bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The P2X7 receptor antagonist Brilliant Blue G reduces serum human interferon-γ in a humanized mouse model of graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Geraghty N J , Belfiore L , Ly D , Adhikary S R , Fuller S J , Varikatt W , Sanderson-Smith M L , Sluyter V , Alexander S I , Sluyter R , Watson D
Published: June 2017

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a major problem after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a curative therapy for haematological malignancies. Previous studies have demonstrated a role for the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-gated P2X7 receptor channel in allogeneic mouse models of GVHD. In this study, injection of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) into immunodeficient non-obese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficiency-interleukin (NOD-SCID-IL)-2Rγnull (NSG) mice established a humanized mouse model of GVHD. This model was used to study the effect of P2X7 blockade in this disease. From five weeks post-PBMC injection, humanized mice exhibited clinical signs and histopathology characteristic of GVHD. The P2X7 antagonist, Brilliant Blue G (BBG), blocked ATP-induced cation uptake into both murine and human cells in vitro. Injection of BBG (50 mg/kg) into NSG mice did not affect engraftment of human leucocytes (predominantly T cells), or the clinical score and survival of mice. In contrast, BBG injection reduced circulating human interferon (IFN)-γ significantly, which was produced by human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. BBG also reduced human T cell infiltration and apoptosis in target organs of GVHD. In conclusion, the P2X7 antagonist BBG reduced circulating IFN-γ in a humanized mouse model of GVHD supporting a potential role for P2X7 to alter the pathology of this disease in humans.
A polymorphism in the CYP17A1 gene influences the therapeutic response to steroidogenesis inhibitors in Cushing's syndrome
Authors: Valassi Elena , Aulinas Anna , Glad Camilla AM , Johannsson Gudmundur , Ragnarsson Oskar , Webb Susan M
Published: June 2017

Context

Steroidogenesis inhibitors, such as ketoconazole (KTZ) and metyrapone (MTP), are used to lower hypercortisolism in patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS). Cortisol normalization is not reached in all patients taking these medications.

Objective

To test the hypothesis that variants in genes affecting steroidogenesis contribute to different responses to KTZ and/or MTP in patients with CS.

Patients and methods

Fifty‐four CS patients (46 women; mean [±SD] age, 39.7±12.7; 83% with Cushing's disease [CD] and 17% with an adrenal adenoma) preoperatively treated with KTZ (20%), MTP (37%) or a combination of both (43%). Thirty‐nine of these (72%) were described in a previous study investigating the outcome of preoperative treatment with KTZ or MTP in CS patients. Following single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analysed: rs6410 (CYP11B1 gene), rs1799998 and rs4546 (CYP11B2 gene), and rs6163 (CYP17A1 gene). The associations between SNPs and cortisol levels at the end of medical treatment were evaluated.

Results

Normalization of urinary free cortisol (UFC) was achieved in 50% of patients after 5 months of treatment. Patients carrying the CC genotype of SNP rs6163 were more likely to be controlled than AC/AA (OR 0.25 [95%CI, 0.075‐0.88]; P=.031). When only patients reaching eucortisolism after medical treatment were analysed, median interquartile range (IQR) duration of treatment was shorter in patients carrying the CC genotype of SNP rs6163 as compared to AA/AC carriers (4 [4.57] months vs 5.2 [6.1] months; P=.026).

Conclusions

A polymorphism in the CYP17A1 gene was associated with the response to steroidogenesis inhibitors in CS. Genetic differences in the steroidogenic enzymes might account for inter‐individual variations in the responsiveness to adrenal‐blocking agents.
Gaps and opportunities for the World Heritage Convention to contribute to global wilderness conservation
Authors: Allan James R. , Kormos Cyril , Jaeger Tilman , Venter Oscar , Bertzky Bastian , Shi Yichuan , Mackey Brendan , van Merm Remco , Osipova Elena , Watson James E.M.
Published: June 2017

Wilderness areas are ecologically intact landscapes predominantly free of human uses, especially industrial‐scale activities that result in substantial biophysical disturbance. This definition does not exclude land and resource use by local communities who depend on such areas for subsistence and bio‐cultural connections. Wilderness areas are important for biodiversity conservation and sustain key ecological processes and ecosystem services that underpin planetary life‐support systems. Despite these widely recognized benefits and values of wilderness, they are insufficiently protected and are consequently being rapidly eroded. There are increasing calls for multilateral environmental agreements to make a greater and more systematic contribution to wilderness conservation before it is too late. We created a global map of remaining terrestrial wilderness following the established last‐of‐the‐wild method, which identifies the 10% of areas with the lowest human pressure within each of Earth's 62 biogeographic realms and identifies the 10 largest contiguous areas and all contiguous areas >10,000 km2. We used our map to assess wilderness coverage by the World Heritage Convention and to identify gaps in coverage. We then identified large nationally designated protected areas with good wilderness coverage within these gaps. One‐quarter of natural and mixed (i.e., sites of both natural and cultural value) World Heritage Sites (WHS) contained wilderness (total of 545,307 km2), which is approximately 1.8% of the world's wilderness extent. Many WHS had excellent wilderness coverage, for example, the Okavango Delta in Botswana (11,914 km2) and the Central Suriname Nature Reserve (16,029 km2). However, 22 (35%) of the world's terrestrial biorealms had no wilderness representation within WHS. We identified 840 protected areas of >500 km2 that were predominantly wilderness (>50% of their area) and represented 18 of the 22 missing biorealms. These areas offer a starting point for assessing the potential for the designation of new WHSs that could help increase wilderness representation on the World Heritage list. We urge the World Heritage Convention to ensure that the ecological integrity and outstanding universal value of existing WHS with wilderness values are preserved.
Subclinical atherosclerosis in low Framingham risk HIV patients
Authors: León Rafael , Reus Sergio , López Nicolás , Portilla Irene , Sánchez‐Payá José , Giner Livia , Boix Vicente , Merino Esperanza , Torrús Diego , Moreno‐Pérez Óscar , Portilla Joaquín
Published: June 2017

Background

Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is complex, and differences between HIV‐infected patients and general population cannot be completely explained by the higher prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. We aimed to analyse the association between inflammation and subclinical atherosclerosis in HIV patients with low Framingham risk score.

Materials and methods

Case–control study. Setting: Outpatient Infectious Diseases clinic in a university hospital. Subjects: HIV‐1‐infected patients aged > 35 years receiving antiretroviral treatment with viral load < 50 copies/mL and Framingham risk score < 10%. Exclusion criteria: inflammatory diseases; dyslipidaemia requiring statins; smoking > 5 cigarettes/day; diabetes; hypertension; vascular diseases. Main outcome: subclinical atherosclerosis determined by ultrasonography: common carotid intima‐media thickness greater than 0·8 mm or carotid plaque presence. Explanatory variables: ribosomal bacterial DNA (rDNA), sCD14, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and TNF‐α.

Results

Eighty‐four patients were included, 75% male, mean age 42 years and mean CD4+ cells 657 ± 215/mm3. Median Framingham risk score was 1% at 10 years (percentile 25–75: 0·5–4%). Eighteen patients (21%) had subclinical atherosclerosis; the associated factors were older age (P = 0·001), waist–hip ratio (P = 0·01), time from HIV diagnosis (P = 0·02), rDNA (P = 0·04) and IL‐6 (P = 0·01). In multivariate analysis, OR for subclinical atherosclerosis was 7 (95% CI, 1.3–40, P = 0.02) and 9 (95% CI, 1.0–85, P = 0.04) for patients older than 44 years and IL‐6 > 6·6 pg/mL, respectively.

Conclusions

Well‐controlled HIV patients with low Framingham risk score have a high prevalence of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis, and the main risk factors are age and inflammation. These patients are not receiving primary prophylaxis for cardiovascular events according to current guidelines.
High‐frequency oscillations: The state of clinical research
Authors: Frauscher Birgit , Bartolomei Fabrice , Kobayashi Katsuhiro , Cimbalnik Jan , van ‘t Klooster Maryse A. , Rampp Stefan , Otsubo Hiroshi , Höller Yvonne , Wu Joyce Y. , Asano Eishi , Engel Jerome , Kahane Philippe , Jacobs Julia , Gotman Jean
Published: June 2017

Modern electroencephalographic (EEG) technology contributed to the appreciation that the EEG signal outside the classical Berger frequency band contains important information. In epilepsy, research of the past decade focused particularly on interictal high‐frequency oscillations (HFOs) > 80 Hz. The first large application of HFOs was in the context of epilepsy surgery. This is now followed by other applications such as assessment of epilepsy severity and monitoring of antiepileptic therapy. This article reviews the evidence on the clinical use of HFOs in epilepsy with an emphasis on the latest developments. It highlights the growing literature on the association between HFOs and postsurgical seizure outcome. A recent meta‐analysis confirmed a higher resection ratio for HFOs in seizure‐free versus non–seizure‐free patients. Residual HFOs in the postoperative electrocorticogram were shown to predict epilepsy surgery outcome better than preoperative HFO rates. The review further discusses the different attempts to separate physiological from epileptic HFOs, as this might increase the specificity of HFOs. As an example, analysis of sleep microstructure demonstrated a different coupling between HFOs inside and outside the epileptogenic zone. Moreover, there is increasing evidence that HFOs are useful to measure disease activity and assess treatment response using noninvasive EEG and magnetoencephalography. This approach is particularly promising in children, because they show high scalp HFO rates. HFO rates in West syndrome decrease after adrenocorticotropic hormone treatment. Presence of HFOs at the time of rolandic spikes correlates with seizure frequency. The time‐consuming visual assessment of HFOs, which prevented their clinical application in the past, is now overcome by validated computer‐assisted algorithms. HFO research has considerably advanced over the past decade, and use of noninvasive methods will make HFOs accessible to large numbers of patients. Prospective multicenter trials are awaited to gather information over long recording periods in large patient samples.
Assessing the public acceptability of proposed policy interventions to reduce the misuse of antibiotics in Australia: A report on two community juries
Authors: Degeling Chris , Johnson Jane , Iredell Jon , Nguyen Ky‐Anh , Norris Jacqueline M. , Turnidge John D. , Dawson Angus , Carter Stacy M. , Gilbert Gwendolyn L.
Published: June 2017

Objective

To elicit the views of well‐informed community members on the acceptability of proposed policy interventions designed to improve community use of antibiotics in Australia.

Design

Two community juries held in 2016.

Setting and participants

Western Sydney and Dubbo communities in NSW, Australia. Twenty‐nine participants of diverse social and cultural backgrounds, mixed genders and ages recruited via public advertising: one jury was drawn from a large metropolitan setting; the other from a regional/rural setting.

Main outcome measure

Jury verdict and rationale in response to a prioritization task and structured questions.

Results

Both juries concluded that potential policy interventions to curb antibiotic misuse in the community should be directed towards: (i) ensuring that the public and prescribers were better educated about the dangers of antibiotic resistance; (ii) making community‐based human and animal health‐care practitioners accountable for their prescribing decisions. Patient‐centred approaches such as delayed prescribing were seen as less acceptable than prescriber‐centred approaches; both juries completely rejected any proposal to decrease consumer demand by increasing antibiotic prices.

Conclusion

These informed citizens acknowledged the importance of raising public awareness of the risks, impacts and costs of antibiotic resistance and placed a high priority on increasing social and professional accountability through restrictive measures. Their overarching aim was that policy interventions should be directed towards creating collective actions and broad social support for changing antibiotic use through establishing and explaining the need for mechanisms to control and support better prescribing by practitioners, while not transferring the burdens, costs and risks of interventions to consumers.
Tribological properties of nanoclay reinforced polyimide nanocomposite coatings for alloy steels
Authors: Meng Maozhou , Le Huirong
Published: June 2017

A new process was developed to deposit uniform Montmorillonite nanoclay reinforced polyimide nanocomposite coating on alloy steels. The nanoclay particles were successfully dispersed in N, N‐Dimethylacetamide using a combination of magnetic stirring, soaking, and ultrasonic agitation. It was found that the uniform and crack‐free coating can be achieved. The tribological tests indicated that the nanocomposite coating has good adhesion to alloy steels, good load carrying capacity, relatively low friction, and wear. This nanocomposite is a promising material for some offshore, aerospace, and automotive structures that are subjected to sliding contact in corrosive environment.
Artificial human antigen‐presenting cells are superior to dendritic cells at inducing cytotoxic T‐cell responses
Authors: Li Hua , Shao Shengwen , Cai Jianshu , Burner Danielle , Lu Lingeng , Chen Qiuqiang , Minev Boris , Ma Wenxue
Published: June 2017

Peptide recognition through the MHC class I molecule by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) leads to the killing of cancer cells. A potential challenge for T‐cell immunotherapy is that dendritic cells (DCs) are exposed to the MHC class I–peptide complex for an insufficient amount of time. To improve tumour antigen presentation to T cells and thereby initiate a more effective T‐cell response, we generated artificial antigen‐presenting cells (aAPCs) by incubating human immature DCs (imDCs) with poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic) acid nanoparticles (PLGA‐NPs) encapsulating tumour antigenic peptides, followed by maturation with lipopolysaccharide. Tumour antigen‐specific CTLs were then induced using either peptide‐loaded mature DCs (mDCs) or aAPCs, and their activities were analysed using both ELISpot and cytotoxicity assays. We found that the aAPCs induced significantly stronger tumour antigen‐specific CTL responses than the controls, which included both mDCs and aAPCs loaded with empty nanoparticles. Moreover, frozen CTLs that were generated by exposure to aAPCs retained the capability to eradicate HLA‐A2‐positive tumour antigen‐bearing cancer cells. These results indicated that aAPCs are superior to DCs when inducing the CTL response because the former are capable of continuously presenting tumour antigens to T cells in a sustained manner. The development of aAPCs with PLGA‐NPs encapsulating tumour antigenic peptides is a promising approach for the generation of effective CTL responses in vitro and warrants further assessments in clinical trials.
An integrative review on coping skills in nursing students: implications for policymaking
Authors: Labrague L.J. , McEnroe‐Petitte D.M. , Al Amri M. , Fronda D.C. , Obeidat A.A.
Published: June 2017

Aim

This study critically appraised both quantitative and qualitative studies describing coping strategies utilized by nursing students when faced with stress.

Background

Stress in nursing students during clinical training is well documented in the nursing literature. The need to utilize positive‐coping strategies is necessary to effectively deal with stress and its accompanying stressors.

Methods

An integrative review method was used in this review. PsycINFO, PubMed, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), MEDLINE and Scopus were the databases used in searching for relevant literature using the following search terms; ‘coping’, ‘nursing students’, clinical training’, ‘ways of coping’ and ‘clinical practice’. A total of 27 studies published from 2001 to 2016 were included in this review.

Findings

Findings demonstrated that nursing students utilized problem‐focused coping strategies rather than emotion‐focused coping strategies. Specific coping behaviours utilized included problem‐solving behaviours, self‐confident approaches and seeking of support from family and friends.

Conclusion

The review contributes to the growing literature on coping strategies in nursing students and may have implications on nursing education and nursing policy. This review also demonstrated a scarcity of studies that links specific coping strategies to nursing school stressors and examines predictors of coping skills in nursing students.

Implications for nursing education

Institutionalization of structured student orientation programme, implementation of well‐planned mentoring programmes and establishment of support unit/centres may be helpful in supporting nursing students during their clinical placement. By developing empirically based interventions, nursing faculty can assist nursing students in strengthening their positive‐coping skills to effectively deal with various stressors encountered.
Refractory venous leg ulcers: observational evaluation of innovative new technology
Authors: Harris Connie , Loney Amanda , Brooke Jillian , Charlebois Amanda , Coppola Lucy , Mehta Sowmil , Flett Norman
Published: June 2017

This observational case series reports the evaluation of a novel neuromuscular electrical stimulation device (geko™) that stimulates the common peroneal nerve at the fibular head as an adjunctive therapy in patients with non‐healing venous leg ulcers. The aim was to evaluate and determine if the geko™ device was effective in this population and should be added to the medical supply formulary. Patients whose wounds had failed to heal within 24 weeks of standard therapy were identified in two community settings in Ontario. A total of 11 patients consented to the evaluation with a combined 107‐year history of recalcitrant leg ulcers. Although the pre‐geko™ healing rate was unknown, all ulcers were considered non‐healing. With geko™, the average weekly percentage reduction in surface area for all patients was 4·5% and for the six adherent to geko™ and best practices 7·0%. By comparison, the average weekly percentage reduction for measurable wounds in the five non‐adherent patients was 1·8%. Requirements for success appear to include an arterial status adequate for healing, effective and prompt management of wound infections and adherence to the treatment schedule. The geko™ device has been added to the medical supply formulary in one centre and is pending in the other.
Enhanced structural, dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of (1−x)Ba0.9Sr0.1TiO3–(x)Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3 ceramics derived using mechano‐chemical activation technique
Authors: Jain Aditya , Panwar Amrish K. , Saroha Rakesh , Jha A. K.
Published: June 2017

The effect of Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3 (BCT) substitution on the structural, dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of mechano‐chemically synthesized lead‐free (1−x)Ba0.9Sr0.1TiO3‐(x)Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3 (x=0.0, 0.10, 0.20, 0.35, and 0.50) ceramics have been investigated. XRD patterns confirms the formation of tetragonal phase with P4mm space group. The results indicate a strong influence of BCT substitution on the structural and electrical properties of Ba0.9Sr0.1TiO3 (BST) ceramic. BST–BCT ceramic for x=0.35 have shown high dielectric constant εm~21 800, high remnant polarization Pr~10.16 μC/cm2, large piezoelectric charge constant D33~293 pC/N, large piezoelectric voltage constant g33~5.80 mV·m/N, and highest dielectric breakdown strength Ebd~224 kV/cm among the five synthesized samples. The correlation between structural, dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of the BST ceramic with increasing BCT content have been systematically described on the basis of domain wall motion and grain size effect.
Heritable variation in circulating glucocorticoids and endocrine flexibility in a free‐living songbird
Authors: Stedman J. M. , Hallinger K. K. , Winkler D. W. , Vitousek M. N.
Published: June 2017

Phenotypic flexibility is a central way that organisms cope with challenging and changing environments. As endocrine signals mediate many phenotypic traits, heritable variation in hormone levels, or their context‐dependent flexibility, could present an important target for selection. Several studies have estimated the heritability of circulating glucocorticoid levels under acute stress conditions, but little is known about the potential for either baseline hormone levels or rapid endocrine flexibility to evolve. Here, we assessed the potential for selection to operate on the elevation (circulating hormone levels) and flexibility of glucocorticoid reaction norms to acute restraint stress. Multivariate animal models revealed low but significant heritability in baseline (h2 = 0.13–0.14) and stress‐induced glucocorticoids (h2 = 0.18), and moderate heritability in glucocorticoid flexibility in response to acute stress (h2 = 0.38) in free‐living juvenile tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor; n = 408). Baseline glucocorticoids were not genetically correlated with either stress‐induced glucocorticoids or glucocorticoid flexibility. These findings indicate that baseline glucocorticoids and the acute stress response are distinct traits that can be independently shaped by selection. Microevolutionary changes that influence the expression or flexibility of these endocrine mediators of phenotype may be an important way that populations adapt to changing environments and novel threats.
Reduced risk of hepatocellular carcinoma by achieving a subcirrhotic liver stiffness through antiviral agents in hepatitis B virus‐related advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis
Authors: Kim Byung Seok , Seo Yeon Seok , Kim Young Seok , Lee Chang Hyeong , Lee Han Ah , Um Soon Ho , Yoo Jeong‐Ju , Kim Sang Gyune , Suh Sang Jun , Jung Young Kul , Ahn Sang Hoon , Han Kwang‐Hyub , Yim Hyung Joon , Kim Seung Up ,   The Korean Transient Elastography Study Group
Published: June 2017

Background and Aim

A subcirrhotic range of liver stiffness (sc‐LS), assessed by transient elastography, is associated with better outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We investigated whether the achievement of sc‐LS by antiviral therapy (AVT) reduced the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with CHB‐related advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis.

Methods

In total, 209 patients with CHB‐related advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis, who received paired transient elastography examinations during AVT between 2007 and 2012, were enrolled. The cut‐off LS value for ultrasonographic cirrhosis was defined as 11.6 kPa.

Results

The median age of the study population was 51 years, with males predominating (n = 138, 66.0%). The median LS value at enrollment was 14.1 kPa (interquartile range: 9.5–24.1 kPa). After 2 years of AVT, 140 (67.0%) patients achieved sc‐LS. During the study period, 28 (13.4%) patients developed HCC after 2 years of AVT. On multivariate analysis, the achievement of sc‐LS after AVT was independently associated with a decreased risk of HCC development (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.485, P = 0.047), whereas older age (HR = 1.071) and male gender (HR = 3.704) were independently associated with an increased HCC risk (both P < 0.05). Patients with a cirrhotic range of LS value after 2 years of AVT were at a higher risk of HCC development than those with sc‐LS (log‐rank test, P = 0.020).

Conclusions

The achievement of sc‐LS after AVT can reduce the risk of HCC development in patients with CHB, even when advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis is apparent on starting AVT.
The medial pterygoid muscle: a stabiliser of horizontal jaw movement
Authors: Chen H. , Whittle T. , Gal J. A. , Murray G. M. , Klineberg I. J.
Published: June 2017

There is limited information of the normal function of the human medial pterygoid muscle (MPt). The aims were to determine whether (i) the MPt is active throughout horizontal jaw movements with the teeth apart and (ii) whether single motor units (SMUs) are active during horizontal and opening–closing jaw movements. Intramuscular electrodes were placed in the right MPt of 18 participants who performed five teeth‐apart tasks: (i) postural position, (ii) ipsilateral (i.e. right) jaw movement, (iii) contralateral movement, (iv) protrusive movement and (v) opening–closing movement. Movement tasks were guided by a target and were divided into BEFORE, OUT, HOLDING, RETURN and AFTER phases according to the movement trajectories recorded by a jaw tracking system. Increased EMG activity was consistently found in the OUT, HOLDING and RETURN phases of the contralateral and protrusive movement tasks. An increased RETURN phase activity in the ipsilateral task indicates an important role for the MPt in the contralateral force vector. Of the 14 SMUs active in the opening–closing task, 64% were also active in at least one horizontal task. There were tonically active SMUs at the postural jaw position in 44% of participants. These new data point to an important role for the MPt in the fine control of low forces as required for stabilisation of vertical mandibular position not only to maintain postural position, but also throughout horizontal jaw movements with the teeth apart. These findings provide baseline information for future investigations of the possible role of this muscle in oro‐facial pain conditions.
Trauma hazards in children: An update for the busy clinician
Authors: Holland Andrew JA , Soundappan Soundappan SV
Published: June 2017

Trauma and injury continue to be common in children and remain an important cause of mortality and morbidity. Legislation mandating the use of helmets for all cyclists appears to have been effective in reducing the incidence and severity of head and facial injuries, with no clear evidence of a reduction in cycling usage or activity. Straddle injuries, whilst uncommon and generally minor, require careful clinical assessment as they may be associated with urethral trauma. Quad bikes remain highly dangerous with continuing reports of deaths in child riders due to their inherent lack of stability: a ban on their use by children would seem the most effective solution. The popularity of mobile devices and toys, coupled with the development of higher voltage, lithium button batteries have seen a surge in the number of cases and subsequent complications from ingestion. The problems seen in children following ingestion of high‐powered, rare earth magnets in the late 1990s and 2000s has now receded due to legislation introduced in 2012. Inhaled, typically organic foreign bodies remain a diagnostic challenge with rigid bronchoscopy still the most effective diagnostic and therapeutic modality. Corrosive ingestion, now seen much less commonly, continues to be a potentially devastating injury when occurring as a result of caustic soda. Recent publicity concerning the problem of childhood drowning highlights the need for constant parental vigilance, the limitations of pool fencing and the importance of community cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, together with repeated education of the risk of rips when swimming in the sea.
Development and assessment of a new cage-like particle adjuvant
Authors: Bertona Daiana , Pujato Nazarena , Bontempi Iván , Gonzalez Verónica , Cabrera Gabriel , Gugliotta Luis , Hozbor Daniela , Nicastro Alcides , Calvinho Luis , Marcipar Iván Sergio
Published: June 2017

Objectives

To obtain and assess stable cage-like particles with low surface charge density, which can be prepared using a standardized, economic and scalable method.

Methods

To form these nanoparticles, the lipid composition and proportion as well the method were modified in relation to cage-like particles previously described elsewhere. Bovine albumin was used to compare ISPA performance with that of other adjuvants in mice and to assess stability. Adjuvant efficacy was analysed using a mouse model of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, which shows protection against an intracellular infection that needs a strong cellular response.

Key findings

The new particles were better in terms of level, kinetics and profile of humoral responses than Freund Adjuvant, aluminium hydroxide and Montanide TM ISA 206; they also tended to improve ISCOMATRIX™ performance. Particle size and adjuvant performance were conserved during the 6-month period assessed after preparation. In the model of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, mice immunized with ISPA and trans-sialidase developed high protection.

Conclusions

The obtained nanoparticles were stable and outperformed the other assessed adjuvants in joining together the capacity of most adjuvants to enhance the immune response against specific antigen, to reduce the number of doses, to homogenize the response between individuals and to reach a balanced TH1/TH2 response.
Characterization of body composition and definition of sarcopenia in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis: A computed tomography based study
Authors: Benjamin Jaya , Shasthry Varsha , Kaal Chetan Ramesh , Anand Lovkesh , Bhardwaj Ankit , Pandit Vanshja , Arora Ankur , Rajesh Sasidharan , Pamecha Viniyendra , Jain Vikas , Kumar Guresh , Loria Anthony , Puri Puneet , Joshi Yogendra Kumar , Sarin Shiv Kumar
Published: June 2017

Background

Alterations in body composition (BC) as loss of fat and muscle mass (sarcopenia) are associated with poor outcome in alcoholic cirrhosis (ALC). Prevalence of sarcopenia depends upon the method of assessment. Computed Tomography (CT) is a gold standard tool for assessing BC.

Aim

To characterize BC and define sarcopenia in ALC patients using CT.

Methods

Single slice CT images at L3 vertebrae of healthy controls (HC) ‐ organ transplant donors and ALC patients were analysed to give cross‐sectional area of five skeletal muscles normalized for height ‐skeletal muscle index (SMI; cm2/m2), area of subcutaneous (SAT;cm2) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT;cm2). Cut‐offs for defining sarcopenia was established at 2SD below the mean of HC. HC were compared with Child A—compensated (C) and Child B+C—decompensated (DC) patients.

Results

Cut‐offs of SMI derived from HC (n = 275; M: 50%; age 32.2 ± 9.8 years; BMI 24.2 ± 3.2 Kg/m2) were 36.54 in males and 30.21 in females. Sarcopenia was found in 12.8% of ALC patients [n = 148; C (31.8%): DC (68.2%); M: 100%; age 46.6 ± 9.7 years; BMI 24.5 ± 4.4]. Compared to HC, compensated patients had higher adiposity and comparable muscularity; decompensated patients had significantly lower muscle and also fat mass compared to both HC and compensated patients. HC vs C vs DC: SAT (140 ± 82 vs 177.3 ± 11 vs 112 ± 8.2); VAT (96.5 ± 6.5 vs 154.9 ± 8.7 vs 87.5 ± 6.5) and SMI (52.1 ± 0.9 vs 49.6 ± 1.2 vs 46 ± 0.9).

Conclusions

Compensated ALC have increased adiposity and relatively preserved muscularity but decompensation leads to loss of both muscle and fat mass. Prevalence of sarcopenia, based on derived ethnic cut‐offs was 12.8%.
GhJAZ2 attenuates cotton resistance to biotic stresses via the inhibition of the transcriptional activity of GhbHLH171
Authors: He Xin , Zhu Longfu , Wassan Ghulam Mustafa , Wang Yujing , Miao Yuhuan , Shaban Muhammad , Hu Haiyan , Sun Heng , Zhang Xianlong
Published: June 2017

Plants have evolved effective mechanisms to protect themselves against multiple stresses, and employ jasmonates (JAs) as vital defence signals to defend against pathogen infection. The accumulation of JA, induced by signals from biotic and abiotic stresses, results in the degradation of Jasmonate‐ZIM‐domain (JAZ) proteins, followed by the de‐repression of JAZ‐repressed transcription factors (such as MYC2) to activate defence responses and developmental processes. Here, we characterized a JAZ family protein, GhJAZ2, from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) which was induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and inoculation of Verticillium dahliae. The overexpression of GhJAZ2 in cotton impairs the sensitivity to JA, decreases the expression level of JA‐response genes (GhPDF1.2 and GhVSP) and enhances the susceptibility to V. dahliae and insect herbivory. Yeast two‐hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays showed that GhJAZ2 may be involved in the regulation of cotton disease resistance by interaction with further disease‐response proteins, such as pathogenesis‐related protein GhPR10, dirigent‐like protein GhD2, nucleotide‐binding site leucine‐rich repeat (NBS‐LRR) disease‐resistant protein GhR1 and a basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor GhbHLH171. Unlike MYC2, overexpression of GhbHLH171 in cotton activates the JA synthesis and signalling pathway, and improves plant tolerance to the fungus V. dahliae. Molecular and genetic evidence shows that GhJAZ2 can interact with GhbHLH171 and inhibit its transcriptional activity and, as a result, can restrain the JA‐mediated defence response. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of GhJAZ2 in the regulation of the cotton defence response.
Cysteine proteases and wheat (Triticum aestivum L) under drought: A still greatly unexplored association
Authors: Botha Anna‐Maria , Kunert Karl J. , Cullis Christopher A.
Published: June 2017

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) provides about 19% of global dietary energy. Environmental stress, such as drought, affects wheat growth causing premature plant senescence and ultimately plant death. A plant response to drought is an increase in protease‐mediated proteolysis with rapid degradation of proteins required for metabolic processes. Among the plant proteases that are increased in their activity following stress, cysteine proteases are the best characterized. Very little is known about particular wheat cysteine protease sequences, their expression and also localization. The current knowledge on wheat cysteine proteases belonging to the five clans (CA, CD, CE, CF and CP) is outlined, in particular their expression and possible function under drought. The first successes in establishing an annotated wheat genome database are further highlighted which has allowed more detailed mining of cysteine proteases. We also share our thoughts on future research directions considering the growing availability of genomic resources of this very important food crop. Finally, we also outline future application of developed knowledge in transgenic wheat plants for environmental stress protection and also as senescence markers to monitor wheat growth under environmental stress conditions.
Silencing OsSLR1 enhances the resistance of rice to the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Zhang Jin , Luo Ting , Wang Wanwan , Cao Tiantian , Li Ran , Lou Yonggen
Published: June 2017

DELLA proteins, negative regulators of the gibberellin (GA) pathway, play important roles in plant growth, development and pathogen resistance by regulating multiple phytohormone signals. Yet, whether and how they regulate plant herbivore resistance remain unknown. We found that the expression of the rice DELLA gene OsSLR1 was down‐regulated by an infestation of female adults of the brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens. On one hand, OsSLR1 positively regulated BPH‐induced levels of two mitogen‐activated protein kinase and four WRKY transcripts, and of jasmonic acid, ethylene and H2O2. On the other hand, silencing OsSLR1 enhanced constitutive levels of defence‐related compounds, phenolic acids, lignin and cellulose, as well as the resistance of rice to BPH in the laboratory and in the field. The increased resistance in rice with silencing of OsSLR1 is probably due to impaired JA and ethylene pathways, and, at least in part, to the increased lignin level and mechanical hardness of rice leaf sheaths. Our findings illustrate that OsSLR1, acting as an early negative regulator, plays an important role in regulating the resistance of rice to BPH by activating appropriate defence‐related signalling pathways and compounds. Moreover, our data also provide new insights into relationships between plant growth and defence.
Relaxation of cellular K+ gradients by valinomycin induces diatoxanthin accumulation in Cyclotella meneghiniana cells and alters FCPa fluorescence yield in vitro
Authors: Ahmad Rana A. , Dietzel Lars
Published: June 2017

Regulation of photosynthetic light harvesting involves all major thylakoid membrane complexes. One important factor is the proton motive force (pmf) driving ATP production. Its proton gradient (ΔpH) component regulates the high energy quenching. Potassium ions largely contribute to the formation of the electric field (ΔΨ). ΔΨ and ΔpH partially compensate each other to form pmf. Whilst in plants considerable progress has been made in analyzing the interplay of H+ and K+ gradients, in diatoms knowledge in this field is still scarce. We relaxed cellular K+ gradients by valinomycin in Cyclotella meneghiniana. We observed a slow decrease of PSII maximum quantum yield in the dark upon valinomycin addition correlating with diatoxanthin accumulation which we attribute to the breakdown of organellar K+ gradients (either plastid or mitochondria) which might compensate for the loss of the K+ gradient by adjustment of the thylakoid pH in a secondary step. This response is reversible when ΔpH is relaxed. Similarly, we found higher non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ) caused by higher DT accumulation in the steady state in valinomycin‐treated cells. In vitro fucoxanthin chlorophyll a (FCPa) antenna complexes in liposomes with natural lipid composition showed a decrease in fluorescence yield if a K+ gradient is built up. The effect reversed by relaxing the gradient. We interpret these fluorescence changes with surface charge dynamics and FCPa organization in the membrane rather than a direct influence of K+ gradients on FCPa complexes. Both experiments reveal that K+ gradients might contribute to fine tuning of light harvesting capacity in relation to pmf in diatoms.
Pyramidodinium spinulosum sp. nov. (Dinophyceae), a sand‐dwelling non‐motile dinoflagellate from the seafloor (36 m deep) off Mageshima Island, Kagoshima, Japan
Authors: Horiguchi Takeo , Moriya Rui , Pinto Sohail K. , Terada Ryuta
Published: June 2017

A new species of benthic marine dinoflagellate, Pyramidodinium spinulosum Horiguchi, Moriya, Pinto & Terada is described from the deep (36 m) seafloor off Mageshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan in the subtropical region of the northwest Pacific. The life cycle of the dinoflagellate consists of a dominant, attached, dome‐shaped, vegetative form and short‐lasting, motile cell. Asexual reproduction takes place by the formation of two motile cells within each non‐motile cell. The released motile cells swim only for a short period and transform directly into the dome‐shaped vegetative form. The duration of the cell cycle varies and can be extremely long, ranging 5–38 days under culture conditions. The non‐motile cell is enclosed by a cell wall and its surface is covered with many (80–130) spines of various length. The dinoflagellate is photosynthetic and contains many (more than 50) discoidal chloroplasts. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that the dinoflagellate is closely related to the type species of the genus Pyramidodinium, P. atrofuscum which also possesses a dominant, attached, non‐motile form. However, P. spinulosum can be clearly distinguished from P. atrofuscum by the cell shape (dome‐shaped vs. pyramid‐shaped) and surface ornamentation (spines vs. wart‐like processes) of the non‐motile form. Based on these morphological differences together with molecular evidence, it was concluded that this organism from a deep water sand sample should be described as a second species of the genus Pyramidodinium, P. spinulosum.
Tornado Warning Perception and Response: Integrating the Roles of Visual Design, Demographics, and Hazard Experience
Authors: Schumann Ronald L. , Ash Kevin D. , Bowser Gregg C.
Published: June 2017

Recent advancements in severe weather detection and warning dissemination technologies have reduced, but not eliminated, large‐casualty tornado hazards in the United States. Research on warning cognition and behavioral response by the public has the potential to further reduce tornado‐related deaths and injuries; however, less research has been conducted in this area compared to tornado research in the physical sciences. Extant research in this vein tends to bifurcate. One branch of studies derives from classic risk perception, which investigates cognitive, affective, and sociocultural factors in relation to concern and preparation for uncertain risks. Another branch focuses on psychological, social, and cultural factors implicated in warning response for rapid onset hazards, with attention paid to previous experience and message design. Few studies link risk perceptions with cognition and response as elicited by specific examples of warnings. The present study unites risk perception, cognition, and response approaches by testing the contributions of hypothesized warning response drivers in one set of path models. Warning response is approximated by perceived fear and intended protective action as reported by survey respondents when exposed to hypothetical tornado warning scenarios. This study considers the roles of hazard knowledge acquisition, information‐seeking behaviors, previous experience, and sociodemographic factors while controlling for the effects of the visual warning graphic. Findings from the study indicate the primacy of a user's visual interpretation of a warning graphic in shaping tornado warning response. Results also suggest that information‐seeking habits, previous tornado experience, and local disaster culture play strong influencing roles in warning response.
Evaluating the Benefits of Adaptation of Critical Infrastructures to Hydrometeorological Risks
Authors: Thacker Scott , Kelly Scott , Pant Raghav , Hall Jim W.
Published: June 2017

Infrastructure adaptation measures provide a practical way to reduce the risk from extreme hydrometeorological hazards, such as floods and windstorms. The benefit of adapting infrastructure assets is evaluated as the reduction in risk relative to the “do nothing” case. However, evaluating the full benefits of risk reduction is challenging because of the complexity of the systems, the scarcity of data, and the uncertainty of future climatic changes. We address this challenge by integrating methods from the study of climate adaptation, infrastructure systems, and complex networks. In doing so, we outline an infrastructure risk assessment that incorporates interdependence, user demands, and potential failure‐related economic losses. Individual infrastructure assets are intersected with probabilistic hazard maps to calculate expected annual damages. Protection measure costs are integrated to calculate risk reduction and associated discounted benefits, which are used to explore the business case for investment in adaptation. A demonstration of the methodology is provided for flood protection of major electricity substations in England and Wales. We conclude that the ongoing adaptation program for major electricity assets is highly cost beneficial.
Public Perceptions of How Long Air Pollution and Carbon Dioxide Remain in the Atmosphere
Authors: Dryden Rachel , Morgan M. Granger , Bostrom Ann , Bruine de Bruin Wändi
Published: June 2017

The atmospheric residence time of carbon dioxide is hundreds of years, many orders of magnitude longer than that of common air pollution, which is typically hours to a few days. However, randomly selected respondents in a mail survey in Allegheny County, PA (N = 119) and in a national survey conducted with MTurk (N = 1,013) judged the two to be identical (in decades), considerably overestimating the residence time of air pollution and drastically underestimating that of carbon dioxide. Moreover, while many respondents believed that action is needed today to avoid climate change (regardless of cause), roughly a quarter held the view that if climate change is real and serious, we will be able to stop it in the future when it happens, just as we did with common air pollution. In addition to assessing respondents’ understanding of how long carbon dioxide and common air pollution stay in the atmosphere, we also explored the extent to which people correctly identified causes of climate change and how their beliefs affect support for action. With climate change at the forefront of politics and mainstream media, informing discussions of policy is increasingly important. Confusion about the causes and consequences of climate change, and especially about carbon dioxide's long atmospheric residence time, could have profound implications for sustained support of policies to achieve reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases.
Experimental and theoretical study on large ductile transverse deformations of rectangular plates subjected to shock load due to gas mixture detonation
Authors: Mirzababaie Mostofi T. , Babaei H. , Alitavoli M.
Published: June 2017

The main purpose of this study is to show that metal plate forming by direct application of gas mixture detonation loads can be considered as an alternative high‐velocity forming method for structures instead of a conventional one. Therefore, in this investigation, a series of experimental tests have been conducted on aluminium alloy and mild steel plates with different thicknesses to examine large ductile transverse deformations of rectangular plates with clamped edge conditions subjected to gas mixture detonation loading. The main aim of the experimental section is to investigate the effects of predetonation pressures of acetylene (C2H2) and oxygen (O2) gasses and different mixture ratios on the dynamic response of specimens. The permanent deflections of plates have widely varied from 21.66 up to 56.31 mm. In theoretical analysis, according to an upper bound solution and energy method, theoretical models have been presented by assuming a zero‐order Bessel function of the first kind in the x and y directions for a transverse displacement profile to predict permanent deflections. To account for material strain rate sensitivity, a Cowper–Symonds model has been used, whereas the material coefficients of this equation are constant values or functions of plate thickness. A comparison of the present models with Jones' theoretical model shows that a good agreement with experimental results can be obtained when constant values are used for material coefficients in the Cowper–Symonds equation.