bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Myopericytoma at the Craniocervical Junction: Clinicopathological Report and Review of a Rare Perivascular Neoplasm
Authors: Yang Jimmy C , Venteicher Andrew S , Koch Matthew J , Stapleton Christopher J , Friedman Gabriel N , Venteicher Emma M , Shin John H
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE

Myopericytoma is an emerging class of neoplasm originating from the perivascular myoid cellular environment, previously classified as a variant of hemangiopericytoma. Most reported myopericytomas are found in soft tissues of the extremities; however, infrequent cases are described involving the central nervous system. Intracranial myopericytoma remains rare. Here, we describe the first report of myopericytoma occurring at the cervicomedullary junction in close proximity to the vertebral artery, mimicking a vascular lesion.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 64-yr-old woman presented with radiating neck pain. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-circumscribed enhancing lesion adjacent to the vertebral artery-accessory nerve complex. She underwent a far lateral craniotomy and cervical laminectomy to obtain proximal vertebral artery control and adequate exposure of the lesion, which appeared most consistent with neoplasm at surgery. Histopathology revealed a grade I myopericytoma. A gross total resection was achieved, and the patient has no evidence of recurrence 3 yr after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Tumors of perivascular origin include hemangiopericytoma, glomus tumor, myofibroma, and myopericytoma and are uncommon lesions intracranially. Consideration of and distinction among these perivascular tumors is critically important, as they each have distinct clinical behaviors and management. Myopericytoma can mimic other neoplastic and cerebrovascular pathologies, but it most commonly has a benign course and can be surgically cured if a gross total resection can be achieved. Rarer myopericytoma variants that adopt a more malignant course have been described, and ongoing molecular studies may identify mutations or activated signaling pathways that can be targeted to offer chemotherapeutic options in the future.
Normative Data for the BTrackS Balance Test of Postural Sway: Results from 16,357 Community-Dwelling Individuals Who Were 5 to 100 Years Old
Authors: Goble Daniel J , Baweja Harsimran S
Published: May 2018

Background

Postural sway is routinely assessed because increased postural sway is associated with poorer performance of activities of daily living, higher rates of residential care, and increased risk of falling. Force plate technology is one of the most sensitive and objective means of assessing postural sway in the clinic.

Objective

The aim of this study was to provide the first set of normative data for the BTrackS Balance Test (BBT) of postural sway.

Design

The design was descriptive and population based.

Methods

BBT results from 16,357 community-dwelling individuals who were 5 to 100 years old were accumulated and assessed for effects of age, sex, height, and weight. Percentile rankings were calculated for significant groupings.

Results

BBT results were dependent on age and sex but not height or weight. Therefore, percentile rankings were determined for male and female individuals in each age category, with no consideration of participant height or weight.

Limitations

Data were collected by third-party practitioners with various backgrounds in more than 50 locations across the United States and Canada. There was an imbalance in the sample sizes for age and sex groupings.

Conclusions

The findings of this study represent the largest normative dataset ever published for postural sway results. Normative data on the BBT can assist in determining abnormalities in postural sway, which have been linked to negative clinical outcomes.
Effect of Formulations of Allyl Isothiocyanate on Survival of Macrophomina phaseolina from Strawberry
Authors: Baggio Juliana S. , Chamorro Manuel , Cordova Leandro G. , Noling Joseph W. , Vallad Gary E. , Peres Natalia A.
Published: May 2018

Management of Macrophomina phaseolina, causal agent of charcoal rot in many crops worldwide, including strawberry, has become more challenging since the phase out of methyl bromide (MeBr). The search for a fumigant equally effective as MeBr to control soilborne pathogens has been extensive. Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a biofumigant recently registered in the United States, was evaluated at different rates, formulations, fumigant combinations, and application methods in the fall of 2014 and 2015 at two research facilities in Balm and Dover, FL. The efficacy of treatments was determined by evaluating the survival of M. phaseolina inoculum on infested corn-cob litter buried in bags 7.6 and 20.3 cm deep in the center, and 7.6 cm deep in the side, of plastic mulched raised beds. The biofumigant was shown to be more or as effective in reducing populations of M. phaseolina in the soil compared with standard fumigants, such as chloropicrin and 1,3-dichloropropene with chloropicrin. Thus, AITC is a promising biofumigant alternative for managing charcoal rot of strawberry, particularly in organic production systems, and should be evaluated for the management of other soilborne pathogens.
Identification and Characterization of Fungal Pathogens Causing Fruit Rot of Deciduous Holly
Authors: Lin Shan , Taylor Nancy J. , Peduto Hand Francesca
Published: May 2018

Cut branches of deciduous holly (Ilex spp. L.) harboring colorful berries are traditionally used as ornaments in holiday decorations. Since 2012, a fruit rot of unspecified cause has resulted in significant yield reduction and economic losses across Midwestern and Eastern U.S. nurseries. In this study, symptomatic fruit samples collected from nine different locations over five years were analyzed, and several fungal species were isolated. A combination of morphological characterization, multilocus phylogenetic analyses, and pathogenicity assays revealed that Alternaria alternata and Diaporthe ilicicola sp. nov. were the primary pathogens associated with symptomatic fruit. Other fungi including A. arborescens, Colletotrichum fioriniae, C. nymphaeae, Epicoccum nigrum, and species in the D. eres species complex appeared to be minor pathogens in this disease complex. In detached fruit pathogenicity assays testing the role of wounding and inoculum concentration on disease development, disease incidence and severity increased when fruit was wounded and inoculated with a higher inoculum concentration. These findings indicate that management strategies that can protect fruit from injury or reduce inoculum may lower disease levels in the field. This research established the basis for further studies on this emerging disease and the design of research-based management strategies. To our knowledge, it also represents the first report of species of Alternaria, Colletotrichum, Diaporthe, and Epicoccum causing fruit rot of deciduous holly.
RAVL1 Activates Brassinosteroids and Ethylene Signaling to Modulate Response to Sheath Blight Disease in Rice
Authors: Yuan De Peng , Zhang Chong , Wang Zi Yuan , Zhu Xiao Feng , Xuan Yuan Hu
Published: May 2018

Rhizoctonia solani causes sheath blight disease in rice; however, the defense mechanism of rice plants against R. solani remains elusive. To analyze the roles of brassinosteroid (BR) and ethylene signaling on rice defense to R. solani, wild-type (WT) rice and several mutants and overexpressing (OX) lines were inoculated with R. solani. Mutants d61-1 and d2 were less susceptible to sheath blight disease, bri1-D was more susceptible, and ravl1 and d61-1/EIL1 Ri5 were similarly susceptible compared with WT. The double mutant ravl1/d61-1 was phenotypically similar to the ravl1 mutant. Transcriptome analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and transient assays indicted that RAVL1 might directly activate Ethylene insensitive 3-like 1 (EIL1), a master regulator of ethylene signaling. Mutants ers1 and d61-1/RAVL1 OX were resistant to sheath blight disease, whereas EIL1 RNAi mutants and RAVL1 OX were more susceptible than WT. BRI1 and D2 expression in EIL1 Ri5/RAVL1 OX and EIL1 expression in d61-1/RAVL1 OX indicated that RAVL1 activates BRI1/D2 and EIL1, respectively, independent of BR and ethylene signaling. Our analyses provide information on how BR and ethylene signaling regulate sheath blight disease and on the regulatory function of RAVL1 in rice sheath blight disease.
Respiratory Muscle Effort during Expiration in Successful and Failed Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation
Authors: Doorduin Jonne , Roesthuis Lisanne H. , Jansen Diana , van der Hoeven Johannes G. , van Hees Hieronymus W. H. , Heunks Leo M. A.
Published: May 2018

What We Already Know about This Topic

What This Article Tells Us That Is New

Background

Respiratory muscle weakness in critically ill patients is associated with difficulty in weaning from mechanical ventilation. Previous studies have mainly focused on inspiratory muscle activity during weaning; expiratory muscle activity is less well understood. The current study describes expiratory muscle activity during weaning, including tonic diaphragm activity. The authors hypothesized that expiratory muscle effort is greater in patients who fail to wean compared to those who wean successfully.

Methods

Twenty adult patients receiving mechanical ventilation (more than 72 h) performed a spontaneous breathing trial. Tidal volume, transdiaphragmatic pressure, diaphragm electrical activity, and diaphragm neuromechanical efficiency were calculated on a breath-by-breath basis. Inspiratory (and expiratory) muscle efforts were calculated as the inspiratory esophageal (and expiratory gastric) pressure–time products, respectively.

Results

Nine patients failed weaning. The contribution of the expiratory muscles to total respiratory muscle effort increased in the “failure” group from 13 ± 9% at onset to 24 ± 10% at the end of the breathing trial (P = 0.047); there was no increase in the “success” group. Diaphragm electrical activity (expressed as the percentage of inspiratory peak) was low at end expiration (failure, 3 ± 2%; success, 4 ± 6%) and equal between groups during the entire expiratory phase (P = 0.407). Diaphragm neuromechanical efficiency was lower in the failure versus success groups (0.38 ± 0.16 vs. 0.71 ± 0.36 cm H2O/μV; P = 0.054).

Conclusions

Weaning failure (vs. success) is associated with increased effort of the expiratory muscles and impaired neuromechanical efficiency of the diaphragm but no difference in tonic activity of the diaphragm.
Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 as a Predictor of Coronary Atherosclerosis in Patients Receiving Coronary Angiography
Authors: Mahler Simon A. , Register Thomas C. , Riley Robert F. , D’Agostino Ralph B. , Stopyra Jason P. , Miller Chadwick D.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Animal studies suggest that monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a promising biomarker for coronary artery atherosclerosis (CAA), but human studies have been inconclusive.

Objective:

To determine potential relationships between plasma MCP-1 and CAA in patients with acute chest pain.

Methods:

A secondary analysis of 150 patients enrolled in emergency department chest pain risk stratification clinical investigations was conducted. Participants with stored blood and known coronary phenotypes (determined by coronary angiography) were selected using stratified randomization such that 50 patients were included into 3 groups: (1) no angiographic evidence of CAA, (2) nonobstructive CAA, and (3) obstructive CAA (stenosis ≥ 70%). Plasma MCP-1 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The association between MCP-1 and obstructive CAA or any CAA was modeled using logistic regression. Variables in the unreduced model included age, sex, race, prior diagnosis of CAA or acute coronary syndrome, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and cardiac troponin I measurement.

Results:

Among the 150 participants, 65.3% (98/150) had invasive coronary angiography and 34.7% (52/150) had coronary computed tomographic angiography. Myocardial infarction occurred in 27.3% (41/150) and coronary revascularization occurred in 26% (39/150) of the participants. Each 10 pg/mL increase in MCP-1 measurement was associated with an odds ratio of 1.12 (95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.19) for obstructive CAA. MCP-1 remained a significant predictor of obstructive CAA and any CAA after adjustment for age, sex, race, traditional cardiac risk factors, and cardiac troponin I.

Conclusions:

MCP-1 is independently associated with CAA among emergency department patients with chest pain.
Angiography-guided Multivessel Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Versus Ischemia-guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Versus Medical Therapy in the Management of Significant Disease in Non–Infarct-related Arteries in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients With Multivessel Coronary Disease
Authors: Perera Dhanuka , Crake Tom , Lee Victor
Published: May 2018

Background:

In ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with multivessel (MV) disease, after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), emerging evidence suggests that significant disease in non–infarct-related coronary arteries (IRAs) should be routinely stented. Whether this procedure should be guided by angiography alone or ischemia testing is unclear.

Methods:

All STEMI patients treated with primary PCI between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2012, at a tertiary cardiology center were reviewed retrospectively. Inclusion criterion is patients with at least 70% stenosis in non-IRAs. There were 3 treatment groups: (1) angiography-guided MV-PCI, (2) ischemia-guided PCI, and (3) medical therapy. Primary endpoint is all-cause mortality, and secondary end point is major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including death, acute coronary syndrome, revascularization, or stent thrombosis. Event-free survivals were compared using multivariate Cox proportional-hazards analysis. A propensity score–adjusted analysis was performed.

Results:

Four hundred forty-seven STEMI patients had >70% stenosis in non-IRAs. For all-cause mortality, the 3 strategies did not differ. For MACE, ischemia-guided PCI was associated with the lowest MACE rate, followed by angiography-guided PCI and medical therapy, which was associated with the highest MACE rate, driven by death and myocardial infarction. Hazard ratios (HRs) for MACE: angiography-guided MV-PCI versus ischemia-guided MV-PCI: HR = 2.23 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11–4.48; P = 0.023]; medical therapy versus angiography-guided MV-PCI: HR = 1.58 (95% CI, 0.99–2.63; P = 0.062); medical therapy versus ischemia-guided MV-PCI: HR = 1.72 (95% CI, 1.08–2.74; P = 0.022). Propensity score–adjusted analysis yielded similar results.

Conclusions:

After primary PCI, complete revascularization in STEMI multivessel disease is associated with lower MACE rates than medical therapy. However, ischemia-testing–guided rather than angiography-guided revascularization was associated with the lowest MACE. This study provides preliminary data and hypotheses for future randomized controlled studies.
The Impact of a Change in the Price of VA Health Care on Utilization of VA and Medicare Services
Authors: Nelson Richard E. , Hicken Bret , Vanneman Megan , Liu Chuan-Fen , Rupper Randall
Published: May 2018

Introduction:

The passage of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 has expanded the non-Veteran Affairs (VA) care options for eligible US Veterans. In order for these new arrangements to provide the best care possible for Veterans, it is important to understand the relationship between VA and non-VA care options. The purpose of this study was to use another recent VA policy change, one that increased the reimbursement rate that eligible Veterans receive for travel for health care to VA, to understand the use of VA and Medicare services among Medicare-enrolled Veterans.

Methods:

We used a difference-in-difference technique to compare inpatient and outpatient utilization and cost in VA and Medicare between Veterans who were eligible for travel reimbursement and those who were not eligible following 2 increases in the travel reimbursement rate. We used generalized estimating equation models and 2-part models when cost outcomes were rare.

Results:

Our cohort consisted of 110,007 Medicare-enrolled Veterans, including 25,076 under 65 and 84,931 over 65 years old. Following the travel reimbursement rate increases, the number of VA outpatient encounters increased for Veterans in our cohort regardless of age group or whether living in an urban or rural area. The number of non-VA outpatient encounters decreased significantly for Veterans in both age groups living in rural areas following these policy changes.

Conclusions:

Our estimates suggest that VA outpatient care may be a substitute for Medicare outpatient care for Medicare-enrolled Veterans living in rural areas. These results are important because they indicate how Veteran health care utilization might be affected by future policy changes designed to increase access to VA services. They also indicate the ripple effects that may occur in other health systems due to changes in the VA system.
Examining Women Veteran’s Experiences, Perceptions, and Challenges With the Veterans Choice Program
Authors: Mattocks Kristin M. , Yano Elizabeth M. , Brown Amber , Casares Jose , Bastian Lori
Published: May 2018

Background:

The Veterans Choice Program (VCP) was launched in 2014 to address the growing concerns about the timeliness and quality of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) care. Given that many sex-specific health services, such as mammography and maternity care, are not routinely provided in all VHA facilities, women Veterans may disproportionately rely on VCP care. Understanding the provision and coordination of VCP care is crucial in order to ensure that care is not fragmented across the 2 health care systems.

Objectives:

The main objective of this study was to understand women Veterans’ experiences, perceptions, and challenges with VCP care.

Design:

This study was a semistructured interview with 148 women at 13 VHA facilities nationwide.

Results:

Four major themes emerged: (1) eligibility information for the VCP was limited and confusing; (2) women experienced difficulty scheduling VCP appointments; (3) VCP care results were not shared with women Veterans or their VHA providers in a timely manner; and (4) concerns with unpaid VCP bills were common.

Conclusions:

Our study highlights challenges women experienced with VCP care, and the need for improved care coordination. An ideal care coordination system would be the one in which all Veterans’ non-Veteran Affairs care, including scheduling, follow-up, communication with community providers, coordination of services, and transition back to Veteran Affairs care is ensured.
Teaching mental health first aid in the school setting: a novel approach to improving outcomes for common adolescent mental disorders
Authors: Hart Laura M. , Cox Georgina R. , Lees Lucy
Published: May 2018

Purpose of review

Common adolescent mental disorders, such as depression, often go untreated and severely impact health and educational outcomes. The purpose of this review is to describe what is currently known about school-based mental health interventions and to describe a new intervention, Mental Health First Aid training.

Recent findings

Universal and selective prevention and treatment programmes have been widely evaluated, though population-level dissemination remains elusive. A novel approach is to train adolescents in how to recognise early signs of mental disorder onset, decrease stigmatising beliefs and barriers to help-seeking, and to use appropriate first aid strategies for assisting peers in mental health crisis, such as those with depression and suicidal ideation.

Teaching adolescents the skills necessary to recognise and respond to mental health problems and mental health crises may provide life-long skills that prompt lower stigmatising beliefs, greater support of peers and appropriate, timely help-seeking.
Genetics of pubertal timing
Authors: Zhu Jia , Kusa Temitope O. , Chan Yee-Ming
Published: May 2018

Purpose of review

To summarize advances in the genetics underlying variation in normal pubertal timing, precocious puberty, and delayed puberty, and to discuss mechanisms by which genes may regulate pubertal timing.

Recent findings

Genome-wide association studies have identified hundreds of loci that affect pubertal timing in the general population in both sexes and across ethnic groups. Single genes have been implicated in both precocious and delayed puberty. Potential mechanisms for how these genetic loci influence pubertal timing may include effects on the development and function of the GnRH neuronal network and the responsiveness of end-organs.

There has been significant progress in identifying genetic loci that affect normal pubertal timing, and the first single-gene causes of precocious and delayed puberty are being described. How these genes influence pubertal timing remains to be determined.
A Pilot Study to Reduce Computed Tomography Utilization for Pediatric Mild Head Injury in the Emergency Department Using a Clinical Decision Support Tool and a Structured Parent Discussion Tool
Authors: Engineer Rakesh S. , Podolsky Seth R. , Fertel Baruch S. , Grover Purva , Jimenez Heather , Simon Erin L. , Smalley Courtney M.
Published: May 2018

Introduction

The American College of Emergency Physicians embarked on the “Choosing Wisely” campaign to avoid computed tomographic (CT) scans in patients with minor head injury who are at low risk based on validated decision rules. We hypothesized that a Pediatric Mild Head Injury Care Path could be developed and implemented to reduce inappropriate CT utilization with support of a clinical decision support tool (CDST) and a structured parent discussion tool.

Methods

A quality improvement project was initiated for 9 weeks to reduce inappropriate CT utilization through 5 interventions: (1) engagement of leadership, (2) provider education, (3) incorporation of a parent discussion tool to guide discussion during the emergency department (ED) visit between the parent and the provider, (4) CDST embedded in the electronic medical record, and (5) importation of data into the note to drive compliance. Patients prospectively were enrolled when providers at a pediatric and a freestanding ED entered data into the CDST for decision making. Rate of care path utilization and head CT reduction was determined for all patients with minor head injury based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Targets for care path utilization and head CT reduction were established a priori. Results were compared with baseline data collected from 2013.

Results

The CDST was used in 176 (77.5%) of 227 eligible patients. Twelve patients were excluded based on a priori criteria. Adherence to recommendations occurred in 162 (99%) of 164 patients. Head CT utilization was reduced from 62.7% to 22% (odds ratio, 0.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.12–0.24) where CDST was used by the provider. There were no missed traumatic brain injuries in our study group.

Conclusion

A Pediatric Mild Head Injury Care Path can be implemented in a pediatric and freestanding ED, resulting in reduced head CT utilization and high levels of adherence to CDST recommendations.
Incubation behaviours of oviraptorosaur dinosaurs in relation to body size
Authors: Tanaka Kohei , Zelenitsky Darla K. , Lü Junchang , DeBuhr Christopher L. , Yi Laiping , Jia Songhai , Ding Fang , Xia Mengli , Liu Di , Shen Caizhi , Chen Rongjun
Published: May 2018

Most birds sit on their eggs during incubation, a behaviour that likely evolved among non-avian dinosaurs. Several ‘brooding' specimens of smaller species of oviraptorosaurs and troodontids reveal these non-avian theropods sat on their eggs, although little is known of incubation behaviour in larger theropod species. Here we examine egg clutches over a large body size range of oviraptorosaurs in order to understand the potential effect of body size on incubation behaviour. Eggshell porosity indicates that the eggs of all oviraptorosaurs were exposed in the nest, similar to brooding birds. Although all oviraptorosaur clutches consist of radially arranged eggs in a ring configuration, clutch morphology varies in that the central opening is small or absent in the smallest species, becomes significantly larger in larger species, and occupies most of the nest area in giant species. Our results suggest that the smallest oviraptorosaurs probably sat directly on the eggs, whereas with increasing body size more weight was likely carried by the central opening, reducing or eliminating the load on the eggs and still potentially allowing for some contact during incubation in giant species. This adaptation, not seen in birds, appears to remove the body size constraints of incubation behaviour in giant oviraptorosaurs.
Schlieren photography on freely flying hawkmoth
Authors: Liu Yun , Roll Jesse , Van Kooten Stephen , Deng Xinyan
Published: May 2018

The aerodynamic force on flying insects results from the vortical flow structures that vary both spatially and temporally throughout flight. Due to these complexities and the inherent difficulties in studying flying insects in a natural setting, a complete picture of the vortical flow has been difficult to obtain experimentally. In this paper,
Schlieren
, a widely used technique for highspeed flow visualization, was adapted to capture the vortex structures around freely flying hawkmoth (
Manduca
). Flow features such as leading-edge vortex, trailing-edge vortex, as well as the full vortex system in the wake were visualized directly. Quantification of the flow from the
Schlieren
images was then obtained by applying a physics-based optical flow method, extending the potential applications of the method to further studies of flying insects.
Insights into the regulatory function of the
ɛ
subunit from bacterial F-type ATP synthases: a comparison of structural, biochemical and biophysical data
Authors: Krah Alexander , Zarco-Zavala Mariel , McMillan Duncan G. G.
Published: May 2018

ATP synthases catalyse the formation of ATP, the most common chemical energy storage unit found in living cells. These enzymes are driven by an electrochemical ion gradient, which allows the catalytic evolution of ATP by a binding change mechanism. Most ATP synthases are capable of catalysing ATP hydrolysis to varying degrees, and to prevent wasteful ATP hydrolysis, bacteria and mitochondria have regulatory mechanisms such as ADP inhibition. Additionally,
ɛ
subunit inhibition has also been described in three bacterial systems,
Escherichia coli
,
Bacillus
PS3 and
Caldalkalibacillus thermarum
TA2.A1. Previous studies suggest that the
ɛ
subunit is capable of undergoing an ATP-dependent conformational change from the ATP hydrolytic inhibitory ‘extended’ conformation to the ATP-induced non-inhibitory ‘hairpin’ conformation. A recently published crystal structure of the F
1
domain of the
C. thermarum
TA2.A1 F
1
F
o
ATP synthase revealed a mutant
ɛ
subunit lacking the ability to bind ATP in a hairpin conformation. This is a surprising observation considering it is an organism that performs no ATP hydrolysis
in vivo
, and appears to challenge the current dogma on the regulatory role of the
ɛ
subunit. This has prompted a re-examination of present knowledge of the
ɛ
subunits role in different organisms. Here, we compare published biochemical, biophysical and structural data involving
ɛ
subunit-mediated ATP hydrolysis regulation in a variety of organisms, concluding that the
ɛ
subunit from the bacterial F-type ATP synthases is indeed capable of regulating ATP hydrolysis activity in a wide variety of bacteria, making it a potentially valuable drug target, but its exact role is still under debate.
Targeting BCL-2 regulated apoptosis in cancer
Authors: Campbell Kirsteen J. , Tait Stephen W. G.
Published: May 2018

The ability of a cell to undergo mitochondrial apoptosis is governed by pro- and anti-apoptotic members of the BCL-2 protein family. The equilibrium of pro- versus anti-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins ensures appropriate regulation of programmed cell death during development and maintains organismal health. When unbalanced, the BCL-2 family can act as a barrier to apoptosis and facilitate tumour development and resistance to cancer therapy. Here we discuss the BCL-2 family, their deregulation in cancer and recent pharmaceutical developments to target specific members of this family as cancer therapy.
Numerical and experimental study of pyrophoric activated metal Mg surface combustion characteristics
Authors: Huang Hesong , Tong Zhongxiang , Wang Chaozhe , Wang Biao
Published: May 2018

The combustion of multi-hole pyrophoric activated metal is solid combustion and the combustion mechanism is quite complex, which is a difficult problem to be solved. Once the pyrophoric activated metal is exposed to air, the oxygen diffuses to the interior of the activated metal within plenty of holes and reacts with it, which enlarges the contact area with oxygen. Consequently, the whole combustion is vigorous and the temperature rises rapidly. To study the combustion mechanism of the chaff, the surface heat balance equation is established in this work by taking Mg as the activated metal. To solve this equation, the chaff adiabatic wall temperature distribution is computed by computational fluid dynamics in the presence of high-speed airflow. Then, the chaff surface temperature distribution is obtained by solving the heat balance equations. Finally, numerical and experimental results obtained via an infrared thermal imager are compared to demonstrate the effectiveness of the established equation.
Non-coaxiality of sand under bi-directional shear loading
Authors: Li Yao , Yang Yunming
Published: May 2018

This study aims to investigate the effect of consolidation shear stress magnitude on the shear behaviour and non-coaxiality of soils. In previous drained bi-directional simple shear test on Leighton Buzzard sand, it is showed that the level of non-coaxiality, which is indicated by the angle difference between the principal axes of stresses and the corresponding principal axes of strain rate tensors, is increased by increasing angle difference between the direction of consolidation shear stress and secondary shearing. This paper further investigated the relation and includes results with higher consolidation shear stresses. Results agree with the previous relation, and further showed that increasing consolidation shear stresses decreased the level of non-coaxiality in tests with angle difference between 0° and 90°, and increased the level of non-coaxiality in tests with angle difference between 90° and 180°.
Noisy anthropogenic infrastructure interferes with alarm responses in Savannah sparrows (
Passerculus sandwichensis
)
Authors: Antze Bridget , Koper Nicola
Published: May 2018

Many birds rely on anti-predator communication to protect their nests; however, anthropogenic noise from industrial activities such as oil and gas development may disrupt acoustic communication. Here, we conducted acoustic playback experiments to determine whether Savannah sparrows (
Passerculus sandwichensis
) responded to conspecific alarm calls by delaying feeding visits, and whether this response was impaired by noise-producing natural gas compressor stations, generator- or grid-powered screw pump oil wells, and noise amplitude. We played alarm calls, and, as a control, western meadowlark songs, to Savannah sparrows as they approached their nests to feed their nestlings, and measured feeding latency. The greatest impacts on behaviour were detected at the noisiest treatment, compressor stations; feeding latency was shortened here compared with control sites, which may expose nests to greater predation risk. As noise amplitudes increased, Savannah sparrows took longer to feed following meadowlark playbacks, perhaps because noise interfered with interpretation of acoustic cues. The effects of compressor stations on anti-predator behaviour may be best explained by the distracting effects of anthropogenic noise, while increases in feeding latency following meadowlark playbacks may be explained by a heightened response threshold caused by acoustic masking. Industrial infrastructure can influence the reproductive success of wildlife through its impact on perception and interpretation of conspecific signals, but these effects are complex.
Cleaning of graphene surfaces by low-pressure air plasma
Authors: Pham Phuong Viet
Published: May 2018

The polymer residues still present on a chemical vapour-deposited graphene surface after its wet transfer by the poly(methyl methacrylate) method to the arbitrary substrates, tend to cause problems such as electrical degradation and unwanted intentional doping. In this study, by using an effective cleaning method for the graphene surface by air-assisted plasma, the graphene surface was cleaned significantly without damaging the graphene network, which resulted in the reduction (approx. 71.11%) of polymer residues on its surface. The analysis reveals that this approach reduced the D-band (impurities, polymer residues) formation while maintaining the π-bonding of the graphene, which affects conductivity. By characterizations of the optical microscope, Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy, we obtained a significantly cleaner graphene surface (roughness of 4.1 nm) compared to pristine graphene (roughness of 1.2 nm) on a SiO
2
substrate. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data revealed that the C1s peak of the air-assisted graphene film was higher than the one of a pristine graphene film, indicating that a cleaner graphene surface was obtained.
A new Miocene pinnipedAllodesmus(Mammalia: Carnivora) from Hokkaido, northern Japan
Authors: Tonomori Wataru , Sawamura Hiroshi , Sato Tamaki , Kohno Naoki
Published: May 2018

A nearly complete pinniped skeleton from the middle Miocene Okoppezawa Formation (ca16.3–13.9 Ma), Hokkaido, northern Japan, is described as the holotype ofAllodesmus uraiporensissp. nov. The new species is distinguishable from other species of the genus by having the palatine fissure (incisive foramen) that is located anterior to the canine, an anteriorly located supraorbital process of the frontal, and by having the calcaneum with a developed peroneal tubercle. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests that the subfamily Allodesminae are represented by two genera,AtopotarusandAllodesmus, and the latter genus is represented by at least six species;Al.kernensis,Al.sinanoensis,Al.naorai,Al.packardi, Al. demereiandAl. uraiporensissp. nov.Allodesmus uraiporensissp. nov. is one of the oldest and the northernmost record of the genus in the western North Pacific, and it suggests that the diversification of the genus in the western North Pacific was synchronous to the time of their diversification in the eastern North Pacific.
Power packet transferability via symbol propagation matrix
Authors: Nawata Shinya , Maki Atsuto , Hikihara Takashi
Published: May 2018

A power packet is a unit of electric power composed of a power pulse and an information tag. In Shannon’s information theory, messages are represented by symbol sequences in a digitized manner. Referring to this formulation, we define symbols in power packetization as a minimum unit of power transferred by a tagged pulse. Here, power is digitized and quantized. In this paper, we consider packetized power in networks for a finite duration, giving symbols and their energies to the networks. A network structure is defined using a graph whose nodes represent routers, sources and destinations. First, we introduce the concept of a symbol propagation matrix (SPM) in which symbols are transferred at links during unit times. Packetized power is described as a network flow in a spatio-temporal structure. Then, we study the problem of selecting an SPM in terms of transferability, that is, the possibility to represent given energies at sources and destinations during the finite duration. To select an SPM, we consider a network flow problem of packetized power. The problem is formulated as an M-convex submodular flow problem which is a solvable generalization of the minimum cost flow problem. Finally, through examples, we verify that this formulation provides reasonable packetized power.
Horizontally isotropic bidispersive thermal convection
Authors: Straughan B.
Published: May 2018

A bidispersive porous material is one which has usual pores but additionally contains a system of micro pores due to cracks or fissures in the solid skeleton. We present general equations for thermal convection in a bidispersive porous medium when the permeabilities, interaction coefficient and thermal conductivity are anisotropic but symmetric tensors. In this case, we show exchange of stabilities holds and fluid movement will commence via stationary convection, and additionally we show the global nonlinear stability threshold is the same as the linear instability one. Attention is then focused on the case where the interaction coefficient and thermal conductivity are isotropic, and the permeability is isotropic in the horizontal directions, although the permeability in the vertical direction is different. The nonlinear stability threshold is calculated in this case and numerical results are presented and discussed in detail.
Explicit backbone curves from spectral submanifolds of forced-damped nonlinear mechanical systems
Authors: Breunung Thomas , Haller George
Published: May 2018

Spectral submanifolds (SSMs) have recently been shown to provide exact and unique reduced-order models for nonlinear unforced mechanical vibrations. Here, we extend these results to periodically or quasi-periodically forced mechanical systems, obtaining analytic expressions for forced responses and backbone curves on modal (i.e. two dimensional) time-dependent SSMs. A judicious choice of the parametrization of these SSMs allows us to simplify the reduced dynamics considerably. We demonstrate our analytical formulae on three numerical examples and compare them to results obtained from available normal-form methods.
Resolving the phylogenetic position of Darwin's extinct ground sloth (
Mylodon darwinii
) using mitogenomic and nuclear exon data
Authors: Delsuc Frédéric , Kuch Melanie , Gibb Gillian C. , Hughes Jonathan , Szpak Paul , Southon John , Enk Jacob , Duggan Ana T. , Poinar Hendrik N.
Published: May 2018

Mylodon darwinii
is the extinct giant ground sloth named after Charles Darwin, who first collected its remains in South America. We have successfully obtained a high-quality mitochondrial genome at 99-fold coverage using an Illumina shotgun sequencing of a 12 880-year-old bone fragment from Mylodon Cave in Chile. Low level of DNA damage showed that this sample was exceptionally well preserved for an ancient subfossil, probably the result of the dry and cold conditions prevailing within the cave. Accordingly, taxonomic assessment of our shotgun metagenomic data showed a very high percentage of endogenous DNA with 22% of the assembled metagenomic contigs assigned to Xenarthra. Additionally, we enriched over 15 kb of sequence data from seven nuclear exons, using target sequence capture designed against a wide xenarthran dataset. Phylogenetic and dating analyses of the mitogenomic dataset including all extant species of xenarthrans and the assembled nuclear supermatrix unambiguously place
Mylodon darwinii
as the sister-group of modern two-fingered sloths, from which it diverged around 22 million years ago. These congruent results from both the mitochondrial and nuclear data support the diphyly of the two modern sloth lineages, implying the convergent evolution of their unique suspensory behaviour as an adaption to arboreality. Our results offer promising perspectives for whole-genome sequencing of this emblematic extinct taxon.
Testing the heat dissipation limit theory in a breeding passerine
Authors: Nilsson Jan-Åke , Nord Andreas
Published: May 2018

The maximum work rate of animals has recently been suggested to be determined by the rate at which excess metabolic heat generated during work can be dissipated (heat dissipation limitation (HDL) theory). As a first step towards testing this theory in wild animals, we experimentally manipulated brood size in breeding marsh tits (Poecile palustris) to change their work rate. Parents feeding nestlings generally operated at above-normal body temperatures. Body temperature in both males and females increased with maximum ambient temperature and with manipulated work rate, sometimes even exceeding 45°C, which is close to suggested lethal levels for birds. Such high body temperatures have previously only been described for birds living in hot and arid regions. Thus, reproductive effort in marsh tits may potentially be limited by the rate of heat dissipation. Females had lower body temperatures, a possible consequence of their brood patch serving as a thermal window facilitating heat dissipation. Because increasing body temperatures are connected to somatic costs, we suggest that the HDL theory may constitute a possible mediator of the trade-off between current and future reproduction. It follows that globally increasing, more stochastic, ambient temperatures may restrict the capacity for sustained work of animals in the future.
A Ca2+-regulated deAMPylation switch in human and bacterial FIC proteins
Authors: Veyron Simon , Oliva Giulia , Rolando Monica , Buchrieser Carmen , Peyroche Gérald , Cherfils Jacqueline
Published: May 2018

FIC proteins regulate molecular processes from bacteria to humans by catalyzing post-translational modifications (PTM), the most frequent being the addition of AMP using ATP as a cofactor, a reaction coined AMPylation. In a large group of AMPylating FIC proteins, which includes single-domain bacterial FIC proteins and animal FICD/HYPE, AMPylation is intrinsically repressed by a structurally conserved glutamate. Curiously, FICD departs from previously characterized bacterial FIC proteins in that it acts bifunctionally to AMPylate and deAMPylate its target, the endoplasmic reticulum BiP/GRP78 chaperone. BiP is a key component of the unfolded protein response (UPR), and is AMPylated under normal conditions where its activity is low, while its activation correlates with its deAMPylation. Currently, a direct signal regulating AMPylation efficiency in bacterial and animal FIC proteins has not been identified. Here, we addressed this question for a FIC protein from the bacterial pathogen Enterococcus faecalis (EfFIC) and for human FICD. We discover that EfFIC catalyzes both AMPylation and deAMPylation within the same active site, suggesting that the conserved glutamate is the signature of AMPylation/deAMPylation bifunctionality. Crystal structures and PTM assays identify a multi-position metal switch implemented by the glutamate, whereby EfFIC uses Mg2+ and Ca2+ to control AMPylation and deAMPylation differentially without conformational change. Remarkably, we find that variations in Ca2+ levels also tune deAMPylation of BiP by human FICD. Together, our results identify metals as diffusible signals that can regulate bifunctional FIC proteins directly, and they suggest that FICD has features of an enzymatic sensor of Ca2+ depletion, a hallmark of the UPR.
Win-concurrent sensory cues can promote riskier choice
Authors: Cherkasova Mariya V. , Clark Luke , Barton Jason J.S. , Schulzer Michael , Shafiee Mahsa , Kingstone Alan , Stoessl A. Jon , Winstanley Catharine A.
Published: May 2018

Reward-related stimuli can potently influence behaviour; for example, exposure to drug-paired cues can trigger drug use and relapse in people with addictions. Psychological mechanisms that generate such outcomes likely include cue-induced cravings and attentional biases. Recent animal data suggest another candidate mechanism: reward-paired cues can enhance risky decision making, yet whether this translates to humans is unknown. Here, we examined whether sensory reward-paired cues alter decision making under uncertainty and risk, as measured respectively by the Iowa Gambling Task and a two-choice lottery task. In the cued version of both tasks, gain feedback was augmented with reward-concurrent audiovisual stimuli. Healthy human volunteers (53 males, 78 females) performed each task once, one with and the other without cues (cued IGT/uncued VGT: n = 63; uncued IGT/cued VGT: n = 68), with concurrent eye-tracking. Reward-paired cues did not affect choice on the Iowa Gambling Task. On the two-choice lottery task, the cued group displayed riskier choice and reduced sensitivity to probability information. The cued condition was associated with reduced eye fixations on probability information shown on the screen and greater pupil dilation related to decision and reward anticipation. This pupil effect was unrelated to the risk-promoting effects of cues: the degree of pupil dilation for risky versus risk-averse choices did not differ as a function of cues. Taken together, our data show that sensory reward cues can promote riskier decisions and have additional and distinct effects on arousal.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT:

Animal data suggest that reward-paired cues can promote maladaptive reward-seeking by biasing cost-benefit decision making. Whether this finding translates to humans is unknown. We examined the effects of salient reward-paired audio-visual cues on decision making under risk and uncertainty in human volunteers. Cues had risk-promoting effects on a risky choice task and independently increased task-related arousal as measured by pupil dilation. By demonstrating risk-promoting effects of cues in human participants, our data identify a mechanism whereby cue reactivity could translate into maladaptive behavioural outcomes in people with addictions.
GRIMM: GRaph IMputation and Matching for HLA Genotypes
Authors: Maiers Martin , Halagan Michael , Gragert Loren , Bashyal Pradeep , Schneider Joel , Lutsker Polina , Louzoun Yoram
Published: May 2018

Motivation: For over 10 years allele-level HLA matching for bone marrow registries has been performed in a probabilistic context. HLA typing technologies provide ambiguous results in that they could not distinguish among all known HLA allele sequences, therefore registries have implemented matching algorithms that provide lists of donor and cord blood units ordered in terms of the likelihood of allele-level matching at specific HLA loci. With the growth of registry sizes, current match algorithm implementations are unable to provide match results in real time.

Results: We present here novel computationally-efficient open source implementation of an HLA imputation and match algorithm using a graph database platform. Using graph traversal, our algorithm runtime grows slowly with registry size. This implementation generates results that agree with consensus output on a publicly-available match algorithm crossvalidation dataset.

Availability: The Python, Perl and Neo4jJcode is available at https://git.com/nmdp-bioinformatics/grimm

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.