bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
APOA5 and APOA1 polymorphisms are associated with triglyceride levels in Mexican children
Authors: Suárez‐Sánchez F. , Klunder‐Klunder M. , Valladares‐Salgado A. , Gómez‐Zamudio J. , Peralta‐Romero J. , Meyre D. , Burguete‐García A. , Cruz M.
Published: May 2016

Background

Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for the development of several diseases. The genetic component of hypertriglyceridemia has been studied in adults, but little is known in children.

Objective

The objective is to evaluate the association of two variants in APOA5 (rs662799) and APOA1 (rs5072) with triglyceride (TG) levels in Mexican children.

Methods

Anthropometric parameters were measured in 1559 Mexican children 5–14 years of age. DNA was isolated from blood samples. Lipid profiles and glucose concentrations were determined from serum and genotyping of rs662799, and rs5072 was performed using TaqMan® technology. Additive and dominant models adjusted for age, gender and body mass index were used to evaluate the association of these single nucleotide polymorphisms with TG levels.

Results

Children with high TG levels were found to have a higher body mass index and waist circumference as well as a worse lipids profile and glucose levels (p < 0.001). Additive and dominant models demonstrated a significant association between the rs662799 and rs5072 with TG. The dominant model showed the strongest significant association (OR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.46–2.24; p = 5.40 × 10−08 for rs662799 and OR = 1.54; 95% CI 1.05–2.25; p = 2.60 × 10−02 for rs5072).

Conclusion

The minor alleles of rs662799 (APOA5) and rs5072 (APOA1) modulate TG levels in Mexican children.
Local disinfection with sodium hypochlorite as adjunct to basic periodontal therapy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bizzarro Sergio , Van der Velden Ubele , Loos Bruno G.
Published: May 2016

Aim

To investigate the clinical and microbiological effects of local disinfection with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) with or without systemic antimicrobials (amoxicillin and metronidazole, AM) during basic periodontal therapy (BPT).

Material and Methods

In a randomized clinical trial (four groups), 110 chronic periodontitis patients received BPT plus local irrigation with saline (BPT + S), local disinfection with NaOCl (BPT + DIS), BPT + DIS + AM or BPT + S + AM. The outcome was analysed at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months.

Results

There was no difference in clinical attachment level gain at 12 months between the four groups. BPT + DIS showed no additional improvement compared to BPT + S; BPT + DIS + AM showed fewer sites with probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥7 mm versus BPT + S only up to 6 months (p = 0.037). In factorial analyses, additional clinical reduction for PPD (p = 0.023) and number of sites with PPD ≥5 (p = 0.007), ≥6 (p = 0.002) and ≥7 mm (p < 0.001) were found when AM was added to BPT, but not when DIS was applied. In all groups, a comparable decrease in targeted bacteria was found. AM caused adverse events in 22% of the patients.

Conclusion

Local disinfection with NaOCl, also in combination with AM, showed, after 1‐year follow‐up, no additional clinical and microbiological effects compared to BPT alone.
Assessment of the relationship between non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetic complications
Authors: Yan Li‐hui , Mu Biao , Guan Yue , Liu Xinyu , Zhao Nan , Pan Da , Wang Shao‐zhen
Published: May 2016

Aims/Introduction

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disorder of the liver. The relationship between NAFLD and type 2 diabetes remains largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of complications arising from the interaction between NAFLD and type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

A total of 212 individuals with type 2 diabetes were included in the study. The presence of NAFLD was determined in individuals using abdominal ultrasonography for the diagnosis of fatty liver disease. Patients were divided into three groups based on the duration of diabetes and NAFLD diagnosis. Type 2 diabetes patients were placed in group A; patients with type 2 diabetes longer than NAFLD were placed in group B; and patients with NAFLD longer than type 2 diabetes were placed in group C. All individuals had undergone electrocardiogram, blood pressure measurements, and thorough medical history and physical examinations (Doppler ultrasound, electrophysiology, fundoscopy, cardiac computed tomography). Laboratory measurements included fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, oral glucose tolerance test, liver and renal function, lipid profile, and urinary albumin excretion.

Results

Compared with groups A and B, the patients of group C showed a higher prevalence of significant coronary artery disease and hypertension (P < 0.05). Compared with groups A and B, the patients of group C showed a lower prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy among the three groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

NAFLD combined with type 2 diabetes is associated with the presence of significant coronary artery disease and hypertension.
Animal v. plant‐based bait: does the bait type affect census of fish assemblages and trophic groups by baited remote underwater video (BRUV) systems?
Authors: Ghazilou A. , Shokri M. R. , Gladstone W.
Published: May 2016

Coral reef fish communities were sampled at the Nayband Marine Park, Iran, using baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVSs) which incorporated animal (i.e. frigate tuna Auxis thazard and beef liver), or plant‐based baits (i.e. raw dough and raw dough‐turmeric powder mix). The A. thazard was found to record significantly (P < 0·05) higher species richness and number of carnivorous fishes than plant‐based baits, while abundance of herbivores was maximum in raw dough‐turmeric powder mix trials. There was also a significant difference in trophic composition of fish assemblages surveyed by animal‐ and plant‐based baits which seemed to be due to variations in attraction patterns of carnivores and herbivores occurring at the earlier phases of each BRUV deployments. Meanwhile, the assemblage structure was comparable among fish assemblages sampled by different bait treatments, indicating that species‐level responses to each bait type may be more complicated. In essence, the efficiency of mixed baits should also be examined in future studies.
Competition of infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) for binding to shrimp cellular membrane
Authors: Yan D C , Huang J , Yang B , Sun H S , Wang Y Y , Liu X
Published: May 2016

Infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) are two widespread shrimp viruses. The interference of IHHNV on WSSV was the first reported case of viral interference that involved crustacean viruses and has been subsequently confirmed. However, the mechanisms underlying the induction of WSSV resistance through IHHNV infection are practically unknown. In this study, the interference mechanisms between IHHNV and WSSV were studied using a competitive ELISA. The binding of WSSV and IHHNV to cellular membrane of Litopenaeus vannamei was examined. The results suggested that there existed a mutual competition between IHHNV and WSSV for binding to receptors present on cellular membrane of L. vannamei and that the inhibitory effects of WSSV towards IHHNV were more distinct than those of IHHNV towards WSSV.
CT Perfusion in Acute Stroke: “Black Holes” on Time‐to‐Peak Image Maps Indicate Unsalvageable Brain
Authors: Meagher Ruairi , Shankar Jai Jai Shiva
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

CT perfusion is becoming important in acute stroke imaging to determine optimal patient‐management strategies. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive value of time‐to‐peak image maps and, specifically, a phenomenon coined a “black hole” for assessing infarcted brain tissue at the time of scan.

METHODS

Acute stroke patients were screened for the presence of black holes and their follow‐up imaging (noncontrast CT or MR) was reviewed to assess for infarcted brain tissue.

RESULTS

Of the 23 patients with signs of acute ischemia on CT perfusion, all had black holes. The black holes corresponded with areas of infarcted brain on follow‐up imaging (specificity 100%). Black holes demonstrated significantly lower cerebral blood volumes (P < .001) and cerebral blood flow (P < .001) compared to immediately adjacent tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

Black holes on time‐to‐peak image maps represent areas of unsalvageable brain.
Yoh Sugisaki, a Pioneering Educational Psychologist in Japan
Authors: Tsuji Keiichiro
Published: May 2016

Yoh Sugisaki (1877–1943) was a psychologist who worked at Nagano Normal School from 1916 to 1939. He introduced a series of laboratory exercises into his psychology lectures and encouraged students to cooperate with each other in data analysis and report writing. He inspired students who were losing sight of their goal and motivated them to concentrate on further learning. In Nagano, he organized self‐training groups for uncertified teachers in local elementary schools, providing up‐to‐date learning and research experience and emphasizing the significance of class planning management and the understanding of children's individuality. On the basis of these activities, Sugisaki formulated a view of education that combined psychology, pedagogy, and religion. Because of his remarkable contributions to elementary education, he was certainly a pioneering educational psychologist in Japan.
Legislative Institutions as a Source of Party Leaders' Influence
Authors: Anderson Sarah E. , Butler Daniel M. , Harbridge Laurel
Published: May 2016

Legislators' actions are influenced by party, constituency, and their own views, each weighted differently. Our survey of state legislators finds that legislator's own views are the strongest influence. We also find that institutions are an important source of party leaders' influence. Legislators in states where members rely more on party leaders—states without term limits, with less professional legislatures, and where the majority party controls the agenda—put more weight on leaders' preferences. Beyond direct party influence, the views of party leaders are preemptively incorporated into legislators' preferences when the rules of the legislature make party leaders more powerful.
Informal Consequences of Budget Institutions in the US Congress
Authors: Clarke Andrew J. , Lowande Kenneth S.
Published: May 2016

Though considerable research focuses on formal institutions in Congress, scholars have long acknowledged that much of what guides legislative behavior is unwritten. To advance this area, we leverage a tool that allows appropriators to redirect billions of dollars from mandatory programs to discretionary projects. Changes in mandatory program spending—known as “CHIMPs”—show that existing institutions are often maintained by the strategic action of legislators. In the case of CHIMPs, we find their use is largely a response to formal constraints and that they are preserved through avoidance of minimum reform coalitions. This highlights that the legislative process—and budgetary outcomes in particular—cannot be understood without attention to procedures which remain “off the books.”
Retrospective Congressional Oversight and the Dynamics of Legislative Influence over the Bureaucracy
Authors: MacDonald Jason A. , McGrath Robert J.
Published: May 2016

Research stresses that congressional committees increase their oversight of the bureaucracy during divided government. We extend this research by developing an explanation, rooted in a more dynamic view of policymaking, for why Congress would sometimes conduct vigorous oversight under unified control as well. In short, committees seem to engage in what we call “retrospective oversight” and take advantage of newly friendly executive administration to refocus existing policy made under a past opposition president. We assess our perspective using two separate sources of data on oversight hearings spanning more than 60 years and find support for our claims regarding retrospective oversight.
Presence, Representation, and Impact: How Minority MPs Affect Policy Outcomes
Authors: Hänni Miriam
Published: May 2016

Many ethnic minorities demand (adequate) descriptive representation in parliament because they expect it to affect the responsiveness of governments towards their demands. However, the mechanism of how minority representatives affect policy outcomes remains unclear. I argue that descriptive representation mainly has an effect if representatives possess additional leverage to influence policy outcomes. The argument is tested with hierarchical time‐series models from 88 minority groups in 47 countries multiethnic democracies. The analysis shows that descriptive representatives are most successful in influencing policy outcomes if they are included in the government, the legislature is powerful, and a group is comparatively large.
Pathways of equality through education: impact of gender (in)equality and maternal education on exclusive breastfeeding among natives and migrants in Belgium
Authors: Vanderlinden Karen , Van de Putte Bart
Published: May 2016

Even though breastfeeding is typically considered the preferred feeding method for infants worldwide, in Belgium, breastfeeding rates remain low across native and migrant groups while the underlying determinants are unclear. Furthermore, research examining contextual effects, especially regarding gender (in)equality and ideology, has not been conducted. We hypothesized that greater gender equality scores in the country of origin will result in higher breastfeeding chances. Because gender equality does not operate only at the contextual level but can be mediated through individual level resources, we hypothesized the following for maternal education: higher maternal education will be an important positive predictor for exclusive breastfeeding chances in Belgium, but its effects will differ over subsequent origin countries. Based on IKAROS data (GeÏntegreerd Kind Activiteiten en Regio Ondersteunings Systeem), we perform multilevel analyses on 27 936 newborns. Feeding method is indicated by exclusive breastfeeding 3 months after childbirth. We measure gender (in)equality using Global Gender Gap scores from the mother's origin country. Maternal education is a metric variable based on International Standard Classification of Education indicators. Results show that 3.6% of the variation in breastfeeding can be explained by differences between the migrant mother's country of origin. However, the effect of gender (in)equality appears to be non‐significant. After adding maternal education, the effect for origin countries scoring low on gender equality turns significant. Maternal education on its own shows strong positive association with exclusive breastfeeding and, furthermore, has different effects for different origin countries. Possible explanations are discussed in‐depth setting direction for further research regarding the different pathways gender (in)equality and maternal education affect breastfeeding. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Biofilm transplantation in the deep sea
Authors: Wagner‐Döbler Irene
Published: May 2016

A gold rush is currently going on in microbial ecology, which is powered by the possibility to determine the full complexity of microbial communities through next‐generation sequencing. Accordingly, enormous efforts are underway to describe microbiomes worldwide, in humans, animals, plants, soil, air and the ocean. While much can be learned from these studies, only experiments will finally unravel mechanisms. One of the key questions is how a microbial community is assembled from a pool of bacteria in the environment, and how it responds to change – be it the increase in CO2 concentration in the ocean, or antibiotic treatment of the gut microbiome. The study by Zhang et al. () in this issue is one of the very few that approaches this problem experimentally in the natural environment. The authors selected a habitat which is both extremely interesting and difficult to access. They studied the Thuwal Seep in the Red Sea at 850 m depth and used a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to place a steel frame carrying substrata for biofilm growth into the brine pool and into the adjacent normal bottom water (NBW). Biofilms were allowed to develop for 3 days, and then those that had been growing in the brine pool were transported to normal bottom water and stayed there for another 3 days, and vice versa. The ‘switched’ biofilms were then compared with their source communities by metagenome sequencing. Strikingly, both ‘switched’ biofilms were now dominated by the same two species. These species were able to cope with conditions in both source ecosystems, as shown by assembly of their genomes and detection of expression of key genes. The biofilms had adapted to environmental change, rather than to brine pools or NBW. The study shows both the resilience and adaptability of biofilm communities and has implications for microbial ecology in general and even for therapeutic approaches such as transplantation of faecal microbiomes.
Limited sinking of Phaeocystis during a 12 days sediment trap study
Authors: Wolf Christian , Iversen Morten , Klaas Christine , Metfies Katja
Published: May 2016

There is a controversy discussion about the contribution of the genus Phaeocystis to the vertical carbon export with evidence for and against sedimentation of Phaeocystis. So far, the presence of Phaeocystis in sinking matter was investigated with methods depending on morphological features (microscopy) and fast degradable substances (biochemical analyses). In this study, we determine the occurrence and abundance of Phaeocystis antarctica in short‐term sediment traps and the overlying water column during a 12‐day time period in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean with 454‐pyrosequencing and microscopy counting. In the sediment trap samples, we only found few sequences belonging to Phaeocystis, which was not reflecting the situation in the water column above. The cell counts showed the same results. We conclude that Phaeocystis cells are not generally transported downwards by active sinking or other sinking processes.
Non‐canonical roles of tRNAs and tRNA mimics in bacterial cell biology
Authors: Katz Assaf , Elgamal Sara , Rajkovic Andrei , Ibba Michael
Published: May 2016

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are the macromolecules that transfer activated amino acids from aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases to the ribosome, where they are used for the mRNA guided synthesis of proteins. Transfer RNAs are ancient molecules, perhaps even predating the existence of the translation machinery. Albeit old, these molecules are tremendously conserved, a characteristic that is well illustrated by the fact that some bacterial tRNAs are efficient and specific substrates of eukaryotic aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases and ribosomes. Considering their ancient origin and high structural conservation, it is not surprising that tRNAs have been hijacked during evolution for functions outside of translation. These roles beyond translation include synthetic, regulatory and information functions within the cell. Here we provide an overview of the non‐canonical roles of tRNAs and their mimics in bacteria, and discuss some of the common themes that arise when comparing these different functions.
Association between serum hepcidin‐25 and primary resistance to erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents in chronic kidney disease: a secondary analysis of the HERO trial
Authors: Gummer Joel , Trengove Robert , Pascoe Elaine M. , Badve Sunil V. , Cass Alan , Clarke Philip , McDonald Stephen P. , Morrish Alicia T. , Pedagogos Eugenie , Perkovic Vlado , Reidlinger Donna , Scaria Anish , Walker Rowan , Vergara Liza A. , Hawley Carmel M. , Johnson David W. , Olynyk John K. , Ferrari Paolo ,   on behalf of the HERO Study Collaborative Group
Published: May 2016

Background

Pentoxifylline has been shown to increase haemoglobin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and erythropoietin‐stimulating agent (ESA)‐hyporesponsive anaemia in the Handling Erythropoietin Resistance with Oxpentifylline multicentre double‐blind, randomized controlled trial. The present sub‐study evaluated the effects of pentoxifylline on the iron‐regulatory hormone hepcidin in patients with ESA‐hyporesponsive CKD.

Methods

This sub‐study included 13 patients in the pentoxifylline arm (400 mg daily) and 13 in the matched placebo arm. Hepcidin‐25 was measured by ultra performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry following isolation from patient serum. Serum hepcidin‐25, serum iron biomarkers, haemoglobin and ESA dosage were compared within and between the two groups.

Results

Hepcidin‐25 concentration at 4 months adjusted for baseline did not differ significantly in pentoxifylline versus placebo treated patients (adjusted mean difference (MD) −7.9 nmol, P = 0.114), although the difference between the groups mean translated into a >25% reduction of circulating hepcidin‐25 due to pentoxifylline compared with the placebo baseline. In paired analysis, serum hepcidin‐25 levels were significantly decreased at 4 months compared with baseline in the pentoxifylline group (−5.47 ± 2.27 nmol/l, P < 0.05) but not in the placebo group (2.82 ± 4.29 nmol/l, P = 0.24). Pentoxifylline did not significantly alter serum ferritin (MD 55.4 mcg/l), transferrin saturation (MD 4.04%), the dosage of ESA (MD −9.93 U/kg per week) or haemoglobin concentration (MD 5.75 g/l).

Conclusion

The reduction of circulating hepcidin‐25 due to pentoxifylline did not reach statistical significance; however, the magnitude of the difference suggests that pentoxifylline may be a clinically and biologically meaningful modulator of hepcidin‐25 in dialysis of patients with ESA‐hyporesponsive anaemia.
Clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in Far North Queensland Australian adults
Authors: Greenwood Alice M , Gunnarsson Ronny , Neuen Brendon L , Oliver Kimberley , Green Stella J , Baer Richard A
Published: May 2016

Aim

The aim is to describe the clinical features, treatment and outcomes in Australian adults with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and identify predictors of disease progression and all‐cause mortality.

Methods

The study included all patients with biopsy confirmed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis between January 1997 and June 2014 at participating hospitals. Clinical factors, histopathological findings, biochemical markers and treatments were analysed and potential predictors of doubling serum creatinine, end stage kidney disease or death identified.

Results

A total of 98 patients were included with a median follow up of 4.3 years. Thirty‐four (35%) patients were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis not‐otherwise‐specified was the most common variant. Seventeen (59%) patients initially treated with immunosuppression experienced an improvement in renal function. At the end of follow up, 43 (44%) patients had progressed to the composite outcome. Baseline tubulointerstitial scarring and lower haemoglobin predicted shorter time to doubling serum creatinine. Dual diagnosis, higher serum creatinine, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and doubling creatinine were associated with shorter time to end stage kidney disease with remission the only protective factor. Age was the only variable associated with all‐cause mortality.

Conclusion

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis holds serious implications for patients. Concomitant diabetic nephropathy, higher serum creatinine and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate at renal biopsy were associated with poorer renal prognosis. Indigenous people had a female predominance and are over‐represented in relation to their population size, however, were not associated with poorer prognosis. Remission was the only modifiable variable and thus should be at the forefront of patient management goals and future studies.
Typifications of five Linnaean fern names based on Osbeck's specimens
Authors: Mazumdar Jaideep
Published: May 2016

The nomenclatural history of five Linnaean fern names based on Osbeck's collections from China is discussed. The type status of Osbeck's specimens is discussed and types are selected for the names Blechnum orientale (Blechnaceae), Adiantum flabellulatum (Pteridaceae), Polypodium barometz (Cibotium barometz, Dicksoniaceae), Polypodium varium (Dryopteris varia, Dryopteridaceae) and Trichomanes chinense (Odontosoria chinensis, Lindsaeaceae).
Neomarica sergipensis sp. nov. (Trimezieae–Iridaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Gil André dos Santos Bragança , Hall Climbiê Ferreira , Bittrich Volker , Amaral Maria do Carmo Estanislau do
Published: May 2016

A new species of Neomarica from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is described and illustrated. Neomarica sergipensis A. Gil & M.C.E. Amaral sp. nov. (Trimezieae, Iridoideae, Iridaceae) grows in restinga forests (forests on the coastal plains dominated by sandy soils) in the state of Sergipe, northeastern Brazil. The new species resembles Neomarica northiana, especially due to the white flowers with the basal third of the tepals yellow and covered by brown maculae, but differs by the inner tepals of with the center of the apical third is tinted violet to purple, yellow stigmatic crests with fimbriate to erose margins, and the endemic occurrence in Sergipe.
Identification and Characterization of LIN‐2(CASK) as a Regulator of Kinesin‐3 UNC‐104(KIF1A) Motility and Clustering in Neurons
Authors: Wu Gong‐Her , Muthaiyan Shanmugam Muniesh , Bhan Prerana , Huang Yu‐Hsin , Wagner Oliver Ingvar
Published: May 2016

Kinesin‐3 UNC‐104(KIF1A) is the major axonal transporter of synaptic vesicles. Employing yeast two‐hybrid and co‐immunoprecipitation (Co‐IP) assays, we characterized a LIN‐2(CASK) binding site overlapping with that of reported UNC‐104 activator protein SYD‐2(Liprin‐α) on the motor's stalk domain. We identified the L27 and GUK domains of LIN‐2 to be the most critical interaction domains for UNC‐104. Further, we demonstrated that the L27 domain interacts with the sterile alpha motifs (SAM) domains of SYD‐2, while the GUK domain is able to interact with both the coiled coils and SAM domains of SYD‐2. LIN‐2 and SYD‐2 colocalize in Caenorhabditis elegans neurons and display interactions in bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays. UNC‐104 motor motility and Synaptobrevin‐1 (SNB‐1) cargo transport are largely diminished in neurons of LIN‐2 knockout worms, which cannot be compensated by overexpressing SYD‐2. The absence of the motor‐activating function of LIN‐2 results in increased motor clustering along axons, thus retaining SNB‐1 cargo in cell bodies. LIN‐2 and SYD‐2 both positively affect the velocity of UNC‐104, however, only LIN‐2 is able to efficiently elevate the motor's run lengths. From our study, we conclude that LIN‐2 and SYD‐2 act in a functional complex to regulate the motor with LIN‐2 being the more prominent activator.
COMPARISON BETWEEN COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC ARTHROGRAPHY, RADIOGRAPHY, ULTRASONOGRAPHY, AND ARTHROSCOPY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF FEMOROTIBIAL JOINT DISEASE IN WESTERN PERFORMANCE HORSES
Authors: Nelson Brad B. , Kawcak Chris E. , Goodrich Laurie R. , Werpy Natasha M. , Valdés‐Martínez Alejandro , McIlwraith C. Wayne
Published: May 2016

The femorotibial joints are a common source of lameness in Western performance horses. The objective of this prospective study was to compare the radiography, ultrasonography, computed tomographic arthrography (CTA), and arthroscopy findings in horses with lameness localized to the femorotibial joints. Twenty‐five stifles in 24 horses were included and were evaluated with all four of these diagnostic methods. Defects detected in femorotibial joint structures were compared between diagnostic methods using a McNemar's test to evaluate for disagreement. Cranial medial meniscotibial desmopathy was most detected on arthroscopy (in 14/25 cases) and was only detected on ultrasonography in three out of 11 (27.3%) arthroscopically observed cases, but was detected on CTA in nine out of 12 (75%) arthroscopically observed cases. Medial meniscal injury located on the craniolateral border was most detected on arthroscopy (n = 9) and was detected on CTA in five cases, but on ultrasonography in 0 cases. Detection of articular cartilage defects on the medial femoral condyle was most detected with arthroscopy (24/25, 96% cases) and was also detected on CTA in 12/20 (60%) cases with a significant disagreement identified between modalities (P = 0.02). Cranial and caudal cruciate ligament defects were detected on CTA in 6/22 (27.3%) and 7/19 (36.8%) cases, respectively, and with arthroscopy in 3/25 (12%) and 2/25 (8%) cases, respectively. The use of CTA detected more defects in the cruciate ligaments, proximal tibia, and ligament entheses than the other diagnostic methods, but was not reliable for detection of articular cartilage damage on the medial femoral condyle.
The application of platelet‐rich plasma in the treatment of deep dermal burns: A randomized, double‐blind, intra‐patient controlled study
Authors: Marck Roos E. , Gardien Kim L. M. , Stekelenburg Carlijn M. , Vehmeijer Marielle , Baas D. , Tuinebreijer Wim E. , Breederveld Roelf S. , Middelkoop Esther
Published: May 2016

Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) is a fraction of blood with a platelet concentration above baseline. When platelets get activated, growth factors involved in wound healing are released. The application of PRP has shown good results in wound care, however, up to date no substantial research has been performed on the effect of PRP in burn treatment. This randomized double blind intra‐patient controlled study investigates the effect of autologous PRP on wound healing in burns that require surgery with a meshed split skin graft (SSG). Fifty‐two patients with various areas of deep dermal to full thickness burns, receiving surgery with a SSG were included after informed consent. Comparable study areas A and B (intra‐patient) were appointed, randomized and either treated with a SSG and PRP or with a SSG alone. At day 5 to 7 postoperative, the epithelialization and graft take rate were assessed. Three, six, and twelve months postoperative, follow‐up measurements were performed in the form of POSAS‐questionnaires, DermoSpectroMeter, and Cutometer measurements. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean take rate nor the mean epithelialization rate at day 5–7 between the PRP‐treated and control areas. However, PRP‐treated wound areas showed more often better or equal epithelialization and take rates at day 5–7 than the standard treated areas. Minor effects were also seen in the reoperated and early operated subgroups. At 3, 6, and 12 months postoperative, POSAS scores from the patients and the observers, Dermaspectro‐, and Cutometer measurements did not depict a significant difference between the PRP and standard treated areas. Concluding, the addition of PRP in the treatment of burn wounds did not result in improved graft take and epithelialization, nor could we demonstrate better scar quality. There was, however, a considerable variation in our clinical population.
Thermoporoelastic Modeling of Time-Dependent Wellbore Strengthening and Casing Smear
Authors: Kiran Raj , Salehi Saeed
Published: May 2016

One of the most critical aspects in the drilling operation is to reduce the nonproductive time and to avoid the borehole instability issues such as kicks, blow outs, lost circulation, stuck pipe, and breakouts. To investigate these problems, one has to understand the formation properties, fluid hydraulics, and the basic mechanics behind drilling a well. In the previous research on this field, the factors were widely discussed and results obtained were related to the formation properties. However, while considering the stresses in the wellbore, the mechanical factors such as the RPM and contact of casing at different positions in wellbore have usually been neglected. In furtherance to this study, the importance of thermal condition, fluid loss, and filter cake formation study cannot be out ruled. This work includes a new insight toward understanding the stress redistribution due to pipe contact by the wellbore and smear mechanism. Additionally, it presents the numerical analysis of influence of casing contact and downhole thermal conditions using the finite-element analysis. The classical equations used to obtain the wellbore stresses include very few parameters such as the far-field stresses, pore pressure, and wellbore geometry. They do not consider the influence of casing contact while drilling, mud-cake permeability, and elastic and inelastic properties of the formation. To take into account the effects of these parameters, finite-element analysis is carried out considering the above-mentioned parameters in various scenarios. The main objective of these simulations is to investigate the hypothesis of the increase in hoop stress considering casing contact with regard to formation stresses orientation. The study of different cases shows the variation of a few hundred psi of hoop stress. However, the thermal effect on the near-wellbore stress regions can be important for drilling in deep water and other complex drilling environments. To see the thermal effect, this study develops a thermoporoelastic model. It is found that there is decrease in radial stress and hoop stress in near-wellbore region with time. This reduction will have a considerable impact on fracture initiation pressure in the near-wellbore region. Also, the smearing effect will be influenced by stress changes due to change in temperature.
External Costs of Energy: How Much Is Clean Energy Worth?
Authors: Rabl Ari , Spadaro Joseph V.
Published: May 2016

This review describes the methodology for the analysis of environmental damages and presents key results obtained by the external costs of energy (ExternE) projects of the European Commission as well as analogous work in the U.S. The classical air pollutants (PM, NOx, SO2, and O3) due to the combustion of fossil fuels cause significant damage costs. The costs of global warming from the emission of greenhouse gases are also large. We show results for the damage cost per kilogram of emitted pollutant for typical conditions in Europe; they are based on the last version of ExternE (published in 2008), but with a major upward adjustment of the monetary values. We also show results that have been published in the U.S. Combined with the emissions data per kilowatt hour, they yield the damage costs of electric power. For the choice between different power technologies, one should take into account not only the emissions from the power plant but also from the entire fuel chain, using life cycle assessment (LCA) inventories. The damage costs of fossil fuels are much higher than most renewable energy sources. The results provide crucial input for the formulation of rational environmental policies, for example, the appropriate level of pollution taxes and the promotion of cleaner technologies.
Aeroelastic Flutter of Continuous Systems: A Generalized Laplace Transform Method
Authors: Pons Arion , Gutschmidt Stefanie
Published: May 2016

This paper presents a generalization of the Laplace transform method (LTM) for determining the flutter points of a linear ordinary-differential aeroelastic system—a linear system involving a spatial derivative as well as a time-eigenvalue parameter. Current implementations of the LTM have two major problems: they are unable to solve systems of arbitrary size, order, and boundary conditions, and they require certain key operations to be performed by hand or with symbolic manipulation libraries. Our generalized method overcomes both these problems. We also devise a new method for solving and visualizing the algebraic system that arises from the LTM procedure. We validate our generalized LTM and novel solution method against both the Goland wing model and a large system of high differential order, as a demonstration of their effectiveness for solving such systems.
Pirandello and the Resistance to Tragedy
Authors: Groves David
Published: May 2016

Pirandello and the Resistance to Tragedy
Tragedy in the Theatre: Interview with Director Phillip Mann
Authors: Groves David
Published: May 2016

Tragedy in the Theatre: Interview with DirectorPhillip Mann
Technical Note: High temporal resolution characterization of gating response time
Authors: Wiersma Rodney D. , McCabe Bradley P. , Belcher Andrew H. , Jensen Patrick J. , Smith Brett , Aydogan Bulent
Published: May 2016

Purpose:

Low temporal latency between a gating ON/OFF signal and the LINAC beam ON/OFF during respiratory gating is critical for patient safety. Here the authors describe a novel method to precisely measure gating lag times at high temporal resolutions.

Methods:

A respiratory gating simulator with an oscillating platform was modified to include a linear potentiometer for position measurement. A photon diode was placed at linear accelerator isocenter for beam output measurement. The output signals of the potentiometer and diode were recorded simultaneously at 2500 Hz with an analog to digital converter for four different commercial respiratory gating systems. The ON and OFF of the beam signal were located and compared to the expected gating window for both phase and position based gating and the temporal lag times extracted.

Results:

For phase based gating, a real‐time position management (RPM) infrared marker tracking system with a single camera and a RPM system with a stereoscopic camera were measured to have mean gate ON/OFF lag times of 98/90 and 86/44 ms, respectively. For position based gating, an AlignRT 3D surface system and a Calypso magnetic fiducial tracking system were measured to have mean gate ON/OFF lag times of 356/529 and 209/60 ms, respectively.

Conclusions:

Temporal resolution of the method was high enough to allow characterization of individual gate cycles and was primary limited by the sampling speed of the data recording device. Significant variation of mean gate ON/OFF lag time was found between different gating systems. For certain gating devices, individual gating cycle lag times can vary significantly.
Proposal for an Enhanced Physical Education Program in the Primary School: Evaluation of Feasibility and Effectiveness in Improving Physical Skills and Fitness
Authors: Dallolio Laura , Ceciliani Andrea , Sanna Tiziana , Garulli Andrea , Leoni Erica
Published: May 2016

Background:

A large proportion of children do not reach the recommended levels of physical activity for health. A quasiexperimental study with nonrandom assignment was performed to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of a school-based physical education intervention aimed at increasing the levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).

Methods:

Ten classes from 4 primary schools, including 241 children aged 8 to 10 years, were recruited. The experimental group (n = 97) received 4 additional sessions/week of 60 minutes of MVPA for 8 months. The control group (n = 135) continued their standard program (2 sessions of 50 minutes/week). Motor abilities (standing long jump, handgrip strength, Harre circuit, sit and reach), physical fitness (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level-1), anthropometric measures (body mass index, waist to height ratio), and self-efficacy (Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children) were evaluated at baseline and after the intervention.

Results:

The experimental group significantly improved in the Harre circuit both in males (P < .001) and females (P < .01), whereas physical fitness test improved only in males (P < .001). Males in the experimental group improved the perception of self-efficacy in coordinative abilities (P = .017).

Conclusions:

The proposed school-based MVPA program showed effectiveness and feasibility. The differences observed by gender highlight the need to use different strategies to increase the involvement of all the participants.
Refugee protection and resettlement problems
Authors: Dunn Elizabeth Cullen
Published: May 2016

Refugees face painful uncertainties that could be ameliorated by aid agency coordination
HIV-1 Vpu Antagonizes CD317/Tetherin by Adaptor Protein-1-Mediated Exclusion from Virus Assembly Sites
Authors: Pujol François M. , Laketa Vibor , Schmidt Florian , Mukenhirn Markus , Müller Barbara , Boulant Steeve , Grimm Dirk , Keppler Oliver T. , Fackler Oliver T.
Published: May 2016

The host cell restriction factor CD317/tetherin traps virions at the surface of producer cells to prevent their release. The HIV-1 accessory protein Vpu antagonizes this restriction. Vpu reduces the cell surface density of the restriction factor and targets it for degradation; however, these activities are dispensable for enhancing particle release. Instead, Vpu has been suggested to antagonize CD317/tetherin by preventing recycling of internalized CD317/tetherin to the cell surface, blocking anterograde transport of newly synthesized CD317/tetherin, and/or displacing the restriction factor from virus assembly sites at the plasma membrane. At the molecular level, antagonism relies on the physical interaction of Vpu with CD317/tetherin. Recent findings suggested that phosphorylation of a diserine motif enables Vpu to bind to adaptor protein 1 (AP-1) trafficking complexes via two independent interaction motifs and to couple CD317/tetherin to the endocytic machinery. Here, we used a panel of Vpu proteins with specific mutations in individual interaction motifs to define which interactions are required for antagonism of CD317/tetherin. Impairing recycling or anterograde transport of CD317/tetherin to the plasma membrane was insufficient for antagonism. In contrast, excluding CD317/tetherin from HIV-1 assembly sites depended on Vpu motifs for interaction with AP-1 and CD317/tetherin and correlated with antagonism of the particle release restriction. Consistently, interference with AP-1 function or its expression blocked these Vpu activities. Our results define displacement from HIV-1 assembly sites as active principle of CD317/tetherin antagonism by Vpu and support a role of tripartite complexes between Vpu, AP-1, and CD317/tetherin in this process.

IMPORTANCE
CD317/tetherin poses an intrinsic barrier to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication in human cells by trapping virus particles at the surface of producer cells and thereby preventing their release. The viral protein Vpu antagonizes this restriction, and molecular interactions with the restriction factor and adaptor protein complex 1 (AP-1) were suggested to mediate this activity. Vpu modulates intracellular trafficking of CD317/tetherin and excludes the restriction factor from HIV-1 assembly sites at the plasma membrane, but the relative contribution of these effects to antagonism remain elusive. Using a panel of Vpu mutants, as well as interference with AP-1 function and expression, we show here that Vpu antagonizes CD317/tetherin by blocking its recruitment to viral assembly sites in an AP-1-dependent manner. These results refine our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of CD317/tetherin antagonism and suggest complexes of Vpu with the restriction factor and AP-1 as targets for potential therapeutic intervention.
Both CD8+and CD4+T Cells Contribute to Corneal Clouding and Viral Clearance following Vaccinia Virus Infection in C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Larsen I. V. , Clausius H. , Kolb A. W. , Brandt C. R.
Published: May 2016

Vaccinia virus (VACV) keratitis is a serious complication following smallpox vaccination and can lead to blindness. The pathological mechanisms involved in ocular VACV infection are poorly understood. Previous studies have used rabbits, but the lack of immune reagents and transgenic or knockout animals makes them less suitable for mechanistic studies. We report that infection of C57BL/6 mice with 1 × 107PFU of vaccinia virus strain WR results in blepharitis, corneal neovascularization, and stromal keratitis. The DryVax strain of VACV was completely attenuated. Infection required corneal scarification and replication-competent virus, and the severity of ocular disease was similar in 4- to 6-week-old and 1-year-old mice. Viral titers peaked at approximately 1 × 106PFU on day 5 postinfection, and virus had not cleared by day 13 postinfection. Neutrophils were found in the peripheral cornea on day 1 after infection and then declined, followed by infiltration of both CD4+and CD8+T cells, which remained peripheral throughout the infection. Blood vessel growth extended 2 to 5 mm into the cornea from the limbus. Infection of CD4−/−, CD8−/−, or antibody-depleted mice resulted in similar disease severity and corneal clouding, indicating that both T-cell subsets were involved in the immunopathological response. Depletion of both CD4+and CD8+T cells resulted in significantly more severe disease and failure to clear the virus. On the basis of our results, the pathology of VACV keratitis is significantly different from that of herpes simplex virus keratitis. Further studies are likely to reveal novel information regarding virulence and immune responses to viral ocular infection.

IMPORTANCEPotentially blinding eye infections can occur after vaccination for smallpox. Very little is known about the pathological mechanisms that are involved, and the information that is available was generated using rabbit models. The lack of immunological reagents for rabbits makes such studies difficult. We characterized a mouse model of vaccinia virus ocular disease using C57BL/6 mice and strain WR and show that both CD4+and CD8+T-cell subsets play a role in the blinding eye disease and in controlling virus replication. On the basis of these results, vaccinia virus keratitis is significantly different from herpes simplex virus keratitis, and further studies using this model should generate novel insights into immunopathological responses to viral ocular infection.