bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of 12-mm Half-Duplex Passive Integrated Transponder Tags in Monitoring Fish Movements through Stationary Antenna Systems
Authors: Baker Cindy F. , Reeve Kathryn , Baars Dylan , Jellyman Don , Franklin Paul
Published: October 2017

Globally, many freshwater fishes are declining in distribution and abundance, but for many species conservation measures are hindered by a limited knowledge of their ecology. Recent development of 12-mm half-duplex (HDX) passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags has broadened the potential application of this technology for studying habitat selection and migration of freshwater fishes. However, the limited read range of the smaller 12-mm PIT tags can limit their functionality in ecological studies. The present study used four migratory fish species to test the efficacy of different PIT antenna designs for detecting 12-mm HDX tags in small- and medium-sized rivers. Three types of pass-through antennae were created and coupled to either a single reader or multiplexor board. Across single-reader and multiplexor systems, the detection efficiencies for Giant Kokopu Galaxias argenteus, Shortfin Eel Anguilla australis, and New Zealand Longfin Eel Anguilla dieffenbachii ranged between 87% and 97%. Adult Pouched Lamprey Geotria australis also had a high detection rate of 74%, even though several other migration routes existed that were unmonitored. Overall, the present study shows that with appropriate antenna design, the 12-mm HDX PIT tag can be effective for monitoring a variety of fish species. Although the antennae in the present study had a maximum width of 6.1 m, the spaced double-coil antenna design may increase efficacy of the 12-mm tag in larger rivers.

Received April 27, 2017; accepted September 1, 2017 Published online October 30, 2017
Comparison of Two Viewing Methods for Estimating Largemouth Bass and Walleye Ages from Sectioned Otoliths and Dorsal Spines
Authors: Wegleitner Eric J. , Isermann Daniel A.
Published: October 2017

Many biologists use digital images for estimating ages of fish, but the use of images could lead to differences in age estimates and precision because image capture can produce changes in light and clarity compared to directly viewing structures through a microscope. We used sectioned sagittal otoliths from 132 Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides and sectioned dorsal spines and otoliths from 157 Walleyes Sander vitreus to determine whether age estimates and among-reader precision were similar when annuli were enumerated directly through a microscope or from digital images. Agreement of ages between viewing methods for three readers were highest for Largemouth Bass otoliths (75–89% among readers), followed by Walleye otoliths (63–70%) and Walleye dorsal spines (47–64%). Most discrepancies (72–96%) were ±1 year, and differences were more prevalent for age-5 and older fish. With few exceptions, mean ages estimated from digital images were similar to ages estimated via directly viewing the structures through the microscope, and among-reader precision did not vary between viewing methods for each structure. However, the number of disagreements we observed suggests that biologists should assess potential differences in age structure that could arise if images of calcified structures are used in the age estimation process.

Received May 26, 2017; accepted September 19, 2017Published online October 30, 2017
Traits and impacts of invasive species: Myths and evidences from the perspective of introduced freshwater mussels
Authors: Boltovskoy Demetrio
Published: October 2017

While invasion success is usually associated with the biological fitness of the invader and environmental similarity between the area of origin and the invaded range, some of the most notorious aquatic invasions involve species with traits that for millions of years were a burden, rather than an advantage, for their survival. These odd characteristics became major assets after man started reshaping the surface of the earth, facilitating their spread. Invasion risk-assessment models, chiefly based on environmental match parameters, are unlikely to predict the dispersion of these (and probably many other) species, whose invasive nature involves subtle and intricate mechanisms that operate at levels normally ignored by (and often unknown to) the models. Much of the literature on introduced species is focused on demonstrating their negative impacts on the ecosystems invaded. While the fact that invasive organisms can, and very often do, have enormous negative impacts, is beyond doubt, and all efforts possible for keeping biological invasions at bay should be made, once the introduction happens and the eradication of the invader is unfeasible, research efforts should be centered on objective analyses of how the invader interacts with the new ecosystem, untainted by efforts to forcibly demonstrate its negative impact.
Application of FK Filtering for Coherent Noise Removal in High Frequency Shallow Marine Data
Authors: Herman Maman , Syahmi Hashim Hazwan , Abdul Latif Abdul Halim , Ghosh Deva P.
Published: October 2017

The use of seismic reflection to study earth subsurface is commonly troubled by the presence of the coherent noise in the seismic data. This unwanted signal were generated by various sources and therefore had their own noise characteristic. The acquisition of the shallow marine seismic survey were done using a sparker source to obtain a high frequency seismic data. This however results in a stronger noise level in the recorded data. The application of FK filter were used to eliminate this unwanted noise using the data obtained from the Malacca Strait and Terengganu Bay. The result obtained prove to be successful in reducing the coherent noise while preserving the frequency content of the seismic data.
A condition for purely absolutely continuous spectrum for CMV operators using the density of states
Authors: Fillman Jake , Ong Darren
Published: October 2017

We prove an averaging formula for the derivative of the absolutely continuous part of the density of states measure for an ergodic family of CMV matrices. As a consequence, we show that the spectral type of such a family is almost surely purely absolutely continuous if and only if the density of states is absolutely continuous and the Lyapunov exponent vanishes almost everywhere with respect to the same. Both of these results are CMV operator analogues of theorems obtained by Kotani for Schrödinger operators.
The argument for diversifying the NIH grant portfolio
Authors: Peifer Mark
Published: October 2017

The United States has been a leader in biomedical science for decades, in large part because of the strategy used by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to invest its budgetary portfolio. They identified talented young scientists from each generation and gave them the resources they needed to initiate and maintain strong research programs. However, recently this investment has become less diversified, with a larger fraction of grant dollars in the hands of a smaller fraction of researchers. This threatens the future of our field, as many productive early and midcareer scientists are facing having to close their labs. NIH and others have studied this problem, gathering data that suggest that over a certain level of funding to an individual investigator, there are diminishing returns in scientific output. Here I review these data and examine the issues that led NIH to propose and then reverse a cap on funding to individual investigators, the Grant Support Index. I consider other proposed solutions, and call on all in the field to examine whether the status quo is acceptable, and if not, urge them to propose and advocate for concrete alternatives.
Building multidisciplinary research
Authors: Wang Meng C.
Published: October 2017

In his poetry, Walt Whitman sings, “I am large, I contain multitudes.” Most healthy organisms are made up of a multitude of cells and cell types, but none of these cells acts alone. Likewise a cell in homeostasis contains many organelles, but none of these organelles work on their own. How these diverse cells and how these different organelles communicate with each other in time and space are scientific questions that intrigue me. At the same time, like these cooperating cells and organelles, my research is constantly reshaped and transformed by interacting with different people, from my encouraging mentors, energetic trainees, and inspiring colleagues. These personal collaborations motivate and advance my research toward understanding cellular communications that promote metabolic health and organism longevity.
A reflection on faculty diversity in the 21st century
Authors: Trejo JoAnn
Published: October 2017

The 21st century is nearly two decades old, and the faculty ranks at our educational institutions remain sparsely diverse. While educational institutions are continually being challenged to increase the diversity of their faculty, progress is slow. This essay offers a perspective on the importance of diversity in our educational institutions as well as on the traditional metrics that our institutions use to evaluate faculty in hiring, promotion, and tenure. I also reflect on how my life experiences as a person of color provided me with the skills needed to succeed as an academic in science and inspired me to dedicate myself to work to increase the representation of women and people of color in science and in our educational institutions to create an inclusive environment for all members of the scientific community.
Measuring Price Risk in Rating Revenue Coverage: BS or No BS?
Authors: Goodwin Barry K , Harri Ardian , Rejesus Roderick M , Coble Keith H
Published: October 2017

The Black‐Scholes (BS) option pricing model has been a cornerstone of modern financial theories since its introduction by Black and Scholes (1973) and its subsequent refinement by Merton (1973). The model has realized widespread adoption for a number of purposes. Inherent in the model are a number of assumptions. An important and potentially restrictive assumption is that the underlying asset price is log–normally distributed. Among the many diverse uses of the BS model, the model and underlying theory are used to derive measurements of the variance of expected (harvest‐time) prices for use in rating revenue coverage in the federal crop insurance program. Revenue coverage currently accounts for about 80% of the total liability insured in the program. This liability frequently exceeds $100 billion and thus the accuracy of revenue premium rates is of vital importance. The use of the BS model by the Risk Management Agency (RMA) of the USDA has been the focus of recent criticisms of the program. Critics have argued in favor of retrospective measures of price variability that are based on historical price movements or have recommended other approaches to measuring price risk. This article reports on a contracted review of revenue insurance rating methodology commissioned by RMA. We evaluate a number of alternative approaches to measuring expected price variability, including several approaches recommended by critics of the federal program. Our results suggest that the BS model is preferred to recommended alternatives on the basis of numerous criteria.
Grandparenting in the United States
Authors: Meyer Madonna Harrington , Kandic Amra
Published: October 2017

Grandparenting varies enormously in the United States and here we discuss that growing diversity. Relying on exchange and reciprocity, feminist, and political economic theoretical perspectives, we begin by exploring the increasing need for grandchild care and assistance in the United States and the dearth of federal and employer supports for working families. Assessing the impact of sociodemographic trends, notably the rise in single parenting and the increase in employment among grandparents, we assess the intensification of grandparenting. Then we turn to issues related to proximity, examining the pleasures and challenges of coresidential, custodial, long distance, and transnational grandparenting. Finally, we turn to the impact of grandparenting on the emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing of grandparents.
The Variation of the Fractional Maximal Function of a Radial Function
Authors: Luiro Hannes , Madrid José
Published: October 2017

In this article, we study the regularity of the non-centered fractional maximal operator $M_{\beta}$. As the main result, we prove that there exists $C(n,\beta)$ such that if $q=n/(n-\beta)$ and $f$ is radial function, then $\|DM_{\beta}f\|_{L^{q}({\mathbb{R}^n})}\leq C(n,\beta)\|Df\|_{L^{1}({\mathbb{R}^n})}$. The corresponding result was previously known only if $n=1$ or $\beta=0$. Our proofs are almost free from one-dimensional arguments. Therefore, we believe that the new approach may be very useful when trying to extend the result for all $f\in W^{1,1}({\mathbb{R}^n})$.
Supercluster simulations: impact of baryons on the matter power spectrum and weak lensing forecasts for Super-CLASS
Authors: Peters Aaron , Brown Michael L , Kay Scott T , Barnes David J
Published: October 2017

We use a combination of full hydrodynamic and dark matter only simulations to investigate the effect that supercluster environments and baryonic physics have on the matter power spectrum, by re-simulating a sample of supercluster sub-volumes. On large scales we find that the matter power spectrum measured from our supercluster sample has at least twice as much power as that measured from our random sample. Our investigation of the effect of baryonic physics on the matter power spectrum is found to be in agreement with previous studies and is weaker than the selection effect over the majority of scales. In addition, we investigate the effect of targeting a cosmologically non-representative, supercluster region of the sky on the weak lensing shear power spectrum. We do this by generating shear and convergence maps using a line-of-sight integration technique, which intercepts our random and supercluster sub-volumes. We find the convergence power spectrum measured from our supercluster sample has a larger amplitude than that measured from the random sample at all scales. We frame our results within the context of the Super-CLuster Assisted Shear Survey (Super-CLASS), which aims to measure the cosmic shear signal in the radio band by targeting a region of the sky that contains five Abell clusters. Assuming the Super-CLASS survey will have a source density of 1.5 galaxies  arcmin−2, we forecast a detection significance of $2.7^{+1.5}_{-1.2}$, which indicates that in the absence of systematics the Super-CLASS project could make a cosmic shear detection with radio data alone.
Transfer of Downy Mildew Resistance from Wild Basil (Ocimum americanum) to Sweet Basil (O. basilicum)
Authors: Ben-Naim Yariv , Falach Lidan , Cohen Yigal
Published: October 2017

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is susceptible to downy mildew caused by the oomycete foliar pathogen Peronospora belbahrii. No resistant varieties of sweet basil are commercially available. Here, we report on the transfer of resistance gene Pb1 from the highly resistant tetraploid wild basil O. americanum var. americanum (PI 500945, 2n = 4x = 48) to the tetraploid susceptible O. basilicum ‘Sweet basil’ (2n = 4x = 48). F1 progeny plants derived from the interspecific hybridization PI 500945 × Sweet basil were resistant, indicating that the gene controlling resistance (Pb1) is dominant, but sterile due to the genetic distance between the parents. Despite their sterility, F1 plants were pollinated with the susceptible parent and 115 first backcross generation to the susceptible parent (BCs1) embryos were rescued in vitro. The emerging BCs1 plants segregated, upon inoculation, 5:1 resistant/susceptible, suggesting that resistance in F1 was controlled by a pair of dominant genes (Pb1A and Pb1A’). Thirty-one partially fertile BCs1 plants were self-pollinated to obtain BCs1-F2 or were backcrossed to Sweet basil to obtain the second backcross generation to the susceptible parent (BCs2). In total, 1 BCs1-F2 and 22 BCs2 progenies were obtained. The BCs1-F2 progeny segregated 35:1 resistant/susceptible, as expected from a tetraploid parent with two dominant resistant genes. The 22 BCs2 progenies segregated 1:1 resistant/susceptible (for a BCs1 parent that carried one dominant gene for resistance) or 5:1 (for a BCs1 parent that carried two dominant genes for resistance) at a ratio of 4:1. The data suggest that a pair of dominant genes (Pb1A and Pb1A’) residing on a two homeologous chromosomes is responsible for resistance of PI 500945 against P. belbahrii.
Prevalence of Head Injury and Associated Disability in Prison Populations: A Systematic Review
Authors: Moynan Claire R. , McMillan Tom M.
Published: October 2017

Objective:

This review systematically assesses literature on the prevalence of head injury (HI) and associated disability in adults in prison.

Methods:

Searches were carried out using electronic databases (PsycINFO, Cochrane Databases, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science). Reference lists of 2 meta-analyses were checked for relevant articles. Methods were rated for risk of bias.

Results:

The 10 studies included report a range in prevalence of HI in prisoners from 25% to 86%. Risk of bias was high overall, probably because a range of HI definitions was used, assessments were often not validated, and samples were not or not evidenced to be representative of the prison population. There was an absence of appropriate population controls from which to compare relative risk of HI in different countries. No study reported the prevalence of disability associated with HI.

Conclusion:

The wide range in prevalence estimates of HI in prisoners is associated with high risk of bias from study design and methods. Persisting disability associated with HI was not reported and as a result the service need for prisoners with HI is unclear. Future studies should indicate that samples are representative of prison populations, use validated tools and internationally accepted definitions of HI, and link prevalence to persisting disability.
Review of Benefits to Practitioners of Using Good Patient-Practitioner Communication
Authors: Sherwood Andrea , Brinkmann John , Fatone Stefania
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Good communication between doctors and patients is an important element of care, with benefits for both patients and doctors. However, research also suggests that there are numerous and common problems related to poor communication that adversely affect patient outcomes. Unfortunately, similar research does not exist in orthotics and prosthetics. Hence, we reviewed the literature regarding good communication between doctors and patients to identify potential benefits for orthotists and prosthetists that may motivate them to use good communication in their clinical practice.

Methods

A literature search was performed using PubMed, Ovid Medline, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Google Scholar, as well as hand searching the references of included articles. Articles were reviewed, and the benefits of good communication to the medical provider were identified and extracted. The medical benefits identified were then considered in the context of a typical orthotic/prosthetic encounter.

Results

A total of 71 articles were included in this review, yielding 17 benefits to medical practitioners of using good patient-practitioner communication. These benefits were then classified into five beneficial themes that potentially apply to orthotics and prosthetics clinical practice: lessens the risk of litigation, makes efficient and effective use of appointment time, improves patient outcomes, improves patient satisfaction and increases referrals, and improves practitioner job satisfaction.

Conclusions

Our review of the literature suggests that benefits exist to the medical provider of using good patient-practitioner communication that are likely relevant to orthotic and prosthetic practitioners.
Risk Factors for Prolonged Symptoms of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Pediatric Sports Concussion Clinic Cohort
Authors: Fehr Shayne D. , Nelson Lindsay D. , Scharer Kyle R. , Traudt Elizabeth A. , Veenstra Joshua M. , Tarima Sergey S. , Liu Xue-Cheng , Walter Kevin D.
Published: October 2017

Objective:

To examine predictors of prolonged symptom duration from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in a pediatric sports medicine specialty clinic cohort as these predictors may be distinct in this population.

Design:

Retrospective chart review.

Setting:

Outpatient specialty clinic.

Patients:

Charts of 549 patients (age range: 10-18 years) with concussions were reviewed in an outpatient clinic that predominantly managed sports-related injuries (77.3%). Patients (n = 431) included in the final analysis met the criteria for mTBI and were symptomatic at their first visit.

Assessment of Risk Factors:

Patient history, injury, and recovery variables were evaluated.

Main Outcome Measures:

Predictors of prolonged time to reach self-reported symptom recovery were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards.

Results:

Median time to symptom recovery of the 431 patients who presented to clinic with symptoms was 40 days (full clinic sample median = 34 days). Analyses identified 3 unique predictors of symptom recovery: loss of consciousness (LOC) [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.56, P < 0.0001], female sex (HR = 0.57, P < 0.0001), and concussion symptom score at first clinic visit (HR = 0.76, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

Prolonged duration of mTBI symptoms in patients who present to a pediatric sports-based concussion clinic is related to initial symptom severity, female sex, and LOC.
Esperanza: The First Neonatal ECMO Patient
Authors: Bartlett Robert H.
Published: October 2017

The first successful neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation case (1975) is important in the development of extracorporeal life support, but the case report was never published. This is the report of that case with commentary on the evolution of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation since 1975.
Can Providers Use Clinical Skills to Assess the Adequacy of Ventilation in Children During Bag-Valve Mask Ventilation?
Authors: Becker Heather J. , Langhan Melissa L.
Published: October 2017

Objective

Bag-valve mask (BVM) ventilation requires both manual skill and clinical assessment of minute ventilation. Subjective factors can make supplying appropriate ventilation difficult. Capnography is not routinely used when ventilating nonintubated patients. Our objective was to determine if providers were able to maintain normal capnography values with BVM ventilation in pediatric patients based on clinical skills alone.

Methods

Providers (nurses, residents, and fellows) delivered 2 minutes of BVM respiratory support to healthy children during induction of anesthesia for elective surgery. All patients had standard monitoring including capnography, but providers were blinded to capnography data. Capnography data were video recorded; values between 30 and 50 mmHg were considered indicative of normal ventilation. Any deviation from this range for greater than 10 consecutive seconds was considered an episode of inappropriate ventilation.

Main Results

Twenty-five providers-patient pairs were enrolled. Nineteen providers were anesthesia residents. The median age of patients was 5.3 years (interquartile range, 3.3–8.5 years). Nineteen providers (76%) had at least 1 episode of abnormal ventilation with a median of 2 episodes per provider (interquartile range, 0.5–2.5). Among these providers, total mean duration of abnormal ventilation was 57 seconds (95% confidence interval, 41–72) or 47% (95% confidence interval, 34%–60%) of the 2-minute period.

Conclusions

Normal ventilation is difficult to maintain among providers delivering BVM ventilation to pediatric patients without objective feedback. Incorporation of capnography monitoring may improve BVM ventilation in children.
Utility of Soft Tissue Lateral Neck Radiographs in the Emergency Department
Authors: Sao Pedro Tais , Scolnik Dennis , Traubici Jeffrey , Stephens Derek
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Although retropharyngeal infection (RPI) may present with voice change, drooling, fever, and a toxic appearance, diagnosis based on symptoms alone is unreliable. As incidence is increasing in children and drug-resistant bacterial strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are becoming more common, we decided to assess the clinical utility of lateral neck radiography.

Objective

The aim of this study was to review the experience of a large tertiary care pediatric emergency department (ED) in using lateral soft tissue neck radiographs in the diagnosis of suspected RPI.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of all lateral soft tissue neck radiograph reports from 2011 to 2015 in conjunction with a review of patients' charts to describe clinical and laboratory findings, disposition, and final diagnosis was performed. Patients aged 31 days to 18 years who presented to the ED with suspicion of RPI were included.

Results

Review of 366 radiographic reports revealed that 46 were positive for RPI, 286 were negative, and 34 indeterminate. A final discharge diagnosis of RPI was made in 38 patients. Lateral neck radiographs had a sensitivity of 84.3% and a specificity of 93.7% for diagnosing RPI. In triage, most patients had no fever (264, 72.1%), stridor (356, 97%), drooling (348, 95%), or voice change (342, 93%). Surgical intervention occurred in 15 patients (39.5%) with a final diagnosis of RPI.

Conclusions

Lateral neck radiography is useful for diagnosis of RPI in the ED with good sensitivity and specificity. Additional imaging is to be considered at the behest of physician's clinical judgment.
A Study of Red Cell Distribution Width in Neonatal Sepsis
Authors: Ellahony Dalia Monir , El-Mekkawy Muhammad S. , Farag Marwa M.
Published: October 2017

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate a new nontraditional value of the red cell distribution width (RDW) in predicting the clinical outcome of neonatal sepsis.

Methods

In this retrospective study, data were collected from the medical files of 500 full-term neonates with a diagnosis of early onset or late onset sepsis. Baseline RDW and other traditional biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), total leucocytic count, and platelet count were analyzed in light of the clinical data. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality.

Results

Red cell distribution width was significantly higher in nonsurvivors compared with survivors (P < 0.0001). Red cell distribution width was significantly elevated in infants with septic shock compared with those having severe sepsis and those with sepsis (P < 0.0001). A strong positive correlation was found between RDW and CRP (r = 0.8; P <0.0001). Red cell distribution width had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.75 for prediction of mortality, which was almost equal to that of CRP and platelet count. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed a positive association of RDW with mortality (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.241–1.399).

Conclusions

Red cell distribution width is a useful prognostic marker in neonatal sepsis. Larger prospective studies are required to confirm the value of this routinely available marker in this category of patients.
Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived Mononuclear Cells Combined With β-TCP for Maxillary Bone Augmentation in Implantation Procedures
Authors: Bulgin Dmitry , Hodzic Enes
Published: October 2017

Replacing missing bone or adding mass to existing bone is often essential to the success of a dental implant. A large variety of graft materials have been used for maxillary and mandibular atrophy. To date there has been no graft material, which can be regarded as completely satisfactory. Our experience with freshly isolated autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells combined with β-tricalcium phosphate for augmentation of the extremely atrophied maxilla is presented. These techniques are based on stimulation of natural events continuously present in living bone (ie, the process of bone remodeling). The property of the mixture material for bone augmentation to place dental implant was discussed.
Rhino Physiognomy: a Myth or Science?
Authors: Mohammed Abdul Wadood , Pathath Abdul Wahab , Al-Kuwaity Khalid Waleed , Ali Sayed Ibrahim
Published: October 2017

Face reading has been practised since time immemorial by different cultures. Different personality traits have been attributed to different characters of face. It is argued that everyone uses face reading in their daily life when they choose one person to another.

One would not prefer to sit beside a tidy, handsome, well-dressed man if he had narrow mean eyes. People tend to artificially change the features of their face to gain acceptance in interviews. Most of these preferences are arbitrary and are born out of the authors’ preconceived cultural and social influences. But is there a science behind these observations. The proponents of face reading argue that this is based on clearly stated rules and observation. Nose is an important part of the face. According to face reading the shape and size of nose determines the aggressiveness of the person. The present study tries to scientifically test this statement.
Vascular Precautions Before Sinus Lift Procedure
Authors: AL-Ghurabi Zainab H. , Abdulrazaq Saif Saadedeen
Published: October 2017

The aim of the study was to evaluate the benefit of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and how to minimize injury to the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) before sinus lift procedure. Cone beam computed tomography scans of 30 maxillary sinuses (15 patients) assessed to determine the location of PSAA presinus lift procedure. The data collected were used to extend the existed literature. The most common location of the PSAA was intraosseous (66.7%), the subantral distance mean was 5 ± 1 mm, and the mean distance of PSAA from the crest was 15 ± 1.6 mm. Cone beam computed tomography is valuable before the sinus lift procedure to exclude the presence of any lesion and to detect the location of the PSAA. The study recommends not to extend the upper border of the window beyond 16 mm from the residual crest during the lateral sinus approach.
Role of Swallowing Function of Tracheotomised Patients in Major Head and Neck Cancer Surgery
Authors: Bartella Alexander K. , Kamal Mohammad , Berman Sean , Steiner Timm , Frölich Dirk , Hölzle Frank , Lethaus Bernd
Published: October 2017

Introduction:

Tracheotomy is a frequent procedure in extended head and neck cancer surgery and known to be a risk factor for prolonged hospitalization. The authors hypothesized that the clinical course and delayed decannulation of patients are not only influenced by airway narrowing, but also by a compromised postoperative swallowing function.

Material and Methods:

The investigators implemented a retrospective cohort study. The sample was composed of a tertiary care center patients who underwent major head and neck cancer surgery, each receiving a tracheostomy. Data collected include general clinical data as well as endoscopical evaluation of swallowing function and aspiration rate. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed and the P value was set at.05.

Results:

The sample was composed of 96 patients with an average age of 64.2 and sex ratio of 1.4:1 (m:f). There was a strong statistically significant relation between swallowing function and timing of decannulation (P < 0.001) and duration of hospitalization (P < 0.001). Age (P = 0.55), sex (P = 0.54), tumor size (P = 0.12), general diseases (P = 0.24), distant metastases (P = 0.15), or extent of neck dissection (P = 0.15) were not significantly associated to swallowing function. Permanent cannulation was significantly correlated to a primary cancer of the soft palate or base of the tonge (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

The results of this study confirm the importance of the evaluation of swallowing function before the removal of the tracheotomy cannula in head and neck cancer patients.
The Implications of the Shift Toward Donation After Circulatory Death in Australia
Authors: Reiling Janske , Forrest Elizabeth , Bridle Kim R. , Britton Laurence J. , Santrampurwala Nishreen , Crawford Darrell H.G. , Dejong Cornelis H.C. , Fawcett Jonathan
Published: October 2017

Background

In recent years, an increasing number of donor livers are being declined for transplantation in Australia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of donation after cardiac death and other factors associated with organ quality on liver utilization rates in Australia.

Methods

Data on organ donors who donated at least 1 organ between 2005 and 2014 were obtained from the Australia and New Zealand organ donation registry. Temporal changes in donor characteristics were assessed and a logistical regression analysis was performed to evaluate their association with liver nonuse.

Results

The number of organ donors increased from 175 in 2005 to 344 in 2014, with overall 19% being donation after cardiac death donors (P < 0.001). The percentage of livers deemed unsuitable for transplantation increased from 24% in 2005 to 41% in 2014 (P < 0.001). Donation after cardiac death was identified as the most important risk factor for nonuse with an odds ratio of 25.88 (95% confidence interval, 18.84-35.56), P < 0.001) followed by donor age, obesity, and diabetes.

Discussion

This study shows that livers donated after circulatory death are an underused resource in Australia. Better use of these currently available organs would be a highly cost-effective way of reducing waiting list mortality in liver transplantation.
White matter differences in Parkinson’s disease mapped using tractometry
Authors: Corbin Conor K. , Gupta Vikash , Villalon-Reina Julio E. , Nir Talia M. , Rashid Faisal M. , Thomopoulos Sophia I. , Jahanshad Neda , Thompson Paul M.
Published: October 2017

Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by a progressive loss of brain function. Improved precision in mapping the altered brain pathways can provide a deep understanding of the trajectory of decline. We propose a tractometry workflow for conducting group statistical analyses of point-wise microstructural measures along white matter fasciculi to identify patterns of abnormalities associated with disease. We combined state-of-the-art tools including fiber registration, tract simplification and fiber matching for accurate point-wise statistical analyses across populations. We test the utility of this method by identifying group differences between Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and healthy controls. We find statistically significant group differences in diffusion MRI derived measures along the anterior thalamic radiations (ATR), corticospinal tract (CST) and regions of the corpus callosum (CC). These pathways are essential for motor control systems within cortico-cortical and cortico-subcortical brain networks. Moreover, the reported pathological changes were not widespread but rather localized along several tracts. Point-wise tract analyses may therefore offer an advantage in anatomical specificity over traditional methods that assess mean microstructural measures across large regions of interest.
Hijacking of Multiple Phospholipid Biosynthetic Pathways and Induction of Membrane Biogenesis by a Picornaviral 3CD Protein
Authors: Banerjee Sravani , Aponte-Diaz David , Yeager Calvin , Sharma Suresh D. , Oh Hyung S. , Han Qingxia , Umeda Masato , Hara Yuji , Wang Robert Y.L. , Cameron Craig E.
Published: October 2017

RNA viruses induce specialized membranous structures for use in genome replication. These structures are often referred to as replication organelles (ROs). ROs exhibit distinct lipid composition relative to other cellular membranes. In many picornaviruses, phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P) is a marker of the RO. Studies to date indicate that the viral 3A protein hijacks a PI4 kinase to induce PI4P by a mechanism unrelated to the cellular pathway, which requires Golgi-specific brefeldin A-resistance guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1, GBF1, and ADP ribosylation factor 1, Arf1. Here we show that a picornaviral 3CD protein is sufficient to induce synthesis of not only PI4P but also phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and phosphatidylcholine (PC). Synthesis of PI4P requires GBF1 and Arf1. We identified 3CD derivatives: 3CDmand 3CmD, that we used to show that distinct domains of 3CD function upstream of GBF1 and downstream of Arf1 activation. These same 3CD derivatives still supported induction of PIP2 and PC, suggesting that pathways and corresponding mechanisms used to induce these phospholipids are distinct. Phospholipid induction by 3CD is localized to the perinuclear membrane, the outcome of which is the proliferation of membranes in this area of the cell. We conclude that a single viral protein can serve as a master regulator of cellular phospholipid and membrane biogenesis, likely by commandeering normal cellular pathways.

AUTHOR SUMMARY

Picornaviruses replicate their genomes in association with host membranes. Early during infection, existing membranes are used but remodeled to contain a repertoire of lipids best suited for virus multiplication. Later, new membrane synthesis occurs, which requires biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine in addition to the other more specialized lipids. We have learned that a single picornaviral protein is able to induce membrane biogenesis and decorate these membranes with some of the specialized lipids induced by the virus. A detailed mechanism of induction has been elucidated for one of these lipids. The ability of a single viral protein to commandeer host pathways that lead to membrane biogenesis was unexpected. This discovery reveals a new target for antiviral therapy with the potential to completely derail all aspects of the viral lifecycle requiring membrane biogenesis.
Heritable plant phenotypes track light and herbivory levels at fine spatial scales
Authors: Humphrey P.T. , Gloss A.D. , Frazier J. , Nelson–Dittrich A. C. , Faries S. , Whiteman N. K.
Published: October 2017

The biotic and the abiotic environment play a major role in shaping plant phenotypes and their geographic distributions. However, little is known about the extent to which plant phenotypes match local patterns of herbivory across fine-grained habitat mosaics, despite the strong effect of herbivory on plant fitness. Through a reciprocal transplant-common garden experiment with clonally propagated rhizomes, we tested for local phenotypic differentiation in bittercress (Brassicaceae:Cardamine cordifolia) plants collected across an ecotonal habitat mosaic. We found that bittercress in sunny meadows (high herbivory) and shaded understories (low herbivory) have diverged in heritable growth and herbivore resistance phenotypes. The expression of these differences was habitat dependent, mirroring patterns of adaptive divergence in phenotypic plasticity between plant populations in meadow and understory habitats at broader geographic scales, and showed no evidence for a constraint imposed by growth–defense tradeoffs. Most notably, plants derived from shade habitats exhibited a weaker shade-induced elongation response (i.e., shade avoidance syndrome, SAS) and reduced resistance to herbivory, relative to plants derived from sun habitats, when both were grown in shade common gardens. Greenhouse experiments revealed that divergent SAS phenotypes in shade conditions were expressed in offspring grown from seed as well. Finally, we observed partially non-overlapping flowering phenology between habitat-types in the field, which may be at least one factor that helps to reinforce habitat-specific phenotypic divergence. Altogether, our study illuminates how a native plant may cope with overlapping biotic and abiotic stressors across a fine-grained habitat mosaic.
Fibernet 2.0: An Automatic Neural Network Based Tool for Clustering White Matter Fibers in the Brain
Authors: Gupta Vikash , Thomopoulos Sophia I. , Corbin Conor K. , Rashid Faisal , Thompson Paul M.
Published: October 2017

The brain’s white matter fiber tracts are impaired in a range of common and devastating conditions, from Alzheimer’s disease to brain trauma, and in developmental disorders such as autism and neurogenetic syndromes. Many studies now examine the connectivity and microstructure of the brain’s neural pathways, spurring the development of algorithms to extract and measure tracts and fiber bundles. Clustering white matter (WM) fibers, from whole-brain tractography, into anatomically meaningful bundles is still a challenging problem. Existing tract segmentation methods use atlases or regions of interest (ROI) or unsupervised spectral clustering. Even so, atlas-based segmentation does not always partition the brain into a set of recognizable fiber bundles. Deep learning techniques can be applied to automatically segment and cluster white matter fibers. Here we propose a robust approach using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to learn shape features of the fiber bundles, which we then exploit to cluster WM fibers into bundles. In a range of tests across diverse fiber bundles, we illustrate the accuracy of our method, and its ability to suppress false positive fibers.
Distinct ‘safe zones’ at the nuclear envelope ensure robust replication of heterochromatic chromosome regions
Authors: Ebrahimi Hani , Masuda Hirohisa , Jain Devanshi , Cooper Julia Promisel
Published: October 2017

Chromosome replication and transcription occur within a complex nuclear milieu whose functional subdomains are beginning to be mapped out. Here we delineate distinct domains of the fission yeast nuclear envelope (NE), focusing on regions enriched for the inner NE protein, Bqt4, or the lamin interacting domain protein, Lem2. Bqt4 is relatively mobile around the NE and acts in two capacities. First, Bqt4 tethers chromosome termini and thematlocus to the NE specifically while these regions are replicating. This positioning is required for robust chromatin replication. Second, Bqt4 mobilizes a subset of Lem2 molecules around the NE to promote pericentric heterochromatin maintenance. Opposing Bqt4-dependent Lem2 mobility are factors that stabilize Lem2 beneath the centrosome, where Lem2 plays a crucial role in kinetochore maintenance. Our data prompt a model in which Bqt4-rich nuclear subdomains are ‘safe zones’ in which collisions between transcription and replication are averted and heterochromatin is reassembled faithfully.
Auxiliary ATP binding sites power rapid unwinding by RecBCD
Authors: Zananiri Rani , Gaydar Vera , Yahalom Dan , Malik Omri , Rudnizky Sergei , Kaplan Ariel , Henn Arnon
Published: October 2017

RecBCD, responsible for the initiation of double stranded break repair in bacteria, is a processive DNA helicase with an unwinding rate approaching ∼1,600 bp·s−1. The mechanism enabling RecBCD to achieve such fast unwinding rate is not known. We employed a combination of equilibrium and time–resolved binding experiments, and ensemble and single molecule activity assays to uncover the molecular mechanism underlying RecBCD’s rapid catalysis. We report the existence of auxiliary binding sites, where ATP binds with lower affinity and with distinct chemical interactions as compared to the known catalytic sites. The catalytic rate of RecBCD is reduced both by preventing and by strengthening ATP binding to these sites, suggesting that the dynamics of ATP at these sites modulates the enzyme’s rate. We propose a model by which RecBCD achieves its fast unwinding rate by utilizing the weaker binding sites to increase the flux of ATP to its catalytic sites.
Bioassay of derived components from venom of Iranian medically important scorpions to identify the bradykinin potentiating factors
Authors: Goudarzi Hamid Reza , Nazari Ali , Noofeli Mojtaba , Samiani Maedeh
Published: October 2017

The venom of animals, including snakes, scorpions and spiders is a complex combination of proteins, peptides, and other biomolecules as well as some minerals. Among the biomolecules, some peptides prevent converting of angiotensin 1 to angiotensin 2 by inhibiting of the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) and finally reducing the blood pressure in the victims. The aim of the present study was to isolate venom components of the three species of Iranian medically important scorpions and to study the bradykinin potentiating effect of them. Separation of the venom components for each scorpion was carried out using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The range of fractions (zones) obtained in several replicates on Guinea pig ileum and rat uterus tissues were performed using organ bath instrument. The bioassays were resulted in the peptides including Z1 and Z2 regions of venom chromatogram of the Hottentotta sulcyi, Z2 for Odontobutus doriea and Z2 and Z3 in Mesobutus eupeus venom demonstrated bradykinin potentiating effect.
Molecular identification of stone loaches of Choman River system, Tigris Basin, based on the Cytochrome b gene with an overview of the Cobitoidea Superfamily
Authors: Ghaderi Edris , Farahmand Hamid , Bahrami Kamangar Barzan , Nematollahi Mohammad A.
Published: October 2017

Molecular data and phylogenetic relationships of four Choman loaches species (Oxynoemacheilus chomanicus, O. zagrosensis, O. kurdistanicus and Turcinoemacheilus kosswigi) recently morphologically described from western Iran were evaluated with 64 species from the Cobitoidea superfamily based on their cytochrome b sequences to exhibit the placement of the Choman loaches species within the Cobitoidea superfamily. A comparative analysis of Kimura-2-parameter (K2P) distances was accomplished using sequence divergences of Cobitoidea to calculate intra and interspecific in superfamily, family and genus taxa. The average intraspecific K2P genetic distances of Choman loaches species was 0.005 whereas this value was 0.016 for the Cobitoidea superfamily. Molecular phylogenetic relationships were assessed using Maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. Dendrograms obtained by these methods revealed all four Choman loaches species as distinct species among other reported Nemacheilidae Spp. These species were clustered with Oxynoemacheilus and Turcinoemacheilus genera within other species in the Nemacheilidae family. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that Cobitoidea superfamily consists of nine families ((Gyrinocheilidae + Botiidae) + ((Catostomidae + Vaillentellidae) + ((Nemacheilidae + Cobitidae) + ((Ellopostomidae + Gastromyzontidae) + Balitoridae)))) and indicated Nemacheilidae is a valid and distinct family from Balitoridae.
Structural studies of domain movement in active-site mutants of porphobilinogen deaminase fromBacillus megaterium
Authors: Guo Jingxu , Erskine Peter , Coker Alun R. , Wood Steve P. , Cooper Jonathan B.
Published: October 2017

The enzyme porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) is one of the key enzymes in tetrapyrrole biosynthesis. It catalyses the formation of a linear tetrapyrrole from four molecules of the substrate porphobilinogen (PBG). It has a dipyrromethane cofactor (DPM) in the active site which is covalently linked to a conserved cysteine residue through a thioether bridge. The substrate molecules are linked to the cofactor in a stepwise head-to-tail manner during the reaction, which is catalysed by a conserved aspartate residue: Asp82 in theB. megateriumenzyme. Three mutations have been made affecting Asp82 (D82A, D82E and D82N) and their crystal structures have been determined at resolutions of 2.7, 1.8 and 1.9 Å, respectively. These structures reveal that whilst the D82E mutant possesses the DPM cofactor, in the D82N and D82A mutants the cofactor is likely to be missing, incompletely assembled or disordered. Comparison of the mutant PBGD structures with that of the wild-type enzyme shows that there are significant domain movements and suggests that the enzyme adopts `open' and `closed' conformations, potentially in response to substrate binding.