bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolated Neurofibroma of the Orbit: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Braich Puneet S. , Donaldson Jared C. , Bajaj Gurtej S. , Bearden William H.
Published: June 2017

Purpose:

To summarize the clinical, radiographic, and intraoperative characteristics of isolated neurofibromas of the orbit (INFO) in the literature and report a case of INFO.

Methods:

Case report and a systematic review of the literature.

Results:

A total of 45 patients were identified from 18 previous studies. There was no sex predilection and mean ages were between 32.3 and 40.0 years with a standard deviation of 9.8 to 19.5 years, median age was 32 to 38 years with a range of 1.5 to 82 years. On CT imaging, INFO reveals homogeneous precontrast radiodensity similar to that of extraocular muscles. On MR imaging, INFO appears hypointense to orbital fat and isointense to brain on precontrast T1-weighted images. On T2-weighted images, they have been described as being predominantly hyperintense with possible hypointense intralesional islands. To the best of our knowledge, our case identifies the youngest patient with the myxoid histologic variant of INFO.

Conclusions:

Patients with orbital neurofibromas should be evaluated for the presence of systemic neurofibromatosis, and the plexiform variant is a commonly associated subtype. The myxoid variant can be part of a lesser known condition called NAME syndrome (nevi, atrial myxoma, myxoid neurofibroma, and ephelides) which may warrant echocardiography in patients to evaluate for associated cardiac tumors.
Teenagers’ Awareness of Peers’ Substance and Drug Use in Kuwait
Authors: Omu Florence E. , Bader Al-Wadaany , Helen Delles , Slabeeb Shukriya , Safar Hanan , Omu Alexander E.
Published: June 2017

Background

Teenage substance use is a global challenge, and youths residing in Kuwait are not immune from it. Tobacco products are licit; however, alcohol and other mood-altering illicit substance are prohibited with severe penalties including imprisonment. Youths residing in Kuwait are being initiated into the use of mood-altering substances like tobacco at an early age, and it is postulated that, as they grow older, they may progress into using alcohol and other prohibited illicit drugs.

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine licit and illicit substance use by teenagers residing in Kuwait. The study will also explore their awareness of substance use among their peers.

Design

A cross-sectional survey using a snowball sampling technique was used to recruit 190 teenagers aged 15–18 years residing in Kuwait. Data were collected using the 130-item questionnaire adapted from 1998 New Jersey Triennial Public High School Survey of Drug and Alcohol Use. Data collection was from September 2012 to June 2013.

Data Analysis

The Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 22 for Windows was used. Pearson’s chi-square, Kruskal–Wallis, and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to test the hypotheses.

Results

Tobacco was the most commonly used substance by these teenagers; 8.4% were current smokers, and 50% had experimented. Age of initiation for 21% was before 14 years old. Hashish (marijuana) was the most commonly used illicit drug, with 3.7% current users and 5.3% claiming to have used it. More male than female teenagers in Grade 9 were using tobacco products (χ2 = 27.428, df = 5, p < .001).

Conclusion

The use and abuse of mood/mind-altering licit and illicit substances appear to be increasing among older teenagers. Intensifying campaigns about the hazards of substance use and drug testing should start from the primary school level.
Withdrawal Phenomena
Authors: Dändliker This , Kolbe Nina
Published: June 2017

This study explored the concept of withdrawal phenomena from the perspective of nurses, with the aim of developing a nursing diagnosis. Concept analysis was used as the framework of the study, a systematized review was conducted to identify relevant studies, and interpretation was based on qualitative content analysis. Specifying aspects, defining characteristics, related factors, and risk factors were extracted and classified into categories. Thirteen studies were identified as a basis for the construction of two nursing diagnoses: “withdrawal phenomena” and “risk of withdrawal complications.” The proposed nursing diagnoses require further discussion. The NANDA International Diagnosis Development Committee was asked to examine the proposed diagnoses. However, it was too early to determine implications for nursing practice based on the results of this study.
The Effect of Positive Group Psychotherapy and Motivational Interviewing on Smoking Cessation
Authors: Lee Eun Jin
Published: June 2017

Objective

The purpose of this study was to describe the process and evaluate the effect of positive group psychotherapy and motivational interviewing as an intervention for smoking cessation.

Method

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted at a university in South Korea. Positive group psychotherapy and motivational interviewing were attended by 36 smokers for 1 hour once a week, for 6 hours. A recorded exit interview was conducted after the intervention. The resulting transcripts were analyzed with content analysis and thematic analysis.

Results

Among the 36 study participants, the importance of stopping smoking was rated higher in the successful cessation (defined as those who ceased smoking for at least 3 months; hereafter, success group) group (8.6 ± 0.4, n = 10) than in the failed cessation (defined as those who did not cease smoking for at least 3 months; hereafter, failure group) group (7.75 ± 0.3, n = 26; p < .01). The confidence to stop smoking was rated higher by the successes (8.4 ± 0.3) than by the failures (5.5 ± 0.4; p < .01). More successes wanted to stop smoking for the sake of their loved ones (60%) and health (50%), whereas more failures wanted to stop smoking for saving money (45.5%). Failures had more cross-addiction than successes (three to four addictions: 31.5% vs. 20%). When participants were asked to find 10 personality merits, 78% of the successes and 47% of the failures found their 10 merits. The therapeutic process was described as “sharing the smoking cessation process with others,” “detailed guidance for stress management and smoking cessation,” and “compliments about efforts for smoking cessation.”

Conclusion

The importance of and confidence in smoking cessation were predictors for successful cessation for 3–6 months. Motivational interviewing increased motivations, whereas positive group psychotherapy increased positive thoughts and confidence.
Early Improvement Predicts Treatment Outcomes for Patients With Acute Mania
Authors: Li Dian-Jeng , Lin Ching-Hua , Lu Mei-Jou
Published: June 2017

Background

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental disorder. This study investigated whether early improvement at week 1 or 2 could predict treatment outcomes at week 4 in clinical populations with acute mania.

Methods

We conducted a naturalistic study, recruiting inpatients with bipolar mania for acute treatment. Symptom severity was assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Early improvement was defined as a reduction in the YMRS score of at least 20% or 25%, assessed at weeks 1 and 2. Response was defined as a reduction of 50% or more in the YMRS score, and remission was defined as an end-point YMRS score of 12 or less. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine whether week 1 or week 2 had better discriminative capacity. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated for the different definitions of early improvement.

Results

Of the 350 patients, 32.9% (n = 115) and 16.6% (n = 58) of the subjects were classified as responders and remitters at week 4, respectively. Early improvement at week 2 showed better discriminative capacity, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve greater than 0.8. It had high sensitivity and high negative predictive value for 2 cutoffs in predicting response and remission.

Conclusions

Relatively lower response and remission rates were observed. Response and remission could be predicted by early improvement at week 2, whereas patients without early improvement were unlikely to reach response and remission at week 4.
Staphylococcus AureusColonization and Familial Transmission Over a One Year Period
Authors: Hanson Blake M. , Kates Ashley E. , O’Malley Sean M. , Mills Elizabeth , Herwaldt Loreen A. , Torner James C. , Dawson Jeffrey D. , Farina Sarah A. , Klostermann Cassandra , Smith Tara C.
Published: June 2017

Methods

177 adults and 86 minors comprising 95 family units were enrolled from two counties in Iowa and followed up for 52 weeks. Random effects logistic regression was used to test the effect of different risk factors on the probability of an individual falling into a differentS. aureuscolonization categories. Additionally, the frequency ofS. aureuscolonization events and familial transmission events were calculated.

Results

The number of positive environmental sites within a participant’s house was associated with being a persistent carrier compared to being a non-carrier or intermittent carrier. Age, sharing bath towels, and the number of positive environmental sites within a participant’s house were associated with being a persistent or intermittent carrier. Colonization events per year were 3.95 for adults and 3.04 for minors. Duration of colonization was longest for persistent carriers (92.3 days for adults and 97.8 days for minors), and intermittent carriers had the most colonization events.

Conclusions

The average duration of colonization was significantly different when comparing intermittent carriers and non-carriers. We have also established estimates of the duration of colonization and the frequency of transmission events among family units in a non-healthcare population.
The Coding sequence of firefly luciferase reporter gene affects specific hyperexpressionArabidopsis thaliana cpl1mutant
Authors: Koiwa Hisashi , Fukudome Akihito
Published: June 2017

Forward genetic screening of mutants using firefly luciferase (LUC) reporter gene became a standard practice in plant research. Such screenings frequently identified alleles ofCPL1(Carboxyl-terminal Phosphatase-Like 1) regardless of promoters or pathways studied. Expression of the corresponding endogenous genes often shows the minimal difference between wild type andcpl1.Here we show that theLUCcoding sequence is responsible for the high expression incpl1,using a classicalRD29a-LUC. Deletion of theLUC3’-UTR did not change hyperactivation ofLUCincpl1.However, a codon-modifiedLUC(LUC2) produced similar expression levels both in wild type and incpl1. These results indicate that the coding region ofLUCis responsible for thecpl1-specificLUCoverexpression uncoupled with the expression of the endogenous counterpart.
The Nasal and Oropharyngeal Microbiomes of Healthy Livestock Workers
Authors: Kates Ashley E. , Dalman Mark , Torner James C. , Smith Tara C.
Published: June 2017

Little information exists on the microbiomes of livestock workers. A cross-sectional, epidemiological study was conducted enrolling 59 participants (26 of which had livestock contact) in Iowa. Participants were enrolled in one of four ways: from an existing prospective cohort study (n=38), from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Animal Feeding Operations database (n=17), through Iowa county fairs (n=3), and through snowball sampling (n=1). We collected two sets of swabs from the nares and oropharynx of each participant. The first set of swabs was used to assess the microbiome via 16s rRNA sequencing and the second was used to cultureS. aureus.We observed livestock workers to have greater diversity in their microbiomes compared to those with no livestock contact. In the nares, there were 26 operational taxonomic units found to be different between livestock workers and non-livestock workers with the greatest difference seen withStreptococcusandProteobacteria.In the oropharynx, livestock workers with swine exposure were more likely to carry several pathogenic organisms. The results of this study are the first to characterize the livestock worker nasal and oropharyngeal microbiomes.
The plastid genome in Cladophorales green algae is encoded by hairpin plasmids
Authors: Cortona Andrea Del , Leliaert Frederik , Bogaert Kenny A. , Turmel Monique , Boedeker Christian , Janouškovec Jan , Lopez-Bautista Juan M. , Verbruggen Heroen , Vandepoele Klaas , De Clerck Olivier
Published: June 2017

Virtually all plastid (chloroplast) genomes are circular double-stranded DNA molecules, typically between 100-200 kb in size and encoding circa 80-250 genes. Exceptions to this universal plastid genome architecture are very few and include the dinoflagellates where genes are located on DNA minicircles. Here we report on the highly deviant chloroplast genome of Cladophorales green algae, which is entirely fragmented into hairpin plasmids. Short and long read high-throughput sequencing of DNA and RNA demonstrated that the chloroplast genes ofBoodlea compositaare encoded on 1-7 kb DNA contigs with an exceptionally high GC-content, each containing a long inverted repeat with one or two protein-coding genes and conserved non-coding regions putatively involved in replication and/or expression. We propose that these contigs correspond to linear single-stranded DNA molecules that fold onto themselves to form hairpin plasmids. TheBoodleachloroplast genes are highly divergent from their corresponding orthologs. The origin of this highly deviant chloroplast genome likely occurred before the emergence of the Cladophorales, and coincided with an elevated transfer of chloroplast genes to the nucleus. A chloroplast genome that is composed only of linear DNA molecules is unprecedented among eukaryotes and highlights unexpected variation in the plastid genome architecture.
Evidence for the temporal regulation of insect segmentation by a conserved set of developmental transcription factors
Authors: Clark Erik , Peel Andrew D.
Published: June 2017

Long-germ insects, such as the fruit flyDrosophila melanogaster, pattern their segments simultaneously, whereas short germ insects, such as the beetleTribolium castaneum, pattern their segments sequentially, from anterior to posterior. While the two modes of segmentation at first appear to be very different, many details of segmentation gene expression are surprisingly similar between long-germ and short-germ species. Collectively, these observations hint that insect segmentation may involve fairly conserved patterning mechanisms, which occur within an evolutionarily malleable spatiotemporal framework. Based on genetic and comparative evidence, we now propose that, in bothDrosophilaandTriboliumembryos, the temporal progression of the segmentation process is regulated by a temporal sequence of Caudal, Dichaete, and Odd-paired expression. These three transcription factors are broadly expressed in segmenting tissues, providing spatiotemporal information that intersects with the information provided by periodically-expressed segmentation genes such as the pair-rule factors. However, they are deployed differently in long-germ versus short-germ insects, acting as simple timers inDrosophila, but as smooth, retracting wavefronts inTribolium, compatible with either gap gene-based or oscillator-based generation of periodicity, respectively.
The genomic health of ancient hominins
Authors: Berens Ali J. , Cooper Taylor L. , Lachance Joseph
Published: June 2017

The genomes of ancient humans, Neandertals, and Denisovans contain many alleles that influence disease risks. Using genotypes at 3180 disease-associated loci, we estimated the disease burden of 147 ancient genomes. After correcting for missing data, genetic risk scores were generated for nine disease categories and the set of all combined diseases. These genetic risk scores were used to examine the effects of different types of subsistence, geography, and sample age on the number of risk alleles in each ancient genome. On a broad scale, hereditary disease risks are similar for ancient hominins and modern-day humans, and the GRS percentiles of ancient individuals span the full range of what is observed in present day individuals. In addition, there is evidence that ancient pastoralists may have had healthier genomes than hunter-gatherers and agriculturalists. We also observed a temporal trend whereby genomes from the recent past are more likely to be healthier than genomes from the deep past. This calls into question the idea that modern lifestyles have caused genetic load to increase over time. Focusing on individual genomes, we find that the overall genomic health of the Altai Neandertal is worse than 97% of present day humans and that Ötzi the Tyrolean Iceman had a genetic predisposition to gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases. As demonstrated by this work, ancient genomes afford us new opportunities to diagnose past human health, which has previously been limited by the quality and completeness of remains.
Structural basis for the specific recognition of DSR by the YTH domain containing protein Mmi1
Authors: Wu Baixing , Xu Jinhao , Su Shichen , Liu Hehua , Gan Jianhua , Ma Jinbiao
Published: June 2017

Meiosis is one of the most dramatic differentiation programs accompanied by a striking change in gene expression profiles, whereas a number of meiosis-specific transcripts are expressed untimely in mitotic cells. The entry of meiosis will be blocked as the accumulation of meiosis-specific mRNAs during the mitotic cell in fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombe. A YTH domain containing protein Mmi1 was identified as a pivotal effector in a post-transcriptional event termed selective elimination of meiosis-specific mRNAs, Mmi1 can recognize and bind a class of meiosis-specific transcripts expressed inappropriately in mitotic cells, which contain a conservative motif called DSR as a mark to remove them in cooperation with nuclear exosomes. Here we report the 1.6 Å resolution crystal structure of the YTH domain of Mmi1 binds to high-affinity RNA targets r(A1U2U3A4A5A6C7A8) containing DSR core motif. Our structure observations, supported by site-directed mutations of key residues illustrate the mechanism for specific recognition of DSR-RNA by Mmi1. Moreover, different from other YTH domain family proteins, Mmi1 YTH domain has a distinctive function although it has a similar fold as other ones.
Simulated climate change affects how biocrusts modulate infiltration and desiccation dynamics
Authors: Lafuente Angela , Berdugo Miguel , Ladrón de Guevara Mónica , Gozalo Beatriz , Maestre Fernando T.
Published: June 2017

Soil surface communities dominated by mosses, lichens and cyanobacteria (biocrusts) cover most of the soil surface between vegetation patches in drylands worldwide, and are known to affect soil wetting and drying after rainfall events. While ongoing climate change is already warming and changing rainfall patterns of drylands in many regions, little is known on how these changes may affect the hydrological behaviour of biocrust-covered soils. We used eight years of continuous soil moisture and rainfall data from a climate change experiment in central Spain to explore how biocrusts modify soil water gains and losses after rainfall events under simulated changes in temperature (2.5ºC warming) and rainfall (33% reduction). Both rainfall amount and biocrust cover increased soil water gains after rainfall events, whereas experimental warming, rainfall intensity and initial soil moisture decreased them. Initial moisture, maximum temperature and biocrust cover, by means of enhancing potential evapotranspiration or soil darkening, increased the drying rates and enhanced the exponential behaviour of the drying events. Meanwhile, the warming treatment reduced the exponential behaviour of these events. The effects of climate change treatments on soil water gains and losses changed through time, with important differences between the first two years of the experiment and after five years since its setup. These effects were mainly driven by the important reductions in biocrust cover and diversity observed under warming. Our results highlight the importance of long term studies to understand soil moisture responses to ongoing climate change in drylands.
Senkyunolide A protects corticosterone-induced cell apoptosis via modulating protein phosphatase 2A and α-synuclein
Authors: Gong Shenglan , Zhang Jin , Guo Zhouke , Fu Wenjun
Published: June 2017

Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-sanis a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula that is widely used to treat depression related neurological disorders, however, the active compound(s) and underlying mechanisms are unclear. In the present study, we found that senkyunolide A (SenA) has neuroprotective effects in corticosterone (Cort)-induced depression cell model in PC12 cells. Firstly, we found that SenA protects Cort-induced cell injury in PC12 cells. In addition, SenA attenuates Cort-induced the reduction of phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activities, and the increase of p-PP2A, α-syn and p-α-syn-Ser129 levels. Furthermore, PP2A inhibitor okadaic acid (OA) decreased, and PP2A activator D-erythro-Sphingosine (SPH) increased Cort-induced cell apoptosis. Importantly, we also found that the neuroprotective effects of SenA in Cort-induced cell injury via modulating α-syn levels. Collectively, our results suggest that the neuroprotective effects of SenA in Cort-induced depression cell model via modulating PP2A activities and α-syn levels, and bring a breakthrough to the anti-depression mechanisms for natural compound SenA.
Deciphering Molecular Cascades in a Novel Acclimatization Strategy for Rapid Ascent to High Altitude
Authors: Paul Subhojit , Gangwar Anamika , Bhargava Kalpana , Ahmad Yasmin
Published: June 2017

The repercussions of hypobaric hypoxia are dependent upon two factors-time and intensity of exposure. The effects of intensity i.e. variation of altitude are yet unknown although it is a significant factor in terms of acclimatization protocols. In this study we present the effects of acute (24 h) exposure to high (10,000 ft), very high (15,000 ft) and extreme altitude (25,000 ft) zones on lung and plasma using semi-quantitative redox specific transcripts and quantitative proteo-bioinformatics workflow in conjunction with redox stress assays. Our findings indicate that very high altitude exposure elicits systemic redox homeostatic processes due to failure of lung redox homeostasis without causing mortality. We also document a rapid acclimatization protocol causing a shift from 0 to 100% survival at 25,000 ft in male SD rats upon rapid induction. Finally we posit the various processes involved and the plasma proteins that can be used to ascertain the acclimatization status of an individual.
Resolving Three-State Ligand-Binding Mechanisms by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry: A Simulation Study
Authors: Kovrigin Evgenii L.
Published: June 2017

In this paper, I theoretically analyzed ITC profiles for three-state equilibria involving ligand binding coupled to isomerization or dimerization transitions. Simulations demonstrate that the mechanisms where the free or ligand-bound protein undergoes dimerization (such that the ligand cannot bind to or dissociate from the dimer) produce very distinctive titration profiles. In contrast, profiles of the pre-existing equilibrium or induced-fit models cannot be distinguished from a simple two-state process, requiring data from additional techniques to positively identify these mechanisms.
Novel co-culture plate enables growth dynamic-based assessment of contact-independent microbial interactions
Authors: Moutinho Thomas J. , Panagides John C. , Biggs Matthew B. , Medlock Gregory L. , Kolling Glynis L. , Papin Jason A.
Published: June 2017

Interactions between microbes are central to the dynamics of microbial communities. Understanding these interactions is essential for the characterization of communities, yet challenging to accomplish in practice. There are limited available tools for characterizing diffusion-mediated, contact-independent microbial interactions. A practical and widely implemented technique in such characterization involves the simultaneous co-culture of distinct bacterial species and subsequent analysis of relative abundance in the total population. However, distinguishing between species can be logistically challenging. In this paper, we present a low-cost, vertical membrane, co-culture plate to quantify contact-independent interactions between distinct bacterial populations in co-culture via real-time optical density measurements. These measurements can be used to facilitate the analysis of the interaction between microbes that are physically separated by a semipermeable membrane yet able to exchange diffusible molecules. We show that diffusion across the membrane occurs at a sufficient rate to enable effective interaction between physically separate cultures. Two bacterial species commonly found in the cystic fibrotic lung,Pseudomonas aeruginosaandBurkholderia cenocepacia, were co-cultured to demonstrate how this plate may be implemented to study microbial interactions. We have demonstrated that this novel co-culture device is able to reliably generate real-time measurements of optical density data that can be used to characterize interactions between microbial species.
Characterization ofNvLWamide-likeneurons reveals stereotypy inNematostellanerve net development
Authors: Havrilak Jamie A , Faltine-Gonzalez Dylan , Wen Yiling , Fodera Daniella , Simpson Ayanna C. , Magie Craig R. , Layden Michael J
Published: June 2017

Cnidarian nervous systems are traditionally described as diffuse nerve nets lacking true organization. However, there are examples of stereotypical structure in the nerve nets of multiple cnidarian species that suggest nerve nets are organized. We previously demonstrated that theNvashAtarget geneNvLWamide-likeis expressed in a small subset of theNematostellanerve net and speculated that observing a few neurons within the developing nerve net would provide a better indication of potential stereotypy. Here we documentNvLWamide-likeexpression more systematically.NvLWamide-likeis initially expressed in the typical neurogenic salt and pepper pattern within the ectoderm at the gastrula stage, and expression expands to include endodermal salt and pepper expression at the planula larval stage. Expression persists in both ectoderm and endoderm in adults. We generated anNvLWamide-like::mCherrytransgenic reporter line to visualize the neural architecture.NvLWamide-likeis expressed in six neural subtypes identifiable by neural morphology and location. Upon completing development the numbers of neurons in each neural subtype are minimally variable between animals and the projection patterns of each subtype are consistent. Between the juvenile polyp and adult stages the number of neurons for each subtype increases. We conclude that cnidarian nerve nets are organized, develop in a stereotyped fashion, and that one aspect of generating the adult nervous system is to modify the juvenile nervous system by increasing neural number proportionally with size.
Significant associations between driver gene mutations and DNA methylation alterations across many cancer types
Authors: Chen Yun-Ching , Gotea Valer , Margolin Gennady , Elnitski Laura
Published: June 2017

Recent evidence shows that mutations in several driver genes can cause aberrant methylation patterns, a hallmark of cancer. In light of these findings, we hypothesized that the landscapes of tumor genomes and epigenomes are tightly interconnected. We measured this relationship using principal component analyses and methylation-mutation associations applied at the nucleotide level and with respect to genome-wide trends. We found a few mutated driver genes were associated with genome-wide patterns of aberrant hypomethylation or CpG island hypermethylation in specific cancer types. We identified associations between 737 mutated driver genes and site-specific methylation changes. Moreover, using these mutation-methylation associations, we were able to distinguish between two uterine and two thyroid cancer subtypes. The driver gene mutation-associated methylation differences between the thyroid cancer subtypes were linked to differential gene expression in JAK-STAT signaling, NADPH oxidation, and other cancer-related pathways. These results establish that driver-gene mutations are associated with methylation alterations capable of shaping regulatory network functions. In addition, the methodology presented here can be used to subdivide tumors into more homogeneous subsets corresponding to their underlying molecular characteristics, which could improve treatment efficacy.

Author summary

Mutations that alter the function of driver genes by changing DNA nucleotides have been recognized as a key player in cancer progression. Recent evidence showed that DNA methylation, a molecular signature that is used for controlling gene expression and that consists of cytosine residues with attached methyl groups in the context of CG dinucleotides, is also highly dysregulated in cancer and contributes to carcinogenesis. However, whether those methylation alterations correspond to mutated driver genes in cancer remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed 4,302 tumors from 18 cancer types and demonstrated that driver gene mutations are inherently connected with the aberrant DNA methylation landscape in cancer. We showed that those driver gene-associated methylation patterns can classify heterogeneous tumors in a cancer type into homogeneous subtypes and have the potential to influence the genes that contribute to tumor growth. This finding could help us to better understand the fundamental connection between driver gene mutations and DNA methylation alterations in cancer and to further improve the cancer treatment.
Sugar metabolism changes in response to the ultraviolet B irradiation of peach (Prunus persicaL.)
Authors: Wang Xuxu , Fu Xiling , Chen Min , Huan Lei , Liu Wenhai , Gao Yangang , Xiao Wei , Chen Xiude , Li Ling , Gao Dongsheng
Published: June 2017

The protected cultivation of peach (PrunuspersicaL.) trees is more economical and efficient than traditional cultivation, resulting in increased farmers’ incomes, but the peach sugar contents are lower than in open planting. In the greenhouse, a high-sugar variety of peach ‘Lumi 1’ was irradiated with 1.44 KJ·m−2.d−1intensity ultraviolet B radiation. The soluble sugar contents in fruit, peel and leaf were quantified using liquid chromatography. Overall, sucrose and sorbitol increased before the second fruit-expansion period. To further understand the mechanisms regulating sucrose and sorbitol accumulation in peach fruit, expression profiles of genes involved in sugar metabolism and transport were measured. The activity and translocation protein contents of these enzymes were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The increased sucrose synthase activity and sucrose transporter level in the pericarp promoted the synthesis of sucrose and intake of sucrose into fruit. Sorbitol transport into fruit was promoted by the increased sorbitol transporter protein levels in leaves. In summary, greenhouse the sucrose and sorbitol contents were increased when supplemented with 1.44 kJ·m−2·d−1ultraviolet B radiation before the second fruit-expansion period of peach.
A Cross-Sectional Study of Set Shifting Impairments and Falling in Individuals with and without Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: McKay J. Lucas , Lang Kimberly C. , Ting Lena H. , Hackney Madeleine E.
Published: June 2017

INTRODUCTION. Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are at increased risk for falls, and exhibit deficits in executive function, including Set Shifting, which can be measured as the difference between parts B and A of the Trailmaking Test. METHODS. We conducted a cross-sectional study using baseline data of PD patients with and without freezing of gait (FOG) (n=69) and community-dwelling neurologically-normal older adults (NON-PD) (n=84) who had volunteered to participate in clinical rehabilitation research. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine associations between Set Shifting, PD, and faller status, as determined by ≥1 self-reported falls in the previous 6 months, after adjusting for demographic and cognitive factors and clinical disease characteristics. RESULTS. Impaired Set Shifting was associated with previous falls after controlling for age, sex, overall cognitive function, PD, FOG, and PD disease duration (OR=1.29 [1.03-1.60]; P=0.02). In models controlling for age, sex, and overall cognitive function, PD was associated with increased fall prevalence among the study sample (OR=4.15 [95% CI 1.65-10.44], P<0.01) and FOG was associated with increased fall prevalence among the PD sample (OR=3.63 [1.22-10.80], P=0.02). Although the strongest associations between Set Shifting and falling were observed among PD without FOG (OR=2.11) compared to HOA (OR=1.14) and PD with FOG (OR=1.46) in a multivariate model that allowed for interaction between set shifting and PD status, there was insufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis of no interaction. CONCLUSIONS. Set Shifting is associated with previous falls in non-demented older adults with and without PD.

Highlights

Individuals with PD are at increased risk for falls, although causes are unclear.

Impaired Set Shifting was associated with falls in older adults with and without PD.

Associations were strongest among those with PD but without freezing of gait.
Deletion of ghrelin prevents aging‐associated obesity and muscle dysfunction without affecting longevity
Authors: Guillory Bobby , Chen Ji‐an , Patel Shivam , Luo Jiaohua , Splenser Andres , Mody Avni , Ding Michael , Baghaie Shiva , Anderson Barbara , Iankova Blaga , Halder Tripti , Hernandez Yamileth , Garcia Jose M.
Published: June 2017

During aging, decreases in energy expenditure and locomotor activity lead to body weight and fat gain. Aging is also associated with decreases in muscle strength and endurance leading to functional decline. Here, we show that lifelong deletion of ghrelin prevents development of obesity associated with aging by modulating food intake and energy expenditure. Ghrelin deletion also attenuated the decrease in phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (pAMPK) and downstream mediators in muscle, and increased the number of type IIa (fatigue resistant, oxidative) muscle fibers, preventing the decline in muscle strength and endurance seen with aging. Longevity was not affected by ghrelin deletion. Treatment of old mice with pharmacologic doses of ghrelin increased food intake, body weight, and muscle strength in both ghrelin wild‐type and knockout mice. These findings highlight the relevance of ghrelin during aging and identify a novel AMPK‐dependent mechanism for ghrelin action in muscle.
The Fulfillment of Parties’ Election Pledges: A Comparative Study on the Impact of Power Sharing
Authors: Thomson Robert , Royed Terry , Naurin Elin , Artés Joaquín , Costello Rory , Ennser‐Jedenastik Laurenz , Ferguson Mark , Kostadinova Petia , Moury Catherine , Pétry François , Praprotnik Katrin
Published: June 2017

Why are some parties more likely than others to keep the promises they made during previous election campaigns? This study provides the first large‐scale comparative analysis of pledge fulfillment with common definitions. We study the fulfillment of over 20,000 pledges made in 57 election campaigns in 12 countries, and our findings challenge the common view of parties as promise breakers. Many parties that enter government executives are highly likely to fulfill their pledges, and significantly more so than parties that do not enter government executives. We explain variation in the fulfillment of governing parties’ pledges by the extent to which parties share power in government. Parties in single‐party executives, both with and without legislative majorities, have the highest fulfillment rates. Within coalition governments, the likelihood of pledge fulfillment is highest when the party receives the chief executive post and when another governing party made a similar pledge.
Predictors of Cambodian parents’ perceptions of corporal punishment
Authors: Nho Choong Rai , Seng Tola
Published: June 2017

This cross‐sectional study was conducted to examine the predictors of parents’ positive perceptions of using corporal punishment on their children. We investigated whether there is a gender difference in the use of corporal punishment according to parents’ gender and socioeconomic variables and what factors predict Cambodian parents’ positive perceptions of the use of corporal punishment toward sons and daughters. Cambodian parents hold different views on raising boys versus girls. Younger parents with more children, limited education, low socioeconomic status, unemployed, living in rural areas, and parents who hold positive perceptions of spousal abuse of women were more likely to approve of the use of corporal punishment. Our results present implications for social work practice and policy, particularly in child welfare in Cambodia. Most importantly, in order to prevent the use of corporal punishment on children in the home, the government of Cambodia as well as domestic and international organizations need to make more active efforts to promote parenting education.
Therapies for castration‐resistant prostate cancer in a new era: The indication of vintage hormonal therapy, chemotherapy and the new medicines
Authors: Mizokami Atsushi , Kadono Yoshifumi , Kitagawa Yasuhide , Izumi Kouji , Konaka Hiroyuki
Published: June 2017

When advanced prostate cancer recurred during hormonal therapy and became the castration‐resistant prostate cancer, “vintage hormonal therapy,” such as antiandrogen alternating therapy or estrogen‐related hormonal therapy, was widely carried out in Japan until 2013. This vintage hormonal therapy controlled the progression of castration‐resistant prostate cancer. When castration‐resistant prostate cancer relapses during these therapies, chemotherapy using docetaxel has been carried out subsequently. Since new hormonal therapies using abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide, which improve the prognosis of castration‐resistant prostate cancer, became available in Japan from 2014, therapeutic options for castration‐resistant prostate cancer have increased. Furthermore, the improvement of the further prognosis is promising by using cabazitaxel for docetaxel‐resistant castration‐resistant prostate cancer and radium‐223 for castration‐resistant prostate cancer with bone metastasis. An increase in therapeutic options gives rise to many questions, including best timing to use them and the indication. Furthermore, physicians have to consider the treatment for the recurrence after having carried out chemotherapy. We want to argue the difference in hormonal therapy between Japan and Western countries, and problems when carrying out new treatments, and the importance of imaging in the present review article.
Progress in the blood supply of Afghanistan
Authors: Riley William J. , McCullough Terri Konstenius , Rhamani Ahmad Masoud , McCullough Jeffrey
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

The blood supply system in Afghanistan was badly damaged by years of conflict. In 2009, the Afghanistan National Blood Safety and Transfusion Service (ANBSTS) was established.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

For 6 years, we collaborated to assist with policy and infrastructure development; blood bank operations; blood collection, testing, and component production; transfusion practices; and training of technicians, nurses, midwives, and physicians.

RESULTS

Policies were established, infrastructure was strengthened, and capable staff was acquired and trained. Standard operating procedures were developed, testing was improved, and quality systems were established. Thirty trainings were held for blood center staff. Four additional formal trainings were held for 39 physicians, 36 nurses and/or midwives, and 38 laboratory technicians. During 5 years of this project, blood collection increased by 40%.

CONCLUSION

The ANBSTS has made impressive progress developing infrastructure, personnel, procedures, quality systems, and training programs and increasing blood collection. Knowledge of transfusion medicine was improved through structured training.
Adelic descent theory
Authors: Groechenig Michael
Published: June 2017

A result of André Weil allows one to describe rank$n$vector bundles on a smooth complete algebraic curve up to isomorphism via a double quotient of the set$\text{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{A})$of regular matrices over the ring of adèles (over algebraically closed fields, this result is also known to extend to$G$-torsors for a reductive algebraic group $G$). In the present paper we develop analogous adelic descriptions for vector and principal bundles on arbitrary Noetherian schemes, by proving an adelic descent theorem for perfect complexes. We show that for Beilinson’s co-simplicial ring of adèles$\mathbb{A}_{X}^{\bullet }$, we have an equivalence$\mathsf{Perf}(X)\simeq |\mathsf{Perf}(\mathbb{A}_{X}^{\bullet })|$between perfect complexes on$X$and cartesian perfect complexes for$\mathbb{A}_{X}^{\bullet }$. Using the Tannakian formalism for symmetric monoidal$\infty$-categories, we conclude that a Noetherian scheme can be reconstructed from the co-simplicial ring of adèles. We view this statement as a scheme-theoretic analogue of Gelfand–Naimark’s reconstruction theorem for locally compact topological spaces from their ring of continuous functions. Several results for categories of perfect complexes over (a strong form of) flasque sheaves of algebras are established, which might be of independent interest.
Identification of Novel Efflux Proteins Rv0191, Rv3756c, Rv3008, and Rv1667c Involved in Pyrazinamide Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Zhang Yumeng , Zhang Jia , Cui Peng , Zhang Ying , Zhang Wenhong
Published: June 2017

Pyrazinamide (PZA) is a critical drug used for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). PZA is a prodrug that requires conversion to the active component pyrazinoic acid (POA) by pyrazinamidase (PZase) encoded by the
pncA
gene. Although resistance to PZA is mostly caused by
pncA
mutations and less commonly by
rpsA
,
panD
, and
clpC1
mutations, clinical strains without these mutations are known to exist. While efflux of POA was demonstrated in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
previously, the efflux proteins involved have not been identified. Here we performed POA binding studies with an
M. tuberculosis
proteome microarray and identified four efflux proteins (Rv0191, Rv3756c, Rv3008, and Rv1667c) that bind POA. Overexpression of the four efflux pump genes in
M. tuberculosis
caused low-level resistance to PZA and POA but not to other drugs. Furthermore, addition of efflux pump inhibitors such as reserpine, piperine, and verapamil caused increased susceptibility to PZA in
M. tuberculosis
strains overexpressing the efflux proteins Rv0191, Rv3756c, Rv3008, and Rv1667c. Our studies indicate that these four efflux proteins may be responsible for PZA/POA efflux and cause PZA resistance in
M. tuberculosis
. Future studies are needed to assess their roles in PZA resistance in clinical strains.
Phylogenetic and Functional Diversity of Total (DNA) and Expressed (RNA) Bacterial Communities in Urban Green Infrastructure Bioswale Soils
Authors: Gill Aman S. , Lee Angela , McGuire Krista L.
Published: June 2017

New York City (NYC) is pioneering green infrastructure with the use of bioswales and other engineered soil-based habitats to provide stormwater infiltration and other ecosystem functions. In addition to avoiding the environmental and financial costs of expanding traditional built infrastructure, green infrastructure is thought to generate cobenefits in the form of diverse ecological processes performed by its plant and microbial communities. Yet, although plant communities in these habitats are closely managed, we lack basic knowledge about how engineered ecosystems impact the distribution and functioning of soil bacteria. We sequenced amplicons of the 16S ribosomal subunit, as well as seven genes associated with functional pathways, generated from both total (DNA-based) and expressed (RNA) soil communities in the Bronx, NYC, NY, in order to test whether bioswale soils host characteristic bacterial communities with evidence for enriched microbial functioning, compared to nonengineered soils in park lawns and tree pits. Bioswales had distinct, phylogenetically diverse bacterial communities, including taxa associated with nutrient cycling and metabolism of hydrocarbons and other pollutants. Bioswale soils also had a significantly greater diversity of genes involved in several functional pathways, including carbon fixation (
cbbL-R
[
cbbL
gene, red-like subunit] and
apsA
), nitrogen cycling (
noxZ
and
amoA
), and contaminant degradation (
bphA
); conversely, no functional genes were significantly more abundant in nonengineered soils. These results provide preliminary evidence that urban land management can shape the diversity and activity of soil communities, with positive consequences for genetic resources underlying valuable ecological functions, including biogeochemical cycling and degradation of common urban pollutants.

IMPORTANCE
Management of urban soil biodiversity by favoring taxa associated with decontamination or other microbial metabolic processes is a powerful prospect, but it first requires an understanding of how engineered soil habitats shape patterns of microbial diversity. This research adds to our understanding of urban microbial biogeography by providing data on soil bacteria in bioswales, which had relatively diverse and compositionally distinct communities compared to park and tree pit soils. Bioswales also contained comparatively diverse pools of genes related to carbon sequestration, nitrogen cycling, and contaminant degradation, suggesting that engineered soils may serve as effective reservoirs of functional microbial biodiversity. We also examined both total (DNA-based) and expressed (RNA) communities, revealing that total bacterial communities (the exclusive targets in the vast majority of soil studies) were poor predictors of expressed community diversity, pointing to the value of quantifying RNA, especially when ecological functioning is considered.
Multiple recurrent ischaemic strokes in a patient with cancer: is there a role for the initiation of anticoagulation therapy for secondary stroke prevention?
Authors: Suero-Abreu Giselle Alexandra , Cheng Jia Zhen , Then Ryna Karina
Published: June 2017

A 52-year-old woman with a medical history of cervical and thyroid cancer, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, uncontrolled diabetes and heavy smoking was diagnosed with a new metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. While undergoing palliative chemotherapy, she developed dysarthria and left-sided weakness. Imaging studies showed multiple bilateral ischaemic strokes. On hospital days 2 and 5, she developed worsening neurological symptoms and imaging studies revealed new areas of ischaemia on respective days. Subsequent workup did not revealed a clear aetiology for the multiple ischaemic events and hypercoagulability studies were only significant for a mildly elevated serum D-dimer level. Although guidelines are unclear, full-dose anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin was initiated given her high risk of stroke recurrence. She was discharged to acute rehabilitation but, within a month, she experienced complications of her malignant disease progression and a new pulmonary thromboembolism. The patient died soon after being discharged home with hospice care.