bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustained participation in annual continuous quality improvement activities improves quality of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
Authors: McAullay Daniel , McAuley Kimberley , Bailie Ross , Mathews Veronica , Jacoby Peter , Gardner Karen , Sibthorpe Beverly , Strobel Natalie , Edmond Karen
Published: August 2017

Aim

To determine whether participation in the continuous quality improvement (CQI) Audit and Best Practice for Chronic Disease programme improved care and outcomes for Indigenous children.

Methods

Data were collected from 59 Australian primary health‐care centres providing services to Indigenous people and participating in the programme (February 2008 and December 2013). Indigenous children aged less than 2 years and centres that completed three or more consecutive annual audits within the 6‐year study period were included. Crude and adjusted logistic generalised estimating equation models were used to examine the effect of year of audit on the delivery of care. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Outcomes were related to age‐relevant health issues, including prevention and early intervention. These included administrative, health check, anticipatory guidance and specific health issues.

Results

During the audit period, there were 2360 files from 59 centres. Those that had a recall recorded, improved from 84 to 95% (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.44–4.11). Hearing assessments improved from 52 to 89% (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.22–1.54). Improvement in anticipatory guidance, treatment and follow‐up of medical conditions was almost universal.

Conclusion

We documented significant improvements in quality of care of Indigenous children. Outcomes and their corresponding treatment and follow‐ups improved over time. This appears to be related to services participating in annual CQI activities. However, these services may be more committed to CQI than others and therefore possibly better performing.
The role of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), and farmer practices in the spread of cassava brown streak ipomoviruses
Authors: Maruthi Midatharahally N. , Jeremiah Simon C. , Mohammed Ibrahim U. , Legg James P.
Published: August 2017

Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is arguably the most dangerous current threat to cassava, which is Africa's most important food security crop. CBSD is caused by two RNA viruses: Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV). The roles of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and farmer practices in the spread of CBSD were investigated in a set of field and laboratory experiments. The virus was acquired and transmitted by B. tabaci within a short time (5–10 min each for virus acquisition and inoculation), and was retained for up to 48 hr. Highest virus transmission (60%) was achieved using 20–25 suspected viruliferous whiteflies per plant that were given acquisition and inoculation periods of 24 and 48 hr, respectively. Experiments mimicking the agronomic practices of cassava leaf picking or the use of contaminated tools for making cassava stem cuttings did not show the transmission of CBSV or UCBSV. Screenhouse and field experiments in Tanzania showed that the spread of CBSD next to spreader rows was high, and that the rate of spread decreased with increasing distance from the source of inoculum. The disease spread in the field up to a maximum of 17 m in a cropping season. These results collectively confirm that CBSV and UCBSV are transmitted by B. tabaci semipersistently, but for only short distances in the field. This implies that spread over longer distances is due to movements of infected stem cuttings used for planting material. These findings have important implications for developing appropriate management strategies for CBSD.
Efficacy of virus elimination from apple by thermotherapy coupled with in vivo shoot‐tip grafting and in vitro meristem culture
Authors: Hu Guo‐jun , Dong Ya‐feng , Zhang Zun‐ping , Fan Xu‐dong , Ren Fang , Li Zheng‐nan
Published: August 2017

Ten varieties of potted apple were subjected to thermotherapy coupled with in vitro meristem culture and in vivo shoot‐tip grafting. Using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction assays prior to treatment, all treated apple varieties were infected by more than two viruses, and nine of ten varieties were infected by Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) and Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV). After treatment, the survivals of the two methods were more different. Total survival rates of the seven apple varieties (YF9, XYF3, X2001, GL, HF, A123 and ZZ5) treated by thermotherapy coupled with in vitro meristem culture were 25.9% (14/54). The survival rate of YF9, XYF3, X2001, GL, YF6, JJ and XNH treated by thermotherapy coupled with in vivo shoot‐tip grafting was from 33.3% to 75.0%, and the average rate (63.0%, 34/54) was twice than that of meristem culture. The virus‐free apple plants were acquired only from in vitro variety HF and A123, and the elimination rate of A123 was highest, up to 71.4% (5/7). Fourteen apple survival grafting plants from five varieties (YF9, XYF3, X2001, YF6 and XNH) were detected virus‐free. The average elimination rate of the meristem culture and shoot‐tip grafting was very close, 42.9% (6/14) and 41.2% (14/34), respectively.
Religion, Altruism, and Helping Strangers: A Multilevel Analysis of 126 Countries
Authors: Bennett Matthew R. , Einolf Christopher J.
Published: August 2017

This article tests how religion relates to helping strangers, an important but rarely studied measure of social solidarity and informal social capital. It uses the Gallup World Poll, a survey with nationally representative samples of 179,961 respondents from 126 countries. It finds that religious people, members of minority religions, and people in religiously diverse countries were more likely to help a stranger. Individuals living in devout countries were more likely to help strangers even if they themselves were not religious. The results suggest that religion plays a particularly important role in promoting the prosocial norms and values that motivate helping strangers.
Invertebrate population genetics across Earth's largest habitat: The deep‐sea floor
Authors: Taylor M. L. , Roterman C. N.
Published: August 2017

Despite the deep sea being the largest habitat on Earth, there are just 77 population genetic studies of invertebrates (115 species) inhabiting non‐chemosynthetic ecosystems on the deep‐sea floor (below 200 m depth). We review and synthesize the results of these papers. Studies reveal levels of genetic diversity comparable to shallow‐water species. Generally, populations at similar depths were well connected over 100s–1,000s km, but studies that sampled across depth ranges reveal population structure at much smaller scales (100s–1,000s m) consistent with isolation by adaptation across environmental gradients, or the existence of physical barriers to connectivity with depth. Few studies were ocean‐wide (under 4%), and 48% were Atlantic‐focused. There is strong emphasis on megafauna and commercial species with research into meiofauna, “ecosystem engineers” and other ecologically important species lacking. Only nine papers account for ~50% of the planet's surface (depths below 3,500 m). Just two species were studied below 5,000 m, a quarter of Earth's seafloor. Most studies used single‐locus mitochondrial genes revealing a common pattern of non‐neutrality, consistent with demographic instability or selective sweeps; similar to deep‐sea hydrothermal vent fauna. The absence of a clear difference between vent and non‐vent could signify that demographic instability is common in the deep sea, or that selective sweeps render single‐locus mitochondrial studies demographically uninformative. The number of population genetics studies to date is miniscule in relation to the size of the deep sea. The paucity of studies constrains meta‐analyses where broad inferences about deep‐sea ecology could be made.
Thirlwall's law and the specification of export and import functions
Authors: Romero João P. , McCombie John S. L.
Published: August 2017

The contribution of this paper is threefold. First, it proposes general specifications for export and import functions that encompass the contributions of both Kaldorian and Schumpeterian literatures on the determinants of trade performance. Second, the paper provides evidence of the impact of nonprice competitiveness, measured by the growth of relative economic efficiency on export and import growth in different technological sectors. Third, it shows that the magnitude of income elasticities of demand is partially determined by relative economic efficiency.
The Pitt Bacteremia Score, Charlson Comorbidity Index and Chronic Disease Score are useful tools for the prediction of mortality in patients with Candida bloodstream infection
Authors: Vaquero‐Herrero María Paz , Ragozzino Silvio , Castaño‐Romero Fabián , Siller‐Ruiz María , Sánchez González Rebeca , García‐Sánchez José Elías , García‐García Inmaculada , Marcos Miguel , Ternavasio‐de la Vega Hugo Guillermo
Published: August 2017

Candida bloodstream infection (CBI) is associated with high mortality. The aim of this study was to compare the utility of the combined use of the Pitt Bacteremia Score (PBS) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) or Chronic Disease Score (CDS) to predict mortality among patients with CBI. Thereby, all consecutive patients with CBI at our institution between 2010 and 2014 were included. The PBS was used to evaluate CBI severity and the CCI and CDS were used to assess comorbidities of patients with CBI. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios for 30‐day mortality in models including the PBS and CCI or CDS. A total of 189 CBI episodes were identified. Logistic regression models including the PBS and either CCI or CDS showed that the combined use of a comorbidity score and a severity score significantly predicted 30‐day mortality. The performance of the different models was similar. Aggregated scores of comorbidity (CCI and CDS) and disease severity (PBS) are useful for the prediction of 30‐day mortality risk in patients with CBI. Their use may facilitate the analysis of risk factors for poorer outcome and the development of an index for CBI mortality.
Genetic structure of putative heterotic populations of alfalfa
Authors: Annicchiarico Paolo , Wei Yanling , Brummer Edward Charles
Published: August 2017

Semi‐hybrids between genetically distant alfalfa (Medicago sativa subsp. sativa) populations may display heterosis whose extent is affected by the structure of genetic diversity across populations. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity across three putative heterotic populations, one Italian, one Egyptian and one of semi‐erect germplasm from Eastern Europe, Canada and Spanish Mielga (EECM population). Each population was bred from ten parents after various selection cycles. Fifteen genotypes per population were characterized by 20 polymorphic SSR markers. The among‐population variance was over eightfold smaller than the average within‐population variance (2.05 vs. 17.24) and accounted for 10.6% of the total variation. G’ST = .090 across markers indicated modest population differentiation. Various diversity measures, multidimensional scaling, and cluster analysis of the genetic structure indicated that the Italian population was more distant from the EECM population than the Egyptian one. The EECM and Egyptian populations were the most distant geographically and genetically. EECM displayed widest intrapopulation variation, accordingly to its constitutive geographical diversity. In conclusion, this study indicates modest genetic differentiation between alfalfa populations even for geographically distant germplasm.
Scabies in babies
Authors: Hill Taryn A. , Cohen Bernard
Published: August 2017

The clinical manifestations of scabies infestation vary according to age, making the diagnosis challenging, particularly for primary care providers and dermatologists who do not routinely care for young children. We present seven cases of newborns and infants who developed inflammatory burrows and nodules early in the course, which is not typical of the eruption seen in older children and adults. We review the cutaneous features, differential diagnosis, and treatment recommendations for scabies in different age groups.
Comparing Climate Change Policy Adoption and Its Extension across Areas of City Policymaking
Authors: Kalafatis Scott E.
Published: August 2017

Public policies increasingly address complex problems such as climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation that require forging connections across existing areas of policy activity. Despite the emerging prominence of these types of policymaking challenges, more research is needed to understand policy responses to them. In this paper, I use survey responses from 287 cities and a hurdle model to comparatively examine the factors that underlie the adoption of climate change mitigation and adaptation as issues influencing city policymaking and their extension across areas of city policymaking. I find evidence that while social change, crisis, and conditions supporting nascent coalitions were associated with adoption, extension across areas of policymaking was associated with the city?s prevailing political economy as well as the resources for expanding communities of interest. In the process, I offer empirical evidence for existing similarities and differences in cities? considerations about climate change mitigation and adaptation; particularly that the number of policymaking areas influenced by mitigation was associated with financial factors while the number influenced by adaptation was associated with socioeconomic ones.
Going native, going local: revegetating eroded soils on the Falkland Islands using native seeds and farmland waste
Authors: Smith Stuart W. , Ross Katherine , Karlsson Susanna , Bond Brian , Upson Rebecca , Davey Alexandra
Published: August 2017

Remote island ecosystems are vulnerable to human disturbance and habitat destruction, yet they often have limited capacity to revegetate degraded habitats, especially with native species. To revegetate degraded island habitats, practitioners often rely on importing non‐native species, thereby increasing the number of introduced species on islands. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of sowing wild collected native seeds and locally sourced treatments for revegetating different eroded soil types (clay, peat, and sand) across the Falkland Islands. A seed mixture of 15 native species was sown with different supportive treatments (sheep dung, sheep dags [woolly off‐cuts], and geotextile matting [coir]) and their combinations. After 1 year, native seeds provided up to 70% plant cover and accrued 1.98 kg/m2 in biomass. Three key native species Elymus magellanicus, Poa flabellata, and Poa alopecurus occurred in 64, 50, and 50% of all sown plots. However, supportive treatments equally facilitated the colonization and establishment of non‐native species. At the same time, there was no difference in native plant cover and biomass across different treatments or soil types, although in the absence of supportive treatments there was little to no revegetation. Thus, locally sourced treatments (i.e. sheep dung and dags) may provide an equally effective but low‐cost alternative to imported treatments (i.e. geotextiles). We further discuss challenges of integrating revegetation using native seeds and livestock grazing on the Falkland Islands. Our study demonstrates that native species and local treatments can provide a rapid approach to revegetating degraded island habitats.
Trouble articulating the right words: Evidence for a response‐exclusion account of distraction during semantic fluency
Authors: Marsh John E. , Crawford Jessica C. , Pilgrim Lea K. , Sörqvist Patrik , Hughes Robert W.
Published: August 2017

It is widely held that single‐word lexical access is a competitive process, a view based largely on the observation that naming a picture is slowed in the presence of a distractor‐word. However, problematic for this view is that a low‐frequency distractor‐word slows the naming of a picture more than does a high‐frequency word. This supports an alternative, response‐exclusion, account in which a distractor‐word interferes because it must be excluded from an articulatory output buffer before the right word can be articulated (the picture name): A high, compared to low, frequency word accesses the buffer more quickly and, as such, can also be excluded more quickly. Here we studied the respective roles of competition and response‐exclusion for the first time in the context of semantic verbal fluency, a setting requiring the accessing of, and production of, multiple words from long‐term memory in response to a single semantic cue. We show that disruption to semantic fluency by a sequence of to‐be‐ignored spoken distractors is also greater when those distractors are low in frequency, thereby extending the explanatory compass of the response‐exclusion account to a multiple‐word production setting and casting further doubt on the lexical‐selection‐by‐competition view. The results can be understood as reflecting the contribution of speech output processes to semantic fluency.
Remark on theEPPin Labeling Theory: Evidence from Romance
Authors: Gallego Ángel J.
Published: August 2017

This paper puts forward an account of the Extended Projection Principle (EPP) based on Chomsky's (2013, 2015) Labeling Theory. Departing from Chomsky's (2015) proposal, which adopts “feature strength” (Chomsky 1993, 1995), it is suggested that the need for Spec,TPto be occupied by aDPcan be attributed to labeling reasons, under the assumption that T is a copy of C (these heads being “bundled” in the lexicon of languages of the English type). Given that copies are inert for computational operations (Chomsky 2000, 2001), it follows that they fail to label (Chomsky 2013), which in turn makes it mandatory for Spec,TPto be filled. This article explores the consequences of this proposal for null‐subject languages, in which C and T are regarded as independent lexical items.
Facilitating donor compliance with strategies to prevent vasovagal reactions: comparison of web‐based and in‐center approaches
Authors: Thijsen Amanda , Fisher Jenny , Gemelli Carley N. , Bell Barbara , Davison Tanya E. , Masser Barbara M.
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND

Research has documented beneficial effects of water loading (WL) and applied muscle tension (AMT) on reducing self‐reported vasovagal reactions (VVRs) in whole blood (WB) donors. However, the optimal approach to reducing VVRs using these strategies in routine blood collection practice is not known. This study evaluated the effectiveness of embedding newly developed web‐based and on‐site donor education materials to increase the use of these two prevention techniques during blood collection.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Two studies were conducted with WB donors. In Study 1, donors (n = 375) were randomly allocated to evaluate one of three forms of educational materials (video, webpage, card) in an online questionnaire. In Study 2, donors (n = 598) were randomly assigned to view either off‐site web‐based or in‐center educational materials and were surveyed after donation to assess compliance to the VVR prevention procedure and to self‐report VVR.

RESULTS

In Study 1, donors rated the video as having the highest message appeal and indicated greater likelihood to use AMT compared to the webpage and card. No differences were found in likelihood to use WL. In contrast, in Study 2, greater adherence to VVR prevention strategies was observed in donors who received the in‐center instruction card in comparison to those who received the web‐based materials. Examination of viewing data indicated that only a small number of donors had seen the web‐based materials. No significant effects of the techniques were found on self‐reported VVRs.

CONCLUSION

Providing on‐site instructions is the most effective method to increase donor compliance to VVR prevention techniques.
A novel homozygous frameshift mutation in Exon 7 of the ADAMTS13 gene in a patient with congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura from India: a case report
Authors: Yadav Sneha , Shetty Shrimati , Kulkarni Bipin
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND

Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP) is a rare and life‐threatening thrombotic microangiopathy characterized by thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. It is caused by deficiency of ADAMTS13 metalloprotease, which cleaves ultra‐large von Willebrand factor into smaller functional units. TTP may be congenital or acquired, and the congenital form is caused by inherited mutations in the ADAMTS13 gene, leading to deficiency of protein or reduced protein activity.

CASE REPORT

We report a 5‐year‐old male patient who manifested with thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia at the age of 1 year.

CONCLUSION

ADAMTS13 activity in the patient was below 5%, and ADAMTS13 antibody was absent. Subsequent genetic analysis of the ADAMTS13 gene revealed a novel homozygous mutation (i.e., frameshift insertion mutation A237GfsX153 [c.708_709insG] in Exon 7 of ADAMTS13). Both parents were heterozygous for this mutation.
Generalized papillomatosis in three horses associated with a novel equine papillomavirus (EcPV8)
Authors: Linder Keith E. , Bizikova Petra , Luff Jennifer , Zhou Dan , Yuan Hang , Breuhaus Babetta , Nelson Elizabeth , Mackay Robert
Published: August 2017

Background

Currently, seven equine papillomaviruses (PV) are known and are associated with one of three different and distinct clinical presentations.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To report the clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings in horses with generalized papillomatosis associated with a novel equine PV, Equus caballus papillomavirus 8 (EcPV8).

Animals

Three client‐owned quarter horses.

Methods

Case report, retrospective.

Results

Dozens to thousands of papillomas involved the axilla, inguinal area and proximal limbs as well as the ventral and lateral neck, thorax and abdomen. Lesions were sometimes confluent in ventral areas. Fewer lesions were on the face, ears, distal limbs and genitalia. Plaque‐type papillomas were small, 0.5 to 1.5 cm in diameter and hyperkeratotic. Histologically, plaque‐type papillomas prominently involved follicular infundibula. Immunohistochemical findings demonstrated PV antigen in superficial keratinocyte nuclei. PCR using degenerate primers for the PV L1 gene and sequencing of amplicons revealed PV DNA sequences that were 98% identical for all three cases, but shared <70% identity to other PVs. Horses were otherwise healthy; serum immunoglobulin levels and peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotyping did not identify a known immunodeficiency syndrome. Lesions nearly completely resolved after 1.5 years in one horse and persisted for two years in another, despite intralesional human IFN‐alpha treatment. The oldest horse was lost to follow‐up.

Conclusion and clinical importance

A novel equine papillomavirus (EcPV8) is associated with a distinct, plaque‐type, generalized papillomatosis. Papillomas persisted for months to years, with or without treatment.
Co‐ordination of the upper and lower limbs for vestibular control of balance
Authors: Smith Craig P. , Allsop Jonathan E. , Mistry Michael , Reynolds Raymond F.
Published: August 2017

Key points

When standing and holding an earth‐fixed object, galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) can evoke upper limb responses to maintain balance.

In the present study, we determined how these responses are affected by grip context (no contact, light grip and firm grip), as well as how they are co‐ordinated with the lower limbs to maintain balance.

When GVS was applied during firm grip, hand and ground reaction forces were generated.

The directions of these force vectors were co‐ordinated such that the overall body sway response was always aligned with the inter‐aural axis (i.e. craniocentric).

When GVS was applied during light grip (< 1 N), hand forces were secondary to body movement, suggesting that the arm performed a mostly passive role.

These results demonstrate that a minimum level of grip is required before the upper limb becomes active in balance control and also that the upper and lower limbs co‐ordinate for an appropriate whole‐body sway response.

Vestibular stimulation can evoke responses in the arm when it is used for balance. In the present study, we determined how these responses are affected by grip context, as well as how they are co‐ordinated with the rest of the body. Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) was used to evoke balance responses under three conditions of manual contact with an earth‐fixed object: no contact, light grip (< 1 N) (LG) and firm grip (FG). As grip progressed along this continuum, we observed an increase in GVS‐evoked hand force, with a simultaneous reduction in ground reaction force (GRF) through the feet. During LG, hand force was secondary to the GVS‐evoked body sway response, indicating that the arm performed a mostly passive role. By contrast, during FG, the arm became actively involved in driving body sway, as revealed by an early force impulse in the opposite direction to that seen in LG. We then examined how the direction of this active hand vector was co‐ordinated with the lower limbs. Consistent with previous findings on sway anisotropy, FG skewed the direction of the GVS‐evoked GRF vector towards the axis of baseline postural instability. However, this was effectively cancelled by the hand force vector, such that the whole‐body sway response remained aligned with the inter‐aural axis, maintaining the craniocentric principle. These results show that a minimum level of grip is necessary before the upper limb plays an active role in vestibular‐evoked balance responses. Furthermore, they demonstrate that upper and lower‐limb forces are co‐ordinated to produce an appropriate whole‐body sway response.
Inducible satellite cell depletion attenuates skeletal muscle regrowth following a scald‐burn injury
Authors: Finnerty Celeste C. , McKenna Colleen F. , Cambias Lauren A. , Brightwell Camille R. , Prasai Anesh , Wang Ye , El Ayadi Amina , Herndon David N. , Suman Oscar E. , Fry Christopher S.
Published: August 2017

Key points

Severe burns result in significant skeletal muscle cachexia that impedes recovery.

Activity of satellite cells, skeletal muscle stem cells, is altered following a burn injury and likely hinders regrowth of muscle.

Severe burn injury induces satellite cell proliferation and fusion into myofibres with greater activity in muscles proximal to the injury site.

Conditional depletion of satellite cells attenuates recovery of myofibre area and volume following a scald burn injury in mice.

Skeletal muscle regrowth following a burn injury requires satellite cell activity, underscoring the therapeutic potential of satellite cells in the prevention of prolonged frailty in burn survivors.

Severe burns result in profound skeletal muscle atrophy; persistent muscle atrophy and weakness are major complications that hamper recovery from burn injury. Many factors contribute to the erosion of muscle mass following burn trauma, and we have previously shown concurrent activation and apoptosis of muscle satellite cells following a burn injury in paediatric patients. To determine the necessity of satellite cells during muscle recovery following a burn injury, we utilized a genetically modified mouse model (Pax7CreER‐DTA) that allows for the conditional depletion of satellite cells in skeletal muscle. Additionally, mice were provided 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine to determine satellite cell proliferation, activation and fusion. Juvenile satellite cell‐wild‐type (SC‐WT) and satellite cell‐depleted (SC‐Dep) mice (8 weeks of age) were randomized to sham or burn injury consisting of a dorsal scald burn injury covering 30% of total body surface area. Both hindlimb and dorsal muscles were studied at 7, 14 and 21 days post‐burn. SC‐Dep mice had >93% depletion of satellite cells compared to SC‐WT (P < 0.05). Burn injury induced robust atrophy in muscles located both proximal and distal to the injury site (∼30% decrease in fibre cross‐sectional area, P < 0.05). Additionally, burn injury induced skeletal muscle regeneration, satellite cell proliferation and fusion. Depletion of satellite cells impaired post‐burn recovery of both muscle fibre cross‐sectional area and volume (P < 0.05). These findings support an integral role for satellite cells in the aetiology of lean tissue recovery following a severe burn injury.
Molecular composition and heterogeneity of the LRRC8‐containing swelling‐activated osmolyte channels in primary rat astrocytes
Authors: Schober Alexandra L. , Wilson Corinne S. , Mongin Alexander A.
Published: August 2017

Key points

The volume‐regulated anion channel (VRAC) is a swelling‐activated chloride channel that is permeable to inorganic anions and a variety of small organic molecules.

VRAC is formed via heteromerization of LRRC8 proteins, among which LRRC8A is essential, while LRRC8B/C/D/E serve as exchangeable complementary partners.

We used an RNAi approach and radiotracer assays to explore which LRRC8 isoforms contribute to swelling‐activated release of diverse organic osmolytes in rat astrocytes.

Efflux of uncharged osmolytes (myo‐inositol and taurine) was suppressed by deletion of LRRC8A or LRRC8D, but not by deletion of LRRC8C+LRRC8E.

Conversely, release of charged osmolytes (d‐aspartate) was strongly reduced by deletion of LRRC8A or LRRC8C+LRRC8E, but largely unaffected by downregulation of LRRC8D.

Our findings point to the existence of multiple heteromeric VRACs in the same cell type: LRRC8A/D‐containing heteromers appear to dominate release of uncharged osmolytes, while LRRC8A/C/E, with the additional contribution of LRRC8D, creates a conduit for movement of charged molecules.

The volume‐regulated anion channel (VRAC) is the ubiquitously expressed vertebrate Cl−/anion channel that is composed of proteins belonging to the LRRC8 family and activated by cell swelling. In the brain, VRAC contributes to physiological and pathological release of a variety of small organic molecules, including the amino acid neurotransmitters glutamate, aspartate and taurine. In the present work, we explored the role of all five LRRC8 family members in the release of organic osmolytes from primary rat astrocytes. Expression of LRRC8 proteins was modified using an RNAi approach, and amino acid fluxes via VRAC were quantified by radiotracer assays in cells challenged with hypoosmotic medium (30% reduction in osmolarity). Consistent with our prior work, knockdown of LRRC8A potently and equally suppressed the release of radiolabelledd‐[14C]aspartate and [3H]taurine. Among other LRRC8 subunits, downregulation of LRRC8D strongly inhibited release of the uncharged osmolytes [3H]taurine andmyo‐[3H]inositol, without major impact on the simultaneously measured efflux of the chargedd‐[14C]aspartate. In contrast, the release ofd‐[14C]aspartate was preferentially sensitive to deletion of LRRC8C+LRRC8E, but unaffected by downregulation of LRRC8D. Finally, siRNA knockdown of LRRC8C+LRRC8D strongly inhibited the release of all osmolytes. Overall, our findings suggest the existence of at least two distinct heteromeric VRACs in astroglial cells. The LRRC8A/D‐containing permeability pathway appears to dominate the release of uncharged osmolytes, while an alternative channel (or channels) is composed of LRRC8A/C/D/E and responsible for the loss of charged molecules.
Fast and Precise Glass Handling Using Visual Servo With Unscented Kalman Filter Dual Estimation
Authors: Yu Xiaowen , Baker Thomas , Zhao Yu , Tomizuka Masayoshi
Published: August 2017

In the protective glass manufacturing industry for cell phones, placing glass pieces into the slots of the grinder requires submillimeter accuracy which only can be achieved by human workers, leading to a bottle neck in the production line. To address such issue, industrial robot equipped with vision sensors is proposed to support human workers. The high placing performance is achieved by a two step approach. In the first step, an eye-to-hand camera is installed to detect the glass piece and slot with robust vision, which can put the glass piece close to the slot and ensures a primary precision. In the second step, a closed-loop controller based on visual servo is adopted to guide the glass piece into the slot with dual eye-in-hand cameras. However, vision sensor suffers from a very low frame rate and slow image processing speed resulting in a very slow placing performance. In addition, the placing performance is substantially limited by the system parameter uncertainty. To compensate for these limitations, a dual-rate unscented Kalman filter (UKF) with dual-estimation is adopted for sensor data filtering and online parameter identification without requiring any linear parameterization of the model. Experimental results are presented to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
An Open Source Framework for Integrated Additive Manufacturing and Level-Set-Based Topology Optimization
Authors: Vogiatzis Panagiotis , Chen Shikui , Zhou Chi
Published: August 2017

Topology optimization has been considered as a promising tool for conceptual design due to its capability of generating innovative design candidates without depending on the designer's intuition and experience. Various optimization methods have been developed through the years, and one of the promising options is the level-set-based topology optimization method. The benefit of this alternative method is that the design is characterized by its clear boundaries. This advantage can avoid postprocessing work in conventional topology optimization process to a large extent and realize direct integration between topology optimization and additive manufacturing (AM). In this paper, practical algorithms and a matlab-based open source framework are developed to seamlessly integrate the level-set-based topology optimization procedure with AM process by converting the design to STereoLithography (STL) files, which is the de facto standard format for three-dimensional (3D) printing. The proposed algorithm and code are evaluated by a proof-of-concept demonstration with 3D printing of both single and multimaterial topology optimization results. The algorithm and the open source framework proposed in this paper will be beneficial to the areas of computational design and AM.
Moving-Horizon Modulating Functions-Based Algorithm for Online Source Estimation in a First-Order Hyperbolic Partial Differential Equation
Authors: Asiri Sharefa , Elmetennani Shahrazed , Laleg-Kirati Taous-Meriem
Published: August 2017

In this paper, an online estimation algorithm of the source term in a first-order hyperbolic partial differential equation (PDE) is proposed. This equation describes heat transport dynamics in concentrated solar collectors where the source term represents the received energy. This energy depends on the solar irradiance intensity and the collector characteristics affected by the environmental changes. Control strategies are usually used to enhance the efficiency of heat production; however, these strategies often depend on the source term which is highly affected by the external working conditions. Hence, efficient source estimation methods are required. The proposed algorithm is based on modulating functions method (MFM) where a moving-horizon strategy is introduced. Numerical results are provided to illustrate the performance of the proposed estimator in open-and closed-loops.
Equalizing Aerodynamic Blade Loads Through Individual Pitch Control Via Multiblade Multilag Transformation
Authors: Cacciola Stefano , Riboldi Carlo E.D.
Published: August 2017

Control algorithms for rotor load mitigation are today generally adopted by industry. Most of them are based on the Coleman transformation, which is easy to implement and bears satisfactory results when the rotor is balanced. A multitude of causes, e.g., blade erosion, dirt, and especially pitch misalignment, may create significant imbalances. This gives birth to undesirable vibrations and reduced control performance in terms of load mitigation. In this paper, an alternative transformation is introduced, able to detect and quantify the rotor load harmonics due to aerodynamic imbalance. Next, a control algorithm, capable of targeting rotor imbalance itself and simultaneously lowering rotor loads, is presented. The effectiveness of the proposed solution is confirmed through simulations in virtual environment.
Electrostatic conditions define the 2D self-assembly of tomato bushy stunt viruses on solid surfaces
Authors: Rink Veronika , Müller-Renno Christine , Ziegler Christiane , Braun Mario , Boonrod Kajohn , Krczal Gabriele
Published: August 2017

Plant viruses which are self-assembled on a substrate are interesting building blocks in nanobiotechnology, in particular, for the creation of 2D ordered structures. In this article, the self-assembly of different genetically modified types of the tomato bushy stunt virus spin-coated on pristine silicon was investigated by scanning force and scanning electron microscopy. Amino acid side chains were integrated in the capsids of the viruses by extending the coat protein with different charged amino acid clusters (tetra-aspartate-hexa-histidine, hexa-aspartate, or tetra-arginine-tags). The influence of the resulting electrostatic forces based on virus–virus and virus–surface interactions on the formation of self-assembled monolayers will be presented and discussed in the context of differences in surface coverage for different pH values. It could be shown that the largest surface coverage can be achieved when there is an attraction between the whole virus and the surface and only a minor repulsion between the viruses at a given pH.
Speech rate, rate-matching, and intelligibility in early-implanted cochlear implant users
Authors: Freeman Valerie , Pisoni David B.
Published: August 2017

An important speech-language outcome for deaf people with cochlear implants is speech intelligibility—how well their speech is understood by others, which also affects social functioning. Beyond simply uttering recognizable words, other speech-language skills may affect communicative competence, including rate-matching or converging toward interlocutors' speech rates. This initial report examines speech rate-matching and its relations to intelligibility in 91 prelingually deaf cochlear implant users and 93 typically hearing peers age 3 to 27 years. Live-voice spoken sentences were repeated and later transcribed by multiple hearing listeners. Speech intelligibility was calculated as proportions of words correctly transcribed. For speech rate-matching measures, speech rates (syllables/s) were normalized as percentages faster or slower than examiners' speech rates. Cochlear implant users had slower speech rates, less accurate and less consistent rate-matching, and poorer speech intelligibility than hearing peers. Among cochlear implant users, speech rate and rate-matching were correlated with intelligibility: faster talkers and better rate-matchers were more intelligible. Rate-matching and intelligibility improved during preschool, with cochlear implant users delayed by about a year compared to hearing peers. By school-age, rate-matching and intelligibility were good overall, but delays persisted for many cochlear implant users. Interventions targeting rate-matching skills are therefore warranted in speech-language therapy for this population.
Niche-derived laminin-511 promotes midbrain dopaminergic neuron survival and differentiation through YAP
Authors: Zhang Dawei , Yang Shanzheng , Toledo Enrique M. , Gyllborg Daniel , Saltó Carmen , Carlos Villaescusa J. , Arenas Ernest
Published: August 2017

Activation of the transcription factor YAP by an extracellular laminin promotes the differentiation and survival of dopaminergic neurons.
Papers of note in
Science Translational Medicine
9
(403)
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: August 2017

This week’s articles describe ways to treat neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases.
Prevalence of Slow-Growth Vancomycin Nonsusceptibility in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Katayama Yuki , Azechi Takuya , Miyazaki Motoyasu , Takata Tohru , Sekine Miwa , Matsui Hidehito , Hanaki Hideaki , Yahara Koji , Sasano Hiroshi , Asakura Kota , Takaku Tomoiku , Ochiai Tomonori , Komatsu Norio , Chambers Henry F.
Published: August 2017

We previously reported a novel phenotype of vancomycin-intermediate
Staphylococcus aureus
(VISA), i.e., “slow VISA,” whose colonies appear only after 72 h of incubation. Slow-VISA strains can be difficult to detect because prolonged incubation is required and the phenotype is unstable. To develop a method for detection of slow-VISA isolates, we studied 23 slow-VISA isolates derived from the heterogeneous VISA (hVISA) clinical strain Mu3. We identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in various pathways which have been implicated in the stringent response, such as purine/pyrimidine synthesis, cell metabolism, and cell wall peptidoglycan synthesis. We found that mupirocin, which also induces the stringent response, caused stable expression of vancomycin resistance. On the basis of these results, we developed a method for detection of slow-VISA strains by use of 0.032 μg/ml mupirocin (Yuki Katayama, 7 March 2017, patent application PCT/JP2017/008975). Using this method, we detected 53 (15.6%) slow-VISA isolates among clinical methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) isolates. In contrast, the VISA phenotype was detected in fewer than 1% of isolates. Deep-sequencing analysis showed that slow-VISA clones are present in small numbers among hVISA isolates and proliferate in the presence of vancomycin. This slow-VISA subpopulation may account in part for the recurrence and persistence of MRSA infection.
Mixed Formulation of Conventional and Pegylated Meglumine Antimoniate-Containing Liposomes Reduces Inflammatory Process and Parasite Burden in Leishmania infantum-Infected BALB/c Mice
Authors: Reis Levi Eduardo Soares , Fortes de Brito Rory Cristiane , Cardoso Jamille Mirelle de Oliveira , Mathias Fernando Augusto Siqueira , Aguiar Soares Rodrigo Dian Oliveira , Carneiro Claudia Martins , de Abreu Vieira Paula Melo , Ramos Guilherme Santos , Frézard Frédéric Jean Georges , Roatt Bruno Mendes , Reis Alexandre Barbosa
Published: August 2017

Pentavalent antimonial has been the first choice treatment for visceral leishmaniasis; however, it has several side effects that leads to low adherence to treatment. Liposome-encapsulated meglumine antimoniate (MA) arises as an important strategy for chemotherapy enhancement. We evaluated the immunopathological changes using the mixture of conventional and pegylated liposomes with MA. The mice were infected with
Leishmania infantum
and a single-dose treatment regimen. Comparison was made with groups treated with saline, empty liposomes, free MA, and a liposomal formulation of MA (Lipo MA). Histopathological analyses demonstrated that animals treated with Lipo MA showed a significant decrease in the inflammatory process and the absence of granulomas. The
in vitro
stimulation of splenocytes showed a significant increase of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) produced by CD8
+
T cells and a decrease in interleukin-10 (IL-10) produced by CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells in the Lipo MA. Furthermore, the Lipo MA group showed an increase in the IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio in both CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cell subsets. According to the parasite load evaluation using quantitative PCR, the Lipo MA group showed no
L. infantum
DNA in the spleen (0.0%) and 41.4% in the liver. In addition, we detected a low positive correlation between parasitism and histopathology findings (inflammatory process and granuloma formation). Thus, our results confirmed that Lipo MA is a promising antileishmanial formulation able to reduce the inflammatory response and induce a type 1 immune response, accompanied by a significant reduction of the parasite burden into hepatic and splenic compartments in treated animals.
Antifungal Activity of SCY-078 and Standard Antifungal Agents against 178 Clinical Isolates of Resistant and Susceptible Candida Species
Authors: Schell Wiley A. , Jones A. M. , Borroto-Esoda Katyna , Alexander Barbara D.
Published: August 2017

SCY-078
in vitro
activity was determined for 178 isolates of resistant or susceptible
Candida albicans
,
Candida dubliniensis
,
Candida glabrata
,
Candida krusei
,
Candida lusitaniae
, and
Candida parapsilosis
, including 44
Candida
isolates with known genotypic (
FKS1
or
FKS2
mutations), phenotypic, or clinical resistance to echinocandins. Results were compared to those for anidulafungin, caspofungin, micafungin, fluconazole, and voriconazole. SCY-078 was shown to have excellent activity against both wild-type isolates and echinocandin- and azole-resistant isolates of
Candida
species.
Antibacterial Resistance in Ureaplasma Species and Mycoplasma hominis Isolates from Urine Cultures in College-Aged Females
Authors: Valentine-King Marissa A. , Brown Mary B.
Published: August 2017

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect nearly 20% of women age 15 to 29 and account for an estimated $3.5 billion in costs. Antibiotic resistance prolongs UTI treatment, and resistance profiles vary regionally. This regional variation is an important consideration in guiding empirical treatment selection. Regional studies in the United States have identified tetracycline resistance in over one-third of
Ureaplasma
species isolates, but no studies have evaluated antibiotic resistance levels in college-aged women with a first-time UTI. We tested a panel of antibiotics and determined the MICs of
Ureaplasma
species (60
U. parvum
and 13
U. urealyticum
) and 10
Mycoplasma hominis
isolates obtained from urine from college-aged women with a first-time UTI. Low antibiotic resistance was found in this population of women with a first-time UTI. All
M. hominis
and
U. urealyticum
isolates were sensitive. However, two
U. parvum
isolates were resistant, with one to levofloxacin (MIC, 4 μg/ml) and one to tetracycline (MIC, 8 μg/ml). For the
Ureaplasma
spp., the MIC
90
s were highest against gentamicin (21 μg/ml) and lowest against doxycycline (0.25 μg/ml). In a comparison of MIC levels between
Ureaplasma
spp.,
U. urealyticum
had significantly higher MICs against each antibiotic except doxycycline. For the resistant isolates, the genetic mechanisms of resistance were determined. PCR amplification identified
tetM
to be present in the tetracycline-resistant isolate and an S83W mutation within the
parC
gene of the quinolone-resistant isolate. To our knowledge, this study is the first to provide molecular and phenotypic evidence of the S83W
parC
mutation conferring levofloxacin resistance in
U. parvum
isolated from a patient in the United States.
Primary gastric Burkitt lymphoma: a rare cause of life-threatening haematemesis
Authors: Ayoub Fares , Forde Justin J , Patel Niraj , Markham Merry
Published: August 2017

Lymphomas are the second most common gastric malignancy following gastric adenocarcinoma. The majority of gastric lymphomas are either mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas or diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Primary gastric Burkitt lymphoma is a subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and represents an aggressive and rare malignancy with only a small number of cases reported worldwide. Clinical and radiological presentation is non-specific and mimics other gastric lymphomas. Diagnosis is established with pathological evaluation. Due to the paucity of cases, treatment of this condition is not well studied and is extrapolated from paediatric and adult literature of Burkitt lymphoma not isolated to the stomach. We present the case of a male patient with primary gastric Burkitt lymphoma who initially presented with life-threatening haematemesis, later achieving complete remission with treatment. We discuss the epidemiology, presentation and management of gastric Burkitt lymphoma.