bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linking opioid-induced hyperalgesia and withdrawal-associated injury site pain: a case report
Authors: Rieb Launette Marie , Norman Wendy V. , Martin Ruth Elwood , Berkowitz Jonathan , Wood Evan , Milloy Michael John , McNeil Ryan
Published: April 2018

Introduction and objectives:

Understanding the details of one individual's experience with pain, opioid use and withdrawal may generate insights into possible relationships between opioid-induced hyperalgesia and withdrawal-associated injury site pain (WISP).

Methods:

This case study was extracted from a mixed methods study that characterized WISP. In 2014, the individual was recruited from a primary care clinic that prescribes opioid agonist therapy. In an interview, she completed a 35-item survey and elaborated on her own experience. Follow-up contact was made in June of 2017.

Results:

This 34-year-old white woman had several twisting injuries of her right knee between ages 13 and 15. The pain resolved each time in a few days, and she was pain free for 15 years. Around age 30, she initiated illicit oxycodone recreationally (not for pain) and developed an opioid use disorder. On detoxification, she experienced severe knee pain for 6 weeks that resolved postdetoxification but returned after subsequent oxycodone use and withdrawal episodes along with generalized skin sensitivity. This experience of WISP became a barrier to opioid cessation. Although nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories and gabapentin relieved WISP and methadone therapy assisted her opioid use disorder, an eventual change to sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone provided superior control of both.

Conclusion:

This case report illustrates that both opioid use and withdrawal can reactivate injury site pain, which can increase with dose escalation and repeated withdrawal events. The timing, trajectory, and neuropathic features of WISP reported here are consistent with those previously reported for the development of opioid-induced hyperalgesia, possibly linking these phenomena.
Intense, Instantaneous, and Shooting Pain During Local Anesthesia for Implant Surgery
Authors: Scarano Antonio , Sinjari Bruna , Lorusso Felice , Mortellaro Carmen , D’Ovidio Cristian , Carinci Francesco
Published: April 2018

Administration of local anesthetics is daily routine for most dental practitioners. Normally, the effect is achieved, and no adverse effects are seen. In this article, the authors describe the complications of immediate, intense and shooting pain, numbness, and marked pallor of the cheek, which occurred during infiltration of a local anesthetic in buccal vestibule infiltration. The patients moved suddenly because of pain and marked pallor of the cheek near the root of the nose and lower eyelid pallor was observed. The pain was very short and the injection was performed again after a few minutes. Two patients also reported an alteration of vision or paralysis of the extra-ocular muscles and drooping eyelid due to paralysis of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle and signs of numbness in the infraorbital area on the same side as the anesthesia. While 3 patients were also apprehensive and started to scare with heart palpitations, as they did not understand what was happening. Probably the anesthetic solutions were injected into an intravascular artery and passed from the extraosseous branch of posterior superior alveolar artery through to the infraorbital artery, which could produce the clinical signs observed in the present study. At the same time, the inoculation of anesthetic in the artery could be grounds for legal disputes for the dentist. In fact, in the absence of vascular disease, anomalies documented by the dentist, they would, however, respond to professional liability and be liable for damages caused to the patient. In conclusion, despite the fact that this condition requires no treatment, it could lead to the recognition of clinical signs in patient with injection of local anesthesia into the artery. At the same time, the inoculation of anesthetic in the artery could be grounds for legal disputes for the dentist.
Superficial Fascia in the Cheek and the Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System
Authors: Hwang Kun , Choi Jung Ho
Published: April 2018

The origins and validity of the term “superficial musculoaponeurotic system” (SMAS) is reviewed. Gray stated the superficial fascia connects the skin with the deep or aponeurotic fascia and consists of fibro-areolar tissue. Hollinshead wrote superficial fascia exists throughout the body and contains a variable amount of fat. In the head and neck, it encloses voluntary muscles in its deep portion. Skoog found superficial fascia was fixed to the dense, deep fascia by fibrous adhesions in the temporal, preauricular, and parotid area. Mitz stated “There is a ‘superficial muscular and aponeurotic system’ (SMAS) in the parotid and cheek areas.” SMAS has an intimate relationship with the entire superficial fascia of the head and neck and divides the subcutaneous fat into 2 layers. Wassef found a continuous fibromuscular layer at the deep limit of the “subcutis,” which corresponded to the “superficial fascia.” Nakajima reported the subcutaneous adipofascial tissue was made up of 2 adipofascial layers. Macchi found 2 different fibroadipose connective layers bounded to the laminar connective tissue layer (SMAS). In the cheek, Hwang found horizontal fibrous connective tissues (membranous layer of superficial fascia) divided the superficial fascia into the superficial fatty layer and the deep fatty layer. Recently, Mitz explained the reason for the term SMAS. The “musculo+aponeurotic” component is based on histology of muscle cells, including the risorius, in the same structure to be surgically consistent. The aponeurotic cells belong to the same surgical layer. SMAS is not sufficient to replace the old term “superficial fascia” of the cheek area.
Cerebral Multimodal Monitoring in Sepsis: An Experimental Study
Authors: Kurtz Pedro , d’Avila Joana C. , Prado Darwin , Madeira Caroline , Vargas-Lopes Charles , Panizzutti Rogerio , Azevedo Luciano C.P. , Bozza Fernando A.
Published: April 2018

Acute brain dysfunction is a complication of sepsis, and its pathophysiology remains poorly understood. We studied the brain metabolism in a resuscitated animal model of sepsis. Twelve anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, and invasively monitored pigs were allocated to a sham procedure (N = 5) or sepsis (N = 7). Sepsis was induced through fecal inoculation in the peritoneum. Fluid resuscitation was maintained during the entire study period. Animals were observed until spontaneous death or for a maximum of 24 h. In addition to global hemodynamic and laboratory assessment, intracranial pressure and cerebral microdialysis (MD) were evaluated at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after sepsis induction. After euthanasia, the brain was rapidly removed and a fragment from the frontal cortex was analyzed for markers of neuroinflammation, metabolism, and neurotransmission. Septic animals developed a hyperdynamic state associated with increased arterial lactate. Cerebral microdialysis showed unchanged levels of lactate/pyruvate ratios and brain glucose between the groups. Brain/serum glucose ratios were increased in the septic animals during the study period despite a progressive decrease in serum glucose. Moreover, extracellular glutamine levels were elevated starting at 6 h after sepsis. Tissue analysis showed elevated glutamate, glutamine, and glutamine synthetase in the sepsis group. However, C-Fos, a marker of neuronal activity, was unchanged between groups. In this animal model of resuscitated sepsis, we found increased oxidative stress and alterations in neuroenergetics characterized by exacerbated activity of the glutamate/glutamine cycle and increased glucose utilization by the brain, however without any evidence of decompensated energy metabolism.
Role of Emergency Laparoscopic Colectomy for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Vallance Abigail E. , Keller Deborah S. , Hill James , Braun Michael , Kuryba Angela , van der Meulen Jan , Walker Kate , Chand Manish
Published: April 2018

Objective:

To evaluate factors associated with the use of laparoscopic surgery and the associated postoperative outcomes for urgent or emergency resection of colorectal cancer in the English National Health Service.

Summary of Background Data:

Laparoscopy is increasingly used for elective colorectal cancer surgery, but uptake has been limited in the emergency setting.

Methods:

Patients recorded in the National Bowel Cancer Audit who underwent urgent or emergency colorectal cancer resection between April 2010 and March 2016 were included. A multivariable multilevel logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of undergoing laparoscopic resection and postoperative outcome according to approach.

Results:

There were 15,516 patients included. Laparoscopy use doubled from 15.1% in 2010 to 30.2% in 2016. Laparoscopy was less common in patients with poorer physical status [American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) 4/5 vs 1, OR 0.29 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI 0.23–0.37), P < 0.001] and more advanced T-stage [T4 vs T0-T2, OR 0.28 (0.23–0.34), P < 0.001] and M-stage [M1 vs M0, OR 0.85 (0.75–0.96), P < 0.001]. Age, socioeconomic deprivation, nodal stage, hospital volume, and a dedicated colorectal emergency service were not associated with laparoscopy. Laparoscopic patients had a shorter length of stay [median 8 days (interquartile range (IQR) 5 to 15) vs 12 (IQR 8 to 21), adjusted mean difference −3.67 (−4.60 to 2.74), P < 0.001], and lower 90-day mortality [8.1% vs 13.0%; adjusted OR 0.78 (0.66–0.91), P = 0.004] than patients undergoing open resection. There was no significant difference in rates of readmission or reoperation by approach.

Conclusion:

The use of laparoscopic approach in the emergency resection of colorectal cancer is linked to a shorter length of hospital stay and reduced postoperative mortality.
Transvaginal Trigger Point Injections Improve Pain Scores in Women with Pelvic Floor Hypertonicity and Pelvic Pain Conditions
Authors: Bartley Jamie , Han Esther , Gupta Priyanka , Gaines Natalie , Killinger Kim A. , Boura Judith A. , Farrah Morgan , Gilleran Jason , Sirls Larry T. , Peters Kenneth M.
Published: April 2018

Objectives

Chronic pelvic pain in women often requires multimodal treatment regimens. We describe our method of transvaginal trigger point injections (TPIs) and report outcomes using change in pain scores.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of women treated with in-office pelvic floor muscle injections from January 2012 to August 2015. Lidocaine 1% and 2%, bupivacaine 0.5%, or ropivacaine 0.5% with or without the addition of triamcinolone 40 mg was used for the injections. Pain was reported on a 0- to 10-point numerical rating scale before and after injection. Differences in pretreatment and posttreatment pain scores were analyzed after the first injection and after subsequent injections. Repeated-measures analysis was used to determine if any variable affected treatment response.

Results

One hundred one women with a mean age of 44 years had a total of 257 separate visits for pelvic floor muscle injections. Triamcinolone was used at 90.2% (230/255) of the TPI visits. After the initial TPI visit, there was significant decrease in total levator numerical rating scale score (maximum score, 20; mean, −6.21 ± 4.7; P < 0.0001), and 77% (70/91) of patients had improved. These significant improvements were noted at all visits 1 through 4 and whether bilateral or unilateral injections were done. Only the total amount of local anesthestic used had a significant effect on the change in total levator pain scores (P = 0.002). Minor adverse effects including leg numbness, dizziness, nausea, bleeding, and headache occurred at 10% of visits.

Conclusions

Pelvic floor muscle injections decrease pain levels in women with pelvic floor dysfunction.
VenomKB v2.0: A knowledge repository for computational toxinology
Authors: Romano Joseph D. , Nwankwo Victor , Tatonetti Nicholas P.
Published: April 2018

Motivation

Venom peptides comprise one of the richest sources of bioactive compounds available for drug discovery. However, venom data and knowledge are fragmentary and poorly structured, and fail to capitalize on the important characteristics of venoms that make them so interesting to the biomedical community.

Results

We present VenomKB v2.0, a new open-access resource for knowledge representation and retrieval of venom bioactivities, sequences, structures, and classifications. VenomKB provides a complete infrastructure for computational toxinology, with a focus on drug discovery and effects that venoms have on the human body. VenomKB is accompanied by a suite of tools for programmatic access, and, in this article, we highlight scenarios demonstrating its usefulness and novel contributions to toxinology, pharmacology, and informatics.

Availability

VenomKB can be accessed online at http://venomkb.org/, and the code can be found at https://github.com/tatonetti-lab/venomkb/. All code and data are available under open-source and open-access licenses.
Bivariate genome-wide association analysis strengthens the role of bitter receptor clusters on chromosomes 7 and 12 in human bitter taste
Authors: Hwang Liang-Dar , Gharahkhani Puya , Breslin Paul A. S. , Gordon Scott D. , Zhu Gu , Martin Nicholas G. , Martin Nicholas G. , Reed Danielle R. , Wright Margaret J.
Published: April 2018

Human perception of bitter substances is partially genetically determined. Previously we discovered a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within the bitter taste receptor gene TAS2R19 on chromosome 12 that accounts for 5.8% of the variance in the perceived intensity rating of quinine, and we strengthened the classic association between TAS2R38 genotype and the bitterness of propylthiouracil (PROP). Here we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using a 40% larger sample (n = 1999) together with a bivariate approach to detect previously unidentified common variants with small effects on bitter perception. We identified two signals, both with small effects (< 2%), within the bitter taste receptor clusters on chromosomes 7 and 12, which influence the perceived bitterness of denatonium benzoate and sucrose octaacetate respectively. We also provided the first independent replication for an association of caffeine bitterness on chromosome 12. Furthermore, we provided evidence for pleiotropic effects on quinine, caffeine, sucrose octaacetate and denatonium benzoate for the three SNPs on chromosome 12 and the functional importance of the SNPs for denatonium benzoate bitterness. These findings provide new insights into the genetic architecture of bitter taste and offer a useful starting point for determining the biological pathways linking perception of bitter substances.
Identification of Miro as a mitochondrial receptor for myosin XIX
Authors: Oeding Stefanie J. , Majstrowicz Katarzyna , Hu Xiao-Ping , Schwarz Vera , Freitag Angelika , Honnert Ulrike , Nikolaus Petra , Bähler Martin
Published: April 2018

Mitochondrial distribution in cells is critical for cellular function and proper inheritance during cell division. In mammalian cells, mitochondria are transported predominantly along microtubules by kinesin and dynein and along actin filaments by myosin. Myosin XIX (Myo19) associates with the outer mitochondrial membrane, but no specific receptor has been identified. Using proximity BioID labeling, we identified Miro-1 and Miro-2 as potential binding partners of Myo19. Interaction studies show that Miro-1 binds to a C-terminal fragment of the Myo19 tail region and that Miro recruits the Myo19 tail in vivo. This recruitment is regulated by the nucleotide-state of the N-terminal Rho-like GTPase domain of Miro. Notably, Myo19 protein stability in cells depends on its association with Miro. Finally, Myo19 regulates the subcellular distribution of mitochondria. Downregulation, as well as overexpression, of Myo19 induces perinuclear collapse of mitochondria, phenocopying the loss of kinesin KIF5 or its mitochondrial receptor Miro. These results suggest that Miro coordinates microtubule- and actin-based mitochondrial movement.
Progressive Alignment of Inhibitory and Excitatory Delay May Drive a Rapid Developmental Switch in Cortical Network Dynamics
Authors: Romagnoni Alberto , Colonnese Matthew T. , Touboul Jonathan D. , Gutkin Boris
Published: April 2018

Nervous system maturation occurs on multiple levels, synaptic, circuit, and network, at divergent time scales. For example, many synaptic properties mature gradually, while emergent network dynamics, as data show, change abruptly. Here, we combine experimental and theoretical approaches to investigate a sudden transition in spontaneous thalamocortical activity necessary for the development of vision. Inspired by in vivo measurements of time-scales and amplitudes of synaptic currents, we extend the Wilson and Cowan model to take into account the relative onset timing and amplitudes of inhibitory and excitatory neural population responses. We study the dynamics of this system and identify the bifurcations as the onset timescales of excitation and inhibition are varied. We focus on the specific typical developmental changes in synaptic timescales consistent with the experimental observations. These findings argue that the inhibitory timing is a critical determinant of thalamocortical activity maturation; a gradual decay of the ratio of inhibitory to excitatory onset time below one drives the system through a bifurcation that leads to a sudden switch of the network spontaneous activity from high-amplitude oscillations to a non-oscillatory active state. This switch also drives a marked change to a linear network response to transient stimuli, agreeing to the in vivo observations. The switch observed in the model is representative of the sudden transition in the sensory cortical activity seen early in development.
New tools for evaluating protein tyrosine sulphation: Tyrosyl Protein Sulphotransferases (TPSTs) are novel targets for RAF protein kinase inhibitors
Authors: Byrne Dominic P , Li Yong , Ngamlert Pawin , Ramakrishnan Krithika , Eyers Claire E , Wells Carrow , Drewry David H , Zuercher William J , Berry Neil G , Fernig David G , Eyers Patrick A
Published: April 2018

Protein tyrosine sulphation is a post-translational modification (PTM) best known for regulating extracellular protein-protein interactions. Tyrosine sulphation is catalysed by two Golgi-resident enzymes termed Tyrosyl Protein Sulpho Transferases (TPSTs) 1 and 2, which transfer sulphate from the co-factor PAPS (3’-phosphoadenosine 5’-phosphosulphate) to a context-dependent tyrosine in a protein substrate. A lack of quantitative tyrosine sulphation assays has hampered the development of chemical biology approaches for the identification of small molecule inhibitors of tyrosine sulphation. In this paper, we describe the development of a non-radioactive mobility-based enzymatic assay for TPST1 and TPST2, through which the tyrosine sulphation of synthetic fluorescent peptides can be rapidly quantified. We exploit ligand binding and inhibitor screens to uncover a susceptibility of TPST1 and 2 to different classes of small molecules, including the anti-angiogenic compound suramin and the kinase inhibitor rottlerin. By screening the Published Kinase Inhibitor Set (PKIS), we identified oxindole-based inhibitors of the Ser/Thr kinase RAF as low micromolar inhibitors of TPST1/2. Interestingly, unrelated RAF inhibitors, exemplified by the dual BRAF/VEGFR2 inhibitor RAF265, were also TPST inhibitorsin vitro. We propose that target-validated protein kinase inhibitors could be repurposed, or redesigned, as more-specific TPST inhibitors to help evaluate the sulphotyrosyl proteome. Finally, we speculate that mechanistic inhibition of cellular tyrosine sulphation might be relevant to some of the phenotypes observed in cells exposed to anionic TPST ligands and RAF protein kinase inhibitors.

SUMMARY STATEMENT

We develop new assays to quantify tyrosine sulphation by the human tyrosine sulphotransferases TPST1 and 2. TPST1 and 2 catalytic activities are inhibited by protein kinase inhibitors, suggesting new starting points to synthesise (or repurpose) small molecule compounds to evaluate biological TPST using chemical biology.
Differential DNA modification of an enhancer at the IGF2 locus affects dopamine synthesis in patients with major psychosis
Authors: Pai Shraddha , Li Peipei , Killinger Bryan , Marshall Lee , Jia Peixin , Liao Ji , Petronis Arturas , Szabo Piroska , Labrie Viviane
Published: April 2018

Dopamine dysregulation is central to the pathogenesis of diseases with major psychosis, but its molecular origins are unclear. In an epigenome-wide investigation in neurons, individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder showed reduced DNA modifications at an enhancer in IGF2, which disrupted the regulation of the dopamine synthesis enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase and striatal dopamine levels in transgenic mice. Epigenetic control of this enhancer may be an important molecular determinant of psychosis.
ɛ-RbCuCl3, a new polymorph of rubidium copper trichloride: synthesis, structure and structural complexity
Authors: Kornyakov Ilya V. , Krivovichev Sergey V. , Gurzhiy Vladislav V. , Leoni Matteo
Published: April 2018

A novel polymorph of RbCuCl3 (rubidium copper trichloride), denoted ɛ-RbCuCl3, has been prepared by chemical vapour transport (CVT) from a mixture of CuO, CuCl2, SeO2 and RbCl. The new polymorph crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group C2221. The crystal structure is based on an octahedral framework of the 4H perovskite type. The Rb+ and Cl− ions form a four-layer closest-packing array with an ABCB sequence. The Cu2+ cations reside in octahedral cavities with a typical [4 + 2]-Jahn–Teller-distorted coordination, forming four short and two long Cu—Cl bonds. ɛ-RbCuCl3 is the most structurally complex and most dense among all currently known RbCuCl3 polymorphs, which allows us to suggest that it is a high-pressure phase, which is unstable under ambient conditions.
The crystal structure of the malic enzyme fromCandidatusPhytoplasma reveals the minimal structural determinants for a malic enzyme
Authors: Alvarez C. E. , Trajtenberg F. , Larrieux N. , Saigo M. , Golic A. , Andreo C. S. , Hogenhout S. A. , Mussi M. A. , Drincovich M. F. , Buschiazzo A.
Published: April 2018

Phytoplasmas are wall-less phytopathogenic bacteria that produce devastating effects in a wide variety of plants. Reductive evolution has shaped their genome, with the loss of many genes, limiting their metabolic capacities. Owing to the high concentration of C4compounds in plants, and the presence of malic enzyme (ME) in all phytoplasma genomes so far sequenced, the oxidative decarboxylation of L-malate might represent an adaptation to generate energy. Aster yellows witches'-broom (CandidatusPhytoplasma) ME (AYWB-ME) is one of the smallest of all characterized MEs, yet retains full enzymatic activity. Here, the crystal structure of AYWB-ME is reported, revealing a unique fold that differs from those of `canonical' MEs. AYWB-ME is organized as a dimeric species formed by intertwining of the N-terminal domains of the protomers. As a consequence of such structural differences, key catalytic residues such as Tyr36 are positioned in the active site of each protomer but are provided by the other protomer of the dimer. A Tyr36Ala mutation abolishes the catalytic activity, indicating the key importance of this residue in the catalytic process but not in the dimeric assembly. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that larger MEs (large-subunit or chimeric MEs) might have evolved from this type of smaller scaffold by gaining small sequence cassettes or an entire functional domain. TheCandidatusPhytoplasma AYWB-ME structure showcases a novel minimal structure design comprising a fully functional active site, making this enzyme an attractive starting point for rational genetic design.
Structural analysis of glycoproteins: building N-linked glycans withCoot
Authors: Emsley Paul , Crispin Max
Published: April 2018

Cootis a graphics application that is used to build or manipulate macromolecular models; its particular forte is manipulation of the model at the residue level. The model-building tools ofCoothave been combined and extended to assist or automate the building of N-linked glycans. The model is built by the addition of monosaccharides, placed by variation of internal coordinates. The subsequent model is refined by real-space refinement, which is stabilized with modified and additional restraints. It is hoped that these enhanced building tools will help to reduce building errors of N-linked glycans and improve our knowledge of the structures of glycoproteins.
3-Difluoromethyl-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]isoxazole
Authors: Zhao Hui
Published: April 2018

The title molecule, C11H6F5NO, lies on a mirror plane in the orthorhombic unit cell, with only two F atoms each of the difluoro and trifluoromethyl substituents lying out of the plane. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...O, C—H...N and C—H...F hydrogen bonds, forming a layer structure parallel to the (001) plane. Weak π–π interactions promote the formation of a three-dimensional network.
Electron acceptors for anaerobic oxidation of methane drive microbial community structure and diversity in mud volcanoes
Authors: Ren Ge , Ma Anzhou , Zhang Yanfen , Deng Ye , Zheng Guodong , Zhuang Xuliang , Zhuang Guoqiang , Fortin Danielle
Published: April 2018

Mud volcanoes (MVs) emit globally significant quantities of methane into the atmosphere, however, methane cycling in such environments is not yet fully understood, as the roles of microbes and their associated biogeochemical processes have been largely overlooked. Here, we used data from high‐throughput sequencing of microbial 16S rRNA gene amplicons from six MVs in the Junggar Basin in northwest China to quantify patterns of diversity and characterize the community structure of archaea and bacteria. We found anaerobic methanotrophs and diverse sulfate‐ and iron‐reducing microbes in all of the samples, and the diversity of both archaeal and bacterial communities was strongly linked to the concentrations of sulfate, iron and nitrate, which could act as electron acceptors in anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM). The impacts of sulfate/iron/nitrate on AOM in the MVs were verified by microcosm experiments. Further, two representative MVs were selected to explore the microbial interactions based on phylogenetic molecular ecological networks. The sites showed distinct network structures, key species and microbial interactions, with more complex and numerous linkages between methane‐cycling microbes and their partners being observed in the iron/sulfate‐rich MV. These findings suggest that electron acceptors are important factors driving the structure of microbial communities in these methane‐rich environments.
DNA data and morphology suggest an occurrence of Dendrolimus sibiricus Tschetverikov, 1908 (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) instead of D. superans Butler, 1877, in South Korea
Authors: Jeong Jun Seong , Kim Min Jee , Kim Sung‐Soo , Choi Sei‐Woong , Kim Iksoo
Published: April 2018

In the present study, specimens of Dendrolimus superans collected from South Korea suggest the presence of D. sibiricus, instead of D. superans. Comparisons of the wing morphology, female and male genitalia, 3′‐end region of the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene sequence, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 2 sequence of the Korean specimens with those of the D. superans specimens from Japan consistently supported the presence of D. sibiricus in South Korea. Phylogenetic analyses of the concatenated sequences of COI and ITS2 from the available sequence types of D. sibiricus and D. superans, along with South Korean specimens, were conducted using the Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. These phylogenetic analyses placed the South Korean specimens with the Russian D. sibiricus as an inclusive group, excluding the Japanese D. superans, indicating the distribution of D. sibiricus in South Korea. Nevertheless, D. superans formed a distinct group only by BI analysis (Bayesian posterior probabilities = 0.89), whereas D. sibiricus, including the South Korean samples, formed a distinct group only by the ML analysis (99%), suggesting a low genetic divergence between the two species.
Characteristics of an β‐N‐Acetylhexosaminidase from Bacillus sp. CH11, Including its Transglycosylation Activity
Authors: Kurakake Masahiro , Amai Yukari , Konishi Mizuki , Ikehira Kaho
Published: April 2018

β‐N‐Acetylhexosaminidase was identified from Bacillus sp. CH11 and found to have relatively high transferring activity. In this study, its enzymatic properties and transglycosylation activity including its acceptor specificity were investigated. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 90 kDa by SDS–PAGE and its optimal pH was approximately 7 with good stability from pH 6 to 8. Its optimal temperature was 40 °C, and its activity was stable at temperatures of up to 40 °C. To analyze its acceptor specificity for transglycosylation, N, N′‐diacetylchitobiose was used as a donor substrate and alcohols, sugar alcohols, sugars and polyphenols were used as acceptors. Dialcohols, which have 2 hydroxyl groups on the outside of the carbon chains, were good acceptors. The molecular size of the acceptor did not influence the transglycosylation up to at least 1,5‐pentanediol (carbon number: C5). Glycerin (C3), erythritol (C4), and xylitol (C5), all small molecular weight sugar alcohols, had high acceptor specificity. Transglycosylation to mono‐ and disaccharides and polyphenols was not observed except for L‐fucose. For the β‐N‐acetylhexosaminidase‐catalyzed transglycosylation of chitin oligosaccharides and xylitol, the transfer product was identified as 1‐O‐β‐D‐N‐acetylglucosaminyl xylitol. The optimal ratio of xylitol was 24% to 2% N, N′‐diacetylchitobiose and 226 mg per 1 g N, N′‐diacetylchitobiose was produced. CH11 β‐N‐acetylhexosaminidase efficiently produced 1‐O‐β‐D‐N‐acetylglucosaminyl xylitol via transglycosylation.

Practical Application

The new transfer products including 1‐O‐β‐D‐N‐acetylglucosaminyl xylitol are attractive compounds for their potential physiological functions. 1‐O‐β‐D‐N‐Acetylglucosaminyl xylitol was produced effectively from chitin‐oligosaccharides and xylitol by β‐N‐acetylhexosaminidase from Bacillus sp. CH11. This enzyme may be useful for the development of food materials for health‐related applications such as oligosaccharides with intestinal functions and noncariogenic sugars.
Elastographic ultrasound: an additional image tool in Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Kimura‐Hayama Eric , Criales‐Vera Sergio , Azpeitia‐Espinosa Luis , Pacheco‐Molina Carlos , Reyes Edgardo , Lima Guadalupe , Hernandez‐Ramirez Diego , Llorente Luis , Hernandez‐Molina Gabriela
Published: April 2018

Aim

To evaluate the stiffness of parotid and submandibular glands using elastography ultrasound and to correlate it with B‐mode ultrasonographical, clinical and serological features, salivary profibrotic and inflammatory chemokines, and salivary gland fibrosis.

Methods

We performed B‐mode and elastography ultrasound of major salivary glands of 26 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. We registered the shear wave velocity (SWV) and correlated it with the morphologic ultrasonographic changes assessed by the Hocevar scale. We assessed the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI), EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), non‐stimulated whole salivary flow rate (NSWSF), C3 and C4 levels, anti‐Ro/La antibodies, salivary inflammatory (C‐X‐C motif ligand 13 [CXCL13], CXCL10, CXCL8, C‐C motif ligand 2 [CCL2], interleukin 10 [IL‐10] and IL‐6) and pro‐fibrotic (CXCL14, CCL28, tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand and transforming growth factor β) chemokines and cytokines and evaluated the presence of fibrosis in the minor salivary gland.

Results

Ninety‐two percent of patients were women; mean age was 51.1 ± 11 years; median disease duration was 6.1 years; 92.3% had oral symptoms and 26.9% fibrosis. The median B‐mode score was 22.2 points and the median SWV 2.5 m/s (τ = 0.53, P = 0.001). The SWV correlated with the NSWSF (τ = –0.53, P = 0.001), ESSDAI (τ = 0.31, P = 0.03), glandular ESDDAI domain (τ = 0.36, P = 0.02), C4 levels (τ = –0.32, P = 0.04), salivary CXCL13 (τ = 0.29, P = 0.03) and CXCL10 (τ = 0.30, P = 0.003), but not with age and fibrosis.

Conclusion

WV correlated with the B‐mode ultrasound score, systemic and glandular activity and in a large degree with CXCL10, an inflammatory chemokine, but not with fibrosis. An increased SWV might represent chronic glandular inflammation rather than fibrotic changes in these patients.
Stress effects of cyanotoxin β‐methylamino‐L‐alanine (BMAA) on cyanobacterial heterocyst formation and functionality
Authors: Popova Alexandra A. , Rasmussen Ulla , Semashko Tatiana A. , Govorun Vadim M. , Koksharova Olga A.
Published: April 2018

Various species of cyanobacteria, diatoms and dinoflagellates are capable of synthesizing the non‐proteinogenic neurotoxic amino acid β‐N‐methylamino‐L‐alanine (BMAA), which is known to be a causative agent of human neurodegeneration. Similar to most cyanotoxins, the biological and ecological functions of BMAA in cyanobacteria are unknown. In this study, we show for the first time that BMAA, in micromolar amounts, inhibits the formation of heterocysts (specialized nitrogen‐fixing cells) in heterocystous, diazotrophic cyanobacteria [Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, Nostoc punctiforme PCC 73102 (ATCC 29133), Nostoc sp. strain 8963] under conditions of nitrogen starvation. The inhibitory effect of BMAA is abolished by the addition of glutamate. To understand the genetic reason for the observed phenomenon, we used qPCR to study the expression of key genes involved in cell differentiation and nitrogen metabolism in the model cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. We observed that in the presence of BMAA, Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 does not express two essential genes associated with heterocyst differentiation, namely, hetR and hepA. We also found that addition of BMAA to cyanobacterial cultures with mature heterocysts inhibits nifH gene expression and nitrogenase activity.
Three Decades of IPO Markets in Canada: Evolution, Risk and Return
Authors: Carpentier Cécile , Suret Jean‐Marc
Published: April 2018

This article explores the extent that the long‐run returns following initial public offerings (IPOs) can explain the asserted decrease in IPOs in Canada. The causes of such a decrease remain controversial, in part because of our limited knowledge of this market. We first describe in detail the evolution of Canadian IPOs on the senior and the venture stock exchanges over three decades (1986–2016). This evolution differs considerably between natural resource and non‐natural resource firms. Second, using other junior markets as a benchmark, we show that the Canadian IPO market is very particular, mainly because it lists very small firms at an early development stage. Third, using 2,145 Canadian IPOs, we provide evidence that these IPOs generate three‐year negative average abnormal returns, and more than 70 percent report negative abnormal returns. Large issuers reporting profits constitute the only subsample that provides fair returns, but they account for less than 5 percent of IPOs. Such a market probably survived for many decades because of investors' preference for skewness and the characteristics of the returns' distribution. We observe a high level of skewness of abnormal returns, consistent with the behavioral finance proposition that investors are often unduly optimistic when valuing lottery stocks.
Tax avoidance and cost of debt: evidence from a natural experiment in China
Authors: Cen Wei , Tong Naqiong , Sun Yushi
Published: April 2018

This study examines the impact of tax avoidance on the cost of debt using a natural experiment in China. Existing literatures identify two channels about how debt holders perceive tax avoidance behaviour. But there is no census on why and when one channel prevails or dominates the other one. Using China's New Regulation on bonds issuance in 2015 as a natural experiment, we find a negative (positive) association exists between tax avoidance and the cost of debt before (after) the New Regulation. We also find that both going public and state ownership have significant impacts on the tax avoidance and cost of debt relationship. Our findings suggest that debt holders’ perception on tax avoidance behaviour varies with external corporate governance regulations.
Does theT+ 1 rule really reduce speculation? Evidence from Chinese Stock IndexETF
Authors: Chen Xinyun , Liu Yan , Zeng Tao
Published: April 2018

Stock market in China is subject to theT + 1 rule, which requires investors to hold the asset for at least 1 day before selling. This rule was initially imposed in the mid‐1990s, replacing the previousT + 0 rule, to prevent excessive speculative trading. Given the considerable changes in China's financial market over the past 20 years, it is controversial whether theT + 1 rule should be replaced by theT + 0 rule in today's market. In this paper, we empirically test the effect of theT + 1 rule on market speculation. To identify potentially different impacts of theT + 1 andT + 0 rule, we choose a unique pair ofCSI300ETFs, one subject to theT + 1 rule while the other to theT + 0 rule. Based on an error correction model, we develop an empirical methodology to test intraday speculation in theETFprice. Our empirical results show that, at least under current market condition, theT + 1 rule reduces the price efficiency and spurs more speculation when the market liquidity is not in a shortage.
To buy or not to buy: household risk hedging of housing costs
Authors: Liu Shuo , Wang Jin , Wu Weixing
Published: April 2018

This study studies Chinese households’ decision between buying or renting a primary residence from a risk hedging perspective. Although homeownership means bearing house price risk, it eliminates exposure to rent risk. Our empirical results suggest that the homeownership rate increases with the rent volatility of living areas and decreases with the probability of move. However, households no longer hedge against the rent risk when owning a second house, which is often purchased as an investment property. Furthermore, we investigate households with heads aged over 60. Due to finite life expectancy, the rent hedging benefit of owning is weakened.
Contemporary exodontia
Authors: Sambrook PJ , Goss AN
Published: April 2018

Exodontia is a cardinal skill of all dentists. Patients expect extractions to be skillfully and painlessly accomplished every time. It's not necessarily so simple and can be challenging. In this paper we explore contemporary issues of the full process of exodontia including diagnosis, technique, complication minimization as well as management of medically compromised patients with appropriate post‐operative care, including pharmacotherapy.
Management of temporomandibular joint disorders: A surgeon's perspective
Authors: Dimitroulis G
Published: April 2018

Disorders of the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) may clinically present with jaw pain and restricted mouth opening that may limit a patient's access to comprehensive dental care. The aim of this article is to provide a general overview of the current treatment strategies available in the management of disorders of the TMJ. Both conservative and surgical treatment options will be discussed as there is no one treatment for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) which encompasses a wide range of diagnoses. A multidisciplinary team approach to management is essential in the fundamental care of all TMD patients so that treatment can be specifically tailored to individual patient needs.
Identification of the mutation causing progressive retinal atrophy in Old Danish Pointing Dog
Authors: Karlskov‐Mortensen P. , Proschowsky H. F. , Gao F. , Fredholm M.
Published: April 2018

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a common cause of blindness in many dog breeds. It is most often inherited as a simple Mendelian trait, but great genetic heterogeneity has been demonstrated both within and between breeds. In many breeds the genetic cause of the disease is not known, and until now, the Old Danish Pointing Dog (ODP) has been one of those breeds. ODP is one of the oldest dog breeds in Europe. Seventy years ago the breed almost vanished, but today a population still exists, primarily in Denmark but with some dogs in Germany and Sweden. PRA has been diagnosed in ODP since the late 1990s. It resembles late onset PRA in other dog breeds, and it is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. In the present study, we performed whole‐genome sequencing and identified a single base insertion (c.3149_3150insC) in exon 1 of C17H2orf71. This is the same mutation previously found to cause PRA in Gordon Setters and Irish Setters, and it was later found in Tibetan Terrier, Standard Poodle and the Polski Owczarek Nizinny. The presence of the mutation in such a diverse range of breeds indicates an origin preceding creation of modern dog breeds. Hence, we screened 262 dogs from 44 different breeds plus four crossbred dogs, and can subsequently add Miniature Poodle and another polish sheepdog, the Polski Owczarek Podhalanski, to the list of affected breeds.
Lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis complicated by systemic involvement
Authors: Wee Edmund , Nikpour Mandana , Balta Showan , Williams Richard A , Kelly Robert I
Published: April 2018

Lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis (LTA) is a recently described entity defined by primary lymphocytic vasculitis; it typically has a chronic indolent course. We describe a patient who presented with clinical and histological findings consistent with LTA and later developed bilateral focal testicular infarcts as well as an acute median nerve neuropathy.
Medical management of miscarriage: Predictive factors of success
Authors: Lusink Vanessa , Wong Clare , de Vries Bradley , Ludlow Joanne
Published: April 2018

Medical management of miscarriage is an acceptable option available to women, and has advantages of providing timely treatment, while avoiding exposure to surgery and anaesthesia. This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine factors predictive of successful medical management, utilising a single dose protocol of 800 µg vaginal misoprostol. In this cohort, the success rate was 67% (199/296), and smaller mean gestational sac diameter independent of gestational age predicted success (P = 0.046). Success is not significantly related to parity, miscarriage type, pelvic pain or vaginal bleeding at the outset of treatment.
Greater University Identification—But not Greater Contact—Leads to More Life Satisfaction: Evidence from a Spanish Longitudinal Study
Authors: Wakefield Juliet R.H. , Sani Fabio , Herrera Marina
Published: April 2018

Background

A growing body of literature has highlighted the relationship between group identification (a subjective sense of belonging to one's social group, coupled with a subjective sense of commonality with the group's members) and well‐being. However, little of this work is longitudinal, and few studies address reciprocal causality or control for intensity of contact with fellow group members.

Method

We investigated the effect of university identification on satisfaction with life (SWL) over time (and vice versa) in 216 Spanish undergraduates, with seven months between T1 and T2.

Results

While greater university identification T1 predicted higher SWL T2, SWL T1 did not predict university identification T2. University contact T1 was unrelated to SWL T2.

Conclusions

These results show that university identification impacts positively on SWL over time (rather than SWL impacting positively on university identification over time), and this is not reducible to the effects exerted by university contact. The implications for those who work with students are discussed.
Down‐regulation of microRNA‐19b in hormone receptor‐positive/HER2‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Maleki Elham , Ghaedi Kamran , Shahanipoor Kahin , Karimi Kurdistani Zana
Published: April 2018

miR‐19b (miR‐19b‐3p) has been reported to be correlated with either favorable or unfavorable events in several cancers. However, no study has been conducted to evaluate the expression level of miR‐19b in patients with breast cancer (BC). This study was aimed to investigate the expression level of miR‐19b in human malignant and healthy breast tissues with histopathology of ER+/PR+/HER2−. We performed a miRNA real‐time PCR to detect differential expression of miR‐19b in 40 BC, including 17 BC with familial background and 23 BC without familial background, and 12 non‐tumoral tissues. Moreover, a bioinformatics prediction upon miR‐19b functionality in BC cells was performed. The miR‐19b expression level was significantly down‐regulated in BC, BC with familial background, and BC without familial background compared with its expression in normal tissue (p value, <0.0001; fold change, −7.45; p value, 0.0003; fold change, −6.45; and p value, 0.0005; fold change, −8.41, respectively). Moreover, according to the AUCs (area under curve) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, miR‐19b can significantly distinguish all defined categories. Last, in agreement with our experimental findings, proteoglycans in cancer, pathways in cancer, FoxO signaling pathway, central carbon metabolism in cancer, p53 signaling pathway, transcriptional misregulation in cancer, and prolactin signaling pathway were predicted as miR‐19b‐related signaling pathways. In summary, down‐regulation of miR‐19b in BC vs healthy tissue suggests that mir‐19b can function as a tumor suppressor. Our results shed additional information on controversial expression pattern of miR‐19b depending on different cancer types.
Letter: the role of direct‐acting anti‐virals in determining the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients with hepatitis C virus‐induced cirrhosis—Authors' reply
Authors: Mettke F. , Wedemeyer H.
Published: April 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Mettke et al and Kao and Su papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14427 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14565.
Editorial: is proton pump inhibitor use associated with worse outcomes in patients with liver abscesses? Authors’ reply
Authors: Bettinger D. , Thimme R. , Boettler T.
Published: April 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Bettinger et al and Tabibian and Lindor papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14512 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14568.