bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Depressive symptoms are common among rural Malawian adolescents
Authors: Teivaanmäki T. , Cheung Y. B. , Maleta K. , Gandhi M. , Ashorn P.
Published: April 2018

Background

Depressive conditions cause about 25 million disability adjusted life years in low‐income countries annually. The incidence of depression rises after puberty, and the young age distribution in these countries may cause a high burden of adolescent depression. We aimed to assess the prevalence of reported depressive symptoms among rural adolescents in Malawi. Additionally, we assessed the association between birth weight, childhood growth, gender, and pubertal maturity and depressive symptoms.

Methods

We followed 767 children from the foetal period until 15‐years‐of‐age. We used the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ) to examine reported depressive symptoms at 15 years. The questionnaire was translated to local language and then back‐translated until inaccuracies were not detected. Anthropometry was conducted at 1, 24, 120, and 180 months of age. We performed regression models with imputed data to assess associations between the independent variables and depressive symptoms. As a sensitivity analysis, we ran the same regression models with participants with no missing data.

Results

A total of 523 participants were seen at 15 years. The mean SMFQ score was 15 with 90% (95%CI 87–92%) of the participants scoring ≥11 points, the traditional cut‐off for screening for depression. Birth weight, growth, gender, and pubertal maturity were not associated with the SMFQ score in the primary imputed analyses. In the sensitivity analysis, birth weight was associated with the SMFQ score in all models.

Conclusions

The prevalence of reported depressive symptoms was high among the studied population. It is uncertain how well the traditional cut‐off of 11 points identifies children with clinically significant depressive symptoms in our sample. Our data do not support a hypothesis of an association between growth, gender, or pubertal maturity and depressive symptoms. Nevertheless, our results highlight the importance of the awareness of mental health problems in low‐income countries.
Preliteracy impairments in children with neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: Arnold Shelley S , Payne Jonathan M , Lorenzo Jennifer , North Kathryn N , Barton Belinda
Published: April 2018

Aim

This cross‐sectional study aimed to examine the preliteracy abilities of young children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and to identify which of these abilities best predicted conventional literacy (spelling).

Method

Forty‐two children with NF1 (23 males, 19 females; mean age [SD] 5y 6mo [6mo]) were compared with 32 unaffected children (15 males, 17 females; mean age [SD] 5y 4mo [6mo]). All children completed a comprehensive cognitive assessment including measures of phonological processing (phonological awareness, phonological memory, rapid automatic naming) and letter‐sound knowledge.

Results

Children with NF1 performed significantly poorer than the comparison group across all cognitive and preliteracy domains, with specific weaknesses evident in phonological awareness (F1,68=14.13, p<0.001, partial η2=0.17), phonological memory (F1,68=13.87, p<0.001, partial η2=0.17), and letter‐sound knowledge (F1,71=5.65, p=0.020, partial η2=0.07). Within the group with NF1 group, over a third of children demonstrated impairment in at least one phonological processing domain and the risk of phonological impairment was 5.60 times that of unaffected children. Children's letter‐sound knowledge was the strongest predictor of conventional literacy (spelling).

Interpretation

This study establishes that preliteracy deficits are present and detectable in young children with NF1. As a result of the high incidence of preliteracy impairment, we recommend screening phonological awareness and letter‐sound knowledge to identify risk of future learning disorders.

What this paper adds

Young children with neurofibromatosis type 1 are at elevated risk of preliteracy deficits.

The most affected domains are phonological awareness and phonological memory.

Letter‐sound knowledge is the strongest predictor of conventional literacy (spelling).
Life history traits, but not body size, vary systematically along latitudinal gradients on three continents in the widespread yellow dung fly
Authors: Blanckenhorn Wolf U. , Bauerfeind Stephanie S. , Berger David , Davidowitz Goggy , Fox Charles W. , Guillaume Frédéric , Nakamura Satoshi , Nishimura Kinya , Sasaki Hitoshi , Stillwell R. Craig , Tachi Takuji , Schäfer Martin A.
Published: April 2018

Large‐scale clinal variation in body size and other life‐history traits is common enough to have stimulated the postulation of several eco‐geographical rules. Whereas some clinal patterns are clearly adaptive, the causes of others remain unclear. We present a comprehensive intraspecific population comparison for the cosmopolitan yellow dung fly Scathophaga stercoraria (Diptera: Scathophagidae) to check for consistent world‐wide patterns. Common garden assessment of various life history traits permitted continental comparison of (clinal) quantitative genetic differentiation (Qst) with putatively neutral genetic differentiation (Fst) derived from field‐caught flies. Latitudinal clines in fly development time, growth rate, and overwintering propensity were consistent among North American, European and Japanese populations. Increased winter dormancy incidence and duration at higher latitude, combined with a faster growth rate and shorter development time, suggest that flies are adaptated to season length more than to temperature. The resulting body size clines, in contrast, were not very consistent; importantly, they were not negative, as expected under seasonal constraints, but flat or even positive clines. Quantitative genetic differentiation QST exceeded neutral molecular variation FST for most traits, suggesting that natural selection plays a consistent role in mediating global dung fly life histories. We conclude that faster growth and development in response to shorter growing seasons at higher latitudes may indirectly counteract expected direct effects of temperature on body‐size, potentially resulting in flat or inconsistent body size clines in nature.
Assessing the relative influences of abiotic and biotic factors on American eel Anguilla rostrata distribution using hydrologic, physical habitat, and functional trait data
Authors: Woods Taylor , McGarvey Daniel J.
Published: April 2018

Species’ distributions are influenced by abiotic and biotic factors but direct comparison of their relative importance is difficult, particularly when working with complex, multi‐species datasets. Here, we compare the relative effects of hydrology, physical habitat, and co‐occurring fish functional traits on the contemporary (1950–1990) distribution of the American eel Anguilla rostrata in six Mid‐Atlantic (USA) rivers. To do so, we implement a null model approach that compares conditions at sites of known American eel presence to a random sample of sites throughout a broader landscape, allowing us to identify variables that may have the strongest influences on American eel distribution. Results suggest that, within this subset of the American eel's geographic range, the functional characteristics of locally co‐occurring fishes and habitat fragmentation by dams may have the strongest influences on American eel distribution, compared to other predictor variables included in the analysis. Given the widespread distribution and complex biology of this species, we caution that our results may not apply to all American eel subpopulations or life stages. Nonetheless, the observed importance of co‐occurring fish functional traits may inform American eel conservation and, more generally, provide a means to incorporate biotic influences in research on species’ distributions.
Application of the DAWN clinical imaging mismatch and DEFUSE 3 selection criteria: benefit seems similar but restrictive volume cut‐offs might omit potential responders
Authors: Ducroux C. , Khoury N. , Lecler A. , Blanc R. , Chetrit A. , Redjem H. , Ciccio G. , Smajda S. , Escalard S. , Desilles J.‐P. , Mazighi M. , Ben Maacha M. , Piotin M. , Fahed R.
Published: April 2018

Background and purpose

An external validation of the selection criteria of diffusion‐weighted imaging or computerized tomography perfusion assessment with clinical mismatch in the triage of wake‐up and late‐presenting strokes undergoing the Neurointervention with Trevo (DAWN) and the Endovascular Therapy Following Imaging Evaluation for Ischemic Stroke (DEFUSE3) trials was conducted in a cohort of unknown onset stroke (UOS) patients treated with thrombectomy.

Methods

A validation cohort of UOS patients was selected from a prospectively collected thrombectomy database to match the inclusion criteria of DAWN and DEFUSE 3. Patients with an initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≥10 were stratified according to the DAWN selection criteria. Patients ≤90 years old with an initial NIHSS ≥6 were stratified according to the DEFUSE 3 selection criteria. The proportions of patients with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤2 at 3 months follow‐up were compared between DAWN‐eligible patients and the DAWN trial thrombectomy group, and between DEFUSE 3‐eligible patients and the DEFUSE 3 trial thrombectomy group.

Results

Of the 60/102 (59%) DAWN‐eligible patients, 26 patients (43%) reached a mRS ≤2 at 3 months follow‐up [versus 52/107 patients (49%) in the DAWN trial thrombectomy group; P = 0.52]. Of the 100/117 (85%) DEFUSE 3‐eligible patients, 48 patients (48%) reached a mRS ≤2 at 3 months follow‐up [versus 41/92 patients (45%) in the DEFUSE 3 trial thrombectomy group; P = 0.67]. Of the DAWN‐ineligible and DEFUSE 3‐ineligible patients who underwent thrombectomy, 38% (16/42) and 41% (7/17) of patients reached a mRS ≤2, respectively.

Conclusion

The results of the DAWN and DEFUSE 3 trials were externally validated in a UOS cohort where the trials' selection criteria identified a similar proportion of responders to thrombectomy.
Adverse placental effects of valproic acid: Studies in perfused human placentas
Authors: Rubinchik‐Stern Miriam , Shmuel Miriam , Bar Jacob , Kovo Michal , Eyal Sara
Published: April 2018

Objective

In utero exposure to valproic acid (VPA) has been associated with worse pregnancy outcomes compared to all other antiepileptic drugs. We have previously shown that VPA alters the expression of placental transporters for hormones and nutrients in vitro and in pregnant mice. Here, our aim was to characterize the effects of short exposure to VPA on the expression of carriers for compounds essential for fetal development in human placentas ex vivo, under controlled conditions.

Methods

Placentas were obtained from cesarean deliveries of women with no known epilepsy. Cotyledons were cannulated and perfused in the absence or the presence of VPA (42, 83, or 166 μg/mL; n = 6/group) in the maternal perfusate over 180 minutes. A customized gene panel array was used to analyze the expression of carrier genes in the perfused cotyledons. We additionally measured in the perfused placentas folic acid concentrations and histone acetylation.

Results

VPA significantly altered the mRNA levels of major carriers for folic acid, glucose, choline, thyroid hormones, and serotonin (P < .05) and reduced placental folate concentrations by 25%‐35% (P = .059). The effects were observed at therapeutic concentrations sufficient to enhance placental histone acetylation, and some were concentration‐dependent.

Significance

Our results point to the placenta as a novel target of VPA, implying potential involvement of the placenta in VPA's adverse fetal outcomes.
Assessing seed priming, sowing date, and mulch film to improve the germination and survival of direct‐sown Miscanthus sinensis in the United Kingdom
Authors: Ashman Chris , Awty‐Carroll Danny , Mos Michal , Robson Paul , Clifton‐Brown John
Published: April 2018

Direct sowing of Miscanthus seed could lower crop establishment costs, and increase the rate of grower uptake and biomass supply for the emerging bio‐economy. A replicated field trial was conducted at two contrasting UK sites: Aberystwyth (ABR) in mid‐Wales and Blankney (BLK) in Lincolnshire. These sites encompass the west–east meteorological gradient in the United Kingdom where the growing season at ABR is cooler and wetter while BLK is warmer and drier. Primed and unprimed Miscanthus sinensis seeds were sown directly onto the soil surface with and without a clear biodegradable mulch film, at nine dates interspersed from May to October. Average daily mean soil surface temperatures measured over the first 2 months after sowing under the mulch film were higher than control plots (2.7°C ABR and 4.2°C BLK). At both sites, the film covering also affected soil volumetric moisture relative to uncovered control plots (−3% ABR and 8% BLK), demonstrating the negative impact of mulch film when sowing on dry soil. Over nine sowings, seed germination at ABR under film varied between −28% and +18% of germination under control conditions. Seedlings from the first three sowings at both sites under film had sufficient physiological maturity to survive the first winter period. At BLK, mulch film significantly increased tiller count and height in both the first and second years after sowing. At ABR, where temperatures were lower, film covering significantly increased tiller height but not count. Water priming had no significant effect on seed viability or germination in the field tests. Base temperatures for germination of primed and unprimed seeds on a thermal gradient plate were 7.0°C and 5.7°C, respectively, with a ± 1.7°C confidence interval. Based on our results for M. sinensis in the United Kingdom, we recommend the sowing of unprimed seed in May under film and only when the soil is moist.
Self‐management of congestive heart failure among elderly men in Japan
Authors: Sano Motohiro , Majima Tomoko
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this study was to explore the process of self‐management in elderly male patients with congestive heart failure among those who have had not needed re‐hospitalization for more than 2 years. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 10 male congestive heart failure patients. Interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using the modified grounded theory approach. As a result of the analysis, the core concept identified was a process of living life such that symptoms do not worsen, while balancing good choices and preferences. By trial and error, the men tried to find the limits of physical capacity and dietary choices that would lead to the worsening of symptoms, while also trying to maintain quality of life to the extent possible.
Are Employers Omniscient? Employer Learning About Cognitive and Noncognitive Skills
Authors: Petre Melinda
Published: April 2018

Do employers recognize noncognitive skills at the beginning of a career or is there a learning process? Does learning transfer perfectly across employers or is there a degree to which learning resets as employees change jobs throughout their careers? This paper uses data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979 to incorporate measures of noncognitive skills into a model of symmetric employer learning described originally by Altonji and Pierret () and nested in a model of asymmetric employer learning as in Schönberg (). I find evidence that employers reward self‐esteem, internal control, and schooling initially, while rewarding cognitive skills and motivation over time.
Securitized and Direct Real Estate Factors in the Pricing of US Bank Stocks
Authors: Carmichael Benoît , Coën Alain
Published: April 2018

This article analyzes the role of securitized and direct real estate risks in the pricing of US bank stocks. Real estate risk measures are drawn from the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT) and NCREIF indexes. Beside the real estate, the other risk exposures considered are the market, the term, and the default premiums. The period covered runs from February 1990 to December 2015. GMM estimates of conditional multifactor models report considerable evidence in favor of real estate risk in US bank stocks.
Long persistent and photo‐stimulated luminescence in Pr3+‐doped layered perovskite phosphor for optical data storage
Authors: Wang Bo , Li Xiaoshuang , Chen Yeqing , Chen Yan , Zhou Jiangcong , Zeng Qingguang
Published: April 2018

As the time for big data is coming, the demand for data's storage density and capacity exerts explosive growth. However, traditional optical storage is hard to get rid of the bottleneck of optical diffraction limit. The persistent luminescence materials could be used for optical data storage based on the photon trapping and de‐trapping mode. Herein the performance of thermoluminescence (TL), photo‐stimulated luminescence, and photoluminescence of Pr3+‐doped Ca4Ti3O10 were studied in order to explore the optical storage property of this material. The TL glow curves show that the deep‐trap in Ca4Ti3O10:0.01Pr3+, Y3+ has a narrow distribution from 0.9 to 0.98 eV, which is qualified for maintaining the recorded data at RT for a long duration time. NIR photo‐stimulated red persistent luminescence (NIR‐to‐red mode) as presented in the Y‐containing Ca4Ti3O10:Pr3+ phosphor could be a promising technique for optical data storage.
The role of landscape change and paleoclimatic events in shaping the evolutionary history of the Polioptila gnatcatchers (Passeriformes, Polioptilidae) with emphasis on species associated with open habitats
Authors: Moura Carina Carneiro de Melo , Araujo Helder F. P. de , Aleixo Alexandre , Wink Michael , Fernandes Alexandre M.
Published: April 2018

We conducted a large‐scale phylogenetic and biogeographical inference of the Poliptila gnatcatchers and investigated the evolutionary history of two closely related neotropical bird species linked to open habitats, Polioptila dumicola and Polioptila plumbea. A Bayesian inference was employed based on the NADH subunit 2 gene to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationship of the gnatcatchers, and ancestral area reconstructions were estimated using BioGeoBEARS. For the phylogeographic analysis, we analyzed two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome b and ND2, of 102 individuals from P. dumicola and P. plumbea distributed throughout the complete range of both species. To reconstruct the dates related to the splitting events, we included a subset of sequences from the nuclear gene beta‐fibrinogen intron‐7. A striking result was the recovery of the sister relationship between the lineages of P. dumicola  /plumbea and the paraphyly among the subspecies of P. plumbea: the first group was formed by P. dumicola, P. p. plumbea, P. p. parvirostris, P. p. atricapilla and P. lactea, occurring mainly on the Brazilian shield; while the second group consisted of lineages from north of the Amazon, west of the Andes, and Central America, and included P. maior, P. p. cinericia, P. p. bilineata and P. p. innotata. Significant phylogeographic structure was evident within lineages attributed to P. plumbea, with high levels of differentiation in the well‐defined clades according to all phylogenetic analyses. Our biogeographic analyses support distinct evolutionary histories related to founder events and vicariance, occurring during the late Pliocene and early Pleistocene. Several dispersal episodes between North/Central America and South America led to the establishment of populations which became differentiated due to landscape changes, such as the establishment of riverine barriers, the uplift of the Andes and the formation of the Panama Isthmus.
TEAD4 exerts pro‐metastatic effects and is negatively regulated by miR6839‐3p in lung adenocarcinoma progression
Authors: Zhang Qun , Fan Hang , Zou Qian , Liu Hongda , Wan Bing , Zhu Suhua , Hu Yangbo , Li Huijuan , Zhang ChenXi , Zhou Li , Zhu Qingqing , Xiao Kunhong , Zhang Jianya , Zhan Ping , Lv Tangfeng , Song Yong
Published: April 2018

Several studies have shown the tumorigenesis role of transcriptional enhancer associate domain (TEAD) proteins; here, we initially explored expression, function and signalling mechanisms of TEAD4 in lung adenocarcinoma (LAD). Both the mRNA and protein levels of TEAD4 were increased in LAD tissues than those in adjacent nontumourous tissues. Besides, database search indicated a poorer clinical outcome in LAD patients with higher TEAD4 expression, revealing its potential tumour‐promoting role. Therefore, we conducted cellular experiments to further investigate its effect on tumour phenotypes. Accordingly, TEAD4 showed little impact on LAD cell cycle, proliferation, or apoptosis. However, silencing TEAD4 remarkably attenuated cell migration and invasion capacities. Consistently, several important epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers such as E‐cadherin and Slug were consequently altered by silencing TEAD4. Furthermore, we identified a novel TEAD4‐targeted microRNA, namely miR6839‐3p, and confirmed its function in suppressing TEAD4 expression. Finally, the impact of overexpressing miR6839‐3p mimics on LAD progression was validated, which showed a similar pattern with TEAD4 knockdown cells. Taken together, our data not only revealed the significant role of TEAD4 in promoting LAD progression and predicting clinical outcome but also distinguished miR6839‐3p mimics as a promising therapeutic direction.
Long working hours and skipping breakfast concomitant with late evening meals are associated with suboptimal glycemic control among young male Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Azami Yasushi , Funakoshi Mitsuhiko , Matsumoto Hisashi , Ikota Akemi , Ito Koichi , Okimoto Hisashi , Shimizu Nobuaki , Tsujimura Fumihiro , Fukuda Hiroshi , Miyagi Chozi , Osawa Sayaka , Osawa Ryo , Miura Jiro
Published: April 2018

Aims/Introduction

To assess the associations of working conditions, eating habits and glycemic control among young Japanese workers with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

This hospital‐ and clinic‐based prospective study included 352 male and 126 female working patients with diabetes aged 20–40 years. Data were obtained from June to July 2012 and June to July 2013. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate multivariable‐adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for suboptimal glycemic control (glycosylated hemoglobin level of ≥7%) obtained from June to July 2013.

Results

Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that disease duration of ≥10 years (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.02–5.80), glycosylated hemoglobin level of ≥7% in 2012 (OR 8.50, 95% CI 4.90–14.80), skipping breakfast and late evening meals (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.25–5.00) and working ≥60 h/week (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.16–7.40) were predictive of suboptimal glycemic control in male workers, whereas a glycosylated hemoglobin level of ≥7% in 2012 (OR 17.96, 95% CI 5.93–54.4), oral hyperglycemic agent therapy (OR 12.49, 95% CI 2.75–56.86) and insulin therapy (OR 11.60, 95% CI 2.35–57.63) were predictive of suboptimal glycemic control in female workers.

Conclusions

Working ≥60 h/week and habitual skipping breakfast concomitant with late evening meals might affect the ability of young male workers with type 2 diabetes to achieve and maintain glycemic control.
Diet quality and 10‐year healthcare costs by BMI categories in the mid‐age cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health
Authors: Patterson A. , Hure A. , Burrows T. , Jackson J. , Collins C.
Published: April 2018

Background

Better diets, as evaluated by diet quality indices, are associated with lower rates of morbidity and mortality. Although governments and researchers alike recognise the burden that obesity incurs for increased healthcare spending, there is insufficient evidence for the role of diet quality on healthcare costs.

Methods

Diet quality was assessed by the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS) for 6328 women aged 50–55 years from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. The ARFS was ranked by quintile, and 10‐year cumulative data on healthcare costs from Medicare (Australia's Universal healthcare cover) were reported by body mass index category, using generalised linear modelling.

Results

Healthy weight women with the highest diet quality were found to make significantly fewer Medicare claims (P = 0.012) compared to those with the lowest diet quality. In healthy weight and overweight women, the number of healthcare claims and charges was inversely associated with consuming a greater variety of vegetables. For every 1 point increase in the ARFS vegetable component score, healthy weight women made 1.9 fewer healthcare claims and were charged $139 less, whereas overweight women made 2.3 fewer claims and were charged $176 less for healthcare over 10 years.

Conclusions

The results of the present study support the need to prioritise an improved diet quality with the aim of reducing healthcare claims and overall costs in a population‐based sample of Australian females. As the burden of overweight and obesity on the healthcare system increases, strategies to improve diet quality may be of particular importance; however, more research is required to further establish this relationship.
bHLH104 confers tolerance to cadmium stress in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Yao Xiani , Cai Yuerong , Yu Diqiu , Liang Gang
Published: April 2018

Cd is a non‐essential heavy metal that is toxic to both plants and animals. Here, we reveal that the transcription factor bHLH104 positively regulates Cd tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. We show that Fe deficiency‐responsive genes were induced by Cd treatment, and that their upregulation was suppressed in bhlh104 loss‐of‐function mutants, but enhanced upon overexpression of bHLH104. Correspondingly, the bhlh104 mutants displayed sensitivity to Cd stress, whereas plants overexpressing bHLH104 exhibited enhanced Cd tolerance. Further analysis suggested that bHLH104 positively regulates four heavy metal detoxification‐associated genes, IREG2, MTP3, HMA3 and NAS4, which play roles in Cd sequestration and tolerance. The bHLH104 overexpression plants accumulated high levels of Cd in the root but low levels of Cd in the shoot, which might contribute to the Cd tolerance in those lines. The present study thus points to bHLH104 as a potentially useful tool for genetic engineering of plants with enhanced Cd tolerance.
Plant glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchored proteins at the plasma membrane‐cell wall nexus
Authors: Yeats Trevor H. , Bacic Antony , Johnson Kim L.
Published: April 2018

Approximately 1% of plant proteins are predicted to be post‐translationally modified with a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor that tethers the polypeptide to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. Whereas the synthesis and structure of GPI anchors is largely conserved across eukaryotes, the repertoire of functional domains present in the GPI‐anchored proteome has diverged substantially. In plants, this includes a large fraction of the GPI‐anchored proteome being further modified with plant‐specific arabinogalactan (AG) O‐glycans. The importance of the GPI‐anchored proteome to plant development is underscored by the fact that GPI biosynthetic null mutants exhibit embryo lethality. Mutations in genes encoding specific GPI‐anchored proteins (GAPs) further supports their contribution to diverse biological processes, occurring at the interface of the plasma membrane and cell wall, including signaling, cell wall metabolism, cell wall polymer cross‐linking, and plasmodesmatal transport. Here, we review the literature concerning plant GPI‐anchored proteins, in the context of their potential to act as molecular hubs that mediate interactions between the plasma membrane and the cell wall, and their potential to transduce the signal into the protoplast and, thereby, activate signal transduction pathways.
Tai Chi Improves Brain Metabolism and Muscle Energetics in Older Adults
Authors: Zhou Min , Liao Huijun , Sreepada Lasya P. , Ladner Joshua R. , Balschi James A. , Lin Alexander P.
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Tai Chi is a mind‐body exercise that has been shown to improve both mental and physical health. As a result, recent literature suggests the use of Tai Chi to treat both physical and psychological disorders. However, the underlying physiological changes have not been characterized. The aim of this pilot study is to assess the changes in brain metabolites and muscle energetics after Tai Chi training in an aging population using a combined brain‐muscle magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) examination.

METHODS

Six healthy older adults were prospectively recruited and enrolled into a 12‐week Tai Chi program. A brain 1H MRS and a muscle 31P MRS were scanned before and after the training, and postprocessed to measure N‐acetylaspartate to creatine (NAA/Cr) ratios and phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery time. Wilcoxon‐signed rank tests were utilized to assess the differences between pre‐ and post‐Tai Chi training.

RESULTS

A significant within‐subject increase in both the NAA/Cr ratios (P = .046) and the PCr recovery time (P = .046) was observed between the baseline and the posttraining scans. The median percentage changes were 5.38% and 16.51% for NAA/Cr and PCr recovery time, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our pilot study demonstrates significant increase of NAA/Cr ratios in posterior cingulate gyrus and significantly improved PCr recovery time in leg muscles in older adults following short‐term Tai Chi training, and thus provides insight into the beneficial mechanisms.
The Ability of Face Viewpoint Transformation Remains Immature at Age of 12: Evidence from Recognition of Faces with Different Familiarity in Children
Authors: Yang Jisien , Schwaninger Adrian
Published: April 2018

Children are immature in face recognition, particularly in face configural decoding. This study examines the developmental difference of face recognition in another mechanism: viewpoint transformation processing. Adults and sixth‐grade children were instructed to match a series of one‐tone black face silhouettes to their corresponding front‐view faces. This task involves sophisticated calculation in pictorial information, precise viewpoint transformation, and most probably a 3‐D face representation. The results showed that although the performances were well above chance level in the recognition of familiar faces, for children, they were at chance level in the recognition of unfamiliar faces. The results indicate that children, at least to the age of about 12 years, are still immature in the processing of face viewpoint transformation compared to adults.
Does Biofloc Improve the Energy Distribution and Final Muscle Quality of Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1883)?
Authors: Chan‐Vivas Elisa , Edén Magaña‐Gallegos , Maldonado Carlos , Escalante Karla , Gaxiola Gabriela , Cuzon Gerard
Published: April 2018

In a 45‐d experiment, Litopenaeus vannamei was cultured in two treatments, biofloc technology or clear water recirculating aquaculture system, to evaluate the effect on growth and survival, energy balance, and texture of the marketable product. The experimental design consisted of 40 plastic tanks of 54 L (20 tanks per treatment), with a density of 140 organisms/m3 in each culture system. The final body weight, daily growth coefficient, and survival were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in biofloc technology (12.40 g, 5.0%g/d, and 87.1%, respectively) than in the clear water system (7.0 g, 1.4%g/d, and 74.2%). The retained energy and energy content of exuviae were significantly higher for shrimp in the biofloc technology (448.5 ± 36.4 and 22.4 ± 1.8 J/shrimp/d, respectively) than in clear water (246.3 ± 40.9 and 12.3 ± 2.0 J/shrimp/d, respectively). Routine metabolism was significantly higher for the clear water treatment (411.4 ± 123.8 J/shrimp/d). Shear force was higher in the biofloc technology, indicating greater muscle firmness; this matched the gel electrophoresis patterns of the proteins extracted from the muscle tissues. This suggests that biofloc technology could be used not only to improve growth and survival in L. vannamei but also to enhance the final product quality and acceptability in the market.
The Beauty of God
Authors: Tietz Christiane
Published: April 2018

While in the theology of the ancient Church the idea that God is beautiful was the object of some kind of consensus, Protestant dogmatics usually would not contain a chapter about God's beauty. The paper examines why this is the case. It brings Christian thinking about God's beauty in dialogue with current aesthetic observations about beauty, with the emphasis on God's beauty in Islam. Finally, it discusses Karl Barth's interest in God's beauty as this characteristic of God expresses how God is attractive for human beings.
The Justice of God
Authors: Muis Jan
Published: April 2018

This article analyzes the views on God's justice of Albrecht Ritschl, Hermann Cremer, Karl Barth, and Eberhard Jüngel, which presuppose that God's essence is love and that the justification of the sinner reveals God's justice. Four problems with this approach are discussed: its essentialist framework; its understanding of God's divinity as love; its neglect of other forms of God's justice; its one‐sided interpretation of the biblical notion of justice. On the basis of the variety of God's just acts in relation to a variety of people, an alternative understanding of God's justice is proposed, in which God's attributes are understood as distinct identity‐defining properties of himself.
Case of acromegalic myopathy and arthropathy long after trans‐sphenoidal surgery
Authors: Sasaki Ryo , Yamashita Toru , Takahashi Yoshiaki , Sato Kota , Takemoto Mami , Hishikawa Nozomi , Ohta Yasuyuki , Abe Koji
Published: April 2018

Acromegaly patients usually show impaired vision, the enlargement of hands and feet, heart failure, and diabetes and rarely show myopathy (weakness and muscle pain) and arthropathy (joint pain). Here, we report an acromegaly patient who showed progressive myopathy and arthropathy long after a Hardy operation. The symptoms of myopathy and arthropathy occurred under normal GH and high IGF‐1 levels, but these symptoms improved when the IGF‐1 level was normalized by a treatment of octreotide with an increased dose of 30–40 mg. Thus, strict and immediate control of IGH‐1 may be pivotally important to prevent and treat acromegalic myopathy and arthropathy.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome following treatment for granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Authors: Sasaki Fuyuko , Oyama Genko , Fujimaki Motoki , Yokoyama Kazumasa , Ogasawara Michihiro , Nakamichi Kazuo , Saijo Masayuki , Takasaki Yoshinari , Hattori Nobutaka
Published: April 2018

A 56‐year‐old man with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) developed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) after a combined immune therapy with methotrexate and prednisolone. Despite negative conversion of JC virus after cessation of methotrexate treatment and tapering of prednisone, he developed amnestic aphasia, left hemispatial neglect, and left hemiplegia, which was confirmed as immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) based on a rapid expansion of the lesions bilaterally with marginal gadolinium enhancement on brain magnetic resonance imaging. This case suggests that it may be important to be aware of possibility of IRIS, in cases of worsening neurological symptoms despite discontinuation of immunosuppressive treatments for GPA with PML.
Oral amyloidosis: A strategy to differentiate systemic amyloidosis involving the oral cavity and localized amyloidosis
Authors: Deng J , Chen Q , Ji P , Zeng X , Jin X
Published: April 2018

Amyloidosis is a rare metabolic disorder caused by the extracellular deposition of fibrillar proteins in important organs. The prognosis of oral amyloidosis associated with systemic involvement is generally poor, but is much more favourable in localized cases. Limited information is available regarding the differential diagnosis between localized and systemic amyloidosis involving the oral mucosa, and also the prognosis. In this study, we summarize the strategy for correctly discriminating between localized and systemic oral amyloidosis, to give the right advice during the diagnostic workup.
Clinicopathological significance of miR‐26, miR‐107, miR‐125b, and miR‐203 in head and neck carcinomas
Authors: González‐Arriagada WA , Olivero P , Rodríguez B , Lozano‐Burgos C , de Oliveira CE , Coletta RD
Published: April 2018

Objectives

MicroRNAs play a role in the development and progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Our aim was to study the expression of miR‐26, miR‐107, miR‐125b, and miR‐203 in primary HNSCC with and without lymph node metastasis and their clinicopathological significance.

Materials and Methods

The expression of microRNAs in primary HNSCC with lymph node metastasis (n = 16) and their matched lymph node, as well as primary tumors without metastasis (n = 16), were determined by quantitative RT‐PCR and analyzed with clinicopathological features and survival.

Results

The expression levels of miR‐26 (p < .05) and miR‐125b (p < .01) were higher in metastatic primary HNSCC, while levels of miR‐203 (p < .01) were lower. The expression of the microRNAs was associated with clinicopathological features, including miR‐26 high expression and N stage (p = .04), poor differentiation (p = .005) and recurrence (p = .007), miR‐125b high expression and N stage (p = .0005) and death (p = .02), and low levels of miR‐203 and N stage (p = .04). The high expression of miR‐26 was associated with shortened disease‐free survival, and high miR‐125b expression was an independent risk factor for poor disease‐specific survival.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that miR‐26 and miR‐125b may be associated with the progression and metastasis of HNSCC and that miR‐203 is associated with a more favorable prognosis.
Evaluation of a nursing student health fair program: Meeting curricular standards and improving community members' health
Authors: Salerno John P. , McEwing Evan , Matsuda Yui , Gonzalez‐Guarda Rosa M. , Ogunrinde Olutola , Azaiza Mona , Williams Jessica R.
Published: April 2018

Background

Public health nursing (PHN) is an essential component of baccalaureate nursing education. In order to build PHN competencies, universities must design and operationalize meaningful clinical activities addressing community and population health. Currently, there is a paucity of literature delineating best practices for promoting competency in PHN.

Aims

The purpose of this manuscript is to describe a PHN‐student health fair program as a means for meeting undergraduate PHN curricular standards, and to report results of an evaluation conducted examining its effectiveness in improving community member's health knowledge.

Methods

Health fairs were held at community agencies that served the homeless or victims of intimate partner violence. A total of 113 community members that attended a health fair were assessed at baseline and immediate posttest using open‐ended questionnaires. The design of the health fairs included a community assessment, intervention, and evaluation flow that followed the nursing process.

Results

We report that results from participants surveyed indicated that PHN‐student delivered health fairs improved health knowledge among community members in this sample (p = .000).

Conclusion

Health fairs conducted by PHN students appear to be promising community health promotion and disease prevention interventions that can serve as an effective strategy for teaching PHN student competencies and facilitating engagement with the community.
Can Strategic Customer Behavior Speed Up Product Innovation?
Authors: Liang Chao , Çakanyildirim Metin , Sethi Suresh P.
Published: April 2018

We study a monopolistic firm which introduces two product versions sequentially in two periods. We analyze and compare the firm's decisions on the innovation level of the new version, the production quantities and prices of both versions, and the associated profit in four settings: when the customers are myopic or strategic in period 1 and whether the leftover inventory of the old version is phased out from the market (single rollover strategy) or is sold in the market (dual rollover strategy). In period 2, newcomers who wish to buy the new version arrive in the market. We show that the firm can improve both its profit and its innovation level by adopting an appropriate rollover strategy when selling to strategic customers. This finding underscores the importance of choosing a rollover strategy. Interestingly and differently from the existing literature, we see that strategic waiting behavior can accelerate innovation. These analytical insights remain largely valid when some of the customers who cannot get the old version due to a stockout leave the market before the new version arrives, or when some of the newcomers are interested in the new version as well as the leftover old version.
Epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of invasive aspergillosis in solid organ transplant recipients in the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study
Authors: Neofytos D. , Chatzis O. , Nasioudis D. , Boely Janke E. , Doco Lecompte T. , Garzoni C. , Berger C. , Cussini A. , Boggian K. , Khanna N. , Manuel O. , Mueller N.J. , van Delden C. ,   Swiss Transplant Cohort Study
Published: April 2018

Background

There is lack of recent multicenter epidemiological data on invasive aspergillosis (IA) among solid organ transplant recipient (SOTr) in the mold‐acting antifungal era. We describe the epidemiology and outcomes of IA in a contemporary cohort of SOTr using the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study.

Methods

All consecutive SOTr with proven or probable IA between 01.05.2008 and 31.12.2014 were included. A case‐control study to identify IA predictors was performed: 1‐case was matched with 3‐controls based on SOT type, transplant center, and time post‐SOT.

Results

Among 2868 SOTr, 70 (2.4%) patients were diagnosed with proven (N: 30/70, 42.9%) or probable (N: 40/70, 57.1%) IA. The incidence of IA was 8.3%, 7.1%, 2.6%, 1.3%, and 1.2% in lung, heart, combined, kidney, and liver transplant recipients, respectively, Galactomannan immunoassay was positive in 1/3 of patients tested. Only 33/63 (52.4%) of patients presented with typical pulmonary radiographic findings. Predictors of IA included: renal insufficiency, re‐operation, and bacterial and viral infections. 12‐week mortality was higher in liver (85.7%, 6/7) compared to other (15.9%, 10/63; P < .001) SOTr.

Conclusions

Invasive aspergillosis remains a rare complication post‐SOT, with atypical radiographic presentations and low positivity rates of biomarkers posing significant diagnostic challenges. Although overall mortality has decreased in SOTr, it remains high in liver SOTr.
Nocardia infections in the transplanted host
Authors: Hemmersbach‐Miller Marion , Stout Jason E. , Woodworth Michael H. , Cox Gary M. , Saullo Jennifer L.
Published: April 2018

Background

Nocardia are uncommon pathogens that disproportionately afflict the immunocompromised host. Epidemiology and outcome data of Nocardia infections in transplant recipients are limited.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients at Duke University Hospital with a history of solid organ transplant (SOT) or hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) and at least one positive culture for Nocardia between 1996 and 2013. Our aim was to describe the epidemiology and outcomes of Nocardia infections in the transplanted host.

Results

During the 18‐year study period, 51 patients (14 HCT and 37 SOT recipients) had Nocardia infection. Nocardia incidence was stable during the study period in all populations except heart transplants, whose incidence declined. Infection occurred earlier in the HCT group than the SOT group (median time to diagnosis of 153 and 370 days, respectively). In both groups, the most common site involved was the lung. Outcomes were overall poor, especially in the HCT group with a cure rate of 29%. Heart transplant recipients had significantly better overall survival (P < .05) than other patients. Trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (TMP‐SMX) prophylaxis did not provide complete protection from Nocardia infections, nor did it appear to select for resistant Nocardia isolates.

Conclusions

Infections with Nocardia are typically a late post‐transplant complication. The use of TMP‐SMX prophylaxis was not associated with TMP‐SMX‐resistant Nocardia. Overall outcomes remain poor.
A reduced dose of fluconazole as primary antifungal prophylaxis is not associated with increased risk of invasive fungal infections after allogeneic stem cell transplantation from a HLA identical sibling
Authors: Sarina Barbara , Mariotti Jacopo , Bramanti Stefania , Morabito Lucio , Crocchiolo Roberto , Rimondo Andrea , Tordato Federica , Pocaterra Daria , Casari Erminia , De Philippis Chiara , Carlo‐Stella Carmelo , Santoro Armando , Castagna Luca
Published: April 2018

Background

Invasive fungal infections (IFI) represent a common side effect of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo‐SCT), resulting in increased non relapse mortality (NRM) and reduced overall survival (OS) rates. Seventy‐five days of Fluconazole 400 mg/d represents the standard primary antifungal prophylaxis (PAP) after allo‐SCT, especially for low‐risk transplants. However, the ideal dosage of fluconazole has never been tested.

Methods

Here, we report the experience of our institution on 113 consecutive patients receiving an allo‐SCT from a HLA identical sibling between 1999 and 2015, where PAP consisted of fluconazole 100 mg/d only during the pre‐engraftment phase. At the time of transplant, all patients were considered at low‐risk for mold infection according to ECIL‐5 guidelines.

Results

Cumulative incidence of possible‐probable‐proven IFI was 11.7%, while proven‐probable (PP‐IFI) occurred in 5.5% of patients by day 100 post transplant. Of note, only 1 patient developed invasive Candidiasis due to a non‐albicans strain and stool‐screening tests were negative for colonization by Candida albicans species. The incidence of 1‐year acute and 2‐year chronic graft‐versus‐host‐disease (GVHD) was 30% and 45%, respectively. Three‐year OS and 1‐year NRM were 53% and 11.3%, respectively.

Conclusion

In summary, fungal prophylaxis with fluconazole 100 mg/d results in very low incidence of PP‐IFI, GVHD and NRM in low‐risk allo‐SCT.
Apple S‐RNase interacts with an actin‐binding protein, MdMVG, to reduce pollen tube growth by inhibiting its actin‐severing activity at the early stage of self‐pollination induction
Authors: Yang Qing , Meng Dong , Gu Zhaoyu , Li Wei , Chen Qiuju , Li Yang , Yuan Hui , Yu Jie , Liu Chunsheng , Li Tianzhong
Published: April 2018

In S‐RNase‐mediated self‐incompatibility, S‐RNase secreted from the style destroys the actin cytoskeleton of the self‐pollen tubes, eventually halting their growth, but the mechanism of this process remains unclear. In vitro biochemical assays revealed that S‐RNase does not bind or sever filamentous actin (F‐actin). In apple (Malus domestica), we identified an actin‐binding protein containing myosin, villin and GRAM (MdMVG), that physically interacts with S‐RNase and directly binds and severs F‐actin. Immunofluorescence assays and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy indicated that S‐RNase inhibits the F‐actin‐severing activity of MdMVG in vitro. In vivo, the addition of S‐RNase to self‐pollen tubes increased the fluorescence intensity of actin microfilaments and reduced the severing frequency of microfilaments and the rate of pollen tube growth in self‐pollination induction in the presence of MdMVG overexpression. By generating 25 single‐, double‐ and triple‐point mutations in the amino acid motif E‐E‐K‐E‐K of MdMVG via mutagenesis and testing the resulting mutants with immunofluorescence, we identified a triple‐point mutant, MdMVG(E167A/E171A/K185A), that no longer has F‐actin‐severing activity or interacts with any of the four S‐haplotype S‐RNases, indicating that all three amino acids (E167, E171 and K185) are essential for the severing activity of MdMVG and its interaction with S‐RNases. We conclude that apple S‐RNase interacts with MdMVG to reduce self‐pollen tube growth by inhibiting its F‐actin‐severing activity.