bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nephrites of East Siberia: geochemical features and problems of genesis
Authors: Burtseva M.V. , Ripp G.S. , Posokhov V.F. , Murzintseva A.E.
Published: March 2015

The largest nephrite-bearing province of Russia is located on the southern folded periphery of the Siberian craton. Deposits of two formation types were established here: apoultrabasic (East Sayan and Dzhida areas, Parama massif) and apocarbonate (Vitim area). Nephrites compose schlieren and lenticular bodies usually in the zones of contact of serpentinous (lizardite–antogorite) dunite–harzburgite rocks and dolomitic marbles with aluminosilicate rocks of different compositions. Significant difference in composition has been established for nephrites of different formations. Apocarbonate nephrites are more magnesian and fluoric and less ferroan. The contents of Li, Be, Rb, and Cs in them are two orders of magnitude higher and the contents of Sc, Ti, and Mn are lower than those in apoultrabasic nephrites. The isotope data evidence that the fluid phase of apoultrabasic nephrites was released from serpentinites during metamorphism, whereas the fluid phase of apocarbonate nephrites is only meteoric water. Oxygen in minerals of metamorphosed carbonate rocks was borrowed from the matrix subjected to replacement, sometimes with the participation of formation waters.
The Dovyren intrusive complex (northern Baikal region, Russia): isotope–geochemical markers of contamination of parental magmas and extreme enrichment of the source
Authors: Ariskin A.A. , Danyushevsky L.V. , Konnikov E.G. , Maas R. , Kostitsyn Yu.A. , McNeill A. , Meffre S. , Nikolaev G.S. , Kislov E.V.
Published: March 2015

The Dovyren intrusive complex includes the ore-bearing (Cu–Ni–PGE) Yoko–Dovyren layered pluton (728 Ma, up to 3.4 km in thickness), underlying ultramafic sills, and comagmatic leuconorite and gabbro-diabase dikes. Studies of Sr–Nd–Pb isotope systems were carried out for 24 intrusive rocks and five associated low- and high-Ti basalts. The high-Ti basalts show 0.7028 ≤ (87Sr/86Sr)T ≤ 0.7048 and 4.6 ≤ εNd(T) ≤ 5.8, similar to the values in MORB. The intrusive basic and ultrabasic rocks are geochemically similar to the low-Ti formation, making a compact cluster of compositions with extremely high ratios of radiogenic Sr and Pb isotopes and low εNd values. The maximum enrichment in radiogenic Sr is shown by the rocks near the pluton bottom ((87Sr/86Sr)T = 0.71387 ± 0.00010 (2σ); εNd(T) = –16.09 ± 0.06), which are the products of crystallization of the most primitive high-Mg magmas. The above-located dunites, troctolites, and gabbro show lower enrichment, probably because of the contamination of the host rocks during the filling of the magma chamber and/or because of the slight heterogeneity of the source. Calculations of the proportions of mixing of the parental melt with carbonate terrigenous material have shown that the variations in the Sr and Nd isotope ratios are due to the incredibly high contamination of the sediments, up to 40–50%. This contradicts the succession of the main rock types in the Yoko–Dovyren pluton in accordance with the crystallization of picrite-basaltic magma. The contribution of 5–10% high-Ti component seems more likely and suggests interaction between two isotopically contrasting magmas in this province in the Late Riphean. In general, the minor variations in εNd(T) of the intrusive rocks and metavolcanics (–14.3 ± 1.1) testify to the isotopically anomalous source of the low-Ti magmas. The time variation trend of εNd and geochemical features of the Dovyren rocks indicate that the products of melting of 2.7–2.8 Ga suprasubduction mantle might have been the massif protolith. Thus, the Dovyren parental magmas formed from a much older (sub)lithospheric source in the Late Riphean. The source was initially enriched in a mafic component with a low Sm/Nd ratio and was isolated from the convecting mantle and mantle melting processes for ~2 Gyr. The existence of such a long-living and at least twice reactivated lithospheric substratum is confirmed by the fact that the Nd isotope evolution trend of the initially nonanomalous mantle protolith includes not only the Dovyren rocks but also the Paleoproterozoic gabbro of the Chinei pluton and the Archean enderbites of the Baikal region.

© 2015, V.S. Sobolev IGM, Siberian Branch of the RAS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The behavior of ore elements in oxidized heterophase chloride and carbonate–chloride–sulfate fluids of porphyry Cu–Mo(Au) deposits (from experimental data)
Authors: Borovikov A.A. , Bul’bak T.A. , Borisenko A.S. , Ragozin A.L. , Palesskii S.V.
Published: March 2015

The spatial coexistence and synchronous formation of magmatogene porphyry Cu–Mo mineralization and epithermal gold mineralization are due to the genetic relationship between their formation processes. This relationship might be due to the generation of metal-bearing fluids of different geochemical compositions by the porphyry ore-magmatic system, which then participate in the formation of magmatogene porphyry Cu–Mo(Au) and associated epithermal gold deposits. Synthesis of fluid inclusions in quartz was performed for experimental study of the behavior of Cu, Mo, W, Sn, Au, As, Sb, Te, Ag, and Bi in heterophase fluids similar in composition and aggregate state to natural ore-forming fluids of porphyry Cu–Mo(Au) deposits. We have established that at 700 ºC, a pressure decrease from 117 to 106 MPa leads to a significant enrichment of the gas phase of heterophase chloride fluid with Au, As, Sb, and Bi. The heterophase state of carbonate–chloride–sulfate fluids is observed at 600 ºC and 100–90 MPa. It characterizes the highly concentrated liquid carbonate–sulfide phase–liquid chloride phase–low-density gas phase equilibrium. A decrease in the pressure of heterophase carbonate–chloride–sulfate fluid leads to a noticeable enrichment of its chloride phase with Cu, Mo, Fe, W, Ag, Sn, Sb, and Zn relative to the carbonate–sulfate phase. The processes of redistribution of ore elements between the phases of heterophase fluids can be considered a model of generation of metal-bearing chloride fluids, which occurs in nature during the formation of porphyry Cu–Mo(Au) deposits, as well as a model of generation of gas fluids supplying Au, Te, As, and other ore elements to the place of formation of epithermal Au–Cu and Au–Ag mineralization.

© 2015, V.S. Sobolev IGM, Siberian Branch of the RAS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Correlation of well logs as a multidimensional optimization problem
Authors: Lapkovsky V.V. , Istomin A.V. , Kontorovich V.A. , Berdov V.A.
Published: March 2015

We consider a variant of automatic correlation between well sections based on construction of multidimensional functions of differences between fragments of logs. The solution is obtained either by successive correlation between the boundaries based on the projective model of Haites and definition of the boundary position at the minimum of the difference function or by construction of the lines of optimal trajectories on a 2D Zhekovskii’s plot. These algorithms are implemented as a program package for original interpretation of well data and as a plug-in for the automatic correlation module of the Schlumberger Petrel software using the Ocean development tools.

© 2015, V.S. Sobolev IGM, Siberian Branch of the RAS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Relationship of the thermal conductivity of rocks in the Komsomol’sk ore district (Khabarovsk Territory) with minerageny and metasomatism
Authors: Gornov P.Yu.
Published: March 2015

Statistical data are given on the thermal conductivity of rocks in the Komsomol’sk ore district (Khabarovsk Territory). The regularities of variations in the thermal-conductivity and thermal-inhomogeneity factors of the studied types of rocks are considered in relation to their mineral composition, texture, structure, and degree of metasomatic alteration. Thermophysical sections of the studied mineralized zones are presented. The conclusion is substantiated that the thermal properties of rocks are highly informative and detailed thermophysical studies of sections might be useful for their lithological subdivision.

© 2015, V.S. Sobolev IGM, Siberian Branch of the RAS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Positive Arousal Enhances the Consolidation of Item Memory
Authors: Wang Bo
Published: March 2015

Emotional arousal induced after learning has been shown to modulate memory consolidation. However, it is unclear whether the effect of postlearning arousal can extend to different aspects of memory. This study examined the effect of postlearning positive arousal on both item memory and source memory. Participants learned a list of neutral words and took an immediate memory test. Then they watched a positive or a neutral videoclip and took delayed memory tests after either 25 minutes or 1 week had elapsed after the learning phase. In both delay conditions, positive arousal enhanced consolidation of item memory as measured by overall recognition. Furthermore, positive arousal enhanced consolidation of familiarity but not recollection. However, positive arousal appeared to have no effect on consolidation of source memory. These findings have implications for building theoretical models of the effect of emotional arousal on consolidation of episodic memory and for applying postlearning emotional arousal as a technique of memory intervention.
Klinische Diagnostik der ADHS im Vorschulalter
Authors: Merkt Julia , Petermann Franz
Published: March 2015

Die Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) ist eine der häufigsten psychischen Störungen des Kindes- und Jugendalters und weist negative Folgen für die Betroffenen und das nähere Umfeld auf. Eine frühzeitige Erkennung von ADHS wäre für die Planung von Präventivmaßnahmen sinnvoll, um langfristige Folgen zu vermeiden. Ziel des Überblickartikels ist eine Bestandsaufnahme über die verfügbaren Fragebögen und klinischen Interviews zur Diagnostik von ADHS im Vorschulalter (3–5 Jahre). Es werden für den deutschen und den internationalen Raum verfügbare Verfahren verglichen und kritisch bewertet. Die Bedeutung von Fragebögen und klinischen Interviews im Rahmen einer ADHS-Diagnostik wird diskutiert.
Angeleitete Selbsthilfe für Eltern von Kindern mit Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung
Authors: Mokros Laura , Benien Nicole , Mütsch Anna , Kinnen Claudia , Schürmann Stephanie , Wolff Metternich-Kaizman Tanja , Breuer Dieter , Hautmann Christopher , Ravens-Sieberer Ulrike , Klasen Fionna , Döpfner Manfred
Published: March 2015

Fragestellung: Nachdem die Effekte angeleiteter Selbsthilfe für Eltern von Kindern mit ADHS bereits in randomisierten Kontrollgruppenstudien belegt wurden, ist das Ziel dieser Studie die Überprüfung der Alltagswirksamkeit dieser neuartigen Interventionsform im bundesweit angelegten Modellversuch. Methodik: Niedergelassene Kinderärzte und Kinder- und Jugendpsychiater meldeten 274 Kinder mit ADHS-Diagnose (6 bis 12 Jahre, 83.6 % Jungen) zu dem Selbsthilfeprogramm für Eltern von Kindern mit ADHS an, das über einen Zeitraum von einem Jahr durchgeführt wurde und aus acht Elternheften mit Ratschlägen zum Umgang mit Kindern mit ADHS und ergänzender telefonischer Beratung (14 Telefonate à 20 Minuten) bestand. Die Veränderung der ADHS- und der komorbiden Symptomatik sowie der individuellen Probleme im Verlauf wurde im Ein-Gruppen-Prä-Post-Design überprüft. Ergebnisse: 63 % der Familien vollendeten die Intervention. Die Programmabbrecher unterschieden sich nicht hinsichtlich der ADHS-Symptomatik, hatten aber häufiger einen belasteten familiären Hintergrund und wurden häufiger medikamentös behandelt. Dreiviertel der Programmbeender wurden bei Interventionsbeginn medikamentös behandelt. Die Programmbeender zeigten im Vergleich zu klinischen Kontrollgruppen eine hohe ADHS-Symptomatik. Im Verlauf der Intervention verbesserten sich die ADHS-Symptome und das Funktionsniveau mit großen Effektstärken. Komorbide oppositionelle und emotionale Symptome verminderten sich. Schlussfolgerungen: Diese Ergebnisse sprechen für die Alltagswirksamkeit eines angeleiteten Selbsthilfeprogramms bei Familien mit Kindern mit ADHS, auch als Ergänzung einer medikamentösen Behandlung.
Gravity Waves Drive Global Changes in Earth's Upper Atmosphere
Authors: Betz Eric
Published: March 2015

Deep convective objects such as the plumes in thunderstorms can trigger gravity waves, which disturb the wind and temperatures hundreds of kilometers above Earth's surface.
Gait and speed selection in slender inertial swimmers
Authors: Gazzola Mattia , Argentina Médéric , Mahadevan L.
Published: March 2015

Significance

Swimming relies on linking internal neural dynamics to body mechanics and environmental hydrodynamics. To characterize this in an integrative setting we present a minimal theoretical framework that synthesizes the roles of passive body elasticity, hydrodynamics, muscular activation, and proprioceptive sensory feedback in inertial swimmers. Our findings quantitatively explain a range of classic experimental observations linking gait and speed in a range of swimming fish. Our calculations also yield a mechanism for how elastohydrodynamic resonances lead to optimal gait selection. Finally, we show that a self-organized propulsive gait can be achieved via a proprioceptive mechanism wherein local muscle activation is driven by shape change, without the need for a central pattern generator, suggestive of ways to engineer robotic swimmers.
‘From the Housewife’s Point of View’: Female Citizenship and the Gendered Domestic Interior in Post-First World War Britain, 1918–1928.
Authors: Cowman Krista
Published: March 2015

This article explores the work of the Women’s Housing Sub-Committee, a government-appointed body which reported to the Advisory Council of the Ministry of Reconstruction, in recognising the home as a key site where active, respectable female citizens might be produced. The Sub-Committee started work in 1918, a month after the Representation of the People Act gave votes to some British women, prompting a wide debate about how best to integrate them into political life. Charged with reporting on plans for post-war social housing in England and Wales, the Sub-Committee demanded that these homes should be designed from the point of view of the working-class housewife who would occupy them. Through considering the evidence gathered by the Sub-Committee and its responses to the plans suggested by Ministry architects, the paper demonstrates how the sub-committee demanded new spatial configurations that would afford women citizens the space they needed to think and discuss politics while new labour-saving devices–and the room to house them–would free up time for them to develop themselves as active citizens. Finally, it considers how this connection was pursued in the discourse of the three main political parties as they attempted to connect with the rising numbers of women voters in the decade between women’s partial and full enfranchisement.
Switching from tenofovir to abacavir in HIV-1-infected patients with low bone mineral density: changes in bone turnover markers and circulating sclerostin levels
Authors: Negredo Eugènia , Diez-Pérez Adolfo , Bonjoch Anna , Domingo Pere , Pérez-Álvarez Núria , Gutierrez Mar , Mateo Gracia , Puig Jordi , Echeverría Patricia , Escrig Roser , Clotet Bonaventura
Published: March 2015

Background

Tenofovir is involved in accelerated bone mineral density (BMD) loss.

Methods

We recently published a hip BMD improvement at week 48 [+2.1% (95% CI: −0.6, 4.7) (P = 0.043)] in HIV-infected patients with osteopenia/osteoporosis randomized to switch from tenofovir to abacavir (n = 26), although without reaching statistical significance compared with those who maintained tenofovir (n = 28). Here, we present changes at week 48 in bone markers [C-terminal telopeptide of collagen type 1 (CTX), osteocalcin and procollagen type 1 N propeptide (P1NP)] as well as in circulating levels of three proteins involved in bone regulation [osteoprotegerin, receptor activator for NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and sclerostin, a selective regulator of bone formation through the Wnt pathway] in 44 of these patients. χ2 or Fisher and Student t-tests were performed according to the distribution of the variables.

Results

Bone markers decreased only in the abacavir group [mean (SD) CTX changed from 0.543 (0.495) to 0.301 (0.306) ng/mL; mean (SD) osteocalcin changed from 23.72 (22.20) to 13.95 (12.40) ng/mL; and mean (SD) P1NP changed from 54.68 (54.52) to 28.65 (27.48) ng/mL (P < 0.001 in all cases)], reaching statistical significance between the groups at week 48. Osteoprotegerin did not vary, but sclerostin significantly increased in the abacavir group [from 29.53 (27.91) to 35.56 (34.59) pmol/L, P = 0.002]. No significant differences in osteoprotegerin and sclerostin were detected between the groups at week 48. RANKL values were below the limit of detection in all samples.

Conclusions

The switch from tenofovir to abacavir seems to induce a positive effect on bone tissue, since bone turnover markers decreased. In addition, circulating sclerostin levels increased, a change associated with improved bone properties.
Leveraging the NLM map from SNOMED CT to ICD-10-CM to facilitate adoption of ICD-10-CM
Authors: Cartagena F Phil , Schaeffer Molly , Rifai Dorothy , Doroshenko Victoria , Goldberg Howard S
Published: March 2015

Objective Develop and test web services to retrieve and identify the most precise ICD-10-CM code(s) for a given clinical encounter. Facilitate creation of user interfaces that 1) provide an initial shortlist of candidate codes, ideally visible on a single screen; and 2) enable code refinement.

Materials and Methods To satisfy our high-level use cases, the analysis and design process involved reviewing available maps and crosswalks, designing the rule adjudication framework, determining necessary metadata, retrieving related codes, and iteratively improving the code refinement algorithm.

Results The Partners ICD-10-CM Search and Mapping Services (PI-10 Services) are SOAP web services written using Microsoft's.NET 4.0 Framework, Windows Communications Framework, and SQL Server 2012. The services cover 96% of the Partners problem list subset of SNOMED CT codes that map to ICD-10-CM codes and can return up to 76% of the 69 823 billable ICD-10-CM codes prior to creation of custom mapping rules.

Discussion We consider ways to increase 1) the coverage ratio of the Partners problem list subset of SNOMED CT codes and 2) the upper bound of returnable ICD-10-CM codes by creating custom mapping rules. Future work will investigate the utility of the transitive closure of SNOMED CT codes and other methods to assist in custom rule creation and, ultimately, to provide more complete coverage of ICD-10-CM codes.

Conclusions ICD-10-CM will be easier for clinicians to manage if applications display short lists of candidate codes from which clinicians can subsequently select a code for further refinement. The PI-10 Services support ICD-10 migration by implementing this paradigm and enabling users to consistently and accurately find the best ICD-10-CM code(s) without translation from ICD-9-CM.
Case-based reasoning using electronic health records efficiently identifies eligible patients for clinical trials
Authors: Miotto Riccardo , Weng Chunhua
Published: March 2015

Objective To develop a cost-effective, case-based reasoning framework for clinical research eligibility screening by only reusing the electronic health records (EHRs) of minimal enrolled participants to represent the target patient for each trial under consideration.

Materials and Methods The EHR data—specifically diagnosis, medications, laboratory results, and clinical notes—of known clinical trial participants were aggregated to profile the “target patient” for a trial, which was used to discover new eligible patients for that trial. The EHR data of unseen patients were matched to this “target patient” to determine their relevance to the trial; the higher the relevance, the more likely the patient was eligible. Relevance scores were a weighted linear combination of cosine similarities computed over individual EHR data types. For evaluation, we identified 262 participants of 13 diversified clinical trials conducted at Columbia University as our gold standard. We ran a 2-fold cross validation with half of the participants used for training and the other half used for testing along with other 30 000 patients selected at random from our clinical database. We performed binary classification and ranking experiments.

Results The overall area under the ROC curve for classification was 0.95, enabling the highlight of eligible patients with good precision. Ranking showed satisfactory results especially at the top of the recommended list, with each trial having at least one eligible patient in the top five positions.

Conclusions This relevance-based method can potentially be used to identify eligible patients for clinical trials by processing patient EHR data alone without parsing free-text eligibility criteria, and shows promise of efficient “case-based reasoning” modeled only on minimal trial participants.
Examining the Feasibility of a Simple Intervention to Improve Blood Pressure Control for Primary Care Patients
Authors: Nguyen Giang T. , Klusaritz Heather A. , O’Donnell Alison , Kaye Elise M. , de Vries McClintock Heather F. , Hussain Zehra , Bogner Hillary R.
Published: March 2015

Background:

Blood pressure control remains a challenge despite the availability of effective antihypertensive agents.

Objective:

This pilot study explored the feasibility of a simple, low-resource intervention to improve blood pressure control.

Methods:

A convenience sample was drawn of 56 patients with hypertension from a primary care clinic. A preintervention-postintervention delivered by medical assistants involved prompts to providers to address blood pressure control with a visual aid indicating patients’ current and target blood pressure in the context of a traffic light.

Results:

Patients showed a significant reduction in mean systolic blood pressure (preintervention, 141.5 mm Hg, vs postintervention, 133.0 mm Hg; P = .002) and mean diastolic blood pressure (preintervention, 83.4 mm Hg, vs postintervention, 80.4 mm Hg; P = .049).

Conclusion:

In this pilot study, we established the feasibility of a brief, simple intervention to improve blood pressure control implemented by existing primary care practice clinical support staff, and preliminary data show that it can be effective in improving blood pressure control.
A recent bottleneck of Y chromosome diversity coincides with a global change in culture
Authors: Karmin Monika , Saag Lauri , Vicente Mário , Sayres Melissa A. Wilson , Järve Mari , Talas Ulvi Gerst , Rootsi Siiri , Ilumäe Anne-Mai , Mägi Reedik , Mitt Mario , Pagani Luca , Puurand Tarmo , Faltyskova Zuzana , Clemente Florian , Cardona Alexia , Metspalu Ene , Sahakyan Hovhannes , Yunusbayev Bayazit , Hudjashov Georgi , DeGiorgio Michael , Loogväli Eva-Liis , Eichstaedt Christina , Eelmets Mikk , Chaubey Gyaneshwer , Tambets Kristiina , Litvinov Sergei , Mormina Maru , Xue Yali , Ayub Qasim , Zoraqi Grigor , Korneliussen Thorfinn Sand , Akhatova Farida , Lachance Joseph , Tishkoff Sarah , Momynaliev Kuvat , Ricaut François-Xavier , Kusuma Pradiptajati , Razafindrazaka Harilanto , Pierron Denis , Cox Murray P. , Sultana Gazi Nurun Nahar , Willerslev Rane , Muller Craig , Westaway Michael , Lambert David , Skaro Vedrana , Kovačevic´ Lejla , Turdikulova Shahlo , Dalimova Dilbar , Khusainova Rita , Trofimova Natalya , Akhmetova Vita , Khidiyatova Irina , Lichman Daria V. , Isakova Jainagul , Pocheshkhova Elvira , Sabitov Zhaxylyk , Barashkov Nikolay A. , Nymadawa Pagbajabyn , Mihailov Evelin , Seng Joseph Wee Tien , Evseeva Irina , Migliano Andrea Bamberg , Abdullah Syafiq , Andriadze George , Primorac Dragan , Atramentova Lubov , Utevska Olga , Yepiskoposyan Levon , Marjanovic´ Damir , Kushniarevich Alena , Behar Doron M. , Gilissen Christian , Vissers Lisenka , Veltman Joris A. , Balanovska Elena , Derenko Miroslava , Malyarchuk Boris , Metspalu Andres , Fedorova Sardana , Eriksson Anders , Manica Andrea , Mendez Fernando L. , Karafet Tatiana M. , Veeramah Krishna R. , Bradman Neil , Hammer Michael F. , Osipova Ludmila P. , Balanovsky Oleg , Khusnutdinova Elza K. , Johnsen Knut , Remm Maido , Thomas Mark G. , Tyler-Smith Chris , Underhill Peter A. , Willerslev Eske , Nielsen Rasmus , Metspalu Mait , Villems Richard , Kivisild Toomas
Published: March 2015

It is commonly thought that human genetic diversity in non-African populations was shaped primarily by an out-of-Africa dispersal 50–100 thousand yr ago (kya). Here, we present a study of 456 geographically diverse high-coverage Y chromosome sequences, including 299 newly reported samples. Applying ancient DNA calibration, we date the Y-chromosomal most recent common ancestor (MRCA) in Africa at 254 (95% CI 192–307) kya and detect a cluster of major non-African founder haplogroups in a narrow time interval at 47–52 kya, consistent with a rapid initial colonization model of Eurasia and Oceania after the out-of-Africa bottleneck. In contrast to demographic reconstructions based on mtDNA, we infer a second strong bottleneck in Y-chromosome lineages dating to the last 10 ky. We hypothesize that this bottleneck is caused by cultural changes affecting variance of reproductive success among males.
Phosphorylation of Trihelix Transcriptional Repressor ASR3 by MAP KINASE4 Negatively Regulates Arabidopsis Immunity
Authors: Li Bo , Jiang Shan , Yu Xiao , Cheng Cheng , Chen Sixue , Cheng Yanbing , Yuan Joshua S. , Jiang Daohong , He Ping , Shan Libo
Published: March 2015

Proper control of immune-related gene expression is crucial for the host to launch an effective defense response. Perception of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) induces rapid and profound transcriptional reprogramming via unclear mechanisms. Here, we show that ASR3 (ARABIDOPSIS SH4-RELATED3) functions as a transcriptional repressor and plays a negative role in regulating pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) in Arabidopsis thaliana. ASR3 belongs to a plant-specific trihelix transcription factor family for which functional studies are lacking. MAMP treatments induce rapid phosphorylation of ASR3 at threonine 189 via MPK4, a mitogen-activated protein kinase that negatively regulates PTI responses downstream of multiple MAMP receptors. ASR3 possesses transcriptional repressor activity via its ERF-associated amphiphilic repression motifs and negatively regulates a large subset of flg22-induced genes. Phosphorylation of ASR3 by MPK4 enhances its DNA binding activity to suppress gene expression. Importantly, the asr3 mutant shows enhanced disease resistance to virulent bacterial pathogen infection, whereas transgenic plants overexpressing the wild-type or phospho-mimetic form of ASR3 exhibit compromised PTI responses. Our studies reveal a function of the trihelix transcription factors in plant innate immunity and provide evidence that ASR3 functions as a transcriptional repressor regulated by MAMP-activated MPK4 to fine-tune plant immune gene expression.
Family Nurture Intervention in preterm infants alters frontal cortical functional connectivity assessed by EEG coherence
Authors: Myers MM , Grieve PG , Stark RI , Isler JR , Hofer MA , Yang J , Ludwig RJ , Welch MG
Published: March 2015

Aim

To assess the impact of Family Nurture Intervention (FNI) on cortical function in preterm infants at term age.

Methods

Family Nurture Intervention is a NICU‐based intervention designed to establish emotional connection between mothers and preterm infants. Infants born at 26–34 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) were divided into two groups, standard care (SC, N = 49) and FNI (FNI, N = 56). Infants had EEG recordings of ~one hour duration with 124 lead nets between 37 and 44 weeks PMA. Coherence was measured between all pairs of electrodes in ten frequency bands. Data were summarised both within and between 12 regions during two sleep states (active, quiet).

Results

Coherence levels were negatively correlated with PMA age in both groups. As compared to SC infants, FNI infants showed significantly lower levels of EEG coherence (1–18 Hz) largely within and between frontal regions.

Conclusion

Coherence in FNI infants was decreased in regions where we previously found robust increases in EEG power. As coherence decreases with age, results suggest that FNI may accelerate brain maturation particularly in frontal brain regions, which have been shown in research by others to be involved in regulation of attention, cognition and emotion regulation; domains deficient in preterm infants.
Distal airways are protected from goblet cell metaplasia by diminished expression of IL‐13 signalling components
Authors: Vock C. , Yildirim A. Ö. , Wagner C. , Schlick S. , Lunding L. P. , Lee C. G. , Elias J. A. , Fehrenbach H. , Wegmann M.
Published: March 2015

Background

Increased mucus production is a critical factor impairing lung function in patients suffering from bronchial asthma, the most common chronic inflammatory lung disease worldwide.

Objective

This study aimed at investigating whether goblet cell (GC) metaplasia and mucus production are differentially regulated in proximal and distal airways.

Methods

Female Balb/c mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) and challenged with an OVA‐aerosol on two consecutive days for 1 week (acute) or 12 weeks (chronic). Real‐time RT‐PCR analysis was applied on microdissected airways.

Results

In acutely and chronically OVA‐challenged mice, GC metaplasia and mucus production were observed in proximal but not in distal airways. In contrast, inflammation reflected by the infiltration of eosinophils and expression of the TH2‐type cytokines IL‐4 and IL‐13 was increased in both proximal and distal airways. Abundance of IL‐13Rα1 was lower in distal airways of healthy control mice. Under acute and chronic OVA‐exposure, activation of IL‐13Rα1‐dependent signalling cascade, reflected by Spdef and Foxo3A transcription factors, was attenuated in distal compared to proximal airways.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

These data indicate that distal airways might be less sensitive to IL‐13‐induced GC metaplasia and mucus production through lower expression of IL‐13Rα1 and attenuated activation of downstream signalling. This might represent a protective strategy to prevent mucus plugging of distal airways and thus impaired ventilation of attached alveoli.
A systematic review of the literature on the surgical management of recurrent rectal prolapse
Authors: Hotouras A. , Ribas Y. , Zakeri S. , Bhan C. , Wexner S. D. , Chan C. L. , Murphy J.
Published: March 2015

Aim

There are no available guidelines to support surgical decision‐making in recurrent rectal prolapse. This systematic review evaluated the results of abdominal or perineal surgery for recurrent rectal prolapse, with the aim of developing an evidence‐based treatment algorithm.

Method

PubMed and MEDLINE databases were searched for all clinical studies involving patients who underwent surgery for recurrent rectal prolapse between 1950 and 2014. The primary outcome measure was the recurrence rate after abdominal or perineal surgery for recurrent rectal prolapse. Secondary outcomes included morbidity, mortality and quality of life data where available.

Results

There were no randomized controlled studies comparing the success rates of abdominal or perineal surgery for recurrent rectal prolapse. Most studies were heterogeneous, of low quality (level IV) and involved small numbers of patients. The follow‐up of 144 patients included in the studies undergoing perineal surgery ranged from 8.8 to 81 months, with recurrence rates varying from 0% to 50%. Morbidity ranged from 0% to 17% with no mortality reported. Limited data on quality of life following the Altemeier procedure were available. The follow‐up for 158 patients included in the studies who underwent abdominal surgery ranged from 0 to 23 years, during which recurrence rates varied from 0% to 15%. Morbidity rates ranged from 0% to 32% with 4% mortality. No quality of life data were available for patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Conclusion

This systematic review was unable to develop a treatment algorithm for recurrent rectal prolapse due to the variety of surgical techniques described and the low level of evidence within heterogeneous studies. Larger high‐quality studies are necessary to guide practice in this difficult area.
An agent‐based modelling approach to evaluate factors influencing bioenergy crop adoption in north‐east Scotland
Authors: Brown Chris , Bakam Innocent , Smith Pete , Matthews Robin
Published: March 2015

An agent‐based modelling (ABM) framework was adapted to assess bioenergy crop uptake and integrate social and economic processes with biophysical elements. Survey results indicated that economic rationalisation was intrinsic to farmers’ decision‐making, but was not the only consideration. This study presents an approach, set within an established resource management framework, to incorporate a number of key socio‐economic factors, which we call Mitigation Willingness Factors (MWFs), using survey data collected from farmers and land managers, into the ABM. The MWFs represent farmers’ willingness to compromise revenue in order to reduce GHG emissions, derived from their attitudes to climate change and the ability of different economic mechanisms to stimulate energy crop uptake. Adoption of bioenergy crops of different farmer types and farming enterprises was also assessed. Adoption rates and scenarios that take into account noneconomic factors are presented, and particular farming enterprises that may respond more positively to policy initiatives are identified.
Immunohistochemical localization of basement membrane laminin 5 and collagen IV in adult linear IgA disease
Authors: El‐Domyati Moetaz , Abdel‐Wahab Hossam , Ahmad Hesham
Published: March 2015

Background

Linear immunoglobulin A disease (LAD), also known as linear IgA bullous dermatosis, is an autoimmune disorder characterized by subepidermal bullae caused by IgA autoantibodies directed against several antigens located in the basement membrane zone of the skin. Laminin 5 (laminin‐332) is considered a key component of the lamina lucida/lamina densa interface, which provides stable attachment of the epidermis to the dermis. Meanwhile, collagen IV is a major component of the lamina densa. Laminin 5 and collagen IV bind to the cell membrane and induce cytoskeletal rearrangements, which contribute to the basement membrane's final mat‐like structure. The study aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical staining of laminin 5 and collagen IV and to identify the site of blister formation in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded skin biopsies from adults with LAD.

Methods

Skin biopsies from 20 adult patients with LAD were subjected to routine hematoxylin–eosin as well as immunohistochemical staining of collagen IV and laminin 5.

Results

Linear staining was positive on the floor of the blister for laminin 5 in 65% and collagen IV in 90% of biopsies denoting that the site of separation in most cases of LAD is above the lamina densa.

Conclusions

The use of laminin 5 and collagen IV immunohistochemistry can be considered as an adjuvant diagnostic tool and may aid in the identification of the site of blister formation in routine skin biopsies in adults with LAD.
Cutaneous granulomas in the setting of primary immunodeficiency: a report of four cases and review of the literature
Authors: Harp Joanna , Coggshall Kathleen , Ruben Beth S. , Ramírez‐Valle Francisco , He Steven Y. , Berger Timothy G.
Published: March 2015

Importance

Cutaneous granulomas without an identifiable infectious etiology are a rare manifestation of primary immunodeficiency (ID). These cutaneous lesions can be misdiagnosed, often as sarcoidosis, when the skin findings precede the diagnosis of immunodeficiency.

Objective

We present four cases from our institution and review the literature in order to emphasize the clinical relevance of this association, discuss the histologic and immunohistochemical features, and explore possible pathogenic mechanisms of granuloma formation.

Evidence Review

We retrospectively reviewed case reports of all patients presenting with cutaneous granulomas in the setting of primary immunodeficiency. Cases with insufficient information to confirm an immunodeficiency state were excluded. Four patients from our clinic were included, for 54 total cases.

Findings

The majority of cutaneous granulomas are seen in three types of immunodeficiencies: ataxia‐telangiectasia, severe combined immunodeficiency, and combined variable immunodeficiency. Twenty‐six percent of patients developed cutaneous granulomas prior to their immunodeficiency diagnosis. Histologically, various granulomatous patterns have been described. Immunohistochemistry revealed a CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte ratio of less than or equal to 1 in our four patients, which may help differentiate cutaneous granulomas in primary ID from sarcoidal granulomas that typically show a CD4+ predominance.

Conclusions and Relevance

Cutaneous granulomas are a rare manifestation of primary ID and occur predominantly in immunodeficiencies that affect T and B cell compartments.
Survey on skin‐lightening practices and cosmetics in Kigali, Rwanda
Authors: Kamagaju Léocadie , Morandini Renato , Gahongayire Françoise , Stévigny Caroline , Ghanem Ghanem , Pirotte Gautier , Duez Pierre
Published: March 2015

Background

The use of skin‐lightening (SL) cosmetics appears to be common throughout the world, especially among dark‐skinned women from sub‐Saharan Africa.

Objectives

The aims of this study were to evaluate the extent of the practice of SL in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, the motivations behind this practice and the complexity of the adverse effects observed.

Methods

An inventory of products sold on the Kigali market and their contents were compared with the results of a survey investigating the products used by the local population in order to deduce the proportions of people who depigment. The prevalence and severity of SL side effects (dermatitis, skin cancers, etc.) were evaluated in collaboration with dermatologists and general practitioners through a specific questionnaire and interviews. The sociological profiles of adolescents and their motivations for practicing SL were studied using qualitative and descriptive approaches through semi‐direct individual and collective interviews.

Results

A total of 27 creams were identified and classified according to labeled ingredients known to be depigmenting agents; 35% of the surveyed population were found to use products with skin‐bleaching properties, but only 27% stated that they used the products specifically for these depigmenting properties. An inquiry into the motivations of adolescents indicated that they know about and practice SL but are restricted by family, religion, and Rwandese culture. Whenever side effects appear, consumers opt either to stop bleaching practices for a short period or to switch from their commercial topical product to another one with, presumably, a different composition.

Conclusions

Albeit that many people acknowledge that there are possible side effects of using preparations commonly used in SL, the practice is generally continued. Although it is important to question the rationale behind the practice of SL, it is equally important to develop and propose safer products.
Sequential Percutaneous LAA Ligation and Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients with Persistent AF: Initial Results of a Feasibility Study
Authors: BADHWAR NITISH , LAKKIREDDY DHANUNJAYA , KAWAMURA MITSUHARU , HAN FREDERICK T. , IYER SIVARAMAN K. , MOYERS BRIAN S. , DEWLAND THOMAS A. , WOODS CHRIS , FERRELL RYAN , NATH JAYANT , EARNEST MATHEW , LEE RANDALL J.
Published: March 2015

LAA Ligation and Pulmonary Vein Isolation

Introduction

Left atrial appendage (LAA) ligation results in LAA electrical isolation and a decrease in atrial fibrillation (AF) burden. This study assessed the feasibility of combined percutaneous LAA ligation and pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with persistent AF.

Methods and Results

A total of 22 patients with persistent AF underwent LAA ligation with the LARIAT device followed by PVI. PVI was confirmed with the demonstration of both entrance and exit block. Patients (n = 10) in sinus rhythm pre‐ and post‐LAA ligation underwent P‐wave analysis. Monitoring for AF was performed at 1, 3, and 6 months postablation.

LAA ligation was successful in 21 of 22 (95%) patients. The procedure was aborted in one patient due to pericardial adhesions. PVI was performed in 20 of 21 patients. One patient converted to atrial flutter with a controlled ventricular response after LAA ligation and refused subsequent PVI. Demonstration of entrance and exit block was achieved in 19 of 20 patients. At 3 months, 13 of 19 (68.4%) patients were in sinus rhythm. Four patients underwent a second PVI. At 6 months, 15 of 20 (75%) patients were in sinus rhythm. There was a significant decrease in P‐wave duration and P‐wave dispersion after LAA ligation. Complications with LAA ligation included pericarditis, a delayed pleural effusion, and a late pericardial effusion.

Conclusions

Staged LAA ligation and PVI is feasible and decreases P‐wave dispersion. Randomized studies are needed to assess the efficacy of LAA ligation as adjunctive therapy to PVI for maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with persistent AF.
RyR2 Common Gene Variant G1886S and the Risk of Ventricular Arrhythmias in ICD Patients with Heart Failure
Authors: FRANCIA PIETRO , ADDUCI CARMEN , SEMPRINI LORENZO , STANZIONE ROSITA , SERDOZ ANDREA , CAPRINOZZI MASSIMO , SANTINI DARIA , COTUGNO MARIA , PALANO FRANCESCA , MUSUMECI MARIA BEATRICE , RUBATTU SPERANZA , VOLPE MASSIMO
Published: March 2015

RyR2 G1886S Gene Variant and VT/VF in HF

Background

Cardiac ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) is critical to the electrical homeostasis of cardiomyocytes. Its gene variant rs3766871 entails channel destabilization and enhanced intracellular Ca2+ oscillation, thus promoting cardiac arrhythmias. We investigated whether the RyR2 rs3766871 variant is associated with aborted sudden cardiac death or ICD therapy for ventricular tachycardia (VT)/fibrillation (VF) in heart failure (HF) patients implanted with a cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

Methods and Results

A total of 183 HF patients with primary or secondary prevention ICD were divided in 2 groups. A VT/VF group was composed of secondary prevention patients and primary prevention patients with appropriate ICD intervention for VT/VF. An ICD control group was composed of primary prevention patients free from any appropriate ICD intervention after 43 ± 25 months follow‐up. Study subjects were genotyped with respect to the rs3766871 RyR2 gene variant. Hazard ratios (HRs) were derived from Cox proportional‐hazards regression analysis.

In all, 56 patients constituted the VT/VF group and 127 patients the ICD control group. Male sex (HR: 3.02; 95% CI: 0.99–9.18; P = 0.05), atrial fibrillation (AF; HR: 2.33; 95% CI: 0.89–6.10; P = 0.08), and underuse of β‐blockers (HR: 2.08; 95% CI: 0.84–5.15; P = 0.11) were associated with the VT/VF phenotype. Prevalence of the rs3766871 minor allele was 2.8% in ICD control patients and 8.0% in the VT/VF group (P = 0.02). After adjustment for age, sex, AF, and use of β‐blockers, the rs3766871 minor allele was associated with increased risk of VT/VF (HR: 3.49; 95% CI: 1.14–10.62; P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Our study identifies a significant role of RyR2 rs3766871 minor allele for increased susceptibility to VT/VF in a population of ICD patients with HF.
Concurrent coevolution of intra‐organismal cheaters and resisters
Authors: Levin S. R. , Brock D. A. , Queller D. C. , Strassmann J. E.
Published: March 2015

The evolution of multicellularity is a major transition that is not yet fully understood. Specifically, we do not know whether there are any mechanisms by which multicellularity can be maintained without a single‐cell bottleneck or other relatedness‐enhancing mechanisms. Under low relatedness, cheaters can evolve that benefit from the altruistic behaviour of others without themselves sacrificing. If these are obligate cheaters, incapable of cooperating, their spread can lead to the demise of multicellularity. One possibility, however, is that cooperators can evolve resistance to cheaters. We tested this idea in a facultatively multicellular social amoeba, Dictyostelium discoideum. This amoeba usually exists as a single cell but, when stressed, thousands of cells aggregate to form a multicellular organism in which some of the cells sacrifice for the good of others. We used lineages that had undergone experimental evolution at very low relatedness, during which time obligate cheaters evolved. Unlike earlier experiments, which found resistance to cheaters that were prevented from evolving, we competed cheaters and noncheaters that evolved together, and cheaters with their ancestors. We found that noncheaters can evolve resistance to cheating before cheating sweeps through the population and multicellularity is lost. Our results provide insight into cheater–resister coevolutionary dynamics, in turn providing experimental evidence for the maintenance of at least a simple form of multicellularity by means other than high relatedness.
Brain‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Substrate Utilization Following Acute Aerobic Exercise in Obese Individuals
Authors: Slusher A. L. , Whitehurst M. , Zoeller R. F. , Mock J. T. , Maharaj A. , Huang C.‐J.
Published: March 2015

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serves as a vital regulator of neuronal proliferation and survival, and has been shown to regulate energy homeostasis, glucose metabolism and body weight maintenance. Elevated concentrations of plasma BDNF have been associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Acute aerobic exercise transiently increases circulating BDNF, potentially correcting obesity‐related metabolic impairment. The present study aimed to compare acute aerobic exercise elicited BDNF responses in obese and normal‐weight subjects. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate whether acute exercise‐induced plasma BDNF elevations would be associated with improved indices of insulin resistance, as well as substrate utilization [carbohydrate oxidation (CHOoxi) and fat oxidation (FAToxi)]. Twenty‐two healthy, untrained subjects [11 obese (four men and seven women; age = 22.91 ± 4.44 years; body mass index = 35.72 ± 4.17 kg/m2) and 11 normal‐weight (five men and six women; age = 23.27 ± 2.24 years; body mass index = 21.89 ± 1.63 kg/m2)] performed 30 min of continuous submaximal aerobic exercise at 75% maximal oxygen consumption. Our analyses showed that the BDNF response to acute aerobic exercise was similar in obese and normal‐weight subjects across time (time: P = 0.015; group: P = not significant) and was not associated with indices of IR. Although no differences in the rates of CHOoxi and FAToxi were found between both groups, total relative energy expenditure was significantly lower in obese subjects compared to normal‐weight subjects (3.53 ± 0.25 versus 5.59 ± 0.85; P < 0.001). These findings suggest that acute exercise‐elicited BDNF elevation may not be sufficient to modulate indices of IR or the utilization of either carbohydrates or fats in obese individuals.