bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptation of the Alphaproteobacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides to stationary phase
Authors: McIntosh Matthew , Eisenhardt Katrin , Remes Bernhard , Konzer Anne , Klug Gabriele
Published: October 2019

Exhaustion of nutritional resources stimulates bacterial populations to adapt their growth behaviour. General mechanisms are known to facilitate this adaptation by sensing the environmental change and coordinating gene expression. However, the existence of such mechanisms among the Alphaproteobacteria remains unclear. This study focusses on global changes in transcript levels during growth under carbon‐limiting conditions in a model Alphaproteobacterium, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, a metabolically diverse organism capable of multiple modes of growth including aerobic and anaerobic respiration, anaerobic anoxygenic photosynthesis and fermentation. We identified genes that showed changed transcript levels independently of oxygen levels during the adaptation to stationary phase. We selected a subset of these genes and subjected them to mutational analysis, including genes predicted to be involved in manganese uptake, polyhydroxybutyrate production and quorum sensing and an alternative sigma factor. Although these genes have not been previously associated with the adaptation to stationary phase, we found that all were important to varying degrees. We conclude that while R. sphaeroides appears to lack a rpoS‐like master regulator of stationary phase adaptation, this adaptation is nonetheless enabled through the impact of multiple genes, each responding to environmental conditions and contributing to the adaptation to stationary phase.
Potential impacts of intraguild predation by invasive Asian house geckos
Authors: Nordberg Eric J.
Published: October 2019

The introduction of the Asian house gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus, to mainland Australia has sparked considerable debate in regard to its potential impacts on native lizard species. Their historically patchy distribution across Australia has gained attention as populations have spread into peri‐urban and native bushland. Hemidactylus frenatus potentially pose a threat to native species through competition and predation. I documented some activity of H. frenatus during the day, including foraging, which may broaden the potential impacts to diurnal species. Here, I highlight (i) the potential impact of predation by H. frenatus on native lizards and (ii) the need for empirical studies directly quantifying competitive encounters, with special interest in intraguild predation.
Rare indolent zygomycosis caused by subcutaneous Saksenaea vasiformis infection
Authors: Tanabodee Monton , Sawasdipong Junjira , Sudtikoonaseth Poonnawis , Wessagowit Vesarat
Published: October 2019

We report an immunocompetent male child with chronic, indolent subcutaneous limb infection akin to basidiobolomycosis, but was shown by PCR method to be caused by a mucoralean fungus Saksenaea vasiformis. Treatment with oral potassium iodide solution was effective. This finding highlights the consideration of treatment decision according to the phenotypic severity as opposed to species identified.
Management and long‐term outcomes of women with adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix: A retrospective study
Authors: Tan Jeffrey H.J. , Malloy Michael J. , Thangamani Ramaish , Gertig Dorota , Drennan Kelly T. , Wrede C. David , Saville Marion , Quinn Michael
Published: October 2019

Background

Adenocarcinoma in situ of cervix is increasingly managed by local excision rather than hysterectomy and this study will ascertain if conservative management by excision alone is adequate.

Aims

To evaluate the long‐term outcomes of conservative management of adenocarcinoma in situ of cervix, particularly in relation to excisional margin status.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective analysis of women diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in situ and their management between 1992 and 2010 retrieved from the Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry, Australia. Failure of conservative treatment is defined by histologically proven adenocarcinoma in situ or adenocarcinoma at follow‐up after negative excisional margins.

Results

adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix was managed primarily with cold knife cone biopsy or loop electrosurgical excision of the cervix. Most excisions were in one piece (83.4%) with average depth of 16.1 mm and 21.9% had involved excisional margins. Women with adenocarcinoma in situ on any excisional margin were more likely to have residual or recurrent disease (28.7%) compared with negative excisional margins (4.3%). Residual adenocarcinoma in situ was twice as common if adenocarcinoma in situ was present at endocervical (29.6%) and stromal (23.1%) margins compared with an ectocervical margin (13.6%). Cancer incidence at follow‐up was 2.3% for women with positive excisional margins compared to 1.3% with negative margins.

Conclusions

Women with adenocarcinoma in situ of cervix can be managed with local excisional procedures, best in single pieces to provide the important information on excisional margins. Adenocarcinoma in situ at endocervical and stromal excisional margins needs re‐excision or where appropriate, hysterectomy, while negative excisional margins have a low rate of recurrence and can be followed up with test of cure.
Novel fatty acid‐thiadiazole derivatives as potential antimycobacterial agents
Authors: Mali Jaishree K. , Sutar Yogesh B. , Pahelkar Akshata R. , Verma Preeti M. , Telvekar Vikas N.
Published: October 2019

The discovery of antibiotics around the middle twentieth century led to a decrease in the interest in antimycobacterial fatty acids. In order to re‐establish the importance of naturally abundant fatty acid, a series of fatty acid‐thiadiazole derivatives were designed and synthesized based on molecular hybridization approach. In vitro antimycobacterial potential was established by a screening of synthesized compounds against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain. Among them, compounds 5a, 5d, 5h, and 5j were the most active, with compound 5j exhibiting minimum inhibitory concentration of 2.34 μg/ml against M.tb H37Rv. Additionally, the compounds were docked to determine the probable binding interactions and understand the mechanism of action of most active molecules on enoyl‐acyl carrier protein reductases (InhA), which is involved in the mycobacterium fatty acid biosynthetic pathway.
Do the Colors of Educational Number Tools Improve Children’s Mathematics and Numerosity?
Authors: Rinaldi Louisa J. , Smees Rebecca , Alvarez James , Simner Julia
Published: October 2019

This study examined how colored educational tools improve children’s numerosity (“number sense”) and/or mathematics. We tested children 6–10 years (n = 3,236) who had been exposed to colored numbers from the educational tools Numicon (Oxford University Press, 2018) or Numberjacks (Ellis, 2006), which map colors to magnitudes or Arabic numerals, respectively. In a free association task pairing numbers with colors, a subset of children spontaneously provided colors matching one of these schemas. These children, who had internalized Numicon (colored magnitude), showed significantly better numerosity but not mathematics compared to peers. There was no similar benefit from internalizing Numberjacks (colored numerals). These data support a model in which colored number tools provide benefits at different levels of numerical cognition, according to their different levels of cross‐modal mappings.
Small bowel obstruction by massive impacted diospyrobezoars relieved by endoscopic lithotripsy with a polypectomy snare using double balloon endoscopy
Authors: Shiotsuki Kazuo , Imai Kenichiro , Hotta Kinichi
Published: October 2019

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Safe method of steroid injection following esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection for postoperative stricture prevention
Authors: Shumeiko Oleksandr , Yoshida Masao , Ono Hiroyuki
Published: October 2019

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Riverine macrophytes control seasonal nutrient uptake via both physical and biological pathways
Authors: Riis Tenna , Tank Jennifer L. , Reisinger Alexander J. , Aubenau Antoine , Roche Kevin R. , Levi Peter S. , Baattrup‐Pedersen Annette , Alnoee Anette B. , Bolster Diogo
Published: October 2019

In low‐gradient, macrophyte‐rich rivers, we expect that the significant change in macrophyte biomass among seasons will strongly influence both biological activity and hydraulic conditions resulting in significant effects on nutrient dynamics. Understanding seasonal variation will improve modelling of nutrient transport in river networks, including annual estimations of export, which could optimise decision‐making and management outcomes.

We explored the relationships among seasonal differences in reach‐scale nutrient uptake, macrophyte abundance, solute transport and transient storage in the River Gudenå (Denmark), a large macrophyte‐rich river. We used the minimal pulse addition technique to measure uptake of ammonium, nitrate, soluble reactive phosphorus, as well as reach‐scale metabolism, and surface transient storage in spring, summer, and autumn.

We found that riverine uptake changed among seasons and was linked to macrophyte biomass via both biological activity, reflected in reach‐scale metabolism, and through physical processes, as solute transport was influenced by longitudinal dispersion. In this macrophyte‐rich river, seasonal changes in macrophyte biomass affected contact time between the water and biota, which influenced ammonium and soluble reactive phosphorus uptake. Using stoichiometric scaling of reach‐scale metabolism, we found that seasonal variation also influenced the relative contributions of autotrophic and heterotrophic biota in assimilatory uptake.

In summary, riverine nutrient uptake was not static, highlighting the importance of seasonality, with significant implications for modelling of nutrient export in river networks. Moreover, current management strategies that remove macrophyte biomass (i.e. weed cutting and dredging) will short‐circuit the positive effects of enhanced nutrient uptake resulting from abundant macrophytes in rivers.
When to start and when to stop: Effects of climate on breeding in a multi‐brooded songbird
Authors: Lv Lei , Liu Yang , Osmond Helen L. , Cockburn Andrew , Kruuk Loeske E. B.
Published: October 2019

Climate warming has been shown to affect the timing of the onset of breeding of many bird species across the world. However, for multi‐brooded species, climate may also affect the timing of the end of the breeding season, and hence also its duration, and these effects may have consequences for fitness. We used 28 years of field data to investigate the links between climate, timing of breeding, and breeding success in a cooperatively breeding passerine, the superb fairy‐wren (Malurus cyaneus). This multi‐brooded species from southeastern Australia has a long breeding season and high variation in phenology between individuals. By applying a “sliding window” approach, we found that higher minimum temperatures in early spring resulted in an earlier start and a longer duration of breeding, whereas less rainfall and more heatwaves (days > 29°C) in late summer resulted in an earlier end and a shorter duration of breeding. Using a hurdle model analysis, we found that earlier start dates did not predict whether or not females produced any young in a season. However, for successful females who produced at least one young, earlier start dates were associated with higher numbers of young produced in a season. Earlier end dates were associated with ahigherprobability of producing at least one young, presumably because unsuccessful females kept trying when others had ceased. Despite larger scale trends in climate, climate variables in the windows relevant to this species’ phenology did not change across years, and there were no temporal trends in phenology during our study period. Our results illustrate a scenario in which higher temperatures advanced both start and end dates of individuals’ breeding seasons, but did not generate an overall temporal shift in breeding times. They also suggest that the complexity of selection pressures on breeding phenology in multi‐brooded species may have been underestimated.
Skin lesions and vancomycin use in a hemodialysis patient
Authors: Schurder Juliet , Morel Pauline , Blanc Julie , Clerté Maëva , Ridel Christophe , Touzot Maxime
Published: October 2019

Vancomycin is a widely used antibiotic in hemodialysis patients. The main complications include renal toxicity and skin lesions. Herein, we report the case of a 29‐year‐old hemodialysis patient who presented a bullous pruriginous dermatosis after vancomycin treatment. A skin biopsy revealed a linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD). This is a rare form of dermatosis and is either idiopathic or more likely vancomycin‐induced. Similarities in the molecular structure of vancomycin and epidermal basement membrane glycoproteins could explain the auto‐immune response. The overall prognosis after drug discontinuation and dermocorticoid treatment was good.
Epidemiology and Treatment of Menstrual Migraine and Migraine During Pregnancy and Lactation: A Narrative Review
Authors: Burch Rebecca
Published: October 2019

The peak prevalence of migraine occurs in women of reproductive age, and women experience a higher burden of migraine symptoms and disability compared to men. This increased burden of migraine in women is related to both developmental and temporally variable activational effects of female sex hormones. Changing levels of female sex hormones affect the expression of migraine during pregnancy, and, to a lesser degree, lactation, and are the mechanism underlying menstrual migraine. This review describes the evidence for sex differences in the expression of migraine across the reproductive epoch; reviews the epidemiology of migraine during pregnancy, lactation, and menses; and summarizes the available evidence for safety and efficacy of acute treatments during pregnancy and lactation and for menstrual migraine. Areas of controversy in treatment of migraine during pregnancy, including the use of magnesium, triptans vs butalbital combination medications, and onabotulinum toxin, are also explored.
Modification of silicophosphate glass composition, structure, and properties via crucible material and melting conditions
Authors: Sawangboon Nuttawan , Nizamutdinova Alina , Uesbeck Tobias , Limbach René , Meechoowas Ekarat , Tapasa Kanit , Möncke Doris , Wondraczek Lothar , Kamitsos Efstratios I. , van Wüllen Leo , Brauer Delia S.
Published: October 2019

Ceramic crucibles are known to corrode in contact with glass melts. Here, we investigate the effect of alumina and fused silica crucibles on the composition, structure, and properties of silicophosphate glasses. Glasses in the system 0.3 Na2O‐0.6 P2O5‐0.1 SiO2were melted in platinum, alumina, or fused silica crucibles at 900°C or 1200°C for 0.5‐12 hours. Al2O3and SiO2were found to leach from the crucibles into the glass melt and alter the glass composition: Al2O3content increased with melting temperature and time, resulting in up to 10 mol% Al2O3; SiO2from fused silica crucibles was also introduced into the glass, resulting in a 25% higher SiO2content compared to the nominal composition. Glass density, transition temperature, thermal expansion, and mechanical properties were strongly affected by these compositional changes. Based on vibrational spectroscopy, this is explained by increasing numbers of P–O–Al or P–O–Si bonds, resulting in a depolymerization of the phosphate network, and ionic cross‐linking by high field strength aluminum or silicon ions. With increasing alumina content, P–O–Si bonds were replaced by P–O–Al bonds.31P and27Al MAS NMR spectra revealed that aluminum is present in sixfold coordination exclusively and fully bonded to phosphate species, connecting phosphate groups by P–O–Al–O–P bonds.
Anti‐inflammatory effect of alkaloids extracted from Dendrobium aphyllum on macrophage RAW 264.7 cells through NO production and reduced IL‐1, IL‐6, TNF‐α and PGE2 expression
Authors: Wang Qin , Liang Jiaxi , Stephen Brennan Charles , Ma Lukai , Li Yanfu , Lin Xiaohui , Liu Huifan , Wu Jihong
Published: October 2019

Dendrobium aphyllum is an edible plant that is used as a functional food to improve health. We previously examined peptides and polysaccharides extracted from Dendrobium aphyllum; however, we did not investigate D. aphyllum’s alkaloid compounds and their functions. In this study, we detail the composition of alkaloids from Dendrobium aphyllum (DAA), including 2α, 3β‐dihydroxy nortropane, 1‐methyl‐2‐[(4Z,7Z)‐4,7‐tridecadienyl]‐4(1H)‐quinolone and maokonine, which were first identified by UPLC‐MS analysis. Furthermore, the anti‐inflammatory activity of DAA on LPS‐induced RAW 264.7 macrophages was examined. DAA treatment inhibited LPS‐induced NO production and decreased (P < 0.05) IL‐1, IL‐6, TNF‐α and PGE2 secretion in the RAW 264.7 macrophages. DAA treatment also inhibited COX‐2 and iNOS mRNA expression in a dose‐dependent manner, indicating that these compounds can attenuate the synthesis of the above‐mentioned molecules at the transcriptional level, tentatively confirming their anti‐inflammatory effect.
Effects of oxygen partial pressure on the thermodynamics of CaO–SiO2–VOx system at 1873 K
Authors: Yan Baijun , Wang Daya , Deng Tengfei , Wu Liusun , Dong Yuanchi
Published: October 2019

In this study, two aspects concerning with the thermodynamics of CaO–SiO2–VOx system were investigated. One aspect is about the effects of oxygen partial pressure on the phase relationships in CaO–SiO2–VOx system at 1873 K, and the other is the measurement of the standard Gibbs energy of formation of the vanadium compounds. In the first aspect, the phase relationships in CaO–SiO2–VOx system at 1873 K under oxygen partial pressure of 1.7 × 10−9 atm were determined, and the isothermal section diagram was constructed. Furthermore, by comparing this diagram with that under 6.9 × 10−11 atm, the effects caused by oxygen partial pressure on this system were elucidated. With the increase in oxygen partial pressure, the compound CaV2O4 that exists stably under 6.9 × 10−11 atm is oxidized to V2O3 and CaVO3. The solubility limit of V2O3 in liquid phase also increases remarkably, which results in the enlargement of the single liquid area. In the second aspect, the standard Gibbs energy of formation of CaV2O4, CaVO3, V2O3, and Ca2Si1−δVδO4 (0 < δ < 0.1) at 1873 K were measured. The determined values for CaV2O4 and CaVO3 are −1 259 468.9 ± 5090.5 J/mol and −963 479.8 ± 3298.6 J/mol, respectively. Then, the limit of oxygen partial pressure for CaV2O4 existing stably at 1873 K is determined to be 4.4 × 10−10 atm.
Increasing physical activity in adult women with Prader–Willi syndrome: A transferability study
Authors: Bellicha Alice , Coupaye Muriel , Hocquaux Léonore , Speter Fanny , Oppert Jean‐Michel , Poitou Christine
Published: October 2019

Background

The present authors aimed (a) to objectively quantify spontaneous physical activity (PA) in adult patients with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) and (b) to evaluate the transferability of a home‐based exercise training programme in these patients.

Method

Physical activity was compared between 10 adult women with PWS (PWS group) and 20 adult women with non‐syndromic obesity (CON group, for cross‐sectional comparison). In the PWS group, PA, body composition, walking capacity, quality of life and eating behaviour were then compared before and after a 16‐week supervised exercise programme.

Results

The PWS group displayed lower PA and higher sedentary time compared to the CON group. Median attendance to exercise sessions reached 100% (Q1‐Q3: 97%–100%) sessions. Moderate‐to‐vigorous PA and walking capacity increased after the programme without significant effect on body composition.

Conclusion

Supervised home‐based exercise sessions are an effective strategy to improve PA in women with PWS who are less active than women matched for adiposity.
Population‐level evaluation of complications after catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure
Authors: Samuel Michelle , Abrahamowicz Michal , Joza Jacqueline , Pilote Louise , Essebag Vidal
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Catheter ablation (CA) has been increasingly used to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure (HF), however, its safety at the population‐level has not yet been evaluated. To assess the safety of CA in AF‐HF patients, the frequency and potential risk factors for adverse events (AEs) within 30 days post‐CA were determined.

Methods

A population‐based cohort of AF‐HF patients who underwent CA in Quebec, Canada (2000‐2017) was constructed using administrative databases. Major AEs included all‐cause mortality, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), pericardial effusion requiring drainage (PERD), vascular AEs, hemorrhage/hematoma, and pulmonary embolism. Univariate logistic regression models were employed to assess potential risk factors for major AEs.

Results

Of 700 AF‐HF patients who underwent CA (median age 64.5 years [interquartile range, IQR, 56.2‐71.0], 22.0% female, and median CHA2DS2‐Vasc 3 [IQR, 2‐4]), 14 (2.0%) patients developed 16 major AEs within 30 days of CA. Hemorrhage/hematoma was the most frequent major AE (four patients; 0.6%) followed by all‐cause mortality, CVA/TIA, PERD, and vascular AEs (three patients each; 0.4%). Coronary artery disease (odds ratio [OR], 3.9 [95% confidence interval, CI, 1.2‐12.3]) and age ≥65 years (OR, 3.1 [95% CI, 1.1‐9.8]) were identified predictors for the composite outcome of major AEs. More than half of the patients (57.2%) underwent a second CA within a median of 0.8 (IQR, 0.2‐2.2) years from the date of first CA.

Conclusion

CA performed in the AF‐HF population portends a relatively low incidence of major AEs. A larger study is required to determine whether certain patient factors are independently associated with a higher risk of post‐CA AEs.
Our approach to persistent atrial fibrillation in the setting of pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Richardson Travis , Michaud Gregory F.
Published: October 2019

In patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) despite durable pulmonary vein isolation, there are a variety of approaches to further ablation. Here we summarize our strategy in this population. In brief, our approach is to isolate the posterior wall, ablate the coronary sinus musculature and left lateral ridge, complete a lateral mitral line, and achieve cavotricuspid isthmus block. Subsequently, we target organized atrial flutters and if AF persists, we ablate areas of long, fractionated electrograms within scarred regions. We administer isuprel in patients with a presentation consistent with triggered atrial fibrillation (low scar burden, paroxysms of AF).
SARI suppresses colitis‐associated cancer development by maintaining MCP‐1‐mediated tumour‐associated macrophage recruitment
Authors: Dai Lei , Liu Yi , Yin Yuan , Li Junshu , Dong Zhexu , Chen Na , Cheng Lin , Wang Huiling , Fang Chao , Lin Yi , Shi Gang , Zhang Hantao , Fan Ping , Su Xiaolan , Zhang Shuang , Yang Yang , Yang Lie , Huang Wei , Zhou Zongguang , Yu Dechao , Deng Hongxin
Published: October 2019

SARI (suppressor of AP‐1, regulated by IFN) impaired tumour growth by promoting apoptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation and tumour angiogenesis in various cancers. However, the role of SARI in regulating tumour‐associated inflammation microenvironment is still elusive. In our study, the colitis‐dependent and ‐independent primary model were established in SARI deficiency mice and immuno‐reconstructive mice to investigate the functional role of SARI in regulating tumour‐associated inflammation microenvironment and primary colon cancer formation. The results have shown that SARI deficiency promotes colitis‐associated cancer (CAC) development only in the presence of colon inflammation. SARI inhibited tumour‐associated macrophages (TAM) infiltration in colon tissues, and SARI deficiency in bone marrow cells has no observed role in the promotion of intestinal tumorigenesis. Mechanism investigations indicated that SARI down‐regulates p‐STAT1 and STAT1 expression in colon cancer cells, following inhibition of MCP‐1/CCR2 axis activation during CAC development. Inverse correlations between SARI expression and macrophage infiltration, MCP‐1 expression and p‐STAT1 expression were also demonstrated in colon malignant tissues. Collectively, our results prove the inhibition role of SARI in colon cancer formation through regulating TAM infiltration.
Foraging niche separation of social wasps in an invaded area: Implications for their management
Authors: Masciocchi Maité , Unelius Carl Rikard , Buteler Micaela
Published: October 2019

Foraging niche separation may be a mechanism to promote coexistence of two competing species by concentrating intraspecific competition relative to interspecific competition. The present study investigated foraging behaviour and microhabitat use of two coexisting species of invasive social wasps,Vespula germanicaandVespula vulgaris,when foraging for two different food resources. Also, we tested the attractiveness of traps baited with a synthetic lure for those two species. We found thatV. germanicawasps prefer to forage at ground level regardless of the resource, whileV. vulgarisprefers protein resources at the shrubland level given a choice between a protein bait at ground or at shrubland level. However, when baited with the synthetic lure, the species caught was not affected by the height at which traps were placed. That is, in a no choice scenario, the traps were sufficiently attractive to lure both species of wasps to both microhabitats (ground and shrubland levels). Thus, our results support the existence of spatial niche differentiation at least in protein foraging and suggest that the synthetic lure evaluated could be used to trap both species ofVespulawasps present in Argentina. These results could help to improve management strategies of these social wasps in an invaded area.
Predictors of Hip Fracture Despite Treatment with Bisphosphonates among Frail Older Adults
Authors: Zullo Andrew R. , Sorial Mark N. , Lee Yoojin , Lary Christine W. , Kiel Douglas P. , Berry Sarah D.
Published: October 2019

OBJECTIVES

Bisphosphonates are effective at preventing hip fractures among older adults, yet many patients still fracture while on treatment and may benefit from additional preventive interventions. Little data are specifically available to target such efforts among bisphosphonate users. We aimed to identify predictors of hip fracture unique to frail older adults initiating pharmacologic treatment for osteoporosis.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort using 2008‐2013 linked national Minimum Data Set assessments, Medicare claims, and nursing home (NH) facility data.

SETTING

NHs in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Long‐stay NH residents 65 years or older who initiated treatment with a bisphosphonate (N = 17 753). Estimates for bisphosphonate initiators were contrasted with those for calcitonin initiators (control group; N = 5348).

MEASUREMENTS

Hospitalized hip fracture outcomes were measured using Part A claims. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for 36 a priori selected potential predictors.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) age of the study population was 84 (8) years, 85% were women, and 51% had moderate to severe cognitive impairment. Predictors associated with a higher risk of hip fracture despite bisphosphonate use included age 75 years or older to 85 years (vs ≥65 to <75 y; HR = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.02‐1.55), female sex (HR = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.06‐1.67), white race (vs black race (HR = 1.87; 95% CI = 1.36‐2.58), and body mass index = 18.5‐24.9 (vs ≥30; HR = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.53‐2.42). Independent ability to transfer (vs total dependence; HR = 3.11; 95% CI = 1.83‐5.30) and occasional urinary incontinence (vs frequent; HR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.18‐1.78) were also important predictors. Dementia, diabetes, psychoactive drug use, and other characteristics were not associated with post‐prescribing hip fracture. Predictors did not differ between bisphosphonate and calcitonin users.

CONCLUSION

Predictors of hip fracture among frail older adults did not differ between those who were new users of bisphosphonates vs calcitonin. Given the absence of risk factors unique to bisphosphonate users, targeting of fracture prevention efforts should extend beyond pharmacologic therapy to include existing nonpharmacologic therapies, particularly fall prevention strategies. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:256–260, 2020
Visualization of ultraviolet absorption distribution beyond the diffraction limit of light by electron‐beam excitation‐assisted optical microscope
Authors: INAMI W. , FUKUTA M. , KAWATA Y. , TERAKAWA S.
Published: October 2019

We demonstrated that the high spatial resolution absorption contrast imaging of the crystal of vitamin B9 has absorption at ultraviolet wavelengths. The absorption wavelength matches with the wavelength of the emission of the fluorescent thin film of an electron‐beam excitation‐assisted (EXA) optical microscope. The fine crystal structure was imaged beyond the optical diffraction limit. The image contrast corresponded with the thickness of the crystal. The illumination light is absorbed with the vitamin B9 crystal and the intensity of the transmitted light depends on the thickness of the vitamin B9 crystal. The EXA optical microscope is useful for analysis of growth of a crystal, bioimaging and so on.
Another sleepless night: Does a leader's poor sleep lead to subordinate's poor sleep? A spillover/crossover perspective
Authors: Tariq Hussain , Weng Qingxiong (Derek) , Garavan Thomas Noel , Obaid Asfia , Hassan Waseem
Published: October 2019

Given the importance of sleep to an individual's health and well‐being, relatively little research has been conducted in the management and organizational behaviour literature on the relationship between sleep and work behaviour. Using spillover/crossover theory, we extended the current literature by investigating the possible supervisor–subordinate sleep relationship and introduced a serial mediation mechanism to answer how a supervisor's poor night's sleep translates into his/her subordinate's poor night's sleep. We conducted an experience sampling study involving 101 supervisors and subordinates over five consecutive working days (N = 505 occasions). Results verified that the spillover effect of supervisors’ poor sleep on their next‐day abusive supervisory behaviour has a crossover effect on their subordinates’ poor sleep. Finally, results indicated that subordinate's physical exercise has the capacity to mitigate the influence of abusive supervision on subordinate’ poor sleep. Future research should continue to examine the supervisor–subordinate sleep relationship and identify interventions in both the work and non‐work domains of supervisor and subordinates as avenues for improving sleep health.
Slow‐wave activity preceding the onset of 10–15‐Hz sleep spindles and 5–9‐Hz oscillations in electroencephalograms in rats with and without absence seizures
Authors: Sitnikova Evgenia , Grubov Vadim , Hramov Alexander E.
Published: October 2019

Cortico‐thalamocortical networks generate sleep spindles and slow waves during non‐rapid eye movement sleep, as well as paroxysmal spike‐wave discharges (i.e. electroencephalogram manifestation of absence epilepsy) and 5–9‐Hz oscillations in genetic rat models (i.e. pro‐epileptic activity). Absence epilepsy is a disorder of the thalamocortical network. We tested a hypothesis that absence epilepsy associates with changes in the slow‐wave activity before the onset of sleep spindles and pro‐epileptic 5–9‐Hz oscillations. The study was performed in the WAG/Rij genetic rat model of absence epilepsy and Wistar rats at the age of 9–12 months. Electroencephalograms were recorded with epidural electrodes from the anterior cortex. Sleep spindles (10–15 Hz), 5–9‐Hz oscillations and their slow‐wave (2–7 Hz) precursors were automatically detected and analysed using continuous wavelet transform. Subjects with electroencephalogram seizures (the “epileptic” phenotype) and without seizure activity (the “non‐epileptic” phenotype) were identified in both strains. It was found that time–amplitude features of sleep spindles and 5–9‐Hz oscillations were similar in both rat strains and in both phenotypes. Sleep spindles in “epileptic” rats were more often preceded by the slow‐wave (~4 Hz) activity than in “non‐epileptic” rats. The intrinsic frequency of slow‐wave precursors of sleep spindles and 5–9‐Hz oscillations in “epileptic” rats was 1–1.5 Hz higher than in “non‐epileptic” rats. In general, our results indicated that absence epilepsy associated with: (a) the reinforcement of slow waves immediately prior to normal sleep spindles; and (b) weakening of amplitude growth in transition “slow wave → spindle/5–9‐Hz oscillation”.
Effect of probiotic Enterococcus faecium SF68 on liver function in healthy dogs
Authors: Lucena Rosario , Novales Manuel , Blanco Beatriz , Hernández Eduardo , Ginel Pedro José
Published: October 2019

Background

Probiotics are widely used in dogs but can be associated with alterations in some serum biochemistry test results.

Objective

To assess the effect of Enterococcus faecium SF68 administration for 14 days on serum alanine transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in healthy dogs.

Animals

Thirty‐six healthy privately owned neutered dogs were randomly allocated, stratified by sex, to control or probiotic groups. Dogs were clinically healthy, with normal physical examination findings, blood, urine, and fecal analyses and ultrasonographic examinations.

Method

In this blinded, controlled study E. faecium SF68 was administered to the probiotic group for 14 days. Blood samples were taken from all dogs at days 0, 14, and 28. Serum ALT and ALP activity and total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were determined on these 3 days.

Results

The probiotic induced no significant changes in mean ALT and ALP activity. Mean cholesterol concentration did not change during probiotic administration but a significant decrease was seen on day 28 (P < .01). Mean triglyceride concentration increased progressively, becoming significant at day 28 (P < .05), with 1 dog developing hypertriglyceridemia.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

E. faecium SF68 would not create confusion when monitoring dogs with hepatobiliary disease because ALT and ALP activity did not change significantly. A significant decrease in cholesterol and significant increase in triglyceride concentrations were seen at day 28 but were not clinically relevant, with 1 dog showing hypertriglyceridemia. A longer trial is warranted to assess if the probiotic effects could be clinically relevant and to assess its potential use in hypertriglyceridemic dogs.
The Coproduction of Primary and Secondary Legislation: Israel as a Case Study of Substitutive Relationships
Authors: Kosti Nir , Levi‐Faur David
Published: October 2019

Much has been written since the early 1980s about the costs of regulation and the various ways to curb them, but thus far no one has examined empirically the rise or decline of other forms of legislation, mainly primary legislation, in the context of the “war on regulation.” This article examines the extent to which the decline in the rate of production of secondary legislation in Israel since 1985 has been driven by changes in the rate of production of primary legislation. Using an original longitudinal data set, we count, codify various dimensions, and compare the type and length of primary and secondary legislations and the number of delegated provisions that primary legislations contain. We find that the relationship between primary and secondary legislation is not hierarchic, as one might have expected, but has become partially substitutive. The decline in the rate of production of secondary legislation in Israel is, perhaps paradoxically, associated with the rise of primary legislation. This opens a new research agenda on the relationships between primary and secondary legislation that goes well beyond the Israeli case.
Pathways of hepatic and renal damage through non‐classical activation of the renin‐angiotensin system in chronic liver disease
Authors: Sansoè Giovanni , Aragno Manuela , Wong Florence
Published: October 2019

In liver cirrhosis, renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) activation sustains renal sodium retention and hepatic fibrogenesis. New information has recently enlivened the traditional concept of RAS. For instance, renin and prorenin bind their ubiquitous receptors, resulting in the local production of angiotensin (Ang) II; increased serum calcium and calcimimetic agents, through stimulation of extracellular calcium‐sensing receptors (CaSR), blunt renin production and lead to natriuretic effects in human and experimental cirrhosis. Alongside systemic production, there is Ang II tissue production within various organs through RAS enzymes different from angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE), that is chymase, tissue plasminogen activator and several cathepsins. In experimental cirrhosis, inhibition of chymase leads to natriuretic and hepatic antifibrotic effects, without changes in systemic haemodynamics. In the kidney, local RAS coordinates proximal and distal tubular sodium reabsorption. However, renalase, whose plasma and tissue levels are severely altered in experimental cirrhosis, degrades systemic and renal tubule catecholamines, antagonizing the effects of renal RAS. Angiotensinogen‐derived natriuretic and vasodilating peptides (Ang1‐9, Ang1‐7, Ang3‐8) and their receptors have been described. Receptor agonists or antagonists are available to affect portal hypertension and sodium retention in cirrhosis. ACE2‐dependent generation of Ang1‐7 may inhibit experimental liver fibrosis. inhibition of Ang1‐7 clearance by means of neprilysin blockade has portal hypotensive and natriuretic effects. Ang1‐12, whose production renin does not regulate, is converted to several different angiotensin peptides via chymase. Finally, Ang II behaves as either an antinatriuretic or a natriuretic agent, based on the tissue content of AT1R and AT2R receptors, their ratio being prone to pharmacological modulation.
Concrete bridge surface damage detection using a single‐stage detector
Authors: Zhang Chaobo , Chang Chih‐chen , Jamshidi Maziar
Published: October 2019

Early and timely detection of surface damages is important for maintaining the functionality, reliability, and safety of concrete bridges. Recent advancement in convolution neural network has enabled the development of deep learning‐based visual inspection techniques for detecting multiple structural damages. However, most deep learning‐based techniques are built on two‐stage, proposal‐driven detectors using less complex image data, which could be restricted for practical applications and possible integration within intelligent autonomous inspection systems. In this study, a faster, simpler single‐stage detector is proposed based on a real‐time object detection technique, You Only Look Once (YOLOv3), for detecting multiple concrete bridge damages. A field inspection images dataset labeled with four types of concrete damages (crack, pop‐out, spalling, and exposed rebar) is used for training and testing of YOLOv3. To enhance the detection accuracy, the original YOLOv3 is further improved by introducing a novel transfer learning method with fully pretrained weights from a geometrically similar dataset. Batch renormalization and focal loss are also incorporated to increase the accuracy. Testing results show that the improved YOLOv3 has a detection accuracy of up to 80% and 47% at the Intersection‐over‐Union (IoU) metrics of 0.5 and 0.75, respectively. It outperforms the original YOLOv3 and the two‐stage detector Faster Region‐based Convolutional Neural Network (Faster R‐CNN) with ResNet‐101, especially for the IoU metric of 0.75.
Clinical application of Aspergillus lateral flow device in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with classic risk factors for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: Linder Kathleen A. , Kauffman Carol A. , Zhou Shiwei , Miceli Marisa H.
Published: October 2019

Background

The diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) remains challenging. We evaluated the performance characteristics of a newly formatted Aspergillus lateral flow test, AspLFD, in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from patients with classic risk factors for IPA.

Methods

Prospectively banked BAL samples from 14 patients with proven or probable IPA defined by EORTC/MSG criteria and 28 BAL samples from age‐matched high‐risk patients without IPA were tested with AspLFD according to manufacturer's directions. Results were read by two independent observers, and test performance was calculated.

Results

Age, gender and underlying risk factors, except for neutropenia and haematological malignancy, were similar between IPA cases and controls. Seven patients (50%) in the IPA group received a mould‐active agent within 5 days prior to bronchoscopy compared with only three patients (11%) in the control group, P = .004. Of 14 patients with proven/probable IPA, AspLFD was positive in 3 and negative in 9; two tests yielded invalid results. All 28 control patients had a negative AspLFD test. AspLFD showed low sensitivity (25%, 95% CI: 5.5% to 57.2%), but high specificity (100%. (95% CI: 87.7% to 100%).

Conclusions

A positive AspLFD test in BAL fluid of patients with classic risk factors for IPA could be useful to support the diagnosis of proven/probable IPA because of its high specificity. However, as a stand‐alone test for IPA, the use of AspLFD is limited by low sensitivity.
Interplay between REVEILLE1 and RGA‐LIKE2 regulates seed dormancy and germination in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yang Liwen , Jiang Zhimin , Liu Shuangrong , Lin Rongcheng
Published: October 2019

Environmental light signal and GAs synergistically regulate seed dormancy and germination. The phytochrome B (phyB) photoreceptor regulates expression of the REVEILLE1 (RVE1) transcription factor, which directly inhibits GIBBERELLIN 3‐OXIDASE2 transcription, suppressing GA biosynthesis. However, whether phyB‐RVE1 coordinates with GA signaling in controlling seed dormancy and germination remains unknown.

Here, we demonstrate that RVE1 regulation of seed dormancy and germination requires a DELLA repressor, REPRESSOR OF GA‐LIKE2 (RGL2), in Arabidopsis thaliana.

RVE1 interacts with both RGL2 and its E3 ubiquitin ligase SLEEPY1 (SLY1) and promotes RGL2 stability by restraining the RGL2–SLY1 interaction. Furthermore, RVE1 and RGL2 synergistically regulate global transcriptome changes; RGL2 enhances the DNA‐binding capacity and transcriptional activity of RVE1 in regulating downstream gene expression. Moreover, RGL2 expression is repressed by phyB.

Our study reveals a novel regulatory mechanism in which the RVE1–RGL2 module coordinately controls seed dormancy and germination by integrating light perception, GA metabolism and GA signaling pathways.
Morphological difference between pleural mesothelioma cells in effusion smears with either BAP1 loss or 9p21 homozygous deletion and reactive mesothelial cells without the gene alterations
Authors: Matsumoto Shinji , Hamasaki Makoto , Kinoshita Yoshiaki , Kamei Toshiaki , Kawahara Kunimitsu , Nabeshima Kazuki
Published: October 2019

We previously characterized the morphological characteristics of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cells with 9p21 homozygous deletion (HD) using a combination of the virtual microscopy and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In this study, we investigated whether MPM cells with BRCA1‐associated protein 1 (BAP1) loss show the same morphological characteristics identified in MPM cells with 9p21 HD. MPM cells with either BAP1 loss detected by immunocytochemistry (ICC) or 9p21 HD detected by FISH were identified via virtual microscopy prior to ICC or FISH, followed by analysis and quantification of their morphological characteristics. MPM cells with BAP1 loss or 9p21 HD exhibited significantly more frequent cell‐in‐cell engulfment, multinucleation, and larger multicellular clusters composed of more than 10 cells than reactive mesothelial cells. In conclusion, MPM cells with BAP1 loss or 9p21 HD share similar cytological features, indicating that the same morphological criteria can be used to detect MPM cells harboring such genetic aberrations.
Feedback processing in the context of social comparison
Authors: Valt Christian , Sprengeler Mona Katharina , Stürmer Birgit
Published: October 2019

In many situations, social comparison calls for the evaluation of one´s own performance in relative terms by taking into account the performances of other people. Here, we investigated the effects of social comparison on performance monitoring with the help of ERPs. Two participants performed two identical experiments at the same time and in the same room. Instructions created a social context of cooperation by suggesting that participants were performing the same task for the maximization of a shared bonus. The experiment was a response‐choice task with two feedback signals presented in sequence after each response: one feedback described the personal performance (personal feedback) and one reflected the other participant's performance (nonpersonal feedback). In the present experiment, social comparison should induce interpretations of the second feedback in relative terms (e.g., “I performed better”) according to the quality of the first feedback. ERP results showed that the first nonpersonal feedback affected the fronto‐central P3 component (P3a) evoked by the second personal feedback but did not modulate the feedback‐related negativity (FRN). The P3a component evoked by the personal feedback was larger when the comparison against the preceding nonpersonal feedback signaled that the personal performance was worse than the other participant's performance. Interestingly, the effect was prominent over bilateral fronto‐central electrodes (FC3, FC4). The observed P3a effect might indicate the recruitment of attentional resources when the comparison between personal and nonpersonal performance shows that the personal performance was not as good as the performance of others.
Putting Canada in the penalty box: Trade and welfare effects of eliminating North American Free Trade Agreement
Authors: Baier Scott L. , Bergstrand Jeffrey H. , Bruno John P.
Published: October 2019

Three years ago, very few economists would have imagined that one of the newest and fastest growing research areas in international trade is the use of quantitative trade models to estimate the economic welfare losses from dissolutions of major countries' economic integration agreements (EIAs). In 2016, "Brexit" was passed in a UK referendum. Moreover, in 2019, the existence of the entire North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is at risk if the US withdraws—a threat President Trump has made if the proposed US–Mexico–Canada Agreement is not passed by the US Congress. We use state‐of‐the‐art econometric methodology to estimate the partial (average treatment) effects on international trade flows of the six major types of EIAs. Armed with precise estimates of the average treatment effect for a free trade agreement, we examine the general equilibrium trade and welfare effects of the elimination of NAFTA (and for robustness US withdrawal only). Although all the member countries' standards of living fall, surprisingly the smallest economy, Mexico, is not the biggest loser; Canada is the biggest loser. Canada's welfare (per capita income) loss of 2.11% is nearly two times that of Mexico's loss of 1.15% and is nearly eight times the US' loss of 0.27%. The simulations will illustrate the important influence of trade costs—international and intranational—in contributing to the gains (or losses) from an EIA's formation (or elimination).