bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Effects of Information About Global Population Growth on Risk Perceptions and Support for Mitigation and Prevention Strategies
Authors: Dawson Ian G. J.
Published: May 2018

The human population is forecast to increase by 3–4 billion people during this century and many scientists have expressed concerns that this could increase the likelihood of certain adverse events (e.g., climate change and resource shortages). Recent research shows that these concerns are mirrored in public risk perceptions and that these perceptions correlate with a willingness to adopt mitigation behaviors (e.g., reduce resource consumption) and preventative actions (e.g., support actions to limit growth). However, little research has assessed the factors that influence risk perceptions of global population growth (GPG). To contribute to this important goal, this article presents three studies that examined how risk perceptions of GPG might be influenced by textual‐visual representations (like those in media and Internet articles) of the potential effects of GPG. Study 1 found that a textual narrative that highlighted the potential negative (cf. positive) consequences of GPG led to higher perceived risk and greater willingness to adopt mitigation behaviors, but not to support preventative actions. Notably, the influence of the narratives on perceived risk was largely moderated by the participant's prior knowledge and perceptions of GPG. Contrary to expectations, studies 2 and 3 revealed, respectively, that photographs depicting GPG‐related imagery and graphs depicting GPG rates had no significant effect on the perceived risk of GPG or the willingness to embrace mitigation or preventative actions. However, study 3 found that individuals with higher “graph literacy” perceived GPG as a higher risk and were more willing to adopt mitigation behaviors and support preventative actions.
A cross‐sectional study on experiences of young adult carers compared to young adult noncarers: parentification, coping and resilience
Authors: Boumans Nicolle P. G. , Dorant Elisabeth
Published: May 2018

Background

Most young carer studies on parentification, resilience and coping concentrated on child carers up to age 18 years, whereas the group of young adult caregivers (18–24 years) has been neglected. In our study, we focused on these young adult caregivers, who are in a life phase in which young people usually are distancing themselves from their families and are striving for autonomy and freedom.

Aim

To explore young adult carers’ perceptions of parentification, resilience and coping compared to young adult noncarers.

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Methods

In 2014/2015, data were collected on 297 healthcare students from a school for vocational education and a university in the Netherlands. A fully structured questionnaire was used. Young adult carers were compared with young adult noncarers on parentification, resilience and coping.

Results

Fifty‐six students identified themselves as a carer: 40 vocational education students and 16 university students. Carers scored significantly higher than noncarers on three out of six parentification dimensions. No differences were found for resilience and problem‐focused coping behaviour, whereas results for emotion‐focused coping demonstrated a higher score for the carers compared to the noncarers.

Conclusion

Although it is important to take care of the needs of all young carers, special attention should be given to those who are at the start of their adult lives, undergoing extensive changes and taking major decisions on study and career issues. Home‐care professionals and school counsellors should be able to recognise this group and their needs and activate support from specialised services and significant others.
Identification of the novel HLA‐DRB1 allele, DRB1*14:183, in a Colombian umbilical cord blood bank donor
Authors: González‐Acero L.‐X. , Camacho B. , Perdomo‐Arciniegas A. M.
Published: May 2018

HLA‐DRB1*14:183 has two nucleotide changes from HLA‐DRB1‐13:44, D to E and F to Y.
Cost‐effectiveness of alternative changes to a national blood collection service
Authors: Willis S. , De Corte K. , Cairns J. A. , Zia Sadique M. , Hawkins N. , Pennington M. , Cho G. , Roberts D. J. , Miflin G. , Grieve R.
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of changing opening times, introducing a donor health report and reducing the minimum inter‐donation interval for donors attending static centres.

Background

Evidence is required about the effect of changes to the blood collection service on costs and the frequency of donation.

Methods/Materials

This study estimated the effect of changes to the blood collection service in England on the annual number of whole‐blood donations by current donors. We used donors' responses to a stated preference survey, donor registry data on donation frequency and deferral rates from the INTERVAL trial. Costs measured were those anticipated to differ between strategies. We reported the cost per additional unit of blood collected for each strategy versus current practice. Strategies with a cost per additional unit of whole blood less than £30 (an estimate of the current cost of collection) were judged likely to be cost‐effective.

Results

In static donor centres, extending opening times to evenings and weekends provided an additional unit of whole blood at a cost of £23 and £29, respectively. Introducing a health report cost £130 per additional unit of blood collected. Although the strategy of reducing the minimum inter‐donation interval had the lowest cost per additional unit of blood collected (£10), this increased the rate of deferrals due to low haemoglobin (Hb).

Conclusion

The introduction of a donor health report is unlikely to provide a sufficient increase in donation frequency to justify the additional costs. A more cost‐effective change is to extend opening hours for blood collection at static centres.
Functional high‐intensity exercise training ameliorates insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk factors in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Fealy Ciarán E. , Nieuwoudt Stephan , Foucher Julie A. , Scelsi Amanda R. , Malin Steven K. , Pagadala Mangesh , Cruz Lauren A. , Li Miranda , Rocco Michael , Burguera Bartolome , Kirwan John P.
Published: May 2018

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does short‐duration, high‐intensity exercise training that combines functional aerobic and resistance exercises into training sessions lasting 8–20 min benefit individuals with type 2 diabetes?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Functional high‐intensity training improves insulin sensitivity and reduces cardiometabolic risk in individuals with type 2 diabetes. This type of exercise training may be an effective exercise mode for managing type 2 diabetes. The increase in insulin sensitivity addresses a key defect in type 2 diabetes.

Functional high‐intensity training (F‐HIT) is a novel fitness paradigm that integrates simultaneous aerobic and resistance training in sets of constantly varied movements, based on real‐world situational exercises, performed at high‐intensity in workouts that range from ∼8 to 20 min per session. We hypothesized that F‐HIT would be an effective exercise mode for reducing insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes (T2D). We recruited 13 overweight/obese adults (5 males, 8 females; 53 ± 7 years; BMI 34.5 ± 3.6 kg m−2, means ± SD) with T2D to participate in a 6‐week (3 days week−1) supervised F‐HIT programme. An oral glucose tolerance test was used to derive measures of insulin sensitivity. F‐HIT significantly reduced fat mass (43.8 ± 83.8 vs. 41.6 ± 7.9 kg;P < 0.01), diastolic blood pressure (80.2 ± 7.1 vs. 74.5 ± 5.8;P < 0.01), blood lipids (triglyceride and VLDL, bothP < 0.05) and metabolic syndromez‐score (6.4 ± 4.5 vs. ‐0.2 ± 5.2 AU;P < 0.001), and increased basal fat oxidation (0.08 ± 0.03 vs. 0.10 ± 0.04 g min−1;P = 0.05), and high molecular mass adiponectin (214.4 ± 88.9 vs. 288.8 ± 127.4 ng mL−1;P < 0.01). Importantly, F‐HIT also increased insulin sensitivity (0.037 ± 0.010 vs. 0.042 ± 0.010 AU;P < 0.05). Increases in high molecular mass adiponectin and basal fat oxidation correlated with the change in insulin sensitivity (ρ, 0.75,P < 0.05 and ρ, 0.81,P < 0.01, respectively). Compliance with the training programme was >95% and no injuries or adverse events were reported. These data suggest that F‐HIT may be an effective exercise mode for managing T2D. The increase in insulin sensitivity addresses a key defect in T2D and is consistent with improvements observed after more traditional aerobic exercise programmes in overweight/obese adults with T2D.
ACOUSTICAL STANDARDS NEWS
Authors: Stremmel Neil B. , Struck Christopher J.
Published: May 2018

American National Standards (ANSI Standards) developed by Accredited Standards Committees S1, S2, S3, S3/SC 1, and S12 in the areas of acoustics, mechanical vibration and shock, bioacoustics, animal bioacoustics, and noise, respectively, are published by the Acoustical Society of America (ASA). In addition to these standards, ASA publishes a catalog of Acoustical American National Standards. To receive a copy of the latest Standards catalog, please contact asastds@acousticalsociety.org.

Comments are welcomed on all material in Acoustical Standards News.

This Acoustical Standards News section in JASA, as well as the national catalog of Acoustical Standards and other information on the Standards Program of the Acoustical Society of America, are available via the ASA home page: http://acousticalsociety.org.
Multiple origins of green blood in New Guinea lizards
Authors: Rodriguez Zachary B. , Perkins Susan L. , Austin Christopher C.
Published: May 2018

Green blood, a remarkable physiological trait, evolved multiple times in lizards.
The fission yeast Stn1-Ten1 complex limits telomerase activity via its SUMO-interacting motif and promotes telomeres replication
Authors: Matmati Samah , Vaurs Mélina , Escandell José M. , Maestroni Laetitia , Nakamura Toru M. , Ferreira Miguel G. , Géli Vincent , Coulon Stéphane
Published: May 2018

The Stn1-Ten1 complex has a dual function at telomeres.
The protective role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery
Authors: Stoppe Christian , Averdunk Luisa , Goetzenich Andreas , Soppert Josefin , Marlier Arnaud , Kraemer Sandra , Vieten Jil , Coburn Mark , Kowark Ana , Kim Bong-Song , Marx Gernot , Rex Steffen , Ochi Akinobu , Leng Lin , Moeckel Gilbert , Linkermann Andreas , El Bounkari Omar , Zarbock Alexander , Bernhagen Jürgen , Djudjaj Sonja , Bucala Richard , Boor Peter
Published: May 2018

Clinical data after cardiac surgery and experimental mouse models of acute kidney injury suggest a renoprotective role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF).
Interaction of Bacterial Phenazines with Colistimethate in Bronchial Epithelial Cells
Authors: Mossine Valeri V. , Chance Deborah L. , Waters James K. , Mawhinney Thomas P.
Published: May 2018

Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections are being increasingly treated in clinics with polymyxins, a class of antibiotics associated with adverse effects on the kidney, nervous system, or airways of a significant proportion of human and animal patients. Although many of the resistant pathogens display enhanced virulence, the hazard of cytotoxic interactions between polymyxin antibiotics and bacterial virulence factors (VFs) has not been assessed, to date. We report here the testing of paired combinations of four
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
VF phenazine toxins, pyocyanin (PYO), 1-hydroxyphenazine (1-HP), phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA), and phenazine-1-carboxamide (PCN), and two commonly prescribed polymyxin drugs, colistin-colistimethate sodium (CMS) and polymyxin B, in three human airway cell lines, BEAS-2B, HBE-1, and CFT-1. Cytotoxicities of individual antibiotics, individual toxins, and their combinations were evaluated by the simultaneous measurement of mitochondrial metabolic, total transcriptional/translational, and Nrf2 stress response regulator activities in treated cells. Two phenazines, PYO and 1-HP, were cytotoxic at clinically relevant concentrations (100 to 150 μM) and prompted a significant increase in oxidative stress-induced transcriptional activity in surviving cells. The polymyxin antibiotics arrested cell proliferation at clinically achievable (<1 mM) concentrations as well, with CMS displaying surprisingly high cytotoxicity (50% effective dose [ED
50
] = 180 μM) in BEAS-2B cells. The dose-response curves were probed by a median-effect analysis, which established a synergistically enhanced cytotoxicity of the PYO-CMS combination in all three airway cell lines; a particularly strong effect on BEAS-2B cells was observed, with a combination index (CI) of 0.27 at the ED
50
. PCA, PCN, and 1-HP potentiated CMS cytotoxicity to a smaller extent. The cytotoxicity of CMS could be reduced with 10 mM
N
-acetyl-cysteine. Iron chelators, while ineffective against the polymyxins, could rescue all three bronchial epithelial cell lines treated with lethal PYO or CMS-PYO doses. These findings suggest that further evaluations of CMS safety are needed, along with a search for means to moderate potentially cytotoxic interactions.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Dickeya fangzhongdai Type Strain Causing Bleeding Canker of Pear Tree Trunks
Authors: Zhao Yuqiang , Tian Yanli , Li Xiang , Hu Baishi
Published: May 2018

Dickeya fangzhongdai
DSM 101947
T
was isolated from pear trees (
Pyrus pyrifolia
) in Zhejiang Province, China, and is the causal agent of bleeding canker, a devastating disease of pear trees. Here, we provide the complete genome sequence of this bacterium, which has a 5,027,163-bp-long genome, including 4,375 protein-coding genes and 100 RNA genes. This strain possesses a number of genes encoding virulence factors of pathogens.
Complete Genome Sequences of the Potential Zoonotic Pathogens Staphylococcus felis and Staphylococcus kloosii
Authors: Mascarenhas dos Santos Anne Caroline , Jie Ruili , Antunes Godoy Helena , Alves Manuela , Pombert Jean-François
Published: May 2018

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are opportunistic pathogens frequently encountered in nosocomial infections. Animal-associated CoNS pose a zoonotic risk and constitute a potential reservoir for virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes. To improve our knowledge of animal-associated CoNS, we sequenced the complete genomes of
Staphylococcus felis
(ATCC 49168) and
Staphylococcus kloosii
(ATCC 43959).
Draft Genome Sequence of Azospira sp. Strain I13, a Nitrous Oxide-Reducing Bacterium Harboring Clade II Type
nosZ
Authors: Suenaga Toshikazu , Aoyagi Tomo , Hosomi Masaaki , Hori Tomoyuki , Terada Akihiko
Published: May 2018

We report here a draft genome sequence of
Azospira
sp. strain I13 in the class
Betaproteobacteria
, a facultative anaerobic bacterium responsible for nitrous oxide (N
2
O) reduction. Deciphering this genome would pave the way for the use of
Azospira
sp. strain I13 to facilitate N
2
O consumption in a nitrogen-removing bioreactor emitting N
2
O.
Draft Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus microti DSM 22147, Isolated from the Common Vole
Authors: Hu XinJun , Shang Yibing , Guo Jing , Zhang Huping , Liang Yalin , Sun Jifeng , Yue Feng
Published: May 2018

Staphylococcus microti
DSM 22147 was isolated from viscera of common voles (
Microtus arvalis
Pallas) with generalized
Brucella microti
infection in the Czech Republic. To the best of our knowledge, the genome sequence of the species
S. microti
has not been previously studied. The complete genome sequence of strain DSM 22147 includes a genome of 2,381,859 bp (38.0% GC content) without any plasmids.
Efficient Delivery of Human Cytomegalovirus T Cell Antigens by Attenuated Sendai Virus Vectors
Authors: Kiener Richard , Fleischmann Markus , Wiegand Marian Alexander , Lemmermann Niels A. W. , Schwegler Christiane , Kaufmann Christine , Renzaho Angelique , Thomas Simone , Felder Eva , Niller Hans Helmut , Asbach Benedikt , Wagner Ralf
Published: May 2018

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) represents a major cause of clinical complications during pregnancy as well as immunosuppression, and the licensing of a protective HCMV vaccine remains an unmet global need. Here, we designed and validated novel Sendai virus (SeV) vectors delivering the T cell immunogens IE-1 and pp65. To enhance vector safety, we used a replication-deficient strain (rdSeV) that infects target cells in a nonproductive manner while retaining viral gene expression. In this study, we explored the impact that transduction with rdSeV has on human dendritic cells (DCs) by comparing it to the parental, replication-competent Sendai virus strain (rcSeV) as well as the poxvirus strain modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA). We found that wild-type SeV is capable of replicating to high titers in DCs while rdSeV infects cells abortively. Due to the higher degree of attenuation, IE-1 and pp65 protein levels mediated by rdSeV after infection of DCs were markedly reduced compared to those of the parental Sendai virus recombinants, but antigen-specific restimulation of T cell clones was not negatively affected by this. Importantly, rdSeV showed reduced cytotoxic effects compared to rcSeV and MVA and was capable of mediating DC maturation as well as secretion of alpha interferon and interleukin-6. Finally, in a challenge model with a murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) strain carrying an HCMV pp65 peptide, we found that viral replication was restricted if mice were previously vaccinated with rdSeV-pp65. Taken together, these data demonstrate that rdSeV has great potential as a vector system for the delivery of HCMV immunogens.

IMPORTANCEHCMV is a highly prevalent betaherpesvirus that establishes lifelong latency after primary infection. Congenital HCMV infection is the most common viral complication in newborns, causing a number of late sequelae ranging from impaired hearing to mental retardation. At the same time, managing HCMV reactivation during immunosuppression remains a major hurdle in posttransplant care. Since options for the treatment of HCMV infection are still limited, the development of a vaccine to confine HCMV-related morbidities is urgently needed. We generated new vaccine candidates in which the main targets of T cell immunity during natural HCMV infection, IE-1 and pp65, are delivered by a replication-deficient, Sendai virus-based vector system. In addition to classical prophylactic vaccine concepts, these vectors could also be used for therapeutic applications, thereby expanding preexisting immunity in high-risk groups such as transplant recipients or for immunotherapy of glioblastomas expressing HCMV antigens.
Glycoprotein 3 of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Exhibits an Unusual Hairpin-Like Membrane Topology
Authors: Zhang Minze , Krabben Ludwig , Wang Fangkun , Veit Michael
Published: May 2018

Glycoprotein 3 (GP3) of the arterivirus porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) consists of a cleaved signal peptide, a highly glycosylated domain, a short hydrophobic region, and an unglycosylated C-terminal domain. GP3 is supposed to form a complex with GP2 and GP4 in virus particles, but secretion of GP3 from cells has also been reported. We analyzed the membrane topology of GP3 from various PRRSV strains. A fraction of the protein is secreted from transfected cells, GP3 from PRRSV-1 strains to a greater extent than GP3 from PRRSV-2 strains. This secretion behavior is reversed after exchange of the variable C-terminal domain. A fluorescence protease protection assay shows that the C terminus of GP3, fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP), is resistant to proteolytic digestion in permeabilized cells. Furthermore, glycosylation sites inserted into the C-terminal part of GP3 are used. Both experiments indicate that the C terminus of GP3 is translocated into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. Deletion of the conserved hydrophobic region greatly enhances secretion of GP3, and fusion of this domain to GFP promotes membrane anchorage. Bioinformatics suggests that the hydrophobic region forms an amphipathic helix. Accordingly, exchanging only a few amino acids in its hydrophilic face prevents secretion of GP3 and in its hydrophobic face enhances it. Exchanging the latter amino acids in the context of the viral genome did not affect release of virions, but released particles were not infectious. In sum, GP3 exhibits an unusual hairpin-like membrane topology that might explain why a fraction of the protein is secreted.

IMPORTANCE
PRRSV is the most important pathogen in the pork industry. It causes persistent infections that lead to reduced weight gain of piglets; highly pathogenic strains even kill 90% of an infected pig population. PRRSV cannot be eliminated from pig farms by vaccination due to the large amino acid variability between the existing strains, especially in the glycoproteins. Here, we analyzed basic structural features of GP3 from various PRRSV strains. We show that the protein exhibits an unusual hairpin-like membrane topology; membrane anchoring might occur via an amphipathic helix. This rather weak membrane anchor explains why a fraction of the protein is secreted from cells. Interestingly, PRRSV-1 strains secrete more GP3 than PRRSV-2. We speculate that secreted GP3 plays a role during PRRSV infection of pigs: it might serve as a decoy to distract antibodies away from virus particles.
Using feeding to reduce pain during vaccination of formula-fed infants: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Bos-Veneman Netty G P , Otter Marrit , Reijneveld Sijmen A
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To assess the effectiveness and potential side effects of formula feeding to reduce pain during vaccination among infants.

Study design

In the setting of well-baby clinics we recruited a community-based sample of full-term born infants who were already formula fed by the choice of the parents (n=48, aged 4–10 weeks) and received their first DTaP-IPV-HepB-Hib and pneumococcal vaccinations and randomised them into two groups. To evaluate pain experienced during vaccination we compared infants who drank formula feeding before, during and after vaccination with infants who did not. Outcomes were observed cry duration and pain scores measured by means of the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) and the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) scale. Side effects of drinking during vaccination were recorded. We performed intention-to-treat analyses using regression models, crude and adjusted for sex and age of the infant.

Results

Pain at the moment of the second injection did not differ between groups. Drinking infants cried 33.5 s shorter (−56.6; −10.3). In the first minute after injection drinking infants experienced a faster pain reduction on the NIPSΔt: regression coefficient 3.86 (95% CI 2.70 to 5.02) and FLACCΔt: 4.42 (95% CI 2.85 to 5.99).

Conclusions

In line with findings of previous studies regarding breast feeding, formula feeding reduced vaccination pain in the recovery phase in full-term born infants receiving their first vaccinations between ages 4 and 10 weeks with no adverse effects. Professionals should discuss this non-costly and feasible pain-reducing intervention with parents of infants who receive vaccinations.

Trial registration number

IRCTN 31383, post-results
Risk assessment of the hospital discharge process of high-risk patients with diabetes
Authors: Pollack Teresa A , Illuri Vidhya , Khorzad Rebeca , Aleppo Grazia , Johnson Oakes Diana , Holl Jane L , Wallia Amisha
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Describe the application of a risk assessment to identify failures in the hospital discharge process of a high-risk patient group, liver transplant (LT) recipients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or hyperglycaemia who require high-risk medications.

Design

A Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) of the hospital discharge process of LT recipients with DM and/or hyperglycaemia who required DM education and training before discharge was conducted using information from clinicians, patients and data extraction from the electronic health records (EHR). Failures and their causes were identified and the frequency and characteristics (harm, detectability) of each failure were assigned using a score of low/best (1) to high/worst (10); a Criticality Index (CI=Harm×Frequency) and a Risk Priority Number (RPN=Harm×Frequency×Detection) were also calculated.

Setting

An academic, tertiary care centre in Chicago, Illinois.

Participants

Healthcare providers (N=31) including physicians (n= 6), advanced practice providers (n=12), nurses (n=6), pharmacists (n= 4), staff (n=3) and patients (n=6) and caregivers (n=3) participated in the FMECA; EHR data for LT recipients with DM or hyperglycaemia (N=100) were collected.

Results

Of 78 identified failures, the most critical failures (n=15; RPNs=700, 630, 560; CI=70) were related to variability in delivery of diabetes education and training, care coordination and medication prescribing patterns of providers. Underlying causes included timing of patient education, lack of assessment of patients’ knowledge and industry-level design failures of healthcare products (eg, EHR, insulin pen).

Conclusion

Most identified critical failures are preventable and suggest the need for the design of interventions, informed by the failures identified by this FMECA, to mitigate safety risks and improve outcomes of high-risk patient populations.
Similarities between military and medical service: stigma of seeking mental health assistance
Authors: Gardiner Fergus , Gardiner E C
Published: May 2018

Studies have identified that there are many barriers to treatment of mental health illnesses in military populations, including the negative-associated stigma. One such barrier includes perceptions of weakness, leading to concerns about leadership and competency and being seen as malingering. Furthermore, similarities can be seen in civilian health professionals, where concerns of negative perceptions can limit reporting and treatment of mental health illnesses. Despite the frequency of stressful events, military and health professionals do not become immune to stress and are often ill prepared to cope with acute stressors that can often build on each other until emotional exhaustion and/or crisis point. Even with targeted internal programmes, the stigma of seeking mental health assistance in the military and medicine is poor and is believed to contribute to poor outcomes, such as the potential of increased suicide prevalence.
Inaccuracy of serum bile acids to predict closure after surgical attenuation of a portosystemic shunt
Authors: Devriendt Nausikaa , Vandermeulen Eva , Or Matan , Paepe Dominique , de Rooster Hilde
Published: May 2018

A four‐month‐old entire female miniature schnauzer became clinically normal after surgical attenuation of a portosystemic shunt was conducted using thin film banding. Postoperatively, preprandial and postprandial serum bile acids were within normal limits at repeated occasions. On the contrary, trans‐splenic portal scintigraphy at 3 and at 28 months postoperatively showed a shunt fraction of 7 and 89 per cent, respectively. This case report illustrates that preprandial and postprandial serum bile acids are not always reliable in determining shunt closure after surgical attenuation.
Knockdown of the prolyl isomerase Pin1 inhibits Hep-2 cell growth, migration, and invasion by targeting the β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Fan Guoliang , Wang Lin , Xu Jia , Jiang Ping , Wang Wei , Huang Ying , Lv Minggang , Liu Shaoting
Published: May 2018

There is increasing evidence indicating that peptidylprolyl cis/trans isomerase, NIMA-interacting 1 (Pin1) plays a decisive role in a variety of cancers. Nevertheless, its function in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) has not been elaborated. The aim of this study is to determine the role of Pin1 in LSCC. Here, we established stably transfected Hep-2 cells with low expression of Pin1. Intriguingly, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion was significantly inhibited in Pin1-silenced Hep-2 cells. Similarly, knockdown of Pin1 induced apoptosis of Hep-2 cells, as evidenced by increased expression of cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-PARP, and bax, and decreased expression of bcl2. We also demonstrated that silencing of Pin1 down-regulated β-catenin and cyclin D1 expression. Inversely, over-expression of β-catenin reversed the inhibiting effect of Pin1 silencing on Hep-2 cells. Moreover, we proved that knockdown of Pin1 inhibited tumorigenesis of Hep-2 cells in vivo. Taken together, we demonstrate that silencing of Pin1 effectively suppresses the growth of Hep-2 cells through β-catenin, indicating that Pin1 possess the potential to serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment of LSCC.
Effects of particle size and cushioning thickness on the performance of rock-filled gabions used in protection against boulder impact
Authors: Su Y. , Cui Y. , Ng C.W.W. , Choi C.E. , Kwan J.S.H.
Published: May 2018

A gabion is one of the most commonly used cushioning layers to shield protection structures against boulders entrained in debris flow. Despite the prevalence of gabions, their cushioning performance is highly variable because of the wide range of rock sizes and cushioning thicknesses that are recommended in the literature. Correspondingly, the dynamic response of gabion cushioning layers varies dramatically. In this study, large-scale pendulum impact tests were used to calibrate a discrete element model. Subsequently, a parametric study was carried out to discern the effects of particle size and cushioning thickness on the impact load and transmitted load exerted by a boulder. Results reveal that as the particle size in the cushioning layer decreases, the force chains collapse more easily, and the expansion angle of strain energy increases. To optimize the performance of a gabion cushioning layer, practitioners should reduce the size of the particles to a normalized particle radius of about 0.1. A normalized particle radius less than 0.2 ensures that the expansion angle of strain energy is large enough — greater than 45° in this study — so as to enable load spreading across the barrier. To eliminate the effects of energy reflecting off the barrier and directed back to the point of impact, which augments the impact load, the cushioning layer thickness should be greater than three times the radius of the boulder.
Seeing the Light: The Roles of Red- and Blue-Light Sensing in Plant Microbes
Authors: Beattie Gwyn A. , Hatfield Bridget M. , Dong Haili , McGrane Regina S.
Published: May 2018

Plants collect, concentrate, and conduct light throughout their tissues, thus enhancing light availability to their resident microbes. This review explores the role of photosensing in the biology of plant-associated bacteria and fungi, including the molecular mechanisms of red-light sensing by phytochromes and blue-light sensing by LOV (light-oxygen-voltage) domain proteins in these microbes. Bacteriophytochromes function as major drivers of the bacterial transcriptome and mediate light-regulated suppression of virulence, motility, and conjugation in some phytopathogens and light-regulated induction of the photosynthetic apparatus in a stem-nodulating symbiont. Bacterial LOV proteins also influence light-mediated changes in both symbiotic and pathogenic phenotypes. Although red-light sensing by fungal phytopathogens is poorly understood, fungal LOV proteins contribute to blue-light regulation of traits, including asexual development and virulence. Collectively, these studies highlight that plant microbes have evolved to exploit light cues and that light sensing is often coupled with sensing other environmental signals.
The Reversal of the Gender Gap in Education and Its Consequences for Family Life
Authors: Van Bavel Jan , Schwartz Christine R. , Esteve Albert
Published: May 2018

Although men tended to receive more education than women in the past, the gender gap in education has reversed in recent decades in most Western and many non-Western countries. We review the literature about the implications for union formation, assortative mating, the division of paid and unpaid work, and union stability in Western countries. The bulk of the evidence points to a narrowing of gender differences in mate preferences and declining aversion to female status-dominant relationships. Couples in which wives have more education than their husbands now outnumber those in which husbands have more. Although such marriages were more unstable in the past, existing studies indicate that this is no longer true. In addition, recent studies show less evidence of gender display in housework when wives have higher status than their husbands. Despite these shifts, other research documents the continuing influence of the breadwinner-homemaker model of marriage.
Polycystin-1 dysfunction impairs electrolyte and water handling in a renal precystic mouse model for ADPKD
Authors: Verschuren Eric H. J. , Mohammed Sami G. , Leonhard Wouter N. , Overmars-Bos Caro , Veraar Kimberly , Hoenderop Joost G. J. , Bindels René J. M. , Peters Dorien J. M. , Arjona Francisco J.
Published: May 2018

The PKD1 gene encodes polycystin-1 (PC1), a mechanosensor triggering intracellular responses upon urinary flow sensing in kidney tubular cells. Mutations in PKD1 lead to autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The involvement of PC1 in renal electrolyte handling remains unknown since renal electrolyte physiology in ADPKD patients has only been characterized in cystic ADPKD. We thus studied the renal electrolyte handling in inducible kidney-specific Pkd1 knockout (iKsp- Pkd1−/−) mice manifesting a precystic phenotype. Serum and urinary electrolyte determinations indicated that iKsp- Pkd1−/−mice display reduced serum levels of magnesium (Mg2+), calcium (Ca2+), sodium (Na+), and phosphate (Pi) compared with control ( Pkd1+/+) mice and renal Mg2+, Ca2+, and Piwasting. In agreement with these electrolyte disturbances, downregulation of key genes for electrolyte reabsorption in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (TA;, Cldn16, Kcnj1, and Slc12a1), distal convoluted tubule (DCT; Trpm6 and Slc12a3) and connecting tubule (CNT; Calb1, Slc8a1, and Atp2b4) was observed in kidneys of iKsp- Pkd1−/−mice compared with controls. Similarly, decreased renal gene expression of markers for TAL ( Umod) and DCT ( Pvalb) was observed in iKsp- Pkd1−/−mice. Conversely, mRNA expression levels in kidney of genes encoding solute and water transporters in the proximal tubule ( Abcg2 and Slc34a1) and collecting duct ( Aqp2, Scnn1a, and Scnn1b) remained comparable between control and iKsp- Pkd1−/−mice, although a water reabsorption defect was observed in iKsp- Pkd1−/−mice. In conclusion, our data indicate that PC1 is involved in renal Mg2+, Ca2+, and water handling and its dysfunction, resulting in a systemic electrolyte imbalance characterized by low serum electrolyte concentrations.
Movement vigor as a traitlike attribute of individuality
Authors: Reppert Thomas R. , Rigas Ioannis , Herzfeld David J. , Sedaghat-Nejad Ehsan , Komogortsev Oleg , Shadmehr Reza
Published: May 2018

A common aspect of individuality is our subjective preferences in evaluation of reward and effort. The neural circuits that evaluate these commodities influence circuits that control our movements, raising the possibility that vigor differences between individuals may also be a trait of individuality, reflecting a willingness to expend effort. In contrast, classic theories in motor control suggest that vigor differences reflect a speed-accuracy trade-off, predicting that those who move fast are sacrificing accuracy for speed. Here we tested these contrasting hypotheses. We measured motion of the eyes, head, and arm in healthy humans during various elementary movements (saccades, head-free gaze shifts, and reaching). For each person we characterized their vigor, i.e., the speed with which they moved a body part (peak velocity) with respect to the population mean. Some moved with low vigor, while others moved with high vigor. Those with high vigor tended to react sooner to a visual stimulus, moving both their eyes and arm with a shorter reaction time. Arm and head vigor were tightly linked: individuals who moved their head with high vigor also moved their arm with high vigor. However, eye vigor did not correspond strongly with arm or head vigor. In all modalities, vigor had no impact on end-point accuracy, demonstrating that differences in vigor were not due to a speed-accuracy trade-off. Our results suggest that movement vigor may be a trait of individuality, not reflecting a willingness to accept inaccuracy but demonstrating a propensity to expend effort.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY A common aspect of individuality is how we evaluate economic variables like reward and effort. This valuation affects not only decision making but also motor control, raising the possibility that vigor may be distinct between individuals but conserved across movements within an individual. Here we report conservation of vigor across elementary skeletal movements, but not eye movements, raising the possibility that the individuality of our movements may be driven by a common neural mechanism of effort evaluation across modalities of skeletal motor control.
Neural architecture: from cells to circuits
Authors: Richards Sarah E. V. , Van Hooser Stephen D.
Published: May 2018

Circuit operations are determined jointly by the properties of the circuit elements and the properties of the connections among these elements. In the nervous system, neurons exhibit diverse morphologies and branching patterns, allowing rich compartmentalization within individual cells and complex synaptic interactions among groups of cells. In this review, we summarize work detailing how neuronal morphology impacts neural circuit function. In particular, we consider example neurons in the retina, cerebral cortex, and the stomatogastric ganglion of crustaceans. We also explore molecular coregulators of morphology and circuit function to begin bridging the gap between molecular and systems approaches. By identifying motifs in different systems, we move closer to understanding the structure-function relationships that are present in neural circuits.
Recent advances in objectifying pain using neuroimaging techniques
Authors: Archibald J. , Warner F. M. , Ortiz O. , Todd M. , Jutzeler C. R.
Published: May 2018

The pursuit of a physiological indicator of noxious stimulation is desirable as it has the potential to provide mechanistic information regarding acute pain and may ultimately improve pain management strategies. Currently, there are no specific neurophysiological markers of pain to evaluate treatments. Recent attempts to identify neural correlates of pain have focused on different neuroimaging modalities. The purpose of this review is to discuss common neuroimaging techniques and findings thus far.
Control of transitions between locomotor-like and paw shake-like rhythms in a model of a multistable central pattern generator
Authors: Parker Jessica , Bondy Brian , Prilutsky Boris I. , Cymbalyuk Gennady
Published: May 2018

The ability of the same neuronal circuit to control different motor functions is an actively debated concept. Previously, we showed in a model that a single multistable central pattern generator (CPG) could produce two different rhythmic motor patterns, slow and fast, corresponding to cat locomotion and paw shaking. A locomotor-like rhythm (~1 Hz) and a paw shake-like rhythm (~10 Hz) did coexist in our model, and, by applying a single pulse of current, we could switch the CPG from one regime to another (Bondy B, Klishko AN, Edwards DH, Prilutsky BI, Cymbalyuk G. In: Neuromechanical Modeling of Posture and Locomotion, 2016). Here we investigated the roles of slow intrinsic ionic currents in this multistability. The CPG is modeled as a half-center oscillator circuit comprising two reciprocally inhibitory neurons. Each neuron is equipped with two slow inward currents, a Na+ current ( INaS) and a Ca2+ current ( ICaS). ICaS inactivates much more slowly and at more hyperpolarized voltages than INaS. We demonstrate that INaS is the primary current driving the paw shake-like bursting. ICaS is crucial for the locomotor-like bursting, and it is inactivated during the paw shake-like activity. We investigate the sensitivity of the bursting regimes to perturbations, using a pulse of current to induce a switch from one regime to the other, and we demonstrate that the transition duration is dependent on pulse amplitude and application phase. We also investigate the modulatory roles of the strength of various currents on characteristics of these rhythms and show that their effects are regime specific. We conclude that a multistable CPG is physiologically plausible and derive testable predictions of the model.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Little is known about how a single central pattern generator could produce multiple rhythms. We describe a novel mechanism for multistability of bursting regimes with strongly distinct periods. The proposed mechanism emphasizes the role of intrinsic cellular dynamics over synaptic dynamics in the production of multistability. We describe how the temporal characteristics of multiple rhythms could be controlled by neuromodulation and how single pulses of current could produce a switch between regimes in a functional fashion.
Integrative Physiology of Pneumonia
Authors: Quinton Lee J. , Walkey Allan J. , Mizgerd Joseph P.
Published: May 2018

Pneumonia is a type of acute lower respiratory infection that is common and severe. The outcome of lower respiratory infection is determined by the degrees to which immunity is protective and inflammation is damaging. Intercellular and interorgan signaling networks coordinate these actions to fight infection and protect the tissue. Cells residing in the lung initiate and steer these responses, with additional immunity effectors recruited from the bloodstream. Responses of extrapulmonary tissues, including the liver, bone marrow, and others, are essential to resistance and resilience. Responses in the lung and extrapulmonary organs can also be counterproductive and drive acute and chronic comorbidities after respiratory infection. This review discusses cell-specific and organ-specific roles in the integrated physiological response to acute lung infection, and the mechanisms by which intercellular and interorgan signaling contribute to host defense and healthy respiratory physiology or to acute lung injury, chronic pulmonary disease, and adverse extrapulmonary sequelae. Pneumonia should no longer be perceived as simply an acute infection of the lung. Pneumonia susceptibility reflects ongoing and poorly understood chronic conditions, and pneumonia results in diverse and often persistent deleterious consequences for multiple physiological systems.
Expression of GPR43 in Brown Adipogenesis Is Enhanced by Rosiglitazone and Controlled by PPARγ/RXR Heterodimerization
Authors: Hu Jiamiao , Zhou Arong , Cheung Peter C. K. , Zheng Baodong , Zeng Shaoxiao , Lin Shaoling
Published: May 2018

GPR43, a G-protein coupled receptor recognizing short-chain fatty acids, has been reported to participate in many biological functions of white adipocytes, such as adipogenesis and lipolysis. However, the functional role of GPR43 in brown adipocytes is still not clear. In this study, we investigated the effects of the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone on GPR43 expression in brown adipogenesis. The results demonstrated that GPR43 was expressed during the late phase of brown adipocyte differentiation, which could be further augmented by adipogenic agent rosiglitazone treatment. The PPARγ/RXR heterodimerization was found to be the key transcription factor for this enhancing effect of rosiglitazone on GPR43 expression. Taken together, these results suggested GPR43 levels might be regulated by PPARγ-activated events during brown adipocytes differentiation and reflect the adipogenesis status of brown adipocytes.
Cloning and Expression of the Organophosphate Pesticide-Degradingα-βHydrolase Gene in Plasmid pMK-07 to Confer Cross-Resistance to Antibiotics
Authors: Rangasamy Kirubakaran , Athiappan Murugan , Devarajan Natarajan , Parray Javid A. , Shameem Nowsheen , Aruljothi K. N. , Hashem Abeer , Alqarawi Abdulaziz A. , Abd_Allah Elsayed Fathi
Published: May 2018

Pesticide residual persistence in agriculture soil selectively increases the pesticide-degrading population and transfers the pesticide-degrading gene to other populations, leading to cross-resistance to a wide range of antibiotics. The enzymes that degrade pesticides can also catabolize the antibiotics by inducing changes in the gene or protein structure through induced mutations. The present work focuses on the pesticide-degrading bacteria isolated from an agricultural field that develop cross-resistance to antibiotics. This cross-resistance is developed through catabolic gene clusters present in an extrachromosomal plasmid. A larger plasmid (236.7 Kbp) isolated fromBacillussp. was sequenced by next-generation sequencing, and important features such asα-βhydrolase, DNA topoisomerase, DNA polymerase III subunit beta, reverse transcriptase, plasmid replication rep X, recombination U, transposase, and S-formylglutathione hydrolase were found in this plasmid. Among these, theα-βhydrolase enzyme is known for the degradation of organophosphate pesticides. The cloning and expression of theα-βhydrolase gene imply nonspecific cleavage of antibiotics through a cross-resistance phenomenon in the host. The docking ofα-βhydrolase with a spectrum of antibiotics showed a high G-score against chloramphenicol (−3.793), streptomycin (−2.865), cefotaxime (−5.885), ampicillin (−4.316), and tetracycline (−3.972). This study concludes that continuous exposure to pesticide residues may lead to the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains among the wild microbial flora.
Plasticity Improvement of Ball‐Spun Magnesium Alloy Tube Based on Stress Triaxiality
Authors: Zhao Chunjiang , Zhang Feitao , Xiong Jie , Jiang Zhengyi , Yang Xiaorong , Cui Hailong
Published: May 2018

The effects of thickness reduction, feed ratio, and ball diameter, and their coupling effects, on the average relative stress triaxiality during spinning are discussed via simulation results. The relationships among the parameters and the average value of relative stress triaxiality (AVRST) are fitted with multiple nonlinear functions to calculate the optimal process parameters. According to the trend of stress triaxiality, the corresponding process parameters are calculated for the minimum average value of relative stress triaxiality (AVRST). Room temperature experiments performed on an AZ31 magnesium alloy thin‐walled tube with the optimal parameters reveal an improvement of cracking of the tube surface. The study reveals changes in the minimum AVRST and aids in selecting the process parameters to improve plastic performance.