bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aetiological spectrum, clinical differentiation and efficacy of polyethylene glycol over lactulose in children with constipation: Experience of 316 cases
Authors: Poddar Ujjal , Singh Sumit , Pawaria Arti , Srivastava Anshu , Yachha Surender K
Published: June 2018

Aim

To find the aetiological spectrum, clinical features to differentiate organic from functional constipation (FC) and the efficacy of polyethylene glycol (PEG) over lactulose in the treatment of childhood constipation.

Methods

From January 2007 to December 2014, 316 consecutive children (up to 18 years) with constipation were included in this study. FC was defined as per Rome III criteria. Standard treatment protocol (disimpaction with PEG followed by laxatives) was followed in FC. Lactulose was used in the first 4 years of study and PEG in the last 4 years. Success of therapy was assessed at 3 months.

Results

The median age was 44 (25.00–78.00) months, and 227 (72%) were boys. The majority, 245 (77.5%), had FC, while Hirschsprung disease was the most common organic cause (39.4%). On multivariate analysis, delayed passage of meconium, growth failure, absence of retentive posturing and absent faecal impaction significantly (P < 0.05) determined an organic aetiology. In FC, successful outcome at 3 months was achieved equally with PEG and lactulose (81 vs. 76%, respectively). However, more children in lactulose group had to be switched over to PEG due to lack of efficacy (P = 0.0002).

Conclusions

FC is the most common cause of constipation in children. Presence of delayed passage of meconium, growth failure and absence of retentive posturing and absent faecal impaction raise the suspicion of an organic cause. Both lactulose and PEG are equally effective. PEG has an edge over lactulose as the need for switch over was uncommon.
Tanshinone IIA effects on ovarian cancer cell line
Authors: Li Nan , Yang Liang , Zhang Baolian , Chen Suqin
Published: June 2018

Objectives

To explore the potential therapeutic effect of Tanshinone IIA against ovarian cancer in vitro and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism.

Methods

The cell survival upon Tanshinone IIA treatment was determined by the clonogenic assay. Cell apoptosis was analysed by Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining. The cleaved caspase-3/poly ADP-ribose polymerase and apoptosis-related factors were quantified by Western blotting. The relative expression of microRNAs (miRs) was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Key findings

Tanshinone IIA treatment induced significant apoptosis in TOV-21G cells. Tanshinone suppressed survivin expression while not affected Bax, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. We further predicted and experimentally confirmed overexpression of miR-205 in TOV-21G, which ectopic significantly inhibited survivin and promoted cell apoptosis. miR-205-specific antagonist completely abrogated the cell suppressive effect of Tanshinone IIA.

Conclusions

Our data suggested that Tanshinone IIA induced cell apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma TOV-21G cells via direct upregulation of miR-205. Our study highlighted the potential therapeutic application of Tanshinone IIA against ovarian malignancy.
Discrepancy between wrist‐actigraph and polysomnographic measures of sleep in patients with stable heart failure and a novel approach to evaluating discrepancy
Authors: Jeon Sangchoon , Conley Samantha , Redeker Nancy S.
Published: June 2018

Wrist‐actigraphy is often used to measure sleep characteristics in a variety of populations, but discrepancies between actigraphic and polysomnographic measures have been noted in populations experiencing poor sleep quality. The purpose of this study is to examine the discrepancy between these measures and risk factors for discrepancy in people with heart failure using a novel index. We used sleep measures simultaneously recorded by actigraphy and polysomnography, and clinical data from a cross‐sectional study of 155 patients with heart failure (age = 60.5 [16.1] years; 65.2% male) recruited from evidence‐based heart failure disease management programmes. The discrepancy and consistency between the two measures were evaluated using Bland–Altman plots, intra‐class correlations and a newly developed index that represents activity counts in wake episodes. Overall, participants had short total sleep time (327.7 [95.9] min) and poor sleep efficiency (71.3 [16.0]%) on polysomnography. The discrepancies between sleep measures were small in patients less than 60 years old, and there was excellent consistency (intra‐class correlation = 0.81) compared with older patients who had poorer consistency (intra‐class correlation = 0.53) on total sleep time. Higher daytime motor activity, poor sleep quality and more severe insomnia were associated with smaller discrepancies in older, but not younger, patients, and associations were more sensitively detected by the new index. These findings suggest the importance of aging, disability and co‐morbidity that may influence motor activity from which sleep estimates are scored with actigraphy. The new index may be useful in identifying factors associated with the correspondence between actigraphy and polysomnography.
Religion and Disability: Variation in Religious Service Attendance Rates for Children with Chronic Health Conditions
Authors: Whitehead Andrew L.
Published: June 2018

Prior research consistently demonstrates greater religious involvement is associated with improved health outcomes for those with chronic health conditions. Fewer studies focus on how chronic health conditions influence religious service attendance rates and most focus on older Americans. Using three waves of a nationally representative sample of children in the United States, I test whether children with a chronic health condition never attend religious worship services at rates significantly higher than children without a condition. I also investigate variation in attendance rates across a broad range of conditions, something previously overlooked. Children with chronic health conditions are more likely to never attend religious worship services. Specifically, children with chronic health conditions that impede communication and social interaction are most likely to never attend. Despite shifts in prevalence these findings are stable over time. Implications for researchers, religious communities, families with children with chronic health conditions, and health‐care providers are discussed.
Applications of systems modelling in obesity research
Authors: Xue H. , Slivka L. , Igusa T. , Huang T. T. , Wang Y.
Published: June 2018

Obesity is a complex system problem involving a broad spectrum of policy, social, economic, cultural, environmental, behavioural, and biological factors and the complex interrelated, cross‐sector, non‐linear, dynamic relationships among them. Systems modelling is an innovative approach with the potential for advancing obesity research. This study examined the applications of systems modelling in obesity research published between 2000 and 2017, examined how the systems models were developed and used in obesity studies and discussed related gaps in current research. We focused on the applications of two main systems modelling approaches: system dynamics modelling and agent‐based modelling. The past two decades have seen a growing body of systems modelling in obesity research. The research topics ranged from micro‐level to macro‐level energy‐balance‐related behaviours and policies (19 studies), population dynamics (five studies), policy effect simulations (eight studies), environmental (10 studies) and social influences (15 studies) and their effects on obesity rates. Overall, systems analysis in public health research is still in its early stages, with limitations linked to model validity, mixed findings and its actual use in guiding interventions. Challenges in theory and modelling practices need to be addressed to realize the full potential of systems modelling in future obesity research and interventions.
Pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa: A cross‐sectional study of 458 histopathological specimens
Authors: Tavares Thalita S. , Meirelles Daniela P. , de Aguiar Maria Cássia F. , Caldeira Patrícia C.
Published: June 2018

Objectives

To evaluate clinical, demographic, and histopathological characteristics of pigmented lesions of the oral mucosa.

Materials and Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted over a 64‐year period. Information was collected from medical charts, and all archived histopathological specimens with diagnoses of any pigmented lesion were retrieved. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.

Results

A total of 34,127 archived specimens were reviewed, revealing 458 (1.34%) pigmented lesions, of which 230 were melanocytic and 228 nonmelanocytic. Most patients were females (74.2%), white‐skinned (49.1%), in the third and seventh decades of life (mean of 45 years). Most lesions were macular (59.8%), followed by plaques and nodules (4.8%), measuring 0–5 mm (41.9%). Cheek mucosa (21.0%), alveolar mucosa (16.6%), and gingiva (11.8%) were the most commonly affected sites. Amalgam tattoo was applied in 212 cases (46.3%), followed by melanotic macule (22.9%) and nevus (20.5%). Other diagnoses included racial pigmentation, exogenous pigmentation, melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy, melanoma, melanoacanthoma, smoker's melanosis, and heavy metal pigmentation.

Conclusions

Pigmented lesions represent an uncommon diagnosis in oral pathology routines. The most frequent entities are amalgam tattoo, melanotic macule, and nevus. Patients are usually middle‐aged women presenting a small, long‐lasting, macular lesion on the cheek mucosa.
Bier anaemic spots, cyanosis with urticaria‐like eruption (BASCULE) syndrome on trunk and upper limbs
Authors: Jiménez‐Gallo David , Collantes‐Rodríguez Cristina , Ossorio‐García Lidia , Báez‐Perea José María , Linares‐Barrios Mario
Published: June 2018

Bier anaemic spots, cyanosis with urticaria‐like eruption syndrome is a recently described benign vasomotor dermatosis that mainly affects the lower limbs. Histopathology shows multiple dilated dermal vessels with scattered eosinophils. We report a case on the trunk and upper limbs.
Companions in guilt arguments
Authors: Cowie Christopher
Published: June 2018

Arguments for some controversial positions in metaethics—typically moral scepticism or the moral error theory—are sometimes thought to overreach. They appear to entail sceptical or error‐theoretic views about non‐moral branches of thought in a sense that is costly or implausible. If this is true, those metaethical arguments should be rejected. This is the companions in guilt strategy in metaethics. In this article, the contemporary use of the companions in guilt strategy is explored and assessed. The methodology of the strategy is discussed, and criteria for assessing specific instances of its use are identified. Prominent instances of its use in the contemporary literature are then examined. The focus is on those that take (a) epistemic judgment, (b) prudential judgment, and (c) mathematical judgment as “companions,” with a view to undermining the moral error theory and moral scepticism, respectively.
Effects of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha and interleukin‐1 beta on in vitro development of bovine secondary follicles
Authors: Paulino Lais R. F. M. , Cunha Ellen V. , Barbalho Silva Anderson W. , Souza Glaucinete B. , Lopes Ewerton P. F. , Donato Mariana A. M. , Peixoto Cristina A. , Matos‐Brito Bruno G. , van den Hurk Robert , Silva José Roberto V.
Published: June 2018

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of TNF‐α and IL‐1β on development and survival of bovine secondary follicle culture in vitro for 18 days. Secondary follicles (~0.2 mm) were isolated from ovarian cortex and individually cultured at 38.5°C, with 5% CO2 in air, for 18 days, in TCM‐199+ alone (cultured control) or supplemented with 10 ng/ml IL‐1β, 10 ng/ml TNF‐α or both TNF‐α and IL‐1β. The effects of these treatments on growth, follicular survival, antrum formation, viability, ultrastructure and mRNA levels for GDF‐9, c‐MOS, H1foo and Cyclin B1 were evaluated. The results showed that addition of TNF‐α to culture medium increased follicular diameter and rate of antrum formation, whereas that of IL‐1β and a mixture of IL‐1β and TNF‐α did not do so. Ultrastructural analysis showed that, among the tested cytokine treatments, follicles cultured in the presence of TNF‐α had the best‐preserved oocytes and granulosa cells. The presence of TNF‐α, IL‐1β or both did not influence the expression of mRNAs analysed. In conclusion, in contrast to IL‐1β, TNF‐α promotes growth of and antrum formation in in vitro cultured bovine secondary follicles, while their ultrastructure and viability were maintained.
Pricing Storm Surge Risks in Florida: Implications for Determining Flood Insurance Premiums and Evaluating Mitigation Measures
Authors: Montgomery Marilyn , Kunreuther Howard
Published: June 2018

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has been criticized for inaccurate flood hazard maps and premiums that are not risk based. We employ granular storm surge data comprised of five different event probabilities with associated flood elevations to calculate surge risk‐based premiums for homes in Pensacola, Florida, which we compare with NFIP premiums that are based on flood risk data with only one event probability (1% annual chance floods). We demonstrate how more granular flood risk data used for calculating risk‐based insurance premiums should be part of the NFIP mapping and rate‐setting processes. We then examine three different sea‐level rise (SLR) scenarios specific to Pensacola from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and assess surge risk‐based premiums out to 2100. We analyze the cost effectiveness of elevating homes to mitigate surge risks when costs of elevation are one lump upfront sum, and when costs are spread over 30 years via low‐interest mitigation loans. Benefits are the avoided future losses from surge risks going out to 2100 with the three different SLR scenarios. Findings show that it is cost effective to elevate high‐value homes with low first‐floor elevations in the most risky surge zones. Spreading costs of elevation with 30‐year loans should be directed at low‐income households to address affordability concerns. Alternative flood mitigation actions, such as wet floodproofing and elevating electrical and plumbing utilities, should be considered in instances where elevation is not cost effective.
Model‐free causal inference of binary experimental data
Authors: Ding Peng , Miratrix Luke W.
Published: June 2018

For binary experimental data, we discuss randomization‐based inferential procedures that do not need to invoke any modeling assumptions. In addition to the classical method of moments, we also introduce model‐free likelihood and Bayesian methods based solely on the physical randomization without any hypothetical super population assumptions about the potential outcomes. These estimators have some properties superior to moment‐based ones such as only giving estimates in regions of feasible support. Due to the lack of identification of the causal model, we also propose a sensitivity analysis approach that allows for the characterization of the impact of the association between the potential outcomes on statistical inference.
European long‐term field experiments: knowledge gained about alternative management practices
Authors: Sandén T. , Spiegel H. , Stüger H.‐P. , Schlatter N. , Haslmayr H.‐P. , Zavattaro L. , Grignani C. , Bechini L. , D′Hose T. , Molendijk L. , Pecio A. , Jarosz Z. , Guzmán G. , Vanderlinden K. , Giráldez J. V. , Mallast J. , ten Berge H.
Published: June 2018

Alternative management practices such as no‐tillage compared to conventional tillage are expected to recover or increase soil quality and productivity, even though all of these aspects are rarely studied together. Long‐term field experiments (LTEs) enable analysis of alternative management practices over time. This study investigated a total of 251 European LTEs in which alternative management practices such as crop rotation, catch crops, cover crops/green manure, no‐tillage, non‐inversion tillage and organic fertilization were applied. Response ratios of indicators for soil quality, climate change and productivity between alternative and reference management practices were derived from a total of 260 publications. Both positive and negative effects of alternative management practices on the different indicators were shown and, as expected, no alternative management practice could comply with all objectives simultaneously. Productivity was hampered by non‐inversion tillage, FYM amendments and incorporation of crop residues. SOC contents were increased significantly following organic fertilizers and non‐inversion tillage. GHG emissions were increased by slurry application and incorporation of crop residues. Our study showed that alternative management practices beneficial to one group of indicators (e.g. organic fertilizers for biological soil quality indicators) are not necessarily beneficial to other indicators (e.g. increase of crop yields). We conclude that LTEs are valuable for finding ways forward in protecting European soils as well as finding evidence‐based alternative management practices for the future; however, experiments should focus more on biological soil quality indicators as well as GHG emissions to enable better evaluation of trade‐offs and mutual benefits of management practices.
Use of an ocular wound chamber for the prevention of exposure keratopathy in a guinea pig model
Authors: Holt Andrew W. , McDaniel Jennifer S. , Bramblett Gregory T. , Eriksson Elof , Johnson Anthony J. , Griffith Gina L.
Published: June 2018

Current therapies available to treat and heal ocular surface injuries and periocular burns are frequently inadequate, costly, and labor intensive. To address these limitations, we have employed a flexible, semitransparent ocular wound chamber (OWC) to provide protection as well as a watertight seal to allow for the constant delivery of therapeutics to the ocular surface and surrounding periocular tissue. This study demonstrates the safety and utilization of the OWC on uninjured eyes and in our exposure keratopathy model. For initial safety studies (N = 3 per group), the eyelids remained intact and the eye uninjured. A blepharotomy (N = 6 per group) was performed to remove the upper and lower eyelids surrounding the left (OS) eye to create our exposure keratopathy model. Right (OD) eyes served as uninjured controls in all studies. Following OWC placement, 0.5 mL HPMC gel or balanced saline solution (BSS) was injected into the chamber. Animals were monitored daily and fully assessed via white light, fluorescein, and OCT imaging at least through 72 hours post OWC placement. In studies that included a blepharotomy, skin samples were analyzed by multiplex cytokine analysis. Results of safety experiments revealed no significant differences between treatment groups in corneal thickness, fluorescein staining, OCT imaging, or histological eye or skin sections when compared to control eyes. In our exposure keratopathy model, OWC treated eyes showed significantly less fluorescein uptake and also were found to have significantly lower levels of cytokines IL‐13 and IL‐5 in skin samples. These results demonstrate for the first time that treatment using the OWC device is not only safe, but significantly protects against blepharotomy‐induced exposure keratopathy. As a whole, this study advances our overall efforts to develop a feasible solution to treat ocular surface injuries, infections, and periocular burns.
Evaluating the Critical Success Factors of Industrialised Building System Implementation in Nigeria: The Stakeholders’ Perception
Authors: Ojoko Edo Oga , Osman Mohd Hanim , Abdul Rahman Ahmad Baharuddin , Bakhary Norhisham
Published: June 2018

Globally, the adoption of Industrialised building system (IBS) has been acknowledged as a panacea for housing delivery performance. However, in most developing nations, especially Nigeria, its successful adoption is confronted with myriad of factors that are differently perceived by stakeholders resulting in poor performance and low uptake. The focus of this study is, therefore, to identify and evaluate those inhibiting factors as perceived by key construction stakeholders in the Nigerian construction industry. Initially, sixty-four (64) factors were identified through literature and structured interview. After which, a panel of experts, through Delphi method, considered forty-seven (47) of the factors contextual to IBS performance in Nigeria. 210 (70%) multidisciplinary construction professionals responded to the 300 administered questionnaires anchored on a Likert scale of I-5, (1-least significant to 5-Most Significant). Mean score approach was employed for data analysis. All the success factors were perceived to be critical. However, while forty (40) factors were perceived to excise high influence, seven (7) factors were found to moderately influence IBS performance. The five (5) critical success factors (CSFs) based on mean score (MS) are; Clear and precise goals (3.986), knowledge & skills (3.976), planning & control (3.948), top management support (3.938), and transportation (3.924). Having the knowledge of factors critical to IBS performance will assist key stakeholders' in their decision-making towards achieving effective project delivery.
Sensitive Dependence on Initial Conditions for an Example of Markov Map: Skewed Doubling Map
Authors: Mohd Roslan Ummu Atiqah
Published: June 2018

Markov map is one example of interval maps where it is a piecewise ex-panding map and obeys the Markov property. One well-known example of Markov map is the doubling map, a map which has two subintervals with equal partitions. In this paper, we are interested to investigate another type of Markov map, the so-called skewed doubling map. This map is a more generalized map than the doubling map. Thus, the aims of this paper are to nd the xed points as well as the periodic points for the skewed doubling map and to investigate the sensitive dependence on initial conditions of this map. The method considered here is the cobweb diagram. Numerical results suggest that there exist dense of periodic orbits for this map. The sensitivity of this map to initial conditions is also veried where small differences in initial conditions give dierent behaviour of the orbits in the map.
Dynamical Behaviours of Prey-predator Fishery Model with Harvesting Affected by Toxic Substances
Authors: Keong Ang Tau , M Safuan Hamizah , Jacob Kavikumar
Published: June 2018

In this paper we consider a harvesting model of predator-prey fishery in which the prey is directly infected by some external toxic substances. The toxic infection is indirectly transmitted to the predator during the feeding process. The model is a modied version from the classic Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model. The stability and bifurcation analyses are addressed. Numerical simulations of the model are performed and bifurcation diagrams are studied to investigate the dynamical behaviours between the predator and the prey. The eects of toxicity and harvesting on the stability of steady states found in the model are discussed.
Comparison between VAR, GSTAR, FFNN-VAR and FFNN-GSTAR Models for Forecasting Oil Production
Authors: Suhartono Suhartono , Prastyo Dedy Dwi , Kuswanto Heri , Lee Muhammad Hisyam
Published: June 2018

Monthly data about oil production at several drilling wells is an example of spatio-temporal data. The aim of this research is to propose nonlinear spatio-temporal model, i.e. Feedforward Neural Network - Vector Autoregressive (FFNN-VAR) and FFNN - Generalized Space-Time Autoregressive (FFNN-GSTAR), and compare their forecast accuracy to linear spatio-temporal model, i.e. VAR and GSTAR. These spatio-temporal models are proposed and applied for forecasting monthly oil production data at three drilling wells in East Java, Indonesia. There are 60 observations that be divided to two parts, i.e. the first 50 observations for training data and the last 10 observations for testing data. The results show that FFNN-GSTAR(11) and FFNN-VAR(1) as nonlinear spatio-temporal models tend to give more accurate forecast than VAR(1) and GSTAR(11) as linear spatio-temporal models. Moreover, further research about nonlinear spatio-temporal models based on neural networks and GSTAR is needed for developing new hybrid models that could improve the forecast accuracy.
Effect of stimulus type and pitch salience on pitch-sequence processing
Authors: Carcagno Samuele , Micheyl Christophe , Cousineau Marion , Pressnitzer Daniel , Demany Laurent
Published: June 2018

Using a same-different discrimination task, it has been shown that discrimination performance for sequences of complex tones varying just detectably in pitch is less dependent on sequence length (1, 2, or 4 elements) when the tones contain resolved harmonics than when they do not [Cousineau, Demany, and Pessnitzer (2009). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 126, 3179–3187]. This effect had been attributed to the activation of automatic frequency-shift detectors (FSDs) by the shifts in resolved harmonics. The present study provides evidence against this hypothesis by showing that the sequence-processing advantage found for complex tones with resolved harmonics is not found for pure tones or other sounds supposed to activate FSDs (narrow bands of noise and wide-band noises eliciting pitch sensations due to interaural phase shifts). The present results also indicate that for pitch sequences, processing performance is largely unrelated to pitch salience per se: for a fixed level of discriminability between sequence elements, sequences of elements with salient pitches are not necessarily better processed than sequences of elements with less salient pitches. An ideal-observer model for the same-different binary-sequence discrimination task is also developed in the present study. The model allows the computation of d′ for this task using numerical methods.
Scattering of an arbitrary order acoustical Bessel beam by a rigid off-axis spheroid
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Mingsheng
Published: June 2018

In this study, the authors use the partial-wave series expansion method in the spherical coordinate system and provide a theoretical formula for the off-axis acoustical scattering by rigid prolate and oblate spheroids illuminated by an arbitrary-order Bessel beam to explore the physical characteristics of the off-axis far-field scattering (the axis of the Bessel beam is parallel to the axis of the spheroids). The proposed method is verified and several three-dimensional far-field directivity patterns of rigid spheroids illuminated by zeroth- and first-order Bessel beams are depicted to explore the off-axis scattering. A special emphasis is placed on the geometry size of the prolate and oblate spheroids, the half-cone angle of the Bessel beam, the order of the Bessel beam, and the offset position. Compared with the on-axis scattering, the derivation and calculation of the off-axis scattering takes into account the spherical harmonic function using a numerical integral procedure. In addition, no symmetry was observed in the patterns of the far-field acoustic scattering form function for the zeroth- and higher-order Bessel beams with the off-axis illumination. This investigation provides a tool for the exploration of the complex scattering problems of underwater non-spherical particles under the illumination of the Bessel beam.
Reversal of Chloroquine Resistance of Plasmodium vivax in Aotus Monkeys
Authors: Obaldia Nicanor , Milhous Wilbur K. , Kyle Dennis E.
Published: June 2018

Chloroquine-resistant (CQR) vivax malaria has emerged as a threat to the malaria elimination agenda. The objective of this study was to assess if a combination of chloroquine (CQ) and prochlorperazine was able to reverse CQ resistance of the
Plasmodium vivax
AMRU-1 strain from Papua New Guinea in infected
Aotus
monkeys.
Cys
2
His
2
Zinc Finger Transcription Factor BcabaR1 Positively Regulates Abscisic Acid Production in Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Wang Yingming , Zhou Jinyan , Zhong Juan , Luo Di , Li Zhemin , Yang Jie , Shu Dan , Tan Hong
Published: June 2018

Abscisic acid (ABA) could make a potentially important contribution to theoretical research and applications in agriculture and medicine.
Botrytis cinerea
is a plant-pathogenic fungus that was found to produce ABA. There has been a view that ABA is related to the interaction between pathogenic fungi and plants. Identification of regulatory genes involved in ABA biosynthesis may facilitate an understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of ABA biosynthesis and the pathogenesis of
B. cinerea
. Here, we present a positive regulator, BcabaR1, of ABA biosynthesis in
B. cinerea
that can affect the transcriptional level of the ABA biosynthesis gene cluster,
bcaba1
to -
4
, by directly binding to the conserved sequence elements in the promoter of the
bcaba1
to -
4
genes. This TF was found to be specifically involved in regulation of ABA biosynthesis. This work provides new clues for finding other ABA biosynthesis genes and improving ABA yield in
B. cinerea
.
Transmembrane Domains Mediate Intra- and Extracellular Trafficking of Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 1
Authors: Nkosi Dingani , Howell Lauren A. , Cheerathodi Mujeeb R. , Hurwitz Stephanie N. , Tremblay Deanna C. , Liu Xia , Meckes David G.
Published: June 2018

EBV infection contributes to the development of cancers, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and posttransplant lymphomas, in immunocompromised or genetically susceptible individuals. LMP1 is an important viral protein expressed by EBV in these cancers. LMP1 is secreted in extracellular vesicles (EVs), and the transfer of LMP1-modified EVs to uninfected cells can alter their physiology. Understanding the cellular machinery responsible for sorting LMP1 into EVs is limited, despite the importance of LMP1-modified EVs. Here, we illustrate the roles of different regions of LMP1 in EV packaging. Our results show that the N terminus and TM1 are sufficient to drive LMP1 EV trafficking. We further show the existence of potential positive and negative regulatory mechanisms for LMP1 vesicle sorting. These findings provide a better basis for future investigations to identify the mechanisms of LMP1 targeting to EVs, which could have broad implications in understanding EV cargo sorting.
Transgene-Assisted Genetic Screen Identifies
rsd-6
and Novel Genes as Key Components of Antiviral RNA Interference in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Long Tianyun , Meng Fei , Lu Rui
Published: June 2018

In nematode worms,
drh-1
detects virus-produced double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), thereby specifically contributing to antiviral RNA silencing. To identify
drh-1
-like genes with dedicated function in antiviral RNAi, we recently carried out a genetic screen that was designed to automatically reject all alleles derived from 4 known antiviral silencing genes, including
drh-1
. Of the 11 candidate genes identified, we found two of them to be required for antiviral silencing targeting a natural viral pathogen of
C. elegans
but not for classical RNA silencing triggered by artificial dsRNA. We believe that these two genes are novel components of worm antiviral RNAi, considering the fact that
drh-1
is the only known antiviral RNAi gene that is dispensable for classical RNAi. This genetic screen also identified
rsd-6
, a gene that maintains genome integrity under unfavorable conditions, as a key regulator of worm antiviral silencing, demonstrating an interplay between antiviral immunity and genome integrity maintenance.
Gastrointestinal sequelae after surgery for necrotising enterocolitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hau Eva-Maria , Meyer Sarah C , Berger Steffen , Goutaki Myrofora , Kordasz Marcin , Kessler Ulf
Published: June 2018

Objectives

To document what types of gastrointestinal sequelae were described after surgery for necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and to analyse their frequency.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane library (CENTRAL) from 1990 to October 2016.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

We included studies, which provided original data on the occurrence of gastrointestinal sequelae in patients surviving surgery for NEC. Meta-analysis and metaregression to assess heterogeneity were performed for studies including 10 or more patients with gastrointestinal strictures, recurrence of NEC, intestinal failure (IF) and adhesion ileus.

Results

Altogether 58 studies, including 4260 patients, met the inclusion criteria. Strictures were reported to occur in 24% (95% CI 17% to 31%) of surviving patients, recurrence of NEC in 8% (95% CI 3% to 15%), IF in 13% (95% CI 7% to 19%) and adhesion ileus in 6% (95% CI 4% to 9%). Strictures were more common following enterostomy (30%; 95% CI 23% to 37%) than after primary anastomosis (8%; 95% CI 0% to 23%) and occurred more often after enterostomy without bowel resection than with bowel resection. We found considerable heterogeneity in the weighted average frequency of all sequelae (I2range: 38%–90%). Intestinal outcomes were poorly defined, there were important differences in study populations and designs, and the reported findings bear a substantial risk of bias.

Conclusions

Gastrointestinal sequelae in neonates surviving surgery for NEC are frequent. Long-term follow-up assessing defined gastrointestinal outcomes is warranted.
Prevalence of refractive errors in Colombia: MIOPUR study
Authors: Galvis Virgilio , Tello Alejandro , Otero Johana , Serrano Andres A , Gómez Luz María , Camacho Paul A , López-Jaramillo José Patricio
Published: June 2018

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of refractive errors in Colombia and its relations with demographic and socioeconomic variables.

Methods

A cross-sectional study performed in 10 Colombian administrative districts (MIOPUR study), including children and adolescents from 8 to 17 years old and adults from 35 to 55 years old.

Results

3608 individuals (100% of whom agreed to participate) were included. Prevalence estimates of refractive errors were: hyperopia 32.3% (95% CI 30.7 to 33.8), myopia 12.9% (95% CI 11.8 to 14.0), mixed astigmatism 2.8% (95% CI 2.2 to 3.3) and anisometropia 1.9% (95% CI 1.4 to 2.3). Prevalence of myopia in 15-year-old adolescents was 14.7%. In children and adolescents, the hyperopia prevalence decreased while myopia prevalence increased with age. In the adults group, the tendency was the contrary. Myopia prevalence reached 15.7% in urban and 9.2% in rural areas, and for hyperopia, the rates were 29.4% in urban and 36.1% in rural areas. In the multivariate analysis, living in an urban area significantly increased the risk of having myopia (OR: 1.45 (1.12 to 1.89); p<0.01). There were significant regional differences among diverse zones of the country.

Conclusions

Prevalence estimates of myopia and hyperopia in Colombia were found to be at an intermediate point compared with global data. In adults, myopia frequency was lower than in European and Asian studies. The prevalence of myopia increased during childhood and adolescence and was higher in middle-aged adults (35–39 years) than in older adults. On the other hand, hyperopia rates increased with age, findings that suggest a cohort effect. In the multivariate analysis, residence in urban areas and living in a medium-high socioeconomic status were linked to myopia.
Risk factors and health consequences of physical and emotional violence against children in Zimbabwe: a nationally representative survey
Authors: Chigiji Handrick , Fry Deborah , Mwadiwa Tinashe Enock , Elizalde Aldo , Izumi Noriko , Baago-Rasmussen Line , Maternowska Mary Catherine
Published: June 2018

Introduction

This study provides, for the first time, comparable national population-based estimates that describe the nature and magnitude of physical and emotional violence during childhood in Zimbabwe.

Methods

From August to September 2011, we conducted a national population-based survey of 2410 respondents aged 13–24 years, using a two-stage cluster sampling. Regression models were adjusted for relevant demographics to estimate the ORs for associations between violence, risk factors and various health-related outcomes.

Results

Respondents aged 18–24 years report a lifetime prevalence (before the age of 18) of 63.9% (among girls) to 76% (among boys) for physical violence by a parent or adult relative, 12.6% (girls) to 26.4% (boys) for humiliation in front of others, and 17.3% (girls) to 17.5% (boys) for feeling unwanted. Almost 50% of either sex aged 13–17 years experienced physical violence in the 12 months preceding the survey. Significant risk factors for experiencing physical violence for girls are ever experiencing emotional abuse prior to age 13, adult illness in the home, socioeconomic status and age. Boys’ risk factors include peer relationships and socioeconomic status, while caring teachers and trusted community members are protective factors. Risk factors for emotional abuse vary, including family relationships, teacher and school-level variables, socioeconomic status, and community trust and security. Emotional abuse is associated with increased suicide attempts for both boys and girls, among other health outcomes.

Conclusion

Physical and emotional violence often work in tandem causing poor mental and physical health outcomes. Understanding risk factors for violence within the peer or family context is essential for improved violence prevention.
Trends in the theory that inflammation plays a causal role in tendinopathy: a systematic review and quantitative analysis of published reviews
Authors: Mosca Michael J , Rashid Mustafa S , Snelling Sarah J , Kirtley Shona , Carr Andrew Jonathan , Dakin Stephanie Georgina
Published: June 2018

Background/aims

The contribution of inflammation to tendinopathy has been debated in the scientific literature. Several factors may contribute to this lack of clarity, including inconsistent definitions of inflammation. We hypothesised that the adoption and/or rejection of a causal link between inflammation and tendinopathy varied as a function of the ‘inflammatory component’ (eg, immune cell and molecular mediators included in published reviews).

Methods

Twenty data items were collected from each review to determine conclusions about the role of inflammation in tendinopathy, specific definitions of the ‘inflammatory component,’ quality of the review and other potential correlates. Associations between correlates and a review’s conclusion about the role of inflammation in tendinopathy were tested using binomial logistic regression. The database searches retrieved 2261 unique publications: 137 fulfilled inclusion criteria after full text screenings.

Results

There has been little support for an inflammatory component to tendinopathy until recently (2012–2015). Prior to 2012, the majority of published reviews did not discuss monocytes, macrophages or lymphocytes in tendinopathy; rather they focused on the lack of neutrophils, often referred to as ‘the inflammatory infiltrate’, or immune cells were not discussed. Reviews including monocytes and lymphocytes in their discussions were 5.23 times more likely to conclude inflammation was important than reviews that did not, p<0.001.

Conclusions

Data collected show growing support for an inflammatory component to tendinopathy, particularly among high-quality reviews and those that used more robust definitions of inflammation. This finding may have implications for explaining dissonance in the literature regarding a causal role for inflammation in the pathogenesis of tendinopathy.
Soil carbon dynamics in wheat plots established on grassland in 1911 as influenced by nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers
Authors: Karimi Rezvan , Janzen H.H. , Smith E.G. , Ellert B.H. , Kröbel R.
Published: June 2018

Soil organic carbon (SOC) changes slowly, and final management influences can be measured only after decades. Analysis of archived samples from a site established on grassland in 1911 showed that SOC, under wheat systems, approached steady state after several decades, and that its amount reflected the inputs of residue C.
A Novel Anti-Jamming Driven Sparse Analysis-Based Spread Spectrum Communication Methodology
Authors: Huang Wenzhun , Liu Zhe , Lv Lintao , Wang Liping , Zhang Shanwen
Published: June 2018

With the rapid and bursting development of communication engineering and some related techniques, spread spectrum communication and sparse analysis have been a hot research topic in the research community. A novel anti-jamming driven sparse analysis-based spread spectrum communication methodology is proposed in this paper, which mainly increases the spread spectrum modulation and the spread spectrum demodulation in the receiving end. The process of spread spectrum communication according to the working methods of different methodologies including direct-sequence spread spectrum. In this paper, the sparse presentation, dictionary learning, anti-jamming analysis and the basic communication theories are integrated altogether to enhance the traditional spread spectrum communication analysis framework. The experimental result proves the robustness of the proposed method.
Research on BatSLAM Algorithm for UAV Based on Audio Perceptual Hash Closed-Loop Detection
Authors: Chen Mengyuan , Hu Wenchao
Published: June 2018

This research is aimed at the optimization of a two-dimensional (2D) empirical graph under a certain height and dark conditions for a UAV, using the bionic sonar system to replace the visual sensor’s BatSLAM mode and audio perceptual hash closed-loop detection. The BatSLAM model uses Sum of Absolute Difference (SAD) image processing methods to update the bionic sonar template. This method only judges whether the appearance of the two cochlear images is consistent and does not have geometric processing and feature extraction. Because the cochlear images produce various noises during the acquisition and transmission, there are some differences in cochlear maps obtained at the same position, which can lead to the distortion of the constructed empirical map. In this research, an audio perceptual hash closed-loop detection algorithm is developed to extract features of cochlea. It considers both the appearance and the energy difference between adjacent bands to improve the accuracy of closed-loop detection, thus solving the distortion problem and improving the experience map. The simulation experiment shows that the improved BatSLAM model based on the audio perceptual hash closed-loop detection can improve the 2D experience map for UAV under certain height and dark conditions, through improving the accuracy of the closed-loop detection to solve the distortion problem and thus implementing the optimization of the experience graph.
Symbolic Innovations: Consequences of Convergence of Adoption and of Implementation
Authors: Johnson J. David
Published: June 2018

A symbolic innovation is one that stands for something else. Here we will explore eight conditions resulting from a bipolar configuration of stakeholder interests, extrinsic benefits, and intrinsic benefits that have different consequences for the decoupling of innovation adoption and of implementation for symbolic innovations. The underlying forces, or generative motors, that drive these processes are quite different with stakeholder interests and extrinsic social, bandwagon effects much more important in adoption and more immediate, intrinsic benefits coming to the fore in implementation. The degree to which these factors converge produces conditions that are more likely to result in innovations that have positive performance impacts.
Polymer quantization effects on gauge-flation
Authors: Mardaani M. , Nozari K.
Published: June 2018

Polymer quantum mechanics, as a non-standard representation of quantum mechanics, is based on a symmetric sector of loop quantum gravity known as loop quantum cosmology. In this work, by analyzing the Hamiltonian and Friedmann equations in the standard Hilbert space and polymer Hilbert space, we show that polymer quantization is a successful formalism for a non-Abelian gauge field driving the cosmological inflation, the so-called gauge-flation, in order to remove initial singularity and also keeping the inflationary trajectories in this model as attractors of dynamics after the bounce.
Improved electrochemical performance of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2/LiMn1∕3Ni1∕3Co1∕3O2 with core-shell structure synthesized by a coprecipitation and spray pyrolysis process
Authors: Ouyang Hongyong , Li Xinhai , Wang Zhixing , Guo Huajun , Peng Wenjie , He Zhenjiang
Published: June 2018

Core-shell composite material LiNi[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text]Al[Formula: see text]O2/LiMn[Formula: see text]Ni[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text]O2 (NCA/NCM) was synthesized via a coprecipitation and spray pyrolysis process. The properties of pristine LiNi[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text]Al[Formula: see text]O2 (NCA) and Core-shell NCA/NCM were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Galvanostatic cell cycling and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Results showed that the Core-shell NCA/NCM exhibited enhanced rate capability and cycling performance than the pristine NCA. The improved electrochemical performance is due to the fact that the NCM layer can stabilize the crystal structure of materials and suppress the deterioration of lithium ion diffusing ability during electrode process.
Surface enhanced lithography with adhesion agent to achieve large-scale ZnO nanostructure on stainless steel substrate
Authors: Ma Qiang , Zhu Min , Zhao Yuzhen , Ding Siyi , Tian Shaopeng , Miao Zongcheng , Ren Xianpei
Published: June 2018

We present a novel point of view to fabricate an enhanced stability controllable growing, large-scale, direct, fast and template assisted nanostructure ZnO with twin –OH group terminated of compound containing –OH group by electrochemical deposition (ECD). In this paper, the collected potassium acid phthalate with twin –OH group was printed to form a matrix as template to synthesize a ZnO nanostructure. Structural analyses showed that the ZnO nanostructure is wurtzite in structure, without any secondary phases. Various features of Raman mapping and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the as-prepared ZnO were found to mark variety of the characteristic of the as-prepared ZnO before and after tape test. A direct link between growing ZnO and potassium acid phthalate with twin –OH group was established, suggesting that this special twin –OH group between nanostructure ZnO and substrate (stainless steel) plays a vital role in forming a firm nanostructure ZnO film on the surface of the substrate. Furthermore, we raised a mechanism to explicate the functional process of twin –OH group on ZnO film. We believe that this facile method to fabricate a controllable nanostructure ZnO here is equally applicable to other semiconductors which are critical in optoelectronics, lasing and luminescence applications.