bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic rescue by distant trees mitigates qualitative pollen limitation imposed by fine‐scale spatial genetic structure
Authors: Castilla Antonio R. , Garrote Pedro J. , Żywiec Magdalena , Calvo Gemma , Suárez‐Esteban Alberto , Delibes Miguel , Godoy José A. , Picó F. Xavier , Fedriani Jose M.
Published: September 2019

Restricted seed dispersal frequently leads to fine‐scale spatial genetic structure (i.e., FSGS) within plant populations. Depending on its spatial extent and the mobility of pollinators, this inflated kinship at the immediate neighbourhood can critically impoverish pollen quality. Despite the common occurrence of positive FSGS within plant populations, our knowledge regarding the role of long‐distance pollination preventing reproductive failure is still limited. Using microsatellite markers, we examined the existence of positive FSGS in two low‐density populations of the tree Pyrus bourgaeana. We also designed controlled crosses among trees differing in their kinship to investigate the effects of increased local kinship on plant reproduction. We used six pollination treatments and fully monitored fruit production, fruit and seed weight, proportion of mature seeds per fruit, and seed germination. Our results revealed positive FSGS in both study populations and lower fruit initiation in flowers pollinated with pollen from highly‐genetically related individuals within the neighbourhood, with this trend intensifying as the fruit development progressed. Besides, open‐pollinated flowers exhibited lower performance compared to those pollinated by distant pollen donors, suggesting intense qualitative pollen limitation in natural populations. We found positive fine‐scale spatial genetic structure is translated into impoverished pollen quality from nearby pollen donors which negatively impacts the reproductive success of trees in low‐density populations. Under this scenario of intrapopulation genetic rescue by distant pollen donors, the relevance of highly‐mobile pollinators for connecting spatially and genetically distant patches of trees may be crucial to safeguarding population recruitment.
Lactifluus indovolemus sp. nov. and two new records in the Lactifluus volemus complex (Basidiomycota, Russulaceae) from India
Authors: Bera Ishika , Das Kanad
Published: September 2019

Macrofungal exploration in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh followed by a thorough examination of collected wild agaricoid mushrooms uncovered one novel species (described here as Lactifluus indovolemus sp. nov.) and two more species (L. acicularis and L. crocatus) new to India. Detailed morphological description, supporting illustrations and a nrITS‐based phylogenetic reconstruction is presented. A comparison with allied species is also provided.
Interactions between psychiatric and physical disorders and their effects on the risks of suicide: a nested case–control study
Authors: Chang Ching‐Feng , Yeh Ming‐kung , Chien Wu‐Chien , Chung Chi‐Hsiang , Li Tzu‐Ting , Lai Edward Chia‐Cheng
Published: September 2019

Previous studies, which included predominantly Caucasian populations, examined psychiatric and physical illness and associated suicide risk. We used a nationwide database to reassess the findings in an Asian population, and also analyzed the influence of different onset timing of psychiatric and physical illness and the suicide risk. We included 55,630 suicide cases aged 20–110 years. Using an incidence density sampling approach, we selected 222,520 controls matched by age, sex, and residence area from 2000 to 2012. We included most major psychiatric and physical illnesses defined by ICD‐9‐CM codes with anatomical classifications. By using conditional logistic regression models with adjustment of covariates, such as patients’ marital status and education levels, we found that patients with psychiatric illness had higher suicide risk (adjusted IRR, 7.72; 95% CI: 7.35–8.09) compared with those with neither physical nor psychiatric illness and the risk increased substantially in patients with both psychiatric and physical illnesses (adjusted IRR, 18.35; 95% CI: 16.40–20.86). Specifically, we found the suicide risk was relatively higher (adjusted IRR, 1.28; 95% CI: 1.10–1.40) when psychiatric disorders occurred before physical illness compared with the other way around. The findings warrant attention to high suicide risk and preventive treatments in patients with both psychiatric and physical illnesses.
Plant community stability results from shifts in species assemblages following whole community transplants across climates
Authors: Tomiolo Sara , Bilton Mark C. , Tielbörger Katja
Published: September 2019

Climate change will decrease precipitation and increase rainfall variability in eastern Mediterranean regions, with responses of plant communities largely uncertain. Here, we tested short‐term responses of dryland plant communities to contrasting rainfall regimes using reciprocal transplants of soil and seed banks. We exposed three annual plant communities to very different climatic conditions along a steep rainfall gradient. We tested for the role of climate versus community origin on community response and resistance. In parallel, we asked whether origin‐specific climatic adaptations predict compositional shifts across climates. Due to an extreme drought, all plants in the driest climate failed to reach maturity. For the remaining two community origins, the most dry‐adapted species in each community increased in dry climate and the wet‐adapted species increased in wet climate. Dry community origins showed large compositional shifts while maintaining stable plant density, biomass and species richness across climates. Conversely, wet communities showed smaller compositional shifts, but larger variation in biomass and richness. This asynchrony in species abundances in response to rainfall variability could maintain structural community stability. This, in combination with seed dormancy, has the ability to delay extinction in response to climate change. However, increasing occurrence of extreme droughts may, in the long‐term, lead to loss of wet‐adapted species.
Quantification of Trigeminovascular Hypersensitivity Using Laser Speckle Contrast Analysis in a Patient With Chronic Migraine
Authors: Unal‐Cevik Isin , Yilmaz Ezgi
Published: September 2019

Background

Activation of peripheral and/or central trigeminovascular pain pathways are implicated in the pathogenesis of migraine. Small fibers mediate pain, thermal sensation, and autonomic functions. Axon flare response is correlated with local C‐fiber activation and calcitonin gene‐related peptide release. Laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) detects very subtle microcirculatory changes that are not visible to the naked eye.

Case

Axon flare response was elicited by 0.01 mL intradermal (i.d.) histamine introduced to the left forehead, trigeminal nerve ophthalmic branch (V1) skin area. Skin microvascular blood flow data were recorded using a LASCA real‐time microcirculation imaging system. In the healthy control, prick stimulus slightly elevated focal skin microcirculation only at the stimulated focal area. However, in our patient with chronic migraine, the unilateral prick stimulation transiently (over 10 to 12 seconds) increased ipsilateral skin microcirculation at all 3 branches of the trigeminal nerve, with a slight expansion across the midline. Left V1 stimulation by i.d. histamine induced not only prominent but also long‐lasting (10 to 15 minutes of recording time) axon flare response at the ipsilateral V1, V2, and V3 areas, with an expansion to the contralateral V1 area and without any report of allodynia or hyperalgesia. The treatment decreased axon flare characteristics probably by inhibiting neurogenic inflammation.

Discussion

The clinical characteristics and individual response to treatment vary widely across patients with pain. Here, we demonstrated the presence of transient spread of increased microcirculation at the ipsilateral trigeminal nerve, and also across the midline after prick stimulus, whereas a more prominent, widespread, and long‐lasting histamine‐induced axon flare response occurred in a rare subclass of patient who had chronic migraine with autonomic symptoms. The modulatory effect of the pharmacological intervention has also been objectively quantified by LASCA.
Recurrent herpes labialis in the pediatric population: Prevalence, therapeutic studies, and associated complications
Authors: Ahluwalia Jusleen , Han Allison , Kusari Ayan , Eichenfield Lawrence F.
Published: September 2019

Recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) is an incredibly common condition, though the medical literature evaluating pediatric aspects is limited. This paper assesses prevalence and therapeutic studies of pediatric RHL as well as disease complications. A comprehensive literature search of English‐language citations based on PubMed queries of selected terms was performed, with exclusion if methodology was not discussed, or if studies had 10 or fewer patients. RHL prevalence in pediatrics has been assessed by measures of point and periodic prevalence, though methodologic limitations may under‐ or over‐estimate the true prevalence of RHL. Studies have been conducted to evaluate therapeutic safety, tolerability, and efficacy of antivirals in the pediatric population. Pediatric RHL point prevalence ranges from 0.72% to 5.2% depending on the population study and the methodologies used. Pediatric RHL carries a significant public health burden and is often implicated in patients with eczema herpeticum, erythema multiforme, reactive infectious mucositis eruptions, and hypersensitivity reactions. There are few studies that evaluate the rates of occurrence of these sequelae associated with pediatric RHL.
Do soundscape indices predict landscape‐scale restoration outcomes? A comparative study of restored seabird island soundscapes
Authors: Borker Abraham L. , Buxton Rachel T. , Jones Ian L. , Major Heather L. , Williams Jeffrey C. , Tershy Bernie R. , Croll Donald A.
Published: September 2019

Measuring restoration outcomes is essential, but challenging and expensive, particularly on remote islands. Acoustic recording increases the scale of monitoring inexpensively; however, extracting biological information from large volumes of recordings remains challenging. Soundscape approaches, characterizing communities using acoustic indices, rapidly analyze large acoustic datasets and can be used to compare restoration sites against reference conditions. We tested this approach to measure nocturnal seabird recovery following invasive predator removal in the Aleutian Islands. We used recordings of nocturnal seabird soundscapes from six islands with varied histories of predators, from never invaded (one island) to 9–34 years post‐predator removal (four islands) and currently invaded (one island). We calculated 10 indices of acoustic intensity and complexity, and two pairwise indices of acoustic differences. Three indices reflected patterns of seabird recovery. Acoustic richness (measuring temporal entropy and amplitude) increased with time since predator removal and presence of historical predator refugia (r2 = 0.44). These factors and moonlight accounted for 30% of variation in cumulative spectral difference from the reference island. Over 10% of acoustic richness and temporal entropy was explained by Leach's Storm‐petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) calls. However, indices characterized the soundscape of rat‐invaded Kiska Island like a never invaded island, likely due to high abiotic noise and few seabird calls. Soundscape indices have potential to monitor outcomes of seabird restoration quickly and cheaply, if confounding factors are considered and controlled in experimental design. We suggest soundscape indices become part of the expanding acoustic monitoring toolbox to cost‐effectively measure restoration outcomes at scale and in remote areas.
Informal Employment and the Structure of Wages in India: A Review of Trends
Authors: Abraham Rosa
Published: September 2019

The “alternative”, “atypical” or “informal” workforce has grown in developed and developing countries alike. One of the more recent evolutions of informal employment has been of informal employment within formal enterprises. In the interest of flexibility and cost‐reduction, many formal firms increasingly resort to hiring workers on a temporary or informal basis. Alongside, and perhaps, as a result of the persistence and pervasiveness of informal employment, issues relating to inequality have come to the fore. This paper is motivated by these two intertwining aspects of Indian labor market—informality and wage inequality. Using nationally representative sample data, the paper examines trends in wage inequality among various forms of informal workers, overlaying these findings with broader trends in inequality. Using a regression based inequality decomposition, the paper compares the sources of wage inequality across different employment groups and the reasons for differences in wage inequality.
Quantification of the Improvement of Performance of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Using Chiller-Based Fuel Recirculation
Authors: Kupecki Jakub , Motylinski Konrad , Szablowski Lukasz , Zurawska Agnieszka , Naumovich Yevgeniy , Szczesniak Arkadiusz , Milewski Jaroslaw
Published: September 2019

Solid oxide fuel cells operate at high temperature, typically in the range 650–850 °C, utilizing between 50% and 75% of fuel. The remaining fuel can be either burned in a post-combustor located downstream of the solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) stack or partially recycled. Several of the SOFC-based power systems include recirculation which is used to supply the steam to the fuel processing unit based on steam reforming. In such a system, the recycled stream makes it possible to eliminate the supply of water from the external source. In the same time, recirculation aids in increasing the overall fuel utilization in the power system. As a result the efficiency increases by 5–12% points. The electrochemical reaction in SOFC generates a substantial amount of water by combining the hydrogen molecules with oxygen extracted from the air entering the cathodic compartments. The recycled stream contains water vapor which is circulated in the recycled loop. In the current analysis, the system for recirculation of the anodic off-gas with complete removal of water was proposed and studied. Performance of a planar cell operated with different rates of recycling was studied using the experimental setup with chiller-based recirculation. Quantification of the improvement of the efficiency was based on the analysis of the increase of voltage of cell operated at a given current density. The experimental study demonstrated that the performance of a stand-alone SOFC can be increased by 18–31%. Additionally, the numerical model was proposed to determine the performance in other operating conditions.
Baseline-Free Delamination Identification for Composite Cantilever Beams Based on High-Order Modal Parameters in Approximate Waveform Capacity Dimension
Authors: Shi Binkai , Wang Zijian , Jing Haiquan
Published: September 2019

By monitoring the structural vibration and analyzing the modal parameter, hidden damage can be identified at an early stage, preventing abrupt failures for important structural components. However, the modal parameter has exhibited a low sensitivity to the interfacial damage, such as the delamination in the composite beam. In this paper, a signal-processing method is developed to increase the sensitivity of the modal parameter to the delamination. Both the first- and high-order modal parameters are transformed to an approximate waveform capacity dimension (AWCD). Based on the wave peaks of the modal parameters in the AWCD, the start and the end of the delamination can be accurately pinpointed. Since the AWCD method can highlight the delamination-related waveform features of the modal parameters, the delamination can be identified without referring to the baselines. Both analytical and experimental investigations demonstrate that the AWCD method can modify the waveforms of the modal parameters and lead to an accurate identification of the delamination in composite cantilever beams.
PREVENT, safeguarding and the common-sensing of social work in the United Kingdom
Authors: McKendrick David , Finch Jo
Published: September 2019

INTRODUCTION: The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act (2015) passed in the United Kingdom (UK) made it mandatory for social workers, as well as a wide range of caring professionals, to work within the PREVENT policy, originally introduced in 2002, as one strand of the UK’s overall counter-terrorism policy.METHOD: The paper offers a theoretical account of how complex issues, like terrorism, that understandably impact on the safety and security of countries, are reduced to a series of assertions, claims and panics that centre on the notion of common sense.IMPLICATIONS: We theorise the concept of common sense and argue that such rhetorical devices have become part of the narrative that surrounds the PREVENT agenda in the UK, which co-opts social workers (and other public servants) into an increasingly securitised environment within the state. In other words, the appeal to common sense stifles critical debate, makes it hard to raise concerns and positions debates in a binary manner. We use the example of how there has been a decisive linking of traditional safeguarding social work practice with counter-terrorism activity.CONCLUSIONS: We posit that linkages such as this serve to advance a more closed society, resulting in a “chilling” of free speech, an increase in surveillance and the unchecked advancement of a neoliberal political agenda which promotes economic considerations over issues of social justice. This we argue, has implications for not only the UK, but for other countries where social workers are increasingly being tasked with counter-terrorism activities.
Adaptation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to Biofilm Growth Is Genetically Linked to Drug Tolerance
Authors: Richards Jacob P. , Cai Wenlong , Zill Nicholas A. , Zhang Wenjun , Ojha Anil K.
Published: September 2019

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
spontaneously grows at the air-medium interface, forming pellicle biofilms, which harbor more drug-tolerant persisters than planktonic cultures. The underlying basis for increased persisters in
M. tuberculosis
biofilms is unknown.
Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin 1-Producing Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus of Clonal Complex 5, the New York/Japan Epidemic Clone, Causing a High Early-Mortality Rate in Patients with Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Kim Dokyun , Hong Jun Sung , Yoon Eun-Jeong , Lee Hyukmin , Kim Young Ah , Shin Kyeong Seob , Shin Jeong Hwan , Uh Young , Shin Jong Hee , Park Yoon Soo , Jeong Seok Hoon
Published: September 2019

This study was performed to evaluate the clinical impacts of putative risk factors in patients with
Staphylococcus aureus
bloodstream infections (BSIs) through a prospective, multicenter, observational study. All 567 patients with
S. aureus
BSIs that occurred during a 1-year period in six general hospitals were included in this study. Host- and pathogen-related variables were investigated to determine risk factors for the early mortality of patients with
S. aureus
BSIs.
Utilizing Whole
Fusobacterium
Genomes To Identify, Correct, and Characterize Potential Virulence Protein Families
Authors: Umaña Ariana , Sanders Blake E. , Yoo Christopher C. , Casasanta Michael A. , Udayasuryan Barath , Verbridge Scott S. , Slade Daniel J.
Published: September 2019

Fusobacterium
spp. are emerging pathogens that contribute to mammalian and human diseases, including colorectal cancer. Despite a validated connection with disease, few proteins have been characterized that define a direct molecular mechanism for
Fusobacterium
pathogenesis. We report a comprehensive examination of virulence-associated protein families in multiple
Fusobacterium
species and show that complete genomes facilitate the correction and identification of multiple, large type 5a secreted autotransporter genes in previously misannotated or fragmented genomes. In addition, we use protein sequence similarity networks and human cell interaction experiments to show that previously predicted noninvasive strains can indeed bind to and potentially invade human cells and that this could be due to the expansion of specific virulence proteins that drive
Fusobacterium
infections and disease.
Relationships between MA-RNA Binding in Cells and Suppression of HIV-1 Gag Mislocalization to Intracellular Membranes
Authors: Thornhill Dishari , Olety Balaji , Ono Akira
Published: September 2019

The PM-specific localization of HIV-1 Gag is a crucial early step in infectious progeny production. The interaction between the MA highly basic region (MA-HBR) of Gag and the PM-specific lipid PI(4,5)P2 is critical for Gag localization to the PM. Additionally,
in vitro
evidence has indicated that MA-RNA binding prevents nonspecific binding of Gag to non-PI(4,5)P2-containing membranes. However, cell-based evidence supporting a role for HIV-1 MA-RNA binding in PM-specific subcellular localization has been scarce; thus, it remained possible that in cells, just the high basic charge or the PI(4,5)P2 binding ability is sufficient for MA to direct Gag specifically to the PM. The present study reveals for the first time an excellent correlation between RNA binding of the MA-HBR and inhibition of promiscuous Gag localization, both within the cells, and thereby provides cell-based evidence supporting a mechanism in which HIV-1 MA binding to RNA ensures the specific localization of Gag to the PM.
Alternative Virus-Like Particle-Associated Prefusion F Proteins as Maternal Vaccines for Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Authors: Blanco Jorge C. G. , Fernando Lurds R. , Zhang Wei , Kamali Arash , Boukhvalova Marina S. , McGinnes-Cullen Lori , Morrison Trudy G.
Published: September 2019

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant human pathogen severely impacting neonates and young children, but no vaccine exists to protect this vulnerable population. Furthermore, direct vaccination of neonates is likely ineffective due to the immaturity of their immune system, and neonate immunization is potentially unsafe. Maternal vaccination may be the best and safest approach to the protection of neonates through the passive transfer of maternal neutralizing antibodies
in utero
to the fetus after maternal immunization. Here we report that immunization of pregnant cotton rats, a surrogate model for human maternal immunization, with novel RSV virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine candidates containing stabilized prefusion RSV F proteins provides significant levels of protection of the offspring of immunized dams from RSV challenge. We also found that antibodies induced by VLPs containing different versions of the prefusion F protein varied by 40-fold in the extent of protection provided to the offspring of vaccinated dams upon RSV challenge.
Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Suppresses RNA Replication of
Bamboo Mosaic Virus
through an Interaction with the Viral Genome
Authors: Lee Cheng-Cheng , Wang Jhih-Wei , Leu Wei-Ming , Huang Yu-Ting , Huang Ying-Wen , Hsu Yau-Heiu , Meng Menghsiao
Published: September 2019

Knowing the dynamic interplay between plant RNA viruses and their host is a basic step toward first understanding how the viruses survive the plant defense mechanisms and second gaining knowledge of pathogenic control in the field. This study found that plant proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) imposes a strong inhibition on the replication of several potexviruses, including
Bamboo mosaic virus
,
Foxtail mosaic virus
, and
Potato virus X
. Based on the tests on
Bamboo mosaic virus
, PCNA is able to bind the viral genomic RNA, and this binding is a prerequisite for the protein to suppress the virus replication. This study also suggests that PCNA plays an important role in restricting the proliferation of potexviruses in the rapidly dividing tissues of plants.
Related Enteric Viruses Have Different Requirements for Host Microbiota in Mice
Authors: Robinson Christopher M. , Woods Acevedo Mikal A. , McCune Broc T. , Pfeiffer Julie K.
Published: September 2019

Recent data indicate that intestinal bacteria promote intestinal infection of several enteric viruses. Here, we show that coxsackievirus, an enteric virus in the picornavirus family, also relies on microbiota for intestinal replication and pathogenesis. Relatively minor depletion of the microbiota was sufficient to decrease coxsackievirus infection, while poliovirus infection was unaffected. Surprisingly, a single dose of one antibiotic was sufficient to reduce coxsackievirus infection. Therefore, these data indicate that closely related viruses may differ with respect to their reliance on microbiota.
Emergent Properties in Streptococcus mutans Biofilms Are Controlled through Adhesion Force Sensing by Initial Colonizers
Authors: Wang Can , Hou Jiapeng , van der Mei Henny C. , Busscher Henk J. , Ren Yijin
Published: September 2019

A new concept in biofilm science is introduced: “adhesion force sensitivity of genes,” defining the degree up to which expression of different genes in adhering bacteria is controlled by the environmental adhesion forces they experience. Analysis of gene expression as a function of height in a biofilm showed that the information about the substratum surface to which initially adhering bacteria adhere is passed up to a biofilm height of 20 to 30 μm above a substratum surface, highlighting the importance and limitations of cell-to-cell communication in a biofilm. Bacteria in a biofilm mode of growth, as opposed to planktonic growth, are responsible for the great majority of human infections, predicted to become the number one cause of death in 2050. The concept of adhesion force sensitivity of genes provides better understanding of bacterial adaptation in biofilms, direly needed for the design of improved therapeutic measures that evade the recalcitrance of biofilm bacteria to antimicrobials.
Metagenomes from Coastal Marine Sediments Give Insights into the Ecological Role and Cellular Features of
Loki
- and
Thorarchaeota
Authors: Manoharan Lokeshwaran , Kozlowski Jessica A. , Murdoch Robert W. , Löffler Frank E. , Sousa Filipa L. , Schleper Christa
Published: September 2019

Microorganisms of the superphylum Asgard
Archaea
are considered to be the closest living prokaryotic relatives of eukaryotes (including plants and animals) and thus promise to give insights into the early evolution of more complex life forms. However, very little is known about their biology as none of the organisms has yet been cultivated in the laboratory. Here we report on the ecological distribution of Asgard
Archaea
and on four newly sequenced genomes of the
Lokiarchaeota
and
Thorarchaeota
lineages that give insight into possible metabolic features that might eventually help to identify these enigmatic groups of archaea in the environment and to culture them.
Randomized Lasso Links Microbial Taxa with Aquatic Functional Groups Inferred from Flow Cytometry
Authors: Rubbens Peter , Schmidt Marian L. , Props Ruben , Biddanda Bopaiah A. , Boon Nico , Waegeman Willem , Denef Vincent J.
Published: September 2019

A major goal in microbial ecology is to understand how microbial community structure influences ecosystem functioning. Various methods to directly associate bacterial taxa to functional groups in the environment are being developed. In this study, we applied machine learning methods to relate taxonomic data obtained from marker gene surveys to functional groups identified by flow cytometry. This allowed us to identify the taxa that are associated with heterotrophic productivity in freshwater lakes and indicated that the key contributors were highly system specific, regularly rare members of the community, and that some could possibly switch between being low and high contributors. Our approach provides a promising framework to identify taxa that contribute to ecosystem functioning and can be further developed to explore microbial contributions beyond heterotrophic production.
Characteristics and Evolutionary Analysis of Photosynthetic Gene Clusters on Extrachromosomal Replicons: from Streamlined Plasmids to Chromids
Authors: Liu Yanting , Zheng Qiang , Lin Wenxin , Jiao Nianzhi
Published: September 2019

The evolution of photosynthesis was a significant event during the diversification of biological life. Aerobic anoxygenic photoheterotrophic bacteria (AAPB) share physiological characteristics with chemoheterotrophs and represent an important group associated with bacteriochlorophyll-dependent phototrophy in the environment. Here, characterization and evolutionary analyses were conducted for 13 bacterial strains that contained photosynthetic gene clusters (PGCs) carried by extrachromosomal replicons (ECRs) to shed light on the evolution of chlorophototrophy in bacteria. This report advances our understanding of the importance of ECRs in the transfer of PGCs within marine photoheterotrophic bacteria.
Bioinformatics Identification of Anti-CRISPR Loci by Using Homology, Guilt-by-Association, and CRISPR Self-Targeting Spacer Approaches
Authors: Yin Yanbin , Yang Bowen , Entwistle Sarah
Published: September 2019

As a naturally occurring adaptive immune system, CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats–CRISPR-associated genes) systems are widely found in bacteria and archaea to defend against viruses. Since 2013, the application of various bacterial CRISPR-Cas systems has become very popular due to their development into targeted and programmable genome engineering tools with the ability to edit almost any genome. As the natural off-switch of CRISPR-Cas systems, anti-CRISPRs have a great potential to serve as regulators of CRISPR-Cas tools and enable safer and more controllable genome editing. This study will help understand the relative usefulness of the three bioinformatics approaches for new Acr discovery, as well as guide the future development of new bioinformatics tools to facilitate anti-CRISPR research. The thousands of Acr homologs and hundreds of new anti-CRISPR loci identified in this study will be a valuable data resource for genome engineers to search for new CRISPR-Cas regulators.
Haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn diagnosed after delivery of a baby to a mother with low anti-E antibody titres
Authors: Lee Tara T’Shieh Maey , Clarke Paul , Prosser-Snelling Edward
Published: September 2019

The authors report a term male neonate who was born in unexpectedly poor condition with low Apgar scores and low venous cord gas pH. He required admission to the neonatal unit and was found to have developed haemolytic anaemia with associated hydrops, following a presumed severe antenatal insult. Antenatally, low levels of anti-E antibodies (titre 8) had been detected at 28 weeks’ gestation. Following the British Society for Haematology and local neonatal team guidance, advice was given for cord direct antiglobulin test, full blood count and bilirubin at delivery. This case highlights the rare case of haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn on a background of maternal low titre anti-E antibodies.
Intravitreal bevacizumab in treatment of iris metastasis from primary lung carcinoma
Authors: Raval Vishal , Saldanha Merlin , Mittal Ruchi , Das Taraprasad
Published: September 2019

Iris metastases secondary to primary malignancy are rare and usually have poor overall survival. We report a case of a man aged 60 years who presented with chief complaints of progressive pain and redness of right eye of 5 days duration. Slit-lamp examination revealed a greyish white irregular nodular mass, arising from anterior iris surface reaching up to mid-periphery. With a clinical suspicion of iris metastasis, systemic investigations were requested. CT scan of chest reported a well-defined lobulated lesion in the lower lobe of lung with presence of multiple satellite nodules in both lungs suggestive of primary malignant neoplasm of lung. Tissue diagnosis was obtained through an iris lesion biopsy, which was opted for relative ease of approach. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of iris metastasis secondary to non-keratinising squamous cell carcinoma of lung. Local intravitreal injection of antivascular endothelial growth factor was administered for tumour regression along with systemic chemotherapy.
Prevalence of sustained hypertension and obesity among urban and rural adolescents: a school-based, cross-sectional study in North India
Authors: Mohan Bishav , Verma Amit , Singh Kavita , Singh Kalpana , Sharma Sarit , Bansal Raahat , Tandon Rohit , Goyal Abhishek , Singh Bhupinder , Chhabra Shibba Takkar , Aslam Naved , Wander Gurpreet Singh , Roy Ambuj , Prabhakaran Dorairaj
Published: September 2019

Objective

Recent data on sustained hypertension and obesity among school-going children and adolescents in India are limited. This study evaluates the prevalence of sustained hypertension and obesity and their risk factors among urban and rural adolescents in northern India.

Setting

A school-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in the urban and rural areas of Ludhiana, Punjab, India using standardised measurement tools.

Participants

A total of 1959 participants aged 11–17 years (urban: 849; rural: 1110) were included in this school-based survey.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

To measure sustained hypertension among school children, two distinct blood pressure (BP) measurements were recorded at an interval of 1 week. High BP was defined and classified into three groups as recommended by international guidelines: (1) normal BP: <90th percentile compared with age, sex and height percentile in each age group; (2) prehypertension: BP=90th–95th percentile; and (3) hypertension: BP >95th percentile. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics classification was used to define underweight, normal, overweight and obesity as per the body mass index (BMI) for specific age groups.

Results

The prevalence of sustained hypertension among rural and urban areas was 5.7% and 8.4%, respectively. The prevalence of obesity in rural and urban school children was 2.7% and 11.0%, respectively. The adjusted multiple regression model found that urban area (relative risk ratio (RRR): 1.7, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.93), hypertension (RRR: 7.4, 95% CI 4.21 to 13.16) and high socioeconomic status (RRR: 38.6, 95% CI 16.54 to 90.22) were significantly associated with an increased risk of obesity. However, self-reported regular physical activity had a protective effect on the risk of obesity among adolescents (RRR: 0.4, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.62). Adolescents who were overweight (RRR: 2.66, 95% CI 1.49 to 4.40) or obese (RRR: 7.21, 95% CI 4.09 to 12.70) and reported added salt intake in their diet (RRR: 4.90, 95% CI 2.83 to 8.48) were at higher risk of hypertension.

Conclusion

High prevalence of sustained hypertension and obesity was found among urban school children and adolescents in a northern state in India. Hypertension among adolescents was positively associated with overweight and obesity (high BMI). Prevention and early detection of childhood obesity and high BP should be strengthened to prevent the risk of cardiovascular diseases in adults.
Paediatric systemic lupus erythematosus as a manifestation of constitutional mismatch repair deficiency
Authors: Toledano Helen , Orenstein Naama , Sofrin Efrat , Ruhrman-Shahar Noa , Amarilyo Gil , Basel-Salmon Lina , Shuldiner Alan R , Smirin-Yosef Pola , Aronson Melyssa , Al-tarrah Hibs , Bazak Lili , Gonzaga-Jauregui Claudia , Tabori Uri , Wimmer Katharina , Goldberg Yael
Published: September 2019

Biallelic mutations in any of the four mismatch repair genes MSH2, MSH6, MLH1 and PMS2 result in one of the most aggressive childhood cancer predisposition syndromes, termed constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD) syndrome. In addition to a very high tumour risk, the CMMRD phenotype is often characterised by the presence of signs reminiscent of neurofibromatosis type 1. Although paediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE) has been reported so far in three patients with CMMRD, it has not been considered a diagnostic feature of the syndrome. We report here two additional female patients with pSLE and CMMRD due to biallelic pathogenic variants in MSH6. Hence, there are a total of five out of approximately 200 (2.5%) currently reported patients with CMMRD that also have pSLE, suggesting pSLE should raise the suspicion of a diagnosis of CMMRD, especially if supported by additional indicative features
Analysis of quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test patterns in patients with complex regional pain syndrome diagnosed using the Budapest criteria
Authors: Lee Ho-Jin , Kim Se Eun , Moon Jee Youn , Shin Je-Young , Kim Yong-Chul
Published: September 2019

Background

Although the quantitative sensory axon reflex test (QSART) is used to evaluate sudomotor dysfunction in the diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), its validity remains controversial. This study investigated the diagnostic performance of the QSART for CRPS and assessed associations between results of the QSART and other clinical variables.

Methods

We examined the electronic medical records of 196 consecutive patients who underwent the QSART with a suspected diagnosis of CRPS, during the period from January 2013 to December 2015. To assess the diagnostic performance of the QSART for CRPS based on the Budapest research criteria, we calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio. Furthermore, we performed binary logistic regression analyses to investigate the relationships between QSART results and other clinical variables.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of the QSART for diagnosing CRPS were 67.6% and 40.6%, respectively. The OR for diagnosing CRPS using the QSART was not statistically significant (1.43; 95% CI 0.65 to 3.14; p=0.376), whereas it was for distinguishing CRPS types I and II (4.11; 95% CI 1.34 to 12.57; p=0.013). In multivariable analysis, there were no correlations between the results of the QSART and other variables, except hypertension (OR=0.34; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.91; p=0.032).

Conclusion

The QSART showed low diagnostic value as a screening or a confirmatory test for CRPS according to the Budapest research criteria. CRPS type II was more likely than CRPS type I to result in abnormal QSART results.
Detecting and imaging of SO2 derivatives in living cells with zero cross-talk colorimetric mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe
Authors: Wu Dan , Rong Shiqi , Liu Yi , Zheng Fei , Zhao Yankun , Yang Ruiwu , Du Xiaogang , Meng Fengyan , Zou Ping , Wang Guangtu
Published: September 2019

It is well known that excessive levels of sulfur dioxide and its derivatives are connected to diverse diseases. Therefore, developing highly sensitive probes to detect and monitor sulfite in living cells is important for the diagnosis of disease and the study of biochemical processes in vivo. In this report, two zero cross-talk ratiometric fluorescent probes were synthesized (CA-ID-MC and CA-BI-MC), which were derived from carbazole-indolenine π-conjugated system for effective detection of sulfite in living cells. Observably, CA-BI-MC exhibited the largest emission shift of 157 nm from 617 to 460 nm with the addition of various concentrations of sulfite, which is beneficial for high-resolution imaging of the sulfite. CA-BI-MC also exhibits high sensitivity and low cytotoxicity. More importantly, this probe successfully located mitochondria and sensed the sulfite in HeLa cells caused by exogenous stimulation.
Influence of the functional groups −NH2, −OCH3, and −OH on the thermochemistry of indanes
Authors: Silva Ana L.R. , Gama Paula M.V. , Ribeiro da Silva Maria D.M.C.
Published: September 2019

This work is a contribution to the thermochemical characterization of bicyclic hydrocarbons, reporting the study of six indane derivatives: 4-aminoindane, 5-aminoindane, 5-methoxyindane, 1-indanol, 2-indanol, and 5-indanol. The combustion calorimetry technique was used to measure the massic energy of combustion of each compound in the condensed state, which has been used to derive the corresponding standard (p° = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpy of formation, at 298.15 K. The standard molar enthalpies of sublimation or vaporization of the compounds were determined by high-temperature Calvet microcalorimetry. For each indane derivative, the results obtained for those two properties, allowed to derive the respective value of standard molar enthalpy of formation, in the gaseous phase. Additionally, a theoretical study at the G3(MP2)//B3LYP level has been carried out, and the calculated enthalpies of formation have been compared with the experimental values. The values of the enthalpy of formation, in the gaseous phase, were analysed in terms of correlations between the structural (different substituents in the indane core) and energetics characteristics.
Interspecific hybridizations of Fraxinus L. (F. mandshurica × F. americana and F. mandshurica × F. velutina) and heterosis analysis and selection of F1 progenies
Authors: He Liming , Zeng Fansuo , He Zhilong , Li Yuhua , Li Shujuan , Zhan Yaguang
Published: September 2019

The interspecific hybridizations of Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. × Fraxinus americana L. (MA) and Fraxinus mandshurica × Fraxinus velutina Torr. (MV) were conducted to solve the problems of poor cold adaption associated with the introduction of Fraxinus in Heilongjiang province. High-voltage electrostatic field (HVEF) treatment to pollen was performed to overcome the prefertilization barriers. The hybrids adapted more strongly and grew better than the pure species (heterosis over higher parent (HHP) of the 9-year volume index was 5.5% for MA and 23.1% for MV) in Heilongjiang province. HVEF treatment greatly improved the number of seeds (0.25- to 5.52-fold) and seedlings (1.63- to 8.71-fold) of the hybrids. Additionally, three excellent female parents (nos. 15, 16, and 17) and seven hybrid combinations of MA (D94, D70, and D100) and MV (D103, D116, D105, and D104) with excellent growth traits were selected. The HHPs of volume index were 39.1%–112.5% for selected hybrids. Additionally, predicted growth trends of the hybrids showed that the hybrids will maintain a 7.7% to 9.3% height advantage over F. mandshurica through ages 10 to 15 years in Mao Ershan. These findings will accelerate the genetic breeding process of Fraxinus species.
Higher-order geometric flow of hypersurfaces in a Riemannian manifold
Authors: Jia Zonglin , Wang Youde
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we consider the high-order geometric flows of a compact submanifolds [Formula: see text] in a complete Riemannian manifold [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text], which were introduced by Mantegazza in the case the ambient space is an Euclidean space, and extend some results due to Mantegazza to the present situation under some assumptions on [Formula: see text]. Precisely, we show that if [Formula: see text] is strictly larger than the integer part of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is an immersion for all [Formula: see text] and if [Formula: see text] is bounded by a constant which relies on the injectivity radius [Formula: see text] and sectional curvature [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] must be [Formula: see text].
Formal orbifolds and orbifold bundles in positive characteristic
Authors: Kumar Manish , Parameswaran A. J.
Published: September 2019

We define formal orbifolds over an algebraically closed field of arbitrary characteristic as curves together with some branch data. Their étale coverings and their fundamental groups are also defined. These fundamental groups approximate the fundamental group of an appropriate affine curve. We also define vector bundles on these objects and the category of orbifold bundles on any smooth projective curve. Analogues of various statements about vector bundles which are true in characteristic zero are also proved. Some of these are positive characteristic avatars of notions which appear in the second author’s work [A. J. Parmeswaran, Parabolic coverings I: Case of curves, J. Ramanujam Math. Soc. 25(3) (2010) 233–251.] in characteristic zero.
Automatic computing of the grand potential in finite temperature many-body perturbation theory
Authors: Tag M. A. , Mansour M. E.
Published: September 2019

A new program created in C/C[Formula: see text] language generates automatically the analytic expression of grand potential and prints it in Latex2e format and in textual data. Another code created in Mathematica language can translate the textual data into a mathematical expression and help any interested to evaluate the thermodynamic quantities in analytic or numeric forms.
Inhibitory Effects of Black Ginseng on Particulate Matter-Induced Pulmonary Injury
Authors: Lee Wonhwa , Ku Sae-Kwang , Kim Ji-Eun , Cho Soo-Hyun , Song Gyu-Yong , Bae Jong-Sup
Published: September 2019

Inhalation of fine particulate matter ([Formula: see text]) is associated with elevated pulmonary injury caused by the loss of vascular barrier integrity. Black ginseng (BG), steamed and dried ginseng nine times, exhibits various pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antihyperglycemic, anti-atopic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we investigated the beneficial effects of black ginseng extract (BGE) against PM-induced lung endothelial cell (EC) barrier disruption and pulmonary inflammation. Permeability, leukocyte migration, activation of proinflammatory proteins, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and histology were examined in [Formula: see text]-treated ECs and mice. BGE significantly scavenged [Formula: see text]-induced ROS and inhibited the ROS-induced activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Concurrently, BGE activated Akt, which helped maintain endothelial integrity. Furthermore, BGE reduced vascular protein leakage, leukocyte infiltration, and proinflammatory cytokine release in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in PM-induced lung tissues. These results indicated that BGE may exhibit protective effects against PM-induced inflammatory lung injury and vascular hyperpermeability.
DETERMINANTS OF FERTILITY IN THE LONG RUN
Authors: LEE JONG-WHA
Published: September 2019

This study investigates the determinants of fertility using a panel data set for 43 countries from 1900 to 2010 at five-year intervals. The regression results show that fertility increases with infant mortality and national disasters and decreases with total years of educational attainment and political development. Fertility rates fall initially and then rise with an increase in income. Average years of schooling of females has a significantly negative effect on fertility rates, whereas that of males are statistically insignificant. A woman’s educational attainment at the primary and secondary levels has a pronounced negative effect on fertility rates. On the contrary, an increase in a woman’s tertiary educational attainment, with the level of a man’s remaining constant, tends to raise fertility rates, particularly in advanced countries, indicating that highly educated women can have a better environment for childrearing in a society with greater gender equality.
Differentiation via Logarithmic Expansions
Authors: Fu Michael C. , Heidergott Bernd , Leahu Haralambie , Vázquez-Abad Felisa J.
Published: September 2019

In this note, we introduce a new finite difference approximation called the Black-Box Logarithmic Expansion Numerical Derivative (BLEND) algorithm, which is based on a formal logarithmic expansion of the differentiation operator. BLEND capitalizes on parallelization and provides derivative approximations of arbitrary precision, i.e., our analysis can be used to determine the number of terms in the series expansion to guarantee a specified number of decimal places of accuracy. Furthermore, in the vector setting, the complexity of the resulting directional derivative is independent of the dimension of the parameter.