bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and oral health‐related quality of life
Authors: Kabani Faizan , Lykens Kristine , Tak Hyo Jung
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Evidence indicates that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have destructive impacts on quality of life, health outcomes, and health‐care expenditures. Studies further demonstrate a dose–response relationship between the number of ACEs and risk for experiencing chronic illness, such as oral diseases later in life. Research is scarce on the prioritization of contextualized public health interventions addressing this important threat.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data from 2011 to 2012 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) provided a nationally representative sample of children in the United States, ages 1‐17 for dentate status (n = 61,530). The dependent variables identified untreated oral health‐care needs and preventive dental utilization. The key independent variables included exposure to parental death, parental divorce, parental incarceration, mental health illnesses, domestic violence, neighborhood violence, and racial discrimination. Exogenous variables included age, sex, race/ethnicity, number of children in household, socioeconomic status proxies, health insurance status, and special health needs. The data, when adjusted for complex survey design, proportionately represent children in the United States.

Results

Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regressions revealed varying magnitudes of significance across diverse racial and ethnic profiles. Exposures to parental divorce and parental death particularly exhibited critical magnitudes of influence, compared to all other ACEs.

Conclusions

In keeping with the Pareto Principle, exposure to certain ACEs, namely parental divorce and parental death, potentially introduces more profound social and health‐related consequences later in life. Therefore, contextualized interventions should prioritize public health efforts to address households burdened with exposure to parental divorce and/or parental death.
Longitudinal associations between dental caries increment and risk factors in late childhood and adolescence
Authors: Curtis Alexandra M. , VanBuren John , Cavanaugh Joseph E. , Warren John J. , Marshall Teresa A. , Levy Steven M.
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To assess longitudinal associations between permanent tooth caries increment and both modifiable and non‐modifiable risk factors, using best subsets model selection.

Methods

The Iowa Fluoride Study has followed a birth cohort with standardized caries exams without radiographs of the permanent dentition conducted at about ages 9, 13, and 17 years. Questionnaires were sent semi‐annually to assess fluoride exposures and intakes, select food and beverage intakes, and tooth brushing frequency. Exposure variables were averaged over ages 7‐9, 11‐13, and 15‐17, reflecting exposure 2 years prior to the caries exam. Longitudinal models were used to relate period‐specific averaged exposures and demographic variables to adjusted decayed and filled surface increments (ADJCI) (n = 392). The Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) was used to assess optimal explanatory variable combinations.

Results

From birth to age 9, 9‐13, and 13‐17 years, 24, 30, and 55 percent of subjects had positive permanent ADJCI, respectively. Ten models had AIC values within two units of the lowest AIC model and were deemed optimal based on AIC. Younger age, being male, higher mother's education, and higher brushing frequency were associated with lower caries increment in all 10 models, while milk intake was included in 3 of 10 models. Higher milk intakes were slightly associated with lower ADJCI.

Conclusions

With the exception of brushing frequency, modifiable risk factors under study were not significantly associated with ADJCI. When possible, researchers should consider presenting multiple models if fit criteria cannot discern among a group of optimal models.
Limy bile syndrome in a dog
Authors: Fabrès V. , Layssol‐Lamour C. , Meynaud‐Collard P. , Dossin O.
Published: May 2018

A 11‐year‐old spayed female golden retriever was examined because of lethargy, anorexia, vomiting and abdominal pain. Plain abdominal radiography showed a uniform radiopacity of the gallbladder. Ultrasonography demonstrated hyperechoic material in the gallbladder lumen associated with an acoustic shadow and findings consistent with acute pancreatitis. Fine‐needle aspiration of the bile revealed bacterial cholecystitis. Following cholecystectomy, it was apparent that the gallbladder was filled with a semi‐solid, pasty‐like greenish‐brown material composed of 80% calcium carbonate, consistent with a diagnosis of ‘limy bile’. After surgery and medical treatment, the dog's condition improved. Two months after discharge, the dog had fully recovered a good appetite and no relapse has been observed after 11 months of follow‐up. To our knowledge, this is the first report of limy bile syndrome in a dog.
BryForTrait – A life‐history trait database of forest bryophytes
Authors: Bernhardt‐Römermann Markus , Poschlod Peter , Hentschel Jörn
Published: May 2018

In ecological research, plant functional trait analyses are widely applied to understand to what extent the inter‐specific variation in trait attributes has an adaptive value or to predict ecosystem processes and changes. Compared to vascular plants, trait studies using bryophytes are scarce, which is likely due to missing trait information for bryophyte species. With the BryForTrait database, we want to reduce this deficit. Our database represents a compilation of autecological information and morphological and regenerative trait data on different stages of the life cycle of bryophytes occurring in forest ecosystems. The database contains information for 35 traits and 721 Central European bryophyte species; in total more than 23,000 trait values. The BryForTrait database will enable future trait studies, providing new insights into bryophyte‐dominated ecosystems.
Phoretic dispersal influences parasite population genetic structure
Authors: DiBlasi Emily , Johnson Kevin P. , Stringham Sydney A. , Hansen Angela N. , Beach Andrew B. , Clayton Dale H. , Bush Sarah E.
Published: May 2018

Dispersal is a fundamental component of the life history of most species. Dispersal influences fitness, population dynamics, gene flow, genetic drift and population genetic structure. Even small differences in dispersal can alter ecological interactions and trigger an evolutionary cascade. Linking such ecological processes with evolutionary patterns is difficult, but can be carried out in the proper comparative context. Here, we investigate how differences in phoretic dispersal influence the population genetic structure of two different parasites of the same host species. We focus on two species of host‐specific feather lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) that co‐occur on feral rock pigeons (Columba livia). Although these lice are ecologically very similar, “wing lice” (Columbicola columbae) disperse phoretically by “hitchhiking” on pigeon flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), while “body lice” (Campanulotes compar) do not. Differences in the phoretic dispersal of these species are thought to underlie observed differences in host specificity, as well as the degree of host–parasite cospeciation. These ecological and macroevolutionary patterns suggest that body lice should exhibit more genetic differentiation than wing lice. We tested this prediction among lice on individual birds and among lice on birds from three pigeon flocks. We found higher levels of genetic differentiation in body lice compared to wing lice at two spatial scales. Our results indicate that differences in phoretic dispersal can explain microevolutionary differences in population genetic structure and are consistent with macroevolutionary differences in the degree of host–parasite cospeciation.
Expression plasticity and evolutionary changes extensively shape the sugar‐mimic alkaloid adaptation of nondigestive glucosidase in lepidopteran mulberry‐specialist insects
Authors: Li Xiaotong , Shi Liangen , Dai Xiangping , Chen Yajie , Xie Hongqing , Feng Min , Chen Yuyin , Wang Huabing
Published: May 2018

During the co‐evolutionary arms race between plants and herbivores, insects evolved systematic adaptive plasticity to minimize the chemical defence effects of their host plants. Previous studies mainly focused on the expressional plasticity of enzymes in detoxification and digestion. However, the expressional response and adaptive evolution of other fundamental regulators against host phytochemicals are largely unknown. Glucosidase II (GII), which is composed of a catalytic GIIα subunit and a regulatory GIIβ subunit, is an evolutionarily conserved enzyme that regulates glycoprotein folding. In this study, we found that GIIα expression of the mulberry‐specialist insect was significantly induced by mulberry leaf extract, 1‐deoxynojirimycin (1‐DNJ), whereas GIIβ transcripts were not significantly changed. Moreover, positive selection was detected in GIIα when the mulberry‐specialist insects diverged from the lepidopteran order, whereas GIIβ was mainly subjected to purifying selection, thus indicating an asymmetrically selective pressure of GII subunits. In addition, positively selected sites were enriched in the GIIα of mulberry‐specialist insects and located around the 1‐DNJ‐binding sites and in the C‐terminal region, which could result in conformational changes that affect catalytic activity and substrate‐binding efficiency. These results show that expression plasticity and evolutionary changes extensively shape sugar‐mimic alkaloids adaptation of nondigestive glucosidase in lepidopteran mulberry‐specialist insects. Our study provides novel insights into a deep understanding of the sequestration and adaptation of phytophagous specialists to host defensive compounds.
Distribution, demography, and behavior of North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts, 1998–2013
Authors: Mayo Charles A. , Ganley Laura , Hudak Christine A. , Brault Solange , Marx Marilyn K. , Burke Erin , Brown Moira W.
Published: May 2018

The occurrence of North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in Cape Cod Bay was documented during aerial surveys between 1998 and 2013. The seasonal occurrence remained relatively unchanged during the study, spanning the January through mid‐May timeframe. The number of individual whales visiting the Bay was positively correlated with the increasing Best Cataloged Estimate (BCE), the number of photographed whales alive, with a maximum in 2011 of 56.9% (n = 277) of BCE. However, the rate of increase in number of individuals during the study was significantly greater than that of the BCE (difference in slope: 12.72; P <  0.01) suggesting that increased visitation to the Bay was due in part to a change in habitat preference. Although the demographic composition of whales observed during the study differed little from that of the cataloged whales, the proportion of calves born in the North Atlantic that were documented in the Bay increased significantly (P < 0.01). Models of random visitation demonstrated an individual preference for or rejection of the Bay by the right whales of the North Atlantic population.
Targeted therapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: the NRF2 signaling pathway as target
Authors: Ma Shaohua , Paiboonrungruan Chorlada , Yan Tiansheng , Williams Kevin P. , Major M. Ben , Chen Xiaoxin Luke
Published: May 2018

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a deadly disease that requires extensive research. Here, we review the current understanding of the functions of the nuclear factor erythroid‐derived 2–like 2 (NRF2) signaling pathway in the esophagus. Genomic data suggest that gene mutations and several other mechanisms result in NRF2 hyperactivation in human ESCC. As a consequence, NRF2high ESCC is more resistant to chemoradiotherapy and associated with poorer survival than NRF2low ESCC. Mechanistically, we believe NRF2, functioning as a transcription factor, causes an esophageal phenotype through regulation of gene transcription. We discuss metabolism, mitochondria, proteasomes, and several signaling pathways as downstream players that may contribute to an esophageal phenotype due to NRF2 hyperactivation. Finally, strategies are proposed to target the NRF2 signaling pathway for therapy of NRF2high ESCC.
Can endoscopic resection for Barrett's dysplasia and early cancer be curative?
Authors: Friedland Shai , Triadafilopoulos George
Published: May 2018

Effective endoscopic treatments for dysplasia and early (intramucosal) cancer, together with expanded and rigorous screening programs to detect Barrett's esophagus, could help reverse the increase in the incidence of esophageal cancer and reduce esophageal cancer‐related mortality. In this review, we discuss the long‐term outcomes for mucosal resection for dysplasia and early cancer and compares them to esophagectomy as the standard of care choice. Eendoscopic resection for Barrett's dysplasia and early cancer can be curative but only when the lesion can be classified as: Paris type I (polypoid); Paris IIa (slightly elevated); Paris IIb (flat); Paris IIc (slightly depressed); histological grades G1 and G2; high‐grade dysplasia. The size of the lesion is important, since <20 mm diameter lesions can be removed using endoscopic mucosal resection or, if they are larger, by endoscopic submucosal dissection. Proper imaging and lesion characterization followed by endoscopic resection as needed are essential in diagnostic and therapeutic decision making. Mucosal (T1a) Barrett's cancer and low‐risk submucosal cancers have a minimal risk for lymph node metastasis and local endoscopic treatment is justified. Long‐term outcomes of endoscopic therapy are same as surgery.
Conservation lessons from large‐mammal manipulations in East African savannas: the KLEE, UHURU, and GLADE experiments
Authors: Goheen Jacob R. , Augustine David J. , Veblen Kari E. , Kimuyu Duncan M. , Palmer Todd M. , Porensky Lauren M. , Pringle Robert M. , Ratnam Jayashree , Riginos Corinna , Sankaran Mahesh , Ford Adam T. , Hassan Abdikadir A. , Jakopak Rhiannon , Kartzinel Tyler R. , Kurukura Samson , Louthan Allison M. , Odadi Wilfred O. , Otieno Tobias O. , Wambua Alois M. , Young Hillary S. , Young Truman P.
Published: May 2018

African savannas support an iconic fauna, but they are undergoing large‐scale population declines and extinctions of large (>5 kg) mammals. Long‐term, controlled, replicated experiments that explore the consequences of this defaunation (and its replacement with livestock) are rare. The Mpala Research Centre in Laikipia County, Kenya, hosts three such experiments, spanning two adjacent ecosystems and environmental gradients within them: the Kenya Long‐Term Exclosure Experiment (KLEE; since 1995), the Glade Legacies and Defaunation Experiment (GLADE; since 1999), and the Ungulate Herbivory Under Rainfall Uncertainty experiment (UHURU; since 2008). Common themes unifying these experiments are (1) evidence of profound effects of large mammalian herbivores on herbaceous and woody plant communities; (2) competition and compensation across herbivore guilds, including rodents; and (3) trophic cascades and other indirect effects. We synthesize findings from the past two decades to highlight generalities and idiosyncrasies among these experiments, and highlight six lessons that we believe are pertinent for conservation. The removal of large mammalian herbivores has dramatic effects on the ecology of these ecosystems; their ability to rebound from these changes (after possible refaunation) remains unexplored.
Novel data on aetosaur (Archosauria, Pseudosuchia) osteoderm microanatomy and histology: palaeobiological implications
Authors: Cerda Ignacio A. , Desojo Julia B. , Scheyer Torsten M.
Published: May 2018

One of the most striking features of aetosaurs is the possession of an extensive bony armour composed of dorsal, ventral and appendicular osteoderms. With the purpose of establishing the main histological changes during ontogeny and the degree of histological variation within the armour, we analysed the bone histology of dorsal (paramedian and lateral), ventral and appendicular osteoderms from different taxa from the Late Triassic of South America, includingAetosauroides scagliai,Aetobarbakinoides brasiliensisandNeoaetosauroides engaeus. Histological data support an intramembranous origin for osteoderms. Nevertheless, evidence for metaplastic ossification (i.e. structural fibres) at advanced ontogenetic stages, in at least some elements, is also present. A variant type of parallel fibred bone, which we have named ‘crossed parallel fibred bone’, is characterized for aetosaurs. In this pseudosuchian group, osteoderms exhibit very important microstructural changes during ontogeny, which can be useful for determining ontogenetic stages from isolated elements. Histological data suggest a relatively early onset of sexual maturity among aetosaurs. Microanatomical analysis from different taxa reveal that having high values of compactness is the plesiomorphic condition for Aetosauria. The notably increased compactness of the osteoderms does not appear to be related to size, ontogeny, sex or reproductive status of the individuals. Although a high degree of compactness of osteoderms and other bones has been considered as evidence for an aquatic lifestyle in vertebrates, such an inference contradicts the current concept of a fully terrestrial lifestyle in aetosaurs.
Correlation between duration of preoperative fasting and emergence delirium in pediatric patients undergoing ophthalmic examination under anesthesia: A prospective observational study
Authors: Khanna Puneet , Saini Kulbhushan , Sinha Renu , Nisa Niseville , Kumar Shailendra , Maitra Souvik
Published: May 2018

Background

Preoperative fasting in children can cause anxiety, which may ultimately lead to postoperative emergence delirium. However, no data are available whether duration of preoperative fasting correlates with postoperative emergence delirium.

Aims

The aim of this study was to identify if there is any correlation between the duration of preoperative fasting and emergence delirium in children undergoing ophthalmic examination under anesthesia.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, 100 children between the age group 2‐6 years of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II, scheduled for examination of the eye under general anesthesia with sevoflurane were recruited. Data regarding preoperative fasting was recorded and presence of emergence delirium was assessed by the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scale at 5 minute interval till 30 minutes from the time of leaving the operation theater. No premedication was used in any patients but parental presence was allowed in all of them.

Results

Mean (standard deviation) duration of fasting to clear liquid was 6.3 (1.7) hrs. Twenty‐four children (24%) had at least 1 recorded PAED score >10 at any time point in the postoperative period. PAED scores at 15 and 25 minutes were significantly correlated with duration of fasting (r2 [95% CI] = .24 [0.04, 0.41], P = .02, Pearsons's correlation and r2 [95% CI] = .23 [0.04, 0.41], P = .02, Pearsons's correlation, respectively). No correlation has been found between duration of fasting and blood glucose level (r2 [95% CI] = −.05 [−0.24, 0.15], P = .65, Pearsons's correlation) between fasting blood glucose and PAED score at any time point.

Conclusion

Increased preoperative fasting duration may be a risk factor for postoperative emergence delirium in children undergoing ophthalmic examination under general anesthesia.
The influence of propofol anesthesia exposure on nonaversive memory retrieval and expression of molecules involved in memory process in the dorsal hippocampus in peripubertal rats
Authors: Pavković Željko , Milanović Desanka , Ruždijić Sabera , Kanazir Selma , Pešić Vesna
Published: May 2018

Background

The effects of anesthetic drugs on postoperative cognitive function in children are not well defined and have not been experimentally addressed.

Aims

The present study aimed to examine the influence of propofol anesthesia exposure on nonaversive hippocampus‐dependent learning and biochemical changes involved in memory process in the dorsal hippocampus, in peripubertal rats as the rodent model of periadolescence.

Methods

The intersession spatial habituation and the novel object recognition tasks were used to assess spatial and nonspatial, nonaversive hippocampus‐dependent learning. The exposure to anesthesia was performed after comparably long acquisition phases in both tasks. Behavioral testing lasted for 2 consecutive days (24‐hour retention period). Changes in the expression of molecules involved in memory retrieval/reconsolidation were examined in the dorsal hippocampus by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, at the time of behavioral testing.

Results

Exposure to propofol anesthesia resulted in inappropriate assessment of spatial novelty at the beginning of the test session and affected continuation of acquisition in the spatial habituation test. The treatment did not affect recognition of the novel object at the beginning of the test session but it attenuated overall preference to novelty, reflecting retrieval of a weak memory. The expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 2 (involved in memory retrieval) was decreased while the level of phosphorylated Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase IIα and early growth response protein 1 (involved in memory reconsolidation) was increased in the dorsal hippocampus. The level of Finkel‐Biskis‐Jinkins murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (neuronal activity indicator) was increased in the dorsal dentate gyrus. Enhanced exploratory activity was still evident in the propofol anesthesia exposure (PAE) group 48 hour after the treatment in both tasks.

Conclusion

In peripubertal rats, propofol anesthesia exposure affects memory retrieval and acquisition of new learning in the spatial and nonspatial, nonaversive learning tasks 24 hour after the treatment, along with the expression of molecules that participate in memory retrieval/reconsolidation in the dorsal hippocampus. These results may have clinical implications, favoring control of basic cognitive functions in older children after the propofol exposure.
Dexmedetomidine for the reduction of emergence delirium in children undergoing tonsillectomy with propofol anesthesia: A double‐blind, randomized study
Authors: Tsiotou Adelais G. , Malisiova Anna , Kouptsova Elena , Mavri Maria , Anagnostopoulou Maria , Kalliardou Evagelia
Published: May 2018

Background

Postanesthesia emergence delirium is a motor agitation state complicating pediatric anesthesia. We investigated the efficacy of dexmedetomidine in reducing emergence delirium in children undergoing tonsillectomy with and without adenoidectomy using total intravenous anesthesia with propofol.

Methods

This was a prospective, single‐center, double‐blind, randomized study. The primary outcome was the presence or absence of emergence delirium with and without dexmedetomidine. Secondary outcomes were emergence delirium severity, time to extubation, cardiovascular stability, and need for additional postoperative analgesia. Eligible were children 3‐14 years of age, ASA I or II, scheduled for tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. Patients were randomized to receive dexmedetomidine 1 mcg kg−1 or a volume matched normal saline solution. Presence of emergence delirium and agitation severity was assessed with the Watcha scale 10, 20, and 30 minutes after arrival in the postanesthesia care unit.

Results

Sixty children participated to the study, 31 (51.7%) of them were treated with dexmedetomidine. Their mean age was 6.2 years (SD 5.5). Duration of anesthesia and surgery and blood pressure measurements did not differ between groups. Extubation time was not different between groups. The dexmedetomidine group had a significantly lower frequency of emergence delirium compared with no dexmedetomidine after 20 and 30 minutes in postanesthesia care unit: 16.1% and 12.9% at 20 and 30 minutes in the dexmedetomidine group vs 48.3% and 41.4% in in the no dexmedetomidine group.

Conclusion

Dexmedetomidine 1 mcg kg−1 reduces the incidence and severity of emergence delirium after tonsillectomy with propofol anesthesia without prolonging the extubation time.
Characterization of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Melanin and Degraded Synthetic Melanin Using Mass Spectrometry and In Vitro Biochemical Diagnostics
Authors: Yacout Sally M. , McIlwain Kelsey L. , Mirza Shama P. , Gaillard Elizabeth R.
Published: May 2018

With increasing age, there is an observable loss of melanin in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. It is possible that degradation of the pigment contributes to the pathogenesis of retinal disease, as the cellular antioxidant material is depleted. Functionally, intact melanin maintains protective qualities, while oxidative degradation of melanin promotes reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and formation of metabolic byproducts, such as melanolipofuscin. Understanding the structural and functional changes to RPE melanin with increasing age may contribute to a better understanding of disease progression and risk factors for conditions such as age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). In this study, human donor RPE melanin is characterized using MALDI mass spectrometry to follow melanin degradation trends. In vitro models using ARPE‐19 cells are used to assess photo‐reactivity in repigmented cells. Significant protection against intracellular ROS produced by blue light is observed in calf melanin‐pigmented cells versus unpigmented and black latex bead controls (P < 0.0001). UV‐B exposure to aged human melanin‐pigmented cells results in a significant increase in nitric oxide production versus control cells (P < 0.001). Peroxide‐treated synthetic melanin is characterized to elucidate degradation products that may contribute to RPE cell damage.
A prospective, randomized, within‐subject study of ALA‐PDT for actinic keratoses using different irradiation regimes
Authors: Zaar Oscar , Sjöholm Hylén Alexandra , Gillstedt Martin , Paoli John
Published: May 2018

Background

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can be used to treat large fields of actinic keratoses (AKs) with high clearance rates. A notable downside is the amount of pain that accompany the treatment. This study aimed to optimize the illumination protocol during conventional PDT in order to reduce pain without compromising treatment effectiveness.

Methods

In this prospective, randomized study with a split‐face design, patients with, symmetrically distributed AKs were included. All patients were treated using a ALA 78 mg/g gel. One side was illuminated with the Aktilite®CL‐128 lamp and the other side with the RhodoLED®lamp in which the light intensity gradually increased to a maximum of 60%. Both sides received a total light dose of 37 J/cm2. Pain during the treatment was measured using a visual analogue scale. The clinical effectiveness of the 2 treated sides was assessed after 12 weeks.

Results

Twenty‐nine patients with 399 AKs were included. Illumination with the gradually increasing light intensity resulted in a decrease in the median visual analogue scale score by 1.1 points. Clearance rates were similar between the 2 lamps.

Conclusion

Minimizing the light intensity during the illumination phase of PDT reduces pain, while still preserving a high clearance rate of AKs.
Comparative expression profile of microRNAs and piRNAs in three ruminant species testes using next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Wang H , Zhong J , Chai Z , Zhu J , Xin J
Published: May 2018

Contents

microRNA (miRNA) and piwi‐interacting RNA (piRNA) are two classes small non‐coding regulatory RNAs that play crucial roles in multiple biological processes such as spermatogenesis. However, there are no published studies on conjoint analysis of miRNA and piRNA profiles among cattle, yak and their interspecies (the dzo) using sequencing technology. Next‐generation sequencing technology was used to profile miRNAs and piRNAs among those three ruminants to elucidate their functions. A total of 119, 14 and six differentially expressed miRNAs were obtained in cattle vs. dzo, cattle vs. yak and yak vs. dzo comparison groups, while there were 873, 1,065 and 1,158 differentially expressed piRNAs in those three comparison groups. The expression of three miRNAs was validated in the three ruminants, and the results suggested that the miRNA expression profiles data could represent actual miRNA expression levels. Moreover, the putative targets of differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted by their own genome, it is worth to note that both the cattle and yak genome were used for dzo, then the targets were subjected to GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis, revealing the likely roles for these differentially expressed miRNAs in spermatogenesis. In conclusion, this study provided a useful resource for further elucidation of the miRNAs and piRNAs regulatory roles in spermatogenesis. It may also facilitate the development of therapeutic strategies for dzo reproduction research.
The role of Th1/Th2 cytokines played in regulation of specific CD4 + Th1 cell conversion and activation during inflammatory reaction of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Sun J. , Liu T. , Yan Y. , Huo K. , Zhang W. , Liu H. , Shi Z.
Published: May 2018

CD4 + Th1‐CXCR3 signalling pathway may play a key role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to explore Th1/Th2 cytokines ratio differences in patients in different stages of COPD and to confirm the hypothesis that elastin exposure might serve as an antigen to initiate the stimulation of CD4 + Th1‐CXCR3 immune inflammation pathway. Patients of COPD in different stages and normal individuals were enrolled. Ten millilitres of peripheral blood was drawn from patients. The concentration of CXCR3, IFN‐γ, IL‐2, IL‐4 and IL‐13 in plasma was detected by ELISA. The Naïve CD4+T cells were isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which were stimulated by elastin and collagen before determining the level of IFN‐γ secretion by ELISPOT. Compared with control group, the concentration of CXCR3 in the acute exacerbation COPD (AECOPD) group was higher (P < .05). The concentration of IFN‐γ and IL‐2 in AECOPD group was lower than that in remission (P < .05). The concentration of IFN‐γ in the AECOPD and remission was higher than that in controls (P < .05), while IL‐2 was opposite (P < .01). The concentration of IL‐4 and IL‐13 in AECOPD group was higher than that in the controls (P < .05). The CD4+Th1 cells stimulated by the elastin as antigen secreted more IFN‐γ than that by collagen (P < .01). CXCR3 was highly expressed in patients with COPD. There were different Th1/Th2 cytokines in different stages of COPD. The CD4+Th1‐specific conversion and activation may be an initiator of COPD immune inflammatory response.
3D skin surface reconstruction from a single image by merging global curvature and local texture using the guided filtering for 3D haptic palpation
Authors: Lee K. , Kim M. , Kim K.
Published: May 2018

Background

Skin surface evaluation has been studied using various imaging techniques. However, all these studies had limited impact because they were performed using visual exam only. To improve on this scenario with haptic feedback, we propose 3D reconstruction of the skin surface using a single image. Unlike extant 3D skin surface reconstruction algorithms, we utilize the local texture and global curvature regions, combining the results for reconstruction.

Materials and Methods

The first entails the reconstruction of global curvature, achieved by bilateral filtering that removes noise on the surface while maintaining the edge (ie, furrow) to obtain the overall curvature. The second entails the reconstruction of local texture, representing the fine wrinkles of the skin, using an advanced form of bilateral filtering. The final image is then composed by merging the two reconstructed images.

Results

We tested the curvature reconstruction part by comparing the resulting curvatures with measured values from real phantom objects while local texture reconstruction was verified by measuring skin surface roughness. Then, we showed the reconstructed result of our proposed algorithm via the reconstruction of various real skin surfaces. The experimental results demonstrate that our approach is a promising technology to reconstruct an accurate skin surface with a single skin image.

Conclusion

We proposed 3D skin surface reconstruction using only a single camera. We highlighted the utility of global curvature, which has not been considered important in the past. Thus, we proposed a new method for 3D reconstruction that can be used for 3D haptic palpation, dividing the concepts of local and global regions.
Effect of a ‘diagonal’ intervention on uptake of HIV and reproductive health services by female sex workers in three sub‐Saharan African cities
Authors: Lafort Yves , Greener Letitia , Lessitala Faustino , Chabeda Sophie , Greener Ross , Beksinska Mags , Gichangi Peter , Griffin Sally , Smit Jenni A. , Chersich Matthew , Delva Wim
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To enhance uptake of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services by female sex workers (FSWs), we conducted an implementation study in which we piloted and tested context‐specific ‘diagonal’ interventions, combining vertical, targeted interventions with horizontally improved access to the general health services, in three cities in sub‐Saharan Africa.

Methods

We collected indicators of SRH service uptake through face‐to‐face interviews with approximately 400 FSWs, pre‐ and post‐intervention, in Durban, South Africa; Tete, Mozambique; and Mombasa, Kenya, recruited by respondent‐driven sampling. Changes in uptake were tested for their statistical significance using multivariate logistic regression models.

Results

In all cities, overall uptake of services increased. Having used all services for contraception, STI care, HIV testing, HIV care, cervical cancer screening and sexual violence, if needed, increased from 12.5% to 41.5% in Durban, 25.0% to 40.1% in Tete and 44.9% to 69.1% in Mombasa. Across cities, the effect was greatest in having been tested for HIV in the past six months which increased from 40.9% to 83.2% in Durban, 56.0% to 76.6% in Tete and 70.9% to 87.6% in Mombasa. In Tete and Mombasa, rise in SRH service use was almost entirely due to a greater uptake of targeted services. Only in Durban was there additionally an increase in the utilisation of general health services.

Conclusion

SRH service utilisation improved in the short‐term in three different sub‐Saharan African contexts, primarily through vertical, targeted components. The long‐term effectiveness of diagonal approaches, in particular on the use of general, horizontal health services, needs further investigation.
Prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome in HIV‐infected adults at three urban clinics in a post‐conflict setting, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Katoto Patrick D. M. C. , Thienemann Friedrich , Bulabula André N. H. , Esterhuizen Tonya M. , Murhula Aimé B. , Lunjwire Pierre P. M. , Bihehe Dieudonné M. , Nachega Jean B.
Published: May 2018

Objective

To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MS) in HIV‐infected adults at three urban clinics in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

From July to September 2016, baseline socio‐demographics, risk factors and clinical characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire or extracted from medical records. Fasting blood sugar and lipids were measured. MS was defined per the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) was generated through multivariate logistic regression models.

Results

Of 495 participants, 356 (72%) were women and 474 (95.8%) were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). The median age (years) [interquartile range (IQR)] was 43 [36–51]. The overall prevalence of MS per NECP/ATP III and IDF criteria was 27% [95% CI: 20–35%] or 30% [95% CI: 23–38%], respectively. In a multivariate logistic regression, low physical activity (OR 2.47, 95% CI: 1.40–4.36); daily exposure to biomass fuel smoke (BMF) for more than 2 h (OR 2.18, 95% CI: 1.01–4.68); protease inhibitor containing ART (OR: 2.96, 95% CI: 1.07–8.18); and stavudine‐containing ART regimen (OR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.11–5.93) were independently associated with MS.

Conclusions

MS was highly prevalent in this hospital‐based study population. Beside known traditional risk factors and contribution of specific ART regimens to MS, daily exposure to BMF is new and of specific concern, necessitating targeted urgent prevention and management interventions.
Can community health workers identify omphalitis? A validation study from Southern Province, Zambia
Authors: Herlihy Julie M. , Gille Sara , Grogan Caroline , Bobay Lauren , Simpamba Kelvin , Akonkwa Bashagaluke , Chisenga Tina , Hamer Davidson H. , Semrau Katherine
Published: May 2018

Objective

Omphalitis, or umbilical cord infection, is an important cause of newborn morbidity and mortality in low‐resource settings. We tested an algorithm that task‐shifts omphalitis diagnosis to community‐level workers in sub‐Saharan Africa.

Methods

Community‐based field monitors and Zambian paediatricians independently evaluated newborns presenting to health facilities in Southern Zambia using a signs and symptoms checklist. Responses were compared against the paediatrician's gold standard clinical diagnosis.

Results

Of 1009 newborns enrolled, 6.2% presented with omphalitis per the gold standard clinical diagnosis. Paediatricians' signs and symptoms with the highest sensitivity were presence of pus (79.4%), redness at the base (50.8%) and newborn flinching when cord was palpated (33.3%). The field monitor's signs and symptoms answers had low correlation with paediatrician's answers; all signs and symptoms assessed had sensitivity <16%.

Conclusion

Despite extensive training, field monitors could not consistently identify signs and symptoms associated with omphalitis in the sub‐Saharan African setting.
Intact Arabidopsis RPB1 functions in stem cell niches maintenance and cell cycling control
Authors: Zhang Qian‐Qian , Li Ying , Fu Zhao‐Ying , liu Xun‐Biao , Yuan Kai , Fang Ying , Liu Yan , Li Gang , Zhang Xian‐Sheng , Chong Kang , Ge Lei
Published: May 2018

Plant meristem activity depends on accurate execution of transcriptional networks required for establishing optimum functioning of stem cell niches. An Arabidopsis mutant card1‐1 (constitutive auxin response with DR5:GFP) that encodes a truncated RPB1 (RNA Polymerase II's largest subunit) with shortened C‐terminal domain (CTD) was identified. Phosphorylation of the CTD repeats of RPB1 is coupled to transcription in eukaryotes. Here we uncover that the truncated CTD of RPB1 disturbed cell cycling and enlarged the size of shoot and root meristem. The defects in patterning of root stem cell niche in card1‐1 indicates that intact CTD of RPB1 is necessary for fine‐tuning the specific expression of genes responsible for cell‐fate determination. The gene‐edited plants with different CTD length of RPB1, created by CRISPR‐CAS9 technology, confirmed that both the full length and the DK‐rich tail of RPB1's CTD play roles in the accurate transcription of CYCB1;1 encoding a cell‐cycle marker protein in root meristem and hence participate in maintaining root meristem size. Our experiment proves that the intact RPB1 CTD is necessary for stem cell niche maintenance, which is mediated by transcriptional regulation of cell cycling genes.
Analysis of the Gli‐D2 locus identifies a genetic target for simultaneously improving the breadmaking and health‐related traits of common wheat
Authors: Li Da , Jin Huaibing , Zhang Kunpu , Wang Zhaojun , Wang Faming , Zhao Yue , Huo Naxin , Liu Xin , Gu Yong Q. , Wang Daowen , Dong Lingli
Published: May 2018

Gliadins are a major component of wheat seed proteins. However, the complex homoeologous Gli‐2 loci (Gli‐A2, ‐B2 and ‐D2) that encode the α‐gliadins in commercial wheat are still poorly understood. Here we analyzed the Gli‐D2 locus of Xiaoyan 81 (Xy81), a winter wheat cultivar. A total of 421.091 kb of the Gli‐D2 sequence was assembled from sequencing multiple bacterial artificial clones, and 10 α‐gliadin genes were annotated. Comparative genomic analysis showed that Xy81 carried only eight of the α‐gliadin genes of the D genome donor Aegilops tauschii, with two of them each experiencing a tandem duplication. A mutant line lacking Gli‐D2 (DLGliD2) consistently exhibited better breadmaking quality and dough functionalities than its progenitor Xy81, but without penalties in other agronomic traits. It also had an elevated lysine content in the grains. Transcriptome analysis verified the lack of Gli‐D2 α‐gliadin gene expression in DLGliD2. Furthermore, the transcript and protein levels of protein disulfide isomerase were both upregulated in DLGliD2 grains. Consistent with this finding, DLGliD2 had increased disulfide content in the flour. Our work sheds light on the structure and function of Gli‐D2 in commercial wheat, and suggests that the removal of Gli‐D2 and the gliadins specified by it is likely to be useful for simultaneously enhancing the end‐use and health‐related traits of common wheat. Because gliadins and homologous proteins are widely present in grass species, the strategy and information reported here may be broadly useful for improving the quality traits of diverse cereal crops.
Distinct heat shock factors and chromatin modifications mediate the organ‐autonomous transcriptional memory of heat stress
Authors: Liu Hsiang‐chin , Lämke Jörn , Lin Siou‐ying , Hung Meng‐Ju , Liu Kuan‐Ming , Charng Yee‐yung , Bäurle Isabel
Published: May 2018

Plants can be primed by a stress cue to mount a faster or stronger activation of defense mechanisms upon subsequent stress. A crucial component of such stress priming is the modified reactivation of genes upon recurring stress; however, the underlying mechanisms of this are poorly understood. Here, we report that dozens of Arabidopsis thaliana genes display transcriptional memory, i.e. stronger upregulation after a recurring heat stress, that lasts for at least 3 days. We define a set of transcription factors involved in this memory response and show that the transcriptional memory results in enhanced transcriptional activation within minutes of the onset of a heat stress cue. Further, we show that the transcriptional memory is active in all tissues. It may last for up to a week, and is associated during this time with histone H3 lysine 4 hypermethylation. This transcriptional memory is cis‐encoded, as we identify a promoter fragment that confers memory onto a heterologous gene. In summary, heat‐induced transcriptional memory is a widespread and sustained response, and our study provides a framework for future mechanistic studies of somatic stress memory in higher plants.
Spatial analysis of lipid metabolites and expressed genes reveals tissue‐specific heterogeneity of lipid metabolism in high‐ and low‐oil Brassica napus L. seeds
Authors: Lu Shaoping , Sturtevant Drew , Aziz Mina , Jin Cheng , Li Qing , Chapman Kent D. , Guo Liang
Published: May 2018

Despite the importance of oilseeds to worldwide human nutrition, and more recently to the production of bio‐based diesel fuels, the detailed mechanisms regulating seed oil biosynthesis remain only partly understood, especially from a tissue‐specific perspective. Here, we investigated the spatial distributions of lipid metabolites and transcripts involved in oil biosynthesis from seeds of two low‐erucic acid genotypes of Brassica napus with high and low seed‐oil content. Integrated results from matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI‐MSI) of lipids in situ, lipidome profiling of extracts from seed tissues, and tissue‐specific transcriptome analysis revealed complex spatial distribution patterns of lipids and transcripts. In general, it appeared that many triacylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine species distributed heterogeneously throughout the embryos. Tissue‐specific transcriptome analysis identified key genes involved in de novo fatty acid biosynthesis in plastid, triacylglycerols assembly and lipid droplet packaging in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that may contribute to the high or low oil phenotype and heterogeneity of lipid distribution. Our results imply that transcriptional regulation represents an important means of impacting lipid compartmentalization in oil seeds. While much information remains to be learned about the intricacies of seed oil accumulation and distribution, these studies highlight the advances that come from evaluating lipid metabolism within a spatial context and with multiple omics level datasets.
Jasmonic acid/ethylene signaling coordinates hydroxycinnamic acid amides biosynthesis through ORA59 transcription factor
Authors: Li Jinbo , Zhang Kaixuan , Meng Yu , Hu Jianping , Ding Mengqi , Bian Jiahui , Yan Mingli , Han Jianming , Zhou Meiliang
Published: May 2018

Hydroxycinnamic acid amides (HCAAs) are a class of antimicrobial metabolites involved in plant defense against necrotrophic pathogens, including Alternaria brassicicola and Botrytis cinerea. The agmatine coumaryl transferase (AtACT) is the key enzyme that catalyzes the last reaction in the biosynthesis of HCAAs, including p‐coumaroylagmatine (CouAgm) and feruloylagmatine in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the regulatory mechanism of AtACT gene expression is currently unknown. Yeast one‐hybrid screening using the AtACT promoter as bait isolated the key positive regulator ORA59 that is involved in jasmonic acid/ethylene (JA/ET)‐mediated plant defense responses. AtACT gene expression and HCAAs biosynthesis were synergistically induced by a combination of JA and ET. In the AtACT promoter, two GCC‐boxes function equivalently for trans‐activation by ORA59 in Arabidopsis protoplasts, and mutation of either GCC‐box abolished AtACT mRNA accumulation in transgenic plants. Site‐directed mutation analysis demonstrated that the specific Leu residue at position 228 of the ORA59 EDLL motif mainly contributed to its transcriptional activity on AtACT gene expression. Importantly, MEDIATOR25 (MED25) and ORA59 homodimer are also required for ORA59‐dependent activation of the AtACT gene. These results suggest that ORA59 and two functionally equivalent GCC‐boxes form the regulatory module together with MED25 that enables AtACT gene expression and HCAAs biosynthesis to respond to simultaneous activation of the JA/ET signaling pathways.
Drag and lift forces between a rotating conductive sphere and a cylindrical magnet
Authors: Nurge Mark A. , Youngquist Robert C. , Starr Stanley O.
Published: May 2018

Modeling the interaction between a non-uniform magnetic field and a rotating conductive object provides insight into the drag force, which is used in applications such as eddy current braking and linear induction motors, as well as the transition to a repulsive force, which is the basis for magnetic levitation systems. Here, we study the interaction between a non-uniform field generated by a cylindrical magnet and a rotating conductive sphere. Each eddy current in the sphere generates a magnetic field which in turn generates another eddy current, eventually feeding back on itself. A two-step mathematical process is developed to find a closed-form solution in terms of only three eddy currents. However, the complete solution requires decomposition of the magnetic field into a summation of spherical harmonics, making it more suitable for a graduate-level electromagnetism lecture or lab. Finally, the forces associated with these currents are calculated and then verified experimentally.