bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on mechanism about long noncoding RNA MALAT1 affecting pancreatic cancer by regulating Hippo‐YAP signaling
Authors: Zhou Yongping , Shan Ting , Ding Wenzhou , Hua Zhiyuan , Shen Yijun , Lu Zhihua , Chen Bo , Dai Tu
Published: December 2017

By investigating the migration and invasion ability in pancreatic cancer, this study probed into the lncRNA MALAT1 molecular mechanism on Hippo‐YAP signaling. The expression of lncRNA MALAT1 in PC tissues and cells was detected by qRT‐PCR and Western blot. The effect of si‐MALAT1 on proliferation was determined by CCK‐8 assay. Cell apoptosis, migration, and invasion were respectively detected by flow cytometry assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were successively used for detecting LATS1 and YAP1 expression in pancreatic cancer tissues. The microarray analysis determined that lncRNA MALAT1 in pancreatic cancer was highly expressed. LncRNA MALAT1 presented an extremely high expression level in pancreatic cancer tissues and cells. After transfected with si‐MALAT1, the proliferation of AsPC‐1 cells decreased, induce apoptosis of AsPC‐1 cells, and migration and invasion ability were reduced. The tendency of LATS1 expression level was down‐regulated and YAP1 show the opposite trend in the Hippo‐YAP signaling. The in vivo assay was found that the tumor to be small in size and volume, and the expression of Ki‐67 was decreased. High expression of lncRNA MALAT1 in PC disorder the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration and invasion ability via influence Hippo‐YAP signaling pathway.
Sonic hedgehog signaling mediates resveratrol to improve maturation of pig oocytes in vitro and subsequent preimplantation embryo development
Authors: Lee Sanghoon , Jin Jun‐Xue , Taweechaipaisankul Anukul , Kim Geon A. , Ahn Curie , Lee Byeong Chun
Published: December 2017

The beneficial effects of resveratrol on in vitro maturation (IVM) have been explained mainly by indirect antioxidant effects and limited information is available on the underlying mechanism by which resveratrol acts directly on porcine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs). Recently, several studies reported that sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling mediates resveratrol to exert its biological activities. Furthermore, SHH is an important signaling molecule for follicle development, oocyte maturation, and embryo development. Therefore, to elucidate the relationship between resveratrol and SHH signaling, we designed three groups: (i) control; (ii) resveratrol; and (iii) resveratrol with cyclopamine (SHH signaling inhibitor). We evaluated the effects of these agents on cumulus expansion, oocyte maturation, embryo development after parthenogenetic activation, expression levels of mRNAs in cumulus cells, oocytes and blastocysts, and protein expression in COCs. Resveratrol significantly increased the proportion of COCs exhibiting complete cumulus expansion (degree 4), oocyte nuclear maturation, cleavage and blastocyst formation rates and total cell numbers, which were blocked in the presence of cyclopamine. At the same time, a significant increase in the expression levels of mRNAs related to cumulus expansion, oocyte maturation and SHH signaling‐related mRNAs and proteins from the resveratrol treatment group was also inhibited by simultaneous addition of cyclopamine. In conclusion, our results indicate that SHH signaling mediates resveratrol to improve porcine cumulus expansion, oocyte maturation, and subsequent embryo development.
Inflammatory signalling regulates eccentric contraction‐induced protein synthesis in cachectic skeletal muscle
Authors: Hardee Justin P. , Counts Brittany R. , Gao Song , VanderVeen Brandon N. , Fix Dennis K. , Koh Ho‐Jin , Carson James A.
Published: December 2017

Background

Skeletal muscle responds to eccentric contractions (ECC) with an anabolic response that involves the induction of protein synthesis through the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1. While we have reported that repeated ECC bouts after cachexia initiation attenuated muscle mass loss and inflammatory signalling, cachectic muscle's capacity to induce protein synthesis in response to ECC has not been determined. Therefore, we examined cachectic muscle's ability to induce mechano‐sensitive pathways and protein synthesis in response to an anabolic stimulus involving ECC and determined the role of muscle signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) signalling on ECC‐induced anabolic signalling.

Methods

Mechano‐sensitive pathways and anabolic signalling were examined immediately post or 3 h after a single ECC bout in cachectic male ApcMin/+ mice (n = 17; 16 ± 1% body weight loss). Muscle STAT3/NFκB regulation of basal and ECC‐induced anabolic signalling was also examined in an additional cohort of ApcMin/+ mice (n = 10; 16 ± 1% body weight loss) that received pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate 24 h prior to a single ECC bout. In all experiments, the left tibialis anterior performed ECC while the right tibialis anterior served as intra‐animal control. Data were analysed by Student's t‐test or two‐way repeated measures analysis of variance with Student‐Newman‐Keuls post‐hoc when appropriate. The accepted level of significance was set at P < 0.05 for all analysis.

Results

ApcMin/+ mice exhibited a cachectic muscle signature demonstrated by perturbed proteostasis (Ribosomal Protein S6 (RPS6), P70S6K, Atrogin‐1, and Muscle RING‐finger protein‐1 (MuRF1)), metabolic (adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase, Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator 1‐alpha (PGC‐1α), and Cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV (COXIV)), and inflammatory (STAT3, NFκB, extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2, and P38) signalling pathway regulation. Nonetheless, mechano‐sensitive signalling pathways (P38, extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2, and Protein kinase B (AKT)) were activated immediately post‐ECC irrespective of cachexia. While cachexia did not attenuate ECC‐induced P70S6K activation, the protein synthesis induction remained suppressed compared with healthy controls. However, muscle STAT3/NFκB inhibition increased basal and ECC‐induced protein synthesis in cachectic ApcMin/+ mice.

Conclusions

These studies demonstrate that mechano‐sensitive signalling is maintained in cachectic skeletal muscle, but chronic STAT3/NFκB signalling serves to attenuate basal and ECC‐induced protein synthesis.
A meshless local discrete collocation (MLDC) scheme for solving 2‐dimensional singular integral equations with logarithmic kernels
Authors: Assari Pouria , Dehghan Mehdi
Published: December 2017

In the current investigation, we study a numerical technique to solve 2‐dimensional singular integral equations of the second kind with logarithmic kernels. These integral equations are a general form of the problem of obtaining the cross‐sectional separation of current in an infinitely long thin filament of conduct bar which arises in electrical engineering. The moving least squares scheme estimates a function without mesh generation on the domain that includes a locally weighted least squares polynomial fitting. The discrete collocation method in addition to the shape functions of moving least squares established on scattered points is used to approximate the solution of integral equations. To compute logarithm‐like singular integrals appeared in the process of the scheme, we use a particular dual nonuniform composite Gauss‐Legendre integration rule on normal domains. The proposed scheme does not require any meshes, so it is meshless and does not depend to the domain form. Error analysis is also given for the method. Illustrative examples are shown clearly the reliability and efficiency of the new scheme and confirm the theoretical error estimates.
Identification of virus‐derived siRNAs and their targets in RBSDV‐infected rice by deep sequencing
Authors: Lan Ying , Li Yanwu , E Zhiguo , Sun Feng , Du Linlin , Xu Qiufang , Zhou Tong , Zhou Yijun , Fan Yongjian
Published: December 2017

RNA interference (RNAi) is a conserved mechanism against viruses in plants and animals. It is thought to inactivate the viral genome by producing virus‐derived small interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs). Rice black‐streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) is transmitted to plants by the small brown planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus), and seriously threatens production of rice in East Asia, particularly Oryza sativa japonica subspecies. Through deep sequencing, genome‐wide comparisons of RBSDV‐derived vsiRNAs were made between the japonica variety Nipponbare, and the indica variety 9311. Four small RNA libraries were constructed from the leaves and shoots of each variety. We found 659,756 unique vsiRNAs in the four samples, and only 43,485 reads were commonly shared. The size distributions of vsiRNAs were mostly 21‐ and 22‐nt long, and A/U bias (66‐68%) existed at the first nucleotide of vsiRNAs. Additionally, vsiRNAs were continuously but heterogeneously distributed along S1‐S10 segments of the RBSDV genome. Distribution profiles of vsiRNA hotspots were similar in different hosts and tissues, and the 5′‐ and 3′‐terminal regions of S4, S5, and S8 had more hotspots. Distribution and abundance of RBSDV vsiRNAs could be useful in designing efficient targets for exploiting RNA interference for virus resistance. Degradome analysis found 25 and 11 host genes appeared to be targeted by vsiRNAs in 9311 and Nipponbare. We report for the first time vsiRNAs derived from RBSDV‐infected rice.
A “drop‐wipe‐test” SERS method for rapid detection of pesticide residues in fruits
Authors: Wang Kehui , Huang Meizhen , Chen Jie , Lin Lulu , Kong Lili , Liu Xi , Wang Hui , Lin Mengshi
Published: December 2017

A simple “drop‐wipe‐test” approach for rapid detection of pesticide residues in fruits was developed based on surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) coupled with wiper‐type filter paper substrate. The filter paper was coated with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and used as a flexible and absorbent wiper‐type SERS substrate. The first two steps “drop” and “wipe” were combined to simplify the procedures of extraction and sampling of the analyte molecules. “Test” was the last step to obtain the spectral data using a portable Raman spectrometer (Hx‐Spec) developed by our laboratory. The entire detection process was completed just in a few minutes. The optimal wipe time of ~15 s was confirmed used to ensure a thorough extraction of analyte molecules. The as‐prepared SERS substrate was used for rapid detection of pesticide residue (i.e., thiram) in apple, pear, and grape by “drop‐wipe‐test” method. Results demonstrate that the concentrations of thiram spiked on the three fruits skin show a linearly relationship with the average intensity (n = 7) of SERS spectra with R‐square values of 0.9991, 0.9872, and 0.9841, respectively. The limit of detection of thiram in apple, pear, and grape peel was 4.6261, 5.1799, and 5.7061 ng/cm2, respectively. The detection limits are all below the maximum residue limits for pesticide in food that were set by the National Food Safety Standard of China (GB). The results demonstrate that SERS method coupled with a flexible and absorbent SERS substrate can be used as a practical application for a reliable, rapid, and sensitive detection of pesticide residues.
SERS analyses of thiamethoxam assisted by Ag films and nanostructures produced by laser techniques
Authors: Atanasov P.A. , Nedyalkov N.N. , Nikov Ru.G. , Fukata N. , Jevasuwan W. , Subramani T. , Hirsch D. , Rauschenbach B.
Published: December 2017

This study deals with the use of laser techniques for preparation of advanced Ag nanostructure on quartz substrates that can be applied in high‐resolution analyses, namely, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The active system was a two dimensional array of nanoparticles produced by laser annealing of thin silver film. The optical and morphological properties of the nanostructure were compared with those of an as deposited thin film in order to estimate their role in the detection efficiency. The activity of the structures fabricated as substrates for SERS of usually applied in agricultural medicine small quantities of Aktara 25 BG (thiamethoxam) insecticide was tested. To the best of our knowledge, SERS spectra of Aktara 25 BG are presented for the first time. The minimum detected concentration of thiamethoxam was evaluated to be in the order of μg/ml. The simple fabrication method and demonstrated efficiency focus the presented study to direct bearing on the human health and food quality area as a way of assisting the detection of small amounts or residue of harmful pollutants.
Approximation by polynomials in Bergman spaces of slice regular functions in the unit ball
Authors: Gal S. G. , Sabadini I.
Published: December 2017

In this paper, we show that the set of quaternionic polynomials is dense in the Bergman spaces of slice regular functions in the unit ball, both of the first and of the second kind. Several proofs are presented, including constructive methods based on the Taylor expansion and on the convolution polynomials. In the last case, quantitative estimates in terms of higher‐order moduli of smoothness and of best approximation quantity are obtained.
MRI monitoring of focused ultrasound sonications near metallic hardware
Authors: Weber Hans , Ghanouni Pejman , Pascal‐Tenorio Aurea , Pauly Kim Butts , Hargreaves Brian A.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

To explore the temperature‐induced signal change in two‐dimensional multi‐spectral imaging (2DMSI) for fast thermometry near metallic hardware to enable MR‐guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) in patients with implanted metallic hardware.

Method

2DMSI was optimized for temperature sensitivity and applied to monitor focus ultrasound surgery (FUS) sonications near metallic hardware in phantoms and ex vivo porcine muscle tissue. Further, we evaluated its temperature sensitivity for in vivo muscle in patients without metallic hardware. In addition, we performed a comparison of temperature sensitivity between 2DMSI and conventional proton‐resonance‐frequency‐shift (PRFS) thermometry at different distances from metal devices and different signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNR).

Results

2DMSI thermometry enabled visualization of short ultrasound sonications near metallic hardware. Calibration using in vivo muscle yielded a constant temperature sensitivity for temperatures below 43 °C. For an off‐resonance coverage of ± 6 kHz, we achieved a temperature sensitivity of 1.45%/K, resulting in a minimum detectable temperature change of ∼2.5 K for an SNR of 100 with a temporal resolution of 6 s per frame.

Conclusion

The proposed 2DMSI thermometry has the potential to allow MR‐guided FUS treatments of patients with metallic hardware and therefore expand its reach to a larger patient population. Magn Reson Med 80:259–271, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
A referenceless Nyquist ghost correction workflow for echo planar imaging of hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate and [1‐13C]lactate
Authors: Wang Jiazheng , Wright Alan J. , Hesketh Richard L. , Hu De‐en , Brindle Kevin M.
Published: December 2017

Single‐shot echo planar imaging (EPI), which allows an image to be acquired using a single excitation pulse, is used widely for imaging the metabolism of hyperpolarized 13C‐labelled metabolites in vivo as the technique is rapid and minimizes the depletion of the hyperpolarized signal. However, EPI suffers from Nyquist ghosting, which normally is corrected for by acquiring a reference scan. In a dynamic acquisition of a series of images, this results in the sacrifice of a time point if the reference scan involves a full readout train with no phase encoding. This time penalty is negligible if an integrated navigator echo is used, but at the cost of a lower signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) as a result of prolonged T2* decay. We describe here a workflow for hyperpolarized 13C EPI that requires no reference scan. This involves the selection of a ghost‐containing background from a 13C image of a single metabolite at a single time point, the identification of phase correction coefficients that minimize signal in the selected area, and the application of these coefficients to images acquired at all time points and from all metabolites. The workflow was compared in phantom experiments with phase correction using a 13C reference scan, and yielded similar results in situations with a regular field of view (FOV), a restricted FOV and where there were multiple signal sources. When compared with alternative phase correction methods, the workflow showed an SNR benefit relative to integrated 13C reference echoes (>15%) or better ghost removal relative to a 1H reference scan. The residual ghosting in a slightly de‐shimmed B0 field was 1.6% using the proposed workflow and 3.8% using a 1H reference scan. The workflow was implemented with a series of dynamically acquired hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate and [1‐13C]lactate images in vivo, resulting in images with no observable ghosting and which were quantitatively similar to images corrected using a 13C reference scan.
Study of polyethylene nanocomposites with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanofillers—from structural characteristics to mechanical properties and processability
Authors: Niemczyk Arkadiusz , Adamczyk‐Tomiak Katarzyna , Dziubek Katarzyna , Czaja Krystyna , Rabiej Stanisław , Szatanik Roman , Dutkiewicz Michał
Published: December 2017

High‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) nanocomposites filled with octakis({alkyl}dimethylsiloxy)octasilsesquioxanes (POSS) were prepared by the melt blending method. The effects of the structure and the content of POSS nanofillers on free‐volume properties and structural characteristics of nanocomposites were investigated by the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and X‐ray diffraction methods: wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS) and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). Incorporation of POSS nanofillers into polyethylene matrices modified the arrangement of the polymer chains and affected the size and number of free‐volume holes in nanocomposites. The presence of POSS molecules influenced also the crystallinity of nanocomposites because of the increased volume occupied by spherulites in polymers. The extent of changes in the structural characteristics of the POSS‐containing nanocomposites was found dependent on the type of the polymeric matrix as well as on the structure and content of the POSS nanofillers used. Incorporation of the POSS nanofiller into the polyethylene matrix increased the mass flow rate values significantly, thus the POSS could be considered as a plasticizer. Moreover, the compositions of nanocomposites strongly affected their mechanical properties which were mostly dependent on the compatibility between the polymer and the nanofiller, and on the ability of the POSS to aggregate. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E350–E364, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Organic–inorganic polyimide nanocomposites containing a tetrafunctional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane amine: synthesis, morphology and thermomechanical properties
Authors: Qiu Junjun , Xu Sen , Liu Ning , Wei Kun , Li Lei , Zheng Sixun
Published: December 2017

5,11,14,17‐Tetraanilinooctaphenyl double decker silsesquioxane, a well‐defined tetraamino polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), was synthesized in this work. This novel tetrafunctional POSS amine was employed to prepare polyimide nanocomposites. It was found that the hybrid polyimide nanocomposites displayed nanostructures in which the POSS component was aggregated into spherical microdomains with a diameter of 40 − 80 nm. Compared to unmodified polyimide, the POSS‐containing polyimide nanocomposites displayed improved thermal stability and surface hydrophobicity. Owing to the introduction of the POSS microdomains, the dielectric constants of the polyimide nanocomposites were significantly decreased in comparison with plain polyimide. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Fault detection and identification—A filter investigation
Authors: Khan R. , Williams P. , Riseborough P. , Rao A. , Hill R.
Published: December 2017

This paper develops a new active fault‐tolerant control system based on the concept of analytical redundancy. The novel design presented here consists of an observation filter–based fault detection and identification system integrated with a nonlinear model predictive controller. A number of observation filters are designed, integrated with the nonlinear controller, and tested before reaching the final design, which comprises an unscented Kalman filter for fault detection and identification together with a nonlinear model predictive controller to form an active fault‐tolerant control system.
A symplectic local pseudospectral method for solving nonlinear state‐delayed optimal control problems with inequality constraints
Authors: Wang Xinwei , Peng Haijun , Zhang Sheng , Chen Biaosong , Zhong Wanxie
Published: December 2017

In this paper, a symplectic local pseudospectral (PS) method for solving nonlinear state‐delayed optimal control problems with inequality constraints is proposed. We first convert the original nonlinear problem into a sequence of linear quadratic optimal control problems using quasi‐linearization techniques. Then, based on local Legendre‐Gauss‐Lobatto PS methods and the dual variational principle, a PS method to solve these converted linear quadratic constrained optimal control problems is developed. The developed method transforms the converted problems into a coupling of a system of linear algebraic equations and a linear complementarity problem. The coefficient matrix involved is sparse and symmetric due to the benefit of the dual variational principle. Converged solutions can be obtained with few iterations because of the local PS method and quasi‐linearization techniques are used. The proposed method can be applied to problems with fixed terminal states or free terminal states, and the boundary conditions and constraints are strictly satisfied. Numerical simulations show that the developed method is highly efficient and accurate.
The rise in road traffic injuries in Lilongwe, Malawi A snapshot of the growing epidemic of trauma in low income countries
Authors: Banza Leonard Ngoie , Gallaher Jared , Dybvik Eva , Charles Anthony , Hallan Geir , Gjertsen Jan-Erik , Mkandawire Nyengo , Varela Carlos , Young Sven
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Road traffic injuries (RTIs) and death are a major public health issue worldwide. Unless appropriate action is taken urgently, the burden of RTIs will continue to increase globally. This will be particularly pronounced in developing countries where rapid motorization is likely to continue over the next decades. Malawi is one of these countries with a population of 17.2 million and a Gross National Income per capita of 340 US$. The impact of the rising burden of injury on the health sector is considerable. However, data to demonstrate this development is lacking.

Methods:

This study is an analysis of data from the Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) Trauma Registry. KCH is a 900-bed tertiary care public hospital in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. The KCH Trauma Registry was established to collect patient demographic information, clinical characteristics, and outcome data for all patients presenting to the emergency department with injuries. All patients who presented to the emergency department with injuries between January 2009 and December 2015 were included in the study.

Results:

A 96,967 patients with injuries between 2009 and 2015 were registered in the KCH Trauma Registry. The mean age of these patients was 23.3 years and 36.8% were children younger than 18 years. 25,193 (26.2%) patients had road traffic related injuries, of these 19,244 (76.4%) were men. There was a 62.4% rise in the number of RTI victims treated at KCH from 2447 in 2009–3975 in 2015. If this trend continues, 7997 patients will be expected to need treatment for RTIs at KCH in 2030, doubling the numbers seen in 2015 in just 15 years. The highest number of injuries occurred in pedestrians (32.3%) and cyclists (28.2%) and continually rose over the years studied. The length of hospital stay for RTIs increased from 6.4 ± 9.1days in 2009 to 15.0 ± 19.4 in 2015.

Discussion:

There was a rapidly growing burden of RTIs at KCH in Lilongwe, Malawi, between 2009 and 2015, and projections based on our data show that this burden will double by 2030. It is essential that surgical trauma services are scaled up to meet this challenge in Malawi. There is also a large potential for prevention of injuries involving vulnerable road users. Road traffic campaigns should focus on improved driver training, use of lights, pedestrian and cyclist visibility, and vehicle fitness. Standards should include physical separation of pedestrians and vehicles, through raised pavements or separate walk and cycle ways. The absence of a clear strategy to meet the growing epidemic of injuries in Malawi will come at a huge cost to an already strained economy, and the largest portion of the burden of injury will continue to be borne by the poorest segment of the population.

Highlights:
Effect of sub-hypnotic dose of propofol on prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting as part of multimodal antiemetic in patients undergoing open abdominal surgery: A prospective cohort study, Gondar University Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2016
Authors: Yimer Hailu , Ayalew Nugusu , Abdisa Zewditu , Aregawi Adugna
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

Background:

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of the most common and unpleasant symptoms affecting patients undergoing abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia. It is also associated with complications such as gastric aspiration, bleeding, dehydration, wound dehiscence and delayed hospital discharge.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a sub hypnotic dose of propofol on the occurrence and severity of PONV after open abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia.

Materials and methods:

A series of 72 adult (age ≥18) ASA class I or II patients, scheduled for open abdominal surgery were divided into a control group (n = 36) and a propofol group (n = 36). The propofol group was given 30 mg of 1% propofol IV bolus after skin closure. All episodes and severity of PONV during the first 24 h after anaesthesia were evaluated.

Results:

The overall incidence of PONV was significantly lower in propofol group than the non-propofol group during the first six postoperative hours (30.6% versus 66.7% respectively; p = 0.002). There was a significant reduction in number of patients needing rescue anti-emetic during the first six postoperative hours in propofol group when compared with none-propofol group [5 (13.9%) and 15 (41.7%) respectively, (p = 0.009)]. There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to their haemodynamic parameters and manifestations of respiratory depression.

Conclusion and recommendation:

Administration of a sub hypnotic intravenous dose of propofol was effective in reducing the incidence and severity of PONV, and the need for rescue anti-emetic during the first six postoperative hours in patients undergoing open abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia. We recommend the use of 30 mg propofol at the end of open abdominal surgery as part of multimodal approach for PONV.

Highlights:
Trauma and Grief Component Therapy for Adolescents
Authors: Saltzman William , Layne Christopher , Pynoos Robert , Olafson Erna , Kaplow Julie , Boat Barbara
Published: December 2017

Developed by experts in trauma psychiatry and psychology and grounded in adolescent developmental theory, this is a modular, assessment-driven treatment that addresses the needs of adolescents facing trauma, bereavement, and accompanying developmental disruption. Created by the developers of the University of California, Los Angeles PTSD Reaction Index© and the Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder Checklist, the book links clinicians with cutting-edge research in traumatic stress and bereavement, as well as ongoing training opportunities. This innovative guide offers teen-friendly coping skills, handouts, and specialized therapeutic exercises to reduce distress and promote adaptive developmental progression. Sessions can be flexibly tailored for group or individual treatment modalities; school-based, community mental health, or private practice settings; and different timeframes and specific client needs. Drawing on multidimensional grief theory, it offers a valuable toolkit for psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, and others who work with bereaved and traumatized adolescents. Engaging multicultural illustrations and extensive field-testing give this user-friendly manual international appeal.
Modern Colonialism, Eurocentrism and Historical Archaeology: Some Engendered Thoughts
Authors: Montón-Subías Sandra , Hernando Almudena
Published: December 2017

In this article, we would like to share some thoughts related to the values and principles implemented by archaeologists when bringing ‘the other’ into focus. We situate our reflections within the archaeology of modern colonialism, and revisit some aspects related to one of the most vibrant issues in historical archaeology: Eurocentrism. It is our understanding that ‘de-Eurocentring’ the discipline not only requires introducing the disenfranchised as new agents, but also questioning the most profound logics by which narratives of the past have been written. We focus on the idea of history as change, and on the notion of social continuity from a feminist standpoint. We have noticed that certain accounts of colonial situations, even those with the opposite intention, may project the prevailing Western male way of being while trying to explain past social and personal dynamics, thus blurring ontological diversity and unwittingly reinforcing the Eurocentrism we are trying to avoid.
Quantifying Hospital-Acquired Carriage of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae Among Patients in Dutch Hospitals
Authors: Kluytmans-van den Bergh Marjolein F. Q. , van Mens Suzan P. , Haverkate Manon R. , Bootsma Martin C. J. , Kluytmans Jan A. J. W. , Bonten Marc J. M. ,   for the SoM Study Group and the R-GNOSIS Study Group
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) are emerging worldwide. Contact precautions are recommended for known ESBL-E carriers to control the spread of ESBL-E within hospitals.

OBJECTIVE

This study quantified the acquisition of ESBL-E rectal carriage among patients in Dutch hospitals, given the application of contact precautions.

METHODS

Data were used from 2 cluster-randomized studies on isolation strategies for ESBL-E: (1) the SoM study, performed in 14 Dutch hospitals from 2011 through 2014 and (2) the R-GNOSIS study, for which data were limited to those collected in a Dutch hospital in 2014. Perianal cultures were obtained, either during ward-based prevalence surveys (SoM), or at admission and twice weekly thereafter (R-GNOSIS). In both studies, contact precautions were applied to all known ESBL-E carriers. Estimates for acquisition of ESBL-E were based on the results of admission and discharge cultures from patients hospitalized for more than 2 days (both studies) and a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) model, applied to all patients hospitalized (R-GNOSIS).

RESULTS

The absolute risk of acquisition of ESBL-E rectal carriage ranged from 2.4% to 2.9% with an ESBL-E acquisition rate of 2.8 to 3.8 acquisitions per 1,000 patient days. In addition, 28% of acquisitions were attributable to patient-dependent transmission, and the per-admission reproduction number was 0.06.

CONCLUSIONS

The low ESBL-E acquisition rate in this study demonstrates that it is possible to control the nosocomial transmission of ESBL in a low-endemic, non-ICU setting whereEscherichia coliis the most prevalent ESBL-E and standard and contact precautions are applied for known ESBL-E carriers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Nederlands Trialregister, NTR2799,http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=2799; ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN57648070,http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN57648070

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2018;39:32–39
Young people, the internet and mental health
Authors: Chambers D. , Cairns K. , Ivancic L.
Published: December 2017

The original research by Mullen et al. in this issue is a welcome contribution to the increasingly important research area concerned with mental health and internet use. There is a persistent and growing tension between harmful online content and the potential to support vulnerable people online. Although current research has established both negative and positive influences of the internet on mental health, a policy framework to guide the development of online mental health resources is lacking. Based on 20 years of online service provision (in Australia originally and now in Ireland), ReachOut.com has gained important insights into young people’s online behaviour and help-seeking preferences. Given that young people have expressed concerns about the impact of the internet and social media on their mental health, yet they will go online for support, there is a clear need for leadership and the resourcing of quality assured, engaging online mental health supports. Such an approach will be the most effective way of mitigating the threat posed by harmful online content.
Learning from Brazilian Indigenous Peoples: Towards a Decolonial Education
Authors: Fleuri Reinaldo Matias , Fleuri Lilian Jurkevicz
Published: December 2017

This study argues that western societies have to learn from the cosmological vision of first peoples. In the Brazilian context, despite the genocide of these peoples, there still remains a rich variety of cultures, keeping their traditions and lifestyles based on the concept of buen vivir, in Spanish, or Tekó Porã as the Guarani people say. From a decolonial intercultural approach, we can learn a sustainable way of life from indigenous peoples, and create relevant policies and educational frameworks. Principles of buen vivir such as cooperation and reciprocity are incorporated by Paulo Freire in his dialogic pedagogy. Freire has incorporated these principles due to his engagement with social and communitarian movements. For this reason, his pedagogical proposal is not limited to school contexts only; it is rather linked to community and social praxis. This political transformation of educational praxis involves changes in the modern-colonial matrix of power and knowledge. Deconstructing racism and the myth of universality is necessary for recognizing epistemic rationalities developed by indigenous communities, in order for us to establish with them critical dialogue and mutually enriching interaction. In this sense, the newly introduced term neologism ‘conversity’ indicates intercultural dialogue resulting from the recognition of indigenous peoples and social movements as producers of legitimate knowledge and autonomous organisation.
Clinically relevant and simple immune system measure is related to symptom burden in bipolar disorder
Authors: Köhler-Forsberg Ole , Sylvia Louisa , Deckersbach Thilo , Ostacher Michael Joshua , McInnis Melvin , Iosifescu Dan , Bowden Charles , McElroy Susan , Calabrese Joseph , Thase Michael , Shelton Richard Charles , Tohen Mauricio , Kocsis James , Friedman Edward , Ketter Terence , Nierenberg Andrew Alan
Published: December 2017

Objective

Immunological theories, particularly the sickness syndrome theory, may explain psychopathology in mood disorders. However, no clinical trials have investigated the association between overall immune system markers with a wide range of specific symptoms including potential gender differences.

Methods

We included two similar clinical trials, the lithium treatment moderate-dose use study and clinical and health outcomes initiatives in comparative effectiveness for bipolar disorder study, enrolling 765 participants with bipolar disorder. At study entry, white blood cell (WBC) count was measured and psychopathology assessed with the Montgomery and Aasberg depression rating scale (MADRS). We performed analysis of variance and linear regression analyses to investigate the relationship between the deviation from the median WBC, and multinomial regression analysis between different WBC levels. All analyses were performed gender-specific and adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, race, and somatic diseases.

Results

The overall MADRS score increased significantly for each 1.0×109/l deviation from the median WBC among 322 men (coefficient=1.10; 95% CI=0.32–1.89; p=0.006), but not among 443 women (coefficient=0.56; 95% CI=−0.19–1.31; p=0.14). Among men, WBC deviations were associated with increased severity of sadness, inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, inability to feel, and suicidal thoughts. Among women, WBC deviations were associated with increased severity of reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, lassitude, inability to feel, and pessimistic thoughts. Both higher and lower WBC levels were associated with increased severity of several specific symptoms.

Conclusion

Immune system alterations were associated with increased severity of specific mood symptoms, particularly among men. Our results support the sickness syndrome theory, but furthermore emphasise the relevance to study immune suppression in bipolar disorder. Due to the explorative nature and cross-sectional design, future studies need to confirm these findings.
Niche overlap and resource partitioning between two intertidal hermit crab species
Authors: Alcaraz Guillermina , Kruesi Karla
Published: December 2017

The gastropod shell influences important aspects of the hermit crab's life; however, the shells are commonly a limited resource. Therefore, different hermit crab species that coexist in intertidal areas are commonly involved in intraspecific and interspecific competition for shells. We assess if differences in shell preference, exploitation ability, or competition by interference can explain the partitioning of shells between the coexisting species Calcinus californiensis and Clibanarius albidigitus. Clibanarius preferred shells of Nerita funiculata among the six gastropod shells tested, while Calcinus did not establish a hierarchy in shell preference. Therefore, the preference for gastropod shell species does not seem to diminish the competition for shells in the wild. Clibanarius identified and attended to chemical cues signalling potential sites of available shells (chemical cues of dead gastropods); Calcinus did not respond to these cues (competition by exploitation). However, Calcinus was more successful in obtaining a new shell by interspecific shell fighting than Clibanarius. Consequently, the use of better quality shells (intact shells) by Calcinus in the wild can be explained by its greater fighting ability compared with Clibanarius. The bias in shell distributions through dominance by shell fighting, more than by exploitation ability, has also been suggested for other hermit crab species of these genera.
Population connectivity of hydrothermal-vent limpets along the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge (Gastropoda: Neritimorpha: Phenacolepadidae)
Authors: Yahagi Takuya , Fukumori Hiroaki , Warén Anders , Kano Yasunori
Published: December 2017

The red-blooded limpet ‘Shinkailepas’briandi(Neritimorpha: Phenacolepadidae) is one of the commonest gastropod species at deep-sea hydrothermal vents on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). We investigated its population connectivity along MAR as the first such study for gastropods and explored the importance of larval migration for the distribution of vent-endemic animals. Our analyses, based on 1.3-kbp DNA sequences from the mitochondrial COI gene, showed a panmictic population throughout its geographic and bathymetric ranges that span from the northernmost and shallowest Menez Gwen vent field (38°N; 814–831 m depth) to the southernmost and deepest Ashadze field (13°N; 4090 m). Early development of this species is presumed to have a long pelagic duration as a planktotrophic larva; the hatchling with a shell diameter of 170–180 μm attains a constant settlement size of 706 ± 8 μm (mean ± SD). Retention of eye pigmentation in newly settled juveniles, along with the genetic panmixia, suggests that the hatched larva of ‘S.’briandimigrates vertically to the surface water, presumably to take advantage of richer food supplies and stronger currents for dispersal, as has been shown for confamilial species at hydrothermal vents and cold methane seeps.
Searching for the Soul: A Training Program for Moroccan Contemporary Dancers
Authors: Borni Karima
Published: December 2017

In a society in which display of the body and dancing in public is controversial, the growth of contemporary dance festivals and training workshops demonstrates the changing face of Morocco's moral and political economies. This article explores the training of young dancers who are striving to embody a new Muslim corporeality and at the same time achieve professional artistic recognition in Moroccan society. Using ethnographic methods, the article focuses on the attraction of novices to contemporary dance activities, as seen through the “cultivation of the soul” in improvisational and choreographic practices related to local spiritual traditions, providing them with a niche in the global arts market and an “authentic” identity as Moroccans.
GNSS Threat Monitoring and Reporting: Past, Present, and a Proposed Future
Authors: Thombre Sarang , Bhuiyan M. Zahidul H. , Eliardsson Patrik , Gabrielsson Björn , Pattinson Michael , Dumville Mark , Fryganiotis Dimitrios , Hill Steve , Manikundalam Venkatesh , Pölöskey Martin , Lee Sanguk , Ruotsalainen Laura , Söderholm Stefan , Kuusniemi Heidi
Published: December 2017

Vulnerability of satellite-based navigation signals to intentional and unintentional interference calls for a high-level overview of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) threats occurring globally to understand the magnitude and evolution of the problem. Therefore, a mechanism needs to be developed whereby disparate monitoring systems will be capable of contributing to a common entity of basic information about the threat scenarios they experience. This paper begins with a literature survey of 37 state-of-the-art GNSS threat monitoring systems, which have been analysed based on their respective operational features - constellations monitored and whether they possess the capability to perform interference-type classification, spoofing detection, and interference localisation. Also described is a comparative analysis of four GNSS threat reporting formats in use today. Based on these studies, the paper describes the Horizon2020 Standardisation of GNSS Threat Reporting and Receiver Testing through International Knowledge Exchange, Experimentation and Exploitation (STRIKE3) proposed integrated threat monitoring demonstration system and related standardised threat reporting message, to enable a high-level overview of the prevailing international GNSS threat scenarios and its evolution over time.
The body remembers: Adolescent conflict struggles predict adult interleukin-6 levels
Authors: Allen Joseph P. , Loeb Emily L. , Tan Joseph S. , Narr Rachel K. , Uchino Bert N.
Published: December 2017

Struggles managing conflict and hostility in adolescent social relationships were examined as long-term predictors of immune-mediated inflammation in adulthood that has been linked to long-term health outcomes. Circulating levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a marker of immune system dysfunction when chronically elevated, were assessed at age 28 in a community sample of 127 individuals followed via multiple methods and reporters from ages 13 to 28. Adult serum IL-6 levels were predicted across periods as long as 15 years by adolescents’ inability to defuse peer aggression and poor peer-rated conflict resolution skills, and by independently observed romantic partner hostility in late adolescence. Adult relationship difficulties also predicted higher IL-6 levels but did not mediate predictions from adolescent-era conflict struggles. Predictions were also not mediated by adult trait hostility or aggressive behavior, suggesting the unique role of struggles with conflict and hostility from others during adolescence. The implications for understanding the import of adolescent peer relationships for life span physical health outcomes are considered.
Nocturnal bird migration at Besh Barmag bottleneck in Azerbaijan as revealed by means of acoustic monitoring
Authors: HEISS MICHAEL
Published: December 2017

Bird migration studies are sparse in the Caucasus region, but have received more interest in recent years. To date, these studies have focused on diurnal migration and no information about nocturnal bird migration is available from this region. Therefore, nocturnal bird migration in the Besh Barmag bottleneck (Azerbaijan) was acoustically analysed on the basis of 1,464 h 44 min of sound recordings cost-efficiently obtained with an autonomously operating recorder and an omnidirectional microphone between sunset and sunrise on 63 nights in autumn 2011 and 67 nights in spring 2012. In total, 88,455 calls of 106 migrating species were detected. Of these, 2,172 calls could not be identified due to recording deficiencies or imperfect familiarity with some of the vocalisations and may involve as many as 20 species. The calls and songs of another 13 non-migratory species were not counted. Due to organisational or technical constraints some nights in the study periods could not be analysed and so the ensuing data gaps were repaired by interpolation, resulting in an estimated total of 108,986 calls in autumn 2011 and 33,348 calls in spring 2012. In both seasons the most vocally productive and species-rich phase was civil morning twilight, containing as it does the onset of diurnal migration. In autumn 2011, 54.7% of the recorded calls occurred in civil evening and morning twilight and 68.8% in spring 2012. But species and call numbers were also high in the darkest twilight and night phases. The interpretation of the data is, however, partly conjectural and any future access to truly reliable information on migration densities is conceivable only through radar studies.
Is Paid Surrogacy a Form of Reproductive Prostitution? A Kantian Perspective
Authors: PATRONE TATIANA
Published: December 2017

This article reexamines the “prostitution objection” to paid surrogacy, and argues that rebuttals to this objection fail to focus on surrogates as embodied persons. This failure is based on the false distinction between “selling one’s reproductive services” and “selling one’s body.” To ground the analysis of humans as embodied persons, this article uses Kant’s late ethical theory, which develops the conceptual framework for understanding human beings as embodied selves. Literature on surrogacy commonly emphasizes that all Kantian duties heed to the categorical prohibition to treat persons as mere means. What this literature leaves out is that this imperative commands us more specifically to engage ourselves and others as embodied persons. This article aims to relate this point to a specific issue in assisted reproduction. It argues that a Kantian account of human beings as embodied persons prohibits paid surrogacy on exactly the same grounds as it prohibits prostitution.