bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marked exercise‐induced T‐wave heterogeneity in symptomatic diabetic patients with nonflow‐limiting coronary artery stenosis
Authors: Stocco Fernando G. , Evaristo Ederson , Shah Nishant R. , Cheezum Michael K. , Hainer Jon , Foster Courtney , Nearing Bruce D. , Gervino Ernest , Verrier Richard L.
Published: September 2017

Background

T‐wave heterogeneity (TWH) independently predicted cardiovascular mortality in Health Survey 2000 based on 12‐lead ECGs recorded at rest. We investigated whether TWH is elevated during exercise tolerance testing (ETT) in symptomatic diabetic patients with nonflow‐limiting coronary artery stenosis compared to control subjects without diabetes.

Methods

Cases were all patients (n = 20) with analyzable ECG recordings during both rest and ETT who were enrolled in the Effects of Ranolazine on Coronary Flow Reserve (CFR) in Symptomatic Patients with Diabetes and Suspected or Known Coronary Artery Disease (RAND‐CFR) study (NCT01754259); median CFR was 1.44; 80% of cases had CFR <2. Control subjects (n = 9) were nondiabetic patients who had functional flow reserve (FFR) >0.8, a range not associated with inducible ischemia. TWH was analyzed from precordial leads V4, V5, and V6 by second central moment analysis, which assesses the interlead splay of T‐waves about a mean waveform.

Results

During exercise to similar rate‐pressure products (p = .31), RAND‐CFR patients exhibited a 49% increase in TWH during exercise (rest: 49 ± 5 μV; exercise: 73 ± 8 μV, p = .003). By comparison, in control subjects, TWH was not significantly altered (rest: 52 ± 11 μV; ETT: 38 ± 5 μV, p = .19). ETT‐induced ST‐segment depression >1 mm (p = .11) and Tpeak‐Tend (p = .18) and QTc intervals (p = .80) failed to differentiate cases from controls.

Conclusions

TWH is capable of detecting latent repolarization abnormalities, which are present during ETT in diabetic patients with nonflow‐limiting stenosis but not in control subjects. The technique developed in this study permits TWH analysis from archived ECGs and thereby enables mining of extensive databases for retrospective studies and hypothesis testing.
A multi‐centre audit of excess steroid use in 1176 patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Selinger C. P. , Parkes G. C. , Bassi A. , Fogden E. , Hayee B. , Limdi J. K. , Ludlow H. , McLaughlin S. , Patel P. , Smith M. , Raine T.
Published: September 2017

Background

Corticosteroids are central to inducing remission in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but are ineffective maintenance agents.

Aim

To benchmark steroid usage in British outpatients and assess factors associated with excess exposure.

Methods

We recorded steroid use in unselected IBD outpatients. Cases meeting criteria for steroid dependency or excess were blind peer reviewed to determine whether steroid prescriptions were avoidable. Associations between steroid use and patient/institutional factors were analysed.

Results

Of 1176 patients, 30% received steroids in the prior 12 months. 14.9% had steroid dependency or excess, which was more common in moderate/severe ulcerative colitis (UC) than Crohn's disease (CD) (42.6% vs 28.1%; P = .027). Steroid dependency or excess was deemed avoidable in 49.1%. The annual incidence of inappropriate steroid excess was 7.1%. Mixed‐effects logistic regression analysis revealed independent predictors of inappropriate steroid excess. The odds ratio (OR, 95%CI) for moderate/severe compared to mild/quiescent disease activity was 4.59 (1.53‐20.64) for UC and 4.60 (2.21‐12.00) for CD. In CD, lower rates of inappropriate steroid excess were found in centres with an IBD multi‐disciplinary team (OR 0.62 [0.46‐0.91]), whilst dedicated IBD clinics protected against inappropriate steroid excess in UC (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.21‐0.94). The total number of GI trainees was associated with rates of inappropriate steroid excess.

Conclusions

Steroid dependency or excess occurred in 14.9% of British IBD patients (in 7.1% potentially avoidable). We demonstrated positive effects of service configurations (IBD multi‐disciplinary team, dedicated IBD clinics). Routine recording of steroid dependency or excess is feasible and should be considered a quality metric.
Environment and landscape rather than planting design are the drivers of success in long‐term restoration of riparian Atlantic forest
Authors: Suganuma Marcio Seiji , Torezan José Marcelo D. , Durigan Giselda
Published: September 2017

Question

Identifying the factors that lead to the success of restoration projects has been a major challenge in ecological restoration. Here we ask which factors, aside from time since restoration began, drive the recovery of tree biomass, density and richness of the understorey in riparian forests undergoing restoration.

Location

Semideciduous Atlantic Forest with tropical climate and deep, fertile soils, southeast Brazil.

Methods

We sampled tree basal area (DBH ≥ 5 cm), density and richness of the understorey (DBH < 5 cm) in 26 riparian forests undergoing restoration (a chronosequence spanning 4–53 years). We assessed the following variables as possible factors, besides time, influencing community attributes: (1) planting design: density and richness of seedlings planted; (2) landscape features: proximity index measuring forest cover within a 1.5‐km radius, distance and size of the nearest forest remnant; and (3) environmental factors: invasive grasses, soil fertility, drought, average annual precipitation and proportion of fine particles in the soil. We performed correlation analyses including predictor and response variables, followed by stepwise backward regression (AIC), multiple and simple linear regressions, to investigate the relationships between those factors and the community attributes.

Results

Tree basal area was primarily influenced by the proportion of small particles in the soil (+) and secondarily by rainfall (−). Understorey richness was influenced by the combination of size (+) and distance (−) of the nearest patch, rainfall (−) and soil fertility (+). Understorey density was primarily influenced by the size of the nearest forest remnant (+) and secondarily by invasive grasses (−). No influence of density or richness of the seedlings planted was observed.

Conclusion

Environmental factors and landscape configuration drive the recovery of tree biomass, density and richness in communities undergoing restoration. The most relevant ecological filters influencing restoration success are availability of soil water and nutrients and the distance and size of the nearest remnant of native vegetation. The expected influence of richness and density of seedlings planted, considered for many years as important drivers of forest restoration success, was not confirmed in this study.
Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D as a predictor of mortality and cardiovascular events: A 20‐year study of a community‐based cohort
Authors: Zhu Kun , Knuiman Matthew , Divitini Mark , Hung Joseph , Lim Ee Mun , Cooke Brian R. , Walsh John P.
Published: September 2017

Objective

Prospective studies, mostly from Europe and North America, suggest that serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is inversely associated with mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Data from other regions are limited, and threshold levels for adverse cardiovascular outcomes are uncertain. We examined serum 25(OH)D as a predictor of total mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in an Australian cohort.

Design

A 20‐year, community‐based cohort study.

Patients

Participants in the 1994/1995 Busselton Health Survey (n = 3946, baseline age 25‐84 years).

Measurements

Baseline serum 25(OH)D and mortality and cardiovascular outcomes to 2014 obtained by record linkage.

Results

The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 60.6 ± 18.0 nmol/L. During 20‐year follow‐up (excluding the first 2 years), 889 participants died (including 363 from CVD) and 944 experienced a CVD event (including 242 with heart failure). In the full cohort, controlling for Framingham risk score variables, higher baseline 25(OH)D was associated with significantly reduced all‐cause mortality (adjusted HR 0.83 per SD increment of 25(OH)D, 95% CI 0.77‐0.90), CVD death (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74‐0.96) and heart failure (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.69‐0.94), but not CVD events (HR 0.99, 0.92‐1.07). In restricted cubic spline regression models, serum 25(OH)D below 65 and 55 nmol/L was associated with higher total mortality and higher CVD mortality/heart failure, respectively. In participants without CVD at baseline (n = 3220), results were similar, but hazard ratios were attenuated and associations with CVD mortality no longer significant.

Conclusions

In an Australian community‐based cohort, baseline vitamin D levels below 55‐65 nmol/L are predictive of all‐cause mortality, CVD death and heart failure.
Intravenous opioid drug abuse as an independent risk factor for supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma—A case‐control study
Authors: Shoffel‐Havakuk H. , Cohen O. , Slavin M. , Haimovich Y. , Halperin D. , Lahav Y.
Published: September 2017

Objectives

Intravenous opioid drug abuse (IVDA) was previously correlated with laryngeal cancer. However, discrimination of this correlation by anatomical subsites has not yet been described. In this study, we aim to further establish the association between IVDA and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to indicate the laryngeal subsites that are predisposed for this correlation.

Design

A retrospective matched case‐control study.

Setting and participants

Patients diagnosed with supraglottic SCC (SG‐SCC) between 1996 and 2016 treated in a tertiary academic referral centre were enrolled to the case group. The control group comprised of matched patients diagnosed with glottis SCC (G‐SCC). Matching was based on gender, age and socio‐economic rank.

Main outcome measures

Variables studies as risk factors included the following: smoking, alcohol consumption, history of IVDA and infectious diseases. The variables were tested for association with the 2 groups and with each other.

Results

Forty‐eight patients with SG‐SCC were matched with 48 patients with G‐SCC. IVDA rates significantly increased among patients with SG‐SCC. Of the SG‐SCC group, 18.8% had a positive history for IVDA compared with 2.1% of the G‐SCC (P = .008). A history of IVDA was found to be a risk factor for SG‐SCC, independent of smoking, excessive alcohol and socio‐economic status. The odds ratio for patients with an IVDA history to have SG‐SCC relatively to G‐SCC was 10.846 (95% CI: 1.3‐89.4).

Conclusions

Intravenous opioid drug abuse represents an independent risk factor for SG‐SCC. The pathogenesis should be investigated not just as a risk factor, as opioids are commonly used for pain management in oncologic patients.
Effect of spontaneous saliva swallowing on short‐term heart rate variability (HRV) and reliability of HRV analysis
Authors: Yildiz Metin , Doma Serian
Published: September 2017

The effects of effortful swallowing and solid meal ingestions on heart rate variability (HRV) have been examined previously. The effects of spontaneous saliva swallowing on short‐term HRV and reliability of HRV analysis have not been studied before. The effect of saliva swallowing on HRV analyses parameters [meanRRI, SDNN (standard deviation of normal‐to‐normal), LF (low frequency), HF (high frequency) powers, LH/HF] and the reliability of LF and HF powers were investigated by frequency, time–frequency and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analyses. Electrocardiogram and swallowing signal that obtained from an electronic stethoscope placed on the necks of subjects were recorded simultaneously from 30 healthy and young volunteers in sitting position during 15 min. Spontaneous swallowing has been shown to significantly alter some HRV parameters (SDNN, LF power and LF/HF ratio). Time‐frequency analysis results showed that the contribution of saliva swallowing to LF (1–58%) and HF (2–42%) powers could change significantly depending on the number of swallowing. The ICC of the LF and HF powers for the successive 5‐min signal segments were found 0·89, 0·92, respectively. These values decreased to 0·73 and 0·90 in the subjects with more swallowing rate. When the analyses were made for 2‐min signal periods, these values decreased to 0·63 and 0·67. We concluded that spontaneous saliva swallowing can change HRV parameters. We have also seen that changes in swallowing rate and use of short signal segments may reduce the reliability of HRV analyses.
Mother–Toddler Cortisol Synchrony Moderates Risk of Early Internalizing Symptoms
Authors: Kalomiris Anne E. , Kiel Elizabeth J.
Published: September 2017

Cortisol synchrony is the degree to which mother–toddler cortisol levels are mutually regulated within a dyad. Synchrony's impact on toddler development is not well understood, so this study investigated how synchronous cortisol levels (reactivity and total concentration) in mother–toddler dyads moderate the association between risk factors (i.e., maternal worry, toddler inhibition) and early internalizing symptoms. Seventy mothers and their 2‐year‐old toddlers provided interpretable saliva samples. Behavioral observations were made to assess the toddler's temperament at age 2, and mothers reported on their toddler's internalizing symptoms when toddlers were 2 and 3 years old. Results suggest that mother–toddler synchrony in total cortisol concentration moderates the relation between risk factors and internalizing symptoms. Specifically, toddler inhibition and maternal worry were less associated with concurrent toddler internalizing symptoms when dyads demonstrated greater cortisol synchrony in total concentration. Further, synchrony in total cortisol levels marginally moderated the association between toddler inhibition and future internalizing symptoms, such that inhibited toddlers were less likely to demonstrate internalizing symptoms at age 3 when dyads demonstrated more cortisol synchrony. This suggests that cortisol synchrony may serve as an advantageous context that reduces the risk of developing of internalizing symptoms and augments the field's understanding of the implications of shared physiological responses within mother–toddler dyads.
Government Credit, a Double‐Edged Sword: Evidence from the China Development Bank
Authors: RU HONG
Published: September 2017

Using proprietary data from the China Development Bank (CDB), this paper examines the effects of government credit on firm activities. Tracing the effects of government credit across different levels of the supply chain, I find that CDB industrial loans to state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) crowd out private firms in the same industry but crowd in private firms in downstream industries. On average, a $1 increase in CDB SOE loans leads to a $0.20 decrease in private firms' assets. Moreover, CDB infrastructure loans crowd in private firms. I use exogenous timing of municipal politicians' turnover as an instrument for CDB credit flows.
A ribonucleopeptide world at the origin of life
Authors: Saad Nizar Y.
Published: September 2017

The structural flexibility of RNA and its ability to store genetic information has led scientists to postulate that RNA could be the key molecule for the development of life on Earth, further leading to formulate the RNA world hypothesis that received a lot of success and acceptance after the discoveries of the last thirty‐five years. Despite its highly structural and functional significance, the difficulty in synthesizing the four nucleobases that form the RNA polymer from the same primordial soup, its low stability, and limited catalytic repertoire, make the RNA world hypothesis less convincing even though it remains the best explanation for the origin of life. An increasing number of scientists are becoming more supportive of a more realistic approach explaining the appearance of life. In this review, I propose an enhanced explanation for the appearance of life supported by recent discoveries and theories. Accordingly, amino acids and peptides associated with RNA (e.g., ribonucleopeptides) might have existed at the onset of RNA and might have played an important role in the continuous development of self‐sustaining biological systems. Therefore, in this review, I cover the most recent and relevant scientific investigations that propose a better understanding of the ribonucleopeptide world hypothesis and the appearance of life. Finally, I propose two hypotheses for a primitive translation machinery (PTM) that might have been formed of either a T box ribozyme or a ribopolymerase.
“It's not who I am”: Children's experiences of growing up with a long‐term condition in England, Australia, and New Zealand
Authors: Carter Bernie , Ford Karen , Bray Lucy , Water Tineke , Arnott Janine , Tichanow Cassandra , Dickinson Annette
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Most studies of growing up with a long‐term condition focus on older children and adolescents and are condition‐specific. Relatively few studies address the experiences of children in middle childhood or consider their experience across a range of conditions, countries, and health settings. This study aimed to explore children's perceptions and understandings of how their lives are shaped (or not) by a long‐term condition and its associated management.

Design and methods

A qualitative, participatory methodology using autodriven photoelicitation interviews (PEIs) with 45 purposively recruited children (6–12 years) with long‐term conditions (e.g., hemophilia, arthritis, Crohn's disease), from England, New Zealand, and Australia was utilized. PEI facilitated the construction of inductively derived understandings of the children's experiences as the children had control over creating and then selecting which photographs to discuss with the researcher.

Results

Interpretive thematic analysis of the interviews and content analysis of the photographs resulted in an overarching theme, “It's not who I am …” but it is part of me, and three subthemes: getting on with my life; the special value of family, friendship, support, and comfort; and things that get in the way of getting on. Across all ages and the three countries, the children actively projected their self‐concept as “well” children and they strove, through their photographs and their accompanying explanations of their lives, to emphasize that they were “normal” children. They were active social agents who demonstrated their capacity to shape parts of their lives interdependently with their parents and the requirements of their condition.

Practice implications

Pediatric nurses should be aware of the importance that children with long‐term conditions place on projecting and protecting their sense of being normal and ensure that when they engage with children that they take account of the children's understandings and efforts to live a life constrained but not limited by the condition.
The effect of storage temperature on blue cheese mechanical properties
Authors: Joyner (Melito) Helen S. , Francis Dorothy , Luzzi Brooke , Johnson John R.
Published: September 2017

Blue cheese is commonly aged for 60 days at 10°C after curing. However, some manufacturers store blue cheese at 4°C and the effect of lower storage temperature on blue cheese final properties is unknown. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of storage temperature and time on blue cheese mechanical behaviors. Blue cheeses were stored at 4 or 10°C for 77 days after production. Composition and small‐ and large‐strain rheological behaviors were evaluated every 2 weeks of storage. Storage time had significant impact on blue cheese rheological behaviors; storage temperature did not. Large‐strain compressive force and viscoelastic moduli decreased with storage time, and the extent of nonlinear viscoelastic behavior increased. These results indicated that sample microstructure likely weakened and was more easily deformed as storage time increased. Overall, blue cheese can be stored at 4–10°C without significant changes to its composition or mechanical behavior.

Practical applications

The results of this work can be used by blue cheese manufacturers to better understand the impact of storage time and temperature on blue cheese end quality. Manufacturers can take advantage of the effects of storage time on blue cheese mechanical behaviors to determine how long to age blue cheese to achieve the desired texture.
Rockfall in the Port Hills of Christchurch: Seismic and non‐seismic fatality risk on roads
Authors: Unterrader Stefan , Almond Peter , Fuchs Sven
Published: September 2017

Numerous rockfalls released during the 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence affected vital road sections for local commuters. We quantified rockfall fatality risk on two main routes by adapting a risk approach for roads originally developed for snow avalanche risk. We present results of the collective and individual fatality risks for traffic flow and waiting traffic. Waiting traffic scenarios particularly address the critical spatial‐temporal dynamics of risk, which should be acknowledged in operational risk management. Comparing our results with other risks commonly experienced in New Zealand indicates that local rockfall risk is close to tolerability thresholds and likely exceeds acceptable risk.
Using geography to infer the importance of dispersal for the synchrony of freshwater plankton
Authors: Anderson Thomas L. , Walter Jonathan A. , Levine Todd D. , Hendricks Susan P. , Johnston Karla L. , White David S. , Reuman Daniel C.
Published: September 2017

Spatial synchrony in population dynamics is a ubiquitous ecological phenomenon that can result from predator–prey interactions, synchronized environmental variation (Moran effects), or dispersal. Of these, dispersal historically has been the least well studied in natural systems, partly because of the difficulty in quantifying dispersal in situ. We hypothesized that dispersal routes of plankton were based on the major and consistent water current movements in Kentucky Lake, a large reservoir in western Kentucky, USA. Then, using 26‐year time series collected at 16 locations, we used matrix regression techniques to test whether spatial heterogeneity in strengths of hypothesized dispersal predicted spatial patterns of synchrony of phytoplankton and zooplankton, thereby testing for evidence of dispersal as a possible mechanism of synchrony in this system. Nearly all taxa showed significant spatial synchrony that did not decline with increasing linear distance between locations. All taxa also showed substantial geographic structure in synchrony that was not explained by linear distance. Matrix regression revealed that our hypothesized matrix of dispersal pathways, which differed substantially from linear distance, was a significant predictor of spatial variability in synchrony in phytoplankton biomass, and Bosmina longirostris and Daphnia lumholtzi densities. Thus dispersal was a likely mechanism of synchrony for these taxa. Our hypothesized dispersal matrix was a significant predictor of spatial patterns of synchrony for these taxa even after accounting for numerous alternative possible mechanisms, including possible Moran effects through any of ten physical/abiotic constraints. Our findings indicate that statistically comparing hypothesized or measured dispersal pathway information to synchrony data via matrix regressions can provide valuable evidence for the importance of dispersal as a mechanism of spatial synchrony.
Profiling Arthritis Pain with a Decision Tree
Authors: Hung Man , Bounsanga Jerry , Liu Fangzhou , Voss Maren W.
Published: September 2017

Background

Arthritis is the leading cause of work disability and contributes to lost productivity. Previous studies showed that various factors predict pain, but they were limited in sample size and scope from a data analytics perspective.

Objectives

The current study applied machine learning algorithms to identify predictors of pain associated with arthritis in a large national sample.

Methods

Using data from the 2011 to 2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, data mining was performed to develop algorithms to identify factors and patterns that contribute to risk of pain. The model incorporated over 200 variables within the algorithm development, including demographic data, medical claims, laboratory tests, patient‐reported outcomes, and sociobehavioral characteristics.

Results

The developed algorithms to predict pain utilize variables readily available in patient medical records. Using the machine learning classification algorithm J48 with 50‐fold cross‐validations, we found that the model can significantly distinguish those with and without pain (c‐statistics = 0.9108). The F measure was 0.856, accuracy rate was 85.68%, sensitivity was 0.862, specificity was 0.852, and precision was 0.849.

Conclusion

Physical and mental function scores, the ability to climb stairs, and overall assessment of feeling were the most discriminative predictors from the 12 identified variables, predicting pain with 86% accuracy for individuals with arthritis. In this era of rapid expansion of big data application, the nature of healthcare research is moving from hypothesis‐driven to data‐driven solutions. The algorithms generated in this study offer new insights on individualized pain prediction, allowing the development of cost‐effective care management programs for those experiencing arthritis pain.
The Stabilization Effect of Local Government Savings: The Case of Illinois Counties
Authors: Stewart La Shonda M. , Hamman John A. , Pink‐Harper Stephanie A.
Published: September 2017

Studies find minimal evidence that general‐purpose local governments draw down slack resources set aside during prosperous times to contend with economic downturns; although they maintain, in some cases, unrestricted fund balances well in excess of professionally recommended levels. Replicating divergence from the trend methodology in the state of Illinois that provides greater discretion to create and use savings, the analysis finds counties budget slack resources counter‐cyclically (in downturn but not in upturn years) when controlling for political/institutional, revenue, economic, and demographic factors. This article discusses plausible alternative explanations for non‐findings to explore in future studies.
Priority monism
Authors: Trogdon Kelly
Published: September 2017

According to priority monism, there are many concrete entities and there is one, the cosmos, that is ontologically prior to all the others. I begin by clarifying this thesis as well as its main rival, priority atomism. I show how the disagreement between the priority monist and atomist ultimately turns on how the thesis of concrete foundationalism is implemented. While it's standard to interpret priority monism as being metaphysically noncontingent, I show that there are two competing, prima facie plausible conceptions of metaphysical necessity—the essence‐based and law‐based conceptions—on which it is reasonable to view its modal status differently. This, I suggest, is good for the priority monist—various objections to the thesis presuppose that it's metaphysically noncontingent, while there are arguments for the thesis that don't make the presupposition.
Transgender Women's Experiences with Stigma, Trauma, and Attempted Suicide in the Dominican Republic
Authors: Budhwani Henna , Hearld Kristine R. , Milner Adrienne N. , Charow Rebecca , McGlaughlin Elaine M. , Rodriguez‐Lauzurique Mayra , Rosario Santo , Paulino‐Ramirez Robert
Published: September 2017

Studies on attempted suicide in transgender populations, particularly those in resource‐limited settings, are scarce. We examined the relationships between stigma, trauma, and suicide attempts in a national sample of transgender women from the Dominican Republic. Bivariate analysis examined differences between suicide attempters and nonattempters (n = 298). Multivariate analysis reported odds ratios with attempted suicide as the outcome (n = 260). About a quarter of respondents (23.9%) experienced sexual abuse, 12.3% were tortured, and 20.3% experienced a murder attempt. More than a quarter reported using illegal drugs. Independent sample t tests found significant differences between suicide attempters and nonattempters. Attempters were more likely to have experienced sexual abuse, psychological abuse, torture, and a murder attempt (p < .001 for all). Respondents who experienced psychological abuse had over three times higher odds of attempting suicide, compared to respondents who had not (OR = 3.203, p < .01). Experience with torture and attempted murder were associated with higher odds of attempting suicide (OR = 2.967, p < .05 and OR = 2.894, p < .05, respectively). Although some nations have implemented antidiscrimination policies protecting transgender citizens, these policies are often not consistently enforced. Eliminating stigmatizing policies may reduce rates of negative health outcomes and subsequently improving population health.
A slice of life: Ecologically valid methods for research on social relationships and health across the life span
Authors: Smyth Joshua M. , Juth Vanessa , Ma Jun , Sliwinski Martin
Published: September 2017

This paper describes “slice of life” methods—detailed observations of moment‐to‐moment intraindividual processes that occur over short timescales in the natural environment—as an important research tool in exploring social relationships and health across the life span. Such methods, including ecological momentary assessment, experience sampling, daily diaries, measurement burst, and other slice of life designs, are important supplements to more traditional laboratory, epidemiological, and long‐term longitudinal research methods. Specifically, we highlight how slice of life methods (with a focus on ecological momentary assessment) allow researchers to compare the relative importance of different social relationships (or features thereof) for health outcomes, understand temporal dynamics, identify potentially causal mechanistic pathways at different timescales through which social relationships influence health, and design, implement, and evaluate innovative interventions that target these pathways at different timescales. We conclude with recommendations and future directions for slice of life methods for research on social relationships and health across the life span.
A modern Green Revolution gene for reduced height in wheat
Authors: Würschum Tobias , Langer Simon M. , Longin C. Friedrich H. , Tucker Matthew R. , Leiser Willmar L.
Published: September 2017

Increases in the yield of wheat during the Green Revolution of the late 20th century were achieved through the introduction of Reduced height (Rht) dwarfing genes. The Rht‐B1 and Rht‐D1 loci ensured short stature by limiting the response to the growth‐promoting hormone gibberellin, and are now widespread through international breeding programs. Despite this advantage, interference with the plant's response to gibberellin also triggers adverse effects for a range of important agronomic traits, and consequently modern Green Revolution genes are urgently required. In this study, we revisited the genetic control of wheat height using an association mapping approach and a large panel of 1110 worldwide winter wheat cultivars. This led to the identification of a major Rht locus on chromosome 6A, Rht24, which substantially reduces plant height alone as well as in combination with Rht‐1b alleles. Remarkably, behind Rht‐D1, Rht24 was the second most important locus for reduced height, explaining 15.0% of the genotypic variance and exerting an allele substitution effect of –8.8 cm. Unlike the two Rht‐1b alleles, plants carrying Rht24 remain sensitive to gibberellic acid treatment. Rht24 appears in breeding programs from all countries of origin investigated, with increased frequency over the last decades, indicating that wheat breeders have actively selected for this locus. Taken together, this study reveals Rht24 as an important Rht gene of commercial relevance in worldwide wheat breeding.
Trade Policy Review for China: The world's top exporter with “new normal” economic growth
Authors: Zhang Xufei
Published: September 2017

This paper has evaluated the WTO trade policy review, and added more information and recent data to examine more closely China's economy and trade. Major trade policies during 2014–16 were summarised as the Belt and Road Initiative, policies facilitating trade and new adjustments to support and promote cross‐border e‐commence. After evaluating data on China's trade and economic performance, it discussed three challenges the Chinese government needs to deal with in the near future.
Impact of ABO‐mismatch on outcome in bone marrow transplantation
Authors: De Santis G. C. , Malta R. O. , Garcia‐Silva A. C. , Prata K. de L. , de Oliveira M. C. , de Moraes D. A. , Stracieri A. B. P. , Pieroni F. , Martinez E. Z. , Simões B. P. , Covas D. T.
Published: September 2017

Background

ABO‐mismatch between donor and recipient of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) can impact clinical outcome. This is a retrospective single‐centre study that aimed to compare overall survival, transfusion requirements, time of neutrophil engraftment and the incidence of veno‐occlusive disease (VOD) and graft‐vs‐host disease (GVHD) in recipients of BMT with ABO‐match and mismatch.

Methods

We reviewed the charts of 140 recipients of related HLA full‐match BMT, between 1998 and 2014. We found 39 cases of ABO‐mismatch (27·9%), of which 21 (53·8%) with major, 14 (35·9%) with minor and 4 (10·3%) with bidirectional mismatch.

Results

ABO‐mismatch had no impact on survival, neutrophil engraftment and the incidence of VOD and acute GVHD. Minor mismatch patients had higher risk for chronic GVHD than major mismatch (P = 0·02). Median transfusions of red blood cell (RBC) units were 5 (0–57) and 10 (1–47) for match and mismatch groups (P = 0·004), and 12 (2–47) for major mismatch (P = 0·005). Median transfusions of platelet units were 46 (0–756) and 73 (0–429) for match and mismatch groups (P = 0·06).

Conclusion

ABO‐mismatch seems to be less frequent in Brazil. ABO‐mismatch had no significant impact on survival, neutrophil engraftment and VOD, but resulted in increased transfusion of RBC.
Principle and observation of fluorescence moiré fringes for alignment in print and imprint methods
Authors: Kikuchi Eri , Ishito Yota , Matsubara Shinya , Nakamura Takahiro , Abe Masayuki , Nakagawa Masaru
Published: September 2017

The authors report the principle and experimental observation of fluorescence moiré interference fringes for alignment in the print and imprint methods. Concave bar and cross alignment marks on a silica mold and substrate without the deposition of any light-shielding or high-refractive-index layers could be visualized by fluorescence microscopy with a fluorescent liquid sandwiched between the patterned surfaces. Fluorescence moiré interference fringes with a pitch of 44 μm were generated by the superimposition of two sets of mold bar arrays with respective pitches of p1 = 4.0 μm and p2 = 4.4 μm on substrate bar arrays with different periodicity of p2 and p1 through a thin fluorescent liquid layer. The fluorescence moiré fringes were attributed to an additive-type generation by the interference of two luminous gratings with different periodicities, which was different from a multiplicative-type generation by the superimposition of two light-shielding metal gratings with different periodicities under illumination. Coarse alignment with 2-μm-wide cross marks was performed by manually operating the substrate-side stages, and the misalignment was evaluated with the two sets of fluorescence moiré fringes. The alignment method by fluorescence microscopy with a fluorescent liquid provided the possibilities of not only fine alignment with fluorescence moiré fringes but also in situ monitoring of the residual layer thickness formed between the mold and substrate surfaces before curing for ultraviolet nanoimprinting.
Changes in humpback whale singing behavior with abundance: Implications for the development of acoustic surveys of cetaceans
Authors: Noad Michael J. , Dunlop Rebecca A. , Mack Amelia K.
Published: September 2017

Acoustic surveys of vocal animals can have significant advantages over visual surveys, particularly for marine mammals. For acoustic density estimates to be viable, however, the vocal output of the animals surveyed needs to be determined under a range of conditions and shown to be a robust predictor of abundance. In this study, the songs of humpback whales, one of the most vocal and best studied species of marine mammals, were tested as predictors of abundance. Two acoustic metrics, the number of singing whales and amount of songs produced, were compared with the number of whales seen traversing a study site on the eastern coast of Australia over an 18 year period. Although there were predictive relationships between both metrics and numbers of passing whales, these relationships changed significantly as the population grew in size. The proportion of passing whales that sang decreased as the population increased. Singing in humpback whales, therefore, is a poor predictor even of relative abundance and illustrates the caution required when developing acoustic survey techniques particularly when using social vocalizations.
Tim-3 signaling in peripheral NK cells promotes maternal-fetal immune tolerance and alleviates pregnancy loss
Authors: Li Yanhong , Zhang Jiayuan , Zhang Di , Hong Xiaowu , Tao Yu , Wang Songcun , Xu Yuanyuan , Piao Hailan , Yin Weijie , Yu Min , Zhang Yin , Fu Qiang , Li Dajin , Chang Xing , Du Meirong
Published: September 2017

A subset of natural killer cells suppresses the mother’s immune system to protect the fetus.
Papers of note in
Nature
549
(7672)
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: September 2017

This week’s articles highlight the role of AMPA receptor diffusion in long-term potentiation; a mutation in an embryonic cell lineage that leads to adult neurodegeneration; the structural basis of cGAS activation; a posttranslational modification of the melanocortin-1 receptor that protects against melanoma; and factors from maternal cells that determine whether daughter cells will proliferate.
K13
Propeller Alleles,
mdr1
Polymorphism, and Drug Effectiveness at Day 3 after Artemether-Lumefantrine Treatment for Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in Colombia, 2014-2015
Authors: Montenegro Madeline , Neal Aaron T. , Posada Maritza , De las Salas Briegel , Lopera-Mesa Tatiana M. , Fairhurst Rick M. , Tobon-Castaño Alberto
Published: September 2017

High treatment failure rates for
Plasmodium falciparum
malaria have been reported in Colombia for chloroquine, amodiaquine, and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. Artemisinin combination therapies were introduced in 2006 in Colombia, where artemether-lumefantrine (AL) is currently used to treat uncomplicated
P. falciparum
malaria. Artemisinin (ART) resistance was initially observed in Southeast Asia as an increased parasite clearance time, manifesting as a positive thick-blood smear on day 3 after treatment (D3 positivity). Recently, mutations in the propeller domain of the
P. falciparum
kelch13
gene (
K13
propeller) have been associated with ART resistance. In this study, we surveyed AL effectiveness at D3 and molecular markers of drug resistance among 187 uncomplicated
P. falciparum
cases in 4 regions of Colombia from June 2014 to July 2015. We found that 3.2% (4/125) of patients showed D3 positivity, 100% (163/163) of isolates carried wild-type
K13
propeller alleles, 12.9% (23/178) of isolates had multiple copies of the multidrug resistance 1 gene (
mdr1
), and 75.8% (113/149) of isolates harbored the double mutant N
F
S
D
D
mdr1
haplotype (the underlining indicates mutant alleles). These data suggest that ART resistance is not currently suspected in Colombia but that monitoring for lumefantrine resistance and AL failures should continue.
SPR741, an Antibiotic Adjuvant, Potentiates theIn VitroandIn VivoActivity of Rifampin against Clinically Relevant Extensively Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Zurawski Daniel V. , Reinhart Alexandria A. , Alamneh Yonas A. , Pucci Michael J. , Si Yuanzheng , Abu-Taleb Rania , Shearer Jonathan P. , Demons Samandra T. , Tyner Stuart D. , Lister Troy
Published: September 2017

Acinetobacter baumanniiis responsible for 10% of all nosocomial infections and has >50% mortality rates when causing ventilator-associated pneumonia. In this proof-of-concept study, we evaluated SPR741, an antibiotic adjuvant that permeabilizes the Gram-negative membrane, in combination with rifampin against AB5075, an extensively drug-resistant (XDR)A. baumanniistrain. In standardin vitroassays and in a murine pulmonary model, we found that this drug combination can significantly reduce bacterial burden and promote animal survival despite an aggressive infection.
Requirement and Synergistic Contribution of Platelet-Activating Factor Acetylhydrolase Sse and Streptolysin S to Inhibition of Neutrophil Recruitment and Systemic Infection by Hypervirulentemm3Group A Streptococcus in Subcutaneous Infection of Mice
Authors: Feng Wenchao , Minor Dylan , Liu Mengyao , Lei Benfang
Published: September 2017

Hypervirulent group A streptococcus (GAS) can inhibit neutrophil recruitment and cause systemic infection in a mouse model of skin infection. The purpose of this study was to determine whether platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase Sse and streptolysin S (SLS) have synergistic contributions to inhibition of neutrophil recruitment and systemic infection in subcutaneous infection of mice by MGAS315, a hypervirulent genotypeemm3GAS strain. Deletion ofsseandsagAin MGAS315 synergistically reduced the skin lesion size and GAS burden in the liver and spleen. However, the mutants were persistent at skin sites and had similar growth factors in nonimmune blood. Thus, the low numbers of ΔsseΔsagAmutants in the liver and spleen were likely due to their reduction in the systemic dissemination. Few intact and necrotic neutrophils were detected at MGAS315 infection sites. In contrast, many neutrophils and necrotic cells were present at the edge of Δssemutant infection sites on day 1 and at the edge of and inside Δssemutant infection sites on day 2. ΔsagAmutant infection sites had massive numbers of and few intact neutrophils at the edge and center of the infection sites, respectively, on day 1 and were full of intact neutrophils or necrotic cells on day 2. ΔsseΔsagAmutant infection sites had massive numbers of intact neutrophils throughout the whole infection site. ThesesseandsagAdeletion-caused changes in the histological pattern at skin infection sites could be complemented. Thus, thesseandsagAdeletions synergistically enhance neutrophil recruitment. These findings indicate that both Sse and SLS are required but that neither is sufficient for inhibition of neutrophil recruitment and systemic infection by hypervirulent GAS.
Lipids Affect the Cryptococcus neoformans-Macrophage Interaction and Promote Nonlytic Exocytosis
Authors: Nolan Sabrina J. , Fu Man Shun , Coppens Isabelle , Casadevall Arturo
Published: September 2017

Many microbes exploit host cellular lipid droplets during the host-microbe interaction, but this phenomenon has not been extensively studied for fungal pathogens. In this study, we analyzed the role of lipid droplets during the interaction of
Cryptococcus neoformans
with macrophages in the presence and the absence of exogenous lipids, in particular, oleate. The addition of oleic acid increased the frequency of lipid droplets in both
C. neoformans
and macrophages
. C. neoformans
responded to oleic acid supplementation by faster growth inside and outside macrophages. Fungal cells were able to harvest lipids from macrophage lipid droplets. Supplementation of
C. neoformans
and macrophages with oleic acid significantly increased the rate of nonlytic exocytosis while having no effect on lytic exocytosis. The process for lipid modulation of nonlytic exocytosis was associated with actin changes in macrophages. In summary,
C. neoformans
harvests lipids from macrophages, and the
C. neoformans
-macrophage interaction is modulated by exogenous lipids, providing a new tool for studying nonlytic exocytosis.
Retinal haemorrhages: a clue to the underlying leukaemia
Authors: Tyagi Mudit , Agarwal Komal , Paulose Remya Maureen , Rani Padmaja Kumari
Published: September 2017

A 40-year-old man presented with a sudden onset of diminution of vision in his left eye for 2 days. Anterior segment of both eyes was within normal limits. Right eye retinal evaluation was normal. However, the left eye retinal evaluation showed isolated subinternal limiting membrane haemorrhage at the fovea along with a white-centred haemorrhage above the fovea. There was no antecedent history of trauma or valsalva. He was normotensive and his glycaemic status was also normal. His blood investigations along with peripheral smear were done, which helped to clinch the diagnosis of an underlying chronic myeloid leukaemia.
Copper deficiency caused by excessive alcohol consumption
Authors: Shibazaki Shunichi , Uchiyama Shuhei , Tsuda Katsuji , Taniuchi Norihide
Published: September 2017

Copper deficiency is a disease that causes cytopaenia and neuropathy and can be treated by copper supplementation. Long-term tube feeding, long-term total parenteral nutrition, intestinal resection and ingestion of zinc are known copper deficiency risk factors; however, alcohol abuse is not. In this case, a 71-year-old man had difficulty waking. He had a history of drinking more than five glasses of spirits daily. He was well until 3 months ago. A month before his visit to our hospital, he could not eat meals but continued drinking. He had macrocytic anaemia on admission. Copper and ceruloplasmin levels were markedly low, and we diagnosed copper deficiency. There were no other known risk factors for copper deficiency. After he began drinking cocoa as a copper supplement, the anaemia ameliorated and he was able to walk. This is the first report showing alcohol abuse as a risk factor for copper deficiency.
Assessing the population at risk of Zika virus in Asia – is the emergency really over?
Authors: Siraj Amir S , Perkins T Alex
Published: September 2017

On November 18, 2016, the WHO ended its designation of the Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). At the same time, ZIKV transmission continues in Asia, with the number of Asian countries reporting Zika cases increasing over the last 2 years. Applying a method that combines epidemiological theory with data on epidemic size and drivers of transmission, we characterised the population at risk of ZIKV infection fromAedes aegyptimosquitoes in 15 countries in Asia. Projections made under the assumption of no pre-existing immunity suggest that up to 785 (range: 730–992) million people in Asia would be at risk of ZIKV infection under that scenario. Assuming that 20% of ZIKV infections are symptomatic, this implies an upper limit of 146–198 million for the population at risk of a clinical episode of Zika. Due to limited information about pre-existing immunity to ZIKV in the region, we were unable to make specific numerical projections under a more realistic assumption about pre-existing immunity. Even so, combining numerical projections under an assumption of no pre-existing immunity together with theoretical insights about the extent to which pre-existing immunity may lower epidemic size, our results suggest that the population at risk of ZIKV infection in Asia could be even larger than in the Americas. As a result, we conclude that the WHO’s removal of the PHEIC designation should not be interpreted as an indication that the threat posed by ZIKV has subsided.