bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inherent behavioural traits enable a widespread lizard to cope with urban life
Authors: Walsh S. , Goulet C. T. , Wong B. B. M. , Chapple D. G.
Published: June 2018

The global human population is increasing at a staggering rate, and more than half of that population resides in urban areas. As urbanization spreads across the landscape, animals are often confronted with a vast number of unfamiliar stimuli. Existing evidence from studies of birds and mammals suggests that increased boldness, arising either through behavioural plasticity or an intrinsic risk‐taking ability, can provide a fitness advantage in urban environments. What is less clear, is if these same patterns are prevalent in other taxa. Accordingly, we measured the expression of boldness in two contexts, novelty and anti‐predatory behaviour, in a successful urban lizard, the delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata). Lizards from genetically related urban and non‐urban populations were exposed to a novel object, scent and noise as well as a simulated predator attack. Contrary to much of the current research, we found no behavioural variation between urban and non‐urban populations, as all lizards exhibited similarly high levels of risk‐taking behaviour in their antipredator response as well as neophobia towards the novel object, scent and noise. Our results suggest that the delicate skink is able to cope with the challenges of urban conditions through its inherent traits. As urbanization becomes more widespread, we need to better understand which animals are able to cope with altered environmental conditions and how that is achieved. This will be critical if we are to fully grasp the impacts of anthropogenic change on faunal communities globally.
A genetics‐based approach confirms immune associations with life history across multiple populations of an aquatic vertebrate (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
Authors: Whiting James R. , Magalhaes Isabel S. , Singkam Abdul R. , Robertson Shaun , D'Agostino Daniele , Bradley Janette E. , MacColl Andrew D. C.
Published: June 2018

Understanding how wild immune variation covaries with other traits can reveal how costs and trade‐offs shape immune evolution in the wild. Divergent life history strategies may increase or alleviate immune costs, helping shape immune variation in a consistent, testable way. Contrasting hypotheses suggest that shorter life histories may alleviate costs by offsetting them against increased mortality, or increase the effect of costs if immune responses are traded off against development or reproduction. We investigated the evolutionary relationship between life history and immune responses within an island radiation of three‐spined stickleback, with discrete populations of varying life histories and parasitism. We sampled two short‐lived, two long‐lived and an anadromous population using qPCR to quantify current immune profile and RAD‐seq data to study the distribution of immune variants within our assay genes and across the genome. Short‐lived populations exhibited significantly increased expression of all assay genes, which was accompanied by a strong association with population‐level variation in local alleles and divergence in a gene that may be involved in complement pathways. In addition, divergence around the eda gene in anadromous fish is likely associated with increased inflammation. A wider analysis of 15 populations across the island revealed that immune genes across the genome show evidence of having diverged alongside life history strategies. Parasitism and reproductive investment were also important sources of variation for expression, highlighting the caution required when assaying immune responses in the wild. These results provide strong, gene‐based support for current hypotheses linking life history and immune variation across multiple populations of a vertebrate model.
Contrasting effects of Symbiodinium identity on coral host transcriptional profiles across latitudes
Authors: Barfield Sarah J. , Aglyamova Galina V. , Bay Line K. , Matz Mikhail V.
Published: June 2018

Reef‐building corals can increase their resistance to heat‐induced bleaching through adaptation and acclimatization and/or by associating with a more thermo‐tolerant strain of algal symbiont (Symbiodinium sp.). Here, we show that these two adaptive pathways interact. We collected Acropora millepora corals from two contrasting thermal environments on the Great Barrier Reef: cooler, mid‐latitude Orpheus Island, where all corals hosted a heat‐sensitive clade C Symbiodinium, and warmer, low‐latitude Wilkie Island, where corals hosted either a clade C or a more thermo‐tolerant clade D. Corals were kept in a benign common garden to reveal differences in baseline gene expression, reflecting prior adaptation/long‐term acclimatization. Model‐based analysis identified gene expression differences between Wilkie and Orpheus corals that were negatively correlated with previously described transcriptome‐wide signatures of heat stress, signifying generally elevated thermotolerance of Wilkie corals. Yet, model‐free analyses of gene expression revealed that Wilkie corals hosting clade C were distinct from Wilkie corals hosting clade D, whereas Orpheus corals were more variable. Wilkie corals hosting clade C symbionts exhibited unique functional signatures, including downregulation of histone proteins and ion channels and upregulation of chaperones and RNA processing genes, putatively representing constitutive “frontloading” of stress response genes. Furthermore, clade C Symbiodinium exhibited constitutive expression differences between Wilkie and Orpheus, indicative of contrasting life history strategies. Our results demonstrate that hosting alternative Symbiodinium types is associated with different pathways of local adaptation for the coral host. These interactions could play a significant role in setting the direction of genetic adaptation to global warming in the two symbiotic partners.
The role of senescence, telomere dysfunction and shelterin in vascular aging
Authors: Liu Yu , Bloom Samuel I. , Donato Anthony J.
Published: June 2018

In the United States and other westernized nations, CVDs are the leading cause of death in adults over 65 years of age. Large artery stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are increased with age and age‐associated arterial dysfunction is an important antecedent of CVDs. One age‐associated change that may contribute to vascular dysfunction and CVD risk is an increase in the number of resident senescent cells in the vasculature. Senescent cells display a pro‐oxidant, pro‐inflammatory phenotype known as the SASP. However, the mechanisms that drive the SASP and the vascular aging phenotype remain elusive. A putative mechanism is the involvement of oxidative stress and inflammation in telomere function. Telomeres are the end caps of chromosomes which are maintained by a six‐protein complex known as shelterin. Disruption of shelterin can uncap telomeres and induce cellular senescence. Accordingly, in this review, we propose that oxidative stress and inflammation disrupt shelterin in vascular cells, driving telomere dysfunction and that this mechanism may be responsible for the induction of SASP. The proposed mechanisms may represent some of the initial changes that lead to vascular dysfunction in advanced age.
The tri‐snRNP specific protein FgSnu66 is functionally related to FgPrp4 kinase in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Sun Manli , Zhang Yimei , Wang Qinhu , Wu Chunlan , Jiang Cong , Xu Jin‐Rong
Published: June 2018

Deletion of Prp4, the only kinase among spliceosome components, is not lethal in Fusarium graminearum but Fgprp4 mutants have severe growth defects and produced spontaneous suppressors. To identify novel suppressor mutations of Fgprp4, we sequenced the genome of suppressor S37 that was normal in growth but only partially recovered for intron splicing and identified a tandem duplication of 9‐aa in the tri‐snRNP component FgSNU66. Among the 19 additional suppressor strains found to have mutations in FgSNU66 (out of 260 screened), five had the same 9‐aa duplication event with S37 and another five had the R477H/C mutation. The rest had nonsense or G‐to‐D mutations in the C‐terminal 27‐aa (CT27) region of FgSnu66, which is absent in its yeast ortholog. Truncation of this C‐terminal region reduced the interaction of FgSnu66 with FgHub1 but increased its interaction with FgPrp8 and FgPrp6. Five phosphorylation sites were identified in FgSnu66 by phosphoproteomic analysis and the T418A‐S420A‐S422A mutation was shown to reduce virulence. Overall, our results showed that mutations in FgSNU66 can suppress deletion of Fgprp4, which has not been reported in other organisms, and the C‐terminal tail of FgSnu66 plays a role in its interaction with key tri‐snRNP components during spliceosome activation.
Homospermidine biosynthesis in the cyanobacterium Anabaena requires a deoxyhypusine synthase homologue and is essential for normal diazotrophic growth
Authors: Burnat Mireia , Li Bin , Kim Sok Ho , Michael Anthony J. , Flores Enrique
Published: June 2018

Polyamines are primordial, small organic polycations present in almost all cells, but their roles in bacteria are poorly understood. sym‐Homospermidine is the dominant polyamine in the filamentous, N2‐fixing, heterocyst‐forming cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. Synthesis of homospermidine was dependent on speA (encoding arginine decarboxylase), speB (agmatinase) and speY (deoxyhypusine synthase homologue), which in bacteria is an unprecedented pathway. Inactivation of any of these genes impaired diazotrophic growth. Heterocyst differentiation in the speA mutant was blocked at an early step, after induction of the regulatory gene hetR but before production of heterocyst‐specific glycolipids (HGL). In contrast, the speY mutant produced HGL and showed slow diazotrophic growth. Analysis of fusions to green fluorescent protein revealed that SpeA (like SpeB previously described) accumulates at higher levels in vegetative cells than in heterocysts, and that SpeY accumulates in vegetative cells but also at significant levels in heterocysts. The homospermidine biosynthetic pathway is therefore active primarily in vegetative cells but the last step can be completed in heterocysts. Our findings indicate an important role for polyamines in the diazotrophic biology of Anabaena. Furthermore, inactivation of a gene cluster (potADB) encoding a polyamine ABC transporter disrupted diazotrophic growth, corroborating the importance of polyamine homeostasis in Anabaena.
Major challenges for correlational ecological niche model projections to future climate conditions
Authors: Peterson A. Townsend , Cobos Marlon E. , Jiménez‐García Daniel
Published: June 2018

Species‐level forecasts of distributional potential and likely distributional shifts, in the face of changing climates, have become popular in the literature in the past 20 years. Many refinements have been made to the methodology over the years, and the result has been an approach that considers multiple sources of variation in geographic predictions, and how that variation translates into both specific predictions and uncertainty in those predictions. Although numerous previous reviews and overviews of this field have pointed out a series of assumptions and caveats associated with the methodology, three aspects of the methodology have important impacts but have not been treated previously in detail. Here, we assess those three aspects: (1) effects of niche truncation on model transfers to future climate conditions, (2) effects of model selection procedures on future‐climate transfers of ecological niche models, and (3) relative contributions of several factors (replicate samples of point data, general circulation models, representative concentration pathways, and alternative model parameterizations) to overall variance in model outcomes. Overall, the view is one of caution: although resulting predictions are fascinating and attractive, this paradigm has pitfalls that may bias and limit confidence in niche model outputs as regards the implications of climate change for species’ geographic distributions.
Optic nerve tissue displacement during mild intraocular pressure elevation: its relationship to central corneal thickness and corneal hysteresis
Authors: Bedggood Phillip , Tanabe Fumi , McKendrick Allison M. , Turpin Andrew , Anderson Andrew J. , Bui Bang V.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

To determine the extent to which (1) optic nerve tissue is displaced following mild acute elevation of intraocular pressure, and (2) clinically accessible measures at the anterior eye can be used as a surrogate for such displacements.

Methods

We imaged the optic disc of 21 healthy subjects before and after intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation of ~10 mmHg delivered by ophthalmodynamometry. Steady‐state tissue displacement during IOP elevation was assessed axially from OCT data, and laterally from SLO data. Recovery from IOP elevation was assessed by tracking a single vertical B‐scan through the cup centre. Anatomical structures were demarcated by three masked clinicians to determine lateral shifts for temporal cup edge and central disc vessels, and axial shifts of disc surface and anterior lamina cribrosa. Spatial maps of deformation were constructed within the demarcated cup and disc to assess within‐tissue displacement. Measured displacements were correlated with corneal hysteresis, corneal thickness, and IOP.

Results

The temporal cup edge moved more temporally with higher baseline IOP (R2 = 0.33, p = 0.006) and with lesser elevation of IOP (R2 = 0.43, p = 0.001); it moved more superiorly for thinner corneas (R2 = 0.35, p = 0.007). Thinner corneas also produced less within‐cup deformation, relative to that of the disc (R2 = 0.39, p = 0.004). Axial displacement of the lamina and lateral displacement of vessels were often substantial (lamina 20 ± 15 μm, range 1–60 μm; vessels 37 ± 25 μm, range 2–102 μm) but did not correlate with measured parameters. Recovery from IOP elevation did not take more than 300–400 ms in any subject.

Conclusions

Mild acute elevation of IOP produces large and rapidly reversible shifts in optic nerve tissue in young, healthy eyes. The resulting degree, direction and spatial distribution of cup movement are associated with IOP status and corneal thickness, but not corneal hysteresis.
Survey of hospitalization for respiratory syncytial virus in Nagano, Japan
Authors: Yanagisawa Toshimitsu , Nakamura Tomohiko
Published: June 2018

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is one of the major causes of hospitalization of children during the winter months in Nagano, Japan. This investigation was conducted to understand the details of hospitalized patients infected with RSV in Nagano.

Methods

The study used a questionnaire to survey hospitals who treated children for RSV infection in the pediatric wards of 11 major hospitals in Nagano.

Results

Between April 2016 and March 2017, 438 patients were hospitalized with RSV infection in the 11 participating hospitals. The mean gestational age at birth was 38 weeks 2 days. Average birthweight was 2,834 g. The ratio of hospitalized patients with RSV infection to the total number of hospitalized patients was, on average, 7.0% in the second‐level hospitals. Despite the use of prophylactic palivizumab, six patients were hospitalized.

Conclusions

The rate of hospitalization for RSV was similar across each of the second‐level hospitals in Nagano. Patients hospitalized after prophylactic palivizumab had received palivizumab only a few times during the season when infection rates were highest. Palivizumab is therefore advised prior to the outbreak initiation season.
Silicon‐mediated cell wall modifications of sorghum root exodermis and suppression of invasion by fungus Alternaria alternata
Authors: Bathoova M. , Bokor B. , Soukup M. , Lux A. , Martinka M.
Published: June 2018

Silicon (Si) is an element frequently associated with remedial properties in plant defence against various biotic stressors. Application of Si in plant–fungus interactions offers an intriguing research subject for its potential to reduce fungal disease‐related losses in agriculture. However, Si‐mediated changes in the plant metabolism must be first elucidated. The present microscopic study explores the effect of Si amendment on ultrastructural, cytological and anatomical aspects of the interaction between Sorghum bicolor ‘Gadambalia’ primary roots and the necrotrophic fungus Alternaria alternata. Bright‐field microscopy observations revealed that Si supplementation helped sorghum seedlings to restrict the growth of A. alternata, possibly by cell wall modifications of the root exodermis, limiting further fungal invasion. Ultrastructural analyses by transmission electron microscopy showed intense vesiculation in exodermal cells of inoculated roots. Fluorescence microscopy with suberin‐ and phenolic‐specific staining indicated a significant enhancement in the deposition of these substances in exodermal cell walls upon Si supplementation. The increased accumulation of phenolics in Si‐supplied plants was also confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. In conclusion, Si amendment seemed to alleviate the negative effect of A. alternata infection in sorghum roots, which is shown by restricted distribution of fungal hyphae in root tissues probably due to Si‐mediated deposition of suberin and phenolics in the exodermis.
Alfalfa response to heat stress is modulated by microRNA156
Authors: Matthews Craig , Arshad Muhammad , Hannoufa Abdelali
Published: June 2018

Heat stress and extreme temperatures negatively affect plant development by disrupting regular cellular and biochemical functions, ultimately leading to reduced crop production. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is an important forage crop grown worldwide as forage for livestock feed. Limiting the effects of abiotic stress by developing alfalfa cultivars that are stress tolerant would help mitigate losses to crop production. Members of the microRNA156 (miR156) family regulate the Squamosa Promoter‐Binding Protein‐Like (SPL) genes that in turn impact plant growth and development by regulating downstream genes in response to various abiotic stresses. In this study, alfalfa with miR156 overexpression and SPL13 RNAi knockdown show increased tolerance to heat stress (40°C). Transgenic plants show high water potential and increased non‐enzymatic antioxidant content under heat stress. Moreover, anthocyanin content and chlorophyll abundance were increased under stress. Expression of some important transcription factors and downstream genes involved in abiotic stress response were altered in miR156‐overexpressing genotypes under heat. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the miR156/SPL13 network contributes to improving heat stress tolerance in alfalfa.
Abscisic acid is involved in phenolic compounds biosynthesis, mainly anthocyanins, in leaves of Aristotelia chilensis plants (Mol.) subjected to drought stress
Authors: González‐Villagra Jorge , Cohen Jerry D. , Reyes‐Díaz Marjorie M.
Published: June 2018

Abscisic acid (ABA) regulates the physiological and biochemical mechanisms required to tolerate drought stress, which is considered as an important abiotic stress. It has been postulated that ABA might be involved in regulation of plant phenolic compounds biosynthesis, especially anthocyanins that accumulate in plants subjected to drought stress; however, the evidence for this postulate remains elusive. Therefore, we studied whether ABA is involved in phenolic compounds accumulation, especially anthocyanin biosynthesis, using drought stressed Aristotelia chilensis plants, an endemic berry in Chile. Our approach was to use fluridone, an ABA biosynthesis inhibitor, and then subsequent ABA applications to young and fully‐expanded leaves of drought stressed A. chilensis plants during 24, 48 and 72 h of the experiment. Plants were harvested and leaves were collected separately to determine the biochemical status. We observed that fluridone treatments significantly decreased ABA concentrations and total anthocyanin (TA) concentrations in stressed plants, including both young and fully‐expanded leaves. TA concentrations following fluridone treatment were reduced around fivefold, reaching control plant levels. ABA application restored ABA levels as well as TA concentrations in stressed plant at 48 h of the experiment. We also observed that TA concentrations followed the same pattern as ABA concentrations in the ABA treated plants. Quantitative real‐time PCR revealed that AcUFGT gene expression decreased in fully‐expanded leaves of stressed plants treated with fluridone, while a subsequent ABA application increased AcUFGT expression. Taken together, our results suggest that ABA is involved in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis under drought stress.
Do White Law Enforcement Officers Target Minority Suspects?
Authors: Menifield Charles E. , Shin Geiguen , Strother Logan
Published: June 2018

The debate over possible bias in the use of deadly force has recently been exacerbated by highly publicized killings of African American males around the country. While much research has been conducted examining police behavior, little has been done to investigate the impact of race on police behavior. This article aims to answer this question: are white police officers more likely to use lethal force on minority suspects or people of a specific race? To answer this question, the authors construct a data set of all confirmed uses of lethal force by police officers in the United States in 2014 and 2015. They find that although minority suspects are disproportionately killed by police, white officers appear to be no more likely to use lethal force against minorities than nonwhite officers.
The revised EEMCO guidance for the in vivo measurement of water in the skin
Authors: Berardesca Enzo , Loden Marie , Serup Jorgen , Masson Philippe , Rodrigues Luis Monteiro
Published: June 2018

Background

Noninvasive quantification of stratum corneum water content is widely used in skin research and topical product development.

Methods

The original EEMCO guidelines on measurements of skin hydration by electrical methods and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by evaporimeter published in 1997 and 2001 have been revisited and updated with the incorporation of recently available technologies.

Results

Electrical methods and open‐chamber evaporimeters for measurement of TEWL are still the preferred techniques to measure the water balance in the stratum corneum. The background technology and biophysics of these instruments remain relevant and valid. However, new methods that can image surface hydration and measure depth profiles of dermal water content now available. Open‐chamber measurement of TEWL has been supplemented with semiopen and closed chamber probes, which are more robust to environmental influence and therefore convenient to use and more applicable to field studies. However, closed chamber methods interfere with the evaporation of water, and the methods cannot be used for continuous monitoring. Validation of methods with respect to intra‐ and inter‐instrument variation remains challenging. No validation standard or test phantom is available.

Results and Conclusions

The established methods for measurement of epidermal water content and TEWL have been supplemented with important new technologies including methods that allow imaging of epidermal water distribution and water depth profiles. A much more complete and sophisticated characterization of the various aspects of the dermal water barrier has been accomplished by means of today's noninvasive techniques; however, instrument standardization and validation remain a challenge.
Tamoxifen and meglumine antimoniate combined therapy in cutaneous leishmaniasis patients: a randomised trial
Authors: Machado Paulo R. L. , Ribeiro Camila S. , França‐Costa Jaqueline , Dourado Mayra E.F. , Trinconi Cristiana T. , Yokoyama‐Yasunaka Jenicer K. U. , Malta‐Santos Hayna , Borges Valéria M. , Carvalho Edgar M. , Uliana Silvia R. B.
Published: June 2018

Objectives

There is a clear need for new strategies of leishmaniasis treatment. This work was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the co‐administration of tamoxifen and meglumine antimoniate (SbV) in a phase II pilot clinical trial in localised cutaneous leishmaniasis patients.

Methods

A randomised controlled pilot clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral (40 mg/day for 20 days) or topical tamoxifen (0.1% tamoxifen citrate for 20 days) combined with meglumine antimoniate (20 mg SbV/kg/day for 20 days) vs. a standard SbV protocol (20 mg/kg/day for 20 days) for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Primary outcome was complete epithelisation of the lesion 6 months after the end of treatment. Secondary outcomes were lesion healing 2 months after the end of treatment and frequency and severity of adverse events.

Results

A total of 38 subjects were included in the trial, 15 were treated with standard SbV and 23 with the combination of tamoxifen and SbV. Of the patients treated with the co‐administration scheme, 12 received tamoxifen orally and 11 were treated with topical tamoxifen. Tamoxifen administered by the oral or topical routes was well tolerated. Cure rates 6 months after the end of treatment per intention to treat were 40% in the group treated with the standard SbV scheme, and 36.4% and 58%, respectively, for groups treated with SbV plus topical or oral tamoxifen.

Conclusions

In the doses and schemes used in this study, co‐administration of oral tamoxifen and SbV resulted in higher cure rates in comparison with the standard scheme of treatment, although not to statistically significant levels.
Bottlenecks in the provision of antenatal care: rural settled and mobile pastoralist communities in Chad
Authors: Lechthaler Filippo , Abakar Mahamat Fayiz , Schelling Esther , Hattendorf Jan , Ouedraogo Boukari , Moto Daugla Doumagoum , Zinsstag Jakob
Published: June 2018

Objective

To assess antenatal care (ANC) coverage and analyse constraining factors for service delivery to rural settled and mobile populations in two districts in Chad.

Method

Data from cross‐sectional household and health facility surveys in the two Chadian rural health districts were analysed. First, contact coverage of ANC services in the study area was estimated from household data as the proportion of women who visited health facilities to obtain ANC during their last pregnancy. Second, bottlenecks in the provision of this service were explored by calibrating a multiplicative model of ANC contact coverage to household and health facility data. The model allowed quantification of the magnitude by which coverage decreased as it progressed through the health system. Sensitivity analysis was applied to account for uncertainty around the estimated coverage factors.

Results

Direct estimates revealed that ANC contact coverage decreased as the number of required visits increased: 79% of rural settled mothers and 46% of mobile pastoralist mothers visited a health facility to obtain ANC at least once (ANC 1). Among mobile pastoralists, only 20% of pregnant women attended ANC at least three times compared to 63% of rural settled women. Availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability contributed to reductions in service coverage in both populations. For mobile pastoralists, acceptability was clearly the most important factor. ANC 1 contact coverage resulting from the model is 50% for rural settled and 30% for mobile pastoralists.

Conclusion

Antenatal care coverage was low in rural districts of Chad, particularly for mobile pastoralists. Acceptability largely explained the prevailing difference between the two population groups.
Effect of coil orientation on motor‐evoked potentials in humans with tetraplegia
Authors: Jo Hang Jin , Di Lazzaro Vincenzo , Perez Monica A.
Published: June 2018

Key points

Although corticospinal function changes following spinal cord injury (SCI), the extent to which we can activate the corticospinal tract after injury remains poorly understood.

To address this question, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation over the hand representation of the primary motor cortex to elicit motor‐evoked potentials (MEPs) using posterior–anterior and anterior–posterior induced currents in the brain and compared them with responses evoked using lateral–medial currents in participants with and without cervical incomplete SCI during small levels of index finger abduction.

We found prolonged MEP latencies in all coil orientations in SCI compared to control subjects. However, the latencies of MEPs elicited by posterior–anterior and anterior–posterior compared to lateral–medial stimulation were shorter in SCI compared to controls, particularly for MEPs elicited by anterior–posterior currents.

Our findings demonstrate for the first time that corticospinal responses elicited by different directions of the induced current in the brain are differentially affected after SCI.

The corticospinal tract undergoes reorganization following spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the extent to which we can activate corticospinal neurons using non‐invasive stimulation after injury remains poorly understood. To address this question, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation over the hand representation of the primary motor cortex to elicit motor‐evoked potentials (MEPs) using posterior–anterior (PA) and anterior–posterior (AP) induced currents in the brain and compared them with the responses evoked by direct activation of corticospinal axons using lateral–medial (LM) currents. Testing was completed during small levels of index finger abduction in humans with and without (controls) cervical incomplete SCI. We found prolonged MEP latencies in individuals with SCI in all coil orientations compared to controls. However, latencies of MEPs elicited by PA and AP stimulation relative to those elicited by LM stimulation were shorter in SCI compared to control subjects. Notably, the largest difference between SCI and control subjects was present in MEPs elicited by AP currents. Using a novel controllable pulse parameter transcranial magnetic stimulation, we also found that MEPs elicited by AP currents with 30 μs compared to 60 and 120 μs pulse width had increased latency in controls but not in SCI subjects. Our findings demonstrate that differences between corticospinal responses elicited by AP and PA induced currents were not preserved in humans with tetraplegia and suggest that neural structures activated by AP currents change largely after the injury.
Review Article: Quantum-based vacuum metrology at the National Institute of Standards and Technology
Authors: Scherschligt Julia , Fedchak James A. , Ahmed Zeeshan , Barker Daniel S. , Douglass Kevin , Eckel Stephen , Hanson Edward , Hendricks Jay , Klimov Nikolai , Purdy Thomas , Ricker Jacob , Singh Robinjeet , Stone Jack
Published: June 2018

The measurement science in realizing and disseminating the unit for pressure in the International System of Units, the pascal (Pa), has been the subject of much interest at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Modern optical-based techniques for pascal metrology have been investigated, including multiphoton ionization and cavity ringdown spectroscopy. Work is ongoing to recast the pascal in terms of quantum properties and fundamental constants and in doing so make vacuum metrology consistent with the global trend toward quantum-based metrology. NIST has ongoing projects that interrogate the index of refraction of a gas using an optical cavity for low vacuum, and count background particles in high vacuum to extreme high vacuum using trapped laser-cooled atoms.
Extensive marine anoxia during the terminal Ediacaran Period
Authors: Zhang Feifei , Xiao Shuhai , Kendall Brian , Romaniello Stephen J. , Cui Huan , Meyer Mike , Gilleaudeau Geoffrey J. , Kaufman Alan J. , Anbar Ariel D.
Published: June 2018

Extensive marine anoxia in the terminal Ediacaran ocean was associated with the decline of the Ediacara biota.
Immunity drives
TET1
regulation in cancer through NF-κB
Authors: Collignon Evelyne , Canale Annalisa , Al Wardi Clémence , Bizet Martin , Calonne Emilie , Dedeurwaerder Sarah , Garaud Soizic , Naveaux Céline , Barham Whitney , Wilson Andrew , Bouchat Sophie , Hubert Pascale , Van Lint Carine , Yull Fiona , Sotiriou Christos , Willard-Gallo Karen , Noel Agnès , Fuks François
Published: June 2018

A new paradigm has emerged showing that the immune system can influence cancer cell epigenetics through NF-κB–mediated regulation of TET1.
Heterogeneity of spontaneous DNA replication errors in single isogenic
Escherichia coli
cells
Authors: Woo Anthony C. , Faure Louis , Dapa Tanja , Matic Ivan
Published: June 2018

We found elevated DNA replication errors in isogenic
E. coli
subpopulations experiencing endogenous stresses.
Simultaneous control of multiple functions of bionic hand prostheses: Performance and robustness in end users
Authors: Hahne Janne M. , Schweisfurth Meike A. , Koppe Mario , Farina Dario
Published: June 2018

A regression-based control approach allows for robust simultaneous and proportional myoelectric control of a hand prosthesis with two degrees of freedom.
ChemOS: Orchestrating autonomous experimentation
Authors: Roch Loïc M. , Häse Florian , Kreisbeck Christoph , Tamayo-Mendoza Teresa , Yunker Lars P. E. , Hein Jason E. , Aspuru-Guzik Alán
Published: June 2018

ChemOS aims to catalyze the expansion of autonomous laboratories and to disrupt the conventional approach to experimentation.
Interrogation of nonconserved human adipose lincRNAs identifies a regulatory role of
linc-ADAL
in adipocyte metabolism
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Xue Chenyi , Lin Jennie , Ferguson Jane F. , Weiner Amber , Liu Wen , Han Yumiao , Hinkle Christine , Li Wenjun , Jiang Hongfeng , Gosai Sager , Hachet Melanie , Garcia Benjamin A. , Gregory Brian D. , Soccio Raymond E. , Hogenesch John B. , Seale Patrick , Li Mingyao , Reilly Muredach P.
Published: June 2018

Nonconserved
linc-ADAL
interacts with distinct cytoplasmic and nuclear factors to regulate human adipocyte differentiation and metabolism.
Molecular Identification and Susceptibility Testing of Molds Isolated in a Prospective Surveillance of Triazole Resistance in Spain (FILPOP2 Study)
Authors: Alastruey-Izquierdo Ana , Alcazar-Fuoli Laura , Rivero-Menéndez Olga , Ayats Josefina , Castro Carmen , García-Rodríguez Julio , Goterris-Bonet Lidia , Ibáñez-Martínez Elisa , Linares-Sicilia María José , Martin-Gomez M. Teresa , Martín-Mazuelos Estrella , Pelaez Teresa , Peman Javier , Rezusta Antonio , Rojo Susana , Tejero Rocio , Anza Diego Vicente , Viñuelas Jesús , Zapico Maria Soledad , Cuenca-Estrella Manuel
Published: June 2018

Antifungal resistance is increasing by the emergence of intrinsically resistant species and by the development of secondary resistance in susceptible species. A previous study performed in Spain revealed levels of azole resistance in molds of between 10 and 12.7%, but secondary resistance in
Aspergillus fumigatus
was not detected.
Genome Sequence of the Emerging Mycotoxin-Producing Filamentous Fungus Fusarium tricinctum Strain INRA104
Authors: Ponts Nadia , Richard-Forget Florence , Zhang Honghai , Barroso Gérard , Zhao Chen
Published: June 2018

The genome of the phytopathogenic fungus
Fusarium tricinctum
strain INRA104 was sequenced at a fold-coverage of more than 500×. This led to 23 scaffolds, including one scaffold for the mitochondrial genome, for a total genome size of 42.8 Mb, with an average GC content of 45% and 13,387 predicted genes.
Draft Genome Sequence of Tuber borchii Vittad., a Whitish Edible Truffle
Authors: Murat Claude , Kuo Alan , Barry Kerrie W. , Clum Alicia , Dockter Rhyan B. , Fauchery Laure , Iotti Mirco , Kohler Annegret , LaButti Kurt , Lindquist Erika A. , Lipzen Anna , Morin Emmanuelle , Wang Mei , Grigoriev Igor V. , Zambonelli Alessandra , Martin Francis M.
Published: June 2018

The ascomycete
Tuber borchii
(Pezizomycetes) is a whitish edible truffle that establishes ectomycorrhizal symbiosis with trees and shrubs. This fungus is ubiquitous in Europe and is also cultivated outside Europe. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of
T. borchii
strain Tbo3840 (97.18 Mb in 969 scaffolds, with 12,346 predicted protein-coding genes).
Draft Genome Sequence of Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus JCM 32166
T
, a Butyrate-Producing Bacterium, Isolated from Human Feces
Authors: Sakamoto Mitsuo , Ikeyama Nao , Yuki Masahiro , Ohkuma Moriya
Published: June 2018

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus
JCM 32166
T
, a butyrate-producing bacterium, isolated from human feces. The genomic analysis reveals genes for butyrate synthesis and will facilitate the study on the role of this strain in the human gut.
High-Quality Draft Single-Cell Genome Sequence of the NS5 Marine Group from the Coastal Red Sea
Authors: Ngugi David K. , Stingl Ulrich
Published: June 2018

The uncultured NS5 marine group represents one of the most ubiquitous flavobacterial bacterioplankton associated with marine blooms in the pelagic ocean. Here, we present a single-cell genome sampled from coastal waters in the Red Sea that represents the first high-quality draft genome sequence within the NS5 lineage.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Divergent Anaerobic Member of the
Chloroflexi
Class
Ardenticatenia
from a Sulfidic Hot Spring
Authors: Ward L. M. , McGlynn S. E. , Fischer W. W.
Published: June 2018

Here, we present a draft genome sequence of Nak82, the second genome sequence available for the
Chloroflexi
class
Ardenticatenia
and the first from a sulfidic terrestrial hot spring. Nak82 is genetically and metabolically distinct from
Ardenticatena maritima
and likely represents a new genus- or family-level lineage lacking high-potential respiratory pathways.
Characterization of the Microbiota of Oyster Larvae (Crassostrea virginica) and Tank Water from an Aquaculture System with High and Low Larval Survival Rates
Authors: Ramachandran Padmini , Reed Elizabeth , Commichaux Seth , Strain Errol , Depaola Angelo , Rikard Scott , Ottesen Andrea
Published: June 2018

Aquaculture plays an increasingly important role in the growing demand for seafood. Hatchery production of oyster larvae is an integral component of oyster farming, providing single seed for off-bottom farming or larvae for setting on larger substrates for on-bottom farming. Larvae from certain tanks in an established aquaculture enterprise were dying from an unknown etiologic agent. A metagenomic approach was used to examine oyster larvae and water from larval tanks with high and low survival rates to evaluate the epidemiological efficacy of this approach.
Influence of Origin Recognition Complex Proteins on the Copy Numbers of Three Chromosomes in Haloferax volcanii
Authors: Ludt Katharina , Soppa Jörg
Published: June 2018

The core origins of archaea are comprised of a repeat region and an adjacent gene for an origin recognition complex (ORC) protein, which is homologous to eukaryotic ORC proteins.
Haloferax volcanii
is exceptional because it contains six replication origins on three chromosomes and an additional 10
orc
genes that are not adjacent to an origin. This unique ORC protein repertoire was used to unravel the importance of core origin
orc
genes and of origin-remote
orc
genes. Remarkably, all ORC proteins influenced the copy number of at least one chromosome. Some of them influenced those of all three chromosomes, showing that cross-regulation in
trans
exists in
Hfx. volcanii
. Furthermore, the evolution of the archaeal ORC protein family was analyzed.
Multiplex PCR Analysis for Rapid Detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenem-Resistant (Sequence Type 258 [ST258] and ST11) and Hypervirulent (ST23, ST65, ST86, and ST375) Strains
Authors: Yu Fangyou , Lv Jingnan , Niu Siqiang , Du Hong , Tang Yi-Wei , Pitout Johann D. D. , Bonomo Robert A. , Kreiswirth Barry N. , Chen Liang
Published: June 2018

Carbapenem-resistant and hypervirulent
Klebsiella pneumoniae
strains have emerged recently. These strains are both hypervirulent and multidrug resistant and may also be highly transmissible and able to cause severe infections in both the hospital and the community.
Hypoxemic and hyperoxemic likelihood in pulse oximetry ranges: NICU observational study
Authors: Bachman Thomas E , Newth Christopher J L , Iyer Narayan P , Ross Patrick A , Khemani Robinder G
Published: June 2018

Objective

Describe the likelihood of hypoxemia and hyperoxemia across ranges of oxygen saturation (SpO2), during mechanical ventilation with supplemental oxygenation.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

University affiliated tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit.

Patients

Two groups of neonates based on postmenstrual age (PMA): <32 weeks (n=104) and >36 weeks (n=709).

Main measures

Hypoxemia was defined as a PaO2 <40 mm Hg, hyperoxemia as a PaO2 of >99 mm Hg and normoxemia as a PaO2 of 50–80 mm Hg. Twenty-five per cent was defined as marked likelihood of hypoxemia or hyperoxemia.

Results

From these infants, 18 034 SpO2–PaO2 pairs were evaluated of which 10% were preterm. The PMA (median and IQR) of the two groups were: 28 weeks (27–30) and 40 weeks (38–41). With SpO2 levels between 90% and 95%, the likelihoods of hypoxemia and hyperoxemia were low and balanced. With increasing levels of SpO2, the likelihood of hyperoxemia increased. It became marked in the preterm group when SpO2 was 99%–100% (95% CI 29% to 41%) and in the term group with SpO2 levels of 96%–98% (95% CI 29% to 32%). The likelihood of hypoxemia increased as SpO2 decreased. It became marked in both with SpO2 levels of 80%–85% (95% CI 20% to 31%, 24% to 28%, respectively).

Conclusions

The likelihood of a PaO2 <40 mm Hg is marked with SpO2 below 86%. The likelihood of a PaO2 >99 mm Hg is marked in term infants with SpO2 above 95% and above 98% in preterm infants. SpO2 levels between 90% and 95% are appropriate targets for term and preterm infants.
Analgesic effect of long-acting somatostatin receptor agonist pasireotide in a patient with acromegaly and intractable headaches
Authors: Lovato Christina M , Kapsner Patricia L
Published: June 2018

A 22-year-old woman presented with worsening vision loss and headaches. A diagnosis of acromegaly was confirmed after detection of an invasive pituitary macroadenoma and biochemical testing. Despite two attempts of surgical debulking of the tumour and administration of long-acting octreotide and cabergoline, growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels were uncontrolled. The patient experienced persistent headaches despite surgery, gamma knife radiation and ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement; she was then enrolled in the ACCESS trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier,NCT01995734). Pasireotide (Signifor; Signifor LAR) was initiated, which led to reduced GH and IGF-1 levels and resolution of her intractable headaches. This highlights the use of monthly pasireotide in resolving headaches and improved biochemical control in a patient with acromegaly. We postulate that the headaches improved due to an analgesic and/or anti-inflammatory effect mediated by somatostatin receptors targeted by pasireotide. This may represent an additional benefit of pasireotide and requires further investigation.
Fifth metatarsal stress fracture in elite male football players: an on-field analysis of plantar loading
Authors: Thomson Athol , Akenhead Richard , Whiteley Rodney , D'Hooghe Pieter , Van Alsenoy Ken , Bleakley Chris
Published: June 2018

Objective

Evaluate plantar loading during ‘on-field’ common football movements in players after fifth metatarsal (MT-5) stress fracture and compare with matched healthy players.

Methods

Fourteen elite male soccer players participated in the study conducted on a natural grass playing surface using firm ground football boots. Seven players who had suffered a primary stress fracture (MT-5 group) and seven matched healthy players (controls, CON) performed three common football movements while in-shoe plantar loading data were collected.

Results

Large between-group differences exist for maximal vertical force normalised to bodyweight (Fmax) at the lateral toes (2-5) of the stance leg during a set-piece kick (MT-5: 0.2±0.06 bodyweight (BW), CON: 0.1±0.05 BW, effect size (ES) 1.4) and the curved run where the MT-5 group showed higher Fmaxwith very large effect size at the lateral forefoot of the injured (closest to curve) limb when running a curve to receive a pass (MT-5 injured−CON=0.01 BW, ES 1.5). Small between-group differences were evident during straight-line running. However, between-limb analysis of MT-5 group showed significant unloading of the lateral forefoot region of the involved foot.

Conclusions

Elite male football players who have returned to play after MT-5 stress fracture display significantly higher maximum plantar force at the lateral forefoot and lateral toes (2-5) compared with healthy matched control players during two football movements (kick and curved run) with the magnitude of these differences being very large. These findings may have important implications for manipulating regional load during rehabilitation or should a player report lateral forefoot prodromal symptoms.
Respectful care of human dignity: how is it perceived by patients and nurses?
Authors: Aydın Er Rahime , İncedere Aysel , Öztürk Selda
Published: June 2018

Objective

Dignified care protects the patient’s rights and provides appropriate ethical care while improving the quality of nursing care. In this context, the opinions of nurses and patients who receive nursing care about dignified care are important. The aim of this study was to explore the opinions and experiences of Turkish patients and nurses about respectful care of human dignity.

Methods

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Turkey. Participants were inpatients at cardiology, neurology and neurosurgery clinics and nurses working in these clinics. The data for the study were collected from face-to-face interviews using questionnaires. The percentages of characteristics and preferences of the participants were calculated, and the results were analysed using statistical tests.

Results

A total of 150 patients and 78 nurses participated in the study. The patients stated that the protection of their rights was the most important factor for dignified nursing care. The nurses stated that being careful to not expose the patients’ body and being respectful of the patients’ privacy were important in dignified nursing care. The age of the patient, duration of the disease, number of hospitalisations and length of time the nurses had been working at the clinic caused significant changes in the factors considered important in dignified care.

Conclusions

Our findings provide a perspective on dignified care in the Turkish healthcare setting. There were some differences between patients and nurses in the factors considered important for dignified care. The discussion with patients and nurses related to care and practices that protect or detract from human dignity can provide insights to ethics.