bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of Diverse Recombinant Strains of Potato virus Y Circulating in Potato Fields in Egypt
Authors: Elwan Esraa A. , Abdel Aleem Engy E. , Fattouh Faiza A. , Green Kelsie J. , Tran Lisa T. , Karasev Alexander V.
Published: April 2017

Potato is one of the staple crops in Egypt, grown under irrigation almost continuously year-round. Potato virus Y (PVY) has been reported as one of the main viruses affecting potatoes in Egypt, but limited information is available on PVY strains circulating in potato fields in the country. From 2014 to 2016, virus surveys were conducted in several potato-growing governorates of Egypt, and PVY-positive samples were found to represent at least five distinct recombinant PVY strains, including PVYNTN and PVYN-Wi. Whole genome sequences were determined for four isolates representing strains PVY-SYR-III (Egypt7), PVY-261-4 (Egypt11), PVYNTNa (Egypt35), and a novel recombinant named Egypt24 that combined molecular properties of strains PVY-261-4 and PVY-Wilga156var. At least three recombinants found in Egypt in potato were previously found associated with potato tuber necrotic ringspot disease (PTNRD). The identification of multiple recombinant types of PVY in potato in Egypt, including the novel recombinant Egypt24, suggests a wide presence of PTNRD-inducing virus strains in the country.
Insights Into the Etiology of Gummosis Syndrome of Deciduous Fruit Trees in Israel and its Impact on Tree Productivity
Authors: Ezra David , Hershcovich Michal , Shtienberg Dani
Published: April 2017

Fungal gummosis syndrome of deciduous fruit trees was reported from several countries, including Israel. Symptomatic 5–7 to 10–14-year-old trees exude large amounts of gum on the trunk, limbs, branches, and twigs, accompanied by sunken lesions on the bark. The necrotic area extends to the xylem to form black to brown staining of the tissue. The general conception is that “this is a nuisance that can be pruned out of trees during the dormant season with no economic significance.” In this study we attempted to: (i) identify the fungi associated in the gummosis syndrome of deciduous trees in Israel and (ii) quantify the significance of gummosis syndrome on tree and fruit development and on crop value. Branches from symptomatic and asymptomatic deciduous trees were collected during 2012 to 2015 from 29 orchards including peach (14 orchards), nectarine (six orchards), apricot (six orchards), plum, cherry, and almond (one orchard each). In all cases, fungi associated with the Botryosphaeriaceae family were isolated from tissues exhibiting the typical gummosis symptoms. The decay fungus Phellinus sp. was isolated from 53.3% of the samples. The dynamics of fruit growth in symptomatic and asymptomatic trees was recorded in 2014 and 2015 in an 11-year-old peach orchard. In trees exhibiting the gummosis syndrome, yield was lower by 11.5 to 22.5% and its value was reduced by 14.7 to 19.4%, compared with those of asymptomatic trees in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Although these are substantial losses, the grower of the orchard was not aware of the losses occurring in his orchard. The reason for this situation is explained and discussed. The outcome conclusion of the current study is that the gummosis syndrome of deciduous trees imposes significant, hence undistinguishable, losses in mature deciduous fruit trees.
Trauma Collaborative Care Intervention: Effect on Surgeon Confidence in Managing Psychosocial Complications After Orthopaedic Trauma
Authors: Wegener Stephen T. , Carroll Eben A. , Gary Joshua L. , McKinley Todd O. , O'Toole Robert V. , Sietsema Debra L. , Castillo Renan C. , Frey Katherine P. , Scharfstein Daniel O. , Huang Yanjie , Collins Susan C. J. , MacKenzie Ellen J. ,   The Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC)
Published: April 2017

Objectives:

The impact of the Trauma Collaborative Care (TCC) program on surgeon confidence in managing the psychosocial sequelae of orthopaedic trauma was evaluated as part of a larger prospective, multisite, cluster clinical trial. We compared confidence and perceived resource availability among surgeons practicing in trauma centers that implemented the TCC program with orthopaedic trauma surgeons in similar trauma centers that did not implement the TCC.

Design:

Prospective cohort design.

Setting:

Level-I trauma centers.

Participants:

Attending surgeons and fellows (N = 95 Pre and N = 82 Post).

Main Outcome Measurements:

Self-report 10-item measure of surgeon confidence in managing psychosocial issues associated with trauma and perceived availability of support resources.

Results:

Analyses, performed on the entire sample and repeated on the subset of 52 surgeons who responded to the survey at both times points, found surgeons at intervention sites experienced a significantly greater positive improvement (P < 0.05) in their (1) belief that they have strategies to help orthopaedic trauma patients change their psychosocial situation; (2) confidence in making appropriate referrals for orthopaedic trauma patients with psychosocial problems; and (3) belief that they have access to information to guide the management of psychosocial issues related to recovery.

Conclusions:

Initial data suggest that the establishment of the TCC program can improve surgeons' perceived availability of resources and their confidence in managing the psychosocial sequelae after injury. Further studies will be required to determine if this translates into beneficial patient effects.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Intertrochanteric Osteotomy for Femoral Neck Nonunion: Does “Undercorrection” Result in an Acceptable Rate of Femoral Neck Union?
Authors: Yuan Brandon J. , Shearer David W. , Barei David P. , Nork Sean E.
Published: April 2017

Objectives:

To analyze the radiographic outcomes of intertrochanteric osteotomy for the treatment of femoral neck nonunion with “undercorrection” of the Pauwels angle and relative preservation of the proximal femoral anatomy.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

Level-1 trauma center.

Patients:

Thirty-two patients with established femoral neck nonunions that had been treated with intertrochanteric osteotomy were retrospectively identified through Current Procedural Terminology codes. Seven patients were treated with 30 degree closing wedge osteotomy and 25 with a 20 degree or smaller osteotomy.

Intervention:

Valgus-producing intertrochanteric osteotomy with a blade plate.

Main Outcome Measurements:

Femoral neck and intertrochanteric osteotomy osseous union.

Results:

Thirty-one of 32 patients (97%) went on to osseous union of the femoral neck and all intertrochanteric osteotomies healed. There was no significant difference in the rate of union of the femoral neck between those patients treated with 30 versus 20 degree or less osteotomies. After osteotomy, the mean Pauwels angle decreased from 71 degrees (range 52–95 degrees) to 47 degrees (range 23–67 degrees) and the mean proximal femoral offset decreased by 11 mm (range 0–23 mm). Seven patients developed radiographic signs of avascular necrosis after osteotomy (22%). Three patients of these patients were converted to total hip arthroplasty (9%). Patients treated with a 30 degree osteotomy were more likely to develop avascular necrosis (67% vs. 12%, P-value = 0.014).

Conclusions:

Valgus-producing intertrochanteric osteotomy with a smaller degree of correction than has been traditionally described leads to an excellent rate of radiographic union while preserving more of the native proximal femoral anatomy.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Neonatal Cervical Osteomyelitis With Bilateral Upper Limb Paresis
Authors: Ben-Meir Elad , Rubinshtein Marina , Pessach Itai , Barkai Galia , Keller Nathan , Hoffman Chen , Feldman Zeev , Paret Gidi
Published: April 2017

Neonatal cervical osteomyelitis is extremely rare, with only a few cases having been reported. We report a neonate with cervical osteomyelitis and extensive inflammation of the surrounded tissues that caused nerve root compression and upper limb paresis.
A National Survey of Neonatologists
Authors: Mirza Hussnain S. , Logsdon Gregory , Pulickal Anoop , Stephens Mark , Wadhawan Rajan
Published: April 2017

Point-of-care (POC) ultrasound refers to the use of portable imaging. Although POC ultrasound is widely available to the neonatologists in Australia and Europe, neonatologists in the United States report limited availability. Our objective was to seek the US neonatologists' perception of barriers and prerequisites in adopting POC ultrasound in neonatal intensive care units. An online survey link was sent via e-mail to 3000 neonatologists included in the database maintained by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Survey results (n = 574) were reported as percentage of total responses. Personal experience requiring an urgent sonography in managing cardiac tamponade or pleural effusion was reported by 78% respondents. However, emergent ultrasound (≤10 min) was not available in 80% of the neonatal intensive care units. We compared the responses based on years of clinical experience (>20 vs <20 years), with 272 (48%) neonatologist reporting more than 20 years of experience. Similarly, results from neonatal fellowship programs were compared with nonteaching/teaching hospitals, with 288 (50%) replies from neonatology fellowship programs. Compared with senior neonatologists, respondents with less than 20 years of clinical experience consider POC ultrasound enhances safety and accuracy of clinical procedures (87% vs 82%) and favor adopting POC ultrasound in clinical practice (92% vs 84%). There were no differences in opinion from neonatology fellowship programs compared with the nonteaching/teaching hospitals. Lack of training guidelines, inadequate support from local radiology department, and legal concerns were reported as the top 3 primary barriers in adopting POC ultrasound. If these barriers could be resolved, 89% respondents were inclined to adopt POC ultrasound in clinical practice.
The foundations of plant intelligence
Authors: Trewavas Anthony
Published: April 2017

Intelligence is defined for wild plants and its role in fitness identified. Intelligent behaviour exhibited by single cells and systems similarity between the interactome and connectome indicates neural systems are not necessary for intelligent capabilities. Plants sense and respond to many environmental signals that are assessed to competitively optimize acquisition of patchily distributed resources. Situations of choice engender motivational states in goal-directed plant behaviour; consequent intelligent decisions enable efficient gain of energy over expenditure. Comparison of swarm intelligence and plant behaviour indicates the origins of plant intelligence lie in complex communication and is exemplified by cambial control of branch function. Error correction in behaviours indicates both awareness and intention as does the ability to count to five. Volatile organic compounds are used as signals in numerous plant interactions. Being complex in composition and often species and individual specific, they may represent the plant language and account for self and alien recognition between individual plants. Game theory has been used to understand competitive and cooperative interactions between plants and microbes. Some unexpected cooperative behaviour between individuals and potential aliens has emerged. Behaviour profiting from experience, another simple definition of intelligence, requires both learning and memory and is indicated in the priming of herbivory, disease and abiotic stresses.
Memory, mental time travel and The Moustachio Quartet
Authors: Clayton Nicola , Wilkins Clive
Published: April 2017

Mental time travel allows us to revisit our memories and imagine future scenarios, and this is why memories are not only about the past, but they are also prospective. These episodic memories are not a fixed store of what happened, however, they are reassessed each time they are revisited and depend on the sequence in which events unfold. In this paper, we shall explore the complex relationships between memory and human experience, including through a series of novels ‘The Moustachio Quartet’ that can be read in any order. To do so, we shall integrate evidences from science and the arts to explore the subjective nature of memory and mental time travel, and argue that it has evolved primarily for prospection as opposed to retrospection. Furthermore, we shall question the notion that mental time travel is a uniquely human construct, and argue that some of the best evidence for the evolution of mental time travel comes from our distantly related cousins, the corvids, that cache food for the future and rely on long-lasting and highly accurate memories of what, where and when they stored their stashes of food.
Long-term memory in the migration movements of enucleatedAmoeba proteus
Authors: Bringas Carlos , Malaina Iker , Pérez-Samartín Alberto , Boyano María Dolores , Fedetz María , Pérez-Yarza Gorka , Cortes Jesus M. , De la Fuente Ildefonso M.
Published: April 2017

How motile, free unicellular organisms maximize the rate at which they encounter resources and develop optimal search strategies remains largely unknown. In fact, cell foraging is a very complex activity in which unicellular organisms integrate a diversity of external cues and develop efficient systemic movements to localize nourishment. These foraging strategies are critical when cells face conditions of scarce resources or they don’t possess information on where food is located. Here, in order to determine whether nuclear activity is directly involved in cell migration, we placed single, well-isolated, enucleated and non-enucleated starvedAmoeba proteuson nutrient-free petri dishes, and we then analyzed their trajectories of movement using non-linear dynamic tools. We found that despite being enucleated, the systemic responses of the protoplasm exhibited typical biological behaviors, moving with apparent normality, creeping along the substrate, developing pseudopodia and gobbling up prey. Our quantitative studies show that both the non-enucleated and enucleated amoebas display a similar migration structure, characterized by super-diffusivity, non-trivial long-term correlations and move-step fluctuations with scale invariant properties. In conclusion, the nuclear activity does not seem to directly control the systemic cellular movements involved in locating sparse resources.
Rapid Sensing of Volumetric Neural Activity through Adaptive Remote Focusing
Authors: Žurauskas Mantas , Barnstedt Oliver , Frade-Rodriguez Maria , Waddell Scott , Booth Martin J.
Published: April 2017

The ability to record neural activity in the brain of a living organism at cellular resolution is of great importance for defining the neural circuit mechanisms that direct behavior. Here we present an adaptive two-photon microscope optimized for extraction of neural signals over volumes in intactDrosophilabrains, even in the presence of specimen motion. High speed volume imaging was made possible through reduction of spatial resolution while maintaining the light collection efficiency of a high resolution, high numerical aperture microscope. This enabled simultaneous recording of odor-evoked calcium transients in a defined volume of mushroom body Kenyon cell bodies in a live fruit fly.
SARNAclust: Semi-automatic detection of RNA protein binding motifs from immunoprecipitation data
Authors: Dotu Ivan , Adamson Scott , Coleman Benjamin , Fournier Cyril , Ricart-Altimiras Emma , Eyras Eduardo , Chuang Jeffrey H.
Published: April 2017

RNA-protein binding is critical to gene regulation, controlling fundamental processes including splicing, translation, localization and stability, and aberrant RNA-protein interactions are known to play a role in a wide variety of diseases. However, molecular understanding of RNA-protein interactions remains limited, and in particular identification of the RNA motifs that bind proteins has long been a difficult problem. To address this challenge, we have developed a novel semi-automatic algorithm, SARNAclust, to computationally identify combined structure/sequence motifs from immunoprecipitation data. SARNAclust is, to our knowledge, the first unsupervised method that can identify RNA motifs at full structural resolution while also being able to simultaneously deconvolve multiple motifs. SARNAclust makes use of a graph kernel to evaluate similarity between sequence/structure objects, and provides the ability to isolate the impact of specific features through the bulge graph formalism. SARNAclust includes a key method for predicting RNA secondary structure at CLIP peaks, RNApeakFold, which we have verified to be effective on synthetic motif data. We applied SARNAclust to 30 ENCODE eCLIP datasets, identifying known motifs and novel predictions. Notably, we predicted a new motif for the protein ILF3 similar to that for the splicing factor hnRNPC, providing evidence for interaction between these two proteins. To validate our predictions, we performed a directed RNA bind-n-seq assay for two proteins: ILF3 and SLBP, in each case revealing the effectiveness of SARNAclust in predicting RNA sequence and structure elements important to protein binding. Availability:https://github.com/idotu/SARNAclust
Sex specific molecular responses of Quick-To-Court in Indian malarial vectorAnopheles culicifacies: conflict of mating and/or blood feeding?
Authors: De Tanwee Das , Sharma Punita , Rawal Charu , Kumari Seena , Tavetiya Sanjay , Yadav Jyoti , Hasija Yasha , Dixit Rajnikant
Published: April 2017

Understanding the molecular basis of mosquito behavioral complexity is central to the design of novel molecular tool to fight against their vector borne diseases. Although, olfactory system play important role to guide and manage many behavioral co-ordinates including feeding, mating, breeding etc., but the sex specific regulation of olfactory responses remains unanswered. From our ongoing transcriptomic data annotation of blood fed adult female olfactory tissue ofA. culicifaciesmosquito, we identified a 383 bp long unique transcript encodingDrosophilahomolog of Quick-To-Court protein, previously shown to regulate the courtship behavior in adult maleDrosophila. A comprehensivein silicoanalysis predictsAc-qtcis 1536 bp long single copy gene encoding 511 AA long protein, having high degree of conservation with other insect homolog. Age dependent increased expression of putativeAc-qtcin the naïve mosquitoes correlates the maturation of olfactory system, necessary to meet sex specific conflicting demand of mating (mate finding) vs. host-seeking behavioral responses. Though, 16-18 hour of starvation did not alteredAc-qtcexpression in both the sexes, however blood feeding significantly modulated its response in the adult female mosquitoes, confirming that it may not be involved in sugar feeding associated behavioural regulation. Finally, a behavioural-cum-molecular assay indicated that natural dysregulation ofAc-qtcin late evening may promotes key mating event of successful insemination process. We hypothesize thatAc-qtcmay play unique role to meet and manage the sex specific conflicting demand of mosquito courtship behaviour and/or blood feeding behaviour in the adult female mosquitoes. A molecular mechanism elucidation may provide new knowledge to considerAc-qtcas a key molecular target for mosquito borne disease management.
Spatial heterogeneity and evolutionary dynamics modulate time to recurrence in continuous and adaptive cancer therapies
Authors: Gallaher Jill A. , Enriquez-Navas Pedro M. , Luddy Kimberly A. , Gatenby Robert A. , Anderson Alexander R. A.
Published: April 2017

Treatment of advanced cancers has benefited from new agents that supplement or bypass conventional therapies. However, even effective therapies fail as cancer cells deploy a wide range of resistance strategies. We propose that evolutionary dynamics ultimately determine survival and proliferation of resistant cells, therefore evolutionary strategies should be used with conventional therapies to delay or prevent resistance. Using an agent-based framework to model spatial competition among sensitive and resistant populations, we apply anti-proliferative drug treatments to varying ratios of sensitive and resistant cells. We compare a continuous maximum tolerated dose schedule with an adaptive schedule aimed at tumor control through competition between sensitive and resistant cells. We find that continuous treatment cures mostly sensitive tumors, but with any resistant cells, recurrence is inevitable. We identify two adaptive strategies that control heterogeneous tumors: dose modulation controls most tumors with less drug, while a more vacation-oriented schedule can control more invasive tumors.
Power and shift invariant detection of dynamically coupled networks (PSIICOS) from non-invasive MEG data
Authors: Ossadtchi A. , Altukhov D. , Jerbi K.
Published: April 2017

MEG reflects electrical activity of neuronal assemblies that coalesce and decoalesce in time providing for massively parallel and dynamic flow of information exchange in the brain. There is a growing evidence that our behavior is mediated by simultaneous activity of several interacting and simultaneously active cortical networks. Not only the location of network nodes but also the temporal profiles of such interaction are of interest. The existing methods are primarily concerned with proposing novel measures of synchrony to be applied to the cortical region activity signals extracted from the MEG data using beamforming or other spatial filtering approaches.

In this work we propose to render the task of estimating network topology and temporal profiles as a source estimation problem but in the space of interacting topographies. The proposed point of view has a number of benefits as it allows to use the wealth of techniques and intuition accumulated in the community when dealing with source estimation problems. Operating in the interacting topographies space we first propose subspace projection method to significantly reduce the spatial leakage effect in the cross-spectral matrix. We then use subspace matching metrics to extract a set of networks with their synchronicity profiles that explain the variance in the sensor space cross-spectral matrix, much like regular dipoles and their activations explain the variance in the regular evoked responses.

The preliminary results of application of this method to a simple self-paced voluntary finger movement paradigm comparing allowed to observe functional coupling between primary motor and supplementary motor area and establish that this coupling can be characterized with near-zero phase delay between the oscillatory activity of these two regions. This observed synchrony pattern is physiologically plausible and is in agreement with the current hypothesis about the neural mechanics of the motor acts.
Geographic range dynamics drove ancient hybridization in a lineage of angiosperms
Authors: Folk R.A. , Visger C.J. , Soltis P.S. , Soltis D.E. , Guralnick R.P.
Published: April 2017

Factors explaining global distribution patterns have been central to biology since the 19th century, yet failure to combine dispersal-based biogeography with shifts in habitat suitability remains a present-day setback in understanding geographic distributions present and past, and time-extended trajectories of lineages. The lack of methods in a suitable integrative framework stands as a conspicuous shortcoming for reconstructing these dynamics. Here we showcase novel methods to overcome these methodological gaps, broadening the prospects for phyloclimatic modeling. We focus on a clade in the angiosperm genusHeucheraendemic to southern California that experienced ancient introgression from circumboreally distributed species ofMitella,testing hypotheses regarding biotic contact in the past between ancestral species lacking a fossil record. We obtain strong support for a past contact zone in northwestern North America, resolving this paradox of hybridization between ancestors of taxa currently separated by ∼1300 km.
(2E)-3-Phenylprop-2-en-1-yl thiocyanate
Authors: Khan Ezzat , Shahzad Adnan , Tahir M. Nawaz , Ateeq Muhammad
Published: April 2017

In the title compound, C10H9NS, the C—S—C bond angle is 99.41 (9)° and the dihedral angle between thetrans-alkene fragment and the benzene ring is 16.49 (19)°. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of extremely weak C—H...N interactions occur, as does a short S...N contact [3.2258 (19) Å].
Effect of main controlling factor on the corrosion behaviour of API X65 pipeline steel in the CO2/oil/water environment
Authors: Cheng Yuanpeng , Li Zili , Zhao Yalei , Xu Yazhou , Liu Qianqian , Bai Yu
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the corrosion behaviour of API X65 pipeline steel in the simulated CO2/oil/water emulsion using weight loss technique, potentiodynamic polarization technique and characterization of the corroded surface techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

The weight loss analysis, electrochemical study and surface investigation were carried out on API X65 pipeline steel that had been immersed in the CO2/oil/water corrosive medium to understand the corrosion behaviour of gathering pipeline steel. The weight loss tests were carried out in a 3L autoclave, and effects of temperature, CO2 partial pressure, water cut and flow velocity on the CO2 corrosion rate of API X65 pipeline steel were studied. Electrochemical studies were carried out in a three-electrode electrochemical cell with the test temperature was 60°C, and the CO2 partial pressure was 1 atm by recording open circuit potential/time and potentiodynamic polarization characteristics. The surface and cross-sectional morphologies of corrosion product scales were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The phases of corrosion product scales were investigated using X-ray diffraction.

Findings

The results showed that water cut was the main controlling factor of API X65 steel corrosion under the conditions of CO2/oil/water multiphase flow, and it had significant impact on corrosion morphology. In the case of higher water cut or pure water phase, general corrosion occurred on the steel surface. While water cut was below 70 per cent, corrosion morphology transformed into localized corrosion, crude oil decreased corrosion rate significantly and played a role of inhibitor. Crude oil hindered the corrosion scales from being dissolved by corrosive medium and changed dimension and accumulation pattern of the crystal grain, thickness and structure of the corrosion scales; thus, it influenced the corrosion rate. The primary corrosion product of API X65 steel was ferrous carbonate, which could act as a protective film at low water cut so that the corrosion rate can be reduced.

Originality/value

The results can be helpful in selecting the suitable corrosion inhibitors and targeted anti-corrosion measures for CO2/oil/water corrosive environment.
The low diverse gastric microbiome of the jellyfish Cotylorhiza tuberculata is dominated by four novel taxa
Authors: Viver Tomeu , Orellana Luis H. , Hatt Janet K. , Urdiain Mercedes , Díaz Sara , Richter Michael , Antón Josefa , Avian Massimo , Amann Rudolf , Konstantinidis Konstantinos T. , Rosselló‐Móra Ramon
Published: April 2017

Cotylorhiza tuberculata is an important scyphozoan jellyfish producing population blooms in the Mediterranean probably due to pelagic ecosystem's decay. Its gastric cavity can serve as a simple model of microbial–animal digestive associations, yet poorly characterized. Using state‐of‐the‐art metagenomic population binning and catalyzed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD‐FISH), we show that only four novel clonal phylotypes were consistently associated with multiple jellyfish adults. Two affiliated close to Spiroplasma and Mycoplasma genera, one to chlamydial ‘Candidatus Syngnamydia’, and one to bacteroidetal Tenacibaculum, and were at least one order of magnitude more abundant than any other bacteria detected. Metabolic modelling predicted an aerobic heterotrophic lifestyle for the chlamydia, which were found intracellularly in Onychodromopsis‐like ciliates. The Spiroplasma‐like organism was predicted to be an anaerobic fermenter associated to some jellyfish cells, whereas the Tenacibaculum‐like as free‐living aerobic heterotroph, densely colonizing the mesogleal axis inside the gastric filaments. The association between the jellyfish and its reduced microbiome was close and temporally stable, and possibly related to food digestion and protection from pathogens. Based on the genomic and microscopic data, we propose three candidate taxa: ‘Candidatus Syngnamydia medusae’, ‘Candidatus Medusoplasma mediterranei’ and ‘Candidatus Tenacibaculum medusae’.
The life sulfuric: microbial ecology of sulfur cycling in marine sediments
Authors: Wasmund Kenneth , Mußmann Marc , Loy Alexander
Published: April 2017

Almost the entire seafloor is covered with sediments that can be more than 10 000 m thick and represent a vast microbial ecosystem that is a major component of Earth's element and energy cycles. Notably, a significant proportion of microbial life in marine sediments can exploit energy conserved during transformations of sulfur compounds among different redox states. Sulfur cycling, which is primarily driven by sulfate reduction, is tightly interwoven with other important element cycles (carbon, nitrogen, iron, manganese) and therefore has profound implications for both cellular‐ and ecosystem‐level processes. Sulfur‐transforming microorganisms have evolved diverse genetic, metabolic, and in some cases, peculiar phenotypic features to fill an array of ecological niches in marine sediments. Here, we review recent and selected findings on the microbial guilds that are involved in the transformation of different sulfur compounds in marine sediments and emphasise how these are interlinked and have a major influence on ecology and biogeochemistry in the seafloor. Extraordinary discoveries have increased our knowledge on microbial sulfur cycling, mainly in sulfate‐rich surface sediments, yet many questions remain regarding how sulfur redox processes may sustain the deep‐subsurface biosphere and the impact of organic sulfur compounds on the marine sulfur cycle.
Precision medicine and pharmacogenetics: what does oncology have that addiction medicine does not?
Authors: Kranzler Henry R. , Smith Rachel V. , Schnoll Robert , Moustafa Afaf , Greenstreet‐Akman Emma
Published: April 2017

Background and aims

Precision, personalized or stratified medicine, which promises to deliver the right treatment to the right patient, is a topic of international interest in both the lay press and the scientific literature. A key aspect of precision medicine is the identification of biomarkers that predict the response to medications (i.e. pharmacogenetics). We examined why, despite the great strides that have been made in biomarker identification in many areas of medicine, only in oncology has there been substantial progress in their clinical implementation. We also considered why progress in this effort has lagged in addiction medicine.

Methods

We compared the development of pharmacogenetic biomarkers in oncology, cardiovascular medicine (where developments are also promising) and addictive disorders.

Results

The first major reason for the success of oncologic pharmacogenetics is ready access to tumor tissue, which allows in‐vitro testing and insights into cancer biology. The second major reason is funding, with cancer research receiving, by far, the largest allocation by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during the past two decades. The second largest allocation of research funding has gone to cardiovascular disease research. Addictions research received a much smaller NIH funding allocation, despite the major impact that tobacco use, alcohol consumption and illicit drug use have on the public health and healthcare costs.

Conclusions

Greater support for research on the personalized treatment of addictive disorders can be expected to yield disproportionately large benefits to the public health and substantial reductions in healthcare costs.
Association of external cephalic version before term with late preterm birth
Authors: Poole Kristie L. , McDonald Sarah D. , Griffith Lauren E. , Hutton Eileen K. ,   the Early ECV Pilot and ECV2 Trial Collaborative Group
Published: April 2017

Introduction

While evidence suggests that beginning an external cephalic version (ECV) before term (340/7 to 366/7 weeks) compared with after term may be associated with an increase in late preterm birth (340/7 to 366/7 weeks), it remains unknown what might account for this risk. The objective of the present study is to further investigate the association between ECV before term and late preterm birth.

Material and methods

Secondary analysis of data collected from the international, multicenter Early ECV trials. We evaluated the relation between ECV exposure and late preterm birth (340/7 to 366/7 weeks), as well as whether additional risk factors for preterm birth (such as maternal age, height, body mass index, parity, placental location, and perinatal mortality rate) moderated this relation. Generalized linear mixed methods were used to account for center effect and adjust for covariates.

Result

Among 1765 women with breech pregnancies and without a prior preterm birth, 749 (42.4%) received at least one ECV before term. Exposure to an ECV before term was not associated significantly independently with odds of preterm birth. However, placenta location moderated the association between early ECV exposure and late preterm birth. The odds of preterm birth in women who were exposed to an ECV before term and who also had an anterior placenta were doubled (OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.12–3.71; p = 0.02).

Conclusion

In a large cohort of women without known risks for preterm birth, those with an anterior placenta who undergo an ECV before term constitute a subgroup at particular risk for late preterm birth.
Impact of adverse drug events and treatment satisfaction on patient adherence with antihypertensive medication – a study in ambulatory patients
Authors: Berhe Derbew Fikadu , Taxis Katja , Haaijer‐Ruskamp Flora M. , Mulugeta Afework , Mengistu Yewondwossen Tadesse , Burgerhof Johannes G. M. , Mol Peter G. M.
Published: April 2017

Aims

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of adverse drug events (ADEs) and treatment satisfaction on antihypertensive medication adherence.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in six public hospitals in Ethiopia. We included adult ambulatory patients on antihypertensive medication. Adherence was measured using the eight‐point Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, which categorizes as low (0–5), medium (6–7) and high (8) adherence. Treatment satisfaction was measured using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) version 1.4, which included questions about ADEs. Data were analysed using generalized ordered logistic regression with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

We included 925 out of 968 patients. Overall, 42% of patients scored low, 37% medium and 21% high adherence. Satisfaction with treatment was low, with a mean (standard deviation) TSQM score for global satisfaction of 51 (14). A total of 193 (21%) patients experienced 421 ADEs – mainly dyspeptic symptoms (12%), headache (11%) and cough (11). Experiencing more ADEs reduced the odds of being adherent [low vs. medium/high: odds ratio (OR) OR1 0.77 (95% CI 0.67, 0.89), and low/medium vs. high: OR2 0.55 (05% CI 0.41, 0.73)]. Being more satisfied increased the odds of being adherent [low vs. medium/high: OR1 1.02 (95% CI 1.01, 1.03)]. Taking medication >1 year [OR1 = 2, 0.60 (95% CI 0.43, 0.83)] and taking calcium channel blockers [OR1 = 2 0.71 (95% CI 0.54, 0.92)] decreased the odds for both low vs. medium/high and low/medium vs. high adherence.

Conclusions

Only one in five patients reported perfect (high) adherence to their antihypertensive treatment regimen. Experiencing ADEs and being dissatisfied with treatment were associated with lower adherence. In addition to addressing treatment satisfaction and drug safety in first‐world countries, these should also be addressed in resource‐poor settings, within patient consultations, to enhance adherence.
Iron‐chelating therapy with deferasirox in transfusion‐dependent, higher risk myelodysplastic syndromes: a retrospective, multicentre study
Authors: Musto Pellegrino , Maurillo Luca , Simeon Vittorio , Poloni Antonella , Finelli Carlo , Balleari Enrico , Ricco Alessandra , Rivellini Flavia , Cortelezzi Agostino , Tarantini Giuseppe , Villani Oreste , Mansueto Giovanna , Milella Maria R. , Scapicchio Daniele , Marziano Gioacchino , Breccia Massimo , Niscola Pasquale , Sanna Alessandro , Clissa Cristina , Voso Maria T. , Fenu Susanna , Venditti Adriano , Santini Valeria , Angelucci Emanuele , Levis Alessandro
Published: April 2017

Iron chelation is controversial in higher risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR‐MDS), outside the allogeneic transplant setting. We conducted a retrospective, multicentre study in 51 patients with transfusion‐dependent, intermediate‐to‐very high risk MDS, according to the revised international prognostic scoring system, treated with the oral iron chelating agent deferasirox (DFX). Thirty‐six patients (71%) received azacitidine concomitantly. DFX was given at a median dose of 1000 mg/day (range 375–2500 mg) for a median of 11 months (range 0·4–75). Eight patients (16%) showed grade 2–3 toxicities (renal or gastrointestinal), 4 of whom (8%) required drug interruption. Median ferritin levels decreased from 1709 μg/l at baseline to 1100 μg/l after 12 months of treatment (P = 0·02). Seventeen patients showed abnormal transaminase levels at baseline, which improved or normalized under DFX treatment in eight cases. One patient showed a remarkable haematological improvement. At a median follow up of 35·3 months, median overall survival was 37·5 months. The results of this first survey of DFX in HR‐MDS are comparable, in terms of safety and efficacy, with those observed in lower‐risk MDS. Though larger, prospective studies are required to demonstrate real clinical benefits, our data suggest that DFX is feasible and might be considered in a selected cohort of HR‐MDS patients.
The 2016 revised World Health Organization definition of ‘myelodysplastic syndrome with isolated del(5q)’; prognostic implications of single versus double cytogenetic abnormalities
Authors: Gurney Mark , Patnaik Mrinal M. , Hanson Curtis A. , Litzow Mark R. , Al‐Kali Aref , Ketterling Rhett P. , Tefferi Ayalew , Gangat Naseema
Published: April 2017

The definition of the myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) subtype ‘MDS with isolated del(5q)’ was expanded to include cases with one additional non‐chromosome 7 based cytogenetic abnormality in the 2016 revised World Health Organization classification. This study applied the revised definition to a large primary MDS cohort, and evaluated the prognostic impact of the additional cytogenetic abnormality. Seventy‐two of 1067 patients (7%) met the ‘MDS with isolated del(5q)’ criteria, 11 (1%) of whom had an additional cytogenetic abnormality. There was no survival difference between patients in whom del(5q) occurred alone, compared to those with one additional cytogenetic abnormality (P = 0·52).
Skeletal muscle analyses: agreement between non‐contrast and contrast CT scan measurements of skeletal muscle area and mean muscle attenuation
Authors: van der Werf Anne , Dekker Ingeborg M. , Meijerink Martijn R. , Wierdsma Nicolette J. , de van der Schueren Marian A. E. , Langius Jacqueline A. E.
Published: April 2017

Low skeletal muscle area (SMA) and muscle radiation attenuation (MRA) have been associated with poor prognosis in various patient populations. Both non‐contrast and contrast CT scans are used to determine SMA and MRA. The effect of the use of a contrast agent on SMA and MRA is unknown. Therefore, we investigated agreement between these two scan options. SMA and MRA of 41 healthy individuals were analysed on a paired non‐contrast and contrast single CT scan, and agreement between paired scan results was assessed with use of Bland–Altman plots, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurements (SEM) and smallest detectable differences at a 95% confidence level (SDD95). Analyses were stratified by tube voltage. Difference in SMA between non‐contrast and contrast scans made with a different tube voltage was 7·0 ± 7·5 cm2; for scans made with the same tube voltage this was 2·3 ± 1·7 cm2. Agreement was excellent for both methods: ICC: 0·952, SEM: 7·2 cm2, SDD95: 19·9 cm2 and ICC: 0·997, SEM: 2·0 cm2, SDD95: 5·6 cm2, respectively. MRA of scans made with a different tube voltage differed 1·3 ± 11·3 HU, and agreement was poor (ICC: 0·207, SEM: 7·9 HU, SDD95: 21·8 HU). For scans made with the same tube voltage the difference was 6·7 ± 3·2 HU, and agreement was good (ICC: 0·682, SEM: 5·3 HU, SDD95: 14·6 HU). In conclusion, SMA and MRA can be slightly influenced by the use of contrast agent. To minimise measurement error, image acquisition parameters of the scans should be similar.
Aspects of carotid structure and function in health and different stages of chronic kidney disease
Authors: Asp Anna M. , Wallquist Carin , Rickenlund Anette , Hylander Britta , Jacobson Stefan H. , Caidahl Kenneth , Eriksson Maria J.
Published: April 2017

Introduction

Arterial remodelling and stiffening have been demonstrated in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). The presence of vascular alterations in earlier‐stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) is less studied. We evaluated vascular structure and function in mild‐to‐moderate CKD (stages 2–3) compared with healthy subjects and advanced CKD (stages 4–5).

Methods

Carotid ultrasound was performed in 103 non‐dialysis CKD patients and 54 healthy controls. Carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) and common carotid artery (CCA) diameter were measured. Strain, stiffness and the pressure‐strain elastic modulus (Ep) of the right CCA were calculated.

Results

There was no significant difference in CCA diameter between CKD 2–3 and controls. The CCA diameter was larger in CKD 4–5 compared with CKD 2–3 and controls (CKD 4–5, 6·50 ± 0·79 mm versus CKD 2–3, 6·08 ± 0·56 mm, P = 0·003; and versus controls 5·97 ± 0·53 mm, P<0·001). However, after adjustments, the difference in CCA diameter was valid only for older ages and also dependent on systolic blood pressure (SBP). There were no significant differences in CIMT, strain or stiffness between the groups, but Ep was higher in CKD 4–5 compared with controls (P = 0·006).

Conclusion

In mild‐to‐moderate CKD, there were no significant differences in carotid artery structure or function compared with healthy subjects. Only patients with advanced CKD and older ages showed signs of arterial remodelling. Our study indicates that vascular alterations occur in advanced CKD, with SBP and age as important contributing factors.
Attenuation and modification of the ballast water microbial community during voyages into the Canadian Arctic
Authors: Johansson Mattias L. , Chaganti Subba Rao , Simard Nathalie , Howland Kimberly , Winkler Gesche , Rochon André , Laget Frederic , Tremblay Pascal , Heath Daniel D. , MacIsaac Hugh J.
Published: April 2017

Aim

Ballast water is a major vector of non‐indigenous species introductions world‐wide. Our understanding of population dynamics of organisms entrained in ballast is largely limited to studies of zooplankton and phytoplankton. Bacteria are more numerous and diverse than zooplankton or phytoplankton, yet remain comparatively understudied. We apply a metagenomics approach to characterize changes in the microbial ballast water community over the course of three voyages on one ship, and assess the effects of ballast water exchange (BWE), spring/summer sampling month and time since voyage start.

Location

Quebec City and Deception Bay, Quebec, and the coastal marine region offshore of eastern Canada.

Methods

We used universal primers to Ion Torrent sequence a fragment of the bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA for samples collected over three voyages of one ship between Quebec City and Deception Bay in June, July and August 2015. We compared richness (total number of species in the community) and diversity (accounts for both species abundance and evenness) using linear mixed‐effects analysis and compared community composition using non‐metric multidimensional scaling and permutational multivariate analysis of variance. Initial comparisons were between months. Subsequent analyses focused on each month separately.

Results

Ion Torrent sequencing returned c. 2.9 million reads and revealed monthly differences in diversity and richness, and in community structure in ballast water. June had higher richness and diversity than either July or August, and showed most clearly the effect of BWE on the microbial community.

Main conclusions

Our results suggest that environmental conditions associated with different spring/summer sampling months drive differences in microbial diversity in ballast water. This study showed that BWE removes some components of the freshwater starting microbial community and replaces them with other taxa. BWE also changed proportional representation of some microbes without removing them completely. It appears that some taxa are resident in ballast tanks and are not removed by BWE.
Effect of alpha‐lipoic acid on endometrial implants in an experimental rat model
Authors: Pınar Neslihan , Soylu Karapınar Oya , Özcan Oğuzhan , Özgür Tümay , Bayraktar Suphi
Published: April 2017

To investigate the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects of alpha‐lipoic acid (ALA) in the treatment of endometriosis in an experimental rat model by evaluating biochemical and histopathologic parameters. Experimental endometriosis was induced by the peritoneal implantation of autologous endometrial tissue. The rats were randomly divided into two groups with eight rats each. Group I was intraperitoneally administered ALA 100 mg/kg/day for 14 days. Group II was intraperitoneally administered saline solution at the same dosage and over the same period. Endometrial implant volume was measured in both groups both pre‐ and post‐treatment. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) was measured in peritoneal fluid. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were assessed in serum. The implants were histopathologically evaluated. In the ALA group, the serum TOS and OSI levels, the endometrial implant volumes, the TNF‐α levels in serum and peritoneal fluid, and the histopathologic scores were significantly lower compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Alpha‐lipoic acid may have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of endometriosis due to its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects.
Varieties of accountability: How attributes of policy fields shape parliamentary oversight
Authors: Bundi Pirmin
Published: April 2017

This article demonstrates how attributes of policy fields shape parliamentary oversight across policy fields. Building on the accountability literature, the study develops the argument that parliamentarians will more likely oversee policy fields where cooperative forms of governance are more present, since these policies are more difficult to assess and have a higher need of legitimation. Using the example of policy evaluation demand by members of parliament in Switzerland, the study suggests that parliamentarians seek more control in a policy field, where public activities are more often delegated to nopublic actors or the need for legitimation is particularly high. Both effects increase with the policy field's closeness to science. These findings could be very relevant in order to understand how attributes of policy fields shape political institutions.