bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post‐impact event bed (tsunamite) at the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary deposited on a distal carbonate platform interior
Authors: Korbar Tvrtko , McDonald Iain , Premec Fućek Vlasta , Fuček Ladislav , Posilović Hrvoje
Published: February 2017

We show crucial evidence for the Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K–Pg) boundary event recorded within a rare succession deposited in an inner‐platform lagoon on top of a Mesozoic, tropical, intra‐oceanic (western Tethys) Adriatic carbonate platform, which is exposed at Likva cove on the island of Brač (Croatia). The last terminal Maastrichtian fossils appear within a distinct 10–12 cm thick event bed that is characterised by soft‐sediment bioturbation and rare shocked‐quartz grains, and is interpreted as a distal tsunamite. Directly overlying this is a 2 cm thick reddish‐brown clayey mudstone containing planktonic foraminifera typical of the basal Danian, and with elevated platinum‐group elements in chondritic proportions indicating a clear link to the Chicxulub asteroid impact. These results strongly support the first discovery of a “potential” K–Pg boundary tsunamite on the neighbouring island of Hvar, and these two complementary sections represent probably the most complete record of the event among known distal shallow‐marine successions.
A model to estimate the probability of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C infection despite negative nucleic acid testing among increased‐risk organ donors
Authors: Annambhotla Pallavi D. , Gurbaxani Brian M. , Kuehnert Matthew J. , Basavaraju Sridhar V.
Published: February 2017

Background

In 2013, guidelines were released for reducing the risk of viral bloodborne pathogen transmission through organ transplantation. Eleven criteria were described that result in a donor being designated at increased infectious risk. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission risk from an increased‐risk donor (IRD), despite negative nucleic acid testing (NAT), likely varies based on behavior type and timing.

Methods

We developed a Monte Carlo risk model to quantify probability of HIV among IRDs. The model included NAT performance, viral load dynamics, and per‐act risk of acquiring HIV by each behavior. The model also quantifies the probability of HCV among IRDs by non‐medical intravenous drug use (IVDU).

Results

Highest risk is among donors with history of unprotected, receptive anal male‐to‐male intercourse with partner of unknown HIV status (MSM), followed by sex with an HIV‐infected partner, IVDU, and sex with a commercial sex worker.

Conclusion

With NAT screening, the estimated risk of undetected HIV remains small even at 1 day following a risk behavior. The estimated risk for HCV transmission through IVDU is likewise small and decreases quicker with time owing to the faster viral growth dynamics of HCV compared with HIV. These findings may allow for improved organ allocation, utilization, and recipient informed consent.
Prevalence and risk factors for scrub typhus in South India
Authors: Trowbridge Paul , P. Divya , Premkumar Prasanna S. , Varghese George M.
Published: February 2017

Objective

To determine the prevalence and risk factors of scrub typhus in Tamil Nadu, South India.

Methods

We performed a clustered seroprevalence study of the areas around Vellore. All participants completed a risk factor survey, with seropositive and seronegative participants acting as cases and controls, respectively, in a risk factor analysis. After univariate analysis, variables found to be significant underwent multivariate analysis.

Results

Of 721 people participating in this study, 31.8% tested seropositive. By univariate analysis, after accounting for clustering, having a house that was clustered with other houses, having a fewer rooms in a house, having fewer people living in a household, defecating outside, female sex, age >60 years, shorter height, lower weight, smaller body mass index and smaller mid‐upper arm circumference were found to be significantly associated with seropositivity. After multivariate regression modelling, living in a house clustered with other houses, female sex and age >60 years were significantly associated with scrub typhus exposure.

Conclusions

Overall, scrub typhus is much more common than previously thought. Previously described individual environmental and habitual risk factors seem to have less importance in South India, perhaps because of the overall scrub typhus‐conducive nature of the environment in this region.
Factors influencing plasma transfusion practices in paediatric intensive care units around the world
Authors: Karam O. , Demaret P. , Duhamel A. , Shefler A. , Spinella P. C. , Tucci M. , Leteurtre S. , Stanworth S. J. ,   the PlasmaTV investigators
Published: February 2017

Background and Objectives

Plasma transfusions are a frequent treatment worldwide, but many studies have reported a wide variation in the indications to transfuse. Recently, an international paediatric study also showed wide variation in frequency in the use of plasma transfusions: 25% of the centres transfused plasma to >5% of their patients, whereas another 25% transfused plasma to <1% of their patients. The objective of this study was to explore the factors associated with different plasma transfusion practices in these centres.

Materials and Methods

Online survey sent to the local investigators of the 101 participating centres, in February 2016. Four areas were explored: beliefs regarding plasma transfusion, patients’ case‐mix in each unit, unit's characteristics, and local blood product transfusion policies and processes.

Results

The response rate was 82% (83/101). 43% of the respondents believed that plasma transfusions can arrest bleeding, whereas 27% believe that plasma transfusion can prevent bleeding. Centres with the highest plasma transfusion rate were more likely to think that hypovolaemia and mildly abnormal coagulation tests are appropriate indications for plasma transfusions (P = 0·02 and P = 0·04, respectively). Case‐mix, centre characteristics or local transfusion services were not identified as significant relevant factors.

Conclusion

Factors influencing plasma transfusion practices reflect beliefs about indications and the efficacy of transfusion in the prevention and management of bleeding as well as effects on coagulation tests. Educational and other initiatives to target these beliefs should be the focus of research.
IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY FINDINGS IN A DOG WITH SPONTANEOUS TRANSMURAL MIGRATION OF A TEXTILOMA INTO THE CECUM
Authors: Anson Agustina , Carrillo Juana D. , Bayon Alejandro , Escobar Maria Teresa , Seva Juan , Agut Amalia
Published: February 2017

A 3‐year‐old spayed female dog was presented with 3‐month history of severe bilateral uveitis subsequent to previous ovariohysterectomy. Physical examination revealed moderate abdominal pain. Computed tomography showed a nonobstructive heterogeneous mass‐like lesion with a speckled gas pattern (spongiform pattern) within the cecum. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a surgical swab in the lumen of the cecum with severe adhesions. Histopathological examination demonstrated a chronic inflammatory pyogranulomatous reaction to the retained swab embedded within the intestinal wall, consistent with transmural migration of the swab from the peritoneal cavity into the cecum.
CLINICAL AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES OF IDIOPATHIC OCULOMOTOR NEUROPATHY IN 14 DOGS
Authors: Tetas Pont Roser , Freeman Courtenay , Dennis Ruth , Hartley Claudia , Beltran Elsa
Published: February 2017

Ophthalmoplegia/ophthalmoparesis (internal, external, or both) has been reported in dogs secondary to neoplasia affecting the oculomotor nerve and is usually given a poor prognosis. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the clinical findings, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, management, outcome, and follow‐up in a group of canine cases with idiopathic oculomotor neuropathy. Inclusion criteria included cases with ophthalmoplegia/ophthalmoparesis (internal, external or both) as sole neuroophthalmologic signs, complete ophthalmic and neurologic examination, head MRI, and a minimum follow‐up period of 1 year. Dogs with progressive neurological signs not related to oculomotor neuropathy were excluded. Fourteen cases met the inclusion criteria. All cases were unilaterally affected. Magnetic resonance imaging showed equivocal enlargement of the oculomotor nerve in three cases, mild enlargement in five, and marked enlargement in six. Contrast enhancement was present in 12 cases, being marked in six. When present, the contrast enhancement was focal in eight cases and diffuse in four. The median follow‐up time was 25 months. External ophthalmoparesis improved in seven cases, five cases under no treatment and two under systemic corticosteroid therapy. The clinical signs in the other seven cases remained unchanged. Idiopathic oculomotor neuropathy should be included as a differential diagnosis in dogs presenting with unilateral ophthalmoplegia/ophthalmoparesis (internal, external, or both) with the absence of other neurologic and ophthalmic signs, and with the MRI findings restricted to the oculomotor nerve. Idiopathic oculomotor neuropathy has a good prognosis as the clinical signs do not deteriorate and they can improve without treatment.
IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC ANGIOGRAPHY CHARACTERISTICS OF MULTIPLE VASCULAR ANOMALIES IN A SENIOR DOG WITH LATE‐ONSET REGURGITATION
Authors: Yoon Hakyoung , Kim Jaehwan , Kwon Gi Bum , Lim Jin Hyuk , Eom Kidong
Published: February 2017

A 10‐year‐old dog weighing 3.4 kg presented with intermittent regurgitation. Esophagography revealed that the thoracic esophagus was compressed dorsally at the region of the fourth intercostal space and segmentally dilated from the second to third intercostal region. Three‐dimensional computed tomographic (CT) angiography confirmed a suspected vascular ring anomaly and also revealed multiple other vascular anomalies. These included aberrant right subclavian artery, absence of bilateral external jugular veins, right‐gastric caval shunt, and a completely duplicated caudal vena cava. Findings supported the use of thoracic CT angiography to rule out additional vascular malformations in dogs with suspected vascular ring anomaly.
Third‐ and fifth‐order finite volume schemes for advection–diffusion equation with variable coefficients in semi‐infinite domain
Authors: Gharehbaghi Amin
Published: February 2017

In the present paper, a novel numerical model based on the finite volume method is established to predict a time‐dependent, one‐dimensional, advection‐diffusion equation with variable coefficients in a semi‐infinite domain. The third‐and fifth‐order schemes are employed to solve the above‐mentioned equation. Totally, two dispersion problems are used to simulate various conditions as follows: (i) solute dispersion along steady flow through inhomogeneous domain and (ii) solute dispersion along temporally dependent unsteady flow through inhomogeneous domain. The inhomogeneity of the domain is provided by spatially dependent flow. The uniform node distribution is considered to divide the problem domain into a collection of smaller parts. Analytical solutions proposed in the literature are employed to demonstrate the accuracy and reliability of the suggested model. Meanwhile, the results of the aforementioned approaches are compared with the performance of the quadratic upstream interpolation for convective kinetics scheme. Lastly, the accuracy of the implemented schemes in developed model are discussed and evaluated.
Use of porous volcanic rocks for the adsorptive removal of copper
Authors: Alemayehu Esayas , Melak Fekadu , Sharma Saroj K. , Van der Bruggen Bart , Lennartz Bernd
Published: February 2017

Low‐cost adsorbents, pumice (VPum) and scoria (VSco) were investigated for the removal of Cu(II) as function of various parameters. Batch experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of Cd(II) and Ni(II) on the adsorptive removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions. Kinetic data showed a trend of fast removal at initial stages, thereby achieving maximum adsorption after 1 h agitation. The adsorption process well explained by pseudo‐second‐order kinetics for both adsorbents. Adsorption capacity were found 1.432 and 1.015 mg/g using VPum and VSco, respectively. This work showed the promising nature of pumice and scoria to effectively remove copper from water.
The Role of University Students’ General Self-Efficacy, Depression and Psychological Well-being in Predicting Their Exercise Behavior
Authors: Ersöz Gözde
Published: February 2017

The aim of this research is to examine the relationship between exercise and general self-efficacy, depression, and psychological well-being of college students. Five hundred and twenty-two university students (nmale= 273; Xage= 23.33±4.36 and nfemale= 279; Xage=25.91±7.11) have participated in this research. The General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Physical Activity Stages of Change Questionnaire (PASCQ), and “Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS) have been applied to the sample group in this study. While differences in participants’ self-efficacy, depression, and psychological well-being levels with regard to the stage of changes in exercise are calculated with one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), the relationship between these ideas discussed in the research have been determined with Pearson Moments Product Correlation Analysis. According to the stages of exercise behavior, significant disparities have been found between participants’ level of self-efficacy, depression, and psychological well-being, and the relationship between those notions has been observed. According to the results, the participants’ general self-efficacy and psychological well-being levels were high and the depression levels were low when on advanced levels of exercise. In light of the findings obtained from this research, it has been concluded that continuity in exercise has a positive effect on psychological effects like general self-efficacy, depression and psychological well-being.
Non-trivial matrix actions preserve normality for continued fractions
Authors: Vandehey Joseph
Published: February 2017

A seminal result due to Wall states that if$x$is normal to a given base$b$, then so is$rx+s$for any rational numbers$r,s$with$r\neq 0$. We show that a stronger result is true for normality with respect to the continued fraction expansion. In particular, suppose$a,b,c,d\in \mathbb{Z}$with$ad-bc\neq 0$. Then if$x$is continued fraction normal, so is$(ax+b)/(cx+d)$.
Correlation between body mass index and quadrupled hamstring tendon autograft size in ACL reconstruction
Authors: Atbaşi Zafer , Erçin Ersin , Erdem Yusuf , Emre Tuluhan , Atilla Halis , Parlak Adem
Published: February 2017

Purpose: the aim of this study was to assess the relationship of patient weight, height and body mass index (BMI) with the size of the quadrupled hamstring tendon used in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Methods: from patient records, we retrospectively assessed the weight, height, BMI and graft sizes of 126 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using a quadrupled hamstring tendon autograft between January 2010 and January 2013 at our institution. The data obtained from perioperative measurements were studied using correlation analysis.

Results: statistically significant relationships were found between patient height and graft diameter (p = 0.033, r = 0.19) and between patient weight and graft diameter (p < 0.0001, r = 0.33). No statistically significant relationships were found between graft diameter and BMI or between graft length and patient height, weight and BMI (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: patient height and weight were found to be related to quadrupled hamstring graft diameter in our patient population. BMI was not related to the quadrupled hamstring graft size. The exact size of the graft cannot be predicted preoperatively on the basis of these variables.

Level of evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Use of tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Marra Francesco , Rosso Federica , Bruzzone Matteo , Bonasia Davide , Dettoni Federico , Rossi Roberto
Published: February 2017

Purpose: different strategies have been developed to reduce blood loss in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The efficacy of both systemic and local tranexamic acid (TXA) administration is demonstrated in the literature. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of systemic, local and combined (systemic + local) administration of TXA in reducing blood loss after TKA.

Methods: we enrolled all patients submitted to a primary TKA in our department between November 2014 and August 2015. They were divided into three groups corresponding to the method of TXA administration used: intravenous (IV), intra-articular (IA), and a combination of the two. Demographic data, as well as preoperative hemoglobin and platelet levels, were collected. The primary outcome was the maximum hemoglobin loss, while the secondary outcomes were the amount of blood in the drain (cc/hour) and the rate of transfusions; postoperative pain was also assessed. Student’s t-test or a χ2 test was used to evaluate between-group differences, using p<0.05 as the cut-off for statistically significant differences.

Results: the sample comprised 34 patients: IV, 10 cases; IA, 15 cases, and combined (IV + IA), 9 cases. The average age of the patients was 71.1±6.4 years. No significant differences in the outcome measures were found between the groups, with the exception of a significantly lower maximum hemoglobin loss in the combined versus the IV group (p=0.02). There were no differences between the groups in the amount of blood in the drain or the rate of transfusions.

Conclusions: the data from this preliminary study, as well as data from the literature, confirm that TXA administration is safe and effective in reducing total blood loss in TKA, and no administration protocol seems to be superior to the others.

Level of evidence: Level II, prospective comparative study.
Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: research models
Authors: Petrillo Stefano , Longo Umile , Gulotta Lawrence , Berton Alessandra , Kontaxis Andreas , Wright Timothy , Denaro Vincenzo
Published: February 2017

Purpose:the past decade has seen a considerable increase in the use of research models to study reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). Nevertheless, none of these models has been shown to completely reflect real in vivo conditions.

Methods: we performed a systematic review of the literature matching the following key words: “reverse total shoulder arthroplasty” or “reverse total shoulder replacement” or “reverse total shoulder prosthesis” and “research models” or “biomechanical models” or “physical simulators” or “virtual simulators”. The following databases were screened: Medline, Google Scholar, EMBASE, CINAHIL and Ovid. We identified and included all articles reporting research models of any kind, such as physical or virtual simulators, in which RTSA and the glenohumeral joint were reproduced.

Results: computer models and cadaveric models are the most commonly used, and they were shown to be reliable in simulating in vivo conditions. Bone substitute models have been used in a few studies.

Mechanical testing machines provided useful information on stability factors in RTSA.

Conclusions: because of the limitations of each individual model, additional research is required to develop a research model of RTSA that may reduce the limitations of those presently available, and increase the reproducibility of this technique in the clinical setting.
Winged scapula caused by rhomboid paralysis: a case report
Authors: Benedetti Maria , Zati Alessandro , Stagni Silvia , Fusaro Isabella , Monesi Roberta , Rotini Roberto
Published: February 2017

Scapular winging secondary to dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) damage is an underestimated condition. It is often caused by entrapment of the nerve due to a hypertrophic middle scalene muscle, or by stretching of the DSN during traumatic movements. The condition has also been attributed to myofascial pain syndrome of the rhomboids with entrapment of the DSN. The non-specific symptomatology reported by patients is often incorrectly diagnosed, and this can
result in a high level of disability of the upper limb.

A clinical case of misdiagnosed dorsal scapula entrapment is presented. Satisfactory shoulder function recovery, pain relief and reduction of disability were obtained after correct diagnosis of the condition and a comprehensive rehabilitation approach.
Te Ahu - a meeting place
Authors: Bell Avril
Published: February 2017

In 2012 a new community complex opened in Kaitaia, housing the local museum, library, i-Site, hall, theatre and Council offices. This complex is very obviously a meeting place for people of the community and out-of-town visitors. But the site on which the building, Te Ahu, stands has a much longer history as a meeting place. In this paper I outline this history in light of recent theorising about the intertwined work of space, time, people and things in the liveliness of place. This history foregrounds the ways in which the changing nature of this meeting place marks shifting indigenous and settler relations through time. Recounting the stories of this one, particular, place, my wider aim is to give a sense of the enmeshment of the settler society present in the ongoing stories of the living pasts of place.
In vivo ultrasonic attenuation in cetacean soft tissues
Authors: Gray Michael D. , Rogers Peter H.
Published: February 2017

In vivo ultrasonic attenuation was estimated for extracranial soft tissues of two Tursiops truncatus and one Delphinapterus leucas. Backscatter data was non-invasively collected as part of routine health-based ultrasound examinations using a transducer operating in the 1.6–3.7 MHz frequency range. Data collected over the proximal mandible and temporal regions was processed to yield attenuation estimates using a reference tissue phantom whose properties had been independently determined. The estimated attenuations were at the low end of the range of literature-reported values for mammalian fatty and connective tissues. A companion model-based analysis quantified errors arising from tissue composition and sound speed uncertainties.
Two-step enhanced cancer immunotherapy with engineered
Salmonella typhimurium
secreting heterologous flagellin
Authors: Zheng Jin Hai , Nguyen Vu H. , Jiang Sheng-Nan , Park Seung-Hwan , Tan Wenzhi , Hong Seol Hee , Shin Myung Geun , Chung Ik-Joo , Hong Yeongjin , Bom Hee-Seung , Choy Hyon E. , Lee Shee Eun , Rhee Joon Haeng , Min Jung-Joon
Published: February 2017

Engineered
Salmonella
secreting heterologous bacterial flagellin suppress tumor growth by activating intratumoral macrophages.
Could a coffee a day keep the inflammasome away?
Authors: Bhattacharya Mallar
Published: February 2017

Increased expression of inflammasome-related genes predicts geriatric morbidity and mortality.
A Numbers Game: Ribosome Densities, Bacterial Growth, and Antibiotic-Mediated Stasis and Death
Authors: Levin Bruce R. , McCall Ingrid C. , Perrot Véronique , Weiss Howard , Ovesepian Armen , Baquero Fernando
Published: February 2017

We postulate that the inhibition of growth and low rates of mortality of bacteria exposed to ribosome-binding antibiotics deemed bacteriostatic can be attributed almost uniquely to these drugs reducing the number of ribosomes contributing to protein synthesis, i.e., the number of effective ribosomes. We tested this hypothesis withEscherichia coliK-12 MG1655 and constructs that had been deleted for 1 to 6 of the 7 rRNA (rrn) operons. In the absence of antibiotics, constructs with fewerrrnoperons have lower maximum growth rates and longer lag phases than those with more ribosomal operons. In the presence of the ribosome-binding “bacteriostatic” antibiotics tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and azithromycin,E. colistrains with 1 and 2rrnoperons are killed at a substantially higher rate than those with morerrnoperons. This increase in the susceptibility ofE. coliwith fewerrrnoperons to killing by ribosome-targeting bacteriostatic antibiotics is not reflected in their greater sensitivity to killing by the bactericidal antibiotic ciprofloxacin, which does not target ribosomes, but also to killing by gentamicin, which does. Finally, when such strains are exposed to these ribosome-targeting bacteriostatic antibiotics, the time before these bacteria start to grow again when the drugs are removed, referred to as the post-antibiotic effect (PAE), is markedly greater for constructs with fewerrrnoperons than for those with morerrnoperons. We interpret the results of these other experiments reported here as support for the hypothesis that the reduction in the effective number of ribosomes due to binding to these structures provides a sufficient explanation for the action of bacteriostatic antibiotics that target these structures.

IMPORTANCEChemotherapeutic agents, including antibiotics, have been used for more than a century; nevertheless, there are still major gaps in our understanding of how these drugs operate which limit future advances in antibacterial chemotherapy. Although the molecular mechanisms by which antibiotics bind to their target structures are largely known, fundamental questions about how these drugs actually kill and/or inhibit the replication of bacteria remain unanswered and subjects of controversy. We postulate that for the broad class of ribosome-binding bacteriostatic antibiotics, their reducing the number of active (functional) ribosomes per cell provides a sufficient explanation for the abatement of replication and the low rate of decline in densities of viable cells of bacteria exposed to these drugs. UsingE. coliK-12 constructs with deletions of from one to six of the seven ribosome-RNA operons and the ribosome-binding bacteriostatic antibiotics tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and azithromycin, we tested this hypothesis. The results of our experiments are consistent with this “numbers game” hypothesis.
A Novel Phosphoregulatory Switch Controls the Activity and Function of the Major Catalytic Subunit of Protein Kinase A in
Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Shwab E. Keats , Juvvadi Praveen R. , Waitt Greg , Soderblom Erik J. , Moseley M. Arthur , Nicely Nathan I. , Asfaw Yohannes G. , Steinbach William J.
Published: February 2017

Invasive aspergillosis (IA), caused by the filamentous fungal pathogen
Aspergillus fumigatus
, is a major cause of death among immunocompromised patients. The cyclic AMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway is essential for hyphal growth and virulence of
A. fumigatus
, but the mechanism of regulation of PKA remains largely unknown. Here, we discovered a novel mechanism for the regulation of PKA activity in
A. fumigatus
via phosphorylation of key residues within the major catalytic subunit, PkaC1. Phosphopeptide enrichment and tandem mass spectrometry revealed the phosphorylation of PkaC1 at four sites (S175, T331, T333, and T337) with implications for important and diverse roles in the regulation of
A. fumigatus
PKA. While the phosphorylation at one of the residues (T333) is conserved in other species, the identification of three other residues represents previously unknown PKA phosphoregulation in
A. fumigatus
. Site-directed mutagenesis of the phosphorylated residues to mimic or prevent phosphorylation revealed dramatic effects on kinase activity, growth, conidiation, cell wall stress response, and virulence in both invertebrate and murine infection models. Three-dimensional structural modeling of
A. fumigatus
PkaC1 substantiated the positive or negative regulatory roles for specific residues. Suppression of PKA activity also led to downregulation of PkaC1 protein levels in an apparent novel negative-feedback mechanism. Taken together, we propose a model in which PkaC1 phosphorylation both positively and negatively modulates its activity. These findings pave the way for future discovery of fungus-specific aspects of this key signaling network.

IMPORTANCE
Our understanding of signal transduction networks in pathogenic fungi is limited, despite the increase in invasive fungal infections and rising mortality rates in the immunosuppressed patient population. Because PKA is known to be essential for hyphal growth and virulence of
A. fumigatus
, we sought to identify fungus-specific regulatory mechanisms governing PKA activity. In this study, we identify, for the first time, a novel mechanism for the regulation of PKA signaling in which differential phosphorylation of the PkaC1 catalytic subunit can lead to either positive or negative regulation of activity. Furthermore, we show that inactivation of PKA signaling leads to downregulation of catalytic subunit protein levels in a negative-feedback mechanism distinct from expression patterns previously reported in the yeasts. Our findings represent a divergence in the regulation of PKA signaling in
A. fumigatus
, which could potentially be exploited as a target and also open the avenue for discovery of fungus-specific downstream effectors of PKA.
Differences in Gut Metabolites and Microbial Composition and Functions between Egyptian and U.S. Children Are Consistent with Their Diets
Authors: Shankar V. , Gouda M. , Moncivaiz J. , Gordon A. , Reo N. V. , Hussein L. , Paliy O.
Published: February 2017

The human gastrointestinal microbiota functions as an important mediator of diet for host metabolism. To evaluate how consumed diets influence the gut environment, we carried out simultaneous interrogations of distal gut microbiota and metabolites in samples from healthy children in Egypt and the United States. While Egyptian children consumed a Mediterranean diet rich in plant foods, U.S. children consumed a Western diet high in animal protein, fats, and highly processed carbohydrates. Consistent with the consumed diets, Egyptian gut samples were enriched in polysaccharide-degrading microbes and end products of polysaccharide fermentation, and U.S. gut samples were enriched in proteolytic microbes and end products of protein and fat metabolism. Thus, the intestinal microbiota might be selected on the basis of the diets that we consume, which can open opportunities to affect gut health through modulation of gut microbiota with dietary supplementations.
Atmospheric K-feldspar as a potential climate modulating agent through geologic time
Authors: Pankhurst Matthew J.
Published: February 2017

Clouds and aerosols have a large, yet highly uncertain, effect on changes in Earth’s climate. A factor of particular note is the role played by ice-nucleating particles, which remains poorly understood. The mineral K-feldspar (Kfs) has recently been shown by a number of independent studies to nucleate ice in mixed-phase cloud conditions far more efficiently than other common minerals. Here, global atmospheric Kfs flux through geologic time is estimated; constrained by records of secular continental crust and biosphere evolution, plate tectonics, volcanism, glaciation, and attendant trends in land surface stability. The analysis reveals that Kfs flux today is at neither extreme of the range estimated across geological time. The present-day Kfs flux, however, is likely to be among the most spatially and temporally variable due to land surface change. The concept of an ice-nucleation efficiency factor that can be calculated from rocks, and also eolian sediments and soils, is proposed. This allows the impact of paleo-atmospheric dust to be estimated through the rock record alongside meteorological and atmospheric composition considerations. With the reasonable assumption that the ice-nucleating properties of Kfs are themselves independent of the background climate state, a better understanding of Kfs flux across a range of spatial and temporal scales will advance understanding of climate processes and interactions.
Long-term glacier melt fluctuations over the past 2500 yr in monsoonal High Asia revealed by radiocarbon-dated lacustrine pollen concentrates
Authors: Zhang Ji-Feng , Xu Baiqing , Turner Falko , Zhou Liping , Gao Pan , Lü Xinmiao , Nesje Atle
Published: February 2017

Long-term records of glacier mass changes are important for improving our understanding of glacier dynamics and for predicting the response of glaciers to future climate change. In contrast to moraine sequences that only record isolated stages of glacier status, proglacial lake sediments may record long-term continuous glacier activities. The melt of old glacier ice releases old pollen that may affect the radiocarbon ages of pollen in proglacial lake sediments. We define the offset between the calibrated pollen 14C ages and the sediment depositional age as the “old pollen effect” (OPE). In small catchments dominated by glaciers, the OPE may record variations in glacier melt intensity and extent, even though complex processes (e.g., modern pollen flux to a glacier or a proglacial lake, glacier flow velocities) may also impact the OPE. Using the sediments of a small proglacial lake on the southern Tibetan Plateau, we found that over the past 2.5 k.y., a weakened OPE occurred during three historical cool periods that coincided with regional glacier advances defined by moraine ages. Thus, we interpret the OPE as a new indicator of glacier melt intensity and its fluctuations. Our reconstructed glacier variability agrees well with glacier fluctuations in the European Alps and the global average temperature record, suggesting that hemispheric-scale temperature variations and/or mid-latitude Westerlies may have controlled the late Holocene glacier variability in monsoonal High Asia. We also show that the 20th century glacier melt intensity has exceeded that of two historical warm periods and is unprecedented over the past 2.5 k.y. This implies that current anthropogenic warming poses a serious threat to the survival of glaciers in monsoonal High Asia.
Cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation and penetrating keratoplasty postchemical injury: a 14-year follow-up
Authors: Shah Ritu , Puranik Charuta , Mohamed Ashik , Sangwan Virender S
Published: February 2017

An 11-year-old girl presented to our tertiary eye care centre with a 9-month-old history of lime injury in the left eye in 1999 with vision of counting fingers close to the face. She initially underwent superficial keratectomy with amniotic membrane graft in 1999. Subsequently, cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation was performed in 2001 which improved her vision to 20/400. Following development of pannus and symblepharon in the left eye, she underwent pannus resection and conjunctival limbal autograft in 2002 and, a month later, optical penetrating keratoplasty (PK) following which her vision improved to 20/125. She was under regular follow-up, underwent exotropia correction and subsequent levator palpebrae superioris resection for ptosis and was maintaining good vision. On her last follow-up 14 years after PK in 2016, her vision in the left eye was 20/40 with lipid keratopathy and her right eye showed no signs of focal limbal stem cell deficiency.
A complicated multisystem flare of systemic lupus erythematosus during pregnancy
Authors: Webster Philip , Nelson-Piercy Catherine , Lightstone Liz
Published: February 2017

We report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a young woman who became pregnant amid a severe flare. She continued to have active disease in the face of aggressive treatments complicated by several side effects of immunosuppressive drugs including recurrent sepsis and gestational diabetes. Her fetus was at risk for congenital heart block during the second and third trimesters. Despite an extremely guarded prognosis, she delivered a healthy baby girl. This case highlights the complexities of SLE management during pregnancy. We discuss the therapeutic options available in pregnancy, and highlight the importance of cross-specialty multidisciplinary care in these women.
Cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms coexisting in an elderly man
Authors: Masiran Ruziana , Pang Nicholas Tze Ping
Published: February 2017

We report a case of a man aged 67 years presenting with recent depressive symptoms and paranoid ideations in addition to 1-year cognitive impairment. He has vascular risk factors and family history of memory loss. An episode of depression 2 decades ago resolved spontaneously but was followed by occupational decline. On mental state examination, he denied having depressed mood, hallucinations or delusions, but there were prominent word-finding difficulties and impaired attention and concentration.
Homonymous hemianopia in the primary antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Ho Derek Kwun-Hong , Ramessur Rishi , Gupta Mradul , Mathews John P
Published: February 2017

A woman aged 26 years was referred by her GP to the eye casualty department with sudden-onset left homonymous hemianopia and right-sided headache. Full ophthalmic examination was normal with the exception of a left homonymous hemianopia confirmed with automated perimetry. Urgent CT imaging revealed a non-haemorrhagic cerebral infarct in the right parieto-occipital region. Subsequent blood tests confirmed a diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome with positivity in IgG anticardiolipin antibody, IgG anti-β2-GP1 antibody and the Lupus anticoagulant screen. MRI revealed extensive congenital abnormality at the Circle of Willis, affecting the right half of circulation. The unique dual pathologies may explain her predisposition to right-sided cerebral infarctions. This case highlights a rare but potentially fatal cause of visual disturbance in a young patient, and the importance of the multidisciplinary team approach in diagnosis and management.
Inequality trends in maternal health services for young Ghanaian women with childbirth history between 2003 and 2014
Authors: Asamoah Benedict Oppong , Agardh Anette
Published: February 2017

Objective

To achieve universal coverage of reproductive healthcare and drastic reduction in maternal mortality, adequate attention and resources should be given to young women. This study therefore aimed to examine the inequality trends in the use of antenatal care (ANC) services and skilled birth attendance (SBA) within a subgroup of Ghanaian women aged 15–24 years between 2003 and 2014.

Design

This is a cross-sectional study that used data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) 2003, 2008 and 2014. We applied regression-based total attributable fraction (TAF) as an index for measuring multiple dimensions of inequality in the use of ANC and SBA.

Setting

Ghana.

Participants

Young women aged 15–24 years with at least one previous birth experience in the past 5 years prior to the surveys.

Main outcome measures

ANC visits and skilled attendance at birth.

Results

Urbanicity-related, education-related and wealth-related inequality in non-use of SBA declined between 2003 and 2008, but increased between 2008 and 2014. A consistent decline was observed in urbanicity-related inequality in non-use of four or more ANC visits from 2003 through 2008 to 2014. A similar reduction was observed for education-related inequality in relation to the same outcome. In contrast, wealth-related inequality in ANC usage increased over time.

Conclusions

The rise in urbanicity-related, education-related and wealth-related inequality in the usage of SBA between 2008 and 2014 threatens the sustainability of the general progress made in the usage of maternal health services in Ghana within the same period.
Comparisons of neurodegeneration over time between healthy ageing and Alzheimer's disease cohorts via Bayesian inference
Authors: Cespedes Marcela I , Fripp Jurgen , McGree James M , Drovandi Christopher C , Mengersen Kerrie , Doecke James D
Published: February 2017

Objectives

In recent years, large-scale longitudinal neuroimaging studies have improved our understanding of healthy ageing and pathologies including Alzheimer's disease (AD). A particular focus of these studies is group differences and identification of participants at risk of deteriorating to a worse diagnosis. For this, statistical analysis using linear mixed-effects (LME) models are used to account for correlated observations from individuals measured over time. A Bayesian framework for LME models in AD is introduced in this paper to provide additional insight often not found in current LME volumetric analyses.

Setting and participants

Longitudinal neuroimaging case study of ageing was analysed in this research on 260 participants diagnosed as either healthy controls (HC), mild cognitive impaired (MCI) or AD. Bayesian LME models for the ventricle and hippocampus regions were used to: (1) estimate how the volumes of these regions change over time by diagnosis, (2) identify high-risk non-AD individuals with AD like degeneration and (3) determine probabilistic trajectories of diagnosis groups over age.

Results

We observed (1) large differences in the average rate of change of volume for the ventricle and hippocampus regions between diagnosis groups, (2) high-risk individuals who had progressed from HC to MCI and displayed similar rates of deterioration as AD counterparts, and (3) critical time points which indicate where deterioration of regions begins to diverge between the diagnosis groups.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first application of Bayesian LME models to neuroimaging data which provides inference on a population and individual level in the AD field. The application of a Bayesian LME framework allows for additional information to be extracted from longitudinal studies. This provides health professionals with valuable information of neurodegeneration stages, and a potential to provide a better understanding of disease pathology.
Educator engagement and interaction and children's physical activity in early childhood education and care settings: an observational study protocol
Authors: Tonge Karen L , Jones Rachel A , Hagenbuchner Markus , Nguyen Tuc V , Okely Anthony D
Published: February 2017

Introduction

The benefits of regular physical activity for children are significant. Previous research has addressed the quantity and quality of children's physical activity while in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings, yet little research has investigated the social and physical environmental influences on physical activity in these settings. The outcomes of this study will be to measure these social and physical environmental influences on children's physical activity using a combination of a real-time location system (RTLS) (a closed system that tracks the location of movement of participants via readers and tags), accelerometry and direct observation.

Methods and analysis

This study is the first of its kind to combine RTLSs and accelerometer data in ECEC settings. It is a cross-sectional study involving ∼100 educators and 500 children from 11 ECEC settings in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. A RTLS and Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometers will be concurrently used to measure the level and location of the children's and educators' physical activity while in outside environments. Children and educators will wear accelerometers on their hip that record triaxial acceleration data at 100 Hz. Children and educators will also wear a tag watch on their wrist that transmits a signal to anchors of the RTLS and the triangulation of signals will identify their specific location. In addition to these, up to three random periods (10–25 min in length) will be used to collect observational data each day and assessed with the classroom assessment and scoring system to measure the quality of interactions. In conjunction with the real-time location system (RTLS) and accelerometers, these observations will measure the relationship between the quality of interactions and children's physical activity.

Ethics and dissemination

The results of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations. Ethical approval was obtained through the University of Wollongong Human Research Ethics Committee (HE14/330).
Lactoferrin interacts with SPLUNC1 to attenuate lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation of human nasal epithelial cells via down-regulated MEK1/2-MAPK signaling
Authors: Tsou Yung-An , Tung Yu-Tong , Wu Tsu-Fang , Chang Gary Ro-Lin , Chen Han-Chien , Lin Chia-Der , Lai Chih-Ho , Chen Hsiao-Ling , Chen Chuan-Mu
Published: February 2017

The short palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone 1 (SPLUNC1) protein is an important innate material in the upper airway, and lactoferrin (LF) aids the innate functions in humans. In this study, a nasal epithelial model was used to investigate how LF modulates SPLUNC1 to reduce the inflammatory process mediated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The inflammation of human RPMI-2650 cells was induced with LPS to evaluate SPLUNC1 expression after treating the cells with bovine LF (bLF). The interaction pathway between LF and SPLUNC1 in LPS-induced inflammation was further investigated. Our study reveals that the addition of bLF results in the recovery of SPLUNC1 expression in nasal epithelial cells under LPS-induced inflammation. MAPK is involved in the main pathway for the SPLUNC1 and bLF interaction. Decreased SPLUNC1 function could be recovered by addition of bLF. The MEK1/2–MAPK signaling pathway is crucial for the SPLUNC1 and bLF interaction. Therefore, LF could support SPLUNC1 in the innate immunity recovery process.
Resource partitioning among five species of waterfowl (Anasspp.) at an autumn migratory stopover: combining stable isotope and mercury biomarkers
Authors: Asante C.K. , Hobson K.A. , Bond A.L. , Jardine T.D.
Published: February 2017

The Saskatchewan River Delta (SRD) is North America’s largest inland delta and an important stopover site for waterfowl in the Central Flyway. However, little is known about their basic feeding ecology at this site and how species segregate or overlap in resource use. We used stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes and mercury concentrations ([Hg]) in liver tissue to trace use of local nutrient sources by five waterfowl species and tested for differences in diets among species, sexes, and age groups. Macrophytes were the dominant food source for Northern Pintail (Anas acuta L., 1758) and American Wigeon (Anas americana Gmelin, 1789) with median proportions of 0.86 and 0.98, respectively. There was also evidence of partitioning of resources, as Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors L., 1766) and Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis Gmelin, 1789) consumed invertebrates, as did a subset of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos L., 1758), suggesting that these birds might minimize competition for resources during the short staging period in the SRD when waterfowl densities are high. Other isotopes or tracers, such as [Hg] that varied among sources (0.03–0.20 μg·g–1dry mass) and waterfowl species (0.22–3.19 μg·g–1dry mass), can be used for further refining dietary estimates.
The Multiscale Spectral Stochastic Finite Element Method for Chloride Diffusion in Recycled Aggregate Concrete
Authors: Wu Yuching , Xiao Jianzhuang
Published: February 2017

In this study, the multiscale stochastic finite element method (MsSFEM) was developed based on a novel digital image kernel to make analysis for chloride diffusion in recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). It is significant to study the chloride diffusivity in RAC, because when RAC was applied in coastal areas, chloride-induced rebar corrosion became a common problem for concrete infrastructures. The MsSFEM was an efficient tool to examine the effect of microscopic randomness of RAC on the chloride diffusivity. Based on the proposed digital image kernel, the Karhunen–Loeve expansion and the polynomial chaos were used in the stochastic homogenization process. To investigate advantages and disadvantages of both generation and application of the proposed digital image kernel, it was compared with many other kernels. The comparisons were made between the method to develop the digital image kernel, which is called the pixel-matrix method, and other methods, and between the application of the kernel and various other kernels. It was shown that the proposed digital image kernel is superior to other kernels in many aspects.