bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability of Objective Eye-Tracking Measures Among Healthy Adolescent Athletes
Authors: Howell David R. , Brilliant Anna N. , Master Christina L. , Meehan William P.
Published: June 2018

Objective:

To determine the test–retest correlation of an objective eye-tracking device among uninjured youth athletes.

Design:

Repeated-measures study.

Setting:

Sports-medicine clinic.

Participants:

Healthy youth athletes (mean age = 14.6 ± 2.2 years; 39% women) completed a brief, automated, and objective eye-tracking assessment.

Independent variables:

Participants completed the eye-tracking assessment at 2 different testing sessions.

Main outcome measures:

During the assessment, participants watched a 220-second video clip while it moved around a computer monitor in a clockwise direction as an eye tracker recorded eye movements. We obtained 13 eye movement outcome variables and assessed correlations between the assessments made at the 2 time points using Spearman's Rho (rs).

Results:

Thirty-one participants completed the eye-tracking evaluation at 2 time points [median = 7 (interquartile range = 6–9) days between tests]. No significant differences in outcomes were found between the 2 testing times. Several eye movement variables demonstrated moderate to moderately high test–retest reliability. Combined eye conjugacy metric (BOX score, rs= 0.529,P= 0.008), the variance of the ratio for both eye movements in the horizontal (rs= 0.497,P= 0.013) and vertical (rs= 0.446;P= 0.029) movement planes along the top/bottom of the computer screen, and the variance of the left and right eye movement along the bottom segment of the computer screen (rs= 0.565;P= 0.004) each demonstrated moderate between-test correlations.

Conclusions:

Automated and quantitative eye movement and conjugacy metrics provide relatively stable measurements among a group of healthy youth athletes. Thus, their inclusion as a visual tracking metric may be complementary to other visual examination techniques when monitoring concussion recovery across time.
The regularity of orthosis use and the reasons for disuse in stroke patients
Authors: Nakipoğlu Yüzer Güldal F. , Koyuncu Engin , Çam Pinar , Özgirgin Neşe
Published: June 2018

This is a Retrospective descriptive study. Orthoses and walking aids are used frequently in stroke rehabilitation to facilitate ambulation. The aim was to describe the regularity of orthosis use and the reasons for disuse in stroke after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. The study included 64 (43 men, 21 women) subacute stroke patients who had been discharged from our clinic in the last 6 months. Demographic and clinical findings, proposed orthoses and walking aids, frequency of usage for the proposed orthoses, reasons for disuse, and the ambulation levels were recorded. A total of 54 (84.4%) patients had an ankle–foot orthosis and 10 (15.6%) patients had a knee–ankle–foot orthosis. The orthosis frequency of use was every day in 38 (59.4%) patients and one to seven times a week in seven (10.9%) patients, whereas 19 (29.7%) did not use them. The reasons for orthosis disuse were finding them unnecessary in seven (27%) patients, usage difficulties in six (23%) patients, pressure sensation in five (19.2%) patients, the belief that they did not make life easier in five (19.2%) patients, lack of a suitable environment in one (3.8%) patient, orthosis wear in one (3.8%) patient, and systemic disease in one (3.8%) patient. Age, sex, residence, the disease duration, and recommended orthosis duration (how long the prescribed orthosis was used), recommended orthosis, range of motion limitation in the lower extremities, presence of spasticity, type of orthosis, and the ambulation level were not statistically significantly associated with the frequency of orthosis use (P>0.05). The only significant clinical factor for the frequency of orthosis use was the lower extremity Brunnstrom neurophysiological recovery stage (P<0.008). Orthosis use had been discontinued by 29% of the patients. The most common reasons reported for discontinuing orthosis use were that the patients found it unnecessary, usage difficulty, pressure sensation, not making life easier, lack of a suitable environment, and orthosis wear. The only significant clinical factor for the frequency of orthosis use was the lower extremity Brunnstrom neurophysiological recovery stage.
Longitudinal Analysis of the Relationships Between Social Support and Health-Related Quality of Life in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients
Authors: Liang Yongchun , Wang Haifang , Niu Meie , Zhu Xiaming , Cai Jianzheng , Wang Xiubei
Published: June 2018

Background

The correlation between social support and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has been well documented, but whether social support changes or whether social support consistently plays a significant role in the various phases of the treatment process remains unknown among hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients.

Objectives

The aims of this study were to assess the changing trends of HRQOL and social support and evaluate the relationship between HRQOL and social support before and after transplantation.

Methods

Measures were completed by 122 HSCT patients before and after transplantation. The measures administered included the Perceived Social Support Scale and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Bone Marrow Transplant questionnaire.

Results

The social support score presented a marked downward trend (F = 17.090, P < .001). The overall HRQOL was the lowest, 103.61 (SD, 19.14) at 1 month and increased steadily over time to 108.10 (SD, 19.58) at 3 months and 110.02 (SD, 18.00) at 6 months after HSCT. The generalized estimating equation models showed that social support consistently had a positive impact on HRQOL in the 6-month period post-HSCT.

Conclusion

We confirmed a significant positive association between social support and HRQOL in HSCT recipients. However, it is noteworthy that the social support score declined during the 6-month period even while the HRQOL scores were increasing.

Implications for Practice

Social support is closely related to the HRQOL; thus, clinicians should give close attention to social support to improve the HRQOL of HSCT patients. Social support should not be overlooked during the first 6 months after transplantation.
From Challenges to Resources
Authors: Lie Nataskja-Elena Kersting , Solvang Per Koren , Hauken May Aasebø
Published: June 2018

Background

Cancer coordinators (CCs) operate at both patient and system levels in order to provide patients with tailored and coordinated services. In common with international CCs, Norwegian CCs denote notable progress in their patient-focused work, while reporting ongoing challenges in carrying out system-focused tasks. However, little is known about the barriers and facilitators for CCs' system-level work.

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore Norwegian CCs' experiences of barriers and facilitators for enacting system-focused tasks.

Methods

The study applies a qualitative method, conducting an interpretative data inquiry of semistructured in-depth interviews with 26 Norwegian CCs. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis and discussed in light of previous research and salutogenic theory.

Results

The analyses revealed 3 main themes: (1) “understanding the role and local cancer care,” (2) “systems for care delivery in primary healthcare,” and (3) “commitment to collaboration.” Where present, the themes could represent important facilitators, whereas their absence could depict notable challenges to CCs system-focused work. Over time, as CCs were able to mobilize resources, they were able to gradually turn initial challenges into facilitators in the context of system-level work.

Conclusions

Cancer coordinators encounter cognitive, practical, and relational topics that impact their system-focused activities. Adopting a salutogenic focus can help CCs mobilize resources needed to turn challenges into facilitators for system-level work.

Implications for Practice

Cancer care coordination cannot be undertaken by CCs alone. Cancer coordinators' embedding in multidisciplinary teams, common systems for care provision, meaningful work relations, and professionals' commitment to cancer care represent important facilitators for CCs' system-focused tasks.
Pain and Catastrophizing in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Cohen Ezra M. , Edwards Robert R. , Bingham Clifton O. , Phillips Kristine , Bolster Marcy B. , Moreland Larry W. , Neogi Tuhina , Marder Wendy , Wohlfahrt Alyssa , Clauw Daniel , Lee Yvonne C.
Published: June 2018

Background

The aims of this study were to define changes in catastrophizing that occur with initiation of a new disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) and to examine the relationship between changes in Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and changes in catastrophizing.

Methods

Participants in an ongoing multisite, observational study completed the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) before and 12 weeks after DMARD initiation. We used multivariable linear regression models to examine the association between changes in CDAI as the exposure and change in pain catastrophizing as the outcome. We also assessed the relationship between changes in each component of CDAI and change in PCS, using multivariable linear regression models.

Results

Among the 165 rheumatoid arthritis patients with data on CDAI at both time points, CDAI decreased from 22 to 11.5 on a 76-point scale (p < 0.0001) after 12 weeks. Pain intensity decreased from a median of 5 to 3 on a 10-point numeric rating scale (p < 0.0001), and catastrophizing decreased, from 16.0 to 12.0 on the 52-point PCS (p = 0.0005). Among the 163 with complete data for the regression analysis, changes in CDAI were positively correlated with changes in catastrophizing (standardized β = 0.19, p = 0.01). Of the components of the CDAI, change in assessor global score was most strongly associated with changes in catastrophizing (standardized β = 0.24, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

Pain catastrophizing decreases, in conjunction with disease activity, after initiation of a new DMARD. These findings provide support for catastrophizing as a dynamic construct that can be altered with treatment directed at decreasing inflammatory disease activity and pain.
Effect of Polyhexamethylene Biguanide Solution on Bacterial Load and Biofilm in Venous Leg Ulcers
Authors: Borges Eline Lima , Frison Susiane Sucasas , Honorato-Sampaio Kinulpe , Guedes Antônio Carlos Martins , Lima Vera Lúcia de Araújo Nogueira , Oliveira Olga Maria Medeiros de , Ferraz Aidê Ferreira , Tyrone Ana Carolina
Published: June 2018

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) solution as a wound cleanser on bacterial load and bacterial biofilm in venous leg ulcers.

DESIGN:

Randomized controlled trial.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING:

The target population was adults attending the dermatology outpatient clinic of the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The sample comprised 44 patients with venous leg ulcers recruited over a 6-month period.

METHODS:

Participants were divided into 2 groups: the intervention group had their wounds cleansed with PHMB, and the control group had their wound cleansed with a 0.9% saline solution. Tissue fragments of the wounds were collected for bacteriological analysis; transmission electron microscopy was used to identify the presence of biofilm.

RESULTS:

The bacterial load was reduced in both groups compared to baseline values; no significant difference was found when groups were compared. Correlation analysis between wound duration (months), wound area (cm²), necrosis (%), variables, and bacterial count (colony forming units [CFUs]/g) after cleansing showed a significant relationship between area of the wound and CFUs/g (P = .0070, r = 0.51). Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of bacterial biofilm in the wounds after cleansing with both solutions.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of this study indicate that both PHMB and saline solution are effective in reducing the bacterial load in venous leg ulcers. However, bacterial biofilm was present after cleansing with both solutions. These findings provide important evidence regarding effectiveness of 2 common wound cleansers on bacterial presence in wounds.
Efficient single-copy HDR by 5’ modified long dsDNA donors
Authors: Gutierrez-Triana Jose Arturo , Tavhelidse Tinatini , Thumberger Thomas , Thomas Isabelle , Wittbrodt Beate , Kellner Tanja , Anlas Kerim , Tsingos Erika , Wittbrodt Joachim
Published: June 2018

CRISPR/Cas9 efficiently induces targeted mutations via non-homologous-end-joining but for genome editing, precise, homology-directed repair (HDR) of endogenous DNA stretches is a prerequisite. To favor HDR, many approaches interfere with the repair machinery or manipulate Cas9 itself. Using Medaka we show that the modification of 5’ ends of long dsDNA donors strongly enhances HDR, favors efficient single-copy integration by retaining a monomeric donor conformation thus facilitating successful gene replacement or tagging.
Dynamic Prediction During Perception of Everyday Events
Authors: Eisenberg Michelle L. , Zacks Jeffrey M. , Flores Shaney
Published: June 2018

The ability to predict what is going to happen in the near future is integral for daily functioning. Previous research suggests that predictability varies over time, with increases in prediction error at those moments that people perceive as boundaries between meaningful events. These moments also tend to be points of rapid change in the environment. Eye tracking provides a method for continuous measurement of prediction as participants watch a movie of an actor performing a series of actions. In two studies, we used eye tracking to study the time course of prediction around event boundaries. In both studies, viewers looked at objects that were about to be touched by the actor shortly before the objects were contacted, demonstrating predictive looking. However, this behavior was modulated by event boundaries: looks to to-be-contacted objects near event boundaries were less likely to be early and more likely to be late, compared to looks to objects contacted within events. This result is consistent with theories proposing that event segmentation results from transient increases in prediction error.

Significance Statement

The ability to predict what will happen in the near future is integral for adaptive functioning, and although there has been extensive research on predictive processing, the dynamics of prediction at the second by second level during the perception of naturalistic activity has never been explored. The current studies therefore describe results from a novel task, the Predictive Looking at Action Task (PLAT) that can be used to investigate the dynamics of predictive processing. Demonstrating the utility of this task to investigate predictive processing, this task was applied to study the predictions made by Event Segmentation Theory, which suggests that people experience event boundaries at times of change and unpredictability in the environment. The results of these studies are of interest to communities investigating the dynamic comprehension and segmentation of naturalistic events and to communities studying visual perception of naturalistic activity.
Plasmodium-specific atypical memory B cells are not part of the long-lived memory response
Authors: Pérez-Mazliah Damián , Gardner Peter J. , Schweighoffer Edina , McLaughlin Sarah , Hosking Caroline , Tumwine Irene , Davis Randall S. , Potocnik Alexandre J. , Tybulewicz Victor , Langhorne Jean
Published: June 2018

A subset of atypical memory B cells accumulates in malaria and several infections, autoimmune disorders and aging in both humans and mice. It has been suggested these cells are exhausted long-lived memory B cells, and their accumulation may contribute to poor acquisition of long-lasting immunity to certain chronic infections, such as malaria and HIV. Here, we generated an immunoglobulin heavy chain knock-in mouse with a BCR that recognizes MSP1 of the rodent malaria parasite,Plasmodium chabaudi. In combination with a mosquito-initiatedP. chabaudiinfection, we show thatPlasmodium-specific atypical memory B cells are short-lived and disappear upon natural resolution of chronic infection. These cells show features of activation, proliferation, DNA replication, and plasmablasts. Our data demonstrate thatPlasmodium-specific atypical memory B cells are not a subset of long-lived memory B cells, but rather short-lived activated cells, and part of a physiologic ongoing B-cell response.
Cerebral organoids at the air-liquid interface generate diverse nerve tracts with functional output
Authors: Giandomenico Stefano L. , Mierau Susanna B. , Gibbons George M. , Wenger Lea M.D. , Masullo Laura , Sit Timothy , Sutcliffe Magdalena , Boulanger Jerome , Tripodi Marco , Derivery Emmanuel , Paulsen Ole , Lakatos András , Lancaster Madeline A.
Published: June 2018

Three-dimensional neural organoids are emerging tools with the potential for improving our understanding of human brain development and neurological disorders. Recent advances in this field have demonstrated their capacity to model neurogenesis1,2, neuronal migration and positioning3,4, and even response to sensory input5. However, it remains to be seen whether these tissues can model axon guidance dynamics and the formation of complex connectivity with functional neuronal output. Here, we have established a longterm air-liquid interface culture paradigm that leads to improved neuronal survival and allows for imaging of axon guidance. Over time, these cultures spontaneously form thick axon tracts capable of projecting over long distances. Axon bundles display various morphological behaviors including intracortical projection within and across the organoid, growth cone turning, decussation, and projection away from the organoid. Single-cell RNA-sequencing reveals the full repertoire of cortical neuronal identities, and retrograde labelling demonstrates these tract morphologies match the appropriate molecular identities, namely callosal and corticofugal neuron types. We show that these neurons are functionally mature, generate active networks within the organoid, and that extracortical projecting tracts innervate and activate mouse spinal cord-muscle explants. Muscle contractions can be evoked by stimulation of the organoid, while axotomy of the innervating tracts abolishes the muscle contraction response, demonstrating dependence on connection with the organoid. Overall, these results reveal a remarkable selforganization of corticofugal and callosal tracts with a functional output, providing new opportunities to examine relevant aspects of human CNS development and response to injury.
DeepTACT: predicting high-resolution chromatin contacts via bootstrapping deep learning
Authors: Li Wenran , Wong Wing Hung , Jiang Rui
Published: June 2018

High-resolution interactions among regulatory elements are of crucial importance for the understanding of transcriptional regulation and the interpretation of disease mechanism. Hi-C technique allows the genome-wide detection of chromatin contacts. However, unless extremely deep sequencing is performed on a very large number of input cells, current Hi-C experiments do not have high enough resolution to resolve contacts among regulatory elements. Here, we develop DeepTACT, a bootstrapping deep learning model, to integrate genome sequences and chromatin accessibility data for the prediction of chromatin contacts among regulatory elements. In tests based on promoter capture Hi-C data, DeepTACT is seen to offer improved resolution over existing methods. DeepTACT analysis also identifies a class of hub promoters, which are active across cell lines, enriched in housekeeping genes, functionally related to fundamental biological processes, and capable of reflecting cell similarity. Finally, the utility of high-resolution chromatin contact information in the study of human diseases is illustrated by the association of IFNA2 and IFNA1 to coronary artery disease via an integrative analysis of GWAS data and high-resolution contacts inferred by DeepTACT.
Wolbachiamodifies thermal preference inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Truitt Amy M. , Kapun Martin , Kaur Rupinder , Miller Wolfgang J.
Published: June 2018

Environmental variation can have profound and direct effects on fitness, fecundity, and host symbiont interactions. Replication rates of microbes within arthropod hosts, for example, are correlated with incubation temperature but less is known about the influence of host-symbiont dynamics on environmental preference. Hence, we conducted thermal preference (Tp) assays and tested if infection status and genetic variation in endosymbiont bacteriumWolbachiaaffected temperature choice ofDrosophila melanogaster. We demonstrate that isogenic flies infected withWolbachiapreferred lower temperatures compared to uninfectedDrosophila. Moreover,Tpvaried with respect to three investigatedWolbachiavariants (wMel,wMelCS andwMelPop). While uninfected individuals preferred 24.4°C, we found significant shifts of - 1.2°C inwMel- and −4°C in flies infected either withwMelCS orwMelPop. We, therefore, postulate thatWolbachia-associatedTpvariation within a host species might represent a behavioral accommodation to host-symbiont interactions and trigger behavioral self-medication and bacterial titer regulation by the host.
Evolution of specialization in heterogeneous environments: equilibrium between selection, mutation and migration
Authors: Mirrahimi Sepideh , Gandon Sylvain
Published: June 2018

Adaptation in spatially heterogeneous environments results from the balance between local selection, mutation and migration. We study the interplay among these different evolutionary forces and demography in a classical two habitat scenario with asexual reproduction. We develop a new theoretical approach that fills a gap between the restrictive assumptions of Adaptive Dynamics and Quantitative Genetics. This analysis yields more accurate predictions of the equilibrium phenotypic distribution in different habitats. We examine the evolutionary equilibrium under general conditions where demography and selection may be non-symmetric between the two habitats. In particular we show how migration may increase differentiation in a source-sink scenario. We discuss the implications of these analytic results for the adaptation of organisms with large mutation rates such as RNA viruses.
Optimal data-driven parameterization of coiled coils
Authors: Guzenko Dmytro , Strelkov Sergei V.
Published: June 2018

α-helical coiled coils (CCs) represent an important, highly regular protein folding motif. To date, many thousands of CC structures have been determined experimentally. Their geometry is usually modelled by theoretical equations introduced by F. Crick that involve a predefined set of parameters. Here we have addressed the problem of efficient CC parameterization from scratch by performing a statistical evaluation of all available CC structures. The procedure is based on the principal component analysis and yields a minimal set of independent parameters that provide for the reconstruction of the complete CC structure at a required precision. The approach is successfully validated on a set of canonical parallel CC dimers. Its applications include all cases where an efficient sampling of the CC geometry is important, such as for solving the phase problem in crystallography.
Changes in endosymbiont complexity drive host-level compensatory adaptations in cicadas
Authors: Campbell Matthew A. , Łukasik Piotr , Meyer Mariah M. , Buckner Mark , Simon Chris , Veloso Claudio , Michalik Anna , McCutcheon John P.
Published: June 2018

For insects that depend on one or more bacterial endosymbionts for survival, it is critical that these bacteria are faithfully transmitted between insect generations. Cicadas harbor two essential bacterial endosymbionts, Sulcia muelleri and Hodgkinia cicadicola. In some cicada species, Hodgkinia has fragmented into multiple distinct cellular and genomic lineages that can differ in abundance by more than two orders of magnitude. This complexity presents a potential problem for the host cicada, because low-abundance-but-essential Hodgkinia lineages risk being lost during the symbiont transmission bottleneck from mother to egg. Here we show that all cicada eggs seem to receive the full complement of Hodgkinia lineages, and that in cicadas with more complex Hodgkinia this outcome is achieved by increasing the number of Hodgkinia cells transmitted by up to six-fold. We further show that cicada species with varying Hodgkinia complexity do not visibly alter their transmission mechanism at the resolution of cell biological structures. Together these data suggest that a major cicada adaptation to changes in endosymbiont complexity is an increase in the number of Hodgkinia cells transmitted to each egg. We hypothesize that the requirement to increase the symbiont titer is one of the costs associated with Hodgkinia fragmentation.
DeepImpute: an accurate, fast and scalable deep neural network method to impute single-cell RNA-Seq data
Authors: Arisdakessian Cedric , Poirion Olivier , Yunits Breck , Zhu Xun , Garmire Lana X.
Published: June 2018

Background

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) offers new opportunities to study gene expression of tens of thousands of single cells simultaneously. However, a significant problem of current scRNA-seq data is the large fractions of missing values or “dropouts” in gene counts. Incorrect handling of dropouts may affect downstream bioinformatics analysis. As the number of scRNA-seq datasets grows drastically, it is crucial to have accurate and efficient imputation methods to handle these dropouts.

Methods

We present DeepImpute, a deep neural network based imputation algorithm. The architecture of DeepImpute efficiently uses dropout layers and loss functions to learn patterns in the data, allowing for accurate imputation.

Results

Overall DeepImpute yields better accuracy than other publicly available scRNA-Seq imputation methods on experimental data, as measured by mean squared error or Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Moreover, its efficient implementation provides significantly higher performance over the other methods as dataset size increases. Additionally, as a machine learning method, DeepImpute allows to use a subset of data to train the model and save even more computing time, without much sacrifice on the prediction accuracy.

Conclusions

DeepImpute is an accurate, fast and scalable imputation tool that is suited to handle the ever increasing volume of scRNA-seq data. The package is freely available at https://github.com/lanagarmire/DeepImpute
Kluyveromyces marxianus as a robust synthetic biology platform host
Authors: Cernak Paul , Estrela Raissa , Poddar Snigdha , Skerker Jeffrey M. , Cheng Ya-Fang , Carlson Annika K. , Chen Berling , Glynn Victoria M. , Furlan Monique , Ryan Owen W. , Donnelly Marie K. , Arkin Adam P. , Taylor John W. , Cate Jamie H. D.
Published: June 2018

Throughout history, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has played a central role in human society due to its use in food production and more recently as a major industrial and model microorganism, because of the many genetic and genomic tools available to probe its biology. However S. cerevisiae has proven difficult to engineer to expand the carbon sources it can utilize, the products it can make, and the harsh conditions it can tolerate in industrial applications. Other yeasts that could solve many of these problems remain difficult to manipulate genetically. Here, we engineer the thermotolerant yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus to create a new synthetic biology platform. Using CRISPR-Cas9 mediated genome editing, we show that wild isolates of K. marxianus can be made heterothallic for sexual crossing. By breeding two of these mating-type engineered K. marxianus strains, we combined three complex traits– thermotolerance, lipid production, and facile transformation with exogenous DNA-into a single host. The ability to cross K. marxianus strains with relative ease, together with CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, should enable engineering of K. marxianus isolates with promising lipid production at temperatures far exceeding those of other fungi under development for industrial applications. These results establish K. marxianus as a synthetic biology platform comparable to S. cerevisiae, with naturally more robust traits that hold potential for the industrial production of renewable chemicals.
Microglia-triggered hyperexcitability in the cerebellum depresses animal behaviors
Authors: Yamamoto Masamichi , Kim Minsoo , Imai Hirohiko , Ohtsuki Gen
Published: June 2018

Clinical studies have suggested that cerebellar dysfunction is involved in various psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, and depressive disorders. However, the physiological aspect is less-advanced. Here, we comprehensively investigated the immune-triggered excitability plasticity in the cerebellum. Activated microglia (MG) via exposure to bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide or heat-killed Gram-negative bacteria induced a potentiation of the excitability of Purkinje neurons, which was suppressed by MG-activity inhibitor and MG-depletion. An inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) released from MG triggered this plasticity. While our new two-photon FRET ATP-imaging showed an increase in ATP concentration following endotoxin exposure, both TNF-α and ATP secretion facilitated synaptic transmission. Inflammation in the cerebellar anterior vermisin vivoimmobilized animals, and reduced sociability. Such abulia-like behavioral impairments were reverted by TNF-α-inhibition and MG-depletion. Resting-state functional MRI revealed overconnectivity between the inflamed cerebellum and prefrontal neocortical regions, which may underlie the psychomotor depressiveness in animals.
Co-culture of soil biofilm isolates enables the discovery of novel antibiotics
Authors: Gao Chun-Hui , Cai Peng , Li Zhunjie , Wu Yichao , Huang Qiaoyun
Published: June 2018

Bacterial natural products (NPs) are considered to be a promising source of drug discovery. However, the biosynthesis gene clusters (BGCs) of NP are not often expressed, making it difficult to identify them. Recently, the study of biofilm community showed bacteria may gain competitive advantages by the secretion of antibiotics, implying a possible way to screen antibiotic by evaluating the social behavior of bacteria. In this study, we have described an efficient workflow for novel antibiotic discovery by employing the bacterial social interaction strategy with biofilm cultivation, co-culture, transcriptomic and genomic methods. We showed that a biofilm dominant species, i.e.Pseudomonassp. G7, which was isolated from cultivated soil biofilm community, was highly competitive in four-species biofilm communities, as the synergistic combinations preferred to exclude this strain while the antagonistic combinations did not. Through the analysis of transcriptomic changes in four-species co-culture and the complete genome ofPseudomonassp. G7, we finally discovered two novel non-ribosomal polypeptide synthetic (NRPS) BGCs, whose products were predicted to have seven and six amino acid components, respectively. Furthermore, we provide evidence showing that only whenPseudomonassp. G7 was co-cultivated with at least two or three other bacterial species can these BGC genes be induced, suggesting that the co-culture of the soil biofilm isolates is critical to the discovery of novel antibiotics. As a conclusion, we set a model of applying microbial interaction to the discovery of new antibiotics.
Nucleotides inclusion in pet food: effect of thermic treatment and shelf-life
Authors: Russo N. , Candellone A. , Galaverna D. , Prola L.
Published: June 2018

A growing trend of nucleotides supplementation in pets is occurring in recent years with the final goal of reinforcing the immune system and promoting intestinal function. Despite that, data evaluating possible alterations of nucleotides during pet food processing are lacking. The aim of the study was to evaluate the recovery percentage of nucleotides in dry and canned food after processing and storage. Selected dry and canned feed were supplemented with 0.4/100 g dry matter basis of Prosol petMOD™. Recovery percentage in dry food was 75% and 74% at the end of technological process and a 12-month shelf-life, while in canned food it was 43% and 41%, respectively. These results support the hypothesis that N could be included during pet food process but industries have to increase the awareness about possible losses, especially in canned food.
In vitro evaluation of the decontamination effect of cold argon plasma on selected bacteria frequently encountered in small animal bite injuries
Authors: Winter S. , Meyer-Lindenberg A. , Wolf G. , Reese S. , Nolff M.C.
Published: June 2018

Objective

The beneficial effects of cold argon plasma (CAP) on wound healing and its capacity for bacterial decontamination has recently been documented. However, despite favourable reports from experimental trials and human applications, the first in vivo studies in small animals did not prove any decontamination effect in canine bite wounds.

The present study therefore aimed to evaluate the decontamination effect of CAP in different bacteria frequently encountered in canine bite woundsin vitro.

Methods

Standard strains ofEscherichia (E.) coli, Staphylococcus (S.) pseudintermedius, S. aureus, Streptococcus (Sc.) canis, Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosaandPasteurella multocidawere investigated. To evaluate the influence of the bacterial growth phase, each bacterium was incubated in nutrient broth for 3 and 8 hours, respectively, before argon plasma treatment. Three different bacterial concentrations were created per bacterium and growth phase, and each was exposed to cold plasma at a gas flow rate of 5 standard litres/minute of argon for 30 seconds, 1 minute and 2 minutes.

Results

Argon treatment resulted in acceptable decontamination rates (range 98.9-99.9%) in all bacteria species in vitro; however, differences in susceptibility were detected in the different tested bacteria. Treatment time significantly (P<0.05) correlated with the decontamination rate inE. coli,Sc. canisandS. aureus, with an exposure time of 2 minutes being most effective. The initial bacterial concentration significantly (P<0.05) influenced decontamination inPasteurella multocidaandP. aeruginosa,in which treatment time was not as important. The growth phase only influenced decontamination inS. pseudintermedius.

Conclusion

CAP exerts effective antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria strains in vitro, with species specific effects of treatment time, growth phase and concentration.
Effects of different pretreatments on flavonoids and antioxidant activity of Dryopteris erythrosora leave
Authors: Zhang Xinxin , Wang Xin , Wang Minglong , Cao Jianguo , Xiao Jianbo , Wang Quanxi
Published: June 2018

Flavonoids with wide bioactivity for medcine are vital secondary metabolite of plant. The factors influenced on flavonoids had been reported. However, as the key processes lead to metabolite alterations, the influences of the different pretreatments of samples on flavonoids and antioxidant activity of ferns were with little information. Therefore, Dryopteris erythrosora leaves were chosen as the materials for analyzing flavonoids alterations, which would not only provide the significant basic data for flavonoid metabolism of fern, but also for further developing fern resources. The results showed that a) The total flavonoids contents of D. erythrosora leaves with different pretreatments were obviously different. The total flavonoid contents of samples, which was dried in shade firstly and then dried at 75 °C in oven, finally smashed, was the highest (7.6%), but that of samples, which was quickly dried at 75 °C in oven directly after cleaning and then smashed, was the lowest (2.17%); b) Antioxidant activities of D. erythrosora leaves with different pretreatments were variant. Samples, which were dried in shade firstly and then dried at 75 °C in oven, finally smashed and samples which were firstly dried in the sun and then dried at 75 °C in oven, ultimately smashed, both showed stronger antioxidant activity; c) Total twenty-three flavonoids with four different pretreatments were tentatively identified by HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS. In conlusion, a) The influences of different pretreatments on flavonoids and antioxidant activity of D. erythrosora Leaves were obvious. b) The best pretreatment in respect to conserving fern medical application was drying in shade firstly and then drying at 75 °C in oven, finally smashed.
Motor learning decline with age is related to differences in the explicit memory system
Authors: Wolpe Noham , Ingram James N. , Tsvetanov Kamen A. , Henson Richard N. , Kievit Rogier A. , Wolpert Daniel M. , Rowe James B. ,   for Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience
Published: June 2018

The ability to adapt one’s movements to changes in the environment is fundamental in everyday life, but this ability changes across the lifespan. Although often regarded as an ‘implicit’ process, recent research has also linked motor adaptation with ‘explicit’ learning processes. To understand how these processes contribute to differences in motor adaptation with age, we combined a visuomotor learning paradigm with cognitive tasks that measure implicit and explicit processes, and structural brain imaging. In a large population-based cohort from the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (n=322, aged 18-89 years) we first confirmed that the degree of adaptation to an angular perturbation of visual feedback declined with age. There were no associations between adaptation and sensory attenuation, which has been previously hypothesised to contribute to implicit motor learning. However, interactions between age and scores on two independent memory tasks showed that explicit memory performance was a progressively stronger determinant of motor learning with age. Similarly, interactions between age and grey matter volume in the medial temporal lobe, amygdala and hippocampus showed that grey matter volume in these regions became a stronger determinant of adaptation in older adults. The convergent behavioural and structural imaging results suggest that age-related differences in the explicit memory system is a contributor to the decline in motor adaptation in older age. These results may reflect the more general compensatory reliance on cognitive strategies to maintain motor performance with age.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

The central nervous system has a remarkable capacity to learn new motor skills and adapt to new environmental dynamics. This capacity is impaired with age, and in many brain disorders. We find that explicit memory performance and its associated medial temporal brain regions deteriorate with age, but the association between this brain system and individual differences in motor learning becomes stronger in older adults. We propose that these results reflect an increased reliance on cognition in order to maintain adaptive motor skill performance. This difference in learning strategy has implications for interventions to improve motor skills in older adults.
Not scene learning, but attentional processing is superior in team sport athletes and action video game players
Authors: Schmidt Anne , Geringswald Franziska , Sharifian Fariba , Pollmann Stefan
Published: June 2018

We tested if high-level athletes or action video game players have superior context learning skills. Incidental context learning was tested in a spatial contextual cueing paradigm. We found comparable contextual cueing of visual search in repeated displays in high-level amateur handball players, dedicated action video game players and normal controls. In contrast, both handball players and action video game players showed faster search than controls, measured as search time per display item, independent of display repetition. Thus, our data do not indicate superior context learning skills in athletes or action video game players. Rather, both groups showed more efficient visual search in abstract displays that were not related to sport-specific situations.
Light dynamically regulates growth rate and cellular organisation of the Arabidopsis root meristem
Authors: Blein Thomas , Duerr Jasmin , Pasternak Taras , Haser Thomas , Falk Thorsten , Liu Kun , Ditengou Franck A. , Ronneberger Olaf , Palme Klaus
Published: June 2018

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Large-scale methods and robust algorithms are needed for a quantitative analysis of cells status/geometryin situ. It allows the understanding the cellular mechanisms that direct organ growth in response to internal and environmental cues. Using advanced whole-stack imaging in combination with pattern analysis, we have developed a new approach to investigate root zonation under different dark/light conditions. This method is based on the determination of 3 different parameters: cell length, cell volume and cell proliferation on the cell-layer level. This method allowed to build a precise quantitative 3D cell atlas of the Arabidopsis root tip. Using this approach we showed that the meristematic (proliferation) zone length differs between cell layers. Considering only the rapid increase of cortex cell length to determine the meristematic zone overestimates of the proliferation zone for epidermis/cortex and underestimates it for pericycle. The use of cell volume instead of cell length to define the meristematic zone correlates better with cell proliferation zone.
Molecular basis for a novel systemic form of human hereditary apoA-I amyloidosis with vision loss
Authors: Morgado Isabel , Rothschild Pierre-Raphael , Panahi Afra , Aldigier Jean-Claude , Burwash Andrew G. , Das Madhurima , Colombat Magali , Frouget Thierry , Rerolle Jean Philippe , Paraf François , Rioux-Leclercq Nathalie , Goujon Jean-Michel , Beugnet Caroline , Durrbach Antoine , Samuel Didier , Brézin Antoine , Straub John E. , Gursky Olga , Valleix Sophie
Published: June 2018

Hereditary apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) amyloidosis (AApoAI) is a life-threatening incurable genetic disorder whose molecular underpinnings and the full spectrum of afflicted organs are unclear. We report a new form of AApoAI with amyloid deposition in multiple organs, including an unprecedented retinal amyloidosis. Genetic and proteomic analyses identified Glu34Lys apoA-I as the fibrillar protein causing the clinical manifestations. A life-saving combined hepatorenal transplantation was performed for one Glu34Lys carrier. To elucidate structural underpinnings for amyloidogenic properties of Glu34Lys, we generated its recombinant globular domain and compared the conformation and dynamics of its lipid-free form with those of two other naturally occurring apoA-I variants, Phe71Tyr (amyloidogenic) and Leu159Arg (non-amyloidogenic). All variants showed reduced stability and altered aromatic residue packing. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed local helical unfolding and suggested that transient opening of Trp72 induced mutation-dependent structural perturbations in a sensitive region, including the major amyloid hotspot residues 14-22. We posit that a shift from the “closed” to an “open” orientation of Trp72 modulates structural protection of amyloid hotspots, suggesting a previously unknown early step in protein misfolding.
Network Structure and Social Complexity in Primates
Authors: Dunbar R.I.M.
Published: June 2018

Primates use social grooming to create and maintain coalitions. Because of this, individuals focus their time on a small number of individuals, and this means that in many cases group networks are not fully connected. I use data on primate grooming networks to show that three different social grades can be differentiated in terms of network structuring. These grades seem to arise from a glass ceiling imposed on group size by limits on the time available for social grooming. It seems that certain genera have managed to circumvent this constraint by a phase shift in the behavioural and cognitive mechanisms that underpin social relationships in a way that allows a form of multilevel sociality based on weak and strong ties not unlike those found in human social networks.
Small RNAs from the plant pathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum highlight candidate host target genes associated with quantitative disease resistance
Authors: Derbyshire Mark C , Mbengue Malick , Barascud Marielle , Navaud Olivier , Raffaele Sylvain
Published: June 2018

Plant pathogenic fungi secrete effector proteins and secondary metabolites to cause disease. Additionally, some produce small RNAs (sRNAs) that silence transcripts of host immunity genes through RNA interference. The fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infects over 600 plant species, but little is known about its molecular interactions with its hosts. In particular, the role of sRNAs in S. sclerotiorum pathogenicity has not been determined. By sequencing sRNAs in vitro and during infection of two host species, we found that S. sclerotiorum produces at least 374 highly abundant sRNAs. These sRNAs mostly originated from polymorphic repeat-rich genomic regions. Predicted gene targets of these sRNAs, from 10 different host species, were enriched for immunity-related functional domains. Predicted A. thaliana gene targets of S. sclerotiorum sRNAs were significantly more down-regulated during infection than other genes. A. thaliana gene targets were also more likely to contain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with quantitative disease resistance. In conclusion, sRNAs produced by S. sclerotiorum are likely capable of silencing immunity components in multiple hosts. Prediction of fungal sRNA targets in host plant genomes can be combined with other global approaches, such as genome wide association studies and transcriptomics, to assist identification of plant genes involved in disease resistance.
Universality of the developmental origins of diverse functional maps in the visual cortex
Authors: Song Min , Jang Jaeson , Kim Gwangsu , Paik Se-Bum
Published: June 2018

The primary visual cortex of higher mammals is organized into diverse functional maps of correlated topography, implying an efficient tiling of functional domains. However, no fundamental principle is available on how systematic organization of the maps could develop initially in various species. Here, we propose that diverse functional maps are seeded from a common framework of retinal afferents, and that this universality of development explains the observed topographical correlations among the maps. From the simulation of retinal ganglion cell mosaics, we successfully developed all four cortical maps observed so far. We validated our model prediction of inter-map relationships from analysis of map data in evolutionarily divergent mammalian species. Our key prediction, the hexagonal periodicity of every functional map, was validated from analysis of the map data in diverse mammalian species. Our results provide new insight into a universal mechanism for the development and evolution of the visual cortex.