Comparing Luminex NxTAG Respiratory Pathogen Panel and RespiFinder-22 for multiplex detection of Respiratory Pathogens

Abstract

Respiratory tract infection (RTI) involves a variety of viruses and bacteria, which can be conveniently detected by multiplex nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT). To compare the novel Luminex-based NxTAG-Respiratory Pathogen Panel (NxTAG-RPP) with the routine multiplex-ligation-NAT based RespiFinder-22® (RF-22), 282 respiratory specimens including nasopharyngeal swabs (71%), broncho-alveolar lavage (27%), throat swabs, tracheal secretions and sputum (2%) from 116 children and 155 adults were extracted using a Corbett CAS1200 (Qiagen), and analyzed in parallel by the routine RF-22 and NxTAG-RPP.

Concordant results were obtained in 263 (93.3%) cases consisting of concordant positives in 167 (59.2%) and concordant negatives in 96 (34%). Results were discordant in 19 (6.7%) consisting of 15 positive:negative, and 4 negative:positive results by NxTAG-RPP versus RF-22, respectively. Co-infections were observed in 10.3% with NxTAG-RPP and in 5.9% with RF-22. Most additional viral pathogens identified by the NxTAG_RPP involved dual infections with rhinovirus and RSV. Discordant samples were mainly due to low genome signals of C_t less than 36, when retested by QNAT suggesting a higher sensitivity of the NxTAG-RPP, also when detecting multiple infections. Hands-on time after extraction for 24 and 96 samples was 0.25h and <0.5h for the NxTAG-RPP, and 2h and 4h for the RF-22, respectively. The median turn-around time was 6h (range 5h-7h) for NxTAG-RPP and 12h (range 8h-16h) for RF-22. The NxTAG-RPP showed comparable detection rates for most respiratory pathogens, while hands-on and turn-around time were considerably shorter. The clinical significance of detecting multiple viruses needs further clinical evaluation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

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Eastern region represents a worrying cluster of active hepatitis C in Algeria in 2012

Abstract

Objectives

Algeria is the largest country of Africa, peopled with populations living a range of traditional/rural and modern/urban lifestyles. The variations of prevalence of chronic active hepatitis care poorly known on the Algerian territory.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective survey on all patients (n = 998)referred to our institution in 2012 and confirmed by us for an active hepatitis C. Half of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolates were genotyped.

Results

Forty Algerian regions out of the 48 were represented in our study. Three geographical clusters (Aïn-Temouchent/SidiBelAbbes, Algiers, and a large Eastern region) with an excess of active hepatitis C were observed. Patients coming from the Eastern cluster (Batna, Khenchela, Oum el Bouaghi and Tebessa) were strongly over-represented (49% of cases, OR = 14.5, p < 0.0001). The hallmarks of Eastern region were an excess of women (65 vs 46% in the remaining population, P < 0.0001) and the almost exclusive presence of HCV genotype 1 (93vs 63%, P = 0.0001). The core of the epidemics was apparently located in Khenchela (odds ratio = 24.6, P < 0.0001). This situation is plausibly connected with nosocomial transmission or traditional practices as scarification (Hijama), piercing or tattooing, very lively in this region.

In conclusion, distinct hepatitis C epidemics are currently affecting Algerian population. The most worrying situation is observed in rural regions located east of Algeria. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

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High rate of missed HIV infections in individuals with indeterminate or negative HIV western blots based on current HIV testing algorithm in China

Abstract

It remains unclear if China's current HIV antibody testing algorithm misses a substantial number of HIV infected individuals. Of 196 specimens with indeterminate or negative results on HIV western blot (WB) retrospectively examined by HIV-1 nucleic acid test (NAT), 67.57% (75/111) of indeterminate WB samples and 16.47% (14/85) of negative WB samples were identified as NAT positive. HIV-1 loads in negative WB samples were significantly higher than those in indeterminate WB samples. Notably, 86.67% (13/15) of samples with negative WB and double positive immunoassay results were NAT positive. The rate of HIV-1 infections missed by China's current HIV testing algorithm is unacceptably high. Thus, China should consider using NAT or integrating 4^th generation ELISA into current only antibodies-based HIV confirmation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

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The Role of Maternal Cardiac Vagal Control in the Association between Depressive Symptoms and Gestational Hypertension

Publication date: Available online 8 February 2016
Source:Biological Psychology
Author(s): Codie R. Rouleau, Lianne M. Tomfohr-Madsen, Tavis S. Campbell, Nicole Letourneau, Maeve O'Beirne, Gerald F. Giesbrecht
Reduced cardiac vagal control, indexed by relatively lower high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV), is implicated in depressed mood and hypertensive disorders among non-pregnant adults whereas research in pregnancy is limited. This study examined whether maternal HF-HRV during pregnancy mediates the association between depressed mood and gestational hypertension. Depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Depression Scale) and HF-HRV were measured during early (M=14.9 weeks) and late (M=32.4 weeks) pregnancy in 287 women. Gestational hypertension was determined by chart review. Depressive symptoms were associated with less HF-HRV (b=−0.02, p=.001). There was an indirect effect of depressed mood on gestational hypertension through late pregnancy HF-HRV (b=0.04, 95% CI 0.0038, 0.1028) after accounting for heart rate. These findings suggest cardiac vagal control is a possible pathway through which prenatal depressed mood is associated with gestational hypertension, though causal ordering remains uncertain.



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Formula G1: Cell cycle in the driver's seat of stem cell fate determination

Cell cycle dynamics has emerged as a key regulator of stem cell fate decisions. In particular, differentiation decisions are associated with the G1 phase, and recent evidence suggests that self-renewal is actively regulated outside of G1. The mechanisms underlying these phenomena are largely unknown, but direct control of gene regulatory programs by the cell cycle machinery is heavily implicated. A recent study sheds important mechanistic insight by demonstrating that in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) the Cyclin-dependent kinase CDK2 controls a wide-spread epigenetic program that drives transcription at differentiation-related gene promoters specifically in G1. Here, we discuss this finding and explore whether similar mechanisms are likely to function in multipotent stem cells. The implications of this discovery toward our understanding of stem cell-related disease are discussed, and we postulate novel mechanisms that position the cell cycle as a regulator of cell fate gene networks at epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels.

CDK-dependent mechanisms promote stem cell differentiation specifically in G1 phase by regulating transcription of differentiation-associated genes. This is via recruitment of transcription factors (TF) and chromatin modifying factors (CMF) to gene promoters. Maintenance of a self-renewing state may be similarly controlled in other cell cycle phases, such as S phase.

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Serum levels of thyroid hormones and thyroid stimulating hormone in patients with biliogenic and hyperlipidaemic acute pancreatitis: Difference and value in predicting disease severity

The Journal of International Medical Research

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Retreatment with sofosbuvir and simeprevir of patients with HCV GT1 or 4 who previously failed a daclatasvir-containing regimen

Hepatology

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Incidence and management of chylothorax after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for cancer of the esophagus

The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

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Positron emission tomography response evaluation from a randomized phase iii trial of weekly nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine vs gemcitabine alone for patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

Annals of Oncology

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Association between very small tumor size and increased cancer-specific mortality in node-positive colon cancer

Diseases of the Colon and Rectum

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Celecoxib Monotherapy Maintained Small Intestinal Mucosa Better Compared With Loxoprofen Plus Lansoprazole Treatment: A Double-blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology

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Predictive factors for prognosis following unsedated percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in ALS patients

Muscle & Nerve

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Weight gain and somatization are associated with the onset of gastroesophageal reflux diseases: Results of two 5-year follow-up studies

Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology

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Gene methylation profile of gastric cancerous tissue according to tumor site in the stomach

BMC Cancer

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Therapeutic observation of acupuncture plus turtle-shell-partitioned moxibustion for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science

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Effect of diversion ileostomy on the occurrence and consequences of chemotherapy-induced diarrhea

Diseases of the Colon and Rectum

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Examining hepatitis C virus treatment preference heterogeneity using segmentation analysis

Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology

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Retrospective single center study of granulocyte monocyte adsorption apheresis treatment in inflammatory bowel disease

Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis

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Oral immune therapy: targeting the systemic immune system via the gut immune system for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Clinical & Translational Immunology

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Clinical features and management of afferent limb syndrome after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis

Surgery Today

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Prophylactic efficacy of 3- or 5-cm pancreatic stents for preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis: A prospective, randomized trial

Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology

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Improved left liver-up congenital diaphragmatic hernia survival by early repair before extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: optimization of patient selection by multivariate risk modeling

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

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Protein kinase C dependent regulation of ClC-1 channels in active human muscle and its effect on fast and slow gating

Abstract

Repeated firing of action potentials (APs) is known to trigger rapid, protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent inhibition of ClC-1 Cl⁻ ion channels in rodent muscle and this inhibition is important for contractile endurance. It is currently unknown whether similar regulation exists in human muscle, and the molecular mechanisms underlying PKC-dependent ClC-1 inhibition are unclear. This study first determined whether PKC-dependent ClC-1 inhibition exists in active human muscle, and second, it clarify how PKC alters gating of human ClC-1 expressed in Xenopus oocytes. In human abdominal and intercostal muscles, repeated AP firing was associated with 30–60% reduction of ClC-1 function, which could be completely prevented by PKC inhibition (1 μM GF109203X). The role of the PKC-dependent ClC-1 inhibition was evaluated from rheobase currents before and after firing 1000 APs: While rheobase current was well maintained after activity under control conditions it rose dramatically if PKC-dependent ClC-1 inhibition had been prevented with the inhibitor. This demonstrates that the ClC-1 inhibition is important for maintenance of excitability in active human muscle fibres. Oocyte experiments showed that PKC activation lowered the overall open probability of ClC-1 in the voltage range relevant for AP initiation in muscle fibres. More detailed analysis of this reduction showed that PKC mostly affected the slow gate of ClC-1. Indeed, there was no effect of PKC activation in C277S mutated ClC-1 in which the slow gate is effectively locked open. It is concluded that regulation of excitability of active human muscle fibres rely on PKC-dependent ClC-1 inhibition via a gating mechanism.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

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Structural studies of the C-terminal tail of polycystin-2 (PC2) reveal insights into the mechanisms used for the functional regulation of the PC2

Mutations in polycystin-2 (PC2) lead to autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The molecular mechanism linking mutations in PC2 and the pathogenesis of ADPKD is not well understood. Therefore, understanding the functional regulation of PC2 and its interaction with other proteins under both physiologic and pathogenic conditions is important for elucidating the disease mechanism and identifying potential molecular targets for treatment. Normally, PC2 functions as a calcium-permeable channel whose activity is regulated by calcium binding to the C-terminal domain of PC2 (PC2 Cterm). The PC2 Cterm is also involved in the PC2 channel assembly and hetero-oligomerization with other binding partners in cells. Different functional domains of the PC2 Cterm have been studied using structural approaches, Within the PC2 Cterm, there is a calcium-binding EF-hand domain, crucial for the calcium-dependent activity of PC2 channel. Downstream of the EF-hand domain, lies a coiled-coil region, which is involved in the assembly and hetero-interaction of the PC2 protein. The PC2 Cterm can form an oligomer, mediated by the coiled-coil region. Although PC2 Cterm has been extensively studied for its relationship with ADPKD and its importance in PC2 regulation, there are misunderstandings with respect to the definition of the domain topology within the PC2 Cterm and the functional role of each domain. Here, we review previous studies that connect the molecular properties of the domains of PC2 Cterm to distinct aspects of PC2 functions and regulation.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

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All-optical control of cardiac excitation: Combined high-resolution optogenetic actuation and optical mapping

Abstract

Cardiac tissue is an excitable system that can support complex spatiotemporal dynamics, including instabilities (arrhythmias) with lethal consequences. While over the last two decades optical mapping of excitation (voltage and calcium dynamics) has facilitated the detailed characterization of such arrhythmia events, until recently, no precise tools existed to actively interrogate cardiac dynamics in space and time. In this work, we discuss the combined use of new methods for space- and time-resolved optogenetic actuation and simultaneous fast, high resolution optical imaging of cardiac excitation waves. First, the mechanisms, limitations and unique features of optically-induced responses in cardiomyocytes are outlined. These include ability to bi-directionally control the membrane potential using depolarizing and hyperpolarizing opsins, and the ability to induce prolonged sustained voltage changes, control refractoriness and the shape the cardiac action potential. At the syncytial tissue level, we discuss optogenetically-enabled experimentation on cell-cell coupling, alteration of conduction properties and termination of propagating waves by light. Specific attention is given to space- and time-resolved application of optical stimulation using dynamic light patterns to perturb ongoing activation and to probe electrophysiological properties at desired tissue locations. The combined use of optical methods to perturb and to observe the system can offer new tools for precise feedback control of cardiac electrical activity, not available previously with pharmacological and electrical stimulation. These new experimental tools for all-optical electrophysiology allow for level of precise manipulation and quantification of cardiac dynamics, comparable in robustness to the computational setting, and can provide new insights into pacemaking, arrhythmogenesis and suppression/cardioversion.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

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ROS/RNS and contractile function in skeletal muscle during fatigue and recovery

Abstract

The production of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) is generally considered to increase during physical exercise. Nevertheless, direct measurements of ROS/RNS often show modest increases in ROS/RNS in muscle fibres even during intensive fatiguing stimulation, and the major source(s) of ROS/RNS during exercise is still being debated. In rested muscle fibres, mild and acute exposure to exogenous ROS/RNS generally increases myofibrillar submaximal force, whereas stronger or prolonged exposure has the opposite effect. Endogenous production of ROS/RNS seems to preferentially decrease submaximal force and positive effects of antioxidants are mainly observed during fatigue induced by submaximal contractions. Fatigued muscle fibres frequently enter a prolonged state of reduced submaximal force, which is caused by a ROS/RNS-dependent decrease in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ release and/or myofibrillar Ca²⁺ sensitivity. Increased ROS/RNS production during exercise can also be beneficial and recent human and animal studies show that antioxidant supplementation can hamper the beneficial effects of endurance training. In conclusion, increased ROS/RNS production have both beneficial and detrimental effects on skeletal muscle function and the outcome depends on a combination of factors: the type of ROS/RNS; the magnitude, duration and location of ROS/RNS production; the defence systems including both endogenous and exogenous antioxidants.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

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Potential Therapeutic Applications of Mucuna pruriens Peptide Fractions Purified by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography as Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Antioxidants, Antithrombotic and Hypocholesterolemic Agents

Journal of Medicinal Food Feb 2016, Vol. 19, No. 2: 187-195.


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Chrysobalanus icaco L. Leaves Normalizes Insulin Sensitivity and Blood Glucose and Inhibits Weight Gain in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Journal of Medicinal Food Feb 2016, Vol. 19, No. 2: 155-160.


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Purslane Extract and Glucose Homeostasis in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of Efficacy and Safety

Journal of Medicinal Food Feb 2016, Vol. 19, No. 2: 133-140.


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Pharmacokinetics and Plasma Cellular Antioxidative Effects of Flavanols After Oral Intake of Green Tea Formulated with Vitamin C and Xylitol in Healthy Subjects

Journal of Medicinal Food Feb 2016, Vol. 19, No. 2: 211-217.


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Molecules, Vol. 21, Pages 208: Comparative Evaluation of Total Antioxidant Capacities of Plant Polyphenols

Thirty-seven samples of naturally occurring phenolic compounds were evaluated using three common in vitro assays for total antioxidant activity (TAC) testing: the Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential (FRAP) and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, in addition to the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent reactivity (FCR). We found that antioxidant hierarchies depended on the choice of assay and applied ANOVA analyses to explore underlying structure-TAC dependencies. In addition to statistically confirming the empirically established connection between flavonoid ring-B catechol and high TEAC or FRAP, new correlations were also found. In flavonoids, (i) hydroxyl groups on ring-B had a positive effect on all four TAC assays; (ii) the presence of a 3-hydroxyl group on ring-C increased TEAC and FRAP, but had no effect on DPPH or FCR; (iii) Phenolic acids lacking a 3-hydroxyl group had significantly lower FRAP or DPPH than compounds having this structure, while TEAC or FCR were not affected. Results demonstrated that any TAC-based ranking of phenolic rich samples would very much depend on the choice of assay, and argue for use of more than one technique. As an illustration, we compared results of the above four assays using either grapevine leaf extracts or synthetic mixtures of compounds prepared according to major polyphenols identified in the leaves.

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Remote Sensing, Vol. 8, Pages 134: Deformation and Source Parameters of the 2015 Mw 6.5 Earthquake in Pishan, Western China, from Sentinel-1A and ALOS-2 Data

In this study, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) was used to determine the seismogenic fault and slip distribution of the 3 July 2015 Pishan earthquake in the Tarim Basin, western China. We obtained a coseismic deformation map from the ascending and descending Sentinel-1A satellite Terrain Observation with Progressive Scans (TOPS) mode and the ascending Advanced Land Observation Satellite-2 (ALOS-2) satellite Fine mode InSAR data. The maximum ground uplift and subsidence were approximately 13.6 cm and 3.2 cm, respectively. Our InSAR observations associated with focal mechanics indicate that the source fault dips to southwest (SW). Further nonlinear inversions show that the dip angle of the seimogenic fault is approximate 24°, with a strike of 114°, which is similar with the strike of the southeastern Pishan fault. However, this fault segment responsible for the Pishan event has not been mapped before. Our finite fault model reveals that the peak slip of 0.89 m occurred at a depth of 11.6 km, with substantial slip at a depth of 9–14 km and a near-uniform slip of 0.2 m at a depth of 0–7 km. The estimated moment magnitude was approximately Mw 6.5, consistent with seismological results.

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Evidence of a lipid link in the inherited form of Alzheimer’s disease

Australian researchers have found biochemical changes occurring in the blood, in the rare inherited form of Alzheimer's disease. Changes in these fat-like substances, may suggest a method to diagnose all forms of Alzheimer's disease before significant damage to the brain occurs. In an article published today in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, the Australian team led by Professor Ralph Martins from the CRC for Mental Health and Edith Cowan University, examined the lipid profiles of 20 people who carry a mutation responsible for the rare inherited form of Alzheimer's, known as familial Alzheimer's disease.

Using samples from the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN) study, the researchers found that people who carried the mutation responsible for this form of Alzheimer's also had altered levels of specific lipids in their blood plasma compared to the control group. This pilot study, combined with previously published studies on lipids in the most common form of Alzheimer's disease, suggests that that specific changes in lipid metabolism may be used as a predictive test for Alzheimer's disease.

At present, the most common, sporadic form of Alzheimer's disease is difficult to diagnose until symptoms are readily apparent and significant damage to the brain has occurred; findings from this study may provide clues to suitable diagnostic markers. While the results are exciting, the researchers involved urge caution due to the pilot nature of the study.

FULL ARTICLE
Plasma Phospholipid and Sphingolipid Alterations in Presenilin1 Mutation Carriers: A Pilot Study by Pratishtha Chatterjee, Wei L.F. Lim, Guanghou Shui, Veer B. Gupta, Ian James, Anne M. Fagan, Chengjie Xiong, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Kevin Taddei, Belinda M. Brown, Tammie Benzinger, Colin Masters, Stuart G. Snowden, Marcus R. Wenk, Randall J. Bateman, John C. Morris, Ralph N. Martins

Advance copies are available upon request to melanie.carew@mentalhealthcrc.com

Professor Ralph Martins and Dr Pratishtha Chatterjee are available for comment by contacting 03 8344 1645.

ABOUT THE JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE (JAD)
The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease is an international multidisciplinary journal to facilitate progress in understanding the etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, genetics, behavior, treatment and psychology of Alzheimer's disease. The journal publishes research reports, reviews, short communications, book reviews, and letters-to-the-editor. Groundbreaking research that has appeared in the journal includes novel therapeutic targets, mechanisms of disease and clinical trial outcomes. The Journal is published by IOS Press.

Media Contact:
Melanie Carew
Head of Corporate Affairs, Partnerships & Education
CRC for Mental Health
Ph: 03 8344 1645
Mobile: 0411 286 081
Email: melanie.carew@mentalhealthcrc.com

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Method of coupling Paterno-Buchi reaction with direct infusion ESI-MS/MS for locating C=C bond in glycerophospholipids

Analyst, 2016, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C6AN00015K, Paper

Craig Allen Stinson, Yu Xia
Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) coupled with soft ionization is established as an essential platform for lipid analysis; however, determining high order structural information, such as carbon-carbon double bond (C=C) location,...
The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry

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The furculae of the dromaeosaurid dinosaur Dakotaraptor steini are trionychid turtle entoplastra

Dakotaraptor steini is a recently described dromaeosaurid dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Hell Creek Formation of South Dakota. Included within the D. steini hypodigm are three elements originally identified as furculae, one of which was made part of the holotype specimen. We show that the elements described as D. steini 'furculae' are not theropod dinosaur furculae, but are rather trionychid turtle entoplastra referable to cf. Axestemys splendida. The hypodigm of D. steini should be adjusted accordingly.

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Is type-D personality trait(s) or state? An examination of type-D temporal stability in older Israeli adults in the community

Background. Type D personality was suggested as a marker of poorer prognosis for patients of cardiovascular disease. It is defined by having a score of 10 or more on both sub-scales of the DS14 questionnaire, Social Inhibition (SI) and Negative Affectivity (NA). As Type D was designed to predict risk, its temporal stability is of prime importance. Methods. Participants in the current study were 285 community volunteers, who completed the DS14, and other personality scales, at a mean interval of six years. Results. The prevalence of Type D did not change. The component traits of Type D showed rank order stability. Type D caseness temporal stability was improved by using the sub-scales product as a criterion. Logistic hierarchical regression predicting Type D classification from Time1 demonstrated that the best predictors were Time1 scores on NA and SI, with the character trait of Cooperation, and the alexithymia score adding some predictive power. Conclusions. The temporal stability of the component traits, and of the prevalence of Type D were excellent. Temporal stability of Type D caseness may be improved by using a product threshold, rather than the current rule. Research is required in order to formulate the optimal timing for Type D measurement for predictive purposes.

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Four-dimensional noise reduction using the time series of medical computed tomography datasets with short interval times: a static-phantom study

Backgrounds. This study examines the hypothesis that four-dimensional noise reduction (4DNR) with short interval times reduces noise in cardiac computed tomography (CCT) using "padding" phases. Furthermore, the capability of reducing the reduction dose in CCT using this post-processing technique was assessed. Methods. Using base and quarter radiation doses for CCT (456 and 114 mAs/rot with 120 kVp), a static phantom was scanned ten times with retrospective electrocardiogram gating, and 4DNR with short interval times (50 ms) was performed using a post-processing technique. Differences in the computed tomography (CT) attenuation, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and spatial resolution with modulation transfer function in each dose image obtained with and without 4DNR were assessed by conducting a Tukey–Kramer's test and non-inferiority test. Results. For the base dose, by using 4DNR, the CNR was improved from 1.18 ± 0.15 to 2.08 ± 0.20 (P = 0.001), while the CT attenuation and spatial resolution of the image of 4DNR did not were significantly inferior to those of reference image (P

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Improving the peer-review process and editorial quality: key errors escaping the review and editorial process in top scientific journals

We apply a novel mistake index to assess trends in the proportion of corrections published between 1993 and 2014 in Nature, Science and PNAS. The index revealed a progressive increase in the proportion of corrections published in these three high-quality journals. The index appears to be independent of the journal impact factor or the number of items published, as suggested by a comparative analyses among 16 top scientific journals of different impact factors and disciplines. A more detailed analysis suggests that the trend in the time-to-correction increased significantly over time and also differed among journals (Nature 233 days; Science 136 days; PNAS 232 days). A detailed review of 1,428 errors showed that 60% of corrections were related to figures, authors, references or results. According to the three categories established, 34.7% of the corrections were considered mild, 47.7% moderate and 17.6% severe, also differing among journals. Errors occurring during the printing process were responsible for 5% of corrections in Nature, 3% in Science and 18% in PNAS. The measurement of the temporal trends in the quality of scientific manuscripts can assist editors and reviewers in identifying the most common mistakes, increasing the rigor of peer-review and improving the quality of published scientific manuscripts.

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Taxonomic and systematic revisions to the North American Nimravidae (Mammalia, Carnivora)

The Nimravidae is a family of extinct carnivores commonly referred to as "false saber-tooth cats." Since their initial discovery, they have prompted difficulty in taxonomic assignments and number of valid species. Past revisions have only examined a handful of genera, while recent advances in cladistic and morphometric analyses have granted us additional avenues to answering questions regarding our understanding of valid nimravid taxa and their phylogenetic relationships. To resolve issues of specific validity, the phylogenetic species concept (PSC) was utilized to maintain consistency in diagnosing valid species, while simultaneously employing character and linear morphometric analyses for confirming the validity of taxa. Determined valid species and taxonomically informative characters were then employed in two differential cladistic analyses to create competing hypotheses of interspecific relationships. The results suggest the validity of twelve species and six monophyletic genera. The first in depth reviews of Pogonodon and Dinictis returned two valid species (P. platycopis, P. davisi) for the former, while only one for the latter (D. felina). The taxonomic validity of Nanosmilus is upheld. Two main clades with substantial support were returned for all cladistic analyses, the Hoplophoneini and Nimravini, with ambiguous positions relative to these main clades for the European taxa: Eofelis, Dinailurictis bonali, and Quercylurus major; and the North American taxa Dinictis and Pogonodon. Eusmilus is determined to represent a non-valid genus for North American taxa, suggesting non-validity for Old World nimravid species as well. Finally, Hoplophoneus mentalis is found to be a junior synonym of Hoplophoneus primaevus, while the validity of Hoplophoneus oharrai is reinstated.

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Nutrients, Vol. 8, Pages 85: Cardiometabolic Health in Submariners Returning from a 3-Month Patrol

Confined space, limited exercise equipment, rotating shift work and reduced sleep may affect cardiometabolic health in submariners. To test this hypothesis, 53 male U.S. Submariners (20–39 years) were studied before and after a 3-month routine submarine patrol. Measures included anthropometrics, dietary and physical activity, biomarkers of cardiometabolic health, energy and appetite regulation, and inflammation. Before deployment, 62% of submariners had a body fat % (BF%) ≥ 25% (obesity), and of this group, 30% met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. In obese volunteers, insulin, the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), leptin, the leptin/adiponectin ratio, and pro-inflammatory chemokines growth-related oncogene and macrophage-derived chemokine were significantly higher compared to non-obese submariners. Following the patrol, a significant mean reduction in body mass (5%) and fat-mass (11%) occurred in the obese group as a result of reduced energy intake (~2000 kJ) during the patrol; and, independent of group, modest improvements in serum lipids and a mean reduction in interferon γ-induced protein 10 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 were observed. Since 43% of the submariners remained obese, and 18% continued to meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome following the patrol, the magnitude of weight loss was insufficient to completely abolish metabolic dysfunction. Submergence up to 3-months, however, does not appear to be the cause of obesity, which is similar to that of the general population.

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Nutrients, Vol. 8, Pages 86: DHA Supplementation Alone or in Combination with Other Nutrients Does not Modulate Cerebral Hemodynamics or Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Adults

A number of recent trials have demonstrated positive effects of dietary supplementation with the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on measures of cognitive function in healthy young and older adults. One potential mechanism by which EPA, and DHA in particular, may exert these effects is via modulation of cerebral hemodynamics. In order to investigate the effects of DHA alone or provided as one component of a multinutrient supplement (also including Gingko biloba, phosphatidylserine and vitamins B9 and B12) on measures of cerebral hemodynamics and cognitive function, 86 healthy older adults aged 50–70 years who reported subjective memory deficits were recruited to take part in a six month daily dietary supplementation trial. Relative changes in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin were assessed using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) during the performance of cognitive tasks prior to and following the intervention period. Performance on the cognitive tasks was also assessed. No effect of either active treatment was found for any of the NIRS measures or on the cognitive performance tasks, although the study was limited by a number of factors. Further work should continue to evaluate more holistic approaches to cognitive aging.

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Biosensing Using Plasmonic Nanohole Arrays with Small, Homogenous and Tunable Aperture Diameters

Analyst, 2016, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C6AN00046K, Paper

Kunli Xiong, Gustav Emilsson, Andreas Dahlin
Plasmonic nanohole arrays are widely used for optical label-free molecular detection. An important factor for many applications is the diameter of the apertures. So far nanohole arrays with controllable diameters...
The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry

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Remote Sensing, Vol. 8, Pages 140: L-Band Polarimetric Target Decomposition of Mangroves of the Rufiji Delta, Tanzania

The mangroves of the Rufiji Delta are an important habitat and resource. The mangrove forest reserve is home to an indigenous population and has been under pressure from an influx of migrants from the landward side of the delta. Timely and effective forest management is needed to preserve the delta and mangrove forest. Here, we investigate the potential of polarimetric target decomposition for mangrove forest monitoring and analysis. Using three ALOS PALSAR images, we show that L-band polarimetry is capable of mapping mangrove dynamics and is sensitive to stand structure and the hydro-geomorphology of stands. Entropy-alpha-anisotropy and incoherent target decompositions provided valuable measures of scattering behavior related to forest structure. Little difference was found between Yamaguchi and Arii decompositions, despite the conceptual differences between these models. Using these models, we were able to differentiate the scattering behavior of the four main species found in the delta, though classification was impractical due to the lack of pure stands. Scattering differences related to season were attributed primarily to differences in ground moisture or inundation. This is the first time mangrove species have been identified by their scattering behavior in L-band polarimetric data. These results suggest higher resolution L-band quad-polarized imagery, such as from PALSAR-2, may be a powerful tool for mangrove species mapping.

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Molecules, Vol. 21, Pages 207: Organic Nanomaterialsand Their Applications in theTreatment of Oral Diseases

There is a growing interest in the development of organic nanomaterials for biomedical applications. An increasing number of studies focus on the uses of nanomaterials with organic structure for regeneration of bone, cartilage, skin or dental tissues. Solid evidence has been found for several advantages of using natural or synthetic organic nanostructures in a wide variety of dental fields, from implantology, endodontics, and periodontics, to regenerative dentistry and wound healing. Most of the research is concentrated on nanoforms of chitosan, silk fibroin, synthetic polymers or their combinations, but new nanocomposites are constantly being developed. The present work reviews in detail current research on organic nanoparticles and their potential applications in the dental field.

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Evidence of a lipid link in the inherited form of Alzheimer’s disease

Australian researchers have found biochemical changes occurring in the blood, in the rare inherited form of Alzheimer's disease. Changes in these fat-like substances, may suggest a method to diagnose all forms of Alzheimer's disease before significant damage to the brain occurs. In an article published today in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, the Australian team led by Professor Ralph Martins from the CRC for Mental Health and Edith Cowan University, examined the lipid profiles of 20 people who carry a mutation responsible for the rare inherited form of Alzheimer's, known as familial Alzheimer's disease.

Using samples from the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN) study, the researchers found that people who carried the mutation responsible for this form of Alzheimer's also had altered levels of specific lipids in their blood plasma compared to the control group. This pilot study, combined with previously published studies on lipids in the most common form of Alzheimer's disease, suggests that that specific changes in lipid metabolism may be used as a predictive test for Alzheimer's disease.

At present, the most common, sporadic form of Alzheimer's disease is difficult to diagnose until symptoms are readily apparent and significant damage to the brain has occurred; findings from this study may provide clues to suitable diagnostic markers. While the results are exciting, the researchers involved urge caution due to the pilot nature of the study.

FULL ARTICLE
Plasma Phospholipid and Sphingolipid Alterations in Presenilin1 Mutation Carriers: A Pilot Study by Pratishtha Chatterjee, Wei L.F. Lim, Guanghou Shui, Veer B. Gupta, Ian James, Anne M. Fagan, Chengjie Xiong, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Kevin Taddei, Belinda M. Brown, Tammie Benzinger, Colin Masters, Stuart G. Snowden, Marcus R. Wenk, Randall J. Bateman, John C. Morris, Ralph N. Martins

Advance copies are available upon request to melanie.carew@mentalhealthcrc.com

Professor Ralph Martins and Dr Pratishtha Chatterjee are available for comment by contacting 03 8344 1645.

ABOUT THE JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE (JAD)
The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease is an international multidisciplinary journal to facilitate progress in understanding the etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, genetics, behavior, treatment and psychology of Alzheimer's disease. The journal publishes research reports, reviews, short communications, book reviews, and letters-to-the-editor. Groundbreaking research that has appeared in the journal includes novel therapeutic targets, mechanisms of disease and clinical trial outcomes. The Journal is published by IOS Press.

Media Contact:
Melanie Carew
Head of Corporate Affairs, Partnerships & Education
CRC for Mental Health
Ph: 03 8344 1645
Mobile: 0411 286 081
Email: melanie.carew@mentalhealthcrc.com

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Selective Inhibition of Bakuchicin Isolated from Psoralea corylifolia on CYP1A in Human Liver Microsomes

Bakuchicin is a furanocoumarin isolated from Psoralea corylifolia and shows several biological activities. Although there have been studies on the biological effects of bakuchicin, its modulation potency of CYP activities has not been previously investigated. Here, we investigated the inhibitory effects of bakuchicin on the activities of CYP isoforms by using a cocktail of probe substrates in pooled human liver microsomes (HLMs) and human recombinant cDNA-expressed CYP. Bakuchicin strongly inhibited CYP1A-mediated phenacetin O-deethylation with an IC50 value of 0.43 μM in HLMs. It was confirmed by human recombinant cDNA-expressed CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 with a value of 0.11 μM and 0.32 μM, respectively. A Lineweaver-Burk plot indicated that the inhibition mechanism of bakuchicin was competitive inhibition. Overall, this is the first study to investigate the potential CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 inhibition associated with bakuchicin and to report its competitive inhibitory effects on HLMs.

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Energies, Vol. 9, Pages 101: Design and Analysis of Electrical Distribution Networks and Balancing Markets in the UK: A New Framework with Applications

We present a framework for the design and simulation of electrical distribution systems and short term electricity markets specific to the UK. The modelling comprises packages relating to the technical and economic features of the electrical grid. The first package models the medium/low distribution networks with elements such as transformers, voltage regulators, distributed generators, composite loads, distribution lines and cables. This model forms the basis for elementary analysis such as load flow and short circuit calculations and also enables the investigation of effects of integrating distributed resources, voltage regulation, resource scheduling and the like. The second part of the modelling exercise relates to the UK short term electricity market with specific features such as balancing mechanism and bid-offer strategies. The framework is used for investigating methods of voltage regulation using multiple control technologies, to demonstrate the effects of high penetration of wind power on balancing prices and finally use these prices towards achieving demand response through aggregated prosumers.

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Sustainability, Vol. 8, Pages 166: The Principle of Integration in International Sustainable Development Law (ISDL) with Reference to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) does not explicitly refer to sustainable development despite the fact that other United Nations (UN) disarmament documents prescribe that international environmental law principles and sustainable development be considered among arms control agreements. This study's objective is to utilize the principle of integration's three components of environmental, economic, and social development, as found in the International Sustainable Development Law (ISDL) from the New Delhi Declaration (Delhi Declaration) of Principles of International Law Relating to Sustainable Development, in order to evaluate whether the BWC contains such components; thereby, making it possible for the BWC to contribute to sustainable development. The methodology of this study is necessarily qualitative, given that it is a socio-legal research that relies on international agreements such as the BWC, declarations, resolutions, plans of implementation, other non-binding documents of the UN, and secondary resources—all of which are analyzed through a document analysis. The results show that the BWC addresses the environment (Article II), prohibits transfers relating to export controls, international trade, and economic development (Article III), while at the same time, covering social development concerns, health, and diseases that make up the international social law (Article X). Since the BWC is found to be capable of contributing to sustainable development, it is concluded that ISDL cannot be restricted to international environmental, economic, and social law, but should be expanded to include international arms control law.

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Applied Sciences, Vol. 6, Pages 49: Dynamic Characterization of Cohesive Material Based on Wave Velocity Measurements

The paper presents a description of the dynamic properties of cohesive material, namely silty clays, obtained by using one of the applied seismology methods, the bender elements technique. The authors' aim was to present the dynamics of a porous medium, in particular an extremely important passage of seismic waves that travel through the bulk of a medium. Nowadays, the application of the bender element (BE) technique to measure, e.g., small strain shear stiffness of soils in the laboratory is well recognized, since it allows for reliable and relatively economical shear wave velocity measurements during various laboratory experiments. However, the accurate estimation of arrival time during BE tests is in many cases unclear. Two different interpretation procedures (from the time domain) of BE tests in order to measure travel times of waves were examined. Those values were then used to calculate shear and compression wave velocities and elastic moduli. Results showed that the dynamic parameters obtained by the start-to-start method were always slightly larger (up to about 20%) than those obtained using the peak-to-peak one. It was found that the peak-to-peak method led to more scattered results in comparison to the start-to-start method. Moreover, the influence of the excitation frequency, the mean effective stress and the unloading process on the dynamic properties of the tested material was studied. In addition, the obtained results highlighted the importance of initial signal frequency and the necessity to choose an appropriate range of frequencies to measure the shear wave velocity in clayey soils.

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Energy Modulated Photon Radiotherapy: A Monte Carlo Feasibility Study

A novel treatment modality termed energy modulated photon radiotherapy (EMXRT) was investigated. The first step of EMXRT was to determine beam energy for each gantry angle/anatomy configuration from a pool of photon energy beams (2 to 10 MV) with a newly developed energy selector. An inverse planning system using gradient search algorithm was then employed to optimize photon beam intensity of various beam energies based on presimulated Monte Carlo pencil beam dose distributions in patient anatomy. Finally, 3D dose distributions in six patients of different tumor sites were simulated with Monte Carlo method and compared between EMXRT plans and clinical IMRT plans. Compared to current IMRT technique, the proposed EMXRT method could offer a better paradigm for the radiotherapy of lung cancers and pediatric brain tumors in terms of normal tissue sparing and integral dose. For prostate, head and neck, spine, and thyroid lesions, the EMXRT plans were generally comparable to the IMRT plans. Our feasibility study indicated that lower energy (

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