bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recognizing Congenital Pressure Injuries
Authors: Johnson Deanna E.
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND:

Soft tissue injuries recognized at birth are a common occurrence and well described in the medical literature. Despite this, there has been no discussion of congenital pressure injuries. In this Clinical Challenges article, I describe 3 cases in which congenital skin injuries have occurred, all of which meet the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel definition for a pressure injury and are demonstrably not the result of other etiologies.

CASES:

Over a 6-month period, in a 44-bed level III-IV neonatal intensive care unit, 3 patients were identified and diagnosed with congenital pressure injuries. All were born to mothers who presented with significantly diminished or a near-absence of amniotic fluid. The amniotic fluid provides essential cushioning for the developing fetus. A number of well-described conditions result from alterations in the character and volume of the amniotic fluid during gestation. Among these is a correlation between severely diminished fluid volume and congenital contractures resulting from immobility of the fetus as it is compressed against the uterine wall. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to speculate that this immobility and pressure could be the very same mechanism that created our congenital pressure injuries noted in these patients. The stages of the congenital pressure injuries noted were a stage 1, a stage 2, and also a deep tissue pressure injury. One infant succumbed to conditions related to extreme prematurity prior to healing, while the other 2 patients' injuries healed without complication or apparent long-term sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite their absence in the medical literature, I assert that congenital pressure injuries occur and are clinically relevant. This lack of recognition and description risks unnecessary diagnostic procedures and inappropriate or delayed treatment.
The allotetraploid origin and asymmetrical genome evolution of common carp Cyprinus carpio
Authors: Xu Peng , Xu Jian , Liu Guangjian , Chen Lin , Zhou Zhixiong , Peng Wenzhu , Jiang Yanliang , Zhao Zixia , Jia Zhiying , Sun Yonghua , Wu Yidi , Chen Baohua , Pu Fei , Feng Jianxin , Luo Jing , Zhang Hanyuan , Wang Hui , Dong Chuanju , Jiang Wenkai , Sun Xiaowen
Published: December 2018

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is an allotetraploid Cyprinid species derived from recent whole genome duplication and provides an excellent model system for studying polyploid genome evolution in vertebrates. To explore the origins and consequences of tetraploidy in C. carpio, we generated three chromosome-level new reference genomes of C. carpio and compared them to the related diploid Cyprinid genome sequences. We identified a progenitor-like diploid Barbinae lineage by analysing the phylogenetic relationship of the homoeologous genes of C. carpio and their orthologues in closely related diploid Cyprinids. We then characterized the allotetraploid origin of C. carpio and divided its genome into two homoeologous subgenomes that are marked by a distinct genome similarity to their diploid progenitor. On the basis of the divergence rates of homoeologous genes and transposable elements in two subgenomes, we estimated that the two diploid progenitor species diverged approximately 23 million years ago (Mya) and merged to form the allotetraploid C. carpio approximately 12.4 Mya, which likely correlated with environmental upheavals caused by the extensive uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. No large-scale gene losses or rediploidization were observed in the two subgenomes. Instead, we found extensive homoeologous gene expression bias across twelve surveyed tissues, which indicates that subgenome B is dominant in homoeologous expression. DNA methylation analysis suggested that CG methylation in promoter regions plays an important role in altering the expression of these homoeologous genes in allotetraploid C. carpio. This study provides an essential genome resource and insights for extending further investigation on the evolutionary consequences of vertebrate polyploidy.
Attention enhances LFP phase coherence in macaque visual cortex, improving sensory processing
Authors: Zareian Behzad , Daliri Mohammad Reza , Maboudi Kourosh , Abrishami Moghaddam Hamid , Treue Stefan , Esghaei Moein
Published: December 2018

Attention selectively routes the most behaviorally relevant information among the vast pool of sensory inputs through cortical regions. Previous studies have shown that visual attention samples the surrounding stimuli periodically. However, the neural mechanism underlying this sampling in the sensory cortex, and whether the brain actively uses these rhythms, has remained elusive. Here, we hypothesize that selective attention controls the phase of oscillatory synaptic activities to efficiently process the relevant information in the brain. We document an attentional modulation of pre-stimulus inter-trial phase coherence (a measure of deviation between instantaneous phases of trials) at low frequencies in macaque visual area MT. Our data reveal that phase coherence increases when attention is deployed towards the receptive field of the recorded neural population. We further show that the attentional enhancement of phase coherence is positively correlated with the attentional modulation of stimulus induced firing rate, and importantly, a higher phase coherence leads to a faster behavioral response. Our results suggest a functional utilization of intrinsic neural oscillatory activities for better processing upcoming environmental stimuli, generating the optimal behavior.
Glioma cell migration in confined microchannels via a motor-clutch mechanism
Authors: Prahl Louis S. , Stanslaski Maria R. , Vargas Pablo , Piel Matthieu , Odde David J.
Published: December 2018

Glioma tumor dispersion involves invading cells escaping the tumor bulk and migrating into the healthy brain parenchyma. Here, they encounter linearly aligned track-like tissue structures such as axon bundles and the perivascular space. These environments also contain micrometer-scale pores that impose mechanical confinement on invading cells. To study glioma cell migration in anin vitrosystem that reproduces some of these features, we used microfluidic devices with 60 μm2cross-sectional area channels that confine cells into one-dimensional (1D) tracks. Individual cell tracking revealed strongly persistent migration at a mean rate of 8.5 ± 0.33 nm s-1. Notably, a 1D computational cell migration simulator predicts migration behaviors of glioma cells without significant adjustment of parameters estimated from previous experiments on two-dimensional (2D) substrates. Pharmacological inhibitors of integrin-mediated adhesions, myosin II activation, or drugs targeting F-actin assembly or microtubule dynamics influence migration consistent with simulations where relevant parameters are changed. These results suggest that cell parameters calibrated to a motor-clutch model on 2D substrates effectively predict 1D confined migration behaviorsa priori. Our results outline a method for testing biophysical mechanisms of tumor cell migration in confined spaces and predicting the effects of anti-motility therapy.
Wolbachia induce cytoplasmic incompatibility and affect mate preference in Habrobracon hebetor to increase the chance of its transmission to the next generation
Authors: Bagheri Zeynab , Talebi Ali Asghar , Asgari Sassan , Mehrabadi Mohammad
Published: December 2018

Wolbachia are common intracellular bacteria that are generally found in arthropods including a high proportion of insects and also some nematodes. This intracellular symbiont can affect sex ratio with a variety of reproductive anomalies in the host, including cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in haplodiploides. In this study, we questioned if the parasitoid wasp, Habrobracon hebetor (Hym.: Braconidae), which is one of the most important biological control agents of many lepidopteran larvae, is infected with Wolbachia. To test this, DNA was extracted from adult insects and subjected to PCR using specific primers to Wolbachia target genes. The results showed high rate of Wolbachia infection in this parasitoid wasp. To find out the biological function of Wolbachia in H. hebetor, we removed this bacterium from the wasps using antibiotic treatment (cured wasps). Results of the crossing experiments revealed that Wolbachia induced CI in H. hebetor in which cured females crossed with infected males produced only males, while in the progeny of other crosses, both males and females were observed. Also, our result showed that the presence of Wolbachia in the females increased fecundity and female offspring of this parasitoid wasp. However, the presence of Wolbachia in the males had no significant effect on the fecundity and female production, but might have incurred costs. We also investigated the effect of Wolbachia on mate choice and found that Wolbachia affects mating behavior of H. hebetor. Together, we show that Wolbachia induce CI in H. hebetor and affect host mating behavior in favor of its transmission. Wolbachia utilize these strategies to increase the frequency of infected females in the host population.
Vector-Mediated Transport Producing Drug-like Peptides
Authors: Gruber Kenneth A , Cowan James A , Cowan Ada , Qi Wenbin , Pearson Stephan , Ross Martin J. , Wachnowsky Christine , Gallazzi Fabio , Jiang Shaokai , Van Doren Steve R. , Callahan Michael F.
Published: December 2018

Drugs that are structural mimetics of peptides (e.g. small molecules) have been plagued by problems associated with oral availability and transcellular movement. Vector-mediated transport, where a potentially therapeutic drug is covalently linked to another molecule that is a ligand for an active transport or transcytosis system, was developed as an approach for moving a drug across the blood-brain-barrier. We now report a vector approach that produced peptides with oral activity, blood-brain-barrier transport, and extended in vivo half-life. Generating these properties requires secondary structure stabilization into a β hairpin, and the addition of a C-terminal dipeptide sequence composed of non-polar residues. Peptides with biological activity incompatible with these derivatizations were covalently linked to a model transport vector, producing a chimera with the therapeutic activity of the peptide and the transport properties of the vector. Our platform technology may be a general approach for the design of drug-like peptides.
Natural selection subsumes and unites multiple theories of perceptual compression
Authors: Quintanar-Zilinskas Victor
Published: December 2018

Perceptual processing is thought to occur in two stages: compression of external world information, followed by inference of external world state. While inference is believed to be Bayes-optimal, the model for optimal compression is comparatively less well-established: multiple signal processing frameworks have been used to explain empirical outcomes and hypothesized to align with Darwinian fitness. Here I endeavor to constrain the model space by framing fitness as a function of the compression scheme and optimizing fitness directly. I find that signal processing and fitness objectives often deviate; for example, in a finite game where risk-avoidant bet-hedging beats maximization of average performance. However, when average performance determines fitness, then both are maximized by minimized cost-weighted signal distortion. Meanwhile, the signal processing metrics of estimation error and mutual information align with these latter objectives only under very specific circumstances. Taken together, my results establish a Darwinian (nested) hierarchy of perceptual compression objectives, which extends the existing understanding of optimal compression by incorporating not just signal processing but also economic frameworks, and reconciles the extant usages of the former by clarifying their respective domains of applicability. The evolutionary importance of the cost-weighted distortion objective is additionally intriguing because this objective is potentially congruent with a broad set of experimental findings.
Highly multiplexedin situprotein imaging with signal amplification by Immuno-SABER
Authors: Saka Sinem K. , Wang Yu , Kishi Jocelyn Y. , Zhu Allen , Zeng Yitian , Xie Wenxin , Kirli Koray , Yapp Clarence , Cicconet Marcelo , Beliveau Brian J. , Lapan Sylvain W. , Yin Siyuan , Lin Millicent , Boyden Edward S. , Kaeser Pascal S. , Pihan German , Church George M. , Yin Peng
Published: December 2018

Probing the molecular organization of tissues requiresin situanalysis by microscopy. However current limitations in multiplexing, sensitivity, and throughput collectively constitute a major barrier for comprehensive single-cell profiling of proteins. Here, we report Immunostaining with Signal Amplification By Exchange Reaction (Immuno-SABER), a rapid, highly multiplexed signal amplification method that simultaneously tackles these key challenges. Immuno-SABER utilizes DNA-barcoded antibodies and provides a method for highly multiplexed signal amplification via modular orthogonal DNA concatemers generated by Primer Exchange Reaction. This approach offers the capability to preprogram and control the amplification level independently for multiple targets withoutin situenzymatic reactions, and the intrinsic scalability to rapidly amplify and image a large number of protein targets. We validated our approach in diverse sample types including cultured cells, cryosections, FFPE sections, and whole mount tissues. We demonstrated independently tunable 5-180-fold amplification for multiple targets, covering the full signal range conventionally achieved by secondary antibodies to tyramide signal amplification, as well as simultaneous signal amplification for 10 different proteins using standard equipment and workflow. We further combined Immuno-SABER with Expansion Microscopy to enable rapid and highly multiplexed super-resolution tissue imaging. Overall, Immuno-SABER presents an effective and accessible platform for rapid, multiplexed imaging of proteins across scales with high sensitivity.
Understanding and recognising the female phenotype of autism spectrum disorder and the “camouflage” hypothesis: a systematic PRISMA review
Authors: Allely Clare Sarah
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Females with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may display superficial social skills which may mask their ASD symptomology impacting on the identification of the disorder – known as the “camouflage” hypothesis. Compared to males with ASD, it is increasingly recognised that females with ASD have a stronger ability to imitate behaviour which is socially acceptable, particularly those females who have higher cognitive abilities (i.e. intelligence considered to be within the normal range) (Ehlers and Gillberg, 1993). The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper will explore the literature on camouflaging or masking behaviour in females with ASD. A systematic PRISMA review was conducted.

Findings

The capacity to “camouflage” social difficulties in social situations is considered to be one of the main features of the female phenotype of ASD (e.g. Kenyon, 2014). Social imitation or camouflaging enables some level of success and coping, which results in some females never receiving a diagnosis of ASD. They typically may not exhibit any observable functional impairments. However, under the surface of the camouflage, females may experience high levels of subjective stress, anxiety and exhaustion and a need to re-charge or recuperate by withdrawing from any social interaction.

Research limitations/implications

There is relatively little understanding and knowledge of the female phenotype of ASD. This lack of understanding and knowledge impacts significantly on the ability to identify females with ASD (Laiet al., 2015; Bargielaet al., 2016), which can have a number of negative consequence (Adamouet al., 2018; National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK), 2012).

Practical implications

There is a need for the development of a camouflaging measure.

Originality/value

There is a real need for further research exploring the positive and negative impact of the phenomenon of “camouflaging”, or “pretending to be normal” in females with ASD.
Achieving service quality and students loyalty through intimacy and trust of employees of universities
Authors: Amegbe Hayford , Hanu Charles , Mensah Farouq
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of employees’ behavioural factors in increasing students’ loyalty. It specifically examines the direct and indirect mediations between employees’ service quality, trust and intimacy. The focus is on the effects of constructs of service quality (SQLTY), trust (TRUS) and intimacy (INTIMACY) on student loyalty (STLOY).

Design/methodology/approach

This study depended on a positivist research paradigm. A total of 800 structured questionnaires were administered. However, 743 were retrieved and coded for the final analysis. The analytical tool used in this study is the ADANCO 2.0.1 software and in terms of statistical processing, the PLS–SEM technique was utilised.

Findings

The findings on direct relationships reveal that INTIMACY is a strong predictor of STLOY, whereas service quality (SQLTY) is a predictor of trust (TRUS). The effect of indirect mediation between service quality (SQLTY), trust (TRUS) and intimacy (INTIMACY) on STLOY was not confirmed.

Research limitations/implications

The study like any academic work has limitations. Despite these limitations, this study offers theoretical as well as practical value for the research community and administrators of universities and higher educational administrators as a whole.

Practical implications

The study emphasises the critical need for administrators of higher educational institutions to understand that the behaviours of their employees during the service encounter significantly affect intimacy and student loyalty.

Originality/value

The present study is unique because it quantitatively examined how the above-mentioned behavioural factors of employees lead to INTIMACY and STLOY. The use of a university for the research helped to develop a much better explanation of some of the salient considerations for STLOY. The value of this work rests in the complex quantitative relationships studied.
Modeling of upset sensor operation for autonomous unmanned systems applications
Authors: Fagbemi Mofetoluwa , Perhinschi Mario G. , Al-Sinbol Ghassan
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and implement a general sensor model under normal and abnormal operational conditions including nine functional categories (FCs) to provide additional tools for the design, testing and evaluation of unmanned aerial systems within the West Virginia University unmanned air systems (UAS) simulation environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The characteristics under normal and abnormal operation of various types of sensors typically used for UAS control are classified within nine FCs. A general and comprehensive framework for sensor modeling is defined as a sequential alteration of the exact value of the measurand corresponding to each FC. Simple mathematical and logical algorithms are used in this process. Each FC is characterized by several parameters, which may be maintained constant or may vary during simulation. The user has maximum flexibility in selecting values for the parameters within and outside sensor design ranges. These values can be set to change at pre-defined moments, such that permanent and intermittent scenarios can be simulated. Sensor outputs are integrated with the autonomous flight simulation allowing for evaluation and analysis of control laws.

Findings

The developed sensor model can provide the desirable levels of realism necessary for assessing UAS behavior and dynamic response under sensor failure conditions, as well as evaluating the performance of autonomous flight control laws.

Research limitations/implications

Due to its generality and flexibility, the proposed sensor model allows detailed insight into the dynamic implications of sensor functionality on the performance of control algorithms. It may open new directions for investigating the synergistic interactions between sensors and control systems and lead to improvements in both areas.

Practical implications

The implementation of the proposed sensor model provides a valuable and flexible simulation tool that can support system design for safety purposes. Specifically, it can address directly the analysis and design of fault tolerant flight control laws for autonomous UASs. The proposed model can be easily customized to be used for different complex dynamic systems.

Originality/value

In this paper, information on sensor functionality is fused and organized to develop a general and comprehensive framework for sensor modeling at normal and abnormal operational conditions. The implementation of the proposed approach enhances significantly the capability of the UAS simulation environment to address important issues related to the design of control laws with high performance and desirable robustness for safety purposes.
Optimal path planning of mobile robot using the hybrid cuckoo–bat algorithm in assorted environment
Authors: Gunji Balamurali , B.B.V.L. Deepak , M.B.L. Saraswathi , Mogili Umamaheswara Rao
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to obtain an optimal mobile robot path planning by the hybrid algorithm, which is developed by two nature inspired meta-heuristic algorithms, namely, cuckoo-search and bat algorithm (BA) in an unknown or partially known environment. The cuckoo-search algorithm is based on the parasitic behavior of the cuckoo, and the BA is based on the echolocation behavior of the bats.

Design/methodology/approach

The developed algorithm starts by sensing the obstacles in the environment using ultrasonic sensor. If there are any obstacles in the path, the authors apply the developed algorithm to find the optimal path otherwise reach the target point directly through diagonal distance.

Findings

The developed algorithm is implemented in MATLAB for the simulation to test the efficiency of the algorithm for different environments. The same path is considered to implement the experiment in the real-world environment. The ARDUINO microcontroller along with the ultrasonic sensor is considered to obtain the path length and time of travel of the robot to reach the goal point.

Originality/value

In this paper, a new hybrid algorithm has been developed to find the optimal path of the mobile robot using cuckoo search and BAs. The developed algorithm is tested with the real-world environment using the mobile robot.
Effectiveness of topical propranolol 4% gel in the treatment of pyogenic granuloma in children
Authors: Mashiah Jacob , Hadj‐Rabia Smail , Slodownik Dan , Harel Avikam , Sprecher Eli , Kutz Ana
Published: December 2018

Pyogenic granuloma is a benign acquired vascular tumor that affects the skin and mucous membranes, occurring more often in children and young adults. Treatment is often required due to the associated risk of ulceration and bleeding. There are several publications reporting the use of beta‐blockers for the treatment of pyogenic granuloma. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety profile of topical propranolol 4% gel for the treatment of pyogenic granuloma. A retrospective study of all cases of pyogenic granuloma treated with topical propranolol 4% gel between 2014 and 2015 was performed. Epidemiological, clinical and treatment data, including effectiveness score and safety, were reviewed. Of a total of 18 patients with pyogenic granuloma, 11 (61.1%) showed complete resolution of the lesion while two (11.1%) had an almost complete response. In three cases (16.6%), the treatment was discontinued due to bleeding, and the lesions were removed by curettage. Local irritation and lack of compliance led to treatment discontinuation in two cases. Altogether, 13 out of 18 patients (72%) had complete or almost complete response to treatment. There was a correlation between treatment duration and response to treatment. One patient only reported local side‐effects including irritation, redness and scaling of the treated area leading to discontinuation of the treatment and curettage of the pyogenic granuloma. No systemic adverse effects were reported. This is an uncontrolled retrospective study. Propranolol 4% gel may be considered as a safe and efficient topical therapy for pyogenic granuloma.
The role of chemosensory protein 10 in the detection of behaviorally active compounds in brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Waris Muhammad Irfan , Younas Aneela , Adeel Muhammad Muzammal , Duan Shuang‐Gang , Quershi Sundas Rana , Kaleem Ullah Rana Muhammad , Wang Man‐Qun
Published: December 2018

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) play important roles in insects’ chemoreception, although their specific functional roles have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we conducted the developmental expression patterns and competitive binding assay as well as knock‐down assay by RNA interference both in vitro and in vivo to reveal the function of NlugCSP10 from the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), a major pest in rice plants. The results showed that NlugCSP10 messenger RNA was significantly higher in males than in females and correlated to gender, development and wing forms. The fluorescence binding assays revealed that NlugCSP10 exhibited the highest binding affinity with cis‐3‐hexenyl acetate, eicosane, and (+)‐β‐pinene. Behavioral assay revealed that eicosane displayed attractant activity, while cis‐3‐hexenyl acetate, similar to (+)‐β‐pinene significantly repelled N. lugens adults. Silencing of NlugCSP10, which is responsible for cis‐3‐hexenyl acetate binding, significantly disrupted cis‐3‐hexenyl acetate communication. Overall, findings of the present study showed that NlugCSP10 could selectively interrelate with numerous volatiles emitted from host plants and these ligands could be designated to develop slow‐release mediators that attract/repel N. lugens and subsequently improve the exploration of plans to control this insect pest.
Robotic circumferential tracheal resection and reconstruction via a completely portal approach
Authors: Qiu Tong , Zhao Yandong , Song Jianfang , Jiao Wenjie
Published: December 2018

Robotic surgery for circumferential tracheal resection and reconstruction has not previously been reported. Herein we describe the case of a 48‐year‐old man with primary extra‐luminal tracheal leiomyosarcoma. A preoperative bronchoscopy exam and chest computed tomography revealed a tracheal neoplasm, which derived from lower membranous trachea and nearly obstructed the orifice of the left main bronchus. The patient underwent circumferential tracheal resection and reconstruction via a completely portal robotic approach with four arms. Benefitting from flexible instruments and a three‐dimensional magnified view, telescope anastomosis was performed and modulated. No postoperative complications presented. Follow‐up showed the reconstructed trachea without stenosis or recurrence.
The impact of audit quality in rights offerings
Authors: Balachandran Balasingham , Faff Robert , Nguyen Lily H. G. , Puwanenthiren Premkanth
Published: December 2018

Using audit quality as our core focus, we take a fresh look at the tradability and standby status in rights offerings, and the market reaction during the subscription period in the US market. We find that firms with high audit quality are more likely to choose tradable or full standby rights issues. We also find that the subscription period price reaction is positively related to audit quality and negatively related to issue price discount. These results demonstrate an important role played by the choice of auditors in the design of rights offerings, particularly in mitigating the negative price reaction during the subscription period.
What are our aims, and why?
Authors: Jauncey Marianne
Published: December 2018

Commentary to: Post‐marketing studies of pharmaceutical opioid abuse‐deterrent formulations: a framework for research design and reporting
Novel BEST1 mutations and special clinical characteristics of autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy in Chinese patients
Authors: Luo Jingyi , Lin Mingkai , Guo Xinxing , Xiao Xueshan , Li Jiali , Hu Huan , Xiao Hui , Xu Xiaoyu , Zhong Yimin , Long Shixian , Luo Guangwei , Mi Lan , Chen Xiangxi , Fang Lei , Wei Wei , Zhang Qingjiong , Liu Xing
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The aim of this study was to describe the genetic and clinical characteristics of Chinese patients with autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy (ARB).

Methods

This study presents a retrospective observational case series. Twenty‐one ARB patients and 25 clinically healthy family members were recruited. The coding regions and adjacent intronic regions of BEST1 were analysed via Sanger sequencing. Clinical examinations, including ultrasound biomicroscopy, A‐scan, optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and visual electrophysiology, were reviewed.

Results

Six novel mutations (c.380C>T, p.T127M; c.397A>G, p.N133D; c.500A>G, p.E167G; c.817G>A, p.V273M; c.174_176del, p.Q58del; and c.950_955del, p.S318_L319) and 8 previously reported mutations were identified. The p.R255W mutation had the highest frequency in our cohort. Twenty patients had serous retinal detachment with multifocal subretinal vitelliform deposits in the posterior poles. One patient exhibited chorioretinal atrophy. FFA revealed peripheral vascular leakage in 10 patients, and ICGA revealed hyperfluorescent spots in 8 patients. Visual electrophysiology was abnormal in all patients. Fifteen patients with angle closure (AC) or angle‐closure glaucoma (ACG) had shallower anterior chambers and shorter axial lengths than the patients with open angle, contributing to their risk of developing AC/ACG. One patient developed AC during the 7‐year follow‐up period. The misdiagnosis and missed rates were 35.3% and 58.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

The six novel mutations and high frequency of p.R255W suggest ethnical differences in the BEST1 mutation spectrum among Chinese patients. BEST1 gene screening and detailed clinical examinations help establishing a diagnosis of ARB. Clinical evaluations of the risk of developing AC/ACG are recommended for ARB patients.
The future of system justification theory
Authors: Jost John T. , Badaan Vivienne , Goudarzi Shahrzad , Hoffarth Mark , Mogami Mao
Published: December 2018

In this article, we respond to commentaries by Friesen et al. (2019, Br. J. Soc. Psychol., 58, 315), Osborne et al. (2019, Br. J. Soc. Psychol., 58, 340), and Owuamalam et al. (2019, Br. J. Soc. Psychol., 58, 362) on the occasion of the twenty‐fifth anniversary of system justification theory. The first two commentaries are highly favourable in their evaluation of the state of theory and research on system justification, and they provide insightful suggestions for new directions. The third commentary is far more critical of system justification theory. We address each objection in some detail, seeking to correct a number of misconceptions about system justification theory and clarify the fact that the theory specifies three – ego, group, and system justification – motives rather than one. Finally, we end by proposing exciting new areas for future research, such as (1) distinguishing between subjective and objective consequences of system justification in a broader array of social and political contexts and (2) developing practical interventions to reduce system justification motivation and strengthen the motivation to improve upon the status quo.
Rates and pathways of CH4 oxidation in ferruginous Lake Matano, Indonesia
Authors: Sturm Arne , Fowle David A. , Jones CarriAyne , Leslie Karla , Nomosatryo Sulung , Henny Cynthia , Canfield Donald E. , Crowe Sean A.
Published: December 2018

This study evaluates rates and pathways of methane (CH4) oxidation and uptake using 14C‐based tracer experiments throughout the oxic and anoxic waters of ferruginous Lake Matano. Methane oxidation rates in Lake Matano are moderate (0.36 nmol L−1 day−1 to 117 μmol L−1 day−1) compared to other lakes, but are sufficiently high to preclude strong CH4 fluxes to the atmosphere. In addition to aerobic CH4 oxidation, which takes place in Lake Matano's oxic mixolimnion, we also detected CH4 oxidation in Lake Matano's anoxic ferruginous waters. Here, CH4 oxidation proceeds in the apparent absence of oxygen (O2) and instead appears to be coupled to some as yet uncertain combination of nitrate (), nitrite (), iron (Fe) or manganese (Mn), or sulfate () reduction. Throughout the lake, the fraction of CH4 carbon that is assimilated vs. oxidized to carbon dioxide (CO2) is high (up to 93%), indicating extensive CH4 conversion to biomass and underscoring the importance of CH4 as a carbon and energy source in Lake Matano and potentially other ferruginous or low productivity environments.
Laboratory and clinical reliability of two spectrophotometers
Authors: Klotz Anna‐Luisa , Habibi Yasamin , Corcodel Nicoleta , Rammelsberg Peter , Hassel Alexander J. , Zenthöfer Andreas
Published: December 2018

Objective

To evaluate the repeatability, interexaminer, and interdevice reliability of two clinically applicable spectrophotometers under laboratory and clinical conditions.

Material and Methods

For the in vitro part of the study, measurements were performed by the use of Vita Easyshade Advance 4.0 (ES‐A) and the Easyshade V (ES‐V) at identical positions on different shade tabs (3D‐Master; Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany). To test repeatability, one shade tab was measured 50 times by one operator. To determine interrater and interdevice agreement, two operators used both devices to perform 10 measurements on five different shade tabs. Clinical interdevice and interexaminer reliability was checked with a positioning jig used (15 participants). Measurement accuracy of both devices was evaluated for the recommended color of shade tabs.

Results

Repeatability of results from both Easyshades was excellent for all color components (maximum deviation between measurements was ≤0.1 units). Interrater agreement was also perfect (intraclass correlation, ICC = 1.000). Interdevice agreement was lower, but still good (ICC ≥ 0.834). In the clinical environment, interrater and interdevice agreements were similar (ICC > 0.964 and ICC > 0.873). Accuracy was satisfactory for both devices, with both observers in full agreement for nearly 80% of ratings.

Conclusions

Both Easyshades produced reliable and accurate measurements and can therefore be recommended for clinical determination of tooth color.

Clinical Significance

The outcome of this study might help clinicians estimate the performance of a new digital shade determination device.
Cohort Trends in Union Dissolution During Young Adulthood
Authors: Eickmeyer Kasey J.
Published: December 2018

Objective

To determine whether recent birth cohorts of women experienced more union dissolution during young adulthood (ages 18–25) than previous birth cohorts.

Background

The union formation and dissolution patterns of young adult women in the United States have changed dramatically during the past 25 years. As a result, this life stage is demographically dense as women experience a bulk of relationship experiences, including coresidential unions and dissolution.

Method

The author uses data on women's marital and cohabiting dissolutions between the ages of 18 and 25 from the National Survey of Family Growth 1995, 2002, and continuous surveys from 2006 to 2010 and 2011 to 2015 (N = 14,211). The sample is nationally representative. The author uses generalized ordinal logistic regression to examine the likelihood of dissolution during young adulthood across birth cohorts.

Results

Women born between 1985 and 1989 experience more union dissolutions during young adulthood than women born between 1960 and 1979. However, the shift in cohabitation behavior accounts for this instability.

Conclusion

Women's relationship formation experiences in young adulthood are characterized by nonmarital relationships (cohabitation) and more union dissolution when compared with older birth cohorts. Theoretical and empirical studies need to evolve to include this more complicated sense of young adulthood, union formation, and instability.
Apple tree flowering is mediated by low level of melatonin under the regulation of seasonal light signal
Authors: Zhang Haixia , Wang Lin , Shi Kun , Shan Dongqian , Zhu Yunpeng , Wang Chanyu , Bai Yixue , Yan Tianci , Zheng Xiaodong , Kong Jin
Published: December 2018

Melatonin regulates the seasonal reproduction in photoperiodic sensitive animals. Its function in plants reproduction has not been extensively studied. In the current study, the effects of melatonin on the apple tree flowering have been systematically investigated. For consecutive 2‐year monitoring, it was found that the flowering was always associated with the drop of melatonin level in apple tree. Melatonin application before flowering postponed apple tree flowering with a dose‐dependent manner. The increased melatonin levels at a suitable range also resulted in more flowering. The data indicated that similar to the animals, the melatonin also serves as the signal of the environmental light to regulate the plant reproduction. It was mainly the blue and far‐red light to regulate the gene expression of melatonin synthetic enzymes and melatonin production in plants. The seasonal alterations of the blue and far‐red lights coordinated well with the changes of the melatonin levels and led to decreased melatonin level before flowering. The mechanism studies showed that melatonin per se inhibits all the four flowering pathways in apple. The results not only provide the basic knowledge for melatonin research, but also uncover melatonin as a chemical message of light signal to mediate plant reproduction. This information can be potentially used to control flowering period and prolong the harvest time, helpfully to open a new avenue for increasing crop yield by melatonin application.
Growth performance and intestinal morphology of Hyline chickens fed diets with different diet particle sizes
Authors: Lang Wuying , Hong Pan , Li Ruonan , Zhang Hao , Huang Yusheng , Zheng Xin
Published: December 2018

The effect of feed particle size on the growth performance and intestinal morphology of Hyline chickens was studied. Sixty one‐day‐old chickens were randomly assigned into two groups with five replicates per group and six chickens per replicate. The control group (CG) was fed pelleted feed and the experimental group (EG) was fed crumbled feed. The geometric mean diameter (GMD) of the pelleted and crumbled feed was approximately 1.2 and 0.8 mm respectively. The trial was carried out from day 15 to day 69 of the lives of the chickens. During the experimental period, the average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion rate (FCR) were calculated. At 42 and 69 days of age, fifteen chickens from each group were slaughtered for the intestinal morphology analyses. The morphologies of various segments of the intestine were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that from 15 to 42 days of age, the FCR of the CG was higher than that of the EG, but the final body weight was lower in the CG than in the EG (p < 0.05). The villi heights in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were shorter in the CG than in the EG (p < 0.05). The villi tips in the duodenum and jejunum of the CG were broken, but they were protected in the EG. At 69 days of age, the BW and the whole intestinal villi height of the CG were greater than those of the EG (p < 0.05). The villi in the duodenum and jejunum in the CG were better than 42 days, but the tips of the duodenal villi in the EG were slightly broken. In conclusion, feeding chickens crumbled feed from 15 to 42 days of age and then feeding them pelleted feed was beneficial to the growth performance of the Hyline chickens, as the pelleted feed would break the intestinal villi of young chickens, but the intestinal villi become stronger with the chicken growth.
Beneficial impacts of bee pollen in animal production, reproduction and health
Authors: Abdelnour Sameh A. , Abd El‐Hack Mohamed E. , Alagawany Mahmoud , Farag Mayada R. , Elnesr Shaaban S.
Published: December 2018

Bee pollen (BP) is one of the most useful therapeutic products favoured by natural medicine scientists because of its possible nutritional and medical applications. It exhibits many impacts such as antimicrobial, immunostimulating, antioxidants and hepatoprotective. Furthermore, BP has some useful therapeutic features in numerous pathological situations such as its impact to normalize wound healing. Based on previous literatures, the level of BP supplement in livestock and poultry ranged from 0.1 to 20 g/kg diet. This variation depends on the species, physiological status, age and purpose of addition; so far generally, it accepted to use the level with no side effects. It has been observed that BP enhanced growth performance, immunity responses and blood variables and had hypoglycaemic activity by reducing the lipid in the blood and carcass. Also, BP contains more nutrients, which stimulate faster differentiation and proliferation of the cells of immune system of birds. Therefore, the present review recommends that BP supplementation (up to 20 g/kg diet) had possible beneficial impacts, antioxidants and protective activities on most of the production, productive and health patterns of livestock.
Genome‐wide association analysis of salinity responsive traits in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Kang Yun , Torres‐Jerez Ivone , An Zewei , Greve Veronica , Huhman David , Krom Nicholas , Cui Yuehua , Udvardi Michael
Published: December 2018

Salinity stress is an important cause of crop yield loss in many parts of the world. Here, we performed genome‐wide association studies of salinity‐stress responsive traits in 132 HapMap genotypes of the model legume Medicago truncatula. Plants grown in soil were subjected to a step‐wise increase in NaCl concentration, from 0 through 0.5% and 1.0% to 1.5%, and the following traits were measured: vigor, shoot biomass, shoot water content, leaf chlorophyll content, leaf size, and leaf and root concentrations of proline and major ions (Na+, Cl−, K+, Ca2+, etc.). Genome‐wide association studies were carried out using 2.5 million single nucleotide polymorphisms, and 12 genomic regions associated with at least four traits each were identified. Transcript‐level analysis of the top eight candidate genes in five extreme genotypes revealed association between salinity tolerance and transcript‐level changes for seven of the genes, encoding a vacuolar H+‐ATPase, two transcription factors, two proteins involved in vesicle trafficking, one peroxidase, and a protein of unknown function. Earlier functional studies on putative orthologues of two of the top eight genes (a vacuolar H+‐ATPase and a peroxidase) demonstrated their involvement in plant salinity tolerance.
Growth of pediatric recipients after renal transplantation from small pediatric deceased donors weighing less than 15 kg
Authors: Liu Zhe , Zhao Wen‐yu , Zhang Lei , Zhu You‐hua , Zeng Li
Published: December 2018

RTx is currently the best treatment for children with ESRD. This study retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of growth after RTx using the pediatric‐to‐pediatric allocation strategy and some factors that may affect it. From March 2012 to August 2016, 8 en bloc and 38 single pediatric RTxs were performed at our center using organs from small pediatric deceased donors (weight < 15 kg). Growth before and after RTx was analyzed according to the height‐for‐age z‐score at RTx, the 3‐year follow‐up, and adulthood and compared between the procedures. The chi‐square test and multiple linear regression analysis were used for statistical analyses. Overall, 79.2% of children were diagnosed with chronic nephritis before RTx; 14.6% of cases were due to congenital urinary tract malformation, and 6.3% of cases were due to unknown causes. All grafts and patients survived postoperatively. The mean estimated GFRs were 92.7 ± 28.6 mL/min/1.73 m2, 100.9 ± 32.3 mL/min/1.73 m2, and 110.1 ± 34.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 at 1, 2, and 3 years’ postoperatively, respectively. The children's postoperative growth and development, particularly during the first year postoperatively, improved but were negatively correlated with age and the height‐for‐age z‐score before RTx. The growth of children after RTx was moderate and accelerated during prepubescence. The rate of post‐RTx growth during the first year postoperatively was unrelated to the recipient's sex or duration of dialysis (P > 0.05) but was negatively correlated with age at RTx (r = −0.349, P = 0.043). Future studies on the long‐term outcomes are still needed.
WATER ABSORPTION AND DRYING SHRINKAGE OF RECYCLED FOAMED AGGREGATE CONCRETE
Authors: Teck Jung Chai , Kwong Tang Hing , Boon Koh Heng
Published: December 2018

Abstract: This paper presents some experimental results and discusses the used of recycled foamed aggregates as natural coarse aggregates replacement in producing concrete. The physical properties of recycled foamed aggregates concrete were investigated. The properties studied are water absorption and drying shrinkage from the concrete early ages until the periods of 56 days. The 100 mm x 100 mm cube specimen was used to study the water absorption at the age of 7, 28 and 56 days. Meanwhile, the 100 mm x 100 mm x 300 mm length prism had been casted and used for drying shrinkage test for recycled foamed aggregates concrete. The foamed aggregates was produced from crushing recycled foamed concrete blocks. It were coated with cement paste to reduce its water absorption ability during casting process. Superplasticizer was used to maintain the workability of fresh concrete with a slump vary between 50 mm to 100 mm. The physical tests were conducted on recycled foamed aggregates to determine their initial properties such as loose bulk density, sieve analysis and water absorption rate. Recycled foamed aggregate concretes were produced with varied water cement ratio. The results obtained indicated that the linear elastic relationship between water cement ratio and water absorption rate. The higher the water cement ratio of concrete specimen will obtained higher water absorption rate. Vice versa, the density is low for drying shrinkage. The water absorption decreased while drying shrinkage becomes more stabilized over curing period.