bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preconditioning With Low‐Level Laser Irradiation Enhances the Therapeutic Potential of Human Adipose‐derived Stem Cells in a Mouse Model of Photoaged Skin
Authors: Liao Xuan , Li Sheng‐Hong , Xie Guang‐Hui , Xie Shan , Xiao Li‐Ling , Song Jian‐Xing , Liu Hong‐Wei
Published: February 2018

This study was conducted to explore the therapeutic potential of human adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) irradiated with a low‐level laser (LLL). Cultured ADSCs were treated with 650‐nm GaAlAs laser irradiation at 2, 4 and 8 J cm−2. Cell proliferation was quantified by MTT assays, cytokine secretion was determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, and adipogenic differentiation was examined by oil red O staining. Additionally, the expression profiles of putative ADSC surface markers were analyzed by quantitative real‐time PCR. In addition, a mouse photoaged skin model was established by UVB irradiation. Effects of GaAlAs laser–treated ADSCs on the thicknesses of the epidermis and dermis were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The results showed that GaAlAs laser treatment of cells at a radiant exposure of 4 J cm−2 enhanced ADSC proliferation and adipogenic differentiation and increased secretion of growth factors. Furthermore, GaAlAs laser irradiation upregulated the expression of putative ADSC surface markers. In the mouse model of photoaged skin, ADSCs treated with GaAlAs laser irradiation had markedly decreased the epidermal thickness and increased the dermal thickness of photoaged mouse skin. Our data indicate that LLL irradiation is an effective biostimulator of ADSCs and might enhance the therapeutic potential of ADSCs for clinical use.
Improved Wound Remodeling Correlates with Modulated TGF‐beta Expression in Skin Diabetic Wounds Following Combined Red and Infrared Photobiomodulation Treatments
Authors: Fekrazad Reza , Sarrafzadeh Arash , Kalhori Katayoun A.M. , Khan Imran , Arany Praveen R. , Giubellino Alessio
Published: February 2018

Diabetic wounds are a major cause of morbidity among patients with poorly controlled blood glucose levels. Conventional empirical wound care strategies have shown limited efficacy, and there is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Photobiomodulation treatments have shown positive therapeutic effects in several cell culture and animal models. In this study, we examined wound healing in diabetic rats following treatments with two laser wavelengths, namely red (660 nm) and infrared (808 nm) individually and in combination as compared to routine wound dressings. Immunostaining for TGF‐β expression was performed at various times postwounding. We noted that the combination of red and infrared laser treatments correlated with decreased TGF‐β1 levels at late stages in healing. There was no statistical significance with any treatments at an earlier time point. This study emphasizes the role of appropriate laser treatment protocols in modulating wound healing and remodeling responses.
Gendered Networking: Gender, Environment, and Managerial Networking
Authors: Rho Eunju , Lee Kangbok
Published: February 2018

This article examines how gender influences top managers’ networking activities and what situational factors intensify or ameliorate such gender effects. Focusing on female top managers’ efforts to engage in external networking activities, the authors conceptualize how and why female managers might develop different networking patterns and how such relationships could be redirected by several contingent factors specific to the context of U.S. local school districts. Using three sets of surveys on managerial behavior and management styles supplemented with six years of information related to organizational contexts, the authors find that, in general, gender differences lead to corresponding differences in the extent of involvement in managerial networking. Such effects are moderated by situational factors that impede or facilitate the number of available strategic managerial choices that allow managers to cope with them. The findings emphasize the need to consider the strengths and weaknesses of gender conjointly in assessing networking behaviors.
Endogenous Persuasion with Costly Verification
Authors: Felgenhauer Mike
Published: February 2018

In this paper, I study a situation in which a sender tries to persuade a receiver with evidence that is generated via public or private experimentation. Under public experimentation, any experimental outcome is revealed, and under private experimentation the sender can hide adverse outcomes. The sender can design the properties of the experiments. The receiver chooses whether to verify at a cost the design of the experiment with which the revealed outcome was generated. I find that communication breaks down under public experimentation if there is no restriction on the experiment's design, and that persuasion is possible under private experimentation.
Spatial Segregation Measures: A Methodological Review
Authors: Yao Jing , Wong David W.S. , Bailey Nick , Minton Jonathan
Published: February 2018

Quantitative indices of segregation are powerful tools for summarising the spatial relationships between population groups and thereby providing the basis for analysis and public policy intervention. While the broad concept of segregation may be intuitive, measurement is challenging because of the complexity of varied dimensions and spatial arrangements. Many traditional measures can be criticised for over‐simplification or over‐reduction, not least in their treatment of geographical space. Over the last several decades, however, a series of measures has been developed to explicitly incorporate the spatial arrangement of population groups as well as their interactions. This paper reviews the development of spatial segregation measures, particularly focusing on the mathematical formulation of spatial arrangement/relations. In addition, several related issues are discussed, including representation of spatial interaction, spatial scale and statistical inferences. Also, this paper presents an overview of existing software tools that are readily available for calculating some of the reviewed measures. Finally, discussions on challenges and future research are provided.
The area discontinuity between probe and ear canal as a source of power-reflectance measurement-location variability
Authors: Lewis James D.
Published: February 2018

This study examined the effect of the area discontinuity between the measurement-probe sound source and ear canal on the plane-wave approximation of power reflectance. The area discontinuity was hypothesized to introduce measurement-location sensitivity to the power reflectance, especially above 5 kHz. Measurements were made in human and artificial ear canals (tubes coupled to an IEC711 ear simulator). In both cases, the power reflectance exhibited a high-frequency notch that decreased in frequency as the residual canal length increased. The area discontinuity between probe and canal was modeled as an inductance in series with the canal's acoustic impedance. To compensate for the effects of the discontinuity, the discontinuity's impedance was subtracted from the measured load impedance of the canal. In the artificial ears, compensation for the estimated area discontinuity removed the high-frequency notch and reduced the position dependence of the power reflectance. Subtracting the estimated discontinuity impedance from the load impedance in the human ears had a minimal effect on the power-reflectance measurement-location variability and magnitude of the high-frequency notch. The area-discontinuity between probe and ear canal is not supported as the primary source of measurement-variability in the plane-wave approximation of the power reflectance in human ears.
Dynamics of the Metabolic Response During a Competitive 100-m Freestyle in Elite Male Swimmers
Authors: Hellard Philippe , Pla Robin , Rodríguez Ferran A. , Simbana David , Pyne David B.
Published: February 2018

Purpose: To compare the dynamics of maximal oxygen uptake (), blood lactate ([La]b), total energy expenditure (Etot), and contributions of the aerobic (Eaer), alactic anaerobic (Ean,al), and lactic anaerobic (Ean,lac) metabolic energy pathways over 4 consecutive 25-m laps (L0–25, L25–50, etc) of a 100-m maximal freestyle swim. Methods: Elite swimmers comprising 26 juniors (age = 16 [1] y) and 23 seniors (age = 24 [5] y) performed 100 m at maximal speed and then 3 trials (25, 50, and 75 m) at the same pace as that of the 100 m. [La]b was collected, and was measured 20 s postexercise. Results: The estimated energetic contributions for the 100-m trial are presented as mean (SD): Eaer, 51% (8%); Ean,al, 18% (2%); Ean,lac, 31% (9%). increased from L0–25 to L25–50 (mean = 3.5 L·min−1; 90% confidence interval [CI], 3.4–3.7 L·min−1 to mean = 4.2 L·min−1; 90% CI, 4.0–4.3 L·min−1) and then stabilized in the 2nd 50 m (mean = 4.1 L·min−1; 90% CI, 3.9–4.3 L·min−1 to mean = 4.2 L·min−1; 90% CI, 4.0–4.4 L·min−1). Etot (juniors, 138 [18] kJ; seniors, 168 [26] kJ), Ean,al (juniors, 27 [3] kJ; seniors, 30 [3] kJ), and Ean,lac (juniors, 38 [12] kJ; seniors, 62 [24] kJ) were 11–58% higher in seniors. Faster swimmers (n = 26) had higher , 90% CI 4.4–4.8 L·min−1 vs 3.9 L·min−1, 90% CI 3.6–4.2 L·min−1), and Eaer power was associated with fast performances (P < .001). Conclusion: Faster swimmers were characterized by higher and less time to reach the highest at ∼50 m of the 100-m swim. Anaerobic qualities become more important with age.
Physical Preparation Factors That Influence Technical and Physical Match Performance in Professional Australian Football
Authors: Ryan Samuel , Coutts Aaron J. , Hocking Joel , Dillon Patrick A. , Whitty Anthony , Kempton Thomas
Published: February 2018

Objectives: To examine the collective influence of a range of physical preparation elements on selected performance measures during Australian football match play. Design: Prospective and longitudinal. Methods: Data were collected from 34 professional Australian football players from the same club during the 2016 Australian Football League competition season. Match activity profiles and acute (7-d) and chronic (3-wk) training loads were collected using global positioning system devices. Training response was measured by well-being questionnaires completed prior to the main training session each week. Maximal aerobic running speed (MAS) was estimated by a 2-km time trial conducted during preseason. Coach ratings were collected from the senior coach and 4 assistants after each match on a 5-point Likert scale. Player ratings were obtained from a commercial statistics provider. Fifteen matches were analyzed. Linear mixed models were constructed to examine the collective influence of training-related factors on 4 performance measures. Results: Muscle soreness had a small positive effect (ES: 0.12) on Champion Data rating points. Three-week average high-speed running distance had a small negative effect (ES: 0.14) on coach ratings. MAS had large to moderate positive effects (ES: 0.55 to 0.47) on relative total and high-speed running distances. Acute total and chronic average total running distance had small positive (ES: 0.13) and negative (ES: 0.14) effects on relative total and high-speed running distance performed during matches, respectively. Conclusions: MAS should be developed to enhance players’ running performance during competition. Monitoring of physical preparation data may assist in reducing injury and illness and increasing player availability but not enhance football performance.
Eosinophil depletion suppresses radiation-induced small intestinal fibrosis
Authors: Takemura Naoki , Kurashima Yosuke , Mori Yuki , Okada Kazuki , Ogino Takayuki , Osawa Hideki , Matsuno Hirosih , Aayam Lamichhane , Kaneto Satoshi , Park Eun Jeong , Sato Shintaro , Matsunaga Kouta , Tamura Yusuke , Ouchi Yasuo , Kumagai Yutaro , Kobayashi Daichi , Suzuki Yutaka , Yoshioka Yoshichika , Nishimura Junichi , Mori Masaki , Ishii Ken J. , Rothenberg Mark E. , Kiyono Hiroshi , Akira Shizuo , Uematsu Satoshi
Published: February 2018

Eosinophils are a potential target for treating radiation-induced intestinal fibrosis.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Propanotroph, Rhodococcus sp. Strain ENV425, Capable of Degrading Methyl
tert
-Butyl Ether and
N
-Nitrosodimethylamine
Authors: Tupa Peter R. , Masuda Hisako
Published: February 2018

In this study, the draft genome of
Rhodococcus
sp. strain ENV425 was determined. The propane-grown strain ENV425 cometabolically degrades environmental contaminants such as methyl
tert
-butyl ether and
N
-nitrosodimethylamine. The sequence revealed the presence of multiple hydrocarbon metabolic genes that could play pivotal roles in the biodegradation of pollutants.
Draft Genome Sequence of Clostridium sp. Strain chh4-2 Isolated from Human Feces
Authors: Huang Chien-Hsun , Liou Jong-Shian , Wang Chun-Lin , Huang Lina
Published: February 2018

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of a
Clostridium
sp. strain isolated from a fecal sample of a 34-year-old adult male in Taiwan. This strain may represent a new bacterium, as suggested by a comparison based on whole-genome sequencing. The genome assembly comprised 6,089,737 bp, with a 45.63% G+C content.
Genome Sequence of a Marine Alkane Degrader, Alcanivorax sp. Strain 97CO-6
Authors: Yin Xiaofei , Luan Xiao , Xu Angela , Li Qian , Cui Zhisong , Valentine David L.
Published: February 2018

Alcanivorax
sp. strain 97CO-6 was isolated from a crude oil-consuming bacterial consortium, enriched from Yellow Sea sediments from China. Here, we present the draft genome of strain 97CO-6, which contains 3,253,423 bp, with a G+C content of 54.53%, as well as 2,931 protein-coding genes and 42 tRNAs.
Adenovirus Infection of Human Enteroids Reveals Interferon Sensitivity and Preferential Infection of Goblet Cells
Authors: Holly Mayumi K. , Smith Jason G.
Published: February 2018

Human adenoviruses (HAdV) are significant human pathogens. Although only a subset of HAdV serotypes commonly cause gastroenteritis in humans, most HAdV species replicate in the gastrointestinal tract. Knowledge of the complex interaction between HAdVs and the human intestinal epithelium has been limited by the lack of a suitable cell culture system containing relevant cell types. Recently, this need has been met by the stable and prolonged cultivation of primary intestinal epithelial cells as enteroids. Human enteroids have been used to reveal novel and interesting aspects of rotavirus, norovirus, and enterovirus replication, prompting us to explore their suitability for HAdV culture. We found that both prototype strains and clinical isolates of enteric and nonenteric HAdVs productively replicate in human enteroids. HAdV-5p, a respiratory pathogen, and HAdV-41p, an enteric pathogen, are both sensitive to type I and III interferons in human enteroid monolayers but not A549 cells. Interestingly, HAdV-5p, but not HAdV-41p, preferentially infected goblet cells. And, HAdV-5p but not HAdV-41p was potently neutralized by the enteric human alpha-defensin HD5. These studies highlight new facets of HAdV biology that are uniquely revealed by primary intestinal epithelial cell culture.

IMPORTANCE
Enteric adenoviruses are a significant cause of childhood gastroenteritis worldwide, yet our understanding of their unique biology is limited. Here we report robust replication of both prototype and clinical isolates of enteric and respiratory human adenoviruses in enteroids, a primary intestinal cell culture system. Recent studies have shown that other fastidious enteric viruses replicate in human enteroids. Therefore, human enteroids may provide a unified platform for culturing enteric viruses, potentially enabling isolation of a greater diversity of viruses from patients. Moreover, both the ability of interferon to restrict respiratory and enteric adenoviruses and a surprising preference of a respiratory serotype for goblet cells demonstrate the power of this culture system to uncover aspects of adenovirus biology that were previously unattainable with standard cell lines.
Bovine Nebovirus Interacts with a Wide Spectrum of Histo-Blood Group Antigens
Authors: Cho Eun-Hyo , Soliman Mahmoud , Alfajaro Mia Madel , Kim Ji-Yun , Seo Ja-Young , Park Jun-Gyu , Kim Deok-Song , Baek Yeong-Bin , Kang Mun-Il , Park Sang-Ik , Le Pendu Jacques , Cho Kyoung-Oh
Published: February 2018

Some viruses within the
Caliciviridae
family initiate their replication cycle by attachment to cell surface carbohydrate moieties, histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs), and/or terminal sialic acids (SAs). Although bovine nebovirus (BNeV), one of the enteric caliciviruses, is an important causative agent of acute gastroenteritis in cattle, its attachment factors and possibly other cellular receptors remain unknown. Using a comprehensive series of protein-ligand biochemical assays, we sought to determine whether BNeV recognizes cell surface HBGAs and/or SAs as attachment factors. It was found that BNeV virus-like particles (VLPs) bound to A type/H type 2/Le
y
HBGAs expressed in the bovine digestive tract and are related to HBGAs expressed in humans and other host species, suggesting a wide spectrum of HBGA recognition by BNeV. BNeV VLPs also bound to a large variety of different bovine and human saliva samples of all ABH and Lewis types, supporting previously obtained results and suggesting a zoonotic potential of BNeV transmission. Removal of α1,2-linked fucose and α1,3/4-linked fucose epitopes of target HBGAs by confirmation-specific enzymes reduced the binding of BNeV VLPs to synthetic HBGAs, bovine and human saliva, cultured cell lines, and bovine small intestine mucosa, further supporting a wide HBGA binding spectrum of BNeV through recognition of α1,2-linked fucose and α1,3/4-linked fucose epitopes of targeted HBGAs. However, removal of terminal α2,3- and α2,6-linked SAs by their specific enzyme had no inhibitory effects on binding of BNeV VLPs, indicating that BNeV does not use terminal SAs as attachment factors. Further details of the binding specificity of BNeV remain to be explored.

IMPORTANCE
Enteric caliciviruses such as noroviruses, sapoviruses, and recoviruses are the most important etiological agents of severe acute gastroenteritis in humans and many other mammalian host species. They initiate infection by attachment to cell surface carbohydrate moieties, HBGAs, and/or terminal SAs. However, the attachment factor(s) for BNeV, a recently classified enteric calicivirus genus/type species, remains unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that BNeV VLPs have a wide spectrum of binding to synthetic HBGAs, bovine and human saliva samples, and bovine duodenal sections. We further discovered that α1,2-linked fucose and α1,3/4-linked fucose epitopes are essential for binding of BNeV VLPs. However, BNeV VLPs do not bind to terminal SAs on cell carbohydrates. Continued investigation regarding the proteinaceous receptor(s) will be necessary for better understanding of the tropism, pathogenesis, and host range of this important viral genus.
A Prominent Role of the Human Cytomegalovirus UL8 Glycoprotein in Restraining Proinflammatory Cytokine Production by Myeloid Cells at Late Times during Infection
Authors: Pérez-Carmona Natàlia , Martínez-Vicente Pablo , Farré Domènec , Gabaev Ildar , Messerle Martin , Engel Pablo , Angulo Ana
Published: February 2018

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) persistence in infected individuals relies on a plethora of mechanisms to efficiently reduce host immune responses. To that end, HCMV uses a variety of gene products, some of which have not been identified yet. Here we characterized theUL8gene, which consists of two exons, sharing the first with the HCMV RL11 family memberUL7. UL8 is a transmembrane protein with an N-terminal immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domain in common with UL7 but with an extended stalk and a distinctive cytoplasmic tail. TheUL8open reading frame gives rise to a heavily glycosylated protein predominantly expressed on the cell surface, from where it can be partially endocytosed and subsequently degraded. Infections with UL8-tagged viruses indicated that UL8 was synthesized with late-phase kinetics. By virtue of its highly conserved Ig-like domain, this viral protein interacted with a surface molecule present on activated neutrophils. Notably, when ectopically expressed in THP-1 myeloid cells, UL8 was able to significantly reduce the production of a variety of proinflammatory cytokines. Mutations in UL8 indicated that this functional effect was mediated by the cell surface expression of its Ig-like domain. To investigate the impact of the viral protein in the infection context, we engineered HCMVs lacking theUL8gene and demonstrated that UL8 decreases the release of a large number of proinflammatory factors at late times after infection of THP-1 cells. Our data indicate that UL8 may exert an immunosuppressive role key for HCMV survival in the host.

IMPORTANCEHCMV is a major pathogen that causes life-threatening diseases and disabilities in infected newborns and immunocompromised individuals. Containing one of the largest genomes among all reported human viruses, HCMV encodes an impressive repertoire of gene products. However, the functions of a large proportion of them still remain unknown, a fact that complicates the design of new therapeutic approaches to prevent or treat HCMV-associated diseases. In this report, we have conducted an extensive study ofUL8, one of the previously uncharacterized HCMV open reading frames. We found that the UL8 protein is expressed at late times postinfection and utilized by HCMV to reduce the production of proinflammatory factors by infected myeloid cells. Thus, the work presented here points to a key role of UL8 as a novel HCMV immune modulator capable of restraining host antiviral defenses.
How do time trends in inhospital mortality compare? A retrospective study of England and Scotland over 17 years using administrative data
Authors: Aragón María José , Chalkley Martin
Published: February 2018

Objectives

To examine the trends in inhospital mortality for England and Scotland over a 17-year period to determine whether and if so to what extent the time trends differ after controlling for differences in the patients treated.

Design

Analysis of retrospective administrative hospital data using descriptive aggregate statistics of trends in inhospital mortality and estimates of a logistic regression model of individual patient-level inhospital mortality accounting for patient characteristics, case-mix, and country-specific and year-specific intercepts.

Setting

Secondary care across all hospitals in England and Scotland from 1997 to 2013.

Population

Over 190 million inpatient admissions, either electively or emergency, in England or Scotland from 1997 to 2013.

Data

Hospital Episode Statistics for England and the Scottish Morbidity Record 01 for Scotland.

Main outcome measures

Separately for two admission pathways (elective and emergency), we examine aggregate time trends of the proportion of patients who die in hospital and a binary variable indicating whether an individual patient died in hospital or survived, and how that indicator is influenced by the patient’s characteristics, the year and the country (England or Scotland) in which they were admitted.

Results

Inhospital mortality has declined in both countries over the period studied, for both elective and emergency admissions, but has declined more in England than Scotland. The difference in trend reduction is greater for elective admissions. These differences persist after controlling for patient characteristics and case-mix.

Conclusions

Comparing data at country level suggests questions about the roles performed by or functioning of their healthcare systems. We found substantial differences between Scotland and England in regard to the trend reductions in inhospital mortality. Hospital resources are therefore being deployed increasingly differently over time in these two countries for reasons that have yet to be explained.
HIV/AIDS mortality attributable to alcohol use in South Africa: a comparative risk assessment by socioeconomic status
Authors: Probst Charlotte , Parry Charles D H , Rehm Jürgen
Published: February 2018

Objectives

To quantify HIV/AIDS mortality attributable to alcohol use in the adult general population of South Africa in 2012 by socioeconomic status (SES).

Design

Comparative risk assessment based on secondary individual data, aggregate data and risk relations reported in the literature.

Setting

South African adult general population.

Participants

For metrics of alcohol use by SES, sex and age: 27 070 adults that participated in a nationally representative survey in 2012. For HRs of dying from HIV/AIDS by SES: 87 029 adults that participated in a cohort study (years 2000 to 2014) based out of the Umkhanyakude district, KwaZulu-Natal.

Main outcome measures

Alcohol-attributable fractions for HIV/AIDS mortality by SES, age and sex were calculated based on the risk of engaging in condom-unprotected sex under the influence of alcohol and interactions between SES and alcohol use. Age-standardised HIV/AIDS mortality rates attributable to alcohol by SES and sex were estimated using alcohol-attributable fractions and SES-specific and sex-specific death counts. Rate ratios were calculated comparing age-standardised rates in low versus high SES by sex.

Results

The age-standardised HIV/AIDS mortality rate attributable to alcohol was 31.0 (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 21.6 to 41.3) and 229.6 (95% UI 108.8 to 351.6) deaths per 100 000 adults for men of high and low SES, respectively. For women the respective rates were 10.8 (95% UI 5.5 to 16.1) and 75.5 (95% UI 31.2 to 144.9). The rate ratio was 7.4 (95% UI 3.4 to 13.2) for men and 7.0 (95% UI 2.8 to 18.2) for women. Sensitivity analyses corroborated marked differences in alcohol-attributable HIV/AIDS mortality, with rate ratios between 2.7 (95% UI 0.8 to 7.6; women) and 15.1 (95% UI 6.8 to 27.7; men).

Conclusions

The present study showed that alcohol use contributed considerably to the socioeconomic differences in HIV/AIDS mortality. Targeting HIV infection under the influence of alcohol is a promising strategy for interventions to reduce the HIV/AIDS burden and related socioeconomic differences in South Africa.
Rapid diagnostic test for antenatal syphilis screening in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Phang Romero Casas Carmen , Martyn-St James Marrissa , Hamilton Jean , Marinho Daniel S , Castro Rodolfo , Harnan Sue
Published: February 2018

Objectives

To undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the test performance including sensitivity and specificity of rapid immunochromatographic syphilis (ICS) point-of-care (POC) tests at antenatal clinics compared with reference standard tests (non-treponemal (TP) and TP tests) for active syphilis in pregnant women.

Methods

Five electronic databases were searched (PubMed, EMBASE, CRD, Cochrane Library and LILACS) to March 2016 for diagnostic accuracy studies of ICS test and standard reference tests for syphilis in pregnant women. Methodological quality was assessed using QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies). A bivariate meta-analysis was undertaken to generate pooled estimates of diagnostic parameters. Results were presented using a coupled forest plot of sensitivity and specificity and a scatter plot.

Results

The methodological quality of the five included studies with regards to risk of bias and applicability concern judgements was either low or unclear. One study was judged as high risk of bias for patient selection due to exclusion of pregnant women with a previous history of syphilis, and one study was judged at high risk of bias for study flow and timing as not all patients were included in the analysis. Five studies contributed to the meta-analysis, providing a pooled sensitivity and specificity for ICS of 0.85 (95% CrI: 0.73 to 0.92) and 0.98 (95% CrI: 0.95 to 0.99), respectively.

Conclusions

This review and meta-analysis observed that rapid ICS POC tests have a high sensitivity and specificity when performed in pregnant women at antenatal clinics. However, the methodological quality of the existing evidence base should be taken into consideration when interpreting these results.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42016036335.
Physiological responses to arm versus leg activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Frykholm Erik , Lima Vanessa Pereira , Janaudis-Ferreira Tania , Nyberg Andre
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Compared with healthy older adults, people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have reduced capacity and increased symptoms during leg and arm activities. While the mechanisms underlying limitations and symptoms during leg activities have been investigated in detail, limitations and symptoms during arm activities are not well understood, and the potential differences between physiological responses of leg and arm activities have not been systematically synthesised. Determining physiological responses and symptoms of arm activities compared with physiological responses and symptoms of leg activities will help us understand the mechanisms behind the difficulties that people with COPD experience when performing physical activities, and determine how exercise training should be prescribed. Thus, the aim of this systematic review is to compare the physiological responses and symptoms during activities involving the arms relative to activities involving the legs in people diagnosed with COPD.

Methods and analyses

This protocol is reported in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols. Potentially relevant studies will be identified from CINAHL, EMBASE, PEDro, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and PubMed databases. The Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcomes, and Study characteristics framework will be used to systematise the process of selecting and extracting data from relevant studies. Assessment of the methodological quality of the studies will be done by using the 14 most relevant components from the checklist by Downs and Black. The result will be presented with a narrative synthesis, and if appropriate with meta-analyses.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required as this study is a systematic review. It is our intention to submit the results of our review for peer-reviewed publication.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017074476.
Infectious intracranial aneurysms: a systematic review of epidemiology, management, and outcomes
Authors: Alawieh Ali , Chaudry M Imran , Turner Raymond D , Turk Aquilla S , Spiotta Alejandro M
Published: February 2018

Infectious intracranial aneurysms (IIAs) are a rare cerebrovascular complication of systemic infections induced by microbial infiltration and degradation of the arterial vessel wall. Studies on the epidemiology and management of IIAs are limited to case reports and retrospective single-center studies, and report a large variability in epidemiological features, management, and outcomes due to the limited sample size. We conducted a systematic review of all published papers on IIAs in the English literature using MEDLINE and SCOPUS database from January 1950 to June 2017. A total of 288 publications describing 1191 patients with IIA (1398 aneurysms) were included and reviewed for epidemiological features, disease features, treatment and outcome. All patients were merged into a single cohort and summary data are presented. The majority of reported IIAs are distally located, relatively small (<5 mm), involve the anterior circulation, are associated with a relatively high rate of rupture, and demonstrate a propensity to multiplicity of aneurysms. Sensitive diagnosis of IIAs requires digital subtraction angiography and not CT angiography or MR angiography. Treatment of ruptured, symptomatic, or enlarging IIAs has evolved over the last 50 years. Endovascular therapy is associated with a high success rate and low morbidity compared with microsurgical and medical management. A treatment algorithm for the management of patients with IIA in various contexts is proposed and the need for prospective multicenter studies is emphasized.
Interval-Valued Dual Hesitant Fuzzy Heronian Mean Aggregation Operators and their Application to Multi-Attribute Decision Making
Authors: Zang Yuqi , Zhao Xiaodong , Li Shiyong
Published: February 2018

The interval-valued dual hesitant fuzzy set (IVDHFS) can depict the imprecise, vague and indeterminate information and Heronian mean (HM) has the prominent characteristic of capturing the correlation of the aggregated arguments. In this paper, we investigate multi-attribute decision making (MADM) problems based on HM, in which the attribute values are assumed in the form of interval-valued dual hesitant fuzzy information. Firstly, we briefly present some concepts of IVDHFS and HM. Then, we propose the interval-valued dual hesitant fuzzy Heronian mean (IVDHFHM) operator and the interval-valued dual hesitant fuzzy geometric Heronian mean (IVDHFGHM) operator. We also prove that they satisfy some desirable properties. Further, we consider the importance of the input arguments and derive the interval-valued dual hesitant fuzzy weighted Heronian mean (IVDHFWHM) operator and the interval-valued dual hesitant fuzzy weighted geometric Heronian mean (IVDHFWGHM) operator, and then develop the procedure of MADM. Finally, an illustrate example is given to demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of the new approach.
Monitoring in a DevOps world
Authors: Schlossnagle Theo
Published: February 2018

Perfect should never be the enemy of better.
The wisdom of older technology (non)users
Authors: Knowles Bran , Hanson Vicki L.
Published: February 2018

Older adults consistently reject digital technology even when designed to be accessible and trustworthy.
Making security sustainable
Authors: Anderson Ross
Published: February 2018

Can there be an Internet of durable goods?
Glomerular hyperpermeability after acute unilateral ureteral obstruction: effects of Tempol, NOS, RhoA, and Rac-1 inhibition
Authors: Dolinina Julia , Rippe Anna , Bentzer Peter , Öberg Carl M.
Published: February 2018

It is well known that proteinuria following urinary tract obstruction is mainly of a tubular nature. However, it is unknown whether there are also changes in glomerular permeability. In this study, we compared glomerular sieving coefficients (θ) of polydisperse fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-Ficoll 70/400 following a 120- or 180-min unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Samples were collected from the obstructed kidney at 5, 15, and 30 min postrelease and analyzed by means of high-pressure size-exclusion chromatography. After 120-min UUO, mean θ for Ficoll70Åwas increased ( P < 0.01) from 2.2 ± 0.5 × 10−5(baseline) to 10.6 ± 10 × 10−515 min postrelease (highest value). After 180-min UUO, mean θ for Ficoll70Åwas further increased ( P < 0.001) from 1.4 ± 0.5 × 10−5(baseline) to 40 ± 10 × 10−5at 5 min postrelease (highest value). Administration of a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger (Tempol; 1 mg·kg−1·min−1) partly abrogated the permeability effects following 120-min UUO but not after 180 min. Moreover, administration of the RhoA kinase inhibitor Y-27632, the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, or Rac-1 inhibition did not ameliorate glomerular hyperpermeability following 180-min UUO. We show, for the first time, that acute UUO results in marked elevations in glomerular permeability. In addition, our data suggest a time-dependent pathophysiology of UUO-induced hyperpermeability, where reactive oxygen species generation may play an important role in the early stages.
Morphologic and morphometric study on microvasculature of developing mouse kidneys
Authors: Zhang Jie , Cong Jing , Yang Jie , Thomsen Jesper Skovhus , Andreasen Arne , Chang Shi-Jie , Wang Kai-Yue , Gu Ling , Zhai Xiao-Yue
Published: February 2018

A proper morphogenesis of the renal microvasculature is crucial not only for fulfilling the renal function but also to slow down the progression of chronic kidney disease in adulthood. However, the current description of the developing microvasculature is incomplete. The present study investigated the morphogenesis and volume densities of the renal microvasculature using computer-assisted tubular tracing, immunohistochemistry for CD34, and unbiased stereology. The earliest glomerular capillaries were observed at the lower cleft of the S-shaped nephrons, as simple loops connecting the afferent and efferent arterioles. In parallel with this, the peritubular capillaries were established. Noticeably, from early nephrogenesis on, the efferent arterioles of the early-formed glomeruli ran in close proximity to their own thick ascending limbs. In addition, the ascending vasa recta arising from the arcuate or interlobular veins also ran in close proximity to the thick descending limb. Thus, the tubules and vessels formed the typical countercurrent relation in the medulla. No loop bends were observed between descending and ascending vasa recta. The volume density of the cortical and medullary peritubular capillary increased 3.3- and 2.6-fold, respectively, from 2.34 (0.13) and 7.03 (0.09)% [means (SD)] at embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5) to 7.71 (0.44) and 18.27 (1.17)% at postnatal day 40 (P40). In contrast, the volume density of glomeruli changed only slightly during kidney development, from 4.61 (0.47)% at E14.5 to 6.07 (0.2)% at P7 to 4.19 (0.47)% at P40. These results reflect that the growth and formation of the renal microvasculature closely correspond to functional development of the tubules.
Corrective response times in a coordinated eye-head-arm countermanding task
Authors: Tao Gordon , Khan Aarlenne Z. , Blohm Gunnar
Published: February 2018

Inhibition of motor responses has been described as a race between two competing decision processes of motor initiation and inhibition, which manifest as the reaction time (RT) and the stop signal reaction time (SSRT); in the case where motor initiation wins out over inhibition, an erroneous movement occurs that usually needs to be corrected, leading to corrective response times (CRTs). Here we used a combined eye-head-arm movement countermanding task to investigate the mechanisms governing multiple effector coordination and the timing of corrective responses. We found a high degree of correlation between effector response times for RT, SSRT, and CRT, suggesting that decision processes are strongly dependent across effectors. To gain further insight into the mechanisms underlying CRTs, we tested multiple models to describe the distribution of RTs, SSRTs, and CRTs. The best-ranked model (according to 3 information criteria) extends the LATER race model governing RTs and SSRTs, whereby a second motor initiation process triggers the corrective response (CRT) only after the inhibition process completes in an expedited fashion. Our model suggests that the neural processing underpinning a failed decision has a residual effect on subsequent actions.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Failure to inhibit erroneous movements typically results in corrective movements. For coordinated eye-head-hand movements we show that corrective movements are only initiated after the erroneous movement cancellation signal has reached a decision threshold in an accelerated fashion.
Dynamics of fixational eye position and microsaccades during spatial cueing: the case of express microsaccades
Authors: Tian Xiaoguang , Yoshida Masatoshi , Hafed Ziad M.
Published: February 2018

Microsaccades are systematically modulated by peripheral spatial cues, and these eye movements have been implicated in perceptual and motor performance changes in cueing tasks. However, an additional oculomotor factor that may also influence performance in these tasks, fixational eye position itself, has been largely neglected so far. Using precise eye tracking and real-time retinal-image stabilization, we carefully analyzed fixational eye position dynamics and related them to microsaccade generation during spatial cueing. As expected, during baseline fixation, microsaccades corrected for a foveal motor error away from the preferred retinal locus of fixation (the so-called ocular position “set point” of the oculomotor system). However, we found that this relationship was violated during a short period immediately after cue onset; a subset of cue-directed “express microsaccades” that were highly precise in time and direction, and that were larger than regular microsaccades, occurred. These movements, having <100-ms latencies from cue onset, were triggered when fixational eye position was already at the oculomotor set point when the cue appeared; they were thus error-increasing rather than error-decreasing. Critically, even when no microsaccades occurred, fixational eye position itself was systematically deviated toward the cue, again with ~100-ms latency, suggesting that the oculomotor system establishes a new set point at different postcue times. This new set point later switched to being away from the cue after ~200–300 ms. Because eye position alters the location of retinal images, our results suggest that both eye position and microsaccades can be associated with performance changes in spatial cueing tasks.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Covert spatial cueing tasks are a workhorse for studying cognitive processing in humans and monkeys, but gaze is not perfectly stable during these tasks. We found that minute fixational eye position changes, independent of the more studied microsaccades, are not random in cueing tasks and are thus not “averaged out” in analyses. These changes can additionally dictate microsaccade times. Thus, in addition to microsaccadic influences, retinal image changes associated with fixational eye position are relevant for performance in cueing tasks.
Tannins and Bacitracin Differentially Modulate Gut Microbiota of Broiler Chickens
Authors: Díaz Carrasco Juan María , Redondo Enzo Alejandro , Pin Viso Natalia Daniela , Redondo Leandro Martin , Farber Marisa Diana , Fernández Miyakawa Mariano Enrique
Published: February 2018

Antibiotic growth promoters have been used for decades in poultry farming as a tool to maintain bird health and improve growth performance. Global concern about the recurrent emergence and spreading of antimicrobial resistance is challenging the livestock producers to search for alternatives to feed added antibiotics. The use of phytogenic compounds appears as a feasible option due to their ability to emulate the bioactive properties of antibiotics. However, detailed description about the effects of in-feed antibiotics and alternative natural products on chicken intestinal microbiota is lacking. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene was used to study composition of cecal microbiota in broiler chickens supplemented with either bacitracin or a blend of chestnut and quebracho tannins over a 30-day grow-out period. Both tannins and bacitracin had a significant impact on diversity of cecal microbiota. Bacitracin consistently decreasedBifidobacteriumwhile other bacterial groups were affected only at certain times. Tannins-fed chickens showed a drastic decrease in genusBacteroideswhile certain members of order Clostridiales mainly belonging to the families Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae were increased. Different members of these groups have been associated with an improvement of intestinal health and feed efficiency in poultry, suggesting that these bacteria could be associated with productive performance of birds.
Trapezium Fracture Associated with Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Dislocation: A Report of Three Cases and Literature Review
Authors: Kohyama Sho , Tanaka Toshikazu , Ikumi Akira , Totoki Yasukazu , Okuno Kosuke , Ochiai Naoyuki
Published: February 2018

Isolated trapezium fracture in combination with thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint dislocation is extremely rare, and no treatment consensus exists. Herein, we report 3 successfully treated cases of isolated trapezium fracture with thumb CMC joint dislocation. While good short-term results have been reported in the literature, the possibility of substantial ligament injuries that can lead to future instability of the thumb CMC joint must be noted. In order to obtain an excellent long-term clinical result, we propose the consideration of the anatomical repair of the CMC joint in terms of both bony and ligamentous structures in cases where instability remains after fracture fixation.
Regulation of Long Noncoding RNAs Responsive to Phytoplasma Infection in Paulownia tomentosa
Authors: Fan Guoqiang , Cao Yabing , Wang Zhe
Published: February 2018

Paulownia witches’ broom caused by phytoplasma infection affects the production of Paulownia trees worldwide. Emerging evidence showed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) play a protagonist role in regulating the expression of genes in plants. So far, the identification of lncRNAs has been limited to a few model plant species, and their roles in mediating responses to Paulownia tomentosa that free of phytoplasma infection are yet to be characterized. Here, whole-genome identification of lncRNAs, based on strand-specific RNA sequencing, from four Paulownia tomentosa samples, was performed and identified 3689 lncRNAs. These lncRNAs showed low conservation among plant species and some of them were miRNA precursors. Further analysis revealed that the 112 identified lncRNAs were related to phytoplasma infection. We predicted the target genes of these phytoplasma-responsive lncRNAs, and our analysis showed that 51 of the predicted target genes were alternatively spliced. Moreover, we found the expression of the lncRNAs plays vital roles in regulating the genes involved in the reactive oxygen species induced hypersensitive response and effector-triggered immunity in phytoplasma-infected Paulownia. This study indicated that diverse sets of lncRNAs were responsive to Paulownia witches’ broom, and the results will provide a starting point to understand the functions and regulatory mechanisms of Paulownia lncRNAs in the future.
Influence of Drug-Carrier Polymers on Alpha-Synucleinopathies: A Neglected Aspect in New Therapies Development
Authors: Tonda-Turo C. , Herva M. , Chiono V. , Ciardelli G. , Spillantini M. G.
Published: February 2018

Current therapeutic strategies to treat neurodegenerative diseases, such as alpha-synucleinopathies, aim at enhancing the amount of drug reaching the brain. Methods proposed, such as intranasal administration, should be able to bypass the blood brain barrier (BBB) and even when directly intracerebrally injected they could require a carrier to enhance local release of drugs. We have investigated the effect of a model synthetic hydrogel to be used as drug carrier on the amount of alpha-synuclein aggregates in cells in culture. The results indicated that alpha-synuclein aggregation was affected by the synthetic polymer, suggesting the need for testing the effect of any used material on the pathological process before its application as drug carrier.
Bilateral Diffuse and Cluster Pigment Epithelial Detachment Associated with Diffuse Proliferative Glomerulonephritis
Authors: Ghanbari Heshmatollah , Dehghani Alireza , Pourazizi Mohsen
Published: February 2018

Retinal pigment epithelium detachment (PED) is an area of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) elevation with minimal or no sensory retinal detachment resulting from the accumulation of sub-RPE fluid. There are many etiological factors that lead to the development of PED. PED may be observed as an isolated finding or in association with ocular and systemic conditions. In this case we report a 23-year-old male with bilateral cluster PED associated with diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (DPGN). The importance of current report is that development of PED and DPGN is more than a simple incidental event. Patients with DPGN should have regular fundus examinations, and follow-up should be conducted by an ophthalmologist who is aware of the possible presence of these diseases.