bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal changes in the incidence and predictors of severe hypoglycaemia in type 2 diabetes: The Fremantle Diabetes Study
Authors: Davis Timothy M. E. , Bruce David G. , Finn Judith , Curtis Bradley H. , Barraclough Helen , Davis Wendy A.
Published: October 2018

Aim

To determine the incidence of severe hypoglycaemia and its predictors in community‐based patients with type 2 diabetes studied between 2008 and 2013 compared with those in a cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes from the same geographical area assessed a decade earlier.

Methods

We studied 1551 participants (mean age 65.7 years, 51.9% men) with type 2 diabetes from the longitudinal observational Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II (FDS2). Severe hypoglycaemia was ascertained as that requiring ambulance attendance, emergency department services and/or hospitalization. Cox proportional hazards modelling was used to determine predictors of a first episode of severe hypoglycaemia, and negative binomial regression was used to identify predictors of frequency.

Results

Sixty‐three participants (4.1%) experienced 83 episodes, representing an incidence of 1.34/100 participant‐years (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08 to 1.67; vs 1.67/100 participant‐years [95% CI 1.31‐2.13] in the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase I [FDS1]; P = 0.18). Those experiencing severe hypoglycaemia experienced one to four episodes in both cohorts. The independent predictors of incident severe hypoglycaemia in the FDS2 were: older age; higher educational attainment; alcohol consumption; current smoking; sulphonylurea/insulin treatment; prior severe hypoglycaemia; renal impairment; and plasma N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP). The same variables except smoking were associated with frequency of severe hypoglycaemia. Most of these risk factors paralleled those in the FDS1, but current smoking and plasma NT‐proBNP were novel.

Conclusions

The incidence and frequency of severe hypoglycaemia did not change between the Fremantle Diabetes Study phases but novel risk factors, including plasma NT‐proBNP, were observed in the FDS2.
Demonstrating Success: Identity, Emotions, and Risk in the “Trianon Demonstration” in Melbourne
Authors: Andits Petra
Published: October 2018

This article reexamines the concept of successful outcome and its relation to collective social action. Specifically, it looks at a demonstration organized by Australian‐Hungarian community members in Melbourne, Australia, in 2005 that failed to meet any of its original goals, yet was nonetheless perceived as a success by participants. In order to make sense of this seeming disjuncture, I argue we need to understand the protest as a performance through which protestors’ emotional transformations were able to alter both the meaning and the content of the collective action. More specifically, I argue that the performance of identity and the perception of risk were key factors contributing to participants’ perception of the demonstration's success. Drawing on ethnographic data highlighting protestors’ experiences and interpretations, this article blends social movement literature on emotions and identity with theories on risk in order to rethink how we evaluate mobilization outcomes and participant perceptions.
Telic Attunements: Moods and Ultimate Values (Among Meditation Practitioners in the United States)
Authors: Mckay Francis
Published: October 2018

Moral anthropology has recently highlighted a variety of sine quibus non (virtue, freedom, evil, and so on) that are conceptually needed if anthropologists are to better understand morality. I add to this list the concept of “telos” and offer an account for how it features in the emotional lives of ethical subjects. Applying recent work in moral anthropology on ultimate values to a discussion of moods, I argue that moods disclose attunements to telic values, and do so in three key ways, namely, as attunements of absence, proximity, and fulfillment, what collectively I call “telic attunements.” I illustrate this through my own ethnographic research on the kinds of moods that turned up for a community of Shambhala Buddhist meditators, showing how meditation was used to move away from absence and toward fulfillment.
Blood, Sweat, and Tears: Making Sense of Senses in Expert Nursing
Authors: Ihlebæk Hanna Marie
Published: October 2018

In this article, I draw on material from an ethnographic and phenomenological study of knowledge and professionalism among registered nurses working in a cancer unit at a Norwegian hospital. During the study, the use of the senses stood out as an important skill in nurses’ work with patients. The question to be investigated in this article is how the nurses acquire and use sensory knowledge in their clinical work. Building on a notion of knowledge as situated, embodied, and sensory, and learning as embedded in doing, this article contributes to and expands on the study of sensory knowledge in two respects. First, it foregrounds the processes and practices in which sensory knowledge is actually formed and used at a microlevel. Second, it highlights how an ethnographic and phenomenological exploration of the acquisition and use of sensory knowledge can contribute new insights into how expertise is cultivated in everyday clinical practice.
2018 KLEIN LECTURE: INDIVIDUAL AND AGGREGATE LABOR SUPPLY IN HETEROGENEOUS AGENT ECONOMIES WITH INTENSIVE AND EXTENSIVE MARGINS
Authors: Chang Yongsung , Kim Sun‐Bin , Kwon Kyooho , Rogerson Richard
Published: October 2018

We study business cycle fluctuations in heterogeneous agent general equilibrium models featuring intensive and extensive margins of labor supply. A nonlinear mapping from time devoted to work to labor services generates operative extensive and intensive margins. Our model captures the salient features of the empirical distribution of hours worked, including how individuals transit within this distribution. We study how various specifications influence labor supply responses to aggregate technology shocks and find that abstracting from intensive margin adjustment can have large effects on the volatility of aggregate hours even if fluctuations along the intensive margin are small.
Perfect regular equilibrium
Authors: Jung Hanjoon Michael
Published: October 2018

We extend the solution concept of perfect Bayesian equilibrium to general games that allow a continuum of types and strategies. In finite games, a perfect Bayesian equilibrium is weakly consistent and a subgame perfect Nash equilibrium. In general games, however, it might not satisfy these criteria. To solve this problem, we revise the definition of perfect Bayesian equilibrium by replacing Bayes’ rule with regular conditional probability. The revised solution concept is referred to as perfect regular equilibrium. We present the conditions that ensure the existence of this equilibrium. Then we show that every perfect regular equilibrium is always weakly consistent and a subgame perfect Nash equilibrium, and is equivalent to a simple version of perfect Bayesian equilibrium in a finite game.
Why SNP rs227584 is associated with human BMD and fracture risk? A molecular and cellular study in bone cells
Authors: Zhou Xu , Qiu Ying‐Hua , He Pei , Jiang Fei , Wu Long‐Fei , Lu Xin , Lei Shu‐Feng , Deng Fei‐Yan
Published: October 2018

A large number of SNPs significant for osteoporosis (OP) had been identified by genome‐wide association studies. However, the underlying association mechanisms were largely unknown. From the perspective of protein phosphorylation, gene expression regulation, and bone cell activity, this study aims to illustrate association mechanisms for representative SNPs of interest.

We utilized public databases and bioinformatics tool to identify OP‐associated SNPs which potentially influence protein phosphorylation (phosSNPs). Associations with hip/spine BMD, as well as fracture risk, in human populations for one significant phosSNP, that is, rs227584 (major/minor allele: C/A, EAS population) located in C17orf53 gene, were suggested in prior meta‐analyses. Specifically, carriers of allele C had significant higher BMD and lower risk of low‐trauma fractures than carriers of A. We pursued to test the molecular and cellular functions of rs227584 in bone through osteoblastic cell culture and multiple assays.

We identified five phosSNPs significant for OP (P < 0.01). The osteoblastic cells, which was transfected with wild‐type C17orf53 (allele C at rs227584, P126), demonstrated specific interaction with NEK2 kinase, increased expression levels of osteoblastic genes significantly (OPN, OCN, COL1A1, P < 0.05), and promoted osteoblast growth and ALP activity, in contrast to those transfected with mutant C17orf53 (allele A at rs227584, T126).

In the light of the consistent evidences between the present functional study in human bone cells and the prior association studies in human populations, we conclude that the SNP rs227584, via altering protein‐kinase interaction, regulates osteoblastic gene expression, influences osteoblast growth and activity, hence to affect BMD and fracture risk in humans.
Comparison of minimally invasive coronally advanced flap and modified coronally advanced flap for the management of multiple adjacent gingival recession defects: A split mouth randomized control trial
Authors: Rajendran Valliammai , Uppoor Ashita , Kadakampally David , Mannava Yamini
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Various minimally invasive surgical approaches are proposed for the management of gingival recession. A modified surgical approach coined as minimally invasive coronally advanced flap (MICAF) was compared with modified coronally advanced flap (MCAF) for the management of multiple adjacent gingival recession defects.

Materials and methods

Seven systemically healthy subjects with bilateral multiple adjacent maxillary facial gingival recession defects (Miller I) were included in this study. In each patient, MICAF performed on one side and on the other side MCAF was performed. Comparisons of the surgical sites were made with clinical measurements at 6 months follow‐up.

Results

No statistically significant differences were observed between MICAF and MCAF sites in the change in gingival recession depth, gingival recession width, clinical attachment level, width of the keratinized tissue, mean, and complete root coverage after 6 months. However, patient reported outcomes of esthetics and postoperative morbidity were statistically significant (P <0.001) between the MICAF and the MCAF sides with better results in the MICAF side.

Conclusions

Within the confines of this study, the results depicted that MICAF is more patient‐friendly procedure with better patient acceptance. Further, long‐term studies with more sample sizes are needed for a stronger evidence base.

Clinical Significance

Miller Class I gingival recessions can be treated with the MICAF with successful clinical outcomes and patient acceptance. This paper reports the clinical and patient reported outcomes of the MICAF and the MCAF.
Two New Marine Species of Placopus (Vampyrellida, Rhizaria) That Perforate the Theca of Tetraselmis (Chlorodendrales, Viridiplantae)
Authors: More Kiran , Simpson Alastair G.B. , Hess Sebastian
Published: October 2018

Vampyrellids (Vampyrellida, Rhizaria) are a major group of predatory amoebae known primarily from freshwater and soil. Environmental sequence data indicate that there is also a considerable diversity of vampyrellids inhabiting marine ecosystems, but their phenotypic traits and ecology remain largely unexplored. We discovered algivorous vampyrellids of the filoflabellate morphotype in coastal habitats in Atlantic Canada, established cultures by single‐cell isolation, and characterised three strains using light microscopy, SSU rRNA gene sequencing, feeding experiments and growth experiments at various salinities. These strains exhibit orange, discoid trophozoites with ventral filopodia, moving granules (“membranosomes”), and rolling locomotion, similar to freshwater species previously assigned to Hyalodiscus Hertwig & Lesser, but here moved to Placopus Schulze (due to homonymy with Hyalodiscus Ehrenberg). SSU rRNA gene phylogenies place our strains in two distinct positions within “lineage B3” (here referred to as Placopodidae). Based on these morphological, habitat and molecular data, we describe two new species, Placopus melkoniani sp. nov. and Placopus pusillus sp. nov., both of which feed on chlorophyte flagellates (Tetraselmis, Pyramimonas) and the cryptophyte Chroomonas. They perforate the theca of Tetraselmis to extract the protoplast, and thereby represent the first vampyrellids known to degrade the biochemically exotic cell wall of the Chlorodendrales (Chlorophyta, Viridiplantae).
Light exposure during embryonic and yolk‐sac alevin development of Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha does not alter the spectral phenotype of photoreceptors
Authors: Novales Flamarique Inigo
Published: October 2018

Colour vision is mediated by the expression of different visual pigments in photoreceptors of the vertebrate retina. Each visual pigment is a complex of a protein (opsin) and a vitamin A chromophore; alterations to either component affects visual pigment absorbance and, potentially, the visual capabilities of an animal. Many species of fish undergo changes in opsin expression during retinal development. In the case of salmonid fishes the single cone photoreceptors undergo a switch in opsin expression from SWS1 (ultraviolet sensitive) to SWS2 (blue‐light sensitive) starting at the yolk‐sac alevin stage, around the time when they first experience light. Whether light may initiate this event or produce a plastic response in the various photoreceptors is unknown. In this study, Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha were exposed to light from the embryonic (5 days prior to hatching) into the yolk sac alevin (25 days post hatching) stage and the spectral phenotype of photoreceptors assessed with respect to that of unexposed controls by in situ hybridization with opsin riboprobes. Light exposure did not change the spectral phenotype of photoreceptors, their overall morphology or spatial arrangement. These results concur with those from a variety of fish species and suggest that plasticity in photoreceptor spectral phenotype via changes in opsin expression may not be a widespread occurrence among teleosts.
Hydration kinetics of Carioca beans at different pHs
Authors: Oladele Samouel Olugbenga , Osundahunsi Oluwatooyin F. , Agbetoye Leo A. S. , Augusto Pedro E. D.
Published: October 2018

This work investigated the effect of pH of the soaking solutions on the water uptake of Carioca bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) at 25 °C. Four soaking solutions at pH levels of 3.1, 6.0 (natural value), 9.1, and 12.1 were prepared using dilute HCl or NaOH. The moisture content over the soaking time exhibited sigmoidal shapes, which were adequately modeled. The solutions with pH 3.1 and 9.1 converged to ~6.0 during the process, which were attributed to the solids leakage and ions diffusion through the grains. The equilibrium moisture and the hydration rate increased by changing the pH from 6.0 to 12.1, while the lag phase showed the opposite behavior. The pH of the soaking solutions affected the mass transfer behavior in both seed coat and cotyledon, demonstrating changes on both proteins and polysaccharides. This work demonstrated a simple approach for enhancing the hydration process of grains.

Practical applications

In the industries where grains are utilized, hydration process is an important process prior to several other steps like germination, cooking, components extraction, and fermentation. The process requires improvement because of slowness, discontinuity, and energy consumption. Our results showed that the water uptake characteristics of Carioca beans were greatly influenced by the pH of hydration solution, which could be a simple approach for enhancing the process. This work contributes to the explanation of the grain hydration behavior and possibly enhancing focusing on its optimization.
Gastrointestinal parasites of zoonotic importance observed in the wild, urban, and captive populations of non‐human primates in Malaysia
Authors: Adrus Madinah , Zainudin Ramlah , Ahamad Mariana , Jayasilan Mohd‐Azlan , Abdullah Mohd Tajuddin
Published: October 2018

Background

A study was undertaken to determine gastrointestinal (GI) parasites commonly found in Malaysia's non‐human primates (NHP) living in three different types of populations (wild, urban, and captive) and the basis of major GI parasites of zoonotic importance.

Methods

A total of 308 samples was collected and microscopically screened from the NHP in the wild (n = 163), urban (n = 76), and captive (n = 69) populations. The samples were taken from 12 species of local NHPs.

Results

At least, 44 species of GI parasites comprising of protozoans (seven species), nematodes (26 species), cestodes (five species), trematodes (five species), and pentastomida (one species) were detected. There were no significant differences for the overall prevalence and no great differences in GI parasite species among the wild, urban, and captive NHP populations.

Conclusion

The most common GI parasite was Ascaris spp. (49.7%), followed by Oesophagostomum spp. (26.9%), and 31 species discovered in this study are of known public health importance.
Using in vitro model to assess stent‐stent interaction in patients with coronary artery compression
Authors: Zablah Jenny E. , Fry Rachel , Ross Michael , Wilson Neil , Morgan Gareth
Published: October 2018

Background

Percutaneous stent implantation in the coronary artery is a potential bailout option after coronary compression during Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement, but the structural integrity of the coronary stent in this environment is uncertain.

Methods

An invitro model was constructed to represent the interaction between coronary and outflow tract stents. One AndraStent, four CP stents, one Edwards SAPIEN XT valve stent and combination of AndraStent with CP stent were incrementally compressed against a coronary stent. The stent diameters were measured with a code developed in MATLAB. The relative decrease in diameter was calculated for each stent over a range of compression.

Results

In all combinations of stents, coronary stent lost significantly more relative diameter when compared with larger outflow tract stents. At maximum compressive amplitude, average percent decrease in diameters of AndraStent(r) versus coronary stent: 8.1 ± 0.8% and 36.5 ± 11.1% respectively. CP stent™ versus coronary stent, the decrease was 5.7 ± 0.8% and 45.2 ± 9.2% respectively. Combined CP stent™ mounted within the AndraStent(r), versus coronary stent: 3.9 ± 0.5% and 54.5 ± 4.2% respectively. Edwards Sapien stent versus the coronary stent: 1.7 ± 0.1% and 68.9 ± 1.1% respectively.

Conclusion

The relative deformation of the coronary stent was significantly higher than deformation of the other stents. Edwards Sapien XT valve stent has greater relative radial force demonstrated by the greater relative decrease in diameter of the coronary stent at final compressive amplitude. These results support the concern that coronary stenting in the presence of coronary compression by an outflow tract stent implantation is likely to result in a significantly compromised coronary lumen.
Phylogeography and genetic connectivity of the marine macro‐alga Sargassum ilicifolium (Phaeophyceae, Ochrophyta) in the northwestern Pacific1
Authors: Ng Poh‐Kheng , Chiou Yu‐Shan , Liu Li‐Chia , Sun Zhongmin , Shimabukuro Hiromori , Lin Showe‐Mei
Published: October 2018

The evolutionary influences of historical and contemporary factors on the population connectivity and phylogeographic structure of a brown seaweed, Sargassum ilicifolium, were elucidated using the nuclear ITS2 and mitochondrial COI markers for the collections newly sampled within its distribution range in the northwestern Pacific (NWP). Significant genetic structure at variable levels was identified between populations (pairwise FST) and among populations grouped by geographical proximity (ΦCT among regions). The adjacent groups of populations with moderate structure revealed from AMOVA appeared to have high genetic connectivity. However, a lack of genealogical concordance with the geographic distribution was uncovered for S. ilicifolium from the NWP. Such genetic homogeneity is interpreted as a result of the interaction between postglacial recolonization and dynamic oceanic current regimes in the region. Two separated glacial refugia, the South China Sea and the Okinawa Trough, in the marginal seas of east China were recognized based on the presence of endemic haplotypes and high haplotype diversity in the populations at southern China and northeast of Taiwan. Populations persisting in these refugia may have served as the source for recolonization in the NWP with the rise of sea level during the warmer interglacial periods. The role of oceanic currents in maintaining genetic connectivity of S. ilicifolium in the region was further corroborated by the coherence between the direction of oceanic currents and that of gene flow, especially along the eastern coast of Taiwan. This study underlines the interaction between historical postglacial recolonization and contemporary coastal hydrodynamics in contributing to population connectivity and distribution for this tropical seaweed in the NWP.
Dynamic Strategic Procurement from Capacitated Suppliers
Authors: Dasci Abdullah , Guler Kemal
Published: October 2018

Many industries are characterized by large buyers and suppliers whose decisions are influenced by the strategic interactions among these parties. Here we present an economic model for a monopolistic buyer that needs to procure a critical item from two candidate suppliers competing to win the buyer’s account. The buyer’s objective is to design a procurement process that minimizes its total cost. We analyze this problem under one static and two dynamic procurement design choices and investigate the impact of these choices and capacities on supplier profits and buyer’s procurement cost. All three processes are modeled as non‐cooperative games and solved under suitable equilibrium concepts. We have found that when the buyer can choose purchase quantities independent of quoted prices, dynamic procurement can lower its cost by as much as 50% when compared to static procurement. However, when the buyer is constrained to set a precommitment quantity and award sales starting with the low priced supplier, the savings obtained from dynamic procurement diminish, but the buyer can still save as much as 12.5%.
Political instablility and seigniorage: An inseparable couple — or a threesome with debt?
Authors: Bohn Frank
Published: October 2018

In the literature, political instability is shown to raise seigniorage and/or debt, but there is no debt‐seigniorage trade‐off. However, what happens when the IMF gets involved? Based on a political economy model of intertemporal public finance this paper presents qualitatively new and robust results. First, political instability causes myopic government behaviour and produces more debt, not more seigniorage. Second, IMF policies requiring debtor countries to achieve both monetary and fiscal stability at the same time are ineffective. Third and surprisingly at first sight, debt conditionality aiming at monetary stability is particularly effective in heterogeneous societies with unstable governments.
The DosR antigen Rv1737c from Mycobacterium tuberculosis confers inflammation regulation in tuberculosis infection
Authors: Gao Xiaoling , Wu Cong , Wang Xiaoxia , Xu Hui , Wu Yu , Li Yonghong , Jia Yanjuan , Wei Chaojun , He Wenhua , Wang Yongxiang , Zhang Benzhong
Published: October 2018

There is an urgent need to identify the potential risk factors for activating latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. In this study, we evaluated the immune function of Rv1737c, which is a latency‐associated antigen of dormancy survival regulator (DosR) of M. tuberculosis in a mouse model. Our data showed that mice pretreated with recombinant Rv1737c (rRv1737c) exhibited higher levels of antigen‐specific antibodies (IgG, IgM and IgA) than sham‐treated mice. Following Bacilli Calmette‐Guerin (BCG) challenge, rRv1737c adjuvanted with cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) induced diffuse lung inflammation and fibrosis compared to the control mice. The inflammatory pathogenesis due to rRv1737c pre‐exposure was associated with a switch in the macrophage phenotype from M1 to activated M2 and was characterized by IL‐10 production. Intracellular cytokine analysis further showed that the rRv1737c‐pretreated mice exhibited an increased frequency of Th2 cells in the lungs, lymph nodes and spleen after BCG challenge. Furthermore, IFN‐γ expression increased in the lungs after rRv1737c pretreatment compared to that in the sham mice. Accordingly, lung cells from rRv1737c‐immunized mice stimulated with killed BCG produced higher levels of multiple cytokines, such as IFN‐γ, IL‐10 and IL‐6. The results confirmed that the pathological features of rRv1737c promoted inflammation. Overall, our findings provide direct evidence of the pro‐inflammatory function of rRv1737c in a murine model of BCG infection, indicating that Rv1737c is a pathogenic antigen of M. tuberculosis and may be key to the recurrence of latent infection.
Care to Share? Children's Cognitive Skills and Concealing Responses to a Parent
Authors: Lavoie Jennifer , Talwar Victoria
Published: October 2018

Children begin to use methods of concealment to achieve interpersonal goals at an early age, and the ability to conceal information requires cognitive skills to be effective. Despite research on children's lie telling, there is little known about the “spectrum” of concealment methods that children use, which can range from full disclosures to active concealment through the use of deception. This study focused on children's use of concealment methods in a prosocial situation, in relation to their cognitive ability. Children aged 4–11 years (N = 106) completed several cognitive activities that measured theory of mind (ToM), working memory, and inhibitory control with an experimenter and created a surprise gift for a parent. After the activities were complete, children were told to keep the surprise gift a secret until it was ready, then they were sent back to their parents, who questioned them about their activities. Children were coded based on their concealment behavior (full disclosers, partial concealers, passive concealers, and active concealers) in response to their parents’ questions. A discriminant function analysis indicated that age and children's cognitive scores (first‐order ToM, second‐order ToM, and working memory) differentiated between children who disclosed the secret about the surprise gift and children who used partial‐to‐active concealment methods to keep the secret. Results suggest that younger children, and children with lower ToM and working memory were more likely to disclose the secret. Findings suggest that children employ various methods of concealment to keep a prosocial secret from a parent and that higher cognitive ability is associated with the tendency to use concealment methods in social interactions.
Management of an extensive equine juvenile ossifying fibroma by rostral mandibulectomy and reconstruction of the mandibular symphysis usingString ofPearls plates with cortical and cancellous bone autografts
Authors: Ogden Nadine K. E. , Jukic Chantelle C. , Zedler Steven T.
Published: October 2018

Objective

To describe a surgical technique for rostral mandibulectomy and reconstruction of the mandibular symphysis.

Study design

Case report.

Animal

One 5‐month‐old warmblood cross filly.

Methods

A preoperative diagnosis of a juvenile ossifying fibroma was made on the basis of clinical appearance and was later confirmed via histology. The tumor was large, rapidly growing and extending to the caudal aspect of the mandibular symphysis. Computed tomography was performed for surgical planning. The tumor was excised by performing a mandibulectomy caudal to the symphysis. The mandibular symphysis was reconstructed with String of Pearls (SOP) plates. Cortex screws placed in lag fashion, a cortical bone graft from one of the mandibles and a cancellous graft harvested from the tuber coxae.

Results

At 9 months of age there was no sign of tumor reoccurrence, the implants were removed because of infection and the mandible had formed a new stable symphysis. The horse was able to prehend food and masticate normally. The owner was pleased with the cosmetic and functional outcome.

Conclusion

The described surgical technique is a viable option for mandibulectomy and reconstruction of the mandibular symphysis. The technique provided adequate stability for healing to occur in the face of infection.

Clinical significance

Neoplasia and other conditions affecting the entire mandibular symphysis can be treated by complete surgical excision and reconstruction.
Sharp transection of the suspensory ligament as an alternative to digital strumming during canine ovariohysterectomy
Authors: Shivley Jacob M. , Richardson Jodi M. , Woodruff Kimberly A. , Brookshire Wilson C. , Meyer Robert E. , Smith David R.
Published: October 2018

Objective

To compare time efficiency and nociceptive input between digital strumming (DS) and sharp transection (ST) of the suspensory ligament during ovariohysterectomy (OVH).

Study design

Randomized controlled trial.

Animals

30 adult female dogs.

Methods

Dogs were randomly assigned to ST or DS procedures. Measures of nociception were assessed through measurements of preoperative and intraoperative heart rate during manipulation of the suspensory ligament. Measures of pain were assessed through preoperative and postoperative pain scores by using the short form Glasgow Composite Pain Scale. Time efficiency was measured through total surgical time and the time to release each suspensory ligament.

Results

After body weight was accounted for, the total surgical time was 1.1 minutes (P = .06) faster for ST than for DS, and each additional kilogram of body weight increased total surgical time by 0.1 minutes (P = .02). Digital strumming had 30.6‐fold greater odds of taking greater than 1 minute compared with ST (P = .001). The heart rate from baseline to peak was 7.4 beats per minute lower in the ST group than in the DS group (P = .06). No complications were observed, and there was no difference in postoperative pain scores between treatments.

Conclusion

Sharp transection was faster and generated less intraoperative acceleration in heart rate but did not differ in postoperative outcomes compared with DS.

Clinical significance

Sharp transection is a viable alternative to DS for breakdown of the suspensory ligament during canine OVH. Sharp transection may improve surgical efficiency, especially when performing large volumes in the spay/neuter setting and could influence veterinary student training.
Effect of simulated herbivory on bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia L.) growth and implications for biological control
Authors: Kumaran Nagalingam , Lockett Catherine , Dhileepan Kunjithapatham
Published: October 2018

Understanding the ability of invasive plants to compensate for herbivory damage is crucial for their management, but this has been poorly studied in weed biological control. Bellyache bush (Jatropha gossypiifolia L.) is an invasive weed and a target for biological control in Australia. To understand the response of bellyache bush to herbivory, we simulated herbivory damage, under field conditions, at a site in north Queensland. Two size classes, that is, seedlings and mature plants were subjected to either defoliation, shoot damage or a combination of both, and the damage was inflicted once, twice or thrice at 6–7 weeks interval. All herbivory types significantly reduced growth and biomass when herbivory was inflicted twice or thrice, whereas the single application had limited impact. Shoot damage alone and defoliation + shoot damage had a greater negative impact than defoliation treatment on plant height, basal stem diameter, the number of leaves, root length and the number of shoot tips produced while increasing the number of dead shoot tips. Defoliation alone and defoliation + shoot damage had a greater negative impact on the number of flowers and fruit pods produced than shoot damage. The greater negative effects noticed when herbivory was inflicted twice or thrice suggest that multivoltine biological control agents that can inflict shoot damage and defoliation should be sought for the biological control of bellyache bush.
Efficiency Analysis of Equity Incentive in Private Listed Companies-By Taking the Example of By-Health
Authors: Yang Junda , Xia Yun , Yang Liu , Zhang Zhongtao
Published: October 2018

At present, more and more private listed companies in our country realize the importance of corporate governance structure and equity structure, and also start to adopt a variety of equity incentive models to stimulate the business operators. How to evaluate the effect of private listed company's equity incentive measures? By taking the example of By-Health, this paper analyzes the effect of implementing equity incentive from financial performance, manager's behavior and market performance from three aspects: financial performance, manager's behavior and market performance, and puts forward relevant suggestions. With a view to providing useful reference and reference for improving the management of private enterprises and implementing equity incentives smoothly.
Adaptation of Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Towards Teaching Thinking Skills Scale Into English
Authors: Dilekli Yalçın , Tezci Erdoğan
Published: October 2018

Teaching thinking skills is core of the curriculum in many cultures. Although curricula have mutual points, the results were different from each other. Having different results of teaching thinking curriculums applied in different countries indicates importance of personal differences of teachers. Defining level of teacher’s self-efficacy makes a contribution to determining success level of curriculum. Developing a global scale contributes both researchers and practitioner while teaching thinking. The aim of this study is to adapt Teachers’ Self-efficacy towards Teaching Thinking Skills Scale (TSTS), developed in Turkish, into English. The scale consists of 20 items. Each item has 5 point Likert type. It has 3 factors as Design, Practice and Academic Competence. For this purpose, firstly linguistic equivalence was analyzed. For linguistic equivalence, both versions of the scale were applied to 28 candidate teachers of English with 20 day intervals. In the second step, Confirmatory Factor Analyses was administrated to data taken from 144 native English teachers. After the analysis, good level fitting indices were found. Cronbach Alpha coefficient value is .94. Construct validity (Convergence and Discriminating validity) study on correlations between sub-dimensions and average explained variance value has good sufficient level. Scale items were found discriminating. Results showed that English version of the scale was statistically valid and reliable.
Intelligibility assessment of cleft lip and palate speech using Gaussian posteriograms based on joint spectro-temporal features
Authors: Kalita Sishir , Mahadeva Prasanna S. R. , Dandapat S.
Published: October 2018

Intelligibility is considered as one of the primary measures for speech rehabilitation of individuals with a cleft lip and palate (CLP). Currently, speech processing and machine-learning-based objective methods are gaining more research interest as a way to quantify speech intelligibility. In this work, joint spectro-temporal features computed from a time–frequency representation of speech are explored to derive speech representations based on Gaussian posteriograms. A comparative framework using dynamic time warping (DTW) is used to quantify the intelligibility of child CLP speech. The DTW distance is used to score sentence-level intelligibility and tested for correlation with perceptual intelligibility ratings obtained from expert speech-language pathologists. A baseline DTW system using the conventional Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) is also developed to compare the performance of the proposed system. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between the objective intelligibility scores and the perceptual intelligibility rating is studied. A Williams significance test is conducted to assess the statistical significance of the correlation difference between the methods. The results show that the system based on joint spectro-temporal features significantly outperforms the MFCC-based system.
High Levels of CO
2
Induce Spoilage by Leuconostoc mesenteroides by Upregulating Dextran Synthesis Genes
Authors: Dror Barak , Savidor Alon , Salam Bolaji Babajide , Sela Noa , Lampert Yael , Teper-Bamnolker Paula , Daus Avinoam , Carmeli Shmuel , Sela (Saldinger) Shlomo , Eshel Dani
Published: October 2018

The bacterium
Leuconostoc mesenteroides
is known to cause spoilage of different types of foods by secreting a slimy fluid that damages the quality and appearance of the produce. Here, we identified a potential mechanism by which high levels of CO
2
affect the spoilage caused by this bacterium by upregulating dextran synthesis genes. These results have broader implications for the study of the physiology, degradation ability, and potential biotechnological applications of
Leuconostoc
.
Microbiological and Cellular Evaluation of a Fluorine-Phosphorus-Doped Titanium Alloy, a Novel Antibacterial and Osteostimulatory Biomaterial with Potential Applications in Orthopedic Surgery
Authors: Aguilera-Correa John-Jairo , Mediero Aranzazu , Conesa-Buendía Francisco-Miguel , Conde Ana , Arenas María-Ángeles , de-Damborenea Juan-José , Esteban Jaime
Published: October 2018

This work evaluates F-P-doped bNT Ti-6Al-4V from microbiological and cellular approaches. The bacterial results highlight that the antibacterial ability of bNT Ti-6Al-4V is the result of a combination of antiadhesive and bactericidal effects exerted by Al released from the alloy. The cell results highlight that F-P bNT Ti-6Al-4V alloy increases osseointegration due to modification of the chemical composition of the alloy resulting from P incorporation and not due to the nanostructure, as reported previously. A key finding was the detection of Al release from inside the bNT Ti-6Al-4V nanostructures, a result of the nanostructure growth during the anodizing process that is in part responsible for its bactericidal effect.
A Family of Small Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Involved in Flagellum-Dependent Motility in Salmonella enterica
Authors: Oguri Tamiko , Kwon Youjeong , Woo Jerry K. K. , Prehna Gerd , Lee Hyun , Ning Miaoran , Won Kyoung-Jae , Lee Jiyoung , Mei Sally , Shi Yixin , Jeong Hyunyoung , Lee Hyunwoo
Published: October 2018

This study reports the identification of a novel family of small intrinsically disordered proteins that are conserved in a wide range of flagellated and nonflagellated bacteria. Although this study identifies the role of these small proteins in the scope of flagellum-dependent motility in
Salmonella
, they likely play larger roles in a more conserved cellular pathway(s) that indirectly affects flagellum expression in the case of motile bacteria. Small intrinsically disordered proteins have not been well characterized in prokaryotes, and the results of our study provide a basis for their detailed functional characterization.
Epiplasts: Membrane Skeletons and Epiplastin Proteins in Euglenids, Glaucophytes, Cryptophytes, Ciliates, Dinoflagellates, and Apicomplexans
Authors: Goodenough Ursula , Roth Robyn , Kariyawasam Thamali , He Amelia , Lee Jae-Hyeok
Published: October 2018

Membrane skeletons associate with the inner surface of the plasma membrane to provide support for the fragile lipid bilayer and an elastic framework for the cell itself. Several radiations, including animals, organize such skeletons using actin/spectrin proteins, but four major radiations of eukaryotic unicellular organisms, including disease-causing parasites such asPlasmodium, have been known to construct an alternative and essential skeleton (the epiplast) using a class of proteins that we term epiplastins. We have identified epiplastins in two additional radiations and present images of their epiplasts using electron microscopy. We analyze the sequences and secondary structure of 219 epiplastins and present an in-depth overview and analysis of their known and posited roles in cellular organization and parasite infection. An understanding of epiplast assembly may suggest therapeutic approaches to combat infectious agents such asPlasmodiumas well as approaches to the engineering of useful viscoelastic biofilms.
An “Uncommon” Role for Cyclic Enterobacterial Common Antigen in Maintaining Outer Membrane Integrity
Authors: Westfall Corey S.
Published: October 2018

Although discovered over 50 years ago, the physiological role of enterobacterial common antigen, a surface antigen produced by all members of the
Enterobacteriaceae
, has been poorly understood. In the work of Mitchell et al. (mBio 9:e01321-18, 2018,
https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01321-18
), the cyclized version of enterobacterial common antigen has been shown to play a role in maintaining the outer membrane permeability barrier, possibly through the inner membrane protein YhdP.
Is Host Filtering the Main Driver of Phylosymbiosis across the Tree of Life?
Authors: Mazel Florent , Davis Katherine M. , Loudon Andrew , Kwong Waldan K. , Groussin Mathieu , Parfrey Laura Wegener
Published: October 2018

Phylosymbiosis is a pattern defined as the tendency of closely related species to host microbiota whose compositions resemble each other more than host species drawn at random from the same tree. Understanding the mechanisms behind phylosymbiosis is important because it can shed light on rules governing the assembly of host-associated microbiotas and, potentially, their coevolutionary dynamics with hosts. For example, is phylosymbiosis a result of coevolution, or can it be generated by simple ecological filtering processes? Beyond qualitative theoretical models, quantitative theoretical expectations can provide new insights. For example, deviations from a simple baseline of ecological filtering may be used to test more-complex hypotheses (e.g., coevolution). Here, we use simulations to provide evidence that simple host-related ecological filtering can readily generate phylosymbiosis, and we contrast these predictions with real-world data. We find that while phylosymbiosis is widespread in nature, phylosymbiosis patterns are compatible with a simple ecological model in the majority of taxa. Internal compartments of hosts, such as the animal gut, often display stronger phylosymbiosis than expected from a purely ecological filtering process, suggesting that other mechanisms are also involved.
Machine Learning Reveals Missing Edges and Putative Interaction Mechanisms in Microbial Ecosystem Networks
Authors: DiMucci Demetrius , Kon Mark , Segrè Daniel
Published: October 2018

Different organisms in a microbial community may drastically affect each other’s growth phenotypes, significantly affecting the community dynamics, with important implications for human and environmental health. Novel culturing methods and the decreasing costs of sequencing will gradually enable high-throughput measurements of pairwise interactions in systematic coculturing studies. However, a thorough characterization of all interactions that occur within a microbial community is greatly limited both by the combinatorial complexity of possible assortments and by the limited biological insight that interaction measurements typically provide without laborious specific follow-ups. Here, we show how a simple and flexible formal representation of microbial pairs can be used for the classification of interactions via machine learning. The approach we propose predicts with high accuracy the outcome of yet-to-be performed experiments and generates testable hypotheses about the mechanisms of specific interactions.
Coexisting polyarticular septic arthritis, gout and pseudogout
Authors: Colaco Clinton , Dotel Ravindra
Published: October 2018

A case of a 67-year-old man with coexisting polyarticular septic arthritis due to group G Streptococcus, gout and pseudogout is presented. Septic arthritis of the left knee joint was further complicated by the development of an adjacent osteomyelitis. Appropriate management led to a full clinical recovery. Atypical clinical presentations in elderly, need for a sampling of more than one joint in polyarthritis and a summary of similar cases in literature is discussed.
Efficacy of compoundLactobacillus acidophilustablets combined with quadruple therapy forHelicobacter pylorieradication and its correlation with pH value in the stomach: a study protocol of a randomised, assessor-blinded, single-centre study
Authors: Ji Wen , Chen Wei-Qing , Tian Xu
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Helicobacter pylori(Hp) is an important pathogenic factor for chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer, gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma and other diseases. In China, the Hp infection rate is high, but the eradication rate is decreasing. A large number of literatures have shown that the addition ofLactobacillus acidophiluscan improve the Hp eradication rate and reduce the side effects of antibiotic treatments. At present, the exact mechanism and curative effect ofL. acidophilusin the eradication of Hp have not yet been determined, and the conclusions obtained from relevant meta-analyses at home and abroad are different. Thus, it is very necessary and urgent to further complete a high-quality, clinical, randomised controlled trial research. If this study is successful, it can provide a new idea and a plan for Hp eradication therapy.

Methods and analysis

This study is a prospective, randomised controlled, single-blinded, parallel-design trial. We will randomly assign 526 adult patients (≥18 years but <70 years) with Hp confirmed positive by the kit for 14C-urea breath test. Eligible subjects were randomly divided into two groups (group A and group B), with 263 subjects in each group. Group A is a quadruple therapy group, while group B is anL. acidophilustablets combined with quadruple therapy group. All patients were examined by gastroscopy, and 50 patients in each group will be placed under gastric pH monitor. The Hp eradication rate is the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes include gastric pH situation and adverse drug reactions.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol has been approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committees of Chongqing University Cancer Hospital and Chongqing Cancer Hospital (2018[012]). The results from this trial will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and will be presented at national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR17014185; Pre-results.