bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermospheric nitric oxide response to shock‐led storms
Authors: Knipp D. J. , Pette D. V. , Kilcommons L. M. , Isaacs T. L. , Cruz A. A. , Mlynczak M. G. , Hunt L. A. , Lin C. Y. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWe present a multiyear superposed epoch study of the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry nitric oxide (NO) emission data. NO is a trace constituent in the thermosphere that acts as cooling agent via infrared (IR) emissions. The NO cooling competes with storm time thermospheric heating, resulting in a thermostat effect. Our study of nearly 200 events reveals that shock‐led interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) are prone to early and excessive thermospheric NO production and IR emissions. Excess NO emissions can arrest thermospheric expansion by cooling the thermosphere during intense storms. The strongest events curtail the interval of neutral density increase and produce a phenomenon known as thermospheric “overcooling.” We use Defense Meteorological Satellite Program particle precipitation data to show that interplanetary shocks and their ICME drivers can more than double the fluxes of precipitating particles that are known to trigger the production of thermospheric NO. Coincident increases in Joule heating likely amplify the effect. In turn, NO emissions are more than double. We discuss the roles and features of shock/sheath structures that allow the thermosphere to temper the effects of extreme storm time energy input and explore the implication these structures may have on mesospheric NO. Shock‐driven thermospheric NO IR cooling likely plays an important role in satellite drag forecasting challenges during extreme events.
Using the protein leverage hypothesis to understand socioeconomic variation in obesity
Authors: Bekelman Traci A. , Santamaría‐Ulloa Carolina , Dufour Darna L. , Marín‐Arias Lilliam , Dengo Ana Laura 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectivesThe protein leverage hypothesis (PLH) predicts that protein appetite will stimulate excess energy intake, and consequently obesity, when the proportion of protein in the diet is low. Experimental studies support the PLH, but whether protein leverage can be used to understand socioeconomic (SES) variation in obesity is unknown. The objective of this study was to test two hypotheses from the PLH under non‐experimental conditions. Consistent with the PLH, we expect that (1) absolute protein intake will be similar across populations, here defined as SES groups and, (2) the proportion of protein in the diet will be inversely associated with energy intake.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study conducted in a random sample of 135 low‐, middle‐, and high‐SES women in Costa Rica. Anthropometry was used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Twenty‐four‐hour dietary recalls were used to measure dietary intake.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity varied between low‐ (38.8%), middle‐ (43.9%), and high‐ (17.8%) SES women. Absolute protein intake was similar across low‐ (58.5 g), middle‐ (59.4 g), and high‐ (65.6 g) SES women (p = 0.12). Protein intake as a proportion of total energy intake was inversely associated with total energy intake only among middle‐ (r = −0.37,p = 0.02) and high‐ (r = −0.36,p = 0.01) SES women.ConclusionsConsistent with the PLH, absolute protein intake was similar across SES groups. The relationship between the proportion of protein in the diet and total energy intake should be studied further in the context of real world conditions that may influence protein leverage.
Photoelectrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol through a Highly Efficient Enzyme Cascade
Authors: Kuk Su Keun , Singh Raushan K , Nam Dong Heon , Singh Ranjitha , Lee Jung‐Kul , Park Chan Beum 
Published: January 2017

AbstractNatural photosynthesis is an effective route for the clean and sustainable conversion of CO2 into high‐energy chemicals. Inspired by the natural process, a tandem photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell with an integrated enzyme‐cascade (TPIEC) system was designed, which transfers photogenerated electrons to a multienzyme cascade for the biocatalyzed reduction of CO2 to methanol. A hematite photoanode and a bismuth ferrite photocathode were applied to fabricate the iron oxide based tandem PEC cell for visible‐light‐assisted regeneration of the nicotinamide cofactor (NADH). The cell utilized water as an electron donor and spontaneously regenerated NADH. To complete the TPIEC system, a superior three‐dehydrogenase cascade system was employed in the cathodic part of the PEC cell. Under applied bias, the TPIEC system achieved a high methanol conversion output of 220 μm h−1, 1280 μmol g−1 h−1 using readily available solar energy and water.
Transfer demand prediction for timed transfer coordination in public transport operational control
Authors: Kieu Le Minh , Bhaskar Ashish , Almeida Paulo E. M. , Sabar Nasser R. , Chung Edward 
Published: January 2017

SummaryTimed transfer coordination in public transit reduces passenger transfer time by providing seamless interconnected transfers. The problem arises when a Receiving Vehicle (RV) arrives to the transfer stop before a Feeding Vehicle (FV) carrying transferring passengers. Timed transfer coordination in operational control dynamically decides whether a RV is held at the transfer stop to allow transfers, or departs as scheduled. While transfer demand is essential for implementing timed transfer coordination, this variable is generally not available in public transit because of the lack of passenger transfer plans. The problem of acquiring this variable in real‐time has also received limited attention in the related literature.This paper proposes a new method to dynamically predict the transfer demand. We anticipate the transferring probability from each individual passenger by examining historical travel itineraries. Three different types of models (simple analytical, statistical, and computation intelligence model) are developed to forecast the number of transferring passengers. Numerical experiments using observed Automatic Vehicle Location and Automatic Fare Collection data from South East Queensland, Australia show the accuracy and applicability of the proposed models in timed transfer coordination. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The gut microbiome and the mechanism of surgical infection
Authors: Alverdy J C , Hyoju S K , Weigerinck M , Gilbert J A 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Background
Since the very early days of surgical practice, surgeons have recognized the importance of considering that intestinal microbes might have a profound influence on recovery from surgical diseases such as appendicitis and peritonitis. Although the pathogenesis of surgical diseases such as cholelithiasis, diverticulosis, peptic ulcer disease and cancer have been viewed as disorders of host biology, they are emerging as diseases highly influenced by their surrounding microbiota.

Methods
This is a review of evolving concepts in microbiome sciences across a variety of surgical diseases and disorders, with a focus on disease aetiology and treatment options.

Results
The discovery that peptic ulcer disease and, in some instances, gastric cancer can now be considered as infectious diseases means that to advance surgical practice humans need to be viewed as superorganisms, consisting of both host and microbial genes. Applying this line of reasoning to the ever-ageing population of patients demands a more complete understanding of the effects of modern-day stressors on both the host metabolome and microbiome.

Conclusion
Despite major advances in perioperative care, surgeons today are witnessing rising infection-related complications following elective surgery. Many of these infections are caused by resistant and virulent micro-organisms that have emerged as a result of human progress, including global travel, antibiotic exposure, crowded urban conditions, and the application of invasive and prolonged medical and surgical treatment. A more complete understanding of the role of the microbiome in surgical disease is warranted to inform the path forward for prevention.
Alternatives to antibiotics for prevention of surgical infection
Authors: Ploegmakers I B M , Olde Damink S W M , Breukink S O 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Background
Surgical-site infection (SSI) is still the second most common healthcare-associated infection, after respiratory tract infection. SSIs are associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates, and result in enormous healthcare costs. In the past decade, several guidelines have been developed that aim to reduce the incidence of SSI. Unfortunately, there is no consensus amongst the guidelines, and some are already outdated. This review discusses the recent literature regarding alternatives to antibiotics for prevention of SSI.

Methods
A literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE was performed to retrieve data on the prevention of SSI. The focus was on literature published in the past decade.

Results
Prevention of SSI can be divided into preoperative, perioperative and postoperative measures. Preoperative measures consist of showering, surgical scrubbing and cleansing of the operation area with antiseptics. Perioperative factors can be subdivided as: environmental factors, such as surgical attire; patient-related factors, such as plasma glucose control; and surgical factors, such as the duration and invasiveness of surgery. Postoperative measures consist mainly of wound care.

Conclusion
There is a general lack of evidence on the preventive effectiveness of perioperative measures to reduce the incidence of SSI. Most measures are based on common practice and perceived effectiveness. The lack of clinical evidence, together with the stability of the high incidence of SSI (10 per cent for colorectal procedures) in recent decades, highlights the need for future research.
Economic case for intraoperative interventions to prevent surgical-site infection
Authors: Gillespie B M , Chaboyer W , Erichsen-Andersson A , Hettiarachchi R M , Kularatna S 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundSurgical-site infection (SSI) occurs in 1–10 per cent of all patients undergoing surgery; rates can be higher depending on the type of surgery. The aim of this review was to establish whether (or not) surgical hand asepsis, intraoperative skin antisepsis and selected surgical dressings are cost-effective in SSI prevention, and to examine the quality of reporting.MethodsThe authors searched MEDLINE via Ovid, CINAHL via EBSCO, Cochrane Central and Scopus databases systematically from 1990 to 2016. Included were RCTs and quasi-experimental studies published in English, evaluating the economic impact of interventions to prevent SSI relative to surgical hand and skin antisepsis, and wound dressings. Characteristics and results of included studies were extracted using a standard data collection tool. Study and reporting quality were assessed using SIGN and CHEERS checklists.ResultsAcross the three areas of SSI prevention, the combined searches identified 1214 articles. Of these, five health economic studies evaluating the cost-effectiveness of selected surgical dressings were eligible. Study authors concluded that the interventions being assessed were cost-effective, or were potentially cost-saving. Still, there is high uncertainty around the decision to adopt these dressings/devices in practice. The studies' reporting quality was reasonable; three reported at least 15 of the 24 CHEERS items appropriately. Assessment of methodological quality found that two studies were considered to be of high quality.ConclusionWith few economic studies undertaken in this area, the cost-effectiveness of these strategies is unclear. Incorporating economic evaluations alongside RCTs will help towards evidence-informed decisions.
Network meta-analysis of antibiotic prophylaxis for prevention of surgical-site infection after groin hernia surgery
Authors: Boonchan T , Wilasrusmee C , McEvoy M , Attia J , Thakkinstian A 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundFirst-generation cephalosporins (such as cefazolin) are recommended as antibiotic prophylaxis in groin hernia repair, but other broad-spectrum antibiotics have also been prescribed in clinical practice. This was a systematic review and network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of different antibiotic classes for prevention of surgical-site infection (SSI) after hernia repair.MethodsRCTs were identified that compared efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis on SSI after inguinal or femoral hernia repair from PubMed and Scopus databases up to March 2016. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. Network meta-analysis was applied to assess treatment efficacy. The probability of being the best antibiotic prophylaxis was estimated using surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) analysis.ResultsFifteen RCTs (5159 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Interventions were first-generation (7 RCTs, 1237 patients) and second-generation (2 RCTs, 532) cephalosporins, β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors (6 RCTs, 619) and fluoroquinolones (2 RCTs, 581), with placebo as the most common comparator (14 RCTs, 2190). A network meta-analysis showed that β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors and first-generation cephalosporins were significantly superior to placebo, with a pooled risk ratio of 0·44 (95 per cent c.i. 0·25 to 0·75) and 0·62 (0·42 to 0·92) respectively. However, none of the antibiotic classes was significantly different from the others. SUCRA results indicated that β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors and first-generation cephalosporins were ranked first and second respectively for best prophylaxis.Conclusionβ-Lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors followed by first-generation cephalosporins ranked as the most effective SSI prophylaxis for adult patients undergoing groin hernia repair.
Impact of preoperative infection on outcome after liver transplantation
Authors: Bertuzzo V R , Giannella M , Cucchetti A , Pinna A D , Grossi A , Ravaioli M , Del Gaudio M , Cristini F , Viale P , Cescon M 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundBacterial infection in patients with liver failure can lead to a dramatic clinical deterioration. The indications for liver transplantation and outcome in these patients is still controversial.MethodsAll adult patients who underwent liver transplantation between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2015 were selected from an institutional database. Characteristics of the donors and recipients, and clinical, biochemical and surgical parameters were retrieved from the database. Post-transplant survival rates and complications, including grade III–IV complications according to the Dindo–Clavien classification, were compared between patients with an infection 1 month before transplantation and patients without an infection.ResultsEighty-four patients with an infection had statistically significant higher Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD), D-MELD and Balance of Risk (BAR) scores and a higher rate of acute-on-chronic liver failure compared with findings in 343 patients with no infection. The rate of infection after liver transplantation was higher in patients who had an infection before the operation: 48 per cent versus 30·6 per cent in those with no infection before transplantation (P = 0·003). The percentage of patients with a postoperative complication (42 versus 40·5 per cent respectively; P = 0·849) and the 90-day mortality rate (8 versus 6·4 per cent; P = 0·531) was no different between the groups. Multivariable analysis showed that a BAR score greater than 18 and acute-on-chronic liver failure were independent predictors of 90-day mortality.ConclusionBacterial infection 1 month before liver transplantation is related to a higher rate of infection after transplantation, but does not lead to a worse outcome.
Vaccine development to preventStaphylococcus aureussurgical-site infections
Authors: Mohamed N , Wang M Y , Le Huec J-C , Liljenqvist U , Scully I L , Baber J , Begier E , Jansen K U , Gurtman A , Anderson A S 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundStaphylococcus aureus surgical-site infections (SSIs) are a major cause of poor health outcomes, including mortality, across surgical specialties. Despite current advances as a result of preventive interventions, the disease burden of S. aureus SSI remains high, and increasing antibiotic resistance continues to be a concern. Prophylactic S. aureus vaccines may represent an opportunity to prevent SSI.MethodsA review of SSI pathophysiology was undertaken in the context of evaluating new approaches to developing a prophylactic vaccine to prevent S. aureus SSI.ResultsA prophylactic vaccine ideally would provide protective immunity at the time of the surgical incision to prevent initiation and progression of infection. Although the pathogenicity of S. aureus is attributed to many virulence factors, previous attempts to develop S. aureus vaccines targeted only a single virulence mechanism. The field has now moved towards multiple-antigen vaccine strategies, and promising results have been observed in early-phase clinical studies that supported the recent initiation of an efficacy trial to prevent SSI.ConclusionThere is an unmet medical need for novel S. aureus SSI prevention measures. Advances in understanding of S. aureus SSI pathophysiology could lead to the development of effective and safe prophylactic multiple-antigen vaccines to prevent S. aureus SSI.
Optical Control of DNA Helicase Function through Genetic Code Expansion
Authors: Luo Ji , Kong Muwen , Liu Lili , Samanta Subhas , Van Houten Bennett , Deiters Alexander 
Published: January 2017

AbstractNucleotide excision repair (NER) is a general DNA repair mechanism that is capable of removing a wide variety of DNA lesions induced by physical or chemical insults. UvrD, a member of the helicase SF1 superfamily, plays an essential role in bacterial NER by unwinding the duplex DNA in the 3′ to 5′ direction to displace the lesion‐containing strand. In order to achieve conditional control over NER, we generated a light‐activated DNA helicase. This was achieved through a site‐specific incorporation of a genetically encoded hydroxycoumarin lysine at a crucial position in the ATP‐binding pocket of UvrD. The resulting caged enzyme was completely inactive in several functional assays. Moreover, enzymatic activity of the optically triggered UvrD was comparable to that of the wild‐type protein, thus demonstrating excellent OFF to ON switching of the helicase. The developed approach provides optical control of NER, thereby laying a foundation for the regulation of ATP‐dependent helicase functions in higher organisms. In addition, this methodology is applicable to the light‐activation of a wide range of ATPases.
Large‐Pore Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Vector for a Highly Cytotoxic Hybrid Platinum–Acridine Anticancer Agent
Authors: Zheng Ye , Fahrenholtz Cale D. , Hackett Christopher L. , Ding Song , Day Cynthia S. , Dhall Rohan , Marrs Glen S. , Gross Michael D. , Singh Ravi , Bierbach Ulrich 
Published: January 2017

AbstractLarge‐pore mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) were prepared and functionalized to serve as a highly robust and biocompatible delivery platform for platinum–acridine (PA) anticancer agents. The material showed a high loading capacity for the dicationic, hydrophilic hybrid agent [PtCl(en)(N‐[acridin‐9‐ylaminoethyl]‐N‐methylpropionamidine)] dinitrate salt (P1A1) and virtually complete retention of payload at neutral pH in a high‐chloride buffer. In acidic media mimicking the pH inside the cell lysosomes, rapid, burst‐like release of P1A1 from the nanoparticles is observed. Coating of the materials in phospholipid bilayers resulted in nanoparticles with greatly improved colloidal stability. The lipid and carboxylate‐modified nanoparticles containing 40 wt % drug caused S‐phase arrest and inhibited cell proliferation in pancreatic cancer cells at submicromolar concentrations similar to carrier‐free P1A1. The most striking feature of nanoparticle‐delivered P1A1 was that the payload did not escape from the acidified lysosomal vesicles into the cytoplasm, but was shuttled to the nuclear membrane and released into the nucleus.
The Bonding Situation in Metalated Ylides
Authors: Scharf Lennart T. , Andrada Diego M. , Frenking Gernot , Gessner Viktoria H. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractQuantum chemical calculations have been carried out to study the electronic structure of metalated ylides particularly in comparison to their neutral analogues, the bisylides. A series of compounds of the general composition Ph3P−C−L with L being either a neutral or an anionic ligand were analyzed and the impact of the nature of the substituent L and the total charge on the electronics and bonding situation was studied. The charge at the carbon atom as well as the dissociation energies, bond lengths, and Wiberg bond indices strongly depend on the nature of L. Here, not only the charge of the ligand but also the position of the charge within the ligand backbone plays an important role. Independent of the substitution pattern, the NBO analysis reveals the preference of unsymmetrical bonding situations (P=C−L or P−C=L) for almost all compounds. However, Lewis structures with two lone‐pair orbitals at the central carbon atom are equally valid for the description of the bonding situation. This is confirmed by the pronounced lone‐pair character of the frontier orbitals. Energy decomposition analysis mostly reveals the preference of several bonding situations, mostly with dative and ylidic electron‐sharing bonds (e.g., P→C−−L). In general, the anionic systems show a higher preference of the ylidic bonding situations compared to the neutral analogues. However, in most of the cases different resonance structures have to be considered for the description of the “real” bonding situation.
Enantioselective Total Synthesis and Structure Confirmation of the Natural Dimeric Tetrahydroxanthenone Dicerandrol C
Authors: Ganapathy Dhandapani , Reiner Johannes R. , Valdomir Guillermo , Senthilkumar Soundararasu , Tietze Lutz F. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe first enantioselective total synthesis of natural dicerandrol C (1 c) as its enantiomer containing a dimeric tetrahydroxanthenone skeleton is described starting from the enantiopure chromane 6 which was obtained through a Wacker‐type cyclization with >99 % ee. For the formation of the dimeric skeleton a palladium‐catalyzed Suzuki reaction was used. The synthesis allowed the confirmation of the absolute configuration of the dicerandrols.
The Effect of Adenine Repeats on G‐quadruplex/hemin Peroxidase Mimicking DNAzyme Activity
Authors: Chen Jielin , Guo Yuehua , Zhou Jun , Ju Huangxian 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe catalytic activity of G‐quadruplex/hemin is much lower than that of proteinous enzymes, so it is very important to increase its activity. Very recently, flanking sequences, which can be regarded as an external part of G‐quadruplexes, were found to enhance the activity of G‐quadruplex/hemin DNAzyme. However, little is known about the effect of internal parts, such as loop sequences and linkers, on the activity. In the present study, adenine repeats were incorporated into several designed G‐quadruplex structures either in the loops, bulges, or linkers, and the constructed G‐quadruplex/hemin DNAzyme exhibit about fivefold improvement in peroxidase‐mimicking activity in some cases. The enhancement effect may result from the formation of compound I, protoporphyrin⋅FeIV=O.+, accelerated by dA repeats, which was demonstrated by H2O2 decay kinetics and pH dependency analysis. The novel enhancement methods described here may help in the development of high‐activity DNAzymes, illustrated by a dimer G‐quadruplex with flanking adenine at one end, a relatively long adenine run in one loop, and another adenine run in the linker.