bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Airway support using a pediatric intubation tube in adult patients with atrial fibrillation: A simple and unique method to prevent heart movement during catheter ablation under continuous deep sedation
Authors: Takigawa Masateru , Takahashi Atsushi , Kuwahara Taishi , Okubo Kenji , Nakashima Emiko , Watari Yuji , Yamao Kazuya , Nakajima Jun , Tanaka Yasuaki , Takagi Katsumasa , Kimura Shigeki , Hikita Hiroyuki , Hirao Kenzo , Isobe Mitsuaki
Published: February 2017

Background

The present study aimed to elucidate the safety and effectiveness of a noble and unique airway management technique in which a pediatric intubation tube is used in adult patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing catheter ablation (CA) under continuous deep sedation.

Methods

In total, 246 consecutive patients with AF (mean age, 65±10 years; 60 women) underwent CA under dexmedetomidine‐based continuous deep sedation. A 4‐mm pediatric intubation tube guided by a 10‐French intratracheal suction tube was inserted smoothly, and the tip of the tube was located at the base of the epiglottis. The maximum shifting distance of the heart (MSDH) was measured with the 3D mapping system (Ensite NavX system) before and after inserting the pediatric intubation tube.

Results

At baseline, the MSDH of patients under continuous deep sedation was 23±14 mm. The pediatric intubation tube reduced the MSDH to 13±6 mm (mean reduction from baseline, 38.4±21.7%; P<0.0001). In contrast, oxygen saturation was significantly increased from 89±8% to 95±3% (P<0.0001). The mean distance between the nostril and base of the epiglottis was 16.6±0.5 mm. Major periprocedural complications occurred in 9 (3.6%) patients including 3 (1.2%) cardiac tamponade and 6 (2.4%) phrenic nerve injury cases. Larger MSDH (odds ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.25; P=0.007) was a significant predictor of major periprocedural complications. No major airway complications occurred, except in 3 patients (1.2%) who had minor nasal bleeding.

Conclusion

This unique airway management technique using a pediatric intubation tube for CA procedures performed in adult patients with AF under continuous deep sedation was easy, safe, and effective.
A Consult Is Just a Page Away: A Prospective Observational Study on the Impact of Jinxing on Call Karma in Neurosurgery
Authors: Joswig Holger , Zarnett Lauren , Steven David A. , Stienen Martin N.
Published: February 2017

Objective: Our aim was to assess the impact of jinxing on “call karma” in neurosurgery. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study on 15 residents on call for the neurosurgery service, recording the total number of admissions, consults, deaths encountered, surgeries performed, hours of sleep and subjective call rating on a numeric rating scale (NRS) of 0-10 in terms of general awfulness. Results: Some 204 on-call nightshifts were analyzed, of which 61 (29.9%) were jinxed and 143 (70.1%) were nonjinxed. Jinxes seemed to occur in clusters. The baseline parameters (experience, type of call coverage and superstition level) of the study groups were well balanced. A trend toward more surgeries was observed during jinxed nights, where residents slept significantly less (mean 147.8±96.2 vs. 180.9±106.1 min, p=0.037) and rated their on-call experience worse on the NRS (4.4±2.2 vs. 3.5±2.0, p=0.011), while there was no significant difference in number of admissions, consults or deaths. Conclusions: The act of jinxing ought to be avoided in the neurosurgical setting, as it might be potentially harmful to resident call karma, irrespective of level of experience, resources and personal beliefs.
Comparing External Ventricular Drains-Related Ventriculitis Surveillance Definitions
Authors: Reyes Maria M. , Munigala Satish , Church Emily L. , Kulik Tobias B. , Keyrouz Salah G. , Zipfel Gregory J. , Warren David K.
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the agreement between the current National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) definition for ventriculitis and others found in the literature among patients with an external ventricular drain (EVD)

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study from January 2009 to December 2014

SETTING

Neurology and neurosurgery intensive care unit of a large tertiary-care center

PATIENTS

Patients with an EVD were included. Patients with an infection prior to EVD placement or a permanent ventricular shunt were excluded.

METHODS

We reviewed the charts of patients with positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures and/or abnormal CSF results while they had an EVD in place and applied various ventriculitis definitions.

RESULTS

We identified 48 patients with a total of 52 cases of ventriculitis (41 CSF culture-positive cases and 11 cases based on abnormal CSF test results) using the NHSN definition. The most common organisms causing ventriculitis were gram-positive commensals (79.2%); however, 45% showed growth of only 1 colony on 1 piece of media. Approximately 60% of the ventriculitis cases by the NHSN definition met the Honda criteria, approximately 56% met the Gozal criteria, and 23% met Citerio’s definition. Cases defined using Honda versus Gozal definitions had a moderate agreement (κ=0.528; P<.05) whereas comparisons of Honda versus Citerio definitions (κ=0.338; P<.05) and Citerio versus Gozal definitions (κ=0.384; P<.05) had only fair agreements.

CONCLUSIONS

The agreement between published ventriculostomy-associated infection (VAI) definitions in this cohort was moderate to fair. A VAI surveillance definition that better defines contaminants is needed for more homogenous application of surveillance definitions between institutions and better comparison of rates.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:574–579
WHEN DO CITIZENS TAKE COSTLY ACTION AGAINST GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION? EVIDENCE FROM EXPERIMENTS IN AUSTRALIA, SINGAPORE, AND THE UNITED STATES
Authors: Yap O. Fiona
Published: February 2017

When do citizens take costly collective action against government corruption? When citizens act in concert, their demands are credible and not easily discounted by governments, which should be more likely to respond. In this study, we use the stag-hunt game, supplemented by Granovetter's threshold model of collective action, to investigate the conditions under which citizens coordinate to collectively act against government corruption. We use survey experiments in laboratory settings in Australia, Singapore, and the United States. The results show several conditions motivate participants to pursue collective action; using the wellspring of the theoretical argument, they clarify that information that others pursue collective action, together with clear mutual benefits as measured by rewards, are primary motivators of the individual's choice. Correspondingly, other considerations, including initial costs or final potential penalties, do not bear on the individual's choice. The findings have implications not only for the empirical literature on policy but also for policy debates on how to control it.
An Empirical Justification for the Use of Racially Distinctive Names to Signal Race in Experiments
Authors: Butler Daniel M. , Homola Jonathan
Published: February 2017

Researchers studying discrimination and bias frequently conduct experiments that use racially distinctive names to signal race. The ability of these experiments to speak to racial discrimination depends on the excludability assumption that subjects’ responses to these names are driven by their reaction to the individual’s putative race and not some other factor. We use results from an audit study with a large number of aliases and data from detailed public records to empirically test the excludability assumption undergirding the use of racially distinctive names. The detailed public records allow us to measure the signals about socioeconomic status and political resources that each name used in the study possiblycouldsend. We then reanalyze the audit study to see whether these signals predict legislators’ likelihood of responding. We find no evidence that politicians respond to this other information, thus providing empirical support for the excludability assumption.
Generalized Synthetic Control Method: Causal Inference with Interactive Fixed Effects Models
Authors: Xu Yiqing
Published: February 2017

Difference-in-differences (DID) is commonly used for causal inference in time-series cross-sectional data. It requires the assumption that the average outcomes of treated and control units would have followed parallel paths in the absence of treatment. In this paper, we propose a method that not only relaxes this often-violated assumption, but also unifies the synthetic control method (Abadie, Diamond, and Hainmueller 2010) with linear fixed effects models under a simple framework, of which DID is a special case. It imputes counterfactuals for each treated unit using control group information based on a linear interactive fixed effects model that incorporates unit-specific intercepts interacted with time-varying coefficients. This method has several advantages. First, it allows the treatment to be correlated with unobserved unit and time heterogeneities under reasonable modeling assumptions. Second, it generalizes the synthetic control method to the case of multiple treated units and variable treatment periods, and improves efficiency and interpretability. Third, with a built-in cross-validation procedure, it avoids specification searches and thus is easy to implement. An empirical example of Election Day Registration and voter turnout in the United States is provided.
How Much Does Political Uncertainty Matter? The Case of Louisiana under Huey Long
Authors: Mathy Gabriel , Ziebarth Nicolas L.
Published: February 2017

We study the effect of political uncertainty on economic outcomes using the case of Huey Long's tenure as governor and senator of Louisiana during the Great Depression. Based on primary sources, we construct two well-established measures of uncertainty specifically for Louisiana: stock price volatility and newspaper mentions of terms related to “uncertainty” and the economy. Combining these uncertainty measures with employment data from the Census of Manufactures, we attempt to identify the effects of political uncertainty using the state of Mississippi as a control group. We find little support for a negative effect from political uncertainty in Huey Long's Louisiana.
Flexible Supply of Apprenticeship in the British Industrial Revolution
Authors: Zeev Nadav Ben , Mokyr Joel , van der Beek Karine
Published: February 2017

We use annual information on apprenticeships in England between 1710–1805 to estimate the dynamic supply-responsiveness in this market in the presence of the increasingly powerful technological shocks as the Industrial Revolution proceeded apace. Using both an Instrumental Variable method and a dynamic Vector Autoregression framework (VAR) system to identify the long-run response functions, we find evidence of an elastic supply, sufficiently high as to allow quantities to rise considerably in response to demand shocks. This finding lends support to the view that Britain's apprenticeship institution was the source of its advantage in skilled mechanical labor, so critical to its economic success.
Plague and Lethal Epidemics in the Pre-Industrial World
Authors: Alfani Guido , Murphy Tommy E.
Published: February 2017

This article provides an overview of recent literature on plagues and other lethal epidemics, covering the period from late Antiquity to ca. 1800. We analyze the main environmental and institutional factors that shaped both the way in which a plague originated and spread and its overall demographic and socioeconomic consequences. We clarify how the same pathogen shows historically different epidemiological characteristics, and how apparently similar epidemics could have deeply different consequences. We discuss current debates about the socioeconomic consequences of the Black Death and other plagues. We conclude with historical lessons to understand modern “plagues.”
Autologous incus versus titanium partial ossicular replacement prosthesis in reconstruction of Austin type A ossicular defects: a prospective randomised clinical trial
Authors: Amith Naragund , RS Mudhol
Published: February 2017

Objective:

This study aimed to compare the functional and anatomical outcomes of ossiculoplasty using an autograft incus or a titanium partial ossicular replacement prosthesis for reconstructing Austin type A ossicular defects.

Methods:

Patients with Austin A ossicular defects were randomly divided into two groups: one group underwent ossiculoplasty with an autologous incus (the autologous incus group) and the other underwent ossiculoplasty with a titanium partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (the titanium prosthesis group). Otoscopic examination and audiological assessment was done pre-operatively and at 3, 6 and 12 months post-operatively.

Results:

A post-operative average air–bone gap closure of less than 20 dB was seen in 13 patients (65 per cent) in the autologous incus group and 7 (35 per cent) in the titanium prosthesis group. There were fewer post-operative complications in the autologous incus group (20 per cent) than in the titanium prosthesis group (45 per cent).

Conclusion:

Hearing outcomes and graft take up after ossiculoplasty were significantly better when an autologous incus rather than a titanium partial ossicular replacement prosthesis was used to reconstruct Austin type A ossicular defects. The major disadvantages of the titanium prosthesis were unpredictable results and more post-operative complications.
Microstructural effects of high-energy grinding on poorly soluble drugs: the case study of efavirenz
Authors: Cappelletto Elisa , Rebuffi Luca , Flor Alberto , Scardi Paolo
Published: February 2017

In this work, a poorly water-soluble drug (efavirenz) was mechanically activated by ball-milling. The effect of the mechanical activation on the dissolution behavior was investigated considering changes in the particle size and morphology. The powder diffraction was used to follow the comminution process, verifying phase compositions, and crystalline domain size. The interplay between domain and grain size was studied in relation to the solubility rate, through specific dissolution tests. Finally, the morphological characterization has allowed to complete the physical–chemical characterization of the milled powders. This study demonstrated that the mechanical activation of the drug leads the particle size reduction and, with a long milling time, morphological changes. The grain size reduction is not always sufficient to increase the solubility: morphology and agglomeration grade play an important role in the dissolution process.
Stop Stroke: A Brief Report on Door-to-Needle Times and Performance After Implementing an Acute Care Coordination Medical Application and Implications to Emergency Medical Services
Authors: Dickson Robert , Nedelcut Adrian , Nedelcut Melissa McPeek
Published: February 2017

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Stop Stroke (Pulsara; Bozeman, Montana USA) medical application on door-to-needle (DTN) time in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with an acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of the Good Shepherd Health System (Longview, Texas USA) stroke quality improvement dashboard for a 25-month period from February 2012 through February 2014. Data analysis includes all data from Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS; Baltimore, Maryland USA) reportable cases receiving Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA) for AIS during the study period. The primary outcome was mean DTN times before and after initiating Stop Stroke. Secondary outcome was the effect on the DTN≤60-minute benchmark.

Results

During the study period, there were 533 stroke activations (200 before Stop Stroke implementation and 333 after). A total of 68 patients meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed (34 pre-app and 34 post- app). The observed mean DTN times post-app decreased 21 minutes (77 to 56 minutes), a 28% improvement (P=.001). Further, the patients meeting DTN≤60 minutes improved from 32% (11 of 34) to 82% (28 of 34) after the app’s implementation.

Conclusions

In this cohort of patients with AIS, Stop Stroke improved mean DTN times and number of patients treated within 60 minutes of arrival. These results demonstrate the app’s effect of increasing awareness of suspected AIS and improving coordination of care, evidenced by the magnitude of its effect on treatment times.

DicksonR, NedelcutA, McPeek NedelcutM. Stop Stroke: a brief report on door-to-needle times and performance after implementing an acute care coordination medical application and implications to Emergency Medical Services. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(3):343–347.
Collaborative Care model in mental health. Scope and experiences after three years of activity in Mexico City
Authors: Villamil-Salcedo Valerio , Vargas-Terrez Blanca E. , Díaz-Anzaldúa Adriana
Published: February 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the experience of the Collaborative Care model with general practitioners (GPs) for diagnosis and treatment of depression and anxiety disorders in primary care centers (PCC).

Background

For many years, different ways to address mental health problems in primary care settings have been evaluated. However, there is still debate over how to treat psychiatric conditions in such a context.

Method

A cross-sectional design was used. The study was conducted in two consecutive studies in six PCC that serve marginalized population in Mexico City. In the first study, cases were interviewed, diagnosed, and treated by a psychiatrist. In the second study, Collaborative Care model was used and GPs were trained; psychiatrists diagnosed and treated patients but GPs discussed the symptoms and treatment of the patients with the psychiatrist.

Findings

First study: 18 patients with depressive and/or anxiety disorders were interviewed; these cases were not discussed between the GPs and the psychiatrist. Second study: psychiatrists and GPs conducted joint interviews and cases were discussed. From the 399 evaluated individuals, 38.94% were diagnosed with a depressive disorder. After the Collaborative Care model was applied, GPs were more aware about mental health problems and they were more interested in the identification of these conditions in PCC. Replication studies will help confirm the effectiveness of this model.
Empowerment in the Relational Longitudinal Space of Vulnerability
Authors: Emmel Nick
Published: February 2017

The term vulnerability has little theoretical purchase in social policy. It is used widely as a short-hand phrase to describe deficit. As such, it provides only limited value and has little regard for the wider structures of society that might ameliorate, sustain or exacerbate vulnerability. There is, however, a critical literature that seeks to understand the social, economic and political relationships that produce vulnerability and its potential opposite, flourishing. This article draws on this theoretical literature, focusing particularly on relational accounts of autonomy, capabilities and functioning, and the role of societal institutions. Using cases drawn from empirical research investigating how grandparents care for their grandchildren in relationships characterised by rescue and repair, this article refines a relational model of the longitudinal space of vulnerability. It extends explanation of three dimensions of the model: basic needs, the capacity to be and access to service providers, and elaborates on how these dimensions inter-relate through an investigation of empowerment.
Correlates of the positive psychological byproducts of cancer: Role of family caregivers and informational support
Authors: Litzelman Kristin , Blanch-Hartigan Danielle , Lin Chun Cheih , Han Xuesong
Published: February 2017

Objective:

Experiencing a life-threatening illness such as cancer can elicit both negative (e.g., distress) and positive (e.g., growth) psychological responses. The present study sought to determine the correlates of four positive psychological byproducts in cancer survivors: becoming a stronger person, coping better with life's challenges, making positive changes in life, and adopting healthier habits.

Method:

Data for this cross-sectional study were taken from the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS) Experiences with Cancer Survivorship Supplement (Yabroff et al., 2012). Cancer survivors (N = 785) reported their sociodemographic and cancer-related characteristics. Descriptive statistics were utilized to summarize cancer survivor characteristics, including demographic factors, cancer factors, and stressors and resources related to cancer. Multivariable logistic regressions were employed to assess the independent association of the stressors and resources with each psychological response, controlling for covariates. All analyses were weighted to account for the complex sampling design of the MEPS.

Results:

In multivariable analyses, those with a family caregiver were 50% more likely to report better coping with challenges, and around 70% were more likely to report making positive changes in life or adopting healthier habits because of their cancer. Receiving informational support from healthcare providers was also consistently associated with positive byproducts (odds ratios ranging from 1.6 to 2.0). Few of the stressors were associated with positive byproducts: having insurance problems due to cancer was positively associated with becoming a stronger person, and work limitations were associated with making positive changes in life; those who reported high perceived chances of recurrence were less likely to report becoming a stronger person.

Significance of Results:

Having a family caregiver and receiving detailed informational support from healthcare providers were associated with reporting positive experiences with cancer. The hypotheses and future research stimulated by these findings may improve our understanding of the process by which positive byproducts develop and may ultimately help improve psychological well-being among cancer survivors.
Dengue virus NS1 protein activates immune cells via TLR4 but not TLR2 or TLR6
Authors: Modhiran Naphak , Watterson Daniel , Blumenthal Antje , Baxter Alan G , Young Paul R , Stacey Katryn J
Published: February 2017

The secreted hexameric form of the dengue virus (DENV) non‐structural protein 1 (NS1) has recently been shown to elicit inflammatory cytokine release and disrupt endothelial cell monolayer integrity. This suggests that circulating NS1 contributes to the vascular leak that plays a major role in the pathology of dengue haemorrhagic fever and shock. Pathways activated by NS1 are thus of great interest as potential therapeutic targets. Recent works have separately implicated both toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the TLR2/6 heterodimer in immune cell activation by NS1. Here we have used mouse gene knockout macrophages and antibodies blocking TLR function in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to show that recombinant NS1, expressed and purified from eukaryotic cells, induces cytokine production via TLR4 but not TLR2/6. Furthermore, the commercial Escherichia coli‐derived recombinant NS1 preparation used in other work to implicate TLR2/6 in the response is not correctly folded and appears to be contaminated by several microbial TLR ligands. Thus TLR4 remains a therapeutic target for DENV infections, with TLR4 antagonists holding promise for the treatment of dengue disease.
Archaeogenomic evidence reveals prehistoric matrilineal dynasty
Authors: Kennett Douglas J. , Plog Stephen , George Richard J. , Culleton Brendan J. , Watson Adam S. , Skoglund Pontus , Rohland Nadin , Mallick Swapan , Stewardson Kristin , Kistler Logan , LeBlanc Steven A. , Whiteley Peter M. , Reich David , Perry George H.
Published: February 2017

For societies with writing systems, hereditary leadership is documented as one of the hallmarks of early political complexity and governance. In contrast, it is unknown whether hereditary succession played a role in the early formation of prehistoric complex societies that lacked writing. Here we use an archaeogenomic approach to identify an elite matriline that persisted between 800 and 1130 CE in Chaco Canyon, the centre of an expansive prehistoric complex society in the Southwestern United States. We show that nine individuals buried in an elite crypt at Pueblo Bonito, the largest structure in the canyon, have identical mitochondrial genomes. Analyses of nuclear genome data from six samples with the highest DNA preservation demonstrate mother–daughter and grandmother–grandson relationships, evidence for a multigenerational matrilineal descent group. Together, these results demonstrate the persistence of an elite matriline in Chaco for ∼330 years.
Impact of genetic background and experimental reproducibility on identifying chemical compounds with robust longevity effects
Authors: Lucanic Mark , Plummer W. Todd , Chen Esteban , Harke Jailynn , Foulger Anna C. , Onken Brian , Coleman-Hulbert Anna L. , Dumas Kathleen J. , Guo Suzhen , Johnson Erik , Bhaumik Dipa , Xue Jian , Crist Anna B. , Presley Michael P. , Harinath Girish , Sedore Christine A. , Chamoli Manish , Kamat Shaunak , Chen Michelle K. , Angeli Suzanne , Chang Christina , Willis John H. , Edgar Daniel , Royal Mary Anne , Chao Elizabeth A. , Patel Shobhna , Garrett Theo , Ibanez-Ventoso Carolina , Hope June , Kish Jason L , Guo Max , Lithgow Gordon J. , Driscoll Monica , Phillips Patrick C.
Published: February 2017

Limiting the debilitating consequences of ageing is a major medical challenge of our time. Robust pharmacological interventions that promote healthy ageing across diverse genetic backgrounds may engage conserved longevity pathways. Here we report results from the Caenorhabditis Intervention Testing Program in assessing longevity variation across 22 Caenorhabditis strains spanning 3 species, using multiple replicates collected across three independent laboratories. Reproducibility between test sites is high, whereas individual trial reproducibility is relatively low. Of ten pro-longevity chemicals tested, six significantly extend lifespan in at least one strain. Three reported dietary restriction mimetics are mainly effective across C. elegans strains, indicating species and strain-specific responses. In contrast, the amyloid dye ThioflavinT is both potent and robust across the strains. Our results highlight promising pharmacological leads and demonstrate the importance of assessing lifespans of discrete cohorts across repeat studies to capture biological variation in the search for reproducible ageing interventions.
Atomic layer confined vacancies for atomic-level insights into carbon dioxide electroreduction
Authors: Gao Shan , Sun Zhongti , Liu Wei , Jiao Xingchen , Zu Xiaolong , Hu Qitao , Sun Yongfu , Yao Tao , Zhang Wenhua , Wei Shiqiang , Xie Yi
Published: February 2017

The role of oxygen vacancies in carbon dioxide electroreduction remains somewhat unclear. Here we construct a model of oxygen vacancies confined in atomic layer, taking the synthetic oxygen-deficient cobalt oxide single-unit-cell layers as an example. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate the main defect is the oxygen(II) vacancy, while X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy reveals their distinct oxygen vacancy concentrations. Proton transfer is theoretically/experimentally demonstrated to be a rate-limiting step, while energy calculations unveil that the presence of oxygen(II) vacancies lower the rate-limiting activation barrier from 0.51 to 0.40 eV via stabilizing the formate anion radical intermediate, confirmed by the lowered onset potential from 0.81 to 0.78 V and decreased Tafel slope from 48 to 37 mV dec−1. Hence, vacancy-rich cobalt oxide single-unit-cell layers exhibit current densities of 2.7 mA cm−2 with ca. 85% formate selectivity during 40-h tests. This work establishes a clear atomic-level correlation between oxygen vacancies and carbon dioxide electroreduction.
Origin of heavy rare earth mineralization in South China
Authors: Xu Cheng , Kynický Jindřich , Smith Martin P. , Kopriva Antonin , Brtnický Martin , Urubek Tomas , Yang Yueheng , Zhao Zheng , He Chen , Song Wenlei
Published: February 2017

Heavy rare earth elements (HREE) are dominantly mined from the weathering crusts of granites in South China. Although weathering processes occur globally, no economic HREE resources of this type have yet been found outside China. Here, we report the occurrence of unidentified REE minerals in the granites from South Chinese deposits. They contain high levels of both HREE and light REE, but are strongly depleted in Ce, implying high oxidation state. These REE minerals show higher initial Nd isotope than primary REE-rich minerals (ɛNd(t)=0.9±0.8 versus −11.5±0.5). The mineralized weathering crusts inherited REE signature of the granites, but show more Ce depletion and more overall concentration of the REE. We propose, therefore, that highly oxidized, REE-rich fluids, derived from external, isotopically depleted sources, metasomatized the granites, which resulted in Ce depletion as Ce4+ and enrichment of the remaining REE, especially the HREE, contributing to formation of a globally important REE resource.
Patterns of dairy food intake, body composition and markers of metabolic health in Ireland: results from the National Adult Nutrition Survey
Authors: Feeney E L , O'Sullivan A , Nugent A P , McNulty B , Walton J , Flynn A , Gibney E R
Published: February 2017

Background:

Studies examining the association between dairy consumption and metabolic health have shown mixed results. This may be due, in part, to the use of different definitions of dairy, and to single types of dairy foods examined in isolation.

Objective:

The objective of the study was to examine associations between dairy food intake and metabolic health, identify patterns of dairy food consumption and determine whether dairy dietary patterns are associated with outcomes of metabolic health, in a cross-sectional survey.

Design:

A 4-day food diary was used to assess food and beverage consumption, including dairy (defined as milk, cheese, yogurt, cream and butter) in free-living, healthy Irish adults aged 18–90 years (n=1500). Fasting blood samples (n=897) were collected, and anthropometric measurements taken. Differences in metabolic health markers across patterns and tertiles of dairy consumption were tested via analysis of covariance. Patterns of dairy food consumption, of different fat contents, were identified using cluster analysis.

Results:

Higher (total) dairy was associated with lower body mass index, %body fat, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (P<0.001), and lower systolic (P=0.02) and diastolic (P<0.001) blood pressure. Similar trends were observed when milk and yogurt intakes were considered separately. Higher cheese consumption was associated with higher C-peptide (P<0.001). Dietary pattern analysis identified three patterns (clusters) of dairy consumption; 'Whole milk', 'Reduced fat milks and yogurt' and 'Butter and cream'. The 'Reduced fat milks and yogurt' cluster had the highest scores on a Healthy Eating Index, and lower-fat and saturated fat intakes, but greater triglyceride levels (P=0.028) and total cholesterol (P=0.015). conclusion: Overall, these results suggest that while milk and yogurt consumption is associated with a favourable body phenotype, the blood lipid profiles are less favourable when eaten as part of a low-fat high-carbohydrate dietary pattern. More research is needed to better understand this association.

Conclusion:

Overall, these results suggest that although milk and yogurt consumption is associated with a favourable body phenotype, the blood lipid profiles are less favourable when eaten as part of a low-fat high-carbohydrate dietary pattern. More research is needed to better understand this association.
Multicolor light-emitting devices with Tb2O3 on silicon
Authors: Li Ling , Wang Shenwei , Mu Guangyao , Yin Xue , Yi Lixin
Published: February 2017

Great efforts have been devoted to achieving efficient Si-based light-emitting devices. Here we report new light-emitting devices fabricated with Tb2O3 on Si substrates. Intense green electroluminescence was observed, with a turn-on voltage of about 8 V. The green emission is attributed to the characteristic transitions of Tb3+ ions in Tb2O3. The electroluminescence mechanisms of the Tb2O3 light-emitting devices are discussed. In addition, visible and near infrared electroluminescence was observed in rare-earth (Eu3+, Sm3+ and Yb3+) doped Tb2O3 light-emitting devices.
An Agrobacterium tumefaciens Strain with Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Transaminase Activity Shows an Enhanced Genetic Transformation Ability in Plants
Authors: Nonaka Satoko , Someya Tatsuhiko , Zhou Sha , Takayama Mariko , Nakamura Kouji , Ezura Hiroshi
Published: February 2017

Agrobacterium tumefacienshas the unique ability to mediate inter-kingdom DNA transfer, and for this reason, it has been utilized for plant genetic engineering. To increase the transformation frequency in plant genetic engineering, we focused on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is a negative factor in theAgrobacterium-plant interaction. Recent studies have shown contradictory results regarding the effects of GABA onvirgene expression, leading to the speculation that GABA inhibits T-DNA transfer. In this study, we examined the effect of GABA on T-DNA transfer using a tomato line with a low GABA content. Compared with the control, the T-DNA transfer frequency was increased in the low-GABA tomato line, indicating that GABA inhibits T-DNA transfer. Therefore, we bred a newA. tumefaciensstrain with GABA transaminase activity and the ability to degrade GABA. TheA. tumefaciensstrain exhibited increased T-DNA transfer in two tomato cultivars andErianthus arundinacuesand an increased frequency of stable transformation in tomato.
Water-use efficiency of an old-growth forest in lower subtropical China
Authors: Liu Xiaodong , Chen Xiuzhi , Li Ronghua , Long Fengling , Zhang Lu , Zhang Qianmei , Li Jiyue
Published: February 2017

Carbon and water fluxes are key properties of ecosystem processes and functions. A better understanding of their temporal dynamics and coupling mechanism between these fluxes will help us improve ecosystem management for mitigation as well as adaption to future climatic change. From 2003 to 2009, carbon and water flux data were obtained by the eddy covariance method over an old-growth forest in the lower subtropical China. The 7 years of observational data indicated that the water-use efficiency (WUE) of the old-growth forest exhibited weak inter-annual variability. The mean annual WUE ranged from 1.70 to 1.98 g C kg−1 H2O. An analysis of the effects of environmental variables on the monthly gross primary productivity (GPP) and evapotranspiration (ET) indicated that solar radiation, air temperature, precipitation and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) produced similar effects on the monthly GPP and ET, which suggests that photosynthesis and ET were similarly driven by the climatic variables. At the monthly scale, the WUE decreased significantly as the precipitation and soil moisture content increased. However, a significant correlation was not detected between the WUE and the VPD at the monthly scale. Moisture conditions tend to be major drivers of the ecosystem WUE.
On the Long-term Stability of Clines in Some Metabolic Genes in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Cogni Rodrigo , Kuczynski Kate , Koury Spencer , Lavington Erik , Behrman Emily L. , O’Brien Katherine R. , Schmidt Paul S. , Eanes Walter F.
Published: February 2017

Very little information exists for long-term changes in genetic variation in natural populations. Here we take the unique opportunity to compare a set of data for SNPs in 15 metabolic genes from eastern US collections of Drosophila melanogaster that span a large latitudinal range and represent two collections separated by 12 to 13 years. We also expand this to a 22-year interval for the Adh gene and approximately 30 years for the G6pd and Pgd genes. During these intervals, five genes showed a statistically significant change in average SNP allele frequency corrected for latitude. While much remains unchanged, we see five genes where latitudinal clines have been lost or gained and two where the slope significantly changes. The long-term frequency shift towards a southern favored Adh S allele reported in Australia populations is not observed in the eastern US over a period of 21 years. There is no general pattern of southern-favored or northern-favored alleles increasing in frequency across the genes. This observation points to the fluid nature of some allelic variation over this time period and the action of selective responses or migration that may be more regional than uniformly imposed across the cline.
Aptamers for respiratory syncytial virus detection
Authors: Percze Krisztina , Szakács Zoltán , Scholz Éva , András Judit , Szeitner Zsuzsanna , Kieboom Corné H. van den , Ferwerda Gerben , Jonge Marien I. de , Gyurcsányi Róbert E. , Mészáros Tamás
Published: February 2017

The identification of the infectious agents is pivotal for appropriate care of patients with viral diseases. Current viral diagnostics rely on selective detection of viral nucleic acid or protein components. In general, detection of proteins rather than nucleic acids is technically more suitable for rapid tests. However, protein-based virus identification methods depend on antibodies limiting the practical applicability of these approaches. Aptamers rival antibodies in target selectivity and binding affinity, and excel in terms of robustness and cost of synthesis. Although aptamers have been generated for virus identification in laboratory settings, their introduction into routine virus diagnostics has not been realized, yet. Here, we demonstrate that the rationally designed SELEX protocol can be applied on whole virus to select aptamers, which can potentially be applied for viral diagnostics. This approach does not require purified virus protein or complicated virus purification. The presented data also illustrate that corroborating the functionality of aptamers with various approaches is essential to pinpoint the most appropriate aptamer amongst the panel of candidates obtained by the selection. Our protocol yielded aptamers capable of detecting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), an important pathogen causing severe disease especially in young infants, at clinically relevant concentrations in complex matrices.
Field-based high throughput phenotyping rapidly identifies genomic regions controlling yield components in rice
Authors: Tanger Paul , Klassen Stephen , Mojica Julius P. , Lovell John T. , Moyers Brook T. , Baraoidan Marietta , Naredo Maria Elizabeth B. , McNally Kenneth L. , Poland Jesse , Bush Daniel R. , Leung Hei , Leach Jan E. , McKay John K.
Published: February 2017

To ensure food security in the face of population growth, decreasing water and land for agriculture, and increasing climate variability, crop yields must increase faster than the current rates. Increased yields will require implementing novel approaches in genetic discovery and breeding. Here we demonstrate the potential of field-based high throughput phenotyping (HTP) on a large recombinant population of rice to identify genetic variation underlying important traits. We find that detecting quantitative trait loci (QTL) with HTP phenotyping is as accurate and effective as traditional labor-intensive measures of flowering time, height, biomass, grain yield, and harvest index. Genetic mapping in this population, derived from a cross of an modern cultivar (IR64) with a landrace (Aswina), identified four alleles with negative effect on grain yield that are fixed in IR64, demonstrating the potential for HTP of large populations as a strategy for the second green revolution.
Notch1-promoted TRPA1 expression in erythroleukemic cells suppresses erythroid but enhances megakaryocyte differentiation
Authors: Chen Ji-Lin , Ping Yueh-Hsin , Tseng Min-Jen , Chang Yuan-I , Lee Hsin-Chen , Hsieh Rong-Hong , Yeh Tien-Shun
Published: February 2017

The Notch1 pathway plays important roles in modulating erythroid and megakaryocyte differentiation. To screen the Notch1-related genes that regulate differentiation fate of K562 and HEL cells, the expression of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) was induced by Notch1 receptor intracellular domain (N1IC), the activated form of Notch1 receptor. N1IC and v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog 1 (Ets-1) bound to TRPA1 promoter region to regulate transcription in K562 cells. Transactivation of TRPA1 promoter by N1IC depended on the methylation status of TRPA1 promoter. N1IC and Ets-1 suppressed the DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) level in K562 cells. Inhibition of TRPA1 expression after Notch1 knockdown could be attenuated by nanaomycin A, an inhibitor of DNMT3B, in K562 and HEL cells. Functionally, hemin-induced erythroid differentiation could be suppressed by TRPA1, and the reduction of erythroid differentiation of both cells by N1IC and Ets-1 occurred via TRPA1. However, PMA-induced megakaryocyte differentiation could be enhanced by TRPA1, and the surface markers of megakaryocytes could be elevated by nanaomycin A. Megakaryocyte differentiation could be reduced by Notch1 or Ets-1 knockdown and relieved by TRPA1 overexpression. The results suggest that Notch1 and TRPA1 might be critical modulators that control the fate of erythroid and megakaryocyte differentiation.
Anti-inflammatory and anti-excitoxic effects of diethyl oxopropanamide, an ethyl pyruvate bioisoster, exert robust neuroprotective effects in the postischemic brain
Authors: Lee Hye-Kyung , Kim Il-Doo , Kim Seung-Woo , Lee Hahnbie , Park Ju-Young , Yoon Sung-Hwa , Lee Ja-Kyeong
Published: February 2017

Ethyl pyruvate (EP) is a simple aliphatic ester of pyruvic acid and has been shown to have robust neuroprotective effects via its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-apoptotic functions. In an effort to develop novel EP derivatives with greater protective potencies than EP, we generated four EP isosteres, among them the neuroprotective potency of N,N-diethyl-2-oxopropanamide (DEOPA), in which the ethoxy group of EP was replaced with diethylamine, was far greater than that of EP. When DEOPA was administered intravenously (5 mg/kg) to rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model at 6 hrs post-surgery, it suppressed infarct formation, ameliorated neurological and sensory/motor deficits, and inhibited microglial activation and neutrophil infiltrations in the postischemic brain more effectively than EP. In particular, DEOPA markedly suppressed LPS-induced nitrite production and cytokine/chemokine inductions in microglia, neutrophils, and endothelial cells and these effects are attributable to inhibition of the activity of NF-κB by suppressing IκB-α degradation and p65 to DNA binding. In addition, DEOPA suppressed NMDA-induced neuronal cell death in primary cortical neuron cultures by NAD replenishment and suppression of NF-κB activity. Together, these results indicate DEOPA has multi-modal protective effects against ischemic brain damage targeting numerous cell types in the brain and also against other inflammation-related diseases.
Pan-neurexin perturbation results in compromised synapse stability and a reduction in readily releasable synaptic vesicle pool size
Authors: Quinn Dylan P. , Kolar Annette , Wigerius Michael , Gomm-Kolisko Rachel N. , Atwi Hanine , Fawcett James P. , Krueger Stefan R.
Published: February 2017

Neurexins are a diverse family of cell adhesion molecules that localize to presynaptic specializations of CNS neurons. Heterologous expression of neurexins in non-neuronal cells leads to the recruitment of postsynaptic proteins in contacting dendrites of co-cultured neurons, implicating neurexins in synapse formation. However, isoform-specific knockouts of either all α- or all β-neurexins show defects in synaptic transmission but an unaltered density of glutamatergic synapses, a finding that argues against an essential function of neurexins in synaptogenesis. To address the role of neurexin in synapse formation and function, we disrupted the function of all α- and β-neurexins in cultured hippocampal neurons by shRNA knockdown or by overexpressing a neurexin mutant that is unable to bind to postsynaptic neurexin ligands. We show that neurexin perturbation results in an attenuation of neurotransmitter release that is in large part due to a reduction in the number of readily releasable synaptic vesicles. We also find that neurexin perturbation fails to alter the ability of neurons to form synapses, but rather leads to more frequent synapse elimination. These experiments suggest that neurexins are dispensable for the formation of initial synaptic contacts, but play an essential role in the stabilization and functional maturation of synapses.
Engineering Botulinum Neurotoxin C1 as a Molecular Vehicle for Intra-Neuronal Drug Delivery
Authors: Vazquez-Cintron Edwin J. , Beske Phillip H. , Tenezaca Luis , Tran Bao Q. , Oyler Jonathan M. , Glotfelty Elliot J. , Angeles Christopher A. , Syngkon Aurelia , Mukherjee Jean , Kalb Suzanne R. , Band Philip A. , McNutt Patrick M. , Shoemaker Charles B. , Ichtchenko Konstantin
Published: February 2017

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) binds to and internalizes its light chain into presynaptic compartments with exquisite specificity. While the native toxin is extremely lethal, bioengineering of BoNT has the potential to eliminate toxicity without disrupting neuron-specific targeting, thereby creating a molecular vehicle capable of delivering therapeutic cargo into the neuronal cytosol. Building upon previous work, we have developed an atoxic derivative (ad) of BoNT/C1 through rationally designed amino acid substitutions in the metalloprotease domain of wild type (wt) BoNT/C1. To test if BoNT/C1 ad retains neuron-specific targeting without concomitant toxic host responses, we evaluated the localization, activity, and toxicity of BoNT/C1 ad in vitro and in vivo. In neuronal cultures, BoNT/C1 ad light chain is rapidly internalized into presynaptic compartments, but does not cleave SNARE proteins nor impair spontaneous neurotransmitter release. In mice, systemic administration resulted in the specific co-localization of BoNT/C1 ad with diaphragmatic motor nerve terminals. The mouse LD50 of BoNT/C1 ad is 5 mg/kg, with transient neurological symptoms emerging at sub-lethal doses. Given the low toxicity and highly specific neuron-targeting properties of BoNT/C1 ad, these data suggest that BoNT/C1 ad can be useful as a molecular vehicle for drug delivery to the neuronal cytoplasm.
Sensitivity of chemical weathering and dissolved carbon dynamics to hydrological conditions in a typical karst river
Authors: Zhong Jun , Li Si-liang , Tao Faxiang , Yue Fujun , Liu Cong-Qiang
Published: February 2017

To better understand the mechanisms that hydrological conditions control chemical weathering and carbon dynamics in the large rivers, we investigated hydrochemistry and carbon isotopic compositions of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) based on high-frequency sampling in the Wujiang River draining the carbonate area in southwestern China. Concentrations of major dissolved solute do not strictly follow the dilution process with increasing discharge, and biogeochemical processes lead to variability in the concentration-discharge relationships. Temporal variations of dissolved solutes are closely related to weathering characteristics and hydrological conditions in the rainy seasons. The concentrations of dissolved carbon and the carbon isotopic compositions vary with discharge changes, suggesting that hydrological conditions and biogeochemical processes control dissolved carbon dynamics. Biological CO2 discharge and intense carbonate weathering by soil CO2 should be responsible for the carbon variability under various hydrological conditions during the high-flow season. The concentration of DICbio (DIC from biological sources) derived from a mixing model increases with increasing discharge, indicating that DICbio influx is the main driver of the chemostatic behaviors of riverine DIC in this typical karst river. The study highlights the sensitivity of chemical weathering and carbon dynamics to hydrological conditions in the riverine system.