bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Could Vitamin D be Associated with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy? Evidence from Pooling Studies
Authors: Yuan Jing , Zhou Jian-Bo , Zhao Wei , Zhang Rui-Heng , Cai Yao-Hua , Shu Lin-Ping , Qi Lu , Yang Jin-Kui
Published: November 2019

Contrasting data about the association between proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and vitamin D status remain unknown. First, a hospital-based cross-sectional study consisting of 889 diabetic retinopathy (DR) and non-DR (NDR) patients was admitted. Further the accumulated evidence was performed to explore the association and dose-response relationship. Our study indicated that the odd ratio for PDR in vitamin D deficiency (VDD) individuals was significantly increased (1.60, 95% CI 1.06–2.42), compared with NDR in vitamin D sufficiency individuals, adjusted by age, sex, diabetic duration, and HbA1c. Four studies plus our study with data on vitamin D levels in 4970 patients with PDR and NDR subjects are compared. Association between vitamin D deficiency and risk of PDR exists (OR=1.69, 95% CI 1.40–2.05; I2=0%, p=0.61). Association between a nonlinear trend for vitamin D decrease with risk of DR was significant (chi2=16.53, p=0.0003). No significant heterogeneity in identified studies was found (goodness of fit chi2=2.98, p=0.225). It is concluded that vitamin D deficiency is significantly associated with risk of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Chancen zur Umsetzung der Leitlinienempfehlungen zu psychosozialen Therapien im Rahmen des Bundesteilhabegesetzes (BTHG)
Authors: Gühne Uta , Konrad Michael
Published: November 2019

Die Erstellung von Behandlungsleitlinien bewirkt allein noch keine verbesserte Versorgung der Patienten. Die Umsetzung der Leitlinien ist von verschiedenen, u. a. von strukturellen Bedingungen abhängig. Im Update der S3-Leitlinie „Psychosoziale Therapien bei schweren psychischen Erkrankungen“ werden auf systematische Weise sehr verschiedene psychosoziale Therapien aufgegriffen und einer Überprüfung deren Wirksamkeit unterzogen. Die Umsetzung der daraus resultierenden und in einem aufwendigen Konsensusprozess abgestimmten Empfehlungen bleibt durch die gegliederte Sozialgesetzgebung in Deutschland erschwert. Der vorliegende Beitrag zeigt auf, welche Chancen im Bundesteilhabegesetz (BTHG) für die Umsetzung der Leitlinienempfehlungen liegen.
Endothelial Function in Patients with Subclinical Hypothyroidism: A
Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gong Ningning , Gao Cuixia , Chen Xuedi , Fang Yuan , Tian Limin
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine whether patients with
subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) have impaired endothelial function, which
is assessed by carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) and flow-mediated
dilatation (FMD) of brachial artery. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library
databases and the key studies references were searched in our study, prior
to July 2017 for all language articles about FMD or C-IMT in SCH and
euthyroid subjects. Two authors screened documents and extracted data by
pre-established standard independently. The pooled estimate for continuous
data was calculated using random-effects models. Statistical heterogeneity
was evaluated using I2 statistics. Subgroup analyses were
conducted to assess the robustness of the meta-analysis. Publication bias
was examined with funnel plot analysis and Egger’s test. In this
meta-analysis, 10 studies with 760 subjects are related to FMD with SCH and
23 studies with 1521 subjects are related to C-IMT with SCH. The pooled
estimate of the weighted mean difference (WMD) has revealed that SCH
correlated with increased C-IMT [WMD 0.069 mm; 95% CI
(0.042, 0.095); p<0.001] and decreased FMD [WMD
−1.848%; 95% CI (−2.298, −1.399);
p<0.001] with high heterogeneity. Compared with EU controls,
SCH was also associated with an increased diastolic blood pressure (DBP),
systolic blood pressure (SBP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC)
levels, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). This meta-analysis
demonstrates that SCH is associated with endothelial dysfunction, which may
relate with increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Hypertension and
dyslipidemia may play a crucial part in the development of endothelial
dysfunction.
Treatment with Metformin and Combination of Metformin Plus Pioglitazone on Serum Levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Ali Durr-e-Shewar , Shah Mohsin , Ali Asif , Malik Muhammad Omar , Rehman Farhat , Badshah Haroon , Ehtesham Ehtesham , Vitale Salvatore Giovanni
Published: November 2019

Elevated serum levels of inflammatory mediators in conditions such as PCOS reflect a low-grade chronic inflammation and this has been attributed to be associated with insulin-resistance in PCOS. Therefore, insulin-sensitizing agents are suggested to improve both reproductive as well as metabolic aspects of PCOS. This study aimed to compare the effects of metformin taken alone with that of a combination of metformin and pioglitazone on menstrual cycle, hormonal parameters, insulin resistance, and inflammatory biomarkers in women with PCOS. One hundred and six women with PCOS participated in the study. All subjects were randomized into two-arm intervention groups (Arm 1 and 2). Participants in Arm-1 received metformin (500 mg BD) daily while those in Arm-2 a combination of metformin (500 mg BD) and pioglitazone (15 mg BD) for 12 wks. Serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were measured using ELISA whereas insulin resistance was assessed using HOMA-IR. At baseline women with PCOS had significantly elevated circulating concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8. Treatment decreased IL-6 in both the groups, however, only the combination group showed a significant decrease (p=0.005). Serum IL-8 level had a significant decrease after treatment in both groups (p <0.001). HOMA-IR and insulin levels also decreased in both the groups (both p <0.001). Testosterone, FSH, and prolactin significantly decreased in both groups. LH also decreased in both groups, however, the change was significant only in the combination group (p=0.013). Combination of metformin and pioglitazone therapy was more effective as compared to metformin alone in reducing the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 as well as insulin resistance in PCOS.
Alkaloid Enantiomers from Isatis tinctoria with Neuroprotective Effects against H2O2-Induced SH-SY5Y Cell Injury
Authors: Xi Yu-Fei , Lou Li-Li , Xu Zhi-Yong , Hou Zi-Lin , Wang Xiao-Bo , Huang Xiao-Xiao , Song Shao-Jiang
Published: November 2019

Six pairs of alkaloid enantiomers including 11 new alkaloids (1a/1b–5a/5b, 6a) were isolated from the leaves of Isatis tinctoria. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses. Enantiomers were separated successfully by chiral chromatographic column and the absolute configurations of all isolates were determined by comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. The isolated alkaloids were evaluated for their neuroprotective activities against H2O2-induced cell injury in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. The results showed that 5a/5b and 6a/6b exhibited potent neuroprotective activities at 50 µM compared with the H2O2-treated group.
A Comparative Study of Endoscopic versus Microscopic Cartilage Type I Tympanoplasty
Authors: Shakya Dipesh , KC Arun , Nepal Ajit
Published: November 2019

Introduction The use of endoscope is rapidly increasing in otological and neuro-otological surgery in the last 2 decades. Middle ear surgeries, including tympanoplasty, have increasingly utilized endoscopes as an adjunct to or as a replacement for the operative microscope. Superior visualization and transcanal access to diseases normally managed with a transmastoid approach are touted as advantages with the endoscope.

Objectives The present study aimed to compare the outcomes of endoscopic and microscopic cartilage tympanoplasty (Type I)

Methods This was a retrospective comparative study of 70 patients (25 males and 45 females) who underwent type I tympanoplasty between March 2015 and April 2016. The subjects were classified into 2 groups: endoscopic tympanoplasty (ET, n = 35), and microscopic tympanoplasty (MT, n = 35). Tragal cartilage was used as a graft and technique used was cartilage shield tympanoplasty in both groups. Demographic data, perforation size of the tympanic membrane at the preoperative state, operation time, hearing outcome, and graft success rate were evaluated.

Results The epidemiological profiles, the preoperative hearing status, and the perforation size were similar in both groups. The mean operation time of the MT group (52.63 ± 8.68 minutes) was longer than that of the ET group (48.20 ± 10.37 minutes), but the difference was not statistically significant. The graft success rates 12 weeks postoperatively were 91.42% both in the ET and MT groups, that is, 32/35; and these values were not statistically significantly different. There was a statistically significant improvement in hearing within the groups, both pre- and postoperatively, but there was no difference between the groups.

Conclusion Endoscopic tympanoplasty is a minimally invasive surgery with similar graft success rate, comparable hearing outcomes and shorter operative time period as compared to microscopic use.
Pure-Tone Hearing Thresholds and Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials in Sporadic Ataxia
Authors: Zeigelboim Bianca Simone , Scheidt Anylize Wachholz Vom , Kronbauer Kairone Fernandes , Liberalesso Paulo Breno Noronha , José Maria Renata , Fonseca Vinicius Ribas , Teive Hélio Afonso Ghizoni
Published: November 2019

Introduction Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is part of a genetic and clinical heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia.

Objective To describe the results of audiological and electrophysiological hearing evaluations in patients with sporadic ataxia (SA).

Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out with 11 patients submitted to the following procedures: anamnesis, otorhinolaryngological evaluation, tonal and vocal audiometry, acoustic immittance and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) tests.

Results The patients presented with a prevalence of gait imbalance, of dysarthria, and of dysphagia; in the audiometric and BAEPs, four patients presented with alterations; in the acoustic immittance test, five patients presented with alterations, predominantly bilateral.

Conclusion The most evident alterations in the audiological evaluation were the prevalence of the descending audiometric configuration between the frequencies of 2 and 4 kHz and the absence of the acoustic reflex between the frequencies of 3 and 4 kHz bilaterally. In the electrophysiological evaluation, the patients presented changes with a prevalence of increased I, III and V wave latencies and the interval in the interpeak I-III, I-V and III-V. In the present study, it was observed that auditory complaints did not have a significant prevalence in this type of ataxia, which does not occur in some types of autosomal recessive and dominant ataxia.
Behavioral and Electrophysiological Assessment of Adults Who Underwent Cochlear Implantation After Hearing Aid Experience
Authors: Calderaro Victor Goiris , Amaral Maria Stella Arantes do , Luz Benedita Aparecida Borges da , Bernal Sarah Carolina , Hyppolito Miguel Ângelo , Reis Ana Claudia Mirândola Barbosa
Published: November 2019

Introduction Cochlear implantation has been considered a viable option to restore hearing perception in adults with severe to profound postlingual hearing loss.

Objectives To analyze behavioral hearing responses and P300 latency and amplitude measurements in adults with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss at two phases, first when they were using hearing aids (HAs) and, then, after 12 months of cochlear implant (CI) use. The association between behavioral and electrophysiological evaluations was explored, as it is believed that the study of auditory processing with different hearing devices can contribute to future CI adjustments and fittings, especially for patients who cannot give subjective feedback (such as small children and individuals with multiple disabilities).

Methods Prospective comparative study (Ethical approval 11489/2014). Twelve adults were assessed, 7 males and 5 females, in the 22 to 76 years old age range, who had undergone CI surgery after HA experience.

Results The analyses showed an improvement of hearing thresholds when patients started using CIs. Comparing data from P300 latency measurements, there was an increase of the P300 wave post-CI at Cz and Fz. Regarding the amplitude, P300 mean values decreased at Cz, but increased at Fz. There was no significant correlation between behavioral and electrophysiological assessment and the variables age, gender, auditory deprivation, and electronic device used.

Conclusion There was a significant improvement of hearing thresholds after twelve months of CI experience. The mean latency values of P300 after 12 months of CI use increased at Cz and Fz, while mean amplitude values decreased at Cz and increased at Fz.
Mechanotransduction in Liver Diseases
Authors: Kang Ningling
Published: November 2019

Chronic liver diseases, such as fibrosis and cancer, lead to a rigid or stiff liver because of perpetual activation of hepatic stellate cells or portal fibroblasts into matrix-producing myofibroblasts. Mechanical forces, as determined by the mechanical properties of extracellular matrix or pressure of circulating blood flow/shear stress, are sensed by mechanoreceptors at the plasma membrane and transmitted into a cell to impact cell function. This process is termed as mechanotransduction. This review includes basic knowledge regarding how external forces are sensed, amplified, and transmitted into the interior of a cell as far as the nucleus to regulate gene transcription and generate biological responses. It also reviews literatures to highlight the mechanisms by which mechanical forces in a normal or diseased liver influence the phenotype of hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, portal fibroblasts, and sinusoidal endothelial cells, and these cells in turn participate in the initiation and progression of liver diseases.
Green’s functions, Biot-Savart operators, and linking numbers on negatively curved symmetric spaces
Authors: Bechtluft-Sachs Stefan , Samiou Evangelia
Published: November 2019

We construct radial fundamental solutions for the differential form Laplacian on negatively curved symmetric spaces. At least, one of these Green’s functions also yields a Biot-Savart operator, i.e., a right inverse of the exterior differential on closed forms with image in the kernel of the codifferential. Any Biot-Savart operator gives rise to a Gauss linking integral.
III-V-on-Si photonic integrated circuits realized using micro-transfer-printing
Authors: Zhang Jing , Muliuk Grigorij , Juvert Joan , Kumari Sulakshna , Goyvaerts Jeroen , Haq Bahawal , Op de Beeck Camiel , Kuyken Bart , Morthier Geert , Van Thourhout Dries , Baets Roel , Lepage Guy , Verheyen Peter , Van Campenhout Joris , Gocalinska Agnieszka , O’Callaghan James , Pelucchi Emanuele , Thomas Kevin , Corbett Brian , Trindade António José , Roelkens Gunther
Published: November 2019

Silicon photonics (SiPh) enables compact photonic integrated circuits (PICs), showing superior performance for a wide variety of applications. Various optical functions have been demonstrated on this platform that allows for complex and powerful PICs. Nevertheless, laser source integration technologies are not yet as mature, hampering the further cost reduction of the eventual Si photonic systems-on-chip and impeding the expansion of this platform to a broader range of applications. Here, we discuss a promising technology, micro-transfer-printing (μTP), for the realization of III-V-on-Si PICs. By employing a polydimethylsiloxane elastomeric stamp, the integration of III-V devices can be realized in a massively parallel manner on a wafer without substantial modifications to the SiPh process flow, leading to a significant cost reduction of the resulting III-V-on-Si PICs. This paper summarizes some of the recent developments in the use of μTP technology for realizing the integration of III-V photodiodes and lasers on Si PICs.
Low-cost and highly accessible technology based on radially polarized beam-excited plasmonic microfiber for label-free Raman detection
Authors: Liu Min , Zhang Wending , Lu Fanfan , Zhang Lu , Xue Tianyang , Meng Chao , Mei Ting
Published: November 2019

A low-cost and highly accessible method for high sensitivity label-free Raman spectroscopy based on a cylindrical metalized microfiber internally excited via a radially polarized beam (RPB) has been developed. A silver (Ag)-pyramid coated microfiber was designed to be matched with the RPB. Simulation results show that the enhancement of the electric-field intensity of the cylindrically metalized microfiber excited by the RPB can reach a factor of 2.5 × 103, which is much higher than that of linearly polarized beam (LPB) excitation. In experiments, the RPB is directly generated in the optical fiber by converting the LPB to an RPB using electrically controllable, low cost acoustic-optical technology. An Ag-pyramid coated microfiber with ∼9.6 µm diameter was prepared using a simple Ag-mirror reaction. The Raman intensity for malachite green (MG) detected by the Ag-pyramid coated microfiber under RPB excitation was 5 times stronger than that under LPB excitation. The Raman sensitivity for MG in the case of RPB excitation was as low as 10−10 M, a concentration level which was not detectable for LPB excitation. The sensor system gave high repeatability and reliability and should find application in high sensitivity label-free detection in optical sensing with the advantages of low-cost and ease of operation.
Generating heat by illuminating gold versus silver nanoparticles
Authors: Mandel Savannah
Published: November 2019

New paper explores the photo-thermal response of nanoparticles based on their size and the illumination wavelength and shows that silver nanoparticles are more efficient than gold only when smaller than 20 nm.
Stable and uniform plasmas demonstrated in record-breaking discharge gap
Authors: Mandel Savannah
Published: November 2019

While using ambient air to generate uniform plasma, scientists successfully increase discharge gap to 7 mm, beating the previous record by 75 %.
Dynamics of the Au + H2 reaction by time-dependent wave packet and quasi-classical trajectory methods
Authors: Zhang Yong , Jiang Chengguo
Published: November 2019

Dynamics of the Au + H2 reaction are studied using time-dependent wave packet (TDWP) and quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) methods based on a new potential energy surface [Int. J. Quantum Chem.
118 e25493 (2018)]. The dynamic properties such as reaction probability, integral cross section, differential cross section and the distribution of product are studied at state-to-state level of theory. Furthermore, the present results are compared with the theoretical studies available. The results indicate that the complex-forming reaction mechanism is dominated in the reaction in the low collision energy region and the abstract reaction mechanism plays a dominant role at high collision energies. Different from previous theoretical calculations, the side-ways scattering signals are found in the present work and become more and more apparent with increasing collision energy.
Multiple enlarged growth of single crystal diamond by MPCVD with PCD-rimless top surface*
Authors: Ren Ze-Yang , Liu Jun , Su Kai , Zhang Jin-Feng , Zhang Jin-Cheng , Xu Sheng-Rui , Hao Yue
Published: November 2019

We report the simultaneous enlarged growth of seven single crystal diamond (SCD) plates free from polycrystalline diamond (PCD) rim by using a microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) system. Optical microscope and atomic force microscope (AFM) show the typical step-bunching SCD morphology at the center, edge, and corner of the samples. The most aggressively expanding sample shows a top surface area three times of that of the substrate. The effective surface expanding is attributed to the utilization of the diamond substrates with (001) side surfaces, the spacial isolation of them to allow the sample surface expanding, and the adoption of the reported pocket holder. Nearly constant temperature of the diamond surfaces is maintained during growth by only decreasing the sample height, and thus all the other growth parameters can be kept unchanged to achieve high quality SCDs. The SCDs have little stress as shown by the Raman spectra. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) data of both the Raman characteristic peak and (004) x-ray rocking curve of the samples are at the same level as those of the standard CVD SCD from Element Six Ltd. The nonuniformity of the sample thickness or growth rate is observed, and photoluminescence spectra show that the nitrogen impurity increases with increasing growth rate. It is found that the reduction of the methane ratio in the sources gas flow from 5% to 3% leads to decrease of the vertical growth rate and increase of the lateral growth rate. This is beneficial to expand the top surface and improve the thickness uniformity of the samples. At last, the convenience of the growth method transferring to massive production has also been demonstrated by the successful simultaneous enlarged growth of 14 SCD samples.
Dynamics and control strategies of infectious disease under different scenarios on hierarchical geographical networks*
Authors: Ma Xun , Cui Ya-Peng , Yan Xiao-Li , Ni Shun-Jiang , Shen Shi-Fei
Published: November 2019

Human settlements are embedded in traffic networks with hierarchical structures. In order to understand the spreading mechanism of infectious diseases and deploy control measures, the susceptible-infected-removed spreading process is studied with agents moving globally on the hierarchical geographic network, taking into account agents’ preference for node layers and memory of initial nodes. We investigate the spreading behavior in the case of global infection under different scenarios, including different directions of human flow, different locations of infection source, and different moving behaviors of agents between layers. Based on the above-mentioned analysis, we propose screening strategies based on layer rank and moving distance, and compare their effects on delaying epidemic spreading. We find that in the case of global infection, infection spreads faster in high layers than in low layers, and early infection in high layers and moving to high layers both accelerate epidemic spreading. Travels of high-layer and low-layer residents have different effects on accelerating epidemic spreading, and moving between high and low layers increases the peak value of new infected cases more than moving in the same layer or between adjacent layers. Infection in intermediate nodes enhances the effects of moving of low-layer residents more than the moving of high-layer residents on accelerating epidemic spreading. For screening measures, improving the success rate is more effective on delaying epidemic spreading than expanding the screening range. With the same number of moves screened, screening moves into or out of high-layer nodes combined with screening moves between subnetworks has better results than only screening moves into or out of high-layer nodes, and screening long-distance moves has the worst results when the screening range is small, but it achieves the best results in reducing the peak value of new infected cases when the screening range is large enough. This study probes into the spreading process and control measures under different scenarios on the hierarchical geographical network, and is of great significance for epidemic control in the real world.
A nonlinear Schrödinger equation for gravity waves slowly modulated by linear shear flow*
Authors: Li Shaofeng , Chen Juan , Cao Anzhou , Song Jinbao
Published: November 2019

Assume that a fluid is inviscid, incompressible, and irrotational. A nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) describing the evolution of gravity waves in finite water depth is derived using the multiple-scale analysis method. The gravity waves are influenced by a linear shear flow, which is composed of a uniform flow and a shear flow with constant vorticity. The modulational instability (MI) of the NLSE is analyzed, and the region of the MI for gravity waves (the necessary condition for existence of freak waves) is identified. In this work, the uniform background flows along or against wave propagation are referred to as down-flow and up-flow, respectively. Uniform up-flow enhances the MI, whereas uniform down-flow reduces it. Positive vorticity enhances the MI, while negative vorticity reduces it. Hence, the influence of positive (negative) vorticity on MI can be balanced out by that of uniform down (up) flow. Furthermore, the Peregrine breather solution of the NLSE is applied to freak waves. Uniform up-flow increases the steepness of the free surface elevation, while uniform down-flow decreases it. Positive vorticity increases the steepness of the free surface elevation, whereas negative vorticity decreases it.
Projections of care for older people with dementia in England: 2015 to 2040
Authors: Wittenberg Raphael , Hu Bo , Jagger Carol , Kingston Andrew , Knapp Martin , Comas-Herrera Adelina , King Derek , Rehill Amritpal , Banerjee Sube
Published: November 2019

Background

The number of older people with dementia and the cost of caring for them, already substantial, are expected to rise due to population ageing.

Objective

This study makes projections of the number of older people with dementia receiving unpaid care or using care services and associated costs in England.

Methods

The study drew on up-to-date information for England from multiple sources including data from the CFASII study, output from the PACSim dynamic microsimulation model, Office for National Statistics population projections and data from the MODEM cohort study. A simulation model was built to make the projections.

Results

We project that the number of older people with dementia will more than double in the next 25 years. The number receiving unpaid or formal care is projected to rise by 124%, from 530,000 in 2015 to 1,183,000 in 2040. Total cost of dementia is projected to increase from £23.0 billion in 2015 to £80.1 billion in 2040, and average cost is projected to increase from £35,100 per person per year in 2015 to £58,900 per person per year in 2040. Total and average costs of social care are projected to increase much faster than those of healthcare and unpaid care.

Conclusion

The numbers of people with dementia and associated costs of care will rise substantially in the coming decades, unless new treatments enable the progression of the condition to be prevented or slowed. Care and support for people with dementia and their family carers will need to be increased.
The evolution of contact prediction: evidence that contact selection in statistical contact prediction is changing
Authors: Chonofsky Mark , de Oliveira Saulo H P , Krawczyk Konrad , Deane Charlotte M
Published: November 2019

Motivation

Over the last few years, the field of protein structure prediction has been transformed by increasingly accurate contact prediction software. These methods are based on the detection of coevolutionary relationships between residues from multiple sequence alignments (MSAs). However, despite speculation, there is little evidence of a link between contact prediction and the physico-chemical interactions which drive amino-acid coevolution. Furthermore, existing protocols predict only a fraction of all protein contacts and it is not clear why some contacts are favoured over others. Using a dataset of 863 protein domains, we assessed the physico-chemical interactions of contacts predicted by CCMpred, MetaPSICOV and DNCON2, as examples of direct coupling analysis, meta-prediction and deep learning.

Results

We considered correctly predicted contacts and compared their properties against the protein contacts that were not predicted. Predicted contacts tend to form more bonds than non-predicted contacts, which suggests these contacts may be more important than contacts that were not predicted. Comparing the contacts predicted by each method, we found that metaPSICOV and DNCON2 favour accuracy, whereas CCMPred detects contacts with more bonds. This suggests that the push for higher accuracy may lead to a loss of physico-chemically important contacts. These results underscore the connection between protein physico-chemistry and the coevolutionary couplings that can be derived from MSAs. This relationship is likely to be relevant to protein structure prediction and functional analysis of protein structure and may be key to understanding their utility for different problems in structural biology.

Availability and implementation

We use publicly available databases. Our code is available for download at https://opig.stats.ox.ac.uk/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary information is available at Bioinformatics online.
Comparison of neutral and adaptive differentiation in the Mediterranean grass Brachypodium retusum
Authors: Vidaller Christel , Baumel Alex , Juin Marianick , Dutoit Thierry , Bischoff Armin
Published: November 2019

The Mediterranean grass Brachypodium retusum is the dominant species of a vulnerable steppe habitat. Differentiation in phenotypic traits has been found in a previous study, but scales and drivers are largely unknown. In this study, we compared molecular and phenotypic variation between populations to (1) analyse spatial patterns of neutral genetic variation; (2) test for effects of selection on differentiation and (3) identify major drivers of adaptive differentiation. We collected plant material of 17 populations in the western Mediterranean covering a large part of the species range. Neutral population differentiation was estimated using AFLP markers. A regional-scale subset of pairs of French populations was sampled in close proximity from calcareous and red Mediterranean soils as major habitat types. Sampling sites differed in climate at a regional scale and in soil characteristics such as pH at a local scale. These populations were grown in a common garden experiment to measure phenotypic traits. To test for the effects of selection on phenotypic differentiation, we calculated pairwise θST values based on neutral AFLP markers and compared them to pairwise PST values using phenotypic traits. Global dataset θST indicated significant neutral genetic differentiation between western Mediterranean populations. In the French populations, PST of vegetative and reproductive traits were higher than θST, suggesting that directional selection contributed to phenotypic population differentiation. We also found significant local-scale differentiation between soil types, but differentiation was substantially higher at the regional scale, pointing towards climate as a stronger selective factor than soil type. Mean temperature of the hottest month and winter frost frequency were identified as major drivers of adaptive differentiation. The study demonstrated the importance of combining neutral marker and phenotypic trait analysis at different spatial scales to evaluate genetic structure. Despite relatively low differentiation in AFLP markers, environmental pressure was sufficient to maintain phenotypic differentiation at regional scales.
Genome size and chromosome number conservation contrasting with karyotype diversity in Hohenbergia (Bromelioideae, Bromeliaceae)
Authors: Gonçalves-Oliveira Rodrigo Cesar , Ximenes Amanda Fagundes , Oliveira Ana Rafaela , Vasconcelos Santelmo , Carvalho-Filho Nelson , Oliveira Guilherme , de Campos José Marcello Salabert , Brasileiro-Vidal Ana Christina , Facio Viccini Lyderson , Benko-Iseppon Ana Maria
Published: November 2019

Plant evolution may be triggered by significant chromosome changes. In some plant groups, karyoevolution played an important role, influencing speciation processes. Hohenbergia comprises 48 species distributed through eastern Brazil. Previous cytological information includes few species and only chromosome counts, lacking information about genome size and more accurate karyomorphological investigation. Here, we compare cytomolecular features and genome sizes of 12 Hohenbergia spp. Besides, new measurements of genome sizes of 32 species are reported. All studied species presented 2n = 50, a number prevalent in Bromelioideae. The genome sizes (2C) varied from 0.74 to 1.52 pg. Despite the apparent homogeneity in chromosome number and genome size in Hohenbergia, significant polymorphism was observed in regard to the distribution of CMA+/DAPI0 bands and sites of 35S and 5S rDNA in metaphase chromosomes. Seven out of 12 analysed species presented heteromorphic pairs regarding 35S rDNA and/or 5S rDNA. Hohenbergia thus shows karyotypic diversity despite the conservation in chromosome number.
China’s Rise and Balance of Power Politics
Authors: Han Zhen , Paul T V
Published: November 2019

The post-Cold War international system, dominated by the United States, has been shaken by the relative downturn of the US economy and the simultaneous rise of China. China is rapidly emerging as a serious contender for America’s dominance of the Indo-Pacific. What is noticeable is the absence of intense balance of power politics in the form of formal military alliances among the states in the region, unlike state behaviour during the Cold War era. Countries are still hedging as their strategic responses towards each other evolve. We argue that the key factor explaining the absence of intense hard balancing is the dearth of existential threat that either China or its potential adversaries feel up till now. The presence of two related critical factors largely precludes existential threats, and thus hard balancing military coalitions formed by or against China. The first is the deepened economic interdependence China has built with the potential balancers, in particular, the United States, Japan, and India, in the globalisation era. The second is the grand strategy of China, in particular, the peaceful rise/development, and infrastructure-oriented Belt and Road Initiative. Any radical changes in these two conditions leading to existential threats by the key states could propel the emergence of hard-balancing coalitions.
Transient receptor potential vanilloid-4 contributes to stretch-induced hypercontractility and time-dependent dysfunction in the aged heart
Authors: Veteto Adam B , Peana Deborah , Lambert Michelle D , McDonald Kerry S , Domeier Timothy L
Published: November 2019

Aims

Cardiovascular disease remains the greatest cause of mortality in Americans over 65. The stretch-activated transient receptor potential vanilloid-4 (TRPV4) ion channel is expressed in cardiomyocytes of the aged heart. This investigation tests the hypothesis that TRPV4 alters Ca2+ handling and cardiac function in response to increased ventricular preload and cardiomyocyte stretch.

Methods and results

Left ventricular maximal pressure (PMax) was monitored in isolated working hearts of Aged (24–27 months) mice following preload elevation from 5 to 20mmHg, with and without TRPV4 antagonist HC067047 (HC, 1 µmol/L). In preload responsive hearts, PMax prior to and immediately following preload elevation (i.e. Frank–Starling response) was similar between Aged and Aged+HC. Within 1 min following preload elevation, Aged hearts demonstrated secondary PMax augmentation (Aged>Aged+HC) suggesting a role for stretch-activated TRPV4 in cardiac hypercontractility. However, after 20 min at 20 mmHg Aged exhibited depressed PMax (Aged<Aged+HC) suggestive of TRPV4-dependent contractile dysfunction with sustained stretch. To examine stretch-induced Ca2+ homeostasis at the single-cell level, isolated cardiomyocytes were stretched 10–15% of slack length while measuring intracellular Ca2+ with fura-2. Uniaxial longitudinal stretch increased intracellular Ca2+ levels and triggered Ca2+ overload and terminal cellular contracture in Aged, but not Aged+HC. Preload elevation in hearts of young/middle-age (3–12 months) mice produced an initial PMax increase (Frank–Starling response) without secondary PMax augmentation, and cardiomyocyte stretch did not affect intracellular Ca2+ levels. Hearts of transgenic mice with cardiac-specific TRPV4 expression exhibited PMax similar to 3- to 12-month control mice prior to and immediately following preload elevation but displayed secondary PMax augmentation. Cardiomyocytes of mice with transgenic TRPV4 expression were highly sensitive to mechanical stimulation and exhibited elevated Ca2+ levels, Ca2+ overload, and terminal contracture upon cellular attachment and stretch.

Conclusion

TRPV4 contributes to a stretch-induced increase in cardiomyocyte Ca2+ and cardiac hypercontractility, yet sustained stretch leads to cardiomyocyte Ca2+ overload and contractile dysfunction in the aged heart.
The Bee Community of Cannabis sativa and Corresponding Effects of Landscape Composition
Authors: Flicker Nathaniel Ryan , Poveda Katja , Grab Heather
Published: November 2019

Industrial hemp, Cannabis sativa (Cannabaceae), is a newly introduced and rapidly expanding crop in the American agricultural landscape. As an exclusively wind-pollinated crop, hemp lacks nectar but produces an abundance of pollen during a period of floral dearth in agricultural landscapes. These pollen resources are attractive to a range of bee species but the diversity of floral visitors and their use of hemp across a range of agricultural contexts remains unclear. We made repeated sweep net collections of bees visiting hemp flowers on farms in New York, which varied in both landscape context and phenotypic traits of hemp varieties. We identified all bee visitors to the species level and found that hemp supported 16 different bee species. Landscape simplification negatively impacted the abundance of bees visiting hemp flowers but did not affect the species richness of the community. Plant height, on the other hand, was strongly correlated with bee species richness and abundance for hemp plots with taller varieties attracting a broader diversity of bee species. Because of its temporally unique flowering phenology, hemp has the potential to provide a critical nutritional resource to a diverse community of bees during a period of floral scarcity and thereby may help to sustain agroecosystem-wide pollination services for other crops in the landscape. As cultivation of hemp increases, growers, land managers, and policy makers should consider its value in supporting bee communities and take its attractiveness to bees into account when developing pest management strategies.
The effect of population bottleneck size and selective regime on genetic diversity and evolvability in bacteria
Authors: Wein Tanita , Dagan Tal
Published: November 2019

Population bottlenecks leading to a drastic reduction of the population size are common in the evolutionary dynamics of natural populations; their occurrence is known to have implications for genome evolution due to genetic drift, the consequent reduction in genetic diversity and the rate of adaptation. Nevertheless, an empirical characterization of the effect of population bottleneck size on evolutionary dynamics of bacteria is currently lacking. Here we show that selective conditions have a stronger effect on the evolutionary history of bacteria in comparison to population bottlenecks. We evolved Escherichia coli populations under three different population bottleneck sizes (small, medium, large) in two temperature regimes (37 °C and 20 °C). We find a high genetic diversity in the large in comparison to the small bottleneck size. Nonetheless, the cold temperature led to reduced genetic diversity regardless the bottleneck size, hence, the temperature has a stronger effect on the genetic diversity in comparison to the bottleneck size. A comparison of the fitness gain among the evolved populations reveals a similar pattern where the temperature has a significant effect on the fitness. Our study demonstrates that population bottlenecks are an important determinant of bacterial evolvability; their consequences depend on the selective conditions and are best understood via their effect on the standing genetic variation.
Cytomegalovirus antibody responses associated with increased risk of TB disease in Ugandan adults
Authors: Stockdale Lisa , Nash Stephen , Farmer Ruth , Raynes John , Malikaarjun Suresh , Newton Robert , Fletcher Helen A
Published: November 2019

Background

Recent evidence highlights human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and immune activation as risk factors for tuberculosis (TB) disease. It is not known whether other herpes viruses are also implicated, nor if a dose-response relationship exists between TB risk and herpes co-infection.

Methods

This nested case-control study used stored serum samples from 25 TB cases up to 10 years prior to TB diagnosis and between 3 and 6 matched non-TB controls from a rural Ugandan cohort. Samples were investigated for Epstein Barr (EBV), Herpes Simplex (HSV), and HCMV-specific IgG, serum markers of inflammation, and mycobacterial antibody levels.

Results

Humoral response to HCMV, but not EBV or HSV was associated with increased risk of active TB disease up to 10 years prior to diagnosis. Individuals with medium HCMV IgG were 2.8 times more likely to have TB (p=0.055), and those with high HCMV IgG 3.4 times more likely to have TB (p=0.007). Mycobacterial antibody levels were not associated with differences in odds of TB disease. IP-10 was independently associated with increased odds of TB; OR 4.2, p=0.009.

Conclusions

These data provide evidence of a dose response between magnitude of HCMV IgG with risk of TB disease. An inflammatory environment, characterized by serum IP-10 and IL1α, are independently associated with increased risk of TB disease.
Strategies for Prosecuting Mass Starvation
Authors: Jordash Wayne , Murdoch Catriona , Holmes Joe
Published: November 2019

Every instance of famine or acute food insecurity today is, at its core, man-made, and the current scale of consequential suffering and death is unprecedented in modern history. Deliberate starvation is a crime under international law, including under Article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the Rome Statute. Notwithstanding, there has been a dearth of prosecutions of those suspected of committing the crime or engaging in any of the underlying conduct. The reasons for this neglect may be many, including a lack of clarity around the elements of the crime and particularly the mental elements that must be established. This article explores the challenges that might exist in investigating and prosecuting the crime of starvation and seeks to clarify its elements with a particular focus on the mens rea requirement under Article 8(2)(b)(xxv). The authors aim to draw a roadmap for practitioners to ensure better international recognition of the deliberate nature of starvation, and in order that attribution of fault and accountability become less elusive.
Metabolic changes in mice cardiac tissue after low-dose irradiation revealed by 1H NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Gramatyka Michalina , Boguszewicz ᴌukasz , Ciszek Mateusz , Gabryś Dorota , Kulik Roland , Sokół Maria
Published: November 2019

Ionizing radiation may cause cardiotoxicity not only at high, but even at low (considered as harmless) doses, yet the molecular mechanisms of the heart’s response to low doses are not clear. In this work, we used high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to detect the early and late effects of radiation on the metabolism of murine hearts. The hearts of C57Bl/6NCrl female mice were irradiated in vivo with single 0.2 Gy or 2 Gy doses using 6 MV photons, then tissues were collected 48 h and 20 weeks after exposure. The most distinct changes in the profile of polar metabolites were detected 48 h after irradiation with 2 Gy, and included increased levels of pantothenate and glutamate as well as decreased levels of alanine, malonate, acetylcarnitine, glycine and adenosine. Significant effects of the 2 Gy dose were also observed 20 weeks after irradiation and included decreased levels of glutamine and acetylcarnitine when compared with age-matched controls. Moreover, several differences were observed between hearts irradiated with 2 Gy and analyzed either 48 h or 20 weeks after the exposure, which included changes in levels of acetylcarnitine, alanine, glycine, glutamate, glutamine, formate, myo-inositol and trimethylamine. No statistically significant effects induced by the 0.2 Gy dose were observed 20 weeks after irradiation. In general, radiation-affected compounds were associated with energy metabolism, fatty acid beta-oxidation, oxidative stress and damage to cell structures. At the same time, radiation-related effects were not detected at the level of tissue histology, which indicated a higher sensitivity of metabolomics-based tests for cardiac tissue response to radiation.
Voltage-induced penetration effect in liquid metals at room temperature
Authors: Yun Frank F , Yu Zhenwei , He Yahua , Jiang Lei , Wang Zhao , Gu Haoshuang , Wang Xiaolin
Published: November 2019

Room-temperature liquid metal is discovered to be capable of penetrating through macro- and microporous materials by applying a voltage. The liquid metal penetration effects are demonstrated in various porous materials such as tissue paper, thick and fine sponges, fabrics, and meshes. The underlying mechanism is that the high surface tension of liquid metal can be significantly reduced to near-zero due to the voltage-induced oxidation of the liquid metal surface in a solution. It is the extremely low surface tension and gravity that cause the liquid metal to superwet the solid surface, leading to the penetration phenomena. These findings offer new opportunities for novel microfluidic applications and could promote further discovery of more exotic fluid states of liquid metals.
Comparisons of 30-Day Admission and 30-Day Total Healthcare Costs Between Patients Who Were Treated With Oritavancin or Vancomycin for a Skin Infection in the Outpatient Setting
Authors: Lodise Thomas P , Palazzolo Christina , Reksc Kerry , Packnett Elizabeth , Redell Mark
Published: November 2019

Objective

Hospital admission is a key cost driver among patients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Data suggest that many SSTI patients are hospitalized unnecessarily and can be managed effectively and safely in an outpatient setting at a substantially lower cost. Oritavancin (ORI) is a single-dose treatment that has the potential to shift care from the inpatient to the outpatient setting. This study sought to compare the 30-day hospital admission rates and mean healthcare costs among SSTI patients who received outpatient ORI or vancomycin (VAN).

Method

Over a 1-year period, outpatient prescription claims for VAN and ORI among patients with SSTIs and no hospitalization in past 3 days were for VAN and ORI were analyzed using a retrospective cohort analysis of the Truven Health MarketScan Databases.

Results

During the study period, 120 and 6695 patients who received ORI and VAN, respectively, met inclusion criteria. Groups were well matched at baseline. After covariate adjustment, patients who received ORI had a significantly lower 30- day admission rate versus patients who received VAN (6.1% vs 16.2%, respectively; P = .003). Mean healthcare costs 30-day post index were comparable between ORI and VAN patients ($12 695 vs $12 717, respectively; P = 1.0).

Conclusions

Results suggest that ORI provides a single-dose alternative to multidose VAN for treatment of SSTI in the outpatient setting and may result in lower 30-day hospital admission rates.