bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison of fuel hazard in recently burned and long-unburned forests and woodlands
Authors: Dixon Kelly M. , Cary Geoffrey J. , Worboys Graeme L. , Seddon Julian , Gibbons Philip
Published: July 2018

Fuel hazard is often assumed to increase with fuel age, or the time-since-fire. However, studies on fuel hazard in long-unburned forests are scarce. We measured overall fuel hazard in Eucalyptus forests and woodlands in south-eastern Australia at 81 sites where time-since-fire spans 0.5 years to at least 96 years. Overall fuel hazard was higher in forests and woodlands burned 6–12 years previously than those unburned for at least 96 years. The probability of high, very high or extreme overall fuel hazard – which is an operational threshold considered to equate with almost no chance of wildfire suppression in severe fire-weather – was highest 0.5–12 years post-fire, and lowest where fire had not occurred for at least 96 years. Frequent burning can maintain forest understorey in an early successional ‘shrubby’ state, leading to higher overall fuel hazard than forests where a lack of fire is associated with the senescence of shrubs. Protecting long-unburned sites from fire and managing to transition a larger proportion of forest to a long-unburned state may benefit fuel-hazard management within these forests in the long-term.
Neural detection of socially valued community members
Authors: Morelli Sylvia A. , Leong Yuan Chang , Carlson Ryan W. , Kullar Monica , Zaki Jamil
Published: July 2018

Significance

To form successful communities, people must be able to detect socially valued individuals: people who are generous, supportive, and well-connected. Here, we provide evidence that people accomplish this detection by monitoring how the broader community views individuals. We used social network analysis to identify highly socially valued individuals in two college dormitories. We then scanned dorm residents using fMRI as they passively viewed pictures of dormmates. Activity in brain systems related to mentalizing and reward increased when people viewed highly valued, versus less valued, dormmates—even when controlling for individuals’ own impressions of their dormmates. These data suggest that people robustly monitor peers’ social value, potentially allowing them to efficiently locate high-quality social ties.
Top-down, contextual entrainment of neuronal oscillations in the auditory thalamocortical circuit
Authors: Barczak Annamaria , O’Connell Monica Noelle , McGinnis Tammy , Ross Deborah , Mowery Todd , Falchier Arnaud , Lakatos Peter
Published: July 2018

Significance

Our results indicate that nonhuman primates detect complex repeating acoustic sequences in a continuous auditory stream, which is an important precursor for human speech learning and perception. We demonstrate that oscillatory entrainment, known to support the attentive perception of rhythmic stimulus sequences, can occur for rhythms defined solely by stimulus context rather than physical boundaries. As opposed to acoustically driven entrainment by rhythmic tone sequences demonstrated previously, this form of entrainment relies on the brain’s ability to group auditory inputs based on their statistical regularities. The internally initiated, context-driven modulation of excitability in the medial pulvinar prior to A1 supports the notion of top-down entrainment.
Selective visual representation of letters and words in the left ventral occipito-temporal cortex with intracerebral recordings
Authors: Lochy Aliette , Jacques Corentin , Maillard Louis , Colnat-Coulbois Sophie , Rossion Bruno , Jonas Jacques
Published: July 2018

Significance

The left ventral occipito-temporal cortex (VOTC) is a critical part of the reading circuitry. We made measurements with intracerebral electrodes in 37 participants to understand whether this region contains functionally separated brain loci for processing letters and words. Letter-selective responses are found in much of VOTC. Responses to word forms are absent in posterior VOTC but are present and intermingled with letter-specific responses in left anterior VOTC. The results are inconsistent with a hierarchical model in which posterior regions uniquely perform letter identification functions and increasingly anterior regions perform increasingly complex linguistic functions.
Mice harboring the humanSLC30A8R138X loss-of-function mutation have increased insulin secretory capacity
Authors: Kleiner Sandra , Gomez Daniel , Megra Bezawit , Na Erqian , Bhavsar Ramandeep , Cavino Katie , Xin Yurong , Rojas Jose , Dominguez-Gutierrez Giselle , Zambrowicz Brian , Carrat Gaelle , Chabosseau Pauline , Hu Ming , Murphy Andrew J. , Yancopoulos George D. , Rutter Guy A. , Gromada Jesper
Published: July 2018

Significance

The zinc transporter SLC30A8 is primarily expressed in islets of the endocrine pancreas. HumanSLC30A8loss-of-function mutations protect against type 2 diabetes. However,Slc30a8knockout mice do not show this protection. We have generated a mouse model mimicking a common protective humanSLC30A8loss-of-function allele. This mouse model shows a beneficial effect of loss of SLC30A8 function on β-cell biology. In particular, mice carrying the protective R138X allele have an increased capacity to secrete insulin in high-glucose conditions. Understanding the signaling mechanisms regulating insulin secretion in the R138X mice could provide novel insights into β-cell biology, and may lead to the identification of therapeutic targets for the treatment of diabetes.
Junctional membrane Ca
2+
dynamics in human muscle fibers are altered by malignant hyperthermia causative RyR mutation
Authors: Cully Tanya R. , Choi Rocky H. , Bjorksten Andrew R. , Stephenson D. George , Murphy Robyn M. , Launikonis Bradley S.
Published: July 2018

Significance

In human muscle with ryanodine receptor (RyR) variants, there is expected to be a change in the basal RyRs Ca
2+
leak that may alter local Ca
2+
dynamics. It is not currently possible to assess these basal Ca
2+
dynamics in human muscle. By trapping a Ca
2+
-sensitive fluorescent dye in the transverse tubular (t)-system of freshly biopsied human skeletal muscle fibers we could detect tiny local RyR-dependent Ca
2+
movements. We show that malignant hyperthermia (MH) causative RyR variant human muscle displays a chronically different RyR Ca
2+
leak which reconfigures the Ca
2+
-handling properties by the t-system. This approach can be used to assess human muscle for function and pathogenicity of other RyR variants of uncertain significance, MH susceptibility, and assessment of drugs targeted to the Ca
2+
-handling proteins.
Tsix–Mecp2 female mouse model for Rett syndrome reveals that low-level MECP2 expression extends life and improves neuromotor function
Authors: Carrette Lieselot L. G. , Blum Roy , Ma Weiyuan , Kelleher Raymond J. , Lee Jeannie T.
Published: July 2018

Significance

Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in
MECP2
. To treat RTT, reactivating the dormant copy of
MECP2
on the inactive X has been of considerable interest. Although potential therapeutics have been identified, their development has been hampered by the lack of a suitable female mouse model and uncertainty regarding how much MECP2 needs to be restored. Here, we create a female model with a more severe phenotype, including a short lifespan, neuromotor impairment, and repetitive behaviors often seen in human RTT. Significantly, 5–10% MECP2 restoration in brain extends lifespan by eightfold and improves RTT phenotypes. Our study thus provides a much-needed female model and implies potential therapeutic benefit with low-level MECP2 expression.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress leads to accumulation of wild-type SOD1 aggregates associated with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Medinas Danilo B. , Rozas Pablo , Martínez Traub Francisca , Woehlbier Ute , Brown Robert H. , Bosco Daryl A. , Hetz Claudio
Published: July 2018

Significance

The identification of aberrant SOD1
WT
species accumulating in the spinal cord during aging could reveal pathogenic species involved in sporadic (s)ALS. Using a combination of biochemical approaches, we discovered that disulfide–cross-linked SOD1
WT
aggregates rise before other abnormal protein species during aging and are significantly increased in sALS spinal cord tissue. We also found that endoplasmic reticulum stress stimulates accumulation of these species, with involvement of tryptophan-32 oxidation. These results establish a connection between SOD1
WT
aggregation and a major proteostasis network affected in ALS.
Neural tracking of the musical beat is enhanced by low-frequency sounds
Authors: Lenc Tomas , Keller Peter E. , Varlet Manuel , Nozaradan Sylvie
Published: July 2018

Significance

Bass sounds play a special role in conveying the rhythm and stimulating motor entrainment to the beat of music. However, the biological roots of this culturally widespread musical practice remain mysterious, despite its fundamental relevance in the sciences and arts, and also for music-assisted clinical rehabilitation of motor disorders. Here, we show that this musical convention may exploit a neurophysiological mechanism whereby low-frequency sounds shape neural representations of rhythmic input at the cortical level by boosting selective neural locking to the beat, thus explaining the privileged role of bass sounds in driving people to move along with the musical beat.
Recombinant
Listeria
promotes tumor rejection by CD8
+
T cell-dependent remodeling of the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Deng Weiwen , Lira Victor , Hudson Thomas E. , Lemmens Edward E. , Hanson William G. , Flores Ruben , Barajas Gonzalo , Katibah George E. , Desbien Anthony L. , Lauer Peter , Leong Meredith L. , Portnoy Daniel A. , Dubensky Thomas W.
Published: July 2018

Significance

The development of therapeutic cancer vaccines using recombinant microorganisms has been pursued for many decades. However, the underlying mechanisms of therapeutic cancer vaccines remain unclear. Here we compare recombinant
Listeria
-based cancer vaccines to synthetic long peptide and adenovirus delivery systems for tumor antigens, and describe immunologic correlates of antitumor efficacy of
Listeria
-based cancer vaccines. Our results show that the profound antitumor efficacy requires tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling that depends on tumor-specific CD8
+
T cells induced by live-attenuated double-deleted
Listeria monocytogenes
expressing cognate tumor antigens. Together, this work highlights the importance of cognate tumor antigen expression by cancer vaccines and pinpoints the relationship between induced tumor antigen-specific immunity and the TME.
How adaptive immunity constrains the composition and fate of large bacterial populations
Authors: Bonsma-Fisher Madeleine , Soutière Dominique , Goyal Sidhartha
Published: July 2018

Significance

Complex communities of microorganisms are important ecological forces and phages are integral components of microbial populations. Among the many bacterial defense mechanisms against phages, CRISPR-Cas is unique in its ability to learn from past infections by storing pieces of phage DNA (called spacers) in its own genome to neutralize future infections. Our work shows that the rank abundance distribution of spacers across the whole bacterial population, which is readily accessed using genomic sequencing, may provide a phenomenological observable that reflects important structural aspects of bacterial populations. This study lays out a path toward a phenomenological framework for understanding microbial dynamics and may provide insights into complex and diverse natural populations where microscopic modeling is plagued by overparameterization and overfitting.
Chemical feedbacks weaken the wintertime response of particulate sulfate and nitrate to emissions reductions over the eastern United States
Authors: Shah Viral , Jaeglé Lyatt , Thornton Joel A. , Lopez-Hilfiker Felipe D. , Lee Ben H. , Schroder Jason C. , Campuzano-Jost Pedro , Jimenez Jose L. , Guo Hongyu , Sullivan Amy P. , Weber Rodney J. , Green Jaime R. , Fiddler Marc N. , Bililign Solomon , Campos Teresa L. , Stell Meghan , Weinheimer Andrew J. , Montzka Denise D. , Brown Steven S.
Published: July 2018

Significance

Exposure to fine particulate matter is a leading cause of premature deaths and illnesses globally. In the eastern United States, substantial cuts in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions have considerably lowered particulate sulfate and nitrate concentrations for all seasons except winter. Simulations that reproduce detailed airborne observations of wintertime atmospheric chemistry over the eastern United States indicate that particulate sulfate and nitrate formation is limited by the availability of oxidants and by the acidity of fine particles, respectively. These limitations relax at lower ambient concentrations, forming particulate matter more efficiently, and weaken the effect of emission reductions. These results imply that larger emission reductions, especially during winter, are necessary for substantial improvements in wintertime air quality in the eastern United States.
Inferring the shape of global epistasis
Authors: Otwinowski Jakub , McCandlish David M. , Plotkin Joshua B.
Published: July 2018

Significance

How does an organism’s genetic sequence govern its measurable characteristics? New technologies provide libraries of randomized sequences to study this relationship in unprecedented detail for proteins and other molecules. Deriving insight from these data is difficult, though, because the space of possible sequences is enormous, so even the largest experiments sample a tiny minority of sequences. Moreover, the effects of mutations may combine in unexpected ways. We present a statistical framework to analyze such mutagenesis data. The key assumption is that mutations contribute in a simple way to some unobserved trait, which is related to the observed trait by a nonlinear mapping. Analyzing three proteins, we show that this model is easily interpretable and yet fits the data remarkably well.
Zinc depletion induces ribosome hibernation in mycobacteria
Authors: Li Yunlong , Sharma Manjuli R. , Koripella Ravi K. , Yang Yong , Kaushal Prem S. , Lin Qishan , Wade Joseph T. , Gray Todd A. , Derbyshire Keith M. , Agrawal Rajendra K. , Ojha Anil K.
Published: July 2018

Significance

Mycobacteria as well as other bacteria remodel their ribosomes in response to zinc depletion by replacing zinc-binding ribosomal proteins with zinc-free paralogues, releasing zinc for other metabolic processes. In this study, we show that the remodeled ribosome acquires a structurally stable but functionally inactive and aminoglycoside-resistant state in zinc-starvedMycobacterium smegmatis. Conversely,M. smegmatiscells that are growth arrested in zinc-rich conditions have unstable ribosomes and reduced survival. We further provide evidence for ribosome remodeling inMycobacterium tuberculosisin host tissues, suggesting that ribosome hibernation occurs during TB infections. Our findings could offer insights into mechanisms of persistence and antibiotic tolerance of mycobacterial infections.
Waves cue distinct behaviors and differentiate transport of congeneric snail larvae from sheltered versus wavy habitats
Authors: Fuchs Heidi L. , Gerbi Gregory P. , Hunter Elias J. , Christman Adam J.
Published: July 2018

Significance

Many marine populations grow and spread via larvae that disperse in ocean currents. Larvae can alter their physical transport by swimming vertically or sinking in response to environmental signals. However, it remains unknown whether any signals could enable larvae to navigate over large scales. We studied larval responses to water motions in closely related snails, one from turbulent coastal inlets and one from the wavy continental shelf. These two species reacted similarly to turbulence but differently to waves, causing their transport patterns to diverge in wavy, offshore regions. Contrasting responses to waves could enable these similar species to maintain separate spatial distributions. Wave-induced behaviors provide evidence that larvae may detect waves as both motions and sounds useful in navigation.
Warming reverses top-down effects of predators on belowground ecosystem function in Arctic tundra
Authors: Koltz Amanda M. , Classen Aimée T. , Wright Justin P.
Published: July 2018

Significance

Organisms’ responses to climate change can result in altered species interactions, with cascading effects on communities and ecosystems. Understanding these processes is especially relevant in the rapidly warming Arctic, where faster decomposition of stored soil carbon is expected to result in positive carbon feedbacks to the atmosphere. We provide evidence that warmer temperatures alter the cascading effects of wolf spiders, an abundant and widespread predator, on ecosystem functioning. Specifically, we find that warming tends to reverse the effect of high spider densities on fungal-feeding Collembola and ultimately leads to slower decomposition rates. Our work demonstrates that climate change can alter the nature of predator effects on decomposition, resulting in unexpected changes in ecosystem function with potentially important global implications.
They did it again! Social control responses to repeated incidences of deviance in small groups / ¡Lo han vuelto a hacer! Respuestas de control social a la incidencia repetida de la desviación en grupos pequeños
Authors: Frings Daniel , Pinto Isabel R.
Published: July 2018

Deviant group members who break group norms often challenge social validity and group locomotion, invoking varying types of social control responses. The current study ( N = 95) investigated changes over time in the use of four social control responses of varying severity (persuasion, embarrassment, temporary exclusion and permanent exclusion) employed in response to deviance. It also tested the roles that perceived effectiveness of and social support for various responses play in response selection. Findings show severity of social control response selection is driven by both pragmatic and identity-based concerns: Over time, responses become more severe, driven in part by effectiveness and social support.
Foot posture alteration and recovery following a full marathon run
Authors: Fukano Mako , Inami Takayuki , Nakagawa Kento , Narita Takaya , Iso Shigeo
Published: July 2018

Prolonged running results in lowering of the foot arch and a low arch is associated with subsequent chronic injuries. Foot posture alteration and recovery following a marathon run remain unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate foot posture alteration following a full marathon run. The three‐dimensional foot posture data of 11 collegiate runners were obtained using an optical foot scanner system before, and immediately, 1 day, 3 days, and 8 days after a full marathon. The navicular height and arch height ratio significantly decreased from before to immediately, 1 day, 3 days, and 8 days after the marathon (navicular height: before, 44.2 ± 5.0 mm; immediately after, 39.4 ± 5.5 mm; 1 day, 37.7 ± 6.2 mm; 3 days, 38.7 ± 5.5 mm; 8 days, 37.6 ± 5.7 mm; arch height ratio: before, 18.4 ± 1.9; immediately after, 16.5 ± 2.5; 1 day, 15.7 ± 2.5; 3 days, 16.2 ± 2.6; 8 days, 15.6 ± 2.2, P < 0.001, respectively). By contrast, the dorsal height significantly increased from before and immediately after to 1 day after the marathon, and then significantly decreased until 8 days after the marathon (P < 0.001). These results indicate that the recovery patterns of the dorsal and navicular heights following a marathon did not coincide; the dorsal height rose temporally at 1 day after and subsequently decreased, but the navicular height decreased throughout the 8‐day period after the marathon. More than one week may be necessary for sufficient foot alignment recovery from marathon‐induced changes.
Nuclear dynamics of the Set1C subunit Spp1 prepares meiotic recombination sites for break formation
Authors: Karányi Zsolt , Halász László , Acquaviva Laurent , Jónás Dávid , Hetey Szabolcs , Boros-Oláh Beáta , Peng Feng , Chen Doris , Klein Franz , Géli Vincent , Székvölgyi Lóránt
Published: July 2018

Spp1 is the H3K4me3 reader subunit of the Set1 complex (COMPASS/Set1C) that contributes to the mechanism by which meiotic DNA break sites are mechanistically selected. We previously proposed a model in which Spp1 interacts with H3K4me3 and the chromosome axis protein Mer2 that leads to DSB formation. Here we show that spatial interactions of Spp1 and Mer2 occur independently of Set1C. Spp1 exhibits dynamic chromatin binding features during meiosis, with many de novo appearing and disappearing binding sites. Spp1 chromatin binding dynamics depends on its PHD finger and Mer2-interacting domain and on modifiable histone residues (H3R2/K4). Remarkably, association of Spp1 with Mer2 axial sites reduces the effective turnover rate and diffusion coefficient of Spp1 upon chromatin binding, compared with other Set1C subunits. Our results indicate that “chromosomal turnover rate” is a major molecular determinant of Spp1 function in the framework of meiotic chromatin structure that prepares recombination initiation sites for break formation.
Mechanistic complexity of contractile dysfunction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Regnier Michael
Published: July 2018

Reflections on recent work providing mechanistic insight into the pathological effects of a cardiac troponin T mutation.
HOGMMNC: a higher order graph matching with multiple network constraints model for gene–drug regulatory modules identification
Authors: Chen Jiazhou , Peng Hong , Han Guoqiang , Cai Hongmin , Cai Jiulun
Published: July 2018

Motivation

The emergence of large amounts of genomic, chemical, and pharmacological data provides new opportunities and challenges. Identifying gene–drug associations is not only crucial in providing a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms of drug action, but is also important in the development of effective treatments for patients. However, accurately determining the complex associations among pharmacogenomic data remains challenging. We propose a higher order graph matching with multiple network constraints (HOGMMNC) model to accurately identify gene–drug modules. The HOGMMNC model aims to capture the inherent structural relations within data drawn from multiple sources by hypergraph matching. The proposed technique seamlessly integrates prior constraints to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the identified relations. An effective numerical solution is combined with a novel sampling strategy to solve the problem efficiently.

Results

The superiority and effectiveness of our proposed method are demonstrated through a comparison with four state-of-the-art techniques using synthetic and empirical data. The experiments on synthetic data show that the proposed method clearly outperforms other methods, especially in the presence of noise and irrelevant samples. The HOGMMNC model identifies eighteen gene–drug modules in the empirical data. The modules are validated to have significant associations via pathway analysis. Significance: The modules identified by HOGMMNC provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of drug action and provide patients with more effective treatments. Our proposed method can be applied to the study of other biological correlated module identification problems (e.g. miRNA-gene, gene-methylation, and gene-disease).

Availability and implementation

A matlab package of HOGMMNC is available at https://github.com/scutbioinformatics/HOGMMNC/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A framework and an algorithm to detect low-abundance DNA by a handy sequencer and a palm-sized computer
Authors: Masutani Bansho , Morishita Shinichi
Published: July 2018

Motivation

Detection of DNA at low abundance with respect to the entire sample is an important problem in areas such as epidemiology and field research, as these samples are highly contaminated with non-target DNA. To solve this problem, many methods have been developed to date, but all require additional time-consuming and costly procedures. Meanwhile, the MinION sequencer developed by Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) is considered a powerful tool for tackling this problem, as it allows selective sequencing of target DNA. The main technology employed involves rejection of an undesirable read from a specific pore by inverting the voltage of that pore, which is referred to as ‘Read Until’. Despite its usefulness, several issues remain to be solved in real situations. First, limited computational resources are available in field research and epidemiological applications. In addition, a high-speed online classification algorithm is required to make a prompt decision. Lastly, the lack of a theoretical approach for modeling of selective sequencing makes it difficult to analyze and justify a given algorithm.

Results

In this paper, we introduced a statistical model of selective sequencing, proposed an efficient constant-time classifier for any background DNA profile, and validated its optimal precision. To confirm the feasibility of the proposed method in practice, for a pre-recorded mock sample, we demonstrate that the method can selectively sequence a 100 kb region, consisting of 0.1% of the entire read pool, and achieve approximately 500-fold amplification. Furthermore, the algorithm is shown to process 26 queries per second with a $500 palm-sized next unit of computing box using an Intel® CoreTMi7 CPU without extended computer resources such as a GPU or high-performance computing. Next, we prepared a mixed DNA pool composed of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and lambda phage, in which any 200 kb region of S.cerevisiae consists of 0.1% of the whole sample. From this sample, a 30–230 kb region of S.cerevisiae chromosome 1 was amplified approximately 30-fold. In addition, this method allowed on-the-fly changing of the amplified region according to the uncovered characteristics of a given DNA sample.

Availability and implementation

The source code is available at: https://bitbucket.org/ban-m/dyss.
A systematic review of the use of the electronic health record for patient identification, communication, and clinical support in palliative care
Authors: Bush Ruth A , Pérez Alexa , Baum Tanja , Etland Caroline , Connelly Cynthia D
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Globally, healthcare systems are using the electronic health record (EHR) and elements of clinical decision support (CDS) to facilitate palliative care (PC). Examination of published results is needed to determine if the EHR is successfully supporting the multidisciplinary nature and complexity of PC by identifying applications, methodology, outcomes, and barriers of active incorporation of the EHR in PC clinical workflow.

Methods

A systematic review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The data sources PubMed, CINAL, EBSCOhost, and Academic Search Premier were used to identify literature published 1999–2017 of human subject peer-reviewed articles in English containing original research about the EHR and PC.

Results

The search returned 433 articles, 30 of which met inclusion criteria. Most studies were feasibility studies or retrospective cohort analyses; one study incorporated prospective longitudinal mixed methods. Twenty-three of 30 (77%) were published after 2014. The review identified five major areas in which the EHR is used to support PC. Studies focused on CDS to: identify individuals who could benefit from PC; electronic advanced care planning (ACP) documentation; patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) such as rapid, real-time pain feedback; to augment EHR PC data capture capabilities; and to enhance interdisciplinary communication and care.

Discussion

Beginning in 2015, there was a proliferation of articles about PC and EHRs, suggesting increasing incorporation of and research about the EHR with PC. This review indicates the EHR is underutilized for PC CDS, facilitating PROMs, and capturing ACPs.
Sonication Improves Pathogen Detection in Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt-Associated Infections
Authors: Prinz Vincent , Bayerl Simon , Renz Nora , Trampuz Andrej , Vajkoczy Peter , Finger Tobias
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial treatment of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infections is challenging when the causative pathogen is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the value of sonication of explanted shunt-devices to improve the microbiological detection rate.

METHODS

All consecutive patients undergoing revision surgery due to suspected VP-shunt infection from January 2015 to February 2017 were evaluated. Intraoperative tissue samples, wound swabs, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were collected for microbiological examination. In a subgroup of patients, the removed implants were additionally sent for sonication.

RESULTS

A total of 35 patients were included with a mean age of 57.5 ± 18 yr, 21 were female (60%). In 13 patient's tissue samples, CSF and wound swabs were analyzed. In 22 patients, the explanted device was additionally sent for sonication. All 22 sonication cultures showed a positive microbiological result (100%), whereas with conventional microbiological methods, the causative microorganism was identified in 8 of 13 (61%; P = .018). Analyzed by method, all 22 sonication cultures (100%) were positive and 21 of 35 conventional microbiological analysis results (60%) detected the causative agent (P < .001.) In 18 patients (51%), antimicrobial treatment was started preoperatively. In those patients, the pathogen was detected in all 12 sonication cultures (100%), whereas conventional methods grew a pathogen in 3 of 6 patients (P = .005).

CONCLUSION

Sonication significantly increases the microbiological yield in VP-shunt infections, especially in patients receiving antibiotics prior to diagnostics and in infections caused by low-virulent organisms. The implementation of sonication into the clinical routine can substantially increase the rate of pathogen detection allowing targeted treatment.
Biomarkers of Tobacco Exposure Decrease After Smokers Switch to an E-Cigarette or Nicotine Gum
Authors: Round Elaine K , Chen Peter , Taylor Anthony K , Schmidt Eckhardt
Published: July 2018

Introduction

The aerosol composition of electronic cigarettes (ECs) suggests that exposure to toxicants during use is greatly reduced compared to exposure from combustible cigarettes (CCs).

Methods

This randomized, parallel-group, clinical study enrolled smokers to switch to Vuse Solo (VS) Digital Vapor Cigarettes (Original or Menthol) or Nicorette 4 mg nicotine gum (NG) in a controlled setting. Subjects who smoked CCs ad libitum for 2 days during a baseline period were then randomized to ad libitum use of either VS or NG for 5 days. Biomarkers of 23 toxicants were measured in 24-hour urine samples and blood collected at baseline and following product switch.

Results

A total of 153 subjects completed the study. Total nicotine equivalents decreased in all groups, but higher levels were observed in the VS groups compared to the NG groups, with decreases of 38% and 60%–67%, respectively. All other biomarkers were significantly decreased in subjects switched to VS, and the magnitude of biomarker decreases was similar to subjects switched to NG. Decreases ranged from 30% to greater than 85% for constituents such as benzene and acrylonitrile.

Conclusions

These results indicate that exposure to toxicants when using VS is significantly reduced compared to CC smoking, and these reductions are similar to those observed with use of NG. Although statistically significantly decreased, nicotine exposure is maintained closer to CC smoking with VS use compared to NG use. This research suggests that use of VS exposes consumers to fewer and lower levels of smoke toxicants than CCs while still providing nicotine to the consumer.

Implications

This is the first study to report changes in nicotine delivery and biomarkers of tobacco exposure following a short-term product switch from CCs to either an EC or NG in a controlled environment. The study shows that nicotine exposure decreased in both groups but was maintained closer to CC smoking with the EC groups. Biomarkers of tobacco combustion decreased to similar levels in both EC and gum groups.
Menstrual fluid factors facilitate tissue repair: identification and functional action in endometrial and skin repair
Authors: Evans Jemma , Infusini Giuseppe , Mcgovern Jacqui , Cuttle Leila , Webb Andrew , Nebl Thomas , Milla Liz , Kimble Roy , Kempf Margit , Andrews Christine J. , Leavesley David , Salamonsen Lois A.
Published: July 2018

Repair after damage is essential for tissue homeostasis. Postmenstrual endometrial repair is a cyclical manifestation of rapid, scar‐free, tissue repair taking ∼3–5 d. Skin repair after wounding is slower (∼2 wk). In the case of chronic wounds, it takes months to years to restore integrity. Herein, the unique “rapid‐repair” endometrial environment is translated to the “slower repair” skin environment. Menstrual fluid (MF), the milieu of post‐menstrual endometrial repair, facilitates healing of endometrial and keratinocyte “wounds” in vitro, promoting cellular adhesion and migration, stimulates keratinocyte migration in an ex vivo human skin reconstruct model, and promotes re‐epithelialization in an in vivo porcine wound model. Proteomic analysis of MF identified a large number of proteins: migration inhibitory factor, neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin, follistatin like‐1, chemokine ligand‐20, and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor were selected for further investigation. Functionally, they promote repair of endometrial and keratinocyte wounds by promoting migration. Translation of these and other MF factors into a migration‐inducing treatment paradigm could provide novel treatments for tissue repair.—Evans, J., Infusini, G., McGovern, J., Cuttle, L., Webb, A., Nebl, T., Milla, L., Kimble, R., Kempf, M., Andrews, C. J., Leavesley, D., Salamonsen, L. A. Menstrual fluid factors facilitate tissue repair: identification and functional action in endometrial and skin repair. FASEB J. 33, 584–605 (2019). www.fasebj.org
Leveraging Continuing Professional Development to Meet Your Organization's Strategic Goals
Authors: Graebe Jennifer
Published: July 2018

In this month's Magnet Perspectives column, the director of Primary and Joint Accreditation for the American Nurses Credentialing Center reflects on the importance of continuing professional development for the chief nursing officer (CNO), the nurses, and the healthcare team the CNO leads, as well as the impact on patients.
Intentional Clinical Process Design to Improve Outcomes for Patients Who Require Emergency Surgery
Authors: Desai Sapan S. , Cosentino John , Nagy Kimberly
Published: July 2018

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are associated with a 90% overall mortality and $150 000 cost of care per patient. Despite improvements in intensive care and surgical technology, morbidity and mortality remain unchanged over the past 20 years. The most significant predictor of survival is time from the door of the hospital to the operating room. To streamline operational efficiency, a team utilized Lean Six Sigma methodologies, team training, and intentional clinical process design to institute changes in our clinical processes, enhance care coordination, and improve communication. Changes led to a $1.8 million profit on operations, 10-day reduction in length of stay, and 89% survival rate among patients with ruptured AAA.
Brief Report: Reduced Use of Illicit Substances, Even Without Abstinence, Is Associated With Improved Depressive Symptoms Among People Living With HIV
Authors: Delaney Joseph A. , Nance Robin M. , Whitney Bridget M. , Altice Frederick L. , Dong Xinyuan , Trejo Maria Esther Perez , Matsuzaki Mika , Taxman Faye S. , Chander Geetanjali , Kuo Irene , Fredericksen Rob , Strand Lauren N. , Eron Joseph J. , Geng Elvin , Kitahata Mari M. , Mathews William C. , Mayer Kenneth , Moore Richard D. , Saag Michael S. , Springer Sandra , Chandler Redonna , Kahana Shoshana , Crane Heidi M.
Published: July 2018

Purpose:

Substance use is linked with poor outcomes among people living with HIV (PLWH) and is associated with mental health disorders. This analysis examines the impact of decreasing substance use, even without abstinence, on depressive symptoms among PLWH.

Methods:

Data are from PLWH enrolled in the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Sites cohort. Participants completed longitudinal assessments of substance use (modified ASSIST) and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9). Changes in substance use frequency were categorized as abstinence, reduced use, and nondecreasing use. Adjusted linear mixed models with time-updated change in substance use frequency and depressive symptom scores were used to examine associations between changes in the use of individual substances and depressive symptoms. Analyses were repeated using joint longitudinal survival models to examine associations with a high (PHQ-9 ≥10) score.

Results:

Among 9905 PLWH, 728 used cocaine/crack, 1016 used amphetamine-type substances (ATS), 290 used illicit opiates, and 3277 used marijuana at baseline. Changes in ATS use were associated with the greatest improvements in depressive symptoms: stopping ATS led to a mean decrease of PHQ-9 by 2.2 points (95% CI: 1.8 to 2.7) and a 61% lower odds of PHQ-9 score ≥10 (95% CI: 0.30 to 0.52), and decreasing ATS use led to a mean decrease of 1.7 points (95% CI: 1.2 to 2.3) and a 62% lower odds of PHQ-9 score ≥10 (95% CI: 0.25 to 0.56). Stopping and reducing marijuana and stopping cocaine/crack use were also associated with improvement in depressive symptoms.

Conclusions:

We demonstrated that both substance use reduction and abstinence are associated with improvements in depressive symptoms over time.
Bone Scintigraphy in Poststreptococcal Periostitis With Dysproteinemia
Authors: Bourgeois Sophie , Peetermans Willy , Noppe Nathalie , Goffin Karolien , Gheysens Olivier
Published: July 2018

A 39-year-old man presented with severe bone pain in the tibiae and forearms in the wake of a poststreptococcal sepsis complicated with pneumonia and erysipelas 4 months earlier. Bone scintigraphy was indicative of periostitis of the tibia, ulna, and radius bilaterally, and in combination with the increased inflammatory parameters and dysproteinemia, the diagnosis of Goldbloom syndrome was made. Goldbloom syndrome is an idiopathic periosteal hyperostosis associated with dysproteinemia and elevated inflammatory parameters. Although it has only been described in children/adolescents, this case illustrates that, in the specific clinical and biochemical setting, it should also be considered in adults.
Long-term Survival and Excellent Response to Repeated 177Lu–Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen 617 Radioligand Therapy in a Patient With Advanced Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Roll Wolfgang , Bräuer Axel , Weckesser Matthias , Bögemann Martin , Rahbar Kambiz
Published: July 2018

Radiolabeled ligands targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) are currently being established. Prostate-specific membrane antigen radioligand therapy with 177Lu-PSMA-617 is a promising treatment in metastasized castration-resistant prostate cancer with high efficacy and safety and seems to prolong progression-free survival and overall survival. We present 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT images during and after 2 therapy courses, including each 4 cycles of 177Lu-PSMA-617, and prostate-specific antigen–level history of a 77-year-old heavily pretreated patient with metastasized castration-resistant prostate cancer.
FDG PET/CT of Cardiac Angiosarcoma With Pulmonary Metastases
Authors: Hod Nir , Shalev Aryeh , Levin Daniel , Anconina Reut , Ezroh Kazap Dina , Lantsberg Sophie
Published: July 2018

We present a case of an adolescent girl with a cardiac mass which was characterized as malignant on FDG PET/CT. In addition, FDG PET/CT revealed multiple hypermetabolic pulmonary lesions. The final diagnosis was primary cardiac angiosarcoma with pulmonary metastases, a rare malignancy especially in female patients at this age group. We emphasize the potential role of FDG PET/CT in patients with a cardiac neoplasm and present a literature review of FDG uptake in benign versus malignant cardiac tumors.
Waves in strongly nonlinear discrete systems
Authors: Nesterenko Vitali F.
Published: July 2018

The paper presents the main steps in the development of the strongly nonlinear wave dynamics of discrete systems. The initial motivation was prompted by the challenges in the design of barriers to mitigate high-amplitude compression pulses caused by impact or explosion. But this area poses a fundamental mathematical and physical problem and should be considered as a natural step in developing strongly nonlinear wave dynamics. Strong nonlinearity results in a highly tunable behaviour and allows design of systems with properties ranging from a weakly nonlinear regime, similar to the classical case of the Fermi–Pasta–Ulam lattice, or to a non-classical case of sonic vacuum. Strongly nonlinear systems support periodic waves and one of the fascinating results was a discovery of a strongly nonlinear solitary wave in sonic vacuum (a limiting case of a periodic wave) with properties very different from the Korteweg de Vries solitary wave. Shock-like oscillating and monotonous stationary stress waves can also be supported if the system is dissipative. The paper discusses the main theoretical and experimental results, focusing on travelling waves and possible future developments in the area of strongly nonlinear metamaterials.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Nonlinear energy transfer in dynamical and acoustical systems’.
Emergence of non-stationary regimes in one- and two-dimensional models with internal rotators
Authors: Vorotnikov K. , Kovaleva M. , Starosvetsky Y.
Published: July 2018

In the present paper, we give a selective review of some very recent works concerning the non-stationary regimes emerging in various one- and two-dimensional models incorporating internal rotators. In one-dimensional models, these regimes are characterized by the intense energy transfer from the outer element, subjected to initial or harmonic excitation, to the internal rotator. As for the two-dimensional models (incorporating internal rotators), we will mainly focus on the two special dynamical states, namely a state of the near-complete energy transfer from longitudinal to lateral vibrations of the outer element as well as the state of a permanent, unidirectional energy locking with mild, spatial energy exchanges. In this review, we will discuss the recent theoretical and experimental advancements in the study of essentially nonlinear mechanisms governing the formation and bifurcations of the regimes of intense energy transfer. The present review is composed of two parts. The first part will be mainly devoted to the emergence of resonant energy transfer states in one-dimensional models incorporating internal rotators, while the second part will be mainly concerned with the manifestation of various energy transfer states in two-dimensional ones.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Nonlinear energy transfer in dynamical and acoustical systems’.
Forced oscillations of the string under conditions of ‘sonic vacuum’
Authors: Sminrov V. V. , Manevitch L. I.
Published: July 2018

We present the results of analytical study of the significant regularities which are inherent to forced nonlinear oscillations of a string with uniformly distributed discrete masses, without its preliminary stretching. It was found recently that a corresponding autonomous system admits a series of nonlinear normal modes with a lot of possible intermodal resonances and that similar synchronized solutions can exist in the presence of a periodic external field also. The paper is devoted to theoretical explanation of numerical data relating to one of possible scenarios of intermodal interaction which was numerically revealed earlier. This is unidirectional energy flow from unstable nonlinear normal mode to nonlinear normal modes with higher wavenumbers under the conditions of sonic vacuum. The mechanism of such a scenario has not yet been clarified contrary to alternative mechanisms consisting in almost simultaneous energy flow to all nonlinear normal modes with breaking the above-mentioned conditions of sonic vacuum. We begin with a description of single-mode manifolds and then show that consideration of arbitrary double mode manifolds is sufficient for solution of the problem. Because of this, the two-modal equations of motion can be reduced to a linear equation which describes a perturbation of initially excited nonlinear normal mode of the forced system in the conditions of sonic vacuum. We have found analytical representation (in the parametric space) of the thresholds for all possible energy transfers corresponding to unidirectional energy flow from unstable nonlinear normal modes. The analytical results are in a good agreement with previous numerical calculations.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Nonlinear energy transfer in dynamical and acoustical systems’.
Tunable, synchronized frequency down-conversion in magnetic lattices with defects
Authors: Serra-Garcia Marc , Molerón Miguel , Daraio Chiara
Published: July 2018

We study frequency conversion in nonlinear mechanical lattices, focusing on a chain of magnets as a model system. We show that, by inserting mass defects at suitable locations, we can introduce localized vibrational modes that nonlinearly couple to extended lattice modes. The nonlinear interaction introduces an energy transfer from the high-frequency localized modes to a low-frequency extended mode. This system is capable of autonomously converting energy between highly tunable input and output frequencies, which need not be related by integer harmonic or subharmonic ratios. It is also capable of obtaining energy from multiple sources at different frequencies with a tunable output phase, due to the defect synchronization provided by the extended mode. Our lattice is a purely mechanical analogue of an opto-mechanical system, where the localized modes play the role of the electromagnetic field and the extended mode plays the role of the mechanical degree of freedom.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Nonlinear energy transfer in dynamical and acoustical systems’.
Travelling breathers and solitary waves in strongly nonlinear lattices
Authors: James Guillaume
Published: July 2018

We study the existence of travelling breathers and solitary waves in the discrete
p
-Schrödinger (DpS) equation. This model consists of a one-dimensional discrete nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation with strongly nonlinear inter-site coupling (a discrete
p
-Laplacian). The DpS equation describes the slow modulation in time of small amplitude oscillations in different types of nonlinear lattices, where linear oscillators are coupled to nearest-neighbours by strong nonlinearities. Such systems include granular chains made of discrete elements interacting through a Hertzian potential (
p
 = 5/2 for contacting spheres), with additional local potentials or resonators inducing local oscillations. We formally derive three amplitude PDEs from the DpS equation when the exponent of nonlinearity is close to (and above) unity, i.e. for
p
lying slightly above 2. Each model admits localized solutions approximating travelling breather solutions of the DpS equation. One model is the logarithmic NLS equation which admits Gaussian solutions, and the other is fully nonlinear degenerate NLS equations with compacton solutions. We compare these analytical approximations to travelling breather solutions computed numerically by an iterative method, and check the convergence of the approximations when

. An extensive numerical exploration of travelling breather profiles for
p
 = 5/2 suggests that these solutions are generally superposed on small amplitude non-vanishing oscillatory tails, except for particular parameter values where they become close to strictly localized solitary waves. In a vibro-impact limit where the parameter
p
becomes large, we compute an analytical approximation of solitary wave solutions of the DpS equation.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Nonlinear energy transfer in dynamical and acoustical systems’.