bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chikungunya Virus Infection: Why Should U.S. Geriatricians Be Aware of It?
Authors: Lang Pierre Olivier , Loulergue Pierre , Aspinall Richard
Published: September 2017

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was until recently perceived only as a tropical disease. Since the first report of a case in Saint Martin Island in 2013, it has spread to South, Central, and North America. The first local transmission in the continental United States was reported in Florida in July 2014. CHIV infection is known to cause debilitating rheumatologic disease. Older adults are particularly susceptible to severe and chronic infection. Without an effective vaccine and antiviral therapy to prevent and control CHIKV, U.S. geriatricians could soon be confronted with major clinical, functional, and therapeutic challenges. After a general overview of CHIKV infection, this review will examine reasons why it has become such a threat to the United States and consider factors that contribute to the greater burden and effect of this disease in elderly adults. Consideration will be given to how aging and immunosenescence may contribute to CHIKV's atypical and more‐severe clinical features in older adults. This review concludes with possible therapeutic approaches that best fit the unique needs of older adults, especially with regard to multimorbidity and polypharmacy.
Can a Left Ventricular Assist Device in Individuals with Advanced Systolic Heart Failure Improve or Reverse Frailty?
Authors: Maurer Mathew S. , Horn Evelyn , Reyentovich Alex , Dickson Victoria Vaughan , Pinney Sean , Goldwater Deena , Goldstein Nathan E. , Jimenez Omar , Teruya Sergio , Goldsmith Jeff , Helmke Stephen , Yuzefpolskaya Melana , Reeves Gordon R.
Published: September 2017

Background/Objectives

Frailty, characterized by low physiological reserves, is strongly associated with vulnerability to adverse outcomes. Features of frailty overlap with those of advanced heart failure, making a distinction between them difficult. We sought to determine whether implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) would decrease frailty.

Design

Prospective, cohort study.

Setting

Five academic medical centers.

Participants

Frail individuals (N = 29; mean age 70.6 ± 5.5, 72.4% male).

Measurements

Frailty, defined as having 3 or more of the Fried frailty criteria, was assessed before LVAD implantation and 1, 3, and 6 months after implantation. Other domains assessed included quality of life, using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire; mood, using the Patient Health Questionnaire; and cognitive function, using the Trail‐Making Test Part B.

Results

After 6 months, three subjects had died, and one had undergone a heart transplant; of 19 subjects with serial frailty measures, the average number of frailty criteria decreased from 3.9 ± 0.9 at baseline to 2.8 ± 1.4 at 6 months (P = .003). Improvements were observed after 3 to 6 months of LVAD support, although 10 (52.6%) participants still had 3 or more Fried criteria, and all subjects had at least one at 6 months. Changes in frailty were associated with improvement in QOL but not with changes in mood or cognition. Higher estimated glomerular filtration rate at baseline was independently associated with a decrease in frailty.

Conclusion

Frailty decreased in approximately half of older adults with advanced heart failure after 6 months of LVAD support. Strategies to enhance frailty reversal in this population are worthy of additional study.
Association between the time perspective and type of involvement in bullying among adolescents: A cross‐sectional study in Japan
Authors: Mizuta Akiko , Okada Eisaku , Nakamura Mieko , Yamaguchi Hisayoshi , Ojima Toshiyuki
Published: September 2017

Aim

To examine the association between the types of involvement in bullying and the time perspective among Japanese adolescents.

Methods

A questionnaire was conducted among Japanese junior high school students at eight public schools that were located in two cities in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Shirai's Experiential Time Perspective Scale was used, which comprises four subscales: goal‐directedness, hopefulness, self‐fulfillment, and acceptance of the past. An analysis of covariance was applied, with the time‐perspective subscales as the objective variable, type of involvement in bullying as a fixed factor, and grade, family structure, and economic status as the covariates.

Results

The analysis sample included 2630 adolescents (valid response rate: 88.6%). The bullying rate of the boys was 10.8% and 4.1% for the girls, for the male victims it was 10.1% and 14.5% for the female victims, and for both the bully and the victim, it was 8.5% and 5.4%, respectively. The students who were not involved in bullying had the highest scores of hopefulness, self‐fulfillment, and acceptance of the past. For both sexes, bullying was significantly associated with hopefulness, self‐fulfillment, and acceptance of the past. Goal‐directedness was not associated with the type of involvement in bullying.

Conclusions

The victims of bullying had low time perspectives of hopefulness, self‐fulfillment, and acceptance of the past. Providing support that increases hopefulness, self‐fulfillment, and acceptance of the past might help to prevent pessimistic decision‐making, such as that seen in cases of suicide.
Potential of CLSM in studying some modern and fossil palynological objects
Authors: GAVRILOVA O. , ZAVIALOVA N. , TEKLEVA M. , KARASEV E.
Published: September 2017

We have tested possibilities and limitations of confocal laser scanning microscopy to study the morphology of pollen and spores and inner structure of sporoderms. As test objects, we used pollen grains of the modern angiosperm Ribes niveum (Grossulariaceae) and Datura metel (Solanaceae), fossil angiosperm pollen grains of Pseudointegricorpus clarireticulatum and Wodehouseia spinata dated to the Late Cretaceous, fossil gymnosperm pollen grains of Cycadopites‐type dated to the Middle Jurassic, and fossil megaspores Maexisporites rugulaeferus, M. grosstriletus, and Trileites sp. dated to the Early Triassic. For comparative purpose, we studied the same objects with application of conventional light, scanning electron (to entire pollen grains and spores or to semithin sections of their walls), or transmission electron microscopy. The resolution of confocal microscope is much lower than that of electron microscopes, as are its abilities to reconstruct the surface patterns and inner structure. On the other hand, it can provide information that is unreachable by other microscopical methods. Thus, the structure of endoapertures in angiosperm pollen grains can be directly observed. It is also helpful in studies of asymmetrical pollen and pollen grains bearing various appendages and having complicated exine structure, because rotation of 3‐D reconstructions allows one to examine all sides and structures of the pollen grain. The exact location of all visible and concealed structures in the sporoderm can be detected; this information helps to describe the morphology and inner structure of pollen grains and to choose necessary directions of further ultrathin sectioning for a transmission electron microscopical study. In studies of fossil pollen grains that are preserved in clumps and stuck to cuticles, confocal microscope is useful in determining the number of apertures in individual pollen grains. This can be done by means of virtual sections through 3‐D reconstructions of pollen grains. Fossil megaspores are too large and too thick‐walled objects for a confocal study; however, confocal microscope was able to reveal a degree of compression of fossil megaspores, the presence of a cavity between the outer and inner sporoderm layers, and to get some information about sporoderm inner structure.
State, war, and land dispossession: The multiple paths to land concentration
Authors: Vargas Jenniffer , Uribe Sonia
Published: September 2017

We focus on the role of the state in land dispossession during war. State agencies promote land accumulation not only through coercive paths, but also by combining political and market mechanisms. Each mechanism may link the state with different actors and coalitions. We illustrate how this worked in Tibú, a Colombian municipality in which violence against civilians and land accumulation took place in more or less distinct phases. The case highlights the fact that land accumulation during war is not only achieved through coercion. At the same time, it shows the importance of identifying the specific coalitions through which states establish their presence in contested territories during war. We explain such variation as resulting from the types of alliances and coalitions that the state establishes with different sets of stakeholders, and the aims pursued by coalition actors.
Introduction: Land rights, restitution, politics, and war in Colombia
Authors: Cramer Christopher , Wood Elisabeth Jean
Published: September 2017

This paper introduces contributions to a symposium that report some of the findings and arguments to emerge from a collaborative research project involving five Colombian universities forming the Observatorio de Restitución y Regulación de Derechos de Propiedad Agraria (Observatory of Restitution and Regulation of Agrarian Property Rights). In a number of ways, the research presented in the symposium advances understanding of the political economy of rural Colombia, and of war in Colombia, and the papers, drawing on the original evidence collected by Observatorio researchers, develop arguments that have a wider relevance too for agrarian political economy and the understanding of violent conflict. In particular, the papers highlight the direct participation of elites in violent conflict; the varieties and nuances of wartime primitive accumulation; the complexities of the state's role in wartime agrarian political economy; the gender dimensions of agrarian conflict; the interaction of war and law; and the significance for service provision of farm size. As Colombia—hopefully—passes from long war to peace, these arguments and this evidence may be valuable in debates about what kind of peace can develop.
Futurism in nursing: Technology, robotics and the fundamentals of care
Authors: Archibald Mandy M. , Barnard Alan
Published: September 2017

Aims and objectives

To explore the concept of futurism and the emergence of robotics in relation to the fundamentals of care, highlighting how nurses need a more anticipatory and contemporary position towards technology to maintain relevance in the future.

Background

The future of nursing in Western countries will soon be linked with the emergence of robotics for efficient and cost‐effective provision of fundamental care. Their emergence and roles with care of the body and more broadly assisting people with their daily living activities has enormous implications for the profession and health care. Despite this importance, how nursing understands and will respond to technological trends and developments is insufficiently reflected in the professions discourse.

Design

A discursive article.

Methods

Literature from nursing fundamentals of care/fundamental care, information science, technology, humanities and philosophy informed the arguments in this article.

Conclusions

This article examines the intersection of futurism and the fundamentals of care, and how adopting an anticipatory and posthuman perspective towards technological‐care integration is necessary amidst a robot revolution in the techno‐era.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses are currently challenged to understand, prioritise and deliver fundamental care. Health systems are challenged by a lack of care predicated by shortfalls in skilled staff and deficiencies in staff mobilisation. Both challenges can be compounded or alleviated by further integration of technology, but to maximise benefit requires forethought and understanding. This article can help open needed dialogue around planning for the future and is a call to action for the nursing profession to conceptualise its position on exponential technological growth and fundamental care provision.
The Benefits and Challenges of Health Disparities and Social Stress Frameworks for Research on Sexual and Gender Minority Health
Authors: Frost David M.
Published: September 2017

Research on the health of sexual and gender minority populations has been predominantly framed within the context of health disparities and social stress. Findings produced from research employing health disparities and social stress frameworks have spurred significant advancements in basic and applied science on sexual and gender minority health, and have been useful in arguing for the removal of discriminatory social policies. Critiques of these frameworks suggest their dominant role in the research literature risks an artificially narrow portrayal of relevant lived experience, and further pathologizes and stigmatizes sexual and gender minority populations. Methodological challenges involve the measurement of explanatory variables within comparative research designs. By taking stock of these benefits and challenges, suggestions can be made for future research designed to maximize the benefits of health disparities and social stress frameworks for understanding and improving the health of sexual and gender minority populations in ways that are responsive to critiques while recognizing variability in lived experience.
The Role of Healthcare Stereotype Threat and Social Identity Threat in LGB Health Disparities
Authors: Fingerhut Adam W. , Abdou Cleopatra M.
Published: September 2017

Health disparities exist between lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals and heterosexuals and can be explained by differential access to healthcare, unique experiences with discrimination, and higher prevalence of HIV/AIDS. This article will examine another possible explanation, namely healthcare stereotype threat and social identity threat in the healthcare experiences of sexual minority individuals. In doing so, this article integrates previous research on stereotypes and discrimination with regard to LGB individuals as well as research concerning LGB individuals’ experiences with healthcare providers. The article concludes with a discussion about future research and potential interventions to ameliorate identity threats for LGB individuals in healthcare contexts. From a social justice perspective, identity threats serve as an important contextual variable feeding health disparities among sexual minorities. If better understood, such threats and resultant disparities may be reduced via cost‐effective changes in environmental cues and educational strategies.
Proximal Minority Stress, Psychosocial Resources, and Health in Sexual Minorities
Authors: Williams Stacey L. , Mann Abbey K. , Fredrick Emma G.
Published: September 2017

Although minority stress processes of internalized stigma and anticipated discrimination are related to poor mental and physical health, limited research has explored mechanisms through which they become related. Uncovering mechanisms could provide additional points of intervention to improve sexual minority health. Using data from 218 sexual minorities (gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals) who participated in an online study, we examined the indirect explanatory role of reduced psychosocial resources (social support, self‐compassion, self‐esteem) in the link between proximal minority stress (concealment, internalized stigma, anticipated discrimination) and health outcomes (psychological distress, self‐reported health). Results revealed proximal minority stress processes were indirectly associated with self‐reported health through reduced social support, and indirectly associated with psychological distress through reduced self‐compassion and self‐esteem. Findings highlight the compromised psychosocial resources that explain how minority stressors become linked with health. Interventions aimed at improving resources may be avenues for improving sexual minority health.
Exploring the Mother–Adolescent Relationship as a Promotive Resource for Sexual and Gender Minority Youth
Authors: Bouris Alida , Hill Brandon J.
Published: September 2017

Research often analyzes gender minority youth and sexual minority youth as a single group, a practice that obscures differences in how gender identity and sexual orientation shape health. The present study uses intersectionality to explore similarities and differences in the relationships between minority stress theory variables in a sample of 28 gender minority and 135 sexual minority youth of color. We also explore the mother–adolescent relationship as a potential promotive resource for minority stress research with youth. Results find few differences in minority stressors, promotive resources, or health between sexual and gender minority youth. However, different patterns in the correlations between stressors, resources, and health were observed for each group, underscoring the need for researchers to consider sexual and gender minority youth as distinct groups. Furthermore, study findings suggest that the maternal relationship may be an important promotive resource for both sexual and gender minority youth.
Perceptions of Healthcare Experiences: Relational and Communicative Competencies to Improve Care for LGBT People
Authors: Smith Sheila K. , Turell Susan C.
Published: September 2017

This article presents findings from a small‐sample, exploratory focus group study examining LGT persons’ descriptions of healthcare experiences and perceptions of best practices in healthcare. Goals of the study were to identify areas in which healthcare experiences can be improved through enhancements in healthcare provider education, consciousness‐raising, skill development, and/or healthcare system. This article presents focus group data, which revealed major interpersonal and healthcare system‐level themes, including similarities and differences between and among sexual orientation/gender identity groups (lesbian, gay, HIV+ gay men, and transgender individuals). Implications are discussed for improved quality in LGBT healthcare delivery, health professions’ education, patient–provider relationships, and reducing social injustices associated with discriminatory healthcare experiences.
Identification of sensory and non‐sensory factors involved in food consumption: A study with extruded corn‐based snacks
Authors: Menis‐Henrique Michele Eliza Cortazzo , Janzantti Natália Soares , Conti‐Silva Ana Carolina
Published: September 2017

The purpose of this study was to identify the sensory and non‐sensory factors which determine the purchase and consumption of extruded corn‐based snacks using market research and a rank preference test. Most consumers had the habit of consuming extruded corn‐based snacks at least once a week based on personal preference, and the cheese‐flavored snacks were found to be purchased most frequently and, as a consequence, the most frequently consumed. The purchase of extruded cheese‐, bacon‐, and ham‐flavored corn‐based snacks was most frequently associated with both brand and flavor. Consumers over 30 years of age, in committed relationships, and with relatively high incomes and education levels were found to consume extruded corn‐flavored snacks less frequently than single individuals under 30 years of age with relatively low incomes and education levels. The rank preference test complemented the market research results, as consumers preferred cheese‐flavored corn snacks.

Practical applications

Given the importance of identifying the sensory and non‐sensory factors involved in the purchase and consumption of food, and the lack of studies on extruded snacks, this study brings information about the socioeconomic and behavioral characteristics of consumer niches of extruded corn‐based snacks. This information is important to industries that can drive production based on the consumer public of expanded snacks, besides to contribute to researches focused on nutrition and health public. Moreover, we identified cheese‐flavored expanded corn‐based snacks as the preferred flavor by consumers, fact that helped us to drive the development of a snack with lower fat content and better nutritive value, since this work is part of a wider project.
Digestive Enzyme Activity during Larval Development of Black Snook, Centropomus nigrescens
Authors: Yanes‐Roca Carlos , Toledo‐Cuevas Mayra E. , Sánchez Lizbeth J. , Born‐Torrijos Ana , Rhody Nicole , Main Kevan L.
Published: September 2017

Black snook, Centropomus nigrescens, have been identified as a promising candidate for aquaculture although, like many of the Centropomid species, high mortality associated with early larval stages presents a significant bottleneck to their commercialization. The digestive capacity of black snook larvae throughout the first 37 d after hatch (d.a.h.) was evaluated by quantifying digestive enzyme activities using biochemical techniques. Results showed that black snook larvae have alkaline proteases at hatching, which are known to be important during the first days of feeding for digestion. Toward the end of the study, acid proteases concentration increased (37 d.a.h.). Enzymes for lipid digestion, pancreatic lipase and bile salt‐activated lipase, were already present in the larvae before exogenous feeding commenced, and their activity increased with age and growth (length). Intracellular digestion, measured as the activity of leucine‐alanine peptidase, was high early on (5 d.a.h.) and decreased as development progressed (next 32 d). In contrast, alkaline phosphatase activity was lowest at first feeding and subsequently increased with age. Overall patterns in enzyme activity suggest the possibility of live feed weaning before 32 d.a.h. if artificial diets can be properly balanced.
Long‐term follow‐up of clinical trial patients treated for chronic HCV infection with daclatasvir‐based regimens
Authors: Reddy K. Rajender , Pol Stanislas , Thuluvath Paul J. , Kumada Hiromitsu , Toyota Joji , Chayama Kazuaki , Levin James , Lawitz Eric J. , Gadano Adrian , Ghesquiere Wayne , Gerken Guido , Brunetto Maurizia R. , Peng Cheng‐Yuan , Silva Marcelo , Strasser Simone I. , Heo Jeong , McPhee Fiona , Liu Zhaohui , Yang Rong , Linaberry Misti , Noviello Stephanie
Published: September 2017

Background & Aims

Daclatasvir has achieved high sustained virologic response (SVR) rates in diverse hepatitis C virus (HCV) populations. This study evaluated the long‐term efficacy and safety of daclatasvir‐based regimens administered during clinical studies.

Methods

Patients enrolled within 6 months of parent study completion or protocol availability at the study sites. The primary objective was durability of SVR at follow‐up Week 12 (SVR12). Secondary objectives included analysing HCV sequences in non‐responders or responders who relapsed, and characterization of liver disease progression.

Results

Between 24 February 2012 and 17 July 2015, this study enrolled and began following 1503 recipients of daclatasvir‐based regimens (follow‐up cut‐off, 13 October 2015); 60% were male, 18% aged ≥65 years, 87% had genotype‐1a (42%) or ‐1b (45%) infection, and 18% had cirrhosis. Median follow‐up from parent study follow‐up Week 12 was 111 (range, 11‐246) weeks. 1329/1489 evaluable patients were SVR12 responders; 1316/1329 maintained SVR until their latest visit. Twelve responders relapsed by (n = 9) or after (n = 3) parent study follow‐up Week 24; one was reinfected. Relapse occurred in 3/842 (0.4%) and 9/487 (2%) responders treated with interferon‐free or interferon‐containing regimens, respectively. Hepatic disease progression and new hepatocellular carcinoma were diagnosed in 15 and 23 patients, respectively. Among non‐responders, emergent non‐structural protein‐5A (NS5A) and ‐3 (NS3) substitutions were replaced by wild‐type sequences in 27/157 (17%) and 35/47 (74%) patients, respectively.

Conclusions

SVR12 was durable in 99% of recipients of daclatasvir‐based regimens. Hepatic disease progression and new hepatocellular carcinoma were infrequent. Emergent NS5A substitutions persisted longer than NS3 substitutions among non‐responders.
Association of donor small ubiquitin‐like modifier 4 rs237025 genetic variant with tacrolimus elimination in the early period after liver transplantation
Authors: Zhang Tao , Liu Yuan , Zeng Rong , Ling Qi , Wen Peihao , Fan Junwei , Peng Zhihai
Published: September 2017

Backgrounds & Aims

Individualized tacrolimus treatment can improve drug safety and efficacy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of donor and recipient small ubiquitin‐like modifier 4 (SUMO4) rs237025 polymorphisms with tacrolimus elimination and the potential mechanism.

Methods

A total of 297 liver transplant patients were enrolled in the study. CYP3A5 rs776746 and SUMO4 rs237025 were genotyped using TaqMan SNPs assays. The activity of nuclear factor‐kB (NF‐kB) was evaluated by luciferase assay. The expressions of CYP3A5 were detected by qRT‐PCR and western blotting.

Results

Tacrolimus C/D ratios was significantly lower for donor SUMO4 rs237025 AA carriers than AG/GG carriers at weeks 1, 2, 3. In multivariate analysis, donor and recipient CYP3A5 rs776747, donor SUMO4 rs237025 and total bilirubin were independent predictors of tacrolimus C/D ratios in the early post‐transplantation period both in Cohort A and Cohort B. When combined donor CYP3A5 rs776746 and donor SUMO4 rs237025 genotypes, tacrolimus C/D ratios was highly significant at all investigated time points within the four groups. CYP3A5 mRNA expression in liver tissues was significantly higher for AA carriers than AG/GG patients under inflammatory stimuli after liver transplantation (LT). Furthermore, we demonstrated that SUMO4 rs237025 G allele could increase NF‐κB transcriptional activity under inflammatory condition. And activation of NF‐kB suppressed the expression of pregnane X receptor (PXR)‐mediated CYP3A5 gene.

Conclusions

Donor SUMO4 rs237025 genetic variant was associated with higher Tac C/D ratios in the early period after LT, which might be related to the down‐regulation of CYP3A5 enzyme through the NF‐kB signalling pathway.
Role of non‐coding RNAs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A narrative review
Authors: Sannigrahi MK , Sharma R , Panda NK , Khullar M
Published: September 2017

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide with high recurrence, metastasis, and poor treatment outcome. Recent studies have reported that non‐coding RNA (ncRNA) might play critical role in regulating different types of cancer. MicroRNAs (miRs) are short ncRNAs (20–25 nucleotides) responsible for post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression and may have a role in oncogenesis by acting as oncomiRs or tumor suppressor miRs. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are heterogenous group of ncRNAs more than 200 nucleotides long, can act in cis and/or in trans, and have been also implicated in carcinogenesis. These molecules have been suggested to be promising candidates as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and for development of novel therapeutic approaches. In this review, we have summarized recent findings on role of these ncRNAs in HPV‐negative (HPV−ve) and HPV‐positive (HPV+ve) HNSCC. The available literature supports differential expression of both microRNAs and long non‐coding RNAs, which include oncogenic ncRNAs (miR‐21, miR‐31, miR‐155, miR‐211, HOTAIR, and MALAT1) and tumor suppressor ncRNAs (let7d, miR‐17, miR‐375, miR‐139, and MEG3) in HPV+ve HNSCC tumors as compared to HPV−ve tumors and they have distinct role in the pathophysiology of these two types of HNSCCs.
Bullous diaper dermatitis with cloth diaper use
Authors: Harfmann Katya , Chen Amy Y , Witman Patricia
Published: September 2017

Irritant diaper dermatitis occurs at a higher frequency with cloth diaper use than disposable diapers. We present four cases of vesiculobullous, erosive diaper dermatitis occurring in older infants and toddlers with cloth diaper use that resolved completely after transitioning to disposable diapers. This is the first report of vesicles and bullae as a type of irritant diaper dermatitis.
Orofacial granulomatosis in a 12‐year‐old girl successfully treated with intravenous pulse corticosteroid therapy and chloroquine
Authors: Lalosevic Jovan , Gajic‐Veljic Mirjana , Nikolic Milos
Published: September 2017

Orofacial granulomatosis, a rare disease in childhood, is characterized by orofacial swelling in the absence of systemic disease. We report the case of a 12‐year‐old girl with asymptomatic erythematous infiltration of her upper lip, cheeks, and chin that had persisted for more than 2 years; biopsy confirmed granuloma formation. Because a large area was affected, intralesional corticosteroids were inappropriate and six cycles of 3‐day intravenous pulse corticosteroid therapy (dexamethasone 1.5mg/kg), repeated once after 4 weeks, was given. Our patient also received oral chloroquine and topical emollients. At the end of the sixth pulse cycle, the infiltration had completely resolved, leaving slight residual erythema.
Tick bite mimicking indeterminate cell histiocytosis
Authors: Stringer Thomas , Ghazi Elizabeth , Alvarez del Manzano Gilberto , Beasley Jenna , Brinster Nooshin , Oza Vikash S.
Published: September 2017

Ticks are a well‐known vector for viral, bacterial, and rickettsial infections, many of which are accompanied by cutaneous eruptions, but the bite itself can induce a spectrum of inflammatory reactions, including foreign body granuloma, tick bite alopecia, and cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia. We describe the development of an indeterminate cell histiocytic infiltrate at the site of a tick bite. Although the etiology of intermediate cell histiocytosis is not well understood, this case raises the possibility that such infiltrates may represent an inflammatory reaction in some patients.
Morphophysiological response of young olive trees to verticillium wilt under different surface drip irrigation regimes
Authors: Santos‐Rufo A. , Hidalgo J. J. , Hidalgo J. C. , Vega V. , Rodríguez‐Jurado D.
Published: September 2017

The effects of irrigation on verticillium wilt in olive, in terms of morphological, biomass and physiological parameters were evaluated on pot‐grown trees maintained in the field for 3 years. Plants inoculated and noninoculated with Verticillium dahliae were irrigated to high and low range of soil water content (HR and LR) at daily (DF; about 2 days/event), weekly (WF) and daily‐weekly (DWF) drip‐irrigation frequency. Morphological parameters, relative biomass and biomass water‐use efficiency were higher at LR than at HR (with few exceptions) and at DF than at other frequencies in noninoculated and inoculated plants, but the fungus reduced those parameters by 17.0–38.5%. Lower root weight ratio, relative biomass and shoot length as area originated at HR in noninoculated plants, could be favourable to the accumulation of root infections and the amount of fungus per tissue length in inoculated plants because higher infection was known at HR. Moreover, higher aerial biomass and length promoted by irrigation at DF could prevent the more severe expression of symptoms, which occurred at WF and DWF in the presence of Verticillium. Negative correlations were found between indicated parameters and disease. Lower water stress (SΨ), and higher stomatal conductance (gs) and net photosynthesis at DF in noninoculated plants could limit the disease by improving water status, as SΨ was increased by the fungus only at WF and DWF, and gs and disease were negatively correlated. LR‐DF treatment minimized the disease and kept the growth, water‐use efficiency and physiological parameters in inoculated plants to levels close to noninoculated plants.
Noncontact measurement of emotional and physiological changes in heart rate from a webcam
Authors: Madan Christopher R. , Harrison Tyler , Mathewson Kyle E.
Published: September 2017

Heart rate, measured in beats per minute, can be used as an index of an individual's physiological state. Each time the heart beats, blood is expelled and travels through the body. This blood flow can be detected in the face using a standard webcam that is able to pick up subtle changes in color that cannot be seen by the naked eye. Due to the light absorption spectrum of blood, we are able to detect differences in the amount of light absorbed by the blood traveling just below the skin (i.e., photoplethysmography). By modulating emotional and physiological stress—that is, viewing arousing images and sitting versus standing, respectively—to elicit changes in heart rate, we explored the feasibility of using a webcam as a psychophysiological measurement of autonomic activity. We found a high level of agreement between established physiological measures, electrocardiogram, and blood pulse oximetry, and heart rate estimates obtained from the webcam. We thus suggest webcams can be used as a noninvasive and readily available method for measuring psychophysiological changes, easily integrated into existing stimulus presentation software and hardware setups.
Consistency of abnormal sensory gating in first‐admission and chronic schizophrenia across quantification methods
Authors: Schubring David , Popov Tzvetan , Miller Gregory A. , Rockstroh Brigitte
Published: September 2017

The auditory P50/M50 ERP/event‐related field is subject to sensory gating, with partial suppression of the amplitude of the second of two (S1 and S2) clicks presented 500 ms apart. Schizophrenia patients have less gating, although quantification methods and associated effect sizes vary across studies using first‐admission and/or using chronic patients. The present study evaluated the impact of several methods of quantifying gating in first‐admission (FA) and chronic (CHR) schizophrenia patients and in healthy controls (HC). Magnetoencephalogram was measured in 35 FA, 58 CHR, and 28 HC during a paired‐click protocol. Sensory gating was quantified on sensor and source levels as a ratio (S2/S1) and as a S1‐minus‐S2 difference, with M50 amplitude scored relative to baseline and relative to M100 and to M40. Independent of quantification method, patients showed less sensory gating than HC, with medium‐to‐large effect sizes, without differences between FA and CHR. Results indicate that the frequently reported sensory gating deficit in schizophrenia is robust to variations in quantification methods and stage of disorder.
I can feel my heartbeat: Dancers have increased interoceptive accuracy
Authors: Christensen Julia F. , Gaigg Sebastian B. , Calvo‐Merino Beatriz
Published: September 2017

Interoception is the process of perceiving afferent signals arising from within the body including heart rate (HR), gastric signals, etc., and has been described as a mechanism crucially involved in the creation of self‐awareness and selfhood. The heartbeat perception task is a tool to measure individuals' interoceptive accuracy (IAcc). IAcc correlates positively with measures of self‐awareness and with attributes including emotional sensitivity, empathy, prosocial behavior, and efficient decision making. IAcc is only moderate in the general population, and attempts to identify groups of people who might have higher IAcc due to their specific training (e.g., yoga, meditation) have not been successful. However, a recent study with musicians suggests that those trained in the arts might exhibit high IAcc. Here, we tested IAcc in 20 professional dancers and 20 female control participants on a heartbeat perception task. Dancers had a higher IAcc, and this effect was independent of their lower heart rates (a proxy measure of physical fitness), counting ability, and knowledge about HR. An additional between‐groups analysis after a median split in the dancer group (based on years of dance experience) showed that junior dancers' IAcc differed from controls, and senior dancers' IAcc was higher than both junior dancers and controls. General art experience correlated positively with IAcc. No correlations were found between IAcc and questionnaire measures of empathy, emotional experience, and alexithymia. These findings are discussed in the context of current theories of interoception and emotion—highlighting the features of arts training that might be related to IAcc.
Affective priming and cognitive load: Event‐related potentials suggest an interplay of implicit affect misattribution and strategic inhibition
Authors: Gibbons Henning , Seib‐Pfeifer Laura‐Effi , Koppehele‐Gossel Judith , Schnuerch Robert
Published: September 2017

Prior research suggests that the affective priming effect denoting prime‐congruent evaluative judgments about neutral targets preceded by affective primes increases when the primes are processed less deeply. This has been taken as evidence for greater affect misattribution. However, no study so far has combined an experimental manipulation of the depth of prime processing with the benefits of ERPs. Forty‐seven participants made like/dislike responses about Korean ideographs following 800‐ms affective prime words while 64‐channel EEG was recorded. In a randomized within‐subject design, three levels of working‐memory load were applied specifically during prime processing. Affective priming was significant for all loads and even tended to decrease over loads, although efficiency of the load manipulation was confirmed by reduced amplitudes of posterior attention‐sensitive prime ERPs. Moreover, ERPs revealed greater explicit affective discrimination of the prime words as load increased, with strongest valence effects on central/centroparietal N400 and on the parietal/parietooccipital late positive complex under high load. This suggests that (a) participants by default tried to inhibit the processing of the prime's affect, and (b) inhibition more often failed under cognitive load, thus causing emotional breakthrough that resulted in a binding of affect to the prime and, hence, reduced affect misattribution to the target. As a correlate of affective priming in the target ERP, medial‐frontal negativity, a well‐established marker of (low) stimulus value, increased with increasing negative affect of the prime. Findings support implicit prime‐target affect transfer as a major source of affective priming, but also point to the role of strategic top‐down processes.
Blood conservation in cardiac surgery
Authors: Blaudszun G. , Butchart A. , Klein A. A.
Published: September 2017

This article aims at reviewing the currently available evidence about blood conservation strategies in cardiac surgery. Pre‐operative anaemia and perioperative allogeneic blood transfusions are associated with worse outcomes after surgery. In addition, transfusions are a scarce and costly resource. As cardiac surgery accounts for a significant proportion of all blood products transfused, efforts should be made to decrease the risk of perioperative transfusion. Pre‐operative strategies focus on the detection and treatment of anaemia. The management of haematological abnormalities, most frequently functional iron deficiency, is a matter for debate. However, iron supplementation therapy is increasingly commonly administered. Intra‐operatively, antifibrinolytics should be routinely used, whereas the cardiopulmonary bypass strategy should be adapted to minimise haemodilution secondary to circuit priming. There is less evidence to recommend minimally invasive surgery. Cell salvage and point‐of‐care tests should also be a part of the routine care. Post‐operatively, any unnecessary iatrogenic blood loss should be avoided.
Analysis of Argonaute 2–microRNA complexes in ex vivo stored red blood cells
Authors: Vu Long , Ragupathy Viswanath , Kulkarni Sandhya , Atreya Chintamani
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Human enucleated mature red blood cells (RBCs) contain both mature microRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs, and we have previously correlated RBC storage lesion processes such as eryptosis, adenosine 5′‐triphosphate loss, and RBC indices with differentially expressed miRNAs. Here we have characterized Argonaute 2 (AGO2)–miRNA complexes in stored mature RBCs as a first step toward understanding their role, if any.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

In this report AGO2‐bound miRNAs in mature RBCs isolated from RBCs collected from three different healthy donors and stored for 24 hours at 4 to 6°C were identified by anti‐AGO2 immunoprecipitation (IP) followed by next‐generation sequencing of the RNA isolated from the IP. The data were analyzed by various bioinformatics tools.

RESULTS

The analysis highlighted 28 mature AGO2‐bound miRNAs that are common to all three donors, representing 95.6% of the identified miRNAs. Among these, miR‐16‐5p (20.6%), miR‐451a‐5p (16.7%), miR‐486‐5p (12.6%), and miR‐92a‐3p (12.6%) are the most abundant miRNAs. Functional enrichment analysis for mRNA targets of the 28 common miRNAs identified molecules related to various diseases, biofunctions, and toxicity functions such as cardio‐, hepato‐, and nephrotoxicity.

CONCLUSION

Overall, these results demonstrate the existence of multiple intracellular AGO2‐bound miRNAs in 24‐hour‐stored RBCs and warrant further experiments to determine whether AGO2‐miRNAs are functional in RBCs.
Intrarenal Mas and AT1 receptors play a role in mediating the excretory actions of renal interstitial angiotensin‐(1–7) infusion in anaesthetized rats
Authors: O'Neill Julie , Healy Vincent , Johns Edward J.
Published: September 2017

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Dietary sodium manipulation alters the magnitude of angiotensin‐(1–7) [Ang‐(1–7)]‐induced natriuresis. The present study sought to determine whether this was related to relative changes in the activity of intrarenal Mas and/or AT1 receptors.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Angiotensin‐(1–7)‐induced diuresis and natriuresis is mediated by intrarenal Mas receptors. However, intrarenal AT1 receptor blockade also had an inhibitory effect on Ang‐(1–7)‐induced natriuresis and diuresis. Thus, Ang‐(1–7)‐induced increases in sodium and water excretion are dependent upon functional Mas and AT1 receptors.

We investigated whether angiotensin‐(1–7) [Ang‐(1–7)]‐induced renal haemodynamic and excretory actions were solely dependent upon intrarenal Mas receptor activation or required functional angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors. The renin–angiotensin system was enhanced in anaesthetized rats by prior manipulation of dietary sodium intake. Angiotensin‐(1–7) and AT1 and Mas receptor antagonists were infused into the kidney at the corticomedullary border. Mas receptor expression was measured in the kidney. Mean arterial pressure, urine flow and fractional sodium excretion were 93 ± 4 mmHg, 46.1 ± 15.7 μl min−1 kg−1 and 1.4 ± 0.3%, respectively, in the normal‐sodium group and 91 ± 2 mmHg, 19.1 ± 3.3 μl min−1 kg−1 and 0.7 ± 0.2%, respectively, in the low‐sodium group. Angiotensin‐(1–7) infusion had no effect on mean arterial pressure in rats receiving a normal‐sodium diet but decreased it by 4 ± 5% in rats receiving a low‐sodium diet (P < 0.05). Interstitial Ang‐(1–7) infusion increased urine flow twofold and fractional sodium excretion threefold (P < 0.05) in rats receiving a normal‐sodium diet and to a greater extent, approximately three‐ and fourfold, respectively, in rats receiving the low‐sodium diet (both P < 0.05). Angiotensin‐(1–7)‐induced increases in urine flow and fractional sodium excretion were absent in both dietary groups during intrarenal AT1 or Mas receptor inhibition after either losartan or A‐779, respectively. Thus, AT1 receptor activation, as well as Mas receptor activation, plays an essential role in mediating Ang‐(1–7)‐induced natriuresis and diuresis. Whether this is because Ang‐(1–7) partly antagonizes AT1 receptors or whether Ang‐(1–7)‐induced natriuresis is mediated through AT1–Mas receptor dimerization remains unclear.
Dietary sodium induces a redistribution of the tubular metabolic workload
Authors: Udwan Khalil , Abed Ahmed , Roth Isabelle , Dizin Eva , Maillard Marc , Bettoni Carla , Loffing Johannes , Wagner Carsten A. , Edwards Aurélie , Feraille Eric
Published: September 2017

Key points

Body Na+ content is tightly controlled by regulated urinary Na+ excretion.

The intrarenal mechanisms mediating adaptation to variations in dietary Na+ intake are incompletely characterized.

We confirmed and expanded observations in mice that variations in dietary Na+ intake do not alter the glomerular filtration rate but alter the total and cell‐surface expression of major Na+ transporters all along the kidney tubule.

Low dietary Na+ intake increased Na+ reabsorption in the proximal tubule and decreased it in more distal kidney tubule segments.

High dietary Na+ intake decreased Na+ reabsorption in the proximal tubule and increased it in distal segments with lower energetic efficiency.

The abundance of apical transporters and Na+ delivery are the main determinants of Na+ reabsorption along the kidney tubule.

Tubular O2 consumption and the efficiency of sodium reabsorption are dependent on sodium diet.

Na+ excretion by the kidney varies according to dietary Na+ intake. We undertook a systematic study of the effects of dietary salt intake on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and tubular Na+ reabsorption. We examined the renal adaptive response in mice subjected to 7 days of a low sodium diet (LSD) containing 0.01% Na+, a normal sodium diet (NSD) containing 0.18% Na+ and a moderately high sodium diet (HSD) containing 1.25% Na+. As expected, LSD did not alter measured GFR and increased the abundance of total and cell‐surface NHE3, NKCC2, NCC, α‐ENaC and cleaved γ‐ENaC compared to NSD. Mathematical modelling predicted that tubular Na+ reabsorption increased in the proximal tubule but decreased in the distal nephron because of diminished Na+ delivery. This prediction was confirmed by the natriuretic response to diuretics targeting the thick ascending limb, the distal convoluted tubule or the collecting system. On the other hand, HSD did not alter measured GFR but decreased the abundance of the aforementioned transporters compared to NSD. Mathematical modelling predicted that tubular Na+ reabsorption decreased in the proximal tubule but increased in distal segments with lower transport efficiency with respect to O2 consumption. This prediction was confirmed by the natriuretic response to diuretics. The activity of the metabolic sensor adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) was related to the changes in tubular Na+ reabsorption. Our data show that fractional Na+ reabsorption is distributed differently according to dietary Na+ intake and induces changes in tubular O2 consumption and sodium transport efficiency.
Array invariant-based ranging of a source of opportunity
Authors: Byun Gihoon , Kim J. S. , Cho Chomgun , Song H. C. , Byun Sung-Hoon
Published: September 2017

The feasibility of tracking a ship radiating random and anisotropic noise is investigated using ray-based blind deconvolution (RBD) and array invariant (AI) with a vertical array in shallow water. This work is motivated by a recent report [Byun, Verlinden, and Sabra, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 141, 797–807 (2017)] that RBD can be applied to ships of opportunity to estimate the Green's function. Subsequently, the AI developed for robust source-range estimation in shallow water can be applied to the estimated Green's function via RBD, exploiting multipath arrivals separated in beam angle and travel time. In this letter, a combination of the RBD and AI is demonstrated to localize and track a ship of opportunity (200–900 Hz) to within a 5% standard deviation of the relative range error along a track at ranges of 1.8–3.4 km, using a 16-element, 56-m long vertical array in approximately 100-m deep shallow water.
Global sea turtle conservation successes
Authors: Mazaris Antonios D. , Schofield Gail , Gkazinou Chrysoula , Almpanidou Vasiliki , Hays Graeme C.
Published: September 2017

Many sea turtle populations are recovering, highlighting the value of conservation efforts and long-term monitoring.
Glaciation as a migratory switch
Authors: Zink Robert M. , Gardner Aubrey S.
Published: September 2017

Range shifts at glacial maxima suggest that birds oscillate between migratory and sedentary behavior with glaciation as a switch.