bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the multiple molecular mechanisms underlying RsaL control of phenazine‐1‐carboxylic acid biosynthesis in the rhizosphere bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA1201
Authors: Sun Shuang , Chen Bo , Jin Zi‐Jing , Zhou Lian , Fang Yun‐Ling , Thawai Chitti , Rampioni Giordano , He Ya‐Wen
Published: March 2017

Phenazines are important secondary metabolites that have been found to affect a broad spectrum of organisms. Two almost identical gene clusters phz1 and phz2 are responsible for phenazines biosynthesis in the rhizobacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA1201. Here, we show that the transcriptional regulator RsaL is a potent repressor of phenazine‐1‐carboxylic acid (PCA) biosynthesis. RsaL negatively regulates phz1 expression and positively regulates phz2 expression via multiple mechanisms. First, RsaL binds to a 25‐bp DNA region within the phz1 promoter to directly repress phz1 expression. Second, RsaL indirectly regulates the expression of both phz clusters by decreasing the activity of the las and pqs quorum sensing (QS) systems, and by promoting the rhl QS system. Finally, RsaL represses phz1 expression through the downstream transcriptional regulator CdpR. RsaL directly binds to the promoter region of cdpR to positively regulate its expression, and subsequently CdpR regulates phz1 expression in a negative manner. We also show that RsaL represents a new mechanism for the turnover of the QS signal molecule N‐3‐oxododecanoyl‐homoserine lactone (3‐oxo‐C12‐HSL). Overall, this study elucidates RsaL control of phenazines biosynthesis and indicates that a PA1201 strain harboring deletions in both the rsaL and cdpR genes could be used to improve the industrial production of PCA.
Morphology heterogeneity within a Campylobacter jejuni helical population: the use of calcofluor white to generate rod‐shaped C. jejuni 81‐176 clones and the genetic determinants responsible for differences in morphology within 11168 strains
Authors: Frirdich Emilisa , Biboy Jacob , Huynh Steven , Parker Craig T. , Vollmer Waldemar , Gaynor Erin C.
Published: March 2017

Campylobacter jejuni helical shape is important for colonization and host interactions with straight mutants having altered biological properties. Passage on calcofluor white (CFW) resulted in C. jejuni 81‐176 isolates with morphology changes: either a straight morphology from frameshift mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms in peptidoglycan hydrolase genes pgp1 or pgp2 or a reduction in curvature due a frameshift mutation in cjj81176_1105, a putative peptidoglycan endopeptidase. Shape defects were restored by complementation. Whole genome sequencing of CFW‐passaged strains showed no specific changes correlating to CFW exposure. The cjj81176_1279 (recR; recombinational DNA repair) and cjj81176_1449 (unknown function) genes were highly variable in all 81‐176 strains sequenced. A frameshift mutation in pgp1 of our laboratory isolate of the straight genome sequenced variant of 11168 (11168‐GS) was also identified. The PG muropeptide profile of 11168‐GS was identical to that of Δpgp1 in the original minimally passaged 11168 strain (11168‐O). Introduction of wild type pgp1 into 11168‐GS did not restore helical morphology. The recR gene was also highly variable in 11168 strains. Microbial cell‐to‐cell heterogeneity is proposed as a mechanism of ensuring bacterial survival in sub‐optimal conditions. In certain environments, changes in C. jejuni morphology due to genetic heterogeneity may promote C. jejuni survival.
Freezing of gait is an early clinical feature of progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Osaki Yasushi , Morita Yukari , Miyamoto Yuka , Furuta Kounosuke , Furuya Hirokazu
Published: March 2017

Background and Aim

Early clinical diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) remains challenging.

Aim

We attempted to identify any sign or symptom to diagnose PSP earlier.

Methods

A total of 401 patients, 40 with PSP and 361 with other neurodegenerative disorders, were included. We followed these patients for at least 1 year since 2009. We reviewed the signs and symptoms of patients with PSP in a standardized manner, and observed four manifestations: “vertical supranuclear gaze abnormality,” “movement disorders,” “pseudobulbar palsy” and “dementia of frontal type.” Features, such as symmetric parkinsonism, freezing of gait, postural instability, dysarthria and/or dysphagia, or dementia of frontal type, were considered core clinical features.

Results

In patients with PSP, “movement disorders” was the most common manifestation, whereas “vertical supranuclear gaze abnormality” was uncommon during the early disease course. A total of 16 patients fulfilled the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke and Society for PSP criteria for possible PSP at their first clinic visit. Of the remaining 24 patients, 15 presented with one or more core clinical features before fulfilling the criteria for possible PSP; nine patients had a clinical diagnosis of PSP but never fulfilled the criteria. A total of 49 of the 361 patients with other neurodegenerative disorders had core clinical features. A comparison showed that freezing of gait differentiated the groups the best over the disease course.

Conclusion

Freezing of gait is an early feature that might improve the clinical diagnosis of PSP, whereas vertical supranuclear gaze abnormality is not.
Testing for Flexible Nonlinear Trends with an Integrated or Stationary Noise Component
Authors: Perron Pierre , Shintani Mototsugu , Yabu Tomoyoshi
Published: March 2017

This paper proposes a new test for the presence of a nonlinear deterministic trend approximated by a Fourier expansion in a univariate time series for which there is no prior knowledge as to whether the noise component is stationary or contains an autoregressive unit root. Our approach builds on the work of Perron and Yabu () and is based on a Feasible Generalized Least Squares procedure that uses a super‐efficient estimator of the sum of the autoregressive coefficients α when α = 1. The resulting Wald test statistic asymptotically follows a chi‐square distribution in both the I(0) and I(1) cases. To improve the finite sample properties of the test, we use a bias‐corrected version of the OLS estimator of α proposed by Roy and Fuller (). We show that our procedure is substantially more powerful than currently available alternatives. We illustrate the usefulness of our method via an application to modelling the trend of global and hemispheric temperatures.
Is floral morphology a good predictor of floral visitors to Antirrhineae (snapdragons and relatives)?
Authors: Guzmán B. , Gómez J. M. , Vargas P.
Published: March 2017

The association between plants and flower visitors has been historically proposed as a main factor driving the evolutionary change of both flower and pollinator phenotypes. The considerable diversity in floral morphology within the tribe Antirrhineae has been traditionally related to pollinator types. We used empirical data on the flower visitors from 59 Antirrhineae taxa from the literature and our own field surveys, which provide an opportunity to test whether flower phenotypes are reliable predictors of visitors and pollinator niches.

The degree of adjustment between eight key floral traits and actual visitors was explored by testing the predictive value of inferred pollinator syndromes (i.e. suites of floral traits that characterise groups of plant species related to pollination). Actual visitors and inferred pollinator niches (categorisation of visitors’ association using a modularity algorithm) were also explored using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA).

The bee pollinator niche is correctly classified for flowers with dull corolla colour, without nectar guides, as the most important predictor. Both predictive value and statistical classification prove useful in classifying Antirrhineae taxa and the bee pollinator niche, mostly as a consequence of the high proportion of genera and taxa with occluded corollas primarily visited by bees. Our predictive approach rendered a high Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of floral traits in the diagnosis of visitors/pollinator niches. In particular, a high PPV was found for bees as both visitors and forming pollinator niches. In addition, LDA showed that four pollinator niches are well defined based on floral traits.

The large number of species visited by bees irrespective of pollinator syndromes leads us to hypothesise their generalist pollinator role, despite the phenotypically specialised flowers of Antirrhineae.
Line Balancing in Parallel M/M/1 Lines and Loss Systems as Cooperative Games
Authors: Anily Shoshana , Haviv Moshe
Published: March 2017

We consider production and service systems that consist of parallel lines of two types: (i) M/ M/1 lines and (ii) lines that have no buffers (loss systems). Each line is assumed to be controlled by a dedicated supervisor. The management measures the effectiveness of the supervisors by the long run expected cost of their line. Unbalanced lines cause congestion and bottlenecks, large variation in output, unnecessary wastes and, ultimately, high operating costs. Thus, the supervisors are expected to join forces and reduce the cost of the whole system by applying line‐balancing techniques, possibly combined with either strategic outsourcing or capacity reduction practices. By solving appropriate mathematical programming formulations, the policy that minimizes the long run expected cost of each of the parallel‐lines system, is identified. The next question to be asked is how to allocate the new total cost of each system among the lines' supervisors so that the cooperation's stability is preserved. For that sake, we associate a cooperative game to each system and we investigate its core. We show that the cooperative games are reducible to market games and therefore they are totally balanced, that is, their core and the core of their subgames are non‐empty. For each game a core cost allocation based on competitive equilibrium prices is identified.
Design of the Reverse Channel for Remanufacturing: Must Profit‐Maximization Harm the Environment?
Authors: Wang Lan , Cai Gangshu (George) , Tsay Andy A. , Vakharia Asoo J.
Published: March 2017

A key attribute of a remanufacturing strategy is the division of labor in the reverse channel, especially whether remanufacturing is performed in‐house or outsourced. We investigate this decision for a retailer who accepts returns of a remanufacturable product. Our formulation considers the cost structures of the two strategies, uncertainty in the input quality of the collected/returned used products, consumer willingness‐to‐pay for remanufactured product, the extent to which the remanufactured product cannibalizes demand for a new product, and the power structure in the channel. For the profit‐maximizing retailer, the differentials in variable remanufacturing costs drive strategy choice, and higher fixed costs of in‐house remanufacturing favors outsourcing. The variable remanufacturing costs and the balance of power in the prospective outsourced reverse channel are the key drivers of environmental impact, as measured by the retailer's propensity to remanufacture. While profitability and environmental goals often conflict, they align under certain conditions. These include (a) the third party has less bargaining power; or (b) the fixed cost for in‐house remanufacturing is relatively high. All else equal, when remanufacturing is outsourced, the environment fares better if the third party has leadership power. We generalize to the cases when remanufacturing achieves a quality level less than “good‐as‐new" and when used items have non‐zero salvage value. Analysis of these extensions illuminates how relative power in the reverse channel drives the firms’ preferences, as well as the end customers’ consumption experience.
Disagreement, Credences, and Outright Belief
Authors: Palmira Michele
Published: March 2017

This paper addresses a largely neglected question in ongoing debates over disagreement: what is the relation, if any, between disagreements involving credences (call them credal disagreements) and disagreements involving outright beliefs (call them full disagreements)? The first part of the paper offers some desiderata for an adequate account of credal and full disagreement. The second part of the paper argues that both phenomena can be subsumed under a schematic definition which goes as follows: A and B disagree if and only if the accuracy conditions of A's doxastic attitude are such that, if they were fulfilled, this would ipso facto make B's doxastic attitude inaccurate, or vice‐versa.
Patient‐reported outcome measures in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Where do we stand?
Authors: Canu Sara , Alfieri Veronica , Renzoni Elisabetta
Published: March 2017

See article, page 721
TV viewing time is associated with increased all‐cause mortality in Brazilian adults independent of physical activity
Authors: Turi B. C. , Monteiro H. L. , Lemes Í. R. , Codogno J. S. , Lynch K. R. , Asahi Mesquita C. A. , Fernandes R. A.
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between television (TV) viewing and all‐cause mortality among Brazilian adults after 6 years of follow‐up. This longitudinal study started in 2010 in the city of Bauru, SP, Brazil, and involved 970 adults aged ≥50 years. Mortality was reported by relatives and confirmed in medical records of the Brazilian National Health System. Physical activity (PA) and TV viewing were assessed by the Baecke questionnaire. Health status, sociodemographic and behavioral covariates were considered as potential confounders. After 6 years of follow‐up, 89 deaths were registered (9.2% [95% CI=7.4%‐11%]). Type 2 diabetes mellitus was associated with higher risk of mortality (P‐value=.012). Deaths correlated significantly with age (ρ=.188; P‐value=.001), overall PA score (ρ=−.128; P‐value=.001) and TV viewing (ρ=.086; P‐value=.007). Lower percentage of participants reported TV viewing time as often (16%) and very often (5.7%), but there was an association between higher TV viewing time (“often” and “very often” grouped together) and increased mortality after 6 years of follow‐up (P‐value=.006). The higher TV viewing time was associated with a 44.7% increase in all‐cause mortality (HR=1.447 [1.019‐2.055]), independently of other potential confounders. In conclusion, the findings from this cohort study identified increased risk of mortality among adults with higher TV viewing time, independently of PA and other variables.
A framework for the etiology of running‐related injuries
Authors: Bertelsen M. L. , Hulme A. , Petersen J. , Brund R. K. , Sørensen H. , Finch C. F. , Parner E. T. , Nielsen R. O.
Published: March 2017

The etiology of running‐related injury is important to consider as the effectiveness of a given running‐related injury prevention intervention is dependent on whether etiologic factors are readily modifiable and consistent with a biologically plausible causal mechanism. Therefore, the purpose of the present article was to present an evidence‐informed conceptual framework outlining the multifactorial nature of running‐related injury etiology. In the framework, four mutually exclusive parts are presented: (a) Structure‐specific capacity when entering a running session; (b) structure‐specific cumulative load per running session; (c) reduction in the structure‐specific capacity during a running session; and (d) exceeding the structure‐specific capacity. The framework can then be used to inform the design of future running‐related injury prevention studies, including the formation of research questions and hypotheses, as well as the monitoring of participation‐related and non‐participation‐related exposures. In addition, future research applications should focus on addressing how changes in one or more exposures influence the risk of running‐related injury. This necessitates the investigation of how different factors affect the structure‐specific load and/or the load capacity, and the dose‐response relationship between running participation and injury risk. Ultimately, this direction allows researchers to move beyond traditional risk factor identification to produce research findings that are not only reliably reported in terms of the observed cause‐effect association, but also translatable in practice.
Physical activity, muscular strength, and polypharmacy among older multimorbid persons: Results from the KORA‐Age study
Authors: Volaklis K. A. , Thorand B. , Peters A. , Halle M. , Heier M. , Strasser B. , Amann U. , Ladwig K. H. , Schulz H. , Koenig W. , Meisinger C.
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine whether physical activity (PA) and muscular strength (MS) are related to polypharmacy. Our cross‐sectional analysis was based on 711 patients with multimorbidity (MMB), aged 65‐94 years, who participated in the KORA‐Age study. Participants underwent a face‐to‐face interview and extensive physical examinations including anthropometric measurements, registration of chronic diseases, determination of health‐related behaviors (smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, etc.), collection of blood samples and measurement of hand‐grip strength. PPha was defined as the use of >4 drugs and MMB as having ≥2 of 13 chronic diseases. Prevalence of PPha was 44.6% (n=317), and a significant difference was found in the number of drugs used between participants with and without PPha (7.2±2.1 vs 2.5±1.2, P<.001). Patients in the lower compared to the upper tertile of physical activity had a significantly increased odds to be on PPha (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.05‐2.56, P=.031) after controlling for age, gender, BMI, family status, education, alcohol intake, smoking habits, number of diseases, hs‐CRP, and telomere length. On the contrary, no significant association between muscular strength and PPha was found (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.66‐1.63, P=.873) after multivariable adjustment. Among older persons with MMB, lower levels of physical activity, but not low muscular strength, are associated with higher odds of PPha. Increasing the levels of physical activity appears to be highly recommended in order to potentially reduce the risk of PPha among multimorbid persons aged 65 and older.
Morphological controls on the dynamics of carbonate landscapes under a mediterranean climate
Authors: Thomas Franck , Godard Vincent , Bellier Olivier , Shabanian Esmaeil , Ollivier Vincent , Benedetti Lucilla , Rizza Magali , Espurt Nicolas , Guillou Valéry , Hollender Fabrice , Molliex Stéphane ,   ASTER Team
Published: March 2017

The influence of the morphological setting on the denudation of carbonate landscapes and the respective contributions of mechanical and chemical weathering processes are still debated. We have addressed these questions by measuring 36Cl concentrations in 40 samples from the Luberon mountain, SE France, to constrain the denudation of various landscape elements. We observe a clear contrast between the local denudation rates from the flat summit surface, clustered around 30 mm/ka, and the basin‐average denudation rates across the flanks, ranging from 100 to 200 mm/ka. This difference highlights the transient evolution of the range, whose topography is still adjusting to previous uplift events. Such a pattern also suggests that carbonate dissolution is not the only driver of denudation in this setting, which appears to be significantly controlled by slope‐dependent processes.
Open tensile fractures at depth in anticlines: A case study in the Tarim basin, NW China
Authors: Nian Tao , Wang Guiwen , Song Hongyu
Published: March 2017

Understanding fracture openness in the Earth's crust is crucial for understanding fracture properties and their impact on fluid flow and potentially also in reservoir modelling. Here, we present cases showing the presence of open tensile fractures at depth in anticlines by integrating borehole imaging logs, core observations, casting sections, physical modelling, in‐situ stress analysis and production data in petroleum wells, and analysing the time of fracturing by fluid inclusion analysis. The data come from the Cretaceous Bashejiqike Formation in the Kuqa Depression, Tarim basin; its current depth varies between 6,000 and 8,100 m. The results show that tensile fractures are the main fracture type in the studied formation and that their hydraulic conductivity is poorly affected by the current maximum horizontal stress direction. Furthermore, we find that fracture development is uninterrupted during continued anticline folding, although there is a dominant time of fracturing.
Structure Mapping for Social Learning
Authors: Christie Stella
Published: March 2017

Analogical reasoning is a foundational tool for human learning, allowing learners to recognize relational structures in new events and domains. Here I sketch some grounds for understanding and applying analogical reasoning in social learning. The social world is fundamentally characterized by relations between people, with common relational structures—such as kinships and social hierarchies—forming social units that dictate social behaviors. Just as young learners use analogical reasoning for learning relational structures in other domains—spatial relations, verbs, relational categories—analogical reasoning ought to be a useful cognitive tool for acquiring social relations and structures.
Treatment of subchondral lucencies in the medial proximal radius with a bone screw in 8 horses
Authors: Roquet Imma , Lane Easter J. , Coomer Richard P. C. , Ezquerra Luis J. , Marsh Chad A. , Trostle Steve S. , Santschi Elizabeth M.
Published: March 2017

Objective

To describe the results of screw placement through subchondral lucencies (SCL) of the proximal radius in 8 horses.

Study design

Retrospective clinical study.

Animals

Horses with cubital SCL causing lameness (n=8).

Methods

Medical record review and clinical follow‐up.

Results

Eight horses with SCL in the proximal radius causing lameness were treated with a screw placed across the lucency. The horses range in age from 1 to 20 years. In 4 of 8 horses, the lameness had been intermittently severe (apparent at the walk). Lameness was isolated to the cubital joint by intra‐articular anesthesia in 5 horses and diagnosed radiographically in all 8. All horses had a 4.5 mm cortical bone screw placed from medial to lateral (6 lag, 2 neutral) across the SCL using fluoroscopic or radiographic control. Postoperative care included stall confinement with hand walking for 30‐60 days, followed by an additional 30‐60 days of pasture turnout. Radiographic SCL healing (reduction in SCL size) was demonstrated at 3‐4 months after surgery in all horses, and 7/8 horses (87.5%) were used as intended (4 performance, 3 pasture turn‐out) within 6 months. Lameness in the remaining horse improved initially (dressage) but returned.

Conclusions

A screw placed through the SCL of the proximal‐medial radius was effective in reducing or resolving lameness associated with the elbow joint in 7/8 horses (88%). Screw placement in the proximal radius should be considered for horses with lameness caused by an SCL when a quick return to exercise is desired or conservative therapy is ineffective.
Calcium signalling silencing in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Greiser Maura
Published: March 2017

Subcellular calcium signalling silencing is a novel and distinct cellular and molecular adaptive response to rapid cardiac activation. Calcium signalling silencing develops during short‐term sustained rapid atrial activation as seen clinically during paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). It is the first ‘anti‐arrhythmic’ adaptive response in the setting of AF and appears to counteract the maladaptive changes that lead to intracellular Ca2+ signalling instability and Ca2+‐based arrhythmogenicity. Calcium signalling silencing results in a failed propagation of the [Ca2+]i signal to the myocyte centre both in patients with AF and in a rabbit model. This adaptive mechanism leads to a substantial reduction in the expression levels of calcium release channels (ryanodine receptors, RyR2) in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and the frequency of Ca2+ sparks and arrhythmogenic Ca2+ waves remains low. Less Ca2+ release per [Ca2+]i transient, increased fast Ca2+ buffering strength, shortened action potentials and reduced L‐type Ca2+ current contribute to a substantial reduction of intracellular [Na+]. These features of Ca2+ signalling silencing are distinct and in contrast to the changes attributed to Ca2+‐based arrhythmogenicity. Some features of Ca2+ signalling silencing prevail in human AF suggesting that the Ca2+ signalling ‘phenotype’ in AF is a sum of Ca2+ stabilizing (Ca2+ signalling silencing) and Ca2+ destabilizing (arrhythmogenic unstable Ca2+ signalling) factors. Calcium signalling silencing is a part of the mechanisms that contribute to the natural progression of AF and may limit the role of Ca2+‐based arrhythmogenicity after the onset of AF.

image
Evidence that 5‐HT stimulates intracellular Ca2+ signalling and activates pannexin‐1 currents in type II cells of the rat carotid body
Authors: Murali Sindhubarathi , Zhang Min , Nurse Colin A.
Published: March 2017

Key points

5‐HT is a neuromodulator released from carotid body (CB) chemoreceptor (type I) cells and facilitates the sensory discharge following chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH).

In the present study, we show that, in addition to type I cells, adjacent glial‐like type II cells express functional, ketanserin‐sensitive 5‐HT2 receptors, and their stimulation increases cytoplasmic Ca2+ derived from intracellular stores.

In type II cells, 5‐HT activated a ketanserin‐sensitive inward current (I5‐HT) that was similar to that (IUTP) activated by the P2Y2R agonist, UTP.

As previously shown for IUTP, I5‐HT was inhibited by BAPTA‐AM and carbenoxolone (5 μm), a putative blocker of ATP‐permeable pannexin (Panx)‐1 channels; IUTP was reversibly inhibited by the specific Panx‐1 mimetic peptide channel blocker, 10Panx peptide.

Paracrine stimulation of type II cells by 5‐HT, leading to ATP release via Panx‐1 channels, may contribute to CB excitability, especially in pathophysiological conditions associated with CIH (e.g. obstructive sleep apnoea).

Carotid body (CB) chemoreceptor (type I) cells can synthesize and release 5‐HT and increased autocrine–paracrine 5‐HT2 receptor signalling contributes to sensory long‐term facilitation during chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH). However, recent studies suggest that adjacent glial‐like type II cells can respond to CB paracrine signals by elevating intracellular calcium (Δ[Ca2+]i) and activating carbenoxolone‐sensitive, ATP‐permeable, pannexin (Panx)‐1‐like channels. In the present study, using dissociated rat CB cultures, we found that 5‐HT induced Δ[Ca2+]i responses in a subpopulation of type I cells, as well as in most (∼67%) type II cells identified by their sensitivity to the P2Y2 receptor agonist, UTP. The 5‐HT‐induced Ca2+ response in type II cells was dose‐dependent (EC50 ∼183 nm) and largely inhibited by the 5‐HT2A receptor blocker, ketanserin (1 μm), and also arose mainly from intracellular stores. 5‐HT also activated an inward current (I5‐HT) in type II cells (EC50 ∼200 nm) that was reversibly inhibited by ketanserin (1–10 nm), the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA‐AM (5 μm), and low concentrations of carbenoxolone (5 μm), a putative Panx‐1 channel blocker. I5‐HT reversed direction at approximately −11 mV and was indistinguishable from the UTP‐activated current (IUTP). Consistent with a role for Panx‐1 channels, IUTP was reversibly inhibited by the specific Panx‐1 mimetic peptide blocker 10Panx (100 μm), although not by its scrambled control peptide (scPanx). Because ATP is an excitatory CB neurotransmitter, it is possible that the contribution of enhanced 5‐HT signalling to the increased sensory discharge during CIH may occur, in part, by a boosting of ATP release from type II cells via Panx‐1 channels.
In search for unseen matter, physicists turn to dark sector
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: March 2017

U.S. Energy Department mulls probe of shadow world.
Dengue diversity across spatial and temporal scales: Local structure and the effect of host population size
Authors: Salje Henrik , Lessler Justin , Maljkovic Berry Irina , Melendrez Melanie C. , Endy Timothy , Kalayanarooj Siripen , A-Nuegoonpipat Atchareeya , Chanama Sumalee , Sangkijporn Somchai , Klungthong Chonticha , Thaisomboonsuk Butsaya , Nisalak Ananda , Gibbons Robert V. , Iamsirithaworn Sopon , Macareo Louis R. , Yoon In-Kyu , Sangarsang Areerat , Jarman Richard G. , Cummings Derek A. T.
Published: March 2017

Regions of high human population density drive highly localized transmission chains of dengue virus, which then can disperse regionally.
Active sites for CO
2
hydrogenation to methanol on Cu/ZnO catalysts
Authors: Kattel Shyam , Ramírez Pedro J. , Chen Jingguang G. , Rodriguez José A. , Liu Ping
Published: March 2017

Synergy between copper and zinc oxide on a catalyst surface facilitates methanol synthesis via CO
2
hydrogenation.
Self-assembly of genetically encoded DNA-protein hybrid nanoscale shapes
Authors: Praetorius Florian , Dietz Hendrik
Published: March 2017

Protein-folded DNA nanostructures

A wide variety of DNA nanostructures have been assembled by folding long DNA single strands with short DNA staples. However, such structures typically need annealing at elevated temperatures in order to form. To accommodate the formation of such structures in living cells, Praetorius and Dietz developed an approach in which custom protein staples based on transcription activator–like effector proteins fold double-stranded DNA templates (see the Perspective by Douglas). The structures folded into user-defined geometric shapes on the scale of tens to hundreds of nanometers. These nanostructures could self-assemble at room temperature in physiological buffers.

Science
, this issue p.
eaam5488
; see also p.
1261
Rain check
Make It Rain: State Control of the Atmosphere in Twentieth-Century America
Kristine C. Harper
University of Chicago Press, 2017. 327 pp.
Authors: Dry Sarah
Published: March 2017

Dubious efforts to control the weather reveal the pitfalls of policy-led science
Powering up perovskite photoresponse
Authors: Bakr Osman M. , Mohammed Omar F.
Published: March 2017

Low-dimensional perovskites could help enhance solar cell performance
Stranger than fiction
The Greatest Story Ever Told—So Far
Lawrence M. Krauss
Simon & Schuster, 2017. 336 pp.
Authors: Livio Mario
Published: March 2017

A wide-ranging history offers a sumptuous panorama of modern physics
Novel Mechanisms Revealed in the Trachea Transcriptome of Resistant and Susceptible Chicken Lines following Infection with Newcastle Disease Virus
Authors: Deist Melissa S. , Gallardo Rodrigo A. , Bunn David A. , Kelly Terra R. , Dekkers Jack C. M. , Zhou Huaijun , Lamont Susan J.
Published: March 2017

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has a devastating impact on poultry production in developing countries. This study examined the transcriptome of tracheal epithelial cells from two inbred chicken lines that differ in NDV susceptibility after challenge with a high-titer inoculum of lentogenic NDV. The Fayoumi line had a significantly lower NDV load postchallenge than the Leghorn line, demonstrating the Fayoumi line's classification as a relatively NDV-resistant breed. Examination of the trachea transcriptome showed a large increase in immune cell infiltration in the trachea in both lines at all times postinfection. The pathways conserved across lines and at all three time points postinfection included iCOS-iCOSL signaling in T helper cells, NF-κB signaling, the role of nuclear factor of activated T cells in the regulation of the immune response, calcium-induced T lymphocyte apoptosis, phospholipase C signaling, and CD28 signaling in T helper cells. Although shared pathways were seen in the Fayoumi and Leghorn lines, each line showed unique responses as well. The downregulation of collagen and the activation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 signaling in the Fayoumis relative to the Leghorns at 2 days postinfection may contribute to the resistance phenotype seen in the Fayoumis. This study provides a further understanding of host-pathogen interactions which could improve vaccine efficacy and, in combination with genome-wide association studies, has the potential to advance strategies for breeding chickens with enhanced resistance to NDV.
Characterization and Vaccine Potential of Membrane Vesicles Produced by Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis in an Adult Zebrafish Model
Authors: Lagos Leidy , Tandberg Julia I. , Repnik Urska , Boysen Preben , Ropstad Erik , Varkey Deepa , Paulsen Ian T. , Winther-Larsen Hanne C.
Published: March 2017

Vaccine development against extracellular bacteria has been important for the sustainability of the aquaculture industry. In contrast, infections with intracellular pathogens remain largely an unresolved problem.
Francisella noatunensis
subsp.
orientalis
is a Gram-negative, facultative intracellular bacterium that causes the disease francisellosis in fish. Francisellosis is commonly characterized as a chronic granulomatous disease with high morbidity and can result in high mortality depending on the host. In this study, we explored the potential of bacterial membrane vesicles (MVs) as a vaccine agent against
F. noatunensis
subsp.
orientalis
. Bacterial MVs are spherical structures naturally released from the membrane of bacteria and are often enriched with selected bacterial components such as toxins and signaling molecules. MVs were isolated from broth-cultured
F. noatunensis
subsp.
orientalis
in the present work, and proteomic analysis by mass spectrometry revealed that MVs contained a variety of immunogenic factors, including the intracellular growth proteins IglC and IglB, known to be part of a
Francisella
pathogenicity island (FPI), as well as outer membrane protein OmpA, chaperonin GroEL, and chaperone ClpB. By using flow cytometry and electron microscopy, we observed that
F. noatunensis
subsp.
orientalis
mainly infects myelomonocytic cells, both
in vivo
and
in vitro
. Immunization with MVs isolated from
F. noatunensis
subsp.
orientalis
protects zebrafish from subsequent challenge with a lethal dose of
F. noatunensis
subsp.
orientalis
. To determine if MVs induce a typical acute inflammatory response, mRNA expression levels were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Expression of
tnfa
,
il1b
, and
ifng
, as well as
mhcii
,
mpeg1.1
, and
ighm
, was upregulated, thus confirming the immunogenic properties of
F. noatunensis
subsp.
orientalis
-derived MVs.
Fungal Sex: The Mucoromycota
Authors: Lee Soo Chan , Idnurm Alexander
Published: March 2017

Although at the level of resolution of genes and molecules most information about mating in fungi is from a single lineage, the Dikarya, many fundamental discoveries about mating in fungi have been made in the earlier branches of the fungi. These are nonmonophyletic groups that were once classified into the chytrids and zygomycetes. Few species in these lineages offer the potential of genetic tractability, thereby hampering the ability to identify the genes that underlie those fundamental insights. Research performed during the past decade has now established the genes required for mating type determination and pheromone synthesis in some species in the phylum Mucoromycota, especially in the order Mucorales. These findings provide striking parallels with the evolution of mating systems in the Dikarya fungi. Other discoveries in the Mucorales provide the first examples of sex-cell type identity being driven directly by a gene that confers mating type, a trait considered more of relevance to animal sex determination but difficult to investigate in animals. Despite these discoveries, there remains much to be gleaned about mating systems from these fungi.
Sports injuries and illnesses during the Granada Winter Universiade 2015
Authors: Gallo-Vallejo Miguel Ángel , de la Cruz-Márquez Juan Carlos , de la Cruz-Campos Adrián , de la Cruz-Campos Juan Carlos , Pestaña-Melero Francisco Luis , Carmona-Ruiz Ginés , Gallo-Galán Luz María
Published: March 2017

Objective

To analyse the incidence of diseases and injuries suffered by athletes participating in the 27th Winter Sports Universiade held in Granada, Spain.

Methods

The daily occurrence of injuries and diseases was registered at the point of first aid (Borreguiles, 2665 metres above sea level (masl)) and in the clinic of Pradollano (2017 masl), both in Sierra Nevada, as well as in medical services provided by the organising committee of Granada 2015 Universiade and located in sport pavilions in which indoor competitions are held.

Results

A total of 1109 athletes (650 men, 58.61%; 459 women, 41.39%). Nine diseases and 68 injuries were recorded. In total, the rate of injury was 6.13% (7.07% for men and 4.79% for women). The percentage of injury was highest in alpine skiing (10.34%) followed by freestyle skiing (8.62%). In relation to the time of exposure, freestyle skiing showed the shortest time of exposure (0.31 hours) before suffering an injury. Short track speed skating showed the longest exposure (9.80 hours), before suffering an injury. The most common anatomical areas of injury were the head, shoulder and knee (13.23%). Only nine diseases were suffered (four women and five men) of which six were infections, one was a friction burn, one was a lipothymy and one a cluster headache due to height.

Conclusion

In general, 6.13% of the athletes sustained at least one injury and 0.81% a disease, which is a much lower percentage than that recorded in similar events. The incidence of injuries and diseases varied among sport specialities.
“My friend who bought it for me, she has had an abortion before.” The influence of Ghanaian women’s social networks in determining the pathway to induced abortion
Authors: Rominski Sarah D , Lori Jody R , Morhe Emmanuel SK
Published: March 2017

Background

Even given the liberal abortion law in Ghana, abortion complications are a large contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. This study sought to understand why young women seeking an abortion in a legally enabling environment chose to do this outside the formal healthcare system.

Methods

Women being treated for complications arising from a self-induced abortion as well as for elective abortions at three hospitals in Ghana were interviewed. Community-based focus groups were held with women as well as men, separately. Interviews and focus group discussions were conducted until saturation was reached.

Results

A total of 18 women seeking care for complications from a self-induced abortion and 11 seeking care for an elective abortion interviewed. The women ranged in age from 13 to 35 years. There were eight focus groups; two with men and six with women. The reasons women self-induce are: (1) abortion is illegal; (2) attitudes of the healthcare workers; (3) keeping the pregnancy a secret; and (4) social network influence. The meta-theme of normalisation of self-inducing’ an abortion was identified.

Discussion

When women are faced with an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy, they consult individuals in their social network whom they know have dealt with a similar situation. Misoprostol is widely available in Ghanaian cities and is successful at inducing an abortion for many women. In this way, self-inducing abortions using medication procured from pharmacists and chemical sellers has become normalised for women in Kumasi, Ghana.
Clinical Effectiveness of Telemedicine for Chronic Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lin Mao-huan , Yuan Wo-liang , Huang Tu-cheng , Zhang Hai-feng , Mai Jing-ting , Wang Jing-feng
Published: March 2017

Telemedicine interventions may be associated with reductions in hospital admission rate and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). The present study is an updated analysis (as of June 30, 2016) of randomized controlled trials, where patients with HF underwent telemedicine care or the usual standard care. Data were extracted from 39 eligible studies for all-cause and HF-related hospital admission rate, length of stay, and mortality. The overall all-cause mortality (pooled OR=0.80, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.91, p<0.001), HF-related admission rate (pooled OR=0.63, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.76, p<0.001), and HF-related length of stay (pooled standardized difference in means=−0.37, 95% CI −0.72 to −0.02, p=0.041) were significantly lower in the telemedicine group (teletransmission and telephone-supported care), as compared with the control group. In subgroup analysis, all-cause mortality (pooled OR=0.69, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.86, p=0.001), HF-related admission rate (OR=0.61, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.88, p=0.008), HF-related length of stay (pooled standardized difference in means=−0.96, 95% CI −1.88 to −0.05, p=0.039) and HF-related mortality (OR=0.68, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.85, p=0.001) were significantly lower in the teletransmission group, as opposed to the standard care group, whereas only HF-related admission rate (OR=0.64, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.79, p<0.001) was lower in the telephone-supported care group. Overall, telemedicine was shown to be beneficial, with home-based teletransmission effectively reducing all-cause mortality and HF-related hospital admission, length of stay and mortality in patients with HF.
An FFRCTdiagnostic strategy versus usual care in patients with suspected coronary artery disease planned for invasive coronary angiography at German sites: one-year results of a subgroup analysis of the PLATFORM (Prospective Longitudinal Trial of FFRCT: Outcome and Resource Impacts) study
Authors: Colleran Roisin , Douglas Pamela S , Hadamitzky Martin , Gutberlet Matthias , Lehmkuhl Lukas , Foldyna Borek , Woinke Michael , Hink Ulrich , Nadjiri Jonathan , Wilk Alan , Wang Furong , Pontone Gianluca , Hlatky Mark A , Rogers Campbell , Byrne Robert A
Published: March 2017

Aim

Diagnostic evaluation practices for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) may vary between countries. Our objective was to compare a CT-derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) diagnostic strategy with usual care in patients with planned invasive coronary angiography (ICA) enrolled in the PLATFORM (Prospective Longitudinal Trial of FFRCT: Outcome and Resource Impacts) study at German sites.

Methods

Patients were divided into two consecutive observational cohorts, receiving either usual care or CT angiography (CTA)/FFRCT. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients planned for ICA, with no obstructive CAD on ICA within 90 days. Secondary endpoints included death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, hospitalisation leading to unplanned revascularisation, cumulative radiation exposure, estimated medical costs and quality of life (QOL) at 1 year.

Results

116 patients were included. The primary endpoint occurred in 4 of the 52 patients (7.7%) in the CTA/FFRCTgroup and in 55 of the 64 patients (85.9%) in the usual care group (risk difference 78.2%, 95% CI 67.1% to 89.4%, p<0.001). ICA was cancelled in 40 of the 52 patients (77%) who underwent CTA/FFRCT. Clinical event rates were low overall. The mean radiation exposure was lower in the FFRCTversus the usual care group (7.28 vs 9.80 mSv, p<0.001). Mean estimated medical costs were €4217 (CTA/FFRCT) versus €6894 (usual care), p<0.001. Improvement in QOL (EQ-5D score) was greater in the FFRCT(+0.09 units) versus the usual care cohort (+0.03 units), p=0.04.

Conclusions

In patients with suspected CAD planned for ICA at German sites, initial CTA/FFRCTcompared with usual care was associated with a markedly reduced rate of ICA showing no obstructive CAD, lower cumulative radiation exposure and estimated costs and greater improvement in QOL.
Market-level exposure to state antismoking media campaigns and public support for tobacco control policy in the United States, 2001–2002
Authors: Niederdeppe Jeff , Kellogg Maxwell , Skurka Christofer , Avery Rosemary J
Published: March 2017

Objective

This study tests whether exposure to state antismoking media campaigns is associated with increased support for comprehensive bans on smoking indoors and cigarette advertising.

Methods

We combine commercially available data on market-level state-sponsored antismoking advertisements with three waves of the Current Population Survey’s Tobacco Use Supplement to test the relationship between market-level volume of state antismoking advertising exposure and support for tobacco control policy between 2001 and 2002. We use logistic regression to assess which message themes employed in the advertisements are associated with increased support for tobacco control policy.

Results

The overall market-level volume of exposure to state antismoking ads targeted to adults or the general population was associated with significant increases in support for comprehensive indoor smoking bans. These effects were driven by exposure to ads emphasising the health consequences of smoking to others, anti-industry appeals and irrationality/addiction appeals. Evidence of campaign impact on support for tobacco advertising bans was less clear and, when statistically significant, small in magnitude relative to the impact of the state economic and tobacco control policy environment.

Conclusions

This study shows that that large-scale antismoking media campaigns can have a meaningful secondary impact on support for comprehensive indoor smoking bans. Future research should identify the conditions under which mass media campaigns primarily targeting smoking behaviour may influence public support for a variety of other tobacco control policies.
Waist circumference is associated with liver fat in black and white adolescents
Authors: Lee SoJung , Kuk Jennifer L. , Boesch Chris , Arslanian Silva
Published: March 2017

We examined whether waist circumference (WC) is associated with liver fat in black and white adolescents. Liver fat was measured using a 3T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in 152 overweight/obese adolescents (94 black and 58 white, body mass index (BMI) ≥85th percentile, aged 12–18 years) without liver diseases or diabetes. WC was measured at the last rib. Total and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. The proportion of fatty liver (defined as liver fat ≥5.0% by 1H-MRS) was lower (P < 0.01) in black adolescents (5.3%) compared with their white peers (24.1%). Despite similar age, BMI, WC, and total adiposity (%), black adolescents had lower (P < 0.01) VAT (59.0% vs. 81.3 cm2), liver fat (1.6% vs. 3.5%), and alanine aminotransferase (17.2 vs. 22.0 IU/L) compared with their white peers. Independent of race, WC was associated with liver fat (black, r = 0.43; white, r = 0.64) in a similar magnitude to the association between VAT and liver fat (black, r = 0.44; white, r = 0.51) and these findings remained significant after controlling for age, sex, Tanner stage, and total adiposity. In blacks, WC and sex (male) were independent (P < 0.01) predictors of liver fat, explaining 17.1% and 5.6% of the variance, respectively, while in whites WC was the single best predictor, explaining 40.8% of the variance in liver fat. These findings suggest that enlarged WC is a marker of increased liver fat in overweight/obese white and black adolescents.