bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diversity and host specificity of monogenean gill parasites (Platyhelminthes) of cichlid fishes in the Bangweulu-Mweru ecoregion
Authors: Jorissen M.W.P. , Pariselle A. , Huyse T. , Vreven E.J. , Snoeks J. , Volckaert F.A.M. , Manda A. Chocha , Kasembele G. Kapepula , Artois T. , Vanhove M.P.M.
Published: August 2017

This study represents the first exploration of the parasite fauna of cichlid fishes in the Mweru-Luapula subregion (Central Africa). Twelve species of cichlids and 14 species of Monogenea from three genera (Cichlidogyrus, Gyrodactylus and Scutogyrus) were collected. We present a first record of the gill parasite fauna of eight host species, Oreochromis mweruensis, Orthochromis sp. ‘Mambilima’, Sargochromis mellandi, Serranochromis angusticeps, S. stappersi, S. thumbergi and Tylochromis mylodon. The host range of ten parasite species was expanded. The study further includes the description of Cichlidogyrus consobrini sp. n. from S. mellandi and Orthochromis sp. ‘Mambilima’. A new morphotype of C. halli is characterized, and three species – C. papernastrema, C. quaestio and C. zambezensis – are redescribed. Furthermore, the biodiversity and host specificity of these parasites is compared with that of cichlid parasites from Lake Kariba and Cameroon. Two species, including C. consobrini sp. n. and a new morphotype of C. halli, are putative endemics. The parasite fauna in Bangweulu-Mweru is highly similar in species composition to Lake Kariba, but in Bangweulu-Mweru the same parasite species are more host-specific, probably because of hydrogeographical differences between the two regions.
The biology and functional morphology ofMytilaster minimus(Bivalvia: Mytiloidea: Mytilidae) from the intertidal dinaric karst of Croatia (Adriatic Sea)
Authors: Morton Brian , Puljas Sanja
Published: August 2017

Mytilaster minimusis widely distributed along the rocky intertidal of much of the Mediterranean's coastline and the Adriatic Sea. Populations are, however, threatened by the Lessepsian invaderBrachidontes pharaonisthat occupies the same habitat and is more tolerant of environmental extremes. This is the first study of the anatomy ofM. minimusin relation to its evolution and adaptations towards an intertidal life on the karsted limestone shores that characterize much of the Mediterranean. In most anatomical respectsM. minimusis a typical mytilid but is small (<16 mm shell length) and, post-juvenile, greatly deformed concomitant with its niche of colonizing pits in the karsted rocks. It is thus generally squatter, that is, dorso-ventrally flattened, laterally expanded and antero-posteriorly foreshortened in comparison withM. galloprovincialis. A pair of statocysts has been identified in the visceral mass. Most interest, however, resides in the fact the posterior byssal retractor muscles, like the shell, are foreshortened to comprise one paired block and the posterior pedal retractor muscles are situated beneath these not anterior to them as in other mytilids. These adaptations equipM. minimusfor a compressed, squat, life in the intertidal karst. In addition to competition from the introducedB. pharaonisin the Mediterranean,M. minimusis facing competitive exclusion from the nativeMytilus galloprovincialisthat, as a result of intensive and increasing mariculture, is coming to dominate Croatian shorelines. This study is, therefore, prescient in laying the foundations for future research on what is becoming a threatened native Mediterranean species.
Reflections on cultural values approaches to conservation: lessons from 20 years of implementation
Authors: Infield Mark , Entwistle Abigail , Anthem Helen , Mugisha Arthur , Phillips Kathryn
Published: August 2017

The natural environment underpins human well-being in diverse and complex ways, providing both material and non-material benefits. Effective conservation requires context-specific understandings of human interactions with, and conceptions of, nature. A focus on how cultural values and norms frame relationships with the natural world can enhance conservation efforts, and can prevent conservation actions undermining local culture and values, providing opportunities to reinforce them instead. Conservation, including the conceptualization and management of protected areas, has the potential to support or undermine these culture–nature relationships. A cultural values approach seeks to identify, understand and integrate considerations of cultural values into the design and implementation of conservation initiatives. Such approaches can realize diverse benefits, including maintaining and enhancing local culture (as a contribution to human well-being), deepening links between communities and conservation activities; facilitating parallel conservation of nature and culture; promoting non-material as well as material natural values; and allowing specific cultural values to inform and drive conservation efforts. Cultural values approaches thus help to enhance the equity, efficacy and acceptability of conservation practice. Fauna & Flora International has implicitly and explicitly acknowledged cultural values within project design and delivery for over 20 years. In 2011 a Cultural Values Programme was established to enhance the role of cultural values of species, places and practices, and of individual and group identities, within conservation. Here we describe our evolving approach to integrating cultural values into conservation practice, provide key lessons learnt, based on specific case studies, and relate these to wider conservation policy and practice.
Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) polymorphisms linked with psychosis transition are associated with enlarged lateral ventricles and white matter disruption in schizophrenia
Authors: Bousman C. A. , Cropley V. , Klauser P. , Hess J. L. , Pereira A. , Idrizi R. , Bruggemann J. , Mostaid M. S. , Lenroot R. , Weickert T. W. , Glatt S. J. , Everall I. P. , Sundram S. , Zalesky A. , Weickert C. S. , Pantelis C.
Published: August 2017

Background

Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs4281084 and rs12155594) within the neuregulin-1 (NRG1) gene have been associated with psychosis transition. However, the neurobiological changes associated with these SNPs remain unclear. We aimed to determine what relationship these two SNPs have on lateral ventricular volume and white matter integrity, as abnormalities in these brain structures are some of the most consistent in schizophrenia.

Methods

Structural (n = 370) and diffusion (n = 465) magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained from affected and unaffected individuals predominantly of European descent. The SNPs rs4281084, rs12155594, and their combined allelic load were examined for their effects on lateral ventricular volume, fractional anisotropy (FA) as well as axial (AD) and radial (RD) diffusivity. Additional exploratory analyses assessed NRG1 effects on gray matter volume, cortical thickness, and surface area throughout the brain.

Results

Individuals with a schizophrenia age of onset ⩽25 and a combined allelic load ⩾3 NRG1 risk alleles had significantly larger right (up to 50%, padj = 0.01) and left (up to 45%, padj = 0.05) lateral ventricle volumes compared with those with allelic loads of less than three. Furthermore, carriers of three or more risk alleles, regardless of age of onset and case status, had significantly reduced FA and elevated RD but stable AD in the frontal cortex compared with those carrying fewer than three risk alleles.

Conclusions

Our findings build on a growing body of research supporting the functional importance of genetic variation within the NRG1 gene and complement previous findings implicating the rs4281084 and rs12155594 SNPs as markers for psychosis transition.
Auditory hallucinations, not necessarily a hallmark of psychotic disorder
Authors: Waters F. , Blom J. D. , Jardri R. , Hugdahl K. , Sommer I. E. C.
Published: August 2017

Auditory hallucinations (AH) are often considered a sign of a psychotic disorder. This is promoted by the DSM-5 category of Other Specified Schizophrenia Spectrum And Other Psychotic Disorder (OSSSOPD), the diagnostic criteria for which are fulfilled with the sole presence of persistent AH, in the absence of any other psychotic symptoms. And yet, persistent AH are not synonymous with having a psychotic disorder, and should therefore not be uncritically treated as such. Many people who seek treatment for persistent AH have no other psychotic symptoms, have preserved reality-testing capacities, and will never develop a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Instead, hallucinations may be the result of many different causes, including borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hearing loss, sleep disorders or brain lesions, and they may even occur outside the context of any demonstrable pathology. In such cases, the usage of the DSM-5 diagnosis of OSSSOPD would be incorrect, and it may prompt unwarranted treatment with antipsychotic medication. We therefore argue that a DSM-5 diagnosis of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder (or any other type of psychotic disorder) characterized by AH should require at least one more symptom listed under the A-criterion (i.e. delusions, disorganized speech, disorganized or catatonic behavior or negative symptoms). Adhering to these more stringent criteria may help to distinguish between individuals with persistent AH which are part of a psychotic disorder, for whom antipsychotic medication may be helpful, and individuals with AH in the absence of such a disorder who may benefit from other approaches (e.g. different pharmacological interventions, improving coping style, trauma-related therapy).
Altered functional connectivity of the subthalamus and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in obsessive–compulsive disorder
Authors: Cano M. , Alonso P. , Martínez-Zalacaín I. , Subirà M. , Real E. , Segalàs C. , Pujol J. , Cardoner N. , Menchón J. M. , Soriano-Mas C.
Published: August 2017

Background

The assessment of inter-regional functional connectivity (FC) has allowed for the description of the putative mechanism of action of treatments such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus accumbens in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Nevertheless, the possible FC alterations of other clinically-effective DBS targets have not been explored. Here we evaluated the FC patterns of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) in patients with OCD, as well as their association with symptom severity.

Methods

Eighty-six patients with OCD and 104 healthy participants were recruited. A resting-state image was acquired for each participant and a seed-based analysis focused on our two regions of interest was performed using statistical parametric mapping software (SPM8). Between-group differences in FC patterns were assessed with two-sample t test models, while the association between symptom severity and FC patterns was assessed with multiple regression analyses.

Results

In comparison with controls, patients with OCD showed: (1) increased FC between the left STN and the right pre-motor cortex, (2) decreased FC between the right STN and the lenticular nuclei, and (3) increased FC between the left BNST and the right frontopolar cortex. Multiple regression analyses revealed a negative association between clinical severity and FC between the right STN and lenticular nucleus.

Conclusions

This study provides a neurobiological framework to understand the mechanism of action of DBS on the STN and the BNST, which seems to involve brain circuits related with motor response inhibition and anxiety control, respectively.
ROME'S SINGULAR PATH TO MODERNISM: INNOCENZO SABBATINI AND THE ‘ROOTED’ ARCHITECTURE OF THE ISTITUTO CASE POPOLARI (ICP), 1925–1930
Authors: Kallis Aristotle
Published: August 2017

This article traces the extraordinary architectural production of the Roman branch of the Istituto Case Popolari (Institute of Public Housing, ICP) during the period between 1925 and 1930. This was the most prolific and creative period in the history of the Institute, delivering a rich portfolio of distinctive public housing projects in and around Rome with modest means and against the backdrop of a severe housing crisis. It was also the period when a single architect, Innocenzo Sabbatini, left his creative mark on the most significant of the Institute's executed projects. Under Sabbatini's creative lead, the ICP sought to advance a distinctive, coherent vision for public housing while also producing a singular architectural language that was both modern and unmistakably ‘situated’ in the traditions and the ambience of Rome. I examine the three arguably most innovative ICP projects of this period bearing Sabbatini's signature: theAlbergo Rossoin Garbatella; the so-calledCasa del Solein Tiburtino; and the unrealizedTrionfale Nuovoproject. Through these three projects, I seek to trace a fascinatingly singular Roman road to architectural modernism that pre-dated the ‘heroic’ phase ofrazionalismoin Rome during the early 1930s but has been largely redacted from the narratives of modernist architecture.
Walking with the Self: Zab Maboungou's Interventions Against Eurocentrism Through Contemporary African Dance
Authors: Templeton Melissa
Published: August 2017

This article examines how choreographer Zab Maboungou uses philosophical themes about the “self” positioned in time and space to reappropriate subjecthood through a contemporary African dance vocabulary. I suggest that in deploying such methods—which I describe as an “embodied Africanist metaphysics”— Maboungou challenges the rhetoric of the European Enlightenment that continues to influence constructions of race today. Maboungou's choreography and pedagogy effectively undermine implicit assumptions that align whiteness and European aesthetics with universal subject-hood and creates a productive space for the presentation and development of contemporary African dance in Montreal (and North America more generally).
Representing Soldiers to Soldiers Through Dance: Authenticity, Theatricality, and Witnessing the Pain of Others
Authors: Reason Matthew
Published: August 2017

Representations of war recur throughout art, whether celebrating the glories and heroism of conflict, or depicting its horrors and follies. This paper uses qualitative audience research to examine soldiers' own responses to the representation of soldiers in choreographer Rosie Kay's dance performance 5 Soldiers: The Body is the Frontline. This article explores how for military audiences the satisfaction of an internalized sense of authenticity allowed them to accept the performance as a legitimate representation; at the same time the presentation of war in a choreographic language meant that the performance was also abstracted, with theatrical and stylized elements that were far from authentic as a documentary. This paper proposes that it was the combination of authenticity with theatricality that generated empathetic investment and made 5 Soldiers an articulate witness to the military experience.
Human rights abuses at the limits of the law: Legal instabilities and vulnerabilities in the ‘Global War on Terror’
Authors: Sanders Rebecca
Published: August 2017

Law following and law breaking are often conceptualised as polar opposites. However, authorities in liberal democracies increasingly deploy a strategy of what I callplausible legalityin order to secure immunity and legitimacy for proscribed practices. Rather than ignore or suspend law, they construct legal justifications for human rights abuses and other dubious policies, obscuring the distinction between legal compliance and non-compliance. I argue this is possible because instabilities in legal rules make them vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation. By tracing American rationales for contentious ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’, indefinite detention, and ‘targeted killing’ practices in the ‘Global War on Terror’, I show that law need not always be abandoned or radically reconstituted to achieve troubling ends and that rule structures enable certain patterns of violation while limiting others. The international prohibition on torture is robust and universal, but provides vague definitions open to interpretation. Detention and lethal targeting regulations are jurisdictionally layered and contextually complex, creating loopholes and gaps. The article concludes by reflecting on implications for the protection of human rights. While law is not wholly indeterminate, human rights advocates must constantly advocate shared legal understandings that constrain state violence.
Reflected and transmitted second harmonics generation by an obliquely p-polarized laser pulse incident on vacuum-magnetized plasma interface
Authors: Ghorbanalilu M. , Heidari Z.
Published: August 2017

The transmitted and reflected second harmonics (SH) generation by an oblique p-polarized laser pulse irradiated on vacuum-magnetized plasma interface is investigated. The laser pulse propagates through a homogenous, underdense, and transversely magnetized plasma. The transverse magnetic field plays the role of a self-generated magnetic field produced in laser plasma interaction. It is shown that if the transmitted and reflected SH components investigated as a simultaneous process, the maximum SH power deviates from previous reports specially near the critical angle. The deviation increases with laser field intensity and plasma density. The results reveal that the conversion efficiency increases slightly by increasing incident angle and drastically enhances near the critical angle. We show that the transmitted SH power decreases by increasing the magnetic field strength, in contrast to the normal incidence, which the SH power is increased. The comparison revealed that the SH efficiency is greater for transmitted component, while the reflected component is more proper for technical and experimental applications. This paper not only conforms the previous reports for angle far from the critical but also modifies them for the SH generation near the critical angle. Moreover, this paper gives a new insight for SH generation by a magnetized plasma.
Genetic diversity and structure of the treeManilkara zapotain a naturally fragmented tropical forest
Authors: Martínez-Natarén Daniela A. , Parra-Tabla Víctor , Munguía-Rosas Miguel A.
Published: August 2017

Forest fragmentation, habitat loss and isolation may have a strong effect on biodiversity in tropical forests. This can include modification of the genetic diversity and structure of plant populations. In this study, we assessed the genetic diversity and structure of the treeManilkara zapotain 15 naturally formed fragments of semi-evergreen tropical forest, as well as in an adjacent continuous forest for comparison. Forest fragments were scattered within a matrix of wetlands and were highly variable in terms of size and degree of isolation. The naturally fragmented populations ofM.zapotahad slightly less allelic diversity (Ar: 3.4) than those of the continuous forest (Ar: 3.6), when corrected for sample size. However, populations in the fragments and continuous forest had very similar heterozygosity levels (HE: 0.59 in both cases). Low levels of genetic differentiation were observed among populations (FST: 0.026) and genetic structure was not consistent with isolation by distance, indicating high levels of gene flow. Genetic diversity was not explained by fragment size or degree of isolation. The relatively high genetic diversity and low inter-population genetic differentiation observed inM. zapotamay be the result of long-distance pollen and seed dispersal, as well as the high proximity among patches.
EXPLORING LEXICAL EFFECTS IN SECOND LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION
Authors: Kanwit Matthew , Geeslin Kimberly L.
Published: August 2017

The Spanish mood contrast is a good test case for research on acquiring form-meaning connections in contexts where input is variable and multiple areas of the grammar are implicated (e.g., syntax, semantics, pragmatics). Nevertheless, research on interpretation of this contrast lags and little is known about how individual lexical items and patterns of co-occurrence of adverbial clauses with subjunctive forms influence interpretation. Addressing this void, we compare interpretation of the present subjunctive by native speakers (NSs) and nonnative speakers (NNSs) at three relatively high levels of experience. Participants completed an interpretation task containing clauses with indicative and subjunctive forms paired with one of six adverbial conjunctions, categorized as co-occurring with subjunctive, indicative, or both forms. Our analysis suggests individual lexical items play a role in morphosyntactic variation and that nuanced differences in interpretation exist for NSs and highly advanced NNSs, even on items that prescriptively co-occur with only one form.
Exploiting the Implementation Gap: Policy Divergence and Industrial Upgrading in China's Wind and Solar Sectors
Authors: Nahm Jonas
Published: August 2017

This article argues that manufacturing policies of Chinese local governments have provided an important corrective to some of the weaknesses inherent in the central government's indigenous innovation framework, most importantly its inattention to the importance of advanced manufacturing capabilities for innovation. Based on an original dataset of over one hundred executive interviews conducted with 43 Chinese wind and solar firms, I identify both central government R&D funding and continued local government support for manufacturing as critical factors in enabling innovation among China's renewable energy firms. In particular, this article shows that firms have utilized a combination of both central and local government policies to establish unique engineering capabilities required for innovation in commercialization and scale-up to mass production. The findings suggest that continued local government support for the manufacturing economy has not undermined central government innovation policies, but has (1) broadened the range of resources available to entrepreneurial firms and (2) enabled new options for industrial upgrading that are outside the conceptualization of innovation underlying the central government's indigenous innovation framework.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa blood stream infection isolates from patients with recurrent blood stream infection: Is it the same genotype?
Authors: McCARTHY K. L. , KIDD T. J. , PATERSON D. L.
Published: August 2017

The type identity of strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from primary and recurrent blood stream infection (BSI) has not been widely studied. Twenty-eight patients were identified retrospectively from 2008 to 2013 from five different laboratories; available epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data were obtained for each patient. Isolates were genotyped by iPLEX MassARRAY MALDI-TOF MS and rep-PCR. This showed that recurrent P. aeruginosa BSI was more commonly due to the same genotypically related strain as that from the primary episode. Relapse due to a genotypically related strain occurred earlier in time than a relapsing infection from an unrelated strain (median time: 26 vs. 91 days, respectively). Line related infections were the most common source of suspected BSI and almost half of all BSI episodes were associated with neutropenia, possibly indicating translocation of the organism from the patient's gut in this setting. Development of meropenem resistance occurred in two relapse isolates, which may suggest that prior antibiotic therapy for the primary BSI was a driver for the subsequent development of resistance in the recurrent isolate.
Geospatial analysis of household spread of Ebola virus in a quarantined village – Sierra Leone, 2014
Authors: GLEASON B. L. , FOSTER S. , WILT G. E. , MILES B. , LEWIS B. , CAUTHEN K. , KING M. , BAYOR F. , CONTEH S. , SESAY T. , KAMARA S. I. , LAMBERT G. , FINLEY P. , BEYELER W. , MOORE T. , GAUDIOSO J. , KILMARX P. H. , REDD J. T.
Published: August 2017

We performed a spatial-temporal analysis to assess household risk factors for Ebola virus disease (Ebola) in a remote, severely-affected village. We defined a household as a family's shared living space and a case-household as a household with at least one resident who became a suspect, probable, or confirmed Ebola case from 1 August 2014 to 10 October 2014. We used Geographic Information System (GIS) software to calculate inter-household distances, performed space-time cluster analyses, and developed Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). Village X consisted of 64 households; 42% of households became case-households over the observation period. Two significant space-time clusters occurred among households in the village; temporal effects outweighed spatial effects. GEE demonstrated that the odds of becoming a case-household increased by 4·0% for each additional person per household (P< 0·02) and 2·6% per day (P< 0·07). An increasing number of persons per household, and to a lesser extent, the passage of time after onset of the outbreak were risk factors for household Ebola acquisition, emphasizing the importance of prompt public health interventions that prioritize the most populated households. Using GIS with GEE can reveal complex spatial-temporal risk factors, which can inform prioritization of response activities in future outbreaks.
Hybrid conditional planning using answer set programming
Authors: YALCINER IBRAHIM FARUK , NOUMAN AHMED , PATOGLU VOLKAN , ERDEM ESRA
Published: August 2017

We introduce a parallel offline algorithm for computing hybrid conditional plans, called HCP-ASP, oriented towards robotics applications. HCP-ASP relies on modeling actuation actions and sensing actions in an expressive nonmonotonic language of answer set programming (ASP), and computation of the branches of a conditional plan in parallel using an ASP solver. In particular, thanks to external atoms, continuous feasibility checks (like collision checks) are embedded into formal representations of actuation actions and sensing actions in ASP; and thus each branch of a hybrid conditional plan describes a feasible execution of actions to reach their goals. Utilizing nonmonotonic constructs and nondeterministic choices, partial knowledge about states and nondeterministic effects of sensing actions can be explicitly formalized in ASP; and thus each branch of a conditional plan can be computed by an ASP solver without necessitating a conformant planner and an ordering of sensing actions in advance. We apply our method in a service robotics domain and report experimental evaluations. Furthermore, we present performance comparisons with other compilation based conditional planners on standardized benchmark domains.
Financial literacy and retirement planning in Finland
Authors: KALMI PANU , RUUSKANEN OLLI-PEKKA
Published: August 2017

This paper presents the results from the first study of financial literacy in Finland and explores the relationship between financial literacy and retirement planning in Finland. Finland is an interesting case because countervailing effects may exist: a high level of education might increase financial literacy, while the high provision of social security may decrease it and weaken its relationship with pension planning. The results indicate that the level of financial literacy in Finland is comparatively high, although it is unequally distributed among the population. With respect to pension planning, we find that there is little evidence of a relationship between the three core financial literacy questions and retirement planning; however, a statistically significant and positive relationship exists between retirement planning and an extended measure of financial literacy, consisting mostly of more demanding questions. When we split the sample by gender, we find evidence of a positive relationship between financial literacy and retirement planning among women but not among men. The results indicate that scaling down publicly guaranteed pension benefits may pose a challenge to the less financially literate segment of the population.
Analysis of time filtering techniques for echo reduction in antenna measurements
Authors: González-Blanco Pilar , Sierra-Castañer Manuel
Published: August 2017

This paper presents a review of filtering methods to eliminate echo in antenna measurements. Two different methods, fast Fourier transform and Matrix Pencil, are explained, compared, and simulated in a planar near field where other effects, such as aliasing, can and will be present if the simulation is not appropriately made and the parameters are not carefully chosen. Finally both methods are applied to real measurements of a dipole in a Microwave Vision Group multiprobe system and of a horn in a single-cut measurement. Other effects, such as window shift, may appear depending on the geometry of the system where the measurement is taken. These effects must be taken into consideration and carefully corrected.
ANN-based radar approach to detect breast cancers in fibro-glandular tissues: numerical analysis
Authors: Caorsi Salvatore , Lenzi Claudio
Published: August 2017

This paper presents a new artificial neural network (ANN)-based radar data processing approach for the detection of breast cancers located inside fibro-glandular tissues. The aim is not the breast imaging but detecting tumors through ANN processing of data extracted from the radar signals measured around the breast. The proposed approach has been assessed using several realistic two-dimensional breast geometries derived from the models provided by the numerical breast phantom repository of the University of Wisconsin Cross-Disciplinary Electromagnetic Laboratory (UWCEM). The pulsed radar system was assumed to operate in the mono-static configuration. The obtained results showed the abilities of the proposed approach to detect, for any single radar trace, tumors located inside the fibro-glandular tissues with a sensitivity of 93%, a specificity of 90%, and an overall accuracy of 92%.
Responsibility in the age of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) and epigenetics
Authors: Ismaili M’hamdi H. , de Beaufort I. , Jack B. , Steegers E. A. P.
Published: August 2017

Insights from the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease paradigm and epigenetics are elucidating the biological pathways through which social and environmental signals affect human health. These insights prompt a serious debate about how the structure of society affects health and what the responsibility of society is to counteract health inequalities. Unfortunately, oversimplified interpretations of insights from Developmental Origins of Health and Disease and epigenetics may be (mis)used to focus on the importance of individual responsibility for health rather than the social responsibility for health. In order to advance the debate on responsibility for health, we present an ethical framework to determine the social responsibility to counteract health inequalities. This is particularly important in a time where individual responsibility often justifies a passive response from policymakers.
Physicist and Former Congressman Vernon Ehlers Dead at 83
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: August 2017

A staunch supporter of science, Ehlers worked as a research scientist before going into politics.
Maintenance of PD‐1 on brain‐resident memory CD8 T cells is antigen independent
Authors: Shwetank  , Abdelsamed Hossam A , Frost Elizabeth L , Schmitz Heather M , Mockus Taryn E , Youngblood Ben A , Lukacher Aron E
Published: August 2017

Infection of the central nervous system (CNS) by murine polyomavirus (MuPyV), a persistent natural mouse pathogen, establishes brain‐resident memory CD8 T cells (bTRM) that uniformly and chronically express programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) irrespective of the expression of αE integrin CD103, a TRM cell marker. In contrast, memory antiviral CD8 T cells in the spleen are PD‐1−, despite viral loads being similar in both the brain and spleen during persistent infection. Repetitive antigen engagement is central to sustained PD‐1 expression by T cells in chronic viral infections; however, recent evidence indicates that expression of inhibitory receptors, including PD‐1, is part of the TRM differentiation program. Here we asked whether PD‐1 expression by CD8 bTRM cells during persistent MuPyV encephalitis is antigen dependent. By transferring MuPyV‐specific CD8 bTRM cells into the brains of naive mice and mice infected with cognate epitope‐sufficient and ‐deficient MuPyVs, we demonstrate that antigen and inflammation are dispensable for PD‐1 maintenance. In vitro and direct ex vivo analyses indicate that CD103− MuPyV‐specific CD8 bTRM retain functional competence. We further show that the Pdcd‐1 promoter of anti‐MuPyV bTRM cells is epigenetically fixed in a demethylated state in the brain. In contrast, the PD‐1 promoter of splenic antiviral memory CD8 T cells undergoes remethylation after being demethylated during acute infection. These data show that PD‐1 expression is an intrinsic property of brain TRM cells in a persistent CNS viral infection.
Tamm–Horsfall glycoprotein engages human Siglec‐9 to modulate neutrophil activation in the urinary tract
Authors: Patras Kathryn A , Coady Alison , Olson Joshua , Ali Syed Raza , RamachandraRao Satish P , Kumar Satish , Varki Ajit , Nizet Victor
Published: August 2017

Urinary tract infections are a major problem in human medicine for which better understanding of native immune defenses may reveal new pathways for therapeutic intervention. Tamm–Horsfall glycoprotein (THP), the most abundant urinary protein, interacts with bacteria including uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) as well host immune cells. In addition to its well‐studied functions to antagonize bacterial colonization, we hypothesize that THP serves a critical host defense function through innate immune modulation. Using isolated human neutrophils, we found that THP binds neutrophils and that this interaction reduces reactive oxygen species generation, chemotaxis and killing of UPEC. We discovered that THP engages the inhibitory neutrophil receptor sialic acid‐binding Ig‐like lectin‐9 (Siglec‐9), and mouse functional ortholog Siglec‐E, in a manner dependent on sialic acid on its N‐glycan moieties. THP‐null mice have significantly more neutrophils present in the urine compared with wild‐type mice, both with and without the presence of inflammatory stimuli. These data support THP as an important negative regulator of neutrophil activation in the urinary tract, with dual functions to counteract bacterial colonization and suppress excessive inflammation within the urinary tract.
Interactions between fibroblastic reticular cells and B cells promote mesenteric lymph node lymphangiogenesis
Authors: Dubey Lalit Kumar , Karempudi Praneeth , Luther Sanjiv A. , Ludewig Burkhard , Harris Nicola L.
Published: August 2017

Lymphatic growth (lymphangiogenesis) within lymph nodes functions to promote dendritic cell entry and effector lymphocyte egress in response to infection or inflammation. Here we demonstrate a crucial role for lymphotoxin-beta receptor (LTβR) signaling to fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) by lymphotoxin-expressing B cells in driving mesenteric lymph node lymphangiogenesis following helminth infection. LTβR ligation on fibroblastic reticular cells leads to the production of B-cell-activating factor (BAF﻿F), which synergized with interleukin-4 (IL-4) to promote the production of the lymphangiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)-A and VEGF-C, by B cells. In addition, the BAFF-IL-4 synergy augments expression of lymphotoxin by antigen-activated B cells, promoting further B cell–fibroblastic reticular cell interactions. These results underlie the importance of lymphotoxin-dependent B cell–FRC cross talk in driving the expansion of lymphatic networks that function to promote and maintain immune responsiveness.
Modeling a linkage between blood transcriptional expression and activity in brain regions to infer the phenotype of schizophrenia patients
Authors: Ibrahim El Chérif , Guillemot Vincent , Comte Magali , Tenenhaus Arthur , Zendjidjian Xavier Yves , Cancel Aida , Belzeaux Raoul , Sauvanaud Florence , Blin Olivier , Frouin Vincent , Fakra Eric
Published: August 2017

Hundreds of genetic loci participate to schizophrenia liability. It is also known that impaired cerebral connectivity is directly related to the cognitive and affective disturbances in schizophrenia. How genetic susceptibility and brain neural networks interact to specify a pathological phenotype in schizophrenia remains elusive. Imaging genetics, highlighting brain variations, has proven effective to establish links between vulnerability loci and associated clinical traits. As previous imaging genetics works in schizophrenia have essentially focused on structural DNA variants, these findings could be blurred by epigenetic mechanisms taking place during gene expression. We explored the meaningful links between genetic data from peripheral blood tissues on one hand, and regional brain reactivity to emotion task assayed by blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging on the other hand, in schizophrenia patients and matched healthy volunteers. We applied Sparse Generalized Canonical Correlation Analysis to identify joint signals between two blocks of variables: (i) the transcriptional expression of 33 candidate genes, and (ii) the blood oxygen level-dependent activity in 16 region of interest. Results suggested that peripheral transcriptional expression is related to brain imaging variations through a sequential pathway, ending with the schizophrenia phenotype. Generalization of such an approach to larger data sets should thus help in outlining the pathways involved in psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia.
The increased risk of sarcopenia in patients with cardiovascular risk factors in Suburb-Dwelling older Chinese using the AWGS definition
Authors: Han Peipei , Yu Hairui , Ma Yixuan , Kang Li , Fu Liyuan , Jia Liye , Chen Xiaoyu , Yu Xing , Hou Lin , Wang Lu , Zhang Wen , Yin Haifang , Niu Kaijun , Guo Qi
Published: August 2017

The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between sarcopenia and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in the Chinese elderly. A total of 1611 elderly individuals aged ≥60 years were enrolled in this study. The well-established CVRF of diabetes, hypertensions, and dyslipidemia were assessed. Sarcopenia was defined according to the recommended algorithm of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS). Multiple logistic regression analyses and the linear regressions were used to evaluate the components of CVRF and the number of CVRF of elderly patients with sarcopenia. After adjusting for potential confounders, CVRF was associated with a high prevalence of sarcopenia in elderly Chinese populations. Furthermore, diabetes and hypertension, but not dyslipidemia, were found to be significantly associated with sarcopenia. The OR and 95% CI for sarcopenia of the participants with 1, 2, and 3 features of CVRF were 2.27(1.14–4.48), 4.13(1.80–9.46), and 4.90(1.01–23.81), respectively. A linear increase in the prevalence of sarcopenia was found to be associated with the number of CVRF components in the elderly population (P values for the trends < 0.001). Knowledge of known CVRF, particularly diabetes and hypertension, may help predict the risk for sarcopenia in the elderly.
Templating synthesis of Fe2O3 hollow spheres modified with Ag nanoparticles as superior anode for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Lin Xiaoping , Zhang Jianmin , Tong Xiaobin , Li Han , Pan Xi , Ning Peigong , Li Qiuhong
Published: August 2017

Ag-Fe2O3 hollow spheres are synthesized by using Ag@C core-shell matrix as sacrificial templates. The morphologies and structures of the as-prepared samples are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction energy dispersive, transmission electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. In contrast to Fe2O3 hollow spheres, Ag-Fe2O3 hollow spheres exhibit much higher electrochemical performances. The Ag-Fe2O3 composites exhibit an initial discharge capacity of 1030.9 mA h g−1 and retain a high capacity of 953.2 mA h g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1 after 200 cycles. Furthermore, Ag-Fe2O3 electrode can maintain a stable capacity of 678 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 250 cycles. Rate performance of Ag-Fe2O3 electrode exhibits a high capacity of 650.8 mA h g−1 even at 5 A g−1. These excellent performances can be attributed to the decoration of Ag particles which will enhance conductivity and accelerate electrochemical reaction kinetics. Moreover, the hollow structure and the constructing particles with nanosize will benefit to accommodate huge volume change and stabilize the structure.
Volumetric Optoacoustic Temperature Mapping in Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Landa Francisco Javier Oyaga , Deán-Ben Xosé Luís , Sroka Ronald , Razansky Daniel
Published: August 2017

Photothermal therapy and ablation are commonplace medical procedures employed for treatment of tumors, vascular and brain abnormalities as well as other disorders that require selective destruction of tissues. Yet, accurate mapping of the dynamic temperature field distribution in the treated region represents an unmet clinical need, strongly affecting the clinical outcome of these interventions. We introduce a fast three-dimensional temperature mapping method based on real-time optoacoustic sensing of the treated region coupled with a thermal-diffusion-based model of heat distribution in tissues. Deviations of the optoacoustic temperature readings provided at 40  ms intervals remained below 10% in tissue-mimicking phantom experiments for temperature elevations above 3 °C, as validated by simultaneous thermocouple measurements. Performance of the new method to dynamically estimate the volumetric temperature distribution was further showcased in post-mortem mouse imaging experiments. The newly discovered capacity to non-invasively measure the temperature map in an entire treated volume with both high spatial and temporal resolutions holds potential for improving safety and efficacy of light-based therapeutic interventions.
Calorie restriction effects on circadian rhythms in gene expression are sex dependent
Authors: Astafev Artem A. , Patel Sonal A. , Kondratov Roman V.
Published: August 2017

The rhythms in the expression of circadian clock genes are affected by calorie restriction (CR), a dietary paradigm known to increase lifespan. Many physiological effects of CR differ between males and females; here we investigated if the sex of animals affects the CR induced changes in the circadian rhythms. The liver expression of some circadian clock genes such as Bmal1 and three Periods (Per1, Per2 and Per3) and the effect of CR on the expression of these genes were sex independent, while the expression of Rev-Erb alpha, Ror gamma and both Cryptochome (Cry1 and Cry2) genes was different between males and females. The effect of CR on Rev-Erb alpha, Ror gamma and Cry1 gene expression was sex dependent. The expression and the effects of CR were sex-specific for several genes previously reported to be regulated by CR: Fmo3, Mup4, Serpina12 and Cyp4a12, while the expression of Cyp4a14a was sex independent. IGF signaling plays an important role in aging and CR effects. Igf-1 expression is regulated by CR and by the circadian clock, we found that rhythms in Igf-1 expression have sexual dimorphism. Our data provide molecular evidence that the sex of animals is an important modulator of circadian rhythms in gene expression and their response to CR.
Intravenous Fluid Challenge Decreases Intracellular Volume: A Bioimpedance Spectroscopy-Based Crossover Study in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Ernstbrunner Matthäus , Kabon Barbara , Zotti Oliver , Zeitlinger Markus , Berner Carolin , Hinterholzer Georg , Säemann Marcus , Frommlet Florian , Fleischmann Edith , Hecking Manfred
Published: August 2017

The effects of intravenous fluid therapy on fluid compartments and hemodynamics of the human body remain enigmatic. We therefore tested the efficacy of bioimpedance spectroscopy in a crossover study, where 15 males received 0.5 ml/kg/min ELO-MEL-isoton (osmolarity = 302 mosmol/l) during 60 minutes, or nothing at all. In group “Fluid”, fluid load increased from −0.2 ± 1.0 l extracellular volume at baseline to its maximum of 1.0 ± 0.9 l in minute 70, and remained continuously elevated throughout minute 300. In group “Zero”, fluid load decreased from 0.5 ± 1.1 l at baseline to its minimum of −1.1 ± 1.1 l in minute 300. In group “Fluid”, intracellular volume decreased from 26.8 ± 3.9 l at baseline to its minimum of 26.0 ± 3.9 l in minute 70, and remained continuously decreased throughout minute 300. In group “Zero”, intracellular volume increased from 26.5 ± 3.8 l at baseline to its maximum of 27.1 ± 3.9 l in minute 120, and decreased thereafter. In group “Fluid” compared to “Zero”, systolic blood pressure was significantly higher, from minute 50–90. In conclusion, intravenous fluid therapy caused a clinically meaningful, sustained increase in fluid load, and a decrease in intracellular volume. These data raise interest in studying fluid administration by the gastrointestinal route, perhaps even when managing critical illness.
Acupuncture for behavioral changes of experimental depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kou Ren-zhong , Chen Hong , Yu Mei-ling , Xu Tian-cheng , Fu Shu-ping , Lu Sheng-feng
Published: August 2017

Acupuncture is considered to be a promising alternative therapy for depression. Nevertheless, up to now, it remains controversial on the effects exerted by acupuncture on behavioral changes in depression models. Consequently, it’s necessary to develop a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of acupuncture for model rats of depression. Ultimately, 90 studies involving 1861 models were identified. Behavioral indicators including the number of crossings (NC) and the number of rearings (NR) in open field test (OFT), the capacity of sucrose intake (CSI) and the rate of sucrose intake (RSI) in sucrose intake test (SIT), final weight (FW) and gain weight (GW) were employed as main outcomes in depression model rats. The pooled results showed that acupuncture had not less effect than western medicine on improving NC, NR, FW, GW, RSI (P > 0.05). However, the CSI improvement was poorer compared with west medicine (P < 0.05). In conclusion, acupuncture has not less effect on behavior changes than western medicine, including improving NC, NR, RSI, FW and GW in depression models.
Differential changes in the adenoids and tonsils in Japanese children and teenagers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Manabe Asuka , Ishida Takayoshi , Yoon Hyung Sik , Yang Shin-Sheng , Kanda Eiichiro , Ono Takashi
Published: August 2017

When adenoids (Ad) and tonsils (Tn) become hypertrophied, craniofacial and general body growth is affected. However, there are no objective explicit criteria for evaluating the size of the Ad and Tn, and their respective growth patterns remain unclear. This study determined the average proportions of the Ad and Tn sizes to the upper airway area at various developmental stages in Japanese individuals. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained from 300 Japanese children and teenagers (150 boys and 150 girls, aged 6–20 years), and the respective proportions of Ad to the nasopharynx (Ad/Np) and Tn to the oropharynx (Tn/Op) in the upper airway were determined. Average and standard deviation (SD) were calculated for each of the 5 age groups: lower primary school, upper primary school, junior high school, senior high school, and young adults. We investigated the correlation between age and growth patterns of Ad and Tn, and determined the average Ad/Np and Tn/Op. There was an age-related decrease in Ad and Tn size, and a significant positive correlation between Ad/Np and Tn/Op values in the upper primary school group. Both Ad/Np and Tn/Op decrease as individuals approach adulthood. However, the growth patterns of the Ad/Np and Tn/Op differ from each other.