bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determining the prediction limits of models and classifiers with applications for disruption prediction in JET
Authors: Murari A. , Peluso E. , Vega J. , Gelfusa M. , Lungaroni M. , Gaudio P. , Martínez F. J.
Published: November 2016

Understanding the many aspects of tokamak physics requires the development of quite sophisticated models. Moreover, in the operation of the devices, prediction of the future evolution of discharges can be of crucial importance, particularly in the case of the prediction of disruptions, which can cause serious damage to various parts of the machine. The determination of the limits of predictability is therefore an important issue for modelling, classifying and forecasting. In all these cases, once a certain level of performance has been reached, the question typically arises as to whether all the information available in the data has been exploited, or whether there are still margins for improvement of the tools being developed. In this paper, a theoretical information approach is proposed to address this issue. The excellent properties of the developed indicator, called the prediction factor (PF), have been proved with the help of a series of numerical tests. Its application to some typical behaviour relating to macroscopic instabilities in tokamaks has shown very positive results. The prediction factor has also been used to assess the performance of disruption predictors running in real time in the JET system, including the one systematically deployed in the feedback loop for mitigation purposes. The main conclusion is that the most advanced predictors basically exploit all the information contained in the locked mode signal on which they are based. Therefore, qualitative improvements in disruption prediction performance in JET would need the processing of additional signals, probably profiles.
A Cost of Tractability? Estimating Climate Change Impacts Using a Single Crop Market Understates Impacts on Market Conditions and Variability
Authors: Thompson Wyatt , Gerlt Scott , Campbell J. Elliott , Kueppers Lara M. , Lu Yaqiong , Snyder Mark A.
Published: November 2016

Scientists estimate that U.S. Corn Belt crop yields will increase or decrease, on average, and become more variable with climate change. Corn and soybean farming dominates this region, but studies typically do not assess the joint impact of new distributions of corn and soybean yields on markets. We use a structural economic model with projections of climate‐driven yield changes to simulate these effects. Our findings suggest that a narrow focus on a single crop in this key growing region risks underestimating the impact on price distributions and average crop receipts, and can lead to incorrect signs on estimated impacts.
The effects of a high-intensity functional exercise group on clinical outcomes in hospitalised older adults: an assessor-blinded, randomised-controlled trial
Authors: Raymond Melissa J. M. , Jeffs Kimberley J. , Winter Adele , Soh Sze-Ee , Hunter Peter , Holland Anne E.
Published: November 2016

Objective

to investigate a high-intensity functional exercise (HIFE) group in hospitalised older adults.

Design

assessor-blinded, randomised-controlled trial.

Setting

sub-acute wards at a metropolitan rehabilitation hospital.

Participants

older adults ≥65 years (n = 468) able to stand with minimum assistance or less from a chair and follow instructions.

Intervention

‘group’ participants were offered a standing HIFE group three times a week and individual physiotherapy sessions twice a week. Control participants were offered daily individual physiotherapy sessions.

Main outcome measures

the primary outcome measure was the Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS). Secondary measures included the Berg Balance Scale, gait speed, Timed Up and Go Test, falls, length of stay and discharge destination.

Results

participants’ mean age was 84.3 (7.1) years and 61% were female. There was no difference between groups for the improvement in EMS from admission to discharge (effect size −0.07, 95% confidence interval: −0.26 to 0.11, P = 0.446) and no difference in discharge destination, P = 0.904. Therapists saved 31–205 min/week treating group participants compared with control participants.

Conclusion

the results suggest that a HIFE group programme combined with individual physiotherapy may improve mobility to a similar extent to individual physiotherapy alone in hospitalised older adults. Providing physiotherapy in a group setting resulted in increased therapist efficiency. A high-intensity exercise group with individual physiotherapy may be an effective and efficient method to provide care to older inpatients.
The combined effects of reduced pH and elevated temperature on the shell density of two gastropod species measured using micro-CT imaging
Authors: Chatzinikolaou Eva , Grigoriou Panagiotis , Keklikoglou Kleoniki , Faulwetter Sarah , Papageorgiou Nafsika
Published: November 2016

The increased absorption of atmospheric CO2 by the ocean affects carbonate chemistry and calcification rates of marine organisms. The impacts of low pH and seawater warming were investigated for the intertidal gastropods Nassarius nitidus and Columbella rustica. The combined effect of reduced pH (7.6) and increased temperature (25 °C) was studied at intermediate time intervals for a total period of 3 months in order to investigate variability and fluctuations of the shell structure and density over time. The pH and temperature conditions used for the experiment were selected according to the predictions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Deterioration of the external surface structure and reduction of shell density of the gastropods were confirmed using an innovative imaging and analysis method based on micro-computed tomography. The effect of low pH at ambient temperature was detrimental for N. nitidus with a 38.1% reduction of density in the shell lip and a 47.7% decrease in the apex, which is the oldest shell region. C. rustica was also affected, although to a much lesser degree (the maximum reduction observed was 8% at the apex). The negative effects of reduced pH were further reinforced for C. rustica when the temperature was increased, while N. nitidus was not affected significantly by the combination of the two factors. Increased temperature at ambient pH had an inhibitory effect on the shell density of N. nitidus causing a reduction of about 40%, whereas the shell density of the widest and lip regions of the C. rustica were increased under the same conditions. Different species are characterised by different vulnerability and tolerance responses regarding ocean acidification and warming, and this variability may affect ecological interactions and marine biodiversity.
Immunoreceptor CD300a on mast cells and dendritic cells regulates neutrophil recruitment in a murine model of sepsis
Authors: Udayanga Kankanam Gamage Sanath , Nakamura Yoshiyuki , Nakahashi-Oda Chigusa , Shibuya Akira
Published: November 2016

Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome caused by abnormal host immune responses against bacterial infection. Although innate immune cells are known to be important in the pathogenesis of sepsis, how their activation is regulated during sepsis remains incompletely understood. Here, we examined the role of the inhibitory immunoreceptor CD300a, which is expressed on various types of myeloid cells, in the pathogenesis of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). To this end, we used mice in which CD300a was specifically deleted on mast cells (MCs; Cd300afl/flMcpt5-Cre), dendritic cells (DCs; Cd300afl/flItgax-Cre), or macrophages and neutrophils (Cd300afl/flLyz2-Cre). We show that mice with CD300a-deleted MCs or DCs but not macrophages survived significantly longer than did control Cd300afl/fl mice. In addition, whereas neutrophil recruitment into the peritoneal cavity was increased within 1 h after CLP in mice with CD300a-deleted MCs, peritoneal neutrophils did not increase in number until the 12 h time point in mice with CD300a-deficient DCs. These results indicate that CD300a on MCs and DCs regulates neutrophil recruitment into the peritoneal cavity after CLP.
Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 Invades Lotus burttii by Crack Entry in a Nod Factor–and Surface Polysaccharide–Dependent Manner
Authors: Acosta-Jurado Sebastián , Rodríguez-Navarro Dulce-Nombre , Kawaharada Yasuyuki , Perea Juan Fernández , Gil-Serrano Antonio , Jin Haojie , An Qi , Rodríguez-Carvajal Miguel A. , Andersen Stig U. , Sandal Niels , Stougaard Jens , Vinardell José-María , Ruiz-Sainz José E.
Published: November 2016

Sinorhizobium fredii HH103-Rifr, a broad host range rhizobial strain, induces nitrogen-fixing nodules in Lotus burttii but ineffective nodules in L. japonicus. Confocal microscopy studies showed that Mesorhizobium loti MAFF303099 and S. fredii HH103-Rifr invade L. burttii roots through infection threads or epidermal cracks, respectively. Infection threads in root hairs were not observed in L. burttii plants inoculated with S. fredii HH103-Rifr. A S. fredii HH103-Rifr nodA mutant failed to nodulate L. burttii, demonstrating that Nod factors are strictly necessary for this crack-entry mode, and a noeL mutant was also severely impaired in L. burttii nodulation, indicating that the presence of fucosyl residues in the Nod factor is symbiotically relevant. However, significant symbiotic impacts due to the absence of methylation or to acetylation of the fucosyl residue were not detected. In contrast S. fredii HH103-Rifr mutants showing lipopolysaccharide alterations had reduced symbiotic capacity, while mutants affected in production of either exopolysaccharides, capsular polysaccharides, or both were not impaired in nodulation. Mutants unable to produce cyclic glucans and purine or pyrimidine auxotrophic mutants formed ineffective nodules with L. burttii. Flagellin-dependent bacterial mobility was not required for crack infection, since HH103-Rifr fla mutants nodulated L. burttii. None of the S. fredii HH103-Rifr surface-polysaccharide mutants gained effective nodulation with L. japonicus.
A New Phytosanitary Method to Reduce the Ascospore Potential of Venturia inaequalis
Authors: Porsche Franziska M. , Pfeiffer Barbara , Kollar Andreas
Published: November 2016

Ascospores of Venturia inaequalis, released from pseudothecia in overwintered, infected apple leaves, serve as the primary inoculum for apple scab. In this study, we tested a new sanitation strategy to reduce ascospore inoculum under orchard conditions over three overwintering periods. After leaf fall, nutrient media containing different concentrations of degraded casein or a yeast extract from Saccharomyces cerivisiae were applied to leaf litter infected with apple scab. The application of 30 and 60% yeast extract showed the greatest efficacy, and significantly reduced ascospore discharge by 99% (P < 0.01) in 2013 and 2014. The efficacy of the treatments did not differ from treatment with 5% urea (P > 0.05). Leaf litter decay was accelerated in the plots treated with yeast extract compared with untreated control plots. Moreover, apple leaves treated with yeast extract had completely decayed due to earthworm activity before ascospore maturity. In comparison, up to 26% of the leaves in untreated control plots had not decayed. These results suggest that the treatment of leaf litter with yeast extract can almost completely eliminate apple scab inoculum in the course of the whole primary season. These sanitation practices may be beneficial for both organic and conventional cultivation. The reduced infection pressure may allow growers the usage of fungicides with lower efficacy or to reduce the number of applications needed to manage apple scab in spring.
Sensitivity ofRhizoctonia solanito Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitor and Demethylation Inhibitor Fungicides
Authors: Ajayi-Oyetunde Olutoyosi O. , Butts-Wilmsmeyer Carolyn J. , Bradley Carl A.
Published: November 2016

Soybean seedling diseases are caused by Rhizoctonia solani and can be managed with seed-applied fungicides that belong to different chemistry classes. To provide a benchmark for assessing a decline in sensitivities to these fungicide classes, R. solani isolates collected prior to 2001 were evaluated for their sensitivities to succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) (penflufen and sedaxane) and demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides (ipconazole and prothioconazole). The effective concentration of each fungicide that reduced mycelial growth by 50% (EC50) was determined in vitro and compared with those of isolates recovered after 2011 from soybean plants with damping off and hypocotyl and root rot symptoms across different soybean-growing regions in the United States and Canada. All isolates, regardless of collection date, were extremely sensitive (EC50< 1 μg/ml) to the SDHI fungicides but were either extremely sensitive or moderately sensitive (1 ≤ EC50≤ 10 μg/ml) to the DMI fungicides. For all four active ingredients, variation in sensitivities was observed within and among the different anastomosis groups composing both isolate groups. Isolates collected after 2011, which also had varying in vitro sensitivities, were further evaluated for in vivo sensitivity to the four fungicides in the greenhouse. In vitro fungicide sensitivity did not always coincide with fungicide efficacy in vivo because all isolates tested, regardless of in vitro sensitivity, were effectively controlled by the application of the seed treatment fungicides in the greenhouse. Overall, our results indicate no shift in sensitivity to the fungicide classes evaluated, although considerable variability in the sensitivities of the two groups of isolates examined was present. Based on this research, continued monitoring of fungicide sensitivities of R. solani populations should occur to determine whether sensitivities become further reduced in the future.
Genomic and Transcriptomic Resources for Marker Development inSynchytrium endobioticum, an Elusive but Severe Potato Pathogen
Authors: Busse Friederike , Bartkiewicz Annette , Terefe-Ayana Diro , Niepold Frank , Schleusner Yvonne , Flath Kerstin , Sommerfeldt-Impe Nicole , Lübeck Jens , Strahwald Josef , Tacke Eckhard , Hofferbert Hans-Reinhard , Linde Marcus , Przetakiewicz Jarosław , Debener Thomas
Published: November 2016

Synchytrium endobioticum is an obligate biotrophic fungus that causes wart diseases in potato. Like other species of the class Chytridiomycetes, it does not form mycelia and its zoospores are small, approximately 3 μm in diameter, which complicates the detection of early stages of infection. Furthermore, potato wart disease is difficult to control because belowground organs are infected and resting spores of the fungus are extremely durable. Thus, S. endobioticum is classified as a quarantine organism. More than 40 S. endobioticum pathotypes have been reported, of which pathotypes 1(D1), 2(G1), 6(O1), 8(F1), and 18(T1) are the most important in Germany. No molecular methods for the differentiation of pathotypes are available to date. In this work, we sequenced both genomic DNA and cDNA of the German pathotype 18(T1) from infected potato tissue and generated 5,422 expressed sequence tags (EST) and 423 genomic contigs. Comparative sequencing of 33 genes, single-stranded confirmation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis with polymerase chain reaction fragments of 27 additional genes, as well as the analysis of 41 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci revealed extremely low levels of variation among five German pathotypes. From these markers, one sequence-characterized amplified region marker and five SSR markers revealed polymorphisms among the German pathotypes and an extended set of 11 additional European isolates. Pathotypes 8(F1) and 18(T1) displayed discrete polymorphisms which allow their differentiation from other pathotypes. Overall, using the information of the six markers, the 16 isolates could be differentiated into three distinct genotype groups. In addition to the presented markers, the new collection of EST from genus Synchytrium might serve in the future for molecular taxonomic studies as well as for analyses of the host–pathogen interactions in this difficult pathosystem.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
The Characteristics of Naive-like T Cells in Tumor-infiltrating Lymphocytes From Human Lung Cancer
Authors: Sheng Si Yuan , Gu Yong , Lu Chuan Gang , Tang Ying Ying , Zou Jian Yong , Zhang Yu Qing , Wang Rong Fu , Hong Hai
Published: November 2016

Adoptive cell therapy using autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) or genetically modified lymphocytes from TILs is a new effective approach, but the application of TIL immunotherapy is still limited in many solid tumors. Knowledge of the classification and function of TILs is important to develop personalized immunotherapy with TILs in non–small lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we show the characteristics of T-cell subsets in TILs isolated from NSCLC. CD3+ CD8+ CD45RA+ T cells outnumbered CD3+ CD4+ CD45RA+ T cells in CD45RA+ TILs, but it was the opposite in CD45RO+ TILs. Effector memory CD4+ T cells predominated in CD4+ TILs; about 10% of the stem cell-like memory T cells (Tscm) were detected in TILs. To further analyze their functions, we stimulated TILs from NSCLC patients by mitogens to examine cytokine production. Our data demonstrated that naive-phenotype T cells in TILs secret IFN-γ in abundance; TNF-α-producing T cells were significantly increased in TILs; there were more IL-17-expressing CD4+ Tscm cells than other subtypes of CD4+T cells in TILs. Our findings indicate that the CD4+/CD8+ naive-phenotype T cells and Tscm cells in TILs from lung cancer exhibit distinct composition and strong cytokine production. Attributes of Tscm cells from a naive-like T-cell population in TILs are the promising cell type for adoptive cell therapy in human lung cancer.
Epidemiology of Isolated Versus Nonisolated Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Treated in Emergency Departments in the United States, 2006-2012: Sociodemographic Characteristics
Authors: Cancelliere Carol , Coronado Victor G. , Taylor Christopher A. , Xu Likang
Published: November 2016

Objectives:

To describe the frequencies and rates of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) emergency department (ED) visits, analyze the trend across the years, and compare sociodemographic characteristics of visits by mTBI type (ie, mTBI as the only injury, or present along with other injuries).

Design:

Population-based descriptive study using data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (2006-2012).

Methods:

Joinpoint regression was used to calculate the average annual percent changes of mTBI incidence rates. Characteristics between isolated and nonisolated visits were compared, and the odds ratios were reported.

Results:

The rate per 100 000 population of mTBI ED visits in the United States increased significantly from 569.4 (in 2006) to 807.9 (in 2012). The highest rates were observed in 0- to 4-year-olds, followed by male 15- to 24-year-olds and females 65 years and older; the lowest rates were among 45- to 64-year-olds. The majority (70%) of all visits were nonisolated and occurred more frequently in residents of metropolitan areas. Falls were the leading external cause. Most visits were privately insured or covered by Medicare/Medicaid, and the injury occurred on weekdays in predominantly metropolitan hospitals in the South region.

Conclusions:

The burden of mTBI in US EDs is high. Most mTBI ED visits present with other injuries. Awareness of sociodemographic factors associated with nonisolated mTBI may help improve diagnosis in US EDs. This information has implications for resource planning and mTBI screening in EDs.
P300 Event-Related Potentials Differentiate Better Performing Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Preliminary Study of Semantic Processing
Authors: Davis Tara M. , Hill Benjamin D. , Evans Kelli J. , Tiffin Shelby , Stanley Nicholas , Fields Kelly , Russ Katherine , Bindele Huybrechts Frazier , Gordon-Hickey Susan
Published: November 2016

Objective:

To measure the effect of traumatic brain injury on the cognitive processing of words, as measured by the P300, in a semantic categorization task.

Participants:

Eight adults with a history of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury and 8 age- and gender-matched controls.

Design:

A pilot study measuring cognitive event-related potentials in response to word pairs that were either in same or different semantic categories.

Main Measures:

The P300 (P3b) component of the auditory event-related potential and neuropsychological assessment.

Results:

Two patterns of P300 amplitude related to brain injury were observed. Participants with poorer performance on neuropsychological tests exhibited reduced P300 amplitude as compared to controls but showed the typical P300 parietal scalp distribution. In contrast, better performing participants demonstrated robust P300 amplitude but a substantially altered scalp distribution, characterized by the recruitment of anterior brain regions in addition to parietal activation.

Conclusions:

The recruitment of frontal areas after traumatic brain injury may represent compensatory neural mechanisms utilized to successfully maximize task performance. The P300 in a semantic processing paradigm may be a sensitive marker of neural plasticity that could be used to improve functional outcomes in cognitive remediation paradigms.
Anxiety and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Medicare Beneficiaries After Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Albrecht Jennifer S. , Peters Matthew E. , Smith Gordon S. , Rao Vani
Published: November 2016

Objective:

To estimate rates of anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnoses after traumatic brain injury (TBI) among Medicare beneficiaries, quantify the increase in rates relative to the pre-TBI period, and identify risk factors for diagnosis of anxiety and PTSD.

Participants:

A total of 96 881 Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with TBI between June 1, 2006 and May 31, 2010.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Measures:

Diagnosis of anxiety (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] codes 300.0x) and/or PTSD (ICD-9-CM code 309.81).

Results:

After TBI, 16 519 (17%) beneficiaries were diagnosed with anxiety and 269 (0.3%) were diagnosed with PTSD. Rates of anxiety and PTSD diagnoses were highest in the first 5 months post-TBI and decreased over time. Pre-TBI diagnosis of anxiety disorder was significantly associated with post-TBI anxiety (risk ratio, 3.55; 95% confidence interval, 3.42–3.68) and pre-TBI diagnosis of PTSD was significantly associated with post-TBI PTSD (risk ratio 70.09; 95% confidence interval 56.29–111.12).

Conclusion:

This study highlights the increased risk of anxiety and PTSD after TBI. Routine screening for anxiety and PTSD, especially during the first 5 months after TBI, may help clinicians identify these important and treatable conditions, especially among patients with a history of psychiatric illness.
CHARACTERIZATION AND DIFFERENTIATION OF POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY USING SWEPT SOURCE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY
Authors: Cheung Chui Ming Gemmy , Yanagi Yasuo , Mohla Aditi , Lee Shu Yen , Mathur Ranjana , Chan Choi Mun , Yeo Ian , Wong Tien Yin
Published: November 2016

Purpose:

To determine the correlation and agreement between swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCT-A) with fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and spectral domain OCT (SD-OCT) in characterizing polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and in differentiating eyes with typical age-related macular degeneration (t-AMD).

Methods:

This study included 32 and 54 eyes with t-AMD and PCV, respectively, who underwent SS-OCT-A, SD-OCT, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography. The images from these four techniques were compared.

Results:

On SS-OCT-A, flow signals with vascular network configuration were detected in 81.2% and 77.8% of eyes with t-AMD and PCV, respectively. 40.4% of polyps were detected as flow signals with polypoidal configuration. Compared with indocyanine green angiography, SS-OCT-A had sensitivity and specificity of 83.0% and 57.1%, respectively, for vascular network, and 40.5% and 66.7% for polyps. Longitudinal changes were in agreement between SS-OCT-A and SD-OCT in 90% of eyes. 88.2% of eyes with dry retina on SD-OCT had persistent vascular net on SS-OCT-A. In two cases with reactivation of PCV, SS-OCT-A was more sensitive at detecting recurrence than SD-OCT.

Conclusion:

Swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography is effective at detecting vascular network that correlate to conventional angiography in eyes with t-AMD and PCV. Swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography is inferior to indocyanine green angiography in detecting polyps and cannot replace indocyanine green angiography for differentiating PCV from t-AMD; however, SS-OCT-A may be more sensitive than SD-OCT in detecting early recurrence.
Predictors and Outcomes of Sternotomy Conversion and Cardiopulmonary Bypass Assistance in Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Rodriguez Maria L. , Lapierre Harry R. , Sohmer Benjamin , Ruel Jean-Philippe , Ruel Marc A.
Published: November 2016

Objective

This work's objective was to identify the determinants of conversion of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting to sternotomy, with and without cardiopulmonary bypass assistance, and to compare clinical outcomes in patients who needed conversion.

Methods

This is a prospectively collected data on patients who underwent minimally invasive coronary bypass done by a single surgeon from February 2005 to September 2014. Statistical analyses were expressed as mean values ± standard deviation or proportions.

Results

The total number of patients was 266, with an average age of 62 years. The median number of grafted territories was 2, higher in those with pump assistance (median, 3 grafts; P ≤ 0.01). Predictors for use of cardiopulmonary bypass included diabetes, 3-vessel disease, left circumflex involvement, and small target vessels (P < 0.05). The rate for sternotomy conversion was 3.8%. Risk factors for conversion to sternotomy included smoking, preoperative bradycardia (<50 beats per minute), low intraoperative ejection fraction, inability to tolerate one-lung ventilation, inadequate surgical exposure, and hemodynamic instability. Postoperative complications included superficial thoracotomy infection (3%), sternotomy infection (10%), new atrial fibrillation (3%), and need for blood transfusion (14%). Twelve patients (5%) developed left-sided pleural effusion that required drainage. There were no perioperative deaths, major adverse cardiac event, or stroke.

Conclusions

Minimally invasive coronary bypass grafting with conversion to sternotomy and use of cardiopulmonary bypass is safe. Conversions may be alleviated by an effort to optimize modifiable risk factors and the adequacy of surgical exposure. These data may help develop objective selection criteria to identify patients who are excellent candidates for the procedure.
Injury Prevention at the Bedside
Authors: Elwell Sean , Zakrzewski Jennifer , McCue Jennifer
Published: November 2016

It is estimated that 1 in 4 children will have an unintentional injury that requires medical attention or intervention by the time they are 21 years of age. Emergency department staff have an opportunity to engage families in injury prevention messaging right at the bedside. Having staff who participate in an injured patient's care can better prepare a family or prevent another injury. Our emergency department staff identified these moments as prime teaching opportunities and worked with our trauma team to develop resources and education for patients and families that present to our department.
Cystic Nephroma in Adults
Authors: Caliò Anna , Eble John N. , Grignon David J. , Delahunt Brett
Published: November 2016

Cystic nephroma in adults is an uncommon multicystic benign tumor of kidney and, over the last century, only a few small series or case reports have studied it. We analyzed 46 tumors from adults (41 female, median age: 55 y), collecting data on gross, microscopic, and immunohistochemical findings. All of the tumors were composed entirely of cysts separated by septa; the majority were surrounded by a pseudocapsule. Hypocellular fibrous and hypercellular spindle cell stroma were the most common components of the septa. Hypocellular collagenized fibrous stroma predominated in older patients (P=0.027), whereas hypercellular stroma (including wavy spindle cell stroma) prevailed in younger patients (P=0.042). Small foci of stroma of moderate cellularity in which epithelial elements ranging from a handful of cells with no lumen, to tiny cysts with pinpoint lumens to slightly larger cysts were found in 18 tumors. The cysts were lined by flat, cuboidal, or hobnail cells. Rarely, foci of clear cells, delicate papillae, or focal nuclear atypia were observed in the cyst linings. The stroma of all the tumors was positive for smooth muscle actin. Desmin and caldesmon expression were variable. The stroma stained positive for progesterone and estrogen receptors in 85% and 50% of the tumors. Staining for inhibin was present in small clusters of polygonal or rarely spindle cells in the stroma in 41% of the tumors. A positive nuclear reaction for SF1 was detected in the same clusters of cells. On the basis of our findings, we hypothesize that cystic nephroma originates as a stromal proliferation with the epithelial component arising from a stromal-epithelial transition and that the stroma matures with decreasing cellularity over time, ultimately becoming hypocellular and collagenized.
Viral Suppression and Retention in Care up to 5 Years After Initiation of Lifelong ART During Pregnancy (Option B+) in Rural Uganda
Authors: Koss Catherine A. , Natureeba Paul , Kwarisiima Dalsone , Ogena Mike , Clark Tamara D. , Olwoch Peter , Cohan Deborah , Okiring Jaffer , Charlebois Edwin D. , Kamya Moses R. , Havlir Diane V.
Published: November 2016

Background:

Lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for all HIV-infected pregnant women, but early studies suggest that women often drop out of care postpartum and data are limited on virologic outcomes.

Methods:

We evaluated viral suppression (primary outcome) and retention in care up to 5 years after ART initiation among HIV-infected women who started lifelong ART during pregnancy, irrespective of CD4 count, in a study in rural Uganda (NCT00993031). Participants were followed in the study for up to 1 year postpartum, then referred to clinics in surrounding communities. A random sample (N = 200) was invited to participate in a cross-sectional follow-up study after completing the trial, involving one visit for a questionnaire and pregnancy and HIV-1 RNA testing. Retention in care was defined as having attended an HIV clinic in the last 90 days. Logistic regression models were used to examine factors associated with viral suppression (HIV-1 RNA <400 copies/ml) at follow-up.

Results:

One hundred fifty women (75%) were successfully contacted for follow-up at a median of 4.2 years after starting ART; 135 were retained in care [90%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 84.0% to 94.3%] and 121 demonstrated viral suppression (80.7%, 95% CI: 73.4% to 86.7%). Women who had disclosed their HIV status to their primary partner had greater odds of viral suppression (adjusted odds ratio: 4.51, 95% CI: 1.02 to 19.8).

Conclusions:

High rates of viral suppression can be achieved up to 5 years after initiating ART during pregnancy among women retained in care. Interventions to facilitate disclosure may improve long-term outcomes among women who initiate ART during pregnancy under universal treatment.
Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of brain abscesses
Authors: Brouwer Matthijs C. , van de Beek Diederik
Published: November 2016

Purpose of review

This article describes the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of brain abscesses focusing on studies published in the past 2 years.

Recent findings

In the recent literature, advances have been made in describing the disease, ancillary investigations, and treatment, mostly by combining previously available literature in meta-analyses. These studies identified Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species as the most frequent cause of brain abscess. New developments include the analysis of genetic risk factors for brain abscess, evaluation of shorter antibiotic courses, and the use of hyperbaric oxygen treatment. However, many studies in this field are limited by methodology and results are less helpful for clinical practice. Nevertheless, there has been a gradual improvement in the outcome of patients with brain abscess over the past 50 years, which might be driven by improved brain imaging techniques, minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures, and protocoled antibiotic treatment. Multicenter prospective studies and randomized clinical trials are needed to further advance treatment and prognosis in brain abscess patients.

Our understanding of brain abscesses has increased by meta-analysis on clinical characteristics, ancillary investigations, and treatment modalities. Prognosis has improved over time, likely due to improved brain imaging techniques, minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures, and protocoled antibiotic treatment.
Effects of hypergravity on the angiogenic potential of endothelial cells
Authors: Costa-Almeida Raquel , Carvalho Daniel T. O. , Ferreira Miguel J. S. , Aresta Guilherme , Gomes Manuela E. , van Loon Jack J. W. A. , Van der Heiden Kim , Granja Pedro L.
Published: November 2016

Angiogenesis, the formation of blood vessels from pre-existing ones, is a key event in pathology, including cancer progression, but also in homeostasis and regeneration. As the phenotype of endothelial cells (ECs) is continuously regulated by local biomechanical forces, studying endothelial behaviour in altered gravity might contribute to new insights towards angiogenesis modulation. This study aimed at characterizing EC behaviour after hypergravity exposure (more than 1
g
), with special focus on cytoskeleton architecture and capillary-like structure formation. Herein, human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) were cultured under two-dimensional and three-dimensional conditions at 3
g
and 10
g
for 4 and 16 h inside the large diameter centrifuge at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) of the European Space Agency. Although no significant tendency regarding cytoskeleton organization was observed for cells exposed to high
g
's, a slight loss of the perinuclear localization of β-tubulin was observed for cells exposed to 3
g
with less pronounced peripheral bodies of actin when compared with 1
g
control cells. Additionally, hypergravity exposure decreased the assembly of HUVECs into capillary-like structures, with a 10
g
level significantly reducing their organization capacity. In conclusion, short-term hypergravity seems to affect EC phenotype and their angiogenic potential in a time and
g
-level-dependent manner.
The antimicrobial resistance crisis: management through gene monitoring
Authors: Michael Carolyn A. , Franks Ashley E. , Labbate Maurizio
Published: November 2016

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an acknowledged crisis for humanity. Its genetic origins and dire potential outcomes are increasingly well understood. However, diagnostic techniques for monitoring the crisis are currently largely limited to enumerating the increasing incidence of resistant pathogens. Being the end-stage of the evolutionary process that produces antimicrobial resistant pathogens, these measurements, while diagnostic, are not prognostic, and so are not optimal in managing this crisis. A better test is required. Here, using insights from an understanding of evolutionary processes ruling the changing abundance of genes under selective pressure, we suggest a predictive framework for the AMR crisis. We then discuss the likely progression of resistance for both existing and prospective antimicrobial therapies. Finally, we suggest that by the environmental monitoring of resistance gene frequency, resistance may be detected and tracked presumptively, and how this tool may be used to guide decision-making in the local and global use of antimicrobials.
Airplane tracking documents the fastest flight speeds recorded for bats
Authors: McCracken Gary F. , Safi Kamran , Kunz Thomas H. , Dechmann Dina K. N. , Swartz Sharon M. , Wikelski Martin
Published: November 2016

The performance capabilities of flying animals reflect the interplay of biomechanical and physiological constraints and evolutionary innovation. Of the two extant groups of vertebrates that are capable of powered flight, birds are thought to fly more efficiently and faster than bats. However, fast-flying bat species that are adapted for flight in open airspace are similar in wing shape and appear to be similar in flight dynamics to fast-flying birds that exploit the same aerial niche. Here, we investigate flight behaviour in seven free-flying Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) and report that the maximum ground speeds achieved exceed speeds previously documented for any bat. Regional wind modelling indicates that bats adjusted flight speeds in response to winds by flying more slowly as wind support increased and flying faster when confronted with crosswinds, as demonstrated for insects, birds and other bats. Increased frequency of pauses in wing beats at faster speeds suggests that flap-gliding assists the bats' rapid flight. Our results suggest that flight performance in bats has been underappreciated and that functional differences in the flight abilities of birds and bats require re-evaluation.
Phylogeny affects host's weight, immune response and parasitism in damselflies and dragonflies
Authors: Ilvonen Jaakko J. , Suhonen Jukka
Published: November 2016

Host–parasite interactions are an intriguing part of ecology, and understanding how hosts are able to withstand parasitic attacks, e.g. by allocating resources to immune defence, is important. Damselflies and dragonflies show a variety of parasitism patterns, but large-scale comparative immune defence studies are rare, and it is difficult to say what the interplay is between their immune defence and parasitism. The aim of this study was to find whether there are differences in immune response between different damselfly and dragonfly species and whether these could explain their levels of gregarine and water mite parasitism. Using an artificial pathogen, a piece of nylon filament, we measured the encapsulation response of 22 different damselfly and dragonfly species and found that (i) there are significant encapsulation differences between species, (ii) body mass has a strong association with encapsulation and parasite prevalences, (iii) body mass shows a strong phylogenetic signal, whereas encapsulation response and gregarine and water mite prevalences show weak signals, and (iv) associations between the traits are affected by phylogeny. We do not know what the relationship is between these four traits, but it seems clear that phylogeny plays a role in determining parasitism levels of damselflies and dragonflies.
Detection and perception of generic host volatiles by mosquitoes modulate host preference: context dependence of (R)-1-octen-3-ol
Authors: Majeed Shahid , Hill Sharon Rose , Birgersson Göran , Ignell Rickard
Published: November 2016

Natural selection favours a restricted host breadth in disease vector mosquitoes, indicating that there is an adaptive value associated with maintaining plasticity in host preference. One mechanism to maintain such plasticity is via the detection of generic cues by conserved peripheral olfactory pathways, which when perceived in different host odour contexts enable the identification of and discrimination among potential host species. Here, we show that the context of an odour cue shapes host perception in mosquitoes, by altering the release rate of the generic host-related volatile (R)-1-octen-3-ol, within its natural range, and in the background odour of known hosts and non-hosts. This result highlights that host recognition is contextual and dependent on quantitative and qualitative differences in odour blends and the olfactory codes evoked. From the perspective of vector management, understanding the perception of odour blends and their context is essential to the process of developing synthetic blends for the optimal attraction of mosquitoes in efforts to control and monitor populations.
Characterization of stress coping style in Senegalese sole (
Solea senegalensis
) juveniles and breeders for aquaculture
Authors: Ibarra-Zatarain Z. , Fatsini E. , Rey S. , Chereguini O. , Martin I. , Rasines I. , Alcaraz C. , Duncan N.
Published: November 2016

The aim of this work was to characterize stress coping styles of Senegalese sole (
Solea senegalensis
) juveniles and breeders and to select an operational behavioural screening test (OBST) that can be used by the aquaculture industry to classify and select between behavioural phenotypes in order to improve production indicators. A total of 61 juveniles and 59 breeders were subjected to five individual behavioural tests and two grouping tests. At the end of the individual tests, all animals were blood sampled in order to measure cortisol, glucose and lactate. Three tests (restraining, new environment and confinement) characterized the stress coping style behaviour of Senegalese sole juveniles and breeders and demonstrated inter-individual consistency. Further, the tests when incorporated into a principal components analysis (PCA) (i) identified two principal axes of personality traits: ‘fearfulness-reactivity’ and ‘activity-exploration’, (ii) were representative of the physiological axis of stress coping style, and (iii) were validated by established group tests. This study proposed for the first time three individual coping style tests that reliably represented proactive and reactive personalities of Senegalese sole juveniles and breeders. In addition, the three proposed tests met some basic operational criteria (rapid testing, no special equipment and easy to apply and interpret) that could prove attractive for fish farmers to identify fish with a specific behaviour that gives advantages in the culture system and that could be used to establish selection-based breeding programmes to improve domestication and production.
Exploring the trade-off between quality and fairness in human partner choice
Authors: Raihani Nichola J. , Barclay Pat
Published: November 2016

Partner choice is an important force underpinning cooperation in humans and other animals. Nevertheless, the mechanisms individuals use to evaluate and discriminate among partners who vary across different dimensions are poorly understood. Generally, individuals are expected to prefer partners who are both able and willing to invest in cooperation but how do individuals prioritize the ability over willingness to invest when these characteristics are opposed to one another? We used a modified Dictator Game to tackle this question. Choosers evaluated partners varying in quality (proxied by wealth) and fairness, in conditions when wealth was relatively stable or liable to change. When both partners were equally fair (or unfair), choosers typically preferred the richer partner. Nevertheless, when asked to choose between a rich-stingy and a poor-fair partner, choosers prioritized fairness over wealth—with this preference being particularly pronounced when wealth was unstable. The implications of these findings for real-world partner choice are discussed.
Alloparenting is associated with reduced maternal lactation effort and faster weaning in wild chimpanzees
Authors: Bădescu Iulia , Watts David P. , Katzenberg M. Anne , Sellen Daniel W.
Published: November 2016

Alloparenting, when individuals other than the mother assist with infant care, can vary between and within populations and has potential fitness costs and benefits for individuals involved. We investigated the effects of alloparenting on the speed with which infants were weaned, a potential component of maternal fitness because of how it can affect inter-birth intervals, in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) at Ngogo, Uganda. We also provide, to our knowledge, the first description of alloparenting in this population and present a novel measure of the contribution of milk to infant diets through faecal stable nitrogen isotopes (δ15N). Using 42 mother–infant pairs, we tested associations of two alloparenting dimensions, natal attraction (interest in infants) and infant handling (holding, carrying), to the proportion of time mothers spent feeding and to maternal lactation effort (mean nursing rates and mother–infant δ15N differences). Neither natal attraction nor infant handling was significantly associated with feeding time. Infant handling was inversely associated with both measures of lactation effort, although natal attraction showed no association. Alloparenting may benefit mothers by enabling females to invest in their next offspring sooner through accelerated weaning. Our findings emphasize the significance of alloparenting as a flexible component of female reproductive strategies in some species.
Using Fisher information to track stability in multivariate systems
Authors: Ahmad Nasir , Derrible Sybil , Eason Tarsha , Cabezas Heriberto
Published: November 2016

With the current proliferation of data, the proficient use of statistical and mining techniques offer substantial benefits to capture useful information from any dataset. As numerous approaches make use of information theory concepts, here, we discuss how Fisher information (FI) can be applied to sustainability science problems and used in data mining applications by analysing patterns in data. FI was developed as a measure of information content in data, and it has been adapted to assess order in complex system behaviour. The main advantage of the approach is the ability to collapse multiple variables into an index that can be used to assess stability and track overall trends in a system, including its regimes and regime shifts. Here, we provide a brief overview of FI theory, followed by a simple step-by-step numerical example on how to compute FI. Furthermore, we introduce an open source Python library that can be freely downloaded from GitHub and we use it in a simple case study to evaluate the evolution of FI for the global-mean temperature from 1880 to 2015. Results indicate significant declines in FI starting in 1978, suggesting a possible regime shift.