bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Microbiome in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Current Evidence and Potential Concepts
Authors: Hov Johannes , Karlsen Tom
Published: December 2017

The close relationship between primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and inflammatory bowel disease has inspired hypothetical models in which gut bacteria or bacterial products are key players in PSC pathogenesis. Several studies using high-throughput sequencing technology to characterize the gut microbiota in PSC have been published over the past years. They all report reduced diversity and significant shifts in the overall composition of the gut microbiota. However, it remains unclear as to whether the observed changes are primary or secondary to PSC development and further studies are needed to assess the biological implications of the findings. In the present article, we review the published data in perspective of similar studies in other diseases. We discuss aspects of methodology and study design that are relevant to interpretation of the data. Furthermore, we propose that interpretation and further assessments of findings are structured into conceptual compartments, and elaborate three such possible concepts relating to immune function (the “immunobiome”), host metabolism (the “endobiome”), and dietary and xenobiotic factors (the “xenobiome”) in PSC.
Movement Disorders in Women
Authors: Baker Jessica , Hung Albert
Published: December 2017

Movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD), restless legs syndrome (RLS), chorea, essential tremor, and Tourette syndrome, occur in men and women of all ages. Yet, considerable sex differences in epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment exist in these disorders. In this review, we highlight key differences in the evaluation and management of women with movement disorders, addressing sex-specific complications of treatment and unique challenges surrounding the management of movement disorders during pregnancy. We review the complex relationship between estrogen and movement disorders, including the putative neuroprotective effects of estrogen in PD and the modulatory effects on RLS and chorea associated with autoimmune disease. Further understanding of sex-specific and hormonal effects on clinical features will be important to optimize the management of women with movement disorders in the future.
Liver Dysfunction in Severe Sepsis from Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Authors: Bakalli Ilirjana
Published: December 2017

A 1-month-old child was admitted at our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in a very critical state with generalized cyanosis, grunting, high fever, tachypnea, tachycardia, severe hypotension with capillary refill time > 5 seconds, and no palpable pulse. The child was apparently doing well until a few hours before admission. On admission to PICU, his clinical diagnosis was consistent with severe sepsis with his sequential organ failure assessment scores of 7 to 8 points. We started rapid restoration of circulation with aggressive volume replacement and empiric antimicrobial therapy. Despite optimal supportive therapy, the patient showed severe liver injury leading to liver failure, making the treatment more challenging. His simplex real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay and enzyme linked immune sorbent assay documented respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Through our case report we would like to highlight the extrapulmonary manifestations of RSV infections and the importance of liver dysfunction during sepsis.
Aktualisierte Therapieempfehlung metastasiertes nicht kleinzelliges Lungenkarzinom
Authors: Reinmuth N. , Gröschel A. , Schumann C. , Sebastian M. , Wiewrodt R. , Reck M.
Published: December 2017

Das Lungenkarzinom ist weiterhin die häufigste zum Tode führende Krebserkrankung in Deutschland und durch eine frühe Metastasierung charakterisiert. Die systemische Therapie insbesondere des metastasierten, nicht kleinzelligen Lungenkarzinoms (NSCLC) hat sich in den letzten Jahren insbesondere durch die Identifikation von behandelbaren molekularen Alterationen und durch Einführung neuer Medikamente wie Tyrosinkinaseinhibitoren und Immunmodulatoren deutlich erweitert. Diese raschen Veränderungen der therapeutischen Möglichkeiten stellen auch eine Herausforderung für den behandelnden Arzt dar und erfordern neue diagnostische Vorgehensweisen sowie die Bildung molekular, histologisch oder klinisch definierter Patientensubgruppen. Zudem werden supportive Möglichkeiten immer bedeutsamer. Mit der Therapieempfehlung soll ein kurzer Überblick über aktuelle Therapieentwicklungen beim metastasierten NSCLC gegeben werden.
Principal component analysis on a torus: Theory and application to protein dynamics
Authors: Sittel Florian , Filk Thomas , Stock Gerhard
Published: December 2017

A dimensionality reduction method for high-dimensional circular data is developed, which is based on a principal component analysis (PCA) of data points on a torus. Adopting a geometrical view of PCA, various distance measures on a torus are introduced and the associated problem of projecting data onto the principal subspaces is discussed. The main idea is that the (periodicity-induced) projection error can be minimized by transforming the data such that the maximal gap of the sampling is shifted to the periodic boundary. In a second step, the covariance matrix and its eigendecomposition can be computed in a standard manner. Adopting molecular dynamics simulations of two well-established biomolecular systems (Aib9 and villin headpiece), the potential of the method to analyze the dynamics of backbone dihedral angles is demonstrated. The new approach allows for a robust and well-defined construction of metastable states and provides low-dimensional reaction coordinates that accurately describe the free energy landscape. Moreover, it offers a direct interpretation of covariances and principal components in terms of the angular variables. Apart from its application to PCA, the method of maximal gap shifting is general and can be applied to any other dimensionality reduction method for circular data.
Sexual transmission of Zika virus: a literature review
Authors: Sherley Miranda , Ong Chong-Wei
Published: December 2017

Zika virus is an emerging health threat worldwide. A member of the yellow fever virus family, it is primarily spread by mosquitoes of the Aedes (Stegomyia) genus. Unusually for a mosquito-borne virus, sexual spread has also been reported; with cases of male-to-female, female-to-male and male-to-male sexual transmission all now published in the scientific literature, in both symptomatic and asymptomatic infection. Female-to-female sexual transmission has not yet been reported, but is biologically plausible. The extent of the effect of sexual transmission on the spread of Zika virus around the world is not well-characterised, but has particular relevance to travellers to and from non-endemic regions, and assisted reproduction services.
Mapping Canadian wildland fire interface areas
Authors: Johnston Lynn M. , Flannigan Mike D.
Published: December 2017

Destruction of human-built structures occurs in the ‘wildland–urban interface’ (WUI) – where homes or other burnable community structures meet with or are interspersed within wildland fuels. To mitigate WUI fires, basic information such as the location of interface areas is required, but such information is not available in Canada. Therefore, in this study, we produced the first national map of WUI in Canada. We also extended the WUI concept to address potentially vulnerable industrial structures and infrastructure that are not traditionally part of the WUI, resulting in two additional maps: a ‘wildland–industrial interface’ map (i.e. the interface of wildland fuels and industrial structures, denoted here as WUI-Ind) and a ‘wildland–infrastructure interface’ map (i.e. the interface of wildland fuels and infrastructure such as roads and railways, WUI-Inf). All three interface types (WUI, WUI-Ind, WUI-Inf) were defined as areas of wildland fuels within a variable-width buffer (maximum distance: 2400m) from potentially vulnerable structures or infrastructure. Canada has 32.3 million ha of WUI (3.8% of total national land area), 10.5 million ha of WUI-Ind (1.2%) and 109.8 million ha of WUI-Inf (13.0%). The maps produced here provide a baseline for future research and have a wide variety of practical applications.
Self-System Therapy for Depression
Authors: Eddington Kari M. , Strauman Timothy J. , Vieth Angela Z. , Kolden Gregory G.
Published: December 2017

Self-system therapy (SST) for depression is a structured, short-term, evidence-based treatment approach that targets motivational deficits in depression. The treatment is grounded in an extensive research literature on self-regulation, and it translates that empirical work into therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing effective goal pursuit in clients with depression. Studies have demonstrated that SST is superior to cognitive therapy for depressed clients with specific self-regulatory deficits and have shown that SST works in part by restoring adaptive self-regulation. Presented in a simplified format, the Therapist Guide provides clinicians with the critical theoretical background that forms the foundation of SST and includes worksheets to aid in treatment planning. The core SST interventions are presented within a 16-week course of therapy. Detailed descriptions of these interventions are provided along with an optional module for managing perfectionism, which is prevalent among clients with depression. The accompanying Client Workbook explains the core SST concepts using concrete examples and includes worksheets that can be used to enhance learning and at-home application of the skills.
Mood
Authors: Portner Paul
Published: December 2017

The category of mood is widely used in the description of languages and the formal analysis of their grammatical properties. It typically refers to features of a sentence’s form (or a class of sentences which share such features), either individual morphemes or grammatical patterns, which reflect how the sentence contributes to the modal meaning of a larger phrase or which indicates the type of fundamental pragmatic function it has in conversation. The first subtype, verbal mood, includes the categories of indicative and subjunctive subordinate clauses; the second sentence mood, encompasses declaratives, interrogatives, and imperatives. This work presents the essential background for understanding semantic theories of mood and discusses the most significant theories of both types. It evaluates those theories, compares them, draws connections between seemingly disparate approaches, and with the goal of drawing out their most important insights, it formalizes some of the literature’s most important ideas in new ways. Ultimately, this work shows that there are important connections between verbal mood and sentence mood which point the way towards a more general understanding of how mood works and its relation to other topics in linguistics, and it outlines the type of semantic and pragmatic theory which will make it possible to explain these relations.
Resistance of Aegilops longissima to the Rusts of Wheat
Authors: Huang Shuyi , Steffenson Brian J. , Sela Hanan , Stinebaugh Kathryn
Published: December 2017

Stem rust (caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici), leaf rust (P. triticina), and stripe rust (P. striiformis f. sp. tritici) rank among the most important diseases of wheat worldwide. The development of resistant cultivars is the preferred method of controlling rust diseases because it is environmentally benign and also cost effective. However, new virulence types often arise in pathogen populations, rendering such cultivars vulnerable to losses. The identification of new sources of resistance is key to providing long-lasting disease control against the rapidly evolving rust pathogens. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the wild wheat relative Aegilops longissima for resistance to stem rust, leaf rust, and stripe rust at the seedling stage in the greenhouse. A diverse collection of 394 accessions of the species, mostly from Israel, was assembled for the study, but the total number included in any one rust evaluation ranged from 308 to 379. With respect to stem rust resistance, 18.2 and 80.8% of accessions were resistant to the widely virulent U.S. and Kenyan P. graminis f. sp. tritici races of TTTTF and TTKSK, respectively. The percentage of accessions exhibiting resistance to the U.S. P. triticina races of THBJ and BBBD was 65.9 and 52.2%, respectively. Over half (50.1%) of the Ae. longissima accessions were resistant to the U.S. P. striiformis f. sp. tritici race PSTv-37. Ten accessions (AEG-683-23, AEG-725-15, AEG-803-49, AEG-1274-20, AEG-1276-22, AEG-1471-15, AEG-1475-19, AEG-2974-0, AEG-4005-20, and AEG-8705-10) were resistant to all races of the three rust pathogens used in this study. Distinct differences in the geographic distribution of resistance and susceptibility were found in Ae. longissima accessions from Israel in response to some rust races. To P. graminis f. sp. tritici race TTKSK, populations with a very high frequency of resistance were concentrated in the central and northern part of Israel, whereas populations with a comparatively higher frequency of susceptibility were concentrated in the southern part of the country. The reverse trend was observed with respect to P. striiformis f. sp. tritici race PSTv-37. The results from this study demonstrate that Ae. longissima is a rich source of rust resistance genes for wheat improvement.
Grapevine Trunk Diseases: A Review of Fifteen Years of Trials for Their Control with Chemicals and Biocontrol Agents
Authors: Mondello Vincenzo , Songy Aurélie , Battiston Enrico , Pinto Catia , Coppin Cindy , Trotel-Aziz Patricia , Clément Christophe , Mugnai Laura , Fontaine Florence
Published: December 2017

Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) represent one of the most important problems for viticulture worldwide. Beyond the original causes of this outbreak in some countries like France, the lack of efficient control protocols and the prohibition of using active ingredients such as sodium arsenite and benzimidazoles, until recently used to reduce the impact of some GTDs but deleterious for humans and the environment, have probably worsened the impact of the diseases, leading to increasing economic losses. Since 1990, searches have been made to find efficient tools to control GTDs, testing a wide range of active ingredients and biocontrol agents. This review provides readers with an overview of the results reported in the scientific literature over the last 15 years. In particular, the review focuses on the trials carried out applying chemicals or microorganisms to control Esca complex diseases, Botryosphaeria dieback, and Eutypa dieback, the most widespread GTDs.
First Report of Sclerotinia minor Infecting Eclipta prostrata in Texas
Authors: Woodward J. E. , Dotray P. A. , Cason J. M. , Baughman T. A.
Published: December 2017

Symptomatic Eclipta prostrate plants exhibiting symptoms of Sclerotinia blight were collected from a peanut field near Stephenville, TX. Pathogenicity tests demonstrated that isolates obtained were pathogenic on both E. prostrate and peanut. While E. prostrate has been reported as a weed host of Sclerotinia minor, this to our knowledge is the first reported occurrence of the disease in Texas.
Brain Metabolite Changes in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex of Chronic Low Back Pain Patients and Correlations Between Metabolites and Psychological State
Authors: Kameda Takuya , Fukui Sei , Tominaga Ryoji , Sekiguchi Miho , Iwashita Narihito , Ito Kazuki , Tanaka-Mizuno Sachiko , Konno Shin-ichi
Published: December 2017

Objectives:

In chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients, study of altered brain metabolites in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) could reveal the detailed pathology of CLBP and depression. The aim was to detect the central difference between CLBP and controls by means of measuring the metabolites in the ACC, and to analyze the correlations between depression and metabolites in ACC.

Materials and Methods:

MRS was performed in CLBP (n=60) and control participants (n=56) to evaluate the effects of CLBP on metabolites in the ACC and to analyze the correlations between metabolites and questionnaire scores in a cross-sectional study.

Results:

Adjusting for age and sex, a negative effect of CLBP on the N-acetylaspartate (NAA) level (estimated regression slope coefficient [B]=−0.685, P<0.001) and positive effects on the glutamate +glutamine (Glx)/creatine (B=0.136, P=0.016) and Glx/myoinositol (B=0.140, P<0.048) ratios in the ACC were found. The correlation analysis demonstrated that there was a significant moderate correlation between some questionnaire scores of emotional disorders and metabolites in the ACC of CLBP participants (absolute r>0.4, P<0.05).

Discussion:

Lower NAA levels and higher Glx/creatine and Glx/myoinositol ratios in the ACC of CLBP participants compared with controls were revealed. The result suggests the hypothesis that excessive Glx leads to neuronal dysfunction and/or death, which was reflected as a low NAA level in the ACC of individuals with CLBP. Measurement of these metabolites using MRS potentially helps evaluate CLBP patients’ condition and psychological status objectively.
Exposure of Developing Brain to General Anesthesia
Authors: Jevtovic-Todorovic Vesna
Published: December 2017

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an official warning to all practicing physicians regarding potentially detrimental behavioral and cognitive sequelae of an early exposure to general anesthesia during in utero and in early postnatal life. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration concern is focused on children younger than three years of age who are exposed to clinically used general anesthetics and sedatives for three hours or longer. Although human evidence is limited and controversial, a large body of scientific evidence gathered from several mammalian species demonstrates that there is a potential foundation for concern. Considering this new development in public awareness, this review focuses on nonhuman primates because their brain development is the closest to humans in terms of not only timing and duration, but in terms of complexity as well. The review compares those primate findings to previously published work done with rodents.
Physical, Cognitive, and Psychosocial Characteristics Associated With Mortality in Chronic TBI Survivors: A National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Study
Authors: O'Neil-Pirozzi Therese M. , Ketchum Jessica M. , Hammond Flora M. , Philippus Angela , Weber Erica , Dams-O'Connor Kristen
Published: December 2017

Objective:

To compare a group of individuals who died more than 1 year posttraumatic brain injury (TBI) with a matched group of survivors and to identify physical function, cognitive function, and/or psychosocial function variables associated with mortality.

Design:

Secondary analysis of data from a multicenter longitudinal cohort study.

Setting:

Acute inpatient rehabilitation facilities and community follow-up.

Participants:

Individuals 16 years and older with a primary diagnosis of TBI.

Main Outcome Measures:

Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Disability Rating Scale, Participation Assessment with Recombined Tools Objective, Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale, Satisfaction With Life Scale.

Results:

Individuals who died were distinguishable from their surviving counterparts. They demonstrated significantly poorer global functioning on all physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning variables at their most recent study follow-up visit prior to death. FIM Motor demonstrated the largest difference between survival groups, suggesting that independence in mobility may be particularly indicative of likelihood of longer-term survival.

Conclusions:

These findings may inform continued research to elucidate functional characteristics of individuals postchronic TBI prior to their death and to identify opportunities for prevention of accelerated death and interventions to improve health, longevity, and quality of life.
PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED TRIAL ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF FEEDBACK MECHANISMS ON PATIENT POSITIONING
Authors: Dimopoulos Spyridon , Vivell Julian , Ziemssen Focke , Bende Thomas , Bartz-Schmidt Karl Ulrich , Leitritz Martin Alexander
Published: December 2017

Purpose:

To investigate the use of a head-fixed feedback sensor to improve good positioning times after macular hole or retinal detachment surgery. The instructional methods, macular hole closure rates, and questionnaire responses were also evaluated.

Methods:

After randomization, sensor devices with different feedback types (none/acoustic/vibration) were fixed on the patients' heads. Two positioning recommendations (verbal/illustrated) were used. The posturing data were logged every 500 ms for 24 hours.

Results:

Forty-eight data sets (24 per group) were evaluated. Using sensory feedback, the median time for face-down positioning after macular hole surgery (Group 1) was significantly boosted from 463 minutes (range: 61–1,168) to 1,257 minutes (range: 1,024–1,327). The side positioning time after retinal detachment surgery (Group 2) increased from a median of 1,032 minutes (range: 520–1,165) to 1,284 minutes (range: 1,231–1,437). The night-time alarm records were reduced; however, the instructional methods exhibited no noteworthy effects. The questionnaires indicated positive acceptance of the sensors.

Conclusion:

Sensory feedback may help in cases where face-down or side positioning is recommended. These constant reminders were superior to verbal or written reminders; however, further studies are required to assess the clinical impact of sensory feedback on patient positioning.
Visually Significant Cystoid Macula Edema After Glaucoma Drainage Implant Surgery
Authors: Bhakta Amitabha S. , Fortun Jorge , Thomas Julien , Greer Anthony , Kishor Krishna , Maharaj Arindel
Published: December 2017

Purpose:

This study examines the incidence of visually significant cystoid macular edema (CME) after glaucoma drainage implant (GDI) surgery and analyses risk factors associated with developing CME and prognosis with treatment.

Materials and Methods:

In total, 185 eyes from 185 glaucoma patients (mean age, 72.46±13.94 y) who underwent GDI surgery at a tertiary eye institute were recruited. Patients were classified based on the presence (CME) or absence (No-CME) of CME. Pre-GDI and post-GDI best-corrected visual acuity, number of intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications, IOP, standard automated perimetry and post-GDI complications, were recorded and compared between the 2 groups. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to quantify retinal thickness and monitor CME.

Results:

In total, 41 (22.2%) eyes developed visually significant CME after GDI surgery. Patients with CME had a higher incidence of pre-GDI nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (P<0.01) use and higher number of prior glaucoma surgeries (P<0.01). CME patients had a higher (P<0.01) incidence of iritis, epiretinal membrane, and hypotony. CME eyes responded well to steroids, with resolving macular edema (458.4±151.9 vs. 322.0±92.0 µm, P<0.01) and improving visual acuity (0.73±0.48 vs. 0.56±0.56 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution, P<0.01). Both CME and non-CME groups had equivalent lowering of IOP and post-GDI glaucoma medications; with no significant elevation in IOP in the steroid-treated CME group.

Conclusions:

Post-GDI surgery visually significant CME rates are potentially higher in a real hospital scenario compared with controlled clinical trials. With diligent treatment, CME resolves effectively restoring visual acuity and central macular thickness.
The Influence of Trauma Type and Timing on PTSD Symptoms
Authors: Guina Jeffrey , Nahhas Ramzi W. , Sutton Paige , Farnsworth Seth
Published: December 2017

Although it is well known that different trauma histories can uniquely affect subsequent trauma-related symptoms, this is the first study to evaluate individual posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) in relation to trauma type and timing. This cross-sectional study surveyed a consecutive sample of mental health outpatients (n = 602), using regression to estimate associations between DSM-5 PTSSs and demographics, several trauma types, and age at first trauma in those with trauma (n = 367). Combat and sexual trauma were associated with worse total PTSS severity. Combat was significantly associated with arousal and intrusions (especially physical symptoms), sexual trauma with conscious avoidance and negative cognitions/mood (especially amnesia, an unconscious avoidance symptom), and physical assault with blame. Interpersonal traumas were the most common first traumas experienced, but age at first trauma was not significantly associated with PTSS severity. We discuss potential explanations and implications of these findings.
BRAF V600E Mutation Across Multiple Tumor Types: Correlation Between DNA-based Sequencing and Mutation-specific Immunohistochemistry
Authors: Loo Eric , Khalili Parisa , Beuhler Karen , Siddiqi Imran , Vasef Mohammad A.
Published: December 2017

The B-Raf proto-oncogene (BRAF) encodes a cytoplasmic serine/threonine kinase with a key role in regulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway. An activating missense mutation in codon 600 of exon 15 (V600E) of BRAF gene has been identified in multiple neoplasms including melanoma, colorectal carcinoma, papillary thyroid carcinoma, hairy cell leukemia, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Patients with BRAF V600E–mutated melanoma respond to FDA-approved BRAF inhibitors. In addition, subsets of other BRAF V600E–mutated tumors may also benefit from BRAF inhibitor therapy. Currently, clinical laboratories typically use molecular-based methods for mutation analysis. However, recently a BRAF V600E mutation–specific antibody has become available as a cost-effective alternative method to DNA-based molecular testing. We analyzed multiple tumor types including melanoma, colorectal carcinoma, papillary thyroid cancer, hairy cell leukemia, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis using both DNA-based sequencing and the BRAF V600E mutation–specific antibody. Our results show a high degree of concordance between the 2 methods. However, the high concordance seems to be limited only to the V600E mutation since variant V600 mutations are missed by V600E mutation–specific immunohistochemistry.
A Comprehensive Evaluation of Special AT-rich Sequence-binding Protein 2 (SATB2) Immunohistochemical Staining in Mucinous Tumors From Gastrointestinal and Nongastrointestinal Sites
Authors: Ramos Benjamin D. , Brettfeld Stefan , Berry Ryan S. , Routh Joshua K. , Martin David R. , Hanson Joshua A.
Published: December 2017

Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 (SATB2) is an accurate marker for conventional colorectal carcinoma (CRC), although its sensitivity and specificity in mucinous tumors from the colon and other sites remains unknown. The objective of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of SATB2 expression detected by immunohistochemical assay, as a marker of primary CRC in mucinous adenocarcinomas. SATB2 immunohistochemical stains were performed on whole sections from 63 conventional CRCs (controls), 47 mucinous CRCs (mCRC), and 182 noncolorectal mucinous tumors. SATB2 intensity was scored as 1 to 3 based on the estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor grading system, and the percent positive cells was scored in broad categories as follows: 0 (negative)≤5%, 1=5% to 49%, 2≥50%. An optimal sensitivity/specificity pairing (83% and 95%, respectively) was achieved in the mCRCs when the additive intensity and percent score was ≥3 (ie, intensity score+percent score=total score). Defining this total score (histologic score/“H score”) as a “positive” result, the sensitivity of SATB2 for conventional CRC was 98% (62/63) versus 83% (39/47) for mCRCs (P=0.02); whereas 5% (9/182) of all noncolorectal mucinous tumors were considered positive. SATB2 especially demonstrated reduced specificity when applied to mucinous gastroesophageal and breast carcinomas, which showed significant expression in 27% and 9% of cases, respectively. In summary, SATB2 is a less sensitive marker of colorectal origin in mCRC compared with conventional CRC and shows significantly reduced specificity in mucinous gastroesophageal and breast primaries.
Partial Correlation Analysis Reveals Abnormal Retinotopically Organized Functional Connectivity of Visual Areas in Amblyopia
Authors: Mendola J.D. , Lam J. , Rosenstein M. , Lewis L.B. , Shmuel A.
Published: December 2017

Amblyopia is a prevalent developmental visual disorder of childhood that typically persists in adults. Due to altered visual experience during critical periods of youth, the structure and function of adult visual cortex is abnormal. In addition to substantial deficits shown with task-based fMRI, previous studies have used resting state measures to demonstrate altered long-range connectivity in amblyopia. This is the first study in amblyopia to analyze connectivity between regions of interest that are smaller than a single cortical area and to apply partial correlation analysis to reduce network effects. We specifically assess short-range connectivity between retinotopically defined regions of interest within the occipital lobe of 8 subjects with amblyopia and 7 subjects with normal vision (aged 19-45). The representations of visual areas V1, V2, and V3 within each of the four quadrants of visual space were further subdivided into three regions based on maps of visual field eccentricity. Connectivity between pairs of all nine regions of interest in each quadrant was tested via correlation and partial correlation for both groups. Only the tests ofpartialcorrelation, i.e., correlation between time courses of two regions following the regression of time courses from all other regions, yielded significant differences between resting state functional connectivity in amblyopic and normal subjects. Subjects with amblyopia showed significantly higher partial correlation between para-foveal and more eccentric representations within V1, and this effect associated with poor acuity of the worse eye. In addition, we observed reduced correlation in amblyopic subjects between isoeccentricity regions in V1 and V2, and separately, between such regions in V2 and V3. We conclude that partial correlation-based connectivity is altered in an eccentricity-dependent pattern in visual field maps of amblyopic patients. Moreover, results are consistent with known clinical and psychophysical vision loss. More broadly, this provides evidence that abnormal cortical adaptations to disease may be better isolated with tests of partial correlation connectivity than with the regular correlation techniques that are currently widely used.
A simple test identifies selection on complex traits in breeding and experimentally-evolved populations
Authors: Beissinger Tim , Kruppa Jochen , Cavero David , Ha Ngoc-Thuy , Erbe Malena , Simianer Henner
Published: December 2017

Important traits in agricultural, natural, and human populations are increasingly being shown to be under the control of many genes that individually contribute only a small proportion of genetic variation. However, the majority of modern tools in quantitative and population genetics, including genome wide association studies and selection mapping protocols, are designed to identify individual genes with large effects. We have developed an approach to identify traits that have been under selection and are controlled by large numbers of loci. In contrast to existing methods, our technique utilizes additive effects estimates from all available markers, and relates these estimates to allele frequency change over time. Using this information, we generate a composite statistic, denoted Ĝ, which can be used to test for significant evidence of selection on a trait. Our test requires pre- and post-selection genotypic data but only a single time point with phenotypic information. Simulations demonstrate that Ĝ is powerful for identifying selection, particularly in situations where the trait being tested is controlled by many genes, which is precisely the scenario where classical approaches for selection mapping are least powerful. We apply this test to breeding populations of maize and chickens, where we demonstrate the successful identification of selection on traits that are documented to have been under selection.
Mathematical models for cell migration with real-time cell cycle dynamics
Authors: Vittadello Sean T. , McCue Scott W. , Gunasingh Gency , Haass Nikolas K. , Simpson Matthew J.
Published: December 2017

Fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator, also known as FUCCI, allows the visualisation of the G1 and S/G2/M cell cycle phases of individual cells. FUCCI consists of two fluorescent probes, so that cells in the G1 phase fluoresce red and cells in the S/G2/M phase fluoresce green. FUCCI reveals real-time information about cell cycle dynamics of individual cells, and can be used to explore how the cell cycle relates to the location of individual cells, local cell density, and different cellular microenvironments. In particular, FUCCI is used in experimental studies examining cell migration, such as malignant invasion and wound healing. Here we present new mathematical models which can describe cell migration and cell cycle dynamics as indicated by FUCCI. Thefundamentalmodel describes the two cell cycle phases, G1 and S/G2/M, which FUCCI directly labels. Theextendedmodel includes a third phase, early S, which FUCCI indirectly labels. We present experimental data from scratch assays using FUCCI-transduced melanoma cells, and show that the predictions of spatial and temporal patterns of cell density in the experiments can be described by the fundamental model. We obtain numerical solutions of both the fundamental and extended models, which can take the form of travelling waves. These solutions are mathematically interesting because they are a combination of moving wavefronts and moving pulses. We derive and confirm a simple analytical expression for the minimum wave speed, as well as exploring how the wave speed depends on the spatial decay rate of the initial condition.
Building a 3D Integrated Cell
Authors: Johnson Gregory R. , Donovan-Maiye Rory M. , Maleckar Mary M.
Published: December 2017

We present a conditional generative model for learning variation in cell and nuclear morphology and predicting the location of subcellular structures from 3D microscopy images. The model generalizes well to a wide array of structures and allows for a probabilistic interpretation of cell and nuclear morphology and structure localization from fluorescence images. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach by producing and evaluating photo-realistic 3D cell images using the generative model, and show that the conditional nature of the model provides the ability to predict the localization of unobserved structures, given cell and nuclear morphology. We additionally explore the model’s utility in a number of applications, including cellular integration from multiple experiments and exploration of variation in structure localization. Finally, we discuss the model in the context of foundational and contemporary work and suggest forthcoming extensions.
Crystal structure of the outer membrane protein OmpU fromVibrio choleraeat 2.2 Å resolution
Authors: Li Huanyu , Zhang Weijiao , Dong Changjiang
Published: December 2017

Vibrio choleraecauses a severe disease that kills thousands of people annually. The outer membrane protein OmpU is the most abundant outer membrane protein inV. cholerae, and has been identified as an important virulence factor that is involved in host-cell interaction and recognition, as well as being critical for the survival of the pathogenicV. choleraein the host body and in harsh environments. The mechanism of these processes is not well understood owing to a lack of the structure ofV. choleraeOmpU. Here, the crystal structure of theV. choleraeOmpU trimer is reported to a resolution of 2.2 Å. The protomer forms a 16-β-stranded barrel with a noncanonical N-terminal coil located in the lumen of the barrel that consists of residues Gly32–Ser42 and is observed to participate in forming the second gate in the pore. By mapping the published functional data onto the OmpU structure, the OmpU structure reinforces the notion that the long extracellular loop L4 with a β-hairpin-like motif may be critical for host-cell binding and invasion, while L3, L4 and L8 are crucially implicated in phage recognition byV. cholerae.
Employing fuzzy ANP for ranking the personality of international brands in the sports shoe industry
Authors: Khazaei Pool Javad , Arabzad S. Mohammad , Asian Sobhan , Fahimi Milad , Verij Kazemi Reza
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a quantitative basis to analytically determine the ranking of the brand personality of Adidas, Asics, Nike, Puma and Saucony brands among Iranian customers via a conventional multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for determining the importance of evaluation criteria and ranking of brands are gathered by means of distributing questionnaires among a group of Iranian customers of sport shoes, as well as some industrial experts. The fuzzy analytic network process (FANP) was used to rank the brands with regard to dependencies between criteria and alternatives.

Findings

The results indicate that FANP is a capable method which provides invaluable insights for strategic marketing decisions in the sport product industry. Results show Adidas has the best performance in the sports shoe market compared to the other four brands. In this study, it was found that expertise sophistication was the most important criterion among Aaker’s five main criteria.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is applying FANP decision-making method for ranking sport shoe brands. This method has not been commonly used in the area of marketing, hence it is added to the pool of techniques used in ranking brands. In addition, evaluation and ranking of brands can be very useful for both academic research and practice. Researchers can benchmark the competences of each brand through evaluating them, and industrialists can extract the competitive advantages of the selected brands.
A two-period pricing model with hunger marketing strategy
Authors: Yu Lili , Zhang Juzhi
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of hunger marketing strategy on supply chain pricing and coordinate the supply chain through a two-period pricing model.

Design/methodology/approach

According to a two-period pricing model with hunger marketing strategy, the authors investigate two different scenarios: the centralized system and the decentralized system. The optimal or equilibrium solutions are calculated and compared in two different scenarios.

Findings

First, the hunger marketing strategy can improve the total profit of the supply chain by increasing the retail price and the total sales volume. Second, the hunger marketing strategy aggravates the double marginalization effect. Third, the authors introduce the revenue-sharing contract and characterize the conditions under which the revenue-sharing contract can coordinate the supply chain and be accepted by both the members.

Research limitations/implications

First, the authors suppose the same retail price in two periods for mathematic simplicity; second, they do not consider the discount factor for the revenue during the two periods.

Practical implications

This paper provides a guide to policymakers in terms of product pricing and supply rate.

Originality/value

First, the authors suppose the same retail price in two periods for mathematic simplicity; second, they do not consider the discount factor for the revenue during the two periods.
Inventory models for joint pricing and greening effort decisions with discounts
Authors: Raza Syed Asif , Faisal Mohd. Nishat
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to develop efficient decision support tools for a firm’s environment protection by using greening effort while yet improving profitability by utilizing pricing and inventory decisions with discount consideration.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposed a mathematical model for price- and greening effort-dependent demand rate with discount considerations. Later, the mathematical model is extended to the situation in which the demand rate is also dependent on the stock level, in addition to the price and greening effort. Efficient solution methodologies are developed for finding the optimal solution to the proposed models.

Findings

Simple yet elegant models are proposed to mimic real-life applications. Structural properties of the models are explored to outline efficient algorithms with quantity discounts.

Research limitations/implications

The paper considers monopoly and assumes deterministic demand. Only a more commonly observed all-units discount scheme is studied.

Practical implications

The models provide decision support tools for firms in pursuit of joint profit maximization and environment consciousness goals.

Social implications

The study develops environment-friendly approaches for inventory management and improving the profitability alike.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to consider environmental protection with an investment in greening effort along with inventory management and pricing decision. The study also explored the effect of all-unit quantity discounts.
Supply chain scheduling and routing in multi-site manufacturing system (case study: a drug manufacturing company)
Authors: Beheshtinia Mohammad Ali , Ghasemi Amir , Farokhnia Moein
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This study aims to propose a new genetic algorithm for solving supply chain scheduling and routing problem in a multi-site manufacturing system. The main research question is: How is the production and transportation scheduled in a multi-site manufacturer? Also the sub-questions are: How is the order assigned to the suppliers? What is the production sequence of the assigned orders to a supplier? How is the order assignment to the vehicles? What are the vehicles routes to convey the orders from the suppliers to the manufacturing centers? The authors’ contributions in this paper are: integration of production scheduling and vehicle routing in multi-site manufacturing supply chain and proposing a new genetic algorithm inspired from the role model concept in sociology.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering shared transportation system in production scheduling of a multi-site manufacturer is investigated in this paper. Initially, a mathematical model for the problem is presented. Afterwards, a new genetic algorithm based on the reference group concept in sociology, named Reference Group Genetic Algorithm (RGGA) is introduced for solving the problem. The comparison between RGGA and a developed algorithm of literature closest problem, demonstrates a better performance of RGGA. This comparison is drawn based on many test problems. Moreover, the superiority of RGGA is certificated by comparing it to the optimum solution in the small size problems. Finally, the authors use real data collected from a drug manufacturer in Iran to test the performance of the algorithm. The results show the better performance of RGGA in comparison with obtained outputs from the real case.

Findings

The authors presented the mathematical model of the problem and introduced a new genetic algorithm based on the “reference group” concept in sociology. Robert K. Merton is a sociologist who presented the concept of reference groups in society. He believed that some people in each society such as heroes or entertainment artists affect other people. The proposed algorithm uses the reference group concept to the genetic algorithm, namely, RGGA. The comparison of the proposed algorithm with DGA and the optimum solution shows the superiority of RGGA. Finally, the authors implement the algorithm in a real case of drug manufacturing and the results show that the authors’ algorithm gives better outputs than obtained outputs from the real case.

Originality/value

One of the major objectives of supply chains is to create a competitive advantage for the final product. This intension is only achieved when each and every element of the supply chain considers customers’ needs in every function of theirs. This paper studies scheduling in the supply chain of a multi-site manufacturing system. It is assumed that some suppliers produce raw material or initial parts and convey them by a fleet of vehicles to a multi-site manufacturer.
Wealth inequality as a predictor of HIV-related knowledge in Nigeria
Authors: Faust Lena , Yaya Sanni , Ekholuenetale Michael
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Considering the high state-level heterogeneity of HIV prevalence and socioeconomic characteristics in Nigeria, it is a relevant setting for studies into the socioeconomic correlates of HIV-related knowledge. Although the relationship between absolute poverty and HIV transmission has been studied, the role of wealthinequalityin the dynamics of the HIV epidemic has yet to be investigated in Nigeria. The current study, therefore, investigates wealth inequality and other sociodemographic covariates as predictors of HIV-related knowledge, in order to identify subgroups of the Nigerian population that would benefit from HIV preventive interventions.

Methods

This study used the nationally representative 2013 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). HIV-related knowledge was computed as a total score based on HIV-related knowledge indicators in the NDHS, dichotomised using the sample median as the cut-off. Wealth inequality and other relevant sociodemographic variables were introduced into a logistic regression model based on their significance in bivariate analyses. ORs derived from the model were interpreted to identify risk groups for low HIV-related knowledge after adjusting for confounding factors.

Results

The regression model indicated that individuals with lower literacy levels were almost twice as likely as literate respondents to have low HIV-related knowledge (adjusted OR (AOR): 1.95, 95% CI 1.85 to 2.05, P<0.001), and individuals in the upper wealth quintile were less than half as likely than those in the lower wealth quintile to have low HIV-related knowledge (AOR: 0.40, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.46, P<0.001). Women were also more than twice as likely as men to have low HIV-related knowledge at each level of wealth inequality. In addition, women were 80% less likely to have low mother-to-child transmission knowledge than men, but had over 1.5 times higher odds of having poor knowledge of HIV risk reduction measures. Ethnicity, religious affiliation, relationship status and residing in rural areas were additional significant predictors of HIV-related knowledge.

Conclusion

HIV-related knowledge in this sample is generally low among women, those with low literacy levels, the poor, the unemployed, those residing in rural areas, those with traditional religious beliefs and those living in states with the highest wealth inequality ratios. The identification of these risk groups for low HIV-related knowledge facilitates the implementation of future evidence-based interventions among these groups in order to potentially reduce HIV transmission.