bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deformities in newly hatched embryos of Eurasian perch populations originating from two different rearing systems
Authors: Alix M. , Zarski D. , Chardard D. , Fontaine P. , Schaerlinger B.
Published: February 2017

During the teleost ontogenesis, biotic and abiotic factors influence organs deformations. Despite of an important literature, the potential causes of deformities in fish are still poorly understood. Cultured fish in artificial conditions exhibit higher incidence of developmental impairments compared to wild ones. This study aims at describing exhaustively the deformity categories of newly hatched embryos of Eurasian perch and investigating at once all biotic and abiotic factors of two extremely different rearing systems [recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) vs. ponds] on their occurrence. The description and clustering of deformities according to the organs involved allowed not only to show that skeletal, cardiac and yolk anomalies are the most common ones, but also to highlight new functions undergoing developmental failure (locomotive, digestive and excretory systems). In total, 10 categories of abnormalities have been described. In addition, our data show a relationship between the cardiac and yolk deformities suggesting common causes. In a second part, we compared the incidence of deformities in the progeny of two distinct populations of fish, reared under extremely various conditions (RAS vs. pond). The total deformity rates did not differ between the groups but the nature of deformities was surprisingly different as the RAS reared fish (RRF) originating from fisheries presented a higher variety of deformity categories than the fish originating from Lorraine ponds (LPRF). Indeed, cardiac, yolk and skeletal axis deformities were more frequent in RRF embryos, whereas mouth abnormalities were preferentially represented in LPRF embryos. These findings may help understanding the potential causes of these developmental impairments in cultured animals and may lead to the improvement of husbandry conditions.
Consequences of sex‐specific sociability for thermoregulation in male vervet monkeys during winter
Authors: Henzi S. P. , Hetem R. , Fuller A. , Maloney S. , Young C. , Mitchell D. , Barrett L. , McFarland R.
Published: February 2017

While most primates are tropical animals, a number of species experience markedly cold winters. In a high latitude arid environment, wild female vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) that are socially integrated experience reduced cold stress. Here, we ask whether sociability is similarly salient for male vervet monkeys, who reside in non‐natal groups as adults and who must, therefore, develop social relationships on arrival. We use body temperature and social data from 15 free‐ranging male vervet monkeys to determine whether the number of grooming partners is as important for males during winter and whether the length of residency is positively associated with body temperature. We also assess whether larger body size and higher dominance rank mitigate the need for social partnerships. Like females, male vervets respond to lower 24 h ambient temperatures and winter's progression by decreasing minimum and mean 24 h body temperatures and by regulating their temperatures less precisely. Male rank had no effect, while larger body size was associated primarily with reduced temperature fluctuations. Males with more social partners sustained higher minimum and mean body temperatures but, unexpectedly, regulated their temperatures less tightly. Further analysis revealed that higher minimum and mean temperatures were best accounted for by the number of female partners, while increased temperature fluctuation was driven by the number of male partners. As winter and the mating season overlap, we interpret this as indicating that a need to sustain male associations incurs physiological stress that is reflected as a thermoregulatory cost. Lastly, we show that longer residency is associated with higher minimum body temperatures and lower temperature fluctuations independently of social affiliation.
Serum ferritin concentration predicts hepatic fibrosis better than hepatic iron concentration in human HFE‐Haemochromatosis
Authors: Wood Marnie J. , Crawford Darrell H. G. , Wockner Leesa F. , Powell Lawrie W. , Ramm Grant A.
Published: February 2017

Background & Aims

Ferritin is purported to have proinflammatory and profibrogenic effects on hepatic stellate cells. Thus, rather than acting as a passive indicator of hepatic iron concentration (HIC) in haemochromatosis, ferritin may directly influence fibrosis. This study evaluated whether serum ferritin is a better predictor of hepatic fibrosis compared to variables previously associated with increased fibrosis risk in haemochromatosis.

Methods

We identified 291 C282Y HFE‐homozygous patients who had undergone liver biopsy for histological fibrosis staging and measurement of HIC. Ordinal logistic regression determined the best model for fibrosis stage not including serum ferritin. Then, serum ferritin was introduced into this model to assess whether the predictive power of the model was significantly increased and to evaluate the effect on other predictors of fibrosis.

Results

Ordinal logistic regression analyses without serum ferritin demonstrated that log HIC (OR 2.89; P < .001), male gender (OR 2.93; P = .005), alcohol consumption (g/day) (OR 1.01; P = .004), steatosis (OR 2.86; P = .01), arthritis (OR 2.46; P = .01) predicted increasing fibrosis stage (n=217). Addition of serum ferritin in multivariate analysis substantially improved the predictive power of the model (χ2 = 37.15; P < .01) and was highly predictive of fibrosis stage (OR 5.44; P < .001). Inclusion of serum ferritin in this model rendered the effects of HIC, gender, alcohol and steatosis to non‐significance.

Conclusions

In haemochromatosis, serum ferritin is a better predictor of fibrosis stage than HIC, gender, steatosis and alcohol. These data support a hypothesis that ferritin may play a role in fibrosis rather than simply acting as a passive indicator of iron storage.
Impact of family history of metabolic traits on severity of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis related cirrhosis: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Bhadoria Ajeet S. , Kedarisetty Chandan K. , Bihari Chhagan , Kumar Guresh , Jindal Ankur , Bhardwaj Ankit , Shasthry Varsha , Vyas Tanmay , Benjamin Jaya , Sharma Shvetank , Sharma Manoj K. , Sarin Shiv K.
Published: February 2017

Background & Aims

Familial aggregation of metabolic traits with fatty liver disease is well documented. However, there is scarcity of data regarding such association with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)‐related cirrhosis. This study was aimed to explore the association of family history of metabolic traits with severity of cirrhosis.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study, all consecutive patients with NASH‐related cirrhosis presenting to our tertiary care centre were included. Family history, personal history, demographic characteristics, medical history, anthropometric measurements and laboratory data were recorded.

Results

Of the 1133 cirrhotics (68.1% males, age 51.4±10.9 years); 779 (68.8%) had family history for metabolic traits. These patients had lower age at diagnosis (45.4±10.6 vs 49.6±11.2 years), higher Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CTP) score (7.8±1.9 vs 6.6±1.5), higher model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score (12.9±6.1 vs 10.9±4.1) and more incidence of decompensation in the form of ascites (46.3% vs 25.7%), jaundice (12.1% vs 6.2%) and hepatic encephalopathy (26.1% vs 11.0%). Patients with family and personal history of metabolic traits, had an increased risk of an early diagnosis of cirrhosis at<45 years of age (OR: 3.1, 95% CI 2.1‐4.4), CTP≥10 (OR: 4.6, 95% CI 2.3‐9.1), MELD>15 (OR: 6.6, 95% CI 3.8‐11.5) with ≥1 features of decompensation (OR: 4.2, 95% CI 2.9‐6.1). Family history of diabetes alone, also had higher risk of cirrhosis with MELD>15 (OR: 4.3, 95% CI 2.4‐5.3, P<.001).

Conclusion

Family and personal history of metabolic traits are associated with early age at diagnosis of cirrhosis with more severity and decompensation and so, has a prognostic importance in NASH‐related cirrhotics.
Co‐occurrence and hybridization of anther‐smut pathogens specialized on Dianthus hosts
Authors: Petit Elsa , Silver Casey , Cornille Amandine , Gladieux Pierre , Rosenthal Lisa , Bruns Emily , Yee Sarah , Antonovics Janis , Giraud Tatiana , Hood Michael E.
Published: February 2017

Host specialization has important consequences for the diversification and ecological interactions of obligate pathogens. The anther‐smut disease of natural plant populations, caused by Microbotryum fungi, has been characterized by specialized host–pathogen interactions, which contribute in part to the isolation among these numerous fungal species. This study investigated the molecular variation of Microbotryum pathogens within the geographic and host‐specific distributions on wild Dianthus species in southern European Alps. In contrast to prior studies on this pathogen genus, a range of overlapping host specificities was observed for four delineated Microbotryum lineages on Dianthus hosts, and their frequent co‐occurrence within single‐host populations was quantified at local and regional scales. In addition to potential consequences for direct pathogen competition, the sympatry of Microbotryum lineages led to hybridization between them in many populations, and these admixed genotypes suffered significant meiotic sterility. Therefore, this investigation of the anther‐smut fungi reveals how variation in the degrees of host specificity can have major implications for ecological interactions and genetic integrity of differentiated pathogen lineages.
Genetic and genomic evidence of niche partitioning and adaptive radiation in mountain pine beetle fungal symbionts
Authors: Ojeda Alayon Dario I. , Tsui Clement K. M. , Feau Nicolas , Capron Arnaud , Dhillon Braham , Zhang Yiyuan , Massoumi Alamouti Sepideh , Boone Celia K. , Carroll Allan L. , Cooke Janice E. K. , Roe Amanda D. , Sperling Felix A. H. , Hamelin Richard C.
Published: February 2017

Bark beetles form multipartite symbiotic associations with blue stain fungi (Ophiostomatales, Ascomycota). These fungal symbionts play an important role during the beetle's life cycle by providing nutritional supplementation, overcoming tree defences and modifying host tissues to favour brood development. The maintenance of stable multipartite symbioses with seemingly less competitive symbionts in similar habitats is of fundamental interest to ecology and evolution. We tested the hypothesis that the coexistence of three fungal species associated with the mountain pine beetle is the result of niche partitioning and adaptive radiation using SNP genotyping coupled with genotype–environment association analysis and phenotypic characterization of growth rate under different temperatures. We found that genetic variation and population structure within each species is best explained by distinct spatial and environmental variables. We observed both common (temperature seasonality and the host species) and distinct (drought, cold stress, precipitation) environmental and spatial factors that shaped the genomes of these fungi resulting in contrasting outcomes. Phenotypic intraspecific variations in Grosmannia clavigera and Leptographium longiclavatum, together with high heritability, suggest potential for adaptive selection in these species. By contrast, Ophiostoma montium displayed narrower intraspecific variation but greater tolerance to extreme high temperatures. Our study highlights unique phenotypic and genotypic characteristics in these symbionts that are consistent with our hypothesis. By maintaining this multipartite relationship, the bark beetles have a greater likelihood of obtaining the benefits afforded by the fungi and reduce the risk of being left aposymbiotic. Complementarity among species could facilitate colonization of new habitats and survival under adverse conditions.
The pro‐inflammatory cytokineTNF‐α inhibits lymphatic pumping via activation of theNF‐κB‐iNOSsignaling pathway
Authors: Chen Yingxuan , Rehal Sonia , Roizes Simon , Zhu Hai‐Lei , Cole William C. , von der Weid Pierre‐Yves
Published: February 2017

Objective

Mesenteric lymphatic vessel pumping, important to propel lymph and immune cells from the intestinal interstitium to the mesenteric lymph nodes, is compromised during intestinal inflammation. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the pro‐inflammatory cytokineTNF‐α, is a significant contributor to the inflammation‐induced lymphatic contractile dysfunction, and to determine its mode of action.

Methods

Contractile parameters were obtained from isolated rat mesenteric lymphatic vessels mounted on a pressure myograph after 24‐hours incubation with or withoutTNF‐α. Various inhibitors were administered, and quantitative real‐timePCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence confocal imaging were applied to characterize the mechanisms involved inTNF‐α actions.

Results

Vessel contraction frequency was significantly decreased afterTNF‐α treatment and could be restored by selective inhibition ofNF‐кB,iNOS, guanylate cyclase, andATP‐sensitive K+channels. We further demonstrated thatNF‐кB inhibition also suppressed the significant increase iniNOS mRNAobserved inTNF‐α‐treated lymphatic vessels and thatTNF‐α treatment favored the nuclear translocation of the p65NF‐κB subunit.

Conclusions

These findings suggest thatTNF‐α decreases mesenteric lymphatic contractility by activating theNF‐κB‐iNOSsignaling pathway. This mechanism could contribute to the alteration of lymphatic pumping reported in intestinal inflammation.
Experimental study on 1,25(OH)2D3 amelioration of oral lichen planus through regulating NF‐κB signaling pathway
Authors: Du J , Li R , Yu F , Yang F , Wang J , Chen Q , Wang X , Zhao B , Zhang F
Published: February 2017

Objective

To explore the protective function of vitamin D (VD)/vitamin D receptor (VDR) on the development of oral lichen planus (OLP) and elaborate the underling mechanism of it.

Methods

H&E staining, myeloid peroxidase (MPO) assays, quantitative PCR (qPCR), Western blotting, and Elisa were used to test the human biopsies and serum. QPCR, Western blotting, Elisa, and siRNA transfection were also performed in LPS‐induced keratinocytes to observe the functions of vitamin D and VDR.

Results

The lack of VDR in the diseased biopsies from OLP patients was associated with activated helper T‐cell type 1 (Th1)‐driven inflammatory response. Importantly, the status of serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D of OLP patients was reduced consistently. In a cultured cell model, 1,25(OH)2D3 could downregulate excessive production of pro‐inflammatory factors induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in keratinocyte HaCat cells. Mechanistically, even though LPS‐induced cytokines in keratinocytes were inhibited both by nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) inhibitor and by activator protein 1 (AP‐1) inhibitor, VDR‐dependent 1,25(OH)2D3 blocked the activation of phosphorylated‐NF‐κB p65 rather than c‐Jun/c‐Fos in the presence of LPS stimulation.

Conclusion

These results suggest that 1,25(OH)2D3 plays an anti‐inflammatory role in OLP by mediating NF‐κB signaling pathway but not AP‐1 signaling pathway with a VDR‐dependent manner, predicting vitamin D supplement may be a potential strategy for the OLP management.
Potential Climate Change Health Risks from Increases in Heat Waves: Abnormal Birth Outcomes and Adverse Maternal Health Conditions
Authors: Cil Gulcan , Cameron Trudy Ann
Published: February 2017

We investigate the risks presented by heat waves for adverse health conditions for babies and expectant mothers when these mothers have been exposed to heat waves during gestation or during the period just prior to conception. Rather than just birth weight and gestational age, we focus on less common metrics such as abnormal conditions in the newborn (fetal distress, reliance on a ventilator, and meconium aspiration) and adverse health conditions in the mother (pregnancy‐related hypertension, uterine bleeding during pregnancy, eclampsia, and incompetent cervix). We use monthly panel data for over 3,000 U.S. counties, constructed from the confidential version of the U.S. Natality Files for 1989–2008. Our models control for sociodemographic factors and include county, month, and state‐by‐year fixed effects to control for unobserved spatial and timewise heterogeneity in the data. Even within the United States, where there is widespread access to air conditioning, heat waves increase the fraction of babies with abnormal conditions related to maternal stress, as well as the fraction of mothers who experience pregnancy‐related adverse health conditions. The scope for these risks in developing countries is likely to be even greater.
Sizing Up a Superstorm: Exploring the Role of Recalled Experience and Attribution of Responsibility in Judgments of Future Hurricane Risk
Authors: Rickard Laura N. , Yang Z. Janet , Schuldt Jonathon P. , Eosco Gina M. , Scherer Clifford W. , Daziano Ricardo A.
Published: February 2017

Research suggests that hurricane‐related risk perception is a critical predictor of behavioral response, such as evacuation. Less is known, however, about the precursors of these subjective risk judgments, especially when time has elapsed from a focal event. Drawing broadly from the risk communication, social psychology, and natural hazards literature, and specifically from concepts adapted from the risk information seeking and processing model and the protective action decision model, we examine how individuals’ distant recollections, including attribution of responsibility for the effects of a storm, attitude toward relevant information, and past hurricane experience, relate to risk judgment for a future, similar event. The present study reports on a survey involving U.S. residents in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York (n = 619) impacted by Hurricane Sandy. While some results confirm past findings, such as that hurricane experience increases risk judgment, others suggest additional complexity, such as how various types of experience (e.g., having evacuated vs. having experienced losses) may heighten or attenuate individual‐level judgments of responsibility. We suggest avenues for future research, as well as implications for federal agencies involved in severe weather/natural hazard forecasting and communication with public audiences.
Targets and Mechanisms in Prevention of Parkinson's Disease through Immunomodulatory Treatments
Authors: von Euler Chelpin M. , Vorup‐Jensen T.
Published: February 2017

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the world; however, there is no cure for it. Current treatments only relieve some of the symptoms, without ceasing the disease, and lose efficacy with prolonged treatment. Considerable evidence shows that persistent inflammatory responses, involving T cell infiltration and glial cell activation, are common characteristics of human patients and play a crucial role in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Therefore, it is important to develop therapeutic strategies that can impede or halt the disease through the modulation of the peripheral immune system by aiming at controlling the existing neuroinflammation. Most of the immunomodulatory therapies designed for the treatment of Parkinson′s disease are based on vaccines using AS or antibodies against it; yet, it is of significant interest to explore other formulations that could be used as therapeutic agents. Several vaccination procedures have shown that inducing regulatory T cells in the periphery is protective in PD animal models. In this regard, the formulation glatiramer acetate (Copaxone®), extensively used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, could be a suitable candidate due to its capability to increase the number and suppressor capacity of regulatory T cells. In this review, we will present some of the recent immunomodulatory therapies for PD including vaccinations with AS or glatiramoids, or both, as treatments of PD pathology.
Meeting Dividend Thresholds through Earnings Management: A Cross-cultural Comparison
Authors: Wang Yi-Shu , Yang Jing , Liu Zhen-Jia , Liu Zhen-Jia
Published: February 2017

Culture affects accounting rules and practices. Dividend distribution influences corporate operating decisions, and a previous year’s dividends represent an earnings threshold. This study collected various countries’ data from 2004 to 2014 from the COMPUSTAT database and analyzed how cultural factors influence the management of income to achieve a dividend threshold (i.e., desired earnings goal). Prospect theory reported that managers making decisions focus on the value from gains or losses with a certain reference point rather than the levels of wealth. The empirical results show that managers of listed firms in societies that exhibit uncertainty-avoidance, individualistic, power-distance, and masculinity meet or exceed dividend thresholds, whereas those in long term orientation societies do not. These findings emphasize the strong and direct effect of cultural values on meeting or exceeding dividend thresholds through earnings management over multiple years. In addition, our empirical results suggest that investors evaluate firm performance (i.e., earnings) before dividends are paid, which should be considered by financial market participants and regulators when assessing financial statements and the reliability of financial reporting among multiple countries. We only used a modified Jones model to measure earnings management. Therefore, tradeoff tools (i.e., real activities or other DA models) should be used to examine earnings management among managers to ensure the robustness of future studies
Predicting consonant recognition and confusions in normal-hearing listeners
Authors: Zaar Johannes , Dau Torsten
Published: February 2017

The perception of consonants in background noise has been investigated in various studies and was shown to critically depend on fine details in the stimuli. In this study, a microscopic speech perception model is proposed that represents an extension of the auditory signal processing model by Dau, Kollmeier, and Kohlrausch [(1997). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 102, 2892–2905]. The model was evaluated based on the extensive consonant perception data set provided by Zaar and Dau [(2015). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 138, 1253–1267], which was obtained with normal-hearing listeners using 15 consonant-vowel combinations mixed with white noise. Accurate predictions of the consonant recognition scores were obtained across a large range of signal-to-noise ratios. Furthermore, the model yielded convincing predictions of the consonant confusion scores, such that the predicted errors were clustered in perceptually plausible confusion groups. The large predictive power of the proposed model suggests that adaptive processes in the auditory preprocessing in combination with a cross-correlation based template-matching back end can account for some of the processes underlying consonant perception in normal-hearing listeners. The proposed model may provide a valuable framework, e.g., for investigating the effects of hearing impairment and hearing-aid signal processing on phoneme recognition.
Contribution of formant frequency information to vowel perception in steady-state noise by cochlear implant users
Authors: Sagi Elad , Svirsky Mario A.
Published: February 2017

Cochlear implant (CI) recipients have difficulty understanding speech in noise even at moderate signal-to-noise ratios. Knowing the mechanisms they use to understand speech in noise may facilitate the search for better speech processing algorithms. In the present study, a computational model is used to assess whether CI users' vowel identification in noise can be explained by formant frequency cues (F1 and F2). Vowel identification was tested with 12 unilateral CI users in quiet and in noise. Formant cues were measured from vowels in each condition, specific to each subject's speech processor. Noise distorted the location of vowels in the F2 vs F1 plane in comparison to quiet. The best fit model to subjects' data in quiet produced model predictions in noise that were within 8% of actual scores on average. Predictions in noise were much better when assuming that subjects used a priori knowledge regarding how formant information is degraded in noise (experiment 1). However, the model's best fit to subjects' confusion matrices in noise was worse than in quiet, suggesting that CI users utilize formant cues to identify vowels in noise, but to a different extent than how they identify vowels in quiet (experiment 2).
Climate impacts on global hot spots of marine biodiversity
Authors: Ramírez Francisco , Afán Isabel , Davis Lloyd S. , Chiaradia André
Published: February 2017

The main hot spots of marine biodiversity are also the areas that are affected the most by climate and, potentially, fishing impacts.
Hematopoietic stem cells gone rogue
Authors: Zhu Yanfang Peipei , Hedrick Catherine C. , Gaddis Dalia E.
Published: February 2017

Somatic mutations in hematopoietic stem cells aggravate cardiovascular disease
Investigation of the Role of Protein Kinase D in Human Rhinovirus Replication
Authors: Guedán Anabel , Swieboda Dawid , Charles Mark , Toussaint Marie , Johnston Sebastian L. , Asfor Amin , Panjwani Anusha , Tuthill Tobias J. , Danahay Henry , Raynham Tony , Mousnier Aurelie , Solari Roberto
Published: February 2017

Picornavirus replication is known to cause extensive remodeling of Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum membranes, and a number of the host proteins involved in the viral replication complex have been identified, including oxysterol binding protein (OSBP) and phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase III beta (PI4KB). Since both OSBP and PI4KB are substrates for protein kinase D (PKD) and PKD is known to be involved in the control of Golgi membrane vesicular and lipid transport, we hypothesized that PKD played a role in viral replication. We present multiple lines of evidence in support of this hypothesis. First, infection of HeLa cells with human rhinovirus (HRV) induced the phosphorylation of PKD. Second, PKD inhibitors reduced HRV genome replication, protein expression, and titers in a concentration-dependent fashion and also blocked the replication of poliovirus (PV) and foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in a variety of cells. Third, HRV replication was significantly reduced in HeLa cells overexpressing wild-type and mutant forms of PKD1. Fourth, HRV genome replication was reduced in HAP1 cells in which the PKD1 gene was knocked out by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9. Although we have not identified the molecular mechanism through which PKD regulates viral replication, our data suggest that this is not due to enhanced interferon signaling or an inhibition of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, and PKD inhibitors do not need to be present during viral uptake. Our data show for the first time that targeting PKD with small molecules can inhibit the replication of HRV, PV, and FMDV, and therefore, PKD may represent a novel antiviral target for drug discovery.

IMPORTANCE
Picornaviruses remain an important family of human and animal pathogens for which we have a very limited arsenal of antiviral agents. HRV is the causative agent of the common cold, which in itself is a relatively trivial infection; however, in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, this virus is a major cause of exacerbations resulting in an increased use of medication, worsening symptoms, and, frequently, hospital admission. Thus, HRV represents a substantial health care and economic burden for which there are no approved therapies. We sought to identify a novel host target as a potential anti-HRV therapy. HRV infection induces the phosphorylation of PKD, and inhibitors of this kinase effectively block HRV replication at an early stage of the viral life cycle. Moreover, PKD inhibitors also block PV and FMDV replication. This is the first description that PKD may represent a target for antiviral drug discovery.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Protein SCAP Inhibits Dengue Virus NS2B3 Protease by Suppressing Its K27-Linked Polyubiquitylation
Authors: Liu Heng , Zhang Lele , Sun Jin , Chen Wei , Li Senlin , Wang Qiang , Yu Huansha , Xia Zanxian , Jin Xia , Wang Chen
Published: February 2017

Dengue viruses (DENVs) are an emerging threat to global public health. The NS2B3 protease complex of DENV has recently been shown to cleave the antiviral protein STING and thereby subvert the innate immune signaling to facilitate virus replication. Whether host cells have a mechanism to counteract this virus-mediated immunosuppression is unclear. We discovered that the K27-linked polyubiquitination of NS3 protein facilitates its recruitment of NS2B, the formation of NS2B3, and consequently the enhanced cleavage of STING. However, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein, SCAP, through binding to NS2B protein, inhibits the ubiquitination of NS3, rendering NS2B3 protease incapable of binding and cleaving STING. Importantly, ectopic expression of SCAP impaired DENV infection, whereas silencing of SCAP potentiated DENV infection. Collectively, this study uncovered a novel function of SCAP of counteracting the inhibitory action of DENV NS2B3 protease on STING signaling, suggesting that modulation of SCAP levels may have therapeutic implications.

IMPORTANCE
This study reports the first ubiquitylation target protein in DENV, the NS3 protein, and the unique role of K27-linked polyubiquitylation in NS3's ability to recruit NS2B and formation of the NS2B3 protease complex. Additionally, this study identified novel functions of the ER protein SCAP: one is to compete with NS2B for binding to STING, and the other is to inhibit the ubiquitination of NS3. Both of these functions protect STING from being cleaved by the NS2B3 protease and thus contribute to host antiviral response.
Periodontitis as a possible early sign of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Teeuw Wijnand J , Kosho Madeline X F , Poland Dennis C W , Gerdes Victor E A , Loos Bruno G
Published: February 2017

Objective

The early diagnosis of (pre)diabetes mellitus is essential for the prevention of diabetes complications. It has been suggested that gum disease (periodontitis) might be an early complication of diabetes and may be a useful risk indicator for diabetes screening. Therefore, a dental office could be a good location for screening for (pre)diabetes in patients with periodontitis using a validated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) dry spot analysis.

Research design and methods

A total of 313 individuals from a university dental clinic participated. From 126 patients with mild/moderate periodontitis, 78 patients with severe periodontitis and 109 subjects without periodontitis, HbA1c values were obtained by the analysis of dry blood spots. Differences in mean HbA1c values and the prevalence of (pre)diabetes between the groups were analyzed.

Results

The mild/moderate and severe periodontitis groups showed significantly higher HbA1c values (6.1%±1.4% (43 mmol/mol±15 mmol/mol) and 6.3%±1.3% (45 mmol/mol±15 mmol/mol), respectively) compared with the control group (5.7%±0.7% (39 mmol/mol±8 mmol/mol), p=0.003). In addition, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines for diagnosis, there was a significant over-representation of subjects with suspected diabetes (23% and 14%) and pre-diabetes (47% and 46%) in the severe periodontitis group and mild/moderate periodontitis groups, respectively, compared with the control group (10% and 37%, p=0.010). Notably, 18.1% of patients with suspected new diabetes were found among subjects with severe periodontitis compared with 9.9% and 8.5% among subjects with mild/moderate periodontitis and controls, respectively (p=0.024).

Conclusions

The dental office, with particular focus on patients with severe periodontitis, proved to be a suitable location for screening for (pre)diabetes; a considerable number of suspected new diabetes cases were identified. The early diagnosis and treatment of (pre)diabetes help to prevent more severe complications and benefit the treatment of periodontitis.
Patient experience with discharge instructions in postdischarge recovery: a qualitative study
Authors: Horstman Molly J , Mills Whitney L , Herman Levi I , Cai Cecilia , Shelton George , Qdaisat Tareq , Berger David H , Naik Aanand D
Published: February 2017

Objectives

We examined the role of discharge instructions in postoperative recovery for patients undergoing colorectal surgery and report themes related to patient perceptions of discharge instructions and postdischarge experience.

Design

Semistructured interviews were conducted as part of a formative evaluation of a Project Re-Engineered Discharge intervention adapted for surgical patients.

Setting

Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, a tertiary referral centre in Houston, Texas.

Participants

Twelve patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Interviews were conducted at the two-week postoperative appointment.

Results

Participants demonstrated understanding of the content in the discharge instructions. During the interviews, participants reported several positive roles for discharge instructions in their postdischarge care: a sense of security, a reminder of inhospital education, a living document and a source of empowerment. Despite these positive associations, participants reported that the instructions provided insufficient information to promote access to care that effectively addressed acute issues following discharge. Participants noted difficulty reaching providers after discharge, which resulted in the adoption of workarounds to overcome system barriers.

Conclusions

Despite concerted efforts to provide patient-centred instructions, the discharge instructions did not provide enough context to effectively guide postdischarge interactions with the healthcare system. Insufficient information on how to access and communicate with the most appropriate personnel in the healthcare system is an important barrier to patients receiving high-quality postdischarge care. Tools and strategies from team training programmes, such as team strategies and tools to enhance performance and patient safety, could be adapted to include patients and provide them with structured methods for communicating with healthcare providers post discharge.
Interactions between local population density and limited habitat resources determine movements of juvenile Atlantic salmon
Authors: Teichert Maxim A.K. , Foldvik Anders , Einum Sigurd , Finstad Anders G. , Forseth Torbjørn , Ugedal Ola
Published: February 2017

Competition for limited resources and the resulting density-dependent processes are key factors in driving stream salmonid population dynamics. Here we test for the combined effects of density and shelter availability on the movement of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in a Norwegian river. Individually marked, hatchery-reared salmon juveniles were released at 26 sites along a 2.5 km long stretch and recaptured after 12 months. The spatial variation in shelter availability and density of salmonids was quantified prior to the release. We found no effect of released fish number on the number of marked salmon moving more than 12.5–112.5 m away from their release site. However, the ratio of pre-experiment fish density per shelter was positively related to the number of movers. Thus, fish that were released at sites where the amount of shelter was low relative to the density of the pre-experiment population were more likely to move. These results support the prediction from smaller scale experimental studies that shelter availability may act to determine local carrying capacity in stream-living salmonid populations.
Movement patterns and rheoreaction of larvae of a fluvial specialist (nase, Chondrostoma nasus): the role of active versus passive components of behaviour in dispersal
Authors: Zens Bernhard , Glas Martin , Tritthart Michael , Habersack Helmut , Keckeis Hubert
Published: February 2017

The dispersal of fish larvae in rivers might result from water movement but also from larval behaviour. Although potentially crucial for dispersion, knowledge of the role of behaviour is still fragmentary. This study intends to contribute to the question of how riverine fish larvae drift or move. All dispersal-relevant movement patterns of larvae of a characteristic rheophilic species were analyzed based on the parameters (i) swimming activity, (ii) direction of movement, and (iii) the orientation towards the current vector. Experiments were conducted in a novel flume mesocosm at three different flow scenarios covering the current velocity range of natural habitats. Mean current velocities in these scenarios were under, near, and over the “critical current velocity”, above which fish larvae are not able to constantly hold their position in the water column. Three consecutive larval stages were tested to account for possible ontogenetic shifts in movement behaviour, both during the day and at night. Our results strongly suggest that the assumption of mainly passively drifting larvae has to be refused; in total, 92.6% of all observed movement events were characterized by swimming activity and directed orientation, whereas only 7.4% could be assigned to passive drift. During downstream movement, a significant portion of movement events (57.1%) was attributed to larvae that orientated in an upstream direction and performed active swimming movements.
Acupuncture and Lifestyle Modification Treatment for Obesity: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Fang Sijia , Wang Miao , Zheng Yiyuan , Zhou Shigao , Ji Guang
Published: February 2017

Obesity is an epidemic health hazard associated with many medical conditions. Lifestyle interventions are foundational to the successful management of obesity. However, the body’s adaptive biological responses counteract patients’ desire to restrict food and energy intake, leading to weight regain. As a complementary and alternative medical approach, acupuncture therapy is widely used for weight control. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of acupuncture treatment alone and in combination with lifestyle modification. We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and Chinese Biomedical Literature Databases for relevant publications available as of 24 October 2015 without language restriction. Eligible studies consisted of randomized controlled trials for acupuncture with comparative controls. A total of 23 studies were included with 1808 individuals. We performed meta-analyses of weighted mean differences based on a random effect model. Acupuncture exhibited a mean difference of body mass index reduction of 1.742[Formula: see text]kg/m2 (95% confidence interval [Formula: see text]) and 1.904[Formula: see text]kg/m2 (95% confidence interval [Formula: see text]) when compared with untreated or placebo control groups and when lifestyle interventions including basic therapy of both treatment and control groups. Adverse events reported were mild, and no patients withdrew because of adverse effects. Overall, our results indicate that acupuncture is an effective treatment for obesity both alone and together with lifestyle modification.
Dividends and Subsequent Profitability: An Examination of a Dual Dividend Stock Market
Authors: Huang Chin-Sheng , You Chun-Fan , Hsiao Hsiao-Fen
Published: February 2017

This study examines the association between dual dividend changes and future profitability. A fundamental characteristic of dual dividend payouts is that both components, cash dividends and stock dividends, emit separate dividend signals for subsequent profitability. To analyze dividend signal theories, this study partitions the sample into three sub-samples according to the ratio of cash to stock dividends. Empirical evidence strongly indicates that dual dividend changes are positively associated with future profitability in the balanced dividend subsample. The results of this study are generally robust in terms of accommodating the factors of stock repurchases, investment growth opportunities, and business cycles.
Waves of bone deposition on the rostrum of the pterosaur
Pteranodon
Authors: Bennett S. Christopher , Penkalski Paul
Published: February 2017

Four specimens of the pterosaur
Pteranodon
exhibit patterns of irregular alternating light and dark bands on the lateral surfaces of the upper jaw anterior to the nasoantorbital fenestra. Examinations reveal that the maxilla and premaxilla of
Pteranodon
consisted of two thin sheets of bone interconnected by regularly spaced septa with the spaces contained within presumably pneumatized, resulting in a structure analogous to modern honeycomb sandwich panels. The alternating light and dark bands resulted from waves of bone deposition moving anteriorly along the external surface of the lateral sheet of bone and laying down thin laminae of new bone while bone was simultaneously resorbed from the internal surface of the lateral sheet to maintain its thickness. The specimens that exhibit the bands were immature males and no banding was found in mature specimens or immature females. Therefore, the presence of the bands in immature males is interpreted as correlated with the enlargement and reshaping of the rostrum as males approached and attained sexual maturity.
A new pterosaur specimen from the Upper Tunbridge Wells Sand Formation (Cretaceous, Valanginian) of southern England and a review of
Lonchodectes sagittirostris
(Owen 1874)
Authors: Rigal Stanislas , Martill David M. , Sweetman Steven C.
Published: February 2017

A specimen of a pterodactyloid pterosaur from the Upper Tunbridge Wells Sand Formation (Early Cretaceous, Valanginian) of Bexhill, East Sussex, southern England is described. It comprises a small fragment of jaw with teeth, a partial vertebral column and associated incomplete wing bones. The juxtaposition of the bones suggests that the specimen was originally more complete and articulated. Its precise phylogenetic relationships are uncertain but it represents an indeterminate lonchodectid with affinities to
Lonchodectes sagittirostris
(Owen 1874) which is reviewed here, and may belong in
Lonchodraco
Rodrigues & Kellner 2013. This specimen is only the third record of pterosaurs from this formation.
A taxonomic revision of
Noripterus complicidens
and Asian members of the Dsungaripteridae
Authors: Hone D. W. E. , Jiang S. , Xu X.
Published: February 2017

After being inaccessible for a number of years, the holotype and other specimens of the dsungaripterid pterodactyloid pterosaur
Noripterus complicidens
are again available for study. Numerous taxa assigned to the Dsungaripteridae have been described since the erection of
Noripterus
, but with limited comparisons to this genus. Based on the information from Young's original material here we revise the taxonomic identity of
N. complicidens
and that of other Asian dsungaripterids. We conclude that
N. complicidens
is likely to be distinct from the material recovered from Mongolia and this latter material should be placed in a separate genus.
Tsunami simulations of mega-thrust earthquakes in the Nankai–Tonankai Trough (Japan) based on stochastic rupture scenarios
Authors: Goda Katsuichiro , Yasuda Tomohiro , Mai P. Martin , Maruyama Takuma , Mori Nobuhito
Published: February 2017

In this study, earthquake rupture models for future mega-thrust earthquakes in the Nankai–Tonankai subduction zone are developed by incorporating the main characteristics of inverted source models of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. These scenario ruptures also account for key features of the national tsunami source model for the Nankai–Tonankai earthquake by the Central Disaster Management Council of the Japanese Government. The source models capture a wide range of realistic slip distributions and kinematic rupture processes, reflecting the current best understanding of what may happen due to a future mega-earthquake in the Nankai–Tonankai Trough, and therefore are useful for conducting probabilistic tsunami hazard and risk analysis. A large suite of scenario rupture models is then used to investigate the variability of tsunami effects in coastal areas, such as offshore tsunami wave heights and onshore inundation depths, due to realistic variations in source characteristics. Such investigations are particularly valuable for tsunami hazard mapping and evacuation planning in municipalities along the Nankai–Tonankai coast.
A longitudinal study of whole body, tissue, and cellular physiology in a mouse model of fibrosing NASH with high fidelity to the human condition
Authors: Krishnan Anuradha , Abdullah Tasduq Sheikh , Mounajjed Taofic , Hartono Stella , McConico Andrea , White Thomas , LeBrasseur Nathan , Lanza Ian , Nair Sreekumaran , Gores Gregory , Charlton Michael
Published: February 2017

The sequence of events that lead to inflammation and fibrosing nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is incompletely understood. Hence, we investigated the chronology of whole body, tissue, and cellular events that occur during the evolution of diet-induced NASH. Male C57Bl/6 mice were assigned to a fast-food (FF; high calorie, high cholesterol, high fructose) or standard-chow (SC) diet over a period of 36 wk. Liver histology, body composition, mitochondrial respiration, metabolic rate, gene expression, and hepatic lipid content were analyzed. Insulin resistance [homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)] increased 10-fold after 4 wk. Fibrosing NASH was fully established by 16 wk. Total hepatic lipids increased by 4 wk and remained two- to threefold increased throughout. Hepatic triglycerides declined from sixfold increase at 8 wk to threefold increase by 36 wk. In contrast, hepatic cholesterol levels steadily increased from baseline at 8 wk to twofold by 36 wk. The hepatic immune cell population altered over time with macrophages persisting beyond 16 wk. Mitochondrial oxygen flux rates of FF mice diet were uniformly lower with all the tested substrates (13–276 pmol·s−1·ml−1 per unit citrate synthase) than SC mice (17–394 pmol·s−1·ml−1 per unit citrate synthase) and was accompanied by decreased mitochondrial:nuclear gene copy number ratios after 4 wk. Metabolic rate was lower in FF mice. Mitochondrial glutathione was significantly decreased at 24 wk in FF mice. Expression of dismutases and catalase was also decreased in FF mice. The evolution of NASH in the FF diet-induced model is multiphasic, particularly in terms of hepatic lipid composition. Insulin resistance precedes hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Mitochondrial dysfunction and depletion occur after the histological features of NASH are apparent. Collectively, these observations provide a unique overview of the sequence of changes that coevolve with the histological evolution of NASH.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates in a first of kind longitudinal analysis, the evolution of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) on a fast-food diet-induced model. Key findings include 1) hepatic lipid composition changes in a multiphasic fashion as NASH evolves; 2) insulin resistance precedes hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, answering a longstanding chicken-and-egg question regarding the relationship of insulin resistance to liver histology in NASH; and 3) mitochondrial dysfunction and depletion occur after the histological features of NASH are apparent.