bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liposuction Assisted Abdominoplasty: An Enhanced Abdominoplasty Technique
Authors: Brauman Daniel , van der Hulst Rene R. W. J. , van der Lei Berend
Published: October 2018

Background:

Combining liposuction with abdominoplasties was considered risky during the 1980s and 1990s due to reports of increased complications rates and the belief that liposuction posed a danger to flap circulation. However, the corresponding author’s intraoperative observations at that time, that liposuction preserved all but the smallest blood vessels, negated the prevailing opinions that liposuction increased the risk to flap circulation, and in October 1996, liposuction assisted abdominoplasty (LAA) was first performed. Thereafter, LAA was honed to become a lipoabdominoplasty technique—not merely a combination of liposuction and abdominoplasty, a technique that utilizes liposuction as a dissection tool—hydro- and lipo-dissection, to dissect free and separate the abdominal flap from the deep fascia. Enhanced flap excursion could be demonstrated intraoperatively by selectively transecting the skin retaining ligaments and limiting liposuction to the flap’s undersurface, created a vascular lining layer rich in anastomosing blood vessels that provided a rich blood supply to the flap, enabling increased flap excursion.

Methods:

Five ninety-three consecutive ambulatory LAAs with circumferential torso liposuction and other area liposuction are presented and the surgical technique is illustrated and discussed.

Results:

There were no serious adverse events, anesthesia complications, hospital transfers, no venous thromboembolism or postoperative respiratory complications in the 593 cases. Patient satisfaction was high, and the results compared favorably with abdominoplasty results published in the scientific literature.

Conclusions:

LAA is a safe and effective abdominoplasty technique. Extensive clinical experience with LAA suggests longer flap excursion and improved perfusion. It routinely incorporates circumferential torso and other areas liposuction and has commonly included buttock fat grafting.
No Difference in Return to Sport and Other Outcomes Between Operative and Nonoperative Treatment of Medial Epicondyle Fractures in Pediatric Upper-Extremity Athletes
Authors: Axibal Derek Paul , Carry Patrick , Skelton Anne , Mayer Stephanie Watson
Published: October 2018

Objective:

Compare outcomes of operative and nonoperatively managed medial epicondyle fractures in upper-extremity athletes.

Design:

Retrospective chart review and phone survey.

Setting:

Level 1, tertiary-referral pediatric hospital.

Patients:

Propensity scores (probability of operative treatment) were estimated from a logistic regression model that included sex, age, displacement, limb dominance, and injury severity (presence of an additional fracture, nerve injury, or elbow dislocation). These were used to match subjects in the operative group to the nonoperative group.

Main Outcome Measures:

Return to sport, duration of time required to return to sport, pain, range of motion (ROM), need for physical therapy, and complications were recorded for both groups.

Results:

Twenty-eight nonoperative subjects were matched to 14 operative subjects. There was no significant difference in the proportion of subjects who returned to the same sport (92.9% in each group), performance at preinjury level of competition, or median time to return to play (P = 0.7106). There was no significant difference in functional limitations in social-/work-related activities (P > 0.9999), pain in the past 30 days (P = 0.0640), need for physical therapy (P = 0.5680), ROM limitations (P = 0.0988), difficulty in sleeping (P = 0.4773), or complications (P = 0.4081).

Conclusions:

Our study found no statistical difference in outcomes or complications between operative and nonoperatively treated moderately displaced medial epicondyle fractures in adolescent upper-extremity athletes. Our data show that similar outcomes may be achieved with both treatment groups for medial epicondyle fractures in upper-extremity athletes.
Peripheral Vestibular Disorders: An Epidemiologic Survey in 70 Million Individuals
Authors: Hülse Roland , Biesdorf Andreas , Hörmann Karl , Stuck Boris , Erhart Michael , Hülse Manfred , Wenzel Angela
Published: October 2018

Background:

Dizziness is a common complaint in medicine. Nevertheless, there is a lack of valid data concerning the age and gender distribution of dizziness disorders within a larger population. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to undertake a representative epidemiological survey that examines all age groups of an entire population and describes the age and gender distribution of the most common peripheral vestibular disorders.

Methods:

A population-based epidemiological survey based on confirmed ICD-10 codes, of an entire national population was performed. The population-based data of 70,315,919 patients were leveraged, as provided by 123 statutory health insurance companies in Germany. Patients of all age groups were analyzed. Outcome measures were age and gender distribution and the prevalence of unspecific vertigo, Meniere's disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, vestibular neuritis, and other peripheral vestibular disorders.

Results:

The prevalence among the recorded diagnoses was 6.5% (6,461/100,000 individuals), with women (N = 2,973,323; 65.4%) being significantly more frequently affected by vertigo than men (N = 1,570,240; 34.6%; p < 0.001). Vertigo is rare in childhood (i.e., up to 10–14 yr of age). Subsequently, the prevalence of the analyzed diseases increases with age, up to a peak between 74 and 94 years.

Conclusions:

The results demonstrate that peripheral vestibular disorders are common in a developed country, across all age groups and a specific distribution of these disorders can be identified for every age group and gender. The impact of these disorders on the German healthcare system is currently underestimated.
Cochlear Implantation in Chronic Otitis Media: Investigation of Long-term Speech Comprehension and Rate of Complications
Authors: Rak Kristen , Völker Johannes , Schendzielorz Philipp , Kaulitz Stefan , Steinbach Julia , Shehata-Dieler Wafaa , Schraven Sebastian P. , Mlynski Robert , Radeloff Andreas , Hagen Rudolf
Published: October 2018

Objective:

To analyze the long-term speech comprehension and rate of complications of cochlear implantation in chronic otitis media.

Study Design:

Retrospective data analysis.

Setting:

Tertiary referral center with a large cochlear implant program.

Main Outcome Measure: Speech perception scores in quiet and background noise and rate of complications.

Patients:

Forty ears from a total of 38 patients with a mean age of 63.28 ± 2.16 years at the time of implantation were included.

Results:

Patients with a history of multiple ear surgeries, with no alternative option for hearing restoration than a cochlear implant, were implanted with satisfactory results in regard to speech comprehension. Preoperative bone conduction PTA4 correlated to postoperative speech comprehension scores in background noise. The rate of complications was low, but higher than in cases of cochlear implantation in normal middle ears.

Conclusion:

Cochlear implantation in chronic otitis media can be a satisfactory and safe procedure, if the surgery technique and aftercare is appropriate to the altered anatomy.
Parental Factors in Pediatric Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders
Authors: Zeevenhooven Judith , Rutten Juliette M.T.M. , van Dijk Marieke , Peeters Babette , Benninga Marc A.
Published: October 2018

Objectives:

Parental factors are suggested to play a role in pediatric irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional abdominal pain—not otherwise specified (FAP‐NOS) and may influence treatment. Since studies on parental factors mainly focus on mothers, this study aims to compare physical health, psychological distress, personality dimensions, and parenting behavior of both parents of children with IBS or FAP‐NOS to parents of controls.

Methods:

Parents of 91 children with IBS or FAP‐NOS were included in this explorative cross‐sectional cohort study. Parents of 74 age‐matched healthy children were used as controls. Questionnaires were used to measure demographics, physical health, psychological distress and symptoms, personality dimensions, and child‐rearing practices.

Results:

A total of 59 mothers and 52 fathers of 61 children with IBS/FAP‐NOS (response rate 61.0%) and 56 mothers and 49 fathers of 59 controls completed the study (response rate 70.9%). Mothers of children with IBS/FAP‐NOS reported more physical problems. Psychological distress and symptoms, personality dimensions, and child‐rearing practices did not differ between mothers of both groups. Fathers of children with IBS/FAP‐NOS had significantly lower scores on the child‐rearing practice subscale of ignoring of unwanted behavior. In the IBS/FAP‐NOS group, fathers were more depressed and less agreeable than mothers. No differences on all assessed outcomes were found between parents of children with IBS and children with FAP‐NOS.

Conclusions:

Mothers of children with IBS/FAP‐NOS and healthy peers differ with respect to physical health. Fathers in both groups differ with respect to child‐rearing style. Clinicians should be aware of these differences when treating children with these disorders.
Stepping Activity in Children With Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy
Authors: Hayes Heather A. , Dibella Deanna , Crockett Rebecca , Dixon Melissa , Butterfield Russel J. , Johnson Nicholas E.
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical activity levels in children with congenital myotonic dystrophy (CDM), and to examine whether patient clinical and functional characteristics correlated to physical activity.

Methods:

Twenty-five children with CDM were assessed on functional measures, clinical measures, and physical activity levels.

Results:

Results support that children with CDM spend the majority of their time inactive. There was a negative correlation between inactivity and cytosine-thymine-guanine repeats, suggesting increased inactivity with increased CDM severity. Age, body mass index, and lean muscle mass may be factors influencing activity levels.

Conclusions:

Children in this study received one-third the recommended steps per day. The number of steps per day is not correlated with clinical measures.
Physical Therapy Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis: A 2018 Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline From the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy
Authors: Kaplan Sandra L. , Coulter Colleen , Sargent Barbara
Published: October 2018

Background:

Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is a postural deformity evident shortly after birth, typically characterized by lateral flexion/side bending of the head to one side and cervical rotation/head turning to the opposite side due to unilateral shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle; it may be accompanied by other neurological or musculoskeletal conditions. Infants with CMT should be referred to physical therapists to treat these postural asymmetries as soon as they are identified.

Purpose:

This update of the 2013 CMT clinical practice guideline (CPG) informs clinicians and families as to whom to monitor, treat, and/or refer and when and what to treat. It links 17 action statements with explicit levels of critically appraised evidence and expert opinion with recommendations on implementation of the CMT CPG into practice.

Results/Conclusions:

The CPG addresses the following: education for prevention; referral; screening; examination and evaluation; prognosis; first-choice and supplemental interventions; consultation; discontinuation from direct intervention; reassessment and discharge; implementation and compliance audits; and research recommendations. Flow sheets for referral paths and classification of CMT severity have been updated.
Association of Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 (FGF-23) With Incident Frailty in HIV-Infected and HIV-Uninfected Individuals
Authors: Wang Ruibin , Shlipak Michael G. , Ix Joachim H. , Brown Todd T. , Jacobson Lisa P. , Palella Frank J. , Lake Jordan E. , Koletar Susan L. , Semba Richard D. , Estrella Michelle M.
Published: October 2018

Background:

In the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, we examined whether fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), a bone-derived phosphaturic hormone involved in bone metabolism, is associated with incident frailty. Furthermore, we examined whether this association differs by HIV serostatus and race.

Methods:

Of 715 men assessed for frailty and selected for FGF-23 measurements using stored blood samples (2007–2011), 512 men were nonfrail at/before the baseline visit. Frailty was defined by the presence of ≥3 of the following on 2 consecutive 6-month visits within 1 year: unintentional weight loss ≥10 pounds, weakness, slowness, low energy, and low physical activity. We determined the association of FGF-23 levels with incident frailty using proportional hazards models adjusting for sociodemographics, comorbidities, and kidney function.

Results:

Sixty-five percent were HIV-infected; 29% were black. Median baseline FGF-23 levels were lower in HIV-infected vs. HIV-uninfected men (33.7 vs. 39.9 rU/mL, P = 0.006) but similar by race. During a median follow-up of 6.6 years, 32 men developed frailty; they had higher baseline FGF-23 levels vs. men who remained nonfrail (45 vs. 36 rU/mL, P = 0.02). FGF-23 (per doubling) was associated with a 1.63-fold risk of frailty [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19 to 2.23]; results did not differ by HIV serostatus. Conversely, FGF-23 was associated with a 2.72-fold risk of frailty among blacks (95% CI: 1.51 to 4.91) but had minimal association among nonblacks (hazard ratio = 1.26, 95% CI: 0.77 to 2.05; p-interaction = 0.024).

Conclusions:

Among men with or at-risk of HIV infection, higher FGF-23 was associated with greater risk of frailty, particularly in blacks. The mechanisms by which FGF-23 may contribute to frailty warrant further study.
Impact of an HIV Care Coordination Program on Durable Viral Suppression
Authors: Robertson McKaylee M. , Penrose Kate , Irvine Mary K. , Robbins Rebekkah S. , Kulkarni Sarah , Braunstein Sarah L. , Waldron Levi , Harriman Graham , Nash Denis
Published: October 2018

Background:

To assess long-term effectiveness of an intensive and comprehensive Ryan White Part A-funded HIV Care Coordination Program recruiting people living with HIV with a history of suboptimal HIV care outcomes.

Methods:

We merged programmatic data on CCP clients with surveillance data on all adults diagnosed with HIV. Using propensity score matching, we identified a contemporaneous, non–CCP-exposed comparison group. Durable viral suppression (DVS) was defined as regular viral load (VL) monitoring and all VLs ≤200 copies per milliliter in months 13–36 of follow-up.

Results:

Ninety percent of the combined cohort (N = 12,414) had ≥1 VL ≤200 during the follow-up period (December 1, 2009–March 31, 2016), and nearly all had routine VL monitoring, but only 36.8% had DVS. Although DVS did not differ overall (relative risk: 0.99, 95% confidence interval: 0.95 to 1.03), CCP clients without any VL suppression (VLS) in the 12-month pre-enrollment showed higher DVS versus “usual care” recipients (21.3% versus 18.4%; relative risk: 1.16, 95% confidence interval: 1.04 to 1.29).

Conclusions:

Enrollment in an intensive intervention modestly improved DVS among those unsuppressed before CCP enrollment. This program shows promise for meeting treatment-as-prevention goals and advancing progress along the HIV care continuum, if people without evidence of VLS are prioritized for CCP enrollment over those with recent evidence of VLS. Low overall DVS (<40%) levels underscore a need for focused adherence maintenance interventions, in a context of high treatment access.
Establishing the first Hartford consensus-compliant medical school in the United States
Authors: Fridling Jeremy , Van Cott Christine , Violano Pina , Jacobs Lenworth
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

Following the Hartford Consensus meetings, the Stop the Bleed Campaign was created to reduce the prevalence of death from exsanguination in the case of traumatic hemorrhage. The campaign revolves around providing hemorrhage control training to members of the public and increasing public access to hemorrhage control equipment. To our knowledge, no medical school has established a self-sustaining Stop the Bleed program to train their students and faculty as well as made hemorrhage control equipment available for use in an emergency.

METHODS

Bleeding control classes were offered at the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine beginning in January 2018. A proposal was made to the medical school's Council on Curriculum Oversight in May 2018 to incorporate the training as part of the required curriculum for first-year students. A second proposal was made to Quinnipiac University’s Emergency Management Team in June 2018 to purchase hemorrhage control equipment.

RESULTS

Twelve bleeding control courses were held between January and August 2018. Two hundred ten medical students, 19 faculty members, and 36 public safety officers completed initial training. Thirty-four medical students, two faculty members, and two public safety officers became certified instructors. Training was incorporated into the first-year curriculum to be taught by certified second-year students under the direction of the school’s Department of Surgery. The school purchased approved training equipment. A student-coordinator position was created in the Surgery Interest Group. Hemorrhage control equipment was purchased for each public safety officer, patrol vehicles, and for the Central Dispatch headquarters. Public-access equipment has been purchased for each Automated External Defibrillator cabinet at the medical school.

CONCLUSION

The School of Medicine community has been empowered with the ability to save lives. Students and faculty have been trained in life-saving skills, a self-sustaining training process has been created, and equipment has been purchased for hemorrhage control efforts.
Emergence of robust nucleosome patterns from an interplay of positioning mechanisms
Authors: Nuebler Johannes , Wolff Michael , Obermayer Benedikt , Möbius Wolfram , Gerland Ulrich
Published: October 2018

Proper positioning of nucleosomes in eukaryotic cells is determined by a complex interplay of factors, including nucleosome-nucleosome interactions, DNA sequence, and active chromatin remodeling. Yet, characteristic features of nucleosome positioning, such as gene-averaged nucleosome patterns, are surprisingly robust across perturbations, conditions, and species. Here, we explore how this robustness arises despite the underlying complexity. We leverage mathematical models to show that a large class of positioning mechanisms merely affects the quantitative characteristics of qualitatively robust positioning patterns. We demonstrate how statistical positioning emerges as an effective description from the complex interplay of different positioning mechanisms, which ultimately only renormalize the model parameter quantifying the effective softness of nucleosomes. This renormalization can be species-specific, rationalizing a puzzling discrepancy between the effective nucleosome softness of S. pombe and S. cerevisiae. More generally, we establish a quantitative framework for dissecting the interplay of different nucleosome positioning determinants.
Dppa2 and Dppa4 directly regulate the Dux driven zygotic transcriptional programme
Authors: Eckersley-Maslin Mélanie , Alda-Catalinas Celia , Blotenburg Marloes , Kreibich Elisa , Krueger Christel , Reik Wolf
Published: October 2018

The molecular regulation of zygotic genome activation (ZGA) in mammals remains poorly understood. Primed mouse embryonic stem cells contain a rare subset of “2C-like” cells that are epigenetically and transcriptionally similar to the two cell embryo and thus represent an ideal system for studying ZGA transcription regulation. Recently, the transcription factor Dux, expressed exclusively in the minor wave of ZGA, was described to activate many downstream ZGA transcripts. However, it remains unknown what upstream maternal factors initiate ZGA either in a Dux dependent or independent manner. Here we performed a candidate-based overexpression screen, identifying, amongst others, Developmental Pluripotency Associated 2 (Dppa2) and 4 (Dppa4) as positive regulators of 2C-like cells and ZGA transcription. In the germ line, promoter DNA demethylation coincides with upregulation of Dppa2 and Dppa4 which remain expressed until E7.5 when their promoters are remethylated. Furthermore, Dppa2 and Dppa4 are also expressed during iPSC reprogramming at the time 2C-like ZGA transcription transiently peaks. Through a combination of overexpression, knockdown, knockout and rescue experiments, together with transcriptional analyses, we show that Dppa2 and Dppa4 directly regulate the 2C-like cell population and associated transcripts, including Dux and the Zscan4 cluster. Importantly, we tease apart the molecular hierarchy in which the 2C-like transcriptional programme is initiated and stabilised. Dppa2 and Dppa4 require Dux to initiate 2C-like ZGA transcription, suggesting they act upstream by directly regulating Dux. Supporting this, ChIP-seq analysis revealed Dppa2 and Dppa4 bind to the Dux promoter and gene body and drive its expression. Zscan4c is also able to induce 2C-like cells in wild type cells, but, in contrast to Dux, can no longer do so in Dppa2/4 double knockout cells, suggesting it may act to stabilise rather than drive the transcriptional network. Our findings suggest a model in which Dppa2/4 binding to the Dux promoter leads to Dux upregulation and activation of the 2C-like transcriptional programme which is subsequently reinforced by Zscan4c.
Aberrant PARP1 Activity Couples DNA Breaks to Deregulated Presynaptic Calcium Signalling and Lethal Seizures
Authors: Komulainen Emilia , Badman Jack , Rey Stephanie , Rulten Stuart , Ju Limei , Fennell Kate , McKinnon Peter J. , Staras Kevin , Caldecott Keith W
Published: October 2018

Defects in DNA single-strand break repair result in cerebellar ataxia which inXrcc1Nes-Cremice is promoted by hyperactivity of the DNA strand break sensor protein, Parp1. Here, we show that Parp1 hyperactivity extends beyond the cerebellum in Xrcc1-defective brain, resulting in lethal seizures and shortened lifespan. We demonstrate that aberrant Parp1 activation triggers seizure-like activity in Xrcc1-defective hippocampusex vivoand aberrant presynaptic calcium signalling in isolated hippocampal neuronsin vitro.Moreover, we show that these defects are prevented by Parp1 inhibition and/or deletion. Collectively, these data identify aberrant Parp1 activity at unrepaired DNA breaks as a cell-autonomous source of deregulated presynaptic calcium signalling, and highlight PARP inhibition as a possible therapeutic approach inXRCC1-mutated neurodegenerative disease.

PARP1 activity and presynaptic Ca2+signalling
NanoJ: a high-performance open-source super-resolution microscopy toolbox
Authors: Laine Romain F. , Tosheva Kalina L. , Gustafsson Nils , Gray Robert D. M. , Almada Pedro , Albrecht David , Risa Gabriel T. , Hurtig Fredrik , Lindås Ann-Christin , Baum Buzz , Mercer Jason , Leterrier Christophe , Pereira Pedro M. , Culley Siân , Henriques Ricardo
Published: October 2018

Super-resolution microscopy has become essential for the study of nanoscale biological processes. This type of imaging often requires the use of specialised image analysis tools to process a large volume of recorded data and extract quantitative information. In recent years, our team has built an open-source image analysis framework for super-resolution microscopy designed to combine high performance and ease of use. We named it NanoJ - a reference to the popular ImageJ software it was de-veloped for. In this paper, we highlight the current capabilities of NanoJ for several essential processing steps: spatio-temporal alignment of raw data (NanoJ-Core), super-resolution image re-construction (NanoJ-SRRF), image quality assessment (NanoJ-SQUIRREL), structural modelling (NanoJ-VirusMapper) and control of the sample environment (NanoJ-Fluidics). We expect to expand NanoJ in the future through the development of new tools designed to improve quantitative data analysis and measure the reliability of fluorescent microscopy studies.
Reversal of microRNA-blocked tumor suppressors by biphenyldicarboxylate impedes endotoxin-induced hepatic hyperplasia
Authors: Tan Li-Li , Chen Dong-Mei , Song Jian-Ping , Xu Qin , Li Chang-Qing , Zeng Qing-Ping
Published: October 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumor and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Biphenyldicarboxylate (BPDC), an intermediate of schisandrin C fromSchisandra chinensis, has been used as a hepatoprotective agent that compromises hepatic injuries in China for decades. Whether BPDC is also implicated in the prevention of HCC remains understood. Here, we report that the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) promotes hepatic inflammation and hyperplasia, during which the common tumor markers, alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), were unregulated, whereas the tumor suppressors, PTEN, FOXO1 and MEN1, were downregulated through increasing the microRNAs, miR-21, miR-122 and miR-24. In contrast, BPDC dampened hepatic inflammation and hyperplasia accompanied by the upregulation of PTEN, FOXO1 and MEN1 through decreasing miR-21, miR-122 and miR-24. However, BPDC failed to downregulate the tumor marker AEG-1 via increasing miR-195. Taken together, BPDC exerts anti-tumor effects by upregulating tumor suppressors upon decreases of miRNAs rather than downregulating tumor markers by increases of miRNAs.
Intention to learn differentially affects subprocesses of procedural learning and consolidation: Evidence from a probabilistic sequence learning task
Authors: Horváth Kata , Török Csenge , Pesthy Orsolya , Nemeth Dezso , Janacsek Karolina
Published: October 2018

Procedural memory facilitates the efficient processing of complex environmental stimuli and contributes to the acquisition of automatic behaviours and habits. Learning can occur intentionally or incidentally, yet, how the mode of learning affects procedural memory is still poorly understood. Importantly, procedural memory is a complex cognitive function composed of different subprocesses, including the acquisition and consolidation of statistical, frequency-based and sequential, order-based knowledge. Therefore, we tested how statistical and sequence knowledge develops during incidental versus intentional procedural memory formation and during consolidation. Seventy-four young adults performed either the uncued, incidental (N = 37) or the cued, intentional (N = 37) version of a probabilistic sequence learning task. Performance was retested after a 12-hour offline period, enabling us to test the effect of sleep on consolidation; therefore, half of the participants slept during the delay, while the other half had normal daily activity (PM-AM versus AM-PM design). The mode of learning (incidental versus intentional) had no effect on the acquisition of statistical knowledge, while intention to learn increased sequence learning performance. Consolidation was not affected by intention to learn: Both statistical and sequence knowledge was retained over the 12-hour delay, irrespective of the mode of learning and whether the delay included sleep or wake activity. These results suggest a time-dependent instead of sleep-dependent consolidation of both statistical and sequence knowledge. Our findings could contribute to a better understanding of how the mode of learning (intentional or incidental) affects procedural memory formation and consolidation.
Morphology, geographic distribution, and host preferences are poor predictors of phylogenetic relatedness in the mistletoe genus Viscum L
Authors: Maul Karola , Krug Michael , Nickrent Daniel L. , Müller Kai F. , Quandt Dietmar , Wicke Susann
Published: October 2018

Besides their alleged therapeutic effects, mistletoes of the genus Viscum L. (Viscaceae) are keystone species in many ecosystems across Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia because of their complex faunal interactions. We here reconstructed the evolutionary history of Viscum based on plastid and nuclear DNA sequence data. We obtained a highly resolved phylogenetic tree with ten well-supported clades, which we used to understand the spatio-temporal evolution of these aerial parasites and evaluate the contribution of reproductive switches and shifts in host ranges to their distribution and diversification. The genus Viscum originated in the early Eocene in Africa and appeared to have diversified mainly through geographic isolation, in several cases apparently coinciding with shifts in host preferences. During its evolution, switches in the reproductive mode from ancestral dioecy to monoecy imply an important role in the long-distance dispersal of the parasites from Africa to continental Asia and Australia. We also observed multiple cases of photosynthetic surface reduction (evolution of scale leaves) within the genus, probably indicative of increasing specialization associated with the parasitic lifestyle. Even compared with other parasitic angiosperms, where more host generalists than specialists exist, Viscum species are characterized by extraordinarily broad host ranges. Specialization on only a few hosts from a single family or order occurs rarely and is restricted mostly to very recently evolved lineages. The latter mostly derive from or are closely related to generalist parasites, implying that niche shifting to a new host represents an at least temporary evolutionary advantage in Viscum.
Histone deacetylase activity is required for Botrylloides leachii whole body regeneration
Authors: Zondag Lisa , Clarke Rebecca , Wilson Megan J
Published: October 2018

The colonial tunicate Botrylloides leachii is exceptional at regenerating from a piece of vascular tunic after loss of all adults from the colony. Previous transcriptome analyses indicate a brief period of healing before regeneration of a new adult (zooid) in as little as 8–10 days. However, there is little understanding of how the resulting changes to gene expression, required to drive regeneration, are initiated and how the overall process is regulated. Rapid changes to gene expression often occur in response to chromatin changes, mediated by histone modifications such as histone acetylation. Here, we investigated a group of key epigenetic modifiers, histone deacetylases (HDAC) that are known to play an important role in many biological processes such as development, healing and regeneration.

Through our transcriptome data, we identified and quantified the expression levels of HDAC and histone acetyltransferase (HAT) enzymes during whole body regeneration (WBR). To determine if HDAC activity is required for WBR, we inhibited its action using valproic acid (VPA) and Trichostatin A (TSA). HDAC inhibition prevented the final morphological changes normally associated with WBR and resulted in aberrant gene expression. B. leachii genes including Slit2, TGF-□, Piwi and Fzd4 all showed altered gene expression upon HDAC inhibition in comparison to the control samples. Additionally, atypical expression of Bl_Piwi was found in immunocytes upon HDAC inhibition.

Together, these results show that HDAC function, specifically HDAC I/IIa class enzymes, are vital for B. leachii to undergo WBR successfully.
Strong diffusional coupling between spines and dendrites promotes long-term potentiation of Schaffer collateral synapses
Authors: Yin Shuting , Schulze Christian , Oertner Thomas G.
Published: October 2018

Dendritic spines on CA1 pyramidal cells are highly variable in size and shape. For some spine synapses, long and narrow spine necks provide strong diffusional and electrical isolation from the main dendrite, and it has been speculated that synapses on well isolated spines could be more plastic than synapses on spines with low resistance necks. Here we test this hypothesis by first measuring the diffusional resistance of spine necks, then pairing two-photon glutamate uncaging with bursts of back-propagating action potentials. Paired stimulation induced significant (155%) long-term potentiation (LTP) of synapses on weakly isolated spines, but no net functional change of synapses on highly isolated spines. No correlation was found between spine head volume and functional plasticity of the synapses. We conclude that contrary to our expectations, diffusional isolation makes potentiation of synapses more difficult. Our results support the concept that delivery of plasticity-related proteins from the dendrite into the spine is a limiting factor for LTP.
Heterotypic inter-GPCR ß-arrestin coupling regulates lymphatic endothelial junctional architecture in murine lymph nodes
Authors: Hisano Yu , Kono Mari , Engelbrecht Eric , Kawakami Koki , Yanagida Keisuke , Cartier Andreane , Galvani Sylvain , Kuo Andrew , Ono Yuki , Ishida Satoru , Aoki Junken , Proia Richard L. , Inoue Asuka , Hla Timothy
Published: October 2018

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) activate G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to regulate key pathobiological processes. Here we report a novel lipid mediator GPCR cross-talk mechanism that modulates lymphatic endothelial junctional architecture in lymph nodes. LPAR1 was identified as an inducer of S1PR1/ ß-arrestin coupling from a genome-wide CRISPR/ Cas9 transcriptional activation screen. LPAR1 activation induced S1PR1 ß-arrestin recruitment while suppressing Gαi protein signaling. Lymphatic endothelial cells from cortical and medullary sinuses of lymph nodes which express LPAR1 and S1PR1, exhibit porous junctional architecture and constitutive S1PR1 coupling to ß-arrestin which was suppressed by the LPAR1 antagonist AM095. In endothelial cells, LPAR1-activation increased trans-endothelial permeability and junctional remodeling from zipper-like structures to puncta of adhesion plaques that terminate at actin-rich stress fibers with abundant intercellular gaps. Cross-talk between LPA and S1P receptors regulates complex junctional architecture of lymphatic sinus endothelial cells, a site of high lymphocyte traffic and lymph flow.
Chromatin conformation and transcriptional activity are permissive regulators of DNA replication initiation in Drosophila
Authors: Armstrong Robin L. , Penke Taylor J.R. , Strahl Brian D. , Matera A. Gregory , McKay Daniel J. , MacAlpine David M. , Duronio Robert J.
Published: October 2018

Chromatin structure has emerged as a key contributor to spatial and temporal control over the initiation of DNA replication. However, despite genome-wide correlations between early replication of gene-rich, accessible euchromatin and late replication of gene-poor, inaccessible heterochromatin, a causal relationship between chromatin structure and replication initiation remains elusive. Here, we combined histone gene engineering and whole-genome sequencing in Drosophila to determine how perturbing chromatin structure affects replication initiation. We found that most pericentric heterochromatin remains late replicating in H3K9R mutants, even though H3K9R pericentric heterochromatin is depleted of HP1a, more accessible, and transcriptionally active. These data indicate that HP1a loss, increased chromatin accessibility, and elevated transcription do not result in early replication of heterochromatin. Nevertheless, a small amount of pericentric heterochromatin with increased accessibility replicates earlier in H3K9R mutants. Transcription is de-repressed in these regions of advanced replication but not in those regions of the H3K9R mutant genome that replicate later, suggesting that transcriptional repression may contribute to late replication. We also explored relationships among chromatin, transcription, and replication in euchromatin by analyzing H4K16R mutants. In Drosophila, the X Chromosome gene expression is up-regulated twofold and replicates earlier in XY males than it does in XX females. We found that H4K16R mutation prevents normal male development and abrogates hyperexpression and earlier replication of the male X, consistent with previously established genome-wide correlations between transcription and early replication. In contrast, H4K16R females are viable and fertile, indicating that H4K16 modification is dispensable for genome replication and gene expression.
Innovative exploration of safe in-flightcrew escape options
Authors: Karunakaran Sreedhar
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore various in-flight crew escape options of a prototype transport aircraft and finalize the option offering safest crew egress for different combinations of contingencies and flight conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Various egress options were explored through simulation in a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software using aircraft 3D CAD model and scalable digital mannequins. For this, certain important contingencies which best describe the extreme aircraft behaviour were identified. Crew escape options, which have least external interference in expected egress trajectory, were selected. Several test simulations representing each feasible combination of contingency, escape option and flight condition were simulated. The option which offers safe crew escape in each test case is deemed to be the safest egress option for the test aircraft.

Findings

Among five options explored, crew escape through forward ventral hatch provided the safest crew escape for all test cases. The selected option was validated for robustness with additional test cases modelling different anthropometric characteristics of 5th and 50th percentile pilot populations with different postures.

Originality/value

In-flight validation of safe crew escape option is infeasible by actual trial. Exploration of safe crew options for required number of test cases by any analytical method or by wind tunnels tests is tedious, time consuming and extremely expensive. On the other hand, exploration of safest crew option by CFD, besides being first of its kind, provides convenient option to configure, test and validate different test cases with unmatched benefits in time, cost and simplicity.
Economic sustainability of green buildings: a comparative analysis of green vs non-green
Authors: Weerasinghe Achini Shanika , Ramachandra Thanuja
Published: October 2018

Purpose

In Sri Lanka, a limited number of buildings have been certified for incorporation of green features and the reasons are attributed to green building investors who continue to perceive that green buildings are expensive. Further, the green building investors fail to appreciate the subsequent benefits received by those buildings during the operational phase. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to compare the life cycle cost (LCC) of green certified industrial manufacturing buildings with a similar form of the conventional buildings to establish the economic sustainability of green buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involved a comparative case study analysis of two green buildings and a similar natured conventional building. The data required to perform the LCC analysis were extracted through documentary analysis.

Findings

The comparative analysis shows that the construction cost of a green industrial manufacturing building is 37 per cent higher than that of a similar natured conventional building while operation, maintenance and the end life cost of green buildings result in 28, 22 and 11 per cent savings, respectively. This results in an overall cost saving of 21 per cent in green buildings.

Originality/value

The current study provides an assessment of the total LCC of green industrial manufacturing buildings. In Sri Lanka, green industrial manufacturing buildings offer LCC saving of 21 per cent over its lifetime compared to similar natured conventional buildings. Thus, comparative analyses would enable green investors to make informed decisions before commissioning their investment in green facilities and thereby promote sustainable construction in Sri Lanka.
What does a start-up need to grow? An empirical approach for Italian innovative start-ups
Authors: Innocenti Niccolò , Zampi Vincenzo
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to capture the role of internal and external characteristics in favouring the growth of innovative start-ups at an early stage of their life.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical approach of this paper is based on an econometric analysis applied to all Italian innovative start-ups with four and five years of life. Growth is analysed after four and five years from the constitution, depending on internal investments in research and development (R&D), in tangible assets and on characteristics external to the firm (110 Italian provinces) related to industrial variety, specialisation, public investments in R&D, etc.

Findings

The results achieved in this study reveal the importance of internal R&D investment even though there is missing evidence on the relevance of general and government specific R&D investment in the area. Other interesting results concern the importance of the firm’s involvement in the technological specialisation of the area and the need for general variety in technological diversification in the area to favour the growth of start-ups.

Practical implications

The results imply that entrepreneurs should evaluate carefully their strategic choices in terms of the location of the start-up and the investment in R&D as these could be important factors for the firm’s growth.

Originality/value

This paper is an original attempt to measure the importance of both internal and external characteristics for the growth of start-ups. Moreover, the analysis covers the overall population of a new interesting category of firm, the innovative start-up.
Renewable energy investments with storage: a risk-return analysis
Authors: Krömer Sarah , Gatzert Nadine
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study investments in renewable energy projects which are jointly operated with an energy storage system, with particular focus on risk-return characteristics from the perspective of private and institutional investors, taking into account resource risk, energy price risk, inflation risk and policy risk.

Design/methodology/approach

To this end, this paper presents a stochastic discounted cash flow model which is then applied to a wind farm with a pumped hydro storage system.

Findings

The results show that energy storage systems have the potential to increase the expected present value of future investment cash flows and to hedge (downside) risk. However, to realize this potential, storage systems have to be cost-effective in terms of fixed operation, maintenance, staffing and insurance costs. Also, several key factors are identified which have a considerable influence on the performance of the operation strategy.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature by conducting an analysis of (downside) risk and return of renewable energy investments with a storage system taking into account stochastic policy, resource, inflation and energy price risk.
Misty consensus, messy dissensus: paradoxes of the Brazilian innovation policies
Authors: Cavalcante Luiz Ricardo
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that the wide acknowledgement of the association between innovation and economic and social development and of the importance of innovation policies has formed a kind of “misty consensus” hardly contested in Brazil. However, the innovation policies adopted in the country lack an institutional framework to support their implementation, marking what is called in this paper a “messy dissensus”.

Design/methodology/approach

It is argued that the reasons why the science, technology and innovation (ST&I) policies have failed to contribute more effectively increasing Brazilian technological efforts have less to do with the policies themselves and more to do with their detachment from the institutional framework used to implement them.

Findings

It is shown that this institutional framework: (i) is barely adherent to the perception of the systemic nature of the innovation process; (ii) does not create enough incentives for bureaucrats in public institutions to allocate resources in the industrial sector; (iii) encourages the pulverization of resources and the consequent loss of focus, which may reduce the efficiency of the adopted policies; (iv) encourages the replication of models and priorities usually adopted in contexts that fail to match the Brazilian reality.

Originality/value

In this paper, the focus is on the obstacles that undermine the potential of ST&I policies to contribute more effectively to the improvement of the Brazilian innovation indicators. It is argued that these obstacles have less to do with the innovation policies themselves and more to do with their detachment from the institutional framework used to implement them. This institutional framework includes not only the formal and legal rules but also informal social norms that govern individual behavior and structure social interactions.
How stage theorizing can improve recommendations against phishing attacks
Authors: Tambe Ebot Alain
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Phishing remains a major cybersecurity problem. Mainly adopting variance approaches, researchers have suggested several recommendations to help users avoid being victimized in phishing attacks. However, the evidence suggests that anti-phishing recommendations are not very effective. The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to analyze why the existing anti-phishing recommendations may not be very effective; second, to propose stage theorizing as an additional approach for studying phishing that can contribute toward more effective recommendations; and third, to demonstrate using a stage theory, how IS researchers can utilize the concept of stages in phishing research.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on findings from previous empirical phishing research to assess whether the reasons why people are victimized in phishing attacks can be categorized into stages. The criteria for stages of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) are used as an example.

Findings

Analysis indicates support for the existence of stages of phishing victims. The criteria for stages of the TTM were applied to the reasons that subjects in previous studies gave for clicking on phishing links and to the anti-phishing recommendations proposed in previous studies. There was overall support for four of the five criteria of the TTM. The results from the current study indicate that a targeted approach is a better approach to proposing anti-phishing recommendations.

Practical implications

The analysis identified the stages of phishing victims and the processes of change for each stage. It is suggested that recommendations against phishing should target individuals based on their resident stages. Moreover, the processes of change should be applied to the correct stage for the recommendations to be effective.

Originality/value

From a phishing perspective, there is a lack of research based on stage theorizing. The current study presents stage theorizing as an additional approach to the existing approaches and demonstrates how a stage theory can be used to make more effective recommendations against phishing. The study has thrown light on the benefits of stage theorizing and how its approach to targeted recommendations can be useful in IS security research.