bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A coalescent sampler successfully detects biologically meaningful population structure overlooked by F‐statistics
Authors: Crandall Eric D. , Toonen Robert J. ,   ToBo Laboratory, Selkoe Kimberly A.
Published: September 2018

Assessing the geographic structure of populations has relied heavily on Sewell Wright's F‐statistics and their numerous analogues for many decades. However, it is well appreciated that, due to their nonlinear relationship with gene flow, F‐statistics frequently fail to reject the null model of panmixia in species with relatively high levels of gene flow and large population sizes. Coalescent genealogy samplers instead allow a model‐selection approach to the characterization of population structure, thereby providing the opportunity for stronger inference. Here, we validate the use of coalescent samplers in a high gene flow context using simulations of a stepping‐stone model. In an example case study, we then re‐analyze genetic datasets from 41 marine species sampled from throughout the Hawaiian archipelago using coalescent model selection. Due to the archipelago's linear nature, it is expected that most species will conform to some sort of stepping‐stone model (leading to an expected pattern of isolation by distance), but F‐statistics have only supported this inference in ~10% of these datasets. Our simulation analysis shows that a coalescent sampler can make a correct inference of stepping‐stone gene flow in nearly 100% of cases where gene flow is ≤100 migrants per generation (equivalent to FST = 0.002), while F‐statistics had mixed results. Our re‐analysis of empirical datasets found that nearly 70% of datasets with an unambiguous result fit a stepping‐stone model with varying population sizes and rates of gene flow, although 37% of datasets yielded ambiguous results. Together, our results demonstrate that coalescent samplers hold great promise for detecting weak but meaningful population structure, and defining appropriate management units.
Mechanisms of pathogenic effects of eosinophil cationic protein and eosinophil‐derived neurotoxin on human keratinocytes
Authors: Amber Kyle T. , Chernyavsky Alex , Agnoletti Arianna F. , Cozzani Emanuele , Grando Sergei A.
Published: September 2018

Cutaneous deposition of eosinophil degranulation proteins is a major feature of eosinophil‐rich cutaneous diseases including bullous pemphigoid (BP). We sought to better understand the effect of two of these proteins – eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil‐derived neurotoxin (EDN), on human keratinocytes using the Het‐1A cell line. To evaluate expression of key cytokines and chemokines observed in BP as well as metal metalloprotease 9 (MMP9), we performed qPCR and in‐cell Western assays on cells treated with either ECP or EDN. We further evaluated the effect of ECP and EDN on keratinocyte survival, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis. Lastly, we assessed ECP and EDN's ability to induce keratinocyte detachment from provisional matrix. Treatment of keratinocytes with ECP and EDN resulted in significant increases in IL‐5, eotaxin‐1 and CCL5 (RANTES) expression at both mRNA and protein levels, but not IL‐17 or IL‐31. ECP and EDN also upregulate MMP9 production. Inhibiting MMP9, we confirmed that keratinocyte expression of IL‐5, eotaxin‐1 and RANTES was independent from MMP9. Both ECP and EDN were cytotoxic to keratinocytes, inducing ROS formation and apoptosis through a mitochondrion‐dependent pathway as evidenced by results of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick‐end labelling (TUNEL) and cytochrome c release assays, respectively. ECP but not EDN led to significant keratinocyte detachment from provisional matrix. These findings demonstrate that the pathogenic effects of ECP and EDN in BP may result from their direct action on keratinocytes, and as such may became a target for future therapies in eosinophil‐rich cutaneous diseases.
Adverse effect of dexamethasone on development of the fetal rat ovary
Authors: Ristić Nataša , Nestorović Nataša , Manojlović‐Stojanoski Milica , Trifunović Svetlana , Ajdžanović Vladimir , Filipović Branko , Pendovski Lazo , Milošević Verica
Published: September 2018

Dexamethasone (Dx) is often used in obstetric practice to promote fetal lung maturation and to prevent respiratory distress syndrome when the risk of preterm delivery persists. This therapy enables survival of the newborn, but also is associated with deleterious effects on the offspring, such as reproductive disorders. The aim of this study was to determine specifically whether prenatal exposure to Dx disturbs the physiological balance between proliferation and apoptosis of germinative cells (GC) in the ovary of 19‐ and 21‐day‐old fetuses and thus induces developmental programming of the female reproductive system. Pregnant Wistar rats (n = 10/group), separated into control (vehicle) and Dx‐treated (0.5 mg/kg body mass) groups, received injections on gestational days 16, 17, and 18. Exposure to Dx lowered the volume of the fetal ovary by 30% (P < 0.05) in 21‐day‐old fetuses, as well as the total number of GC in the ovary by 21% (P < 0.05). When compared to the controls, in Dx‐exposed fetuses, the total number of PCNA‐positive GC was 27% lower at 19 days and 71% lower at 21 days old (P < 0.05), while total numbers of caspase‐3‐positive GC were 2.3‐fold and 34% higher, respectively (P < 0.05). Our results demonstrate that prenatal exposure to Dx diminished proliferation but increased the rate of germinative cell apoptosis, with consequently reduced total germinative cell number and ovary volume. Impairment of fetal oogenesis and fewer GC in the fetal ovary compromise the oogonial stock and thus may constitute a risk of female fertility.
The global structure of marine cleaning mutualistic networks
Authors: Quimbayo Juan Pablo , Cantor Mauricio , Dias Murilo S. , Grutter Alexandra S. , Gingins Simon , Becker Justine H. A. , Floeter Sergio R.
Published: September 2018

Aim

We studied the underlying biotic and abiotic drivers of network patterns in marine cleaning mutualisms (species feeding upon ectoparasites and injured tissues of others) at large spatial scales.

Location

Eleven marine biogeographical provinces.

Time period

1971–2018.

Major taxa studied

Reef fish and shrimps.

Methods

We combined field and literature data to test whether recurrent patterns in mutualistic networks (nestedness, modularity) describe the distributions of marine cleaning interactions. Nested network structures suggest that some cleaner species interact with many clients while the others clean fewer, predictable subsets of these clients; modular network structures suggest that cleaners and clients interact within defined, densely connected subsets of species. We used linear mixed models to evaluate whether the life‐history traits of cleaners contribute to the emergence of these patterns locally and whether environmental and geographical factors influence the network structures.

Results

Marine cleaning networks were more nested than modular. Nestedness was prevalent in communities with dedicated cleaners (ones that feed exclusively by cleaning), whereas communities with only facultative cleaners (ones that clean opportunistically) were generally unstructured. Cleaner type and taxa were the only traits shaping networks, with dedicated fish cleaners contributing disproportionally more than facultative cleaners and shrimps to the emergence of nestedness. Although cleaner species seem concentrated around the tropics and biodiversity centres, we did not detect an influence of environmental and geographical factors on network structures.

Main conclusions

Dedicated species are key in shaping the structure of marine cleaning mutualistic networks. By relying exclusively on cleaning to feed, dedicated cleaners interact with most of the available clients and form the network core, whereas the opportunistic facultative species tend to clean the most common clients. We hypothesize that trophic niche variation and phenotypic specialization are major drivers of this asymmetry in marine mutualisms. Our study strengthens the links between biotic interactions at the community level and the distribution of species and specializations at larger spatial scales.
Similarity in spatial structure constrains ecosystem relationships: Building a macroscale understanding of lakes
Authors: Lapierre Jean‐Francois , Collins Sarah M. , Seekell David A. , Spence Cheruvelil Kendra , Tan Pang‐Ning , Skaff Nicholas K. , Taranu Zofia E. , Fergus C. Emi , Soranno Patricia A.
Published: September 2018

Aim

We aimed to measure the dominant spatial patterns in ecosystem properties (such as nutrients and measures of primary production) and the multi‐scaled geographical driver variables of these properties and to quantify how the spatial structure of pattern in all of these variables influences the strength of relationships among them.

Location and time period

We studied > 8,500 lakes in a 1.8 million km2area of Northeast U.S.A. Data comprised 10‐year medians (2002–2011) for measured ecosystem properties, long‐term climate averages and recent land use/land cover variables.

Major taxa studied

We focused on ecosystem properties at the base of aquatic food webs, including concentrations of nutrients and algal pigments that are proxies of primary productivity.

Methods

We quantified spatial structure in ecosystem properties and their geographical driver variables using distance‐based Moran eigenvector maps (dbMEMs). We then compared the similarity in spatial structure for all pairs of variables with the correlation between variables to illustrate how spatial structure constrains relationships among ecosystem properties.

Results

The strength of spatial structure decreased in order for climate, land cover/use, lake ecosystem properties and lake and landscape morphometry. Having a comparable spatial structure is a necessary condition to observe a strong relationship between a pair of variables, but not a sufficient one; variables with very different spatial structure are never strongly correlated. Lake ecosystem properties tended to have an intermediary spatial structure compared with that of their main drivers, probably because climate and landscape variables with known ecological links induce spatial patterns.

Main conclusion

Our empirical results describe inherent spatial constraints that dictate the expected relationships between ecosystem properties and their geographical drivers at macroscales. Our results also suggest that understanding the spatial scales at which ecological processes operate is necessary to predict the effects of multi‐scaled environmental changes on ecosystem properties.
Rapid Determination of Trace Element Compositions in Peridotites by LA‐ICP‐MS Using an Albite Fusion Method
Authors: Zhang Shenyang Y. , Zhang Hongluo L. , Hou Zhenhui , Ionov Dmitri A. , Huang Fang
Published: September 2018

A rapid sample preparation procedure is described to determine trace element compositions of peridotites using LA‐ICP‐MS. Peridotite powders were fused with albite in a molybdenum–graphite assembly to obtain homogeneous glasses. Best conditions for the fusion procedure (heating at 1500–1550 °C for 10–15 min with a sample‐to‐flux ratio of 1:2) were constrained with melting experiments on two USGS reference materials, PCC‐1 and DTS‐2B. Mass fractions of first series transition elements, Ba and Pb, in quenched glasses of PCC‐1 and DTS‐2B are consistent with published data within 10% RSD. Three spinel peridotite xenoliths from eastern China were analysed following both our method and conventional solution ICP‐MS. Compared with solution ICP‐MS, the relative deviations of our method for most elements were within 10%, while for the REE, Ta, Pb, Th and U, the relative deviations were within 20%. In particular, volatile elements (e.g., Pb and Zn) are retained in the glass. Compared with conventional wet chemistry digestion, our method is faster. Additional advantages are complete sample fusion, especially useful for samples with acid‐resistant minerals (spinel and rutile), and long‐term conservation of glasses allowing unlimited repeated measurements with microbeam techniques. The same approach can be used for analyses of other mantle rocks, such as eclogites and pyroxenites.
A quantitative method for measuring regional economic resilience to the great recession
Authors: Ringwood Lauryn , Watson Philip , Lewin Paul
Published: September 2018

Regional economic resilience can be defined as an economy’s ability to withstand and recover quickly from shocks. The ability to measure resilience is necessary to developing our understanding of what influences resilience. In this paper, we develop a new, two‐dimensional quantitative measure of resilience using observed differences between expected and actual employment in a region following a shock and distinguish the response to the shock from random variation. We demonstrate one application of this metric to US county‐level employment data to compare county responses to the 2007–2009 national recession and discuss how different regions of the United States responded to the shock of the Great Recession in terms of resilience.
Innovation in suburban development zones: Evidence from Nanjing, China
Authors: Li Yingcheng , Wang Xingping
Published: September 2018

While suburban areas have been typically related with urban sprawl, low density, cheap land price and low‐end manufacturing industries, relatively little attention has been paid to the spatial organization of innovation in suburban areas. In some Chinese cities, development zones (kai fa qu) in their suburban areas which are generally regarded as major spaces for traditional manufacturing industries have been transforming into spaces for innovation. This paper provides a case study of Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province in Eastern China by investigating and explaining the learning and innovation processes in suburban development zones. Drawing upon a unique database on 733 state‐certified high‐tech firms in Nanjing from 2008 to 2012 which contains detailed information on their addresses and number of patents, we observe strong spatial disparity in the distribution of innovation. Suburban districts of Nanjing where its three national‐level development zones and many provincial‐level development zones are located have become major spaces for innovation of the city. The planning of industrial clusters in development zones, the place‐based investment in the suburbs, and the suburbanization of universities are three major mechanisms behind the learning and innovation processes in Nanjing’s suburban development zones.
Women leaders, self‐body‐care and corporate moderate feminism: An (im)perfect place for feminism
Authors: Mavin Sharon , Grandy Gina
Published: September 2018

This article offers self‐body‐care as an aspect of corporate moderate feminism and a manifestation of postfeminism for women leaders. It explains how postfeminism as a bodily practice surfaces through women leaders' body work and how women ‘top' leaders strategize to stabilize their credibility by identifying their own and other women' body work needs and the steps they take to meet these. Self‐body‐care extends understandings of body work as part of postfeminist governmentality and contributes to understandings of moderate feminism as that which deflects and reflects feminism and constrains and empowers subjects. As such self‐body‐care offers an (im)perfect space for disruption and for Gender and Organization Studies (GOS) scholars to pursue the implications and potential of postfeminism. We call for women elite leaders to be part of feminist futures and illustrate self‐body‐care as an aspect of corporate moderate feminism by highlighting complexity in the postfeminist thesis and reflexively re‐examining two of our previous published empirical studies of women ‘top' leaders.
Long‐Term Outcome of Patients With Intractable Chronic Cluster Headache Treated With Injection of Onabotulinum Toxin A Toward the Sphenopalatine Ganglion – An Observational Study
Authors: Aschehoug Irina , Bratbak Daniel Fossum , Tronvik Erling Andreas
Published: September 2018

Objectives

To investigate long‐term outcomes in per‐protocol chronic cluster headache patients (n = 7), 18 and 24 months after participation in “Pilot study of sphenopalatine injection of onabotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of intractable chronic cluster headache.”

Methods

Data were collected prospectively through headache diaries, HIT‐6, and open questionnaire forms at 18 and 24 months after the first treatment. Patients had access to repeated injections when needed.

Results

An overall significant reduction in cluster headache attack frequency per month (57.3 ± 35.6 at baseline vs 12.4 ± 15.2 at month 18 and 24.6 ± 19.2 at month 24) was found. In addition, there was a reduction in attacks with severe and unbearably intensity (50.0 ± 38.3 at baseline vs 10.1 ± 14.7 at month 18 and 16.6 ± 13.7 at month 24) and an increase in attack free days (4.2 ± 5.9 at baseline vs 19.1 ± 9.4 at month 18 and 12.9 ± 8.8 at month 24).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest sustained headache relief after repeated onabotulinumtoxinA injections toward the sphenopalatine ganglion in intractable chronic cluster headache. A placebo‐controlled trial with long‐term follow‐up is warranted.
The use of immersive virtual reality for pain control during periodontal scaling and root planing procedures in dental hygiene clinic
Authors: Alshatrat Sabha Mahmoud , Alotaibi Rasha , Sirois Michele , Malkawi Zain
Published: September 2018

Objective

To identify the effect of immersive virtual reality (VR) on pain perception during scaling and root planing procedures (SRP) in dental hygiene clinic.

Methods

Participants were recruited based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Within‐subject/split‐mouth design was used in this study. The participants received a full mouth SRP. The participants were divided into two treatment conditions: (a) without VR condition or (b) with VR condition. Blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate (PR) were measured. Level of pain was measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Participants gave ratings using 0‐10 scales with cut points on the scale indicating that (0) none, (1‐3) mild, (4‐6) moderate or (7‐10) severe. Participants were also asked three questions to assess presence, realism and nausea. The immersive virtual environment used for this study was nonviolent and inoffensive.

Results

Data were analysed using SPSS® software. Fifty subjects with a mean age of 36 years completed the study. The Wilcoxon signed‐rank test revealed that VAS scores were significantly (P = < 0.05) lower during VR compared without VR condition. Paired t test revealed that on average, participants experienced significantly lower systolic Bp after using VR (M = 113.72, SE = 2.16) than systolic Bp after treatment without VR However, Bp (diastolic) and PR showed no difference. 84% of the participants felt like they went inside the virtual world, 82% felt that the virtual objects seem real to them, and 94% did not feel nausea. 98% of the participants preferred using VR during SRP.

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate that the immersive VR has the potential in becoming a future method for pain control during scaling and root planing procedures.
Chronic alcohol consumption increases inflammation and osteoclastogenesis in apical periodontitis
Authors: Dal‐Fabbro R. , Marques‐de‐Almeida M. , Cosme‐Silva L. , Ervolino E. , Cintra L. T. A. , Gomes‐Filho J. E.
Published: September 2018

Aim

To investigate the effect of chronic alcohol consumption on apical periodontitis in rats.

Methodology

Thirty‐two male Wistar rats were arranged into four groups: Control (C): without apical periodontitis and nonalcoholic diet; (AL): without apical periodontitis and alcoholic diet; (AP): with apical periodontitis and nonalcoholic diet; and (AP + AL): with apical periodontitis and alcoholic diet. The alcoholic solution at 20% was given to the AL and AP + AL groups as the sole source of hydration throughout the experiment. AP was induced in the mandibular left first molars at the end of the 4th week. Weight changes and the amount of solid and liquid foods were recorded for 8 weeks. At the end, the animals were euthanized and the jaws removed followed by histological processing for histopathological and RANKL, OPG, TRAP and HIF‐1α analyses. The Mann–Whitney test was used for nonparametric data, and anova followed by the Tukey test was performed for parametric data, with P < 0.05.

Results

Animals that received the alcoholic diet had a lower weight gain than the other groups (P < 0.05). Control and AL groups did not have an inflammatory response in the periapical tissues. The median score of inflammatory infiltrate was significantly higher in the AP + AL group (2.5) compared to the AP group (1.5; P < 0.05). In the same comparison, AP + AL was associated with score 3 for RANKL and HIF‐1α versus score 2 for AP group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the values for TRAP were 3.88 ± 0.70 cells mm−1 for the AP + AL group and 2.43 ± 0.94 cells mm−1 for the AP group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In rats, an alcoholic diet had a significant effect on the severity of apical periodontitis, exacerbating the inflammatory response and osteoclastogenesis.
Carcinocythemia: A rare entity becoming more common? A 3‐year, single institution series of seven cases and literature review
Authors: Ronen Shira , Kroft Steven H. , Olteanu Horatiu , Hosking Paul R. , Harrington Alexandra M.
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Carcinocythemia is a rare phenomenon defined as morphologically identifiable, circulating tumor cells in the peripheral blood. No modern case series of carcinocythemia exists in the literature.

Methods

Blood smears from carcinocythemia patients were reviewed and associated clinicopathologic findings described and compared to the literature. When available, bone marrows were examined.

Results

We identified 7 carcinocythemia cases over 3 years at our institution in 5 females and 2 males with a median age of 57 and compare them to 26 case reports in the literature (19 females, 10 males; median age 57). The primary neoplasms were carcinomas of breast (3 cases), lung, non‐small cell (2 cases), prostate (1), and 1 case of unknown primary. Circulating tumor cells were associated with fragmentation hemolysis (2 cases), asplenic RBC changes (3 cases), and myeloid antigen expression by flow cytometry (2 cases) and were most commonly found at the feathered edge of the slide (6 cases) as single cells or in clusters.

Conclusions

This represents the largest series of carcinocythemia reported. The identification of 7 cases at one institution over a 3‐year period suggests carcinocythemia may becoming more common. Raising awareness of this entity and its associated clinicopathologic findings may help avoid diagnostic pitfalls in blood smear examinations and may guide timely clinical management.
Developing the advanced nursing practice role in non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer surveillance in Ireland
Authors: Mc Conkey Robert W. , Hahessy Sinead
Published: September 2018

Advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) roles are continuing to emerge and evolve worldwide, including in the Republic of Ireland. Progress has been influenced by a number of factors which include; affording opportunities for nurses to advance their careers while remaining in clinical practice; health care cost containment; improving access to care; continuity of patient care and due to limits on junior doctors working hours. Confusion related to the definition of the ANP role, a multitude of role titles, what the role entails and what differentiates it from other specialist roles has impeded its overall development. This has led to difficulties in measuring clinical impact, and leads to conflicting conceptualizations of the role. This article focuses on the application of two domains of advanced practice as identified by Hutchinson et al. and applies the components of those domains of practice to an emerging advanced practice role in urology. The purpose of the article is to provide a tentative professional development framework for the advanced practice urology nursing role involved in managing a caseload of patients diagnosed with non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) focusing on autonomous practice and improving systems of care. These domains of practice are discussed in cognisance of the needs of the population, the demands on the health care organization, and within the defined framework of advanced nursing practice in Ireland.
The ILO Domestic Workers Convention and regulatory reforms in Argentina, Chile and Paraguay. A comparative study of working time and remuneration regulations
Authors: POBLETE Lorena
Published: September 2018

In June 2011, the International Labour Conference adopted the Convention concerning decent work for domestic workers, No. 189, and its accompanying Recommendation No. 201. From a comparative law standpoint, this article seeks to analyse the role played by Convention No. 189 on regulatory reforms, focusing on the legislative measures taken in three Latin American countries that have ratified it: Argentina, Chile and Paraguay. An analysis is also made of the discussions and controversies that have determined the way in which the working time and wage provisions contained in the Convention have been incorporated into the national laws on paid domestic work in these three countries.
Demand shocks and employment adjustments: Does employment protection legislation create rigidity?
Authors: SOFI Irfan Ahmad , KUNROO Mohd Hussain
Published: September 2018

With state‐level panel data from the Indian manufacturing sector for 2000–12, and labour turnover as a proxy for employment adjustments, the authors estimate differential effects of demand shocks on employment adjustment across states with high and low levels of EPL. They find that EPL does not hinder employment adjustment; the response of labour separation rates to negative demand shocks is relatively higher in states with high levels of EPL, and labour turnover is inversely associated with EPL, which may be viewed as indicative of the beneficial effects of EPL for both enterprises and workers.
Job stability in Europe over the cycle
Authors: BACHMANN Ronald , FELDER Rahel
Published: September 2018

This article investigates the evolution of job tenure for the time period 2002–2012 using microdata from the European Union Labour Force Survey (EU‐LFS). Overall, the data show a slight increase in average job tenure at the EU level, which can be explained by disproportional lay‐offs of short‐tenured workers during the crisis. When controlling for changes in the demographic composition of the workforce, an underlying negative trend in mean tenure becomes visible. Job tenure evolved very differently across the EU before and during the crisis, highlighting the importance of institutional frameworks, especially employment protection legislation (EPL).
Screening the full leucocyte receptor complex genomic region revealed associations with pemphigus that might be explained by gene regulation
Authors: Farias Ticiana Della Justina , Augusto Danillo G. , de Almeida Rodrigo Coutinho , Malheiros Danielle , Petzl‐Erler Maria Luiza
Published: September 2018

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is a blistering autoimmune skin disease rare in most of the world but endemic in certain regions of Brazil. PF is characterized by the detachment of epidermal cells and the presence of autoantibodies against desmoglein 1. In previous studies, we have shown that genetic polymorphisms and variable expression levels of certain leucocyte receptor complex (LRC) genes were associated with PF. However, the role of the LRC on PF susceptibility remained to be investigated. Here, we analysed 527 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distributed within the 1·5 Mb LRC. After quality control, a total of 176 SNPs were analysed in 229 patients with PF and 194 controls. Three SNPs were associated with differential susceptibility to PF. The intergenic variant rs465169 [odds ratio (OR) = 1·50; P = 0·004] is located in a region that might regulate several immune‐related genes, including VSTM1, LILRB1/2, LAIR1/2, LILRA3/4 and LENG8. The rs35336528 (OR = 3·44; P = 0·009) and rs1865097 (OR = 0·57; P = 0·005) SNPs in LENG8 and FCAR genes, respectively, were also associated with PF. Moreover, we found four haplotypes with SNPs within the KIR3DL2/3, LAIR2 and LILRB1 genes associated with PF (P < 0·05), which corroborate previously reported associations. Thus, our results confirm the importance of the LRC for differential susceptibility to PF and reveal new markers that might influence expression levels of several LRC genes, as well as candidates for further functional studies.
Responsiveness of the Brazilian versions of CPQ11‐14 and Child‐OIDP
Authors: Buzatti Bruna Cássia Schmidt , Maroneze Marília Cunha , Ardenghi Thiago Machado
Published: September 2018

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the responsiveness of the Brazilian versions of Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11‐14) and Child‐Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (Child‐OIDP).

Design

The data were collected from a convenience sample of 209 patients aged 10‐15 years, who visited the adolescent dental clinic of Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil. The subjects answered the CPQ11‐14 and the Child‐OIDP prior to their dental treatment and 1 month after concluding the treatment. The responsiveness of CPQ11‐14 and Child‐OIDP was analysed through (a) the mean change observed in scores before and after treatment, (b) an investigation of the effect size, (c) an assessment of the statistical significance of changes within the groups over time, as per the global transition judgement, and (d) the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

Positive changes were observed for both questionnaires. According to global transition judgement, 82.30% of the participants reported an improvement following treatment, 16.75% reported no change, and 0.96% reported deterioration. The effect size was 0.8% and 0.5% for the overall CPQ11‐14 and Child‐OIDP, respectively. The area under the curve was 0.38 for CPQ11‐14 and 0.43 for Child‐OIDP.

Conclusion

The Brazilian versions of CPQ11‐14 and Child‐OIDP demonstrated limited responsiveness following dental treatment.
Bell's palsy treated with photobiomodulation in an adolescent: Rare case report and review of the published literature
Authors: Poloni Marina Miranda , Marques Nelson Pereira , Ribeiro Junior Noé Vital , Sperandio Felipe Fornias , Hanemann João Adolfo Costa , de Carli Marina Lara
Published: September 2018

Background

Bell's palsy represents a peripheral unilateral facial nerve paralysis, being an acute, idiopathic disorder, which can affect children and adolescents. Some therapeutic approaches have been proposed including facial exercises, biofeedback, photobiomodulation, electrotherapy, massage, and thermotherapy. The present report documents a rare case of Bell's palsy in an adolescent successfully treated with a new protocol of photobiomodulation, consisting of a short‐term treatment.

Case report

A 13‐year‐old girl presented absence of facial movement on the right side when smiling, inability to close the right eye and to raise the right eyebrow, intense painful symptoms on the right side of the face, difficult in chewing and talking, and sialorrhea. She was diagnosed with an idiopathic facial paralysis or Bell's palsy associated with right masseter myalgia, and treated with three sessions of photobiomodulation using infrared laser, 100 mW output power, 100 J/cm2 of energy density, 28 seconds per point, applied at the origin and insertion of the right superficial masseter muscle. The patient presented complete regression of paralysis, improvement of speech and chewing, and absence of muscular pain.

Conclusion

Photobiomodulation was effective to treat Bell's palsy in a pediatric patient, being a true noninvasive approach and with no side effects, although there is still no established definitive protocol.
Temporomandibular joint anterior disc displacement with reduction in a young population: Prevalence and risk indicators
Authors: Marpaung Carolina , van Selms Maurits K. A. , Lobbezoo Frank
Published: September 2018

Background

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anterior disc displacements with reduction (ADDR) are commonly found in the young population and often found to be associated with biomechanical and anatomical factors. Until now, most knowledge on ADDR among children and adolescents comes from studies performed on Caucasian subjects.

Aims

To assess the clinically determined prevalence rates of ADDR among the young Indonesian population and to evaluate its risk indicators.

Design

In this cross‐sectional study, 1562 pupils and students of 7‐21 years old completed a questionnaire and underwent a clinical examination.

Results

The prevalence rates of ADDR were 7.0% among children (7‐12 years), 14.4% among adolescents (13‐18 years), and 12.3% among young adults (19‐21 years). Logistic regression analyses revealed that increasing age and lip biting were associated with ADDR in children, whereas pen biting was associated with ADDR in the adolescent population. None of the included factors were found to be associated with ADDR in the young adult population.

Conclusions

The present findings indicate that prevalence of ADDR increases with age, with a peak during the years of adolescence. Biomechanical factors seem to play a significant role in ADDR development.
Antigenic evolution of H3N2 influenza A viruses in swine in the United States from 2012 to 2016
Authors: Bolton Marcus J. , Abente Eugenio J. , Venkatesh Divya , Stratton Jered A. , Zeller Michael , Anderson Tavis K. , Lewis Nicola S. , Vincent Amy L.
Published: September 2018

Background

Six amino acid positions (145, 155, 156, 158, 159, and 189, referred to as the antigenic motif; H3 numbering) in the globular head region of hemagglutinin (HA1 domain) play an important role in defining the antigenic phenotype of swine Clade IV (C‐IV) H3N2 IAV, containing an H3 from a late 1990s human‐to‐swine introduction. We hypothesized that antigenicity of a swine C‐IV H3 virus could be inferred based upon the antigenic motif if it matched a previously characterized antigen with the same motif. An increasing number of C‐IV H3 genes encoding antigenic motifs that had not been previously characterized were observed in the U.S. pig population between 2012 and 2016.

Objectives

A broad panel of contemporary H3 viruses with uncharacterized antigenic motifs was selected across multiple clades within C‐IV to assess the impact of HA1 genetic diversity on the antigenic phenotype.

Methods

Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays were performed with isolates selected based on antigenic motif, tested against a panel of swine antisera, and visualized by antigenic cartography.

Results

A previously uncharacterized motif with low but sustained circulation in the swine population demonstrated a distinct phenotype from those previously characterized. Antigenic variation increased for viruses with similar antigenic motifs, likely due to amino acid substitutions outside the motif.

Conclusions

Although antigenic motifs were largely associated with antigenic distances, substantial diversity among co‐circulating viruses poses a significant challenge for effective vaccine development. Continued surveillance and antigenic characterization of circulating strains is critical for improving vaccine efforts to control C‐IV H3 IAV in U.S. swine.
Synthesis of CeO2 nanoparticles with different morphologies and their properties as peroxidase mimic
Authors: Zhang Baoliang , Huyan Yu , Wang Jiqi , Wang Wenbin , Zhang Qiuyu , Zhang Hepeng
Published: September 2018

The overall objective of this work was to identify and determine the controlling factors of catalytic activity of CeO2 nanoparticles with different properties. Therefore, four kinds of CeO2 nanoparticles are successfully synthesized and used as peroxidase mimics. The results reveal that the catalytic activity is related to specific surface area and surface oxygen (Osur) content. For different CeO2 nanoparticles, specific surface area is the leading factor of catalytic activity. The catalytic activity increases with the increasing specific surface area. If the CeO2 nanoparticles have similar specific surface area, the less Osur contains, the lower catalytic activity will be. Meanwhile, crystallinity is not the influence factor of catalytic activity. Bamboo‐like CeO2 (B‐CeO2) nanoparticles show excellent catalytic activity and the reaction conditions are optimized. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of B‐CeO2 nanoparticles decreases very slightly after 15 cycles of the catalysis experiment. Therefore, B‐CeO2 nanoparticles can serve as effective recyclable peroxidase mimics.
Investigation of mechanical and thermal properties of rare earth pyrochlore oxides by first‐principles calculations
Authors: Yang Lan , Zhu Changhua , Sheng Ye , Nian Hongqiang , Li Qian , Song Peng , Lu Wencong , Yang Jiong , Liu Bin
Published: September 2018

The pyrochlore‐type rare‐earth oxides attract considerable attentions due to their outstanding properties and extensive applications. In this work, contour maps of mechanical/thermal properties as a function of A and B cation radii across a wide variety of A2B2O7 (A = La‐Lu and Y; B = Ti, Sn, Hf, Zr, Pr and Ce) pyrochlore oxides are studied using the first‐principles calculations. The mechanical/thermal properties vary dramatically with increasing of the B cation sizes but do not show a strong systematic dependence on the A cation sizes. Furthermore, the machine learning algorithm is performed for the large family of pyrochlores and the parameters playing key role on mechanical/thermal properties are clarified. Besides, the expressions of focused mechanical and thermal properties are constructed. These results are expected to guide the future material design through composition tailoring.
A novel core‐shell structured ultra‐coarse WC‐Co composite powders prepared by fluidized bed chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Zhang Lei , Xin Fengxia , Du Zhan , Xiang Maoqiao , Yang Yafeng , Zhu Qingshan , Shi Yu
Published: September 2018

The ultra‐coarse WC‐Co composite powders with a core‐shell structure were effectively prepared by fluidized bed chemical vapor deposition (FBCVD) using CoCl2 precursor. An excellent interfacial bonding was formed between WC and the deposited Co. Defluidization was the major barrier to depositing high‐Co‐content composite powders, which was caused by the adhesion of the deposited Co particles. Decreasing the deposition temperature reduced the cohesion force of the deposited Co particles, which was thus beneficial to preventing the defluidization. Increasing the WC particle size and the gas velocity increased the collision force and benefited the fluidization. The final Co contents were largely dependent on the deposition and fluidization behaviors. For the conditions tested, the optimal deposition temperature was 800°C while the minimum WC particle size suitable for FBCVD was 25 μm.
Vascular compliance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with spironolactone
Authors: Muneyyirci‐Delale Ozgul , Co Sherilyne , Winer Nathaniel
Published: September 2018

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age in the United States and has been associated with several diseases including cardiovascular disease, obesity, and glucose intolerance. In this study, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure (vascular compliance), large artery elasticity, systemic vascular resistance (SVR), total vascular impedance (TVI), and body mass index (BMI) were measured before and after treatment with spironolactone in 10 women with PCOS. Systolic BP, diastolic BP, and BMI were similar prior to treatment and after treatment. Pulse pressure decreased slightly post‐treatment compared to pretreatment but not to significance (P = 0.07). The results show that after treatment with spironolactone, there was a statistically significant increase in large artery elasticity (P = 0.047), while there was a statistically significant decrease in SVR and TVI (P = 0.0005 and P = 0.03). This study indicates that treatment with spironolactone improves large artery elasticity and reduces systemic vascular resistance without any change in small artery elasticity.
A minimally invasive approach to induce myocardial infarction in mice without thoracotomy
Authors: Sun Quan , Wang Kang‐Kai , Pan Miao , Zhou Ji‐Peng , Qiu Xue‐Ting , Wang Zhen‐Yu , Yang Zhen , Chen Yan , Shen Hong , Gu Qi‐Lin , Fang Long‐Hou , Zhang Guo‐Gang , Bai Yong‐Ping
Published: September 2018

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Traditional method to induce MI by left coronary artery (LCA) ligation is typically performed by an invasive approach that requires ventilation and thoracotomy, causing serious injuries in animals undergoing this surgery. We attempted to develop a minimally invasive method (MIM) to induce MI in mice. Under the guide of ultrasound, LCA ligation was performed in mice without ventilation and chest‐opening. Compared to sham mice, MIM induced MI in mice as determined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and Masson staining. Mice with MIM surgery revealed the reductions of LVEF, LVFS, E/A and ascending aorta (AAO) blood flow, and the elevations of S‐T segment and serum cTn‐I levels at 24 post‐operative hours. The effects of MI induced by MIM were comparable to the effects of MI produced by traditional method in mice. Importantly, MIM increased the survival rates and caused less inflammation after the surgery of LCA ligation, compared to the surgery of traditional method. Further, MIM induced angiogenesis and apoptosis in ischaemic hearts from mice at postoperative 28 days as similarly as traditional method did. Finally, the MIM model was able to develop into the myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion model by using a balloon catheter with minor modifications. The MI model is able to be efficiently induced by a minimally invasive approach in mice without ventilation and chest‐opening. This new model is potentially to be used in studying ischaemia‐related heart diseases.
Mesenchymal stromal cell potency to treat acute kidney injury increased by ultrasound‐activated interferon‐γ/interleukin‐10 axis
Authors: Burks Scott R. , Nagle Matthew E. , Bresler Michele N. , Kim Saejeong J. , Star Robert A. , Frank Joseph A.
Published: September 2018

Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapies combined with renal pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS) pretreatment increase MSC homing and improve cisplatin‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI) better than MSC alone. However, mechanisms underlying improved outcomes remain unknown. We hypothesize pFUS up‐regulates renal interferon‐γ (IFNγ) and stimulates MSC to produce interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) after migrating to kidneys. To demonstrate initially, MSC cultured with IFNγ up‐regulated IL‐10. More MSC‐derived IL‐10 was detected in kidneys when IFNγ‐stimulated MSC were infused and they improved AKI better than unstimulated MSC. Next, IFNγ‐knockout mice with AKI received pFUS+MSC, but MSC‐derived IL‐10 expression and AKI were similar to using MSC alone. AKI in wild‐type mice receiving pFUS and IL‐10‐deficient MSC was also unimproved compared to administering IL‐10‐deficient MSC alone. Indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO), an anti‐inflammatory enzyme up‐regulated in MSC by IFNγ, was up‐regulated during AKI, but was not further elevated in MSC from pFUS‐treated kidneys, suggesting that IDO is not involved in improved AKI healing by pFUS+MSC. These data suggest IFNγ is up‐regulated by pFUS and after i.v.‐infused MSC home to pFUS‐treated kidneys, IFNγ stimulates additional IL‐10 production by MSC to improve AKI. Analogous mechanisms of ultrasound‐treated tissue microenvironments stimulating therapeutic MSC may exist in other pathologies where adjuvant ultrasound techniques are successful.
The outer membrane protein Tp92 of Treponema pallidum induces human mononuclear cell death and IL‐8 secretion
Authors: Luo Xi , Zhang Xiaohong , Gan Lin , Zhou Chenglong , Zhao Tie , Zeng Tiebing , Liu Shuangquan , Xiao Yongjian , Yu Jian , Zhao Feijun
Published: September 2018

Treponema pallidum is the pathogen that causes syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease; however, the pathogenic mechanism of this organism remains unclear. Tp92 is the only T. pallidum outer membrane protein that has structural features similar to the outer membrane proteins of other Gram‐negative bacteria, but the exact functions of this protein remain unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated that the recombinant Tp92 protein can induce human mononuclear cell death. Tp92 mediated the human monocytic cell line derived from an acute monicytic leukemia patient (THP‐1) cell death by recognizing CD14 and/or TLR2 on cell surfaces. After the stimulation of THP‐1 cells by the Tp92 protein, Tp92 may induce atypical pyroptosis of THP‐1 cells via the pro‐caspase‐1 pathway. Meanwhile, this protein caused the apoptosis of THP‐1 cells via the receptor‐interacting protein kinase 1/caspase‐8/aspase‐3 pathway. Tp92 reduced the number of monocytes among peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Interestingly, further research showed that Tp92 failed to increase the tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐18 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP)‐1 levels but slightly elevated the IL‐8 levels via the Nuclear Factor (NF)‐κB pathway in THP‐1 cells. The data suggest that Tp92 recognizes CD14 and TLR2, transfers the signal to a downstream pathway, and activates NF‐κB to mediate the production of IL‐8. This mechanism may help T. pallidum escape recognition and elimination by the host innate immune system.
Inhibition of XPO1 enhances cell death induced by ABT‐199 in acute myeloid leukaemia via Mcl‐1
Authors: Luedtke Daniel A. , Su Yongwei , Liu Shuang , Edwards Holly , Wang Yue , Lin Hai , Taub Jeffrey W. , Ge Yubin
Published: September 2018

The antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 family proteins play critical roles in resistance to chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The Bcl‐2‐selective inhibitor ABT‐199 (Venetoclax) shows promising antileukaemic activity against AML, though Mcl‐1 limits its antileukaemic activity. XPO1 is a nuclear exporter overexpressed in AML cells and its inhibition decreases Mcl‐1 levels in cancer cells. Thus, we hypothesized that the XPO1‐selective inhibitor KPT‐330 (Selinexor) can synergize with ABT‐199 to induce apoptosis in AML cells through down‐regulation of Mcl‐1. The combination of KPT‐330 and ABT‐199 was found to synergistically induce apoptosis in AML cell lines and primary patient samples and cooperatively inhibit colony formation capacity of primary AML cells. KPT‐330 treatment decreased Mcl‐1 protein after apoptosis initiation. However, binding of Bim to Mcl‐1 induced by ABT‐199 was abrogated by KPT‐330 at the same time as apoptosis initiation. KPT‐330 treatment increased binding of Bcl‐2 to Bim but was overcome by ABT‐199 treatment, demonstrating that KPT‐330 and ABT‐199 reciprocally overcome apoptosis resistance. Mcl‐1 knockdown and overexpression confirmed its critical role in the antileukaemic activity of the combination. In summary, KPT‐330 treatment, alone and in combination with ABT‐199, modulates Mcl‐1, which plays an important role in the antileukaemic activity of the combination.