing pan-AKT signalling. High-fat diet also rapidly decreases adipose tissue ChREBPβ expression and insulin sensitivity in wild-type mice, and does not further exacerbate insulin resistance in adipose tissue Rictor knockout mice, implicating adipose tissue DNL as an early target in diet-induced insulin resistance. These data suggest mTORC2 functions in WAT as part of an extra-hepatic nutrient-sensing mechanism to control glucose homeostasis.