bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diverse fen plant communities enhance carbon-related multifunctionality, but do not mitigate negative effects of drought
Authors: Robroek Bjorn J. M. , Jassey Vincent E. J. , Beltman Boudewijn , Hefting Mariet M.
Published: October 2017

Global change, like droughts, can destabilize the carbon sink function of peatlands, either directly or indirectly through changes in plant community composition. While the effects of drought and plant community composition on individual carbon (C) related processes are well understood, their effect on multiple C-related processes simultaneously—multifunctionality—is poorly known. We studied the effect of drought on four C-related processes (net and gross CO
2
exchange, methane fluxes, and dissolved organic carbon content) in a plant removal experiment. Plant functional type (PFT) removal (graminoids, herbs,
Polytrichum
spp., incl. combinations) negatively affected multifunctionality; most markedly when all PFTs were removed. Our results corroborate a negative drought effect on C-related multifunctionality. Drought reduced multifunctionality, and this reduction was again largest when all PFTs were removed. Our data further indicate that much of these negative drought effects were carried over and maintained from the initial removal treatment. These results suggest that while a high diversity in plant functional types is associated to high C-related multifunctionality, plant community assembly does not drive the ability of peatlands to withstand the negative impacts of drought on multifunctionality. Hence, to safeguard the carbon cycling function in intact peatlands, the effects of climate change on the functional composition of the peatland plant community needs to be minimized.
Sleep macrostructure is modulated by positive and negative social experience in adult pet dogs
Authors: Kis Anna , Gergely Anna , Galambos Ágoston , Abdai Judit , Gombos Ferenc , Bódizs Róbert , Topál József
Published: October 2017

The effects of emotionally valenced events on sleep physiology are well studied in humans and laboratory rodents. However, little is known about these effects in other species, despite the fact that several sleep characteristics differ across species and thus limit the generalizability of such findings. Here we studied the effect of positive and negative social experiences on sleep macrostructure in dogs, a species proven to be a good model of human social cognition. A non-invasive polysomnography method was used to collect data from pet dogs (n= 16) participating in 3-hour-long sleep occasions. Before sleep, dogs were exposed to emotionally positive or negative social interactions (PSI or NSI) in a within-subject design. PSI consisted of petting and ball play, while NSI was a mixture of separation, threatening approach and still face test. Sleep macrostructure was markedly different between pre-treatment conditions, with a shorter sleep latency after NSI and a redistribution of the time spent in the different sleep stages. Dogs' behaviour during pre-treatments was related to the macrostructural difference between the two occasions, and was further modulated by individual variability in personality. This result provides the first direct evidence that emotional stimuli affect subsequent sleep physiology in dogs.
The quality improvement of Bulgogi using superheated steam and high hydrostatic pressure
Authors: Kim Eunmi , Seo Sanghee , Choi Younsang , Chun Kihong , Lee Eunjung
Published: October 2017

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of superheated steam (SHS) and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) techniques on the improvement of the quality of Bulgogi product during manufacturing process. Bulgogi product was treated with four different cooking/treatment process: conventional cooking (CC), SHS cooking (SHS), CC and then HHP cooking (CC-HHP), and SHS and HHP cooking (SHS-HHP) samples. SHS treated product increased moisture content, and decreased crude protein. Additionally, hardness, gumminess and shear force values were significantly different among the samples (p<0.05). In safety experiment after 14 days of storage at refrigeration temperature indicated that the bacterial population was lower in the case of SHS-HHP as compared to CC-HHP. Changes in texture during the storage periods at 10℃ for SHS-HHP was lowest values with compared to the initial, while shear force values for both tended to decrease with increasing storage period. The TBA and VBN values for SHS-HHP increased to 0.48 (5℃)-1.68 (10℃) mg MD/kg and 25.14 (5℃)-45.14 (10℃) mg%, respectively after 15 days of storage. Overall, it was found that the combination of SHS and HHP reduced microbial growth, thus leading to improved product quality and sanitation.
In vitro correlation and analysis of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities by fruit ripening of peach cultivars
Authors: Jung Kyung-Mi , Kim San Yeong , Lee Sang-Han
Published: October 2017

This study was performed to investigate the correlation between anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in ripe and unripe fruits of three peach cultivars: Miwhang (MH), Kanoiwa hakuto (KH) and Cheonhong (CH). The unripe fruits had higher levels of total phenols and flavonoids contents than those in the ripe fruits of all the three cultivars. The unripe fruits of CH showed the highest levels of total phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activities among the fruit samples analyzed. Nitric oxide inhibition values in RAW 264.7 cells for the unripe fruits of MH and KH were 30 and 29%, respectively. However, the inhibition was not observed in unripe CH and the ripe fruits of either cultivar. Total phenols and flavonoids contents showed high linear correlations with the anti-oxidant activities whereas the anti-inflammatory activity had low linear correlations with them.
Quality characteristics of fermented vinegar prepared with Seomaeyaksuk (Artemisia argyi H.) extract
Authors: Shin Ji Hyeon , Kang Min Jung , Byun Hee Uk , Bea Won Yoel , Shin Jeong Yeon , Seo Weon Tack , Choi Jine Shang , Shin Jung Hye
Published: October 2017

This study was carried out to investigate the quality characteristics of vinegars containing jaceosidin and eupatilin using Artemisia argyi H. ethanol extract (AEE). 10% malt extract (ME) and water extract of Artemisia argyi H. (AWE) were also prepared for vinegar production. Three kinds of materials were mixed in the same amount to prepare vinegar as follows; CO (ME, water, 18% edible ethanol), SE (ME, water, and AEE), SW (ME, AWE, and 18% edible ethanol) and SM (ME, AWE, AEE). All samples were fermented by Acetobacter pasteurianus A8 at 30℃ for 25 days and analyzed at 10, 15, 20 and 25 days. The pH decreased significantly during the fermentation. pH was lower in SE and SM than CO and SW. The acidity increased significantly during the fermentation, and was highest in SM (4.44%) at 25 days of fermentation. The concentration of acetic acid was higher than other organic acids for all vinegars. Jaceosidin and eupatilin were not detected in both CO and SW, but both were detected in the SE and SM. At 25 days of fermentation, jaceosidin and eupatilin concentrations in SE and SM were 6.49-6.88 mg/kg and 2.23-2.24 mg/kg, respectively. From these results, we confirmed that production of vinegar containing jaceosidin, eupatilin and phenolic compounds can be prepared by using Artemisia argyi H. edible ethanol extract.
Physicochemical properties and anti-wrinkle effect of polysaccharides with different molecular weights from Gloiopeltis furcata
Authors: Lee Dae-Hoon , Hong Joo-Heon
Published: October 2017

In this study, the physicochemical properties and anti-wrinkle effect of polysaccharides with different molecular weights from Gloiopeltis furcata were investigated. Crude polysaccharides were isolated by viscozyme treatment followed by ethanol precipitation and lyophilization. Crude polysaccharides were hydrolyzed by acid (0.1 N HCl) and the molecular weight fractions were generated by centrifugal filter (<10 kDa, 10 to 100 kDa, and 100 kDa>). The yield of polysaccharides with different molecular weight fractions was 8.4-39.6%. The major constituents in molecular weight fractions were total sugar (81.37-85.82%), uronic acid (27.89-32.85 g/100 g), sulfate (33.38-39.04%), and protein (0.35-3.16%) The L, a, and b value of the 100 kDa group were decreased, but viscosity increased. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity of the 100 kDa group at 180.07 μM was the highest among groups. The protective effects of 100 kDa group at 0.5 and 5 μg/mL against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity in L132 cell were 87.34% and 103.85%, respectively. The matrix metalloproteinase-1 activity of 100 kDa group decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The pro-collagen synthesis activity of 100 kDa group at 0.05-0.5 μg/mL was 64.91-77.80%. The polysaccharides with different molecular weights from Gloiopeltis furcata investigated herein are useful as a potential candidate for cosmedical materials.
RSV Downregulates IL-21/IL-21R On TFH Cells Via PD-L1 Induction In APCs Impairing Protective Humoral Responses
Authors: Benedetti Gassen Rodrigo , Fazolo Tiago , Nascimento de Freitas Deise , Borges Thiago Jesus , Maito Fabio , Mendes Daniel A. G. Bueno , Bafica Andre , Rodrigues Luiz Carlos , Duarte de Souza Ana Paula , Bonorino Cristina
Published: October 2017

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of hospitalization for children under two years of age. RSV vaccines are currently unavailable, and children suffering from multiple reinfections by the same viral strain, fail to develop protective memory responses. Follicular helper T (TFH) cells specialize in providing B cell help to antibody production and affinity maturation, mainly via IL-21 secretion. Although RSV-specific antibodies can be detected upon infection, how they are generated and their relevance against disease protection has not been fully examined. Here, we observed that RSV expands a functionally impaired murine TFH cell population in vitro and vivo, with downregulated IL-21R expression and IL-21 production. IL-21 treatment of RSV-infected mice, however, increased TFH cells frequency, enhanced the germinal center reaction and improved protective humoral immune responses by increasing viral protein F specific antibody avidity and neutralization capacity. In vivo, it protected from RSV infection, decreasing lung inflammation. Passive immunization with purified IgG from IL-21 treated RSV-infected mice protected against RSV infection. Both viable and UV-inactivated RSV induced PD-L1 expression on B cells and DCs, however, only in DCs a direct effect of RSV was detected. Blocking PD-L1 during infection recovered IL-21R expression in TFH and B cells and increased secretion of IL-21 by TFH cells in a DC-dependent manner. Our results unveil a novel pathway by which RSV affects TFH cells activity, reducing levels of IL-21 and its receptor, by increasing PD-L1 expression on APCs. These results highlight the PD-L1/IL-21 axis importance for the generation of protective responses to RSV infection.
Host country language skills and expatriates’ cross-cultural adjustment in the presence of fear of terror
Authors: Paulus Philipp , Muehlfeld Katrin
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between host country (HC) language skills, fear of terror, and cross-cultural adjustment (CCA) of expatriates based in host countries with different terrorist threat levels.

Design/methodology/approach

Integrating the expatriate adjustment framework by Black et al. (1991) with social identity theory-based literature, this study first, theorizes about the effects of both fear of terror and HC language proficiency on CCA and, second, puts forward the moderating effect of the actual terrorist threat level on the relationship between HC language proficiency and fear of terror. Hypotheses are tested using survey data of 116 expatriates based in host countries with different threat levels.

Findings

HC language proficiency is positively associated with CCA. Yet, it is also positively associated with fear of terror, which is, in turn, negatively related to CCA. Consequently, the beneficial effect of HC language skills on CCA is reduced in environments where expatriates experience significant fear of terror. While the actual threat level has a direct positive effect on fear of terror, it also positively moderates the relationship between HC language proficiency and fear of terror.

Originality/value

This study extends prior literature on expatriation to dangerous environments by zooming in on a specific type of risk factor associated with international assignments, i.e., terrorism, and by integrating HC language proficiency and fear of terror as important factors, which may influence CCA in contexts in which expatriates experience significant fear of terror.
“Strange animals”: hybrid organisations in health care
Authors: Powell Martin , Castelli Michele
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically explore hybrid organisations in health care. It examines the broad literature on hybrids focusing on issues of perspective, definition, sub-type and level. It then presents the results of the literature review of hybrid health care organisations, exploring which organisations have been viewed as hybrids, and then examining studies in more detail with respect to the research questions.

Design/methodology/approach

It critically explores the literature on hybrid organisations in health care through a structured search.

Findings

It is found that a wide variety of hybrid forms exist, but not clear what they combine or how they combine it. However, the level of depth from some of these studies is rather limited, with little consensus on definition, and relatively few drawing on any explicit conceptual perspective. It seems that the wider hybridity literatures have limited influence of studies of hybrid health care organisations.

Originality/value

As far as the authors are aware, this paper is the first attempt to critically review the literature on hybrid organisations in health care. It is concluded that it is difficult to define and explain hybrid health care organisations. Health care hybrids appear to be chameleons as they appear to be able to change their form to different observers.
Senior citizens’ perspective on the value offerings of third place via customer to customer (C-2-C) engagement
Authors: Meshram Kanika , O’Cass Aron
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a framework of third-place value offering that explains how specific consumer groups’, senior citizens, customer-to-customer engagement in third places can develop their value experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected for two studies from senior citizen clubs in Australia. Study 1 uses focus group (12) and is analysed with QSR NVivo software following content analysis. Study 2 is based on 324 surveys and is analysed with AMOS version 24 software.

Findings

Study 1 identifies eight themes based on 29 main codes to develop a framework on the value offerings of third-place value and its consumer-centric effect on seniors’ loyalty and social capital. The themes under social capital and loyalty contributed to a better understanding of how consumers engage with each other in social clubs and develop their social capital. The results of Study 2 support the conceptualisation of third-place value offering as a reflective model and confirm the model’s nomological validity in relation to seniors’ loyalty and social capital outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The only limitation of the paper is that it presents findings based on data collected in a regional place in Australia.

Practical implications

The findings provide three practical implications for managers to consider in relation to service places: improve consumer patronage through community engagement, improve local business practices via consumer–owner friendship and redesign spatial settings to deliver meaningful consumer experiences.

Social implications

The present study has three social implications; first, it highlights the significant role of third places in bringing isolated groups of community together for regular interaction and socialisation. It also extends understanding on senior citizen customers and their consumption experiences within third places for value creation. The study also contributes to understanding how senior citizen customers develop loyalty towards third places and enhance their social capital through social engagement in the place.

Originality/value

This paper uses consumption experience to develop the consumer value in third places. It provides a consumer-centric focus to servicescape and incorporates recent works on third places, value, social capital and loyalty.
A fractal model for streaming potential coefficient in porous media
Authors: Thanh Luong Duy , Van Do Phan , Van Nghia Nguyen , Ca Nguyen Xuan
Published: October 2017

Streaming potential is the result of coupling between a fluid flow and an electric current in porous rocks. The modified Helmholtz–Smoluchowski equation derived for capillary tubes is mostly used to determine the streaming potential coefficient of porous media. However, to the best of our knowledge, the fractal geometry theory is not yet applied to analyse the streaming potential in porous media. In this article, a fractal model for the streaming potential coefficient in porous media is developed based on the fractal theory of porous media and on the streaming potential in a capillary. The proposed model is expressed in terms of the zeta potential at the solid−liquid interface, the minimum and maximum pore/capillary radii, the fractal dimension, and the porosity of porous media. The model is also examined by using another capillary size distribution available in published articles. The results obtained from the model using two different capillary size distributions are in good agreement with each other. The model predictions are then compared with experimental data in the literature and those based on the modified Helmholtz–Smoluchowski equation. It is shown that the predictions from the proposed fractal model are in good agreement with experimental data. In addition, the proposed model is able to reproduce the same result as the Helmholtz–Smoluchowski equation, particularly for high fluid conductivity or large grain diameters. Other factors influencing the streaming potential coefficient in porous media are also analysed.
Detection of circulating tumor cells using oHSV1‐hTERT‐GFP in lung cancer
Authors: Gao Hongjun , Liu Wenjing , Yang Shaoxing , Zhang Wen , Li Xiaoyan , Qin Haifeng , Wang Weixia , Zhao Changyun
Published: October 2017

Background

This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical utility of the oHSV1‐hTERT‐GFP circulating tumor cell (CTC) detection method in the peripheral blood of patients with lung cancer by comparing its sensitivity to the CellSearch CTC detection method.

Methods

The oHSV1‐hTERT‐GFP and CellSearch CTC detection methods were compared using peripheral blood samples of patients pathologically diagnosed with lung cancer.

Results

A total of 240 patients with lung cancer were recruited, including 89 patients who were newly diagnosed and 151 patients who had previously received treatment. Sixty‐six newly diagnosed patients were evaluated using both methods. The CTC detection rates were 71.2% and 33.3% using the oHSV1‐hTERT‐GFP and CellSearch methods, respectively; this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.000). Among the entire cohort (n = 240), the CTC detection rate using the oHSV1‐hTERT‐GFP method was 76.3%, with a CTC count of 0–81. The CTC detection rates were 76.7%, 68.9%, and 76.3% in patients with squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and small cell lung cancer, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the CTC detection rates between these different pathological subtypes (P = 0.738). The CTC detection rates of 79.8% and 74.4% in patients with stage I–III and IV lung cancer, respectively, were not significantly different (P = 0.427).

Conclusion

The oHSV1‐hTERT‐GFP method is highly effective for detecting CTCs in patients with lung cancer, independent of pathological type and disease stage, and is ideal for large‐scale clinical applications.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS‐LIKE CHANGES IN BODY FLUIDS OF HEALTHY PERSONS PERFORMING ANAEROBIC EXERCISE
Authors: CEDER OVE , TEIEN DAG , BARDOŃ ALICJA , HELLSING KRISTOFFER , KOLLBERG HANS
Published: October 2017

Ceder, O., Teien, D., Bardoń, A., Hellsing, K. and Kollberg, H. (Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden, Department of Clinical Physiology, University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden, Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Sport, Warsaw, Poland and Department of Pediatrics, University of Kuwait, Safat, Kuwait). Cystic fibrosis‐like changes in body fluids of healthy persons performing anaerobic exercise. Acta Paediatr Scand 1983, Suppl. 309: 25. The biochemical compositions of blood, saliva and urine were compared at rest and during and after anaerobic physical exercise in homozygotes and heterozygotes for cystic fibrosis (CF) and in healthy controls.

At rest there were only minor differences in blood compositions between the three genotypes. In saliva significantly higher resting values were found for ribonuclease, protein and sodium in homozygotes than in healthy controls. Heterozygotes showed saliva ribonuclease and protein values similar to those of CF patients. At rest both homozygotes and heterozygotes had higher urinary excretion of pyruvate, lactate, ribonuclease, sodium, chloride and potassium than healthy controls.

Anaerobic effort caused increases in the blood values of citrate, pyruvate and ribonuclease which were similar in the three genotypes. Lactate rose to a lesser extent in homozygotes, however, than in the other two groups. In saliva anaerobic exercise caused increases in pyruvate, lactate, protein, ribonuclease and electrolytes in both controls and heterozygotes giving values similar to those of the homozygotes. After anerobic exercise the urinary excretions of pyruvate, lactate and ribonuclease increased and the excretions of citrate and electrolytes decreased in controls and heterozygotes.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS, SPECULATIONS ON THE PATHOGENESIS
Authors: KOLLBERG HANS , BARDOŃ ALICJA , CEDER OVE
Published: October 2017

Kollberg, H., Bardoń, A. and Ceder, O. (Department of Pediatrics, University of Kuwait, Safat, Kuwait, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Sport, Warsaw, Poland and Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden). Cystic fibrosis, speculations on the pathogenesis. Disturbed metabolism of energy. Acta Paediatr Scand, 1983; Suppl. 309: 41.—Speculations on the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis are presented, the main points being:

— A disturbance in energy metabolism leads to an increase in glycolytic activity and in fatty acid turnover.

— The increased fatty acid turnover is associated with changed kinetics of NADH‐dehydrogenase and results in a higher 02 consumption and increased activity of the respiratory chain.

— The disturbance in energy metabolism and respiratory chain activity causes accumulation of calcium.

— The increased glycolysis leads to intracellular lactic acidosis in the exocrine glands.

— The lactic acidosis causes increased secretions of ribonuclease, lysosomal enzymes, mucus and probably some “CF factors”.

— Lactic acidosis, lack of energy, and “CF factors” cause inhibition of the reabsorption of NaCl in the sweat glands.
Celebrating 30 years of the Erasmus programme
Authors: Ceri Jones Hywel
Published: October 2017

This is an edited version of 2 speeches given by Hywel Ceri Jones during 2017 which constitutes the story of the birth and development of the Erasmus programme to its present status as Erasmus +. In this text the place of education and training in the political and legal context of the development of the EU is highlighted. This presentation coincides with the widespread celebration of the thirtieth official anniversary of the Erasmus programme and with the growing political support for its expansion as key part of the EU's post 2020 strategy of development.
Seeing What is ‘Invisible in Plain Sight’: Policing Coercive Control
Authors: WIENER CASSANDRA
Published: October 2017

Coercive control has emerged as a key focus for researchers and activists working in the field of intimate partner abuse. In England and Wales, the issue has taken on a new urgency. On 29 December 2015, s. 76, Serious Crime Act made ‘coercive or controlling behaviour’ a criminal offence. Implementation of the new offence has been slow. The analysis of data generated by empirical work with police and survivors suggests that police need to understand a working model of coercive control in order to adopt what could be a transformative approach to policing intimate partner abuse.
High‐dose mizoribine combined with calcineurin inhibitor (cyclosporine or tacrolimus), basiliximab and corticosteroids for renal transplantation: A Japanese multicenter study
Authors: Nishioka Tsukasa , Yoshimura Norio , Ushigome Hidetaka , Watarai Yoshihiko , Nishimura Kenji , Akioka Kiyokazu , Nakamura Nobuyuki , Kawakita Mutsushi , Yuzawa Kenji , Nakatani Tatsuya
Published: October 2017

Objective

To evaluate the utility and safety of high‐dose mizoribine combination therapy using cyclosporine and tacrolimus as calcineurin inhibitors in patients undergoing kidney transplant.

Methods

The present study enrolled 156 patients who received kidney transplants in 18 institutions between 2009 and 2013. ABO‐incompatible and/or pre‐sensitized recipients were excluded. Immunosuppression used cyclosporine (88) or tacrolimus (68) as a calcineurin inhibitor, and the dosage was adjusted based on blood concentrations. Mizoribine was started at 6 mg/kg/day, and the target trough level was 1–2 ng/mL. Primary efficacy end‐points of this study were 2‐year patient survival, 2‐year graft survival and the acute rejection rate within 2 years after transplantation.

Results

The 2‐year patient and graft survival rates in the cyclosporine group were 98.9% and 94.3%, respectively, whereas those in the tacrolimus group were 100% and 98.5%, respectively, with no significant difference between groups. Rates of onset of rejection during the observation period were also equivalent, at 22.7% in the cyclosporine group and 17.6% in the tacrolimus group. Furthermore, groups showed no significant differences in transplanted renal function. No notable differences in adverse events were observed between groups.

Conclusions

A regimen of high‐dose mizoribine in combination with calcineurin inhibitors basiliximab, and corticosteroids can provide effective immunosuppression while lowering the rate of cytomegalovirus infection in kidney transplant patients.
Life history and ecology of the elusive European short‐snouted seahorse Hippocampus hippocampus
Authors: Curtis J. M. R. , Santos S. V. , Nadeau J. L. , Gunn B. , Bigney Wilner K. , Balasubramanian H. , Overington S. , Lesage C.‐M. , D'entremont J. , Wieckowski K.
Published: October 2017

To improve the understanding of the life history and ecology of one of Europe's most elusive fishes, the short‐snouted seahorse Hippocampus hippocampus, data from wild populations in a shallow coastal lagoon in southern Portugal were analysed. The data were collected from 17 tagged seahorses on a focal‐study grid as well as from >350 seahorses encountered during underwater visual surveys and a fishery‐independent study using beach seines. These populations of settled juveniles and adults had a mean population density of 0·009 m−2. During the study period (2000–2004), reproduction peaked in July and August. Juveniles recruited to the lagoon at c. 66 mm standard length (LS) and 0·5 years of age and established small home ranges (0·8 to 18·2 m2). First reproduction was estimated at 100 mm and 1 year of age. Based on a fitted von Bertalanffy model, H. hippocampus grew quickly (growth coefficient K = 0·93) to a maximum theoretical size L∞ = 150 mm and have a maximum lifespan of c. 3·2 years. Courtship behaviours were consistent with the maintenance of pair bonds and males brooded multiple batches of young per year. Estimated annual reproductive output averaged 871 young (±632). Together these analyses provide the first life‐history parameters for this species and indicate that H. hippocampus bears characteristics of opportunist and intermediate strategists. Such populations are predicted to exhibit large fluctuations in abundance, making them vulnerable to extended periods of poor recruitment.
A Review of Current Literature on Vital Sign Assessment of Physical Activity in Primary Care
Authors: Wald Adrienne , Garber Carol Ewing
Published: October 2017

Purpose

To conduct an integrated review of the performance and implementation of two physical activity (PA) assessment tools, the exercise vital sign (EVS) and the physical activity vital sign (PAVS), in U.S. primary care practice.

Design

An integrative review following Whittemore and Knafl's methodology.

Methods

Medline and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases were searched. Search terms were “exercise vital sign” OR “physical activity vital sign” AND “primary care”. Additional inclusion criteria were studies conducted in the United States, published in English, in primary care, between 2010 and 2016.

Results

Nine studies met inclusion criteria. Five studies reported validity data of the EVS tool, while four studies reported data from the PAVS tool. Compared with the accelerometer, the EVS tool overestimated moderate‐vigorous PA, while the PAVS tool demonstrated moderate agreement in identifying those not meeting national PA guidelines. The EVS tool was successfully implemented in large, integrated practices utilizing electronic health record systems. PA documentation increased compared to non‐EVS practices. The predictive ability of the PAVS tool for clinical outcomes was shown. Studies of PA assessment tool use in children were not found.

Conclusions

Preliminary evidence on the validity of both the EVS and PAVS tools support cautious use of each as a screening tool in primary care. There were no data on reliability, with limited data on tool use in diverse populations or settings. Data in children, older adults, and diverse population subgroups were lacking.

Clinical Relevance

Two brief exercise vital signs tools have each shown some initial validity for use by primary care clinicians as measures to identify patients not meeting PA guidelines.
Dentists’ Most Common Practices when Selecting an Implant System
Authors: Al‐Wahadni Ahed , Barakat Mohamed S. , Abu Afifeh Khladoon , Khader Yusuf
Published: October 2017

Purpose

To report a comprehensive description of dental implant system selection practices among dentists practicing implantology worldwide.

Materials and Methods

An online questionnaire was designed and sent to members of 15 dental implant organizations. The survey questions addressed: dental implant system selection criteria, implant design variables, dentists’ perspective to implant quality stamps, and dentists’ satisfaction with their implant system(s). Responses were compiled and analyzed to determine correlation of responses using the chi‐squared test (level of significance α ≤ 0.05).

Results

Out of 4264 invitations sent, a total of 2001 (response rate = 46.9%) dentists participated in the survey. Approximately half of survey respondents (48.7%) were general dentists. More than two‐thirds of the survey respondents (72.5%) were performing both the surgical and prosthetic implant phases. Implant‐abutment connections were the most important dental implant system selection criterion (84.7%), followed by scientific evidence available on the implant system (82.8%), and simplicity of prosthetic steps (81.4%). Patient preferences (19.8%) were rated as the least important aspect. Sandblasted large gritted acid etched implant surfaces (SLA) were the most commonly used implant surfaces (75.8%); fluoride coated surfaces were the least commonly used (15.4%).

Conclusion

According to the results of this survey, most survey respondents practiced both surgical and prosthetic phases of dental implantology. The majority of survey respondents agreed on the importance of implant‐abutment connections, scientific evidence available on implant systems, and simplicity of prosthetic steps when selecting implant systems.
A Viscoelastic Model for the Long‐Term Deflection of Segmental Prestressed Box Girders
Authors: Beltempo Angela , Bursi Oreste S. , Cappello Carlo , Zonta Daniele , Zingales Massimiliano
Published: October 2017

Most of segmental prestressed concrete box girders exhibit excessive multidecade deflections unforeseeable by past and current design codes. To investigate such a behavior, mainly caused by creep and shrinkage phenomena, an effective finite element (FE) formulation is presented in this article. This formulation is developed by invoking the stationarity of an energetic principle for linear viscoelastic problems and relies on the Bazant creep constitutive law. A case study representative of segmental prestressed concrete box girders susceptible to creep is also analyzed in the article, that is, the Colle Isarco viaduct. Its FE model, based on the aforementioned energetic formulation, was successfully validated through the comparison with monitoring field data. As a result, the proposed 1D FE model can effectively reproduce the past behavior of the viaduct and predict its future behavior with a reasonable run time, which represents a decisive factor for the model implementation in a decision support system.
Application of hydrolysis probe analysis to identify clade types of the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles funestus sensu stricto from Muheza, northeastern Tanzania
Authors: KWEKA E. J. , MAUSA E. A. , VENTER N. , DERUA Y. A. , KIMARO E. E. , COETZEE M.
Published: October 2017

A hydrolysis probe analysis (TaqMan assay) was used to study clade types in Anopheles funestus sensu stricto Giles, a major malaria vector in sub‐Saharan Africa, with specimens collected from Muheza in Tanga, northeastern Tanzania. A total of 186 An. funestus specimens were analysed, revealing that 176 (94.6%) were of clade I and 10 (5.4%) of clade II. These findings extend the distribution of clade type II from southern Mozambique and northern Zambia to northeastern Tanzania. The technique used can also be of great value in assessing the role and contribution of these clade types in malaria transmission and insecticide resistance frequencies for An. funestus s.s.
5‐Aminolevulinic acid exerts renoprotective effect via Nrf2 activation in murine rhabdomyolysis‐induced acute kidney injury
Authors: Uchida Atsushi , Kidokoro Kengo , Sogawa Yuji , Itano Seiji , Nagasu Hajime , Satoh Minoru , Sasaki Tamaki , Kashihara Naoki
Published: October 2017

Aim

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with chronic kidney disease, as well as high mortality, but effective treatments for AKI are still lacking. A recent study reported the prevention of renal injury, such as ischemia‐reperfusion injury, by 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA), which induces an antioxidant effect. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of ALA in a rhabdomyolysis‐induced mouse model of AKI created by intramuscular injection of 50% glycerol.

Methods

Rhabdomyolysis‐induced AKI was induced by an intramuscular injection of glycerol (5 mL/kg body weight) into mice. Administration of ALA (30 mg/kg, by gavage) was started from 48 h before or 24 h after glycerol injection. The mice were sacrificed at 72 h after glycerol injection. The roles of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), which is one of the Nrf2‐related antioxidants, were further investigated through in vivo and in vitro methods.

Results

5‐aminolevulinic acid markedly reduced renal dysfunction and tubular damage in mice with rhabdomyolysis‐induced AKI. ALA administration decreased oxidative stress, macrophage infiltration, and inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis. The expression of Nrf2 was upregulated by ALA administration. However, administration of Zinc protoporphyrin‐9 (ZnPPIX) to inhibit HO‐1 activity did not abolish these improvements by ALA. The expression of Nrf2‐associated antioxidant factors other than HO‐1 was also increased.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that ALA exerts its antioxidant activity via Nrf2‐associated antioxidant factors to provide a renoprotective effect against rhabdomyolysis‐induced AKI.
Neuromuscular synapse electrophysiology in myasthenia gravis animal models
Authors: Plomp Jaap J. , Huijbers Maartje G.M. , Verschuuren Jan J.G.M.
Published: October 2017

The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) forms the synaptic connection between a motor neuron and a skeletal muscle fiber. In order to achieve a sustained muscle contraction, this synapse has to reliably transmit motor neuronal action potentials onto the muscle fiber. To guarantee successful transmission even during intense activation of the NMJ, a safety factor of neuromuscular transmission exists. In the neuromuscular disorder myasthenia gravis (MG), autoantibodies are directed against acetylcholine receptors or, in the rarer variants, against other postsynaptic NMJ proteins. This causes loss of functional acetylcholine receptors, which compromises the safety factor of neuromuscular transmission, leading to the typical fatigable muscle weakness of MG. With intracellular microelectrode measurement of (miniature) endplate potentials at NMJs in ex vivo nerve–muscle preparations from MG animal models, these functional synaptic defects have been determined in much detail. Here, we describe the electrophysiological events at the normal NMJ and the pathoelectrophysiology at NMJs of animal models for MG.
Early introduction of allergenic foods for the prevention of food allergy from an Asian perspective—An Asia Pacific Association of Pediatric Allergy, Respirology & Immunology (APAPARI) consensus statement
Authors: Tham Elizabeth Huiwen , Shek Lynette Pei‐Chi , Van Bever Hugo PS , Vichyanond Pakit , Ebisawa Motohiro , Wong Gary WK , Lee Bee Wah ,   the Asia Pacific Association of Pediatric Allergy, Respirology & Immunology (APAPARI)
Published: October 2017

Emerging evidence for the early introduction of allergenic foods for the prevention of food allergies, such as peanut allergy in Western populations, has led to the recent publication of guidelines in the USA and Europe recommending early peanut introduction for high‐risk infants with severe eczema or egg allergy. Peanut allergy is, however, much less prevalent in Asia compared to the West. Varying patterns of food allergy are seen even within Asian countries—such as a predominance of wheat allergy in Japan and Thailand and shellfish allergy in Singapore and the Philippines. Customs and traditions, such as diet and infant feeding practices, also differ between Asian populations. Hence, there are unique challenges in adapting guidelines on early allergenic food introduction to the Asian setting. In this paper, we review the evidence and discuss the possible approaches to guide the timely introduction of allergenic food in high‐risk infants in Asia.
Do seed transfer zones for ecological restoration reflect the spatial genetic variation of the common grassland species Lathyrus pratensis?
Authors: Listl Daniela , Poschlod Peter , Reisch Christoph
Published: October 2017

A common ecological restoration approach is the reestablishment of vegetation using seed mixtures. To preserve the natural genetic pattern of plant species local seed material should be used. Consequently, seed transfer zones (seed production areas and seed provenance regions) have been delineated for ecological restoration in Germany. Although it is assumed that these transfer zones represent genetic variation, there remains a lack of empirical data. In this study, we analyzed whether seed transfer zones reflect the genetic variation of the common grassland species Lathyrus pratensis. We sampled 706 individuals from 37 populations in Bavaria, Germany and analyzed genetic variation using amplified fragment length polymorphisms. In our study, we observed higher levels of genetic variation and fragment rarity in the southern Bavarian populations compared to northern populations. Our analyses revealed a strong genetic differentiation between southern and northern Bavarian populations delineated along the Danube River. However, seed production areas and seed provenance regions reflected genetic variation of L. pratensis only to a limited degree. Our study illustrates that the level of genetic variation within populations strongly depends on population history. Furthermore, the geomorphological and climatic attributes, which have been used to delineate seed provenance regions, do not reduce gene flow among populations. Seed collections for gene banks and seed production should comprise seeds from populations in southern and northern Bavaria representing the strong genetic variation between both regions, but prioritize southern populations due to higher levels of variation.
International inequality in subjective well‐being: An exploration with the Gallup World Poll
Authors: Gluzmann Pablo , Gasparini Leonardo
Published: October 2017

In this paper we compute inequality measures over the distribution of a subjective well‐being variable constructed from a life satisfaction question included in the Gallup World Poll in almost all countries in the world. We argue that inequality in subjective well‐being may be a better proxy for the degree of unfairness in a society than income inequality. We find evidence that inequality in subjective well‐being has an inverse‐U relationship with per capita GDP, but it is monotonically decreasing with respect to mean subjective well‐being. We argue that this difference might be associated to inequality aversion in the space of utility.
The Legacy of CVI
Authors: Pasetti Marcela F. , Douglas Steven D. , Plaeger Susan F.
Published: October 2017

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology
(CVI) will merge with the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) open-access journal
mSphere
in January 2018. We commemorate this transition by exploring the history of CVI and that of its predecessor,
Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology
(CDLI), and by acknowledging their contributors. Research on vaccines, clinical immunology, and clinical diagnostic immunology published through
mSphere
will be available without restrictions to an ever-larger audience, which will expedite progress in the field. ASM remains committed to supporting its members and the research community by facilitating the dissemination of scientific knowledge in these important areas.
Rapid Detection of Carbapenemase Production in Enterobacteriaceae by Use of a Modified Paper Strip Carba NP Method
Authors: Ho Pak-Leung , Wang Ya , Wing-Sze Tse Cindy , Fung Kitty Sau-Chun , Cheng Vincent Chi-Chung , Lee Rodney , To Wing-Kin , Lai Raymond Wai-Man , Luk Wei-Kwang , Que Tak-Lun , Tsang Dominic Ngai-Chong
Published: October 2017

Rapid and accurate detection of carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
(CPE) is important for preventing their spread in health care settings. We compared the performance of the Carba NP (CNP) test using the CLSI tube method with that using a modified paper strip method for the detection of carbapenemases in 390
Enterobacteriaceae
isolates. The isolates were identified by Hong Kong's carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
surveillance program in 2016 and comprised 213 CPE and 177 carbapenemase-negative
Enterobacteriaceae
isolates. Molecular genotype was used as the reference. The test results were read at different time points for the CLSI method (1 min, 5 min, 1 h, and 2 h) and strip method (1 min and 5 min). The strip CNP and CLSI CNP tests correctly detect carbapenemase production in 93% and 93% of KPC producers, 100% and 38% of IMI producers, 94% and 85% of IMP producers, 98% and 90% of NDM producers, and 29% and 12% of OXA producers, respectively. Overall, the strip method has superior sensitivity to the CLSI method (86% versus 75%, respectively;
P
< 0.001, McNemar test). The specificity of both methods was 100%. By the CLSI method, 27%, 14%, 29%, and 6% of the CPE isolates were positive at 1 min, 5 min, 1 h, and 2 h, respectively. In contrast, by the strip method, 76% of the CPE isolates were positive at 1 min, and an additional 10% were positive at 5 min. In conclusion, the Carba NP test by use of the modified strip method has a higher sensitivity and a shorter assay time than that those by use of the CLSI tube method.
Rotavirus Degrades Multiple Interferon (IFN) Type Receptors To Inhibit IFN Signaling and Protects against Mortality from Endotoxin in Suckling Mice
Authors: Sen Adrish , Sharma Ayushi , Greenberg Harry B.
Published: October 2017

STAT1 phosphorylation in response to exogenous interferon (IFN) administration can be inhibited by rotaviral replication bothin vitroandin vivo. In addition many rotavirus strains are resistant to the actions of different IFN types. The regulation by rotaviruses (RVs) of antiviral pathways mediated by multiple IFN types is not well understood. In this study, we find that during infectionin vitroandin vivo, RVs significantly deplete IFN type I, II, and III receptors (IFNRs). Regulation of IFNRs occurred exclusively within RV-infected cells and could be abrogated by inhibiting the lysosomal-endosomal degradation pathway.In vitro, IFNR degradation was conserved across multiple RV strains that differ in their modes of regulating IFN induction. In suckling mice, exogenously administered type I, II, or III IFN induced phosphorylation of STAT1-Y701 within intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) of suckling mice. Murine EW strain RV infection transiently activated intestinal STAT1 at 1 day postinfection (dpi) but not subsequently at 2 to 3 dpi. In response to injection of purified IFN-α/β or -λ, IECs in EW-infected mice exhibited impaired STAT1-Y701 phosphorylation, correlating with depletion of different intestinal IFNRs and impaired IFN-mediated transcription. The ability of EW murine RV to inhibit multiple IFN types led us to test protection of suckling mice from endotoxin-mediated shock, an outcome that is dependent on the host IFN response. Compared to mortality in controls, mice infected with EW murine RV were substantially protected against mortality following parenteral endotoxin administration. These studies identify a novel mechanism of IFN subversion by RV and reveal an unexpected protective effect of RV infection on endotoxin-mediated shock in suckling mice.

IMPORTANCEAntiviral functions of types I, II, and III IFNs are mediated by receptor-dependent activation of STAT1. Here, we find that RV degrades the types I, II, and III IFN receptors (IFNRs)in vitro. In a suckling mouse model, RV effectively blocked STAT1 activation and transcription following injection of different purified IFNs. This correlated with significantly decreased protein expression of intestinal types I and II IFNRs. Recent studies demonstrate that in mice lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lethality is prevented by genetic ablation of IFN signaling genes such as IFNAR1 and STAT1. When suckling mice were infected with RV, they were substantially protected from lethal exposure to endotoxin. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying rotavirus regulation of different interferons and are likely to stimulate new research into both rotavirus pathogenesis and endotoxemia.
Multi-omics Comparative Analysis Reveals Multiple Layers of Host Signaling Pathway Regulation by the Gut Microbiota
Authors: Manes Nathan P. , Shulzhenko Natalia , Nuccio Arthur G. , Azeem Sara , Morgun Andrey , Nita-Lazar Aleksandra
Published: October 2017

Multiple host pathways were affected by its adaptation to the microbiota. We have found significant transcriptome-proteome discordance caused by the microbiota. This discovery leads to the definite conclusion that transcript-level analysis is not sufficient to predict protein levels and their influence on the function of many specific cellular pathways, so only analysis of combinations of the quantitative data determined at different levels will lead to a complete understanding of the complex relationships between the host and the microbiota. Therefore, our results demonstrate the importance of using an integrative approach to study host-microbiota interaction at the molecular level.