bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Allergic contact dermatitis caused by topical ophthalmic medications: Keep an eye on it!
Authors: Gilissen Liesbeth , De Decker Lana , Hulshagen Toon , Goossens An
Published: January 2019

Background

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by topical ophthalmic medications is often overlooked.

Objectives

To study the demographic characteristics, lesion locations and associated medical conditions of the patients with ACD caused by ophthalmic drugs, and to identify the most common allergenic culprits, as well as trends in frequencies over the years.

Methods

From January 1990 until December 2016, 16 065 patients were investigated in our clinic; all patients with a positive patch test reaction to an eye medication or its ingredient(s) having caused ACD were assessed. For each allergen identified, the number of positive test results as compared with the total number of those in the total population, as well as trends across three periods, namely 1990 to 1998, 1999 to 2007, and 2008 to 2016, were studied.

Results

One hundred and eighteen patients (0.7%) presented with positive patch test reactions to ingredients of and/or topical ophthalmic medications. Aminoglycoside antibiotics, followed by corticosteroids, as pharmacologically active ingredients, as well as wool alcohols, thiomersal, and benzalkonium chloride, as excipients, were the most frequent culprits. Chloramphenicol showed a decreasing trend of positive reactions over time, whereas reactions to tobramycin increased.

Conclusion

ACD caused by eye medication is mainly attributable to active principles, but other excipient ingredients, beside the products “as is,” should be tested as well.
The spectrum of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: a practical approach
Authors: Bartsch T. , Rempe T. , Leypoldt F. , Riedel C. , Jansen O. , Berg D. , Deuschl G.
Published: January 2019

John Cunningham virus (JCV) infection of the central nervous system causes progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients with systemic immunosuppression. With the increased application of modern immunotherapy and biologics in various immune‐mediated disorders, the PML risk spectrum has changed. Thus, new tools and strategies for risk assessment and stratification in drug‐associated PML such as the JCV antibody indices have been introduced. Imaging studies have highlighted atypical presentations of cerebral JCV disease such as granule cell neuronopathy. Imaging markers have been developed to differentiate PML from new multiple sclerosis lesions and to facilitate the early identification of pre‐clinical manifestations of PML and its immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. PML can be diagnosed either by brain biopsy or by clinical, radiographic and virological criteria. Experimental treatment options including immunization and modulation of interleukin‐mediated immune response are emerging. PML should be considered in any patient with compromised systemic or central nervous system immune surveillance presenting with progressive neurological symptoms.
Atypical myopathy‐associated hypoglycin A toxin remains in sycamore seedlings despite mowing, herbicidal spraying or storage in hay and silage
Authors: González‐Medina S. , Montesso F. , Chang Y.‐M. , Hyde C. , Piercy R. J.
Published: January 2019

Background

Several pasture management strategies have been proposed to avoid hypoglycin A (HGA) intoxication in horses, but their efficacy has never been investigated.

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of mowing and herbicidal spraying on HGA content of sycamore seedlings and the presence of HGA in seeds and seedlings processed within haylage and silage.

Study design

Experimental study.

Methods

Groups of seedlings were mowed (n = 6), sprayed with a dimethylamine‐based (n = 2) or a picolinic acid‐based herbicide (n = 1). Seedlings were collected before intervention, and at 48 h, 1 and 2 weeks after. Cut grass in the vicinity of mowed seedlings was collected pre‐cutting and after 1 week. Seeds and seedling (n = 6) samples processed within haylage and silage were collected. HGA concentration in samples was measured using a validated LC‐MS‐based method.

Results

There was no significant decline in HGA content in either mowed or sprayed seedlings; indeed, mowing induced a temporary significant rise in HGA content of seedlings. HGA concentration increased significantly (albeit to low levels) in grass cut with the seedlings by 1 week. HGA was still present in sycamore material after 6–8 months storage within either hay or silage.

Main limitations

Restricted number of herbicide compounds tested.

Conclusions

Neither mowing nor herbicidal spraying reduces HGA concentration in sycamore seedlings up to 2 weeks after intervention. Cross contamination is possible between grass and sycamore seedlings when mowed together. Mowing followed by collection of sycamore seedlings seems the current best option to avoid HGA toxicity in horses grazing contaminated pasture. Pastures contaminated with sycamore material should not be used to produce processed hay or silage as both seedlings and seeds present in the bales still pose a risk of intoxication.
Stratification, nitrogen fixation, and cyanobacterial bloom stage regulate the planktonic food web structure
Authors: Loick‐Wilde Natalie , Fernández‐Urruzola Igor , Eglite Elvita , Liskow Iris , Nausch Monika , Schulz‐Bull Detlef , Wodarg Dirk , Wasmund Norbert , Mohrholz Volker
Published: January 2019

Changes in the complexity of planktonic food webs may be expected in future aquatic systems due to increases in sea surface temperature and an enhanced stratification of the water column. Under these conditions, the growth of unpalatable, filamentous, N2‐fixing cyanobacterial blooms, and their effect on planktonic food webs will become increasingly important. The planktonic food web structure in aquatic ecosystems at times of filamentous cyanobacterial blooms is currently unresolved, with discordant lines of evidence suggesting that herbivores dominate the mesozooplankton or that mesozooplankton organisms are mainly carnivorous. Here, we use a set of proxies derived from amino acid nitrogen stable isotopes from two mesozooplankton size fractions to identify changes in the nitrogen source and the planktonic food web structure across different microplankton communities. A transition from herbivory to carnivory in mesozooplankton between more eutrophic, near‐coastal sites and more oligotrophic, offshore sites was accompanied by an increasing diversity of microplankton communities with aging filamentous cyanobacterial blooms. Our analyses of 124 biotic and abiotic variables using multivariate statistics confirmed salinity as a major driver for the biomass distribution of non‐N2‐fixing microplankton species such as dinoflagellates. However, we provide strong evidence that stratification, N2 fixation, and the stage of the cyanobacterial blooms regulated much of the microplankton diversity and the mean trophic position and size of the metabolic nitrogen pool in mesozooplankton. Our empirical, macroscale data set consistently unifies contrasting results of the dominant feeding mode in mesozooplankton during blooms of unpalatable, filamentous, N2‐fixing cyanobacteria by identifying the at times important role of heterotrophic microbial food webs. Thus, carnivory, rather than herbivory, dominates in mesozooplankton during aging and decaying cyanobacterial blooms with hitherto uncharacterized consequences for the biogeochemical functions of mesozooplankton.
Drawing Attention to Potentially Inappropriate Medications for Older Adults Receiving Dialysis
Authors: Hall Rasheeda
Published: January 2019

This Editorial comments on the Clinical Investigation by Julie H. Ishida et al. in this issue.
Sensory profile, consumer acceptance, and physicochemical properties of pan bread made with imported or domestic commercial wheat flour
Authors: Kwak Han Sub , Kim Mi Jeong , Kim Sang Sook
Published: January 2019

The objectives of this study were to investigate the influence of wheat origin (domestic versus imported) on the sensory profile, consumer acceptability, and physicochemical properties of pan bread. The physicochemical and textural properties of pan bread made from imported wheat flours were not different from those made with domestic wheat flours. The sensory profiles of breads differed depending on wheat origin. Pan bread from imported wheat flours and domestic wheat flour from large milling companies showed a similar sensory profile. However, domestic wheat flour containing some brans and originating from mid‐size companies had a strong cereal odor/flavor, yeasty flavor, powdery mouthfeel aftertaste, and crumbliness. In consumer tests, highly accepted domestic samples showed an increment of purchase intent (PI) between the blind and informed tests, but there was no change in PI for imported samples. Consumers seemed to value the country of origin for domestic wheat flour only for the highly accepted samples. Therefore, high quality domestic wheat flour can meet the consumer expectations and increase PI.

Practical application

Country of origin is one of the marketing points for the food industry to attract consumers. Food manufacturers should consider consumer acceptance. Even though they advertise the use of domestic ingredients in their products, consumers would not change their PI dramatically for low accepted food products. Consumers give additional value to food products made from domestic ingredients only if these products attain certain levels of acceptability. Unconditional ethnocentrism for food products made from domestic ingredients does not exist. Therefore, the industry should consider that consumer acceptance of products must meet consumer expectations in order to maximize the advantage of the country of origin for foods with domestic ingredients.
Awareness of chronic viral hepatitis in the United States: An update from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Kim Hyun‐seok , Yang Ju Dong , El‐Serag Hashem B. , Kanwal Fasiha
Published: January 2019

The World Health Organization has set the goal of reducing the hepatitis‐related mortality rate by 65% between 2015 and 2030. Diagnosis and awareness of infection is the first essential step towards achieving this goal. Our study examined the current awareness rate of chronic viral hepatitis in the United States and the potentially associated factors. In the National Health Nutrition and Examination Survey 2013‐2016, there were 11 488 persons who participated in serology testing for chronic viral hepatitis. We defined chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection by HbsAg, HBV past exposure by anti‐HBc and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by HCV RNA. At risk for significant fibrosis was determined by AST to Platelet Ratio Index >0.7. Awareness of chronic HBV infection, past HBV exposure and HCV infection were present in 33.9%, 11.7% and 55.6% of participants, respectively. Among HCV‐infected baby boomers, the awareness was in 61.5%. The awareness of HBV infection was significantly higher in individuals with high education level. Age group (40‐60 years), women, non‐Black race/ethnicity and those with high household income who were born in the United States with insurance plans tend to be aware of their infection. For HCV, awareness was the lowest in Hispanics and Asians, foreign‐born who lived below the federal poverty level and low education level. Awareness among chronic viral hepatitis patients at risk for significant fibrosis was 62.0% in HBV and 38.2% in HCV infection. In conclusion, current awareness of chronic viral hepatitis in the United States remains suboptimal. Active public health policy to identify persons at risk and provide appropriate management is warranted.
Why ethnic parties? A new theory of ethnic minority political strategy in Europe
Authors: Koev Dan
Published: January 2019

Why do some ethnic minority groups in Europe form ethnic minority parties (EMPs), while others work within established, mainstream parties? I argue that an ethnic minority group's historical background influences its political engagement strategies. I propose that native groups (those that inhabited the territory of the modern‐day state in which they reside prior to that state's establishment), groups with territorial attachment (historical concentration in particular regions of the state) and groups with historical experiences of autonomy are more likely to form successful parties. Groups perceiving themselves as native to their state and that have enjoyed autonomy are more likely to feel entitled to the unique form of representation provided by an EMP. I test my theoretical expectations on an original data set of elections in European states in the period 1990 to 2012, finding that the three historical variables working in conjunction exert a strong positive influence on EMP entry and success.
Are school‐based physical activity interventions effective and equitable? A meta‐analysis of cluster randomized controlled trials with accelerometer‐assessed activity
Authors: Love Rebecca , Adams Jean , van Sluijs Esther M. F.
Published: January 2019

The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing at epidemic rates globally, with widening inequalities between advantaged and disadvantaged groups. Despite the promise of schools as a universal context to access and influence all children, the potential of school‐based interventions to positively impact children's physical activity behaviour, and obesity risk, remains uncertain. We searched six electronic databases to February 2017 for cluster randomized trials of school‐based physical activity interventions. Following data extraction, authors were sent re‐analysis requests. For each trial, a mean change score from baseline to follow‐up was calculated for daily minutes of accelerometer‐assessed moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA), for the main effect, by gender, and by socio‐economic position (SEP). Twenty‐five trials met the inclusion criteria; 17 trials provided relevant data for inclusion in the meta‐analyses. The pooled main effect for daily minutes of MVPA was nonexistent and nonsignificant. There was no evidence of differential effectiveness by gender or SEP. This review provides the strongest evidence to date that current school‐based efforts do not positively impact young people's physical activity across the full day, with no difference in effect across gender and SEP. Further assessment and maximization of implementation fidelity is required before it can be concluded that these interventions have no contribution to make.
Sclerosing odontogenic carcinoma – what we know so far
Authors: O'Connor R.C. , Khurram S.A. , Singh T. , Jones K.
Published: January 2019

Sclerosing odontogenic carcinoma (SOC) was described in 2008 and is recognised as a malignant odontogenic tumour in the World Health Organisation classification of head and neck tumours. Nine cases have been reported including six in the mandible and three in the maxilla. After initial controversy over whether SOC was a variant of an odontogenic tumour or a separate entity, it is now established as a distinct entity with an infiltrative and invasive pattern but is usually a diagnosis of exclusion as other odontogenic neoplasms should be ruled out first. They are low‐grade tumours most commonly exhibiting perineural and soft tissue invasion, but distant metastases have not been reported. Treatment varies from radical resection, neck dissection and radiotherapy to enucleation or curettage with no adjuvant treatment. There has been one reported recurrence, occurring eight months after curettage, which was treated with segmental mandibular resection, but no incidences of disease‐related mortality. We report a case of SOC initially treated as an odontogenic fibroma by enucleation. Once the diagnosis of SOC was confirmed, local excision without neck dissection or radiotherapy was undertaken. The patient remains disease‐free, suggesting local excision might be sufficient treatment. Treatment standardisation cannot be possible without more reported cases.
Emotional Intentionality and the Attitude‐content Distinction
Authors: Mitchell Jonathan
Published: January 2019

Typical emotions share important features with paradigmatic intentional states and therefore might admit of distinctions made in theory of intentionality. One such distinction is between attitude and content, where we can specify the content of an intentional state separately from its attitude, and therefore, the same content can be taken up by different intentional attitudes. According to some philosophers, emotions do not admit of this distinction, although there has been no sustained argument for this claim. In this article, I argue that the way values figure in emotional experience qualifies the content of emotional experience such that the attitude‐content distinction cannot be applied.
Georeferenced underwater photogrammetry to map marine habitats and submerged artificial structures
Authors: Abadie Arnaud , Boissery Pierre , Viala Christophe
Published: January 2019

Over the past decade, underwater photogrammetry has been experiencing an increased interest due to the enhancement of camera performance and computing power. This study describes the test of two new methods to perform georeferenced underwater photogrammetry. The first one uses the coupling between photogrammetry by scuba diving and positioning with acoustic data from a multibeam echo sounder; the second one utilises direct positioning technology with a surface floating device (photogrammetric platform). When compared with one another, the platform had a higher mapping efficiency, while being limited by depth and underwater visibility. Georeferenced underwater photogrammetry is expected to have a wide range of applications in the field of marine habitats’ conservation such as seagrass meadows and the survey of submerged man‐made structures such as artificial reefs and port infrastructure.
Impact of humor‐related communication elements in natural dyadic interactions on interpersonal physiological synchrony
Authors: Lackner Helmut K. , Feyaerts Kurt , Rominger Christian , Oben Bert , Schwerdtfeger Andreas , Papousek Ilona
Published: January 2019

Evidence suggests that in dyadic conversations some alignment occurs at the physiological level, but relatively little is known about the conditions that may facilitate physiological synchrony of two interlocutors. In the present interdisciplinary study, the impact of specific linguistic features of ongoing dialogues—the use of humor‐related communication elements—was examined in 24 male dyads who were meeting for the first time. Heart rate synchrony was quantified using phase synchronization, which reflects the degree of moment‐to‐moment adjustments that occur between the two persons of a dyad. Comical hypotheticals and verbal amplifiers were identified and quantified using cognitive‐linguistic methods of corpus analysis. Additionally, smiles following these communication elements were identified using the Facial Action Coding System. The data showed that the heart rate time series of the two interlocutors were to some extent synchronized in phase, and that the magnitude of this synchronization exceeded what had to be expected by chance. The strength of heart rate synchrony in a dyad was the higher the more comical hypotheticals were produced, independently from how much the two conversation partners were in sum talking to each other. A similar observation was made for verbal amplifiers, but their effect depended on whether they were perceived (and acknowledged by a smile) as humorous. The findings are in line with the more general notion that physiological synchrony may be enhanced by shared experience and suggest that the use of (reciprocated) humor may speed up the building of rapport among communication partners.
Do emojis influence social interactions? Neural and behavioral responses to affective emojis in bargaining situations
Authors: Weiß Martin , Gutzeit Julian , Rodrigues Johannes , Mussel Patrick , Hewig Johannes
Published: January 2019

Emojis are nowadays a common substitute for real facial expressions to integrate emotions in social interaction. In certain contexts, emojis possibly could also transport information beyond emotions, reflecting interindividual differences or social aspects. In this study, we investigated the influence of emojis as socioemotional feedback stimuli on behavior and neural responses in a social decision game. We modified the Ultimatum Game by including emotional feedback provided by the proposer as response to the decision of the participant as receiver. Therefore, we generated identities that differed in their feedback behavior to identify differences in the processing of emotional feedback in a positive (acceptance) versus negative (rejection) frame. Regarding offer sizes, we replicated the valence effect of feedback‐related negativity for small offer sizes evoking more negative brain potentials compared to larger ones. Further, we found an effect of affective emojis on distinct ERPs: A face‐detecting neural component (N170) was examined to be a part of the processing of emojis, which resulted in significantly more negative amplitudes in response to a sad‐looking emoji compared to smiling and neutral ones. Furthermore, P3 amplitudes indicate transmission effects from the feedback emoticons to the neural processing of different offer sizes. In contrast to previous findings, P3 responses of our subjects did not depend on the offer size, but rather by which kind of partner they were made. Since some evaluative processes did not reveal any effects, emojis seem to be less effective than real facial expressions, which convey more information that is socially meaningful.
CPAP treatment for asthma? A question worth pursuing further
Authors: Hamilton Garun S. , Nixon Gillian M.
Published: January 2019

See related Article
Older patients’ experiences of nurse‐to‐nurse collaboration between hospital and primary health care in the care chain for older people
Authors: Lemetti Terhi , Voutilainen Päivi , Stolt Minna , Eloranta Sini , Suhonen Riitta
Published: January 2019

Background

Nurse‐to‐nurse collaboration between nurses working in hospital and primary health care in the older people care chain is essential to ensure the continuity of care. The nature of good collaboration in this context is understood usually from the perspective of collaborating nurses. However, there seems to be a lack of research about this collaboration from the older patient's perspective who are at the centre of the collaboration.

Aims and objectives

To describe older patient's experiences of the collaboration between hospital and primary healthcare nurses delivering care to older people.

Design

A qualitative approach based on a descriptive phenomenological methodology was used.

Methods

Individual interviews were conducted using a purposeful sample of older patients (n = 18) who were cared for both in hospital and primary healthcare organisations. A qualitative data analysis method informed by Giorgi was used.

Results

The essence of the experience of nurse‐to‐nurse collaboration between hospital and primary health care was expressed as follows: the meaning of collaboration; the elements of collaboration valued; the visibility of collaboration; older patient involvement in collaboration; interaction within collaboration; and future expectations of collaboration.

Conclusions

Although nurse‐to‐nurse collaboration between hospital and primary health care was not often visible to older patients, they highlighted the importance of this collaboration to ensure the continuity of care. The participants would have liked to be part of the collaborating group, at the centre of care, cared for by motivated nurses who had a clear understanding of their patients’ health status. This study emphasises the need for improving collaboration between hospital and primary healthcare nurses by making it more visible and facilitating older patients’ participation. The results demonstrate the need to understand patient perspectives in the development of care and the services provided for older people.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐DRB1*11:245 allele by sequencing‐based typing
Authors: Zhang Li‐Qun , Xiao Yao , Zhou Xiao‐Yang , Cui Ju , Cai Jian‐Ping
Published: January 2019

HLA‐DRB1*11:245 differs from HLA‐DRB1*11:01:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution at position 505 (A>G).
Chronic exercise mitigates disease mechanisms and improves muscle function in myotonic dystrophy type 1 mice
Authors: Manta Alexander , Stouth Derek W. , Xhuti Donald , Chi Leon , Rebalka Irena A. , Kalmar Jayne M. , Hawke Thomas J. , Ljubicic Vladimir
Published: January 2019

Key points

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), the second most common muscular dystrophy and most prevalent adult form of muscular dystrophy, is characterized by muscle weakness, wasting and myotonia.

A microsatellite repeat expansion mutation results in RNA toxicity and dysregulation of mRNA processing, which are the primary downstream causes of the disorder.

Recent studies with DM1 participants demonstrate that exercise is safe, enjoyable and elicits benefits in muscle strength and function; however, the molecular mechanisms of exercise adaptation in DM1 are undefined.

Our results demonstrate that 7 weeks of volitional running wheel exercise in a pre‐clinical DM1 mouse model resulted in significantly improved motor performance, muscle strength and endurance, as well as reduced myotonia.

At the cellular level, chronic physical activity attenuated RNA toxicity, liberated Muscleblind‐like 1 protein from myonuclear foci and improved mRNA alternative splicing.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a trinucleotide repeat expansion neuromuscular disorder that is most prominently characterized by skeletal muscle weakness, wasting and myotonia. Chronic physical activity is safe and satisfying, and can elicit functional benefits such as improved strength and endurance in DM1 patients, but the underlying cellular basis of exercise adaptation is undefined. Our purpose was to examine the mechanisms of exercise biology in DM1. Healthy, sedentary wild‐type (SED‐WT) mice, as well as sedentary human skeletal actin‐long repeat animals, a murine model of DM1 myopathy (SED‐DM1), and DM1 mice with volitional access to a running wheel for 7 weeks (EX‐DM1), were utilized. Chronic exercise augmented strength and endurance in vivo and in situ in DM1 mice. These alterations coincided with normalized measures of myopathy, as well as increased mitochondrial content. Electromyography revealed a 70–85% decrease in the duration of myotonic discharges in muscles from EX‐DM1 compared to SED‐DM1 animals. The exercise‐induced enhancements in muscle function corresponded at the molecular level with mitigated spliceopathy, specifically the processing of bridging integrator 1 and muscle‐specific chloride channel (CLC‐1) transcripts. CLC‐1 protein content and sarcolemmal expression were lower in SED‐DM1 versus SED‐WT animals, but they were similar between SED‐WT and EX‐DM1 groups. Chronic exercise also attenuated RNA toxicity, as indicated by reduced (CUG)n foci‐positive myonuclei and sequestered Muscleblind‐like 1 (MBNL1). Our data indicate that chronic exercise‐induced physiological improvements in DM1 occur in concert with mitigated primary downstream disease mechanisms, including RNA toxicity, MBNL1 loss‐of‐function, and alternative mRNA splicing.
A generalized superposition method for accurate free vibration analysis of rectangular plates and assemblies
Authors: Yu Shudong , Yin Xuewen
Published: January 2019

A generalized superposition method is presented in this paper for free bending vibration analysis of single rectangular plates and assemblies of rectangular plates with arbitrary boundary conditions. The method was developed on the basis of the Levy method, the principle of superposition, and the uniform convergence of half-range Fourier cosine series for continuous functions in a closed interval. Numerical results, obtained using the proposed method for thin isotropic plates and plate assemblies, show that the proposed method is accurate and rapidly convergent. The proposed method can be extended to handle vibration of moderately thick plates made of isotropic and orthotropic materials.
How much can we influence the rate of innovation?
Authors: Fink T. M. A. , Reeves M.
Published: January 2019

The distribution of product complexity helps explain why some domains tend to exhibit faster innovation rates than others.
Cofilin hyperactivation in HIV infection and targeting the cofilin pathway using an anti-α
4
β
7
integrin antibody
Authors: He Sijia , Fu Yajing , Guo Jia , Spear Mark , Yang Jiuling , Trinité Benjamin , Qin Chaolong , Fu Shuai , Jiang Yongjun , Zhang Zining , Xu Junjie , Ding Haibo , Levy David N. , Chen Wanjun , Petricoin Emanuel , Liotta Lance A. , Shang Hong , Wu Yuntao
Published: January 2019

We demonstrate an HIV-mediated dysregulation of cofilin in CD4 T cells and propose therapeutics to restore T cell motility.
Interpreting economic complexity
Authors: Mealy Penny , Farmer J. Doyne , Teytelboym Alexander
Published: January 2019

Beyond diversity, towards similarity: Math of economic complexity uncovers specialization patterns across countries and regions.
Less than you think: Prevalence and predictors of fake news dissemination on Facebook
Authors: Guess Andrew , Nagler Jonathan , Tucker Joshua
Published: January 2019

Fake news sharing in 2016 was rare but significantly more common among older Americans.
Diversity, Dynamics, and Distribution of
Bdellovibrio
and Like Organisms in Perialpine Lakes
Authors: Paix Benoit , Ezzedine Jade A. , Jacquet Stéphan
Published: January 2019

This study highlights the abundance, distribution, and diversity of a poorly known microbial compartment in natural aquatic ecosystems, the
Bdellovibrio
and like organisms (BALOs). These obligate bacterial predators of other bacteria may have an important functional role. This study shows the relative quantitative importance of the three main families of this group, with the design of a new primer pair, and their diversity. While both the diversity and the abundances of these BALOs were globally low, it is noteworthy that the abundance of the
Peredibacteraceae
could reach important values.
Viral Replicative Capacity, Antigen Availability via Hematogenous Spread, and High T
FH
:T
FR
Ratios Drive Induction of Potent Neutralizing Antibody Responses
Authors: Eldi Preethi , Chaudhri Geeta , Nutt Stephen L. , Newsome Timothy P. , Karupiah Gunasegaran
Published: January 2019

Neutralizing antibody response is the best-known correlate of long-term protective immunity for most of the currently licensed clinically effective viral vaccines. However, the host immune and viral factors that are critical for the induction of robust and durable antiviral humoral immune responses are not well understood. Our study provides insight into the dynamics of key cellular mediators of germinal center reaction during live virus infections and the influence of viral replicative capacity on the magnitude of antiviral antibody response and effector function. The significance of our study lies in two key findings. First, the systemic spread of even poorly replicating or nonreplicating viruses to mimic the spread of antigens from replicating viruses due to escalating antigen concentration is fundamental to the induction of durable antibody responses. Second, the T
FH
:T
FR
ratio may be used as an early predictor of protective antiviral humoral immune responses long before memory responses are generated.
Supporting children and young people when making decisions about joining clinical trials: qualitative study to inform multimedia website development
Authors: Martin-Kerry Jacqueline M , Knapp Peter , Atkin Karl , Bower Peter , Watt Ian , Stones Catherine , Higgins Steven , Sheridan Rebecca , Preston Jenny , Horton Taylor Danielle , Baines Paul , Young Bridget
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To understand stakeholders’ views regarding the content and design of paediatric clinical trial multimedia websites. To describe how this knowledge informed the development of the multimedia websites.

Design

Qualitative study comprising two rounds of interviews or focus groups, with thematic analysis of interview transcripts.

Participants

Sixty-two people (21 children and young people with long-term health conditions, 24 parents and 17 professionals).

Setting

One UK children’s hospital and one UK Young Persons’ Advisory Group.

Results

When asked what was important in deciding whether to join a trial, children, young people and parents prioritised information about what participation would involve, what the trial was testing, potential benefits and risks of participation and knowing they could leave the trial if they later changed their minds. Young people and parents trusted trial teams to follow regulatory and quality requirements and therefore did not think such information was a priority for the websites, although logos of trusted organisations could lend credibility. Professionals largely concurred with these views. Children and young people advised on the importance of designing the multimedia website to ensure its appearance, tone and wording suited the intended audience and on using animated characters to facilitate children’s engagement.

Conclusions

Our study provides insights into the information that families value when deciding about healthcare trial participation. It provides guidance on the design of information resources to appeal to children and young people, while also being acceptable to parents and professionals who are often gatekeepers of children’s access to information. Our findings will be of use to others developing similar multimedia websites. We report specific information needs and new visual preferences that are not usually addressed in printed trial information. Our work illustrates what qualitative research and participatory design practices can contribute to the development of information resources more generally.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN73136092; Pre-results.
Novel technique to manage pacemaker exposure with buried flap reconstruction: case series﻿
Authors: Tiwari Raja , Marwah Shruti , Roy Ambuj , Singhal Maneesh
Published: January 2019

Objective

Exposure of implantable electrical devices may increase morbidity and mortality significantly. Usually superficial infections are conservatively managed whereas invasive infections necessitate complete capsulectomy, sub-pectoral placement or implant exchange. Most commonly inadequate soft tissue coverage, soft tissue thinning and scar dehiscence over the edge of the pacemaker are the primary predisposing event. Multiple local surgical options have been described, however, with all these designs, the final scar still remains over the edge of the pacemaker and continue to have a tendency of thinning out with time. We have described a local skin flap which can be de-epithelialized and partially buried under the skin to increase the thickness over the pacemaker edge, thereby preventing further recurrence.

Methods

Three patients admitted in the Cardiology Department presented with impending exposure (n=2)and exposed implant (n=1) over the edge of pacemaker with superficial infection. Local modified rotation skin flap which was de-epithelialized and partially buried under the skin to increase the thickness over the pacemaker edge was performed under local anaesthesia in all the cases.

Results

Flaps settled well in all patients with no evidence of infection, scar dehiscence and recurrence over a follow-up period of 2 years.

Conclusions

This flap technique is recommended for cases of impending pacemaker exposure resulting due to scar dehiscence over the edge and helps by addressing the predisposing factors at an initial stage. In our experience, this technique also helped to salvage exposed pacemaker with superficial infection. To our bestof knowledge this technique has not been described before in the literature.
Intravenous tirofiban therapy for patients with capsular warning syndrome
Authors: Li Wei , Wu Ya , Li Xiao-Shu , Liu Cheng-Chun , Huang Shu-Han , Liang Chun-Rong , Wang Huan , Zhang Li-Li , Xu Zhi-Qiang , Wang Yan-Jiang , Zhang Meng
Published: January 2019

Background

Capsular warning syndrome (CWS) is defined as recurrent episodes of transient ischaemic attacks ≥3 times during a short time frame. There is no effective therapy to stop these attacks. We, herein, report our experience of using intravenous tirofiban to treat CWS.

Methods

All patients with CWS in our hospital from January 2013 to September 2017 were reviewed. Patients in tirofiban group (T-group) were treated by intravenous tirofiban at 0.4 μg/kg/min for 30 min followed by 0.1–0.15 µg/kg/min infusion. Other treatments (non-T-group) included thrombolytic, oral antiplatelet agents and anticoagulant. Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), systematic bleeding, new attacks after treatment, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at 24 hours and modified Rankin Scales (mRSs) at 3 months were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.

Results

Of 23 patients qualified (15 in T-group, 8 in non-T-group), the duration of symptoms ranged from 2 to 100 min before treatments. After treatment, in T-group, four patients (26.7%) had recurrent attacks, and NIHSS scores were 0 in 11 patients (73.3%) at 24 hours. All patients reached a favourable outcome (mRS ≤2 at 3 months. In non-T-group, five patients (62.5%) had new attacks. NIHSS scores were 0 in two patients (25%) at 24 hours. At 3 months, seven patients (87.5%) reached a favourable outcome. Neither ICH nor systematic bleeding or thrombocytopaenia occurred in both groups of patients.

Conclusions

Intravenous tirofiban can be a potentially effective and safe therapy to stop early symptomatic fluctuations and shorten the duration of functional deficits in patients with CWS.
Vitamin and mineral supplement use in medically complex, community-living, older adults
Authors: Ford Katherine L. , Jorgenson Derek J. , Landry Eric J.L. , Whiting Susan J.
Published: January 2019

Individuals who take medications may benefit from using vitamin and/or mineral supplements (VMS) yet excess supplementation can lead to overuse (daily intake exceeding the tolerable upper intake level (UL)). This study assessed VMS use of medically complex, community-living, older adults. A chart review of 229 patients ≥50 years with new medication assessments between 2014 and 2017 indicated that 76.9% of patients used ≥1 VMS daily. The UL for one or more nutrients was exceeded by 39.8% of supplement users.
Validation of SNP markers associated with ascochyta blight resistance in pea
Authors: Jha Ambuj B. , Gali Krishna K. , Banniza Sabine , Warkentin Thomas D.
Published: January 2019

Ascochyta blight of pea is an important disease that can cause severe yield loss. Our previous studies identified several closely linked single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers associated with ascochyta blight resistance. The objective of this study was to validate SNP markers in 36 cultivars from the Saskatchewan pea regional variety trial. Ascochyta blight scores ranged from 1.0 to 9.0 at the physiological maturity stage under field conditions across the 25 site–years in Saskatchewan from 2013 to 2017. Based on Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR assays, six SNP markers were used for an association study. SNP markers RGA-G3Ap103, PsC8780p118, and PsC22609p103 were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with ascochyta blight scores in 2013 and 2016 at Saskatoon. PsC8780p118 was significantly associated with ascochyta blight scores at Milden in 2014 and Rosthern in 2017. Furthermore, RGA-G3Ap103 showed significant association at Milden in 2014. Based on association studies, RGA-G3Ap103 and PsC8780p118 may have some potential as markers for pea breeding.
Water Beetles as Models in Ecology and Evolution
Authors: Bilton David T. , Ribera Ignacio , Short Andrew Edward Z.
Published: January 2019

Beetles have colonized water many times during their history, with some of these events involving extensive evolutionary radiations and multiple transitions between land and water. With over 13,000 described species, they are one of the most diverse macroinvertebrate groups in most nonmarine aquatic habitats and occur on all continents except Antarctica. A combination of wide geographical and ecological range and relatively accessible taxonomy makes these insects an excellent model system for addressing a variety of questions in ecology and evolution. Work on water beetles has recently made important contributions to fields as diverse as DNA taxonomy, macroecology, historical biogeography, sexual selection, and conservation biology, as well as predicting organismal responses to global change. Aquatic beetles have some of the best resolved phylogenies of any comparably diverse insect group, and this, coupled with recent advances in taxonomic and ecological knowledge, is likely to drive an expansion of studies in the future.
MiRNA let-7b promotes the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension by targeting ACE2
Authors: Zhang Ruifeng , Su Hua , Ma Xiuqing , Xu Xiaoling , Liang Li , Ma Guofeng , Shi Liuhong
Published: January 2019

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) protects against hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) by inhibiting the proliferation and migration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Under hypoxia, the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) inhibits ACE2 indirectly; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. In the present study, we found that exposure to chronic hypoxia stimulated microRNA (miRNA) let-7b expression in rat lung via a HIF-1α-dependent pathway. Let-7b downregulated ACE2 expression by directly targeting the coding sequence of ACE2. Our in vitro and in vivo results revealed that let-7b contributed to the pathogenesis of HPH by inducing PASMCs proliferation and migration. Let-7b knockout mitigated right ventricle hypertrophy and pulmonary vessel remodeling in HPH by restoring ACE2 expression. Overall, we demonstrated that HIF-1α inhibited ACE2 expression via the HIF-1α-let-7b-ACE2 axis, which contributed to the pathogenesis of HPH by stimulating PASMCs proliferation and migration. Since let-7b knockout alleviated the development of HPH, let-7b may serve as a potential clinical target for the treatment of HPH.
Effect of frequent interruptions of sedentary time on nutrient metabolism in sedentary overweight male and female adults
Authors: De Jong Nathan P. , Rynders Corey A. , Goldstrohm David A. , Pan Zhaoxing , Lange Andrew H. , Mendez Carlos , Melanson Edward L. , Bessesen Daniel H. , Bergouignan Audrey
Published: January 2019

This study compared 24-h nutrient oxidation responses between a sedentary condition (SED) and a condition in which short 5-min bouts of moderate-intensity physical activity were performed hourly for nine consecutive hours over 4 days (MICRO). To determine whether any shifts in fuel use were due solely to increases in energy expenditure, we also studied a condition consisting of a single isoenergetic 45-min bout of moderate-intensity exercise (ONE). Twenty sedentary overweight or obese adults (10 men/10 women; 32.4 ± 6.3 yr; BMI, 30.6 ± 2.9 kg/m2) completed all three conditions (MICRO, SED, and ONE) in a randomized order. Each condition consisted of a 3-day free-living run-in followed by a 24-h stay in a whole-room calorimeter to measure total energy expenditure (TEE) and substrate utilization. Dietary fat oxidation was also assessed during the chamber stay by administering a [1-13C] oleic acid tracer at breakfast. Energy intake was matched across conditions. Both MICRO and ONE increased TEE relative to SED, resulting in a negative energy balance. HOMA-IR improved in both activity conditions. MICRO increased 24-h carbohydrate oxidation compared with both ONE and SED ( P < 0.01 for both). ONE was associated with higher 24-h total fat oxidation compared with SED, and higher 24-h dietary fat oxidation compared with both SED and MICRO. Differences in substrate oxidation remained significant after adjusting for energy balance. In overweight and obese men and women, breaking up sitting time increased reliance upon carbohydrate as fuel over 24 h, while a single energy-matched continuous bout of exercise preferentially relies upon fat over 24 h.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Insulin sensitivity, as assessed by HOMA-IR, was improved after 4 days of physical activity, independent of frequency and duration of activity bouts. Temporal patterns of activity across the day differentially affect substrate oxidation. Frequent interruptions of sedentary time with short bouts of walking primarily increase 24-h carbohydrate oxidation, whereas an energy-matched single continuous bout of moderate intensity walking primarily increased 24-h fat oxidation.
Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO-ZrO2 Nanocomposites for Photocatalytic Degradation and Mineralization of Phenol
Authors: Uribe López M. C. , Alvarez Lemus M. A. , Hidalgo M. C. , López González R. , Quintana Owen P. , Oros-Ruiz S. , Uribe López S. A. , Acosta J.
Published: January 2019

ZnO-ZrO2 nanocomposites using zinc (II) acetylacetonate and different ZnO contents (13, 25, 50, and 75% mol) were synthesized through sol-gel method. The synthesis process was strongly related to nanocomposite properties especially on their structural composition. The obtained ZnO-ZrO2 nanomaterials presented tetragonal crystalline structure for zirconia whereas hexagonal one was formed in ZnO. Raman spectroscopy and XRD patterns confirmed the formation of tetragonal zirconia whereas inhibition of monoclinic structure was observed. Addition of ZnO affected the pore size distribution of the composite, and the measured specific surface areas were from 10 m2/g (for pure ZnO) to 46 m2/g (pristine ZrO2). Eg values of ZrO2 were modified by ZnO addition, since calculated values using Kubelka-Munk’s function varied from 4.73 to 3.76 eV. The morphology and size of the nanomaterials investigated by electron microscopy showed formation of nanorods for ZnO with sizes ranging from 50 nm to 300 nm while zirconia was formed by smaller particles (less than 50 nm). The main advantage of using the nanocomposite for photocatalytic degradation of phenol was the mineralization degree, since 75ZnO-ZrO2 nanocomposite surpassed mineralization reached by pure ZnO and also inhibited formation of undesirable intermediates.
Review of Recent Detection Methods for HTTP DDoS Attack
Authors: Jaafar Ghafar A. , Abdullah Shahidan M. , Ismail Saifuladli
Published: January 2019

With increment in dependency on web technology, a commensurate increase has been noted in destructive attempts to disrupt the essential web technologies, hence leading to service failures. Web servers that run on Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) are exposed to denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. A sophisticated version of this attack known as distributed denial of service (DDOS) is among the most dangerous Internet attacks, with the ability to overwhelm a web server, thereby slowing it down and potentially taking it down completely. This paper reviewed 12 recent detection of DDoS attack at the application layer published between January 2014 and December 2018. A summary of each detection method is summarised in table view, along with in-depth critical analysis, for future studies to conduct research pertaining to detection of HTTP DDoS attack.