bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biology and ecology.
Authors: Adkins S. W. , McClay A. , Bajwa A. A.
Published: November 2018

This chapter provides comprehensive information on the overall biology and ecology of parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus). It provides specific details on the taxonomy, plant distinguishing characteristics, its likely centre of origin, genetics and intraspecific diversity, growth, reproduction and phenology, seed biology (including seed production, dispersal, dormancy, germination, longevity and seed bank), population dynamics and preferred climatic requirements for growth. The chapter also highlights how various biological and ecological characteristics of parthenium weed, such as its morphological attributes, biological plasticity, intermediate photosynthesis mechanism, allelopathy, stress tolerance, competitive ability and long-lived seeds, make it one of the most successful global invasive species.
Coordination of management.
Authors: Asad Shabbir Asad Shabbir , Sushilkumar Sushilkumar , Macdonald I. A. W. , Terblanche C.
Published: November 2018

In this chapter, the critically important role that coordination and awareness can play in managing parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) is addressed. Of all the invaded countries, only Australia and South Africa have put in place well-developed national coordinated strategies for the management of parthenium weed. This chapter describes in detail the major components of Australian and South African coordination strategies and discusses their role in containment of weed spread. The role of public awareness campaigns in highlighting the issue of parthenium weed is also mentioned, followed by a discussion on the potential role of societies, action groups and international networks in creating awareness and linkages on parthenium weed.
History and management - East and North Africa, and the Middle East.
Authors: McConnachie A. , Witt A.
Published: November 2018

This chapter outline the history of invasions, background, spread and management (using physical, chemical, biological, cultural, and utilization strategies) of parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) in East and North Africa, and the Middle East. The future of the parthenium weed invasion in these countries is currently at a crossroads. While there is presently heightened awareness throughout most of the region, due to international programmes such as the RBIPMA ('Removing Barriers to Invasive Plant Management in Africa') and USAID IPM-CRSP (United States Agency for International Development under the Integrated Pest Management Collaborative Research Support Programme) projects, there need to be permanent, coordinated management resolutions made for not only parthenium weed but all invasive plants.
Chromogranin A, the major lumenal protein in chromaffin granules, controls fusion pore expansion
Authors: Abbineni Prabhodh S. , Bittner Mary A. , Axelrod Daniel , Holz Ronald W.
Published: November 2018

Upon fusion of the secretory granule with the plasma membrane, small molecules are discharged through the immediately formed narrow fusion pore, but protein discharge awaits pore expansion. Recently, fusion pore expansion was found to be regulated by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a protein present within the lumen of chromaffin granules in a subpopulation of chromaffin cells. Here, we further examined the influence of other lumenal proteins on fusion pore expansion, especially chromogranin A (CgA), the major and ubiquitous lumenal protein in chromaffin granules. Polarized TIRF microscopy demonstrated that the fusion pore curvature of granules containing CgA-EGFP was long lived, with curvature lifetimes comparable to those of tPA-EGFP–containing granules. This was surprising because fusion pore curvature durations of granules containing exogenous neuropeptide Y-EGFP (NPY-EGFP) are significantly shorter (80% lasting <1 s) than those containing CgA-EGFP, despite the anticipated expression of endogenous CgA. However, quantitative immunocytochemistry revealed that transiently expressed lumenal proteins, including NPY-EGFP, caused a down-regulation of endogenously expressed proteins, including CgA. Fusion pore curvature durations in nontransfected cells were significantly longer than those of granules containing overexpressed NPY but shorter than those associated with granules containing overexpressed tPA, CgA, or chromogranin B. Introduction of CgA to NPY-EGFP granules by coexpression converted the fusion pore from being transient to being longer lived, comparable to that found in nontransfected cells. These findings demonstrate that several endogenous chromaffin granule lumenal proteins are regulators of fusion pore expansion and that alteration of chromaffin granule contents affects fusion pore lifetimes. Importantly, the results indicate a new role for CgA. In addition to functioning as a prohormone, CgA plays an important role in controlling fusion pore expansion.
Tantalizing dilemma in risk prediction from disease scoring statistics
Authors: Awany Denis , Allali Imane , Chimusa Emile R
Published: November 2018

Over the past decade, human host genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have contributed greatly to our understanding of the impact of host genetics on phenotypes. Recently, the microbiome has been recognized as a complex trait in host genetic variation, leading to microbiome GWAS (mGWASs). For these, many different statistical methods and software tools have been developed for association mapping. Applications of these methods and tools have revealed several important findings; however, the establishment of causal factors and the direction of causality in the interactive role between human genetic polymorphisms, the microbiome and the host phenotypes are still a huge challenge. Here, we review disease scoring approaches in host and mGWAS and their underlying statistical methods and tools. We highlight the challenges in pinpointing the genetic-associated causal factors in host and mGWAS and discuss the role of multi-omic approach in disease scoring statistics that may provide a better understanding of human phenotypic variation by enabling further system biological experiment to establish causality.
Stem cell-like breast cancer cells with acquired resistance to metformin are sensitive to inhibitors of NADH-dependent CtBP dimerization
Authors: Banerjee Arindam , Birts Charles N , Darley Matthew , Parker Rachel , Mirnezami Alex H , West Jonathan , Cutress Ramsey I , Beers Stephen A , Rose-Zerilli Matthew J J , Blaydes Jeremy P
Published: November 2018

Altered flux through major metabolic pathways is a hallmark of cancer cells and provides opportunities for therapy. Stem cell-like cancer (SCLC) cells can cause metastasis and therapy resistance. They possess metabolic plasticity, theoretically enabling resistance to therapies targeting a specific metabolic state. The C-terminal binding protein (CtBP) transcriptional regulators are potential therapeutic targets in highly glycolytic cancer cells, as they are activated by the glycolytic coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). However, SCLC cells commonly exist in an oxidative state with low rates of glycolysis. Metformin inhibits complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain; it can kill oxidative SCLC cells and has anti-cancer activity in patients. SCLC cells can acquire resistance to metformin through increased glycolysis. Given the potential for long-term metformin therapy, we have studied acquired metformin resistance in cells from the claudin-low subtype of breast cancer. Cells cultured for 8 weeks in sub-IC50 metformin concentration proliferated comparably to untreated cells and exhibited higher rates of glucose uptake. SCLC cells were enriched in metformin-adapted cultures. These SCLC cells acquired sensitivity to multiple methods of inhibition of CtBP function, including a cyclic peptide inhibitor of NADH-induced CtBP dimerization. Single-cell mRNA sequencing identified a reprogramming of epithelial–mesenchymal and stem cell gene expression in the metformin-adapted SCLC cells. These SCLC cells demonstrated an acquired dependency on one of these genes, Tenascin C. Thus, in addition to acquisition of sensitivity to glycolysis-targeting therapeutic strategies, the reprograming of gene expression in the metformin-adapted SCLC cells renders them sensitive to potential therapeutic approaches not directly linked to cell metabolism.
When is it appropriate to stop non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants before catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation? A multicentre prospective randomized study
Authors: Yu Hee Tae , Shim Jaemin , Park Junbeom , Kim Tae-Hoon , Uhm Jae-Sun , Kim Jong-Youn , Joung Boyoung , Lee Moon-Hyoung , Kim Young-Hoon , Pak Hui-Nam
Published: November 2018

Aims

Although a recent expert consensus statement has recommended periprocedural uninterrupted (UI) non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) as a Class I indication, there have been no clear randomized trials. We investigated the safety and efficacy of UI, procedure day single-dose skipped (SDS), and 24-hour skipped (24S) NOACs in patients undergoing AF ablation.

Methods and results

In this prospective, open-label, randomized multicentre trial, 326 patients (75% male, 58 ± 11 years old) scheduled for AF catheter ablation were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to UI, SDS, and 24S at three tertiary hospitals. Bridging with low molecular weight heparin was carried out in the patients with persistent AF who were assigned to the 24S group. Dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban were assigned in order after randomization. The primary endpoint was the incidence of bleeding events within 1 month after ablation. The secondary endpoints included thrombo-embolic and other procedure-related complications. The intra-procedural heparin requirement was higher in the 24S group than others (P < 0.001), and the mean activated clotting time was comparable among the groups (P = 0.139). The incidence of major bleeding up to 1 month after ablation and a post-procedural reduction in the haemoglobin levels did not significantly differ among the treatment groups and different NOACs (P > 0.05). There were no fatal events or thrombo-embolic complications in all the three groups.

Conclusion

In patients undergoing AF ablation, UI NOACs and SDS or double dose skipped NOACs had a comparable efficacy and safety, regardless of the type of NOAC.
Association of tumor differentiation and prognosis in patients with rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy
Authors: Huang Qunsheng , Qin Huabo , Xiao Jian , He Xiaosheng , Xie Minghao , He Xin , Yao Qiuqiong , Lan Ping , Lian Lei
Published: November 2018

Background and objective

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NCRT) followed by radical resection has been a common practice for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. This study aimed to analyse the association of tumor differentiation and prognosis in rectal-cancer patients undergoing NCRT.

Methods

Patients with locally advanced, non-mucinous rectal cancer who underwent NCRT followed by radical resection between 2007 and 2017 were identified from an electronic health record system at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China). Multivariable logistic regression and multivariate Cox regression were performed to analyse the association of response to NCRT and survival with clinicopathological characteristics of all these patients.

Results

We identified 325 patients (241 males and 84 females; mean age, 54.4 ± 11.2 years) who underwent NCRT followed by radical resection, including 26 (8.0%) with poorly-differentiated rectal cancer, 182 (56.0%) with moderately-differentiated cancer and 117 (36.0%) with well differentiated cancer. Propensity score matching analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis results showed that tumor differentiation was significantly associated with response to NCRT. In the poor differentiation and non-poor differentiation groups, the 3-year overall survival (OS) rates were 74.6 and 93.5%, respectively, whereas the 3-year local recurrence rates were 18.6 and 3.7%, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression analyses revealed that poor differentiation was an independent risk factor for local recurrence and OS.

Conclusions

Among the patients with locally advanced, non-mucinous rectal cancer, the patients with poorly-differentiated cancer who underwent NCRT had a worse response to NCRT and poorer prognosis than those with moderately- and well-differentiated diseases.
Temporal Sequence of Hearing Impairment and Cognition in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
Authors: Armstrong Nicole M , An Yang , Ferrucci Luigi , Deal Jennifer A , Lin Frank R , Resnick Susan M
Published: November 2018

Background

Hearing impairment (HI) could be a risk factor for cognitive decline, but cognition could plausibly also affect psychoacoustic assessment of hearing with audiometry. We examined the temporal sequence of hearing and cognitive function among nondemented, community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

Hearing and cognition were assessed between 2012 and 2015 and 2 years thereafter in 313 nondemented participants aged ≥60 years in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Poorer hearing was defined by pure-tone average of 0.5–4 kHz tones in the better-hearing ear. Cognitive measures with either visual or auditory inputs were Trail-making Test Part B; Digit Symbol Substitution Test; California Verbal Learning Test immediate recall, short delay, and long delay; Digit Span Forward/Backward; Benton Visual Retention Test; and Mini-Mental State Examination. We used linear regression models for cross-sectional associations at each timepoint and autoregressive, cross-lagged models to evaluate whether baseline hearing impairment (Time 1) predicted cognitive performance 2 years after baseline (Time 2) and vice versa.

Results

Cross-sectionally, there were no associations between poorer hearing and cognitive performance. Longitudinally, poorer hearing was associated with declines in California Verbal Learning Test immediate (β = −0.073, SE = 0.032, p = .024), short-delayed (β = −0.134, SE = 0.043, p = .002), long-delayed (β = −0.080, SE = 0.032, p = .012) recall, and Digit Span Forward (β = −0.074, SE = 0.029, p = .011).) from Time 1 to Time 2. Cognitive performance at Time 1 did not predict change in hearing status at Time 2.

Conclusions

Audiometric hearing impairment predicted short-term cognitive declines in both California Verbal Learning Test and auditory stimuli for attention.
Interviewer Effects Among Older Respondents in the European Social Survey
Authors: Beullens Koen , Loosveldt Geert , Vandenplas Caroline
Published: November 2018

The proportion of elderly people in general population samples is increasing. Therefore, it is becoming more important to pay special attention to older respondents when assessing the quality of data. The main hypothesis of the current article is that interviewer effects are higher in the older age-group. We use data collected in 13 countries during Round 7 of the European Social Survey. The results support the supposition that older respondents tend to need more clarification, are more prone to misunderstand the questions, and are likely to have longer interviews. In line with the expectations, we also observe that among older respondents, particularly those aged 71 and above, interviewer effects are more common than among younger respondents.
What Is the Value of Different Zika Vaccination Strategies to Prevent and Mitigate Zika Outbreaks?
Authors: Bartsch Sarah M , Asti Lindsey , Cox Sarah N , Durham David P , Randall Samuel , Hotez Peter J , Galvani Alison P , Lee Bruce Y
Published: November 2018

Background

While the 2015–2016 Zika epidemics prompted accelerated vaccine development, decision makers need to know the potential economic value of vaccination strategies.

Methods

We developed models of Honduras, Brazil, and Puerto Rico, simulated targeting different populations for Zika vaccination (women of childbearing age, school-aged children, young adults, and everyone) and then introduced various Zika outbreaks. Sensitivity analyses varied vaccine characteristics.

Results

With a 2% attack rate ($5 vaccination), compared to no vaccination, vaccinating women of childbearing age cost $314–$1664 per case averted ($790–$4221/disability-adjusted life-year [DALY] averted) in Honduras, and saved $847–$1644/case averted in Brazil, and $3648–$4177/case averted in Puerto Rico, varying with vaccination coverage and efficacy (societal perspective). Vaccinating school-aged children cost $718–$1849/case averted (≤$5002/DALY averted) in Honduras, saved $819–$1609/case averted in Brazil, and saved $3823–$4360/case averted in Puerto Rico. Vaccinating young adults cost $310–$1666/case averted ($731–$4017/DALY averted) in Honduras, saved $953–$1703/case averted in Brazil, and saved $3857–$4372/case averted in Puerto Rico. Vaccinating everyone averted more cases but cost more, decreasing cost savings per case averted. Vaccination resulted in more cost savings and better outcomes at higher attack rates.

Conclusions

When considering transmission, while vaccinating everyone naturally averted the most cases, specifically targeting women of childbearing age or young adults was the most cost-effective.
Impact of HLA Allele-KIR Pairs on HIV Clinical Outcome in South Africa
Authors: Mori Masahiko , Leitman Ellen , Walker Bruce , Ndung’u Thumbi , Carrington Mary , Goulder Philip
Published: November 2018

Background

HLA class I contributes to HIV immune control through antigen presentation to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells. In contrast to investigations of CTL, studies of NK cells in HIV control through HLA-killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) interactions remain sparse in African cohorts.

Methods

Treatment-naive, chronically HIV-infected adults (N = 312) were recruited from South Africa, and the effects of HLA-KIR pairs on clinical outcome were analyzed.

Results

There was no significant difference in viral load among all subjects with HLA alleles from the HLA-C1 group (P = .1). However, differences in HLA-C type significantly influenced viremia among 247 KIR2DL3 positives (P = .04), suggesting that specific HLA-KIR interactions contribute to immune control. Higher viral load (P = .02) and lower CD4+ T-cell counts (P = .008) were observed in subjects with HLA-C*16:01+KIR2DL3+. Longitudinal analysis showed more rapid progression to AIDS among HLA-C*16:01+KIR2DL3+ subjects (adjusted hazard ratio 1.9, P = .03) than those without this genotype, independent of CD4+ T-cell count and viral load.

Conclusions

These results highlight the existence of unique anti-HIV innate immunity within distinct populations and the contribution of KIR on NK cells and some CTLs to the well-described HLA-mediated impact on HIV disease progression.
Global production networks, regional development trajectories and smallholder livelihoods in the Global South
Authors: Vicol Mark , Fold Niels , Pritchard Bill , Neilson Jeffrey
Published: November 2018

Recent advances in global production network theory, known as GPN 2.0, provide a theoretically sophisticated framework for understanding the articulation of global production systems with regional development trajectories. However, this framework was largely derived from lessons out of empirical analyses of the strategic coupling and value capture trajectories of firms in certain manufacturing and service sector ‘hot spots’, primarily in East and Southeast Asia, and its wider applicability for other contexts remains uncertain. This paper aims to address this lacuna by examining the potential for GPN 2.0 to understand regional development trajectories in agricultural production landscapes in the Global South dominated by smallholder-based farms that generate outputs for national and international markets. The distinctive characteristics of smallholders throw up significant challenges for the explanatory applicability of GPN 2.0 for rural development, at least as it has been developed so far. A key challenge is that smallholders cannot be considered equivalent to ‘firms’ as conceived in GPN 2.0. To overcome this problem, this paper argues for bringing a livelihoods perspective to bear on GPN 2.0. We illustrate the usefulness of this approach through reference to a case study of potato contract farming in Maharastra, India.
Real-time Communication With Health Care Providers Through an Online Respiratory Pathogen Laboratory Report
Authors: Christensen Paul A , Olsen Randall J , Perez Katherine K , Cernoch Patricia L , Long S Wesley
Published: November 2018

We implemented a real-time report to distribute respiratory pathogen data for our 8-hospital system to anyone with an Internet connection and a web browser. Real-time access to accurate regional laboratory observation data during an epidemic influenza season can guide diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Opportunistic Proposals by Union Shareholders
Authors: Matsusaka John G , Ozbas Oguzhan , Yi Irene
Published: November 2018

This paper investigates whether labor unions use proposals opportunistically to influence contract negotiations. Our empirical strategy relies on the observation that proposals have higher bargaining-chip value in contract expiration years, when a new contract must be negotiated. We find that in contract expiration years compared with nonexpiration years, unions increase their proposal rate by one-fifth, particularly proposals concerning executive compensation. Union proposals made during expiration years are less likely to be supported by other shareholders or a leading proxy advisor; the market reacts negatively to union proposals in expiration years; and withdrawn union proposals are accompanied by higher wage settlements.

Received March 14, 2017; editorial decision July 19, 2018 by Editor Wei Jiang. Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online
How Close Are Close Shareholder Votes?
Authors: Bach Laurent , Metzger Daniel
Published: November 2018

We show that close votes on shareholder proposals are disproportionately more likely to be won by management than by shareholder activists. Using a sample of shareholder proposals from 2003 to 2016, we uncover a large and discontinuous drop in the density of voting results at the 50% threshold. We document similar patterns for say on pay votes and director elections. Our findings imply that shareholder influence through voting is limited by managerial opposition. It also follows that one cannot routinely use an RDD to identify the causal effects of changes in corporate governance generated by shareholder votes.

Received May 29, 2017; editorial decision August 21, 2018 by Editor Itay Goldstein. Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Preservation Effect: Cigarette Smoking Acts on the Dynamic of Influences Among Unifying Neuropsychiatric Triple Networks in Schizophrenia
Authors: Liao Wei , Fan Yun-Shuang , Yang Siqi , Li Jiao , Duan Xujun , Cui Qian , Chen Huafu
Published: November 2018

Objective

The high prevalence of cigarette smoking in schizophrenia (SZ) is generally explained by the self-medication theory. However, its neurobiological mechanism remains unclear. The impaired dynamic of influences among unifying neuropsychiatric triple networks in SZ, including the central executive network (CEN), the default mode network (DMN), and the salience network (SN), might explain the nature of their syndromes, whereas smoking could regulate the dynamics within networks. Therefore, this study examined whether cigarette smoking could elicit a distinct improvement in the dynamics of triple networks in SZ and associated with the alleviation of symptoms.

Methods

Four groups were recruited, namely, SZ smoking (n = 22)/nonsmoking (n = 25), and healthy controls smoking (n = 22)/nonsmoking (n = 21). All participants underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The dynamics among unifying neuropsychiatric triple networks were measured using Granger causality analysis on the resting-sate fMRI signal. Interaction effects between SZ and smoking on dynamics were detected using 2-way analysis of covariance, correcting for sex, age, and education level.

Results

Whereas smoking reduced SN→DMN dynamic in healthy controls, it preserved the dynamic in SZ, thus suggesting a preservation effect. Moreover, smoking additionally increased DMN→CEN dynamic in SZ.

Conclusions

This finding from neural pathways shed new insights into the prevailing self-medication hypothesis in SZ. More broadly, this study elaborates on the neurobiological dynamics that may assist in the treatment of the symptomatology of SZ.
Athletic trainer-team physician relationship in professional sports: a baseball perspective
Authors: Ebel Brian G. , Shires Mark , Gardiner-Shires Alison
Published: November 2018

The relationship between the athletic trainer and team physician has evolved over the years in professional baseball. Accountability has never been greater than it is now in this sport. This article brings to light the many areas athletic trainers and team physicians must navigate and manage in order to provide the best possible care to high-level athletes and maintain a solid, professional working relationship.
High Birth Weight, Early UV Exposure, and Melanoma Risk in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults
Authors: Wojcik Katherine Y. , Escobedo Loraine A. , Wysong Ashley , Heck Julia E. , Ritz Beate , Hamilton Ann S. , Milam Joel , Cockburn Myles G.
Published: November 2018

Background:

Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is the second most common cancer diagnosed before age 30. Little is known about potentially modifiable or intervenable risk factors specific to developing melanoma at a young age. The objective was to determine if high birth weight or higher early-life ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure would be associated with increased risk of melanoma in young patients.

Methods:

Population-based, case–control study of 1,396 cases of melanoma diagnosed before age 30 in 1988–2013 and 27,920 controls, obtained by linking cancer registry data to birth records in California.

Results:

High birth weight (>4,000 g) was associated with 19% higher risk of melanoma (OR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.02, 1.39), while low birth weight (<2,500 g) was associated with 41% lower risk (OR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.43, 0.82), compared with normal birth weight (2,500–4,000 g); dose–response per 1,000 g increase was also evident (OR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.13, 1.36). All quartiles of birthplace UV greater than the lowest quartile were associated with increased melanoma risk. The strongest relation between birthplace UV and melanoma was for 15–19 years of age at diagnosis.

Conclusions:

High birth weight and high early-life UV exposure may be important independent risk factors for melanoma diagnosis before age 30. The implication is that adopting skin-protective behaviors as early as infancy could be important for primary prevention of melanoma in younger people. However, research that accounts for early-life behavioral patterns of skin protection during infancy is needed to advance our understanding of how birth weight and early-life UV may influence the development of early-onset melanoma.
Oncologic management of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma
Authors: Tyler Matthew A. , Holmes Brittany , Patel Zara M.
Published: November 2018

Purpose of review

This article reviews the latest treatment paradigms in sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC).

Recent findings

The aggressive biology and associated advanced presentation of SNUC make successful treatment a challenge shared across medical specialties. Still, studies reporting outcomes in SNUC indicate that an aggressive treatment strategy consisting of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy offers the best chance of prolonged survival.

Successful treatment of SNUC requires highly specialized care at tertiary cancer treatment facilities. A better understanding of the biology of the disease coupled with increasing outcome reporting will lead to optimized treatment regimens.
Nutritional Status, Nutrient Intake, and Food Diversity Among Children With Sickle Cell Anemia
Authors: Botelho Estefania C. , Mataratzis Pilar S.R. , Lino Débora L. , de Oliveira Andreia N. , Bezerra Flávia F. , dos Santos Barbosa Brito Flávia , Citelli Marta , Cople-Rodrigues Cláudia dos S.
Published: November 2018

Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) often exhibit nutritional deficiencies and are at high risk of dying before the age of 5 years. Ensuring adequate nutrition is a critical part of health care for such children. This study aimed to investigate the association between nutritional status, nutrient intake, and food diversity in children with SCA. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 74 children with SCA, between 24 and 71 months of age. Anthropometric measurements, food and nutrients consumption were determined. The prevalence of low weight, stunting, and overweight/obesity were 16.2%, 35.1%, and 16.2%, respectively. Mean folic acid intake was low (49.05%±51.22%), whereas the intakes of protein (426.71%±171.93%), retinol (292.97%±403.88%), phosphorus (204.55%±151.35%), magnesium (233.02%±151.14%), iron (250.76%±165.81%), and zinc (243.21%±148.40%) were high. The dietary phosphorus/protein ratio was high for 31.1% of the children, and 44.6% of the children had low dietary diversity score. No correlation was found between food diversity, nutrient adequacy, and nutritional status. Despite the adequacy of the intake of most micronutrients, diet quality was inadequate, constituting mainly ultraprocessed foods. Knowing the food consumption pattern of these children enables a more resolute nutritional intervention.
Carcinoma-associated Fibroblasts are a Common Finding in the Microenvironment of HPV-positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Rahrotaban Sedigheh , Mahdavi Nazanin , Abdollahi Alireza , Yazdani Farzad , Kaghazloo Ali , Derakhshan Samira
Published: November 2018

The important role of the human papillomavirus (HPV) is widely established in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). The behavior of a OPSCCs especially induced by HPV might be influenced by the tissue microenvironment and its changes according to the tumor nature. Recognition of the role of the tumor microenvironment on the behavior of neoplastic cells has led to utilization of the microenvironment to use as therapeutic target. Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the most abundant cells in the tumor microenvironment, show wide-spread expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). We focused on CAFs, its presence in OPSCC and the relationship with HPV for the first time. Expression of α-SMA protein in CAFs of the tumor microenvironment of the 44 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from the primary tumor of OPSCC evaluated by immunohistochemistry between HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumors separated by nested polymerase chain reaction. In 44 samples 23 HPV-positive cases were detected. Statistically there were significant differences between histopathologic grade, percent and final score of α-SMA and HPV expression. Significant difference between HPV expression and inflammation, intensity, and clinical parameters was not identified in the present study. Our results indicate that CAFs are a common finding in the microenvironment of HPV-positive OPSCC and associated with higher histopathologic grade. Therapeutic strategies to use CAF-mediated drugs need to be considered and evaluated more for treatment of HPV-positive OPSCC.
Control of Lead Sources in the United States, 1970-2017: Public Health Progress and Current Challenges to Eliminating Lead Exposure
Authors: Dignam Timothy , Kaufmann Rachel B. , LeStourgeon Lauren , Brown Mary Jean
Published: November 2018

Context:

During the past 45 years, exposure to lead has declined dramatically in the United States. This sustained decline is measured by blood and environmental lead levels and achieved through control of lead sources, emission reductions, federal regulations, and applied public health efforts.

Objective:

Explore regulatory factors that contributed to the decrease in exposure to lead among the US population since 1970.

Design/Setting:

We present historical information about the control of lead sources and the reduction of emissions through regulatory and selected applied public health efforts, which have contributed to decreases in lead exposure in the United States. Sources of lead exposure, exposure pathways, blood lead measurements, and special populations at risk are described.

Results:

From 1976-1980 to 2015-2016, the geometric mean blood lead level (BLL) of the US population aged 1 to 74 years dropped from 12.8 to 0.82 μg/dL, a decline of 93.6%. Yet, an estimated 500 000 children aged 1 to 5 years have BLLs at or above the blood lead reference value of 5 μg/dL established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Low levels of exposure can lead to adverse health effects. There is no safe level of lead exposure, and child BLLs less than 10 μg/dL are known to adversely affect IQ and behavior. When the exposure source is known, approximately 95% of BLLs of 25 μg/dL or higher are work-related among US adults. Despite much progress in reducing exposure to lead in the United States, there are challenges to eliminating exposure.

Conclusions:

There are future challenges, particularly from the inequitable distribution of lead hazards among some communities. Maintaining federal, state, and local capacity to identify and respond to populations at high risk can help eliminate lead exposure as a public health problem. The results of this review show that the use of strong evidence-based programs and practices, as well as regulatory authority, can help control or eliminate lead hazards before children and adults are exposed.
The thin(ning) green line? Investigating changes in Kenya's seagrass coverage
Authors: Harcourt William D. , Briers Robert A. , Huxham Mark
Published: November 2018

Knowledge of seagrass distribution is limited to a few well-studied sites and poor where resources are scant (e.g. Africa), hence global estimates of seagrass carbon storage are inaccurate. Here, we analysed freely available Sentinel-2 and Landsat imagery to quantify contemporary coverage and change in seagrass between 1986 and 2016 on Kenya's coast. Using field surveys and independent estimates of historical seagrass, we estimate total cover of Kenya's seagrass to be 317.1 ± 27.2 km
2
, following losses of 0.85% yr
−1
since 1986. Losses increased from 0.29% yr
−1
in 2000 to 1.59% yr
−1
in 2016, releasing up to 2.17 Tg carbon since 1986. Anecdotal evidence suggests fishing pressure is an important cause of loss and is likely to intensify in the near future. If these results are representative for Africa, global estimates of seagrass extent and loss need reconsidering.
Characterization of chloroplast iridescence in
Selaginella erythropus
Authors: Masters Nathan J. , Lopez-Garcia Martin , Oulton Ruth , Whitney Heather M.
Published: November 2018

Iridescence in shade-dwelling plants has previously been described in only a few plant groups, and even fewer where the structural colour is produced by intracellular structures. In contrast with other
Selaginella
species, this work reports the first example in the genus of structural colour originating from modified chloroplasts. Characterization of these structures determines that they form one-dimensional photonic multilayers. The
Selaginella
bizonoplasts present an analogous structure to recently reported
Begonia
iridoplasts; however, unlike
Begonia
species that produce iridoplasts, this
Selaginella
species was not previously described as iridescent. This therefore raises the possibility of widespread but unobserved and uncharacterized photonic structures in plants.
Cellular plasticity, caspases and autophagy; that which does not kill us, well, makes us different
Authors: Su Tin Tin
Published: November 2018

The ability to regenerate is a fundamental requirement for tissue homeostasis. Regeneration draws on three sources of cells. First and best-studied are dedicated stem/progenitor cells. Second, existing cells may proliferate to compensate for the lost cells of the same type. Third, a different cell type may change fate to compensate for the lost cells. This review focuses on regeneration of the third type and will discuss the contributions by post-transcriptional mechanisms including the emerging evidence for cell-autonomous and non-lethal roles of cell death pathways.
Multifunctional selenium nanoparticles with Galangin-induced HepG2 cell apoptosis through p38 and AKT signalling pathway
Authors: Li Yinghua , Guo Min , Lin Zhengfang , Zhao Mingqi , Xia Yu , Wang Changbing , Xu Tiantian , Zhu Bing
Published: November 2018

The morbidity and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common cancer, are increasing continuously worldwide. Galangin (Ga) has been demonstrated to possess anti-cancer effect, but the efficacy of Ga was limited by its low permeability and poor solubility. To develop aqueous formulation and improve the anti-cancer activity of Ga, surface decoration of functionalized selenium nanoparticles with Ga (Se@Ga) was synthesized in the present study. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-cancer effect of Se@Ga and the mechanism on HepG2 cells. Se@Ga-induced HepG2 cell apoptosis was confirmed by depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential, translocation of phosphatidylserine and caspase-3 activation. Furthermore, Se@Ga enhanced the anti-cancer activity of HepG2 cells through ROS-mediated AKT and p38 signalling pathways. In summary, these results suggest that Se@Ga might be potential candidate chemotherapy for cancer.
Variation of fatty acid desaturation in response to different nitrate levels inAuxenochlorella pyrenoidosa
Authors: Zhang Qi , You Zaizhi , Miao Xiaoling
Published: November 2018

Microalgae are promising feedstocks for biodiesel, where the high proportion of monounsaturated fatty acid such as oleic acid (C18:1) is preferred. To regulate fatty acid desaturation in microalgae, the relationship among nitrate concentration, fatty acid composition and the expression levels of desaturase genes was explored. Dynamic variations of fatty acid profiles suggested nitrate could induce desaturation of C18 fatty acids. The content of C18:1 inAuxenochlorella pyrenoidosawas 30.88% at 0 g l−1nitrate concentration compared with 0.48% at 1.5 g l−1. The expressions of relative delta-9, 12 and 15 fatty acid desaturase genes (Δ9, Δ12 and Δ15FADs) were further investigated. The 330% upregulated expression of Δ9FAD in logarithmic phase at 0 g l−1resulted in C18:1 accumulation. Moreover, nitrate replenishment caused a sharp reduction of C18:1 from 34.79% to 0.22% and downregulation of Δ9FAD expression to 1% of the nitrate absence level, indicating the pivotal role of Δ9FAD in C18:1 accumulation. Finally, overexpression of Δ9FAD inEscherichia coliandSaccharomyces cerevisiaeresulted in an increase of C18:1, confirming its ability of desaturating C18:0. The results could provide a new approach and scientific guidance for the improvement of biodiesel quality and industrialization of high-valued chemicals by means of metabolic engineering.
Doping induced dielectric anomaly below the Curie temperature in molecular ferroelectric diisopropylammonium bromide
Authors: Gao Kaige , Zhang Binbin , Cao Yunqing , Chen Xiaobing
Published: November 2018

A dielectric anomaly induced by doping has been observed at about 340 K in chlorine-doped diisopropylammonium bromide. The dielectric anomaly has a switchable behaviour, which indicates potential applications on switches and sensors. Temperature-dependent Raman spectrum, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry do not show any anomaly around the dielectric anomaly temperature, which prove that the dielectric anomaly does not come from structure phase transition and has no specific heat variety. It is assumed that this dielectric anomaly can be attributed to the freezing of ferroelectric domain walls induced by the pinning of point defects.
Determining the symmetries of difference equations
Authors: Xenitidis Pavlos
Published: November 2018

We derive the determining equations for the
N
th-order generalized symmetries of partial difference equations defined on
d
consecutive quadrilaterals on the lattice using the theory of integrability conditions. We provide their algebraic formulation and develop the necessary theoretical framework for their analysis along with a systematic method for solving functional equations of the form

T

(
 
f
)
+
A
f
+
B
=
0

. Our approach is algorithmic and can be easily implemented in symbolic computations. We demonstrate our approach by deriving the symmetries of various equations and discuss certain applications and extensions of the theory.
Interactions between the sexual identity of the nervous system and the social environment mediate lifespan in
Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Flintham Ewan O. , Yoshida Tomoyo , Smith Sophie , Pavlou Hania J. , Goodwin Stephen F. , Carazo Pau , Wigby Stuart
Published: November 2018

Sex differences in lifespan are ubiquitous, but the underlying causal factors remain poorly understood. Inter- and intrasexual social interactions are well known to influence lifespan in many taxa, but it has proved challenging to separate the role of sex-specific behaviours from wider physiological differences between the sexes. To address this problem, we genetically manipulated the sexual identity of the nervous system—and hence sexual behaviour—in
Drosophila melanogaster
, and measured lifespan under varying social conditions. Consistent with previous studies, masculinization of the nervous system in females induced male-specific courtship behaviour and aggression, while nervous system feminization in males induced male–male courtship and reduced aggression. Control females outlived males, but masculinized female groups displayed male-like lifespans and male-like costs of group living. By varying the mixture of control and masculinized females within social groups, we show that male-specific behaviours are costly to recipients, even when received from females. However, consistent with recent findings, our data suggest courtship expression to be surprisingly low cost. Overall, our study indicates that nervous system-mediated expression of sex-specific behaviour
per se
—independent of wider physiological differences between the sexes, or the receipt of aggression or courtship—plays a limited role in mediating sex differences in lifespan.
ICTV virus taxonomy profile: Picobirnaviridae
Authors: Delmas Bernard , Attoui Houssam , Ghosh Souvik , Malik Yashpal S. , Mundt Egbert , Vakharia Vikram N. ,   ICTV Report Consortium
Published: November 2018

Picobirnaviridae is a family of viruses with bi-segmented (rarely unsegmented) dsRNA genomes comprising about 4.4 kbp in total, with small, non-enveloped spherical virions. The family includes one genus (Picobirnavirus) grouping three genetic clusters with high sequence variability, two defined by viruses infecting vertebrates and a third with viruses found in invertebrates. This is a summary of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) Report on the taxonomy of Picobirnaviridae, which is available at www.ictv.global/report/picobirnaviridae.
Peripheral blood exosomes pass blood-brain-barrier and induce glial cell activation
Authors: Morales-Prieto Diana M. , Stojiljkovic Milan , Diezel Celia , Streicher Priska-Elisabeth , Röstel Franziska , Lindner Julia , Weis Sebastian , Schmeer Christian , Marz Manja
Published: November 2018

Background

Exosomes are involved in intracellular communication and contain proteins, mRNAs, miRNAs, and signaling molecules. Exosomes were shown to act as neuroinflammatory mediators involved in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Brain aging has been associated to increased neuroinflammation. In addition, a decreased extracellular vesicle concentration was observed in aging tissues. The specific mechanisms how exosomes and aging are connected are not known yet.

Results

Here we have shown that peripheral injection had almost no effect on selected gene expression in the liver. However, exosome injection has led to changes in the specific markers of glial cell activation (CD68, Iba1, GFAP). Interestingly, only injection of exosomes isolated from aged mice induced significant activation of astrocyte cells, as shown by increased GFAP expression.

Conclusion

Transcription levels of genes GFAP, TGF-β, CD68, Iba1 known to be involved in glial cell function are significantly changing after introduction of peripheral extracellular vesicles. Exosomes were able to pass blood brain barrier and induce glial cell activation. GFAP known to be a specific astrocyte activation marker was significantly higher expressed after injection of old but not young exosomes, indicating a possible role of exosomes in the mechanisms of brain aging.
Estimation of permutation-based metabolome-wide significance thresholds
Authors: Peluso Alina , Glen Robert , Ebbels Timothy M D
Published: November 2018

Motivation

A key issue in the omics literature is the search for statistically significant relationships between molecular markers and phenotype. The aim is to detect disease-related discriminatory features while controlling for false positive associations at adequate power. Metabolome-wide association studies have revealed significant relationships of metabolic phenotypes with disease risk by analysing hundreds to tens of thousands of molecular variables leading to multivariate data which are highly noisy and collinear. In this context, conventional Bonferroni or Sidak multiple testing corrections are rather useful as these are valid for independent tests, while permutation procedures allow for the estimation of significance levels from the null distribution without assuming independence among features. Nevertheless, under the permutation approach the distribution of p-values may present systematic deviations from the theoretical null distribution which leads to overly conservative adjusted threshold estimates i.e. smaller than a Bonferroni or Sidak correction.

Methods

We make use of parametric approximation methods based on a multivariate Normal distribution to derive stable estimates of the metabolome-wide significance level. A univariate approach is applied based on a permutation procedure which effectively controls the overall type I error rate at the α level.

Results

We illustrate the approach for different model parametrizations and distributional features of the outcome measure, using both simulated and real data. We also investigate different levels of correlation within the features and between the features and the outcome.

Availability

MWSL is an open-source R software package for the empirical estimation of the metabolome-wide significance level available at https://github.com/AlinaPeluso/MWSL.
Integrating prediction errors at two time scales permits rapid recalibration of speech sound categories
Authors: Olasagasti Itsaso , Giraud Anne-Lise
Published: November 2018

Speech perception is assumed to arise from internal models of specific sensory features associated speech sounds. When these features change, the listener should recalibrate its internal model by appropriately weighing new versus old evidence in a volatility dependent manner. Models of speech recalibration have classically ignored volatility. Those that explicitly consider volatility have been designed to describe human behavior in tasks where sensory cues are associated with arbitrary experimenter-defined categories or rewards. In such settings, a model that maintains a single representation of the category but continuously adapts the learning rate works well. Using neurocomputational modelling we show that recalibration of existing “natural” categories is better described when sound categories are represented at different time scales. We illustrate our proposal by modeling the rapid recalibration of speech categories (Lüttke et al. 2016).