bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The complex interplay between gastrointestinal and psychiatric symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome: A longitudinal assessment
Authors: Stasi Cristina , Caserta Anna , Nisita Cristiana , Cortopassi Sonia , Fani Bernardo , Salvadori Stefano , Pancetti Andrea , Bertani Lorenzo , Gambaccini Dario , de Bortoli Nicola , Dell'Osso Liliana , Blandizzi Corrado , Marchi Santino , Bellini Massimo
Published: July 2018

Aims

The aims of this study were to better define the relationship between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and psychiatric disorders and to examine the efficacy of paroxetine in the treatment of IBS patients.

Methods

One hundred fifty subjects with diagnosis of IBS (Roma III criteria) and relative sub‐classification (constipated, diarrhea, and mixed) were assessed for psychopathological features and gastrointestinal symptoms using IBS Symptom Severity Score and were consecutively enrolled. Fifty patients assumed paroxetine for 16 weeks and were longitudinally evaluated.

Results

The entire sample had a moderate/severe gastrointestinal symptomatology (IBS‐SSS 285.1 ± 98.6). The IBS subtypes were diarrhea (47.3%), constipated (32%), and mixed (20.7%). Panic disorder was found in 17.4% and major depressive episode in 14.7%. More than 50% of the patients showed “psychopathological features.” This group showed more severe gastrointestinal symptoms and worse quality of life than the group without any psychiatric comorbidity (44%). Psychiatric patients also showed a significant impairment of physical state, subjective feeling of well‐being, and leisure activities when compared with no psychiatric patients. When the IBS‐SSS > 300 group was subgrouped in psychiatric (67.2%) and no psychiatric (32.8%), we found significant differences in all clinician‐administered and self‐reported scales with more severe psychopathological features in psychiatric group (P < 0.01). Among the patients treated with paroxetine, 34 (68%) completed the longitudinal evaluation showing a significant improvement of both psychiatric and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Conclusions

This study confirms a high presence of psychiatric comorbidities, emphasizing the need for psychiatric screening in all patients with IBS; moreover, the longitudinal evaluation of patients treated with paroxetine showed a significant improvement of both psychiatric and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Late Transitions and Bereaved Family Member Perceptions of Quality of End‐of‐Life Care
Authors: Makaroun Lena K. , Teno Joan M. , Freedman Vicki A. , Kasper Judith D. , Gozalo Pedro , Mor Vincent
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To examine associations between healthcare transitions at the end of life (EOL; late transitions) and bereaved family members' and friends' assessment of EOL quality of care (QOC).

Design

National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a prospective cohort of Medicare enrollees aged 65 and older.

Setting

United States, all sites of death.

Participants

Family members and close friends of decedents from NHATS Rounds 2 through 6 (N=1,653; weighted 6.0 million Medicare deaths).

Measurements

Multivariable logistic regression with survey weights was used to examine the association between having a late transition and reports of perceived unmet needs for symptom management, spiritual support, concerns with communication, and overall QOC.

Results

Seventeen percent of decedents had a late transition. Bereaved respondents for decedents experiencing late transitions were more likely to report that the decedent was treated without respect (21.3% vs 15.6%; adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.09–2.33), had more unmet needs for spiritual support (67.4% v 55.2%; AOR=1.48, 95% CI=1.03–2.13), and were more likely to report they were not kept informed about the person's condition (31.0% vs 20.9%; AOR=1.54, 95% CI=1.07–2.23). Bereaved respondents were less likely to rate QOC as excellent when there was a late transition (43.6% vs 48.2%; AOR=0.79, 95% CI=0.58–1.06). Subgroup analyses of those experiencing a transition between a nursing home and hospital (13% of all late transitions) revealed such transitions to be associated with even worse QOC.

Conclusion

Transitions in the last 3 days of life are associated with more unmet needs, higher rate of concerns, and lower rating of QOC than when such late transitions are absent, especially when that transition is between a nursing home and hospital.
Hormonal regulation of oviductal glycoprotein 1 (OVGP1; MUC9) in the rhesus macaque cervix
Authors: Slayden Ov Daniel , Friason Francis Kathryn E. , Bond Kise Rosen , Mishler Emily Cathleen
Published: July 2018

Background

Macaques are outstanding animal models for the development of new contraceptives. In women, progestin‐only contraceptives often fail to block ovulation and are believed to act by altering cervix physiology. Herein, we assessed oviductal glycoprotein 1 (OVGP1) in the macaque cervix as a marker for progestogen action.

Materials

Rhesus macaques were treated with estradiol (E2), E2 plus progesterone (P), and E2 plus levonorgestrel (LNG), a contraceptive progestin. Samples consisted of archived blocks of midcervix mucosa (epithelium and lamina propria) and fresh epithelial cells collected non‐invasively by cytobrush. OVGP1 was assayed by quantitative real‐time PCR and localized by immunocytochemistry.

Results

OVGP1 transcript was maximal after E2 and reduced after treatment with E2 + P (P < .05). LNG also reduced OVGP1 expression (P < .05). OVGP1‐specific staining localized to epithelial cells, and transcript was quantifiable in cytobrush collected samples.

Conclusions

OVGP1 expression in cytobrush samples of macaque cervix provides a non‐invasive indicator of contraceptive progestin action.
Reciprocal modulation of Cav2.3 voltage‐gated calcium channels by copper(II) ions and kainic acid
Authors: Neumaier Felix , Akhtar‐Schäfer Isha , Lüke Jan Niklas , Dibué‐Adjei Maxine , Hescheler Jürgen , Schneider Toni
Published: July 2018

Kainic acid (KA) is a potent agonist at non‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (non‐NMDA) ionotropic glutamate receptors and commonly used to induce seizures and excitotoxicity in animal models of human temporal lobe epilepsy. Among other factors, Cav2.3 voltage‐gated calcium channels have been implicated in the pathogenesis of KA‐induced seizures. At physiologically relevant concentrations, endogenous trace metal ions (Cu2+, Zn2+) occupy an allosteric binding site on the domain I gating module of these channels and interfere with voltage‐dependent gating. Using whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings in human embryonic kidney (HEK‐293) cells stably transfected with human Cav2.3d and β3‐subunits, we identified a novel, glutamate receptor‐independent mechanism by which KA can potently sensitize these channels. Our findings demonstrate that KA releases these channels from the tonic inhibition exerted by low nanomolar concentrations of Cu2+ and produces a hyperpolarizing shift in channel voltage‐dependence by about 10 mV, thereby reconciling the effects of Cu2+ chelation with tricine. When tricine was used as a surrogate to study the receptor‐independent action of KA in electroretinographic recordings from the isolated bovine retina, it selectively suppressed a late b‐wave component, which we have previously shown to be enhanced by genetic or pharmacological ablation of Cav2.3 channels. Although the pathophysiological relevance remains to be firmly established, we speculate that reversal of Cu2+‐induced allosteric suppression, presumably via formation of stable kainate‐Cu2+ complexes, could contribute to the receptor‐mediated excitatory effects of KA. In addition, we discuss experimental implications for the use of KA in vitro, with particular emphasis on the seemingly high incidence of trace metal contamination in common physiological solutions.

image
Implicit sequence learning in young people with Tourette syndrome with and without co‐occurring attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Shephard Elizabeth , Groom Madeleine J. , Jackson Georgina M.
Published: July 2018

Impaired habit‐learning has been proposed to underlie the tic symptoms of Tourette syndrome (TS). However, accounts differ in terms of how habit‐learning is altered in TS, with some authors proposing habit formation is impaired due to a deficient ‘chunking’ mechanism, and others proposing habit‐learning is overactive and tics reflect hyperlearned behaviours. Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently co‐occurs with TS and is known to affect cognitive function in young people with co‐occurring TS and ADHD (TS + ADHD). It is unclear, however, how co‐occurring ADHD symptoms affect habit‐learning in TS. In this study, we investigated whether young people with TS would show deficient or hyperactive habit‐learning, and assessed the effects of co‐occurring ADHD symptoms on habit‐learning in TS. Participants aged 9–17 years with TS (n = 18), TS + ADHD (n = 17), ADHD (n = 13), and typical development (n = 20) completed a motor sequence learning task to assess habit‐learning. We used a 2 (TS‐yes, TS‐no) × 2 (ADHD‐yes, ADHD‐no) factorial analysis to test the effects of TS, ADHD, and their interaction on accuracy and reaction time indices of sequence learning. TS was associated with intact sequence learning, but a tendency for difficulty transitioning from sequenced to non‐sequenced performance was suggestive of hyper‐learning. ADHD was associated with significantly poorer accuracy during acquisition of the sequence, indicative of impaired habit‐learning. There were no interactions between the TS and ADHD factors, indicating young people with TS + ADHD showed both TS‐ and ADHD‐related atypicalities in habit‐learning.
Paternity Leave and the Motherhood Penalty: New Causal Evidence
Authors: Andersen Signe Hald
Published: July 2018

Objective: The objective of this study was to test how a father's paternity leave affects the within‐household gender wage gap among heterosexual couples.

Background: Previous studies focus on the actual number of days of leave the father takes, but if an important driver of the gender wage gap is the effect of parental leave on gender‐specific household specialization, absolute variations in the father's leave should not be the key interest. Instead, this article tests the effect of the extent of the father's leave relative to that of the mother's leave because it is this variation that plausibly affects the division of household labor and through this the within‐household gender wage gap.

Method: Full sample, administrative data are from Statistics Denmark. Causal inference was facilitated by exploiting 5 Danish parental leave reforms on 5 separate samples of all households who become first‐time parents within the year before and after each reform (N1 = 2,304; N2 = 45,683; N3 = 16,668; N4 = 42,328; N5 = 38,978).

Results: Father's leave reduces the within‐household gender wage gap through increasing mother's wages. Father's leave furthermore causes an increase in total household wage incomes.

Conclusion: Father's stronger involvement in the household may be one route to more gender equality, but more so to increased financial well‐being among families.
Is masticatory performance affected after a unilateral condylar fracture? A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Rozeboom Antoinette , Speksnijder Caroline , Dubois Leander , Lobbezoo Frank , Koutris Michail , de Lange Jan
Published: July 2018

Background

Mandibular fractures, especially condylar fractures, are one of the most common facial fractures. Trauma to this region could possibly compromise masticatory performance, which is a vital function for humans.

Objective

To objectively determine masticatory performance (Mixing Ability Test; MAT) in patients treated for a unilateral condylar fracture, thereby comparing patients in open and closed treatment groups, and assessing whether there is a positive relationship between this performance and subjective mandibular function (Mandibular Functional Impairment Questionnaire; MFIQ).

Methods

Fifty‐eight patients were enrolled in a cross‐sectional study and examined on an additional appointment at least 1 year after trauma, during which the patients performed the MAT and completed the MFIQ. The Spearman test was used to assess the correlation between the Mixing Ability Index (MAI) and the MFIQ score. A linear regression was used to explore the effects of different factors on the MAI.

Results

The correlation between objective masticatory performance and the subjective mandibular function was positive (r = 0.250; P = 0.033). Better masticatory performance was observed in patients who were male, received physiotherapy, had no other mandibular fractures and/or had satisfactory self‐perceived occlusion. No significant difference in the MAI was found between the open and closed treatment groups.

Conclusion

Independent of the chosen treatment, at least 1 year after treatment, individuals who experienced a unilateral fracture of the mandibular condyle exhibit masticatory capacity comparable with that of individuals who have not suffered such injuries.
Biopharmaceutical considerations in paediatrics with a view to the evaluation of orally administered drug products – a PEARRL review
Authors: Guimarães Mariana , Statelova Marina , Holm René , Reppas Christos , Symilllides Moira , Vertzoni Maria , Fotaki Nikoletta
Published: July 2018

Objectives

In this review, the current biopharmaceutical approaches for evaluation of oral formulation performance in paediatrics are discussed.

Key findings

The paediatric gastrointestinal (GI) tract undergoes numerous morphological and physiological changes throughout its development and growth. Some physiological parameters are yet to be investigated, limiting the use of the existing in vitro biopharmaceutical tools to predict the in vivo performance of paediatric formulations. Meals and frequencies of their administration evolve during childhood and affect oral drug absorption. Furthermore, the establishment of a paediatric Biopharmaceutics Classification System (pBCS), based on the adult Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS), requires criteria adjustments. The usefulness of computational simulation and modeling for extrapolation of adult data to paediatrics has been confirmed as a tool for predicting drug formulation performance. Despite the great number of successful physiologically based pharmacokinetic models to simulate drug disposition, the simulation of drug absorption from the GI tract is a complicating issue in paediatric populations.

The biopharmaceutics tools for investigation of oral drug absorption in paediatrics need further development, refinement and validation. A combination of in vitro and in silico methods could compensate for the uncertainties accompanying each method on its own.
From manual periodontal probing to digital 3‐D imaging to endoscopic capillaroscopy: Recent advances in periodontal disease diagnosis
Authors: Elashiry M. , Meghil M. M. , Arce R. M. , Cutler C. W.
Published: July 2018

Deepened periodontal pockets exert a significant pathological burden on the host and its immune system, particularly in a patient with generalized moderate to severe periodontitis. This burden is extensive and longitudinal, occurring over decades of disease development. Considerable diagnostic and prognostic successes in this regard have come from efforts to measure the depths of the pockets and their contents, including level of inflammatory mediators, cellular exudates and microbes; however, the current standard of care for measuring these pockets, periodontal probing, is an analog technology in a digital age. Measurements obtained by probing are variable, operator dependent and influenced by site‐specific factors. Despite these limitations, manual probing is still the standard of care for periodontal diagnostics globally. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that this technology needs to be updated to be compatible with the digital technologies currently being used to image other orofacial structures, such as maxillary sinuses, alveolar bone, nerve foramina and endodontic canals in 3 dimensions. This review aims to summarize the existing technology, as well as new imaging strategies that could be utilized for accurate evaluation of periodontal pocket dimensions.
Central obesity indicating a higher prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms: A case‐control matching analysis from a Chinese cross‐sectional study in males
Authors: Xie Lianguang , Chen Yang , Tan Aihua , Gao Yong , Yang Xiaobo , Mo Zengnan , Zhang Haiying
Published: July 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the association between central obesity and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among men in southern China, and test the hypothesis that central obesity measured by the waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR) is a predictor of the severity of LUTS.

Methods

In all, 4303 men from the Fangchenggang Area Male Healthy and Examination Survey (FAMHES) were included in this study. LUTS were assessed by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), whereas central obesity was evaluated by the WHR. The association between WHR and LUTS was tested using logistic and Cox regression analyses.

Results

After screening, 2917 participants were in the study. Univariate analysis indicated significant differences in WHR in the presence of LUTS (P = .012). After stratification by age, logistic regression indicated that LUTS were more frequent in 60‐year‐old men with a higher WHR (odds ratio [OR] 2.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21–6.89) compared with participants <40 years old. Cox regression analysis after pairing of 252 LUTS cases and 252 control subjects from the 2917 eligible participants according to age (±5 years), indicated that central obesity (WHR ≥0.9) may be significantly associated with moderate or severe LUTS (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.16–3.26). The associations between central obesity and straining (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.40–4.24) and weak stream (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.27–4.45) were significant after multivariate adjustment.

Conclusions

Males with central obesity are at increased risk of LUTS, and increased WHR is associated with worsened straining and weak stream. Further investigations are needed to confirm these associations.
Platycarpum vriesendorpiae sp. nov., a second new species of Tribe Henriquezieae (Rubiaceae) from nutrient‐poor soils in the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Dávila Nállarett , Kinoshita Luiza , Taylor Charlotte M.
Published: July 2018

The new species Platycarpum vriesendorpiae N. Dávila (Rubiaceae, Henriquezieae) is described from Peru, where it is restricted to white‐sand forests and peatlands in the Tapiche and Blanco River watersheds in southeastern Loreto Region. The new species is generally similar to P. acreanum Rogers of western Brazil in its phyllotaxy, leaf pubescence, and fruit shape and size. However, P. vriesendorpiae differs in its triangular stipules that are 2‐ or 3‐angled at the base and in its smaller corolla.
Cytosolic malate and oxaloacetate activate S‐type anion channels in Arabidopsis guard cells
Authors: Wang Cun , Zhang Jingbo , Wu Juyou , Brodsky Dennis E. , Schroeder Julian I.
Published: July 2018

Intracellular malate–starch interconversion plays an important role in stomatal movements. We investigated whether malate or oxaloacetate from the cytosolic membrane side regulate anion channels in the plasma membrane of Arabidopsis thaliana guard cells. Physiological concentrations of cytosolic malate have been reported in the range of 0.4–3 mM in leaf cells.

Guard cell patch clamp and two‐electrode oocyte voltage‐clamp experiments were pursued.

We show that a concentration of 1 mM cytosolic malate greatly activates S‐type anion channels in Arabidopsis thaliana guard cells. Interestingly, 1 mM cytosolic oxaloacetate also activates S‐type anion channels. Malate activation was abrogated at 10 mM malate and in SLAC1 anion channel mutant alleles. Interestingly, malate activation of S‐type anion currents was disrupted at below resting cytosolic‐free calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]cyt), suggesting a key role for basal [Ca2+]cyt signaling. Cytosolic malate was not able to directly activate or enhance SLAC1‐mediated anion currents in Xenopus oocytes, whereas in positive controls, cytosolic NaHCO3 enhanced SLAC1 activity, suggesting that malate may not directly modulate SLAC1. Cytosolic malate activation of S‐type anion currents was impaired in ost1 and in cpk5/6/11/23 quadruple mutant guard cells.

Together these findings show that these cytosolic organic anions function in guard cell ‘plasma membrane’ ion channel regulation.
Molluscum contagiosum arising in a melanocytic congenital nevus
Authors: Atzori Laura , Corbeddu Marialuisa , Mou Marzia , Pilloni Luca , Rongioletti Franco
Published: July 2018

Molluscum contagiosum within a congenital melanocytic nevus has rarely been reported. We report a 6‐year‐old child with molluscum contagiosum infection arising within an intermediate melanocytic congenital nevus of the thigh, associated with itching and occasional bleeding. Dermoscopy lead to the correct diagnosis, but histologic confirmation with shave biopsy was performed to reassure the parents and allow mechanical removal of the lesions using curettage.
Multiplex qPCR for detection and quantification of Sphaerulina musiva in Populus stems
Authors: Abraham N. D. , Chitrampal P. , Keriö S. , LeBoldus J. M.
Published: July 2018

Septoria canker is one of the major limiting factors in the use of hybrid poplar in agroforestry. The use of qPCR for quantification of fungal biomass in host tissue following infection can improve the speed and accuracy of both detection and phenotyping, potentially improving the management of this disease. This study reports the use of a multiplexed hydrolysis probe qPCR assay to detect and quantify the pathogen Sphaerulina musiva in artificially inoculated and naturally infected Populus trees. Species‐specific probes and primers were designed based on conserved gene sequences of S. musiva β‐tubulin and Populus spp. eukaryotic initiation factor IV (eIF4AII). Experiments were performed on greenhouse‐inoculated poplar stems at 1, 3 and 7 weeks post‐inoculation. The qPCR assay detected significant differences among clones and isolates in symptomless samples after 1 week. These differences were not apparent by visual phenotyping. The assay also detected differences among isolates, collected from a range of geographic locations, 3 weeks post‐inoculation. For naturally infected samples, the S. musiva detection rate ranged from 92% to 100%. The primers also proved robust for direct endpoint PCR‐based detection of S. musiva spores, with a minimum detection threshold of 10 spores. The primers proved to be sensitive and specific for S. musiva detection, making them a useful tool for diagnostics and comparisons among isolates and clones in the early stages of infection.
Enhanced identification of maternal hepatitis C virus infection using existing public health surveillance systems
Authors: Gowda Charitha , Kennedy Samuel , Glover Catherine , Prasad Mona R. , Wang Ling , Honegger Jonathan R.
Published: July 2018

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is under‐recognized among US adults and children. Prenatal HCV screening may help close the diagnosis gap among women while also identifying at‐risk infants. Current surveillance efforts for maternal HCV rely primarily on birth certificate data. We sought a more accurate assessment of HCV prevalence among pregnant women in Ohio by combining existing public health surveillance data.

Methods

Vital Statistics (VS) birth certificate data and Ohio Disease Reporting System (ODRS) HCV case data, both available through the Ohio Department of Health, were linked to determine rates of past or present HCV infection among women giving birth from 2012 to 2015 in Ohio, overall and by county. Among women with available test results, the proportion with present HCV infection indicated by detectable viraemia during pregnancy was calculated.

Results

Birth certificate data identified 4695 deliveries to women with past/present HCV infection during the study period. Linkage to ODRS revealed an additional 1778 deliveries to women with past/present infection, including 355 with confirmed viraemia during pregnancy. The prevalence of past/present HCV among pregnant women in Ohio rose from 0.82% in 2012 to 1.54% in 2015.

Conclusions

Maternal HCV infection is under‐recognized and increasing in prevalence. Current case identification processes are inadequate in pregnancy, even among women with prior positive HCV testing. Alternative approaches, including enhanced risk factor‐based screening or universal prenatal screening in high prevalence settings, are needed to improve rates of HCV recognition among reproductive‐aged women and newborns at risk of vertical transmission.
Using camels to teach probability and expected value
Authors: Lyford Alexander , Rahr Thomas , Chen Tina , Kovach Benjamin
Published: July 2018

There is much debate about the place of probability in an introductory statistics course. While students may or may not use probability distributions in their post‐collegiate lives, they will likely be faced with day‐to‐day decisions that require a probabilistic assessment of risk and reward. This paper describes an innovative way to teach students in an introductory statistics course how to reason about probability and expected value through the board game Camel Up. The in‐class activities described here can be scaled to fit the needs and abilities of the students in a wide range of introductory statistics courses at a variety of levels.
Contracting Out Services in the Nigerian Local Government: Implications for Internal Revenue Generation
Authors: Nwofia Johnson Emeka
Published: July 2018

The primary reasons for creating the Nigerian local government system was grassroots mobilization and development. The Council has however, consistently failed to provide critical services to the rural poor ostensibly because of poor funding. The work examined the structure, functions and accountability mechanisms of the Council vis-à-vis its revenue generation capacity. The problem identified is that the Council contracts out services and its statutory revenue sources at ridiculous prices to patrons even in the face of fiscal cutback and burgeoning demand from the critical populace. Using the Local Government Discretion and Accountability Diagnostic Framework of Analysis and Financial Agency Theory, the paper found that lack of political, administrative and financial accountability mechanisms provides the leeway for unscrupulous Council officials to grossly enrich themselves and their patrons. The paper recommends that the Public Procurement Act which emphasizes Due Process in tendering should be institutionalized by the local government. The anti-graft agencies should be repositioned to deal with treasury looters while the electoral process should be reformed to make it more transparent and inclusive.
Inspiratory pre‐motor potentials during quiet breathing in ageing and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Nguyen David A. T. , Boswell‐Ruys Claire L. , McBain Rachel A. , Eckert Danny J. , Gandevia Simon C. , Butler Jane E. , Hudson Anna L.
Published: July 2018

Key points

A cortical contribution to breathing, as indicated by a Bereitschaftspotential (BP) in averaged electroencephalographic signals, occurs in healthy individuals when external inspiratory loads are applied.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition where changes in the lung, chest wall and respiratory muscles produce an internal inspiratory load. These changes also occur in normal ageing, although to a lesser extent.

In the present study, we determined whether BPs are present during quiet breathing and breathing with an external inspiratory load in COPD compared to age‐matched and young healthy controls.

We demonstrated that increased age, rather than COPD, is associated with a cortical contribution to quiet breathing.

A cortical contribution to inspiratory loading is associated with more severe dyspnoea (i.e. the sensation of breathlessness).

We propose that cortical mechanisms may be engaged to defend ventilation in ageing with dyspnoea as a consequence.

A cortical contribution to breathing is determined by the presence of a Bereitschaftspotential, a low amplitude negativity in the averaged electroencephalographic (EEG) signal, which begins ∼1 s before inspiration. It occurs in healthy individuals when external inspiratory loads to breathing are applied. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), changes in the lung, chest wall and respiratory muscles produce an internal inspiratory load. We hypothesized that there would be a cortical contribution to quiet breathing in COPD and that a cortical contribution to breathing with an inspiratory load would be linked to dyspnoea, a major symptom of COPD. EEG activity was analysed in 14 participants with COPD (aged 57–84 years), 16 healthy age‐matched (57–87 years) and 15 young (18–26 years) controls during quiet breathing and inspiratory loading. The presence of Bereitschaftspotentials, from ensemble averages of EEG epochs at Cz and FCz, were assessed by blinded assessors. Dyspnoea was rated using the Borg scale. The incidence of a cortical contribution to quiet breathing was significantly greater in participants with COPD (6/14) compared to the young (0/15) (P = 0.004) but not the age‐matched controls (6/16) (P = 0.765). A cortical contribution to inspiratory loading was associated with higher Borg ratings (P = 0.007), with no effect of group (P = 0.242). The data show that increased age, rather than COPD, is associated with a cortical contribution to quiet breathing. A cortical contribution to inspiratory loading is associated with more severe dyspnoea. We propose that cortical mechanisms may be engaged to defend ventilation with dyspnoea as a consequence.
CH
4
mitigation potentials from China landfills and related environmental co-benefits
Authors: Cai Bofeng , Lou Ziyang , Wang Jinnan , Geng Yong , Sarkis Joseph , Liu Jianguo , Gao Qingxian
Published: July 2018

This broad study identifies landfill emission reduction cobenefits in China, as well as implications for policy and practice.
BCL3
expression promotes resistance to alkylating chemotherapy in gliomas
Authors: Wu Longtao , Bernal Giovanna M. , Cahill Kirk E. , Pytel Peter , Fitzpatrick Carrie A. , Mashek Heather , Weichselbaum Ralph R. , Yamini Bakhtiar
Published: July 2018

The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide sensitizes gliomas to the chemotherapeutic temozolomide in mice.
Fengycins, Cyclic Lipopeptides from Marine Bacillus subtilis Strains, Kill the Plant-Pathogenic Fungus Magnaporthe grisea by Inducing Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Chromatin Condensation
Authors: Zhang Linlin , Sun Chaomin
Published: July 2018

Rice (
Oryza sativa
L.) is the most important crop and a primary food source for more than half of the world's population. Notably, scientists in China have developed several types of rice that can be grown in seawater, avoiding the use of precious freshwater resources and potentially creating enough food for 200 million people. The plant-affecting fungus
Magnaporthe grisea
is the causal agent of rice blast disease, and biological rather than chemical control of this threatening disease is highly desirable. In this work, we discovered fengycin BS155, a cyclic lipopeptide material produced by the marine bacterium
Bacillus subtilis
BS155, which showed strong activity against
M. grisea
. Our results elucidate the mechanism of fengycin BS155-mediated
M. grisea
growth inhibition and highlight the potential of
B. subtilis
BS155 as a biocontrol agent against
M. grisea
in rice cultivation under both fresh- and saltwater conditions.
Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Phage vB_EcoS Sa179lw, Isolated from Surface Water in a Produce-Growing Area in Northern California
Authors: Liao Yen-Te , Liu Fang , Sun Xincheng , Li Robert W. , Wu Vivian C. H.
Published: July 2018

We report here the whole-genome sequence of a novel
Escherichia coli
phage, vB_EcoS Sa179lw, isolated from surface water collected in a produce-growing area. With the presence of a putative
eae
-like gene that was associated with previous non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing
E. coli
outbreaks, this phage is a candidate for the study of virulence gene transfer.
Draft Genome Sequence of Pectobacterium atrosepticum PB72 and Complete Genome Sequence of the Specific Bacteriophage PP90
Authors: Shneider Mikhail M. , Kabanova Anastasia P. , Korzhenkov Aleksei A. , Miroshnikov Kirill K. , Vo Thi Ngoc Ha , Toshchakov Stepan V. , Miroshnikov Konstantin A. , Ignatov Alexander N.
Published: July 2018

We present the draft genome sequence of
Pectobacterium atrosepticum
strain PB72 infecting potatoes in Russia. PB72 is similar to the previously reported strain 21A.
Complete Genome Sequences of Zika Virus Strains Used for the Formulation of CBER/FDA RNA Reference Reagents and Lot Release Panels for Nucleic Acid Technology Testing
Authors: Volkova Evgeniya , Grinev Andriyan , Fares-Gusmao Rafaelle , Chancey Caren , Rios Maria
Published: July 2018

We report here the complete genome sequences of two Zika virus strains (FSS13025 and PRVABC59) used for formulation of CBER/FDA RNA reference reagents and lot release panels for use with nucleic acid technology (NAT) testing.
Complete Genome Sequence Analysis of an Imported Dengue Virus Serotype 1 Strain from Myanmar
Authors: Zeng Zhaoping , Shi Jiandong , Guo Xiaofang , Mo Ling , Hu Ningzhu , Zhou Hongning , Hu Yunzhang
Published: July 2018

It has been determined that recent dengue virus epidemics in Yunnan, China, originated from Southeast Asian strains. Here, we report the first complete genome sequence and molecular characterization of the imported dengue virus serotype 1 strain YNPE1.
Genome Sequence of Bacillus velezensis SGAir0473, Isolated from Tropical Air Collected in Singapore
Authors: Lim Serene B. Y. , Junqueira Ana Carolina M. , Uchida Akira , Purbojati Rikky W. , Houghton James N. I. , Chénard Caroline , Wong Anthony , Kolundžija Sandra , Clare Megan E. , Kushwaha Kavita K. , Panicker Deepa , Putra Alexander , Gaultier Nicolas E. , Premkrishnan Balakrishnan N. V. , Heinle Cassie E. , Vettath Vineeth Kodengil , Drautz-Moses Daniela I. , Schuster Stephan C.
Published: July 2018

Bacillus velezensis
strain SGAir0473 (
Firmicutes
) was isolated from tropical air collected in Singapore. Its genome was assembled using short reads and single-molecule real-time sequencing and comprises one chromosome with 4.18 Mb.
Interleukin-17A Exacerbates Disease Severity in BALB/c Mice Susceptible to Lung Infection with Mycoplasma pulmonis
Authors: Mize Maximillion T. , Sun Xiangle L. , Simecka Jerry W.
Published: July 2018

Mycoplasmas are atypical bacteria that disrupt the immune response to promote respiratory tract infections and secondary complications. However, not every immunologic response that protects or damages the host during mycoplasma infection is known.
Anti-HIV-1 Activity of Lactic Acid in Human Cervicovaginal Fluid
Authors: Tyssen David , Wang Ying-Ying , Hayward Joshua A. , Agius Paul A. , DeLong Kevin , Aldunate Muriel , Ravel Jacques , Moench Thomas R. , Cone Richard A. , Tachedjian Gilda
Published: July 2018

The
Lactobacillus
-dominated vaginal microbiota is associated with a reduced risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Lactic acid is a major organic acid metabolite produced by lactobacilli that acidifies the vagina and has been reported to have inhibitory activity
in vitro
against bacterial, protozoan, and viral STIs, including HIV infections. However, the anti-HIV properties of lactic acid in native vaginal lumen fluids of women colonized with
Lactobacillus
spp. have not yet been established. Our study, using native cervicovaginal fluid from women, found that potent and irreversible anti-HIV-1 activity is significantly associated with the concentration of the protonated (acidic, uncharged) form of lactic acid. This work advances our understanding of the mechanisms by which vaginal microbiota modulate HIV susceptibility and could lead to novel strategies to prevent women from acquiring HIV or transmitting the virus during vaginal intercourse and vaginal birth.
FusoPortal: an Interactive Repository of Hybrid MinION-Sequenced
Fusobacterium
Genomes Improves Gene Identification and Characterization
Authors: Sanders Blake E. , Umana Ariana , Lemkul Justin A. , Slade Daniel J.
Published: July 2018

In this report, we describe a hybrid MinION whole-genome sequencing pipeline and the genomic characteristics of the first eight
Fusobacterium
strains deposited in the FusoPortal database. This collection of highly accurate and complete genomes drastically improves upon previous multicontig assemblies by correcting and newly identifying a significant number of open reading frames. We believe that the availability of this resource will result in the discovery of proteins and molecular mechanisms used by an oral pathogen, with the potential to further our understanding of how
Fusobacterium nucleatum
contributes to a repertoire of diseases, including periodontitis, preterm birth, and colorectal cancer.
Fusobacterium
Genomics Using MinION and Illumina Sequencing Enables Genome Completion and Correction
Authors: Todd S. Michelle , Settlage Robert E. , Lahmers Kevin K. , Slade Daniel J.
Published: July 2018

Fusobacterium
spp. are Gram-negative, oral bacteria that are increasingly associated with human pathologies as diverse as periodontitis, preterm birth, and colorectal cancer. While a recent surge in
F. nucleatum
research has increased our understanding of this human pathogen, a lack of complete genomes has hindered the identification and characterization of associated host-pathogen virulence factors. Here we report the first eight complete
Fusobacterium
genomes sequenced using an Oxford Nanopore MinION and Illumina sequencing pipeline and assembled using the open-source program Unicycler. These genomes are highly accurate, and seven of the genomes represent the first complete sequences for each strain. In summary, the FusoPortal resource provides a publicly available resource that will guide future genetic, bioinformatic, and biochemical experiments to characterize this genus of emerging human pathogens.
Stem cell-based therapies in neonatology: a new hope
Authors: Thébaud Bernard
Published: July 2018

Despite progress made in neonatal intensive care, complications of extreme preterm birth still contribute as the main cause of death to children below 5 years of age. Stem cell-based therapies—mesenchymal stromal cells in particular—offer a new hope in preventing and/or restoring organ damage in extreme preterm infants. Early phase clinical trials, fueled by promising preclinical studies on lung and brain injury, have begun. While the enthusiasm in the neonatal community is palpable, much more needs to be learnt about cell-based therapies. Maintaining the balance between temptation and a cautious, evidence-based approach will be critical for cell therapies to fulfil their promise in substantially improving the outcome of extreme preterm infants.
Musculoskeletal pain and its association with maturity and sports performance in 14-year-old sport school students
Authors: Malmborg Julia S , Olsson M Charlotte , Bergman Stefan , Bremander Ann
Published: July 2018

Objectives

In youth sports, musculoskeletal pain is often studied from the standpoint of sports injuries, but little is known about pain conditions in which athletes still participate. The aim was to study the frequency of pain and associations with maturity offset, health status and sports performance in 14-year-old sport school students.

Methods

Cross-sectional design. One hundred and seventy-eight students (108 boys and 70 girls) completed anthropometric measures for maturity offset (height, weight and sitting height), questionnaires (pain mannequin and EQ-5D for health status) and sports performance tests (sprint, agility, counter-movement jump and grip strength). Differences between groups were analysed with Student’s t-test and analysis of covariance.

Results

Thirty-one students (18.6%) reported infrequent pain, 85 (50.9%) frequent pain and 51 (30.5%) constant pain. Students in the constant pain group had worse health status than those in the infrequent pain group. Boys with constant pain (n=27) had a lower mean maturity offset (–0.38 vs 0.07 years; p=0.03) than boys with infrequent pain (n=22), and pain was associated with worse sports performance. There was no difference in maturity or sports performance between girls with constant pain (n=24) and girls with infrequent pain (n=9).

Conclusion

Musculoskeletal pain is common in sport school students and coincides with worse health status and with a younger biological age in boys. The high prevalence of pain should be acknowledged by coaches and student healthcare workers in order to promote a healthy and sustainable development in young athletes.
How the contact differences and individuals’ similarity affect the rumor propagation process in complex heterogeneous networks
Authors: Zhu He , Ma Jing
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we investigate how the contact differences and individuals’ similarity affect the rumor propagation process in complex heterogeneous networks. Unlike existing models that neglect the contact differences or assume the homogeneity of individuals’ characteristics, the spreading rate in the proposed model is no longer deemed to be a constant, but it changes when the rumor spreads between different individuals. By means of the mean-field method, the spreading threshold and the final size of the rumor are explicitly derived. Two types of rumor control strategies are theoretically analyzed by comparing their effects on the spreading threshold. To verify the theoretical results, a series of numerical simulations are presented. The simulation results demonstrate that a lower contact rate impedes the diffusion process, and a higher degree of individuals’ similarity promotes the flow of information among individuals. The two factors (i.e. high enough the contact rate and degree of individuals’ similarity) are crucial to sustain the spreading process, and the absence of either of them would significantly increase the threshold. In addition, the results of the comparison of different control strategies suggest that controlling the spreading behavior of individuals with higher degrees can more effectively suppress the evolutionary process of the rumor.
A comparative study of 2d Ising model at different boundary conditions using Cellular Automata
Authors: Mohammed Jahangir , Mahapatra Swapna
Published: July 2018

Using Cellular Automata, we simulate spin systems corresponding to [Formula: see text] Ising model with various kinds of boundary conditions (bcs). The appearance of spontaneous magnetization in the absence of magnetic field is studied with a [Formula: see text] square lattice with five different bcs, i.e. periodic, adiabatic, reflexive, fixed ([Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text]) bcs with three initial conditions (all spins up, all spins down and random orientation of spins). In the context of [Formula: see text] Ising model, we have calculated the magnetization, energy, specific heat, susceptibility and entropy with each of the bcs and observed that the phase transition occurs around [Formula: see text] as obtained by Onsager. We compare the behavior of magnetization versus temperature for different types of bcs by calculating the number of points close to the line of zero magnetization after [Formula: see text] at various lattice sizes. We observe that the periodic, adiabatic and reflexive bcs give closer approximation to the value of [Formula: see text] than fixed [Formula: see text] and fixed [Formula: see text] bcs with all three initial conditions for lattice sizes less than [Formula: see text]. However, for lattice size between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], fixed [Formula: see text] bc and fixed [Formula: see text] bc give closer approximation to the [Formula: see text] with initial conditions all spin down configuration and all spin up configuration, respectively.
A study of periodic potentials based on quadratic splines
Authors: Gadella M. , Lara L. P.
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we discuss a method based on a segmentary approximation of solutions of the Schrödinger equation by quadratic splines, for which the coefficients are determined by a variational method that does not require the resolution of complicated algebraic equations. The idea is the application of the method to one-dimensional periodic potentials. We include the determination of the eigenvalues up to a given level, and therefore an approximation to the lowest energy bands. We apply the method to concrete examples with interest in physics and discussed the numerical errors.
Modeling rumor propagation and refutation with time effect in online social networks
Authors: Zhang Yaming , Su Yanyuan , Li Weigang , Liu Haiou
Published: July 2018

Rumor propagation and refutation form an important issue for spreading dynamics in online social networks (OSNs). In this paper, we introduce a novel two-stage rumor propagation and refutation model with time effect for OSNs. The dynamical mechanism of rumor propagation and refutation with time effect is investigated deeply. Then a two-stage model and the corresponding mean-field equations in both homogeneous and heterogeneous networks are obtained. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to characterize the dynamics of rumor propagation and refutation in both Watts–Strogatz network and Barabási–Albert network. The results show that heterogeneous networks yield the most effective rumor and anti-rumor spreading. Besides, the sooner authority releases anti-rumor and the more attractive anti-rumor is, the less rumor influence is. What’s more, these findings suggest that individuals’ ability to control themselves and identify rumor accurately should be improved to reduce negative impact of rumor effectively. The results are helpful to understand better the mechanism of rumor propagation and refutation in OSNs.
Evolution of cooperation under the influence of environments on individual-performed interactions
Authors: Cui Guanghai , Wang Zhen , Yang Yancun , Xu Jiahao , Yang Hongyong
Published: July 2018

Traditionally, individual intensities to perform games are always assumed to be fixed in networks (e.g. to depend on the number of their neighbors). However, to increase their own fitness or payoffs, individuals may adjust their intensities in reaction to external environment changes in real scenarios. With this motivation, we have studied this adjustment by considering the average payoff of individual neighbors to be the network environment in a spatial prisoner’s dilemma game. An individual will unilaterally increase (decrease) its intensity to perform games between itself and its neighbors when its payoff is greater than or equal to (lower than) the average payoff of its neighbors. Compared with the normal situation, we find that individual cooperation is significantly facilitated either on the cooperator fraction or the effective cooperation fraction when the environment-induced intensity adjustment is considered, and the value of intensity adjustment per time has a positive influence on the maintenance of cooperation. Evolution snapshots and a formulated typical schematic are used to explain the results. We find that cooperation behaviors are enhanced because of the existence of defectors with lower intensities who are near the boundaries between cooperator and defector clusters. Finally, the promotion is also validated in random networks. We hope that our results may shed light on a greater understanding of the role of individual adaptive behaviors in reaction to network environments in the maintenance of cooperation in societies.