bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subgroups of IBS patients are characterized by specific, reproducible profiles of GI and non‐GI symptoms and report differences in healthcare utilization: A population‐based study
Authors: Polster Annikka V. , Palsson Olafur S. , Törnblom Hans , Öhman Lena , Sperber Ami D. , Whitehead William E. , Simrén Magnus
Published: November 2018

Background

In a previous clinical sample of IBS patients, subgroups characterized by profiles of GI and non‐GI symptoms were identified. We aimed to replicate these subgroups and symptom associations in participants fulfilling IBS diagnostic criteria from a population‐based study and relate them to healthcare utilization.

Methods

An Internet‐based health survey was completed by general population adults from United States, Canada, and UK. Respondents fulfilling IBS diagnosis (Rome III and IV) were analyzed for latent subgroups using Gaussian mixture model analysis. Symptom measures were derived from validated questionnaires: IBS‐related GI symptoms (Rome IV), extraintestinal somatic symptoms (PHQ‐12), and psychological symptoms (SF‐8).

Key Results

A total of 637 respondents fulfilled Rome III criteria (average age 46 years, range 18‐87, 66% females) and 341 Rome IV criteria (average age 44, range 18‐77, 64% female) for IBS. Seven subgroups were identified in the Rome III cohort, characterized by profiles of GI symptoms (constipation‐related, diarrhea‐related, and mixed, respectively), and further distinguished by the presence or absence of non‐GI comorbidities. The Rome IV cohort showed five similar but less distinct subgroups with a preponderance of mixed symptom profiles. Higher severity of non‐GI comorbidities was associated with more frequent healthcare visits and medication usage.

Conclusions and Inferences

In line with previous findings in a clinical IBS cohort, we were able to identify population‐based subgroups characterized by a combination of GI symptoms with the additional distinction made by varying severity of non‐GI symptoms and with differences in healthcare utilization.
Core principles which explain variation in respiration across biological scales
Authors: O'Leary Brendan M. , Asao Shinichi , Millar A. Harvey , Atkin Owen K.
Published: November 2018

Contents

Summary
670

I.
Introduction
671

II.
Principle 1 – Plant respiration performs three distinct functions
673

III.
Principle 2 – Metabolic pathway flexibility underlies plant respiratory performance
676

IV.
Principle 3 – Supply and demand interact over time to set plant respiration rate
677

V.
Principle 4 – Plant respiratory acclimation involves adjustments in enzyme capacities
679

VI.
Principle 5 – Respiration is a complex trait that helps to define, and is impacted by, plant lifestyle strategies
680

VII.
Future directions
680

Acknowledgements
682

References
682

Respiration is a core biological process that has important implications for the biochemistry, physiology, and ecology of plants. The study of plant respiration is thus conducted from several different perspectives by a range of scientific disciplines with dissimilar objectives, such as metabolic engineering, crop breeding, and climate‐change modelling. One aspect in common among the different objectives is a need to understand and quantify the variation in respiration across scales of biological organization. The central tenet of this review is that different perspectives on respiration can complement each other when connected. To better accommodate interdisciplinary thinking, we identify distinct mechanisms which encompass the variation in respiratory rates and functions across biological scales. The relevance of these mechanisms towards variation in plant respiration are explained in the context of five core principles: (1) respiration performs three distinct functions; (2) metabolic pathway flexibility underlies respiratory performance; (3) supply and demand interact over time to set respiration rates; (4) acclimation involves adjustments in enzyme capacities; and (5) respiration is a complex trait that helps to define, and is impacted by, plant lifestyle strategies. We argue that each perspective on respiration rests on these principles to varying degrees and that broader appreciation of how respiratory variation occurs can unite research across scales.
Small traits with big consequences: how seed traits of nitrogen‐fixing plants might influence ecosystem nutrient cycling
Authors: Wilcots Megan E. , Taylor Benton N. , Kuprewicz Erin K. , Menge Duncan N. L.
Published: November 2018

Symbiotic nitrogen (N)‐fixing plants have important effects on the biogeochemical processes of the sites they inhabit, but their ability to reach these sites is determined by the dispersal of their seeds. Differences in seed size and dispersal vectors of N‐fixing and non‐fixing plants could influence the spatial and temporal distributions of N fixers, and thus could have important impacts on biogeochemical cycling. Using seed mass, dispersal vector, and biome data retrieved from online public databases, we ask if there are systematic differences in seed mass and dispersal vectors between N‐fixing and non‐fixing plants. We demonstrate that rhizobial N fixers tend to have larger seeds that are more likely to be biotically dispersed than seeds of non‐fixers, whereas actinorhizal N‐fixing trees tend to have small, abiotically dispersed seeds. We then synthesize existing evidence from the literature to draw links between these dispersal traits and the spatio–temporal patterns of N fixers, as well as their biogeochemical effects on terrestrial ecosystems. Using this literature, we argue that the spatio–temporal distributions of N fixers are influenced by their seed dispersal characteristics, and that these distribution patterns have important effects on the total amount of N fixed at a site and the timing of N inputs during processes such as succession.
Comparison of cognitive performance in bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, unaffected first‐degree relatives, and healthy controls
Authors: Bo Qijing , Dong Fang , Li Xianbin , Li Feng , Li Peng , Yu Haiting , He Fan , Zhang Guofu , Wang Zhimin , Ma Xin , Wang Chuanyue
Published: November 2018

Aim

The extent and specifics regarding cognitive dysfunction in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) or major depressive disorder (MDD) and their unaffected first‐degree relatives (FDR) have not been addressed in any single study. The present study compared the cognitive function of patients with BD or MDD, their FDR, and healthy control (HC) individuals.

Methods

The study population comprised adults (aged 18–55 years) with BD, adults with MDD, FDR (children or siblings of patients with BD or MDD), and HC (n = 105, 109, 85, and 95, respectively). The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status was used to assess neurocognitive functions, with five domains and 12 tests. A Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale brief form was applied to evaluate IQ. Status of mood was assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale and the Hamilton Depression Scale.

Results

The mixed model indicated significant variation among the four groups in cognitive function. Cognitive impairments, compared to HC, progressively greater from least to most were found in: FDR, MDD, and BD (F = 32.74, P < 0.001). Years of education correlated with cognitive performance (F = 17.04, P < 0.001), as did IQ (F = 240.63, P < 0.001). The total score for the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression negatively correlated with cognitive function (F = 5.78, P = 0.017).

Conclusion

Among the study groups, patients with BD had the most severe deficits, followed by MDD patients and FDR. Cognitive deficits could not be associated with a specific psychiatric disorder, but differences in degree were noted.
General mental ability, conscientiousness, and the work–family interface: A test of mediating pathways
Authors: Huang Jason L. , Shaffer Jonathan A. , Li Andrew , King Robert A.
Published: November 2018

This study proposed a model in which employee general mental ability (GMA) and conscientiousness are linked to work–family conflict and enrichment through their relationship with occupational prestige and coping styles. We evaluated this model in a sample of 709 working adults from the National Survey of Midlife Development II in the United States. Results indicate that, through occupational prestige and subsequent psychological job demands and financial well‐being, GMA was related to work‐to‐family conflict (WFC) and family‐to‐work conflict (FWC). GMA was also related to work‐to‐family enrichment (WFE) but not family‐to‐work enrichment (FWE) through occupational prestige and autonomy. In contrast, conscientiousness did not influence work–family outcomes through occupational prestige. Additionally, GMA and conscientiousness were both related to WFE/FWE through problem coping, whereas conscientiousness was related to FWC through avoidance coping. Examining the relative effects of GMA and conscientiousness, we found that the indirect effects of GMA through occupational prestige were stronger than those of conscientiousness, whereas the indirect effects of conscientiousness through problem coping were stronger than those of GMA. We discuss our findings in terms of the mechanisms through which stable individual differences may exert influences on work–family outcomes.
Negative disclosures and feeling caught mediate coparental communication and mental health
Authors: Schrodt Paul , Afifi Tamara D.
Published: November 2018

This study tested parents' negative relational disclosures and young adult children's feelings of being caught between their parents as mediators of coparental communication (i.e., supportive and antagonistic) and mental health in children. Participants included 225 triads from intact and divorced families. Results indicate that the effects of supportive and antagonistic coparental communication on children's adjustment are more robust for mothers than for fathers. Nevertheless, receiving parents' negative disclosures and experiencing a loyalty divide mediates the effects of both mother's and father's coparental communication on young adults' mental health. Importantly, this explanatory process is generalizable to both intact and divorced families, yielding meaningful implications for coparenting education programs.
International survey on anticoagulation and antiplatelet strategies after pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Calinescu Ana M. , Karam Oliver , Wilde Jim C. H. , Ansari Marc , McLin Valerie A. , Wildhaber Barbara E.
Published: November 2018

In pediatric LT, anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents are regularly used to reduce the risk of vascular thrombosis. As evidence for optimal strategy is lacking, local practices vary greatly. The present survey aimed to compile an international overview of anticoagulation and antiplatelet strategies in pediatric LT. An online survey was sent to 98 pediatric LT centers in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Twenty‐four centers answered the survey. 20/24 (83%) use some sort of anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy, yielding 20 different strategies. Perioperative vascular problems, size of the hepatic artery, and patient weight were the most frequent determinants of changes in anticoagulant and antiplatelet strategy. Early HAT rates were reported to be 5% or less in 79% of responding centers. Anticoagulation and antiplatelet strategies were not significantly associated with early HAT rates (P = 0.63), or with the number of pediatric LTs performed per year and center (P = 0.92). Internationally, there is a wide variety in anticoagulation and antiplatelet strategies after pediatric LT. Efforts must be made to design a prospective multicentric trial to identify the optimal antithrombotic strategy.
Life‐history and demographic traits of the marula fruit fly Ceratitis cosyra: potential consequences of host specialization
Authors: Roets Petrus D. , Bosua Henrika , Ruth Archer C. , Weldon Christopher W.
Published: November 2018

Life‐history strategies are diverse both across and within species, although the factors shaping this diversity are not fully understood. In the present study, we investigate the life‐history strategies of the marula fruit fly Ceratitis cosyra (Walker) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and how they differ between the sexes. We measure lifespan and age‐dependent reproductive effort in both sexes. In females, reproductive effort is measured as fecundity (egg counts) and for males, courtship behaviour, mating propensity and sperm transfer at ages 5, 15 and 25 days are assayed. Mean ± SE lifespan of flies is 104.6 ± 2.8 days, with females living on average 9 days longer than males. Total female fecundity and time until peak egg production both positively correlate with lifespan. The proportion of males courting and mating is similar at 5 and 15 days, although courtship activity increases and mating success decreases significantly by 25 days. The number of sperm transferred and sperm storage asymmetry are highest at 15 days, with 12 173 ± 826 sperm being stored per female after mating. We also compare life‐history traits in C. cosyra with other tephritids, aiming to determine how niche breadth might contribute to life‐history evolution. In comparison with other tephritids, C. cosyra has a long lifespan and a relatively low lifetime fecundity, although males transfer particularly large numbers of sperm during copulation. These life‐history traits may be associated with the seasonal availability of marulas, which are its preferred native host.
A Review of Risk Matrices Used in Acute Hospitals in England
Authors: Kaya Gulsum Kubra , Ward James , Clarkson John
Published: November 2018

In healthcare, patient safety has received substantial attention and, in turn, a number of approaches to managing safety have been adopted from other high‐risk industries. One of these has been risk assessment, predominantly through the use of risk matrices. However, while other industries have criticized the design and use of these risk matrices, the applicability of such criticism has not been investigated formally in healthcare. This study examines risk matrices as used in acute hospitals in England and the guidance provided for their use. It investigates the applicability of criticisms of risk matrices from outside healthcare through a document analysis of the risk assessment policies, procedures, and strategies used in English hospitals. The findings reveal that there is a large variety of risk matrices used, where the design of some might increase the chance of risk misprioritization. Additionally, findings show that hospitals may provide insufficient guidance on how to use risk matrices as well as what to do in response to the existing criticisms of risk matrices. Consequently, this is likely to lead to variation in the quality of risk assessment and in the subsequent deployment of resources to manage the assessed risk. Finally, the article outlines ways in which hospitals could use risk matrices more effectively.
Poverty changes in Manaus: Legacy of a Brazilian free trade zone?
Authors: Castilho Marta , Menéndez Marta , Sztulman Aude
Published: November 2018

This study contributes to the literature on the social impacts of Special Economic Zones by analyzing poverty changes in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, where the Free Trade Zone of Manaus (FTZM) is located. Using census data, statistical micro‐decompositions and counterfactual simulations, we show that labor income was the major driver of poverty declines during the 2000 to 2010 decade in the municipality of Manaus (and all the more so for households with members working in the FTZM, who were less poor to start with). Comparison with ex‐ante “similar” municipalities, in regard to socioeconomic and demographic criteria, corroborates the relative success of Manaus in terms of poverty reduction as well as the essential role played by labor income. Wage regressions also show a significant FTZM premium effect for workers, though diminishing over time. In the rest of the state of Amazonas, nonlabor income remains the main factor for poverty reduction and the FTZM appears to have limited spillover effects, even at short distances. Our contrasting results illustrate both the benefits and limitations that trade and industrial policies face in underprivileged areas and suggest that a better targeting of social policies is needed to improve distributional outcomes and spillovers for the whole state.
Industrial structure and economic performance: The role of productive public expenditure
Authors: Chang Cheng‐wei
Published: November 2018

I consider productive government spending and preference for diversity in an imperfectly competitive macroeconomic framework, and analyze how differences in industrial structure affect economic growth and the welfare level. Two main findings emerge from the analysis. First, the optimal ratio of government spending is related to the extent of public expenditure externalities and preference for diversity. Second, the vertical separation regime leads to a higher economic growth rate and welfare level than the vertical integration regime, provided that the degree of monopoly power is relatively small.
Pro‐Poorness Orderings
Authors: Chakravarty Satya R. , Chattopadhyay Nachiketa , D’Ambrosio Conchita
Published: November 2018

An indicator of pro‐poorness of a growth profile associated with a distribution of income is a measure of the extent to which growth is biased towards the poor. This paper proposes a general approach to pro‐poorness, called the progressive sequential averaging principle (PSA), relaxing the requirement of rank preservation due to growth. An endogenous benchmark for evaluating the growth of poor comes out naturally from this principle. A dominance relation on the basis of the above approach for a class of growth profiles is introduced through a simple device, called the PSA curve and its properties are examined in relation to the standard dominances in terms of the generalized Lorenz curve and the inverse generalized Lorenz curve. The paper concludes with an application to evaluate growth profiles experienced by the United States between 2001–07 and 2007–13.
Incarcerating Exceptional Pupils: Is There a School‐to‐Prison Pipeline in Eastern Oklahoma?*
Authors: Fitzgerald Brett A. , Hunt Valerie H. , Kerr Brinck
Published: November 2018

Objective

We examine the referral of students, including special needs students, from public schools in eastern Oklahoma to the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA), the state's juvenile justice authority.

Methods

Using data from 154 public schools in 10 eastern Oklahoma counties and using ordinary least squares and Tobit analyses, we explore the following general research question: Do some schools refer students to the OJA at greater rates than other schools, and if so, why?

Results

The results indicate that greater percentages of students referred by public schools to the OJA are consistently related to higher percentages of African‐American, Latino, and male students—and in some cases, to higher percentages of special needs students and students receiving free/reduced lunch.

Conclusion

These findings strongly suggest that policies and practices implemented by public schools may contribute to disparate outcomes.
Automatic cloud resource management for interactive remote geovisualization
Authors: Zhang Tong , Li Jing
Published: November 2018

Remote geovisualization has gained momentum to support large‐scale geospatial data analysis and complex decision‐making over the last few years. Cloud computing, due to its capabilities to deliver on‐demand computing resources, has been embraced to develop and deploy interactive and scalable remote geovisualization applications. However, current cloud computing frameworks do not offer a versatile resource management scheme that is readily applicable for online remote visualization services, which usually require maintaining a satisfactory service level over time under dynamic workloads. To address this gap, we propose an automatic cloud resource management approach based on a bi‐level scheduling and horizontal scaling scheme to exploit cloud resources efficiently. At the lower level, a dynamic task‐scheduling scheme using collaborative filtering techniques is proposed to allocate virtual cloud resources to execute sub‐tasks. The scheduling scheme considers spatio‐temporal patterns presented in visualization views. At the upper level, reinforcement learning is adopted to perform resource auto‐scaling based on a reward function that integrates three different facets, namely: time cost, resource cost, and service stability. The original reinforcement learning algorithm is improved in two main aspects: (1) considering the delay of resource provisioning that is common in cloud environments; and (2) using online Gaussian estimation to estimate Q values. Task scheduling and auto‐scaling interact with each other and are integrated to deliver a comprehensive and responsive resource management solution. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach outperforms several existing cloud resource management methods. The proposed approach is also applicable for other interactive visualization applications, which have similar workload characteristics and performance requirements as interactive remote geovisualization.
A non‐parametric statistical test method to detect significant cross‐outliers in spatial points
Authors: Deng Min , Yang Xuexi , Shi Yan , Gong Jianya , Tang Jianbo , Liu Yang
Published: November 2018

In spatial points that describe geographical events, outliers that deviate significantly from the global or local distribution indicate extraordinary geographical phenomena. Existing outlier detection methods cannot statistically identify significant outliers by considering the co‐occurrences of multiple categories of spatial points. Therefore, this study develops a non‐parametric statistical test method to detect significant cross‐outliers from two categories of spatial points divided into primary and reference ones. Firstly, the cross K function is employed to test the significance of co‐occurrences of the two categories of points, and the co‐occurrence intensity of each primary point is quantitatively defined as the number of reference points in its circular buffer. Then, the edge‐constrained Delaunay triangulation is utilized to construct a reasonable spatial neighborhood for each primary point. On this basis, the Monte Carlo method is utilized to simulate the distribution of reference points in the support domain of each primary point delineated using the α‐shape algorithm, and those primary points with significantly different local co‐occurrence intensity are determined as spatial cross‐outliers. Finally, those cross‐outliers obtained using different buffers are evaluated further by analysis of living intervals. Experiments on both simulated and real‐life datasets demonstrate the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed method.
Translational genomics using Arabidopsis as a model enables the characterization of pennycress genes through forward and reverse genetics
Authors: Chopra Ratan , Johnson Evan B. , Daniels Erin , McGinn Michaela , Dorn Kevin M. , Esfahanian Maliheh , Folstad Nicole , Amundson Kirk , Altendorf Kayla , Betts Kevin , Frels Katherine , Anderson James A. , Wyse Donald L. , Sedbrook John C. , David Marks M.
Published: November 2018

Thlaspi arvense (pennycress) has the potential for domestication as a new oilseed crop. Information from an extensive body of research on the related plant species Arabidopsis can be used to greatly speed this process. Genome‐scale comparisons in this paper documented that pennycress and Arabidopsis share similar gene duplication. This finding led to the hypothesis that it should be possible to isolate Arabidopsis‐like mutants in pennycress. This proved to be true, as forward genetic screens identified floral and vegetative pennycress mutants that were similar to mutants found in Arabidopsis. Extending this approach, it was shown that most of the pennycress genes responsible for the formation of oxidized tannins could be rapidly identified. The causative mutations in the pennycress mutants could be identified either by PCR amplification of candidate genes or through whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) analysis. In all, WGS was used to characterize 95 ethyl methane sulfonate mutants, which revealed a mutation rate of 4.09 mutations per megabase. A sufficient number of non‐synonymous mutations were identified to create a mutant gene index that could be used for reverse genetic approaches to identify pennycress mutants of interest. As proof of concept, a Ta‐max3‐like dwarf mutant and Ta‐kcs5/cer60‐like wax mutants deficient in the biosynthesis of long chain fatty acids were identified. Overall, these studies demonstrate that translational genomics can be used to promote the domestication of pennycress. Furthermore, the ease with which important findings could be made in pennycress makes this species a new potential model plant.
Effects of anemia and blood transfusion on clot formation and platelet function in patients with septic shock: a substudy of the randomized TRISS trial
Authors: Russell Lene , Holst Lars Broksø , Lange Theis , Liang Xuan , Ostrowski Sisse Rye , Perner Anders
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

The effects of anemia and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion on markers of clot formation and platelet function in patients with septic shock are unknown. We assessed these effects in a randomized transfusion trial of patients with septic shock.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We performed a prospective substudy of the Transfusion Requirements in Septic Shock (TRISS) trial, randomly assigning patients in the intensive care unit with septic shock and hemoglobin concentration of 9.0 g/dL or less to transfusion with one unit of RBCs at a hemoglobin level of 9.0 g/dL or a level of 7.0 g/dL. We assessed thromboelastography (TEG), multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA), platelet count, and international normalized ratio (INR) immediately before and after the first blood transfusion and again 3 hours after. The effects of hemoglobin level were analyzed using multiple linear regression and the association between markers of hemostasis and subsequent bleeding by Cox regression models.

RESULTS

We included 58 patients in this substudy. We observed no differences in whole blood clot formation, platelet count or function, or INR between patients with hemoglobin levels of 7.0 and 9.0 g/dL, and we found no effect of RBC transfusion on these markers. Platelet function, assessed by MEA, but not whole blood clot formation, was associated with subsequent bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with septic shock, the level of anemia and the transfusion of RBCs did not appear to influence clot formation or platelet function. Low platelet function, as evaluated by MEA, was associated with increased risk of subsequent bleeding.
Apheresis principles in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia during pregnancy: challenges in cell separation and assessing transcript levels
Authors: Lund Kit Peiter , Larsen Maria Torp , Haastrup Eva Kannik , Pedersen Berit Woetman , Maroun Lisa Leth , Andersen Morten Tolstrup , Bjerrum Ole Weis , Fischer‐Nielsen Anne
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is rarely diagnosed in pregnant women.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of a pregnant woman who presented with a leukocyte count of 250 × 109 cells/L at gestational age (GA) 26 weeks and was diagnosed with CML in the chronic phase. Because the patient deliberately opted out of interferon α and tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment, the main goal was to reduce the leukocyte count to postpone delivery beyond the number of weeks considered severely premature and avoid thromboembolic complications while continuously evaluating the clinical safety of the mother and fetus. Hence therapeutic leukapheresis was initiated, and we report the first application of an apheresis approach for this procedure using the Spectra Optia instrument without sedimentation agents. Leukapheresis was conducted 2 to 4 times per week for 9 weeks.

RESULTS

During treatment the leukocyte count decreased remarkably, and the patient developed lymphopenia together with a paradoxical increase in her blood platelet count. Premature labor was induced at GA 35 weeks, and a healthy boy was delivered. Thereafter, the patient initiated imatinib treatment and was in major molecular and complete cytogenetic remission after 1 year. Despite the remarkable reduction of the leukocyte count, we observed a pronounced increase in expression of BCR‐ABL1 transcripts, implying the need for close monitoring of patients with CML during pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a pregnant woman who was diagnosed with CML and treated solely with apheresis procedures using the Spectra Optia instrument for 9 weeks, ensuring the safe delivery of her child.
Drug‐induced immune haemolytic anaemias
Authors: Branch Donald R.
Published: November 2018

It has been more than 50 years since the first reports of penicillin‐ and methyldopa‐induced haemolytic anaemias emerged. Since these initial observations in 1966, that high‐dose intravenous penicillin can result in a penicillin‐antibody‐dependent immune haemolytic anaemia and patients receiving α‐methyldopa developed haemolytic anaemia similar to warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, cases of patients having a drug‐induced haemolysis has expanded greatly to include a myriad of different drugs. Indeed, there are now well over 100 drugs that have been described as causing immune‐mediated haemolysis. The history of drug‐induced immune haemolytic anaemia's can be subdivided into two different chapters: (1) The penicillin and methyldopa chapter and (2) the cephalothins and cefotetan chapter. In this review, these two chapters in the history of drug‐induced immune haemolytic anaemias will be dissected, including the different mechanisms of haemolysis that have been proposed. These include so‐called hapten, immune‐complex, drug adsorption and autoimmune mechanisms. The biochemical and immunological mechanisms of drug‐induced immune haemolytic anaemias will be discussed as well as important considerations in the approach to the laboratory investigation of these conditions in the blood bank and reference laboratories. An approach to the use of drug metabolites as well as a hypothesis as to how ‘non‐specific’ drug adsorption occurs and how it can be prevented will be presented. The objective of this review will be to provide an up‐to‐date understanding of the types of drug‐induced immune haemolytic anaemias, their differentiation in the laboratory and the biochemistry and immunology underlying these conditions.
Modulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and mitogen‐activated protein kinase‐related pathway involved in extracorporeal shockwave therapy accelerate diabetic wound healing
Authors: Chen Rong‐Fu , Chang Chih‐Hau , Wang Chun‐Ting , Yang Ming‐Yu , Wang Ching‐Jen , Kuo Yur‐Ren
Published: November 2018

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has a significant positive effect to accelerate chronic wound healing. This study investigated whether the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)–related pathway has involved in ESWT enhancement of diabetic wound healing. A dorsal skin defect (area, 6 × 5 cm) in a streptozotocin‐induced diabetes rodent model was used. Thirty‐two male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Group I consisted of nondiabetic control; group II, diabetic control without treatment; group III, diabetic rats received ESWT; and group IV, rats received Avastin (a VEGF monoclonal antibody) on day 0 (post‐wounding immediately) to day 7 and ESWT on day 3 and day 7. The wound healing was assessed clinically. The VEGF, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and Ki‐67 were analyzed with immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA expression of mitogen‐activated protein kinase–related genes was measured by real‐time quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed wound size was significantly reduced in the ESWT‐treated rats as compared to the diabetic control (p < 0.01). The positive effect of ESWT‐increasing wound healing was significantly suppressed in pretreatment of the Avastin group. Histological findings revealed significant increase in neo‐vessels in the ESWT group as compared to the control. In immunohistochemical stain, significant increases in VEGF, eNOS, and Ki‐67 expressions were noted in the ESWT group as compared to that in controls. However, Avastin suppressed the shockwave effect and down‐regulation of VEGF, eNOS, and Ki‐67 expressions in the Avastin‐ESWT group as compared to that in the ESWT alone group. We found that highly mRNA expression of Kras, Raf1, Mek1, Jnkk, Jnk, and Jun at early stage in the ESWT group, as compared to the diabetic control. These evidences indicated treatment with multiple sessions of ESWT significantly enhanced diabetic wound healing associated with increased neovascularization and tissue regeneration. The bio‐mechanism of ESWT‐enhanced wound healing is correlated with VEGF and mitogen‐activated protein kinase–mediated pathway.
Dehn twist exact sequences through Lagrangian cobordism
Authors: Mak Cheuk Yu , Wu Weiwei
Published: November 2018

This paper introduces a new Lagrangian surgery construction that generalizes Lalonde–Sikorav and Polterovich’s well-known construction, and combines this with Biran and Cornea’s Lagrangian cobordism formalism. With these techniques, we build a framework which both recovers several known long exact sequences (Seidel’s exact sequence, including the fixed point version and Wehrheim and Woodward’s family version) in symplectic geometry in a uniform way, and yields a partial answer to a long-term open conjecture due to Huybrechts and Thomas; this also involved a new observation which relates projective twists with surgeries.
Spider mites of agricultural importance in China, with focus on species composition during the last decade (2008–2017)
Authors: Jin Peng-Yu , Tian Lu , Chen Lei , Hong Xiao-Yue
Published: November 2018

Understanding pest species composition and their geographic distribution of important spider mites is fundamental and indispensable to establish an integrated pest management program. From a long-term survey during 2008–2017 in mainland China, we found that Tetranychus truncatus was the most frequently sampled Tetranychus spider mite (48.5%), followed by T. pueraricola (21.2%), T. kanzawai (12.5%), T. urticae (red) (5.7%) and T. urticae (green) (4.5%). Among them, T. truncatus was the major mite pest in the north of China. T. kanzawai was the dominant species in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River Region and T. pueraricola was the most important species in the southwest region. Other common and serious pests include Amphitetranychus viennensis (6.8%) and Panonychus citri (3.8%). This pattern was largely different from that in 2002–2004, when T. urticae (green and red) was believed to be the most serious mite pest. The factors involved in the change of species composition are not clear and need more exploration. We suggested that the increasing corn planting range may be partly responsible for the conversion of dominant species from other spider mites to T. truncatus. Further research on the mechanisms underlying the change of dominant species will help develop integrated management strategies.
Ultrasonic sector imaging using plane wave synthetic focusing with a convex array transducer
Authors: Bae Sua , Kim Pilsu , Song Tai-kyong
Published: November 2018

Synthetic transmit focusing (STF) methods using unfocused waves or plane waves (PWs) have recently been investigated extensively. However, STF using PWs with a convex array (PWSTF-CA) has not been rigorously studied for high-resolution sector imaging. In this paper, the authors suggest an analytical model for accurate characterization of the spatial beam patterns of PWSTF-CA using a large range of either uniformly or non-uniformly distributed PW angles. On the basis of the model, a frame-based PWSTF-CA approach with non-uniform PW angles is suggested to achieve superior image quality at a higher frame rate than conventional transmit focusing (CTF). The analytical model can also be used for optimal selection of a set of PW angles to scan the entire sectorial field of view and its subsets employed for STF at each imaging point. The authors also investigate how to select transmit subarrays for each of the PWs to obtain the best spatial resolution. A theoretical analysis and simulations are conducted for the verification of the analytical model and the optimal utilization strategy of PWSTF-CA. The results indicate that the PWSTF-CA improves not only the frame rate but also the contrast, signal-to-noise ratio, and resolution compared with the CTF, as in the case of PWSTF with linear arrays.
Alternating direction method of multipliers for weighted atomic norm minimization in two-dimensional grid-free compressive beamforming
Authors: Yang Yang , Chu Zhigang , Ping Guoli
Published: November 2018

An algorithm is developed based on alternating direction method of multipliers to solve the weighted atomic norm minimization in two-dimensional grid-free compressive beamforming. Simulations and experiments are carried out to compare this algorithm with the off-the-shelf interior point method based sdpt3 solver in cvx toolbox. Whether a standard uniform rectangular array or a non-uniform array constructed by a small number of microphones is utilized, this algorithm is feasible and faster.
Numerical observation of emergent spacetime supersymmetry at quantum criticality
Authors: Li Zi-Xiang , Vaezi Abolhassan , Mendl Christian B. , Yao Hong
Published: November 2018

Supersymmetry is shown to emerge at the superconducting quantum criticality of a lattice model realizing a single Dirac cone.
Fear extinction requires ASIC1a-dependent regulation of hippocampal-prefrontal correlates
Authors: Wang Qin , Wang Qi , Song Xing-Lei , Jiang Qin , Wu Yan-Jiao , Li Ying , Yuan Ti-Fei , Zhang Siyu , Xu Nan-Jie , Zhu Michael Xi , Li Wei-Guang , Xu Tian-Le
Published: November 2018

Learning to extinguish traumatic memory depends on fine-tuning of hippocampal-prefrontal connections via the ASIC1a channel.
Sphingosine 1-phosphate stimulates eyelid closure in the developing rat by stimulating EGFR signaling
Authors: Bian Ganlan , Yu Caiyong , Liu Ling , Fang Chao , Chen Kun , Ren Pan , Zhang Qian , Liu Fangfang , Zhang Kun , Xue Qian , Xiang Jie , Guo Hongmin , Song Jun , Zhao Yu , Wu Wutian , Chung Sookja K. , Sun Ruixia , Ju Gong , Wang Jian
Published: November 2018

Sphingosine 1-phosphate stimulates the mobilization of EGFR ligands to drive eyelid closure in rat embryos.
The Probiotic Bacterium Phaeobacter inhibens Downregulates Virulence Factor Transcription in the Shellfish Pathogen Vibrio coralliilyticus by
N
-Acyl Homoserine Lactone Production
Authors: Zhao Wenjing , Yuan Tao , Piva Christine , Spinard Edward J. , Schuttert Christian W. , Rowley David C. , Nelson David R.
Published: November 2018

Probiotics represent a promising alternative strategy to control infection and disease caused by marine pathogens of aquaculturally important species. Generally, the beneficial effects of probiotics include improved water quality, control of pathogenic bacteria and their virulence, stimulation of the immune system, and improved animal growth. Previously, we isolated a probiotic bacterium,
Phaeobacter inhibens
S4Sm, which protects oyster larvae from
Vibrio coralliilyticus
RE22Sm infection. We also demonstrated that both antibiotic secretion and biofilm formation play important roles in S4Sm probiotic activity. Here, we report that
P. inhibens
S4Sm, an alphaproteobacterium and member of the
Roseobacter
clade, also secretes secondary metabolites that hijack the quorum sensing ability of
V. coralliilyticus
RE22Sm, suppressing virulence gene expression. This finding demonstrates that probiotic bacteria can exert their host protection by using a multipronged array of behaviors that limit the ability of pathogens to become established and cause infection.
Phosphothreonine Lyase Promotes p65 Degradation in a Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase/Mitogen- and Stress-Activated Protein Kinase 1-Dependent Manner
Authors: Hou Mingyu , Wang Wenhui , Hu Feizi , Zhang Yuanxing , Yang Dahai , Liu Qin
Published: November 2018

Bacterial phosphothreonine lyases have been identified to be type III secretion system (T3SS) effectors that irreversibly dephosphorylate host mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling to promote infection. However, the effects of phosphothreonine lyase on nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling remain largely unknown.
Rickettsia rickettsii Whole-Cell Antigens Offer Protection against Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in the Canine Host
Authors: Alhassan Andy , Liu Huitao , McGill Jodi , Cerezo Argine , Jakkula Laxmi U. M. R. , Nair Arathy D. S. , Winkley Emma , Olson Sally , Marlow Denver , Sahni Abha , Narra Hema P. , Sahni Sanjeev , Henningson Jamie , Ganta Roman R.
Published: November 2018

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a potentially fatal tick-borne disease in people and dogs. RMSF is reported in the United States and several countries in North, Central, and South America.
Multiple Sclerosis-Associated Changes in the Composition and Immune Functions of Spore-Forming Bacteria
Authors: Cekanaviciute Egle , Pröbstel Anne-Katrin , Thomann Anna , Runia Tessel F. , Casaccia Patrizia , Katz Sand Ilana , Crabtree Elizabeth , Singh Sneha , Morrissey John , Barba Patrick , Gomez Refujia , Knight Rob , Mazmanian Sarkis , Graves Jennifer , Cree Bruce A. C. , Zamvil Scott S. , Baranzini Sergio E.
Published: November 2018

To address the impact of microbiome on disease development, it is essential to go beyond a descriptive study and evaluate the physiological importance of microbiome changes. Our study integrates computational analysis with
in vitro
and
in vivo
exploration of inflammatory properties of spore-forming microbial communities, revealing novel functional correlations. We specifically show that while small differences exist between the microbiomes of MS patients and healthy subjects, these differences are exacerbated in the chloroform-resistant fraction. We further demonstrate that, when purified from MS patients, this fraction is correlated with impaired immunomodulatory responses
in vitro
.
Butyrate Producers as Potential Next-Generation Probiotics: Safety Assessment of the Administration of
Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum
to Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Boesmans Leen , Valles-Colomer Mireia , Wang Jun , Eeckhaut Venessa , Falony Gwen , Ducatelle Richard , Van Immerseel Filip , Raes Jeroen , Verbeke Kristin
Published: November 2018

This study is the first to determine the safety and tolerance in humans of a butyrate-producing
Clostridium
cluster IV next-generation probiotic. Advances in gut microbiota research have triggered interest in developing colon butyrate producers as next-generation probiotics.
Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum
25-3
T
is one such potential probiotic, with demonstrated safety
in vitro
as well as in animal models. Here, we produced an encapsulated
B. pullicaecorum
formulation that largely preserved its viability over an 8-month storage period at 4°C. Administration of this formulation to healthy volunteers allowed us to establish the intervention as safe and well tolerated. The probiotic intervention did not cause disruptive alterations in the composition or metabolic activity of health-associated microbiota. The results presented pave the way for the exploration of the impact of the strain on microbiota alterations in a clinical setting.
Acute myeloid leukaemia relapse presenting as cardiac myeloid sarcoma
Authors: Waselewski Alexander , Joiner Michael , Miller Steven Raymond
Published: November 2018

A 50-year-old woman previously diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia presented with a 3-month history of shortness of breath and a right-sided facial rash. A chest CT revealed an intracardiac mass in the right atrium extending into her superior and inferior vena cava. Surgery was performed to remove the mass and pathology was consistent with myeloid sarcoma. After surgery, adjuvant radiation therapy was directed to the residual disease. The patient eventually relapsed in other sites not including the right atrium and eventually succumbed to her disease.
Hypoglossal canal schwannoma causing isolated left 12th cranial nerve palsy
Authors: Heda Shruti , Karthik Davala Krishna , Rao Erigaisi Srinivas , Deshpande Anirudda
Published: November 2018

A 40-year-old woman presented with insidious onset, gradually progressive dysarthria and inability to manoeuvre bolus of food in her mouth while eating. The duration of her symptoms was 3 months. On evaluation, the left half of her tongue was wasted. The tongue deviated to the left on protrusion. There were no clinical features suggestive of involvement of the ipsilateral 9th, 10th or 11th cranial nerves. MRI of the brain showed a large, fusiform lesion in the left hypoglossal canal, extending into the jugular canal. The lesion was surgically excised and found to be a schwannoma.
Challenges facing a woman wishing to report intimate partner violence in Belize
Authors: MacCormac Oscar James , Romo Trevor
Published: November 2018

We present a case of a 29-year-old woman who presented to a volunteer-run primary care facility in Southern Belize. Her initial presentation was vaginal itching and white discharge; she also requested insertion of a sub-dermal contraceptive implant. During the insertion, marks suspicious for deliberate self-harm were noticed on the patient’s arm, and on further exploration she revealed she was being physically and emotionally abused by her husband. With some encouragement, she requested help in taking further action to preserve her safety; however, in Belize clinicians have no power to assist in cases involving adults. Therefore, the victim should self-present to a police station, resulting in a significant potential barrier to reporting intimate partner violence (IPV). Here we discuss this barrier further, as well as other barriers that exist to reporting IPV, and discuss possible policy changes that may improve the situation in Belize.
Adult testicular granulosa cell tumour: an extremely rare entity
Authors: Nunes-Carneiro Diogo , Marques-Pinto Andre , Cavadas Vítor , Fraga Avelino
Published: November 2018

Adult granulosa cell tumours are extremely rare and usually benign but sometimes can assume an aggressive behaviour. A 31-year-old man presented with a 45 mm testicular mass. Radical orchiectomy was performed. Histological examination showed elongated cells, with hyperchromatic nuclei and Call-Exner bodies. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positivity to vimentin, inhibin and negative PLAP and AE1/AE3 staining. The patient did not receive any adjuvant therapy and remained asymptomatic during 10 years. There are few cases of adult granulosa cell tumours and there is no consensus regarding malignancy criteria, treatment and follow-up. The description of these entities is crucial to allow a better management of these patients.