bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emergence of Attenuated Measles Illness Among IgG-positive/IgM-negative Measles Cases: Victoria, Australia, 2008–2017
Authors: Gibney Katherine B , Attwood Lucy O , Nicholson Suellen , Tran Thomas , Druce Julian , Healy Julia , Strachan Janet , Franklin Lucinda , Hall Robert , Cross Gail B
Published: April 2019

Background

Waning measles immunity among vaccinated individuals may result in an attenuated illness. This study compares the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory profile of measles cases with waning immunity with other measles cases.

Methods

Polymerase chain reaction–positive (+) measles cases notified to Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services from 2008 to 2017 with immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG tested at diagnosis were classified according to serology at diagnosis: IgG negative (−) (nonimmune), IgM+/IgG+ (indeterminate), or IgM−/IgG+ (waning immunity).

Results

Between 2008 and 2017, 297 measles cases were notified, of whom 190 (64%) were included; 151 of 190 (79%) were nonimmune at diagnosis, 26 (14%) were indeterminate, and 13 (7%) had waning immunity. Between 2008–2013 and 2014–2017, the proportion of cases with waning immunity increased from 0 of 87 (0%) to 13 of 103 (13%) (P < .001) and the diagnostic sensitivity of initial IgM fell from 93% to 81% (P = .012), respectively. Seven (54%) waning immunity cases reported receiving measles-containing vaccines; 1 case had 2 documented doses. Compared with nonimmune and indeterminate cases, waning immunity cases were more likely to be male; less likely to report fever, coryza, and cough; and had lower burden of virus (higher cycle threshold values). Waning immunity cases had higher IgG titers than indeterminate cases (mean optical density values, 1.96 vs 0.71; P = .004). Onward transmission from 1 waning immunity case was documented.

Conclusions

Waning immunity among measles cases, associated with secondary vaccine failure and modified clinical illness, is emerging in Victoria with transmission potential.
Prolapse and regurgitation of the four heart valves in a patient with Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome: a case report
Authors: Chango Azanza Diego Xavier , Munín Martin Alejandro , Sánchez Gustavo Anibal , Spernanzoni Fernando
Published: April 2019

Background

The Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is part of a group of connective tissue diseases that affect the synthesis and processing of collagen leading to alterations in the structure of many tissues and organs.

Case summary

Herein, we reported a case of a patient with prolapse of the four cardiac valves. Non-significant regurgitation of the mitral, aortic, and tricuspid valves was observed. The pulmonary regurgitation (PR) was considered significant. Dilatation of the right ventricle with preserved systolic function was also noted. A cardiac magnetic resonance confirmed the findings of the echocardiogram and determined a severe PR (regurgitant fraction of 41%). The physical examination revealed hyperlaxity of the joints, skin hyperelasticity, defects in wound healing, and abdominal hernias suggesting EDS. The stress test did not develop any symptoms or complex arrhythmias. In this patient, the heart team initially decided medical treatment and evolutionary control. At the moment, he remains asymptomatic.

Discussion

Valvular involvement in EDS is an infrequent event and the compromise of the four cardiac valves is exceptional. The existence of severe PR with a marked increase in ventricular volumes, even in the absence of symptoms, in most cases requires an intervention on the valve. However, in patients with EDS, there are a high rate of complications and interventions should be avoided as much as possible.
Effectiveness of randomized controlled trial of a mobile app to promote healthy lifestyle in obese and overweight patients
Authors: Apiñaniz Antxon , Cobos-Campos Raquel , Sáez de Lafuente-Moríñigo Arantza , Parraza Naiara , Aizpuru Felipe , Pérez Iraida , Goicoechea Enara , Trápaga Nerea , García Laura
Published: April 2019

Background

Health advice is useful for establishing behavioural changes, but such changes tend not to last. It would therefore be good to identify mechanisms for reinforcing advice and one option is the use of information and communication technologies. Given the limited evidence on the effectiveness of such technologies, we decided to conduct a clinical trial to assess the efficacy of a mobile application (app) for supporting the provision health advice for weight loss.

Methods

A randomized clinical trial with 110 obese and overweight patients from the Basque public health care network (Araba). Patients were randomly allocated to the control (health advice) or intervention (health advice + app) groups. Primary (weight) and secondary (blood cholesterol level, blood pressure, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and adherence to dietary and exercise recommendations) outcome variables were assessed at 1, 3 and 6 months after the end of the intervention.

Results

There were no significant differences in weight (0.357 kg; P = 0.7), blood cholesterol (2.6 mg/dl; P = 0.617), blood pressure (2.3 mmHg; P = 0.369) or adherence to recommendations on diet (84.6% in control and 92.9% the intervention group, P = 0.413) or physical activity (56% in controls and 75% the intervention group, P = 0.145). On the other hand, there were significant differences in HbA1c in favour of the control group (−0.095%; %; P = 0.046).

Discussion

The use of AKTIDIET® to support health advice for weight loss cannot be recommended. More high quality studies are needed, and patients should be involved in the design of apps to increase their efficacy and usability.

Clinical trial registration

NCT02308176.
Improving employment opportunities of the unemployed by health and work ability promotion in Finland
Authors: Hult Marja , Pietilä Anna-Maija , Saaranen Terhi
Published: April 2019

The study explored the impact of self-rated health (SRH) and work ability on employment, and examined the effects of meaningfulness, social networks and physical activity on health and work ability with a population-based cross-sectional survey data (n = 12 729) of full-time employed and unemployed workers. SRH, perceived work ability and levels of perceived meaningfulness, social networks and physical activity were all significantly better among employed workers compared to unemployed people. The results showed that work ability mediated the effect of health on employment and predicted employment. Meaningfulness, social networks and physical activity had direct positive effects on health and work ability, and also on employment. The results indicated that good health is a substantial element of good work ability, which in turn is needed to maintain or to get a job. Our findings suggested that perceiving one’s life as meaningful, having a strong social network and being physically active are important predictors of good health as well as of good work ability. These could be contributing factors to re-employment among unemployed people.
On Twisted Gelfand Pairs Through Commutativity of a Hecke Algebra
Authors: Hendel Yotam I
Published: April 2019

For a locally compact, totally disconnected group $G$, a subgroup $H$, and a character $\chi :H \to \mathbb{C}^{\times }$ we define a Hecke algebra ${\mathcal{H}}_\chi$ and explore the connection between commutativity of ${\mathcal{H}}_\chi$ and the $\chi$-Gelfand property of $(G,H)$, that is, the property $\dim _{\mathbb{C}} (\rho ^*)^{(H,\chi ^{-1})} \leq 1$ for every $\rho \in \textrm{Irr}(G)$, the irreducible representations of $G$. We show that the conditions of the Gelfand–Kazhdan criterion imply commutativity of ${\mathcal{H}}_\chi$ and verify in several simple cases that commutativity of ${\mathcal{H}}_\chi$ is equivalent to the $\chi$-Gelfand property of $(G,H)$. We then show that if $G$ is a connected reductive group over a $p$-adic field $F$, and $G/H$ is $F$-spherical, then the cuspidal part of ${\mathcal{H}}_\chi$ is commutative if and only if $(G,H)$ satisfies the $\chi$-Gelfand property with respect to all cuspidal representations ${\rho \in \textrm{Irr}(G)}$. We conclude by showing that if $(G,H)$ satisfies the $\chi$-Gelfand property with respect to all irreducible $(H\backslash G,\chi ^{-1})$-tempered representations of $G$ then ${\mathcal{H}}_\chi$ is commutative.
Variety in Self-Expression Undermines Self-Continuity
Authors: Rifkin Jacqueline R , Etkin Jordan
Published: April 2019

From dating profiles and social media accounts to online streaming services, consumers are often asked to express who they are by constructing an assortment. Apple Music, for example, asks new users to indicate “two or more” of their favorite types of music when they create an account. But while consumers might create such self-expressive assortments to communicate who they are, could the composition of these assortments also affect how people see themselves? Seven studies demonstrate that perceiving greater variety in a self-expressive assortment undermines self-continuity. This occurs because variety leads consumers to infer that their preferences are less stable, thereby decreasing the belief that their identity stays the same over time. Variety’s effect generalizes across multiple domains of self-expression (e.g., books, music, television) and has downstream consequences for service evaluation and even unrelated decision-making (e.g., intertemporal tradeoffs). The findings advance understanding of how choice shapes identity, the role of variety in consumers’ lives, and factors that affect self-continuity. The results also have implications for the marketers who encourage (and the consumers who construct) self-expressive assortments.
Extending the Boundaries of Sensory Marketing and Examining the Sixth Sensory System: Effects of Vestibular Sensations for Sitting versus Standing Postures on Food Taste Perception
Authors: Biswas Dipayan , Szocs Courtney , Abell Annika
Published: April 2019

Prior research has examined the role of the traditional five sensory systems (visual, olfactory, haptic, auditory, and gustatory) and how they influence food evaluations. This research extends the boundaries of sensory marketing by examining the effects of the vestibular system, often referred to as the “sixth sensory system,” which is responsible for balance and posture. The results of six experiments show that vestibular sensations related to posture (i.e., sitting vs. standing) influence food taste perceptions. Specifically, standing (vs. sitting) postures induce greater physical stress on the body, which in turn decreases sensory sensitivity. As a result, when eating in a standing (vs. sitting) posture, consumers rate the taste of pleasant-tasting foods and beverages as less favorable, the temperature as less intense, and they consume smaller amounts. The effects of posture on taste perception are reversed for unpleasant-tasting foods. These findings have conceptual implications for broadening the frontiers of sensory marketing and for the effects of sensory systems on food taste perceptions. Given the increasing trend toward eating while standing, the findings also have practical implications for restaurant, retail, and other food-service environment designs.
Efficacy, Safety, and Immunogenicity of an Escherichia coli-Produced Bivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: An Interim Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Qiao You-Lin , Wu Ting , Li Rong-Cheng , Hu Yue-Mei , Wei Li-Hui , Li Chang-Gui , Chen Wen , Huang Shou-Jie , Zhao Fang-Hui , Li Ming-Qiang , Pan Qin-Jing , Zhang Xun , Li Qing , Hong Ying , Zhao Chao , Zhang Wen-Hua , Li Yan-Ping , Chu Kai , Li Mei , Jiang Yun-Fei , Li Juan , Zhao Hui , Lin Zhi-Jie , Cui Xue-Lian , Liu Wen-Yu , Li Cai-Hong , Guo Dong-Ping , Ke Li-Dong , Wu Xin , Tang Jie , Gao Guo-Qi , Li Ba-Yi , Zhao Bin , Zheng Feng-Xian , Dai Cui-Hong , Guo Meng , Zhao Jun , Su Ying-Ying , Wang Jun-Zhi , Zhu Feng-Cai , Li Shao-Wei , Pan Hui-Rong , Li Yi-Min , Zhang Jun , Xia Ning-Shao
Published: April 2019

Background

The high cost and insufficient supply of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have slowed the pace of controlling cervical cancer. A phase III clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of a novel Escherichia coli-produced bivalent HPV-16/18 vaccine.

Methods

A multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial started on November 22, 2012 in China. In total, 7372 eligible women aged 18–45 years were age-stratified and randomly assigned to receive three doses of the test or control (hepatitis E) vaccine at months 0, 1, and 6. Co-primary endpoints included high-grade genital lesions and persistent infection (over 6 months) associated with HPV-16/18. The primary analysis was performed on a per-protocol susceptible population of individuals who were negative for relevant HPV type-specific neutralizing antibodies (at day 0) and DNA (at day 0 through month 7) and who received three doses of the vaccine. This report presents data from a prespecified interim analysis used for regulatory submission.

Results

In the per-protocol cohort, the efficacies against high-grade genital lesions and persistent infection were 100.0% (95% confidence interval = 55.6% to 100.0%, 0 of 3306 in the vaccine group vs 10 of 3296 in the control group) and 97.8% (95% confidence interval = 87.1% to 99.9%, 1 of 3240 vs 45 of 3246), respectively. The side effects were mild. No vaccine-related serious adverse events were noted. Robust antibody responses for both types were induced and persisted for at least 42 months.

Conclusions

The E coli-produced HPV-16/18 vaccine is well tolerated and highly efficacious against HPV-16/18–associated high-grade genital lesions and persistent infection in women.
A Permutation Test on Complex Sample Data
Authors: Toth Daniell
Published: April 2019

Permutation tests are a distribution-free way of performing hypothesis tests. These tests rely on the condition that the observed data are exchangeable among the groups being tested under the null hypothesis. This assumption is easily satisfied for data obtained from a simple random sample or a controlled study after simple adjustments to the data, but there is no general method for adjusting survey data collected using a complex sample design to allow for permutation tests. In this article, we propose a general method for performing a pseudo-permutation test that accounts for the complex sample design. The proposed method is not a true permutation test in that the new values do not come from the set of observed values in general but of an expanded set of values satisfying a random-effects model on the clustered residuals of a design-consistent estimating equation. We provide a set of conditions under which this procedure leads to consistent test results. Tests using a simulated population and an application analyzing US Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer expenditure data comparing the performance of the proposed method to permutation tests that ignore the sample design demonstrate that it is necessary to account for the design features in order to obtain reasonable p value estimates.
CEP–CEPR1 signalling inhibits the sucrose-dependent enhancement of lateral root growth
Authors: Chapman Kelly , Taleski Michael , Ogilvie Huw A , Imin Nijat , Djordjevic Michael A
Published: April 2019

Lateral root (LR) proliferation is a major determinant of soil nutrient uptake. How resource allocation controls the extent of LR growth remains unresolved. We used genetic, physiological, transcriptomic, and grafting approaches to define a role for C-TERMINALLY ENCODED PEPTIDE RECEPTOR 1 (CEPR1) in controlling sucrose-dependent LR growth. CEPR1 inhibited LR growth in response to applied sucrose, other metabolizable sugars, and elevated light intensity. Pathways through CEPR1 restricted LR growth by reducing LR meristem size and the length of mature LR cells. RNA-sequencing of wild-type (WT) and cepr1-1 roots with or without sucrose treatment revealed an intersection of CEP–CEPR1 signalling with the sucrose transcriptional response. Sucrose up-regulated several CEP genes, supporting a specific role for CEP–CEPR1 in the response to sucrose. Moreover, genes with basally perturbed expression in cepr1-1 overlap with WT sucrose-responsive genes significantly. We found that exogenous CEP inhibited LR growth via CEPR1 by reducing LR meristem size and mature cell length. This result is consistent with CEP–CEPR1 acting to curtail the extent of sucrose-dependent LR growth. Reciprocal grafting indicates that LR growth inhibition requires CEPR1 in both the roots and shoots. Our results reveal a new role for CEP–CEPR1 signalling in controlling LR growth in response to sucrose.
Elevated CO2-induced changes in mesophyll conductance and anatomical traits in wild type and carbohydrate-metabolism mutants of Arabidopsis
Authors: Mizokami Yusuke , Sugiura Daisuke , Watanabe Chihiro K A , Betsuyaku Eriko , Inada Noriko , Terashima Ichiro
Published: April 2019

Decreases in photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance (gs), and mesophyll conductance (gm) are often observed under elevated CO2 conditions. However, which anatomical and/or physiological factors contribute to the decrease in gm is not fully understood. Arabidopsis thaliana wild-type and carbon-metabolism mutants (gwd1, pgm1, and cfbp1) with different accumulation patterns of non-structural carbohydrates were grown at ambient (400 ppm) and elevated (800 ppm) CO2. Anatomical and physiological traits of leaves were measured to investigate factors causing the changes in gm and in the mesophyll resistance (expressed as the reciprocal of mesophyll conductance per unit chloroplast surface area facing to intercellular space, Sc/gm). When grown at elevated CO2, all the lines showed increases in cell wall mass, cell wall thickness, and starch content, but not in leaf thickness. gm measured at 800 ppm CO2 was significantly lower than at 400 ppm CO2 in all the lines. Changes in Sc/gm were associated with thicker cell walls rather than with excess starch content. The results indicate that the changes in gm and Sc/gm that occur in response to elevated CO2 are independent of non-structural carbohydrates, and the cell wall represents a greater limitation factor for gm than starch.
UniverseMachine: The correlation between galaxy growth and dark matter halo assembly from z = 0−10
Authors: Behroozi Peter , Wechsler Risa H , Hearin Andrew P , Conroy Charlie
Published: April 2019

We present a method to flexibly and self-consistently determine individual galaxies’ star formation rates (SFRs) from their host haloes’ potential well depths, assembly histories, and redshifts. The method is constrained by galaxies’ observed stellar mass functions, SFRs (specific and cosmic), quenched fractions, ultraviolet (UV) luminosity functions, UV–stellar mass relations, IRX–UV relations, auto- and cross-correlation functions (including quenched and star-forming subsamples), and quenching dependence on environment; each observable is reproduced over the full redshift range available, up to 0 < z < 10. Key findings include the following: galaxy assembly correlates strongly with halo assembly; quenching correlates strongly with halo mass; quenched fractions at fixed halo mass decrease with increasing redshift; massive quenched galaxies reside in higher-mass haloes than star-forming galaxies at fixed galaxy mass; star-forming and quenched galaxies’ star formation histories at fixed mass differ most at z < 0.5; satellites have large scatter in quenching time-scales after infall, and have modestly higher quenched fractions than central galaxies; Planck cosmologies result in up to 0.3 dex lower stellar – halo mass ratios at early times; and, none the less, stellar mass–halo mass ratios rise at z > 5. Also presented are revised stellar mass – halo mass relations for all, quenched, star-forming, central, and satellite galaxies; the dependence of star formation histories on halo mass, stellar mass, and galaxy SSFR; quenched fractions and quenching time-scale distributions for satellites; and predictions for higher-redshift galaxy correlation functions and weak lensing surface densities. The public data release (DR1) includes the massively parallel (>105 cores) implementation (the UniverseMachine), the newly compiled and remeasured observational data, derived galaxy formation constraints, and mock catalogues including lightcones.
DOGMA: a web server for proteome and transcriptome quality assessment
Authors: Kemena Carsten , Dohmen Elias , Bornberg-Bauer Erich
Published: April 2019

Even in the era of next generation sequencing, in which bioinformatics tools abound, annotating transcriptomes and proteomes remains a challenge. This can have major implications for the reliability of studies based on these datasets. Therefore, quality assessment represents a crucial step prior to downstream analyses on novel transcriptomes and proteomes. DOGMA allows such a quality assessment to be carried out. The data of interest are evaluated based on a comparison with a core set of conserved protein domains and domain arrangements. Depending on the studied species, DOGMA offers precomputed core sets for different phylogenetic clades. We now developed a web server for the DOGMA software, offering a user-friendly, simple to use interface. Additionally, the server provides a graphical representation of the analysis results and their placement in comparison to publicly available data. The server is freely available under https://domainworld-services.uni-muenster.de/dogma/. Additionally, for large scale analyses the software can be downloaded free of charge from https://domainworld.uni-muenster.de.
Anxiety Sensitivity and Distress Tolerance in Smokers: Relations With Tobacco Dependence, Withdrawal, and Quitting Success†
Authors: Schlam Tanya R , Baker Timothy B , Smith Stevens S , Cook Jessica W , Piper Megan E
Published: April 2019

Introduction

This study examined relations of two affective vulnerabilities, high anxiety sensitivity (AS) and low distress tolerance (DT), with tobacco dependence, withdrawal, smoking cessation, and pharmacotherapy response.

Methods

Smokers interested in quitting (N = 1067; 52.2% female, 28.1% African American) were randomized to 12 weeks of nicotine patch, nicotine patch plus nicotine lozenge, or varenicline. Baseline questionnaires assessed AS, DT, negative affect, anxiety, and dependence. Withdrawal was assessed the first-week post-quit via ecological momentary assessment.

Results

DT, but not AS, predicted biochemically confirmed point-prevalence abstinence at multiple endpoints: weeks 4, 12, 26, and 52 post-quit (ps < .05); relations remained after controlling for pharmacotherapy treatment, AS, baseline negative affect, anxiety, and anxiety disorder history (ps < .05). Additional exploratory analyses examining week 4 abstinence showed DT predicted abstinence (p = .004) even after controlling for baseline dependence, post-quit withdrawal (craving and negative affect), and treatment. DT moderated treatment effects on abstinence in exploratory analyses (interaction p = .025); those with high DT were especially likely to be abstinent at week 4 with patch plus lozenge versus patch alone.

Conclusions

DT, but not AS, predicted abstinence over 1 year post-quit (higher DT was associated with higher quit rates), with little overlap with other affective measures. DT also predicted early abstinence independent of dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Results suggest low DT may play a meaningful role in motivation to use tobacco and constitute an additional affective risk factor for tobacco cessation failure beyond negative affect or clinical affective disorders.

Implications

People in a stop-smoking study who reported a greater ability to tolerate distress were more likely to quit smoking and remain smoke-free 1 year later. Smokers with high DT were more likely to be smoke-free 4 weeks after their target quit day if they received nicotine patch plus nicotine lozenge rather than nicotine patch alone.

Trial Registration

NCT01553084.
Differences in Magnitude of Cue Reactivity Across Durations of Smoking History: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Karelitz Joshua L
Published: April 2019

Background

Cue-elicited craving may vary due to duration of smoking history, increasing as more years of smoking strengthen associations between nicotine intake and cues. However, research on this relationship is virtually absent. This project assessed the relationship between cue reactivity and years of smoking.

Methods

Data from 53 studies (68 effect sizes) were analyzed. Eligible studies were those measuring self-reported craving following cue exposure in nontreatment seeking smokers and reporting mean years smoking. Preliminary subgroup analyses identified methodological factors influencing cue-reactivity effect sizes; primary meta-regression analysis assessed differences across years smoking; exploratory analyses assessed potential for ceiling effects.

Results

Effect sizes varied due to abstinence requirement and cue presentation modality, but not dependence severity. Unexpectedly, meta-regression analysis revealed a decline in effect sizes across years smoking. Exploratory analyses suggested declines may have been due to a ceiling effect in craving measurement for those with longer smoking histories—more experienced smokers reported higher levels of craving at baseline or following neutral cue exposure, but all reported similar levels of craving after smoking cue exposure.

Conclusions

Methodological factors and duration of smoking history influenced measurement of cue reactivity. Highlighted were important relationships between years smoking and magnitude of cue reactivity, depending on use of baseline or neutral cue comparisons. Further research is needed to assess differences in cue reactivity due to duration of smoking history using participant-level data, directly testing for ceiling effects. In addition, cue-reactivity studies are needed across young adults to assess onset of associations between nicotine intake and cues.

Implications

This meta-analysis project contributes to the cue-reactivity literature by reporting on the previously ignored relationship between duration of smoking history and magnitude of cue-elicited craving. Results suggest that declines in cue-reactivity effect sizes across years of smoking may have been due to study-level methodological factors, but not due to differences in sample-level dependence severity. Cue-reactivity effect sizes were stable across years of smoking in studies using a neutral cue comparison but declined sharply in studies when baseline assessment (typically coupled with an abstinence requirement) was used.
Multimodal Management of a Ruptured Right Medial Parietal Arteriovenous Malformation: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Aldea Sorin , Consoli Arturo , Rodesch Georges , Gaillard Stephan
Published: April 2019

Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of the medial surface of the cerebral hemispheres are challenging because of the limited access to the interhemispheric fissure, the presence of the bridging veins, and the difficult control of arterial feeders and deep venous drainage. We present a 20-yr-old patient with a grade 3 Spetzler Martin ruptured right medial parietal AVM revealed by headaches, left hemiparesis, and ataxia. We highlight the importance of a detailed and selective study of AVM angioarchitecture with new sequences as XperCT (Philips Medical) viewing which permits a better understanding of the anatomy and pathology and a better therapeutical planning. Selective embolization of arterial feeders with Glubran2 (GEM) allows a better control of selected sectors of the AVM which may be difficult to access at surgery. This type of planning is especially important when the AVM is in close relationship with an important sulcus, as was the case of this patient whose AVM was adherent to the postcentral sulcus. We present the surgical nuances concerning patient positioning, craniotomy, AVM dissection, and resection. Early identification and interruption of the main arterial feeders facilitate further dissection. We discuss the timing of deep venous drainage interruption in AVMs with mixed superficial and deep venous drainage. The postoperative course was favorable and the postoperative angiogram showed complete resection of the AVM. At the last follow-up, the patient had only slight left ataxia. Multimodal management with planned selective embolization may facilitate microsurgical resection of AVMs. Given the retrospective nature of this report, informed consent was not required.
Keyhole Retrosigmoid Craniotomy for Resection of Pontine Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Yağmurlu Kaan , Pomeraniec John , Norat Pedro , Kalani M Yashar S , Syed Hasan
Published: April 2019

Resection of intrinsic brainstem tumors is fraught with a high risk of morbidity. In select cases, however, complete tumor resection is possible and can result in long-term benefit to the patient. Informed consent for the operation was obtained. In this video, we illustrate the use of a keyhole retrosigmoid craniotomy for microsurgical resection of an exophytic juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma and highlight the nuances of opening the various fissures between the brainstem and the cerebellum to obtain a more direct view of the brainstem, mapping of the brainstem surface to avoid cranial nerve nuclei, use of safe entry zones to minimize injury to critical structures, and microsurgical technique used to operate within the substance of the brainstem. In general, navigation is used to optimize placement of craniotomy and size of bony opening, to delineate the superior to inferior extent of the tumor, and to confirm that the boundary between the tumor and the normal brainstem is reached at the depth. In general, the authors attempt surgical resection of brainstem tumors that are exophytic, have clear boundaries (signal on T1 postcontrast and T2 sequences denote similar tumor boundaries), do not encapsulate the basilar artery, and do not exhibit infiltration of the deep pontine fibers (as is the case with diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas). In properly selected patients, surgery for brainstem tumor can result in good resection with preservation of neurological function. This patient developed subtle weakness of the face after surgery, which did not improve at 3 mo, but had preserved hearing function and no further neurological deficits.
The Effectiveness of Fluoroscopically Guided Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection for the Treatment of Radicular Pain; a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Conger Aaron , Cushman Daniel M , Speckman Rebecca A , Burnham Taylor , Teramoto Masaru , McCormick Zachary L
Published: April 2019

Objective

Determine the effectiveness of fluoroscopically guided cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injection (CTFESI) for the treatment of radicular pain.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Subjects

Persons aged ≥18 years with cervical radicular pain due to disc herniation or degenerative spondylosis.

Comparison

Sham, placebo procedure, or active standard of care treatment, excluding alternative versions of epidural steroid injection.

Outcomes

The primary outcome measure was patient-reported improvement in pain of at least 50% from baseline, assessed four or more weeks after the treatment intervention. Secondary outcomes included validated functional assessment tools and avoidance of spinal surgery.

Methods

Randomized or nonrandomized comparative studies and nonrandomized studies without internal control were included. Three reviewers independently assessed publications in the Medline, PubMed, and Cochrane databases up to July 2018. The Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to evaluate risk of bias and overall quality of evidence. A meta-analysis was conducted for comparative measures of effect and for within-group response rates if applicable.

Results

There were no studies with an internal comparison group (control group) meeting the review’s definition of comparison group. Therefore, comparative measures of effect were not calculated. In cohort studies, pooled response rates were 48% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 34–61%) at one month and 55% (95% CI = 45–64%) at three months.

Conclusions

Approximately 50% of patients experience ≥50% pain reduction at short- and intermediate-term follow-up after CTFESI. However, the literature is very low quality according the GRADE criteria, primarily due to a lack of studies with placebo/sham or active standard of care control comparison groups.
Traumatic childhood experiences and multiple dimensions of poor sleep among adult women
Authors: McWhorter Ketrell L , Parks Christine G , D’Aloisio Aimee A , Rojo-Wissar Darlynn M , Sandler Dale P , Jackson Chandra L
Published: April 2019

Study Objectives

Exposure to traumatic childhood experiences (TCEs) may contribute to poor sleep in adulthood. Previous studies have been limited to mainly investigating physical and sexual abuse and did not consider betrayal trauma, or whether the victim regarded the perpetrator as someone socially close to them, the age group at occurrence, and trauma-related distress/anxiety.

Methods

We used a large cohort of US women, 35–74 years old, enrolled in the Sister Study from 2003 to 2009. Self-reports of specific TCEs occurring before the age of 18 years included sexual, physical, and psychological/emotional trauma; natural disasters; major accidents; and household dysfunction. Participants self-reported average sleep duration (short: <7 hours vs recommended: 7–9 hours), sleep onset latency (SOL) at least 30 vs less than 30 minutes, at least 3 night awakenings once asleep at least 3 times/week (Night awakenings [NA], yes vs no), and napping at least 3 vs less than 3 times/week.

Results

Among 40 082 women, 55% reported a TCE, with 82% reporting betrayal trauma. Compared to women reporting no TCE, women with any TCE were more likely to report short sleep (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.08, [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04 to 1.11]), longer SOL (1.11, [1.06 to 1.16]), frequent NAs (1.06, [1.00 to 1.11]), and frequent napping (1.05, [0.99 to 1.12]). The relationship between experiencing any TCE and short sleep was stronger for TCEs by a perpetrator considered socially close vs not close (1.12, [1.09 to 1.16]), SOL (1.27, [1.22 to 1.33]), NA (1.20, [1.14 to 1.27]), and napping (1.24, [1.17 to 1.32]).

Conclusions

TCEs were associated with poor sleep in women with greater impact when the perpetrator was regarded as close. More research is warranted to better understand pathways between childhood trauma and sleep health in adulthood to develop effective interventions.
Origins of Afrotropical freshwater fishes
Authors: Lavoué Sébastien
Published: April 2019

The Afrotropics house a diverse freshwater ichthyofauna with > 3000 species, almost all of which are endemic. Recent progress in dated phylogenetics and palaeontology of several groups of Afrotropical freshwater fishes (AFFs) has allowed the testing of palaeoecology- and palaeogeography-based hypotheses explaining their early presence in Africa. Seven hypotheses were tested for 37 most-inclusive monophyletic groups of AFFs. Results indicated that ten lineages originated from direct, but asynchronous, marine-to-freshwater shifts. These lineages contribute < 2% to the current AFF species richness. Eleven lineages colonized the Afrotropics from the Orient after the Afro-Arabian plate collided with Eurasia in the early Oligocene. These lineages contribute ~20% to the total diversity. There are seven sister relationships between Afrotropical and Neotropical taxa. For only three of them (4% of the species diversity), the continental drift vicariance hypothesis was not rejected. Distributions of the other four younger trans-Atlantic lineages are better explained by post-drifting long-distance dispersal. In those cases, I discuss the possibility of dispersal through the Northern Hemisphere as an alternative to direct trans-Atlantic dispersal. The origins of ten AFF lineages, including the most species-rich Pseudocrenilabrinae (> 1100 species), are not yet established with confidence.
A web-based platform of nucleotide sequence alignments of plants
Authors: Santos Chiara , Carneiro João , Pereira Filipe
Published: April 2019

In recent years, a large number of nucleotide sequences have become available for plant species by the advent of massive parallel sequencing. The use of genomic data has been important for agriculture, food science, medicine or ecology. Despite the increasing amount of data, nucleotide sequences are usually available in public databases as isolated records with some descriptive information. Researchers interested in studying a wide range of specific plant families are forced to do multiple searches, sequence downloads, data curation and sequence alignments. In order to help researches overcoming these problems, we have built a comprehensive on-line resource of curated nucleotide sequence alignments for plant research, named PlantAligDB (available athttp://plantaligdb.portugene.com). The latest release incorporates 514 alignments with a total of 66,052 sequences from six important genomic regions:atpF-atpH,psbA-trnH,trnL,rbcL,matK and ITS. The alignments represent 223 plant families from a variety of taxonomic groups. The users can quickly search the database, download and visualize the curated alignments and phylogenetic trees using dynamic browser-based applications. Different measures of genetic diversity are also available for each plant family. We also provide the workflow script that allows the user to do the curation process, explaining the steps involved. Overall, the PlantAligDB provides a complete, quality checked and regularly updated collection of alignments that can be used in taxonomic, DNA barcoding, molecular genetics, phylogenetic and evolutionary studies.
Giraffe Translocation Population Viability Analysis
Authors: Lee Derek E. , Fienieg Elmar , Van Oosterhout Cock , Muller Zoe , Strauss Megan , Carter Kerryn D. , Scheijen Ciska P.J. , Deacon Francois
Published: April 2019

Most populations of giraffes have declined in recent decades, leading to the recent decision to upgrade the species to vulnerable status, and some subspecies to endangered. Translocations have been used as a conservation tool to re-introduce giraffes to previously occupied areas or establish new populations, but guidelines for founding populations are lacking. To provide general guidelines for translocation projects regarding feasibility, we simulated various scenarios of translocated giraffe populations to identify viable age and sex distributions of founding populations using Population Viability Analysis (PVA) implemented in Vortex software. We explored the parameter space for demography (population growth rates: λ = 1.001, 1.010, 1.024), and the genetic load (number of lethal equivalents: LE = 2.5, 6.29, 12.6), examining how variation in founding numbers (N = 5 to 80 females) and sex ratios (M:F = 0.1 to 0.5) affected 100-year probability of extinction and genetic diversity. We found that even very small numbers of founders (N ≤10 females) can appear to be successful in the first decades due to transient positive population growth, but with moderate population growth rate and moderate genetic load, long-term population viability (probability of extinction <0.01) was only achieved with ≥30 females and ≥3 males released. To maintain >95% genetic diversity of the source population in an isolated population, 50 females and 5 males are recommended to comprise the founding population. Sensitivity analyses revealed first-year survival and reproductive rate were the simulation parameters with the greatest proportional influence on probability of extinction and genetic diversity. These simulations highlight important considerations for translocation success, and data gaps including true genetic load in wild giraffe populations.
Fluorescence biosensor for real-time interaction dynamics of host proteins with HIV-1 capsid tubes
Authors: Lau Derrick , Walsh James , Peng Wang , Shah Vaibhav , Turville Stuart , Jacques David , Böcking Till
Published: April 2019

The human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) capsid serves as a binding platform for proteins and small molecules from the host cell that regulate various steps in the virus life cycle. However, there are currently no quantitative methods that use assembled capsid lattices for measuring host-pathogen interaction dynamics. Here we developed a single molecule fluorescence biosensor using self-assembled capsid tubes as biorecognition elements and imaged capsid binders using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy in a microfluidic setup. The method is highly sensitive in its ability to observe and quantify binding, obtain dissociation constants, extract kinetics with an extended application of using more complex analytes that can accelerate characterisation of novel capsid binders.
Genetic screening identifies a SUMO protease dynamically maintaining centromeric chromatin and the associated centromere complex
Authors: Mitra Sreyoshi , Bodor Dani L. , David Ana F. , Mata João F. , Neumann Beate , Reither Sabine , Tischer Christian , Jansen Lars E.T.
Published: April 2019

Centromeres are defined by a unique self-propagating chromatin structure featuring nucleosomes containing the histone H3 variant CENP-A. CENP-A turns over slower than general chromatin and a key question is whether this unusual stability is intrinsic to CENP-A nucleosomes or rather imposed by external factors. We designed a specific genetic screen to identify proteins involved in CENP-A stability based on SNAP-tag pulse chase labeling. Using a double pulse-labeling approach we simultaneously assay for factors with selective roles in CENP-A chromatin assembly. We discover a series of new proteins involved in CENP-A propagation, including proteins with known roles in DNA replication, repair and chromatin modification and transcription, revealing that a broad set of chromatin regulators impacts in CENP-A transmission through the cell cycle. The key factor we find to strongly affect CENP-A stability is SENP6. This SUMO-protease controls not only the levels of chromatin bound CENP-A but is required for the maintenance of virtually the entire centromere and kinetochore, with the exception of CENP-B. Acute depletion of SENP6 protein reveals its requirement for maintaining centromeric CENP-A levels throughout the cell cycle, suggesting that a dynamic SUMO cycle underlies a continuous surveillance of the centromere complex.
Circadian regulation of microRNA-target chimeras in Drosophila
Authors: Xia Xiju , Fu Xiaonan , Wu Binbin , Zhu Jinsong , Zhao Zhangwu
Published: April 2019

MicroRNA is critical coordinator to circadian regulation by silencing gene expression. Although many circadian related miRNAs and some of its target are known, the global functional miRNA-mRNA interaction networks remain poorly understand which is hindered by imperfect base-pairing between miRNA and target mRNA. In this study, we used CLEAR (Covalent Ligation of Endogenous Argonaute-bound RNAs) -CLIP (Cross-Linking and Immuno-Precipitation) to explore the regulatory functions of miRNAs in the circadian system by comparing the miRNA-mRNA interactions between the Drosophila wild-type strain w1118 and the Clk mutant Clkjrk. We unambiguously identified thousands of miRNA-mRNA interactions from CLEAR-CLIP data set at unprecedented depth in vivo for the first time. Among them, about 300 miRNA-mRNA interactions were involved in the regulation of circadian, in which miRNAs targeting core clock genes pdp1, tim and vri presented distinct changes in response to Clkjrk. Particularly, the mir-375-timeless interaction from CLER-CLIP shows important effects on circadian, this functional event occurred in the l-LNv neurons. Overexpression of mir-375 in tim neurons caused decreases in TIM content resulting in arrhythmicity of daily locomotion and changes of sleep. This present work provides a global view of miRNA targeting in the circadian rhythm.
Structural basis for the transport mechanism of the human glutamine transporter SLC1A5 (ASCT2)
Authors: Yu Xiaodi , Plotnikova Olga , Bonin Paul D. , Subashi Timothy A. , McLellan Thomas J. , Dumlao Darren , Che Ye , Dong Yinyao , Carpenter Elisabeth P. , West Graham M. , Qiu Xiayang , Culp Jeffrey S. , Han Seungil
Published: April 2019

Alanine-serine-cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2, SLC1A5) is the primary transporter of glutamine in cancer cells and regulates the mTORC1 signaling pathway. The SLC1A5 function involves finely tuned orchestration of two domain movements that include the substrate-binding transport domain and the scaffold domain. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of human SLC1A5 and its complex with the substrate, L-glutamine in an outward-facing conformation. These structures reveal insights into the conformation of the critical ECL2a loop which connects the two domains, thus allowing rigid body movement of the transport domain throughout the transport cycle. Furthermore, the structures provide new insights into substrate recognition, which involves conformational changes in the HP2 loop. A putative cholesterol binding site was observed near the domain interface in the outward-facing state. Comparison with the previously determined inward-facing structure of SCL1A5 provides a basis for a more integrated understanding of substrate recognition and transport mechanism in the SLC1 family. Our structures are likely to aid the development of potent and selective SLC1A5 inhibitors for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disorders.
Acetyl-CoA production by select metabolic pathways promotes cardiac repair after myocardial infarction via mediating histone acetylation
Authors: Lei Ienglam , Tian Shuo , Gao Wenbin , Liu Liu , Guo Yijing , Wang Zhong
Published: April 2019

Myocardial infarction (MI) is accompanied by severe energy deprivation and extensive epigenetic changes. However, how energy metabolism and chromatin modifications are interlinked during MI and heart repair has been poorly explored. Here, we examined the effect of different carbon sources that involved in the major metabolic pathways of acetyl-CoA synthesis on myocardial infarction and found that elevation of acetyl-CoA significantly improved heart function in I/R rats by administration of sodium octanoate (8C). Mechanistically, 8C prevented I/R injury by promoting histone acetylation which in turn activated the expression of antioxidant genes HO1, NQO1 and SOD2 and inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, we identified that 8C-promoted histone acetylation and heart repair were carried out by metabolic enzyme medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) and histone acetyltransferase Kat2a. Therefore, our results demonstrate that 8C dramatically improves cardiac function through metabolic acetyl-CoA-mediated histone acetylation. This study uncovers an interlinked metabolic/epigenetic network comprising 8C, acetyl-CoA, MCAD, and Kat2a in stimulating histone acetylation and anti-oxidative stress gene expression to combat heart injury.